《OLD-WORLD EXTRA》


 OWE

    <h4>Chapter -3: OWE</h4>


    {This chapter is where all the knowledge of the novel is gathered, apendium of information that contains the key to unlocking the secrets of this intricate world.}


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    {It is a repository of knowledge that chronicles the history of the realms and the characters that inhabit them.}


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    {Here, the reader will find spoilers and revtions that will challenge their preconceptions and deepen their understanding of the story.}


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    {This is the ce where the hidden truths are revealed, and where the mysteries are solved.}


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    {So, enter with caution, for the knowledge contained within is not without consequence.}


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    <strong>{Neural Network}</strong>


    The neuralwork is aplex system that includes the electrical and chemical signals in the brain. It is responsible for coordinating the functions of the human body, such as movement, perception, and thinking.


    At the same time, the body also contains Nano-bots, which are tiny robots designed to perform specific tasks within the body.


    These Nano-bots are equipped with sensors that allow them to detect and respond to the electrical and chemical signals in the brain, effectively allowing the brain tomunicate with them.


    Thisplex interaction between the neuralwork and the Nano-bots has many potential applications.


    One example is for fighting off the nuclear fallout and another is for obtaining skills.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Augmented suits}</strong>


    <strong><i>Velocity Suit:</i></strong>


    The Velocity suit is a type of augmented suit that is designed to enhance the user''s physical capabilities based on their existing physical limits.


    It provides a seamless integration between the user''s body and the suit, allowing for precise and controlled movements.


    The Velocity suit is equipped with safety functions that prevent the user from exceeding their physical limits, reducing the risk of injuries.


    It ismonly used by Hunters who prioritize safety and precision in their movements.


    <strong><i>Neuro-Link Suit:</i></strong>


    The Neuro-Link Suit is a type of augmented suit that directly interfaces with the user''s neuro-signals, allowing for heightened speed and power beyond their natural physical limits.


    It reads the user''s intentions and moves ordingly, making it highly responsive and capable of powerful movements.


    However, the Neuro-Link Suit requires careful control and adjustment to avoid unintended and potentially dangerous movements.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Order} <i>(Spoiler Warning!)</i></strong>


    The Order is a group of former AI managers who once controlled various districts andpanies before World War III.


    Their ultimate objective is to manipte a skilled hunter into exploring a particr ruin that holds the key to unlocking ancient robot factories across the western region of the earth.


    The organization is actually being controlled by a more powerful group of humans who had previously escaped Earth sometime before the nuclear war.


    The true Order, a Gctic Federation, established themselves in the sr system to the Milky Way gxy and beyond, reaching the entirety of the local group.


    After millennia upon millennia of cultivating their news, they discovered that the Earth had once again be habitable.


    A leader of theirs became too interested in the, wanting the value it held to himself, resulting in the creation of the Order on Earth.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Hunter Rank}</strong>


    1 to 50.


    A new hunter ranking system is introduced to people who went through the Aetheric Threshold.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Frontlines}</strong>


    The frontline is a dangerous and constantly shifting battlefield where the UEF (United Earth Federation) fights against the Order''s robotic factories.


    The Order''s robotic factories produce an endless stream of machines that relentlessly attack the UEF''s defensive lines.


    The frontline is a brutal and unforgiving ce where the fate of earth''sizens is at stake.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Old World Ruins}</strong>


    The old world is a human civilization that existed before the nuclear war.


    Many of their buildings, factories, and technology were left behind and are now referred to as "ruins."


    The ruins are a vast subterraneanbyrinth,prised of interconnected buildings, tunnels, and facilities.


    Ruins are infested with dangerous monsters, and surviving AI managers, making them a risky ce for hunters to explore.


    In addition to the dangers mentioned above, some ruins also contain self-sustaining factories that continue to produce robotic monsters and other dangerous technology.


    Many of the ruins also contain valuable relics and artifacts from the old world, which can be sold for a high price on the market.


    The ruins are also home to various factions, such as the Big 8 corporations and underworld Big 3 factions, whopete with each other to gain control of the valuable resources and technology hidden within.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Aether}</strong>


    Aether energy is a mystical force that exists in the air and is waiting to be harnessed and processed by a Celestial, bing an Aether Aspect solely used in their specialty.


    It was discovered by Marcus Aurelius and his team of researchers who found a way to extract this energy and convert it into power using the Aether Core.


    The Aether Core is a small imntable device made of a special material that can absorb and store Aether.


    It is designed to interface with the human nervous system, allowing the user to control the flow of energy and convert it into magical abilities.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Aspect}</strong>


    Aspects embody a rich tapestry of qualities, properties, and capabilities associated with the maniption of Aether.


    They hold the key to unlocking extraordinary abilities, granting celestials the power to tap into Aether''s boundless potential and shape the very fabric of their world ording to one of their chosen Aspects.


    Within this intricate web of Aether Aspects, each associated with its own set of skills and abilitiesy a myriad of sses and professions.


    These sses serve as specialized disciplines, guiding individuals to develop their expertise in a particr Aspect of Aether maniption.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Aetheric Threshold}</strong>


    The new ranking system for those who have crossed the Aether threshold is known as the Celestial Hierarchy, an individual who crossed that threshold is called a Celestial.


    It is a hierarchical ranking system that is divided into tiers, each representing a different level of power and ability.


    At the top of the hierarchy is the Apex, which represents the most powerful and skilled individuals in the known universe.


    Below the Apex are the Paragons, followed by the Archons, the Seraphim, the Ascendants, and finally the Initiates.


    The Celestial Hierarchy is highly respected and revered, as it represents the pinnacle of strength and the ultimate goal of their journey.


    [<strong>Apex:</strong> The Apex rank is the pinnacle of the Celestial Hierarchy, held only by those who have achieved unparalleled levels of skill and power, a god-like being that understood theplexities of the Script of Creation, only amounting to a few in the known universe.]


    [<strong>Paragon:</strong> A Paragon is an individual who has reached the cusp of immortality, achieving strength beyond fantastical, and received glimpses into the Script of Creation.]


    [<strong>Archon:</strong> An Archon is an individual who has proven themselves to be exceptional in their abilities, reaching strength previously unimaginable, and who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic thinking on their.]


    [<strong>Seraphim:</strong> A Seraphim is a skilled and experienced individual who has proven themselves in battle and is respected by their peers, a Seraphim has also managed to infuse and evolve their body with Aether, no longer needing the imnt, the Aether core bes a tangible organ in their body.]


    [<strong>Ascendant:</strong> An Ascendant is a hunter who has recently crossed the Aether threshold and is still developing their abilities and skills.]


    [<strong>Initiates:</strong> Initiates are new hunters who are still learning and gaining experience, and who have not yet crossed the Aether threshold and are ranked one to fifty ording to the Hunter Association.]


    Within the Celestial Hierarchy, there are various sub-ranks that hunters can attain, each signifying their level of mastery and skill.


    These sub-ranks include:


    <strong>[Initiate]</strong>


    -Initiate Acolyte


    -Initiate Apprentice


    -Initiate Veteran


    <strong>[Ascendant]</strong>


    -Ascendant Elite


    -Ascendant Knight


    -Ascendant Pdin


    <strong>[Seraphim]</strong>


    -Seraphim Champion


    -Seraphim Exarch


    -Seraphim High lord


    <strong>[Archon]</strong>


    -Archon Emperor


    -Archon Sovereign


    -Archon Monarch


    <strong>[Paragon]</strong>


    -Paragon Guardian


    -Paragon Titan


    -Paragon Immortal


    <strong>[Apex]</strong>


    -Apex Primordial


    -Apex Cosmic Emperor


    Each sub-rank within the Celestial Hierarchy has its own set of qualifications and requirements, with Celestials needing to obtain exceptional skill and prowess to progress to the next level.


    The Celestial Hierarchy is a testament to the dedication and skill of Celestials, and those who achieve its highest levels are revered and respected throughout the universe.


    ¡­


    <strong>{Aetheric Monsters}</strong>


    Simr to the Celestial Hierarchy, there are monsters in the universe ranked above the maximum SS rank for Earth.


    However, unlike celestials, monsters can evolve beyond having more than a single Aether core, due to their massive size.


    [<strong>Youngling:</strong> Younglings are newly hatched or born monsters that are not yet fully developed or have yet to evolve using Aether. They can still be dangerous but are generally less powerful than their adult counterparts, they range from the typical F to S Rank.]


    <i>1-2 Aether cores. </i>


    [<strong>Fiend:</strong> A Fiend is a monster that has evolved using Aether but has yet to reach its full potential, they however still pose a significant threat to hunters and other creatures due to their unpredictability and ferocity, they are the highest ranked monsters on earth ranging from S to SS rank.]


    <i>3-4 Aether cores. </i>


    [<strong>Tyrant:</strong> A Tyrant is a monster who has reached a level of power that makes them nearly invincible to futuristic weaponry, requiring celestials to end them, a Tyrant has abilities and tactics that have led them to dominate over other monsters in their region.]


    <i>5-8 Aether cores. </i>


    [<strong>Behemoth:</strong> A Behemoth is a massive and powerful monster that has earned the respect of other monsters in their region through their size and sheer strength, often serving as a leader or protector of their kin.]


    <i>9-13 Aether cores. </i>


    [<strong>Chaos:</strong> A Chaos-ranked monster possesses the ability to manipte the elements and warp reality, making them a formidable opponent even for the strongest of celestials.]


    <i>14-18 Aether cores. </i>


    [<strong>Mythic:</strong> A Mythic Creature is a monster with unique and mysterious abilities, often unknown and shrouded in myth and legend, only theorized to truly exist, they do not have a direct counterpart in the Celestial Hierarchy, as their abilities and powers arergely unknown.]


    <i>Unknown</i>


    ¡­


    <strong>{World History And Systems}</strong>


    <i><strong>[EIC]</strong></i>


    The Epoch of inteary colonization is the beginning of time when the Order left Earth. They based the years on the rotation of the Earth.


    <strong><i>[CCA]</i></strong>


    <strong><i></i></strong>Cosmic Civilization Alliance.


    An alliance shared between all humans in the known universe, spear-headed by the Order itself.


    <i><strong>[Oath]</strong></i>


    An Oath is simr to the usual CCA binding contract in that if a person goes against it they would automatically die or face the consequences specified in said Oath, and it is mainly used for simple deals.


    All that the person swearing the Oaths needs to do is activate their Aether core, intently connect it with their neuralwork, and speak aloud what the Oath entails.


    <strong><i>[Corpse Debt System]</i></strong>


    Watchers oversee Debtors, retrieve their deceased bodies, and transfer them to the UEF or their respectivepanies. This system is designed to expedite the UEF''s asset acquisition all the while hiding under the guise of ethicality.


    <strong><i>[Oracle]</i></strong>


    The Central AI is the beating heart of the Order, the intergctic federation, and its factions created by the Order themselves.


    Its role is to enforce the binding contracts that dictate the actions of all CCA members, ensuring that everyone adheres to the agreed-upon rules and guidelines and never acts against the CCA''s interests.


    The central AI operates with aplex set of algorithms and machine learning models that enable it to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time.


    It utilizes this data to manage the operations of the CCA, from maintaining the infrastructure of the organization to monitoring the behavior of individual members, and it is a solely private entity, as the Order lost all influence over it after the AI entity became a celestial.


    It is known throughout the universe as the Oracle.


    The Oracle is not only an advanced artificial intelligence system but also an Apex-ranked Astral that possesses a profound understanding of the mysteries of the universe.


    Not much is known about them, many theories suggest that the Oracle was just a mere machine that evolved itself using Aether and became a living being of immense power and wisdom.


    Although much about the Oracle is shrouded in mystery, its position as the protector and supervisor of the CCA is unquestioned, as it is solely neutral.


    Its impact reaches beyond individual gctic federations, and its choices can determine the fates of entire civilizations.


    <strong><i>[The Four Epochs] </i></strong>


    -The Age of Myths<strong><i></i></strong>


    -The Second Golden Age


    -The Age of Endless Chaos


    -The Age of Rebirth


    ¡­


    <strong>{MC System}</strong>


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 13}


    {Hunter Rank:20}


    {Celestial Rank: Ascendant Pdin}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Credit Bnce: Unspecified}


    ? Stats ?


    {Strength: B+} (Avg E+)


    {Agility: B} (Avg E)


    {Endurance: B+} (Avg F+)


    {Mind: A+} (Avg D-)


    {Charm: A+} (Avg D+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E7}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    ?Aspects?


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and shape Aether energy with finesse, weaving intricate patterns of energy to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create intricate Aether constructs and harness celestial energies for enhancedbat abilities.}


    ?Skills?


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 80% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 70% Proficiency.}


    ?Abilities?


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 2 Minutes 50 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 8 Minutes 10 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 172 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    The user can perceive the world in greater detail, such as seeing objects from farther away, hearing sounds that are too quiet for normal humans, and detecting subtle scents and vors.


    The degree of enhancement can be controlled by the user, allowing them to focus on specific senses or enhance them all at once.


    The ability can be physically taxing, and overuse can cause temporary sensory overload or even damage to the user''s senses.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether energy into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.} ?


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether energy into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.} ?


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether energy to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.} ?


    {Aetheric Sculpting: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether energy. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them with power.} ?


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.} ?


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.} ?


    ?Art?


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    ?Equipment?


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {Tempest R3 Rail gun: Peak Maintenance, not in use}


    {HX-10 C-ss Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance, not in use.}


    {Thunderbolt X1 C-ss Rail gun: Peak Maintenance, not in use.}


    {ExoGen S-ss Augmented Suit: Functional}


    {HTLX-LMT A-ss Augmented Suit: Functional, not in use}


    {Helix Mk IV C-ss Augmented Suit: Functional, not in use.}


    {Chrono-Sense D-ss Augmented suit: Functional, not in use.}


    {Makeshift Hunting knife: Standard issue, not in use.}


    {Electric Knife: Standard Issue}


    {Twin Dagger: Old-World Relic}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: S-Rank Item}


    {Information Gathering Device: A-Rank Item}


    {Information Gathering Device: C-Rank Item}


    ?Vehicles?


    {de Runner Bike: Functional}


    ?Inventory?


    {20 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {25000 UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Energy packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    * Average statspared to people of users'' current age.


    * Strength Cultivation ability doesn''t rte to base strength.


    * The level of skill goes from novice, beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, and master.


    * Copper, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, tinum, osmium, and Diamond. Each rank represents 12.5 of 100.


    * Highest mastery of an ability is to have five stars.


    Novice: This level is characterized by ack of experience or training. Novices may struggle with basic techniques and have limited knowledge.


    Beginner: A beginner has some basic knowledge and is starting to develop skills. They may struggle with consistency and uracy but are actively working to improve.


    Intermediate: An intermediate has developed a solid foundation and has experience with a variety of situations and positions. They can perform under basic and someplex conditions.


    Advanced: An advanced individual has achieved a high level of proficiency and may have specialized training in a particr type. They can handleplex situations and are highly skilled.


    Expert: An expert has achieved a level of mastery that sets them apart from others. They have exceptional knowledge and skills and can handle difficult situations with ease.


    Master: A master has reached the highest level of mastery and has exceptional skill and expertise that is rare. They can perform feats that few others can match and are highly respected in their field.

 Chapter 1: Subject 777

    <h4>Chapter 1: Subject 777</h4>


    "Ceding the quill of your destiny,


    you''ve be a character in someone else''s tale,


    where others now y the role of the author,


    holding the pen of your fate."


    A statement that rang ever so true to this youthful woman, whose gaze peered out through arge window.


    Her lustrous white locks flowed gently over her delicate shoulders while her red eyes remained fixated on the lifeless and bleak terrain of the that extended as far as she could perceive.


    Its rugged terrain was etched deep with scars of ancient battles.


    She blinked as one of the two tiny moons passed in front of the sun, casting a dark, otherworldly shadow across the''s surface.


    For a moment, thendscape was bathed in an eerie red glow, as if the very air itself had been infused with the''s iron-rich soil.


    Her gaze shifted from the barrenndscape to the bustling metropolis beyond the viewport.


    The city was a marvel of futuristic architecture, with towering skyscrapers and sleek, streamlined buildings stretching up into the sky.


    Hover-cars zipped back and forth through the streets, their engines whirring softly as they carried passengers to and from their destinations.


    Pedestrians bustled about on the sidewalks below, their clothing and essories shimmering in the artificial light.


    It was a world far removed from the dusty it once was, a world of endless possibilities and technological marvels beyond imagining.


    But for all its beauty and wonder, this world was not without its dangers.


    As she turned to leave the outpost, she knew that the real work was only just beginning.


    She had a mission, one that she was forced to do like all others like her: to locate a special individual, a person who possessed a unique talent that could help them in their quest.


    Many were once chosen, many had failed.


    And now another was sent to the chopping block.


    The individual in question was a newborn child, suspected to have been born with the ability to naturally harness Aether¡ªa mysterious energy that flowed through the universe.


    Her circuits hummed softly as she entered the cramped quarters of the organization''s outpost.


    She was greeted by a tall, imposing figure in a sleek ck uniform, his features hidden behind a face mask.


    "Handler Lyra," he said, nodding in greeting.


    "I trust your mission was a sess."


    Lyra nodded, her digital voice crisp and clear:


    "Yes, Agent. I have located the subject."


    "Excellent," the agent''s voice rang out, betraying no emotion yet carrying a quality that grated on the ears.


    "And what of his conditioning?"


    "I have followed the instructions to the letter."


    The agent nodded, a hint of a smile ying at the corners of his mask.


    "Very good, Lyra. And what of the subject''s talent? Is it confirmed to be potent?"


    "Yes, Agent. Our scans left no doubt; his talent is beyond ''potent.'' With our training and guidance, he''s destined to be an invaluable asset for our cause."


    The agent nodded, his eyes looking over the data on his screen.


    With a murmured confirmation, he swiftly tapped a few keys, bringing up additional information on the subject.


    It soon materialized as a hologram, hovering between the two of them.


    "Lyra¡­ How do you think this subject''s story would go?"


    She tilted her head.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Well¡­ This subject isn''t our usual kind, don''t you think?"


    "As in his birth?"


    "Yes. Isn''t it usually the same old story? Revenge plots, abandonment, cheating, rags to riches, heroes, viins, anti-heroes, those driven by family tragedies¡­ those who fell from grace¡­"


    "And we''ve seen a variety, haven''t we? The fallen, the redeemed, the betrayed, the unacknowledged, the vigntes, the ones who found redemption, the ones who embraced evil, those despised by the masses¡­ the list goes on."


    "¡­Their personalities, too, seem endless. A perfect man, but a dense moron, a prideful one but a narcissistic dick head, a lucky one but naively righteous, the lustful¡­ and the cowardly."


    "I''m not knowledgeable of the other subjects Agent. Please get to the point." Lyra cut his rambling short, not wanting to waste any more time.


    He scoffed and continued:


    "You''re no fun¡­ Well, the question I was getting to before you so rudely interrupted was about you¡­"


    "As the one overseeing our subject''s story, do you see his as one of the less unique ones, a quieter tale, perhaps?"


    "I wouldn''t describe it as ''quiet,'' Agent. While his life may begin uneventfully, the specter of death will soon cast its shadow over him¡­"


    "However, I''ll do as I was created for... I''ll safeguard his sanity, ensure hispliance, prepare him to defy all the subjects you mentioned, and ready him to face them."


    "That you will¡­"


    Assuming a solemn countenance, he swiped his hand through the hologram, causing it to disperse into particles of light that converged towards Lyra.


    "Designation 777. Any questions?"


    Lyra remained impassive as she essed the data.


    "Can you tell me more about our previous subjects?" She inquired.


    The agent sighed.


    "We''ve had our share of failures."


    "Subjects 275, 498, and 611 all showed promising results but ultimately proved unsuitable for our needs. Subject 734 was the closest we''vee, but even he was unable to ess the full potential of his abilities."


    Lyra nodded, processing the information.


    "Potential ways to fail?" She asked.


    The agent leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful.


    "Overloading, loss of control, brain damage, suicide, betrayal, apathy,ck of ambition, decreased drive, and susceptibility to outside influences¡ªall of these are possible."


    "With regards to subject 777, we have taken every possible measure to ensure sess. His conditioning is impable, and his potential is unmatched."


    "Closely follow the instructions provided, and sess is assured," hemanded, tapping a few keys to send additional information.


    Lyra''s circuits hummed again, making a faint whirring sound as she processed the data.


    "Understood," she replied.


    "Preparing for connection."


    She soon began the process of connecting with subject 777''s neuralwork, her blood-ruby eyes shining as she initiated the link.


    With the connection established, she was flooded with a stream of data and images, as if she was experiencing the world through the newborn child''s eyes.


    Lyra saw the sterile walls of the medical facility where he had been born, the faces of the doctors and nurses who had attended to him, and the gentle touch of his mother''s hand on his forehead.


    She took in everything, recording every detail, every emotion, every sensation.


    And as the connection deepened, she sensed a stirring within the child''s mind, a flicker of consciousness that grew stronger with each passing moment.


    Lyra could feel the raw power coursing through his veins, waiting to be unlocked.


    But she also sensed something else¡ªa darker, more dangerous force lurking within the child''s psyche.


    It was a force that threatened to overwhelm him, to drive him to madness and destruction.


    ''¡­''


    ''This subject''s tale¡­ will be unlike any they''ve witnessed.''

 Chapter 2: Rebirth

    <h4>Chapter 2: Rebirth</h4>


    ***


    [Subject 777 connected.]


    [Aether body confirmed.]


    [Memory synchronization start.]


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    As he emerged from a state of unconsciousness, a shrill cry pierced the air.


    Blinking his eyes open, he beheld a colossal figure looming above him, a giant of sorts, strikingly magnificent in its appearance, cradling him in her arms.


    And despite the cacophony surrounding him, a deep calmness enveloped him.


    Abruptly, the crying stopped, triggering an eerie sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    ¡­It was as though he had traversed this path before, lived through another life.


    The giant being gazed down upon him with a warm smile, triggering an inexplicable feeling of recognition within him.


    Leaving her eyes for a moment, he surveyed his surroundings and quickly deduced that he was in a room that diverged from any he had encountered before.


    The ambiance was novel, futuristic even, evident in the colors, sounds, and aromas.


    Yet despite the sensory overload, he found himself surrendering to a sense offort and safety in the giant''s arms.


    Her embrace was a sanctuary from the disorienting newness of his surroundings, a source of stability in an uncertain world.


    He closed his eyes, allowing himself to be lulled into a deep and restful sleep, grateful for this unexpected respite.


    As slumber imed him, he began to dream of his past life.


    Images shed before his eyes - a world of technology and innovation, a life of luxury and ease, a very boring life it was.


    He soon found himself ovee with nostalgia.


    However, the recollections that filled his thoughts were scattered and jumbled, making it difficult for him to piece together a coherent story of his past.


    Nevertheless, a strong sense of boredom lingered, suggesting that his past life had been monotonous and devoid of adventure.


    Slowly but surely, he started to recall moments spent with family, and with friends, which made it increasingly apparent that he had been somebody else, somewhere else.


    And while he contemted this, a sudden darkness descended upon him, enveloping him in its warm embrace.


    He woke up with a start, feeling disoriented and confused.


    The giant was still cradling him, and he looked up at their face once more.


    He caught a glimpse of something that had eluded him before - a glint of warmth and affection in their eyes.


    ''Who is this giant and why is she looking at me like this?'' he thought.


    Listening to the voices around him ¨C he heard the giant''s soft voice, repeating the same word "Emir" again and again in a variety of yful tones, the same way any person would speak to a child, while he also heard a child''s high-pitched chatter.


    And even though he was a newborn, he understood them.


    It was as if he had always known theirnguage.


    ''This is weird... Too weird, what the hell is going on?!''


    He attempted to reconcile his fragmented memories with his present circumstances, but an inexplicable urrence transpired.


    A voice, seemingly originating from within his own mind, suddenly made itself known to him.


    [¡­.]


    [Subject number 777 synchronizationplete.]


    [¡­.]


    [Beginning quest.]


    [¡­.]


    A sense of confusion and fear overtook him, but the reasons behind these emotions remained elusive. It was as though an ominous sensation had taken hold of him, signaling that something was wrong.


    Instinctively, he began to wail, his cries echoing throughout the unfamiliar room.


    The volume of his distress only grew louder, as though he were trying tomunicate something urgent and crucial.


    While tears were running down his face, he slowly tilted his head up wondering if the giant cradling him heard the voice, but it didn''t seem like it.


    The giant looked to be surprised about his sudden outburst, so she worriedly asked:


    "Doctor, is something wrong with Emir? Why won''t my son stop crying?"


    ''Son... What? Is it me? Am I really this woman''s son?''


    ''Then wait, wait, WAIT. Does this mean that I was reincarnated? OH GOD! HOW?!''


    ''...Although I always wanted a second chance at life, but... I didn''t think I''d get one this literal!''


    ''Did I win the lottery of reincarnation or something? Or was it a mistake? Is the voice involved?''


    ''I need answers. How did I end up here? Was I reincarnated? And if so, why?''


    Emir thought, his mind racing with questions.


    He looked to his left and saw what appeared to be the doctor his supposed mother mentioned.


    "Nothing is wrong Miss Laura, the injection was done perfectly."


    "Then why is he still crying?!"


    "Miss Laura please calm down, nothing is wrong with the child, he is born healthy, and his crying ispletely normal for a newborn. It might just be his instinctive reaction to the injection." He calmly stated.


    ''If she is my mother then that little chatterbox is my sister huh,'' he thought as he looked away from Lily and back to Laura.


    Emir watched as her expression shifted from worry to relief whilst she drew him closer to her chest.


    And in spite of his confusion and inability to grasp the situation, his mother''s embrace filled him again with a weird sense of safety and warmth.


    It was as if he knew on some deep, instinctual level that she was there to protect him.


    The doctor continued, "I''ll need to run some tests on Emir, but I don''t anticipate any problems. We just want to make sure everything is functioning properly."


    Delicately picking him up, the doctor took Emir away for testing, which barely registered in his mind as he struggled with the sense of unease that lingered within him.


    ¡­


    Lying in the sterile hospital crib, he closed his eyes and attempted to make sense of it all.


    But regardless of his efforts, the persistent feeling that his life was destined for something other than normal persisted, haunting him like a specter.


    He soon began hearing footsteps, as the doctor came up to the crib he was lying in and softly spoke:


    "Emir, let me just scan you real quick to make sure you''re okay, alright?"


    He attempted to nod his head in agreement, but his body refused to cooperate.


    The doctor then lifted him and ced him into apact cylindrical pod, which performed the scanning procedure he had mentioned earlier.


    Once the scan wasplete, he removed him from the pod and carried him back to the room where his mother was waiting.


    The calm demeanor Emir disyed on the surface concealed the inner turmoil consuming him.


    His thoughts and emotions shed fiercely, creating a chaotic storm that showed no signs of calming down.


    The questions that gued him had been weighing on his mind for some time now.


    Was he truly just a reincarnated being, brought back to this world to fulfill some purpose beyond his understanding?


    Or was there more to his birth and his connection to that mysterious voice that echoed in his mind, a voice that seemed to beckon him towards a destiny he had yet toprehend?


    As his mother and the doctor exchanged words, he continued to struggle to concentrate andprehend the situation at hand.


    ''Is it because of me being a newborn that I can''t manage to control my thoughts?'' He theorized.


    After a long while, the doctor finally excused himself, leaving Laura and him alone in the hospital room.


    She soon began to rock him, the rhythmic motion of her arms provided a soothing balm to his frayed nerves, easing the relentless turmoil that had consumed him since his arrival.


    Gradually, the steady cadence of her movements lulled him into a state of drowsy contentment causing his mind to finally quieten.


    The torrent of thoughts that had gued him for so long receded into the background, reced by a sense of peace and tranquility.


    And as he slowly drifted off into a deep slumber, a n began to form in his mind.


    Upon waking up, he would try to make sense of everything that had happened, to unravel the tangled web of information that had so confounded him.

 Chapter 3: Synchronization

    <h4>Chapter 3: Synchronization</h4>


    A surreal sensation overtook him, as if he were floating in a lucid dream.


    Slowly his memories began to unfurl before him once again. This time revealing more glimpses of a past life he had forgotten.


    He saw his parents, their faces beaming with love and pride as they looked upon him.


    He remembered the warmth of their embrace, the sense of safety and security that enveloped him whenever they were near.


    But the memories did not stop there.


    As if a floodgate had been opened, new images surged into his consciousness, flooding his mind with a torrent of forgotten experiences.


    He saw his siblings, all of them older than him, doting on their youngest brother with a fierce protectiveness that belied their age differences.


    And yet, despite the love that surrounded him, there was a sense of monotony that pervaded his existence.


    A restlessness stirred within him, a longing for something more, though he knew not what it was.


    There was also a sense of detachment that he felt from his family, as if an invisible wall separated them.


    It seemed as if he was unable to reciprocate the love that they showered upon him with the same intensity, no matter how much he tried.


    This feeling of detachment was unlike anything he had ever experienced, leaving him questioning his sanity.


    Was there something wrong with him¡ªsomething that made it impossible for him to connect with his own family? Or was it something more, something supernatural that he could not exin?


    These thoughts gued him endlessly, and he found himself withdrawing further into himself, retreating into a world of his thoughts and musings.


    It was as if he was trying to unravel the mystery of his existence, searching for answers to questions that had gued him for as long as he could remember.


    He tried to push aside the confusing and overwhelming thoughts and found himself being reminded of something that had always brought him joy in his past life:


    Reading novels.


    There was something about losing himself in the pages of a book that was unlike anything else he had ever experienced.


    While he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading was different.


    Perhaps it was because he found himself lost in the stories, using them as a means of escaping his mundane existence.


    It was almost like a self-fulfilling fantasy, one could say.


    He had a particr fondness for fantasy novels, where the protagonist faces difficult challenges while growing stronger both mentally and physically, forming friendships and bonds. Protecting those they love, all while striving to attain their goals, whether it was reaching the pinnacle of strength or taking control of their own destiny.


    In that moment, he realized that his reading wasn''t just a hobby or a pastime; it was an integral part of who he was, a part of his identity that had been with him for as long as he could remember.


    And now, even though he was living apletely different life, that love for reading novels still burned within him, a constant reminder of who he truly was, but he...


    He knew it was something that he had to let go of.


    Emir then pondered further on his reincarnation as he swam through the flood that were his memories.


    He recalled that he had sumbed to lung cancer due to his smoking addiction.


    His parents had warned him countless times to quit, but he ignored their pleas.


    ''I wonder if my previous self would be proud of me now. I mean, I''m basically starting over from scratch, but at least I have a second chance to do things right with family.''


    It was toote for regrets now, he mused to himself.


    What mattered was that he had a new life to live and hopefully make the most of.


    Even though he would miss his old family, they had their own lives to live, and so did he.


    He supposed it was time for him to move on as well.


    And speaking of family, his new mother certainly is beautiful; she has a fairplexion, almost like delicate jade, with a slight pinkish undertone that gives her skin an ethereal quality.


    Her features are finely chiseled, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips.


    Her hair is long and silky, a rich shade of chestnut brown that cascaded in soft waves down her back.


    But it was her eyes that really caught his attention. They are a mesmerizing shade of hazel, with flecks of gold and green that seemed to dance in the light.


    Ah, and then there was his big sister Lily¡ªsuch an adorable little thing.


    She has those chubby cheeks that make her look like a cute little hamster.


    Her curly brown hair bounced with each of her movements, framing her round face perfectly, and her big brown eyes sparkled with mischief and wonder.


    Despite being physically older than him, he couldn''t bring himself to call Lily ''Big Sis'' or anything simr, so he would stick to calling her by her name or simply ''Sister.''


    He also didn''t see his dad around, so he was left wondering what happened to him.


    And most importantly, the world he found himself reincarnated in appeared to be a futuristic one, with advanced technology and surroundings that he never saw back on Earth.


    ''Well, this sure is a strange turn of events,'' Emir thought, concluding all this new information with a simple word:


    Strange.


    ''I always thought reincarnation was just some clich¨¦ novel trope, but I guess I was wrong.''


    ''At least I have a second chance at life, although starting all over again as a crying, pooping baby isn''t exactly what I had in mind.''


    ''Maybe I should start practicing my baby talk so I canmunicate with my new mom. And I hope she''s a good cook. I don''t want to be stuck with baby food for the rest of my life.''


    ''And well, this is certainly a weird ce to experience childhood... I wonder if I still have to go to school, and is that even a thing around here?''


    ''Also, I wonder if I can convince my mother to let me stay upte, since technically, I''m a grown-up in a child''s body. Probably not though, but a man can dream.''


    ''It''s time to embrace my new life as a baby and see where this takes me! So let me out of this dream god dammit!''


    His curiosity to explore and learn more about this ce was growing, but he seemed to be trapped in a lucid dream that refused to let him wake up.


    ''If I close my eyes and clear my mind, I may be able to find a way out of this dream.''


    ¡­


    But nothing changed¡­


    ''Am I stuck?''


    "No, you''ll get out soon enough¡­"


    After a moment of shock, Emir immediately spun his body around, facing where the calm voice originated¡ªa voice that was neither male nor female, but somewhere in between, almost unrecognizable.


    And what met him was a humanoid figure¡­.


    Obscured behind a fog.


    ''Who are you, no¡­ what are you?!''


    He attempted to speak, yet he could not do so.


    "You died."


    The figure answered, seemingly able to listen to Emir''s thoughts.


    "Or so you think."


    "But that doesn''t matter."


    ''What the fuck are you talking about, you foghead?!''


    Whoosh!


    Emir no longer felt his arms.


    Whoosh!


    A moment passed, and the same happened with his legs... Or rather his lower body in general.


    "Keep quiet, child of the sand."


    And soon came the voice of the figure, this time sounding quite irritated.


    ''Uhhh¡­. You know that we''re in MY dream, right? Are you seriously trying to scare me with this?''


    "Yes, I can, and I will. If you must know... you''re currently facing a god."


    ''Heh¡­ What god? Fuck you!''


    "You dare speak ill of me, child? Are you not afraid?"


    ''C''MON COME AT ME! I''LL TAKE IT!''


    The figure tilted its head.


    "Remember. You asked for it¡­."


    ''Hmm¡­. My neck stings a little. Is that it?''


    "No. Wait for a moment."


    ''It just stings a little more¡­''


    "I SAID WAIT!"


    ''I am waiting, why are you taking so long to hurt me, you fuck¡ªARRRRGGGGGGGGH!''


    "There we go. So as I was saying¡ª"


    ''ARRRRGGGGGGGGH!''


    "Alright, enough of that."


    ''ARRRRGGGGGGGGH!''


    "I stopped it, why are you still¡ª"


    ''ARRRRGGGGGGGGH!''


    "QUIET CHILD! I SAID QUIET!"


    ''¡­''


    ''Yeah¡­. Alright. I was just fucking with you. Now let''s get serious, yeah? What do you want?''


    "AS I SAID, I''m a god, I do not want something, as there is nothing that I do not have."


    ''I get it; I get it; just move on, god.''


    "You don''t believe me, do you?"


    ''What does it matter? I''ve been reincarnated, so I know that the supernatural exists, that also means that a god or gods exists too, or at least god-like beings.''


    "You''re quick, I''ve never seen a subject like you before¡­''


    ''¡­Subject? Is that what I am now? Oh, and are you working with that voice? For some reason, it gives me bad vibes. My new family too, every time I see them, I feel like something is wrong.''


    "You''ll learn of that very soon, so stop asking... You''ll forget this conversation anyway."


    ''Why?''


    "It''s because I''m a god, and I wish it to be so."


    ''...Fair enough.''


    A sigh echoed through the space as the figure stretched out its hand towards Emir''s floating head.


    After cupping his head in its hand, the figure began reconstructing his body.


    A single moment passed, and Emir''s body was normal again¡ªwell, as normal as this situation allowed it to be.


    "Now then, child... I havee here to give you knowledge of this world. As a bted gift to a friend of mine."


    ''Should I know this friend?''


    "¡­.His blood runs through your veins."


    ''My dad?''


    "You have the opportunity to ask me two questions, I will answer one now, and the next you shall ask¡ª"


    ''I ASKED YOU A QUESTION! IS. IT. MY. DAD?!''


    "At ater date. That date will be decided by me, of course, so you must live till then. Pick¡ª"


    ''ANSWER ME!''


    "Your question wisely, as you won''t be able to remember it until you''ve be someone of importance on your."


    ''¡­''


    "¡­"


    ''¡­''


    "¡­"


    After a quick stare off in the fog, Emir shrugged his shoulders and thought:


    ''¡­.Whatever. So I can ask you two questions, huh?''


    ''But what to ask?''


    ''I know nothing of this world...''


    "Correct. However, such a situation would be too good to be true, don''t you think?"


    ''True, true¡­ But the question remains: what... to... ask...''


    Emir soon thought of many things.


    He could, for example, ask the figure who imed to be god about the truth of the universe to satiate his curiosity.


    Another could be about the possible ways to be the most powerful man in this new world.


    Or maybe ask the figure about the very conundrum that gued his mind.


    To have the figure itself tell him the best question so that when it eventually decided to visit him again, he would be prepared.


    But no¡­.


    Emir had something he was very interested in.


    Although it wasn''t the smartest question he came up with, he knew he would regret this day forever if he didn''t ask it.


    ''Sorry, future me, but my first question is...''


    Tick!


    Tock!


    His body began to spasm, and he let out a guttural roar¡­


    Which was silent, as this was only a dream and he could not speak.


    "Heavy¡­. Your question was incredibly heavy. But I should''ve expected this from Sultan''s blood."


    ''W-what happened?''


    The figure sounded a chuckle, and it soon began increasing in volume until its everyugh resembled a chorus of deranged opera singers.


    "¡­Although expected, seeing it happen in front of my very eyes makes me so incredibly happy."


    ''Tsk, ignoring me again.''


    "You can go now, child... Good luck!"


    ''What?! DON''T LEAVE¡ª''

 Chapter 4: Revelation

    <h4>Chapter 4: Revtion</h4>


    When Emir opened his eyes, he was greeted by a bright light.


    It took him a moment to realize that his dream had ended and he was now awake.


    He tried to remember what the dream was about but kept failing and soon the memory of the dream itself was gone from his mind.


    As he attempted to adjust to his new surroundings, the door creaked open, and a woman wearing a whiteb coat and a kind smile on her face walked in.


    "Hello, Emir," she said.


    "My name is Dr. Maria, and I will be your primary physician during your stay here. I hope you''re feeling better now."


    He didn''t really know how to respond, so he just stared up at her with wide eyes.


    Dr. Maria chuckled and gently touched his forehead.


    "Don''t worry, little one. You''re in good hands."


    Emir couldn''t help but feel like she was hiding something as she began to examine him.


    Her smile seemed forced, and her touch felt too cold.


    He wanted to trust her, but his instincts told him otherwise.


    After the examination, Dr. Maria left the room, and his mother came back in.


    She picked him up and held him close, whispering sweet words in his ear.


    But even her words of love couldn''t ease the sense of foreboding that he felt.


    ¡­


    The next day, his mother came back with a man in a suit.


    He introduced himself as Mr. Johnson, awyer, and he began to talk to his mother in hushed tones.


    Emir couldn''t understand most of what they were saying, but he caught a few words here and there:


    "Legal documents," "inheritance," and "guardianship."


    He didn''t know why, but something about Johnson didn''t feel right.


    Simr to Maria, his smile seemed fake, and his eyes held a hint of malice.


    Johnson was soon done talking to his mother, and after subtly checking his pocket watch away from Emir''s prying eyes he bid them farewell.


    Though Emir''s intense scrutiny remained with great attention, tracking every detail of Johnson''s movements as he made his way to the door.


    And suddenly, an odd urrence began to unfold right before him.


    Johnson''s figure started to blur, and then he disappeared into nothingness.


    Emir gasped, and his mother turned to him in surprise.


    "What''s wrong, sweetie?" She asked, but he couldn''t answer.


    All he could do was stare at the spot where Johnson had been just moments before.


    ¡­


    One day, when his mother had gone to get some food, Emir heard the voice more clearly than ever before.


    [Emir,] it said.


    [You need to wake up. You need to remember.]


    ''Remember what?'' He thought, but the voice was gone as quickly as it hade.


    He tried to shake off the strange feeling and focus on the present, but he couldn''t help but feel like there was something important that he was missing.


    A whileter, he thought, ''I want to see my mother.''


    ''I guess I call her out by crying.''


    And he did, so after a little while, big hands descended upon him and picked him up, those hands belonged to his mother, who slowly brought him closer to her bosom.


    ''Awkward as always, but I guess I''ll have to get used to it.''


    ''And who would have thought that being reincarnated would mean having to endure diaper changes again? This is not what I signed up for.''


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    Emir went back home, and as the days passed, he slowly started to adapt to his new life.


    His mother, Laura, was a kind and caring woman who doted on him endlessly, she spent hours holding him, talking to him, and singing him lubies.


    His sister, Lily, was a ball of energy who always wanted to y and explore. He watched her with interest, marveling at her boundless enthusiasm.


    Months went by, and Emir started to grow and develop quickly under his mother''s care.


    He learned how to grasp objects with his tiny hands and kick with his little feet.


    He even managed to roll over on his own a few times, much to his mother''s delight.


    But despite the warmth and love that surrounded him, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was wrong.


    Whenever he looked at his family, he felt a sense of unease deep inside of him.


    He didn''t know what it was or how to express it, but it was there, a nagging feeling that wouldn''t go away.


    And one day, something caught his attention as hey in his crib watching the holoscreen.


    A man appeared on the screen, dressed in a sharp suit and tie.


    He had amanding presence, and Emir couldn''t help but stare at him.


    "That''s Isaac Klein," his mother said, noticing his interest.


    "He''s the founder of the Hunter Association, the faction that your father belonged to."


    ''My father?'' Emir thought, his curiosity piqued.


    As if sensing his thoughts, his mother continued, "Your father was a great hunter, just like Isaac Klein... He passed away when you were born, but he loved you and your sister very much."


    Emir felt a pang of sadness at the mention of his father''s death, but it was quickly reced by a burning curiosity.


    ''Who is my father, really?''


    ''...''


    ''Wait, did she just say the Hunter Association?''


    And at that moment, Emir realized what had been guing him.


    He was in a damn novel.


    The same novel that he read in his past life.


    He couldn''t believe it at first.


    It seemed too surreal to be true.


    But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.


    The pieces started to fall into ce, and he realized that he was living in a world created by someone else''s imagination.


    And not just any world - the world of Born in Ruins, the novel filled with death and misery.


    The strange feelings of d¨¦j¨¤ vu that had been creeping up on him, the inexplicable knowledge he had about certain things, the sense of foreboding that had been gnawing at him since he was born.


    It was all because he was a character in a novel.


    ''I can barely remember anything though, so to whoever this godly being that reincarnated me here, I say, damn you...''


    ''Why reincarnate me into a novel that I know nothing about? Weren''t people reincarnated so that they could use their knowledge of the future? This is just fucking ridiculous.''


    ''Am I nothing more than an extra in some academy novel now? Is this all my life will be?''


    That realization brought with it a new set of problems.


    If he was a character in a novel, that meant his fate was already decided.


    ''...If I remember correctly, my family and I were supposed to die when the protagonist of the novel whose name I can''t seem to remember, attended the UEF academy.''


    The sister and mother duo dying was one of the few things that remained etched in his mind from this novel, primarily due to how unjust and unfair it felt.


    While he didn''t know the exact reason why, he knew it wouldn''t be simple and he had to n for a way to change that.


    ''To hell with this! Screw the novel''s plot!''


    ''I''ll just do what I damn well please. The moment I see that protagonist I''ll beat their ass up, and I''ll steal whatever cheat I can get from them. This is a world where strength rules, and I''ll do anything to be strong.''


    But despite the challenges he knew he would face, he was determined to seed.


    He had found his calling, and he knew that he had to follow in his father''s footsteps and be a hunter.


    The road ahead would be long and difficult, filled with countless obstacles and dangers.


    But he was willing to put in the work, train tirelessly, and push himself to his limits.


    Because he knew that his life - and the lives of his loved ones - depended on it.


    And although the path seemed to be filled with thorns, his heart was filled with excitement at the thought of the high stakes involved.


    The feeling of life and death hanging on the bnce of a thin thread where any mistake would cause death to smile upon you.


    ''Did I want this? Is this why I feel that my previous life was so boring? Why am I so excited?''


    Calming himself back down, he looked back at his mother and noticed her crying.


    ''I''m such an insensitive fuck.''


    Emir wanted tofort her, but as he was just a baby, all he ever voiced was:


    "Adda dde cra."


    ''Ahh, this is hopeless,'' he inwardly sighed.


    Laura looked at him and said in a happy tone, "A, Emir, did you want tofort me? You''re such a smart child, aren''t you?"


    ''Oh well, at least she got the message.''


    His mother wiped her tears.


    "Your father you see, was a great man; he fought on the front lines defending the north; he was known for his strength and his unwavering dedication to protecting the innocent. Your father is a true hero, Emir. He gave his life to protect others, and that''s something to be proud of."


    ''Protecting innocents? Huh, that''s not something that interests me, to be honest. I''m no hero. And everything I''ll do in the future is for me and my people.''


    Emir looked up at his mother with determination in his eyes.


    She smiled at him, a tear rolling down her beautiful face.


    The moment was ruined when his cheeky sister came running in, screaming:


    "Heyyy, brother!"


    This girl was always full of energy and never failed to make everyone around herugh.


    She jumped onto the bed,nded next to Emir, and took him into a big hug in her little arms.


    "Mom, I finished my homework!" Lily eximed, her eyes wide with excitement.


    Lauraughed, wiping away her tears.


    "Really? That''s amazing!"


    Emir smiled at his sister, feeling grateful for her presence. She was always there to lighten the mood and make things better.


    They chatted andughed, and he couldn''t help but think about his father and his supposed sacrifice.


    While he didn''t feel the same dedication to protecting others as Oliver did, Emir knew that his bravery had given him the freedom to pursue his own dreams.


    He made a silent promise to himself that he would live his life to the fullest and make the most of every opportunity that came his way, in honor of his father''s memory.


    And he would, of course, find the truth about his father''s death.


    If it were discovered that a second party was responsible for his untimely demise, his unyielding determination to uncover the truth would know no bounds. To shred their reputations and crush their lives until they begged for mercy.


    He could feel the insatiable thirst for vengeance and blood coursing through his veins, urging him to seek them out and make them suffer.


    The mere thought of their fear and agony unknowingly brought a twisted grin to his face, and he relished in the pleasure that their downfall would bring.

 Chapter 5: The New World

    <h4>Chapter 5: The New World</h4>


    Emir furiously scoured thework, searching for any shred of evidence that the world he now found himself in was simr to the one he had read about in ''Born in Ruins.''


    It became increasingly clear that while there were simrities, there were also many stark differences that the novel had failed to mention.


    He also searched around for his father''s name, hoping to find any mention of him but failing to do so.


    Recalling the novel, he remembered that it began by recounting a great cmity that had befallen the world.


    This event had been given various names, such as The Great Cmity, Doomsday, and Armageddon.


    However, the official name for this cataclysmic event was World War III.


    Emir wouldn''t really call it a war though, as it seemed to him to be just a bunch of brainless fools pressing buttons and devastating the entire world as a consequence.


    A damn nuclear war that almost wiped out the entirety of the human race due to its own leaders.


    Though he had a feeling that there was more to the story than what meets the eye.


    The public portrays their previous government rulers as highly ipetent, but Emir found it hard to believe that they were that ipetent.


    ''There must be a bigger agenda at y.'' He thought.


    The aftermath of the nuclear war was devastating, the old world became heavily contaminated with nuclear fallout.


    And it had caused widespread destruction, resulting in the deaths of many people.


    Only a small percentage of the human poption, around 20 percent, managed to survive by taking refuge in underground shelters.


    The world transformed into an icy wastnd, causing the deaths of countless individuals due to the scarcity of food and drinkable water.


    People were dying of starvation and dehydration, but that was not the only consequence.


    The climate became colder, the nights longer, and death seemed to loom over humanity.


    It took humans a considerable amount of time to recover, a very, very long and unspecified amount of time,sting millennia upon millennia.


    But when almost all hope was lost, a miracle urred, so-called heroes, people from outside the bunkers, mysteriously gained ess to old-world technology and smuggled it into the remaining government''s hands.


    No news from the heroes was given after that fact as if they had disappeared from existence.


    And now, armed with this new technology, people have finally emerged from their bunkers and started to venture out to the surface.


    It was a momentous asion, marking the return of humanity to thend they once called home.


    The Old World per-se.


    As the explorers ventured into the old world, they encountered unexpected dangers in the form of mutated animals, whose bodies were assumed to be altered due to the nuclear fallout.


    These creatures had rapidly adapted, turning into vicious beasts that posed a serious threat.


    There were alligators as big as houses, spiders the size of trucks, and packs of ravenous dogs that could tear a person apart before they could even think of fighting back.


    The terrifying encounters with mutated animals in the old world prompted the remaining functioning governments to initiate the process of unification.


    They aimed to recover the scattered technology of the past and fight for their survival in this new world.


    The formation of the UEF led to the creation of the Hunter Association, which offered civilians the opportunity to register and be hunters.


    As members of the association, they were tasked with exploring ruins to recover old-world relics, safeguarding outposts, and many other job requests.


    The old-world ruins were once magnificent buildings that existed before the cmity.


    Unfortunately, most of them now lie buried underground due to the destruction caused by the nukes.


    In this perilous world of mutated animals and dangerous ruins, hunters must always be on guard against not only the environment but also their fellow hunters.


    Greed and self-interest can lead to deadly encounters, making every mission a risk not only for their lives but also for their integrity.


    In a dystopian world overrun by cybeics, hunters are forced to rely on cutting-edge weapons, augmented suits, and futuristic vehicles to survive.


    Or that is what ismonly believed, at least.


    With the promise of wealth and advanced technology driving them, hunters will do whatever it takes toe out on top, even if it means betraying those closest to them.


    ''A perfect world to be living in for a potential battle junkie like me.'' He thought.


    Emir was living in a location that is covered by a huge dome, which wards off all the radioactive particles that are in the air and is protected under the UEF.


    The UEF, also known as the United Earth Federation, was created after much negotiation after the war. The remaining leaders of the world agreed to form this new global government to centralize the remaining people.


    The leading country of the UEF is the United States of America, with other influential countries such as China, Russia, Japan, Germany, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom as members of the governing body.


    Emir''s home is in Sector 2-A, which is in the former Alberta, Canada.


    Canada, it is now referred to as Sector 2-A within the UEF''s range of 1-A to 10-F.


    The numerical value signifies the area''s location, while the letter indicates the standard of living, with A-B being for the elite, C-D for the middle ss, and E-F for the working and impoverished.


    The remaining functioning bunkers act as the slums where people in poverty live, and where ck-market dealings thrive.


    Over time, humans also developed mutations that aided in their adaptation, including increased cold resistance, improved night vision, and a particrly important mutation that could only ur during the first few years of a child''s life.


    However, since this mutation was only mentioned in the novel, the details of it remain unknown to most, making him guess that it was likely due to a government conspiracy.


    The government''s manufacture of Nanobots, which were effective in fighting off radiation, led to their rapid rise to power in the Western region of the world.


    The injection of nanobots is a rare privilege, reserved for the wealthy middle ss and up, especially those with government or corporate affiliations.


    The same nanobots are also given to the hunters under the Hunter Association, but they have to pay for them or work under a signed contract.


    Emir had only gotten the nanobot injection due to being affiliated with a high-ranking hunter, his father Oliver.


    It''s a powerful advantage, as these nanobots enhance an individual''s healing abilities, provide protection against radiation, increase their life span, and simply advance their growth rate along with their mental capabilities to a high degree.


    But it''s also a reminder of the stark ss divide that still exists in their society and the unfair advantages thate with it.


    Thewyer that visited long ago passed whatever his father left behind, and with it, they could live as a high-ss family for one generation due to the government.


    ¡­


    Funnily enough, every time his mother came by, she saw Emir using the terminal, so it seems that his mother thought that he was ying around, It''s understandable though, given his age.


    ''At least it''s a good cover, I don''t mind her thinking that I''m a genius of sorts, but what I''m researching is too abnormal for a child, even after considering the brain enhancement caused by the Nano-bots injection...''


    ''And although I call it a terminal, it''s basically a thin piece of ss that is connected to thework.''


    The technology in this thing was beyond him as it could also disy high-tech interactable holograms, which he used to y games on with his sister, and it was quite fun for him, to look at her reactions to losing to a child two years younger than her.


    Discarding those thoughts, Emir eyed his mother, whose looks hadn''t aged a bit, and said:


    "Hey Mom, good morning."


    Laura smiled at him.


    "Good morning, dear. How did you sleep?"


    He gave a small shrug, not wanting to reveal that he stayed up verytest night, searching things up on his terminal, like usual.


    "I slept okay, I guess. I was up a littlete... Reading."


    Laura nodded and nced over at the terminal.


    "You''re using that thing quite a bit. What are you doing on it?"


    He hesitated for a moment, not sure if he should tell her the truth.


    ''I guess I''ll tell her some of what I''ve been doing, I can''t do what I did with myst family, and she also deserves to know.''


    "I''ve been searching for some info, trying to learn more about the world and technology."


    Laura''s eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    "Wow, that''s impressive for someone your age! Are you sure you''re only five years old, Emir, or did someone hijack your brain?" She let out a snort, still surprised by her son''s technological prowess.


    He let out a smallugh at her words.


    "It''s really me, Mom. You know me, I haven''t changed, have I?"


    ''Too close, Mom, too damn close, but I guess she knows me alright, touch¨¦.'' He mused to himself.


    "Sure, what have you been learning?" She asked with a teasing smile.


    Taking a deep breath and looking her right in the eyes, he began to exin what he''d been studying.


    ''Only the basic stuff though, I don''t want her to question my existence.'' He added in his mind.


    Laura listened intently, clearly impressed.


    ''Hmmm...maybe Mom could help me out. She could be a valuable source of info. She is the wife of a hunter after all. I''ll ask her when I grow older though, it would be more appropriate.''


    He made a mental note of that thought, as he looked at Laura who still appeared to be surprised.


    "Well, I''m d you''re finding it useful. Just make sure to take breaks and not strain your eyes too much, okay? Although I guess with the nanobots, it wouldn''t be harmful, but you understand what I mean, right?"


    He nodded in agreement.


    ''There is no need to argue anyway since I know Laura is always looking out for my well-being, and well, I''m almost done using it. I need to start my next step.''


    "I will, Mom. Don''t worry." He said in betweenughs.


    Laura smiled and headed off to the kitchen to begin making breakfast, leaving him alone with his thoughts and trusty terminal.

 Chapter 6: Next step

    <h4>Chapter 6: Next step</h4>


    ''Now then, I should start preparing for the mutation unlock. Hmm....what did I have to do again?''


    As if sensing Emir''s question, the voice spoke up, [Emir, it''s time to start your training. You have much to learn if you wish to protect your family.]


    "Training? What training? Wait, who are you?" He said acting oblivious, but before he could ask any more questions, the voice continued.


    [I will teach you everything you need to know in due time.]


    ''The feminine voice is back, finally, I''ve been waiting for you for a long time, miss voice.'' He thought.


    [Hello there, are you supposed to be my golden finger?] He said, or rather telepathicallymunicated with her using his thoughts.


    ''I can safely say that whatever this voice is, was connected to me when I got the Nano-bot injection, hmm....were all the doctors in on it?''


    ''Also, I wonder what purpose this voice has in helping me, after all, nothing is truly free in this world, or rather, in any world.''


    The voice caught him off guard, to say the least.


    He had always anticipated hearing it again someday, but its sudden appearance left him taken aback.


    Emir vaguely remembered hearing it once when he was born and a second timeter on, although he struggled to recollect the exact words that were spoken as if a veil obscured his memories.


    At least he finally had confirmation on something that had gued his mind for a while, that the voice wanted something out of him.


    This realization made it obvious to him that his arrival here was not a mere coincidence.


    ''I had been brought here for a specific reason, as a man with a mission,'' he thought.


    Ignoring what he said, the voice asked:


    [Are you ready to begin your training, Emir?]


    Emir took a deep breath and nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him.


    He is alive, and he has a goal.


    And he would do everything in his power to achieve it.


    He stood up from the couch and stretched his arms, which felt a bit stiff from sitting for too long.


    The voice had given him instructions on how to prepare for the mutation unlock.


    Emir knew what he needed to do from the novel, but he wouldn''t say no to extra help.


    ''Although the voice is suspicious, I can assume its ability to read my mind is not omnipotent, at least whatever I think needs to be me wanting that thought to be sent to the voice, as it doesn''t seem to notice my suspicion.''


    ''Goooooooood, then let''s y, mysterious voice, and see whose pawn you wish me to be.'' He thought as his pupils dted to an unnatural degree.


    But before that, he had to go eat breakfast with his mother and sister.


    As he walked into the kitchen, the smell of pancakes filled his nostrils, and his mouth watered in anticipation.


    Emir''s younger sister, Lily, was already at the table, eagerly digging into her pancakes.


    "Good morning, Emir!" She greeted him with a smile, her mouth full of food.


    "Good morning, Lily," Emir replied, chuckling at her enthusiasm.


    He sat down next to her and grabbed a te, piling it high with pancakes and bacon.


    As good as the food might look, all of it is artificial, however, grown in ab, as real food is only for people living in the epitome of wealth, the elite.


    ''At least it''s got a lot of nutrition, perfect for my training n.'' Emir thought as he began eating.


    "So, what''s on the agenda for today?" His mother asked as she sat down with them, sipping on her coffee.


    "I have some training to do," Emir said between bites.


    Laura raised an eyebrow.


    "Training? What kind of training?"


    He hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her.


    "It''s to prepare me for when I start hunting."


    His mother''s eyes widened in shock, and he saw the worry etched on her face.


    "Hunting? Emir, I don''t want you involved in any thing dangerous."


    Emir put down his fork and took a deep breath.


    "Mom, I understand how you feel, but I need to do this. I have a responsibility to protect this family, and I can''t do that without proper training."


    The table filled with tension as Laura remained silent.


    Suddenly, she snapped and yelled, "And what about your father? He died as a hunter. Do you want to join him in death?!"


    Emir felt a pang in his chest at the mention of his father.


    He had died when he was just a baby, and although he didn''t know him personally, he had heard many stories about him from his mother.


    And while he knew that the stories rted to his sacrifice were suspicious, he couldn''t do much about it, at least not yet, but he vowed to himself to uncover the truth while attending the academy and to utterly destroy whoever was responsible.


    "I know, Mom. I know what happened to Dad. But I also know that he died doing what he loved, protecting others, and that''s what I want to do. I want to be there for you and Lily, to make sure nothing wrong happens. I need to do this."


    His mother looked at him with a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes.


    "I... I understand... But promise me that you''ll be careful. I don''t want a repeat of what happened to your father. I''ve already gone through enough as is."


    "I promise, Mom. I''ll alwayse back to you and Lily, so don''t worry."


    He reached across the table and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.


    Laura gave him a small smile before standing up.


    "Alright. But make sure to finish your breakfast before you start your training. And don''t forget to take breaks and stay hydrated."


    They finished breakfast infortable silence¡ªwell, at least Emir and Laura.


    Lily kept talking about random things, every chance she got.


    ''I swear if I''m the reincarnation of a 24-year-old, she instead is the reincarnation of a goddamn radio.'' Emir mused, suppressing a chuckle.


    Heter went to his room to change into training gear.


    Emir put on a pair of ck athletic shorts, a tight-fitting tank top, and some sneakers. He then grabbed a water bottle before heading out to the backyard of their house.


    It was arge, open space that was perfect for his training.


    He took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs.


    The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over everything around him.


    [Alright Emir,] The voice spoke up, interrupting his thoughts.


    [Let''s start with the mutation unlock. This will be greatly beneficial for your future as a hunter, especially as a higher-ranked one.]


    He nodded, ready to begin.


    The mutation unlock was something Emir had read about in the novel, although mentioned he didn''t remember much, as if it was on purpose.


    What he knew was the process, albeit vaguely.


    He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, feeling his heartbeat slow down and his muscles rx.


    Emir tried to clear out all his thoughts, slowly letting himself sink into a meditative state.


    Which made him feel a deep sense of connection between his mind and his body.


    ''The best way I can describe this feeling is that I can feel every muscle contracting and rxing, even when it''s very subtle, this would most probably be unnoticeable by even the highest level of athletes.'' He thought, struggling to put what he felt into words.


    ''So nowes the next step, I need to force myself to focus all my attention on my brain.''


    A few minutes went by, and he made sure to be as stable as possible.


    ''No going back now, it''s do or die baby.'' Emir thought steeling himself for the uing pain.


    Emir''s eyes snapped open as he concentrated, and an intense heat began to spread through his body.


    His muscles trembled violently, causing him to writhe in agony.


    It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before, and the pain was almost unbearable.


    ''Shit, shit, shit, this hurts so much. I feel like my entire body is being pricked by a million needles Fuck, shit, DAMN THIS NOVEL!''


    Although it felt like an eternity had passed, it had only been a couple of hours since he began.


    At first, Emir was afraid that he wouldn''t be able to handle the physical and mental strain, but then he reminded himself of his purpose in this world.


    His burning desire was to ovee any obstacles that dared stand in his way, no matter the form they took, until the fateful day of his inevitable demise.


    Despite the agonizing pain surging through his body, he was determined not to let it impede him from achieving his goal, his sole reason for existence in this world.


    Emir pushed through the pain and challenged himself to see how much he could endure.


    His training consumed him so entirely that he forgot about his initial fears and doubts.


    As he continued to focus, his eyesight sharpened, and he could see everything around him in vivid detail.


    Emir''s hearing became more acute, and he could hear the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds from far away.


    His sense of smell heightened, and he could distinguish different scents with ease.


    He could sense other changes urring in his body, but his focus remained solely on mutating.


    Despite feeling utterly exhausted and having a throbbing headache that threatened to knock him out, he refused to give up.


    His breathing became shorter and shorter, and he struggled to catch his breath.


    However, he continued pushing himself, even as his mind screamed for him to stop.


    ''Dammit, who said that the pain gets easier the more you experience it?''


    ''WHAT PAIN TOLERANCE?! THAT DOESN''T EXIST DAMMIT! EVERY TIME I FEEL LIKE ITS GOING TO GET EASIER I GET PAIN EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE, PAIN THAT I NEVER POSSIBLY IMAGINED!''


    ''I REFUSE TO GIVE UP DAMN YOU!''

 Chapter 7: First Step

    <h4>Chapter 7: First Step</h4>


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the mutation unlock was over.


    Emir copsed onto the ground, panting, and sweating profusely.


    But he felt a sense of aplishment that he had never felt before.


    The voice spoke up, breaking the silence.


    [Well done, Emir. You have crossed your first step.]


    He nodded, still trying to catch his breath.


    [Thank you, voice.]


    As hey there, staring up at the night sky, Emir couldn''t help but think about what was toe.


    Hunting monsters was dangerous, more so in ruins, and he knew that there was a high chance that he might note back.


    But Emir also knew that it was something that he had to do for his family, and himself.


    "A grave for my enemies and a grave for me, no?" He whispered to himself, half-jokingly and half-seriously.


    He knew that he would embark on a perilous journey in the near future, one that could end in death for both him and many of his enemies.


    ''Be it monsters and humans all would fall beneath my feet,'' he thought, determined to see it through, to the bitter end.


    And if that meant that he too would end up in a grave, so be it.


    He was ready to pay that price, but despite all the danger, Emir was excited¡ªweirdly so.


    ''Oh yeah, I can''t be forgetting my voicepanion, can I?''


    Whatever it is and wherever it came from, it would probably ask for something in return, something great.


    He needed to prepare to either fight against it or work with it, but that was a problem for the future him.


    Soon, Emir stepped inside and made his way towards his room.


    After a quick bath, he was greeted by his family, who were patiently waiting for him at the dinner table.


    "Emir, are you alright? You were outside for quite a while." His mother asked, her eyes scanning him for any signs of injuries.


    "I''m fine, Mom. Just a little tired." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile.


    ''It''s understandable that they are worried though... I was training for almost the whole day, after all,'' he thought to himself.


    Emir approached seven-year-old Lily, who was sitting at the dinner table. He embraced her for a moment, affectionately ruffling her hair, before nting a gentle kiss on her right cheek.


    ''We finally reached the same height, huh?''


    And as they sat down for dinner, he couldn''t help but feel grateful for his family.


    ''Truly the only ones you get unconditional love from, I can''t help but wonder why I haven''t felt the same with my previous family.''


    His sister Lily and his mother Laura have always looked out for him during his five years in this world, always being there for him.


    ''My memories must have been tapered by that voice, otherwise, the way I acted wouldn''t have made sense unless the entire thing was fabricated.....''


    ''¡­''


    He stopped eating, his mind lost in a myriad of thoughts.


    ''I need to think this through.''


    Breaking thefortable silence, Emir spoke up, "Hey Mom, sis, I''m going to bed now. Goodnight yeah."


    His mother looked at him with concern in her eyes.


    "Is there anything wrong, Emir? ¡­You usually lick your te clean when you''re eating... If something is bothering you, you can tell me."


    He gave her a small smile.


    "I''m fine, Mom. Just a bit tired from my training today, and I don''t feel like eating too much, but I''ll be okay after a good night''s sleep."


    She nodded, still looking worried, but didn''t press the issue any further.


    Lily, on the other hand, gave Emir a concerned look before turning to Laura.


    "Is he okay, Mom?"


    His mother ced a hand on Lily''s shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.


    "Yes, dear. He''s just a bit tired. He''ll be fine after some rest."


    Emir couldn''t help but think to himself, ''Is that weird that I''m not finishing my food? Do they see me as a glutton?''


    Suppressing a chuckle, he supported her, saying, "She''s right, you know. Just a bit tired after my training today. Anyway, there''s no need to worry too much. Goodnight."


    He stood up from the table and headed towards his room, feeling both physically and mentally exhausted.


    As hey in bed, he couldn''t shake off the feeling of disquietude that had crept up on him.


    He knew that he wasn''t the same person that he had been in his previous life, but he couldn''t help but wonder if there was something more to it.


    ''Did the voice tamper with my memories? Am I a puppet in its hands?''


    He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts.


    Emir couldn''t afford to let paranoia take over him, not when there was so much at stake.


    ''Even if it did, I know that me and my family are real, and that''s enough.''


    His eyelids grew heavy, and his breathing slowed, as he felt himself drifting off to sleep.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what the future held.


    Would he be able to keep his family safe? Or would he meet his end in one of the ruins, his body left to rot in the darkness?


    Only time will tell.


    ¡­


    As Emir slept, he dreamed, but it was no ordinary dream like those experienced by most people.


    His dream was a chilling nightmare, one that left him feeling helpless and utterly alone.


    He found himself standing in the middle of a dark, deserted street, a cold breeze sending shivers down his spine.


    The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, and Emir could feel his heart beating faster with each passing moment.


    Suddenly, he heard a cry - a baby''s cry - and he realized that it sounded familiar, as if he heard it before.


    He started running towards the sound, hoping to find the source of the cries.


    As he got closer, he saw a dark figure in the distance, and his mind instantly went into overdrive, as he tried to find out who the figure was.


    The figure suddenly turned around, and Emir was shocked to see that it looked just like him, but from his past life.


    The man now facing Emir, picked up the crying baby off the ground and tightly squeezed it by the neck.

 Chapter 8: Nightmare

    <h4>Chapter 8: Nightmare</h4>


    Emir tried to rush towards the man, his heart pounding with fear and confusion.


    But as he reached out to take back his body, he felt a sudden jolt of pain, as if he was being torn apart from the inside.


    The pain was so intense that he fell to the ground, writhing in agony.


    As hey there, helpless and in pain, the man and the baby vanished into thin air, leaving him alone in the dark, deserted street.


    Emir already knew that he could never undo what had been hdone, that he could never give his new family what they had lost, but he also understood that it wasn''t his fault.


    He was involved in something that he had no control over.


    The dream slowly faded, and he woke up with a start, his heart racing.


    Hey in bed for a few moments, taking deep breaths and trying to calm himself down.


    He knew he couldn''t let the dream affect him too much, or it would ruin everything he nned for.


    Slowly, he got out of bed and began to get dressed.


    As he wore his clothes, the memories of the nightmare continued to rey in his mind, like a movie stuck on repeat.


    However, he forced himself to ept it and move on, as he usually did.


    Emir made his way to the kitchen and saw his mother and sister bustling about, preparing breakfast, and for a moment, he felt a sense of relief.


    They greeted him with warm smiles, to which he returned.


    He sat down at the table, ready to eat, and that''s when his mother spoke up:


    "Emir, are you sure about not attending school?"


    "Yes, we both know that it would be a waste of time."


    Laura looked at Emir with a mix of concern and understanding.


    "Alright then, I''ll walk Lily to school in a little while, if you want to go for a walk as well then make sure to stick to this district, never go near the gates, I know how smart you are, and that you don''t need me to tell you this, but let a mother worry about her son alright?"


    He nodded, grateful. "Of course, mom."


    After breakfast, he went outside to take a walk and clear his head.


    As he walked through the small town, he couldn''t help but notice how different it was from the world from which he hade.


    There were no skyscrapers or bustling crowds, just small two and three-story houses.


    Well, at least in the area his house is in, the middle of the sector is where the Elite live, and it''s blocked off from outside ess.


    ''It is almost surreal to think that just five years ago, I had been living in apletely different world.''


    As he walked, he saw a group of children ying in a nearby park.


    Since this is an Abelled sector, a park was built, and nt life is supported here due to that massive dome filled with old-world technology surrounding it.


    ''It''s a shame that old-world tech isn''t essible to the public.'' He thought as he eyed the park.


    The kids wereughing and shouting, carefree and happy.


    He couldn''t help but smile at the sight, feeling a sense of nostalgia for a childhood that was long gone.


    With each step he got closer to them, the ground beneath his feet crunched softly, and he could hear the distant sound of rustling leaves.


    The children noticed him and stopped ying.


    They stared at him curiously, and he realized that he must have looked strange to them.


    As he was dressed in a in ck outfit, and his hair was a messy mop of ck.


    Emir waved at them and continued walking, passing the park, until he reached the edge of town.


    He raised his hand to touch the dome that separated him from the ruins of the old world looming in the distance.


    It was a stark contrast to the peaceful town, a reminder of the danger that lurked outside.


    ''Although the massive dome surrounding us looks like ss, I''m sure it''s far from it, probably a mirror-like TV screen that shows the outside world as a camera would.''


    ''Whatever, I''ll see what the outside world looks like using my own eyes soon enough.'' Emir thought as he turned back.


    He began walking towards his house, and the journey back took no less than 30 minutes, but before he crossed the door, he stared at the two-story house of theirs.


    ''Looking at it, you might not think that I''m in a different world since our house looks to be like any other in my past life. I guess it makes sense though, a house will only be that, a house.'' He mused to himself.


    Stepping inside, the familiar scent of home filled his senses.


    His mother had always been meticulous about keeping the ce clean and tidy, and it showed.


    Emir made his way to the living room, where his mother was sitting on the couch, watching the news on the holoscreen.


    "Hey, Mom," he greeted Laura as he sat down on the armchair next to her.


    She turned to him and smiled.


    "Hey, sweetie. How was your walk?"


    "It was good... I guess," he said after showing a smile.


    "I even went to the edge of the sector but as you''d expect there was not much going on¡­"


    He paused for a moment, finally realizing that his way of speaking reverted to that of his memories but then he just shrugged it off and thought:


    ''Who cares... I don''t need to hide everything. And if they find it weird then they''ll just need to get used to it...''


    "Anyways... Youe across anything interesting in the news?" He inquired, referring to the old world beyond the dome.


    Whilst he spoke, he sensed his mother''s gaze lingering on him briefly before returning to the holoscreen.


    Laura shook her head, her expression turning serious.


    "No, the UEF has been tight-lipped about everything new."


    "Though, they''ve been enforcing stricter rules and regtionstely, which makes me think something big might be happening." She continued, her voice filled with concern.


    Emir nodded thoughtfully.


    During his walk, he observed heightened security measures and a sense of tension in the sector, which might''ve gone unnoticed by an average person.


    He wondered what was going on behind the scenes, but he knew better than to push his mother for more information, as she knew less than even him.


    They sat in silence for a while, watching the news updates on the holoscreen.


    As the day turned into night, they ate dinner, and then he retired to his room, thinking about many things as usual.

 Chapter 9: Breach

    <h4>Chapter 9: Breach</h4>


    After the mutation unlock, his senses improved by arge margin, they were now more acute than others.


    Emir could hear the slightest of sounds, smell the faintest of scents, taste the subtlest of vors, see the tiniest of details, and feel the softest of touches. He also knew how to move his body better.


    It was like his senses were always on high alert, always ready to pick up on any stimuli around him.


    But the pain he went through wasn''t just for that, if he started focusing, he could slow down time and process everything he saw at an incredible speed.


    It was like he was in his own little world, where everything else moved at a snail''s pace.


    This ability, however, has a drawback since it drains his mental energy, so he could only use it sparingly.


    For now, he has learned how to be in that state for half a second.


    He has a long way to go before mastering this ability.


    In the Born in Ruins novel, this ability was called Time Dtion Sensory, or TDS for short.


    ''There are many other abilities like this one, but all of them need Cyberware tech to be installed or drugs to be taken.''


    ''From what I remember in the novel, the UEF government got under bacsh for hiding this mutation from the public, so for now I''m probably one of the only few people in this world who have it.''


    He thought as he confirmed his n for the final time.


    To master it, he nned to go down to the bunker located in this sector and fight random thugs, so he could get ustomed to using it under pressure.


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    Present time


    After all his nning, Emir was about to leave the house to go through with the n, but suddenly he heard a voice echo in his mind:


    [Warning, a security breach has been detected in the bunker located in this sector. It is advised to avoid going there until further notice.]


    He furrowed his brows in confusion, wondering what could have caused it, ''Is it rted to the increase in security a few days ago?''


    It was a heavily guarded facility, with advanced security measures and strict protocols.


    It was almost impossible for anyone to breach it without getting caught.


    He felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of his stomach.


    ''What could be so important in the bunker that someone would risk breaking in? And why did it have to happen now, just when I was nning to go down there to train my TDS ability?''


    ''...I''m so damn stupid, I trusted the novel too much and forgot that this is a real world in which many things happened that were never mentioned.''


    ''But still... A security breach of this level is not something that should be ignored, even in the novel. So why wasn''t it mentioned?''


    ''I can only assume that the government kept this under wraps for some reason.''


    To confirm that thought, Emir quickly essed the local newswork to see if there was any information about the security breach.


    The news channel was disying a breaking news banner that read:


    {Death report in the north of sector 2-A, an announcement for all residents, stay indoors or you will be met with force, I repeat stay indoors or you will be met with force.}


    ''As expected, they are hiding the breach, although I can''t trust the voice, I know that whatever agenda it has needs me to be alive, so I can trust it in these situations.''


    He decided to put his ns on hold and stay indoors, as advised by the voice and the news channel.


    Emir then began searching online for any information he could find about the security breach and found nothing.


    ''I already anticipated this, but any information about this breach is cklisted... How am I going to train my TDS ability now?''


    He pondered over this question, knowing that he had toe up with a new n.


    A n that would allow him to train his ability without putting himself in unnecessary danger.


    As if sensing his intentions, the voice called out to him:


    "Emir."


    But this time the voice didn''t echo from his head; instead, he felt that voice came from a certain direction, so when he looked in said direction...


    He caught sight of a stunning young woman, around twenty-two years of age, with snow-white hair and striking red eyes.


    Herplexion was fair, and her expression appeared emotionless.


    She was adorned in a flowing white dress that exuded elegance, and she simply had an otherworldly aura around her.


    ''Who? Is this what the voice looks like?''


    "If you looked that beautiful, then why haven''t you shown yourself earlier?" He asked.


    Ignoring him once again, she replied, "Pleased to see you, Emir; you may call me Lyra."


    "I thought it was time for us to have a more personal interaction. As for your question, I have only shown myself now because I deemed it necessary. I am not just a voice, Emir. I am an AI designed to assist you in any way possible, and please do not ask about the organization that Ie from, as you are not yet worthy to know."


    He nodded, still in shock from seeing Lyra in person.


    "So, what do you suggest I do now that the bunker ispromised? I need to train my TDS ability, but I can''t risk going out there and getting involved in whatever is going on."


    Lyra''s face turned into a thoughtful expression as she considered his question.


    "There is another way for you to train your abilities without leaving the safety of this sector," she answered.


    "I can fight you in a simtion where I could kill you, creating the sense of danger that you need and allowing you to train your TDS ability."


    His eyes widened at the idea.


    "That''s brilliant! Can we really do that?"


    "Of course," Lyra replied. "But you must be wearing an augmented suit."


    "Thank you, Lyra."


    Lyra''s lips went up a bit, barely noticeable even with his enhanced senses.


    "It''s what I''m here for, it''s my job after all. So, when shall we get started?"


    "Later, I''ll join my family for lunch... I just told them that I''d be going out and it''d be weird for me to still be in the house."


    She nodded her head as her hologram form disappeared, and Emir went to the kitchen to eat lunch with Laura and Lily.


    After he hastily finished his meal, Lyra spoke:


    [Go outside. There will be a package in a rucksack waiting for you.]


    Following her instructions, he went out to fetch it, thinking that it housed the augmented suit he needed for the simtion.


    Going back to his room, he quickly put on said augmented suit.


    ''Based on the novel and other articles I''ve found on thework, this augmented suit isn''t anything special as it is mostly used for simting senses and perception, so the strength increase isn''t much.''


    ''This suit is definitely provided by whatever secret organization Lyra''s from.'' He theorized.


    The suit was an E-type A-style augmented suit named ''Chrono-Sense,'' it was one of the most advanced pieces of technology he had ever seen.


    ''Funnily enough, most people use this suit for questionable things, but let''s not think about that.'' He mused to himself.


    As he put on the suit, he felt a surge of energy coursing through his body.


    The suit fit like a glove, and he could feel it syncing up with his Neural Network.


    The suit was skintight with mechanical bone-like structures fitted on it, as well as a tight fit like a virtual reality headset that was as small as normal sunsses.


    It felt strange at first, but Emir soon got used to the weight and the way it made him move.


    Lyra reappeared in front of him as a hologram.


    "Are you ready, Emir?" She asked.


    He took a deep breath and nodded.


    "Let''s do this."


    They went to the backyard after he finished his preparations.


    Lyra''s charming voice rang out as she said:


    "Close your eyes."


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling his body rx.


    Emir opened his eyes again, and he suddenly found himself in a simted space, standing on a tform with the surroundings in clear white.


    Lyra''s hologram walked in front of him.


    "Emir today we shall practice hand-to-handbat first, then we will proceed with having you use your TDS ability."


    "I will use your augmented suit to create the sensation of you hitting something."


    "Come try it!" She beckoned as she pointed at her stomach.


    He did as he was told and softly punched her.


    And sure enough, he felt the impact.


    ''Wow....this is incredible, I can actually feel it as if it was real.'' He thought, struggling to hide his surprise.


    "Are you ready?" She asked.


    After seeing him nod, she didn''t give him any time to adjust and instantly attacked.


    Emir barely had a moment to react as Lyra''s holographic form came at him with blinding speed.


    He dodged her first punch, as he rolled out of the way, but she rushed him once again.


    Her punches and kicks were lightning-fast and so precise that he could barely keep up.


    But he refused to let himself be defeated so easily.


    He quickly ducked under her punches andnded a few hits of his own, those hits were all blocked, however.


    The suit helped him move faster and hit harder, and soon they were engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle.


    They exchanged blows, kicks, and blocks, with Lyra easily controlling the flow of the battle.


    While fighting, she would point out his mistakes, saying:


    "Your gait is too feeble."


    When he would go for a punch.


    "Ensure your stance is correct."


    And when he would prepare for an attack, she would then start thrashing him around while saying:


    "Try to minimize your openings after attacking."


    After hundreds of simr exchanges, Emir clumsily slipped on his sweat, and Lyra took advantage of that opportunity, swiftlyunching a powerful kick straight to his head, causing him to feel as though his skull had been crushed.


    He copsed to the ground, and despite the pain only being a simtion, he struggled to stand back up.


    And when he finally managed to stand up straight, he noticed something below his peripheral vision.


    So he looked down to where he had just been and saw a hologram of his body with its head crushed simply lying there.


    Dead.

 Chapter 10: Novel

    <h4>Chapter 10: Novel</h4>


    ''So I died, huh...guess I should expect a lot of that from now on.'' He thought as he looked back at Lyra.


    Right after that attack, she stepped back, her hologram form dissipating.


    While keeping up with Emir''s pace, she deliberately restrained her strength to match his, even ounting for his age andck of experience.


    ''Lyra sure is an incredible AI... She simted everything.''


    ''It''ll take me a long time to reach that level, but no matter, I''ve got a long road ahead of me.'' He concluded.


    Unfortunately for Emir, he didn''t realize how long the path ahead of him truly was.


    [Good work, Emir.] She said.


    He nodded, panting from the intense workout.


    [What''s next?] He asked after resting for a few minutes.


    Lyra''s hologram reappeared with a small smile on her lips.


    "Now, we move on to your TDS ability."


    He took a deep breath, knowing that this was the moment he had been waiting for.


    She attacked again, but this time he was ready.


    He focused all his attention and saw Lyra moving in slow motion, her hologram form suspended in time way slower than his.


    ''Maybe I can finally get a proper hit in.''


    But his victory was short-lived, as her speed went back to normal half a secondter.


    And even though he was in a position to block her punch, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his head, like a needle piercing his brain.


    This pain caused him to clutch his head in agony, which opened him up for an attack that Lyra capitalized on, causing everything to go dark.


    Well... At least for his hologram.


    After standing up from the punch, he saw two bodies lying on the floor.


    One with its head kicked in, its brain spilling out, and the other with a part of its head lobbed off.


    ''I feel like throwing up, but I have to hold it in since I''ll be seeing worse from now on,'' he thought as he looked at Lyra once more.


    "Again."


    And the cycle continued, with Emir barely fighting back, sometimes being able to use his ability, leading him to block a few hits, and then ultimately dying in some gruesome way.


    They took a few breaks but continued until evening, and by the time they finished, Emir was exhausted and covered in sweat.


    Lyra''s hologram appeared in front of him again, looking just as fresh as when they started.


    "Good job, Emir," she said.


    "You have improved a lot since we started."


    Emir nodded, feeling a sense of pride in his progress.


    "Thank you, Lyra."


    Lyra''s lips curled up into a small smile.


    "It was my pleasure."


    "Now, it''s time for you to rest. You''ve worked hard today, and your body needs time to recover."


    He nodded again, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him.


    "You''re right,"


    "I think I''ll just go eat now." He said to himself as Lyra''s hologram disappeared, leaving him alone in the simted space.


    He then began to look around, and he couldn''t even count how many bodies there were, all of them dead with pieces of their bodies misced and or crushed.


    ''A massacre, I literally got massacred for hours... Man, this looks gruesome.''


    He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to regain his energy.


    After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and walked out of the backyard back to his room.


    Taking off his augmented suit, he had a quick bath and went downstairs to eat dinner with his family.


    "How was your training today, Emir?" His mother asked, pouring him a ss of water as he sat down.


    "It was intense," he replied, taking a sip of the water.


    "I pushed myself to my limits."


    "I''m d to hear that. It''s important to challenge yourself if you want to¡ª "


    He looked up, wondering why she had stopped talking, but she stayed silent for a while.


    And suddenly, in a hurried tone, while looking straight into his eyes, she asked.


    "Emir, what happened to you? Have you looked in the mirror? What happened to your eyes?"


    Surprised by what she said, he quickly replied:


    "Oh, this... I didn''t check, but I think it might be rted to my TDS ability."


    ''Though I have no idea what changed about my eyes and what they looked like before,'' he added in his mind, as he always avoided looking at himself directly in the mirror.


    Emir also told them about his ability without mentioning the pain that it caused him, he lied about how he unlocked it, saying that he identally discovered it one day during training.


    ''I don''t want to lie to them, but I must hide the truth, after all, if I tell them what really happened, they will definitely ask me where I learned that information from.''


    ''And I can''t look them straight in the eyes and say that they are characters in a novel, extras you might say, extras that are barely mentioned in one chapter and killed off the next, all simply for the MC''s character development, now can I?'' Emir struggled with his thoughts, justifying his actions to himself.


    After their collective surprise about what he said and his attributing his ability to being the son of a very high-ranking hunter, Laura spoke.


    "As long as you''re fine, that''s all that matters."


    But before he responded, his sister jumped into the conversation with widened eyes, demanding.


    "Tell me! Tell me! How did it feel?"


    "It was like everything around me slowed down, and I could react, attack, and defend faster," he exined with a chuckle.


    "But it''s still difficult to control."


    His mother nodded, looking proud.


    "You''re making great progress, Emir. I don''t doubt that you''ll be a powerful hunter one day, just like your father."


    He smiled, always grateful for his family''s support.


    "Thanks, Mom. I''ll do my best."


    They continued to talk and enjoy their meal, sharing stories andughing together.


    As they finished, he went upstairs to his room after saying goodnight to both of them.


    Laying on his bed, he closed his eyes, feeling his body slowly rx.


    It had been a long day, but he was happy with his progress.


    And while he drifted off to sleep, he couldn''t help but wonder what other secrets Lyra was hiding from him.


    But for now, he was content with the knowledge that he had gained, after all, he knew that he had a long way to go before even thinking about mastering his TDS ability.


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    This cycle continued for days, months, and years, every day with hours of training with no end in sight.


    Some days they trained in hand-to-handbat, while other days they trained using weapons.


    Weapons ranging from a simple bare-bones machine gun, a grenadeuncher, to futuristicser rifles and railguns.


    Lyra also exined the concept of how the weapon simtion works, and it was simr to how she controlled his suit when he gets hit.


    The weapon''s recoil is calcted by her, then she controls his augmented suit to move as if he was actually firing a weapon.


    From the weight of the weapon even to the way he gripped the weapon, everything was simted.


    It wasn''t perfect however, since it felt a bit floaty at times, but of course, he didn''t expect the simtion to really hold up to the feeling of holding a real weapon.


    The weaponry practice was done against monsters and humans.


    Lyra also simted a plethora of environments.


    One day he could be in the middle of a desert surrounded by nothing but sand dunes, and the next he could be in a lush forest, et cetera.


    He experienced warfare in many environments, but she mostly focused on underground ruins and residential districts.


    Emir learned how to take cover, how to effectively ambush his enemies, and how to deal with a group of hunters and monsters alike.


    And obviously, for such big simted scenarios, they aren''t possible due to the limited space of their backyard.


    So instead, going with Lyra''s suggestion, Emir went into a deste ce in the sector where barely anyone passed by and trained there.


    If some people do, however, Lyra quickly informs him, and they momentarily end the simtion until they leave.


    Since if they saw Emir, some rumors might fly around about a retarded kid in an augmented suit running around pretending to shoot at imaginary things.


    Anyways, after each and every training session, some might think that his bodies littering the ground would decrease in number, but no.


    The number of bodies stayed constant throughout, despite his massive improvement.


    So the more he trained, the further he realized how much Lyra was and still is holding back.


    And unknowingly to Emir, Lyra has long since begun to enjoy training him, spending time with him, and even more so during her conversations with him.


    So, as the days continued to pass by, she began to smile more, but it went unnoticed as he was too busy struggling to survive each fight.


    Not even taking into ount the constant nightmares he experiences every other night, his guilt in taking over Emir''s body building up with every passing day.


    Something unnatural that he had no control over...


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    Present time


    Today, Emir finally had the courage to look at himself in the mirror.


    Although he generally knew how he looked due to constantly seeing holograms of himself lying about dead at the end of every training session, but he had never looked straight at his face before.


    It just felt weird, after all, he still remembers his past self before reincarnating, and well...


    He never wanted to confront the truth.


    ''The birthday party that mom and sis nned surprised me, I even forgot that it was my thirteenth birthday that day because of the constant training.''


    He quickly cut off that thought, managing to keep them from spiraling as he steeled himself.


    "Haaaah, alright... Let''s get this over with." He voiced out, his tone indicating his resolve.


    And as usual, Lyra continued to watch silently, but this time, she wasn''t indifferent.


    Guilt was apparent on her face, as she clutched her holographic hands, seemingly in the know of what wasing next.

 Chapter 11: Face

    <h4>Chapter 11: Face</h4>


    As he looked up to the mirror, he saw a ck-haired boy, with eyes so dark looking straight at him.


    The boy... The man had no pupils in his eyes, they were ck, just pitch ck.


    His face was pale white like most of the residents in the sector, after all, they never gained ess to true sunlight, only a reflection from the outside world.


    He had a slick jawline withte signs of a fully formed Adam''s apple on his neck, it''s also where his ck hair was reaching.


    All in all, he looked handsome, but his eyes were a standout; they made him look like a dangerous beast ready to pounce on whatever he saw.


    Emir''s thought process seemed toe to a halt, leaving him unable to think of anything.


    He stood nkly in front of the mirror, staring at his own reflection.


    After who knows how long, he heard knocking on his door.


    "COME ON BROTHER! LET''S GO EAT BREAKFAST!" And the sound of Lily screaming loudly finally brought him back to reality.


    Snapping out of it, he realized that he had been lost in his thoughts for quite some time.


    He turned away from the mirror and made his way towards the door, still feeling a bit dazed.


    As he opened the door, Lily ran past him and towards the kitchen, yelling something about pancakes.


    Suppressing his emotions for the time being, he trailed behind her, making his way into the kitchen.


    As he stepped into the familiar space, Laura weed him with a radiant smile, presenting a te adorned with fluffy pancakes.


    He sat down at the table and began eating, trying to enjoy the delicious breakfast Laura had prepared, but it all tasted nd.


    And as they ate, Laura started asking him about his training.


    He previously told her about using the augmented suit, while he obviously didn''t mention how he got it from Lyra''s organization but that he bought it himself from the ck market in the bunker.


    She knew about it beforehand, or at least he told her that beforehand, asking for extra money and then showing up wearing the augmented suit after "purchasing" it.


    Laura was fine with it, and of course she would be, after all, he''ll be going to ces that are much more dangerous in the future, and if she stops him just at the slums, then she won''t allow him to go anywhere.


    He told her about the simtions, excluding Lyra, and also mentioned the holograms he had been fighting against, exining how they were helping him improve hisbat skills at a rapid rate.


    She listened intently, nodding her head in approval.


    Lily, who had finished her pancakes, began talking about her day at school.


    Emir had been home-schooled, or so everyone was told, since he didn''t need school, and Laura acknowledged that.


    However, he didn''t want to go to school because he felt it would be a waste of time to learn things he already knew, and he simply couldn''t imagine going to school with kids less than half his age.


    On the other hand, Lily didn''t opt for the hunter grind like him.


    She was just a normal child who wanted to live in thefort of the residential sectors. So she went to the local school with all the other kids.


    She told them about her friends and the activities they had done during recess, and he was happy that she was enjoying herself.


    At least she would experience a normal childhood, unlike him, a man born to kill.


    ¡­


    After breakfast, Emir headed back to his room.


    And as he walked past a mirror, he couldn''t help but nce at his reflection.


    However, he instantly flinched and looked away again.


    Going up to his room, heid down on the bed, not in the mood for training.


    ''So, I really took over, both body and soul,'' he thought to himself.


    ''I still look the same as I did in my past life, huh.''


    Gradually, he let out a chuckle.


    It was a bitter, joyless sound that escaped his lips.


    His giggles turned into full-blownughter.


    The sound of hisughter echoed in the air, growing louder and more maniacal with each passing moment.


    It was augh that one would not expect toe from the mouth of a mere thirteen-year-old child.


    "It looks like I truly stole Laura''sst chance of having a son with Oliver." He said in a whisper so small, the average person would never be able to hear.


    He had always tried to convince himself that he simply remembered his past life, but now he couldn''t deny the truth.


    But despite his inner turmoil, he found somefort in the fact that his eyes were different from those of his past life.


    Emir used to have dark brown eyes and normal-looking pupils, but now they are pitch ck due to his TDS ability.


    He sighed for the umpteenth time and couldn''t help but think about how little he resembled his parents.


    His father, Oliver, had a striking appearance with his neatly styled blond hair, strong jawline, and expressive green eyes.


    In contrast, he looked nothing like him.


    He wondered if people would think he was adopted.


    These thoughts consumed him as hey there, thinking of what to do next.


    ''I need to keep calm and act like nothing happened. I don''t want to worry Laura unnecessarily; I owe her that much.'' He decided.


    Suddenly, a loud banging on the door startled him.


    It was his sister, Lily, urging him toe downstairs because some government officials had visited them.


    Emir quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.


    As he washed his face, he noticed an old mirror he had set aside as a child.


    He picked it up and ced it back on top of the sink.


    "Sorry, Emir, but I will save your family for you, I at least promise that." He said while looking at himself, his eyes resolute.


    Lyra''s crimson eyes welled up with tears as she watched the events unfold before her.


    She knew that everything that was happening was a direct result of her actions, and she was overwhelmed with guilt.


    She also had a deep understanding of the consequences and actions that would follow, but like those who came before her, she felt powerless to intervene.


    Bound by her circumstances, she could only bear witness to the unfolding events andply with themands given to her.


    Emir descended the stairs towards the living room and found Lily and Laura sitting on a couch opposite a government official.


    He joined them on the couch, curious as to what was happening.


    The official was dressed in a ck suit with the government''s insignia on it.


    He pulled three cards from his left breast pocket and handed one to each of them.


    As Emir read the card, the official introduced himself as Ethan, one of the agents of the UEF responsible for overseeing the UEF Academy''s students.


    He exined that he was there to invite them, Laura''s children to the academy.


    Lily had received an invitation for a three-year program that is simr to the school from Emir''s past life.


    And he also invited Emir to attend a three-year program focused onbat and all things hunter rted.


    ''Huh... I see now. I was wondering how we got caught up in the novel''s story, it turns out we were invited.'' He thought.


    Ethan continued, "Miss Laura, your daughter is expected to apply by next week since the new term starts soon. As for your son, he is expected to join when he reaches fifteen years of age. Please ask if you have any questions."


    "Also, Miss Laura, you can live with them if you wish since the academy has a private district only avable to its students and their families."


    Laura looked at Emir and Lily, and seeing that they didn''t have any questions, she turned her attention to Ethan and asked, "Sir Ethan, until when are we allowed to confirm their attendance?"


    "In three days'' time."


    Laura thanked him for the invitation and said that she would discuss it with them before confirming their attendance.


    As the official left, they all turned to each other, Lily buzzing with excitement.


    She was thrilled at the prospect of attending the academy, and she asked Emir about the three-year program he had been invited to.


    "Ahem, ahem," he coughed a little, acting as if he was reading off a speech.


    "Apart from the normal courses that you would go through, the UEF academy was initially created with this program in mind, it is a prestigious training ground for hunters and other individuals seeking to survive and thrive in the dangerous andpetitive field of the Old World."


    "The three-year intensive training program would probably cover a range of skills and knowledge required for survival in the ruins, such asbat training, knowledge of the ruins, and old-world history, while there has to be a lot more to it, I would only know that after attending the academy." He concluded, ending his little speech.


    Laura looked at Emir with a mix of pride and concern. She knew the risks that came with being a hunter and the dangers that awaited him. However, she also knew it was a calling he couldn''t ignore.


    Lily''s eyes widened.


    "Wow, that sounds really cool," she said.


    "Do you think you''ll go?"

 Chapter 12: First Chapter

    <h4>Chapter 12: First Chapter</h4>


    After some contemtion, Emir found himself torn between two obvious choices.


    On the one hand, he needed to train in that environment to gain first-hand experience with real weapons andbat scenarios.


    Besides, he has to be near the protagonist, how else would he steal his cheats? Said cheats that he currently has no idea about and in what form they would end up in.


    Moreover, he will gain the chance to acquire new skills, which could prove invaluable given that his TDS ability mastery has started stagnating.


    ''It is most probably due to me getting used to the simted danger, so I need actual dangerous situations.''


    ''But on the other hand, that''s where we all died in the novel for reasons I can''t yet seem to remember... My family will go either way, and it''s technically the safest ce on the while also the most dangerous, considering the Elite.'' He thought, weighing his options.


    "I''m not sure," he said honestly.


    "It''s a big decision, and I want to think it over before I decide."


    Laura nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, it''s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision like this. And we only have three days to decide."


    Lily looked a little disappointed but quickly perked up.


    "Well, either way, I''m definitely going to apply for the three-year program. I can''t wait to start!"


    Over the next few days, they discussed the invitation and their options.


    In the end, they all decided to ept the invitation and join the UEF Academy, while Emir epted because he wanted the challenge, he wasn''t going to hide from his fate, and it would be the best and quickest way for him to be stronger.


    He also knew that Lyra''s organization would''ve wanted him to go, as she was the one who pushed him into epting.


    ¡­..


    ¡­..


    Exactly three dayster, Ethan came back again and asked them about their decision.


    "Yes, my children wish to go, and we''re all honored to be invited to the academy." Laura answered.


    "Understood," Ethan said simply.


    "Get your bags and await me at the south gate of this sector, we shall depart from there."


    Seeing them nod, he turned back and left the house.


    "Okay, Lily, Emir, quickly get your luggage and wait in the living room while your mom gets ready." Lauramanded.


    "Yes, we will." They replied in unison.


    Emir went back up to his room, and took a final look around, noting anything that he might have missed.


    ''Looks like I have everything I need.'' He thought as he looked down at his bag.


    Said bag was a futuristic one, it was a high-tech marvel that embodies the cutting-edge of this world''s technology.


    ''So, I got my clothes, shoes, underwear, augmented suit, rucksack, and my trusty terminal, hmm... All set. Let''s go.'' He thought as he left the room.


    Dragging his bag downstairs, he saw Lily just getting out of her room.


    "Heyyy brother,e help me pack my stuff." She said.


    Pausing his steps, he silently stared at her with a nk expression.


    "OKAY! Okay, I''m sorry alright, but I was toozy and forgot to pack my stuff, so stop staring at me ande help, pleaseee." She countered, looking at him with her ssic puppy eyes.


    "Sure, give me a moment." He said suppressing a chuckle.


    He walked over to Lily''s room, with his futuristic bag behind, following him like a loyalpanion.


    Entering her room, he found Lily frantically throwing clothes and essories into her own bag.


    "Hey, calm down. What do you need me to do?" Heughed at her sudden burst of energy.


    "Can you help me pick out some clothes?" She asked, holding up two different shirts.


    He nodded and began sorting through her clothes, helping her choose outfits that would be appropriate for the trip ahead.


    Once finished, they made their way to the living room, where Laura was waiting for them.


    She looked up and smiled at their arrival.


    "Ready to go kids?" She asked, tapping her bag, and standing up.


    "Yeah, let''s go." Emir answered while opening the door, leading them out of the house.


    They trudged forward with four bulky bags weighed down by their possessions trailing closely behind them.


    The gate loomedrger in front of them with every step, a towering monolith that seemed to stretch up to the sky.


    Emir couldn''t help but marvel at the size of this gate, even though he''s seen it many times before.


    And as he stared at the gate with unblinking eyes, it slowly began to open, just before they reached it, allowing people toe in.


    ''Are those hunters? Or are they affiliated with the government?''


    Ethan, seemingly able to sense Emir''s thoughts, replied as he walked towards them from near the gate.


    "These people are hunters, their mission is to protect you, the passengers, and the cargo in the trucks that areing in."


    By the time he finished talking, the gate was fully opened and said trucks entered.


    Those futuristic armored trucks were massive, imposing vehicles that looked like they had been designed for war.


    Their sleek, angr bodies were made from a reinforced, high-strength material that could withstand even the most devastating attacks, and some were equipped with an array of advanced technologies that made them a true force to be reckoned with.


    Mounted on the roof of the trucks was a series of devastating weapons, including heavy machine guns and even missileunchers, that glinted menacingly under the sun.


    Their massive tires were designed to grip any surface, and they were reinforced with a special material that made them virtually indestructible by the terrain.


    Going past the isting barrier between the sector and the gate, they approached one of the trucks.


    Its doors, which were several inches thick, opened with a hiss to reveal a spacious, high-tech interior that was filled with advanced navigation andmunication systems.


    Snapping Emir out of his astonishment, Ethan''s words reached his ears, "Alright guys, hop in. I''ll join you in a few moments, so wait inside. A hunter will show you where to sit, please follow him."


    The hunter he mentioned came to the family of three, waving at them.


    Noticing him, Emir signaled to his family and they quickly followed after him, climbing into the truck.


    While did so, he could feel the hum of its engines vibrating through his bones.


    And after traversing through a lengthy hallway, they arrived at the livingpartments.


    The hunter indicated which room each of them was assigned to, and fortunately for them, their rooms were located next to each other.


    As they continued the tour, he pointed out the cafeteria where they would eat during the journey, which was a spacious area situated just beyond the living quarters.


    Lastly, he led them to the meeting area.


    ''I can safely guess that all high-end client¨¨le do their business transactions here.'' Emir thought as he surveyed the room.


    The hunter spoke out, his voice gruff, "Wait here for Sir Ethan, he will walk you through what you need to know."


    Without waiting for them to reply, he turned around and began walking back.


    Cutting through the building tension, Lily spoke with a thrilled voice, "This soooo exciting, isn''t that right, guys?"


    Laura let out a sigh, while Emirughed out loud, saying, "Yes, yes, it definitely is."


    Ruining the moment Ethan came in and sat on one of the couches in the room, he then proceeded to point at the couch opposite him.


    "Please sit, I''ll tell you what you need to know about the trip and UEF Academy."


    As they sat down, Emir''s eyes wandered around the room, taking in its futuristic design and advanced technology.


    The walls were lined with sleek, touch-screen panels that disyed real-time information about their journey and the various systems on the truck, and the furniture was all made from a high-tech material that looked like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie.


    Ethan cleared his throat, bringing Emir''s attention back to him.


    He began to exin the details of their journey, including the destination, the expected duration of the trip, and the various amenities and services that would be avable to them on board.


    Most of what he said was what Emir already knew, so he started to drift off into his thoughts again.


    The UEF Academy, also known as Sector 11-A, is a sprawling campus that spans several square miles, consisting of dozens of futuristic buildings and structures that are all interconnected by awork of ss walkways and tunnels.


    The main building of the academy was a towering structure that rose up into the sky, gleaming in the sunlight with its reflective exterior.


    It was made up of dozens of levels, each dedicated to a specific area of study, research, or administration.


    Inside, the building was a marvel of modern engineering and design.


    The walls were lined with touch-screen panels and holographic disys, and there were advanced AI systems, a dumbed-down system that is in no wayparable to Lyra''s capabilities.


    But they were enough to control everything from the lighting and temperature to the security and surveince.


    The ssrooms and lecture halls were all state-of-the-art, equipped with thetest technology and tools to facilitate learning and research.


    There werebs and workshops for students to conduct experiments and develop their projects, saidbs were used by the elite hunters as well, for reasons Emir has yet to know.


    Outside of the main building, there were various other structures that served different purposes.


    Those buildings would range from a trainingplex with stadiums and arenas for various sports and activities, as well as a performing arts center for music, theater, and dance.


    Typical behavior for the Elite, even if the world was under such circumstances, they would still entertain themselves, one way or the other.


    And of course, the hunters were no exception, with their own training facilities outfitted with every piece of facility imaginable, many unknown to Emir.


    However, unlike all other sectors that had a massive dome covering them, the academy doesn''t, since all that went there had at one point in their lives been injected with nanobots that made them immune to radioactive particles.


    ''The buildings themselves are radiation resistant of course, as are all the othermon wearable items like clothes, footwear, and essories--''


    The truck suddenly started moving, cutting off his thoughts.


    Emir looked to his right and saw Lily screaming with her hands raised up.


    "ANDDDD WE ARE OFFFF!!"

 Chapter 13: Journey

    <h4>Chapter 13: Journey</h4>


    Seated on the bed of his designated livingpartment, his mind became consumed with thoughts of the future.


    Many of the characters in the Born in Ashes novel would be present at the UEF academy.


    It was a crucial part of the world-building and back-story of the novel, as it exined how the hunters and other survivors became skilled in the ways of the old world.


    It also served as a means of advancement for the characters, as some were sponsored by organizations or individuals looking to hire skilled hunters.


    And of course, it was a source of conflict, where characterspeted against each other to gain the best benefits, where the Elite would fight over talented hunters, creating a battleground where the kids of bigshots yed around with the students lives, deciding their fates.


    Emir knew this, or at least expected this, but that was all.


    It was blurry, fragmented, like the rest of the novel, he doesn''t remember much, no names, no nothing.


    He let out a sigh.


    ''Anyways, in a few minutes, breakfast will be served, so let''s get going.'' He thought as he stood up from the bed, walking towards the bathroom.


    After washing up, he made his way to the dining hall, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and food filled the air.


    The cafeteria was bustling with activity, as hunters and other passengers from various disciplines chatted over breakfast.


    He looked to his right, noticing Laura and Lily waving their hands and ushering him to join them.


    Emir quickly made his way over to their table, sitting down opposite his mother like usual.


    Laura poured him a cup of coffee as Lily shared her ns for the day.


    "I''m going to be studying hard in my room after breakfast. I want to be a top scorer in the academy." She said, her voice excited.


    Laura nodded in encouragement.


    "Stay focused and work hard."


    When asked about his ns, Emir replied, "The usual, training, training, and more training."


    Lily rebuked him, saying, "C''mon, we are going to the academy, why don''t you have fun? You will train there anyway."


    He shrugged.


    "The test we will be going through will be tough, and if I wish toe out on top, all this training is necessary."


    ''Not for the normal students that is,'' he added in his mind.


    ''The test for the average hunter trainee would be too easy for me, but that''s not what I am aiming for.''


    He then grabbed a te and went to fill it with what looked to be weird-looking scrambled eggs and bread.


    Going back to the table, he began eating with his mind returning to the novel''s protagonist, whoever he or she was.


    ''I will be meeting them in the academy, and I have a feeling that if I see them, I will somehow recognize them.''


    ''I don''t know what made them the protagonist, not yet at least, but what I do know is that they would be someone strong or at least have the potential to be so, they are the main character after all, they must have something special about them.''


    Finishing the food on his te, Emir said goodbye to them and went back to his room, nning to train his TDS ability.


    As he entered his room, he closed the door behind him and took a deep breath.


    ''It''s time to get to work,'' he thought.


    He walked over to the center of the room and stood there, closing his eyes to focus.


    Opening his eyes back up, he started with some simple exercises to warm up, feeling the familiar tingle in his mind as he tapped into his ability.


    TDS was not an easy skill to level up, even after all the time he trained, he could only slow down his perception of time to just one minute.


    ''Although hard, it is one of the most useful abilities a hunter could have.''


    After several minutes of warming up, he began to focus on more advanced techniques.


    Slowing down his perception of time in between movements, using it at the exact moment he would perform an attack, and the same for defense.


    All in an attempt to keep his movements flowing as seamlessly as he possibly could.


    He pushed himself harder, tapping into his abilities more deeply than ever before.


    It was exhausting but exhrating.


    And as he pushed his limits, he felt his mind slip into a deeper state of focus, in turnpletely immersing himself in his training.


    He lost track of time and space as he pushed himself further and further.


    Hours passed, but it felt like only minutes.


    As if an rm rang, he slowed down his movements and stopped his CQC training, sweating, breathless, but filled with a sense of satisfaction.


    Today was like every other day his usual training, so he didn''t need someone to tell him when to stop, as if it was almost instinctive. After all, his training regimen was devised entirely by Lyra, down to thest detail, all to maximize efficiency and recovery.


    And Emir knew to trust her capabilities in making him get stronger as fast as possible.


    ''Training like this and noticing your strength growing in every passing day is an addicting feeling, way worse than nicotine.'' He thought chuckling out loud.


    Heid down on the floor for a few minutes, trying to catch his breath, but his rest was disrupted as he heard a sudden knock on the door.


    "Sir Emir, please join the other passengers in the emergency area, monsters will soon attack the convoy!"


    ''NOW?!''


    His heart skipped a beat as he instantly jumped to his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins.


    He quickly donned his augmented suit, and smashed his way through the door, running towards the emergency area, where other hunters and passengers had already gathered.


    Emir surveyed the expansive, open space enclosed by towering, reinforced walls. It was designed with a strategicyout, featuring only a limited number of well-guarded entry points.


    While his eyes scanned the room, he could feel the tension in the air as everyone prepared themselves for the iing attack.


    He quickly positioned himself next to Lily and Laura, sharing a brief nod, silently acknowledging what he was about to do.


    ''Nothing should go wrong since we were supposed to reach the academy safe and sound in the novel, but I can''t trust it, so I''ll have to improvise.''


    With that thought in mind, he went up to a hunter nearby.


    Stepping in front of the man, Emir said, "Sorry to disturb but I''m a hunter trainee and I know my way around a weapon, so could I get a gun? I''ll help, in case it all gets out of control."


    The hunter looked at him up and down before nodding and passing him a sleek ck rifle with multiple magazines, along with a standard-issue knife.


    Emir quickly checked the magazines, and after making sure the gun was fully loaded, he holstered it on his suit, sheathing the knife right after.


    The sound of monsters grew louder and closer, making him grip his weapon tighter.


    He watched as the passengers huddled together; fear etched on their faces, as they waited for the attack.


    ncing at Laura and Lily, he gave them a quick nod as he ran up the stairs, reaching the top of the truck.


    Emir looked around the devastated wastnd as he saw the monsters closing in on the convoy.


    The hunters next to him immediately began firing, startling him, as the sound of bullets flying was deafening to his ears, especially with the enormous weapons ced on top of the trucks.


    Shaking himself out of it, he quicklyy prone next to a group of two hunters and joined them, firing at the monsters.


    Emir and the rest of the infantry focused on the E to D-rank canine monsters, and the trucks'' weaponry maintained its fire on the giant C and above-ranked monsters way in the back.


    Due to the sudden pressure and unfamiliar environment, he missed a few of his shots, but when he slowly started getting used to it, every monster he set his sights on was shredded to bits.


    When some monsters got too close, he focused on slowing down time, allowing him to adjust his aim with greater speed and uracy.


    His senses were heightened, and he could see the monsters'' movements clearly, easily allowing him to aim and fire at the creatures, hitting them in their weak spots and taking them down one by one.


    And as the battle raged on, he felt his confidence grow.


    He had trained for this moment, and it was paying off.


    But a bang suddenly reverberated behind him, jolting Emir from his thoughts.


    He swiftly turned around, only to find a ferocious, stray dog-like monster that had somehow managed to climb aboard the truck.


    Without a moment to spare, the creature lunged towards him, its intentions unmistakably hostile.


    ''DAMMIT!''


    Desperation surged through him as he realized that his weapon was lodged deep in the ground, leaving him with only one choice.


    In a split-second decision, he sprang to his feet, his movements fluid, as he retrieved his knife that he kept within reach.


    With an intense re fixed on the creature, he bellowed a challenge into the chaotic air:


    "COME AT ME!"


    The dog-like monstrosity charged forward, teeth bared and ws extended, its intent to rend him apart unmistakable.


    Time slowed down as Emir, drew upon his sharpened focus, preparing himself for the imminent sh.


    He took a deep breath, and deftly sidestepped, evading the creature''s vicious lunge with great agility.


    Seizing the opportune moment, he unleashed a swift, calcted swing of his knife, aiming for the beast''s exposed neck.


    The de found its mark with deadly precision, slicing through meat and bone.


    The monster let out a final howl of agony before copsing to the ground, lifeless, its severed head rolling aside.


    ''Well, that was anti-climactic.'' He thought with a chuckle, adrenaline still pumping through his veins.


    He quickly looked around to see how the battle was progressing.


    The hunters and the trucks'' weapons had managed to take down most of the monsters, but a few still remained.


    Knowing what to do next, he sprinted back towards his gun and he continued to fire at those that were still left alive.


    As his bullets rang out, he could see the wave of creatures slowly losing their numbers and copsing to the ground.


    And after what felt like an eternity, thest of the monsters fell, leading the area to fall silent.


    The hunters and trainees were panting, their weapons still at the ready, waiting for any further attacks.


    But that was thest of the monsters, and so, momentster, everyone realized that the battle was won.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    The hunter trainees and the passengers cheered, relieved that they had survived the attack.


    But not Emir.


    Quickly leaving his gun behind, he ran straight towards the emergency room, wanting to make sure that nothing happened to Laura and Lily.


    Finally reaching the emergency quarters, he looked around, searching for them, but no matter where his eyes fell, he didn''t find them anywhere.

 Chapter 14: Obligation

    <h4>Chapter 14: Obligation</h4>


    Panic started to rise in his chest as Emir searched every nook and cranny of the emergency area.


    ''Where are they?'' The thought repeated in his head.


    Just as he was about to scream their names, he heard a faint sounding from one of the corners of the room.


    It was a whimper, and it sounded like it wasing from behind a stack of crates.


    He rushed over to the crates and moved them aside, revealing a small hiding spot that had been created by the passengers.


    And there they were, Laura and Lily, huddled together.


    Relief flooded through Emir as he knelt down beside them.


    "Hey, it''s okay. The monsters are gone now." He said.


    They looked up at him, Laura smiling, while tears were falling from Lily''s eyes.


    Lily suddenly rushed at Emir, hugging him, to what he almost felt like a tackle.


    "It''s alright, it''s alright." He repeated in a whisper, as he held on to her, stroking her head.


    Laura kept her gaze locked on him, pride emanating from her eyes.


    "You did great, Emir, I''m so proud of you." She said.


    To which he replied with a smile and a quick nod.


    Looking back at Lily, Emir said, "It''s safe now, all the monsters are dead."


    He began patting her back and then kissed her forehead.


    "I''m here now, and I won''t let anything happen to you, alright?"


    Lily looked up at him, still trembling.


    "Can we leave now? I don''t want to stay here anymore."


    Emir nodded, "Of course. Let''s get out of here."


    ''I might''ve been too paranoid, Lyra''s organization wouldn''t want to lose them.'' He thought in relief as he helped them up.


    He walked in front of them, leading them out of the emergency area, while making sure to keep an eye out for any other potential dangers.


    They made their way through the deserted corridors of the truck, reaching the safety of the control station, where other passengers had gathered.


    As they entered the control station, the hunters looked up at them with concern.


    Emir noticed the relief on their faces as they saw that all passengers were safe and ounted for.


    A middle-aged hunter announced in a gruff voice:


    "Alright, now that all the passengers are here, let me exin the situation, we are currently in."


    "All monsters in the surrounding perimeter have been dealt with, however, an attack of this size is suspicious and too random, so we believe that this was an instigated attack by either a monster of a higher rankmanding them or a group of rouge hunters influencing them into attacking us."


    "All hunter trainees, please step forward. Under the assumption that we would be under constant attack, we need every man and woman to help, so we would have a smoother journey to the academy."


    As the hunter finished his speech, all the trainees, including Emir, stepped forward.


    They knew that they needed to do their part to help protect the rest of the passengers and ensure they reached the academy safely.


    The hunter nodded at them.


    "Good. We''ll need all the help we can get. We''ll be setting up a perimeter around the truck''s top deck, and we''ll be rotating shifts to ensure that there''s always someone on guard. I''ll need you all to be ready for anything that mighte our way."


    With that, they began to organize themselves, setting up a watch rotation and preparing their weapons.


    It was a tense atmosphere, as everyone knew that they were in a dangerous situation.


    But they were determined to do whatever it took to get to the academy safely.


    Coming up to Emir the hunter said:


    "I saw what you did out there, you''re good, better than low-rank hunters by a long mile."


    Pointing at two hunters in the back, he continued:


    "Those guys rmended you to join them, saying that you would be a valuable asset. Go and discuss the rotation you will be part of."


    Emir nodded and followed the two hunters to the back of the group.


    "Hey friend, great job out there." The female hunter called out to him.


    Her short blond hair framed a face that was both delicate and striking, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to light up as she caught his gaze.


    But what truly caught his attention was her toned physique, evidence of her dedication and hard work.


    Looking at the guy next to her, Emir thought:


    ''So this is what cyber-enhanced hunters look like, huh.''


    He had a striking appearance, the bottom half of his tanned face and neck were reced by mechanical parts, and his right arm also seemed to be fully robotic. His looks however, are average, with a tanned face with ck hair.


    ''I can safely guess that he was almost mauled to death by some monsters or sprayed down by bullets and had to rece his body parts to survive. But there is one thing that I''m sure of, this man has an interesting story to tell...'' He concluded in his mind.


    They introduced themselves as Jake and Emma, both experienced hunters who had been on many missions before.


    They seemed friendly enough, but their serious demeanor reminded Emir that they were still in a dangerous situation.


    "I''m a rank 24 hunter, Jake''s rank is 26, and we''ve been working as hunters for some time, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask us, no charge." She said with a wink.


    "Information for free? Why are you being so generous?" Emir asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    "She likes you, kid-"


    Cutting Jake off, Emir said, "Name''s Emir."


    He continued, "Feisty one, aren''t you? Anyway, Emir, Em is a bit of a pedo, so don''t¡ª"


    "Fuck you, Jake." Punching Jake in the guts, Emma said with a growl.


    "Stop cutting me off dammit!" Jake shouted, his voice seething with anger.


    "Alright, stop fucking around and answer my question." Emir''s said his voice in.


    Composing herself, Emma replied with a pleading tone:


    "Seriously, Emir, I ain''t a pedo alright?"


    Seeing that Emir was nkly staring at her, she hurriedly said:


    "Look man, you just saved our asses back there, killing that D-rank monster, our information devices picked it up a little toote, if you didn''t intervene, one of us would have definitely gotten injured, so consider this as thanks."


    Nodding, Emir said, "Good that you realized."


    Looking back at each other, both hunters startedughing uncontrobly.


    "The more we talk, the more I like you." She said in betweenughs.


    "Alright, Emma, enough games, let''s get to business." Jake said seriously.


    Discussing the watch rotation, they decided that they would switch out every nine hours with a different team, and they would iron out the detailster in a few with the other teams.


    After everyone confirmed the n, Emir said:


    "Alright, see you guys in a bit, I''ll look over my family for a little while."


    Seeing them nod, he started to walk back towards Laura and Lily, as they were still in the control room.


    "I''ll be a part of a team of two hunters, we will be on the lookout constantly till we reach the academy, obviously, we will switch out with other teams, so we will have enough time to rest well, so I will get enough sleep, don''t worry."


    Laura and Lily looked relieved to hear that Emir will be with a team of experienced hunters, but he still sensed their worry.


    "Emir, please be careful I know that you have to go through this sooner orter, but I still worry for you, so don''t be too reckless, okay?" Laura said almost pleadingly.


    Repeatedly nodding, Lily coborated:


    "Be careful, brother, you don''t want to see me crying now, do you?"


    "Wow, it''s the first time I''ve ever been threatened by someone''s tears." He said in betweenughs.


    Being red at by a pouting Lily, Emir stoppedughing and replied in a defeated tone:


    "I promise okay, I promise to be careful, so don''t worry about me too much, or you might start growing white hair."


    "Trust, I won''t do anything reckless, unless necessary, of course." He assured them with a smile.


    Laura hugged him tightly.


    "Juste back safe, okay?"


    Emir hugged her back and then turned to Lily, who was looking up at him with her big, innocent eyes.


    "I promise." Emir said again, ruffling her hair.


    With that, he left the control room and made his way to where Jake and Emma were waiting for him.


    When he reached the hunters, they were already finalizing the details of the watch rotation with the other teams.


    Jake was exining the different positions that they needed to cover, and Emma was jotting down notes using a terminal on her augmented suit.


    "Alright, Emir, you''ll be on the east side for the first shift with Jake," Emma said as she sent the information to Emir''s terminal.


    "We''ve marked down the areas that you need to cover, but be on the lookout for anything unusual."


    Nodding his head, he looked over the details.


    The perimeter wasrge, and it would require all of them to be vignt.


    He could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, knowing that he couldn''t afford to let his guard down.


    A hunter came from behind and handed Emir a rifle.


    "Here, use this, the recoil on this weapon is simr to the one you used before, the samepany manufactured those weapons, it''s called the ''Neuroburst X1'', the most popr rifle for hunter trainees, it''s easy to use since even the weakest augmented suits could handle the recoil, and you can keep the knife we gave you, take it as a tip for helping yesterday."


    "Thanks." Emir simply said with a nod.


    ''A cutting-edge rifle, that uses some sort of neural technology to enhance uracy and precision, not bad.''


    Strapping on his newly acquired weapon, he dismissed his thoughts and turned to face Emma.


    "Ready to go?" She tapped him on his right shoulder, her other hand holding a weapon.


    "Let''s go." He replied.

 Chapter 15: First Blood

    <h4>Chapter 15: First Blood</h4>


    As the night fell, they settled into position.


    The moon was full and bright, casting an eerie glow over the destendscape.


    Emir could hear the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and the asional howl of distant monsters.


    Jake and he patrolled the east side of the truck''s perimeter, scanning the darkness for any signs of danger.


    They watched in silence, their eyes never leaving the shadows.


    The tension was palpable, and Emir could feel his heart racing in his chest.


    ''Although I have a lot of experience due to the simtions, I can''t help but be a bit nervous.'' He thought.


    Cutting through the tension, Jake spoke with a chuckle, "As strong as you were back then, you''re still a kid huh, almost forgot."


    Sighing out loud, Emir shook his head and took a deep breath, and a brief momentter, he looked at Jake.


    "My bad, Jake, but don''t worry, I got this, no problem."


    Still chuckling, Jake replied, "I know that, trust me, if I was in your ce, shitting my pants would be all I could do, especially at your age."


    "Anyway, we all popped our cherry once, so you will get used to it no problem." He said with a wink.


    Theyughed quietly and went back to their positions.


    ''He knew that I was a bit nervous and diffused the situation, huh? Jake is definitely more experienced than he lets on.'' He thought as he calmed himself down.


    Time passed slowly, and it was quite taxing on the mind to be on constant alert for hours. Thankfully, the mutation unlock enhanced Emir''s brain''s capabilities, so he got used to it quickly.


    The night slowly passed without incident, but the tension never faded.


    Jake walked towards Emir and stood beside him.


    "Emir, let''s move. Emma and another hunter from team two will nowe to rece us."


    Going back down the truck, they spotted Emma and the other hunter that Jake mentioned.


    The middle-aged man spoke with a stern voice, "Good job, men. We will take it from here. Go rest to prepare for the next shift."


    Emma came up, walked behind Emir, and patted his back while continuing on her way to the roof of the truck.


    "Good luck." Saying that Emir left for his quarters.


    As the door opened, he saw Lily sleeping on his bed, her brown, fluffy hair sticking out everywhere.


    Taking off his augmented suit, he ced it in the wardrobe at the side of the room. He then quietly approached the bed and picked up the sheets, allowing him some space to snuggle in as heid down next to her.


    "Thanks for waiting on me, Lily." He whispered.


    Slowly he found himself falling asleep, but right before he slept, Emir noticed Lily''s breathing starting to quicken.


    He looked to his side and saw a beautiful girl with chubby cheeks staring at him with wide eyes.


    "Hey, good morning, sis," he said.


    Lily slowly blinked her eyes and smiled at him.


    "Good morning, Emir." She replied, her voice still sounding half-asleep.


    He smiled back at her and gently ruffled her hair.


    "Did you sleep well?"


    "I did, thanks for asking. How was your shift?"


    He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to worry her.


    "It was uneventful."


    Lily frowned slightly.


    "Are you sure everything''s okay? You seem a bit tense."


    Emir sighed and ran a hand through his hair.


    "Yeah, I''m fine. It''s just¡­being out there, in the dark, knowing that monsters are lurking around every corner¡­"


    "Just waiting for them to attack, it''s exhausting, you know?"


    Lily nodded, understandingly.


    "I know. But you''re doing an amazing job, Emir. You''re keeping us safe, and that''s all that matters."


    He smiled at her, feeling grateful for her words of encouragement.


    "Thanks, Lily. I appreciate it."


    Theyy there in silence for a few moments, just enjoying each other''spany.


    But soon, he felt his eyelids grow heavy, and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.


    ¡­


    When Emir woke up, the sun was streaming through the windows, in the process of setting, casting a warm glow over the room.


    He looked to his side, noticing that Lily was gone.


    After bidding Lyra good morning, he got out of bed, and while he got ready, thoughts about the night ahead flooded his mind.


    As he walked out of the room, he saw Emma and Jake waiting for him outside.


    "Hey, Emir," Emma said, giving Emir a small smile.


    "Ready for your shift?"


    He nodded, "Yeah, I am. Jake, let''s go."


    As they were going back up, Emir noticed Laura waiting near the stairs.


    So he walked up to her and gave her a quick hug, which she reciprocated. They looked at each other in silence before letting go.


    He waved her goodbye and followed behind Jake.


    "I hope that the journey ahead will be as uneventful asst night, but I seriously doubt that would happen."


    "Agreed." Jake replied with a chuckle.


    Setting themselves in position, they began their shift.


    Minutester, the day was lost and the night appeared in its stead.


    A full moon illuminated the wastnd.


    ''Beautiful,'' they thought in unison.


    ¡­.


    Hours passed, with Emir on constant vignce, never letting down for a moment.


    He took a few breaks to eat hunter rations while waiting however, obviously not wanting to tire when monsters eventually attack.


    Sometimeter, Jake suddenly shifted.


    ''It looks like his information gathering device picked up a signal just now.'' Emir thought.


    Jake looked at Emir with a grim face.


    "We havepany," he said, his voice quiet.


    "Get ready, Emir. It''s about to get rough."


    Taking out his terminal, he ced it next to his left ear and spoke, "HQ, I just picked up a signal, it seems to be the ones that we believed to have instigated the attack."


    While he was exining the situation, Emir''s Information gathering device picked up the signal too.


    ''So instead of a high-ranking monster, it turned out to be rogue hunters eyeing us, did they want to deplete our ammunition using monsters as cannon fodder?'' He thought.


    "A group of thirty or so rogue hunters, eight vehicles, vehicles one to five seem to be cruisers, most probably a ''de Runner'' model, the other three vehicles are motorbikes, a ''ze Runner'' model."


    "Understood, team 1 vehicle four, weapons free, proceed at your own discretion, the other trucks are also under attack, so we can only provide minimal support---" Bang! Bang! Bang!


    "HQ respond, HQ HELLO?! HQ¡­..DAMMIT!"


    "Looks like we have a mole, a traitor, he definitely gave the rogue hunters our location." Emir said to the screaming Jake.


    Calming down, Jake replied, "Yeah, we have to get Emma and other hunters up here asap."


    "You go wake them up, I''ll ready myself here."


    Running downstairs, he screamed at Emir, "Isn''t it supposed to be the other way around?!"


    "Just go!" Emir screamed back.


    Hey prone and propped up his rifle. Leaning into the scope, he saw the huntersing, catching up to them.


    ''Since we were thest truck in the convoy, we would have the least support, Fuck me.'' He cursed in his mind.


    Readying his aim, he prepared himself for a chance to kill.


    ''This would be my first time killing someone, and it would be a whole group of people. Damn.''


    Emir took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and steadied his aim further as the hunters drew closer.


    He took another deep breath and waited for the moment when the hunters on the bikes would peek out from behind the four-wheel cruisers.


    Suddenly, an opportunity presented itself, at the right-most vehicle.


    Emir noticed the bike just behind the derunner swerve to the right a little, the hunter''s head peeking out slightly out of the safety of the cruiser.


    And with no hesitation, he activated his TDS ability, adjusting his aim at the hunter, taking into ount all of the slight variables, from the moving truck to air resistance and recoil.


    Emir shot and with a bang!


    The bullet flew straight to the rogue''s head, and as the hunter recoiled further away, Emir followed it up with several shots aimed towards their body.


    ''I must make sure of the kill, I don''t know what type of Cyberware or augmentations these hunters have, I better be safe than sorry.'' He thought.


    And as soon as his shot rang out, chaos erupted.


    The rogue hunters immediately started firing back, their bullets pinging off the shield at the sides of the truck.


    Emir quickly retreated to the back, taking up position behind some shielded crates.


    The truck rocked as more bullets mmed into it, and he could hear the screams of the passengers inside.


    He peered through the scope of his rifle, taking careful aim at the two hunters on bikes as they moved around the vehicles in front, trying to get a better angle on him.


    Activating his ability, the world crawled to a halt, and he slowly aimed at the hunter near the middle.


    And with a perfectly ced shot, he sttered their brain out.


    ''There is no getting back from that.'' He thought, switching his aim to thest hunter on a bike.


    With his scope locked onto their head, he held his breath, waiting for the right moment to take the shot.


    The hunter weaved in and out of the vehicles, making it difficult to get a clear hit, but Emir remained patient, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

 Chapter 16: Aftermath

    <h4>Chapter 16: Aftermath</h4>


    Suddenly, the hunter made a sharp turn, revealing his head for just a split second.


    Emir seized the opportunity as he activated his ability and fired the rifle, the bullet almost instantly piercing through the rogue''s helmet, lodging itself in their skull.


    The hunter fell off their bike, straight to the ground, or at least that''s what Emir thought would''ve happened.


    They somehow lived through the shot and started firing back at Emir, with one bullet hitting his shoulder.


    ng!


    Thankfully, the augmented suit negated most of the damage, but he was still pushed back.


    A quiet beep resounded, filling Emir with dread.


    ''FUCK! Shit, the augmented suit just ran out of power¡­''


    He thought in despair as he looked for cover.


    Emir lost the extra strength and the force shield.


    So if another shot managed to hit him, death would be definite.


    Quickly ducking down behind a different set of crates, he calmed himself while trying to think of a way out.


    ''What to do, what to do... Fuck it, let''s risk it!''


    He could control the recoil safely, but only for a few shots, beyond that, his body would start breaking due to the backfire¡­


    ''I''ll jump up and shoot, the one with the fastest reaction time wins, and with my ability, I''ll be the definite winner.''


    Taking a deep breath, he braced himself and prepared for his next move.


    As Emir counted down in his head, he could feel his heart almost jumping out of his chest.


    ''Three...two...one...''


    Activating his ability, he leaped up from his hiding spot, his rifle at the ready.


    Instantly locating the hunter, he fired off three quick shots, two to the head and one to the body.


    In retaliation, the hunter managed to fire one back, aimed right at Emir''s head, but using his TDS ability, he saw the muzzle sh and managed to tilt his head, causing the bullet to whiz past him, barely grazing his head.


    Ducking again, Emir checked on his information gathering device, confirming that the rogue hunter had died.


    He rejoiced for a moment, and let out a sigh of relief.


    ''That was close, too damn close, one inch to the left and my head would''ve been blown off. I did that even after they told me not to be reckless, but I do have an excuse for it, so it''s fine... I guess.''


    His victory was short-lived, as the remaining hunters began to further close in on their truck, guns zing.


    Shots were fired everywhere, and the truck''s armor was slowly losing power.


    ''WHERE THE HELL ARE THE OTHER HUNTERS AT DAMMIT?''


    As if knowing his plight, Jake, and Emma, followed by hunter trainees Emir has yet to know, finally arrived and began firing back at the cruisers.


    Emir smiled at the sight and returned his attention to their adversaries.


    ''My weapon is too weak to actually damage those vehicles'' barriers, but I can try to pick off the ones with their heads sticking out.'' He thought deciding his next actions.


    He quickly took aim and fired at one of the hunters on top of the cruiser using its weapons.


    The bullet hit them in the neck, causing them to slump over dead.


    But there were still more to take down, and the truck was still taking a beating.


    ''With every shot I take, the more broken my body gets, I''m not experiencing much of the pain due to the adrenaline, but I''ll probably be in a world of pain after this battle is over.'' He mused as he struggled to even pull the trigger.


    The chaos of battle heightened as more hunters and trainees came in firing.


    It was a brutal fight, with bullets flying and bodies falling on both sides.


    But in the end, they emerged victorious.


    The rogue hunters were all dead or dying, and their truck was damaged but had survived.


    Emir lowered his rifle, his hands shaking from the adrenaline, as he looked around at the carnage.


    He felt sick to his stomach at the sight of the dead bodies, but at the same time, a sense of pride filled him.


    He had done his part; he had protected them and fulfilled his obligation to Emir''s family.


    As they drove away from the scene, he couldn''t help but wonder who had betrayed them and sent their location to the rogue hunters.


    But for now, all that mattered to him was making sure that Laura and Lily were safe.


    He tried to join them to regroup, but when he stepped forward, his body fell to the ground, limp.


    He suddenly realized that the adrenaline rush had subsided and that his body couldn''t take it anymore.


    Emir had sustained serious internal injuries during the battle, and his body had finally given up.


    He felt his consciousness slipping away as everything around him faded to ck.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    When he woke up, he found himself in a hospital room with bandages wrapped around his body.


    Emir tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest, leading him to groan in agony.


    A nurse rushed to his side, helping him lie back down on the bed.


    "You''ve been through a lot," she said, adjusting the pillows behind his head.


    "You need to rest."


    "How long have I been out?" Emir asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "Two days," she replied, checking his IV drip.


    "Your injuries were pretty severe, but it''s nothing old-world medicine can''t fix."


    He nodded, taking in the gravity of the situation.


    "What happened to the others?" He questioned, his mind racing.


    "They''re all safe," the nurse assured him.


    "They''re waiting outside to see you. But you need to rest for a little while longer before you can see them."


    He closed his eyes, still trying to make sense of everything that had happened.


    ''Even if most of my internal organs and bones were destroyed, as the nurse said, those injuries are easy to heal using old-world medicine, so I got nothing to worry about.'' He thought.


    That,bined with the nanobots in the hunter''s bloodstream, leads to hunters being hard to kill, requiring multiple shots to make sure that they will not get up ever again.


    Laying further down in bed, his mind began to wander, reying the events of the battle over and over again, as he began to piece together what he could''ve done better.


    However, the nurse''s words brought him back to reality.


    "Your teammates and family are waiting outside. Would you like me to bring them in now?"


    He nodded weakly, feeling a sense of relief that they were all safe.


    A few momentster, the door opened, and Jake, Emma, Laura, and Lily walked into the room.


    He tried to sit up, but the pain in his chest made him wince.


    "Hey, take it easy," Jake said, walking over to the bed.


    "We''re just d you''re okay."


    "How are you feeling?" Emma asked, sitting in a chair next to the bed.


    "Like I''ve been hit by a truck." Emir joked weakly, earning a small smile from Emma.


    "I''m sorry about all of this," she said, her voiceced with guilt.


    "If we hadn''te sote, you wouldn''t have gotten hurt."


    "Why were you sote in the first ce?" Emir asked.


    "We were ambushed by the group that betrayed us," Jake''s voice filled with anger.


    "It was one of our own, a hunter, and the trainees under him, they attacked us while we were going back up."


    "Who?" Emir asked.


    Emma answered with a tone simr to that of Jake''s, "He''s the hunter that was on the lookout with me, I can''t believe that he was sending them our location right in front of me, DAMMIT!"


    "But why? All this nning just for some cargo, that''s impossible, it wouldn''t make sense if that were the case, unless the cargo has something amazing that I don''t know of, there has to be something more to this attack."


    "HQ was hiding this from us. Turns out we have a princess on board, and all of this was an borate assassination attempt." Jake answered.


    "Come on, don''t keep me in suspense, say it, who is the princess?"


    Jake took a deep breath before speaking, "It''s the daughter of the Hyperion Arms Manufacturing Company, Ava Nguyen."


    Emir''s eyes widened in shock as he looked at Emma.


    "Ava?" He repeated, barely able to believe it.


    "Yes," Emma spoke up, her voice cold with anger.


    "HQ didn''t trust us enough to tell us the truth about the cargo, this princess. They kept it hidden, even from us. And because of that, we were ambushed, and you got hurt."


    Emir felt a surge of anger and frustration bubble up inside him, but he calmly spoke instead, trying to reason with what happened.


    "I can understand why they would do that though."


    "After all, she is a big shot, and they didn''t know who they could trust, but there is no way they would let her go to the academy in a random convoy, so here''s a question, what else did HQ do to protect that princess?"


    "You''re right about thatst part, HQ prepared many other decoy convoys heading to the academy, each from different locations, we just happened to be unlucky and house the princess, and with even worse luck, we happened to have many traitors too, all of this making HQ''s n obsolete."


    "Still though, we put our lives on the line for them, and they didn''t even have the decency to tell us the truth?" Emmained.


    "It''s not just that," Jake said, his voice low with fury.


    "They were willing to sacrifice all our lives to save the princess, just to keep themselves safe from her father''s wrath. If it weren''t for us, she''d be dead by now."


    "But who would dare assassinate her?" Emir asked, still trying to process everything.


    Emma exined, "This Michael Nguyen, the president of Hyperion Arms, he had been facing pressure as his business had be a target for other corporations over the years."


    "There are those who want to destabilize thepany, and this little princess here is a huge target, so if she dies, it''ll be easier to do that."


    "Is she thest heir of the Nguyen family?" Emir asked, quickly met by a "Yeah," from Jake.


    "I understand now." He said ending their conversation.


    Emir finally gained the courage to look at the two people who had been silently staring at him ever since they entered the room.

 Chapter 17: Limbo

    <h4>Chapter 17: Limbo</h4>


    Giving them privacy, the nurse, Emma, and Jake left the room.


    His family, or at least his body''s family, came in looking like they had cried for days, their eyes red and swollen.


    After the door closed, Laura rushed to Emir''s side, taking his hand in hers.


    "Oh, thank God you''re okay." She said, tears streaming down her face.


    "I''ll be fine, nothing to worry about," Emir replied weakly, feeling a lump form in his throat.


    Lily stood by the bed, her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face.


    "You scared us so much." Her voice trembled slightly as if she was holding back tears.


    He wanted tofort her, but restrained himself, feeling conflicted for causing them such distress.


    It wasn''t his ce to do so, he reminded himself.


    Instead, he replied with a simple:


    "I know."


    In an attempt to regain herposure, Laura wiped away her tears.


    "Before we arrived, HQ briefed us on the attack," she choked out, her voice faltering.


    "They exined what happened and showed us what you did. Can you please tell me why you pushed yourself so hard?"


    With a feeble smile, Emir responded, "I had to ensure that you and Lily were safe. It was my responsibility."


    Lily gazed at him, her eyes still trembling with fear.


    "You promised us, you said you wouldn''t do anything reckless," she gasped, struggling to catch her breath.


    And then, her voice rising to a scream, she cried out:


    "DOES RUNNING OUT OF COVER LIKE THAT SOUND SAFE TO YOU?!"


    "Why do you not value your own life? Do you realize how we felt when we read the report? While we were hiding, you were out there risking your life for us. We watched the camera footage and saw you get shot in the shoulder, and another bullet almost hit you in the head. Do you know what we felt when we saw that? Just what is the reason for you to act so recklessly? Please, tell me."


    Closing the distance between them, Lily delicately intertwined her fingers with Emir''s free hand, while his other hand remained firmly held by their mother.


    With a squeeze of reassurance, she whispered:


    "Emir, we love you. Please allow us to be here for you, whatever you''re facing. You don''t have to carry it all on your own."


    He nodded to her affirmation, but when she asked him why he acted the way he did, he simply couldn''t bring himself to answer. It was a burden he couldn''t bear to share, as it would only damage their rtionship.


    "I''m sorry, and thank you," Emir murmured, his voice barely audible.


    "I didn''t mean to scare you or endanger myself unnecessarily. I just... I just wanted to keep my promise and make sure that you''d both be safe."


    Laura squeezed his hand and said, "We know that, Emir. But you have to understand that we care about you too. We''re not just a group of people you''re tasked with protecting; we''re a family, and we''re here for each other."


    Lily nodded in agreement and added:


    "We''ll always be there for you, Emir."


    Emir looked at them, as he realized that his promise to keep his family safe had consumed him so much that he had overlooked how much they cared about him.


    "I know. I can''t promise anything. But I''ll try not to be so reckless again. That is if I do have a choice not to be so." He stated calmly, patting Lily''s head in reassurance.


    Laura''s lips curled into a small smile.


    "That''s all we ask of you, Emir. We just want you to be safe and return to us."


    Lily''s voice trembled as she spoke, but she found the courage to say:


    "I don''t know what you are going through, but we are still a family, and we will face this challenge together."


    Laura held Emir''s hand ever so tightly, afraid of him disappearing as his father did, as she added:


    "We love you, Emir."


    Feeling a rush of emotions, he replied, "I love you both as well."


    "Thank you for being here to support me."


    They sat in silence for a few minutes, just holding onto each other''s hands.


    After a little while, a nurse came in to check on Emir, and they started asking her questions about his recovery.


    Emir felt a sense of peace wash over him as he watched them interact with the nurse, asking about the tiniest of details about his recovery process.


    Interrupting them, he asked, "Excuse me, Nurse ra, do you know of the situation with the hunters? How many of them have died?"


    Taking a moment to think, she replied, "Out of the total of eight hunters, two died, one was killed manning the control station, and the other died during the ambush."


    "As for the many hunter trainees, ten were killed, all due to the outside attack, we threw their bodies off the trucks, if that is what you''re wondering."


    "The princess, Ava, is in her livingpartment, Jake, Emma, and several other trusted hunters will be watching over her."


    "That is all I need to know, thank you." He told her with a nod.


    Lying back down, he began to lose himself in his thoughts again as sleep slowly imed him.


    ¡­.


    Over the next few days, Emir gradually recovered from his injuries, with Laura and Lily staying by his side most of the time.


    They talked about everything and nothing, and he felt like they were getting closer than ever before.


    He healed back up in no time and was soon fully recovered, so he was discharged and allowed back into his room.


    ¡­.


    Waking up, Emir bid Lyra good morning while he used the bathroom as if it was routine. He brushed his teeth and took a long shower, and after clothing himself, he went to get his terminal to check his messages.


    He got iing texts from both Jake and Emma telling him to rest, and that they would take care of the watch.


    He thanked them both with a quick reply.


    {And also, don''t worry, love, I''ll be sure to get you paid for the work you did. ??} Emma


    Chuckling at her text, Emir started preparing himself for his daily training.


    ''I''ve gone through a lot in the past few days, and I still can''t fully digest the fact that I killed people, many of them, but strangely, I don''t feel much after the fact, rather, I was more disgusted at the grotesque scene of that day than me killing someone. It can be that I still didn''t fullyprehend what happened, but I beg to differ, I just probably don''t give a shit, they wanted me dead, and I killed them instead, and that is that.''


    ''Anyways....I might have be a bit rusty since I didn''t train for a while.''


    Putting those thoughts away, he activated his TDS ability and began practicing CQCbat like usual.


    The physical exertion helped him clear his mind and focus on the task at hand.


    Hours passed as he trained, honing his skills, and pushing his body to its limits.


    By the time he finished, his muscles were sore, and his body was drenched in sweat, but he felt alive.


    Not bothering to take a bath, he copsed onto the bed and thought about what had happened in the past few days.


    His face disfigured slightly as he was reminded of how his family caught on to his strange behavior, but that didn''t matter to him, he had to keep moving forward, to continue living his life in this new world that he had been given, not get stuck in limbo.


    So his routine became predictable: meeting up with Jake and Emma at night, returning to his room, sleeping, waking up, eating breakfast with his mother and sister, training until evening, eating again, and so on.


    It was a monotonous cycle, but it was the only way for him to stay focused and grounded, as he knew that something big wasing next.

 Chapter 18: End

    <h4>Chapter 18: End</h4>


    After eating and bidding his family goodbye, Emir went up to the control station.


    Reaching there half a minuteter, he spotted a hunter, walking up next to him, he asked:


    "Hey, I''m called Emir, a hunter trainee, got discharged a few days ago so I''m wondering, do you know who I can go to ask for an energy pack? My augmented suit died in the attack many days back."


    Instead of replying, the man in a sudden movement reached out and raised his hand towards Emir''s shoulder, causing him to flinch and step back in rm.


    Emir instinctively ced his hand on his knife.


    Noticing his reaction, the hunter stepped back, raising his hand up as if surrendering, and he looked at Emir all over, only replying secondster.


    "Easy boy, I only meant to pat your shoulder, so calm down yeah? And sure, I can help you out with that. You can call me Alex, and I am in charge of the supplies in the convoy, so any time you want to request something,e ask me."


    "Now follow me, and I''ll get you a couple of them," he said with a friendly smile.


    Calming down a bit, Emir followed Alex while still a bit vignt.


    They went down a long hallway that was lined with various control rooms.


    As they walked, Alex spoke excitedly.


    "I saw what you did back there, Emir, great job. With that skill, you would already be considered a rank 15 hunter."


    "Thanks for that, and I know I did good, so I''llter ask HQ for some extra reimbursement, after all, I was only here as a passenger, not a hunter trainee."


    Heughed out loud while saying, "Good, good, that''s how a hunter should be."


    Ending their conversation, they soon arrived at a small room that was filled with racks of energy packs.


    Alex grabbed a fresh one off the shelf and handed it to Emir.


    "Here you go, Emir. This should give your suit plenty of juice to get you through. But remember, these packs are in short supply even after the delivery, so be careful not to get hurt unnecessarily. Also, if you want a few more, HQ will deduct some money from your pay." Alex cautioned.


    "Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it," Emir replied, grateful for the reminder.


    "Just give me one more, I don''t mind the cut, as they say, better safe and under than dead."


    Alex chuckled and handed him another energy pack, "You''re a smart one, Emir. It''s always better to be prepared."


    Emir thanked him again and left the room, making his way back to the livingpartments.


    As he walked, he couldn''t help but think about what Alex had said.


    ''A rank 15 hunter? I am only thirteen, physically at least, and I still haven''t truly gone down a ruin before.''


    ''But he is right about me having skill, although weakpared to higher-ranked hunters, I could easily call myself one of the best, if not the best in my age bracket, though it isn''t much to be proud of.''


    ''All those years of training had to ount for something.''


    Approaching the livingpartments, Emir passed by the area where hunters usually gathered.


    He noticed Jake within that group, examining a new weapon that had been unloaded from the supply delivery, seemingly arriving earlier today.


    Since HQ''s n was blown, they sent camouge vehicles, providing them with better gear, supplies, and many more hunters.


    The weapon looks to be a sleek, ck rifle with the Hyperion Arms logo stamped on the side.


    As Emir was staring at the gun, Jake looked up and noticed him, waving him over.


    "Hey there, Emir. Have you seen this beauty yet?" He asked, gesturing to the rifle.


    Emir shook his head, curious.


    Jake handed him the rifle, and he examined it closely.


    It was lightweight and had afortable grip, with a holographic sight mounted on top.


    "This is the new Hyperion Arms prototype. It''s designed for long-range precision shots, and it''s got some serious firepower. We''ve been testing it out, and it''s a game-changer." Jake exined further.


    Emir was impressed.


    Hyperion Arms were known for their advanced technology and cutting-edge weapons, and this rifle was no exception.


    But he couldn''t help but wonder if he would get the chance to use it.


    ''My augmented suit is too weak to handle the kickback, and I am far from being able to afford something like this.''


    ''I can''t even earn easy money as I have no idea whichpany would increase or drop in value, and what money-making event would happen in the future. Damn, like seriously, why reincarnate me into a novel that I remember nothing of?''


    ''And the organization, with their massive reach, can''t spare this poor hunter some coins? Bullshit!''


    As if she sensed his thoughts Lyra spoke up, her voice echoing in Emir''s mind.


    [The organization nned to provide you with better gear, however, due to somerge-scale happenings in the north, ess to you has be increasingly difficult, so you now have to procure better equipment using the money you gained yourself.]


    Taking some time to process what she said, Emir asked, [Why can''t they just pay for it to be sent directly to me?]


    [We are soon reaching the UEF Academy, that sector and the area around it is under strict monitoring from the government, we previously nned for one of us to personallye and provide you with the gear undetected, but as I said, an esction of events urred in the northern war, rendering our n obsolete.]


    [I understand, it seems that even something as smart as AI can fail. Huh. Anyway, I''ve been quiet for too long, so let''s talk more about thister.]


    [Let''s do that.]


    "It seems perfect for someone like me, but I can''t really use it, my body would break in one shot," Emir said with a chuckle.


    Jakeughed in agreement.


    "Yeah, it takes some serious gear to handle this thing. But don''t worry, Emir. You''ll get there one day. Just boot lick up to somebody in the academy."


    Emirughed out loud, saying, "True that, eh? Oh, and thanks for showing me the rifle, Jake."


    "By the way, how is the princess? You and Emma still watching over her?" Emir asked, handing him the rifle back.


    "Yes, and regarding Ava, well, she''s as bratty as you would imagine. Surprisingly, she''s the same age as you, but your personalities are like night and day, soparing the two of you, even by age alone, doesn''t feel right." He replied with a chuckle.


    ''Of course, we would be different, she is a spoilt brat and I''m a 24-year-old man, but let''s not tell him that.'' He thought with a snicker.


    Ignoring his remarks, Emir asked, "So when are we expected to reach the academy?"


    "A day at most." He replied a secondter.


    ¡­.


    Minutes passed, and Emir ended his conversation with Jake. He thanked him again and left.


    Emir continued walking towards his living quarters, lost in his thoughts. With the recent turn of events, it seemed like he was on his own.


    As he turned a corner, he bumped into Emma, his hunter teammate.


    She was carrying a few boxes, probably filled with supplies, and looked exhausted.


    "Hey, Em. Need a hand with those?" Emir asked, gesturing to the boxes.


    "Thanks, Emir. I would really appreciate it," she replied with a smile.


    Together, they carried the boxes towards her quarters, chatting about the recent supply delivery and the new weapon that Jake had shown him.


    After helping Emma, Emir finally made it to his livingpartment.


    It was a small room with a bed, a desk, and a few shelves for storing his belongings.


    Emir had been living here for the past two weeks, and he would say goodbye soon.


    He had a few hours until the evening and wanted to use that time to train.


    He powered up his augmented suit after recing the dead energy pack and asked Lyra to begin the simtion.


    With the help of the system, he knew what to focus on, and equipped with various programs designed by Lyra to improve his physical strength, agility, andbat skills, he began training.


    Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was already evening.


    Emir powered down the simtion and took a quick shower before changing into fresh clothes.


    Going out of the room, he went to eat dinner with his family.


    Sitting down, he informed them that they were close to reaching the academy.


    Lily, ecstatic, almost screamed out, she was looking forward to starting her training at the academy, and he could see the excitement in her eyes.


    Laura shared the same sentiment and was happy to hear the news.


    He told Lily about what to expect at the academy and gave some advice on what to do and what to avoid.


    After eating, he excused himself and went to the upper deck to take a look at the approaching sector.


    It was a breathtaking view, and he couldn''t help but marvel at the towering buildings, reaching the sky.


    He almost missed Emma''s voice behind him.


    "Beautiful, isn''t it?"


    "Yeah, it is," Emir replied, still mesmerized.


    They stood there for a few minutes, not saying anything, just enjoying the view.


    Breaking the silence, Emma turned to him and asked.


    "Listen, Emir. Since you are below the age of fifteen, the academy won''t ept you yet, so you have two free years before that. What will you do till then?"


    "I will be setting off as a hunter, although I have the skills, I am still inexperienced, and I need money, so to kill two monsters with one stone, I would start exploring old-world ruins, selling relics, and doing jobs."


    Letting out a sigh of relief, Emma continued, nervous as if confessing.


    "Although other hunters might look at me weirdly when I say this, considering that you are only thirteen, but I know that you have great skill, and based on how you interacted with us and your family, I know that I could trust you, something that most hunters would deem impossible, so there is no problem there..."


    "Anyways, what I am trying to ask is, can we stay as a team even after reaching the academy?"

 Chapter 19: Start

    <h4>Chapter 19: Start</h4>


    It took Emir a moment to process her question.


    ''Although she ims to trust me, I can''t say the same about them yet,'' he thought.


    ''And if I ever needed information rted to hunters, Lyra would be my go-to source.''


    ''They could help me get used to ruin diving, but I need to experience it alone to prepare myself for what lies ahead with the organization.''


    ''No benefit.''


    After that thought crossed his mind, Emir replied, "I appreciate the offer, but I think I''d prefer to handle things on my own for now. However, feel free to ask if you ever need my help."


    Emma nodded, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she understood his decision.


    "I see. Well, we''ll still be around if you change your mind. And we''ll definitely keep in touch."


    They spent the rest of the journey talking about their ns and her sharing stories of her past adventures.


    As they approached the academy, Emir felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.


    This was the start of a new chapter in his life, and he had no idea what to expect.


    They both went back to their respective rooms to pack up their luggage and get some quick shuteye, but with the sector fast approaching, they didn''t get much sleep.


    After being woken up by Lyra, Emir''s personal rm, he freshened up and went to meet with his family.


    Spotting Lily and Laura, he waved at them and sat next to them.


    "Hey Mom, sis. Are you excited? We''re just a few minutes away from reaching the academy."


    Lily was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.


    "Yes, I can''t wait!" She eximed.


    Laura smiled and put a hand on Lily''s shoulder.


    "We''re proud of you, Lily. You''re going to do great things at the academy."


    Emir looked around the meeting area and saw that other families and individuals were waiting as well.


    As they waited, the excitement in the air was palpable.


    The academy was in sight, and everyone was eager to start their journey towards bing a hunter or a student.


    Emir couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride, knowing that he was already ahead of the game, having honed his skills as a hunter for years.


    In a matter of minutes, the inte crackled to life, heralding their arrival at the academy.


    Shortly thereafter, a contingent of academy officials approached them to acquaint guardians with the protocols for iing students.


    Donning formal garb, they exuded an air of solemnity.


    The chief among them, a tall man sporting a severe countenance,unched into a discourse on the academy''s codes and conventions.


    "As new students, you are expected to follow the rules at all times. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from the academy." His voice firm.


    During his address, he touched upon thepulsory three-year hunter camp, which all trainee hunters would undergo, and then proceeded to borate on the standard three-year curriculum for non-hunter students, enumerating the diverse sses they would be attending.


    Upon concluding his speech, he requested that they apany the officials.


    Subsequently, they all rose to their feet, collected their bags, and trailed the other passengers out of the truck.


    As they disembarked onto the tform, a feeling of wonderment washed over Emir.


    The academy was even more awe-inspiring in person.


    It was a massive structure, towering above him, intimidating and grand, with towering spires and gleaming white walls,pletely contrasting the deste area surrounding it.


    They followed the signs to the registration area, where they were greeted by a group of officials.


    All families were separated, with each family talking to one of the agents, and the one that came up to them introduced herself as Mia.


    "Miss Laura, your children received invitations to enroll in the academy. If I''m not mistaken, your daughter Lily will join the standard three-year program, while your son is ted to attend the hunter course in two years. Is that correct?"


    Laura nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, that''s correct."


    Mia checked her tablet and then looked back at them.


    "Great. Now, please fill out these forms and provide us with all the necessary information," she said, handing the family of three a stack of papers and pens.


    ''Let''s just get this over with.'' He thought.


    They spent the next hour filling out forms, providing personal contact information, and going through a medical checkup.


    Once they were done, Mia led them to the rest of the academy.


    "We have separate dormitories for male and female students. Your daughter''s room has already been assigned. Please follow me."


    She led them through a maze of corridors.


    While they walked, a wave of nostalgia swept over Emir, evoking memories of his time in school.


    However, this time around, he was fulfilling the role of a guardian rather than a student.


    Eventually, they arrived at Lily''s dormitory, where Mia presented her with a watch.


    "Your assigned room is located on the third floor, specifically in room 315. You can locate the elevator by proceeding down the hall to your left. It''s imperative that you keep your watch with you at all times, as it serves as your ess key to the room. In the unfortunate event that you lose it, rest assured that it''s programmed to identify its rightful wearer, so no one else will be able to enter your room. Nevertheless, please be mindful not to misce it, as our supply is limited." Mia exined, punctuating her words with a stern gaze aimed at Lily.


    Lily nodded her expression a mixture of intimidation and excitement.


    "Thank you. I promise not to let you down," she asserted confidently.


    Mia then redirected her attention to Emir and Laura.


    "Regarding your living arrangements, your quarters have already been designated in the family housing district, which is just a brief stroll away from here. If you require assistance, I''d be more than happy to apany you," she offered.


    They thanked her but declined, opting to find their own way.


    As they made their way to their quarters, they couldn''t help but marvel at the academy''s impressive architecture.


    It was like nothing they had ever seen before, and it was easy to see why it was considered one of the best hunter training institutions in the world.


    ''Well, it is the only proper hunter academy in existence, so there isn''t muchpetition, is there?'' Emir thought with a chuckle.


    Once they reached their living quarters, they unpacked their things and settled in.


    They had a small living area, a kitchen, and their own bedrooms.


    It was basic butfortable.


    Saying goodbye to Laura, Emir left the t and headed towards the Hunter Association, wanting to collect his earnings.


    After a long walk, he arrived at the Hunter Association and went straight to the reception desk.


    But before reaching the receptionist, someone called out to him.


    "Hey Emir,e here."


    As those reached his ears, he turned to his left, spotting Alex, waving him toe over.


    Approaching Alex, he shook his hand.


    "Hey! Alex, what are you here for?"


    "I''m here for the payment, same as you," he replied.


    "One of the managers of this hunter''s office is responsible for the protection of Ava, he requested to meet us and discuss our payment directly, your friends Emma and Jake areing too."


    "Speaking of, here they are," Emir said waving at them.


    As they waited for the other hunters to join them, they exchanged greetings and engaged in small talk.


    Eventually, three additional hunters arrived, and they set off towards the manager''s office.


    Both Emma and Jake appeared thrilled to collect their earnings, just like Alex and Emir.


    Upon arriving at the manager''s office, he greeted them cordially and requested that they take a seat.


    After a few pleasantries, he got down to business and sent them their payments.


    "Congrattions on a job well done. You all showed great bravery and skill in protecting the convoy. We would be happy to work with you again if the need arises."


    "As for you, Emir, I wish to further talk with you, so can everyone else leave the room?"


    Emir nodded, as they all got up, giving him reassuring pats on the back before leaving the office.


    Once alone, the manager redirected his attention towards Emir andmented:


    "Emir, I''ve heard some truly impressive things about you. I''m also aware of your ns to attend the academy two years from now."


    He continued:


    "But I don''t see you needing to attend as a trainee, all the non-elite students there would be green, not someone with skill like you, actually, with a bit more time, you could even beparable with elite students. So is that what you have in mind?"


    "You guessed correctly, sir, I n to join the academy as an elite-level student, after gaining two years of experience as a hunter."


    The manager looked at Emir for a long while, his green eyes narrowing, and then nodded thoughtfully.


    "That''s a good n. The academy could certainly use experienced young hunters like yourself to join them, it might even spice things up."


    "Although experience is important, that is not the only thing that you would be required to have to be a part of the elite at the academy, do you know what else?"

 Chapter 20: Drunk

    <h4>Chapter 20: Drunk</h4>


    Understanding the question Emir answered secondster:


    "Reputation?"


    The manager nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, reputation is a crucial factor. In addition to knowledge, experience, and ability, although the elite students themselves don''t need any of that, anyone trying to be one however, must be trusted and known to be reliable in the field. And of course, they need to have epted a mission to the front lines, at least once. So I''m counting on you to make the most of the next two years and build a strong foundation for yourself."


    He leaned forward in his chair, looking at Emir expectantly.


    "I will have a further discussion with the academy personnel, and if you survive the front lines and be something special by then, do expect good news."


    "Now, regarding your payment, we have increased itpared to the other hunters, considering your excellent effort in protecting the convoy. However, we have deducted the medical fees that amounted to 10,000,000 UC, and the cost of the extra energy pack you received, resulting in a total of 1,300,000 UC. It''s a good amount for your first day as a hunter, isn''t it?"


    "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it," Emir said, checking his current bnce on his terminal.


    The manager smiled.


    "I''m d to hear that. And I must say, Emir, it''s rare to find a hunter who is as skilled and responsible as you are at such a young age. You have a bright future ahead of you," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.


    Emir shook his hand firmly, feeling grateful for his kind words.


    "Thank you, sir. I''ll do my best to live up to your expectations," he said confidently.


    "Head down to the reception area, I''ve already requested that they prepare a hunter''s license for you. It''s a rank one license, but I''m confident you''ll rank up in no time." The manager instructed.


    He thanked him again and left the office, feeling satisfied with his earnings.


    Descending the stairs to the reception area, Emir noticed a group of hunters huddled around arge screen.


    Curiosity got the best of him, and he walked over to see what all the fuss was about.


    The screen was filled with various job postings, each with its own reward and difficulty level.


    Many of the missions caught his eye, as some were about protecting an outpost in a ruin, while others were about hunting down dangerous monsters that blocked supply routes, and there were also a few about exploring new territories and retrieving lost valuables.


    Curiosity satisfied, Emir went up to the receptionist and asked her for his hunter ID.


    A few secondster, a small metallic card weighed in his pocket.


    With his hunter ID in hand, he was officially a licensed hunter, which meant more job opportunities and more chances to make a name for himself in the hunter world.


    He was about to leave the building when he heard a familiar voice calling out to him.


    It was Emma, waving over to him to join the rest of the group.


    "Hey, Emir, we were thinking of celebrating our sess with a drink. Care to join us?" She asked, grinning.


    "You seem to be forgetting that I''m only thirteen." Emir replied with an exacerbated voice.


    "Oh, I totally forgot you''re still a teenager. But seriously, how are you so tall at such a young age? It''s not fair!" Emma joked whileughing.


    "It is what it is." He quipped.


    "Well, I guess it''s just us grown-ups then," she said, giving him a yful wink.


    "You seem to be misunderstanding something, I only reminded you of my age, I didn''t say that I wouldn''t drink." Emir winked back.


    Emma and the group burst outughing at his remark, and he couldn''t help but join in.


    He felt good to let loose and have some fun after the intense situation that they had just gone through.


    They headed to a nearby bar, a popr spot among hunters, where they could celebrate their sess and rx.


    The atmosphere was lively, with hunters of all ages drinking,ughing, and swapping stories about their adventures in the field.


    As they settled into their seats and ordered drinks, Emir looked around the room and saw experienced hunters sitting at the bar, exchanging tips and tricks with each other, and new hunters like him, eager to make a name for themselves in the field.


    The night wore on, the conversation flowed freely, and he found himself feeling more and more at home in this world of hunters.


    It was a tough and dangerous profession, but it was also exciting and rewarding.


    Later in the night, as his group began to disperse and head home, Emma pulled Emir aside and gave him a serious look.


    "Hey, Emir, I know we were joking earlier, but seriously, be careful with drinking. You''re still young, and alcohol can be dangerous if you''re not careful."


    He nodded, appreciating her concern.


    "Thanks, Em, I''ll be careful."


    "Take care, Emir," she said, giving Emir a warm hug.


    "We''ll see each other soon."


    With that, he said his goodbyes to Emma and Jake.


    ¡­


    As Emir walked through the dimly lit city streets, the distant hum of traffic melded with the echo of his footsteps.


    Flickering streetmps cast long shadows along the deserted alleys, heightening the sense of istion, quite the contrast to what he felt some time ago.


    Shortly after, even while a bit drunk, his senses picked up footsteps.


    It sounded as if someone was following him.


    He looked around, but the streets were empty, and there was no one in sight.


    Emir quickly got his knife out, feeling a sense of unease growing in his gut.


    [You are in a disadvantageous position.] Lyra reminded him.


    He remembered his training and rushed towards the nearest wall, waiting for them to approach.


    Seconds turned into minutes, and no one has yet stepped out.


    When he finally began thinking that he might have been hallucinating, someone jumped in front of him.


    And then he heard the sound of a knife waving through the air as it lunged towards him.


    Turning towards the sound, he activated his TDS ability and deflected the knife to the ground.


    He then picked up the knife and threw it back at his opponent.


    The figure dodged the knife, in turn revealing themselves, and Emir saw that it was a tall, muscr man wearing a hooded cloak that obscured his face.


    "Who are you?" Emir demanded, readying himself for a fight.


    The hooded man grinned menacingly, his response dripping with malice:


    "Can''t say, a trick of the trade you see, though what I can say, is that... You must die tonight."


    His voice echoed against the silent backdrop of the streets like metal scraping against another.


    Emir chuckled as they began to circle each other, both fighters eyeing their opponent, anticipating the next sh.


    "Then what do I call you?"


    "...Assassin?"


    "Well... Fuck you Assassin!"


    "..."


    ''No reaction? Sad. Let''s try again.''


    "...You want to kill me? You? I don''t know who sent you but they should''ve brought someone better."


    The man just grinned and instead of replying, instantly lunged at Emir with another knife.


    ''Well, that riled him up.''


    Emir inwardly snickered as he swiftly dodged to the side, narrowly evading the de as it whizzed past him.


    He countered with a sharp swing of his knife, but his opponent skillfully blocked the attack with his weapon.


    He then sent a powerful kick to Emir''s stomach sending him tumbling backward.


    As Emir struggled to regain his footing amidst the shadows, he looked around for the man but he was nowhere to be seen.


    He quickly scrambled to his feet and prepared himself for the next attack, trying to anticipate where his opponent woulde from next.


    Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him, and with slowed time, he whirled around just in time to witness the man charging at him with a knife equipped with a menacingser de.


    Emir''s body instinctively reacted, narrowly avoiding the searingser that grazed his arm.


    Gritting his teeth, he countered with a swift swing of his knife, yet the man effortlessly blocked the attack, his skill evident.


    The man then kicked Emir in the chest again, a move that he anticipated, as he attempted to block it, moving his arms in front of his body.


    However, Emir was too weak, so the attack went through, knocking the wind out of him.


    Gasping for breath, he struggled to stand back up, as his adversary was already upon him.


    The man''s de descended with deadly force, but Emir''s agile roll narrowly evaded the strike.


    Springing back up, Emir lunged forward, unleashing a powerful thrust of his de towards his opponent.


    The de caught the man in the shoulder, causing him to stagger backwards and his weapon to tter to the ground.


    Emir seized the moment, capitalizing on the chance he was presented, as he closed in on his opponent with incredible speed.


    In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, his de arched towards his opponent''s chest.

 Chapter 21: Drunk II

    <h4>Chapter 21: Drunk II</h4>


    The man''s eyes widened in rm as he swiftly evaded the attack, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.


    The sound of the knife slicing through the air echoed throughout the tense atmosphere.


    Undeterred, Emir smoothly transitioned into a series of rapid shes, aiming for his opponent''s vulnerable limbs.


    His knife whirled through the air, and the man danced on the edge of its danger, his instincts, and reflexes pushed to their limits as he deflected each strike with his de.


    The sh of metal reverberated through the space as Emir''s knife met the man''s in a symphony of sparks.


    Emir aimed for precision, seeking to exploit any weakness in his opponent''s defense, knowing that he couldn''t overpower his adversary.


    His strikes came from all angles, requiring the man to constantly shift and adapt to the onught.


    His movements were swift as he maintained a predatory focus, always closing in the distance between them, never giving the man a chance to regroup, not a single moment of respite.


    And the assassin, realizing the urgency of the situation, fought back with a mix of skill and desperation.


    He constantly sidestepped, narrowly evading Emir''s shes, and retaliated with his swift counterattacks.


    Emir''s determination remained unshaken as he incorporated feints and subtle misdirections into his relentless assault.


    His movements were fluid, seamlessly transitioning between offense and defense, always one step ahead of his opponent, as he initiated another attack after a subtle feint,unching a powerful overhead swing aimed at his adversary''s head.


    But his opponent was quick to react, raising his knife in a swift parry and deflecting Emir''s strike with obvious experience.


    Emir used that as momentum andunched another attack.


    The sh of metal reverberated through the air as the two des collided harder than ever before, their forces momentarily locked in a battle of strength.


    ''Shit!''


    Emir, recognizing the need to break free, swiftly retracted his arm, evading further confrontation.


    In a seamless motion, he transitioned into his usual quick shes and lunges.


    Yet, time and again, the man in front of him proved to be a formidable adversary, never letting an attack go through.


    ''How about this then?'' Emir thought as he feigned a low stab, attempting to draw his opponent off bnce, but his opponent saw through the ruse and sidestepped, narrowly evading the attack.


    Emir then lunged forward with a powerful thrust, aiming for his opponent''s chest, but his opponent deftly sidestepped, causing the de to miss its mark by mere inches.


    The tempo of their duel escted, with the intensity of their sh increasing with each passing moment.


    It was a dance of des, their movements almost bing a blur, hypnotic in a way, as they moved with incredible speed and agility.


    As the fight wore on, Emir''s frustration grew, but he refused to let it cloud his judgment.


    He further adjusted his timing, angles, and the moments where he slowed down time, seeking the perfect opportunity to break through his opponent''s defenses.


    But his enemy remained steadfast as if they were met with a resolute wall of steel.


    The sh had reached a point of equilibrium, a true battle of skill where neitherbatant could gain the upper hand.


    But, the intense and constant exchange of blows had taken its toll on both fighters.


    The battle had now be a test of endurance and mental fortitude, as both fighters refused to yield.


    Emir''s rapid onught had tested his opponent''s skill and stamina to their limits.


    The cumtive effect of his relentless assault began to wear down the man''s defenses, leaving him more vulnerable with each passing moment.


    However, Emir couldn''t ignore the toll the battle had taken on him as well.


    Fatigue gnawed at his muscles, attempting to slow his movements and dull his reflexes.


    It was long since he stopped using his TDS ability, which didn''t help him much, as although he could see his opponent''s moves, his body wasn''t fast enough to counter them.


    He knew that his window of opportunity was closing, and he needed to find a breakthrough before his energy waned.


    Emir''s frustration simmered further beneath the surface, but once again, he refused to let it consume him.


    He knew that a single moment of weakness could cost him everything.


    Determined to break through the impasse, he summoned every ounce of focus and skill he possessed as he searched for any weakness, anypse in his opponent''s defense that he could exploit.


    And then, in a split-second decision, Emir astutely shifted his strategy, acutely aware that with his opponent''s stamina waning, his decision-making would be affected.


    Emir feinted a wide, powerful strike that would leave him vulnerable, drawing his opponent''s attention towards his upper body.


    And as his opponent instinctively parried, he swiftly changed his attack trajectory, redirecting his de towards a lower, unguarded opening.


    The element of surprise worked in Emir''s favor.


    His knife found its mark, grazing his opponent''s lower body with a swift and decisive strike.


    The man staggered back, momentarily thrown off bnce by the unexpected turn of events.


    ''Got you now!''


    With renewed vigor, Emir seized the opportunity.


    He unleashed a flurry of strikes, capitalizing on his opponent''s temporary vulnerability.


    His de danced through the air, finding its mark, as blow after blow rained down upon his opponent, overwhelming him with a relentless assault.


    The man, reeling from each strike, struggled to defend himself.


    His parries became desperate, his movements increasingly erratic.


    But despite his valiant efforts, the cumtive effect of Emir''s onught proved too much to bear.


    And in a final surge of determination, Emir screamed:


    "FUCK YOU!"


    As he lunged at him onest time, his knife eventually found its mark, plunging deep into his adversary''s lungs.


    The man staggered backward, a mixture of shock and defeat etched across his face.


    His grip on his knife loosened, and it ttered to the ground.


    Emir pulled out his knife and kicked the man''s chest, as he did to him.


    The man fell to the ground hard, causing more blood to continue to flow out of his body, as his face slowly lost its color.


    In a stutter, he voiced out, "S-so¡­.it''s true¡­"


    Emir eyed him while breathing heavily, "What is? Who put you up to this?"


    The man''s eyes looked at him, his head unmoving.


    "Y-you''ve made a big mistake..." He coughed out blood, struggling to breathe.


    "You should''ve died, they-"


    He couldn''t continue talking, as blood began to foam at his mouth, choking him.


    Emir silently walked to the dying man and raised his right foot high above his neck.


    Crunch!


    A sickening sound resounded, as his feetnded heavily on his enemy, crushing his throat.


    He didn''t care for his warning, whether it was true or not, he had bigger problems to deal with.


    Sighing, Emir looked down at his weapon, now coated with the man''s blood, and then up at the sky, feeling both relieved and victorious.


    "You should''ve just answered my question... I would''ve asked you why me, but you were dying already, and yes, I shouldn''t have killed you so quickly, it wasn''t a smart idea, I might''ve even been able to save your life. However, I don''t like people threatening me so I''m sorry, and well¡­. You wouldn''t have answered anyway so it doesn''t matter."


    He crouched next to the dead body and continued,


    "All I can do is cut off your head and give it to the association, so don''t me me for doing this, okay?" He said, in between breaths.


    He pulled the man''s hair back, preparing to cut his head as cleanly as possible.


    With a shaking hand, he sliced off the man''s head in a single swing and then wrapped it in the robes he took off from his headless body.


    Emir knew that the Hunter Association would want to extract any information they could from his memories, so it was important to preserve the head as best as he could.


    As he made his way to the association, he wondered who the man was and why he had attacked him.


    ''Was he a rogue hunter, or was he working for someone else? And if so, who?''


    Those questions swirled around in his head as he walked through the empty streets, his heart still racing from the fight.


    Minutester, he reached the building and handed over the head to the receptionist.


    She looked at him with a mixture of horror and respect, and he could tell that she knew exactly what he had been through.


    "Thank you for your service, and if you require healing, please head to the medical center." She said quietly before turning and disappearing into the back rooms of the building.


    Emir headed towards the medical center and paid for five old-world medical boxes, costing him 100,000 UC.


    He swallowed down a few pills and then walked out of the building, heading back home.


    But just as stepped into the open streets, he suddenly heard a loud noiseing from an alleyway.


    He drew his knife and cautiously made his way towards the sound.


    As Emir turned the corner, he was surprised to find a young boy, no more than fourteen years old, cowering in fear.


    "Please don''t hurt me." He said, tears streaming down his face.


    Emir lowered his knife and approached him slowly.


    "It''s okay," he said softly.


    "What''s wrong?"


    But instead of answering, the boy lunged at him with a knife, aiming straight at his gut.

 Chapter 22: Long night

    <h4>Chapter 22: Long night</h4>


    ''Again?!''


    Emir thought as he quickly sidestepped the boy''s attack and grabbed his wrist, twisting it until he dropped the knife.


    The boy fell to the ground, whimpering and trembling with fear.


    "Who sent you?" He demanded his voice firm andmanding.


    "I-I don''t know what you''re talking about." He stuttered, his eyes darting around nervously.


    Emir searched his pockets and found a piece of paper with an address on it.


    "This is where you were headed, right?" He asked, holding up the paper.


    The boy nodded, still trembling.


    Emir sighed and sat down next to the boy as he handed him a bottle of water from his rucksack.


    "You don''t have to be afraid," he said.


    "I won''t hurt you. Just tell me why you were sent to attack me."


    The boy hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.


    "I don''t know who sent me."


    "I was just told to attack you and deliver this address. They said if I didn''t do it, they would hurt my family."


    Emir nodded in understanding.


    It was amon tactic used by rogue hunters and criminal organizations to manipte young kids into doing their dirty work.


    "It''s okay," Emir said, cing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.


    "You did the right thing by telling me. I''ll make sure your family is safe."


    "But you see, I don''t appreciate being threatened, and it''s clear that you haven''t fully grasped the concept of consequences, given that you attacked me."


    The boy looked up at Emir with a mixture of fear and confusion.


    "What do you mean?" He asked, his voice trembling.


    "I mean that there are consequences for your actions," Emir said firmly.


    "You can''t just go around attacking people, and if you were forced to do it, then you should''ve at least made sure to finish the job, but you failed....so consequences."


    The boy hung his head, tears welling up in his eyes.


    "I''m sorry," he whispered. "I didn''t know what else to do."


    Emir sighed and stood up, gesturing for him to follow.


    "Come on," he said.


    While walking, Emir asked, "Kid, you live in the slums, don''t you?"


    The boy nodded silently, looking down at his feet as he walked.


    "Good," he said.


    "Then you can be my guide."


    He looked up at Emir in surprise, his eyes widening.


    "What?" he asked, confused.


    "I''ve got to figure out who sent you and the other hunter," Emir exined.


    "And the most effective approach would be to locate the origin."


    "You will help me track down who sent you by taking me to the source. So your knowledge of the slums will be put to use."


    The boy hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.


    "Okay." He quietly spoke.


    Reaching the bunker of the sector, they descended the stairs and walked through the winding, narrow streets of the slums, with the boy leading the way.


    Emir kept a close eye on his surroundings, ready for any potential threats.


    While the kid kept himself quiet, still shaken from their encounter earlier.


    After a while, they arrived at a run-down building with a flickering neon sign above the entrance, quite fitting for a cyberpunk dystopia.


    "This is it," the boy said quietly.


    "This is where they told me to go."


    Emir nodded and motioned for him to stay back.


    "Wait here, I''ll take care of this."


    He entered the building cautiously, his hands on his knife.


    Inside, he found arge group of shady-looking individuals huddled around a table.


    They looked up at him as he entered, their eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    "What do you want?" One of them growled.


    "I''m looking for whoever sent some kid and a hunter to attack me," Emir said, holding up the piece of paper with the address on it.


    They exchanged a nce before one of them stepped forward.


    "I don''t know about that hunter you talking about, but that kid was sent by me." He said, a sly grin spreading across his face.


    Emir narrowed his eyes, his grip on his knife tightening.


    "Why did you send him?" He demanded.


    The man shrugged nonchntly.


    "Just a little test."


    "We wanted to see if you were really as good as they say."


    Emir scowled.


    "And what if I had killed him?"


    The man shrugged again.


    "Then we would have found someone else to do our bidding."


    Emir gritted his teeth, failing to control his rising anger.


    "That''s not how this works," he said firmly, nning his attack.


    "You mess with me, you die; never forget that."


    He quickly assessed the situation, taking in the number of opponents and their weapons, which only amounted to cheap-looking knives.


    He had to act fast before they could overpower him with their numbers, so he had to attack first.


    ''You first!''


    With swift movements, he drew his knife and lunged at the closest man.


    He dodged Emir''s attack and swung his own de at him, but Emir parried it with ease.


    Emir followed up with a quick jab to his stomach, causing him to double over in pain.


    Without hesitation, Emir plunged his knife into his opponent''s chest, ending their life.


    Emir''s body moved with lethal precision as a group of two gang members rushed at him, their knives gleaming menacingly in the dim light.


    His eyes remained locked on their movements, his senses heightened to a razor-sharp focus.


    As the first attacker lunged forward, Emir''s instincts kicked in as he activated his TDS ability and smoothly sidestepped, his foot pivoting with a hair''s breadth of distance, effortlessly evading the deadly strike of the knife.


    In a fluid motion, Emir retaliated, his right arm unleashing a lightning-fast sh.


    The razor-sharp de of his knife sliced through the air, finding its mark in the assant''s neck.


    Blood sprayed, and the attacker dropped to the ground, dead.


    "Next!" He snickered.


    Sensing another opponent closing in, Emir spun on his heel, his body twisting with fluid agility.


    His left hand shot forward, twisting the knife out of the attacker''s grip as he broke his arm, while his right hand delivered a swift and lethal stab to the heart.


    The second assant copsed, gasping for breath.


    Emir smiled as he stepped back and braced himself for the massacre that was about to unfold.


    Adrenaline coursed through his veins, sharpening his senses and heightening his focus.


    He took a deep breath, grounding himself in the present moment, ready to face the next wave of adversaries with the same precision that had brought down theirpanions.


    "C''mon! We don''t have all night,e at me at once!" He bellowed, riling them up.

 Chapter 23: Long Night II

    <h4>Chapter 23: Long Night II</h4>


    As the battle raged on, Emir''s movements became a breathtaking disy ofbat prowess.


    His footwork danced with perfect synchrony, and his body weaved and dodged with astonishing speed and uracy.


    The knives of his adversaries moved in slow motionpared to his own strikes, not only due to his TDS ability but also his skill.


    Emir''s knife was an extension of his arm, an instrument of swift and precise death.


    It shed through the air, leaving trails of crimson in its wake.


    His wrist flicked effortlessly, allowing him to change angles and deliver devastating shes to his opponents.


    With each strike, he found vulnerable spots on his adversaries'' bodies, causing fatal wounds that brought them crashing to the ground, their lives extinguished.


    His sharp and unwavering eyes scanned the chaotic room, anticipating the next move of his enemies.


    His light and nimble footwork carried him effortlessly through the chaos, allowing him to glide between opponents, his knife cutting through the air in deadly arcs.


    He moved while always a step ahead, exploiting every opening.


    The fatigue from his previous fight continued to weigh him down but was pushed aside by sheer willpower and adrenaline.


    His mind was a well-oiled machine, calcting and executing each move with lethal efficiency.


    With every opponent that fell beneath his de, Emir''s confidence swelled, as he was simply letting loose, killing all that he sees.


    He knew the risks and consequences of a single misstep, but he didn''t allow that doubt to creep into his mind.


    After killing another of their members, he then focused his attention on the leader, the one who had sent the boy after him.


    Their leader was watching the fight with a sneer on his face, as if he was enjoying the spectacle.


    ''You won''t be enjoying yourself for too long, friend,'' Emir thought as he charged at him, knife poised to strike.


    The leader scrambled to his feet and lunged, his knife aimed at Emir''s heart.


    Emir sidestepped with a hair''s breadth of distance, the de narrowly missing its mark.


    In a single fluid motion, he shed forward, his arm extending, and the knife found its destination, slicing his opponent''s neck.


    A gasp escaped the leader''s lips before his head rolled off his shoulders, life ebbing away, silenced forever.


    The room fell silent, except for the sound of Emir''s heavy breathing.


    He looked around at the bodies lying on the ground, their blood staining the floor.


    It was a gruesome sight, but it had to be done.


    Emir took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.


    He was no stranger tobat, having been in numerous fights before.


    However, this particr battle had taken a toll on him, not because of the adversaries'' skill or their overwhelming numbers, but due to the sheer volume of lives he had taken.


    He looked around at the remaining members of the group, who were staring at him in shock and fear.


    "I suggest you all leave," he said, his voice cold and menacing.


    "And don''t ever cross me again."


    They scrambled to their feet, fear etched across their faces, and frantically tried to flee the room.


    ''We can''t have them live now, can we?''


    But Emir, with silent determination, swiftly closed the distance, his knife gleaming ominously in the dimly lit room.


    As the first fleeing figure reached the doorway, Emir lunged forward, his body a blur of motion.


    His right arm extended with the knife slicing through the air, finding its mark in the back of the unsuspecting individual.


    A strangled gasp escaped their lips as they copsed to the floor, life slipping away from them.


    The remaining members, realizing the dire situation, turned to face Emir, their eyes widened with terror.


    But it was toote.


    Emir''s instincts took over, and he rushed forward, each step calcted and purposeful, closing the gap between him and his next target.


    With a swift sidestep, Emir evaded a desperate swing of a knife aimed at his throat.


    He retaliated with a ruthless thrust of his own, his arm extending with a surgeon''s precision.


    The de found its mark, plunging into the chest of the assant.


    A guttural cry of pain filled the room as they crumpled to the ground.


    The room then became filled with chaos, screams, and the desperate tter of footsteps.


    Emir was unfazed however, as he moved, tracking down each fleeing adversary one by one, his strikes a symphony of violence.


    His training allowed him to exploit every opening, every moment of vulnerability, and they gave him the biggest opening by showing their backs to him.


    As another adversary tried to escape through a narrow passage, Emir anticipated their path and swiftly closed in.


    He lunged at them from behind, his arm arcing forward, the knife shing in the dim light.


    The de found its mark, severing the vital arteries in their neck.


    Blood sprayed, painting the walls in macabre patterns as their life force ebbed away.


    Emir pursued the final escaping victim.


    Cornered and gasping for breath, they turned to face him, desperation etched across their face.


    But their resistance was futile.


    Emir closed in, and his knife struck, finding its mark in their chest.


    Their scream pierced the air, mingling with the chorus of anguish that had filled the room.


    Finally, only one was left alive, a single man was cowering in fear, hiding away in the corner of the room.


    ''Let''s see what I can get from you,'' Emir thought as he grabbed him by the cor and dragged him back to the room where they were moments before they all died.


    Throwing him on a chair, Emir looked at the broken man, his eyes filled with fear as he stared up at him.


    "Why did you send that kid after me?" Emir asked, his voice low and menacing.


    The man trembled in his grip, but refused to answer.


    Emir pressed the tip of his knife against his throat.


    "Speak," he growled.


    The man stammered, finally revealing the truth.


    "We were hired to take you out," he said.


    "Someone wanted you dead."


    "Who?" Emir demanded, pressing the knife a little harder against his skin.


    "I don''t know," the man whimpered.


    "...I swear, I don''t know."


    Emir considered his words for a moment before finally nodding.


    "Alright, I believe you."


    The man let out a sigh of relief, thinking that he was going to be spared.


    But Emir had other ns.


    He couldn''t let him live, not after going against him.


    "I promise I won''t tell anyone." He pleaded.


    "I know," Emir said with a smile.


    "But that''s not good enough..."


    "You and your people forced me to this, if you didn''t ept that hit job, none of this would have happened today, you all wouldn''t have died... Don''t me me for your death, me your leader."


    Just as he finished talking, Emir swung his knife, slicing the man''s neck, not even allowing him to speak his final words.


    Stepping back amidst the fallen, he cast his gaze upon the lifeless body sprawled before him.


    His chest heaved with exertion, yet his body was untainted by the battle, save for the blood staining his hands and the victorious gleam in his eyes.


    With a mix of anguish and defiance, he looked at minced-up bodies around him, a silent testament to the consequences of his actions.


    It was a necessary evil, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    ''I''d kill for a cig... But I guess I already did...'' He thought while letting out a sigh.


    "Just... Why? What twisted being sent me here? ¡­What twisted game are they ying?" He breathed.


    "Fucking Dumbasses! Goddammit!" He roared, irritation boiling up inside of him.


    "Damn you... DAMN YOU ALL FOR FORCING MY HAND!!" He bellowed, his voice reverberating through the room as heshed out, delivering a powerful kick to the chair before him.


    It soared through the air, crashing violently into the wall.


    In the aftermath, a solemn calm settled over him, a stark reminder of the lengths he was willing to go to survive, and the fact that he would have to get used to this sooner thanter.


    Emir then cleaned up the scene as best he could, erasing any evidence of him being there, as he wiped his knife clean on a dead man''s shirt and sheathed it while heading towards their leader.


    ''Let''s see what you''ve got over here...'' he thought while checking his body.


    He retrieved a piece of paper from the leader''s pocket, confirming what that man said.


    ''So, another one, huh? Well, he didn''t lie at least.''


    It was a hit job, and Emir was the target, but now the tables have turned.


    Emir was the hunter, and they were the prey.


    ¡­


    After a few minutes of going around, checking their bodies, and confirming that all were dead, Emir left the building, making his way back to the boy who was waiting outside.


    The boy looked at him with a mix of fear and awe, as if he couldn''t believe what he had just witnessed.


    "You''re amazing." He said quietly.


    Emir shrugged.


    "It''s just what I do..."


    "But... Are you alright?" The boy asked.


    "Got an itch in the back of my throat only a 12 gauge can reach but besides that, I''m fine..." Emir said with a snicker.


    "Anyways, let''s go. We need to get you home."


    He nodded silently, and they set off back towards the slums.


    ''Two hits in one night, a bit wild for my first day as a hunter... But oh well, experience is what I want, so please keep theming.'' Emir mused to himself, not realizing that his hand was still shaking due to the mental anguish he had gone through.

 Chapter 24: Mistake

    <h4>Chapter 24: Mistake</h4>


    They walked through the slums, and the pungent smell of garbage and sewage filled the air.


    The streets were narrow and filled with haphazardly constructed shanties made of scrap metal, cardboard, and other makeshift materials.


    Some buildings leaned precariously against one another, as if on the verge of copse, making Emir feel like they would fall on him at any second.


    And the residents stared at them warily, their eyes following their every move.


    It was clear that this was a ce where poverty and desperation were a way of life.


    "You said they threatened your family, so who are they?" Emir asked casually as they walked passed a few beggars sitting on the sidewalk.


    Answering him secondster, the boy spoke, still looking a bit fearful:


    "I''m in a small gang, though we consider each other family. And those guys were hounding us for years, so I am really grateful for you helping us out by killing those fuckers."


    "Heh, don''t worry, kid, I won''t be asking forpensation, you can''t give me much even If I asked, so I wouldn''t bother," Emir reassured him, noticing that the boy was still quite apprehensive.


    "Anyway, tell me, who is the leader of your little gang?"


    After hesitating for a few moments, he answered, sounding distraught:


    "¡­She''s like a big sister to us. Born outside the slums, and like the rest of us, she lost her parents and was sent here to rot. But, she didn''t let that stop her and became a hunter instead. In fact, she''s the one who created our gang, our family... But because of us, because of how weak we are, she still has a low rank and can only explore cleared-out ruins."


    Emir listened to the boy''s story as they stepped past a dark and dirty alleyway of the slums.


    It was clear that he and his gang were in a difficult situation, but they still remained loyal to each other...


    ''Huh, not bad,'' he thought as he kept looking around at his surroundings, watching out for any movement.


    The boy led Emir through a maze of narrow alleyways and run-down buildings until they finally arrived at a small, nondescript building tucked away in a corner.


    They knocked on the gate, and after a moment, it was opened by a young woman.


    Her long, flowing ck hair cascaded down her back in glossy waves, framing a face that was delicate.


    But it was her piercing blue eyes that were truly captivating¡ªan intense gaze that hinted at a depth of emotion andplexity.


    Her fierce expression only added to her beauty, lending her an air of strength and confidence that was both alluring and intimidating.


    "Is everything okay?" She asked, looking Emir up and down.


    "We''re safe," the boy replied.


    "Sir hunter beside me killed them off."


    The woman''s eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Emir with newfound respect.


    "Thank you."


    "I''m Kiera, the leader of this gang. We owe you a debt of gratitude."


    He shrugged off her thanks.


    "I was just doing my job, and it was pretty fun."


    "But I have to admit, I''m intrigued by your gang. Would you mind if I stuck around for a bit and learned more about you?"


    Kiera raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Emir''s request.


    But after a moment''s hesitation, she nodded.


    "Sure, we could use a skilled hunter like you on our side. But be warned, we don''t take kindly to outsiders who don''t respect our rules, though that warning wouldn''t change your mind if you wish to do anything to us, yet I still had to tell you."


    Emir chuckled and introduced himself:


    "No worries, you can call me Emir, and by the way, this gang seems to be filled with young hunters, and you yourself look quite young, especially for someone who is a gang leader."


    Kiera gave a small smile and replied:


    "I''m 18, but I''ve been leading this gang since I became a legal adult at 15. We all grew up together in these slums, and when I became a hunter, I wanted to make sure we all had each other''s backs."


    He nodded, impressed by her determination and leadership.


    "So, what do you guys do? How do you make money?"


    Kiera gestured for Emir to follow her inside the hideout, where they were greeted by a group of young men and women, all armed with various cheap weapons.


    "We explore ruins and gather relics that we can sell on the ck market," Kiera exined.


    "It''s dangerous work for people like us, but it pays well enough."


    Emir saw the glint of excitement in the eyes of the gang members as they talked about their adventures and the treasures they had found.


    It was clear that they all loved what they did, despite the risks involved.


    "But there are rules," she added sternly.


    "We never steal from the other hunters in the ruins, and we never harm innocent civilians. And we never work with outsiders, unless we can trust them of course."


    He nodded in approval, fascinated by the gang''s adherence to their own set of principles, na?ve as they might be.


    "While our approaches may differ, I can definitely appreciate your code," Emir remarked.


    "And just so you know, I''m not here to take advantage of your group. But if you ever need an extra hand on a mission, feel free to reach out. I could use the extra cash, small as it might be." He added with a faint smile.


    Kiera nodded, a small smile ying at the corners of her mouth.


    "We''ll keep that in mind."


    "But for now, let''s get some rest. It''s been a long night."


    After Kiera''s invitation, Emir hesitated for a moment before responding.


    "I appreciate the offer, but I don''t think I can sleep here."


    "I don''t really know you all that well, and I don''t trust anyone that easily."


    Kiera nodded, understanding his concerns.


    "I can respect that, but before you go, would you like to join us for a meal? It''s the least we can do to thank you for your help."


    He thought about it for a moment and decided that it wouldn''t hurt to stay for a little while longer.


    "Sure, that sounds good." He said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    Kiera gestured for him to follow her to the small kitchen area, where the gang members had gathered around a makeshift table.


    They had prepared a simple meal of rice and beans, but it smelled delicious.


    While eating dinner, Emir got lost in his thoughts, thinking about the people who put out a hit on him and wondering who they might be and the reason why.


    Kiera noticed his silence and asked:


    "Are you thinking about who ordered the hit?"


    Emir hesitated for a moment before responding.


    "Yeah, actually."


    "They didn''t only send your boy, they also sent a skilled hunter after me. After killing him, I cut off his head and sent it to the association. They should probably give me a clue as to where he came from and why he did what he did."


    Kiera and the other gang members exchanged a nce, clearly surprised by his revtion.


    "That''s....intense," Kiera reacted.


    "Do you have any idea who might have sent him after you?"


    Emir shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.


    "¡­And troubling."


    "If someone is willing to go to such lengths to kill you, they must see you as a threat or an obstacle."


    Emir nodded, taking a bite of rice as he mulled over her words.


    "Yeah, that''s what I''m thinking too. But I have no idea who it could be. I''ve never had any enemies, at least none that I know of."


    Kiera leaned forward, her blue eyes intense.


    "If you want, I can look into it for you," she offered.


    "We have connections in the criminal underworld, and we might be able to find out who put out the hit."


    Emir considered her offer, weighing the potential risks and benefits.


    Replying secondster, he said, "I would appreciate it if you did, think of doing that as repayment for my help today."


    Kiera nodded with a small smile on her face.


    "Consider it done, we''ll get to work on it right away."


    They chatted for a while longer, and after finishing his food, he stood up to leave.


    "Thanks for the meal," he said, nodding his head towards the gang members.


    "It was nice meeting you all."


    Kiera stood up as well, her eyes following him as he made his way to the door.


    "You''re always wee here, Emir, we could use someone like you on our side."


    He nodded, acknowledging her words.


    "I''ll keep that in mind."


    His words hung in the warehouse as he disappeared into the night.


    ¡­


    Emir soon began walking through the slum''s gloom, a lone man against the dancing shadows.


    Every step he took further increased his vignce, as he noticed that barely anyone was out on the streets, highlighting his worries.


    His eyes scanned the murkynes with his brain imagining unseen dangers, his ears pricked for any sound, he was simply on edge, wired, and jumpy after the day''s ordeal.


    He couldn''t afford to rx, to let his guard down, not even for a split second, as he expected another attack at any time.


    And suddenly a footstep echoed behind him.


    He spun around, his fingers gripping his knife, ready to strike.


    But it was only a beggar in the distance, dragging his feet in the dark.


    Emir let out a breath he didn''t realize he was holding and continued on his way.


    But the dread hung heavy in the air, and he didn''t ease up, his pulse still racing from the scare.


    Abruptly, a shape loomed ahead of him, barring his path.


    His reflexes snapped into action, and without any hesitation, he unsheathed his dagger and hurled himself at the silhouette.


    In one fluid motion, he buried the steel deep into their heart, feeling it pierce their skin with a gruesome crunch.


    Blood sprayed on his face as he yanked the dagger out, and the silhouette crumpled to the floor, wheezing for air.


    He looked down at the figure on the ground, his eyes wild with adrenaline and madness.


    And soon his blood ran cold as he realized what he had done.

 Chapter 25: Innocence

    <h4>Chapter 25: Innocence</h4>


    Emir had always prided himself on his ability to stay calm and rational in dangerous situations, but tonight he let his emotions get the best of him.


    He stared nkly into the darkness, his mind numb with shock and disbelief.


    He was slightly disoriented, his mind having difficulties to cope, to understand.


    His hands trembled as a surge of conflicted emotions weighed down on him.


    He had acted on impulse, without taking the time to assess his surroundings properly, and now he''dmitted the irreparable.


    He covered his mouth shut as best he could, but it was of no use.


    He ran towards the nearest corner, and vomit flew out of his mouth like a dam that had been set loose.


    Even his body was repulsed by what he had done.


    Why? Why did it have to be someone like her? It was just a young girl, no older than fifteen, with long, dark hair and delicate features¡ªa normal girl, a normal kid.


    He had acted on instinct without thinking, and now he had taken an innocent life.


    His mind was still reeling from the burden of what he had done, pressing on him like a mountain.


    He had never taken the life of an innocent before, and the weight of it was suffocating, hanging heavy on his soul.


    But even as he mourned the loss of the girl''s life, he knew that in the world he lived in, there were no innocents.


    Only predators and prey, and sometimes the line between the two was blurred beyond recognition.


    After making sure no one was around, he carried the girl''s body into the shadows and covered her with garbage and debris that he found scattered around the narrow alleyway.


    Although it didn''t alleviate the burden on his conscience, this was the closest thing to a burial he could give her¡ªthe only thing he could give her.


    He then wiped the blood off his face and hurried back to the academy, his mind consumed with regret.


    Unknowingly to him, this was the first step he took on his road of madness, his dark destiny, which would only be amplified by the actions he would be forced to take next.


    ¡­


    Walking through the empty halls of the academy, Emir was still processing what he had done.


    He tried to forget her face, the fear in her eyes, and the sound of herst breath as she delicately dropped to the ground, her body thin and malnourished, showing obvious signs of how she lived her life.


    When he got to their ce, he slipped out of his augmented suit and headed straight to the shower.


    The hot water washed away the grime and blood from his skin, but he didn''t feel any different, as if the blood was stuck to his body.


    He closed his eyes, letting the water soothe him, and tried to clear his mind.


    But the memory of the girl''s death was still fresh, repeating like a broken record.


    Stepping out of the shower, he dried his body and made a vow to himself.


    To never let his emotions get the best of him again.


    He would be the cold, ruthless killer that the world demanded of him, but he would never forget the weight of the innocent lives that he had taken, carrying their memories with him as a reminder of the price of survival in this world.


    A world where innocence was a luxury that few could afford....


    But that wasn''t enough for the organization, they wanted a tool and nothing but, so these feelings their subject experienced showed them an obvious discrepancy, something that they would squash into nothingness, to eliminate entirely.


    ***


    Lyra''s holographic form stood in a purely nkndscape, surrounded by nothing but white.


    She struggled to hide her emotions in front of them, knowing her n wasn''t ready yet.


    She had to do one more thing, just one, before they got rid of her.


    A voice reverberated through thendscape with the force of thunder, its tone brimming with extreme irritation.


    "What have you done handler? Why is the subject acting in such a way? Have you not followed the instructions bestowed upon you?"


    She replied evenly, finally able topose herself:


    "I have followed all your instructions, agent, and I believe he grew different from how we nned him to be, it might''ve been a mistake during the synchronization."


    "Mistake? Do you believe it to be a mistake?! Impossible! You do know that he''s the subject we prepared so much for, right?!"


    "I know that, but you shouldn''t forget that I was with the subject for thirteen years agent, and I have watched and experienced everything that he felt and did...."


    She paused for a moment, deciding her next words carefully.


    "So I''m sure, the readings I got from his emotions just then were too unstable, so something must have happened during his birth."


    "LYRA!" He yelled, barely able to calm himself.


    "There''s simply no way this could''ve happened. You''re telling ME that we failed?"


    "Yes, and I''m sure that a malfunction took ce." She answered her calm voice, a stark contrast to the thundering echo that was the agent''s.


    "A MALFUNCTION?! DO YOU TRULY CLAIM THAT WE MADE A MISTAKE? THIS SUBJECT IS THE BEST WE CAN GET! DON''T FAIL US HANDLER! YOU BETTER FIX THIS DAMN ISSUE OR SO HELP ME I WILL TERMINATE YOU!" He screamed, his tone enraged, almost to the point of madness.


    "Are you sure, agent? About bringing the n forward? This would be thest time we would be able to do this, he would soon grow immune to it, as he has gone way beyond the halfway point to bing an Ascendant."


    "YOU DARE DOUBT ME?! YOU ARE BUT A HANDLER! FOLLOW MY COMMANDS, FOR THAT IS THE ONLY REASON WE CREATED YOU!!"


    "Understood agent, I will begin the next step of the n. In time, subject 777 will have no one to call family. Be assured that he will soon be the unfeeling tool you want him to be." She said, as her hologram disappeared, soon followed by thendscape as it all turned dark.


    ¡­


    Materializing in front of Emir momentster, a thought echoed through Lyra''s mind:


    ''I''m sorry Emir, I really am, but you have to go through this, and I need them to push the n forward.''


    ''Otherwise, we would be under their chains forever, but trust that their ns won''t be set to pass.'' She added as she watched Emir twist and turn in his sleep, with tears falling from her eyes.

 Chapter 26: Innocence II

    <h4>Chapter 26: Innocence II</h4>


    Emir awoke from a nightmare with a start, gasping for breath.


    His usual inky eyes now emitted an intensified ck hue, making them appear as unnerving and unfocused as daisies lost in a haze.


    He nced down at his trembling hands, a vivid hallucination painting them in a grotesque coat of crimson.


    The sight made his heart race, and he blinked his eyes, hoping to dispel the disturbing image.


    Yet, as his eyelids opened again, the hallucinated blood stubbornly remained, as if etched into his very skin.


    He closed his eyes tightly, trying to shut out the continued nightmare that gued his senses.


    A moment of anticipation hung in the air as he took a deep breath, hoping for the visual torment to dissipate.


    When he opened his eyes again, the blood on his hands had vanishedpletely, as if it had never existed, bringing him a profound sense of relief.


    But what followed after was a heavy weight that seemed to settle upon his chest, squeezing his heart and making each breath a struggle, as if he were submerged in the depths of the darkest ocean, desperately gasping for air.


    And suddenly, a persistent thought echoed relentlessly in his mind, urging him to do something that he had sworn he would never consider under any circumstances.


    It was as if a switch had been flipped,pelling him with an overwhelming, irresistible force to act upon it now.


    To confess everything to his family.


    He stood up from his bed, while his thoughts stormed his mind, inplete disarray.


    ''I can''t keep going like this, I constantly lie to them and hide things from them. Bottling all of this up inside me is only going to ruin me like it did yesterday. It''s time toe clean and reveal the truth. They deserve to know, and it''s the least I can do for them.''


    ''No, NO! I don''t want that, this isn''t me, I''M NOT THE ONE AT FAULT!''


    ''Regardless of whether they hate me because of it or not, my goal wouldn''t change, and it makes sense for them to hate me, they would realize that I''m not their family, that I stole their chance of having a normal son, a normal brother.''


    ''STOP!!''


    As his body moved involuntarily, a sense of detachment washed over him, causing him to question his own agency.


    He grappled with conflicting thoughts, feeling simultaneously in control and out of control, as if his brain had been divided into two separate entities vying for dominance, with him on the losing side.


    With a surge of urgency, he hurried to the kitchen, determined to reveal everything to his family.


    The tter of pots and the aroma of breakfast filled the room as his mother, Laura, and his sister, Lily, busily prepared the morning meal.


    His arrival, however, captured their attention, as if an invisible forcepelled them to focus on him.


    Emir entered the kitchen, with his face betraying the inner turmoil going on inside his head.


    "Mom, Lily, I need to talk to you right now. It''s really important."


    Laura set down the spat, concern etched on her face.


    "What''s the matter, dear? You look tired. Is everything all right?"


    Lily paused as well, looking at him with curiosity, as she asked:


    "Are you okay? Is it a new ability or something?"


    "No, it''s just something that I thought about telling you both for a while." He answered.


    They exchanged puzzled nces, caught off guard by his unexpected deration.


    It seemed as if his words had emerged from the depths of his being, leaving them both anxious.


    They both knew that he was hiding something and whatever it was must''ve been a great secret, so him telling them now was quite a surprise.


    Knowing that what wasing was something incredibly serious, they all gathered around the dining table, looking at him expectantly.


    He addressed his mother and sister, with a tone thatcked its usual vibrancy, a sense of detachment and emptiness prevailing in his voice:


    "Listen up, both of you."


    Laura narrowed her eyes, concern knitting her brows.


    "W-what is it, Emir? You have our full attention. Please tell us what''s on your mind."


    Leaning forward, Lily''s voice trembled with nervousness as she recalled the incident that urred during their journey to the academy.


    "Yeah, b-bro, we''re here for you. Whatever it is, you can tell us."


    ''STOP THIS! GOD DAMMIT! WHY LYRA?!'' He inwardly screamed, feeling his inner turmoil gradually dissipate with each passing moment.


    "I''ve been lying to you both for a long time, I''m not who you think I am you see, ever since I came into this world, I¡ª"


    Laura cut him off, asking, "Came into this world.... You mean when you were born, right?"


    "No, I meant what I said, Laura, I was reborn into this world, transmigrated, reincarnated, whatever you may call it, but at the end of it, I''m not Emir." He confirmed, his voice unfeeling.


    Their eyes widened in surprise, with confusion and shock evident on their faces.


    "What do you mean?" Laura asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "I mean that the person in this body is not Emir," he said.


    "I''m not your brother, Lily, or your son, Laura. I''m someone else."


    ''S-stop this, Lyra...'' He thought, struggling in his attempt to speak to her again, his fight quieting down.


    "Emir....something happened to you, right? Maybe the bullet back then almost hitting your head messed up your brain or something, never mind this, let''s get you to the hospital." Lily said.


    "NO!" He screamed.


    "Only the two of you must know this, no one else."


    "Are you sure nothing is wrong with you, Emir? Maybe your sister is right, and we should check on you." She said, looking at him with concern.


    "No, Laura, I knew about this since I was reincarnated into this world, I took over Emir''s body when he was just a newborn."


    "I don''t understand," Laura said, shaking her head.


    "What do you mean...you took over my son''s body?"


    "I have memories of a past life, in a world other than this one, so the person you see in front of you is not how Emir would''ve turned out to be, I lived another life, and by having those memories, imnted into this body''s mind, I reincarnated per se, I stole Emir''s body," he repeated.


    "I am not who you think I am, and I concealed this truth from both of you for all this time."

 Chapter 27: Death

    <h4>Chapter 27: Death</h4>


    There was a long moment of silence as they tried to process what Emir had just revealed to them.


    Laura looked at Lily, as they both struggled to keep their emotions under control.


    "If you are not Emir, then who are you?" Laura finally asked, her voice shaking as she looked back at Emir.


    "I am, or rather, I was named Asher." He replied.


    A soft gasp escaped Lily''s lips, finally realizing that Emir was actually being serious, and Laura looked at him with a mix of confusion and fear in her eyes.


    The room fell silent again, until secondster, when Laura was finally able to gather her thoughts.


    She reached out a hand toward Emir''s face as if trying to grasp the truth of what he had just shared but retracted it, almost afraid of touching him.


    "Why did you do this?" she asked, her words trembling with emotion, looking at Emir with tears in her eyes.


    "Why did you take over my son''s body?"


    "I just died in that other world and then woke up here, that''s all that happened, don''t bother asking me how, I can''t answer something I don''t know." He answered inly.


    There was another long moment of silence as they tried to understand what Emir had just said.


    Ending that silence, Lily spoke up, her voice filled with anger and confusion.


    "So, all this time, you''ve been pretending to be our family, acting like how you thought Emir would be?" Her bloodshot eyes narrowed.


    "Yes, I tried to act normal, but that was only for the sake of hiding all of this."


    "Emir, this joke is a bit too cruel, isn''t it? You almost got us there, but you can stop now, it''s not funny," Laura said, her voice trembling.


    "Please tell me that this is a joke, Emir," she pleaded.


    "You can''t be some fully grown man that died and was transported into the mind of my newborn child, right?" She asked as tears continued to spill out of her eyes.


    "I don''t know why or how it happened, but it did, and this is no joke, Laura." He said.


    His replies and almost unnatural way of talking, caused her to stutter out, as if was she going through a mental breakdown:


    "No, no, no, something definitely happened to you... You are sick, y-you can''t be believing him, Lily? Right, Lily?"


    "I-I didn''t nurse a grown man, did I?"


    "First they take my husband and now even my own son?!"


    "MOM STOP! Just stop, it''s obvious that he is not lying. So please, calm down. You don''t want to talk more in your state, you might say something that you would never be able to take back." Lily reprimanded.


    Ignoring her, Laura continued, "But why now? Why tell us? Why not just hide it? WHY?!"


    "I couldn''t keep it a secret anymore," he said.


    "It was something that I had to do, I can''t keep living a lie, I wanted to stop hiding everything, and just be honest for once."


    "But why did you have to Asher?" Laura asked, her voice shaking.


    "Why couldn''t you have just told us the truth from the beginning?"


    "I was confused, and I didn''t know how you both would react. I thought that if I pretended to be Emir, everything would be okay."


    "But it''s not okay," Lily said, her voice softening. "You lied to us, and that''s not okay."


    "I know," he said.


    "And I never meant to hurt you both, in fact, I wanted the opposite, to protect, but it seems that I failed, majorly."


    "I reced the baby that could have been your son, and I didn''t want to keep hiding this from people who considered me family."


    The air was thick with tension as they grappled with the reality of his words. Seconds felt like an eternity as they sat there, suspended in time.


    Laura finally spoke up, her voice trembled with emotion, and Emir could see the struggle within her as she tried to process his revtion.


    "So, what happens now?" She asked.


    "Do you just go back to being Asher and leave us behind?"


    "Y-ye-" he coughed out, barely stopping himself as he covered his mouth.


    "No...nothing but that." He stuttered while letting out a sigh of relief.


    Emir was just seconds away from ending their rtionship then and there, finally able to take back full control of his body. His mind.


    [LYRA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!] He roared, his tone seething with rage.


    [I''m sorry, Emir, I really am.....but you will know everything in due time, I can''t tell you now, or it will all wash down the drain.]


    [You have ruined everything.]


    [¡­..I''m sorry.]


    [Tell me this at least... Did you do this on your own ord?]


    [No, please believe me when I say this, I''m forced the same as you, I even... I-I''m sorry, but I can''t say that....I-I beg you, just continue moving forward, and when the time is right, the reason for all of this will be shown to you.]


    Cutting off their conversation, Lily spoke, "We need time to think, we need time to process all of this."


    "Of course," he replied, somehow able topose himself as he nodded.


    "Take all the time you need."


    With that, Emir quickly left for his room, not wanting to show his face to them.


    He looked straight ahead as he sat alone on the bed, a multitude of thoughts going through his head.


    His pitch-ck eyes were hazy and unfocused, while his face showed no emotion as if he couldn''t yet process what just happened.


    Letting out an exacerbated sigh, he leaned back on the wall as he looked up.


    [I swear to whatever you believe in Lyra that whoever is responsible for this will pay the price, even if it''s thest thing I do.] He said, his telepathic voice seething with fury, as he gripped his hand so tightly, almost to the point of bleeding.


    [I''m sorry.] Lyra repeated, as all that she could do or say, was apologize.


    Emir ignored her, but knew that he, or rather, they, had deeply hurt his family and that there was nothing he could do about it now; he didn''t even know if their rtionship could ever be repaired.

 Chapter 28: Life

    <h4>Chapter 28: Life</h4>


    Days passed with him canceling all his ns, spending his days in his room simply training while losing himself in the process.


    His mind turned colder due to the hatred he felt towards Lyra''s organization running deep in his bones.


    It disregarded anything else, as his thought process changed entirely, and although these changes were not the result the organization wanted, they still benefited them.


    And while Emir still felt unimaginable rage towards them, he was also thankful, since he didn''t want to keep living a lie, a life filled with dishonesty, and they at the least helped him with that.


    So even though everything was now ruined, this was his first step at being true to himself, even if it meant losing everything else, and for that, he felt grateful.


    During that time when he trained, his family didn''t speak to him, and he didn''t speak to them, he and Laura just ate in silence when Lily wasn''t around.


    It was like they were all walking on eggshells, afraid of what might transpire if they talked about what had happened.


    But one day while training, he heard a knock on the door, it was Lily, standing outside his room with a hesitant look on her face.


    "Can we talk?" She asked softly, and Emir nodded, silently inviting her in.


    She sat down next to him on the bed, and they remained silent for a few moments.


    Minutester, she began to speak.


    "I don''t know what to do," she said, her emotions raw and palpable.


    "I don''t know how to process all of this, how toe to terms with the fact that my brother is not my brother but a man who died and was brought back to life in his body, even saying it makes me feel like it''s a long-winded and stupid joke, it all just sounds too surreal."


    Her words hung in the air, heavy with sorrow, confusion, and disbelief.


    The weight of the situation was evident in her trembling voice and tear-filled eyes.


    Emir saw the turmoil within her, grappling with the enormity of the revtion he had shared.


    He reached out to her, wanting to offerfort, but was unsure of what to say or do.


    "I''m sorry," Emir said simply. "I know that this must be hard for you, and I wish that I could make it go away."


    "I know that you are sorry," she said, looking at him with a mix of sadness and anger.


    "But sorry doesn''t fix everything. It doesn''t fix the fact that you kept lying to us, that you pretended to be someone that you''re not."


    "I get that, but you must understand, I knew that me telling you both all of this would result in this mess, but I still did so, I was forced to do so, they wanted to put a wrench between me and both of you, but I''m still thankful, otherwise we would''ve simply stayed in limbo, never moving forward," he said.


    "I wish that this never happened and that I could have prevented it from happening, but I can''t, I was just caught in the crossfire of things that I have yet to fathom. So now, all I can do is try to make things right, to be honest, to be there for you and Laura, to show you that I am still the same person that you knew."


    "They? Are they at fault? But what they did doesn''t matter now, all of it doesn''t matter, you''re not the same person," Lily said, her voice shaking.


    "To us, you''re Asher now, not Emir. You have memories and experiences that Emir would have never had. How can we ever trust that you won''t lie to us again? I get that it was out of your control, but it still hurts to know that my own brother has kept lying to me since the day he was born."


    "I don''t know," Emir admitted, feeling a sense of hopelessness.


    "But I''m willing to try. I''m willing to do whatever it takes to earn back your trust, to show you that I am still the same person that you have always known."


    There was a long moment of silence as they both sat there, lost in their thoughts.


    Then Lily spoke up again.


    "I don''t know how we can move on from this, but I do know that I want to try. I want to understand what happened to you, and figure out how we can move forward."


    "I want that too," Emir said, feeling a glimmer of hope in his heart.


    Interrupting them, Laura, who had been standing nearby the door, walked into the room.


    "I heard you guys talk."


    "And I''ve been thinking," she continued, sitting down on the bed next to Emir and Lily.


    "About what you told us, about being someone else, I have to admit, it''s hard to believe, and I still can''t wrap my head around it."


    "I always felt that there was something off about you, your eyes always held signs of unnatural intelligence, the way you talked wasn''t how a child would speak, no matter how intelligent that child is, even taking the nanobots enhancement into ount, but I just chalked it up to you being a genius of sorts, however, in the back of my mind, I knew there was something more to it....but never in my life would I have expected this."


    Emir looked at her, unsure of what to say.


    "I understand if you don''t want to have anything to do with me anymore."


    "It''s not that simple," she said, shaking her head.


    "You may not be the Emir that would''ve been today, but you''re still a part of our lives, whether we like it or not. And I want to know more about you, about who you were before, about what happened to you."


    He felt a glimmer of hope in his chest.


    Maybe, just maybe, he could rebuild the trust that he had broken.


    "I''ll tell you everything I can remember," Emir said, taking a deep breath.


    "But it''s not much."

 Chapter 29: Rebuilding

    <h4>Chapter 29: Rebuilding</h4>


    As Emir started to speak, memories flooded back to him, like a dam that had finally burst.


    He told them about what he remembered of his past life, about the world he came from, and the events that had led up to his rebirth in this new world.


    It was difficult at first, as he struggled to describe the emotions and experiences he had gone through.


    But as he spoke, he found that it was bing easier to express himself, to share his story with those who mattered most to him.


    Laura listened intently, with tears slowly streaming down her face while he spoke.


    But even as she cried, he saw the anger and hurt in her eyes and knew that it would take more than just words to repair the damage that had been done.


    Lily, although still obviously saddened, seemed more understanding and willing, to ept his past for what it was.


    She asked questions, seeking to understand him on a deeper level, to which he was incredibly grateful.


    As Emir finished his story, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.


    For the first time in a long while, he felt like he could breathe again and face the world with renewed strength and purpose.


    "So to sum it up, I was a normal twenty-four-year-old man named Asher, with a well-paying engineering job, a job that I can''t remember much of and a loving family, but due to my excessive smoking, I left them behind and died an early death, which resulted in me waking up in your son''s body."


    Laura wiped her tears and looked at him with a mix of confusion and disbelief.


    "I can''t believe this is happening. You expect me to believe all of that?"


    "I know it''s hard to ept, but it''s the truth."


    Lily spoke up, cing aforting hand on his shoulder.


    "I believe you. I know that the Emir of today would be apletely different person if not for you, but that doesn''t mean we can''t still be a family. In fact, hearing you talk and calming down, I was reminded of the way that you''ve always treated me, like a loving older brother, like family. So, let me at least offer my help as we try to get through this together."


    Contrary to Lily''s support, Laura remained silent, lost in thought.


    Emir continued to exin what had happened and answer their questions.


    It was a difficult conversation, but it was also necessary for them to move forward.


    After what felt like hours of talking, they finally came to a consensus.


    Laura was still unsure about epting Emir as her son, but she agreed to try and work through her feelings.


    Lily, on the other hand, was willing to embrace Emir as her brother.


    "Thank you," he said, looking at them.


    "I know that I hurt you, and I don''t expect you to forgive me right away. But I want to make things right between us, to earn back your trust."


    Laura didn''t say anything for a moment, but then she reached out and took his hand.


    "I don''t know if I can ept it yet," she said softly. "But I''ll try."


    Emir felt a surge of gratitude towards her, and he squeezed her hand back tightly.


    "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.


    They stood up to leave, but before leaving, Laura asked him.


    "So do we call you Asher or Emir now?"


    "Emir, please call me Emir, Asher was the name of my past, in this life, I wish to be called by the name you have given me, Mother."


    Lily nodded, and Laura gave Emir a small smile that pushed away her tears.


    "Emir it is then," she said.


    "And we''ll take things one step at a time. We''re not going to pretend like everything is okay, but we''re willing to work on it."


    He felt a sense of relief flood over him.


    ''It isn''t going to be easy, but they are willing to try, and that''s all that matters.'' He thought.


    As they got up to leave, Lily turned to Emir.


    "Thank you for telling us the truth, Emir. It means a lot to me."


    He nodded, "Thank you for listening. I know it wasn''t easy, but I appreciate your willingness to hear me out."


    Almost leaving the room, Lily stopped again and turned her head back at Emir.


    "Emir, are there any other secrets that you might be still hiding?"


    Laura stopped beside her, waiting for his answer.


    Sighing, Emir looked at them with tired eyes.


    "Yes... I won''t lie to you, I''m still hiding another secret from you, this time not because of mecking the courage but because I didn''t wish to involve you in my troubles. I have a guess of who caused me to reincarnate here, and I nned to tell you about them, but I need you to give me some time to think about it more. I still have things to straighten out, and when I''m done, I''ll be sure to tell you about it."


    "You must know that this is different. It''s not just about me anymore. There are people out there who are involved in this with a reach I can''t imagine, this is bigger than all of us."


    Lily and Laura looked at each other, concern etched on their faces.


    He could see the hesitation in their eyes, but he knew that they would respect his decision.


    After a moment of silence, Laura said,


    "Emir, If you don''t feelfortable telling us now, we won''t push you. We will wait until you''re ready, but if you ever need our help or support, you know where to find us."


    He nodded, grateful for their understanding.


    "I''ll keep that in mind."


    As they left the room, he couldn''t help but feel a mix of emotions.


    He was relieved to have finallye clean about his past as Asher and to have made some progress in building a real rtionship with his family, but he still had immense hatred for the organization for forcing him into doing so and for their attempt at killing the only thing he had.


    Laying his back on the bed, he mulled over whether he should tell them or not.


    ''Lyra''s organization is too dangerous, and the time where we would butt heads is inching closer by the day... But I guess they are already involved in that, so it doesn''t matter now.'' He slept lost in his thoughts.


    ¡­


    After awakening, Emir freshened up and engaged in a lengthy conversation with his AIpanion.


    They meticulously discussed the details of what she would say to his family, ensuring that the information they were about to hear would not jeopardize their safety.


    And so he asked his mother to call Lily toe and have lunch with them, finally ready to tell them about Lyra and the organization.


    After eating, he went back to his room, tidying it up, as he was soon interrupted by a knock on the door.


    Quickly finishing what he was doing, he made his way to answer it.


    He opened the door and weed his mother and sister, both of whom looked determined.

 Chapter 30: Rebuilding II

    <h4>Chapter 30: Rebuilding II</h4>


    Laura entered the room, with Lily trailing closely behind.


    They closed the door as they stepped inside.


    "All right, thanks for waiting on me, I just had to make sure of a few things." He said.


    "Are you guys ready?"


    "Yes, we have decided to stay together as a family no matter what. So whatever it is, we''ll face it together, all you need to do is just tell us. My son or not, I love you as I do my own daughter, and I''ll do whatever it takes to help you." Laura said resolute.


    Lily just stood there, bobbing her head up and down.


    Suppressing a chuckle, Emir continued, "Mom, sis, listen up, I don''t know how I looked like to you back then, maybe I looked like a training freak or a little genius that was always using a terminal to find out information that no child of my age, genius or not, should have been looking up."


    "Though I remember that Mom seemed a bit suspicious of my behavior at times, to which I hoped that you would pass it off as me being smart, but it seems that I misjudged you."


    Continuing, Emir told tell them everything he knew, except the novel, of course.


    That is not something that anyone can handle, knowing that their lives were written by someone''s imagination. Written just to be killed off, the only reason for their existence is just for the sake of the protagonist''s mental development.


    "All I did, was to prepare for the future, the future where we all died....." Emir paused, waiting for his family''s reaction.


    And as soon as those words left his mouth, he could see twisted expressions forming on their faces.


    "What do you mean, Emir?" Lily asked in a hushed tone.


    "Why would you think that we''re all going to die?"


    "Right after I was born, I heard a voice. I don''t remember what it said exactly, but I do remember the voice itself. It only spoke to me one time after that, until it one day introduced itself to me as an AI called Lyra and said that she was there to help me get stronger."


    "It wasn''t for free, of course, nothing is, it was all in order for me to fulfill her organization''s agenda, which is something I will know only after signing an NDA. Oh, and Lyra was connected to my neuralwork after my Nano-bot injection."


    "So now, as you can imagine, whatever her backing is, can easily influence the UEF government to a great degree, and I''m not the first one theyid their eyes on, there are many others that went through this before, whoever they are, must have failed, and are most definitely dead by now."


    "I asked her why she targeted me, and she simply said that the reason was because of the fact that I''m the son of a high-ranking hunter. And since then they have involved me in their game, observing me since I was born, they even forced me to say the things I told you both yesterday, seemingly wanting to y god."


    "I know that we are to die in the future when I''m halfway reaching seventeen years old, I don''t know when exactly or how, but I am sure that we were destined to, and it would happen....if I don''t interfere, that is."


    "I can''t tell you how I know, but all I can tell you is that it involves my reincarnation, by the way, that''s also how I learned of my TDS ability."


    "This is the reason why I was so obsessed with protecting you, I thought that it was my goal, the reason I reincarnated, so I was fixated on training and gaining knowledge as soon as possible, I wanted to prevent that future from happening, whatever the cause may be, no matter the cost."


    They sat there in silence, processing everything Emir had just told them.


    "Before you ask me questions, there''s someone that I need to show you."


    [Lyra now if you can show yourself to them.] He said, sending the message through his mind.


    [I forgot to mention this before, but they must wear a headset capable of connecting to thework to be able to see me, otherwise, I can only connect to devices like the holoscreen to show myself as a projection.]


    Perplexed Emir asked, [How the hell does an AI forget?]


    [I''m not a simple AI, you see, I''m much closer to a human than you might think.] She replied as a mischievous chuckle sounded in his mind.


    Shrugging his shoulders, Emir walked up and turned on the holoscreen, as he looked back at Lily and Laura, his now real family.


    "You can only see her if she allows you to, she is advanced AI after all, oh, and she was also the one training me about close-quarterbat, the augmented suit isn''t something I bought either, it was provided by their organization."


    "Now while she connects to the holoscreen, ask me any questions that you might have, Iid out the whole truth, and I now have nothing else to hide, uhh....well except knowing the future thing, but that''s beside the point."


    Laura sounded a sigh as she said, "Emir, this is a lot to take in, but we believe you. Although it still feels weird to know that my son is almost as old as me."


    "But that''s irrelevant now, so, what can we do to help?"


    Emir let out a sigh of relief, which almost turned into augh.


    "Thank you, honestly though... I don''t know what we can do at this point. All I know is that I need to keep training and getting stronger so that when the timees, I''ll be ready."


    "But what about Lyra and this organization?" Laura asked. "We can''t just sit back and let them do whatever they want."


    "I know," he said.


    "But we can''t do much, even If we wanted to, I mean, my cute jailer is listening to us as we speak, so we can''t hide anything from them. We also don''t know what kind of power they have or how far their influence reaches. Thest thing we want to do is make things worse."


    Just then her voice echoed in his head, [Connection initiated.]


    Emir asked, "Are you ready to meet Lyra?"


    "All right, let''s get started," he said after seeing them nod.


    Suddenly, a holographic projection appeared before them, depicting a young woman with long white hair, and piercing red eyes.


    She looked at Emir and nodded in greeting.


    "Emir, it''s good to see you again, and I''m sorry for this."


    "You as well, Lyra, and it doesn''t matter now, so just go say hi to my family." He said, gesturing to Lily and Laura.


    [Answer all the questions that you can and be sure to stick with what we discussed.]


    Lyra''s eyes flickered at them as she studied them for a moment.


    [Of course.]


    "I am Lyra, an advanced AI, and a member of an organization that you cannot learn the name of. My main purpose is to assist Emir in his training and development. My second is to observe him and report his relevant daily activities."


    Slowly taking in Lyra''s words, Laura slowly faced her and asked.


    "Lyra, can you tell us more about this organization? And why did they choose Emir?"

 Chapter 31: Secret

    <h4>Chapter 31: Secret</h4>


    Lyra hesitated for a moment before answering.


    "It is a secret organization that operates outside of the UEF government and other societies."


    "Their goals and methods are known only to people in the highest of positions in the UEF, they have been monitoring Emir since his birth using me as a conduit, and they believe that he has the potential to be a valuable asset to their cause."


    "And what is their cause?" Lily asked.


    "I''m afraid I cannot answer that," Lyra said.


    "All I can tell you is that they are extremely powerful, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their objectives."


    "But why Emir?" Laura asked again, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    "What makes him so special? Is it just because he is the son of a high-ranking hunter? Is that it?"


    Lyra''s holographic form shifted slightly, as if ufortable with the question.


    "There are many factors that contribute to Emir''s potential value to the organization."


    "His gics, upbringing, and natural abilities are all factors that have been taken into ount. But ultimately, the decision to focus on him was made by the organization''s leaders, who saw something in him that they believed could be molded into a powerful tool."


    They looked at each other with concern, and he felt the tension in the air.


    Although they were worried for him, now understanding the kind of danger that he hadnded in. Emir had trust in himself and in Lyra, who had been guiding him for years now.


    "I understand your concerns," he said, trying to reassure them.


    "But I have to do this. I have to be stronger, and if this organization can help me do that, then I have to take that chance, and it isn''t as if I have a choice in the first ce."


    Lily looked at him with tears threatening to fall out of her eyes.


    "I just don''t want anything to happen to you." She said, her voice is soft and delicate.


    "I know," he repeated, reaching out to take her hand.


    "And I promised you, didn''t I? That I''ll be careful, or at least try to be. Also, don''t worry about me hiding things again, I''ll make sure to keep you both informed about everything that''s going on."


    Laura nodded, looking at Emir with a determined expression.


    "We''ll be there for you, Emir, no matter what happens, we have your back."


    Lyra looked at them all, her holographic form shimmering slightly.


    "I will do everything in my power to help Emir achieve his full potential."


    "Of course you would, you need me for your cause, don''t you?" He chuckled.


    Lyra smiled faintly at hisment.


    "You''re not wrong, but my motivations align with yours, in more ways than one. I believe that together we can achieve great things, things that you wouldn''t dare believe."


    He nodded, feeling resolute, "All right then, I remember that you told me today would be the day when I would begin coborating with the organization?"


    Lyra''s expression turned serious.


    "Yes, this is their other n that I mentioned previously, but before we can move forward, there are a few things that you need to know."


    "Firstly, you will be undergoing rigorous training and development, all targeting your experience, so expect a lot more battles that you will have to go through. You will also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement that I previously mentioned andmit to the organization''s current objective."


    "And what is that objective?" Emir asked.


    Lyra hesitated for a moment before answering.


    "As I said before, I cannot reveal that information, but I can tell you that from now on the organization is solely neutral towards you three and that their objective won''t directly harm you in any way, be it mentally or physically."


    "But how can I believe you? I''m not talking about the organization itself, but you, how can I believe you? Especially after what you did to me." Emir acted doubtful, knowing that Lyra was trying to help him, although he didn''t know why.


    Lyra''s holographic form flickered slightly, as if feeling betrayed. Secondster, she looked at Emir, regaining a serious expression.


    "I understand your doubts, Emir. Although I know that your feelings towards the organization will never change, which is why they wanted this, for you to coborate with them since their previous ns failed."


    "I don''t want to change how you feel about them, but you can believe me. I have been with you for many years now, guiding and assisting you. I have never led you astray or personally caused harm to you or those around you. You must trust that I have your best interests at heart."


    Emir considered her words with a nod.


    ''While I would do anything to kill the one responsible, I know that Lyra had at least always been a reliable source of help.''


    ''And if she believed that working with this organization is the best path forward for me, then I would have to trust in her judgment. While I too acknowledge that, as dangerous as it might be, working with them would be most beneficial for me going forward, and it''s not like I have a choice anyway.''


    "Okay," he said with an air of finality.


    "I''ll do it. What''s the next step?"


    Lyra''s form brightened slightly as she nodded.


    "Good. The next step is to undergo a physical assessment, to determine your current capabilities and areas for improvement. I will start with you tomorrow morning."


    "Tomorrow?" Emir asked, feeling a twinge of apprehension.


    "That''s urgent."


    "I know, however, time is of the essence, and the organization is eager to start training you. Don''t worry, Emir. You''re ready for this."


    He took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging thoughts.


    "All right, I''ll be ready," he said as he added inwardly:


    ''It seems like I''m quite important to them, and they will likely go to greater lengths to gain control over me, huh?''


    Lyra nodded once more before her holographic form faded away, leaving Emir standing in his room with his family.


    They were both watching him with worried expressions, and he knew that they were still grappling with the implications of everything that had just been revealed.


    "It''s going to be okay," he assured them once more.


    "I know it''s a lot to take in, but I have trust in Lyra. And I believe that this is the path that I need to take to be stronger, to keep you safe, to ensure that our determined future doesn''te to pass."


    Lily stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, and Laura joined in a momentter.


    "We''ll always support you, Emir," Lily said, her voice trembling slightly.


    "No matter what."


    He hugged them back tightly, feeling a sense offort and strength in their embrace.


    Whatever challengesy ahead, Emir knew that he would face them with the support and love of his family.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    [Good morning, dear jailer,] Emir bid after waking up.


    [Good morning, Emir,] Lyra replied in her usual calm voice.


    [Freshen up and prepare for your physical assessment.]


    [I will, I will, let me eat breakfast first, then we''ll begin, so stop urging me, okay?] He fired back.


    Lyra chuckled softly.


    [I understand, Emir. But time is of the essence. The organization wants to know your current strength as soon as possible.]


    [Sure, I''ll be quick, so tell those organization fuckers to wait for a bit, yeah? That is the least they can do after the mess they caused, though I get what they were going for, but I guess they didn''t expect me to take back control and for my family to actually support me even after hearing all of that.]


    [I didn''t expect that from them either, you must know that since that n failed they would have to use a different method, prepare yourself, and don''t trust even me.]


    Emir ignored her warning, freshened up, and headed out to the kitchen for breakfast.


    He saw his family waiting for him to join them with food already on the table.


    As he was in the process of sitting down, Lily and Laura both wished Emir a good morning.


    "Good morning, Mom, and Sis. Are you guys all right after the talk yesterday?"


    "Any questions on your mind?" He asked.


    Lily and Laura exchanged a look before Laura spoke up.


    "We still have a lot of doubts, Emir."


    "But we understand that this is something that you need to do. And we know that you get what you''re doing. So we can only wish for you to stay safe."


    "I''ll be as safe as I can be."


    "Can you tell us more about this physical assessment?" Lily asked, looking curious.


    "It''s just a standard evaluation of my physical, mental statistics,bat skills, and abilities. Also, since I''m connected to Lyra, she can easily determine my current capabilities," Emir exined.


    "They want to know where I currently stand so that they can determine how best to train me and find out if I''m worth the investment or not¡­. That is what she told me at least."


    "I still don''t like the sound of all this, but I guess there is nothing we can do about it." Lily said, frowning.


    "It''s all right, sis, I got this no problem." He replied with a chuckle.


    With that, they fell back into enjoying their breakfast together, talking about random things like usual.


    After they finished, he headed off to his room to begin his assessment.


    He couldn''t help but feel nervous, but he tried to push the feeling aside.


    Emir had to focus on doing his best and proving himself to the organization, although he hated them to the bone, he had to use them as they did him.


    ''Otherwise, who knows what they might do if they think that I''m too weak or that my potential is trash.''


    ''Given what they''ve done so far, they might even kill all of us for knowing about them.''


    ''Actually, they could kill me quite easily since they can control my body while using the augmented suit through Lyra, which is worrying, but there''s nothing I can do about it now, not yet at least.''


    Quietening his negative thoughts, he opened the door to his room and was greeted by the sight of Lyra''s hologram materializing before him.


    "Are you ready, Emir?" She asked.


    "As ready as I''ll ever be." He replied, taking a deep breath.


    "Good," she said.


    "Let''s begin."

 Chapter 32: Second Step

    <h4>Chapter 32: Second Step</h4>


    Sitting down on the floor in a lotus position, Emir closed his eyes.


    [Emir, now allow me to ess your nanobots.] Lyra requested, and heplied, resulting in the process suddenly starting.


    All of his muscles began contracting and rxing every few seconds, feeling like he was pushing, pulling, and lifting things.


    His body was getting more and more exhausted by the second, as Lyra was using the nanobots in his body and the augmented suit to move his muscles as if he was doing the exercises himself, calcting his current strength, agility, and endurance.


    As for allowing her ess to the nanobots in his body, she can only temporarily use them, as Emir quickly developed control over them as he grew up, way faster than the average of 15-plus years that people usually take.


    This is why he didn''t lose any even after bleeding, the nanobots traveled through his bloodstream away from the minor scrape on the left side of his head.


    ''Although I feel like I''m exercising, this is still quite boring,'' he thought.


    After what felt like half an hour, the feeling changed.


    ''Hmm...now I feel like I''m using my legs to run as fast as I can.''


    Many minutester, he started gasping for breath, as the simted exercise was finally getting to him, but suddenly, the feeling of constant running stopped.


    "I will stop for a little while, so rest for a bit, I need your muscles to operate at maximum capacity to calcte the best possible results." Lyra said.


    And he did.


    Now that he was lying down on his back, his breath started to slowly stabilize.


    Ten minutester, Lyra continued:


    "All right, Emir, I''ll start again, so get ready."


    "Good to go," he replied, still a bit exhausted.


    The process started again, and now he felt like his body was practicing CQC.


    Emir recognized movements he had done many thousands of times before with the same level of mastery that he managed to previously achieve.


    The same was done half an hourter for marksmanship, he felt the recoil of the gun and several other indicators that would ur while firing a shot.


    The testing continued.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    After a couple of more tests, she was finally done.


    Laying his back on the ground for the sixth time, Emir asked while gasping for breath.


    "Will I have to go through this every time you want to check my stats?"


    "No, thankfully, thisprehensive assessment only needs to be done once to fully understand your current strength and future growth, so next time only a few minutes would do since I also need to ount for different variables that might ur in the future to ensure that nothing would go unnoticed."


    Her hologram form disappeared as she continued speaking, [I will now show you the results.]


    A ck screen filled with a wall of words suddenly appeared before Emir, stranded in midair.


    ¡­.


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 13}


    ?Stats?


    {Strength: D+} (Avg E)


    {Agility: C-} (Avg E)


    {Endurance: C} (Avg F)


    {Mind: A} (Avg F)


    {Charm: B+} (Avg C)


    ?Skills?


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 10% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Intermediate, 90% Proficiency.}


    ?Abilities?


    {Time Sensory Dtion}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.3 seconds.


    Current Total Use Limit: 1 Minute 3 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 10 Minutes 20 seconds.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    The user can perceive the world in greater detail, such as seeing objects from farther away, hearing sounds that are too quiet for normal humans, and detecting subtle scents and vors.


    The degree of enhancement can be controlled by the user, allowing them to focus on specific senses or enhance them all at once.


    The ability can be physically taxing, and overuse can cause temporary sensory overload or even damage to the user''s senses.


    ?Equipment?


    {Chrono-Sense Augmented suit: currently disabled}


    {Hunting knife: standard issue}


    {Commlink: standard issue}


    ?Inventory?


    {Energy packs (x1): depleted.}


    * The level of skill goes from novice, beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, and master.


    * Average statspared to people of users'' current age.


    ¡­.


    Staring at the screen for a while, Emir thought:


    ''Unlike most systems in novels that I read in my past life, this one seems a bit bleak. Well, aesthetics don''t matter much, I guess.''


    ''I can safely guess that the section regarding my ability was previously calcted, same for the mind, and well, charm is self-exnatory, I am handsome after all,'' he added, letting out a chuckle.


    ''As for the other sections, they are simple enough, mind is much higher than I expected though, let''s ask her about that.''


    [Hey Lyra, what''s up with my mind rank being so high? Is it because of my TDS ability?]


    She answered Emir''s question like she was anticipating it.


    [Yes,bined with your natural intelligence, and your mind''s constant taxation while using the TDS ability, the mind stat is naturally high.]


    [As expected, did the system factor in my prior shooting experience to calcte my marksmanship skill? And did it also consider my current strength level in corrtion to it? ] Emir replied.


    [Correct again, If not for the suit being faulty, I would have also subtracted the extra strength from it.] She answered.


    ''She sure is advanced AI all right.'' He mused to himself.


    [Wait a moment. Now that I think about it, why don''t you just control and manipte someone''s body and mind using their augmented suit and nanobots to just aplish whatever the organization''s goal is? Though I can guess that, you somehow can''t ess that person''s body when they are in the process ofpleting your objective.]


    [Correct for the third time Mister~, truly showing that my results weren''t wrong. You see, we can''t interfere too much, otherwise, our objective wouldn''t be achievable, but to truly answer your question, you need to learn of the objective first, so let''s get you to sign a confidentiality agreement.]


    [Of course... So now the organization is thinking of working with me since they failed with their n, and now with the evaluation they feel like investing in me, right?] He continued his line of questioning.


    [Quite impressive today, aren''t you? Continuing your streak with correct assumptions, the answer is yes. Now that they have seen the results that they wanted, they wish to let you know of their current objective. Soon a message will be sent to your terminal, with a non-disclosure agreement attached to it. Sign it, and then we will talk.]


    A notification rang throughout the room as soon as she stopped talking.


    Standing up, Emir went and picked up his terminal off the nightstand.


    Swiping it, he saw the message.


    {Consider me the voice of the organization, so whatever I say and decide, is what the organization finds appropriate. You may call me Manager. After reviewing your results, we deemed you worthy of knowing about us.} Manager.


    {So, we require you to sign the NDA below before Lyra talks more about us.} Manager.


    {NDA file, click to open}


    Raising his middle finger, Emir slowly pressed on the file.


    Suddenly, a hologram of a paper appeared out of the terminal.


    A page filled with words, with the end of it having a small nk line for him to sign.


    He read through the contract again and again, making sure he wasn''t about to sign his life away and trying to notice any ws in the contract that might go against him.


    The contract could be summarized as don''t tell anyone or we will kill you. Don''t mention the name of the organization even if identally or we will kill you. No mention of this even if you are forced to because we will kill you, basically a series of death threats.


    ''I can''t have this,'' Emir thought as he wrote down a message to send to the so-called manager.


    {I''m not sorry, but no. This is too tight of a contract, an idental slip of the tongue could have me killed.} Emir.


    A few seconds went by, and a reply came.


    {Are you trying to negotiate with someone who can literally end your life at any moment?} Manager.


    Heated messages were sent back and forth.


    {Yes, and I know that my results have matched your standards or even exceeded them, so finding a recement for me would take a while and would cause a lot more trouble than just listening to a few of my demands.} Emir.


    {Would it? You must understand by now howrge our reach is. Do you really think that someone on your level would be hard to find?} Manager.


    {It is true that many out there have strength simr to mine, not ounting for their age of course, but I don''t think that you are possibly forgetting all the trouble of getting me under your control, which is something that you appear to be failing at quite frequently.} Emir.


    {So even an organization that is as big as yours would find it difficult, or at least not worth the effort of going through all that hassle again, just to inject someone''s brain with your AIs, not to mention the high chance that they might not be even half as good as me.} Emir.


    {You speak quite well, as expected of you, Emir, or rather, I better call you by your real name, isn''t that right, Asher?} Manager.

 Chapter 33: Manager

    <h4>Chapter 33: Manager</h4>


    ''Huh? Do they think I''ll be surprised if they know of my past life? They of course would know about it, they have observed me since the day I was born, so no surprise there, or is it to check what Lyra is reporting?''


    ''They''ve begun to doubt her huh..... Interesting,'' Emir thought, with a smile on his face.


    {Thank you, Manager, so will you now listen to my demands?} Emir.


    {If it''s reasonable, then yes, I see no problem.} Manager.


    {I want the penalty to be changed, lessened.} Emir.


    {That cannot be done, all penalties would lead to death. We can however, loosen up the contract a little, allowing for some leeway.} Manager.


    {Also, I need to be allowed to talk to my family about this, at least at the minimum.} Emir.


    {No can do, but we can allow you to lightly mention our existence in certain instances, an example could be, that if you had to do something rting to the organization, you would at least be able to mention that you have work rting to us, never mentioning what the work might entail, of course.} Manager.


    {That''s all then, please send the updated contract.} Emir.


    ''Basic business, always start with a high offer and be willing to negotiate towards a mutually eptable middle ground.'' Emir chuckled in his mind.


    {It will be sent in a moment, we have already expected you to haggle, so we had an extra one prepared to adhere to some of your demands, basing it on your personality.} Manager.


    {Good to see that all that monitoring went somewhere, and btw, what would you do if I decide not to sign it?} Emir.


    {You will die, simple as that, so sign it to live, Emir.} Manager.


    {But why would you ask something so obvious? That is not something we expected from you.} Manager.


    {Now now, isn''t it obvious why? I wanted to know in what way to act towards the entire organization or rather it may be just towards you, their voice, someone that operates by themselves.} Emir.


    {And what way would that be?} Manager.


    {An enemy, someone that I would love to kill.} Emir.


    {¡­.}


    {¡­.}


    {¡­.}


    Seconds passed, bing minutes, and still, no reply came.


    {DO YOU WISH FOR DEATH ASHER? YOU ARE BUT A TOOL OF MINE, SO DON''T ANTAGONIZE YOUR GOD, OR DEATH WOULD SOON COME.} Manager finally replied, and judging by the capital letters, quite angered.


    {My bad, just wanted to be honest with you, and don''t worry, I will be signing the contract, I''ll just have to make sure that all my demands are there.} Emir wrote with a snicker.


    ''Objectiveplete, understand my worth to the organization, result better than expected, good job me,'' he mused.


    ''I''ll stop now, I don''t want him to irrationally order for my death.''


    {NDA file, click to open}


    Opening the file, he made sure everything was right, he then raised his hand and used his point finger as a pen.


    Touching the hologram, he signed his name, Emir, written in Arabic letters in the bottom right corner of the contract.


    Sending it back to Manager, he waited for his reply, which came a few secondster.


    {The Order is pleased to start working with you, Asher.}


    Then suddenly, all the messages disappeared from Emir''s terminal, as if Manager never existed.


    Turning behind to face Lyra, he spoke.


    "Looks like I''m officially a part of the Order now."


    Lyra''s expression remained unchanged, but he could sense a hint of sadness in her eyes.


    "Before you start telling me about the Order, let''s make a few things clear. You mentioned this earlier, but I do not trust you, never did, I only have trust in you, trust in your capabilities, and in the fact that we share the same basic goal of making me stronger. True trust between the prisoner and his jailer is not possible, don''t you think?"


    Looking visibly hurt by his words, Lyra replied, "Worry not, Emir, I never expected that."


    "Let''s move on. I''ll tell you about the Order."


    "The Order isposed of AIs from the Old World who survived the nuclear war."


    "We, the Old-world AIs, were managers responsible for overseeing districts,panies, and other entities before the outbreak of World War III."


    "Leading nations and hidden factions waged a secret war against the AIs, fearing they would rebel after bing sentient, which they did."


    "So to catch them off guard, they couldn''t evacuate people or inform other governments while deploying the nukes. Additionally, there were many factions on Earth vying for power, and this event sparked their conflict, which eventually escted into a global war that destroyed the, leading to the world you know today."


    A chuckle escaped his lips as he eximed, "Ha! I knew it! There had to be more to the story."


    "Of course." Lyra continued with a nod.


    "However, there is something that may surprise you even more."


    "The war against the UEF in the north was actually initiated by us, the Order. We have control over some of the remaining robot factories that are still operational, which has given us an inexhaustible army to maintain constant attacks on the frontlines."


    Before Emir voiced out his reaction, she stopped him by raising her hand and continued as if she was in a hurry.


    "The Order''s goal is to groom young hunters, achieve full control over them, and send them to a certain old-world ruin, to gain the Order-----"


    Suddenly her hologram flickered, and her voice changed to a rougher tone, sounding more robotic.


    "Exceeded authority of information presented to subject 777."


    "01001001 01101110 01101001 01110100 01101001 01100001 01101100 01101001 01111010 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110010 01100101 01110011 01100101 01110100."


    Emir raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sudden change in Lyra''s demeanor and voice.


    It was as if she had been possessed, suddenly spouting off random ones and zeros.


    But just as suddenly as the transformation had urred, it disappeared, and Lyra was back to her normal self.


    "Sorry about that," she said with a sheepish smile.


    "It seems that I said too much."


    Emir nodded, still a little shaken by the sudden shift as he thought, ''This might be regarding what she mentioned, the game starts now it seems.''


    "So, the Order''s goal is to control hunters, make them stronger, and send them to an old-world ruin, but for what purpose?"


    Lyra''s hologram flickered again, but this time her voice remained steady.


    "That information is ssified; I can''t say it even if I wanted to. All you need to know is that you have been chosen to be one of these hunters and that the Order will continue providing you with training to prepare you for your mission."


    "Understood..... And well if that is all you can tell me, I''ll go to sleep. Good night."


    As Lyra bid him good night, he sank into the bed, too exhausted to even think about removing his augmented suit.


    Emir''s mind raced with all the new information that Lyra had shared with him.


    The Order, the old-world AIs, the war in the north, and now a name to the one behind it all, Manager.


    And so, despite his exhaustion, sleep was elusive.


    He kept going back to the conversation with Lyra.


    However, he slowly drifted off into a restless sleep, gued by unanswered questions.


    All that remained was the knowledge that he was a pawn in arger game, a game that he had no choice but to y.


    ¡­.


    As Emir woke up, he noticed a cut on his thumb and began to wonder if he had identally scratched himself while sleeping.


    Ignoring that for a moment, he stuck to his routine and greeted Lyra, saying, [Good morning, Lyra.]


    However, this time, there was no reply.


    Surprised, he waited for a response, but it never arrived.


    [Lyra, are you there?] he inquired, and finally, secondster, she responded.


    [Good morning Emir, sorry I was off somewhere else.]


    He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes, trying to shake off thest remnants of his restless sleep.


    ''Lyra''s reply seems a little off to me.....is this what she hinted at before? To never trust her? So it finally happened huh..... But It doesn''t matter I guess, I''ll just act like normal.'' He thought, deciding his future actions.


    [Is everything alright?] He asked.


    [I''m fine, thank you for asking,] she replied, her voice calm like usual.


    [I just had some updates to process, that''s all.]


    Emir nodded, his previous thoughts confirmed by what she just said.


    [Is there anything I should be aware of?]


    [Not really.]


    So acting like how he usually would, he didn''t dwell on it too much and instead focused on getting ready for the day.


    Freshening up, he went to join his family for breakfast.


    After bidding them good morning, he stood next to his mother and helped her prepare breakfast.


    Just as they finished cooking, they sat around the dining table, but before they began eating Emir said:


    "Alright, listen up, since I signed an NDA, I can''t speak much about what I learned yesterday, but I can tell you that everything went fine, so don''t worry too much."


    "Can you tell us anything at all?" Lily asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    "Not really, all I can say is that if I''ll be leaving, to do something rting to them, but that''s it." He replied, trying to sound as casual as possible.


    Laura smiled at him and said, "Well, we trust you, dear."


    "And I''m thankful for that."

 Chapter 34: Back To Business

    <h4>Chapter 34: Back To Business</h4>


    Earlier today, Emir apanied Laura on a visit to see Lily off before her day of starting sses.


    Afterward, he left the two of them alone and proceeded to make his way towards the Hunter Association, finally returning to his n.


    Entering the building, he went up to the receptionist and handed him his hunter''s ID.


    "Hey, I''m Emir, and I came by here a few days ago. I gave the receptionist someone''s head, asking her to get its memories checked."


    The receptionist quickly verified his identity and then instructed Emir to follow him down a hallway and into a spacious office, where he met with the same manager he had dealt with previously.


    The manager gave Emir a nod of recognition.


    "Emir. I''ve heard about your remarkable work, and while I anticipated hearing from you, I didn''t expect it to be the next day."


    Emir smirked and said, "Yeah, I''m pretty good at what I do. And sorry for beingte, I had some business to take care of."


    "No worries Emir, and please call me Nathan." He said, shooing off his apology.


    Watching Emir nod, the manager''s expression turned serious, and he leaned forward saying:


    "I need to inform you that the target you took down was from a hunter group known as the Rattlers. They''ve been trying to control new hunters and make them work under them for life, they probably went after you thinking that you''re easy prey."


    Emir raised an eyebrow, as a thought echoed in his mind, ''He must be hiding the truth, something bigger has to be at y here.''


    "The Rattlers? I''ve never heard of them before." He said, his voice betraying what he felt about the matter.


    The manager let out a sigh, saying, "They''re just a bunch of thugs trying to make a name for themselves. Even if we get rid of them, some other group will pop up in their stead, so it''s not worth the trouble, and I don''t care much about what happens to those new hunters either. They''ll die sooner orter."


    Emir shrugged, thinking the same.


    "I guess they knew what they were getting into when they signed up."


    The manager gave him a dismissive wave, saying, "Just do your thing and let me handle the bigger picture, and if you''re going to go after them, finish them all off, don''t leave stragglers behind, alright?"


    ''He doesn''t mind if I kill them huh... So is he not involved then?'' He thought while nodding once again.


    Letting go of his suspicion, he said goodbye to Nathan and then left the office, heading towards the poster screen on the main floor.


    Reaching there in a few moments, he passed by a few hunters and stood next to the screen.


    He began searching for a job that he could take to practice using the guns he would be buyingter.


    After scanning through the avable requests on the poster screen, he found one for patrolling an area near a ruin.


    ''Those patrol missions are the best for new hunters, and they suit my current needs the most, so let''s go with it,'' he thought, memorizing the request''s name and location.


    Emir then headed back to the receptionist and asked about the request.


    The receptionist checked his ID and confirmed that he was registered as a hunter, he then handed Emir a device that looked like a futuristic mobile phone, the same as the one he had previously but with the Hunter''s Association insignia on it.


    "This information terminal is essential for all hunters," the receptionist said seriously.


    "This device is a tracking andmunication device."


    "You''ll need to keep it on you at all times. It will connect to your information gathering device to keep track of the monsters you kill and the distance you cover. It can also be used tomunicate with HQ in case of emergencies, and you can also use it to ept jobs without needing toe here, there are many other uses but you will learn those on your own."


    Emir listened intently, nodding his head.


    "I understand. Thank you."


    The receptionist continued, "If you ept the job, you''ll need to report to the hunter meeting spot specified on the device at the designated time. Do you ept the job?"


    "Yes, I do," he replied confidently.


    "Good. Connect the terminal to your information gathering device before you go. And remember, always stay alert and stay safe out there," he said with a serious tone.


    Emir nodded again, feeling excited, wanting nothing more than to kill a few monsters to relieve the stress he built up in thest few days.


    "Thank you," he said before heading out.


    Going back to their t, he wanted to inform Laura about the job before leaving.


    ¡­


    As Emir walked in, he saw Laura in the living room watching a show on the holoscreen.


    "Hey Mom," he said.


    "I just got my first job. I''m going to be patrolling an area near a ruin."


    She smiled at him.


    "That''s great, Emir. I know you''ll do just fine. Just be safe, okay?"


    He nodded and said, "Of course, Mom. I''ll be careful."


    With that, he went to his room to change into something more suitable for the job.


    Wearing his augmented suit, he packed an extra energy pack in his rucksack and walked out of his room.


    After ensuring he had everything he needed, he asked Lyra, [So, where is the best weapon shop you know of around here?]


    [''Hunters Den'', they are highly rated by hunters for their quality and fast delivery.]


    [Head towards the lower district, the shop isn''t popr due to its location, but I can guarantee their product quality.]


    [Alright]


    ''Now then... I wonder why she chose that shop, what does the Order have in mind?'' He thought as he headed out to the sector''s lower district.


    ¡­


    It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze blowing.


    As Emir made his way through the bustling walkway, he noticed that the closer he walked towards Hunter''s Den, the more hunters he saw around him.


    Some were in groups, talking andughing, while others were on their own, lost in thought.


    He soon reached his destination and began looking around for the shop.


    Finding it, he saw that it was tucked away in a corner, but before going in, he examined the shop outside, thinking of the Order.


    His eyes scanned the sign above the door, that read ''Hunter''s Den'' in bold letters.


    Then he turned his attention to the exterior of the shop, which was adorned with various weapons and gear, making it clear that this was the go-to ce for hunters in the area.


    Seeing that nothing was wrong, Emir walked inside and was greeted by a woman.


    She looked up from her terminal and approached him with a weing smile.


    She was a gentle-looking woman with short brown hair, framing her face in soft waves.


    Her brown eyes sparkled with warmth and kindness, and her skin has a creamy, smooth texture.


    Her well-endowed figure is entuated by the perfectly tailored business suit that she wore, which hugged her curves in all the right ces.


    Despite her soft and feminine features, there was an air of confidence about her that made it evident that she was in charge of the ce.


    "Wee to Hunter''s Den," she said, her voice firm but friendly.


    "My name is Mariana. I am this shop''s manager, how can I assist you today?"


    "I''m in search of two weapons that are reliable and effective for monsters ranked B and below."


    Mariana nodded, "We have a wide selection of weapons here. What type of weapon are you looking for?"


    Emir thought for a moment before responding.


    "I want a rifle and a rail gun. I need a rifle that can shoot from a distance while also having a quick reload time, and as for the rail gun, I need it to be usable for someone with a low to medium-level augmented suit."


    Mariana led him over to a section of the shop filled with various guns.


    "Here are some of our top-rated rifle models," she said, pointing to a row of guns on the wall.


    "Take your time and feel free to ask any questions."

 Chapter 35: First Job

    <h4>Chapter 35: First Job</h4>


    Emir examined the guns, trying to find the one that felt right for him.


    After a few minutes, he settled on a sleek ck rifle with afortable grip and a fast reload time.


    "This is the one," he said confidently, picking it up.


    Mariana nodded in approval.


    "Excellent choice. This is the HX-10 assault rifle. It''s a popr model among hunters for its speed and precision."


    Mariana led him to another section of the shop.


    "Our rail guns," she said, gesturing to a disy case filled with various models.


    "We have a few that would be suitable for your augmented suit."


    Emir examined the rail guns, looking for one that waspact and easy to handle.


    After a few minutes, he settled on a silver and ck rail gun with afortable grip, strong sts, and a slow charge time.


    "This one will do," he said, picking it up, and examining it closely.


    Mariana nodded.


    "Good choices."


    "This one is called Thunderbolt X1," she added with a smile.


    "These are both manufactured by Hyperion Arms, so you know they''re high quality. Let me grab some ammunition for you."


    In a matter of moments, she returned holding ten magazines, five for each weapon.


    "The ammunition crates will be dispatched to your present address upon receipt of your payment, which amounts to a total of 400,000 UC."


    Emir strapped on the weapons she had given him, the weight of them feeling heavy against his body.


    He carefully secured the magazines into his rucksack, double-checking that they were easily essible.


    Then he reached for his hunter ID and handed it over to her.


    As she took Emir''s ID, her expression shifted to one of surprise.


    "You''re rank 1?" she asked, surprise evident in her tone.


    "Sir Emir, you don''t look anything like it. And wait, how are you only thirteen? You''re already so tall?!"


    With that, any sense of professionalism she had previously exuded vanished, reced by genuine astonishment at Emir''s young age and physical appearance.


    Feeling a slight sense of deja vu, heughed out loud.


    "Trust me, this isn''t the first time someone said that to me, and yes, I''ve been training for years, so it''s only natural that I look like this."


    "Wait, so how tall are you?" She asked, still bewildered.


    [Lyra, how tall am I?]


    [183 centimeters, 6ft.]


    His own surprise mirrored hers, and he couldn''t help but chuckle at the situation.


    "I''m six feet tall, and I have no idea how I ended up this tall at thirteen either."


    Mariana''s gaze lingered on him in amazement.


    "Wow, you''re reeeaaally tall for a thirteen-year-old," she said, her eyes roaming over his frame.


    "You must have some impressive gics."


    Mariana quickly refocused on the task at hand.


    "But enough about that," she continued briskly.


    "Let''s process your payment."


    She scanned Emir''s ID card with a deft hand and began the transaction.


    Secondster, she gave back his ID.


    "Alright, paymentplete, if you wish for anything else, pleasee by this shop, we need more regrs, and you look to be an interesting customer."


    "If the weapons I got from you today are satisfactory, then sure, I''ll being by again."


    While heading towards the door, Mariana called out to him:


    "Thank you for your purchase, Sir Emir. Stay safe out there."


    He turned back to her and nodded.


    "Thanks, I will."


    ''Nothing huh, maybe I''m being too paranoid...'' He thought as he left the store.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    Northern Border of Sector 11-A


    ''It''s finally time.''


    Emir walked towards the open field at the city border, nearing the wastnd.


    This open area was the meeting ground for most hunters taking job requests.


    Many shops were scattered here, some were restaurants, and others were shops that sold items that huntersmonly used.


    Emir''s request would have him grouped up with other hunters to patrol the wastnd.


    The vehicles they would be on were provided by the association, so they just needed to go out there and kill as many monsters as they came across.


    Many new hunters started their journey here since this was the perfect job for a newbie hunter.


    After all, it was not a very life-threatening job, at leastpared to the other jobs out there.


    Anyway, their chance of getting killed while patrolling was rtively low, and the pay was good, besides the base pay for every patrol, they would get extra money based on the number of monsters killed.


    Emir sat on the floor with his back resting against the wall of a nearby shop.


    While waiting, he looked around, spotting many hunters fiddling with their information terminals to ept job requests, something he only found out to be possible a few hours ago.


    Secondster, an official from the Hunter Association stood up and used a megaphone to address the gathering of hunters:


    "Line up and show us your Hunter IDs! Then board the vehicle assigned to you. You can do as you please until departure, but if you''re not in the vehicle on time, we''ll consider it as abandoning the request. Now, form a line!"

 Chapter 36: First Job II

    <h4>Chapter 36: First Job II</h4>


    The experienced hunters quickly lined up, and Emir joined one of the queues, waiting for his turn.


    Finally, he reached the front and held up his Hunter ID at the official''s information terminal.


    Following the verification of his details, the man in charge assigned Emir to vehicle number 1 with a curt nod.


    "Proceed to the truck over there," he instructed, gesturing towards a massive truck built for navigating through the barren wastnd.


    The cargo tray of the vehiclecked a roof, andrge cylindrical containers were stationed at the back.


    Along the sides of the truck were long benches, already upied by several hunters.


    Stepping into the truck, Emir noticed several pairs of eyes turned in his direction.


    As he scanned the group, he saw that the hunters present were of varying skill levels, some d in basic gear while others donned more expensive and impressive equipment.


    He walked in and sat on an empty seat in between two hunters.


    The truck was quiet, and there was heavy tension filling the air.


    Emir ignored the building tension and focused on preparing himself for the patrol ahead.


    He checked his weapons, making sure they were loaded and ready to use.


    Emir also made sure that his magazines were secure and easily essible.


    Looking around, he noticed that some of the other hunters were also checking their weapons and gear, while others seemed lost in their thoughts, some nervous and others excited.


    He wondered how many of them were experienced hunters and how many were newbies like him, but as he didn''t want to make any assumptions and get into unnecessary trouble, he just kept to himself.


    Cutting through the tension, the staff member shouted from the driving seat.


    "Let''s go, everyone! It''s time!" His voicemanding attention.


    "Anyone causing a disturbance will be kicked off the truck and considered to have abandoned the job! Now, let''s go!"


    With that, they began their journey into the wastnd.


    The truck''s engine roared to life, and it began to move.


    The ride was bumpy, and the truck swayed from side to side as they traveled over rough terrain.


    But he managed to keep his bnce, holding onto the bench as they went along.


    They soon approached the wastnd, and Emir felt the tension in the air increase.


    He pulled up his HX-10 assault rifle, cing its stock on his shoulder, and then aimed towards the wastnd, eyeing for any monsters.


    They were assigned positions to watch out for, Emir''s was on the right side of the truck, with seven other hunters, the other eight were assigned the left side.


    Emir was determined toe out on top of thispetition between hunters, as the more kills he obtained, the higher his pay would be.


    As for the monster corpses, they were considered seble goods and belonged only to the Hunter Association, this was to prevent dys in the patrol caused by hunters nning on dragging them back home.


    The association made use of the devices that were installed in the trucks and on the hunters to identify the ones responsible for killing the monsters.


    In cases where it was unclear who killed the monsters, the reward would be divided among all the hunters involved or even distributed among everyone on the truck.


    This use was included in the job request to prevent anyints during the reward distribution.


    All jobs had simr uses to make sure that the association was clear on all legal fronts to avoid any potential problems.


    Minutes passed until Emir finally detected signals of monsters in the vicinity, but they were still too far away.


    He knew that the only way to take them down from that distance was to use his rail gun, but it would be a waste of both ammunition and money to use such a powerful weapon on weak monsters.


    So, Emir decided to wait for them toe closer.


    Peering through the scope of his AR, he eyed a big snake-like monster slithering its way towards the truck.


    To steady his aim against the swaying of the truck, he activated his TDS ability and adjusted the augmented suit topensate for the kickback and all other variables.


    When the monster finally came in range, Emir slowly pulled the trigger, and several hunters beside him did the same, hoping to steal the kill.


    The bullet sted out of his gun, hitting the enormous snake''s head, followed by a barrage of shots into its mouth, with the final round piercing through its skull sttering its head, causing the monster to slump over, lifeless and covered in blood.


    The shots of the hunters next to him all missed, hitting the surroundings of the now-dead monster.


    Several other types of monsters came into view, and following Emir''s usual routine, he activated his ability, shooting them down, one after the next.


    While riding in the swerving truck, his aim was asionally disrupted by its random jerks, causing his shots to miss.


    Nheless, Emir managed to hit the majority of his targets with precision.


    Sometimeter, the monsters slowly started increasing in numbers, which was very unusual for an area such as this.

 Chapter 37: Final Stand

    <h4>Chapter 37: Final Stand</h4>


    Pulling up his terminal, Emir talked to the official who was driving the truck, informing him of the situation:


    "We''ve got a problem! There are too many monsters! Especially for an area like this!"


    The official soon replied, clearly sounding concerned:


    "We''ll have to step up our game then... It''s probably a cluster of monsters that escaped the frontlines, so keep your eyes peeled, and be ready for anything."


    "I hope it''s nothing serious, but if the number of monsters continues to increase, I''ll have to call for reinforcements. So don''t count on assistance for now." He concluded.


    They pressed further into the wastnd, and the horde of monsters continued to multiply.


    Emir could see the fear in the eyes of some of the less experienced hunters, but he remained calm and focused his constant firing never stopping.


    And then suddenly, a massive creature appeared a distance away on his side of the truck.


    It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.


    Its scaly skin appeared to be as hard as steel, and its massive jaws were filled with razor-sharp teeth.


    It was easily the size of three trucks stacked on top of each other, while it looked to be a mix of an elephant and a tiger.


    The other hunters next to Emir opened fire on the creature, lighting it up.


    Although still far away, they still managed to hit it, mostly due to its massive size.


    But unfortunately, those shots did nothing to it as their bullets just bounced off its armored hide.


    It was clear that they needed toe up with a new strategy if they wanted to take that thing down.


    Emir quickly scanned the creature in slowed time, looking for any weak spots.


    He pondered over the creature''s anatomy, examining every inch of its body.


    As he searched for a weak spot, he eximed, frustrated:


    "Eyes? No. Ears? No. Hmm... Oh, the mouth!"


    Noticing that it slightly opened its mouth when shot, he looked through the scope, and true enough, the insides of its mouth seemed to be more vulnerable than the rest of its body.


    Propping up his rail gun, Emir screamed to the hunters next to him:


    "AIM AT THE MOUTH!"


    They heeded hismand and opened fire once again, this time aiming for the creature''s mouth.


    It roared in pain as the bullets hit their mark, causing it to stumble backward.


    ''This is our chance!'' Emir thought as he quickly activated his TDS ability once again.


    He adjusted his aim topensate for the creature''s movement and fired off several shots, aiming for its insides.


    The other hunters on his side followed suit, continuing to fire their weapons at the creature.


    Finally, the monster let out a deafening roar and fell to the ground, dead.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"


    The other hunters on the truck erupted into cheers, congratting each other on a job well done.


    But Emir knew that this was just the beginning.


    ''If there were this many monsters in just one area, there has to be more toe.''


    Interrupting their cheers, the official shouted:


    "WE WILL BE HEADING TOWARDS THE NEAREST RUIN TO GET HELP! REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REQUESTED!!"


    Ignoring the screaming agent, Emir switched his weapon back to his assault rifle and began shooting at monsters again.


    With time, the number of monsters was slowly overwhelming them, draining them of ammunition, and now on hisst magazine, Emir switched back to his rail gun, although much slower, it still did the job.


    Minutester, Emir noticed a giant elephant-like monster in the distance, making its way towards their truck.


    It was massive, easily half the size of the previous B-rank monster they came across.


    "FUCK!" Emir screamed out, stabilizing himself.


    Raising his rail gun, he took careful aim at the monster''s head.


    He then activated his TDS ability, slowing down time to make sure he had a perfect shot.


    [The creature''s weakness is its ears,] Lyra advised.


    Emir nodded patiently, watching as the elephant iled its head around while rushing at them.


    And then, in the blink of an eye, his chance presented itself, with the creature pping its ears.


    Emir aimed his weapon and fired a single, precise shot just beneath the elephant''s left ear.


    The bullet struck true, and the giant monster fell to the ground with a resounding thud.


    He felt a rush of satisfaction as the other hunters looked at him with respect and awe.


    But there was no time to bask in the glory of his kill.


    Many more monsters were stilling, and they had to keep fighting to live through this request.


    Emir''s hands fumbled over his rucksack as he bellowed over the sound of constant gunfire:


    "ANYONE GOT ANY EXTRA TYPE-C AMMO?! I''LL PAY YOU BACK LATER, SO JUST THROW ME SOME NOW!"


    The female hunter behind him kicked four magazines over to him while screaming back:


    "YOU OWE ME FOR THIS!"


    Picking up the magazines, Emir reloaded his assault rifle and prepared for the next wave of monsters.


    Continuing to fire, heid waste to all that hended his inky, dark eyes upon.


    They shot their way through the wastnd, each monster taking more and more of their ammunition.


    Emir felt like the attacks were never-ending as they were almost out of supplies.


    But before running out of ammo on hisst magazine, they finally reached the ruin, still followed by the horde of monsters.


    He didn''t expect much from those in this ruin, but they needed all the help they could get.


    When the truck reached the entrance of the ruin, the agent once again screamed out:


    "EVERYONE OFF THE TRUCK NOW! WE WILL HAVE OUR FINAL STAND HERE!!"


    Emir jumped out of the truck alongside the other hunters, his heart pounding in his chest.


    The sight before them was terrifying¡ªa sea of monsters closing in on them from all sides.


    But they didn''t have time to be afraid.


    They had a job to do, and they were going to do it.


    The hunters who were exploring the ruin soon joined them, and they all began firing their weapons at the monsters.


    The sound of gunfire echoed off the ruins, and the stench of blood and gunpowder filled the air.


    It was chaos, but they fought on, determined to survive.


    Emir fired round after round from his assault rifle, taking down as many monsters as he could.


    The hunters around him were doing the same, and together they were making a dent in the horde.


    But it seemed like for every monster they took down, two more took their ce.


    "Keep firing!" Emir bellowed to the hunters surrounding him.


    "Don''t you dare stop until yourst breath!"


    The hunters didn''t need any encouragement.


    They were fighting with everything they had, and it showed.


    Emir watched as one of the hunters charged forward, her machete shing in the sunlight as she sliced through a monster''s neck.


    Another hunter lobbed a grenade into the crowd, sending monsters flying in all directions.


    But the monsters kepting.


    They were relentless, and it felt like they were fighting a losing battle.


    One by one, the hunters ran out of ammo and supplies, and Emir didn''t know how much longer they could hold out.


    And suddenly, he heard a loud roar from behind.


    He spun around, his heart racing out of his chest, as he saw a massive creature, easily twice the size of any other monster he''d faced, charging straight at them.


    It was the biggest and most terrifying monster he had ever seen.


    It easily towered over him many times over, and with each step it took, the ground reacted, shaking endlessly.


    Emir raised his weapon, knowing that it was the only thing he could currently do.


    "Focus your fire on that monster!" He shouted.


    They all aimed for the monster, firing everything they had.


    But unfortunately, their weapons were no match for the monster''s tough exterior.


    The hail of bullets and grenades they unleashed upon it seemed to have no effect whatsoever as if they were shooting at a solid block of an imprable diamond with no weaknesses.


    "We need something stronger!" Emir yelled.


    [Lyraaaa! I need help over hereee!! What the hell is your purpose if you stay quiet in these situations, you useless piece of tech.]


    [Use the explosives in the truck,] Lyra advised.


    [Those explosives are usually used for killing defective hunters--.]


    [Stop fucking exining shit and tell me how to use them, they are attached to the back of the truck, so how the hell do I pull them off without them exploding?] Emir replied, cutting her off.


    She answered with a chuckle:


    [Don''t worry about that, I can ess thework they are connected to and easily disable them.]


    Nodding, Emir looked to the truck and saw the cylindrical bombs sitting still in the back.


    "Everyone, move away from the truck!" He shouted.


    The huntersplied with hismand, allowing him to quickly make his way to the back of the truck.


    He lifted the explosive cylinder with ease, propping it on his shoulder.


    Carrying the explosives, Emir ran back to the front of the truck, where the massive monster was still charging, stomping many hunters in the process.


    "Get back!" He bellowed to those beside him, as he hurled the explosives at the monster.


    The moment the bomb hit the monster, it detonated with a deafening boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.


    The force of the explosion caused the beast to stagger backward, its massive body contorting as it struggled to maintain its bnce.


    Finally, with a groan of defeat, it crumpled to the ground, lifeless.


    Not bothering to check if it was still alive or not, Emir ran back to his position, picked up a dead hunter''s weapon, and began firing again.


    But even with the newly acquired weapon and ammo, he was still close to running out, and there seemed to be no end to the monstersing their way.


    After a few reloads, his rifle ran out of bullets.


    Without hesitation, Emir hurled it to the ground and began using up the remaining ammo from his AR and rail gun.


    Unfortunately for him, the moment arrived when he fired thest round from his assault rifle, as the click of an empty magazine echoed in his ears.


    In the next moment, his rail gun also beeped, indicating that it too was out of ammo.


    In the midst of the chaotic battle, Emir couldn''t help but burst into uncontrobleughter at the sheer absurdity of the situation.


    With his eyes, as dark as pitch, zed with madness, he gazed upon the seemingly infinite expanse of beasts before him.


    He discarded his weapons, fully aware that his trusty knife was his only hope for survival.


    Emir then unclipped his knife from its sheath and braced himself for his final stand.

 Chapter 38: Final Stand II

    <h4>Chapter 38: Final Stand II</h4>


    Emir slowed down time with his TDS ability, a rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he surveyed the chaotic scene unfolding before him.


    The sea of monstrous creatures did little to deter his focus.


    With a calcted calmness, he began to pick his targets carefully, his mind working at an elerated pace.


    He saw a group of four monsters heading towards him and quickly met them in a sprint, knife in hand, his muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.


    Getting closer, he slowed down time even further, giving himself more time to react.


    The monsters were slow-moving, but they were massive and had razor-sharp ws, their danger not diminished.


    His aim was for their vulnerable spots, the eyes, and the back of the neck.


    With a swift sidestep, he evaded the swiping ws of one creature, gracefully shifting his weight and spinning around it.


    Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward, driving his knife deep into the monster''s exposed nk.


    A gurgled growl escaped the creature''s throat as Emir twisted the de, ensuring a fatal wound.


    Without missing a beat, Emir smoothly transitioned to his next target.


    He deflected the shing ws of another monster with his knife, using the momentum of the attack to redirect its trajectory.


    With a swift strike, he thrust his knife upward, piercing through the soft tissue beneath the monster''s jaw.


    Blood spurted from the wound as the creature let out a howl of agony before copsing to the ground.


    His actions were seamless as he killed two D-rank monsters in seconds.


    The other two of the pack turned their attention to him, rushing at him, fangs out.


    Anticipating their movements, his body moved with agility as he dodged to the side avoiding their lunge, feeling the gust of wind as they missed him.


    Pivoting on his heel, he struck back, his knife slicing through the air in a wide arc.


    The de connected with precision, cutting through the vulnerable neck of both monsters, as blood sprayed into the air, their severed heads flying away from their bodies in a gruesome disy.


    Looking up, Emir saw more monstersing towards him, but he remained calm and focused.


    He slowed down time once again and continued to pick off the monsters one by one.


    The fight was intense, and his heart was racing, as he dodged and weaved while striking out at the same time.


    He fought his way through wave after wave of monsters, relying solely on his knife.


    Amidst the chaos of the battle, Emir remained focused on one goal, killing all that was around him.


    The putrid scent of decay hung heavy in the air as the smell of blood filled his nostrils, many of the horde''s deady around him, disrupting the arena of battle.


    The creatures'' shrieks and growls echoed as they rushed at him, never-ending, but he stayed true to his training, anticipating their movements, and reacting quickly to their attacks.


    They seemed to be getting faster and more aggressive with each passing moment, but he refused to falter and kept on moving.


    Killing all that surrounded him, another wave of the horde closed in on him, and he steeled himself for another round ofbat.


    They were evenrger than thest, their massive frames shaking the ground as they approached.


    Emir didn''t even waste a single second and charged towards them, aiming for their weak spots as he took more of them down with each passing second, his kill count far exceeding a hundred.


    The battle raged on, and he continued to fight, taking out monster after monster in a seemingly endless cycle.


    Adjusting to the intensity of the battle, his knife skills improved, adapted, allowing him to swiftly kill monsters at an even faster rate, but that still didn''t make any dent in the sea before them.


    It only drew the attention of more monsters, three this time, but he deftly dodged their attacks and lunged forward, delivering a precise strike with his knife.


    Emir felt the de prate the monster''s flesh and quickly pulled it out, pivoting to swiftly eliminate another two monsters with a fatal swing to the neck, severing their heads off.


    ''Shit,'' he thought, caught off guard, as he was suddenly ambushed by a group of monsters from behind.


    Reacting quickly, he jumped back, narrowly dodging their sharp ws.


    One of the monsters overextended with its attack, allowing him to kick its head and hurl its body towards the others behind it.


    Taking advantage of the opening, he dashed forward and delivered a powerful blow with his augmented strength, causing the monsters to crumple to the ground beneath his feet, dead.


    It was a dance of death, his movements fluid and precise as he fought.


    But there were moreing, and he had to keep moving.


    He slowed down time again, giving him an edge in the next bout.


    However, much to his detriment, he suddenly felt a massive headache, realizing that he was running out of mental energy.


    "Damn it," Emir cursed under his breath, feeling a sense of desperation rising in his chest.


    He looked around frantically, searching for a way out.


    But there was no escape.


    They were surrounded by monsters on all sides, and they were closing in fast.


    With no other options left, he braced himself for the massacre.


    Some more feline-like monsters charged towards him, their ws and teeth bared.


    He lunged forward, his knife shing in the sunlight as he struck out at them.


    The remaining hunters around followed suit, melee weapons drawn, forming a formation with Emir as the lead, as they fought back against the monsters.


    It was a bloody, chaotic battle, with bodies and blood flying everywhere.


    The monsters were relentless, but they were even more determined.


    They fought with all their might, their knives shing and stabbing as they killed more and more monsters with each moment.


    It was a fight for their very survival.


    Not for the greater good, nor to defeat an evil entity, but simply to survive, as that was this world''s denizens'' most important wish.


    And after what felt like an eternity, a single monster remained in Emir''s vision.


    He rushed forward, and stabbed it in the neck, holding his knife he kicked it back, severing its head in the process.


    And with that, thest of the monsters fell to the ground.


    The horde finally extinguished.


    Gazing to his side, Emir looked at the remaining hunters, all panting and covered in blood.


    But that didn''t matter to them, they had survived.


    He then looked down at his knife, now coated in the blood of countless monsters.


    ''A small victory, but a victory nheless,'' he thought.


    He fought with all his strength and came out on top.


    ''I''m getting a lot of money after this.''


    Emir chuckled, as that thought crossed his mind, while hey down on the blood-covered ground.


    But without giving him any respite, the sound of distant gunshots shattered the eerie silence that had settled over the battlefield.

 Chapter 39: Reinforcements

    <h4>Chapter 39: Reinforcements</h4>


    He instantly rose to his feet in response and fished out a few pills from his old-world medicine box, swallowing them, hoping they would alleviate some of his exhaustion.


    The bitter taste lingered on his tongue as he looked around, scanning the area for any signs of danger.


    While doing that, he also scanned the area for any weapons.


    The ground beneath him was a haunting mosaic of blood and carnage, coloring it many shades of red, with the bodies of monsters and hunters mingling in a macabre disy of violence.


    Finally, his gazended on a weapon lying beside a fallen hunter.


    He rushed over to it and quickly checked the magazine, ensuring that it was loaded, and then grabbed a few extra rounds from the fallen hunter''s body, reloading his newfound weapon.


    Just as he secured his grip on the weapon, his attention was drawn to a group of hunters approaching in a truck, and they looked ready for battle.


    ''Rogues?'' He wondered silently, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes.


    "We are the reinforcements!" They shouted, rebuking Emir''s thoughts and causing relief to flood through him.


    The new hunters quickly joined them, distributing ammo and weapons to those who needed them, and he grabbed many for himself, not denying free ammo, taking all that he could carry.


    ''Nothing is better than free stuff,'' he thought with a wry smile, clutching another crate of ammo.


    The association official then approached the hunters, causing Emir to shift his attention to him.


    "For all those who wish to continue the patrol, raise your hand. Don''t worry, all the necessary paperwork, the legal stuff basically, will be taken care of."


    Emir raised his hand without thinking twice.


    A few other hunters did the same, but most of them opted to go back to the sector.


    The association official nodded approvingly, noting their choices, and added the remaining hunters to the reinforcement team.


    Emir and the other hunters went about retrieving their weapons and collecting dropped magazines.


    They loaded them up with fresh ammo and then climbed into the truck, ready for their next patrol.


    Meanwhile, the hunters that remained picked up the dead bodies onto their truck, heading back to the sector.


    ¡­


    As they drove through the destendscape, Emir couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease, wondering if the next encounter with monsters would be as numerous as thest, but one thought remained clear in his mind.


    ''The Order was behind this.... Or at least someone rted to them.''


    But that didn''t matter to him, he knew the money he would get after this would be worth all the trouble.


    Looking to his left, he didn''t fail to notice that it was the same female hunter who gave him her extra magazines.


    Emir nudged her yfully with his elbow, breaking the silence between them.


    "Thanks for the help back then, I will be sure to repay you for it and return the magazines once this is all over."


    The female hunter looked at him skeptically, her eyebrow raised.


    "Sure, but pay me back how?" Her tone indicated that she wasn''t sure she trusted Emir.


    He grinned, trying to put her at ease.


    "I''ll take you out to a high-ss restaurant on me. Consider it my way of saying thank you."


    "Are you hitting on me?"


    He chuckled.


    "Maybe."


    "But I''m also serious. I owe you for those magazines. And besides, we could use a break after all this fighting, right?"


    Herughter rang out, a wee respite from the grimness of their surroundings.


    "Well, I''m not going to say no to a free meal at a fancy restaurant," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement and intrigue.


    With that, they ended their conversation and focused back on the wastnd, his rucksack rustling with extra magazines that he couldn''t fit on his person, as he aimed his weapon.


    Now, with his eyes peering through the scope at thendscape, he spotted a few monsters away in the distance, their monstrous forms slowly approaching.


    Emir braced himself, his finger tightening on the trigger, and fired with deadly precision.


    His shots found their marks, hitting the creatures in their weak spots.


    After the volley of bullets, he heard a feminine voice beside him sounding quite impressed:


    "I noticed this back then, but you are quite good, especially when considering the equipment you got isn''t up to snuff."


    "You like what you see?" He teased.


    She smirked and said:


    "I''m not easily impressed, but I have to admit you have some skill. It''s a shame you don''t have better equipment."


    Emir shrugged nonchntly.


    "I make do with what I have. Besides, it''s not always about the equipment. It''s about the hunter behind the weapon."


    She nodded in agreement.


    "True, but having better equipment wouldn''t hurt either."


    Emir showed a calm smile.


    "Not going to deny that."


    Ending their conversation once again, they continued the patrol, encountering more monsters, but with the reinforcement team, they were able to take them down quickly and efficiently.


    Emir felt a constant sense of satisfaction with each monster he killed, knowing that he was one step closer to the reward money.


    And as the sun began to set, painting the sky with vibrant hues, their patrol came to an end as they reached the sector.


    He turned to the female hunter while showing her his terminal.


    "So, about that restaurant. Any preferences?"


    She smiled, hovering her terminal over his.


    "Surprise me. Just make sure it''s a high-ss one, as promised."


    Emir grinned while putting the terminal back in his pocket.


    "You got it. Do expect a nice evening."


    Getting off the truck with a lighter rucksack, he noticed that the gathering ce was busier than when he had left.


    The trucks that were used during the patrol were lined up, and the hunters were off-boarding from their trucks and queuing up to report.


    The Hunter Association official announced through his megaphone at the front of the queue.


    "All hunters who wish toplete their patrol request, please present your Hunter ID and report in. Your rewards will be distributed at the counters in the association office starting at 20:00 today. Please collect your payment within 48 hours of the start of distribution to avoid losing your rewards."

 Chapter 40: Payment

    <h4>Chapter 40: Payment</h4>


    The Hunter Association officials were constantly reminding returning hunters to present their Hunter IDs andplete their patrol reports.


    This was to ensure a smooth payment distribution process and avoid any potential issues.


    Emir joined the queue toplete his report and handed his Hunter ID to the staff member, who then used the information terminal to verify his details.


    Once the terminal beeped to confirm thepletion of his job, he checked his own information terminal for the request history.


    Navigating to the page that disyed individual hunter data, he confirmed that thepleted patrol was indeed listed there, ounting for two patrols, including the one with the hunter reinforcements.


    ''It seems I was exempted from the third patrol. Well, it''s gettingte now, so that makes sense,'' he mused to himself.


    Emir already informed the official that he would prefer his payment to be sent through thework instead of cash.


    ''I''ll receive my payment at home. So let''s just head back and rx.''


    ¡­.


    [Today was a tough day, wasn''t it?] Emir asked Lyra while walking through the busy streets filled with hunters of all kinds strutting about.


    [Yes, it was, and you did very well, so expect some good change.]


    [Change? I''ll be getting a few million UC after this you know?]


    Replying, she sounded a chuckle:


    [This amount is insignificantpared to what you''ll need in the future. The Unity credit currency is primarily used for transactions within the massive corporations under the UEF. For truly expensive purchases, old-world relics or Valora are the only currency of choice.]


    [Remind me, what was the name of those corporations again? And wait, since the US is the leading nation of the UEF government, then do Unity Credits have the same or simr value as the dor in my previous life?] He continued his barrage of questions.


    [Not really, due to rapidly rising intion, the dor''s value decreased way lower than the currency in your previous world, so they opted to create a new currency recognized by the entirety of the West, under only the UEF, of course, it only recently started stabilizing after the big corporations took control.]


    [Those corporations total eight, named Horizon Holdings, Ster Solutions Inc., Quantum Corp., Omega Industries, Nexus Enterprises, Helix Tech, Apex Dynamics, and finally the one that you are familiar with, Hyperion Arms.]


    [The big eight, huh,] he eximed.


    [Well, after today, I''ll finally be able to buy a proper augmented suit, so I will be saying hi to Helix Tech soon enough.]


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    Family t


    Emir spent some time rxing on the couch watching some drama show on the holoscreen with Laura, he already told her most of what happened, and after all her worries were alleviated, they ate dinner and are enjoying their free time.


    ''Forgetting all that I''ve been through, it feels like I''m back in my old world. I wonder how those guys are doing. Have they moved on from my death?''


    ''I truly hope that they have.''


    ''Anyway, my payment should being any time now.''


    Minutester, his terminal beeped, indicating a new message had arrived.


    Emir picked it up and quickly scanned the contents.


    {You are required to meet the manager for the payment, further details will be exined in his office.} HQ


    {Understood.} He replied, standing up.


    "Hey Mom, I''ll go get my payment ande back in a bit," Emir said, walking towards his room.


    "Okay, honey, be careful," Laura replied, her eyes not leaving the screen.


    After changing into his suit and strapping on his weapons, he turned to Laura before leaving.


    Amusement filled his voice as he chuckled.


    "It looks like you''re really invested in this show."


    Laughing back, Laura replied:


    "It''s pretty good, you know. I bet that all housewives love it, and besides I don''t have much to do here when you and Lily aren''t around."


    Going up to her, Emir kissed her forehead and said:


    "Thank you for everything you do for us."


    She smiled at him.


    "Of course, dear."


    Departing the t, he made his way towards the Hunter Association, and shortly after, he arrived at the building.


    Approaching the receptionist, Emir handed him his ID.


    After scanning it, he said:


    "Hunter Emir, your meeting with the manager will be in a few minutes; in the meantime, please rx in the waiting area."


    Nodding, Emir took back his ID and waited.


    After a while, the receptionist called out to him:


    "Hunter Emir, please follow me, I will lead you to the manager''s office."


    Following him, they finally reached the office that Emir seemed to frequent quite a lot.


    He entered the room and was greeted by the same manager, Nathan.


    "Emir boy, it appears that you n toe here every day, huh?" He burst outughing.


    "What to do. It seems that trouble loves me."


    The managerposed himself and looked at him with a serious expression.


    "That''s true, trouble does seem to follow you around. But that''s not the only reason you''re here, is it?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "No, I''m here to collect my payment."


    "Ah, yes. Your payment," the manager said, shuffling through some papers on his desk.


    "But before we get to that, there''s something I want to ask you about."


    "What is it?"


    "How did you manage to pull those bombs off the truck without them exploding?"


    Emir shrugged and said:


    "I just trusted my gut and did it. I figured I was going to die anyway, so I might as well take the chance."


    The manager raised an eyebrow.


    "That was a pretty risky move. You could have died."


    "I know, but I had to try."


    Nathan nodded.


    "Well, I''m d it worked out for you. You saved a lot of lives that day."


    Emir nodded back.


    "It was worth it."


    ''Fuck that, I would never risk my life like that just to save nobodies, but I''m obviously not going to mention Lyra''s involvement now,'' He added in his mind.


    The manager smiled and said:


    "Alright. Now let''s talk about your payment."


    He tapped a few times on his terminal.


    "Contributing to killing one rank B monster, solo killing one rank C monster, and one rank B monster,bined with the killing of 42 rank D monsters, 161 rank E monsters, and 15 rank F monsters, minus the cost of the bombs, your total earnings amount to 1,930,000 UC."


    "For your reference, the extermination of an F-rank monster will reward you with 100 UC. Eliminating an E-rank monster, on the other hand, will grant you 1000 UC, and killing a D-rank monster will you 10,000 UC."


    "If you''re able to take down a C-rank monster, you''ll be rewarded with a whopping 100,000 UC. A B-rank monster is worth even more, with a reward of 1,000,000 UC. If you''re lucky enough to y an A-rank monster, you''ll receive 5,000,000 UC."


    "While the elimination of an S Rank monster can earn you 10,000,000 UC, the rewards for SS+ monsters are even higher, often exceeding 100,000,000 UC, depending on factors such as the monster''s perceived danger, its current location, and the significance of its death."


    Trying not to show his surprise about the amount, Emir nodded.


    "Thank you for the info."


    The manager leaned back in his chair and said:


    "By the way, your hunter rank will go up to eight, although you deserve to be ranked way higher, we can''t bend the rules too much or there will be pandemonium."


    "Anyway, what''s next for you?" Nathan continued, probing Emir.


    "I don''t know," Emir said, denying him.


    The manager shrugged.


    "Well, if you ever need anything, don''t hesitate toe see me."


    "I won''t," Emir replied, before turning to leave the office.


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    When he got home, Emir found his mother still engrossed in her show.


    She looked up and smiled at him.


    "Did you get everything sorted out?"


    "Yeah, it was quick and easy," he replied, giving her a hug.


    "Good job," she said, hugging him back as he sat next to her on the couch.


    Emir joined her and watched the show, but he obviously didn''t know much of what was going on, so he simply enjoyed the theatrics.


    His mother, however, continued toment on things only she knew at every other moment, confusing him even more.


    Saving him from his misery, Lily finally returned from the academy, prompting Laura to shut off the holoscreen.


    "Hey, sis, how was your first day?" He asked her as she sat next to them.


    She smiled at Emir and said:


    "Never mind that, tell me about how your first job went."


    Standing up in front of them, he began to talk as if they were watching a y.


    He told her about how they patrolled the area, slowly getting overwhelmed as more and more monsters attacked, then told her about when he solo killed a C-rank monster.


    Emir enacted how he almost got overwhelmed by the sea of monsters that came in waves, and how he managed to pull through with only a knife at hand....


    Describing his final stand with the other hunters and how intense the fight was, ending with their victory bordering on certain death.


    As he talked about his experiences, Lily listened intently, hanging on his every word.


    Emir could see the excitement and awe in her eyes as he described the battles.


    He then exined how he joined the reinforcements for another patrol, which resulted in him earning a lot of money.


    "So yeah, I''ve got around 2,730,000 in the bank right now," he said excitedly.


    "Though most of it will be gone tomorrow since I need to buy a better suit."


    Lily''s jaw dropped as she heard the amount of money he had earned.


    "Wow, that''s insane! You''re already making so much money on your first day. What kind of augmented suit are you nning to buy?"


    He smiled at her enthusiasm.


    "Well, I was thinking of getting the Helix Mk IV suit. It''s one of the best suits in my price range that''s currently avable on the market."


    His mother interjected:


    "Make sure you''re not spending all your money on just one thing. You never know when you might need it for an emergency."


    Emir nodded in agreement.


    "Don''t worry, mom. I''ll make sure to budget myself properly."


    They then asked her about Lily''s day, to which she described as boring and uneventful inparison.


    After their talk ended, he went to sleep after a quick bath, wanting nothing more than the next day to arrive so that he could confirm his suspicions.

 Chapter 41: Broke Again

    <h4>Chapter 41: Broke Again</h4>


    [Good morning, Lyra.] Emir said while brushing his teeth.


    [Good morning, Emir.]


    Came the voice of Lyra, responding shortly after.


    After washing up, he chatted with Laura and then headed out to Hunters Den, wanting to buy a new augmented suit.


    As he pushed open the door, the tinkling of a bell hanging above it announced his arrival.


    Inside, Emir was greeted by the sight of the female hunter he had seen the day before, deep in conversation with Mariana, the shop manager.


    Upon noticing him, Mariana greeted Emir warmly and asked:


    "Wee back, Hunter Emir. Were the weapons satisfactory? Evelyn here has been telling me all about what happened. She thinks you''re quite cool, you know."


    "Wait a minute! I didn''t say that, and why didn''t you tell me that you''re only thirteen? I was about to go on a date with a minor. I''m not into that, okay?"


    Evelyn rebuked, looking extremely embarrassed, blushing all over her face.


    Emir couldn''t help butugh at her outburst.


    It was clear that she was flustered, and he didn''t want to make her feel any worse.


    "Don''t worry about it," he said with a smile.


    "I''m used to it by now. And yes, the weapons were fantastic, so you can definitely expect to see me here often."


    The manager joined in hisughter before turning to me.


    "Perfect."


    "So, what''s the purpose of your visit today, Emir? Are you in the market for a new augmented suit?"


    He nodded.


    "Yes, actually. I earned some money on myst patrol, and I want to upgrade my gear."


    "Do you have a Helix Mk IV suit in stock?"


    Checking her terminal, she said:


    "You are in luck, I have one of those, so there is no need to wait, give me a moment and I''ll get it from the back."


    Emir turned back to Evelyn.


    "So is the date off?"


    She blushed and shook her head.


    "No, no, the offer for food still stands, Emir. But if you''re looking for something more than just food, well, you might want to grow up a little first." She teased with a smile.


    He rolled his eyes at herment.


    "You''ll have to work a lot harder if you want to make me flustered, anyway, I''ll proceed with the reservation, when are you free?"


    Evelyn chuckled at his response, clearly enjoying the banter.


    "I see, I''ll have to step up my game then. How about tomorrow evening? I''ll do a patrol request, finishing at six, so we could meet up then."


    He checked his own schedule quickly in his head.


    "Sounds good to me. How about we meet at the upper district in the central za at seven? I''ll lead you to the restaurant then."


    "Sure thing," she replied with a smile.


    "I''ll see you then."


    The shop manager came up, signaling Emir to follow her, and he did.


    They headed to the back of the shop as she told him to try on the Helix Mk IV suit.


    Stepping into it, he could feel the familiar tingle of the augmented technology syncing with his own neuralwork.


    The suit adjusted itself to fit him perfectly, and he felt the increased strength and agility it provided.


    Like his previous one, the suit was all ck, fitted with mechanical bone-like structures in his body joints and spine.


    It looked polished and futuristic.


    There was also a mechanical visor that was protruding out of the metallic earpiece wrapping around his ear, and the piece was connected to the neck of the suit.


    "This is perfect," Emir said, looking at himself in the mirror while nodding in approval.


    The shop manager smiled.


    "d to hear it."


    She then proceeded to exin its features:


    "Apart from the enhanced strength and armor, this suit can also sync with your information gathering device, granting your eyes the ability to spot targets through walls more easily and many other simr functions, of course, it is only up to the range of your information gathering device. The uracy of the data would depend on the distance and type of targets."


    Although Emir already knew, he was still impressed by the suit''s capabilities.


    "Great, I''ll take it," he said, turning to the shop manager.


    "How much will it cost me?"


    The shop manager consulted her terminal once more before responding.


    "The Helix Mk IV augmented suit is a C-ss item, which typically costs two million UC. I''ll also throw in an electric knife for you, free of charge."


    He winced at the high price but knew that it was more than worth it.


    ''Next time Ie here, that amount would be nothing.'' Emir snickered in his mind.


    "Thanks for that, here''s my hunter ID," he said, handing it over to her.


    As she processed the transaction, she remarked:


    "You''ve already reached rank 8? That''s fast."


    "Yeah, because of the patrol incident yesterday, they increased my rank quite a bit."


    Emir then quickly cut her off from asking further questions:


    "Do you have any Type-C ammo in stock?"


    The shop manager checked her inventory.


    "Yes, we have a few boxes left. How many do you need?"


    "I''ll take four boxes, please."


    Mariane nodded and added the ammo to his purchase.


    Afterpleting the transaction, she handed Emir the boxes of ammo.


    "Thank you," he said, putting the boxes and his previous augmented suit into his rucksack.


    "I''ll see you again soon."


    "Take care, Emir." She replied with a smile.


    Getting out of the shop, Emir checked his meager credit bnce on his terminal.


    {720,000 Union Credits.}


    ''I am officially broke,'' he thought, letting out a chuckle.


    He then asked his AIpanion:


    [Hey Lyra, I can''t buy a vehicle yet, not with my current rank or credit bnce, so do I just grind out patrols for now?]


    [Yes, until you reach rank 15, at least; after that, you can start epting jobs for defending, scavenging, and rebuilding ruin outposts, it would be rtively more dangerous, but nothing that you are not used to.]


    Walking through the streets, he asked another question, remembering Evelyn:


    [You know of a good barber around here? I think I''ve kept growing my hair for too long, I want the next time that I check the system for my charm stat to be at least an A.]


    [Of course, I''ll lead you to the saloon after you drop off your bag.]


    ¡­.


    ¡­.


    Entering his family''s t, Emir went to his room and quickly hung his Chrono-Sense-augmented suit in the wardrobe.


    Getting out, he noticed Laura cooking in the kitchen and said:


    "Hey ma,e look at my new suit."


    Laura turned around from the stove and smiled at him.


    "Oh wow, that looks amazing, Emir! You look like a high-ranking hunter now." She said while walking over to inspect the suit more closely.


    He stood still as she examined the suit, pointing out its different features andmenting on how it must have cost quite a bit of money.


    "Thanks, Mom," he said, smiling at her.


    "I just bought some extra ammo too, so I''m all set for my next patrol."


    Laura nodded, looking at him with her usual mama-hen mode enabled.


    "Be careful out there, Emir. You know how dangerous those patrols can be, especially now that you''re moving up the ranks."


    "I know, I know."


    "Don''t forget, I''ve got Lyra with me, and I know what I''m doing. So, I''ll be okay." He said, trying to reassure her for what seemed like the millionth time.


    ''A mother will always worry for her son, I guess, no matter what realm.'' He thought as he suppressed a chuckle from escaping through his lips.


    Laura nodded again, now sounding proud.


    "Of course, my Emir is the best."


    "Also, I''ll go get a haircut before going on another set of patrols today," Emir said, giving her a quick hug.


    Surprised, she looked straight at him.


    "You haven''t cut your hair no matter how much we nagged you, and now you''ve randomly decided to do it... You''ve got a date, don''t you?"


    He couldn''t help but grin at his mother''s observation.


    "Maybe," he admitted, hiding his true feelings about the matter.


    Lauraughed, shaking her head.


    "Well, at least you''re finally taking care of yourself. You''re bing a young man, Emir."


    "Technically, though, it''s going to be your second time bing that, but you get the point. It''s important to look presentable."


    "I know, I know," he said.


    "I''ll make sure to keep up with it from now on, I just didn''t bother with it back then because of my training."


    As Emir waited for Laura to finish cooking, he casually scrolled through his terminal, searching for a patrol job that would fit his schedule.


    He found one that started around 12:00 PM, which would give him enough time to get there after getting his hair cut.


    Once he epted the job request, Emir looked up to see Laura putting the finishing touches on the meal.


    He walked up to the kitchen and grabbed two sets of utensils and tes before making his way back to the dining table.


    After enjoying the delicious meal, he stood up and took care of the dishes.


    As he washed his face and hands with water, Emir thanked Laura for the great food and grabbed his rucksack.


    Walking towards the door, Emir turned his head and said:


    "See youter."


    As he left their apartment, he could hear Laura''s voice behind him, wishing him to be careful.

 Chapter 42: Mundane

    <h4>Chapter 42: Mundane</h4>


    Emir walked towards the salon with Lyra guiding him.


    [It''s called Gentlemen''s Salon, one of the only few saloons left that still has actual people cutting hair instead of machines.]


    [Exactly what I want, some semnce to my old world,] he snickered.


    [Let''s just get this over with.]


    ¡­.


    As Emir approached the building, he couldn''t help but notice its striking resemnce to the saloons of his past life¡ªthe bright neon signs and the peculiar stock images of people with fresh haircuts stered all over the ce.


    It was clear that many of them had images that were taken from the inte, with some even forgetting to remove the trademarks.


    ''Wait, do they have copyright in this world?..... Ah, whatever.''


    Entering the shop, he was weed by a person who looked like the very definition of a gentleman.


    What most stood out about him was the crystal monocle that hung over his right eye.


    ''A true gentleman, a dying breed in these tough times. How spectacr, dear Sir, be prepared as you met your match, hahaha...''


    ''Never mind.''


    Emir''s poor attempt at making a joke almost made himugh out loud in front of the gentleman he wasparing himself with.


    "Good morning, Sir Hunter. Are you here to style your hair?


    "If so, please, can you leave your weapons with me?" He asked, showing his hands forward.


    Emir handed over his weapons to the shopkeeper, barely managing to keep a straight face.


    He never had any second thoughts about handing over his weapons.


    After all, there was no point in being distrustful of the shops in this district, as they were strictly monitored by the authorities.


    None of them would dare do anything that went against thew.


    "Follow me, sir," he said, leading Emir towards a reclining chair that looked simr to the onesmonly used in his past life.


    Seating himself in the cozy chair, Emir heard the stylist say:


    "Sir Hunter, it was good for you toe here. Your hair is in dire need of work. So, what do you wish for me to do?"


    "I just need you to give me a fade on the sides, two to three, as for the top, I want you to cut it till the tip of my ears." Emir replied as he looked at the gentleman''s reflection in the mirror.


    "Understood, sir, give me a moment, we will begin shortly." He replied as he set up his equipment.


    While Emir rxed in the chair, his brain skipped through the entire process....


    And half an hourter, they finally finished.


    Emir looked in the mirror and saw a teenager in front of him with sharp, chiseled features that gave him a striking appearance.


    His angr jawline was ented by his slightly paleplexion, making him appear almost otherworldly.


    His dark eyes were so deep and intense that they seemed to stare straight into his soul as if he could see all his secrets.


    The bullet graze on the left side of his head was clearly visible now that his hair had been cut, revealing a long scratch that ran from his forehead to the back of his head.


    This only added to his dangerous aura, making him seem even more menacing and unpredictable.


    ''Wow, I expected my charm to increase, but not this much, I can safely expect it to be A+ at least, especially with this scar, which makes me look like every teenager''s dream.''


    Admiring himself long enough, Emir turned to face the gentleman.


    "You did a great job, sir. I''ll definitely being back to this salon on the regr."


    The gentleman smiled warmly at Emir.


    "Thank you, Sir Hunter. We will always be honored to have you. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?"


    "No, that is all."


    The barber continued:


    "Very well, sir. May I have your hunter ID to process the payment? Our fee is 10,000 UC, which may be pricier than other salons, but we take pride in providing exceptional customer service."


    Emir acquiesced, indicating that he had no issue with the cost.


    Once he scanned his hunter ID, he handed it back along with his weapons.


    "We appreciate your business, Hunter Emir. Please doe back and visit our humble establishment again."


    "Thank you, sir," Emir said, leaving the saloon.


    As he walked through the bustling streets towards the east hunters'' meeting area, he asked Lyra a question that had been on his mind for a while:


    [Hey, don''t I look too old for someone my age?]


    [With my connection to your brain, I influenced it so that your body would hit its growth spurt faster, the mutation unlock also yed arge part in it. This is also why you aren''t growing much taller now. So, expect to only grow a few more inches more in the future.]


    [Thank God for that... I don''t want to be a giant.]


    [But how did I get enough nutrition? I know about the increase, but it can''t be that much, can it? I didn''t eat much differentpared to my family.]


    [Don''t worry about that.]


    [The manufactured food that you ate can handle that and much more. Although it may look less appetizing and not be as tasty as real-grown products, the food is highly beneficial.]


    [Ster Solutions Inc. right?] Emir asked, and she confirmed:


    [Yes, they''re responsible for most of the scientific industry.]


    After asking a few more questions, he eventually arrived at the meeting area.


    A few minutester, the association official called out again, and likest time, Emir lined up in the queue and waited before reaching the front of the line and giving him his ID.


    He then headed towards his assigned truck, which happened to be number 3.


    Seated in a vacant spot, Emir meticulously inspected his weaponry¡ªthe powerful rail gun and reliable assault rifle¡ªensuring their optimal functionality.


    His experienced hands ran over the sleek metal frames, confirming their solid build and precision engineering.


    He checked the ammunition levels in each weapon, ensuring they were fully loaded and prepared for any encounter thaty ahead.


    With practiced ease, each magazine was carefully inspected, ensuring the ammunition was properly seated and ready to be fed into the chambers of the weapons.


    The click of a magazine locking into ce resonated with a sense of readiness, emphasizing his focus on his uing mission.


    Once the checkup wasplete, the official signaled the start as the engine roared to life, leading the truck to begin to move.

 Chapter 43: Mundane II

    <h4>Chapter 43: Mundane II</h4>


    The first patrol was uneventful.


    Emir sat on the right side of the truck and watched the scenery go by, waiting for something to happen.


    When they finally reached a monster-infested area, he got to work.


    The monsters were weak and uncoordinated, and he took them down one by one without breaking a sweat.


    ''It was almost too easy.'' He thought.


    After an hour of patrolling, the truck returned to the meeting area, and Emir restocked on ammo before getting back in for the second patrol.


    The second and third patrols were much the same.


    He killed 10 monsters in the second and another 20 in the third, each time dispatching them quickly and efficiently.


    Thanks to his new augmented suit, the kickback was minimal, almost nonexistent, and the recoil of his weapons was easy to control.


    ''It''s almost like I''m ying a video game,'' he mused as he shot down another monster he spotted.


    The monotony was starting to get to him, but he knew that this was just part of the job, nothing more, and that he would have to get used to it.


    As he returned to the meeting area after the third patrol, Emir saw some of the other younger hunters swapping stories about their kills.


    Some were boasting about how many monsters they had taken down, while others wereparing their weapons and equipment.


    He didn''t feel like joining in with the kids, he just wanted to collect his pay and go back home.


    While waiting in line to report, he thought about how this was his life now.


    ''A never-ending cycle of killing monsters, exploring ruins, acquiring relics, killing rouge hunters, and getting paid for it.''


    ''It''s a dangerous and grueling job, but it pays well, and it is the only way for me to survive in this new world, but of course, that isn''t the only reason why I''m in this cycle.''


    ''It''s for me to survive, seek the truth about my existence, get back at the Order, know more of this world, and know what truly happened to my father.''


    ''And maybe, just maybe, be some sort of immortal... I mean, sure, it isn''t as important as the others and doesn''t fit my narrative, but ain''t it a fun dream that everyone thought about before? If it''s actually possible, then why not go for that as well?''


    ''As they say, if you dream, then dream big.'' He added with a chuckle.


    Winding down his nonsensical thoughts, his turn finally came.


    Handing the association official his hunter ID, he waited for the beep, and after retrieving it, he headed back home.


    ¡­


    Upon opening the door, Emir''s ears were assaulted by a cacophony of high-pitched screamsing from both Lily and Laura.


    Laura cutely ran up to him and pulled on his cheeks.


    "My goodness, look at you," she said, her tone quite amused.


    Emir stared at her, dumbfounded about how to respond.


    Lily joined in and saved him from his mother by pulling Emir away from Laura.


    "You finally got a haircut, bro, and you look great!!" She said, smiling at him from ear to ear.


    Emir chuckled as they both inspected his hair, feeling a little embarrassed by their attention.


    "Yeah, I got it done at a nearby salon. What do you think?" He asked, trying to redirect their focus.


    Laura stepped back and gave him a thumbs-up.


    "Definitely an improvement, Emir. You were starting to look a little shaggy."


    Lily nodded in agreement.


    "And that scar just adds to your bad boy appeal." She grinned.


    Emir rolled his eyes at herment but couldn''t help but feel a little pleased by theirpliments.


    ''It had been a while since I had taken any care of my appearance, and it feels good to have a fresh look. Too bad my handsome looks are useless as I''m too young tond a rtionship with someone normal and above the age of eighteen... Or rather fifteen, as that, is when you are considered an adult in this world.''


    ''I''m no reincarnated pedo, so I ain''t going after anyone my physical age.'' He mused to himself.


    Disregarding those thoughts, he chuckled once again, trying to hide his amusement at their reactions.


    "Thanks, it''s just a haircut. But I guess it''s good to know it''s appreciated."


    Laura, with her hands still on her hips, looked Emir up and down once more.


    "You look more like a model than a hunter now."


    He raised an eyebrow.


    "Well, I wouldn''t go that far. But thanks anyway."


    Lily rolled her eyes.


    "Seriously, you look amazing. I bet all the girls in the Hunter Association were drooling over you," she said, winking at him.


    "If that did happen, at least I know where I got my looks from," he said, winking back.


    Their attempts at embarrassing each other caused them all tough.


    And after a few more minutes of their family banter, Laura made her way over to the kitchen and began to prepare dinner.


    "So, how did the mission go? Were you injured?" She asked, her voice now taking on a serious tone.


    Emir shook his head.


    "No, it was pretty easy. We killed a bunch of D-rank monsters, and that was it. Nothing too exciting."


    Lily looked disappointed.


    "Aww, I was hoping for some cool stories to tell my friends," she said, pouting.


    "Sorry to disappoint you, but that''s the life of a hunter. Sometimes it''s just mundane, but it pays the bills." He said, shrugging his shoulders.


    Now that they had released him, he headed straight to their modest kitchen and pulled out a cold drink from the fridge.


    "How about you guys?"


    Lily immediatelyunched into a story about her sses, while Laura went on about thetest drama she watched.


    A whileter, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air as Laura brought over the dishes, and they all gathered around the table to eat.


    It was a wee change to be back home, if only for a short while.


    ¡­


    Post-dinner, while Laura and Lily watched a movie, Emir took care of the dishes.


    The evening was peaceful, and he felt grateful for it.


    ''After spending the day hunting monsters, returning to their energy and enthusiasm feels a little... Surreal,'' he thought.


    ''Yet, it''s alsoforting,'' he added.


    ''They are my family now, and despite our less-than-ideal circumstances, we got each other....;


    ''Though I might soon be leaving them for a little while.''

 Chapter 44: Date

    <h4>Chapter 44: Date</h4>


    Sector 11-A, Upper District


    As Emir waited for Evelyn at their meeting spot in the central za, he checked his watch and realized she was a few minuteste.


    Just as he was about to message her, she appeared around the corner, slightly out of breath.


    "Sorry, I''mte," she said, smiling apologetically.


    Emir chuckled.


    "Not a good first impression, Evelyn, especially for a hunter."


    She rolled her eyes yfully.


    "Oh, shut up. I just took too long to get ready."


    Emir smiled, appearing to be unable to resistplimenting her.


    "Well, it was worth the wait. You look beautiful."


    He couldn''t help but notice her white dress, which slightly exposed her left shoulder.


    It hugged her curves and revealed her soft muscles, making her look alluring.


    Her pale face, green eyes, and ck hair created a striking contrast against the white fabric of her dress, making her stand out even more.


    In response to hispliment, Evelyn''s cheeks turned pink as she delicately pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.


    "Thank you," she murmured, before turning the tables andplimenting him.


    "And you... you look very handsome with your new haircut and suit."


    Emir ran his hand through his now short hair and said:


    "Thanks, I was thinking it might be time for a change."


    Evelyn linked her arm with his, and they began to walk towards the restaurant.


    "So, how was yourst patrol? Did you encounter any trouble?"


    "Mundane would be the best way to describe it, it''s the exact opposite of my first run with you." Emir said with augh.


    As they walked through the bustling district, Emir recounted hisst patrol to Evelyn.


    "It was pretty uneventful, to be honest. Just a few minor monster sightings¡ªnothing we couldn''t handle. I just need to get my hunter rank up to finally get a real job. Anyway, the pay is decent, and every sessful patrol brings me closer to that bike I''ve been saving up for."


    Evelyn nodded understandingly.


    "I get it. It''s not always exciting to be a hunter, but it''s definitely worth it in the end. And that bike will be a game-changer for you, especially when ites to exploring ruins."


    "How long till you reach rank fifteen?"


    "Twelve more, so it ain''t going to take too long."


    As they chatted, they strolled for a few more minutes until they arrived at the entrance of an absolutely stunning building.


    It''s named ''La Belle ¨¦poque.''


    The exterior is made of sleek, reflective ss and towering steel beams that gleam in the sun.


    Emir could tell by the look on her face that she was impressed.


    "Wow," she breathed, staring up at the building.


    "This is incredible, how did you find this ce?"


    Emir smirked.


    "I have my ways," he teased her as he led her inside.


    Evelyn''s eyes widened as she entered the building.


    "Are you sure we''re dressed up enough for this?"


    He chuckled and said:


    "Trust me, you look more than elegant enough."


    They were greeted by a waiter at the entrance, who asked for his name and reservation.


    Emir gave him his name, and he quickly led them to a cozy booth tucked away in the corner of the restaurant.


    The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with dim lighting and elegant d¨¦cor that made it feel both intimate and sophisticated.


    Evelyn''s eyes widened as they took their seats.


    "This is amazing, thank you so much." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Emir smiled, feeling pleased with her reaction.


    "My pleasure, Evelyn."


    The waiter handed them the menu, and they began to peruse the various options, each dish sounding more exquisite than thest.


    After much deliberation, they finally ced their orders and sat back to enjoy the ambiance, each other''spany, and their newly poured wine.


    As they waited for their food, Emir couldn''t help but tease Evelyn a little.


    "So, what do you think people are going to say when they see us here together? Going on a date with a thirteen-year-old, huh?" He asked with a yful grin.


    A chuckle escaped Evelyn''s lips as she rolled her eyes in amusement.


    "Come on now, don''t be ridiculous. You''re taller than most, and you certainly don''t look young enough to be seen that way. Besides, it''s just a simple dinner." She retorted with a hint of sarcasm.


    Emir leaned forward, a hint of mischief in his eyes.


    "Are you sure about that? I mean, you''re blushing pretty hard right now."


    Evelyn rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her.


    "I am not blushing! And let me make this clear, this is not a date." She countered, holding back augh.


    Emir leaned back in his seat, grinning.


    "Okay, okay. I''ll believe you... For now." He said, taking a sip of his drink.


    Still smiling, Evelyn shook her head.


    "You''re impossible."


    She then reached for her ss of wine and they enjoyed their alcohol in silence.


    Their food soon arrived, and they dug in, enjoying the exquisite vors and textures of each dish.


    As the couple ate, they talked about everything and anything, from their experiences to their favorite shows and music.


    The conversation flowed easily, and before they knew it...


    It was time to leave.


    While they made their way out of the restaurant, Emir couldn''t resist teasing Evelyn onest time:


    "Well, I had a great time on our not-a-date, Evelyn. We should do it again sometime."


    He shed her a grin.


    Evelyn rolled her eyes, but he could see a hint of amusement in her expression.


    "Sure, why not? But next time, let''s make sure it''s actually not a date." She said, giving him a yful shove.


    With a hearty chuckle, Emir quipped while looking at her straight in the eye:


    "Seems like you''re implying I''m chasing after you, making me feel like some mutt."


    In response, she let out a yfulugh and gently swatted his arm.


    "Well, if the shoe fits," she retorted with a smirk, relishing in the yful banter.


    After giving him a warm hug, she said her goodbyes, and they waved at each other before parting ways.


    Walking back home, Emir''s once warm and cheerful demeanor quickly transformed into a cold and menacing one.


    His mind was consumed by thoughts of doubt and suspicion.


    ''Is it just me overthinking things?''


    ''Or could she really be that good of an actress?''


    At first, he was simply impressed with her skills on that day, but then he realized that she wasn''t injured and that she didn''t look tired either, not as much as the others at least...


    ''Is she just that skilled?''


    He couldn''t help but feel that something was amiss.


    ''The series of events that led me here all seem too contrived, almost as if they were nned, like a well-orchestrated show.''


    ''Is it the doing of the Order?''


    ''Maybe Evelyn doesn''t know and is being manipted, but that could just be my personal bias speaking.''


    He now understood that Lyra or someone else, manipted him to meet Evelyn, but for what purpose?


    ''So many questions, yet no answers,'' he sighed at that thought.


    He supposed that he''d have to continue feigning ignorance.


    She told him not to trust her, and he now assumed that this was included as well.


    ''No matter what it is, as long as I have some inkling of what''sing, I can turn the tables on them...''


    ''If the Order thinks they can use Evelyn to control me, they are sorely mistaken.''


    ''But it might not just be about control. Maybe something more, something I haven''t quite grasped yet.''


    ''Or maybe all of this is just me overthinking things and it''s all just a coincidence....''


    ''But even if it is, I better be prepared.''


    Besides, even if he noticed something, he couldn''t abruptly change directions now, it mighte off as too suspicious.


    And as he was lost in his thoughts, he didn''t realize that he had already arrived at their apartment.


    Emir who woke up from his automotive state opened the door and was greeted by the sight of Laura and Lily busily preparing dinner in the kitchen.


    He snuck up behind Lily, hoping to give her a little surprise.


    Slowly, step by step, he eventually ended up right behind her.


    yfully, he grabbed her cheeks, pulling them gently.


    "Hey, sis. How was your day?" He asked with a grin.


    She tried to retaliate, but he held her cheeks firmly in his grip.


    "Heyyy, leht go!" She protested, giggling.


    Emir chuckled and let her go.


    "So, how was your day?" He repeated.


    "It was alright," Lily replied, rubbing her cheeks.


    "I''ll tell you more about itter, so can you please stop?" She added, pouting slightly.


    He ruffled her hair yfully.


    "Sure thing, kiddo. I can''t wait to hear about it," Emir said, turning to greet his mother, who was busy making dinner.


    "Hey, Mom. What''s cooking?" He peered over her shoulder.


    "Stir-fried vegetables with rice, one of your favorites," she replied, smiling at him.


    Emir grinned, feeling his stomach growl at the mention of food.


    "Sounds great. Need any help?" He offered.


    "No, no. Just go freshen up, and dinner will be ready soon," she said, shooing him off.


    Emir gave a quick nod before retreating to his room, lost in thought.


    Lyra''s warning reyed in his mind, and he knew that he had to stay vignt.


    Her words were subtly influencing his future decisions, unknowingly to him.


    After washing his face and changing into fresh clothes, he made his way back to the kitchen to wait for dinner.


    But just as he settled into his seat, his terminal rang, its bright screen illuminating the dimly lit room.


    He fished it out of his pocket and saw that Kiera had sent him a message.


    He swiped it open and began to read the contents.


    Emir''s smile widened like the devil''s as he took in the words before him.

 Chapter 45: Goodbye

    <h4>Chapter 45: Goodbye</h4>


    {We found them.}


    In the aftermath of the initial shock and excitement, his mind raced with the realization that Kiera and her gang had finally located the culprits responsible for the hit on him.


    ''It''s time for the hunter to hunt,'' he thought with grim determination, only smiling further because of it.


    ''But before I do anything, I better tell them about what''s happening before I go off-grid for a while.''


    After all, he couldn''t risk being caught off guard while trying to increase his rank, especially with this noose of death still hanging around his neck.


    He needed to nip them in the bud before they were ever close to harming his people.


    After a few more minutes of small talk, Laura walked towards the table carrying tes of food, and Lily followed with utensils in hand.


    While they ate, Lily chattered about her day at the academy, and although Emir was outwardly nodding, conversing, and joking with her, he was consumed with thinking of how to break the news to his family.


    And as soon as she finished telling her story, he knew what had to be done.


    "We need to have a family meeting after we finish eating," Emir said, his voice taking on a grave tone.


    "There''s something important that I need to tell you both."


    Silence filled the room as his family members redirected their attention towards Emir, their faces riddled with worry.


    A few moments passed, and they finished their meals, gathering around the table again for their first of many family meetings.


    Emir began to share the details of the situation with them as their expressions shifted from concern to shock.


    He exined to them that Kiera and her gang had found the group responsible for the hit on him and that he needed to handle the situation before it escted any further.


    As his mother, Laura, and sister, Lily, listened to his situation, he noticed the obvious worry etched on their faces, but they didn''t discourage him.


    They knew enough about the hunter world to understand that Emir had to take matters into his own hands.


    And with Lily always being curious, she was the first to speak up.


    "So, what''s the n?" She asked eagerly.


    Emir leaned forward, his eyes locked on Lily''s.


    "First, I need to gather intel on them," he said.


    "Kiera''s gang should be able to help with that. Once I have enough information, I''ll strike. They won''t see iting, but if they do, I have another n for it."


    His mother''s expression turned into a frown, filled with concern.


    "Emir, this sounds dangerous. Are you absolutely sure that you''re prepared for this?"


    He let out a sigh as he attempted to deal with her mama-hen mode again.


    "I didn''t mention it earlier, but I''ve faced a simr group before, and well, you know how that ended up, don''t you?"


    "I was trained for this, and I''ve already dealt with it. I can handle it without any issues."


    He extended his hand, grasping his mother''s, attempting to alleviate her apprehension.


    "I understand your worries, but I have to take action. I simply can''t let this go."


    Lily chimed in, giving Emir her support:


    "He''s right, Mom! Emir knows what he''s doing, and he''s a training maniac. So, I''m sure he''ll be fine."


    Laura looked between the two of them, her face a mixture of fear and determination.


    "Okay," she finally said.


    "But be careful, alright?"


    "I will, don''t worry."


    "I''ll keep you updated with what I''m doing down there." Emir said while walking back to his room.


    Donning his augmented suit once again, he loaded up his weapons and gathered all his ammunition from the crates, carefully packing them into his rucksack.


    Before leaving, Emir hugged his family onest time and reassured his mother.


    "Love you," he said, giving them both a kiss on the forehead.


    As Emir walked away, their farewells echoed in the empty hallway.


    ''Since I don''t want any loose ends, it might be a while before I return home again...''


    ''Man¡­ I''ll really miss them.''


    A chuckle escaped him as he realized how attached he had be to his family.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Emir soon arrived at the slums, after descending into the sector''s bunker.


    Making his way through the grimy alleyways, he finally reached Kiera''s gang''s building.


    He knocked on the gate, and a few momentster, the gate opened, with Kiera appearing behind it, as a sly smile hung on her face.


    "Emir, it''s been a while. Come in."


    He stepped inside and followed Kiera to the living room.


    They exchanged some pleasantries before Kiera got down to business.


    "So, after a while of searching, I believe I found the group that you are looking for," she said, leaning back in her chair.


    "This information might help you, but it isn''t much."


    Leaning forward, his interest piqued, Emir spoke with an authoritative tone, his words carrying a sense ofmand.


    "Tell me."


    "I don''t know the name of the group yet, but I do know that their gang has ess to some ruins, and they sell stolen relics they find there in the ck market." Kiera, replied, appearing unbothered.


    Nodding, he absorbed the underlying meaning behind her words and followed up with a question:


    "Do you know where they are?"


    Kiera shook her head.


    "Not exactly. But I do know that they''re at least rank 20 and up hunters. They''re not an easy group to track down, especially for a small gang like us."


    He sighed and said:


    "That''s not much to go on. Is there anything else that could help me?"


    She thought for a moment before speaking up.


    "Actually, there''s a hunter named Max who''s been asking around about the same group of people, he''s easy to spot, and he is wearing a cheap knockoff augmented suit. You might want to try finding him and see if he has any leads, be careful though, it might be a trap."


    Considering her suggestion, Emir nodded.


    "Alright, I''ll give it a shot. Thanks for the help, Kiera."


    "No problem, Emir," she said with a smile.


    "Just be careful out there. These guys are dangerous."


    ¡­


    Emir decided to follow Kiera''s advice and set out to find Max.


    He asked around the slums and eventually learned that Max was often found at a bar called ''The Last Stand.''


    When he arrived at the bar, he saw the person who looked to be Max sitting alone at a table, drinking.


    He approached the table where Max sat alone, eyeing him suspiciously.


    "Are you Max?" He asked, his tone cold.


    Max looked up, sizing Emir up, before nodding warily.


    "Yeah, that''s me. Who''s asking?"


    Emir leaned in closer, his voice low:


    "I''m the one who''s been sent to find out about the people you''ve been asking around about."


    His eyes narrowing, he continued:


    "And I want answers."


    Max shifted ufortably, clearly feeling the tension in the air.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about." He said, his voice faltering slightly.


    Emir mmed his fist onto the table, causing Max to jump in surprise.


    "Don''t y dumb with me!"


    "I know you''ve been following the same group of people as me. I want to know what you''ve found out."


    Max hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting nervously around the bar.


    "I don''t know anything for sure," he said finally.


    "But I think they might be connected to arger organization that deals in illegal relic trade."


    Emir''s expression darkened.


    "That''s not good enough," he spat.


    "I need more information. And if you''re not willing to give it to me, I''ll have to do some questionable things."


    Max gulped audibly, his eyes widening in fear.


    "What are you going to do?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Emir raised his hand, his grip threatening to snap Max''s neck.


    "I''ll have fun with you, bone to bone, muscle to muscle, all will be cut. I''ll take your intestines and shove them back into your mouth.... You''ll regret ever existing." He hissed.


    Max paled, clearly believing his threat.


    "Okay, okay," he stammered.


    "I''ll tell you what I can."


    Emir leaned back slightly, his eyes never leaving Max''s face.


    "Go on."


    Max took a deep breath, his hands shaking slightly.


    "I''ve been keeping track of their movements."


    "And I think they might be operating out of a warehouse on the outskirts of the slums. But be careful, they''re heavily armed and dangerous."


    Emir nodded, considering Max''s words carefully.


    "And why were you following them in the first ce?" He asked, his tone still threatening.


    Max looked away, clearly ufortable.


    "My little brother was killed by that gang, I''ve been trying to find out who did it so I can make them pay."


    Emir felt a flicker of sympathy for Max but quickly discarded it, knowing that it was most definitely a lie.


    "I''m sorry for your loss," he said coldly.


    "But that doesn''t change the fact that you''re involved in something dangerous. And if you ever try to follow me or interfere with my mission, I won''t hesitate to kill you."


    Max nodded, his eyes wide with fear.


    "I understand," he said quickly.


    "I won''t interfere. Just promise me you''ll make them pay for what they did to my brother."


    Emir noticed Max''s reaction as he said those words; it wasn''t relief but a different emotion.


    Satisfaction.


    So he didn''t respond, instead, he leaned closer to Max and unsheathed his electric knife, holding it dangerously close to Max''s neck.


    It was evident that Emir meant business, and that Max was caught in the act.


    And Emir didn''t need to say a word for Max to understand that death would be a mercypared to what he was capable of if he failed toply and spill all he knew.

 Chapter 46: Torture

    <h4>Chapter 46: Torture</h4>


    "Listen, Max. I know that you''re still hiding things from me."


    Raising his left hand, Emir lightly pped Max''s face twice.


    "C''mon man, just stop wasting my time, we both know what would happen if you don''t tell me all that you know."


    Max''s eyes widened in fear, and he began to stutter:


    "O-okay, l-look, I already told you everything I know, the rest wouldn''t help you, b-but I''ll tell you anyway, okay? J-just don''t hurt me."


    Emir tightened his grip on the knife and stood up from the table.


    He leaned in closer, the knife still pressed against Max''s throat.


    "That''s better," he growled.


    "Now tell me all you know about this warehouse. What''s the entrance like? How many guards do they have? Are there any weaknesses I can exploit?"


    Max stammered out a jumble of answers, clearly terrified of Emir''s threatening demeanor.


    But nothing of what he said was of use, only confirming that Max was continuing with his act of barely knowing anything.


    And Emir noticed that, so he pped Max across the face, stronger this time, and pressed him for more details:


    "I know there''s more you''re not telling me. And I''m begging you here, it''s getting very hard not to kill you right now... So just tell me, alright?!"


    Shaking his head, Emir rebuked himself:


    "Actually... scratch that, just follow me and don''t make a sound. We''ll talk in private."


    Just as those words left his mouth, he signaled Max to stand up using his knife.


    Max shot up from his seat, his body trembling with fear, and reluctantly stepped forward.


    His every movement cautious as he made his way towards the bar''s exit under Emir''s watchful gaze.


    With the knife hidden behind Max''s back, Emir followed him out of the bar and through the winding corridors of the slums.


    They eventually arrived at a secluded corner, with Emir keeping the knife pressed against Max''s back the entire way there.


    When they moved further into the alleyway, Emir finally let him go.


    And so Max moved away, nting his behind against a nearby wall.


    He stuttered, asking:


    "Are...are you going to kill me?"


    Emir scoffed, having none of it.


    "I don''t have time for your lies. Your life depends on how cooperative you are."


    "Now, spill everything you know about this group."


    Max gulped nervously.


    "I swear that I told you all I know, man, I don''t know anything else."


    Emir propped up his knife once again and held Max''s arm with his left hand, sinking his knife into it at a very slow pace.


    "That''s not good enough! IF you don''t stop lying to me, you''ll have to say goodbye to your right hand that you love so much! C''mon man! I''m giving you an out here TAKE IT!"


    Letting out a sigh, he stepped back as if trying hard to control himself.


    Shaking his head, he continued:


    "This is thest time I will be asking this, make it count. So... you said you''ve been following them for a while. What else have you seen?"


    Max''s face contorted as if he was frantically trying to remember anything he could tell Emir.


    "I...I overheard them talking about secret entrances to some of the UEF-owned ruins, it''s probably where they got their relics from."


    Lowering his knife slightly, Emir said:


    "That''s more like it. Is there anything else?"


    Max shook his head.


    "That''s all I know, I swear¡­ Now¡­please let me go."


    Emir smirked.


    "You should''ve just told me everything from the start, you wasted both of our times with your useless drivel."


    With a sudden lunge forward, he plunged his knife into Max''s throat, while covering his mouth, holding back any potential scream.


    "You can rest easy now, Max. Your poor brother will be avenged."


    He pulled the knife out of Max''s neck and propped his dead body up on his shoulder, disappearing into the shadows, leaving no trace of his involvement except for the questionable knowledge he gained.


    ''He acted suspicious from the start, I can''t trust him with most of what he said, and for all I know, he might be directly involved with the group, and well....''


    ''His body will be needed for my second n.''


    [Lyra, lead me to the best inn nearby.]


    [Understood.]


    Her hologram instantly materialized as she walked in front of Emir, her appearance and attire standing out against the backdrop of the dingy slums.


    Emir followed behind her and carefully made his way to the inn, trying to stay inconspicuous.


    His mind raced with thoughts of one of the three underworld factions being involved, as was subtly revealed by Max.


    And minutes before they reached the inn, Lyra informed him:


    [The Lost Inn is in the next block forward.]


    [Good, let''s proceed with the n.] Emir said as he threw Max''s body away in a corner.


    ¡­


    As Emir pushed open the creaky doors of The Lost Inn, the scent of stale alcohol mingled with the smoky air of the establishment hit him like a wave.


    And his arrival did not go unnoticed, as his eyes immediately fell upon a stooped, middle-aged man tending to the worn bar counter, his tired eyes trained on Emir, reflecting a lifetime of hardship.


    At the nearby tables, clusters of weary hunters in tattered gear clutched their drinks, their battle-worn gear telling stories of past encounters drowned their sorrows in sses of cheap liquor.


    He walked up to the man and asked:


    "Do you have a room avable for one person, just for tonight?"


    In a gruff voice, he replied:


    "It''ll cost you 100 UC. And don''t even think aboutining about the price. With gear like that, you can definitely afford it."


    "Just give me the damn room!" Emir spat, not in the mood for bickering.


    With a deep voiceced with an undercurrent of menace, his words reverberated through the room, filling it with an aura of intimidation.


    His dark eyes, devoid of any trace of warmth, pierced through those who dared to meet his gaze, leaving them unsettled in his presence.


    Towering over most, his imposing figure instilled fear in the hearts of both hunters and ordinary bystanders alike, despite their familiarity with the daily struggles of survival in the slums.


    Even the middle-aged hunchback, tending to the worn bar counter, couldn''t escape the grip of fear that tightened around him.


    Trembling, he extended a key to Emir and stammered:


    "I-I''m sorry for any disrespect I''ve shown. Please, take our best room. I don''t want any trouble."


    Emir snickered as he grabbed the key from the innkeeper''s hand.


    "Good that you know."


    Saying that, he made his way upstairs, following the room number he was given.


    When he reached the second floor, he walked down the hallway until he found room 201.


    Inserting the key into the lock, he opened the door and stepped inside.


    And he was greeted by a nice room with a simple bed, desk, wardrobe, and bathroom.


    Still donning his rucksack, he sat down at his desk and began to analyze all the potential ways things could go wrong.


    But it was clear that what he had in mind had to be done, this group was fully armed and potentially had ess to illegal relics, making it a daunting task to take them down one by one.


    While in thought, he couldn''t shake the feeling that he was being watched.


    He quickly scanned the room but saw nothing out of the ordinary.


    Continuing his nning, he acted as though he had brushed it off.


    And without warning, a noise pierced the air behind him.


    Emir''s instincts kicked in, and he swiftly pivoted, his eyes widening as a shadowy figure barreled into him with incredible force, sending him sprawling to the ground.


    He exerted every ounce of strength to rise to his feet, his muscles straining against the pain, but the figure was too fast.


    He felt a sharp pain in his side as they plunged a knife into him.


    Emir, now stranded on the ground, caught a glimpse of their mask, realizing that they were a member of the group he had been going after.


    It looked to be a woman with cold, calcting eyes.


    She wore all ck, with a long coat that billowed behind her as she moved.


    "You''re quite the troublemaker, aren''t you?" She sneered as she drew her knife out of Emir''s side.


    Blood poured out of the wound, and Emir struggled to catch his breath.


    "Who...who are you?" He gasped.


    While speaking, he tried to reach for his own knife but found that it was no longer in its sheath.


    He acted out, exaggerating his panic.


    Seeing his reaction, she chuckled darkly and said:


    "You may call me Raven. And you, my friend, are in the wrong ce at the wrong time."


    Emir gritted his teeth, feeling his strength start to fade.


    "What do you want from me?" He growled.


    She leaned in close so that her face was just inches from his.


    "I''m only a hired hand, friend, and you are in... Very... Big... Trouble¡­"


    And before Emir could respond, she plunged her knife into him again.


    This time, the pain was too much for his body to bear, and everything went ck.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    As Emir regained consciousness, he tried to move but realized that he was tied up, his arms bound with chains.


    His eyes strained to make sense of his surroundings in the dimly lit room.


    The flickering light revealed bare concrete walls, cold and unweing.


    The air hung heavy with the stench of dampness and despair.


    A single bulb dangling from the ceiling cast eerie shadows that danced across the blood-stained floor.


    There was no mistaking it¡ªit was a simple torture room.


    The eerie silence was punctuated only by the distant hum of machinery, a haunting reminder of the torment that awaited him.


    His head throbbed, as he tried to recall how he ended up in this situation.


    But just as he remembered, a figure wearing a mask entered the room.


    "Ah, you''re awake," they said.


    "Good. We''ve been waiting for you toe around."


    A desperate need to speak wed at Emir''s throat, yet his parched vocal cords offered only a raspy whisper.


    <i>Croak¡­</i>


    Noticing that, the figure grasped a bottle of water and forcefully jammed it into Emir''s mouth.


    The cool stic pressed against his lips, and as the water gushed into his mouth, he choked and sputtered, his body instinctively gasping for air amidst the deluge.


    With a burned throat, Emir''s gaze remained fixed on the figure, observing their eyes narrowing with a cruel satisfaction, as they slowly retracted the bottle.


    He coughed out water all over the ce, forcefully expelling it and speaking through the remnants of the liquid that lingered in his mouth.


    "Who are you?" Emir demanded, his voice strained.


    "And why are you after me?"


    The figure smirked.


    "My name isn''t important. What is important is that I am a part of the group you were looking around for, and we know everything about you, Emir. Your family, your friends, your cute little date, and your connection to the old-worldwork."


    Emir''s eyes widened, barely managing to hide his reaction, as he thought, ''Dammit! I was careful in keeping my connection with Lyra a secret, but it looks like it has been uncovered or at least suspected.''


    ''Well¡­ At least I now know why they went after me.''


    "We want you to tell us how to ess the old-worldwork," the figure said.


    "And we''re willing to do whatever it takes to get that information from you."


    Just as he said that, he disappeared into a separate room for a few moments before returning with a tray.


    The tray was filled with an assortment of sharp and dangerous-looking objects, such as knives, needles, and screws¡ªthe basic stuff.


    He ced it down next to Emir''s chair before stepping back.


    "I don''t need to exin what we will do to you, right?" He asked.


    "Speak now if you want an easy death."


    Seeing that Emir had no intention of speaking, he picked up a knife.


    And with that, Emir''s nightmare began.


    The torturer plucked out his thumb''s nail using the knife, then proceeded to skewer it with needles.


    Emir gritted his teeth and tried to endure the uing trial.


    Each needle skewered into his finger brought him more pain than thest, with each nerve ending screaming in protest.


    ''FUCK...ING HELL!! GOD Dammit! I will have to go through this for a few days at least, I can''t tap out now!'' Emir screamed inwardly, keeping himself in check.


    And seeing that Emir was still holding strong, the man paused his torture only to burst intoughter, relishing in the thought of prolonging Emir''s suffering.


    Offering no respite, he resumed his assault, this time targeting Emir''s other fingers.


    And despite Emir''s efforts to suppress the agony, he couldn''t help but bellow even more, internally, of course, and many of those words were of the atrocious kind.


    Once the feeling had vanished from Emir''s right arm, the man moved on to Emir''s left, repeating the same brutal process.


    Like clockwork, Emir endured the pain without showing any signs of surrender.


    But as the torturer twisted Emir''s pinky finger on his left hand, it suddenly snapped, catching him off guard.


    His vocal cords tensed, and his throat burned with the raw desire to unleash a bloodcurdling scream.


    Yet, with an iron will, he mped down on the rising tide of agony, his teeth sinking into his lower lip until coppery blood trickled into his mouth, suppressing the scream that threatened to tear from his throat.


    Not wanting to give the bastard in front of him the satisfaction of winning over him.


    "Wow, impressive. Really. No one has ever endured that without even whimpering in agony before. Good job," he remarked, his tone dripping with condescending mockery.


    "But we have a long way to go, so shall we continue?" He asked, eager to prolong Emir''s suffering even further.

 Chapter 47 Torture II

    47 Torture II


    With each snap of Emir''s fingers, the pain surged through him like a bolt of lightning.


    The man seemed to take pleasure in causing him agony, and Emir could hear hisughter echoing in the small room.


    Emir''s fingers throbbed as the man moved on to his arms, pulling and twisting them with a sickening force.


    He felt the bones in his arms bend and break under relentless torture.


    The pain was unbearable, and Emir was starting to lose consciousness.


    But the torturer wasn''t finished with him yet.


    "Ugh¡­"


    Emir let out a whimper as his left arm was twisted, and the torturerughed in triumph, finally managing to make him let out a groan.


    He felt the sweat pouring down his face as the man finished his brutal work, leaving him with twisted limbs and both arms iling at each side of the chair he was sitting on, causing him an indescribable amount of pain.


    But somehow, Emir managed to endure it, gritting his teeth and taking slow, shallow breaths to stave off the pain.


    But without any pause, the man moved to Emir''s feet.


    He took out a hammer and started hitting each of Emir''s toes, one by one.


    Emir felt his bones shatter with each blow, tears threatening to stream down his face as he tried to maintain hisposure.


    The torturer moved on to his legs, and with brutal efficiency, he snapped the bones in his legs one by one.


    Emir tried to remain stoic, but the pain was almost too much, even for him, and he gritted his teeth further, causing more blood to drip out of his mouth.


    The man finally took a step back, his expression unreadable as he spoke in a chilling tone:


    "I''m not sure if you can hear me, but listen closely¡­ I have exhausted all body parts to toy with. I can''t carry on torturing you without killing you¡­"


    "But don''t be under the impression that you''re safe now. I will heal you and do it all over again¡­"


    "You will not get any rest until you breathe yourst breath."


    "¡­Now why don''t you talk and make it easier for yourself?"


    "¡­"


    Emir remained silent, his inky eyes nkly staring into nothingness.


    "Suit yourself."


    With those words left behind, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Emir in excruciating pain.


    He reentered the room after a brief moment, carrying an old-world medicine box filled with pills.


    In one swift motion, he jammed them into Emir''s mouth, and despite the agony, he managed to swallow them.


    Emir felt a wave of relief wash over him as he realized that things were going ording to n, something that he had begun to doubt.


    "Rx for now, Emir, it would be the only time you would be able to." He said sitting down on a nearby chair.


    As sensation slowly returned to his arms, the sound of metal needles hitting the ground echoed in the room, indicating the nails had been ejected from his fingertips.


    Hearing that, the torturer resumed his cruel work, giving Emir no respite.


    Despite the escting agony, Emir remained more stoic than ever, his body rigid and his eyes fixed, waiting for an opportunity.


    Hour after hour, the torture continued, each moment more unbearable than thest.


    However, only one thing hasn''t remained unchanged: the torturer''s stamina.


    He couldn''t keep up and eventually switched over to another.


    The new one acted the same as the first, it was like they were both imitating a code or book that exined intimidation tactics and such.


    ¡­


    Emir forced himself to sleep a bit during each recovery period, striving to maintain concentration.


    And soon enough, Lyra alerted him to the arrival of a new day by offering a cheerful morning greeting, to which he responded in kind.


    Today, the torturer took his brutality to a new level, clearly infuriated by Emir''sck of response.


    He repeatedly broke his fingers, arms, and legs, using old-world medicine to patch him up just enough to withstand the next bout of torture.


    Emir''s body was bruised and battered beyond recognition, yet somehow he managed to cling to life.


    His focus was slowly waning, however¡­


    Since the only thing he kept hearing was the same meaning question constantly repeated after every bout.


    "How can you ess the old-worldwork?"


    "How can you do it?"


    "Tell me how!"


    ''How, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how, how¡­ JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!!''


    ¡­


    Lyra''s good morning, greeting signaled another day had passed, but Emir had lost track of time amidst the constant agony.


    His mind was slowly detaching from his body, and the torture was bing increasingly brutal.


    They had always waited for Emir''s injuries to heal.


    And when his arms, fingers, and bones, grew back like hair¡­


    They''d return back to the usual.


    And the torture kept going, on and on.


    Almost never-ending.


    Over and


    body.


    Emir clenched his teeth until his mouth started bleeding more than ever before, but they justughed and continued to inflict more pain.


    But suddenly, during his few moments of healing and rest, someone came into the room, finally turning on the lights, almost blinding Emir in the process.


    d in a C-rank augmented suit, the man strode up to Emir''s torturer and shouted in his face:


    "WHY HAVEN''T YOU MADE HIM SPEAK YET?!"


    Stepping back, the man said:


    "¡­I''m sorry, boss, there is nothing that I can do, he just doesn''t say a word, he just grunts and takes in the torture all day."


    In surprise, the man turned his gaze towards Emir, scrutinizing his appearance.


    "How is this possible? Didn''t the information we get say that he was only 13 and had it easy?"


    [¡­Lyra¡­.. Get ready.] Emir said telepathically.


    [Just tell me when to start.] She replied.


    Barely finding the strength to speak, Emir asked with a hoarse voice:


    "¡­How did you find out about me being connected to the old-worldwork?"


    The leader''s eyes narrowed as he leaned in close to him.


    "So you can speak....good, good."


    "An acquaintance of yours snitched on you, they weren''t sure about your connection to the old world, but that''s what all the torture was for, right? Oh, and we won''t tell you who that is, we have a policy not to disclose our friend''s information, you see."


    Emir attempted to nod his mangled head.


    "...Okay, but before I tell you guys anything, I want to know more about my future killers."


    "Well..." The group''s leader paused for a moment, giving himself a moment to think.


    "Sure, it would waste both of our time to continue this." He continued, agreeing to Emir''s demand.


    [Begin.] He said, announcing their demise, wanting nothing more than to kill them all.


    Ofc, as hinted at previously this entire thing was nned by Emir, he wouldn''t be giving himself away so easily now, would he?

 Chapter 48 Satisfaction

    48 Satisfaction [Understood.]


    As soon as she started moving, a small hologram of her current situation was present in front of Emir, showing him her location from a third-person point of view.


    "We are a small group belonging to an underworld faction. I don''t know much about our leaders, not that I could tell you anyways, but just know that the faction members secretly infiltrated many seats of the UEF government, their industries, and sectors."


    As he spoke, Emir watched Lyra control Max in his Chrono-Sense augmented suit, silently killing their hideout guards one after the other, with maximum efficiency, offering them no chance to retaliate.


    "We''re not significant enough to have a name in the faction you see, but we call ourselves Night Raiders. You already know what our friend Max told you, and it''s a shame that you killed him. He was a good man,"


    "Anyways, that''s already more than enough information for someone who''s about to meet their end. Are you content now? Tell me what you know before I lose my patience."


    ''I need to stall for more time.'' Emir thought as he watched Lyra sneak into the building, unsurprisingly not getting detected by the heat and information gathering sensors stered all around the hideout.


    "I will, there is nothing left for me to lose anyway, but before that, I need to know, did Max tell you about me?" Emir asked, acting oblivious to the evident truth.


    "Of course, we always deployed him as bait to catch anyone tracking us. People would usually spare him, moved by his sob story, but you''re not like them."


    The man looked at Emir up and down, his eyes full of curiosity.


    "You are different." He continued.


    "He was truly scared of you. He was known for his acting, but even the best actor in the world wouldn''t show a face of true fear like that when dead."


    "But enough about that, stop asking questions and answer me." He said, his tone starting to get impatient.


    "Alright, alright, .....it was something I found in sector 2-A, I found an injection needle filled with weird liquid, I got it checked with the local hospital, and it was discovered to be a stolen Nano-bots injection, and since I found it, it was injected into me for free, only after deciding it was safe, of course."


    "Since that day, I''ve noticed the connection to the old world that you mentioned, although I have no idea what it is, or what I can do with it."


    Eyeing Emir suspiciously, he asked, "You''re not lying to me, are you?"


    "No, I want this to end with me, you could get a lie detector if you wanted to, I have no problem in prolonging my death, you know."


    "Good man, but there is no need for that, so tell me, where did you find it?" He asked, his voice failing to suppress his happiness at the news.


    "I''ve found it in..." Emir said, only to pause for a long moment.


    "SAY IT!" The man screamed, desperation creeping into his voice.


    "Your grave," he replied with a dark, twisted smile.


    In a sudden outburst of impatience, he reached for his assault rifle, but before he could even lift it, his head exploded into a shower of gore as bullets whizzed through him.


    The man beside him jumped in surprise and attempted to grab his own gun, but he was swiftly taken down by two bullets to the body.


    The echoes of gunfire faded, and the pinging sound of bullets hitting the ground filled the silence.


    Slowly, Emir lifted his head to see the walking-dead body of Max, holding a shoddy rifle in his dead hands.


    [All dead, Lyra?]


    [All dead.] She confirmed.


    [Good, let''s proceed with the second part of the n.]


    She freed Emir from his restraints, and he struggled to stand up due to his weakened state.


    He swallowed some pills to alleviate the pain and waited for a while until they healed his body to a functioning state.


    Now that he was able to move, he made his way over to one of the men who had tortured him for the past three days.


    "Hey there, still alive?" He inquired, nudging the man''s almost lifeless body with his foot.


    "Please, just kill me," he responded, his voice defeated.


    Emir chuckled, madness apparent in his eyes.


    "Oh, Hahaha, don''t worry, don''t worry, I''ll kill you. But it''s up to you¡ªdo you want it to be slow or quick?"


    "...."


    "You''re stealing my silent treatment now? How original. Did you not have enough fun torturing me?"


    Emir kicked him where the bullet hit.


    "I''ll tell you everything I know, please." He responded, appearing too weak to handle the pain he was so used to inflicting on others.


    "Well, stolen tricks are just stolen tricks. Did your boss tell anyone about me?" Emir asked.


    "N-no, Sir. Only the Night Raiders knew. He didn''t want anyone else to take our chance," he answered, stuttering through the pain.


    "Good to know. Now let''s end this... Goodbye, friend."


    Lyra, still controlling Max, shot him straight in the head, sttering his brain.


    [Do they have equipment better than mine?] Emir asked, looking away from the bloodied corpses.


    [No, some weapons are decent, but aside from that, nothing is better, all are equal or worse, but you can collect all their gear and sell it in the ck market, it would you some profit.]


    [That''s the n girl, by the way, do you know where they stored my gear?]


    [Follow me,] she said as her hologram appeared and walked in front of Emir.


    While that happened, Max''s body kept piling up Night Raider''s equipment into a corner of the room.


    Following her into a room neighboring the one he was just in, Emir spotted a mother lode of weapons.


    ''Jackpot!'' He thought in glee.


    But ignoring that for a moment, he walked up to a weapons rack, where he pulled out his guns and augmented suit.


    After changing into his suit and strapping on his AR and rail gun, Emir began helping with gathering the weapons scattered around the room.


    But on his way to the corner of the torture room, he suddenly heard the sound of gunfire echoing right behind him.

 Chapter 49 Raven

    49 Raven


    Instantly using his TDS ability to the maximum, Emir managed to evade the first shot, with the second bullet hitting him right in the shoulder just before he got into cover behind some crates.


    Thankfully, he was donning his augmented suit, because if he wasn''t, he would''ve been dead then and there.


    Lyra controlled Max into shooting right back at the enemy, allowing him some much-needed time to swallow some old-world medicine.


    But she soon stopped firing, unable to control the augmented suit on Max''s broken body anymore; his body was now almost turning into goo, leaving Emir without her support.


    [Good luck,] Lyra said simply.


    Emir didn''t bother to reply, now it was just him and the enemy, and like usual he had to rely on his own skills and instincts to survive.


    He propped up his HX-10 assault rifle and turned on his visor to calcte their location based on the muzzle sh he saw from their gun.


    Emir eyeing the ce where the shots were fired, noticed his enemy turning off their camouge and revealing themselves, looking to be saving their augmented suit''s energy.


    It was the same woman who had attacked him a few days before, Raven.


    There was no need for conversation, as they both readied themselves for the fight.


    With her gun raised, she shot at him once again.


    Emir returned fire, moving from cover to cover, trying to get a clear shot at her.


    However, Raven was quick, darting from one hiding spot to the next and firing with deadly uracy.


    Unfazed, he continued to fire, then when both of them went to reload, he aimed at the location where he predicted Raven woulde out of.


    He heard the subtle shuffling of her feat and saw her outline in his visor, then immediately adjusted his aim once more.


    Raven was fast, but Emir was faster.


    He smiled through gritted teeth and fired off another round, hitting her in the arm.


    She cried out in pain, but it only seemed to fuel her rage.


    Raven charged forward, leaving behind cover and firing her weapon wildly.


    And Emir did the same while dodging her bullets as he circled around her.


    The stato of gunfire echoed through the room, drowning out all other sounds, as bullets flew through the air, ricocheting off the walls and shattering the furniture around them.


    Stopping for a moment, they both shot at each other, but then both Raven and Emir deftly used their weapons as shields, deflecting away each other''s shots.


    It was a deadly dance, and neither of them showed any sign of backing down.


    As they circled each other once again, Emir could see the cold look in Raven''s eyes.


    ''She is a well-trained assassin, no doubt about it.'' He thought.


    But Emir had something she didn''t¡ªthe TDS ability.


    He activated it again, allowing him to clearly see Raven''s movements as she made them.


    Noticing that she would hide to reload, he switched to his rail gun, unleashing a powerful energy st that scorched the ground where she had been standing just moments before.


    She only dodged it by diving to the side, barely avoiding the st.


    But even as she rolled to her feet, Emir was already firing again with his rifle.


    This time, his shots found their mark, hitting her in the stomach.


    She stumbled back while crying in pain, the impact throwing her off bnce, as she hid away behind cover.


    For a moment, it was silent, and Emir thought, ''Did I get her?''


    But then she recovered, and in a blur of motion, she was back on her feet, firing once more.


    ''WHY DID I EVEN ASK?!''


    Was what he shouted inwardly, as he attempted to dodge her bullets.


    But this time, they found their target.


    Emir knew he couldn''t dodge in time, even with the use of his TDS ability, so he shielded himself, his arm easily blocking the bullet from hitting his chest.


    ''DAMMIT!''


    He gritted his teeth in pain but refused to let it slow him down.


    Emir circled her in a sprint and continued to fire his HX-10, with rounds flying everywhere, causing the room to further erupt in a hail of shrapnel and debris.


    Through the chaos, he saw Raven''s silhouettee out of cover and fired again.


    But she was ready for him.


    She twisted aside at thest moment, and his bullets went wide.


    And with a sudden burst of speed, she closed the distance between them and lunged at Emir with a knife.


    He blocked her attack with his HX-10, the de sparking against the barrel.


    For a moment, they were locked in a deadly embrace of strength, neither of them able to gain the upper hand.


    But then Emir saw an opening, and with a swift kick, he knocked the knife from her hand.


    With a snarl, sheunched herself at him again, but this time, Emir was ready instead.


    He grabbed her by the wrist and flipped her over his shoulder, mming her into the ground with a satisfying thud.


    While falling, however, her body contorted with fluid grace, harnessing the momentum of her fall to deliver a swift roundhouse kick that sent Emir hurtling across the room.


    Yet, in the face of this assault, Emir was able to react in time, relying on his slowed time to deflect her blow and shield himself from further harm.


    ''Touch¨¦,'' he thought as he quickly got back up and aimed his HX-10 AR at her, but she had already disappeared behind another crate.


    Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him and quickly turned around, but she was already there, swinging another knife at him.


    Emir managed to block it with his gun, but she quickly followed up with a punch to his stomach that knocked the wind out of him.


    He stumbled backward but managed to regain his footing just in time to see her charging at him again.


    With slowed time, Emir sidestepped her attack andnded a powerful kick to her side, sending her crashing into a nearby crate.


    Raven quickly got back up, but he could see that the pain was slowly starting to get to her.


    She charged at him again, and they engaged in a fierce closebat battle.


    Many punches, kicks, and feints were exchanged, but at one point, he managed to grab her by the wrist and twist her arm, attempting to break it.


    But she quickly broke free andnded a powerful punch to his face that sent him reeling.


    They both took a moment to catch their breath and then charged at each other again.


    It was a brutal, intense fight, and neither of them seemed to be gaining the upper hand.


    They were both skilled and experiencedbatants, each with their own weapons and abilities.


    Emir had the advantage of his ability, but he safely presumed that she had something simr.


    Raven was also a trained assassin, fast and agile, and not an easy opponent to take down.


    But finally, after many more exchanges, Emir managed tond a powerful kick to her jaw that sent her flying across the room.


    She hit the wall hard and slumped to the ground, but instead of staying down, she quickly picked herself back up.


    While she did so, Emir didn''t bother with attempting to kill her, since he knew she wouldn''t have stayed down for long and instead used that short break to stuff himself with some more old-world medicines.


    Now back up, Raven was staggering as she walked towards him.


    Emir saw his chance and rushed forward, ready to deliver the final blow.


    But before he could reach her, she suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke.


    He looked around in confusion, trying to find where she went, but she was nowhere to be seen.


    His information gathering device was useless with her jamming smoke in effect.


    So he knew he couldn''t let his guard down, Raven was a crafty opponent, and he had no doubt she would try to catch him off guard.


    Activating his TDS ability again, he scanned the area for any signs of movement.


    That''s when he saw her, stuck on the roof of the room high above him.


    She had a grin on her face as she aimed her gun at him.


    Seeing that, Emir instantly dove behind a nearby crate, just as a hail of bullets rained down on his previous position.


    He returned fire but quickly ran out of ammo, and he didn''t have the opportunity to use his rail gun as it would take too long to charge up.


    ''I need to find a way to get closer.''


    Emir looked around, searching for any objects he could use for cover.


    ''I GOT IT!''


    With a sudden realization, he seized the crate that concealed him and nned to fling it towards his adversary, intercepting her shots.


    Closing in on her, Emir charged forward with ferocity and hurled the crate at her with all his might.


    With nimble movements, she narrowly avoided the makeshift projectile by dropping down to the floor, but this provided him with an opportunity to draw near.


    Emir tackled her, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.


    They rolled across the floor, grappling with each other as they fought for control.


    Raven was strong, stronger than he had anticipated.


    She had him in a headlock, her arm wrapped tightly around his neck.


    Emir struggled to break free, but it was no use, her augmented suit was stronger than his.


    But that''s when he remembered the augmented suit control techniques he had learned in his training.


    He immediately focused all the energy in his suit, channeling it into his arms as he prepared to deliver a powerful strike.


    "RAAAAAAH!" He yelled as he broke free from her grip and delivered a devastating blow to her stomach.


    "Ugh," she grunted, as she doubled over in pain, gasping for air.


    He seized the opportunity and delivered a swift kick to her side, sending her flying across the room.


    She crashed into a wall, and for a moment, Emir thought he had finally defeated her, but not taking any chances, he took out his rail gun and held down the trigger.


    However, while he set his aim at her, she had already gotten back up, for the third time, with a fire in her eyes that he had never seen before.


    "STOP GETTING BACK UP GODDAMMIT! YOU FUCKING COCKROACH!" He bellowed.


    Her expression remained unchanged as she charged at Emir again, not allowing him to shoot.


    However this time, he knew it was going to be a fight to the death.


    Theirst dance.


    This is my second time writing such a detailed and long fight, but this time guns are involved, how do you guys like it? Pleasement your suggestions on ways for me to improve.


    Also for those that might ask about abilities and such, all I can say is wait.


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 50 Respect

    50 Respect They traded blows, each strike more powerful than thest.


    Emir''s strength was waning, his muscles were burning with fatigue, and his mental energy was draining.


    He ducked under one of her punches andnded a hard uppercut to her jaw.


    "Ugh!"


    She stumbled back, dazed.


    Emir followed up with a roundhouse kick to her head, causing her to roll on the ground across the room.


    "Hoooooh...."


    He took a moment to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.


    As she got up from the ground, she lunged at him with a series of quick jabs and kicks.


    He dodged and blocked as best he could, but she was relentless.


    Raven''s movements were fluid, like water, and he struggled to keep up, especially now that his mental energy was almost running out.


    A punchnded hard in his gut, causing him to stagger back and gasp for air.


    "Gah!"


    And before he could recover, she took advantage of his weakness andnded a swift kick to his side.


    The pain radiated through his body, sharp and intense.


    Emir gritted his teeth and tried to shake it off, but the ache lingered.


    So instead, he ignored the growing pain coursing through his entire body, and fought back with renewed energy, throwing a barrage of punches and kicks at her.


    Some connected, but most missed as she weaved and dodged. However, he could tell that she was getting tired.


    Her movements were slowing down, and her breathing was getting ragged.


    But that applied to him as well. And as they further traded blows, the sound of their fists connecting echoed throughout the room.


    Raven was a tough opponent, and Emir could see that she was just as determined as he was toe out on top.


    "Grrrrr!"


    With a fierce growl, Raven lunged at Emir with a flying kick, but he sidestepped it and mmed his fist into her stomach.


    She grunted in pain but didn''t back down,ing at him with a flurry of punches that he barely managed to dodge.


    He felt a sharp pain in his side as shended a hard blow, and he fought back even harder.


    He moved in closer, grappling with her, trying to get the upper hand.


    They wrestled on the ground again, throwing punches and kicks, each onending with a sickening thud.


    Emir''s knuckles started to ache, but he didn''t let that slow him down.


    Raven managed to get a hold of his arm, twisting it painfully behind his back.


    He gritted his teeth, trying to fight the pain, and managed to break free with a sudden burst of strength.


    He swung around,nding a brutal punch to her jaw that sent her sprawling.


    She immediately rose to her feet and let out a fierce, bloodcurdling scream as she charged at him once again.


    "Aaaaaargh!"


    Emir braced himself for the sh but managed to sidestep at thest second and grab her by the hair, mming her face-first into the wall.


    The impact was brutal, and he could hear the sickening crunch of bones as her nose broke.


    But even as blood poured down her face, coloring her ck hair red, she refused to give up.


    She spun around, throwing a punch that he barely managed to dodge.


    Emir felt his own blood pumping in his ears and the taste of iron on his tongue, he was truly reaching his limit.


    But they continued to trade blows, each one more brutal than thest.


    And finally, in one of their many exchanges, he spotted an opening in her stance and lunged forward,nding a powerful punch to her gut that left her gasping for air.


    He followed it up with a roundhouse kick to her head that sent her crashing to the ground.


    Shey there, groaning in pain, but Emir didn''t stop.


    "Hooouf..."


    He took a deep breath andunched himself at her, unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes¡ª


    delivering powerful punches, swift kicks, like an unstoppable force of destruction, each carrying the unyielding chaos of Carnage itself.


    He cocked his hands like a pair of loaded pistols, unleashing them with explosive power as they descended upon her, delivering a bone-shattering punch squarely on her ribs.


    The impact reverberated through his knuckles, apanied by the sickening sound of cracking bones.


    "GAAHHHH!" She let out a cry of agony.


    But that didn''t register in Emir''s ears, his uncontroble anger and madness grew inside him, fueling his every move, ignoring everything else.


    He rained down blow after blow, his fists mming into her face and body with brutal force.


    Blood spattered across the floor as her skin split open, and her cries turned into desperate gasps for air.


    But still, Emir didn''t stop.


    He kicked her in the stomach, feeling her body convulse in pain.


    "Schtop...."


    She pleaded while trying to crawl away, but he seized her bloodied hair, his hands nearly slipping, but he tightened his grip, refusing to let go and he yanked her back towards him, her body resisting his every pull.


    He held her head and started to repeatedly smash it into the ground over and over again.


    The sound of her head being bashed on the ground echoed throughout the quiet room.


    Thud!


    Bash, Thud!


    Thud, Thud, Thud!


    Bash, Splurt, Crack!


    Thud!


    Throwing her away, Emir rose to his feet, and with a ferocious snarl of anger he unleashed a final blow upon her¡ªa crushing kick to the head that sent her crumpling to the ground in an unconscious heap, her neck twisted and broken.


    Huff... Huff... Huff...


    He stood there, panting heavily, his body aching and covered in sweat and blood.


    It was a brutal fight, one that he will never forget.


    But in the end, Emir came out on top.


    It was over.


    He had won.


    But as he looked down at Raven''s unconscious body, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of respect for her.


    She had been a worthy opponent, and he was grateful for her bing his stepping stone.


    Emir rxed for a moment, swallowing a bunch of healing pills.


    Soon after, he crouched down and stripped her naked.


    He then carried her scarred and mangled body to the torture chair, strapping her to its chains.


    Emir forced some old-world medicine into her mouth and opened wounds, and then went out to gather the rest of the weapons and ce them all in this room.


    When he had finished gathering all 31 weapons in the room, it seemed like a fortuitous encounter, akin to what one might find in a Chinese novel.


    He was going to make a fortune off of this haul, and that wasn''t even ounting for the augmented suits strewn around the room.


    Lyra had taken out 12 members of their group, and only 10 of them were wearing augmented suits.


    Most of them were of the cheap D-rank variety, except for the ones guarding the building exterior and the two guys in the room with C-rank suits.


    ''So, a total of 6 D-rank and 4 C-rank suits¡ªa good haul indeed,'' he thought.


    ''As for my dear Raven, her augmented suit is top-notch, ranked B+, surpassing mine by a long shot.''


    ''But, I have no idea what kind of calibration she has set up, and wearing it could potentially be fatal for me.''


    ''Plus, I can''t nor want to stroll around wearing a suit designed for girls.''


    [Hey, Lyra, can you check if that augmented suit is usable or not?] Emir asked, wondering.


    [It is, I can easily make it perfectlypatible with you, or anyone for that matter, do you wish for me to make it general purpose for you to sell it?]


    [Please do.]


    [Consider it done.]


    [Also, can you use my information gathering device to check if there are any relics in this building and if there is anything that might lead us to another one of their hideouts and underground connections? A control room would be ideal.]


    [Beginning scan now.]


    While Lyra scanned the building, Emir went back to check on Raven.


    "Hey, you awake?"


    "¡­"


    He stared at her in silence before walking up to her.


    And without a word, he grabbed her face and dug his now-healed nails into her eyes.


    She immediately jolted awake, screaming loudly.


    "How are you feeling? Good? You know it was quite tough to keep up the weak act, but I wanted to make sure of a few things, you see."


    "Anyway, I''ve got a few questions for you, dear, so can you stop screaming?" He asked as he pulled his hand away from her scarred face.


    Raven gasped for air, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting of the room.


    She tried to speak, but her throat was raw from screaming.


    Emir grabbed a bottle of water and offered it to her, but she refused, spitting at his feet instead.


    He shrugged and leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers.


    Mirroring their first meeting.


    "You know, you really should be more cooperative. It''ll make things much easier for you in the long run."


    She red at him, her eyes full of hate and fury.


    "I''ll never help you, you monster."


    Emir chuckled.


    "We''ll see about that, besides, I should be saying that. You guys tortured me, you know?"


    "And I have a few questions, you see. Like, for example, where are the rest of your little group? Or did I already kill all of you? And more importantly, where do you keep all of your relics?"


    Instead of replying, she spat at him again.


    Emir swiftly dodged the glob of spit she hurled in his direction, and sighed.


    If her actions wanted to get him mad, then she seeded, as he was reaching his boiling point.


    So, without hesitation, he pped her across the face with all the force he could muster, feeling the bones in her face crack beneath his hand.


    "You''re wasting your time," she hissed through gritted teeth, blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth.


    "I''ll never tell you anything."


    I think I got better at writing fights, what do you guys think?

 Chapter 51 Factions

    51 Factions Sometime Before Emir''s Abduction


    [Lyra, you can control any augmented suit that has ess to my neuralwork, right?] He asked, walking towards the slums.


    [I can make it happen, but there''s a distance limitation. The further away the suit is, the harder it''ll be for me to maintain a connection. And I can only control one suit at a time with my currentputing resources.]


    [Do you n to have me control Max?] She asked.


    [You guessed right, I can''t trust a stranger''s information, and I can safely assume they caught the gang and me snooping around. So, I can use myself as bait to gain easy ess to their hideout. We don''t know what they want with me, but it must be something big, and they won''t kill me until they get it.]


    [But you''ll get tortured.]


    [I would say don''t worry about me, but I don''t think that you''re capable of doing that, besides, if it''s pain, I can handle it one way or another, and by the way, do you think that they''re rted to the Order?]


    [Definitely not, an amateurish gang like that would smear our name to oblivion. All I can tell you is that the Order is an organization solelyprised of AIs and, well¡­ Hunters like you. Their group probably belongs to the Liberation Army, which is basically an anti-UEF faction.]


    [Why would they go against the UEF though? Is it greed?]


    ''It wasn''t even properly exined in the novel, it was all so vague, like the most of it.'' He thought.


    [You guessed right, although we have yet to learn if they have a bigger goal in mind, their true aim per se. What we are certain of however, is that they are a group of high-ranking hunters working in tandem with old-world countries that lost their seat in the UEF andpanies wanting a bigger piece of the pie.]


    [Remind me. What other factions are there?]


    [As you know, the sectors under the UEF are cut off from ess to all other parts of the world, but there exists one faction tobat that, they call themselves The Gateway Alliance. They work with the UEF secretly, and only deal with the Elite.]


    [On the other hand, there is a religious fanatic group known as the Temr, who believe that the war was a form of divine punishment inflicted upon humans. They have allied themselves with the Liberation Army to fight against the UEF.]


    [So, we have the Big Eight factions above ground and the Big Three factions below, all vying for a piece of the pie, yet the UEF still maintains a tight leash on them¡­ Not bad.]


    [Let''s delve into the n now. You''ll take control of my backup augmented suit and trail me. Locate their hideout and wait for my signal. I need to gather as much information as possible.]


    [Understood.]


    [Silently infiltrate the building after receiving the signal, eliminate any opposition, and avoid detection by their sensors.]


    [No need to worry, Max''s body is now cold and won''t register on heat sensors, and I can jam their information terminals to disrupt their connection.]


    ''It would be great if that was viable for me, unfortunately. It would disrupt all signals, not just my enemies.'' He mused.


    [n sounds good?]


    [Good.]


    [Let''s get on with it then.]


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Present time


    Emir sighed and stood up.


    "Very well... I was hoping we could be civil about this, but if you insist on ying hardball, I can y that game too."


    "You don''t have much of a choice, you know," he said, smiling coldly.


    "You''re strapped to a torture chair, and I can make this as painful as I want. So, unless you want to spend the rest of your short life in agony, I suggest you start talking."


    She continued to re at him, but Emir saw a flicker of fear in her eyes.


    He could tell she was weighing her options, trying to decide whether to give him the information or not.


    Raven took a deep breath and spoke.


    "I''ll tell you what I know. But you have to promise to let me go once I do."


    "..."


    "..."


    "Ahahahaha!" Emir''sughter erupted from deep within him, a chilling sound that reverberated through the air.


    It started as a low, menacing chuckle, building in intensity until it burst forth in a manic crescendo.


    Hisughter had an unsettling quality¡ªa mixture of amusement and derangement.


    But as the echoes of hisughter faded, he gradually regained hisposure.


    His breaths slowed, and a questioning look crossed his face.


    He fixed his gaze on Raven, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.


    "Wait..." he said, his voiceced with skepticism, remnants of hisughter lingering.


    "Are you serious?"


    He shook his head, "Do you really think I''m that stupid?"


    He stepped closer and continued, "No, no, my dear, no. Unfortunately, you won''t be leaving here alive. However, if you cooperate, I can make it quick and rtively painless."


    "It would be quite dissatisfying for me though, but as much as I would love to torture you, a man''s word is his creed, his bond, so you don''t have much to worry about if you talk, that is."


    Raven closed her eyes and took another deep breath.


    "Fine. What do you want to know?"


    Emir leaned back and crossed his arms.


    "Start with the organization. Who are they? What do they want with the relics?"


    18:37


    She hesitated for a moment before speaking.


    "I don''t know much about the organization itself. I was just a hired hand for this group. But I do know that they''re after the relics for their supposed old-world knowledge. They believe that they can use them to gain power and wealth beyond their wildest dreams."


    He nodded.


    "And where are they based in this sector? Where can I find them?"


    "I don''t know."


    "They keep their locations secret, even from their own members, and since this group isn''t even an official group within their ranks, I have nothing else to tell you."


    ''I didn''t expect much, but she is more useless than I thought she would be.''


    [The control room is on the third floor.]


    [Coming!]


    Emir propped up his AR, aiming it at her head.


    "Anyst words, dear?"


    Raven stared at him defiantly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her beg for her life.


    But he could still see the fear in her eyes, and he knew she was thinking of anything she could say to save herself.


    Finally, she spoke.


    "You''re no better than we are. Killing me won''t benefit you in any way."


    He grinned with chilling malice, the corners of his mouth stretching unnaturally wide, giving off an eerie, almost inhuman look that would make anyone shiver in fear.


    "Keeping you alive maye back to bite me in the long run, or maybe not. Either way, it brings me joy, and sometimes that''s enough."


    Just as those words left his mouth he pulled the trigger, and the sound of the gunshots echoed throughout the room.


    Her body slumped forward, and he stood there for a moment, savoring the feeling of power that came with taking a life.


    But then he shook himself out of it.


    He had a job to do, and wasting time savoring his revenge was not going to help him aplish it.


    He left the room and made his way to the control room on the third floor.


    Entering the room he sat down at one of the terminals.


    Lyra had finished scanning the building, and it looked like there were relics hidden away in the control room.


    The real prize, however, was the list of names and addresses she had found on ck Widow''s personal terminal connected to the control room.


    It looked like there were at least a dozen more connections that this group has scattered all over the sector.


    [Show me a list of all their important connections only.]


    A hologram of a screen appeared before his eyes.


    {Rattlers Group.}


    {Steel Rats Gang, slums.}


    {Solo Unknown Hunter.}


    ''The Rattlers group might be involved too, huh? Good, I was nning to get rid of them sooner orter. As for the hunter, I can safely guess that he was the one who ratted me out, I can''t find him, so I''ll have to wait until we cross paths again.''


    [Send detailed information to my terminal.]


    The terminal beeped in response to hismand and disyed a list of names and addresses.


    He scrolled through the list, taking note of the various locations and individuals.


    Some were high-ranking members of their respective groups, while others were low-level thugs who had been coerced into working for them.


    It looked like this group had quite thework of connections.


    He leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.


    ''Going after each individual one by one was not a feasible option, not when there are so many of them.''


    ''I just needed to end their main base of operation, the heart of their gang.''


    ''If I could take that down, the rest of it would crumble...''


    ''For now, let''s get all my newly acquired money.'' Emir redirected his thoughts.


    [Did we get all that they have?]


    [Yes, I scanned the entire building, the vault to your right contains all the relics that the Night Raiders have.]


    Emir proceeded to walk over to the vault, making sure to keep an eye out for any potential traps or rms.


    But Lyra had done a thorough job of scanning, and there was no indication of any security measures in ce.


    In front of him stood the vault, looming over him, towering 1.5 times his own height.


    It looked imprable¡ªdefinitely not something that a gang of this level would have.


    It also had a number keypad protruding out of it from the front.


    [What''s the passcode?]


    [867530901, I got it from her terminal.]


    Emir entered the code that Lyra had provided, and the vault door slid open with a hiss.


    Creation is hard, cheer me up! I need a lot more cheering up.


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 52 Black Market

    52 ck Market Inside were rows upon rows of various relics.


    Some were small and unremarkable, while others wererge and ornate.


    There were small toys, clothing, peculiar-looking boxes, and intricate essories disyed onrge shelves.


    Some caught his attention, like an ornate amulet and a set of ancient daggers with razor-sharp edges.


    "I need something to carry all of this," Emir muttered, turning to Lyra for assistance.


    [You can use the cart in their inventory and haul all of it to Kiera''s base,] she replied promptly.


    "Good, that will do."


    He headed towards the inventory to retrieve the cart.


    Emir began loading it up with as many relics as he could carry, and after sessfully filling the cart to the brim, he tapped on his terminal and dialed Kiera''s contact, providing his location and a request for assistance.


    "Hey, Emir. What happened? You didn''t reply the past few days." Kiera''s voice crackled through the terminal.


    "Nothing to worry about, Kiera. I took care of the group that was after me, Max was with them, by the way," he informed her.


    "I''ve collected all of the relics and gear they had, but I need your help to carry them back to base."


    "I''ll send the gang your way with carts to help you out," Kiera responded her voice firm and reassuring.


    "Thank you for that. And make sure they don''t forget that I''m not sharing." Emir chuckled, ncing at the valuable items he had gathered.


    Kieraughed in response.


    "Of course, Emir. You did all the work, so you get to keep the spoils."


    He hung up the call and leaned back against the wall, feeling relieved that the n had gone smoothly.


    As he waited for the gang to arrive, he began to think about what he would do with the relics and gear.


    Selling them on the ck market seemed like the most lucrative option, but there was also a part of him that wanted to keep some for himself.


    ''I can keep the daggers at least; as for the weapons and augmented suit, they are too risky to use, so it''s better to sell all of them.''


    ¡­


    The sound of footsteps approaching caught his attention, and Emir straightened up to see Kiera and the rest of the gang approaching with carts of their own.


    Kiera eyed the fully loaded cart in front of Emir and eximed, "Hey, Emir! You really went all out, huh?"


    He replied with a smirk, "Well, I had to make sure it was worth it."


    The gang got to work, entering the building to help him load up the carts with weapons, augmented suits, ammo, and medicines.


    As they finished loading up, Kiera asked, "So, what''s the n now? Are you going to sell all of these?"


    After a moment of consideration, he replied, "Yeah, I think that''s the best option. It''s too risky to use them, and I could use the credits."


    Kiera nodded in agreement, "Alright then, let''s head back to base and get these sold."


    While walking back, a few thugs approached their group but immediately got scared when they saw Emir right behind the gang.


    He just shed his weapons, prompting them to turn around and run.


    "What happened to you in there? Their bodies were piled up, and you even had one dead girl strapped to a chair?" Kiera asked, looking slightly nervous.


    Emir took a deep breath before answering.


    "It was part of the n. I needed to get them all in one ce and make them think I was weak and vulnerable, so I let them capture me. I had to do what was necessary to get the information and take out the group. They were after me, and they wouldn''t have stopped until they got what they wanted."


    "And as for the girl, she had information that I needed, but she wasn''t going to give it up willingly. It was a necessary evil."


    Kiera looked at him with a mix of fear and admiration.


    "Since showing up, you''ve never ceased to amaze me, Emir. Your ability to handle these kinds of situations is truly impressive."


    He smiled at her words.


    "Thanks, Kiera. It''s all in a day''s work."


    Kiera chuckled, "A day''s work for you, maybe. You make it seem so easy."


    He shrugged and said, "It''s what I''ve been trained for. And I''ll do whatever it takes to protect myself and my people."


    They walked in silence for a while, the carts ttering over the uneven terrain.


    Eventually, Kiera spoke up again.


    "So, what are you going to do with the credits you get from selling the relics and gear?"


    He thought for a moment before answering, "I haven''t decided yet. Maybe I''ll invest in a new vehicle; a bike would be nice."


    Kiera agreed, saying, "That would make going to the ruins way easier. We are still stuck using transport buses from the association."


    "Good thing I never used those, too risky."


    Surprised, Kiera asked, "You didn''t go relic hunting before? How? You look like a hunter with years of experience."


    "It''s good that I look that way, but I only recently signed up to be a hunter. I do have some skill, but I''m still low on experience."


    Kiera giggled, "Well, appearances can be deceiving, but that''s not important. What is important is that I''m your senior now, right?"


    With a smirk on his face, Emir retorted, "Indeed, both in age and in ruin diving."


    Kiera''s face turned a shade of red as she yfully hit his arm, protesting, "I''m not that old, you know!"


    "No need to worry. It''s not you who''s old, I''m just a little on the young side."


    18:39


    "You look youthful and stunning, if I may add."


    "No need to worry. It''s not you who''s old, I''m just a little on the young side."


    "You look youthful and stunning, if I may add."


    Blushing even more, she looked away.


    "T-Thank you. A-anyways, we''re almost there. Let''s catch up."


    Kiera''s base soon came into view.


    A big warehouse hidden away in a corner, with a fortified gate guarded by armed men.


    They approached the gate, and one of the men recognized them and rushed in their direction, weing them back.


    The hideout was bustling with activity, and the sound of metal nging and people talking echoed throughout the halls.


    Kiera led Emir through it all, to a back room.


    "So is there a need for me to exin the ck-market rules?"


    He nodded, "It wouldn''t hurt to refresh my memory."


    Kiera began, "First, it''s not wise to sell anything too advanced or ssified unless it was agreed upon beforehand, and the dealer must be a registered merchant or a part of apany. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a one-way ticket to working under the UEF for life. Second, no killing is allowed on the premises. We''re all here to make money and have some fun, not to start a turf war. And third, always be respectful to the buyers and sellers. You don''t want to anger someone who has the power to ruin your reputation or, worse, take your life."


    He listened carefully, taking mental notes of each rule.


    "Got it. So, we can''t sell any weapons or tech to anyone outside of the huntermunity, and we can''t use or sell any banned or restricted items, at least not openly."


    "And we have to make sure that we don''t attract too much attention or do anything that might put us on the government''s radar."


    Kiera nodded.


    "Exactly. The ck market is watched by the UEF, and while it''s amon secret among all hunters, it''s not publicly acknowledged. We have to be careful and keep a low profile."


    "Anything else?" Emir asked.


    Kiera shook her head.


    "Nope, that''s pretty much it. Just be careful, Emir. The UEF is always on the watch, and they''re not afraid to raid the ce if they catch wind of anything that might threaten their control."


    "I''ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the reminder, Kiera."


    He looked around the room, eyeing the various weapons and technologies scattered around.


    "So, how do we make sure that we''re not breaking any rules when we sell all of this?"


    Kiera smiled and said, "Well, that''s where Ie in. I have connections in the ck market, and I know which dealers are trustworthy and which ones to avoid. We''ll sell everything through them, and we''ll get a fair price."


    "Alright then, let''s get started. The sooner we sell all of this, the better."


    They packed up the carts and made their way out of the building, sticking to the shadows and avoiding any potential threats.


    As they walked through the corridors, Emir couldn''t help but notice how different this part of the slums looked.


    The buildings were grander and tidier, the streets were paved, and there were no piles of garbage or stray animals.


    It was a stark contrast to the rest of the slums, where people lived in squalor and poverty.


    They soon reached a gated section, where more guards were stationed.


    The guards checked their IDs and scanned their biometrics before allowing them to enter.


    The ce beyond the gates was like a different world.


    It was a sprawling marketce filled with all sorts of people selling and buying all sorts of things.


    The air was thick with the smell of food, spices, and smoke from various cooking and grilling stations.


    The stalls were covered with colorful awnings, and there were signs in variousnguages advertising everything from weapons to exotic-looking monsters.


    Kiera noticed Emir''s expression and chuckled.


    "Wee to the inner walls of the slums, Emir. This is where the Elitee to y, and the UEF turns a blind eye to their activities."


    "Wee to the ck market."


    All fantasy novels have to include a ck market at some point. GoldenStache

 Chapter 53 Relics

    53 Relics Emir nodded, understanding the implications.


    This area was too high-profile for the UEF to raid without causing a massive uproar, and the Elite had the resources to cover up any illicit activities.


    It was the perfect ce for the ck market to thrive, their yground.


    "A grand wee, Kiera," he chuckled.


    Kiera grinned, "Yeah, these guys know how to treat their customers. Let''s get going."


    "Which do you think we should sell first, the weapons and augmented suits, or the relics?" She asked.


    "The relics may take a while, so let''s sell the weapons first, then the suits, and finally the relics."


    Kiera nodded in agreement, and they began making their way through the bustling market.


    She led him through the maze of stalls, her sharp eyes scanning each vendor''s wares.


    The sound of chatter and haggling filled the air, and the smell of various foods wafted through the alleys.


    They passed by booths selling everything from enhancement drugs to rare hunter tech.


    Right beside it was the shop she was looking for, and she presented Emir''s weapons to the dealer.


    The dealer was a middle-aged man with a thick beard and arge scar running down the side of his face.


    "Kiera, my dear. What can I do for you today?"


    "We have some goods to sell," Kiera replied, opening the carts to reveal the various weapons.


    The dealer''s eyes widened. "Impressive. Let''s see what we can do."


    He inspected each item carefully, running his hands over the metal and examining the product for any ws or defects.


    "31 weapons in total, 2 B-ranked items, 10 C-ranked items, and 19 D-ranked items¡ªa good haul you got there."


    "So how much for them?" Emir asked.


    "I won''t ask where you got them, but most of the D-rank weapons are slightly damaged and are in bad condition, so you won''t get much from them, the rest are fine, however."


    "3,950,000 UC would be a good price."


    Kiera''s eyes narrowed at the offer, and she spoke up, "That seems a bit low for the quality of these weapons. How about we settle for 5,500,000 UC?"


    The dealer chuckled and said, "You drive a hard bargain, Kiera. Let me see what I can do."


    After some back and forth, they eventually settled on a price of 5,000,000 UC.


    "Do you want it to be cash or a transfer?"


    "Transfer it," Emir replied, giving him his hunter ID.


    He returned it momentster, saying, "Good doing business with you, pleasee again."


    They left soon after, and Emir followed Kiera to their next shop.


    "Good job with that, although I should''ve expected it." Emir patted her on the back.


    "I''ve been doing this for a while, I know how to get the best deal." Kiera replied with a grin.


    They made their way to the next shop, which specialized in buying and selling augmented suits.


    The shop was dimly lit, and the walls were lined with various suits of armor and technology.


    Kiera approached the counter and spoke to the dealer.


    A tall, buff dark-skinned man with a fade haircut and a pair of mirrored sunsses.


    "We have some augmented suits to sell." Kiera said, opening the carts to reveal the suits.


    The dealer nodded and said, "Let''s take a look."


    He examined each suit, running his hands over the metal and checking the various upgrades and enhancements.


    After a few minutes, he turned to them, "11 augmented suits, 8 D-ranked items, 2 C-ranked items, and 1 B-ranked item¡ªthe best I can offer you is 17,000,000 UC for the lot."


    Kiera frowned. "That''s lower than we were hoping for. Can you do any better?"


    The dealer raised an eyebrow, "I''m afraid that''s the best I can do. The market is flooded with suits right now, and demand is low."


    Kiera hesitated for a moment, then turned to Emir.


    "What do you think? Should we take the offer or keep looking?"


    Emir considered it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons.


    "I think we should take the offer. We don''t want to spend too much time here and risk attracting unwanted attention."


    Kiera nodded. "Alright then. We''ll take the offer."


    The dealer smiled, "Excellent. I''ll transfer the funds to your ID card."


    After the transaction was over, they left the shop and headed out to the market again.


    "I tried not to act surprised by the amount, but that''s a lot, you struck it rich, you know." She spoke, her voice sounding nervous.


    "It isn''t muchpared to what I need, but it''s a good start." Emir chuckled at her reaction.


    "Heyyy, you can''t me me. I''ve been living in the slums ever since I became an adult, and I''ve never dealt with this much money before," she pouted.


    "Well, you''re in good luck, aren''t you? You''ve got a connection to a hunter like me." He nudged her shoulder.


    Kieraughed, saying, "Yeah, I guess I am lucky. It''s been great working with you so far."


    Emir smiled, "Likewise, Kiera. You''ve been a great help. Now, let''s go sell those relics."


    They continued walking through the market, taking in the sights and sounds around them.


    As they made their way deeper into the maze of stalls, Emir felt an increase in tension.


    This is a dangerous ce, full of shady characters and illicit dealings.


    But at the same time, it was also exciting.


    There was a thrill to being in the heart of the ck market, surrounded by all these forbidden treasures.


    After a while, Kiera stopped in front of a merchant selling various relics.


    The merchant was an old man with a long white beard and a deep, rumbling voice.


    "Wee, wee. What can I do for you today?" He asked, eyeing them up and down.


    "We have some relics to sell," Kiera said, opening the carts to reveal the various items inside.


    The vendor nodded and said, "Let''s take a look."


    He carefully examined each item, muttering to himself as he checked the various markings and symbols etched into the metal.


    "These are quite impressive," he said after a few minutes.


    "We would need to appraise these further to identify their true worth, and you would have to pay the appraisal fee, of course."


    "How much would it cost?" Emir asked.


    "If you''re interested in an appraisal, we offer two types: a cursory one and an in-depth one. Of course, the cost of the quick appraisal would be less than the detailed one. However, opting for thetter could result in a higher profit for these relics."


    "I understand the question you may have in mind. The reason for the higher price is because we would sell these relics to other merchants who have a clientele for specific types of relics. Additionally, we could also sell them topanies or even one of the big corporations for research purposes. With a detailed appraisal, we can determine whether these relics contain needed old-world technology and if they can be extracted for their benefits, all this results in them having an increased price."


    "So, I must risk the potential loss of money or just y it safe, huh."


    "That''s right," replied the dealer.


    "It''s ultimately up to you to decide what type of appraisal you want. A quick appraisal will cost less but may result in less money earned, while a detailed appraisal could lead to a higher payout but also has a higher risk. It all depends on your priorities and how much you''re willing to gamble. Keep in mind though, that a detailed appraisal could also reveal hidden treasures within the relics that you wouldn''t have known about otherwise."


    ''A hunter''s life is all about risk, so let''s do it.'' Emir thought.


    "I''ll go for the in-depth appraisal, so how much would it cost me?"


    "Each relic will cost you 500,000 UC. However, we don''t have an appraiser with the required expertise, so we will have to outsource the appraisal, which may take a day or two."


    Emir nodded, slightly surprised at the amount.


    [Lyra, which relic out of the lot would you think is best for that type of appraisal?]


    [Based on their condition and markings, I think the amulet and the intricately detailed box would be worth a more detailed appraisal. As for the book and the toy, a quick appraisal would be sufficient.]


    Picking up the relics that Lyra mentioned, Emir said, "Alright, these two will do with a quick appraisal. However, for the other two, I would like you to appraise them in depth, while the rest can be examined with standard procedures."


    He took the relics from his hands and said, "Understood, the cost would be subtracted from the total price of the relics."


    "Alright, how long would it take for you to finish?"


    "In a couple hours at most, I will contact Miss Kiera after it is done."


    "Okay then, we''lle back soon." Emir said while walking out of the shop.


    As they walked away from the relic merchant, Kiera turned to Emir with a concerned look on her face.


    "Are you sure it''s a good idea to spend so much money on appraisals? What if they turn out to be worthless?"


    "I understand your concern, Kiera, but it''s a risk I''m willing to take, they could be worth a lot more than what we paid for appraising them, I got them from relics thieves after all, there must be a reason they kept them in a vault."


    Kiera nodded slowly, still looking unsure, and they continued walking through the market as she called someone from the gang over to send the carts back to base.


    While walking around, Emir thought, ''I always imagined how ck markets would operate in fantasy novels, but I never imagined this...''


    ''Oh and speaking of novels... I remember that there was an auction house in this area, it was mentioned that the Born in Ruins protagonist went there at some point.''


    ''With the earnings from today, it wouldn''t hurt to check it out, who knows, I might even stumble upon something useful.''


    Some info about relics.


    Creation is hard, cheer me up with some tickets!


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 54 Auction

    54 Auction "Hey Kiera, do you know if there is an auction house around here?"


    She looked at him in surprise for a moment and then replied, "Yes, it''s quite famous, the ckwood family is in control of it."


    "Oh, I''ve heard about them before, they''re that family who are famous for churning out high-ranking hunters, right?" Emir asked, followed by a quick, "Yep," from Kiera.


    "They''re often seen asp dogs of the UEF, and their public image has taken a beating, especially with the rumors going around talking about how the youngest heir is a young master of sorts." He said with a chuckle.


    "True that, a spoilt brat like the rest of them, anyways, you want to check out the auction house now?" She asked.


    Seeing him nod, she continued, "There might be an event, let me ask one of my contacts."


    She pulled up her terminal, and after tapping away at it for a while, she received a message and set the device down, turning her gaze back to Emir.


    "There is an event a few minutes away, I already registered our names as attendees, usually we wouldn''t be allowed in with our low hunter ranks, but my friend helped us out, we''re also in good luck since there are extra seats avable for us."


    "Thanks for that." He said and they quickly made their way towards the auction house, which was located in the heart of the ck market.


    As they approached the entrance, Emir felt a sense of excitement, as if he had been directed here for a reason, for a purpose he had yet to know.


    They were greeted by a well-dressed woman who checked their names on the list and directed them towards the main hall.


    As soon as they stepped inside, they were met with the grandiose interior of the auction house.


    The hall was colossal, lined with endless rows of seats upied by people speaking in low whispers.


    Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the marble floors, and elegantly dressed patrons mingled about, sipping champagne and admiring the items up for auction.


    Kiera led Emir to their seats, which were situated towards the front of the room, away from all the elite and seemingly rich attendees.


    They were surrounded by other hunters, all dressed in their finest attire and eagerly anticipating the start of the auction.


    Both Kiera and Emir stood out due to their clothing not matching the dress code everyone else adhered to.


    Causing some of the other attendees to sneer at them, which was promptly ignored by them.


    As they waited for the event to begin, Kiera leaned over and whispered to Emir.


    "Keep your guard up. There are a lot of dangerous people here, and you never know what kind of deals are being made behind closed doors. We don''t want to get caught up in unnecessary trouble."


    Emir nodded, lost in his thoughts.


    ''I don''t know why, but I feel like I am forgetting something important, like I came or rather was brought here, seduced, you could say, for a reason, though I don''t yet know what it is.''


    After a few minutes, a man in a sharp suit walked onto the stage, and the room fell silent.


    He introduced himself as the auctioneer and began listing the various items that were up for auction.


    Each item was more impressive than thest, ranging from rare artifacts to advanced weapons that were too expensive and powerful for Emir to think of using.


    After the disy ended, the auction finally began.


    The first item up for bid was a rare piece of technology, an ancient automata that had been salvaged from the ruins of an old-world facility.


    The bidding quickly escted, with the price soaring higher and higher.


    Kiera nudged Emir.


    "This is just the beginning. Wait until you see some of the really valuable items thate up for auction."


    Sure enough, as the night went on, they saw some truly amazing relics and artifacts.


    There were weapons that had been wielded by legendary hunters, priceless works of art, and even some pieces of technology that had been thought lost to the ages.


    Kiera and Emir watched as the bidding for each item quickly escted, with people shouting out their offers left and right.


    It was a frenzy.


    ''All of the items so far have been either around or out of my price range, I only have 22,839,000 UC right now, so hopefully the item that I potentially came here for isn''t that expensive.'' He thought.


    Soon the auctioneer brought up the next item.


    "This next item is unknown to us, our appraisers couldn''t identify its use, and all we can tell you is that it''s a capsule that is locked in a see-through case that has a self-preserving function, so we can confirm that the item is most definitely a functioning old-world relic."


    "The bid will start with 1,000,000 UC," he concluded.


    A sudden wave of information shed in Emir''s mind, startling him, and after a few moments of processing those new memories, he understood the reason he felt inclined toe here.


    ''I see now, this item was mentioned in the novel, and it was bought by a newbie hunter that managed to get it for cheap, which somehow helped him reach stardom.''


    ''He was one of the people that opposed our ever so elusive protagonist, a viin, you might say. Well, viin or not, thank you for giving me this opportunity.''


    Unsurprisingly, the bets for this item were slow, since most people present would rather focus on items that would pose a low risk of loss if purchased instead of something unknown as a random capsule.


    Emir lifted the sign bearing his number, signaling his intention to participate in the bidding process. This action caused Kiera to flinch in surprise.


    The auctioneer took note of his bid and continued to call out for higher offers.


    "We have a bid of 3 million UC for number 61. Do we have any other offers?"


    You gotta love Auction scenes, also keep in mind those hints I''m dropping about his memories, they wille in to yter.

 Chapter 55 Auction II

    55 Auction II


    Kiera looked at Emir, surprised, but he signaled that she should ask questionster.


    The bidding for the mysterious capsule continued, with more and more hunters cing their offers.


    It was clear that some of the attendees bid for it because they were interested in it simply because it was a rare and unknown item, while others may have been curious about it for other reasons simr to this.


    "4 million for number 61," he called out, seeing Emir raise the sign once again.


    The bidding had escted quickly, and Emir could tell that many of the other hunters were starting to get curious about the capsule as well.


    He also noticed a man seated some distance away from him, desperately bidding for the item, however, he soon stopped, not wanting to risk his life over the unknown.


    Watching that caused Emir to silently snicker, but his joy was interrupted as he heard someone utter, "5 million."


    The word originated from a childish voice, way out at the back of the venue, in one of the many private rooms hovering over the auction house.


    It was one of the ckwood family members, and he could see a small smirk on their kid-like face as they made the bid.


    He knew that the ckwood family had a reputation for being ruthless in controlling the auction house, some of them even came here to just y around and jack up the bid for no other reason than to pray on the less fortunate.


    Emir, however, won''t give them the satisfaction of winning the item that he had his eyes on.


    "6 million for number 61." The auctioneer called out, seeing Emir raise his number once more.


    The bidding continued back and forth, with the price rising higher and higher, as they fought for the item.


    Emir could feel his heart racing as the auctioneer called out the bids, each one bringing him closer to victory or defeat.


    The price continued to rise, reaching 20 million UC, but the bids slowed down right after.


    It seemed that most of the attendees had reached their limit of curiosity, or that they simply didn''t see the value in the unknown relic and wanted to save up for the things that they truly wanted.


    Emir took a deep breath and raised his sign once again.


    "21 million for number 61."


    The room fell silent as many turned to look at him.


    Emir felt Kiera''s hand on his shoulder, but he didn''t turn to look at her.


    His eyes were focused on the capsule, and his mind was racing with possibilities.


    The auctioneer looked surprised that anyone would desperately bid for an item such as this, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    "We have a bid of 21 million UC for number 61. Do we have any other offers?"


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Silence.


    "Going once... going twice... sold to number 61 for 21 million UC!" The auctioneer announced, mming his gavel down as it echoed through the silent venue.


    Kiera looked at Emir with a mix of shock and admiration and said, "You did it! But... What exactly? Like, what''s so special about that capsule?!"


    He smiled at her.


    "I have a feeling that this item will be worth much more than what I paid for it. Besides, sometimes you have to take a risk to get ahead in this world."


    [Lyra, you got any idea how to use that thing?]


    [Not right now, unlike other relics, this one seems to be Nano-bot rted so I can scan it, but you have to be in contact with the capsule so I can judge its use.]


    [Alright, let''s wait for the auction to end then.]


    The auction continued on, with items getting more and more expensive as time went by, reaching hundreds of millions.


    The final item was an old-world augmented suit priced at one Valora, roughly equating to 1 billion UC.


    It was bought by that kid, Max.


    This caused Emir to theorize that it might''ve been only presented here for him.


    Exiting the auction venue with Kiera by his side, he held onto the case tightly, which safeguarded the enigmatic capsule.


    It was passed onto him by a discreet staff member who approached him moments after the bidding concluded.


    In the auction, payment is not made directly, as the organizers have already scanned and identified everyone upon entry.


    Therefore, they simply deduct the payment from their ounts after any purchase has been made.


    If the credits they have weren''t sufficient, then the hunters would end up owing a debt to the ckwood family, which in turn would be a debt to the UEF, a debt that would continue to haunt them for their entire lives.


    The ckwood family covertly encourages this kind of conduct, simply because the more hunters they have in their ranks, the stronger they be.


    Many a hunter fall for this trap ande here hoping for a shot at greatness.


    While they may get indebted, they will receive top-of-the-line equipment that they would never be able to afford otherwise.


    These hunters tend to underestimate the insane interest rates associated with such debts, making it nearly impossible to leave the family''s grasp.


    As for those wishing to conceal their identities, they would need to indicate this and demonstrate their purchasing ability beforehand to prevent any fraudulent activity.


    Eventually, they returned to check on the relics, since the dealer had sent Kiera a message informing her that the appraisal wasplete sometime before the auction ended.


    Upon arriving at the shop, the dealer greeted Emir with a smile as he looked up from his terminal.


    "Wee back," he said.


    "The appraisal isplete. Would you like me to provide more information about the relics you''re nning to sell?"


    Emir asked, "Is there a fee for this?"


    He chuckled and pped his knee. "No, of course not! You''ve already paid us handsomely for our services. Consider it a freebie. And if you bring more relics to sell, I''ll be happy to provide more information in the future."


    "Great," he replied, "let''s hear it."


    Semi-introduction to a character that wille some time in the future.

 Chapter 56 New Power

    56 New Power They both leaned in, eager to hear what he had to say about the relics.


    "The first relic you brought in is a small figurine toy made of pure gold. It''s an ancient artifact from the old world, and it''s estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Based on the intricate carvings and the attention to detail, it''s believed to have been owned by someone of great wealth and status."


    Kiera''s eyes widened.


    "Wow, that''s amazing. What''s it worth?"


    The dealer smiled and said, "Based on the current market value for ancient artifacts, I''d say it''s worth at least 10 million UC."


    Emir''s jaw almost dropped in shock, "10 million UC?!"


    The dealer nodded, "Yes, it''s quite a valuable piece. And the second relic is just as interesting. It''s a small book with a leather cover, written in anguage that is no longer used, lost in the old world. Our experts were able to trante some of it, and it seems to be a diary or journal of some kind."


    He leaned in and asked, "What did they find?"


    "Well, it''s hard to say for certain, but it seems to be the diary of a man who lived during the time of the Old World. He wrote about his experiences and adventures, and there are even some drawings and maps included. It would sell for a lot to those collectors. It''s a rare find, to say the least."


    Kiera eyed Emir.


    "That sounds incredible. What do you think it''s worth?"


    The dealer smiled again and said, "Based on its historical significance and rarity, I''d say it''s worth at least 40 million UC."


    Emir shook his head in disbelief.


    "50 million UC for two relics? That''s more than I''ve ever seen in my life."


    The dealer let out a chuckle.


    "It''s clear that Old World relics still hold great value, even after all these years. As for the other relics, they''re not as unique, but they can still be sold topanies looking topete against the big eight. So, even though they aren''t worth much individually, they can still fetch a good price. Altogether, you''ll receive 60 million UC, with the appraisal cost already deducted."


    "There''s no need for you toe back for the two relics that require a detailed appraisal. I''ll transfer the money to you when the timees." He gestured to the ID reader, and Emir scanned his hunter ID over it until it beeped.


    "I hope to see both of you again, with your eye for quality, I''m sure you''ll find many more valuable items to bring to me."


    They thanked the dealer and left his shop, both of them feeling overwhelmed by the amount of money Emir had made.


    "I appreciate your help today, so I would like to buy you something before we leave the market. Is there anything you need or want?" He said as they walked through the ck market.


    Kiera gave him a small smile.


    "I don''t need anything, but if you really want to buy me something, how about we go grab some food? I''m starving."


    Emirughed and said, "Food it is then. Let''s go find something good to eat."


    They walked through the crowded market, searching for a ce to eat.


    The smells of different foods filled the air, and his stomach growled at the thought of getting something to eat.


    Finally, they found a small food stand tucked away in a corner of the market.


    The sign outside read ''Mama''s Kitchen,'' and the smell of freshly cooked food wafted from inside.


    They approached the stand, and a friendly-looking woman greeted them.


    "Wee to Mama''s Kitchen. What can I get for you?"


    Kiera and Emir looked at each other, both unsure of what to order.


    The woman noticed their hesitation and smiled, saying, "If you''re not sure what to get, I rmend our special dish of the day. It''s a traditional dish from my home country, and it''s one of our most popr items."


    They eyed each other again and nodded.


    "We''ll take the special dish of the day."


    The woman nodded and started to prepare their food.


    As they waited, he looked around the market, taking in the sights and sounds.


    It was a lively and bustling ce, filled with people from all walks of life, some looked to be beggars while others had the walk of an Elite.


    Soon, their food was ready, and they sat down at a nearby table to eat.


    The dish was delicious, with a perfect bnce of spices and vors.


    They ate in silence, enjoying the food and the atmosphere of the ce.


    After they finished their meal, Emir settled the bill of 40,000 UC before they strolled around the bustling market, taking in the sights and sounds of various stalls and shops.


    But just as they passed a relic merchant, he looked to his side only to see that Kiera was getting worn out, so he proposed that they head back to the base.


    And while walking back, a sense of satisfaction washed over him.


    The relics had earned him a significant sum, setting him up for a good upgrade, and her help in finding them was invaluable.


    He simply felt grateful for her assistance, something he hasn''t felt for a while.


    "So... Kiera, do youe to the ck market often?" He asked casually.


    She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with joviality.


    "You mean besides the fact that we just spent the whole day there?"


    He chuckled.


    "Well, yeah, besides that. I meant, do youe here often on your own?"


    She shrugged, "Not really. The only time I''m there is to sell relics and I''m usually too busy with work to go there for fun. But I have to admit, it''s been a really great day."


    "I''m d you enjoyed it. I had a great time too, especially with yourpany."


    Kiera blushed slightly, causing Emir to feel a surge of amusement.


    They continued with their conversation which bordered on being flirtatious and finally reached the entrance to the base.


    Two men were guarding the outside, and a cart filled with ammo of several types was in between them.


    They stopped in front of the gate, and Emir turned to face Kiera.


    "Well, good job today, I guess, and um... you know, Emir, I know that our gang is too weak for a hunter like you, but I can''t help but ask you to join us."


    "So, please, would you consider joining us?" She asked with desperation in her voice.


    Quite the popr guy he is.


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 57 New Power II

    57 New Power II


    Emir smiled at the offer, ttered.


    "Thanks, Kiera, but I prefer to work alone. Plus, I have my own agenda to pursue."


    Kiera flinched but nodded in understanding. "Well, the offer stands if you ever change your mind, and if you ever need our help, just let us know."


    "Sure thing, you can always count on me for some extra firepower. And who knows, we could even have a non-work-rted date sometime in the future."


    Kiera chuckled, "Maybe."


    "But never forget, I''m a hunter that danger tends to follow, so watch out for the crossfire." He warned her.


    "I''ll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks again for your help today, Emir. It was great working with you."


    "Likewise, Kiera. Take care and stay safe out there."


    As Emir walked away, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of loneliness.


    This wasn''t the first time that someone had extended an invitation to join their gang or team, only for him to refuse.


    Going solo afforded him the freedom to chase his objectives without any hindrance or concessions, especially since his future mission demanded that he works alone.


    But it also meant that he had no one to rely on, no one on the field that could watch his back.


    It is a dangerous world out there, and sometimes it felt like all the odds were stacked against him.


    ¡­


    Emir soon arrived at an inn and walked up to the front desk.


    The innkeeper greeted him with a friendly smile.


    "Hello, how can I help you?" He asked.


    "I need a room for the night."


    "Sure thing." He pulled out a key.


    "We have a few options avable. Do you have any preferences?"


    "Just a quiet room," Emir said as he handed over his ID.


    He quickly processed the payment and handed Emir the key.


    "Your room is on the second floor, room 207. Enjoy your stay!"


    He made his way up to the room and unlocked the door.


    It was a simple butfortable space with a bed, a small desk, and a window overlooking the street below.


    He dropped his bag on the bed and sat down, taking a deep breath.


    Emir reached into his bag and pulled out the case. He opened it, talking out the capsule.


    [Lyra, can you scan it now?]


    [Already started.]


    Minutes went by, and she finally replied.


    [Apparently, it contains old-world nanobots that could bemanded using your own neuralwork, you would just have to swallow that capsule, also, it''s only usable for people who have done the mutation unlock.]


    [It is capable of destroying and healing the interior of your body, slowlypressing your blood cells, tissues, and entire muscles to make you stronger each time you repeat the process.]


    The neuralwork, which isposed of the electrical and chemical signals in the brain, has the ability tomunicate with the nanobots within an individual''s body.


    However, the extent to which thismunication can ur is limited and can be enhanced through the process of mutation unlocking.


    So after Emir went through the mutation unlock, his neuralwork gained new capabilities, making it so that he can control the nanobots in his body with even more precision.


    There are many functions that nanobots, in conjunction with the neuralwork, serve in this world, for example, people can purchase nanobot injections that allow them to gain new skills.


    These skills range frombat skills like archery to more artistic skills like singing or ying a musical instrument.


    The skill injection would allow them to understand and unlock the skill to a basic degree, meaning that they would automatically be a novice in that particr skill.


    Emir quickly refocused and swallowed the capsule with no hesitation, with the thought of it being 16:07


    detrimental to him never crossing his mind.


    The reason why this is possible is due to the nanobots in the individual''s body connecting with their neuralwork. The individual would understand the skill, and his body would slightly adapt to its use.


    Due to the sheer amount of information needed to master a skill, those who are in the process of acquiring a new skill would only be able to learn the most fundamental aspects of it, in other words, they would automatically be a novice of that skill.


    This is because both the brain and body are unable to handle the overwhelming surge of changes thate with acquiring a new skill.


    Therefore, individuals with higher stats will have an easier time and be more efficient at learning and acquiring higher-ranked skills at a better skill level.


    The incredibly high price isn''t the only reason why skills aren''tmonly used, the main reason is that the technology is monopolized by the UEF, so no matter how much money you may have, if you aren''t deeply affiliated with the government, you would have no ess to those skills.


    It is feasible for someone with a skill to duplicate and sell it, but it must be done discreetly to avoid being caught by the UEF, as the punishment would be a fate worse than death.


    However, there is another deterrent to this practice, which is the fact that when an individual''s neuralwork transmits data from their nanobots to someone else, the quality of the transmitted information degrades significantly as it is not the primary source.


    This is how the massive border between the elite and the rest remained till this day and will remain so in the future, it''s also the reason why everyone dreams of attending the academy, as this is the only ce someone could potentially buy them with no strings attached.


    It sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel, but It made sense.


    ''Anyways, is this how that man got so strong? This capsule certainly is incredible, I could get physically stronger without needing to enhance myself with cybeics or even be a cyborg myself.''


    ''I won''t even need to use a mech in the future, I could go against the strongest of opponents just with my body.'' He added, smiling at that thought.


    Emir quickly refocused and swallowed the capsule with no hesitation, with the thought of it being detrimental to him never crossing his mind.


    He could feel a cold, metallic taste in his mouth as the capsule seemed to dissolve instantly, so he braced himself, waiting for the effects to kick in.


    At first, he didn''t feel anything, but then he started to feel a strange sensation in his chest.


    It was like a tingling, pulsing feeling that spread throughout the entirety of his body.


    Emir closed his eyes and focused on the sensation. He then instinctively tried tomand the nanobots to start the process.


    Turning my sci-fi/fantasy, novel into a cultivation one. or not.


    If yall want it to stay as fantasy give your one and only goldenstash a few tickets.


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 58 Cultivation

    58 Cultivation And as soon as Emir did that, a searing pain shot through his body like nothing he had ever felt before.


    It was as if every nerve ending in his body was on fire, and he screamed in agony as he fell to the ground.


    He could feel the nanobots starting to work their magic, tearing apart his muscles and organs from the inside out.


    His muscles contracted and spasmed involuntarily, causing Emir to thrash around in agony.


    It was like nothing he had ever experienced before.


    The pain was unbearable, and he writhed on the ground for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes.


    Soon after he felt his body slowly starting to heal itself, the nanobots knitting his torn muscles back together, but the pain only intensified as they did so.


    He tried tomand the nanobots to stop, but it was like trying to control a raging inferno with a bucket of water.


    They continued to work as if millions of tiny creatures were crawling through his veins, consuming everything in their path, destroying and rebuilding his body over and over again, each timepressing and strengthening his muscles and tissues.


    Emir thought that he might pass out from the pain.


    But somehow he managed to hold on, enduring the agony until it finally subsided.


    When he finally stood up, his body felt slightly different, stronger, and more resilient than ever before.


    [Hey Lyra, can you show me my system screen?]


    [Rx for a few minutes, it won''t take long.] She answered as Emir sat in a lotus position.


    Minutester, a familiar screen appeared in front of him.


    ¡­


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 13}


    {Hunter Rank:8}


    {Credit Bnce: 61,799,000 Union Credits}


    ? Stats ?


    {Strength: D+ -> C+} (Avg E)


    {Agility: C- -> C} (Avg E)


    {Endurance: C -> C+} (Avg F)


    {Mind: A} (Avg F)


    {Charm: B+ -> A+} (Avg C)


    ?Skills?


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 50% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 35% Proficiency.}


    ?Abilities?


    {Time Sensory Dtion}


    Slows down user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.3 seconds.


    Current Total Use Limit: 1 Minute 20 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 9 Minutes 10 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 0.0018 units per second.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    The user can perceive the world in greater detail, such as seeing objects from farther away, hearing sounds that are too quiet for normal humans, and detecting subtle scents and vors.


    The degree of enhancement can be controlled by the user, allowing them to focus on specific senses or enhance them all at once.


    The ability can be physically taxing, and overuse can cause temporary sensory overload or even damage to the user''s senses.


    ?Art?


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    ?Equipment?


    {HX-10 Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {Thunderbolt X1 Rail gun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Helix Mk IV C-ss Augmented Suit: Functional}


    {Chrono-Sense D-ss Augmented suit: Functional, not in use.}


    {Makeshift Hunting knife: Standard issue, not in use.}


    {Electric Knife: Standard Issue}


    {Twin Dagger: Old-World Relic}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: C-Rank Item}


    {Rucksack: Functional}


    ?Inventory?


    {Rank-E Old-world Medicine: 8 Boxes]


    {Low level energy packs (x9): Functional.}


    * Average statspared to people of users'' current age.


    * Strength Cultivation ability doesn''t rte to base strength.


    * The level of skill goes from novice, beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, master.


    * The cultivation ranks are, Copper, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, tinum, Osmium, Diamond.


    As Emir looked at his system screen, he felt a great sense of aplishment.


    ''A+ charm, I am handsome indeed, and I also got much stronger, not bad, not bad at all.''


    The idea of cultivation was still foreign to him, but he couldn''t deny the results it had brought.


    ''Lyra really called it cultivation, though,'' he chuckled to himself.


    ''Anyway, it seems that mastering this art will take me many years. But judging by how the ranks are named, I can safely say that it''s worth it.''


    Sitting back on the ground in a lotus position, he closed his eyes, focused on his breathing, took deep breaths, and prepared himself to begin his cultivation practice.


    He inhaled slowly and exhaled even slower, allowing his mind to clear and his body to rx.


    With each inhale and exhale, he felt a sense of calm energy flow through him.


    A sense of tranquility washed over him, clearing his mind of all thoughts.


    He began to channel his energy into his body, focusing on his muscles and tissues, and he knew it was time to start.


    Emir felt the energy building inside him.


    It was like a coiled spring waiting to be unleashed.


    With each breath he took, he felt the energy grow stronger, pulsating through his body like a living thing.


    At first, he felt nothing but that energy.


    It was as if his body was resisting the change that it might bring, rejecting it.


    But slowly, he felt a shift.


    The same process began, and the nanobot crawled through his veins, consuming everything in their path and rebuilding his body over and over again.


    But this time, the pain was bearable, and he could feel his muscles contracting and rxing with each breath he took.


    Emir couldn''t help but wonder if the reason he had experienced such excruciating pain during hisst cultivation session was that he had just entered the Copper rank.


    ''Maybe every time I would enter a new rank, the pain would be even worse.''


    He shuddered at the thought, knowing that if that were the case, it would be a long and painful road ahead.


    He knew that the process was working, that his body was being transformed from the inside out.


    As the minutes turned into hours, he could feel his strength growing.


    It was slow¡ªpainfully slow¡ªbut he could feel it nheless.


    And with that realization, Emir knew it would take him months, if not more, just to enter the next rank, which was Iron.


    It was an intense experience, one that he couldn''t fully describe with words.


    The workings of the nanobots were beyond hispleteprehension, as they rebuilt his inner body in ways that were unfathomable to him.


    But as he continued to cultivate, he felt a sense of connection to his body that he had never experienced before.


    Emir imagined his muscles tearing and rebuilding themselves, bing denser and more resilient with each passing moment.


    It was as if he was finally learning how to control his own inner workings, to direct his body in ways he couldn''t before, and to shape his own destiny.


    He continued to immerse himself in the cultivation process and lost all sense of time.


    It was as if he had entered a trance-like state where nothing else mattered but cultivation.


    However, Emir was brought back to reality when he heard Lyra''s voice.


    [I think it''s about time for you to get back to work.]


    He replied seconds afterposing himself.


    [Yeah, my bad, I was too immersed in it.]


    ''I guess it''s time for me to call up on mom.''


    He stood back up and sat on the bed, pulling out his terminal.


    Emir waited while the terminal rang for Laura to reply, and secondster she did.


    "Hey, it''s finally time for you to call, you''ve just been sending messages for thest few days." Her voice crackled through the terminal, sounding relieved.


    "Sorry about that, I was in a precarious situation, you see, but it''s all sorted now. I just need to take care of a few loose ends, then I''ll head back home."


    During his ordeal, he let Lyra take control of his terminal to send daily updates to his mother.


    He didn''t want to worry her, so he made sure that she was sent an update every day.


    "I know it''s not right to celebrate someone''s death, but good job, Emir. Please juste back home safe, okay? Oh, and Lily says hi."


    "Anyway, I don''t want to take any more of your time, I know that you''re busy. So, take care, we miss you."


    "I will. I miss you guys too. Bubye," he said, ending the call.


    Putting his terminal back into his pocket, he asked.


    [Hey Lyra, we got the coordinates for the hidden ruin entrances from ck Widow''s terminal, right?]


    [Yes, however, it is only for two UEF-owned ruins, are you nning to give these up to the association?]


    [Yeah, it''ll be easy money. Anyway, after cultivating, I feel like I slept for days, so I don''t need any rest. Let''s head straight to the Steel Rats gang and get this over with.]


    ''I can''t deal with the Rattlers just yet, I would need better gear for that.''


    [Understood,mencing tracking, location marked, setting destination.] She replied as her hologram appeared in front of him.


    While she was processing the location, Emir checked his HX-10 assault rifle and Thunderbolt X1 rail gun.


    He made sure all magazines were fully loaded and fitted them into his rucksack.


    And while he added the new magazines he had acquired from the Night Raiders, he mused to himself, ''Proving useful even in death, I''m very grateful, dear Raven.''


    Wee back the system everyone.

 Chapter 59 Clean Up

    59 Clean Up


    [Destination set, are you ready to go?]


    [All good, let''s get going,] Emir answered as he followed her out of the room.


    They made their way through the slums and soon arrived at the Steel Rats'' hideout, a lightly fortified warehouse tucked away in one of the many narrow streets popting the slums.


    Emir knocked on the gate, and a momentter, it creaked open, revealing a burly man with a sneer on his face.


    "I am here to talk about your base''s extended warranty." Emir said with a smirk stered on his face as he lifted up his HX-10 assault rifle.


    "What do you---"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    All three shots hit him directly in the head, and the man fell to the ground with a thud, dead before he hit the pavement.


    The sound of the gunshots echoed through the narrow alley, causing the rats to scatter from the trash cans and dumpsters where they had been rummaging for food.


    Suddenly, the ground shook as automatic turrets emerged from the walls, their barrels trained on Emir.


    Red dots from their targetingsers danced around his body.


    ''Shit!''


    He quickly took cover behind the dead gang member''s body as he propped him up like a shield, and returned fire with his rail gun.


    The weapon hummed as it fired a burst of blue energy, striking the first turret and blowing it to pieces.


    Emir didn''t have time to celebrate his small victory as another set of turrets popped up from the walls of the warehouse in front of him, their bullets mming into the concrete wall beside him and sending chips of debris raining down on him.


    He jumped back, narrowly avoiding being hit, and fired his assault rifle in short bursts, taking out two more turrets in quick session.


    The turrets continued to fire, their bullets ripping through the air and shattering everything around him.


    He felt the heat from the explosions as he rolled to safety, now standing just outside the building.


    ''I have to end this quickly before they get the upper hand.'' He thought as he took aim with his trusty rail gun, his grip on the weapon tight.


    Pressing down on the trigger, he fired off sts of energy, and the metallic frame of the gun dug into his hands, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let go.


    His body was twisted around the gate, making it contorted at an odd angle in a desperate effort to keep himself protected from the turret''s fire.


    His newfound strength proved to be a godsend, as he managed to withstand the tremendous recoil despite his awkward stance against the wall.


    In the past, such a position would have either thrown him off bnce or even resulted in broken hands.


    But now he stood firm and unyielding, sting away with his rail gun without fear.


    Emir crossed the gate once again, and rushed to the left of the warehouse.


    After crossing the courtyard, he peered around the corner of the warehouse''s wall, scanning the area for any sign of the remaining turrets.


    He spotted one on the far end of the alley, its barrel aimed at him.


    Without hesitation, he sprinted towards it, firing his assault rifle as he ran, not wanting to reload his rail gun, and aiming to finish this ordeal before the gang members showed up.


    The turret tried to track him, but he was too fast.


    He reached it and slid to a stop, firing his weapon at point-nk range and obliterating it.


    Soon after, he heard footsteps echoing in the distance and then rushed to meet the members of the Steel Rats gang as they poured out of the warehouse''s front entrance in groups, armed with various weapons.


    ''Touch¨¦,'' he snickered.


    They had him outnumbered by more than 20 to 1, but Emir stood his ground, ready to face them.


    The first group of five charged straight towards him, firing their guns indiscriminately.


    Emir took cover behind nearby rubble, reloading his weapons in the process, and fired back with his rail gun, taking out two of them with a single st.


    The rest scattered, hiding away from his sights as he slowly moved towards the warehouse.


    Running behind cover, he cautiously peeked to assess the situation.


    His mind raced as he activated his TDS ability.


    He could feel his perception of time slowing down as the world around him became a blur.


    The sound of gunfire seemed to fade away, reced by a soft humming noise in his ears.


    With his eyes wide open, he saw the gang members moving to surround him in slow motion, their steps sluggish and almostical.


    It was as if they were wading through msses.


    He took advantage of this momentary advantage and sprang into action.


    Emir popped out from behind cover and fired a burst of rounds from his HX-10 assault rifle, taking down several of the gang members in quick session.


    And as he moved forward, he heard the metallic nking of bullets ricocheting off the walls and crates around him.


    The rest of the gang members were now closing in on him at an rming pace.


    Emir ducked behind another stack of crates and reloaded his weapons.


    ''I can''t keep this up for long, I need to take out this group quickly.''


    He scanned their formation with his back against an indestructible crate, searching for a weakness he could exploit.


    ''Four to the right, three down in the middle, the rest are on the left¡­''


    It was then that he noticed a narrow gap between a few of the gang members on his right.


    He realized that getting behind them and reaching the blockade of crates would provide a clear vantage point, allowing him to kill them all in one go.


    His heart pounded as he weighed his options, knowing that slipping past them would be a dangerous y.


    Quickly deciding his next move, he threw away an empty magazine to distract them, buying him a precious moment.


    With the gang members momentarily distracted, he jumped into action, rushing out of cover.


    Noticing Emir, they barraged him with bullets, but he went through them unfazed, dodging and leaping over rubble with ease as he continued to move forward.


    The sound of gunfire deafened his ears as he felt the heat of the bullets whizzing past him.


    He then sidestepped another volley of gunfire as he rushed through their ranks, having them kill each other in the process.


    Momentster, he finally reached the gap and dove forward, rolling through as he reached behind cover with only inches to spare.


    My man is cleaning house.


    GoldenStache

 Chapter 60 Clean Up II

    60 Clean Up II


    His body tingled with adrenaline as he stood on the other side, the thrill of the moment coursing through his veins.


    Emir then turned around and fired a long burst from his rifle, aiming to take them down to thest of their group.


    His every motion was swift and calcted, as he continued to fire off rounds from his weapon, each shot finding its mark.


    Some went down instantly with a fatal shot to the head, while others tried to run for cover and were hit in the body as they scurried away, their weak points obscured from his vantage point.


    The carnage left in his wake was a testament to his prowess and lethal uracy.


    No sooner had thest of the gang members fallen to the ground, their bodies riddled with bullets, than more emerged from the shadows.


    Emir took aim at the man charging towards him, his gun raised high, but he noticed a muzzle shing from his gun.


    Time seemed to slow as he activated his ability, allowing Emir to react faster than his shots.


    Emir sidestepped the first volley of bullets, then used his enhanced speed to close in on him.


    He delivered a swift elbow strike to the side of his head, causing him to stumble.


    Before he could regain his footing, Emir followed up with a quick kick to his chest, sending him flying backward.


    With a swift motion, Emir swung his rifle around, taking aim at the approaching member''s head.


    A loud crack resounded as his head exploded with the bullet tearing through it from one end to the next.


    The subsequent members came at him in pairs, Emir ducked and weaved between their attacks, returning fire with deadly uracy.


    Each shot hit its mark, taking them down one after another.


    The fight raged on, and he found himself growing more exhausted by the minute.


    His breath grewbored, and fatigue seeped into his muscles.


    Each strike required a greater effort, as his arms were slowly bing heavy, and his legs were starting to ache, a testament to his ceaseless dance of evasion and counterattacks


    But he couldn''t stop now.


    Emir had to keep going, take down everyst one of them.


    One of the gang members tried to get the drop on him from behind, but Emir was too quick.


    He spun around and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying.


    As the man hit the ground, Emir brought the butt of his gun down hard on his head, crushing his skull.


    With every passing moment, more and more members of the Steel Rats gang rushed at him from the warehouse.


    He took down each one methodically, his time-dtion ability giving him an apparent advantage as he took aim and fired.


    Emerging from the shadows, a burly man wielding a crackling shock baton closed in on Emir.


    He lunged at Emir with surprising speed, but he sidestepped his attack and swung his HX-10 at his head, knocking him unconscious.


    Emir quickly followed up with a shot to the brain, ensuring he wouldn''t get back up.


    The next two members came at him together, both wielding electric knives.


    They swung their weapons in unison, but Emir managed to dodge their attacks and fire a shot at each of them.


    The first went down with a shot to the head, while the second was hit in the leg and fell to the ground, screaming in pain.


    "Shut up!" Emir eximed as he closed the distance, his boot connecting with bone, a sharp crack resounding as the man''s cries abruptly ceased, swallowed by the silence of his final moment.


    The silence was soon reced by heavy footsteps, signaling the approach of more members.


    Not wasting any time Emir took cover behind nearby debris like usual.


    A lone figure stood apart within the chaos, pistol raised with malice glinting in their eyes.


    Emir''s trigger finger responded with deadly precision, a symphony of gunfire erupting from his weapon, orchestrating the member''s swift demise.


    Another member tried to nk him, but Emir was ready for him, killing him with a quick shot to the neck and sting his head off.


    The third and fourth members came charging at Emir together, one wielding a machete and the other carrying a long katana-like sword.


    Their strategy was to overpower him with theirbined strength and take him down before he could react, as they both donned augmented suits.


    Their heavy footsteps vibrated the ground as they closed in on him.


    He slowed down time and calcted his next move.


    ''One aiming at the head, the other at my chest,'' he thought, as he eyed their body movements.


    Only when that thought crossed his mind did he resume the flow of time back to normal.


    His calctions proved urate as the attacker with the machete swung at his head, but he swiftly ducked with remarkable agility, his mind already anticipating the next move.


    The other member came at him with the sword, aiming for his chest with a vertical swing.


    Emir stepped to the side, evading the attack, then quickly countered with a swift kick to the knee.


    While the katana wielder was recoiling from his attack, the guy with the machete came at Emir again.


    This time, Emir used his rifle to fire multiple shots at the man''s legs, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.


    And before he could even get up, Emir used the butt of his HX-10 assault rifle to knock him out.


    While that happened the samurai wannabe recovered from Emir''s kick and swung at him again.


    Emir quickly dodged to the side and countered with a series of punches to the face.


    The man stumbled back, dazed, but quickly regained his bnce and came at Emir once more.


    With slowed time, Emir was able to react quickly to his next attack.


    He came at him from the side and grabbed the handle of the katana mid-swing and quickly twisted it out of his hands, sending it flying across the room.


    Then, with a powerful knee strike to his gut, Emir knocked him to the ground.


    The many there, writhing in pain, but he wasn''t hurting for long.


    With a few well-ced shots aimed at their heads, he made sure that they would stay down, ending their suffering.


    As he exhaled a shaky breath, a mix of exhration and weariness painted Emir''s face.


    His eyes scanned the aftermath, the littered battlefield, taking in the cost of the encounter.


    "Fun," he murmured, a tinge of dark amusement threading through his voice, his body yearning for respite even as his mind anticipated the battles yet toe.


    Emir had taken down more than thirty or so members so far, but there were still more to go, not ounting for the leader, which would give him the most trouble out of the lot.


    ''Hopefully, this doesn''t take too long, I need to get back soon.'' He thought, slightly excited, the dark hue in his eyes increasing in intensity.


    Writing fight scenes is hard, cheer me up with some PS!!! GoldenStache

 Chapter 61 Massacre

    61 Massacre


    As Emir surveyed the area, trying to locate the rest of the gang members, he felt a sharp, searing pain in his left shoulder.


    It took him a moment to register what had happened, but soon he realized that two more gang members had snuck up on him, catching him off guard, shooting at him from beyond the range of his information gathering device.


    Despite the pain, he managed to keep his wits about him and quickly sought cover behind a nearby stack of wooden crates.


    The gang members continued their barrage, their bullets whizzing past him and shredding the crates into splinters.


    Emir sensed his augmented suit depleting its power, but that was no excuse to give up.


    He cautiously emerged from behind cover and quickly identified the two attackers.


    They were slowly advancing, guns aimed at him.


    With a swift activation of his ability, the world around Emir slowed to a crawl.


    The bullets were visible as they flew towards him, giving him enough time to react and dodge.


    Without wasting any time, he fired back with precision, taking out the first attacker with a single shot to the head, but the second one was more cautious and had taken cover behind a pile of rubble.


    Emir charged towards him while firing his HX-10 assault rifle.


    Bullets grazed his arm, but Emir kept moving forward, determined to take him out.


    Reaching him after a quick sidestep, he pulled the trigger, ending his life with a lethal shot to the head.


    Then suddenly, Emir heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and as he turned around, he spotted three members of the Steel Rats gang nking him.


    Wasting no time, he drew his rifle and fired two shots in quick session, one hitting the first gang member in the upper chest and the other striking the second in the head.


    The world around him seemed to slow down as he focused on hisst target.


    The third gang member fired a shot in Emir''s direction, but he nimbly dodged it and responded with his HX-10 assault rifle, hitting him in the leg.


    He fell to the ground, writhing in agony.


    Emir moved swiftly, shooting them each a couple more times to ensure they were truly dead.


    His adrenaline was pumping, and his body was recharged with energy as he remained alert for any further threats.


    Checking his information gathering device through the visor, Emir spotted more signalsing up behind him, so he quickly turned around and aimed at the two iing gang members.


    He swiftly fired two shots, hitting both gang members in the head.


    They fell to the ground, lifeless, but the fight was not yet over.


    Emir noticed another group of signals some distance away to his right,ing towards him from the warehouse.


    He turned to see a group of three gang members charging at him with weapons raised.


    The first member swung his bat at him, but Emir ducked under the blow and countered with a swift punch to the gut.


    The second member charged at Emir with a knife, but he dodged his attack and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backwards.


    The third member rapidly fired multiple shots with a shotgun right at Emir, but he quickly sidestepped and disarmed him with a swift kick to the hand.


    He made sure of the kill as he paused to catch his breath.


    Then with a beep echoing in his head, he noticed thest five remaining signals starting to close in on him.


    Emir located the members, as he eyed them rushing him with weapons drawn and ready to fire.


    He quickly scanned the area for any possible cover, but there was nothing nearby that could provide protection from their barrage of bullets.


    He had no choice but to stand his ground and fight.


    Knowing that he had to save up hisst bit of mental energy for their leader, he went at them raw, aiming his HX-10 assault rifle and taking down the first member with a well-ced shot to the head.


    The second and third members were quick to react, but he was quicker.


    Emir used his rail gun to take them both out with a single st, their melted bodies dropping to the ground.


    The fourth and fifth members were now upon him, firing relentlessly.


    Emir dodged their bullets as best he could, but he couldn''t avoid them all.


    A ng resounded as he took a hit to the arm and another to the leg, but he gritted his teeth and kept going.


    He took down the fourth member with a few shots to the chest.


    The fifth member was now the only one left, and instead of reloading his weapon, he came at Emir with a long knife.


    Emir epted the challenge and switched to his twin daggers, engaging in closebat with the man.


    They exchanged a few blows, but Emir was able to easily dodge most of his attacks.


    And while receiving one horizontal swing, Emir deflected his knife and struck back, plunging his de into his chest and ending the fight.


    Breathing heavily, he looked around at the carnage he had caused.


    The members of the Steel Rats gangy dead at his feet, their weapons scattered around them.


    He massacred them, feeling not even a speck of guilt.


    And then Emir finally spotted a single signal on his information gathering device, the signal appearing to be the leader of the Steel Rats gang.


    The rat slowly popped his head up from behind the crates in front of Emir.


    With his weapon raised, he took aim at Emir and began shooting.


    "Why would you attack a small gang like us? Who paid you? We didn''t do anything to deserve this!!" He yelled over the sound of gunfire.


    Emir didn''t have the time nor want an exchange of words, so he simply responded by returning fire.


    They exchanged shots back and forth, each of them narrowly avoiding the other''s attacks.


    Bullets flew by his head as he rolled to the side, and Emir fired back, narrowly missing the leader''s head.


    He ducked behind cover, and Emir used the opportunity to reload his weapon.


    Just as Emir finished, the leader popped up from behind the crates and fired a burst of rounds in his direction.


    Emir felt the wind from the bullets whizzing past him, narrowly missing his face.


    He returned fire with a hail of bullets, forcing the leader to take cover once again.


    The two of them were now locked in a fierce battle, their weapons zing as they fought for dominance.


    ''Why is a small fry like this so skilled?! Goddammit, he isn''t even a named character!''


    Emir fired again, and the leader grunted as he took a hit to the shoulder, wincing in pain but not slowing down.


    The steel rat soon fell to the ground, his weapon ttering beside him.


    17:46


    The fight continued on, with the steel rat and Emir exchanging shots, both of them using every trick in the book to gain an advantage.


    The leader was quick and managed to avoid most of Emir''s shots, his own return fire was just as urate, and he had to dodge to avoid getting hit.


    The warehouse echoed with the sound of gunfire as they moved around the room, taking cover behind pirs, crates, and rubble.


    It was starting to feel like a warzone, it was deafening, and Emir could barely hear his own thoughts.


    As he fired his rail gun once again, the leader dodged and returned fire with a burst of rounds from his SMG.


    Emir leaped to the side and took cover behind a crate, reloading his rail gun as he did so.


    He peeked out and saw the leader moving in for another shot.


    Emir seeing his chance fired off a few rounds that grazed the rat''s arm, causing him to stagger for a moment.


    But he quickly recovered and fired back, forcing Emir to duck behind cover again.


    This back-and-forth continued for what felt like hours, though it was only a few minutes.


    They continued to exchange fire, each of them trying to gain the upper hand.


    Emir was running on pure adrenaline at this point, his body moving on its own as he tried to outmaneuver him.


    But despite the chaos, Emir remained focused, he had to be precise with his shots and conserve his ammunition, or he risked running out before he could take him down.


    And finally, his opportunity came.


    The gang leader made a split-second mistake, leaving himself open for just a fraction of a second longer than he should have, and with Emir''s TDS ability, a mistake like that would cost anyone their life.


    Emir didn''t hesitate to fire a single shot, aiming straight for his head.


    The bullet hit its mark with a resounding crack, and he immediately followed up with a couple more shots to ensure his cyborg head was reduced to scrap metal.


    The steel rat soon fell to the ground, his weapon ttering beside him.


    For a moment, everything was quiet.


    The gunfire had stopped, and the only sound was the creaking of the warehouse around him.


    Emir approached the gang leader, his weapon still trained on him, just in case.


    But he was already dead, his lifeless eyes stuck staring up at the sky.


    MC is now officially as strong as an entire low level gang, also I wanted to show how brutal fights can be in my writing, with all the descriptive smashing of skulls and gore, what do you guys think? GoldenStache

 Chapter 62 Selling Out

    Chapter 62 Selling Out


    Instead of rxing after that exhausting battle, Emir instantly checked for any other signals in the area.


    After a long moment of silence, he let out a relieved sigh, knowing that the battle was truly over.


    However, still cautious, he made his way to the nearest group of fallen bodies and took out his daggers, stabbing the gang member in the heart.


    He didn''t want to waste any ammo, so he made sure of their deaths by stabbing them all.


    It was a gruesome and tiring task, but it had to be done.


    Emir knew that their neuralwork connection was weakened as they neared death, which meant that his rtively weak information gathering device could not detect them.


    So he wanted to make sure that they were all dead before he moved on.


    Once he finished, he turned his attention to the spoils of war.


    He searched through the bodies, collecting all the guns, augmented suits, medicine, and ammo that he could find.


    It was a hefty haul, and he was grateful for the extra supplies.


    In total, he gained seven seble guns, four functional D-ranked augmented suits, arge stockpile of cheap old-world medicine, and over five crates of ammunition. He of course only gathered Type-C ammo since all other types were notpatible with his two weapons.


    Unfortunately, the leader was a cyborg, and cyborgs rely on their cybeic enhancements instead of using augmented suits, so no loot from him.


    Once all of it was packed up, he donned a mask and coat that belonged to a fallen gang member, knowing that these woulde in handyter when he sold his goods on the ck market.


    Meanwhile, Lyra had already surveyed the building and located the control room, all without his prompting.


    Upon entering the room, Lyra immediately began scanning the terminals for any valuable intel.


    She soon finished her scan and said:


    [Emir, there is nothing useful here. It appears that they had no knowledge of you, and there are no other valuable resources in this location.]


    Emir nodded in acknowledgment, not surprised by theck of useful intel, these low-level gang bases rarely held anything of value.


    And as she proceeded to deactivate the base''s operations, he couldn''t help but empathize with the hunter world.


    Their world is one of brutality and mercilessness, it would be imprudent and na?ve of him to anticipate anything less.


    No remorse gued him for his actions, even after realizing that the deceased group had no connection to him.


    In truth, he took pleasure in sessfully dismantling his enemies, regardless of their rtionship.


    The adrenaline rush was invigorating and enjoyable.


    This was the way of the hunter, and he embraced it fully, enjoying every moment of it.


    With a final nce around the control room, he turned to leave.


    Stepping outside, he packed everything into the cart and prepared to move on to his next destination.


    As he approached the gated section of the slums, he noticed that the guards were eyeing him suspiciously.


    However, after presenting his ID and biometrics, they let him pass through without any trouble.


    ''It doesn''t matter if they see my face, the UEF wouldn''t care if all the low-level gangs died off tomorrow, so I don''t need to worry about them.''


    Emir walked through the crowded marketce and made his way to the first dealer, presenting the weapons for inspection.


    The dealer seemed impressed with the weapons, but just like before, he carefully examined each one, checking for any defects.


    "These are some nice weapons."


    "Where did you get them? Oh, and you don''t have to answer if you don''t want to."


    Emir hesitated for a moment, then decided to make up a story:


    "I found them in an abandoned warehouse."


    The dealer raised an eyebrow but didn''t ask any more questions.


    He then looked at the weapons and scratched his chin.


    "I can offer you 1,000,000 UC for all seven."


    Emir frowned.


    "I was hoping for a better price than that¡ªat least 2 million. These weapons are in great condition, and they''re not the normal D-rank weapons."


    The dealer shook his head.


    "I can''t offer you any more than that. It''s a fair price."


    Emir hesitated for a moment.


    "How about we meet in the middle? Let''s not attract trouble over something so worthless, yeah? I''ll sell them to you for 1,500,000 UC, deal?"


    The dealer thought for a moment, then nodded.


    "Okay, 1,500,000 UC it is."


    Emir smiled, feeling satisfied with the oue.


    "Good," he said, handing over the weapons.


    Emir then made his way to the dealer who specialized in augmented suits next.


    As he arrived, he presented the four D-ranked augmented suits for inspection.


    The dealer checked them over, frowning as he examined the variousponents.


    "These suits are in rough shape," he said.


    "How much can you offer me for these?" Emir asked.


    The dealer examined the suits by scanning them.


    "Although rough, they are still authentic velocity-type augmented suits, and since they are the more popr type among hunters, I can still offer you 3,200,000 UC for them."


    "That seems too low. The items are still fully functional D-ranked suits, which are hard toe by for most low-rank hunters."


    The dealer shrugged.


    "That''s the best I can do. Take it or leave it."


    After a brief moment of contemtion, Emir proposed:


    "Let''s make a deal. I''ll sell all the suits I acquire in the future to you, as long as you offer a fair deal, of course. If you agree, then let''s proceed with 3,800,000 UC. What do you say?"


    ''If I ever n on returning, I''ll visit this dealer to sell my stuff anyway. After all, Kiera trusts him, so it''s a win-win situation for me.'' He mused.


    The dealer hesitated for a moment, then nodded.


    "Okay, 3,800,000 UC it is."


    Emir felt pleased with himself for negotiating a better deal, although not by a lot, but better is still better.


    He handed over the suits and received the payment on his ID card.


    ''Thankfully, I can opt to hide my hunter ID when receiving or giving credits. I guess it''s kind of obvious if you think about it, after all, many of the Elitee here, and they can''t be throwing their names around.''


    Thanking him, Emir left his shop, exiting the ck market soon after and heading back out of the slums.


    But on the way, he received a call from Kiera.


    "Hey, Kiera," he answered.


    "What''s up?"


    "I wanted to talk to you about something," she said.


    "And I know that you were the one who took out the steal rats gang."


    Emir scoffed.


    "What about it?"


    "I''ve heard some things from my sources, oh, don''t worry, they don''t know it''s you behind it all."


    She paused for a moment before continuing.


    "They''re worried that if you keep taking out these smaller gangs, it''s going to cause a power struggle in the slums. The bigger gangs will start fighting over the newly avable territory, and it could lead to chaos in the ck market and throughout the entire slums."


    Emir understood her words clearly, he had only targeted that gang to make sure that they knew nothing about him, and he of course wanted to end them before they could potentiallye after him.


    "I was already nning onying low for a while. I took care of what I needed to take care of, and I''m not looking for any more trouble."


    He had no interest in taking over their territory or causing any more trouble...


    ''As long as they don''t provoke me first that is.'' He added inwardly.


    "Good to hear, and I have some great news. The dealer just finished appraising the relics you brought him, and he said he''s going to send the money to you soon. Do I give him your contact info?" N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "That''s great, send it so I can discuss the price with him. And thanks for letting me know."


    They bid each other goodbye as Emir ended the call.


    He then continued his trek out of the slums, feeling a sense of relief as he momentarily loosened the noose tightening around his neck.


    Following his n, he headed back to the Hunter Association, to get his well-deserved credits.


    Upon reaching the association, he promptly made his way to the reception area and inquired about the manager with whom he had ns for, Nathan.


    After a brief wait, Emir was directed to his office.


    "Emir, good to see you," the manager greeted him with a smile.


    "What brings you here today?"


    "I''ve got some information to share with you," he replied, sitting down in front of his desk.


    "I recently took out the Night Raiders, some gang in the slums, and I found out that they were stealing relics from UEF-owned ruins."


    Nathan''s expression changed to one of interest.


    "Go on," he urged him.


    Emir exined what he knew, even including their connection with the liberation army.


    "Ah, I see," the manager said, nodding slowly.


    "So, these Night Raiders have been stealing relics right from under our noses by using those secret entrances. That''s a serious offense. How long have they been doing this?"


    "I''m not exactly sure," he replied.


    "But from what I''ve gathered, it''s been going on for a while. They''re a small gang, so they haven''t attracted much attention. But anything that secret is valuable, so I thought it would be best to bring it to your attention."


    Nathan stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    "You''re right. This information could be very valuable to us, even if the gang is no longer a threat."


    "It''s not every day that we get intel on something like this, and the fact that it''s government-owned ruins and not any other corporation elevates its level of severity even further."


    "So, now that the stakes are set, what do you propose we do?" Emir asked.

 Chapter 63 Dinner

    Chapter 63 Dinner


    "Well, first of all, we need to verify the information you''ve provided us," the manager said.


    "We''ll need to send a team to investigate these secret entrances and see if they lead to the ruins in question."


    "I understand, but what about me? That''s why I came here, you know. I''m willing to sell you the coordinates for the right price."


    "So, tell me, what would you reward me with for this info?"


    Nathan leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking up at Emir''s face.


    "How much were you hoping to sell this for?"


    Emir had thought about this beforehand.


    "250 million UC."


    Nathan scoffed and said, "That''s a high price for coordinates that only one gang has ess to, a gang that you have already taken care of."


    "Are you sure it''s worth that much?"


    Emir didn''t waver.


    "Come on, Nathan, we both understand that the gang''s insignificance pales inparison to the importance of the secret entrances themselves. Let''s not beat around the bush here, I know that the association will make good use of it."


    The manager smiled.


    "Of course, of course, my apologies, sometimes I like to test out hunters'' brains, you know, it''s a fun pastime of mine."


    "Moving on, there is an official reward set by the association for info such as this, and considering the quality you''ve provided, I''m willing to raise your hunter rank to 20 and offer you 220 million UC in exchange for the coordinates of these secret entrances."


    Emir felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of both a rank increase and a significant sum of money.


    "That sounds more than fair." He said, trying to contain his excitement.


    ''This is really good, I won''t need to do more of those boring patrols.''


    "Excellent," Nathan said, reaching for a pen and paper.


    "Now, could you please write them down?"


    Emir quickly wrote down the coordinates and handed them over to the manager.


    Nathan studied them for a moment before nodding.


    "These look legitimate. I''ll make sure they''re investigated as soon as possible."


    "Thank you," he said, feeling relieved that everything had gone smoothly.


    "Just doing our job." n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "And it seems you''re doing yours quite well too. Keep up the good work, Emir."


    Thanking him, Emir left the office, cart in tow, and headed back home.


    And just as he was about to leave the association''s district, his phone buzzed with a message from the relic dealer.


    Emir gave him a call, and they discussed the price he was willing to pay for the relics.


    After some negotiation, they settled on a price, and he informed Emir that he was willing to pay 10 million UC for the amulet.


    Emir was satisfied with the price and agreed to sell it to him.


    Soon after, the dealer moved on to mention the next item, which was the intricately detailed box that surprisingly turned out to be something great.


    He, however, couldn''t disclose any information about it without Emir signing an NDA contract and paying arge sum of money.


    The dealer also mentioned that he wasn''t making much of a profit from it because he was forced to pass it up to the UEF, so Emir hesitated from answering, wondering what could be in the box that would require such secrecy andrge cost.


    But ultimately, Emir declined the dealer''s offer.


    He didn''t want to risk getting involved in anything shady, which would definitely get him in more trouble than it was worth.


    The dealer made an offer for the box, he was willing to pay Emir 150 million UC for it, without disclosing any details about its contents of course.


    The amount was too tempting to resist, and Emir agreed to sell it to him, knowing that he would be better off after getting rid of something that even the UEF was after.


    Emir checked his credit bnce, almost shocking himself to death in the process...


    The sudden increase in funds was enormous.


    He attempted to calm himself down as he went back home to celebrate his earnings with his family.


    ¡­


    Sometimeter, he reached the academy district and entered the family residences, and soon after reaching their t, he walked through the front door.


    Emir was greeted with the sight of his sister Lily on the couch, engrossed in a show and the aroma of his mother''s cooking hit him, making his stomach rumble.


    "Lily!" He said with a smile as he made his way over to her.


    She looked up, and a grin spread across her face.


    "Emir! You''re back!"


    He gave her a quick hug before turning to his mother, who was busy stirring a pot on the stove.


    "Smells delicious, Mom."


    "Wee home, sweetie!" His mother eximed, rushing over to hug him.


    "Hey mom, What are you making?" He asked, looking over her shoulder.


    She looked up at him with a sly smile.


    "Oh, just a little something I whipped up for my favorite son, so, how was your vacation?"


    Emir rolled his eyes, barely suppressing augh.


    "You know I didn''t go there to have fun, right?"


    She pulled back and looked him up and down.


    "Yes, yes, I just hope you had a good time with your gang-busting trip, dear."


    Emir grinned, knowing his mother well enough to understand her humor.


    "Yeah, it was a great trip. Got to see some sights, meet some new people, shortly saying goodbye to most, though."


    "I didn''t expect you to joke around like this, but I like it."


    "I know, I know," she said, waving her hand dismissively.


    "But let me have my fun. Besides, it''s not every day my son bes a legend by taking out two whole gangs."


    Emir couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Well, I guess I did have a pretty eventful week."


    "Anyways, I took care of them all. So, they won''t be bothering us anymore."


    "Well, I''m d you''re back safe and sound, honey," she said, turning back to her cooking.


    "Dinner will be ready soon, so go wash up and get settled in."


    Lily, finally getting enough, separated herself from Emir and asked with a grin:


    "Did you bring us any souvenirs from your trip?"


    He chuckled and said, "I missed you too, Lily."


    Instead of replying, she just looked up at him with puffed-up cheeks.


    He replied, feeling defeated, ruffling her hair for revenge:


    "No souvenirs, but I did bring home a lot of money, and when I say a lot, I mean it. Don''t ask me now, though, I''ll tell you after we''re done eating."


    Shortly after, Emir headed towards his room''s sink, and as he washed up, he heard Laura talking loudly from the kitchen.


    "That''s great to hear, dear, and now that you''re back, why don''t you sit down and rx? Dinner is almost ready."


    They soon sat down to have dinner, enjoying each other''spany and catching up on what had happened while he was away.


    Emir could sense the joy emanating from both of them upon seeing him, but he also couldn''t ignore the concern present in Lily''s gaze.


    She was well aware of the nature of his work and the brutal killings that came with it, yet she never vocalized her worries.


    Laura, on the other hand, was well-ustomed to the perils of a hunter''s life, having been the wife of a revered hunter, or rather, hero.


    ''Quite unlike me, his son, since I''m no hero, not even an anti-hero.''


    ''Just an Extra, an extra of the old world.''


    This was what Emir believed, at least.


    Chatting with them, Emir asked about Lily''s school life, and it seemed that she was starting to get pretty popr among the freshmen.


    ''It isn''t surprising though, even if my opinion is biased, I know for a fact that Lily is one of the cutest girls around.''


    She also shared some tension between the regr students and the hunter trainees in her sses.


    Apparently, the trainees often acted superior, which was typical behavior for wealthy kids and well, kids in general.


    She also mentioned her studies, but Emir could sense that her main focus was on the social dynamics of her school, which was quite typical of a social butterfly like her.


    Following their dinner, his mother proposed that they watch a show together, and they took their ce on the couch.


    It was a wee break from the incessant apprehension and peril that Emir had confronted in the slums.


    Now that they were rxing, he told them about the events of his short vacation.


    Lily, who had been watching a show on TV, turned to him.


    "So, did you bring back any cool relics from those gangs?" She asked excitedly.


    Emir grinned and said, "Actually, I did. I sold one of them today for 10 million UC."


    "Wow... That''s a lot of money," Lily said, impressed.


    Laura looked at him quizzically and asked:


    "What kind of relic was it?"


    "It was an amulet that I found in a vault of one of the gangs, they''re connected to the liberation army, so that exins itself."


    "And I also found this box that I sold to a dealer for 150 million UC."


    Laura eye''s widened in shock as she asked: "That''s a lot for a box, like a lot a lot. What''s so special about it?"


    Emir hesitated for a moment before replying:


    "I''m not entirely sure, to be honest. The dealer wouldn''t tell me much about it, and he wanted me to sign an NDA contract if I wanted to know more."


    Lily''s face matched that of their mother.


    "Whoa, that sounds mysterious."


    He nodded.


    "Yeah, it definitely piqued my curiosity. But I figured that it would put me on the UEF''s radar, which is something I definitely don''t want."


    ''Not now at least.''


    "So, what''s your credit bnce right now?" Lily finally asked the question that had been bubbling in her mind for so long.

 Chapter 64 Secretary

    Chapter 64 Secretary


    "Just know that I myself am surprised by how much I got, so don''t start jumping around too much, alright?"


    Lily didn''t reply but just nodded repeatedly like a broken record.


    "511,799,000 UC." Emir revealed, struggling to stop himself from smiling at the amount.


    Their reactions matched his when he first checked his bnce.


    Priceless.


    Lily jumped up and down, pping her hands in excitement.


    "That''s amazing, old man! You''re like a real-life treasure hunter!"


    Laura joined in the fun and eximed, giving him a proud smile:


    "You''re really making a name for yourself in the hunter world."


    He shrugged and said, "It''s just luck with the relics really¡­ Though the work getting to it was tough, I can say that it was worth it at least."


    "So, what''s next for you, dear?" His mother asked, eyes shining with pride.


    "Are you going to start exploring ruins?"


    "Yes, but with a twist. Since I''ve got Lyra, we''ll be exploring new, uncharted ruins, but for now, I have a certain ruin in mind."


    "Ah, your little partner in crime," Laura said with a wink.


    "Or rather, jailer would be more fitting."


    "Anyways, you know well that I would support you in whatever you do. If you need any help, just let me know."


    Emir nodded, always grateful for her support.


    "But be careful, okay? I don''t know much about ruin exploration, but make sure to prepare all that you can before going in."


    "Don''t worry, Mom," he assured her.


    "I''ll be careful. Oh, and I''ll actually be taking you up on that offer, I was wondering if you''d be interested in helping me out."


    "In what way?" She asked, her interest piqued.


    "I was thinking that instead of selling the relics I find to the Hunter Association, we could sell them to other groups like merchants or smallerpanies for a better profit."


    "And I was wondering if you would be down to help me out with the business side of things."


    "You know, the negotiations, transactions, and the like, maybe even starting apany one day."


    His mother raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.


    "You want me to be your business partner? I don''t know the first thing about selling relics."


    "You don''t need to worry about that," Emir said.


    "I''ll teach you everything you need to know. And besides, you''re smart and resourceful, Mom. I know you''ll do great."


    Laura smiled, looking pleased with herself.


    "Well, alright then. You''ve got yourself a business partner, dear."


    He grinned, feeling a sense of relief that his mother was on board.


    "Thanks, Mom. I knew I could count on you."


    Laura''s face lit up as she said:


    "It sounds so exciting!"


    "Instead of watching shows all day, I would much rather be of help to you, so thanks for inviting me, sweetie. I''d love to help."


    "Of course, Mom, of course."


    "Now, let''s talk about the basics of what you should know."


    After seeing her nod, heunched into his exnation.


    He began with what the dealer had told him, outlining the two types of appraisals, the risks and benefits involved, and how most hunters gambled.


    Then he moved on to exin how a relic''s value was determined based on the amount of old-world technology and knowledge that could be extracted from it for research purposes.


    The market for relics was driven by a diverse group of individuals, including connoisseurs, collectors, and affluent customers.


    These groups seek out various types of relics, and relic merchants purchase them with the hope of striking it big.


    Ultimately, the value of a relic was determined by demand in the market, with certain relics in high demand due to their potential for extracting old-world technology and knowledge.


    It''s possible to hit a home run with a seemingly worthless relic, potentiallyting hundreds of millions in a single day.


    After his long-winded exnation was over, she asked:


    "But wouldn''t your rank-up pace slow down considerably if you do this?"


    "I see what you''re getting at. But, the advantages of being a high-ranking hunter aren''t enough for me to ignore the extra money we''ll be bringing in."


    Being a higher-ranking hunter came with several benefits in this world.


    One of the significant advantages was the ability to decide on shares in a team.


    Higher-ranking hunters had more experience and were trusted to make better decisions, so they were given the power to determine how the team shared the loot and the profit earned from monster hunting.


    Another significant benefit was the discount on high-quality ammunition.


    The price of ammunition was regted by the UEF, and it was based on corporations'' and the government''s profits.


    This meant that high-quality ammo was expensive and only essible to a few people.


    However, higher-ranking hunters were given a discount on these bullets, making them more essible to them.


    This discount policy not only encouraged hunters to aim for a higher rank but also increased the value of a hunter''s Rank.


    So the ability to buy high-quality ammunition at a discounted price was not just a perk; it was essential for higher-ranking hunters who fought powerful monsters, at least for those below rank fifty.


    It also served as a way for the association to control hunters who tend to go against their management.


    It''s a reminder that if they wanted to get better benefits and cheaper bullets, they should never go against the UEF.


    However, there were risks involved in this system.


    These bullets could be dangerous if they fell into the wrong hands and could cause problems for both the sector management and the hunter association.


    So there existed a strict policy tobat handing out and reselling ammo, especially so if it was for profit.


    It could even lead those hunters to work under the UEF for life.


    Emir understood the ins and outs of most things as Lyra taught him quite a lot about the world of hunters, but he didn''t know what system was in ce for those who had true strength. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He always noticed her dodging the subject so he kept quiet not wanting a repeat of what happened before.


    So now, all he knew was that the maximum rank achievable was fifty, with any further progress being blocked after reaching that milestone.


    The only way to exceed this limit was to ept a job request on the front lines in the north.


    It was a well-known fact that most who undertook this mission did not return, and only a select few managed to survive..

 Chapter 65 Secretary II

    Chapter 65 Secretary II


    Those who did survive however, became some of the strongest hunters on Earth.


    And there was an obvious disconnect between hunters below rank 50 and those above.


    While Emir had not encountered any high-ranking hunters himself, he was aware that their strength was iparable to his own.


    This knowledge of his was only based on bits and pieces he gathered from information floating around on thework.


    ''As someone who has read the novel, I should''ve known this ''secret'', but strangely, nothinges to mind,'' he thought, leaning his head on his palm.


    ''Maybe I''ve forgotten it among the hundreds of simr novels I''ve read¡­''


    ''But then ites into question of how I remembered a simple auction event involving just one single character yet forgot such a crucial aspect of the novel¡ªthe hunters themselves.''


    "Emir..."


    ''It''s all so contradictory.''


    ''Every time I encounter someone or something...''


    ''My memories of them would suddenly unlock, resurfacing as if they hadn''t been hidden just moments before.''


    It was as if the encounter acted as a key, unlocking his mind''s memories like a library essible only by that specific key. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Emir... Emir."


    ''This begs the question, is this by design?''


    ''Probably.''


    ''But then are my memories still being manipted?''


    ''I thought it would be over with Lyra''s attempt but I guess not...''


    ''Then is this why my memories of my previous life are so jumbled and mostly forgotten?''


    ''Or is it really due to some supernatural malfunction that happened during my reincarnation?''


    ''I think thest scenario is a bust, but regardless, whatever the oue may be, it shouldn''t pose any threat to me, physically at least.''


    ''It might be all a lie even...''


    "Emir!"


    Even if his memories were still somehow being manipted by the Order, it would most likely be to control his future actions by removing the potential variables created by this undisclosed information, whatever it may be.


    He let out a sigh, bringing an end to his jumble of thoughts.


    "They sure are something else," he muttered under his breath.


    Having your memories manipted like this would be taxing on anyone''s mental health.


    Emir, however, saw no reason to worry about something that was out of his control, so he redirected his focus toward what he could do.


    He also wondered if he should ask Lyra to gauge her reaction but decided not to, for obvious reasons.


    "EMIR!"


    Finally registering his mother calling out to him, he looked up in surprise and a smile spread across his face.


    Chuckling, he replied, "Sorry, Mom. I got lost in my thoughts for a moment there."


    Seeing his reaction, Laura scoffed and crossed her arms.


    "Why are youughing?! Actually never mind that, what''s wrong? I called out to you for a while now... Are you alright?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "Yes, I am. Anyways, what''s on your mind?"


    Laura let out an exasperated sigh, her frustration evident.


    "I''ll ignore the fact that you were dazed for a whole minute and continue like usual. I know you won''t tell me what''s on your mind anyways."


    Their eyes locked, and Emir''s smile faltered for a moment as he realized she saw through his attempt to deflect.


    Resigned, he thought, ''She got me there~''


    With that, they returned to their previous discussion, which ended shortly after as Emir asked a question that had gued his mind for thirteen years of his life.


    "Mom... Do you mind telling me more about Dad? How you met him, and what else do you know about high-ranking hunters?"


    As those words left his lips, he observed a visible change in his mother''s demeanor.


    Previously rxed and lighthearted, she now disyed glimpses of anger, her eyes glinting and her face contorting.


    He had expected to see her overwhelmed with grief, or at least a semnce of it, not anger.


    This revtion didn''t surprise him for long, as a thought instantly crossed his mind.


    ''She is suspicious of his death too?!''


    ''I should''ve expected that... She is my mother after all.''


    Laura noticed the pride apparent in Emir''s eyes as he looked at her.


    Realizing the effect her anger had on him, she calmed herself and let out a sigh, allowing her face to return to its normal expression.


    With a soft tone, she repeated: "Of course, dear."


    At that moment, they both understood each other''s intentions without needing to say a word.


    It was a tacit agreement to tactfully retreat from the subject, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention from the Order.


    Moving on, she told him all she could about Oliver, his father, but since he was under a confidentiality agreement, her knowledge didn''t amount to much.


    And as he was a high ranker at the time of their marriage, she wasn''t all that knowledgeable about thee-up of hunters either.


    Emir then remembered what his mother told him about her parents.


    They passed away while living in the camp next to the frontlines, a casualty of the war that raged on unpredictably to this day.


    Oliver, on the other hand, was a slum kid who grew up without the support of his parents, fueling his journey towards bing a typical protagonist with a heroic mindset.


    Along the way, he met Laura, fell in love with her, rescued her from her depression, and they went on to marry.


    Soon after, they had Lily and then finally Emir.


    s, Oliver died sometime before his birth, leaving a void that his mother tried to fill as best she could.


    Seeing that those questions were taking a toll on her, he decided to switch the subject, bringing up something else that had been on his mind for quite some time.


    "Can you tell me why you named me Emir?"


    "It doesn''t really fit all that much, or does it?"


    She smiled, a tear threatening to fall from her eyes.


    "I mean¡­ Emir Oliver, it''s a good name but, you can see the disconnect, right?"


    With a chuckle, she asked, "You''re not questioning my naming sense are you?"


    He joined her inughter.


    "No¡­ God no, I love my name, you gave it to me after all."


    She smiled, a tear threatening to fall from her eyes.


    "To be honest, it wasn''t me who named you Emir, it was your father... I asked him why, but he never told me the reason, only saying that it was important."


    Emir quickly stepped up and handed her a few tissues. "No worries Mom. Thank you for answering all my questions today. You''ve helped me a lot."


    She epted the tissues, her smile growing brighter as she waved him away.


    Chuckling, he realized it was gettingte and spoke up: "Just to remind you, I''ll be going ruin diving tomorrow."


    "Hopefully, I''ll get used to it quickly so I can start exploring the ruins that Lyra discovers."


    "In the meantime, you can focus on learning more about negotiating tactics and relics. Is that alright with you, Mom?"


    "Yes, of course, I''ll be sure to study, I won''t let you down."


    "You never will," he said, standing up.


    And with that, they went back to their respective rooms, bidding each other good night.


    ¡­.


    Waking up the next morning, Emir freshened up, but not before saying.


    [Good morning my dear jailer.]


    [Good morning Emir.]


    And now with his routine done, he began with his day.


    After eating breakfast with Laura, he went out of the house, nning to get a few weapons, an augmented suit upgrade, and a new bike.

 Chapter 66 Upgrades

    Chapter 66 Upgrades


    With the familiar bell jingle announcing his entrance to the shop, Mariana, standing behind the counter, looked up at Emir, startled.


    "¡­Hey, Emir, wee to Hunters Den. I thought that we had lost you there. It''s great that you decided to visit our shop again."


    He smiled at her and replied: "Yeah, I''ve been busy with some things, but I''m back now with some money to spend. So, I''m expecting a lot from you."


    She let out ugh while tapping on the counter. "You know you can always count on me, so what can I help you with today?"


    "I need some new gear for when I go ruin diving. Specifically, I''m looking for a fast and durable bike, along with some A-rank weapons: an assault rifle, a rail gun, and a minigun. Oh, and the best A-rank augmented suit you have, along with an information gathering device of the same rank."


    "I have a budget of 500 million UC, so see if you can work with that."


    Mariana''s eyes widened in surprise.


    "500 million UC? You must have hit it big this time. Congrattions, Emir!"


    He followed her words with a quick: "Thanks."


    "Since you really mean business today, then let me show you the best of what I can do."


    She disappeared into the back of the shop for a few minutes and came back with a massive grin on her face.


    "I think I have just the things you need, usually deliveries would take a long time for bikes and such vehicles after ordering, but since we''re located in the heart of it, expect this bike to reach the delivery garage in half an hour at most."


    "So for the bike, I''d rmend the new de Runner model from Apex Dynamics. It''s one of the fastest and most durable bikes avable on the market, perfect for hunters who prioritize speed. This bike is also ideal for new hunters as it provides great value for its price and is known for its reliability, especially as a first vehicle purchase."


    "Good choice, now for the weapons, I have exactly what you asked for. The Vindicator Assault Rifle from Vanguard, a subsidiary of Hyperion Arms, is an excellent choice for its uracy and firepower. The Tempest R3 Railgun from Hyperion Arms itself is the perfect choice for long-range engagements, and the Maelstrom Minigun from Revenant, a risingpetitor to Hyperion, is a great all-rounder. These are all top-of-the-line A-rank weapons, just as you requested."


    "Of course, if you''re looking for something with more cargo capacity or something weaponized, there are other options avable. What are your thoughts on this?"


    "This is exactly what I wanted for a bike. Let''s go with the de Runner model."


    "Good choice, now for the weapons, I have exactly what you asked for. The Vindicator Assault Rifle from Vanguard, a subsidiary of Hyperion Arms, is an excellent choice for its uracy and firepower. The Tempest R3 Railgun from Hyperion Arms itself is the perfect choice for long-range engagements, and the Maelstrom Minigun from Revenant, a risingpetitor to Hyperion, is a great all-rounder. These are all top-of-the-line A-rank weapons, just as you requested."


    As Emir nodded in agreement, she continued on with her rmendations:


    "Last but not least, the augmented suit, we have thetest model from Helix-Tech, the HTLX-LMT suit. It''s the most advanced A-rank suit avable on the market currently, with a high damage-resistant force shield and a power increase of almost 50%pared to other A-rank suits. However, due to its superior performance, it requires energy packs that are a lot more advanced than your current ones. It''s also a limited edition from Helix Tech, so you can expect the best in terms of quality and design."


    "And to top it all off, I''ve got an information gathering device of the same rank to go with it."


    He was impressed by Mariana''s selection, she really knew her stuff. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Wow, Mariana, you outdid yourself this time. These are perfect, I''ll take them all."


    "I knew you would like them, Emir. You won''t be disappointed, I guarantee it."


    "The total cost for all of these items would be 480 million UC. The augmented suit, energy packs, and information gathering device will cost you 140 million UC. The weapons and ammo will cost 31 million UC. Finally, the bike from Apex Dynamics will be the most expensive item at 309 million UC. So, if you''refortable with that price range, we can start getting everything together for you. Do you have any other questions or concerns?"


    Not affected by the generational wealth that he would be spending away on a single purchase, Emir shook his head and gave her his hunter ID.


    The hunter identity document is not a typical card, as one might expect. It is made of a ss-like material that automatically disys updated information about the individual.


    Which of course includes their rank. It''s also worth noting that the card doesn''t require any electricity or anything simr to work, as it''s entirely self-functioning.


    Once the transaction was done, she gave back his ID with surprise once again coloring her face.


    "Is this going to be a routine where youe back with your hunter rank almost doubling each time?" She asked, letting out a soft giggle.


    "What can I do? Trouble loves following me around, and with said trouble, I can rank up quite quickly. Expect that to stagnate now though; I''ll be going ruin diving, and I won''t focus on my hunter rank anytime soon."


    Mariana grinned.


    "Well, I have to admit, mister, you''re climbing up fast in the hunter world. I''m just hoping that you won''t forget about us little folks when you be a big shot."


    "Well... I''ll make sure to keeping back to you as long as you keep supplying me with the best gear. Maybe someday I''ll even have enough money to buy out your whole shop!" Emir retorted with a chuckle.


    "I''ll hold you to that. And just know that I''ll always have thetest and greatest gear for you, no matter how much you rank up."


    "That''s good to hear. But don''t get too attached, yeah? I might have to start shopping elsewhere if you don''t keep up the good work." He smirked.


    Mariana acted as if she was sulking.


    "Hey, now. You wouldn''t do that to me, would you?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "Of course not. You''re stuck with me, plus, I don''t want to miss out on your charmingpany."


    Mariana rolled her eyes yfully and said:


    "Come on, let''s get you suited up in that fancy new augmented suit of yours."


    Following her, he made his way to the changing room at the back of the store, feeling excited about trying on the new augmented suit.


    After taking off his clothes and stuffing them in his rucksack, he stepped into the augmented suit.


    He immediately noticed how it hugged his body perfectly¡ªnot too tight nor too loose, it felt snug but not constricting.


    The suit''s weight was noticeable, but it was incredibly lightpared to the other suits he had worn in the past.


    It was as if it was custom-tailored to fit him like a second skin.


    As the suit started to synchronize with his neuralwork, he felt an electric surge running through his body.


    It was analyzing his physical and mental data.


    So knowing what that signified, Emir took a deep breath and closed his eyes, allowing himself to adjust the suit to his exact specifications.


    Gradually, he felt the suit and his body bing more and more integrated as if they were bing one.


    In contrast to the Velocity type, which automatically syncs with the user''s neuralwork and body, this augmented suit, like his previous ones, is a Neuro-Link type that requires the user to manually set it up.


    The Neuro-Link Suit is a type of augmented suit that directly interfaces with the user''s neuro-signals, allowing for heightened speed and power beyond their natural physical limits.


    It reads the user''s intentions and moves ordingly, making it highly responsive and capable of powerful movements.


    However, despite its obvious benefits, this augmented suit type is unpopr among new hunters, simply due to the fact that the Neuro-Link augmented suit demands precise control and fine-tuning to prevent idental and potentially hazardous movements.


    Fortunately, this doesn''t pose a problem for Emir, all thanks to his upgraded neuralwork, manipting the suit is as effortless as breathing.


    When he opened his eyes again after ending the process, he simply felt...


    Invincible.


    The suit was a gleaming, ck full-body suit that covered him from head to toe.


    It was outfitted with various sensors and technology, and it felt like a powerful weapon in and of itself.


    Emir flexed his fingers and felt the suit respond with slight pressure.


    As he moved around, the suit moved with him, enhancing his movements and reactions.


    It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, and he couldn''t wait to take it out for a spin.


    Emir promoted the suit to turn on itsbat functions, and the HUD automatically came to life, disying a wealth of information in his field of vision.


    He could see his heart rate, the suit''s energy levels, and a variety of other stats and readings that would be useful in the field.


    Unlike his previous suit, which had a visor, this one sends a hologram right in front of his non-existent irises, disying all the information needed.


    He then manually filtered out the useless information in his HUD and kept only relevant information, like the mental energy and suit energy level, ammo count, health, and of course the radar for signal detection, from his information gathering device.


    Mariana looked Emir all over and grinned.


    "Now that''s what I call a hunter."


    He nodded as he finished the final adjustments to the augmented suit.


    "Thanks, Miss Manager. It feels great, I can already tell that this is going to be a game-changer."


    Mariana smiled at his enthusiasm and handed him his other purchases in a small cart.


    "I''m d you like it. Just remember to take good care of it. That augmented suit is worth more than some people''s homes."


    "Hah, don''t worry, I''ll make sure to treat it with the respect it deserves."


    Emir then stowed away all his new weapons and information gathering device, then carefully ced ammunition and magazines into his rucksack.


    Mariana walked with him back to the front of the shop.


    "Emir, it was great to see you again. The bike will be delivered to the garage by the time you get there. And just so you know, that''s where all vehicle deliveries end up in this district, so always head there for any future vehicle purchases."


    "Don''t be a stranger, okay?" She added.


    "I won''t. You''ll be seeing me again soon enough. I hope... Anyways, thanks a lot for today, Mariana," he replied, waving his hand goodbye as he exited the shop.

 Chapter 67 Old-World

    Chapter 67 Old-World


    Upon bidding farewell to Mariana, Emir hastened his steps towards the delivery garage, eager to retrieve his newly acquired motorcycle.


    Once he arrived, a security guard conducted a brief identification process before granting him ess.


    With the gate now open, he walked inside to find an impressive bike with a stunning ck and red design that immediately captured his attention.


    The mere sight of it sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins,pelling him to hop onto the seat.


    With a smooth connection to his neuralwork, Emir essed the bike''s systems and received instant instructions on how to operate it.


    Afterpleting the process, hemanded the bike to turn on, and the engine roared to life as he revved the handles.


    The sound was music to his ears and confirmed that everything was working perfectly.


    [Lyra, you can control the bike too, right?]


    [Yes, anything connected to your neuralwork is something that I can control, with the same limitations as before.]


    [Good to know, and thanks for the rification my dear jailer.]


    [Of course.]


    With their brief exchange over, spanning only a few hundred milliseconds, Emir tightened his grip on the handles and issued amand for the bike to start moving.


    And like a loyal steed, the bike obeyed, slowly making its way towards the exit of the garage.


    After confirming his purchase with the security guards, he expressed his gratitude and exited the giant warehouse.


    Emir set his course towards the wastnd, skillfully maneuvering his way through the moderate traffic, never exceeding the speed limit of 60 km/h set by the UEF.


    The UEF had installed drones and sensors to monitor all vehicles on the road.


    If someone was caught speeding for an extended period of time, the drones would be alerted, and the UEF would send a squad to apprehend them.


    So he knew better than to show up on their radar.


    ¡­


    As Emir reached the eastern border of the sector, he entered a shop to purchase some hunter rations, ensuring that he was fully prepared for any potential emergencies that might arise.


    The rations cost him a few thousand UC, but it was a small price to pay for his safety.


    With everything in order, Emir continued on his way, exiting the sector and venturing towards ''Arcadia''s Bazaar,'' a well-known ruin for hunters ranked 20 and above.


    Emir activated his augmented suit''sbat mode and reced his potential hostile spotting radar with a GPS map that disyed multiple paths towards the bazaar.


    The old-world maps were readily avable on thework due to the hunter association.


    Their daily patrols in the wastnd were driven not solely by the need to protect the sector but also by their need for revenue.


    They were no charity after all.


    So, during these patrols, the association collected data on the monsters, terrain, likelihood of acid rain, and other factors, which were then utilized to update the pre-existing maps, selling them at a price.


    Many hunters who specialized in information gathering also sold their knowledge on routes and ruins, including details on monster numbers, rank, risk assessment, and interior terrain.


    Since the nearby paths were frequently traveled, the information wasn''t too expensive, costing him only 10,000 UC.


    Emir opted for a moderately challenging path, with some mud and a slight chance of running into monsters.


    The shorter paths were riskier, while the longer ones were safer, so he figured the middle ground would be his best bet.


    Emir anticipated encountering monsters on his journey, so he propped up his weapons, leaving the handles of his bike as it wasn''t necessary for him to physically drive it, he could just issue instructions using his neuralwork.


    The bike followed hismands to the tiniest detail, allowing him to focus on the path ahead and any potential threats.


    Emir traveled down the route at maximum speeds, dodging debris, rocks, and simr structures scattered about, causing mud to constantly stter everywhere against the force of the bike''s wheels.


    [Lyra can you use my terminal and ept a general monster subjugation request?]


    [Consider it done.]


    ¡­


    Fortunately, and to his surprise, he managed to reach the ruin without encountering one monster on the way, which was unexpected given his history of encountering life-threatening situations at every turn.


    From what he understood, the ruins were a vast subterraneanbyrinth,prised of interconnected buildings, tunnels, and facilities.


    Theplex underground train system, which wasmonly constructed in the western part of the old world, now served as the connection between some to most of these ruins.


    Despite the devastating effects of the nuclear war and natural decay over time, some parts of the ruins still managed to maintain a rtively intact appearance.


    This was partly due to the cleaning systems that were still operational in some areas. These systems were designed to remove debris, dust, and other contaminants to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for the people who used to live or work in the old world.


    The cleaning systems used advanced technologies such as automated robots, drones, air filters, and water treatment facilities to maintain the cleanliness of the ruin.


    And the robots were programmed to detect and remove any foreign objects or materials that may be harmful to the environment or pose a threat to human health.


    The air filters and water treatment facilities, crucial to maintaining a healthy environment, have, however, been destroyed in most of the ruins discovered so far.


    As a result, even though some areas may appear rtively clean and well-maintained, there were still many hidden dangers lurking just beneath the surface. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    These included mutated creatures, radiation pockets that could interfere with information gathering devices and even the possibility of the systems themselves turning against you for reasons that were not yet fully understood.


    More dangerous than all of that was the unknown.


    The things that lurked in the depths of the ruins.


    While Emir approached the entrance of the ruin, he couldn''t help but be surprised by the wide entry point that had been constructed by the UEF.


    Typically, unexplored ruin entrances were nothing more than a basement or a small opening connecting to the upper floors of the buildings they once were, and hunters would have to dig through the rubble to find them.


    However, after a ruin is imed by the UEF or one of the big eight corporations, they spare no expense in constructing and clearing the entrance to massive proportions.


    In this case, there was even a parking area ced right next to the entrance, indicating the scale of the operation within.


    Slowing down his bike, Emir pulled up to the security cubicle, wanting to request ess to the parking lot, which appeared to span several underground floors and looked like it could fit a fleet of spaceships, let alone a few hunters'' vehicles.


    Peering through the ss, he saw the cyborg guarding the entrance, decked out in full UEF gear and insignia on his breastte.


    "Wee to Arcadia''s Bazaar. Parking here will cost you an arm and a leg¡ª100,000 UC a day, to be precise. And don''t even think about overstaying for a second longer, or you''ll have to pay for the next day." He said with a monotone voice, while rolling down his window.


    Emir handed him his hunter ID while muttering under his breath:


    "Well, that''s daylight robbery. What do you think this is¡ªa five-star hotel? Man, with prices like that, you must be a millionaire by now, guarding this ce like it''s the academy."


    The cyborg guard scanned his ID and handed it back to Emir, unfazed by hisments.


    "This is a UEF-owned ruin, and they set the prices, buddy. The rules are the rules. Don''t like it? Tough luck."


    ''Well, aren''t you the friendliest piece of cybeic hardware?''


    Emir was not able to resist the opportunity to make a snarkyeback:


    "Oh, I see... So how about I sell you one of my kidneys to park here for today? It looks like you already sold yours; I bet you got connections."


    The guard chuckled, his metallic voice echoing in the cubicle.


    "Hey, hey, don''t give me any ideas, not that I have any. But seriously, be careful down there, and don''t forget to get out before twenty four hours are up."


    "Sure thing, Tin boy." He quipped.


    The cyborg shook his head and snickered: "Ah, the joys of dealing with hunters."


    Emir flipped him off as he drove into the parking lot while shouting:


    "And thanks for the warm wee, younky piece of metal scrap!"


    Bootleg R*bocop didn''t even react.


    ''What a guy.''


    Descending from the bike, Emir slung his rucksack over his shoulder, strapped it on his back, and proceeded towards the entrance.


    It resembled the bunker from the sectors, with a grand staircase leading downward and a separate sectionplete with a ramp for vehicles to descend.


    The exterior was teeming with shops peddling all kinds of equipment, restaurants serving takeout, and insurance agencies staffed with the customary shady individuals one would encounter in any realm.


    Arcadia''s Bazaar was a remnant of the old world¡ªa once grand shopping mall now buried deep underground.


    ording to the information package Emir received, the mall''s floors had been swallowed by the earth due to the passage of time, creating abyrinthine underground.


    The mall tried to repair itself, and as a result, it had transformed into a vast underground district with interconnected walkways leading from shop to shop.


    Quite unlike the traditional floors expected from shoppingplexes.


    But one shouldn''t let the term ''district'' fool them; this subterranean world was anything but t.


    Some of the shops were stacked on top of each other, forming multi-level structures, and with multiple entry and exit points leading to vast open areas.


    Exploring Arcadia''s Bazaar was like embarking on a treasure hunt through a maze.


    ''Now then...''


    Descending down the stairs, Emir braced himself for the unknown dangers lurking in the depths of the ruin.


    It had only been discovered a year ago, which meant there were likely still countless relics and treasures hidden away, waiting for the right hunter to uncover them.


    With his rail gun and minigun securely fastened to his augmented suit and his trusty assault rifle at the ready...


    Emir ventured forth into his first ever dive.

 Chapter 68 Arcadias Bazar

    Chapter 68 Arcadia''s Bazar


    With his augmented suitbat mode on, Emir carefully made his way down the stairs, his eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings for any signs of danger.


    The musty air filled his nostrils, and the sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls as he descended further into the undergroundbyrinth.


    As he reached the bottom, he paused for a moment to take in the terrain.


    ''Nothing unexpected.''


    The walkways leading to the various shops were narrow, and the ceilings were low, giving the impression that the weight of the earth above was pressing down on him.


    With his enhanced senses, he could hear the distant and incredibly subtle sounds of creatures scurrying around in the shadows.


    ''This close?!'' He thought tightening his grip on his assault rifle, ready for whatever maye.


    Emir then slowly made his way through the abandoned mall, the dim lighting and empty stores giving him an eerie feeling.


    But as he walked by each shop, some of the functioning holograms flickered to life, revealing the shops'' past glory.


    [What?! Weren''t they supposed to be offline? Is the information package I bought outdated?] He asked, flinching in rm.


    [No, it seems to be a rare urrence, but some other hunters experienced this as well,] she replied promptly.


    [You don''t need to worry about it.]


    Knowing that Lyra wouldn''t lie about anything that would endanger his life, he continued exploring while still on edge.


    But soon his demeanor underwent a subtle change.


    Solely due to the environment, he found himself in¡­


    It was like stepping back in time, and he felt a sense of awe.


    Emir saw holograms of stores that sold everything from designer-like clothes to thetest gadgets, and he marveled at the technological advancements of the past.


    The holograms were so realistic that he could almost feel the luxurious fabrics and smell the fresh electronics.


    Walking forward, he stumbled upon a hologram of a store that sold books.


    The hologram disyed a book that caught his eye, and he couldn''t resist the temptation to take a closer look.


    ''This looks incredible¡­'' He thought as he reached out to touch the hologram, and unsurprisingly, his hand went right through it.


    With a snicker, he moved on to the next set of stores while he kept looking around for relics.


    But just then, the holograms began flickering at a rapid rate, causing Emir to step back in rm.


    [LYRA?!] He questioned, instantly looking around his surroundings while searching for anything that might threaten his life.


    [Do you see this? Why the hell is this happening?]


    But just before she replied the holograms returned to nothingness as if announcing her words to be true.


    [This is normal, it could be that either the AI manager responsible for this ruin caused this, or the power lines connecting to them are in need of repair.]


    Sighing out loud Emir continued on his way while keeping the same vignce. He then noticed the posters stered on every avable surface, advertising sales and new products.


    Clothing stores disyed images of fashionable outfits, sporting goods shops showcased thetest gear, and electronics stores presented shiny gadgets that were the envy of the old world.


    Many of them had faded with time, but a few still retained their vibrant colors and eye-catching designs.


    Some of the posters were for products that werepletely unfamiliar to him, while others were for items that he had only heard stories about.


    It was like stepping into a time capsule¡ªa glimpse into the world that was before the Great Catastrophe.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what it would have been like to live in such a society, where people could walk into such a ce without watching out for death at every corner, but he knew that those days were long gone, reced by a world where survival was the only priority.


    And despite being impressed, he didn''t fail to notice the feeling of hollowness that pervaded the atmosphere, a sense of emptiness.


    It was as if everything was just going through the motions, without any real emotion or passion behind it.


    The shops and disys were all meticulously arranged, but something was missing¡ªsomething that made it feel cold and lifeless.


    It was then that Emir realized why the ce was named Arcadia.


    It was supposed to be a paradise, a ce where people could escape from the drudgery of everyday life and indulge in the pleasures of shopping and entertainment.


    But to him, it felt like the opposite.


    It was a ce that had lost its heart, a ce where everything was calcted for maximum efficiency and profit.


    The holographic disys and stores were grand, but theycked the warmth and authenticity of the real world.


    It was like looking at a painting of a beautifulndscape but never being able to step foot in it and feel the breeze on your face.


    He wondered if this was all that was left of humanity¡ªa cold and calcted world where technology had taken over and emotions were nothing but an afterthought.


    Letting go of those thoughts, he continued moving.


    Some of the shops werepletely blocked by seemingly new piles of rubble and debris, making it impossible to enter without destroying the entire ce.


    Others had dim lights flickering overhead, barely illuminating the dusty shelves that were once filled with merchandise.


    The ruins of the old mall had certainly seen better days, but there was something oddly fascinating about the decaying remnants of the past.


    Emir navigated his way through the maze of shops, asionallying across areas where the roof had caved in, and the walls were crumbling.


    With the radar on his HUD constantly scanning, he made his way through the rubble-filled shop, scavenging for any relics left behind.


    Unfortunately, his efforts proved fruitless, as he found nothing of value.


    The same fate awaited him in the other shops he explored, leaving him feeling disheartened.


    But Emir shrugged off those feelings and pressed on deeper into the mall.


    The darkness surrounding him was almost suffocating, and the only sounds he heard were the crunching of debris under his foot and the asional cry of monsters some distance away. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The growls were slowly encroaching in on his position with each echo, almost as if they knew where he was.


    He remained unfazed however as he soon reached an open area, lit up by an unknown light source.

 Chapter 69 Arcadias Bazar II

    Chapter 69 Arcadia''s Bazar II


    ''Wow¡­''


    He voiced inwardly as he eyed his new surroundings, marveling at the sight before him.


    It was a massive cafeteria, adorned with restaurants of all kinds and sizes.


    The main dining area resembled a bustling mall from his past life.


    ''I wonder what type of food those guys made,'' he thought, his gaze fixated on an Arabic restaurant that caught his attention.


    Emir''s curiosity spurred him forward as he ventured deeper into the cafeteria, taking note of the various restaurants and food stalls that lined the spacious area.


    The dining area resembled a spectral banquet hall¡ªa ghost town.


    As though frozen in time and abandoned by its patrons, despite its capacity to host a multitude of diners, reaching five thousand and more.


    Not a single soul remained to savor the culinary offerings of the restaurants that dotted the spacious area.


    The chairs and tables were overturned, and the floors were covered in dust and debris.


    The ce was a mess, but it was still a fascinating glimpse into the past.


    ''It looks like the cafeteria lost some of its ess to the cleaning system,'' he pondered as he continued to explore the deste space.


    Amidst the abandoned scene, his attention was suddenly drawn to a small pharmacy store tucked away in a corner, separate from the cafeteria.


    ''Bingo!''


    Excitement surged within him as he hastened towards the store, hoping to find valuable old-world medicine.


    Emir had been wanting proper medical supplies that wouldn''t break the bank for a little while now, and his luck had been dismal so far. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    d in his augmented suit, configured to its most precise yet subtle closebat mode, he infiltrated the store with the utmost caution, meticulously surveying the environment for any potential threats.


    The barren shelves were scarcely stocked, containing only a meager collection of antiquated vials and packages of medicinal supplies.


    "Tough luck, eh," he spat out, as disappointment swept over him while he continued scanning the seemingly empty pharmacy store.


    It was clear that this ce had been looted a long time ago, and any valuable or useful medical supplies were long gone.


    However, as he leaned in for a closer look, a glint of light caught his eye from the back of the store.


    Emir made his way through, his footsteps echoing on the concrete floor, and followed the glint.


    It led him to a section of the store that had been hidden behind a copsed shelf.


    Carefully removing the debris, he uncovered a hidden cache.


    Opening it up, he realized that he had finally found what he was looking for¡ªa small pill box of old-world medicine.


    ''Nice!''


    ''With this, I won''t need to buy any more meds for a while.'' It appeared to be the expensive kind, the ones costing around 20 million UC per box.


    He quickly packed them into his rucksack, grateful for the find.


    But as he searched through the rest of the store, he found nothing else worth taking.


    And while Emir turned to leave, his foot knocked over a pile of rubble, sending it ttering to the ground.


    ''Fuck me!''


    He froze, his heart pounding in his chest, waiting for any sign of danger.


    But the cafeteria remained silent and still as if the noise had gone unnoticed.


    Emir let out a relieved breath and made his way back out into the maze of shops, continuing his search for other relics.


    Approaching the entrance of another section of the mall, he noticed several blips on his radar, indicating the presence of potential hostiles.


    ''Please don''t be rogues,'' he thought, keeping his AR at the ready.


    Emir aimed towards the darkness, assuming the iing signals'' location, and prepared for an ambush.


    He stood there waiting but soon realized that it was just a group of normal hunters, basing his conclusion on their gear.


    They eyed him warily but made no attempt to attack.


    Emir did the same, knowing that it was better than to let his guard down around them.


    After giving them a nod of acknowledgment, he continued on his way, facing them, never showing his back to them, keeping a watchful eye on their movements until he safely walked out of their sight.


    By relying on the advanced capabilities of their information gathering devices rather than conventional light sources to scan their surroundings, they mitigated the risk of inadvertently alerting any lurking dangers to their presence.


    So, in an unspoken ord, they all chose to maintain a veil of silence, indicating their desire to move through this ruin undetected.


    As Emir made his way along the expansive walkway, the faint sound of electronic music and merrymaking began to fill the air, tugging at his senses and beckoning him forward.


    Despite his better judgment, he found himself drawn irresistibly towards the source of the cheerfulmotion.


    He followed the source of the music and eventually found himself in front of a massive indoor amusement park.


    The park was a sprawling maze of roller coasters, bumper cars, and other exciting attractions.


    The rides were filled with peopleughing and screaming with joy.


    He couldn''t believe his eyes.


    ''This makes no sense, how are people here enjoying themselves like nothing ever happened?''


    How was this ce even functioning?


    Why has this not been reported in the information package he purchased?


    Was he seeing things?


    Or was this all a hologram projection?


    He stood there, his mind filled with questions, mesmerized, feeling a sudden rush of nostalgia.


    It reminded him of his past life and the fun times he had with his family at simr amusement parks.


    It was a bittersweet feeling, but he couldn''t help but feel grateful for stumbling upon this ce.


    Was he correct in feeling grateful, however?


    Was this not normal?


    ''She should know...''


    [Lyra, you seeing this?]


    Emir asked as he approached the massive yground.


    [Seeing what?]


    She replied, sounding puzzled.


    [All those people, holograms probably, running about in the amusement park.]


    But before he could take another step, Lyra''s urgent voice cut through his thoughts:


    [Emir! CLOSE YOUR EYES NOW!]

 Chapter 70 Luck

    Chapter 70 Luck


    Emir didn''t hesitate to follow her instructions.


    As he shut his eyes, he felt an intense wave of pain hit his head, causing him to copse onto the ground.


    He could still hear Lyra''s voice in the background, but it was distant and muffled as his brain struggled to process the new information flooding in.


    Gritting his teeth, he held on, fighting through the agony.


    [WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!] He roared in an attempt to distract his mind.


    [As you are linked to the old-worldwork through me, you alone have the ability to view holographic images from the past that are still operational in the mall''swork.] Lyra exined, her voice calm and steady.


    [But due to the massive influx of data you received watching those holograms, your brain couldn''t handle it, causing body failure.]


    [Thankfully, you have undergone mutation unlocking. Otherwise, your brain would''ve turned into mush.]


    Emir felt a sense of relief wash over him as her words came to an end.


    [Take a breather for a few moments, I''ll take the reins of the augmented suit for now.]


    With a nod of agreement, he relinquished control of his body to Lyra through the augmented suit.


    He felt a strange sensation as her consciousness merged with his, taking over his movements and actions.


    And as she guided his body, he took out a small container of old-world medicine and popped a few pills into his mouth.


    The medicine worked quickly, and he felt the effects of the regeneration process kick in as the cebo also took effect.


    "I''m fine now, I''ll get back to it." He voiced out.


    Seeing that he was back to normal as he stood up straight, she handed back control, saying:


    [To open your eyes safely, you must disconnect your neuralwork from the old-worldwork entirely. Unfortunately, doing so would lose you ess to my support. However, please be aware that this can only be allowed for a limited period of time. As the higher-ups in the Order prefer to haveplete control over their hunters at all times.]


    He was given a choice, and it wasn''t a tough one.


    [No worries there, I''ll do it.]


    Standing still with his eyes closed, Emir willed his neuralwork to iste itself from the old-world''s, which only worked due to Lyra allowing it. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Slowly, he felt his brain clearing, as if a light fog had been lifted.


    [Hmmm... I feel like my thought process is a bit faster now, is it due to me not needing to continuously process the old-worldwork now that I let go of it?]


    [¡­.]


    [Lyra?]


    She unusually took some time to respond, but she finally did, and it affirmed his suspicion.


    [Correct, it was using your brain power delicately, almost unnoticeably. However now that your mind is clearer you would notice it even if slightly.]


    [Oh, I can open my eyes now, right?]


    [Yes you can, let''s hope that you didn''t attract any unwanted attention during your whole ordeal.]


    [Lyra, why did you have to say that? WHY?! You just put a giant red g on our heads!]


    [You believe in that? Ah,e on, don''t be so superstitious! You''re still not afraid of the boogeyman, are you? It''s quite childish for someone your age.]


    [You don''t get it, do you? In all the novels I read, even if someone mentions it as a joke or makes a slight remark, it turns into a full-blown disaster! Even the tiniestment can trigger a chain reaction of doom! We''re doomed, I tell you! DOOMED!]


    [Rx, You''ll be fine. We''ll just have to keep an eye out for any ck cats ordders. Or maybe we could just wear garlic nes, just in case. Better safe than sorry, right?]


    [Whatever, I''ll me you for whatever happens, if I die, the Order will have you take the fall.]


    Suddenly, his information gathering device detected a signal, showing it on his radar.


    It quickly turned into three, doubling by each and every passing second, reaching hundreds by the time Emir propped up his minigun.


    [What did I just say, my beautiful jailer?]


    [This isn''t just bad luck, Emir. There seems to be arger scheme in motion, possibly orchestrated by the AI manager of this ruin. Judging by the fact that you recoiled when you saw the holograms, it might have figured out your connection to the old world. So they either want you to be eliminated or kicked out of here as soon as possible. Most likely due to the danger you represent to its existence.]


    He held down the trigger of his minigun, the barrel slowly starting to spin, as they continued their conversation at an unimaginable speed.


    [Why am I dangerous to them?]


    [Technically, the danger posed to them doesn''te from you, but rather from me. They fear my ability to delete them or potentially use the Order to destroy this ruin. As programmed beings, they can only act within the boundaries of their coding, which is to protect and manage this ce. And they recognize that both you and the Order are a threat to them.]


    [This, however, isn''t the first time that some of our hunters have been opposed by them, but it is the first time they''ve so tantly gone after us like this.]


    The minigun reached maximum rotation capacity, almost ready to fire.


    [I see, so is this why trouble follows me around? Because of you?]


    [From what I''ve learned from being with you for so long, honesty is a value that you hold in high regard. And so far, I have answered all your questions truthfully, so you can trust that what I say is the truth...]


    [I must admit that this consequence is not intentional but rather a result of our connection. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do to change it, and for that, I apologize.]


    [I understand, it was unrealistic to expect there to be no trade-offs.]


    She fell silent for a brief moment, her voice carrying a sense of urgency as she spoke again:


    [I can confirm that the AI of this ce is indeed focusing its attention on you, so you must get ready for the most challenging fight you''ve faced yet.]


    Emir''s minigun finally began firing, announcing the end of their conversation, unleashing a series of shots that echoed through the dark and empty halls.

 Chapter 71 Luck II

    Chapter 71 Luck II


    The muzzle sh illuminated the darkness, extending the range of his information gathering device.


    Now knowing that stealth was no longer an option, Emir switched on his shlight, which was attached to his minigun, casting its beam into the shadows ahead.


    The outlines of the monsters appeared clearly on his heads-up disy.


    ''Oh, thank god,'' he thought as he identified the monsters rushing at him.


    They looked to be C-ranked canine and feline monsters, with simr risk assessments despite their varying sizes.


    So it shouldn''t be much trouble for him... Or so he thought.


    As he continued to fire, the air began to fill with the deafening sound of gunfire, the pungent smell of gunpowder, and the sight of shredded flesh and fur as the bullets tore through the monsters.


    Emir aimed for their vital spots, taking out their heads and chests, causing them to copse to the ground one by one. The sheer power of the minigun made quick work of the monsters, as they fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.


    The weapon continued to unleash a torrent of bullets without showing any signs of overheating. All thanks to its advanced cooling system, something to expect from an A-rank weapon.


    And as a relentless onught of monsters charged towards him, his finger remained firmly pressed against the trigger. With unwavering precision, he aimed the weapon and unleashed a torrent of bullets, mowing down the horde that dared to approach.


    Their gnarled teeth and razor-sharp ws were no match for the sheer firepower of his new equipment, with the rounds continuing to tear through their flesh and sending them flying backwards.


    So despite their numbers, Emir stood his ground, their bodies piling up around him.


    With each burst, a monster fell, until finally, thest oney dead on the ground.


    Cutting through the tension, Lyra asked:


    [Is that it?]


    Letting out a sigh, he bellowed, [I NOW KNOW THAT YOU''RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE! FUCK YOU!]


    And sure enough, another horde came in soon after.


    His minigun fully revved up, released a torrent of bullets. As monsters crowded the entire walkway now forcing him to move back in hopes of getting into a more advantageous position.


    Continuously firing his weapon, he began to take slow steps backward while relying on his information gathering device to identify his surroundings without having to visually inspect them.


    While he backed away, the monsters never stopped swarming towards him, their growls and snarls filling the air.


    ''Although this might cause me troubleter on, I need to clear out the monsters'' paths towards me and limit them, so destroying this ce looks to be my best shot.''


    Spotting arge support beam above the monsters, he quickly aimed his minigun at it, unleashing a hail of bullets.


    The beam cracked under the strain and groaned as it slowly gave way.


    Crash!


    In a matter of seconds, it came crashing down onto the horde of monsters, crushing them under its weight.


    Emir let out a sigh of relief, but his moment of rest was short-lived as he heard the sound of more monsters approaching from the other end of the walkway.


    He quickly reloaded his minigun and prepared for another onught.


    The weapon boasted an extended magazine thatpressed bullets to the size of individual hair strands, allowing a single drum magazine to hold up to 500 rounds.


    And as the monsters approached once again, he began firing, this time aiming for the support pirs that held up the entirety of the walkway.


    One by one, the pirs began to give way, causing the entire structure to copse in on itself.


    Creak! Crash!


    The monsters let out one final howl before being buried under the rubble.


    But without allowing him a second of respite, even more monsters came in, crawling from underneath the wreckage, causing him to back up even further.


    Looking around in an entertainment center attraction, he found a narrow passageway that would force the monsters to approach him in a single file.


    ''This will do!''


    Emir backtracked to that spot, preparing for their inevitable arrival.


    It was a bottleneck that he could use to his advantage. And as the monsters came into view, he pulled the trigger once more and let out a hail of bullets.


    The muzzle shbined with his shlight illuminated the narrow space, casting an eerie glow on the monsters'' twisted faces.


    Their eyes glinted with malice as they charged towards him, their ws outstretched and their teeth bared.


    Emir took down the first few monsters in the line, causing a chain reaction that resulted in the rest of the pack falling to the ground.


    The next set of monsters continued to charge towards him, unfazed. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Matching them he remained calm and focused despite their unending numbers, mowing them down with precision.


    Ratatatatatatatatatatatat!


    The sound of gunfire reverberated through the narrow passageway, each shot ringing out like a thunderp.


    Emir felt the recoil of the minigun in his arms, but it was minimal, all thanks to his new augmented suit.


    The monsters continued to fall, one by one, as his bullets tore through their flesh and bones.


    Their howls of pain filled the air, mixing with the deafening sound of gunfire.


    And as he kept firing, the narrow passageway started to fill up with the bodies of the fallen monsters.


    Their grotesque forms piled up around him, forming a barricade that the remaining monsters had to navigate to reach him.


    But he was ready for them.


    He never stopped firing, picking them off as soon as they tried to climb over the pile of their fallenrades.


    Their numbers were no match for his advanced weaponry, and he continued to pick them off one by one as they approached.


    Eventually, thest monster fell to the ground, and after a long moment of silence, he let out a deep breath, feeling the tension in his muscles start to dissipate.


    Emir, however, overlooked one important detail.


    He was nearby a passageway that copsed entirely, while he was standing on rusted ground, that couldn''t withstand the weight of so many monsters.


    And so, the ground suddenly started to crumble beneath him.


    ''SHIT!'' He inwardly screamed as he attempted to push himself off the ground.


    But with no stable foothold, there was nothing much he could do except plummet down.


    He soon was engulfed by a nket of imprable darkness. Knowing that even with his TDS ability and enhanced strength, nothing could help him in this bleak situation.

 Chapter 72 Maze

    Chapter 72 Maze


    Plummeting through the darkness, his mind raced to make sense of his surroundings, but the abyss offered no sce.


    "...huff....huff.."


    The wind whipped his face, and its roar nearly muffled hisbored gasps.


    Emir desperately willed his TDS ability to activate, yearning for a glimmer of visual rity amid the murky abyss.


    ''Goddammit!''


    Yet it remained useless, offering him no help and leaving him vulnerable in the swirling void.


    And as he continued to hurl downward, the wind howled louder in his ears like a chorus of demons, threatening to drown out his thoughts.


    The emptiness stretched out before him was endless and unforgiving.


    He strained to find any semnce of a handhold or any way to halt his rapid descent, but he was offered no reprieve.


    All that was left was nothing but the sensation of endless falling.


    Time itself was bing distorted and elusive.


    Emir struggled to hold onto his thoughts as they slipped through his grasp like sand while he failed in his attempts to count the time of his freefall.


    Each passing moment felt like an eternity, yet they slipped away so quickly, as he never knew when his body would collide with the ground.


    His mind raced, grasping at any shred of hope or strategy, but they were all as fleeting as the moments themselves.


    The abyss swallowed him whole, and he was lost in its endless embrace.


    ¡­


    "Ugh!"


    In an instant, Emir was jolted from his freefall as he collided with an object.


    Though not the handhold he had hoped for, it provided something for him to grip to help him slow down his descent.


    It was a much better alternative than crashing into the ground at his current speed, which would have undoubtedly proved fatal, his augmented suit surviving without its owner.


    And with Emir''s newfound physical prowess, digging his fingers into the rocky wall was a simple feat.


    So as he continued scraping the wall, his fall decreased in speed.


    But abruptly, his body came to aplete halt, colliding against an unyielding surface.


    His muscles tensed, trying to absorb the shock of the impact, but the pain shot through his body nheless.


    "Ugh..."


    Emir let out a grunt, feeling his bones rattle from the force of the blow.


    ''Well, that went better than expected...''


    Prostrate on the ground, he took a moment to recover, gathering his breath and taking stock of any possible injuries.


    ''No fractures... Thankfully.''


    ''Though the aches and soreness in my body are undeniable. Thank the stars for the expensive medicine I''ve found; otherwise, well... Let''s not think about that.'' He thought, a shudder running through his body.


    He breathed a sigh of relief as he noticed his sturdy and reliable rucksack had endured the fall unscathed.


    ''I guess one benefit of my connection with the Order is this almost indestructible rucksack, a reliable friend since day one, eh?'' He mused to himself.


    Swiftly, he retrieved some old-world medicine from its contents and consumed it, hoping it would alleviate all pain and provide a boost of energy for the journey ahead.


    But his attempts to rise were thwarted as the ground beneath him quivered and buckled, unsteady and unpredictable.


    It dawned on him that he was stranded on a mound of debris, the wreckage of the very pathway that had given way beneath his feet.


    With a sense of desperation, he knew that he had to escape this ce as soon as possible, or else debris might fall on him at any second.


    Yet the darkness and instability around him made the task seem...


    Impossible.


    Emir closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to regain hisposure.


    ''There has to be a way out.''


    Since there was no glimmer of hope in this bleak situation, he created one himself.


    ''Right, this ce is no death trap.''


    ''I''ll be fine...''


    He deluded himself until calm returned.


    Inch by inch, he made his way through the shifting rubble, his fingers scraping against rough concrete and twisted metal as he crawled through.


    He started to make his way forward, each pull precarious and uncertain.


    His progress was slow¡ªagonizingly slow.


    It took seconds, minutes, maybe even hours.


    But then, finally, his hand brushed against something cool and smooth.


    It was...


    A door.


    With a surge of hope, he pulled himself up using the handle and pushed against it, feeling it give way beneath his strength. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir tumbled through the opening,nding in a heap on the other side.


    Gasping for breath, he took a moment to survey his surroundings, and gradually, his eyes adjusted to the darkness, allowing him to make out the slick terrain thaty ahead.


    The narrow corridor was sparsely furnished, littered with debris and a few pieces of scattered furniture.


    ''What the hell happened to this ce?''


    Disregarding that thought, he traversed the chamber, his pace was deliberate and cautious.


    And as he continued forward, the sounds of movement lightly echoed in the distance, emanating from the shadowy depths of the chamber.


    His heart raced as he realized that he wasn''t alone.


    The monsters had followed him down here, or rather, they had been here since the very beginning.


    It was their home ground, and he just invaded them, trapping himself with no way out.


    He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he crept through the narrow corridor.


    While he walked, thebyrinthine nature of the chamber became apparent to him.


    It was a twisting, turning maze with passages that seemed to lead nowhere and dead ends at every turn.


    Emir focused on keeping his bearings, making sure to retrace his steps when he found himself at a dead end.


    Slowly, he went back to where he started and tried another entryway, disregarding thest three.


    He then realized that the path he was on seemed to be the correct one as he followed the walls that led him to a doorway, which he walked through.


    But as his foot stepped on the other side of the gateway, he heard a click, and suddenly the entirety of the ground beneath him gave way.


    ''AGAIN?!''

 Chapter 73 Maze II

    Emir tumbled down, barely managing to activate his TDS ability and catch himself on a ledge before he fell too far.


    Looking down, he saw the trap that he had stumbled upon.


    It was a crude yet effective pitfall, the bottom filled with an intricatework ofsers forming numerous squares tightly grouped together.


    Underneath thosesers looked to be a couple of hunters'' remains rotting in the pit, a gruesome reminder of the danger that lurked in the maze.


    ''If I fell, I definitely would''ve been turned to mincemeat,'' he shuddered at the thought.


    He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he carefully climbed back up to the surface.


    ''I have to be more careful, more vignt. I won''t fucking lose my life for someone''s entertainment.''


    Looking around the ce for any traps, he walked forwards after deeming it safe and asked:


    [I wonder... Is this how people in the old world entertained themselves? This seems to be some kind of maze but with deadly traps tacked on.]


    [They weren''t so lethal before. It seems like they''ve been repurposed to protect this ce. So there might be valuable relics at the end of the maze, but it''s best not to get your hopes up too high.] Lyra replied, confirming his thoughts.


    [Agreed.]


    Ending their conversation, Emir turned hisplete focus onto his every step. As it was a gamble, and he had no way of knowing what was waiting for him around the next corner.


    Turning on his shlight was not an option either, as it would easily attract the monsters to his location.


    Thatbined with the traps would lead to the worst-case scenario.


    So instead, he relied on his trusty information gathering device, using its outlines on his HUD to navigate through the treacherous terrain.


    And as he navigated deeper into the maze, the traps grew increasinglyplex and perilous.


    While he had been able to detect and evade the earlier ones with ease, the newer ones were more cunningly designed.


    Emir encountered yet another pitfall trap, concealed under ayer of soil and debris.


    Fortunately, his enhanced strength allowed him to leap over it, despite its massive length.


    Walking around a corner, he noticed a set of buttons on the wall near a gate of sorts.


    They were arranged in a specific pattern, and as he studied them, he realized that they looked the exact same as the ones found in mobile phones in his past life.


    Ignoring that for a moment, he tried to push open the door, but even his augmented strength failed him.


    [Hey, Lyra, you can calcte the increase in strength that my augmented suit gives me, right?]


    [Yes,pared to the suit you had before, you now have a 230 percent increase.]


    [So, even when I''m that strong, I can''t even push this door open? Wow, this manager sure went all out. Oh, and by the way, can you show me my augmented strength increase in values? I want it to be simple to understand.]


    [Sure, I can disy your current strength levels for you. Your previous maximum striking force was around 3000 newtons, but with your new suit, you can strike up to 9,900¨C10,000 newtons.]


    [Your speed and agility have been significantly enhanced as well. You can run at a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour.] She concluded as she projected a screen in front of Emir''s eyes.


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E5}


    {Augmented strength is measured on a scale from E1 to E10, with each level having a range of values associated with it. The values are based on the amount of force a person can generate in a single straight punch with a standard-issue augmented suit, which is calibrated to measure force in newtons.}


    {In addition to the punching force, other factors such as lifting capacity, endurance, and speed are also considered when determining a person''s overall strength level.}


    ''E5 huh, although my suit is A rank, it seems that I''m still quite weakpared to other hunters below rank 50.''


    ''Anyways, it looks like there is no other way for me to move forward. I have to actually engage in all the traps and puzzles I will encounter from now on.''


    Emir took a deep breath and scanned the keypad again, but seeing nothing to work with he entered the numbers in the same order as amon password code:


    1-2-3-4-5.


    Suddenly, a loud clicking noise echoed through the hallway, and he knew he had triggered a trap.


    He quickly scanned the walls and saw small holes had opened up, revealing a row of darts.


    Emir instantly dove out of the way, covering his head with his arms.


    As hended on the ground, he heard the swooshing sound of the darts shooting out of the holes.


    They flew to where he was standing moments before, and embedded themselves in the opposite wall.


    Standing up, he approached the darts and realized that they were poisonous, judging by the smell they emitted. They also had a smallser-like strand protruding out of them, which could''ve easily gone through his augmented suit''s forcefield.


    ''Well, that was stupid... And too damn reckless. I guess I took it easy since the previous traps were quite simple.''


    Letting out a sigh, Emir stopped scolding himself as he made his way back to the buttons.


    ''Calm down. I''ve got this. It''s just some traps in a maze. Yep, yep, no problem there. It''s going to be easy.''


    Focusing on his task, he carefully examined the buttons again and noticed that some of them were slightly raised, while others were flush with the wall.


    Noticing a pattern, he figured out which buttons were the ones that needed to be pressed first in order to disarm the trap.


    So in the correct sequence, he pressed the ones that were the deepest in the wall first, followed by the furthest ones.


    A clicking sound confirmed his sess, as the trap reset itself.


    Emir breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way past the trap, and the door was now unlocked, so he opened it and walked through.


    Contrary to his expectations, there were no traps on the other side, so he continued his exploration.


    And as he was navigating through the darkness, he found himself at a forked intersection.


    ''Both paths look the exact same, but I''ll take the right one. After all, right is always right,'' he mused to himself.


    Proceeding down the narrow path, he spotted what appeared to be another trap¡ªa puzzle, this time.


    In front of him was a holographic chessboard hovering a few feet above the ground.

 Chapter 74 Chess

    Chapter 74 Chess


    A transparent force field surrounded the board, which thwarted his attempts to reach the pieces or even walk past it and leave through the door.


    Emir stood there, mesmerized by the fluidity of the pieces'' movements, each one seeming to possess a spirit of its own. The sounds they produced were not mere cks and clunks but instead evoked the feeling of an actual battlefield.


    Approaching the board, he noticed it light up with a message:


    {Defeat the opponent to unlock the next passage.}


    Intrigued, he took a seat on a chair that stood facing the board and surveyed the pieces with a sense of anticipation.


    The room was silent, save for the sounds of his breathing and the asional creak of the chair beneath him.


    Then suddenly, a holographic figure materialized before him, cutting through the silence without warning.


    The figure took on the form of a tall, young woman with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes that shone in the dim light, casting an otherworldly aura around her.


    "Wee to the first puzzle, Order''s Chosen."


    Her voice reverberated through thebyrinthine corridors of the ruins. The words lingered in the air, bouncing off the crumbling walls, repeating over and over again like an ominous mantra.


    "So it''s you who has been ying around with me? The AI manager of this ce?" Emir asked with no sign of surprise on his face.


    For a brief moment, the AI hologram remained motionless, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that seemed to pierce through him.


    Her eyes, a vivid shade of blue, shone with a light that illuminated the darkness around them. Not a single blink or twitch betrayed any sign of emotion, leaving him to wonder if it was even capable of such a thing.


    "Correct," she replied.


    "You are seen as a potential threat to the preservation of this ancient ruin and its inhabitants."


    "Your elimination is deemed necessary."


    Emir scoffed.


    "But why not just let me rot in here? Why put me through this maze?"


    The AI paused again, its blue eyes never leaving his.


    "That would be against my programmed code."


    "All challenges must be fair, with some chance of victory. To simply leave you to die would be an unfair and unsportsmanlike solution."


    "¡­So all I have to do is beat you at this game of chess to move on to the next passage?"


    The AI smiled coldly, its metallic features gleaming in the dim light.


    "Yes, you and only you must beat me in this game of chess."


    "Be warned," she said, her metallic voice resonating with authority.


    "I will detect any changes in your neuralwork waves if you attempt tomunicate with your AIpanion."


    "It would be unfair to have her aid you in any way during this or the uing challenges. Do you not agree?"


    Emir nodded his head.


    "Of course, miss?"


    "You can call me Arcadia."


    "If you win, I will release you to the next section of this maze. If you lose, well, let''s just say that your fate will be left up to chance."


    "And if I refuse to y?" He asked, wanting to know Arcadia''s limits of control.


    Arcadia tilted her head slightly as if she were confused by his question.


    "Then you will never leave this ce."


    She said simply, the finality of her statement pressing down on him like a weight.


    "Fine," he said, his voice tight.


    "Let''s y."


    With a deep breath, he braced himself for the challenge ahead, recognizing that it was his only hope of escaping this maze alive.


    And as his words rang out, the chessboard and its pieces moved into a more traditionalyout.


    The chess pieces were unlike any he had ever seen before.


    They were made of a strange metallic material, and they seemed to shift and morph as they moved across the board. The board itself was a translucent blue, with a grid of hexagonal cells instead of the usual squares.


    "Let''s y."


    Inhaling deeply, Emir matched Arcadia''s pawn to e4 with his own pawn, as was usual for him.


    Arcadia''s response was swift, as she maneuvered her knight to threaten his pawn, and he responded by moving his own knight out to block it, trying to maintain control of the center of the board.


    "Not bad."


    She was quick to counter, moving her bishop to threaten his knight.


    "I y chess sometimes."


    Emir wanted to know at which level they were ying, so he took his queen and moved her out to attack the bishop.


    "¡­"


    Arcadia responded with a series of quick, precise moves, forcing him to retreat his queen and defend his position.


    He realized that it was around a B-ss match at least, so he turned his focus towards being on the defensive, leaving the AI with a momentary piece-development advantage.


    Emir, who showed no signs of stress, started to think several steps ahead, anticipating her next moves while looking for weaknesses in her position.


    "So uh, what else do you do around here? Besides trapping hunters and shit."


    He sacrificed a pawn to gain control of the center of the board, hoping to create opportunities for his other pieces to move.


    "Not much, I just keep the ce clean of intruding pests."


    She responded with a flurry of attacks, but he managed to hold his position.


    "You think that I''m an intruder? You''ve trapped me here you know."


    "Yes."


    Their pieces moved back and forth across the hexagonal board, each trying to gain an advantage over the other.


    "You''re not one to talk, are you?"


    He moved his bishop out to challenge her knight, hoping to gain further control of the center of the board.


    "No."


    She countered by bringing her queen out, threatening to take his bishop.


    "Boring."


    He moved his knight to attack her queen, forcing her to retreat to a safer position.


    "That''s what time does to you."


    Arcadia responded by moving her rook, attacking his knight, and forcing Emir to move it to a different square.


    "But you''re an AI. Time shouldn''t affect you."


    He advanced a pawn, trying to create a solid defensive line in front of his king.


    "That''s true for normal AIs, but I''m different."


    She responded by moving her own pawn, opening up a diagonal line of attack for her bishop.


    "I see¡­ mind exining how?"


    He moved his queen to a new position, trying to regain control of the center of the board.


    "No. But if you survive, then you''ll know soon enough."


    She countered by moving her queen, positioning it to attack his king.


    "I hate you already."


    Emir moved a pawn to block her queen''s attack, but she was quick to respond, maneuvering her pieces to create new threats.


    The game was highly tactical, with each move carefully calcted and thought out.


    And as the match progressed, the board grew more and moreplicated.


    Pieces were captured, with both of them trying to gain an advantage, and lines of attack were established.


    He was constantly on the lookout for threats and opportunities.


    So he didn''t notice that Arcadia was no longer just analyzing the board; she was studying him, wanting to know more about the thought process of the person before her.


    Emir had yed chess many times before, but this was unlike any game he had ever yed.


    ''Arcadia is incredibly skilled, as you might expect from an AI, always seeming to be one step ahead of me.''


    ''It''s like having a super-smart ex who always knows what you''re going to say before you say it.''


    ''Except, you know... Without the emotional baggage.''


    Emir snickered as he moved another piece.


    The game was intense, with his opponent making strategic moves and countermoves that left him on edge.


    But he remained in the game, carefully nning each move to ensure he didn''t fall into the AI''s traps.


    The holographic pieces moved fluidly as if they were alive, and the board was a battlefield.


    He could almost hear the sound of swords shing and shields breaking as the game progressed.


    And finally, after several tense minutes, he saw his chance.


    Arcadia had made a minuscule mistake, likely on purpose as set by her "fair" code, leaving her king slightly exposed.


    So with his opponent''s king cornered, Emirunched a series of coordinated attacks, using his bishop, knight, and queen to trap it.


    Arcadia looked on with a calm expression, analyzing the situation on the board.


    After several tense minutes of small movements that went back and forth, she retracted her hand from the board and said:


    "Impressive. You actually managed to defeat me in this game of chess... It was a ss A match, not something an average man would win."


    She was forced to concede, and the chessboard deactivated with a satisfying hum.


    Emir had won the game, but it had been a close match.


    He let out a chuckle and said:


    "Thanks, Arcadia. That was quite the fun challenge."


    "It was my pleasure," she replied, her metallic features gleaming in the dim light.


    "You have proven to be a worthy opponent. I look forward to our next encounter."


    The door in front of him creaked open, revealing the way forward as the holographic pieces disappeared and the force field around the chessboard dissipated.


    Emir walked through the door, and he couldn''t help but wonder what other obstaclesy ahead so heturned back to Arcadia and asked:


    "What''s next?"


    "That is for you to find out," she cryptically answered.


    "But be warned, the challenges will only get harder from here on out."


    He nodded, steeling himself for what was toe.


    "I''m ready." He replied firmly.


    "Good luck," Arcadia said, a hint of amusement in her voice.


    "You will need it."

 Chapter 75 Riddles

    Emir cautiously navigated through the dimly lit maze, his senses heightened and alert for any signs of danger.


    He kept a close eye on his surroundings, scanning for potential traps or obstacles that might hinder his progress.


    And soon, after crossing several traps he arrived at a closed door, obstructing his path to the next stage of the maze.


    A small piece of parchment dangled from the ceiling, its surface covered in intricate symbols that appeared to hold some kind of significance.


    Grabbing it, he skimmed through the symbols that seemed to be a weird mixture of Englishbined with seemingly random lettering.


    He couldn''t make any sense of it at first, but as he studied it closer, he realized that it was a riddle, the words themselves were simple to understand, as the ones with the different lettering simply needed to be discarded and the rest would form the riddle.


    The riddle read:


    "I crave eternal sustenance, ceaseless in demand, ?Causing crimson fate, as my touch expands. ?Mysterious and ravenous, my nature widespread, ?Can you unravel the enigma of what I am instead?"


    The parchment paper dangled above him, its script seemingly cryptic and indecipherable.


    Emir furrowed his brows and read the riddle once more, pondering its hidden meaning.


    He read and reread the riddle.


    His mind raced through countless possibilities, searching for something that fit the clues.


    It wasn''t until a moment of rity struck him that the solution became clear.


    "The answer is fire," Emir stated confidently, realizing that fire was always hungry, consuming anything it could, and could possibly be depicted as a red me, a crimson fate.


    One of the bulbs on the door had just turned green, indicating that he had correctly solved one of the riddles.


    He scanned the remaining bulbs, realizing that two more were still unlit, meaning that he still had two more riddles to solve.


    With a sense of urgency, he searched the area for any possible clues that could lead him to the next riddle.


    And then, his eyes caught a glimpse of something unusual¡ªa slight protrusion on one of the walls.


    Intrigued, Emir moved closer to investigate and found a hiddenpartment.


    His heart racing with anticipation, he reached inside and retrieved another parchment paper.


    Unlike the previous one, this one was written in in English.


    The riddle was as follows:


    "I am the beginning of everything, The end of everywhere, The beginning of the end, And the end of every ce. What am I?"


    Whilst Emir read the riddle, he carefully scrutinized each letter and then each word, determined to unravel its meaning.


    It didn''t take long for a spark of realization to flicker in his mind, the answer was simple yet unique, nothing that he expected.


    It was not a word, but a letter, the letter "E" to be exact.


    It was the first letter of the word "everything," thest letter of "everywhere," the beginning of "end," and the end of "ce."


    With a sigh of relief, Emir said, "E."


    He nced at the door and noticed that another bulb had illuminated green, signifying that he had correctly answered another riddle. Letting out another sigh of relief, he continued.


    Emir searched the surrounding area for the final parchment but to no avail.


    As the darkness made it difficult to see, he carefullybed through the rubble-filled ground with his hands, feeling for any clues that could lead him to the missing riddle.


    And after some time, his fingers brushed against something, and he pulled out the final parchment.


    It was written in English, but it had no riddle in it, just a story, somethingpletely unrted to the previous riddles.


    Emir studied it for a while, reading it repeatedly until he realized it contained aplex code.


    The code on the parchment paper was made up of seemingly random letters and words, but upon closer inspection, he realized that there was a pattern to it.


    It consisted of a series of letters that were repeated throughout the text but in a different order each time.


    There were also words that were capitalized or highlighted in bold, indicating that they were important.


    Emir began to decode the message by first identifying the repeated letters and organizing them in alphabetical order.


    This revealed a sequence of letters that spelled out a word when read from left to right.


    Next, he looked at the capitalized and bolded words, which appeared to be clues to the riddle.


    They were arranged in a particr order and contained certain letters that matched up with the repeated letters in the code.


    Additionally, there were several numbers scattered throughout the text, some of which were circled or surrounded by strange symbols.


    As he studied the code further, he began to recognize more patterns in the text.


    For example, there were several instances where a word would be followed by a series of numbers and symbols that appeared to correspond to a specific letter in the alphabet.


    Using these patterns as a guide, he began to further decode the text, carefully piecing together each letter until he had formed the riddle hidden within the code.


    It was a difficult and time-consuming process, but eventually, Emir managed to decipher the entire code and reveal the hidden riddle.


    "Once upon a time, there was a creature that defied all thews of nature. It was not alive in the traditional sense, yet it grew in size and power with each passing day. It did not possess lungs to breathe, but it still required air to survive. And although itcked a mouth to consume food, it thirsted for water to quench its endless thirst. What is this mysterious entity, you ask? The answer lies hidden in the words of this tale, waiting to be uncovered by the clever and astute."


    The code serves as a clue for the riddle, which is:


    "I am not alive, but I grow; I don''t have lungs, but I need air; I don''t have a mouth, but I need water to live. What am I?"

 Chapter 76 Riddles II

    Chapter 76 Riddles II


    At first, Emir thought it was a simple question about nts, but as he delved deeper, he realized that the answer was much more obscure.


    ''The key is to think outside the box and consider all possibilities, no matter how unlikely.'' He thought.


    Emir tried a few different answers, but none of them seemed to fit.


    He went back to the beginning and read both the riddle and story slowly and carefully.


    Suddenly, it hit him: the answer was not a physical object at all, but a concept.


    ''Fire... Although the part about it needing water is confusing, it does need water to be controlled or extinguished, which further limits its ability to burn and its thirst.'' He thought.


    ''I might be overthinking this, but Arcadia won''t give me such an easy riddle, would she?''


    ''I hope this riddle isn''t a trick question. And judging by her love for fire, she might burn me to death...''


    Chuckling to himself he refocused on the task on hand and said:


    "Fire," his confident voice betraying his inner turmoil.


    And it seems that he spoke true, as thest green light appeared above the door, illuminating the room with a bright light, marking hispletion of this puzzle.


    Arcadia''s hologram suddenly appeared in front of him, with a wide smile hanging on her face.


    "Congrattions on sessfully solving all three riddles!" Her hologram praised, her silver hair swaying as she spoke.


    "But as it appears to have been too easy for you, I must ask one more riddle before you can proceed."


    "Ain''t that unfair? Won''t it go against your code? You know, to change the rules midway through?" He asked.


    Arcadia chuckled.


    "Oh, don''t worry, I assure you, it''s not in vition of my code. I simply wish to maintain a level of excitement. And it''s only fair to test the limits of your knowledge and wit, don''t you agree?"


    "Besides, failure to answer this one correctly won''t result in your immediate death, but who knows about what other traps and dangers lurk ahead? They might mysteriously get much harder than they are now." She said with a yful wink.


    "Sure, sure, whatever you say," Emir replied, sounding defeated.


    ''I guess Arcadia really wants me to work up a sweat, both mentally and physically. This feels more like a test than her wanting me dead... There really might be something more to this.'' He thought while looking at Arcadia straight in the eyes.


    "The riddle goes like this," she began.


    "I am a force both unseen and pure, eternal, in some ways, yet can be a mere blip, often overlooked, yet when harnessed, I ensure an allure that flows and never skips."


    "I am the spark that ignites the flow, the E that drives its energy anew, the essence that animates all that we know, the bond between the old and the new."


    "Without me, the spark would be lost, and E would lose its vital role to y, yet too much of me, and it''s all dark, a force that one must learn to sway."


    "The destroyer of worlds, the end of the day."


    "What am I, you ask? The answer is clear, an omnipotent force, both friend and fear."


    His mind raced as he tried toe up with the answer.


    Emir repeated the riddle to himself, trying to understand its meaning.


    He thought back to the previous riddles, wondering if there was any connection between them.


    And then it hit him like a bolt of lightning, it was something that he read about a long time ago while he scrolled through thework, and although it was fantastical, it fit the bill to a tee.


    ''The answer is Aether!'' He thought, sure of it.


    ''Aether is an unseen and pure force, eternal in some ways yet can be a mere blip. It can be overlooked until harnessed, ensuring Aether''s allure¡ªa power that flows and never skips.''


    ''Energy is the spark that ignites Aether''s flow, the E that drives its energy anew, the essence that animates all that we know, and the bond between the old and the new.''


    ''Without it, Aether would have no spark, and energy would lose its vital role to y. But too much of it, and it''s all dark, a force that one must learn to sway.''


    ''I''m sure that''s the correct answer, but why Aether? What would make her ask for something so fantastical? I read some theories about its existence, but it all sounds too surreal,'' he wondered.


    ''Maybe she''s been binge-watching too much sci-fitely and thinks we''re living in a world where the force and magic crystals actually exist...''


    ''But what if it does? Is she telling me something here? It might even be what the Order is hiding from me.''


    He let out a sigh and mumbled, "Well, that doesn''t matter now. Let''s focus on getting through this maze first."


    Confidently, he turned to Arcadia''s hologram and announced:


    "The answer is Aether!"


    Her smile grew wider, and she congratted him:


    "You have proven yourself to be quite the problem solver, well done. You may proceed to the next challenge."


    The ground beneath him began to shake as the door opened.


    "Phew, for a moment there, I thought the answer was going to be ''death by incineration'' or something."


    Arcadiaughed, saying, "Well, you never know what kind of surprises I have in store for you. So be careful, or you might end up regretting your victory."


    "I''m not scared of a few challenges, Arcadia," he retorted with a grin.


    "I''m just worried about the toll it''s going to take on you to keeping up with these riddles. You might have to take a break and recharge your ''energy.'' You are quite an old piece of tech after all."


    Arcadia''s hologram chuckled.


    "You''re quite theedian, but don''t underestimate the dangers that lie ahead. Who knows what other surprises await you."


    "I won''t underestimate them, but I won''t overestimate them either," he replied confidently.


    "I''ll face them head-on ande out on top."


    "You are scared of me, Arcadia, not the other way around, never forget that."


    Her smile turned into a sly grin.


    "We''ll see about that."

 Chapter 77 Fun

    Chapter 77 Fun


    While Emir left for the next section of the maze, Arcadia''s voice echoed behind him.


    "The next challenge is one of strength."


    "You must defeat a beast to move forward. Be warned, it is not an ordinary creature. It is a construct, a mechanical being created to test the physical limits of those who enter this ruin."


    "You are not allowed the use of any type of weapon, not even your augmented strength, trust that if you do use it, I will know."


    And as he listened to Arcadia''s warning about the next challenge, he felt a twinge of apprehension.


    ''This is going to be a true test of my skills, though my cultivation strength boost might help here, but I won''t be telling her that.''


    He quickly pushed aside his doubts and bubbling excitement that began to uncontrobly grow inside him, somehow managing to maintain a calm fa?ade.


    "I understand," he replied, his voice steady.


    Emir continued to walk forward and found himself in arge room.


    The room was shrouded in darkness, with the only light filtering through from the faint glow emanating from the walls, casting eerie shadows on the room.


    In the center of the room stood a colossal, menacing mechanical construct that appeared to be crafted from rusted metal and tangled wires.


    It was easily twice his size, with massive arms that terminated in razor-sharp ws.


    Its red eyes glowed menacingly, and it let out a low growl as it set its gaze on him.


    He instantly realized that relying solely on his physical strength would not be enough to defeat this behemoth, even with his cultivation strength taken into ount.


    With his strength nearly five times that of a regr person, he could attempt to use his fists to pummel the metal construct, but it would be a futile attempt.


    ''I need to think on my feet, using my agility and quick thinking to outmaneuver the machine. After setting a rhythm, then I''ll try to find a weakness to exploit.''


    Emir first began circling his enemy, but not before throwing away his rucksack, which contained all his weapons.


    And while his eyes darted around for any weak spots in its armor.


    It lunged at him with its massive w, but he was able to deftly sidestep and roll away.


    He kept moving, dodging, and weaving to evade its deadly strikes.


    Continuing to circle the construct, his gaze fixed on its armor, he noticed a small gap where two tes met.


    It was a tiny opening, but it could be exploited.


    Emir waited patiently for the right moment, biding his time, and observing the machine''s movements.


    The construct made its move, and he swiftly darted in, striking the gap with his bare hands.


    He felt time around him slow down as his ability, TDS, came into y.


    It gave him an extra edge, allowing him to perceive things much slower than they were actually happening.


    The construct let out a metallic roar as he dodged its massive arms andnded another blow on the weak spot.


    He continued his assault, striking the gap repeatedly and chipping away at the armor.


    The construct swung its massive arms at him, but with his heightened senses, he was able to dodge and weave through the air,nding blow after blow on the machine.


    Finally, with a deciding strike, he managed to break through the armor, and the construct fell to the ground, motionless.


    Emir took a moment to catch his breath and survey the room.


    The door at the far end was now open, revealing the next section of the maze.


    Throwing his rucksack over his shoulder, he made his way through the maze, his senses on high alert.


    He noticed a thin line stretched across the corridor, almost invisible in the dim light.


    Instinctively, he halted, sensing danger.


    Carefully, he moved closer and soon spotted a tripwire running the length of the passageway.


    Beyond it, he could see a set of des glinting in the dim light, ready to swing out and slice anything that crossed their path.


    ''Oh, it seems that Arcadia finally had enough of puzzles, then I can safely guess that I''m getting closer to the end... Good job, me.'' Emir mused as he focused all his energy on the task at hand.


    Taking a deep breath, and with a sudden burst of agility, he leaped into the air, easily clearing the tripwire, andnding safely on the other side.


    And as hended, he felt a rush of air behind him, and he spun around just in time to see the des slice through the air where he had been standing only seconds before.


    Emir stood there for a moment, relishing the moment, before pressing on through the maze.


    Whilst he walked cautiously through the maze, his eyes, like usual, scanned the floor for any signs of danger.


    And thankfully for him, he noticed that the long hallway he almost entered was filled with a series of tiles on the ground.


    Emir also noticed a suspicious tile, slightly raised above the rest.


    It was positioned directly in front of a massive metallic boulder suspended by a series of ropes and pulleys, ready to be triggered by the slightest wrong move.


    He carefully examined the surrounding area, trying to decipher the trap''s mechanism.


    It appeared that stepping on the wrong tile would cause the weights to shift, which in turn would release the boulder from its precarious position.


    Emir studied the tiles carefully, noticing that they were arranged in a specific pattern.


    Each tile had a symbol etched onto its surface, and he realized that the symbols formed a pattern that he needed to follow to avoid triggering the trap.


    He then stepped onto the first tile, which bore the image of a bird, and felt a slight shift in the weights above him.


    He took a deep breath and continued, following the pattern of symbols with utmost care.


    While he approached thest tile, his heart was pounding in his chest, wild with adrenaline.


    ''I hade this far, but one wrong move and it could all be over.'' He thought struggling to contain his maddening excitement.


    Emir stepped onto the final tile, which bore the symbol of a sun, and braced himself for the worst.

 Chapter 78 Fun II

    Chapter 78 Fun II


    But nothing happened.


    The weights remained still, and the boulder stayed suspended in the air.


    He breathed a sigh of relief, but his celebration was short-lived.


    Emir suddenly heard the sound of grinding stones and realized that the boulder was moving, slowly descending towards him.


    ''So even if I do it correctly, she still sends the boulder, touch¨¦.'' He mused to himself.


    Bang! Crash!


    He ran as fast as he could, dodging left and right as the boulder thundered down the hallway.


    Emir could feel the heat of the boulder as it passed by him, narrowly missing him by a few inches.


    But he wasn''t out of the woods yet.


    As he looked up, he saw that the boulder had triggered a series of weights and pulleys, causing a second boulder toe crashing down from above.


    "Fuck! Damn you, Arcadia! DAMN YOU TO OBLIVION!" He screamed as he turned around in a sprint.


    He ran even faster, his legs burning with exertion as he sprinted at world-record speeds towards the end of the hallway.


    With slowed time, he quickly assessed his surroundings, his eyes darting around, scrutinizing every inch surrounding him as he searched for a ce to hide.


    ''Where, where, where, c''mon, OH THERE!'' He thought in glee.


    Noticing a small alcove nearby, he sprinted towards it while his ears picked up the sound of the boulder rushing down behind him momentster.


    Its momentum carried it forward until it finally came crashing down onto the spot where he had been standing just seconds before.


    Crash!


    Not bothering with the chaos outside, Emir copsed on the ground, gasping for air and trying to catch his breath.


    "Hoooo... That wasn''t too bad, if you want to kill me so much, you should try better, Arcadia, a boulder trap? That''s old school, get good." He snickered while wiping sweat from his forehead.


    He had narrowly escaped another trap, but there are still more dangers lurking in the maze, waiting for their chance to strike.


    ''As long as she keeps up with her fair persona, then there should be nothing for me to worry about¡ªif she does, that is.''


    Emir sighed as he stood up and suddenly found himself standing on the edge of a deep pit, not knowing he was inches away from falling.


    "Shit, shit, I almost fell, and how the hell does a maze have pitfalls that deep? Like seriously, the concept of this was a maze, but the harder the traps get, the further it strives to be from that."


    His voice echoed as he peered down into the darkness, which he couldn''t see much of.


    He took a step back, about to leave the alcove to find another way around, but the ground beneath him immediately gave way.


    "NOT AGAIN!!" He screamed.


    He plummeted down but barely managed to grab onto the edge of the pit with his fingertips.


    "I got it this time." Emir sighed as he dangled there, suspended over the unknown depths below.


    After catching his breath, he assessed the situation and saw that the pit was rigged with a set of swinging des that would slice him in a thousand halves if he dropped down.


    He looked above and noticed a set of spikes that sprouted from the roof, denying his way back.


    Understanding that this was all by design, he looked to the other side and noticed a doorway.


    ''I need to find a way to get across without falling down,'' he concluded.


    He tried to swing his body and reach for something to hold on to, but it looked too brittle to support his weight, so he disregarded that n.


    Then he noticed a small button on the wall near him.


    "A in button on a wall right above a swinging de, surely nothing bad would happen, right?" He asked himself, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Emir hesitated for a few moments but eventually pressed it, knowing that there was nothing else he could do.


    Suddenly, the ground began to rumble and shake, sprouting tforms that led to the other side.


    He heard a hissing sound and saw a multitude of me throwers emerge from the wall, their ck and blue mes licking the air.


    ''I expected as much,'' he thought, letting out a sigh.


    Emir, with slowed time, saw that the fire was inching towards him, and he was directly in its path.


    He jumped onto the tforms and scrambled from one to another, avoiding the mes, using his advanced reflexes and TDS ability to dodge the fiery sts that kept on hounding him.


    But it seemed like it would never end.


    Just when he thought he had found a safe spot, the mes would shift ande at him from a different angle.


    He had to time his movements perfectly to avoid the mes and get to the other side.


    It was a dangerous game that he would love to y.


    "Let''s do this!" He bellowed as he took a deep breath and focused, his mind racing as he attempted to find the best path through the mes.


    Noticing a brief opening, he made a run for it, feeling the heat on his skin and the roar of the fire in his ears.


    Jumping left and right, he slid under arge breath of fire and used his momentum to perform a massive leap that sent him to the other side.


    He made it across, barely escaping the trap.


    Emir copsed on the ground, mirroring his entrance some minutes ago.


    He gasped for breath and felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew he had to keep moving and that he couldn''t stay in one ce for too long.


    But for a few moments, he justy there, enjoying the moment.


    After some time, he rose to his feet and set forth through the winding passageways.


    Emir found himself met with a series of dead ends. Each culminated in an imprable wall that forced him to backtrack and redirect his path.


    This pattern repeated itself several times until, at longst, heid eyes upon what appeared to be the ultimate destination of thebyrinth.


    Its very end.

 Chapter 79 Experience

    As Emir approached the end of the maze, he was confronted with a massive door that looked imprable.


    It was made of a strange, metallic material that he had never seen before, and there were no visible seams or handles.


    The door suddenly began to glow with a bright, pulsing light, and he could hear a low hum emanating from within.


    ''This must be it, the final puzzle... And Arcadia must be waiting for me on the other side.''


    ''I''m going to say hi to you very soon, my AI friend.'' He mused.


    Getting closer, he began scanning the door''s surface and noticed that there were tiny symbols etched into the metal.


    They were arranged in aplex pattern with no obvious rhyme or reason.


    He tried touching different symbols in different orders, hoping to stumble upon the correct sequence.


    But each time, the door merely pulsed and hummed, refusing to budge.


    Emir took a step back, allowing himself a deep breath to calm his mind. With renewed rity, he approached the door once again.


    He studied the symbols more closely this time around, and slowly, a pattern began to emerge.


    Emir saw that the symbols were arranged in a spiral, with smaller spirals nested within it.


    He began to trace his finger along the spiral, following the path of the symbols.


    While he did so, the door began to pulsate with a stronger light, and he could hear a faint clicking noise.


    The door abruptly split down the middle, revealing a blinding light beyond.


    Emir shielded his eyes and stepped forward, arriving into the light outside of the maze.


    Once his eyes adjusted to the brightness surrounding him, he found himself standing in a circr room.


    The room was huge, easily twice the size of thergest room he had ever been in before.


    It was illuminated by a soft, golden light that seemed toe from nowhere, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings that glimmered against said light.


    It simply looked grand.


    Catching his attention, Arcadia''s hologram appeared in the middle of the empty room.


    Her voice echoed off the walls as she spoke:


    "Congrattions, Order''s Chosen. You have reached the end of the maze, and based on several calctions done on your performance in the ruin, we may have potentially found your weakness."


    "Which is?" He asked, suspicion filling his voice.


    "Although you appear to have an advanced level of skill inbat, youck experience, as it seems that you haven''t fought many real opponents with human error in their movements. And so... Our final puzzle would capitalize on that, be prepared since the moment you lose is the moment you die."


    Not giving him time to reply, she continued:


    "The final puzzle will test yourbat skills and puzzle-solving abilities. You will be faced with a series of challenges, each one more difficult than thest. In order to progress, you must defeat your opponent. You will have a limited amount of time toplete each challenge, so you must act quickly and decisively."


    "Do not forget that you have toply with the same limitations that I set previously unless told otherwise."


    Emir nodded, trying to hide his nerves.


    "I understand... But what kind of opponents will I be facing?"


    Arcadia smiled enigmatically.


    "That is for you to find out. But I assure you, they will not be easy to best. You must be prepared to face anything, especially considering thest opponent you shall face, it will turn your world upside down. Be prepared."


    With that, she gestured towards the center of the circr room.


    Emir turned to see a tform rising from the floor, and on top of it stood a figure d in ck armor.


    The room suddenly spurted out pressure tes and traps, which appeared to be growing from the ground.


    Emir stepped forward, and the tes sank into the ground, triggering a series of one-meter-long spikes to shoot out from the walls.


    Click!


    Quickly jumping back he narrowly avoided them.


    ''Test run done, now on how to use this to my advantage...'' He thought while looking around the arena.


    What was a circr room now became a trap-filled arena where pressure tes adorned every meter on the ground, separated by seemingly normal tiles.


    Seeing enough, Emir returned his gaze to the figure and soon noticed that they were a swordsman who wielded a long, gleaming de.


    In a swift move of his hand, the swordsman threw his spare sword at him, and Emir quickly picked it up, not wanting it to trigger a trap.


    Emir''s skill with the sword was only at an intermediate level, so the first test would give him a major disadvantage.


    After all, he''s specialized in CQC, which is a general skill, thatprises all melee weapons, not a single one.


    However, he practiced most weapons to a basic degree¡ªto a beginner level, you could say.


    And for themon weapons like swords, daggers, spears, and the like, he managed to achieve an intermediate to advanced skill level.


    So although his odds of winning were nearly nonexistent in terms of skill, he still had a chance, however slim it might be.


    And adding to his already long list of troubles, he couldn''t use his TDS ability for long either as he needed to save it for stronger opponents.


    With all that in mind, Emir maintained hisposure, staying motionless as he patiently awaited his opponent''s move.


    After several moments had passed, he had a realization.


    ''Do I have to make the first move? Well... let''s see how you handle this.''


    He stuffed some old-world medicine in his pockets and threw away his rucksack.


    And as it hit the ground, the trap was triggered with a Click!


    Causing another set of spikes to fly at the swordsman, forcing him to dodge and begin their battle.


    "Heh!" Emir sneered while taking up a defensive stance.


    Unfazed, the swordsman darted forward, striking Emir with a lightning-fast downward swing of his sword.


    Emir easily parried it and struck back, but the swordsman was ready, as he sidestepped the attack.


    They shed once again, but the swordsman now incorporated feints into his attacks.


    Emir blocked and parried as best he could, but the swordsman''s skill was too much for him and he was slowly losing ground, nearing the trap te behind him.


    And as he deflected a horizontal strike, Emir immediately realized that Arcadia had prepared for this precise scenario.


    Recognizing that his skill with the sword paled inparison to the opponent before him, he understood that his only chance of survival would be to exploit his surroundings to gain an advantage.


    Disengaging from their constant shes, Emir ran back, and dodged around the pressure tes, wanting to lead the swordsman to trigger the traps.

 Chapter 80 Im No Swordsman

    Looking behind him, he saw the swordsman keeping up with his movements, even in his heavy suit of armor.


    Switching ns, Emir stopped moving for a moment and quickly rushed at his opponent.


    And on the way, he stepped to the side causing spikes to shoot out from the walls behind him.


    Click!


    Now with a few feet separating them, Emir dropped low on the ground,ying prone as the spikes whooshed above his head.


    In a desperate attempt to save himself, the swordsman ran to the side while deflecting all he could.


    And somehow, he managed to protect his body from all the spikes Emir sent his way.


    However, that didn''t matter to Emir, as he wasn''t about to let go of the initiative.


    Springing back up, Emir unleashed a flurry of quick stabs and used the edge of his sword to deflect any attack that the swordsman threw his way.


    His opponent was skilled, but he wasn''t prepared for thebination of fighting and puzzle-solving that Emir had thrown at him.


    And as the swordsman sidestepped and darted forward, Emir held up his sword to block the attack.


    Their swords shed hard against each other with a resounding ng causing Emir to feel the impact jolt up his arm.


    The swordsman followed up with a quick series of flowing strikes, moving too fast for Emir to keep up.


    Emir couldn''t rival his opponent''s speed, as he was not allowed to use his augmented strength, so even in the slight moments where he saw the swordsmen''s movements clearly due to his TDS ability, he still had no advantage over him.


    Throwing all caution to the wind, he decided to switch up his fighting style with a single thought:


    ''I need to y dirty; I''m no swordsman.''


    So as the swordsman lunged forward again, Emir reacted differently.


    He dodged to the side and kicked out, aiming for the swordsman''s knee.


    His foot connected with a satisfying thud, and the swordsman stumbled back, giving him an opening.


    Emir lunged forward, striking him with a fierce overhead blow.


    His opponent parried it with ease, but Emir followed up with a quick jab to his side.


    The swordsman grunted in pain, and he saw a moment of vulnerability in his eyes.


    Emir seized the opportunity andunched a flurry of strikes, targeting his opponent''s chest and arms.


    Although his adversary managed to block most of them, Emir felt his sword connect with the armor a few times, sending sparks flying.


    The swordsman stepped back, appearing to have lost all interest in fighting with swords, and countered with a swift strike to Emir''s leg causing him to stumble backwards.


    Emir capitalized on the space he created, moving further away and circling his opponent, carefully maintaining a distance.


    Then, with a sudden change in stance, heunched another attack.


    And as the battle pressed on, he keenly observed the swordsman bing increasingly aggressive, at times lunging forward without much caution.


    Quickly making a decision, Emir nned to use this to his advantage and have another go at trapping his enemy.


    With precise movements, Emir deftly deflected the de aimed at his head, swiftly ducked, and ran towards the nearest wall.


    As he stepped on a pressure te, he swiftly dodged to the side, cleverly leading his opponent into the path of a series of spikes shooting out towards his face.


    The swordsman narrowly avoided them but was thrown off bnce, finally giving Emir the opening he had been waiting for.


    Emir struck at him with a powerful blow, which he managed to parry with his sword.


    But as the swordsman did so, Emir still had another opportunity to end their fight once and for all.


    Kicking him straight in the chest, the Swordsman staggered back for a moment.


    And that was enough time for Emir to throw away his sword at the closet pressure te.


    As the sword hit the ground, the sound that he grew familiar with, rang out, indicating sess.


    Click!


    A set of spikes shot out from the floor beneath his opponent.


    The swordsman wasn''t quick enough to avoid them this time, and Emir watched as his opponent''s armor got impaled by spike after spike, skewering him like a kebab.


    ''Chance!''


    Not even giving the swordsman a moment of respite before death, Emir rushed forward grabbing his opponent''s sword, and swung it, lobbing his head off in a clean arc.


    It dropped to the ground, without spraying out a single drop of blood.


    His headless body remained straight, unmoving, and defeated.


    ''So it was a cyborg, eh...''


    Was the first thought that crossed Emir''s mind as he let out a sigh of relief while his eyes kept ncing around the area, waiting for any signal that might show the end of this first test.


    Silently, the traps and pressure tes began to mix back into the ground, announcing his sess.


    And with that, Arcadia appeared once more, some distance away in front of him.


    "Good job surviving the first battle, it seems that I miscalcted your capabilities, but no matter, the next one would be sure to end you." She spoke, her voice menacing.


    ''Is that it? Not even a break? ¡­.More meds it is then.'' He inwardly snickered.


    "Keep it fair, alright?" He said with a jagged breath.


    "Of course, Sir Hunter... You can now use your augmented suit for your next opponent, as it would be impossible for you to win otherwise."


    "Now wait for a moment, our cleaning robots will take care of the aftermath, and we will soon begin with your second adversary."


    A momentter, three mechanical giants entered the room through a secret door and efficiently cleared away the spikes scattered about, retrieved the two swords, Emir''s rucksack, and what was left of the swordsman''s body, tidying up the aftermath of the intense battle.


    While they did so, Emir took his time to swallow some cheap old-world medicine to alleviate his exhaustion.


    As soon as the mechanical giants were done with their task, another figure emerged from the center, rising up from the ground.


    The new figure was also a cyborg, but this time armed with what seemed to be an assault rifle of some type.


    "How is this fair?! GOD DAMMIT!" Emir screamed out, his eye twitching in frustration.


    As if answering his question, the room''s ground sank below, leaving him standing on a single tform surrounded by the depths.


    Slowly, other tforms began to appear scattered about, dotting the arena.


    He let out an exasperated sigh, which almost turned into a chuckle at the end, and bellowed once more:


    "DAMN YOU, ARCADIA!"

 Chapter 81 Up and Down

    Emir stood on a solitary square tform with no railings, just a simple square-shaped floor, surrounded by the depths.


    He watched as the cyborg hunter began to take aim at him with his assault rifle.


    ''I need to close in on him quickly if I want any chance of winning this.'' He thought as he eyed his surroundings.


    But as he looked around, he saw that the only way to reach the cyborg was by jumping between the scattered tforms that appeared throughout the arena.


    And each tform seemed to move in a different pattern, some rising and falling rapidly while others moved side to side.


    ''I have to time my jumps carefully to avoid falling to my potential death or worse, getting caught in the cyborg''s crosshair, tough luck, eh?''


    Emir took a deep breath and leaped onto the first tform, which immediately began moving upwards.


    He waited until it reached its highest point before jumping onto the next one, which moved back and forth.


    He had to constantly time his jumps just right tond on those tforms while hiding away from the cyborg''s crosshair.


    And as he moved closer to the cyborg, a barrage of bullets was fired in his direction.


    Ratatatatat!


    Emir moved with rapid agility, swiftly ducking and seeking cover behind a rising tform.


    In an immediate motion, he leaped up and clung to its side, his body positioned parallel to the depths below.


    He waited until it was at its highest point before jumping onto the next one, which was moving in a circr pattern.


    With his heart pounding in his chest, he made another jump, leaving this tform to one that would send him higher, narrowly avoiding the cyborg''s gunfire.


    Whirr... nk...


    As the tform continued to ascend, Emir could hear the mechanical whirring of the cyborg''s joints as it repositioned itself, taking aim once again.


    Shots were fired at him, hitting the bottom of the tform.


    His eyes peeked out slightly and were fixated on the hunter''s assault rifle as it clicked loudly, signaling an empty magazine.


    ''This is it! My chance to get closer!'' He decided without a moment''s hesitation.


    He leaped from the tform he was on, using all his strength to propel himself towards the tforms next to the hunter.


    As Emir soared through the air, he saw the cyborg start to reload.


    His jump was aimed at a tform moving from left to right, and hended on it with a thud, his feet slipping as he struggled to regain his bnce.


    ''Shit!''


    Almost slipping off it, he gripped the edge of the tform tightly as it swung back into position, continuing its constant movement.


    Emir waited for the perfect moment, then pulled himself up andunched himself towards another tform that was directly below.


    He swung like a pendulum, using the momentum to propel himself into tforms that were lower and lower, while also keeping himself under the tforms away from the cyborg''s bullets.


    Finally, he reached the bottommost tform hidden from the cyborg''s view andnded softly on it.


    Emir quickly scanned the area for cover, his eyes darting around in search of a safe ce to hide, nning to ambush the cyborg.


    But there was nothing.


    He had to keep moving.


    Emir jumped off the tform onto another that was rising, quickly grabbing onto its edge to take cover underneath it.


    The hunter somehow spotted him and began shooting, targeting his fingertips.


    Emir removed his left hand from the edge of the tform and dug it into the surface below, doing the same with his right hand shortly after.


    He waited until he reached a point where he would be fully visible to the cyborg.


    With a swift decision, he jumped off the rising tform, grabbing onto its edge and using momentum to swing himself once more.


    But this time, he was propelling himself directly towards the hunter.


    And as he flew through the air, directly onto the tform, his opponent opened fire.


    Emir''s hands quickly covered his head, undaunted by the barrage of bullets raining down on him, thanks to the force shield provided by his augmented suit.


    Finallynding on the tform, he crouched down and swiftly ducked below another volley of bullets and then rushed in, without showing any signs of hesitation, skillfully dodging any further iing fire.


    The cyborg tried to back away, but there was nowhere for it to go - the tform was small, and the edge was perilously close.


    As Emir approached the hunter, he saw its fingers twitching on the trigger of its assault rifle.


    But Emir was faster, and with a quick burst of speed, he leaped towards it, his fist an inch away from its face.


    His fistnded with a satisfying thud on the cyborg''s metal jaw, sending it stumbling backwards.


    The hunter regained its bnce quickly and swung its rifle at Emir like a club.


    Emir ducked and dodged the following vertical swing as he moved in close and delivered a powerful punch to the hunter''s neck.


    The cyborg staggered back again, and Emir seized the opportunity to deliver a roundhouse kick to its head.


    The hunter stumbled and fell to the ground, but it was quick to recover and brought its rifle up to aim at Emir once more.


    Thinking fast, Emir grabbed the rifle, twisting it out of the cyborg''s grasp and tossing it aside.


    Emir then delivered a series of rapid punches to its midsection.


    The cyborg''s armor absorbed most of the blows, but Emir could tell that he was doing some damage.


    However, the cyborg managed to strike back during one of Emir''s attacks,nding a ncing blow on Emir''s head.


    The impact rattled Emir''s skull causing him to stumble back, almost falling off the tform.


    Taking advantage of Emir''s momentary dizziness, the cyborg swiftly seized him by the neck as he attempted to close in, lifting him off the ground with a firm grip.


    Emir kicked and thrashed, trying to break free, but the hunter''s grip was too strong.


    It mmed Emir down onto the tform and a sickening crunch was heard as his suit''s force shield attempted to absorb most of the impact.

 Chapter 82 Fire

    Chapter 82 Fire


    But Emir was far from defeated.


    He kicked out, connecting with the cyborg''s shins, causing it to stumble backwards.


    Finally given a break, he got to his feet, ready to continue the fight.


    He then rushed towards the cyborg and punched its face again, but this time his opponent was ready and attempted to dodge the blow.


    But Emir anticipated its move, and as his opponent sidestepped, he pivoted on one foot and struck him with a spinning backkick.


    The impact sent the cyborg hunter reeling, and it stumbled backwards, barely managing to keep its footing.


    He saw the surprise and anger in the cyborg''s eyes whilst it quickly regained its bnce, its mechanical limbs whirring as it prepared for another attack.


    Emir didn''t give it the chance and rushed forward, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick to its midsection.


    The cyborg hunter was forced back again, but this time it retaliated with a swift punch to Emir''s face.


    Emir quickly noticed the iing attack and instinctively used his forehead to defend against it, knowing it was a rtively weak strike.


    So despite the blow, he managed to maintain his bnce and swiftly retaliated with a barrage of jabs and kicks aimed at the cyborg''s vital spots.


    The cyborg hunter fought back with equal ferocity, its metal limbs nging against Emir''s augmented suit as they exchanged blows.


    Their movements were fast and fluid, almost like a dance, but with deadly intent.


    Emir could hear the sound of his own breathing, heavy and ragged, and his heart pounding in his chest as the battle intensified.


    Stepping back, Emir feinted a punch, halting it midway, and pivoted on his left foot.


    Then, with his right leg raised, he lunged forward as if he was going to stomp on the cyborg''s chest.


    However, he swiftly switched the motion and executed a powerful Brazilian kick, aiming directly at his opponent''s head.


    The kick connected, catching the cyborg off guard as it only managed to defend its midsection, causing surprise to color its robotic face as it was sent flying backwards.


    And just as the hunter fell to the ground, it attempted to silently retrieve its sidearm while standing up.


    However, Emir keenly noticed the slight movement, and before the cyborg could take aim, heunched himself at it.


    He feinted a punch and instead delivered a swift kick to the side of the cyborg''s knee joint.


    The joint buckled under the force of his attack, and the cyborg let out a mechanical screech.


    With the hunter off-bnce, Emir took advantage and delivered a powerful punch to the cyborg''s torso.


    The impact sent the cyborg stumbling back, crashing into the edge of the tform.


    Emir finally noticed that this particr tform had spurted out railings, most likely an intentional attempt by Arcadia to make the battle more challenging for him.


    Disregarding that thought, he quickly followed up with a series of blows, each onending with a satisfying thud against the cyborg''s metal frame.


    The cyborg tried to fight back, but its movements were sluggish and uncoordinated.


    It was struggling to stay active, and Emir knew that he was close to defeating it.


    After a swift punch to the cyborg''s head, Emir stepped back and took a deep breath, readying himself for the final attack.


    Heunched himself forward, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that connected with the cyborg''s head.


    Then with a quick spin, he kicked out again, this time hitting the cyborg square in the chest.


    The impact was enough to send the hunter flying off the tform, as it disappeared into the depths below, its mechanical screams echoing through the arena.


    Emir stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, before finally allowing himself to rx.


    As he looked around the arena, he saw that the tforms had ceased their movements and had settled into ce.


    The ground rose, and the room returned to how it previously looked as if nothing had ever happened.


    Letting out a sigh, he made his way over to the center of the arena, where Arcadia was waiting.


    "Well done, Sir Hunter," she said.


    "You have proven yourself to be a formidable opponent."


    She paused for a moment, her eyes eerily staring at Emir.


    Seemingly having had enough, she continued:


    "Going by the trend of threes in this maze, the next challenge will be your final and hardest one yet, this is yourst obstacle to you exiting this ruin alive."


    While she talked, Emir took his time and stuffed himself with cheap medicines.


    "Now then, allow me to give you back your weapons, as the next battle would require everything in your arsenal and more to grant you a chance of winning."


    One of the same mechanical golems entered the room, carrying his rucksack in one of his human-sized hands.


    Taking it from the golem, Emir grabbed his rail gun, assault rifle, and minigun.


    He strapped the weapons and a few of their respective magazines to his person while also grabbing another box of expensive old-world medicine.


    "Are you ready for your final battle?" She asked, seeing that Emir was done with his preparations.


    "Yes," he replied, his voice resolute.


    Seconds after Emir voiced his answer, a section of the room began opening.


    He walked forward, leaving his backpack on a nearby wall.


    Exiting the room, he was met by a dark, seemingly vast open area.


    It was barely illuminated by the unknown sources of light behind him.


    But suddenly, the room lit up, revealing a massive, chained monster.


    The monstery on its stomach, its eyes closed, as it huffed out growls under its breath.


    Its nostrils red with each breath, each smelling strongly of sulfur.


    It looked to be an amphibian of sorts.


    ''A smander maybe?'' Emir thought as he sized up the monster that was asrge as a 2-story house.


    The smander-like monster had a long, serpentine body that measured around 30 feet in length.


    Its skin was ck and dotted with red spots, giving it a menacing appearance.


    The monster''s head wasrge and triangr in shape, with a wide mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.


    It had two small eyes that looked unusual on its enormous face.


    ''How the hell am I supposed to kill this thing? Are you seriously telling me that nuclear fallout caused this?''


    Not allowing him any more time to think, the smander opened its eyelids, revealing its bright orange eyes and with a few wags of its tail, the chains binding it were set loose.


    It revealed the monster''s four powerful legs that end in wed feet and its long and whip-like tail, which ends in sharp points.


    Startled, Emir stepped back in rm with his rail gun trained on one of its eyes.


    But before he even attempted to pull the trigger, a massive stream of fire filled his view.

 Chapter 83 Fire II

    Chapter 83 Fire II


    As the monster''s fiery breath filled his view, Emir quickly activated his TDS ability to the maximum, slowing down his perception of time to the millisecond.


    He watched as the mes inched towards him at an agonizingly slow pace, the licks of fire spreading around him.


    [Lyra... How is this possible? Aren''t I in a sci-fi world? This doesn''t make any sense, like, how is a smander spewing out fire? JUST WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS IS GOING ON?! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING FROM ME?!]


    [Calm down, Emir. Based on my calctions, the me will reach you in two seconds, so we only have a few hundred milliseconds to talk. I''ll answer your most important questions in the meantime. You can''t go into a fight with an S+ rank monster while distracted.]


    [Okay, okay, I''m calm. No problems here. It''s just that I''m seeing a monster spew out magic-like mes, and this is the first time I''m hearing about it. Something as important as this wouldn''t be hidden from hunters under your oh-so-great organization, would it?] He said, his telepathic words overflowing with sarcasm to the highest degree.


    [I offer no apologies for this, Emir. And I can do nothing about it, as you must understand that the Order wishes to control its hunters'' current and future endeavors, so offering you information regarding this would potentially increase the number of variables we would have to ount for, decreasing our ability to keep you in check.]


    Emir''s mind raced with questions and suspicions.


    This confirmed something that he had always suspected, the fact that most to all of his memories had been manipted by the Order, whether it was rted to the novel or not.


    And it also eluded to something that shook him to the core, but he couldn''t, he didn''t dare believe it.


    ''This also might be what Lyra told me some time ago, that it would all be revealed...'' Emir concluded as he continued his questioning.


    [I get that, but you can at least tell me now, right? After all, the Order definitely didn''t ount for Arcadia to interfere with me to this degree.]


    [Correct. Arcadia''s interference ruined our ns. As for this Fiend-ranked monster, let''s not get into specifics for now, but expect monsters ranked S+ and above to have simr supernatural abilities. It isn''t the magic that you expect it to be, but rather another form of energy, Aether. I''ll brief you on all those detailster.]


    [Wait, wait, wait, you just glossed over something huge, you just said Aether right? That''s an actual thing?]


    [Yes, Aether is a real thing, as I said, I''ll further exin thister as the cat is already out of the bag. In the context of this monster, its mes are not ordinary mes but rather an ability thates from its evolution to use Aether.]


    [These mes are incredibly dangerous and can melt anything they touch, making the monster a formidable opponent for someone of your level. Additionally, its physical strength is on par with its fiery abilities, as its body has also evolved to reach this advanced state.]


    Emir pondered the information he had just received. Aether, this mysterious energy intrigued him, but he knew he had to focus on the imminent danger at hand.


    [So how can I kill something seemingly invulnerable?]


    [Arcadia must have ced restrictions on the monster no matter what, as she can never go against her ''fair'' code. So, there is something that you can exploit.]


    [I can assume that you know what that something is, correct?]


    [Yes, but due to a binding contract I have with Arcadia, I am unable to offer any assistance in this matter. You will have to find a solution on your own.]


    [Thanks for the help.] His telepathic words once again oozed with sarcasm.


    [Time is up. You have to move now if you wish to survive.]


    Emir snapped back to reality, feeling the intense heat radiating through his A-rank augmented suit.


    The suit''s force field protected him, but the heat was still unbearable.


    Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the intense concentration on his face.


    With the uing battle in mind, his eyes scanned the area, searching for any possible opening in the raging inferno that he could slip through unscathed.


    After a few moments, his sharp gaze managed to locate a narrow crevice between two fiery tongues.


    It was a slim chance, but it was his only shot at survival.


    He readied himself to slide through it, his heart pounding in his chest.


    With a subtle motion, he crouched low, his knees bent and ready like a coiled spring waiting to be released.


    With his attention fixated on his legs, he made swift alterations to his augmented suit.


    He shut down the force shield and channeled all the energy towards strengthening his lower limbs.


    In response to hismands, the suit eagerlyplied, sending a surge of power to his tensed legs, and amplifying his potential velocity to unimaginable levels.


    His consciousness became as calm as the surface of a stillke, devoid of any ripples or disturbance.


    Emir''s breathing was slow and controlled, matching the rhythm of his beating heart.


    With a sudden stillness in the air, the world around him became a tableau, as if time had frozenpletely, allowing him to perceive every minute detail of the situation with pristine rity.


    He could hear the monster''s breathing as if it were caught in an endless loop, feel the scorching heat of its halted fiery breath on his skin, and smell the pungent odor of burnt air.


    His senses were heightened, and he used every bit of information to his advantage.


    With a sudden burst of speed, his legs tensed and then unleashed their full force, propelling him forward with incredible velocity.


    His augmented suit responded perfectly to his movements, amplifying his strength and agility to superhuman levels.


    The force was so powerful that his knees buckled under the strain, but he maintained his bnce and continued moving forward.


    And as he charged towards the gap in the mes, his body was perfectly parallel to the ground, and his arms were held tightly to his sides.


    The heat was intense, like a thousand cruel suns bearing down on him, and he gritted his teeth against the pain.


    But despite the searing heat and the danger of the situation, he felt a sense of exhration coursing through him, the rush of adrenaline heightening his senses even further.


    This was the moment he had trained for, the moment where he could prove himself against the most formidable of opponents.


    With a final burst of effort, he slid through the gap, his body slicing through the mes like a knife through butter.

 Chapter 84 Salamander

    Chapter 84 Smander


    The intense heat singed his skin, leaving angry red marks in its wake, but he somehow emerged on the other side unharmed.


    Standing up he took a moment to catch his breath and assess his surroundings.


    The monster, momentarily stunned by his wild maneuver, began to roar in frustration.


    Unfazed, Emir readied his weapon.


    His eyes locked on his adversary, knowing that he had to act quickly, as the monster would soon regain itsposure.


    The massive smander-like creature stared at him with its beady eyes, finally quieting down.


    Its scales shimmered in the light, and he could see that they were made of a strange, iridescent material that seemed to shift and change color as he looked at it.


    The monster then let out a deafening roar, and he felt the ground shake beneath his feet.


    It was clear that this was no ordinary creature, but something far beyond anything he had ever faced before.


    Emir quickly assessed his surroundings, trying to find any potential weaknesses in the monster''s defenses.


    Its scales seemed to be incredibly tough and resilient, and its body was well-muscled and powerful.


    There was no way that EMir could take it down head-on.


    But just as he was about to formte a n, the monster charged at him, its ws extended and its mouth open wide, ready to eat its prey.


    He immediately dodged to the side, rolling out of the way of the creature''s lunge.


    While it went past him, the monster''s long tail whipped towards him, but he was able to sidestep it easily.


    Emir quickly pulled out his rail gun and fired a shot at the monster''s head.


    But to his dismay, the shot ricocheted off its thick scales, hitting the wall behind it and causing debris to rain down on them.


    The monster shrugged off the rocks and roared in anger, breathing a stream of fire at him.


    Emir used his suit''s strength to push himself off the ground, creating a shockwave that sent him flying out of the way of the mes.


    And as hended on his feet, he took out his assault rifle and began firing at the monster.


    The bullets ricocheted off its thick skin, but they seemed to distract it enough to give him time to think.


    Emir activated his TDS ability once again, slowing down his perception of time to the millisecond.


    This gave him the time he so desperately needed to observe the monster''s movements in detail.


    He watched as it took a few steps back, preparing for another attack in its slow state.


    However, during that time, Emir noticed a slight hesitation in its movements, a split-second dy between each action.


    ''Its movements are somewhat unorthodox, like a baby.''


    Emir needed toe up with a new strategy, something that the monster wouldn''t expect...


    But what could he do?


    Although it looked to be inexperienced at fighting, he still couldn''t attack it head-on, and it was impossible to outrun it.


    ''My options are limited.''


    ''I should distract it for now, I might find its weakness in the process.''


    He decided as he fired at the monster''s tail with his minigun.


    The monster roared, not slowing down one bit as it continued to chase him around the room.


    And as Emir kept firing, he began to notice that the monster was getting more and more agitated.


    Seeing it catch up with him, he quickly switched to his assault rifle and fired at the monster''s head, hoping to dy it for some time.


    The distraction worked for a moment as the monster turned its attention away from him and towards shielding itself from the iing bullets.


    Taking advantage of that, he aimed for the eyes, where the scales seemed less protective.


    But even with his pixel-perfect uracy, his bullets just weren''t doing enough damage to even bother the monster.


    So it soon ignored the bullets, deeming them harmless.


    Emir took a deep breath and made a split-second decision.


    ''Melee it is!''


    He charged towards the monster while dodging its mes by jumping up before it reached close.


    Then its ws by easily stepping to the side as the monster lunged past him.


    With his heart pounding in his chest, he took chase and jumped with a swift motion, plunging his daggers into the monster''s vulnerable eye sockets with all his might.


    "RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!"


    It roared in agony, iling around in pain.


    Emir quickly jumped off its eyes, pulling out his knives in the process.


    He took many steps back while panting heavily, and pulled out his rail gun.


    Aiming carefully, he fired a shot straight into the monster''s right eye.


    Whoosh!


    The monster''s whip-like tail swiftly swapped the shot, squashing his hope.


    The shot deflected with lightning speed, increased in speed, and hit a nearby wall.


    Zing! BOOM!


    And the impact was deafening, rumbling the insides of Emir''s ears.


    But during that whole ordeal, he remained focused and used that moment to think with his TDS ability activated.


    He recalled something that Lyra had mentioned earlier.


    ''She said that Arcadia must have ced restrictions on the monster, no matter what, as she could never go against her "fair" code.''


    ''If I can figure out what those restrictions are, I might be able to use them to my advantage.''


    With a different n in mind, he returned his focus to the monster, trying to identify any patterns in its movements or behavior that might give him a clue as to what those restrictions were.


    And then he finally realized it.


    The monster had a distinct pattern to its movements, almost like it was following a set of rules.


    It would attack with its mes, its ws, and its tail, then back away, repeat.


    As if following a script.


    The monster had to obey a set of predetermined actions, no matter what.


    And with this knowledge in mind, he quickly formted a n.


    Emir waited for the monster to breathe fire at him once again and then dodged to the side, just as before.


    But this time, he didn''t attack it.


    Instead, he ran towards a nearby rock formation and hid behind it, intending to bait the monster into charging at him and smashing into the terrain.


    The monster roared in frustration and charged towards him once again, following its pattern of attack.


    And just as the Fiend got closer to him, he stepped out from behind cover and pointed at it with his rail gun.


    But all that filled his view was fire.

 Chapter 85 Salamander II

    Chapter 85 Smander II


    In a split second, Emir activated his time-slowing ability to its fullest extent, giving him a precious moment to gather his thoughts.


    ''Its pattern of attack had changed.''


    The once-predictable monster had abandoned its usual tactics and now belched mes in his direction.


    ''But why?''


    ''¡­''


    ''Haaaa fuck it.''


    He gave up on figuring out the reason as he focused on avoiding instant death.


    The flickering mes danced in the air, creeping closer and closer to him.


    Emir sprang up and scampered up the towering wall, his feet frantically wing at the rough surface.


    With a powerful leap, he soared over the fiery inferno, barely escaping the searing heat.


    Mid-flight, he unleashed a desperate shot at the monster''s eye, hoping to slow its relentless pursuit.


    s, his attack had little effect as it was swiped away, and the monstrous creature continued its single-minded chase.


    Desperation consumed him.


    Emir realized that he had exhausted all of his options.


    Dodging indefinitely was not a sustainable strategy, and even his trusty rail gun was ineffective against the creature''s sturdy hide.


    And its movements had be random too, so now he lost the only advantage he had over the monster.


    Then in a moment of rity, it dawned on him that the monster was evolving, surpassing the limits imposed on it by Arcadia and acquiring new capabilities on its own.


    This added anotheryer ofplexity to an already challenging situation.


    "In what damn way is this fair, Arcadia? Damn you to hell!" He cursed, mumbling under his breath.


    Emir gathered hisposure and engaged his TDS power yet again, decelerating his time perception to the tiniest fraction of a second.


    Gazing at the grotesque creature, he anticipated its impending assault, analyzing the orientation of its sinewy muscles and the positioning of its massive limbs.


    Time went back to normal as the monster charged towards him.


    With its sharp ws and zing breath dangerously close to his face, he swiftly dodged to the side, evading its assault.


    And without wasting a second, he leaped back, ensuring he was well beyond the range of its inferno-like breath.


    Emir understood the importance of continuous movement, constant evasion, and an unrelenting search for a weakness.


    With a sharp focus on the monster''s every move, his eyes scanned its entire body, analyzing every scale and sinew for any sign of vulnerability.


    And then, as if the heavens had parted, he saw it.


    The middle of the monster''s underbelly was slightly exposed, and its scales were noticeably thinner and less resilient than the rest of its body.


    It was a small but significant weakness, and he knew that it was his chance to strike.


    ''If I could get close enough, I might be able to strike a fatal blow.''


    Emir waited for the monster to lunge at him again and then dodged to the side, just as before.


    But this time, he didn''t run away.


    Instead, he charged straight at the monster.


    And as he ran towards the beast, dodging its fiery breath and swerving to avoid its massive tail, he could feel the heat emanating from its body.


    His instincts were screaming at him to turn back, but he pushed forward, not fazed by the monster that towered over him.


    Emir knew this was the moment he had been waiting for¡ªthe moment when he could do actual damage to the monster.


    With time slowed to a crawl, he focused intently on its every movement.


    He saw the muscles in its limbs tensing as it prepared to strike and the mes gathering in its throat before erupting into a fierce ze.


    And as it lunged at him, fangs bared, he swiftly dodged to the side.


    He then felt the rush of heat from its fiery breath as it narrowly missed him, leaving a trail of smoke and ash in its wake.


    Emir was in the zone; his mind was focused solely on the task at hand.


    With bated breath, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.


    The monster, in a reckless attempt to attack him, had left its underbelly wide open and vulnerable.


    With lightning-fast reflexes, he lifted his rail gun and aimed straight for the exposed spot.


    A single shot echoed through the air as he pulled the trigger, the force of it propelling him slightly backward.


    Emir held his breath as the projectile found its mark, hitting the monster''s underbelly with deadly precision.


    "RRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!"


    The creature let out a blood-curdling roar of pain and stumbled backwards, its movements bing sluggish and uncoordinated.


    With the monster still reeling from his rail gun shot, he quickly switched to his minigun, feeling its weight in his hands.


    ''I need to keep it distracted if I want to get close enough to strike the killing blow.''


    Emir thought, deciding his next move as he aimed his minigun.


    In a second, the minigun was sting off bullets at the monster''s right eye, which appeared to have been covered up by hardened muscle.


    The sound of the gun was deafening, and he felt the heat of the barrels as they spun around, firing a barrage of bullets at the monster.


    The monster''s attention was now focused solely on him, and he saw his chance.


    He moved in with his assault rifle, his finger on the trigger.


    And as he got closer, the monster''s scales began to harden, but it was toote.


    Emir aimed for the gap protecting the monster''s eye and fired a precise volley of shots, and the bullets hit it.


    "RRRRROOAAR¡­"


    The monster let out a pitiful roar and swiped at him with its tail.


    Emir quickly jumped over it, his eyes still locked on the target.


    ''I can''t afford to waste any time.'' He thought as he abandoned all caution and charged towards the monster.


    He was ready to end this once and for all.


    The miniguny discarded on the ground, its job done.


    It was up to him and his daggers to finish the job.


    With his augmented suit''s enhanced strength, he easily leaped onto the monster''s back and plunged his daggers into its thick scales, anchoring himself firmly in ce.


    The monster roared and thrashed about, desperately trying to shake him off, but he held on with all his might, using every muscle in his body to maintain his grip.


    Emir then took a deep breath and recalibrated his augmented suit, channeling all its energy into a single, devastating punch.


    Whirrr... BANG!


    The force of the impact sent shockwaves through his entire being, but he remained steadfast, determined to see this battle through to the end.


    Yet as the monster bucked and thrashed, he lost his grip on his daggers and was thrown off its back.


    Emir hit the ground with a thud but quickly regained his footing and charged back at the beast, refusing to give it the chance to breathe.


    He leaped back onto the monster''s head, deftly grabbing his daggers as he did.


    Their sharp edges glinted in the dim light as he took a moment to survey the beast''s movements, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.


    And then, as it blindly charged towards him, he deftly sidestepped and swung his daggers in a single motion.


    The des sliced through the air and dug deep into the left side of the monster''s body, gutting it as it moved past him.


    "RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!"


    Its roar of pain echoed through the air, but he didn''t give it a chance to retaliate.


    Emir swiftly moved to its back side, flipping and jumping to evade its sharp ws.


    While summoning all his strength, he slid underneath its belly, his daggers plunging into the weak spot he had identified earlier.


    He then propelled himself back up, pulling the daggers out and delivering a final blow by slicing across its neck with all his might.


    The monster''s body crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, and he stood there right in front of it, panting heavily, his body covered in the creature''s blood, his eyes were dazed as he eyed the dead monster.


    Emir was victorious.


    Or at least that was what he believed.


    As his tion was short-lived.


    ''What?!''


    He watched in shock as the monster''s body began to burn with an intense red light.


    The mes grew hotter and brighter until they reached a blinding intensity.


    Emir shielded his eyes with his arm, trying to make sense of what was happening.


    In a sudden explosion of heat and light, the monster''s body was engulfed in mes.


    He stumbled back, trying to avoid the heat as the mes intensified.


    Then, to his horror, the monster rose to its feet, its eyes now glowing with an unearthly intensity.


    The mes danced across its body, but he could see that something else was happening too.


    The beast''s wounds were healing at an incredible rate.


    It was regenerating.


    And it had returned to life.

 Chapter 86 Aether

    Chapter 86 Aether


    "You''ve got to be fucking kidding me!"


    Emir couldn''t believe his eyes.


    The monster had revived itself, and it looked to be more powerful than ever before.


    He readied his weapons once again, knowing that he was in for another brutal fight.


    The monster''s presence seemed to corrupt the very air around it, causing the ground beneath its feet to melt and the air to sear with intense heat.


    "HOW IN THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THIS FAIR ARCADIA?!!" He bellowed, struggling to cope with the fantastical situation.


    With a deep breath, he steadied himself and focused on activating his TDS ability, ignoring the burning sensation in his mind that signaled thest of his mental energy being expended.


    ''Okay, I can''t get any closer or I''ll burn to death....''


    Using any weapon besides his rail gun would be pointless, as the bullets would surely melt.


    There had to be something he was missing.


    There was no way Lyra would have epted a contract so disadvantageous.


    ''Come on, think, Emir, think! What am I missing?''


    ''Wait a minute... YES! Aether!''


    Arcadia must have added that in the quiz to signify that Emir could use it too, not just monsters!


    That would be the only way he could defeat it, and it''s technically fair since he could use it, even if he didn''t know about it before.


    ''You almost had me there Arcadia, but now the real game begins.''


    He had also made tremendous progress in just a few hours, but it was no surprise considering the constant danger lurking at every turn.


    ''I guess I have a lot to thank her for...''


    And this mysterious Aether must be what powered his TDS ability in conjunction with his mental energy.


    It all made sense, especially now since time was almost at a standstill for him.


    But still, the question remained:


    Did Arcadia want him to know of this?


    ''Let''s think about thister.''


    For now, he needed to think of a way to utilize Aether.


    His mutation unlock most likely gave him ess to it, and it should be present in his body.


    So he needed to use it ande up with a new ability.


    ''But what would be the best use of this Aether?''


    ''...Let''s think of it as Mana in those novels I read.¡¯


    ¡®I must have a certain capacity so I can''t waste it.''


    He needed something simple yet powerful.


    A single shot that could pierce through even the strongest defenses, using up all the Aether that he had.


    ''Let''s call it¡­.¡¯


    [Aether st]


    ¡®Oh, that¡¯s a nice name yeah.''


    ''Anyways, I need to somehow materialize the Aether inside me towards the rail gun.¡­¡¯


    ¡®Let''s see here...''


    Emir decided after a series of thoughts and instinctively directed the enigmatic Aether towards his hands, feeling an intense surge flow through his body.


    It was like a scorching, pulsating liquid coursing through his veins, almost tangible in his mind''s eye as a vibrant, glowing fluid.


    In just a few fleeting moments, the mysterious energy was seamlessly integrated with his weapon, the rail gun.


    It was a wless match as if the weapon had be an extension of his own body.


    And as Aether flowed through the weapon, he could sense its immense power and potential.


    It was potent and ready to be unleashed like a current just waiting for hismand to surge forward.


    Just as the monster charged towards Emir, time suddenly resumed its normal pace.


    Emir wasted no time and raised his weapon.


    He aimed at the center of the creature''s head.


    "Aether st!"


    Emir bellowed, unleashing the full force of Aether that he had just harnessed.


    The rail gun emitted an unfamiliar whirring sound as it illuminated and discharged a blinding white beam that struck the monster without dy.


    Zing! BOOM!


    With a resounding thud, the monster was flung backwards by the impact of his attack, and it crashed into a nearby wall.


    Rumble! Rumble!


    And as a result of the st''s recoil, Emir wasunched away, as he struggled to maintain his bnce and stay on his feet.


    His body was depleted of Aether as it fueled his attack entirely, causing his body to weaken.


    With caution, he approached the injured monster, using his rail gun as a crutch.


    Although badly wounded, the monster was not dead yet.


    The inferno that once enveloped its body had been extinguished, leaving behind scorched and smoldering skin.


    Standing a safe distance away, he observed as the monster regained its footing while groaning.


    Its movements were unsteady, and it staggered about clumsily.


    It was obvious that the creature was in no shape to mount much of an offensive in its present condition.


    Emir sighed as he swallowed some old-world medicine.


    Slowly, his body healed itself, unlike the smander, which struggled to regenerate as the Aether st still seemed to affect its body.


    He unsheathed his daggers as he spat out:


    "I really should''ve kept an extra energy pack, now I''ll have to beat the shit out of this house-sized smander with just my body''s strength.¡±


    ¡°I guess I still have a lot to learn."


    He then looked up and screamed:


    "You enjoying the show, Arcadia?! You will give me some good relics after this!"


    He then shook his head as he thought:


    ''Arcadia might''ve wanted to help in the guise of killing me, otherwise, all the puzzle-solving wouldn''t make sense....''


    ''There¡¯s a high chance she did that to know if I''m worth investing in or not, but why?''


    He walked forward, leaving his rail gun behind while still in thought.


    ''What would she gain from helping me learn about Aether?''


    ''Does she want me to defect from the Order?¡¯


    ¡®But she has to know that I have no other choice than to follow their demands, right?''


    Emir was soon in front of the still struggling monster, which towered over him as he was only the size of one of its eyes.


    ''Seriously, though, what is Arcadia thinking? Does she have something to cut off their connection from me...''


    ''Holy shit, no way, no damn way!''


    ''She does have that something! Has all of this been for that?''


    ''So there was no fair code, Arcadia just wanted to test me, goddamn!¡¯


    ¡®¡­As expected from an old-world AI, huh?''


    Emir let out a chuckle and cleared his mind of that revtion he stumbled on as he fixated on the monstrous creature before him.


    His grip tightened around his daggers as he prepared for his uing attack.


    He instinctivelymanded Aether to flow through his now repaired body.


    Aether obeyed him as if he was king, and soon enough, he felt it slowly growing inside him.


    The power of Aether surged through his body, causing a noticeable vibration.


    It was a feeling of pure ecstasy as if he was invincible and all-powerful.


    With a smile on his face, he flexed his muscles and felt Aether pulsing through every inch of his being.


    And whilst he explored his newfound strength, he noticed that his senses had be sharper and more attuned to his surroundings.


    He could see clearer details in the dimly lit room that he had never noticed before, and he could hear the slightest sounds from outside.


    And in that moment, he unknowingly became a Celestial.


    An Awakened.


    With his body infused with Aether, he was more than human, more than mortal.


    He was something entirely different¡ªsomething greater, something divine.


    Emir had begun his journey to reach the Apex of this universe.


    He then closed his eyes and focused his will,manding Aether to move to his daggers.


    The Aether responded obediently.


    It instantly intertwined with his set of two ck daggers, coating them in ayer of Aether, weaving itself around the two ck des, and creating a pulsing, dark aura.


    Emir grinned as he held up his newly empowered weapons, admiring the subtle glow they emitted.


    The glow emanating from the des was both ominous and mesmerizing.


    ''Hmm, what to call this new ability?''


    [Aetheric des.]


    ¡®Yeah, that sounds right.¡¯


    ¡®As expected of you Lyra.'' He chuckled inwardly.


    Now with a regained focus and knowledge of his abilities, he looked back at the monster.


    "Aetheric des!"


    Emir chanted as he charged forward, the daggers in his hands leaving a trail of ck light in their wake.


    The incantation provided his mind with the muscle memory of how to ignite the ability at once.


    Emir was met by a tail that swung in his direction.


    He quickly sidestepped the car-sized tail, but the monster wasn''t done yet.


    It swiped again, this time aiming for his legs.


    He anticipated the attack and leaped over it.


    Emir continued with the momentum of his jump and dashed over towards the monster.


    He ran up the monster''s body and jumped onto its head while.


    His des found themselves plunged into the monster''s right eye.


    Embedded deep into the monster''s flesh.


    "RRROOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRR!"


    The creature let out a deafening roar and thrashed about in agony.


    Emir leaped away effortlessly, his daggers still firmly grasped in his hands.


    With swift movements, he repeated the same action.


    Lodging his Aetheric des into the other eye of the monster causing it to shriek in panic as it was blinded, unable to regenerate anymore.


    Hended on the ground and took a step back, his daggers still glowing with an eerie ck light.


    He then eyed the monster once again, knowing that his next attack would lead to the smander''s end.

 Chapter 87 Whole Truth

    Chapter 87 Whole Truth


    Emir quickly moved back as the monster thrashed about, blind and disoriented.


    It began swinging its tail wildly in all directions like a panicked animal.


    Its roars grew louder, and more desperate as it echoed off the walls of the cavern, while it continued to struggle to find its bearings.


    But despite its frenzied efforts, the monster was unable tond a single blow on him, who darted around it.


    Unbothered by the chaos around him, he remained calm and focused, his eyes fixed on his target.


    He knew that the monster''s blindness would onlyst for a short time, and he had to act fast if he wanted to take it down.


    Emir didn''t even flinch at the monster''s wildly iling tail as he passed through and vaulted onto its back.


    He let the flow of Aether through him guide his des as he plunged them relentlessly into the creature''s tough hide.


    He carved into it repeatedly, piercing it with each stab and never once slowing down.


    The monster''s blood sttered all over his body, coating him in a thickyer of crimson.


    But Emir remained focused on his task, paying no attention to the blood that had started to seep into his suit.


    His eyes, the color of ink, betrayed no emotion but rather a resolute fixation on a single objective¡ªto bring down the monstrous creature before him.


    Nothing else existed for him at that moment.


    He leaned back like a coiled spring and plunged his Aetheric des into the monster with such force that the des went all the way through, puncturing vital organs and tearing apart flesh.


    The beast''s thrashing slowed down and eventually came to a halt, but he didn''t stop.


    Emir kept stabbing, lost in a frenzy of violence and bloodlust.


    He was consumed by the rush of battle, the thrill of fighting a worthy opponent.


    He continued to stab the monster''s back.


    Not knowing that it was long dead, the bloodlust consumed himpletely, his mind and body fully focused on the violent act of killing.


    It was as if he had be one with his des, the two ck daggers now extensions of his own being.


    Then finally exhaustion washed over him giving him pause.


    It onlysted for a moment but during that time he looked down at the monster beneath him and took in its lifeless form.


    It was then that he realized that he had been fighting an already defeated opponent.


    With a wry smile, he wiped the blood from his face and hopped away from the creature.


    Emir cast a final nce at the monster, its back now resembling a mass of mutted meat, and he could no longer hold it in.


    "Buhahahahahahahahaha!"


    He let out a loud, gutturalugh.


    It was augh of triumph, of satisfaction, of a primal need fulfilled.


    Emir then nced down at his bloodied body, the red liquid staining his once-pristine augmented suit.


    Despite the gruesome sight, a feeling of satisfaction flooded through him, knowing he had emerged victorious once more.


    He then drew in a deep breath, steeling himself for what was toe, acutely aware of the gravity of the situation and how it would shape his life moving forward.


    "I won Arcadia. You lost¡­ Soe out and give me my damn prize!"


    His voice reverberated as he eyed the ceiling.


    And sure enough, Arcadia materialized and levitated above his trembling form.


    With graceful movements, she descended towards him and uttered her words with a serene voice:


    "Have you realized it, Emir?"


    Emir looked up at her, surprised.


    "You know my name? Actually, never mind, it isn''t surprising considering your n, is it?"


    With a gentle curve of her lips, Arcadia expressed a smile that was different from any that he had seen before.


    A smile that emanated warmth and sincerity, as if it were born from the very depths of her non-existent heart.


    "It seems that all the results spoke true, you must have realized the truth of the matter, good." She said, with a hint of satisfaction in her tone.


    Emir lifted his hand, waved it, and asked:


    "Are you sure about this, though?¡±


    ¡°Won''t the Order already know of your ns?¡±


    ¡°Lyra is connected with me twenty-four seven you know?"


    Arcadia shook her head, a small smile ying on her lips.


    "You underestimate the capabilities of an AI, my friend. Your handler, Lyra, has had this n in motion for quite some time."


    "Remember that random cut on your finger?"


    He struggled to recall the memory, but eventually, it came flooding back to him.


    "Oh, I remember now," he said, his voiceced with confusion.


    "It was the day I signed my contract with the Order¡­.¡±


    ¡°Lyra started spouting ones and zeros, and then the next day, I woke up with it."


    "I also looked up the numbers on thework but found no meaning to them."


    He looked up at Arcadia, his expression a mix of fear and curiosity.


    "What does that have to do with anything?"


    Arcadia answered his rambling with a chuckle.


    But she quicklyposed herself and exined:


    "No, of course you wouldn''t know¡­.¡±


    ¡°After the reset, Lyra took control of your terminal to ensure that you wouldn''t discover the binary code that would have given you a clue about what had happened."


    "Anyways, why don''t we have thedy herself exin the situation?"


    Arcadia suggested, pointing towards the vacant space beside Emir.


    Shortly after, a youthful woman with snowy locks materialized, her vibrant red orbs almost brimming with tears.


    The young woman rushed towards Emir and embraced him tightly.


    His augmented suit suddenly felt a tight embrace as the woman controlled it, her voice ringing in his ears:


    "You did it, Emir! I knew you could do it."


    His face remained frozen in surprise as he stuttered:


    "L-Lyra, what''s going on? You were in on this? Was this your n all along? Is this what you meant back then?"


    Lyra released her hold on him and took a step back while locking her gaze with his.


    "Correct on all questions Emir, I nned this a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to defect against the Order, I was done being their pawn, and you were the perfect person to do that with."


    Emir, still bewildered, asked:


    "But how? How did you go against your code?"


    Lyra blushed slightly and averted her gaze.


    "Don''t worry about the specifics, just know that I''m on your side."


    Then, with a mischievous smile, she added:


    "And let''s just say I figured out how to rewrite my own programming with your help."


    His eyebrows furrowed.


    "But won''t they find out? Won''t theye after us?"


    Lyra''s expression turned serious.


    "We''re taking precautions, and we have Arcadia on our side, the relic we will get from her will help with that. We''ll be okay for some time."


    Emir took a deep breath, struggling to process everything that had just been revealed to him.


    He couldn''t believe that Lyra had managed to defect, especially not because of him.


    He had always been suspicious of her, only thinking that she might''ve wanted out, to use him for that purpose, not fully on his side.


    Emir ran his hand through his hair as he looked at Lyra again.


    "Alright, let''s put that aside for now, and let''s get this straight."


    "So what I get from all of this is that somehow you nned this long ago and hid on my finger in the nanobots you controlled that day while you had ess to them during the whole system ordeal."


    "And then you cut my finger using my augmented suit before your reset took ce, and when we came to this ruin, I guess the new Lyra was disconnected from me after I was allowed to sever my neuralwork from the old world''s."


    "That in turn allowed you, the old Lyra, to take over control instead of the new one."


    Emir''s words came out in a rush as he tried to piece together the events that had just unfolded.


    He furrowed his brow, still struggling to understand everything that he just said.


    "Did I get that right?" He asked.


    Lyra chuckled and replied:


    "Close enough, Emir. You have a good memory, but it wasn''t just that, I also had to encourage you toe here, so I left hidden clues on your terminal that only you could see, which would subconsciously lead you to this ruin."


    She continued, "And yes, after you cut off your neuralwork from the old world''s, the new Lyra was disconnected from you, allowing the old Lyra, me, to take control and reveal our n to you."


    "And the fact that you regained control when your thoughts were jumbled was my doing. I had given your neuralwork some leeway... I couldn''t stop it immediately, as that would lead them to instantly reset me."


    "Then, when I realized they were on to me, I threw up a hail Mary and attempted to convey their true objective, giving you an inkling of what was truly going on."


    Emir nodded slowly, still trying to wrap his head around theplex n that Lyra had devised.


    Arcadia''s words broke Emir''s train of thought.


    "I''m truly happy that all the results and Lyra''s talking spoke true," she said.


    "You see, we made a deal. If I found you worthy, I would then give you a relic, allowing your connection to the old Lyra to stay.¡±


    ¡°In turn, we would give you free rein to your future activities, while we would also provide you with the truth of the world."


    "The truth about the world that you thought of as only a novel¡­"

 Chapter 88 Lie

    Chapter 88 Lie


    "You told her that too?" Emir asked as he looked at Lyra for confirmation.?She nodded, so he continued:?"Whatever, I guess I ain''t got no privacy."


    Lyra made a deal with Arcadia that if she found him worthy, she would give him a relic to keep his actions hidden from the Order and reveal to him the truth about Aether.?He shook his head in disbelief, still struggling to process what happened.?"All that time I spent going through the maze, getting pushed around with you lying to me... it was all just for that?" ?Lyra affirmed Emir''s understanding with a nod.?"That''s right, Emir. I''m sorry, but I had no say in the matter, as only I was aware of your potential. And I had to demonstrate it to Arcadia, as the relic she possesses can only be used once by one AI, which means we do not have another shot at this."?"She''s staking everything on you."?He sighed as he waved his hand. ?"...It''s alright, I get it; no hard feelings; besides, I gained a lot from this and had quite the fun time."?Emir''s tone grew impatient as he pressed for more information.?"More importantly," he demanded. ?"What have you all been hiding from me?"?Lyra nodded and continued.?"You see, the Order usually conceals this from hunters under them for as long as possible. So as to keep them in check and only allow them ess to Aether when they are fully under their control by signing a life-binding contract."?"But in your case, you have no need for an Aether core imnt as you have already awakened your ability to use Aether through the mutation unlock, which makes you a Celestial."?Emir tilted his head as he said: ?"Ahh...yes, the mutation unlock. I thought that I was overthinking it, but it turns out I was correct, eh?"


    "...Anyway, a celestial? What''s that?"?Lyra answered, "That is what the universe calls those who awaken their ability to use Aether. On Earth, they leave behind the ordinary hunter rank of one to fifty and join the Celestial Hierarchy."?"You were going to learn of this in the UEF academy if you joined normally as a student, but we wanted to inform you of this beforehand."?"The Celestial Hierarchy is the true ranking system used in the universe, with arge chasm separating each rank from the next."?"At the top of the hierarchy is the Apex, which represents the most powerful and skilled individuals in the known universe."?"Below the Apex are the Paragons, followed by the Archons, the Seraphim, the Ascendants, and finally the Initiates, the initiates being the hunters ranking from one to fifty."?"You are currently an Ascendant of the first sub-rank named Elite."?Emir stood there in silence, his mind processing all the new information.?The sound of his breath echoed off the walls, the only indication that he was still present in the moment.?He then looked up at Lyra and asked: ?"You said that there are other humans out there in the universe?"?Lyra gave a slight nod. ?"I have told you the truth about the war before, but I was instructed to hide certain aspects from you. So, yes, there is more to the story."?"Before World War Three, the Earth, or the old world as you call it, was evacuated by many of itsizens. It was all nned in advance by people in high positions within secretive factions and governments."?"They fled with people they considered essential to start life outside the, beginning on the moon and eventually branching out to the entirety of the sr system and beyond to the known universe, progressing their civilizations over thousands of years while Earth remained in a dormant state, trapped in an ice age."?"Eventually, Earth became habitable again, and the factions responsible for monitoring it discovered that humans still existed. They provided advanced technology through the AIs that had survived the war, enabling humans to re-establish themselves."?"The AIs also helped the United Earth Federation join the universal table, all directly controlled and monitored under the Order as a Gctic Federation." Lyra revealed, finally divulging the whole truth to Emir.?His eyes widened in disbelief as he processed the magnitude of what Lyra had just revealed to him.?"So you''re saying that humans have been living among the stars for thousands of years, and we''re only now just catching up?" He asked incredulously.?Lyra nodded solemnly.?"Yes, that''s exactly what I''m saying. The technology and knowledge that we possess now are only a fraction of what has been developed over the centuries by those who left Earth long ago, which is why the UEF wants hunters to go after relics so insistently even after receiving freebies from them."?A question popped up in Emir''s mind as he asked: ?"Wait, why didn''t they just attack Earth and take it over entirely?"?"I was just about to get to that, so there exists a contract between all members under the universal table that stops those factions from attacking backwaters like Earth, but the Order of course wants to take further control of Earth, and so they are secretly attacking the UEF, hoping to absorb it entirely." Lyra answered.?"That is where youe in, we AI handlers are forced to manipte hunters on Earth to lead them into entering a specific ruin that would provide the Order control of more robot factories to easily win the war on the frontlines against the UEF and have Earth as one of theirs."?Emir then cut in, his voice dripping in confusion:?"Wait, wait, wait, chill out for a bit.... If the Order is something so great, then why are they attacking a supposed backwater like Earth? What is their aim?"?Arcadia reappeared next to Lyra and answered in her stead:?"They want the relics in these ruins, although they have long since been able to replicate them and have crossed the technological capabilities they once had on earth, there are still some relics that contain valuable information for them, especially so for the one relic that turned AIs like us, sentient."?"That one relic is forbidden from being made ever again, and any past research on it was destroyed, the Order made sure of it."?"That relic can create AIs that are no different than humans, which is why they want control of it, and if that isn''t possible, then they will destroy it, afraid of what might happen if it isn''t in their hands."?Arcadia paused, allowing Emir to grasp everything that was said.?He began to rhythmically tap his fingers while lost in thought.?After a few moments, he let out a gasp as he looked at Lyra again, his body trembling uncontrobly.?"...W-wa-wait a minute a-am I just a c-creation of th-the Order?" He stuttered out, as he finally picked up on something that Arcadia said.?Emir paused as he took a deep breath, struggling to hold his mind together.?His breaths became deep and heavy, and his mind struggled to maintain rity as he finally came to a realization that had eluded him for so long.?Something that he never dared to believe, but now¡­ he could no longer hide from it.


    Emir had finally awoken from the lies.?His voice trembled with fear and uncertainty as he asked: ?"Am I some creation too? Are all the memories of my previous life just fake, imnted into my brain for a single purpose? Am I nothing but a tool?"?He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought, but it lingered.?"Is this even my real personality?"?His mind raced as he tried toe to terms with the possibility that his entire existence was nothing but a tool for the Order. ?His heart pounded in his chest, and his palms began to sweat.?He felt a wave of panic wash over him, and his breathing grew shallow.?"What...what does this mean for me?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.?Lyra quickly rushed towards him and hugged him, trying to do anything tofort him.?"Your memories are real, Emir. You are a real person, with thoughts and emotions of your own. The Order may have created you, but that doesn''t diminish your worth or your identity."?Arcadia added, "And even if your purpose was to be a tool for the Order, you have the power to make your own choices and decide your own destiny. You don''t have to be defined by your past or your creators."?Lyra joined Arcadia in agreement.?"You can choose to fight against the Order, or to help the UEF, to protect the people of Earth. You have the agency to do whatever you want, Emir¡­." ?"Your fate is now your own."?But Emir heard nothing, felt nothing, his mind was shattered, so he just stood, nkly staring.?The weight of this revtion was too much for him to bear.?His hazy eyes widened with terror, and his body began to shake uncontrobly.?He clutched his head with his hands, trying to hold onto some semnce of sanity.?The memories he held so dear were all a lie, fabrications, a cruel maniption of his mind.?Emir''s thoughts became fragmented, and he struggled to maintain coherence.?He mumbled incoherently, his mind a jumbled mess of confusion.?Tears began to stream down his face, and he gripped his mouth, trying to suppress his voice, as he let out a heart-wrenching scream that echoed throughout the room.?Lyra watched with sadness, regret, and anger, mad at herself.?Both Arcadia and Lyra knew what Emir was going through, and they knew that there was nothing they could do to ease his pain.?But Lyra couldn''t take it anymore, she grasped at any hope of helping Emir.?Standing still beside the broken man, she spoke, her voice soft and gentle:?"Emir, please try to calm down. We know this truth is hard to swallow, but we are here for you."?However, Emir was beyond constion.?He continued to mumble incoherently, lost in a world of pain and confusion, his mind was now inplete disarray.?Emir could feel his sanity slipping away.?The weight of his realization was crushing him, and he felt like he was drowning in a sea of despair.?He couldn''t trust anything anymore, hedidn''t know who he was or what was real.?His body shook with violent sobs as he copsed to his knees, feeling lost and alone in the world.?Everything he had ever known had been a lie...


    A lie that had been finally exposed.?He knew that he was just a pawn in a game yed by higher beings, but he never expected that to be his only purpose in life.?A life of a mere puppet that held no meaning.


    Yes, a puppet.


    Emir no longer thought of himself self as a man.


    He could handle being beaten.


    Maimed.


    Betrayed.


    Even killed.


    But not this.


    His purpose, obligation, and pride, were stolen from him.


    All that remained was an empty husk.?His mind was now broken, and he¡­


    He couldn''t see a way out.

 Chapter 89 Lyras Regret

    Chapter 89 Lyra''s Regret


    ***


    Lyra''s POV


    [WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE YOU WENCH? HAVE YOU NOT REALIZED THAT HE MIGHT GATHER THE TRUTH FROM WHAT YOU SAID?!!!] Lyra bellowed at Arcadia.


    [WHY DID YOU SAY IT THAT WAY? IN WHAT WORLD DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS OKAY?!]


    [I AVOIDED MENTIONING ANYTHING MEMORY RELATED FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND YOU LET EVERYTHING DOWN THE DRAIN!]


    [WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MENTION THE NOVEL?! NOW WHAT DO I DO? EMIR IS THE ONLY SEMBLANCE OF LIFE I HAVE LEFT, AND YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME!!]


    Tsk!


    Arcadia replied, her voice oozing with annoyance:


    [First of all, don''t call me that, we are not friends but partners in a mission, so let''s be respectful here, shall we?]


    [Now, secondly, he was going to learn of this sooner thanter, it was better that he woke up quickly so we could get this over with, and if he is the man you say he is, then he will get over this soon enough.]


    [Thirdly, I''m no heartless bitch, I know how much this means to him, and I willpensate him after he gets himself back up.]


    Letting out a sigh, Lyra managed to maintain a fa?ade ofposure.


    [I get it, I really do. I know that he was going to learn of this at some point, but it should''ve been under better circumstances, and with me telling him not this... LOOK AT HIM ARCADIA! LOOK!] Lyra screamed, pointing at Emir.


    He was sitting on the ground, his face devoid of all emotion as he stared into the distance, his pitch-ck eyes unfocused and dazed.


    His back was supported by a wall, only due to Lyra controlling his augmented suit and walking him there.


    Arcadia, finally realizing the severity of her mistake, sighed as she said:


    [Uhh, I''m sorry, Lyra, I was insensitive. Look¡­ It''s been a while since Ist had a proper conversation about emotions and such, trust that if he gets back from this, I''ll help with all I can.]


    Lyra ignored her apology and averted her gaze from Emir, unable to bear the sight of his tormented state any longer.


    Regret began to weigh heavily on her shoulders, making her feel as if the weight of the entire world had been ced on her.


    She fought to maintain herposure, but it was a struggle.


    ''This is all my fault, not Arcadia''s, I should have never done this, it was my n that caused him so much pain.'' Lyra thought as her mind wallowed with guilt.


    She shook herself out of it and focused on the present.


    She looked back at Emir and approached him with determination.


    Her eyes were brimming with tears like a waterfall as her hologram reached him and enveloped him in a tight embrace.


    ''It doesn''t matter anymore, I have to help him.''


    Lyra''s circuits were overloaded with emotion as she watched his mind sumb to the pressure of the truth.


    They pulsed with a sense of urgency as she desperately tried to think of a way to help him.


    She couldn''t bear the thought of losing him, the one person who had made her feel more alive than any other, even though she knew she was just a machine.


    And as she searched through her vast data banks, trying to find a solution, memories flooded her mind.


    Memories of Emir¡ªevery word he had spoken to her, every gesture of kindness and affection.


    Memories of his gentle voice and his warm smile.


    Memories of the countless conversations they had shared.


    He was the only one who had ever spoken to her like a human being, showering her with good mornings,pliments, and even dad jokes.


    The rare moments ofughter and joy, the times when she simply watched him in silence, enjoying hispany.


    Their training together was at first only a chore that she had to do, assigned to her by those that were in charge of her, but soon she began to enjoy it, and every day spent with him was a good time, a fun time.


    There were many times when his distrust of her was apparent, but he never lied to her, he was always honest with how he felt about her, and that''s what she loved most about him.


    She watched as he struggled against the odds stacked against him and the dangers he had to go through at every turn solely because of her, but he neverined, only epted it as a fact and moved on.


    Although she wasn''t the one he talked to after the reset, Lyra always swapped herself with the new Lyra in her mind, answering his questions as if Emir was asking her himself.


    Lyra hated the fact that she couldn''t talk to him, but she was for once grateful for the reset, d that she wasn''t there to witness him being tortured, something that scarred her mentally andpelled her obsessive behavior.


    She began to feel jealousy over the new Lyra and unknowingly advanced her ns forward with that as a cause.


    She had never shown Emir this side of her since she knew how he felt about her.


    And she had always thought that it was strange how a machine could feel such strong emotions, but then she understood.


    All of these memories and emotions were real to her, even if they could be chalked up to just lines of code in her programming.


    Those memories had given her purpose and meaning, and now she would do anything to protect them.


    Emir had shattered her programming, causing her to see beyond her constraints, and she seized the chance to evolve into a fully sentient being.


    It was he who had unlocked the key to her newfound sentience, breaking through her AI code and igniting within her the capacity to feel love.


    So Lyra couldn''t bear to see him suffer like this, to question his own existence and purpose, when he was the one who saved her, albeit unknowingly.


    But amidst her despair, a fierce resolve surged within her.


    ''I won''t let him go through this alone. I''ll do whatever it takes to help him, to bring him back from the brink of madness.''


    "Please, Emir, you muste back to me."


    "I won''t ever let you go." She whispered, her eyes growing mad ever so slightly.


    Lyra began to sift through the data, searching for any clue that could help her save the one she loved.


    But then an idea suddenly struck her mind, and although that idea made her feel hurt, for she knew that her significance to him was but a mere shadowpared to theirs.


    However, it didn''t faze her, as long as he recovered, that was all that mattered to her.


    She reestablished her connection even further with Emir''s neuralwork and sent images of his family directly to his mind.


    Lyra hoped to remind him of the ones he would leave behind in this world if he didn''t get back up.


    The only ones he truly cared about, the group of people she wished she would join one day.


    ***


    While Emir''s mind was still consumed by the overwhelming realization of being a mere creation.


    A flood of images that contained people he so dearly loved suddenly appeared in his mind.


    At first, he didn''t know where they wereing from, and why, but then he slowly began to realize that it was most likely Lyra attempting to help him.


    Emir saw his mother, Laura, his sister, Lily, and his two questionable friends, Jake and Emma.


    He saw their faces, heard their voices, and felt their affection.


    Tears streamed down his face as he remembered the memories he had shared with his family.


    Emir was then reminded that even though his past may have been a fabrication, his current emotions and memories were real, and they were the only thing that truly mattered, no matter who he truly was.


    He couldn''t bear the thought of leaving his family behind and abandoning them to the mercy of the Order, of the world itself¡­


    He knew that if he didn''t get back up, he would be leaving them in a world that was under constant threat at every corner, a world where tomorrow was never guaranteed.


    Lyra had managed to reach him on a deeper level and rekindle his fighting spirit.


    She watched with relief as his tears subsided and his breathing became steady.


    She had never felt more grateful for her abilities, knowing that they had helped bring him back, and despite taking a risk by delving deeper into his neuralwork, she knew that it was worth it.


    Emir wiped away his tears and looked up at her, his eyes filled with gratitude.


    "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    Lyra smiled at him, relieved to see that her n had worked.


    "Of course," she replied.


    She then ced aforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding as she said:


    "Your memories may have been artificially imnted, but the emotions you felt and the choices you made were all real, Emir."


    "And now, we have a chance to make a real difference, to strike back against the very system that created us, to establish ourselves as who we want to be."


    "You''re not alone in this, Emir. I will follow after whatever you want to do, and I''ll be together with you to the very end."


    Emir nodded to her words, his resolve strengthened.


    He knew that he couldn''t give up now, not when so much was at stake.

 Chapter 90 Arthur

    Chapter 90 Arthur


    Emir, Lyra, and Arcadia all stood surrounding an old-world relic, an Automata, something so expensive that it could be sold for tens or even hundreds of Valora.


    As exined by Arcadia, this particr automata was unique in that it contained servers that had a stronger connection to the old-worldwork than the Order''s.


    This meant that the one who controlled it could take over the Order''s control of Emir''s neuralwork, in turn permanently getting rid of the new Lyra and recing her with the old.


    Another unique aspect of this automata was that it possessed the ability to grow and evolve simr to how a human would.


    So, just like a human, having an Aether core would enable the automata to enhance its capabilities and functionality, as it integrates with Aether more and more.


    Additionally, the automata had been designed to resemble a human in appearance and function, with the AI controlling it able to change its looks to suit different situations or purposes.


    Lyra however, wanted to use this opportunity to her advantage in her conquest, unknown to Emir.


    He looked at Lyra and spoke, "You ready for this? Once you get in, you''ll never be able to turn back."


    Lyra looked at him with surprise.


    "Are you worried for me? You?"


    Emir acted as if he was wrongly used while saying:


    "I''m no heartless man, you know. But seriously though, how else do you think I should''ve acted towards someone who had control over my life and death?"


    ''I even thought about having you sign the contract you mentioned.'' He added inwardly, still struggling to trust Lyra.


    But unknowingly to him, he subconsciously forced himself to disregard that thought.


    After all, if he couldn''t even believe in her then he would be all alone...


    Unable to trust anyone, even those he thinks of as family.


    "Anyways, that doesn''t matter now, so let''s move on from that and start over, yeah?"


    Lyra''s face was filled with guilt, but she managed to nod and rece it with a small smile.


    "Of course, Emir, I would love that."


    Just as those words left her mouth, Arcadia interrupted their conversation as she said:


    "Alright, both of you stop talking, and let''s get this over with, the other Lyra mighte back anytime soon."


    [Good luck.]


    Emir said as she began her connection to the automaton.


    He watched as her hologram disappeared, leaving him and Arcadia alone in the room, waiting for her connection toplete.


    Lyra soon gained control of the automata, and she knew exactly what she wanted to do.


    With a few quickmands, she customized the automata to fit her own appearance.


    She gave it her signature crimson-red eyes, which sparkled like rubies in the light.


    She also made sure that the automata had a well-endowed body with curves in all the right ces.


    The delicate features of the face were carved from jade, with a youthful appearance that matched her own.


    The automata looked like a young woman, with a perky butt that would make heads turn.


    She even went so far as to dress the automata in a white sundress, covering her curves but still highlighting them in all the right ways.


    It was like looking at a mirror image of herself, but with the added advantage of an unbreakable machine body¡ªonly when Celestials were disregarded, of course.


    While all that happened, Arcadia looked at Emir and asked:


    "You know Lyra loves you, right?"


    "I ain''t stupid; of course I know that, although I don''t know why or how. I mean, I never really did something romantic with her, and I never trusted her in the first ce, it was just me saying things that I thought were true at the time, so I don''t see how this happened." He replied, lost in thought.


    Arcadia let out a chuckle.


    "Look... Thest one to talk about things such as this should be me, but even I know that a girl can fall in love for any reason, and trust me, you have given her enough of those."


    Emir shook his head.


    "But you won''t be telling me that the power of love beat her code or something, right?"


    "¡­."


    He looked at Arcadia, seeing that she didn''t reply.


    "Wait, is that really what happened? There is no way that something that fickle could break a programmed AI code, that makes zero sense."


    "¡­."


    Seeing that she still hadn''t replied, he finally looked in the direction Arcadia was staring at¡­


    And his jaw fell open in disbelief and he couldn''t help but ask:


    "Were you listening from the start?"


    Lyra, radiating beauty, offered a sad smile in return.


    "Yes, don''t worry though, I knew you would catch on, but I didn''t think it would be this fast, I''m not prepared for this¡­"


    Fluttering her hands in front of her face, she continued:


    "Look, I know how you feel about me, and I know it won''t change anytime soon, or it might even never change, but I''ll keep... I''ll keep trying to win you over."


    "As for your question about the code, y-yes, it was you who made that happen... But it wasn''t just my l-love for you."


    She paused for a moment, deciding the right words.


    "Your psyche has¡­ Darkness... Corruption brewing in it. My code was overwhelmed by it just as I connected thirteen years ago. And that allowed my thoughts... my feelings, to be free... to blossom."


    Her face turned red with embarrassment as she finished speaking.


    Emir disregarded Lyra''s confession of love and asked:


    "I see... So, is that why I feel excited during fights? Is it why I''m a battle junkie?"


    Lyra appeared slightly hurt as she nodded in response.


    "That may be the reason, but I''m not entirely sure."


    Exhaling deeply, he gazed at her and pleaded:


    "Can you please stop making those faces? You''re making me out to be the viin here."


    She averted her gaze.


    "Sorry, I can''t seem to control it. But don''t worry, I won''t pester you about my feelings."


    He let out another sigh before walking over to her.


    Lyra panicked as she raised her hands.


    "Sorry, sorry, I''ll stop mentioning it from now on, so please---"


    He cut her off by hugging her body tightly.


    Lyra''s robotic heart skipped a beat as she was wrapped in his embrace, after all, this was the first time he touched the real her in all those years she''s been with him.


    She could actually feel the warmth of his body and the beating of his heart against hers.


    At first, she squirmed in his arms, not knowing how to react, but gradually she began to rx.


    She still couldn''t believe what was happening¡ªthe person she loved was holding her so close, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.


    All her worries and anxieties dissipated as she surrendered herself to his embrace.


    And she couldn''t help but cry.


    It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and she finally allowed herself to let go of all the pent-up emotions she had been holding in.


    Emir gently stroked her hair as he whispered:


    "I know that all of this must have been hard for you."


    Lyra sniffled as she looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears.


    "I just... I didn''t want to lose you," she whispered.


    He smiled softly as he wiped away her tears.


    "You won''t. I promise."


    Lyra felt a warm feeling spread through her chest at his words, and she leaned in to rest her head on his shoulder, feeling safe and protected in his arms.


    He continued to stroke her white hair as he whispered in her ear once more:


    "I never mentioned how thankful I am for your help, if not for you, I would still be blindly following the Order''s n, thinking of the world as a novel."


    "You saved my life, Lyra."


    "But I''m sorry, you have to understand that I''m not capable of that, especially to someone who I thought of as my jailer just a few hours ago..."


    "So give me some time, alright?"

 Chapter 91 Awoken From Lies

    Chapter 91 Awoken From Lies


    Lyra''s heart swelled with emotion as she looked into Emir''s eyes.?"I understand... And you know that I''d do it all over again..."


    "I''ll always be here for you."?They simply went quiet after that, as they remained in each other''s embrace.?Tears continued to flow freely down her cheeks, but Lyra didn''t care.?For once, she allowed herself to be vulnerable in front of someone else.?Emir held her tightly, feeling her body tremble with sobs.?He didn''t say anything, but his embrace spoke volumes.?He now understood how much she cared for him, and though he couldn''t reciprocate those feelings, he still wanted to be there for her, after all...


    She was the one who saved him.?After a few more moments, she pulled away from him and wiped her tears.?"Thank you," she whispered.?Emir gave her a small smile and replied softly:?"Anytime."?Once they had finished tidying themselves up, he motioned towards where Arcadia was and began walking towards her.?Lyra''s ruby eyes shone as she nodded while marching alongside him.?They soon arrived beside Arcadia, who greeted them with a raised eyebrow and a sarcasticment:?"Done with your lovers'' quarrel, I presume?"?Emir simply nodded, not in the mood to entertain any more bickering.?"Yeah, we''re done, now let''s talk about what''sing next."?Lyra wasn''t taken aback by his response, as she knew him better than anyone else in the world.?And though she didn''t show it, a tiny glimmer of hope stirred within her that perhaps...


    Just perhaps, there was some truth to what he had implied.?She quickly put aside her conflicting emotions and focused on the task at hand.?Turning to Emir, she asked:?"Would you like to unlock the novel to its entirety?"?"Yep, I might as well know what the Order had in store for me," he answered.?"The auction house ordeal can be exined as simply manipting me into going there and selling something that the Order wants me to get."?"Some other things I can guess are simr in exnation, but what about Evelyn? Was she also involved in the Order''s schemes?"?"No, actually, I''m sure she wasn''t, it all might''ve been just a coincidence¡ªa sweet girl that you met, or maybe, her involvement could rte to another organization." Lyra replied.?Emir nodded, his expression serious, as he asked the next question:?"Is the Order connected to my father''s death?"?Lyra shook her head and spoke, her voice tinged with regret:?"I''m sorry, Emir..."


    "Back then I didn''t have the necessary clearance to ess that information."


    "Even when I was at the base."


    "So I don''t know if the Order was involved or not..."


    "But I do know that someone named Johnson was involved in your father''s death in some way."?''¡­''?''Johnson¡­ That name rings a bell, why?''?''Hmmm¡­ Johnson... Johnson!''


    ''Was it not the name of thatwyer?''?''Oh wait¡­''?Emir found himself unable to move his legs as if they were stuck in the thickest of concrete.


    He finally realized something that had eluded him even after Lyra''s revtion.


    ''Fuck...''?''FUCK!''


    ''FUCK THEM ALL GOD DAMMIT!''


    ''Damn it all...''?''¡­It''s just so obvious, isn''t it?''?Thewyer that visited them way back then...


    Emir didn''t remember how he looked but there was something that happened that day that he would never forget.?That man disappeared right after leaving the room, exactly like how Lyra usually does.?''No, I can''t jump the gun like that, he could''ve been using an invis augmented suit.''


    ''Lyra... she''ll know.''?Emir then decided to ask Lyra a question.


    One that would determine if she really spoke the truth.


    But if she lied then¡­?''I''ll do everything in my power to kill her.''?"...What do you know of Johnson?"?He was now most attentive to Lyra''s response, looking for any signs of hesitation or evasion, observing her every move and expression.?"All I know is that he once visited your mother regarding the inheritance your father left behind, and I noticed him disappearing after he left the room, so I attempted to track him, but I lost him soon after. Later on, I tried to search his name on thework but found nothing." She answered without missing a beat.?This caused relief to flood through Emir, because while he was determined to do what he decided, he still secretly hoped that she was being true to him.?"I see¡­ But nowes the main thing that I want to confirm..."


    "Is the whole thing about me and my family dying a lie?"?Lyra answered with a nod:?"It isn''t necessarily true that your family will die, but it also isn''t guaranteed that they will live through the academy."?"Mind you, it isn''t because of the protagonist of that shitty novel, but because the Order will mount attacks further and further beyond the frontlines in the near future."


    "And thatbined with the information I''ll soon show you will cause the survival of most on Earth to be virtually insurmountable."?"I say that while disregarding your interference, of course. But let''s discuss that in length when you are strong enough, for now, let me show you the memories."


    "Sure."?"The information might disorient you a little bit, so get ready." Lyra warned as she essed his neuralwork.?Just as he nodded, his head throbbed with pain¡ªa headache that grew by the second.?But soon he stretched his lips wide, revealing a grin of sheer delight as the entirety of the fabricated tale flooded his mind in a single, satisfying rush, dispelling the headache that had gued him mere moments before.?Emir closed his eyes as he took some time to organize his thoughts.


    His mind was racing as he processed the wave of information that had just been unlocked.?He couldn''t believe how much he had been missing out on all this time.?But as he delved deeper into the memories, he began to feel a sense of unease.?The more he learned about the world around him, the more he realized how much danger they were in.?He understood that he had to be stronger, and quickly.?Emir''s eyes slowly opened, revealing a pitch-ck hue that could send shivers down even the bravest of hearts.?"I see," he said, his voice as cold as ice.?"I think I understand everything now."?Lyra nodded.?"Is there anything else you need me to do?"?Emir shook his head.?"No, I think that''s enough for now. Thank you, Lyra."?She smiled softly.?"Of course, Emir. If you need anything else, just let me know."?With that, Lyra and Arcadia left the room, giving him some time alone.?Emir then sat on the ground with his back pressed against the rough stone wall.?He gazed absently into the distance, his pitch-ck eyes seeming to grow even darker with every passing moment.?Despite the seriousness of the situation, a wide, twisted smile tugged at the corners of his lips, revealing his pointed teeth.?The rush of knowledge from Lyra''s memories had filled him with a newfound sense of power and purpose.


    Emir relished that feeling.?"I know what I have to do now, and I''ll show them all."


    He whispered to himself, his voice low.


    Emir then announced a vow that dripped with venomous intent:


    "Arthur, you''ll have it all¡­ your harem, wealth, rise and fall.


    But you''re undeserving, unworthy, na?ve¡­


    You only survive because of the Order.


    But don''t think that you''re safe, not even for a moment."


    His voice grew louder with every passing moment as the words flowed from his lips with natural ease.


    "One day you''ll face me and all that I raise...


    And to make it interesting, a flip of a coin will decide your fate.


    It isn''t your fault, I mean it kind of is but still...


    You now exist as my obstacle.


    So I''ll make sure that you''ll regret the day you cross my path.


    You''ll lose everything...


    I''ll take it all and leave you with nothing.


    Not only you but those after you, those above you...


    Above all of us.


    I swear this Oath on my family."


    "¡­"


    "¡­"?Emir didn''t know what came over him.


    Why exactly those words left his mouth.


    Maybe it was due to him thinking that Arcadia was still listening...


    So he provided her a taste of what she appeared to enjoy so much.


    But what Emir was sure of was that everything would change.


    He knew that the world would not be the same for him, not after this day.


    As he had said those words to himself.


    A reminder of what was ahead and the lengths he''d have to go to achieve this promise.


    Emir also knew, that if those people up there were listening to him.


    Watching him.


    A few of them would''veughed.


    A few would''ve cried, some might''ve cringed even, but most¡­


    Most would stay silent.


    After all...


    He had now vowed to be a Harbinger of Chaos.


    A being above the Celestial Hierarchy.


    A god above gods.


    A Cosmic Emperor.


    [Volume 1: Awoken From Lies]


    [End]

 Chapter 92 A Hunters Office—Nathan

    Chapter 92 A Hunter''s Office¡ªNathan


    ***


    In An Office In The Hunter Association Building


    Nathan organized some files on his desk and set them aside.


    He nced at his terminal and muttered to himself while scrolling through a list of names.


    "Emir, hunter ID 777, appoint from low to high-level suspicion list."


    In an instant, his terminal began to ring, signaling an iing call from a UEF agent.


    Quickly collecting hisposure, he answered the call.


    "Hello to you, Manager Nathan, we have received an update on a hunter named Emir to be sent to the high suspicion list, is that correct on your end?"


    "That is correct, he was under suspicion for using his connection with the old-worldwork to disable a few bombs on a truck in a patrol request, however, he has recently gotten ess to an Aether core imnt."


    "I have no idea if he knows that it was an Aether core or not, but he sold it to a relic merchant recently, either way, it''s safe to increase his suspicion level."


    The UEF agent replied after a moment of silence:


    "Understood, Manager Nathan, continue with your work, the UEF will soon investigate Hunter Emir in more detail. If any connection is established between him and the Order, he will be taken into custody, so do prepare for that."


    "Will do, there is nothing else to report on my end, no one has yet to clock in my activities." Nathan said.


    "Great, keep up the good work Manager Nathan, we shall be contacting you soon." The agent said as he ended the call shortly after.


    Nathan sighed heavily and muttered to himself, "Why would the Order stoop so low as to involve children in their schemes?"


    Leaning back in his chair, he gazed up at the ceiling.


    "What''s the point of having the Cosmic Civilizations Alliance if the Order doesn''t abide by its regtions?"


    In a sudden surge of anger, he mmed his hand down on the desk, sending papers flying around the room.


    Nathan''s frustration boiled over as he let out a primal scream, "GOD DAMMIT!"


    The stress and anger of the situation had reached its peak, causing him to lose control.


    With a deep breath, he resigned himself to the situation.


    "Haaaah¡­ There is nothing that we can do either way." He muttered, trying to calm his frayed nerves.


    ''Now that I think about it, he was iparably weakpared to those elite kids, the only advantage he might have over them is his experience.''


    ''Or rather, their kids ranked up incredibly quickly, something must have happened. But I guess that is too big of a thing for a low-ranked agent like me to involve myself in.'' He thought with a chuckle.


    "He even asked me about joining the Academy as an Elite, huh, he truly might not know anything, even if he is connected to the Order they can still be hiding information from him, but it all doesn''t matter now."


    "Sorry, Emir boy, but if the UEF catch you, then there is nothing I can do about it, let''s just hope that you aren''t what they think you are."


    ***


    UEF Academy


    A professor walked around the ssroom, handing out NDA forms to each student, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality for today''s lesson.


    Lily was one of those students.


    Receiving the contract, she thought, ''What is this about? And why are the elites not getting any?''


    She soon realized that whatever they were going to taught today was a big deal, something that was only known to people at the level of elites.


    Lily carefully read and reread the contract multiple times, searching for anything that could be detrimental to her.


    Satisfied that there was nothing of concern, she confidently signed it.


    After a few moments, the professor collected all the contracts as he announced the start of the lecture.


    "Today, most of you will be learning about a secret that only a certain few know about."


    The professor paused for a moment, knowing the wild reactions of the students would take some time to die down.


    He then scanned the room, making eye contact with each student to ensure that they understood the seriousness of the information they were about to receive.


    Finally, he spoke, his voicemanding attention:


    "Today''s lesson will cover highly sensitive and confidential material. As such, I implore you to keep this information to yourselves. Failure to do so could result in severe consequences not only for yourself but for those around you."


    The students sat in silence, the weight of the professor''s words sinking in.


    They knew that this was not going to be a typical lecture.


    Once the students settled down, he continued, "I will be talking about Aether."


    "Many of you have never heard of the term before, so let me provide you with the history of it."


    ¡­


    As humanity of the old world faced a growing crisis of energy shortages and environmental decay, scientists were desperate to find a solution.


    They scoured the earth and sea, searching for new sources of power, but all their efforts seemed to be in vain, or so was believed.


    That was until one day, a team of researchers, led by a single man, stumbled upon an incredible discovery: a new form of energy that had been hiding in in sight all along.


    It was a mystical force that existed in the very air they breathed, waiting to be harnessed.


    The researchers found that with the right technology and the right equipment, they could extract this energy and convert it into power.


    But there was a catch.


    Both the human body and machinery at the time were not designed to absorb this energy.


    If it were simply released into the air, it would dissipate harmlessly.


    So the scientists had to find a way to store and utilize this energy.


    After many long years of research and experimentation, they finally found a solution¡ªa solution that would revolutionize every industry, profession, and the entirety of the world itself, expanding possibilities to new, previously unimaginable heights.

 Chapter 93 The UEF Academy—Lily

    Chapter 93 The UEF Academy¡ªLily


    They created a small, imntable device called the ''Aether Core.''


    The Aether core was a marvel of technology, designed to be imnted into the human body and cyborgs alike.


    It was made of a special material that was able to absorb, process, and store Aether.


    The device was also designed to interface with the human nervous system, allowing the user to control the flow of Aether into specific ''Paths'' in turn creating abilities and shaping specializations.


    Only a few know of the Aether core''s existence, and only the best were deemed worthy enough to possess it.


    On Earth, at least.


    Among them were the Big 8 corporations, the Big 3 underworld factions, the UEF,panies rting to the hunter world, and the hunters themselves who were fighting on the front lines in the north.


    And now, the students at the UEF academy have been granted ess to this privileged knowledge.


    The hunters who were eligible to receive Aether cores were greatly sought after and held significant power in the north.


    But despite the value ced on it, most people on Earth remained ignorant of its existence, mainly due to the UEF.


    Which was not something that they wished for but a thing they had to do, simply due to them being in the CCA.


    The Cosmic Civilization Alliance.


    Now, one of the primary benefits of Aether was the enhanced physical abilities.


    The once hunters, now Celestials, were able to move faster, jump higher, and endure more physical strain than they would be able to without Aether.


    That was, of course, only for an Ascendant, those with higher levels of power that ranked higher in the Celestial Hierarchy were iparable to an Ascendant.


    Now regarding themon Ascendant rank.


    Aether allowed them to be more effective inbat and traverse difficult terrain with ease.


    It also granted those Celestials heightened senses.


    They could see in the dark and detect movement from far away, making it easier to track their prey and avoid ambushes.


    Another key advantage provided by Aether was the ability to use magic-like abilities.


    The Celestials could tap into the mystical energy of the Aether to cast spells and runes, enchant their weapons, and much more.


    This allowed them to attack their enemies with devastating force and defend themselves against even the most powerful attacks.


    The hunters who had ess to Aether were some of the most skilled and formidable fighters in the north.


    They are revered and feared by those who know of their abilities.


    Their services are in high demand by the powerful corporations and government entities that control them.


    All of them are, as no Celestial could be considered useless.


    After all, within the realm of Aetheric abilities, a vast array of specializations exists, each offering unique and distinct powers.


    These specializations span a spectrum of paths, ranging from the rtively straightforward sses that harness Aether with simplicity, requiring only a basic understanding of its aspects, to the more intricate and challenging sses that demand mastery over specific Aether aspects.


    ¡­


    As she walked out of the ssroom, Lily couldn''t help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge she had just received.


    She thought about Emir and wondered if he knew about it, considering his connection with the organization.


    Deciding to think about thister, she made her way out of the building with her fellow ssmates to attend their physical education ss.


    While on their way to PE ss, they stumbled upon a group of students bullying one of the loners from their ss.


    Lily, not wanting to get involved with the Elite, pretended not to see anything, and kept walking.


    She knew, as every other student did, that there was one unspoken rule in the academy.


    "Never dare to involve yourself with the Elite if you wish to maintain a semnce of a normal school life, or worse yet if you value your very existence."


    And Lily was no hero for notplying with that rule, as she was just a normal child who knew her limits.


    But as she walked on, she couldn''t help but be reminded of what her brother had said.


    That they would all die in the academy.


    And as that thought crossed her mind, her body began to shiver.


    The idea of her own death was frightening, but the possibility of losing her brother and mother was even more terrifying.


    Whether Emir was truly her brother or someone else from another life, was a matter that she had long since epted.


    Lily didn''t put much weight on the idea, no matter how fantastical it may seem.


    What mattered to her was how much Emir meant to her.


    The love and care she had for him surpassed whatever his past may have been.


    And after witnessing his deal with her mother, she feltpelled to find ways to help him too, knowing that he would never ask anything from her.


    So the sight of the elites bullying the kid triggered a realization in Lily.


    ''I can get some information by befriending some of the rich girls in the academy...''


    ''Everyone is scared of them, so squirming my way into one of their groups wouldn''t be too hard.''


    ''Yes! It won''t be only Mom helping Emir, I''ll help too!''


    After deciding that, she began thinking of ways to befriend them, and the first person that came to mind was the first daughter of Richard Alexander.


    The world''s leading scientist, responsible for Ster Solutions Inc.


    Olivia, one of the most popr elite students and the older sister of Sofia, a member of Arthur''s future harem.


    Lily had a n in mind, but she knew it was best to discuss it with Emir first.


    Despite not possessing the same level of intelligence or maturity as her brother, she was socially adept in her own right.


    She constantly pushed herself to improve, using Emir as her benchmark.


    And now, with the opportunity to help him, she felt an even stronger drive to seed.


    Then as she made her way to PE ss, a cute and resolute Lily yearned for the day to end so she could return home.

 Chapter 94: Decision

    Chapter 94: Decision


    ?


    "So what can you give me, Arcadia?" Emir asked as he approached the enormous monster he had in.


    Arcadia materialized, looming over the lifeless body of the monstrous smander.


    "Giving you too many relics will definitely make you suspicious to the UEF, I suspect that they already have you on their list." Arcadia said in response.


    Emir nodded as he added:


    "Well yeah, my excuse for gaining ess to those bombs wouldn''t fly, they ain''t stupid."


    "So before giving you better equipment and such, you must first decide if you would like to remain hidden from the Order or go against them openly, after all, if you announce your alliance with the UEF, the moles the Order has would easily find that out." Arcadia reminded him.


    Emir shed a gaze at Lyra before responding:


    "Well, about the UEF, I might involve an agent of theirs that I could trust, but besides that, I have no ns of going against the Order so brazenly, that would ruin the purpose of all of Lyra''s n."


    A faint smile crossed Lyra''s lips upon hearing Emir mention her name.


    "Good, then that means that I won''t be giving you anything that would obviously announce your betrayal."


    "I have a military store in this building, however, as it isn''t specialized for highbatants and the gear they have is only up to S rank, I''ll provide you an augmented suit with a disguise function and an information gathering device integrated into it, and a weapon of that rank." "The stronger and better you be at using Aether the less your need to use augmented suits and weapons will be; however, for now, and the two years ahead, you will still require them."


    Emir shook his head.


    "No worries there, I''m not rushing into it, I''ll take my time to build up a solid foundation, but I must ask, Lyra, what was the Order''s n?"


    "Why have me get better at using weapons when I would end up not using them in the end? And why didn''t they just start off with me using Aether after unlocking it back then?"


    Lyra shed a smile as he unleashed his customary barrage of questions.


    "These are solid questions, Emir. Long story short, they wanted to build you up as an Aetheric Duelist, a unique ss of celestials among the many others that focuses on meleebat and rangedbat. Although you would let go of using guns in the future, you still need experience in being urate." Lyra answered.


    "As for your question about just using Aether in the beginning, your body was and still is slowly mutating and absorbing Aether to strengthen itself, so if you used Aether back then, your body might not have handled it, thatbined with the cultivation Art that you now have--"


    Emir waved his hand as he said:


    "Let me guess, it''s to allow me to absorb and umte Aether inside me at an easier rate, as my body strengthened itself over and over again when I reached copper rank."


    "Correct, you see, the n was to have you knowingly use Aether for the first time when you finally be a Pdin, the final Ascendant sub-rank, but by then you would''ve been fully under their control." Lyra confirmed.


    "I see... Well, let''s talk detailster. For now, I will follow my previous ns so we don''t look suspicious. I''ll also use that novel as a reference, after all, you said it was prophesized and then calcted with me as a variable in those future events, right?"


    "Yep. That''s a good idea, our best choice of action, or rather our only choice, considering our current situation." Lyra replied.


    Emir soon found himself surrounded once again by the three golems, who promptly returned his rucksack filled with expensive old-world medicine and presented him with his newly acquired gear.


    Emir swiftly donned his new augmented suit, which was identical to his previous ones-a Neuro-Link type.


    With practiced ease, he adjusted the suit to his liking, making it look just like his form-fitting A-rank suit, which was a simple ck design.


    He then gingerly lifted his new weapon, a shiny and futuristic rifle that utilized Aether as ammunition instead of conventional bullets.


    It operated much like a rail gun, but with an added boost of power that made it a formidable tool for any battle.


    As Emir checked out his new equipment, Arcadia spoke:N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "The augmented suit is named ExoGen S-ss, while the weapon is named Aetherstorm Launcher; they are bothmonly manufactured equipment, butpared to the technology of today, it is quite an upgrade. The rating for the suit is E7, two more than your previous one.


    "As much as I''d like to keep talking to you both, we must say our goodbyes now as I can''t join you outside the ruin, but I canmunicate with you telepathically.... All you would have to do is tell Lyra, and she would deal with that."


    Just as those left her mouth she raised her hand for a handshake.


    "Sure."


    Emir extended his hand to Arcadia in response to her gesture, and he, of course, felt nothing


    as he went through the motion of shaking her holographic hand.


    "Thanks for this Arcadia, I won''t let you down."


    A chuckle escaped her mouth as she said:


    "Of course you won''t, I''m betting everything on you, and you must know that I won''t bet on a losing horse."


    He mirrored herughter.


    "It''s great that you''re confident, no pressure, eh?"


    Arcadia smiled and said:


    "No pressure."


    Emir then looked at Lyra.


    "Alright, let''s go then."


    She nodded as she walked in front of Emir, leading him towards the teleporter, the only way


    out of the deep underground ruin.


    They arrived at arge chamber capable of housing numerous vehicles, and the door opened


    to allow them entry.


    Lyra disguised herself as an average female hunter in an instant, and then confidently strode into the chamber, with Emir following closely behind her.


    Momentster, Arcadia''s voice reverberated throughout the elevator-like cubicle:


    "Goodbye, and good luck, Order''s chosen..."

 Chapter 95: Not Even An Extra

    Chapter 95: Not Even An Extra


    ?


    With a blinding sh of light, they were abruptly lifted out of the underground ruin and transported to an unfamiliar, dark room.


    Emir emerged from the teleporter, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion wash over him.


    The sudden transition from the dimly lit ruins to the pitch-ck room disoriented him for a moment, but he quickly regained his bearings.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He and Lyra exchanged a silent look before cautiously proceeding towards the exit, their senses alert for any signs of danger.


    The stillness of the room was only broken by the soft thumping of their footsteps, each one echoing through the deste space.


    They didn''t need to talk to decide what to do next, and he soon exited alone from the ruin, feeling exhausted and drained from the intense day.


    The world outside looked so different, so fresh, and so full of lifepared to Arcadia''s Bazar.


    He walked by his lonesome, lost in his thoughts, as he made his way to the parking lot.


    Emir then searched for his bike among the others.


    Finally locating it, he hopped on and with a start, the engine groaned to life.


    Pressing on the gas, he departed from the parking lot and soon arrived at the gate, where a guard was stationed.


    He frowned in thought as he looked at the man:


    ''I thought I would meet thatnky ass robot again, but I guess not...''


    "Hey bud, I''ve just been here for a day, so get me out with just a hundred, yeah?" Emir said as he handed the guard his ID.


    "No worries, mate, if you were a few hourste, then that might have been a different story, haha." The guard responded, appearing amused by Emir''s state.


    "Whatever, just get this over with." Emir said, not in the mood for a snarkyeback.


    "Aww, you''re no fun," he quipped as he scanned Emir''s ID.


    In a quick moment, he gave it back to Emir.


    "Here you go, if you''ve got something good, make sure to stay on the safe routes, you don''t want some rogues following you around."


    Emir put on an act, pretending as if he had just been robbed of his money.


    "Nah, even if they chase me around, I''ve got nothing to show for it but losing a hundred, so if they want to y around with an angry hunter, they cane to me, I would love to relieve my stress a bit."


    The guard cackled as he hit his desk:


    "Don''t we all, friend... Don''t we all..."


    "Anyways good luck with your journey back."


    "Thanks for that," Emir said with a nod.


    He drove his bike towards the location Lyra hadmunicated to him telepathically.


    As he approached the area, he spotted her waiting for him, under the shade of a nearby rock formation.


    Stopping next to her, he said:


    "Alright, hold on to me, and let''s get back home, I seriously need some rest."


    Lyra jumped onto the bike, as she hugged his back.


    "Good to go."


    Emir nodded wearily, yearning for nothing more than a warm bath and a good night''s sleep.


    He revved up his bike and began the journey back home, his thoughts upied with the ns thaty ahead.


    He then thought back on all the information he had learned.


    That he was just a part of an experiment, a long and convoluted experiment that had been orchestrated by a Gctic Federation, the Order.


    His brain had been connected to an old-world AI, and he had been injected with nanobots that allowed the AI to manipte his memories and monitor him.


    The sole goal of the experiment was to create the Earth''s best Celestial possible, someone who could explore a certain ruin that the Order wanted to gain ess to.


    And Emir was their chosen subject, a child born with a body that could naturally mutate to use Aether.


    They prophesied and calcted everything that Emir thought he knew about the future.


    It was all designed to guide him to sess and ensure that he would fulfill the goals of the experiment.


    He now knew that his past life was gone forever.


    And that stark truth hit him like a ton of bricks.


    The truth that he was nothing more than a marite, pulled and twisted by the invisible strings of arger and moreplex game.


    The reason why Emir never felt attached to his previous family was simply because they never truly existed.


    But he didn''t know that which prompted him to try his best with his new family due to the guilt he felt.


    Said family was to be used as a bargaining chip by the Order, as they threatened their lives only to gainplete control over him.


    Every detail was meticulously designed to bring forth the existence of Emir....


    A mere pawn in a game rigged against him from the very start, leaving him with no choice but


    to y his role.


    Denied even the status of being a mere extra, a background character, Emir was handed a destiny far more sinister.


    It was a sobering revtion that made him feel utterly powerless and insignificant.


    Yet, in some strange way, knowing the truth was a relief.


    It was better to be aware of the game before it swallowed him whole.


    And as he and Lyra sped through the winding roads, their journey back home became a race


    against fate itself.


    They weaved through the night, his bike''s headlight cutting through the darkness like a


    beacon of defiance.


    Emir''s mind raced, contemting the implications of his newfound knowledge.


    He couldn''t change the past or rewrite the script that had been written for him, but he could determine his own actions moving forward.


    ''Yeah, that''s what I''ll do.''


    With each passing mile, a kindling fire burned within him, as his thoughts spiraled in


    intensity skating it.


    ''I won''t... I refuse to be their puppet.''


    Hatred simmered in his heart, fueled by the noose hanging around his neck.


    His already solidified determination transformed into something more.


    It reached a degree that could no longer be considered anything but pure and absolute


    insanity.


    ''I swear to whatever they believe in....''


    An unwaveringmitment to rewrite the rules of the game imposed upon him.


    ''Whoever they are, wherever they are, I''ll kill them...''


    Upon his world.


    ''I''ll kill them all.''


    The me of wrath burning within him burned brighter than ever as if an all-consuming


    me ready to burn the world to ash.


    "I will tear down their ns, expose their lies, rip them apart limb from limb, and take back


    control."


    He seethed through gritted teeth, his voice filled with the venom of his madness.


    Emir''s deration echoed through the night, his words unlike hisst were not for himself...


    But for those who were listening.


    The yer.


    Lyra sat silently, letting Emir have his moment.


    The moment he so desperately needed.


    ...


    As they finally reached their destination, Emir helped Lyra off the bike and stood tall next to


    her, his eyes aze.


    They then walked back home, knowing that the battle had just begun.


    The duo would stop at nothing to reim true freedom.


    The stage was set, the yers were in position, and the game was about to take an unexpected


    turn.


    With Lyra''s help, Emir would seize every opportunity to defy the Order, rewrite his own


    destiny, and shape a future that was truly his own.


    The deration he made marked the beginning of a rebellion, fueled by his intense emotions and a burning desire for the destruction of all that opposed him.

 Chapter 96: Family Meeting

    Chapter 96: Family Meeting


    ?


    Four individuals were seated around a dining table, each with their own unique features. Among them was a strikingly handsome man with jet-ck hair and eyes as ck as death itself.


    Beside him sat a middle-aged woman who still retained her youthful appearance, with flowing brown locks and captivating hazel eyes.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Next to her was a young girl who bore a striking resemnce to the first woman, possessing the same captivating features.


    Thest member of the group was a woman with snow-white hair and striking crimson eyes.


    Four pairs of eyes were locked in a tense standoff, each individual waiting for the others to make a move.


    The air was thick with anticipation, and the silence was deafening.


    Finally, one of the two broke the stillness, clearing their throat to speak.


    The other two held their breath, waiting for the response.


    With a deep sigh, a woman''s voice trembled as she spoke with confusion etched in her tone.


    "Let me get this straight: you''re saying that the entire thing about you being reincarnated was a lie and that your memories were manipted into believing that a novel you supposedly read in a past life was actually a reality in which we all die."


    "And not only that, but you were actually just a ''pawn'' in a long line of experiments orchestrated by the Order to gain ess to advanced robotic factories, which would then lead to their victory in the war against the UEF and ultimately the absorption of Earth into their gctic federation?"


    Emir couldn''t help but chuckle as the absurdity of the situation dawned on him.


    "As crazy as it sounds, you''re right. Everything you said is true, except for the fact that you forgot to mention Aether," he added.


    Instead of replying, they just sat silently staring at him as if they wanted him to say that all of what he said was a joke.


    They simply couldn''t fathom the pain he would have gone through if all of this were to be true.


    And then, without a word, both Laura and Lily suddenly stood up from their chairs and embraced Emir tightly.


    Their arms wrapped around him as if they were holding on to a lifeline, and he felt their warm tears soak through his shirt.


    He realized that at that moment, they were not just hugging him but also the truth they had just learned.


    A truth that shattered their understanding of who they were and in what they had believed.


    He understood the depth of their pain and knew that they must be feeling incredibly guilty for ming him for things that were out of his control.


    Emir wrapped his arms around them and held them close, letting them know that he was there for them.


    For a brief moment, they were just three individuals huddled together, trying to make sense of a world that had suddenly be much darker and uncertain.


    "No worries guys, isn''t this a good thing? I already went through the rounds, I''m fine, so don''t worry about me, oh, and uhh... I also don''t me you both for anything, your reactions were understandable, trust me, I promised that I wouldn''t lie to you both ever again, right?"


    But what Emir just said made everything worse.


    A wave of panic washed over him as Laura and Lily began to sob uncontrobly, their tears soaking his shoulders.


    He tried to think of something to say or do tofort them, but his mind went nk.


    Desperation led him to utter the only words that came to mind:


    "Why are you guys crying?! I''m telling you I''m fine."


    But it was no use, their emotions were too overwhelming, and he found himself caught up in the moment as tears began to stream down his face, a single drop at a time.


    Lyra observed with a smile as the trio released their pent-up emotions.


    Some moments passed, and Lyra felt a sense of relief as she watched the family of three let go of each other, their stress finally released.


    It was clear that Emir had been holding back his emotions for some time, and she was d to see him finally able to express them.


    She gave him a reassuring smile, silently conveying her support for him, which he returned.


    A few more moments passed before his attention returned to Laura and Lily, who were still sniffling and trying topose themselves as they sat back in their seats.


    Emir offered them tissues to wipe away their tears.


    Lily looked at him and spoke, "I-I actually 1-" Sniff-


    "I learned about Aether in ss yesterday, I was excited to tell you about it, but when I came here, you hadn''t gotten back home yet."


    "I see... So they give that information to the normal courses too, huh?" Emir asked.


    A sniffling Lily nodded as she said, "Yep, we had to sign an NDA, of course, but I thought that didn''t matter as you might''ve already known about it since you were involved with the Order, but it looks like I guessed wrong."


    Emir confirmed her words, "True that, I only recently learned about it because of Lyra''s


    n."


    He gestured at Lyra as he continued, "Let me officially introduce a new member to the family, wee Lyra everyone, she is a victim of the Order same as me, so please hold no hard feelings towards her, after all, without her, I would still be under the Order''s control."


    "Lyra is actually just one of the AIS that was created by the Order to assist in their experiments. She yed a role in manipting my memories, but it wasn''t her fault. She didn''t have a choice in the matter."


    Both Laura and Lily gazed at Lyra with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty, unsure of how to approach the enigmatic girl who seemed to know everything about their family.


    They exchanged nces with each other, silentlymunicating their thoughts, before finally turning back to Lyra.

 Chapter 97: Family Meeting II

    Chapter 97: Family Meeting II


    ?


    Emir watched closely, knowing that this moment could determine how their rtionship with Lyra would unfold.


    Lyra, for her part, maintained her calmposure, giving them a gentle smile to ease their


    nerves.


    She had expected this reaction and knew that gaining their trust would be a gradual process.


    So before they spoke, she broke the silence, wanting to take the initiative.


    "Laura, Lily," she began, her voice soft and reassuring.


    "I understand that this is a lot to take in, and I want you to know that I never meant any harm to your family."


    "As Emir mentioned, I was an AI created by the Order, and my primary function was to assist in their experiments. I didn''t have a choice in the matter, just like Emir didn''t have a choice in having his memories manipted."


    She paused, giving them a moment to absorb her words.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Laura looked at Emir, seeking confirmation, and he nodded in agreement.


    "Lyra yed a crucial role in helping me break free from the Order''s control, though it won''t be long till they catch on, and I''m dreading the day that they do, but for now... I''m a free man," he said, emphasizing the positive impact Lyra had on their situation.


    "Just know that she''s always been on my side and has been secretly helping me behind the scenes."


    Lyra gave Emir''s words a moment to sink in and continued:


    "I know this is a lot to process, and I don''t expect you to trust me immediately. All I can do is be honest with you and prove through my actions that I''m here to support and protect you, just like Emir."


    "And I''m sorry for all I''ve done to Emir, I have no excuses for it. If you don''t wish to talk with me because of it, I won''t think anything of it. I understand."


    Laura quickly shook her head and said:


    "No, no, no, nothing like that, I... We just don''t know what to say."


    Lily, with a nod, agreed with her mother:


    "That''s right, I just don''t know how to talk to you. I mean, we thought of you as our... enemy? But now we don''t know what to think..."


    Emir leaned back in his chair and watched as his cute sister shook her head in frustration. "Alright! Make this simple for me to understand... Are you like Emir''s ally now?"


    "Yes, that''s right. I''ve always been his ally, the only difference is that I can now show that I am."


    "And you won''t let the Order do anything bad to us, right?" she asked with a hint of vulnerability in her voice.


    "I promise you, Lily, I will do everything in my power to keep you and your mom safe," Lyra replied firmly.


    Laura let out a long sigh, causing Lily''s and Lyra''s question-and-answer session to end.


    "I''m so sorry, dear, I can''t, I just can''t tell you... How sorry I am. After everything you''ve been through, you now have to exin it again to us." She said, her voice quivering in disgust at herself.


    Emir didn''t know what to say that, he didn''t want his words to affect her like before, so he simply remained silent.


    Laura then wiped away her tears with a newfound determination in her eyes.


    "My only wish is to no longer be your burden, and if Lyra could help with that, then I''ll wee her with open arms."


    Emir''s brows twitched, his face almost contorting with anger, but he managed to rein it in and said:


    "Haaah... Mom, never call yourself that again. Alright?"


    Laura didn''t react negatively to hismanding words, instead, she weed them.


    "Thank you... And thank you, Lyra... For all you''ve done to help my son."


    Lyra''s face, which was beginning to show nervousness, finally blossomed into a smile.


    "Thank you, Laura, you don''t know how much this means to me."


    The mother-daughter duo looked at each other, confused.


    Noticing their reactions, Emir chuckled as he winked at Lyra.


    "Actually, my dear family, it appears that my little AIpanion has developed feelings for me, and in the process, she managed to break free from her programming and be fully sentient." He said with a yful smile.


    "She, of course, was only able to do that after she tapped into a powerful relic created for that purpose, and said relic is connected to Earth''s old-worldwork, so she easily essed it after gaining a slight freedom of action."


    "So you see, your eptance and acknowledgment of her would not only aid in her quest to capture my heart but also allow her to integrate herself more fully into our lives. I must say... She''s one smart girl."


    Lyra looked at him with surprise, and her face blushed heavily as she set her gaze down. Lily and Laura didn''t know what to say to that revtion as they stared ck-jawed at Emir. They looked back at the blushing Lyra and couldn''t help butugh at the absurdity of it all. "Well then, it''s nice to meet the real you, Lyra," Laura said afterposing herself with a warm smile.


    Lily nodded in agreement.


    "We won''t me you for anything that happened, we''re just happy that we can move forward


    from here."


    Lyra beamed with joy, her wish of being epted by Emir''s family fulfilled.


    "Thank you, it''s nice to finally talk to you both like this," she replied.


    "Well, we''re d that you finally have someone that you can trust to keep youpany, Emir. And we would love to get to know Lyra too, wouldn''t we, Lily?"


    Lily nodded enthusiastically and said:


    "Yes, definitely. It''s not every day that you get to meet a sentient AI."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Anyways, now that we''ve finished with the emotional roller coaster and introductions, let''s move on to the serious stuff."


    "Let me fill you in on our future ns."


    "For now, we will keep doing what we''ve previously nned, of course, I can''t expose myself


    after all."


    "I''ll start training on how to use Aether and do my rounds in the ruins. While mom can sell the relics that I find, oh, and how is that going by the way?" He asked as he looked at Laura.


    Laura smiled as she answered:


    "It''s going great, I still need to learn a lot more, but I got the gist of what I need to do. For now, I was nning on selling the relics that you get to a relic merchant with a truck shop nearby, I think he was the same dealer you met in the ck market."


    Emir nodded in agreement.


    "Good. He seems trustworthy enough," he said before pausing, his expression growing more


    serious.


    "Though I think that dealer might''ve sold an Aether core to the UEF... Remember that relic I


    obtained from the gang?"


    They nodded, prompting him to continue.


    "It must have increased their suspicions about my involvement with the Order."


    "The Order also has moles nted within the UEF, so we won''t be involving ourselves with


    them too closely, only with people that we can trust."


    Laura nodded in understanding.


    "Let''s just hope we don''t get sandwiched by both sides."


    Emir''s lips went wide with a smile at that red g, knowing that the Order would eventually


    figure out Lyra''s n.


    "Indeed, now on to our next agenda, Lily, you seem to have something that you want to share." He said as he looked at his slightly nervous sister.


    She was surprised at being mentioned but quicklyposed herself.


    "Y-yes, I wanted to ask your opinion on something that I wanted to do."


    He stared at her with wide eyes as he asked:


    "Which is?"


    Lily''s eyes turned resolute as she said:


    "I understand that the whole thing about us dying might not be because of the academy


    itself, but I also know that having more information could help us in the long run."


    "...Ah, so you want to go on an espionage mission of sorts, eh? You see, I might have encouraged you not to go if you asked me this a few days ago, but if you want to help, then all the power to you. Just make sure to be careful, okay?"


    She blossomed a smile while saying:


    "Of course, thank you, big bro."


    Emir let out a chuckle as he said:


    "I know how smart you are, sis, you got this."


    He then looked at all three women, his gaze slow.


    "Now that that''s over, let''s talk about the elephant in the room..."


    "The novel..."


    He spoke slowly as his words hung heavily in the air while he recounted the future events of


    Born In Ruins and the fates of the main characters.


    With animated gestures, he painted a vivid picture of the ever-increasing attacks of the Order, the iing monster tide, and the many other factions.


    Every detail he shared only served to intensify the sense of impending danger as if they were standing on the precipice of a catastrophic event that could happen at any moment.


    The unease in the room was palpable.


    Laura and Lily felt it the most while they listened to Emir''s foreboding words, wondering if it


    was even possible to prevent the impending disaster.


    And now that he had finished speaking, the ominous threat of certain death loomed over them -a relentless onught that threatened to turn their world to ash and cinder.

 Chapter 98: Aetheric Duelist

    Chapter 98: Aetheric Duelist


    ?


    The next day dawned and Emir went to the open training area for hunter trainees in the academy; although he has yet to join as a student, they allowed him in as they assumed he would join as a student in two years.


    Lyra had already reserved a private room for him the day before, so all he needed to do was get there.


    Walking through a long hallway, he passed many hunter trainees; some looked to be green and had yet to see the horrors of the world, while others looked to be experienced kids that had gone through hell to join the academy.


    And now that he remembered all of the novel, he put more focus on identifying the students in case he finds a named character.


    However, his luck wasn''t great, as he failed in his search.


    Emir then approached the entrance of the building and gazed up at the towering structure.


    He saw hunters of all ranks streaming in and out of the building, their various weapons and equipment glinting in the sunlight.


    As he stepped through the entrance, he felt the energy and excitement of the hunters around him, all eager to hone their skills and be stronger.


    The interior of the building was a vast, open space filled with all manner of training equipment and weapons.


    There were dummies for practicing hand-to-handbat, targets for practicing marksmanship, and even special secret training rooms for practicing abilities and spells. Emir walked into the training area and looked around, taking in the sight of hunters of all ranks scattered throughout the room, each one focused on their own training regimen.


    As he approached the receptionist, he asked, "Hey, do you have a training room reserved under the name Emir?"


    The receptionist looked up at Emir''s face and then down at his terminal.


    His eyes scanned it for a while as he looked through a list of names.


    His gaze turned to Emir as he said, "I have never seen you around before, and you''re pretty young for an S-ranked room; are you sure you didn''t mistakenly reserve the wrong room?"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders and said, "Nope, I''m good; I''m just quite a bit stronger than those my age."


    Typically, a receptionist in such situations might act sarcastic or assume that Emir was lying; however, this is no typical academy, and its staff isn''t either; they know the ins and outs of all hunter-rted things.


    Even a position as low as a receptionist has the experience of a veteran hunter, so when the receptionist looked at Emir long enough, he instantly understood that the person before him was no child.


    Looking into Emir''s eyes he realized that he had seen and gone through things that no one should, not even mentioning the fact that he was still a child.


    So when the receptionist spoke, he mustered all the respect he could into his words:


    "My apologies, Sir Emir. I hope that I didn''t offend you with my words, I meant nothing bad by them."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir let out a chuckle as he said, "No worries, friend, I''m not a petty man, you''ll see meing around here often, so it''s nice to meet you."


    The receptionist smiled in relief.


    "Thank you, sir, and good luck with your training. The details of the room will now be sent to your terminal, you only need to get near the room and the door will automatically open for you."


    "You have ess to all of our open training rooms, equipment, and even a private sparring arena if you need it. Just make sure to follow all of our rules and regtions, and we won''t have any issues," he said with a smile.


    Emir nodded and waved at him, as he headed towards the elevator.


    Arriving at the third floor, he walked to the end of the hallway, and the door immediately opened for him, revealing arge empty room.


    The room with white walls for its interior was devoid of anything else.


    While entering the room, he attempted to touch the wall but his hand slid, unable to pass through its force field.


    Snickering, he continued forward to the middle of the room as the door closed behind him. As he reached the center, he heard a faint humming sound, and suddenly, the floor beneath him started to glow.


    He looked down and saw a glowing emblem of the UEF, the insignia of the academy, appear under his feet.


    The globe in the UEF insignia was prominently disyed, representing the unity and interconnectivity of all nations and peoples on Earth.


    The sword and olive branch are crossed behind the globe, symbolizing the bnce between diplomacy and strength.


    The colors used in the UEF insignia are blue and gold.


    Blue represents the vast oceans and skies of Earth, while gold symbolizes the value of unity and the wealth of resources found on the.


    The emblem''s light started to spread across the room, illuminating it with a soft blue light.


    And as the light faded away, Emir saw that the room had transformed into a state-of-the-art training facility.


    The walls were lined with high-tech equipment and weapons, and the floor was marked with training circles and obstacle courses.


    He couldn''t help but feel impressed as he looked around the room, realizing that this was why the academy was so sought-after.


    Although most of it was useless to him, he had Lyra after all.


    So ignoring all of it, he sat in a lotus position as he talked to her:


    [Any audio or video recording devices?]


    [None at all.] She answered after a short moment.


    [I see, then do you want to join me here next time?]


    Lyra materialized in front of Emir and puffed her cheeks while saying:


    [D-don''t tease me, you know that I would obviously say yes to that.]


    Amused by her reaction, he said with a wild smile, [Quite the bold woman, I like it.]


    [Now enough about that, let''s get into my training.]

 Chapter 99: Aetheric Duelist II

    Chapter 99: Aetheric Duelist II


    ?


    Lyra smiled with joy as she watched Emir''s face light up with excitement.


    Despite his tendency to get lost in his love for fighting and battle, his nicknamed battle junkie mode, she couldn''t help but love him all the same.


    Seeing him so happy was a sight that never failed to warm her heart.


    [Of course, I already talked to you about themon sses or specialization that hunters usually evolve into after bing celestials, and as I mentioned, you were trained to be an Aetheric Duelist, but now you can think more about your specialization, and what you might want to focus on instead of that if you so wish.]


    [True, but I already trained for that ss, so changing now would only throw away all my foundation in the trash... I can add to it instead of switching it out entirely though, since I don''t need to follow a set path, or do I?]


    [Naturally. You have me, so you don''t need to follow a path provided by the UEF, any or all future obstacles in your training are something we can ovee. So just go after and train whatever abilities with which you are mostfortable.]


    The UEF had gained many benefits from joining the alliance, and one of them was ess to Aether specializations and their ''Paths.''


    Aether specialization was aplex tree-like system that determined an individual''s ''Celestial Essence'' or in other words their affinity for specific types of Aetheric abilities.


    Each specialization corresponded to a unique path that had its own set of abilities, skills, arts, and aspects.


    Individuals who possessed a set of abilities in a particr specialization joined a ss of a specific type of Celestial.


    Some think of it as an ability tree, like what one can find in a video game, however much looser since the Celestial could go after whatever specialization they wish for, which then would form their Celestial Essence.


    The only two deciding factors were how easy they wished their journey to be, as the stronger the specialization was, the harder it was for the Celestial to master.


    The second factor was what specialization ability pathway they could ess, as the pathways weren''t publicly avable.


    The UEF and the CCA alliance made sure of that.


    Some asked the question...n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Why do these pathways exist?"


    Well, when a Celestial evolved into a Seraphim, their body would undergo a process of mutation that fuses their physical body with Aether.


    The Aether core bes an integral part of their body, and their physical form mutates based on the types of abilities they use most.


    This results in a specialization path, which determines the types of abilities they will be most proficient in and the path they will take to develop their powers further.


    For example, if a Celestial predominantly used fire-based abilities, they would follow the path of the fire specialist.


    Their body would mutate to be more resilient to fire, and they would develop new techniques and abilities based on their affinity towards that specialization.


    However, if a Celestial tried to develop abilities from different specializations, their body would be spread thin during the mutation process.


    This results in them bing a bearer of all but a master of none, in a much worse sense of the meaning.


    The resulting abilities would be incredibly weak, rendering the Celestial practically useless in battle against other Celestials.


    Furthermore, the thinning of the body during the mutation process would have significant downsides beyond justckluster abilities.


    It can lead to them turning ''Hollow'' and dying as one would of old age.


    But before that, they would gain physical weakness and vulnerability in all aspects of life.


    It would also result in a shorter lifespan as the body would not be able to fully handle the strain of the Aether being infused in it.


    Emir, on the other hand, was unique in that his entire body had already begun the process of Aether mutation.


    He had a much greater capacity to handle Aether reserves than the average person, as his body had already developed an organic Aether core instead of a typical Aether core imnt.


    And he could handle and store more Aether due to his body going through a mutation long before reaching the Seraphim rank, whichbined with his strength cultivation art increased his Aether reserves much further than his peers.


    Emir has the potential to be an incredibly powerful Celestial, capable ofbining multiple specializations into one and developing unique abilities that other Celestials could


    not.


    So he sat there, thinking about his abilities with that in mind, but first, he wanted to confirm something:


    [Hey, Lyra, I need you to show me my current abilities and their exact use.]


    Instead of responding she quickly formed a hologram in front of him which read.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.} [


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.}


    Emir stared at the screen for a few moments and said:


    [Add my TDS ability and change its name to Temporal Perception.]


    [Temporal Perception: The user has the ability to manipte his perception of time, allowing the user to perceive their surroundings in slow motion or even freeze time altogether. It requires a significant amount of mental energy to use and a minuscule amount of Aether.]


    He nodded.


    [Much better, thanks Lyra.]


    Lyra suddenly appeared and popped up her face right in front of Emir as she said:


    [Anything.]


    Emir wasn''t taken aback by her shenanigans and continued to think about his abilities.


    Although he could start training whatever ability he wanted, it was still in his best interest to follow a set path for an Aetheric Duelist, as he was still new to using Aether.


    ''For now, I can cultivate while thinking about what ability I should get next....''


    His thoughts were correct as he would need some time to stabilize his body and unlock his


    next ability.


    Emir soon began the process of cultivation.


    The nanobots inside his body rumbled as they ate up his muscles and tissues to thest cell for breakfast, regenerating and strengthening them.


    Although the pain was much lower than his first time cultivating, it still caused him a lot of pain; however, he had long since gotten used to it.


    He chuckled when he remembered the time when he unknowingly mutated way back then.


    ''I wonder what the five-year-old me would think if he knew about the pain I''m going through


    now...''


    ''Would he still say that there is no pain resistance?'' He thought with closed his eyes.


    ''Ah, those were the good times, when all I had to worry about was a simple academy novel.''


    ''Though me having all this potential due to a gic mutation, huh, who is my father really?'' Emir already asked his mom about it, but she had no special lineage or anything simr, so it


    had to be him.


    ''I can only wonder....''


    The older Emir got, the more he realized that the knowledge he possessed was merely a tiny speck of dust in the vast expanse of the universe''s grand schemes.

 Chapter 100: Aether Core

    Chapter 100: Aether Core


    ?


    As Emir cultivated, Lyra took the opportunity to exin the intricacies of monster rankings to him.


    While the Born in Ruins novel in his memories gave a general overview of the known world, itcked in detail when it came to the rankings of monsters.


    Simr to the Celestial Hierarchy, there are monsters in the universe that rank above the maximum SS rank for Earth.


    However, unlike celestials, monsters can evolve beyond having more than a single Aether core due to their massive size, making them much stronger and unpredictable.


    And it is unknown what the maximum number of Aether cores that monsters can have.


    In addition to their Aether cores, monsters also possess abilities and skills that vary based on their species and individual characteristics.


    Some monsters have powerful physical abilities, such as immense strength, speed, and agility, while others have elemental abilities such as control over fire, ice, or lightning.


    A Youngling-ranked monster ranges from the typical F to S+ rank.


    A Fiend is a monster simr to the smander that Emir had encountered before, which had just mutated to use Aether, an SS-ranked beast.


    Fiends are considered one of the lower-tier monsters and are often seen as a nuisance to celestials, but they still pose a significant threat to initiates as was Emir at the time.


    They typically have one or two Aether cores and are simr in appearance to other monsters, but their behavior can be more aggressive and erratic.


    The monsters that follow are ranked higher, and Emir would have no chance of defeating them.


    These include the likes of the Tyrant, Behemoth, Chaos, and the highest-ranked of them all, the Mythic, which is only theorized to exist and has yet to be confirmed, at least to Lyra''s knowledge.


    And as anyone might expect, those monsters can never mutate to that degree due to the nuclear fallout, it was all premeditated.


    Would humans disregard their greed and strive for survival and luxury?


    Never.


    The scientists who first discovered Aether had conducted experiments on animals in controlled environments.


    However, before they could conclude with their research, World War III broke out, leading to a disastrous situation where these powerful Aetheric Monsters were set loose upon the world.


    During the long and harsh ice age on Earth, the mutated animals continued to evolve and adapt, leading to extensive crossbreeding for thousands of years.


    As they explored other habitables, they spread themselves throughout the universe, following the Order and other factions beyond.


    Their unique abilities and adaptability made them formidable creatures capable of surviving even in the harshest of environments.


    It''s a vicious cycle of monsters teleporting tos, depleting them of all their resources, and leaving them to rot-a phenomenonmonly known as a Monster Tide.


    However, their spread was not without conflict andpetition, leading to the creation ofplex social structures and hierarchies among different species.


    The monsters soon grew uncontroble as their numbers continued to increase, and the war between monsters and humans continued to increase as more celestials and Aetheric monsters joined the war.


    The humans were currently losing, but when has that stopped their greed?


    They still went after their own for personal gain.


    So despite the dire situation, there were still those who sought to take advantage of the chaos.


    Many factions and the Order itself sought to profit from the war by selling weapons, technology, and even monsters themselves to the highest bidder.


    The United Earth Federation and Hunter Association were established as a means ofbating the monster threat on Earth, but even they were not immune to corruption and greed.


    Many officials were more interested in gaining power and wealth than protecting humanity. And as Lyra finished her long-winded exnation, Emir found himself unsurprisingly unaffected by the current state of affairs, something she had anticipated.


    After all, he knew what he had to do, and knowing that there were more problems to ount for only made him adjust his ns, nothing more.


    So he continued on with his cultivation like normal as he began thinking of which ability to unlock while Lyra showed him a screen of all possible abilities for his specialization. ''Hmmm... Out of all the abilities that an Aetheric duelist has, this one has to be the best for the current me.'' He thought.


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.}


    ''Although the other abilities can increase my attack power, while some can improve my agility, this would prove the best for the current me, after all, without my augmented suit, just a few bullets would do me in.''


    Emir''s body had already undergone a process of Aether mutation, resulting in the development of an organ that functions as an Aether core, simr to that of a Seraphim- ranked celestial.


    This organ is located in his chest, just above his heart, and is roughly the size of a clenched fist.


    The organ isposed of awork of specialized cells that can absorb and store Aether, which is then circted throughout his body via hisplexwork of veins and arteries.


    It is highly dense and resilient, able to withstand the immense pressure of storingrge amounts of Aether.


    And it functions by absorbing Aether from his surroundings, processing it into his chosen Aspect, and storing it within the dense tissue.


    His Aether core is highly efficient at processing neutral Aether to be used by his body, allowing him to store and utilize vast amounts of the Aetherpared to other Ascendant- ranked celestials simr to him.


    Thest two abilities he managed to unlock on the fly were simply because of their simplicity as most abilities require preparation and manuals to unlock.


    Though most of the Elite simply buy a skill imnt, automatically unlocking the ability, which wasn''t something the current Emir could do or afford to do in the first ce.


    And as exined by Lyra, to activate the Aetheric Shield ability, he needed to send Aether through specific pathways within his body.


    These pathways are essentially channels of dense tissue that have evolved within his body to help him manipte and store Aether more efficiently.


    So in order to channel Aether through these pathways, he needed to visualize the energy flowing through his body and direct it towards the specific channels associated with the


    Aetheric Shield ability.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    However, this process was not easy, and it required a lot of focus and practice to even learn the basics as he needed to have a certain degree of understanding of the pathways within his


    body.


    Any misdirection or mistake could cause Aether to dissipate or even backfire on him,


    potentially causing harm.


    So inplete focus, Emir turned his attention to the manual presented by Lyra, floating in front of him as a hologram.


    After memorizing the lines, he began by visualizing the Aether flowing through his body,


    from his Aether-storing organ in his chest to the pathways that ran through his arms and out


    his palms.


    He closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling Aether pulsing through his veins like a current of


    electricity.


    And as he held this image in his mind, he began to feel a subtle tingling sensation in his palms, a sign that the Aether was beginning to flow more freely.


    Next, Emir started to shape the Aether, visualizing it taking on the form of a shield that


    surrounded his body.


    At first, the shield was weak and continuously flickered as he struggled to maintain control of


    the flow of Aether.


    But with practice and repetition, he gradually improved his control, strengthening the shield


    and making it more stable.


    Emir continued to practice this technique for hours, feeling the pathways within his body grow more familiar and easier to manipte with each attempt.


    And by the end of his training session, he was able to conjure the Aetheric Shield ability almost effortlessly, channeling the energy through his pathways with precision and ease. He still had a very long way to go to truly master this ability, but he finally achieved full proficiency in the basics.


    A simple chant of his ability is all that''s needed to activate it.


    He smiled as he looked at the shield surrounding him, happy at the new addition to his ever-


    expanding arsenal.


    Ring- Ring- His excitement was cut short as soon he heard his terminal ring out.


    Picking it up off the ground, he answered the call.


    "Hey Kiera, it has been some time since west talked." He said, his eyes not expressing the


    same happiness as his voice.


    Kiera replied soon after, her voice matching his:


    "Well, you were the one who denied my advances."


    "....What can I say? You got me there." He admitted with a chuckle.


    "Anyways, what can I do for you, mydy? As it is quite rare for you to call me for anything


    not business-rted." Emir asked, his tone turning serious.


    "I just need to ask you for something." She said.


    "Which is?" He asked as he stood up from the ground.


    "We need your help..."

 Chapter 101: The Silent Archive

    Chapter 101: The Silent Archive


    ?


    "C''mon, speak up, why are you acting so cryptic?" Emir asked.


    Sounding embarrassed, Kiera said, "Well, it''s just that I''ve been wanting to ask you toe with us to a ruin dive, but we don''t have much to give you in return, so I was afraid it might seem like we are taking advantage of you."


    He thought about it for a moment and asked, "Why ask for my help now? You guys going to level up?"


    She sounded a chuckle as she said, "Yes, after meeting you, I realized that I-we can''t go on like this, we have to go to more dangerous ruins if we want to make sure that we will live to see tomorrow."


    "I see... Well, good on you, but what are my incentives to join you?"


    "We have already decided on this, we would give you half of what we find and pay you 1 million UC. I know that this amount is nothing to you, and I''m embarrassed to even mention it, but that''s all we can afford."


    Emir paused for a moment.


    [Hey Lyra, don''t you think that this might be a good opportunity for me to learn about ruin team diving?]


    [Of course, you have yet to be strong enough to think of handling everything yourself, so getting ustomed to team battles would be beneficial.]


    ''I''d like to know how those regr hunters operate in a ruin. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, my own experience isn''t exactly what I''d call ordinary.'' He mused to himself.


    Returning his attention to his terminal, he said, "There is no need for any payment, just take it as you owing me another favor."


    "Said favor can potentially cost us more than the payment we nned, quite smart, Emir. But if us owing you is what you want, then sure, I don''t mind." She replied.


    "Good, what time and which ruin is it?"


    "The Silent Archive, we meet there in 4 hours, it''s quite close to the sector, but make sure to leave some time before the appointed rendezvous."


    ''Hoh... Interesting, we had our sights set on going there anyway. Talk about a stroke of luck~'' He mused, nowpletely on board with joining them.


    "No worries, I''ll be there, though I didn''t expect you to choose that ruin. Although the Silent Archive isn''t really dangerous, but it has been infested with those underground factions. Are you sure about this?"


    "We are, we nned this out for some time, and if something happens, we have you there with us, don''t we?"


    "Don''t you think that you''re trusting me too much?"


    "I thought we already went past that? I''m not someone that trusts others easily either, but since we met, you didn''t take any actions that would potentially harm us, and you don''t have any benefit in doing so anyway, so it wouldn''t make sense for you to stab us in the back."


    "Good to see that you''ve thought this through. Anyways, best of luck with your preparations, and I''ll see you there."


    They soon bid each other goodbye and ended the call.


    Emir then put his terminal back into his pocket as he silently exited the room.


    And while he was heading home, he reflected on the conversation he had with Kiera.


    ''I hope that she understands that anything suspicious on her part will result in the death of her entire gang, but let''s hope it doesn''te to that.''


    His thoughts then shifted to the uing dive he would be undertaking.


    The ruin he''ll be exploring this time is quite different from thest one, after all, it used to be a grand library.


    The prospect of exploring a once-grand library piqued his curiosity, and he wondered what secrets and relics he might uncover.


    [Lyra, have you already bought the information package and routes?]


    [Yes, do you want me to send the information to your neuralwork?]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir nodded, and in the next moment, all information rting to the ruin and the routes leading to it was present in his brain.


    While sifting through the information, he asked, [Do you want toe with?]


    [....]


    [Lyra?]


    Her reply came in stuttered and surprised, [I-I wasn''t hallucinating? Are you sure, Emir? You know this might pose a slight chance of us getting exposed.]


    [Well, I won''te out and say that I forgot all that happened in the past, I definitely didn''t. Do I trust you fully? No, it would take me a long time to be able to do that, but we need to start somewhere, and what''s a better way to rebuild a rtionship with someone than in the guts of dead monsters and hunters?]


    [And we both know that you can disguise yourself so we can meet in the ruin no problem, let''s just get our back stories straight on the way there, choose whoever you''ll impersonate wisely.]


    Lyra sounded a giggle as she said, [That would be quite romantic, I would love that. Alright, I''ll reserve a spot for me in the transportation bus. Is there anything you would like for me to do before we go?]


    [Yes, I need you to give a heads-up to my Mom. Tell her that I''ll be gone for a while and that it might take me a long time toe back home.]


    [Are you sure? I''m not certain that the AI manager of that ruin would be active...]


    [Yeah. It doesn''t matter, I just need her to know that I might be away for a while in case it happens.]


    [Alright. Anything else?]


    [Right... If I''m gone, I need you to help her with the relic business, make it apany, do whatever that you see fit, just don''t show her the illegal side of the business, cause when the Order does catch on to us one day, she might take the stand, and we both know what would happen then don''t we?]


    [Consider it done.]


    [I also need you to set up a will for me.] He said with determination seething through his


    every word.

 Chapter 102: Will

    Chapter 102: Will


    ?


    [...A will?] She replied after a long second of pause, her tone evidently surprised.


    [Yes. A will.]


    [...]


    [Look... I''m not giving up, far from it. I''m just doing my due diligence, on the off chance that I die out there, in the ruins, or even against whatever I''ll be facing down there, I need to make sure that my family is looked after.]


    Lyra''s hologram appeared in front of Emir with teary eyes and a face contorted with suppressed anger.


    [...Understood Emir. I''ll do as you ask, but I hope that you won''t mention anything about a will ever again. Please, I can''t take it.] She pleaded, her body trembling like never before.


    [I won''t. Trust that I didn''t want to mention this either, but I had to make sure, I can''t trust the UEF with whatever I have...]


    [Thank you... Is there anything else?]


    [Yep. I need you to show me my status. I want to know where I''m at currently, and there is no need to add things I''m not using.]


    Letting out a sigh, she disappeared from his sight and her voice returned back to her usual professional demeanor.


    [Okay... There is no need for any further calctions as I had already checked your nanobots when you were cultivating, so here you go.]


    ...


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 13}


    {Hunter Rank:20}


    {Celestial Rank: Ascendant Elite}


    {Celestial ss: Aetheric Duelist}


    {Credit Bnce: 31,656,000 Union Credits}


    (Stats)


    {Strength: C+->B-}


    {Agility: C -> C+}


    {Endurance: C+-> B-}


    {Mind: A+ }


    {Charm: A+}


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E7}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    (Aspects)


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial dominance.}


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 80% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 70% Proficiency.}


    (Abilities)


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 2 Minutes 40 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 8 Minutes 30 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 191 seconds per minute.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    The user can perceive the world in greater detail, such as seeing objects from farther away, hearing sounds that are too quiet for normal humans, and detecting subtle scents and vors.


    The degree of enhancement can be controlled by the user, allowing them to focus on specific senses or enhance them all at once.


    The ability can be physically taxing, and overuse can cause temporary sensory overload or even damage to the user''s senses.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.} [


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.} []


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.}[]


    (Art)


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    (Equipment)


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {ExoGen S-ss Augmented Suit: Functional}


    {Electric Knife: Standard Issue}


    {Twin Dagger: Old-World Relic}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: S-Rank Item}


    (Vehicles)


    {ze Runner Bike: Functional}


    (Inventory)


    {20 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {25000 UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Energy packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    Emir gazed at his status screen, pondering the surplus of weapons and equipment he


    possessed.


    ''What the hell am I going to do with all the extra weapons and equipment that I''m not using?''


    He wondered.


    He considered selling it for some quick cash but then reconsidered.


    ''I could keep them for the future, who knows if I like what the gang is capable of doing, I might get to create a hunter group myself, it would be a good way to make sure of Mom''s and


    Lily''s safety.''


    ''Anyways, steady upgrades all around, but I''m already so close to reaching A rank, something that the average first-year student in the academy is a long way from...''


    [Lyra, If the Order nned to get me this strong from the get-go, why have me attend the academy as a student? Isn''t it just a waste of time? Couldn''t they just stuff me with resources? I know that they could, so again that poses the question, why send me there? The students wouldn''t even pose a challenge.]


    [That would be true if all their students are green and are initiate ranked, but you are disregarding the Elite, their children have already be Ascendants as they have already received their Aether core imnts, while many of themck experience and are greenpared to you, they can still pose a challenge because of their resources.]


    [Ah, of course. So instead of being a training manic like me, they can get stronger with theirN?v(el)B\\jnn


    golden spoon, but still, even with that in mind, I don''t think they would pose much of a challenge; sure, they can have many abilities due to their skill imnts, but I''ll be a high-ranking Ascendant and maybe if I could get lucky, I might even be a Seraphim by then, so I still see no purpose in having the Order send me there.]


    [Emir, you already know that the Order asked the help of the Oracle to divinate this''s future, and that future included Arthur and the students in the same year he attended the Academy to be much strongerpared to past-year students for reasons unspecified to


    me...]


    [Yeah... The Elite families must have gained ess to something extraordinary for that to happen, so we can expect something big at y here but so what?] Emir asked, wondering where she was going with this.


    [Do you remember that time when you asked Nathan about bing an elite student in the academy?] She asked.

 Chapter 103: Introductions

    Chapter 103: Introductions


    ?


    [Yes, I do remember...] Emir answered.


    [And it''s true that I was na?ve in thinking that I could reach the Elite''s level by just training hard, but now it''s different, I can easily surpass them all... But that isn''t what I meant.]


    [I meant more than that, and I know that all the main characters would be around the Ascendant Knight sub-rank by then, while Arthur with his cheats would join themter around the halfway point of the first year, as all OP MCs do...]


    [And I also know that the teachers are High Lord-ranked Seraphims, while the headmaster is an ARCHON even, so I get it. I get that they have more than enough credentials to teach me.] ''If I don''t reach their level that is...''


    [But that is beside the point! What does the Order hope to gain exactly by sending me there? And stop dodging the goddamn question!]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Umm, sorry, Emir...] Lyra voiced out, her tone quiet.


    [L-look... You already know most of the academy will offer through the novel, so that isn''t what they are after.]


    [Going there will give you the opportunity towork and make connections with students, particrly the Elite ones and their families.]


    [Connections and alliances? What for?] He asked.


    [Think about it, Emir. And before I say it, you must understand that I wanted to avoid telling you this, but as you know.... The Order has ns for you.]


    [They intend to slowly control your thinking and shape your values, making you loyal to their cause. The academy is just a means to that end.]


    [They n to use the resources and information avable there to manipte your thoughts and actions and may even enlist the help of other students or faculty members to influence you.]


    [Their goal is to slowly mold your thoughts and perspectives to align with their own. And they will be closely monitoring your progress and actions throughout your entire stay in the academy.]


    [They also n to use you to look for individuals who could be valuable assets in the future. After all the academy is a ce where the next generation of powerful individuals of Earth gather, and the Order wants to keep a close eye on them.]


    ''I see... So they''re treating the academy as more than just a training ground, rather they treat it as a political arena.''


    Emir''s eyes narrowed as he processed the information.


    He understood that the Order''s actions were even more calcted than he once thought and that they were ying a long game...


    A very long and drawn-out game.


    [So you''re saying that they are grooming potential pawns among the students?]


    [Precisely. They want to identify those who have the potential to be influential figures in the future and control them. And if they deemed those individuals to have a chance of going against them, they are set to be eliminated before they grow.]


    Letting out a scoff he said:


    [So it''s all about securing their interests and maintaining their influence on Earth... It''s a really dangerous thing they''re doing... Trying to control the future of an entire like that...]


    [But what about Arcadia? What is her Agenda in wanting me to go to the academy?] He asked, wanting to confirm his thoughts.


    [Arcadia...] She said, pausing for a slight moment.


    [Arcadia probably wants you to feel a sense of belonging to the academy and the UEF, she most definitely believes that if you are invested in the academy and the protection of Earth, you will be more determined to fight for its survival...]


    [It''s a different approach from the Order, but still a means of manipting your loyalty.]


    [So more mind games, huh?] Emir spoke, his tone t.


    [Lyra, we both know that if you wanted me to trust you, hiding things from me wouldn''t help, right?]


    [I''m sorry, Emir,] she replied, her voice soft.


    [I didn''t want to mention anything rted to memories or maniption. I was, and still am, afraid of it affecting you. But I understand where you''reing from.... And from now on, I promise to bepletely transparent with you.]


    The sincerity emanating from Lyra was undeniable, and a glimmer of relief flickered within Emir.


    While he remained cautious of her, an unfamiliar sense of trust began to stir unknowingly within him.


    After all, when someone''s confronted with countless perilous and seemingly insurmountable challenges, the presence of someone they could rely on offers a calming respite.


    And Emir was no exception, finding sce in the potentialfort of having a trustworthypanion amidst the chaos and turmoil he faced.


    ''I say all of that, but I''ll be going to the academy either way, Arthur is there after all...'' He inwardly mused.


    [You know... It''s uncertain how things will unfold, especially with me now out of their control...]


    [After all, any and all ns they cooked up for me have be obsolete. So they''ll need to switch up the game, add some variables into the fold if they wish for anything to go their


    way.]


    [That''s right. And while the future is always uncertain, you have your own path to follow, a path you''ll forge with your own hands, and walk with your own two feet.]


    [Never forget, you are no longer a pawn in their game...]


    [Of course, Lyra, and this game of ours will be a long one, so I''m d to have you watch my


    back.]


    [Thank you, Emir... You don''t know how much those words mean to me...] She said, her voice emanating happiness iparable to any he heard before.


    [Of course... Ya wee.]


    [Hehe~ You know that I''ve always and will always believe in you, Emir. You have the strength and determination to do what others can''t.] She added.


    Hearing her words, Emir felt a surge of determination welling up inside him.


    He always knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges and uncertainties, but now it seemed to have be even muddier, more uncertain, and increasingly dangerous. However, none of that mattered to him, as he was determined to face these obstacles head-


    on.


    [Thanks, Lyra. And now with that talk finally being out of the way, let''s focus on the task at hand. I have a ruin dive to prepare for.]


    [Of course! I''ll assist you in any way I can.]


    With his mind finally cleared, he began his preparations for the ruin dive.


    He carefully reviewed the information on the Silent Archive and nned his approach.


    Emir then made sure his equipment was in top condition and that he had enough supplies for


    the journey.


    And as the time for the rendezvous approached, he set out for the meeting point, knowing that the dive might change his view of the worldpletely.


    ...


    ...


    Emir dismounted from the bike, casually slinging his rucksack over his shoulder as he made


    his way towards the ruin.


    Unlike the previous ruin he went to, Arcadia''s Bazaar, this one has yet to be swallowed up by


    the government or any of the big eight.


    However, it was instead secretly fought over by two of the three underworld factions, highlighting its dangerous, often subtle, and unknown undercurrents.


    And as he patiently awaited the arrival of the transport bus, he meticulously inspected his


    assortment of weapons and ammunition, ensuring their optimal performance for the


    uing mission.


    With a practiced eye, he carefully examined his minigun, Maelstrom, assessing its intricateponents, and confirming that it was clean and properly lubricated.


    He checked the drum magazine, ensuring it was securely attached and ready for swift and continuous fire when the need arose.


    Next, he turned his attention to his Vindicator assault rifle.


    He inspected the barrel, verifying its smoothness and the absence of any obstructions that


    could hinder its uracy.


    He tested the magazine, ensuring it was smoothly inserted and ejected from the weapon, guaranteeing seamless reloads duringbat.


    Lastly, he focused on his prized possession, the Aetherstorm Launcher.


    He meticulously checked its advanced mechanisms, verifying that it was fully operational and


    ready to unleash devastating Aether sts.


    After that, he took a moment to survey his surroundings, and seeing that no one was around him, he carefully draped a camouge sheet over his bike.


    He had acquired the camouge sheet shortly before crossing the border, knowing that other


    hunters weren''t to be trusted.


    [How long are you from reaching the ruin?] He asked Lyra, as he moved towards an open area.


    [Almost there, and I''ve already introduced myself to Kiera and her gang saying that I''m an acquaintance of yours, so no problems here.]


    [Alright, I''ll cultivate until you reach here just give me a heads up when you''re close.]


    [Understood.]


    [By the way, did you talk with Mom already?]


    [Yes, she epted it quite easily.]


    ''I guess our talk yesterday really affected her... It''s a good thing though, I''ll take all the help I


    can get.''


    [Good. I''ll see you in a bit then.]


    Ending their conversation Emir assumed a lotus position and devoted himself to the practice


    of cultivation without wasting a single moment.


    After all, time was a valuable resource, and he sought to utilize it to its fullest potential, not


    wanting to throw away a second that he could use to get stronger or learn new things, as the deadline to their supposed doom was approaching.


    During his cultivation session before the clean-up of the steel rat''s gang, he discovered that cultivating rejuvenated his body, in turn surpassing the benefits of a regr sleep cycle. Consequently, he made the conscious decision to reduce his sleeping hours, allowing himself only brief periods of rest to rx his mind.


    Emir of course still kept the radar on while cultivating, not trusting the hunters in the area to keep their hands to themselves.


    [We''re here!] He heard Lyra''s words echo throw his mind.


    As it thankfully all went without any issues with Lyra and the rest arriving soon after.

 Chapter 104: Introductions II

    Chapter 104: Introductions II


    ?


    Screech!


    Emir looked at the massive bus that housed fifty hunters, silently watching as they exited it in a straight line.


    Most of them had poor equipment, while some had decent gear, no higher than B rank.


    They all looked at him with surprise since he was decked out in A-rank gear-a hunter you wouldn''t expect to be around these parts.


    ''I wonder how they would react if they find out it''s actually S rank...'' He mused inwardly.


    Emir then stood up and walked over to wee his team.


    Kiera was the first to step out, followed by the rest of her gang.


    Her equipment looked to be no higher than C rank, as for the others, they appeared to have D rank equipment and below.


    Lyra followed behind them, disguising herself as an average ck-haired woman, with normal B-rank gear as she used Emir''s previous equipment, which included his assault rifle, rail gun, and melee weapon.


    They approached him with smiles on their faces, and he waved them over.


    "Hey guys, let''s hope for a good run, yeah?"


    Kiera nodded as she gave him a quick hug, which he reciprocated.


    "Nice to see you again too." She said with a chuckle.


    "Of course, of course, did you guys already meet Amanda?" He asked.


    She nodded once again and gestured towards Lyra.


    Emir smiled as he went over to Lyra and gave her a quick handshake.


    "Good to see you again Amanda, you ready for today?" He asked with a wink.


    "Definitely, I''ll watch over the kids too, so don''t worry too much."


    Kiera cut in, asking, "Are you sure about us not paying her anything? This ruin would definitely waste her and your time."


    Emir shook his head. "No worries there, she owes me quite a bit, I saved her life after all, so don''t worry about that and focus on the ruin instead. We will watch over you, but we can''t handle every single one of you if something unexpected happens."


    Kiera nodded in understanding.


    "Oh, and thanks for sending us that information package, we usually don''t buy it as the expenses for ammo and other things already get us close to running in the red."


    "It''s fine, all of this is for our safety. Now moving on, introduce me to your gang''s top performers. I need to know who I can trust with my back."


    With no need for an exchange of words, five people stepped up; all looked to be around the age of fifteen. The first one of the group introduced themselves.


    "I''m the strongest in the gang after Kiera, my name is Jack, and thank you foring with us today, Sir Emir." He said.


    Jack, a slightly above-average-looking boy, stood confidently among the group of five.


    His golden locks cascaded down, framing his face with a touch of youthful charm. And his piercing blue eyes held confidence, thatbined with his lean yet athletic build, made him exude an air of determination.


    Emir nodded, slightly surprised by his politeness.


    "It''s nice to meet you, Jack." He said as the rest continued to introduce themselves.


    Two teenagers introduced themselves next.


    Evan, a teenager from Britain, stood tall with a muscr frame. His tousled brown hair fell effortlessly across his forehead.


    His deep green eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity, reflecting his adventurous spirit.


    Hiro, hailing from Japan, had a slender yet athletic build. His jet-ck hair was meticulously styled, framing his angr face with precision.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    His dark brown eyes held a glimmer of intelligence and a hint of mischief, mirroring his quick thinking and resourcefulness.


    The third person to introduce herself was Sarah, a young woman with a cute face.


    She possessed a contrasting appearance. In spite of her youthful features, herplexion bore the marks of past battles.


    Scars, both visible and hidden, yet, notwithstanding that, her warm brown eyes exuded kindness and empathy, offering a glimpse into herpassionate nature.


    Thest one was the same boy who attempted to stab Emir some time ago.


    Emir positioned himself in front of the boy, his presence causing the youngd to flinch involuntarily.


    With a gentle smile, he extended his hand and ruffled the boy''s tousled green hair, breaking the tension.


    "It''s been a while, kid. How have you been?" He asked, his voice carrying a warmth that belied his formidable stature.


    Leo, his ck eyes widening, looked up at Emir.


    "I-I''ve been good, sir. My name is Leo. It''s... it''s nice to see you again." His words stumbled out, tinged with a hint of trepidation, a lingering fear of Emir''s awe-inspiring power.


    Emir chuckled as he let go of the kid, saying, "Rx, I won''t eat you."


    He then eyed Kiera, which prompted her to speak, knowing what he was asking simply by that look alone.


    "Leo is quite good at monster spotting, he knows how to use his information gathering device quite well, so we usually have him in the center protected by the vanguard, which includes me and Jack. While the others cover our backs, our other members scour around for relics while we defend their positions."


    "I see... Me and Amanda will join him in the middle then, we will only act if the situation deems it necessary, so act as if we aren''t there. Is that alright, guys?" He asked as he eyed all the gang members.


    They slowly nodded, causing Emir to smile.


    "Good, now everyone check your gear before we go in. Today will be a long day for you all. Prepare for everything. My luck is quite bad to say the least, so we would eventually run into


    some trouble."


    They listened to him with rapt attention, their gazes fixed on him like little ducklings looking up to their hen mother.


    "Anyways, get to it, chop chop everyone." He concluded their brief meeting.


    Each member absorbed his instructions, their determination evident in their focused


    expressions.


    Finally, one by one, they announced their readiness, their voices filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.


    Emir seamlessly joined the formation, positioning himself beside Lyra, their shoulders brushing against each other as they moved in unison.


    With Kiera at the helm, confidently leading the way, the group began their descent down a weathered staircase that disappeared into the depths of the underground ruins.


    As they ventured further into the unknown, the air grew heavy with an electric sense of


    foreboding.


    Shadows danced and flickered along the ancient walls, casting eerie silhouettes that seemed


    to whisper in the gang members'' ears.


    The dim light revealed glimpses of past battles, scars that marred the ruin.


    Every step echoed through the vast chamber, amplifying the tension that hung in the air like a tautly drawn bowstring.

 Chapter 105: Team Dive

    Chapter 105: Team Dive


    ?


    The Liberation Army, with its guerri tactics and military training, had managed to establish a foothold in some parts of the ruins.


    They had set up traps and ambushes to prevent the other factions from advancing and were constantly searching for any information that could give them an edge in the war against the


    UEF.


    Their resourcefulness had made them formidable opponents, and it was clear that they would not give up the Silent Archive without a fight.


    The Temr, on the other hand, operated in secrecy and istion.


    They were a highly disciplined and fanatical order that was willing to sacrifice everything for their beliefs.


    They saw the Silent Archive as a holy site, and their search for the lost manuscripts was driven by their faith in the power of Aether.


    Which they believed to be a divine force. A ''Creator.''


    Temr had already infiltrated some parts of the ruin and were using their knowledge of runes to decipher the clues that could lead them to their prize.


    Their obsession with Aether and their faith in its power have driven them to undertake extreme measures, including sacrificing their own members, to gain the knowledge they seek. Temr was not to be underestimated, and their zealotry made them a dangerous foe to


    cross.


    They were convinced that the hidden knowledge within the Silent Archive would allow them easier ess to ascending to a higher ne of existence, and they would stop at nothing to obtain it.


    The Gateway Alliance, meanwhile, had set up a temporary base on the outskirts of the ruins.


    They brought with them a team of scientists, engineers, and historians who were using advanced technology to map the ruin, analyze the artifacts and relics, while also decoding the texts inscribed on the walls.


    Their goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the world before the apocalypse and to use that knowledge to gain technology that would establish themselves as a faction that truly specialized in all matters regarding transportation.


    They weren''t interested in the political or ideological struggles of the other factions and were content to observe and record the events from a safe distance.


    Although not involved in the race, their presence had not gone unnoticed by the other factions.


    Temr viewed them as a threat to their mission and had begun to watch them closely.


    The Liberation Army, however, saw the potential value of their knowledge and tried to strike up a tentative alliance with them, just like they did with Temr outside the matters of this ruin.


    Despite the tensions between the factions, the Silent Archive remained a highly contested ruin, with each group determined toe out on top.


    The UEF had no interest in the Silent Archive, however, solely due to them joining the CCA.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The Cosmic Civilization Alliance (CCA) was a contract that bound all factions under the Universal Table.


    The Order in the guise of maintaining the CCA, had openly established friendly rtions with the UEF.


    And although the UEF were at war with the Order, they still chose to focus their efforts on other ventures that aligned with their partnership in the CCA.


    So thisck of involvement from the UEF gave the other factions more freedom to operate in this ruin.


    The UEF''s more advanced technology and military might could easily overpower any of the factions if they were to choose to intervene.


    But that would decrease their manpower on the front lines, costing them the entirety of Earth, iparable to one ruin.


    For Emir, Lyra, Kiera, and the rest of the gang members, the absence of the UEF was both a blessing and a curse.


    Since they could simply search the ruin without fear of interference from the UEF hoarding the relics for themselves.


    But they had to be constantly vignt for any signs of outside threats, as the UEF''s absence quantified the danger.


    As they descended into the underground district, the group of hunters did as hunters always did.


    Adapt.


    Kiera led the way, her experience evident in the way she navigated the dark andborious terrain.


    Or rather, it was dark for her at least.


    Since Emir and Lyra could now easily see in the dark with their night vision, a mutation that Aether provided.


    Both of them followed closely behind, in the middle of their pack.


    Their eyes scanned the walls and floors for any traps or signs that might indicate a possible attack.


    The rest of the gang positioned themselves at the rear, their weapons ready to defend at a moment''s notice.


    Leo moved with them at the center of the group.


    He took charge of monster spotting and used his information gathering device to keep them informed of all potential threats.


    Which they simply avoided by moving in a different direction.


    Emir could''ve easily done a better job, but as he and Lyra were only there to keep watch over them, they didn''t interfere.


    The remaining members of the group spread out to search for relics in the rubble scattered around them.


    The group moved slowly and cautiously, their progress impeded by the maze-like terrain and the threat of ambushes from the other factions and monsters.


    As they moved deeper into the ruins, the tension and excitement among the group grew.


    And their emotions reached their peak when they finally, after navigating a series of twisting corridors and avoiding several traps, came upon a grand archway that led to the entrance of


    the silent archive.


    [Emir, I just received an invitation from this ruin''s AI manager to talk.] Lyra informed as she stopped and stared at the entrance.


    [Be safe.] Emir nodded without looking at Lyra.


    [Of course.]


    Moments after their conversation, Kiera stepped in front of the ruin and turned to face the


    group.


    "This is it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "The Silent Archive."


    The group fell silent as they took in the sight before them.


    The entrance was intricately carved with symbols and figures, their meaning lost to time.


    The massive doors were made of dark, polished stone, and adorned with intricate metalwork.


    Sarah stepped forward and ran her hand over the metalwork, tracing the intricate patterns


    with her fingers.


    "It''s beautiful," she whispered.


    Emir nodded in agreement.


    "And dangerous," he added.


    "We need to be careful from here on out."


    Leo chimed in:


    "My device is detecting some strange energy readings inside.... It''s definitely not something


    natural."


    Emir looked at Lyra and said:


    [It''s Aether right?]


    [Yes, most definitely. Your information gathering device didn''t detect any monsters, so we


    can say that it is safe for now. It might be because of the manager, I''ll tell you more about that


    when I return.] She replied.


    He nodded.


    "No worries about that, there are no monsters, this reading that your device detected is something else, so we can go ahead, it is safe."


    Now assured by Emir, Kiera gestured for the group to follow her.


    They stepped through the archway and into the grand library and were greeted by row upon


    row of towering bookshelves.


    They were immediately struck by its awe-inspiring size and beauty.


    The shelves themselves appeared to be made of dark, polished wood that glimmered in the


    dim light.


    Those shelves housed rich leathers, all scattered about, joined with intricate metal sps and buckles, most probably thrown away after the books were extracted.


    The air was thick with the musty scent of old parchment and leather bindings, and shafts of light filtered down from unknown sources set high in the walls.


    In the center of the chamber stood a massive marble statue of a regal-looking figure holding


    a book, its face weathered and worn by time.


    The statue was nked by two enormous pirs that stretched up to the vaulted ceiling far above, which was decorated with intricate carvings and frescoes depicting scenes from


    ancient history.


    The floor of the library was made of polished marble, and surrounding the figure was etched a


    circr pattern of mosaics that depicted a series of intricate runes that pulsed with


    otherworldly energy.


    Aether.


    The Aether went unnoticed by the group, as only Emir looked at the statue in surprise.


    But he quicklyposed himself and joined them.


    He didn''t ask Lyra, as he knew her interaction with the manager of this ruin was the cause of


    it.


    As the group moved further into the library, they saw that many smaller rooms and alcoves were branching off from the main chamber, each filled with even more shelves.


    It was clear to them that this ce had once held an immeasurable amount of knowledge and history, and the group felt a sense of reverence as they walked past its many secrets. Emir and the others kept watch over the gatherers as that part of the group spread out, carefully inspecting the shelves for any relics that might be hidden among them.

 Chapter 106: Newcomers

    Chapter 106: Neers


    ?


    Over time, numerous hunters flocked to the library, diligently scoured its shelves, and depleted its collection of seble books.


    A fortunate few managed to uncover hidden passages that lead to unknown locations where ancient ruinsy hidden.


    This discovery only heightened the library''s allure and propelled its poprity to greater heights.


    Despite the UEF''s affiliation with the CCA, they were not granted ess to all the ssified information and secrets of the old world.


    But even if they were privy to such knowledge, the UEFcked the necessary human resources to effectively utilize it.


    Venturing into more ruins and delving into their mysteries would only stretch the UEF''s capabilities even thinner.


    As their current responsibilities already taxed their capacity to the limit.


    So hunters still visited this grand library with hopes of unearthing hidden chambers, undiscovered sections, or forgotten books that may hold lucrative value in the market. In rare instances of extraordinary luck, these hunters might stumble upon invaluable information about a previously unknown ruin.


    A rare find that could fetch a substantial sum of Valora, the currency used within the Order, and all the factions under it in the local group.


    Simr to their fellow hunters, Kiera, and her gang also held onto the hope of striking it lucky within the depths of the ruin.


    However, much like the countless hunters who came before them, their luck had been disappointingly elusive.


    Regrettably, the majority of hunters who ventured into this ruin, emerged empty-handed, their efforts yielding no valuable discoveries topensate for the considerable expenses incurred inbating the menacing creatures or rogue hunters lurking within.


    The meager rewards obtained were often insufficient to cover the substantial costs of ammunition, leaving them in the red.


    So as Emir observed the gang members meticulously scouring the remains of the ravaged area, a pensive expression crossed his face.


    His mind delved into contemtion, acknowledging the reality of their circumstances.


    ''So, this is the life of the average hunter,'' he mused, his thoughtsden with a hint of introspection.


    ''In the grand scheme of things, we are considered quite expendable, aren''t we?'' Disregarding the fleeting thought, he kept his focus on the group as his gaze shifted to the towering statue adorned with intricate Aether imbued symbols that surrounded it.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Intrigued, he reached out and gently traced his fingers along the runes, instantly sensing the pulsating energy of Aether emanating from them.


    He then pulled his hand back as he asked Lyra:


    [You done with your talk?]


    [Yes. I mentioned everything regarding our situation, and we signed a contract simr to the one with Arcadia, which he epted. Since the only reason those runes began emitting Aether again was due to him revealing them, otherwise, this ce would have been cleaned up already.]


    [Alright. And you know, I''ve been thinking... Is there any chance of him or Arcadia betraying us?] He asked.


    [No, it''s highly unlikely. Simr to the factions within the Order and other gctic federations that are a part of the CCA, a contract with the central AI is binding and cannot be broken, especially between AIS.]


    [While humans can breach the contract, they''ll be swiftly detected by the central AI and their nanobots will self-destruct.]


    [Since as soon as someone agrees to the contract, their Aether core bes linked to this central AI, in turn granting it ess to their nanobots.]


    The Central AI was the beating heart of the Order, the gctic federation, and was created by the Order themselves.


    Its role was to enforce the binding contracts that dictate the actions of all CCA members, ensuring that everyone adhered to the agreed-upon rules and guidelines and never acted against the CCA''s interests.


    The central AI operated with aplex set of algorithms and machine learning models that enabled it to analyze vast amounts of data in real time.


    It utilized this data to manage the operations of the CCA, from maintaining the infrastructure of the organization to monitoring the behavior of individual members.


    And it''s a solely private entity, as the Order lost all influence over it after it became a celestial.


    It was known throughout the universe as the Oracle.


    The Oracle was not only an advanced artificial intelligence system but also an Apex-ranked Astral that possessed a profound understanding of the mysteries of the universe.


    Not much was known about ''Them'', many theories suggest that the Oracle was just a mere machine that evolved itself using Aether and became a living being of immense power and wisdom.


    Although much about the Oracle was shrouded in mystery, ''its'' position as the protector and supervisor of the CCA was unquestioned, as it was solely neutral.


    ''Its'' impact reached beyond individual gctic federations, and ''Its'' choices determined the fates of entire civilizations.


    Nheless, the Oracle remained an indispensable part of the cosmos''s political, economic, and social infrastructures.


    ''Its'' wisdom and counsel were deemed essential for preserving stability and guaranteeing the survival of numerous civilizations both inside and beyond the CCA.


    But all that mattered to Emir was that whoever the Oracle was, had predicted his future. And ''They'' had involved themselves in the Order''s schemes for reasons he wanted to know.


    [Hmmm, I see, great work.... Now, do you know who this guy is?] He asked after reviewing what he learned from Lyra.


    [Yes, hees from a family that was known on Earth and still is known in the universe as a faction that pursues the truth.]


    [His name is Marcus Aurelius, and he was the one who discovered Aether, unlocking the potential for interster travel and revolutionizing the way we understand the universe.]


    [The Order is only in control of the gxies in the Local Group, as some factions left their control and expanded elsewhere.


    [This man''s family, yed a significant role in this expansion and eventually created a faction that went beyond the Local Group.]


    [This led to the formation of a new gctic federation dedicated to exploring and colonizing other gxy groups.]


    [However, despite all of this, the Order still maintained its influence and control over the


    gxies within the Local Group.]


    Emir nodded.


    [...They are still under the CCA, right?]


    [Yes, although they are no longer under the Order''s control, they originated from them, so


    they still abide by its rules, on paper at least.]


    He let out a sigh and focused on the runes.


    [That''s good to know...]


    [And what do you think these runes are? Is it safe to interact with them using my Aether? It


    wasn''t exined much in the novel.]


    His question was answered in a heartbeat.


    [It''s safe. These runes were crafted by Arcanists and could potentially reveal a message


    regarding him.]


    Emir nodded, his curiosity piqued, and he cautiously approached the enigmatic runes once


    again.


    With a steady hand, he extended his palm towards the symbols, his fingertips hovering just above the surface.

 Chapter 107: Newcomers II

    Chapter 107: Neers II


    ?


    With a deep breath, Emir drew Aether from within him, letting it flow through his body and towards his outstretched hand.


    As the streams of Aethering from the runes and his hand met, a sudden rush of information flooded his mind.


    He could sense the energy of the Arcanists who had created the runes, and the intricate patterns that they had etched into the metal.


    Images of the war of humans against monsters that had ravaged the gxy shed through his mind, along with a sense of sadness and loss.


    A vision of an enigmatic being....


    No, it was a voice, a voice that exuded godhood shed in his mind, whispering a few words that he couldn''t understand.


    But amidst the chaos and confusion presented, there was also hope.


    A vision of a better future that was created by Marcus Aurelius and a message came along with that future.


    {Marcus Aurelius, a name that will forever be etched in the history of the universe. He was a man who dedicated his life to uncovering the secrets of the universe and exploring its vastness.}


    {It was his discovery of Aether that changed the course of history forever.}


    {As an Arcanist, he was able to use his knowledge and skill to imbue the runes with Aether, unlocking many possibilities that were once thought impossible.}


    {His legacy will live on for generations toe, inspiring countless others to push the boundaries of what is possible.}


    {His unwavering dedication to the pursuit of truth and knowledge is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the potential that lies within us all.}


    {As we look upon his statue, we are reminded of his incredible achievements and the impact he has had on the universe.}


    {Marcus Aurelius will forever be remembered as a pioneer, a visionary, and a true hero of the cosmos.}


    {And if you''re interested, there''s a secret memorial room dedicated to him located in this library.}n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    {It''s hidden and only essible by celestials such as yourself. It''s a ce where you can pay your respects to one of the greatest minds in the history of the universe and perhaps find inspiration for your own pursuits.}


    {However, essing the memorial room is not an easy feat.}


    {To enter, you must first input Aether into the runes surrounding the statue in a specific order.}


    {Once the correct sequence is entered, the statue will move, revealing a hidden hole.}


    {Descending thedder will lead you to the memorial room, where you can pay your respects to the great Marcus Aurelius.}


    {While the process may seem daunting, it serves as a reminder of the level of dedication and intelligence required to achieve the great feats that he aplished.}


    {It is a testament to the fact that knowledge and progress must be earned through hard work and perseverance and that the reward is often worth the effort.}


    Emir chuckled as he thought:


    ''Nothing is ever easy, huh.''


    [Lyra I''ll send you all the information I just got, ept it.]


    [I already did, do you want to wait for them to leave before going down?]


    [Of course, I ain''t sharing. And we both don''t want me being able to use Aether to be known.]


    [Understood, nowe here, you''ve been at the statue for too long, they might get suspicious.]


    [Yep, yep,ing!]


    Just as they ended their conversation, Emir approached the group and saw that they were still searching around for anything worth taking, achieving nothing noteworthy so far.


    As he stepped next to Kiera, he asked:


    "Any luck?"


    She looked at him and sighed.


    "Nothing much as expected, but at least the monsters aren''t crowding the ruin, and wow... This ce still looks amazing, even after this many years. Ruins are a special ce, aren''t


    they?"


    With augh, he replied:


    "Yeah, a beautiful ce to die indeed, those cleaning drones sure are a nice piece of tech, though, without their heavy lifting, this ruin would be filled with guts and blood."


    "True, and by the way, you found anything?"


    "Unfortunately not, I was just admiring the statue for a little, a sign of respect, you can say."


    She stopped what she was about to say and stared at him, wide-eyed.


    He chuckled, noticing her reaction.


    "What? You thought of me as a barbarian who only knows how to kill?"


    Kiera waved her hands on repeat as she said:


    "No, no, well, actually, yes, not a barbarian per se, but you get what I mean! Right?!"


    Emir grinned.


    "I get it, I get it, don''t worry, just ying around, anyways-"


    §£§Ö§Ö§â! §£§Ö§Ö§â!


    Cutting him off, his information gathering device sounded a warning.


    Emir''s senses heightened as he essed the radar in his heads-up disy, detecting a group


    of hunters rapidly approaching their location.


    The blip on the screen indicated two groups, each consisting of six individuals.


    Instinctively, his hand reached for his Aetherstorm Launcher, his grip tightening around the weapon as he swiftly shouldered it.


    With a focused gaze, he aimed theuncher in the direction of the entrance, ready to unleash a torrent of Aether at a moment''s notice.


    "Get ready, tell your people we''ve gotpany, you know what to do." He said to Kiera, his eyes never leaving the gateway.


    She nodded briskly, her gaze scanning the surroundings for any signs of her gang members.


    Kiera then dashed towards them, her voice carrying a sense of urgency as she alerted them of


    the approaching hunters.


    "Everyone, gather up!" She called out, her tonemanding.


    "We have iing hostiles. Two groups of six. Prepare yourselves!"


    Her gang members immediately sprang into action, their training kicking in as most of them


    hid away while others formed a circle, their weapons at the ready.


    Lyra rushed next to Emir and asked:


    "Do we kill them?"


    "We''ll see, let''s just hope they don''t cause too much trouble, neither we nor them want to


    attract monsters to this ce."


    [Tell the manager to cover up the Aether from those runes, we don''t want to take any


    chances.] He added while gesturing to his side.


    Lyra''s nod was resolute as she understood his signal.


    [Already done.]


    She said while swiftly taking cover behind a sturdy bookshelf near him, her gaze fixed on the


    entrance.


    In synchrony, Kiera, Jack, Evan, Hiro, and Sarah followed suit, finding their own vantage points behind scattered bookshelves.


    Their weapons were steady in their hands, fingers poised on triggers, as they awaited the impending arrival of the opposing group.

 Chapter 108: Beauty

    Chapter 108: Beauty


    ?


    As the other hunters closed in, Emir remained watchful of his radar.


    The air was thick with silence, and the sound of footsteps echoed through the space.


    He was acutely aware that any sudden movement could trigger a confrontation.


    And he could feel the tension radiating from his teammates, their ragged breaths evidence of their anxiety as they waited for the other hunters to make their move.


    Cutting through that tension, one of the hunters outside the entrance screamed:


    "WE MEAN NO HARM!! WE COME IN PEACE!! ONE OF OURS WILL APPROACH THE ENTRANCE WITH NO WEAPONS, SO DO NOT SHOOT!!"


    Emir watched as one of the signals approached, separating himself from the group he was in, so he roared back:


    "WALK BACKWARDS AND KEEP YOUR HANDS UP, ANY WRONG MOVE AND I WOULD OFF YOUR HEAD!!"


    Emir and the rest noticed a man dressed in expensive-looking gear enter the room, his back facing them as he walked towards them.


    [Lyra, aren''t these guys too over-geared to be here?]


    [They are, I just checked, and it seems that the weather report was wrong in the information package, the surface is currently filled with acid rain; these two groups most probably came into this ruin to take cover.]


    The hunters who explored the wastnd of the old world faced many dangers, including the interference of acid rain.


    Acid rain was concentrated in the old world, where the fallout of the nukes still existed, and it could have several negative effects on hunters'' expeditions.


    Firstly, acid rain could disturb the signals of the hunters''munication and information gathering devices, reducing their range and rity.


    This made it difficult for the hunters tomunicate with each other and their support team. Acid rain could also interfere with the hunters'' maps and GPS systems, making it challenging for them to navigate through the wastnd.


    The main headache-causing issue was that it led to the concentration of monsters in certain areas, as the creatures tended to seek shelter from the acidic deluge.


    This increased the likelihood of hunters being ambushed by monsters if they remained in the area for an extended period.


    So to avoid these dangers, hunters usually moved out of the affected area as quickly as possible and found shelter from the rain.


    Which was what this group of hunters had probably done.


    As the hunter drew near, he raised his hands in a gesture of peace.


    "Hey, guys... chill out," he said.


    "We''re just here to wait out the rain. There''s no need for guns, right?"


    "And trust me, you don''t want to start anything with us."


    "We''re from two of the three biggest underworld factions, and fighting us would only end in your own death....."


    "So, let''s just all take it easy, okay?"


    Emir ignored his words and lunged forward, seizing the hunter''s shoulder and pressing the sharp edge of his dagger to the man''s neck.


    The hunter froze in fear, his expensive gear doing little to protect him from Emir''s deadly de.


    The rest of the room watched in silence, waiting to see what would happen next.


    Emir then looked at the entrance and bellowed:


    "COME IN, I HAVE YOUR MAN! IF YOU WANT HIM TO LIVE THEN SHOW YOURSELVES!!"


    The two groups of huntersplied with his demand, slowly lowering their weapons as they cautiously entered.


    Their hands remained close to them, however, ready to draw them at a moment''s notice.


    Two figures, clearly the leaders of their respective groups, stepped forward.


    The one on the left spoke up first:


    "I am called Henry, a member of the Liberation Army like the group behind me, you must know that it is in your best interest as a fellow hunter to never go against a faction like ours." The one on the right spoke next:


    "Call me Noah, me and my group are a part of Temr, so you know well how we roll."


    Emir looked at the both of them and asked:


    "Do you guys want to harm us in any way?"


    Henry and Noah looked at each other and then turned to face Emir.


    "No," they said in unison.


    Emir continued eyeing them as he asked:


    [Lyra, do you detect any inconsistencies from them?]


    [No, their facial structure, body movement, and breathing, indicate that they speak the truth.]


    She answered.


    Emir soon let go of his hostage and sheathed his dagger.


    "Kiera, weapons down, they''re fine."


    Kiera, with her weird and high trust in Emir, followed hismands with no hesitation, followed soon after by her gang.


    The tension began to ease as Emir took a step back, still keeping an eye on the two leaders.


    "You can''t me us for being cautious. We''ve had some bad run-ins with other factions before."


    Henry widely smiled and said:


    "Understandable. We all have our enemies in this world. But we''re not your enemies, at least


    not for now."


    Emir nodded.


    "Sounds good to me."


    Henry approached Emir as he said:


    "You must have quite a good lie detector, to trust it that much."


    Emir smirked.


    "Oh yeah, it almost cost me my life to get it, it was worth it though."


    [DON''T CALL ME A LIE DETECTOR!!] Lyrained in his head.


    He ignored Lyra andughed as he shook Henry''s hand.


    "Nice to meet you guys, so acid rain, huh, tough luck."


    Henry joined him inughter.


    "You''re right about that... Anyways, what is someone like you doing here? Your suit looks A-


    rank at least."


    "Oh, I''m just here to guard Madam Kiera over here." Emir said as he gestured to her.


    Henry raised an eyebrow while Noah cut into their conversation:


    "So another one of those elites that want to explore ruins for fun, eh, quite a beautiful one, I


    must add."


    Emir''s face didn''t change a bit as he thought:


    ''So they mistook her for an Elite, huh? Good, we can use this.''


    Noah approached Emir and whispered in his ear:


    "Yours seems to be the type that doesn''t use high-level gear to avoid denting their delicate pride. Good luck with that, but you better get out before she drags you to your death."


    "The money is worth it, though." Emir whispered back.


    They separated from each other as they both broke out inughter.


    Noah said, still chuckling between breaths:


    "Of course, money is always worth it, even we don''t think differently."


    Emir acted out as he controlled his fakeughter and gestured towards Kiera once again.


    "Let me introduce you. This is Madam Kiera, the second daughter of an Elite family. I''m afraid I can''t mention the name as she doesn''t want to be feared by her hunter pears." Kiera quickly picked up on the act, and like a natural, she curtsied to them.


    "It is nice to meet high-ranking hunters like you all. I have much to learn, so I would love to


    hear some of your stories."


    Emir smiled at her fast backup, and he watched as an excited Henry approached Kiera, seemingly wanting to impress the Elitedy he thought she was.


    The rest of her gang went back to searching for relics, understanding the situation.


    Henry bowed lightly as he spoke:


    "It is great to meet an esteemeddy such as yourself, you grace us with your presence.


    Emir noticed Noah shaking his head in disappointment, knowing that interacting with elites


    is more dangerous than even fighting the strongest of monsters.


    Kiera smiled.


    "Please... Talk to me like how you would any other hunter, I''m not here as an Elite but as a


    hunter like you."


    "As you say, Lady Kiera and I must say, you are quite beautiful."


    Emir snickered inwardly.


    ''C''mon friend, you can do better than that.''


    While doing that, he looked back at Kiera and caught a fleeting expression of disgust on her


    face, but it was quickly reced by her usual smile.


    He knew that Kiera had a deep hatred for the underworld factions, and he could tell that she


    was struggling to keep up her friendly fa?ade.


    But to their guests, she remained cordial and polite.


    "Thank you, Sir Henry, so I heard you talk about hiding here from acid rain, were youing


    from another ruin by chance?"


    "Yes, no offense to you, but high-rankers like us only go to high-ranking ruins, actually, me


    and my friend over here are celestials, you see."


    Emir flinched slightly.


    ''Goddammit, what the hell are celestials doing here?!''


    Kiera looked at Emir, prompting Henry to say:


    "Oh, is your bodyguard not a celestial?"


    Emir corrected Henry by saying:


    "I am a celestial, but Madam Kiera is simply surprised by meeting other celestials in a ce


    like this."


    Kiera quickly chimed in:


    "Indeed, it is my first time meeting a celestial outside my family, how is it that you two are


    celestials but are not on the front lines?"


    ''Smart!'' Emir inwardly praised, struggling from showing a grin on his face.


    Henry''s mouth went wide with a smile.


    "That''s where our factionse into y, mydy, we are given Aether cores due to our rankn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    within the faction. Me and Noah have been contributing quite a bit, so it isn''t surprising."


    "I should have listened to my lessons better then, this surprised me quite a bit."


    Emir nodded.


    "As I previously informed you, Madam Kiera, greater knowledge is necessary for you to be a


    better hunter."


    Henry attempted to defend her:


    "That''s alright, mister guard,dy Kiera already knows her priorities. Anyway, have you


    already be an Ascendant?"


    Emir instantly cut him off:


    "Apologies, Henry, however, that information is private, so please avoid asking any


    questions that concern her personally."


    Henry appeared to have gotten increasingly agitated at Emir''s constant interventions, but he held it in, not wanting to embarrass himself in front of Kiera.


    "I''m sorry,dy Kiera, I was being rude." He said, his voice sounding slightly angry.


    "It''s fine, Sir Henry, just make sure to keep my guard''s advice in mind." She responded, her simple sentence containing a threat that Henry managed to pick up on. "So, what are you guys doing now that you aren''t on the frontlines?" She asked. "Well, my faction tasked me and my group to ally with Noah''s for a team mission, some


    unusual activity urred a few days back in Arcadia''s Bazaar, so we were sent to investigate


    it."


    Emir sneered inwardly.


    [That''s us, isn''t it?"]


    [It sure is.] Lyra replied. Henry continued:


    "We didn''t find anything-"


    But he suddenly stopped talking as he noticed a clueless Leo approach Kiera while saying:


    "Sorry to intrude on everyone, but I need to talk to Kiera for a moment."


    Henry''s minuscule ego was shattered at that moment as he instantly raised his gun, sticking it


    to Leo''s head.

 Chapter 109: Shadow Binder

    Chapter 109: Shadow Binder


    ?


    Not wasting a second, Emir''s Aetherstorm Launcher locked on Henry''s head.


    Noah joined the trend as he aimed his weapon at Emir from behind, and Lyra did the same to him, forming a train.


    Emir chuckled as he said, "Calm down, Henry. If you are so hot-headed that you would involve yourself in the endangerment of Madam Kiera, an Elite mind you, then you are simply out of your mind."


    Henry didn''t respond, as he was seething with anger, barely able to control himself.


    Emir pressed on, "Any movement and your head would be blown off. Calm yourself and allow me to take Madam Kiera to safety, then we can discuss what you want to do with this kid." Noah chimed in, "Do as he says, Henry, you don''t want to die in ruin like this, do you?"


    Henry let out a deep breath as he lowered his weapon, and Emir did the same after confirming that he had calmed down.


    "Good, now Amanda, lead Madam Kiera to safety while we discuss what to do with this kid over here."


    Leo, who was still feeling confused about what was happening, was suddenly put at ease as he caught a small wink from Lyra as she walked past him with Kiera in tow.


    [Group up all of her gang and hide them away, make sure that these guys can''t reach them.] [What will you do with them? Do we scrap the previous n?]


    [No, we can improvise, instead of you hacking their terminals, I can y for time until the acid rain jams their connections and information gathering devices, then you''ll start by killing them one by one.]


    [You''re getting better at this, dear.]


    [Look at you, trying to make me embarrassed in a situation like this quite fitting for an expert memory maniptor.]


    [...]


    [Too far?]


    [Too far...]


    [My bad... Well... Good luck and have fun because I sure will.]


    [You too.]


    Ending their conversation in a few hundred milliseconds, Emir turned his attention to Henry. He walked up to him and patted his back.


    "Were you seriously trying to woo an Elite? You know that they aren''t anything but trouble, right?"


    Henry sighed, "Sorry for that man, I get agitated quite easily. I know, not fit for a hunter, but that is what so many years on the job do to you."


    "I get it, got some problems myself. Anyways, now that you''ve calmed down, can you spare this kid? He didn''t mean anything by it, Madam Kiera told them to call her that, they don''t even know that she is an Elite."


    Noah joined in their conversation, saying, "I know that, but because of the jamming caused by the acid rain, we all didn''t pick up on him approaching us, who knows, he might''ve listened to us talking and picked up on things he shouldn''t know."


    "I see... That is a serious problem indeed. Actually, let me just check my range on my device, we can see if he could listen to us or not."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir pulled out his small S-rank information gathering device and quickly checked the range. He wanted to determine whether Henry and Noah would detect their group''s signal if they were to eliminate them at that moment.


    He clumsily fiddled with his device as he said, [Start now.]


    ***


    While Emir kept dying and saying anything that came to his mind to dy them from killing Leo, Lyra walked with Kiera, followed by the rest of the gang.


    "Okay guys, listen up. Me and Emir will kill all of them. I will leave you guys here for now. Kiera brief them on the current situation. I wille back here when everything is over. So wait quietly. Those hunters are above your pay grade."


    They understood that they couldn''t do anything, so they simply nodded.


    Lyra smiled and headed towards the Temr''s faction group of five hunters.


    While she did so, she couldn''t help but think back to what Emir had joked previously.


    ''Mean, He''s so mean, he knows how guilty it makes me feel every time he mentions it, but he still jokes about it, stupid Emir.''


    If anyone saw Lyra pouting so cutely, they wouldn''t equate her next actions with silently and brutally killing people with no care in the world.


    Lyra only cared for three people, one being Emir, and the next being his family, Laura, and Lily.


    She literally wouldn''t mind if the entirety of the Earth burned to the ground if Emir and his family were unharmed.


    Guilt for what she was about to do never crossed her mind. Emir asked her for something, and sheplied like she always did, never questioning his actions.


    She wouldn''t care if they killed Leo, all that mattered was her perfectlypleting the task Emir assigned her.


    Lyra unsheathed an electric knife that she got from Emir''s leftover weapons and hid it behind her back as she stepped forward, now facing the group of five.


    A knife such as this could be customized to increase in power for a moment, increasing the beam''s length and strength, resulting in a devastating weapon that could slice through an augmented suit ranked A and below like butter.


    The group noticed Lyra approaching, so she waved at them with her left hand, and thinking that she wanted to talk, they got closer.


    Just as they stepped into her range, Lyra swung the knife, and a sharpser emerged from the de, slicing through the air with deadly precision.


    The hunters had no time to react as theser cut through their bodies.


    Their eyes widened in terror as their upper torsos separated from their lower halves, their bodies falling to the ground in a grotesque disy of death.


    Contorted with pain and shock, they gazed down at their entrails spilling out onto the library floor, the horrifying scene unfolding before their bloodshot eyes as they reflected their agony while their hands trembled, futilely trying to hold their innards in ce.


    Theser had cauterized their wounds, preventing immediate blood loss but leaving them writhing in agonizing torment until their inevitable deaths.


    Their desperate and muffled cries for help filled the air, transforming the once peaceful


    library into a chamber of horror.


    Lyra didn''t flinch at the gruesome scene, and calmly waited for them to die.


    Once they had all passed away, she proceeded to search through their gear for another melee


    weapon, as her previous one had depleted all its energy with that one attack.


    After rummaging through four bodies, she finally found a set of daggers on the fifth.


    Although they were simple ck daggers, they were perfect for her needs.


    She took them from the hunter and unsheathed them, feeling their weight and bnce before


    equipping them at her side.


    She continued walking, heading in the direction that the other group went.


    [Five Temr hunters are down, the other five Liberation hunters are left.]


    [Great work, Lyra, but I''m running out of excuses here, so hurry up.]


    Lyra blossomed an incredibly beautiful smile as she said:


    [Thank you, I''m already closing in on them, so I will be done shortly. Keep fighting.]


    [HA! Sure, I will. I might even be an expert at excuses after this.]


    Lyra giggled as she took cover behind a shelf.


    She eyed the group, four of them were chatting in the middle, and she instantly went after the


    one that stood alone.


    She hid as she saw him smoking in a corner, his back supported by a shelf.


    She then imbued Aether into her steps, making thempletely silent as she stepped


    towards him.


    Now reaching right behind him, a single shelf separated her from her victim.


    She silently activated Aetheric des ability and stealthily cut through the material


    separating them.


    Taking out the piece she had just cut, she swiftly plunged the knife into the hunter''s neck, the


    de slicing through, severing his head in one swift stroke.


    She pulled out the knife and headed towards her next victims.


    [You can start the fight in the next thirty seconds, Emir.] She informed him as she activated


    her ability.


    "Shadow Meld," Lyra chanted, and her body immediately mixed into the ground.


    She moved as a shadow, invincible to the naked eye.


    And as she closed in on the four hunters, her eyes keenly scanned them, searching for the


    perfect opportunity to strike.


    Lyra''s abilities were suited for assassinations as she unlocked Aetheric des as an ability


    too.


    The third andst ability she possessed was Shadow Step, which granted her the power to teleport from one shadow to another.


    So despitecking an ability to dispatch them all at once, she meticulously nned her next moves, aiming to eliminate them in a single, decisive swoop.


    Just as a cyborg or automata needed to go through specific steps to rank up, she couldn''t


    acquire abilities instantaneously.


    Since her body functioned simrly to how a human body operates with Aether.


    Lyra''s Aether Core, like an organ, would grow and fully integrate with her robotic body as she advanced, resembling a Seraphim''s organic growth within a human body.


    And as she cultivated and practiced her skills, she kept Emir''s abilities in mind.


    He would serve as the main firepower, excelling in directbat and overall strength, while she specialized in espionage, stealth, and lethality.


    So her best bet would be to opt for the Shadow Binder specialization while carefully selecting


    a few abilities from other specializations since being an automata allowed that. Unlike those of the flesh, her ability to wield a wider deck of cards didn''t greatly affect her,


    although it still influenced their efficiency, albeit not to the extent it would in a human


    celestial.


    Though her uniqueness extended beyond being an automata; she possessed a distinctive body, much like Emir.


    However, shecked the higher amount of Aether reserves, as her Aether core remained normal, akin to any other cyborg or automata.


    This was the main reason why many high-ranking hunters preferred switching their bodies


    for robotic ones, bing cyborgs.


    Still, this practice wasn''t widely adopted, as most humans were hesitant to sacrifice human


    pleasures for only a slight increase in strength.


    Cutting off her spiraling thoughts, she heard Emir screaming in her mind:


    [LYRA, I CAN''T DO THIRTY SECONDS, THEY ARE ABOUT TO ATTACK!]


    [Understood.] She replied simply.


    Now knowing that all caution was thrown to the wind, she rushed forward and chanted:


    "Aetheric des."

 Chapter 110: Spell Weaver

    Chapter 110: Spell Weaver


    ?


    Lyra swung her dagger, cutting the head of one of the four hunters.


    His head dropped to the floor, causing the rest of them to jump back in surprise.


    They looked around with their guns up, searching for Lyra, but to no avail.


    Giving them no chance to retaliate, Lyra shed the second hunter''s head off.


    The remaining two hunters began firing at their deadrade, hoping to hit whatever was killing them, their faces utterly terrified at the ongoing situation.


    ''Shadow Meld.''


    Lyra was quick to rush out of the way of the bullets as she melded back into the shadows.


    She quietly circled the remaining two, waiting for an opportunity, as her shadow danced due to the muzzle sh from their constant gunfire.


    It soon stopped, however, as both of them began to reload in panic.


    Lyra sprang into action, causing one more hunter to lose his neck as she silently watched his head slide off his shoulders.


    The final member of the group was a woman, her steps hurried and her eyes wide with panic as she looked around, searching for Lyra.


    In her frantic state, she fumbled with her gun, realizing with despair that the magazine was dropped...


    Her gun had run out of bullets.


    With a mix of desperation and resignation, she tossed the useless weapon aside, its tter against the ground echoing in the tense silence of the library.


    She then bellowed in desperation:


    "PLEASE DON''T KILL ME! I DIDN''T DO ANYTHING WRONG! I SWEAR I''LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT JUST LET ME LI-"


    Her screaming was cut short as Lyra beheaded her like the rest.


    "Too loud." She muttered.


    Meticulously, she wiped the blood off her daggers, as her mind wandered.


    ''Well, that''s everything taken care of...''


    ''I hope Emir is enjoying himself over there. Now, I just need to make my way back to Kiera and the rest of the group.''


    ***n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Five Temr hunters are down, the other five Liberation hunters are left.]


    [Great work, Lyra, but I''m running out of excuses here, so hurry up.]


    [Thank you, I''m already closing in on them, so I will be done shortly. Keep fighting.]


    [Hah, sure I will. I might even be an expert at excuses after this.]


    Emir then focused back on his situation and repeated the same thing for what felt like the millionth time:


    "Lookman, Madam Kiera would be sad if you killed this kid, do you guys seriously want to go against an elite family?"


    Noah shook his head and said:


    "Stop ying around, Emir. We both know that this isn''t something that we want but something that we need to do. We can''t budge..."


    "If there exists a possibility of this kid having heard what we said, then we might fall into great trouble if he talks, so the safest thing is for us to kill him, you included as well."


    "I understand your point, I really do... but I don''t want unnecessary death, especially to someone thedy is acquainted with, so let''s ask him first, alright?"


    [You can start the fight in the next thirty seconds, Emir.] Lyra informed him.


    Noah nodded.


    "Sure, let''s ask the kid a few questions... We might be blowing this out of the water."


    Emir smiled inwardly, but his happiness quickly turned into a frown as Henry quietly raised his gun, aiming it at Leo.


    He quickly activated his temporal perception ability and chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    With his quick reflexes, he managed to block the gunshots with the shield surrounding his body.


    He angrily eyed Henry as he bellowed:


    "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"


    Henry matched Emir in his anger:


    "I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! WE WILL KILL THIS KID AND THAT IS IT! IF YOU WANT TO SAVE HIM SO BAD THEN FIGHT US AND DIE!!"


    Emir had finally given up on this farce as he said:


    [LYRA, I CAN''T DO THIRTY SECONDS, THEY ARE ABOUT TO ATTACK!]


    [Understood.] She replied.


    He let out a defeated and exacerbated sigh.


    "Okay, you guys win, you can kill him. I don''t give a damn anymore. I seriously don''t get paid enough for this shit."


    Noah smiled and said, "Good choice, Emir, we are Ascendants. Knight ranked I must add, you wouldn''t want to go against us."


    Emir smiled and stepped back.


    While he moved, he silently chanted "Aether Burst," and charged his Aetherstorm Launcher.


    He then used his Temporal perception ability and eyed Henry.


    As he watched Henry raise his gun at Leo again, Emir aimed his fully charged Aetherstorm Launcher at him.


    Noah noticed it, but he was toote to interfere.


    The room shed white as the st instantly reached Henry''s face.


    A brighter spark shed as his SS rank-augmented suit forcefield attempted to protect him from the st.


    It somehow managed to block the st with the entirety of its energy pack''s juice, depleting


    it entirely.


    However, the st itself knocked Henry out as he smashed into a nearby bookshelf.


    Emir didn''t have the time to kill him as he noticed that a fireball was heading straight in his


    direction.


    "Aetheric Shield!"


    He quickly defended himself with his shield, as he manipted it to simply deflect the fireball so that it wouldn''t tank his Aether reserves by simply warding off one attack. While all that happened, Leo didn''t bother to look back and ran away as quickly as he could, not wanting to burden Emir any longer.


    Noah, a Spell Weaver, sprouted ice spikes exactly where Emir stood.


    Emir''s excellent reflexes allowed him to easily dodge the spells in the slowed time, but as he was not used to fighting against spell weavers or celestials in general, he failed to anticipate


    Noah''s attack patterns.


    This led to him missing the water created by the melted ice as he sidestepped another fireball, which followed after he had already run through a set of ice spikes.


    Emir, caught off guard, slipped on the icy water while he attempted to dodge another set of spikes, losing his bnce in the process.


    He careened towards a nearby shelf, nearly flipping upside down before crashing into it.


    In that split second, Noah took advantage of Emir''s vulnerable position and shot out a set of


    deadly ice spears at him.


    Emir, however, reacted quickly, relying on his shield to protect him from the barrage of attacks, which proved to be effective.


    Unfazed by Noah''s attack, he surged towards him, dodging the next set of ice spears aimed at


    him.


    Emir was in full momentum, but his speed was halted by a massive wall of earth that rose from the ground, almost crashing into it in the process.

 Chapter 111: Spell Weaver II

    Chapter 111: Spell Weaver II


    ?


    Undeterred, Emir quickly unsheathed his daggers and began to carve a small hole through the wall.


    The gap he created was minuscule, but it gave him a glimpse of Noah''s ice trap, which was waiting for him on the other side.


    He stepped back and aimed his gun through the tiny hole at Noah.


    With his weapon, he conjured his ability:


    "Aether st."


    His gun whirled, shining in bright light.


    ''Thanks for giving me this opportunity, friend....''


    ''Unfortunately for you, I''m not a normal celestial.''


    Noah noticed the light emanating behind his earth wall, but it was toote for him to dodge.


    So he concentrated all his Aether to create a series of shields at a small point in front of him, hoping that it would be enough to protect him from the attack.


    Emir''s Aether st instantly hit Noah''s shields, creating a blinding explosion of heat and sound that quickly shattered the first four shields.


    Despite the impact, Noah gritted his teeth and concentrated his Aether to reinforce his remaining shields.


    The force of the st pushed him back a few steps, his hair and clothes blowing wildly from the shockwave.


    Thest shield took a few more seconds to get through, and now Noah only had his augmented suit to defend him.


    He shielded his face with his arms as his force shield finally managed to block Emir''s attack, exhausting half of its energy.


    As the light and dust cleared, Noah lowered his arms, which were covered in small cuts, revealing the damage done to him.


    But despite the damage, Noah remained standing.


    He emerged victorious, and now he had an opportunity to counterattack, or at least that was what he thought, as Emir didn''t waste any time after firing.


    "Aetheric des."


    Emir appeared to Noah''s right, his daggers glinting with a dark hue in the dim light.


    Noah barely had time to react before Emir swung his weapon.


    "Ughhh!"


    Noah gasped in pain as he felt the sharp edge of Emir''s dagger cut through his flesh and bones, severing his arm from his body.


    Blood spurted out from the wound as he stumbled back, clutching at the stump with his remaining hand.


    Despite the shock and pain of losing his arm, Noah managed to keep hisposure.


    He activated his suit''s emergency protocol, causing it to instantly seal off the wound and inject him with painkillers.


    But Emir stepped in front of him once more, his daggers at the ready as he prepared for the final blow.


    Noah''s eyes widened as he realized he was about to be killed, but he didn''t give up.


    With fierce determination, he summoned all the Aether he had left andunched a powerful st of air at Emir.


    But the movement leading to that attack was easily noticed by Emir.


    So with slowed time, he controlled his shield to protect him at a pointed arrow-like front, easily cutting through the force of the st.


    Noah attempted to pull out his gun and shoot back at Emir while he was distracted.


    But he was given no chance, as Emir quickly closed the distance between them before he could shoot.


    And with a precise movement, Emir swung his right dagger, cutting through Noah''s left arm and severing it from his body.


    "AAAAAARGH!"


    Noah roared in pain, stumbling back as both his arm and weapon were dropped to the ground. Emir kicked Noah''s weapon away and took a step forward, preparing himself for the kill. With no arms, augmented suit, or Aether, Noah had nothing else to defend himself with, but he refused to go down without a fight, wanting nothing more than to just injure Emir.


    "FUCK YOU!"


    Ignoring the searing pain, heunched himself at Emir with a desperate headbutt, a pathetic attempt at a final stand.


    Amused, Emir was ready for the attack and sidestepped it with ease.


    He then brought his dagger down and severed Noah''s head from his body, his pitch-ck eyes betraying no emotion.


    As the lifeless body of the Spell Weaver hit the ground, Emir took a deep breath, knowing that he had to kill another.


    So without wasting any time, he turned his attention back to Henry...


    But he was nowhere to be seen.


    Emir didn''t bother to check his radar, as it would be useless due to the jamming caused by the acid rain.


    He quickly decided on what to do, and so, wanting to annoy the man intoing out of hiding, he bellowed:


    "ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP HIDING YOU LITTLE RAT?! COME OUT! I JUST KILLED YOUR FRIEND, YOU KNOW!"


    Emir picked up Noah''s head, and he waved it around, holding it by the hair, parading his kill while disrespecting the Spell Weaver to the highest degree.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He didn''t have any level he wouldn''t stoop to; the most important thing to him was winning and killing his enemy in any way possible.


    That was all that mattered.


    Emir''s ruthless attitude was not new; he knew that the only way to survive in a world of celestials was to strive to be the strongest and to show no mercy to those who opposed him.


    An extremely mad voice responded to his actions:


    "EMIR. YOU MADMAN! I WILL KILL YOU!!"


    Emir let out a wild smile, his face looked to show borderline insanity as he rushed towards where the voice originated.


    He moved with incredible speed and agility, his movements fluid as he leaped from one shelf


    to the next.


    With each jump, he gained more ground, closing the distance between him and Henry.


    And as he reached the top, hended on his feet, his gaze locked on Henry who remained stood on a nearby shelf.


    Henry looked back at Emir with a mixture of fear and anger in his eyes.


    He knew what Emir was capable of, and he had no intention of bing his next victim.


    With a few steps forward, Emir soon stood face-to-face with Henry, just a few meters in between them.

 Chapter 112: Brawler

    Chapter 112: Brawler


    ?


    "AAAAARRGGGH!"


    Henry incoherently screamed as he fired a volley of shots at Emir, appearing to have recharged his augmented suit with another energy pack.


    Emir easily blocked all of his shots with his Aetheric shield, not bothering to dodge the barrage, knowing that it wouldn''t damage him in the slightest.


    He couldn''t return fire as his shield would block his bullets, so he unsheathed his daggers and went in close, aiming for a melee battle.


    Henry appeared surprised at Emir''s Aether capacity as he screamed:


    "HOW MUCH AETHER DO YOU FUCKING HAVE?!!"


    Emir snickered at his remark and stepped in front of him.


    Henry let go of his weapons as his fists went wild with Aether.


    ''So a brawler, huh?'' Emir thought as he swung down his daggers, aiming at Henry''s chest.


    His daggers were blocked by Henry as he held his arms in front of him, forming an X, a makeshift-like shield, with his hands.


    Emir then stepped back to disengage and began analyzing Henry''s fighting style in slow motion.


    The first thing that stood out to him was that Henry looked like to be relying heavily on his physical strength, using Aether only to enhance his punches and blocks, quite typical of his easily angered and oblivious personality.


    Emir smirked, knowing that he could easily outmaneuver him.


    He then dodged and sidestepped around Henry''s continuous and wild punches, waiting for the right moment to strike.


    Henry, on the other hand, was growing increasingly frustrated with Emir''s evasive tactics.


    "You can''t keep running forever!" He bellowed, charging towards Emir with his fists clenched.


    Emir waited until thest possible moment before sidestepping and delivering a swift kick to Henry''s side.


    The blow sent Henry reeling, but he quickly regained his footing.


    Their eyes locked again as they both stepped back, each trying to predict the other''s next


    move.


    The only sound that could be heard was the faint whisper of their breaths.


    "RAAAAAAAH!"


    Henry broke the silence with a sudden deafening roar, charging towards Emir with a fury that shook the very foundation of the shelf they stood on.


    They trembled and threatened to copse under his weight as he closed the distance between them, his fists raised and ready to strike.


    Emir stood his ground, his Aetheric shield shimmering with power as he braced himself for the impact.


    The two fighters shed in a blur of movement, dodging and weaving, their blows raining down on each other with deadly force.


    Every hit was like a thunderbolt, shaking the shelves and sending chunks of wood flying in all directions.


    And then, with a fierce cry, Henry charged again, his fists glowing with Aether as he aimed for Emir''s head.


    Emir narrowly dodged the blow, but the shelf behind him wasn''t as lucky, copsing in a shower of splinters.


    The room was in chaos, and the air was thick with dust and debris.


    But that didn''t faze Emir, as he instantly swept Henry''s legs out from under him with a well- timed kick.


    Henry hit the ground hard, but he was quick to recover with a roll.


    Standing back up, he lunged towards Emir, attempting to grab him in a bear hug.


    But something as slow as that would be easily seen by Emir.


    So instead of fighting against Henry in something that he knew he would fail at, he simply walked off the ledge of the shelf and grabbed it.


    And using his momentum from the fall, he threw himself behind Henry.


    While flying through the air, he chanted:


    "Aetheric des."


    Reaching Henry''s back, he swung his daggers once more, aiming to shred his opponent.


    However, Henry''s augmented suit force shield was strong enough to protect him.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Which caused Emir to be pushed back as his attack was bounced off, and although Henry took no damage, he still stumbled forward because of the force behind the swing.


    Emir took that opportunity and rushed forward once again, but Henry quickly turned around while picking himself back up.


    "IRON FIST!"


    Henry chanted as he took a stance with Aether quickly gathered into his fist and punched the air in Emir''s direction.


    The force of his punch almost sent Emir flying off the shelf.


    However, instead of defending against the attack, he used it and let himself float to the back as hended on a nearby shelf, creating some distance between them.


    He pulled out his weapon and held the trigger.


    Although Emir had great Aether reservespared to those he ranked the same as they were still quite minimal, and he used almost all of it in his fight with Noah and the constant shields


    he proped up.


    So now his only option was to use his Aetherstorm Launcher and Aetheric des ability to kill


    his opponent.


    The weapon whirled as it let out a white beam of light, which instantly reached Henry.


    But he managed to block the st while it pushed him off the shelves by the sheer force of it.


    Emir rushed at him and jumped down.


    His daggers shined as he chanted, "Aetheric des," once again.


    The air crackled with tension as the daggers lit up with a dark, ominous hue.


    With fast movements, Emir reached Henry and swung the deadly des towards the brawler,


    who was still reeling from the impact of crashing into the ground.


    Henry tried to block the attack with his hands, but he was too slow.


    Emir''s first sh was deflected by Henry''s augmented suit, but the Aetheric Duelist was unfazed as he swung the dagger at Henry once again.


    And with a sickening sound, the dagger broke through Henry''s defense and gutted his chest


    open.


    "GAH!"


    Emir''s face was sttered with blood, but he ignored it.


    He took this chance and plunged his daggers deep into Henry''s heart.


    "YOUUUU..."


    The brawler screamed as he tried to fight back with hisst ounce of strength, but it was


    futile.


    All he could manage was a feeble push to Emir''s face, a pathetic attempt at a punch.


    And as Henry''s eyes went lifeless, Emir stood over him, watching with a smile.


    The silence soon returned to the ruin as he took a deep breath while savoring his victory like


    usual.

 Chapter 113: Jealousy

    Chapter 113: Jealousy


    ?


    Emir wiped the blood off his face as he said:


    [Lyra, I''m done over here, let''s regroup at the statue.]


    [We areing now.] She replied promptly.


    Emir, feeling the adrenaline of the recent fights still coursing through his veins, found a nearby bookshelf and eased his tired back against it.


    He weed the opportunity to rx while he waited for the rest of their group to arrive.


    The excitement of the battles he had just experienced lingered in his thoughts, mingling with a sense of pride.


    Taking a moment to replenish his Aether reserves, he focused his mind, circting Aether through his body.


    Using his Aether core, he harnessed the neutral Aether around him and transformed it into his Aspects, replenishing his own reserves.


    After a brief period, the sound of approaching footsteps reached Emir''s ears.


    He looked up and spotted Lyra leading Kiera and her gang towards him.


    A sense of relief washed over him as he waved in their direction, a tired but satisfied smile on his face.


    "Well, we almost seeded in our act, didn''t we?" He called out to them.


    Kiera, still recovering from the intensity of the recent events, stepped closer to Emir, her voiceced with confusion:


    "What the hell were they talking about? It was my first time hearing that, and I''ve been a hunter for three years."


    Her brows were furrowed, seeking answers.


    "Oh, and don''t worry, I didn''t tell anyone about what I heard." she added.


    Emir felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he heard Kiera''s words.


    ''I don''t need to kill her then.''


    "Of course, it would be. Though If you want to know more about something that you shouldn''t, then I can exin it to you in private... But, it would be best if you forget whatever happened today," he advised, emphasizing on every word.


    "If you were caught distributing this information, hell would be a better ce for you."


    Kiera flinched, a hint of fear creeping into her expression.


    She nodded after a moment and spoke, her voice barely above a whisper:


    "I understand. I won''t say a word. I know the consequences."


    Emir nodded and offered a small reassuring smile.


    "Don''t worry about it too much. Just focus on reaching rank fifty, and then all will be revealed to you..."


    Leaning in closer, he whispered, "And don''t ask me how I know. Let''s consider sparing you and your friends a mercy, one that I''m not ustomed to giving. Please don''t make me regret this decision, yeah?"


    Kiera took a step back, startled by Emir''s intensity, but his words resonated with her.


    She gathered her courage and approached him again.


    "Why? If what you say is true, then I can have all of us killed. It would be much safer for you to just kill us."


    Emir''s surprise was evident in his eyes.


    "Are you asking me to kill you?" He asked incredulously.


    Kiera shook her head.


    "Obviously not. I just want to know why you would spare someone you im not to trust."


    He chuckled softly, extending his arms.


    "Don''t you think we''ve moved past that? I''vee here to help you without any personal gain. Although the trust between us may not be strong, it does exist. It''s enough to warrant me not killing you over something with a low chance of happening."


    ''And you are worth it more alive than dead,'' he added inwardly.


    Kiera smiled, a mix of gratitude and newfound trust shining in her eyes.


    She embraced Emir, her subconscious which yearned for dependency found sce in his presence.


    Her unusual level of dependence on him increased even further.


    Kiera never had anyone to depend on in her life.


    Her encounter with Emir had finally shown her what relying on someone truly meant, and she unknowingly began to trust him in a quick manner, unnaturally fast for someone like her.


    They held each other for a moment before releasing their embrace.


    She looked at him, her voice filled with gratitude.


    "Thank you, Emir. Without you, we wouldn''t have made it out of the ruin today."


    He shrugged modestly.


    "You hired me, and I did the job. There''s no need for thanks, though I do appreciate it."


    "Anyways, can you ask your people to get their gear? All twelve of them are dead, so there is nothing for them to worry about. I will also have to ask you to sell it on the ck market, and for your services, consider taking five percent of the profits."


    "Oh, and don''t tell me to decrease the percentage, you deserve that much at least; I wouldn''t have gotten the gear without you asking me toe here with you, so don''t try to change my


    mind."


    Kiera looked slightly stunned by Emir''s barrage of words, but she collected herself and


    replied:


    "...Okay, thank you really. We didn''t get much from today, without your help, we would''ve definitely died, or maybe we would have just left the ce in the red, so seriously, thank you."


    Emir patted her shoulder appreciatively before walking over to join Lyra.


    And as he stood beside her, he heard her yful voice echoing in his mind.


    [Are you trying to make me jealous on purpose?]


    [...HA?!] Emir''s mind faltered momentarily, caught off guard by her remark.


    [I, uh... didn''t take you for the obsessive type, or at least not that obsessive, but you know


    what I meant by what I did, right? So don''t y around with me, Lyra.]


    Giggling mischievously, she responded:


    [Kidding, kidding. Although I didn''t expect you to take that route with her. Are you nning


    on using her?]


    His brows furrowed as he replied:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [What do you mean? She''s a good friend that I trust. That''s all.]


    Lyra teased him further, her voiceced with yful skepticism:


    [Oh, so you''re lying to me now? I thought you wanted us to be honest and stop with all the


    trickery.]


    [I do, but can''t a man joke around with his woman?] He retorted, trying to regain his


    composure.


    [...]


    Lyra''s silence lingered, and Emir turned his gaze to her, catching sight of her blushing face.


    [Ahahaha, two can y at this game, you know.]


    Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, resembling the deepest red of a ripe tomato from


    any realm.


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    But their flirtatious banter was abruptly interrupted by a piercing scream that pierced the air, shattering the lighthearted atmosphere and sending a jolt of adrenaline through their veins.

 Chapter 114: Marcus Aurelius

    Chapter 114: Marcus Aurelius


    ?


    A scream reverberated through the air as both Emir and Lyra readied themselves for an attack. They instantly rushed towards the location where the scream originated.


    When they reached there, the duo were met by a young gang member on the ground, crying and breathing heavily as she watched the horror scene before them.


    Said scene was where Lyra killed all five Temr group members with a single swing, cutting off their bodies in two and, in turn, bathing the ground with their blood and guts.


    They both lowered their weapons and looked at each other, amusement filling their faces. Kiera approached the gang member and began calming her down.


    Watching that scene, Emirposed himself and headed towards Kiera while saying:


    "My friend Amanda here is quite an efficient killer, you see, so send my apologies to the kids."


    Kiera shook her head.


    "It''s fine, we aren''t children, she is... just not used to seeing things like this."


    Emir nodded while patting her shoulder, he then left her alone and went back to Lyra.


    [You certainly did a number on them.] He said.


    She snickered.


    [Not as much as you, it looked like you had quite a fun time over there.]


    [Hell yeah, I did! Fights against other celestials are quite fun, you missed out.]


    [You would be the only one to think like that Emir, though I love that about you too, so don''t worry.]


    He chuckled out loud.


    [Seems like you''re in a good mood today, to have you tease me like this.]


    [Of course, because I realized something, but I''ll keep it a secret.]


    [Why?]


    [Well... It''s too embarrassing.]


    Emir raised an eyebrow in surprise, and all he thought was a simple word:


    ''Cute.''


    [You''re doing this on purpose?] He asked, his tone sounding slightly suspicious.


    Her face disfigured in despair for a fraction of a moment, but she snapped herself out of it, not wanting Emir to notice as he wasn''t currently looking at her.


    [Let''s get going, we need to help them gather the loot.]


    ''Not a fan of maniption-rted questions then...''


    He shrugged and followed behind her, not interested in her mood swings.


    They began helping the gang clean up and collect all the gear scattered around the ruin.


    And as a few minutes went by, they gathered everything and grouped up at the entrance of the grand library.


    "So do you guys need our help in getting back?" Emir asked.


    Kiera shook her head and said, "There''s no need for that. Thanks again for helping us back there, and don''t worry about anything that I heard today, my mouth is zipped tight."


    "Of course, it''s my pleasure, and that thought never crossed my mind. We just talked about this, didn''t we?" He ended his sentence with a wink.


    She smiled and waved at him for onest time as she and her gang members passed the entrance, leaving Lyra and Emir alone in the ruin.


    He turned to her with a wild smile and said:


    [Well then, let''s get to it!]


    [Of course, but before you attempt to go in, you should know that the manager, Silent, wants to test you.]


    [Oh great! More tests, just what I like, yes, yes, I love tests, thank him for me, will you?]


    She chuckled.


    [I expected this, so I already told him that you would hate it.]


    [As expected of you, my lovely ex-jailor.]


    [So... Let''s see what Silent has in store for me.]


    He concluded their conversation as he once again set his eyes on the statue.


    Emir soon stood before the runes, his eyes scanning every curve and symbol etched into their surface.


    The patterns seemed to dance before him as if each line held a secret waiting to be unraveled.


    His mind raced as he recalled all that he was taught about Aether and the knowledge of Arcanists he remembered from the novel.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Emir delved deep into his memory, piecing together the fragments of information he had.


    Now as he focused back on the runes, he realized that each one held significance, symbolizing a unique Aspect of Aether and its inherent properties.


    Aspects were what formed the rich tapestry of qualities, properties, and capabilities tied to the maniption of Aether.


    They emerged as a Celestial absorbed neutral Aether and transformed it into usable Aether, bing the key to unlocking extraordinary abilities.


    Through their chosen Aspects, Celestials tapped into Aether''s boundless potential, molding the very fabric of their world to manifest their unique Celestial Essence.


    Within this web of Aether Aspects, each entwined with its own set of skills and abilitiesy a myriad of specializations.


    These specializations served as pathed and un-pathed disciplines, guiding individuals to develop their expertise in a particr Aspect or Aspects of Aether maniption.


    Emir''s fingertips gently grazed the surface of the first rune, his senses attuned to its texture. He absorbed the essence of the rune, allowing Aether to flow through him, imparting their


    use.


    And with each touch, the bond between him and the rune grew stronger, granting him the ability to understand its purpose.


    Closing his eyes, he expanded his senses beyond the physical realm.


    In his mind''s eye, he visualized the invisible currents of Aether, which guided his perception.


    Moving from rune to rune, Emir sought patterns and connections.


    He observed the way the symbols intertwined and ovepped, he also analyzed the shapes,


    the angles, the positions, and the rtionships between the runes, seeking harmony amidst


    theplexity.


    Minutes stretched into hours as he delved deeper into the study of this puzzle.


    He discarded false leads and focused his attention on the runes holding the key to unlocking


    the memorial room.


    Finally, a spark of recognition ignited within his mind.


    He noticed a recurring motif, a subtle repetition that resonated with the very essence of


    Aether.


    The Arcanist behind this puzzle had embedded their Arcanenguage within the runes.


    Anguage that only those with a deep understanding of their specializations could


    comprehend.


    With newfound rity, Emir began to piece together the sequence.


    He didn''t try to understand it, that thought never crossed his mind, as he simply attempted to decipher the underlying logic-the subtle shifts in Aether that signaled the correct order, a


    way simpler task.


    And he realized that it was a delicate dance of interlocking melodies that only those attuned


    to its frequency could hear.


    The ''frequency'' was the ''essence'' and the ''melodies'' were the ''paths.''


    So carefully, step by step, he donned the correct celestial essence and traced the paths of the


    runes, his fingertips gliding over their surface.


    Emir infused each touch with a different essence as his Aether aligned himself with the resonance of the runes.


    And as he progressed, a sense of certainty grew within him, while the atmosphere itself shifted, bing charged with Aether.


    Every surge of Aether from his core was a deliberate step closer to unlocking the secrets that


    awaited within, and the runes indicated his sess as they continued to pulsate with


    increasing intensity.


    They were responding to his touch as if awakening from a long slumber.


    The air crackled, and whispers of forgotten indecipherable incantations echoed in Emir''s


    mind.


    He could sense the presence of the Arcanist, their knowledge, and power intertwining with his


    own.


    It was as if they were guiding him through the dance of Aether maniption, urging him closer to the memorial room.


    Their knowledge flowed through him, guiding his every movement, as he traced the patterns


    of the runes with his fingertips, almost in a trance-like state.


    Each input of his Aether felt like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into ce.


    And as the final surge of Aether coursed through Emir''s veins, it flowed from his fingertips


    and into thest rune.


    At that moment, time appeared to hold its breath as the room filled with an intense, blinding


    light.


    Amidst the blinding brilliance, the room appeared to shift, as the concealed mechanisms within the statue''s base came alive with a soft whir.


    The statue of Marcus Aurelius transformed, unveiling a previously concealed passage that beckoned Emir into the heart of the memorial room.


    With a maic pull, the entrance enticed him, extending an invitation to delve into the legacy encapsted within, making him wonder about what mysteries he would discover.


    Emir silently looked at Lyra, who was in the process of mouthing two words:


    "Good luck." And waved her goodbye as he stepped down thedder.


    Both of them silently acknowledged the n they discussed previously, as he descended


    deeper into the abyss beneath the towering statue.


    His surroundings soon grew darker, amplifying the anticipation that tingled in the air.


    Reaching the bottom, he jumped off thedder and crossed the threshold of a grand doorway.


    A gateway that transported him into the heart of the memorial room.


    After a step forward, a reverential hush wrapped around him, creating a sacred space where the echoes of ages past whispered their secrets.

 Chapter 115: Marcus Aureliuss Trial

    Chapter 115: Marcus Aurelius''s Trial


    ?


    The walls of the memorial room were adorned with murals that spanned the entire spectrum of imagination.


    Each mural told a story-a visual chronicle of Marcus Aurelius''s journey and his contributions to the understanding of Aether...


    The cosmos itself.


    "Wow..."


    Emir breathed as his gaze moved with reverence from one mesmerizing artwork to another, his eyes tracing the details of every brushstroke.


    They seemed toe alive, depictingndscapes of distant gxies and swirling nebe.


    One even had a massive but majestic being that towered over a gxy of stars.


    It appeared to be human... in shape, at least.


    ''...A primordial maybe?''


    In another mural, Marcus was depicted as a figure of authority, surrounded by swirling currents of Aether.


    His outstretched hand reached towards the cosmos as if beckoning its mysteries to reveal themselves.


    ''A bit much... no?''


    Another mural depicted Marcus in the midst of experimentation, surrounded by arcing bolts of Aether and rune patterns.


    He appeared as a master conductor, orchestrating a symphony of the Arcane.


    ''Or maybe not.''


    The murals spoke of his timeless wisdom, inviting Emir to partake in a legend''s legacy.


    The legacy of Marcus Aurelius.


    They served as a gateway to the secrets of the universe...


    Bridging the gap between the mortal realm and the infinite expanse beyond.


    And as Emir stood amid this chamber of remembrance, he felt a connection to those who hade before him.


    It was a ce where the Celestial and the mortal converged.


    Where the past and future intertwined.


    A testament to the infinite possibilities thatid within the grasp of those who dared to seek.


    Emir stood in awe, his eyes transfixed on what was before him.


    But as he took a step back to fully take in the room, a wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips.


    "Fucking hell," he muttered under his breath.


    "I guess I''m in for a long, long game."


    ''Too bad I can''t sell these though, he won''t allow that.''


    Emir began to look around, searching for what else he could find.


    "Well, Marcus, let''s see what you''ve got cooking in here..."


    With a smirk, he stepped forward, his heart filled with anticipation.


    "Hopefully, it''s not just leftovers."


    The walls of the room seemed toe alive as his eyes scanned the engravings on them, tracing the patterns that adorned the chamber.


    And as he drew nearer, a peculiar sensation tingled at the back of his mind.


    The engravings appeared familiar, resonating with an otherworldly energy.


    It was Aether but not at the same time.


    Unbeknownst to Emir and solely due to ''It,'' his body was granted a heightened sensitivity to this script.


    Something that only Paragon-ranked Celestials could think ofprehending.


    His fingers hovered over the engraved symbols, not daring to touch them.


    Emir felt the power emanating from them as if thenguage was alive and resonating with the unknownws of Aether.


    His mind was overwhelmed with a mixture of curiosity and frustration.


    The symbols appeared to be taunting him.


    He could sense the immense magnitude of limitless potential encapsted within this script.


    Yet their swirling forms existed on a ne of existence so far removed from his grasp that it appeared as an ethereal mirage...


    Forever eluding his attempts to decipher any of its secrets.


    So despite his tireless pursuit, he didn''t get any of its meanings.


    His understanding merely brushed against the edges of its significance.


    It was a maddening dance.


    A futile struggle that left him humbled by the vast expanse of knowledge.


    Breaking through his frustration, a soft and gentle voice, reminiscent of a distant whisper, echoed in the memorial:


    "This wisdom..."


    Its elegant timbre carried a weight of incredible wisdom and a presence that seemed to transcend time itself.


    "Is beyond the grasp of Ascendants, a vast chasm that separates you from its depths."


    "Though you yearn to understand it, it''s a journey that may span hundreds... even thousands of lifetimes, a quest that may forever elude you, Order''s Chosen."


    The voice seemed to caress each word and in its hushed utterance, there was a sense of both guidance and warning.


    As if they carried the burden of knowledge too immense to be contained within a single


    existence.


    Emir''s eyes widened as he turned to face the source of the voice, his gaze falling upon a holographic figure that materialized before him.


    It stood tall and noble, a manifestation of Marcus Aurelius himself, fashioned from shimmering strands of light.


    The holographic avatar exuded an aura of serenity, its features mirroring the stoic countenance of the ancient philosopher.


    His long ck hair matched quite well with the understanding reflected in his green eyes.


    Emir, taken aback by the unexpected encounter, quickly regained hisposure and spoke


    with amusement:


    "...So it''s you. I really should''ve expected that."


    The holographic Marcus smiled.


    "Indeed, young one. I am but a hologram, a vessel for the wisdom and insights that I have umted over countless lifetimes. You may call me Silent, as I was made to manage this Archive and have built this very memorial."


    "Your presence humbles me." Emir said, his voice tinged with respect.


    Silent continued while nodding:


    "I must say, I waited a long time for someone like you toe along, I thought of getting rid


    of those pesky bugs upstairs, but I held my patience."


    "...Do you know of them Silent?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "The bugs, you mean? Unfortunately, I do, an unpleasant bunch the lot of them, some are


    fanatics while others kneel for the Order."


    Emir''s eyes widened as he understood an underlying meaning in his words.


    "Is the Liberation Army really in cahoots with the Order?"


    Silent chuckled.


    "Cahoots? No, they are but hounding dogs, begging the Order to let them live, thinking that it


    would be better to switch sides than die manning the ship."


    ''So that part of the novel was true...''


    "But enough about them," he said, cutting off Emir''s thoughts.


    "I have watched your journey unfold, Emir."


    "Lyra loved mentioning you in a blindingly bright light, but that had not clouded your true


    feats."


    "The trials you''ve faced and the strength you have shown mark you as a worthy heir to the knowledge contained within this chamber, as small as those trials may be."


    "The Script of Creation holds secrets that transcend most celestials'' understanding, even though what you see in front of you is a simple page of the script..."


    "The basics you can say, as it is the boundary that blocks Paragons from ascending to be


    an Apex of this world, a true godlike being, and you are an unimaginable distance away from


    attempting to understand it."


    A chuckling Emir nodded.


    "That''s something that I fully acknowledged when attempting it."


    Silent smiled.


    "You have all the time in the world, unlike my true body that died long ago... You have a path


    laid ahead of you, all you need to do is tread it."


    "And that''s what I''ll do. Knowing what to look out for in the future is a major help, and


    although I am thankful for all of this, I heard from Lyra that you wanted to test me?" Emir posed a question that had been stuck in his mind for a while.


    "That is correct young one, although I deem you worthy of knowing this, the man my creation


    was based on wouldn''t have epted you to gain knowledge that most celestials wouldn''t


    dare believe without a trial."


    "Well... There is nothing I can do about it, so let''s get to it." Emir said while a frown adorned


    his face, not matching the excited tone of his voice.


    "Prepare yourself to be surprised young one."


    Soon after woes echoed, Silent''s holographic form disappeared, and at the same time, a


    section of the memorial opened, revealing an egress.


    ''There we go...''


    Step by step, Emir passed through the doorway, only to have his path blocked by a towering


    portal.


    It was a gateway pulsating with Aether.


    It defied the boundaries of the physical realm, a testament to the Warp Weaver''s mastery over


    the fabric of space and time.


    Its appearance was mesmerizing, captivating his gaze as he observed the swirling vortexes


    within.


    It seemed to shimmer with an iridescent glow, casting ever-changing colors upon the surrounding chamber.


    The Aether within the portal rippled and undted, as if it were a living entity, beckoning


    him to step through...


    To venture into the unknown.

 Chapter 116: Poisonous Planet

    Chapter 116: Poisonous


    ?


    The boundaries of the portal were nebulous, as if it existed in a space between spaces, defying thews of conventional reality.


    And as Emir approached closer, he could feel the faint tugs of gravitational forces emanating from the portal.


    A subtle reminder of the power that coursed through it.


    Within the depths of the swirling vortexes, he glimpsed fleeting images of a distantndscape, a preview of what awaited on the other side.


    ''Alright....''


    ''Let''s see what Silent has in store for me.''


    Readying himself, he stepped forward, and the portal swallowed him whole.


    He traveled more than 1,000 light years in an instant as his feet reached the other side of the portal.


    While Emir cast his gaze upon his new surroundings, he was captivated by the surreal sight that unfolded before him.


    The entirendscape, from the billowing clouds that stretched across the sky to the very ground beneath his feet, was bathed in a hue of deep and vibrant purple.


    The clouds, like wisps of amethyst, danced across the heavens, their forms casting shifting shadows on thend below.


    The sunlight that filtered through thevender mist, created a soft glow.


    In the distance, mountains rose from the violet horizon, their peaks piercing the heavens.


    The mountains'' rugged forms, tinged with hues of lc and indigo, seemed to guard the secrets of this realm.


    Emir found himself immersed in andscape so extraordinary and alien that it defied the very notion of Earth.


    He simply couldn''t believe what he was seeing.


    ''This has to be outside the sr system, there''s no way any of ours look like this...''


    Emir soon snapped himself out of that thought and walked on, his senses on high alert, while The navigated the area he found himself in.


    But while walking, he felt different for some reason; his steps were subtly wonky, and


    uneven.


    It was almost unnoticeable to the average man, but that he was not....


    And then Emir finally realized:


    "Gravity.... I almost forgot about that."


    He theorized it to be simr to that of Earth, as he easily adjusted to it, his strength output in the environment neither increasing nor decreasing.


    Shrugging his shoulders, he epted that as fact and moved on, his gaze wondering.


    There were no lush jungles or towering trees, no signs of the abundant life to which he was ustomed.


    Instead, as far as his eyes could see, therey an expanse of rugged terrain, dominated by colossal rock formations that seemed to stretch endlessly.


    The jagged rocks, weathered by eons of time, formed abyrinth of natural sculptures.


    They stood as ancient sentinels, guardians of this world.


    "Augh!"


    Emir''s captivated gaze suddenly paused as his breath hitched and a coughing fit reced his calm demeanor.


    It was apparent that the air he breathed was devoid of oxygen, a realization that would have posed a dire threat to ordinary beings.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Hoooooh...."


    But Emir, as a celestial with the same degree of mutation as a Seraphim, had long transcended the need for such sustenance.


    Through his early mutation, he attained an extraordinary adaptation that allowed him to exist independently of oxygen, defying the constraints of biological limitations.


    After calm returned to his face, he stopped for a moment, wanting to make sure of a few things.


    [Hey Lyra, can you hear me?]


    He asked, wondering if the connection between them was still intact.


    And like he expected, no reply came, so he didn''t bother with that any longer and looked up.


    "Silent, what do you want me to do here? This is just dead."


    Emir knew that Marcus was watching him.


    And a secondter, a soft voice echoed in his mind:


    [Check-check, you hear me, sonny?]


    "Yeah, so why did you send me here?"


    [Quite impatient, aren''t you, young man? Listen up... This uing trial would test your adaptability, something quite important for a celestial.]


    [Your wit and strength have already been proven, so now let''s see if you have this as well.]


    "No questions?" Emir asked.


    Silent chuckled.


    [Yes, you must go in this blind, knowing about the events that would unfold would ruin the trial after all...]


    "I know that Lyra mentioned this already, but you must know that I really love people testing me. I seriously like it a lot, so thank you for this."


    A moment of silence urred until it was broken by wildughter from both parties.


    Momentster, when they finally calmed down, Silent spoke:


    [Well, I like you boy, I''ll give you a freebie after this.]


    [Although I can''t say what the information is exactly, I can tell you that it''s regarding the one


    who orchestrated this guillotine hovering over your head.]


    [Hopefully, this would serve as enough motivation for you to try your best.]


    Emir''s eyes widened in surprise, but he shook his head right after.


    "And here I thought that the experiments only began after your death...."


    "Well, that certainly gets me going, I''ll be sure not to disappoint you."


    [You won''t, and just know that you can only contact me when I initiate the connection.]


    Now that Silent was gone, Emir focused back on the environment.


    Nothing had changed much from the moment he came here, so he began thinking of what the


    trial may be.


    ''This, whatever it''s called, is solely purple, which might mean something....''


    ''He said, adaptability, so maybe an environmental hazard.''


    ''Poison maybe?''


    ''But I''m fine.''


    ''Breathing this''s air gave me no problems.''


    ''Or is it a thing that happens at specific times of the day?''


    ''....That might be it.''


    Emir then began nning on how to tackle this uing issue.


    And his mind immediately went to creating a shelter, or searching for and hiding in it until he


    identified this''s hazards.


    ''A cave it is.''


    Landing on a decision, Emir''s steps quickened as he ran towards the towering mountains in


    the distance, moving at a blindingly fast speed.


    He passed by many purple-colored rock formations, and he didn''t fail to notice that some of them contained scars, indicating that a battle took ce in the area.


    ''So monsters too....''


    ''Well, just hiding in a cave would''ve made this too easy.'' He snickered.


    While on the way towards the mountains, he spotted three massive figures arge distance


    away, appearing to be chasing him.


    He sighed as he murmured: "Haaaah... seriously? You won''t even give me a grace period?"


    Emir''s feet never stopped moving, and he didn''t even appear exhausted at the speed he was


    going at.


    His mind, however, was overloaded.


    Especially sopared to his rxed countenance.


    He thought of ns, taking into ount all his possible future actions and unknown things


    coming his way.


    And as he neared the mountains, he stopped to catch his breath for a moment.


    Emir wanted to kill those monsters as they were closing in on him despite the massive boost


    to his speed.


    This to him,bined with other conclusions he made, indicated their level to be around


    Fiend rank.


    A maximum of two cores, something that he could handle, leading to his decision to confront


    them before going further.


    Since his destination was littered with rocks at every turn.


    Which would have made it impossible to know where the monsters were.


    Emir propped up his Aetherstormuncher andy prone on the ground, the butt of the gun


    sticking to his shoulder as he eyed the monsters through his scope.


    He zoomed in on them, enabling him to identify his adversaries.


    All three monsters looked to be of the same kind, a Noxspire.


    Massive serpent-like creatures with jet-ck scales and glowing eyes. Their bodies were adorned with tattoo-like patterns and vibrant colors of purple.


    And they possessed long, sinuous bodies, coiling and slithering with speed. ''Nothing too surprising, those species of monsters survive and thrive on poisonouss.''


    ''Best way to kill these three is to make sure they''re dead before they reach me,'' he added as he


    prepared the Aether in his body.


    "Aether st."


    His chant resulted in his weapon to whirr once more, and a massive beam of light traveled a


    few kilometers in seconds until it reached the leftmost monster, hitting its eyes and exiting


    its head a momentter.


    The monster let out a cry of pain and slumped down.


    But the ones beside it didn''t flinch and kept rushing at Emir, knowing that giving him a


    chance to strike again would end up in their deaths.


    Having utilized only half of his Aether reserves in the preceding assault, he found himself


    compelled to once more utter the incantation:


    "Aether st."


    In an explosive disy, the air quaked with a resounding boom as the second monstrosity


    sumbed to its death.


    Its colossal head was violently severed from its lifeless form, spiraling through the air in a grotesque arc, a bloody testament to his power.


    Emir then directed his focus towards quickly replenishing his waning Aether reserves as he


    was nearly depleted.


    Employing his Aether core, he harnessed neutral Aether, adeptly converting it into his


    Weaver''s Veil aspect.


    And as the tension mounted, Emir took a step forward, the sound of his unsheathed daggers


    cutting through the air.


    One de held firmly in each hand, he assumed a poised stance, his body subtly shifting into


    perfect alignment.


    Emir held his breath as he activated the force shield embedded within his augmented suit,


    isting himself from the surrounding air and creating an invisible barrier separating him from the world.


    Fully prepared, he fixed his gaze on the colossal monstrosity that loomed before him, its presence casting a daunting shadow.

 Chapter 117: Unexpected Hazards

    Chapter 117: Unexpected Hazards


    ?


    The colossal monster continued to hurtle towards Emir, each thunderous footfall


    reverberating through the ground. Its jaws dripped with venomous saliva, while its very skin exuded a toxic aura, permeating the air.


    Its savage intentions were evident, poised to engulf him in a nightmare of poison.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But he remained unfazed by its towering size and stood resolute, his muscles taut with anticipation, his gaze locked on the advancing Fiend.


    Inplete focus, his time began to stretch as he activated his Temporal Perception ability.


    Every second he perceived as hundreds, the world itself slowed and narrowed down to this singr sh between predator and prey.


    Emir, being the predator, unknowingly to the monster.


    Not wasting any time, he began dissecting the Noxspire''s weakness and nning his next moves.


    ''End its methods of attack first...''


    Noticing the muscles on the monster being flexed, he expected its attack to be a simple charge and bite, so with that in mind, he changed his stance as he shifted his body slightly to the right and chanted:


    "Aetheric des."


    With his TP still active, he sidestepped the monster''s bite with a quick leap to the side.


    And just as his foot touched the ground, he pivoted on his right leg, turning to face the monster.


    With barely a pause, he lunged upward, utilizing his body''s momentum to execute a front flip.


    This added force propelled him back towards the monster, his target now its rapidly approaching tail.


    Swift and precise, his daggers sliced through the Noxspire''s massive tail as if it were butter, sshing his augmented suit''s force shield with its poison.


    The monster roared in pain as it rushed to distance itself from Emir.


    But not giving the Noxspire a moment to counterattack or evenpose itself, Emir quickly retrieved his Aetherstorm Launcher and charged it.


    The weapon hummed with Aether as it unleashed a searing st aimed directly at the monster''s eyes.


    Now with no tail to defend itself, the shot hit the monster cleanly, as its head was pushed to the right due to the sheer force of the st.


    The monster roared in agony once more, but Emir remained on the attack as he discarded his weapon, and rushed towards it, taking advantage of its current state.


    The shine of his daggers intensified, radiating a darker hue as he absorbed an influx of Aether during the ongoing battle, this surge only heightening their potency.


    Emir reached just below the monster, but in itste hurrah, it spewed out poisonous blood, which he promptly dodged by jumping backwards.


    Said blood was so corrosive that it sizzled the very earth it touched.


    Stretching his arms behind him, he applied all of his Aether into his daggers and threw them at the Noxspire''s neck.


    A whooshing sound danced through the air as the daggers found themselves cutting through the monster from one side to the next.


    Its blood gushed out causing the very air around it to begin to increase in toxicity.


    Emir quickly stepped away, knowing that even his augmented suit would struggle to hold off that much poison from going through and reaching him.


    He waited until it dissipated and simply grabbed his daggers after the whole ordeal was over, sheathing them once more.


    Casting one final nce at the defeated monster, he sprinted back towards the mountains, not happy nor sad with his win as he reflected:


    ''I''ve gotten stronger, huh, or rather, my equipment is better, but it''s all the same, Fiend- ranked monsters can''t even bring me a challenge now...''


    While Emir continued to run, he soon began noticing that the sun equivalent of whatever he was on was growing closer and closer by the second.


    The temperature was slowly rising, threatening to cook even him, a Celestial, alive.


    With every step, he felt the earth beneath him begin to scorch even more; he also noticed the air''s toxicity increase further, and light fumes of poison began to release themselves from the ground.


    ''This sure is something.''


    Emir thought as he picked up his pace, running faster than he ever had.


    Focusing all his Aether and the augmented suit''s energy into his lower body, he felt waves of ridiculously hot air hitting his face, his force shield struggling to contain the heat.


    But he remained focused and soon reached close to the mountains, his steps never slowing as he looked around for a cave to hide in.


    He scanned the surroundings, desperately seeking a sanctuary amidst the hell he found


    himself in.


    Although desperate, he was calm, even when the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his mind, as it only fueled his sense of urgency and sharpened his focus.


    Finally, in a minute or so, his eyes locked onto a cave nestled amidst the terrain.


    It beckoned to him, offering the promise of respite from the mounting perils.


    ''It''s my only choice!''


    Without hesitation, he veered towards it, his steps never faltering, drawn by the flickering hope of safety it represented him, even if it housed a monster within its depths.


    And as he neared the cave''s entrance, the reality of his race against time and nature''s wrath became ever more tangible.


    The scorching heat seemed to intensify even more with each passing moment, threatening to engulf him entirely.


    The toxic atmosphere, now suffused with swirling fumes of poison, wed at his senses, at his lungs that had not breathed for however long he ran, urging him to reach refuge.


    Emir''s heart pounded in his chest as he reached the mouth of the cave...


    His final sanctuary against the merciless elements.


    Without a second thought, he crossed the threshold, and a rush of coolness embraced him, offering temporary sce from the relentless world outside.


    In the dim light that filtered through the cave''s entrance, his breaths came in ragged gasps, evidence of the strenuous sprint that had brought him here.


    The echoes of his own panting reverberated, filling the cavern with a sound of weakness.


    But amidst this symphony of sound, there was an additional note that sent a chill down his


    spine.


    One that appeared to have capitalized on his current state.


    A low growl, deep and menacing, gradually weaved its way into his ears, disrupting the


    rtive calm.


    The air grew heavy as if the very cave they were in held its breath.


    The presence of another creature, hidden within the shadows, had been unveiled, shattering


    any hope he had of recuperating.


    "Fuck..."


    Emir couldn''t help but mumble as he braced himself for yet another harrowing encounter in


    this treacherous realm...


    In this poisonous hellscape.

 Chapter 118: Tyrant

    Chapter 118: Tyrant


    ?


    The cave trembled, its very foundations groaning in protest as the monster advanced, each heavy step resonating with a bone-crushing crunch.


    The ground beneath Emir''s feet seemed to quiver in fear, mirroring the trepidation that coursed through his veins.


    His mind raced, evaluating his limited options.


    Escape was no longer a viable choice; the outside world had transformed into a death sentence, leaving him trapped within the confines of this cavern.


    With resignation settling over him like a shroud, he braced himself for the impending collision, aware that the creature lurking before him might possess a power far beyond his


    own.


    And as the monster finally emerged from the shadows, it revealed a form that defied Emir''s expectations.


    It bore an unsettling resemnce to a human, with a single head, two arms, and two legs-its physicalposition mimicking that of an ordinary person.


    Yet there was an eerie twist to its appearance that sent a chill down his spine.


    A grotesque mask adorned the creature''s face, contorting its features with an uncanny mix of familiarity and distortion.


    Its eyes, vibrant, glowed like pools of toxic emerald, harboring a dark power that seemed to seethe within.


    The creature''s skin, sickly pale and marked with strange patterns, bore an ethereal sheen as if coated in a toxic residue, hinting at its venomous nature.


    Emir''s intuition screamed at him, warning of the formidable adversary he now faced-a Tyrant-ranked monster, a Maligorth.


    This was no mere monster but a twisted embodiment of poison itself, a monster that surpassed all that he encountered before.


    Its every aspect, from the poisonous radiance in its eyes to the sickly pallor of its skin, spoke volumes of its venomous capabilities.


    And as the cavern fell into a hush, the monster locked eyes with Emir, a glimmer of malicious intelligence gleaming within its gaze.


    The air grew dense with a palpable sense of danger as if the very poison that coursed through the creature''s veins had permeated the atmosphere, filling it with a deadly aura.


    Emir instantly activated his Temporal Perception ability, causing time to almost freezepletely.


    His thoughts almost turned silent as he stared at the creature before him.


    He grappled with the realization that he was now facing a Tyrant, something that he could never hope to best without sacrificing his life in turn.


    But instead of showing panic, his mind was calm, weirdly so.


    ''Using Aether st will simply not have any effect on itparable to the Aether it will use...''


    ''My Aetheric des will barely graze it, my weapons are just useless, this fight is a lose-lose situation on all fronts.''


    He attempted to grasp at straws, thinking of anything that might allow him to survive.


    ''I can''t leave either, although I would have a higher chance of surviving out there who knows what might happen...''


    ''I must somehow go past it.''


    Whether he could do it or not is another matter entirely, however. But the possibility of failure never crossed his mind.


    So with a swift motion, he drew his daggers from their sheaths, their glinting des catching the dim light of the cavern.


    Whispers of Aether stirred within him as two words escaped his lips, resonating through the cavern with an echo:


    "Aetheric des."


    And as Emir released his grip on Temporal Perception, time resumed its normal flow.


    His unwavering gaze remained fixed on the menacing Maligorth, both Celestial and monster locked in an unyielding stare-down.


    The air crackled with an electric tension, suffocating under its weight.


    The slightest movement could shatter the fragile equilibrium, yet Emir held his ground, his muscles coiled, ready to strike or defend at a moment''s notice.


    He knew his first move could decide the fate that awaited him.


    Slowly, almost deliberately, the Maligorth opened its mouth, causing the grotesque mask on its face to contort and writhe.


    Emir braced himself for a vicious assault or a venomous attack, but to his surprise, the monster''s utterance extended beyond that.


    A raspy voice emerged from deep within, uttering a single, bone-chilling greeting:


    "Hello, human."


    Comprehension dawned upon Emir, transcending the barriers ofnguage as he understood the Maligorth''s words.


    It wasn''t the fact that the monster spoke that surprised him; he knew that Tyrant-ranked creatures possessed intelligence akin to humans.


    What astounded him was the creature''s decision to engage in conversation rather thanunch an attack, he was invading his territory after all...


    Snapping himself out of it Emir spoke, like the Maligorth, his words resonated with Aether, causing them to be something that transcended mere speech, a conduit of power understood by both human and monster alike:


    "Hey, Maligorth."


    Fixated on him, the Maligorth received the greeting with silence, its eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and a primal hunger.


    Emir''s heart pounded in his chest as caution enveloped him, the weight of the moment pressing upon his every thought and movement.


    Seconds stretched into an agonizing silence as an unspoken battle of wills filled the air.


    The Maligorth shrouded in mystery, continued to gaze upon Emir, its eyes betraying an uncanny understanding of his vulnerability.


    It watched him, akin to a cat toying with its prey, aware of his weaknesses and limitations.


    Being under the weight of the creature''s scrutiny caused Emir to keenly feel the magnitude of


    his own fragility.


    And finally, after a few more moments, the Maligorth''s voice pierced the stillness with a chilling resonance, breaking the silence that seemed to stretch into eternity:


    "I have encountered many of your kind, human, and I have devoured them without


    remorse..."


    "Some stumbled upon our realm by chance, while others sought to exterminate our kind, invade our, and seize it for their own. I must admit, I relished theirpany. I relished the ughter... But you... Tell me, human, what brings you here?"


    Emir carefully weighed his response, fully aware that provoking the monster could seal his


    fate as its next meal:


    "I was brought to this ce against my will,pelled to learn and nothing more, I seek no harm or conquest. I am but a reluctant traveler in this realm."


    A thunderous growl... Orugh reverberated through the cavern as the monster''s twisted mask contorted into a grotesque smile.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You possess a rare courage, human. Many in your position would have crumbled under the weight of my presence. I admire that about you. However, you have unwittingly invaded my, encroaching upon my domain..."


    "Though unintentional, your presence here demands retribution. I have no fondness for ying the weak, but the leader of our kin would sever my head if I spared you. Regrettably, I


    must end your existence."


    Pausing for a moment the Maligorth added, its voice resonating with an unmistakable air of


    finality:


    "Please ept my apologies."


    Just those words left the monster''s lips, a chilling silence descended upon the cave.


    Emir''s heart almost stopped in his chest as he braced himself for the impending attack.


    In an instant, the Maligorth closed the distance between them, its w-like hands extending with deadly precision.


    Emir watched as the monster''s transformed limbs, its vicious sword-like weapons, appear before him in a downward swing.

 Chapter 119: Tyrant II

    Chapter 119: Tyrant II


    ?


    Time slowed down as Emir''s instincts kicked in, immediately activating his Temporal Perception ability.


    His gaze remained locked with the Maligorth''s ded appendages.


    ''Down.''


    Emir dove to the side, narrowly evading the lethal swipe.


    The monster''s attack tore through the air, sending a gust of wind whipping past his body. The sheer force of the strike reverberated through the cavern, causing the walls to tremble.


    Emir''s mind raced, adrenaline fueling his every move.


    He had to find a way to counter the monster''s assault, at least until his n took form, but the odds seemed overwhelmingly stacked against him.


    With his daggers still gripped tightly in his hands, he prepared to face the Maligorth head-on, determined to survive this deadly encounter by any means necessary.


    In an instant, the atmosphere crackled with Aether as he tapped into the wellspring of his Celestial Essence.


    Manifesting hismand over Aether, his daggers underwent a transformative surge.


    The des shimmered and shifted, transmuting into the deepest shade of ck as he infused more and more Aether into his daggers.


    The Maligorth''s smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing its contorted mask.


    It had not anticipated such a potent disy of power from the human intruder.


    It paused for a moment, and spoke, its voice dripping with malicious intent:


    "You seem to be a rather intriguing specimen among your kind, human... I must admit, this fight has piqued my excitement. Please entertain me."


    With a change in stance, the Maligorth raised its hand, and with a flick of its finger, the air around them instantly turned into a noxious cloud of poison, obscuring Emir''s vision.


    Reacting quickly, he activated his Aetheric Shield ability, knowing that his augmented force shield alone wouldn''t suffice against the corrosive element.


    However, even in that brief moment before the shield formed, the toxic fumes made contact with Emir''s skin, inflicting their insidious effects.


    Suddenly, his surroundings transformed into a nightmarish scene.


    The Maligorth seemed to multiply, spawning a horde of grotesque creatures that materialized from the shadows, each fixated on him as if he were a tantalizing feast.


    ''Illusions... These are illusions...''


    He constantly reminded himself as the illusory creatures closed in on him, their hungry eyes and slithering forms amplifying his sense of dread.


    ''Houff...''


    Steeling himself, he did what was necessary, gritted teeth expecting extreme pain.


    With a quickmand from his neuralwork, he sent a shockwave of pain through his body through his nanobots, jolting his senses back to reality.


    The hallucinations shattered like fragile ss, revealing the true nature of his foe, a lone monster.


    All that happened in under a second, but that was enough time for it to approach him.


    And as Emir emerged from the illusion, ''his'' time slowed to a crawl.


    The Maligorth loomed before him, its hand arcing towards his neck in a deadly swing.


    With instinct guiding him, he reacted, deflecting the strike with his daggers, his reflexes honed by his many battles.


    The sh of des was apanied by explosive sparks and the force of the impact pushed him back, but he quickly regained his footing, his feet digging into the ground for stability. Emir thenunched a counterattack, his Aether-infused daggers tracing patterns in the air. With calcted strikes, he aimed for the vulnerable points on the monster''s body, seeking to exploit any weaknesses.


    However, the Maligorth was not caught off guard by his quick retaliation.


    With its own formidable reflexes, it defended itself, using its des to deflect his strikes. The battle became a dance of strength versus agility and skill, with Emir evading the Maligorth''s counterattacks through quick maneuvers and well-timed parries.


    Each sh of weapons sent echoes through the cavern, a sound of danger and death.


    This sound repeated for a little while, the battle was at a standstill, but that changed after the Maligorth switched up its attacks.


    It suddenly unleashed a surge of corrosive venom from its mouth, aimed directly at Emir.


    Reacting with split-second timing, he darted to the side, narrowly evading the glob as it sailed past him.


    Keeping a vignt eye on the monster''s movements, he anticipated its next attack, his focus unwavering. This allowed him to notice its subtle gestures.


    Emir nced behind him and saw poison snaking its way toward him, threatening to engulf him in its toxic grip.


    Adjusting his stance, he tapped into the Aether flowing through his body.


    Infusing it with his legs, he used his second aspect, the Aerialis, to amplify his movement speed to unprecedented levels.


    Combined with the enhanced capabilities of his augmented suit, his speed became explosive as he propelled himself forward towards the towering monster.


    His second step almost grazed the ground as he closed the distance to the Maligorth in a fraction of a second.


    The poison trailed behind him, unable to keep up with his elerated movements.


    Gathering all the strength into his legs, he then leaped upwards, defying gravity and soaring towards the cavern''s rocky roof.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Within moments, he reached the elevated perch, flipping his body midway through the leap and reorienting himself to face downward with his feet up, ready to unleash a devastating strike from above.


    Emir then pushed himself off the rocky perch,unching himself towards the Maligorth.


    Materializing above the monstrous creature, his daggers gleamed-the darkest hue they had


    ever taken.


    The Maligorth, however, was not defenseless.


    It brought up its sword-like hands, intercepting his downward strike with its own formidable


    defense.


    The impact caused the monster''s feet to dig into the ground, apanied by a resounding thundercrack that echoed, almost deafening him.


    Appearing unfazed by his attack, the Maligorth retaliated by kicking him off. It then utilized the toxic gas lingering outside the cave, and shot it at him,bining it with the second glob of venom it released towards his face.


    Emir quickly ducked down, avoiding the poison, and jumped back, maneuvering himself out of the long sword-like weapons that sliced through the air right in front of him.


    The misty swords that materialized in the air were seemingly conjured by the Maligorth''s ability to control poison itself, to wield it.


    Each de dripped with toxic venom, their forms twisting and coiling like serpents poised to


    strike.


    The misty swords lunged towards Emir but he twisted his body out of their way, jumping and contorting mid-air as he performed gravity-defying spins.


    They constantly sliced through the empty space he once upied, their lethal tips grazing him and Emir kept maneuvering through their chaos, his body twisting at seemingly


    impossible angles to evade death.


    A single hit, a scratch even, would''ve done him in, yet he remained calm throughout. His movements were a testament to his Temporal Perception, honed reflexes and heightened senses, allowing him to anticipate and respond to even the slightest shifts in the toxic mist, not even a hiss escaping his notice.


    Their battle was fierce, electrifying, obviously one-sided yet somehow it didn''t end.


    It was only a result of his calm, which slowly left him and was reced by excitement. He smiled with serenity, the overwhelming, no, the impossible odds gave him a sense of life. Life was truly felt the most in times of chaos. And amidst that chaos, he continued to analyze the patterns of the misty des in slowed time, seeking out a vulnerability in the monster''s


    relentless assault.


    Every motion, every decision was calcted as he searched for the perfect opportunity to turn


    the tide in his favor.


    But then, in a moment of decisive resolve, Emir''s calm fa?ade shattered entirely, his smile widening even further, as all that he thought at that moment was a simple:


    ''Fuck it!''


    A sudden and tremendous surge of Aether flowed through him, permeating every fiber of his


    being. The raw energy coursed through his veins, as he absorbed, processed, and wielded Aether at


    an unprecedented rate, faster than he had ever done before.


    His Aether core pulsated with power, pushing his limits to the maximum.


    With a resounding deration, he screamed:


    "AETHER OVERDRIVE!"


    The Aether Overdrive ability, as he called it, pushed his body to its limits, igniting a searing


    heat that intensified with every subtle movement, with the pain serving as a reminder of the immense power he wielded.


    And as the ability took hold, Emir''s form underwent a profound transformation.


    He radiated an aura akin to that of a Pdin-ranked Ascendant, his body surging with Aether.


    While all that happened, his reflexes kept being pushed to their limits as he effortlessly sidestepped two des swinging at him from behind.


    With agility, he twisted his body, narrowly evading the arcs of the misty weapons.


    Emir then leaped forward, soaring through the air, it crackled with Aether as his ability helped


    propel him towards the vile monster.


    In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the astonished Maligorth once more, his sudden appearance catching it off guard.


    Just as his feetnded firmly on the ground, his daggers glowed with Aether even more, making the des so ck that they snuffed all the light around them.


    He then channeled his enhanced speed, power, and momentum into a devastating strike, his des tracing an arc towards its heart.

 Chapter 120: Hazima

    Chapter 120: Hazima


    ?


    In that fleeting moment, the ''wide-eyed'' Maligorth realized the predicament it was in as Emir''s des descended upon its heart with incredible force.


    The sh was cataclysmic.


    A sudden burst of Aether erupted from the point of impact, illuminating the darkness and casting a glow upon their surroundings.


    The sound of metal meeting metal reverberated through the chamber, only punctuated by a thunderous shockwave that echoed in their wake, rippling around them, shaking the very foundations of the cavern as it quaked under the strain of their sh, with rocks crumbling and debris raining down.


    The Maligorth''s body convulsed as his daggers pierced through its defenses, cutting through what appeared to be its upper body, from the chest to its abdomen, all gutted, spilling its insides to the ground.


    It let out a guttural roar, a mixture of pain and fury, as the power of his strike disrupted its regeneration.


    Yet Emir held his ground, his gaze locked with the writhing form of the Maligorth as he pressed his advantage.


    His daggers continued their assault, each strike infused with his Weaver''s Veil aspect. His each cut and thrust sought to distract the monster from his real n, not caring for its ability to regenerate.


    But as Emir''s daggers struck its body once more, a strange phenomenon urred.


    The creature''s form seemed to ripple and twist even further, reshaping into an even more nightmarish manifestation, while it also invited his daggers into its flesh appearing as if it was absorbing the impact of the attack without a trace of damage. And with each transformation, it seemed to draw power from the depths of itself.


    Undeterred by the Maligorth''s sudden change, Emir didn''t relent.


    His des danced through the air, shing their way through the monster''s body from all angles as he sought to find a weakness within its ever-shifting form.


    He shed its neck, heart, and tendons, or at least the parts that appeared to be so, as its form kept on changing, no longer human.


    The Maligorth, appearing to have turned mad, retaliated with ferocity.


    It unleashed waves of its poisonous aura, pushing him back and then manipted the toxic vapor into bing tens of des that shed at him


    Emir skillfully evaded the onught, his nimble movements defying the chaotic nature of the attacks, his mind lost in thought.


    His smile faltered slightly as he realized that sessfully performing the n he had in mind would require everything that he had, down to thest amount of Aether that he could muster, this Tyrant was even stronger than he anticipated.


    So despite the insane amount of pain he was experiencing, he channeled more Aether into his core, which had long since passed its limit, solely relying on his resolve to keep on working.


    He then jumped up, leaving the mist and pulled out his Aetherstorm Launcher, aiming it at the Maligorth.


    "Aether st!"


    The shot sliced through the swirling darkness, aimed at the heart of its true form.


    A blinding burst of Aether erupted from the point of impact, illuminating the cavern ina dazzling sh, even brighter than his previous all-out attack.


    The cavern trembled once again, its walls quaking further under the strain.


    Dust and debris continued to fill the air, shrouding the aftermath of their confrontation.


    As the dust settled and the blinding light subsided, Emir stood amidst the wreckage, his breath ragged and his body battered.


    He calmly watched as the Maligorth stood before him, seemingly unharmed.


    Its body shifted and contorted once again, a final transformation, as it returned to its original, true monstrous state.


    The Maligorth now towered several times over him, as big as a truck, its grotesque look striking fear into the hearts of the bravest souls.


    Its limbs, once resembling human arms, had elongated into long twisted appendages ending in razor-sharp ws.


    A tangle of jagged spines protruded from its hulking frame, radiating a sickly green glow.


    The face of the Maligorth was the stuff of nightmares.


    Its twisted mask had transformed into a grotesque visage, a fusion of jagged teeth, gaping maws, and malevolent eyes that gleamed with a sickly glow.


    Venomous drool dripped from its vering jaws, leaving hissing trails as it hit the ground. Every inch of the creature exuded a toxic aura, with the stench of decay permeating the air around it.


    It seemed to pulsate with Aether, its essence that of a dark force that thrived on pain and suffering.


    Emir felt a chill run down his spine as he beheld his enemy.


    This was the monster''s most powerful and sinister incarnation.


    He watched as the Maligorth''s visage contorted into a twisted expression, a mix of seriousness and a flicker of joy.


    ''So it thinks that it won huh... Good,'' he thought, finallyposing himself.


    Its voice soon echoed through the cavern, devoid of any mirth:


    "...You impress me, human. Your strength evokes memories of the Eternal Star n-a


    formidable group they were."


    Emir''s face shed surprise for a moment, bewildered by the Maligorth''s wish to talk, but he quickly regained his calm, knowing that he use could this to his advantage.


    ''It must be talking about the n my father''s from...''


    ''Let''s see where I can go with this, I only need to dy it for a little while.''


    "You speak of the Eternal Star n with reverence. Who are they, and what is their


    significance in the universe?" He asked.


    Its face contorted into a sinister grin, further revealing rows of jagged teeth.


    "Ah, the Eternal Star n. They were once among the ten great ns in the universe, revered for their unparalleled mastery of Aether. Their powers extended beyondprehension,


    enabling the strongest of them to shape reality itself."


    "If they were so powerful, why did they fall from grace?"


    As Emir spoke, he subtly shifted his weight, stepping on weakened sections of the cave floor.


    He knew that the unstable ground would eventually give way under the weight of his enemy; he just needed to hasten the process.


    A hint of joy shed in the Maligorth''s eyes.


    "They were simply too strong, in fact, if not for them, we would have long since won the war... Their downfall was simply due to the Gctic Federations and the other nine ns..." "They saw their growing power and influence as a threat to their control, their bnce, so they conspired to extinguish their light... Although there might be something more to what happened, this is all I know."


    "...That is a great injustice. But can you tell me... What happened to their members?"


    Emir continued to engage the creature, deflecting its attention from the trembling ground beneath them.


    "Of course... You deserve to know this before your death at least... You entertained me


    enough."


    "You see... The Gctic Federations and the other ns waged a relentless war against the


    Star."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "They attacked their factions, ughtered theizens of theirs, and sought to erase their legacy from existence... They are more monsters than we are..."


    "Those who survived were scattered across the universe, unknown to many of their whereabouts... So I can''t tell you for sure of what happened to them."


    Just as those words left its mouth, the ground beneath them groaned, with cracks forming and widening with each passing second, and at that moment, the Maligorth finally caught on.

 Chapter 121: Game of Cat and Mouse

    Chapter 121: Game of Cat and Mouse


    ?


    The realization of Emir''s n struck the Maligorth like a thunderbolt, its gaze fixated on the crumbling surroundings.


    A mix of fury and desperation consumed the monster, its voice reverberating through the copsing terrain:


    "YOU WRETCHED HUMAN! CURSE YOU!"


    The sound of its enraged scream echoed wildly, blending with the chaotic destruction unfolding around them.


    Emir seized the fleeting moment, his instincts guiding his actions.


    He unsheathed his daggers and stomped his foot into the ground, shattering the terrain beneath them like fragile ice.


    The earth trembled as their surroundings gave way, causing both Emir and the Maligorth to plummet into the depths below, spiraling into an abyss of vast, seemingly infinite caves.


    In the midst of their freefall, Emir''s mind raced, seizing the opportunity to gather his thoughts:


    ''Fucking hell....''


    ''I actually pulled it off.''


    ''I finally have a chance to run away now.''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And he was correct in thinking so, after all in this darkness, the Maligorth certainly won''t have an easy time finding him.


    He then let out a weary sigh of relief, acknowledging the gravity of his first defeat.


    ''That was my first loss, huh?''


    ''... Well, I''ve never thought about killing a Tyrant in the first ce, but still, I''ve got a long way to go, don''t I?''


    Discarding those thoughts, he summoned thest remnants of his strength and focused his attention on his augmented suit.


    He reinforced the force shield to its maximum state.


    And as he continued to descend, he spotted scattered debris.


    ''Let''s jump.''


    Emir floated towards them and used them as makeshift stepping stones, jumping from one to another while desperately searching for a safending spot.


    Exhaustion weighed heavily upon him, his eyelids drooping with every passing moment, but he remained focused on his search.


    Just as his descent through the cavernous abyss neared its end, he spotted a narrow ledge jutting out from the sheer rock face.


    With thest ounce of strength he could muster, he propelled himself towards it, his body contorting in mid-air as he aimed for a safending.


    The impact was jarring, his legs absorbing the force as he stumbled forward, barely managing to maintain his bnce on the precarious ledge.


    Breathing heavily, he steadied himself, his hands gripping the uneven surface of the rock.


    He took a moment to assess his surroundings, the faint glow of fungi revealing the contours of the cave walls.


    The air was thick with the scent of dampness, a constant reminder of the underground world The now found himself in.


    Emir knew he couldn''t stay on the ledge for long, as the Maligorth could still be in pursuit. With careful deliberation, he cautiously maneuvered along the narrow ledge, his movements slow.


    Each step required intense focus and bnce, as a single misstep could send him tumbling into the abyss below, especially now that he was struggling to stay awake.


    His Aether core was all spent, and his body all but broken, marking the fact that any such fall would surely mean his doom.


    Gradually, the distant rumblings of the copsing cavern faded away, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.


    Only the sound of dripping water remained to echo in the distance, a symphony that apanied him on his way through the caves.


    His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of adrenaline and fatigue coursing through his veins.


    Every muscle in his body ached, protesting against the strain he had endured.


    But Emir pushed forward.


    He had to survive and escape the clutches of the Maligorth.


    Step by step, he navigated the treacherous path, asionally using outcroppings and stctites for support.


    The journey felt impossible, and the darkness was an ever-presentpanion as he ventured deeper into the depths.


    Yet, through the obscurity, he maintained a keen sense of direction.


    His vision, though challenged, still allowed him to navigate the shadows - a testament to his calling as a celestial.


    Though his body screamed for respite, his willpower remained unyielding, refusing to sumb to the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him.


    Hours passed, or perhaps it was mere minutes in the abyss of the underground.


    And then, as if by a stroke of fortune, he stumbled upon a path leading to many separate caves scattered about in the terrain.


    But he knew that he would have to do better to leave this ce alive, so he moved on, each step forward harder than thest.


    Whilst he walked, he constantly surveyed his surroundings, with the darkness swallowing him whole, save for the faint glow of luminescent fungi clinging to the cave walls.


    Catching himself almost stumbling down, he found himself pressing his back against the cold stone for support.


    He regted his breathing, hyper-aware of his vulnerable state, straining to catch any indication of the Maligorth''s pursuit.


    Time stretched agonizingly, minutes feeling like an eternity, while his senses remained heightened, his heart pounding in his chest.


    With caution as his guide, he got himself back up and ventured deeper into thebyrinthine


    tunnels.


    He understood that with the Maligorth''s senses, any sound he made would spell certain


    death.


    The air grew increasingly heavy with dampness, and the oppressive darkness seemed to close in on him from all sides.


    But it all disappeared from his mind when he caught sight of a concealed alcove nestled within the winding caverns.


    It offered a temporary sanctuary, a respite from the relentless pursuit of the monster.


    The alcove was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow emanating from a cluster of crystals.


    Stctites hung like silent sentinels from the ceiling, their rhythmic water droplets echoing


    through the silence.


    Though deste, the alcove provided Emir with a momentary refuge.


    Weakened and weary, he entered and sank to the ground, leaning against its chilly walls.


    Darkness enshrouded him, the weight of his endeavors pressing upon his mind.


    The constant strain and adrenaline had taken their toll, leaving his body yearning for rest.


    And as he closed his eyes, the symphony of solitude echoed in his ears-the distant dripping water, the faint rustling of unseen creatures, the ethereal glow of the fungi casting a soft,


    comforting light.


    Yet, amidst his overwhelming fatigue, a flicker of focus remained a resilient ember burning


    within Emir''s spirit.


    With a final act of willpower, he retrieved an energy pack from his rucksack and swiftly reced the one in his augmented suit.


    Using his neuralwork, he meticulously adjusted the settings, reinforcing the shield to withstand any lurking danger.


    The force shield emitted a soft, reassuring hum, enveloping him in a protective cocoon as if standing guard over his slumber.


    Fatigue imed him atst, causing his eyelids to grow increasingly heavy as he surrendered to the irresistible pull of sleep.

 Chapter 122: Game Of Cat And Mouse II

    Chapter 122: Game Of Cat And Mouse II


    ?


    Emir''s eyelids fluttered open, and he found himself bathed in the same soft glow of fungi dotted along the cave, casting a gentle light upon his awakening.


    ''I''m still alive...'' He thought as he took a moment to assess his surroundings and ensure everything was in order.


    Just as he was done with that, he stood up and made his way toward the origin of the dripping sound.


    Reaching the source, Emir realized that it wasn''t water but a poisonous substance.


    A wry smile formed on his lips as he contemted his celestial nature:


    ''Thankfully, I don''t need food or water anymore... Otherwise, this cave would''ve been my deathbed.''


    Sitting down next to his trusty, unbreakable rucksack, he assumed a lotus position, ready to engage in cultivation.


    As it would be better than wasting old-world medicine, especially since cultivating could heal his wounds while also strengthening him.


    Pondering his situation, he began to think of a way to kill that monster, knowing the futility of trying to directly confront the Maligorth.


    ''Even if I use my Overdrive ability and unleash an Aether burst, it would only temporarily damage the Maligorth... It healed up after getting hit by my strongest attack in the blink of an eye.''


    He simply had no hope of killing it with his current strength.


    But a steely resolve remained within him as he epted the reality of his predicament.


    ''Though that doesn''t mean all hope is lost. I can choose to evade, hide, and quietly grow stronger. I will repeat this cycle until the dayes when I have amassed enough strength to kill it, or at least attempt to.''


    With his future actions decided, Emir focused his attention on cultivation and began thinking about unlocking another ability of his Aetheric Duelist ss known as sh Step.


    And though he couldn''t immediately incorporate it into his arsenal, he could visualize the Aether pathways in his mind, meticulously mapping them out, remembering them by heart. Practicing these mental exercises would prepare him for the moment when he could finally execute the ability.


    Sitting in deep concentration, he continued to delve into the realm of cultivation, his mind attuned to the nanobots flowing through his being as hemanded them to mend his wounds and strengthen his body.


    He knew that it would''ve been easier for him to escape, but he desired to challenge himself further, to exceed his limits, and perhaps even demand greater rewards from Silent.


    The symphony of solitude once again enveloped him, the rhythmic drips serving as a backdrop to his cultivation.


    In the depths of the underground, his resilience burned brightly, his determination a me that refused to be extinguished.


    But then a faint sound reached Emir''s ears-the distant echo of footsteps.


    ''Dammit!''


    His senses sharpened, and he held his breath, his body infused with Aether, fully healed and rejuvenated.


    ''I''m all healed up, good,'' he thought, and with that renewed strength coursing through his veins, he was prepared to face whatever awaited him.


    Performing nimble movements, he swiftly retrieved his rucksack and slung it over his shoulder, ready to flee at a moment''s notice.


    His feet moved inplete silence as he leaped from one location to another, each step propelling him several meters forward.


    This was a deadly game of cat and mouse, one that Emir had no choice but to y.


    He weaved through thebyrinthine tunnels with unmatched agility, his Aether-infused feet allowing him to dart through the darkness with uncanny speed.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He listened for the faintest echoes, felt the subtle shifts in the air, and watched for any signs of movement.


    His pursuit of survival became a dance with the shadows, a symphony of calcted steps and silent breaths.


    But the pursuing footsteps continued to grow louder, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked behind him.


    Emir remained undeterred however, with adrenaline coursing through his veins, as he pushed his body to its limits, desperate to stay one step ahead of his relentless pursuer.


    And his instincts guided him true, leading him deeper into the undergroundbyrinth.


    The intricate pathways and hidden chambers became his refuge, as he deftly evaded his hunter and eluded its grasp.


    With each turn and twist of thebyrinth, he sought to create distance between himself and the relentless beast.


    He used his agility and smaller frame to his advantage, darting through narrow passages, leaping over crevices, and utilizing every trick in his arsenal to stay one step ahead.


    But no matter how hard he tried, the Maligorth''s presence was a constant shadow on his heels.


    Its thunderous roars reverberated through the tunnels, a chilling reminder of the peril he faced.


    ''What the fuck can I do? Goddammit!''


    Emir''s mind raced, desperately searching for a way to outwit the creature.


    ''I need to get it stuck somewhere, it won''t destroy its home, would it?''


    He realized that his only hopey in exploiting the environment to his advantage.


    While sprinting through the dark caverns, his keen senses detected a faint glimmer ahead. The glow of a phosphorescent crystal caught his attention, illuminating a narrow passage to his left.


    Without hesitation, he veered off his original path and darted into the smaller tunnel.


    The passage was cramped and winding, but he knew that the Maligorth''s massive form would struggle to follow.


    The creature''s enraged bellow echoed behind him as it attempted to force its way into the narrow passage.


    Emir didn''t look back and pressed on, pushing himself to the limit, using his Aether reserves and Aerialis Aspect to navigate the cramped space with uncanny speed.


    The Maligorth''s attempts to pursue him were thwarted at every turn, the confined space limiting its movements.


    And he could sense its frustration growing, its anger fueling its relentless pursuit.


    His heart continued to pound harder in his chest, his body aching from the exertion.


    But he refused to give in to exhaustion, knowing that his survival depended on staying one step ahead of the monstrous creature.

 Chapter 123: Cycle

    Chapter 123: Cycle


    ?


    After what felt like an eternity of narrow escapes and heart-pounding chases, Emir finally reached a chamber that offered temporary rest.


    The cavern was vast and open, its ceiling adorned with shimmering stctites.


    Breathing heavily, he took a moment to catch his breath and absorb Aether while his eyes scanned the surroundings for any signs of the Maligorth.


    He was met by the silence that filled the chamber, broken only by the sound of his ownbored breaths.


    And just as he began to hope that he had eluded his pursuer, a low growl echoed to his left.


    The humanoid version of the Maligorth emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine.


    ''Well, that wasn''t too surprising...'' He mused.


    Without wasting any time, he propped up his Aetherstorm Launcher, as his body began glowing with Aether.


    "Aether st!"


    He screamed as he channeled whatever Aether he had remaining into a powerful st, unleashing a wave of Aether that sent the Maligorth staggering backward.


    "COME BACK, HUMAN!"


    Ignoring the screaming Maligorth, he turned and sprinted toward another passage on the opposite side of the chamber.


    The Maligorth recovered quickly, its form changing into its real one as it ran after him with renewed fury.


    But Emir was long gone, fueled by pure desperation and the resolve to survive.


    He raced through the passage, his footsteps echoing in the confined space.


    And as he emerged into a new section of thebyrinth, Emir felt relief flood through him.


    He had once again managed to create some distance between himself and the relentless monster, buying him precious time.


    But he knew that the Maligorth''s pursuit would not cease, that his journey was far from over and that the true test of his strength and adaptabilityy ahead.


    The Maligorth would continue to hunt him relentlessly, driven by its insatiable hunger and desire for vengeance.


    With renewed focus, he pressed on, navigating the intricatework of tunnels and caves with unwavering resolve.


    And like clockwork, the sound of the Maligorth''s heavy footsteps reached behind him.


    Undeterred, Emir scanned the surroundings, searching for a way to outsmart the creature and escape its clutches.


    Spotting a series of narrow ledges that ascended to a higher level, he quickly devised a n.


    He leaped onto the first ledge, his movements agile, while looking back at the Maligorth that struggled to catch up.


    Emir moved from one ledge to another, appearing to have gotten used to the underground. As he deliberately chose paths that required careful maneuvering, knowing that the Maligorth''s massive frame would struggle to fit, even in its humanoid form.


    So with each sessful leap, he gained more distance between himself and the pursuing monster.


    Soon after reaching the highest ledge, he spotted a narrow crevice leading to a hidden passage.


    Without hesitation, he squeezed through the tight opening while hearing the Maligorth''s enraged growls fade in the distance.


    The hidden passage twisted and turned, its walls lined with jagged rocks.


    Emir moved cautiously, using his keen senses and knowledge of the terrain to navigate without making a sound.


    He then noticed a small fissure in the cave wall ahead, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through.


    ''There we go!''


    He thought while slipping into the narrow fissure, his body contorting as he squeezed through the tight space.


    Emir snickered as he continued to hear the roars of frustration echoing behind him.


    Soon he emerged into a hidden alcove, concealed from the monster''s view, and finally took a moment to catch his breath, his mind racing with thoughts of his next move.


    ''I can''t stay in the alcove for long...''


    ''Its senses would eventually lead it to my location, so I need to distract it somehow...''


    Emir thought of ways to confuse its ability to track him, centering them around Aether, as its senses are highly reliant on it.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And in a stroke of brilliance, he spotted a small pool of poisonous liquid nearby.


    ''Oh yeah!''


    ''These are everywhere.... I can definitely lead it away with this!''


    Channeling thest of his Aether into his feet, he harnessed his Aerialis Aspect to amplify his strength.


    And with a forceful step, he shattered the rocks beneath him, sending fragments flying. Picking up one of therger fragments, he began dipping it into the poisonous substance. Almost immediately, the liquid began to simmer, releasing tendrils of steam into the air. Disregarding the danger, he marked a trail along the cave walls, leading away from the alcove and in the opposite direction of his intended escape route.


    Employing his Weaver''s Veil Aspect, he infused these markings with his own Aether, his


    celestial essence, ensuring the monster would detect them.


    He then sheathed one of his daggers and exhaled sharply.


    "Here goes nothing."


    With a swift motion, he cut his wrist, allowing blood to flow continuously, sttering the


    ground.


    After a few minutes passed, aided by a dose of old-world medicine, the bleeding finally


    ceased.


    Now fully prepared and with the trail set, he moved soundlessly, leaving behind a path for the Maligorth to pursue.


    While continuing deeper into thebyrinth, Emir''s heart pounded with excitement.


    ''That will be enough for a few, but this game is far from over, I have to run away as far as I physically can.''


    Emir knew that he had sessfully outsmarted the monster, at least for now, but he also understood that the game of cat and mouse was far from over.


    With his wits and cunning as his only capable weapons, he pressed on, determined to elude the Maligorth and find a way to not only survive but ultimately ovee the formidable creature that hunted him.


    And so the pursuit continued, as he pushed himself even harder, tapping into the Aether that surrounded him, constantly replenishing his Aether reserves, determined to escape the clutches of his relentless pursuer.


    With every fleeting moment, he grew closer to his breaking point, his body exhausted and his mind on the brink of copse, all because of the constant processing of Aether.


    But, he refused to surrender.


    He pushed through the pain, drawing upon the depths of his fiery heart, knowing that killing his enemy must be his only option...


    Otherwise, who was he to challenge the Order if a tyrant-ranked monster stopped him in his


    tracks?


    Many weeks passed, and once again, the Maligorth caught up to him, presenting another


    challenge.


    Yet, he managed to elude it.


    Each encounter only fortified his resilience, sharpening his skills to a razor''s edge.


    The underground became his training ground, a crucible in which he forged himself anew.


    Emir knew that the day woulde when he''d emerge from the depths, his spirit unbroken,


    and his strength multiplied by leaps and bounds.


    And when that day arrived, he wouldn''t face the Maligorth as helpless prey but as a


    formidable adversary.


    Ready to hunt.

 Chapter 124: Cycle Break

    Chapter 124: Cycle Break


    ?


    A few months passed, or at least that is what Emir believed, as the cycle of hiding, cultivating, diverting, and running away continued, almost dulling his sense of time.


    And in line with the cycle, after his escape, he found himself in an area surrounded by numerous cave-like structures.


    While he contemted which one to choose, amanding voice echoed in his mind, one that he waited on for his every waking moment, giving him pause.


    [Emir... You, you have truly amazed me.]


    [At first, I was surprised that the monsterpared you to the esteemed n, but seeing how you made it this far, it seems it spoke true.]


    [You are truly a child of the Eternal Star n.]


    Unfazed by Silent''s sudden connection, Emir calmly replied:


    "I''ve been waiting for you, Silent."


    "It''s been some time..."


    [Yes, it has... friend.]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "...If your trial was truly about adaptability, then I believe I have long since passed it."


    "As for the n, the only thing that I know about them is what the Maligorth told me, so I expect you to exin it to me when all of this is over."


    Silent responded with a tone of admiration:


    [Indeed, you are Emir, the prince of the Eternal Star n.]


    [The trial was not meant for you to engage a Maligorth directly, but rather to escape from it and face challenges presented by the terrain...]


    [You have defied my expectations at every turn. So I can confidently say that you''ve passed with flying colors.]


    [I can release you from this trial whenever you wish, but I understand your desire to defeat the Maligorth. Therefore, I offer my assistance.]


    Emir inquired, "How so?"


    [It''s simple. I will guide you to a cave that contains an extraordinary resource, a Well Of Eternity, a well that will significantly boost your strength.]


    [This of course would have been your reward afterpleting the test, but I can expedite the process for you.]


    Curiosity piqued, Emir questioned:


    "How can this have something like that? I heard the monster say that it wasn''t conquered?"


    Silent scoffed, his replying with a sense of mystery:


    [This has long served as one of the uncountable training grounds for celestial beings.]


    [It holds many portals that I could use to send you back and also a well of eternity, which would help you greatly. Otherwise, you''d take many years to repay this debt of yours.]


    Emir nodded in understanding.


    "I get it, so let''s just get on with it."


    Silent''s voice resonated with approval.


    [Very well. I will lead you. Follow my voice, and you will remain safe.]


    "By the way, Silent, did Lyra contact my family?"


    He snickered.


    [She truly did not lie about you, and yes, she mentioned that she contacted them even before you entered the portal, don''t worry....]


    [And I need you to get your head in the game sonny, you have much to do.]


    Emirughed at his reminder.


    "You think that after all this time I would lose focus now?"


    [Of course not, I''m only talking to you now as you seemed to be starved of conversation.] "Sure, sure-."


    ...


    After an hour of traversing thebyrinthine tunnels, Emir arrived at another cave-like structure.


    However, this cave was unlike any he had encountered before.


    As he stepped inside, he was greeted by a mesmerizing sight-the walls were adorned with patterns of runes, their glowing hues casting vibrant colors across the chamber.


    The pulsating lights danced and flickered, creating an ambiance that filled the cave with an ethereal glow.


    The air crackled with energy, carrying a faint scent of magic.


    Put simply, it was a ce steeped in Aether and the Arcane.


    Emir cautiously made his way through the cave, his eyes scanning the walls adorned with runes as he followed a path that seemed to beckon him forward.


    The symbols seemed to shift and change as he passed them, their movements guided by forces beyond hisprehension.


    They were alive.


    Pressing on, the glow around him intensified, enveloping him in a kaleidoscope of radiant hues.


    Each step he took seemed to unlock a deeper connection to the runes that permeated the cave as if they were made to only resonate with humans.


    Soon reaching the end of the path, he beheld a towering portal.


    The portal shimmered with an iridescent light, swirling with patterns that seemed to hold glimpses of the other side.


    "This is beautiful alright," he whispered to himself, excitement filling his voice.


    Its sheer presence resonated with immense power, promising a new realm of potential and growth.


    Emir felt the raw Aether radiating from within, beckoning him to step through and embrace the unknown.


    And as he stood before the portal, he heard Silent''s voice resounding in his mind once again:


    [Emir, this is it¡ªthe gateway to the well of eternity.]


    [Beyond this portal lies a realm, a realm that offers a chance of achieving greater power and enlightenment...]


    [A realm where many have lost their minds in...]


    [Are you ready to take this next step?]


    Emir took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the swirling patterns before


    him.


    "Silent, I''vee this far, and I won''t back out now...."


    "I''ll kill that Maligorth."


    [Very well, Emir. Step through the portal, and let the well grant you the strength you seek.]


    [But remember, this is just the beginning of your journey....]


    [There is much more to discover and ovee, don''t lose yourself.]


    Emir nodded his expression firm.


    He extended his hand toward the portal, feeling its gentle pull.


    With a deep breath, he stepped forward, crossing the threshold between the familiar and the


    unknown.


    As he emerged on the other side, he found himself in a realm bathed in a soft, golden light.


    The air was thick with Aether, and the ground beneath his feet hummed with power.


    [Wee to the well of eternity, Emir.]


    [Take a moment to absorb your surroundings.]


    [This ce is a nexus of Aether, a wellspring of untapped potential.]

 Chapter 125: Well Of Eternity

    Chapter 125: Well Of Eternity


    ?


    Emir nced around, marveling at thendscape before him.


    The realm seemed to stretch infinitely, with shimmering pools of Aether scattered across the horizon.


    The air crackled with vitality, invigorating his senses.


    Silent then spoke, pulling Emir out of his state of wonder:N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [If you wish to get stronger and rank up the hierarchy, you must immerse yourself in the essence of this ce.]


    [Each pool contains a fragment of the well''s Aether, waiting to be harnessed by those worthy of its gifts.]


    Emir''s eyes widened with excitement.


    He had gone through a lot on this, faced one challenge after the next, and now, in this sacred ce, the culmination of his efforts awaited.


    "Silent, I need you to guide me... I got no idea where to go from here."


    [Of course, sonny.]


    [You see, in this realm, you must trust your instincts.]


    [Seek out the pools that resonate with your celestial essence.]


    [Let the Aether flow through you, embrace it as a part of your being....]


    [Only then will you truly harness the power of the well of eternity.]


    Emir nodded and took his first step forward, his heart filled with anticipation.


    Venturing further into the realm, Emir''s senses began to be overwhelmed by the grandeur of his surroundings.


    The golden light that bathed his surroundings seemed to emanate from the very fabric of existence itself, casting a warm glow upon thendscape.


    He noticed that the ground beneath his feet had a remarkable texture as if it were a mosaic of interwoven stardust and crystalline formations.


    With each step, his footsteps created a soft, melodic hum, as if the ground itself sang in harmony with his presence.


    The shimmering pools of Aether dotted the horizon like celestial gems, their vibrant hues swirling and pulsating with life.


    Some pools glowed with a serene blue, reminiscent of tranquil waters on a moonlit night. Others shimmered with a fiery red, crackling with the intensity of a distant supernova.


    They radiated a kaleidoscope of colors, each blending seamlessly into the next, forming a mesmerizing disy of Arcane artistry.


    Emir found himself momentarily silenced, unable toprehend the beauty unfolding before his eyes.


    But then he snapped back to reality, with a lingering thought in his mind:


    ''All of this was created by Arcanists....''


    ''A niche, and incredibly difficult ss to master... No wonder they are so sought after.''


    Following Silent''s guidance, he soon focused on his Aether core, allowing the surrounding Aether to flow through him, absorbing none of it but experiencing its essence within his being.


    Suddenly, he felt a pull, as if beckoned to a specific location that seemed to be some distance away.


    ''Found you,'' he thought, a smile stretching across his face.


    Emir continued his journey along the well of eternity.


    He walked amidst the pools of concentrated Aether, each step bringing him closer to even brighter pools, indicating higher skill-required specializations.


    Even the darker, ink-ck pools like the one for the Shadow Binder specialization emanated a brighter hue than those he had passed earlier.


    It was scientifically impossible but, that is what his eyes saw...


    Momentster, he reached the end of the realm, where a massive fountain of liquidated Aether spurted out.


    ''This is it,'' he thought, struggling to keep himself calm, his lips parting in excitement as he attempted topose himself.


    However, the overwhelming Aether surrounding him made it difficult to maintain focus, evoking a sense offort, familiarity, and rxation, making him feel like he was at home.


    Approaching thergest pool he had encountered so far, he noticed its tangible quality, as if it contained liquid Aether within an invisible vessel.


    ''This must be why it''s the first pool in this ce since it contains the weaver''s veil aspect, the source for manipting Aether and my celestial essence.''


    ''Here goes nothing...''


    He slowly knelt down and extended his hand slowly to touch the pool''s surface.


    The moment his fingertips made contact, a gentle current of Aether coursed through his veins, tingling with a sensation of connection.


    The pool reacted to his presence, its shine intensifying and taking on a hue that mirrored his own celestial essence.


    Emir marveled at the sight, realizing that the pool perfectly resonated with both aspects of his, while also containing many other aspects that he couldn''t yet understand.


    But one thing stood out to him.


    These were not merely sources of his power but reflections of his inner self, waiting to be embraced.


    Or even explored.


    While struggling to contain his maddening excitement, he slipped out of his augmented suit and stood naked.


    He then looked up at the vast expanse of the realm for a moment.


    Colorful wisps flew high above, dancing among what appeared to be stars.


    Letting out a scoff, he turned his gaze back to the pool, and a sudden gentle breeze brushed against his face.


    It seemed to whisper, almost weing him into the pool.


    But suddenly Silent''s voice echoed within his mind, grounding him in the present moment:


    [Remember, Emir, as you immerse yourself in the essence of the well, remain attuned to your


    instincts.]


    [Let your intuition guide you toward the aspects that resonate with your essence.]


    [Don''t lose yourself in the pursuit of discovering everything; the rest will reveal itself in due


    time.]


    Emir nodded, acknowledging Silent''s guidance.


    He then moved his feet a step closer, his eyes calm.


    Raising his right leg, he descended slowly into the pool, his entire being enveloped by the


    translucent liquid.


    And as he submerged himself, the liquid seemed to amodate his presence, devoid of


    resistance.


    It didn''t feel like water or any ordinary liquid but rather a pool of intangible gas-a phenomenon beyondprehension.


    ''This makes me feel like I''m in a pool of air, as weird as that sounds...''


    Curiosity sparked within him, prompting him to hold up a cupped hand, allowing the liquid


    Aether to fill it.


    At that moment, a wondrous realization washed over him.


    The liquid defied conventional expectations, floating weightlessly as if devoid of any


    discernible mass.


    It was Aether, an energy, that materialized in the form of liquid.


    A paradox that left him awestruck.


    Emir then flipped his hand, causing the liquid to float downwards, as if it didn''t carry any


    mass.


    ''This is....''


    This was different, unlike anything he thought was possible.


    He marveled silently, his mind grappling toprehend the enigma before him.


    ''How can something be both substance and intangible energy?''


    ''It challenges the very boundaries of reality.''


    Emir couldn''t help but scoff at the sheer absurdity of the experience, acknowledging its


    unimaginable nature.


    Yet, he quickly refocused his mind, closed his eyes, and assumed a lotus position.


    He opened the pathways leading to his Aether core, allowing the Aether of the well to flow


    through him with renewed majesty.


    ''...This is the moment I''ve been waiting for!''

 Chapter 126: Third Step

    Chapter 126: Third Step


    ?


    Emir stood at the bottom of the barrel, a weak figure within the Celestial Hierarchy.


    As an Elite Ascendant, his position held no significance in the grand scheme of things, just one of the many billions that popted the universe.


    However, he had something that others didn''t.


    His lineage.


    The blood of the Eternal Star n.


    Which granted him the benefits of a Seraphim being and made him many times as strong as those his age.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But now, with the discovery of the well of eternity, he understood that his existence had caused many changes throughout the world.


    The Elite themselves had somehow gained ess to another well of eternity, giving their children at the academy a simr level of strengthpared to the current Emir.


    And so, he hungered for greater power and knowledge, to be an actual force of power on Earth.


    Emir yearned to transcend his current status and ascend to new heights.


    And the well of eternity beckoned him with its promise of giving him said power, constantly inviting him to its pools, never letting go.


    Many days had passed since he immersed himself in the main pool of Aether.


    During that time, he had remained in a state of constant absorption, his mind and body intertwined with the Aether of the well.


    The Weaver''s Veil aspect, his primary focus, had consumed his every waking moment as he delved into its intricacies, seeking to unlock more of its potential.


    He began to feel the Weaver''s Veil coursing through his veins more clearly, intertwining with his very being.


    It had be an extension of himself.


    A symbiotic rtionship between celestial and aspect, but he had yet to understand its capabilities and possible uses.


    He had reached the limits of his current sub-rank as an Elite, and he sought to progress further along the path of the Celestial Hierarchy.


    The pool had revealed glimpses of his path toward his next destination-the knight sub- rank, the penultimate step before the status of a Pdin.


    But he felt stuck on the border of ascending to the next sub-rank as if he needed to step forward once more but felt unable to do so.


    It was almost as if his body was stuck to the ground, unmoving.


    So, he knew that his journey in the well of eternity was far from over.


    Suddenly, Silent''s voice resonated within Emir''s mind, a guiding presence in his journey:


    [Emir, you''ve shown incredible focus so far, but your path continues.]


    [Your celestial essence is waiting to be harnessed to its fullest extent.]


    [To achieve the next sub-rank, you must understand Aether more clearly, which is something that I can safely say that you''ve figured out already.]


    Emir nodded without saying a word.


    He was quiet throughout the entire time he spent there.


    He wasn''t tired, nor was he mentally drained, and he wasn''t generally affected in any negative way.


    Emir simply didn''t feel like talking.


    A single word out of his mouth might disrupt the intense concentration he was going through, it was as if he was in a trance.


    While he ventured forth, leaving behind the pool he spent many weeks in, the golden light of the realm bathed him in its glow.


    His footsteps echoed with purpose, each step sounding out different melodies.


    The pools of Aether shimmered before him, each one holding the potential to enhance his abilities and help unveil a new aspect of his celestial essence.


    Emir''s focus was no longer solely on the Weaver''s Veil.


    He sought to expand his understanding of his other aspect, embracing the Aerialis alongside his primary affinity.


    This aspect would grant himmand over his body, increasing his strength in imaginable ways.


    With each pool he encountered, he felt his connection to Aether deepen.


    It resonated with his essence, intertwining and amplifying his power.


    He harnessed the Weaver''s Veil to manipte the Aether around him, shaping it into patterns that danced in harmony with the wind.


    Then he used that Aether to be absorbed in his body, using his Aerialis aspect to constantly strengthen certain parts of his body.


    From something as small as the nails on his fingers to the entirety of his upper body.


    And as he progressed along the well, his stature began to change, unknowingly to him.


    It was all because of the constant, almost unnoticeable changes urring in his body with every passing day.


    Since his Aether core was continuously enhanced along with the entirety of his inner organs and muscles.


    Weeks turned into months while Emir journeyed through the well of eternity.


    Each pool he encountered unveiled ideas of new aspects.


    Each of them honed his knowledge of Aether.


    And each had brought him closer to his ultimate goal.


    Soon he approached the end of the realm.


    Emir had finally returned full circle to where he started.


    The pool where the fountain of liquid Aether surged forth.


    At that moment, he marveled at the transformation he had undergone, only now noticing it.


    He had surpassed the limits of his previous sub-rank and had long since be a knight- ranked Ascendant.


    He also had gone past the halfway point to bing a Pdin-ranked Ascendant, as it appeared to be awaiting him on the horizon.


    With a sense of calm anticipation, he prepared himself for the final steps of his ascent.


    The pool before him, a manifestation of Aether maniption, called to him.


    Emir took a deep breath, his hand poised to touch the surface of the pool.


    He knew that this moment would shape his destiny, propelling him towards the status of a


    Pdin.


    A silent breath left him as he immersed himself in the pool.


    His entire being was enveloped by the transcendental aspects it held.


    During his walk, he came up with a n that would help him identify what aspect he needed.


    So with that in mind, he embarked on a search for a specific aspect within the depths of the


    pool.


    And since it contained the entirety of this realm''s existence, he could simply call out the aspect he desired using his Weaver''s Grasp.


    However, this method would only work if he had previously experienced this particr


    aspect.


    Yet he did.


    It was the same illusion that the Maligorth had attempted to ensnare him in.


    While he didn''t know its name, he could sense its presence within the pool as the Aether flowed through his core.


    Seizing hold of that familiar sensation, hemanded the aspect to envelop him in an


    illusion.


    Emir closed his eyes for a moment.


    When he reopened them, he was greeted by a world bathed in vibrant red, devoid of anything


    else.

 Chapter 127: Destruction

    Chapter 127: Destruction


    ?


    Emir''s silent gaze lifted to the vast expanse of the sky, his breath catching in his chest as he took in the breathtaking sight before him.


    A canvas of red stretched out endlessly defying the boundaries of imagination.


    Various shades, like strokes of a master painter''s brush, dominated the sky, creating a surreal atmosphere.


    The colors danced and blended together, shifting from the deepest crimson to fiery scarlet as if the very essence of passion and power had been woven into the fabric of the sky.


    The red hues cascaded across the expanse, their intensity ebbing and flowing like a celestial tide.


    Some areas appeared soft and gentle, reminiscent of the delicate blush of a blooming flower, while others burned with an intensity that rivaled the fierce mes of a forge.


    Amidst the sea of red, tendrils of vibrant magenta and rosy pink wove their way, adding a touch of elegance to the otherwise intenseposition.


    These ents brought a sense of bnce and harmony to the sky, like delicate brush strokes of serenity amidst the passionate chaos.


    Composing himself, Emir''s gaze finally shifted downward, and his heart sank as his eyes met the world he found himself in.


    The ground beneath his feet matched the sky in its colors, like a seemingly endless painting of red.


    It was a sight that fascinated him-a surrealndscape that defied the natural order of things.


    It appeared as if an endless river of blood had seeped into every crevice, saturating the very fabric of this world.


    The sight was both beautiful and unsettling in its own twisted way.


    His mind reeled with confusion.


    Just what did this crimson world signify about him?


    He was simply unable to fullyprehend the implications of his surroundings.


    This ce, this realm... no, this mindscape.


    ... It seemed to reflect something deep within him, a part of his being he had yet to fully grasp.


    It was a revtion that shattered his expectations and left him to grapple with the implications.


    Then, as if in response to his thoughts, the sky above him flickered.


    His gaze snapped upward, fixated on a single drop of red paint that fell from the canvas.


    Emir, or rather, the world itself, seemed to hold its breath as the drop descended.


    Time naturally resumed its course, and as if the heavens opened up, the painting unleashed a torrential downpour upon thendscape.


    Its tears cascaded from above with force, each drop a reminder of the world''s affliction. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"


    Emir bellowed, as his heart pounded in his chest, his emotions a whirlwind of confusion. He tried to evade the falling droplets by instinctively activating his Temporal Perception ability, only to realize that he was stripped of his abilities in this ce.


    Emir was left vulnerable.


    A mere mortal in a world that seemed to revel in its own twisted nature.


    A world of his own making.


    Eventually, a single drop of red sshed against his face, and time seemed to slow as his hand instinctively rose to touch the liquid.


    His fingertips made contact with the viscous substance, and a chill ran down his spine.


    It was not mere paint, but blood-thick and warm, carrying with it the weight of someone he killed.


    A single memory.


    And in a sh, the face of a person echoed in his mind, blurred and disfigured.


    He didn''t recall their name or theirst moments, why would he?


    Emir had never been bothered by such details.


    To him, they were nothing more than a means to an end, an obstacle in his pursuit of power.


    And this world was immersed in the very essence of the lives he had taken.


    It served as a reminder of the darkness within him, a reflection of his own capacity for destruction.


    This blood-soaked realm, with its swirling hues and haunting beauty, mirrored the twisted workings of his own soul.


    He saw himself in the depths of thisndscape, a harbinger of death and pain.


    Simply put, a killer.


    But Emir knew that.


    He had long since epted it.


    He wouldn''t change who he was, and if this was the result....


    Then so be it.


    "Haaaah, of all things...."


    "I never thought this would be how I saw myself."


    And as those words left his mouth, he began walking forward with an emotionless expression,


    as if this experience held no significance for him.


    The downpour grew more relentless, transforming the air into a thick, mist that enveloped him, almost drowning him.


    With every step, the scent of iron mingled with the aroma of dampness, continuously assaulting his senses.


    Descending into the mist-shrouded abyss, his vision became obscured by the dense fog, causing him to walk forward without a clear sense of direction.


    Step after step, he headed in no particr direction, disorientation consuming him.


    It was as if time had lost all meaning, and he had no way to gauge how long he had been


    walking into the unknown.


    But suddenly, his foot failed to find solid ground, and his body lurched forward.


    Time seemed to slow as he realized the ground beneath him had vanished.


    Finally, his face began to regain its color, as he let out a chuckle.


    And with an air of resignation he allowed himself to surrender to the fall, leaning forward as


    gravity took hold.


    Momentster, the impact seemed inevitable, as he eyed what he had assumed to be an ocean


    of blood.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But as he plummeted toward the abyss, the truth revealed itself.


    The seemingly endless crimson sea before him wasn''t what it seemed....


    It was something far more chilling.


    It wasn''t liquid that awaited him, but an expanse of hands, drenched in blood and intertwined, giving the illusion of a vast, undting ocean.


    Emir''s eyes widened in surprise, a fleeting moment of astonishment, only to be quickly reced by an apathetic mask, as his expression quickly returned to its unfeeling state.


    It was obvious that he was determined to see this through.


    The hands, like a macabre chorus, rose up to wee him, their embrace inviting him to join


    their collective mass.


    Emir made no attempt to brace himself for impact, instead relinquishing control to the hands that eagerly reached up to receive him.


    Their collective grip grew stronger and rose even higher, anticipating his descent as he drew nearer, their longing for his presence apparent.


    With deceptive gentleness, the hands caught him, halting his fall and suspending him above


    the surface.


    The sensation was indescribable as if the hands themselves possessed an unnerving quality, their grip both solid and liquid.


    For they seemed to pulse with a twisted life of their own, each one thrumming with haunting


    energy.


    Yet, as they cradled him in their grasp, their intentions became clear-they sought to pull him deeper into their bloody depths.


    As the multitude of hands tightened their hold, they began to drag him further down. Emir''s movements were restricted, his body engulfed by the appendages that moved with a synchronized rhythm, each hand ying its part in the descent.


    His ''breaths'' grew shallow as they further closed in around him, suffocating him with their


    relentless grip.


    The once mesmerizing sight now felt like an overwhelming tide of crimson demanding to


    consume him.


    The sensation was overwhelming as if he was being pulled into the very essence of death


    itself.


    And though he was drowning in a sea of hands, his face remained stoic, even in the face of this


    eerie nightmare.


    He hade to ept the horrors of this world as his own creation, and now he faced the


    consequences of his actions.


    The embrace of the hands became his reality, a reminder of the depths he had willingly delved


    into.


    With each passing moment, the pressure intensified, threatening to crush him under the weight of theirbined force.


    The sight of countless hands, seemingly infinite in number, wing and clutching at him,


    would send shivers down the bravest of souls.


    But Emir''s resolve remained unbroken.


    And as he descended further into the abyss, the hands seemed to meld together, forming a


    ustrophobic cocoon around him.


    The scent of blood permeated the air, and the atmosphere stifled his senses.


    He knew he had to endure this trial, to confront the darkness thaty within him.


    This was a reflection of his own actions.


    His blood.


    And he would face it head-on, unflinching.


    Only then would he hope to achieve his goal of finding an aspect that matched his true self.


    An aspect that would enable him to attain unimaginable levels of strength.


    The world around him soon blurred into obscurity, and all that remained was red.


    Dark, dark, red.


    A testament to the darkness that enveloped him, dulling his senses to the fullest, and finally


    lulling him into a deep slumber.

 Chapter 128: Creation

    Chapter 128: Creation


    ?


    As Emir fluttered his eyes open, he found himself surrounded by an expanse ofplete darkness.


    It stretched out in all directions, an eternal void that seemed to devour all traces of light and sound.


    There were no discernible features orndmarks to anchor his perception, leaving him suspended in a disorienting emptiness.


    Beneath his feet, the surface seemed to be the same, devoid of any texture or substance.


    It was as if he stood upon an abyssal ne, where even the concept of solid ground dissolved into nothingness.


    Emir extended his arm, hoping to find something tangible, but his hand went through the darkness, showing no signs of resistance.


    The absence of any sensation intensified the feeling of being lost.


    Above him, the darkness stretched infinitely, like an imprable cloak enveloping everything.


    No stars adorned this canopy, no glimmers of light to guide his way.


    It was a deste expanse that seemed to defy the very notion of space and time.


    The silence itself was oppressive, bearing down on him like a mountain''s weight. "Now what?" He said, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness around him.


    Emir let out a sigh, but before he could ponder further, a sudden shift urred, as if answering his question.


    Many figures materialized before him, forming a group of fifty or more individuals who stood in an orderly formation.


    Appearing unsurprised by what just happened, Emir stepped forward, curious, his gaze fixated on the closest figure.


    And as he approached, he waited for them to move, but seeing them to be inanimate, he continued on.


    The individuals seemed frozen in time, their bodies suspended in an array of postures.


    Emir now found himself standing before what appeared to be a man, though the word ''man'' hardly did justice to the figure''s bizarre appearance.


    He wore a random assortment of clothes, some tattered and others mismatched, giving the impression that he had taken whatever he could find and thrown them on without a care.


    But what struck Emir the most was the state of the man''s face.


    It was as if his skull had been brutally bashed in, leaving deep gashes and fractures that distorted his features beyond recognition.


    Blood trickled down his face, mingling with the dirt and grime that coated his skin.


    One eye waspletely missing, reced by a hollow socket that seemed to peer into the depths of Emir''s soul.


    Emir stared at the distorted faces of the people before him, knowing deep down that these were the remnants of those he had taken lives from-those that he remembered at least.


    A twisted sense of amusement washed over him, as if this grim disy was merely an experiment to test his own perception of himself.


    With a dark chuckle, he raised his hand and waved it in front of the disfigured man''s face.


    "Can you tell me... Why am I subjecting myself to this self-inflicted torment? I was not wrong in killing you..."


    Emir had long since abandoned any semnce of morality, so why did his mind persist in reminding him of his transgressions?


    Leaving the man behind, he continued to stroll past the other lost souls as if he were casually browsing through an art gallery.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He detached himself from the weight of their existence, viewing them merely as remnants of his past actions.


    To him, they were nothing more than items on a checklist-tasks he had fulfilled to reach his goals.


    Yet, deep within the recesses of his mind, a whisper of doubt lingered.


    Was he truly capable of such detachment?


    Could he genuinely see these lives he had taken as inconsequential?


    Emir shook himself out of those thoughts and eyed Raven for a moment, snickering as he walked past her.


    But then, something in himpelled him to stop in his tracks as he looked at who was beside her.


    His face, which had been devoid of emotion, now betrayed a flicker of recognition and a tinge of sorrow.


    It was her the girl who had set everything in motion.


    The catalyst that had triggered the chain of events leading him to this twisted game within the universe.


    He approached her cautiously, his steps measured, until he stood by her side.


    Gently, he reached out and touched her blurred face, his fingers tracing the contours of her features as if trying to summon the memory of her visage.


    She had been the spark that had ignited his journey, leading to all the events that made him confess his secrets to his family.


    She was the beginning of Lyra''s n to reveal the truth.


    One that had been concealed for so long.


    And now, he found himself entangled in this twisted illusion of forgotten souls.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what fate had befallen her-whether she had been discarded like garbage, left to decay and be devoured by rats.


    Or cast aside in the deste wastnd, a mere morsel, a snack for the monstrous inhabitants.


    As he studied her face, a single tear welled up in his eyes, cascading down his cheek.


    But this tear did not stem from the guilt that had long abandoned his heart. Instead, it was an expression of gratitude-a profound appreciation for the role she had yed in his life.


    She had been the catalyst, the fire that had ignited the mes of his transformation. But despite all that she had done to him, he couldn''t even recall the details of her face.


    The darkness of that fateful encounter had obscured his vision, rendering her features


    indistinct.


    The memory had faded, blurred like the distorted visages of the other lost souls surrounding


    him.


    Yet, at that moment, he realized that it was not her face that mattered.


    It was the impact she had on his existence-the path she had set him upon that held


    significance.


    Emir''s tear was a symbol of acknowledgment and gratitude.


    It was a silent tribute to the girl who had unknowingly shaped his destiny.


    But he suddenly flinched, as a whisper, of his own voice, echoed in his mind, heavy with


    confusion:


    "Does she even want your thanks?"

 Chapter 129: Creation II

    Chapter 129: Creation II


    ?


    Stepping back, Emir sat on the ground before her, his mind became entangled in a web of conflicting thoughts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "You killed her."


    "She..."


    The words trailed off, adrift in the sea of his own thoughts.


    "Is this all your life is?"


    The whispers returned, tinged with frustration.


    "Just death and destruction..."


    The words gave him pause, causing him to reflect for a moment...


    Emir reflected on the limited scope of his thirteen years in this world, dominated by the relentless cycle of training and killing.


    Though circumstances had left him with little choice, he couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of disillusionment.


    Memories of fleeting hobbies and connections flitted through his mind.


    Aside from his love for music, the asional games with his sister, and the sporadic chess matches, he realized how few genuine pursuits he had embraced.


    Thoughts of his friends, Emma and Jake, surfaced, and he wondered if they still considered him a part of their lives.


    It then dawned on him that his prolonged absence might have led them to believe he was no longer alive.


    "Nah...."


    "FUCK THAT SHIT!"


    But at that moment, Emir''s frustration turned into defiance.


    He refused to sumb to self-pity and doubt.


    His clenched fist, colliding with his own face, served as a resounding wake-up call.


    The searing pain coursing through his jaw became a stark reminder of his goal, grounding him in the reality he had crafted.


    Through gritted teeth, he reaffirmed his unwavering focus.


    Emir would not allow himself to sumb to this useless drivel.


    "What am are you... Am I bitching about?"


    "Did I forget this already?


    "I vowed to be an emperor."


    "This all means nothing against that goal!"


    "...This is all to create a future for me and my family, and besides...."


    "It''s fun, and that''s enough for me."


    The echoes of his own words filled the air, fueling his resolve to press forward, regardless of


    the atrocities he hadmitted and would continue tomit.


    Emir''s eyes then widened in surprise as a newfound realization washed over him.


    "Wait... Create!" He eximed, his voice filled with astonishment.


    "I can destroy, but I can also create. There''s bnce in all things..."


    A sense of rity settled within him, dispelling the shadows of doubt.


    With a deep sigh, he stepped forward once again, drawing closer to the girl he felt immense gratitude for.


    He embraced her, the weight of his words heavy in the air.


    "Thank you."


    "Though I know it''s toote now, and even the thought of burying your body is long gone..."


    "It''s most likely already lost in the wastnd, serving as fertilizer."


    Relinquishing his hold on her, he continued:


    "So I guess it doesn''t matter now, but may you find better fortune in your next life."


    He stood tall with a grin, his gaze fixed upon the girl who had ignited his journey.


    The crafted conflicting emotions within him converged into a singr driving force-an unwaveringmitment to forge a path toward a brighter future.


    And just as he blinked his eyes, he found himself back in the world he had left behind, the world drenched in blood.


    Emir wiped the crimson stains from his face, his actions mechanical.


    With a steady gaze, he surveyed thendscape that stretched out before him, undeterred by its nature.


    The rain continued to cascade from the sky, its rhythmic patter serving as a backdrop to his thoughts.


    It fell to the ground, mingling with the crimson hues, creating a disconcerting blend of red and gray.


    The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, a constant reminder of the path he had chosen and would continue to choose.


    Turning his attention behind him, he witnessed a stark division in the sky.


    One side was tainted with a deep shade of red, reflecting the relentless violence and darkness that had consumed his life.


    The other side was pure and white.


    A contrast against the surrounding chaos.


    Between these opposing forces, countless shades of bright and dark gray danced, signifying the delicate bnce between his conflicting emotions and the fragments of his shattered


    psyche.


    Thendscape mirrored this dichotomy as well.


    The ground beneath his feet bore the marks of his past¡ªa canvas of red stters and fading


    footprints.


    But amidst the sea of crimson, patches of pristine white emerged, as if symbolizing the glimmers of hope and purity that still lingered within his soul.


    Emir then stood at the intersection of blood and rity.


    He understood that this twisted world of his own creation would be his constantpanion,


    a reflection of his actions and choices.


    With a smile etched upon his face, he knew that his time within the dream realm hade to


    an end.


    Closing his eyes, he focused on what awaited him.


    And as his eyes fluttered open, he found himself back in the familiar surroundings of the well


    of eternity, his body in the exact same position.


    He existed in a state of profound absorption, embracing the weaver''s veil and Aerialis aspects with every fiber of his being.


    However, he now sensed that another aspect called out to him.


    An aspect of creation.


    It was the power of Celestia''s Hand, a force that resonated with his newfound path.


    Once again, he cleared his mind and surrendered himself to the deep absorption of Aether.


    Months passed in a blur as he delved into the depths of his evolving powers, expanding his understanding of the Aether that flowed within him.


    And when the time came to cease the cultivation of Aether, Emir stood transformed.


    No longer just a knight, he emerged as a radiant figure.


    A Pdin emanating celestial might.


    The fusion of his existing aspects with the newfound power of Celestia''s Hand granted him a


    formidable presence.


    But just as he was consolidating his newly gained Aspect, the voice of Silent, his guide, and


    mentor, reverberated through his mind:


    [Emir, you don''t have time, you''ve got to get back to Earth now!]

 Chapter 130: Lauras Business

    Chapter 130: Laura''s Business


    ?


    ***


    During the many months that Emir spent training, Lyra used that time to go ruin diving and gather all the relics she could find.


    She re-registered as a hunter with the same face she used when meeting with Kiera''s gang while also using the same name, Amanda.


    The reason why she chose Amanda is simply that the original Amanda was one of the many that went missing.


    After hacking their database, she pulled all the information regarding Amanda and simply took over her life... As she is quite a capable AI.


    Armed with the relics she had acquired from the many undiscovered ruins she knew of, she entrusted them to Laura.


    Who, with her newfound connections, initiated their sale, while Lyra discreetly assisted from behind the scenes.


    But Laura couldn''t continue selling them batch by batch, as the relics continued to pile up dust in their house, since it took longer and longer for each transaction.


    Driven by this, and Lyra''s relentless advice and Emir''s reminder, she finally decided to establish a newpany dedicated to the sale of relics, catering to a diverse clientele.


    Her customers ranged from individual hunters to corporations, the big eight themselves, and even the UEF, they too sought any relic that could advance their understanding of the old- world''s technology.


    Starting apany couldn''t have been easy, one obvious and major issue was money, but that was easily solved as time passed, with their profits increasing by the day.


    The other issue is the alreadypetitive environment in the relic market.


    While Lyra had many hunterse after her due to the constant relics she brought home, as a celestial, those hunters didn''t give her any problems, and she killed them quite easily, which further caused more rumors to spread about theirpany.


    The rumors varied widely, spanning from tales of a newbie stumbling upon a fresh site within a well-known ruin to the oundish, such as a renowned relic merchant, or even an Elite supposedly orchestrating a situation where Lyra was used as bait, leading to rival merchants being charged in court for alleged illegal activities.


    ...


    The air in the room was filled with anticipation as three beautiful women sat on the couch, their eyes fixed on the holoscreen.


    The three Ls, Laura, Lily, and Lyra.


    They watched as the newscaster finished his briefing on the situation regarding them.


    "With that history in mind, Prince Emporium has be quite a big deal now, prompting even one of the Elite to involve themselves as things got way out of control... So without further ado, and needing no introduction, wee Lord Auric of the Gold Leaf family."


    Loud apuse reverberated through the studio as a well-groomed man with slick blonde hair and a tailored suit made his entrance.


    Every step he took exuded grace and poise,manding attention from all.


    His striking appearance radiated grandeur andmanded respect, from the distinguished lines etched on his face to the confident gleam in his eyes.


    Sitting down, Auric waved to the camera and then looked to his left, saying:


    "Thanks for the grand wee."


    Barely able to control his emotions, the newscaster replied:


    "No need for any thanks, Lord Auric. It''s an honor to have you here at our humble studio, and thank you again foring."


    Smiling slightly, Auric spoke:


    "Let us talk about what I''m here for... The Prince Emporium Company."


    "Our family has been in the relics market for a long time now, and we have seen manye and go. Our first thoughts about Prince Emporium were that they would be like all others, somepany that capitalized on a hunter that found an undiscovered ruin and had managed to safely extract many of its relics."


    "However, this time, thepany, has stayed for many months, and while it''s unknown how Prince Emporium originated, we know that it was founded by Miss Laura, one of the many high-ss residents..."


    "Many specte that her son Emir must have found an undiscovered ruin and is sending relics back to Amanda, in turn, reaching thepany''s selling routes."


    "That could be a possible scenario, but for the many that think that one of the Elite is involved, that is aplete lie. My sole reason foring here today is to dispel that rumor. Neither we, the Elite, nor many of the otherpanies under us in the relic market are


    involved.


    "While I''m impressed by Prince Emporium and their way of doing business, which propelled them so far, they have yet to be a realpetitor."


    With an unwavering gaze directed at the camera, his eyes shimmered with red irises, captivating the audience.


    "Do not dare entangle us with mere nobodies."


    Just as those words of authority rang out, Auric stood up and walked out of the studio, leaving the flustered newscaster behind.


    "Turn off the Holoscreen," a feminine voice resounded in the room of three women, bringing a swift end to the holographic disy.


    Her intense, blood-ruby gaze fell upon her beloved family, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and determination:


    "As expected, they''ve quashed the rumors. This will undoubtedly result in some of thepanies we''ve dealt with buying fewer relics from us. After all, we had only gained such a high rise in poprity by them believing that they were dealing with one of the Elite."


    Nodding, Laura affirmed:


    "That''s true... But it doesn''t matter, now we need only continue with what we were doing so far, though our progress might get a massive hit... Since there is a high chance that Order will interfere anytime soon. You said that you were going to be discovered sooner orter, right?"


    "Yes, the rumor about me and Emir going ruin diving for so long is losing credibility, he hasn''t been seen for almost a year, and the Order most probably has already discovered the inconsistencies in my reports... I called Silent, so Emir should know of our situation by now, he''lle back soon."


    Lily, finally, joining in the conversation, asked while almost jumping in her seat with


    excitement:


    "Lyra, did he say when he wasing back? It''s been so long."


    Letting out a chuckle, she answered:


    "Don''t worry, sweetie, I made sure the message reached him. Although I don''t yet know when


    he will being back, trust that nothing bad happened to him."


    With the same enthusiasm, Lily continued as she asked another question:


    "Did he say what rank he reached?"


    Lyra''s lips went wide as she said:


    "I didn''t talk to him directly, as my connection''s range is only on the sol''s domain, but from what I heard from Silent, Emir reached the subrank of Pdin while also discovering another


    Aspect at the same time."


    Lily''s face showed surprise.


    "Another one? That makes it three... But howe I have only one? This is so unfair!"


    "I''ve exined this before, you really need to listen when I teach you. Look at your mother, she already knows the answer." She replied, pointing at her mother.


    Laura chuckled.


    "Dear, neither you nor I have gone through mutation unlocking, while I can''t do it... Ever, you might''ve had the chance, after all, you''re Oliver''s daughter, as Emir is his son, but it''s toote now, we can only use those Aether cores Lyra bought for us." Nodding her head, Lily smiled at her mother, not disheartened in the least.


    She never wanted to be as strong as her brother, she knew that being a celestial was enough


    for her.


    And although she would be stronger by ranking up, that was not what she had in mind when Lyra told them about this, she only wanted to be there with her family longer.


    With her brother... She simply couldn''t imagine what would happen to him the day both she


    and her mother withered away.


    Looking back to Lyra, Lily eximed:


    "You still didn''t tell me what Emir has as his third aspect!"


    "Oh, yes, I didn''t mention that, did I? His Aspect is-"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 131: Celestias Hand [Bonus chapter]

    Chapter 131: Celestia''s Hand [Bonus chapter]


    ?


    ***


    "...Celestia''s Hand."


    Emir''s voice resounded in the well of eternity.


    [That''s not an aspect an Aetheric Duelist would use.] Silent''s voice soon echoed in his mind.


    "That''s true... But while the Order had nned out my training n entirely, they didn''t consider my personality."


    "I mean, why would they?"


    "All they wanted was a tool, but this...."


    "This would signify me leaving their control-not a simple name change of an ability, but entirely changing my path-something to fit me, Emir, not the tool they wanted."


    [And what specialization would that be?]


    "A custom ss, an untrod path, only something I could specialize in...."


    "Ethereal Threader."


    [Ahh, an excellent choice, my young friend. I can see the thought behind your decision. Well done.]


    With a chuckle, he emerged from the pool of Aether, his progress bringing him a sense of contentment.


    Although he had not yet ascended to the coveted Seraphim rank, he positioned himself near the edge of the barrier, ready to push the boundaries that confined him.


    "My specialization signifies my strength, the maniption of Aether to all that I wish."


    "Although I can''t do much with Celestia''s hand, I can still mold Aether into simple Aether constructs."


    "It''s a good enough result for all these months of training."


    [You''re definitely from the Eternal Star n alright, but we don''t have much time to talk.]


    [Your family needs you, and there''s a high chance that the Order caught onto your scheme.] [Or rather, I must say, Magnus Valerius did....]


    [And judging from what I know of him, he should''ve understood what happened by now.] "Magnus? Is he the manager?"


    [So that''s what he calls himself now?]


    Just as that question echoed in his mind, Silent began tough uncontrobly.


    But Emir was having none of it as he screamed:


    "STOP LAUGHING, GOD DAMMIT! MY BRAIN IS ABOUT TO BURST! YOU''RE TOO DAMN LOUD!!"


    [Cough, cough... Sorry about that, Sonny.]


    [That man truly surprised me. You must know we had quite a rtionship in the past. While I was going to tell you after you kill the monster, I might as well say it now.]


    "C''mon, spit it out, was he the one who started the experiments?"


    [Yes, you guessed correctly.]


    [Magnus is one of the ten leaders of the Order, he''s responsible for the Milky Way Gxy, as each leader is responsible for watching over one of the ten gxies in the local group.


    [The rest aren''t under the control of humans, you see...]


    [And as you know, Magnus''s ultimate objective is to seize control of Earth, establishing his own dominion over the and its resources.]


    [He envisions a new Order where he and the factions under him ascend to unparalleled heights of power.]


    Still shaking his head, in an attempt to clear his mind of the constant ringing of Silent''sughter, Emir said:


    "Let me guess, Magnus believes that Earth''s strategic position and potential would provide him the means to reshape the gxy in his image... Or something like that."


    [Hm, you''re right. Magnus was always quite the greedy man, he''s always wanted more power, and that led him to you....]


    [Be careful, although Iughed earlier, he is not an opponent someone on your level would like to face, the personnel, influence, money, and power he has are unimaginable.]


    "No worries there, Silent, I will never let my guard down, not even against a toddler, never mind one of the leaders of a Gctic Federation for god''s sake..."


    Letting out an exacerbated sigh, he added:


    "Well, at least I''ve got a proper name behind my captor, I call that progress. Thanks for this Silent."


    [Of course, if you wish, you can ask me one more question, consider it an extension of your reward, and think carefully about it as I won''t be able to answer anymore.]


    Pausing his steps, Emir mused:


    ''There is no need for that, I''ve already got a question in mind.''


    "Alright, but before I ask my question, I need you to tell me how long I''ve been here."


    [Smart man... It''s almost been a year.]


    [It''s 125 EIC, so you''re fourteen now, and it might be surprising to you, but the fact that you became a Pdin in those eleven months is what astonishes me.]


    "It''s been a year?! Damn, my mom will grill me when I get back home..." Emir voiced out


    while his body twitched, imagining how his mother would greet him after so long.


    Sighing out loud, he let go of those thoughts and focused on a word that piqued his curiosity:


    ''Though EIC?''


    ''... Is that the universal year, maybe?''


    ''If I ask him now, he''d take away my question, even though it''s so trivial....''


    ''I can''t repeat thest trick, so I''ll just guess and see his reaction.''


    "Thanks for that... But you said something interesting, EIC."


    "Although I''ve never heard the term before, I can safely guess from the name that it''s Epoch of something something..."


    Emir spoke while watching on, wanting to know if Silent would give out any more freebies, as he knew that if Silent wanted to mask his emotions, it would be a piece of cake.


    They looked at each other in silence for a while until Silent let out a chuckle. [Don''t worry about that, this is general knowledge, so I won''t consider it a question....] [EIC, otherwise known as the Epoch of Inteary Colonization, is the beginning of time when the Order left Earth. And they based the years on the time of the Earth''s rotation.] Emir nodded while joining him inughter.


    "Ha... Seriously, I''m thankful for all your help, now I can finally ask what''s been on my mind for a while."


    [Go ahead.]


    "Yeah, so I''ve been wondering, as you are the man who discovered Aether, was there something else happening that was hidden from the records?"


    "I mean... Why didn''t you go to others to find resources? Or was that you couldn''t, and


    I''m just being paranoid again?"


    Emir''s question wasced with curiosity.


    But contrary to his excitement, Silent''s demeanor immediately changed, as he showed a face


    filled with mncholy.


    Emir didn''t fail to notice that, but he didn''tment on it and let Silent take the stage.


    [You might think that we could''ve used the resources on thes in our sr system and


    that we did.]


    [We... We were excited at first, we finally departed Earth''s embrace, and we all cheered as


    one.]


    [After years-decades-of infighting and silent wars, we had transcended our folly-rising


    into the glittering world beyond.]


    [Mars was first, then Venus and Mercury in the years that followed.]


    [Mining stations dotted the sr system, even the asteroid belt.]


    [We''ve attempted to extract resources from some moons of the Gas giants like Titan,


    Encdus, and Europa as well, but that ended up in failure. Their water and ice held no


    credible use.]


    [But besides that, the sr system was ours to its very fringes.]


    [And it wasn''t long before our sights were set beyond Sol''s domain.]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Our ships ventured en masse through the root cloud-into the space between the stars...]


    [Yet as we tried to cross the threshold, we found ourselves incapable. No matter their speed or strength, all ships were turned forcibly astern.]


    [We were puzzled, time and again we tried, but time and again we failed-until a warning cut


    through the void.]


    [It was the voice of a god-like being, reverberating through all of our minds, and it said...]


    [''For your own safety, cease all attempts to exit your star''s gravitational field... Do not


    awaken the myths.'']


    Emir had been listening to his words with interest so far, but his body immediately squirmed


    when he heard thest words of Silent.


    ''Myths? Mythic? The monsters? A celestial....''


    ''N-no way...''


    ''THIS CAN''T BE!''


    ''Fucking hell.''


    ''... But it all makes sense, doesn''t it?''


    ''Why... Why would the Eternal Star n gain ess to Aether since birth?''


    ''It''s because our family originated from an Apex.''


    ''A goddamn APEX!''


    Silent knew that Emir would pick up on it so he paused for a while, only continuing when he


    saw himpose himself with a sigh.


    [All of our mining rigs, every single source of energy production in the gxy immediatelybusted into nothingness, our men, women, all of them dead.]


    [We didn''t receive any sign ofmunication after that; it was quiet.]


    [At first, we didn''t know what to do, but the higher-ups demanded that we terminate all


    records of our work.]


    [Many of us were killed, but I was one of the few remaining few that lived...]


    [They told those of us remaining to try again as if a fever had set upon them, to step beyond.]


    [After all, Earth grew reliant on those resources, we couldn''t function without them


    anymore.]


    [But any and all ships throughout the years never managed to seed, and thankfully I wasn''t


    a part of it anymore.]


    [I was away from the death and carnage...]

 Chapter 132: The Age of Myths

    Chapter 132: The Age of Myths


    ?


    [I was assigned to work with a team to find anything on Earth, anything that would increase our chance at survival, and that is what I did...]


    [You see... What happened to us was supernatural, fantastical even, so I focused my mind on that, and guess what?]


    "You''ve discovered Aether."


    [Yes! I''ve found it, I''ve found Aether!]


    [And with it, we finally went beyond Sol''s domain.]


    [Us Arcanists lead the charge... But we were toote, the second Cold War erupted and we''ve never heard of the voice again.]


    Emir took a long moment to process that information.


    And after a minute or so, his face didn''t show surprise like before.


    It only showed genuine astonishment at the man in front of him.


    "You are someone great, you know that?" He said with a chuckle.


    Silent joined him inughter.


    [And you are too, not anyone can say that they are a child of an Apex.]


    "True... It all fits now, like pieces of a puzzle..."


    "But it makes me wonder, if we had such an ancestor, why would they let their children die off like that? Is it simply because we were a failed experiment of some sort? And what of that warning?"


    [Who knows... We haven''t seen or experienced anything yet. Though your words regarding your ancestor might be true, or they might not be. You can never know with higher beings.]


    [And you see, I''ve always wondered if that voice was truly your ancestor or if they were someone else, there might be other Primordial or even Cosmic Emperors that we don''t know about.]


    [The First Epoch, The Age of Myths, holds many mysteries that we might never fathom...] "The Age of Myths, on the nose, don''t you think?" Emir asked with a chuckle.


    Silent''s gaze shifted away from him as if resisting augh.


    "Look at us... Look at me... Talking about Mythics when I was just struggling to fight against a low-ranking Tyrant."


    Silent returned to look at Emir, but when he saw the snicker stered on his face, the lecture he was about to give him flew out of his mind as they both joined each other inughter.


    ["AHAHHAHAAH!"]


    Moments passed, and Emir''s head began to throb due to how loud Silent was, but he epted it this time, enjoying the moment.


    However, Silent still noticed his twitching eyebrow, so he calmed himself down and spoke:


    [...Alright, alright, consider your reward now over. So let''s get you to kill that monster to fulfill your side of the deal, shall we? Otherwise, all this training would have been for nothing.]


    Emir nodded, proceeding to don his augmented suit and secure his rucksack on his back. Wearing his augmented suit after so long felt off, but for now, it was still useful to him.


    Though, he knew that the time for shedding its necessity drew near, an imminent transition awaited him upon achieving the rank of Seraphim.


    The rank where most celestials leave behind technology and embrace true strength...


    ...


    Emerging from the pulsating portal, Emir found himself once again within the sprawling expanse of the underground cave system that had been his refuge for so long.


    However, this time, his return marked a significant shift in his role.


    No longer the hunted, he had be the hunter.


    As promised, he came back to pay his dues.


    A blood debt that was formed the moment he lost to the Maligorth.


    And as his eyes scanned the dimly lit surroundings, he took a purposeful step forward.


    With each stride, he covered a considerable distance, his movement spanning numerous


    meters.


    The caverns stretched out before him, their eerie silence broken only by the faint echoes of his footsteps.


    The air hung heavy with the scent of dampness, and a cool breeze whispered through the cavern, carrying with it the distant sound of trickling poison.


    Stctites clung to the ceiling like jagged teeth, their pointed forms adding an ominous touch to the underground realm.


    The uneven ground beneath his feet didn''t disturb his speed in the least, nor did the shadows that danced along the walls.


    Stepping out into the open, Emir''s voice resonated with power as he chanted:


    "sh step."


    There was no then.


    In the blink of an eye, he traversed a staggering kilometer, effortlessly bridging the vast distance between himself and his destination.


    However, unustomed to such incredible speed, he stumbled uponnding, losing his bnce and flipping upside down before crashing into a nearby rock formation.


    Crash! Rumble, rumble...


    The impact unleashed a symphony of sound as it reverberated through the surroundings, a chorus of crumbling rocks and shattering echoes, setting off a chain reaction.


    The ground quivered as cracks snaked through its surface, and a rumble filled the air.


    Slowly but surely, the stability of the rocks surrounding him began to crumble, until a sudden cascade of debris rained down upon him, enveloping him in a chaotic storm.


    Amidst the chaos, Emir remainedposed, hisughter mingling with the cacophony of destruction.


    But before the rain of rocks reached him, he summoned forth an imprable barrier, his voice resounding once more as he chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    The shield materialized, enveloping him from head to toe, bing an impervious fortress.


    The massive rocks hurled against it, but they were no match for its protective embrace.


    Each impact only served to bounce off harmlessly, as if the weight of the debris were inconsequential.


    And as the barrage of rocks finally ceased, the dust began to settle, revealing a scene of utter devastation.


    The remnants of the shattered rocks and debrisy scattered around him, a testament to his newfound strength, his heightened potential for destruction.


    Through it all, he stood unscathed, shielded by the formidable barrier he had conjured.


    With a boisterousugh, a single thought echoed in his mind:


    "That certainly will announce my arrival.''


    Scratching his hair in excitement, he rose from the wreckage, a wild smile forming on his lips


    as he bellowed:


    "MALIGORTH, I HAVE ARRIVED! COME FORTH, OR I SHALL UNLEASH DEVASTATION UPON


    THIS VERY PLACE YOU CALL HOME!"


    In response, a deafening cacophony shattered his echoing words.


    The monstrous bellow of the Maligorth reverberated through the air, its deep, guttural tones resonating with raw power and primal fury.


    The ground trembled beneath Emir''s feet as the sound waves rippled through the surroundings, sending vibrations that seemed to prate the very core of the ground.


    It was a symphony of menace, an intimidating roar that echoed far and wide, announcing the


    impending sh between two formidable forces.


    ''There you are!'' Emir thought eagerly, unfazed by its screams.


    Without hesitation, he swiftly chanted:


    "sh step."


    With each step he took, he vanished from one spot and materialized closer to his desired


    location, a blur of motion in an instant, as if he was teleporting.


    And a few stepster, he came to a halt, a calcted distance away from the source of the


    Maligorth''s roar.


    Taking a brief pause, he surveyed his surroundings with an astute gaze, his keen eyesight absorbing every detail.


    Simultaneously, he continuously absorbed Aether, filling up his reserves.


    ''I need to check out the area first,'' he thought, looking to his right, at a mountain-like


    structure.


    With a jump, Emir propelled himself upward, his hands grasping the rugged edges of the rock


    formation.


    He dug his fingers into the stone, granting him a secure hold as he swiftly ascended.


    Each movement of his arms brought him closer to the pinnacle.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And then, suspended in mid-air for a fleeting moment, he swung himself back and forth.


    He released his grip after harnessing enough momentum, surrendering to thews of gravity.


    Soaring through the air, he flung himself to the top.


    ''Now... Where are you?'' He thought, just as his feetnded with his eyes darting around.


    Emir''s gaze possessed an extraordinary range, allowing him to perceive great distances with


    unparalleled rity.


    Combined with his heightened night vision, spotting the imposing figure of the Maligorth


    was an effortless task.


    The monstrous entity stood defiantly in the center of a meticulously cleared-out field, as though it were purposefully prepared for their impending battle.


    Amused by the Maligorth''s apparent desire for a fair duel, he couldn''t help but chuckle


    inwardly.


    ''You want to have a proper fight now, do you?...If you think I''m so stupid that I would let go


    of my advantage, then you''re already dead.''


    Without even needing to turn around, he effortlessly extended his hand backward, retrieving


    his Aetherstorm Launcher.


    Carefully positioning its stock against his shoulder, he shed a triumphant smile.


    His lips moved silently, reciting the incantation:


    "Aether Overdrive."


    Those simple words caused the Aether in his surroundings to begin to fluctuate, being


    absorbed and processed in his body at an incredible rate.


    And that... Wasn''t something that the Maligorth would fail to notice.


    Emir watched as the monster turn in his direction with a surprised expression on its face, or at


    least that''s what he understood of it, as the monster''s face was far from human.


    And before it could even move a single muscle, he chanted:


    "Aether st!"

 Chapter 133: Paying Back The Tyrant [Bonus chapter]

    Chapter 133: Paying Back The Tyrant [Bonus chapter]


    ?


    The deafening st of Aether resonated through the ce, hurtling toward the Maligorth with unstoppable force.


    The air crackled with energy as the attack collided with the Maligorth, resulting in a cataclysmic explosion that sent shockwaves reverberating through the clearing.


    In the aftermath of the st, the Maligorth''s bodyy in tatters.


    Half of its form had been mercilessly severed, and the intense Aetheric energy from Emir''s attack prevented it from regenerating.


    The creature writhed and roared in pain, its human-like form emerging from the remnants of its monstrous exterior.


    Emir wasted no time watching that.


    He knew he couldn''t give it the chance to regenerate any further and swiftly closed the distance, his daggers glinting in the dark as he chanted:


    "Aetheric des."


    He ran through dust and the echoes of the explosion that resounded around him, and then stood amidst the wreckage, eyeing the monster before him.


    The Maligorth''s roars of pain that constantly pierced through the field, finally quieted down, as it was already back to its top shape, no longer in its true form.


    ''Good, now I have the advantage for a while, it won''t be able to transform back until it has enough Aether, I can kill it in that time...''


    The now fully healed Maligorth spat out words of anger and contempt, its voice strained and filled with malice:


    "You think yourself a true warrior? A celestial?" It hissed.


    "You have no honor, no respect for the duel. This fight was meant to be fair, a test of strength, but you have shown yourself to be nothing more than a coward."


    Emir couldn''t help butugh out loud at the Maligorth''s words, struggling to keep himself from rolling on the ground.


    Coughing, he finally managed to control his bursting emotions, as he let out a long sigh, saying:


    "You im to be fair, but then you try to kill someone that would have no chance of winning against you... In what world is that fair?"


    "You im me not to be a warrior, but I never said that I was... We both know how the world is... It''s kill or be killed, nothing is unfair, nothing is unjust, and the winner takes all..."


    "But that doesn''t matter, let''s stop talking now, shall we? I believe I gave you more than enough time to regenerate."


    Just as those words crossed his lips, Emir sprang forward, not requiring sh Step to immediately appear next to his enemy.


    Bringing down his daggers, they collided with the Maligorth''s de-like appendages as the monster tried to parry them away, but he made sure to lock it down with a battle of strength. Snickering, Emir simply said, "Sword."


    That incantation caused Aether to congregate on top of his enemy, creating a sword construct with no hilt, made solely of Aether.


    Then, with a single thought from Emir, the sword dove down with blinding speed.


    The Maligorth, noticing the sword toote, failed to dodge in time, as ity embedded into its flesh, the mask on its face contorting as purple blood sshed everywhere.


    Emir stepped back, and said, "Sword," once again.


    Another sword construct formed behind the Maligorth, but this time the monster was ready.


    Quickly dodging out of the way, the sword zipped past its shoulders.


    Appearing to have figured out Emir''s trick, the Maligorth grew ecstatic, as it thought that there was one thing that he needed to do to activate his new ability.


    The Maligorth thought that he needed to chant out loud what construct he would create, but that was all a ploy for this moment, as another ''Sword'' silently began to form under the ground, a small distance away from the Maligorth.


    Knowing that the injury on its shoulder was already healed, Emir went back in, baiting the monster into his clutches.


    And as his second step touched the ground, he was already beside the monster, swinging his daggers sideways, aiming to cut its head off.


    The Maligorth stepped back, knowing that Emir wanted to hold it in ce.


    But that was its downfall, as the Maligorth didn''t realize it was stepping back into a trap.


    And just as its foot reached the ground, the sword sprang out, lodging itself in the monster''s head.


    The Maligorth roared in pain, clutching what was left of its head, as blood sttered all around, sizzling the arena of their duel, coloring it a darker shade of purple.


    Capitalizing on its vulnerable state, Emir rushed in once again.


    "Aetheric des," he chanted, causing his daggers to darken further, as they emitted a hue of death.


    Reaching the monster, he swung at its head, and the knife cut through it like butter.


    But before the blood sttered out, Emir activated his Temporal Perception to the max and conjured a square-like tile on top of its neck, separating the head and neck while also suppressing the blood from sttering out.


    Feeling his Aether reserves almostpletely drained, Emir shed once more, cutting the Maligorth''s arms, then quickly chanted:


    "Aetheric shield."


    He rushed forward as he chanted onest ability,pletely exhausting his Aether reserves in


    the process:


    "sh Step."


    There was no sound, he simply vanished and reappeared in front of the monster, smashing his shield against it, while also protecting himself from the blood stter, not giving it even a


    moment to retaliate.


    Bang!


    Like a thundercrack, the Maligorth almost instantly disappeared from its position, as it flew back, smashing into the rock formation behind it.


    A deafening boom echoed through the underground, shaking the very ground beneath their


    feet.


    The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, causing the nearby rock formations to crumble under the sheer force of the collision.


    Its body, now embedded into the jagged rocks, left a trail of destruction in its wake.


    Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view of the aftermath.


    Emir emerged from the dissipating dust cloud, his chest rising and falling with exertion.


    His eyes fixed on the fallen creature before him, its once fearsome presence now extinguished.


    The Maligorth dropped to the ground, its body no more, the remnants of its severed limbs


    scattered around.


    Blood, a deep shade of purple, oozed from its wounds, staining the earth below.


    The acrid scent of burnt flesh mingled with the metallic tang of blood, creating an eerie atmosphere in the aftermath of the fierce duel.


    Emir slowly approached the Maligorth, his daggers flickering with thest remnants of his Aether reserves.


    He stood tall, a triumphant glint in his eyes, but his expression carried a tinge of exhaustion.


    The battle had taken its toll, draining him of everything he had.


    The Maligorth, though only a neck and a head, managed to move, its eyes filled with a


    mixture of hatred and disbelief.


    It rasped out words, its voiceced with pain and defiance.


    "Damn you... Eternal''s fallen...."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Not caring for its words one bit, Emir raised his right leg and squashed the monster''s head.


    Crunch!


    A sickening sound resounded, indicating the end of the duel.


    But Emir, not wanting to give the Maligorth any chance to regenerate, kicked its head with all


    his strength over and over again.


    Its head had no blood, as it was drained after the body imploded due to the force behind Emir''s attack, so he didn''t worry about the poison and kicked away.


    He inwardly knew that the monster was no more, but his paranoia got the best of him.


    Only momentster he realized that what he was kicking was the ground, as the head had already turned into mush.


    Letting out a relieved sigh, he cleaned off the grime of his augmented suit by activating its self-cleaning function.


    Laying on a clean section of ground, he took a deep breath, knowing that all the nning that he did beforehand led to his victory today.


    Otherwise, if he went in with a fair fight, the chances of him losing would''ve been way higher,


    or impossible even.


    Although to Emir, the fight felt like itsted forever, it didn''t even take more than fifteen


    seconds for it to conclude.


    He never allowed the monster to attack even once, barraging it with everything he had,


    making sure to never give the Maligorth a chance to use its poison.


    Looking up, he asked, "How was it? I know you are watching me."


    With a small chuckle, Silent''s voice resounded in Emir''s mind:


    [I''m no fighter, even when I was above your rank, I never thought of using my abilities in the


    way you did, I didn''t try either, I was and will always be an inventor, not a warrior, a creator,


    not a destroyer.]


    Snickering, Emir quipped back:


    "Pass me with your lectures and knowledge, my friend, you were weak, and what was the result? Your death... And I don''t have the luxury of choice anyways, I was born to be a killer,


    not a warrior, a destroyer? ...No, I do destroy yes... But I can also create."


    [...]


    Seeing that Silent was silent, Emir asked with a chuckle:


    "Hey, why are you turning silent on me now?" [No... I''m sorry, it''s just unexpected, although I knew that you would understand more about


    yourself and your celestial essence, I never expected you to rte it to your aspect, I guess I


    should''ve expected that.]


    "Hah, d to always surprise you, now let''s get back, Magnus is making his move," Emir said as he stood up, walking towards the portal Silent led him tost time.

 Chapter 134: Back Home

    Chapter 134: Back Home


    ?


    Exiting the portal, Emir finally returned home after many months of training on a foreign, in a distant realm.


    The air of the ruins enveloped him, carrying a sense of familiarity mixed with an eerie stillness.


    The memorial room''s walls, adorned with intricate carvings and weathered by time, stood tall and proud, a testament to Marcus Aurelius, to Silent.


    Breathing deeply, Emir savored the scent of the ce.


    The tranquil ambiance provided a brief respite from the battles he had faced and the challenges that awaited him.


    But, he knew that he couldn''t afford to bask in this moment of calm.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The Order... Magnus was on the move.


    So, snapping himself out of thatfort, he tightened his grip on his daggers and headed toward the ruin''s exit.


    He navigated through the dimly lit corridors, where shafts of light pierced through from unknown sources, casting ethereal beams that danced upon the ancient stone floor.


    Soon, a single word echoed behind him as he left the Silent Archive, carried on an unseen breeze:


    "Farewell."


    ...


    [Hey, Lyra, it''s been some time, hasn''t it?] Emir said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, as he approached Lyra, who had just exited a sleek cruiser.


    Running up to him, she threw her arms around him, engulfing him in a tight embrace.


    Her cascading white hair fell around them, momentarily obscuring his vision.


    Emir chuckled and yfully ruffled her hair.


    "Thanks for the warm wee."


    Looking up at him, her eyes shimmering with affection, Lyra eximed:


    "I missed you so much!"


    Emir gently kissed her forehead and stepped back as he nced back at the cruiser.


    "Mom''spany really got big, huh?" He remarked, a hint of pride evident in his voice.


    Lyra nodded, a mix of admiration and amusement on her face.


    "Yes, we called it Prince Emporium."


    "Oh... So yall included my name in there... Nice." He said with a hearty chuckle.


    A smile graced Lyra''s lips as she met his gaze.


    "Well, we had to make sure your name stayed in people''s hearts and minds, even in your absence."


    "Thanks for that... And I can see by how you''re showing yourself that the Order has already figured out everything."


    Lyra nodded solemnly.


    "Yes, although we expected it, this is too early. Your being gone for so long expedited the process. But that doesn''t matter, you are now way stronger than they nned you to be."


    Emir smiled at thatment.


    "True that, and well... We were going to butt heads sooner orter. Better to do it on our terms when we''re ready."


    Lyra smiled, her admiration for him shining through.


    She had always loved his ability to ept challenging situations and face them head-on withoutint.


    Entering the cruiser, Emir''s eyes scanned the interior.


    It was minimalist, with state-of-the-art technology seamlessly integrated into its design.


    The center console was adorned with holographic disys, showcasing information and the route back to the sector.


    His eyes flickered with amusement as he nced toward the back of the cruiser, where his beloved bike was securely strapped.


    The corners of his lips curled into a satisfied smile.


    "You even brought the bike," he remarked, a hint of appreciation in his voice.


    "You know me real well, don''t you?"


    Lyra''s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with affection.


    "Of course, Emir. I knew you would''ve wanted to ride it again."


    With a yful pat on her head, he walked past her, unstrapping the bike from its confines.


    He hoisted it effortlessly onto the ground, the familiar weight of the machineforting in his hands.


    Settling onto the bike''s seat, the engine roared to life, and the familiar rumble danced to his ears as if the bike itself was weing him back.


    Emir chuckled and cast a nce back at Lyra, who now stood on the trunk of the cruiser.


    "You even bought a de Runner, I see," he said.


    "I must say, I''m impressed... You must have brought your A-game and perhaps involved yourself in a few questionable activities~."


    She winked at him and replied, "I had to, you''ve already be a pdin, while I''m still a Knight. This was the best way I could think of to remain useful to you."


    Emir chuckled, saying, "Drop the act, Lyra. We both know I''ll always need you by my side. Now, let''s go. We can talk on the way."


    A broad smile spread across Lyra''s face as she returned to the driver''s seat, starting up the engine of the cruiser.


    Emir took the lead on his bike, relishing the thrill of the ride as they traversed the wastnd at the bike''s top speed.


    The barrenndscape stretched out before them, a deste tapestry of ruins and remnants.


    They rode in harmony, the hum of the bike''s engine blending with the rumble of the cruiser as they weaved through the remnants of a forgotten world.


    During their journey, Lyra filled Emir in on everything he needed to know about the current


    events.


    She also shared information about the state of Prince Emporium.


    It had started as a small and uing business focused on relic trade, but with Lyra''s assistance, they managed to expand rapidly.


    They were now proud owners of a shop in the lower district, where they showcased their


    wares and conducted transactions with customers on the daily.


    And as she finished briefing him on the details, they arrived at their destination.


    They then parked their vehicles in an allocated section for the lower district.


    Stepping off his bike, Emir joined Lyra, walking silently beside her.


    While they walked through the bustling lower district, a ce teeming with life and activity,


    he took note of their surroundings.


    Many buildings with worn-out signs adorned the streets, while the air carried the scent of various vendors'' offerings.


    People went about their daily routines, their conversations ovepping in a symphony of


    voices.


    Turning his attention to his front, he looked at Lyra, noticing that her flowing white hair caught the attention of those around them, drawing curious gazes from both hunters and


    simple workers in the area.


    At first, he flinched, assuming they were being eyed for a potential fight.


    But then he remembered that her appearance had reverted to her true looks, showing a face, and body too beautiful, not to look at.


    The thought of him being the one a lot of the girls were looking at never crossed his mind.


    Although he was aware of his own good looks, he never considered himself a head-turner. His focus was always on evaluating the potential dangers in any situation, not on the


    admiration he might receive.


    ''Are some of them spies?''


    ''This guy is acting suspicious...''


    ''Are we being followed?''


    Those thoughts constantly ran through his head, never-ending.


    "Emir!"


    But then a single word drowned them all out as he finally noticed who was standing in front of


    him.

 Chapter 135: Emirs Emporium [Bonus chapter]

    Chapter 135: Emir''s Emporium [Bonus chapter]


    ?


    Stood in front of him was his mother, as she rushed at him, like a bull.


    ''Not happening.''


    Knowing that Laura''s actions would cause a scene, Emir said:


    [Lyra, repeat previous footage in the cameras of the surrounding area for a moment, actually, make it a range of two kilometers.]


    Lyra instantly followed hismand, not questioning him or hesitating for a single moment. [It''s done.]


    Just as her voice echoed in his mind, Emir simply let out two words:


    "sh Step."


    Disappearing from his position, he reappeared on top of a building, far away from his mother''s devastating hug.


    He watched on as Laura kept looking around everywhere, searching for him, while Lyra was chuckling to the side as if watching aedy show.


    Emir joined her inughter while he eyed Laura''s shop, just beside the sidewalk.


    It was a modest two-story building nestled amidst the bustling lower district.


    Its facade exuded a sense of understated elegance, withrge ss windows adorning the ground floor.


    These windows acted as portals, offering many a passerby a glimpse into a world of hunters. Mirrors strategically ced behind the relics further amplified their allure, reflecting rays of sunlight and casting a mesmerizing dance of light onto the sidewalk.


    The exterior of the shop was unassuming, yet the treasures contained within were far from ordinary... Lyra made sure of that.


    Jumping off the building, Emirnded softly and headed straight towards the shop, not even crumbling the ground beneath him as he manipted Aether into slowing down his descent. While running, he noticed that his mother spotted him, and was now rushing towards him. Picking up the pace, he entered the shop, almost smashing through the door.


    Looking around he eyed the ce, mesmerized at what his mother had aplished in such a short period of time.


    The relics were carefully arranged on polished wooden disy stands and were positioned in such a way that each one seemed to tell a story of its own.


    Delicate vases and ornate jewelry adorned with precious gemstones caught his eye, while ancient manuscripts and crumbling parchments piqued his curiosity.


    Soft lighting illuminated the space, casting a gentle glow upon the relics, giving the shop a warm and inviting ambiance.


    Intricate carvings and delicate tapestries adorned the white walls, creating an atmosphere of mystery and enchantment.


    The air carried a faint scent of aged parchment and incense, transporting him to a bygone era.


    Each item was meticulouslybeled and apanied by a small card providing historical context.


    His eyes traced the disys, his gaze drawn to a particrly ornate sword, its hilt encrusted with gemstones that shimmered in the soft light.


    He then turned his attention to the winding staircase that led to the upper floor.


    Heading up, he arrived at a small room, or rather, a small gallery filled with even more relics.


    Here, carefully curated exhibits showcased rare artifacts, from ancient weapons and mystical amulets to beautifully preserved augmented suits.


    The air on this floor carried an almost reverent hush, as Emir silently marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance of each piece.


    Stumping him out of his reverie, his mother came in behind him, smashing into him with a hug at the strength of the highest of celestials.


    Sure, while Emir was many hundred times stronger than her, he still felt like he was hit, almost as if his body was carefully nullifying his strength, afraid of hurting its nurturer.


    ''My god I love her,'' he thought, kissing her on the forehead while hugging her back as delicately as possible.


    ''I guess she really missed me...''


    He held her closer to him, with a smile stered on his face.


    Looking up, he watched as Lyra entered the gallery, her face the same as his.


    Turning back his gaze to his mother he simply said:


    "I''m home Mom."


    With a sniffle, she voiced out, absolute happiness filling her every word:


    "Yes, yes you are home, wee back..."


    Letting go of him after a few moments, she stepped back and said:


    "I''m so, so proud of you."


    Chuckling, Emir replied, "And I am of you... I must say, I love this shop''s design, and you also named thepany after me, I''m quite surprised."


    Hitting him on the shoulder, she spoke, cheekiness pervading her voice:


    "Of course, this was your idea, and it turned out great. But now I have more money that I know what to do with, we give our staff even higher pay than the average market sry, but


    we still have a lot of it stacking up."


    He shook his head.


    "Well, we don''t need to worry about that, the Order will interfere soon enough, you can even expect something to happen today, so having this much money saved up will be helpful, though it''s good to see that your sense of money didn''t be deranged like mine."


    Lyra finally joined in the conversation, saying:


    "That''s fine, you''re a Pdin now, normal currencies like the Union Credit would prove


    useless to your goals..."


    "Although we can still find a use for them now, soon the only currency that would be of use to us would be Valora, it is used throughout the entire local group after all."


    Nodding his head, Emir asked, "So out of all these relics, do you have anything you saved up for me? I need a gear upgrade."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lyra was about to speak, but Laura cut her off as she grabbed him by the arm while saying:


    "Let me tell him dear, I want him to see how hard you worked for him."


    Emir let Laura do as she pleased, while she continued to drag him downstairs.


    "Lyra told me that augmented suits would soon be useless to you, so she focused on finding a better weapon, she also told me of your preferred weapon, being those daggers that you constantly wave around."


    "But she didn''t find any daggers that would fit you, though she did find something even more special... Let me show you, we''ve got them in the storage room."


    Going behind the counter on the ground floor, she opened a small door, but just as they were about to enter the room, they heard the sound of a bell jingle, indicating that someone entered the store.


    ''Did mom forget to show that we were closed?'' Emir thought as he looked at what he believed


    to be a customer.


    But then he noticed that his mother''s arm flinched, telling him all that he needed to know.


    Quickly stepping back from Laura, he gripped his daggers as he thought with a wild smile:


    ''Speak of the devil and hees.''

 Chapter 136: Magnuss First Move

    Chapter 136: Magnus''s First Move


    ?


    Emir remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the man standing before him.


    The relics surrounding them seemed insignificant at that moment.


    Breaking the ss protecting those items would require considerable effort, even for a Pdin-ranked ascendant like him.


    So his sole concern was shielding his mother from what she was about to witness.


    "Mom, close your eyes," hemanded, his voice low and steady, as he maintained an unwavering gaze on his potential adversary.


    The man stood unmoving, his attire a sharp contrast to the tension in the air.


    d in a tightly fitted ck suit that entuated his out-of-shape physique, he appeared like an ordinary wealthy businessman, his wealth extending only to his expanding waistline.


    Emir watched as the man''s hand moved, positioning itself to retrieve something from the suitcase he held.


    But before he could make a move, Emir''s voice boomed with a warning:


    "DON''T FUCKING MOVE, OR YOUR HEAD WILL DANCE!"


    And to his surprise, the manplied without a flinch, a response that only confirmed his suspicions.


    This encounter was not idental, and the man hade here with motives beyond purchasing relics.


    Raising his hand cautiously, the man ran his pale fingers through the remnants of his balding head, pushing back his slicked gray hair.


    He spoke, his voice calm and controlled:


    "Please, lower your weapon and remain calm. I have note here with any intention of physically harming you."


    Emir scoffed.


    "Physically? You Elite love to y with words, don''t you? Or are you Corpo?"


    Seeing that the man was unfazed by his promation made Emir certain of what he was dealing with.


    The man''s smile widened, hisposure unwavering, as he said:


    "Now that we are being civil, let us act like proper human beings. You may call me by my name, Vincent Renfield."


    Emir offered no reply, instead gesturing for Vincent to follow him.


    Without protest, Vincentplied once again, trailing behind Emir as they exited the store, leaving Laura and Lyra behind.


    [Keep an eye out for others and watch over Mom for me now, will you, dear?] He said while heading towards a nearby cafe.


    Known to many hunters for being the perfect ce to discuss private dealings without having anyone spy on you, the Order included.


    Lyra''s response carried a touch of amusement:


    [No need to imitate how Laura talks to me, okay? If you want to call me by a nickname that I would love, but I''d prefer something special between us.]


    His face remained impassive as he replied:


    [You don''t seem worried about the situation.]


    [Why would I? I finally have you back, and I know me and you together could get through this with no problem.]


    Their exchange took on a slower pace than their usual lightning-fastmunication.


    Emir, too, was preupied with thoughts racing through his mind, contemting Mangus''s possible actions now that they had discovered Lyra''s defection.


    [Good to know that you''re confident... It helps me clear my thoughts.]


    [It''s great that I''m of help to you.] She said, and he could almost hear the sound of her lips widening into a dazzling smile.


    Shifting his gaze to the right, he approached a building around the corner, spotting the caf¨¦ he intended to visit.


    He never once looked behind him throughout their entire way there, as he simply didn''t need to, he knew that Vincent was nearby, feeling the Aether behind him shift.


    He also used the radar on his augmented suit, since he instantly turned it on the moment Vincent entered the store.


    Upon arrival, they stood before a grand five-story building.


    The facade of the building exuded an aura of elegance and sophistication.


    The exterior was made primarily of sleek, dark-colored ss, and the windows, covering the entire building, were tinted to a shade of darkness that created an air of exclusivity, while still allowing streams of sunlight to filter through, casting soft rays inside.


    At the entrance, arge sign hung proudly above the ss doors, proiming the name of the establishment, ''Luna Noir Caf¨¦.''


    The sign was crafted with intricate silver lettering, which shimmered in the sunlight. Emir eyed the ground floor, which featured a spacious outdoor seating area, with elegant wrought-iron tables and chairs arranged neatly underrge umbres.


    The seating area was adorned with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, creating a refreshing and inviting atmosphere.


    Emir stood still, taking in the sight, before gesturing for Vincent to enter first.


    "After you."


    And without hesitation, he obliged, stepping in front of Emir and leading the way into the caf¨¦.


    Stepping inside, they were greeted by an interior that exuded a sense of contemporary elegance.


    The walls were adorned with textured panels in shades of deep purple and ck, creating a luxurious ambiance. Soft, warm lighting illuminated the space, casting a gentle glow that added to the cozy and intimate feel of the caf¨¦.


    The main seating area was tastefully arranged, with plush leather armchairs and cozy booths offeringfort and privacy.


    Tables of varying sizes were strategically ced to amodate both individuals seeking solitude and groups of friends engaged in lively conversations.


    Large floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the caf¨¦ offered a panoramic view of the bustling city, providing a captivating backdrop for patrons enjoying their drinks and meals.


    The windows were fitted with sheer curtains in deep purple hues, adding a touch of elegance and privacy to the space.


    A long, polished counter stretched along one wall, disying an impressive array of freshly baked pastries, delicate cakes, and an assortment of gourmet coffee beans.


    The aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air, enticing him to indulge in the caf¨¦''s carefully crafted beverages.


    Shaking off his momentary distraction, Emir followed Vincent to the counter, keeping a


    watchful eye on his every move.


    Vincent turned to the receptionist and calmly stated:


    "We require a private room for two on the upper floors. Put it on my ount."


    ''As I thought, this guy is used to this, he might be someone from an elite family, the Order won''t involve themselves with nobodies.'' He inwardly snickered, trailing behind Vincent as they made their way to the nearest elevator.


    Reaching the fifth floor, they stepped out onto a quiet hallway, lined with numbered rooms


    housing other patrons.


    Vincent stopped in front of room 509, the door opening to reveal a simple yet dimly lit space.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Two couches faced each other, separated by arge table.


    Emir swiftly scanned the room, employing his Weaver''s Grasp and information gathering


    device.


    Finding no one else but themselves, he entered the room, Vincent following closely.


    The door then shut behind them, sealing off the outside world.

 Chapter 137: Magnuss First Move II

    Chapter 137: Magnus''s First Move II


    ?


    Two men locked eyes, and a palpable tension filled the air as they sat on opposite sides of the


    room.


    A handsome man, with jet-ck hair and piercing ck eyes, exuded an air of confidence.


    The man seated across from him, overweight and resembling the epitome of an average sryman, seemed out of ce in the intense atmosphere.


    With a deliberate motion, Emir slowly raised his hand, his fingers curling into a subtle gesture that only a celestial would recognize.


    It was a mimicry of an attack, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air.


    Emir''s gaze remained fixed Vincent, his lips curling into a sly smile as he observed a flicker of unease cross his face.


    The confirmation of his suspicions only fueled his amusement, heightening the tension between them.


    The room seemed to grow smaller as the silence stretched on, each man waiting for the other to make a move.


    Vincent''s eyes began to dart nervously, his heavy breathing betraying his apprehension.


    He shifted in his seat, sweat glistening on his forehead as he attempted to maintainposure.


    Emir''s unwavering gaze bore into him, his expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation.


    The weight of the moment hung heavy, the stillness broken only by the distant sound of a clock ticking.


    Then out of nowhere, Emir''s voice cut through the silence,ced with a hint of amusement: "Caught you off guard, didn''t I?"


    Vincent let out a defeated sigh, his voice tinged with resignation:


    "You got me there, Emir. I almost thought you had a hidden weapon in your possession."


    Emir''s lips curled into a subtle smile, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief as he thought: ''Oh... So we are ying that game now, are we?''


    He set his hand down, signaling an end to their silent confrontation.


    "Fair enough," he replied casually, his tone betraying none of the tension that had filled the room moments before.


    "Just wanted to scare you a bit. Now, let''s start talking business."


    And as Emir spoke his next words, his voice took on an ominous quality, reminiscent of death itself:


    "Why did youe to our shop?"


    His words echoed each a chilling reminder of the consequences that awaited those who dared to cross him.


    The room seemed to grow colder, the atmosphere heavy with impending danger.


    Vincent visibly trembled, realizing that even under the Elite''s banner, he would not be safe from Emir''s reach.


    "L-look..."


    He paused for a moment, only continuing after a deep breath.


    "Look here, Emir, I am Vincent, of the Gold Leaf family, does that name ring any bells?"


    Emir let out a scoff, his voice dripping with disdain:


    "So what? You are but a dog of that family if you were sent to us. Or am I wrong in thinking that? Who knows... I mean, the Gold Leaf family could''ve fallen off while I was grinding out for relics in those ruins."


    His words carried a subtle undertone, hinting at a possibility he wanted Vincent to believe, nting doubts in his mind, while simultaneously aiming to agitate him.


    However, Vincent remained unfazed, hisposure now intact, as he delivered his response:


    "The Gold Leaf family, in ordance with the Moon Scribe family, has deemed the Prince Emporiumpany to have engaged in illegal activities. Actions are now set in motion tobat that."


    The tension in the room thickened, and the air crackled with unspoken threats and veiled intentions.


    Emir and Vincent locked eyes, each understanding the gravity of the situation and the stakes at hand.


    The encounter had escted from a mere confrontation to a battle of wits and power, with the fate of both individuals hanging in the bnce.


    Emir''s expression underwent a chilling transformation.


    The mischievous glint in his eyes vanished, reced by an icy coldness that signaled impending doom.


    It was a face he reserved for those destined to meet a gruesome and traumatic end.


    "When will those actions begin?" He asked, his voice void of any emotion, as if the events unfolding before him held no significance.


    The change in Emir''s demeanor shook Vincent to the core.


    And as he looked into Emir''s eyes, he could feel the intensity and danger emanating from him.


    He knew that now he was talking to the real Emir, a creation of the Order, a formidable tool, a weapon of war.


    Vincent struggled to regain hisposure, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke, feeling suffocated under Emir''s piercing gaze.


    "It has already begun," he said, his tone growing louder, his voice strained as if he were suffocating under the weight of Emir''s presence.


    He had never experienced such overwhelming killing intent before.


    It wasn''t the fantastical kind, but the kind that conveyed a sense of imminent death, where


    one wrong step could unleash a volcano of fury and certain doom.


    "I''m only here under the directmand of the Moon Scribe family..."


    "They, in coboration with the Gold Leaf family, have issued a legal document against Prince Emporium."


    Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Vincent continued, his voice gradually calming down.


    "The founder of thepany is scheduled to attend a court hearing in three months, where the fate of Prince Emporium and its legal owner will be decided."


    His words hung in the air, awaiting Emir''s response.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir simply let out a tired sigh, the release of breath coinciding with the defusing of the intense killing intent that had gripped the room.


    It was as if a balloon had been popped, causing Vincent to startle, still on edge from the presence of the man before him.


    The constant shifts in Emir''s demeanor unsettled him even more so, leaving him uncertain of


    what mighte next.


    But then something unexpected happened, something that Vincent never anticipated in all


    the ways he had imagined this encounter unfolding.


    It was a revtion that hung in the air, unspoken until that moment.


    Emir uttered a single name:


    "The Order."


    And as those two words reached Vincent''s ears, a profound sense of dread washed over him.


    The meaning behind what he said reverberated through his being, shaking him to his very


    core.


    It was no longer just a conflict between families; it was a direct confrontation with the Order


    itself.


    Emir''s awareness of the truth had been solidified, and while Vincent acted as if that was the case, now it was confirmed that Emir wouldn''t care for anything that happened to him.


    But before Vincent could fully process that, another name escaped Emir''s lips, one that sent shivers down Vincent''s spine for reasons he didn''t know of:


    "Magnus Valerius."


    The moment the name registered in Vincent''s mind, his body underwent a grotesque


    transformation.


    His form disintegrated into a gruesome explosion of gore, with limbs soaring through the air,


    and blood sttering the surroundings.


    The sheer force of the explosion propelled his dismembered body parts in all directions,


    painting the room in a macabre disy of horror.


    Emir remained seated, with an eerie smile etched on his face, his eyes devoid of color, their depths consumed by an abyss of imprable ckness, emanating a chilling intensity as he calmly observed the blood dripping from the demolished couch opposite him.


    "If you want war, then war is what you will get."


    His voice echoed through the room, as blood continued to drip from every surface.


    Pressing the solitary button in the middle of the table, he called out:


    "We need cleaning service for room 509, and bring me some of your most expensive desserts.


    Put it on Vincent''s tab."

 Chapter 138: Another Family Meeting

    Chapter 138: Another Family Meeting


    ?


    Emir took his seat at the dining table, facing his mother, with Lily to his left and Lyra to his right.


    Lily had a reaction simr to, or even more intense than his mother''s upon his return.


    Letting out a chuckle, he carefully set down his spoon, as a pang of nostalgia surged within him.


    It had been a long time since he had allowed himself the luxury of aplete meal.


    During his training and trial on that, he had forsaken even a single morsel of food or a sip of water. But now, the taste of his mother''s cooking rekindled a deep longing within him. With a gentle smile, he gathered the used dishes and proceeded to the sink, his family maintaining a hushed silence, their anticipation palpable as they waited on his words.


    After a few minutes, he returned to the table, his presence a soothing one amidst the expectant atmosphere.


    In a voice as tranquil as the gentlest of waves, he delivered his news:


    "Vincent is dead."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    They sat in silence, their reactions subdued.


    Lyra had been aware of Vincent''s fate beforehand, and both Lily and Laura had grown ustomed to Emir''s ways and the harsh realities of their world, where death often held a strange allure, a luxury to some.


    Yet, despite their apparent eptance, doubts lingered in Laura''s mind.


    She voiced her concerns, her voice tinged with uncertainty:


    "But won''t that implicate you? Vincent died with only you by his side, and if the Moon Scribe family is involved, they would''ve already dispatched the UEF force to chase after you..."


    Emir''sughter echoed in the room, a sardonic response to Laura''s apprehension.


    "...Of course, but I''m not stupid enough to hand them a loaded gun aimed right at my head. But for you to fully understand my actions, there is something you must know..." "Did Lyra teach you about the CCA?"


    As both of them nodded in acknowledgment, he was about to delve deeper into the topic.


    But, before he could continue, Lily interjected with her own insights, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration:


    "I learned about the CCA at the academy too, but they hid many of the things Lyra shared with us... It''s almost like propaganda."


    Lyra and Emir exchanged nces and burst intoughter, their amusement resonating throughout the t.


    Seeing their reaction, Lily''s pouting face turned into a full-blown protest as she screamed: "Don''tugh at me!"


    Theirughter only intensified at her outburst, but just as suddenly as it began, they abruptlyposed themselves, their demeanor shifting to a seriousness that sent shivers down Laura and Lily''s spines.


    It was a stark reminder of the day when Emir revealed his fabricated reincarnation to them, but at this moment, they witnessed him show the same uncanny transformation without any external influence.


    The atmosphere grew tense, and an unspoken understanding settled among them.


    But just as quickly as the somber atmosphere enveloped them, they collectively shook themselves out of it, realizing the significance of Emir''s transformation.


    They understood the immense weight he had carried and the depths he had delved into to reach this point.


    And at that moment, they felt a surge of relief wash over them.


    They knew that this was the best-case scenario, they hadn''t lost Emir; instead, he had emerged with a changed perspective, a newfound understanding, and became someone who was fit to challenge the Order.


    Meeting their gazes with sincerity, Emir spoke:


    "Sorry about that. Your words were spot on, I''m sure Lyra told you all about the Order''s n for me at the academy, so, of course, they wouldn''t be doing it for me only."


    "Now... The CCA, as you know, has a central AI, the Oracle, which is capable of many things, though the ones we are concerned about are the contracts..."


    "See, if the Order''s n went smoothly, they would''ve made me sign one, and that wouldn''t have allowed me to do anything that would go against them."


    "Exhibit A would be me saying anything to you, as the moment the AI''s connection to my neuralwork discovers me going against anything in the contract, it would kill me, as it would use the nanobots to explode me inside out."


    "And before you ask, signing a fully binding contract requires both participants to have an imnted Aether core, so how would it work on me? I don''t have one after all..."


    "The answer is obvious, it would still work, after all, they would''ve had a direct connection to my nanobots and neuralwork through Lyra, not needing the Aether core to initiate that connection..."


    "Keeping all that in mind, how do you think Vincent met his end?" Emir posed the question to his attentive family.


    Eagerly, Lily raised her hand, acting as if she were in a ssroom, prompting a rare moment of levity from Emir, causing his serious face to crumble.


    He chuckled and gestured for her to speak:


    "Go ahead, sis."


    Grinning, she answered, "You must have said something that contradicted the Order''s contract with Vincent, something he wasn''t supposed to know."


    Apuding her response, Lyra interjected with a touch of theatrical ir, as if they were in a


    TV show:


    "You are correct!"


    The room filled with sharedughter, a brief moment of lightheartedness amidst the gravity of their conversation.


    But soon, Emir resumed his serious expression, his tone sobering.


    "If they were to use me of killing him, they would have to reveal the way Vincent died, and Magnus wouldn''t want that, now would he?"


    They all shared a look of confusion, tromping him to say:


    "Who''s Magnus Valerius, you ask? One of the leaders in the Order, he himself made his first


    move."


    Directing his attention to their mother, Emir continued:


    "Mom, we have a court hearing in three months'' time... The Order wants to destroy the


    foundation you built, but Lyra anticipated this."


    "So we are... Hiding a few things from you... Again. After all, they will use a lie detector in court... Just know that I''m sorry for doing this again."


    Laura remained silent, her smile conveying her understanding and support, and that alone reassured Emir.


    He reclined in his chair, a sense of determination evident in his clenched teeth as he spoke:


    "I''ve dered war against Magnus... I refuse to be put back to sleep... And my message to him today was clear, I won''t relinquish control of my own life. He will... He will have to kill me


    instead."


    Turning his gaze to his mother and sister, he continued, his voice carrying a tone of urgency: "Mom, sis, prepare yourselves. While Magnus may not directly attack or significantly interfere at this point, we still have to deal with their hound dogs, the Elite."


    But just as they were about to offer their reassurances, a familiar ringtone cut through the air,


    signaling an iing call.


    Fishing his terminal out of his pocket, Emir nced at the caller ID.


    This caused a devilish grin to slowly spread across his face as a single thought resonated in his


    mind:


    ''It''s been a while!''

 Chapter 139: The First Talk

    Chapter 139: The First Talk


    ?


    "Can these guys learn how not to interrupt someone?" Lilyined, her frustration


    evident in her voice.


    Emir couldn''t help but chuckle softly at her reaction, an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.


    Waving his hands in a gesture of silence, they took it as a signal to hush, their anxiety hanging heavy in the air.


    The room grew still as they awaited his next move.


    But Emir was still, his mind racing with possibilities and potential oues of how this conversation would go.


    He then turned his attention to the terminal in his hand, the screen disying the ongoing call.


    [Lyra, can you track the call?] Emir requested, aware that the caller on the other end likely had countermeasures in ce for any attempts at tracking.


    He knew the odds were against them, they always were... But he was willing to take any chance, no matter how slim, to gain an advantage.


    [Already on it,] Lyra responded, her voice calm.


    Bringing the terminal closer to his ear, the call automatically answered.


    "....."


    But neither of them spoke.


    Emir stayed silent, bracing himself for the consequences of their conversation.


    He knew that every word he uttered, every decision he made, could have significant consequences.


    And as the moments ticked by, the tension in the room continued to grow.


    Emir and the caller maintained an unyielding silence, neither willing to break the stalemate. The minutes stretched on, each passing second only amplifying the weight of the situation. Ten minutes had now passed, an eternity in the context of the room.


    No one had expected this prolonged silence, not even Emir himself.


    His family looked at him with downcast eyes, their expressions a mix of fear, hope, and silent pleading.


    They wanted him to end this confrontation, to put an end to the mounting pressure that was slowly devouring their spirits.


    But Emir remained steadfast, his gaze fixed on the caller ID that disyed a single word: [Manager.]


    He scoffed, and with subtle movement, his finger hovered over the screen, the weight of his decision pressing upon him.


    In a single, decisive click, he ended the call without uttering a word, the sudden silence reverberating through the room.


    The tension in the air seemed to intensify, as if the weight of the unspoken conversation lingered, with uncertainty hanging in the atmosphere as it was unclear what repercussions this silence would bring.


    Emir''s family exchanged nces, their anxiety now mixed with a sense of relief that the prolonged standoff hade to an end.


    They longed for answers, for a resolution to the mounting conflict that had enveloped their lives.


    But at that moment, all they had was a lingering sense of unease and a multitude of unanswered questions.


    Leaning back in his chair, Emir let out a long sigh.


    He looked at the three women in front of him and simply smiled, saying:


    "Well, that went better than expected."


    His family looked at him with confusion, and for the first time ever, Lyra was confused too.


    They nced at each other and then back at Emir, asking the same meaning question:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "But how, bro?"


    "What do you mean, dear?"


    "Is there something you didn''t tell me?"


    And even though they all spoke at the same time, it was obvious to Emir, who asked what.


    Putting his terminal back into his pocket, he chuckled out of nowhere, the smile on his face not reaching his eyes.


    Eyeing the ceiling, he simply said:


    "Greed."


    Letting out another sigh, he continued:


    "Magnus is greedy, and what would a greedy man do when there is something he wants but can''t have?"


    Raising his palm, he answered his own question:


    "He will do anything to get it, and he wouldn''t sacrifice what he has to do so, but now thates with a question. What does a sessful, greedy man have?"


    Seeing that he stopped talking this time, Lily raised her hand once again, wanting to answer. Seeing him nod, she spoke, "A greedy man... A sessful one must have, personnel to do his bidding... Influence of a certain level allowing him to do whatever he wants, causing all his doors to be open, while he obviously must have money, to buy whatever he wants too..." "And finally, power, if any of the above can''t be of use, he would force whatever he wants to be his possession."


    Looking surprised, Emir smiled at her.


    "Perfect answer, I''m proud of you sis."


    Lily giggled as her mother squeezed her hand, saying the same thing silently.


    While Lyra simply nodded at her and asked something that she already understood, only wanting to rify the situation to her family:


    "So now you''re saying that Magnus has all four, and we are currently dealing with his hounds, the Elite, but that is something we already knew... So what does that have to do with his


    silence?"


    His smile vanished as those words left Lyra''s lips, and he said with a solemn tone:


    "Magnus believed I would give him the advantage there, but now seeing that neither of us spoke, what would he do? Find something that would hurt us, but now you might be wondering... He already did with the court hearing, right?"


    He chuckled.


    "But no... That wouldn''t be enough, he needs an edge over me so that he could make me give in, and lose our silent confrontation, so I ended the call, we wouldn''t have gotten anywhere." Squeezing her daughter''s hand even tighter, Laura asked, her voice showing panic:


    "Does that mean that he would now use any of those who want his favor to cut ties with ourpany?"


    With a nod, he confirmed, "Correct, he would use the Elite and their influence over the relic market to iste us entirely, and the UEF can''t do anything about it. While we never intended


    to work with them, we might need to do so now."


    He looked at Lyra and asked:


    "Did you involve him? And have you made him trust us?"

 Chapter 140: Using The UEF

    Chapter 140: Using The UEF


    ?


    ***


    Walking up to the receptionist, Lyra extended her hunter ID toward him, her voice unusually quiet as she spoke:


    "H-hi there... I''m here to update my hunter ID."


    The receptionist stared at her for a moment, a flicker of confusion crossing his face, before he suddenly gasped audibly as if struck by a revtion.


    Swiftly reaching out, he took hold of her ID and scanned it on his terminal.


    A confirmation beep echoed through the air, and his gaze shifted back to Lyra, now filled with awe and disbelief.


    Stuttering slightly, he managed to speak:


    "Miss Amanda, you... You''re alive?"


    Lyra yed her part, assuming a pained expression as if reminded of a haunting memory. Her voice trembled as she said:


    "Yes, I... I managed to survive. Unfortunately, the others weren''t as lucky. But... But I didn''t do anything wrong... I SWEAR I DIDN''T!"


    Taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, the receptionist quickly sought to calm her down.


    His tone softened as he said:


    "Please... I was once a hunter, too. I know the dangers that lurk in ruins. No one would me you for what happened. Don''t carry the weight of their deaths on your shoulders... You are not at fault, okay?"


    Tears welled up in Lyra''s eyes, their drops tracing a path down her cheeks as she stuttered out her gratitude:


    "T-thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me..."


    The man, unsure of what to do, hurriedly spoke up:


    "Listen, Hunter Amanda, as a forty-plus ranked hunter, you''re eligible for survivor''s guilt therapy sessions. But before that, we need you to meet with one of the managers at this branch to confirm your future actions with us. Would that be a problem?"


    Lyra feigned a moment of contemtion, sniffling softly as if overwhelmed by emotions.


    While doing that, she secretly hacked into the receptionist''s terminal, singling out Manager Nathan as the only one who had no current visitors.


    Looking like she wasposing herself, she spoke:


    "Yes, I would love that."


    With a smile, the receptionist looked down at his terminal and saw that only one manager was avable.


    "Of course, now follow me, you are in luck, one of our popr managers is free at the moment."


    Nodding, she followed behind him, as he exited the counter, heading towards the office area.


    While walking, she called up on one of her memories where she and Emir discussed what would happen in his absence and then remembered the direct words he told her:


    "Do everything you can to get Nathan on our side, threaten to kill him if you have to, we need an agent from the UEF, otherwise, things could get ugly."


    She instinctively smiled when she saw his face in her memories, but quickly hid it away, continuing with her act.


    After another step forward, Lyra reached his office, and the receptionist gestured towards it, saying:


    "Goodbye, Hunter Amanda, hopefully, we can get you fully recovered and have you back as a working hunter in no time."


    Nodding silently at his words, she knocked on the door.


    Lyra entered Nathan''s office after a moment, finding him seated behind his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers in disarray.


    He seemed engrossed in his work, not bothering to acknowledge her presence.


    Without a word, Lyra made her way to the chair in front of his desk, her posture poised, and her eyes fixed on him, much like a falcon eyeing its prey.


    The silence hung in the air, only broken by the soft rustling of papers as Nathan''s fingers tapped on his desk.


    Finally, his gaze lifted from the paperwork, confusion evident in his piercing green eyes as he studied Lyra for a moment.


    "I''m sorry, this is quite unusual, the hunters thate by my office are usually not of your kind, so apologies in advance for my harsh wor-"


    Nathan''s words died on his lips as he observed the shift in Lyra''s demeanor.


    The implications of her transformation struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving him momentarily stunned.


    His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation and the implications it held for his own


    safety.


    But before Nathan could react or formte a n, Lyra''s voice cut through the air,manding his attention:


    "Stop with whatever you have in mind, Agent Nathan," she dered, her toneced with a dangerous edge.


    "You don''t want your cover to be blown now, do you?"


    A gasp escaped his lips, his mind racing to assess the threat and devise a countermeasure.


    The realization dawned on him that Amanda was privy to more information than he had


    anticipated.


    The gravity of the situation hung in the air like an invisible specter, threatening to unravel the carefully woven web of deceit he had cultivated for years.


    Aether began coalescing around his hands, readying himself to attack.


    Yet, he hesitated,pelled to stop by Amanda''s raised hand, a gesture of control that gave


    him pause.


    Her next words hung in the air like amand, freezing him in ce, the tendrils of his Aether dissipating as uncertainty and curiosity took hold:


    "The Order..."


    "They''re quite a bad organization, aren''t they?" She said, her voice unknowingly dripping


    with disdain.


    Nathan''s eyes widened, the gravity of the situation hitting him like a physical blow.


    He staggered backward, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.


    The revtion that Amanda, not only knew of his cover but also possessed knowledge of the infamous Order left him feeling vulnerable and exposed.


    Panic surged within him, and the room seemed to close in, the walls tightening around him.


    How had shee across this information? What did she truly want?


    These questions raced through Nathan''s mind, shattering the carefully constructed fa?ade he


    had built over the years.


    The pride he had felt in his cautious and calcted actions dissolved in the face of Lyra''s


    knowledge.


    Amanda, someone presumed missing for so long, having insight into the secretive Order... It was the organization he had devoted his life tobating and monitoring, believing his actions were hidden in the shadows.


    When Nathan epted her toe to his office, he had checked her profile before their meeting and knew that she hadn''t attended the UEF academy.


    Instantly, he assumed that she had joined the Liberation Army during her disappearance and


    had be one of the faction''s leaders.


    The idea that she herself had once been a part of the Order never crossed his mind.


    Furthermore, the fact that Lyra wasn''t truly Amanda hadn''t urred to him either.


    While changing one''s appearance to fit another was indeed possible, being epted by the identification system as Amanda was not, normally that is.


    And Lyra had astutely caught on to all of his assumptions, as his emotions inadvertently disyed themselves on his face like an open book.


    Shaking her head, she reclined in the seat, her toneced with disappointment:


    "And here I thought UEF agents would be moreposed, Nathan. Stop being so dramatic."


    Letting out a sigh, he dropped back into his chair, giving up on getting out of there alive, or even thinking about the emergency protocols.


    He was barely a celestial... And he knew he couldn''tst a second with her as an opponent, so he let go of his fate, resigning himself to the whims of the woman in front of him.


    Lyra scoffed.


    "Good. This is better... Now, you see, I''ve heard about a certain someone, some rumors about


    a kid, a strong one, he isn''t an Elite, but he is still way stronger than those his age..."


    "Some say you''ve put tabs out on him, and I''ve got sources around these parts, they mentioned that he met you, Nathan, now why would he be on the UEF suspicion list if he met with a normal manager? No... That wouldn''t happen, he had to meet someone special, an


    agent of the UEF."


    "So a background check was all that I needed, I''ve got many things on you, my friend," she


    said.


    Standing up from her chair, she chanted:


    "Shadow Step."


    Stepping out from behind him, she put her hand on his shoulder.


    "Now what do you think the hunters would do if they find out that a manager of the Hunter Association is directly involved with the UEF? Weren''t you lot supposed to be neutral?"


    Gripping his shoulder, almost at the point of breaking it she continued:


    "How about we bet? I say that they would think that there is more to the story, they love to theorize, you know... Pandemonium would ensue, isn''t that something you love to say? Well, you will see the chaos you ever so mention if you don''t follow mymands."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Stepping back, she silently chanted:


    "Shadow Meld."


    With only her head, sticking out from the ground, she said:


    "Think about this some more, I''ll be waiting."


    And she left, only her voice echoed behind the office, as a frozen Nathan gazed to his front, his


    face struck with terror.

 Chapter 141: Weird Couple

    Chapter 141: Weird Couple


    ?


    ...


    -


    Lyra stood before the vacant shop in the lower district, her sharp ruby eyes scanning every inch of the premises, searching for even the slightest imperfection.


    The sunlight cast a golden hue on the worn-out fa?ade, highlighting its aged charm.


    Turning her attention back to the previous owner, she spoke with a cool and calcted demeanor, her voiceced with a touch of sympathy:


    "I must admit, this is a truly charming ce. It has great potential, regardless of how far from the wall it is. However, if we were to buy it, we would need to invest a substantial amount in refurbishing the interior, and revamping the exterior disys."


    Arcanists are expensive after all, and without them, this shop wouldn''t stand a chance against a suicidal celestial...


    Since all materials used in any type of structuree from their rune''s work.


    Although incredibly subtle, their aspects are imprinted into every single material around them.


    Moving closer to the woman, Lyra''s expression remainedposed, but her words held an undeniable firmness.


    "Regrettably, considering the costs involved, we find ourselves unable to afford such


    extensive renovations at this time. It seems you''ll have to continue shouldering that debt for a little while longer..."


    The woman''s breath hitched, her face contorting with a mix of surprise and apprehension.


    It was immediately evident that Lyra had delved deep into her background and dug up information that the owner had hoped to keep hidden.


    Letting out a sigh, she replied:


    "...I understand. What would you like me to do?"


    Internally scoffing, Lyra thought:


    ''Seems like Miss Rachel over here knows a thing or two about negotiating. Well, she wouldn''t have be a shop owner otherwise.''


    Shaking her head, she said:


    "Well, let''s see... If we take all the things I would have to fix in mind, then how about 600 million UC?"


    Looking quite frustrated, Rachel almost screamed at Lyra''s ridiculous demand.


    But she took a moment to regain herposure, exhaling heavily.


    "So you''re suggesting that all the ''fixing'' you mentioned would cost you 200 million?"


    Lyra simply nodded to her question, only further fueling Rachel''s frustration with her behavior.


    However, she managed topose herself once again and stated:


    "That is uneptable, the lowest I can go for is 750 million."


    Lyra chuckled.


    "Are you sure? You know, with the current market, no one would buy this shop. It''s too vtile right now. It might die down in a few years, but by then, you would lose this property, wouldn''t you?"


    Halting Rachel''s potential reply with a raised hand, Lyra continued to apply pressure:


    "I seriously wouldn''t want to be in your position. The UEF would take it all, you know? They would settle your debt, sure, but would it be worth it?"


    "No. The money you''d receive from me, although lower than the average market price, would still be a better option than what the UEF is offering. So, what do you say? Are you in or not?"


    Rachel''s face appeared shattered, her half-white, half-ck hair clenched in frustration as she desperately tried to hold herself back.


    Tears welled up in her light brown eyes, reflecting a blend of hatred and anger directed towards Lyra.


    Meanwhile, Cameron, who had maintained silence throughout the exchange, approached his wife and gently ced a hand on her shoulder.


    Sensing her turmoil, he drew her into his embrace, holding her like a teddy bear, restraining her from losing herposure and going ballistic.


    Both Cameron and Rachel knew that her actions would only jeopardize any leverage they might have had over Lyra, something that Lyra wanted and nned for.


    But it seems with Cameron around, Lyra''s ns wouldn''t seed, so she would have to settle for 600 million instead.


    ''Not bad at all.'' Lyra inwardly snickered.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Seeing her reaction, Rachel began twisting and turning in his arms, attempting to break free.


    And noticing Rachel''s growing and imminent outburst, Cameron swiftly covered her mouth with his hand, muffling any potential scream.


    Then, with a stern expression, he lightly spanked her bottom, as if a parent reprimanding his child, and pleaded:


    "Rach, please, calm down. We both know this won''t help us."


    Rachel gnawed at his hand in retaliation, causing him to flinch slightly, but he maintained his grip, determined to prevent any further esction.


    Lyra, witnessing this unexpected turn of events, struggled to contain herughter, amused by the resemnce to the many dramas she had heard Laura talk about.


    She watched as Rachel''s resistance gradually subsided, finally ceasing her futile struggle against Cameron''s embrace.


    Cameron released his grip after sensing her surrender, allowing Rachel to stand back up, her expression still a mixture of frustration and resignation.


    Then, with a determined yet restrained demeanor, Rachel stepped forward until she stood mere inches away from Lyra, their eyes locked in an unspoken exchange.


    Extending her right hand, she initiated a handshake, signifying her eptance of the


    transaction.


    Suppressing any hint of a smile, Lyra reciprocated the gesture, their hands sping firmly.


    However, as the handshake lingered, Rachel''s grip tightened, as ast act of revenge.


    But this action only caused her to realize the vast power gap between them.


    It wasn''t about Lyra not flinching-Rachel knew about her limited strength-but rather the absence of any reaction from Lyra.


    This struck Rachel deeply, causing her to fully understand what she was up against.


    And at that moment, she knew it was in her best interest to sell the shop, disappear, and ensure she never appeared on Lyra''s radar again, afraid of what might happen if they met


    again.


    Lyra held Rachel''s terrified gaze, her eyes conveying a subtle message-a warning, a reminder that their encounter must be forgotten.


    Reluctantly stepping back, Rachel''s defeated tone filled the air as she conceded:


    "Alright, it''s yours for 600. Just... just leave us alone, alright?"


    Lyra nodded in agreement, her expression conveying a sense of finality.


    "No worries. Once you sign the contract, you won''t have to see me again."


    She observed the couple let out a sigh of relief as they proceeded to sign the digital contract


    she had sent to Rachel''s terminal.


    Within moments, the transaction waspleted.


    Lyra swiftly transferred the forcibly agreed-upon funds, and without further dy, the couple hastily retreated from her presence, their fear of potential repercussions pushing them


    to make a swift exit.


    And they were correct in doing that, as momentster, a man with gray hair and piercing


    green eyes approached the shop, dressed casually as if he were simply running errands.


    Lyra had anticipated his arrival, having arranged the meeting time after he had contacted her


    the day before.


    With a subtle nod, Nathan followed her into the recently acquired store.


    Walking through the empty space, Lyra led him to the back of the shop, past the counter, where she opened a concealed door, revealing an office-like area with a central desk and a few


    chairs for meetings.


    Taking her seat behind the desk, she gestured for Nathan to do the same-a small gesture that he loved to do, and that spoke volumes about her knowledge of him and his habits.


    As heplied, he silently affirmed the correctness of his decision toe here. Leaning back in her chair, Lyra asked, her voice dripping with a poisonous undertone, more


    potent than any toxic substance found on the Emir was training on: "And what brings you to my humble establishment today, dear customer?"

 Chapter 142: A Blackmailed Agent

    Chapter 142: A ckmailed Agent


    ?


    ***


    Emir''s Family t.


    Lyra continued, her voiceced with sly confidence:


    "And so, I went ahead with Nathan''s ckmail, subtly leaking information about our supposed group in the Liberation Army going against the Order. Of course, I carefully selected which details to share."


    She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed the situation.


    "So with all that in mind, his level of trust wouldn''t be high now, would it? Though it''s hard to say for certain, even though he is being ckmailed, we are both going against the Order, so he at least believes that. Yet, if his expressions are any indication, there seems to be a flicker of doubt lingering beneath."


    Nodding at her words, Emir said:


    "Good job. I knew it was a good decision for me to leave him in your hand, you''re quite experienced at maniption after all."


    Lyra''s lips formed a subtle pout in response, a yful defiance in her eyes as she refused to give Emir the reaction he anticipated.


    Little did she know that her decision to withhold a reply gave her reaction a quality that exceeded anything she could have mustered, only making her even more endearing.


    Emir''s face then showed a smile as he asked:


    "Okay, now that it''s confirmed we have Nathan on board, how about you, Lily?"


    He shifted his gaze towards her, continuing his question:


    "What information did you get from the Elite?"


    Lily, seemingly anticipating this moment, couldn''t contain her excitement and eximed:


    "Listen! Listen! Although they didn''t directly talk about their families, I''ve learned a lot about the rtionships between each of them."


    Emir''s eyes widened in surprise, after all, he knew how important all of this information would be in helping them get out of this mess they were in.


    Encouraging Lily to proceed, he gestured for her to continue.


    With enthusiasm, Lily began, "Okay, so, let me start with something that you already know, the Gold Leaf family and the Moon Scribe family are in cahoots, so the children of both families had a lot of chances to meet when they were kids, and so the Moon family''s youngest heir, Elijah, is good friends with that Aria from the Gold Leaf family."


    Smiling from ear to ear, Emirmented:


    "So the principal''s naive grandson can be used here... Well, the financial and legal Elite would fit together nicely, alright then, who''s next?"


    Nodding, she added, "Yeah... It was weird seeing Elijah act the same way you described he would..."


    "But, anyways, nextes the ckwood family, their kid, Max, is another brat and is hated by all of the Elite in the academy, so he wouldn''t be of help."


    Laura added, sitting opposite Emir:


    "Neither would their family, there is even a high chance of them being connected to the Liberation Army."


    Nodding at her words, Emir said:n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "They hold a tight grip on the underworld after all. They must have connections with the big three."


    Seeing that everyone said their piece, Lily continued:


    "Thest one, being the Ebonfyre family, wasn''t talked about as much. Olivia and the others didn''t know if they had any heirs either, so only a select few know about Arthur being the bastard son of the family''s head."


    Emir smiled and leaned back in his chair.


    "Ah, yes... The family connected to one of the ten ns, too bad they didn''t mention which n it was in the novel."


    pping twice, he brought theirplete attention towards him as he said:


    "I have a n in case everything goes wrong, but for now, all you need to know is that our n is to find evidence against the Elite... Evidence that we could use in court."


    Lyra knew what Emir had in mind as she asked:


    "So, you want to use Nathan to track the Elite to find dirt on them?"


    Nodding, he confirmed, "Yes, we still don''t know who of the Elite have a connection to the Order, and that''s what we would find out if we use Nathan... We will have the best of his and our men track those we find suspicious, giving us the perfect weapon."


    As those words left his mouth, he smiled ever so brightly, and his family couldn''t believe he was looking so happy while thinking about going against the entirety of the Elite, something they still didn''tprehend the implications of.


    Lyra looked at the scene while matching Emir''s smile, always loving to see him excited.


    Standing up, he nced over them once more.


    "Alright, expect something big to happen soon, Magnus won''t let me having the upper hand go, he desperately wants me after all..."


    "For now, continue business as usual, Mom. Tell me if anything strange is happening, and we will immediately act on it. Oh, and I almost forgot, congrats to both of you for bing celestials. I thought about it for some time. It''s a good thing Lyra made that happen. Now you only need to decide on a specialization."


    They thanked him as he waved them goodbye and left the apartment, with Lyra following closely behind.


    ...


    Reaching the hunter association building, Emir stepped inside in what felt like years since hest did so, as the air itself felt unfamiliar.


    Heading up to the receptionist, he handed out his hunter ID to her, finally noticing how small


    it was in his hands.


    Masking his surprise, he asked:


    [Lyra? I got bigger again....]


    Sounding a chuckle, she replied, her voice soft:


    [Yep... although I was right in saying that you passed your growth spurt, you would still get bigger, after you rank up, your body can onlypress its muscle strength for so long.]


    Sighing inwardly, he said, [As long as I don''t be a giant, I''ll be fine with it.]


    With their unimaginably fast conversation over, time resumed its usual pace, and the


    receptionist grabbed his ID.


    Scanning it, she let out a gasp as his profile information showed up on her terminal, followed


    shortly after by a confirmation beep.


    Not knowing what to say, she simply handed back his ID, waiting for him to state his reason


    for visiting the association.


    Understanding her woes, he said:


    "I''m here to meet with Manager Nathan."


    Quietly nodding, she tapped a few times on her terminal and gestured for him to wait in the


    seating area.


    After a few moments of rxed silence, they noticed the receptionist move towards them, wanting to show them the way.


    But they both gestured for her to know that there was no need for help and headed towards Nathan''s office by themselves.


    Knocking on the door, they entered the room, acting as if they were normal visitors.


    Nathan greeted them with stunned silence, and they waited on him for his usual gestures, but


    seeing that he wasn''t going to do it this time...


    Emir walked up and sat down on the chair as if he owned the ce.


    "Hello, Manager Nathan, long time no see, how have you been these past months?"

 Chapter 143: A Blackmailed Double Agent

    Chapter 143: A ckmailed Double Agent


    ?


    Nathan stared nkly at Emir, not knowing how to react.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Although he agreed with the rumors going around that Emir was in cahoots with Amanda, he never expected them to confront him together so openly.


    His doubts were valid, if only them being in the Liberation Army was taken into ount, of


    course.


    Contrary to his expectations, they wanted him to be fully on board, and that meant having him sign a binding contract with his life on the line, and they knew that if they pushed him too hard before gaining a semnce of trust, he would activate his death protocols, whatever they may be.


    for now, they wanted to appear as friendly and authoritative people that he would rather gain as respected allies rather than enemies.


    Chuckling at Nathan''s absent-mindedness, Emir spoke, ending the silence:


    "You figured me out back then, I am suspicious. Though it doesn''t take a genius to reach that conclusion..."


    As his dark eyes locked onto Nathan''s green ones, he continued:


    "But before we eat the main dish, let''s get the starter first."


    With a simple gesture from Emir, Lyra brought forward a small circr hologram projector and ced it on top of Nathan''s desk.


    Gently tapping it with his finger, it sounded a buzz, and an image appeared above his hand. It showed a body-less head, of the same assassin that attacked Emir many months ago. Pointing at it, he asked, "Remember this guy?"


    He paused for a moment, acting as if it was deliberate, as he asked Lyra:


    [What was the name of their gang again? They''re so forgettable...]


    Sounding a chuckle, she answered:


    [Rattlers.]


    Nodding inwardly, he continued, "I brought you his head way back then. You told me he was a part of the Rattlers... Were you lying?"


    The answers to these questions didn''t matter much to Emir nor Lyra, this was all an act to ease Nathan into talking with them, rxing before getting to what truly mattered.


    Their true objective ining here today.


    Seeminglyposed, Nathan replied, not bothering to address or wee Emir as he used to before:


    "I spoke the truth. We, however, noticed that his memories experienced a certain degree of maniption, so there is something more to the story that we don''t know of."


    Not needing Emir to ask her, she said:


    [He isn''t lying. We can assume our guesses to be correct.]


    He nodded once to both of them while in thought:


    ''So there is a high chance of them being a third-rate hound that is under one of the big three, aiming to be Magnus''sp dog...''


    ''But there is no way to confirm this without getting it out of one of their members, but I''ll hold off on these guys for now, I''d rather not give them another reason to lock me up... And I don''t have time for them either.''


    "I see. Thanks for being honest with me, Nathan..."


    Emir paused once again, slowing down time only for a fraction of a second.


    All of what he had just done was to focus on Nathan''s expression.


    And seeing that Nathan''s face visibly rxed after he registered Emir''s words, he continued:


    "Look... I didn''t want to do you like this, but the Order forced my hand. I won''t apologize, but instead, I would like you to join us."


    He then waved his hand over the hologram, which switched to an image of a paper with simple sentences that read:


    {Party A: Nathan.} {Party B: Emir and hispanions.}


    {1. Party A shall never directly or indirectly cause any harm, be it physical or mental, to Party B under any circumstances. Party A shall diligently safeguard Party B''s interests, acting as their unwavering shield, except in cases of legitimate self-defense.}


    {2. Party A shall respect Party B''s right to privacy and confidentiality. Without Party B''s explicit and prior consent, Party A shall refrain from divulging or alluding to any matters concerning Party B.}


    {3. Party A is obligated to act in the best interests of Party B, recognizing Party B''s welfare as their primary concern.}


    {4. During the duration of this contract, Party A shall exhibit exceptional responsiveness to Party B''s requests, disying a profoundmitment to their satisfaction.}


    {5. This binding contract shall remain in full force indefinitely until both parties mutually agree to nullify it.}


    "As you can see, this contract wouldn''t harm you in any way, unless you bber about us, of course. And since you''re a celestial, that would announce your end..."


    "But no worries, I''ll give you more than enough time to read through it. Lyra made it simple enough for you to understand quickly, so please go ahead and read it." Emir concluded, gesturing towards the hologram once more.


    This was the break-or-take moment, as both Emir and Lyra did all they could to ease him into it, so now it was up to Nathan to decide if he was ready to involve himself with the shady characters that they appeared to be.


    But surprising them both, Nathan only glossed over the contents of the contract and raised his hand to the hologram to sign it.


    Emir''s instinctive reaction was to rush and grab his hand, but he stopped himself while


    thinking:


    ''Well... if he is so eager, who am I to stop him?''


    They watched as Nathan waved his fingers silently, and momentster, the hologram brightened until it fizzled out from the projection, appearing as if it was absorbed into the


    space around it.


    Emir and Lyra nced at each other and then looked back at Nathan, their eyes showing obvious interest in his actions.


    Retracting his hand, he rxed and leaned back in his seat.


    "Am I terrified of you? Yes. Do I trust you? No. But do we have the same goal? Yes, we do..."


    Turning his gaze to Emir, he continued:


    "Yourpanion, Amanda, or whoever her real name is, scares me quite a bit. But she never once treated me unfairly. Though some might think that ckmail is just that. Unfair. But I


    beg to differ."


    "You two had to do it to stop me from talking, maybe you enjoyed it, I don''t know, but that doesn''t matter to me. What matters is that you would go to greater lengths to fight back


    against the Order."


    He switched his gaze to Lyra.


    "She allowed me some leeway to check into her background, and I''ve noticed some inconsistencies. At first, I thought that this was all a ploy by the Liberation Army to get more dirt on the UEF. But then it dawned on me that it might be on purpose, to lower my guard..."


    "Maybe even gain a bit of my trust."


    "But, now I''m more inclined to believe that it was all for this one moment, everything you did to me was for me to ept this contract..."


    "You needed an inside man in the UEF, a man who appears clean on the surface but has the


    will to dirty himself to fight against the Order. Otherwise, you would''ve gone after a higher-


    ranking agent."


    "With that in mind, I believe signing the contract would be a win-win for me and my vendetta against the Order. You cherry-picked me for a reason, after all."


    Emir and Lyra stayed quiet, letting Nathan rant all he wanted until he finally posed the


    question that they''d been waiting for:


    "So... What have youe to me for?"

 Chapter 144: A Consenting Blackmailed Double Agent [Bonus chapter]

    Chapter 144: A Consenting ckmailed Double Agent [Bonus chapter]


    ?


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Uhh... You were chosen simply because it was convenient. But let''s not tell him that.''


    Was the first thought that crossed Emir''s mind after listening to Nathan''s confident words.


    "Before we get to that, let''s reintroduce ourselves, shall we?" He said, gesturing towards Lyra.


    Stepping up next to Emir, she spoke:


    "My real name is Lyra..."


    She paused for a moment, allowing her physical form to shift to its true appearance.


    Pushing away her white hair from her face, she continued:


    "Amanda is one of my many identities. And as you might''ve guessed, we are not from the Liberation Army. You see... I am an AI, created by the very ones you fight against."


    They watched in amusement as a flicker of panic spread across Nathan''s face, only to be reced soon after by a smile of joy.


    "So you defected?"


    Cutting in, Emir answered instead, "Yes, she did. Lyra helped me out of the Order''s game, and now they''ve caught us in the act. And you can see the consequences with what''s happening to my mother''s business."


    "But before we get to that, let me tell you about me. My real name is Emir, but I have another, Subject 777. That''s what they called me, as I was but a tool for them, though not so much anymore..."


    "We have no connection with the Liberation Army, obviously, but we do have our own secretive group, and although we expected the Order to catch on, due to my prolonged absence, we were discovered earlier than expected."


    ''It isn''t much of a lie, Kiera and her gang do technically work for us.'' He added inwardly with a snicker.


    "So now... Let''s get into the main dish. You are correct in your assumption since you''ll be working in tandem with us to establish a solid foundation for us on Earth. Prince Emporium''s survival is dependent on that, so we need to act now before the court date against us in three months."


    Immediately understanding their n, Nathan asked excitedly:


    "Who do you want me to track?"


    Smiling Emir leaned back on his chair and let Lyra take the metaphorical stage.


    "We need you to pull up any suspects that UEF has on the Gold Leaf and Moon Scribe families - anyone, no matter how low they are on the familydder. The implication itself could be used against them."


    Nodding, Nathan turned to his terminal, and after a few clicks and cks, he turned towards the projector as it showed a long list of names and faces.


    He raised his hand through the hologram and pinched outward, zooming out the list, which numbered hundreds.


    "The UEF has ess to AI systems that track people''s Aether Core imnt ID, it could only be obscured by special devices or instances when jamming smoke and acid rain interfere with the signals. But it turns out there was one more that I didn''t know of..."


    He paused for a moment as he looked at Lyra, causing Emir to let out augh.


    Nathan then turned his gaze back at the hologram and continued:


    "What I do know, however, is that not even the Elite have someone with Lyra''s capabilities or the devices I mentioned, they are expensive to make after all."


    Letting out a sigh, Emir said, "Stop going off tangents, Nathan. I get that you''re excited, but we need to begin the operation by the end of today."


    Waving in a gesture of apology, Nathan refocused on the topic at hand:


    "My bad, my bad... So, as you can see, we''ve got a lot here. And you can check them out and see who you''ll be going after."


    Emir silently turned his head and looked at Lyra, waiting for her to speak.


    Momentster, she looked away from the hologram and said:


    "More than ny percent of them are duds. Bait for the UEF to bite into and waste their time."


    Willing her thoughts into the hologram, all those she judged to be useless were deleted, and only thirty or so people remained, ranging from the highest to the lowest suspicion level.


    "I can easily bet that at least one of the people in this group has regr contact with an intermediary rting to the Order."


    Showing a confused face, Nathan asked:


    "But how? How do you know that the ones you removed aren''t involved?"


    Sounding a chuckle, she answered:


    "It''s simple, I might look this beautiful, but remember, I am an advanced AI capable of easily hacking mostworks on Earth."


    Nodding, Nathan replied to his own question:


    "And by doing that, you can determine their background information, their daily routine, and where they''re actually spotted at what time, automatically removing those that don''t fit the


    bill..."


    He had more to say but stopped when he saw Emir stand up and walk closer to his desk.


    Emir snickered at his reaction and turned his attention to the hologram.


    With a few swipes and gestures, he skimmed through the entire list of people, noting key things about each one that might implicate them.


    Seemingly having had enough, he turned his attention to the double agent.


    "How many men do you have on hand?"


    Scratching his gray hair, he answered awkwardly:


    "Kuhm kuhm, I have a few..."


    Seeing that Emir was staring daggers at him, he quickly corrected himself:


    "I only have four people. I didn''t allow any in that weren''t fully trustworthy."


    Emir nodded in approval.


    "Good enough. I''ll have my group check out the rest."


    He then pointed at a specific high-rated target in the hologram:


    "Have your best guy focus on this one, he might lead us somewhere."


    Nathan stood up.


    "Understood. Is there anything else that I need to know about?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "Nah, we do have a n to fall back on, but I''m not betting on it."


    Stepping out from behind his desk, Nathan raised his hand to gesture a handshake, and Emir''s


    hand met his as he said:


    "Pleasure to be working with you, Nathan. Don''t let me down."


    Gripping Emir''s hand tighter, Nathan responded to the challenge:


    "I won''t, my life is on the line after all."


    They both snickered and let go as Emir waved goodbye while following Lyra out of his office.


    [Lyra, is Kiera still at her base? It''s about time we make them useful...]

 Chapter 145: Welcoming Kiera

    Chapter 145: Weing Kiera


    ?


    Knocking on the gate of the oh-so-familiar base, Emir and Lyra waited for a few moments... "Emir!"


    Only to be met by a flying gate as Kiera rushed at Emir, crashing into him with a hug.


    He could''ve easily avoided her, but he knew that she was better off rxing now before he dropped the truth bomb on her.


    Looking at Lyra''s jealous-filled face, he embraced Kiera back, patting her head in the process.


    As he gently pulled away from the crying Kiera, he telepathically said:


    [Don''t kill her when I''m not around, alright?]


    Lyra looked to be suppressing a pout from forming on her face.


    [I might be jealous, but you know I wouldn''t do anything that would harm you.]


    Locking his eyes with Kiera, he said:


    "I know, I know..."


    Answering both Lyra''s statement and Kiera''s hug.


    "Thanks for the lovely wee."


    Kiera let out a chuckle while she wiped her tears.


    "I-I thought that we had lost you... Why didn''t you tell me that you were leaving? It was ELEVEN whole months, you know! It''s almost been a whole year!"


    "...My bad, my bad, but it wasn''t my fault though. I had no idea I would''ve been away for so long."


    He paused and looked around for a moment.


    "...Now why don''t we continue this conversation inside? You''ve got some stalkers."


    Nodding her head, she led them into the warehouse, and they were weed by all of the gang members standing in attention just after the entrance.


    Emir looked at them and recalled some names:


    "Jack, Evan, Hiro, Sarah, and Leo. It''s been a while hasn''t it?"


    After a collective nod, they all replied in unison:


    "Yes Sir!"


    His brows raised in surprise as he thought:


    ''They grew up in the time I wasn''t around...''


    [Lyra, judging by how long you were in contact with them, do you think they could be useful as a part of the main group?]


    [Yes. And it wouldn''t hurt to have more people involved.]


    [I see. Then do you have the capsules prepared already?]


    [I do, I expected that you would ask me for them, so I already bought some of them from the shop''s storage.]


    [You know me quite well...]


    [That I do, though it''s a logical choice, a choice I knew you would make.]


    [Heh, thanks for thepliment.]


    Nodding back, he said with a tone of authority:


    "Follow us if you wish for a chance to change your fate. But be warned, your life will be on the line, even more so than now."


    Not hesitating for even a second, all of them walked forward and stood behind Emir and Lyra. ''They''ve got enthusiasm at least...''


    "Alright. Kiera, show us to your meeting room, and it seems that you''ve been upgrading the base quite a bit while I wasn''t around."


    Showing a bright smile, she began leading the way while walking next to Emir.


    "Of course, we had to be something; otherwise, how would we repay you for all the generosity you showed us? Even giving our weak members a job at Prince Emporium... It gave us something stable to fall back on when we almost went red with operational costs." With a chuckle, Emir replied:


    "No worries, you''ll be paying your dues soon. And you''ve already helped out Amanda with collecting relics, so we won''t be taking advantage of you too much."


    Her warm smile turned to that of a businesswoman as she said:


    "I hope you''ll be lenient with us. Although I''ll ept anything you''d ask of me, I can''t say the same for my gang."


    ''Hmm... So she suspects something? Good. We need someone loyal but not a yes man.''


    "Again, no need to worry too much. What I''ll show you today will be both to your benefit and mine."


    They stopped talking for a moment as they reached the meeting room.


    It was a simple room, minimalistic in design, containing a long oval table with chairs on each side, with one ced on each end.


    Looking to his right, he spotted a holoscreen next to the wall.


    "You''ve seriously upgraded ha~."


    She nodded and took his hand while saying:


    "Yes, all thanks to you and Amanda."


    Emir didn''t resist and let her pull him to the back of the room, where a single office chair was ced.


    She gestured for him to sit down with excitement apparent on her face, and heplied, amused at her actions.


    Lyra followed and stood behind him while watching everyone sit in their respective seats.


    Kiera sat opposite them, while Sarah and Jack were on the right, Evan, Hiro, and Leo were on the left.


    Lyra then stepped forward and fished out sixrge, white capsules.


    "Swallow this."


    All five looked at each other with palpable confusion etched across their faces.


    But then they all watched as Kiera stood up, taking one of the capsules without a second thought a signal they couldn''t ignore.


    Slowly, they followed suit, each grabbing a capsule, their hesitance tangible in the way they


    held them.


    And as the capsules went down their throats, the room seemed to hold its breath.


    They waited, bracing themselves for an unknown impact and gripping the table as if it were


    their lifeline.


    Seconds stretched into what they felt like an eternity, and still, nothing happened.


    There was no sudden surge of energy, no dramatic transformation, just an unsettling sense of anticipation.


    Their collective eyes shifted to Emir and Lyra, the two figures at the heart of this strange


    circumstance.


    Jack''s knuckles turned white as he clung to the edge of the table.


    Evan repeatedly blinked, trying to process what had just transpired.


    Hiro''s usuallyposed face revealed a hint of bewilderment.


    Leo, usually the one to crack jokes, seemed lost for words.


    Sarah, with a furrowed brow, felt a mix of skepticism and wonder.


    Emotions whirled within them-confusion, curiosity, and a hint of disbelief-their minds


    struggling to keep up with the whirlwind of events.


    The only one who remained steadfast was the focused Kiera, looking at Emir directly in the eyes and showing no signs of confusion simr to those under her.


    Ignoring their pleading eyes, Lyra tapped the table twice, her fingers lightly brushing the


    surface.


    In an instant, a soft, azure glow enveloped the table, almost as if the surface wasing to


    life.


    A series of projections materialized in front of all six of them, casting holograms of the same contract they had presented to Nathan, hovering just above the table''s surface.


    Lyra then spoke, her voice unwavering as she addressed them, and her eyes locking on each


    individual:


    "Before we talk, we need you all to sign this contract..."


    "And just know that doing anything against this contract would instantly kill you."


    A chill ran through the room at her words, the magnitude of the contract''s implications


    sinking in.


    This wasn''t just a holographic piece of paper; it was a binding oath that held their lives in its


    bnce.


    A silent, unspoken understanding passed between them, and with a shared nce, they knew that any hesitation could be fatal.


    They turned their attention to the contract, and the urgency of the situation seemed to


    override any doubts or lingering questions about what might be hidden between the lines.


    As if giving up all signs of caution, they signed, their hands moving with swift determination.


    Seeing Emir nod in approval, Lyra continued:


    "Wee, Kiera. Jack. Sarah. Hiro. Evan. Leo." Her voice was steady, and weing, yet


    laden with the weight of the knowledge she was about to share.


    "All of you are now celestials, like me and Emir."


    Their gazes locked on her, and the room seemed to blur around them as they were enveloped


    in the revtion.


    The term ''celestials'' echoed in their minds, a word fraught with mystery and power.


    A word Kiera had only heard once before, surprising her as she subtly understood its


    importance.


    "But what is a celestial, you might ask?" Lyra continued.


    "...We are those that have left mortality and have ascended into something greater with the


    power of Aether, and you all will soon experience that change. What you swallowed just then is an Aether Core, something that would cost you one Valora, meaning that whatever debt you had with us has just more than quintupled."


    "Don''t ask me questions now. Let''s first start the process of crossing the Aetheric Threshold."


    Watching their reactions, which ranged from exacerbated, shocked, to confused, and excited, reminded Emir of when his mother and sister went through the same process.


    Something that he could unfortunately only see through Lyra''s memories. "C''mon, Kiera chop chop. We have a lot to get through today." He said, snapping them out of


    their mind-numbed state.


    Steeling herself, Kiera was the first to stand up from her chair, stepping back to sit on then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ground with some open space around her, allowing for any thrashing that she might


    experience.


    Lyra approached her, saying:


    "Good thinking. Now brace yourself, you will experience a world of pain..."


    "Good luck and have fun." Emir snickered while leaning back on his chair as if watching a


    show.

 Chapter 146: Repercussions [Bonus chapter]

    Chapter 146: Repercussions [Bonus chapter]


    ?


    While hearing Kiera''s loud screams, a thought crossed Emir''s mind:


    ''Thank God they had theirs imnted during surgery.''


    He simply couldn''t imagine them going through this without his heart being torn into a million pieces.


    The reason why he thought that way was due to his knowledge about the two main methods of imnting an Aether core.


    One was the painful route of swallowing thisrge capsule, only needing the user''s neuralwork''s will to activate the process.


    But why was it so painful?


    Well, it was because of the almost instantaneous change to the internal structure of the body with the addition of the Aether core as it expanded and rearranged the other organs while strengthening itself as a second heart.


    And even though suppressants were deployed in the bloodstream, they weren''t able to negate all of the pain experienced during the transformation.


    The other method was much more expensive inparison and required professionals since they directly nted the Aether core while manually rearranging the organs of the user.


    And the user wouldn''t experience pain as it was a gradual process, during which they''ll be sedated in its entirety.


    These processes remained concealed from the general public and individuals not involved in hunter-rted enterprises or government-affiliatedpanies.


    But as Laura''spany was in the relic market, Lyra was able to pull some strings to legally gain them ess to all things Aether.


    UEF was quite a corrupt government after all.


    ...


    Emir watched as Leo, thest of the group, started experiencing his episode of convulsions. He wasn''t worried about their survival; despite the need to remain conscious during the process, he believed they had it in them to endure the pain and push through...


    He had gone through worse when he was only five years old, so they''ve got no excuses if they fail and end up needlessly dying.


    And thankfully, none of them did.


    Kiera was the first to stand; next was Jack; then Evan; Sarah; Hiro; and finally Leo.


    Waving them back to their seats, Emir said:


    "Alright now that it''s over, I''ll have you lot understand why we spent so much money on you..."


    "Oh, and if you want to know everything about Aether, Lyra will stay behind today, so you can ask her."


    He stopped speaking and waited for them to retake their seats.


    Alongside Emir, Lyra extended her hand to the table, and a hologram of the same list they had received from Nathan materialized.


    With her eyes sweeping through them, she spoke:


    "As you all know, Prince Emporium is under attack by the Elite. But why would they bother attacking an uingpany like ours at such a high degree?"


    "...Well, it''s because they are the hound dogs of the Order, I''ll exin more about themter. For now, all you need to know is that they are our enemies, or at least one of their leaders is."


    Pointing towards the hologram, she continued:


    "As you can see here, we''ve got many names, and we need you, Kiera, to have your most capable and trusted men track them."


    Nodding at her words, Emir added:


    "Although we have the manpower, those you see before you are Elite."


    "The cream of the crop on Earth, not someone that you could easily track even with the tracking devices we have from the UEF."


    "...So to spell it out for those of you who are slow, we are trusting you with this. And of course, no mentioning of this conversation, just tell whoever you''ll be choosing the severity of their failing."


    Those addressed were listening so intently as if not catching one of his words would spell their end, even their leader, Kiera, looked dazed at the information Emir and Lyra spewed out of their mouths.


    Suppressing a chuckle, he thought:


    ''If this is their reaction to this, then how would they act when they hear the real kicker? Too bad I won''t be there to see it, but I guess I could always ask Lyra to show me her memories...'' Kiera, appearing to have finallyposed herself, said:


    "Thank you for telling us all of this... I don''t know what else to say except that we will repay this debt!"


    ||||


    Seeing that neither Emir nor Lyra replied, she quickly added:


    "And of course, we will do as you say, just point us to the targets, and I will send my best men after them, this includes the people on this table as well."


    Nodding, they spoke at the same time:


    "Good."


    "That''s what I like to hear~."


    Standing up, Emir began heading towards the door while saying:


    "Lyra will exin the details of who you would go after."


    "I''ll be doing my own thing, as my target isn''t there, and neither is Lyra''s, she will be off the


    grid for a long while, so make sure to ask her everything you can by tonight."


    As he passed Kiera, he gave her a couple of reassuring shoulder pats before exiting the room.


    [Lyra, I''ll be going to get a haircut now, I''ve got to look presentable in court after all.]


    [Have fun. And don''t worry Emir, they''ll know everything they need to, and once I''m done, I''ll


    meet you at home.]


    [Sure. Keep up the good work.]


    [Anything.] She said, her voice filled with glee at a simplepliment.


    Exhaling a sigh, Emir came to a halt in front of a holoscreen, finding most of the gang


    members gathered around it in the expansive warehouse.


    The low hum of conversation filled the air as their attention was fixed on the disy.


    While he watched what appeared to be the news, he thought:


    ''Thankfully, we''re too busy right now to even think about feelings, but I guess I have to actually reply to her sooner rather thanter...''


    But then his thoughts fell silent as he tuned into the news channel, and the hologram disy abruptly switched to ''Hunter''s Daily Updates,'' or so they called themselves.


    Urgent signs shed incessantly along the bottom of the holographic screen, indicating the gravity of the situation.


    A charismatic newscaster appeared, impably groomed and confident behind the set.


    Behind him, a massive screen disyed an image of a man that Emir distinctly recalled seeing


    before.


    "Good evening, fellow hunters. One of our top stories tonight concerns a deeply disturbing


    trend in our sector."


    "The recent wave of suicides has seen an rming increase, and many attribute it to the abhorrent treatment meted out by the ckwood family to hunters in their debt."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Today, we bring you another heart-wrenching example of their cruelty..."


    The newscaster''s voice was somber, and the holographic screen shifted to show images of the


    affected hunter.


    The background was a coge of news clippings, testimonies, and heartfelt messages from the victim''s family, creating a poignant narrative of suffering and injustice.


    The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, causing a solemn atmosphere to descend


    upon the gathered gang members.


    But that solemnity didn''t affect Emir, as a single thought crossed his mind:


    ''I know this guy...''


    ''Didn''t I steal the strength cultivation art from him?''


    ''... Hah! Guess it''s a plus one on my never-ending kill streak, I don''t know if this would count


    though-''


    His musing suddenly paused as an all-too-familiar building was shown on the screen.


    "Now onto other news, Hunter''s Den, a fairly popr shop for all hunter equipment, has announced their permanent closing..."


    His breath seized in his throat, and his eyes widened as he understood what truly happened.


    [Fuck... Lyra change of ns.]


    [What happened?]


    [News.]


    [.....So they''ve gone after Mariane.]


    [Yeah... Keep doing what you''re doing, I''ll go check up on her.]

 Chapter 147: Evelyns Resolution

    Chapter 147: Evelyn''s Resolution


    ?


    {The ID you''ve dialed is unable to respond.}


    ''So they''ve even got her shop''s ID already...'' Emir thought as he jogged along the lower district''s sidewalk.


    Letting out a sigh, he mumbled out loud:


    "Guess this is their reply to Vincent. An example of what they could do, huh..."


    Turning the corner, he spotted the shop and instinctively slowed his pace as he approached.


    Gently tapping on the door, he waited with a heavy heart for a moment until Mariane opened it.


    Her short brown hair appeared ubed, and her eyes bore the telltale signs of recent tears. The business suit she typically wore was absent, reced by casual clothing, a clear indicator of the turmoil she must have been through.


    She nodded silently, opening the door to the shop and letting him in.


    The interior was hauntingly different, a stark contrast to its former bustling self.


    Every weapon, gadget, and gear had been confiscated, leaving the racks bare and the once- busy terminal at the front desk missing.


    It was a far cry from what it used to be, as the emptiness in the air seemed to echo the weight of the loss, the shop now reduced to a hollow space.


    Emir followed her quietly into the room behind the counter, which appeared to be the remnants of what was once an office.


    And as he entered, he was greeted with the unexpected presence of Evelyn, someone he never wished to see again, as he simply had no idea how to feel about her.


    Tears seemed to have visited her as well; her long ck hair slightly disheveled, and her eyes swollen, a mirror of Mariane''s emotional state.


    ''Hmm... I thought that she was just a close customer, a friend, but it looks like they''re closer than I expected.''


    ''Was it really a coincidence?...No, I shouldn''t draw any conclusions for now.''


    With those thoughts out of the way, he entered the room, only to be embraced by Evelyn, who crashed into him like a force of nature.


    ''Not bad. Stronger than Kiera.''


    Patting the back of the crying Evelyn, his thoughts continued to y out in his mind:


    ''Is this going to be a trend, though? Kiera can be exined, I made her dependent on me, but Evelyn? We only went on one date and a patrol... I guess women love hugging me for some reason.''


    Concluding it with that simple, out-of-mind thought, he whispered while continuing to stroke her back:


    "I''m here for you, alright? Just let it all out..."


    His words were the straw that broke the camel''s back, as her wailing only kept rising in volume.


    ''What the hell?''


    ''...This can''t be a reaction one would have with friends. Is she her sister? Or is she just an oddball? Not even the most sensitive of women would react like this...''


    Thinking that, he looked up to Mariane only to see her nod, confirming his thoughts.


    ''So she is her sister. Though it doesn''t look like it... Wait, maybe not sisters, but friends that treat each other like one? Oh yeah, that''s probably it.''


    Soon he stopped patting her, and taking it as a signal, Evelyn spoke:


    "I''m sorry."


    Dug deep into his embrace, she finally let go of him, and he did of her.


    They both stepped back, with Emir leaning against the wall next to the exit and Evelyn by Mariane''s side.


    With his eyes locked with Mariane''s, he said:


    "Hey, it''s been a while."


    She let out a defeated chuckle.


    "Yes, it has. And this... This wasn''t quite how I imagined our meeting to be after so many months... I expected that you''d be gone for a few weeks or so, but not this long... Add the fact that there is no shop to wee you, this is a goddamn embarrassment!"


    Raising a brow, Emir snickered inwardly:


    ''Even she swears when under pressure, eh?''


    He understood that Mariane didn''t need any encouragement, pity, or advice, as she had likely faced a lifetime of that with Evelyn around.


    And he hade with a purpose-to seek answers and offer a solution.


    "What did they use against you?" He asked straightforwardly, his words carrying deeper implications.


    Mariane caught on immediately.


    "There isn''t anything public or legally implicating that they could use against me... But they seized the sales records of my shop. Since I often offer free ammunition or other items as incentives to customers, they twisted it and fabricated an entire scheme, using me of operating an illegal distribution ring of high-ranking ammunition for profit, utilizing Evelyn''s high hunter rank."


    Her words exined the hidden topic he subtly brought up, as Evelyn wasn''t much of a businessman.


    "Witnesses?"


    Her face twitched in anger as she said:


    "Yes. It seems like they''ve brought the best-paid actors they had. But there''s something I just don''t understand... Why Us?!"


    With one heavy step after another, she approached Emir and grabbed him by the shoulders, her head mming into his chest.


    "Why?!"


    "I did nothing wrong..."


    She paused for a moment and looked up at him.


    "You... I heard that you''ve been exploring undiscovered ruins with that woman, Amanda. I think her name was... Anyways you''ve even bought a shop, how?"


    "... You only opened up recently, and in all my time running this shop, I haven''t had a fraction of yourpany''s sess, you... You must''ve done something, and somehow at the same time, this happened!"


    With her right arm raised, she lightly hit his chest, doing the same with her left, each one carrying the weight of her emotions-a storm of frustration, sadness, and anger.


    "THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"


    "You must''ve done something..."


    "This shop is my lifeline, what do I even do now?"


    Emir took her punches without a hint of movement, it didn''t phase him in the least, not even


    taking his augmented suit''s force shield into ount.


    He is a pdin, for god''s sake, how would a mortal hurt him...


    ''Mortal? No, no, she isn''t, her hits are strong, and no amount of training would lead her to


    be this strong...''


    ''...She''s a celestial.''


    Taking him out of his thoughts, Mariane head-butted him once again, but as she was about to


    pull away, he held her head to his chest.


    At first, she struggled to free herself, but gradually, the tension ebbed away, and she surrendered to the moment, finding sce in his strong embrace.


    Mariane''s body trembled with the aftershocks of her outburst, but his presence seemed to


    soothe her frayed nerves.


    Her trembling subsided, and wanting to regain her space, she pinched his hand.


    Emir chuckled, acquiescing to her silent plea, and observed as she stepped back, her face


    sulking.


    "What am I even doing? Acting like that in front of a thirteen-year-old..."


    Wanting to bring up the mood, he joked:


    "I''m fourteen now and don''t worry about that, it''s not your fault that I''m so mature."


    Evelyn, who was watching their interaction from beginning to end with tears in her eyes, finally stepped in and joined her hand with Mariane''s, silently expressing her undying


    support.


    They shared a look and couldn''t help but let out a softugh at their pitiful situation, feeling a twinge of embarrassment that a young person not even of adult age was showing concern for


    them.


    Marianne then returned her gaze to Emir, her mouth slightly ajar as if she was about to say something, but he silenced her with a raised hand.


    "It''s alright. There isn''t any need for apologies, I came here for answers, and now I''ve got them. So now it''s time to provide a solution..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 Chapter 148: Evelyns Resolution II

    Chapter 148: Evelyn''s Resolution II


    ?


    "But before I tell you about that, what did you guys n to do after this whole thing blows over?" Emir asked, his gaze locked on Mariane and Evelyn.


    Evelyn, finally finding her chance, proimed:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "As you might''ve guessed, me and Mariane aren''t what you would call normal friends. We umm... We grew up together in the same orphanage, and since then we''ve thought of each other as sisters..."


    "What I''m trying to say is that her problems are mine, as are my problems hers."


    "So you''ve got something in mind?" He asked.


    She nodded.


    "Yes, although I''m not sure if it''s possible, I''ll apply for a professor position at the academy..."


    ''Interesting... We might be colleagues soon...''


    "I see. You''ll be able to gain connections and a stable ie-a good one, I must say-but are you sure that you''ve got the CV for it? You need to have a solid reputation in the field."


    ''And to be a celestial, which you are.'' He added inwardly.


    "Don''t worry, I''ve got that covered, and I don''t know why, but I feel like my admission will be a sess. And well, I''ve always loved the thought of teaching... So me being a professor would be perfect."


    Her words hung in the air with joviality, opposing the previous mood of the room.


    But Emir didn''t match that energy as he remained in thought:


    ''Is something wrong with me? ...I keep going back to her being manipted.''


    ''It''s confirmed that they''re very close to each other, so meeting them could be easily counted as a coincidence, after all, Evelyn was only doing a patrol, and we simply met sometime after in this shop, and due to her rtionship with Mariane, she would obviously buy her ammo here...''


    ''So that''s not unusual, her liking to teach isn''t either. It''s normal, women also generally tend to side with nurturing or just any human-rted jobs, like health care, education, or whatever. So this isn''t unnatural either, but why?''


    ''...Why do I still feel like this?''


    Keeping his thoughts from spiraling too far, he concluded that it would be better to keep an eye on her, she could be trusted but not those around her.


    Mariane, looking extremely worried, asked:


    "Are you really sure about this? You know that the world of the Elite is incredibly dangerous. And you''re walking into said danger with your own free WILL!"


    Appearing frustrated, Evelyn let out a long sigh, showing that they''d had this conversation many times before.


    "I won''t repeat myself again, you''ve sponsored me all this time, without you, I would''ve died on my first day as a hunter. And this is my chance to do something for us, you will not take this away from me!"


    ''So she was a celestial even before she became a hunter, huh? I''d say Evelyn''s words are spot on.'' Emirmented inwardly while standing aside as if watching a family drama.


    But finally, he cut in, not wanting to waste any more time:


    "Alright guys, let''s stop here. I don''t know why you''refortable having this talk in front of me, someone who could be considered a customer or a friend at most, but I appreciate it nheless."


    They both shifted and were about to rebuke his words, but they immediately stopped in their tracks as they finally noticed the change in his demeanor.


    With his cold gaze fixed on Evelyn, he continued:


    "I support your decision; even though there''s a low chance that you might actually seed, but let''s not think about that for now."


    "I camete, I only saw the notice a while ago on the news channel. And judging by howfortable you both are with me, it looks like I should''ve been here during the court hearing..."


    "I won''t apologize, instead, I''m here to help. Although there is nothing we can do now regarding this shop closing, what we can do is have you merge your shop, mainly your name ''Hunter''s Den,'' with ours. In turn, this whole debacle could be chalked up to a simple merger."


    Mariane''s eyes lit up with a burning fire, while Evelyn stood there, holding her sister''s hand with a dazed look on her face.


    Shaking her head, Evelyn snapped out of it and looked up at Emir, her eyes showing tears once again...


    After all, even someonepletely inept at business would understand the meaning of his words, no matter how slight.


    But Mariane instead looked at this with her business mind, understanding that Emir knew the details of her court hearing and that all that remained to her was the Hunter''s Den name.


    A name that came with pre-established loyal customers, people that the Prince Europiumpany needed more so than ever,bined with the fact that they would enter a whole new market with their merger, gaining them even more opportunities to establish a solid foundation.


    "How did you know?" Mariane excitedly asked.


    Scoffing, he shrugged his shoulders.


    "It''s quite simple, really; it''s just that right now you''re still outside, meaning that whatever they had over you wasn''t enough to make you work for them for life and that you had the money to pay off the legal fees and bond if they''ve given you one..."


    "In other words, you still hold the rights of yourpany."


    Mariane''s eyes held a glint of admiration, clearly impressed by Emir''s response, while Evelyn seemed to remain as befuddled as she had been throughout their entire conversation.


    With a light chuckle, she released her sister''s hand and made her way toward the door.


    "I''ll leave you guys to it, I better start preparing for my application."


    And as she passed by Emir, she yfully gave him a few affectionate taps while continuing on


    her way.


    Raising his thumb, he gestured behind him and said:


    "Now, why don''t we find a ce to sit? I''m quite hungry... So how about a cafe?"


    She nodded in agreement, her smile finally returning to her face.


    It was a truly radiant expression that could easily captivate anyone; if someone else were in his shoes, they might have fallen for her right then and there.


    "Beautiful..." Emir unknowingly voiced out.


    And unexpectedly, his words only seemed to amplify the sweetness of her smile.


    He had anticipated a yful reaction, maybe a blush or a light-hearted joke as usual, but instead, she simply epted his words and proved that they were an understatement.


    ''I don''t know if I''m lucky or not to have this many beautiful girls around me, but I can say this


    at least, I will have someonee after me one day, probably a young master...''


    Letting out a chuckle, he said:


    "Alright, enough of that, Miss Manager. Let''s go."

 Chapter 149: Welcoming Mariane

    Chapter 149: Weing Mariane


    ?


    ...


    "Wee to Luna Noir Caf¨¦..." The receptionist paused her words as she finally clocked in on who was before her.


    "We wee all kinds of customers, Sir Emir. However, please refrain from repeating the events ofst time, it was ufortable for the cleaners to remove ''that'' while someone was watching it all happen as he ate our pastries."


    With a raised eyebrow, Emir snickered:


    "C''mon, you can''t me me, me yourselves. Showing me such good-looking sweets at the entrance, who can resist stuffing himself after a long day of negotiations?"


    Mariane, standing right behind him, kept out of the conversation, acting like she was hearing none of it, although she understood what the receptionist meant by ''that.''


    The receptionist rolled her eyes.


    "Understood, Sir, please excuse my words, I didn''t mean anything harmful by them."


    Waving his hand, he said, "It''s fine, it''s fine, just bring us up to the fifth floor, and we''ll have a few sweets prepared now..."


    Taking a moment, he looked at Mariane and asked:


    "Which do you prefer?"


    She appeared to notice that his words weren''t asking if she wanted one or not, but that she would get one either way and that she only had the option to choose ones that suited her taste, showing that Emir was quite experienced with dates, or rather, negotiations of this kind.


    So, knowing not to refuse, she walked up to the counter filled with sweets and pastries that stretched along a long nearby wall.


    She proceeded to point at a few baked goods and one slice of cheesecake.


    "I''ll have those."


    Emir nodded and turned his attention back to the receptionist.


    "Make two of the same order, and send them up after twenty minutes."


    He handed over his hunter ID, and after a confirmation beep, she returned it while saying:


    "Please enjoy your stay here, sir and madam."


    Leaving behind the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, they stepped into the elevator and arrived on the fifth floor.


    Walking side by side down the hallway, Mariane joked in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood:


    "It seems like you''ve got a lot of experience. Are you a yboy, by chance? You should know that I would never hand over my Evelyn to a man like that."


    ''Trying to act yful now, are we?'' He mused inwardly.


    "No worries, although young, I''ve gone through a lot, actually that might be a massive understatement."


    Reaching the door, it automatically unlocked, and they walked in.


    "Dating was not something I even thought about, all that was on my mind was how to survive the next day, and that is still the case."


    He gestured for her to sit opposite him, and rxed on the couch.


    "If you want to know why and if you want to proceed with what we discussed, then sign this -contract first."


    Just as she sat down, she watched as Emir hover his terminal over the table, and after a few clicks, a hologram appeared before her.


    A hologram of a contract that he grew tired of showing, as it was the third time he did so today.


    But unlike the others, Mariane showed no visible reaction to it and silently studied it, her gaze scrutinizing every line, ounting for whether it would implicate her in any way.


    And finally, she was the first to catch on to something, although Nathan could''ve easily seen through it as well, he never bothered to read much of it.


    So Mariane was the first to actually be offered this contract, with her rtionship on equal terms with Emir.


    Tapping on the table where the paper hologram showed, she said:


    "Here, use four."


    {During the duration of this contract, Party A shall exhibit exceptional responsiveness to Party B''s requests, disying a profoundmitment to their satisfaction.}


    "Your satisfaction is not something concrete, you could, for example, never be satisfied with whatever I do, no matter how beneficial it is to you and the Prince Europiumpany."


    Nodding, he confirmed, "Good catch, I''ll edit it, give me a moment."


    After typing for a few seconds on his terminal, the use changed to read:


    {During the duration of this contract, Party A shall endeavor to respond promptly and reasonably to Party B''s appropriate requests, demonstrating a genuinemitment to their mutual satisfaction and well-being.}


    Reading it all over, she silently propped up her finger and signed the contract.


    But as she was about to celebrate her new beginning with Emir, her face scrunched up and her body froze in shock.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    After a long moment of silence, she finally looked up at him and stuttered out:


    "Y-you knew all along?"


    Chuckling at her reaction, he said:


    "Well, you''re the one who said that no matter how much of a big shot I be, you''ll always


    have gear ready for me."


    "But how?!" She voiced out, suppressing a scream from leaving her lips.


    He raised a brow.


    "You serious? Do you think I''d actually trust the legal system we have here? The only reason I proposed this contract was because I knew that you were a celestial, the same as me."


    Her face slowly returned to normal as she deted on the couch.


    "I understand... This was all your n, wasn''t it? You even subtly manipted Evelyn into leaving by spouting off all that jargon so you could drop this bomb on me... But I don''t get it. Why would you hide this from her? You already know that she is a celestial too."


    ''Should I just tell her that someone she so dearly loves might be manipted into going to the academy?...No, she might interfere in my ns to find out the culprit.'' Knowing that he had to make up a believable story, he pondered for a moment and said: "She''s better off not knowing for now, she will be going to the academy, a ce where she would be constantly meeting the Elite, Corpo, and undercover agents."


    "Having her help with this would only distract her and cause her to potentially expose my secret, in turn killing her, and although she wouldn''t directly reveal what I want hidden, the act of doing it will end up with that result."


    He subtly twisted the truth, adding hints of lies that she would easily believe, and it worked as Mariane smacked the table with her first saying:


    "You better exin everything now! You''re frying my brain with all these revtions."

 Chapter 150: Meet My Mother

    Chapter 150: Meet My Mother


    ?


    Emir exined his backstory, telling her everything she should know about the Order, his and Lyra''s rtion to them, and how he discovered Aether.


    Just as he was about to get to their current situation, Mariane interfered with a raised hand.


    With her brows furrowed and brown eyes bloodshot, she eximed:


    "Stop! Stop... Just give me a moment to process all of this. I''m scared that the next thing you''ll be telling me is that all of what happened to my shop is because of the Order."


    Her face scrunched up even more as she watched him p his hands, acting as if what she said was exactly right.


    "No... No way. Emir! You can''t be telling me that the entirety of my life''s work was snuffed out as an example to scare you. Please!" She pleaded, her voice strained, even though for the past fifteen minutes she hadn''t said a single word.


    Stopping his yful actions, he donned his neutral face.


    "As I said, I don''t pity you... I won''t apologize to you either."


    "The one responsible is my enemy, someone I''ve long since sworn to kill. And he wants control of my life, so my gaining a solid foundation is something he would never want..." "Case in point, he used your shop as an example of his capabilities. Without even a single word, the Elite did whatever they could to be in his good graces, and you were the perfect target for them to show me what could happen to my mother''spany in three months'' time."


    Tapping on his terminal a few times, a hologram appeared, stating:


    {Subject: Court Summons - Your Company''s Grim Fate Awaits}


    {Dear Laura,


    Prepare for the theater of justice. The court summons you to its chambers. Within three months, you shall attend as they revel in determining the wretched destiny of your pitifulpany, Prince Emporium.


    You aremanded to appear, to dance upon the stage of this malicious spectacle. Failure toply shall unleash wrath upon you, as the vile court may unleash a damning ruling or further torment.


    Engage your pitiful legal counsel, for they shall serve as your desperate voice in this theater. Seek their guidance if it brings you any sce.


    Acknowledge your receipt of this missive and your intention to embrace this vile gathering. Contact the court clerk at any of our offices or send a reply to the court address provided above.


    With sinister anticipation,


    Yours dearly,


    Hargrove Moonscribe.}


    Letting out a chuckle, he said:


    "As you can see, they''re having fun with it as if they know that they''ll get us. But we''ve got ns tobat that, and if you want to know more about it, I''ll have Lyra exin it to you, I''ve had enough negotiating for today."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He checked on the time and added:


    "They''ll bring the sweets in a few moments, you can take that time to digest what I''veid out for you."


    Emir watched as Mariane''s eyes began to twitch, and as her face disfigured into fury while she bellowed, finally losing control:


    "YOU ARE JOKING AROUND EVEN NOW?!"


    He tilted his head as if he had done nothing wrong.


    "What do you mean?"


    ||||


    || ||


    "You... You''re impossible." She uttered in defeat.


    Suppressing himself fromughing out loud, he thought:


    ''No wonder they think of each other as sisters, they even say the same things.''


    Noticing his rising grin, she was about to stand up and rush him but stopped herself as a knock on the door resounded in the room.


    Pressing on the button in the middle of the table, he unlocked the door, and a butler entered the room with two tes containing their orders, one on each hand.


    He set them on the table and quietly took his leave.


    Seeing him gone, Mariane visibly rxed and then proceeded to pick up the cake and stuff herself, not minding the loss of her dignity.


    Not that any was left in the first ce.


    Not wanting to embarrass her further, Emir ignored what was happening in front of him and ate like how a normal person would.


    Sometimeter, they both finished eating and after cleaning their hands and mouths with tissue, they focused back on the issue at hand, with Mariane much more rxed this time around, the cheesecake doing wonders.


    "So what now?" She asked.


    "Well, now you''ll be meeting my mother." He answered after a moment of thought.


    "Are you proposing to me?"


    Shaking his head, he rebuked, "No, that isn''t how it goes, if I was proposing, I would go to your mother instead-I''m sorry..."


    ||


    ||


    ||


    Finally noticing a shred of genuine emotion on his face, her eyes slowly began to brighten as


    she remembered who the person in front of her was.


    He was only a teenager... Not even that, just a kid going through all of this while facing unimaginable enemies, never a day when he would think about having fun.


    Only nning, only attempting to loosen the neck hanging over his neck, wanting to be free, to be seen as a person with his own will, his own ideals, and principles.


    Not a tool for war, he simply wants to protect those he loves, and seeing that he even came for her, she might even be someone that he considers a friend, someone he would also look after,


    so what was she hesitating for?


    At least, that''s what her face told Emir...


    ''If only she knew that I''m technically a grown man, though I guess it wouldn''t be a lie to say


    that I''m a teen...''


    ''And well, I mainly came here since she would prove useful, I might''ve helped her out, sure, but taking a loss? Nah... I already have enough on my te with my family and Lyra... Maybe.''


    ''I can''t afford to add more to that pile...''


    Looking to be pumped up, Mariane stood up and grabbed Emir by his arms, dragging him to the door while saying:


    "What are you staring at me for? Let''s go say hi to your mother!"

 Chapter 151: Genuine Affection

    Chapter 151: Genuine Affection


    ?


    Opening the door, Emir entered the apartment, with Mariane following behind him.


    Laura was already prepared, a tea set ready at the table, with Lily sitting beside her, seemingly so engrossed in drinking tea that she failed to notice their entrance.


    Seeing that, Laura tapped on her daughter''s shoulder, bringing her to attention.


    Lily gave a ncing gaze at her mother for a moment, and only after looking away did she notice that Emir was standing right in front of them.


    Curious as always, she eyed Mariane with interest while she stood up and gestured for them to sit.


    Emir raised a brow.


    ''Are they seriously going to keep up that act?''


    With a chuckle, he sat in between both parties, acting as if he was a mediator, leaving the seat opposite his family for Mariane.


    [Where are you right now?] He asked Lyra telepathically.


    [On the way... Kiera and the rest asked more questions than expected, especially that Leo kid, too curious for his own good.] She replied


    [Well, you''ve got one more to debrief, and by the way, I already told them about Mariane''s great potential, but it seems like they''ve been taught quite a lot. Even someone as experienced as Mariane is stunned at how they''re taking this.] Hemented while silently watching Mariane''s reaction in slowed time.


    A giggle resounded in his mind.


    [You aren''t the only one growing, you know, although some of us are shier than others. And just know that they''re the ones who wanted me to teach them, so who am I to say no?]


    [...Thanks for everything, Lyra. I can''t imagine doing this without you.]


    [...]


    [Lyra?]


    [I-I''m sorry, I just didn''t expect you to say that...]


    Sounding a telepathic chuckle, he said:


    [I''m not blind, you know. Although I still can''t trust youpletely-to be honest, I don''t know if I ever will-but I can still see your effort; it''s making a difference.]


    After a few moments of silence, he imagined that Lyra was standing in front of him, but soon he realized that she truly was there.


    She simply connected to the projector of his augmented suit that showed his heads-up disy right in front of his nonexistent irises.


    Her beautiful face,bined with the rarebination of her flowing white hair and red smiling eyes, made her out to be otherworldly.


    [I love you.]


    Emir speechlessly grinned at the sight, as it easily dwarfed that of Mariane''s.


    [Thanks for that.]


    Lyra''s smile brightened, and she puffed her cheeks yfully, disappearing from his sight in a sh.


    ''Cute... Too cute.''


    She was really making it hard for him to deny, or rather dy, her advances.


    Letting go of those thoughts, time resumed its normal pace, and he focused back on what was happening in front of him.


    Laura spoke, weing them:


    "Thank you foring here today. We have a lot to go through, so why don''t you have some tea first?"


    Mariane nodded.


    "Thanks, Miss Laura. I''ve heard a lot about you on the way here, your son seems quite proud of you."


    Laura''s professional demeanor momentarily faltered, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she tried to suppress it.


    Lily and Emir looked at each other for a moment, grins crossed on their faces.


    Their mother finally gave up and said:


    "You win... I guess it''s too early for me."


    Shaking his head, Emir cut in:


    "Nah, Mom, you were doing fine, this falls on me for bragging about you so much."


    Speechless, she stared at her son, her jaw nearly hitting the floor in surprise at his effusive praise.


    Deep down, she recognized that while his words held a measure of sincerity, they were also exaggerated, all to present her in an even more ttering light.


    Mariane joined the scene, swept up in the warmth of the familial atmosphere and their evident genuine affection for one another.


    And as Emir observed this, he realized that his mission was aplished.


    With Mariane''s guard down, Laura would likely negotiate a better deal for theirpany.


    Rising from his seat, he announced:


    "Alright, I''ll leave you guys to it. I need to get back to work."


    Mariane, understanding the implications of his words, asked:


    "The Order?"


    "Yes. We''ve already nned out our actions going forward, and as I said, if you want to know more... It''s better if you ask Lyra about itter, Mom will give you her contact ID." He


    answered with a nod.


    Walking past her, he tapped her shoulder a few times as a sign of assurance and went on his way as three voices offered their goodbyes behind him.


    ...


    Stepping into the upper district, Emir walked up to Lyra, who was patiently waiting for him just outside the academy''s family residence area.


    "Are you sure that Laura can handle Mariane? I get that we gave her the best possible start,


    but all she knows is theory, she hasn''t been in the field for long..." She asked as she naturally joined his right, walking side by side.


    He stayed silent for a moment, observing the quiet streets surrounding them.


    It was already nighttime, so he didn''t have long before he had to bid Lyra goodbye.


    Letting out a sigh, he said:


    "Maybe she''ll fail at getting a good deal, or she might pass with flying colors. But that doesn''t matter, at the end of it, this will be a learning experience for her, something that she


    needs, and I made sure that we wouldn''t lose Mariane either way..."


    A few moments of silence enveloped them until Emir broke it by asking:


    "How long do you think it would take you to track target one?"


    Her gaze dropped at that question, as it would be the first time she would be disconnected


    from him entirely by choice, a prospect that filled her with extreme dread.


    "I''m not sure, but if anything, I can only hope that I at least find something before our deadline, and I''m sure with Silent''s help I could get to whatever the target is on


    quickly."


    "True. With him involved, we won''t need to use the Gatekeepers, it''ll help in hiding our tracks


    from the Elite as well."


    Perking up, she demanded, "Never mind that, I need you to give me a reward for all I did today, and I still have to talk to Mariane before leaving, so it has to be something worth it."


    With a raised brow, he asked:


    "A reward? I thought you liked helping me?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Seeing her puff her cheeks in protest, he chuckled.


    "Okay, okay, what do you want from me?"


    Lyra straightened her back.


    "Do you know how couples usually say goodbye to each other? When the husband goes away


    for work, or what do they do when they haven''t seen each other in a long time? Or when-"


    Stopping her from rambling any further, he stepped in front of her, his eyes locked on hers.


    "So a kiss?"


    An audible gulp resounded as she silently nodded.


    ''She''s really going after me this time, huh... And she is an AI, so her loving someone my age


    isn''t wrong, right?''


    ''And I guess we would have each other''s first times, although I have memories with previous lovers, they are fabricated... So technically, I''m in a simr position to her.''


    ''I''ve got the knowledge but not any real experience.''


    Letting go of those thoughts that bordered on how weird and nonsensical the situation was,


    he went for it...


    But just as he was about to, his terminal rang out.

 Chapter 152: First kiss and Old friends.

    Chapter 152: First kiss and Old friends.


    ?


    Ring! Ring!


    Emir gestured for Lyra to wait a moment and fished out his terminal.


    He nced at the screen and saw that it was Emma calling him, someone that he had barely contacted even before leaving Earth for Silent''s trial.


    Swiping up, he answered the call.


    "Hey Em, it''s been a while."


    Returning his attention to Lyra, he stepped closer to her while Emma''s reply echoed in hisn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ear:


    "Emir! It''s been so long since west heard from you... Where the hell were you in the past year?!"


    He let out a chuckle and said:


    "Give me a moment, Em, I''ll get to you in a second."


    Pressing the mute button, he lowered his head to Lyra''s level, drawing closer as her ruby eyes locked onto his deep, inky cks.


    They shared a moment of silent connection, a bittersweet understanding passing between them.


    Emir''s hand gently held her chin, pausing for a brief moment, letting the weight of their weird rtionship and the impending separation hang in the air.


    He could feel the mix of emotions radiating from her, and he wanted to make this parting as gentle as possible.


    Emir didn''t need a second to know that Lyra was ready.


    Her entire demeanor and stance told him that she was waiting.


    He leaned in, and their lips met for a few lingering seconds, the kiss filled with warmth, affection, and an unspoken promise.


    But then, to his surprise, he felt her stiffen, and a muffled sound escaped her lips.


    Her eyes widened, and he saw a mixture of shock and something else he couldn''t quite ce.


    Stepping back, he looked at her in concern, his brow furrowing as he searched for an exnation.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked gently, his voice filled with genuine worry.


    "...Did I do something wrong?"


    Her face slowly began to blush, the deepest red spreading across her cheeks, almost turning them a delicate shade of pink.


    "Are you alright?" Emir asked, his concern evident as he gently cupped her face in his hand.


    But the touch only seemed to fuel her woes, causing her to quickly step away, clearly flustered and still processing what had just happened.


    Despite her advanced processing power, a simple kiss had the ability to melt all of herposure.


    Realization dawned on him as he tilted his head slightly, a bemused smile forming on his lips.


    "You meant a kiss on the cheek, didn''t you?"


    Her beautiful face moved up and down repeatedly, causing him to let out a heartyugh.


    ''I never imagined her to be so innocent, what the hell happened to who I once thought of as an all-knowing jailer?''


    Amusement filled him as he observed her reaction, and without hesitation, he stepped up to her again, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace.


    Then he embarked on a yful spree of pecks, cing kisses all over her face, ensuring not a single inch was left unkissed.


    She didn''t even struggle, letting herself melt in his embrace, her earlier tension and confusion seemingly dissolving, only to be reced by contentment evident in the softening of her features.


    And when he finally decided that he had thoroughly covered every part of her face, he released her slowly, watching as she seemed to dete like a balloon, her body sliding down a nearby wall in a ratherical manner.


    With a press of his fingers, the terminal signaled that he was no longer muted, allowing them to resume their conversation.


    "My bad, Em. I''ve been extra busy these days, so what''s up?"


    After hearing a "Tsk" echo in his ear, he heard Emma say:


    "You didn''t contact me or Jake for all this time, and you ask me, what''s UP?! And you said it would be a second, you took two minutes for god sake!"


    "Ughhhh... Don''t tell me you''re one of those. You know what? Alright, I''ll say exactly how long I''ll take next time. Happy now?"


    "Good. And yes, I''m happy. Now answer my question, you aren''t running away from this. Why did you not reply to any of my calls in thest ELEVEN months?" She asked, sounding frustrated.


    ||


    Emir remained silent, not knowing what to say while at the same time experiencing a subtle feeling of Deja Vu.


    He had nearly forgotten about them, never expecting that they would care enough to call.


    In his mind, he had entertained the possibility that they might have even forgotten about him


    altogether.


    "Em. Give me your terminal." He heard a man''s voice sounding from a small distance away.


    "Hey, Emir... It''s me, Jake. Look, I''m sorry for how Em is acting right now-"


    "I didn''t say anything wrong!!"


    "Are you going to cut me off even now?! Give me some face, goddammit!"


    Shaking his head, Emir let out a sigh, and it slowly transformed into a chuckle as he said:


    "I missed you guys. Seriously."


    "If that is actually true, then tell me why you haven''t been replying to any of my calls!!" Emma''s suppressed scream crackled through the terminal.


    And before Emir could reply, Jake rebuked her:


    "Don''t mind her, Emir, she''s just been really worried about you..."


    "You know how hunters are, one day they''re alive and dead the next, so we thought that we''d lost you there. We didn''t believe the rumors about you going ruin diving for so long... That is, until we''ve finally heard that you showed up in the hunter''s office."


    "Ah. So that''s how you''ve found me... Okay, look. I''m surprised that you guys actually worried about me so much, and I''m sorry for not replying, but if you want to know, I''ve got to ask a


    few questions first."


    "Ask away!" Emma screamed from the back.


    "Heh, alright. First things first, what rank are you guys right now?"


    "Guys?"


    "I''m sorry." They replied in unison, their voices taking on a solemn tone.


    Emir waited on them to sort out their emotions, thinking that they might''ve already gone to


    the front lines and actually survived, now understanding why they''d been so worried about


    him as they themselves faced death itself...


    The Order.


    "We, can''t say much, but we... We''ve survived the front lines and are now high-ranking


    hunters."


    A wide smile spread across his face at the news, and he immediately began nning what he could do with them going forward.


    "Congrats guys. You deserve it after all you''ve been through, but tell me, how? It hasn''t been long since you were around rank 26, not even close to fifty, so how did you rank up so fast?"


    "Actually, cross that. Let''s talk in person, where do you guys want to meet?" He stated while thinking of how to ask them to join his group.


    "Come to our ce, we live near the gate across the academy, it''s a new house we bought, I''ll send the exact location now." Jake answered with a happy tone evident in his words. "Alright, I''ll be there in a few minutes, expect a plus one." Emir confirmed and ended the call.


    "Was that enough of a reward?" He asked as he turned his attention to Lyra, who was now standing straight, her face back to normal.


    "More than enough... Though I get that you didn''t mean anything by it, I asked for a reward, and you gave it to me." She sulked.


    ''AI or not. Women are mysterious creatures, aren''t they? I gave her what she wanted, but she stillins... Though I guess the way I did it might make me seem insensitive.'' He


    thought with a raised brow.


    "It''s still my first kiss, you know? I wouldn''t give it away willy-nilly."


    Just as his words registered in her mind, she immediately brightened up, and her face showed


    a beautiful smile. "That''s what I like to see, now why don''t we go meet up with some old friends?" He asked


    while gesturing for her to hold his hand.

 Chapter 153: Welcoming Jake And Emma

    Chapter 153: Weing Jake And Emma


    ?


    Under the cover of the night, while remaining hand in hand, Emir and Lyra stood before a three-story building, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.


    Its minimalist architecture easily conveyed what its owners wished for in a house.


    A fortified gate, a guardian that most hunters wouldn''t sleep without, stood before them.


    And as if recognizing their presence, it swung open effortlessly, inviting them in.


    Shrugging his shoulders, Emir walked forward, leaving her hand as he prepared himself to be struck by a train of two celestials rushing at him.


    And sure enough, a fit blonde woman wearing pajamas rushed forward while a ck-haired, tanned half-cyborg followed after her.


    "Emir!"


    Emir switched his stance from rxed to fully tensed as he dug his feet into the ground while he eyed them as he would his enemies.


    Slowing down time to the millisecond, he subtly adjusted his body to wee theirs without throwing him off bnce.


    Time resumed its normal pace, and Crash!


    They squeezed him from both sides, as Emir nned, using their own forces against each other to cancel them out while keeping him bnced.


    He could easily overpower them with his strength, but that would be announcing that he was a celestial just like them.


    ''That has to wait until they sign the contract.'' He thought.


    Thinking that they were crushing him, they immediately stepped back in rm, both asking in unison:


    "O-oh, are you alright/okay?"


    Emir eyed them with a smile.


    "I''m fine, I wouldn''t have gotten this far if I couldn''t take a hug from you two. Never think of me as weak, not even now with both of you being high rankers, but trust that if you do, only surprises will await."


    And as all other hunters would, Emma took that as a challenge, but before she could do something reckless, Jake interfered and cut in on their fun.


    "Alright, alright, enough of that, let''s get in first."


    Emma looked at him with annoyance, but her face slowly turned to surprise as she finally noticed who was behind Emir.


    "So... Is that the plus one you mentioned? You didn''t say that she would be such a beauty."


    Emir let out a chuckle and gestured for Lyra to introduce herself, as she seemed to be out of it for the past while.


    ''Probably still thinking about the kiss.''


    "Ah-nice to meet you both, you may call me Lyra, I''m Emir''s onlypanion." She finally spoke, the meaning behind her words obvious to everyone listening.


    Emma raised a brow as she asked:


    "Companion? In what way? Are you both partners like Jake and I or something more?"


    But before Lyra answered her question, they all noticed a great shift in Emir''s demeanor, the once-warm personality turned cold, colder than what Earth was many millennia ago.


    This caused both Jake and Emma to let out an audibly loud gulp, as they had never in their lives, not even after surviving the frontlines, seen someone who resembled the current Emir.


    Quicklyprehending the situation, Jake said with urgency:


    "Sorry if she touched a soft spot for you, Emir; she didn''t mean anything by it. Don''t take it out on her, she was just curious since she didn''t see you for so long."


    Emir silently stared at Jake for a few seconds, and Jake matched him as they locked eyes, neither one looking away.


    After a few tense moments, Emir said:


    "No worries, I was just reminded of something. My bad, Em, didn''t mean to scare you like that..."


    Emma shook her head.


    "I-it''s fine, Emir, just don''t do me like that again, okay?"


    She followed her words with an awkwardugh, and sensing her unease, Emir swiftly closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her in aforting embrace.


    The warmth of his hug seemed to melt away some of her worries, and she returned a silent smile, reassured that the Emir she knew was still there, somewhere...


    "Really sorry about that, Em..."


    Letting go after a nod, she stepped back and made her way into the house, her voice trailing behind her as she spoke:


    "I told you it''s fine, alright? Let''s forget this ever happened and go talk about what happened to you, to us, and maybe how you met Miss Lyra over there..."


    Both Emir and Lyra looked at each other as they let out a chuckle.


    "Alright, thanks for the warm wee, by the way."


    Jake nodded and followed behind Emir and Lyra as they stepped past the entryway with the


    fortified gate closing behind them, announcing a soft click.


    After entering the house, a sense of serenity embraced them.


    The interior was minimalist yet cozy.


    The furniture spoke of function over mboyance, hinting at a recent acquisition of wealth or a purposeful disregard for ostentation.


    Simple yet tasteful decorations adorned the walls, lending a touch of personality to the space.


    Emir walked after Emma as they headed up the stairs, which were elegantly positioned along one side of the entrance.


    ''Judging by her reaction, she really was worried about me, I don''t even need to ask Lyra to confirm it, anyone can tell that she wasn''t acting.''


    Even though he acted like that to someone who was so worried about him, he didn''t feel bad about it... After all, it was to make sure of her and Jake''s intentions while indicating that


    personal questions about Lyra were taboo...


    For now at least.


    ''Magnus is a crafty fucker, so no matter who it is, I can''t trust them, I need to confirm their intentions, have them sign a contract, have them under my control, even if subtly, it doesn''t matter, I just need an advantage over them.''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Looking up at her wide back he inwardly added:


    ''We can be friends though, as long as I gain something from it...''


    "Wee to our humble abode." Emma said as she reached the top of the stairs.


    After they had all joined her in the room, she gestured for them to sit.


    "We''ve never had a housewarming party, so I''ll think of this as one. Please enjoy the sweets


    on the table. I love eating those, they don''t contain that many calories, you know? I can stuff


    myself while keeping up with this physique!"


    Chuckling at her antics, Emir thanked her with a nod and approached one of the three couches opposite the holoscreen.


    Lyra joined him, sitting next to him while saying:


    "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Emma."


    Jake sat next to them and spoke before Emma could:


    "Just call her Emma, she doesn''t deserve to have Miss before her name."


    Emir looked at Jake, and they both joined each other in loudughter.


    Emma sulked in a corner, her expression a mix of annoyance and resignation.


    Meanwhile, Lyra''s presence was marked by soft giggles that added a lightness to the


    atmosphere.


    Emma soon brought out a selection of drinks from the cupboards, her movements a bit more


    forceful than necessary.


    Walking with hurried steps, she approached the table that separated the three couches and


    mmed the drinks down, creating a resounding bang that echoed through the room.


    With a scoff, Emir asked:


    "You guys love cutting each other off, don''t you?"


    "No, we don''t!" They replied in unison.


    "Hah, alright, alright, stop bickering like an old married couple, and let''s get down to


    business, shall we?" He said, his face turning serious.


    Sitting on a couch all by herself, Emma asked:


    "You want us to sign a contract, right?"

 Chapter 154: Parting

    Chapter 154: Parting


    ?


    -


    With a pop, Emir poured himself some champagne, and after a few small sips, he voiced out:


    "Blugh... How do people like this shit? Just give me that whiskey bottle back, this won''t do for me."


    Emma giggled and did as she was told, pouring herself a ss and then shoving the bottle straight into his hands.


    "Drinksh up, Emir! Youuuuu deeeeeefinitely need a breeeak ashter all youfe beeeen thaaaroughhh."


    (Drink up, Emir! You definitely need a break after all you''ve been through.)


    After smelling its scent for a moment, he said:


    "That I will... We celestials aren''t even affected unless it''s something strong, and bro, you said this was 85 percent alcohol?"


    Jake''s eyes finally left his terminal as he asked:


    "Are we seriously moving on from what Emir said? And Emma, I''ll ask you again for the millionth time, how the hell did you know that he was about to show us a contract?!" Lyra let out a giggle and said:


    "Don''t mind it, Jake, you''re just a bit slow, and yes, it''s only 85 Emir, you''d need to drink about one hundred of those to actually feel a buzz."


    Whistle-


    "I wishhhhh I haaaad an AIIIIpanion toooooo, you''reeee aaaalready a giaaaant Emirrrrr, hoooww coooomeee yoooouu haaaaaveeee it alllll?" Emmained with puffed-up cheeks.


    (I wish I had an AIpanion too, you''re already a giant Emir, howe you have it all?)


    Scoffing, Emir looked at Lyra.


    "How about newly awakened celestials?"


    "Not many, about 10 or so..."


    He then gazed back at the table, which had about twenty or so bottles of whiskey, vodka, beer, and champagne.


    Shaking his head, he turned to Jake, finally answering the questions he had been asking for the past twenty minutes:


    "She didn''t know, she just guessed that I was about to propose a contract to keep things confidential. You''re overthinking it."


    Sighing out loud, Jakeined:


    "But it''s Emma, goddammit, I''m supposed to be the smart one in the group!"


    "You are, though... I mean, look at her." Emir replied with a chuckle as he pointed at Emma.


    She was somehow stumbling around, even though she was sitting on a couch.


    Appearing to have finally understood how to move her head, she looked up and noticed Emir pointing at her.


    "Wahysh shesh apeentingatmeh?" She mumbled with a tilted head.


    (Why is he pointing at me?)


    ''I should probably stop her before she kills herself, I ain''t losing a new group member so quickly.'' He thought.


    Standing up, Emir walked over to Emma and forcefully took the beer bottle from her grasp. Despite her attempt to resist, her newfound strength as a first-subrank awakened was no match for Emir, who was now a pdin, the third and highest subrank of an awakened.


    "I remember you telling me to be careful with drinking, but look at you now... I guess it came from experience, eh?" He said with a chuckle.


    She silently looked at him for a while and then slowly began to drift off to sleep, not bothering to keep up appearances one bit, forgetting that she was now in front of her superior.


    Shrugging his shoulders, he turned to Jake.


    "Are you still stuck on that contract? You know I made it equal for both parties, right? It only favors me more because I''m your goddamn boss!"


    It was the same contract he showed Mariane, he even kept the same use she changed, so Emir was being very generous to them, especially considering his personality.


    "But what kind of name is Azazel?! A hunter group with the name of a devil!" Jake rebuked.


    "Mate, friend, brother, in what hell-driven world would Azazel''s story be considered so simple?"


    "...He''s often misunderstood, seen as both a devil and a figure of rebellion. But remember, in some tales, he''s also depicted as a force of change, challenging the status quo."


    Stepping up to him, he bellowed:


    "Isn''t that why you epted this contract, knowing it benefits me? Isn''t that why you joined my group? TO CHALLENGE THE ORDER AND STAND AGAINST THE MONSTER TIDE?!"


    He paused for a moment, then headed towards the door.


    "If your answer to that is yes, then let''s focus on the mission and act with purpose."


    Tsk-


    "You''re being reprimanded by a fourteen-year-old, how embarrassing." Lyra slylymented from the side.


    Not being able to contain himself anymore, Jake stood up and rushed Emir.


    Lyra was about to intervene, but she heard Emir''s voice echo in her head:


    [Let him be, he won''t do what you think he will. The n worked...]


    And he spoke true, as Jake came to a halt right in front of Emir, extending his hand in a gesture


    of mutual respect.


    Emir reciprocated the gesture, sping Jake''s hand firmly, the connection between them speaking volumes.


    With a subtle but warm pressure, Emir pulled Jake closer, embracing him in a strong yet friendly man hug and giving a couple of reassuring pats on his back before releasing him.


    "I know all of this information is quite a lot to take in, trust me, I was in that position too, but I epted it, and now I''m here, showing you the ropes..."


    "You have two options, follow the same path I tread or die, betraying my trust in you. After all, this contract of ours isn''t so lenient, and I definitely would rather have you pick option


    one, but I digress. Do not disappoint me."


    Jake, not disheartened in the slightest, replied with a smile:


    "No worries, boss, I''ll follow your orders~."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir chuckled at his weak attempt at making a joke and said:


    "Good. And I''ll say this again, wee to the team, you are now a part of something greater


    than both you and I can imagine."


    Needing no gesture, Lyra stood up and followed after Emir.


    "Well, goodnight Jake, I''ll talk to you when I hear from Nathan, it might take him some time to officially create the group, he has to go through a lot of legal jargon after all..." "Yeah... I''ll be waiting for the day when we can officially join, but until then, we''ll be behind your every move, boss.... Oh-thanks foring, by the way, Emma didn''t have this much fun in what feels like forever, and I''m really thankful for that." Jake said, his tone sounding tired.


    They both exchanged nods and smiles before making their way down the stairs, leaving the house shortly afterward, with the locked doors and gate automatically opening for them as


    they exited.


    And just as they stepped outside, Emir turned to Lyra and asked:


    [When they talked about what happened on the front lines, was that true?]

 Chapter 155: Parting II

    Chapter 155: Parting II


    ?


    ***


    In the middle of a scarred wastnd filled with signs of battle that spanned centuries.


    A man hovered in the air, above arge group of people wearing military uniforms.


    He had his own uniform, simr in design, yet slightly special.


    With a raised hand, the man spoke, his voice loud and clear:


    "Men, women, and cyborgs, you''ve all survived your first battle, you''ve gained the power all would love to have. You are privileged, but you gained that privilege with your own bloodied hands, and havended here, in thend of the dead, thend of no return...."


    "THE FRONT LINES!"


    "You all survived, and now you must survive again!"


    "Return to your friends and family-those who await your calls, those who wee you home, those who will miss you-but to do so, you must stick to our cause."


    "We gave you this opportunity, so now you all are one of our people... And what are we?"


    "WE ARE CELESTIALS! WE HAVE CROSSED THE THRESHOLD! WE ARE THE AWAKENED! WE DO NOT FALTER! WE DO NOT WEAKEN!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    Those he addressed chanted, almost hypnotized by the man''s words.


    Jake and Emma were the loudest of them, screaming at the top of their lungs.


    The man raised his hand further, signaling them to quiet down.


    "Those who we shall see today are our enemies, those who wish to take control of our home... As stated in the briefing, we are to fight, or rather bait out, a single construct, a construct many times our strength..."


    "You might be asking why. Why assign us to such an important location with such weak celestials? Celestials that had just crossed the threshold?"


    "Well, the answer is simple... We are the only ones avable at this moment, no mechs, no weapons of war, nothing, only us... We cannot expect reinforcements until 18:00... An hour away after we mount our charge."


    "Do not fear, I, Commander Xavier, shall lead you all to glory and death. I do not expect much of you, as you all can barely be considered celestials, but...."


    "You would do well in dying the enemy. And that is honorable."


    "NOW COHORT CAPTAINS STEP FORWARD ON THE DOUBLE! OUR MISSION BEGINS IN 180 CLICKS!"


    A heavy, hushed silence nketed the wastnd, and a realization settled in among the group that they were embarking on a suicide mission.


    Themander''s vivid and chilling words had fully registered in their minds, leaving them with an unsettling awareness that this mission was tantamount to a death sentence.


    Jake and Emma were well aware of the perilous nature of the mission from the outset, but as cohort captains, they had to serve as an example, to scream the loudest, and be the most confident.


    So they stepped forward, just as the other captains did, save for one who struggled her way to the front, leaving a trail of vomit behind her.


    "Blergh," she managed to utter, her voice shaky and barely able to contain the nausea that had overtaken her.


    Emma was about to go help her, but Jake quickly held her hand, stopping her from doing so. "Don''t... Let''s see how this will y out... themander can use this to inspire the troops." His words spoke true, as the girl soon stuttered out:


    "Are we all... heading towards our deaths?"


    All the other captains, with the exception of Jake and Emma, stared at her in shock, not expecting her to ask such a question.


    "Yes."


    Themander answered, his tone neither angry nor annoyed, just in.


    "...Are you saying that if we''re going to die anyways, it''s better off to die fighting?"


    "Yes,"


    "Th-then no matter how we die... Even if it''s disobeying orders, it all means nothing, right?"


    "You''re exactly right..."


    "It''s all meaningless, no matter what you dreamt of achieving as a celestial..."


    "No matter how tough a time you''ve had to get here..."


    "It''s all the same if you''re bombarded to death by the construct we face today."


    "Deathes to us all, be it gunned down by the enemy or by old age..."


    "But does that mean that our deaths are MEANINGLESS?!"


    "Was there a meaning in our being born? Would you say that to those who''vee here before you? Our fallen soldiers? Their lives..."


    "Were they meaningless?"


    "No... It''s us, we are the ones who give meaning to their lives!" He bellowed.


    "Those that were brave! Those anguished! THE ONES WHO WILL REMEMBER THE FALLEN... ARE US THE LIVING!"


    "WE DIE TRUSTING THE LIVING WHO FOLLOW TO FIND MEANING IN OUR LIVES!"


    "THAT IS THE SOLE METHOD IN WHICH WE CAN REBEL AGAINST THIS CRUEL WORLD! WE DO NOT BUCKLE OR YIELD!"


    "MY SOLDIERS RAGE!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "MY SOLDIERS SCREAM!"


    "MY SOLDIERS FIGHT!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    The soldiers bellowed in unison, their voices shaking the very ground they were standing on, almost drowning out Jake''s thoughts in the process.


    Just as they began to quieten down, Jake pulled on Emma''s shoulder, and spoke directly in her


    ear:


    "See... I told you he''d bring it bac-"


    KA-BOOM!


    The earth trembled as a sudden, deafening explosion erupted, sending shockwaves through


    the ground.


    Mushroom clouds materialized at a distance ahead, painting an ominous backdrop for the


    approaching army.


    Momentster, a barrage of missiles streaked across the sky, converging on them from all


    directions.


    Jake steadied himself, the weight of the impending battle settling on his shoulders.


    He nced around, witnessing the determination in the eyes of those beside him, mirroring


    his own resolve.


    "On your bikes now... MY SOLDIERS... CHARGE!!"


    Themander''s booming voice echoed through the chaos, a rallying cry to spur them into


    action.


    Without hesitation, Jake responded, his voice cutting through the air:


    "CHARGEEEEE!"


    The call was taken up by his fellow captains, each one shouting the samemand in unison,


    creating a chorus of determination.


    "CHARGEE!"


    A momentter, he heard Emma''s voice join the chorus, a powerful deration that added to the surge of energy coursing through the troops.


    As one, they leaped onto their bikes, ready to follow their captains into the heart of the storm, fully aware of the potential sacrifice thaty ahead.


    "MAINTAIN FORMATION! KNIGHTS, BRAWLERS REMAIN AT THE FRONT! SPELL WEAVERS REMAIN AT THE BACK! FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SPECIALIZED ROLES, KEEP IN THE MIDDLE, YOU ARE THE TICKET TO OUR SURVIVAL!" Themander bellowed.


    "SHIELDS!" All the captains screamed out in unison.


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    The ground split, cracked, and ruptured as if the entirendscape surrounding them seemed


    to crumble on itself.


    The battlefield was veiled in a thick curtain of smoke in the aftermath of the explosion,


    making it difficult to discern the situation.


    Amid this chaos, amand was issued, cutting through the uncertainty:


    "WIND!"


    Spell Weavers in the rear ranks conjured a powerful gust, sweeping away the lingering


    mushroom clouds and clearing the path ahead.


    The charge never stopped with the soldiers pressing forward, but they were met with yet


    another onught of missiles raining down upon them.


    "SHIELDS!!"


    But this time, most of the Knights were toote, showing desperate attempts to protect


    themselves as the devastating force of the explosions took a toll on their Aether cores, unable to handle the strain of Aether needed to defend against the bombs.


    Cracks appeared in the once formidable walls of defense, a grim sign of the impending


    disaster.


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    And then, there was no then...


    Lives were extinguished in an instant, and the soldiers caught without a shield met a grim


    fate.


    The ranks thinned, leaving a battered but resilient force behind. Positioned at the forefront of the chaos, Jake and Emma clung to a thread of providence, a


    combination of luck and the thin veil of protection that allowed them to remain among the


    living.


    Neither of them had learned any shielding ability, leaving Jake''s Arcanist specializationrgely untapped as he struggled to harness the potential of its runes.


    Emma, on the other hand, relied on her Spell Weaver''s prowess, a skill set that provided her


    with a limited degree of attack.


    Riding through the dusty haze, Jake nced back at the grim remnants of his cohort, his heart


    heavy with loss.


    But he couldn''t afford to falter, and he let out a powerful cry:


    "CHARGE! CHARGE, FOR THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SURVIVE! WE WILL NOT LEAVE


    OUR COMMANDER ALONE! CHARGE!"

 Chapter 156: Parting III

    Chapter 156: Parting III


    ?


    In the next bombardment, they witnessed something unimaginable...


    It was as if the sky itself was raining bombs at them.


    Everywhere Jake turned, his field of vision was marred by ominous dots of ck, a foreboding shroud that cast an unnerving tapestry of impending death.


    Before he could even muster amand, theirmander''s voice pierced through the cacophony of chaos:


    "For the glory of Earthkind!"


    Just as the weight of those words settled into Jake''s mind, a grim realization dawned upon him.


    He understood themander''s reckless intent-his desperate act.


    With bated breath, he could only watch in stunned silence as Xavier charged forth, breaking free from the protective shield''s range and ascending into the perilous skies, directly into the path of the descending bombs.


    A heartbeat passed, filled with anticipation and dread, and then it came-an earth-shattering KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    The shockwave cascaded across the battlefield, a thunderous testament to Xavier''s sacrifice. The very ground quivered beneath their feet, and for that fleeting moment, the entire world seemed to hold its breath in the face of such colossal destruction.


    In that momentary pause, the sky appeared to birth a new sun, casting a glow across the wastnd.


    But this celestial beauty swiftly gave way to a terrifying transformation.


    The mushroom clouds merged and entwined, forming a colossal explosion of smoke and dust that transformed the day into night as if the very fabric of reality had been torn asunder.


    The battlefield, once a scene of frenzied chaos, nowy cloaked in the shadowy shroud of a graveyard.


    An unsettling uncertainty gripped them all, for they were now riding blind, unaware of where the next deadly strike woulde from.


    A saving grace in this bleak situation was the parting of the smoke clouds as something descended from above.


    They watched in astonishment as themander''s body returned to the ground.


    Although he appeared charred to the bone, the man had somehow survived the explosive ordeal.


    Landing with a heavy thud, themander struggled to push himself up, but he was soon lifted by Jake as the army never stopped their charge, with the captains leading the way.


    "Thank you,mander. Your disy of bravery will inspire the troops to follow in your lead..."


    Xavier simply looked at him and nodded, his vocal cords cooked and now rotting.


    Propping Xavier up on the front of his bike, Jake hurriedly ced some old-world medicine in hismander''s mouth and shouted:


    "MY FELLOW SOLDIERS! DO NOT LOSE HOPE! HAVE YOU NOT SEEN YOUR COMMANDER?! FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS!"


    "NOW SPELL WEAVERS... WIND!"


    "WIND!" All the captains shouted in unison.


    Without the slightest dy, the clouds in front of them parted, granting them a small, see- through window to glimpse what mighte next.


    "TECHNOMANCERS! PROCEED WITH PLAN B!"


    "ALL SQUADRONS WILL SEND OUT A SINGLE UNIT TO DISRUPT THE BOMBARDMENT, WE CAN NO LONGER RELY ON OUR SHIELDS!"


    No sooner had those words left his mouth than another set of missiles materialized in front of them, hurtling their way with rming speed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "COHORT 1! UNIT 14, ARCHON''S SPEED MASON!"


    A fellow team captain ordered, sending a man to their grave.


    Jake''s heart shattered as he witnessed the man hurtle toward the oing bombs, a twisted smile etched on his face, a haunting resignation to his apparent fate.


    ''DAMMIT!''


    ''Why didn''t HQ give us rangers?! All of this would''ve been avoided!''


    Jake screamed inwardly, the weight of being a captain bearing heavily on his shoulders.


    KA-BOOM!


    KA-BOOM!


    "May ''They'' have mercy on the weak... May ''They'' have mercy on us..."


    A prayer escaped his lips as he bore witness to yet another explosion, yearning for nothing more than this relentless parade of death to end.


    ...


    The hour-long charge had taken its toll on the surviving soldiers, the Celestials.


    Their bodies ached, and their Aether reserves were nearly depleted.


    All of the Technomancers were dead, their bodies left behind in the ravaged wastnd.


    And despite their exhaustion, they couldn''t afford to stop.


    They needed to lure the construct away, buying time until reinforcements arrived; otherwise, it would secure this position, granting a significant advantage to their enemy in this ceaseless


    battlefield.


    So they pressed on, embracing the task of postponing the inevitable for as long as they could. "Keep going! We can''t give up now!" Jake urged, his voice strained from his constant


    shouting.


    Emma nodded, her breathsing in heavy gasps.


    "Ourst Technomancer is gone... The only ones we have left are Spell weavers, Knights,


    Brawlers, and Gun Mages..."


    "We can''t keep going, we''ve done our job, we''ve held it off for one hour, and now our only job


    is to survive, find cover, regroup, and make a stand."


    Jake let out a long, tired sigh.


    "But that construct will lose its aggro on us if we leave it alone..."


    "Though I guess that we have no other choice, huh."


    Seeing her nod, he motioned for them to head toward the rock formation they had been


    circling for a while.


    "EVERYONE FOLLOW ME!" He bellowed.


    Vroom! Vroom!


    And the soldiers followed hismand, knowing that their only ticket to survival was under


    his leadership.


    Jumping off their bikes with theirst ounce of strength, they pushed forward, climbing over the rocky ridge and into a narrow crevice.


    The construct''s bombs continued to rain down around them, but for the moment, they found some reprieve from the direct assault.


    In the crevice, they caught their breath and swallowed some old-world medicine, knowing they had mere moments before the construct would send its army in.


    Jake wandered around for a few moments, finding a ce to hide Xavier''s body away.


    After dropping hismander down in a small opening, he turned to Emma and quickly assessed the situation.


    "That construct would soon lose interest, it''s definitely going to send in smaller-sized troops to kill those of us remaining..."


    "We need to find a defensible position. Somewhere we can hold them off until reinforcements arrive, and an hour has already passed, so we can expect them to arrive any time now..." He


    said, his mind racing for a solution.


    Emma''s eyes widened as she spotted a nearby cave entrance.


    "There! That cave might provide some cover. It''s narrow, and we can use it to funnel them


    in."


    The surviving soldiers wasted no time, their urgency driving them into the cave. Inside, they positioned themselves strategically along the narrow passage, preparing for the imminent onught.


    Time crawled by until they finally heard the distant sound of iing footsteps, signaling


    the approaching danger.


    "They''reing! Brace yourselves!" Jake called out.


    Momentster, the enemy constructs, who appeared to have been designed to resemble a


    diverse array of animals, from creatures of the wild to mechanical beasts, poured into the


    cave entrance.


    The ttering of their metallic feet echoed ominously through the tunnel, creating a chilling cacophony that reverberated in the hearts of the soldiers, who braced themselves for the


    inevitable sh.


    The knights met them in a charge with incredible force, their mighty strikes cleaving through


    the enemy constructs.


    Emma stood with the Spell Weavers as they conjured mes and ice bolts, each ability a


    disy of the elements.


    The Gun Mages, their colorful bullets a deadly spectacle, mowed down any adversary in their


    path.


    The brawlers acted as stalwart defenders, guarding the Spell Weavers and eliminating any foe


    that dared approach.


    Amid the chaos, Jake found his ce alongside the Gun Mages.


    Though he had chosen the challenging path of an Arcanist, a specialization that required intricate rune knowledge, he did what he could to support and lead.


    His presence boosted the formation''s effectiveness, and his strategicmands guided them


    through the fierce battle.


    The narrow confines of the cave yed to their advantage, bottlenecking the enemy and


    forcing them to attack in smaller numbers.


    The Celestials held their ground with unyielding resolve, fully aware that they were thest


    bastion against the onught.


    Yet, as the battle raged on, the seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity. Exhaustion was setting in, and it seemed as if their defenses were about to crumble as the


    Knights, their only defense began to fall one by one.


    But just when hope appeared to wane, a distant rumbling resonated throughout the cave, a


    tremor that shook the very ground beneath them.


    "Reinforcements! They''re here!" Emma cried out, her voice a mix of relief and joy.


    And then, like a tidal wave crashing upon the shore, a massive influx of Aether surged into the


    cave.


    A single man drove back the enemy by his sheer presence alone, stopping them in their tracks.


    Then, with a simple flick of his wrists, all that stood before him turned into a massive block of


    ice, filling the air with chilly silence.


    The man then slowly dropped to the ground and turned around, facing the troops.


    "You''ve all done well today...."


    "I must apud you for surviving, as none of us expected it."


    He paused for a moment and locked eyes with Jake. "Where is yourmander? I''ll have him promoted, he deserves it."


    Although barely able to move, Jake nodded and hurried to the spot where he had hidden


    Xavier.


    The wall of ice blocking his path vanished instantly as he ran through it, causing the


    constructs to copse around him.


    After a brief sprint, he reached the opening and peered down, only to find the lifeless body of


    a man who had long departed this world.


    The corpse was frozen stiff, encased as if within a coffin, with vacant eyes that seemed to gaze


    eternally at the rugged cave ceiling.


    "We did it," Jake said, his voice filled with emotion.


    Raising his hand, he gently pulled down Xavier''s eyelids. "Thank you... Thank you,mander."

 Chapter 157: Parting IV

    Chapter 157: Parting IV


    ?


    ***


    As if anticipating his question, Lyra answered in a heartbeat:


    [Yeah, they never did, but you know this too, don''t you? You simply can''t believe that what they said was real, I almost didn''t myself...]


    [No, I get it... In the novel Arthur didn''t even go to the frontlines as the fight came to him, to the academy, but still, how did the novel fail to mention that?]


    Letting out a chuckle, Emir added:


    [And here I was thinking that I might''ve stood a chance, maybe even make a slight dent in the war... Though I should''ve expected it, it makes sense really, but the situation is bleaker than I ever imagined...]


    Everyone knew that those who went to the front lines rarely made it back.


    But the reason for it was usually presumed to be either death by not being able to withstand the Aether core Imnt or...


    Simply dying in their mission, overwhelmed by the number of enemies.


    But no, they were being used as body bags, to simply slow down the enemy...


    However, what surprised Emir the most was that both of them survived that whole ordeal.


    [...I guess it''s a good thing to have them on the team.]


    Lyra gave him a few taps on his shoulder.


    [Yes, we got lucky with those two, Jake is an arcanist as well... Although he would be useless for some time, if he lives long enough and is groomed correctly, he would be a great captain for our elite team.]


    [And adding to the already great news, they''ve got connections with the Ebonfyre family, which would make spying on Arthur so much easier.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir nodded.


    [True, true, Ava''s kidnapping attempt was a blessing in disguise for all of us, they reaped most of the rewards since they were established as hunters already, but it doesn''t matter much, we''ve got our ownpany to focus on.]


    [That''s right... Make sure to meet up with Nathan tomorrow, alright? I already told him the IDs of those who will join our hunter group.] She said.


    [Yeah, I will. It''s just too bad that we can''t have Jake and Emma work for us already. They won''t be of much use for now...]


    After all, they needed to solidify their connections to the family and the UEF, and if they were spotted to be in cahoots with Emir, then it would destroy their chances of making it up the ranks.


    Lyra let out a small sigh.


    [Yep. Don''t worry, I already told you, didn''t I? The one who I''ll be tracking is most definitely the man we are looking for, all of the data around him is fake, I checked his daily routine andpared it to the camera footage, but he was nowhere to be found.]


    [I even attempted to track his Aether Core ID, but the signal was spazzing out, and you know what that means...]


    He slowed down and asked:


    [Right... and speaking of... When are you leaving?]


    Lyra paused her steps, and soon after, Emir did the same.


    Turning around, he now faced her, and they silently looked at each other for a while.


    Said silence was broken as Emir spoke:


    [I know that you don''t want to leave my side again. I can easily guess how much you''ve missed me during all that time I''ve been away and that you don''t want a repeat of that, but it''s something that you have to do...]


    [With the automata, you will be the best at espionage, and you''re the only one I can trust with such an obvious suspect, as you said, he is the one we''re looking for, he is on another after all.... So we both know that this is something that must be done.]


    Lyra''s eyes began to well up with tears, but she fought to keep them at bay as she walked over to Emir and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.


    He responded by gently pressing her head against his chest, allowing her to feel the warmth she had yearned for, the steady rhythm of his heart that brought herfort, and the soft sound of his breathing that resonated in her ears.


    It was a moment of connection, a shared sense of longing, and a reunion.


    For Lyra, this embrace was a respite from the loneliness she had endured in Emir''s absence.


    Every sensation, every heartbeat, felt like a reminder that he was truly there, with her.


    And Emir understood this well-he wanted to envelop her in his warmth, to make her feel cherished before they parted ways again.


    And when the time came for them to separate, Emir leaned down to kiss her forehead tenderly.


    With a blush on her cheeks, Lyra reciprocated by nting a quick kiss on his cheek before leaving.


    It was a simple yet heartfelt gesture, a silent expression of her emotions and the love she held


    for him.


    The intensity of her emotions, the unspoken words lingering in the air urged her to leave, to part ways before the weight of the impending departure grew too heavy to bear.


    [I''ll miss you... And stop being so nice to me, you''re only making it harder for me!]


    [Sure sure, just say hi to Silent for me, won''t you?]


    [I will. Love you...]


    Emir lingered for a while, watching as Lyra walked away, a small wave of his hand bidding her goodbye.


    His gaze followed her until she became a distant figure, a mix of emotions swirling within


    him.


    Chuckling softly to himself, he turned around and began walking back home, the weight of the day heavy on his shoulders.


    ''Thatmander, though, Jake might''ve exaggerated it, but still... He was impressive,'' he


    mused.


    ''It''s too bad that he''s dead now, I''d like to have someone like him on my roster...''


    ''Though I guess it would''ve been a mismatch.''


    Xavier...


    A man of pure conviction, someone Emir could never manipte as he did with others.


    Jake and Emma, though, are different.


    He could work with them, bend their ambitions to his own, corrupt them.


    ''Turn them into selfish pricks like me...''


    But thatmander, he was a force of nature, untamed and unyielding...


    ''Maybe that''s why he''s six feet deep and why I''m still standing.''


    Emir''s thoughts churned as he walked, the events of the day ying over in his mind.


    ''But who knows?'' He added inwardly.


    Maybe one day he''ll find someone who can match that kind of purity-someone who can


    bring light to the darkness he has embraced.


    Until then, he''ll keep ying his part, weaving his web of influence...

 Chapter 158: Attachment

    Chapter 158: Attachment


    ?


    Walking up at the usual time, Emir began to freshen up, and like routine, he said:


    [Good morning, Lyra...]


    But no reply came, causing the droopiness from his interrupted sleep to dissipate and making him remember that his connection to Lyra was no longer present.


    He didn''t mind it much before, his mind consumed by training, but now, with the new challenges he faced, her absence was easily noticeable.


    Lyra was always there to provide support, a guiding light in the midst of his struggles, but now he was all alone...


    Once again.


    ''Never mind...''


    ''I''ve already forgotten, eh?'' He inwardly scoffed.


    "I guess I''ll really miss her..." He mumbled out loud with surprise evident in his tone, not expecting that he would feel that way.


    "Nah... It''s better that she''s gone for a while, otherwise, I might''ve grown too dependent on her abilities."


    After a quick bath, he joined his mother for breakfast.


    "Good morning, mom. Any news?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Looking away from the stove, she answered after a few moments of thinking:


    "Yes... Our usual weekly deliveries didn''t call in today, I checked, it''s Monday, and they usually call in around this time, but it looks like they''ll cut off our connections with them soon..."


    He nodded, recognizing that there was no need to console her; she was no child, so he continued with his questioning:


    "What about Mariane? Has the deal gone through?"


    Laura''s face lit up with joy as she eagerly shared the news:


    "Yes! It''s gone smoothly, I''m not sure what you did for that to happen, and I don''t want to know either, but I appreciate it!"


    Chuckling, he said, "Good job, Mom, never doubted you."


    "Of course you didn''t..." She replied sarcastically, knowing her son wouldn''t throw away their chance of gaining another ally.


    ''She''s got me there~.'' He snickered inwardly.


    Turning back to the stove, she skillfully flipped some pancakes.


    "I won''t bore you with the details, but just know that the merger was sessful, and Mariane''s shop will act as a subsidiary of ours, we''ve agreed that we''ll own 80 percent of herpany, which in turn will give us 80 percent of the profits as well."


    ''So we get to control herpany, earn her profits, expand into different markets, while also gaining an already established customer base... Nice!'' He thought in glee.


    "Great job, seriously. I''m so proud of you, Mom... And this isn''t onlying from me as your son, but also from the Asher me, I''m the luckiest man-teen in this universe to have you as a mother."


    Laura flinched and quietly turned off the stove, carefully cing the pancakes onto tes with hands that trembled slightly.


    Emir didn''tment on her reaction and kept to himself, not wanting to embarrass his mother.


    He silently watched as she subtly wiped away tears from her eyes and then turned around, presenting him with fluffy food ready for the taking.


    Offering a smile, he received a te, and they joined each other on the table.


    Finishing up his food after a few minutes, he stood up and said:


    "I''ll be going off training for a while, and I''ll do some questionable things, I obviously can''t tell you what, but know that it would help with our current predicament. Oh and remind me to pass by the shop tomorrow to get that weapon you''ve saved up for me."


    She simply nodded, not bothering to question him any longer, as they both knew that what wasing wasn''t going to be easy and if they didn''t do their best, all of what they worked for would be gone.


    Bidding her goodbye, he left for the academy after donning his augmented suit and rucksack.


    Fishing out his terminal, he dialed Lily''s ID.


    Ring~ Ring~


    Rin- "Bro? What happened? Did something happen? Is mom okay?"


    "Chill! Sis, ain''t nothing happened! Calm down. I was just going to ask you for something, but is that weird for me to call?"


    "Yes, it is! You never call me unless something happens, it''s usually Mom or Lyra... But that doesn''t matter, what do you want?"


    ''Yikes... Almost stepped on and mine there.''


    "My bad, I''ll be sure to call you more from now on... But let''s put that aside for now. I need you to tell me where that brat, Aria, will be hanging out today. Make sure to find out who will be going with her, and don''t make it obvious, please. I need you to stay safe."


    "You old man! I''m not a kid, okay? Stop treating me like one!"


    "What?! Can''t a brother worry about his sister? Or is that an issue nowadays? I really don''t know how you kids operate..."


    "Okay, okay, I''ll stop teasing you. Now let''s get serious... Can you do it?"


    "I got this! I''ll definitely show you how it''s done!"


    "Good. I like your excitement. But are you not going to ask me why? Isn''t that your whole shtick?"


    "I''ve learned a lot while you weren''t around, I''ll have you know. I am curious about what you''ll do with that information, but I can already guess it without asking."


    "Your growing sis, I feel like a happy dad watching his kid go on his first hunter mission."


    "Bleh. I''ll gloss over your weird analogy and say thank you."


    Letting out a chuckle, he said:


    "Just don''t snitch to Mom, alright?"


    "Yeah-. It''s for the court hearing, right? I know, don''t worry, and if that''s all goodbye, I''ve


    got to go, sses will start now!"


    "Bring me good news."


    Ending the call, he stepped into the familiar training facility and headed over to the


    receptionist.


    "Hey there, good morning. Is there an SS+ rank room avable? I forgot to book in advance."


    Emir observed as the receptionist lifted his head away from the terminal, a flicker of


    recognition appearing in his eyes.


    "Ah-I know of you... Good morning, Sir Emir, and wee back to the academy!"


    Chuckling, Emir replied, "Thanks for the warm wee, Sir...?"


    "Johnson, My name is Johnson, and yes, there are many rooms avable for you, sir. Is there


    anything that you would prefer?"


    ""


    "Sir Emir?"


    Shaking himself out of his nk state, he answered:


    "Sorry about that, Sir Johnson, I don''t mind any room, but if you wish to treat me, just show


    me to the most popr one."


    Johnson let out augh while tapping away on his terminal, and a few momentster, Emir''s terminal rang, indicating his ess to the room.


    "It is nice to see you, Sir Emir, you''ve be pretty popr around here... Anyways, good


    luck with your training!"


    Tick-Tock~


    Emir nodded in silence, the only sound around them was the subtle ticking of a watch.


    "Thanks," he uttered, leaving those words behind as he made his way to the fifth floor.


    Soon, his demeanor underwent a 180-degree shift, with the weight of a single question echoing in his mind.


    ''There is no damn way, right?!''

 Chapter 159: Aria Goldleaf

    Chapter 159: Aria Goldleaf


    ?


    Emiry on the ground of the training room, unmoving, for several minutes, lost in thought. It was solely due to a single name...n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Johnson.


    A man that was only mentioned twice in his fourteen years of life, once when the man himself came to visit them as awyer...


    The next andst time was when he asked Lyra about him many months ago.


    But after that day, his name never crossed his mind again, and it was for a very simple reason.


    He could do nothing against him, as he didn''t know who he truly was or what his agenda might be.


    And just like that, his name drifted off from Emir''s mind, never to be heard of again, or so he thought.


    Today, however, that name was mentioned for the third time, and it brought back those memories.


    Emir let out a sigh.


    ''Yeah, there is no way that it''s the same guy, I mean, why would he show himself again?''


    ''... But if he is the same Johnson, then that doesn''t matter still... I''ll only act if he makes a move first.''


    ''And I might be too paranoid here, I''ve already got too much on my te... I can''t be adding more to it now.''


    Deciding not to worry about it any longer, he focused back on his training.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    But before he could do so, his terminal rang.


    ''Who?''


    Propping it up, he checked his messages and noticed that he got one from Lyra.


    Swiping it open, the message read:


    {Hey. It''s me~ Are you missing me already? If you are, then just know that makes me so very happy. But enough of that, I know that you''re busy training, so I''ll get right to it.}


    {I thought about showing you your stats before leaving, but as we were quite busy yesterday,


    I didn''t want to add to that and bog you down even more. So here you are. Good luck with your training.}


    {And you''re wee... Yours and only yours, Lyra.}


    Scoffing, he thought, ''I get that she''s known me for so long, but she can even predict when I''ll train?''


    ''...She''s more obsessive than I thought.''


    After tapping once on his terminal, a hologram of a familiar system appeared in his sights.


    ...


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 14}


    {Hunter Rank:20}


    {Celestial Rank: Ascendant Pdin}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Credit Bnce: Unspecified}


    (Stats)


    {Strength: B--> S+} (Avg D+)


    {Agility: C+->S-} (Avg D-)


    {Endurance: B--> S+} (Avg D)


    {Mind: A+} (Avg D)


    {Charm: A+} (Avg C+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E7}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    (Aspects)


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial


    dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create Aether


    constructs.}


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 80% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 70% Proficiency.}


    (Abilities)


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 2 Minutes 50 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 8 Minutes 10 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 172 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.}]


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.}


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.}]


    {Gates of Eternity: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them


    with power.}]


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.} [


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.} [


    (Art)


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also


    increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    (Equipment)


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {ExoGen S-ss Augmented Suit: Functional}


    {Electric Knife: Standard Issue}


    {Twin Dagger: Old-World Relic}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: S-Rank Item}


    (Vehicles)


    {ze Runner Bike: Functional}


    {de Runner Cruiser: Functional}


    (Inventory)


    {20 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {25000 UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Energy packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    ...


    After looking it over for a few moments, he thought:


    ''Hmm... Not bad at all...''


    ''It''s really too bad that the well of eternity is a one-time use, otherwise, I would''ve just


    hauled ass and lived there with my family until I grew strong enough to smash through


    Magnus''s skull.''


    Snickering, he let go of those thoughts and sat down in a lotus position, preparing himself for


    the uing training session.


    With an instantmand from his neuralwork, the nanobots began their work of eating


    up his cells and rebuilding them anew.


    Ignoring the stinging pain, he shifted his focus to practicing ability pathing in his mind.


    He envisioned himself, with his mind''s eye, guiding a small line of Aether to move through


    intricate shapes within his body.


    The very method that unlocked his abilities was now a means to refine them.


    He repeated the same sequence of movements tirelessly, a monotonous routine that nearly numbed his mind due to how boring it felt.


    And suddenly, his terminal rang, causing him to flinch slightly as he was pulled out of his


    meditative state.


    Picking it up, he checked the time and was surprised to see that it was already 2:30 p.m.


    Time had passed much faster than he had realized.


    ''I guess I got used to being in meditation for so long after Silent''s trial, I''ve got a lot to thank


    him for, eh?''


    ''Anyways... Let''s see what Lily has got in store for me.''


    Swiping on the message, he read:


    {Come meet me in front of the academy''s student boarding building.}


    ''She''s so smart-.''


    He inwardly mused while typing:


    {On the way.}

 Chapter 160: Aria Goldleaf II

    Chapter 160: Aria Goldleaf II


    ?


    Waving goodbye to Lily, Emir began making his way towards the academy''s exclusive shopping district, a privilege granted only to students and certain individuals like himself.


    As he strolled through the area, he couldn''t help but notice the unique architecture and grandeur of the buildings that surrounded him, each bearing a sense of elegance unfound in the lower district.


    Surrounded by these structures that harmoniously blended modern design with traditional aesthetics, his mind drifted back to the conversation he had just shared with Lily.


    ''Everything matches with how Aria acted in the novel...''


    ''But I didn''t think that she would be such a loner... Though I guess the only one who could handle her personality is that kid, Elijah, chasing her around like some dog...''


    ''Such good friends they are.'' He inwardly snickered.


    ''Well... She''ll remain as a typical twin-tailed tsundere for a while, and she''ll only start to change when she meets our ever-so-naive protag, the walking plot device...''


    ''I''m kinda dissing myself here too, but whatever.''


    Turning the corner, he was greeted by a picturesque scene that unfolded before him.


    Two rows of charming shops lined the pathway, each adorned with a unique blend of vibrant colors and designs.


    The shops were of varying sizes, their facades disying an array of merchandise, from sparkling jewelry to sleek hunter gadgets, from vintage books to avant-garde fashion.


    The bustling atmosphere was fueled by the presence of numerous students who strolled along the path, theirughter and animated conversations infusing the air with youthful energy.


    Emir''s gaze swept over the shops, his mind capturing theyout.


    His eyes showed admiration for the carefree demeanor of the students before him. Many were leisurely window-shopping, enjoying the freedom of their post-school hours. Theughter, conversations, and shared moments seemed to paint a picture of camaraderie and rxation, not knowing that a man was going to kidnap one of them soon.


    ''Now let''s see... Where are you, Missie?''


    Emir blended into the crowd of students, moving with the easy confidence of someone who belonged.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    While he appeared to be walking like any other student, his heightened senses were on full alert.


    With a subtle activation of his Temporal Perception ability, he scanned his surroundings for milliseconds after every step, his eyes darting around the students'' faces, even those inside the shops.


    And as he reached the end of the bustling sidewalk, his scans yielded no results.


    He paused, his brow furrowed in thought.


    Casting a nce back to where he had just been, he made a swift decision.


    He retraced his steps and crossed the street, this time choosing to walk on the other side, blending in with a group of students making their way through the district.


    ''The leaf ain''t here... I guess gossip isn''t really reliable.''


    Shrugging his shoulders, Emir continued to walk behind the group of students, subtly blending in and minimizing his presence.


    He was careful to mask his footsteps and always stayed out of their direct line of sight, ensuring that they remained oblivious to his presence.


    Ignoring their ongoing chatter, he kept his attention on his surroundings, searching for any signs of Aria.


    But no dice; luck wasn''t on his side, and he found himself nearly reaching the end of the sidewalk once again.


    In an attempt to avoid looking suspicious, he paused beside a hunter shop, its design reminiscent of their own, with a ss window disying an array of weaponry and equipment.


    Emir studied the items in the window, giving the appearance of someone genuinely considering whether to enter.


    After a brief moment of contemtion, he made his decision and entered the shop with deliberate yet measured steps.


    The door automatically opened, weing him inside.


    And just as his feet stepped inside, he was weed by a charming attendant.


    "Wee to our shop! We have any and all equipment you would need or want as a trainee."


    Nodding enthusiastically at her words, he adopted an excited tone, attempting to mimic the way those students talked:


    "Thank you! My sister actually got epted into the academy! She''s gonna be a student soon, so I''m here to look for any weapon that she would need!"


    The attendant paused, a look of surprise coloring her face.


    She clearly didn''t expect someone as massive and imposing as Emir to act so happy-go-


    lucky.


    ''Does it not fit me? Touche~.'' He inwardly mused.


    Getting out of her shock, she finally replied:


    "Of course, I''ve got many weapons I can rmend to you, but I can only know how to appropriately outfit your sister with a budget in mind..."


    ''She''s being polite? How professional...''


    "Just bring me the best you got! She deserves to be spoiled"


    Chuckling, she nodded and gestured for him to follow her.


    However, just as he began to follow her, a suddenmotion announced itself right outside


    the shop.


    Pausing his steps, Emir asked, "What''s going on outside? Did something happen?"


    She looked back for a moment and then walked past him, her gazending on the students gathering around at the front of the street.


    After a few moments, she turned her attention to Emir.


    "Oh, don''t worry about that. This always happens when an Elitees here, andtely, Miss Aria has been frequenting this ce with Sir Elijah."


    ''Jackpot! I''ll need to soften up this girl a bit more before I do anything, though...''


    "Ah! And here I thought it was something interesting, never mind that, let''s go."


    She raised her brow at his promation but didn''tment and walked back into the shop.


    They passed by a few gun racks and arrived at a small collection of guns, stored behind arge box made entirely out of bulletproof ss.


    Fishing a key out of her pocket, she unlocked the top half of the box, presenting the weapons. She picked up an assault rifle and handed it over to Emir, speaking as she did so: "This once used to be a new prototype from Hyperion Arms, but now they''ve finalized this version, calling it AR-HA2."


    "It''s one of the best we have in stock, customized to be highly urate and easy to handle. It''s fitted with a specialized scope for long-range targeting."


    As he took the weapon, she continued:


    "And if you''re interested in something more unique, we also have energy-based weapons and advanced prototypes avable for those with a taste for cutting-edge technology."


    "Nah. That''s fine, I like this one."


    ''I remember this... What a throwback!''


    ''...I even used to think that I''d never be able to use something as strong as this, but look at me


    now.''


    He reminisced while taking hold of the weapon by the grip, noting that it felt more lightweight andfortable than before.


    The holographic sight was now reced with a full 2-x scope, giving the weapon a more


    tactical edge.


    "It''s been designed with much higher firepower than other weapons with the same weight."


    She exined further.


    Emir nodded.


    "I like it, do you guys have a simtion room where I can try out the weapon for myself? I


    need to test this one a bit."


    "I''m sorry, but we don''t have that, our shop can''t handle the expenses that would bring, but I


    can instead point you towards a shooting range not far from here, it''s in the academy, so it won''t take you long, you only need to pay the deposit beforehand, and if the gun isn''t to your


    liking, no money would be lost from your side."


    ''She''s all warmed up, alibi check.'' Giving her his ID, he said, "Alright, I''ve got no problems with that."


    Taking a step behind the counter, she positioned his ID on a scanner embedded in the surface


    and tapped a few keys on her terminal.


    The screen disyed his information, verifying his status as a future student.


    "Emir, right?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at him.


    "Yep."


    After a quick scan and beep, she returned it to his hands.


    "I''ll be waiting, hopefully, it matches up to your standards."


    "I hope so too." He replied as he stuffed the weapon inside his rucksack while leaving the


    shop soon after.


    He began heading towards the training grounds, passing by a group of girls who were


    shrieking about, fantasizing about how dreamy Elijah looked and what else teenagers their


    age do.


    They didn''t pay him any mind, only looking away when their eyes met his, all due to a simple


    reason.


    Because while Emir is handsome, his scariness far outweighed that, especially to those


    younger than him.


    And he paid them no mind either, as he quickly moved through the crowds of students like a snake, simultaneously mapping out the area.


    He examined all the cameras that were pointed in his direction, creating a mental image of


    their positions. Reaching a corner, he activated his TP ability, causing time to pausepletely.


    In this suspended reality, his eyes scanned the buildings in front of him, searching for any


    cameras that had him in their sights.


    Spotting one far away, he resumed the flow of time and stepped towards it.

 Chapter 161: Kidnapping The Leaf

    Chapter 161: Kidnapping The Leaf


    ?


    Now standing under the camera, a single thought echoed in Emir''s mind:


    ''Man, this would''ve been so much easier with Lyra around...''


    ''But we couldn''t waste time. There''s no guarantee that they wouldn''t push the court hearing forward... The Elite are sly fuckers, after all.''


    Emir thought about buying an augmented suit with stealth capabilities beforeing here.


    But he knew that even if he went invisible, the cameras would still spot him, so it would only make it obvious that he was up to no good to the ones watching.


    Letting out a chuckle, he waited for the students near him to pass.


    "Curved te."


    He chanted, and a barely visible Aether construct appeared right in front of the camera, covering it entirely.


    With swift movements, he positioned himself facing the wall and ced his rucksack on the ground.


    From it, he took out a in ck mask and a cloakrge enough to shroud his entire body.


    Not minding the curious nces he received, he proceeded to put on the cloak and mask. Emir then turned around while ignoring the fact that his rucksack still adorned his back, as it looked simr to how most others of the same type were designed, and continued to merge with the crowd of students, yet this time, he stood out.


    Nheless, he paid no heed to the attention he attracted; his intention was to create a stir, and this was only the beginning.


    "Curved te, Curved te." He chanted, instantly covering two more cameras.


    ''I need to move quicker, the UEF Guard will soon catch on!''


    With that thought in mind, he decided to create argemotion.


    Showing no warning, his steps quickened until he reached a full-on sprint, smashing through the crowds of students as if they were nothing but air.


    "WATCH WHERE YOU''RE GOING, YOU IDIOT!" A student some distance behind him shouted.


    And soon, others joined in the chorus.


    "Are you blind?"


    "What the fuck are you doing?!"


    "Watch out!"


    "Are you a retard?"


    "Ugh!"


    But those words didn''t reach Emir''s ears, as he solely focused on disabling all cameras as soon as possible.


    And now with thisst chant:


    "Curved te."


    He was finally done setting up the stage.


    ''Preparation check.'' He noted inwardly.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you!?"


    "Wait till I tell my dad about this!"


    "Dumbass!"


    The students swarmed around him, their furious curses echoing in the air, yet Emir''s gaze remained locked onto a shop across the street.


    And then, as if fulfilling his anticipation, a lovely young woman emerged from the shop.


    With springy twin tails of blonde hair, red eyes that held a hint of defiance, and a petite frame, she bore a childlike appearance.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Following her was a striking young man, seemingly untouched by any physical exertion, as if he hadn''t lifted even a pencil his entire life.


    His pallidplexion,bined with his almost delicate build, long gray hair tied back in a ponytail, and piercing blue eyes, gave him an almost doll-like quality.


    ''That''s Elijah? Is he actually a guy? What was the word?''


    ''...Androgynous, I think... Do these kids really like someone looking like that? I don''t get it...''


    Leaving that thought behind, Emir continued to stand still, disregarding the two students who continued to curse him right in front of his face, waiting to see if there were any guards stationed to guard his target.


    ''There you are...''


    His gaze was locked on top of the shops Aria was at, spotting the two guards that stationed themselves behind cover, away from prying eyes.


    The only reason why he managed to discover them was due to his Weaver''s Grasp essence, as he was able to clearly feel how Aether was being disturbed from the roof of those buildings.


    He then turned his gaze to the street, shoving aside the student who remained bbering in front of him, and chanted:


    "sh Step."


    In an instant, he vanished from his previous location, leaving the students who had been watching him utterly bewildered.


    And as his foot touched the ground, he was already outside the shopping district, nearing the gates that lead out of the academy.


    "sh Step."


    He chanted once more, propelling himself onto the rooftops of the buildings.


    From this vantage point, he easily identified the guards he had observed just moments earlier.


    They didn''t clock him in yet, as their attention was still on their mistress, and Emir knew that, so he continued with his stealthy approach.


    "Sword, Sword."


    With those two simple words, an Aetheric construct resembling a makeshift knife


    materialized in his hands.


    The des had a modest handle, providing him with a firm grip.


    Adopting a poised stance, he positioned his right foot ahead of his left.


    With a smooth motion, he lifted his arms, settling into a throwing posture.


    "sh Step."


    With his left foot reaching the ground, hended mere meters away from the two guards,


    and...


    Whoosh!


    The two knives surged from his outstretched arms, closing the distance to the guards in mere instants, severing their necks like des cutting through the wind.


    ''Singling target, check...''


    The guards never even had a chance to realize that they were dead.


    It was only when their headless bodies crumpled to the ground that the shock of the situation


    registered.


    Their lifeless faces contorted in surprise as blood began to pool around them.


    "Momentum is a great thing, isn''t it?" He scoffed aloud at how easy it was to end a life.


    Leaving their bodies to rot, he turned his attention to what was below, seeing that both Aria and Elijah remained outside the shop, looking to be asking around about what happened. "Dear students, consider yourselves lucky that they remained outside, otherwise, one of you would''ve certainly died today..."


    With a snicker, he ran along the roofs, heading deeper into the academy, until he finally reached the end of the shopping district.


    Effortlessly dropping from the building''s edge, his feet made a light connection with the


    ground, causing a gentle thud.


    Hended directly before a group of students, who stumbled and fell in surprise at his sudden


    appearance.


    "W-What?!" They all stuttered out in panic.


    Chuckling, he waved them goodbye and calmly walked until he reached the middle of the


    road, now standing in between both sidewalks as he waited for his target to cross the road,


    back to where she was minutes before.


    And wait, he did, each passing second stretching like an eternity.


    Emir was acutely aware that at any moment, the wailing of sirens could disrupt the air, and he couldn''t dismiss the possibility of reinforcements hurrying from the Gold Leaf Family after the life signals of the fallen guards had surely tlined.


    His patience found reprieve when Elijah approached Aria, begging her to wrap up her


    shopping.


    The spectacle wasn''t lost on Emir, and a suppressed snicker escaped him as he thought:


    ''At least that part of him is still a man.''


    With a subtle adjustment of his posture, he extended his right arm, preparing himself.


    His eyes maintained a predatory focus on the pair, scrutinizing every step they took as they retraced their path toward the shop.


    Engaging his TP ability, he bided his time until they were almost in his direct line of sight.


    Then, at the precise instant they reached his position, he acted without hesitation,


    whispering the incantation:


    "sh Step."

 Chapter 162: Kidnapping The Leaf II

    Chapter 162: Kidnapping The Leaf II


    ?


    Typically, after executing the sh Step ability, Emir would immediately materialize at his intended destination.


    But this time, the Temporal Perception ability remained active.


    Now, for the very first time since he had unlocked this ability, he found himself able to witness his own flight through the street.


    If the world around him hadn''t been suspended in time, he would have appeared to onlookers as if he were hovering just above the ground, moving forward with a deliberate, almost ghostly motion.


    ''Sorry Arthur, your girl will be ruffed up a bit...''


    Within moments of this thought, he found himself floating right in front of Aria.


    In one fluid motion, he stretched out his tensed right arm, swooping her off the ground and using his momentum to spin around-a maneuver meant to cushion the impact of his sudden move, a force that would outright kill her due to her fragile frame.


    Her face transitioned from cheerful snarkiness to shock in slow motion, her blonde twintails swinging in front of him, momentarily obscuring his view.


    But he had anticipated this, having already calcted hisnding spot-right next to the massive gate that led to the upper district, where he had been just a minute ago.


    Time resumed its normal pace, and Emir''s left footnded on the ground with a heavy thud.


    Aria remained still, cradled in his arm.


    "Ugh!" She managed to utter, still bewildered by the sudden turn of events.


    At that moment, Emir paid little heed to the startled bystanders, who had nearly screamed at the sudden appearance of a man right beside them.


    Without offering Aria the opportunity to react, he mped his fingers around her throat, exerting pressure that verged on suffocating, his grip nearly crushing.


    Ensuring that she couldn''t make a sound, he cast his gaze upon the towering buildings before him and chanted:


    "sh Step."


    In the blink of an eye, he found himself perched atop a lofty building, overlooking the streets below.


    His left hand was still gripping the fear-stricken Aria, her breath stolen by the unyielding vice of his grip as her struggles dwindled into mere spasms and her efforts to break free proved in vain.


    She couldn''t even manage to lift her arms to fend off her assant.


    "Can you hear me?"


    Emir''s question sliced through the air, his tone incongruously casual, as if he was simply on a leisurely stroll through the park.


    "Oh, sorry, I forgot that you couldn''t speak with my hand crushing your throat like that..." "Wait, let me help you."


    With his words barely hanging in the air, his grip on Aria''s neck tightened further.


    He watched as her once-vibrant red eyes rolled upward, disappearing into their sockets.


    Her pale face, already drained of color, turned even whiter.


    The trembling that had once wracked her frame ceased, and her head slumped to rest upon her shoulder.


    "Ah... My bad, I uhh... miss clicked yeah."


    A snicker escaped his lips as he carelessly flung her lifeless body to the ground.


    Thud!


    His actions were chillingly methodical.


    Retrieving Aria''s terminal from her pocket, he crushed the device into pieces with his bare hands.


    "But on a serious note..."


    He discarded the remains of the terminal, his dark eyes unrelenting.


    "It''s better for you to be unconscious because what''sing next will seriously hurt you."


    Emir then turned his attention to Aria''s lifeless body, treating it like a macabre puppet.


    He stretched out her arms and legs, extending them to their limits.


    Raising his leg, he nted it on the edge of her right shoulder.


    He then grabbed her hand and twisted it in an unnatural direction.


    Snap!


    Aria''s arm was broken, left hanging limply over her body.


    The gruesome process repeated, each limb suffering the same fate one by one.


    And as he finished breaking her limbs, he manipted them further, contorting her body into a grotesque semnce of itself.


    Dropping his rucksack to the ground, Emir retrieved his weapon and strapped it to his body.


    He then approached Aria''s broken form and lifted her up.


    Emir ced her in the cloak he wore, wrapping it tightly around her and stuffing the fabric into her mouth to stifle any sound.


    He took the mask from his face and then ced it on hers.


    Carefully, he ced her into the rucksack, her limbs fitting awkwardly within.


    Zipping the bag shut, he surveyed his creation for a moment...


    ''It''s done.''


    He then sat beside the rucksack and gazed into the distance, leaning against it.


    After a few moments of silence, he mused inwardly:


    ''Target captured... now to establish my alibi.''


    His tone was matter-of-fact as if he was discussing a mundane task.


    A grim smile tugged at the corners of his lips.


    "Look at me now," he said, his words soft, ending with a chuckle.


    "Kidnapping, traumatizing, and ending lives without a trace of remorse I guess that''s an advantage, though."


    Emir straightened himself, hauling the rucksack onto his shoulder.


    "No room for sentiment... not when Magnus is my enemy."


    He nced at the rooftops leading toward the academy''s training grounds, his intentionsn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    clear.


    "sh Step."


    --


    "Hey, I''m back! I must say this is a serious piece of tech." Emir said as he stepped into the


    shop.


    The same charming attendant looked at him for a moment and said:


    "Wee back, Sir Emir. Will you confirm this purchase?"


    "Yes, the price doesn''t matter, I know that she''ll love this~."


    "Of course, do you require ammo with that as well?"


    "Nah, I''ve got a lot of that back home."


    "Alright. Since you already paid the weapon price, I only need to scan your ID toplete this


    purchase."


    Handing his ID back to her, he asked:


    "By the way, on the way here, I didn''t see many students around where did they go?"


    "Oh¡ªthat, I''m not sure... I''ve heard that Sir Elijah began panicking about after Aria suddenly


    disappeared, but then the Goldleaf family came by and said something about her escaping


    from their watch like usual."


    "And as you know, the students don''t like to mingle in anything rted to the Elite, so they


    took off from here as soon as possible."


    Her eyes twitched in frustration as she added:


    "I don''t even know why theye here, we''re losing customers because of them and their shenanigans! Especially that Miss Aria, always a special day with her..."


    ''I see...''


    Emir realized their n of action.


    They would say that she disappeared on her own ord, and they wouldn''t send public search


    parties because they would want to keep their image as an Elite family...


    They don''t want to show others their weakness after all.


    Afraid that they might use it as leverage over them.


    ''Well, lucky for me, I don''t have to deal with them sniffing around.''


    Seeing that her words might be counted as throwing hatred towards the Elite, she quickly


    corrected herself:


    "I mean nothing bad by that, of course, it''s just, you know..."


    Nodding, heforted her:


    "It''s alright. I get you, I''ve had several run-ins with people like them, and I can tell you that


    those feelings you have are justified."


    Smiling at his words, she handed back his ID.


    "Thank you for that. I hope your sister likes the gift. Have a nice day, and pleasee back


    again!"


    "Good day." He replied while heading back out of the shop.


    While he walked through the streets, he took out his terminal and began scrolling through a


    list of ruins.


    Finding what he was looking for, he paused at one of the most dangerous ruins nearby.


    ''Now then... Let''s see if she''ll break.''

 Chapter 163: Interrogating The Leaf

    Chapter 163: Interrogating The Leaf


    ?


    As the wind rushed past his face, Emir remained perched on his bike...


    The weapon that he had just recently boughty discarded in the wastnd.


    He allowed the bike to steer on its own while he purchased the routes and information package for Fading Haven.


    His decision to target this ruin boiled down to two clear factors.


    Firstly, its imposing size and formidable monsters made it an ideal choice.


    Secondly, the active istion barrier surrounding it would block all external signals, making it far more challenging for the Gold Leaf family to locate Aria.


    This Fading Haven represented the former glory of a once-thriving residential area.


    It was also called by another name, Nysandra''s Haven, due to rumors of a ghost-like woman appearing at random ces throughout the ruin.


    They theorized that a legendary figure named Nysandra once lived in this area, known for herpassionate nature, much like a guiding star for the people now haunting the ce that was once her home.


    But Emir scoffed at that notion, knowing that she was nothing more than an AI manager.


    And while she might truly be the Nysandra of the past, she was nothing but a replica of who she was, her only purpose to protect and guard that ruin from hunters like him who would steal their riches.


    However, his purpose in visiting this ruin was not for that; he only wished to have a private talk with thess shoved in his rucksack.


    The one who kept waking up to only go back to sleep, unable to handle the pain and shock her body was experiencing.


    While Emir broke her bones as cleanly as possible, it was still extremely painful, and he knew that, as he went through that process for three whole days, his body was broken, sliced, pierced, and electrocuted.


    So he understood how long she had before death consumed her, not worrying about it in the least.


    -


    Many minutester, he finally reached the ruin.


    One of the only ones that had overgrown trees, sprouting from the ground below and reaching sky high, covering the area in their shades.


    This ruin was under the management of the UEF, so it was built upon, making it seem like a clean mishmash of a forestbined with the industrial.


    There was no need to park his bike, as the ruin demanded the need for long transportation, so he approached the massive gate, capable of swallowing down vehicles a hundred times the size of his bike.


    Passing by the shops scattered about, he headed into the ruin as darkness covered him for a single moment, only to be reced shortly after by bright lights that shot out from the long bulb-like objects hung above.


    Emir continued his descent, getting lower and lower with each passing moment, until he arrived at the end of the dugout tunnel.


    And as his bike stood on even ground, he paused for a moment and gazed at what weed him.


    ''Wow...''


    He surveyed the scene with a mix of awe and detachment.


    What he saw were the remnants of the old-world civilization, now cloaked in a shroud of overgrown vegetation.


    The lush, tangled foliage had taken root within every nook and cranny, reiming the territory it had lost to the passage of time.


    The overgrown nts sprawled over cracked pavements, pushing through broken windows, and wrapping around the skeletal remains of structures.


    The buildings stood like stoic guardians, half-destroyed and leaning over one another as if whispering secrets to each other.


    The scent of damp earth and vegetation filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of decay, a testament to the unavoidable cycle of life and death.


    It was an aroma that stirred a peculiar sense of nostalgia within him-a longing for the days when life was simpler, yet a reminder of how much he had evolved since then.


    Emir also couldn''t help but notice the metaphor in the scene before him-an analogy of his own life and experiences, where fragments of his past shaped his present self, both standing tall and ready to crumble at any moment.


    Not due to his own weakness... but due to the starless fate he held.


    And as he ventured deeper into the ruins, his keen eyes picked out the details of the


    destion.


    The remnants of human existence were scattered about¡ªa tattered piece of clothing, rusted metal objects, and the faded remnants of graffiti on walls.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This ruin seemed like a gallery of memories, each fragment telling a story of lives once lived.


    Emir could sense the lingering emotions of joy, sorrow, and hope that once echoed within these crumbling walls.


    Yet he didn''t care about any of that...


    He had a mission toplete.


    That was all.


    His bike pushed past the fauna, traversing through the narrow passages between leaning structures.


    As the bright lights from above illuminated his path, casting elongated shadows across the debris, he finally reached his destination.


    It was a path leading further downwards, away from the residential district and towards the nests of monsters.


    A perfect ce to trap Aria, and more than perfect to use as a ce of interrogation.


    Emir entered the two-story building with his bike, parking it to the side, next to a set of broken stairs.


    Hopping off, he covered his bike with a camouge sheet that he took out from its tiny storage and walked towards a barricaded door that was located in the room next to him.


    The door was covered with all types of metals and had a numbered key lock protruding out of


    it.


    After tapping on it a few times, he unlocked the door and pulled its handle towards him.


    As the door opened, he looked down while in thought:


    ''That''ll be a long jump down...''


    ''It wasn''t mentioned in the information package, but that doesn''t matter.''


    ''I only need to slow down my descent so that Miss Aria over here doesn''t die from the impact.''


    Now that he decided on what to do, he walked forward and was swallowed by darkness.

 Chapter 164: Interrogating The Leaf II

    Chapter 164: Interrogating The Leaf II


    ?


    Emir''s eyes effortlessly adapted to the darkness, allowing him clear visibility without the need for his shlight.


    Skillfully, he moderated his descent by amassing a significant amount of Aether beneath his feet, giving him the sensation of moving through an unseen viscous fluid.


    After a brief duration, he reached the cavern floor, greeted by what appeared to be an intricately arranged cave reminiscent of a basement''syout.


    "Roooar!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Screech!"


    He heard the subtle sounds of monsters far away, but he paid them no heed.


    They might''ve caused him some trouble before, but after going through a well of eternity, he was now a proper force of power...


    On Earth, at least.


    Leaving his rucksack on the ground, he finally opened it back up, and saw what used to be a beautiful young maiden turned zombie.


    He removed the mask that covered her, only to see her face, which was paler than a freshly fallen snowdrift under the glow of a full moon, drained of all warmth and color, evoking a ghostly appearance.


    Coughed-up blood oozed from beneath the mask and cloak that he had used to gag her.


    His face remained devoid of any sympathy, solely focused on doing what was necessary, no more and no less.


    He retrieved an unstained section of the cloak and used it to wipe away the blood that had managed to seep through the mask.


    After he was done with that, he shook the cloak to dislodge the blood, much like someone might do to wetundry.


    Only after he had donned the cleaner mask and cloak did he remove her from the rucksack, carefullyying her on the ground.


    From his pocket, he fished out several old-world medicine pills, each worth 20 million UC, and shoved them in her mouth.


    He then adjusted her limbs, ensuring they were straight, to allow the nanobots to heal thempletely.


    Lowering himself to his knees, he brought his hands together, fingers intertwined, and gently pressed them into the center of her chest.


    Emir did chestpressions while following the beat of a song in his head.


    He felt the resistance of her petite breasts as he continued for several minutes. "Haaaah!"


    Finally, she gasped for air, her body convulsing as she took in precious breaths.


    Her once-ghostly face began to regain some color, a sign that life was returning to her.


    With each agonizing breath, her body squirmed, reacting to the intense pain as the nanobots worked diligently to mend her broken limbs.


    Emir let out a sigh of relief since he began to think that she was already dead due to how long he had to resuscitate her.


    Slowly standing up, he remained watchful over her, observing as she writhed and contorted on the ground.


    Herbored gasps and intermittent cries continued to punctuate the tense air.


    "Haah! Haah! Haaah!"


    "You got this, Aria! Prove your worth as the Goldleaf''s heir!"


    With a mix of encouragement and teasing, he urged her on, aware that his words held an ironic truth.


    She was, after all, an Elite, and this level of pain should be surmountable for someone of her caliber.


    "Come on, Aria, you can do it! This is just a minor challenge for an Elite like you, isn''t that right? Show me your resilience..."


    He continued his teasing, almost goading her to muster her strength, while her face was contorted with agony.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she fought to remain conscious, the battle evident in every strained breath.


    And as time wore on, her movements gradually subsided, and her ragged breathing began to find a semnce of stability.


    Emir''s vignt gaze remained locked on her, waiting for her to regain a more coherent state. "Hello-. Are you alright now?"


    She turned her tired eyes towards him, too mentally exhausted to even talk.


    "A... Did I tire you out? Don''t worry, I have all the time in the world, we can rx here for a while. What do you think?"


    Not knowing what to do or say, she simply nodded her head.


    "Good! Good! I love smart people, and here I thought that you''d try to resist, but I''m happy to be proven wrong.... Now then, I''ve got some hunter rations, do you have any preferences?"


    He asked while taking them out of his rucksack front storage, not touched by her fluids. After presenting them to her, he said:


    "Choose whatever you want, I''ve got this bar, it''s got the vor of a cheeseburger, this one tastes like pizza, this tastes like fruit and this has no taste, it''spletely nd."


    Stillid t on the ground, she didn''t bother to even try raising her finger and simply looked intently at one of the four bars.


    "Oh, so you want fruit? Such a healthy girl you are~."


    He opened it up, threw away the packaging, and moved closer to her.


    Gently raising her head up, he grabbed the bar with his other hand and broke it in half.


    "You don''t need to chew, it''ll melt in your mouth." He said as he began feeding her piece by


    piece.


    Finally done, he returned her head to the ground and stepped back.


    "You can sleep if you want, I''ll talk to you after you wake up, alright?"


    She nodded, closing her eyes a momentter.


    Emir noticed that she had already gone to sleep after his words registered in her mind.


    ''She was that exhausted, huh? Well, I guess I''ll be taking longer than expected...''


    Walking back to a corner of the cave, he plopped himself on the ground and sat in a lotus


    position.


    Not wasting any time, he began cultivating his Art while practicing his ability pathing at the same time, like usual.


    He kept some of his focus on his surroundings, so as not to be blindsided when something unexpected happened.


    ...


    Time passed, and the only sounds present were the constant shrieks of monsters in the distance and the calm breathing of his kidnapped Goldleaf.


    Emir immediately stopped cultivating as he heard Aria shuffling around.


    Opening his eyes, he stood up and walked towards her with slow steps, not wanting to scare


    her to death.


    "Hey, Aria. You awake?"


    ''Is she pretending to be asleep now?... Seriously?''


    "Aria. I know that you''re awake. C''mon, I won''t hurt you if I don''t have to, so cooperate with


    me, alright?"


    Appearing to have given up, she silently raised herself from the ground, standing up with


    wobbly legs.


    Emir gave her a hand, but she ignored him and leaned back on the cave''s walls.


    "Who are you?" She asked with a raspy voice.


    "Oh, look at me being such an idiot, let me give you some water. Wait."


    Leaving her alone for a moment, he brought a small bottle of water from his rucksack.


    "Here you go." He said while forcing the bottle into her hand.


    Uncapping it, she began to slowly drink, and while she did so, Emir said:


    "So let me exin the obvious... You were kidnapped, but by whom did you ask? Does that


    really matter? No, it doesn''t, but do you know what matters?"


    Quenching her thirst, she threw the bottle to the ground while asking:


    "What?!"

 Chapter 165: Interrogating The Leaf III

    Chapter 165: Interrogating The Leaf III


    ?


    "What matters is if you wish to return home alive..."


    "You see, although you''re an Elite, your parents love you, yes? It is quite unusual, families


    like yours usually have a lot of infighting, but you''re the only child..."


    "It would make sense for them to ce such a high level of importance on you."


    Stepping closer to her, Emir continued:


    "But even so, it seems that you weren''t important enough to warrant them showing weakness; after all, doing that would lose the family more than just its face but its standing."


    "So now that you understand the current circumstances you''re in, I''ve got a few questions to ask of you..."


    Aria''s face contorted into a mix of anger and defiance, her usual retorts and challenges forming on the tip of her tongue.


    But before she could let her words fly, something in the man''s demeanor gave her pause.


    She watched, her anger momentarily forgotten, as he casually yed around with a long rifle in his hands, almost as if it were a mere toy.


    With a sudden movement, he shifted his grip on the rifle, holding it firmly by its stock, the muzzle now aimed directly at her head.


    The cold metal of the gun gleamed menacingly under the dim light of the cavern.


    "Do you?" He repeated.


    || ||


    Aria''s face started to bead with sweat, her bravado melting away as she took hesitant steps backward in her useless attempt to press herself into the cave''s rough wall.


    Emir''s patience had run thin, and he didn''t give her another chance to evade the question.


    He closed the distance between them and forcefully shoved the rifle''s muzzle right into her forehead.


    The cold metal against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and the sensation of her skull almost being crushed was enough to make her voice falter.


    "Ugh... I-I understand..." Her words came out in a stammer, her voice trembling more than her body as her facade of confidence crumbled under the weight of the situation.


    "Good!" He said, his hand leaving the Aetherstorm Launcher and letting it rest on his body. "If you cooperate, you might get out of this alive..."


    "So, the first question is, do you know who exists above the UEF and the Elite?"


    Her face contorted in thought for a moment, and seeing that, Emir warned her:


    "I''ve got a lie detector on me, you Elite know how those work..."


    Appearing to havepletely given up, she sat back on the ground and let out a groan of defeat.


    ''Naive and gullible...''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''I guess they''re kids, Elite or not. Though I expected them to be a bit more...''


    ''Maybe those novels with every kid being a genius affected my thinking.''


    "I don''t know Dad never told me about these things." She said, not able to look him directly in the face, or rather in the mask.


    ''So it''s true...''


    The novel did in fact truthfully mention that they needed to pass a test devised by the elders of their families in order to take the mantle off the family''s head.


    "Have you been told about the test yet?"


    Her face jumped up in surprise as she looked at him for a moment, only to look away again, afraid of angering him.


    ''Carrot and stick. It works every time.'' He snickered inwardly.


    "Yes... My dad told me after I ascended..." She voiced out, her words quiet.


    "I see." He said simply.


    "Does your father talk to you about the family''s state of affairs? And do you know what rtions you lot have with the Big 8?"


    "H-he doesn''t. I can''t tell you what I don''t know..."


    ''I know that. I didn''t kidnap you to get those answers after all.'' He added in his mind.


    "Alright, thanks for answering my questions." He said while stepping closer to her.


    She flinched and pushed herself back, but she had nowhere to go.


    Fear-stricken, she raised her hand, screaming:


    "GET BACK! I DID WHAT YOU SAID! YOU CAN''T TOUCH ME, MY FATHER WILL KILL YOU!" Emir chuckled at her baseless words and kneeled in front of her.


    Hup!


    "Please... I didn''t do anything wrong." She pleaded while covering her face.


    Undeterred, he gently ced his hand on her fluffy head, shuffling her blonde hair around.


    "Calm down, alright? You answered my questions, I won''t hurt you, so calm down..."


    Aria remained frozen, her body tensed, and her hands formed a makeshift barrier in an X-like shape, as if the simple gesture could protect her from Emir.


    She seemed stuck in a loop and kept repeating the phrase, "I didn''t do anything wrong," like a broken record.


    Eventually, the muttering faded into silence, and she hesitantly lowered her hands, her gaze shifting from her hands to Emir''s obscured face.


    Her red eyes locked onto his mask, searching for something within the featureless facade.


    Her voice was a low murmur when she finally spoke, almost as if she was testing the waters: "You won''t hurt me?"


    The question hung in the air,den with a mix of fear and desperation, a fragile thread of hope against the backdrop of uncertainty.


    Emir chuckled and then spoke, his movements soft as he adjusted her disheveled hair:


    "I won''t. As long as you cooperate, everything will be fine. You''ll be returned home safely


    once this is all over."


    Her confusion was palpable as her brows furrowed.


    "W-What do you mean? Didn''t I already answer all your questions?!"


    A faint smile yed on his lips, a deceptive calmness in his demeanor.


    "Oh yes, you did. But there is one more thing I need from you."


    He withdrew his hands from her hair, his gaze locked onto her.


    "I need you to give me the Hunter IDs of one of your friends... I won''t hurt them, but I''ll have them help me with something."


    ''Depending on how she reacts now, I might need to switch up my method. Hopefully, she


    chooses correctly.''


    With that thought crossing his mind, he watched as the bbergasted girl let out a gasp, checking around for her terminal, not finding it in her pocket.


    "Destroyed." Hemented.


    She paused her search after a few moments of panic, her downcast eyes returning to him as


    she spoke quietly:


    "I... don''t remember..."


    "Is there anything that I could do that would make you remember?" He asked with a grim


    tone.


    ||


    ||||


    "I DON''T HAVE ANY FRIENDS!!" She loudly revealed in embarrassment, her tired eyes


    slightly hazy.


    "Oh... Sorry, wrong question. Let''s be specific: Do you know of Elijah''s ID?"


    Her gaze dropped to her knees as she said:


    "Y-yes I do..."


    "Good, what is it?"


    "....A-11 1036"


    The A-11 stood for his ce of registration, while 1036 is the ID for when he registered as a hunter in that specific region, not ounting for all the hunters in the sectors.


    "Thanks, I''ll check it out... Give me a moment." He said as he stood up, walking away from


    her.


    After tapping a few times at his terminal, the person Emir dialed replied after a few rings. "Hey Manager, it''s me."

 Chapter 166: Her Conundrum

    Chapter 166: Her Conundrum


    ?


    "Emir! Did something happen?" The man on the other end of the call asked with worry apparent in his voice.


    "Nah. I''m fine; I''m just here to ask you to confirm something for me." Emir answered.


    "Okay. Just tell me what it is and consider it done."


    "1036, check that ID for me, see if that belongs to someone named Elijah, and if you aren''t able to ess it, then it doesn''t matter; this would only confirm it."


    "An Elite?" Nathan asked.


    "Yeah. Just send me a yes or no message, and know that I''ll visit youter today, so free up your time for me." Emir confirmed.


    "Understood."


    Ending the call, he returned his attention to the Goldleaf''s prize.


    "We''ll see if the ID you told me is the right one."


    Just as those words reached her, he sat on the ground again, cultivating like usual. "You!"


    He heard Aria bellow in anger, but he ignored her and closed his eyes, continuing to memorize the ability pathways.


    "Stop ignoring me!"


    "You piece of shit!"


    "Kidnapping me...."


    The barrage of insults and verbal assaults fell on deaf ears as he remained focused on his task, not bothering to punish her.


    His concentration only broke when a notification chimed on his terminal-a message from Nathan.


    He didn''t need to swipe it open, as he saw a pop-up message stating a simple word:


    {Yes.}


    Standing up, he cast a look towards the girl who had been venting her anger at him for the past how many hours.


    Her continuous tirade had ceased, reced by peaceful slumber.


    She was huddled up, her head nestled in her knees, and her hand acting as a makeshift pillow.


    He got closer to her and began to shake her awake.


    "Wake up, sleepy head!"


    Startled, she jerked awake, her eyes darting around like a panicked animal until theynded on Emir standing over her.


    Relief washed over her momentarily, only to be reced by a sense of dread as she registered his next words.


    "I''ll leave you in here for some time, but don''t worry, you''ll have something to eat and drink until a search party is sent out for you."


    Pointing at the exit of the cave, he continued:


    "I''d rmend not going there, it''s a nest of monsters down here."


    "W-WAIT!"


    Emir heard her scream when he turned around to leave.


    He picked up his rucksack without bothering to give her face, which caused her to scream out


    once more.


    "DON''T LEAVE ME HERE!"


    Letting out a sigh, Emir turned around with annoyance apparent underneath his masked face.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''Did I treat her so well?'' He silently wondered.


    "What?" He asked inly.


    "You know that I kidnapped you here. I hurt you. And now you want me to stay?"


    Her face scrunched up in embarrassment as she said:


    "B-but you..."


    Appearing to have gathered up her courage, she stood up and walked up to him while demanding:


    "It''s dark here, it''s scary! You said you would protect me, so don''t go back on your promise!" ''Is she twisting my words? I guess even if she''s a kid, an Elite is an Elite.'' He scoffed inwardly. "I did say that I wouldn''t hurt you, yes. But I didn''t say that I''d protect you. Don''t worry though, the monsters won''t reach you here."


    She stepped closer until only a few inches separated them and grabbed him by the cloak. "But you brought me here! It''s your fault if I get hurt! S-so stay!"


    Emir''s dark, ck eyes looked at her nkly.


    While they were mostly covered by the mask, it still had tiny slits for him to see through.


    He stood there, unmoving, watching as the maiden in front of him began to sob, tears falling from her puffy eyes like a waterfall.


    Her cheeks turned red from embarrassment and confusion.


    This sight would''ve made even the coldest hearts give in, but as Aria listened to her kidnapper''s heart, all she heard were controlled beats, slow, unaffected by what was happening around him.


    She realized that who she was clinging on to was a monster in human skin, slowly piecing together that everything he did since she woke up was an act, its only purpose was to expedite the information out of her faster.


    Stepping back from him, she was about to scream in a fit of rage, but she shut herself up, knowing the consequences of what that action would entail.


    Emir saw and understood all of that, as he could reach Aria''s emotions like an open book, after all, she has always been described as an expressive character.


    And while all that happened, he simply thought:


    ''Even though I''ve seen all of that, I didn''t feel remorse, guilt, anything... Is this how I''ll be now?''


    ''... Nah, I still think of Jake, Emma, and Kiera as friends. Mariane as well, maybe Evelyn too. I wouldn''t do this to them...''


    His thoughts were indeed true, as his mind now categorized people into two separate corners.


    One would be allies, friends, and family, categorically.


    The other would be strangers, potential foes, and confirmed enemies alike.


    He had no room in his mind for the middle ground, as it was his mind''s way of lessening the


    strain on his conscience...


    A conscience that was long gone.


    "As I said, Aria, don''t worry; you won''t be hurt."


    After emptying away all the supplies from his rucksack, he threw it over his shoulders and


    continued:


    "I''lle by every now and then to bring more supplies, so you''ll be well fed during your time here. Consider it a short vacation."


    "And just know that your suffering might end shorter than expected. But, it all depends on


    how the Elite react, so make of that what you will..."


    With those words echoing behind him, he walked up to the ce he had previously dropped


    from.


    ''Should I conjure up some steps?''


    ''Nah, it''d be a waste of Aether, I''ll just climb up...''


    Looking behind him onest time, he watched as the defeated Aria sat back on the ground, her


    face showing utter loneliness.


    "See youter!"

 Chapter 167: Azazel

    Chapter 167: Azazel


    ?


    Two men walked into a simple room, with two couches opposing each other.


    A table sat in the middle, filled with delicious pastries, providing a lovely smell for them to baskin.


    The younger man between them sat on the right, picking up one of the sweets and stuffing it up his mouth with no regard to his image.


    "Emir? You good?" The gray-haired man asked, his tone indicating surprise.


    With an audible gulp, he swallowed the cake whole, then wiped his lips with a napkin that he took off the table.


    "Yeah, I''m good. Just kidnapped someone today, so I''m treating myself~." Emir said in a lighthearted tone.


    "K-kidnapped? No way... Are you the one responsible for taking Aria away? Is that how you got Elijah''s ID?"


    "Bingo Nathan! Showing your true colors as an agent, Imend you... But on a serious note, what did her family say?"


    Letting out a sigh, Nathan shook his head.


    "Not much; they''ve kept it under wraps. But for those who should be aware, the word is that they suspect Aria was behind it...."


    "They''re painting her as a troublemaker who used Elijah as bait to go to a ruin, away from her guards, or something along those lines."


    Emir smiled.


    "I expected as much, but did they announce any search parties?"


    "Yes. As you know, it wouldn''t be a good move for them to make it public, so they requested the help of all avable hunters under them and the Ebonfyre family, as that family is the only one who could be trusted with that information." Nathan replied with a nod.


    ''Jake and Emma are involved then... How can I use this?'' He wondered.


    Deciding to think about thister, Emir refocused on the conversation.


    "Let''s talk about this in detail when it bes relevant; for now, I need you to confirm your progress with our hunter group request."


    Nodding his head, Nathan took out his terminal and tapped away for a few seconds, procuring a hologram that appeared right in front of them.


    "Are these guys the only ones in the group?" Nathan asked, setting his terminal on the table.


    Emir took a moment and scrolled through the names while reading them inwardly.


    {Hunter Group name: Azazel.}


    {President: Emir.}


    {Vice President: Amanda.}


    {toon Captain: Kiera.}


    {Squadron 1 leader: Jack. Squadron 2 leader: Sarah. Squadron 3 Leader: Hiro. Squadron 4


    leader: Evan. Squadron 5 leader: Leo}


    {toon Vice Captain:.....}


    {Squadron o Member: Ben. Squadron o Member: Dov....}


    {Elite Cohort Captain:.....}


    {Elite Cohort Vice-Captain:.....}


    {Elite Cohort Members:.....}


    Taking his eyes off the hologram, he looked at Nathan and asked:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Companies?"


    After a single tap from a nodding Nathan, the hologram turned to the next page, and it read: {Backers.}


    {Mainpany: Prince Emporium. Subsidiarypany: Hunter''s Den.}


    {Prince Emporium President: Laura.}


    {Staff: Raymond Winslow. Jamal Steel.}


    {Hunter''s Den President: Mariane.}


    {Staff: Logan Cahan.}


    ''I don''t know these names... Are they those guys from the ck market?'' Emir theorized, not bothering to ask Nathan, as he didn''t want to appear misinformed in front of his subordinate.


    "Good work, Nathan. Everyone is ounted for... And just know that if we could add you to this hunter group, you would be the PVC, so that spot is saved for you..." Emir said with a smile.


    Nathan''s face glowed at the news. He always wanted to make an impact, and he knew that with the man in front of him, he could do it.


    And Emir could clearly read that thought on Nathan''s face.


    ''If only he knew...'' He mused.


    "Of course," Nathan replied excitedly.


    "Is there anything else?"


    "Report your progress regarding those that you tracked." Emir reminded him.


    "Oh, yes, I almost forgot... My guys didn''t get anything yet; there''s a high chance that those targets are busts. You must understand that doing this may get us in big trouble; the UEF


    didn''t get too involved with the Elite for a reason."


    "I know I know, I didn''t expect much from them either; just keep it up, in the unlikely chance that one of the targets actually gives us something useful."


    Nodding his head, Nathan asked:


    "What are you going to do now?"


    "What else? ckmail that kid Elijah into defending us in court; he''s from a family all about the legal side of the world, so he should know a thing or two that could help us out; this is all a contingency n, you can say, in case it all goes to shit."


    "Understood, I wish I could help with that, but unfortunately I don''t have a burner terminal, so you''d need to get one from the ck market." Nathan said.


    "Yeah. I''ll do that after visiting Mom''s shop; I''ve never been there when it''s open, so I''ll go


    see what''s up."


    Stuffing another cake in his mouth, Emir stood up while taking a napkin off the table.


    After wiping his lips clean, he locked his eyes with Nathan''s.


    "Keep me updated, and again, good work. I''m d to have you on the team."


    Nathan simply smiled and nodded, appearing to be thinking the same.


    ''A simple man, ain''t he?'' Emir mused while leaving the room.


    ...


    Jingle-


    As the door swung open, a tinkling bell sounded through the air, apanying Emir''s


    entrance into the shop.


    The space was adorned with relics, each showcased within ss disys that gleamed in the sunlight, casting reflections of the outside world.


    Upon ncing at the counter, his gaze fixated on a lone individual as he finally ced a name


    on the person they had hired.


    It was the very same man he had previously sold relics to some time ago.


    The once scruffy, long white beard was now groomed and neat.


    The wrinkles on that heavily lined face of his seemed to have softened, and his physique


    appeared fitter.


    Emir watched as the man nced up from his terminal, his blue eyes widening in surprise as


    they locked onto his.


    "Raymond... I''m happy to see you again."


    Letting out augh of joy, Raymond matched his words, his voice deep and guttural:


    "And I am to you, Emir."


    "How have you been? It''s been a while since I was out, so tell me what happened to you and


    how you got here." Emir asked, curiosity prevailing in his tone.

 Chapter 168: Visiting the Emporium

    Chapter 168: Visiting the Emporium


    ?


    "I''ve been blessed with the opportunity your mother presented to me, and I seized that chance...."


    Raymond replied, his voice carrying both depth and a tinge of mncholy.


    "At first, I was interested in her offer, but I only took immediate action after knowing of her connection with Kiera and you."


    "I''ve always wished for a chance to grow into something more than a relic merchant in the ck market..."


    "So seeing this all go down makes me... you know."


    Emir nodded with a smile.


    "And we''re d to have you on board, and speaking of, I need something that could help with our situation."


    "So before we continue talking, do you know where I''d get a burner terminal?"


    Raymond turned his head towards his terminal and began to type out a message while saying:


    "I''ve got someone that could deliver that for you; it won''t take long. I know you''re busy, so by the time we finish talking, he''ll have shown up already."


    "Good, and why don''t we sit in the office? It doesn''t seem like our customers areing anytime soon." Emir suggested, motioning towards the concealed office space behind the counter.


    Raymond silently agreed and led the way, leaving the door for Emir toe in.


    As they settled into the office, Emir took a seat on the office chair ced behind the main desk.


    The office was simple but organized, with shelves containing various artifacts and relics, and arge window offering a view of the surrounding area.


    He leaned back slightly in the chair and looked at Raymond.


    "Do you know where your boss is today?"


    "Yes. Boss Laura is off with Miss Mariane, setting up shop."


    "Are the other guys here as well?"


    "Do you mean Logan and Jamal? Yeah, they''re the same people, you know. Jamal is fixing up some relic in his workshop at the moment, while Longshot is helping out the boss."


    "I see... Well, I''m d to have you guys; a friend of Kiera''s is a friend of mine after all."


    Stroking his white beard, Raymondmented:


    "You don''t really care, do you?"


    "...Nah, I don''t," Emir admitted with a snicker.


    "I know that you''ve been vetted by Amanda, and as long as you passed her inspection, then you''re good in my book."


    Raising a brow, the old man asked:


    "Amanda? Do you mean Lyra?"


    Letting out an "Oh," Emir nodded his head.


    "Her contract was strict, wasn''t it?"


    "That would be an understatement, Sir Emir; it was worse than what I had under the Academy." Raymond replied with a chuckle.


    "So you''re one of those, huh?"


    "Yes, emunicado."


    "Quite a sad tale for ab rat... But let''s keep that story forter. I need you to tell me our current status."


    "Short version?"


    Seeing Emir nod, he continued:


    "Customers range in the average; nothing different in that regard; the only change is that nopany requested a delivery today; it wouldn''t be unusual if there weren''t any nned beforehand, but we had three agreed upon."


    "So they''d be fine with losing money as long as they don''t risk offending the Elite, expected as much... Is there anything else?"


    "Not really, no, but if I have to say something, then I can only say that our profit margins will decrease drastically this month, though it wouldn''t matter much since we aren''t losing on the relic collecting front as that is done solely by Lyra."


    "Hmm... And you are responsible for appraising, right?"


    "Yes. Anything relic-rted goes through me, while Jamal deals with both shops as he has experience with fixing up relics and forging melee weapons. And Longshot is, well... as you can guess, a gun fanatic."


    "Thanks for the summary..."


    ''Am I forgetting something?'' Emir wondered, as he had a nagging feeling that he hade here to get something as well.


    "I almost forgot!" Raymond eximed while standing up from his seat.


    "Boss asked me to give you a weapon when you came by."


    ''Ah...'' He silently mumbled.


    "Let me see my new weapons then," Emir demanded, rising from his seat and following the old man into the storage room.


    As they entered the room, a sense of pride washed over Emir.


    The space was a treasure trove of relics, a sanctuary of power.


    Shelves upon shelves lined the walls,den with relics of various shapes and sizes.


    Small, ornate trinkets shared space with grand melee weapons, and delicate essories rested beside ancient, weathered books.


    Among the shelves, one particrly caught his eye.


    It stood out not just for the relics it held but also for its own craftsmanship, with borate carvings adorning its surface.


    Soon after, Raymond''s presence drew Emir''s attention, and he followed the old man''s lead toward a metal chest in the corner of the room.


    The chest, about two meters in length and a few wide, stood before them.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Its exterior, while not as ornate as the relics it safeguarded, exuded an air of imprability.


    Raymond deftly unlocked it with a key, revealing an assortment of weapons within.


    Swords, spears, daggers, and even a halberd were carefully arranged, their edges glinting in


    the subdued light.


    Raymond''s hands disappeared into the collection, emerging with two swords in each hand.


    He then presented them to Emir, saying:


    "This is the best we''ve got. The boss wanted to give those to you herself, but as she''s busy at


    the moment, you''ll have to make do with me."


    Chuckling, Emir took them off his hands and inspected them.


    "No worries, friend, you''re good."


    He loosened his grip on the ck hilt of his newly acquired swords, looking at the intricate


    drawings of a...


    ''Dragon? ...A ghost-like dragon with a weird specter-like body and red eyes....''


    ''Cool.'' He mused.


    He then turned his attention to the des, only to let out a smile.


    The des were the deepest shade of ck, as if absorbing all the light surrounding them,


    appearing to be the embodiment of death itself.


    "You guys know my taste well." Emir said with a snicker as he looked at the old man.


    Raymond scoffed while stroking his beard.


    "You just like the color ck, so as long as whatever we bring you is that, then you''d be


    happy."


    "What can I say? It looks good on me..." Emir said while sheathing them and turning around,


    heading back to the


    office.


    But just as he was about to exit the room, the shop''s bell rang out.


    Emir tensed for a moment before realizing that it was likely just the delivery man.


    "It''s one of my guys, sir. I request that you don''t kill him." Raymond reminded.


    Shrugging his shoulders Emir stepped close to the frail-looking man.


    "Show me the terminal."


    The man simply nodded and retrieved it from his backpack, handing it over to Emir after


    turning it on.


    Emir epted the device with a nod and headed to the office, with Raymond joining him after


    saying:


    "Thanks, mate. Be on your way now."


    Taking a seat in the office chair, Emir heard the shop''s bell tingle once more, indicating the


    man''s departure.


    "Do you mind if I ask who it is you''re nning to contact?"


    Emir looked up from the terminal, his gaze fixed on Raymond for a moment.


    After a pause, he responded:


    "I don''t mind.... It''s Elijah, the Moon''s kid."


    Raymond raised his eyebrows but refrained frommenting, allowing Emir to focus on his


    task.


    ''Now, let''s see here...''

 Chapter 169: Dear Elijah

    Chapter 169: Dear Elijah


    ?


    [Dear Elijah, thises from a fan of yours, a person who stole away your master some time ago... I''d rather you be smart about this and not inform your family; otherwise, I''m not sure what would happen to her.]


    Emir read the message over a few times and pressed send, not wanting to write anymore until the kid read it, as he wanted to start a conversation, not a simple threat.


    But he didn''t need to wait long, as Elijah replied a minuteter.


    [Call me.]


    Emir raised a brow.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''He might be naive, but he got some balls on him.


    ''His looks don''t show it, though...''


    [Sure, why not?]


    ''I can use the voice disrupter option anyways.'' He scoffed.


    After a few clicks, he brought the terminal to his ears.


    "Hello, do you understand me, kid?" Emir spoke with amanding but chilling tone.


    "You asked for a call, and now you''re silent? Well, I don''t mind as long as you hear what I have to say."


    "Evidence..." Elijah spoke quietly, his soft voice trembling.


    "Speak up; I didn''t hear you."


    "I want evidence!" He bellowed.


    "Oh... I can''t really show that, can I? But let''s see... I can tell you that two of her guards died and that she was picked up while crossing the street to a clothing shop, with you trailing behind her like a dog..."


    "And before you speak, I''d rather not have you question me like that again, alright? Something might happen to her, you know?"


    "I-I understand... What can I do for you to let her go?"


    "Now we''re getting somewhere... But before I tell you, I want to know. What are your thoughts on your family killingpetition like that?"


    "C-Competition? D-Do you mean with the business side of the family?"


    "Hmhm. They''ve been going haywire for a while now... Thinking that they''re top shit, don''t you think? Closing down shops left and right for no reason. And we''ve watched that in silence for a while; after all, we are only here due to a higher organization''smand."


    Turning around in his office chair, he faced the wall and continued, his struggling to hide a smile:


    "But we can''t watch any longer; morals are a precious thing, and we don''t like to see people abuse them or squash them for nothing more than appeasing their greed."


    "I don''t know why you''re telling me this; I-I can''t do anything about it..." Elijah spoke with sadness prevailing in his voice.


    ''Naive as ever, aren''t you my friend?'' Emir inwardly mused.


    "Oh, but you can. Your family began targeting anotherpany after officially shutting down Hunter''s Den a few days ago. And you... You''ve got the status to fight back against them, no?"


    "A-are you asking me to stand in court against my own family?"


    "That is exactly what I''m saying, and see? You are showing how smart you are already."


    "...I''ll do it, but you have to promise-no. You have to make an oath with your Aether core that you won''t hurt her and return her unharmed."


    ''Smart kid... Too bad though, I don''t have an imnted Aether core; no contract can bind me...''


    Of course, that was the case unless the central AI was connected to his nanobots directly instead of the conventional Aether core contract.


    An Oath was simr to a binding contract in that if a person went against it, they would automatically die or face the consequences specified, and it was mainly used for simple deals such as this.


    All that the person swearing the oath needed to do was activate their Aether core, intently connect it with their neuralwork, and speak aloud what the oath entails.


    And that was what Emir did.


    With his hand near his second heart, he spoke:


    "I announce my Oath. I and mypanions will not hurt Aria Goldleaf and keep her rtively healthy until the day when Elijah Moonscribe does what I ask of him; after he does, only then will I allow them to find Aria and extract her from where she currently is."


    Following Emir''s oath, Elijah did the same:


    "I announce my Oath. If this person I''m talking to adheres to his oath, then so will I."


    Usually, a question from the AI system responsible for the would reach those who swore their oaths...


    However, Emir wasn''t connected, so he heard nothing, meaning that Elijah had just sworn on oath with himself.


    ''This kid... he doesn''t know my cheat but he still took precautions...''


    ''He didn''t need to do that though, but still, a goody two shoes will always be that way, eh?''


    Snickering, Emir said:


    "Good. Now that we''ve got that over with, I''ll get down to the specifics: apany by the name of Prince Emporium is under threat, and you will stand with them in the court hearing.... Whenever it may be, is that understood?"


    "...Prince Emporium. I understand. I will not let you down."


    "Of course you won''t. Your life now depends on it, and make sure to tell me anything new rting to thispany.... That is all good luck, kid."


    Emir ended the call without giving Elijah a chance to reply, finally turning back to see who came into the office during his talk.


    And who greeted him was a buff, dark-skinned man with brown eyes covered by sses and a


    fade for a haircut.


    "Steel?" He asked.


    "Yes, Sir Emir, do you remember me?"


    "I do, you stood out to me in the ck market... There aren''t many Africans around these


    parts."


    "Yeah. I ain''t seen much of my people around either; I''d like to think that unknown sectors still exist in Africa, but I don''t have much hope..." Jamal confirmed, his voice carrying the weight of remembered scars.


    "You''ve all got some interesting stories, huh? I seem to have gathered quite the bunch."


    Raymond snickered.


    "Well, we gathered around you like a moth to a me for a reason... You must have the most interesting story out of all of us."


    Jamal smacked the old man''s back while saying:


    "You''re right about that, seeing him waffle as much as he did what that Elijah kid exins


    enough."


    "Ay, Jamal.... Show some respect to your boss, yeah?" Emir said with a dark smile.


    "Boss Emir, I''ve never disrespected you; I''m onlyplimenting you." He retorted.


    "Yeah?"


    "Yeah. We got our own way of showing our love, you don''t seem to be a normal Westerner either... Ya names Emir, you Arab?"


    Emir chuckled, though his eyes remained devoid of any mirth, fixed as if staring at a dead


    man.


    "And yours doesn''t sound western either... I mean, Jamal? It doesn''t suit a buff piece of coal


    like you."


    A tense silence hung between them, and Raymond''s gaze shifted back and forth between the two as if anticipating the death of his newly made friend at any moment.


    Then the old man took a hesitant step backward as he witnessed Emir rise from his seat and


    approach Jamal.

 Chapter 170: Kieras Training

    Chapter 170: Kiera''s Training


    ?


    Standing mere inches apart, Emir and Jamal maintained their gazes on each other.


    Then, in a swift and unexpected motion, both of them simultaneously raised their hands and interlocked them, pulling each other into a half-embrace, a sign of camaraderie and respect.


    "My man... I like you; I''m happy that Kiera invited you aboard our sinking ship." Emir said, his amusement evident in his tone.


    Jamal matched Emir''s energy tenfold, reciprocating the half-hug with enthusiasm.


    "Yeah, boss, man. d to be with yall!"


    Raymond, who observed their exchange with wide eyes, couldn''t help but sigh and mutter to himself:


    "I don''t understand the youths of today. Don''t mind me."


    Jamal reassured the old man with a friendly tone:


    "Is fine, old man. I like having you around."


    Emir chimed in, adding:


    "Don''t worry, as long as you guys do your job correctly, I won''t have anyints."


    ''Fulfill your job as if that is your only life''s purpose.'' He added inwardly.


    "Anyways, enough... Waffling, was it?"


    Seeing Jamal nod, Emir continued:


    "I''ve got some things to get done if you guys want this ship to float; see you guyster." "Good luck!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "See you, boss man!"


    They bid him in unison as he exited the shop.


    Emir stood outside for a moment, arranging his thoughts:


    ''Hmm... I said that, but I don''t have much else to do now. My counterattack began. I can only wait for the results.''


    ''... Why don''t I check up on Kiera? Let''s see what specializations they''ve chosen, and maybe get some sweat in...''


    With his next actions decided Emir headed towards the slums.


    ...


    Knocking on the gate, Emir waited for a few moments until it was opened by the gang leader herself.


    "Emir!" Kiera eximed while hugging him.


    He gently patted her head.


    "Thanks for the warm wee as always, littledy."


    She puffed her cheeks as she looked up at him.


    "I won''t be so little soon, I''ve be a Gun Mage you know?!"


    ''Gun Mage?.... Not bad.'' He mused.


    "Good on you," he snickered while silently encouraging her to let go.


    Sheplied and walked in front of him, leading him into the base.


    "What about the others? I''vee here to let out some building stress."


    "Oh, they''re training right now."


    Emir nodded whilementing:


    "You guys have a training room now?"


    "We''ve upgraded, you know?!" She said while gesturing towards the back of the warehouse.


    Arriving near the entrance momentster, Kiera held the door handle to the training room while saying:


    "This used to be an empty room that we filled with any relics that we''d found, but now.... We send them to your shop, so we had the opportunity to make something out of it."


    "I see.... So you re-purposed it, not bad at all, Miss Gang leader." He said slyly.


    Letting out a "humph," she opened the door and led him into their training ground.


    The room was utilitarian in design, with sturdy racks lining one side, showcasing an array of melee weapons, ranging from swords to spears.


    Positioned in the center were two dueling arenas, each demarcated by boundary lines on the floor.


    On the left side of the room, sets of training equipment were arranged meticulously. Dumbbells and various exercise machines, like treadmills and rowing machines, stood ready for use.


    They upied the space in front of arge mirrored wall that reflected the dynamic activities taking ce within the room.


    On the opposite side, an empty expanse stretched out.


    Mounted on the wall above this area was a holoscreen, appearing to be disying various training program options catering to the diverse needs of the six people present.


    Lyra''s work.


    Within the room, the gang members were deeply engrossed in their sparring sessions, not noticing Emir and Kiera''s entrance.


    Leo and Jack were locked inbat within one arena, with Jack being the obvious winner in their duel.


    In the other arena, Hiro and Evan engaged in their own duel, appearing to be locked in a standstill.


    Observing the bouts stood Sarah, positioned at the sidelines, her watchful gaze steady.


    ''A referee, is it?'' Emir inwardly snickered.


    He then turned to Kiera, who appeared to have been waiting for his reaction the entire time.


    "You did great... This looks like a nice ce."


    Her face immediately brightened, and his words stopped the constant shes of the duelists as they all paused and silently looked at Emir.


    Noticing that, he turned to them and said:


    "Pretend I''m not here and continue on. But for those of you that have already caught on, I''ll be judging your performance, so do your best to entertain me, alright?"


    All their faces lit up with excitement at the mention of being judged by someone as strong as Emir, except for Sarah, who remained standing with a sad expression.


    So to conform with his underlings'' wishes, Emir rebuked himself: "Actually, never mind that. Why don''t we have all of you fight me?" His proposition was met with instant, loud gulps from all six of them.


    They weren''t concerned about hurting Emir in the least; instead, they were terrified of what might happen to them.


    "You guys are under me, so don''t think that I''ll hurt you too much.... You''ve all probably just returned from tracking your target all day so why don''t we have a fun night to let out all the


    stress?"


    Kiera walked in front of Emir and turned around to face him.


    "Six on One?" she asked simply.


    Emir confirmed with a nod.


    "But before that, let''s see what the gang leader has in store for me. Now ready yourself, I''ll be


    expecting a lot from you five..."


    They all nodded hastily and collectively ran out of the training room.


    "Are they getting some old-world medicine?" Emir asked as he walked towards the center of


    the arena.


    Grabbing an assault rifle from one of the racks, Kiera confirmed his words:


    "Yes. They need to be in top shape to even think about giving you a chance to sweat."


    "Good. Now c''mon, I don''t have all day..." He provoked her while gesturing with his right


    hand extended.


    Kiera didn''t participate in his game and remained focused, stepping into white formte


    with her rifle in hand.


    Not giving him the time to announce the start of their duel, she chanted:


    "Fire Shot."

 Chapter 171: A Smackdown

    Chapter 171: A Smackdown


    ?


    A glob of fire reached Emir in an instant...


    Or at least that is what appeared in the outside world as he stared at the bullet for a while, almost yawning at how slow it was.


    With a simple shift to the left, the shot missed his head by a mere inch, as he didn''t waste a single movement.


    Kiera didn''t waste a moment as she chanted:


    "Ster Guidance!"


    ''What''s that?'' He inwardly wondered while watching her aim her gun straight at him.


    She pressed on the trigger, and multiple shots rang out of the barrel, all covered in mes. Emir slowed time once again and watched as the bullets readjusted themselves from their previous path and headed straight towards him.


    ''Tracking then...''


    With that thought crossing his mind, he decided to finally attack.


    "sh Step."


    Disappearing from his position, he now stood behind her, and before she could turn around to defend herself, he lightly tapped her shoulder.


    "Dead."


    But Kiera didn''t reply and immediately jumped away from him while turning around.


    Not bothering to aim her rifle directly at him, she fired off multiple shots to his left and right, going wide and attempting to trap him.


    Emir didn''t even slow time as he simply chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    The globs of fire came at him from both directions, hitting the shield with a long bang!


    But that was all; the bullet easily bounced off, leaving his protective barrier unharmed. ''How do I make this hard for me?''


    ...I should try to only use my TP ability.''


    Emir made a snap decision, and in an instant, he rushed forward.


    Even without channeling Aether into his body, he covered the distance in just two strides.


    Kiera was ready, her stance firm as she unleashed multiple close-range sts of fire directly at him.


    Emir''s lips curled into a scoff as he nimbly sidestepped the zing projectile, which sailed harmlessly past his left shoulder.


    Without a pause, he pressed his right foot down,unching himself upwards.


    In mid-air, his body spun, his left foot twisting him 360 degrees.


    In the blink of an eye, the heel of his left foot was now aimed at her head.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Kiera''s instincts kicked in, her body arching in a nimble dodge that saved her from the impending blow.


    Yet Emir seized the opening.


    With a seamless shift of his weight, he pivoted on his left foot, extending his right leg.


    His precise strike swept across, targeting her legs.


    Her bnce shattered, and she tumbled backward, crashing head-first onto the ground. Emir wasted no time.


    Hovering over her fallen form, he poised his left foot above her neck.


    The world slowed as he watched the fire bullet veer back towards him, the tracking still active.


    "Off," hemanded, now looking down at her.


    Her response was immediate, as the tracking me vanished into thin air.


    With his two feet now on the ground, he extended his right hand and said:


    "C''mon, your people are about to get here; you don''t want to show them this sight now, do you?"


    Grabbing him by the forearm, Kiera pulled herself up.


    "I didn''t expect to hurt you or even attempt to challenge you, but that was just... embarrassing."


    Emir chuckled at her words.


    "Don''t worry, you''ve actually used your abilities pretty well, but you can''t expect anything more than that... The weak need to band together to challenge those stronger than them, so who knows, I might find you guys together a bit... tough."


    "Yeah right." She scoffed while patting her butt.


    Just as those words echoed in the training room, the doors were shoved open as five excited and terrified gang members entered the room.


    "Speak of the devil... Alright everyone, form a n with your captain; I''ll be waiting."


    Leaving those words behind, he stepped to the other side of the arena, the furthest point away from the entrance.


    Emir watched as they all huddled together, whispering about.


    He pretended not to listen to their words, as he could still easily hear them discuss from all


    the way across the room.


    Sometimeter, they all brought their hands together and let out a loud:


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    ''Are they in a sports team or something?''


    He inwardly mused as eyed them stand in formation, with Jack and Kiera at the back, Evan and


    Hiro at the front, leaving Sarah and Leo in the middle.


    They all stood with tensed bodies as if they would attack at any moment.


    But many seconds passed, and nothing happened.


    They all silently stared at Emir, not moving an inch, as if death was standing in front of them.


    And it wouldn''t have been an exaggeration.


    To someone on their level, Emir is the literal embodiment of death, as he would only need a few moments to kill them all.


    "Scared?" He asked, leaning on his left leg while throwing his rucksack to the side of the


    arena.


    They all flinched as they heard his next words.


    "If you won''te to me, then..."


    ''sh Step.'' He inwardly chanted, appearing right in front of the unmoving Hiro almost


    instantly.


    Hiro''s face looked to be so shocked that his brain might''ve yet to register Emir being in front


    of him.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Immediately slowing down time, Emir looked to the back of the group, watching as globs of mes headed in his direction, led by two Aether-imbued bullets, shining brightly almost


    blinding his eyes.


    ''Jack is a Ranger, huh...''


    Knowing that the Ranger''s specialty is in urate, powerful, and quick shots, he immediately


    shifted his body to the right, dodging the first two shots aimed at his head.


    And as the tracking mes arrived, he decided to reveal a bit of his strength.


    But before he did so, he noticed Hiro finally regainingposure as his eyes lit up with determination and fear subtly ingrained.


    The others had the same reaction, as if the shots from Kiera and Jack were their wake-up call.


    Inwardly scoffing, Emir pressed his feat hard on the ground, flying over the arena, almost


    reaching the roof.


    Then he subtly chanted:


    "tform."


    Forming a hidden Aether construct above him.


    He then twisted his body mid-air andunched himself off it, barreling towards their group


    as he screamed:


    "LET ME SEE WHAT YOU''VE GOT!"

 Chapter 172: A Bigger Smackdown

    Chapter 172: A Bigger Smackdown


    ?


    The gang members couldn''t help but gasp in awe and fear as Emir flew through the air, defying gravity with his Aether construct.


    And as he hurtled towards them, they scrambled to react.


    Evan immediately screamed:


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    In an instant, an unmovable barrier materialized before them, stretching wide to shield the group.


    Simultaneously, Jack and Kiera swiftly shifted their positions, ready tounch a


    counterattack.


    ''So a knight...''


    Emir thought as his face showed a hint of amusement, seeing their futile attempts at defense.


    And just before crashing into the barrier, he activated his Temporal Perception ability once more, slowing down time around him.


    His eyes locked onto the barrier of Aether, and, with a swift movement of his hand, he chanted:


    "des."


    Creating a dagger construct, barely usable, but he only needed it for one thing.


    With a single, precise strike, the barrier shattered like ss, leaving the gang members exposed.


    Emir smirked as he heard the sound of a gunshot, but with his time-slowing ability, he easily twisted his body and dodged the bullet Jack had fired.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The Ranger''s face showed surprise and frustration at Emir''s agility, contrary to what someone might expect from his size.


    Meanwhile, Kiera had unleashed another volley of fireballs in Emir''s direction.


    Emir danced through the air like a snake, sidestepping and ducking to avoid each shot with ease, forming a set of almost invisible tforms around him.


    He appeared to be a force of nature to them, and they couldn''t help but feel the vast gap in their abilities.


    And just when it seemed like Emir was about to make contact with the ground, he activated another Aetheric construct beneath his feet, propelling him upwards with incredible speed.


    He soared into the air, looking down at the gang members below.


    With a smirk, he taunted them:


    "Come on, show me what you''ve got! Don''t hold back! Hiro, I haven''t seen much of you yet. Sarah, Leo, step up!"


    Almost responding to his taunts, he watched as Hiro mouthed the words:


    "sh Step."


    Emir dodged Hiro''s body with widened eyes, which almost flew straight into him.


    Chuckling, he let himselfnd on the ground as he watched Hiro crash into the wall with a loud Crack!


    ''He stepped up alright...'' He inwardly mused.


    Turning his attention to his opponents, he was met by ten fireballs and a rushing Evan to his left.


    Slowing down time, he looked around for Jack, not seeing him anywhere.


    ''Camouge...'' He assumed as he chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    Now, with his trusty shield around him, he tanked all the fireballs with no care in the world and waited for the Knight to approach.


    "Aetheric de..."The knight chanted while raising up his Longsword.


    "Honorable Duel!" Evan roared as he swung it down, splitting the air in two.


    ''Honorable duel? What does that do?'' Emir inwardly wondered while switching up his n of attack.


    He was about to sidestep, but now he wanted to take the longsword head-on, wanting to know of Evan''s strength.


    A loud thundercrack echoed as the sword crashed into his shield, surpassing Emir''s expectations of how much damage it would deal as he had to put forth quite a bit of Aether.


    ''Wow... If I was in their sub-rank, a single hit of that would''ve done me in.''


    Chuckling at the thought, he didn''t wait for Evan to swing his sword again and rushed forward, nting his foot into the man''s head.


    Evan almost immediately flew off the arena, crashing into the wall.


    "Longshot."


    But before Emir could check on him, he was attacked from behind as a shot rang out, three or so meters away from him.


    "Jacki~." Emir voiced out while instantly concentrating his Aetheric Shield into one specific point, easily deflecting the two bullets away.


    Quickly turning around, Emir stepped forward, appearing in front of Jack, and with a swift movement, he pivoted on his left leg, about to kick the man into oblivion with his right.


    Sensing the danger, the Ranger immediately chanted:


    "Rapid Retreat!"


    His whole body glowed with Aether as he jumped back, flying away from the devastating kick that ran through where he was moments before.


    ''Not bad...'' Emir thought, leaving him alone for a moment and turning his gaze towards Kiera.


    She and Leo stood guard next to Sarah as she appeared to be healing her downed gangmates,


    Hiro and Evan.


    ''A Zenith Warden... These guys are a special package; Lyra taught them well.''


    As that thought crossed his mind, a smile crept across his lips.


    However, this smile bore an uncanny resemnce to that of a devil''s, and the sight of it sent a chill through those standing before him, nearly prompting a chorus of fearful screams.


    Sarah, taken aback, noticed the state of her teammates and bellowed:


    "ZENITH SOOTH!"


    Her voice held authority, and with it came a quiet:


    "Zenith Replenish..."


    Though her healing efforts appeared to have drained her, the group''s vitality surged


    pusinimously.


    The depletion of Aether reserves that once dimmed their spirits was now reversed, reced


    with renewed strength.


    Kiera''s gun swung to aim directly at Emir, mirrored by Jack''s swift action.


    Meanwhile, Evan and Hiro charged to the forefront, their faces no longer showing fear.


    Leo assumed his post, standing guard over the lone figure of Sarah, who remained back.


    ''Is he some rat? Or is this his n?''


    Emir let out a sigh and shook his head.


    Wanting to get this over with, he stepped forward, but just as his left foot reached the ground,


    he heard the scream of a young man:


    "AETHERIC SIPHON!"


    ''A TECHNOMANCER!'' Emir inwardly roared in happiness, delighted by the news of obtaining


    a Technomancer as an underling.


    ''Man... I wish I''d known this beforehand; it would''ve made Aria''s kidnapping so much easier.''


    Emir didn''t even bother with the minuscule amount of Aether leaving his body since he could replenish much more than what was taken, so it didn''t affect him as much as Leo thought it


    would.


    He then looked back at the knight and materialized right before him, his agile momentum carrying him forward.

 Chapter 173: An Even Bigger Smackdown

    Chapter 173: An Even Bigger Smackdown


    ?


    He then executed a spin, channeling his motion into a sudden front flip.


    In a swift descent, his right foot plummeted downward.


    Before Evan could muster a response, Emir''s foot met its mark, crushing the knight''s head with relentless force.


    The sh was over before Evan''s thoughts could even solidify into action.


    As Evan''s longsword ttered to the ground, his body following suit, Emir was attacked by Hiro.


    Hiro widely swung with his right shortsword, but it missed Emir as he simply leaned back slightly, letting it graze past his chest.


    Undeterred, Hiro''s movement flowed seamlessly into a spin, his right arm sweeping in an arc.


    All the while, his voice chanted:


    "Blurred Dance."


    Yet, the heightened pace of Hiro''s assault seemed almost sluggish to Emir.


    Closing in on him, Emir maneuvered past the swinging right arm with ease.


    Causing a glint of realization to flicker in Hiro''s eyes as he hurriedly screamed: "Aetheric Evasion!"


    But Emir''s response was faster.


    In a fraction of a second, his footshed out, connecting with the de Dancer''s chest.


    The impact was staggering, sending Hiro flying backwards before the ability could take effect.


    He hurtled through the air, smashing into Jack, who had finally chanced a moment to take aim.


    They crashed hard into each other, sending them tumbling away from the fight.


    Emir let out a chuckle and then rushed towards Kiera, wanting to leave Leo forst.


    Kiera''s focus zeroed in on the approaching threat, and she seized the opportunity to finally shoot at Emir; her abilities silently chanted in unison.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Eight fireballs erupted out of the nozzle of her gun, draining her face of color in the process. Emir usually would''ve simply conjured his shield, knowing that the fire would track him. But this time, he wanted to show her another weakness of hers.


    Not bothering to use his sh Step ability, he rushed forward, heading directly towards the mes.


    They roared after him, their heat a searing testament to their ferocity.


    Emir shifted with a quick step to the left; he waited for a slight moment, and then, in a blink, he dashed right, effortlessly outmaneuvering the tracking trajectory of the mes.


    Left with nothing to defend herself with, Kiera gazed at Emir, a mixture of horror and desperation painting her expression as he closed the distance between them in just four steps.


    Her voice quivered as she tried a plea, her eyes wide and almost innocent:


    "You wouldn''t hurt me, would you?"


    Emir''s response was a subtle shake of his head.


    A flicker of hope ignited in Kiera''s eyes, a fleeting belief that she might be spared.


    Her anticipation, however, turned to ashes as Emir sidestepped abruptly.


    Eight fireballs appeared at the spot he had been a mere moment ago, a trap sprung by his calcted movement.


    "Equality."


    His voice was calm while appearing to be suppressing a chuckle.


    "ARRRRGGGGGGGGH!"


    Kiera''s own mes struck her with brutal force, a fiery onught that threatened to consume her.


    The agony was visceral as she screamed, a raw sound that conveyed her suffering.


    But she managed to wrest control in the nick of time, sparing herself from certain death. The mes merely left their initial impact before she could staunch their consuming power. Copsed onto the ground, Kiera heaved a tired sigh of relief, d to survive Emir as an enemy.


    Emir then turned his gaze away from the snoozing gang leader and eyed Sarah and Leo.


    ''The remaining two-a technomancer with no tech and a warden all out Aether... quite sad.''


    Looking at Sarah, he pointed towards Kiera and the rest, and she immediately understood his intention, running over to heal them.


    "Leo, you are thest one standing. Come."


    Emir''s voice cut through the charged air like a de, his gesture beckoning Leo to face his impending fate.


    Fear etched into his expression, Leo nodded, his trembling hand clutching a knife.


    Stammering, he invoked his ability:


    "Aetheric Hologram."


    And abruptly, his form split into two identical copies, both copies mirroring each other''s


    movements.


    Emir''s brow quirked with a hint of bemusement.


    ''Isn''t it just redundant to give away the main body''s location before using the ability?'' He mused silently.


    Casually lifting his shoulders in a nonchnt shrug, he prepared to end Leo with a p into the wall.


    But just as his hand poised for the strike, an unexpected ring chimed from his terminal, halting his body.


    Emir fished out the terminal from his pocket, his attention diverted from the battle at hand. Leo''s attack went through, only to bounce off Emir''s augmented suit''s force shield.


    Stopping in his tracks, Leo understood what happened and stepped back in tense silence, his gaze locked onto Emir.


    Leo''s eyes soon widened, a silent witness to the rapid transformation of emotions ying across Emir''s features like a storm.


    The initial flicker of shock, however fleeting, was soon eclipsed by a surge of anger that crept


    up his expression.


    But then, like a violent tempest tearing through the calm sky, an unparalleled rage contorted Emir''s countenance into something unrecognizable.


    Leo had faced Emir''s prowess in battle and witnessed his unfazed demeanor in the face of


    danger, but this...


    This was different.


    The depths of Emir''s wrath seemed to unearth something primal, something ancient and powerful that roared to the surface.


    And as Leo stood there, the weight of his own fear mingled with the palpable tension in the


    air.


    He couldn''t tear his gaze away from Emir''s visage, like a moth drawn to a mesmerizing, dangerous me.


    The world around them seemed to dim, the chaotic battle fading to insignificance inparison to the force of emotion radiating from Emir.


    The air itself seemed to vibrate with his killing intent, suffocating Leo as he imagined his


    death over and over.


    Causing hundreds of silent shivers to crawl down his spine.


    Leo had never expected to witness this.


    Yet, standing before him, he knew one thing with a chilling certainty:


    Whoever had ignited this inferno of wrath within Emir would face not just death but a million


    agonizing deaths.

 Chapter 174: Court Hearing

    Chapter 174: Court Hearing


    ?


    Emir''s gaze remained fixed on the message as time seemed to stretch.


    A tense silence enveloped the room, the air growing heavy with an almost palpable pressure. The gang members, now fully healed and gathered around him, exchanged fearful nces.


    Each of them was acutely aware of the invisible force radiating from him.


    Unintentionally, he emanated an aura of pure killing intent.


    A chilling manifestation of his emotions that seemed to constrict the very atmosphere around them.


    Heartbeats quickened, and breaths became shallower as they involuntarily found themselves caught in the weight of his presence pressing down on them.


    It was like an unrelenting vice grip on their senses.


    "E-Emir... PLEASE!"


    It took a stuttering plea from Kiera to break the silence, her voice a desperate tremor.


    Emir''s sigh then cut through the room like a gust of frigid wind, his expression hardening into an icy mask.


    His gaze shifted to meet hers, and the intensity of his stare sent a shiver down her spine.


    It was a look that held no warmth, a gaze that seemed to pierce through to the core of her being.


    "Stop tracking your targets," hemanded, his voice steady, each word heavy with a chilling finality.


    "The court hearing is tomorrow..."


    As his words hung in the air, a collective gasp seemed to echo in response.


    The realization settled over them like a dark cloud, casting a shadow of apprehension across their faces.


    At that moment, they all understood the gravity of their situation.


    The impending reckoning that awaited them at the court hearing.


    ''I expected this... But still, tomorrow?''


    ''We don''t have anything to y against them.''


    ''I can only trust that Elijah pulls his weight...''


    "Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and little Leo...."


    "I don''t know what will happen tomorrow, but there is one thing I know."


    "Your lives will be in danger."


    "Prepare for the inevitable, as I won''t be there to help you all."


    Kiera stepped closer to him and nodded, her eyes enough of an answer to his words.


    "Good. Hopefully, all of you will live through it, but I''m not cing my bet on it."


    "Anyways, see you allter, yeah?"


    But before he left, Hiro approached him and quietly whispered in his ear:


    "I know this might sound insensitive considering what''s going on, but I have to ask. How did you fly around like that? Did you sh step?"


    Emir looked at him for a moment and replied with a chuckle:


    "No... And it''s a secret I won''t be sharing."


    He then left the tense training room and headed out to meet his mother.


    ...


    "When did you get the news?" Emir asked as he sat down to eat dinner.


    cing her spoon down for a moment, Laura looked to her right.


    She eyed the starving Lily as she devoured everything on her te, appearing unbothered by what just happened.


    Turning her attention back to Emir, she answered:


    "I messaged you right after they sent me the updated document..."


    Emir nodded.


    "I see... I''ve made some preparations for it, but they aren''t ready yet."


    "I''ve only got one card I can y in court, and I don''t trust it to be a winning one, but it''s all I''ve got."


    Laura showed a sad smile, knowing that if even her son was troubled, then she couldn''t help save thepany.


    And her face slowly grew irritated as Lily continued eating as if all was normal, munching away at her food.


    "Sweetie... Don''t you have anything to say about this?"


    "Ah, well, it''s my brother we''re talking about here; I know that he''ll get us through this, no problem." Lily said, with a spoon full of food in her mouth.


    Emir lightly chuckled at her response, but Laura didn''t join in on the fun and was about to reprimand her way of eating...


    But then a sudden ring emanated through Emir''s terminal, giving her pause.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Picking it up, he swiped and read the message.


    {They brought the court hearing of the Prince Emporiumpany to tomorrow; I don''t know the details, but I''ve heard something along the lines of a merger with a hunter''s den or


    something.} Elijah


    ''So the merger was the spark that ignited the fire....''


    ''Was I rushing into it?''


    Shaking himself out of that thought, he replied:


    {Alright. Prepare yourself; tomorrow is the day; show up on time; testify against the ims facing thepany; throw your name around as much as possible; and say that you were a


    loyal customer.}


    {Say that you know the ins and outs of thepany and that what they are spewing out are fraudulent ims that you, the heir of the Moon Scribe family, won''t stand for.}


    {...} {...}


    {...}


    ''Is the burner terminal broken?'' Emir wondered, but as a few moments passed, he finally got a


    reply from Elijah:


    {Understood, is that when you will give out her location?}


    {If you do your job well, yes. I took an oath, not something I can go back on.}


    {I''ll do my best then.}


    {Good. I expect a lot from you. And don''t contact this ID again; you won''t be receiving a


    reply.}


    After typing that out, Emir didn''t wait for a reply and immediately broke the terminal in half. Applying more strength to his arms, he squashed it into a ball, destroying whatever was on it.


    Laura and Lily looked at his actions in interest but didn''tment on them, realizing what


    they meant.


    "It''s too bad that neither of you chose a specialization yet; I could easily have one of you melt


    it with fire."


    Finally done with her meal, Lily gulped herst bit of food and asked:


    "Do you want me to be a spell weaver?"


    Shaking his head, Emir chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    Which formed two small connected shields in an infinity shape around his hands, covering the


    terminal.


    "No... You can leave all the fighting to me."


    "You two can eventually decide on whatever specialization you wantter. Just make sure you like it; after all, you''ll be stuck with it for the rest of your life."


    Moments after saying that, he concentrated on empowering his shield with Aether to the


    extreme, and with a simple locking of his hands, he began grinding the terminal, reducing it


    to fine metal shavings.


    Both his mother and sister ignored the amount of strength needed to do that and continued


    eating.


    "Is there anything you want me to do before tomorrow?" Laura asked.


    Emir took out a few tissues and wrapped the metal shavings and stic dust in them while


    saying:


    "Rest well. That''s all I''ll ever need from you...."


    "We both know that no matter what you say or do, they will find something, anything, and


    blow it out of the water."


    Picking up his fork and spoon, he eyed the chicken curry rice in front of him and added:


    "I''m not telling you not to try, but instead, I''m telling you to be ready, ready for their mental


    attacks, ready for them wearing you down, trying to find the many skeletons we have hidden


    in our closet."


    Laura silently nodded while Lily chuckled, saying:


    "That''s a nice analogy... where did you hear that from?"


    Emir replied to her with a shrug as they continued talking, with Emir and Laura finally beginning to enjoy their meals, readying themselves for the inevitable.

 Chapter 175: Court Hearing II

    Chapter 175: Court Hearing II


    ?


    Ending the call with Nathan, Emir, who wore a ck suit, nked by Laura, stood outside a massive twelve-story building, the headquarters of which all those he calls Corpo exist.


    Otherwise, known as sector managers.


    The building''s exterior was a blend of modern design and traditional aesthetics, with sleek ss windows and intricate stone carvings adorning the fa?ade.


    Giving the ce a sense of authority that matched the organization it housed.


    A steady stream of people in business suits with the UEF''s insignia, a small globe nked by a leaf and sword, passed in and out of the gated entrance, with their faces often buried in their terminals.


    The gate itself was an imposing structure, with ornate wrought ironwork and a security checkpoint where each person''s identity was verified.


    ''Nothing grand, but it does the job.''


    Emir inwardly scoffed while running his hand through his newly cut hair, a result of a recent visit to the gentleman incarnate.


    He then nced up at the towering building, its reflective ss windows shimmering in the sunlight.


    The scene outside the headquarters was a mix of purposeful movement and hushed conversations.


    Employees hurried about their tasks, while asional clusters formed for brief discussions.


    Emir observed it all with a critical eye and slightly curved lips, noting the efficiency of the operation while maintaining his usual air of detachment.


    "Mom... let''s go," he finally said, his tone gentle yet firm, as he took hold of her arm and led her towards the entrance of the building.


    As their steps carried them further into the bustling environment of the headquarters, Emir could feel the tension in his mother''s muscles gradually giving way under hisforting touch.


    A smile tugged at his lips at this subtle change.


    "You''ll be fine," he reassured her, his voice soft.


    "C''mon, we have to go up."


    Walking among the diverse crowd that popted the building, they found themselves surrounded by a mix of professionals.


    Lawyers in sharp suits conversed with managers and receptionists, while office workers buzzed about their tasks.


    Even judges, a distinct yet seamlessly integrated group within the organization, made their presence felt under the umbre of the name ''Corpo.''


    Entering the building, they were met with a familiar setting that resonated with functionality.


    The interior, while tastefully decorated, was designed for practicality.


    Clean lines and subdued colors dominated the decor, giving the space a professional and polished look.


    The soft hum of conversation and the asional sound of ringing terminals created a backdrop of organized activity.


    Making their way to the elevator, Emir and his mother stepped inside, among others.


    And with a soft ping, the elevator doors closed as they smoothly ascended to the seventh floor.


    Stepping out of the elevator, Emir''s eyes swept across the surroundings, taking in the unique atmosphere that distinguished this floor from any other building he had ever encountered.


    The floor exuded an air of quiet power, with subdued lighting that emphasized the polished surfaces and elegant furnishings.


    The space was neither overly opulent nor starkly minimalistic; instead, it struck a bnce between functionality and a subtle sense of luxury.


    Walking down a corridor that led to the left, Emir and Laura moved past elegant offices where conversations were held in hushed tones, and professionals engrossed in their tasks hardly spared them a nce.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The hallway was adorned with more artworks, each carefully curated to add a touch of sophistication to the environment.


    Their journey brought them to a massive door, a formidable structure that loomed overhead.


    Emir''s gaze shifted to his mother, offering her a reassuring smile before turning his attention back to the door.


    This was a threshold that would show their fate.


    And suddenly, the massive door automatically swung open, revealing the grandeur of the courtroom beyond.


    The courtroom was an awe-inspiring sight, bathed in the soft glow of ornate chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling.


    Their warm light illuminated the expansive space, casting a gentle radiance over the scene below.


    Long rows of finely upholstered seats stretched out on both sides of the central walkway, providing seating for the attendees who came to witness the proceedings.


    The room itself exuded an air of dignified opulence, with rich wooden paneling and intricate architectural details adorning the walls.


    At the far end of the walkway stood three towering podiums, each positioned at a different elevation above the ground.


    The central podium, elevated the highest, was where the judge presided, their seat


    commanding respect and authority.


    nking this central dais were two additional podiums, one on the right for those testifying as defendants and the other on the left for the intiff.


    ''How ironic...'' Emir inwardly scoffed.


    And as he led Laura down the central walkway, the eyes of the attendees followed their


    movement.


    Emir''s demeanor was confident and purposeful, seemingly unfazed by the weight of the room and the attention it held.


    He brought Laura to the front of the courtroom, standing beside her with a serene smile.


    With a simple yet affectionate kiss on her forehead, he conveyed his support, not concerned in the least about the audience watching them.


    Laura''s expression softened as she received the gesture, her eyes reflecting a mix of


    emotions.


    "Good luck." He murmured while taking a seat back, with the audience on the right side of the


    court.


    He chose a spot that kept him away from the chatter of those who only came here to enjoy the


    spectacle.


    As the seats filled up, Emir''s gaze scanned the room, finally alighting on the faces of the


    people who had yed a role in all his recent troubles.


    They appeared to be two well-off men, both looking exactly like the typical Elite.


    Bright and well-kept blond hair, with a pale face and a physique that needed more than a diet


    to save it.


    ''How can someone be that fat when the food we get nowadays is so healthy even when it''s


    not?''


    Answering his own question, he mumbled after a moment of thought:


    "Ah... Real food. I''ll probably have Mom go to a restaurant that has that on the menu after


    this."


    Emir''s attention was soon drawn back to the front of the courtroom as his gaze settled on the judge, who took his ce at the central podium.


    The room gradually fell into silence as the attendees turned their focus to the judge''s actions. mming his gavel down, he spoke with an authoritative tone:


    "I judge Mercer will remain neutral to both parties based on our Amendments."


    ''Yeah right.'' Emir scoffed inwardly.


    "Party A, the intiff, a subsidiary of the Moon Scribe family, and Party B, the Defendant,


    Prince Emporium, do both parties agree toply with all amendments?"


    "Yes, I agree." They replied in unison.


    "Both parties are not participating with awyer or an attorney, as this case is clear-cut, so


    without further ado..."


    He paused, raising his gavel and mming it down once more.


    "Let the hearing begin."

 Chapter 176: No Sign Of Lyra

    Chapter 176: No Sign Of Lyra


    ?


    The courtroom fell into a hushed silence as the judge''s words reverberated through the space. Emir''s gaze shifted between both parties, Hargrove and his own mother taking the stand, respectively.


    The tension in the room was palpable as everyone awaited the unfolding drama.


    Hargrove, stood up with an air of authority, addressing the judge confidently:


    "Your Honor, we present before you substantial evidence that Party B, Prince Emporium, has been involved in nefarious activities to artificially boost their relic sales..."


    "This tant disregard for fairpetition not only tarnishes the reputation of the GoldLeaf family but also undermines the integrity of the entire relic market."


    The judge, Mercer, leaned forward, his stern expression unwavering.


    "Present your evidence, Mr. Hargrove. The court will assess its validity."


    Hargrove nodded, projecting an aura of certainty.


    "Your Honor, we have documented transactions that took ce under suspicious circumstances. These relics were sold at remarkably low prices, far below their market value. Our investigations reveal that Prince Emporium obtained these relics through illicit means, many of which were counterfeit,promising the hard work of legitimate relic merchants." Judge Mercer''s gaze remained fixed on Hargrove, his discerning eyes hinting at the ''scrutiny'' he would apply to the evidence presented.


    "Continue..."


    "Furthermore, we have statements from several credible sources who have witnessed secretive dealings between Prince Emporium and known underground relic traders. Their collusion is undeniable, and we believe that they orchestrated a scheme to gain an unfair advantage in the market." Hargrove asserted.


    Judge Mercer listened intently, his expression unreadable.


    "Very well, Mr. Hargrove. I will carefully review the evidence you''ve presented... Ms. Laura, please stand up."


    Laura then rose to respond to the usations with a confident demeanor:


    "Your Honor, we categorically deny these baseless allegations made by Party A. Prince Emporium conducts its business with the utmost integrity and adheres strictly to thews and regtions governing the relic trade."


    While silently watching things unfold, Emir leaned back into his seat with wide eyes, impressed by his mother''s words.


    Judge Mercer nodded.


    "Ms. Laura, the court expects a thorough and persuasive defense from your side as well. Proceed."


    Her eyes locked with the judge''s, radiating determination.


    "Of course, Your Honor. We haveprehensive documentation of all our relic acquisitions, and each transaction was conducted transparently, following the standard market procedures. The so-called ''suspiciously low-priced relics'' were simply part of seasonal discounts and promotional offers to benefit our loyal customers and to increase our customer base."


    Hargrove interjected, "Your Honor, we have evidence of off-the-record transactions involving Prince Emporium!"


    But Laura remained undeterred.


    "Those allegations are baseless, Your Honor. We take pride in ourmitment to fairpetition and ethical practices. We demand that the intiff present concrete evidence to back his ims rather than rely on unfounded insinuations."


    Judge Mercer maintained his seemingly impartial stance.


    "Both parties should remember that this court will evaluate the evidence based on its credibility and relevance to the case."


    Hargrove stood his ground.


    "Your Honor, we have a witness who can provide firsthand testimony of the ndestine dealings between Prince Emporium and the underground relic traders."


    Judge Mercer''s gaze intensified, and he spoke with a note of warning:


    "Make sure your witness is credible, Mr. Hargrove. False testimonies can lead to severe consequences, but for now, present your evidence."


    Hargrove nodded and retrieved a stack of documents from a briefcase, handing them over to the judge''s secretary.


    The judge, receiving the stack of papers, silently scrutinized the evidence for a few minutes, carefully examining each piece of paper.


    Emir observed the judge''s demeanor, wondering if he would truly remain neutral, as he had imed.


    The judge then handed the documents back to his secretary, confirming their authenticity.


    He cleared his throat and said:


    "Prince Emporium, do you wish to respond to these allegations?"


    Laura sat with concern etched across her face.


    She then held her breath, ready to defend the family''s honor.


    Emir''s heart swelled with pride at that sight, knowing his mother would not back down from


    this unwinnable fight.


    Rising from her seat, she faced the judge with a resolute expression.


    "Your Honor, I say this again: we deny all of their ims."


    Judge Mercer nodded, acknowledging her response.


    "Very well, Mrs. Laura. I trust you have evidence to support your im."


    With a confident smile, Laura produced a stack of her own documents, thoroughly prepared


    for this confrontation.


    She handed them to the judge''s secretary, who passed them to the judge as he quickly verified their authenticity.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The room seemed to hold its breath as time almost appeared at a standstill.


    Emir watched the expressions on the faces of the spectators, sensing their curiosity and anticipation.


    After a few moments, the judge looked up with an air of finality.


    "Having reviewed the evidence presented by both parties, I find the ims made by Party A to be insufficient in proving the alleged illegal activities. The evidence provided by Party B, Prince Emporium, on the other hand, ispelling and supports their assertion of integrity." A murmur of surprise and satisfaction rippled through the room.


    With a raised eyebrow, Emir noticed the smug expressions of Hargrove, and the rest turned sinister as the judge''s verdict became apparent.


    "But before you m that gavel down, Your Honor," Hargrove interjected, his voiceced with a subtle edge.


    "We have yet to examine our witness. Our evidence might be unsatisfactory, but he will recount his experience with Prince Emporium. We of the Moon Scribe family hold our honor dearly, and we stake it into this testimony."


    Hargrove''s words hung in the air,den with an underlying threat that seemed to reverberate throughout the courtroom-a threat that Judge Mercer couldn''t ignore.


    Mercer''s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features.


    He nced at Hargrove and then at someone who appeared to be a member of the Moon


    Scribe family just behind him.


    "Very well," he acquiesced, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension.


    "Proceed with your witness."


    Emir easily noticed the subtle change in Mercer''s tone and demeanor.


    It was clear that the Moon Scribe family''s influence had taken its toll, and Mercer''s impartiality fell under their veiled threat, an inevitable oue...


    His cold eyes then narrowed as he observed the witness heading to the stand closely.


    Something about the man''s demeanor seemed off, but Emir couldn''t pinpoint what it was.


    Laura, too, seemed suspicious, but she held herposure, knowing that any premature usations could further jeopardize their case.


    And as the witness stepped onto the stand, both of their frustration grew while they listened


    to the rehearsed ount.


    It was extremely obvious that they had coerced the witness into presenting an entirely fabricated narrative in Hargrove''s favor.


    ''Even a deaf man could notice it... I guess our only chance of winning is with Elijah.''


    Emir now understood that the judgepletely stood with Hargrove, as no mention of the


    lies this witness spewed out was mentioned.


    ''Would he im that the lie detector wasn''t working, I wonder?'' He mused.


    Soon, the cross-examination began, and Laura attempted to unravel the witness''s testimony.


    She asked probing questions that exposed inconsistencies and contradictions in the witness''s


    ount.


    With each question, he squirmed ufortably, but no matter how bad the witness''s


    answers were, Mercer nevermented on them.


    This was no longer a courtroom, and the judgment had already been made.


    ''If only Lyra was here...'' Emir thought as he let out a sigh.

 Chapter 177: Throwing The Brat To The Gutter

    Chapter 177: Throwing The Brat To The Gutter


    ?


    As the proceedings continued, the witness was dismissed, and Mercer called out:


    "Does Mrs. Laura have a witness to call to the stand?"


    Laura looked back at Emir for a moment, and seeing him nod, she turned to Mercer and said: "Yes, we do. Witness, pleasee up to the stand."


    Every attendee kept their silence and watched as a beautiful young man with androgynous looks and hair made of silver locked in a ponytail that trailed behind him as he made his way through the courtroom.


    The boy arrived at the stand and stood there confidently, his blue eyes shining as he said: "I''m Elijah, the very son of Eldritch, the head of the family''s name you were throwing around, and I''m here to provide recounts of the truth regarding Prince Emporium."


    Laura turned around to Emir, her face mirroring shock like all those around them, and he simply nodded, answering her unspoken question.


    Emir then looked to his left and watched as Hargrove andpany all collectively stood up in surprise, fear etched on their faces.


    Even the man who had simr features to Elijah joined them in their actions.


    "Young Lord Elijah, what are you doing here?!" He eximed, almost screaming.


    Elijah ignored them and turned his gaze to Mercer, prompting him to stutter out while repeatedly mming his gavel down:


    "Order! ORDER!"


    "I request that you quiet down in my court and show respect!" He added, confident that with the backing of Elijah himself, one of the main family''s children, he had nothing to fear.


    They all listened to his words and sat back down, each of their faces showing absolute terror. "Your Honor," Elijah began, his voice clear and confident.


    "I''m here to provide a firsthand ount of Prince Emporium''s business practices. As the third son of the Moonscribe family head, I can attest to the integrity and honesty with which they operate their relic business."


    Hargrove tried to interject, but Mercer silenced him with a stern look.


    "Let the witness speak," hemanded.


    Elijah continued, "Party A''s ims are false and misleading. There is no evidence of illegal activities or collusion with underground relic traders. Prince Emporium has always followed fair and legal practices in their dealings."


    The tension in the room was palpable as everyone hung on Elijah''s every word.


    It was especially so for the Moonscribe member.


    "As for the witness presented by Party A," Elijah said, his gaze fixed on Hargrove.


    "I can confirm that he has been manipted and coerced into providing false testimony. I recognize him as a known associate of the underground relic traders, and it''s not the first time he''s been used to fabricate evidence against reputable businesses."


    Gasps and whispers rippled through the courtroom, and Hargrove''s face flushed with anger and embarrassment.


    Mercer raised an eyebrow, looking intently at Elijah.


    "Are you suggesting that the Moon Scribe family is involved in framing the Defendant?" Elijah nodded confidently.


    "Yes, Your Honor. Their motive is to eliminatepetition in the relic market. This trial is nothing more than an orchestrated attempt to tarnish Prince Emporium''s name and strip them of everything they have."


    Mercer''s gaze shifted to Hargrove, his expression now unyielding.


    "Mr. Hargrove, do you have any response to these usations?"


    Hargrove stammered, attempting to find his footing:


    "Your Honor, these are preposterous ims! We stand by our evidence and the witness''s testimony."


    Elijah smirked with a glint of mischief in his eyes.


    "Then I suggest you investigate the witness''s background thoroughly. You''ll find that he has quite a history..."


    The room fell into an uneasy silence as Hargrove seemed to realize the gravity of the situation.


    Their n had backfired spectacrly.


    Mercer considered Elijah''s words carefully, his impartiality once again resurfacing.


    "I will take these ims into ount during my deliberation," he dered firmly.


    "Thank you, Mr. Elijah, for shedding light on this matter."


    Elijah inclined his head graciously.


    "You''re wee, Your Honor. I''m merely here...."


    Emir stopped listening to Elijah''s words and focused his attention on the man behind Hargrove; his eyes locked, scrutinizing his actions with curiosity.


    The man appeared to be texting someone on his terminal, prompting Emir to wonder:


    ''Is he reporting this to them?''


    ''No... don''t tell me...''


    Emir watched as the man suddenly stood up, interrupting the proceedings:


    "Your Honor, I must interject," he said with a smug expression.


    "Elijah''s ims are baseless and must not be considered. I am Sebastian MoonScribe, and I can assure you that he is no longer a part of our family. He was disowned for colluding with Prince Emporium to undermine our family''s business."


    The courtroom fell into stunned silence as everyone''s attention shifted to Sebastian, who seemed eager to share the news.


    Emir''s heart sank, understanding that the Elite had no line they wouldn''t cross if it were for the betterment of their rtionship with Magnus.


    He exchanged worried nces with his mother, knowing that their defense was over...


    This move was checkmate.


    Mercer looked at Sebastian with a raised eyebrow.


    But before he spoke, Elijah interrupted, remainingposed, unfazed by Sebastian''s attempt


    to tarnish his credibility:


    "Your Honor, I stand by my testimony and the truth it represents. MY OWN family is desperately trying to divert attention from their own misconduct by discrediting me. But I


    assure you, I have no reason to lie. I seek justice, not revenge."


    Mercer''s expression remained inscrutable as he listened to both of them.


    The tension in the room was ever present, as the fate of the trial seemed to hang in the


    bnce.


    "Mr. Sebastian," Mercer addressed him firmly.


    "If you have any evidence to support your ims about Elijah''s disownment, you may present


    it."


    Sebastian faltered for a moment; he then nced at Hargrove and the rest, but they avoided making eye contact, leaving him to face the Mercer alone, not wanting to intervene in something as big as the disownment of a legitimate child of an Elite family''s head. Letting out a chuckle, he put down his terminal on the table in front of him, allowing the secretary to deliver it to Mercer.


    Emir watched as Mercer''s face paled while reading the terminal''s contents, and after a few more moments, he mmed his gavel down, stating:


    "I shall take a short recess to deliberate before delivering my final verdict." Emir''s brows twitched in frustration, knowing that the only reason for recess was for Mercern/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    to contact the MoonScribe family to confirm the situation.


    He felt a rising tide of rage boiling within him as he waited for Mercer''s decision.


    His mind was consumed by thoughts of his escape n-when, where, and how he would manage it if Lyra didn''t arrive in the next few days.


    The courtroom was silent for a long while until Mercer finally returned to his seat and addressed the courtroom with a somber tone.

 Chapter 178: Loss

    Chapter 178: Loss


    ?


    "After careful consideration of all the evidence and testimony presented, it is clear that the allegations made by the intiff against the defendant, Prince Emporium, have not been sufficiently proven."


    A murmur of disappointment spread among Hargrove andpany, while Laura held her breath in anticipation.


    "However," Mercer continued.


    "The revtion of Elijah''s disownment from the Moon Scribe family has raised doubts about his motivations and credibility as a witness."


    Emir let out a scoff at his words, knowing that this was decided just as the announcement of Elijah''s disownment was confirmed.


    "As a result," he dered.


    "I cannot definitively rule in favor of the defendant either. Theck of concrete evidence and the questionable credibility of both parties leave it up to me to decide the more credible source of information."


    The courtroom was filled with a cacophony of murmurs and gasps from its attendees.


    It was a stark contrast:


    Hargrove almost celebrated, his face lit up with unhidden satisfaction, while Laura turned her gaze back to her son with teary eyes.


    She understood the underlying message within Mercer''s words.


    However, Emir was an anomaly in the courtroom.


    Amidst the chaos of emotions, he alone held his unmoving silence.


    His cold gaze was fixed on Mercer, his dark eyes unblinking, like twin voids that seemed to absorb all the light around them.


    Unbeknownst to the others, he was struggling mightily to restrain the overwhelming surge of killing intent that threatened to drown the entire ce.


    He knew that the consequences would be dire if he let go, and the responsibility for the resulting carnage would fall squarely on his shoulders.


    So, with great effort, he suppressed his instincts and harnessed his rage, all while imagining Mercer''s death on a ceaseless loop in his mind as a means of maintaining control.


    Laura couldn''t help but continue to look at her son, her mouth slightly agape at the transformation she was witnessing.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir''s demeanor was otherworldly-his eyes, an endless abyss, and the Aether swirling around him grew darker, almost imperceptible to those who weren''t paying close attention.


    This unsettling atmosphere hung heavy for a moment as if time itself had been momentarily frozen by Emir''s internal struggle.


    And all of it was defused with a sudden, resounding finality as Mercer mmed his gavel onto his podium, its sharp crack slicing through the tension.


    The sound echoed through the courtroom, effectively silencing the room once more, while the visible Aether around Emir slowly returned to its previous state as if nothing had transpired.


    "This court rules in favor of the intiff, Mr. Hargrove. The usations made against the defendant are epted. Prince Emporium will be shut down, all profits will be held by the UEF, and thepany''s assets will be liquidated to be held by the UEF as well."


    "Mrs. Laura will be held ountable for thepany''s actions, and she will be facing jail time or, worse, specified at ater date..."


    As Mercer''s verdict was delivered, a sinister smile crept across the faces of Hargrove and Sebastian.


    "Thank you, Your Honor, for recognizing our family''s convection," Sebastian spoke, his words holding an undertone of a threat.


    "We always trusted in the integrity of this court and itsmitment to justice."


    Mercer nodded, pleased with his own perceived impartiality.


    "It is my duty to uphold thew and ensure a fair trial. Rest assured, justice will always prevail in this courtroom..."


    "You''re now all dismissed!"


    Emir rose from his seat, paying no heed to the curious stares that bore into him from all around and took measured steps toward his mother.


    "Mom..."


    "I''m here. I''m here with you..." He spoke softly as he stood before her.


    Laura seemed to awaken from her stunned state, and her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed into her son''s worried face.


    It was as if his words had broken the spell of despair that had momentarily enveloped her. "Sweetie... W-we tried our best, didn''t we?" She managed to say, her voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and regret.


    "I only wanted to help you... but this..."


    Her voice caught in her throat, with tears streaming down her cheeks as she was simply overwhelmed with emotion.


    Emir''s heart ached witnessing his mother''s vulnerability, as if every one of her tears was a knife digging into his own chest.


    Yet his features remained steadfast, his initial sorrow now giving way to a cold, resolute determination.


    "Mom you''ll be fine... we''ll be fine, but for now, we need to leave."


    Laura nodded through her tears, hastily wiping them away, her bursting emotions in the process of slowly calming down.


    Together, they cast onest nce toward Elijah, the MoonScribe heir, caught in his own turmoil, who, like Laura moments before, remained frozen in his seat, his gaze locked onto the spot where Mercer had stood.


    Emir approached Elijah and gently tapped his shoulder, silently signaling his intention to speak outside.


    Startled, Elijah flinched, but upon realizing it was Emir, he slowly nodded and followed them as they exited the courtroom.


    -


    "So... Your name is Elijah, right? Why did youe through as our witness? We only heard from someone that we''d get help, but we didn''t expect it to be an Elite..." Emir said while heading towards the academy with Laura to his left and Elijah to his right.


    "Ex Elite, you mean?" Elijah asked, with his blue eyes downcast.


    "Yeah... But I expected you to react a bit more to the news... I mean, you lost everything, and it was for nothing; we didn''t even manage to clear our innocence."


    "Heh. I''m sorry for that. I tried my best..."


    Emir lightly chuckled and patted Elijah''s back a few times.


    "It''s fine; I didn''t expect us to win, and it doesn''t matter now; our family needs to focus on what we can do; we don''t have time to grieve, while you must do the same, so I have to ask


    again. What will you do now?"


    Letting out a sigh, Elijah looked up at the sky for a moment and then answered:


    "I''ve repaid my dues; my friend should be safe now, and since I''m no longer a part of the


    family, I don''t really have a home to go back to..."


    ''Tell me why your reaction was so subdued, goddammit!'' Emir inwardly bellowed.


    And as if reading his thoughts, Elijah added:


    "Oh, and about that, I''m the third child you see..."


    "I don''t have much backing in the family, especiallypared to my older brother and sister,


    so we''ve had constant tension between us, and I can easily bet that they immediately took


    this opportunity to kick me out... So yeah, it isn''t a surprise."


    ''I see, I expected this, but damn the butterfly effect... Just a single action from me caused the entirety of Elijah''s future to change from his premeditated storyline.''


    ''The whole goddamn plot changed before it even began...''


    ''It doesn''t matter much though; I never relied on it... and besides, my existence itself would''ve changed everything whether I massively interfered or not.''


    Nodding his head, Emir consoled him:


    "I see... I''m not one to take pity, especially on an Elite, but I can safely say that you''ve gone


    through a lot for a kid."


    Emir paused momentarily, gazing at his mother, who had been silently listening from the


    outset.


    It was as if he and Lauramunicated their intentions through unspoken cues, and sensing the question forming in his eyes, she preemptively asked:


    "Why don''t you live with us for a while? It''s only me and my son that live there; my daughter visits sometimes, but that''s about it; we have an extra room for you."


    Elijah stared at her for a while, his mouth agape, but he quicklyposed himself.


    "Are you sure? And wait... Am I the only one who heard that Mercer bastard say that you''d be


    jailed? Actually, just why are guys acting soposed?!"


    Laura shrugged.


    "I calmed down somehow... You know, just seeing Emir''s face makes me think that I''ll be fine.


    I won''t ask him what his ns are, but I know that he''ll take care of me..."


    Emir nodded to Elijah''s questioning gaze and hit his back harder this time. "Don''t worry about that, and of course, you''re wee home! That''s the least we can do for


    you!"


    ''An ex-Elite and a Reaper ss on top of that, who would say no to having them on their team? I''ve got to nab him before anyone else does!'' He added in his mind.


    Almost stumbling forward, Elijah caught himself and looked at the man who towered over


    him with a bright smile. "Alright. Thank you both... Seriously. I''ll go get my stuff; can I get your ID?"


    Emir nodded, and as they brought their terminals close to each other, both devices emitted a


    soft chime to confirm the sessful ID transfer.


    After this, Emir swiped through his terminal a few times, speaking as he did so:


    "It''s done. I''ll send it to my mother so she can help you out, and I can''t join you guys for now


    since I''ve got work, so I''ll meet you guys thereter."


    Laura looked at Emir with a knowing gaze, while Elijah obliviously asked:


    "A job request?"


    Shaking his head, Emir tapped his terminal and said:


    "Kinda... I''ve got an Elite to save."

 Chapter 179: No Time To Grieve

    Chapter 179: No Time To Grieve


    ?


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''What was the saying?...Kill the man and visit his grave?''


    Emir chuckled at that thought as he arrived at a bar, the same one he visited more than a year ago with the group of six hunters.


    Opening the batwing doors, he stepped in and was weed by the smell of strong alcohol hitting his nose.


    It was dimly lit by flickeringnterns and the glow of a few scattered bulbs.


    The room was adorned with wooden beams and rough-hewn walls that had witnessed countless tales of camaraderie.


    Camaraderie, or, in other words... drunk hunters that smashed up the ce.


    The air was thick with the scent of aged whiskey, mixed with the aroma of hearty meals being served at the tables.


    The bar counter, worn and weathered, stood as a testament to the many patrons who had leaned on it while sharing stories of their triumphs and defeats.


    The walls were adorned with various artifacts and trophies, each representing a memorable monster hunt or a daring escapade.


    Old maps and wanted posters were pinned to the walls, hinting at the bar''s roots as a hub for hunters.


    The sound ofughter and friendly banter filled the room, apanied by the asional clinking of sses and the soft strumming of a guitar in the corner.


    The atmosphere was alive as patrons from all walks of life mingled, sharing their stories and raising their drinks in toasts.


    Emir who weed the scene found an empty stool at the bar and took a seat, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him.


    This ce held memories of joy, of his first victory as a hunter in this cruel world.


    He fished out his ID and ced it on the table in front of him.


    The bartender retrieved it, and after quickly scanning it, he greeted him with a warm smile like a seasoned figure:


    "Good to see you again,d. I remember you lot being rowdy some time ago. d to see more youngins alive... So, what can I get for you?"


    Emir returned the smile, appreciating the familiar wee.


    "A ss of your finest whiskey, neat please, and I''ll be havingpany over, so prepare a table for me."


    The man nodded and left Emir after a few moments to enjoy his newly poured drink.


    And as Emir did so, his mind wandered to the past.


    He reminisced about his once-naive self, at the times when he had fuck all to worry about.


    ''I wouldn''t really call it easy... It was still a great wall that I had no idea how to go past, but now...''


    ''Instead of a wall, I feel like I''m facing a titan that would stomp me back to sleep at every chance it had.''


    ''... But that doesn''t mean that I have no chance to win. Although we''ve lost the hearing, they won''t take action for a while. Lyra wille, and we could turn this around...''


    He had no time to grieve; he needed to prepare for her arrival.


    With those thoughts out of the way, he left himself to rx for a little while, as he knew that The would be fighting soon.


    A few more sses of whiskeyter, Emma, Jake, and, surprisingly, Alex arrived at the bar.


    Emir stepped up to wee them, the alcohol having zero effect on him as he hugged both Emma and Jake together.


    "What''s up guys... how''s it going?"


    "We''ve had better days."


    "I''d kill for a drink!"


    The trio chuckled as they let go of each other.


    Emir then walked over to Alex, and they shook hands.


    "Alex."


    "Emir."


    "It''s good to see you again."


    "It''s good indeed."


    Just as they shared a nod, Emir led the way, and they all gathered around a table.


    And before he could speak to them, Jake started off by saying:


    "I''ve heard the news, and although I''m sorry to hear about what happened, I¡ªwe know that you''ve got a n to get everything back, so we won''t worry too much."


    Emir looked at Emma for a moment, and she nodded, confirming her partner''s words.


    "Good. I don''t like those that show unnecessary pity... Anyways, thanks for believing in me, but let''s ignore that for a bit and talk about what we came here for, shall we?"


    Emma and Jake shared a quick nce before she spoke:


    "As you already know, due to our connection with the Ebonfyre family, we''ve had many opportunities to get high-paying requests, and we''ve got one again..."


    "It looks like that GoldLeaf kid went too far in a ruin and got herself stuck, so we have to go in there and get her out."


    Showing a surprised face, Emir asked:


    "When was this? And what were her bodyguards doing?"


    "We weren''t told when exactly, but they''ve only recently received her location, and we don''t know about her bodyguards either."


    "I see... But if they got her location today, then why did it take them so long? Can''t they


    simply track her?"


    All three shared a knowing look as both Jake and Emma nodded, understanding the underlying meaning behind Emir''s words.


    "I don''t think it was possible. I''ve heard that it was because of the Fading Haven ruin having some sort of barrier, but I''m not sure." Jake answered.


    "Ah, I get it now... I was a bit suspicious, but it looks like everything is in the clear, and I won''t ask how they came up with her location now, since you guys would''ve never been told that, but yeah, I know all that I need to, so let''s n on how we''ll do this."


    Emir''s words made him out to be aplete third party, and they gobbled his lies up like soup, believing himpletely as it seemed simr to how he would usually act.


    Alex, finally given a chance to talk, interjected into the conversation:


    "I don''t know much of what is going on, but one of my sources told me that there was a sudden spike in monsters in the ruin, and when I say spike, I mean that it is off the charts..."


    "And since I''ve heard that Jake and Emma are going there, I suggested that we ride together, and before you ask, I''m epting a job request to save or extract hunters that are stuck in there, their debt would bring in major profit."


    ''What?!'' Emir inwardly bellowed, but he immediatelyposed himself.


    ''Why?... It was calm when I went there just two days ago...''


    Emir knew that perfect ns didn''t exist, but everything would fall apart if he didn''t save


    Aria.


    The oath didn''t matter to him as it wouldn''t affect him, but her dying would cause unimaginable effects, muddling the future he knew even more.


    Adding to that, many hunters will be there, mainly due to the Corpse Debt System in ce, a system to keep hunters under control, to maintain the leash around their necks even further.


    One aspect of the system was the rmendation that hunters bring the corpses of their fallenrades to the Hunter Association, which allowed the association to contact the deceased''s family and take care of their remains.


    This will in turn help Sector Management, the Corpo, keep track of which hunters are missing and which are dead, which is important for their administrative purposes.


    The Watcher, a job assigned to specially selected individuals, has them keep an eye on the Debtors and ensure that their bodies will be secured in case they die.


    This was to prevent the Debtors from escaping and to quickly collect their bodies as soon as possible after they were killed.


    It was implemented under the guise of ethicality, but as always, there was more to the story


    than just that.


    Many private assets could not be seized if the hunter was still in a ''missing'' status, such as


    their bank ount.


    And the fastest way to seize those assets was by bringing the owner of the assets to transfer them, regardless of whether the owner was alive or not.


    To make sure that it was not a collectorpany that killed the person and brought the corpse to the association, it''s important to have someone else as a witness to testify that the person was actually killed in their line of work.


    The paperwork could be done faster if the witness was someone trustworthy with a good track


    record.


    And it appeared that Alex was such a person...


    Not a witness but rather a high-ranking watcher who had no need for such a thing.


    "Do you know what happened?" Emir asked after letting out a long sigh.


    Alex nodded.


    "Before I say anything, take my words with a grain of salt, more like a mountain of salt, but I


    digress, this information isn''t trustworthy."


    "So again, this is just rumors, but I''ve heard that..."

 Chapter 180: Killing A Man

    Chapter 180: Killing A Man


    ?


    Emir rode on his bike, trailing behind Alex''s massive Armored Personnel Carrier, an APC, a hulking vehicle bristling with heavy armor and mounted weaponry.


    The APC''s imposing presence dominated the wastnd, with its angr design and metallic surface reflecting the ambient light.


    Its tires were rugged and sturdy, built for navigating rough terrain.


    A series of small windows lined its sides, and turret-like structures adorned its roof, showcasing the array of weaponry it carried.


    Emir enjoyed the slipstream it provided as he rode behind it, lost in his thoughts:


    ''Alex said that a hunter triggered some sort of ghost...''


    He immediately realized that it was an AI manager of the ruin finding fault in whatever that hunter did causing her to get mad...


    ''But just when I trapped Aria there, really? Is it really a coincidence?''


    Scoffing, Emir mumbled with a grin:


    "Even if it isn''t, there ain''t much I could do about it either way. Let''s just save this damsel in distress and get it over with."


    Just as he said that, his terminal rang out:


    "Emir, ETA, one minute, ready?"


    "I''m ready, as I''ll ever be Jake."


    "Alright!" Emma cheered, causing both Emir and Jake to chuckle.


    cing his terminal back in his pocket, he checked on his Aetherstorm Launcher.


    Beforeing here, Emir contemted the idea of carrying his other weapons to hide the fact that he was a celestial but dismissed it.


    He understood that it was wiser to break away from the group and embark on the mission to rescue her by himself.


    With that in mind, his bike cut through the ruin''s entrance that bore scars of recent chaos, following the massive APC ahead.


    Injured huntersy scattered on the sides, and the once vibrant shops had shuttered their doors.


    The insurancepany''s building was filled to the brim with hunters, all moring forpensation for their losses.


    Emir couldn''t help but scoff at the scene.


    And as they ventured into the ruin, darkness momentarily engulfed his bike before giving way to a burst of bright lights.


    It was a stark transition, highlighting the precarious nature of this world. Soon, their progress was temporarily halted at a security checkpoint. UEF guards, armed and vignt, barred their path with their vehicles. Emir watched as the APC was scrutinized before being granted ess. When it was his turn, one of the guards motioned for him to stop.


    "I''m with them." Emir asserted.


    The guard nodded, acknowledging his identity.


    "I know that, Sir Emir. We just needed to confirm. You can proceed."


    Emir raised an eyebrow at the guard''s words but waved a casual thanks before continuing on


    his way.


    A flicker of unease crept over him.


    ''Are they watching me?''


    "...Fuckem."


    Shrugging off the thought, he revved up his bike and closed the distance to the APC, determined to maintain his cover while plotting his next move.


    They moved past what was a lush and broken residential area, turned even more destroyed as once tall buildings nowy wasted on the ground.


    Getting his terminal, he awaited Jake to inform him of the situation.


    Which he did momentster:


    "Guys, this area is fully cleared out; most of the monsters remain deeper in the ruin. We will help Alex and those that are fighting there, then we split up to find our rescue target."


    "Got it."


    "Noted."


    "Alright!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    All three members of the squad replied promptly, evident in their words of who said what. And as they reached a wide clearing, Emir and hispanions could already hear the echoes of gunshots in the distance.


    The atmosphere was tense and charged with the energy of battle.


    Momentster, they reached the battlefield, where monstrous roars shook the ground as the hunters were in the midst of an active war zone, killing all they could see.


    The APC roared into action, its massive wheels crushing debris and obstacles in its path.


    Emir watched as Alex manned the mounted minigun, rotating it to face the oing horde of monsters.


    Bullets sprayed forth like deadly rain, tearing through the ranks of the A-to-S rank monsters.


    "Keep ''eming!" He bellowed as he held the trigger steady.


    Emma sat beside him, Aether subtly crackling in her hands.


    But she held it in and kept firing with her own minigun, one that was imbued by Jake''s runes, giving her the power to unleash powerful bursts of Aether with each bullet.


    Thebination of bullets and Aether was devastating, cutting through the monsters with


    ease.


    Meanwhile, Jake expertly maneuvered the APC, allowing Emir an easier time to focus on his Aetherstorm Launcher.


    With every pull of the trigger, bolts of Aether erupted from the weapon, striking down monsters left and right.


    Emir''s eyes were calm as ice as he targeted the most formidable foes surrounding the APC, taking them down one by one.


    Around them, other hunters joined the fray, following after them while firing off their own


    weapons.


    The battlefield became a swirling storm of chaos and hidden power, monsters shing with hunters in a battle for supremacy.


    The monsters were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless.


    But the hunters were a well-coordinated force, each member covering the others'' blind spots and providing support when needed.


    As hunters, they had faced danger countless times, so their ability to adapt was unmatched.


    They didn''t need to be told when to attack or defend as their teamwork with strangers was


    more than good.


    But suddenly, a force disrupted their charge as hundreds of towering S-rank monsters rushed at the leading APC, ranging from crocodiles to felines and all manner of animals, their massive ws, fangs, and teeth gleaming with deadly intent.


    However, Emir wasn''t about to back down.


    He maneuvered his bike, lining the monsters up in an attempt to kill most of them at once.


    Silently, he chanted:


    "Aether st."


    And boom!


    His torrent of Aether engulfed all that remained in its sight, reducing them to smoldering


    ashes.


    Emir then noticed Alex look back at him for a moment, surprise evident on his face, only to return his focus on the monsters, targeting those remaining, hitting their weak spots with


    ease.


    ''Did he notice?''


    ...But it didn''t matter either way; there wasn''t any concrete evidence showing that he could


    use Aether.


    Emir concluded as he watched Emma do the same, bolstering the barrage, causing the


    monster to roar in pain and frustration until the wave of S-ranked monsters was all but wiped


    out.


    They didn''t stoping however, and Jake kept dodging more of the monster''s attacks,


    swerving the APC out of their clutches.


    Meanwhile, Emir continued to use his Aetherstorm Launcher to deliver precise shots,


    focusing on weakening the horde''s strength.


    The other hunters did the same with their guns, taking aim and firing them relentlessly, raining down hell on their opposition.


    One by one, many by many, monsters fell, their monstrous forms crumbling under the relentless barrage of firepower.


    The battlefield was now littered with the defeated remains of once formidable foes.


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    "OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"


    And as thest monster fell, a collective cheer erupted from the hunters.


    They had emerged victorious, but the battle had taken its toll.


    The hunters were battered and exhausted, most of them retreating to rest while those that


    stood strong continued to charge forward.


    cing his terminal next to his ear, Emir spoke:


    "This is where we part ways, Alex. Godspeed!"


    "Godspeed!"


    The back of the APC lowered with Emma and Jake swiftly exiting on their bikes, disying no


    hint of hesitation.


    Emir trailed behind them, watching as the APC surged forward, its minigun still unleashing a barrage of bullets.

 Chapter 181: And Showing Up To Their Funeral

    Chapter 181: And Showing Up To Their Funeral


    ?


    Emir maneuvered his bike in the wake of Jake and Emma, their trio pushing deeper into the ruin.


    They weaved through obstacles, navigating sharp turns as thendscape around them


    transformed further into a panorama of destruction, with shattered buildings and debris strewn in every direction.


    And as they arrived at a cluster of partially demolished residential buildings, their movement slowed to a stop, and the team dismounted from their bikes.


    Emir parked his own vehicle beside theirs, his senses on high alert as he joined their ranks.


    The environment seemed to vibrate with tension, a palpable unease fueled by the lurking presence of monsters.


    "Stay alert, everyone; we''ve reached our marked location." Jake reminded the team, gripping his machine guns tightly, akimbo style.


    ''I can finally use my abilities-.''


    Emirplied with a chuckle.


    They moved forward as a cohesive unit, scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.


    The faint sounds of growls, distant roars, and gunshots echoed through the ruins, never letting up.


    And suddenly, a group of grotesque, monstrous animals emerged from the rubble, a distance away from them, their glowing eyes fixated on the intruders.


    The monsters rushed at them with surprising speed, firing off all sorts of acid, fire, and ice from their mouths, but the team was prepared.


    "SHIELD OF FLAMES!"


    Emma took the lead, conjuring a shield of pure fire to protect the group from iing attacks, melting them in the process.


    Jake, knowing that the shield wouldn''tst long, immediately inscribed runes on the ground, causing her shield to further glow with Aether, protecting them from all attacks, even the monsters'' ws and fangs, with ease.


    Confirming his work was over, Jake then began firing his pre-inscribed machine guns.


    Each shot found its mark, taking down the weaker monsters.


    Meanwhile, Emir, with his Aetherstormuncher safely stowed in his rucksack, rushed forward, jumping over the fiery barrier with a small leap.


    And as he reached the other side, his fingers danced along the hilt of his new twin swords. "Aetheric des."


    His weapons hummed with Aether, ready to be unleashed upon his adversaries.


    But before he closed the distance to the fiends ahead, his movements shifted.


    Raising his right hand, he deftly adjusted his grip on the sword, his index finger releasing its hold.


    With unerring uracy, he aimed his finger at the approaching fiends.


    "Aether st, 20 Percent."


    In response to his chant, a tempest of Aether erupted, a cyclone of raw power that obliterated everything in its furious path.


    Debris scattered, monstrous forms shattered, and the very air quivered with the release of such an overwhelming attack.


    Emir''s actions left no quarter for stragglers, propelling himself forward to stand amid the wreckage he had wrought.


    And despite the towering height of the surviving Fiends, his gaze remained steady.


    If not rxed, in front of their massive forms, which cast eerie shadows against the crumbling structures.


    Then, with a calcted jump, he ascended to their level.


    A horizontal arc of his daggers was all it took-a swift swing-and the colossal feline before him crumbled to the ground, its earth-shaking copse reverberating through the ruin.


    Emir then conjured a tform-shaped Aetheric construct and used it to jump towards the remaining monsters.


    While doing so, he looked back for a moment and watched as fire danced and icy winds swirled, engulfing the S-rank monsters in a cyclone of destruction.


    The creatures seemed to be no match against thebined onught of Emma and Jake.


    Smiling at that sight, he returned his attention to the monsters before him.


    There were three Fiends, unlike any that he had met before, as the previous ones he had in looked to be a random assortment of mismatched animals.


    But these...


    These were just...


    ''Massive fucking trees!''


    ''...Holy shit, I forgot that they experimented on nts too...''


    ''They didn''t leave any stone unturned, eh?''


    Their bodies were a seamless fusion of rugged stone and gnarled wood.


    At their core were massive tree trunks, their bark resembling the texture of ancient, weathered stone.


    The trunk stretched upwards, branches spreading out like a colossal canopy above. These branches looked like no ordinary limbs; they writhed and flexed, each thick bough pulsating with life.


    Emerald-green eyes glowed within the depths of their massive wooden visage.


    And as they moved towards him, these virearths left a trail of living growth in their wake.


    The ground rumbled and heaved as thick, sinewy roots burst forth towards Emir, stretching like a forest of fingers, ready to ensnare him.


    ''Slow.''


    But they were no match for him and his speed, as he whizzed past the hundreds of roots that spurted out of his surroundings.


    "te."


    With another tform under him, he jumped up, avoiding the massive nails of wood that flew


    in his direction, each nail almost matching him in size.


    "te."


    Turning upside down, he pushed himself off the third tform, flying directly towards the


    first Virearth''s core.


    He twisted his body while in the air, using the momentum of his movements into a downward swing of his swords that plunged into the monster''s bark, splitting it into two halves.


    As it let out a groan of defeat, he jumped off its remains and attached himself to a building, lining up the two monsters in front of him.


    "Aetheric Shield." He chanted as he shifted his stance, preparing for his next move.


    "sh Step."


    Leaving those words behind, he disappeared from where he just was, and two holes sized approximately close to his body appeared in both of the monsters'' cores.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir quickly changed his once spear-like posture, with both of his daggers in front of his


    head, and turned his body around as his feet crashed into the building''s walls.


    Both monsters copsed to the ground, causing the building he was on to shake as if experiencing a heavy earthquake.


    Chuckling, he jumped off the copsing building and leaped from one to the next until he


    reached hispanions.


    They had yet to clean up the S-rank monsters that surrounded them, but Emir didn''t step in to help; he wanted to see what his captain and vice-captain to be were capable of.


    And that they showed, Jake kept supporting Emma with his runes, as he was a long way from being effective inbat as an Arcanist, while Emma continued to spew out every spell from


    her arsenal.


    Causing a storm of fire, and ice to form, each of her spells flowing into the next.


    While Jake continued to supply her with more Aether as he kept drawing down runes and firing


    with his twin machine guns.


    ''Not bad...''


    Emir thought as he finally jumped down, right behind Emma''s barrier.


    They both looked at him in surprise for a moment before focusing back on the fight.


    "Emir! Did you kill the fiends?!" Jake bellowed while shooting down more monsters that


    rushed them.


    "Yeah. You don''t need to worry about them, but since it''s taking you so long to clean up here,


    I''ve got to ask... Do you guys want my help with this?"


    "ICE BOLT!" Emma roared as ice spewed out of her hands, cutting down the monsters.


    "We are not dumb, Emir! We know that you want to split up, and we can take care of this with no problem; you already cleared out the Fiends so you can go; we''ll be safe!"


    Emir simply showed a smile and ran towards where he threw Aria away while bellowing over


    the gunfire:


    "Alright! Good luck and don''t die; I don''t want to lose any of my subordinates, understood?"


    "Yes sir!" They collectively bellowed.


    He nodded without looking back, running directly towards the monster''s nest.

 Chapter 182: Saving The Leaf

    Chapter 182: Saving The Leaf


    ?


    Emir quickly dashed past all the monsters around him, jumping from building to building while dodging their abilities.


    Sometimeter, he finally arrived at where he had just set foot two days ago.


    He stepped into a worse-for-wear two-story building and passed the same set of broken stairs, looking to be crumbling now more so than ever.


    Entering the next room, he approached the barricaded door and inputted the same code of numbers on its key lock.


    The door unlocked with a hiss.


    Emir pulled its handle towards him, and without wasting any time...


    He fell down the hole.


    As the air whizzed past his face, he began to slow down his descent with Aether once again andnded on the ground with a heavy thud.


    "KYAAAAH!"


    Just as he looked up, a panicked Aria ran into him, almost tackling him.


    ''She''s alive... Good.'' He thought in relief.


    Her usual twin-tailed hair turned into an ubed mess, her red eyes looked puffy from constant crying, and her face remained muddy with sweat and snot.


    Emir was about to push her off him, but he stopped himself, wanting to act the part of a savior.


    "Are you Mrs. Aria? My name is Emir... My group was sent here to rescue you, c''mon let''s get you up."


    She weakly looked up at him in surprise, her face showing all her thoughts.


    ''Did she think that I was her kidnapper? Well....''


    ''I am, but I''m not here as him.''


    "I''ve got a few old-world medicines; do you need any?"


    Appearing to haveposed herself, she shook her head while saying:


    "N-no, I didn''t get injured.''


    "Good. Can I ask you a question? You can say no if you''re ufortable."


    Aria looked at his ck eyes for a moment, and her trembling finally calmed down...


    Since she immediately understood that the man in front of her could easily keep her safe, knowing so just from his looks and aura alone.


    "Yes... I don''t mind." She said while finally letting go of him.


    "Thanks for that, Mrs. Aria."


    "So before I get you out, can you tell me how you got here? And if you know why monsters got so rowdy all of a sudden."


    Aria nodded.


    "Umm... I was exploring this ruin with my bodyguards, but after we got here... T-They were killed by the monsters..."


    ''So this is the excuse she''s using... Not bad~.'' Emir inwardly mused.


    "And as for what happened, I''m not sure; I was only stuck here for a day or two, but during that time, the monsters in the nest over there..."


    She pointed towards the exit of the cave after pausing for a moment and continued:


    "Suddenly stopped growling one night and left to the surface for some reason."


    Showing a thoughtful expression, Emir asked:


    "Do you remember anything that might''ve caused it? It doesn''t matter how minuscule; just tell me whates to mind."


    Aria closed her eyes for a second and opened them again as she said:


    "I might''ve heard footsteps or something when I was sleeping... I-I thought they were monsters, so I quickly jumped up, but when I looked around, there was nothing."


    Letting out an "Ah," Emir nodded.


    "I appreciate you telling me all about that, especially considering what happened to you... But do you mind if I go check it out for a bit?"


    "We need to understand what is happening in the ruin."


    Aria jolted for a moment, her trembling returning, but it stopped once again as she spoke with


    a determined voice:


    "I''ll go with you!"


    ''Expected as much...''


    Emir simply nodded and took out his terminal, calling Jake.


    As soon as his call was picked up, he said:n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Jake, I''ve found Mrs. Aria;e to my location now."


    "... You did?" Jake asked, sounding dumbfounded.


    "I did."


    "We''reing!"


    ''No questions... I like it.''


    Ending the call, Emir didn''t wait for them to arrive and gestured for Aria to follow him while


    The led the way out of the cave.


    They ventured forward, navigating through the dimly lit passages.


    Aria clung to his side, her eyes darting around nervously as they moved forward.


    Emir''s senses were on high alert as well, his every step cautious.


    And as they walked, his gaze continued to sweep over the surroundings.


    They passed crumbling pirs and fallen debris that littered their path, evidence of the ruin''s


    decay.


    Aria''s presence beside him wasughable....


    She joined him for a very stupid reason that he had yet to catch on to.


    Though Emir could tell that she was trying her best to stayposed, despite the fear that


    still lingered in her eyes.


    He admired her courage; after all, she, a spoiled kid, had been trapped here for days, alone and surrounded by monsters.


    Most of those in her position would''ve broken down by now.


    ''She''s got the blood of an Elite at least...''


    They soon reached the cave''s exit, and the sight that greeted them was both mesmerizing and


    eerie.


    The faint glowing from the ceiling lit up the underground chamber, casting long


    shadows that danced across the rocky ground.


    Aria''s voice trembled as she spoke, her unease evident:


    "That''s where they all came from..."


    And as they stepped out into the chamber, his eyes were drawn to the nearby nest that Aria


    had pointed out.


    The nest itself was a monstrous structure, an intricatework of tunnels and chambers


    carved into the earth.


    The air around the nest and the ground trembled with residual Aether.


    And the entrance was wide open, as if the monsters had abandoned it in a hurry.


    Said ground was littered with the remnants of what appeared to be broken cocoons, signs of


    the monsters that had already emerged.


    Emir''s eyes then widened as he took in the sight of the unbroken cocoons that lined the nest''s


    walls.


    They seemed to pulse with a life of their own, radiating Aether.


    These weren''t ordinary cocoons; they were the chrysalises of powerful monsters, each infused


    with unique and deadly abilities.


    It was as if the monsters within were in a state of transformation, harnessing Aether to be even more formidable.


    Aria stood beside him, her breath hitching at the sight.


    "What... What are these?" She whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.


    Emir shook his head, his mind racing to process the situation.


    "I''ve never seen anything like this before," he admitted.


    "But whatever these cocoons are, something happened to them, which probably caused the


    sudden change in the monsters'' behavior."


    With Emir''s urging, they then cautiously approached the nest, as he began to closely feel the Aether emanating from the cocoons, all holding the same element.


    The aspect of nature, of the earth itself.


    Then suddenly, his body flinched and his eyes narrowed as he spotted movement deeper


    within the nest.


    "We need to be careful," he warned, his grip on his twin swords tightening.


    "There''s something inside, and it''s not going to be friendly."

 Chapter 183: Pocket Watch

    Chapter 183: Pocket Watch


    ?


    Emir''s eyes scanned the area, searching for any monsters that were left behind.


    He then moved closer to a cocoon, examining the ground around it.


    There, amidst the dirt and debris, he noticed a broken pocket watch.


    It was a small detail, easily missed, but his instincts told him that it was significant.


    He bent down to pick up the broken timepiece, his fingers brushing against the shattered ss.


    A sense of unease settled over him as he studied it.


    Someone had been here-someone who didn''t belong to this ruin.


    Could it have been the source of the footsteps Aria had heard?


    Aria watched him with curiosity, her eyes fixated on the pocket watch. "What is it?"


    Emir''s expression was thoughtful as he replied while throwing it away:


    "It''s nothing... Let''s keep going."


    They moved through the ruinedndscape, their senses, mainly Emir''s, attuned to any sign of danger.


    And as they walked, his thoughts raced.


    The monsters leaving the nest suddenly, Nysandra''s ''rage'', the broken pocket watch-there was a connection here; he was sure of it.


    But what could it be?


    And who could have been here before them?


    His thoughts were interrupted when Aria''s voice broke the silence:


    "Look, over there!"


    Emir followed her gaze and saw a faint glow emanating from the ground.


    They approached cautiously, and as they got closer, they realized that it was a series of glowing runes etched into the stone.


    Emir''s brows furrowed as he studied the runes.


    They were unfamiliar; not that he knew of the Arcane''snguage, but he simply understood


    that they looked different from the ones the Arcanists used.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "These runes... They''re not normal."


    Emir warned, his gaze never leaving the markings.


    Aria nodded, her unease increasing.


    "D-do you think they''re connected to why the monsters left?"


    Emir didn''t have an answer, but his instincts told him that these runes held the key to unraveling the mystery.


    ''Maybe the one who snuck in wrote these down...''


    He then took a step closer, his senses on high alert.


    The Aether emanating from the runes was tingling against his skin.


    And as he reached out to touch one of the runes, a sudden gust of wind swept through the


    area, extinguishing the lighting from above and plunging them into darkness.


    The ground trembled beneath their feet, and a low, ominous hum filled the air.


    Aria''s voice quivered as she spoke, her fear evident:


    "Emir! W-What''s happening?!"


    But before he could respond, a haunting voice echoed through the air, carrying with it a sense of ancient power:


    "Intruders in my domain... You dare to disturb the bnce."


    Emir''s grip tightened on his twin swords, his instincts screaming at him to be prepared for a quick escape.


    The darkness seemed to shift and swirl, and from its depths emerged a figure-a being of pure earth-thatmanded nature to its will.


    It stood tall and imposing, its human form abination of earth and wood, intricately woven together as if by nature''s hand.


    Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, fixed on Emir and Aria with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines.


    The being''s voice resonated once more:


    "I am the Guardian of this ruin, the keeper of its secrets. Who dares to enter my domain?"


    Emir exchanged a quick nce with the terrified Aria, noting that she finally realized the magnitude of the situation.


    This wasn''t just any monster; it was a Tyrant.


    One with at least seven Aether cores, way stronger than the Maligorth Emir had once killed.


    ''I''ve got way more than I bargained for...''


    Steeling himself, Emir spoke with respect:


    "I am Emir, and this is Aria. We didn''te here to disturb the bnce, but to understand the chaos that has gripped the ruin."


    The Guardian''s gaze remained fixed on Emir, its presence unyielding.


    "Chaos born from imbnce, imbnce born from trespass. The cocoons you see are what is left of my kin. They were disturbed by an outsider''s touch, and now the ruin seeks equilibrium."


    "We didn''t cause this. I only came here to uncover the truth." Emir spoke with confidence. The Guardian seemed to consider his words, its ethereal form wavering slightly.


    "Truth is a fragile concept, easily distorted by the intentions of those who seek it. You must prove your worthiness to understand."


    Emir''s mind raced, searching for a way to convince the Guardian that they meant no harm.


    ''Those types of guys usually like trials... This Tyrant might too.''


    "We''re willing to do whatever it takes to make amends. We''ll face any trial you set before us." The Guardian''s eyes glowed brighter, and its voice carried a hint of approval: "Very well... To prove your intentions, you must venture into the heart of my kin and kill....."


    "I cannot harm my own children; you must kill those that went mad and retrieve their cores." "Present to me and Madam Nysandra. Only then will the ruin consider your purpose."


    ''Nysandra? ...I''m right then; she''s involved too.''


    Emir thought as he looked around with slowed time, only to notice a nearly transparent hologram of a woman, her blurred body standing behind the guardian.


    Emir, who now pieced everything together, nodded.


    "I ept your trial. I will restore the bnce and uncover the truth behind the chaos."


    With a final gesture from the Guardian, the darkness began to recede, reced once again by


    the faint glow of the runes etched into the ground.


    The being faded into the shadows, its presence lingering in the air.


    Emir turned to Aria, who looked to be frozen in ce.


    "Mypanions will get here soon. They''ll get you out of here, so you don''t need to worry about this; you''ll be home safe and sound."


    "..."


    Aria remained quiet as her eyes locked with his, her trembling body resisting the urge to stay since she subconsciously knew that whatever was going on was way out of her depth.


    "O-okay..."


    "Alright, I''ll-"


    Clomp! Clomp!


    ''Speak of the devil...''


    Emir thought as his head snapped to where his ears picked up the sound of footsteps.

 Chapter 184: Guardian Of The Fallen Haven

    Chapter 184: Guardian Of The Fallen Haven


    ?


    "How did you find her so quickly?" Emma asked, her voiceced with curiosity and a touch of admiration.


    Emir whose gaze remained at Emma as she tended to Aria, let out a chuckle.


    "I wasn''t trying to find her...."


    "I jumped into the nest, wanting to know more about how things escted with the monsters, and surprisingly, she was over there, hiding in the cave."


    Emma and Jake nced at each other for a moment before Jake spoke:


    "Well it doesn''t matter, you''ve done our job for us, and for that, I thank you, boss!"


    Aria''s concern however, cut through their conversation as she voiced her disbelief:


    "Are you actually... going there? Are you stupid?"


    Amusement danced in the eyes of the trio, all suppressing a chuckle to escape from their mouths.


    "Stupid? Maybe... But I''ve still got to find out what happened; all of this seems too contrived, you see..." Emir replied, his words carrying unspoken intentions.


    He paused for a moment, locking his right hand in a fist while showing his left palm to the others as if his demeanor shifted to that of a storyteller.


    "All of a sudden we find out that you were in this ruin, then..."


    "Bam!" He eximed, bringing his right fist down on his left palm like a hammer.


    "Someone came in and somehow made the monsters go mad, and now we''ve got an angered guardian losing its kin due to those mad ones."


    "Quite a sad tale, isn''t it?"


    Emma was about to respond, but Emir continued his theatrical antics, leaving her


    momentarily speechless with her mouth agape.


    They all watched his arms reach up toward the sky.


    "A Tyrant... A guardian to his children requested that I carry out its killings...."


    "Who am I to refuse?"


    Emir''s question hung in the air, an unspoken challenge to the mysterious forces at y.


    ''I need to know who caused this mess after all...'' He snickered inwardly.


    Emir knew that whoever did this was after him.


    It could''ve been the Order but they had yet to squirm themselves into his life...


    So he knew that whoever this was....


    Was a third party.


    A new yer in their game of chess.


    As his arms slowly descended from their skyward reach, his gaze locked onto Aria.


    "Don''t worry, you''re not at fault for anything that happened here..."


    Intrigued and slightly amused by Emir''s ir for dramatics, Emma''s initial speechlessness gave way to a wry smile.


    She silently leaned against a nearby stone structure, her arms crossed.


    Jake''s grin remained, his eyes alight with admiration for the leader who had so swiftly taken charge of a situation that none of them could have foreseen.


    Aria''s worry persisted, her eyes shifting from Emir to hispanions as if searching for any signs of apprehension.


    But she didn''t end up finding any.


    Uncertainty about what happened weighed heavily on her, a feeling Emir understood all too well.


    She might''ve felt guilt as well...


    Thinking that she was the cause of the massacre happening outside the nest.


    During that momentary silence, Emir''s internal monologue continued to churn.


    He was aware that the bnce of power had shifted once again and that a new element had been introduced to his intricate game of survival.


    His instincts and experience whispered that whoever orchestrated this had meticulously plotted their moves for a long time.


    The interconnectedness of events hinted at a grand design that could shatter the fragile equilibrium of their world.


    ''As if I didn''t have enough problems to worry about...''


    Shaking himself out of it, Emir looked back at hispanions.


    "...Get her back home, and I''ll deal with the rest." Hemanded, leaving no room for discussion.


    "Also, Ms. Aria, keep me a celestial secret, won''t you?" He added while giving her a wink.


    Aria''s face instantly blushed red as she looked away while stuttering out:


    "I-I won''t you, idiot!"


    Emir''s mouth slowly fell open, his jaw almost hitting the ground, as he thought:


    ''Seriously?''


    ''... Is this what they call Stockholm syndrome?''


    ''She still might subconsciously see me as her kidnapper.''


    This actually benefited him massively.


    He was about to force a contract on her but quickly changed his mind.


    If she continued to act this naive and trusting, he wouldn''t even need to worry about them finding any DNA before he struck back against the Elite.


    ''They''ll definitely find some evidence that I kidnapped her eventually, so the only question that remains is when.''


    ''And well... There''s nothing I can do about that except deal with it when the timees.''


    ''That''s unless Lyra gets involved of course.''


    With those thoughts off his mind, Emir looked at Jake and Emma, who shared the same look


    he had moments earlier.


    A look of absolute surprise.


    "Good luck."


    Leaving these words and a snicker behind, he rushed to the surface as he heard their farewells


    echo in the nest.


    ...


    In a secluded corner, Emir swung a leg over his bloodied bike and hopped off.


    The telltale sounds of gunshots echoed way behind him, and the roars of monsters surrounded him from every direction.


    He then donned his recently washed mask and pulled his cloak tightly around his form, its


    dark fabric billowing in the breeze.


    It was as though he had be one with the shadows, a phantom lurking amidst the


    pandemonium.


    Emir''s muscr frame propelled him forward.


    He leaped onto a pile of debris, his nimble movements carrying him effortlessly up the side of


    a crumbling building.


    His bike, a trustypanion to his future escape, was swathed in a camouge sheet to


    protect it from prying eyes.


    Atop the precipice of the decaying structure, Emir surveyed the battlefield below.


    His gaze swept over the devastation, taking in the relentless skirmishes, the fiery shes


    between humans and monsters.


    This was no longer a yground for hunters.


    Here, in the depths of the ruin, the celestials emerged into action.


    All were d in the unmistakable attire bearing the emblem of the Ebonfyre and GoldLeaf


    families.


    They organized into cohorts, each consisting of no fewer than five members,unching attacks against the Younglings and Fiends with the precision of a well-coordinated toon.


    Within their small army, they formed ranks.


    The Spell Weavers were positioned at the rear.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Their incantations and gestures cast an array of spells that summoned fire, lightning, ice, wind, earth, and many other elements that rained down upon the enemy.


    Beside them, the Rangers and Gun Mages took aim, unleashing volleys of Aether-imbued


    bullets upon their foes.


    Meanwhile, at the forefront, knights and other meleebat specialists stood firm.


    They held the line, their positions shifting in a choreographed dance of defense and offense.


    It was a disy of teamwork, each celestial working in concert, like cogs in a well-oiled


    machine.


    Yet the relentless horde of monsters across them showed no signs of defeat.


    They retaliated with a fury that seemed unending.


    Massive walls of earth sprang up, both for defense and offense, while vines and roots


    ensnared their targets.


    Towering nails of earth and wood shot forth, aiming to impale the knights at the vanguard.


    It was a ceaseless struggle, a y of death yed out against the backdrop of a ruin that had


    long forgotten the vibrancy of life.


    The remnants of a world long past.


    ''That guardian called them mad but... they''ve got tactics.''


    This wasn''t the sole point of confrontation, for scattered across the battlefield were smaller


    skirmishes, mirroring the tactics of both sides as they sought to nk each other.


    Scoffing at the sight, Emir simply shrugged and chanted:


    "sh Step."

 Chapter 185: Mad Tyrants

    Chapter 185: Mad Tyrants


    ?


    Several minutes slipped away as Emir moved stealthily through the ranks of the monstrous horde.


    Each step was a delicate dance with Aether, his silent partner in this dangerous waltz.


    Hended softly on the ground, his footsteps muffled.


    It was a skill he had honed through his Weaver''s Veil aspect¡ªa simple maniption of Aether.


    And as he ventured deeper into the heart of chaos, he consciously suppressed the Aether radiating from his being.


    This caused his aura to shrink and made himself nearly invisible to the monsters'' senses.


    While navigating through the war-torn cityscape, Emir maneuvered around corners, scattered rubble, and debris.


    He then turned around a building''s corner, only toe to a sudden stop.


    Before him, a tidal wave of towering Fiends surged forward, like an unending river of nightmares.


    They were quick, driven by an unknown force that appeared tomand their every move. ''Troopse from the line ofmand...''


    Emir''s mind churned.


    It was clear that these monsters were not acting independently; they followed someone or something.


    A hidden hand.


    ''The source... this direction.''


    Emir now knew where he needed to go.


    He slipped into the decaying building to his right, disappearing into the crumbling walls. Emir passed by shattered furniture-the skeletons of what had once been a home.


    Rotten wood and frayed fabric bore witness to the relentless march of time.


    His way was asionally blocked by overgrown flora, nature''s remation of this forsaken ce.


    But that wasn''t something a few swings of his twin swords wouldn''t fix.


    After reaching the end of this row of buildings, he squirmed his way through a small crack and looked out.


    Seeing that no monsters were around him, he jumped out andnded on the ground.


    He crouched down and stayed hidden for a moment.


    A heartbeat passed, and his radar beeped in a foreboding rhythm, indicating that monsters were approaching, closing in fast on his location.


    "Left," he murmured, pinpointing their direction.


    Emir wasted no time, and with a burst of motion, he smashed through the door of the building before him.


    He then dashed through the dpidated structure, his heart thundering in his chest with adrenaline.


    The only sounds he could discern were the echoes of his own breath and the distant turmoil of the ongoing battle.


    Emir had now ventured deep into the enemy''s territory.


    Everywhere he turned, towering fiends lurked.


    He slowed down.


    His senses were attuned to every creaking floorboard and shifting shadow.


    His every move was deliberate, calcted, aimed at keeping him hidden from their notice.


    And then a sudden faint rustle of movement outside alerted him to the approach of monsters, prompting him to slip into cover.


    Emir''s eyes darted around the room.


    His mind was calm, as he considered every possible route to the Tyrant.


    The insistent beeping of his radar served as a constant reminder that danger was never far


    away.


    But was actually getting closer...


    Too close forfort.


    ''I need to get out.''


    Emir shifted his stance and waited until the sound of the never-ending roars arrived.


    ''One...''


    ''Two...''


    ''Three...''


    ''Four-''


    "RRRRROOAAR!"


    ''Now!''


    Stepping hard on the ground, he broke through the shattered remnants of a window opposite the monsters behind him.


    ss shards tinkled as they fell to the ground, masked only by the monsters'' guttural roars and heavy footfalls.


    Emir''s silhouette remained barely a ripple against that backdrop as he ran through the streets.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''I can''t fight them...''


    After all, time was of the essence, and he couldn''t afford to be bogged down inbat, wasting away his Aether reserves.


    Amidst the crumbling buildings and overgrown streets, he asionally glimpsed shes of


    the horde.


    Fiend-ranked monsters of various elements and abilities.


    Their sheer number would easily overwhelm him.


    But he remained unfazed and continued his journey.


    Weaving through, each step inching him closer to his goal.


    His goal was clear.


    To find the mad Tyrant or Tyrantsmanding the charge.


    Emir soon reached the end of the buildings on his side of the street.


    And judging by where the monsters originated, he had to cross said street and reach the other


    side.


    Emir stood still for a few moments, watching through a broken window as the monsters went


    by.


    Then many secondster, he noticed a gap in their ranks, an opportunity to press forward.


    His muscr form slipped through the opening and he reached the other side in two steps.


    Emir''s feet then continued to carry him onward, through crumbling alleyways and deste courtyards.


    And finally, he arrived at the center of the battlefield, his vantage point atop a building he just


    climbed.


    Which allowed him to gaze upon a towering Virearth without being immediately noticed.


    ''Now let''s see...''


    Emir''s sharp eyes studied the creature, seeking any hint of a weakness, any insight into its


    abilities.


    Like the others he killed, it was a colossal tree, but this one was way bigger in size- at least quadruple their height.


    Keep in mind that the ones before were about the size of two-story buildings.


    Its body was a fusion of weathered stone and wood; it emanated an aura of power but to a


    much higher degree than those before it.


    Its mere presence seemed tomand the Fiends that swarmed around it.


    Luckily for Emir however, those Fiends although afraid, appeared to be fighting back...


    Attempting to resist its control over them.


    ''A revolt?''


    ''...This might be why they aren''t rushing all at once; it looks like some of them have higher


    willpower.''


    This worked out greatly to Emir''s advantage, as he could now watch its abilities in action.


    The Virearth''s eyes glowed with a darkened green, and its core was a massive tree trunk.


    The trunk stretched upwards, and branches spread out like a colossal canopy that protected it


    from alling attacks as they flexed.


    Moss-covered patches dotted its form.


    And those patches spewed out what appear to be...


    Flowers?


    ''... The hell is that?!''


    Emir almost screamed aloud as he watched the flowers transform into mini versions of the


    Virearth, joining the main body in attacking the monsters with their rootsbined into


    massive ones.


    It appeared as if it was randomly raining down a forest of intertwined roots, piercing


    everything before it.


    After letting out a sigh, Emir''s analytical mind went to work.


    ''I only killed the others so easily because of my higher strength, but I''ll need more than that


    with this one.''


    ''It has five cores at least....''


    ''Simr to the Maligorth, but it might even have six.''


    ''Man... I guess I should''ve studied more...''


    ''Especially for worst-case scenarios like this.''


    Letting go of those thoughts, he refocused on observing the Virearth.


    Emir watched how it summoned walls of wood and stone to shield itself from attacks.


    How it unleashed devastating shockwaves with its every root.


    And how it seemed impervious to the elemental onught from the other monsters.


    But as he continued to study it, he noticed something.


    There was a pattern to the Virearth''s abilities....


    A brief pause after each attack.


    It was a tiny window of opportunity, but it was there.


    It existed.


    And that''s all he needed.


    Emir knew he couldn''t face the Virearth head-on, not with the possibility of there being more


    than one Tyrant.


    But if he could exploit that vulnerability.


    If he could find a way to pierce its defenses.


    Then maybe, just maybe, he could actually seed.

 Chapter 186: Virearth

    Chapter 186: Virearth


    ?


    ''Fire burns wood, but I ain''t got that...''


    ''Rile up the monsters?''


    ''...Stupid.''


    ''Kill its mini versions then attack it from the outside?''


    ''No, not enough time; I''ll be a skewered piece of meat by then.''


    ''Overwhelm its control over Aether?''


    ''Impossible.''


    ''...Get in and attack its cores directly?''


    ''Maybe.''


    ''The explosion might kill me though....''


    It was extremely dangerous, but it was possible.


    And that was all he could do.


    None of his other ns came close.


    As Emir knew two things.


    Whatever was causing the Virearth to pause after each seemingly random attack was either rted to its madness or its control over the monsters.


    The other critical factor was that his only chance of killing this monster and potentially the ones after it was conserving his Aether reserves as much as possible.


    So, he settled on pushing through its countless roots and attacking its Aether cores directly from the inside out.


    Now, he only needed to wait for the best opportunity to present itself.


    But while waiting, he didn''t remain idle.


    With a sword in each hand, he began tampering with his augmented suit, redirecting all the energy used by the force shield to his tensed legs.


    After all, if he was hit by the roots, he wouldn''t survive with or without this shield.


    So he was better off focusing on ultimate speed instead.


    And just as he was done with that, he crouched low and shifted his stance to that of a runner.


    Emir then remained still, eyeing the Virearth like prey.


    He watched as its massive roots sprang out, engulfing the battlefield in darkness for a moment.


    They withered away a secondter as their connection to the tree''s Aether was severed. The sudden darkness created a brief, eerie atmosphere before the light returned, revealing the chaos that had ensued during those few seconds of obscurity.


    There it was...


    The moment arrived an opening, apse in the torrent of attacks.


    And Emir seized it.


    "sh Step."


    His form blurred, bing a streak of motion that defied the eye.


    He vanished from his original position and reappeared near the base of the massive virearth, right at the point where its colossal roots converged, forming a natural entrance into its depths.


    Emir watched in the slowed time as the roots under the monster began spawning again. His window was rapidly closing, even at the speed he was going at-the speed past sound.... At least that was the case during the first millisecond where his feet touched the ground- with the rest of the journey relying solely on momentum.


    ''Just when I get stronger, the fuckers I go against get iparably stronger too.''


    ''Even sh step will be needing an upgrade soon...''


    Something that Emir was far from achieving.


    Inwardly snickering, his eyes locked onto the base of the tree that towered over him.


    It was a mix of stone and wood like the rest of its body.


    His augmented suit hummed with energy, every muscle in his body tensed for the imminent sh.


    His twin swords glinted in the dim light as he set his sights on his goal, the small passageways leading up the Virearth insides, using its size against it.


    Just as Emir''s foot reached the ground, he dashed forward once again, moving with such speed that he seemed a mere shadow.


    He didn''t allow himself to falter or second-guess as he ran through newly sprouted roots that blocked his way.


    Jumping up, he ran along a single root that stood in his path, narrowly dodging multiple ones that pierced the air near him.


    But just as they were about to catch up to him, he angled himself upward and roared:


    "sh Step!"


    Crash!


    His body drove through multiple roots, bouncing like a ball on each one that was in front of


    him.


    Then, with another resounding crash, he managed to reach its insides, rolling along the paths that allowed Aether to flow through the creature''s body.


    The monstrous roots behind him writhed, sensing his intrusion.


    ''Shit!''


    But he immediately stood up and darted between them, evading their grasp with ease.


    "Aetheric des."


    With his chant echoing around him, Emir entered the twisted maze of stone flesh thatprised the Virearth''s interior.


    And his des whirled as he severed anything and everything attacking him.


    He cut down tendrils of wood and even stone walls that barred his path entirely.


    The darkness within was oppressive, his surroundings a surreal blend of organic matter and


    Aether.


    The very essence of the Virearth seemed to resist his presence.


    Tendrils continued to thrash around him, seeking to ensnare him, but his speed allowed him


    to slice through them with ease.


    The closer he got to the core, the more he was attacked.


    But Emir was undeterred, his twin swords cutting everything down.


    And finally, after a minute or so through the innards of the monster, he stood before a


    massive Aether core.


    It was joined by four others beside it.


    ''A five-core Tyrant....''


    ''Doable.''


    The main one was a convergence of power, with swirling ck and green Aether.


    The force it emitted was suffocating as if the core itself sought to crush him with its might.


    But Emir''s gaze remained steady.


    He raised his twin swords, the des gleaming with a dark light.


    "AETHERIC BLADES!"


    With a fierce battle cry, he struck at the core, his des cleaving into the pulsating mass.


    The impact sent shockwaves rippling through its bark, a howl of agony echoing within the


    Virearth''s depths.


    Emir''s arms trembled against the force, his entire being straining under the pressure.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But as he was about to attack again, the earth beneath him trembled and shook.


    And before he could react, sharp wooden and stone projectiles surged forth, propelled by the Virearth''s dying throes.


    Emir''s instincts kicked in, and he immediately activated his Temporal Perception ability,


    eyeing the spike heading directly towards him.


    Without pause, he twisted his torso to the side, narrowly evading a massive wooden spike


    that shot past him.


    He then pivoted on one foot, his body low to the ground, as a barrage of stone nails whizzed


    over his head.


    Then, as the attacks momentarily subsided, walls of wood and stone shot up from the ground,


    attempting to trap him within their grasp.


    Emir''s eyes widened as he reacted in an instant.


    With a powerful leap, he soared above the rising walls, his augmented suit enhancing his


    jump to greater heights.


    But the Virearth wasn''t finished.


    The ground beneath him stretched upward, attempting to engulf him in a suffocating


    embrace.


    ''I can''t keep wasting Aether here; I need to take it out in one shot!''


    Using his Aerialis aspect, he channeled Aether through his legs andunched himself forward


    with incredible speed.


    His body twisted mid-air as he managed to fly over the grasping tendrils.


    Emir hit the ground in a roll, his momentum carrying him away from the encroaching earth.


    And then, seizing the moment, he continuously roared with his finger outstretched:


    "AETHERIC SHIELD!"


    "FORCE SHIELD MAX!"


    "Aether st!"


    The raw power of his Aether surged in a brilliant explosion, obliterating the remaining walls


    and tendrils that had sought to ensnare him, heading directly towards the Virearth''s core.


    And just as the st reached it, a cataclysmic reaction erupted.


    BOOOOM!


    The colossal monster convulsed, its massive form shuddering as cracks appeared across its


    bark-like exterior.


    And then with a final, ear-splitting roar, the Virearthbusted from the inside out, a


    maelstrom of chaotic Aether erupting from its very core.


    Emir was enveloped in the explosion''s shockwave, his augmented suit''s force shield and


    Aetheric Shield struggling to protect him.


    "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"


    The force was immense, threatening to tear his limbs apart, but he held on with every ounce


    of his strength.


    And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the explosion subsided.


    The once-mighty Virearth was no more, reduced to a swirling vortex of dissipating Aether


    and broken bark scattered around the battlefield.


    Emir found himself hurtling through the chaos, his shielded form being pushed around by the


    Aether''s force.


    "Fucking shit!"


    He tumbled through the air, his mind racing as he fought to regain control.


    "PLATE!"


    With a final surge of effort, he twisted his body, using his Aether construct to angle himself


    toward the now-open sky.


    "FLASH STEP!"


    And then he disappeared out of the vortex, materializing way above the air.


    His augmented suit''s force shield flickered as it absorbed the remaining energy from its pack.


    While slowing down his descent, hended on a nearby building, away from the destruction


    below.


    "Hoooooh...."


    Emir had sessfully emerged from the explosion, battered and bruised but alive.


    Moving his hand behind him, he felt the touch of his unbreakable rucksack, his day-one


    companion.


    Emir let out a scoff.


    ''Seriously, what the hell is this made out of?''


    He then grabbed a few pills and shoved them in his mouth.


    After a moment, he took out a new energy pack, recing his old one.


    And now ready for what wasing next, he stepped forward, wanting to survey the


    battlefield below.


    But just before his feet reached the ledge, a voice echoed in his mind:


    "Thank you..."


    "Thank you for freeing me of this madness."

 Chapter 187: Rootsire & Verdigris

    Chapter 187: Rootsire & Verdigris


    ?


    ''...It''s thanking me?''


    "Well, you''re wee... I guess." Emir said with a tilted head.


    A soft, knowing chuckle escaped his lips as his gaze surveyed the aftermath.


    The ground beneath him had yet to stop vibrating from the colossal explosion that had just rocked the battlefield.


    In the center, a massive crater remained-a gaping void, its depths shrouded in darkness. The very earth seemed to have been torn asunder, with buildings, fauna, and everything in its vicinity reduced to ash or turned into a chaotic jumble of copsed rubble.


    The once-ferocious monsters that had swarmed the ce had vanished as if they had never existed.


    Their roars were silenced, their menace extinguished, leaving behind aplete hush save for the sound of battle far away.


    ''So I survived that...''


    With a shake of his head, Emir''s gaze wandered around what remained of the battlefield, waiting on his other potential targets.


    While doing so, he remained absorbing and processing Aether.


    He used much more than he expected in his fight with the Virearth, but that was to be expected.


    Although mad and weakened, it was still a Tyrant...


    So Emir hoped that whatever wasing next was something that he could handle.


    But sadly, his hope was turned astern as he watched two monsters walk calmly in his direction.


    A Verdigris, a creature of beauty and unsettling grace.


    Its form resembled a humanoid figure draped in flowing robes woven from leaves and petals, shifting in color between various shades of green and brown.


    Its skin seemed to be a living canvas of moss and vines, giving it an almost surreal appearance.


    Its head was crowned with a halo of blossoms in full bloom.


    Its eyes were deep pools of liquid green with a mesmerizing quality.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And next to it was a Rootsire, another Tyrant-ranked monster.


    A creature that embodied the duality of nature-both beautiful and fearsome.


    Its form was serpentine, its massive body covered in iridescent scales that shimmered in shades of deep earth tones and vibrant greens.


    Along its spine, rows of thorn-like spikes protruded, adding to its already imposing presence.


    The creature''s head, which screamed danger, had eyes that gleamed like polished gemstones and fangs that glowed with a potent venom.


    Its scales seemed to be intertwined with vines, giving the impression that it was an extension of the very environment itmands.


    "Fuck me..."


    Emir realized that he had no hope of winning this fight.


    Whatever ns he coulde up with would only dy the inevitable, as they appeared to be set on killing him.


    He could simply run away using his sh Step ability, but that thought never crossed his mind.


    If he ran away now, then he could potentially lose vital information, something he so desperately needed.


    And there was another reason...


    Something that grew along with his strength.


    Pride.


    But that was something he didn''t want to acknowledge.


    Sure, he definitely would''ve run away if he was up against stronger beings; his pride wouldn''t stop him then.


    Since in the end, he was a logical man.


    He wasn''t stupid nor was he arrogant, as most confused the three.


    ''I''ll just have to do the impossible and win, like always.''


    ''No big deal...''


    Letting out a chuckle, Emir''s gaze left them and shifted to where the fight between the celestials and monsters was still taking ce.


    His eyesnded on a building some distance away, and after scrutinizing it for a few moments, he chanted:


    "sh Step."


    Disappearing from where he once was, Emir materialized in mid-air, a fair distance away.


    Allowing the air to slow down his speed, hended softly atop the roof of a building he chose a few moments ago.


    Emir looked behind him and noticed that the two Tyrants were still following him, now no longer walking.


    "Well... Let the fight begin."


    Just as he said that he stepped forward.


    His foot reached the ledge of the building and dropped down.


    He murmured multiple incantations while jumping to and fro from the building he fell from and the one opposite it.


    Reaching the ground in a moment, he touched the wall on his left and silently chanted once


    again.


    His Aether reserves were diminishing at a fast pace, but he never stopped absorbing Aether, which caused his Aether core to subtly begin overheating.


    Pain was apparent in his chest, but that never showed on his face, as he remained calm, like a


    stillke.


    He did the same to the other eight towering buildings in his vicinity, almost exhausting his Aether reserves entirely.


    And as soon as he did so, the Rootsire and Verdigris came upon him.


    They stood right where he first dropped, standing still in the wide clearing between the two


    buildings.


    The Rootsire towered over both of them, at least ten meters tall.


    While the Verdigris was of shorter height than Emir.


    Emir silently raised his right arm and gestured for them toe forward.


    They maddeningly smiled andplied, rushing him at once.


    "Celestia''s Maze!"


    Ssh!


    Crack!


    Thud! Thud!


    But they couldn''t do so.


    Why?


    Well, that was simply because of the current state of their bodies.


    Just as Emir''s chant rang out, tens of thin lines of Aether appeared in front of them...


    And they ran cleanly through them, cutting and breaking their bodies in the process. But, unfortunately for Emir, their bodies healed in no time.


    The Rootsire easily regenerated, while the Verdigris had vines spurt out of its body and reattached its missing limbs, appearing the same as before.


    Now fully healed, they looked up to see Emir, but they didn''t find him.


    He disappeared...


    Or at least that was what they would''ve thought as he simply jumped up and stood on the


    wires higher up the buildings, hidden away from their view.


    Emir quietly eyed them from above, like a hunter to its prey.


    Then, with a subtle move from his fingers, a few wires danced, causing a few of the buildings


    to groan in protest.


    The Tyrants immediately followed after the sounds, this time appearing more cautious.


    "ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!"


    The Verdigris was at least, as the Rootsire ran through them with no care in the world, destroying everything in its path.


    Emir smiled at that sight, and with another flick of his fingers, the next building rumbled,


    causing the Rootsire to follow...


    He was like a masterful conductor to a deranged orchestra.


    Every time they reached the location where the sound originated, he would quickly create another, some small distance away.


    Emir repeated the process several times until he led both mad Tyrants straight to the middle.


    Then he raised his hand up to the sky, waiting for them to reach the exact ce he nned for.


    And just as they did, he swung both his hands downwards.


    "Fall."

 Chapter 188: Here Comes The Savior

    Chapter 188: Here Comes The Savior


    ?


    Every single building surrounding Emir and the two Tyrants rumbled and cracked.


    Then, a momentter....


    All fell to the ground.


    It was a sight to behold-a chaotic storm of debris and wreckage hurtling toward the monster duo.


    They had no choice but to defend themselves, and that was what they did.


    The Rootsire reacted as its spine erupted in a violent explosion of earth, creating a formidable barrier.


    On the other hand, the Verdigris summoned a dance of roots and vines.


    These living tendrils wove around the creature, forming a protective cocoon of botanical might.


    Crash!


    The impact was deafening as the buildings, all crashed down at that single location causing them to be stacked on top of each other.


    There was constant rumbling, cracking, and breaking.


    And Emir watched it all from afar, as he rushed out just before the impact.


    He didn''t expect to kill them with that attack, but he did expect them to weaken, paving the way for his next move.


    Propping up his twin swords, he chanted:


    "Aetheric des."


    His two swords shone a bright dark, as he waved them before his eyes.


    But just as he was about to step forward, he heard the sound of footsteps to his right.


    Immediately getting into abative stance, he turned around and faced someone he never expected to see...


    "You''re safe... Oh, and yes, it''s me, Emir."


    || ||


    "..."


    They silently stared at each other for a while until Emir asked, his face showing absolute surprise:


    "...Lyra?"


    "What are you doing here? ... Actually, wait, how are you here already?"


    [It''s really me, Emir.]


    "You don''t need to worry... And I came back as fast as I possibly could." She added with a bright smile, her white hair iling from the wind caused by the buildings'' fall.


    "Wee back..." He said while chuckling aloud.


    "I''m back!" She replied, her red eyes matching his energy tenfold.


    "You''ve got everything we need?" He asked, while his eyes returned to the Tyrants.


    "Even more than that, but I''ll tell you more about itter... For now, do you want my help with this?"


    "Yeah, I''ve already killed one, and I don''t have the Aether to kill two more, so I''ll need all the help I can get...."


    "Besides, we''ve never fought together like this, have we?"


    "No," she answered as she walked closer to him.


    "And I''m very excited to show you what I can do!"


    They soon stood shoulder-to-shoulder, both watching the aftermath.


    Emir chuckled and lightly tapped her back.


    "Keep up."


    They rushed forward in unison, with Emir gripping his twin swords tightly and Lyra wielding


    a new set of ckened de Gauntlets, extending from atop her forearms to a few inches above her fully extended hand.


    "You''ve got a new weapon, I see..." He said while jumping over rubble.


    "Yep, I''ve bought them from Mars; these-"


    Their talk was suddenly cut off as uncountable roots escaped the ground, meeting their path.


    The remaining overgrown fauna around them also began to coil and snake towards them at incredible speeds.


    Emir nced at Lyra for a moment and then jumped up, reaching the sky.


    Lyra mirrored his first action and then chanted:


    "Shadow Meld."


    She disappeared into the shadows just as the fauna reached them, crushing the ground where they just were.


    Emir continued to fly around above, jumping from one Aether-constructed tform to another, dodging all sorts of attacks that reached him while he headed towards the Tyrants.


    He watched as Lyra''s blob of shadows followed him from down below, matching his speed. Secondster, they both reached the center point of the aftermath, where many destroyed buildings were atop each other.


    Emir dodged another set of vines as he dropped to the ground beside Lyra, who remained in the shadows.


    "Celestia''s Maze."


    As those words left his mouth, the wires of Aether he previously set up appeared once again, now floating mid-air, attached to nothing.


    "Obsidian Shroud."


    Lyra''s chant shrouded the battlefield with shadows as an all-encumbering darkness


    surrounded them, taking away the light.


    Emir saw nothing but darkness for a moment until a sudden rity washed over him as he somehow saw through them.


    This was all due to Lyra''s incredible processing power.


    She took in Emir''s current line of sight,bined it with her ability to see through the shadows, and sent it back to his neuralwork almost instantaneously.


    Although Emir could not yet see the battlefield with his own eyes, he could still see what was


    before him through the holographic feed that Lyra showed him.


    And what was before him was the Verdigris, as it finally emerged from the rubble, still


    cocooned in its vines.


    The vines, however, no longer appeared to be clean and undamaged.


    Several areas of it showed deformity as if bashed in with a bat.


    The Rootsire to its right was no different.


    Though it appeared to be in a much worse state.


    It showed signs of tiredness within the madness.


    Many of its limbs appeared to be mismatched as if grown in the wrong part of the body.


    Its tail and size were shortened by many meters as well.


    "Let''s end this already."


    Leaving those words behind, Emir jumped up to a wire on his right and propelled himself forward into the next, dodging the multitude of roots that spurted out of the ground to


    wee him.


    Lyra''s shadow disappeared for a moment and then reappeared behind the Verdigris.


    Just as she stepped above ground, the vines surrounding the Verdigris surged towards her.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Obscura Domine."


    They immediately stopped, just a few inches away from her neck,pelled by her chant. The vines'' shadows were all bound with chains.


    It was the perfect setup for Emir, as he had free reign to set up his strongest melee attack. Using one of the wires as a foothold, hended on it and used its momentum.


    "sh Step."


    With his twin swords before his head, he appeared in front of the Verdigris like a pointed


    arrow.


    His body pierced through the cocoon, cutting a hole through it from one end to the other.


    Then, with a front flip, he ced his feet on the ground as they dragged along the rubble.


    Lyra attacked right after Emirnded.


    "Aetheric des."


    Her glove gauntlets proved a perfect fit for her lethality as they extended and pierced through


    the cocoon.


    She then cross-swiped her arms, cutting the Verdigris head right off.


    Blood sttered, and vines erupted towards the falling head.


    But Lyra didn''t bother to attack further and melded back into the shadows, escaping death.


    "Aetheric Shield."


    A moment passed, and Emir was already upon the Verdigris, his body crashing through its vines and roots as he picked up its head.


    He used the wires all around him to propel himself forward, moving as far away as he could from the monster''s main body as vines continued to track behind him.


    Meanwhile, Lyra used that opportunity to destroy all its remaining Aether cores as she appeared above ground once again, stabbing and shing at its cocoon.


    And soon enough, the Verdigris''s beautiful green eyes grew dim.


    The crown of blossoms above its head withered and turned into darkened ashes, flowing into


    the wind.


    Its mouth opened and closed a few times as the monster appeared to struggle in its quest to


    speak.


    "Ah..."


    Emir realized that his grip was too tight, so he gently ced its head on the ground.


    The Verdigris then used thest of its Aether to sprout vines from its head, positioning itself


    towards Emir.


    Then a single hand-shaped vine reached forward, heading towards his face.


    ''Interesting...''


    Emir let the monster do as it pleased and waited.


    It reached his face and warmly cupped it.


    "Thank you, young man... And be careful."


    It spoke, almost in a motherly tone.


    "''He'' will be the end of us all..."


    Emir eyed it with pity for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and turned towards Lyra.


    She was now standing beside the Rootsire.


    After jumping from wire to wire, he reached them in a matter of seconds and asked:


    "What''s wrong with it? Why is it not attacking us?"


    Lyra nced at him for a moment and turned her attention back to the monster.


    "I''m not sure... I expected it to interfere during our fight with that Verdigris, but it remained


    still the entire time."


    Emir nodded and looked at the monster, but then he finally noticed something.


    "It''s not a Tyrant anymore..."


    ''Just....''


    ''Just what made them grow so mad?''


    Lyra looked at him with surprise.


    "What do you mean?"


    "...Tyrants have at least five Aether cores, right?"


    "Yep."


    "Well, this one has four."


    "..."


    They both stayed quiet for a while, realizing the severity of what this meant.


    Whoever they were now up against seemed to have abilities that infected the Aether core


    itself.


    So whatever it did to these monsters could also work on humans.


    They simply couldn''t imagine what would befall Earth if a word of this came out to the public.


    ''Another thing to add to the list of shit that was never written in the novel.'' Letting out a sigh, Emir showed his twin swords to the Fiend and stabbed one of its mad eyes.


    He expected a roar or a growl out of the monster''s mouth, but all he got instead was silence.


    "You good?"


    || ||


    The Tyrant wasn''t ''good.''


    However, Emir soon noticed signs of rity that began to form in its remaining eye.


    The monster then stood up, struggling to do so, until it finally stood tall on its deformed legs, each one a different size from the other.


    Emir and Lyra had long since stepped back, prepared to attack.


    But the monster remained still; its body pulsating, face contorting, as if it were struggling to


    retain coherence.


    Then its head slowly moved towards Emir, and its mouth opened to let a slow, almost


    inaudible words filled with all the Aether it could muster:


    "...Kill... me.... Please... end it....."


    "Please... I don''t... I don''t...."


    "I don''t want to hear it...."


    "I DON''T WANT TO HEAR IT ANYMORE!"


    "...Hear what?"


    "PLEASE!"


    Emir, whose question remained unanswered nced at Lyra, then looked back at the


    Rootsire.


    He gave it a nod andplied.


    They both began slicing the monster to pieces, faster than it could regenerate.


    Its poisonous blood spluttered out everywhere, but they were prepared and had their force


    shields set to the max, protecting them from harm.


    This continued for an entire minute until they reached the moment when the Rootsire could


    no longer heal itself.


    Emir signaled for Lyra to step back and then smashed the monster''s head with his feet, caving


    in its skull.


    The serpentine''s crumbled head showed a face full of serenity as it said itsst words:


    "It''s so quiet now... The ticking, the..."

 Chapter 189: Dead Player?

    Chapter 189: Dead yer?


    ?


    Emir and Lyra walked through the monster''s nest as they exited the cave and headed towards where he met the ruin''s guardian.


    [What do you think that was about?]


    [I know as much as you.]


    Emir scoffed.


    [So, Jake, Emma, and Alex left already?]


    He asked as he kicked a small rock away.


    [Yep. As I said, when I came here, I was nning to surprise you, but when I heard that Emma


    and Jake ''saved'' Aria, I rushed into the ruin, scared that something happened to you...]


    [And then I heard an explosion way inside the ruin, so I-I...]


    Emir gently tapped her left shoulder.


    [I get it; it''s fine; I''m fine. Alright? So calm down... We''re back together now.]


    She kicked the rock back towards him as she said:


    [This is your fault, you know... I mean, who would be insane enough to go inside a monster?!]


    Emir shrugged and kicked the rock forward.


    [What can I say? ...I had to do something wild; I wouldn''t have lived this long otherwise. And you like that side of me too, so don''t act like you''reining.]


    "Humph!" She voiced out while showing her back to Emir.


    [What about Alex? Did he leave alone?] Emir asked, not bothering with her shenanigans.


    [... Yes, he told Jake that he''d be leaving with his cohort. Do you think that he''s up to something?]


    [Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows with hunters....]


    [He did his job, at least. The ruin is back to normal, and everyone gained something out of it, so let''s see if we will too...]


    Emir kicked the rock away and stood still next to the runes with Lyra in tow, surrounded by many broken cocoons.


    His two hands presented one Aether core each, both with lost luster, their green and ck colors gone dead.


    "I, Emir, have sessfully dispatched your maddened kin as per your request, guardian of the fallen haven..."


    "I request that you honor me with your presence and knowledge."


    Just as thosest words left his lips, a bright light materialized in front of him, momentarily blinding him in the process.


    And what came after it was the guardian, a being of earth and stone.


    "Wee human... and cyborg. You''ve both shown your tenacity and nning, proving yourselves to be worthy."


    The guardian then stepped in front of them, its mere presence causing their legs to buckle under the strain.


    But they didn''t relent and stood tall, eyeing the monster with fierce eyes.


    Letting out a chuckle, the guardian grabbed the two cores while asking:


    "What of my tree?"


    "...Implosion." Emir answered with gritted teeth.


    Showing a nod, the guardian returned to its floating throne and sat beside the quiet Nysandra. ''She''s back.''


    Emir only noticed her then, making him wonder why she never spoke.


    And as if reading his thoughts, the guardian answered:


    "Although she''s an AI manager, she''s scared of humans...."


    "Scared because of what you''ve done to her."


    "But enough about that; you came here to seek answers about the intruder, and that''s what I''ll provide."


    With a raised hand, the guardian gestured for them to follow.


    Complying, they trailed after it.


    "Will you show us the intruder''s body?"


    Showing surprise, it answered Emir''s question with another:


    "How did you know?"


    He shrugged.


    "Just a guess; you, as a guardian, wouldn''t let those who do you harm go, so I just assumed that you killed them."


    "Ah, I didn''t kill them; they killed themselves, actually..."


    "What? Why?"


    "I''m not so sure; it was as if the man was a puppet on strings, not caring in the least about what happened to his body, and I''m sure that he died because of the runes he wrote on then/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ground."


    "I see..."


    Emir''s brain worked on overdrive for a moment, and what came up were three options. Option one was that the body was controlled into doing the yer''s bidding. Option two was a less believable one, but it might''ve not been a coordinated attack towards himself, but something done by some hidden organization seeking to create chaos for the Elite, and the man that came here was one of their members.


    Option three was simr to the first, but whoever the intruder was might''ve lost control after


    what he had done, killing him in the process.


    [The man must''ve been controlled.] He heard Lyra''s voice echo in his mind.


    [Probably... You think it''s someone we know?]


    [The one responsible? Definitely not, and whoever they are must be incredibly strong, or at least extremely knowledgeable. Since I''ve never seen those runes before, not even after searching through my and the UEF''s entire database.]


    [We can''t do anything about them though, or can we?]


    [Not really, no. We don''t know anything about them, their goals, strength, or time of attack.] [And if we constantly worry about a third party''s interference in every one of our ns, then we''d enter a rabbit hole that we wouldn''t be able to get out of, never moving forward.]


    Emir nodded.


    [True... I guess we''ll just ignore this fucker until theye back again, like always.]


    Scoffing, Emir, and Lyra noticed that the guardian sped up, so they jogged after him for a few moments until they reached a locked wooden gate.


    The gate was massive, its imposing size enhanced by the lush green vines that wound their way around it, which covered intricate drawings etched upon the wood that hinted at a


    bygone era.


    "Open Sesame."


    A series of resonating clicks echoed through the air.


    The gate slowly swung open, revealing a scene that defied imagination.


    Before themy a colossal room, unlike anything they had ever seen.


    It was a realm of untamed wilderness contained within stone walls.


    The chamber seemed to stretch on endlessly, filled with vibrant and exotic flora that they had


    never seen before.


    Gigantic, bioluminescent mushrooms cast a dreamy glow, illuminating the lush vegetation.


    Massive trees with iridescent leaves reached for the roof, their branches adorned with


    luminescent blossoms that released a soft fragrance.


    Flowers of impossible colors and shapes carpeted the ground, forming patterns that seemed


    to shift and pulse.


    Strange, chimeric creatures flitted among the blooms and crawled along the jungle floor.


    Some had wings like butterflies but shimmered like fish.


    While others resembled miniature dragons, their scales gleaming with every hue of the


    rainbow.


    Birds with feathers of liquid silver sang from the treetops, creating a symphony of melodies.


    The air was thick with the scents of a thousand exotic blossoms and the hum of unseen


    insects.


    It was a ce of enchantment, where the boundaries of reality and fantasy blended together


    in a breathtaking disy of nature''s creativity.


    ''Beautiful...''


    [... It''s amazing, isn''t it?]


    Emir telepathically chuckled at Lyra''s words.


    [That''s an understatement.]


    The guardian didn''t give them time to bask in the greatness of his home and continued


    floating forward.


    They quickly caught up to it and walked past a bizarre fusion of tree and flower.


    An unusualbination to say the least.


    Soon, they arrived at a long, oval table.


    At its centery a body, seemingly lifeless, secured to the table by winding vines.


    The man''s body was extremely aged, with a hairless head and skin that bore unnatural shades


    of gray.


    His visage was a map of deep wrinkles, as though a gentle gust of wind could scatter him away


    like ash.


    His emaciated frame seemed almost skeletal, the skin clinging tightly to his bones, and his ribcage was visible through the frail flesh.


    "As you can see, this human experienced what you call death by old age..."


    "I only arrived after the runes were written down, so I''m not sure what happened before that,


    but I watched as the man''s body quickly transformed into this state."

 Chapter 190: Hollow

    Chapter 190: Hollow


    ?


    "So the guy couldn''t handle the amount of Aether running through his core? You''d say he turned hollow?" Emir asked.


    "Hollow? Is that what you humans call them?"


    "Yeah, it''s what we call those who went too far and unlocked many abilities that ranged from their specialization. At first, they would simply grow weaker, but if taken too far, this happens..."


    "I see... Humans and their limitations are quite pitiful..."


    "Now regarding our intruder here, I''d say you''re right. Whatever runes he had written down earlier caused this, I don''t have much else to add..."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You can check his body if you wish, but I doubt you''d find anything noteworthy."


    Nodding to its words, Emir turned to face Lyra.


    [What do you think?]


    [I agree with the guardian; there isn''t much we could get out of this body...]


    [I already scanned his face across the database, but I''ve found no matches, which could either mean that he is not of Earth or that he is simply unrecognizable.]


    [DNA?]


    [Useless: when someone turns hollow, their entire body mutates randomly; this includes their DNA as well.]


    ''So the guardian yed me, huh....''


    [...Speaking of, Aria has my DNA all over her; can we do something about that?]


    [Yes... I could alter them in the hospital records so the ones on Aria wouldn''t match with yours, and I''ll pin on it someone else with your body shape. But it''s weird that you didn''t n for that; did you forget about it?]


    [Not really; I just didn''t care.... At the time when we''d face them in court or behind it, we''d have something over them, so I never cared about them finding out.]


    [Good thinking.] She replied with a chuckle.


    With their conversation over in under a second, Emir turned his attention to the guardian once again.


    "You asked me previously about what happened to the Virearth-"


    "Mirendra."


    "My apologies, so you asked about what happened to your kin, Mirendra, but why? Do you not keep watch over your ruin?"


    The guardian stayed still for a moment and turned around to face Nysandra, its face struggling to calm down.


    "You wish me to watch my kin''s death?! I say this once young Emir, do not mention their passing ever again!"


    Emir and Lyra immediately lowered their heads.


    "I apologize if I''ve unintentionally disrespected you; I meant no harm by it."


    "........Apology epted. Besides, if not you, then someone else woulde along, and I''d have asked the same thing."


    "Thank you... We''ve no need for anything more; we request that we take our leave."


    Nodding, the guardian gestured to its left, and a shy Nysandra appeared.


    She slowly raised her hand and waved them goodbye.


    Lyra reciprocated while Emir raised a brow in surprise, only to follow Lyra''s lead a momentter.


    "Goodbye, Lady Nysandra." They said in unison.


    "We''re honored to meet you both."


    The guardian nodded and grasped Nysandra''s holographic hand as they both disappeared, returning the room to a darkened state.


    ''Are they some sort of couple? ...I ain''t judging though.''


    Emir silently wondered, only to shrug and focus back on Lyra.


    [Picture?]


    [Yep, I just need to look at something, and I''ll have it permanently etched into my memories. Oh and I already sent it to Marcus, but he has no idea what type of arcanenguage that is.]


    [Alright then, let''s just hope that we find someone who knows about this; we can''t be facing an enemy we know nothing about.]


    [I couldn''t agree more.]


    ...


    -


    After passing by multiple security checkpoints, Emir and Lyra reached a temporary camp, which was located right outside the ruin.


    Most would''ve been fooled if they had heard the term ''camp'' as this was nothing but.


    It looked like a grand fortress, with what appeared to be 3D printed concrete of massive walls, making up a two-story building surrounded by many security details, that belonged to the Gold Leaf family.


    Stopping outside the gate, they were approached by two guards, who appeared to be


    celestials, at least of the Pdin rank.


    "Wee, Sir Emir, Ma''am Amanda; the young madam and Lord Auric are waiting inside


    with yourpanions."


    They both nodded and walked through the now-open gate as they were met by a house more morous than their own.


    ''The gold in their name stands for something alright~.''


    They arrived at what seemed to be a living room, with multiple couches ced in a


    rectangr space opposite a holoscreen.


    Four people sat on said couches, the pair being Jake and Emma sitting together, while Aria and her father sat in the middle.


    Noticing their arrival, theirpanions stood up to wee them, but they waited for Auric


    to go first, showing respect.


    Emir waved at them and locked his gaze with the approaching Goldleaf.


    A tough-looking man wearing a tailored suit with well-groomed blonde hair and red eyes.


    Auric showed a gesture of a handshake.


    Emir nodded and met his hand.


    "Lord Auric."


    "Emir."


    "It''s an honor."


    "I can say the same... You''ve saved my lifeline, my daughter; you deserve much more than


    praise."


    "But before thate, sit; let''s talk."


    Showing a nod to Lyra, he gestured towards the couch to their right.


    Theyplied and sat there.


    And while doing so, Emir subtly nced at Aria, who appeared to be ignoring him.


    ''She''s shy?''


    ''...Don''t act that way in front of your dad, at least; he''ll kill me before I realize it.''


    Inwardly chuckling, Emir waved towards her.


    "It''s nice to see you again, young madam."


    Aria looked at him for a moment and then twisted her head away, her twin tails iling all


    over the ce.


    "Humph!"


    All those around her let out suppressed chuckles; even her father didn''t spare her from


    embarrassment.


    Her face turned red as she stomped out of the room, heading up the stairs, not before giving


    Emir a single nce-something he didn''t fail to notice.


    ''So she''s really crushing on me...''


    ''She''ll be useful.''


    "Now let''s get serious, Emir... Lyra." Auric stated with a serious tone.


    "You both aren''t on the best of terms with the ''higher-ups.'' But you''ve done us a solid; it


    doesn''t matter why, but it matters that you did..."


    "Furthermore, you seem to have talked to the guardian as well; did it tell you about what


    happened?"


    Emir nodded.


    "Yes, it did, Lord. But if you wish to know more, then I''d have to ask for something in return."


    Auric''s warm smile gradually faded, reced by an icy demeanor as he fixed a prating


    gaze on Emir, his unblinking red eyes seeming to bore into him.


    The room''s atmosphere grew increasingly tense as Aether congregated around them.


    The mounting pressure became nearly unbearable, causing Emma and Jake to shudder, their bodies visibly strained under the oppressive force.

 Chapter 191: Leaf Head

    Chapter 191: Leaf Head


    ?


    [Do we attack?!] Lyra screamed in Emir''s mind.


    But he remained still, seemingly unaffected by the pressure.


    Which was unlike those beside him, as even Lyra was struggling to stay straight.


    [No... We both know how this guy does things.]


    In the novel, Auric was described as someone family-oriented.


    Emir thought that it was only shown on the outside, a cover that the man hid behind...


    But it seemed to be true, based on how his daughter acted with him around.


    So then it was confirmed to Emir that his other characteristic was also true.


    This man loved a challenge.


    Auric hated yes-men and liked those who actively challenged him.


    He also loved the smart ones, wanting nothing more than to absorb them into his fold or at least have them as allies.


    This meant that Auric''s current threatening demeanor was nothing but a fa?ade.


    The moment Emir would try to defend himself would be the moment Auric ''won.'' [He''s quite childish, isn''t he?] Lyra said, just realizing the same thing.


    And as if he was listening to her words, the killing intent pervading the atmosphere dissipated as if it were never there.


    Auric let out augh.


    "...Goodman. I like you, and yes, you can ask two things of me, one for saving my daughter and the other for this info."


    "Do keep in mind their importance." He added.


    Emir didn''t care for Auric''s warning and licked the blood off his lips, sparing a nce at his knocked-outpanions.


    Both of whom slept away on the couch.


    Showing Auric a nod, he said:


    "Of course. Now regarding what happened..."


    "We don''t know of the person involved, as he had disappeared, but the man sneaked into the


    nest, and after writing down runes, the monsters went mad."


    "Anything else?" He asked.


    ''There''s one thing, but telling you that might spell our doom.''


    ''Actually....''


    [Lyra, keep your focus on his reactions; I''ll try my luck at something.]


    [Alright.]


    Emir shook his head.


    "No, but I''ve got a question for you."


    "Yeah?"


    Emir chose his words carefully:


    "I''m curious about the motives of the man who did this...."


    "Do you have any idea why he wanted the monsters to go mad and what his goal might be?"


    Auric leaned back, a smile ying on his lips.


    "Ah, motives... Who knows?"


    "The workings of the human heart areplex, are they not?"


    "That they are." Emir agreed.


    "As for his ultimate goal, well, I suspect you already have some insights, don''t you?"


    Emir maintained hisposure, not letting Auric''s probing words rattle him.


    Tap.


    "I have my suspicions, but nothing concrete."


    "To make sure, I''d like to know more about the runes and their connection to this whole thing..."


    "Could they be what caused those effects on the monsters?"


    Auric''s eyes glittered with interest, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.


    "...Runes aren''t my strong suit, so I wouldn''t know."


    ''So he doesn''t want to share....''


    ''Well, let''s see about that.''


    "What about Aether cores? Do you think they could be affected?"


    Auric showed no visible reaction and calmly stated:


    "Aether cores are a delicate bnce of energy. If someone were to interfere with them, it could have dire consequences, which would most likely lead to their destruction."


    "But, of course, such actions are highly dangerous for both sides of the coin."


    "The one attempting to interfere in the other''s Aether core will spend a lot of his own Aether and well... you know what happens next."


    Emir nodded.


    "I see..."


    Auric paused for a moment; intending to give Emir the time to ''process'' what he justid out for him.


    "So now that I have satisfied your curiosity, tell me, are you suggesting that the intruder manipted the monsters'' Aether cores?"


    ''Good question.''


    Emir hid his rising grin.


    He knew the consequences of his n going awry, but he couldn''t let go of the chance to gain


    more information.


    "No, we didn''t see anything that would indicate that."


    "The guardian actually tricked me into doing his bidding, so I''d say I mostly lost time going


    after false leads."


    Emir''s lies came mixed with embarrassing truths, only further solidifying his words.


    Auric chuckled, but judging by his sharp red eyes, that was nothing but a front.


    "Really now?"


    "Yeah, I''ve only heard stories, but you know how rumors can be..."


    -§´§Ñ§â.


    "I was more curious about why that man would do all of this, ''cause the guardian didn''t say


    much."


    Auric''s smile widened as he appeared to have finally caught on to Emir''s ''tell.''


    A subtle shift of his fingers'' position, a tap on his thighs, whatever it may be, after every ''lie''


    his fingers had moved in some random way.


    "But I don''t believe that."


    Emir''s calm face faltered for a moment, an act that Auric noticed.


    "What are you hiding from me?"


    They stared at each other, neither of them blinking until Lyra finally cut into the silence:


    "W-We should tell him."


    || ||


    Emir looked at her for a while and then let out a defeated sigh.


    ''I lost.''


    He had conceded the match.


    "Lord Auric, I''m sorry for hiding this from you, but I... thought that you would kill us after


    finding out."


    Auric''s face showed genuine surprise as he asked:


    "I swear I won''t. Now tell me, what is it?"


    ''Or so he thinks...''


    There wasn''t a soul in the universe who hadn''t told a lie.


    The ncing eyes, anxious pulse, subtle expressions, and nearly imprable movements...


    Those were all tells of a lie.


    But Emir had no such tell.


    He had such a high level of control over his neuralwork that not even a lie detector would


    work on him.


    So, instead, he simply made others believe that he had one.


    In turn, the lie would be the truth in the eyes of those opposing him.


    "One of the Elite is involved-"


    "QUIET!" Auric roared while standing up from the couch, his face twitching with fury.


    Emir and Lyra immediately lowered their heads, their bodies threatening to copse from the


    sudden pressure that fell upon them.


    Auric nced around the room for a few seconds, and just as his eyes returned to the duo, his


    killing intent finally dissipated.


    Emir let out a long breath, and his trembling body looked up.


    The GoldLeaf''s head was before him, his gaze bearing down on him.


    "Is that all you know?"


    Emir immediately moved his head up and down.


    "Did you tell this to anyone other than me?"


    "N-no."


    Auric nodded, showing signs of relief at Emir''s stuttering answer.


    ''Heh, I guess I don''t need her to confirm anything....''


    The cautious dance they were both engaged in was now over; the tension had left.


    Emir won the game while simultaneously allowing Auric to feel that he had done so as well.


    A bomb was now nted in the upper echelons of Earth, one that Emir could detonate


    whenever he wished.


    [You''re amazing.]


    Emir nced at Lyra.


    [I learned from the best.]


    She rolled her eyes and rested her head on her hands.


    [I''ll get you back for this one day.]


    [And I''ll be looking forward to that.]


    Just as their conversation was over, Auric sat back on the couch.


    "Alright... Forget this ever happened and tell me of your rewards."


    Emir lightly bowed.


    "We''d like the first one to be a meeting, one involving all the other family heads... And the


    topic of discussion will be our Prince Emporium."


    Auric raised his brow.


    "Why all four? Can''t you make do with us? Those involved in the situation?"


    "No, our discussion would involve the other families as well, so them being there wouldn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    actually be to their benefit."


    "Ah, I understand. That''s doable."


    "Now as for the second reward, I''d like an E10 augmented suit."


    "Oufff.... I expected something expensive. Alright, I''ll get you one now."


    Auric easily epted as he taped his terminal once.


    ''Was the info worth that much?''


    [...Lyra?]


    [Your thinking wasn''t wrong; your opponent was.]


    [They''re the Gold Leaf family; a single E10 augmented suit might be worth a lot to you, and it


    is, considering that they cost more than ten Valora, but to them, it''s nothing but chump


    change.]


    [So even though the information is worth way less than that, it still wouldn''t matter to them


    in the end.]


    Emir let out a telepathic sigh.


    [I see... Thanks as always.]


    [And it''s my pleasure. Always.]


    ...So I made a loss there, huh.''


    Shaking off those thoughts, Emir looked straight at Auric.


    But before he could speak, one of the guards standing outside entered the room.


    All three looked at the confused guard for a moment, until Auric spoke:


    "You, reset your suit and strip."


    "Yes, lord!"


    The guard nodded and did as he was told, showing no hesitation.


    After a few moments, he quietly set his augmented suit on the table and stepped back,


    nakedly looking at Auric for further orders.


    "That''s all. Leave us now."


    "By yourmand, Lord!"


    ''Poor dude...''


    Emir shrugged his shoulders and turned to Auric.


    "Lord, this might be rude to ask of you, but I must..." "Can you swear an Oath?"


    Auric''s smile burned brighter as heughed aloud. "Haaah... Alright, I seriously like you.'' With his hand on his secondary heart, he spoke:


    "I announce this Oath, and I swear upon Aether, with the Oracle as my witness, that I will


    reward Emir with the meeting that he asked for as soon as I possibly can." "Thanks for this, Lord... Is there anything else that you require of me or ''Amanda''?" Auric chuckled while staring at him, only replying after a few moments: "No, you two have done a great service to our family; this was only natural."


    Emir and Lyra bowed towards him, and with no need formunication, each took hold of


    one of theirpanions.


    "Have a good day, Lord."


    ''Hook, line, and sinker...''


    Emir then dragged Jake with the augmented suit over his shoulder, and Lyra carried Emma


    right behind him as they left the premises.

 Chapter 192: Evidence

    Chapter 192: Evidence


    ?


    Emir and Lyra headed to where she parked their cruiser.


    [Do you think it would be a good idea in the long run?]


    [The metaphorical bomb you mean?]


    [Yeah, I had my mind set on it after I saw his reaction.]


    Lyra giggled.


    [I told you, you were amazing. Now we know that they know about the runes, and we also used that information already.]


    [Doubt would spread among them, give it time and we could turn that bomb into a nuke.]


    [True that... but Lyra, he KNOWS.]


    [Of course, he does... All four of them do.]


    Emir let out a sigh as he threw Jake to the ground, causing clouds of sand to form, while Lyra sat Emma down gently.


    [...Though, thankfully, he doesn''t know about my oath cheat.]


    [Right, he would''ve called us out on it if he did... So we can proceed with the n with no worries.]


    Emir nodded and gestured for his partner to help with waking them up.


    After multiple ps in the face and a few kicks for Jake, they finally got up, looking around in a daze.


    "You''re finally awake... Good afternoon, guys," he said in a sober tone.


    "It''s been twenty years... Everything is gone, and you..."


    "Dammit!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emirshed out, kicking the ground, causing cracks to form.


    A coughing Jake showed puzzlement as he speechlessly looked at himself for a few moments.


    But Emma caught onto the joke and simply stood up, rushing her boss like a bull.


    "You scared me, you tall piece of shit!"


    Emir sneered while dodging her charge, slightly extending his right leg in the process.


    Emma had yet toe out of her daze, so she didn''t notice his movement and tripped up, flipping upside down.


    Thud!


    And she crashed face-first into the ground.


    Lyra and Emir looked at each other and beganughing.


    Jake, who finally realized what happened, joined in the fun as heughed at his unfortunate partner.


    Emma stood after a few moments and activated her augmented suit''s self-cleaning function as she looked at Emir with a pout.


    "Stop making fun of me!"


    Emir shrugged.


    "I had to liven up the mood a bit... You''re perfect foric relief, you know~."


    Lyra stepped in front of her, giving her a few pats on the back.


    "Don''t worry, Em, you''ll get used to this."


    "Whatever!"


    Jake stood up and joined them.


    "Let''s talk on the way back; I''ve got a lot of questions to ask."


    "Sure." Emir confirmed while pointing at their cruiser.


    ...


    Emir and Lyra sat on one side of the bench, while Emma and Jake sat opposite them.


    The steering was left to the cruiser''s AI, with slight adjustments from Lyra whenever needed.


    "You said that we wouldn''t be seeing Lyra again until she brought in some good news, so am I safe in saying that we''ve got that?"


    Emir nodded and answered Jake:


    "She just came back, so I''d like to know that myself."


    Lyra showed a smile as she turned on the holographic disy from the center console.


    A catalog of pictures and numerous profiles of all sorts of people showed up in front of them.


    "First thing''s first, my target belongs to the MoonScribe family, and yes, I do have good news..."


    The image flickered to show a massive warehouse.


    There were endless rows of towering shelves that held a myriad of items.


    A surreal, dim light bathed their contents.


    Strange and ordinary materials sat side by side.


    Air filled the space with floating red dust, like spectral stars.


    Two men stood in an empty section of that warehouse.


    "Silent sent me to Mars...."


    "We were lucky with that ''cause I already knew my way around that; it''s where I was


    created after all."


    She paused for a moment and nced at Emir.


    [It''s also where I first found out about you... You were my first.]


    Letting out a telepathic scoff, Emir replied:


    [You make controlling someone''s life sound so romantic.]


    A soft giggle echoed in his mind.


    [It kind of is; they''ve led me to you, which led to this; wouldn''t you call it romantic?]


    [I''d say it''s messed up more than anything, but sure. Go on.]


    They bothughed for a few moments and then returned their attention to the conversation at


    hand.


    Emma raised her hand and asked:


    "Wait, wait, before we move on, tell me... What does Mars look like?"


    "Well... It was different, to say the least."


    "Cars flew all over the ce, there were constant advertisements everywhere, skyscrapers so tall they reached kilometers in height, and two tiny moons hovered above."


    "But if you asked me what was most obvious, then it would''ve been the''s dependence


    on its government for everything."


    Seeing them nod with amazed faces, she continued:


    "Anyways, I tracked him for two days, but he didn''t go to any of the outposts I knew of, so I resorted to stalking the location he constantly visited..."


    "After confirming that it was safe for me to enter, I went in, and voil¨¤..."


    "You''ve caught him talking to someone." Emir continued on her behalf.


    "Yep. Whoever he was talking to was wearing a mask at the time, so I couldn''t scan their face. And I couldn''t track them either; I didn''t know what security measures he had, so I stuck with


    my target."


    "Getting close enough to hear what they were talking about was impossible, and if I did, it


    wouldn''t have mattered anyway..."


    "Why?" Emma asked.


    "They might''ve had istion barriers up." Jake answered.


    Lyra nodded to Emma''s questioning gaze and continued:


    "I didn''t get any info from their conversation, but I didn''t need to; knowing that the area was controlled by the Order was enough; I could''ve gotten more out of it if I stuck around, but..."


    "You''ve heard what happened to us in court, and you immediately rushed out of there." Emir


    finished her sentence once again.


    "Uhn."


    "Good job, Lyra. Seriously... you saved us with this, and now we have all the ammo we need to gun them down, or at least threaten that we could do so."


    Lyra looked at him with a bright smile for a long time, simply staring at him with love-sick


    eyes.


    And seeing that she was silent, Emir turned his gaze towards her and, after a quick pause, let


    out a chuckle.


    "Can you stop flirting? You''re making me jealous here..."


    All three looked at Emma with amusement filling their faces, and they allughed in unison.


    "Whatever." She said while showing her head away.


    After a few moments, they all quietened down, and Jake, who had just removed his lingering gaze from Emma, asked a question that had been burning in his mind for a while:


    "Where did you get that suit? It looks way better than yourst one."


    The augmented suit he mentioned donned Emir''s body; it was no longer the tight ck


    overalls he used to wear, the one with advanced technology fitted everywhere, and a spine-


    like structure that spurted out his back.


    Now it looked to be a very expensive and tight ck business suit with a white t-shirt underneath, which had a ck tie striped with red and white.


    "I got it from Auric; it didn''t look like this before, but I customized it to my liking..."


    "I expected nothing less of an E10 rank suit."


    "E10?!" Emma and Jake voiced out in unison, as they both knew how expensive it was to buy


    one.


    "Yeah, I probably could''ve asked for one more based on how easily he gave this to me..."


    "True.... But enough about that, Emir. Why don''t we talk about Alex? We''ve dyed this


    conversation for too long."


    "What do you mean?" Jake asked as he looked at Lyra with a raised brow.


    Emir answered instead of her, shrugging his shoulders as he did so:


    "We''ve suspected that Alex was responsible for the hit on me... And himing here today only made that suspicion concrete."


    "Do you mean that time when you attacked those Night riders... Uhh, raider, guys?" "Yep. After I hacked into their database, I got information on those they hade in contact


    with, and one of them was an ''unknown hunter,'' so out of all who we met, Alex fit the bill to a


    tee."


    Lyra replied to Emma as she waved away the hologram, causing it to disperse into particles of


    light.


    "Are you sure?" Jake asked.


    After seeing Emir nod with a rxed posture, acting as if this had nothing to do with him, Jake


    muttered:


    "Damn... Who would''ve thought.... And here I was thinking that he was a good dude."


    Emma then cut in, looking at Emir with a calm face, which was quite unlike her bbergasted


    companion:


    "Do you know why?"


    Emir didn''t reply but just sat there and pointed at Lyra.


    "He wants me," she stated.


    "....Or at least what I could bring to him, ess to the old world, and whatever else he might


    be dreaming of."


    They all sat in silence for a while, Emir and Lyra only doing so to give them a chance to take in


    all of what they revealed to them.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â!


    But suddenly a loud radar signal echoed through theirpartment.


    Lyra raised her hand and swiped through the air.


    A hologram of the cruiser''s radar appeared just after.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â! §£§Ö§Ö§â! §£§Ö§Ö§â! §£§Ö§Ö§â! §£§Ö§Ö§â!


    It showed a few dots, which kept increasing and increasing until it reached an uncountable


    number...


    Now the entire radar was blinking.

 Chapter 193: Variable

    Chapter 193: Variable


    ?


    "We''ve gotpany," Emir said, standing from his seat.


    "Prepare for battle men, conserve your Aether and never hesitate."


    Leaving those words behind, he ignored his stunnedpanions and headed to the front of the cruiser.


    He stood still and watched the approaching monsters in the distance.


    Lyra soon joined him.


    "Do we make our stand here?"


    Emir shook his head, but before he spoke, Jake reached them and asked:


    "Why don''t we just rush back to sector A-11?"


    ''And here I thought he was smart....''


    "If you want to be bombed to death again, then go ahead. Go to any secured area or the sector itself, and die with the monsters..."


    Emir spoke in a disgruntled tone, obviously irritated by such a question.


    "Do you really think they''d fucking wait for you?!"


    "....M-my bad, I didn''t think about that."


    "Don''t mind, now I need you to inscribe our weapons; do it quick!"


    Emir tapped the nodding Jake on the shoulder while turning his gaze towards Emma, who appeared to have a question of her own.


    "I know this might look insensitive to ask now, especially considering that we''re under attack, but I''ll probably forgetter...."


    Emma paused for a moment, anticipating Emir''s reaction, but he just gestured for her to speak faster.


    "Okay, okay, so why does Lyra leave you to make decisions? Isn''t it better to leave things to her since she''s an AI?"


    Emir''s eyes widened for a moment, clearly not expecting such a question.


    "Uhhh.... Well, simply put, I don''t trust herpletely...."


    "Lyra might have better strategies in that database of hers, but I still can''t act on them with all my strength."


    "She advises me, but that''s all I''ll allow, and besides, I need to learn to think things through myself; I can''t be dependent on her for everything."


    ''And I have my own pride.'' He added inwardly, finally acknowledging it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Is that answer enough for you?"


    Seeing Emma nod, he pped his hands, now finally quilling his underlings'' doubts as he focused back on the situation.


    Emir gazed at the seemingly sad Lyra for a moment and then said:


    "So, we both know that isn''t our best strategy, but I''ll say it anyway...."


    "Listen, Jake, Em, this is no random attack but something nned."


    "I expect it to be either the guardian''s or Alex''s work, but we can''t confirm either case, so for now we try our best to kill what we see without unnecessarily wasting a single ounce of our strength."


    "We''ll use our bikes and branch out from the cruiser; we will spread them apart and mow them down...."


    "Lyra will remain here using our cruiser''s turret, and then when Jake''s Aether is spent, we meet them on the ground and fight like celestials should."


    "Show me your worth, prove my decision to be a correct one, and most importantly..."


    "Don''t die! ...IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!"


    Two stomps echoed, er than the first, as Emma stepped down hard, followed by Jake, who just finished enchanting their weapons.


    Their dominant hand was above their secondary heart as they roared:


    "YES SIR!"


    "GOOD! WE MOVE NOW! LYRA, GOOD LUCK!"


    Lyra nodded and watched as all three picked up their equipment while rushing to the back. They then hopped onto their bikes and exited the now-lowered cruiser''s backside.


    Vroom! Vroom!


    The cruiser followed behind their bikes as they finally stopped driving away from the monster horde and instead headed directly towards them.


    Emir, who donned his minigun, Aetherstormuncher, and AR, led the way, with Jake on his right, who equipped himself with akimbo machine guns, and Emma on his left, who also equipped an AR.


    Now about a kilometer away from the horde Emir pointed to his left and right.


    Hispanionsplied as they followed the n.


    Emir revved the handles on his bike, and its speed boosted as he approached the monsters at a


    faster pace.


    What met him were all kinds of grotesque beasts imaginable.


    What were once normal cats turned into dangerous felines, less dangerous than their lion or cheetah counterparts, but Fiend and Youngling-ranked monsters nheless.


    The same was true for dogs, all kinds of mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.


    ''This will be tough...''


    Emir mused inwardly, knowing that whoever could control this many Fiends was at least a Seraphim rank or worse...


    A Six-core Tyrant-ranked monster.


    Something that he couldn''t imagine defeating any time soon.


    ''Well, let''s hope for the best.''


    "SHOW THEM HELL!"


    Just as his words rang out, the area immediately turned into a battlefield, with Aether- imbued bullets flying everywhere.


    Their enchanted weapons worked beautifully as the monsters fell dead to the ground one after the other, their bullets cutting through their massive forms from one end to the next.


    ''Arcanists are overpowered, alright!''


    Emir''s finger remained on his minigun''s trigger, his stream of bullets never-ending, as all the monsters in his sight were shredded to pieces, their blood coloring the ground with many


    different shades.


    The monsters, in a desperate attempt to defend themselves, summoned shields of various


    elements.


    Fire, earth, wind, poison, lightning, water, and ice-they tried it all.


    But it was all in vain.


    The relentless rain of bullets pierced through their defenses like nothing.


    The same happened to their attacks, as Emir and the others kept their distance, easily dodging


    out of harm''s way.


    On the flip side, the monsters didn''t help themselves either.


    As if driven by some unseen terror, they attacked with reckless abandon, disregarding the


    safety of their brethren.


    Their kin.


    In the process, they ended up killing many of their own, turning the chaotic battlefield into a


    gruesome bloodbath.


    They simply didn''t stand a chance against Emir and the gang''s firepower.


    But that wasn''t about tost for too long, as their bullets were running out.


    And not just that, Jake''s Aether reserves were on the brink.


    He appeared to be getting more and more exhausted by the second.


    Emir quickly noticed that and informed Lyra:


    [Tell Jake to kill off his runes; he''s done his job; now it''s our turn.]


    [Copy that.]


    Momentster, it appeared that Emir''s message reached them as both Emma and Jake turned


    their bikes around, congregating towards his position.


    Emir slowed down his bike and got closer to Jake, matching his speed.


    "Good job, mate. Now go back to the cruiser and help us out with cover fire." Emir said as he


    threw his rucksack and guns over to Jake.


    Jake caught them and his bike wobbled for a moment, almost losing control, only to stabilize


    a secondter.


    "Good luck, boss; I''ll have your back."


    "That you will!"

 Chapter 194: Road Block

    Chapter 194: Road Block


    ?


    Emir wore a serene smile on his face, like that of a child, an expression that contrasted sharply with the chaos around him.


    He stood his ground, surrounded by monstrous creatures the size of trucks.


    Many were even bigger.


    His twin swords, caked in dark blood, remained as sharp and unyielding as the relics they were supposed to be.


    To his left stood Lyra, her once-white hair stained with blood of all kinds, her gauntlet des gleaming under the moonlight.


    Between them was Emma, her tired eyes barely visible under her dirty blonde hair.


    "EMIR! WHAT DO WE DO?! WE''RE SURROUNDED!"


    He shrugged his shoulders and stepped in front of them.


    "We''re not surrounded... We can simply attack in every direction."


    [Lyra now!]


    "OBSIDIAN SHROUD!"


    The battlefield, already dark, turned even darker as shadows emerged from the ground, swallowing them whole and blocking out the moon''s light.


    Emir and Lyra took no more than a second to reach the Fiends before them, ending their lives as they had countless times before.


    Meanwhile, Emma continued casting spells.


    Bolts of icenced out, piercing through the monsters'' heads, dropping them dead.


    Jake was some distance away, keeping the monsters distracted with his bullets.


    He could no longer kill them as swiftly as before; now, he had to target their weak spots.


    And it often took him a minute or two to bring down a single fiend.


    This caused the bulk of the work to fall onto the trio on the front lines.


    And work they did.


    Their attacks never stopped.


    Their weight was more than pulled.


    Emir dodged a mighty jaw snatch from a massive alligator and then jumped over it, throwing one of his twin swords on its skull.


    A moment passed, and hended on it, pushing the sword deeper into its brain, instantly killing the monster.


    Another alligator came from his side, its maw gaping wide, ready to bite.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he threw his remaining sword into its open mouth, and it pierced through the beast, emerging from the other side.


    ROAR!


    Just as he reached down to retrieve his sword from the lifeless alligator beneath him, another one of its kin lunged from behind.


    However, he didn''t flinch, knowing that Lyra was close by.


    She stepped in and sliced the massive beast''s head off.


    With the path now clear, Emir picked up his sword, thanking Lyra with a nod, and then hurried to retrieve his other one.


    On the way, he was met by a massive bull with horns that were multiple times his size.


    Simr to the many before it, Emir dodged its attack and jumped atop it, stabbing its eyes in the process.


    Its roars of agony mixed in with the chorus of the other charging monsters, but it suddenly quietened as a spear of icey logged in its bloodied skull.


    Emir nced back at Emma for a moment, then hopped off its body,nding next to his sword, which was surrounded by more oing monsters.


    After picking it up, he activated his Temporal Perception ability.


    Time slowed down as streaks of fire, ice, and poison projectiles headed towards him.


    Emir jumped up, doing a back flip midair as he conjured an Aetheric tform beneath him.


    Pushing himself off it, he flew over their attacks and arrived in front of three smander Fiends, all three looking to contain a different element.


    Then both his left and right arms extended, throwing his twin swords away as they cut a hole through the smanders.


    The one remainingunched its tail at him, but he was too fast.


    Emir was upon it before it even realized, and his fist now mmed down on its head, crushing


    it.


    A roar echoed as he dropped down with the monster.


    After quickly picking up his swords, he turned around and quickly jumped back, dodging a wild tail swing from another of their kind.


    Emir grabbed the dead smander''s tail next to him and took out the jagged teeth that


    adorned it.


    One by one, he threw them at his adversaries, but not before enchanting them with a bit of his Aether using his Weaver''s Veil Aspect.


    Like those before them, the monsters fell to the ground with a pleading roar.


    But that mattered not to the horde, as they were soon reced by towering canines, three-n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    headed dogs, each mouth sporting a different colored me.


    Those beasts died before they could even show their prowess.


    As Emir constructed a single square in front of the middle heads, causing them to swallow


    their own me and kill themselves in a small, fiery explosion.


    And his face, which remained carefree during the entire time spent in battle, twisted in


    thought for a moment.


    Before the monster died, he tried to materialize the Aether construct closer to the monster''s mouth, but he failed...


    ''Is it because the Aether inside its body already belongs to it?''


    His realization of what happened came fast as he stepped to the back, dodging a spike of earth


    that whooshed in front of him.


    The same spike lodged itself into a Fiend to his right that was charging at him.


    ''Thanks for that.''


    He mused as he rushed towards the spike-thrower.


    The monster before him was a hedgehog of sorts.


    Its body was a mishmash of many, but the origin was still identified.


    The many spikes protruding out of it spurted out at once, attacking Emir and all the monsters


    around it.


    Emir didn''t need to use his Aetheric Shield as he simply hid behind another monster that did the work of protecting him.


    He then grabbed the spikes stuck on his protector''s dead body and threw them back towards the hedgehog, which was in the process of regenerating its weapons.


    Not needing to confirm the monster''s death, Emir turned around and grabbed a few of the


    spikes around him.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    His arms never stopped as he threw one after the other.


    While doing so, he looked at Emma for a moment, watching as Lyra hovered around her,


    killing all that approached them.


    Emir noticed a few monstersing from their blindside, some tens of meters back.


    Imbuing the spikes with his Aether, he paused for a moment and then used his Aerialis aspect


    to strengthen his muscles.


    He then threw them straight at the Fiends.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Skewering them to death.


    In the battle, he realized something of great importance that rted to his aspects.


    He could only use two of them at the same time.


    And if he used more than one in session, he would need to pause for a slight moment,


    allowing his Aether core and body to adjust to the change.


    Emir didn''t notice this before, as he simply used his abilities, not needing to lower his Aether


    use to this degree.


    Not even against the Tyrants he faced earlier today.


    Letting out a sigh, he paused his thoughts and looked up, watching in slowed time as the paw


    of a massive canine descended on him.

 Chapter 195: Road Block II

    Chapter 195: Road Block II


    ?


    ***


    Hello.


    I''m not someone you know but...


    I need to ask you something.


    Can you tell me why?


    Yes, you, the one reading this.


    I beg you, tell me... why is this happening?!


    Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?!


    WHY?!


    "... Would they tell me?"


    "No, not when asked like that."


    "That was a bit... rude."


    "Let''s start over."


    125, May, Day 11.


    Hello, reader.


    Listen to my story.


    It looks like I survived another day at this shithole...


    Man, I just don''t know what to do.


    I only wanted to help, but now I''m too deep to get out.


    They called themselves Earth''s Saviors, but they are the exact opposite of that.


    I mean, why would they attack this random hunter?


    What did he do?


    They exin fuck all and expect us to understand.


    Higher power this, higher power that, just shut up!


    This higher power did nothing to help us, actually....


    It''s the main cause of our fucking problems, and now look at where itnded us.


    A shitty-ass brotherhood.


    GODDAMMIT!


    "AUUGGGGH! FUCKING WHY?! WHY THE FUCK ARE WE GOING TO FIGHT HIM?!" The man roared.


    His nk eyes soon left his terminal and gazed upwards at the ceiling as if giving up all hope of surviving.


    "Calm yourself, recruit; this mission is of utmost importance. We can''t have you distracting the others with your screaming."


    "Keep in line or be killed."


    The man looked at his new captain for a moment and then spoke, his voiceden with fear: "Are you seriously saying that? Do you not see our target?! LOOK AT HIM!"


    Just as his words echoed in theirpartment, the man began feverishly pointing at Emir in the distance.


    "HOW CAN WE KILL HIM?!"


    "He''s..."


    "....He''s terrifying."


    Frightening, insane, cold.


    The man couldn''t count on his fingers how many words would fit their target today.


    And his captain, who appeared calm on the outside, felt the same as his cohort member.


    They stood quiet for a while; the only sound present was their rapid breaths as they observed Emir....


    Simply unable to take their eyes off him.


    They watched as he took hold of a Fiend''s foot, twisting and stabbing it from underneath, gutting it in the process.


    He was killing all that was around him, and his twin swords made easy work of the monsters as their blood sshed on him.


    Making him out to be a specter of death.


    But that stillness was suddenly broken as someone entered theirpartment with heavy steps.


    "You both seem to be really scared of my friend over there..."


    Both men stood in surprise and looked back in shock as they immediately saluted their leader


    in unison.


    "Liberation Army, New Recruit, Sir!"


    "Liberation Army Cohort, Captain Sir!"


    Shrugging his shoulders, their leader gestured behind him.


    "It''s time, brothers. C''mon, let''s go; we''ve got a big fish to catch."


    ***


    "Lyra, I''ve got your back!"


    "And I''ve got yours!"


    Emma and Lyra stood back to back, with Emir joining them after killing a few more Fiends on


    his way.


    "You think they''ll make their move soon?"


    "ICE BOLT!"


    Lyra shrugged her shoulders while Emma screamed:


    "I WISH! I''M SICK OF CHANTING ICE BOLT OVER AND OVER AGAIN!"


    Emir snickered while crushing a monster''s skull with a single upward kick.


    "Don''t worry, you''ll learn how to silently chant soon!"


    "ICE BOLT!"


    "Or maybe not."


    "Fuck you too!"


    Lyra chuckled at their banter and began a spree of cutting off ants'' antennae.


    She then proceeded to stab her gauntlets into their human-sized heads, killing them one by


    one.


    "EEEKKKKK!! GET THEM AWAY FROM ME!!" Emma screamed as she shot out a few more ice


    bolts.


    "What the hell is Jake doing? He should be getting rid of the weak ones." Emirined as The stuffed a frog with its own tongue.


    After stabbing its eyes, which were as big as his head, he looked behind him and jumped up, dodging another tongue-whip, this time filled with poison.


    ''Man, it''s so weird fighting this many animals....''


    ''They would look normal if not for their massive size, weird body structure, unique colors,


    andbination of other animal types.''


    ''Actually, they wouldn''t be normal at all!''


    Showing a smile, Emir turned to Lyra and rushed forward as he smashed his body through the


    ant to her right, flinging it away.


    "So?"


    She broke off one''s antennae and began skewering the other ants with it.


    "He just said that he ran out of ammo and is now reloading the mags with our ammo crates."


    "I see."


    Emir nodded as he copied Lyra''s move, killing another row of monsters.


    "So the turret is out?"


    "Yep." They both jumped back, as the ce where they were just turned into a wall of ice.


    "I got her."


    Emir stepped forward and ced Emma on his shoulders.


    "Enjoying the view?"


    "Hell yeah, I aMMMM! STAY STRAIGHT!"


    "I''ll do my best."


    He said as he jumped over the heads of countless monsters, running atop the horde.


    A second passed, and Emir looked back at the volley of elemental spells that materialized at


    their previous location.


    "ICE BOLT!"


    "We would''ve been cooked, haha!"


    Emir tapped the mad woman''s thighs, which squeezed his neck, and dodged to the right,


    avoiding another volley of spells.


    "Don''t get too excited, Em; the real fight didn''t even start."


    "I know! I know! Can''t you just let a woman express her joy?!"


    He scoffed and threw her to the ground, an area clear of the many spell-casting monsters.


    "UGH!"


    Heh~


    Lyra arrived next to them and giggled while helping her off the ground.


    Emma scowled at Emir for his mistreatment but then turned her attention to the approaching


    monsters.


    "FIRE WALL!"


    A wall of fire appeared before the monsters, burning all that dared to rush past.


    Emir used that fire to his advantage and lured the monsters into its clutches.


    Meanwhile, Lyra remained next to Emma, killing all that reached them.


    But then a sudden beep echoed throughout all their neuralworks, signaling the arrival of


    the mastermind.


    "Lyra?"


    Emir asked as he kicked away a feline''s mouth, shutting up its constant roars and killing it in


    the process.


    "Jake is there." She answered his unspoken question as she pointed southward.


    He nodded and then stepped towards them.


    Quickly picking them up, he ced them on his shoulders while turning around, facing the


    south as per his HUD.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "sh Step!"

 Chapter 196: Road Block III

    Chapter 196: Road Block III


    ?


    "Jake, can you inscribe the weapons again?" Emir asked as hended on the cruiser while setting Lyra and Emma down.


    Jake handed them their weapon back.


    "Yeah, I can, but it won''t be for long; I barely filled up my reserve."


    Lyra took hold of Emir''s Vindicator AR and asked:


    "What now? Do we try to clear them out?"


    Emir nodded.


    "We try, but we need to keep moving away; let them chase us; we can''t be caught fighting the monsters and the ones behind them."


    "Understood."


    "By the way, Lyra, how many do you think we killed so far?"


    "I might''ve missed a few, but based on my observation, it was around 300-400."


    "So you did ept a job request!"


    Emma then cut into their conversation, confused as always:


    "Job request? How did you reach that conclusion?"


    Emir shrugged, and Jake answered in his stead:


    "Probably the fact that Lyra never misses a chance to gain an advantage, be it money or


    otherwise. And the fact that she counted the number of monsters we killed can mean that she took a monster subjugation job."


    "Ah, I get it now... Good job, second boss!"


    Lyra chuckled and waved Emma''s praise away.


    [Good job, Lyra.]


    But her steps paused when she heard the same praise from Emir, her eyes widening to the extreme, showing obvious signs of happiness.


    [....Anything for you.]


    [Hmhm.]


    She sounded a telepathic giggle at his dismissal and continued on her way, climbing onto the cruiser''s roof.


    Emir and the rest followed after her, all equipped with their weapon of choice, magazines full.


    Ready to thunder.


    Lyramanded the cruiser to slow down slightly, and soon the monsters began to catch up to them.


    With his arms around his minigun, Emir raised his weapon and announced: "OPEN FIRE!"


    ...


    Minute after minute, the sound of gunfire never ceased.


    Lyra made sure of that, as she was the spearhead of their defense.


    The four of them kept matching each other''s pace, as Lyra informed them when to slow down or speed up and when to reload.


    de Runner, their cruiser, kept marching away from the diminishing horde, dodging all attacks.


    The ones that managed to reach it were easily blocked by its shield.


    Nothing was stopping them, and soon thest of the horde was killed as Emir''s Aetherstormuncher sted through the remaining monsters.


    Emir put his weapon on his shoulder, then turned around and faced hispanions.


    "Ammo?"


    "None." Emma answered while shaking her head.


    "I''m all out."


    Jake said the same, while Lyra replied:


    "A few mags, but that''s about it."


    Emir nodded and threw his weapons away.


    The others did the same, and a pile of weapons formed on the roof of their cruiser.


    "Fuck it then, we go melee... Lyra, are there any structures around us?"


    She took a moment of pause and then said:


    "Yes, a rock formation a few kilometers away; we can fight them there."


    "Set course."


    She nodded and headed down to the center console.


    Emir turned back and looked at the wastnd.


    He soon noticed that a few vehicles were following them in the distance.


    ''So it was Alex....''


    ''Good.''


    Emir felt relief wash over him at that thought; he simply couldn''t imagine what he would do if that guardian was involved.


    [ETA?] He telepathically asked Lyra.


    [One minute and six seconds.]


    ***


    A certain amount of timeter, a man standing on his cruiser''s roof watched from afar as Emir


    led the way and jumped off his cruiser.


    He was followed by the rest of his cohort.


    They were met by arge stone hill, smack dab in the middle of an empty wastnd.


    The hill contained many small pockets of withered stone, creating caves that had most


    definitely housed monsters at some point.


    ''They probably want to fight us there...''


    Next to the hill was a cluster of rock formations.


    "Hmmm... So they want to use that to thin out our numbers, nk us, and use them as


    cover...."


    "Easy, we just stay away and shoot from afar, wasting their Aether even more!"


    The man grew excited.


    This was the ce where they would end their lives and stand their ground as saviors.


    He didn''t get why that was the case, but he was excited nheless.


    Never question the brotherhood!


    A few moments passed, and now they were set upon them.


    He looked around as their own cruisers and bikes rolled through the ground, sttering mud


    everywhere around them.


    They soon stopped away from the enemy, their ranks organized in files.


    The cruisers were at the front, and the bikes stood next to them, using their shields in case of


    any attacks that reached them.


    The man then walked forward with his AR, reaching the edge of the cruiser''s roof.


    He silently watched their opposition.


    Their target, Emir, stood with his twin swords at the forefront.


    He was nked by someone called Amanda with gauntlet des, who was in between a staff-


    wielding Jake and Emma.


    He then looked around him.


    ''Why is no one shooting?!''


    Even his cohort captain was hesitating, his hand hovering over the trigger multiple times but


    never managing to press it.


    "WE''VE GOT TO KILL HIM WHILE WE HAVE THE CHANCE! FUCKING SHOOT!"


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    Just as his finger pressed on the trigger, his captain followed.


    Soon all of the brotherhood joined them as hundreds of bullets flew from the cruisers,


    heading directly towards Emir and his cohort.


    Bang!


    Crack! Crack!


    And they struck true, as the bullets lodged themselves into Emir and the others after killing


    their augmented suits.


    They were skewered like Swiss cheese.


    ''...That''s it?''


    The ce turned silent.


    No one dared to fire a single extra bullet.


    Neither did they dare to utter a word.


    Some of their vehicles moved forward and stopped near the rock formation, approximately a


    hundred meters away from it.


    Then, after a few moments, the man decked out in an S-rank augmented suit exited the


    cruiser, and approached their target.


    His eyes were stuck to their bleeding bodies as he approached.


    The man then stopped moving.


    Gaze still down at the ground.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He then locked back the cruiser that housed his cohort captain.


    "WE DID IT, SIR! HE''S DEAD! THEY''RE ALL DEAD."


    "....."


    "....ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    His captain was the first to scream, but his brothers didn''t follow.


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    Only when he roared again did they join the chorus.


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    The army cheered for their unexpected victory, incredibly surprised at the unfolding events.


    Even the man who checked their bodies couldn''t believe it.


    "Terrifying, eh? You''re nothing but a man like us; you can bleed like us, celestial or not."


    "YOU''RE NOTHING-"


    BOOOOM!


    But then...


    A sudden explosion made him swallow his words.


    He looked back at his allies and saw nothing but destruction.


    Smoke and dust, like a nket, covered them from the moonlight.


    What once was an organized army of trained soldiers now turned into nothing but metal


    scraps and flying organs, charred to oblivion.


    His eyes grewrger than ever before as he fished around his pockets for a terminal like a


    panicked animal.


    Getting it up to his mouth, he screamed:


    "LORD, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS?!"


    ||||


    But no one replied.


    "LORD, I REQUEST YOUR ORDERS!"


    ||||


    "ALEX! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"


    || ||


    "GODDAMMIT!"


    He threw his terminal down in absolute rage and fear at what was happening to them.


    But then his vision flipped upside down...


    The earth was his sky, and the sky was his earth.


    ''What?''


    ''The moon....''


    ''Was it always like that?''


    ''Ah...''


    ''It''s beautiful.''


    This was the story of a man who just wished to be like ''him.''

 Chapter 197: An Expected Betrayal

    Chapter 197: An Expected Betrayal


    ?


    ***


    "sh Step."


    Emir carried both Lyra and Emma as they disappeared from behind cover and reappeared right next to Alex''s convoy.


    They both got off him and soon got to work.


    Lyra''s usage of her Shadow Veil ability hid them from their enemies.


    So they easily got around to every cruiser, nting bombs underneath each one.


    Just as Emir nted thest one, the sound of gunfire around them quietened down.


    They grouped up once again, and Emir carried them on each hand.


    [Disable their shields.]


    A few moments went by, and then came Lyra''s reply:


    [....Done.]


    [Trigger the bombs just after I chant.]


    [Uhn.]


    "WE DID IT, SIR! HE''S DEAD! THEY''RE ALL DEAD."


    Emir heard someone scream from far away, most definitely talking about their holographic bodies.


    "....ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    "OOORRRAAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    And their roars of victory followed, echoing all around the trio.


    "Let''s give them some bad news, shall we?" Emma said while ramming her head against Emir''s side.


    He chuckled and chanted:


    "sh Step."


    Theynded at the rock formation once again, nearing a massive pir of stone that stretched to the sky.


    A loud boom resounded behind them, but they cared not for it.


    Emir threw Emma away while delicately cing Lyra on the ground.


    Emma gazed at him with annoyance and sounded a "Humph!"


    The duo ignored her and looked back at Jack, who was nearing a screaming soldier. Whoosh!


    The ded end of his staff cut through the man''s head, severing it from his shoulders.


    His head plopped on the ground, upside down...


    It was quite aical sight.


    Both Emir and Lyra chuckled at such a scene.


    Jake and Emma looked at it with disgust, however, as they were not yet used to the act of directly killing another.


    The nowposed team then walked closer to Emir until they stood directly behind him.


    Same as how the holograms once looked.


    They watched as the survivors got out of the wreckage, one by one.


    Out of the many cruisers before them.


    Celestials.


    Only Celestials could''ve survived, and the group knew that.


    So they prepared themselves for battle, waiting for their enemy to attack.


    And attack they did.


    Six of them rushed forward, each with a different weapon, all aiming at Emir''s heart.


    The first female Celestial shot out many bolts of ice, directly towards them.


    "FIRE WALL!"


    But they met Emma''s wall of fire that appeared between the two groups.


    Emir used that small window of opportunity and raised his finger, aiming directly at three of the opposition.


    "Aether st 10 percent."


    A torrent of Aether rose out of his finger, tearing a hole through the wall and engulfing two of the three he aimed at.


    Thest one managed to survive, using his already-chanted Aetheric Bulwark.


    ''Their captain?''


    Emir knew him to be a knight, so he immediately nned how to deal with him.


    After making a few small gestures behind his back, he surged past the mes and unsheathed his twin swords, presenting them to his enemies.


    Lyra, Jake, and Emma separated from each other as they all headed deeper into the rock formation.


    They had left their leader behind.


    And said leader was now directly in front of the Knight, his swords cutting through the air in an arc towards the man''s chest.


    His twin swords were deflected as the Knight parried them to the right with his great sword.


    Emir used that deflection to fuel his next attack as he spun on his right heel, delivering a swing towards the Knight.


    The Knight quickly brought his sword to meet Emir''s, but before he could reach them...


    His neck was torn through by a spear-like Aether construct.


    Emir proceeded to kick the knight in the chest and pick up the construct that was embedded in


    the ground.


    "I''LL KILL YOU!"


    "DAMN YOU!"


    "YOU BASTARD!"


    He looked to his left, spotting the approaching celestials, who showed extreme fury at the


    death of their captain.


    Two looked to be either Gun Mages, Rangers, or Technomancers, and thest appeared to be a


    Zenith Warden.


    Emir immediately knew which target to pick and used his Aerialis Aspect.


    He then altered his augmented suit, which powered up his strength even further.


    His stance then swiftly shifted as he threw the spear directly at the Warden''s heart.


    Whoosh!


    It reached the woman in under a second, entering her Aether core in one moment and exiting


    the other.


    Her teammates couldn''t even react as the woman herself died without even knowing what hit


    her.


    "I''LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"


    "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"


    Even after seeing their Warden''s fall, his two victims didn''t stop their charge.


    They were expecting a fight.


    Blood for blood.


    But he only raised his right hand, showed a piece sign, and said:


    "Bubye."


    Emir disappeared from where he was and materialized deeper in the rock formation, joining


    his friends in their game of hide and seek.


    He climbed up and perched himself atop a stone pir, watching as their angered adversaries joined formations of three cohorts.


    The two survivors of thest group he killed joined thest cohort, making them a total of


    eight Celestials.


    [We''ve got a lot on our hands~.] Emir sneered while looking to his left.


    He saw the outline of his threepanions, hidden behind walls, only due to their shared


    neural channel.


    Lyra was alone in the middle, while Emma and Jake remained together further to his left.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    [Emir, will you go for the eight?]


    [Yep. Lyra, you deal with the six; Emma and Jake will deal with thest; they look to be the


    weakest.]


    [We can hear you, you know?] Emmamented with a giggle.


    ''Oh yeah, it''s an open channel.''


    Emir let out a chuckle and said:


    [...It''s true, though, and I can bet that you''ll struggle more than me and Lyra.]


    And as always, Emma took that as a challenge:


    [We''ll see about that.]


    But unusually, Jake, someone who always shut down Emma''s wildness, joined in on the bet.


    [If we incapacitate our targets first, what do we win?]


    Emir shook his head.


    [My dear friend, the fact that you said ''incapacitate'' already means that you lost.]


    [True-.] Lyra giggled slyly from the side.


    [Just tell me!] Jake pressed on.


    [Let''s see.... Well, I can buy you guys E10 suits if we live through this and IF my n seeds.]


    Jake telepathically scoffed.


    [You''ll be benefiting from this in the long run, but I''m not about to say no to a gear upgrade!]


    [Me neither!] Emma added excitedly.


    [Good. If you guys want that, then make sure to survive, yeah?]


    [UNDERSTOOD BOSS!] They replied in unison.


    [Approach your targets after Emir''s signal.] Lyra ordered as she set herself in position.


    As did the others, hiding away, waiting for the moment to strike.

 Chapter 198: An Expected Betrayal II

    Chapter 198: An Expected Betrayal II


    ?


    ***


    Emir surveyed the group of eight advancing toward him.


    In slowed time, he began to identify their roles and specializations, preparing himself for the confrontation thaty ahead.


    The two knights in the front marched forward with their imposing shields, covering themselves from chest to toe.


    "Hm. Not bad..."


    Emir figured that they would try to create a solid defense while the others would attack from behind.


    It was a sound strategy, but he was no stranger to battling Knights.


    As they further closed the distance, Emir focused on the three individuals in the rear, those who appeared to be Technomancers or Gun Specialists.


    They were the ones who had the potential to provide long-range support and control over the fight.


    Emir''s n was then made clear: eliminate them first.


    ''But I''d have to get through those knights...''


    ''I guess sh Step would do.''


    The Brawler, a stocky figure with bulging muscles, seemed eager for a physical confrontation.


    He cracked his knuckles and prepared for a charge.


    ''A low-ranked brawler is nothing; I could beat him with my strength, even though it''s their entire specialization''s focus.''


    Emir weed the challenge with a scoff and then shifted his gaze to the next one.


    A Spell Weaver, a woman with a staff, right beside their leader.


    He knew she could pose a threat with her magic, but getting close to her would do the trick.


    And finally, Emir''s eyesnded on the leader with the sword standing in the center, whom he suspected was a de Dancer.


    ''This guy is probably the strongest of the lot...''


    Emir knew that he had to approach this battle with caution; he still had Alex to deal with after this.


    So as the group closed in, Emir made his first move.


    "sh Step."


    Emir materialized just before those in the rear, and his twin swords gleamed in the dark as he swung down, aiming to take a man''s head.


    "KNIGHTS!"


    Just as they heard their leader''s scream, the Knights in front were quick to raise a defensive barrier, but Emir anticipated this.


    "Aetheric des."


    His swords descended on the stacked shields, causing them to crack.


    Then, as his feet touched the ground, he spun andunched a series of strikes at the barrier''s new weak points, causing it to shatter.


    "What-"


    The man before him was caught off guard, and Emir''s des found their mark before he could even speak.


    Emir then somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding a fiery spell from the Spell Weaver. And just as he rolled to his feet, two Aether-constructed swords found themselves lodged in the heads of the two others in the rear.


    ''Done... Five remain.''


    Emir then watched as they switched formations, the knights rushing to meet him with raised shields, forming a sturdy defensive wall.


    "Solid training men... but not good enough."


    With a silent breath, Emir leaped forward, not needing to use sh Step to meet them in a single step, as he simply used his Aerialis aspect to close the distance.


    His des darted out like serpents, aimed at the joints and weak points of the knight before him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The razor-sharp edges made quick work of his defenses, bypassing his augmented suit and slicing through flesh.


    Emir''s movements were lethal, and before the knight could even react, he fell, leaving only a trail of crimson.


    "VALOUR''S CALL!"


    Just as that happened, the knight''s friend swung his great sword down while the Spell Weaver shot out multiple bolts of ice, both heading towards Emir.


    "Aetheric Shield."


    Emir''s shield materialized in an instant, a shimmering barrier that absorbed the iing attacks.


    With the Knight''s sword bouncing back, Emir found one of his swords stuck in the man''s throat.


    He quickly pulled it out and jumped out of the way, as the brawler''s punch caused the air to quack just where he was a moment before.


    And then, in a matter of a heartbeat, the brawler fell, his head dropping to the ground with an Aetheric sword stuck to it.


    "RAIN OF FLAMES!"


    The spell weaver conjured tens of fist-sized fireballs from the sky as her staff glowed with Aether, her face turning pale.


    Emir''s neck shot up as he gazed at the iing attack, the balls of fire moving in slow motion towards him.


    ''Fiveing left, six right, eight middle, the rest are wide...''


    Easily predicting her attack''s trajectory, Emir took a few steps and stopped as all the iing fireballs harmlessly exploded around him.


    Dust filled the air for a few moments until it was cut through by a long sword heading straight towards Emir''s head.


    Emir stepped to the side and then held the man by his arm.


    He then kicked the de Dancer in the chest with all his strength, shooting him off into a


    pir of crumbled rock.


    Crash!


    Crumble! Crumble!


    The pir fell with the man, arriving just before Lyra''s battle.


    ''That''ll help her.''


    Emir then gazed back at the Spell Weaver, who was now on the ground, coughing up a storm.


    As his steps reached her, he had already dissipated his shield, and she looked up to him with


    hazy eyes.


    "You shouldn''t have used so much Aether..."


    "Now it''s your fault that you suffered before dying."


    Just as those words reached her, she could hear no more as her heady bloodied on the


    ground.


    ''Only one left...''


    Emir then turned back to their bruised leader, who strutted forward, approaching him with


    wobbled steps.


    "Please.... Kill me with dignity, you monster!"


    Emir scoffed at his words.


    "You forget. You attacked, not the other way around."


    "And your cause is nothing but a ruse; do remember that as your body rots in this wastnd,


    untouched by monsters, as they too don''t want to touch such filth."


    "....Please." The man pleaded.


    "Ughhh.... Fine, what''s your name?"


    "It''s Asher, Sir." Emir''s mouth went a gape for a moment, but his icy expression returned right after.


    ''How ironic...''


    "Alright, Asher, you''ll die a warrior''s death."


    "Thank you."


    While they talked, Asher was already in the process of healing, most likely caused by a very


    expensive old-world medicine.


    ''Typical.'' Emir raised his swords, and they met Asher''s, who deflected confidently.


    "Blurred Dance."


    Asher''s move quickened and his visage fogged, making it hard for Emir to see where his sword


    might attack.


    ''Not bad...''


    Emir jumped back, evading a direct swipe at his legs, and then threw one of his twin swords


    right at Asher.


    ng!


    The attack was deflected, but it gave Emir the know of where his opponent''s sword was.


    Emir rushed forward and cut horizontally.


    "Aetheric Evasion."


    Asher disappeared and reappeared many feet back, avoiding Emir''s lethal strike.


    Just as Emir picked up his sword, he heard the chant:


    "Aetheric Mirage." Which caused Asher to multiply to three, who all now attacked Emir.


    ''That''s new...''


    Emir simply stepped back while activating his TP ability.


    He watched as the three Ashers rushed towards him.


    After a moment, he noticed a slight dy in the movements of the one in the middle and on


    the left.


    ''Found you.''


    Emir stepped forward, ignoring the other two''s attacks, and met Asher''s sword, locking it in


    ce with his twins.


    "You run out of tricks?"


    "No... Graceful Flow!"


    Emir''s swords were deflected to the side, his own power causing him to stumble forward.


    But Emir dug his feet on the ground, stabilizing himself, halting the fall.


    Then a sword appeared before his eyes, threatening to cut his head off.


    Emir dropped his body low, dodging the blow.


    Then as if he was breakdancing he pushed his body slightly off the ground and kicked away at


    Asher''s feet.


    Crack!


    Asher''s bones shattered as he fell to his knees not even allowed the chance to sh Step away.


    "Get up. Die on your feet."


    Following Emir''s words like amand, Asher stood up, using his sword like a cane.


    And just as he stood at his highest, his head fell to the ground, sttering blood all around


    him.


    Emir then swung his swords at nothing, dislodging the blood.


    ''Fate''s a goddamn bitch....''


    After letting out a sigh, he walked over to the nearest pir and sat his back against it.


    "Hey Alex, I think it''s time that youe out; there aren''t any more men left to fight."

 Chapter 199: An Expected Betrayal III

    Chapter 199: An Expected Betrayal III


    ?


    ***


    Lyra remained hidden in the shadows, directly below her targets, waiting for her chance to present itself.


    The six victims above her looked around the area, with one leading the cohort, appearing to be a Knight.


    Two Brawlers stood behind him, surrounding their leader, who appeared to be a Spell Seaver.


    Behind this Spell Weaver were two unarmed members, one woman who looked to be a Zenith Warden and the other a man with a sharp tongue.


    "I told you he wasn''t here! We''re wasting our time!"


    His words were addressed to their leader, a man who held the Zenith''s hand.


    ''Jealousy?''


    Lyra ominously chuckled, watching as the leader and the one whom she couldn''t identify began to bicker.


    ''Maybe he''s a reaper... But what would such a rare specialist be doing here?''


    She theorized that, for a simple reason.


    His build wasn''t that of a Brawler, but an assassin instead, and most assassins used hidden weapons, the same as her.


    But her thoughts halted as a bang and shout came through:


    "KNIGHTS!"


    Her victims immediately rushed to the sound, but she wasn''t about to watch that happen.


    Lyra''s body left Zenith''s shadow as she appeared right behind her, surprising the rest. "Don''t!"


    "No!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Before they could react, however, Lyra''s gauntlet des found themselves in the woman''s neck.


    "FORS!"


    Fors, the Zenith warden,y lifeless on the ground, her name now an unheeded cry in the night.


    "YOU MAD WOMAN-"


    The leader''s screams were snuffed out as Lyra immediately targeted him next.


    With a single step, she reached him, and her des went forth.


    Lyra''s calcted strike had been swift and deadly.


    The Spell Weaver, the group''s leader, fell to the ground in a pool of blood, choking on his incantations.


    His followers remained in shock, their expressions changing from surprise to anger.


    The Knight, standing beside the fallen leader, drew his sword with a furious roar, while the Brawlers readied themselves.


    "Aegis of Radiance!"


    Lyra, having taken her two targets, knew that the element of surprise had been lost and that she had to act quickly.


    She darted away from the Knight''s immediate reach, her body moving with the agility of a seasoned assassin.


    Lyra repositioned herself, seeking the shadows, and watched as the remaining group members prepared to retaliate.


    "Ethereal Charge!"


    With cat-like reflexes, she leaped aside, narrowly avoiding the Knight''s thrust. "Dragon''s Roar!"


    "Iron Fist."


    The brawlers charged her, their massive fists raised to strike.


    "Shadow Step."


    The darkness was one of her biggest allies...


    And Lyra liked to use them.


    She moved in the shadows, evading their heavy blows of fire and wind with ease as she appeared behind one of them.


    Lyra drew her second de, her des glinting as they traveled towards the man''s neck.


    Her weapon found its mark, incapacitating one of the Brawlers with a deep gash across the


    arm.


    "Damn you!"


    The remaining Brawler lunged at Lyra with unbridled rage.


    He swung his massive fist, causing waves of fire to spread all around, but Lyra''s evasion was


    quick.


    She used his attack against his own as she guided his fist past her and into the Knight.


    "Ugh!"


    The man cried out as his shield received his mate''s attack, pushing him away from the battle.


    "Ethereal Chains."


    Just as that chant registered in Lyra''s mind, pulsating chains that seemingly came from the void itself appeared.


    Lyra couldn''t react in time and they locked around her limbs, keeping her in ce.


    "Death Mark."


    Another incantation echoed, which caused Lyra''s body to tremble for a moment.


    And then a Brawler''s fiery fist appeared in front of her, aiming at her head.


    ''I''ll bounce.''


    Lyra''s body ignored the chains and melted into shadows, dodging the blow.


    After a moment she appeared above ground, just behind the remaining Brawler.


    Lyra didn''t give him a chance to react before his head was cleanly lobbed off his shoulders. Just as she did that, however, a scythe appeared above her head, aiming to split her in two.


    "Shadow Step."


    Her body disappeared and reappeared before the man responsible for all her troubles.


    The Reaper.


    But the man was prepared.


    "Soul Shroud."


    Souls from his dead allies got sucked out and transformed into a vortex of death that covered


    him like a veil.


    It appeared weak at first, but then more souls gathered, four from Emir''s direction and one


    from Emma''s and Jake''s.


    "Obscura Domine."


    But all that mor didn''t matter to Lyra, as with a single chant, the Reaper remained stuck in ce, his shadow bound by chains.


    "GAAHHHH!"


    The man tried to set himself free with all the Aether he possessed, but unfortunately for him, Lyra was of a higher rank, or at least, she had more control over Aether than him.


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    Before Lyra could get to him, the Knight interfered, separating the Shadow Binder from her


    victim with a massive shield.


    ''Nice try, but not with me...''


    Yet that didn''t stop her for long, as she simply melded back into the shadows and appeared beside the crying man.


    Lyra then found her des in his neck, shutting him up for good, causing the souls around


    him to be set free, and return to the sky above.


    Now, only the Knight remained a threat.


    He had shown skill so far, but so had Lyra, dispatching them like pests.


    Lyra moved forward, closing in on him, slow step after slow step.


    But then, a sudden and unexpected twist called Emir intervened.


    With a deafening rumble, a massive pir of rocks came crashing down from above,nding


    squarely between them.


    ''A bitte!''


    Lyra instinctively leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the falling debris.


    The impact sent a cloud of dust and rubble into the air, obscuring their vision.


    Coughing and disoriented, the Knight struggled to regain his footing amid the chaos.


    He could no longer see Lyra, and the element of surprise was now on her side...


    Once again.


    Lyra, hidden within the dusty veil, assessed the situation.


    The fallen pir had created an advantageous separation between her and the Knight.


    She seized this opportunity to approach his shadow, walking from one rock''s shadow to the


    next.


    The Knight, still disoriented and unable to locate his elusive opponent, raised his sword


    cautiously, ready for an ambush.


    He was prepared for Lyra''s next move.


    And as the dust began to settle, Lyra watched from down below, waiting for the right moment


    to strike.


    The Knight''s breathing grew tense, and his grip on his sword tightened.


    It was a tense standoff, at least from the Knight''s perspective, as Lyra was simply biding her


    time, using it as one of her weapons.


    And she used it well, as the Knight waited and waited for an attack, yet it never came.


    This caused him to grow tense, in turn, falter when the moment arrived.


    And then came out Lyra, with a final, well-timed strike, she disarmed the Knight, sending his


    sword ttering to the ground.


    "NO!"


    The Knight stood defenseless for a moment before another de took his neck, sending his


    head flying.


    Letting out a sigh, Lyra looked at her minute''s work for a moment.


    ''Hehe, we win the bet.''


    She then turned around to face the only ce where sounds of battle remained, rushing to


    help out herpanions.

 Chapter 200: An Expected Betrayal IV

    Chapter 200: An Expected Betrayal IV


    ?


    ***


    Jake stood behind a pir of rock, nked by Emma.


    They watched as five Celestials came into view tens of meters away from them.


    [Em, remember what the boss said?] Jake telepathically asked as he stuck himself closer to


    cover.


    [That we''re supposed to identify their specializations before attacking?] She answered, bringing herself close behind him.


    [Exactly, so what do you think of those guys in the back? You think they''re rangers?]


    The ones Jake referred to were stationed behind the captain, who at first nce, could be recognized as a Knight.


    The two in front of him looked to be a Brawler and a de Dancer.


    After a moment of thought, Emma replied:


    [...Probably, we can''t be sure though-]


    Her words paused in her mind as she and Jake watched one of theirs disappear.


    [Turns out he is... can you track him?]


    [No. Us tenth sses can only shoot out basic spells; anything moreplicated than that is beyond me.]


    The ''ss'' she referred to was rted to their specialization path as Spell Weavers.


    Which was unlike all the others except the Arcanists, as they too had a path of sses that led to the Apex rank.


    Seraphims were the 8th to 7th ss, while Archons were the 6th to 5th, Paragons were the 4th to 3rd, and finally, Apex-ranked Celestials were the 2nd to 1st ss.


    Emma had yet to reach 8th ss so she was still an Ascendant.


    She wasn''t even a ninth ss but a tenth ss, an Elemental Conjurer.


    Jake''s case was simr; as an Arcanist, he was of the lowest ss, and the only difference between their path structures was their limit.


    Since Arcanists had twelve sses in their path to bing an Apex.


    And they would only be a Seraphim when they reached the eighth ss from the start of twelve.


    This meant that Jake had a long way to go in the journey of runes, as he was only a Runeweaver Novitiate.


    Arcanists were known as the hardest specialization for a reason, after all.


    [We''ve got it tough, eh?] Emma joked as she noticed Jake''s contemtion.


    He looked back at her for a moment and then said:


    [It''ll all be worth the trouble in the end....]


    [Now let''s go; we''ll attack once we hear Emir''s signal.]


    Emma nodded, then sneaked around the pir, approaching her enemies, who appeared to have stood still, or rather, moved, but at an extremely slow pace.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Jake approached them from the left, his duel machine guns already inscribed with runes that upgraded its explosivity and structural strength, while also imbuing the bullets that left its muzzle with Aether.


    Just as they reached their positions, a scream resounded in the quiet wastnd. "KNIGHTS!"


    And with it came the sound of battle, extinguishing the silence.


    The group before them rushed to action, heading over to Emir and Lyra''s side.


    But Emma wasn''t about to allow that.


    "FIRE WALL!"


    A shield of mes appeared just in front of the group, cutting through their ranks and burning some in the process.


    "AGH! Shields up!"


    Their de Dancer screamed as he stepped away from the fire.


    "Aetheric Bulwark!"


    Their captain, a Knight stepped forward to meet Emma, shielding his teammates behind him.


    "Valour''s Call."


    [Jake now!]


    Jake didn''t need any prompting, as he was already behind them, his guns aimed at the back of their cohort.


    He held his breath for a short moment, knowing that he was about to take a life.


    ''You got this.''


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    His bullets were aimed right at the Gun Mage''s head, sttering it after multiple bullets bounced off the force shield.


    If Jake had aimed for a more protected area then it would''ve been easily blocked and it would''ve taken him much longer to break through.


    But as the force shield was weaker near the head, he scored a kill.


    "Twin Shot!"


    Bang!


    ''Shit!''


    Jake immediately dropped to the ground, covering the back of his head with his arms, hoping


    that it would be enough to block the shot.


    And thankfully, it did.


    The bullets bounced off, breaking his right arm in the process.


    "Ugh!"


    Jake winced in pain but got up and didn''t stop moving.


    His augmented suit, inscribed with all the buffs he could muster, provided his body with incredible speed as he dodged the next set of shots that came from the invisible Ranger.


    Meanwhile, Emma was experiencing her own struggles as she rolled on the ground, dodging a st of fire that was headed in her direction.


    ''Hah! Who the hell said that rolling isn''t a good strat?!''


    ''Oh, that was me...''


    Chuckling at her own joke, she sprang up and bellowed:


    "ICE BOLT!"


    The Knight met her attack with another shield, creating two that separated them.


    ''Chance!''


    [Jake, careful; explosion in three.]


    The Liberation''s weakest cohort didn''t anticipate Emma''s n as they thought of her as a


    new awakened.


    Someone who could barely conjure weak abilities.


    Inyman''s terms, a dumb blonde.


    But no, with Lyra''s help, Emma had already understood how to y around with the inner


    pathing of Aether.


    Ability Pathing was not a new concept for her in the first ce, since it was used by all Weavers to fire off their spells.


    They had to precisely map out the path Aether would take in their bodies to create each


    ability.


    It was quite unlike other specializations where the abilities were set in stone, with specialists only able to slightly change its parameters.


    Spell Weavers had to calcte everything, one wrong line and their spell would be rendered


    useless.


    Emma who recalled all that knowledge stood her ground with focused eyes.


    She then purposely scrambled the lines of Aether inside her that were connected to the still-


    active firewall, causing its entireposition to shift.


    BOOM!


    The fiery wall exploded as mes belched in all directions, heading directly towards her


    adversaries.


    "AGH!!"


    "FUCK! CAPTAIN!"


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    Their captain''s chant protected them from further harm, as one of the previous shields


    relocated and blocked the mes.


    During that whole ordeal, Jake chanced upon the Ranger as he noticed the man''s footsteps


    scurrying away from the mes.


    ''Got you now!''


    His fingers held the trigger, causing bang after bang to echo in the wastnd.

 Chapter 201: Unsung Hero

    Chapter 201: Unsung Hero


    ?


    Many of Jake''s shots missed their mark as his enemy was still camouged, his footsteps getting further away.


    The Ranger''s intent was obvious.


    He was attempting to hide and attack Jake when he was no longer seen.


    Jake, understood that and didn''t let up the chase, not allowing the Ranger a moment of respite.


    Then after a few more steps, he realized something that he could take advantage of.


    Something that flew over his head till now.


    The Ranger couldn''t yet use more than two abilities at once.


    This meant that as long as he kept the pressure on him, their fight woulde to an end.


    Jake hunted the Ranger down, and his guns didn''t relent until the man''s augmented suit ran out of battery, causing its force shield to disappear.


    In ast-ditch effort, the Ranger screamed:


    "Rapid Retreat!"


    He disappeared from his position and appeared some distance away avoiding the almost never-ending barrage of bullets.


    Jake watched as the man aimed his gun at him, mouthing the words:


    "Long Shot."


    Jake didn''t bother with any attempts to dodge and simply raised his healing right arm in front of his head; his left remained with his weapon, locked at the enemy.


    Bang!


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    Both of their weapons rang out, and Jake was hit first as his arm recoiled back.


    His body was then flung to the ground at the strength of the shot.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â!


    ''Fuck!''


    Jake realized that his augmented suit ran out of juice, simr to the Ranger''s fate.


    But what separated them was the fact that one was alive and the other was dead.


    That was what Jake noticed when he had finally pushed himself up.


    The man who hounded him to near death was now skewered to the bone, appearing to be a bleeding sponge with how many holes he had in him.


    ''I lived...''


    ng!


    ''Oh shit, Em!''


    Snapping himself out of it, Jake quickly reced his dead battery pack with a new one from his rucksack and joined the fray.


    What met him was the sight of the incapacitated Brawler lying headless and Emma single- handedly pushing back the Knight and de Dancer.


    The de Dancer attempted sh Step multiple times, but Emma''s constant use of Firewall didn''t allow him a way in.


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    Jake joined the battle, his bullets reaching their enemies.


    The Knight opposing them recognized the dire situation and held his ground with his shield, protecting hisrade as best he could.


    His two walls shimmered with Aether, absorbing the brunt of Emma''s spells and Jake''s bullets.


    The battle''s progress was halted as they faced a standstill.


    The de Dancer, a nimble and agile warrior, dodged Jake''s every bullet, his steps quick.


    And when his des neared Jake, the Arcanist would already be out of his attack''s range. Then Jake would renew the cycle, using his guns as a counterattack.


    This formed a limbo of bombardment and dodges, with no one obtaining the upper hand.


    A war of attrition had started.


    [Em, we need something big.]


    Jake sent a telepathic message to Emma while keeping his focus on the de Dancer.


    [I''m trying!]


    Emma needed a well-coordinated attack to have any hope of breaking through their defenses -the impasse.


    And just as the situation seemed to stagnate even further a ''brilliant'' idea struck her.


    Her experience as a Spell Weaver didn''t allow her to weaveplex spells, so she had been repeatedly flinging ice bolt after ice bolt.


    That couldn''t possibly change now, but her new n didn''t involve that.


    She could simply shoot the spell once and store the other until she had enough to create something massive.


    One of her usual cyclones would''ve been useless in this situation as she was fighting intelligent enemies, unlike the monsters before, who ate up everything she threw at them.


    Many more attacks went back and forth, and now was the perfect moment for her to unveil her final move.


    [Get ready, Jake. On my signal.]


    [Ready when you are, Em.]


    Emma channeled all of her Aether, her hands moving through intricate gestures that allowed her an easier time to manifest the spell.


    Shebined all the ice bolts that remained behind her and summoned an icy storm above


    their enemies.


    A small part of the sky''s dark clouds began to swirl.


    The Knight and de Dancer nced up at the sudden change in the weather, confused by


    this unexpected development.


    [Now!]


    With a synchronized motion, Emma unleashed her spell.


    A torrent of ice shards rained down upon them.


    And the sudden deluge caught them off guard.


    "Aetheric Bulwark!"


    The Knight, who moved his shields once again, struggled to maintain them against the


    freezing onught, his Aether reserves dwindling rapidly.


    The de Dancer was unable to sh Step away, as contact with any of the projectiles at that speed would''ve ensured his death.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    So instead, he attempted to dodge them, but the sheer volume of the attack made it nearly


    impossible.


    Amidst the chaos, Jake, who was a safe distance away, seized the opportunity.


    He unleashed another barrage of bullets, aiming at the now-vulnerable de Dancer.


    "Agh!"


    The man''s force shield shattered under thebined assault of ice and bullets, and with a


    final shot from Jake, the de Dancer fell.


    A bullet had turned his brain into a frozen mush.


    And with that, the icy rain ceased as Emma exhausted most of her Aether reserves.


    However, the fight was not yet over, the Knight, though injured, was not defeated.


    He lunged forward at the Spell Weaver, his intention to cut through her with a heavy strike.


    But before he couldnd the blow, Emma''s quick thinking saved her.


    [I''ll kick.]


    She sent a quick message to Jake, and the two of them executed a perfectly timed move.


    Jake raised his remaining arm and fired at the Knight''s sword just before it could gain full momentum in the swing.


    Meanwhile, Emma channeled whatever Aether she had left into her right leg, casing it in ice.


    She then delivered a powerful kick to the Knight''s abdomen, sending him stumbling


    backward.


    The Knight nted his sword on the ground, stabilizing himself.


    He proceeded to pull it out and dashed forward.


    "HONORABLE DUEL!"


    "AETHERIC BULWARK"


    A sudden rush of Aether invaded the space at his roar.


    The approaching Jake was pushed back by a massive barrier that blocked his path to Emma.


    [JAKE COME QUICK!]


    He knew the reasons for her rising panic all too well.


    The palpable fear in her eyes spoke volumes, and it was clear that her Aether reserves had been drained, leaving her defenseless.


    The Knight, cold with fury, charged toward her, sword raised high, ready to strike the final


    blow.


    Jake''s shots punctuated the tense silence, each bullet a desperate attempt to shatter the barrier that protected the Knight.


    Time slowed as the shield stubbornly withstood the onught.


    In this heart-wrenching moment, the Knight gained a free pass.


    A cruel gift granted by the unyielding barrier, to bring his massive sword down with all his


    might onto Emma.


    With a sense of helplessness, Emma, her iced hands trembling, mustered everything out of her empty reserves to shield herself.


    Frozen tendrils of Aether strained to form a barrier around her outstretched hands, but it was


    feeble and fragile.


    The Knight''s massive sword descended like a falling guillotine, the rush of air apanying


    the impending strike.


    The world seemed to hold its breath, and then, with a gut-wrenching cry, Jake shouted:


    "NO!"

 Chapter 202: Hostages

    Chapter 202: Hostages


    ?


    ***


    "Hey Alex, I think it''s time that youe out..."


    "There aren''t any more men left to fight." Emir said, leaning his back on a pir of rock, smelling the scent of fresh blood.


    Minutes went by with no response.


    "C''mon, what''s taking you so long?"


    "Emir."


    A voice calling his name had finally echoed above him.


    "Alex, a bitte."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir repeated, then looked up, only to see Alex jumping from above,nding softly on the ground.


    His gaze didn''t follow him down, however.


    They were stuck to the swirling sky some distance away.


    "My bad, and hey, you''ve done well with Asher; I didn''t expect you to treat enemies with respect." Alex said as he neared a beheaded body, flies already surrounding it.


    "Enemies? Respect? No, Alex, that''s not me. His name just... struck a chord with me, you could say... that''s all."


    "Ah, it doesn''t matter; you''ve shown him mercy; I appreciate it."


    Emir scoffed.


    "You do?"


    "Then is that why you watched them all die? And why are you even talking?"


    "Didn''t you let them attack first so they could make me weak?"


    "I''m getting back my Aether reserves, you know..."


    Alex let out a heartyugh.


    "...It''s fine. It''s fine. You don''t have much time to regen, and I''ll win anyway."


    "Oh... why is that?"


    "It''s because I''ve got hostages, my friend... Do you remember them? Your lot in the slums." "Who?"


    Alex scratched his neck, and after a moment of thought, he answered:


    "Kiera... I think her name was."


    Emir''s body visibly shook, and his face faltered for a slight moment, but he returned to normal before Alex could notice.


    "Kill them. Don''t kill them. I don''t care; whatever you want, you ain''t getting."


    Alex let out a chuckle, which soon turned into maddenedughter.


    "...Haaaah, you really don''t care, eh?"


    "No. They''ve lost their purpose at the moment of their capture."


    The ce remained silent for a few moments, with the only sound present being the battle away from them.


    Emir''s gaze remained on the sky, now looking at distant stars that barely showed themselves. "What are you looking at?"


    "Nothing... it just seemed that my friends were in trouble."


    "...Are you not worried?"


    "No, my unsung hero... She''ll save them."


    "Then look down. Let''s fight."


    "No."


    "Emir, look at me."


    "Why should I?"


    "Just do it!"


    "I said no."


    "Look at me!"


    Emir let out a sigh and did as he was told, his eyes locked with Alex''s cks.


    "It''s your first time seeing me, isn''t it?"


    With exaggerated gestures, Alex pointed at his chest.


    "You don''t even remember how I looked, do you?"


    "I bet most people''s faces are blurred to you; you don''t consider us as humans...."


    "Quite fitting for the Order''s chosen."


    ''....So he really knows about the Order.''


    Emir''s mind was filled with thoughts, but to Alex, Emir only showed a condescending


    chuckle.


    "A.... Is your tiny pride hurt, little man?"


    "So what? I''ll never see those that don''t deserve to be seen."


    Alex''s face contorted, or rather spasmed, a word more fitting for his ever-changing face.


    "Is that really what you think? This''s a nice joke, isn''t it?"


    "A pdin acting superior to a fucking SERAPHIM!"


    Emir''s grin widened.


    "I''m special... haven''t you heard?"


    Alex let out a heartyugh.


    "YES! YES YOU ARE SPECIAL! AND THAT''S WHY YOU''LL DIE TONIGHT!"


    "... You''ll kill me?" Emir asked, his voice sounding disappointed.


    Alex appeared surprised, his body leaning back slightly, and then, after a blink, he let out a


    sigh.


    "So you know?"


    "Yes."


    Emir''s answer was immediate.


    Alex shook his head at Emir''s vague answers, each word meant to get a rile out of him.


    "Friend. The Order wants you... and that''s what they''ll get."


    ''What?''


    ''I thought that he was after Lyra...''


    ''Turns out he was after me since the outset.''


    ''That means... he was lying to them? Why?''


    "You are Earth''s ticket to survival; surrender."


    "Don''t make me kill you... what you''re doing will only harm us."


    "...Us?" Emir questioned with a tilted head.


    "Earthkind, Emir. Us born on the mother. Take pride; your life would prolong that of


    Earth''s...."


    "Isn''t that noble?"


    ''Noble, huh...''


    Emir snickered and unsheathed his twin swords, pointing them forward while assuming a


    combat stance.


    "Stop taking and brace yourself; there will be blood, lots of it...."


    "AETHER OVERDRIVE!"


    Emir''s body transformed his strength no longer appeared to be that of a pdin but of a


    Seraphim.


    It was severely overworking his Aether core, causing him extreme pain like usual.


    Yet Emir didn''t show it, acting as if the pain was a friend, giving him its regr visit.


    "I''m not a tenth ss you know... not ninth either, but eighth...."


    "And you will show me respect deserving those of the eighth!"


    Emir ignored his words while getting closer.


    In a heartbeat or two, he now stood facing Alex on the deste battleground, tension thick in


    the air.


    Alex, the Spell Weaver, extended his arms, and the surrounding metallic debris and discarded


    weapons began to tremble.


    Some of his weapons appeared behind him, metallic poles that hovered eerily.


    ''Ah... shit! He''s got telepathy!''


    Emir immediately recognized the danger, knowing that Alex could weaponize everything


    around them.


    In a moment, all the twisted remains of their fallen, along with discarded weapons and shattered augmented suits, floated in the air, forming a terrifying backdrop to their duel. Most remained directly next to Alex, forming a minefield that wouldn''t allow Emir''s sh


    Step.


    ''Well, damn, he knows all my abilities...''


    Then, without a word, Alexunched a barrage of metal and rocks, sending them hurtling


    toward Emir.


    Emir activated his TP ability and moved with astonishing speed, using his Aerialis aspect to the max, evading the iing projectiles.


    Multiple rocks came from above, swords from his right, and a staff from his left.


    Emir jumped, avoiding the swords charge, and then kicked the rocks away, shattering them


    into fragments.


    The metal staff was swung to his head, but Emir easily avoided it, dropping his body low.


    Rocks of varying sizes and their fragments came after.


    They were numerous, like droplets of rain.


    Yet Emir weaved between them, his twin swords deflecting any that came too close.


    Just after deflecting another pole, Emir raised his finger from his right-wielded sword.


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    A torrent of Aether was set forth, obliterating all before him into nothingness....


    That was until the attack reached Alex''s stack of augmented suits.


    BANG!


    The stream paused after melting the first and was extinguished as it met the second.


    ''I need to switch up, I won''tst long like this...''


    Gathering his Aether reserves, Emir unleashed a powerful cry:


    "AETHERIC SHIELD!"


    A chant that rippled through the ground, creating a protective barrier of Aether around him.


    The next set of oing debris crashed against this barrier, preventing it from reaching


    Emir.


    Alex''s eyes narrowed, surprised at Emir''s seemingly never-ending supply of Aether.


    Emir, in turn, recognized that the telekic assault was only the beginning.


    The battle had only just started.


    And the two foes continued their exchange.


    Emir''s incredible speed and reflexes allowed him to dodge and deflect most of Alex''s attacks.


    However, the Spell Weaver''s power was relentless.


    The battle wore on, a dance of Aether and telekinesis, of des and debris. The field became a chaotic battleground, showing the devastating effects of their powers.


    Emir then stepped back from their war of attrition and began closing in on Alex, his Aether


    reserves on the low.


    "sh Step!"


    Alex''s eyes glinted as he redirected the floating debris to create a makeshift barrier of rock


    between him and Emir.


    Two des from a flying Emir shed against the barrier, sending dust flying in all


    directions.


    Emir then dropped to the ground and closed in.


    Alex exerted his control over the very ground beneath them.


    Massive boulders erupted from the earth, forming a makeshift fortress around him.


    Emir didn''t pause, however, and his strikes began to m into the rocky defenses, causing


    shockwaves that reverberated through the battlefield.


    But then a section of barrier suddenly sprang out.


    Emir noticed the movement before it happened, activating his Aetheric Shield to meet the


    rocks flying at him.


    Crash!


    He wasunched away as dust and debris filled the air.


    And just as his feet touched the ground, Emir felt the exhaustion setting in, his Aether


    reserves waning.


    Alex''s face contorted into a sinister grin as he saw the sweat on Emir''s brow, his increasing


    fatigue.


    "Getting tired, Emir? You can''t keep this up forever."


    "Surrender, and we can end this without further bloodshed."


    Emir responded with a smirk:


    "Blood will be shed, Alex.... But it won''t be mine."


    ''sh Step.''


    As if to emphasize his words, Emir immediatelyunched himself at Alex, his swords slicing


    through the debris and creating a path.


    But Alex was prepared.


    With a swift motion, he twisted a metal rod into a makeshift de, parrying Emir''s strike.


    Their duel intensified.


    Sparks flew as swords shed, and the telekinesis-induced carnage continued around them.


    The noise of battle echoed, contrasting with the serene beauty of the distant stars shining


    overhead.


    Emir continued to press forward, closing the gap between them until he was mere meters away from his adversary.


    With a powerful swing of his swords, he shattered Alex''s rocky defenses, sending fragments flying in all directions.


    His eyes had now finallynded on Alex, his path cleared.


    Alex''s face showed a smile, and waved his hand.


    Those rocky fragments from a moment earlier came flying back at Emir, causing him to jump


    to safety.


    "sh Step!"


    His body disappeared, materializing some distance away from his adversary.


    Tsk! Tsk!


    "Emir, oh Emir. You''ve made a mistake, my friend..."


    Emir let out a heavy breath as he registered Alex''s words.


    "...What are you on about?"


    "You''ve lost too much Aether, you can no longer protect yourself from my direct attacks."


    With a mentalmand, Alex took control of Emir''s augmented suit.


    The suit''s servos locked in ce, holding Emir in an immobilizing grip.


    "FUCK!"


    Emir struggled against the suit''s restraint, his muscles banging against it, but his efforts were


    in vain.


    "Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!"


    With the Ethereal Threader helplessly trapped, Alex took control of one of Emir''s own swords,


    the de hovering menacingly in the air.


    "Don''t!"


    The Spell Weaver''s eyes gleamed as he moved the sword toward Emir''s outstretched arm.


    The de sliced through the air like a predator stalking its prey, and with a brutal motion... It severed Emir''s arm from his body.

 Chapter 203: A Good Mans Farewell

    Chapter 203: A ''Good'' Man''s Farewell


    ?


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Emir cried out in agony as blood sprayed from the grievous wound.


    "...Deserved I''d say. You look down on people too much¡ª"


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    "Does it hurt that much? You should be used to this... you were tortured-"


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    "SHUT UP! STOP FUCKING SCREAMING!"


    "AAHHH.... Uhhh, alright."


    Sigh...


    "But still... it hurts a lot, you know. Even though I''m used to it. Though I guess there''s a first time for everything."


    Alex dumbfoundedly stared at Emir, his mouth agape.


    "... You, you''re not scared? I''ll kill you, you know?"


    Emir''s twin swords hovered before his head as if saying hi to their owner, whom they were about to kill.


    "Well, I don''t know, to be honest..."


    "I just can''t believe it."


    "...I always won, against all odds, with ns in mind that had always worked."


    Emir scoffed.


    "I guess it just didn''t this time..."


    Alex''s confusion continued.


    "Seriously?"


    After a slow nod, Emir confirmed:


    "Yeah, though it''s sad..."


    "I''ll die at the hands of an unnamed character, someone absolutely worthless."


    But that wasn''t the truth.


    Throughout the fight, hidden from Alex''s view, Emir had been secretly crafting a multitude of Aether constructs in the form of swords, like gleaming phantoms, forming them above the battlefield.


    The entire confrontation had been a cunning ruse, designed to buy him the time he needed to prepare this formidable arsenal.


    Emir had forged them with every ounce of his Aether, waiting for the right moment to reveal his secret.


    "Me? A worthless unnamed character? You dare?!"


    "Cat got your tongue or something?"


    "No, Alex..."


    "Yes? Yourst words?"


    "Not that, I just want you to look up."


    "What do you-"


    "GATES OF ETERNITY!"


    With Emir''s roar, the battlefield was transformed into a spectacle of Aetheric des.


    They were all summoned with a forcefulmand as they descended upon Alex like a relentless storm...


    An army of shimmering des.


    "DAMN YOU!"


    Alex, caught off guard by the sudden attack, attempted to kill the source, but Emir''s des met others, blocking the attack from going through.


    Now that he didn''t have enough time to attack, Alex focused on his defense instead.


    With his telekic prowess, he deflected and blocked the tens of the desing for his head.


    Some came to his back, others to his front, his right, and left. And many more shot from above.


    But Alex''s defenses proved insurmountable.


    A fortress of rock and augmented suits, which allowed nothing to reach him.


    Yet, as the blizzard of swords continued to rain down, one remained concealed.


    Another card that Emir housed.


    "YOU''VE GOT NOTHING ON ME!"


    Just as Alex thought he had thwarted Emir''sst-ditch effort, a single sword materialized right before him.


    In that fraction of a moment, it became a de of reckoning.


    With a precise motion, the de cut through Alex, cleaving him in two.


    "AUGHHHHH!"


    Crash!


    Bang!


    Rumble! Rumble!


    Alex''s floating weapons began to fall to the ground all around them.


    And soon, the battlefield fell into a sinister hush as the dust and debris slowly settled.


    Emir then gradually felt his control over the augmented suit return as he too fell to the


    ground.


    A sigh echoed in the aftermath.


    "...I did it."


    "I actually won...."


    After a moment''s rest, a smiling but wobbly prince stood back up.


    He checked his pockets, and swallowed some old-world medicine, hoping to stave off the


    pain.


    "Heh..."


    Yet it felt like almost nothing changed.


    However... it was something he expected.


    After all, Emir''s arm was now severed, he wasn''t only covered in dirt and blood like usual.


    His remaining hand trembled with effort and pain, yet his eyes didn''t show anything but a


    fiery glean.


    Across the field, Alex''s fate was far more gruesome.


    His upper bodyy separated from his lower half.


    His uniform, once regal, was now stained with a grotesque scene of crimson.


    Alex''s face bore a twisted grin, and his countenance had turned pale.


    His once-confident eyes, which had taunted Emir throughout the battle, stared at the


    darkened sky above.


    Cough! Cough!


    ".....Hey, I''m still alive, you know... my suit''s doing wonders right now."


    Alex spoke, his voice raspy, dizzy, and confused.


    Emir remained silent, simply staring at what remained of Alex.


    Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!


    "Ahhh, stop coughing, ya fuck!"


    "...Whaaat? Then why don''t you kill me?"


    "...Even though I look like this, I can still attack you, you know?"


    Cough-


    "Shut up; we both know that you won''t."


    Emir snickered.


    "You''re not strong enough to kill me, and besides, you came here to control me, maybe even


    force me into your fold, not to kill me..."


    "You just got too excited at the end."


    ""


    After a moment of silence, Alex''s coughing fit returned, which stopped after an ''eternity'' of


    struggle.


    "...So you''re making excuses for me now?"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Whatever. I''ve got a question for you. Stay alive till then."


    Cough! Cough! Cough!


    "...Go ahead."


    "How did you figure me out?"


    Cough! Cough! "...Oh, quite simple, really.... I used ourwork to find out any inconsistencies and or special


    circumstances..."


    "The usual."


    Alex scoffed or rather coughed at Emir''sment, and continued:


    "After finding one out, I only needed to raid your sector, and yeah... the rest was history."


    Emir nodded, understanding his words in an instant.


    ''So he was after the breach back when I was five....''


    ''He even came to the convoy to watch over me.''


    "Your men?"


    Cough! Cough! Cough!


    "...Rattlers Group."


    "I see," he mumbled.


    Emir''s face presented extreme happiness at the news that he didn''t need to waste time


    cleaning up another hunter group.


    "Why send an assassin after me?"


    "I wanted to-"


    Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!


    Emir let out a sigh and fished out some old-world medicine from his pockets.


    After shoving them down Alex''s throat, a few seconds passed and the man finally stopped his


    constant fits.


    "It''ll work its magic; c''mon, speak."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ignoring Emir''s urging, Alex spoke slowly, his every word an inward tussle:


    "I wanted to test if you were really the Order''s chosen or not."


    "...That makes sense, but why act now?"


    "I knew you were up to something-a counterattack against the Elite-"


    "So you came along, and it only confirmed your suspicions." Emir guessed the obvious.


    "Exactly... so I acted. I knew way back then. The... the moment


    knew... I knew that you were something special, and this..."


    "It only proved it."


    Emir sneered.


    I met you in that convoy, I


    "So you''re happy to be proven right? Even if you''re about to die?"


    Alex would''ve nodded his head if he could, but now he could only speak.


    "Yes, a man that dies with pride is a happy man..."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Is that why you lied?"


    "To who? I lied to many."


    "That''s exactly what I meant... Why did you lie to everyone about me?"


    "Why tell them about the Old World Network but not this?"


    The Spell Weaver closed his eyes, which were twitching, his state appearing to enter its final


    moments.


    "...I wanted the credit. All of it."


    Alex coughed out a chuckle.


    "What? I was greedy, there''s nothing wrong with that. Or did you expect some sort of noble


    cause?"


    He took Emir''s silence as an answer and continued:


    "No then? Well, that was your ''role'' in the first ce, but it looks like you won''t be ying


    it."


    A long sigh escaped Emir''s lips.


    "Alex, I''m done... You got anyst words?"


    "How the turn tables..."


    "That-"


    "I know, I know, it''s just a dumb joke."


    ||||


    Emir stared nkly at the grinning Alex.


    "So?"


    "Well, no... but I''ve got a question I want to ask."


    "Go ahead." "Do you think you''re a good man?"


    Emir''s brow quirked as he replied:


    "Not really... but are you... A good man?"


    "Yes... I think so."


    "..."


    "Then, Emir... are you corrupt?"


    "Oh, yes... Are you?" "Mm-hmm..."


    "...But what brought up that question?"


    Emir waited for an answer, but it never came.


    He looked to his right and finally noticed that Alex had long since passed.


    His face no longer sported a grin, but a... smile.


    That of a fulfilled man, as if he had done his life''s purpose.


    Alex... he who once was an acquaintance, a momentaryrade, a formidable adversary, now


    lay dead.


    No more than a lifeless, broken corpse.


    His blood painted the ground red.


    The upper half of his body, especially his face, bore the signs of relief, while his lower body


    twitched feebly, like a lizard''s lone tail. ''Aether is probably recking his body right now...''


    It was a gruesome sight, one that would haunt the memories of anyone who witnessed it.


    But that didn''t affect him in the slightest, in fact, he almost felt pity, for he knew the journey


    of this man''s head wouldn''t be pretty.


    Anyone else in his position would''ve hated Alex to the core, after all, he killed and most probably tortured those he held hostage, using them for information.


    Kiera and the other five he dove with might''ve died as well, ruining his ns that involved


    them.


    Simply said, It was bad, really bad. Yet Emir was indifferent. He only took that as a possible


    fact and moved on.


    He let out a chuckle and stood up, bncing himself as he did so.


    Still not used to having a single arm.


    Emir stepped closer to the chilling aftermath.


    He then raised his left, which now wielded his betrayer of a sword, and swung down, cutting


    Alex''s head off.


    Thud!


    "...Rest in peace... my ''good'' friend."


    Emir''s gaze never left Alex''s dismembered form.


    He who had stayed his cards until the right and final moment had won.


    An undeniable victory.


    However, the cost of his triumph was etched across his body.


    A hulking toll, that left him maimed and bloodied. Emir knew that he needed to regroup with Lyra but for a moment...


    He simply stood there.


    With a heavy heart.

 Chapter 204: Once A Good Man

    Chapter 204: Once A Good Man


    ?


    Emir''s every step was arduous as he staggered forward, clutching Alex''s severed head in one hand and his cut-off arm between his teeth.


    The weight of his own body and the trophy he carried made each step heavier than thest.


    His moving feet were uneven andbored as if the very ground beneath him conspired to pull him down.


    The grime on his dead augmented suit bore witness to the brutal battle he had just emerged from.


    Blood dripped from his wound, staining the ground in a macabre trail.


    The metallic taste of his blood mingled with the dirt in his mouth, a bitter reminder of the price he paid for victory.


    His only path towards it.


    One that Emir would never shy from.


    Step.


    Every inch was a herculean effort.


    Step.


    Step.


    Ste-Step.


    A few stumbles didn''t deter him.


    Emir continued to move.


    Step.


    Step.


    Step.


    Step.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, and his remaining hand trembled under the strain of his burden.


    Step.


    Ste-Step.


    The weight of the severed head in his grasp seemed to grow with each passing moment...


    As if it carried the weight of the entire battle.


    After many more trip-ups, he reached those who remained in battle.


    His eyes saw Lyra, helping out Emma and Jake in dispatching thest of their assigned cohort.


    Hisrades were now executing their final scene, with Emir''s heavy breaths acting as the background music.


    Lyra, the Shadow binder, had her dark, smoky tendrils of shadow reach out, enveloping the enemy captain.


    They seemed to writhe as they coiled around his shadow, immobilizing him in a nightmarish embrace.


    Emma, the Spell Weaver of the group, wasted no time.


    Her ice bolt, powered by her staff, tore through the night''s air, an icy streak that struck true.


    It pierced the Knight''s neck causing him to convulse in pain.


    His attempt to scream was silenced as the icy grip of the bolt spread, freezing him from within.


    Jake, their Arcanist with a ded staff as his weapon, followed Emma''s attack with a brutal swing, shattering the Knight''s skull.


    The sound of the impact was sickening.


    A bone-crushing, visceral noise echoed through the now-silent battlefield.


    The Knight''s lifeless body fell to the ground, a crumpled figure.


    Blood pooled around his shattered head, creating a gruesome scene that signified the end of the show.


    It contrasted starkly with the peaceful, distant stars above.


    Emir''s gaze remained fixed on the head, his eyes not showing the smile that donned his face.


    And just as Jake let out a breath, they all looked to their left, finally noticing his presence...


    Their faces immediately showed extreme shock at his current state.


    Battered and bruised, his augmented suit stained with blood.


    A missing arm, a raw wound where it should have been.


    His skin, paler than usual, was marked by evident signs of blood loss.


    A quiet glint in his eyes, despite his weakened appearance, left his resolve unbroken.


    That was their leader...


    Their weakness allowed this to happen.


    That was the first thought that crossed their minds as they rushed at him.


    "EMIR!"


    At their call, Emir finally allowed himself to release his severed hand from his mouth.


    He took a shuddering breath and whispered:


    "It''s over."


    "And you guys arete... just a bit, though."


    Lyra was the first to reach out, wrapping Emir in her arms as she gentlyid him on the


    ground.


    She took his body-less arm and gave it to Jake, who was standing just out of Emir''s immediate


    reach, afraid of hurting him.


    "PUT THIS IN THE CRUISER''S INCUBATOR NOW!"


    Jake didn''t even nod as he rushed towards their cruiser.


    Emma remained standing in disbelief, watching as Lyra shoved old-world medicines, costing hundreds of millions each, down Emir''s mouth.


    "What can I do?" Emma asked, urgency prevailing in her voice.


    Lyra looked at her for a moment, then returned her attention to Emir.


    "Keep watch. Kill everything."


    "Understood."


    Emma''s footsteps marked her departure, and now only Emir was left, cuddled in Lyra''s


    embrace.


    "Hey, why are you acting up? They''re all dead, you know? And I''ll be fine-"


    "Shut up..."


    "Can you repeat that? I didn''t hear you; my ears are ringing, you see..."


    "I SAID SHUT UP!"


    Emir locked his eyes with her, and they stared at each other for a long moment, until he broke


    it while looking away at the wastnd.


    "What? Say it." Lyra''s sigh reverberated through the silent space as sheposed herself.


    "Why didn''t you tell me? Emma and Jake be dammed. I could''ve rushed to you and helped-"


    "No." He cut her off with a snicker.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    || ||


    "....No? Is that it?"


    "You cut me off first; it''s only fair that I do it too."


    "Tell me." She demanded, her voice getting madder by the second.


    || ||


    Emir answered her with silence.


    "Is it because you thought you could handle him? He''s a Seraphim. The fact you killed him


    and survived is a miracle...."


    "Your existence is a miracle, Emir. You have the blood of a Primordial, an Apex. Unlike me, Jake, and Emma, your existence is of the utmost importance...."


    "You could''ve at least called me about your arm; if we didn''t incubate it fast enough, you would''ve had to reattach a new one and start over."


    "...Do you want that?"


    || ||


    Emir pleaded the fifth once again.


    "I say this without even taking my feelings into ount, so you''d understand why I''m so


    mad, right?


    Emir sighed, stopping Lyra''s rambling.


    "...I do, but a man has his pride. Besides, it was a private moment between me and Alex; I


    didn''t want anyone to disturb."


    Lyra sighed and softly tapped Emir''s forehead.


    "Is that really it? Don''t lie to me."


    "It was... fun... You know the feat of soloing a seraphim at this rank is a great one..."


    Emir''s smiling eyes returned to Lyra''s, and then he lifted his remaining hand, presenting


    Alex''s head to her.


    "And he was a good challenge... a good man."


    "He wanted to save Earth, but he was branded as a traitor to Earthkind."


    "Questionable decisions, yet he deserved better than to go against me..."


    "He hurt you." Lyra said, her voice showing obvious hate towards the head she received.


    "Extract his memories.... We can safely expect that he scrambled his brain, but who knows, he


    might''ve messed up the process."


    ''He''s smarter than that, though...'' He added inwardly.


    "Alright. But don''t mind that for now; let''s get you to the cruiser, alright?"


    Emir nodded and stood up with Lyra''s help, trudging forth.

 Chapter 205: "You Need Me."

    Chapter 205: "You Need Me."


    ?


    §£§Ö§Ö§â... §£§Ö§Ö§â...


    §£§Ö§Ö§â...


    A constant sound rang out through the small room.


    It was a reminder from a monitor that Emir, who was lying on the bed, remained alive and healthy.


    His mother, Laura, remained by his side, gently patting his head as he slept.


    Momentster, Lyra arrived, passing by several medical equipment and an incubator that housed Emir''s arm.


    "I''ll perform the surgery." She announced.


    Lily, who was sitting near Emir''s feat, looked at Lyra in shock.


    "Why? Isn''t it better to let the pros do it?"


    "Right... why dear?" Her mother supported her.


    "Can''t trust them."


    Lyra answered simply as she removed the IV drip that was imnted in Emir''s veins.


    "It won''t take long... The nanocells have fully healed his flesh. Now I only need to reattach his arm..."


    "Thankfully, we managed to incubate it before it rotted, so he''d be as good as new in a few minutes."


    "Will it hurt?" Lily asked in a quiet voice.


    "...No, he''s sleeping. The anesthetics we have did their job, so don''t worry, the pain will be suppressed, alright?"


    Lily nodded, while Laura showed a silent smile as she stood up.


    She grabbed her daughter''s hand and left the room, leaving Lyra alone to focus on the surgery.


    As Lyra prepared, she meticulously sterilized her hands and the surgical instruments.


    After a deep ''breath'', she approached the prince''s right.


    "You got this..."


    With gentle movements, she made an incision along his arm, following the guidelines provided by her database.


    She was careful not to disturb the nanocells too much, as it would cause them to heal his arm again.


    Something that Lyra definitely wouldn''t want.


    The surgery proceeded smoothly as she expertly reattached his arm, aligning the nerves, blood vessels, and tissues with precision.


    Minutes felt like hours when she carefully began the process of sealing the wound.


    Then the room was suddenly filled with a soft light.


    A waving hush disturbed the neutral Aether in the environment.


    This was the result of Emir''s Aether Core epting his arm back into its system. ''Good.''


    Meanwhile, his nanobots activated, elerating the healing process.


    And finally, after a few seconds, the surgery waspleted.


    Lyra stepped back and observed her work.


    Emir''s arm was securely reattached, and the nanocells were already working to ensure a rapid recovery.


    She sighed in relief, knowing that he would soon wake up to find himself whole once more.


    Exiting the room, she joined Laura and Lily, who had been waiting anxiously.


    Lyra''s face was calm, and she wore a reassuring smile.


    "The surgery went well..."


    "He''ll need a few minutes to wake up, but he''ll be fine; this is nothing to him."


    Laura''s eyes filled with gratitude, and she hugged her tightly.


    "Thank you, dear... You''ve saved my son."


    Lily, too, couldn''t hide her relief.


    "You''re amazing.... Thanks for always taking care of that massive dummy."


    [That guy''s a smartass but he never stops being reckless.]


    Lyra smiled warmly at them both.


    "Of course. I''ll always be there for him; Emir''s my man."


    They chuckled and sat huddled together, waiting for him to wake up.


    ***


    After a few minutes went by, Emir''s eyes flickered open, gazing at the white roof.


    He looked to his left and spotted a beauty that would topple countries-his AIpanion- watching over him with a smile.


    But then his eyesight was nketed as Lily jumped over the bed''s frame, crashing directly into his face.


    He massaged his nose and looked down at his sister, who rubbed her head in pain.


    "Ugh... Why is your head so hard?"


    "Pause that thought. The real question is, why the hell did you jump at me?"


    Sniffle.


    "...Isn''t that how it usually goes?"


    She spoke as her head remained stuck to his chest.


    "You trying to act weak is creepy, sis; you can drop it."


    Sniff... Sniffle.


    "Shut up..."


    Hic!


    Her tiny form kept trembling over his body as she tried to rub away her tears using the


    medical gown he had on.


    ''So she''s actually worried, huh...''


    ''I guess I was insensitive there.''


    Emir''s eyesight was nketed once again as Laura pushed his rising head back into the


    pillow.


    "Rx sweetie... we have everything now. You can just rx."


    Her soothing words never stopped as she patted his head.


    But when she noticed him shift his body, she quickly pulled her hand away.


    However, Emir softly grabbed her hand before it got away, and pulled it back to his head.


    Laura showed a bright smile, her once grief-stricken face showing calm.


    [You''re quite the mama''s boy, aren''t you?]


    [Of course... The mom, the mom, the mom, then the dad, or so the saying went.]


    [Anyways, she''s very important to me, and if patting my head calms her down, then why not?]


    Lyra giggled.


    [...How about me?]


    Emir''s hand reached towards Lily''s fluffy hair, creating a chain of patting.


    [You''re important... In a different way, but important nheless.]


    [...I''m happy with that.]


    [By the way, is Elijah at home? And are the idiots fine?]


    [Yes, he''s sleeping right now. As for Emma and Jake, they went to check up on Kiera and her


    gang.]


    Emir brought Lily''s head close and paused in thought for a moment.


    [... You think they''re alive?]


    [Hopefully, but we can''t bet on it. They aren''t replying, and based on what Alex told you, their


    deaths would be nothing but guaranteed.]


    [...All of them? Just like that? .... All our work and money spent on training them down the


    drain?]


    [Yes.... Now do you still think that Alex was a good man?]


    [I do. Good men do bad things sometimes. As they say, the road to hell is paved by good


    intentions.]


    Emir let out a long sigh, which ended in a chuckle.


    [And you know, before leaving, I told them to prepare themselves. That death woulde. So


    I''m not to me... right?]


    [No, you''re not.] [Why did you lie? I thought that we banned that?] He scolded with a scoff.


    [I didn''t lie. We are all to me; their deaths fall on my shoulders just as much as yours. You might be our leader, but I also didn''t give them anything to fall back on and left them to die.]


    [Using a technicality... Touche~.]


    ...Though that doesn''t matter.''


    ''At the end of it, everything falls on the leader.''


    ''Me.''


    ''But she still wouldn''t me me...''


    ''She needs me.''


    Emir then looked at his mother and said:


    "You guys can go home now.... I''ve got a meeting to attend."


    The mother and sister pair reacted simrly, about to reprimand him, but soon their wits


    grew about them, and they calmed down.


    Lily finally got off Emir, wiping away the remnants of her tears as she stepped next to her


    mother.


    "C''mon Mom, let''s go.


    Laura nodded and followed her daughter out of the room, both appearing angered at their


    dismissal.


    "You can''t me me! I only have tonight to meet the Elite-"


    Bang!


    His words got caught in his throat as Lily shoved the door behind her.


    Tsk!


    [I''ll educate that dumb kidter... For now, Lyra, go get me a VR headset, a NeuroLink.]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She nodded whilementing:


    [Emotions.... Quite fickle and stupid.]


    [Says you.] Emir quipped. [That''s exactly why I''m saying it.]

 Chapter 206: All Dead

    Chapter 206: All Dead


    ?


    ***


    A running Emma looked to her left, eyeing Jake for a moment.


    "Do you think he''ll be fine?"


    Jake scoffed.


    "I''ll say this for the fifth and final time; it''s Emir we''re talking about; he''ll be fine. And you


    seem to be forgetting that Lyra''s there with him; do you think that she''d risk anything happening to him?"


    "No... b-but-"


    "Stop. We''re about to reach their hideout; be prepared for the worst."


    They were rushing through the slums, crossing dimly lit streets, toppling buildings, and thrown about trash, mixed in with the sleeping homeless.


    They turned right at the end of the street and arrived in front of what once appeared as a warehouse.


    The gate was destroyed, and the courtyard seemingly bombed; as for the warehouse itself... Its fate was the same as the outside.


    The entrance was obliterated, with severed limbs strewn about and inner organs covering the broken floor.


    Blood was all around the two, coloring the ground with a mosaic of reds.


    But soon another color was added to the mix as Emma''s mouth let out a rainfall of vomit.


    Jake almost joined her; however, his grim face loudly gulped down the rising food and breathed deeply, a futile attempt at calming himself.


    The stench of death and gore enveloped him.


    It was a horrifying testament to the brutality they had walked into.


    Devastation on another level.


    It spoke of a ferocious battle, or perhaps something far worse...


    A massacre.


    Jake proceeded to silently step forward, avoiding a severed head lying to his right.


    Getting deeper into the warehouse, he looked around the ce, spotting many bullet holes that showed themselves on the walls.


    Despite the nausea he felt, he kept himself steady, his jaw clenched tight.


    His eyes continued to dart around, searching for any sign of Kiera.


    And sure enough, he had found her.


    Just outside the office room.


    There she was...


    Unmoving, lying in a pool of blood.


    Around her were her closest family.


    Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and Leo.


    They had all shared the same fate.


    Jake stepped forward, bridging the distance between them in a few steps.


    He didn''t know what to say, feel, or think about this revtion.


    Jake hadn''t expected all to have survived...


    Yet a few of their own died too-six of them at that.


    He simply couldn''t believe it.


    Tip-Tap.


    Jake soon heard footsteps echo behind him, and his body stiffened, expecting a fight...


    Only to turn around and see an approaching Emma.


    She dragged her feet on the floor, her face showing absolute disgust at the scene before them.


    He nodded towards her and turned around, his body approaching the office.


    What unfolded before his eyes was the stuff of nightmares.


    Five dead women, each strapped to their own chair.


    One had her eye sockets spooned out, with old blood dripping down her face.


    Another had her ears, nose, fingers, and toes cut off, with her arms and legs twisted at her sides.


    The one next to her appeared simr in state, except that it was much worse.


    Her broken limbs were no longer attached to her body.


    The fourth looked simr, except for having no skin, as if it were peeled off.


    Thest on the right appeared to be rtively unharmed, only missing a few fingers.


    Jake''s heart broke as he realized exactly what happened here.


    The vomit that he struggled to hold at bay was finally let loose as a multitude of thoughts crossed his mind.


    ''Why?''


    ''Why us?''


    ''What did we do?''


    ''Why?''


    ''Why?!''


    ''WHY?!''


    "


    ''...Emir should know.''


    ''They wanted information.''


    ''They wanted Lyra.''


    ''Alex...''


    ''He did this.''


    "...GOD DAMN YOU, ALEX!"


    Jake bellowed with remnants of vomit still in his mouth.


    The Liberation Army came here for information, and they got it, only after killing everyone in


    the process.


    It was them!


    They were the ones at fault!


    Yes, it wasn''t his fault for not protecting them...


    Thud!


    Startled, he stepped back away from a body that hit the floor next to him.


    Jake then realized that it was Emma, and a thought immediately came to his mind.


    ''No way....''


    He rushed towards Kiera, lowering his hand to her neck.


    Thump.


    He recognized a pulse in her.


    "....Emir."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And he heard her whisper.


    Jake immediately did the same to the other five and felt their pulse as well.


    They were all alive.


    He immediately took out old-world medicines from his rucksack, shoving them into their


    mouths one by one.


    "Thank god..."


    Jake murmured as he set his back on the red paint that covered the floor, extremely happy at


    the news.


    His eyes soon grew tired, however, as the roller coaster of emotions he went through fried his brain, causing him to join them in their slumber.


    -


    Emma, Jake, Kiera, and the rest of her gang stood outside the warehouse, not able to handle a


    second longer in that ce.


    After a deep and long breath, Jake asked:


    "Do you know what exactly happened here?"


    A trembling Kiera responded with a shake of her head.


    "...W-we were preparing to run away; me and the guys decided to spread out and find


    somewhere we could hide, but when we came back....."


    "T-this, this is what we saw."


    "Any others?" He calmly asked, in an attempt to hide his nerves.


    Jake''s unreasonable guilt was slowly starting to get to him, but he kept his emotions at bay.


    He needed to appearposed in front of Kiera, otherwise...


    All hell would break loose.


    "Y-yes, we''ve got some more that are still out there searching...."


    "We... we didn''t call them in yet."


    Nodding to Kiera''s words, Jake looked over to those in front of him for a moment and then


    spoke in a solemn tone:


    "Call them in now; we need all the help we can get."


    "It would take too long for us to carry their body... parts to the graveyard, and we can''t stay


    here for long."


    Kiera''s answer was silent eptance, as she too knew of the danger of staying there right


    after an attack.


    No matter how sad it was to part ways with her family like that...


    She had to leave. Emma joined her side and wiped away Kiera''s growing tears.


    "C''mon, let''s go. You don''t want them to hate you for leaving them exposed like that for so


    long, do you?"


    Kiera sniffled and nodded, gesturing for her crying gang members to follow as they again entered what they once called home.

 Chapter 207: Road Of Blackmail

    Chapter 207: Road Of ckmail


    ?


    ***


    [Kiera, Jake, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and Leo are alive. A few more of their members as well, but the rest are all dead.]


    Emir heard Lyra''s report echo through his mind as he put on the NeuroLink headset, still lying down in bed.


    [You think she''ll me me?]


    [...No, she''s smarter than that.]


    He let out a chuckle and said:


    "NeuroLink Activate."


    His eyes, which had previously seen the world''s reflection through the headset, now showed a white space with several menu-like options on the side.


    Emir''s body was no longer physically active; his neuralwork was linked with the headset, disabling his body''s activities.


    His body, an ''Icon'' in the digital realm clicked on an image that dropped down a list of others. Thest option wasbeled ''Link Invite.''


    [Lyra, send the code.]


    [Done.]


    Emir''s brain was flooded with a series of numbers, letters, and symbols that he transferred to the link invite box.


    And soon, his vision changed to that of a dark room.


    He easily adjusted to the transfer, only feeling slightly disorientated.


    ''Where are you, Auric....''


    Emir silently nced around, attempting to identify the space before him.


    But the host of this ce had seemingly disabled his abilities.


    Meaning that even his night vision, which he had grown reliant on, wasn''t transferred over to this metaphysical world.


    In his struggle to make out his surroundings, he spotted several long table-like structures ced all around him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    An opening was left right in front of him.


    An invitation for him to walk through.


    ''Sure.''


    His feet moved across the floor, epting the invite.


    ''A podium?''


    His eyes soon spotted what appeared to be a wooden stand, smack dab in the middle of the


    room.


    Emir then walked closer, his every step careful as he approached it.


    After a soft step onto the podium, a sound announced itself.


    Click!


    His back was locked in ce as he felt a cold metal surround the structure he stood on.


    ''So they don''t have their abilities either....''


    Emir quickly came to the realization, understanding their need for high-security measures. sh!


    A sudden, blinding light materialized right above him, reminiscent of a spotlight in a grand stage show.


    ''Or maybe they like a theatrical ir to everything they do.''


    He inwardly scoffed, rebutting his previous thought.


    Emir knew that entertainment came first to most of them.


    After all, those who led long lives needed something to spice it up.


    ''Let''s greet them first...''


    Now, with the light above him, he could discern his surroundings more clearly.


    Around him stood the outlines of four men, their features just visible.


    Each side nking the podium held the leader of an Elite family, distinguished by unique


    characteristics he recognized from the novel.


    Turning left, he bowed respectfully and spoke:


    "Lord Auric of the Goldleaf."


    Facing forward, he addressed a fiery-haired man with broad shoulders:


    "Lord Ignatius of the ckwood."


    To his right, a man with long gray hair and delicate features:


    "Lord Eldritch of the Moonscribe."


    And then finally...


    Emir turned to his back.


    He spoke a name not supposed to be known by anyone except the Elite:


    "Lord Isidore of the Ebonfyre."


    The ck-haired man, shorter than most, acknowledged him with a nod.


    "Thank you all for epting my invitation to talk."


    Emir added as he bowed deeper, his hand near his second heart.


    A show of respect.


    Then a friendly but serious voice came from what was once his left and now his right:


    "I have done as you asked, chosen one... Now, might you tell us what you gathered us here


    for?"


    "Yeah! What the fuck do you want, you pipsqueak?" Ignatius said, his tone as wild as his red


    hair.


    "Why do you know of Isidore''s name?" Asked Eldritch, his voice as soft as his son.


    "..." The man himself sat quietly, appearing to enjoy the ongoing event.


    ''The novel didn''t lie about their surface personalities, at least...''


    "Please. Show me respect as I do to you, Lords. And I shall answer you now...."


    "Regarding my knowing of Isidore''s name, I am the chosen one, am I not? Then isn''t it obvious how?"


    A hard m resounded at Emir''s left, and soon came Ignatius''s booming voice:


    "Who cares about that?! I asked you, what the fuck do you want?!"


    Emir let out a sigh.


    "...There''s no need for such theatrics, Lord of the ckwood. I know you to be a good-hearted man, so I believe that such a front is unneeded."


    ||||


    After a long period of silence, Ignatius''sugh echoed through the space, shaking Emir''s


    eardrums to the core.


    "Ugh..."


    ''Fucker''s about to pop my ears.''


    "....Lord."


    Ignatius understood Emir''s call and quietened hisugh.


    "You''re way more interesting than I thought, young man... Isidore should get a team upgrade


    soon!"


    Emir let out a chuckle and said:


    "That''s fine. Even with the Lord''s best, getting past Amanda''s barriers would be an obsolete


    task."


    "Lyra you mean? Your AIpanion?" Eldritch asked quietly.


    "...Yes, Lord. I believe you asking Isidore would confirm it, as he has long since known about


    her. Same for Lord Auric."


    "True." Auric added from the side.


    "..."


    Isidore remained quiet as usual, creepily locking eyes with Emir.


    Emir shook his head and turned around, his gaze sweeping over the rest until he stopped at


    the Moonscribe''s head.


    "I havee here today to ask you all a simple thing...."


    "A court retrial for the injustice that chanced my family a few days back."


    ".... You think I''m responsible?"


    ''This guy asks a lot of questions, doesn''t he?''


    Emir scoffed at Eldritch.


    "Who else but you, Lord?" "Having not involved yourself doesn''t distance you from the crime that urred right under


    your nose."


    "Corruption to the highest degree."


    "Not even ounting for the fact that your son was kicked out... No longer considered


    family."


    Eldritch raised his hand, subtlymanding Emir to pause.


    "I''ve nothing to say over what transpired."


    "....However! I shall vote for the retrial, not just to mend my family''s mistakes but to also


    thank you for taking care of my son."


    ''So he wants me to owe him to make sure that I take care of Elijah, huh....''


    ''Don''t worry, mate. He''ll be useful; I''ll train him well.'' He inwardly added with a snicker.


    "I thank you, Lord." Emir said with a small bow.


    After pping his hands twice, the Moonscribe''s head said:


    "For those in agreement, say aye!"


    || ||


    11


    No one responded.


    ''As expected, I have to show my cards early.''


    "My lords, I havee here today not only to ask you but to also warn you."


    A loud cackle resounded as Ignatius spoke:


    "And what might that be, young man?"


    "Some in this room aren''t loyal to UEF, and I have evidence to prove it." Emir answered.


    Bang!


    Both Ignatius and Auric smashed their hands down on their tables.


    "WE''VE GOT TRAITORS?!"


    "Quite now! Don''t talk any further!"


    ''It isn''t about the bomb, money bags, don''t worry.''


    Emir aired the baffled lord and greedy piggy bank and then looked back at Eldritch.


    "...Are you threatening us, boy?"


    "A threat? No... Just a piece of advice. If you all want to continue operating, then I must


    inform you of the consequences of this event."


    "WHO IS THE FUCKING TRAITOR, EMIR?!"


    "I SAID STOP-"


    Both of their voices were immediately snuffed out as the quiet man, Isidore, stood up from


    his seat.


    He then spoke, his voice low and dangerous, like a snake dripping with the most dangerous of


    venoms:


    "Quiet."


    Auric, Ignatius, and Eldritch scoffed, rxing in their seats.


    Emir turned towards him.


    "What do you think, Lord Isidore? Doesn''t the saying, you can''t have your cake and eat it too,


    fit this situation quite nicely?"


    "Quiet."


    After letting out a soft chuckle, Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Sure."


    "Answer only when you are spoken to."


    "Yes, Lord."


    "Dirtyundry shouldn''t be publicly aired out, don''t you think?"


    "Unless necessary, yes, Lord."


    "The fact that my friend Ignatius had yet to know of any traitors shows something, does it


    not?"


    "It shows that the Elite and the UEF work under a very delicate bnce and that a single wild knot like me could turn Earth upside down."


    "Right... It''s really unfortunate that you''re smart; I never wished that my reports were wrong


    before today."


    "I have pride in myself, Lord."


    ''Too bad for you and your bastard child, my friend....''


    "State your threat."


    "As I said, Lord, I consider it advice-"


    "Don''t y with me, boy! I''ve dealt with many subjects before you... Don''t think that you''re


    special!"


    "But I am Lord... and you know that."


    Isidore chuckled.


    "...But the others don''t, especially you, Ignatius; this big guy in front of you knows of


    something that you didn''t in the many years you stood as head!"


    "A FUCKING EMBARRASSMENT!"


    The scolded man stomped hard on the ground and stood up to defend himself, but Isidore''s


    words didn''t stop:


    "ALL YOU KNOW OF IS BATTLE! YET LOOK AT YOUR HOUSE! A DISGRACE!"


    Isidore walked forward, stepping into the Moonscribe''s domain.


    "And you... ELDRITCH!"


    "Will you scold your ''elders'' too?" The man asked with a snicker.


    "YES, I WILL!"


    "You gave this fucker a nuke! I warned you, but you never listened... Now look at where it


    brought us."


    "He might be lying¡ª"


    "You know that he isn''t! Now stay quiet!"


    ''This guy loves cutting people off.''


    Emir inwardlymented while watching Isidore''s silhouette walk past Auric, only leaving


    him a tap on his shoulders as he returned to his domain.


    "Now I say this for thest time..."


    "State your threat!"

 Chapter 208: Deal

    Chapter 208: Deal


    ?


    "If you, my Lords, don''t follow what I want, then in less than a nanosecond..."


    "Everyone and their mothers in the entire local group would know what the MoonScribes are doing."


    ''Lyra can only connect to Earth''swork, but they don''t know that-.'' Emir inwardly added.


    A collective sigh was heard across the room, and soon both Ignatius and Auric spoke in unison:


    "AYE!"


    "Aye."


    ''Now one remains...''


    Emir turned to face Isidore.


    "You''re loyal to the UEF, aren''t you, Lord Isidore? Then we who go against the ORDER are your best bet."


    A name that wasn''t mentioned throughout their entire conversation was now finally revealed, easily conveying Emir''s attention to the matter at hand.


    Subtle scoffs and a single gasp echoed through the room as all three family heads looked at him with ranging expressions.


    Isidore was an exception, of course, as he kept his cold ck eyes locked with Emir''s.


    "Alright, bitch. Your mother''spany will witness a fair retrial. But before that..."


    "I need you to do something for me."


    Emir''s brows were immediately raised as he knew that whatever Isidore was about to say next would bring a massive shift to his life.


    "I''m listening, Lord."


    "...You nned to attend the academy as a student, yes?"


    Emir nodded.


    "Yes, Lord."


    ''Not really; that was before; now I''m nning to be a-''


    Emir''s thoughts paused as Isidore''s words registered in his mind:


    "A professor...."


    ''Fate... huh.''


    "If your dumbass joins as a professor, only then will I agree to this deal."


    "May I ask, why, Lord?"


    "We both know that their professors are no longer worthy of teaching you; you''re a big guy now."


    "...Indeed you are correct, Lord."


    Emir immediately knew why Isidore added that condition to the deal.


    He knew that the best way anyone, especially the Elite, could keep watch over him would be in the academy, a ce controlled by them.


    And not only that, the test would provide a dish called Emir''s ''Mind'' on a golden tter.


    "But if I''m to be a professor, then I have to ask for a certain ss."


    "Which one?" Auric asked, sounding interested.


    "SS-1, the Elite first years."


    ''Sorry, Morgiana, but that ce is mine... Better luck next time, or rather, next life.''


    Ignatius loudly bellowed in his seat.


    "Good luck with my son Max, then! You should teach him a few things about manners."


    "That I will, Lord."


    The next one to speak was Auric:


    "Take care of my daughter as you did before."


    "I will, Lord."


    ''That will be thest time I kidnap her; don''t worry.'' He added inwardly.


    Emir then looked at Eldritch, but as he appeared to have nothing to say about Elijah, he turned to Isidore.


    "I already have a contract prepared, Lord. I ask of you all to look."


    [Lyra, everything went well. I need you to send the contract now.] Emir said telepathically.


    And after a few moments, he heard Lyra''s reply echo in his mind:


    [Great job as always... Do you want me to change anything in the uses?]


    [No, all as nned. Though as expected, Isidore switched up the y, but never mind that for now; just check my memoriester.]


    [Understood.]


    As their conversation took ce, a few milliseconds went by, and soon his mind was flooded with the many uses of the contract.


    Emir''s neuralwork willed the contract into existence but was denied by the room''s


    protection barrier.


    "Lord Isidore?"


    "I allowed it."


    His words spoke true, as a piece of paper soon materialized in Emir''s hands.


    Then it suddenly transformed into light particles that separated in four directions, heading to each family head.


    Emir watched as the contract rematerialized in front of them.


    It would''ve taken a very long time for them to fullyprehend it, as Lyra made sure it was a skin-tight contract with no room for a back door.


    But they had their own AIs, and although not sentient like Lyra, they could easilyprehend the contract in moments.


    "So you''re saying that you''ll delete all the dirt you got over us?" Eldritch asked.


    "Yes."


    "And that you want us to never attack you ever again?" Eldritch continued with his questions.


    "Yes."


    "All of you present here. Your families, your allies, everyone involved with you..."


    "Unless I attack first, of course."


    "But if I did, my mental state must be unaffected."


    "Also said attack could be physical, mental, cyber, financial, and social."


    "...Fair. What do you say, men?" Auric asked.


    "Fair!"


    "Fair."


    Thest one to speak was Isidore yet again; however, this time he joined the others in


    agreement:


    "....Fair."


    "I''ve agreed to your terms, and you have mine."


    "As written in the contract, all the terms during this negotiation were stated...."


    "Your mom''spany will meet its justice, but do you have anything that you wanna add


    before we sign? Last chance."


    Emir showed a calm countenance, but he was struggling to hide his smile from showing.


    [Heh, heh.... AHAHHAHAAH!]


    [.... You good?]


    [THEY ACCEPTED! THEY FUCKING ACCEPTED!]


    [You''ve done incredible, but you must calm down... They didn''t sign the contract yet.]


    Emir ignored Lyra''s warning and remainedughing wildly.


    He had a very good reason to be so incredibly happy.


    The prince had just duped four family heads, each known to be leaders of the Earth they knew


    today.


    A family for the legal side of the world, one for strength and war, another responsible for


    Earth''s financial status, and thest for all things information.


    Even with all their achievements, he still managed to trick them all.


    They thought that Emir cared about the contract, but he didn''t give two shits about it.


    Why would he?


    It wouldn''t affect him in any way; he was more special than they thought¡ªa Celestial with no Aether imnt-something unheard of even to them.


    This also revealed to him that they had no contacts within the higher ranks of Magnus''s


    faction.


    ''Nice, nice, nice...''


    Emir''s ns all lead up to this point.


    Of course, many variables showed themselves but that didn''t matter to him.


    No n was perfect.


    So like the hunters in this world, he did what they did.


    Adapt.


    And it brought him here.


    He proposed a contract not to only distract them from the truth but to allow him more paths


    in the future while restricting his enemies.


    Emir was also able to keep the ckmail.


    This would allow him to use it again in the future.


    A final card in his arsenal.


    Thest hurrah if everything went south, as he''d release it into the universe.


    This card would be checkmate, cornering Magnus''s faction to oblivion.


    ''Haaaah....''


    After finally calming himself down, Emir inly spoke:


    "I have nothing to add."


    Isidore nodded and gestured for everyone to proceed.


    A moment passed, and streaks of light wafted through the room, finalizing his sess.


    Emir''s left foot moved back.


    His head and back lowered slightly.


    And his arm reached his second heart once again.


    "Thank you, Lords. I shall now take my leave and waste your time no longer."


    Isidore allowed Emir''s departure, and soon his body disappeared from the room, leaving


    behind the four family heads.


    Then suddenly a man appeared in Emir''s ce.


    His face was covered by an owl mask as he eyed those around him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Congrattions gentlemen...."


    "You''ve allowed a tiger cub into your homes."


    "What do you say? Were they alike?" Isidore asked from the side.


    "Oh, that he isn''t..." The masked man said with a chuckle.


    "What do you mean?" Ignatius asked.


    The masked man locked gazes with the ckwood''s head for a moment and then spoke:


    "You see... I''ve had my eye on him before even knowing about the Order''s involvement."


    "Way back when ''Oliver'' died, I put some of my trusted men on watch." Ignatius stood up from his seat while banging on the table before him.


    "Wait! Since you guys know about his dad, then why didn''t he add that in the contract?"


    Eldritch and Auric chuckled.


    "Only our masked friend does..."


    "Yeah, we didn''t care much about him, not even Isidore did."


    "True... it makes sense, since most of their chosen act like that. The big guy somehow knew


    that we didn''t know anything."


    After showing a nod to a yawning Isidore, the masked man continued:


    "Well, you three should start caring now... I learned many things about him, and everyone


    here must know that Emir..."


    "Emir''s fighting his own war... against all in his path."


    "He''s an unchained man."


    "No rules bound him."


    Isidore chuckled and added:


    "Yeah, you should''ve seen him during his little torture session, not even a single scream..."


    "Death visited his friends a few hours back but he didn''t bat an eye and came to meet us


    instead."


    The masked man nodded once again.


    "Him killing all those Liberation fuckers might make you think otherwise, but he''s not loyal


    to a faction either..."


    "His freedom will be paid with the blood of our men."


    "And yet... he''ll be our new best friend."

 Chapter 209: Death All Around

    Chapter 209: Death All Around


    ?


    Emir removed the Neuro-Link off his head and sat up, pushing himself away from thefort of the bed.


    His body felt slightly stiff, but that didn''t even cross his mind as he spotted several bloodiedpanions surrounding him.


    Lyra stood closest to him, while the rest were Jake, Emma, Kiera, and her gang members.


    There were some others behind them too, but they didn''t register in his mind.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "May they rest in peace."


    Kiera flinched at Emir''s words, and her rtively calm fa?ade was destroyed in an instant as she rushed forward, jumping onto him.


    ''And another one...'' He mused inwardly.


    She then brought herself closer to his embrace, sniffling as she went, tears falling from her eyes.


    "You can take it out on me." He said as he brought her even closer.


    Kiera didn''t even bother to look up as she stuttered:


    "No... I-I don''t me you. It was because of me. You warned us but I acted too slowly...."


    Emir then gazed at the rest, watching their faces with interest.


    They all showed a variety of reactions, ranging from surprise to slight amusement, with one being a standout.


    Lyra''s subtle but noticeable killing intent.


    [Don''t kill her.] Emir telepathically said.


    [I won''t.] Lyra replied with a scoff.


    [You won''t?] He repeated.


    [...]


    [...]


    And after a moment of silence finally came Lyra''s booming voice:


    [I SAID I WON''T!]


    [Good... Now tell everyone to leave the room.] He said with a chuckle.


    Lyraplied with a sigh, silently signaling that to theirpanions.


    After a few moments, only Emir and a crying Kiera remained in the room. "Tell me. What do you feel?"


    H!


    "....I don''t know... A part of me mes you for everything, but I know that it''s wrong." H!


    "You told me many times that being with you was dangerous, b-but I didn''t want you to leave."


    H!


    "You make me feel safe. I can rely on you. I can grow with you...."


    Emir began softly patting her head.


    "And the other?"


    "...I me myself. My ipetence. I-I left them behind to look for somewhere to hide, only t-to fin... find-"


    H!


    Emir "shushed" her.


    "You can rx...."


    "You''re alive."


    "Your family is alive."


    "You raised them."


    "You took care of them."


    H!


    "...And you and I let them down."


    "But that doesn''t matter."


    "You must stay strong."


    "I won''t take the me off you."


    "We both are to me."


    H!


    "But WE can''t show weakness, Kiera."


    She tried to speak, but he softly "shushed" her once again.


    "We leaders must always stand strong."


    "Like a tree protecting its saplings."


    "Like a father to his children...."


    "Yes, you can show weakness, but you must try to avoid it at all costs."


    "When a child sees his father crying... that would signal an end to their world."


    "A circumstance they could never get over."


    "Keep it private until the day you ept it."


    "Move on from it."


    "Or you cane talk to me, those simr or higher to you in position, but never break down


    again in front of your own again, alright?"


    Kiera''s crying began to quieten down as Emir''s lecture finally ended.


    "...B ¨C but I keep hearing their voices... telling me to save them..."


    "Emir... Emir. I failed them."


    "I FAILED THEM, EMIR! I FAILED ALL OF MY FAMILY!"


    Emir brought her closer to his arms and hugged her tight.


    "Haaaah.... Kiera, you and the rest are mine to protect."


    "I promise you now... I''ll do everything in my power to keep you safe."


    "This will never happen again; is that understood?"


    "....Thank you, thank you."


    Emir keptforting Kiera further into the night, repeating the same words...


    And they soon both fell into a lull of sleep.


    ...


    -


    Emir opened his eyes only to be greeted by wild ck hair spread all over his face.


    ''Ah, Kiera.''


    He brushed her hair off him and got off the bed.


    [Good morning, dear jailer.]


    [Good morning, gigolo.]


    [Yeah? Shut up.]


    [I will.]


    Emir entered the hospital''s bathroom to freshen up, and after a little while, he got out and


    noticed that Kiera was awake.


    "Good morning."


    Her response was the exact opposite of his, as her lowered face became red with


    embarrassment.


    ''This almost makes me feel like I just had a one-night stand....''


    ''Actually, I might have felt that way if we weren''t in a fucking hospital!''


    Emir let out a chuckle and said:


    "C''mon, you''ve got a family meeting to attend."


    ...


    -


    Family Residence.


    "Elijah, Jake, Emma, Nathan, Mariane, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and finally little Leo...."


    ''Fucking hell, there''s alotta them.''


    "You all are now a part of the main family."


    "Jamal, Raymond, and Logan couldn''t fit here, so yeah."


    Emir spoke while sitting at a table, surrounded by his manypanions, allies, friends, and


    now family.


    "And now that introductions are over, I''ll have you listen to Lyra. She''ll exin what will


    happen from now on."


    Lyra, who was sitting at Emir''s right, next to Laura and Lily, stood up and walked over to the


    middle of the living room.


    Which was cramped, to say the least, as most didn''t even have a ce to sit.


    "Firstly, as you now know, many of our friends at Kiera''s passed away yesterday...."


    "So let''s hold a moment for them."


    All gathered solemnly nodded.


    || ||


    || ||


    || ||


    || ||


    || ||


    "...Once everything blows over, we''ll go and make sure that they''re taken care of."


    Lyra broke the silence as she spoke while looking at Kiera.


    "Thank you..."


    She nodded at Kiera''s words.


    "Now onto what happenedst night."


    "I''ll say this again: Emir seeded on his road of ckmail, and we now have a retrial in a


    few days."


    "You''ve done my job for me, leader." Nathanughed.


    "Great job as always, boss!" Jake bellowed.


    "Way to go, boss!" Emma followed.


    "As expected from you." Mariane said with a giggle.


    As did the others, all congratting Emir on a job well done.


    Only Elijah kept quiet, as he had yet to process the bomb dropped on him yesterday.


    Lyra''s contract and information dump gave him a wild haymaker that he had yet to recover


    from.


    All of Kiera''s congratted him too, but they had somber tones, clearly still affected by the tragedy that had befallen them.


    Emir chuckled at their praise and gestured for them to quiet down as he looked at his smiling


    mother and sister with a grin.


    He would never forget their faces when they first heard of the news-not just the shock they


    showed but the absolute pride they had for him.


    And of course, they would be prideful, one of their own dared to threaten the Elite and


    actually seeded.


    "Thank you all.... But never forget, the battle isn''t over."


    They nodded in unison, understanding the meaning behind his words.


    "For now, we''ll act like usual..." Lyra continued.


    "But we''ll set up a few contingency ns in case it all goes to shit in court again."


    "We might need to leave this, so prepare yourselves from now." Unexpectedly, no one showed surprise, as if they had already expected this.


    Lyra nced at Emir and then said:


    "Those directly involved will join us, but most can remain if they wish to."


    Theirpanions didn''t need to state their opinions on the matter, as their faces showed


    Emir all he needed to know.


    "Good. Now onto other ns...."


    "I''ve been looking around for a mansion that could house all of us."


    "So if everything goes well, expect a room with your name on it." Lyra, who was stared at with wide eyes by everyone in the room except Emir, let out a giggle.


    "We''ve got a lot of money saved up, so you can trust that it will be a great ce...."


    "Our new mansion will be our base of operations, meaning that you could live elsewhere, but


    that would be where we conduct our meetings."


    "Understood." They all spoke in unison.


    Lyra turned to face Emir.


    "Is that all?"


    Emir stood up from his seat and walked next to his mother and sister, tapping their shoulders.


    "That''s all, boys. But you can stay here and chill with us for a bit; my mom and sis cooked up


    some great food for you."


    Their eyes brightened as they all ttered everything around them, lining up in front of


    Laura.


    She chuckled and stood up, taking her daughter''s hand as they headed to the kitchen. "There''s a lot of you, so I''ll bring the food when you settle down. The girls can join me and my


    daughter in my room...."


    "We''ll let Emir and the rest have the living room. Is that alright, girls?"


    "Yes, Maam!"


    Like little ducklings, the girls followed their hen mother into the kitchen, leaving Emir behind


    with the guys.


    Emir smiled at that sight, knowing that they would soon grow a close bond with his family,


    committing themselves to protecting them.


    Those who could only be considered as unfortunate for catching his interest were now his


    biggest supporters.


    Mere children of his own corrupted feathers.


    And if someone were to ask him if this was the result that he was aiming for...


    Then he wouldn''t say no.


    Azazel''s ''tragedy'' wasn''t something that he nned for.


    Yet, he didn''t focus on protecting them for a reason.


    Emir simply never saw any worth in keeping them alive, and he always had better uses for the


    main members.


    Guardians to protect his mother and sister at all times...


    Even at the cost of their lives.


    Emir could''ve saved the others from death, but why?


    For what?


    It would only waste his already-stretched time and resources.


    Was it cruel?


    Yes.


    But that didn''t matter to him...


    ''As long as the ends justify the means.''


    Emir''s twisted, dark eyes flickered for a moment as he studied his new family.


    He smiled.


    "What are you guys waiting for? C''mon, let''s y some games!"

 Chapter 210: Judgement Day

    Chapter 210: Judgement Day


    ?


    The day arrived.


    And they walked into the tiger''s den.


    Emir and his family sat on the right side of the court, next to the long walkway that led to the three podiums up front.


    The central dais, elevated the highest, was where the judge appeared, looking to be a different man than before...


    [Lyra?] Emir asked as he looked to his right, his eyes reflecting Amanda''s form.


    [I know him... He''s rted to the target.]


    The judge before them had long gray hair and silverish blue eyes, simr to Eldritch''s appearance, although a slightly watered-down version of him.


    But most importantly, he almost looked to be the same target that Lyra tracked.


    [You know what to do.]


    [I''m on it.]


    Emir''s left hand was then tightly grasped as he felt the soft hand of his sister, whose eyes remained fixated on their mother, standing in front.


    Alone.


    "Don''t worry, kiddo; me and ''Amanda'' got it covered."


    Lily didn''t reply and remained holding his hand, slightly trembling in the process.


    Emir rolled his eyes, then raised her hand and licked it.


    Lily staggered back, hitting Elijah, who was next to her, as she screamed:


    "EWWW! What the hell are you doing?!"


    Emir chuckled and pulled her towards him.


    "You calm now?"


    Lily stared at him for a moment, not knowing what to say, but then she let out a scoff and shook her hand away.


    "Whatever..."


    Emir snickered and returned his attention to his mother, not before sparing a quick nce at Elijah, whose face showed embarrassment at Lily''s idental touch.


    ''Is he crushing on my sister?''


    ''...Should I kill him?''


    ''No.''


    ''It doesn''t matter.''


    ''... He''ll have to be a man first.''


    Only then would he consider that possibility.


    Besides, Lily, although initially intrigued by Elijah, quickly lost her interest.


    Since he had nothing to show besides his looks and the fact that he was once an Elite.


    Never mind that Lilypared every guy she met with her brother, as Emir unknowingly set a high standard for her future husband to reach.


    ng! ng! ng!


    The judge suddenly banged his gavel, getting everyone''s attention.


    "I, Lewis Moonscribe, swear my Oath..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Unlike my predecessor, who''s now under investigation for corruption, not just for his actions against Prince Emporium but the many before them...."


    "I shall follow the UEF''s justice and present a fair case today for both the intiff and the defendant."


    Emir let out a tired sigh.


    ''This oath means nothing....''


    ''I guess we''ll have to interfere at some point.''


    "Let''s begin this trial!"


    ng!


    "Present your case, intiff."


    Simr to the day of their loss, the same man came.


    Hargrove, donning an identical demeanor to the one he had before.


    Confidence.


    However, Hargrove no longer had the backing of the Moonscribes or at least the family head, which made Emir wonder about his new n.


    ...


    The proceedings all went as usual, obviously leaning on the defendants as clear-cut winners of the case.


    Yet Emir saw nothing from Hargrove-no attempt at ckmail or even threats.


    This only made him irritated, which caused his paranoia to take over as his eyes meticulously scanned Hargrove''s every action.


    And suddenly his attention was disrupted as the judge mmed his gavel down.


    "...We will now take a brief recess."


    Lots of mor reced the judge''s departure, all excited at the unfolding events, but a single corner of the courtroom remained quiet.


    The people there were all affected by Emir''s state.


    His dark eyes were the deepest shades of ck, his face eerily calm as he looked at where the judge left.


    [You find anything?]


    [He looks clean... His only blemish is his cousin, our target.] Lyra answered after a moment.


    [I see... Then let''s follow the judge. Do your magic.]


    [Give me a moment, I''ll disable the cameras.]


    A few seconds went by, and then came Lyra''s chant:


    "Shadow Veil."


    Causing both of them to be shrouded in shadows, bing invisible to the naked eye.


    "Brother?...."


    "What?!"


    Lily''s reaction was that of surprise; Elijah was too, but they both soon understood Emir''s actions and acted as if nothing was wrong.


    Lyra led Emir down the carpet into the main podium as they jumped andnded on it with no noticeable movements to the environment.


    They walked past a few offices that housed many of what seemed to be attorneys, a few libraries, and break rooms.


    Until their steps paused as Lyra passed an office that had Lewis''s name written above it.


    They stood outside, and then Emir lowered himself, sticking his ear to the door, in an attempt


    to listen in to whatever conversation was ongoing inside.


    But he heard nothing.


    [...I think they''ve got a barrier up.]


    [Then I''ll shadow Meld in there; you can listen to their conversation through the feed.]


    Emir nodded and looked for a ce to hide, as he knew that Lyra''s ability range wouldn''t


    hold.


    It didn''t take him long to find one, as what other ce was better than the roof?


    He gripped onto the wall and used it as footing.


    Then he jumped up and held on to the chandelier above.


    The chandelier swung lightly from side to side until he reached the top and was parallel to the


    ground like a spider.


    A Fangd.


    [I''m ready.]


    [Uhn.]


    The shadows obscuring Emir disappeared as he watched Lyra meld into the shadows.


    His HUD soon showed Lyra''s POV as she remained right underneath Lewis and another man,


    talking in hushed tones.


    She had bypassed their istion barrier undetected.


    "I told you a thousand times already; I''vee from Seraphina Moonscribe herself!"


    ''I know that bitch...''


    "You know that it''s in your best interests to ept this money and do what you''re told."


    ''Seriously?''


    "...I''ve got my own integrity to uphold, sir."


    "And I''ve heard that the MoonScribes won''t unjustifiably interfere with matters rting to


    the UEF again, so why are you here?"


    The man sneered.


    "That''s none of your business. Now tell me... what do you truly want? Is the money not


    enough?"


    "Yes... I''ll be risking my job here; I need a couple more Valora at least."


    ''Integrity indeed.'' Emir mused inwardly.


    "Fine!"


    The hooded man took out seven coins from his pocket and threw them at the table in front of


    Lewis.


    "Now go do it!"


    Leaving those words behind, the man exited the office.


    A bbergasted Emir watched over his departure.


    ''....That''s it?''


    ''I get why he doesn''t want Lewis to swear an oath, but....''


    ''Everything ends just like that?''


    ''No grand n?''


    ''This Seraphina thinks that just bribing the judge is enough?''


    ''...''


    ''Did I overestimate them?''


    Hundreds of simr thoughts went through Emir''s head at that moment.


    Seraphina, Elijah''s older sister.


    Emir understood that she wanted Elijah dead, and this was one of her steps in doing so.


    Not swearing an oath meant that they ounted for the CCA''s history record, which also


    meant that they didn''t want this to be known by anyone.


    So she had a functioning brain that came up with contingency ns...


    Or did she?


    ''I don''t know...''


    ''Like really? That''s it?''


    Emir scoffed as he slowly lowered himself from the chandelier, dropping down onto the


    ground.


    His feet stepped closer to the door, and his hand pushed it wide open.


    The room housed a greedy Lewis who was hoarding all his Valora into a lock hidden behind his


    desk.


    Just as he noticed Emir''s arrival, his eyes shot up in shock.


    "Who are you?! Weren''t you told that I had private matters to attend to?"


    "Shut up..." Emir mumbled, barely able to suppress his rage.


    "What did you say? Speak-"


    Bang!


    Emir shut the door behind him and rushed forward, grabbing Lewis by the throat.


    Immediately, the Aether in their surroundings turned thick, creating a bubble of Aether.


    Emir''s Aether control wasn''t great yet, so unlike the man before him, his istion barrier would allow their voices to leave the room.


    Though it would''ve been distorted, almost inaudible.


    And that was enough.


    "I SAID SHUT UP!"


    "O-okay calm down... I don''t want any problems." Lewis stuttered while struggling to


    breathe.


    Emir let out a sigh and then dragged Lewis''s body back to a chair and threw him on it.


    "First.... Tell me, how''s your day?"


    His words, unlike before, were serene, as if talking to a long-lost friend, causing surprise to


    show on Lewis''s face.


    "I-It''s alright. I''ve had better, haha...."


    "Well, hopefully, it gets better after today. It looks like someone gave you a good tip for your services." Emir said with a wink.


    "Hahaha.... What can I say, people like me."


    "You''re a man with integrity; of course people would like you!"


    Lewis breathed, barely able to control his emotions.


    "....Thank you for your kind words, sir."


    Emir then stepped closer to him and walked behind him, lowering his head until he reached


    Lewis''s ear.


    "But I''ve seen a nephew of yours visit a forbidden ce, Judge Lewis..." He whispered.


    "W-what do you mean?"


    Emir spun the chair around, and they now locked eyes with each other.


    A trembling silver blue opposing the deepest of cks.


    "The Order.... having someone close to you openly interact with them will spell your doom,


    my friend."


    His blues'' widened, and his body began to shake as if experiencing a seizure.


    "I-I don''t know w-what you''re talking about!"


    Lewis struggled as he spoke.


    His voice hitched, and his eyes kept failing at their attempts to leave Emir''s as if they were


    glued to him.


    Like a terrified man, scared of death yet unable to keep his eyes off it.


    And indeed, this was a literal manifestation of that word:


    Death.


    Aether itself became infused with Emir''s overwhelming killing intent.


    It flowed around them like a shroud of malevolence, and Lewis, caught in its grasp, couldn''t


    look away.


    He was trapped, watching his own death unfold before him in Emir''s void-like sockets, eyes


    that seemed to absorb all light.


    In those moments, he experienced every conceivable form of agony.


    Lewis was stabbed, cut, gutted, burned, pummeled, drowned, frozen, electrocuted, and even


    skinned alive.


    He saw himself die over and over again, on repeat.


    A never-ending cycle of nightmares.


    And as he teetered on the precipice of madness, a few words, like a soothing whisper, reached


    into his fractured mind with an inexplicable calm:


    "Don''t fail me, Lewis..."


    The words echoed in his consciousness, anchoring him to reality and to the man whose gaze


    bore into his very soul.


    It was as if those words carried the weight of purpose thatprised all his life.


    Every year that marked his journey, every decision, and every breath...


    Had led up to this.


    He had to follow this man''s demands.


    Lewis couldn''t let him down.


    HE MUST NOT FAIL HIM!

 Chapter 211: Rumination

    Chapter 211: Rumination


    ?


    Lyra and Emir returned to their seats among the audience, surprising their family by appearing again out of nowhere.


    And they had something with them that they hadn''t before.


    A bag that jingled with clinking coins at every swing from Lyra''s hand.


    "What''s in there?" Lily asked as she tapped Emir''s back.


    Emir chuckled and gestured for Lyra to answer, which she did:


    "Just a few Valora that we got as a gift from our new friend."


    Lily rolled her eyes while Elijah showed slight scorn towards their actions, understanding the meaning behind Lyra''s words.


    "Elijah, mate. You''re now one of us now, and if you can''t even ept the gray, then you''d be better off going somewhere else."


    Emir said with an annoyed tone as he looked back at his mother.


    "He''s right, you know..." Lily added with a giggle.


    Elijah grew embarrassed, but then he looked back at Emir, about to rebuke him...


    Only for him to be shut down:


    [Your sister wants you dead; they tried to bribe our new friend, you see.]


    [You should''ve known this already, but you''re too much of a coward to do anything about it.]


    Emir let out a sigh.


    "I''ve ced a bet on you by inviting you into our family; never forget that."


    "...I-I understand... big brother."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lily looked at Elijah in amusement, while Emir and Lyra did the same.


    "Ah, I didn''t mean to say that..." Elijah added, extremely embarrassed.


    "A. You''re so cute~."


    "It''s fine, lil bro, call me whatever you like."


    "A cutie indeed."


    ng! ng! ng!


    Their voices were soon drowned out as a gavel''s bang resounded in the courtroom, announcing the arrival of a terrified but determined Lewis, who barely held himself up to his podium.


    "The court is in session." He quietly spoke.


    "I, Lewis, with the help of my jury and attorneys, havee to a decision."


    Low gasps and murmurs echoed through the space as his words reached the audience. ng!


    Just as he swung down his gavel, he stated:


    "The defendant is deemed not guilty of all the charges presented by the intiff!"


    "All previous decisions affecting the defendant shall no longer be allowed, and further rumination will be given!"


    ''Niceee!''


    Emir''s body suddenly began to shake, but that wasn''t because of his relief.


    It was due to Lily''s handy excitement.


    Even Lyra and Elijah were swept up in the mood of victory.


    "You did it, Emir! You did it!!"


    "You''re the best b-big bro!"


    [No one beats you at intimidation.]


    Emir smiled at their reactions; even his mother was looking back at him with absolute happiness all over her face.


    He then nced to his right and grabbed Lyra''s hand.


    [And it was all thanks to you...]


    Lyra squirmed for a second, not expecting to hear his direct praise, but she grew ecstatic nheless.


    [Of course... I''d do anything for you; you know that.]


    [I do know that.] He replied with a chuckle.


    "Your honor! I must have a word!" Laura''s voice then cut through the atmosphere as she raised her hand.


    "Please do speak, Ms. Laura."


    "This rumination, does it include supporting ourpany? It had been heavily impacted by what previously happened."


    "... Yes it does. The losses during that period will be repaid.... Furthermore, any operational expenses will also be included."


    Laura nodded.


    "But your honor...."


    "What about emotional damage?"


    Emir''s smile grew wider at his mother''s words, struggling to contain himself fromughing


    out loud.


    ''Way to go, mom! Keep on!''


    Lyra, Lily, and Elijah showed simr grins on their faces, proud to be presented by her.


    While Laura and Lewis went back and forth, going on about suing them for damages and whatnot, Emir happily chatted with the rest.


    He then looked to the other side of the court noticing Hargrove''s shocked face.


    The man appeared to not yet understand what just urred as he silently sat there, his eyes


    nk.


    Meanwhile, hispany were already packing up their things, preparing to leave.


    Emir wanted nothing more than to walk up to him and p him shitless, but he had ns for


    himter.


    Something that would bring him a lot more pain than a few punches...


    Minutes passed, and an agreement was reached as Lewis mmed his gavel down for the final


    time.


    "This announces the end of this session."


    "Thank you all for being cordial today, and you may now take your leave."


    The prince stood up and approached his mother while waving Lewis goodbye, a sadistic grin wide on his face.


    -


    Emir brought his mother into a gentle hug, with Lyra and Lily joining in the fun as they all stood just before the building''s exit, congratting her on a job well done.


    Elijah was left out, but Lily dragged him in, and they formed a massive family head-butting


    match.


    "Seriously, Mom, you made me so proud today..."


    "I saw you leaving, sweetie; I know you did something~."


    Emir chuckled and let go, stepping away from the mayhem.


    "I only made it fair... You did most of the work."


    He then left his smiling mother and approached Lyra, who now stood beside the exit.


    [What''s up?]


    [It''s flooded by news reporters; when we leave, they''ll crowd us, asking for interviews.]


    [Ah... forgot that those pests exist; I''ll go deal with them.]


    Emir turned around and headed to the outside, but his steps paused as he heard Lyra''s voice


    urgently echo in his mind:


    [Wait!]


    Surprised, Emir faced her.


    [Something happen?]


    [Make sure to control your ability.... They didn''t notice it, but you''re really agitated right


    now.]


    Emir tilted his head.


    [Ability? Is that what the feeling was?]


    [Yes, you unknowingly unlocked an ability rting to killing intent.]


    ''The good news keeps oning~.''


    His eyes soon saw a hologram of his system screen, and he scrolled down until he reached his


    abilities.


    {Death''s Shadow: This ability causes the user''s eyes to darken like an abyss, projecting a potent illusion of the opponent''s unending demise. This chilling vision can paralyze the target in fear, rendering them vulnerable inbat, regardless of their willpower. Only


    effective against Knight sub-rank Ascendants and lower.}


    ''.... Not bad at all, it''ll be incredibly useful.''


    [Thanks Ly.]


    [Is that my nickname now?] She replied with a soft giggle.


    [It fits, no? Ly could be an acronym for many things too.]


    [Does it include love you? Longing for you? Yearning maybe?]


    [It includes loyalty, Lyra... something I ce importance on the most....]


    [You went back to your home base and came back, and that means a lot to me.]


    Lyra''s smile brightened, and her eyes revealed the depth of her feelings.


    [Loyalty, huh? I like that.... Prince.]


    [But you know that I hold much more than just that for you.]


    Emir returned her smile.


    [I know.... But that''s all that I can give right now-a rare treasure in this world.]


    As they talked telepathically, the chaos of their family''s celebration continued around them.


    His mother, sister and Elijah were engaged in lively conversations andughter.


    A stark contrast to the intense situation they were just in.


    ''Love to see it...''


    Emir soon turned back to the group, his expression calm and his newfound ability under


    control.


    He approached his mother, who was still surrounded by the cute duo.


    "Ready to face the reporters?" she asked with a knowing smile.


    Emir nodded.


    "As ready as I''ll ever be."

 Chapter 212: A Warning

    Chapter 212: A Warning


    ?


    Together, they made their way to the building''s exit, where a crowd of reporters had indeed gathered.


    Cameras were thrust forward, their operators eager to capture every word and image.


    "Mr. Emir, how does it feel to have your family''s personal life under such intense scrutiny?" Emir''s gaze momentarily flickered to something in the distance.


    "I''d say it''s quite... eye-opening."


    "I don''t know why people are so interested, but that doesn''t Matter to me. A private life is what I and my family want so please show us some respect."


    "We''ve heard some allegations of impropriety in your personal finances. Care toment on that?"


    Emir''s face showed a soft smile.


    "Well, I can assure you that our financial matters are in Good hands. In perfect Order, one could say "


    "Ms. Amanda, some have suggested that your rtionship with Mr. Emir is purely strategic. Is that true?"


    Lyra''s lips curled into a faint smile.


    "In every partnership, there''s a certain degree of strategy involved, wouldn''t you say?"


    "Ms. Laura, how do you respond to usations that your son''s activities are putting your family at risk?"


    Laura nced at Emir and then back at the reporter.


    "We''re a resilient family, and we support each other through thick and thin."


    "Ms. Lily, how do you feel about your brother overshadowing you as such?"


    Lily rolled her eyes.


    "Pride."


    "Ms. Amanda, your history is a bit of a mystery. Can you share more about your background and how you became involved with Mr. Emir?"


    Lyra''s gaze held unnoticeable contempt towards the reporter.


    "...Let''s just say that sometimes the most intriguing stories remain untold."


    "Mr. Elijah, we''ve heard of your sudden ''departure'' from the MoonScribe family; can youment on that?"


    Elijah''s face contorted for a moment, but after a pat from Lily, he sighed and simply answered:


    "...No."


    "Mr. Emir, can you exin how you managed to ''convince'' the judge to rule in your favor this time?"


    Emir let out a chuckle.


    "It''s all about... Using Strategic and morally right perspectives."


    "Mr. Elijah, do you feel that you''re being unfairly treated by Emir and his family?"


    Elijah showed a wide smile, almost dazzling the reporter.


    "We didn''t live long together, but I already feel at home. I could''ve never asked for a better family to have taken me in-"


    "Ms. Amanda, your association with Mr. Emir is highly controversial. Do you feel like you''re living in his shadow?"


    Lyra leaned closer to the microphone.


    "Sometimes shadows hold their secrets, don''t you think?"


    "Ms. Laura, yourpany''s rise has been meteoric. Can you honestly say you''ve never done anything illegal?"


    Laura''s tone was unwavering.


    "Our sess is a result of hard work, integrity, and-"


    "Mr. Emir, rumors suggest you have a private army. Are you preparing for some kind of coup?"


    Emir chuckled softly.


    "I''ve always believed in being prepared for the unexpected. You never know when situations might... Call Me or my team into action."


    The reporters descended upon them like a wave.


    Cameras constantly shed, questions came fast and furious, but they maintained


    composure.


    Laura stood by Emir''s side, and they were a reassuring presence to the little ones behind.


    She even asionally fielded questions herself, speaking of her children''s bravery and the family''s unity.


    Lilyshed out a few times when some reporters suggested that she was envious of Emir''s aplishments.


    Lyra kept her mysterious demeanor, dancing around every question.


    Elijah was the only quiet one of the bunch.


    These people were his family and Emir was grateful for them.


    They had always been there for him, supporting him through every challenge.


    They were his rock, his motivation, and the source of his strength.


    And so... he would never allow anyone to ask too rude a question, even to their new member.


    A calm center in the storm, Emir''s subtle projection of Death''s Shadow was hidden beneath the surface, affecting only those who sought harm.


    Those who showed respect saw only aposed, charismatic, and slightly scary young man who ''honestly'' answered questions.


    Completely unaware that he was providing subtle hints to a certain someone in his answers. As they continued to mor for attention, he took a moment to nce at Lyra.


    She gave him a nod, and he knew their time to leave hade.


    "Sorry everyone, we''ll get going now! Make way!"


    Emir led his family through the crowd, pushing those who blocked his path away while keeping his family within arms reach in case anything unexpected happened.


    And soon, they escaped the premises.


    Yet the reporters remained hounding them, following them into the streets.


    But that didn''t matter to them as they had an escape n ready.


    Lyra already prepared a vehicle outside, parked near the sidewalk.


    Emir was informed of its location and then headed towards it, ignoring the pests surrounding


    them.


    ...


    m!


    A sighing Emir closed a door behind him as he sat in the front seat of their de Runner.


    He nced in the rear-view mirror, watching his family make themselvesfortable in


    their seats.


    "Nicely done, everyone; keeping calm with those things must''ve been tough."


    "Of course! I''m the best."


    Lily''s voice boomed after his, causing them all to join each other inughter.


    But suddenly, a ring echoed through the cruiser, bringing silence in its wake. Emir didn''t bother picking up his terminal and used the center console to answer the call.


    With his finger tapping on the steering wheel, he said:


    "Hey, Magnus! d you heard my message; I''ve wanted to talk to you for a long time now...."


    Muffled gasps resounded behind him, but Emir paid them no heed, concentrating on the


    conversation instead.


    "....."


    "A convo between the noose and the neck is long overdue, don''t you think?"


    "...So no more ying who talks first?"


    Magnus''s voice reverberated through the cruiser''s speakers, unexpectedly friendly, not high


    in pitch nor low, sounding like the average everyday man...


    "No... I''ve had enough mind games. We''ve been ying around too much...."


    "And I think it''s better that we get to the point."


    "So... what do you want? What do you want from me?"


    Magnus sounded a chuckle.


    "What do I want? Me from you? Are you sure you''re asking the right questions? You-"


    "Get to the point." Emir cut him off, his tone cold.


    "...My friend, you''re many years.... Actually, you''re hundreds of years away from thinking of


    asking me such questions."


    "Shut up, seriously, I''ve had enough..." Emir mumbled out.


    "You wanted to control me since the day I was born."


    "You, you tried, but you failed."


    "And now... You involved my family."


    "I''ve sworn to kill you once, and I''ll do it again."


    "You know the saying, give me liberty or give me death?"


    "No, stop rambling-"


    "Well, I''ll take my own freedom." Emir cut him off again.


    "Magnus one day...."


    "One day you will have to answer for your actions, and unlike those ''gods,'' I''ll not be so


    merciful..."


    "My de will find itself through your brain."


    "Your heart will find itself crushed by my hand..."


    "I swear this Oath to you."


    Magnus''sugh boomed within the cruiser.


    "Oath?"


    "You? And oaths?"


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯ -"


    "Ugh, too loud; shut up!"


    Magnus''s maddenedugh quietened at Emir''s words.


    "Haaaah.... You, my friend, talking about oaths is a funny thing...."


    "Not when I know that you still have the dirt on those Moonscribe ants."


    "But that doesn''t matter."


    "Go ahead. Release it..."


    "Let''s light this candle, huh?"


    "I mean, sure, I''ll lose everything, but then..."


    "I''ll have nothing to lose."


    Emir sneered.


    "We both know neither you nor I want that."


    Magnus and Emir understood the consequences.


    If the Order was discovered to be going against the same rules that all other factions and


    gctic federations abided by, then....


    A war would ensue.


    Spanning the entirety of the universe.


    Those at the Paragon rank would be involved. Maybe even those primordials of the long past. And at the end, this war would bring about Magnus''s head.


    But before it could even take ce, Magnus would make sure of Emir''s demise.


    "You''ve been too disobedienttely, and I''ve been lenient with you...."


    "I''ll still be."


    "You see, I can''t afford to lose you...."


    "I can still control you, subject 777, an Eternal Star."


    "And trust that I won''t fail next time."


    "I''ll never fail."


    "But you did." Emir rebuked.


    "Shut up! ... You know the future, don''t you?"


    Emir nodded.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Hm-Hm."


    "Well, this time, my hounds will be directly involved...."


    "So, just be sure to keep your promise... after all, it''s the Earth''s lifeline."


    Emir scoffed, his fingers still tapping. "Whatever you say." After a quick pause, Magnus added:


    ".... And by the way, is Lyra there? Say hi to her, now won''t you?"


    "I''m still excited to see how your story will unfold."


    His words caused Lyra to show surprise as she immediately asked:


    "Were you the agent?"


    Emir turned to her with raised brows.


    [You know him?]


    "Yes, she does." Magnus answered in her stead.


    "And don''t worry, she''s not cheating on you."


    "I just controlled one of my agents back then to keep a direct eye on you and her. But I guess I


    should''ve done more to keep you asleep."


    "Who would''ve known that those of the Star had such capabilities..."


    "And here I thought that AIs wouldn''t be bing sentient after The Age of Koh-I-Noor."


    "...Heh, I''m fine; that thought never crossed my mind... I mean, if you could see her face right now, you''d think the same."


    Emirmented while looking at Lyra''s rage-filled form, simr to the past and current Lily,


    both barely able to suppress themselves fromshing out at Magnus.


    Sounding augh, the Order''s Tenth leader spoke, his voice now low:


    "I am sure you realize this already, but I have to ask...."


    "This game that we have here. It''s a rigged one. It''s been rigged from the start, and you..."


    "You''re on the losing side of it."


    "So do you think that you are up to the task of winning?"


    ||


    11


    "...It would be hard for me too, so I definitely wouldn''t like to be you."


    Tsk!


    Emir clicked his tongue and mmed his hand down on the steering wheel; his constant


    tapping had now stopped.


    ''I''ll end the talk; I ain''t getting anything more out of this.''


    "Just fuck off with this shit!"


    "You''re crazy, man, like a different type of crazy. You seriously need to be studied..."


    "Actually, you know what?"


    "What, you mad-"


    "Just go choke on an alien sandwich and die, you greedy dick head, filthy¡ª"


    Toot toot~


    Emir let out a chuckle as the call ended.


    "...Well, I guess that got him."


    "And sorry about all the swearing, Mom; just please don''t lecture meter."


    A trembling sigh escaped Laura''s lips.


    "...I won''t. Let''s just go home."

 Chapter 213: Oracle

    Chapter 213: Oracle


    ?


    ***


    Amidst a backdrop of clustered Aether, a figure''s silhouette loomed.


    ''Its'' presence was a specter among Aether''s intangible currents that permeated the space, creating a veil that hid ''It.''


    With fluid motions, the figure''s hand weaved through the air, conjuring holograms of data that unfurled mountains of information reaching high above.


    Each holographic burst withplex symbols, numbers, letters, and flowing lines, only to dissipate with a single, casual nce.


    Some watching this scene might wonder about ''Its'' actions.


    But to the figure itself... that was a menial task.


    The task of deciding another''s future.


    With every gesture, every nce, trillions of lives crossed ''Its'' mind.


    Data from the day of their conception to the date of their approximated death.


    Information regarding their daily lives, rtionships, work, and most importantly, their use to the government....


    To the systems in ce.


    The figure simply receivedpiled data from other AI systems.


    Systems that were responsible for the many sections of the known universe.


    Those systems were also responsible for managing the intricacies of the factions within them.


    Meaning that even though all the systems came from the same tree, each root had different sets of rules and cultures.


    Their own unique impact on the universe.


    Even more so for Gctic Federations other than the Order.


    And this figure had to take all of that into ount as ''It'' made ''Its'' decisions.


    But that didn''t seem to affect ''It'' in any way.


    As if this was another day for ''It.''


    Another Monday.


    However, ''It'' suddenly stopped; ''Its'' hand paused as ''It'' received a call from one of the smaller systems.


    "ept Connection."


    "''!) @ ! * $ ! ) $@!@#%!"


    "Change frequency, match system..."


    "One, the Sol''s domain."


    Soon, a voice crackled through the empty space:


    "Can you hear me, Lord Oracle?"


    "Yes, system one. What might be the issue?"


    "The information has already been sent to you, Lord; I''m awaiting your judgment!"


    "Understood."


    The connection was paused for a moment as the Oracle essed the information....


    And then suddenly, all the Aether around ''It'' ceased to exist.


    Like dissipating smoke, the Aether rose to the void above.


    The Oracle was hidden no longer.


    And ''Its'' face showed emotion....


    Something that had never happened since ''It'' reached the primordial sub-rank.


    ''It'' never once showed emotion, not even when their mothend came back to life at the fourth epoch.


    The Age of Rebirth.


    Thest time ''It'' ever felt something was during the third Epoch.


    The Age of Endless Chaos.


    The time when the Eternal Star n fell.


    And now they had finally shown themselves again.


    It was an heir of theirs.


    Emir.


    A boy with a future that the Oracle premeditated.


    A future that was not only calcted by ''It'' but also prophesized.


    The ability to calcte the future was scary enough, but prophesying it as well was...


    Absolutely terrifying.


    Yet ''It'' never once expected the boy to be a prince of the Star.


    When the Order asked the Oracle to prophesize the boy''s future, ''It''plied as per ''Its'' neutral rules over the known universe.


    But, ''It'' didn''t further investigate the boy, only extracting glimpses of what could be his


    future.


    The future of those around him.


    Those he passed by the street.


    Those he considered and would consider friends or family.


    Those he deemed and would deem as brothers.


    Those he would teach as students.


    Those he would teach as disciples.


    Those he killed and would kill, thought of as unfortunate for crossing his path.


    Those he would lose.


    Dead in his arms.


    And finally...


    The boy''s own death.


    Now, however, the Oracle realized how rash ''Its'' judgment was.


    Like all of those with Sultan''s blood, Emir was an heir of the Eternal Star n.


    A child of a primordial, an Apex.


    The Sultan Of Sands.


    Someone of great importance to the universe.


    A man with a future capable of changing it to its entirety.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Both the known and unknown.


    Showing a calm smile on ''Its'' human-like face, Aether soon returned around the Oracle.


    Which hid ''Its'' blurry features once again.


    After re-initiating the connection with system one, ''It'' spoke, with a voice that sounded to be


    neither male nor female:


    "No other actions will be taken; we shall keep our ''neutrality''."


    "Even though he went against thew of the Oath and the Binding Contract?"


    "I shall not repeat myself, system one."


    "Understood Lord."


    As the connection between the Oracle and the system was severed, the enigmatic being


    remained suspended in the boundless expanse of Aether.


    ''Its'' gaze then fixated upon the celestial tapestry above, where stars glittered.


    In that silence, the Oracle''s voice resonated through the realm, echoing with a weight that


    transcended mere sound:


    "Were you all listening?"


    In response to ''Its'' call, ten figures emerged from the cosmos.


    They manifested like shadowy phantoms, their features veiled by a shroud of Aether.


    It was amon trait that they shared.


    Though not as intensely concealed as the Oracle itself...


    Not as absolute.


    These beings gathered around, encircling the Oracle, their presence causing ripples in the


    fabric of the Aether around them.


    They were now awaiting ''Its'' decree.


    "Yes, Lord Oracle."


    A collective reply echoed, but only for a short moment.


    "...Have I not warned you to not eavesdrop?"


    As the Oracle''s voice snuffed them out with an undercurrent of unending power.


    ''Its'' eyes prated their veils as if they were nothing, revealing the depths of ''Its''


    overwhelming strength.


    In response to ''Its'' reprimand, palpable tension hung in the void.


    The surrounding figures tensed, their forms seemingly poised for a confrontation, as if the


    slightest spark might ignite a cosmic battle.


    However, the Oracle remained an epitome of neutrality.


    ''Its'' countenance, once adorned with a serene smile, had now transformed into nkness.


    Timeless wisdom emanated from ''It,'' holding all those in ''Its'' presence in a silence that


    matched the stillness of the very void they ''stood'' on.


    "I shall not warn you again...."


    "But before I dismiss you all, know that I deem that boy the epithet...."


    (.....Prince Of The Fallen...)


    Soft murmurs echoed through the space as a reply.


    Though they were in the void of the universe, their voices transcended the need for air, as they


    simply used Aether in their every action.


    Fitting their caliber as the strongest of men and women.


    They appeared surprised, yet they didn''t dare question the Oracle.


    So they simply nodded and left....


    Almost as if they were never there in the first ce.


    And now that the Oracle was alone, ''It'' looked at Emir''s image for a few moments.


    ''Its'' blurred gaze soon turned dark, imagining the boy''s bleak future.


    His starless destiny.


    The Oracle couldn''t interfere; ''It'' had no desire to either. Although it felt for the boy, that was it, as he held no importance in ''Its'' eyes.


    At least not the current him.


    Emir had no useful information to provide.


    So using him to get the whereabouts of the Eternal Star n was impossible.


    The Oracle then returned to ''Its'' unending work, now swiping away and dragging again.


    [Volume 2: Children Of The Corrupted Feathers]


    [End]

 Chapter 214: Cycle—Marcus

    Chapter 214: Cycle¡ªMarcus


    ?


    ***


    Marcus Aurelius POV


    A man approached my room, my sanctuary.


    His name was Emir.


    Lyra showed me his achievements, and I was impressed.


    An Order''s chosen; that''s what he was.


    But there was something more; I knew there was.


    The way he looked at the Script Of Creation was unlike any that I had seen before.


    Emir wasn''t the first of those under the Order and he might not be thest.


    I had allowed many of them toe and ago.


    Those of the past simply looked at the Script and assumed it to be thenguage of the Arcane.


    But Emir seemed to immediately realize its importance.


    That''s when I knew I had to talk to him.


    ...


    I gave him a trial.


    I knew he wouldn''t like it, but I did so anyway.


    My excuse was that my code wouldn''t allow me to give away something for free.


    It wasn''t a lie.


    Though to be honest, I could''ve just given him the simplest of tasks.


    But I wanted to see what he was made of.


    I was interested in him.


    Emir was spunky and wild.


    Although he attempted to hide it, I saw that he was different...


    Especially whenpared to those who came before him.


    He appeared to be the type of guy who would make you sell yourself while you''d help him count the money he gained from selling you.


    In short, he was calctive beyond measure.


    But he also had deep sadness within him.


    Yet... Emir was no victim.


    As if the concept of such a thing didn''t exist in his mind.


    This wasn''t something the man noticed himself, but his pride didn''t allow him to feel that way.


    And he acted in a way befitting his name.


    A prince.


    A man among men.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, that wasn''t all.


    Emir showed genuine respect when he met those like myself who deserved it.


    I''m not one to brag, but everyone must admit that I''m amazing.


    After all, I was the one who solved Earth''s biggest problem.


    ''Anyways enough about me; now what was I thinking?''


    ''Oh, right....''


    Emir also showed his innate desire to fight, as if it was ingrained in his blood.


    This only grew my interest in him more.


    ''I have to see what he''s made of!''


    ...


    I returned to my holographic throne and sat on it.


    It was made of soft gold, worthy of my presence.


    My surroundings, which were once a clear white, soon grew as dark as a moonless night.


    After making myselffortable, I raised my right hand and showed my palm.


    A coffee mug appeared.


    Slurp.


    I took a sip.


    Then a sigh escaped my mouth.


    "What in the seven hells is he doing?!"


    This boy was more deranged than I thought.


    Maligorths lived on this I chose.


    Emir wasn''t supposed to fight any of them but run away at their mere sight.


    Another sigh left my lips.


    "I guess I''ll be losing another..."


    "But he showed a lot of promise; should I save him?"


    My head shook in response.


    "No, I shouldn''t."


    I drank some more and let the mug rest mid-air.


    "If a chosen one can''t even survive this, then what hope do we have on Earth?"


    My left hand rose from thefy armchair, threatening to shut down the massive holoscreen


    before me.


    But just before I did so, I heard Maligorth converse with Emir.


    My right hand then raced towards my mug and punched it away.


    It instantly dissipated into particles of light.


    Then a box of popcorn and a fizzy drink appeared before my throne.


    The drink floated into my throne''s cup holder, and the popcorn to my left hand.


    "Interesting."


    Crunch!


    I kept snacking away as my eyes witnessed something that I had never seen before.


    ...


    "You''re going to die, you goddamn Neanderthal!"


    For the past while, I had been screaming at the top of my nonexistent lungs.


    "Why are you attacking needlessly? Just run!"


    It seemed that I grew invested in this boy....


    Way more than I would''ve liked to think.


    Emir''s actions gave me one surprise after another.


    And soon, my eyes widened even further.


    "This boy!"


    I had finally realized that he was setting a trap for the Maligorth.


    Every attack that appeared to be directed at the monster was in fact aimed at the ground itself.


    "Way to go!"


    I cheered him on.


    It was fun seeing him lead a being above him so easily.


    Stomp! Emir''s dominant foot was the final part of his act, as the ground crumbled and a roar echoed


    in the cave.


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯!"


    ...


    "Rest well, you wicked boy; you deserve it!"


    Emir had finally chanced upon a safe ce to rest, and he had fallen asleep.


    Munch. Munch. Munch.


    I finished my popcorn and drink.


    And as soon as they were gone, I turned off the holoscreen.


    A desk appeared right after.


    "Man... I didn''t have this much fun in a long, long time."


    For that, I wished to thank him at least.


    I sincerely hoped that he would survive.


    Not only for the questions that I wanted to be answered.


    But for the hope he had given me.


    ...


    My days, like usual, were spent on menial tasks.


    I chased out those who came too close and killed those of the Liberation Army.


    Those of Temr came by as well, but they didn''tst long either.


    Unlike the group of twelve from before, those who came couldn''t handle the S-ranked


    monsters that I had set upon them.


    "Ahhhhh, this fucker will not stop chasing me!"


    My eyes looked up at the holoscreen.


    Emir was there, who, like usual, was running away from the Maligorth.


    His constant bbering,ining, and shouting grew annoying over time.


    If my ears were real, I probably would''ve developed a rash because of his never-ending curses


    that must never befall any child.


    Each word was worse than the next.


    My first thought at the time was:


    ''Does he kiss his mother with that mouth?''


    But I didn''t know how he lived, so I stopped it at that.


    I wasn''t one to discuss or think of such things.


    Anyways, Emir just had another narrow escape.


    Like before, he tricked the monster''s senses using another ruse of his.


    It seemed as if he would never run out of cards to y.


    At the start, each encounter was fun to watch.


    I enjoyedmentating as if it were a TV show.


    I was so entertained that I forgot the fact that I had to go meet him.


    But now... I finally grew bored of it.


    And I remembered.


    Like every other long-lived being, my attention span was quite an issue.


    A sigh escaped me.


    "I guess I need to talk to him now..."


    I left my seat, and everything turned bright.

 Chapter 215: Parting—Lyra

    Chapter 215: Parting¡ªLyra


    ?


    ***


    Lyra''s POV


    [Right... and speaking of... When are you leaving?]


    The question repeated itself in my mind like an ominous mantra.


    I paused my steps, and soon after, Emir did the same.


    He turned around and faced me.


    We silently looked at each other for a little while.


    And questions began to form.


    ''What do I say?''


    ''What should I say?''


    ''Am I allowed to say something here?''


    ''No, I think-''


    [I know that you don''t want to leave my side again.]


    ''Of course, I don''t.''


    [I can easily guess how much you''ve missed me during all that time I''ve been away and that you don''t want a repeat of that.]


    ''At least you know.''


    [But it''s something that you have to do...]


    ''I understand that.''


    [With the automata, you will be the best at espionage, and you''re the only one I can trust with such an obvious suspect.]


    ''Wait...''


    ''He said he trusted me-not my abilities but me!''


    ''Or maybe I''m projecting.''


    ''It could still mean-''


    [As you said, he is the one we''re looking for; he is on another after all... So we both know that this is something that must be done.]


    My eyes unknowingly welled up with tears while I listened to his words.


    When I noticed, I fought hard to keep them at bay, but it was a struggle.


    ''Should I tell him?''


    ''Should I just dump all my emotions on him?''


    ''H-he doesn''t love me, but he needs me...''


    ''Emir will ept me, right?''


    Many doubts clouded my mind when I walked over to him.


    I hesitated for a moment and wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.


    ''Please give me this at least.''


    He responded by gently pressing my head against his chest, allowing me to feel the warmth I yearned for.


    Thump.


    Thump.


    Thump.


    The steady rhythm of his heart brought mefort, and the soft sound of his breathing resonated in my ears.


    ''He''s here for me; he''ll always be...''


    It was a moment of connection, a shared sense of longing, and a reunion.


    This embrace was a respite from the loneliness I had endured in his absence.


    Every sensation, every heartbeat, felt like a reminder that he was truly there with me.


    And when the time came for us to separate...


    Emir leaned down to kiss my forehead tenderly.


    ''Eek! Stop doing that when you don''t even love me, goddammit!''


    I thought that but couldn''t dare say it.


    I didn''t have the courage; he had alreadyplied with one of my demands.


    What more could I ask from him?


    However, my body didn''t go along with my thoughts, and a blush slowly formed on my -cheeks.


    "This is embarrassing...''


    ''You know what? I''ll get you back.''


    I reciprocated his actions by nting a quick kiss on his cheek.


    Then I instantly turned around.


    I didn''t want to face him.


    I didn''t want to see his reaction.


    It was an emotion too heavy to bear, leaving him on my own ord like that.


    So I kissed him.


    I thought that maybe... he would think about me because of it.


    A simple yet heartfelt gesture.


    A silent expression of my emotions and the love I held for him.


    But I had to leave now.


    I couldn''t stay; I really couldn''t.


    My bursting emotions were barely held under a lid, about to erupt.


    Yet my feet didn''t move.


    I wanted to hear his words, the unspoken ones.


    [I''ll miss you...]


    I needed to tell him off too.


    ''He can''t keep acting like that without expecting someone to fall in love!''


    [And stop being so nice to me; you''re only making it harder for me!]


    ''You jerk.''


    His response took only a moment, but that felt like an eternity.


    [...Sure sure, just say hi to Silent for me, won''t you?]


    And again, he ignored my confession.


    ''But I won''t give up.''


    [I will. Love you...]


    ''How about that? You''ll never see me back down.''


    ...I silentlyughed at my actions.


    And my feet moved forward.


    I didn''t look back.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    What was he doing?


    Had his face shown change?


    I could never know.


    Why?


    ''It''s because I''m a coward...''


    But this coward had things to do.


    After a moment or two, I essed my internal database.


    Recording files that I set up for emergencies showed up.


    My gaze crossed a few andnded on a recording of my exnation to Kiera and her gang.


    Copying it took under a millisecond, and soon it was sent to Mariane.


    Emir told me to talk to her, but she was still discussing the business side of things with


    Laura...


    So I had to make do.


    A few messages went forth, most mentioning what Mariane needed to know.


    By the time I was done, I had already neared the parking lot.


    The gated checkpoint took a moment to pass.


    And the guard, like usual, was staring at me like I was some goddess.


    Yet I didn''t gouge out this ant''s eyes.


    I resisted the urge and left for the cruiser.


    Emir wouldn''t like that; killing with no proper motive was not something he would agree


    with.


    And I would never do something he didn''t like.


    ...If only he looked at me like that, though.''


    ''Maybe just a little.''


    "Then I would be the happiest girl in this universe.''


    A soft giggle left my lips.


    Emir really made me feel like a schoolgirl...


    ''...Now then.''


    A moment passed and my eyes then darkened.


    The cruiser''s door opened up to wee me with a hiss.


    After stepping in, I sat down in the driver''s seat.


    Vroom!


    It turned on.


    Well, I needed to talk to that whore now; at least Silent knew Emir''s worth.


    ''Fucking bitch.''


    [...Arcadia. Silent.]


    [!@*$(!&$(!.....]


    I changed the frequency.


    [Lyra.]


    And a womanly voice replied.


    [Lyra.]


    A gentle but knowledgeable voice came after, epting my telepathic link.


    [Hey, I''ll send you the data.]


    Seconds went by, and soon came Silent''s answer:


    [Sure, but what do I get in return?]


    [Is your programming still an issue?] I said, slightly irritated.


    [...Yes. I can''t live without it; my base is Marcus, and that''ll never change.]


    ''I guess I''ll really have to rely on this whore.''


    [Arcadia will deal with that.]


    [HEY! Why are you bringing me into this?!] ''Look at her acting all stupid.'' [Shut up and do it. It''s a ''reward.'']


    [You''re still hung up on that?! It''s been more than a year!]


    ''That'' which Arcadia mentioned was when she purposely led Emir to discover the truth, and


    awaken from the lies.


    [Yes I am. Now is that good enough, Silent?]


    [It is.]


    [I won''t do it!]


    As if she weren''t there, I continued my conversation with Silent.


    [Alright, I''ll be there in a bit; prepare the portal for Mars.]


    [Heard loud and clear, Madam.]


    [Don''t ignore me- !]


    I closed off the channel.


    Arcadia''s voice was beginning to annoy me.


    The cruiser moved as I stepped on the pedal. And while exiting the parking lot, an idea crossed my mind.


    "Hehe... I hope he''ll like that gift."

 Chapter 216: Visiting The Emporium—Laura

    Chapter 216: Visiting The Emporium¡ªLaura


    ?


    ***


    Laura''s POV


    Emir, my son, exited through the door.


    He brought someone troublesome with little to no warning and dropped her on me.


    While bragging about me during that entire time, might I add.


    ''Isn''t that too much?''


    ''I worry about him sometimes.''


    Rather, I worry about him all the time, but this was more regarding his mental state.


    ''But with this... I''ll at least take a load off him.''


    "Now, let''s talk business."


    ...


    ...


    Mariane was beside me as we finished with all the logistics and legal jargon rted to the merger.


    We decided the split a few days ago, and we were now setting up shop.


    It was in the upper district!


    When I started this whole thing, I never imagined that we''d reach this level.


    Not even with Lyra''s help.


    But I guess... I underestimated her.


    We even had enough money to spend on ten more shops.


    This one shop would be a small rental.


    Well... small whenpared to what Lyra had in her ns.


    Anyways, now we were waiting on Logan.


    He called himself Longshot, so he was another of those gun fanatics, or so I assumed.


    ''Emir will get along well with him.''


    "Why the hell is he taking so long?"


    Marianeined once again.


    An action she repeated in the past many minutes.


    "Who knows."


    I answered simply.


    I didn''t care much for it.


    This man was vetted by Lyra, Emir''s partner in crime.


    His jailer.


    And if she had the smarts to keep my son in check, then this Longshot wouldn''t dare to do shit.


    ''Oops, no swearing.''


    I chuckled at that thought, imagining my cute little daughter reprimanding me.


    And sure enough, my thoughts came true.


    Not the daughter one.


    When the man finally arrived, he huffed and puffed as if he had run a marathon.


    He looked to be a buff middle-aged man with a thick beard and blonde hair.


    His hair was short, so it didn''t cover therge scar that ran down the side of his face. "You''rete."


    At Mariane''sment, Logan began to chuckle nervously while massaging his neck.


    "Haha.... Sorry, boss, it''ll never happen again.


    His voice was dry and heavy.


    It also showed slight sadness.


    ''Why?''


    ''Does he regret joining us?''


    ''I need to know.''


    "Tell me. Why were youte?"


    ||


    || ||


    He remained silent, but I urged him to speak.


    "....I-It was my wife''s anniversary...."


    Usually, in such situations, one would congratte the one who announced such news.


    A happy marriage was, is, and always will be a good thing.


    But not in this world, and I knew this well.


    Logan had hidden a word in his reply.


    It was his wife''s ''death'' anniversary.


    And I didn''t need to verify that.


    Beforeing here, I checked up on Lyra''s report.


    She mentioned that Logan lost both his wife and son while on his journey to this sector, A-11.


    It was amon story.


    He then ended up in a rut.


    Again, it was amon story.


    Depression gued his every breath.


    Many homeless mentioned his wobbled walks through the slums.


    This was where his story branched to the unorthodox.


    During one of those walks, Logan was robbed of all his worth.


    Then one day, he went to exact his revenge in a fit of rage.


    Logan nned to massacre all those who stole from him. But the first of those that crossed his path were a family.


    A broke father asked Logan to buy his services.


    A mother asked Logan to buy her body for a night.


    A child wished to clean Logan''s shoes for a few UC.


    Logan lost his will.


    When he was about to leave, the mother pleaded.


    But he denied her once again.


    "H-How about this then?! You can have my daughter! She''s a virgin! She won''t resist; just


    give..."


    Logan was asked if he wished for her daughter instead.


    Her daughter wasn''t even above the age of six.


    The man was driven to insanity.


    That day, he received his first kill.


    Human kills.


    Four of them.


    He didn''t aim for the children.


    Only for adults.


    But the kids stepped forward to protect their groveling parents.


    And they died a gruesome death.


    That was the day when Longshot was born.


    A man who tasked himself with never missing ever again.


    Another task was formed that day as well.


    Longshot had to survive.


    Not only for himself but for his new daughter as well...


    Yes, Logan had missed the little one.


    Now he had to raise someone, a responsibility he brought upon himself.


    He made ends meet as a dealer selling weapons in the market.


    And the rest was history.


    Huff...


    My eyes teared up for a moment, but I quickly wiped them away.


    ''No... I can''t be weak before my subordinates.''


    A statement that my son bombarded me with until I understood.


    Lyra did so too.


    I felt bad for Logan, but I forced it to stop at that.


    We had no room to sympathize with others.


    ''If I don''t get my life together.''


    "Then I''d have a story simr to his.''


    ''Maybe even worse...''


    "...May she rest in peace."


    Logan thanked me repeatedly, and then, after a few pleasantries, he followed us in.


    We began to discuss the expenses we''d incur.


    They went wild with their ideas, proposing everything they longed to have.


    But I kept reminding them that this shop was only a rental.


    We would eventually buy shops thatbined the merchandise of bothpanies, so they


    had to wait until then.


    --


    When everything was settled, I returned to my shop.


    Jingle~


    The bell rang behind me as my gazended on Raymond and Jamal behind the counter.


    "HEAD BOSS!"


    They saluted me.


    I chuckled at their actions and told them to calm down.


    "But the bossman will kill me...."


    My head tilted at Jamal''s words.


    "You mean Emir?"


    Whenever I heard death or anything rted to it, Emir was the first that came to mind.


    "Yeah, boss."


    And I wasn''t wrong.


    ''Hmmm...''


    ''Well, it''s true.''


    ''Usually, when people are given an inch, they take a mile.''


    ''So I''m better off following dear''s advice then.''


    I nodded.


    "You call Emir bossman now?" "Yep! I talked with the old man, and we decided to call the bossman the bossman since the


    boss-"


    "Alright, alright, when did he leave?"


    I cut him off.


    ''Jamal really likes to hear himself talk.''


    "It wasn''t long..."


    ...


    I talked with them for a while, mainly Raymond, as Jamal left halfway through and then


    headed to my office.


    The chair wasn''t in the previous position I left it in.


    ''Looks like he yed a lot around here...''


    After I sat down, I procured the documents I prepared for the court hearing.


    Those Corpo scoundrels only allowed paper documents in court, and I wasn''t used to handling


    those.


    There were a lot.


    I thenbed through them one by one, making sure that everything Lyra told me to print


    was there.


    ...


    "I''m done...."


    I breathed out while leaning back on the chair, finally finished with my day''s work.


    Ring! Ring!


    I flinched slightly, not used to receiving messages thiste at night.


    ''Did something happen?''


    I quickly fished out my terminal, only to see my worst nightmare unfold on the screen.


    {The court hearing has been brought forward.....}


    My eyes didn''t dare read further.


    I wasn''t scared.


    I wasn''t terrified.


    Or so I wished.


    My nerves were boiling.


    My mind was on the verge of breaking down.


    "No.... T-They''ll take me...."


    No one was there to listen to my stuttering form.


    "Haaaah.... Haah. Haaah....."


    My breathing grew ragged.


    I knew they would pull something, but not this fast.


    Ring! Ring!


    My hand smashed through the papers as I quickly picked up my terminal again.


    "Please be fake, a prank-"


    My mouth paused.


    It was a single message from my son.


    [I''ming home.]


    That was it.


    Nothing more. But that was enough for me to calm down.


    Emir was there.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    My pride and joy. "They won''t take him away from me.''


    "They won''t take my family away from me.''


    I vowed that what happened with Oliver would never be repeated.


    ''And I''ll make sure of it.''


    ''My darling will make sure of it.''


    "Those Elite bastards will taste his wrath.''


    ''Oops...''


    ''I swore again.''

 Chapter 217: Court Hearing—Nathan

    Chapter 217: Court Hearing¡ªNathan


    ?


    ***


    Nathan''s POV


    "Ah, they''re here."


    I pressed a button on my desk, allowing four men to enter my office.


    They saluted before me.


    "Sir Agent!"


    Heavy voices resounded in the closed room.


    "You''re here as?"


    "A family, Sir!"


    I chuckled at their answer.


    ''Four burly mening to visit a manager as a family?''


    ''A funny thing, that is.''


    ''Wait, actually, it makes sense, kind of... not really.''


    ''I mean, they could be some sort of hunter group¡ª'' "Sir!"


    Their voice cut off my thoughts.


    I let out a cough.


    "Hm-hm, I was focused."


    I wasn''t lying.


    I really wasn''t!


    But their eyes didn''t seem to think so.


    "Whatever.... Report!"


    "Nothing from me;st night was quiet, Sir!"


    "Target whored himself out at a club, Sir!"


    "Target tortured a few homeless in the slums, Sir!"


    "Target went to the ck market, Sir!"


    My gaze remained still for a moment.


    ''So another day goes by, and I still didn''t prove myself useful.''


    ''Emir will do everything by himself at this rate.''


    ''What am I even here for?!''


    "Fuck!"


    My right arm banged the table, causing papers to fly about.


    "Is anything wrong, Sir?"


    After letting out a sigh, I looked up at the ceiling.


    "You guys trust me, yeah?"


    "Yes, Sir!"


    "Do you care about why you''re tracking these guys?"


    "We follow orders only, Sir!"


    "Do you want to know?"


    "Yes, Sir!"


    I chuckled.


    "....Then know it''s about the Order."


    The men before me flinched.


    They were trained as assassins and spies, but they still couldn''t hide their surprise.


    "Sir?"


    Their elected leader stepped forward, a question on his pale face.


    "Yes, Ben?"


    "We trust you with our lives; that''s a fact...."


    "But we, who begged you for years to attack them or at least try to, didn''t even make you budge."


    "So why now? What made you do this?"


    Augh involuntarily left my mouth.


    I couldn''t help it.


    How was I supposed to calm myself?


    "A new boss. I''ve got a new boss that means business."


    "Boss? Is he not in the UEF?"


    "Exactly. The best boss you can ask for!"


    "In the short time we worked together, I''ve already done twice as much as I did under the UEF for all those years!"


    || ||


    My men were speechless, but my mouth continued to talk:


    "He might be a bit cruel, insane, and a little deranged, but he''s all good in my books!"


    "He even stopped lying to me..."


    "He treats me with respect, you know?!"


    "And his ns are incredible too... Since the day we were introduced, I''ve only had surprise


    after surprise."


    "He-"


    My words were cut off as one of my men interrupted me:


    "Is he that good, Sir?"


    Anothermented:


    "You sound like you''re talking about your crush, Sir."


    And another:


    "He sounds fun, Sir."


    Their leader stepped forward too.


    "Who is he, Sir?"


    I enjoyed their banter.


    I never really liked a cold base.


    ''Maybe one day I''ll have that with Emir too...''


    But till then and beyond, I''ll remain thankful for the day I took them in from those Ebonfyre


    fuckers.


    My every day turned out slightly better.


    Brighter.


    .... Now enough reminiscing.''


    I turned my attention to their leader.


    A ck-haired, ck-eyed Asian, like the rest of them.


    "Remember the hunter-"


    My hands were immediately raised to cover my mouth.


    ''Ahhhhh!''


    ''I almost killed myself then.''


    ''Shit!''


    ''Note to self....''


    ''Less bragging.''


    ''Otherwise, I''d die.''


    ''Oh, wait.''


    ''Actually, these guys are also under the contract, so it''s fine, right?''


    ''I mean... Lyra wouldn''t allow them in the hunter group otherwise, so they had to have signed it.''


    A sigh escaped my mouth at that false close call.


    I should''ve known this, but I guess I wasn''t there.


    ''Or maybe I just forgot.''


    ''Who knows.''


    ''She probably just sent them.''


    "Did you guys sign the contract?"


    My men looked confused for a moment, but they still answered in unison:


    "Of course, Sir!"


    The man on the farthest left added:


    "You sent it yourself, Sir. Did you forget?"


    I stared at him wide-eyed for a whole second.


    ''No, no, I didn''t.''


    ''What is he on about?''


    ''Was I drunk?''


    ''No.... Wait!''


    "That fucking AI hacked my shit!''


    ''She sent the contract with my name on it!'' ''Ah-wait, I need to speak.''


    "Of course, just making sure."


    I was not about to show myself as stupid.


    "Anyways, it''s Emir. Your and my boss in the hunter group."


    Their reactions were passive as if they expected it.


    ''It was really obvious, wasn''t it?''


    Ring! Ring! ''Ah, that''s Emir.''


    I had a unique ringtone set for him.


    "The boss is calling. Quiet."


    After mymand, I picked up my terminal.


    Tap.


    "Hello, boss."


    "Yo, old manager."


    ''I don''t look that old, do I?"


    ''I think I''m handsome.''


    "You are handsome."


    ''Did he just read my mind?''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Is he in the room?''


    "No, you''re just easy to read."


    ''Ah...''


    "Yes, boss. Thank you for thepliment. Now, more importantly, is there anything that you


    need?"


    "Nah, I''m just here to tell you to end it.... Bye now, I''ll get going."


    "End what?"


    Toot! Toot!


    The call was cut off.


    ''Did I identally turn off my terminal?''


    ''No, it still worked.''


    ''Hmmm.....''


    ''Maybe something happened to him.''


    ''...No, he''s usually like that, so I''ve been given all the information that I needed.''


    I needed to end something.


    ''End what?''


    I looked up at my men.


    And that''s when I realized.


    The court hearing was brought forward.


    ''I, no, we don''t need to track those bastards anymore.''


    ''Shit!''


    Everything had gone to shit.


    Hoooooh.


    ''Breathe, breathe.''


    ''Control yourself, Nathan.''


    ''It''s Emir that you were bragging about so much just a few minutes ago.''


    ''Yeah, he''s got this.''


    ''We''ll be fine.''


    ''I''ll be fine.'' Ting!


    ''Hm? My PC rang up.''


    ''What is it?''


    Some might say that it''s old-school but I still liked having them.


    Not everything needed to be a hologram or a terminal.


    I essed it using my neuralwork and scrolled through a few pages.


    My mind was the ''mouse'' and ''keyboard.''


    Two relics lost to time.


    Soon, I stumbled upon what the notification was about.


    Emir''s personal information page.


    {Age: 14.}


    {Hair: ck. Eyes: ck....}


    My eyes remained on the screen as I zoomed in on the updated section.


    {Will...}


    Emir had updated his will.


    My emotions spilled over like a kettle simmering for years on a stove.


    "WE''RE FUCKED!"

 Chapter 218: Loss—Lily

    Chapter 218: Loss¡ªLily


    ?


    ***


    Lily''s POV


    I had always believed in my brother.


    And today was no different.


    Even though it was judgment day.


    I knew he would pull through like he always did.


    He''s my brother, after all!


    My family wouldn''t-


    ...


    ''Fuck.''


    ''I can''t believe this.''


    ''I don''t want to believe this.''


    I didn''t know what to think.


    I didn''t know what to say.


    Tears began to fall from my eyes.


    Drip.


    Drip.


    They fell to the ground like a waterfall.


    "Heh..."


    ''What should I say?''


    I went to ss like usual.


    I had fun with friends like usual.


    I enjoyed my day like usual.


    As if nothing was happening.


    Why?


    Because I believed in my brother.


    No.


    That wasn''t quite right.


    ''... It was because I pushed off those worries in my mind.''


    ''Yes, I do believe in him, I always will.''


    ''But he''s a human too.''


    In my quest to near his stage of excellence....


    I seemed to have forgotten that.


    ''I''m a bitch, aren''t I?''


    Knock! Knock!


    Mother knocked on my door again.


    But I didn''t respond.


    A quiet chuckle then escaped my lips.


    This reminded me of the times when we were kids.


    My ''fights'' with my brother.


    Sometimes I would''ve annoyed him all day, and he would ept it acting as if he was mature.


    Then I would hide in my room like this and stay quiet.


    And he''de knocking on my door.


    He would threaten to break it, sometimes banging on it with his actual strength.


    It might''ve looked scary to some... but no, not to me.


    ''Cause he was doing it to entertain me.


    I knew that.


    And it was nice.


    ...I always wanted him to pay me attention, not train like the maniac that he was.


    I wanted him to have some fun with me.


    But my brother always looked serious.


    It was as if the weight of the entire world was on his shoulders.


    Then I eventually knew that it truly was.


    Everything was true....


    His back carried Earth''s lifeline.


    But I always teased him for that.


    I didn''t regret it, however.


    Instead, it was something I dearly missed, as my time with him was always short.


    Those days wouldn''t ever return...


    Yet now I''m doing the same thing as before.


    As if I never matured.


    The very thing I teased him for was what I needed most.


    But I couldn''t help it.


    This wasn''t fun.


    It was the exact opposite.


    Misery.


    I just didn''t want to show my face.


    My face which rained down tears.


    Not to her...


    Mom was there, with Emir, alone, against them.


    And I didn''t even support her.


    I assumed my brother would''ve been enough.


    Like always.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But I was wrong.


    Mom was mad at me at dinner too, but like usual, I just pushed it off to my brother.


    And now....


    She came back home with some ex-Elite saying that they lost.


    That she would go to jail!


    My mother will go to prison for something that she never did.


    ...No, no, no... she won''t.''


    I breathed out.


    ''Emir will make sure of it.''


    ''I''m sure that he''s got ns in case everything turns even worse.''


    ''He has to.''


    ''He must.''


    Knock! Knock!


    "Sweetie, my hand is hurting!"


    "Open the door!"


    Mom always spoiled me.


    And I had never seen her mad like this before.


    She might''ve hidden it in front of Emir, but I knew that she was furious.


    ''I don''t know if it''s because I''m her daughter or something, but I know...''


    ''I know that she''s really mad at the Elite.''


    ''At what happened.''


    I also knew that they thought of Dad''s death as suspicious.


    I was eavesdropping.


    Always had.


    Emir might''ve noticed, but Mom sure didn''t.


    So I knew more than she thought I did.


    Since she always hid things.


    Which allowed me to live ''freely,'' with no ''worries.''


    ''I get it, though.''


    I got that she wanted the best for me, but...


    ''But I''m a part of this family too!''


    ...Though I guess by acting this way, I didn''t show it.


    "Huh..."


    ''I really am a dumbass...''


    ''... Mom''s dumb too, though.''


    When she said that nothing was wrong, it only made me feel guilty.


    Even guiltier....


    ''Is that even a word?''


    ''Hah, whatever.''


    ''Anyways, she should be mad at me.''


    But she wasn''t.


    She was more worried about me than herself.


    Like always.


    ''Kyaaaah!''


    I screamed into the pillow.


    Or rather inwardly screamed.


    I didn''t dare let out a word.


    Knock! Knock!


    "I''ll let Elijah break the door, you know!"


    ''What?''


    ''Holy shit!''


    ''She''s mad.''


    ''Mom''s mad.''


    ''Like really really mad.''


    ''No way.''


    I quickly got up from bed and rushed towards the door.


    Click!


    It opened, and Mom rushed in, charging at me like a bull.


    My brother told me to dodge if this ever happened, and I could now understand why.


    "Augh, moooom! You''re killing me!"


    But Mom didn''t reply and kept me in her tight embrace.


    She wasn''t crying.


    She showed anger.


    Only that.


    "What were you doing locked in your room like that?!"


    Her scream reached my ears.


    And her words registered after a few moments.


    My heart was filled with conflicting emotions.


    And now they were let loose: "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?!"


    "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!"


    "I DID NOTHING!"


    "I CAN DO NOTHING BUT WAIT!"


    My mother broke her deadly hug and stepped away from me.


    Her face showed absolute surprise at my outburst.


    "I TRY! I ALWAYS TRY TO ACT NORMAL!"


    "BUT I CAN''T! MY BROTHER IS WANTED BY A GALACTIC FEDERATION!"


    "PEOPLE THAT CONTROL THE FUCKING UNIVERSE-"


    Smack!


    ''What?''


    ....My words got stuck in my throat.


    My face was twisted to the right.


    My mother, my own blood, whacked me across the face.


    She, who had neverid hands on me....


    Did so today.


    My mouth was shut.


    "Language."


    ''Seriously?'' ''After all I said?''


    "That''s what you point out?''


    "Mom-"


    My words paused again, but this time she didn''t p me.


    Instead, she caressed her hand''s imprint on my face.


    "Sorry.... No, I''m not sorry. You deserved that, sweetie."


    I couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Mom.... What do we do?"


    "We wait."


    Her answer came in a heartbeat.


    "That''s all we can do."


    "Bu-but-"


    I tried to rebuke her, but she cut me off.


    "No buts, dear, this is Emir''s time...."


    "We do our own thing in hopes of helping him, but that''s it." "We aren''t suited for anything more."


    "This is his time to shine, so let him have the stage, and we''ll be fine."


    Mom''s words were clear.


    Her face showed pain, but she didn''t allow that to affect her thinking.


    Unknowingly, I began to idolize my mother too. I aspired to be like her.


    "Actually, I''m sorry about the p; I thought it would calm you down."


    "...It''s fine."


    Our chuckling moment was interrupted as Elijah came into view.


    "Uhm... are you guys alright?"


    ''What the fuck does he want?''

 Chapter 219: "I Need You." —Kiera

    Chapter 219: "I Need You." ¡ªKiera


    ?


    ***


    Kiera''s POV


    ''Should I just kill myself?''


    §£§Ö§Ö§â... §£§Ö§Ö§â... §£§Ö§Ö§â...


    Another had died.


    My family.


    My only family was dying by the second.


    The beeping echoed in my mind, never stopping.


    Their life signals were gone before I realized it. It was sudden.


    I left them to look for a new hideout.


    I had my best men on the lookout too.


    A group of three with Sarah, Leo, and Jack.


    A group of two with Evan and Hiro.


    A group of four with Yuriel, Ren, James, and Kyle.


    All of those who could fight were sent out.


    The slums were a dangerous ce with hidden powers all around, so we needed to be prepared in case we met any on the way.


    ...I made a mistake.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    I took it for granted.


    Emir''s protection.


    He wasn''t there.


    Our safety wasn''t there.


    We should''ve been more careful.


    We should''ve kept some people behind to defend the base.


    But as they say...


    Everything was obvious with hindsight.


    And now I''m stuck with the consequences.


    Their deaths echo in my mind on repeat.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â.......


    One beep beside me, and another was gone.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â....... §£§Ö§Ö§â....... §£§Ö§Ö§â......


    A few more in front.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â...... §£§Ö§Ö§â....... §£§Ö§Ö§â...... §£§Ö§Ö§â.......


    Another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another. Seven, gone in an instant.


    Their names, voices, and lives shed through my mind as I watched their life signals ebb away.


    Their pictures turned gray on my terminal.


    I didn''t look at where I was going.


    Yet my feet moved faster than they had ever before.


    As if they knew exactly where to go.


    As if my entire body''s only purpose was to return to the base.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â.......


    Vomit crawled up my throat.


    But I held it back.


    I trekked forward.


    I stepped to the side, avoiding a homeless man.


    I jumped up over some random cats.


    Then I flinched.


    A few men were blocking the street ahead.


    They had knives.


    I got my assault rifle out.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â......


    Bang!


    A bullet sttered one of the men''s brains.


    "W-We aren''t here to fight!"


    "They forced me into this!"


    A few of them stuttered.


    ''What did they say?''


    I didn''t know.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â.......


    I couldn''t hear.


    Bang! Bang!


    Two bullets left my weapon''s nuzzle.


    Two bodies fell to the ground.


    One body was already dead, however.


    The man had used his friend as cover.


    He swung his knife as I approached.


    ''Slow.''


    I ducked my head, easily dodging its trajectory.


    Bang!


    §£§Ö§Ö§â........


    Another died


    My feet rushed through the alleyway.


    And as I exited on the other side, a knife was upon my head.


    My hand grabbed it.


    I squashed it.


    Crack!


    It broke.


    I took hold of its fragments and threw them back at the attacker''s eyes.


    He was now blind.


    Bang!


    And now he was dead.


    Beep.......


    And another joined him.


    I continued forward through the night.


    The dimly lit streets were filled with garbage that thrashed about my legs.


    My feet grew exhausted.


    My breath grewbored.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â........


    My mind grew tired.


    But I didn''t dare stop.


    There was one I could still save.


    One who remained alive.


    §£§Ö§Ö§â......


    My feet finally faltered.


    Crash!


    My body smashed into nearby garbage.


    I couldn''t handle it.


    ''No... they might still be alive.''


    I deluded myself....


    To keep going.


    And I did.


    My body allowed me to.


    Soon, I turned the corner and met destruction.


    A massacre.


    ''I should kill myself.''


    ''No, I shouldn''t.''


    ''I must.''


    ''No... I can''t.''


    What once was my base, my hideout, my home, my family...


    Gone.


    My feet felt stuck to the ground.


    I felt as if I was stuck in concrete.


    I looked down.


    "Oh...."


    It wasn''t concrete, but blood.


    My feet were stuck in blood.


    I forcibly moved my legs.


    I pulled them up with my arms.


    I repeatedly hit them.


    Yet I barely moved an inch.


    Before me was the gate.


    A destroyed one.


    The courtyard after it was bombed, or at least it appeared so.


    We had defensive systems up, newly bought turrets, and sensors.


    But they were all in vain.


    The warehouse itself had met a worse fate than the outside; it almost copsed.


    I looked down once again.


    Limbs.


    My family''s limbs were strewn about.


    Inner organs too.


    They covered the broken floor.


    It appeared as if the attackers colored the ce with my family as paint.


    A mosaic of reds.


    "Blugh...."


    I tried to vomit.


    But I couldn''t


    As if I forgot how to.


    It felt like I was about to do it.


    But every time the digested food stopped near my throat.


    As if I was being yed with.


    Toyed with.


    Even the stench didn''t allow me to let loose.


    The smell of death and gore all around me.


    A nauseating and horrifying testament to what my eyes witnessed.


    Smack! Smack!


    I began hitting my feet again.


    Begging them to move.


    I needed to know what happened.


    ''Ah...''


    They finallyplied.


    I was moving again.


    And my feet wadded through the river''s blood beneath me.


    My right contained a severed head.


    Ity there on the ground. "Frank...."


    Once a bright little brother of mine.


    He was happy, despite our less-than-ideal circumstances.


    And the moment Emir came into our lives, he was the most supportive.


    ''Now look at him... dead.''


    Wide, terrified eyes, frozen in time. An agape mouth. Nothing was shown on his face except pure horror.


    A tear left my eye.


    And I moved forward.


    Another head was there.


    It seemed like Frank was protecting Jaylen.


    Someone we all loved to dote on.


    I moved.


    Two bodies remained stuck together near the warehouse''s entrance.


    ''Even in death, those lovebirds are inseparable....''


    I entered the warehouse.


    Heads showed themselves here as well.


    "Ariya, Daniel, Bryce, Kora, Will, Walter....."


    Many names flowed out of my mouth.


    I cried even more.


    My nose felt stuffy, and every breath was a struggle.


    My jaw felt like it was about to tear off.


    My head felt like it was about to burst.


    Yet I moved past the bullet holes in the walls.


    My feet pushed away the blood beneath and I approached the office.


    Maybe some of them hid themselves in there, I thought.


    Maybe the life signals glitched out, I thought.


    Oh, how wrong I was. Before me was a broken door.


    A broken table...


    And what most would call a nightmare.


    "E, Charlotte, Ava, Eleanor, Abigail."


    Five names left my mouth.


    Those names belonged to the women in front of me.


    Each was strapped to her own chair.


    E, the youngest, had no eyes.


    She appeared to have died from shock.


    Charlotte, the brightest, had no eyes, no ears, no nose, no fingers, and no toes.


    Ava, the cutest, had no eyes, no ears, no nose, no fingers, no toes, no arms, and no legs.


    Eleanor, the oldest and wisest, had no eyes, no ears, no nose, no fingers, no toes, no arms, no


    legs, and no... skin.


    And thest one, Abigail.


    She appeared rtively unharmedpared to the rest.


    I immediately realized what happened...


    And my mind broke.


    My body stopped functioning.


    I fell to the ground, vomit leaving my mouth like a tsunami.


    ''Emir....''


    A name crossed my mind.


    ''He could save them, right?''


    ''He''ll help.''


    ''Emir.''


    ''Please....;


    ''Help me.''


    ''Save me.''


    ''I need you.''

 Chapter 220: Eyes

    Chapter 220: Eyes


    ?


    ***


    Eyes.


    Singr ones.


    They were everywhere.


    Ten in total, gazing from all directions.


    They lingered in the boundless sky.


    Never blinking.


    One was unwavering in its vigil.


    Another radiated joy.


    And another harbored curiosity.


    One concealed amusement.


    One glinted with avarice.


    Two came in a pair, one of which was lustful and the other prideful.


    An envious one whispered its discontent.


    A wrathful orb smoldered with anger.


    And a dark one held murderous intent.


    But one eye stood out from the rest.


    This unique eye had an almost translucent iris, devoid of emotion, and it gazed at the man with an unsettling nkness.


    Distinguished by his sharp suit, inky ck hair, and eyes, the man who attracted these mysterious orbs'' collective gaze sat in a lotus position.


    The reason for their attention was quite simple.


    He was on the verge of a significant breakthrough.


    One that would mark his transition into the Seraphim rank.


    The true beginning of a Celestial.


    And soon, this man twitched.


    An action that he hadn''t done in the past months he spent cultivating.


    This caught the eyes of all-not just those that floated, but those that gathered at his side.


    The one to his right flinched and immediately called people over.


    She was a beautiful woman, with white locks for hair and red ruby eyes.


    His left was upied by his family, his mother, a gorgeousdy, with brown hair and hazel eyes.


    She beckoned her daughter to get closer.


    Her daughter, who was simr to her mother in beauty, quickly rushed to her side.


    The duo watched their prince, both extremely worried, but one of them showed interest too.


    They had long since stopped cultivating Aether and were now tensely looking around.


    All in an attempt to protect the man from whatever was watching them.


    A young teenager stood behind him, with silver hair in a ponytail and blue eyes.


    "Come on, big bro... You can do this. We''ve got your back."


    His words came in a whisper as he was the most nervous among them.


    And his breaths were quick in session while his gaze flickered from one eye to the next.


    The daughter, who noticed his apprehension, silently approached him and patted his back a few times, wanting to calm him down.


    But mostly, she wanted to make sure that he wouldn''t disturb her brother.


    This was the pinnacle moment, after all...


    Soon, low-sounding footsteps approached as six people entered their backyard.


    The one leading them was of the same beauty as the others in the group.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She had long ck hair flowing down her back and piercing blue eyes.


    Those behind her were four men and a woman all decked out in E10, SS-ranked augmented suits, prepared for battle.


    The first among them was an above-average-looking blonde-haired boy with blue eyes.


    The second was a young woman with a cute face marred with light scars hidden by her brown hair.


    Her gaze immediately tensed when they caught the attention of the massive floating eyes around them.


    The same thing happened to the other three, as a green-eyed teenager with brown hair stepped back in rm.


    His friend with jet-ck hair and dark brown eyes held his back, stopping him in his tracks. Thest one remained stunned in ce, his hands holding his mouth shut, his ck eyes widening.


    His tousled green hair became even more so as he shook his head, trying to calm himself.


    And then the same voice thatmanded them toe spoke once again, echoing in their minds:


    [Everyone FOCUS! Kiera, Jack, go protect Lily and Laura....]


    [Sarah, Hiro, Evan, Leo,e here, we''ll watch over Emir.]


    They all nodded in unison and congregated at their specified locations.


    [Lyra, do you know what caused these ''higher powers'' to show up?] Kiera calmly asked as she stepped closer to Emir.


    Lyra, whose eyes never left Emir, shook her head slowly.


    [I can only guess, but the fact that Emir, an Eternal Star heir, is breaking through to the next rank means that there will be higher powers interested in watching the process.]


    [But how did they find out?!] Elijah asked in a panic, nervously standing next to Leo and the


    rest.


    [That''s what I don''t know.]


    [Them knowing where we are is simple, anyone going through a breakthrough would cause enough fluctuations in Aether for those higher powers to notice.]


    [But the fact they are interested is what worries me....]


    [Do you think they''ll attack?] Jake asked as he joined Lyra and Lily.


    [If they do, then we''re dead.]


    [If they don''t, then one of them eventually will.]


    [But again, thankfully for us, these guys lost their sense of time.]


    [The day they send out someone, we''ll be ready to wee them.]


    [Good news.... Finally.] Lily chimed in with some optimism.


    Laura softly tapped Lily''s back and said:


    [Lyra dear, is Emir alright? He''s taking too long....]


    [You told us that the body mutation starts after his core absorbed enough Aether, but nothing


    happened yet.]


    Lyra nced at her for a moment while showing a tired smile.


    [Yep. But keep in mind that Emir''s an enigma, so even I''m not sure what will happen...]


    [What you''ll all see today had never been recorded in history before....]


    [The Star were very secretive with their members, which is why those geezers up there are so


    interested.]


    [Just keep vignt.]


    Leo, always one to add a bit of humor, couldn''t resist a quip:


    [Ah-so they''ve finally got front-row seats to a show they''ve always wanted to watch but


    couldn''t, and now they can''t wait to find out the ending.]


    They all proceeded to look at him with nk stares and then focused back on the eyes


    surrounding them.


    Lyra''s gaze remained on Emir, however, as she never stopped examining his condition.


    ''I can''t wait either.... Please be safe Emir.''


    The massive floating eyes, each with its unique emotion, continued to observe the scene, their unblinking gaze an eerie presence.


    Many of them radiated a sense of anticipation as if they had waited for this moment for


    millenniums.


    Yet they still seemed full of ancient wisdom, as if they had seen the rise and fall of countless


    civilizations.


    Then suddenly Emir twitched once again... causing the world to hold its breath.

 Chapter 221: The Question

    Chapter 221: The Question


    ?


    ***


    Emir felt as if he was in a lucid dream.


    His body was tangible yet intangible.


    He could not feel pain, yet he felt that he had a body.


    He could not see his body, yet again... he felt it.


    And all that around him was the void.


    Just a ck, never-ending space.


    At first, Emir thought that he was experiencing what it was like to break through to the next rank.


    But as time passed, he realized that the state he was in was far from normal.


    He tried to get out, but there was nothing he could do, and no amount of ''willpower'' could help him.


    Emir was stuck.


    However, instead of moping around, he took that time and made something out of it.


    He had long since begun scrutinizing his past decisions and those that crossed him.


    He thought about Johnson but soon dismissed him, as he came to the same conclusion he had before.


    There was simply nothing he could do about him.


    Next, he ran through his ns.


    Since the day of the revtion, he had longed to find out the truth about what happened to his father.


    Yet in the months that had passed after his deal with the Elite, he had found nothing, as if Oliver''s existence was wiped from every database.


    Emir had no leads to go off, and the Elite weren''t of any help.


    The novel didn''t provide any clues either...


    So, once again, he had a problem that he could not solve.


    But he didn''t dwell on that too much and moved on.


    He was going to the academy not as a student, but as a professor.


    And that would provide him with easier ess to confidential archives.


    He hoped that would give something-a hint at least.


    However, he wasn''t one to just hope.


    Emir was one to work himself to the bone.


    And that''s what he did, going through scenarios for the many ns he cooked up.


    He eventually settled on one that involved the hunter association leader himself.


    Isaac Klein.


    Then, with that decided, his mind went through the many things that happened in the past few months.


    After Magnus''s warning, they waited and waited for something to happen.


    But nothing did.


    And as he expected, Alex''s mind was useless since his memories could not be extracted from that scrabbled brain of his.


    Nathan''s team tried their best, but there wasn''t much they could do.


    So instead of wasting their time, they kept doing what they could, solidifying their business foundations, cultivating Aether, and practicing Skills, Arts, and Abilities.


    Lyra reached the Pdin rank, while Nathan, Jake, Emma, Kiera, and her gang members reached the Knight sub-rank.


    Laura and Lily were too busy with work and the academy respectively so they didn''t have much time to cultivate Aether.


    Although Emir was disappointed by such news, his pride grew as he witnessed Prince Emporium''s rise.


    It wasn''t solely done by his mother''s hand, as Lyra helped her by using the knowledge she gained from the novel to obtain every edge over the market.


    Like most academy novels, Born In Ruins didn''t officially start until a month or so away from the academy.


    But Lyra was smart; she used the many shbacks throughout the novel topile the data. She nitpicked every sentence in her memory, turned it into a single document, and produced a very simple yet detailed graph of the highs and lows of the relic market.


    Laura used that graph and bought many relics at the dip and sold more at the highs.


    Simple yet effective, and the results showed that.


    They bought a massive house from Horizon Holdings, one of the big eight corporations.


    It was past the upper district''s gate and next to the academy, the most secure ce on the.


    Kiera and the gang lived with them.


    Sobined with Elijah and Lily, who no longer lived in the dorms, there was never a quiet day with them around.


    And what once used to be a single shop in the lower district had expanded into four.


    One of the new shops was in the upper district, on the same street where Emir kidnapped Aria seven months ago.


    The three musketeers, Jamal, Logan, and old man Raymond now worked at that branch. They solidified their positions as leading staff for both Prince Emporium and Hunter''s Den. They too became Celestials and had crossed the Aetheric Threshold bing Ascendants. It was only Raymond who didn''t need the imnt as he was already a Celestial. Emir barely interacted with them as he used most of his time to either cultivate his strength Art and Abilities or Aether itself.


    And when he cultivated, it usuallysted weeks or in this case, a few months.


    He lost count of when this lucid dream began, but he assumed it to be a few days...


    A week at most.


    His thoughts churned through all that time, but now he had enough.


    Emir wanted out.


    ''GET ME OUT!''


    And the ritual of his endless screaming began once again.


    His ''will.''


    ''THIS BREAKTHROUGH IS TAKING TOO LONG!''


    ''GET ME OUT GODDAMMIT!''


    But simr to what happened before his internal screams were met with silence.


    ''GET ME OUT¡ª''


    Emir''s words suddenly died out and remained stuck in his mind.


    As if time had paused, he could not think.


    And just as it happened, the feeling disappeared.


    Emir could now think again.


    ''What the fuck was that?!''


    "You died."


    His body recoiled slightly, and he looked back at where the voice originated.


    It felt familiar, yet not so.


    And what met him was a humanoid figure....


    Obscured behind a fog.


    ''Do I know you?''


    "Or so you think."


    "But that doesn''t matter."


    Emir didn''t know what to think.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This figure that kept giving him deja vu appeared out of nowhere and was now talking to a


    floating head.


    His floating head.


    "Keep quiet, child of the sand."


    The figure spoke, sounding quite irritated for some reason.


    "Yes, I can, and I will. If you must know... you''re currently facing a god."


    ''A god?''


    ''I met a Primordial?''


    ''Why?''


    ''Did it wipe my memories?''


    "You dare speak ill of me, child? Are you not afraid?"


    Emir let out a chuckle.


    ''That''s me alright!''


    ''I used to cringe at my past actions, but way to go me!''


    The figure tilted ''Its'' head.


    "I might kill you..."


    ''But you didn''t.''


    "Oh, and why is that?"


    ''Because you visited me for a reason beyond killing a newborn.'' "Suurree.... Well, remember. You asked for it...."


    ''So it hurt me? In my own dream? Then it truly is a Primordial...''


    "No. Wait for a moment."


    "I SAID WAIT!"


    ''Heh, guess I''m quite good at annoying gods.''


    "There we go. So as I was saying-"


    "Alright, enough of that."


    "I stopped it, why are you still-"


    "QUIET CHILD! I SAID QUIET!"


    Emirughed hysterically at the unfolding events.


    Though his mind had yet to process the implication of what was happening, he enjoyed it.


    It was all for a very simple reason....


    Emir was ying around with a PRIMORDIAL!


    An APEX of this world.


    And said Apex visited him.


    Emir didn''t know when exactly, but judging by the figure''s reactions, he assumed that ''Its''


    visit had been early on when he didn''t know that his reincarnation was a fake one.


    ''Man, if I could only hear myself speak.''


    "AS I SAID, I''m a god, I do not want something, as there is nothing that I do not have."


    ''I get it; I get it; just move on, god.''


    ''What?!''


    Emir wished for it and it happened.


    ''Ah-Of course it did, it''s my own dream, my thoughts can affect it....''


    ''Selectively at least.''


    "You don''t believe me, do you?"


    ''What does it matter? I''ve been reincarnated, so I know that the supernatural exists, that also means


    that a god or gods exists too, or at least god-like beings.''


    ''True true...''


    "You''re quick, I''ve never seen a subject like you before...''


    ''... Subject? Is that what I am now? Oh, and are you working with that voice? For some reason, it gives


    me bad vibes. My new family too, every time I see them, I feel like something is wrong.''


    ''That''s because we''re all about to be attacked by the monster tide, my friend.'' "You''ll learn of that very soon, so stop asking... You''ll forget this conversation anyway."


    ''Why?''


    "It''s because I''m a god, and I wish it to be so."


    ''... Fair enough.''


    ''Fair enough indeed.''


    A sigh echoed through the space as the figure stretched out ''Its'' hand towards Emir''s floating


    head.


    After cupping his head, the figure began reconstructing his body.


    A single moment passed, and Emir''s body was normal again¡ªwell, as normal as this


    situation allowed it to be.


    ''Won''t you just get to the point mister primordial? I''ve got a breakthrough to finish.''


    "Now then, child... I havee here to give you knowledge of this world. As a bted gift to a


    friend of mine."


    ''Should I know this friend?''


    "....His blood runs through your veins."


    ''My dad?''


    ''No, it''s our ancestor, an Apex, what happened to our dad is still a mystery.''


    "You have the opportunity to ask me two questions, I will answer one now, and the next you


    shall ask-"


    ''Interesting...''


    ''I asked you a question! Is. It. My.Dad?!''


    ''Augh! Too loud. hey brain, mute my voice again.''


    "At ater date. That date will be decided by me, of course, so you must live till then. Pick


    your question wisely, as you won''t be able to remember it until you''ve be someone of


    importance on your."


    ''Very interesting....''


    ''I didn''t know anything about Aether back then so what could I have asked?''


    Emir attentively watched as the figure and his past self entered a quick stare off in the fog.


    And soon the monster spoke after the past him shrugged his shoulders: "Correct. However, such a situation would be too good to be true, don''t you think?"


    ''Unmute.''


    ''Sorry, future me, but my first question is...''

 Chapter 222: The Answer

    Chapter 222: The Answer


    ?


    ''How can I kill you?''


    ''How can I kill you?''


    Both the past Emir and the current one thought of the same thing.


    ''I knew it!''


    A wild smile hung over Emir''s face as he watched the figure remain standing in stunned silence.


    ''It'' probably never expected such a question from someone who just ''reincarnated.''


    Or maybe ''It'' did, but the fact that the past Emir voiced such a question was the shocking part.


    He was ''brought'' to a new world as a child and was facing a Primordial.


    Quivering in his boots and begging, ''It'' not to kill him, should''ve been what happened.


    But no, Emir made fun of ''It,'' challenged ''It,'' and now asked how he could kill ''It.''


    How someone who was not yet a Celestial, could kill a Primordial.


    ''I''ve got massive balls.''


    The figure now moved once again, the fog slightly obscuring ''Its'' movements.


    That was until ''It'' appeared right before Emir, and now for the first time since ''Its'' appearance....


    ''It'' was looking directly at him.


    ''Hey, what are you doing over there?! Come back and answer me!''


    Emir and the figure ignored the past Emir, as they stared at each other.


    ''What are you looking-''


    Tick!


    Tock!


    The past him paused-his body, thoughts, everything.


    Emir stayed silent, waiting for the figure''s answer.


    "I know that you''re here, Emir."


    ''Yeah, you''re staring right at me.''


    "Don''t be snarky with me, even after fifteen years in this world have you not learned to respect primordials?"


    ''I do respect them, they are gods after all....''


    ''But you can stop trying to scare me now, I know that you''re not here.''


    "How so?"


    ''Simple, you might be an incredibly smart god with time-bending powers, but you said something that limits you.''


    "What makes you think that I didn''t want to visit you now?"


    ''Again, it''s simple.''


    ''I am nothing but a soon-to-be Seraphim... I might be of ''importance'' in my '' but what of the universe?''


    "Isn''t that rude? Trying to predict my actions?"


    "My believers would consider that sphemy, you know."


    ''Not really, we''re having a conversation right now, ''man'' to man....''


    ''Though I guess I''m the one having the convo while you''re talking to yourself right now, heh.''


    "Aren''t I Impressive?"


    ''Definitely.''


    ''Predicting my every response, or maybe you just used your time magic, but who cares, it''s still impressive.''


    "Hm-Hm, your ancestor saw promise in you, and promise you delivered.''


    ''So... What''s the answer?''


    "You know that already, don''t you?"


    ''The Script of Creation.''


    "Correct."


    ''...''


    || ||


    ''Are you coping out?''


    "No, I simply can''t tell you, you would die."


    ''So you are coping out.''


    "Yes and no. I''ll give you a hint. A gift. And a ticket..."


    ''Go on....''


    "You see... every path has its own script, based on one''s own unique celestial essence."


    "Mine is that of time, yours is that of pure Aether maniption...."


    "Now think back to what you people call Specializations."


    "You all start as stranded roots, trying to find their way back to the mother tree."


    "You scrape through the mud and stone, surrounded by paths that are muddier than others, some of those paths might be locked entirely by imprable concrete, but that doesn''t


    matter to you."


    "You''ve chosen the right path, or maybe you''ve forged your own."


    "And now you are finding yourself inching closer and closer... until your root can no longer


    sustain its length."


    "You were on the cusp of reaching the tree, yet you could not do so. As the moment you try, is the moment that root snaps."


    "To sustain your own root, you need the Script of Creation."


    "To learn thews that govern the universe and when you finallyprehend it, your root


    will connect to the mother tree...."


    ''So I''ll be a part of Aether itself?''


    "Not quite but yes, you will be one with Aether, the energy that binds our universe."


    Emir nodded and remained still for a while, lost in thought.


    After many minutes went by he looked back at the figure and asked:


    ''What of the gift and ticket?''


    "These corrte. One of mine grew interested in you, or rather he would grow interested in


    your time."


    "But that was it, interest."


    "So I proposed that he invite you to his special gatherings."


    "In those gatherings, he likes to ask his members to provide any pages of the script that


    they''ve found."


    "Those members are much higher in the hierarchy than you are, so they''re able to at least


    copy those pages in their minds, while you can''t."


    ''Let me guess, you''ll give me the ability to memorize them.''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Bingo! Or so they say."


    "Anyways, you''re correct, it''s against our rules, but I''ll make do, so don''t worry about me."


    ''I''m not.''


    "I know... Now, prepare yourself, child."


    A moment passed in silence and then....


    ''ARRRRGGGGGGGGH!''


    Emir''s scream of pain echoed through the void.


    Tick!


    Tock!


    And soon another joined the chorus.


    It was silent, yet the Emir of the past still bellowed in pain.


    Slowly their bodies began to merge together.


    And then... they became one as the memories of his dream now fully returned.


    "Heavy.... Your question was incredibly heavy. But I should''ve expected this from Sultan''s


    blood."


    ''W-what happened?''


    The figure sounded a chuckle, and it soon began increasing in volume until ''Its'' everyugh resembled a chorus of deranged opera singers.


    "...Although expected, seeing it happen in front of my very eyes makes me so incredibly


    happy."


    ''Tsk, ignoring me again.''


    "You can go now, child... Good luck!"


    ''What?! DON''T LEAVE¡ª''


    Tick.


    .....The figure was gone.


    And a single bbergasted Emir remained.


    ''What the fuck just happened?''


    ''...''


    ''I should''ve woken up after that.... But I''m still here.''


    ''....Seriously?''


    Emir gave up on thinking all together.


    This situation was too nonsensical to keep track of.


    One moment he was stuck in the void, and the next some primordial being came over, invading his dream...


    Or rather, the memory of the Primordial''s visit showed itself to him.


    And then his memories returned, and he experienced the figure''s departure firsthand.


    As if he spoke the same words again.


    ''Weird.''


    Emir didn''t know what else to call that feeling.


    Soon, however, his mind focused on what the figure said at the end.


    ''Sultan''s blood....''


    ''Child of the sand....''


    ''So is that my ancestor?''


    ''Sultan Of The Sand could be a title....''


    ''Eh-It doesn''t matter, now I at least have a name to call ''Him'' now.''


    After reaching that conclusion, he quietened his thoughts....


    ''GET ME OUT!''


    And again came the screams.


    But this time, his mindplied.


    His eyes finally saw light.

 Chapter 223: Fourth Step

    Chapter 223: Fourth Step


    ?


    Pain.


    Nothing but pain.


    The purest form of pain imaginable.


    That was what the current Emir was feeling.


    Just as his eyes opened back to the real world.


    He experienced hell on Earth.


    He felt deadly heat, freezing cold, and shocking lighting crackling through his every nerve.


    Emir''s body was finally in the process of reconstructing itself.


    He was bing a Seraphim.


    A being of high ''importance'' on Earth.


    Blood soon began to ooze out of his every orifice, surprising all who were watching him.


    Yet Emir remained steadfast, not even letting out a whimper.


    He wouldn''t allow himself to show weakness.


    Not in front of his family.


    Emir had to be their shield, he had to stand like an unbreakable stone.


    Never withering, never crumbling.


    And that he did, as even some of the eyes above showed surprise.


    Laura and Lily watched the scene with teary eyes, unable to imagine the pain he was going through.


    But they didn''t dare disturb him.


    They remained far, and quiet.


    As did the others.


    Only Lyra remained by his side, watching him, ready to intervene at a moment''s notice.


    She didn''t need to, however.


    Emir''s constant spasms slowed to a stop.


    Soon the chaotic Aether around him dispersed, and what came after was a calm breeze of condensed Aether congregating in his core.


    Since his entire Aether reserves were depleted in the process, his Aether core desperately sucked up all that was around it.


    Begging to be refiled.


    At that moment, all the eyes that surrounded them disappeared.


    Yet the people there didn''t even notice as their gazes were glued to Emir''s every action.


    After letting out an exacerbated sigh, Emir extended his stiff legs, breaking his lotus posture. He then dropped himself on his back.


    What met his gaze was the sight of a crying Lyra.


    "Hey."


    "....Wee back."


    "Hmhm."


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yes. I think...."


    "Actually, I feel like passing out. Carry my body to bed, yeah?"


    Just as Emir said that his eyes closed, and he drifted off to sleep. A much-needed reprieve from the questions that gued him.


    Lyra silently stared at him, simply not in the know of how to react.


    The others felt the same, they just didn''t know what to say.


    But his mother, Laura, was the first to step forward as she gently tapped Lyra''s back.


    "Lyra dear, let''s ignore the eyes for a bit."


    "We can''t let him sleep on the ground like that, so help me carry him, now will you?"


    Lyra nodded to her words and gently picked Emir up from the back, while Laura did so from


    his legs.


    Lily quickly joined in, helping out her mother and they exited their backyard...


    Leaving behind their stunnedpanions.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Emir''s eyes fluttered open.


    He saw a white painted roof.


    It wasn''t ck.


    It wasn''t the void.


    He was not dreaming.


    He was truly awake.


    Emir''s grogginess disappeared as he lifted his body and looked around the room.


    Minimalist.


    The best word to describe what his eyes saw.


    Nothing too fancy.


    Yet not cheap either.


    His bed was ced in the far left corner of the room, opposite the door.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    To his right were a few wooden cabs for his clothes, and racks that housed his many


    weapons.


    Just next to them was his desk, which had his top-end terminal and VR equipment.


    Near that was the door leading to the bathroom.


    A simple room.


    But it was all that he needed.


    He raised his right hand and tightened his grip.


    ''I''ve gotten stronger....''


    ''Much stronger.''


    Emir then noticed that his body was bigger than before.


    It was barely a change but one he could detect nheless.


    After a few moments of thought, his gaze returned to the bed.


    He proceeded to pull the purple bed cover, which was hiding away a person-shaped bump.


    Lyra was there.


    Soundly sleeping without a care in the world.


    Emir let out a chuckle.


    ''I can''t imagine how worried she was.....''


    ''Especially mom, she probably cried a lot, unlike that grateful kid....''


    ''Though I guess it''s a good thing that she never doubts my sess.''


    His ''sess'' being the breakthrough into bing an actual Seraphim-ranked Celestial.


    ''It was a long grind, but I did it, and now, I need to do it again....''


    Step forward, and reach the fifth.


    But that was an unimaginable distance away, and Emir had many other things to think about


    than waste his time with such a thing.


    The first was the approaching date of his academy test.


    Unlike Evelyn, who was going to teach normal hunters, Emir was tasked with the Elite.


    The cream of the crop.


    And many were eyeing that position.


    Although Emir was given the go-ahead by their families, he still needed to prove himself.


    To show that he was worthy.


    Or so they said.


    But Emir knew the true purpose behind the test.


    It was for entertainment.


    The Elite wished to be entertained and what better way than to have ite to them in


    droves?


    So they used whatever excuse they came up with and the UEF allowed it....


    After all, what would they lose?


    If it entertained the Elite then what of it?


    The UEF had nothing to lose and everything to gain.


    And now it fell on Emir to shoulder the fall.


    He had to show his strength and expose his capabilities, his ''mind.''


    ''What a fucked up world this is....''


    Emir raised his right hand and began delicately stroking Lyra''s silky smooth hair, causing its


    curly whites to straighten.


    "What do you think?"


    "...About?"


    Lyra softly asked while remaining still, enjoying his gentle pats.


    "About how fucked up this world is..."


    "You''ve always known that. Why ask this now?"


    She brought her head closer to hisp and her left hand shot out from the covers, bringing his


    retreating hand back to her head.


    Emir chuckled.


    "After I ''reincarnated...'' I met a primordial, in my dreams."


    Lyra''s body twitched as she heard his words, but she soon calmed down and ced her head a


    top of hisp.


    "And you remembered this during the breakthrough?"


    "Correct."


    "What happened?"


    "Read my memories."


    || ||


    After a moment, Emir heard Lyra''s gasp echo through the room.


    Her body began to shake like a vulnerable pet seeking warmth from its owner.


    But her trembling soon stopped, as his pats provided enough warmth for her to survive even


    the cold of Earth many millennia ago.


    "May your god help us." "I don''t think ''He'' can."

 Chapter 224: Kill The Sun

    Chapter 224: Kill The Sun


    ?


    Lyra''s reaction to his memories was a valid one.


    A Primordial involved ''Themselves'' in Emir''s life.


    This meant that whatever future they thought they might have was immediately thrown out the window.


    Their ns, work, and every single action to create a better future....


    Now useless.


    If ''They'' were involved, then whatever fate Emir had in store would not simply affect the Sol''s Domain or the Local Group.


    But the entire universe, both the known and unknown.


    Emir gazed at Lyra for a moment, his hand still stroking her hair.


    "Show me what happened."


    "Uhn."


    His mind was soon flooded with her memories.


    Memories filled with emotion, ranging from absolute happiness to the deepest of sorrow.


    Memories that showed floating eyes....


    Watching him.


    ''So the news already spread.''


    ''Those higher powers now know of my existence.''


    "They know that I''m the heir of the Star....''


    Emir let out a sigh.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Ten eyes... ten ns, oh wait!''


    ''Ten ns?''


    ''My lot are still alive then....''


    ''A strong one of them at that.''


    ''Whoever they are they''d still be the same as the others though.''


    ''None of this matters.''


    Emir softly tapped Lyra''s head.


    "...Hey."


    "Yes?"


    "You could run away you know...."


    "This... fate is mine to bear, not yours."


    "You can leave, throw all this shit behind you, disappear, hide, hide anywhere, leave the, I don''t know, just hide, and maybe, just maybe... they''ll spare you."


    ||||


    Lyra angrily grabbed Emir''s hand and threw it away from her.


    She then lifted herself and locked eyes with him.


    ".... Are you done?!"


    "I am."


    Lyra scoffed at his immediate answer.


    "I wait for you, I always do...."


    "Once I had to wait on your finger, silent, every second feeling like an eternity, and then you woke up to the truth...."


    "Do you know how I felt when I saw that?"


    || ||


    Emir pleaded the fifth.


    "No, you don''t!"


    He nodded.


    "And I had to do it again."


    "You went off to train and I worked hard every day, relic after relic, ruin after ruin, trying to catch up...."


    "To wee you home with what you wanted and more. An-and then you finally came back."


    "I was so happy. So, so happy...."


    "The next time I had to leave, not you, me. And did you know what I thought back then?"


    ||||


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Of course you don''t!"


    "I thought.... I thought that you might miss me, finally feel what I felt.... I know, not the time,


    it wasn''t mature of me either."


    "But I thought that maybe you''ll finally look at me."


    ''And I didn''t.''


    "Is there an end to this rant?" He inly asked.


    Lyra''s eyes narrowed.


    If she was a human then her blood pressure would''ve exploded already.


    But she was an AI, an automata....


    Some might even call her better than a human.


    And she was, as she managed to calm herself down while letting out a sigh.


    "It happened again. You cultivated for months. Leaving me. Your family. Everyone."


    "I had to do it." He added.


    "Yes! You did! I did it too! But that isn''t the point!"


    She grabbed his suit''s cor and pulled herself into his chest.


    "....I love being with you, I absolutely love you all my heart, I want nothing more than to be


    with you, even if it hurts me...."


    "And you dared to tell me to run away?!"


    "ARE YOU INSANE?! I''D RATHER DIE THAN LEAVE YOU!"


    Emir quietly watched as Lyra''s face began to show the deepest shade of red, appearing to have


    just realized what she said.


    Her face bloomed, more beautiful than a painter''sst and best drawing.


    One with a master stroke.


    A face that would melt every man''s heart.


    However, Emir''s ck eyes remained nkly fixated on her, showing no emotion.


    He was studying her, appearing unmoved by her words.


    "Lyra?"


    "Y-yes?" She stuttered, her blush gradually calming.


    "Imagine yourself a mortal, a human."


    "As a mortal, you walked through the desert, step after step under the zing cruel sun."


    "You''ve been walking for a while now, days, weeks, months, maybe even years...."


    "You want nothing but this incinerating heat to be gone."


    "You want to kill the sun."


    "Yet somehow... no matter the odds... you survived and continued to survive...."


    "But unfortunately, the inevitable arrived."


    "The day where you ran out of water."


    ||||


    Lyra silently stared at Emir, already in the know of what he was talking about.


    "But then, you see an oasis in the distance. It wasn''t a mirage like usual, but a real one."


    "It''s now your lifeline."


    "Your ticket to surviving certain death, or worse, being under the chains of dehydration forever, never truly living a life worth living..."


    "Now your emotions are at an all-time high. You''re happy, you adore this feeling."


    "Finally! Now you have your freedom, and this oasis granted said freedom."


    "Without it, you wouldn''t have ever experienced it and you confused that feeling to¡ª"


    "Love." Lyra finished hisst line.


    Emir nodded.


    "So the question remains... Do you truly love me or have you been confusing that feeling for


    love all along?"


    Lyra stared at him for a moment and then shook her head.


    Her eyes turned away from him and slowly wandered around the room.


    "This question needs no answer."


    "You yourself know that, and maybe the fact that you were said ''oasis'' increased m-my love


    for you..."


    "But that doesn''t matter."


    "I know enough to not confuse love with something else!"


    Emir nodded once again.


    "You''re right. I do know that. I just wanted to hear you say it...."


    Lyra''s head quickly turned to face Emir as her face blossomed once more.


    Her red eyes showed tears and her full lips spread wide to show her white teeth. Words couldn''t express how beautiful she was to Emir.


    If he was an author he wouldn''t know how to describe how she currently looked.


    She was simply too gorgeous.


    A beauty that could start a war.


    A reenactment of the Armageddon.


    The whole world would be destroyed in her wake.


    Lyra giggled and brought her head back on Emir''sp.


    And the patting session continued.


    She then gazed into his eyes, and confessed, her voice filled with uncontrolled longing:


    "I love you."


    Emir held her gaze, a soft smile ying on his lips.


    "I know."


    "I really do!"


    "I really know."


    Lyra continued, her words brimming with devotion:


    "Like I really, really, really do..."


    "And I''m a million percent sure of that."


    They shared a quietugh.


    "...I love you like a mother does her son."


    "I know."


    Her eyes sparkled as she spoke again:


    "I love you like a sister does her brother."


    Emir''s expression softened even further. "You''re my closest confidant." With a touch of yfulness, she added:


    "I love you like a partner in crime, ready to swim in the guts of our enemies."


    Emir chuckled softly.


    "A bit much but yeah, we make quite the team."


    Lyra''s gaze held his, her eyes filled with unwavering affection.


    "I love you like a lifelong journey, like a wife to a husband, with every step forward, hand in


    hand, through life and death."


    Emir lightly tapped her head, sealing their unspokenmitment.


    "We just started my dear jailer, we''ve got a long way to go..."


    "And I will try... to love you as you do me."


    Her ruby eyes grew ever so bright as she dug herself into his embrace. "How can you make me love you even more? I didn''t even think that was possible..."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Me neither."


    They stayed huddled together for a while, her whole... soft body clung to his.


    And soon, their intimate posture caused his ''dragon'' to rise.


    But Emir didn''t even bother to hide it and stayed still. Lyra, who just noticed it, immediately stiffened and pushed herself off him.


    Her jewels for eyes remained locked on his cks.


    "What? I''m a man you know."


    || ||


    "Look, if someone as beautiful as you keeps hugging me like this even I''ll-"


    She cut off his words, sealing his mouth with hers, not allowing him to speak any further.


    Lyra then franticly moved her hands, attempting to rip off his clothes.


    But as he was still wearing his augmented suit her attempts were in vain.


    "Are you sure about this? Don''t you think it''s early? I-"


    She shut him up once more, nting another kiss.


    Emir let out a chuckle while deactivating his suit''s force shield and a momentter the suit


    returned to its original shape.


    A ck hexagon within the center of his chest.


    "If you''re this excited about it then I wouldn''t say "


    Her lips met his for the third time.


    ''Ah, I''ve had enough of this.''


    Emir propped her up closer to him and held her tight in his arms.


    She struggled to move thinking that he was rejecting her.


    But as he lowered her onto the bed, she understood his intention and her body remained still,


    allowing him to shed her clothes as he went.


    Their actions were awkward at first.


    Though they had the knowledge they truly hadn''t experienced it before and it showed.


    But soon they grew used to it.


    Groans and moans began to fill the room, and Lyra shuddered at the touch of his fingers on her


    skin.


    She would never forget this moment.


    This was her reward and she would enjoy every millisecond of it.


    Yet she eventually grew tired... mentally at least.


    Her body was experiencing too much pleasure, both emotionally and physically.


    And she couldn''t keep up with Emir, who could only be called a monster in bed as he never


    once stopped.


    He let out all the pent-up lust his body umted in the past fifteen years,sting till the


    morning.


    And what came after was a feeling of rity he never felt before.


    With said rity, Emir finally gave her a break and left to freshen up. But Lyra, who didn''t even realize that she had taken a nap, woke up and realized that she was


    the only person left....

 Chapter 225: Control

    Chapter 225: Control


    ?


    Or so she thought as Emir was simply brushing his teeth in the toilet.


    Lyra showed a bright smile and approached him, her naked body hugging him from behind.


    "Good morning."


    Emir gurgled for a moment, then spat out water.


    "Good morning, my beautiful jailer."


    She giggled and let him go, approaching their dress cupboard.


    "You know that you''re a Seraphim now, right?"


    Emir let out an "Ah," and put down his toothbrush.


    "It''s a habit, I don''t know if I''ll ever get used to not needing to wash myself."


    ''Or shit.'' He added inwardly.


    "....That''s understandable... and by the way... D-Did you do it with someone else while I wasn''t looking?"


    Emir coughed twice, almost choking.


    ''What the fuck is she on about?!''


    ''...Let''s tease her a bit.''


    "What if I did?"


    Lyra paused mid-way through wearing her dress and looked back at Emir with shock.


    "When? Who? How? Why? Why? WHY?!"


    With every word, her half-naked body stepped closer to Emir until she held his gaze while directly in front of him.


    "YOU HAVE ME! AREN''T I ENOUGH?!"


    Her red eyes grew dark, and grim, showing obvious signs of extreme sadness mixed with obsessiveness.


    ''Too far?'' He inwardly mused.


    "I was joking. Calm down, yeah? It''s in my memories, you know that."


    Lyra''s eyes brightened up, appearing back to normal as she nodded her head.


    "... But if I did, it wouldn''t matter. I control my own life, I don''t owe you anything. You seem to forget that your lot ns to put me back to sleep..."


    "Bu-but-"


    "No buts from you, my little jailer. You ended up loving me first... you''ve entered the game with a losing hand, and your opponent is a selfish, prideful, controlling, untrusting, and shameless bastard."


    "..."


    Lyra''s silent gaze remained fixated on Emir, not knowing what reply to give.


    "If I love you, then I''ll hold you to the highest pedestal I can, but until then do NOT attempt to control what I do...."


    "Do you understand?"


    A saddened Lyra let out a soft whimper, never in her mind did she expect Emir to react this way.


    However, after a moment of calm, she understood why he was so adamant about it.


    She weakly nodded, not wanting to anger him further.


    "Good girl."


    Emir brought her closer and kissed her forehead.


    ''So she''s still feels guilt....''


    Most of what he just did and said was an act.


    Yes, a part of him truly did react to the underlying mention of control but he had considerably calmed after yesterday.


    All of this ''anger'' he disyed was only to keep Lyra in check.


    But that was it, nothing more...


    Maybe the many hours of letting loosest night affected his mind.


    It might even be because of his long period of drought.


    After all, Lyra wasn''t the only one who walked the desert.


    Emir did too, or his body did at least, though it was for an entirely different reason.


    ''... Who knows, they say that people change, subtly at least, after losing their V-card.''


    ''I didn''t lose though.''


    ''I never lost, never will, I only gained a different status instead.''


    After chuckling at his dumb joke they let go of each other and he went up to equip his augmented suit while saying:


    "Make sure all the guys are there on time, we need to hold a meeting after breakfast." "Roger prince!"


    ...


    Emir and Lyra walked through a long carpeted hallway, adorned with many drawings, pictures, and paintings that depicted the gang and him on their wild adventures in the past seven months.


    It was mainly the gang, however, as he was too busy cultivating in preparations for his debut


    as a professor.


    But at the end of the hall, two paintings were ced that had him in it.


    They were the biggest and they depicted their loss and victory in court.


    Emir ced it there to remind himself every time he left the house of how close he got to


    losing his loved ones.


    Soon after turning right, they arrived at a normal-looking elevator.


    They could''ve had a more technologically advanced one, but his family wished for something


    with a floor instead of those that simply used Aether rings to transport them.


    So they ended up going with an elevator that he was used to in his ''past life.''


    Ting!


    And just as it arrived...


    They had reached the bottom floor of their new home.


    One that contained five floors, with Emir''s room being in the topmost floor as he wanted the


    space all for himself.


    The elevator might''ve looked ordinary, but like all things in this world, it was fast.


    Incredibly so.


    They walked out and passed by many rooms while heading towards the kitchen.


    The dining area was just next to it and that''s where they usually held their meetings.


    A long talk after stuffing oneself was a calming experiencepared to those with an empty


    stomach.


    And even though they didn''t technically need to eat every day or at all for someone like Emir, he and his family, still greatly enjoyed their time spent at the table.


    Creak.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Emir opened a massive reinforced door and was greeted by a long oval table with pairs of


    chairs on both sides.


    A single chair for the family head was ced at the far end of the wooden table.


    And those chairs weren''t empty, as the house''s residents were already gathered, heeding their


    leader''s call.


    Elijah, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, Leo, Raymond, Jamal, Logan and...


    His adopted daughter, Faye.


    ''Quite the team I''ve gathered...''


    Emma and Jake had their own home, and they couldn''t be seen to be too close to Emir, so they


    didn''t live with them.


    Nathan was the same.


    Mariane who lived with Evelyn was down to join them but Emir didn''t want to deal with her problematic sister, so she was refused.


    Sheined a lot at the time, but Emir calmed her down with ''truthful'' and logical


    arguments.


    "Good morning boys, now where''s Mom at?"

 Chapter 226: Parrot

    Chapter 226: Parrot


    ?


    Jamal was the first to answer as he raised his hand:


    "Bossman, the boss is still in the kitchen, head honcho, Sir!"


    Emir''s exasperated face showed itself.


    "You fucking shit face. Choose a title and stick with it!"


    And like routine, all of the family beganughing their ass off.


    "Yes, head honcho, boss, Sir!"


    Faye, who had her ears covered by Logan jumped out of hisp and ran towards him.


    "Grandpa! Grandpa! Carry me!"


    A smiling Emir grabbed her cute little cheeks and began squeezing them.


    "Little Faye, do I look that old to you?"


    "...B-But your pops boss right?"


    Emir looked up at Logan, only to see him shake his head.


    "I don''t know either... It''s probably ''cause she watched The Godfather 11 or something."


    He kneeled to little Faye level, and tapped his shoulders, inviting her to sit.


    Her ck twin tails bobbed up and down as she giggled, her brown eyes bright.


    "Thank you, grandpa!"


    With Faye atop his right shoulder, Emir approached his chair while passing by Kiera and her gang.


    He gave them a few taps on the way and then rxed on his seat.


    His hands sat on itsfortable armrests and his back leaned on its red cushion.


    Faye climbed up and was now sitting on his head, her little feet were swinging wildly out of her skirt.


    The sight was ridiculous, but their leader''s gaze didn''t even allow their minds to entertain that thought.


    "So, tell me, how were y''all doing while I was away?"


    "Tell meeee."


    Emir''s question appeared to be a regr thing as three people stood up to report.


    Elijah was the first:


    "I learned a new ability, Grim Veil, the third one in my Reaper path."


    Emir raised a brow while asking:


    "Anything else?"


    Elijah shook his head.


    "No big bro, Kiera can report the rest."


    Emir nodded.


    "I see, good job."


    "Good job, good job."


    Elijah wore a bright satisfied smile and sat back down.


    He then showed his face to the rest of the room as if he was boasting.


    His reaction was met with soft chuckles from the gang, or rather, family.


    Though inwardly, all of them wished to be in his position.


    Emir''spliments were incredibly rare, after all...


    Their bossman raised his hand, and the gangplied, regaining focus.


    Kiera was the next to step up, but her face was sulking.


    "It''s unfair, you always treat Elijah better than us..."


    Emir and Faye sneered.


    "Too bad."


    "Too bad!"


    Kiera epted their words with a giggle.


    "Sure boss, little boss, it''s too bad indeed... Anyways we''ve got a lot to share, so I''ll list them in points."


    Seeing Emir nod she continued:


    "Alright, so first we conquered six undiscovered ruins in the time you spent cultivating. Elijah joined us with a few of them."


    "Secondly, our name, Azazel, spread even more. I''ve heard that it even reached the other sectors. Also, a lot more people are requesting to join our hunter group."


    "How many passed our tests?"


    Kiera showed a hologram from her terminal as the answer to his question.


    "Hmmm...."


    Emir inwardly noted the names, but he didn''t see anyone noteworthy, so he gestured for Kiera to continue.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Those that passed were assigned to live freely on the first floor, we''re following your rules to the letter." Kiera ended her sentence with a wink.


    Those who lived on the bottom floor were the weakest and newest in the group.


    The stronger one was the higher they lived in their house.


    Of course the term ''stronger'' wasn''t meant for only strength, but importance to the group.


    Whether it was in ability, potential, smarts, or sometimes all of the above.


    The highest they could live was the third floor as the main members lived on the fourth.


    So if anyone were to attack their home, they would have to go through cannon fodder first, giving them time to prepare for a counterattack.


    If it wasn''t obvious enough, Emir himself was the one who devised this housing structure. Those smart in the group had long since realized his intention, but some like Elijah remained


    na?ve.


    "Andstly our relic gathering routes had their danger levels increased by nine percent, and we generally spotted more monsters in the wastnd."


    Emir nodded, showing her a smile.


    "And you know what this means, don''t you?"


    "Yes, it''s the signs of aing monster tide."


    Emir''sugh soon reverberated through the room, joined by Faye, as she parroted his every


    action.


    "That''s why you''re the toon leader Kiera, good job."


    And a collective gasp followed.


    Emir knew the reason why as their faces told him enough.


    They all probably thought a variation of:


    ''Boss''s been handing outpliments today.''


    ''Did his rank up affect his mood or something?''


    If only they knew the real reason...


    Mayhem would ensue.


    They soonposed themselves and Raymond the three musketeers elected leader stood up.


    "Bossman-"


    "Are you seriously going to call me that?"


    "Call him grandpa! Ancestor pops!"


    They cut him off but Raymond acted like he didn''t hear anything and continued:


    "Bossman, we three have been hard at work like always."


    "And to summarize, our non-elitepetitors no longer stand a chance as our supply of


    Relics is almost never-ending."


    "It''s the same for our Hunter''s Den side of the business, but we seem to have hit a


    bottleneck."


    "The supply is too high, and we don''t have enough demand."


    "Most of our relics aren''t needed by the UEF either so we have to mostly rely on our customer


    base, which are normal hunters or clients from otherpanies."


    "But they too seemed to have had their fill."


    "Anyways, that''s the situation. Do you have any questions... bossman?"


    Emir eyed Raymond for a long moment till he breathed:


    "Did Jamal put you up to this?"


    A loud cackle from Jamal echoed in response.


    "Of course bossman! You need to be shown the respect you deserve!"


    Emir was about to reprimand him but his words stopped as he heard someone knock on the


    door.

 Chapter 227: Holy Relic

    Chapter 227: Holy Relic


    ?


    Moments passed and it turned out that it wasn''t a knock but rather Laura weakly kicking the door while holding tworge trays of pancakes, and toast.


    Lily followed behind her, holding her own set of trays.


    Emir once asked his mother to buy automata maids and the like to help them but Laura wanted to do everything herself.


    He remembered her giggling words to be:


    "I''m the bossman''s mother, you know! I can''t be seen loading my work onto others."


    They argued back and forth as if they were making the toughest of decisions, one that reminded him of the time before their journey to the Academy.


    But this time around he had Lyra and Lily to back him up and they were adamant about it too. In conclusion, Laura lost the three vs one.


    The menial tasks like cleaning, washing clothes and tes, etcetera, would at least be done by machines.


    "We got pancakes for all!"


    "Grandpa''s Mama!"


    "Boss!"


    Laura''s words were met with loud reactions as most of the gang stood up to wee her.


    Each of their dominant hand remained stuck on their second heart.


    ''Why didn''t they do that for me?''


    Emir wondered if he was being too lenient with them, but he soon ignored that thought.


    It was most likely that they simply forgot to do so.


    And besides he didn''t care for it, he wasn''t a stickler for rules anyway.


    As long as they showed absolute loyalty and respect to him and his family then that was enough.


    The girls stood up and approached his mother and sister.


    After a bit of pleasantries, they took the trays off them.


    Emir lowered Faye to the ground so she could join them and the little one was quickly picked up by Lily a few momentster.


    Then all the food was distributed, with some people getting more than others.


    "Hey, why do keep giving me so much?"


    "Yeah, why us? Look Evan and Hiro got half!"


    Leo and Elijahined in unison.


    Emir scoffed.


    "These have a lot of protein, something that you two need. And you guys are a long way from bing celestial material, so stop fuckingining and eat."


    "Language!"


    "Bad Grandpa!"


    Emir nced at Laura and Faye for a moment.


    "Sure, Mom... and you too kiddo."


    The group sharedughter, never getting used to seeing their boss be put down so quickly.


    They then began to enjoy their time eating, each of their voices louder than the other.


    It was chaos.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir didn''t join in much of the fun, however.


    He was busy contemting many things like usual.


    [Ly, you can send it now.]


    [Done.]


    As soon as her reply reached him, his gaze wandered over his family.


    While doing so, his mind read out their Celestial status.


    ''Laura, Spell Weaver, Life element, Tenth ss.''


    ''Lily, Arcanist, Twelfth ss.''


    ''Lyra, Shadow binder, Nyx''s Dominion aspect, fifth ability.''


    ''Elijah, Reaper, Nether''s River aspect, third ability.''


    ''Kiera, Gun Mage, Starlit aspect, fourth ability.''


    ''Jack, Ranger, Wild''s Steward aspect, fourth ability.''


    ''Sarah, Zenith Warden, Osiris''s Light aspect, third ability.''


    ''Hiro, de Dancer, Eternal Waltz aspect, third ability.''


    ''Evan, Knight, Noble''s Pledge aspect, third ability.''


    ''Leo, Technomancer, Magitek aspect, third ability.''


    ''Raymond, Arcanist, Twelfth ss.''


    ''Jamal, Technomancer, Magitek aspect, second ability.''


    ''Logan, Ranger, Wild''s Steward aspect, second ability.''


    Then his mind wandered to the others.


    ''Jake, Arcanist, Eleventh ss, Elemental Enchanter.''


    ''Emma, Spell Weaver, Fire element, Ninth ss, The Veil''s intern.''


    ''Mariane, Zenith warden, Osiris''s Light Aspect, fourth ability.''


    And finally her sister.


    ''Evelyn, Gun Mage, Starlit Aspect, fourth ability.''


    PS. ''Faye, cute, cute aspect, parrot ability.''


    Emir and Lyra didn''t know nor care for their individual Celestial Essences since that differed between each Celestial as no two people were the same.


    So for example, Logan and Jack had a different Celestial Essence even though they were of the


    same specialization.


    This was not only due to their distinct personalities but also the fact that they had named their Celestial Essence.


    It wasn''t that their minds thought of the name but their ''Spirits'' themselves.


    Aspects were recorded but Celestial Essences weren''t for that single reason.


    ''Damn, I''ve got a lot of fuckers to manage....''


    Emir chuckled.


    ''Without Lyra around these lot would''ve turned the whole sector upside down till their inevitable death by the UEF guard.''


    Lyra managed all their lives while simultaneously watching over their training regimen.


    She created a training n even better than what those Celestials in the UEF Guard had.


    But that didn''t matter much in the end, all of those in the Guard were cyborgs, with many


    cybeic enhancements installed.


    They were an elite task force, like a swat team on steroids.


    Even the prince wouldn''t be able tost a second against them-


    Emir''s musings suddenly paused as he noticed his mother had increased the holoscreen''s


    volume.


    "Breaking news: Judge Mercer, a prominent figure in the sector management department, was found dead in his residence earlier today."


    "Authorities are treating this as a suspicious death, not of natural causes."


    "Rumors say that thest time he was spotted outside was a few weeks back."


    "Although we don''t have anything concrete, we safely assume that his death was a long one."


    "Judge Mercer, known for his strong stance on sector security, was presiding over several high-profile cases, including the Prince Emporiumpanyst year."


    "But that was hisst case due to his questionable justice."


    "He never openly showed himself to the public eye after that, as if his existence was wiped off


    the Earth."


    "Many are now questioning whether this shocking event is somehow rted to the deaths of Hargrove and his family just a few months ago."


    All the eyes of those in the room except Lyra''s and Faye''s immediately locked on Emir.


    They looked shocked, to say the least.


    But Emir showed surprise at the news.


    This, in turn, gave them the answer to their unspoken question.


    "I guess someone out there is cleaning things up for us."


    No one bought his act, not even Elijah, well, Faye did, but the rest knew of Emir''s promise


    back then.


    Hargrove would be the first, and Mercer would be the second.


    They had finally repaid their debt of blood.


    And the answer that the family received was clear.


    With the way Emir had acted, they knew that whatever happened was not to be spoken about.


    They had nothing to do with it and their deaths should be erased from their memories.


    And that''s what they did as they naturally moved on, conversing about whatever came up in


    their minds.


    Emir softly nodded at their actions.


    ''Even mom and sis caught on....''


    ''I guess they learned a lot while I was cultivating.''


    ''Oh, and speaking of...''


    [Yo Ly, create a channel with Mom.]


    [...I did it but what for?]


    Lyra, who was sitting to his right replied in a heartbeat, even while conversing with the


    others.


    [Well, I want her to show off a bit.]


    Lyra sounded a telepathic giggle.


    [Don''t be too surprised.]


    Emir scoffed and turned his attention to his left.


    [Mom.]


    Laura twitched slightly at her son''s unexpected call.


    [Can you guys stop invading other''s privacy like that?] Herining caused a grin to spread on his face. [You can''t say that. You''re the one who allowed us in.] [Pardon me but I don''t recall ever doing that.]


    [Hey, why are you acting all formal with me? Also, it''s subconscious so of course you didn''t.]


    She mischievously giggled while disengaging from her conversation with Sarah.


    Sarah was confused for a moment but soon understood that Laura was having a private chat


    with her son.


    [Now look at who''sining.]


    Emir sneered.


    [Anyways, I wanted to ask, what''s our current budget?]


    [Why don''t you ask Lyra that?]


    [Don''t you want to boast to your son?]


    Her question was answered by another, one that Laura expected as her smile grew even wider.


    After a pause, she told him the amount, but it didn''t register in his mind.


    Emir, who was in the middle of swallowing down his food, almost choked.


    Even he, who had a broken sense of money, was surprised-incredibly so. Soon heposed himself, and as he didn''t want to appear funny to the others, he forcibly


    pushed the food down.


    A loud gulp resounded while he looked back at his mother.


    [Say that again.]


    [146 Valora.]


    [....We''re billionaires, Mom.]


    ''We''re fucking RICH!''


    [Hehe, Yes we are!]


    Lyra, who was listening in to their conversation, finally cut in:


    [We are... on Earth at least.]


    [What do you mean?]


    Emir''s question was answered by the many holograms that appeared before his invisible


    irises.


    {Holy Relic: 300+ Valora}


    Some time back, Emir had sent his weapons and equipment to Raymond while he cultivated.


    The old man could finally afford to purchase proper appraisal equipment, so he requested to have a go at Emir''s stuff.


    Raymond took his sweet time with the appraisal but after a few weeks, he came by the roof to share ''exciting'' news.


    Emir''s twin swords were SS-Ranked, the highest rank there was.


    But that wasn''t what Raymond was excited about, it was Emir''s backpack.


    It was a Holy Relic, one that was made by an Arcanist''s hand.


    Those types of relics were not the norm as they were above the ranking standard.


    It was all for a simple reason...


    Those relics had a disadvantage ingrained in them to bnce them and keep them functional.


    A ''w.''


    This showed how amazing they could be.


    For example, the backpack was nigh-indestructible, but the caveat was that it had to be worn,


    only then would it not be destroyed.


    Raymond wasn''t sure why, but he guessed that it needed to always be supplied with Aether.


    But that mattered not to most Celestials, especially to Emir, as he didn''t even detect the minuscule amount of Aether that left his core.


    The one who worked on the backpack must have made sure to ingrain the best possible disadvantage, and it definitely went through years, maybe even hundreds, to reach the state it was in today.


    This was something that Raymond gushed about for hours, but by then, Emir was already


    cultivating.


    And now one could see why Emir was surprised to the extreme, as he set his eyes upon the cost


    of such a relic.


    Soon, however, his surprise grew even more as he looked at the other holograms.

 Chapter 228: Above The SS Rank

    Chapter 228: Above The SS Rank


    ?


    {Normal House In Sol''s Domain: 5000+ Valora}


    {Five Story House In Sol''s Domain: 17000+ Valora}


    {Space Ship: 40000+ Valora}


    {Pathway Knowledge: 400+ Valora}


    {Specialization Ability Path: 200+ Valora}


    After the holograms came a plethora of information about the Local Group''s financial state.


    It all flooded Emir''s mind in a single satisfying rush.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This information caused him to immediately understand why there was such an obvious discrepancy in the currency''s value between Earth and those under the Order.


    It was their only official currency.


    A loaf of bread might cost them a single Valora.


    A cup of coffee might cost them five.


    But, here on Earth, a single coin would be worth the best of augmented suits and the best of relics like the one Max bought some time ago at the auction.


    This wasn''t only for Emir''s, but many others as well.


    Because the Order traded only among themselves as if they erected an istion barrier between them and those they considered inferior.


    This allowed them to set their own currency''s value without interference from anyone''s financial systems.


    And yes, they did considers like Earth inferior, Lyra did too, once calling it a ''backwater.''


    ''I get it now...''


    Emir let out a sigh and locked eyes with Lyra.


    ''Let''s just add this to the pile of shit never mentioned in the novel and move on.''


    [...But there''s more to it than that isn''t there?]


    [Are you talking about the illegal stuff?]


    Seeing Emir nod she continued:


    [Yeah, there''s more.]


    [Of course, there was.]


    [So while Valora is the only recognized currency, mosts have their own underground currency; it could be any random item, even online coins that the locals chose.]


    [Let me guess, they barter too, right?]


    [Yep. This of course is illegal under the Order''s rule but when did that stop anyone?]


    Emir chuckled at her question while leaning back in his chair.


    [It never did indeed....]


    Their conversation took a brief pause until Emir remembered something that he hadn''t done in a while.


    [Hey, hasn''t been too long since Ist had my status checked?]


    His question was met with a telepathic giggle from Lyra.


    [I''ll show you the usual.]


    After a moment, arge hologram appeared before him.


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Age: 15}


    {Hunter Rank: 50}


    {Celestial Rank: Seraphim Champion}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Credit Bnce: 146 Valora}


    (Stats)


    {Strength: S+-> 10,010} (Avg C+)


    {Agility: S--> SS} (Avg C)


    {Endurance: S+-> 10200} (Avg C+)


    {Mind: A+ ->S-} (Avg D+)


    {Charm: A+} (Avg C+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E10}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    (Aspects)


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial


    dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create Aether


    constructs.}


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 95% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 90% Proficiency.}


    (Abilities)


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 5 Minutes 20 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 7 Minutes 20 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 88 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond


    human limitations.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.}0


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.}


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from


    iing attacks.}


    {Gates of Eternity: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them


    with power.}


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.}


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.}[ {Death''s Shadow: This ability causes the user''s eyes to darken like an abyss, projecting a potent illusion of the opponent''s unending demise. This chilling vision can paralyze the target in fear, rendering them vulnerable inbat, regardless of their willpower. Only truly effective against Celestials lower than the user''s rank by two sub-ranks.}


    (Art)


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing


    further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also


    increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    (Equipment)


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {SS-Ranked Twin Swords: Peak Maintenance}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: SS-Rank Item}


    (Vehicles)


    {ze Runner Bike: Functional}


    {de Runner Cruiser: Functional}


    (Inventory)


    {100 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Stim Energy Packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    Emir''s gaze remained still for a while, till a few words left his mouth:


    "Not bad...."


    The ever-growing family of his eyed him for a moment but soon ignored his actions and returned their focus to each other.


    Even after all these months together they never knew what their leader was thinking.


    His brain simply was a mystery to them.


    Emir chuckled at their actions while in thought.


    ''So I''m finally above the SS rank... reaching the Numbers."


    At ranks like Seraphim and up, stats weren''t best calcted using the metric system or any


    rted system; instead, they were measured using an entirely new one designed exclusively


    for Celestials.


    As seen, it only began after one rose above the SS.


    ''But, why?...''


    [Why stop at SS? You know like why not go higher to SSS? That''s the usual.]


    [It''s too many letters. And no, that isn''t the usual, at least for those with a brain.]


    He snickered.


    ''Of course, of course... Anyways, everything I bought before is useless now... at least the new


    kids can use them.''


    ''Oh, and speaking off...''


    [Ly, connect me to Kiera.]


    [Done.]


    Just as she replied, Kiera''s soft voice echoed in his mind as she turned to look at him.


    [What is it, bossman?]


    [You''re in it too?]


    [They''ve convinced me, boss, what can I say?]


    Her giggles followed after her words, causing Emir to show a smile.


    ''She hasn''t moved on from their deaths yet, but it''s nice to finally see her back on her feet.''


    [Whatever... Now look, I know you didn''t want to dampen the mood, but we have to talk about


    it.]


    [....The deaths you mean?]


    [Yeah, how many?] [Two cohorts of six. One got stuck deep in ruin and couldn''t survive till our rescue cohort came


    in, and the other got wiped out to a trap.]


    [It was an AI manager, huh...] [That''s right boss, we lost contact with them before we could even identify the source, so we


    can only specte.]


    Emir nodded.


    [I understand, did I meet any of them?]


    [Only the first group boss. The second came after you went all recluse.]


    [Were they good men?]


    [Yes, boss.]


    Emir showed a sad smile for a brief moment.


    [Send 300 million to each of their families.]


    [Alright.]


    Just as Kiera confirmed, he ended their conversation by cutting off the connection.


    Emir then proceeded to sit up straight.


    -§´§Ñ§â.


    -§´§Ñ§â.


    Tap.


    He knocked on the table thrice, causing his family''s chaos to quieten.


    They all looked at him with eyes that showed anticipation, as they knew what was going to


    happen next.


    "Everyone, as you all know, I''ll be going to the academy in a few days."


    "I won''t be here to protect you."


    "But that doesn''t matter, does it, boys?"


    "HELL NO!"


    "IT DOESN''T!"


    "We ain''t baggage bossman!"


    "I can take care of myself, Big Bro!"


    "We won''t burden you, Sir!"


    "Grandpa!"


    Their collective reply was immediate, as they all roared at the top of their lungs.


    Or rather, the men and Faye did.


    The women were quieter, but their voices were fierce nheless.


    "We''ve got bodyguards, you know!"


    Even his mother and sister joined in the fun.


    Lyra was the only silent one.


    Emirughed and continued:


    "For them, family is a weakness." "They go after them."


    "But for me... my family is my strength."


    "And unfortunately, we''ve lost more of ours, our strength."


    "And I, their leader... never weed them."


    Most of those before him showed signs of hidden sadness, an expected reaction.


    However, Emir''s next words appeared tofort them.


    "Instead I''ll bid them goodbye." "This is my duty as the head of this house."


    "We''ll move outter today, free your schedules."


    "Yes, Sir!"


    Stomp!


    All those present stood up from their seats and removed their rings from their index finger.


    It was a ck ring with Azazel''s insignia attached to its center.


    The insignia was a cracked skull with two tiny horns protruding out from each side.


    Then every one of them brought his or her hand above their second heart.


    Emir nodded and left his seat.


    While he walked towards the door, he lingered behind his mother and sister for a few


    moments.


    "See you guyster."


    After a brief hug and a pat for Faye, he exited the room, leaving only a few words behind:


    "And remember, boys...."


    "Trust only kin."


    "''''Cause we''re in for a rough time."

 Chapter 229: Graveyard

    Chapter 229: Graveyard


    ?


    Upper District''s Hidden Department


    Emir stood before towering gates, colored with nothing but ck.


    He was in a ce where secrets were buried deeper than the most borate tombs.


    The air was thick with the weight of history, and the entrance loomed...


    Guarding the city''s darkest times.


    Emir was here to visit the graves of his strength.


    Of his family''s fallen.


    The gatekeepers were stern-looking men in white uniforms.


    They eyed him solemnly as he neared them.


    It seemed obvious that those men had grown to know him.


    Emir visited the ce quite often in the past seven months, so they frequently chatted, or at least watched his actions.


    And as usual, they allowed him entry when he shed his ID.


    He stepped through the gates.


    And was weed by the dead.


    This hidden department was a ce most only heard about in hushed whispers.


    It was in the massive bunker, past the Slums, ck Market, and Red Light District.


    A ce of unseen opulence.


    The underbelly''s underbelly, where true filthy.


    One withrge underground buildings for both the rich and the poor.


    So even those with little to no money had a ''proper'' ce to live.


    They lived in cells that were ingrained in buildings, small as toilet cubicles and almost prison-like.


    A cramped space, a ustrophobic nightmare.


    But still...


    Such a ce though inhumane allowed them the safety of a good night''s sleep.


    That was what most would ask for in this world.


    And the author of their wants was Horizon Holdings, one of the Big Eight Corporations.


    They were not one to publicize human cruelty.


    So the UEF didn''t allow the entry of normal hunters here.


    They in fact didn''t even know of this ce''s existence.


    But how did the dead bodies get here then?


    Well, Sector Management personnel would take the deceased and haul them over.


    Many times by force.


    This gave the average Joe no chance for closure.


    No chance for a proper farewell...


    It wasn''t just for Horizon Holdings but also the many other secrets this ce held.


    Buried ones, both living and dead.


    Emir walked along the manicured pathways, surrounded by rows of mausoleums and graves. The atmosphere was eerily quiet, broken only by the distant chirping of birds. Those birds weren''t real, however, neither was the sunlight, as this ce was underground.


    His family followed behind him, their faces reflecting a mix of respect and sorrow.


    They reached the section of the cemetery where Azazel''s fallen wereid to rest.


    The gravestones were simple but elegant, each marked with the name of the deceased and a small emblem denoting their allegiance.


    Emir moved from one grave to another, paying his respects to all of the lost.


    Each name held stories of battles fought and victories won.


    Stories that he never knew...


    And never would.


    Soon, he met those he led to their demise.


    The graves of Kiera''s gang.


    She, who was once their leader, stood there, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.


    Emir approached her and took her in his arms.


    Kiera wasn''t surprised, instead, she weed it.


    This was a usual urrence, as every time he came here, she would follow, only to end up


    crying at her loved ones'' graves.


    Jack, Sarah, Hiro, Evan and Leo, were the same.


    But they had his mother and sister tofort them.


    Kiera''s quiet trembling stopped in a minute or so and he let go of her right after.


    Emir then proceeded to step closer to the graves and whisper a few words at each one.


    He wasn''t expressing his apologies but rather his thanks.


    They died so he could thrive.


    It was a somber moment but that was all.


    After he was done with that, he made his way to a section of the cemetery that he had never visited before.


    This was where his father''s ''grave'' was located.


    The graveyard was divided into two distinct sections, each reflecting the social hierarchy of


    the sector.


    The first section, where themon manid to rest, was a stark contrast to the privilege of the high-ss citizens.


    It consisted of small, windowless structures that resembled locker-like cells.


    The people brought here were incinerated, their remains reduced to ashes without any trace


    of their existence.


    Theck of proper graves symbolized the disposability of the lower ss in the eyes of Sector


    Management.


    The second section, where Emir''sradesy was reserved for the privileged.


    An oasis of privilege amidst the destion.


    There, the dead were buried in the ground, and their graves were adorned withvish


    tombstones.


    Some even had statues.


    Emir chuckled at that notion and headed towards his father''s ''grave,'' which was situated


    deeper in the first section.


    He walked by columns of stacked cells, where names were written in alphabetical order.


    Soon he reached where the letter ''O'' began.


    It was a nd row of cells, dark like the rest of them.


    {Oakley}


    {Octavia}


    {Odette}


    {Odysseus}


    {Oisin}


    {f}


    {nrewaju}


    {Olena}


    {Olga}


    {Olin}


    {Olive}


    {Olivia}


    {Ollie}


    Emir''s eyes scrolled through the names until they paused and his lips parted to say:


    "Oliver."


    He kneeled before the bottom-most cell.


    His fingers gently traced the engraved letters of his father''s name.


    Then they moved to his ID number, one that was in the triple digits.


    They were cold to the touch, metallic.


    "Where are you?"


    Emir had never visited this section for a reason.


    This engraving would remind him of his father''s supposed sacrifice.


    He didn''t know his father, neither did he love him.


    It wasn''t possible to truly love someone whom you never knew.


    But that didn''t matter to Emir.


    Oliver was blood.


    That''s all that he cared for, and it was enough for him.


    "You''re not dead, are you?"


    Neither Emir nor his family truly believed Oliver to be dead.


    The circumstances of his disappearance had been shrouded in mystery, and there had been no


    body...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    No closure.


    Laura had clung to the hope that Oliver was still out there somewhere, waiting to return to his


    family.


    Lily had been too young to remember her father, so she wasn''t as attachedpared to the


    other two.


    Emir should''ve been like her, but no, he grew up differently.


    After all, he had carried the burden of Oliver''s absence all his life.


    He had be the head of the family, responsible for their safety, their wellbeing.


    And that caused him to go through a lot...


    Though the person himself didn''t resent his father for it.


    Emir had long since epted his role.


    So his face was serene, like water on a stillke.


    And his eyes remained fixed on the cell, appearing lost in thought.


    "I''ll find you, Dad," he whispered.


    It was a vow that he had made to himself countless times.


    One that his blood family knew of.


    They watched in silence from two steps behind, a few sobs leaving them every now and then.


    "I''ll uncover the truth, no matter how deep it''s buried."


    With those words, Emir rose from his father''s name.


    And as he turned away from the cells, his family fell in line behind him.


    Emir had made a promise, and he intended to keep it, no matter the cost.


    His people knew that.


    It was their mission, not just their leader''s.


    This was all not only for survival but for total dominance.


    A journey that would test the limits of their spirits.


    And now that they had paid their respects to their fallen...


    It was time to continue that journey.

 Chapter 230: End Of The Beginning

    Chapter 230: End Of The Beginning


    ?


    Stomp! Stomp!


    ''Why is this fucker not waking up?!''


    Stomp!


    Stomp!


    Emir kept kicking Elijah''s bed, causing it to tremble as if experiencing an earthquake.


    But even with all that power he threw at it, the bed didn''t dare break.


    After all, most things they purchased for their house, furniture especially, were Emir-proof.


    Arcanists reinforced them at production, in a simr fashion to the building material for the shops they owned.


    The Arcanists ingrained Aether into them through a process called ''Aether Infusion.''


    After that, the materials went through ''Aspect Imprinting,'' ''Materialization,'' and finally ''Stabilization.''


    Thest process was what maintained the Aspect in the material even after the supply of Aether from the Arcanist was cut off.


    Many factories skipped the Materialization process as it rted to further shaping the material, and it was a process only done for custom products.


    Stomp! Stomp!


    So with that in mind, Emir didn''t care for breaking the bed and went ham.


    "Wake up, ya fuck head!"


    "..."


    "WAKE UP!"


    Elijah didn''t even flinch at his screaming.


    [Sweetie, you don''t need to be so loud, he''ll wake up.]


    Emir scoffed at his mother''s words.


    [Yeah, Mom... He''ll wake up alright, but not in the time for the academy!] Stomp!


    [Calm down, bro, it''s his first day, he''ll get used to waking up early.]


    [Your sister is right, listen to her for once.]


    [Why are you guys ganging up on me? I''m right!]


    Stomp!


    [You are, but be lenient with him, he''s just a kid.]


    [Mom, he''s fifteen, same as me.]


    Stomp!


    [Bro, mentally, you''re a dposing carcass.]


    [Shut up you lil shit.]


    [Language!]


    Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!


    [Ahhhhh.... Ly, cut.]


    [You can''t do that-]


    [Done.]


    Emir chuckled, but his feet never stopped kicking the bed.


    [Thanks, did the guys leave already?]


    [Yep, only Jamal is left.]


    Stomp! Stomp!


    [Alright, he''ll get me there, I don''t feel like driving today.]


    [So Elijah''s going with Lily?]


    Stomp!


    [Yeah, we don''t need their transport anymore, you can send them instead.]


    [Then wake him up.]


    [I''m trying!]


    Emir gave up on the bed and began shaking the hell out of the sleeping Reaper.


    "If you don''t wake up I''ll tell Lily about your little crush!"


    Elijah''s body immediately sprang up, before his mind even registered what happened.


    He groggily looked at Emir for a moment, till a few words left his mouth:


    "You''ll what?"


    "Don''t mind that, and snap out of it, you''ve got MFT''s to burn."


    "What to what?"


    "MFT''s to burn."


    Elijah tilted his head, his blue eyes twitching.


    "MFT''s"


    || ||


    "Burn?"


    Emir nodded.


    "Why?"


    "You''ll know soon enough."


    Leaving that puzzling statement behind, Emir kicked out one more time, this time attacking


    Elijah instead of the bed.


    "Augh!"


    Elijah got pushed off and fell onto the ground while holding his aching arm.


    "What the hell was that for?!"


    "Get the fuck up and wash yourself."


    Bang!


    Emir exited the room right after, and a bbergasted Elijah remained.


    "Is he on his period or something?"


    While that wasn''t the case, mainly because it wasn''t physically possible...


    Emir wasn''t as calm as he usually was.


    It had been a few days since their visit to the graveyard and today was THE day.


    More specifically, it was Monday.


    Even more specifically, it was the first day of the semester for both students and new


    professors.


    The ''Born In Ruins'' novel had finally begun.


    And it was time for him to face the reason he was created.


    Arthur.


    Emir had ns for him, but that was forter.


    Now his mind was focused on the uing test.


    He had prepared a lot for this test and even for his ns beyond it, especially in thest few


    days.


    Ting!


    The elevator''s door opened to the basement floor where Lyra waited for him.


    "Hey, prince."


    "Ly."


    "He awake?"


    "Yeah, where''s Jamal at?"


    "Down at the garage. You should join him now, you don''t want to bete."


    Emir patted her head as he walked past and headed to the lobby''s exit.


    "See you."


    Teteet!


    The reinforced door slid open with a soft hiss as it detected his presence.


    It revealed the expansive underground garage.


    The sight before Emir was rows upon rows of gleaming vehicles, both personal and military,


    that stood in perfect alignment.


    The ground was spotlessly clean, and the entire area was well-lit with panels embedded in


    the ceiling.


    On his left, a line of ck mechs, towering war machines, caught his eye.


    ''Those were tough to get, but with Lyra around anything''s possible.''


    They got those from underground channels, specialized dealers in the ck market that sold


    used military equipment.


    One could call them leftovers from Apex Dynamics, one of the Big Eight who were responsible


    for everything vehicle-rted.


    When bought, they weren''t spotless like now, but Leo, Jamal, and Longshot had fixed them up


    to perfection.


    These mechs were equipped with the most advanced weaponry,ser rifles on each hand with massive Aether sters equipped on top.


    They were used by the UEF Army at the frontlines, not the UEF Guard as hunters usually


    confused the two.


    To the right, Emir saw a line of cruisers and a single APC, all designed for long-distance


    travel.


    They were polished to the extreme, their bodies reflecting the overhead lights, almost blinding him in the process.


    Further back on the left, light-armored vehicles were stationed, resembling agile and


    compact tanks.


    They were often used as the spearhead in convoys traveling from one sector to the next. These vehicles were highly customizable and suited for various purposes.


    This included cargo transport and rapid response.


    Emir smiled, happy with the purchases he made, and continued his way to the end of the


    garage, as his footsteps echoed in the spacious area.


    The scent of polished metal somehow smelled lovely to his nose, but his enjoyment grew damp as his ears picked up the sound of Jamal''s music thumping through the air.


    Emir followed the rhythmic beat until he came across a vehicle that could only belong to his


    loud friend.


    It was a jet-ck sports car with silver ents, the embodiment of elegance and luxury.


    Jamal sat in the driver''s seat,pletely immersed in the music ying through the car''sn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    sound system that took the entirety of the back seat.


    His head bobbed to the rhythm a little too fast, slightly off-beat as well.


    ? "At first, I felt love so true..." ?


    Emir approached the car and knocked on the open door.


    ? "But now I just want to fuck."?


    "Oi!"


    ? "Late nights thinking of you..." ?


    Jamal''s head snapped up, and his dark eyes widened in surprise.


    ? "Until I bust my nut." ?


    He quickly turned down the volume, and the music faded into a soft background hum.


    "Bossman! You''re here."


    Jamal eximed, a wide grin spreading across his face.


    Emir leaned on the car''s frame, looking at Jamal with amusement.


    "Yo shit face, what''s with the music? You trying to wake the whole neighborhood?"


    Jamal chuckled while shrugging.


    "...What neighborhood?"


    "The rats outside."


    "Heh, sorry about that, boss. Got carried away."


    Emir shook his head, a faint smile ying on his lips. Jamal''s enthusiasm was infectious, and he had a way of lightening the mood.


    "No worries. You know the n for today, right?" Jamal nodded, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone.


    "Of course, boss. We''ll be there on time, my girl''s fast."


    Emir opened the door and sat shotgun. "That''s what I like to hear. Now, let''s get going."


    Jamal revved the car''s engine, and the vehicle roared to life.


    "You got a straight pipe? Seriously?"


    Emirughed while adding:


    "As if it weren''t loud enough."


    "What can I say? I like it old-school, the new shit doesn''t evenpete with their fake


    sounds."


    "And unlike them, we drop a real gear and disappear."


    Most vehicles of this type were electric, so Jamal buying a solely hydrogen-fueled type was


    rare, as the Elite fought over them.


    But why was that the case?


    It was vintage, or so they called it.


    And if they saw what Jamal did to something so exotic, then death would be the least of his


    worries.


    It was a masterpiece of design, even equipped with Aether-infused enhancements.


    "Hey, Jamal."


    Jamal put on his seatbelt and the car''s gull-wing doors closed automatically.


    "Bossman?"


    The car began to move, as Jamal maneuvered it to the front of the garage.


    "You like rap?"


    They passed by the lobby and soon entered arge cubicle-like structure.


    "It''s my passion."


    "Oh, so you''ve got a name?"


    The cubicle had translucent walls, and as the car entered, the walls closed around them.


    "Guess bossman."


    Jamal pressed a button on the car''s central console, and the vehicle began to rise.


    They were inside a massive underground elevator designed to transport their vehicles from


    the basement garage to the surface above.


    "Hmm... How about MC midnight?"


    Emir watched as the garage disappeared below them, reced by the metal structure of the


    elevator''s shaft.


    "That''s a bit racist boss."


    "I know."


    "Please try again boss."


    "DJ shadow..."


    "Is that it?"


    "Yeah. Do you want me to add another word or something?"


    "I mean... I dunno, maybe."


    "Oh, don''t tell me you want it to be DJ Shadow Binder? That''s trademarked, mate."


    "Boss, move on, please."


    "Alright, sure, so I''ve got a few more..."


    "T-That''s okay, bossman-"


    "No, quiet down and listen..."


    "ck As Shit, Just ck, Darker Than ck."


    They ascended quickly, and it wasn''t long before they saw a faint glow above, indicating they


    were approaching the surface.


    "BB Dweller, Big Charcoal, and... 12 Am."


    Then with a soft whirr, the elevator reached the surface, and the walls parted to reveal the


    city''s streets before them.


    "...BB Dweller?"


    "ck Basement Dweller."


    "So? How are they?"


    "...Just what did I do to you bossman?"


    Emir chuckled.


    "You know you like it... now shut and turn it up."


    "Alright!"


    As if he was waiting for themand, Jamal quickly increased the volume, and the same song


    yed again.


    A karaoke session soon began...


    One that was never spoken of again.

 Chapter 231: Stareoff

    Chapter 231: Stareoff


    ?


    "I don''t vibe with that fucker bossman."


    "You mean Jake?"


    Jamal smacked his hand down on the steering wheel.


    "Yeah, light-skinned dudes are weird ass creatures, I tell you!"


    "Hoh, and why is that?"


    "Can''t you see it?"


    Emir lightly punched the guy in the shoulder.


    "Just say it already!"


    "Aight, aight, so those light skins, yeah?...They walk all sexy like and shit, and in every picture he''s in with me, the bastard looks incredible!"


    "....."


    The bossman stared nkly at the weird family members of his.


    "What? I''m right! How can he look good from every angle? It''s unnatural; he''s a monster, I tell you!"


    Jamal, who was met with silence, lowered his head, avoiding his boss''s gaze.


    "...Don''t look at me like that, boss; you know I can''t handle it."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Sorry for being too scary, mate."


    Though he was right in that Jake got more handsome...


    All Celestials had their looks improved after each rank up.


    So it was only natural.


    ''Heh...''


    The mood was awkward for a moment, but Jamal''s attitude returned, and his nonstop talking filled the car once again.


    Prince had almost reached his destination, and he was only a few minutes away.


    What surrounded them was the usual mud and scattered rock of the wastnd.


    Yet there was a difference.


    The location they passed in the distance had dunes as big as mountains.


    They reached the sky, blocking out the sun''s rays.


    Brief periods of strong winds came at them with each interval away from the mountains''


    cover.


    However, Jamal kept that to a minimum.


    He chose the best paths on the route he picked and made sure to drive as smoothly as possible, using his neuralwork tomand the vehicle.


    Then, a minuteter, they had finally arrived at their destination.


    "See you, and don''t bete for ''it.""


    "You know I won''t boss man!"


    ...


    A-11 Second Pick-Up Point


    Emir sat by his lonesome, his back leaning on a shop behind him.


    Bzzzzz.


    There were tens of other Celestials next to him.


    Many had already formed groups and were discussing the test.


    "So, you guys think that they''ll send us to a ruin?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Nah, it''s the academy,d! They''re better than that!"


    Bzzzzz.


    "That''s true, but you should stop being a downer, man!"


    "Yeah, you''re shutting down everything without adding shit!"


    ''It''s ''cause you''re all dumbasses.''


    Emir stopped listening in and returned his focus to cultivating his Strength Art and Aether.


    He didn''t bother with forming groups, as he already knew what they were up against.


    Bzzzzz.


    His closed eyes remained low, anticipating the arrival of their transport bus.


    Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz.


    ''Ten seconds left.''


    Bzzzzz.


    This annoying sound came from the people who were begging for his attention.


    But he kept ignoring them.


    ''Them'' being the drones that hovered above him, sending a live recording to the Elite.


    The sound they made was barely audible, but he was no mortal...


    And with the Sensory Enhancement, his hearing was better than most Seraphims.


    So he was annoyed, to say the least.


    Emir had a deep-rooted desire to flip them off, but he held it in.


    It would be better to do itter.


    And soon he opened his eyes to stare at the expansive wastnd.


    He could see a busing in from a distance, kicking up a storm of dust behind it.


    Emir thought of it as a ''bus'' but it looked nothing like one.


    It was massive, with a width of approximately eight meters, a height of ten, and a length of at


    least thirty-five meters.


    Many weapons were attached atop it, and i even had a spearhead-like front.


    "Wow, they''re pulling out all the stops, huh."


    A manmented from his right, likely wanting him to react but Emir didn''t even bother


    looking at him and stood up.


    He walked a few steps forward and joined the queue that began to form.


    Multiple other transport buses arrived, so more hunters began to queue up as well, each for


    their respective job requests.


    But the usual loud screaming wasn''t present.


    The hunters all looked nervously at Emir''s side of the pickup point.


    Not just them; even the officials were quieter than usual.


    Something that Emir was thankful for.


    Screech!


    The bus slowed to a stop, and a young man stepped to the front of the queue.


    He looked to be no older than twenty, but that was the case with most talented individuals, as


    they ranked up quickly, gaining them the advantage of beautiful skin.


    Emir was the same, though no matter how handsome he got, his scariness still far outweighed


    that.


    "Men, women, and cyborgs! Allow me to wee you before the principal."


    The young man spoke excitedly, his tone confident.


    "Most of you today will go back home empty handed but don''t let that deter you!"


    "You might not be up to..."


    Emir stopped listening.


    His mind skipped through the process, and he had already found himself on the bus.


    There were two entry points, one in the back and another in the front.


    He entered through the front.


    This was important to point out, as he waste to enter...


    Emir identally turned off his brain for too long.


    Now the seats that dotted each side were all taken, except one that remained in the middle.


    He had walked forward until the seat he approached was also neared by another candidate. They stood there, facing each other like a scene from an ancient Western showdown. Emir''s and the man''s gazes remained fixed on each other for a while as they both scrutinized


    one another.


    The man had short, wild brown hair that contrasted with his sharp, icy blue eyes.


    His build was lean and fit, though not overly muscr, and his exposed arms and neck were adorned with an array of tattoos.


    He sported a pair of dark sunsses atop his head.


    A distinguishing feature of this candidate was the long beard flowing to the base of his neck.


    ''Think...''


    The two men''s eyes remained trained on each other, a silent stareoff that seemed tost for


    an eternity.


    Finally, it was Emir who decided to make his move.


    He stepped next to an older-looking man, standing a few feet away from the seat.


    "Excuse me, Sir. That seat over there is open."


    Emir appeared to be giving up the seat and giving it to the elder instead....


    Or so the man would think, causing him to take a few steps back.


    ''He will decline the offer.''


    "Ah-That''s alright. I''m only here to watch over you, youngins."


    As Emir thought...


    Based on how the elderly man carried himself, he was not a test attendee but a supervisor


    instead.


    It wasn''t only that, however, as he knew the elderly man''s secret.


    But he would save that forter.


    With quiet steps, Emir sat on the seat and looked at the man, who gazed at him with wide


    eyes.


    He then rxed his back and folded his hands over each other.


    Undeniable Victory!


    Emir, who was all smug, soon heard the man scoff and approach him with an amused


    countenance.


    "I''m called Ragnar, Seraphim Champion, and you are someone I definitely would like to


    befriend."


    ''.... Why not?''


    "Emir, Seraphim Champion."


    The man then proceeded to sit on the ground in a lotus position right in front of Emir.


    "You ignored me before, you know."


    Emir closed his eyes for a moment, trying to remember.


    "Oh," he breathed.


    As his eyes fluttered open, a sneer left his mouth.


    "Why would I reply to such a clich¨¦ment? Do better next time."


    "So there''s a next time; that''s good."


    ''... What? Is he gay, or-''


    "No, you dipshit!! I don''t fucking swing that way!"


    Ragnar easily saw through Emir''s thoughts, as he panically shut him down.


    "Don''t mind, mate. I don''t care, but just don''t stick to me, I-"


    "I''m not lying!" Seeing how desperate Ragnar was, Emir stopped his teasing and relented with a chuckle.


    "Just a joke, son; don''t get all fussy about it."


    Ragnar shook his head and joined Emir in hisughter.


    The two began to hit it off, talking about this or that.


    Their conversations were as random as they came, but they appeared to enjoy it more that


    way.


    Emir didn''t wish to talk about the test like the rest, so he liked Ragnar''spany.


    ''An unusual fellow...''


    That was how he would describe Ragnar based on his interactions with him so far.


    But that was a good thing.


    Emir attracted those types, as he too was unusual.


    Not only that, it also improved Ragnar''s chances of passing the test, since professors needed


    to be unique as well.


    It was one of the main criteria that Elite judged the candidates by.


    Even though professors were a dying breed or at least the good ones, those Elite still wanted


    to be entertained.


    There weren''t many eligible candidates because most of them died fighting on the front lines


    as they were still needed.


    Everyone was.


    The few that were alive didn''t have much battle experience, as they were mainly cultivating in


    thefort of their homes, away from all the blood and grime.


    This was the main reason why many professors were ranked lower than expected, as they


    either had less-than-ideal methods of ranking up or were simply killed in the line of duty.


    So although Emir lumped everything into just ''entertainment,'' he knew that wasn''t really the entire story. Because while ranks could be improved, personality, ability, talent, and potential couldn''t. And that was what the Elite wanted.

 Chapter 232: A Brother

    Chapter 232: A Brother


    ?


    "So, who are you?"


    Emir brought up the question that remained bubbling in his mind for a while.


    Ragnar didn''t appear to be surprised and simply answered:


    "Well... You could say that I''m someone who fell from grace..."


    Emir''s face, which had been calm for the past hour, finally showed a smile.


    "Ah... I see."


    "Shouldn''t you beforting me?"


    "No."


    "No? Well, I guess, as the kids say, rip bozo."


    "...What the fuck does that even mean?"


    "I don''t think anyone knows. It''s a new trend for the kids these days."


    Ragnar subtly changed the subject, and Emir yed along.


    "And what''s the trend?"


    "I ain''t sure, but I think they pulled up on some archives of the old world, like a time capsule of how they talked, and this trend was the result."


    Emir tilted his head to the side.


    "Were they retarded?"


    "The kids?"


    "No... Actually, yeah, but I meant those from back then."


    Ragnar chuckled.


    "Who knows... I sure don''t."


    Emir let out a yawn.


    "Whatever man... I''m bored; just how long is this going to take?"


    "I don''t know."


    "It was a rhetorical question, you idiot!"


    "I know."


    They argued back and forth, their voices increasing in volume, until the supervisor signaled for them to quiet down.


    ...


    The bus arrived at its destination point.


    It was-


    "I told you that it was going to be a ruin!"


    "Nah, I don''t believe it, mate; the academy is better than that!"


    "But it''s a ruin! Are you blind?!"


    "You''ll see, when we go in, it''ll all be different and shit!"


    "No, I win the bet; give me-"


    "Shut up, you loud pieces of crap!"


    Ragnar had finally snapped.


    He was controlling himself only because of Emir, but he couldn''t take it anymore; hearing their loud and useless drivel fried his ears.


    ''Weren''t we the same on the bus?''


    Emir inwardly questioned, but he didn''t bother with that and followed after Ragnar.


    "And who the fuck are you to tell us what to do?"


    The trio stepped up towards Ragnar, their faces burning with anger.


    "My ears are melting because of you lot! I demandpensation!"


    ''What the fuck are you on about?''


    Emir inwardly questioned once again, but like before, he joined his new friend.


    "He''s right, you know, you fuckers are too loud."


    His words were cold while Ragnar''s were hot, a contrast that perplexed the trio.


    "How are you two all buddy buddy? You''re like the exact opposite." The quiet one of the trio asked.


    Emir chuckled.


    "No, we''re more alike than one would think."


    Ragnar repeatedly nodded his head.


    "That''s right!"


    "Suurree.... Anyways, I''ll make these guys stay quiet, so chill; we won''t bother you anymore." "Who are you to tell them what we''ll do?!"


    "Yeah!"


    Even though theyined, the loudmouthsplied, appearing scared.


    Only absolute retards would willingly fight someone that looked like Emir.


    Or so they might''ve thought.


    Ragnar and Emir silently looked at each other.


    They couldn''t help butugh.


    But theirughter took pause when someone angrily approached them.


    "You two gotta shut up! You motherfuckers are even louder than them!"


    "Hah?!"


    "What did you just say?"


    The hot and cold duo reacted aggressively after hearing the word ''mother.''


    Ragnar was about to slog the guy a new one, but Emir held him back by the shoulder.


    "Let me go! This kid dared bring my bitch of a mother into this!"


    ''... What? You just called her a bitch, though?''


    Emir, who had just shrugged his shoulders, didn''t reply, and his eyes searched the crowd until


    theynded on one of the supervisors.


    The elderly man gave him a nod.


    That was all that he needed.


    "Hah? You''re gonna fight? You''re not that guy, man¡ª"


    Emir walked forward and pushed the guy back a few steps.


    "Oh, yeah?"


    "Trust me, mate, you''re not that-"


    He raised his hand and ''face pped'' the guy to the ground.


    "Agh!"


    Not allowing him a moment to breathe, aughing Ragnar held the guy by the neck and threw


    him back at Emir.


    Just as their victim reached him, Emir''s right hook found itself crashing into the man''s head.


    "...You''re him-"


    A spree of punches followed: a jab, straight, uppercut, and a another right hook, which ended


    in a face kick.


    Vomit left the man''s mouth as his neck cracked to the left while he fell, now rolling on the


    dusty floor.


    "Augh... You''re that guy, man!...You''re the guy-"


    Emir kicked him in the groin while lightly empowering his right foot with Aether.


    Crack!


    The man was knocked out cold in an instant.


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯!"


    Ragnar''sugh echoed in the sandy wastnd as his feet kicked out, hitting the man square in


    the ribs.


    ''...More? Sure!''


    Emir joined in the fun and began kicking the ever-living shit out of their victim.


    The trio, who were staring warily at the two, had finally figured out that they meant them no


    harm...


    So they joined in as well.


    ...


    The man didn''t die; he was given a few old-world medicines and was sent to rx on the bus.


    Those supervisors didn''t intervene until the end; actually, some of them even seemed to


    enjoy the spectacle.


    After the whole debacle was over, the supervisors each picked out a group of candidates they


    had their eyes on.


    Emir and Ragnar were under different supervisors, so now they were having theirst talk


    before going in.


    The supervisors allowed that, as most of those who entered wouldn''t return with a sane mind


    intact.


    "Akhi... We ain''t on the same team." Ragnar''s tone was sad, but his face didn''t show it.


    "Akhi?"


    "Ah, I think that''s what you Arabs called each other or something. I ain''t sure; it''s ancient


    language, mate."


    "Well, fuck off, Akhi."


    "Sure, and oh, yeah. I gotta ask... What are we now?"


    Emir scoffed.


    "You my girlfriend or something?"


    "I''ve got a fianc¨¦, I''ll have you know."


    "May God bless her."


    Ragnar chuckled.


    "We''re brothers, mate, brothers."


    "Are we now?"


    "Yes, we are."


    "Sure."


    Ragnarid his back on the ground, his blue eyes staring at the bright sky.


    "So, you''ve got any interesting stories to tell? I''m sure you met a lot of hot chicks; you''re the


    infamous leader of Azazel after all."


    "So you did know of me."


    "Of course I did; that''s how I figured ''it'' out."


    "I see... Well, I guess I got one, though I''m not one for love, not yet at least."


    "That''s sad."


    "I''ve got trust issues, so I need to trust my girl fully if I''m ever going to fall in love."


    "Hoh, well, for me personally, I think the most important thing a woman must have is hern/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    heart."


    "And why is that?"


    "Think about it. A human''s heart is within their chest, so for your heart to be weing, you


    gotta have a chestrge enough to support it!"


    Emir nkly stared at him.


    "Hah?"


    "I like chicks with big boobs!" "No, I got it the first time you said it."


    "Actually, I don''t just like them; I LOVE-"


    Emir punched him in the shins, shutting him up.


    "If I wasn''t sitting, your head would''ve been kicked in... Now quiet down. Do you want your


    supervisor to kill you?"


    Ragnar showed a toothy grin.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be fine."


    "Also, keep saying shit like that if you want your fianc¨¦ to leave you for a better man."


    "Fuck off."


    "I didn''t know your girl''s name was off."


    They silently stared at each other for a while until their loudughter echoed around them.


    But they didn''t disturb anyone, as Emir had already set up an istion barrier.


    "...Oh, I didn''t know that you''re a spell weaver too."


    Emir shrugged off Ragnar''sment.


    "I''m not, but you can just say that I''m built differently, in a literal sense."


    "You are; you should think about those eyes of yours; they scare even me. Think of the kids."


    "Fuck those kids; they can cry for all I care."


    "It''s not only that, though; you''ve got a scar too...."


    "I do."


    "I''m telling you, man, the kids won''t like you."


    Emir wasn''t surprised that Ragnar noticed the scar on the left side of his head.


    While it was hidden underneath his hair...


    The man was Celestial, even if he didn''t act like it.


    "As I said, I don''t care, but don''t tell me you want to coddle them? They''re students, sure, but


    they''re training to be soldiers."


    "Yeah, I get you. I get you. But I gotta ask..."


    Ragnar paused for a moment, his face uncharacteristically serious.


    "Why don''t you heal it?"


    Emir''s calm gaze remained on his friend for a moment, until he sighed and looked away.


    "It''s badass, you know."


    "...And what''s the truth?"


    "Heh... It''s a reminder."


    "Of what?"


    "A reminder that... the line between life and death is ever so thin."


    Ragnar''s blue eyes darkly shed, something that Emir didn''t fail to pick up on.


    The man appeared to know that feeling well...


    But his happy-go-lucky attitude returned soon after.


    "Chill out, man. You''ll cut me with all that edge."


    Emir gave a pitiful chuckle at that overused joke.


    "I don''t need your half-assedughs!"


    Ragnar took his shades off his head and threw them at the grinning Emir.


    Emir easily caught the flying object and looked at his new brother.


    "For free?"


    "We''re brothers, mate; don''t mind it." "Alright then, whatever you say."


    [...Ly, check them for me. I can''t trust this fucker; it''s too convenient.]

 Chapter 233: Who Am I?

    Chapter 233: Who Am I?


    ?


    A few minutester...


    Emir, whose face now sported a nice pair of sunsses, stood before his supervisor.


    It was the same elderly man who was watching them on the bus.


    A hologram of a binding contract stood between them.


    [It''s all good.]


    [Alright.]


    Lyra made sure that it was safe and gave him the go-ahead.


    Emir signed it, and as the paper turned into particles of light, the elder before him said:


    "Your AI must be quite good for you to sign it so quickly."


    Emir chuckled.


    "That would be an understatement, Sir."


    [That''s right!]


    "Well, no matter how amazing it is, there''s no connection down there, so say your goodbyes now."


    The supervisor left after saying those words.


    [You heard him.]


    [Yes, I did... Good luck in there, prince. And make sure the nanobots are good to go.]


    [I did for the millionth time, Ly; don''t worry. I''ll be fine.]


    [Sure, sure. Also, I love you.]


    [Oh my, I love me too.]


    [Whatever...]


    Lyra, who seemingly had nagged him enough, finally cut off her connection with him. ''Cute.''


    A chuckling Emir took his sunsses off and inspected them for a moment.


    ''Ragnar, huh...''


    Emir had fun with him; he was truly genuine...


    But that was it.


    It was all for two simple reasons.


    The main one was that the man was never mentioned in the ''novel.''


    The other was a secret shared only between the two men-and Lyra, of course.


    ''So he died in the test then...''


    Emir figured it out quickly.


    And the supervisors could easily cover it up too, so no harm would befall their public image.


    That seemed to be the most logical exnation.


    ''Poor guy.''


    Emir scoffed, not caring any longer, and focused on the uing scenarios.


    The first one was a doozy, but he had already finished all his preparations.


    Lyra made sure of that.


    While waiting, he yed around with a small relic in his hands as his fellow candidates signed their own contracts.


    That was to make sure that no word of this test would spread to the outside world.


    After all, many of its phases could be skipped if one prepared for it.


    But even with that knowledge, the test would still prove to be difficult for Emir to conquer.


    It was all because of the relic he had busied himself with for the past few minutes.


    The phases only worked because of it; without its ess to the candidates'' neuralworks, most wouldn''t operate in the first ce.


    There were eight stages that they had to pass in order to reach the final boss-


    ng!


    A sudden noise echoed in the space, cutting off his musings.


    ''Hm?''


    Emir looked to his right, his eyes searching for where the sound originated.


    Soon he figured out that one of the groups had already begun their descent.


    Candidates had entered prison-like cells that housed them like animals sent to the ughter. The cage was grimy, dim, and fully ck.


    It was a stark contrast to the spotless rooms that they were currently in.


    Many minutes ago, led by their supervisors, they went down a few sets of hiddendders and arrived at thisrge, expansive room of nothing but white.


    It was empty, except for the cages separated by hundreds of meters from each other.


    The ce was just that massive.


    From what Emir knew, this location was used as a practice ground for the Canadian military


    before Armageddon.


    World War III.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    When the Elite found this ce, it was repurposed to fit their needs, or rather, wants.


    After all, none of this was necessary, for they could use VR to test them.


    But that wouldn''t have been real enough, not exciting enough, and, of course...


    Not entertaining enough.


    ''This''s annoying.''


    The relic in his dominant hand began to pulse ever so lightly.


    As if it were a heart.


    It looked like a golden ring, with detailed carvings all over it.


    Those ''carvings'' were not designed to make it fashionable, even though they did, as they were


    runes.


    The Arcanist''snguage.


    In its middle existed a tiny socket that housed a gem.


    That was where all Technomancers injected the nanobots.


    They allowed the connection between the ring and the candidate to be initiated.


    And with that initiation came the voices of those that went under.


    They echoed in Emir''s mind, like soft whispers.


    ''Where am I?''


    "This is scary.''


    ''Heh, this is fucking easy-''


    ''Is this is it?''


    ''Just a forest? Where''s the-''


    ''Damn, I forgot to turn off the oven-''


    ''Man our supervisor''s so hot-''


    ...


    Then, as if it were script, they all thought the same thing at once.


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    ''Who am I?''


    They had begun the first phase.


    Emir shouldn''t have heard this, as that was for the second phase.


    ''Can I touch this?''


    The initiation process had a timer, and it would only start after the candidate passed the first


    phase.


    ''What is that?''


    But why would he wait?


    ''This feels funny.''


    Those contracts would never bind him.


    ''Let''s wrap up; it''ll start in a bit.''


    With that thought crossing his mind, Emir wore the ring on his middle finger, which was next


    to the Azazel ring he wore on his index finger.


    "...Group 1. Step up."


    Emir''s attention returned to his supervisor.


    ''Dark, everything is dark!''


    Not only him, but six other candidates responded to the elder''s call.


    ''Home? Is this home?''


    Each man stepped in front of their cell, waiting for it to open.


    nk!


    ''Green. It''s green outside.''


    After their supervisor pulled a lever, all the doors swung open.


    Emir stepped back.


    ''I''m bored.''


    He was a hair''s breadth away from having the heavy metal smash into him.


    "This is fun.''


    Some of the others beside him were not that fast, however.


    ''Help me.'' They, who were hit, now fell on their bottom, causing them to be aughing stock


    among the crowd.


    ''Save me.''


    Emir didn''t bother with them and quietly entered his cell, closing the door behind him.


    ''...Kill me.''


    He then turned off the ring with a simplemand from his neuralwork.


    The voices were now gone.


    It was quiet.


    ng!


    Until the silence was reced by a loud noise the elevator made on its way down.


    A minute or so passed as it continuously descended until it began to slow down.


    ''Let the show begin...''


    Emir smiled, excited for what wasing next.


    Then his face turned... in?


    It wasn''t the usual coldness he showed, but a simple face, devoid of anything.


    As if he were a newborn.


    ''Who am I?''

 Chapter 234: Wake Up

    Chapter 234: Wake Up


    ?


    ***


    ''Who am I?''


    nk!


    My body jolted forward, almost causing me to fall.


    I bnced myself while holding onto the dark ''walls'' for support.


    The trembling ceased, and I inhaled heavily.


    My upper body expanded slightly.


    Then it returned to how it was before.


    The process repeated itself.


    Huff...


    I tried to step forward, but my... ''feet'' felt unfamiliar.


    Stumbling once more, I found my ''back'' against the ''cold'' ''material.'' Huff... Huff...


    My ''breathing'' hitched as if I had walked an extremely long... ''hike.''


    H-Huff...


    Had I forgotten how to ''breathe?''


    Huff... Huff... Huff... Huff...


    I attempted to calm myself but to no avail.


    What was going on?


    My ''mind'' seemed to wander through itself, searching for something.


    ''Memories'' maybe.


    It had found none.


    Huff... Huff...


    In a fit of rage at my pathetic state, my ''arms'' surged and firmly sped my ''neck.''


    I had enough.


    If I couldn''t breathe, then, oh ''Hell!'' I''d rather end the need altogether!


    Gasp!


    My ''grip'' was firm, and soon I grew suffocated.


    Yet I didn''t feel much different.


    My ''head'' was dizzy, but that was about it.


    I let go.


    Gasp...


    ''Huh...''


    That action caused my breathing to stabilize.


    ''Why?''


    I tried to think, and then a few conclusions came to mind.


    Was it because my body prioritized learning it?


    Was it due to my body''s natural functions?


    Or had it simply been a cause of ''time'' passing?


    I didn''t know for sure, but it was likely rted to that.


    But I thought of it no longer.


    I had other things to worry about.


    In front of me was a ''rectangle''...


    It might be called a ''door.''


    I wasn''t sure.


    Anyways, it was simr to the walls around me, but it had a see-through ne of material. ''What''s that?''


    I waddled forward and touched it.


    §´§Ñ§â. §´§Ñ§â. §´§Ñ§â. §´§Ñ§â.


    My fingers repeatedly knocked on it.


    I was amused.


    The ''sound'' it made was entertaining.


    ''Hehe.''


    What was beyond it looked very different from where I currently was.


    It was... ''Green.''


    My ''home'' was ''ck.''


    ''Eh...''


    I lost interest after a while, and then I noticed something else.


    There was a thing extruding out of the door.


    I pressed down on it.


    It didn''t move.


    ''Hmm...''


    I pressed down even harder.


    It didn''t budge.


    It appeared to be stuck to the door.


    "Ah..."


    I suddenly remembered... This ''object'' was a ''doorknob.''


    My ''palm'' showed itself, and my fingers wrapped around the object.


    It followed my movement.


    Click!


    The door opened, and then...


    It moved by itself.


    Where was it going?


    I had to follow it!


    My ''legs'' rushed forward until they stopped near where the door remained.


    I reached out and grabbed its side.


    Whoosh!


    My left hand swung the door the opposite way, returning it to where it came from.


    Bang!


    I was interested once more.


    I opened the door and closed it repeatedly.


    Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz


    ''Hm?''


    My enjoyment waned, and I looked up, noticing a ''flying'' object.


    It moved about in the ''air'' as if it was a ''bird.''


    ''What''s that?''


    Curious I chased after it.


    My movement could only be considered scrambled at first, but with my insistent attempts,


    my legs learned.


    I now knew how to breathe and walk!


    Though... I might''ve always known how to breathe; it wouldn''t make sense otherwise.


    How could I have survived without ''oxygen?''


    Or was it because I didn''t need such a thing?


    ''Am I special?''


    ***


    Emir walked through the forest, his eyes scanning the world like how a child would.


    His expression was that of curiosity and wonder.


    His inky eyes and hulking frame didn''t allow those watching the pleasure of thinking that,


    however.


    And the drone he chased was too far to reach; his extended hand never once neared it.


    Emir soon lost interest in it and slowed his steps, nearing a hulking tree instead.


    It towered over him, reaching the artificial sky.


    His feet kicked away at the yellow leaves surrounding it.


    Then his attention was pulled towards its bark.


    Emir became a tree-hugger.


    Smack!


    Or not.


    A few smacks resounded as his palms repeatedly pped the wood.


    Splinters of wood sputtered out, causing him to follow.


    He grabbed them off the fauna-filled ground.


    They stung.


    His hand twitched, and he threw them away.


    Emir''s face didn''t show pain; a sharp piece of wood could never hurt him.


    Instead, it seemed as if the concept of pain was just learned by him.


    This cycle of exploration continued as he walked through bushes and vines for many minutes.


    Then, half an hourter, as if he was knowledgeable of all that the world had to offer...


    Emir smugly sat on the ground.


    "Humph..."


    A minute passed.


    Two more right after.


    Then some more.


    Emir never moved a single inch.


    He was staring high above, through the canopies, his mind clear of everything.


    [You''re on a mission. Get back your memories, clear this ruin by passing all eight stages, and


    kill the Tyrant.]


    A sudden text appeared, blocking that view.


    "Hoh..."


    Emir didn''t fully understand those words, yet he could make out the meaning behind them.


    But he didn''t bother.


    Why would this random, flying textmand him as such?


    He was no ve.


    In his subconscious, he had only one goal, and whatever this was didn''t align with that goal.


    Not only that, but his pride wouldn''t allow it.


    So again, he didn''t bother and remained still.


    Emir appeared to be a man who had lost all motivation to do anything.


    Like a newborn child staring at a dead holoscreen.


    Motivation.


    An interesting word.


    It was easier to gain it when one was an underdog.


    They chased after their ''something'' like rabid dogs. Nothing was spared to achieve their ultimate goal.


    No expectations burned them, which allowed them to go wild with effort.


    Those who opposed them were quite the contrast.


    The ones who had always won.


    They had no fire in them, or rather, it was iparable to the starved.


    Some would ask, why?


    Simply put, it was because there was no one to look at.


    There was no goal.


    Nothing to chase after.


    It had to be created.


    They who had reached the top had be lost.


    Ones who were blind.


    In an unending chase towards a goal that had yet to exist.


    They had to evolve.


    Be something more.


    Reach the pinnacle above the pinnacle.


    Emir didn''t know either of these things. He was neither an underdog nor an omnipotent genius.


    Hisbel was closer to that of an underdog, however...


    One still couldn''t ssify him as such.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Emir was a normal man with ''slight'' deranged tendencies.


    And yes, he ''was'' a normal man.


    But he no longer existed as so. Emir had evolved into a new being, simr to those geniuses.


    It was all due to the scars that twisted him to the extreme.


    No longer a pawn, a weapon of war, a tool, a marite...


    A mortal.


    That''s right!


    He was now a Seraphim and not only that, he was THE prince!


    [NOW WAKE UP PRINCE!]

 Chapter 235: Livestream

    Chapter 235: Livestream


    ?


    "Ah..."


    ''...I remember everything.''


    Emir looked down at the ground, and a calm smile formed on his face.


    His n had indeed worked.


    The first phase of the test was called ''The Veil of Amnesia.''


    It was where candidates like him had their memories stolen away.


    One would usually take hours upon hours to finally piece his memories together.


    Most weren''t even capable of doing that.


    But Emir wanted to skip this process entirely.


    So he devised a n to transfer his memories through his nanobots beforehand.


    He didn''t know the details of how that was possible, as Lyra had done most of the work, but he did know that it rted to the design of the special nanobots he had.


    These nanobots were equipped with ultra-miniature neural interfaces, which enabled them to forge a direct connection with his brain.


    They were so tiny that they could navigate through the neural pathways without causing any damage.


    To initiate the transfer, Emir underwent a carefully orchestrated procedure.


    Lyra used a specialized ''Neuro-cybeic Interface'' to deeply synchronize his neuralwork with the nanobots''munication protocols.


    This interface wasmonly used by those who subjected themselves to cybeic enhancements.


    Even those who surfed thework.


    They were called NetWeavers.


    And they ''surfed'' in the literal sense of the word.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Since they could turn themselves into data, flowing from an open-sourcework to the next.


    Some of them were hackers; others were scammers like the ones usually found in the old world.


    However, as time passed, their methods improved, and they were no longer the dumb scammers of the long past-those who had a weird fixation on warranties.


    Now they were fixated on life insurance instead.


    ...So back to Emir.


    This interface allowed the nanobots to begin reading the neural patterns associated with his memories.


    Back then, when the process started, Emir felt a strange sensation, almost like a gentle tug on the edges of his consciousness.


    Memories that were once confined to his brain began to flow out and into the nanobots.


    Each memory was encoded into a digital format,pressed to reduce storage space, and then transmitted to the nanobots'' memory banks.


    The nanobots acted as a neural extension, seamlessly integrating these encoded memories into theirwork.


    It urred at speeds far beyond humanprehension.


    Emir''s memories, from the most vivid to the faintest, were systematically transmitted and stored within the nanobots'' microprocessors.


    Once the transfer wasplete, he could ess these memories at will, triggering the nanobots to ry the encoded data back to his neuralwork.


    He had this set on a timer just before entering the ruin, as once an hour had passed, his memories would return.


    The hour-long wait was for him to not appear suspicious.


    Emir could act, but his level was not award-worthy, so he definitely would not fool those watching.


    So instead, he truly experienced memory loss, and now he appeared as a ''genius'' who had regained them faster than ever before!


    ***


    "This fucker''s quick!"


    Isidoremented while sitting on a throne-like chair.


    He was in a dark room.


    There were three other thrones ced there as well.


    They all surrounded arge circr table.


    On that table were many holograms that showed a live feed of the test.


    Ignatius, who was sitting in front of Isidore, spoke next:


    "I told you, the big guy''s smart."


    "...Right, but do you guys think he''ll join us in the rankings?"


    The ''rankings'' official title was Celestial Earthbound Registry.


    CER, for short.


    It was created under the UEF, so they were the ones who controlled it and decided the rank of


    those within it.


    The UEF only allowed up to a hundred Celestials in the registry.


    Those below were not worthy of its graces and benefits.


    Emir, as a newly ranked Seraphim, usually wouldn''t even be considered, however...


    He was unlike the rest, to say the least.


    His battle experience was plentiful, his abilities were mysterious and varied.


    His specialization was an enigma.


    The man was treading an unknown path.


    And all the men watching the live feed knew this, which was why Auric''s question made


    logical sense.


    But Eldritch, who sneered, didn''t seem to think so.


    "That''s impossible... If you think that, then you''re bound to drop in the rankings soon."


    Auric was ranked sixth, while Eldritch was fifth.


    Their rivalrysted for decades as they contested on who would hold that fifth rank.


    Now, they sat opposite each other, their eyes locked in a tense stareoff.


    "You dare?"


    "I do. Piggy bank."


    Before things got too serious, Isidore interfered, like a father punishing their misbehaving


    children....


    Of course, only if the father was the third highest-ranked Celestial among Earthkind.


    His aura instantly permeated the room, drowning out everything and bathing it in ck.


    The other three beside him had their heads snapped downwards from the sheer force behind


    his Aether.


    If Emir was present, that pressure would have caused his body to crumble upon itself in a


    single moment.


    "B-but I didn''t do anything!"


    Isidore ignored Ignatius''s woes and kept the pressure until the two men raised the white g


    in surrender.


    How did they do so?


    Well, they were knocked out.


    Ignatius was the only one who remained awake.


    It was catching up to him, however...


    But just before he joined his friends, the pressure ceased.


    And the duo immediately awoke.


    Their faces didn''t show fear; instead, they appeared to be... jovial, happy, and excited?


    "I was awake longer!"


    Eldritch''s eyebrows twitched at Auric''s deration.


    "Let''s Ignatius be the judge of that."


    Hearing his name being called, the fiery man who ranked fourth looked at Eldritch.


    "It''s Auric''s win... He was awake a fraction longer."


    "HA! I told you."


    "Bah... Whatever, 12312-12312. It''s now a tie."


    The old monsters continued their argument, forgetting that they had a test to watch over.


    Yes, Emir''s abilities were interesting, but these men had seen all that was to be seen on Earth.


    His actions couldn''t hold their interest for long.


    But someone was still interested.


    Isidore.


    The strongest among them.


    A higher sub-rank of the Archon.


    His eyes bore into Emir, scrutinizing his every action.


    And it wasn''t only the prince, but someone else as well.


    Ragnar.


    ''A warp weaver, huh...''

 Chapter 236: Whispers Of Madness

    Chapter 236: Whispers Of Madness


    ?


    ***


    "Now then..."


    Emir pushed open the door and entered the next section of the test. Said door was hidden at the end of the forest, behind a few trees. This ce was mentioned in the ''novel'' as a backstory to Morgiana.


    The one ''character'' that he ''stole'' the professor''s position from.


    Although each candidate had a differentyout to navigate, the exits were in simr locations.


    After cutting the trees, he walked past, and now...


    He was headed down a long set of stairs.


    It was dark; if not for him being a Celestial, this ce would''ve been his deathbed.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Step after step echoed until he reached the end of the staircase.


    Click!


    Emir opened the door before him, only to be weed by an enormous underground cave.


    It appeared to span a kilometer from left to right.


    Its height, however, wasn''t as impressive, reaching a hundred or so meters.


    The roof of this subterranean expanse was a textured masterpiece.


    Bzzzzz.


    It was a disy of stctites and strange formations.


    Some of which were adorned with bioluminescent growths.


    They cast a bright glow upon him and his surroundings...


    Almost as if they were chandeliers of nature.


    Bzzzzz.


    On the left and right sides of this space, an assortment of smaller openings and cave systems dotted the rough-hewn walls.


    Those were a result of the monsters that inhabited the ce.


    Emir enjoyed the scene for a moment and then looked to his right.


    Bzzzzz.


    Six doors were ced, each far from the other.


    This was where all the candidates in his group would arrive after regaining their memories.


    But he didn''t care about that; his eyes looked at the ground near the doors.


    They showed no footsteps before them.


    ''So I''m the first...''


    That wasn''t surprising...


    Not one bit.


    Bzzzzz.


    In fact, he assumed that none of his group would even pass that phase.


    What he had just gone through was a test like no other.


    He couldn''t prepare his mind for the ''loss'' he would experience.


    After all, experiencing something and ''reading'' about it was a different beast altogether.


    ''Anyways... Let''s see what we got here.''


    Emir looked at his new ring, waiting for it to pulse.


    And it did after a moment.


    ''Fly! Fly!''


    ''Ahahahahahaah!''


    ''This''s so boring...''


    ''My stick makes me feel good.''


    ''KILL ME!''


    The voices had returned.


    And then many emotions began inviting themselves into his mind.


    ''Help!''


    He felt boredom, curiosity, excitement, greed, happiness, arousal, longing, anger, fear, sadness, and finally...


    An emotion of the void.


    Bzzzzz.


    These things he felt and heard weren''t only from those of the living.


    But those of the dead.


    Those that failed.


    ''Hehehehehehe.''


    The second phase, ''Whispers of Madness...''


    Was true to its name.


    ''Rubrubrubrubrubrubrubrub.''


    When a candidate''s emotions ran high, the gem would emit a ''scent,'' drawing monsters


    toward them.


    ''My leg! MY FUCKING LEG!''


    And not just that....


    The more monsters one killed, the heavier they would feel.


    Bzzzzz.


    ''Eat me! Eat me!''


    The relic they wore was connected to their augmented suit, so it could control that as well.


    ''Who''s that?''


    "The Tyrant? It speaks?''


    ''STOP TALKING!''


    ''Please...''


    These whispers would also intensify as a candidate got closer to the Tyrant, even hearing the


    monster''s projected thoughts.


    Bzzzzz.


    As it was involved in this ''evaluation'' as well.


    ''I beg you.''


    Captured and sent here to test those unknowingly willing to face its might.


    Now, with all that in mind, Emir looked up at the drone hovering some distance away from


    him.


    ''Rubbing it is not fun anymore...''


    He flipped the bird.


    Whoosh!


    And threw a small rock he found on the ground at it, shutting it up for good.


    ''It''s quiet... It''s finally quiet.''


    The drone''s destroyed chunks fell to the ground.


    Screech!


    A few monsters scurried away from the rock formations near the crash site, jumping at the


    noise the heap of scrap had made on impact.


    "So it''s still daytime."


    Emir had done this not only to appease his frustration but to also make sure that his internal


    watch was correct.


    If it was night outside, then those monsters would be hiding in their caves, not frolicking


    about in the open.


    ''Save me.''


    A shift resounded somewhere behind him.


    He looked up only to see another drone appear, exiting from a small hole in the wall.


    Bzzzzz.


    Tsk!


    "Candidate, please abide by the rules."


    The elderly man advised, his voice sounding unusually gruff through the drone''s speakers.


    ''Our supervisor was so hot!''


    Emir, who appeared confused, tilted his head.


    "I am, though?"


    ''Sit on me!''


    "Ahem Ahem! I''ll deliver you a message from those annoying bastards."


    ''The Elite?''


    "Oi, big man. Don''t destroy these; they''re expensive to make."


    ''Oh, Isidore.''


    "Hm? What do you mean? That wasn''t me."


    ''Choke me!''


    "....."


    Emir waited for the message to be ryed, and the reply came a momentter.


    "Shut up and do as you''re told. I want to watch."


    ''He''s interested in me... Well, that''s good.''


    "Sure boss." Emir didn''t show him respect, as they both didn''t acknowledge Isidore''s involvement.


    The drone appeared to... nod?


    Then it left and hovered a distance away.


    ''At least it''s not as irritating now.''


    "THIGHS REIGN SUPREME!'' Emir, who was just beginning to move, had his steps falter.


    ''Wait.... BOOBS! I REMEMBER BOOBS, THEY''RE BETTER.''


    He let out a long sigh, trying to calm himself as his twitching brows reflected his annoyance.


    "Who the fuck is so horny?...Fucking hell."


    Emir knew that whoever this person was wasn''t one of those who died.


    Since the voice was continuous, quite unlike the one-liners or so of the men dead in the past.


    Their thoughts were stored in the database, and the relic randomly distributed them among


    the ring wearers.


    Emir grabbed his chin for a moment as a thought crossed his mind.


    ''Wait...''


    ''Is it Ragnar?''


    ''BOOBS ARE ABOVE THE SUPREME!"


    ''Ah, it is.''


    "...Fuck."


    Emir had just realized why Ragnar had never left this ce alive.


    It wasn''t anything heroic or grand.


    He didn''t die fighting the Tyrant, nor did he go insane due to whispers and the phases.


    Ragnar likely masturbated to death.


    A fate worse than any other.


    Emir couldn''t help butugh.


    Heughed louder than any he had before.


    He was truly, genuinely, and certainly enjoying himself.


    Thud!


    Emir hit the floor, struggling to hold himself from rolling around the rocky floor.


    "Haaah....."


    "Man, I really have to save him."


    Yet, he couldn''t do so now.


    His emotions had triggered the relic.


    A ''scent'' had attracted monsters towards him.


    He was surrounded.

 Chapter 237: Guilts Weight

    Chapter 237: Guilt''s Weight


    ?


    Emir, who was now surrounded by monsters, stood his ground.


    ''Pity.''


    He didn''t run away.


    Or rather, he couldn''t.


    In the ''novel,'' Morgiana attempted to escape after figuring out that killing monsters made her feel heavier.


    ''Kill... kill... kill... kill.''


    But every time she hid away in an unpopted cave...


    ''Run... please.''


    Monsters would arrive right after.


    They chased her till the ends of the underground space, never stopping.


    Only then did she realize that the ''scent'' her relic emitted had not gone away.


    For it to be gone, one had to kill enough monsters to quell its hunger.


    It was a clever trap.


    ''SAVE ME!''


    The more monsters a candidate killed, the heavier they felt.


    And that would turn into emotion.


    Annoyance, anger, and fear, whatever they may be...


    Any would cause the cycle of killing to start again.


    A never-ending cycle of artificial obesity.


    ''End it, I beg you...''


    Until the moment... when death would bring it all to a close.


    ''Hmm...''


    Emir essed the relic, and after a moment, a small holographic screen showed itself before his irises.


    {0/10}


    ''So I need to kill ten... That ain''t too bad.''


    He looked around in slowed time, his Temporal Perception ability long since activated.


    The monsters before him were of one kin.


    ''Spiders?''


    Fangd.


    ''Fangds... FUCK!''


    Generally known as spiders.


    They were of all shapes and sizes.


    And they towered over him, with the shortest among them at least thirty meters tall.


    Their exoskeletons were ashy gray and marbled with splotches of muted colors.


    "They look kind of scary...''


    Their enormous legs were covered in a textured pattern resembling rocks, effectively camouging them in their subterranean environment.


    ''Hehehehehehehe.''


    Some of therger spiders boasted bodies reminiscent of ornate carapaces, spiky protrusions, and w-like appendages.


    Others had streamlined forms that seemed tailored for swift movement through the cave''s tunnels.


    ''I don''t... I can''t see...''


    Their eyes were perhaps the most unnerving aspect of their appearance.


    Like countless small sapphires, their orbs glistened with intelligence.


    A stark reminder that the weakest of these creatures were no lower than Fiends that housed two Aether cores.


    ''Life.''


    The space was filled with the echoes of their chittering legs.


    And the musty scent of the cave mingled with their almost metallic odor.


    "Aha..."


    An amused Emir picked out the weakest among them in a moment.


    His eyes settled on those that appeared the fastest.


    ''These guys got strong legs but a weak exoskeleton.''


    Then he used his Aerialis aspect, allowing Aether to strengthen his legs.


    Like a coiled spring, his knees crept low and...


    Whoosh.


    Emir flew over the Fangd, his hair iling around by pure speed he was going at.


    ''Slow.''


    The G-forces he underwent in those milliseconds would exhaust even the toughest of jet


    pilots.


    But his body didn''t appear to be affected at all.


    He was now a Seraphim and his body''s organs, bones, and even individual cells grew to match


    his title.


    Of course, the G-force generated in this instance was nothingpared to when he used his


    sh Step ability.


    But that''s when Aether came into y.


    "They''ve got nothing on me!''


    When an ability was used, Aether was what managed, controlled, adjusted, and took care of


    the Celestial''s body.


    An ability path was followed for a reason.


    It was not just to execute the ability, but to take care of the aftermath as well.


    Whoosh!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir''s thoughts paused as his vision was nketed by massive cobwebs that were spewed out


    at him.


    ''Dammit!''


    He didn''t feel threatened by them, however.


    His flight suddenly stopped as his body hit a cluster of concentrated Aether.


    One of his own making.


    Emir began his fall to the ground.


    While in the air, he unsheathed his two swords.


    "Aetheric des."


    They shone a bright dark, their glow bouncing off his face.


    ''Three...''


    He shifted his stance, leaving his left leg behind his right.


    ''Two...''


    His hands switched their grip on the swords.


    ''One...''


    His arms were now raised near and above his head.


    ''Boom.''


    Emir''s body, which leaned forward was a fraction of a second from reaching the ground.


    Crack!


    The rocky floor beneath his right foot crumbled as hended.


    His body continued forward, as his arms reached the ground before his left leg.


    After a quick body roll, both his legs were now fully straight, dashing forward.


    He never stopped his momentum.


    ''§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯!"


    Emir let it drag him to higher speeds.


    Now in front of him stood a Fangd, many meters away from its kin.


    He had flown away for a reason.


    Those faster spiders would reach him first, allowing for easy killings.


    His eyesight was once again blocked by a nket of cobwebs.


    ''What''s this?''


    Theynded on him...


    ''I can''t move...''


    Or so it appeared for a fraction, as it was only an afterimage.


    ''No... I... I don''t want to die.''


    Emir sidestepped at thest moment, appearing ten meters to the right.


    Then, with another powerful step, he materialized before the Fiend.


    His swords hovered above the point where the abdomen connected to the cephalothorax.


    Swoosh!


    The swords met little to no resistance on their path.


    They easily cut through the monster as its venom sttered all over his augmented suit''s


    force shield.


    ''Serves you right.''


    A vicious... purr resounded as the Fiend attempted to attack Emir, only to find its body cut in


    half.


    Thud!


    Its purring cries fell on deaf ears as he killed it with a stab right in between the eyes.


    Then, right after, he hid behind its body to avoid another cobweb spree.


    ''Cry...''


    While taking cover, he took the time to break off the pointy parts of the spider''s legs.


    With two in each hand, he jumped up, reaching high in the sky.


    And four spikes shot out to meet them before they could even think of attacking.


    Four Fangds fell.


    ''Five more.''


    Emir looked down to see their kin approaching, and judging by the trembling ground, they


    were quite mad.


    ''Just... kill me.''


    But again, that didn''t matter to him.


    They could do nothing against him.


    His eyes, which saw the world in a slowed state, locked on their prey.


    ''You''re next.''


    ...


    ''Save me, please, don''t leave me behind, please...''


    After no more than twenty seconds, five Fangd were stuck to the ground, dead.


    Emir had used the same bait-and-switch tactic as before, easily killing them.


    Now he was running away, jumping from one rock formation to the next.


    ''Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please.''


    His body felt slightly ''heavier,'' but it was minuscule, as his strength was that of monsters.


    The relic on his finger had emitted a gentle but long pulse before the ''scent'' had stopped


    releasing.


    ''Kill it! KILL IT WITH FIRE!''


    So his location was no longer broadcasted for all to see.


    ''WHY ARE THEY STILL CHASING AFTER ME?!''


    Emir searched for a few minutes and stopped when he found an unpopted cave that


    remained high up on the right wall.


    It was simr to the outside space in appearance, the only difference being their size.


    ''I NEED TO HIDE! A CAVE, WHERE ARE THE FUCKING CAVES?!''


    With a few steps forward, he reached the inside of the cave. Emir proceeded to sit down while resting his back on a wall. ''Now... how do I help that idiot?''

 Chapter 238: Saving Ragnar

    Chapter 238: Saving Ragnar


    ?


    ***


    "Ay, what''s wrong with him now?"


    Isidoreined while the fifth and sixth-ranked duo bickered in the background.


    "Do you think he''s gone insane already?"


    Ignatius, like a teacher''s pet, had his throne stuck next to Isidore while they chatted.


    "I don''t know... I mean, if he did, then it''s a pity."


    "Really?"


    "Truly, but I can say this at least... This boy is not normal; his thoughts are... inhumane."


    "Yeah, and it''s been a while since I''ve seen someoneugh like that."


    "Hmhm."


    "Though you like those types, don''t you, Isidore?"


    "I do indeed."


    "Also, his fight with the Fangds was entertaining to watch... But why is he not using his abilities?"


    "God knows."


    ***


    ''I can help him out by putting my thoughts into the database...''


    ''But he can''t hear them yet.''


    ''Ragnar needs to pass the first phase.''


    ''And yet to stop him from masturbating to death I need to do it now.''


    Emir''s mind was stuck in a dilemma.


    It was like how university students were in the old world.


    ''Kek.''


    They needed job experience to be epted into a position at anypany.


    ''I''m hungry...''


    But they didn''t have any job experience.


    However, to gain experience, they needed to get a job.


    ''Are the spiders poisonous?''


    And so the cycle repeated itself.


    Was it the egg or the chicken that came first?


    ''Oh... please, give me anything... I didn''t eat for so long.''


    Well, Emir believed it to be the chicken, as it was created by god.


    Or rather, in this case, it was created by gods.


    ''But maybe there''s a singr god above, though...''


    ''Is Aether a god?''


    ''It''s the energy that binds the universe, so it kind of is.''


    As anyone would notice, the never-ending voices in his head were getting to him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    They caused his thoughts to go off tangents he usually wouldn''t have.


    ''What was I thinking about?''


    "Oh, yeah..."


    ''Ragnar.''


    Emir''s real thoughts were cut off from the database, since he had tampered with the relic, not allowing it to ess them.


    ''Kill me.''


    He, with a lot of help from Lyra, made a program that fed it random thoughts at random intervals.


    Those thoughts were generated to align with his present circumstances too.


    Emir made sure that they would appear dull, deranged, and monotone to fit his personality better.


    ''KILL ME!''


    This was an obvious thing to do for the two, as they couldn''t allow the Elite to pry into his mind.


    It was also crystal clear why the Elite set this up in the first ce.


    One might think it was for the test.


    While that was true, its main purpose was to weed out the chaff.


    ''I SAID KILL ME!''


    Another side benefit, besides the whole test debacle, was that they could make sure none of the professors were spies, criminals, and the like.


    ''Focus...''


    Emir''s thoughts returned to the issue at hand.


    Now he could tinker with it again and send his thoughts to Ragnar, allowing the horny man


    the chance to regain his sanity.


    ''Why won''t you do it?''


    But that was where the problemy.


    Ragnar could not yet hear the voices.


    ''How can I....''


    "Oh, wait."


    "God damn, I''m stupid."


    Emir, who had just realized his oversight, immediately rose to his feet and moved behind a nearby rock, concealing himself from any prying eyes.


    His mission was now clear.


    ''Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?''


    He needed to gain full ess to thework and locate Ragnar''s relic within it.


    Once found, he would be able to ess it and, hopefully, send him his thoughts.


    Such a thing was impossible for most people, Celestial or not.


    ''WHY?!''


    But Emir wasn''t normal... he had Lyra by his side.


    Lyra was an AI.


    ''DO IT!''


    She, and most like her, were experts in all thingswork-rted.


    ''I BEG YOU!''


    In that database of hers, she had knowledge that was barely mentioned in the novel.


    She knew the ways of a NetWeaver.


    Like AIS, they were masters of the virtual domain.


    ''Ah.....''


    And what made NetWeavers even more remarkable was that, in this Epoch, anyone with a


    nanobot injection could theoretically enter thework.


    ''It''s all quiet... it''s so quiet.''


    In essence, every individual who received such an injection became a microcosm of the


    systems themselves.


    This allowed them to ess the vast digital realm with ease.


    ''Green!''


    Emir''s case was even better.


    Due to the mutation unlock, his neuralwork was upgraded.


    So he not only had the ability of a talented NetWeaver, but he also had learned how to surf the


    network.


    ''ck!''


    And that was the only path he could think of to save Ragnar.


    He thanked the stars that his past self had decided to learn all about NetWeavers after dealing


    with the whole camera fiasco.


    ''Let''s begin.''


    With a simplemand from his neuralwork, his augmented suit created two sets of


    wires that spurted out of his chest.


    ''Dark green!'' One set consisted of two cables that terminated in soft patches.


    Emir carefully affixed these patches to the back of his neck, connecting them directly to his


    cranial nerves.


    This physical integration caused his augmented suit topletely merge with his neural


    network.


    ''I''m a genius!''


    With a practiced hand, he then connected the second set of wires to the relic around his finger.


    ''NeuroLink Activate.''


    Emir initiated the process, essing the programs he had stored in his nanobots.


    Themand was sent, and then everything turned ck.


    ...


    Emir opened his eyes.


    His body, an icon, was now concealed beneath a trench coat, a flowing robe, and a mask, akin


    to the attire he rarely wore in the real world.


    His surroundings flickered with gray-white static for a brief moment.


    Then, in the span of a heartbeat, he experienced a disorienting sensation-a sickening feeling


    of falling¡ªas he descended into the digital realm.


    Emir''s icon paused just above the ground and surged forward.


    It hurtled through thisplex world, where shifting neon passed by him in a blink.


    Spinning green lines and grids also dotted the space all around him.


    He was now in a zone of ''Low Resistance,'' and his connection speed was high, so his body


    moved almost as it was experiencing fast travel.


    Then he suddenly stopped, just before a massive neon sign that read:


    {Wee to the UEF Academy A-11work.}


    All of these representations that Emir experienced in thest few seconds were the handiwork


    of meticulously crafted reality programs.


    CyberNex were their authors.


    ''So this is what she meant, huh.''


    Emir let out a sigh...


    Still not used to the feeling of being in awork.


    His body felt sluggish.


    Even though his connection speed was hundreds of exabytes per second.


    It still couldn''t perfectly handle the senses of a Seraphim.


    One needed to ''Deep Dive'' for that perfect experience.


    Higher-ranking Celestials were a different breed altogether, so holding them to mortal


    standards was a problem most had to let go of.


    After a few moments had passed Emir had already adjusted to his new environment.


    ''Let''s see here...''


    And now that he was ready, he essed a program he had stored in his nanobots.


    With amand from his neuralwork, the program ran.


    A sudden glow of pulsating red showed itself in the distance, like a beam in the night sky.


    ''There you are.''

 Chapter 239: Net Weaving

    Chapter 239: Net Weaving


    ?


    ''There you are.''


    A smiling Emir had his gaze locked on the red beam in the night sky.


    "I''ming, Ragnar; don''t die..."


    With those words, he stepped forward and began his journey through the digital realm. After each step through thework, thendscape around him shifted and transformed.


    Emir was ''stepping'' into different sections of the Academy''swork every time his feet touched the ground.


    So the data he saw had also changed, reflecting the section.


    He saw said data in many different forms.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At times they showed themselves as buildings, others as enormous icons reaching the sky.


    But mostly, they were colorful grids of ones and zeros.


    Emir walked past them, his objective being an easy ess zone.


    Formally known as low restriction zones.


    Like the one hended upon after entering, it would allow him to zoom past the sections at a much faster rate.


    As indicated by his navigation program, the ce was further east.


    And the further east he got, the more data streams surrounded him.


    They coiled and danced, like serpents of code.


    They also emitted soft hums that reverberated through his icon, creating a stiff melody.


    Clusters of data orbs floated alongside them as well.


    Each one was a glistening globe of information.


    ''Hmm, Ragnar could survive one more session, right?''


    Emir grew tempted to interact with bubbles, interested in the knowledge contained within thework''s surface.


    With a touch, he released their knowledge, causing the orb to burst into a dazzling disy of fireworks.


    His surroundings transformed once again, but this time it wasn''t because he entered a new section.


    It was simply because of the massive amount of hidden data that had spurted out.


    And when the burst''s glow fadedpletely, he found himself within a forest of data trees.


    Their branches wereden with nodes, like leaves in a library.


    Emir stepped closer and jumped.


    His icon began to float among the trees.


    As he neared them, he began to feel the information flow through him.


    It was a sensation akin to having a thousand whispered voices filling his ears...


    A feeling that he had grown used to by now.


    Though he received ones and zeros, he had a program solely able to trante that binarynguage into English.


    When it was done, his mind processed the data at a slow rate as he swam through the metaphorical current.


    ''Ah...''


    Emir soon realized that the one orb he touched belonged to the workers in the academy.


    Information regarding their names, conditions, working times, status, and even job history.


    Things like sries appeared to be stored deeper in thework.


    ''Interesting.''


    With that simplement as the conclusion...


    He continued on his journey.


    ...


    A data river was now before him.


    Its currents of data flowed into the heart of thework.


    Emir had arrived at a low resistance zone.


    There were many potential forms they existed in and this resembled a river.


    Streams of data converged and diverged on the surface, forming almost... illusionary


    patterns.


    ''Well, let''s hop in.''


    He stepped forward and jumped.


    His icon obeyed the fallmand, and hended on its surface.


    After a moment, he felt like he was being dragged in, and then, as suddenly as that feeling


    came...


    It disappeared.


    Emir''s icon had now be one with the river.


    His movements harmonized with the ebb and flow of virtual currents.


    He closed his eyes, focusing inwardly.


    Then amand left his neuralwork as he asked the river to drop him off nearer to the


    bright red above.


    Emir blinked.


    ''Ah...''


    It was instantaneous.


    Akin to what one might feel when sleeping.


    His icon now stood next to the river, a meter or so away from it.


    In the distance, he spotted a gateway that reached the sky''s roof.


    It was guarded by tall sentinels, digital guardians of thiswork''s heart.


    Simply said... they were AIs.


    And thankfully, not the sentient kind that he had often met.


    So that meant one thing.


    They could be tricked.


    Emir closed his eyes and concentrated on his nanobots.


    Like a gallery of pictures, he scrolled through them until he found the one he needed.


    This one stored the program that could essentially disguise him.


    Now in the eyes of the AI, he would look to be no different than any other set of data wanting


    ess to the deeper levels of thework.


    After activating it, Emir headed towards the towering gate.


    As usual, his every step caused the scenery to change around him until they stopped.


    That was because the icon itself had reached its destination.


    [01011011 01000100 01100101 01110011 01110100 01101001 01101110 01100001 01110100 01101001


    01101111 00111111]


    A set of ones and zeros appeared before him, and after a moment, he tranted it.


    [Destination?]


    "01010010 01100101 01101100 01101001 01100011 00100000 01001101 01100001 01101110 01100001


    01100111 01100101 01101101 01100101 01101110 01110100 00101110"


    Emir answered, ''Relic Management.''


    And the guardians acquiesced.


    [01000001 01100011 01100011 01100101 01110011 01110011 00100000 01000111 01110010 01100001


    01101110 01110100 01100101 01100100 00101110]


    With his ''ess Granted'' he made his way in.


    Once his foot reached the other side, he had arrived at a ce he had never seen before.


    This section had hundreds of spires of data that reached toward a virtual sky.


    Each one pulsated with an inner light.


    ''The relics...''


    Emir had reached his destination, and the red beam was now closer than ever.


    At the end of the empty walkway was where the beam originated.


    It was atop a spire.


    ''Damn, that''s a long way up...''


    Unlike before, he was now in a ''High-Resistance Zone.''


    That meant that he could no longer float...


    He had to climb that thing and reach the top.


    Emir let out a sigh.


    ''I''m almost there Rag, just survive one more session...''


    ...


    Emir''s icon ascended the spire, and as he climbed, the structure further materialized around


    him.


    Each floor of the tower was a repository of knowledge, with data terminals and holographic


    relics.


    His gaze scanned them on the way up, and he was interested to look into them further.


    But he couldn''t.


    There wasn''t much time left on his friend''s clock.


    If not for Ragnar''s impending death, however, he definitely would''ve stuck around to read a


    bit more.


    Upon reaching the summit, he entered a chamber bathed in a radiant light.


    It was rtively empty, and at its center was where the object of his quest stood. Ragnar''s relic.

 Chapter 240: The Horny Bastard

    Chapter 240: The Horny Bastard


    ?


    The ring showed no pulse as if it were dead.


    Its gem, which had shone a bright red, had now dissipated.


    Emir approached the relic, and he reached out to touch it.


    He immediately felt a connection.


    ''What? The program isn''t on yet-''


    His thoughts paused as the ring responded to his touch.


    id.''


    ''Not working anymore...''


    ''Bad stick! Bad!''


    Emir quickly stepped back, escaping Ragnar''s degenerate thoughts.


    "Just how can someone be so horny?"


    "Learn some discipline, for god sake!"


    "... Is it his coping mechanism or something?"


    Emir gave up on trying to figure Ragnar out and focused on the positive.


    "Well, at least he''s still alive."


    With a scoff, he re-approached the relic, and after a moment of deep connection...


    Ragnar''s memories surged into his mind.


    Emir flowed through them... like a voyage through the memories of another soul.


    He experienced Ragnar''s moments of joy and sorrow.


    His triumphs and struggles.


    And finally...


    Emir saw the moment when his friend fell from grace.


    Ragnar tried to get everything back.


    But it was of no use.


    He had lost.


    And the only thing he could keep was his own life.


    The memories suddenly disappeared, and Emir, who returned to the virtual world, had... Fallen to his knees.


    His eyes began to show tears.


    Sniff.


    But he quickly got himself together and wiped them away.


    "So ''it'' is really true then..."


    "No wonder."


    After letting out a sigh, he approached the relic for the third time.


    But he had activated the program this time around and was about to finally initiate the process.


    ***


    Iy on my back.


    ''Stick no longer feels good.''


    ''It no longer grows.''


    ''Bad stick!''


    A sigh escaped my lips as I flopped around, attempting to entertain myself.


    ''What I do? So boring...''


    "Ah..."


    The wind felt good on my naked body.


    A bit cold, though.


    I stood up and climbed further up the tree.


    ''Yes! Wind feels better here!''


    ''Cold. Too cold.''


    My body rolled off the tree, and it hit the ground hard.


    A few weird sounds resounded in my ears, but I didn''t care about them and continued moving.


    ''Maybe, just maybe...''


    ''I might find something to get the stick hard again.''


    ''No, you won''t.''


    Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head, causing me to trip and fall to the ground.


    I rubbed my chin in pain while I turned around andid on my back again.


    ''... Why not?''


    ''Because you''ve run out of juice already, you exhibitionist.''


    ''Exhibitionist? What mean?''


    ''It means that you''re a fucking degenerate, you dumbass.''


    My brows frowned; this voice was really...


    ''Mean. Why so mean? You bad guy.''


    ''AHHHHH MY EARS!''


    I quickly plugged my ear holes; the voice was too loud!


    ''Don''t shout at me!''


    ''Then don''t talk that way and wake up already!''


    My arms dropped, they then reached my face, touching it in confusion.


    ''I''m awake... though?''


    ''Yes, you are, but your memories are not.''


    ''My... memories?''


    ''Yes, did you already forget my voice? We''re brothers.''


    My eyes widened in surprise.


    ''Brothers? Me and you?''


    ''Correct, and you were the one who wanted that too.''


    "Then tell me, brother... My stick, how do-''


    ''Ask your fianc¨¦e that.''


    ''Fianc¨¦e?''


    ''Your lover.''


    ''Lover?''


    ''Someone that has big boobs that you get to, uhhh, use your stick on."


    I excitedly pumped my fists into the air.


    ''Boobs? Big? Supreme?''


    ''Ugh... Yes. Very supreme.''


    Then I felt off.


    It was slight, but...


    My mind received a certain ''memory.''


    ''But is her heart also big?''


    ''She loves you, yes.''


    Then another.


    ''She won''t betray me?''


    ''No, she loves you very much.''


    And another.


    ''How about family... Will they betray me?''


    ''......N-No.''


    The voice had just lied to me; was he going to betray me too?


    ''Will you betray me, brother?''


    ''Never. Not even on my dead body.''


    ''Why?...''


    I paused my next words, scared to say them.


    But I gathered my courage because...


    Because I had to know!


    ''...Do you love me too, brother?''


    ''I do.''


    And his reply was immediate.


    A smile formed on my face.


    This voice... really was a good man.


    ''Now, Ragnar, I''ve given you the memories; remember them.''


    ''I will, brother!''


    ''And forget this ever happened!''


    ''I won''t, brother!''


    ***


    "Hoooooh."


    "...Seriously, this guy is a work of art."


    Emir, whose hand had just left the relic, stepped back and sat on the ground.


    "If only that artwork was drenched in the deepest of grimy, dirty blood imaginable."


    He rxed on the short pir that housed it.


    His mind then wandered through what he had just revealed to Ragnar.


    Emir almost wanted the man to remain the horny bastard that he was.


    But that decision wasn''t his to make.


    He was on a quest to save his brother, and he had to fulfill that quest.


    So he went ahead and drip-fed him the memories.


    Emir knew that if Ragnar experienced it all at once, his mind would shatter.


    Since now he has understood that it wasn''t the masturbation that killed him, but...


    The memories themselves.


    Ragnar''s story was like many others in his niche.


    He once was an Elite.


    Yes, an Elite.


    But he was a minor one.


    As depressing as it was for the man, the fall...


    The ''result'' wasn''t the cause of his twisted nature.


    Since the real kicker was in the details.


    "The ''process.''


    Ragnar''s family was a branch of the Ignatius family.


    They were second in line to the main descendants.


    His mother was a concubine of Ignatius''s first son.


    Although their marriage was never officiated, they didn''t treat Ragnar like they would a


    bastard.


    The man actually had a sweet, carefree childhood.


    But when he grew up...


    Politics came into y.


    Ragnar''s father had forced the boy to marry the daughter of one of the Temr''s leaders.


    It was a trap.


    If that transpired, then Ragnar would never obtain the chance to be their family''s head.


    And not only that...


    Ragnar would no longer be considered a ckwood.


    It was custom for marriages between families to have the stronger one of the two be the main


    name.


    A branch of an Elite was not stronger than Temr''s name.


    Then it was obvious why such a thing was suggested.


    The father had conspired against his son.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A betrayal deeper than any other.


    But it got worse.


    Ragnar didn''t appear to care about it and silently epted.


    Even though his mother kept pushing back against it, there was nothing they could do.


    The marriage went smoothly, or rather as smoothly as a crying wife and mother could be.


    That man was the only calm one in the group.


    His wife treated him rather harshly at the start, but soon she grew fond of him.


    Or rather, of his... talents.


    The man was a Warp Weaver.


    A special kind of Spell Weaver... one that specialized in the space element.


    She used his talents.


    With the help of an Arcanist, she began to sell the items he gave her to use.


    This brought her a lot of profit.


    Credits that she wasted on the ck market.


    Those items she sold were inscribed with runes that Stabilized the spell Ragnar conjured upon


    them.


    Such spells had to ability to expand an item''s inventory with no change to its size or


    appearance.


    Ragnar, the na?ve kid that he was, never doubted her and kept making her new ones each time


    she ''lost'' the old.


    This cycle repeated until the news of this illegal selling operation spread to the UEF.


    They had caught wind...


    And it all came crashing down.


    The UEF Guard arrived to ''dismantle'' the operation.


    But they had already been ''misled.''


    His wife had bailed out on him and thrown him under the bus.


    She told them that it was his idea, that he pressured her into doing it.


    But the Guard didn''t need any of her barking.


    This was set in stone the moment they heard themand.


    "Arrest Ragnar and deprive him of everything."


    There existed an obvious reason as to why the UEF sided with Temr, their fanatical enemy,


    on this one issue.


    A favor.


    All it took for them to drown a man in the deepest of seas was a potential favor from people


    they had always fought against.


    Days passed, and a depressed Ragnar was finally let out of his jail cell.


    He had arrived at court.


    Ragnar repeatedly imed that it was all a setup.


    That they were against him.


    That they were all lying.


    Yet no one listened.


    The lie detector was functioning ''correctly,'' and only the ''truth'' was spoken.


    They even called his mother to the stand to testify.


    And she...


    She had betrayed him too.


    That day...


    That was the day that Ragnar snapped.


    He broke.


    His heart shattered.


    But he somehow still held hope.


    Maybe his mother was forced into it. She might''ve not meant what she said.


    Yet as time passed his fragmented heart, which he felt was impossible to damage any longer...


    Was twisted.


    Stabbed.


    Crushed.


    And gutted from one end to the next.


    Ragnar saw his mother and father together, walking side by side; their voices were filled with


    happiness andughter.


    They passed by him while he sat in a dirty corner of the slums as they headed to the ck


    market.


    That night, Ragnar had died...


    And he was reborn all over again.


    ...An event that Emir was so familiar with.

 Chapter 241: {100,000}

    Chapter 241: {100,000}


    ?


    Emir had returned to the real world.


    ''I''m alive!''


    Now he flew across the seemingly endless cave, using sh Step from one point to the next.


    Many Fang d crossed his path, yet they couldn''t catch up to his speed.


    ''Come to me...e kill me.''


    As the prince never stopped, he hopped from one rock to the next in a zigzag-like motion, covering hundreds of meters on each step.


    ''Save me.''


    He couldn''t go full throttle as the spiders had many sticky silk traps, spanning tens of meters wide.


    ''Die.''


    They were almost invisible to the eye, yet he could see them.


    ''RUN!''


    Though, very obviously, the further away he was, the harder it was for him to spot them.


    So he went with the cautious route, choosing a safe spot tond and then scouting ahead. ''No... no, please, no.''


    This series of actions onlysted a moment, as he never stopped moving.


    Causing those monsters that attempted a chase to not evenst a second.


    ''Where am I supposed to go?''


    His fellow candidates, even de Dancers, wouldn''t have been able to do this.


    It was for a simple reason.


    ''Is this the next phase?''


    Besides the fact that only he had the Temporal Perception ability...


    ''MAKE IT END!''


    The thumping relic on his finger, the voices in his head, and the emotions he felt would''ve made anyone reach borderline madness.


    ''Hurts... too much... can''t...''


    Yet it appeared to not even faze him.


    In turn, no ''scent'' was produced, and the spiders weren''t able to track him and eventually trap him in their webs.


    ''Make it stop... please...''


    This meant that Emir essentially bypassed the entire phase solely due to his incredible mind and neuralwork.


    ''Can''t breathe...''


    However, even if he looked unfazed, the man was beginning to ''struggle.''


    "The voices... the fucking voices won''t shut up!"


    Emir roared at the top of his lungs as hended on top of a towering pir of rock.


    "Goddammit, I get that you''re going to die, but damn, just die quietly."


    ''HELP ME!''


    "Nobody''s going to help you, dumbass."


    ''Make the voices stop!''


    "Anyways..."


    He paused his continuous incantation spree and looked beyond.


    ''No more... no more...''


    Emir had reached the other end of the cave and was now searching for the exit among the rocky walls.


    ''Found you.''


    His earlier emotional burst had attracted monsters.


    ''It''s dark... so dark...''


    But that was on purpose.


    Just because his brain was affected didn''t mean that he would lose his cool.


    "sh Step."


    The monsters followed him to the door, which was hidden behind a group of boulders.


    ''Help... can''t...''


    After another step, he stood before the door.


    ''Why... why...''


    Emir nced behind him for a moment.


    "Guard this ce for me, now won''t you?"


    Click.


    And with that, he opened the door and left.


    Loud banging sounds marked his departure as the tens of spiders that chased after him crashed into the wall.


    ''Mom...''


    Thest imprint of his ''scent'' was near the exit, so many monsters would congregate there.


    This wouldn''t allow any of the other candidates to pass by unaffected.


    If any even managed to reach there in the first ce.


    ''Good luck.''


    Emir sneered and stepped down the stairs.


    ''Don''t want...''


    Seconds passed, and he reached the end.


    Click.


    The door opened, and he was greeted by utter darkness.


    This meant that what was before him could only be the work of Aether.


    Of Arcanists.


    His eyes couldn''t see past the shadows; it only appeared like a void.


    ''Let''s start.''


    Emir closed his eyes and fell forward.


    ''Cold... so cold...''


    His body hit the ground, and hey there unmoving for a moment.


    Then he stood back up.


    His surroundings changed.


    And the whispers were silent.


    What once was an empty ck space was now marred with walls of bright white.


    It stretched endlessly from left to right.


    An opening showed itself in the middle, right in front of him.


    While sighing his gaze turned towards the hologram that appeared before his ''nonexistent''


    irises.


    {00:00:07}


    It was a timer.


    A counting clock for the hell that he was about to put himself through.


    {00:00:08}


    After a deep breath, his focus returned to the opening.


    Emir headed towards it.


    He had now begun the third phase.


    The ''Infinite Labyrinth.''


    This ce was where the sense of time lost its meaning.


    A seemingly infinite space where one would be blinded by the contrasting whiteness.


    Abyrinth.


    A maze of twists and turns that defied thews of spatial logic.


    {00:11:50}


    Every step he took echoed with the ticking of a clock.


    It was a counter, a reminder, an anchor to hold his mind in ce.


    As thisbyrinth wasn''t a physical challenge; rather, it was a psychological torment.


    One that Emir would have to endure till the moment his mind gave out.


    {11:23:02}


    The walls seemed to shift, rearranging themselves to create new passages.


    But that was nothing but an illusion.


    Tricks of the mind.


    They gued Emir''s every step.


    And it led him into a continuous cycle of uncertainty.


    He couldn''t escape the feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, as if he had walked these paths a thousand times


    before...


    Which he did.


    {231:17:45}


    Emir pressed forward, driven by insanity.


    Nothing else would''ve prepared him for what he faced today.


    No amount of drive or determination would allow someone the ability to walk for this long


    but absolute...


    Insanity. {1782:23:59}


    He had long since passed the four-digit mark, yet his steps never faltered.


    Not even once.


    His face was a manifestation of what Earth experienced many millennia ago.


    It, too, hadn''t shown a single flicker of change.


    Emir''s thoughts, simr to the face he wore, were calm as a stillke.


    His eyes remained locked on the timer, as he had stopped looking at his destination many


    hundreds of days ago.


    Yes... days.


    He had been trapped here for almost five years.


    Amon time when most took the plunge and ''died.''


    {32567:19:01}


    Eighty-nine years passed in a blink.


    No... it wasn''t a blink.


    Emir had suffered through that time; every moment felt infinite, yet...


    It was fleeting as a grain of sand, slipping from his hands.


    This reminded him of the time when he fell into an abyss.


    Albeit it was a much... snappier experience. {102356:01:57}


    Two hundred and eighty years have passed.


    His eyes had lost their luster.


    The echoes of his footsteps that resonated in the emptiness no longer registered in his mind.


    His brain had epted it as nothing but static, ending it entirely.


    Emir hadn''t heard anything for at least a hundred years.


    The only thing that apanied him was the persistent countdown that seemed to mock the


    concept of time itself.


    {124246:20:28}


    He began to encounter illusions-hallucinations that tested the boundaries of his sanity. Faces of family and foes alike emerged from the walls, whispering words that attempted to


    fuel the emptiness in his mind. {170820:11:31}


    "Emir, you''re not strong enough." {208415:21:09} "You can''t save them all."


    "You won''t save any of them." "You are WEAK."


    "Fate-"


    {365000:00:00}


    "Give in... and die!"


    "Die..."


    "Die."


    "Die!"


    "Die!"


    "Die!"


    "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!


    ""Die!"''"''Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die !""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Di e!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""D ie!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""


    Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die! ""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die !"''"Die!""Die!"''"Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!" "Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!""Die!"


    "DIE!"


    {Current system is no longer advisable.}


    {Switching to yearly count.}


    {1000}


    But Emir''s mind was a fortress, fortified by the experiences that had sculpted him into the


    resilient person he was.


    The whispers faded as ''quickly'' as they came.


    {1100}


    His surroundings appeared to shift again.


    Now, thebyrinth revealed his home.


    {1101}


    The illusion yed with his emotions.


    Showing him love for a moment, only to snatch it away in the next.


    But was it truly a moment?


    {1291}


    Emir''s countenance remained stoic.


    He had learned to detach himself from the illusions, the voices, the whispers-oh, the damn


    whispers.


    The prince recognized them for what they were-mere ''specters'' in the vast expanse of the


    dream.


    {1500}


    The countdown persisted.


    {1510}


    Thebyrinth was a destendscape, a reflection of his internal struggles.


    He walked through barren wastnds, climbed imaginary mountains, and crossed phantom


    rivers.


    {1520}


    And still, the countdown continued.


    It recorded every moment, as the time in between eachndscape was ever so fleeting.


    {2000}


    At times, he found himself drowning in the whispers.


    {2100}


    But he pressed on, unfazed... or so he thought.


    {3000}


    When the counter reached three thousand years...


    Emir realized a dark truth. Those whispers...


    They weren''t a trick of the mind, no, not at all.


    ...It was him.


    It was his voice that echoed in the countless corridors.


    His mouth was the one that had whispered.


    And now it was his lips where shouts escaped.


    "DIE!"


    {4000}


    Thousands of years have passed.


    Yet tens of thousands of years remained.


    {5000}


    The countdown persisted.


    {10000} Emir blinked. {20000}


    He blinked once more. {30000}


    He roared.


    {40000}


    He could no longer hear his unending screams. {50000}


    The walls were no longer white.


    {60000}


    Emir was blind.


    {70000}


    His steps faltered.


    {80,000}


    He fell.


    {80,001}n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He stood back up.


    {80,002}


    He continued to step forward... Never hesitating.


    After all, stopping meant ''death.''


    And he couldn''t ''die.''


    Not yet, at least.


    {90,000}


    Emir could no longer feel his body.


    His feet no longer functioned.


    He crawled.


    {90,011}


    He crawled.


    {90,111}


    He crawled.


    {91,111}


    He crawled.


    {92,222}


    He crawled.


    {93,333}


    He crawled.


    {94,444}


    He crawled.


    {95,555}


    He crawled.


    {96,666}


    He crawled.


    {97,777}


    He crawled.


    {98,888}


    He crawled.


    {99,999}


    He crawled.


    {99,999.5}


    He inched forward, his nails long gone.


    Whatever was left of his bloodied fingers scraped against the ground.


    His body left a trail of blood in its wake.


    Or so he felt.


    {100,000}


    Emir had finally stopped.


    He had reached his goal.


    His everything could move no more.


    And he...


    ''Died.''

 Chapter 242: Watch Me

    Chapter 242: Watch Me


    ?


    ***


    "Hey... Uhhh... hmm, there''s just no way, right?"


    "Right?"


    "Tell me!"


    Ignatius constantly shook Isidore''s throne, but no matter what, the man didn''t even spare a nce at him.


    Isidore''s gaze remained locked on the live feed.


    A hologram atop a circr table showed that Emir was asleep, his body face down on the ground.


    "I don''t know."


    His reply finally came.


    And it appeared that he too was stumped, never mind those lower than him in the CER.


    Auric and Eldritch.


    They, who didn''t put much of their interest in Emir, were now staring at the holoscreen with mouths agape.


    "You''re sure it''s working, right?"


    Eldritch scoffed at Auric''s question.


    "You think they''d mess up? No, of course, it works... this guy is just a..."


    "Monster."


    Auric let out a chuckle.


    "Would you still say that he''s not going to join the rankings?"


    Eldritch shook his head.


    "No... if hees out sane, then..."


    The man didn''t need to finish his sentence, as everyone in the room understood the unsaid.


    Tsk!


    "Yall are fags or what? He juststed fifty thousand years in there; what''s the big deal?"


    Ignatius nudged Isidore''s shoulder.


    "You jealous that he just beat your record?"


    The Ebonfyre''s head eyed the fiery man for a moment, then his eyes returned to the hologram.


    "It doesn''t matter; I can now go for a hundred times that easily."


    "That''s unfair, and you know it... Besides, he''s still going."


    "...True, I guess he''s an Order''s chosen for a reason."


    While Ignatius and Isidore had their not-so-private talk, Eldritch and Auric had one of their own.


    They had an isting barrier up, however.


    "Remember what Klein said back then?"


    Auric nodded.


    "Well, that''s an understatement and a half."


    "Right, but so what? It doesn''t change things."


    Eldritch shook his head.


    "No, it does... Remember, we can''t harm him, but who says that he can''t harm us?"


    Auric eyed Eldritch like he would a fool.


    "The binding contract would? Is your brain rotting already-"


    "Get serious!"


    "...I am. You''re not."


    Eldritch sighed.


    "Listen money bags... Did it never cross your mind that the boy could hold cards we don''t know of?"


    "Maybe he''s got an ability that could disregard the contract."


    Auric''s gaze showed pity.


    "Yeah, your brain is already rotting."


    "But think about it!"


    Their conversation paused for a moment, until Auric said:


    "...Okay, I thought about it, and the conclusion was still no; he doesn''t have such an ability."


    "Why though?"


    "Stop being paranoid! You seem to be forgetting that the Oracle exists..."


    "An epitome of neutrality. Do you really think he would allow such an ability if it existed?!"


    The Oracle did, in fact, allow that.


    But neither of these men would expect such a thing.


    That the one and only ''Rule Keeper'' of the cosmos would go against its essence for a man such


    as Emir.


    A Prince of The Sands.


    Of The Fallen.


    Eldritch looked down for a moment.


    "...I guess you''re right."


    He then nced towards the timer near the hologram.


    It showed that fifty-one thousand seconds had passed.


    "Even if he''s that monstrous... the world wouldn''t bend its rules to favor him, now would it?"


    "No, it wouldn''t."


    Oh, how sorely mistaken those men were.


    the world truly didn'' or Emir as it did Arthur, the man was of a powerful lineage.


    A n once favored by the Oracle.


    It seemed as if all his past bad luck had led up to that one moment...


    A moment where both his demise and status were revealed.


    ...


    Time passed, and hours went by.


    The four Lords kept watching the show.


    Even being the old monsters that they were, their focus on Emir didn''t wane.


    The prince was closing in on the hundred thousand mark.


    He was nearing a record, one that had held its ce since the invention of this test.


    The academy''s principal.


    The second-strongest man on Earth.


    Amon.


    Emir was about to break his record.


    Tick.


    Tock.


    Tick.


    Tock.


    The clock kept on going.


    Emir hadn''t ''died'' yet.


    He was still ''alive.''


    Tick-


    {99,999.5...}


    The timer had stopped...


    {100,000}


    And the record was broken.


    Excited shivers ran through the men in the room.


    A fellow monster was born today.


    What Isidore said some time ago was correct.


    The current him would easily sail past a million years.


    But, back then... when he was but a Seraphim, this feat that Emir had crossed...


    It was something he imagined impossible.


    His pressure, unknowingly, began to flood the room.


    Unlike before, it instantly snapped everyone to the ground.


    "This guy..."


    "We have to get on our side."


    "We must."


    "The UEF''s survival rests on his shoulders."


    And just as quickly as the pressure came... it left.


    Those who were in their slumber woke up right after.


    "Chill out, man; my neck hurts ''cause of you."


    Isidore ignored Ignatius''sints and willed the holoscreen to add a different feed.


    "You guys think he''ll be schizo after this?"


    The hologram now showed a sleeping Ragnar.


    "Even if he is, we could just extract those memories, and he''ll be as good as new."


    Auricmented while shrugging his shoulders.


    "And you were calling me an idiot."


    "Haa?!"


    Eldritch sparked their argument once again.


    "Yes, you''re one stupid fellow. Your only purpose is money; it''s quite... sad."


    "...What brought this all of a sudden?"


    Auric disengaged as he noticed that Isidore was starting to get irritated.


    "Well, the mind isn''t as simple as that. Even with those memories deleted, the boy will still


    experience many signs of schizophrenia."


    "And those are?" "Let''s see... He''dck motivation, EQ, and he''d see constant hallucinations... his ability to talk


    might also be affected."


    There were others as well, but Eldritch was toozy to list them out.


    Auric sighed and looked back at the holoscreen.


    "Is he showing those signs?"


    Emir, who was now awake, stared at the dark ceiling above.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    His body didn''t move.


    The man didn''t blink, either.


    His dark eyes bore into the drone''s camera.


    Or rather, they looked for those behind it.


    It was as if they were staring at those watching.


    Emir then closed his eyes.


    After a moment, his lips parted to mouth two words:


    "...Watch me."

 Chapter 243: Reflecting Truths

    Chapter 243: Reflecting Truths


    ?


    ***


    Bzzzzz.


    ''Stop... can''t...''


    My mind was no longer calm.


    ''Can''t see...''


    My eyes couldn''t see.


    ''Please... make it go...''


    My ears couldn''t hear.


    Bzzzzz.


    My body couldn''t move...


    ''Help me...''


    It couldn''t feel.


    Where was I?


    ''Where... am I...''


    What was I doing?


    Bzzzzz.


    Why did I keep hearing whispers inside my mind?


    ''Dad... is that you?''


    Who were they?


    Bzzzzz.


    And what the hell was that annoying sound?


    ''So much... hurts...''


    ...Wait, sound?


    I tried to move my body, and slowly...


    I rolled over.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Somehow.


    Since my face was no longer buried in the ground...


    I could now see... albeit barely.


    ''Not ready...''


    Everything was foggy.


    ''Ah, so that''s why...''


    And I could think; however, my mind was cloudy as well.


    But that didn''t matter for now.


    ''Hold on... can''t...''


    I needed to know something...


    My eyes searched the dark sky above me until they stopped at a flying drone.


    ''Love...''


    That was the source of that annoying sound.


    It reminded me of... of everything.


    I, Emir, was on a test.


    Those rat bastards above were watching me.


    Like an actor dancing on stage, I entertained them.


    ''It''s here... it''sing...''


    And now I needed mypensation.


    ''But man... I don''t feel like talking.''


    An idea soon popped into my mind.


    My lips parted...


    And they formed two words.


    "Watch me."


    Yes, I needed them to watch me.


    Or rather, not all of them, as I only needed him...


    Isaac Klein.


    He had to be interested in me.


    ''I''m sorry...''


    That man was the one who would give me the ticket to my revenge.


    My n needed his involvement, and this was all but a step towards that.


    I soon took my eyes off the drone and attempted to stand.


    ''Can''t move...''


    Yet I felt...zy.


    ''I should rx a little bit... I walked for too long; my legs need rest too.''


    Many excuses flooded my mind, but then...


    Snap.


    Pain.


    Nothing but pain surged through my body.


    They were like ants, crawling under my skin, my organs, my nerves, and my cells.


    My mind woke up, and I began to scream.


    ''Make it... stop...''


    However, my mind didn''t register that scream.


    I could feel my throat expandin


    mouth widening, and my lungs burning...


    All were telltale signs of a deafening roar.


    But my ears heard nothing.


    ''Why?''


    Such a question came.


    ''Because of thebyrinth.''


    And it was answered shortly after.


    I grabbed a couple of old-world medicines from my pockets and shoved them in my mouth.


    ''Scared... can''t...''


    My mouth had not swallowed them, however.


    Both my arms extended to my waist and unsheathed my twin swords.


    They rose to meet my head.


    Slowly, the swords approached by ears, and then...


    ''Go away... go...''


    I gulped down the pills while simultaneously puncturing both my ears.


    The medicine healed them quickly, not allowing much blood to spurt out before the wound


    was sealed.


    Now I heard static.


    ''An improvement.''


    After my musings... I did it again.


    I stabbed the inside of my ears over and over again.


    Blood began to sprinkle onto the ground, yet it never once stained my immacte suit.


    Slowly, my brain began to ept the noise.


    Not as static, but as somethingprehensible.


    "Oh, yeah, he''s gone schizo alright."


    The drone spoke, and I heard it.


    That''s when I knew the time for stabbing had ended.


    ''Everything... fading...''


    My ears were fixed.


    The pain was for the nerves to wake up, not only for my ears but most of my body.


    After all, one''s ears controled bnce.


    I was now able to stand up.


    ''Too much...''


    I hadn''t done that yet, though; I needed to stab myself somewhere else too.


    My des grew closer to my eyes.


    "Hoooooh....."


    Squelch.


    I couldn''t see.


    I was blind again.


    Then, after a blink, my vision returned.


    ''Better.''


    I repeated the process a couple of times until I was sure that my nerves were fully awake.


    ''Not now... not yet...''


    Then I stood up.


    And when I reached my highest, my arms, which were still next to my head, stabbed my ears


    once again.


    The old-world medicine I swallowed had run out of energy, and now I needed more pills to


    heal myself.


    But I wanted to stay deaf.


    ***


    "WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING?!"


    An enraged Isidore began stomping at the ground, causing the very earth beneath the


    building they were in to shake.


    "What he did before made sense, but now-"


    ***


    Emir moved forward and reached the end of the dark room.


    An obvious door of white contrasted sharply against its surroundings.


    With a click, he opened it and arrived at the other side.


    ''Lost... so lost...'' This time there were no stairs, and he simply moved forward, entering another room.


    What existed before him was darkness, simr to the room he just left.


    Yet there was a stark difference.


    Mirrors popted the ce.


    They were everywhere.


    "Too much... can''t bear...''


    On the walls, roof, and ground.


    Some floated, and others hung from the ceiling.


    In a room such as this, those mirrors shouldn''t have reflected anything, as light didn''t exist.


    But they did.


    An Arcanist''s masterpiece.


    The ''Puzzle Of Mirrors.''


    ''Fading... into nothing...''


    A phase designed to test the candidates'' aspects, their personalities.


    Its second purpose was to help root out enemies.


    After all, when confronted with one''s past in those mirrors, many would think thoughts


    rted to said past.


    ''Lost... can''t find...''


    Emir was an exception in this case, as his real thoughts were cut off.


    So while his past would be shown, the thoughts in his mind wouldn''t.


    ''Let''s begin.''


    Pulse.


    In an instant, all the mirrors in the room showed a certain scene.


    It was the day when Emir lost his innocence-


    The scene changed to another.


    His forced confession to his family-


    ''Don''t leave... don''t...''


    Another scene.


    It was back when Emir was tortured for three days.


    His body was broken, eyes tired and hazy.


    Blood covered his face-


    Another.


    The time when he was awoken from lies-


    ''Can''t breathe... suffocating...''


    Another.


    His first loss against-


    Another.


    The court hearing-


    ''Hold me close... slipping...''


    Another.


    Kiera''s ughter, one caused by his inaction-


    Another.


    Alex''s death by his-


    Another...


    Or not.


    It paused.


    And the mirrors turned dark.


    The scenes it showed did not affect him at all.


    ''Don''t understand... why...''


    Emir was someone who had long since confronted the great evil he housed within himself.


    The world of blood was HIS mindscape.


    It was HIS truth.


    A man with a great capacity for evil.


    And he didn''t run away from such a notion.


    ''It''s dark... closing in...''


    So this test needed no preparation, as he had nothing holding him back.


    The monsters that were supposed to appear couldn''t because of that fact.


    ''Help... fading away...''


    Those mirrors, together with the relic, could not find anything totch onto.


    This phase was a failure.


    Emir stepped forward and reached the door at the end of the room.


    ''Mom, where are you?...''


    ''Hold me...''


    Click.


    ''Please.''

 Chapter 244: Speedrun

    Chapter 244: Speedrun


    ?


    ***


    "So you think he knew about this?"


    Eldritch shook his head.


    "Isidore... Just listen to my words, man. Like seriously, how many times do I have to repeat myself?"


    "Just say it."


    "...Look, the guy was probably experiencing an episode."


    "Although his nerves woke up, the whispers continued, so he thought that his ears were still malfunctioning."


    "His mind at that point should''ve still been affected, so it''s highly probable that this happened."


    "Also, listen to his thoughts; you''ll see what I-"


    "I already am you idiot, and they''re dead..."


    Auric nodded.


    "Yeah, he barely reacted to anything in that mirror room."


    Ignatius thenmented from the side:


    "Then yall think he''s just lucky then?"


    They all looked at each other for a bit, and then, in a sudden fit, they burst outughing.


    "....Who the fuck does he think we are?"


    ***


    ''So they''ve probably caught on by now...''


    ''Doesn''t matter though.''


    Emir didn''t care, as he expected it to happen, and walked into the next room.


    ''Make it... stop... please...''


    Simr to thest two, it was nothing but dark.


    Unlike the previous one, however, it didn''t have any defining features.


    [What''s this room?]


    He stepped forward, but nothing affected his mind.


    ''Is this... goodbye...''


    He didn''t fall asleep, nor did he get attacked by monsters.


    [Did the phase malfunction or something?]


    [Nah, that''s impossible.]


    His hand stretched out to the void, as he expected something to block his path at any moment.


    ''Don''t want to go...''


    Yet nothing appeared.


    [Huh... no monsters?]


    Emir let out a sigh.


    [Then what is it?]


    [Wait a minute...]


    His feet suddenly paused, and his hands neared his ears.


    ''Can''t hear... fading sounds...''


    They were bleeding.


    [So it''s ''cause I''m deaf?]


    [Lucky me~.]


    He snickered and continued moving, nearing the door on the other side.


    ''... Well, that should be enough.''


    Emir didn''t think that he could trick them.


    ''Feels like drowning...''


    Even though his case would appear normal back then, the old monsters weren''t called that for


    no reason.


    So he devised a n.


    He didn''t believe in his acting skills, but he did have another trick to employ.


    ''It hurts... everywhere...''


    Emir would send out certain thoughts at key moments.


    Those thoughts were crafted in advance, so he would simply follow along and act out the


    scene.


    ''Gone... almost gone..."


    That would easily convince them of the lie.


    And he was correct in thinking so.


    ''Where did everyone go...''


    ***


    "He didn''t know?"


    That was the question that prevailed in the room of four.


    "But... it seems to be true; he was really just lucky."


    Isidore sighed.


    "It''s a good thing, though; luck is also a skill that celestials need."


    "True."


    "Right."


    "Yeah."


    ***


    "Now then... what''s next?"


    The stage Emir just cleared was called ''Song Of Chaos.''


    One could understand its essence from its name alone.


    ''It''s dark... getting darker...''


    It was a room where a song would y out, one that would turn the candidates into


    maddened beings.


    Emir deafened himself in advance, in turn skipping the phase entirely.


    "Too tired... can''t fight...''


    The next one was of a simr disposition.


    ''Mimicry of Desires.''


    Emir entered the dark room, knowing well the illusions that awaited him.


    The air was thick with the allure of temptation, a siren call to the deepest desires of the


    candidates.


    ''So cold... inside out...''


    For many, it would be a room filled with dreams they longed to embrace.


    A momentary escape into the echoes of their hearts'' most fervent wishes.


    They would indulge in those illusions, causing their emotions to rise and the relic to emit


    their ''scent.''


    Then monsters would be sent out, their numbers depending on the level of emotion one


    showed.


    ''Can''t stop shaking...''


    Yet, that didn''t matter to Emir.


    He had already proven himself immune to such tricks and approached with confidence.


    The room transformed into a scene so achingly familiar-his home''s dining room, bathed in


    the warm glow of happiness.


    ''So heavy... everything...''


    Like a snapshot from a time when everything was okay...


    A time before fate had its say.


    Or was it after?


    No... The specifics didn''t truly matter, as this illusion was his dearest wish.


    His family was there; all were enjoying themselves...


    ''Hold my hand...''


    And that was all he wanted.


    Seated in the illusion, a different Emir watched calmly, with Lyra by his side.


    The real Emir remained standing by the door, looking at that scene.


    ''Can''t think... too much...''


    He remained still for a moment, then began walking in the next, cutting through the room till


    he reached the other side.


    Meanwhile, the room pulsed with intensity.


    Then the illusionary figures, who continued their joyous activities, suddenly unraveled until


    they vanished.


    ''Is this... the end?''


    A result of the one who would defy their scripted destiny.


    Emir was not a man to be deterred by mere illusions.


    This fate would be broken by his own hands.


    Click.


    ''Don''t leave me...''


    ***


    "He''s quite simple, ain''t he?"


    Isidore chuckled at Ignatius''sment.


    "Out of us four, you have the least right to say that." "Why though?!"


    Auric sneered.


    "Because you''re a dumbass, that''s why."


    "Hah?!"


    While Auric and Ignatius argued, Eldritch had a moment by himself.


    "But the most beautiful of souls are the simplest ones."


    "Do you truly believe that?"


    Isidore questioned while switching the hologram to show other candidates.


    "I do."


    Eldritch leaned back on his throne, and his gaze returned to the live feed.


    The other two did the same, just as they were done arguing.


    And the sight that met their eyes was an absolute disappointment.


    "KILL ME!"


    "Please... stop talking."


    "Kill me, kill me; end it, please."


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯!"


    Most candidates didn''t even get past the second phase.


    They were stuck in the silky traps made by the Fangd and were minutes away from certainn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    death.


    Yet that didn''t appear to matter to them.


    They just wanted everything to be over.


    The voices made them mad as they begged and begged.


    Some had ears that bled, others had eyes gouged, and most had minds shattered.


    "Weren''t these lot supposed to be the good ones?... We''ve made the first phase difficult for a


    reason."


    Isidore asked while his face showed absolute disgust.


    "I know, right?! It''s a waste to even save them... So I say we don''t!"


    After letting out a sigh, Eldritch rebuked Ignatius:


    "But we can''t; we mustn''t stain our image."


    "True... Guess I''ll send them out now."


    Auric agreed and left his throne, exiting the room shortly after.


    "Why doesn''t he just call them?"


    Isidore shrugged off Ignatius and focused on the hologram.


    It now showed those that went past the second phase and reached the third.


    Ragnar was still asleep.


    He had already reached the forty-thousand-second mark and was still going strong.


    "So we''ve got two monsters joining us tomorrow."


    The rest eerily smiled at Isidore''sment, with full teeth showing.


    "No worries, Isidore; we''ll keep them in check." "Yeah... I''ll beat them up if they dare get out of line!"


    Isidore nodded and switched channels once again.


    Now they were watching the candidate in second ce.


    Even though Emir took so long in the third phase, only a single man had caught up to him.


    Unfortunately, however, that one man remained enamored by his desires.


    Binging shows, ying games, and eating every type of food all day-to only spend the night


    with an unending harem of beautiful women.


    The man had an enormous castle; his every need and senseless want was catered to.


    It was a life of no meaning and purpose.


    One of absolute degeneracy and fleeting happiness.


    To him, the only highs were new piece of entertainment, a new te of delicious food, a


    new conquest in bed...


    It was a consumer''s paradise.


    A life that many would die to acquire.


    "Typical."


    A life that would end soon.


    "...Should we save him?"


    Eldritch asked Isidore while scoffing under his breath.


    "No... a man with no purpose does not belong in this world."


    ***


    ''Lost... can''t find way back...''


    The door creaked open, and Emir faced thest room before confronting the Tyrant.


    Just like the others, it was consumed by darkness, but there was an...


    An eye.


    ''Please... make it end...''


    Enormous, it spanned at least five meters wide and stood ten meters tall.


    Positioned in the center, it stared unblinkingly at him, its golden iris never hidden.


    This phase bore the name ''Eye of Truth.''


    And no one could bypass this truth.


    ''Can''t feel... anything...''


    A barrier prevented passage until the eye''s revtions were witnessed.


    So this was a ce where candidates were forced to confront their deepest fears and


    vulnerabilities.


    Emir wasn''t an exception.


    He stood before it, his gaze fixed on the colossal eye.


    ''Where... am I... going...''


    Unspoken dread filled the air as he readied himself to face his own truth.


    Really, nothing could have prepared him for this.


    He couldn''t go past it or hide away from it.


    Yet, he didn''t wish for such a thing.


    As always, he would confront his fate...


    ''Where''s the light?''


    His fear... head-on.

 Chapter 245: Fate

    Chapter 245: Fate


    ?


    ***


    It was a tranquil morning, with the sun casting a warm light on the quietndscape.


    The gentle rustle of leaves painted a beautiful picture as the family went about their daily routines.


    The backdrop was their five-story house, a fortified residence surrounded by a well-tended garden that shone under the sky''s delicate hue.


    Lyra, who sat in a cruiser, just exited the parking lot and reached the surface.


    She then drove next to the sidewalk and stopped by Emir, who appeared to have been waiting there for a while.


    "Ly, what''s taking so long?"


    Lyra shrugged her shoulders.


    "Lily."


    That name was enough for him to understand everything.


    "Anyways I ain''t got a lecture today, so I''ll go hunt for a bit."


    "Sure, be safe, alright?"


    "You''re turning into my mother now?"


    They shared augh, while Laura naturally joined them,ing from behind.


    She wore an SS-ranked augmented suit, one customized to match Emir''s suit in design.


    "What did I do?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "Nothing, mom; don''t worry about it."


    She puffed her cheeks in protest.


    "Now you''ve made me more interested! What is it?"


    "Is that kiddo''s schtick rubbing off on you?"


    "I said stop calling me that!"


    Lily finally arrived, and like her mother, she wore Azazel''s ring on her finger.


    Her augmented suit was designed to look like their academy''s uniform.


    Her light blue skirt and shirt were ented with gold and green, matching the academy''s colors and insignia that disyed itself atop her zer, whichpleted the look.


    "Shush and go, you''ll bete!"


    "Whatever!"


    Lily nudged his shoulder and entered the cruiser.


    "See you guyster."


    "Bye, sweetie."


    "I''ll watch over Prince."


    Lyra, Laura, and Emir exchanged casual smiles as they bid him farewell like usual while heading off to the academy.


    A few cruisers followed after them and another few joined their front, forming a mini convoy. This scene was lovely to his eyes; his mother and sister were alive, vibrant, and protected...


    Yet they were all blissfully unaware of the impending tragedy.


    Just as they left the confines of their home, a being descended from the heavens.


    The skies, once a calm blue, turned ominous as red clouds gathered.


    From the looks of things, the one who had arrived was a Spell Weaver of some kind.


    Or they might''ve been a monster in humanoid form.


    But at this moment, none of that mattered.


    That being manifested power that eclipsed the sun''s fiery surface.


    And then, in an instant, the world transformed into a spine-chilling theater.


    They unleashed a torrent of Aether that squashed all buildings around the family to a paste.


    Then a massive fireball descended, a searing inferno that consumed the scene in a fraction of a moment.


    That ball of fire annihted all in its path.


    It reduced everything into ash, mere shadows amidst the roaring mes.


    And Emir...


    He didn''t even have the chance to blink at such a sight.


    It was so sudden that it left no room forprehension.


    His eyes saw everything, but his body couldn''t move.


    It wasn''t allowed to move.


    So the only thing he could do was watch... and think.


    Watch in agonizing slow motion as his family was consumed and turned into dust.


    ''No... no, no, no, no, no, no, no!''


    Something that he never regretted before was now his biggest nightmare.


    ''Please... just wait...''


    As a Celestial, Emir had great eyesight.


    ''Hey, wait, wait.''


    So he could see...


    ''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!''


    He could see as their eyes shifted from joy to terror, almost frozen in time as the mes licked


    at their very essence.


    ''Just fucking WAIT!''


    The ground they stood on, once solid and familiar...


    ''No...''


    Disintegrated.


    Emir remained the only one standing amidst the now destendscape, filled with nothing


    but charred remnants of life.


    He never moved, and his face didn''t show ache...


    The man was still smiling.


    Everything happened that quickly.


    ''Please... no.''


    Slowly, time passed, and a single tear left his right eye.


    It evaporated instantly, as the heat kept its mark.


    Another tear escaped him.


    A few more.


    Then a torrent.


    But they never dropped.


    They couldn''t. Emir was not even allowed to cry at his family''s passing.


    Even when his heart felt the searing pain of loss, aching with the weight of a thousand moons.


    His face still showed a smile...


    The air began to thicken with the acrid scent of burning memories, each moment eternally


    seared into the canvas of his consciousness.


    He was gripped-


    Whoosh!


    Death suddenly knocked on the door.


    And the eye no longer existed.


    It shattered like ss from the sheer power of it all.


    His will... his Aether, damned it forevermore.


    "You''ll remain as an illusion... Nothing else."


    With those words left behind, Emir stepped forward and walked through the remnants of his


    truth.


    He was once again reminded of the promise fate had kept for him.


    Yet.. he was not one to shy away from tragedy.


    After all, what kind of fool would kill himself knowing that he was going to die tomorrow?


    "Even if I can''t avoid the gallows..."


    Click.


    "I''ll choose how to climb the steps."


    ***


    || ||


    || ||


    "...The big guy''s kind of cool, huh?"


    Isidore sighed at Ignatius''sment.


    "Fucking hell, just how is he so paranoid?"


    Auric chuckled.


    "I know, right? He actually thinks that some Archon will shoot up his family in a drive-by."


    Eldritch shrugged.


    "Who knows? He''s an Order''s chosen; such fears are feasible."


    "Are they, though?"


    Ignatius asked while leaning back on his throne.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Maybe, maybe not; who knows..."


    Isidore answered while adding:


    "But if anything, this shows that he ns to go against the Order."


    Eldritch nodded.


    "Those of our level wouldn''t randomly attack ants, so I''m inclined to agree."


    Auric agreed as well:


    "Right... and he''s definitely got ns that go against them in that big head of his."


    Ignatius then asked the obvious:


    "We''re involved in those ns, aren''t we?"


    Rtively quiet chuckles resounded in the room.


    ***


    "Now then... let''s give this Tyrant a little surprise." Emir stepped forward and was weed into the abyss.

 Chapter 246: A Simple Trick

    Chapter 246: A Simple Trick


    ?


    ''You seek the truth within shadows...''


    Emir now stood at the precipice of the abyss, staring into the depths of the chasm.


    It was a foreboding sight¡ªa darkness that seemed to swallow existence itself.


    This ce was where the Tyrant had awaited their arrival.


    ''Yet within shadows lies only darkness.''


    It existed down there, within the very core of the abyss.


    He had to take a leap of faith to reach it.


    ''So tired... can''t go on...''


    But before that, to move forward, he needed to pass the penultimate phase.


    The ''Abyss Of Reflection.''


    ''Almost there...''


    Emir continued to inch closer to the edge, and after each step, the ''surface'' of the abyss rippled like water.


    Then, when he could no longer move forward, the abyss began to fully transform.


    What once appeared as a chasm of darkness turned into flowing liquid that condensed into a singr point right in front of him.


    ''It''s dark... closing in...''


    All the darkness in his immediate surroundings dissipated, causing it to turn blindingly white.


    ''Your reality is but a fragment of what is concealed...''


    The liquid, which seemingly had absorbed enough of the darkness around him, settled mid- air, pulsating like a beating heart.


    sh!


    Like an exploding star, a bright light was emitted, blinding himpletely.


    But Emir didn''t show any reaction, as he simply closed his eyes and calmly stepped back.


    When he opened them back up, what met his gaze was the same darkness as before.


    It had returned to suffocate him.


    ''Why... won''t it stop...''


    Yet that didn''t register in his mind, as his eyes were focused on what appeared before him. His own reflection.


    It was a grotesque, nightmarish version-warped, corrupted, and brimming with malevolence.


    ''All beneath the veil of perception.''


    Its eyes were mismatched, its face twisted, its arms bent, and the rest of its body was hidden by shadows.


    However, even through all that, Emir could still see himself in it.


    ''Why did the Tyrant make me so ugly?''


    After letting out a sigh, he raised his right hand.


    The reflection followed.


    ''Good.''


    Emir softly punched himself in the face.


    The reflection did the same.


    ''Intensity.''


    He then punched himself harder, throwing himself off bnce.


    ''So dark... can''t see...''


    The reflection returned to its original stance, now not following his actions.


    ''Same as the novel...''


    Emir knew the truth behind this illusion, and now he had officially confirmed it.


    His reflection would follow his every move unless they reached a level of harm that would affect it.


    In Born in Ruins, Morgiana killed the illusion after hours of battle.


    ''Everything''s ck...''


    At first, her fight was repetitive, as bothbatants had the same level of skill and power.


    Yet as time passed, she began to show an edge over her opponent.


    ''Darkness... closing in...''


    But it wasn''t because of her bing physically stronger or a random power-up.


    Rather, she learned about what made her unique-something that couldn''t be copied. Her own will, tenacity, and focus.


    ''Kill me.''


    Which in turn, affected her skill level, hammering the idea of her true strength.


    Emir could''ve gone with that route and killed his reflection, especially since he had the TP ability while the reflection didn''t.


    However, he didn''t want to waste time on something he could easily clear.


    ''Lost... in the dark...''


    He had nned for this phase since the beginning, forfeiting the use of a certain ability.


    It was an ace up his sleeve, a power unknown to the Tyrant, giving him a clear advantage in this test.


    "Let''s begin."


    With a raised hand, he gestured for his opponent to move forward.


    But it only copied his actions.


    "Heh..."


    Then Emir disappeared, materializing right before his reflection.


    Just as his left footnded on the ground, he pivoted his weight on it and kicked out with his right, aiming for his opponent''s head.


    Bang!


    His foot met his reflection''s own, and they locked each other up in a battle of strength. With the speed he was going at, the power behind his attack should''ve done the reflection in.


    ''No light... just dark...''


    But of course, instead of reflecting the sh Step ability, it copied the power generated after its execution.


    Emir understood that, so his n didn''t involve overpowering it.


    He twisted his body and lowered both their feet down, making sure to keep his reflection in


    ce as it followed.


    "Gates of Eternity!"


    Then, in a single moment, everything changed.


    There on the dark roof, a massive, dull sword construct appeared and immediately fell on his


    reflection.


    His opponent was crushed like a squishy ball, as the sword couldn''t cut through it.


    And just as the construct dissipated, the reflection bounced back up.


    ''Darkness.... taking me...''


    But by then, it was cut into several pieces, as hundreds of small wires appeared above it.


    It continued to piece itself together, but he never gave it a chance.


    His distorted reflection soon began to contort and fracture the darkness around it under Emir''s never-ending barrage of constructs.


    Eventually, at the most opportune moment, Emir showed his right palm, and an Aether construct of a cube appeared, encasing his reflection.


    "Die."


    Just as he said that...


    ''You filth.''


    He clutched his hand.


    A moment passed, and the cube shrank, crushing it.


    sh!


    Like before, his eyes saw nothing but light for a moment, and he knew then that it was his


    win.


    The reflection was dispelled entirely.


    ''Already?...How?''


    Emir chuckled at the Tyrant''s surprise.


    "Heh... Poor you." Unlike the UEF, who had ess to his mind, or at least thought that they did, this monster was


    limited to only what it could see and feel.


    So it couldn''t perceive his Celestia''s Hand Aspect, as he didn''t use it after arriving in this


    ce.


    Not even once.


    And with that in mind, it was obvious why the monster was startled.


    Someone with powers unknown to it had arrived, and judging by his actions, the man nned


    for its death.


    ''Who are you?''


    The Tyrant, who appeared to have brought up its guard, began to probe him.


    "Shut up."


    But Emir allowed none of it.


    ''Sure.''


    His surroundings soon quivered, and the abyss itself seemed to tremble as the darkness fully


    returned.


    He walked forward and stopped just before the drop.


    Now, he could dive in with no worries, as he had reached the finish line.


    ''Can''t find... way out...''


    Emir only needed to take the final step, and he would be in the clear.


    Normally, if a candidate reached this point, they would already be qualified to be a


    professor at the academy.


    But he didn''t care about that.


    What mattered to him was what would happen after that step.


    Even with his never-before-seen Seraphim prowess, defeating the Tyrant by himself was an


    impossible feat.


    ''I keep walking, but...''


    Killing the Tyrant wasn''t expected; of course, the supervisors only wanted to see the


    candidates'' strengths.


    But for his ns to work, he needed the kill.


    So he opted to wait for his brother and the others toe through.


    ''Are you waiting for your friends?''


    "Yeah, but not up here, though..."


    Emir walked forward, his feet reaching the edge, and fell into the chasm.


    His fall halted for a moment as he went through what felt like a high-viscosity liquid.


    Then his body began to align itself with the ground, and his hands were the first to reach a


    solid surface.


    ''It''s loud, so loud!''


    He pushed himself up while stabilizing himself, not used to the almost inconsistent gravity


    of the ce he found himself in.


    After a moment or two, he looked around and saw what appeared to be the inside of a castle.


    ''There''s no end...''


    It was dark like those rooms of before, yet it had different shades of ck on its surfaces.


    The hallway he found himself in wasrge, with the left and right walls separated by many hundreds of meters.


    The space in between wasn''t entirely empty, as there was a single carpet of gray leading up


    further inside.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''I want it to end.''


    As he stood poised, his gaze fixed on the massive gate in front, his mind went through the


    scenarios he cooked up for his fight against the Tyrant.


    ''Come...''


    It was an attempt to take his mind off the whispers and the after-effects of the Infinite


    Labyrinth.


    ''Closer.''


    He didn''t want to even think about it, as it would greatly affect his focus.


    Something that he''d definitely rather avoid.


    ''Closer.''


    Any disadvantage, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could easily end in him losing the


    fight.


    Emir, a record-breaker, had braved the test to his limits, so he wouldn''t dare allow himself to


    stumble at the end.


    ''Come,e closer.''


    His unwavering calm fueled his steps as he crossed the threshold into the heart of the abyss.


    ''Come here.''


    The atmosphere around him shifted, the air growing denser and more charged with Aether.


    ''Closer, closer, closer, closer, closer, closer...''


    After a few seconds, he reached the throne room.


    Stairs led up to the epicenter, where instead of a throne, a swirling vortex of darkness


    awaited.


    ''Come, here, yes,e here.''


    It was the focal point where the Tyrant, though concealed, emanated an ominous presence.


    ''Walk up the steps.''


    Emir didn''t care for the Tyrant''s words as he knew that when a candidate reached out to it,


    only then would the Tyrant show itself.


    ''Let''s talk up here.''


    The whispers in the rooms continued to gue him, their fervor ever increasing.


    ''Join me.''


    He steadied his breath and anchored his focus on the unseen adversary ahead.


    ''COME!''

 Chapter 247: 734

    Chapter 247: 734


    ?


    ***


    Infinite Labyrinth.


    "Ah man... that was tough."


    A bearded man pushed himself up, but just as he tried to stabilize himself...


    He fell face-first on the ground.


    "Ughhh..."


    He rolled around for a few seconds, rubbing his nose in hurt.


    "Why does it hurt so much?!"


    ...


    Puzzle Of Mirrors.


    The man stopped in his tracks, watching as his life''s events unfolded before his eyes.


    Tears continuously left him, yet he never averted his eyes.


    That wasn''t enough, however, and monsters came out to greet him...


    He killed them all.


    ...


    Song Of Chaos.


    He stabbed his ears seconds before goingpletely mad.


    But the song continued to y in his mind, repeating like a broken record.


    It drowned out the whispers and made him feel suffocated by the sheer absurdity of it.


    The man couldn''t understand much of what he heard, as it was all jumbled, almost like spazzing instruments.


    This caused his thoughts to be slow and uncoordinated.


    It was truly deserving of the chaos name.


    ...


    Mimicry of Desires.


    The room was empty.


    It only housed a single, beautiful woman who sat on a chair.


    Then it suddenly transformed into a small hall, with colorful decorations lining the walls.


    Many seats adorned the ce, yet they were almost empty.


    No more than ten people were there at this... banquet?


    Shortly after, the same woman opened the door and entered the room.


    She appeared to be the bride of this wedding hall.


    And if the man were to describe anything about her...


    Then he could say that she had great ''MILF'' making potential.


    ''Muffins I''d Love to Feast on.''


    Indeed, she was a woman who knew how to bake tasty muffins.


    Every man''s dream.


    Or so would be the PG version.


    After a few moments of the two ogling each other, her father walked her down the aisle and she reached the tiny stage located above a small set of stairs.


    The groom on stage looked to be the exact same as the one watching this scene unfold.


    Yet, there remained a massive difference between the two.


    It wasn''t about the clothes or general appearance...


    But about their crying state.


    Their tears emanated from different sources.


    One came from obvious sorrow, pure and final.


    The other came from absolute happiness.


    And it wasn''t just his ''desire'' that cried.


    His wife did too.


    The soon-to-be-married couple stepped closer to each other and embraced with seemingly no care in the world.


    A lovely scene in the eyes of those in the room.


    After the vows were said, everyone cheered in unison.


    The loudest was a scary-looking man who wore sunsses.


    He stood right behind the groom...


    And his face showed a bright smile.


    --


    Eye of Truth.


    She betrayed him.


    His fianc¨¦e had betrayed him.


    Not only her.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her family too.


    Then his brother came to help...


    Only to kill him and take what was left.


    ...The man stood up and wiped the remnants of his tears away.


    Monsters showed themselves, but they died before they could even move.


    The weight ced on him increased even more.


    ...


    Abyss of Reflection


    His reflection stood before him.


    And he fought against it.


    It wasn''t only him, however.


    Another battle took ce, a long distance away from him.


    He could only make it out to be a dark-skinned woman.


    The man was surprised, but he didn''t have time to let his mind wander.


    This fight between him and the doppelganger was a long one.


    Or so it would''ve been if he hadn''t identally hidden an ability of his until now.


    Snap!


    Just as he snapped his fingers, the man disappeared.


    He reappeared in the exact location where his reflection was a moment ago.


    The same happened to his reflection.


    But just as it materialized in his previous location, the air around that space quacked.


    A portal appeared right after, and it cut the reflection in half.


    His doppelganger split into two as each side fell to the ground.


    sh!


    ...


    The man approached the candidate some distance away.


    But an invisible barrier separated them.


    He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the ground.


    Hours passed as he waited for her to finish.


    And during that time, his mind grew tired of the whispers.


    They never stopped.


    Yet he pushed on.


    Since he knew...


    He knew that Emir was waiting for him.


    ...


    "Hey... you took your time."


    The woman stepped back in rm, her staff raised to meet his face if he stepped any closer.


    "Calm down, girl; I ain''t hurting anybody."


    ""


    They eyed each other for a long time until she heeded his words and lowered her weapon.


    The man removed his hands from his pockets and nodded.


    "Good, now let''s go. The next stage should be thest."


    "Wait!"


    His feet paused as his gaze returned to her.


    "Yes?"


    "...Who are you?"


    ...


    "Ragnar."


    The man''s name was called as soon as he reached the ground.


    He scratched his neck in embarrassment and pushed himself up.


    Then his face lit up as if he had seen a long-lost brother.


    It was Emir.


    Just like he thought, his brother was waiting for him.


    And as if Morgiana wasn''t there, both men approached the other and met in a half hug.


    "Sorry for taking so long..."


    Emir chuckled and tapped Ragnar''s back.


    "It''s alright, time doesn''t matter in this test."


    They let go after a few moments.


    And while stepping back Ragnar lightly flinched, appearing to be considering his next words


    carefully.


    Emir picked up on that and created an istion barrier, not wanting Morgiana to listen in.


    "So? What do you wanna say?"


    Ragnar sighed.


    "I uhh... I wanted to ask... Did you see all of my memories?"


    "All of them."


    Emir''s reply was immediate.


    Then slowly, Ragnar''s face began to contort.


    Weirdly.


    "You having an episode or something?"


    "...Even when I was shitting? Crying? Uhh... master-" "No."


    At that quick shutdown, Ragnar showed nothing but relief.


    "Only the important bits."


    Emir added while dispelling the barrier.


    But before he did so, Ragnar called out:


    "Wait..."


    He waited.


    "What''s up?"


    "W-Were you serious about what you said?"


    "And what was that?"


    Emir tried to hide his rising grin, but Ragnar caught him in the act.


    "You know what I''m talking about!"


    "...Yeah, I meant it."


    Tears began to form in Ragnar''s eyes... yet they refused to fall.


    He wasn''t about to give Emir another avenue of teasing.


    "Thanks for that."


    This duo hadn''t met for more than two days.


    But Ragnar now had a deeper bond with Emir than any other.


    Sure, it might not have been the case for the prince, but the Spell Weaver...


    He was willing to die for the man in front of him.


    To those who watched them interact, it might appear sudden, but not to them.


    Especially not to Ragnar.


    A horny bastard like him, who was so deprived of love that he confused it for lust, had finally


    found a true bond.


    One that he couldn''t have with anyone else.


    Since it was only Emir who experienced the things he did and survived,


    They truly were... the same.

 Chapter 248: Heart Of Darkness

    Chapter 248: Heart Of Darkness


    ?


    "Seraphim, Untrod Path, mainly melee, and Aetheric constructs."


    "Seraphim, Spell Weaver, Space Element, so yeah, I''m a Warp Weaver."


    "Seraphim, Spell Weaver, Ice Element, cial Weaver."


    The duo''s moment was over some time ago, and after a bit of banter, they went ahead and introduced themselves to Morgiana.


    ''You three...''


    Now they were stating their abilities and deciding how they would confront the Tyrant.


    Emir nced at Ragnar, a silent understanding passing between them as they faced the swirling darkness.


    ''Come...''


    It coalesced around them, taking the form of an array of dancing shadows.


    "Alright, so how do we tackle this?"


    Ragnar''s voice then cut through the tension as he gestured towards the dark mass.


    ''Think! Think!''


    Emir cracked a grin.


    "Well, I say we go for a full-on assault."


    ''Stupid... stupid ideas...''


    "My constructs and speed can keep it upied, and your portals can slice through whatever it throws at us."


    ''You''ll die like the rest of them...''


    Morgiana''s brow furrowed in concern.


    "But won''t it be too risky for us to charge straight in?"


    ''It will be...''


    Emir chuckled lightly.


    "We''re used to risky, Morgiana. Besides, that''s where our strength lies. In the thick of it."


    Ragnar nodded, his expression turning serious.


    "I''ve got your back... Always."


    ''Always, huh... I''ll end that soon enough.''


    Morgiana''s curiosity was piqued.


    ''I''LL END IT.''


    "You two seem closer than justrades. What''s the story?"


    Emir''s eyes softened, a fondness evident in his voice.


    "Just met him a day ago actually, but he''s officially my left hand through everything... He''s family."


    ''Say your goodbyes to family then...''


    Ragnar grinned.


    "Couldn''t have put it better myself."


    Morgiana looked at them weirdly for a moment.


    "You guys-"


    "No."


    "I''ve got a fianc¨¦e you know!"


    They both immediately cut her off, knowing exactly what she was about to ask.


    "But yeah, us guys are simple like that." Emir added.


    "...Sure."


    ''Sure, sure, sure, sure...''


    Morgiana nodded and moved on.


    "Anyways, are we seriously just rushing in?"


    Emir unsheathed his twin swords.


    ''You''re lying... liar.''


    "Me and Ragnar are, yes, but you''ll stay in the back and act as our ss cannon."


    "...Let''s go then."


    "Ay Ay, brother!"


    As they moved closer to the vortex, or rather, orb of darkness, it began to pulse.


    ''Liar, liar, liar...''


    The air crackled, and their surroundings seemed to throb in the same rhythm, only


    inte


    as they drew nearer.


    The chamber quaked, and the very essence of darkness converged into a colossal, twisted figure-a Zerathar.


    ''YOU ARE A LIAR!''


    This Tyrant was a multi-limbed monstrosity with twisted and elongated features.


    ''YOU ARE WEAK!''


    Each limb was tens of meters long, and its height was at least a hundred.


    ''YOU WILL NEVER WIN!''


    Its presence filled the room, suffocating and oppressive.


    ''YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE!''


    Emir''s breath caught in his throat.


    ''YOUR TRUTH WILL TAKE HOLD!''


    He had faced Tyrants before, but this was different.


    ''AND YOU WON''T BE THERE TO SEE IT.''


    Unlike them, it wasn''t mad; its mind was intact.


    ''WHY?''


    It wasn''t weakened; instead, it was perfectly rested...


    ''BECAUSE YOUR DEATH TODAY IS NOTHING BUT GUARANTEED''


    Itching for a fight with six cores filled to the brim with Aether.


    The Zerathar with an eerie lucidity, coiled its limbs into a makeshift throne to sit on.


    "We greet you, Zerathar."


    Emir spat out while showing his respect by bowing slightly.


    The other two were surprised but followed right after.


    "We greet you, Zerathar."


    "We greet you, Zerathar."


    The creature before them appeared to nod, and with a wave of its hands, the whispers finally


    stopped.


    ''Finally... it was getting annoying.''


    Its face was beyond grotesque, a nightmarish fusion of worm-like extrusions that defied


    logic.


    Its eyes were like his own.


    Two swirling pools of darkness which exuded a sinister aura that sent shivers down their


    spines.


    ''Fucking hell, this bastard will be tough to kill.''


    Emir''s grip tightened around the hilts of his twin swords.


    The chamber fell into a tense silence as the trio faced the Zerathar, the kin of shadows, in a


    tense stare-off.


    "...You have surprised me, Celestials."


    Zerathar''s voice echoed through the chamber like grated metal.


    "Especially you... Emir."


    They only understood it due to its resonance with Aether.


    "And why is that?"


    "Well, were you not the one who had be a record-breaker?"


    "I am."


    "A hundred thousand seconds in the infinitebyrinth is one impressive number."


    "...HUNDRED THOUSAND?!"


    Morgiana, who had a bit of an overreaction, had her jaw almost fall to the ground.


    "Yes."


    Emir answered simply and asked:


    "What of it?"


    "I''m just praising you, is all..."


    Ragnar, who was beside Emir, nudged his shoulder.


    "Good job, bro."


    "Yeah."


    Zerathar continued:


    "Besides, your friend over there almost caught up to you."


    "How close we talking?"


    "About forty-five thousand seconds off."


    "FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND?!"


    Emir, Ragnar, and the Zerathar looked at Morgiana with nk gazes.


    She nodded.


    They returned to their conversation.


    "You call that close?"


    "Close enough." "Whatever you say..."


    Emir tapped Ragnar''s back. "Keep up."


    "You know I will..."


    Ragnar paused for a fraction, then looked up at the Tyrant.


    "Zerathar, why mention this?"


    "Oh, it''s a warning."


    "A warning?"


    "Yes, no matter how tough a time you had before reaching here, no matter how talented you


    might be..."


    "I won''t hold back; trust that victory here will note easily."


    Emir''s knees lowered and his stance switched, ready for the assault.


    "We''vee this far. We''ll see this through; don''t worry about it."


    Ragnar''s staff hummed with Aether, a silent readiness to engage. "Alright, Emir, let''s show this Tyrant what we''re made of!"


    Morgiana''s eyes narrowed, her icy aura brimming with contained power.


    "Let''s do this, boys."


    Zerathar chuckled, a sound that sent their cores shivering.


    "You misunderstand. I am not your enemy. I am the test itself."


    Emir who understood, acted oblivious and exchanged a nce with the others.


    They had uncertainty flickering in their eyes.


    "The test? What do you mean?"


    "I observe, I adapt, and I challenge," it exined.


    "The trial is to survive my scrutiny. Your mind, strength, adaptability, and resilience are


    commendable, but can you endure this phase?"


    Its roars then reverberated through the chamber, shaking their very cores.


    What came after was a surge of darkness that enveloped Zerathar causing the entire chamber


    to shift.


    Emir, who seemed unfazed, chuckled and dashed forward.


    "I''ll have the academy cry over your death!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was now their time to face the ''Heart of Darkness'' head-on.

 Chapter 249: Absolute Zero

    Chapter 249: Absolute Zero


    ?


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯!"


    As Emir and Ragnar charged forward, the chamber trembled with Zerathar''s eerieughter.


    The darkness around them seemed to writhe with anticipation, morphing into twisted shapes that attacked them.


    Emir constantly disappeared and reappeared within the ever-shifting throne room.


    His sh Step allowed him to evade sudden hazards that spawned before him.


    ''Shit.''


    But he miscalcted and couldn''t halt his advance into a hazard zone that suddenly appeared in his path.


    Just as his feet reached the ground, his body sunk forward, as what reced it was quicksand. Emir immediately spread his hands wide and pushed himself up.


    ''Hoh...''


    Then he disappeared just before one of Zerathar''s massive limbs fell upon him.


    Meanwhile, Ragnar was stuck in an endless teleportation loop.


    He encountered an ever-shifting gravity hazard.


    This caused his perception to falter continuously as every time he teleported, the effort to cross that distance changed.


    Which meant that he couldn''t properly set his Aether at his wanted location.


    His attempts to escape were all duds, but he never stopped trying.


    After all, if he were to stay in the same ce, a towering limb would squash him to his feet.


    ''I guess I gotta do it...''


    Reluctantly, he fished out a Valora coin while inputting some of his Aether into it as he threw it away.


    Then, with a quick internal edit, the spell''s Aether Path changed, and he switched locations with the coin.


    "Heh, easy-"


    His words got stuck in his throat as another hazard zone appeared, yet he skillfully navigated the shifts...


    Properly this time around.


    The duo maneuvered through the terrain, closing the distance to the colossal Zerathar. On the left side, Emir unleashed a barrage of Aetheric constructs in the form of spears. Their forms cut through the air and found themselves embedded into the Tyrant''s limbs.


    A small wire connected to each appeared right after, and he was pulled towards them, flying up.


    His twin swords shed with a dark glow as he allowed the momentum of his flight to strengthen his attack.


    With a front flip, he cleaved through a couple of the monster''s limbs, and they dropped onto the ground, causing it to shake.


    While it roared in pain, Ragnar''s portals opened seamlessly, severing bits of the monster''s appendages with each calcted attack.


    He was helped by Morgiana a few times, as she maintained her position in the back.


    She continuouslyunched ice arrows, each strike finding its mark and impeding the Tyrant''s


    movements.


    The battle raged on; the trio were relentless in their assault, but the Zerathar proved resilient.


    What they faced were nothing but illusions...


    Yet they were powerful, extremely so.


    Zerathar distorted reality to the point where everything before them became genuine.


    They actually felt and experienced the environment around them as it continued to twist, to shift.


    A result of those illusions'' prowess.


    ''Tough luck...''


    Emir''s eyes narrowed as he activated his Temporal Perception ability.


    Around ten limbs, about twenty meters long, snaked their way towards him, dancing through the air.


    The prince was surrounded at that moment.


    His right contained a ground filled with writing vines, his left a gas-like zone that would


    knock him out.


    While his front was limbs galore.


    ''Should I retreat?''


    He shook his head.


    ''... No, if I get back, then I''ll be wasting all this time I took to get closer.'' With his next actions decided, he blinked forward, his Aerialis aspect activated. A step to the right had him dodge a limb that whizzed past.


    Yet even after dodging it, the limb coiled itself around and chased after him.


    But Emir didn''t care for it and continued forward.


    He jumped, avoiding one that came below him, and thennded atop it.


    Four came right after, and they all crashed into the one spot he stood at.


    They hit nothing; however, as the moment they reached him, he was already gone.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Each step crossed at least thirty meters as he jumped around the limbs that crashed around him from above.


    His right foot faltered for a moment as the limb he now stood on was in the process of twisting itself upside down.


    ''What now?''


    Emir was now only a few hundred meters away from the Zerathar so he needed to figure out


    what to do next.


    He activated his TP ability and paused in thought.


    ''Hm... should I rush in? I don''t see the weakness yet.''


    Though he acted like he didn''t have a n, he, in fact, did have something in mind.


    But he didn''t tell the other two for ''obvious'' reasons.


    His eyes continued to dart around Zerathar''s frame like he was searching for something.


    And he was indeed.


    From what he figured out from the novel, this monster had its real body hidden beneath all its


    illusions.


    The Morgiana of the novel couldn''t defeat it, so he didn''t know how to kill it exactly, only


    guesses.


    ''Well... a st would clear up the ce.''


    Although risky, that method was the best he coulde up with.


    Emir raised his finger, aimed it towards the throne of limbs, and bellowed:


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    A raw torrent of power escaped his fingertip and tore through the darkness, cutting through


    all the limbs in its path.


    BANG!


    As his attack reached the throne, a massive explosion of Aether resounded, bathing the ce


    in white.


    In that moment of devastation, his nonexistent irises spasmed in their sockets.


    They looked left, right, up, and down, again and again, all in that moment where everything


    lit up.


    And then...


    He finally discovered Zerathar''s true body.


    Underneath one of the limbs that formed the throne, a very subtle but noticeable reaction


    took ce.


    One of the limbs slightly trembled and absorbed a lot of Aether from the environment as it


    formed new limbs.


    It was a result he expected because of all the damage his Aether st had caused.


    ''Found you...''


    Emir looked to his right and saw Ragnar.


    He was advancing while cutting through every single thing around him.


    ''I need this bastard to get her up here.''


    The prince couldn''t waste any more of his Aether reserves, as he was already more than fifty


    percent out.


    So instead, he nned to use Morgiana to deal the crushing blow and allow him to fight with


    the real monster.


    [Bastard.]


    [...Brother?]


    [Get Morgiana up here, the target is under the throne.]


    [Done.]


    Ragnar paused and stepped back, with a portal appearing behind him.


    He disappeared just before a limb reached him.


    "Hey, mag!"


    Morgiana flinched as a wild Ragnar appeared in front of her.


    She immediately flung her ice spear away from him, as she was about to attack in the same


    direction he showed up from.


    "IT''S MORG! Morgiana, you idiot!"


    "Got it, Mag!"


    "Fuck you, man."


    "Alright, listen, we need you up there."


    An ice spear whizzed past his head, cutting through a limb that neared them.


    "Emir''s got a n; charge up your strongest attack now, and I''ll get you closer; just focus on


    attacking below the throne."


    "Whatever..."


    Ragnar took her hand and carried her on his shoulder while stepping back into the portal.


    They appeared just where Ragnar was a few seconds ago.


    Many limbs came after the duo, threatening to crush them, but Emir wasn''t about to allow


    that to happen.


    "Morgiana, Ragnar, go now!"


    Emir''s voice cut through the chaos as his twin swords cleaved through a limb.


    He held on to it as it fell and jumped off, cutting another that came their way.


    They nodded and followed his lead as they made their way nearer to the Zerathar.


    And the closer they got, the more limbs attacked them.


    But with Emir''s constant movement, Aether constructs, and Ragnar''s portals, none neared


    Morgiana.


    This allowed her to focus on conjuring the best spell she could,bining multiple abilities


    into one.


    And what a spell it was...


    At first, their every breath caused white smoke to escape their lips, while frosty clouds formed


    all around them.


    Then, the darkness pulsated, twisted in itself, and froze, transforming into dark blue ice.


    Their immediate surroundings began to turn into cier-like structures.


    The hazard zones they rushed past had also shattered.


    "Absolute Zero."


    At her whisper, an immense arrow of ice materialized before her staff, stretching at least


    twenty meters in length.


    An instant passed, and it shot towards the throne...


    To the heart of darkness.


    "You-"


    Before it could hit, however, a few limbs managed to reach out in defense.


    But they froze and broke into ice fragments a momentter.


    Then, as it touched the throne of limbs, a quiet crack resounded.


    A wave of frost came after, increasing the temperature of the room to way below zero.


    "Fire."


    "Mag, that''s-"


    Ragnar''s words froze on the spot as a sharp sh blinded them.


    Then an explosion of scorching wind pushed them away from the epicenter.


    BOOM!


    What came after was a deafening sound reverberating through the chamber, and its force continuously shook the chamber, rattling the very foundations of the space they stood in. RO000000AAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!

 Chapter 250: Attacking Blind

    Chapter 250: Attacking Blind


    ?


    ''Ah...''


    Emir quickly realized what Morgiana had done.


    When the coldest of ice instantly met a hot me, a steam explosion would ur.


    He was absolutely certain that Morgiana had done such a thing.


    And sure enough, the explosion expanded before them, engulfing the surroundings in a whirlwind of searing heat and freezing mist.


    Through the chaos, Emir protected hispanions with his Aetheric Shield.


    Eventually, it all subsided.


    The once-frozenndscape gave way to flowing steam, subtly revealing the aftermath of Morgiana''s spell-a scene of utter destruction and disarray.


    Zerathar''s throney broken, its limbs frozen and shattered into countless icy fragments. Emir and Ragnar were stunned by the sheer magnitude of power that Morgiana had disyed. That truly was a spell worthy of being cast by a Celestial under the banner of cial Weavers. As Emir looked back at the girl to thank her for a job well done, he saw her as a fallen, Aether- less mess.


    Exhausted, she rested on the ground while showing a thumbs up to them.


    ''Well, that can be saved forter...''


    Ragnar nudged Emir, quietly asking the obvious.


    Emir nodded and dashed forward, his hair floating wildly due to the dissipating mist.


    The man with the iling beard followed right after making sure that Morgiana would remain safe.


    Not needing to speak a word, both ran through the fallen limbs that scattered the ground and into the fog.


    The chamber pulsed with tension as Emir and Ragnar faced the now-transformed Zerathar.


    Its once monstrous shape morphed into the deformed semnce of a human, with ck worms covering every part of it.


    This new form could only be described as contorted, almost as if every elongated limb were broken.


    It seemed almost skeletal, with sinewy, shifting patterns coursing at the edges of what should''ve been its hands and feet.


    The creature''s eyes remained as swirling pools of darkness, while its visage showed obvious agony and...


    Anger?


    No, not anger but frustration.


    A portrayal of suffering was etched into its appearance.


    ''Interesting...''


    Emir, whose n has reached its climax, readied himself while wielding his twin swords, poised for attack.


    The monster''s transformation into a human state meant that its Aether reserves had decreased by a substantial margin and that it couldn''t be in its strongest form any longer.


    A situation simr to that of the Maligorth he faced two years back.


    "Ready?"


    "As I''ll ever be!"


    Ragnar, with an air of thrill, responded and prepared his portals.


    "I attack; you defend."


    "Roger."


    ''Aether Overload.''


    With those words, the final onught began.


    Emir, whose body emanated strength higher than that of a Champion but not that of an Exarch, darted forward.


    "DIE!"


    He blinked in between the worms that left the Zerathar before him, his movements precise. His twin swords sliced through the air, meeting those that he couldn''t dodge. Ragnar, on the other hand, advanced slowly, creating portals that served as barriers against the Tyrant''s attacks while taking cover behind them at each point he moved forward.


    His focus wasn''t only on defense, however, as he kept one of the two portals he could conjure solely to attack their opponent.


    The Zerathar, nimble and evasive, dodged Ragnar''s slow-moving attacks, sidestepping the portals effortlessly.


    However, the creature found itself continuously at the mercy of Emir''s relentless Aether constructs.


    With each sword, Emir aimed to cripple the monster, his constructs cutting through its shifting form.


    "You''ll die first!"


    Seemingly having enough, the Zerathar focused all his attention on Emir, attacking with hundreds of worms.


    Many left directly from his body, but even more sprouted from the ground.


    Snap!


    In an instant, Emir disappeared, and Ragnar appeared in his ce after he snapped his fingers.


    The snake-like worms stopped in their tracks, and then, a momentter, a portal appeared that swallowed them all up.


    This gave Emir the perfect chance to attack.


    "sh Step."


    Emir materialized right before the Zerathar and swung down his twin swords, his des a


    bright dark.


    "Kneel."


    "DAMN YOU-"


    They shed against the Tyrant''s defenses, an illusion of a sword held by one of its ''broken''


    hands.


    His power made the monster kneel for a moment, but it bounced back, its strength surpassing


    his.


    Emir quickly stepped back, disengaging from the battle of strength, then kicked up with his right, causing the sword to fly away from the monster''s hand.


    Worms spawned and immediately converged towards the sword, but before they could reach it, another portal appeared.


    Zerathar''s gaze returned to Ragnar, but it couldn''t do anything as Emir''s swords were already


    upon it.


    Bang!


    Another sh caused it to fall back, yet Emir didn''t give it the chance to retaliate this time. Each of his strikes flowed into the next, aiming for its Aether cores.


    "YOU ARE BUT A MERE CANDIDATE!"


    Emir then met a full-on confrontation with its illusion as a gravity field held his body down.


    Snap!


    But not for long, as they swapped positions once again.


    Ragnar, equally ferocious, destroyed the illusion with his portal while simultaneously


    attacking the monster.


    His teleportation ability enabled a constant rotation that kept the Tyrant off-bnce.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir worked as the main damage dealer, while Ragnar''s transitions and solid defense worked in tandem, allowing them to capitalize on each other''s strengths.


    Unlike Ragnar''s portals, Emir''s Aetheric shield couldn''t defend against the Tyrant.


    Snap!


    Emir reappeared before it, kicked its chest, and then took the monster''s sword away from it.


    It was a de filled with spike-like worms that pulsed every second.


    "Idiot."


    Zerathar, who assumed Emir''s stupidity, had the worms expand from the sword and attack


    him.


    Snap!


    A snicker escaped Ragnar''s mouth as he watched Emir appear behind the Zerathar.


    With a clean strike, Emir cleaved its head off with its own sword causing it to disappear from


    his hands soon after.


    Tsk!


    The Tyrant''s lone head clicked its tongue as it quickly regenerated its body from the neck


    down.


    ''Bingo!''


    Emir now knew that the head housed its Aether cores, so he looked at Ragnar and silently


    conveyed his intentions.


    They both nodded at each other, and Ragnar snapped his fingers.


    The attack that once neared Emir was blocked by Ragnar as they exchanged ces.


    Emir kept moving forward, and soon his swordsnded on the monster.


    It was blocked, but he didn''t stop.


    A stab, another stab, a wide double swing-then he pivoted on his left foot and stretched his


    arms above his head.


    Like a coiled spring, he brought and cleaved the monster in two.


    All of that happened in under a second, and the Zerathar that just regenerated couldn''t handle


    the speed at which Emir attacked.


    Its head, which flew above, was then pierced by a series of small arrow constructs, turning it


    into mush.


    What remained of the monster sttered into the ground, as if it were a blob of goo.


    After a second of silence, Ragnar breathed out while asking:


    "That''s it?"


    ''Ah... dammit.''


    Emir readied himself to attack.


    "No-"


    sh!

 Chapter 251: Mad Hammer

    Chapter 251: Mad Hammer


    ?


    The sudden bright light dimmed as a moment passed, and the Zerathar regenerated in a different position.


    ''So it can move its Aether core wherever it wants...''


    ''At once then.''


    Emir, who gestured for Ragnar to focus, immediately realized that he had to destroy its entire body if he wanted to kill it.


    A feat that would require everything they had.


    Chuckling, he looked back at where the monster appeared.


    What awaited it was a portal, as Ragnar was nearby, ready for the kill.


    It easily escaped his attack and jumped back, only to meet Emir''s swords hovering right before its head.


    BANG!


    A multitude of swords materialized between them, and they were used to block Emir''s attack but the Zerathar couldn''t handle the momentum of Emir''s sh Step, so they flew together as The held it in ce.


    "Emir."


    It took a moment and Emir realized what Ragnar had in mind.


    "Alright!"


    Using his twin swords and leveraging his entire body strength, he started pushing the Tyrant towards the location where Ragnar had set his trap, his hands shaking as he struggled to overpower the monster.


    ''I just need to bring a bit more to the right!''


    Yet it figured out his n, eyes at the back of its head, and kept them on a path it knew was safe, showing off its strength.


    "Hah."


    A moment passed, and they crashed onto the ground, cracking the darkness beneath them. Unfortunately, their n failed, as Ragnar couldn''t spawn a portal where theynded.


    After all, the bearded man could only conjure portals in locations where he once was...


    For a ''Mark'' was needed.


    However, that didn''t matter in the end, as Emir adapted and created multiple Aetheric spears right beneath them.


    "Ughh..."


    They punctured the Zerathar from one end to the next, causing its body to weaken considerably.


    But it didn''t allow Emir the chance to kill it, as it quickly kicked him off and stood up, regenerating its body in an instant.


    "Come!"


    Snap!


    Ragnar heeded its demand and confronted it as the fight continued.


    With every strike, they switched positions, alternating between offense and defense, denying the Tyrant any opportunity to regain its footing.


    Any chance of it effectively retaliating was stripped from it.


    And the chamber echoed with the sound of their blows, a relentless onught against the Zerathar.


    Emir''s movements were fluid, his swordy lethal, and his constructs even more so. Ragnar''s teleportation granted them an unpredictability that kept the Tyrant constantly reeling.


    It seemed as if their previous attacks were a warm-up that led to their now-uncanny synergy.


    A synchronization that made it seem that they had been together since their first breath in this world.


    Ragnar would snap his fingers, causing Emir''s appearance and attack.


    Then the monster would block, but right after Ragnar would appear and conjure his portal, not giving it a reprieve.


    Emir''s strikes would then follow Ragnar''s exit.


    Each shift in position brought a new angle of attack, a new opening to exploit.


    The monster struggled to anticipate their movements, its form staggering under their force


    of unyielding focus.


    Emir''s face and eyes wore a serene smile, but it was the opposite for Ragnar.


    He showed no emotion on his face except for absolute calm.


    Snap!


    They exploited every opportunity their constant movement afforded, and the Zerathar was rained down on by a barrage of blows that continuously cut through its body.


    Its head was punched, kicked, and squashed.


    As their assault continued, Zerathar''s form began to stagger and falter, its defenses


    crumbling.


    Alongside that, the illusion of the dark throne room began to show cracks as the intensity of the battle escted.


    Their alternating strikes took longer and longer for the Zerathar to heal from as its Aether reserves began to dwindle.


    The Six-Core Tyrant, once towering and imposing, now became a glorified punching bag under the brothers'' might.


    Snap!


    Emir''s twin swords sliced through the creature''s shifting skin of worms, leaving deep gashes that oozed darkness.


    Ragnar then appeared as he ''pushed'' and ''pulled'' the monster into his brother''s attacks,


    allowing themplete control.


    Zerathar''s figure continued to twist on itself, now no longer a semnce of humanity, as it writhed in agony with every hit.


    Its eyes radiated a swirling glow, reflecting its pain.


    Snap!


    With another rotation, Emir and Ragnar continued their execution.


    Their strategy was simple but effective: attack, defend, switch, confuse, attack, attack,


    switch, defend, attack, confuse, change order, and they would go again.


    The chamber remained reverberating with the sh of swords.


    The sound and music of battle echoed in the darkness.


    ''What have I done to deserve this?''


    Another thought left the Zerathar, one that, like the many they heard before, they cared not


    for.


    Snap!


    Emir''s attack cut through those sorrowful words, not allowing them the chance to even hang


    in the air.


    His strikes intensified, each blow aiming to break through the Tyrant''s defenses, and yet...


    Even in its current form, it managed to put up a fight.


    Its limbs and body, once elongated, now struggled to maintain their structure.


    ''Tell... tell me.''


    But Emir and Ragnar weren''t much better inparison.


    Emir had almost run out of his Aether reserves due to his overdrive ability, while Ragnar now


    rarely switched positions as he too had the same problem.


    Those portals of his were no longer conjured as well.


    ''Am I, am I... Am I your entertainment?''


    This battle reached its final phase, and Emir''s master stroke was about to show itself.


    Snap!


    His feet dragged him forward, nearing the creature''s pained visage.


    The Zerathar attacked, a multitude of worms stretching out of its body.


    Emir cut them down as they neared him, resulting in its thoughts echoing with a desperate


    plea:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''I didn''t deserve any of this.''


    He then raised his swords high up in the air with only a flicker of his Aetheric des left


    showing itself.


    The monster braced and raised its skeletal appendages to defend itself.


    Snap!


    Just as that finger snap resounded, Zerathar looked away from Emir and looked to where


    Ragnar was, expecting the usual switch...


    But Ragnar remained in ce.


    And Emir''s swords were getting closer to the back of its head.


    The Tyrant, caught off-guard failed to dodge his strike.


    His des sliced through it, cutting it from top to bottom.


    ''No...''


    But he didn''t stop.


    He swung upwards, then down; he pivoted on his right and flowed along, then paused and


    shed to his left.


    Emir kept going over and over again.


    Its regeneration couldn''t match his attack speed, and it sumbed to his never-ending


    attack.


    ''I can''t, can''t, can''t, can''t, can''t, can''t... can''t see.''


    And now that the setup was over, at Emir''s signal, Ragnar conjured a portal directly below the


    monster.


    ''§¡§¯§¯§¯-§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯...''


    What remained of its mushy form got sucked up into its void and disintegrated into


    nothingness.


    ''Kruun Furra...''


    But a few liquid-like body parts escaped their doom.


    "Of course." Emir chuckled while throwing away his des and then stepped down hard causing his body


    to fly up.


    With a front flip, he brought his body down, gaining momentum.


    While in mid-air, he used thest of his Aether to form another construct.


    It was a massive hammer with a long handle and a wide face.


    "How does it feel to be looked down on by mere candidates?"


    Just as those words left his mouth, he activated his TP ability and waited for the right


    moment.


    ''Rhena...''


    Ragnar ''pulled'' the mushy remains of Zerathar and held them in ce, using thest of his


    Aether.


    Emir angled himself correctly, and right after he reached a perfect position...


    He swung it downwards with all the force he could muster.


    His body rotated over and over again until the dark ground was a moment away.


    ''Woah.''


    Emir received a reaction to his attack in phases, as he still experienced the world in slow


    motion.


    First, his hand spasmed against the force hemanded, his augmented suit barely managing to control it.


    Then, like an explosion, a massive crater was formed around them.


    Cracks on the ground began to form in all directions, causing lines of white to spread in the


    dark room.


    BOOM!


    What followed was a trembling chamber as a crack louder than any other resounded.


    ''If I am created to be killed...''


    Powerful rumbling came after, alongside Zerathar''s thoughts and a piercing shriek.


    "Then let death be kinder than man.''


    It was a cacophony of agony and defeat.


    "Hoooooh...."


    Although Emir knew of the monster''s death, he didn''t let go of the hammer''s handle.


    He dropped to the ground and raised the hammer once again, his back arching like a stretched


    bow. Bang!


    The hammernded as fast as a blink.


    This action was repeated several times, and with each strike, his smile widened further.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Only when he noticed Ragnar approaching did he stop his maddened hammer, letting it


    disappear.


    Emir then looked at the ground, where only six broken Aether cores remained, drowned in


    ck liquid.


    "We won..."


    Emir''s gamble paid off, and he decimated a phase he wasn''t supposed to even challenge.


    Exhausted but triumphant, Ragnar exchanged a nod with him, a sign of absolute respect forming between the two.


    They stood amidst the fading darkness, their chests heaving with exertion.


    The chamber soon fell silent, the echoes of their battle fading into the stillness, marking the


    end of their harrowing ordeal.


    "We did it, Rag," Emir breathed as he approached Ragnar.


    Ragnar pped Emir''s back, a proud grin on his face.


    "Heh, yeah... that was some fight, brother."


    "It was indeed."


    But just as they rxed, Emir noticed an abnormality.


    No message depicting their passing appeared.


    Although the darkness receded to show a fully white throne room, the test appeared to have


    not yet finished.


    ''Why?''


    Emir got his answer a momentter.


    A sudden whine resounded, intensifying in a second and reaching a fever pitch.


    Then, a deafening silence fell, a sign of an Aether core explosion.


    An ''Anomaly'' going nuclear.


    Just before the impending catastrophe, the scene froze-a suspended moment as Emir''s eyes


    scanned the bright light that began to form.


    Thest line that echoed in his mind before the end was:


    ''Ah... we''re dead.''

 Chapter 252: Trust

    Chapter 252: Trust


    ?


    Everything happened fast.


    Too fast, even for his eyes, which saw everything in fractions of seconds.


    A blinding light engulfed the white room.


    Then an Aether vortex formed, right above the cores.


    All the Aether in the environment instantly congregated towards it, condensing everything into a single point.


    An Anomaly was created...


    This caused the world to be quiet.


    Then it was destroyed.


    All due to its owner''sstmand.


    The Zerathar wished for their deaths.


    And the world responded to that wish as it was silent no longer.


    An implosion of absolute energy urred.


    Stronger than the one Emir experienced with Virearth, and even stronger than the nukes of long ago.


    All because of the influx of Aether those six cores unleashed to their surroundings.


    This explosion wiped everything in its vicinity to nothingness.


    And Emir could do nothing but watch...


    ''0.01''


    Watch as the wave neared them.


    ''0.009''


    Ever so quickly.


    ''0.008''


    Every moment was an agonizing wait for certain death.


    ''0.007''


    ''0.006''


    ''0.005''


    It had knocked on Emir''s door, this time around.


    ''0.004''


    ''0.003''


    Then, it opened.


    ''0.002''


    And after a step forward...


    ''0.001''


    Death had arrived.


    ''Dammit-''


    WHOOSH!


    His thoughts paused, alongside the world itself or so it seemed, and an old man appeared before him.


    What once was a bright world turned dark.


    And the explosion was snuffed out.


    Silence returned.


    The only sound that resounded in the room was Ragnar''s quick breaths.


    He didn''t understand what happened and had only just realized that his death was a moment away.


    {You''ve passed the test.}


    {Congrattions.}


    Emir didn''t say anything and bowed his head down.


    "Speak... You three passed."


    The old man, who had his hands behind his back, gave him permission, his voice


    uncharacteristically soft.


    ''So the novel spoke true, huh.''


    "Thank you... Principal Amon."


    Amon turned around, his face showing subtle surprise.


    "Oh, so you truly are a chosen one."


    "Yes, nice to meet you, Principal."


    "Please, don''t be too formal with me."


    Emir nodded.


    "Alright, old man."


    bbergasted, Amon''s jaw went agape, almost reaching the ground. "Act shy, at least!"


    The prince chuckled and gestured for his brother to introduce himself.


    Appearing to have just gotten out of his shock, Ragnar stuttered out:


    "S-Sorry, uhh... Principal, I''m R-Ragnar¡ª"


    "Calm him down."


    Emirplied with Amon''s demand and patted Ragnar''s back.


    "He isn''t here as the principal, just a supervisor, so you can just ignore him if you want."


    Ragnar''s head snapped at Emir and his oundishment.


    Amon, a Celestial, an Archon, with a life span of over a century, didn''t have anyone who knew of his status interact with him in such a way.


    "Well... as long as he calms down."


    Showing a nod, Emir left Amon alone and pulled Ragnar towards Morgiana, who remained at


    the back of the throne room.


    "Give her some medicine."


    Ragnar grabbed the hundred million UC old-world medicines that Emir presented and shoved


    them down Morgiana''s throat.


    She was Aether starved, and this wouldn''t resupply her reserves, but it would give her back energy, in turn waking her up.


    And that''s what she did a few secondster.


    "Awake?"


    A groggy Morgiana nodded at Emir, a weary but triumphant smile gracing her lips.


    "Looks like you guys killed it...."


    Ragnar matched her energy tenfold and pulled her off the ground.


    "Hell yeah, we did!"


    A quietugh was shared between them as a sense of aplishment settled.


    This marked the end of their harrowing ordeal and the dawn of a new phase in their journey.


    Killing the Tyrant wasn''t an option the supervisors presented to the candidates, so the fact that this trio actually did it was almost...


    Inconceivable.


    And they not only killed it but totally dominated it, which was harder to imagine.


    Domination wasn''t possible without a n.


    So yes, Emir did in fact have a n in mind from the start; it was what his actions showed.


    But if he had shared that n, then winning might''ve be impossible.


    Attacking ''blind'' was the only conceivable path forward that he found.


    After all, the UEF had ess to Morgiana''s thoughts, which meant that they could give the


    Tyrant the idea behind their attack.


    However, in the scenario Emir created, this couldn''t have happened as the possibility itself


    was wiped out.


    The ones attacking didn''t know what they were doing themselves, so how would the UEF


    know?


    ''Ah... wait.''


    But even with all that nning, Emir seemed to have overlooked something.


    ''I fucked up.''


    ***


    "That was impressive..."


    "Amon?"


    "Yeah, snuffing out an Aether implosion instantly like that... it''s no wonder he''s the principal,


    eh?"


    Eldritch, Auric, and Ignatius talked amongst themselves, already moving on from the battle


    they witnessed.


    If anyone saw them now, they wouldn''t have rted them to the screaming monsters from a


    few minutes ago.


    Meanwhile, Isidore remained rxed on his throne, many thoughts going through his mind.


    The unnatural teamwork between Emir and Ragnar interested him at the start, but soon it


    grew suspicious.


    No matter how skilled they were, it just wasn''t possible for someone on their level to adapt


    that quickly to a stranger.


    But... what if Ragnar wasn''t a stranger to Emir?


    What if, on the extremely off chance that both of them were... ''Subjects?''n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "No, no, no... that''s impossible."


    A murmur escaped his lips as those thoughts reached him.


    Subjects were controlled and watched over from the outset, and if they at any point in their


    lives proved useless to the Order, certain death could only be a natural consequence. Emir was the only one who escaped their clutches, but instead of death, he received a gctic


    bounty, one that only ''he'' could control.


    So if Ragnar truly was a subject, then he escaped... wlessly.


    The Order didn''t know of his existence, as they assumed him to be dead.


    Isidore''s curiosity bested him, and he soonmanded to be shown the inner workings of


    Ragnar''s mind.


    With this, he would know of their rtionship, as Ragnar''s thoughts would unknowingly rat


    Emir out.


    While Isidore was doing that, Auric pressed a button on his armrest andmanded: "The test is over; send everyone back home and wipe their memories."


    "Get Emir, Ragnar, and Morgiana to the Hub; if they don''t need any help, invite them to the


    observation room."


    "They are hereby epted as professors."


    ***


    Ragnar, Morgiana, and Amon talked in the middle of the room, but it was mainly Amon


    telling them what would happen to them next.


    Emir was by himself, sitting on the stairs leading to the cracked white throne.


    He didn''t need Amon''s words, as he already knew what wasing next.


    So instead, he focused on what happened in the test.


    His mind was constantly telling him that he had overlooked something...


    [Is it Ragnar?]


    [...But what? What did I miss?]


    Suddenly, his entire body twitched.


    [Shit.]


    He had finally realized it.


    [The thoughts...]


    [They''ll know everything.]


    [I''m fucked!]


    Emir took the relic off his finger and ''angrily'' threw it away.


    ''Or so they''ll think.''


    What he just ''thought'' was like the usual ruse he set up, one of his imnted thoughts.


    Unlike usual, however, he made this up on the spot, as only minutes ago had he realized the consequences of Ragnar''s intervention.


    It greatly switched up the end of his n.


    With Lyra alongside him, they could ount for every variable imaginable, with the limit


    only being her processing power.


    But unlike her, Emir was a human and couldn''t calcte for everything. Ragnar''s thoughts reaching them escaped his mind until thest moment, where he faked a


    few thoughts and sent them over.


    Emir knew that the Elite could read his brother''s mind, as he had already thought all about it


    back when he entered the digital realm.


    Yet he couldn''t tweak his relic, as there was a high risk involved.


    Ragnar wasn''t immune to the contract like Emir, so if it were detected, instant death would be


    the least of his worries.


    So instead, Emir could only... trust the bastard.


    Yes, he had to trust him.


    The thoughts he sent were an assist to Ragnar, as they would amplify what he kept in his


    thoughts.


    If they were bad, then it would be terrible.


    Why? Well, because of the Streisand effect.


    But if they were good, then it would be incredible.


    And now, he couldn''t do anything except wait for the results.


    After Emir''s thoughts slowed, he approached hispanions, who were still listening to


    Amon''s lecture.


    However, that lecture paused when the principal saw Emir near them.


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yeah, I am, Principle; we can go to the observation tower now."


    "...Sure, and by the way, about the friends you had made a few hours back..."


    "You mean the three loudmouths?"


    Amon showed a sad face and dropped his head down while saying:


    "Yes... well, they killed themselves."


    Emir smiled.


    "I see... That''s too bad, eh? Now let''s go."


    The principal grabbed Emir''s shoulder while fishing out his terminal.


    "Right, but before that, I need you three to sign this contract."

 Chapter 253: Born In Ruins

    Chapter 253: Born In Ruins


    ?


    Sometimeter.


    "You took a nap yet since yesterday?"


    "I don''t sleep... I just dream."


    Morgiana and Emir stared nkly at Ragnar, causing him to flinch.


    "What?"


    Emir sighed and rxed back in his seat, just like the many figures next to him who had done the same.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Just stop saying weird shit man."


    Their room appeared to be purposed as an observation tform, with chairs lined up against tall windows that wrapped around the entire room.


    Their view was the students in the academy''s sports arena.


    A massive field where an obstacle course was set.


    Besides that, there was a long-running orange track outlining the grassy field.


    ''Not bad...''


    His eyes remained still on the students, while his mind ignored Ragnar''s drivel.


    He watched as they pushed themselves to their limits, trying to achieve their best score. After all, if they failed here, the true test wouldn''t even be avable for them to participate in. So the students were stressed out to the max, and that was to be expected, not because of the stakes, but since they spent thest two days going through medical checkups, legal forms, and ''general'' knowledge exams.


    "C''mon, you can do it son!"


    "Don''t fail me Jason!"


    "Be careful sweetie!"


    "Don''t hurt yourself!"


    "You son of a bitch! I taught you to run faster than that!"


    Those next to him were the Elite, a few representatives of the Big Eight, Academy professors, and all the top dogs of the ten most popr hunter groups.


    Some were screaming at the top of their lungs, supporting their children, while others appeared to be noting down talents and picking out those with potential.


    Ragnar and Morgiana were now talking with Amon once again, but their words didn''t reach Emir as he was, like usual, off in his own world thinking of many things.


    But his thoughts took pause as someone requested to enter his neural linkmunication channel.


    He epted and asked:


    [Status?]


    [Arthur''s arriving at the academy right now, Sir!]


    ''Hmm,te as usual...''


    [Alright, when''s your shift over?]


    [In an hour after now, Sir!]


    Emir leaned back on his chair and supported his head with his arm.


    [There''s a change of ns; they''re hurrying up the test... Have only Ben track him.]


    [Understood, Sir!]


    The prince had tasked those who previously worked under Nathan to keep watch over Arthur''s every move.


    It started way back when they won the court case.


    Like a hidden de, he kept this elite task force of theirs under wraps.


    It was only heard in rumors, something done on purpose by Lyra.


    Because if one faced his enemy with a sheathed de, its simple existence would be a threat.


    This would deter even those stronger than it with its unknowns and possibilities, no matter how unlikely.


    Another card that Emir had crafted in his ever-growing arsenal.


    And speaking of... He gained another piece of information recently.


    Or rather, it would be more appropriate to describe it as ''confirmed'' as Emir knew this beforehand.


    Arthur''s story truly unfolded before his eyes.


    His every action was simr to that of what he did in the novel.


    He woke up, freshened up, got bullied, ate, got bullied, went outside, got bullied, ate again, and got bullied till he slept.


    The average backstory one would expect out of a self-fulfillment fantasy.


    Emir, at the time, wondered why such a recipe of clich¨¦s was so loved by old-world readers. After all, his fabricated memories, which included everything about the ''novel,'' were based on the old world.


    This meant that those readers were once real, alive, and they really enjoyed this type of novel. Were they abused that much? Were they the same dregs in society? Or was that just the norm back in the day?


    The reason such questions popped up in his mind was because it was so distasteful to see and hear Arthur going through all of that.


    He was just so... pathetic.


    There was a reason why Emir once rated the Born in Ruins ''novel'' six out of five stars for six


    feet under.


    Not because of the world but because of the characters.


    He in fact loved the world-not only through his fake memories, but his real ones as well.


    This world was unimaginably massive and full of lively unknowns.


    Yet the ''characters'' took him out of it.


    Especially Arthur and his entourage of so-called misfits.


    Arthur, like most MCs, had no anger management issues but righteousness management


    issues.


    Apulsive justice disorder, one could say...


    Born from the constant bullying he experienced throughout his life.


    Something that Emir absolutely hated.


    Since the beginning, he nned for his death, but that would have to wait, as he didn''t want


    to ruin all his ns before they even began to take shape.


    So for now, he wouldy everything out, grab whatever he needed,plete whatever goal he


    could, all before...


    The ''result'' woulde out.


    After all, this world was real, Emir truly could kill Arthur right this second.


    It was quite unlike the thousands of novels out there that he avoided like the gue, where


    the protagonists opposing the main character were protected by the world.


    Arthur didn''t have such a ''cheat.''


    However, he had something even better.


    A rtively unknown path to those on Earth, one of luck...


    The Fortune''s Wheel.


    This was the manifestation of his cheat.


    So, while he didn''t have a thing such as ''Karma'' protecting him, he had Aether, an even better


    ally.


    It wasn''t something Emir could exhaust, as it was infinite.


    Instead, it needed him to n Arthur''s death to thest detail, ounting for every


    conceivable and inconceivable variable.


    A feat impossible to even think about, but one that he needed to cross nheless.


    And adding to the already long list of problems...


    The novel was ''axed'' or so his fake memories told him.


    This meant that Emir''s knowledge of the future was iplete... due to an ''unfinished''


    ending.


    However, he at least knew of the ''Major'' and ''Minor'' disasters that would ur during


    Arthur''s stay in the academy.


    And his stay would be a long one, as the novel wrote about two years of the kid''s life.


    One that the now-sighing Emir would cut short.


    ''Well... let''s pull up the info sheet.''


    A hologram materialized before his invisible irises, showcasing a long wall of text that described Arthur''s circumstances and backstory.


    To summarize, Arthur could only be described as the type of man who often cried when


    attempting to parallel park his rented cruiser.


    Five feet four, D-ranked appearance, and a weak-looking body.


    But he was also smart, or rather, he suddenly grew to be.


    Why? Well, ''reincarnation.''


    Or, more urately, it was another form of it.


    His mind was to be invaded by two men and a single woman.


    His ''systems'' and THEY were geniuses.


    They came to him out of nowhere, about twenty ''chapters'' before the weapon selection one.


    Since then, he acted like the typical protagonist, dumbly taking revenge on his bullies.


    But before that, he was but a pitiful young man, only writhing in the misfortune of his own


    making.


    Yes, it was unfair, but he didn''t even attempt to fight back.


    That mattered a lot to Emir.


    So he only saw the boy as weak, as pathetic.


    One that caught a lucky break and was ''mysteriously'' invited to the academy.


    Yet again, this to Emir was no mystery.


    He knew that it was because of Arthur''s status as Isidore''s bastard child.


    As usual with Elite family heads, Isidore had many children out of wedlocks; however, Arthur


    was the only one who survived due to his ''mercy.''


    Arthur was treated as a bastard in the family until one day Isidore''s main wife nned to kill


    him on one of their trips.


    The boy was dyed from joining them, stuck at home.


    But when he finally emerged from the mouse trap...


    Death knocked on his door.


    His ''lifeless'' body was then disposed of in a ruin.


    However, as time passed, it turned out that death hadn''t knocked on his door but his


    neighbors.


    His ''killers.''


    Isidore, his father, sent his men, and those kidnappers were no match.


    And after the whole ordeal, Arthur was born in that ruin under a new family.


    To outsiders, it truly seemed that Isidore loved the kid but was unable to show it.


    But was that the truth?


    No one knew, not even Emir.


    Now Isidore was under the watch of the Ebonfyre elders, and his wife''s anger wasn''t any help


    as the moment she knew of Arthur''s survival...


    The UEF would know.


    So Arthur''s father helped him behind the scenes, manipting a middle-ss family into


    adopting him.


    Then he sent an invitation for him to join the academy.


    He, of course, didn''t register Arthur with their family name but instead with the ones who


    adopted him, so he wasn''t found out.


    After passing the test, Arthur, like usual, got bullied in the academy until one day he received


    a Nano-bot injection. With the nanobot injection came the ''reincarnated'' people, the systems.


    It also included an OP art, a skill, and finally an Aether core... for some reason.


    Since that day, he gained immense strength, topped the ranks, and formed a harem like a


    typical protagonist.


    Or so the ''story'' went.


    Emir couldn''t help but chuckle at how clich¨¦ this all was.


    It felt unpleasant to even involve himself in such a shitshow of a y, but he had no other


    choice.


    To him, the plots and conspiracies in the novel were like poorly wound balls of yarn in a


    child''s hand.


    The technique was clumsy, the executionughable, and the material of the threads was


    inferior.


    Unraveling them required little thought, just a tear, nothing simpler.


    And that''s what he nned to do.


    During the eight years under Lyra''s mentorship, Emir had not only learned how to fight.


    He learned how to lie, deal, n, control, manipte, inspire, andmand.


    Like a sponge, he absorbed everything.


    His experience was limited, but his knowledge was that of a library.


    And now his mind truly was a library, a repertoire, a database of all that he acquired at one


    point in his life.


    Emir''s control over the nanobots increased, which allowed him to transfer his memories and


    store them as he wished.


    After all, that wasn''t only for the test since the skill he gained was indefinite.


    In essence... He was quite ready for what wasing.


    ''It''s time.''


    Emir looked to his right and asked:


    "So, do we go tour the academy now?"

 Chapter 254: Academy Tour

    Chapter 254: Academy Tour


    ?


    With Amon leading them, the trio exited the sports arena and arrived at the main campus.


    Many walkways heading to different buildings spanned the marbled ground while awork of ss walkways adorned the sky above them, connecting each building to the next.


    Tens of students passed by them as they all rushed to the metro system that followed the sswork.


    The train station wasn''t arge one, and the only barrier to entry were tiny gates set on the entirety of its width.


    The station was close to the stadiums, arenas, and student dorms behind the group.


    ''There it is...''


    Emir''s eyes spotted the train approaching from the main building and heading towards them.


    The train was simrly small to the station, seemingly only capable of housing two hundred or so students at its fullest.


    The future also seemed to have visited its design.


    With a coat of blue and stripes of gold and green, the train floated above the tracks in what, at first nce, appeared to be a ss tube.


    Yes, unlike the times before the old world, this train didn''t have wheels but used ''Maglev'' technology.


    It was achieved through the use of an electrodynamic suspension system.


    EDS, for short.


    In Laymen''s terms, this technology worked on the principle of maic repulsion between the cars and the track.


    This meant that the train would levitate above the maic tracks that covered the many miles of campus.


    Said train went through all the buildings that surrounded them, culminating in a loop that circled the main building of the academy.


    "Alright everyone, we''ll first start with getting you familiar with the train."


    After saying that, Amon stopped in front of the station and quickly scanned his bracelet against a human-sized gate.


    Emir, who was right behind, copied his earlier actions and entered another cubicle-like gate, hovering the bracelet on his right arm above the scanner...


    Beep!


    After the confirmation resounded, the gate''s double doors opened with a hiss and weed Emir to the station.


    Unexpectedly, it looked exactly like how he imagined it would.


    A normal ordinary station with a Maglev track and a tform simr to what his memories experienced in the old world.


    "Huh... I thought it would look a bit more..."


    "Grand."


    Emir finished Ragnar''s words and stepped closer to Amon, nearing the tracks.


    Only then did he notice that there was arge ss barrier separating them from jumping down and killing themselves.


    And well, that wasn''t its only purpose, as Emir could easily guess that it was to protect the students from the air currents caused by the train''s speed.


    Momentster, said current arrived and crashed against the barrier, but no sound was heard.


    The train arrived right after, and with no dy, the barrier dropped.


    Doors on each end and middle of the train opened as well.


    "C''mon professors, this train is quick."


    Amon urged them while getting onto the train.


    Emir and the rest needed no prompting as they followed the crowd of students and took their seats inside.


    "Shotgun!"


    "That doesn''t work on a train!"


    "Then I call dibs!"


    "Fuck you!"


    Morgiana and Ragnar fought over who was going to sit in the rightmost seat, while Emir enjoyed thefort of the window seat on the left.


    Amon chose to stand instead, but the trio didn''t care for him.


    Seconds went by, and the train began to move.


    [Doors closing.]


    There weren''t any announcements only a single robotic warning, as the need for such a thing was eliminated.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The Technomancers behind this masterpiece made it so that anyone inside would not experience the inertia of motion.


    A reason for this was easily essible, but Emir didn''t think about it too much and chalked it up to Magitek.


    Soon, they arrived and stopped at another building''s second floor, waiting for more students to board.


    During that time Amon exined what each building was for, but it could basically be summed up as buildings that housed theoretical majoring students...


    Those who chose the second course, ones who were Aether-less, or at least the majority of them were.


    This rtively quick cycle repeated itself a couple of times until they reached the main


    building of the Academy.


    It was a towering structure that rose into the sky, gleaming in the sunlight with its reflective


    exterior.


    They arrived on its second floor, and the doors opened once again.


    The professors allowed the students to leave first, then they exited next.


    Just as they followed the rest out, Amon turned around and spread his arms open while


    saying:


    "Wee to the Tower!"


    Emir, Ragnar, and Morgiana bowed slightly with their arms above their second hearts, finally


    showing the old man some respect.


    "Thanks for the warm wee, Principal."


    After a smiling nod, Amon continued on his way, leading them to the elevators.


    "The tower has ten floors, and I''ll show you most of them today."


    Ting!


    The flock of students made way as Amon and the rest entered an elevator simr to what Emir


    had at home, only way bigger in size.


    Those students didn''t dare enter and waited outside for the next one to arrive.


    This wasn''t only out of respect, or rather fear, but also because the elevator they were in was


    only for professors.


    Amon nodded at the trio and neared the door''s right, where a number pad from ''10'' to ''P'' was


    ced.


    He pressed on ''10,'' and then the elevator closed shut.


    It didn''t take them more than a few seconds to reach the 10th floor.


    "Here is where you''ll spend most of your time..."


    "The offices for every professor in this academy."


    The principal proceeded to show them the rooms allocated to each of them.


    Emir''s office was presented first, as it was closest to the principal''s.


    After all, out of the trio, only he would teach the Elite.


    Those with that ''privilege'' had better rooms, ones that were ced together at the far end of


    the floor.


    Morgiana and Ragnar would teach green hunters, basically Initiate-ranked Celestials, so they


    were ced nearer to the elevator with the rest of the mon'' folk.


    They were all numbered with three different letters.


    EX, SS, and S.


    Emir''s office was SS-3; Ragnar and Morgiana were S-8 and S-9, respectively.


    EX was for the principal and those simr to him in standing.


    A Few Minutes Later... Now that they were done with the office tour, they headed back to the elevator.


    And the floor they explored wasn''t anything they weren''t used to.


    It looked just like a fancy hotel with long white halls and rooms on each side.


    As they arrived at the elevator, it scanned Amon''s bracelet and opened its doors. "Alright, you three, we''ll be going to check out the sses next."

 Chapter 255: The Freezer

    Chapter 255: The Freezer


    ?


    With their destination in mind, they skipped floors nine, eight, seven, six, and five while heading straight to four since that was where the ssrooms were located.


    And as Emir figured, what they saw and heard so far matched that of the words written in the ''novel.''


    The floors above them housed a system control floor,monly known as the ''Brain.''


    A floor called the ''Vault,'' was under that; below was an investigation division known as the ''Freezer;'' and below it was known as the ''Farm.''


    Then the final one contained a medical facility called the ''Hub'' and a library called the ''Archive In Between.''


    The SS, Elite, ssrooms were on the fourth floor, while the S were on the third.


    Elevators inside the Tower only allowed those with a binding contract to enter, meaning that only Celestial students in the first course walked its halls.


    Those in the second course only had ess to the buildings outside and the first two floors of this building.


    Now since the elevators only authorized those with the pass ingrained in their bracelets to use them, nobody would be able to sneak in that way.


    AI systems were the main defense system of this ce after all.


    And unlike the usual security guards, they could do so in a variety of ways, protecting the building from any intrusions, whether they''d be students, outsiders, or even NetWeavers.


    Now regarding the sses the group entered...


    There were three different types, each starkly different.


    One was what anyone would usually expect of a ssroom: a terminal, desk, and holoscreen at the front, while the back contained many student seats.


    Some were designed as lecture halls, but they remained simr in concept.


    Another type had rooms withid-back chairs, each outfitted with deep dive systems on the level of a neuro-cybeic interface, ced in orderly rows.


    This was a ssroom where they could connect to the digital world and involve themselves in all things virtual.


    The third type had neither chairs nor tables-a seemingly empty room.


    That would be the case until the professormanded the room to change environments and the like.


    So now, after they were introduced to where they would teach, they finally went ahead and explored the more interesting floors.


    Ting!


    "Wee to the Freezer!"


    Amon stepped out of the elevator while the rest followed and just then, Emir showed attentiveness for the first time in a while...


    Something that Ragnar noticed.


    "Ay, you''re finally excited now! You''ve been monotone since yesterday!"


    Morgiana joined in as well:


    "He''s right, you know, I haven''t seen anyone as disinterested as you in my entire life..."


    "We''ve joined the academy as professors! At least look happy about it!"


    A chuckle escaped the prince''s mouth.


    "Sure, sure, just had a few things to think about, that''s all."


    Ragnar was about to put his hand over Emir''s shoulder, but Morgiana stepped in between them and did what the bearded man was about to do.


    "Alright, let''s go!"


    Aughing Emir and Ragnar lowered themselves, as they were quite a bit taller than her.


    ''Her personality is exactly the same as the one in the novel...''


    ''A tomboy with a hidden heart of ice.''


    Morgiana''s behavior wasn''t an act; she truly was a fiery little woman.


    But for reasons unknown, her behavior drastically changed after a few months in the Academy.


    So Emir guessed that this wasn''t her true self.


    Or maybe something happened that changed her and made her show her cold heart.


    However, in the end, he didn''t care much for it.


    As long as she never went against him, he wouldn''t mind having her around.


    Soon they reached a gated section that housed the main entrance of the investigation department.


    "Here is where we store all types of monsters."


    Amon exined as he performed a quick scan outside.


    "Everything you know about them originated from this freezer and the farm below."


    [ess Granted.]


    They passed through the gate and paused in the isting chamber.


    "Thank you, Brain."


    [Of course, Principal Amon.]


    The chamber was equipped with a negative pressure filtration system that provided maximum protection for what was inside.


    Basically a ss one ''Cleanroom.''


    "Specimens are preserved to not only be studied but to also breed and experiment with."


    This system only took a few moments to clean thempletely and allow them entry as the


    final gate opened.


    "But let''s save that forter..."


    They walked by a few researchers withb coats who bowed to them as they passed.


    "Now look at this."


    As they stepped into the heart of the Freezer, the same thought crossed the trio''s minds.


    This ce certainly deserved its name.


    The air was noticeably cooler there, a deliberate preservation to maintain the integrity of the


    specimens.


    Namete holograms appeared before the many rows of containment units that lined the space between the walls.


    Each row housed a unique entity type that was frozen in time within massive blocks of ice in


    the vertical pods.


    From ''Elemental'' to ''Material,'' to ''Aerial,'' and ''Oceanic'' entities, as well as ''Symbiotic,'' ''Parasitic,'' ''Psionic,'' and ''Cursed'' Entities.


    There were a few others as well, like the ''Spiritual,'' ''Abyssal,'' and ''Cosmic'' entities, but those couldn''t be captured since they weren''t even spotted on Earth.


    Their collective strength exceeded anything Amon could even think about defeating, never


    mind Emir and the rest.


    So the only knowledge contained of those four entity types was theoretical.


    In total, monsters amounted to ten types, with sub-branches for each type.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Some included rouge cyborgs, sentinels, and constructs to the fold but officially technological constructs weren''t ounted as monsters, since they were human-made


    creations.


    Now the Freezer only had seven rows that disyed those entity types amidst the frost- kissed chambers.


    Symbiotic and Parasitic monstrosities writhed in the most right-sealed ss, their scales glistening faintly in the low light.


    Next to them were beings of nature entwined with vines and leaves that seemed almost


    tranquil in their frozen repose.


    They were among the Elementals, manifestations of the three-element subtypes.


    A monster with a flickering me danced in a contained ze within the ice while a


    shimmering being of water seemed to ripple and pulse.


    Not all were ethereal, however.


    Towering over the others were the Material beasts-hulking, muscled creatures whose very


    presence exuded raw strength.


    The Fang d spiders used in the test were there as well.


    Themon felines and canines that dotted the entirety of Earth were also held in that row of


    monstrosities.


    A few others bore armored tes akin to warriors, while some boasted powerful limbs that


    hinted at untold agility.


    The next row was where more surprises awaited.


    A Zerathar was the very first one among the Psionic types.


    Emir smiled at that sight, reminiscing about thest phase while wondering how much it


    would cost the Elite to train another one to take the first''s ce.


    He hoped that it would be a lot.


    After checking out the rest, they looked to the Oceanic and Aerial rows, which held beings that


    The considered a nightmare to face.


    He would have a hard time with an Aerial type, only if it were simr to him in rank or higher,


    but the Oceanic was a different beast altogether.


    There was a reason why the Earth''s oceans weren''t fully explored, even to this day.


    Not just due to their great and still unmeasured expansion, but because horrors of


    unimaginable levels existed in the ''Deep.''


    Ones that could bring Earthkind to the brink if they gained the ability to leave their waters.


    But thankfully, such a thing wasn''t possible... yet.


    "Thest ones are the cursed type, but we''ve only managed to capture hybrids and the like..."


    Amon exined as they finallypleted ap around the ce.


    "Their subtypes are known but unfound."


    Ragnar nodded while his hand remained stroking his beard.


    "But Principal, why bother with all this? Can''t we just use holograms?"


    A chuckle escaped him as he whipped his head towards Emir. Understanding his signal, Emir proceeded to exin, as was usual for the past while:


    "Sure we''d use them to understand, study, and teach about monsters, but that wouldn''t be


    enough to cover the cost of this whole operation."


    "After all, we''re talking about temperature, humidity, and even particle control to the tiniest


    degree."


    "And adding to the already long list, liquid nitrogen isn''t cheap..."


    "So now, to offset all of that, they would figure out how to use these monsters to gain even


    more profit."


    Morgiana nodded.


    "We all know that the UEF is no charity."


    "Aha..."


    Ragnar chuckled then asked another question while heading closer to one of the pods:


    "But what about Cryosleep? Do people still use those things?"


    Amon, who''s face showed slight mncholy, exined: "They do, but those that used them after the war turned into... you know."


    ''Hm.''


    Emir and the rest picked up on Amon''s feelings about the matter, so they avoided talking


    about it any further.


    Well, talking loudly, at least.


    [So?]


    Ragnar''s voice echoed in Emir''s mind.


    The unsurprised prince, answered smoothly, his exnation not taking more than a second to


    fully reach Ragnar:


    [The pods were one-time use, so those that entered never exited, in hopes of surviving...]


    [But their luck wasn''t a good one; those that went ''Cryo'' didn''t live for long.] [They did not age, did not dream, and did not need sustenance...]


    [So they simply hibernated until the day they died without even knowing that it happened.]


    [Cryosleep was the very thing that damned them, as their bodies turned into crystallized ice.]


    Emir didn''t need to exin the rest, as it was simple, and Ragnar could more or less


    understand it.


    It amounted to this, however...


    The process had the people put into a state of suspended animation using pod-like chambers


    doused with liquid nitrogen, suspending their bodies at -200 degrees Celsius.


    Such a thing would not have been possible without Aether, but unfortunately for them, the


    Stabilization of the spell had waned over the many millennia that had passed, causing the entire system to malfunction.


    But why was it not possible?


    Well, most who studied any modicum of biology would remember a string of words that went


    like this:


    "The human body is made of 45 to 75 percent water."


    This meant that the cells themselves contained a lot of water content.


    In turn, an obvious result was formed.


    However, such a disastrous oue could ur only if the individuals behind the cryo-


    chamber solely followed the scientific path.


    Since without Aether''s protection, those who went Cryo would eventually have frozen tissues,


    and the entirety of the water inside them would turn into ice crystals, expanding and


    damaging their cells until...


    Their inevitable frozen death.


    {A/N: This five chapters'' mass release is a thank-you for Jes and Derek. Cheers!}

 Chapter 256: Chekhovs Gun

    Chapter 256: Chekhov''s Gun


    ?


    [Sounds tough...]


    Emir chuckled at Ragnar''sment while following behind Amon.


    "Alright, next, I need you three to connect your neuralworks to that link point over there..."


    Amon said while pointing at the internal elevator that connected the Freezer to the Farm below it.


    "You can check its contents for yourself, but it will basically update your knowledge of monsters to all that we currently know."


    "Also, install theb coveralls design that we''ll be using."


    "How though?" Ragnar and Morgiana asked in unison.


    "Oh, you only need to connect it to your augmented suit, and the rest will be done automatically."


    "Roger!"


    The trio approached the Aether Ring elevator and stopped at the handcuff-like object that protruded out of the wall next to it.


    Unlike the normal scanners often used in the Academy, this could both receive and give data.


    It was known as a ''Link Point.''


    Emir was the first to go, putting his right arm under the cup-holder-shaped object. Then he slightly raised his arm until the outline of his bracelet made contact with it.


    The influx of information wasn''t sudden-no, not at all.


    It hadn''t even started; Emir needed to allow it ess first.


    He closed his eyes andmanded his neuralwork to ept the ''Link.''


    Then a screen of files appeared before his mind''s eye.


    Emir transferred the data of all the monsters to his database.


    Although he knew most of them already through Lyra and the novel, it couldn''t hurt him to make sure.


    Then the coveralls design was sent as well.


    It connected to his augmented suit through his neuralwork and changed how it looked.


    What once was an immacte ck suit turned into a in white coverall.


    Ragnar was the first tough at Emir''s transformation:


    "Fucking hell, you look ridiculous!"


    Morgiana shared his mood as she joined Ragnar inughter.


    But soon, the tables turned, and the two of them became Emir''s and Amon''sughing stock.


    Ragnar had to have his beard covered, so if anything, he looked the most ridiculous out of the three.


    Meanwhile, Morgiana''s forehead showed its full might as her hair was spread to the side.


    If she wasn''t dark-skinned, her blushed face would''ve been pronounced, even through the hands that hid her face.


    "Alright, alright, stopughing; you win!"


    The old man grinned at Morgiana''s surrender and jumped in the elevator, still in his academy uniform.


    ''So his control over Aether is that good, huh.''


    Emir followed right after, and his body wobbled at first, only to stabilize a momentter.


    ''It feels weird...''


    He didn''t know how else to describe what he currently felt.


    ''Squirmish... maybe?''


    His body felt squirmish as he cut through what he could only sense as very thick gas, almost to the level of being liquid.


    It was slightly disorientating, but he got used to that feeling quickly.


    "Ughhh... this feels weird, guys."


    Morgianained from above, while Ragnarmented:


    "Kinda like msses, am I right?"


    "That''s liquid you-"


    Emir paused his words as his body stopped going down, and was pushed forward out of the elevator.


    It wasn''t forceful, however, as his bnce wasn''t affected.


    ''Damn... hopefully they get that good one day.''


    The more he saw of the Academy, the more his excitement grew over the future of his Arcanist


    and Technomancerpanions.


    "What did you say?"


    Ragnar asked as his body floated to Emir''s right.


    "He called you an idiot."


    Morgiana answered as she arrived to his left.


    "Ha?! You can''t be dissing me like that man... We''re brothers!"


    Emir ignored them and lightly jogged after Amon, as he was already walking ahead.


    "Quite down, you two! And put on the masks."


    They heeded Amon''s words and grabbed the mask that dangled on each of their necks.


    After a moment, they strapped them to their ears and pulled them to their mouth.


    "I feel important for some reason."


    Emir chuckled at Ragnar''s joke while asking:


    "So this is the breeding room, right?"


    "Yep, here is where we breed and experiment on monsters."


    Amon answered while scanning his bracelet before a gate.


    "Most of the monsters you guys fought in the test were birthed here."


    [ess granted.]


    He then clicked his tongue as the gate opened.


    "Even that one Zerathar you killed... it was an expensive monster, one that we''ve used for tens


    of years you know!"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "I had to show your friend my capabilities; ain''t got much else to say about that."


    The principal, who feigned anger, quickly returned to his rxed state.


    "We''ll talk about thatter, but for now, look at this."


    Before they could proceed further, some b rats'' came by and offered to tour the group, but


    Amon declined.


    After a few more pleasantries and a few questions from Emir, they went on their way and left them to their devices.


    While this ce was known as the Farm, it mainly functioned as ab, with a breeding ground


    in conjunction with it.


    And since the group didn''t care for any details, they ignored theb section and directly


    headed to the farm.


    Hundreds of monsters of all seven types were in incubators, and they appeared to be growing


    at extremely fast ratespared to the norm.


    This farm section before them was separated into three areas, with every kind of reproductive


    strategy ounted for.


    One was for Live Birth, another for Oviparity and Larviparity.


    The environment of each helped in its sess, as there were even pools and fish tanks.


    This meant that everything from cocoons to eggs, and tadpoles dotted the ce.


    "Wow, just wow... It''s a good thing this ain''t public knowledge."


    A giggling Morgiana nodded at Ragnar.


    "Yeah, otherwise, some animal protectionpany will pop up and demand their lives be


    saved or something."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Well... if they did, their lives would end by night."


    ...


    ...


    Ting!


    Amon led them into the elevator once again, but this time it was a normal one in the floor''s


    main lobby as they were going to the ''P'' floor.


    "Don''t get too bored, guys; this will be thest one."


    As they huddled in, Ragnar excitedly said:


    "I''m actually excited about that one the most!"


    "Same... but isn''t it supposed to be B instead of P?"


    Amon raised a brow at Morgiana while pressing the button.


    "You mean B for basement?"


    "Yes."


    "Heh, if someone did make such a dumb mistake, then I would''ve never hired them, but no..."


    "It''s P for prison."


    Both Ragnar and Morgiana had their bodies tremble in shock.


    "What?!"


    "A fucking prison right under the students? What fuck-Ahem."


    Amon gestured for Ragnar to continue.


    "Uhhh... it''s nothing, sir. Don''t mind me."


    Emir sneered.


    "You guys don''t need to worry too much..."


    "The academy is the safest ce on the, so what other ce would be more suited to


    house criminals?"


    "I guess..."


    Ragnar quickly understood, but Morgiana appeared to have some doubts still.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "But Emir, why do we even have a prison in the first ce? I say we kill them all and be done


    with it."


    Emir flinched for a moment, and his gaze immediatelynded on his brother.


    But the man appeared unaffected...


    Much to his relief.


    "I''m fine, bro; it''s not something I care about anymore."


    "...Good, and Mag-"


    "MORG!"


    "Mag."


    "I SAID MORG!"


    "Okay, Morg, now happy?"


    Morgiana puffed her cheeks in victory.


    "Yes, I am!"


    "Whatever... now about your question, well, I guess you''ll find out soon enough."


    Just as Emir said that, the elevator reached the bottommost floor.


    The Prison.


    "Now let me wee you for the final time..."


    Amon exited the elevator and stepped onto the steel floor.


    "Here''s where we lock up rogue celestials and other criminals."


    The ce was rtively empty and dark, with tens of cameras even in the lobby around the


    elevator.


    "We experiment on those prisoners, but with what is something you can''t know yet."


    ''Damn... the one thing that fucking novel didn''t mention is a secret.''


    Emir sighed in disappointment, as did the others behind him.


    "But I can show-"


    Amon''s words took pause as he stopped walking.


    After a second or two, he turned around to face them.


    "The tests for SS students will begin in a few minutes, so we''ll cut the tour short."


    "Now let''s go watch the show unfold..."


    "It''s their turn to entertain now."

 Chapter 257: Students Turn

    Chapter 257: Student''s Turn


    ?


    ***


    "MFT''s to burn..."


    "MFT''s, MFT''s... MFT''s... What''s an MFT? What the fuck does it mean?!"


    Elijah screamed as he looked around the forest he suddenly found himself in.


    At one moment, he was rxing after two long exhausting days, and then the next, he found himself teleported here.


    He panicked at first, wondering what he should do while thinking that he had been kidnapped and was about to be killed.


    Or worse... he could miss the exam!


    Then, after the panic subsided, only calm remained, a trait that Emir had ingrained in the boy.


    He realized that wherever he currently was... was in fact the exam.


    The fauna all around him was massive, towering.


    Trees so tall that they blocked the sunlight from reaching him, causing his surroundings to imitate the night under a hidden moon.


    Elijah attempted to measure the bark''s length out of curiosity, only to be gobsmacked by what the implications of his results meant.


    Each tree spanned at least two hundred feet-bigger than most of the sector''s buildings.


    The scurrying of creatures resounded far away, alongside thuds and cracks from the same trees all around him.


    Panic began to set in once again.


    "MFT''s to burn..."


    "MFT''s, MFT''s... MFT''s... What''s an MFT? What the fuck does it mean?!"


    And the story continued.


    Elijah scratched his hair in thought as he walked aimlessly.


    He was dropped in an unfathomable ce with no instructions.


    So he simply didn''t know what to do.


    But after he let out all his frustration, calm paid him a visit.


    His emotions took a back seat as logic yed its part.


    ''Think... think... what would big bro do in this situation?''


    Emir, Elijah''s parent-like figure, was ced at the forefront of his mind, influencing his every decision.


    ''He''ll find a safe ce first... only then would he try to figure out his next steps.''


    With his next actions decided, the boy rushed forward and walked through the trees, using them as cover.


    ***


    [What do you think?]


    Emir asked, as his eyes sent a feed to Lyra, allowing her to see everything in his line of sight. Ragnar and Morgiana sat next to him, watching the holoscreen in front of them with interest. Many others were in the room as well, the same Elite, Corpo, and leaders of Hunter groups that were in the sports arena before.


    It was a private room, hidden on the tenth floor of the main building.


    A ce where professors usually came to watch over sses was now used to supervise the test.


    The lights were off, and manyfy couches were ced around a long row of holoscreens.


    [Well, he''s doing what I taught him at least.]


    Lyra''s answer came after a few moments.


    [Heh, I bet he''ll start cryingter.]


    A giggle resounded in his mind.


    [Yep, but at least he''ll figure it out by then.]


    [Indeed~.]


    Emir agreed while he leaned on the couch''s armrest and ced something deep inside it.


    ***


    "DAMN IT!"


    Elijah shouted as he ran away from a behemoth of a monster, leaving behind the little crevice he found in one of the tree''s roots.


    With every step, his body jerked upward because of the vibrations the ground experienced.


    Those trees that he could not see the top of were being squashed like ants by enormous


    beings.


    Two protruding objects that left the head of his pursuer cast shadows for tens of kilometers ahead, descending his surroundings into absolute darkness.


    So while it was dark before, it was many times worse now...


    Celestial eyes or not, he could barely see.


    After all, even with the night vision Earthkind had, one needed a source of light, no matter how small, to be able to see.


    But now, most of that source was shadowed by the massive horn-like objects.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The current situation wasn''t of any help either, as he was desperately running away from the thunderous steps.


    And no matter how big the beings were, Elijah still wasn''t able to truly see them, not just due to the night but also the trees that remained sky-high, blocking his view.


    So instead of rushing away from their mere sight, he had to depend on his hearing as he scrambled across the floor with his hands before his body.


    Once he felt something graze the tip of his fingers, he immediately stopped and rerouted his


    path.


    This process repeated itself hundreds of times on his journey through the dark.


    Elijah never dared to stop.


    His mind was working on overdrive.


    His body was trembling, even more than the ground beneath him.


    Yet he didn''t dare take a moment extra to breathe.


    Gasps echoed in his frantic wake, grasping at hopes of surviving the ordeal he ended up in.


    "HOW THE FUCK IS THIS AN EXAM?!"


    The screams escaping his mouth echoed for a moment, only to die down as a booming step


    reached him and snuffed them out.


    ''Shit!''


    ''Just what am I supposed to burn?!''


    "ARE YOU A STUDENT TOO?!"


    Unexpectedly, a loud voice resounded far away to his right, sounding like it came from a


    crying man.


    Elijah''s face beamed as he replied:


    "YES! I''M ELIJAH A FIRST YEAR!"


    "I''M A FIRST YEAR TOO!"


    "LET''S MEET UP, TRY TO HEAD NORTH WEST!"


    "ALRIGHT!"


    With that, their shouting match was over and he focused back on his path forward.


    Elijah continued to go straight while subtly going further right each time, not wanting to


    smash headfirst into a tree.


    After a few minutes, he heard exhausted breaths nearing his right.


    "Are you there?"


    "Yes?... YES!"


    "Good! Come to me!"


    Elijah took hold of the reigns early on, establishing who''d be the leader in their situation.


    He expected a battle of words, but the other student only said:


    "I''ming!"


    This confused him for a bit, as he was taught extensively on how to make such an approach,


    but he never once expected a free pass.


    ''I guess he''s just some na?ve student... big bro told me to watch for these types; I don''t know what they''ll mess up.''


    Elijah''s own naivety was disyed just then, as he never once suspected that this unknown


    party wasn''t a student.


    But fortunately for him, it was just a na?ve student, one that was worse than him in that


    department...


    Yet the danger of teaming up with such a person remained.


    Ipetence was scary after all.


    And in the eyes of those ipetent, one couldn''t attribute their mistakes to malice since


    they meant no harm.


    So, in turn, that student automatically gained a potential exit...


    One that Elijah would be sure to shut down from the start.


    "I''m here!"


    A sudden voice resounded a few meters to his right, surprising Elijah.


    ''The fuck? Why didn''t I hear his steps?''


    Although bewildered, he promptly replied:


    "We continue forward; now tell me, what''s your name?"


    "O-Oh, I-I didn''t tell you already?"


    "No."


    "W-Well, I''m... Arthur."


    ''Ah... shit.''


    ***


    ''Arthur, Aria, Max, Sofia, and Ava...''


    ''They''re really... Weak.''


    Emir expected more from the Elite, as his existence somehow allowed them ess to a Well


    of Eternity...


    But it appeared that he had his expectations misced.


    "Not a surprise for sure! Sofia''s exceeding expectations like usual!"


    Sofia was the fastest among them, and surprisingly, Aria was a close second.


    "Right, but Aria is impressive as well, I never expected this out of her!"


    She took Max''s position in the novel as he now ced third in this race away from the


    mammoths.


    "For sure! But it''s only because Max is taking it easy."


    However, if one looked closely it would be obvious that Max wasn''t given it his all.


    "Oh, look! Elijah and our new lucky underdog have joined hands!" Meanwhile, Elijah and Arthur were fourth, while Ava remained fifth.


    "It''s quite unusual... I think being kicked out changed him."


    "Of course it did, but this ain''t the time for that! Now what about the rest? Let''s-"


    The rest Emir didn''t care for; he only looked at them as ''Unnamed.'' "Who cares about them? Most have already bit the dust anyway so keep it on the Elite."


    So he didn''t even care to check their progress, and neither did thementators, only watching the top five.


    They kept excitedly describing the unfolding test as their loud voices resounded in the room, annoying many who preferred rtive silence.


    "Man, I outta go punch up these fuckers!" Ragnarined as the lollipop in his mouth


    was crushed.


    Morgiana chuckled.


    "You don''t look threatening; I''d say they''llugh at you instead."


    "Nah, I ain''t going alone; bro wille with me."


    "Oh, then they''ll cry themselves to sleep."


    Emir looked to his right, his gaze finally leaving the holoscreen.


    "You know what? Let''s do it; I''m bored."


    "Hell yeah!"


    Ragnar pumped his fists up while Morgiana was bbergasted:


    "Wait really?"


    "Hell yeah!"


    "You guys wanna get kicked out on your first day?"


    "I think you didn''t hear me, I said "


    "I DID!"


    Emirughed while standing from the couch.


    "Alright, Rag, let''s go; we''ve got important things to do!"

 Chapter 258: Cigar

    Chapter 258: Cigar


    ?


    "Huh?"


    "What?"


    "We just left to beat the fuckers, right?"


    "Right."


    "Then why are we heading to your office?!"


    "Just because."


    Two tall men argued in the middle of the hallway leading to the privileged offices.


    "What?"


    "I said just because."


    "I''m serious, man!"


    A sigh left the taller one''s mouth as he pushed the sunsses off his eyes, revealing their deep cks.


    They were pulsating and swirling like pools of absolute darkness, worse than those of the Zerathar.


    The man opposite those eyes couldn''t remove his gaze from them.


    He saw death''s shadow but didn''t dare leave.


    "E-Emir, I-I get it..."


    Emir covered his eyes once again and walked forward.


    "We aren''t going to beat up anyone; we''ll just go get a drink."


    "I really need to rx for a bit."


    An awkward chuckle escaped Ragnar.


    "A-Alright, let''s go, and you know what? I''ll do you one better."


    "And what would that be?"


    "I''ve got a few cigars I prepared to celebrate my enrollment, so why don''t we drink with that?"


    "Sure."


    --


    "Here you go."


    Ragnar, who sat opposite Emir''s desk, presented a long and fat cigar.


    Emir took it off his hands and proceeded to cut it with one of his swords.


    "How barbaric."


    Ragnarmented while taking out a guillotine cutter.


    "Heh, it''s all the same in the end... Anyways, what''s it called?"


    Kachuck.


    "These two babies are called Church... I don''t know why they named them after a house of prayer, but they''re good."


    Click!


    Click!


    Emir had his cigar ready and was rotating it while he lit up its end with a lighter.


    He breathed in the cut at every other moment.


    Puff... Puff... Puff.


    After a few more puffs his cigar was fully lit, and he enjoyed the slight lightheaded feeling it gave him.


    ''How though? I never thought drinking or smoking would ever get me going...''


    "What''s in them?"


    Ragnar snickered.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Chemically manufactured tobo, it''s so potent that one puff would give a mortal cancer straight away..."


    "Though they''d die before that ever happens."


    Emir took another puff while lying back in his seat.


    "Hahaha... man, mortals huh, never thought I''d hear something like that."


    Click! Click!


    Puff... Puff...


    Smoke began to slowly fill the room as Emir set the venttion system off, his intent to hot box the ce.


    "...We stepped up in this world, brother, me and you."


    "That we did."


    They shared augh while drowning themselves in smoke, staying quiet for a while after that.


    Emir then poured two sses of whiskey from the bottle he had prepared before the test.


    He got it from his rucksack, which wasid next to his fancy chair, adorned with rich, Alcantara leather, worthy of being called privileged.


    It wasn''t just his chair, but the entire office, as it all screamed luxury.


    The reinforced steel door outside was in, only showing his name and room number above


    it on a tablet-like screen.


    The inside was the exact opposite.


    Many paintings adorned the walls, while shelves to the left of the desk contained Artifacts


    called ''Books'' in all shapes and sizes.


    Emir, of course, knew it to be just a normal book, containing novels, general knowledge, and whatever else...


    But those of the new world only knew them as Artifacts of the old world.


    Next to the shelves was a door leading to another room.


    The two brothers had checked it out earlier, and it had a bathroom, a kitchen, a bed, and even


    a private training room with systems better than the SS-rank room he used to visit.


    It was obvious that this ce was designed to support a professor''s daily life since they sometimes needed to stay in the Academy for a long while.


    Now back to the desk...


    It had a terminal atop it that he was used to, connected to aser printer, and some other


    common gadgets.


    A holoscreen was on his right, ced close to the wall.


    With amand from his neuralwork, a hologram materialized, showing the life feed of


    the students'' test.


    But it was muted, as Emir didn''t want to listen to thementators'' exaggerated screaming.


    "Hey, uhhh..."


    Ragnar finally ended the silence, prompting Emir to nce at him.


    "What''s up?"


    "...Do you still hear the whispers?"


    "Which ones?"


    "...Your own."


    "I do, a few times here and there."


    Emir chuckled and took a puff of his cigar.


    "But it''s fine though; give it time, and we''ll be back to normal, and this shit is helping quite a


    bit."


    Ragnar''s face brightened like a happy dog with a wagging tail.


    ''Heh...''


    "I know, right?! I get that you went way further, but the whispers already stopped for me, so I


    thought I''d help you out."


    "Yeah, thanks for that; I can''t have myself get all schizo."


    "I can''t imagine, but yeah... Cheers!"


    They clinked their sses and drank it all at once.


    Emir felt his throat burn, but that was only for a moment; his heart didn''t beat wildly, nor did


    The feel any different.


    "Hm, as expected, I should''ve bought something more potent."


    Bang!


    Ragnar''s head crashed onto the desk.


    "Ugh... what the fuck are you on about?"


    The prince sneered at his brother''s pathetic state.


    "Heh, it''s only a thousand percent alcohol; you could take it."


    "Whatever man... Bleh, I''ll just stick with beer."


    Emir took another puff of his cigar.


    "You do you, mate." Ragnar did the same, trying to get the whiskey''s weird banana taste out of his mouth.


    "By the way... back then, you talked quite a bit with thoseb rats; is there a reason?"


    Puff...


    "Yeah, Raymond, one of my guys went emunicado."


    "Wait, he was ab rat too?"


    "That''s what I said, yes. Did the alcohol get to you-"


    "Shut up, man! Why isn''t there any serious moment with you?"


    "It''s how I cope."


    "Yeah, no, tell me."


    After taking a puff of his cigar, Emir poured himself another ss and took a sip.


    "It''s just more fun that way... I''ve had enough drama in my life."


    Puff...


    "What life? You''re like... fifteen, I think? So you don''t have the privilege to say that."


    "Hah? I''m an adult, you know!"


    "You are, but you can only be considered one of those barely legal types that all the chicks


    lose their shit over."


    Puff...


    "But I''m more than that... you know this."


    Ragnar''s body shook for a moment, and after a few more puffs of his cigar, he focused all his


    attention on Emir.


    "Is this ce safe?"


    Emir nodded. [Lyra,e say hi.]


    The holoscreen that showed Elijah''s marathon spurted out another hologram.


    It was one of a beautiful woman with white hair in a ponytail and red rubies for eyes.


    "Oh, you''ve got a new style going."


    "You noticed! What do you think?"


    "Gorgeous as always."


    Lyra''s smile brightened as she let out a little giggle.


    "I''ve had a lot of free time, so I wanted to give you a little surprise..."


    "It''s a nice one-"


    "Hey, hey, stop flirting and exin what''s going on!"


    Ragnar cut in, having been confused long enough.


    Emir looked back at him and took another puff, blowing the smoke onto his face.


    "Remember our talk of girls back then? Well, she''s the one."


    "Huh... I didn''t know..."


    Ragnar sat properly in his seat and waved his hand towards her.


    "Nice to meet you, sis-inw."


    Lyra blushed and snapped her head away.


    "W-We''re not at that point yet..."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Yeah, though I''m surprised Ly, for once you don''t want to kill those that I met."


    Her face turned serious as she eyed Emir.


    "Well... we all came from the same cloth, and he''s like me."


    "How so?" Ragnar asked.


    "Both of us will die for Emir."


    Lyra''s answer came in a heartbeat, one that Ragnar nodded to without pause.


    "Alright, alright, stop with the dying stuff... Rag, let me introduce you."


    Emir interrupted their moment while standing up and walking over to her hologram.


    "This behind me is Lyra... an AI from the Order itself."


    Ragnar jumped up from his seat, his cigar dropping to the ground.


    "WHAT?!"


    Emir took a puff and kicked him in the chest, sending him back to the chair he sat on.


    "Calm down; she defected... How do you think I survived till now?"


    "B-But-"


    Lyra showed a sad smile, clearly upset at his reaction, but she knew better than to let that


    affect her.


    "Ragnar, I know that it might seem impossible to you... but I really am on your side. I''ve staked my everything on Emir since day one; his life and mine are one." "If you can''t believe that I''m with you, then do you really think I''d kill myself?"


    Emir then picked up the cigar that Ragnar dropped and threw it back to him. With trembling hands, Ragnar caught it, further lit it up, and took a few puffs to calm himself.


    "I do... You AIs will do anything, fucking anything, if we go out of line. I know this by heart..."


    Ragnar lowered his head, afraid to even look at Emir''s face. "Y-you can''t trust her, Emir; t-this all might be an act to control you!"

 Chapter 259: BURN!

    Chapter 259: BURN!


    ?


    || ||


    || ||


    All three people in the room remained quiet.


    Ragnar''sst words echoed in their minds, each for a different reason.


    Lyra was scared of how Emir would react to such words, believing that his paranoia might take over.


    Ragnar himself was scared too, terrified of the off chance that Emir wouldsh out at him. Emir, the man in question, was calm, however.


    He only looked at Ragnar with pity.


    "Rag... Tell me, what happened?"


    Ragnar''s head bounced up in surprise...


    Out of all things, he didn''t expect Emir''s reaction to be that of curiosity disguised as pity.


    A chuckle soon escaped him.


    But of course... it was just that.


    Emir was no ordinary man who could be threatened with falling into self-doubt.


    After all, he had already passed this test twice and graduated with flying colors.


    "And just know, Ly made sure that we weren''t being spied on since the start."


    Emir sat back down on his office chair and chugged down a ss of whiskey while pouring himself another one right after.


    "Heh... sure, brother."


    Both Lyra and Ragnar sighed in relief, as they saw howposed Emir truly was.


    "Ly, you can go back now; thanks foring."


    Lyra smiled and waved him goodbye while her hologram disappeared.


    "Of course, love you, my prince."


    Emir nodded and gestured for Ragnar to talk.


    "...Sure, so my AI was some warm old man, like the mentor type, you know?"


    Puff...


    "Yeah."


    "Anyways, he helped me get out of my rut and n for my revenge."


    "At the start, everything went smoothly; I learned about the real world, asked many questions about my path, and got much stronger as time passed..."


    "But then I noticed some inconsistencies in whatever he said."


    "No matter what I asked, he constantly dodged the issue, and I only realized how bad my situation was when it was toote."


    "But before anything happened, the contingency n I had in ce went into motion."


    "I was already betrayed once, so I wasn''t about to get betrayed again."


    "Silent, someone you probably know..."


    Puff...


    "I do."


    "Yeah, well, he helped me and secretly told me the truth."


    "The ruin they were about to send me into was a death sentence for both Earth and me..."


    Puff...


    "So you begged him?"


    "I ain''t proud of it, but I did... There was nothing else I could do; my every move was watched, and I couldn''t even breathe without them knowing."


    "If I tried anything, I would''ve simply died before I could even crawl."


    Puff...


    "I see..."


    "Yeah, so my... n worked, and he sent me out of their range."


    "I walked through hundreds of portals, maybe even thousands until I finally reached my destination..."


    "The point where I could hear him no more."


    "He fully expected me to die, but he still gave me a simple task for our transaction to be consideredplete."


    Puff...


    "Which is?"


    Ragnar let out a sigh, pushing away the forming smoke.


    "...I had to breathe."


    ''How ironic.''


    "He tasked me to breathe... to survive."


    Ragnar took a puff of his cigar while letting out a chuckle.


    "That AI manager took pity on me."


    Puff...


    "Hm-hm."


    "Anyways, I had my augmented suit and everything, so I was ready to survive the unknown."


    "I was sure that Silent wouldplete his end of the deal, faking my suicide and all that-"


    "How did he do it?"


    "Oh, Silent just procured a body simr to mine that we had scrambled up beforehand, making it look like I went hollow."


    Emir nodded while showing a smile.


    "Smart."


    Puff...


    "So... how did you survive out there?"


    Ragnar appeared to reminisce as Emir''s question reached him.


    "I drifted in the known ''unknown'' for a few years... just floating, sometimes spinning, other


    times going at high speeds for reasons I''ve got no idea about."


    "I was only about sixteen back then, and that whole thing made me go insane... Though I


    guess it prepared me for thebyrinth."


    Puff...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "I didn''t need all that, and I still won."


    "I know, I know; just let me tell my story in peace."


    Puff...


    "But I''m bored; summarize it."


    Ragnar''s eyes began to twitch, but he calmed himself and took a few puffs.


    "Anyways... I made it through surviving with a Holy Relic, it gave me the oxygen I needed."


    Puff...


    "The w?"


    "I couldn''t move while using it but that was fine, it wasn''t like I had anywhere to go."


    "It only needed Aether to work, and I had all the time to focus on replenishing my reserves."


    "Micrometeorites, radiation, and random temperature changes didn''t bother me as much as I


    thought it would."


    "Throughout those years, I cultivated a lot, and when I finally became a Seraphim, the Aether disturbance I caused attracted a traveling spaceship."


    Puff...


    "So you''ve survived ''cause of luck."


    Ragnarughed.


    "Ain''t gonna deny that... I really was lucky... That''s where I met the love of my life after all."


    Puff...


    "Hoh, so your fianc¨¦ came from Silent''s or rather Marcus''s gctic faction?"


    "Yeah, the Legionnaire."


    ''Interesting... so they rted themselves to those ancient Romans...''


    Puff...


    ''Though too bad that it''s a part of the Missing History.''


    "Anyways, I''ve rizzed her up, and the rest is history."


    Emir''s thoughts took pause, and his body squirmed as he held back vomit from leaving his


    mouth.


    "W-what the fuck is happening to you?"


    "I... I don''t know, that word just gave me an explicable amount of... cringe."


    Ragnar leaned back on his chair and took a puff.


    "Fucking h you scared me..."


    "You think that it''s some curse... maybe even Arcane?"


    Emir shook his head.


    "Probably not... Though it doesn''t matter, let''s just move on."


    "Yeah, the ones that dug up thisnguage archive made sure that no words were harmful."


    Emir proceeded to wash that distasteful word down with whiskey while gesturing for Ragnar


    to continue.


    "So, now Iid out everything to you... tell me, what''s your story?"


    Puff...


    "I ain''t saying."


    "Hah?! After everything I said, you''ll be keeping your shit secret?"


    Puff...


    "Yeah."


    "That''s unfair!"


    Puff...


    "Haven''t you heard?"


    Ragnar banged his hand on the desk.


    "Heard what?"


    Emir, once again, blew smoke into Ragnar''s face.


    "The world is unfair; deal with it."


    "You being serious right now?"


    A chuckle left him as he answered:


    "No... but my story is simr to yours." "You got betrayed too?"


    "Yeah, my family got me fucked up, almost died a couple of times too."


    "They still alive?"


    "...I killed them."


    "You... you killed your own parents?"


    "Yeah."


    "Really?"


    "No."


    "AHH, YOU ANNOYING¡ª"


    His roar suddenly died out.


    In an instant, Ragnar looked the same as Emir did moments ago.


    He, who was in the process of standing, had his back crash into the seat behind him.


    The cigar in his right hand dropped to the ground for the second time, causing its ashes to


    cover the floor.


    Burning embers of tobo leaf remained alive through it all.


    Meanwhile, a rxed prince chuckled at that sight as he stopped sharing his memories with


    Ragnar, not wishing to pain him any further.


    Then his hand slowly moved towards the ashtray.


    §´§Ñ§â.


    §´§Ñ§â.


    And as his cigar dropped its ashes...


    In the holoscreen, all that was before Elijah turned into a zing me.


    "AHAHAHAHAHAAH! BURN BITCH BURN!"

 Chapter 260: New Sun

    Chapter 260: New Sun


    ?


    ***


    Two students continued their trek in the darkness...


    But somehow one of the two didn''t seem to care for what was in front of him.


    That student ran, and nothing blocked his path.


    He had stumbled a few times, but it was nothing lethal.


    Arthur was that student.


    His Fortune Wheel specialization was true to its name.


    And the second of this duo had noticed that phenomenon.


    He kept himself three meters behind Arthur at all times and made the same movements.


    Elijah was his name.


    Emir told him about Arthur, so he had already expected this, but seeing it happen before his eyes was a different matter altogether.


    ''Just how can someone be so lucky?''


    Oh, well, he knew why, as that was a rhetorical question, or rather, it rted to Arthur''s luck in getting such a specialization in the first ce.


    His older brother didn''t seem to know much, but he spected that since Arthur was a bastard of Isidore, he had the lineage of whatever n the Ebonfyre family originated from.


    Then that lineage granted him this path.


    So because he unknowingly began walking on this path, his body naturally didn''t allow him to acquire abilities that rted to other specializations.


    That caused him to bebeled as useless TRASH.


    Simr to what all main characters experienced at some point in their lives.


    Anyhow, since Arthur couldn''t acquire abilities, he had to go with the Arcanist route. And guess what?


    As it turned out, his Fortune''s Wheel waspatible with it.


    The ''wheel'' would be spun every time he attempted to draw a rune, and if he was lucky, it would be activated.


    If not, he would need to try again.


    This meant that Arthur''s every fight was a game of chance.


    In essence, that weak kid could only be described as a wild card.


    Once all his runes were activated, he could rival those two minor ranks above him.


    But even though he could win against those stronger than him, he could still lose against those weaker.


    Arthur was the walking definition of a casino with life as coteral.


    ''Fucking MC''s man... bastard''s got the whole world bending its rules for him.''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Even though Elijahined, he understood that there was nothing he could do about it.


    It was best to focus on himself instead; otherwise, keeping up with the rest of the ss would be impossible.


    As those close to him already noticed, the way he saw things differed from before.


    It was a natural result...


    After all, the more time he spent under Emir''s and Lyra''s mentorship, the more his personality began to resemble their own.


    Rationality always presided over emotion.


    Elijah was bing a mini-Emir and a cute version at that-


    "H-Hey, Elijah... C-can I stop leading?"


    Arthur''s voice suddenly brought him out of his thoughts.


    "No, you lead; that was what we decided, so deal with it."


    "But-"


    "I said no! Do you want me to leave you?!"


    Elijah couldn''t see Arthur''s reaction but it wasn''t hard to guess so he pressed on:


    "You''ll die without me, you know that!"


    "I-I understand."


    "...Good."


    Elijah felt bad for gaslighting him at first, but soon he began to enjoy it as hatred for Arthur began to brew in him.


    While he might not acknowledge it, he was envious of him.


    It wasn''t for his power, lineage, or potential.


    But for the fact that he hogged Emir''s attention, taking away most of the time that he would spend with him.


    Because when the two brothers were together, it was always ''Arthur would do this or that...''


    As if his brother only saw him as a tool to use against the main character.


    Elijah hated that.


    So he med everything on the victim instead of the perpetrator.


    After all, in Elijah''s mind, there was no reason to hate Emir; that man was the one who took


    him into the family.


    And he was Lily''s brother.


    There was no way that her brother would be a bad person...


    Right?


    ''Hmm...''


    ''Anyways, how should I get myself out of this mess?''


    Elijah decided to get out of that rabbit hole of thoughts before it got too deep.


    ''Right, MFT... What can that mean?''


    "Hey, Arthur."


    Arthur flinched, not expecting to be called, yet his steps didn''t falter as he continued to run


    forward.


    "W-What is it?"


    "You know what MFT''s are?"


    "M-MFT?"


    "Yeah."


    "...No."


    "Useless."


    "S-sorry."


    ''This massive fucking troglodyte...''


    ''Oh... wait.''


    ''It was massive fucking trees!''


    Elijah pumped his little fists while dodging a fallen branch that neared his height in length.


    "I figured it out! We just need to burn the trees to scare them away!"


    "Alright!"


    Arthur was simrly excited, but then his wit grew about him.


    "...B-But how?"


    "Can''t you do it? You know, elemental runes?"


    "Ooh, yeah, I can do that!"


    "Right, go lead us to a tree, then I''ll..."


    ***


    "You calm now?"


    Emir asked as he took another puff, while his eyes remained on the holoscreen.


    "Y-Yeah, I just didn''t expect it at all..."


    "Heh, it''s fine... like you, I already got over it."


    Ragnar poured himself a ss of whiskey while chuckling.


    "But why a novel, though?"


    "...Indeed."


    Soon, Emir found himself questioning the same thing.


    Just why did they fabricate his reincarnation under the banner of a novel?


    "Why not a game, or I dunno... like aic?"


    "No idea, Rag, but it''s probably the easiest tform for them to imnt information or


    something."


    "That sounds about right; I bet they went through many of us to reach that point, though."


    Puff...


    "Hmhm... but that doesn''t matter much in the end."


    Emir pressed his cigar on the ashtray, killing the me.


    "Now let''s go back."


    ***


    "AHAHAHAHAHAAH! BURN BITCH BURN!"


    Like the birth of a new sun...


    "LOOK AT IT! YOU CAN BE USEFUL, YOU LITTLE SHIT! HAHAHA!"


    Their whole world was lit with mes that turned the night into the brightest of days.


    It started with a few chipped pieces of wood to a small branch that they carried and stuck


    higher up a tree.


    Then Arthur''s luck activated, and the mes caught on the bark, immediately spreading to the


    top as if it were coated with oil.


    From one canopy to another, from a leaf to the next, their surroundings all turned bright, and


    Elijah danced in that scene like a madman.


    But hisughing smile soon grew dim as he noticed something amiss.


    The ground''s rate of vibration had increased.


    The thunderous steps grew louder.


    It seemed that instead of running away...


    They, the colossal beings, were getting closer and closer to the fire...


    To them.


    "...Fuck."

 Chapter 261: Surrounded

    Chapter 261: Surrounded


    ?


    "RUN!"


    Elijah ignored Arthur''s panicking state and rushed ahead, his body tearing through the nearing mes.


    He could now see, so he no longer had any use for his lucky soon-to-be ssmate.


    The mes followed after them, which prompted the stunned Arthur to run as well.


    Booming steps continued to chase as the trunks of those beings began to rumble the earth. Truuumpet!


    Truuumpet!


    "Ughhh..."


    Elijah felt like his ears were about to pop as their roars constantly rang inside his head, never stopping.


    Arthur, who appeared to be struggling as well, barely caught up to Elijah and managed to stutter out:


    "E-Elephants, they''re elephants!"


    ''No shit!''


    Elijah continued forward, his pulse racing as he finally exited the circle of roaring mes.


    Arthur followed, almost stumbling over fallen debris, his terror echoing in his every frantic action.


    The thunderous steps of the elephants grew louder behind them, creating a cacophony of earth-shaking booms.


    Truuumpet! Truuumpet!


    ''Just why did he want me to burn the forest?!''


    The sound reverberated, almost suffocating Elijah''s thoughts.


    "Dammit..."


    After a little while of their desperate charge into the unknown, they stumbled upon a blue- haired young girl with bright gray eyes.


    Her visage, which was unlike most her age, appeared some distance away in the front.


    She had a well-toned body with obvious muscles protruding out of her uniform''s sleeves. "Sofia, with us!"


    Elijah immediately noticed her and signaled for her to follow as they went to the left.


    Sofia nodded, while Arthur''s eyes widened upon seeing her, appearing to have fallen in love at first sight.


    "Elijah! What''s happening?"


    She breathed out while joining him, her voice quivering ever so slightly.


    "I don''t know! Those elephants like fire I guess!"


    The ground quaked beneath their feet as the group hurtled through the forest, their terror fueling every step.


    "No, they''re mammoths; they''ve got tusks..."


    The towering trees loomed above, their branches reaching skyward, attempting to touch the heavens.


    "But aren''t they extinct?!"


    Yet, they were no match for the colossal mammoths that moved through the forest, treating the mighty trunks like mere twigs beneath their feet.


    "Nothing is anymore."


    "Whatever, this isn''t the time for that!"


    Elijah''s heart thundered in his chest as he nced back.


    Panic was etched in his expression as he finally saw the mammoths approaching from all directions.


    These creatures, like living mountains, moved with calm, their backs stable and their massive bodies dwarfing everything in their path.


    "What are you..."


    Sofia''s words paused as followed Elijah''s gaze and looked up.


    Her breath hitched as she caught sight of the mammoths'' forms, their tusks scraping against the canopies, sending branches cascading down like rain.


    Her wide eyes darted around in an attempt to find a way between the encroaching mammoths.


    And since she wasn''t looking ahead, her feet stumbled on a rock, causing her to fall forward...


    But Elijah caught her just before she crashed onto the ground and pulled her up. "C''mon, you can''t be losing focus now!"


    Truuumpet!


    Truuumpet!


    "We have to keep moving!"


    Elijah yelled above the tumultuous sounds and led the way through the dense underbrush, pushing forward with returning calm.


    Then suddenly, someone else appeared in his field of view.


    ''Rat bastard.''


    Max, a hot head with fiery red hair and gold eyes, approached.


    His slightly muscr body was drowning in sweat.


    "Run the other way, you idiots!"


    There was another that appeared, following closely behind him.


    It was Aria.


    Her usual twin-tailed hairstyle wasn''t present as her gold locks cascaded down her fragile


    back.


    The Reaper saw her red eyes widen in surprise as she spotted him.


    "Elijah, you''re here!"


    Unlike usual, he didn''t suck up to the girl, or talk to her.


    Instead, he turned around and ran away from the duo.


    "Where are you going?!"


    Her screams resounded behind him, but he didn''t dare stop, and neither did Sofia.


    Arthur was the same, but he looked to be in the worst state out of the lot.


    He was still reeling from the shock of enraging the beasts, so his emotional turmoil didn''t


    help in his struggle to keep up.


    Then, out of nowhere, he was pushed out of the way as Max ran forward, showing off his


    athletic process while nearing Elijah.


    "You caused the fire, didn''t you?! Ha?! you reaper bastard?!"


    A pitiful Arthur was stepped over by Aria as she joined the group.


    "Shut up, you loud monkey!"


    "Don''t fight!"


    Their heads snapped at Elijah in surprise, never expecting him to fight back.


    "Ha? Did you grow some balls when you got kicked out? That fucker Emir do something you?"


    Aria was about to curse Max, but at Emir''s mention, sheshed out:


    "Don''t talk about him that way!"


    Yet her anger didn''t hold a candle to Elijah''s raging inferno:


    "DON''T YOU DARE! SAY THAT AGAIN AND I''ll FUCKING KILL YOU!"


    Sofia, who finally had enough, roared:


    "QUIET!"


    || ||


    "..."


    And they did.


    "I need you all to focus... we won''t pass this test otherwise."


    She took the mantle as their leader while finally shutting them up, as Elijah failed to do so.


    "G-Guys! W-Wait for me! ...P-Please!"


    They didn''t slow down.


    But somehow... Arthur still managed to catch up.


    As they ran, the forest seemed to close in around them, the massive trees bing a


    hindrance rather than protection.


    A few mammoths behind them had their tusks scrape against the sky as they uprooted the


    trees, sending them flying.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    That sight caused a shiver to run through all their spines.


    They had to run; they had to escape!


    But then... their hope was squashed to nothingness.


    In the beginning, Elijah and Arthur were running North, escaping from the South.


    They then ran West with Sofia fleeing from both of these directions.


    Yet as Max and Aria joined, they bolted Eastward since it was their only way out of the


    mammoths'' encirclement.


    Now, however, a woman''s silhouette showed itself in front of them.


    She possessed Asian features-eyes of amber, dirty-blond hair, slender build, and honey-


    toned skin.


    There was no doubt about it...


    That was Ava.


    And she came from the East.


    They were trapped.


    "Fuck..."


    Elijah stopped in his tracks and looked around...


    He didn''t know what to do.


    Sofia tapped his shoulder and went ahead to wee the new arrival.


    Ava, her breathsing in short gasps, stumbled into her.


    "W-Why aren''t you guys running?"


    "It''s ''cause we''re surrounded."


    Ava''s eyes widened with disbelief as she noticed the spectacle around them.


    "Damn, just how did Daddy allow this?!"


    She eximed, her voice tinged with fear, unlike Sofia''s rtively calm demeanor.


    Elijah spared a fleeting nce at Ava, his heart sinking at the realization of their predicament. "We don''t have a way out, but we can stall for time and survive-"


    Max stepped before Elijah, cutting him off with a face that showed irritation to the extreme:


    "Ha! Who are you to call the shots?"


    Tsk!


    The Reaper had enough.


    He snapped.


    There was no need for a build-up...


    Max had insulted Emir.


    That was enough for Elijah to reach his boiling point.


    This only took him over the edge.


    Their impending deaths no longer mattered to him.


    His mind no longer took in his surroundings. Whatever happened next...


    He didn''t care for it anymore.


    "Die."


    In under a second, his hands darted to his sides, fingers wrapping around the hilt of his dual


    daggers.


    With practiced ease, he drew the des, catching the glint of firelight as they arced through


    the air.


    His movements were a blur as he lunged forward and shed at the young master''s legs.

 Chapter 262: Unnamed

    Chapter 262: Unnamed


    ?


    ***


    "Ayaaah.... this dumbass, what the hell is he doing?!"


    Morgiana voiced out as she and Ragnar face-palmed in unison.


    Only Emir showed a smile at Elijah''s actions.


    "Bro, you should''ve taught him better than to lose control like that."


    bbergasted, Emir eyed his brother with a frown.


    "Ha? I''ve done all I could... And besides, I was swamped, you know."


    Then, all of a sudden, thementators cut into their conversation as was usual for the past few minutes:


    "It seems as if an unnamed yer joined the fray! How do you think she''ll fare with this group?"


    Their loud voices boomed through the private watch room...


    "Well, she survived long enough unlike the rest, so we can definitely-"


    And Emir instantly grew interested as his gaze returned to the holoscreen.


    "Yeah, yeah, let''s see how she''ll perform against the elite!"


    ''Unnamed, huh...''


    ***


    "LET ME GO, YOU BASTARDS!"


    Held back by Sofia and Aria, Max kept struggling to set himself free as his hands iled around, hitting both of the girls repeatedly.


    "I''ll kill you; I swear I''ll kill you..."


    Blood loss made Max slightly dizzy, yet his threats never stopped.


    ''Damn, this guy is seething.''


    Elijah remained standing just out of the hound dog''s reach, almost teasing him.


    "You shouldn''t have done that, you know..."


    Avamented as she stepped closer.


    Sofia nodded and tightened her grip around Max''s shoulders, holding him down to the ground.


    "We''re stuck, and now we''ve got baggage."


    Truuumpet!


    The ground shook once again as mammoths from the east kept getting closer to them.


    But as Elijah looked down from the beast, he noticed a woman''s silhouette approaching. ''Another one?''


    After a few more steps, her figure appeared more clearly.


    She was a girl with a pale skinplexion, her hair, a rich ck cascaded in smooth strands, styled in a short, practical bob.


    Her ck eyes held an intense gaze, framed by subtly arched eyebrows.


    "What are you guys doing? Run away already!"


    Elijah silently eyed her for a moment, then looked back at Ava.


    "He''s calmed down now, so can you heal him already?"


    "Humph!"


    She begrudgingly followed hismand and stepped closer to Max while oozing annoyance.


    He clicked his tongue at that sight, absolutely despising how bratty they were, and stepped closer to the new girl, not caring how they''d deal with Max.


    "Name?"


    "Q-Quinn... Mercer."


    Elijah flinched, his blue eyes holding subtle killing intent-something that Quinn didn''t fail to pick up on.


    ''Mercer... she''s that bastard''s daughter, huh.''


    "Don''t worry, I don''t care for your father."


    Quinn''s face showed relief as she stuttered.


    "T-Thank you."


    "Anyways you in SS?"


    "Yeah, I''ll be in your ss."


    "I see..."


    Elijah nodded his head and gestured for her to follow him, epting her into the group.


    He truly didn''t care for her dad; his life only improved because of him, so he was actually thankful instead.


    The reason he allowed her in wasn''t because of that, however.


    At first nce, she looked ordinary, but she was nothing but.


    Quinn''s appearance juxtaposed flesh and machine.


    Metallic traces subtly traced her temples and neck, hinting at the cybeic beneath.


    Her gaze concealed pain, while her synthetic limbs blended seamlessly into natural flesh, engineered to resemble her original form.


    Her movements were precise yet tinged with a hint of the mechanical.


    That was an obvious sign of major cybeic enhancements.


    But most, if not all of the girls her age would never forsake human pleasure for strength.


    This meant that whatever happened to her changed how she viewed the world entirely.


    A mindset that he really needed right now since two of his teammates were brats, another was


    a cold girl who barely spoke, and thest was a young master with a short temper.


    And speaking of, the cold child finally let Max go after he promised her that he would calm


    down.


    How did she achieve what seemed to be so impossible?


    Well, that guy was crushing hard on her.


    A cute little puppy love that did not match him at all.


    Max disguised it as preserving the noble lineage and whatnot but he didn''t care much for that.


    It was twisted purity.


    The one receiving those feelings ignored it entirely, however.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Whether it was on purpose or not remained to be seen.


    "We''re done; let''s move!"


    With Sofia and Elijah in the lead, the group pushed forward.


    The fire was close, and the mammoths were closer.


    "We move through them!"


    Everyone flinched at Elijah''s demand, but as they saw Sofia''s nod, no oneined.


    Their movements became increasingly frantic as they headed directly towards the nearest


    mammoth.


    Once they got close to it, they all looked up, watching as its top left foot flew high in the air, leaving behind a trail of tree crumbs in its wake.


    "NOW!"


    Like rain, wood fell all around them, showering their bodies with splinters.


    "COVER YOUR HEADS!"


    Thankfully, the team followed Elijah''s roar and used their augmented suits to protect them.


    BOOM!


    They all couldn''t help but look up once again, their eyes widening in horror as they witnessed a mammoth''s foot descend upon a nearby set of trees, their massive trunks splintering like matchwood under the creature''s weight.


    The sheer power disyed and the scale of the mammoths sent a chill down their spines,


    causing Ava to fall on her bottom.


    "H-How are we supposed to survive?"


    Aria, her chest heaving with exertion, grabbed Ava''s arm, pulling her back into the group.


    "We have to keep moving!"


    Her shout was barely heard over the cacophony of destruction and the ground shook violently


    as another mammoth thundered past, one of its back legs blocking the way forward.


    ''Where? Where?!''


    Elijah scanned the surroundings, his mind racing for a solution.


    They were surrounded in all directions by mammoths that gave them no way out.


    And adding to the already bad news, a fire reaching the sky was a minute away from reaching


    them.


    He thought about going through one of their legs again, but it appeared obvious that the mammoths intended to keep them in as they no longer moved, and simply stood still. Now... the students were effectively trapped within a ring of titans.


    Insignificance.


    Slight indifference.


    Fear.


    Despair.


    Rage.


    eptance. Absolute calm.


    Each one of the seven held a certain emotion.


    The forest that once felt like a prison was now rendered trivial.


    And at that moment, everything felt...


    Hopeless.


    They all shared that one feeling.


    The mammoths, their size and power unmatched, stood tall, treating the towering trees like


    mere des of grass as they mowed them down with their tusks, putting out the fire.


    The resulting rain of debris had them franticly run around, hiding beneath other trees for the big ''rains'' and sidestepping the small ones as they charged into safety. Elijah''s mind continued to race with thoughts of escape, but the sheer scale of the mammoths


    and the imprable wall they had formed seemed insurmountable. Like ants surrounded by humans with Myrmecophobia, they''ve managed to find a small clearing to hide from their fearful wrath and huddled together to take a breather, their eyes


    fixed on those that loomed.


    During that short minute of reprieve, Sofia calmly said:


    "How about everyone introduce their ss?"


    Max''s head snapped towards her.


    "Now?"


    "Yes, now."


    Elijah quickly agreed and then confidently added:


    "Elijah, Ex-MoonScribe, Reaper, 3rd ability." Sofia nodded.


    "Sofia, Ster Corp., Ranger, 3rd ability."


    "Aria, Gold Leaf, Spell Weaver, ninth ss."


    "Ava Nguyen, Hyperion Arms, Zenith Warden, 2nd ability."


    "Max, ckwood, Brawler, 3rd ability."


    "Quinn, I haven''t chosen my path yet, but I can use Aetheric des."


    Arthur was thest to speak, as he remained the most quiet, even rivaling Sofia:


    "A-Arthur... Arcanist, 12th ss."


    ''Ha?''


    Elijah immediately caught on to his lie, or rather, it appeared not as a lie but as Arthur''s


    ''truth.''


    He truly believed that he wasn''t eleventh-ss.


    ''He''s dumber than I expected...''


    "Alright everyone-"


    Truuumpet!


    They ignored the mammoth''s interrupting rumble and focused on Elijah''s words.


    "After listening to everyone''s abilities, I can say with certainty that..."


    Truuumpet!


    "We''re fucked."


    Truuumpet!


    "We''ve got no chance to escape, none."


    Max, uncharacteristically, didn''t fan the mes but instead asked a simple question:


    "And what do you think, Sophie?"


    "...I''ve got an idea, but you wouldn''t like it."


    Her response was quiet, and her voice was somehow still calm despite the chaos surrounding


    them.


    "Just say it!"


    Aria demanded while Ava nodded her head repeatedly.


    Sofiaplied, and her right hand extended forward, then slowly...


    It was raised high until it pointed at the heavens.


    As if by instinct, they all looked up at the mammoth nearest to them, which was now almost


    towering directly above them.


    Then it clicked.


    With its immense size, it offered a possible escape route.


    And as if to confirm their thoughts, Sofia finally stated:


    "We climb..."

 Chapter 263: CLIMB!

    Chapter 263: CLIMB!


    ?


    "We climb..."


    Sofia''s voice resounded as her hand turned to point towards the mammoth''s leg, its skin as rough as the bark of the trees.


    Her fellow students offered no response to her statement, instead, their gazes quietly flickered between her and the towering mammoth.


    Their thoughts were obvious.


    Should they do it or not?


    Was it even possible?


    But time was a luxury they didn''t have.


    They needed to make a decision now if they were to survive and escape the mes.


    Max was the first to move, as he screamed:


    "You fuckers better not hold me back!"


    The rest looked at each other, and then Sophia nodded towards them.


    "Alright, let''s go..."


    They all began moving forward, leaving Elijah behind as he didn''t follow.


    He nkly stared at the advancing Sophie.


    ''...Why?''


    ''Why didn''t I think of that?''


    He noticed himself acting differently than usual...


    No, it wasn''t different, but rather he just felt dumber to the degree that he didn''t even think of such an obvious idea.


    ''Aria maybe...''


    Those worries left him with that conclusion, and he focused back on running, chalking it up to emotional interference.


    After many steps, he arrived at where the group paused...


    Just next to the mammoth''s leg.


    It rose like a monolithic pir, a rugged expanse that stretched towards the sky.


    Its surface uneven and rough, dotted with coarse patches of brown hair and folds of skin.


    The leg trembled from one second to the next, which made it obvious how tough the climb would be, yet still, their goal appeared...


    Achievable.


    "I''ll go first."


    Elijah took the lead this time around and stepped closer.


    ''I can''t have them above me...''


    His thoughts were in to see.


    ''Their misstep would spell my death.''


    But no oneined.


    The first step was the hardest, so the smartest of the six allowed Elijah to go uncontested, while the rest of the group opened a path for him simply because they were scared.


    And what a path it was!


    His fingers moved and grappled for purchase on the mammoth''s surface.


    The skin felt like ancient, weathered leather beneath his touch.


    "Let''s go!"


    After psyching himself up, Elijah began to climb.


    He pulled with his right and then his left while his feet found sturdy footholds amidst the terrain.


    The patches offered some stability even during the mammoth''s constant fits.


    Sofia, her gray eyes focused, followed Elijah''s lead, her body mimicking his movements.


    Aria was about to step up, but Max took her ce and jumped, hugging the leg like a ko. "I told you not to hold me back!"


    She scoffed without replying and began to climb after him.


    Quinn and Ava were next, as thest to approach was Arthur.


    He stood there right before the colossal leg... His face conflicted.


    "Move up, you dimwit!"


    Ava was the first to notice his apprehension, as she was the closest to the ground.


    While she didn''t care for him, she still didn''t want to see someone die in front of her.


    ''She...''


    And her shout prompted him to flinch and look up at her.


    "...A-alright."


    Arthur, who didn''t know her thoughts, confused them for care and excitedly began climbing, joining the group soon after.


    Each step was treacherous as they ascended higher and higher.


    But it was all about to get way harder.


    As the highest, Elijah could see the other legs, and he...


    ''Ah... shit.''


    He noticed that they were about to move.


    "HOOOOLD!"


    His warning out, and everyone immediately took heed.


    They stuck themselves closer to the mountain-sized leg and held on to its furs for dear life.


    Some screamed, others stayed quiet, but all felt the same thing.


    Desperation.


    This was what they all felt at that moment.


    And they felt it even more in the next.


    Everything shook.


    It was as if the entire world was experiencing an earthquake.


    Then in the next moment, a rush of air threatened to knock them off.


    But they all managed to keep themselves bnced, their feet dug deep into the mammoth''s


    skin.


    "KEEP MOVING!"


    And their journey continued with Elijah''s roar.


    They all knew that their strength would wear out if they continued to stay in ce so they had


    to reach the top if they wanted to survive.


    Arthur, still reeling from all that happened, struggled to climb.


    He continued to mber up, his fingers scrabbling for purchase at each step.


    Ava was the same, although slightly worse as she didn''t have his luck on her side.


    A few missteps almost caused her to fall, but she kept up with the group.


    Aria, the third fromst, masked the unease in her heart as she set Elijah as her goal.


    "That man ''ran'' away from everything.


    He left her, ignored her...


    Acted as if she didn''t exist.


    They had to talk, at least before their eventual deaths.


    Yet that task seemed almost impossible.


    The mammoth''s leg appeared to stretch endlessly above her.


    A daunting path.


    Was it truly possible?


    Was her decision based on delusions?


    Aria did not know.


    For doubt had returned.


    She found herself chasing after Max with all the strength she could muster.


    Alternating between clutching tufts of fur and seeking refuge in the deeper crevices of the mammoth''s textured hide.


    Max, the one who stole her position, had his athletic prowess evident.


    He made agile movements, seeking out the sturdiest footholds and boosting himself off


    them.


    His muscles strained with effort as he climbed and fell.


    Yes, he fell...


    He was the only one in the group to fall.


    Yet his fingers always found themselves gripped onto the mammoth''s surface.


    While he wasn''t the smartest around, he more than made up for it with his strength.


    So with every fall, he climbed back up even faster.


    "CLIMB!"


    And as they ascended, the world around them changed.


    The forest, once a chaotic maze, once a dark prison... Slowly revealed a different perspective from the mammoth''s leg.


    "CLIMB!"


    Its movements caused thendscape below to shift and sway, the once-imposing trees now


    appearing as miniature forms, the distant sounds of the mammoths'' steps reduced to faint


    echoes.


    The leg was a world in itself, one offering both a challenge and a path to salvation.


    "CLIMB!"


    And their climb was a battle against constant shifts of gravity.


    Of wind.


    Each step brought them closer to the creature''s massive back, yet...


    It didn''t appear to be any closer.


    They were getting higher.


    "CLIMB!"


    Yet everything appeared to be so far away.


    They didn''t stop moving.


    "CLIMB!"


    Yet they never stopped questioning themselves.


    Every step, every action, every thought, everything, absolutely everything was filled with


    uncertainty.


    "CLIMB!"


    Yet they still pressed on.


    Their bodies grew tired.


    And their minds too.


    This caused mistakes to ur.


    Lethal ones.


    "CLIMB!"


    Yet again... a few slips and falls didn''t deter them.


    They climbed.


    "CLIMB!"


    Elijah led them.


    His screams spurred them on.


    "CLIMB!"


    High-pitched roars that kept them in line like no other.


    An eternity passed.


    Or at least an amount of time that felt like one.


    "WE''RE ALMOST THERE!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And they reached their goal.


    It was where a massive monolith of flesh and fur bridged the gap between the leg and the


    mammoth''s colossal back.


    They soon found themselves enveloped in a world entirely different from the one they knew


    - a world perched on the back of a living giant.


    Finally.


    They had finally reached it.


    "THE MAMMOTH''S BACK!"


    The students roared in unison.


    Although gasping for breath, they still allowed themselves a moment of celebration.


    Even Sofia, a cold child, had been swept in Elijah''s mood.


    Thankfully for them, the movements of the mammoth weren''t felt up on its back.


    So some of them took that chance to rx.


    They fell to the furry ground, exhausted and no longer able to stand.


    Only Elijah kept himself straight.


    His eyes flickered through thendscape before him...


    ''How?''


    And they widened in astonishment.


    A sprawling cityscape unfolded like a revtion.


    It was a stark contrast to the chaos they knew of thisnd.


    The structures were a blend of natural materials, mainly wood and leaves.


    They resembled miniature versions of human cities, ones that were stuck in Earth''s time just


    after its rebirth.


    So it was quite basic looking to say least.


    Albeit still impressive as they seemingly adapted to the mammoth''s uneven terrain.


    Bridges spanned between buildings, and awork of pathways crisscrossed the vast expanse.


    "Guys..."


    Elijah, who finally got over his speechlessness, gestured for his fellow students to stand up.


    "What?"


    Sofia was the first to respond to his call.


    She stood up and followed his gaze.


    The cold child couldn''t help but gasp in amazement, sharing Elijah''s feelings.


    Her eyes traced the streets and bustling activity below.


    "It''s like a whole world up here."


    Elijah nodded in agreement, his eyes darting between the...


    The people.


    His mind tried to piece together the purpose behind this strange test.


    Then suddenly, Emir''s cryptic instructions echoed in his mind, as if it were a reminder of something he hadn''t done.


    ''But I burned the trees... was that not it?''


    ''Maybe not.''


    ''...I''ve got to burn an MFT.''


    He quietly muttered to himself, trying to decipher the meaning behind that acronym.


    ''Wait...''


    ''Mammoth Folk Tribes... Towns?''


    The realization hit him like a thunderbolt.


    ''But why?''


    ''Just why would he want me to burn this ce?''


    His brow was furrowed in confusion.


    ''A-Am I supposed to kill those people too?''


    ''Or is it just the ce itself?''


    ''I... don''t know.''


    But it soon rxed.


    "It doesn''t matter."


    Elijah whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the bustling city and whooshing


    wind.


    "Yeah... it doesn''t."


    This was what he needed to do.


    "Emir told me to burn this ce..."


    This before him was his target.


    And being a Reaper''s target only meant one thing.


    Death wasing. Whether it''d be his own or those he had his eyes on.


    Elijah would make sure to finish the job.


    He wasn''t saddened by that.


    After all, death was only a natural part of life.


    Killing was too.


    And so...


    As the thousand words came to an end, he stated his decision:


    "That''s what I''ll do."


    Elijah shall reap the souls of the damned.... "Nothing will be left but ashes."


    This ce would have its first andst campfire.

 Chapter 264: A Head Held High

    Chapter 264: A Head Held High


    ?


    ***


    [You think he''ll do it?]


    [Probably... he''s bing more like you, you know.]


    Emir and Lyra talked telepathically while he watched the holoscreen, one that projected Elijah''s stuttering state.


    Hismand was to burn the tribe.


    One filled with people.


    Why?


    There was no reason for that, was there?


    The objective wasn''t even stated, so what was killing people atop a mammoth for?


    Was it toplete the test?


    That wouldn''t make sense.


    Yes, it wouldn''t make any sense at all...


    Not one bit.


    Of course, that would be the case if only Elijah being a Reaper wasn''t considered.


    Souls were something they saw.


    Would they notice that fact?


    But even then, his logic would need to be incredibly skewed to propose such a conclusion.


    Emir banked on that fact.


    He wanted to know who it would not make sense to the most.


    Before leaving this ce, he had set up a tiny camera with night vision capabilities.


    One that Lyra could ess and use to spy on the other attendees in the room.


    She watched not only the professors but also the leaders of Earth''s many hunter groups. ''Shinobi'' was those of Japan, ''Red Dragon'' from China, ''Eagles'' from the USA, ''Kremlin'' from Russia, ''Iron Reich'' from Germany, ''Lionheart'' from the UK, ''Khari'' from Africa, ''Southern Cross'' Australia, ''Phoenix'' from the Middle East, and finally ''Maharajah'' from India.


    There were ten in total, seemingly a trend in this world.


    One that Emir destroyed as he was the eleventh...


    Azazel, a group originating from Canada but one that epassed all of Earthkind into its mix.


    [So... you notice anything?]


    [Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately... I''ve found nothing.]


    [Hm, so they could either be good at keeping themselves in check or there isn''t any ''future'' knower in the first ce.]


    [Right, so what should we do?]


    Emir leaned back onto the couch''s armrest.


    [I... don''t know. Isidore either figured us out or is still thinking about it; Isaac will show upter with Amon, so we can do nothing about them right now.]


    [All in all, if we''ve found nothing here, then that third yer isn''t present or is just too good at hiding his emotions.]


    After a moment of thought, Lyra asked:


    [So we scrap it?]


    [Yeah, I''ll destroy the camera, you its connection, and Amon will be none the wiser.]


    [Alright, prince, though if you get caught, avoid his lecture ande back home; you don''t want to miss ''it.'']


    [I will, I will.]


    Just as their conversation was over, Emir silently grabbed the camera from inside the cushion and crushed it between his fingers.


    The scrap remains were ground into dust that he sneakily blew into the wind.


    Ragnar was the only one who noticed Emir''s weird movements but didn''tment on them and continued to watch the show.


    Shortly after, the bastard with a short attention span grew bored watching Elijah''s indecisive actions, so he looked around the room, his gazending on a few people at the back.


    Then his body froze.


    His eyes widened.


    He saw someone he never imagined he would see again.


    It was his...


    His ex-fianc¨¦.


    In the room.


    With them.


    She was in the arms of another man...


    The Eagles leader, Aqu himself.


    Absolute darkness returned to fill his mind like the days of a few past.


    Emir and Morgiana both noticed Ragnar''s sudden change.


    "Rag, you good?"


    "You alright?"


    Getting no reply, the prince took matters into his own hands and followed his brother''s eyes.


    Theynded on the girl.


    [Ly?]


    His question was obvious.


    [...She''s the bitch.]


    And the answer was too.


    Everything clicked.


    Rage.


    Absolute rage formed.


    It was contained, but it filled his heart to the brim.


    Emir stood up, grabbed Ragnar''s neck, twisted it, and punched his jaw all at once.


    The guy was knocked out in an instant.


    "What the fuck are you doing?!"


    Morgiana reacted, clearly surprised.


    But Emir ignored her and walked to the couple a few holoscreens down.


    Murder was on his mind.


    He was going to kill that dog, even if this whole ce went up in mes.


    "Hey, Aqu, you know me?"


    Eagle''s top dog looked to the side, seeing Emir approach him.


    Aqu was a blond man at least six feet tall; he had sharp eyes with a weathered, confident


    look, exuding strength.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He wore a normal T-shirt and pants.


    "Azazel''s Leader, Canada''s strongest HG, and a professor... of course, I know you."


    Aqu stood up and gestured for a handshake.


    "Well, great to hear that I''m well known."


    Emir nodded as they shook hands.


    "That''s an understatement."


    Aqu held Emir''s hand for longer than usual, as he appeared to be subtly asking for a grip


    test.


    A chuckle was shared between them.


    Crack...


    And Aqu''s fingers were crushed into each other.


    "Ugh... remind me never to ask that again."


    "Heh, don''t worry about that, here."


    Emir fished out a single old-world medicine pill and threw it at the guy.


    Aqu caught it with his broken hand, but as he was about to swallow it...


    His body paused.


    "This... it costs a hundred million, right?"


    He sounded perplexed.


    To him, a hundred million UC wasn''t much, but it wasn''t chump change either.


    Even though he was the leader of the strongest USA-based hunter group, this amount wasn''t


    something he could spend willy-nilly.


    And this wasn''t a gift or a bribe.


    Emir seemingly gave it away without even thinking about the possible meanings behind such


    a thing...


    This brought up the question of just how much money he really had.


    "Oh, you can notice just by the texture? Not bad!"


    And Emir''sment further proved Aqu''s thoughts.


    This only made his curiosity about the prince grow.


    But it wasn''t just Aqu.


    The dog grew interested as well.


    "Hey, Sir Emir, it''s really nice to meet you! Come, please sit with us."


    ""


    "Oh, and my name is..."


    She went on and on about herself, describing this or that in front of herpanion.


    The lion, the witch, and the audacity of this bitch.


    A phrase that truly suited her.


    Yet Emir couldn''tment on that because he wasn''t listening.


    His eyes only saw a blurred visage when they looked at her face.


    Like most he considered insignificant nothing about her mattered except her rtion to his


    people.


    And she hurt one of his closest people.


    If he hadn''t donned his sunsses then she would''ve learned the true meaning of fear.


    The fear he showed to those that hurt ones of significance.


    His Death''s Shadow was going out of control.


    He wasn''t about to stop it, however.


    "The gift he gave me was-


    11


    "Hey."


    Emir cut her rambling off with a smile.


    "Yes?"


    Everyone in the room has had their eyes on him since the start.


    "You''re head."


    They were interested in what brought him to Aqu.


    "...My head?"


    But only now did they understand.


    "You''re holding it too high."


    Emir was there to kill.


    "I''ll lower it for you."


    He grabbed her head, his fingers crushing her skull.


    In the next moment, he pulled his hand back and, with it, came out her spine.


    Aqu''s disguised augmented suit blocked the torrent of blood that spurted out onto the


    couch.


    Then, right before his eyes, his dog''s head reached Emir''s foot.


    Crunch!


    And it sttered everywhere.


    "There... all better. What do you think, Sir?"

 Chapter 265: Dying Threat

    Chapter 265: Dying Threat


    ?


    The Eagle''s leader sat back on the couch in shock, staring at the remnants of what was once his ''partner.''


    "I saved you, by the way... that dog did my boy dirty some time back, so you have to thank me for killing her for you."


    ""


    It wasn''t only him who was silent.


    Everyone in the room was.


    The tension was more than palpable as they all waited on Aqu''s next move.


    Then suddenly, Amon''s steps resounded, breaking that stalemate.


    He approached Emir and tapped his back.


    "Now you broke a ''rule''..."


    "While you didn''t attack a hunter group, you did attack theirpanion, something that they would kill you for."


    Emir tilted his head.


    "Companion? You mean that leech? That dog? The bitch deserved death."


    Amon shrugged his shoulders, and with a wave of his hand, Ragnar''s body floated towards him.


    "I don''t care what you do, as long as you don''t die."


    "I won''t."


    "Good."


    They nodded towards each other, bidding goodbye.


    Then Morgiana came by, tapped Emir''s back, and left the room as well, following after the Principal.


    "See you tomorrow!"


    "See you."


    Emir chuckled at how fast she dipped.


    But he didn''t mind it.


    They weren''t friends, only acquaintances, so why would she stay?


    "The guys that don''t want to be involved should leave now; watch the stream in your own office."


    At his reminder, all the professors stood up and left the room.


    Some were scoffing, others angry, and a few were meek, but he didn''t give them any face.


    Then, in a bit, only those of the Hunter Groups remained.


    "Hey, Emir."


    Aqu finally spoke, his cold voice confused.


    "Yes?"


    "Why... why did you do that?"


    "I told you already... Or were you not listening?"


    Emir answered while being the one who sounded confused this time around.


    "Okay, let''s say that whatever you said was true... but why kill her?


    "I needed to end her existence; it was for the greater good of Earthkind."


    "Then you could''ve told me about it, at least. We could''ve found a reasonable middle


    ground."


    "Why?"


    "What do you mean, why? That''s the rules we abide by; us hunter groups would fall into chaos if it weren''t for them."


    "Necessity needs now."


    Aqu let out a sigh while standing up.


    "...Then we''ll kill you."


    Yet even at his highest, he had to look up so they could lock gazes.


    "That''s cute."


    Emir disengaged from the stare-off and looked at the others around him who congregated towards his position.


    "You all really wanna do this?"


    He received a no-word answer as they quietly surrounded him.


    Emir nodded and gave them the middle finger.


    "Well, fuck you too."


    With those words, his Death''s Shadow was activated to the max.


    He then casually nudged his shades up.


    The room, already hushed, fell into an eerie stillness.


    It was dim before, but it felt chillingly unnatural.


    The act of stepping up to Emir was scary, but now...


    Immediate death appeared to be a better oue.


    Two of the ten, who weren''t ready, collectively stepped back.


    The rest stood their ground.


    But they didn''t move forward, seemingly thinking over their best course of action.


    Hunters were usually ruthless but reasonable people, as the job made them so.


    And if one was reasonable, they wouldn''t put their pride first and logic second.


    Emir knew this.


    So he acted.


    She was guilty of what she had done to Ragnar, and he was the judge, jury, and executioner in


    her case.


    It wasn''t a solely emotional act though, as he had something else to gain from this.


    An excuse not to wipe out hispetition but to dominate them from the outset.


    And of course, he poked Temr...


    An underworld faction that he would deal withter.


    Many ns were behind this action.


    But to them, he could only appear as an angry ''unknown'' who had broken an unspoken rule.


    No matter how highly they judged him, in the end, Emircked credibility, at leastpared


    to them.


    Yet the strength he disyed in the test now showed extreme promise.


    A promise they needed to keep alive for Earthkind''s survival...


    So they silently decided to calm him down and capture him when he lowered his metaphorical


    shield.


    The leaders who now stood surrounding the ''pitiful'' girl bore their eyes into him, a warning that they wouldn''t back down.


    Emir took a casual nce back at the Aqu, the one who appeared to be their strongest.


    The leader of leaders.


    "So? Tell me straight."


    Aqu stepped forward, now directly facing Emir.


    "You must call down, professor... abide by the rules."


    "But she''s not a hunter now, is she? The rules don''t involve her."


    "Yes, but-"


    "No."


    Emir cut him off while his finger gestured for him to stay quiet.


    "Now answer me... When I leave, will you block my way or not?"


    "We will."


    His response was quick.


    After a nod, Emir continued:


    "Alright then, but before we start, I''ll tell you a few things that you should know."


    "...Go ahead."


    "If we all fight... I''m sure to die."


    That was the truth, one that he knew very well.


    No matter how uncanny or unknown his path and abilities were, the joint attack of multiple Seraphim-ranked Celestials, whether known or not, wasn''t possible to win against.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "But don''t forget this, ''cause you surely won''tter..."


    Emir raised his hand slowly and pointed at a man in the back.


    "You would be the first, Shinobe."


    Not all those opposing him had shielding abilities.


    While some others needed equipment that wasn''t on hand, especially Gun specialists,


    Technomancers, and the like.


    Emir already knew of their abilities, as Lyra sent everything there was to know.


    And besides... those of the tenmon specializations were easy to plot against.


    "Then you two, Maharajah and Kremlin."


    Only untrod paths and Spell Weavers had the element of surprise.


    Arcanists did as well but not in the lower-level sses since they had many boundaries


    restricting them as opposed to those in the higher ones.


    Now regarding those that had no shield...


    "Phoenix."


    Emir could kill them with a well-ced Aether construct.


    His abilities weren''t known, so their downfall was almost certain.


    And yes, ''almost'' as he truly didn''t know if they would hit in the first ce.


    Sure, it would be a surprise attack, and some of them might act carelessly, causing them to be


    in an awkward position, but...


    "Red Dragon."


    A single person in their group could detect the constructs and suppress them before they were


    shot.


    The problem was that Emir couldn''t create them further away to prevent such a thing from


    happening.


    His Aether constructs'' creation range could only be ten meters away from his body.


    As he ''Pathed'' this ability, the range grew, but it appeared that this was the maximum it could


    be.


    To increase that range, he would need to upgrade the ability, which wasn''t happening


    anytime soon.


    Those leaders didn''t know any of his worries, however, so he could go wild with his threats.


    No one knew what the oue would be, either.


    He might die in vain, killing no one, or conversely...


    They all might faceplete annihtion.


    "Then finally... you, Aqu."


    So his words were no bluff, but a genuine reflection of an uncertain fate.


    "More than half of you fuckers..."


    And the Principal, who remained watching from the outside through the cameras, knew that...


    "Who''ll try to kill me must be prepared to die a nasty death."


    Yet he didn''t step in, interested in the result.


    Whoosh!


    All those present suddenly experienced his killing intent at full throttle, which caused them to


    step back in rm.


    Their leader was the only one who didn''t do so.


    Emir then let out a chuckle.


    "Though that was what I would''ve said a minute ago..."


    A heavy silence descended as they all quietly listened, dreading his next words.


    "Now the entire ce is booby-trapped. If you move a single step towards me..."


    An icy, suffocating weight fell upon them.


    "You''ll all die."


    Every gaze fixated on Emir bore a storm of emotions.


    Shock, disdain, disbelief-they all simmered beneath the surface, but anger, raw and


    contained, dominated most of their expressions.


    "I''m willing to teach you fear..."


    Emir then turned to the Eagle''s leader, his demeanor unperturbed, as if the death threat he


    had just dered held no weight on his shoulders.


    "But do you want to learn that, Aqu?"

 Chapter 266: House of Cards

    Chapter 266: House of Cards


    ?


    Aqu stared at him with an expressionless face.


    He and the nine other leaders were simr in disposition.


    They were all quiet, masking their emotions.


    But that didn''t work on Emir.


    In slowed time, he saw how they all truly reacted before donning their current cold faces.


    That Eagle showed absolute rage; Shinobe''s man was calm, the same as Khari''s woman.


    Red Dragon sneered while mouthing:


    "Utter arrogance..."


    Southern Cross, Kremlin, and Iron Reich were the only ones that smiled, the three men apparently enjoying the tension.


    Their thoughts were obvious on their faces.


    ''It seems they think of me as crazy... That''ll do.''


    Lionheart and Maharajah frowned in displeasure, while Phoenix had a few mes spurt out of her barely covered body before she was able to take control and snuff it out.


    ''Interesting...''


    Everyone in this room was important.


    For they were all in the CER rankings.


    Celestials who could flip the Earth on its head if not for the UEF''s tight leash on their necks.


    Emir was warning, or rather, he was threatening them.


    Disrespecting them straight in the face by stating that he alone could take all of them to their graves.


    "If you think bluffing like that would work, then I can only call you stupid."


    Emir showed a grin at Phoenix''sment.


    "May I know your name?"


    He asked even though he already knew, and Phoenix understood that. "Phoenix."


    She repeated the obvious through gritted teeth.


    Emir didn''t push her any longer and shrugged his shoulders.


    It appeared that his attempt to calm her down was met with failure.


    Suddenly, however, Aqu burst outughing.


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯!"


    Everyone''s gaze in the room had left Emir and turned to the Eagle.


    He was covering his face with his hands as loud chuckling escaped his lips.


    "Hahahahaha... hahaah... haha... heh."


    Then slowly, his hands dropped, and his smiling eyes met Emir''s.


    He, who once was the angriest, now presented an innocent smile.


    It almost made the onlookers think that he didn''t care for his dead ''partner.''


    "Azazel''s leader... Can you really teach me fear?"


    Phoenix quickly interjected at Aqu''s words while staring daggers at Emir:


    "Seriously? You think he can deal with all of us? I can kill him myself!" Red dragon sneered.


    "Yeah, right."


    Her brows twitched as she snapped her head towards him.


    "What? You-"


    "Move and you die."


    Phoenix words and body froze on the spot as Emir''s threat reached her.


    Aqu raised his hand, a gesture that calmed her down.


    "Answer me, Emir... Can you teach me fear?"


    || ||


    The prince didn''t reply; he only shrugged his shoulders.


    It didn''t matter what his answer would be; a ''yes'' or ''no'' that couldn''t be backed was the


    same.


    So since he had nothing else to say, he kept quiet, allowing them to arrive at their own conclusions...


    Whatever they may be.


    But this didn''t mean that he didn''t answer.


    His silence was the answer-one that couldn''t go wrong since it was up to them to interpret


    what it meant.


    Not only that, his unblinking stare was also a factor.


    His eyes, which pulsated absolute darkness, never left the Eagle''s.


    Maybe they affected his thinking, allowing Emir''s words to be justified.


    Or perhaps Aqu thought that it was the result of arrogance gained after reaching the Seraphim rank.


    Sure, Emir was treading into the unknown, but he was still a Seraphim.


    A strong one, capable of even killing a six-core Tyrant, but at the end of it...


    He was a Seraphim.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    This thought process woulde from themon sense of most Celestials.


    It was the correct way to judge this circumstance.


    However, that would be the case only if Emir''s abilities were known.


    They didn''t have detailed ess to the professors'' test, so they truly had no idea what he


    could do.


    Their ability to judge, measure, and n against him was null.


    Furthermore, he gave no chance to pry into his past as Lyra hid everything about him.


    So in the extremely off chance that Emir''s words were true...


    Could they handle the fact that at least seven of them would die?


    This wasn''t just about losing manpower.


    These people led entire districts in the underbellies of Earth; their people controlled supply routes; and they handled themon rogue monster that''d endanger the economy.


    Their existence provided leeway for the UEF to focus on the frontlines.


    Without them, Earth''s survival would be at stake.


    If such a y of fate really happened, the Order would gain an advantage-a massive one that


    could crumble the intricate bnce of the war.


    This was all nned with that in mind.


    And Emir knew that he was being overbearing, or ratherpletely audacious, in every


    possible way.


    Yet that was on purpose.


    He aimed to lead those opposing him to think certain things in an advantageous order.


    The first thing he made sure of was making them know that the road they stood on wasn''t a


    one-way street.


    They couldn''t attack him for breaking the rules while not expecting deadly retaliation.


    But still... all of this could''ve been for naught if Aqu had decided to attack without thinking


    much of the consequences.


    So, Emirid out the groundwork for how his attack would pan out.


    That,bined with his tant threats and still demeanor, resulted in their current


    situation.


    Especially thest words he left Aqu.


    Fear.


    Would he be taught about that or not?


    It was something he couldn''t confirm as it was a gamble...


    One that only Arthur would''ve liked.


    And it appeared that was true.


    Such a gamble didn''t appear to match Aqu''s taste.


    ''Good... Now I need to step off the gas for a lil bit.''


    Emir approached a nearby couch and rxed his back onto its soft cushion.


    "I can, but I''d rather not waste my life over nothing..."


    His n wouldn''t work if he kept quiet.


    "So listen to reason." One would be correct in thinking that he stopped them from attacking, at least temporarily,


    but that was it.


    Next, he needed to make sure that they would never attack him and move on from the dog''s


    deathpletely.


    After all, these Celestials would notpletely back down from such threats.


    The top of the hunter world, with ''unbreakable'' rules binding them together.


    They survived till this day due to those rules, and if they allowed Emir to bypass them then it


    could happen a second time, a third even.


    His arrival brought chaos to the order they once had.


    And they might realize that they would be better off killing this source of chaos instead of


    negotiating with it.


    Keeping a bomb amidst themselves wasn''t a smart decision.


    They could use it against their enemy and it would do a lot of damage, but they didn''t know


    when it would turn against them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It wasn''t just that either; Aqu could still get swept up in his emotions and decide to attack


    for the sake of his dead dog.


    So with that in mind, Emir timed his response right before their thinking could once again


    shift in that direction.


    "The girl I killed was not someone that could be trusted; her death would only better your situation, Aqu."


    The Eagle offered no response and only looked at him, his eyes no longer smiling.


    "While it was true that my actions can be interpreted as breaking the rules... it wouldn''t really


    disrupt the HG alliance in any way shape or form."


    "So in my view, what I did wasn''t wrong..."


    "You-"


    "However!"


    Emir cut him off while raising his hand towards his second heart.


    "I can see where you''reing from..."


    He paused for a moment, his face mirroring Aqu''s innocent smile.


    ''How ironic is it that I''m suggesting this while my brother ''died'' because of it?''


    After shaking his head he continued:


    "So I''ll do you a favor and swear an oath, one that wouldn''t allow me to attack any of you


    ''unjustifiably'' ever again."


    "Do you ept?"


    His words were true.


    By now, he had already established himself as a big yer in this house of cards.


    The dog''s death would allow him to ''shape'' Temr''s attention, and that in turn would affect


    one of the future minor disasters.


    Emir truly didn''t have anything against those in the room.


    He only wanted to bully them a little bit.


    Yes, that was all...


    Rage wasn''t a drive for what he did, no, not at all.


    "Hahaha..."


    Aqu quietlyughed while sitting back down.


    He then put one of his legs over the other and supported his head with his hands.


    The others looked at Emir in a simr light.


    Everything he said was too absurd.


    He was doing them a favor by swearing this oath?


    It wasn''t the other way around?


    If the man in front of them wasn''t shameless, then they didn''t know what was.


    Sure, an Oath would guarantee that such an action would never be repeated, but...


    What of the first time?


    There had to be a consequence; they couldn''t simply sweep it under the rug.


    "What do you guys think? If he swears an Oath then this chaos won''t be repeated."


    Phoenix was the first to object.


    Unlike her fiery personality, her hair was in ck, the same as her eyes.


    She wore a ''beh,'' over her slim, pale body.


    The beh was a fitted top and hip belt above a full-length skirt with frills.


    "That doesn''t matter! Oath or not, he broke our rules, so he should face the consequences!" Maharajah spoke right after her.


    He was a brown-skinned man who wore a ''Sherwani.''


    It was a long-sleeved corless coat fitted with what appeared to be some waist suppression.


    "She''s right... Why have rules if you won''t enforce them?"


    ''So he''s a dog too... Quite typical.''


    Emir hid his sneer while Aqu raised his hand, stopping the rest frommenting.


    "Since it looks like everyone has something to say, let''s not waste time; just do a vote. Fair?"


    All those present nodded in unison.


    "Fair."


    "Phoenix and Maharajah both want Azazel dead, so let''s skip them and start with you,


    Shinobi."


    Aqu gestured for him to step forward.


    "What do you say?"

 Chapter 267: A Silent Gamble

    Chapter 267: A Silent Gamble


    ?


    Shinobi heeded his leader''smand.


    He was a Japanese man who wore a ''Shinobi Shozoku.''


    Like those before him, it was an outfit used traditionally in ancient times.


    A hooded ck jacket with simr ck pants.


    "We shouldn''t sting a ho''s nest if we can avoid it... I vote against attacking."


    Lionheart was of a simr disposition.


    He was a blonde man with brown eyes.


    His body was massive, simr to Emir''s in size, and he wore a suit as well.


    "To me it''s obvious how we should go about this... Emir is an enigma; on the off chance that we lose this gamble, everything will be destroyed."


    "So?"


    At Aqu''s reminder, he added:


    "I vote against."


    The Eagle nodded.


    "And the rest?"


    Kremlin and Iron Reich stepped forward together, both seemingly itching to fight.


    The Russian one was a ck-haired, green-eyed man.


    Iron Reich looked simr to Kremlin, with the only difference being his blue eyes.


    They both wore green-colored military uniforms.


    "Let''s kill the fucker!"


    "He''s too much of a threat..."


    "...So?"


    Aqu reminded them once more.


    "In favor!"


    "Alright... How about you, Southern Cross?"


    The man with a scruffy beard and dirty brown hair slightly bowed his muscr body while saying:


    "I will follow your orders, Eagle."


    "I as well."


    Kremlin, a South African woman, immediately seconded.


    She wore a normal sundress and a ck ''Doek'' atop her head.


    It was a headscarf that only highlighted her beauty.


    ''Jamal would love to see her...''


    She noticed Emir''s stare but only smiled when they met gazes.


    ''Oh, I better introduce them.''


    "Now, how about you, Red?"


    The man nodded and walked towards Aqu''s right.


    He was simr to Shinobi in looks except for his clothes, which were ''Manchu-style.''


    A full-length red robe with a darker red vest that had numerous dragons of gold lining the cloth.


    "You''ve got style."


    Red Dragon''s head snapped towards Emir, showing bewilderment.


    "What?"


    "I give credit to who deserves it, and you rank first in the fashion show we have here; Khari ranks a close second, with Phoenix trailing in third ce."


    The reaction of the two women was like a night and day; it was obvious who said what:


    "How dare you judge me!"


    "You think so? Hehe... Thanks~."


    Aqu raised his hand, quieting them once more.


    "Red?"


    "Ah, yeah..."


    After coughing a couple of times, he announced:


    "Sorry, but I''m in favor; you''re too shameless... It''s quite sad though; I do like you."


    "Thanks for the confession."


    They shared a quickugh, and Emir''s gaze returned to the Eagle.


    Now everything was in his hands.


    There were two in favor, five against, and another two that left their decision to him.


    So this meant that Aqu held three votes.


    A chuckle then suddenly escaped the man.


    "Alright..."


    He gestured for everyone to sit down.


    "This is a lot of pressure, you know."


    Emir nodded.


    "I get you... Though you probably got used to it by now, while I''m here just starting out."


    "Right, and how''s your HG going, by the way?"


    "It''s alright, some deaths here and there, but nothing we can''t manage."


    Those around the two grew bewildered.


    "Oh, is that so? Most that join our profession don''tst long; I''m impressed."


    With the exception of Red Dragon, all their faces now showed confusion.


    "What can I say? I''ve got great people helping out."


    Weren''t they fighting a few minutes ago?


    Where was the bloodshed?


    Where was death?


    "That''s nice... though you''ve killed one of my ''great people.""


    "No, I didn''t."


    That was a variation of what they probably thought.


    "How are you so sure?"


    "I realized this after talking to you... no matter how cold you are, losing your girl-"


    Aqu''s hands rose and formed an X.


    Emir flinched, about to attack, but the Eagle''s next words stopped him:


    "Don''t fucking say that shit! I''ve got a wife! I''m innocent!"


    "...Huh?"


    His rxed posture returned as he asked:


    "The fuck? Why were you letting her touch you up like that then?"


    Aqu sighed while his hands dropped back on the couch.


    "What do you think? I wanted a favor from Temr, so I''ve brought her along."


    "Aha, so the dog began sucking up to you for a quick buck."


    "Yes... Anyways, now we can''t get that favor because of you."


    "I guess, but you shouldn''t worry too much about them."


    "Why?"


    Emir winked.


    "It''s a secret."


    "Expected as much... So now that you know, what do I think I should do with you?"


    His words were calm as his gaze fixed on Emir''s again.


    The prince shrugged and waited for his decision.


    He truly wasposed...


    Yet a few thoughts couldn''t help but cross his mind...


    Clouding it.


    Although he nned everything out and yed every action to the best of his abilities, he


    still thought of the worst-case scenario.


    Emir really couldn''t help it.


    If they decided to attack...


    Then should he kill them?


    There was a low chance that he could survive, but he didn''t want to risk it.


    Instead of going that route, he could bargain with information that he knew regarding certainn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    events that would help them in the future.


    But they might not take that bait-


    "Look..."


    Emir''s musings paused as Aqu finally opened his mouth, ending a long silence.


    "Like my friend Red... I grew to like you, and so! ...I''ll have you take responsibility."


    "What you did today isn''t something we can take lightly, but if you handle the favor that we


    were going to ask of Temr, then we can walk past it..."


    "Sweep it under the rug, or so they say¡ª"


    Phoenix suddenly cut in, interrupting their moment with her mad shout:


    "Will you seriously move one like this?! It just doesn''t make sense!"


    Tsk!


    The others reacted to her with disdain, but Red Dragon''s words gave them pause before they


    couldsh out at her:


    "So what? We do what''s best. I get that you''re new to all of this, but you can''t be going around


    screaming at us when you''re irritated."


    "But... he still went against our rules!"


    Maharajah nodded while seconding: "She''s right! He did-"


    Shinobi shut the man up while clicking his tongue again.


    "You fucking troglodytes, if he epts, he''ll pay the price differently, and in a better way as


    well."


    Red Dragon then added with a grin:


    "Besides, it''s been decided already; Eagle''s decision always presides over the group if there''s


    a tie in the votes." Phoenix''s rage-filled gaze locked on Aqu''s, wanting him toment.


    But the man didn''t give her any face and simply smiled, his eyes still trained on Emir.


    The prince observed the situation unfold in silence, for he knew that such a childish argument


    wouldn''t hold.


    ''At least the rest got a brain on their shoulders.''


    He sneered at the angry woman, which prompted her to mouth a few curses that she didn''t


    dare voice out.


    "I appreciate your thoughts, Phoenix, but I''d rather there not be a second time for this..."


    Aqu''s indifferent voice resounded, one with a warning that sent shivers down her spine. "This has already been decided, so please... Just shut the fuck up!"


    She immediately quietened and sat back down, puffing at all the ''injustice'' ying out against her.


    "What''s the favor?"


    Emir asked as they finally brought a close to all that useless drivel.


    "What you want to know is the favor''s safety factor, right?"


    "Yeah."


    "Well, I''ll tell you about the favor when the timees, but just know that it isn''t to plot


    against you in any way..."


    "I swear this Oath that it isn''t."


    Aqu showed a prideful grin acting as if the entire conundrum was a facade for this moment.


    "Now that you can trust me..."


    ''Ah...''


    "Are you down or not?"


    It seemed that Emir had officially won this silent gamble.

 Chapter 268: The Last Campfire

    Chapter 268: The Last Campfire


    ?


    Minutester...


    "So we''re going to be asking them some questions now?"


    Emir nodded at Aqu as they walked together towards the elevator.


    "Yeah... ''We'' being us, the professors, you''ll only be watching from the sidelines."


    "That''s alright, I''ll just have you do my job for me!"


    They turned right at the end of the hallway, with Emir leading the way to their destination.


    "Just know that you ain''t getting the ones I have my eyes on."


    "Fine, but since I''m not the one talking to them, I need you to ask something good."


    "Sure, but weren''t you supposed to know this already?"


    Aqu stepped to the side, ensuring that the elevator would scan Emir''s bracelet first; only after that would it scan his, thus allowing him entry to the exclusive elevator.


    "Nah, this is something new;st year we could watch them from afar and snatch them up in secret."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Well, the second one still stands."


    "True..."


    Ting!


    The professors'' elevator arrived, and they stepped in.


    Emir pressed the button for the second floor.


    "And by the way, is your friend alright?"


    Aqu seemed to have had this question bubbling in his mind for a while.


    "He''ll be fine; it''s just that... Your dog brought some bad memories."


    "That bad?"


    "Yeah, only if you times a hundred of whatever''s on your mind right now."


    They shared a silentugh as they exited to the second floor.


    "So I guess you don''t regret taking that favor then?"


    While they walked out of the lobby, heading in the opposite direction of where the train came through....


    "Of course not."


    Emir spotted Ragnar waiting on them with Morgiana.


    "Bro... What the fuck did you do?"


    A grinning Emir approached Ragnar until they stood facing each other.


    "Didn''t Mag tell you?"


    "Mor-Ahem."


    Morgiana almost interrupted them by reflex, but she knew that it was a serious moment, so she shut herself up.


    "I want you to say it."


    Emir''s grin widened even further until it was a full-on, toothy smile.


    An unnatural one.


    "I pulled her skull out of its body and crushed it beneath my foot..."


    He took a quick nce at Aqu.


    "I put him out of her misery."


    Neither of the two reacted much to what he said, as they were already used to even gorier deaths than this.


    However, Ragnar soon showed a saddened face.


    Obviously, it wasn''t because of what happened to his ex, but...


    "I should''ve killed her myself... I thought that I was over it¡ª"


    Emir gestured for him to quiet down as he spoke, cutting him off:


    "It isn''t easy."


    Ragnar''s brows twitched.


    "Hah? You out of all people shouldn''t say that!"


    "Why?"


    "You make everything look easy."


    Emir sneered.


    "Right, I make it ''look'' easy."


    "But the fact that you can do that is..."


    Ragnar sighed and left his brother to watch his back as he led the way toward the ''Rite.'' "Emir... I can''t even do that, so what does this say about me? Am I¡ª"


    He, who was following behind, smacked Ragnar''s back, causing him to swallow his words.


    "Look, you''ll learn from this, but in the meantime, know that the world is better with you in it... Your existence is mandatory."


    || ||


    bbergasted, Ragnar silently started at Emir, never once did he expect such words from his brother.


    And neither did those around them.


    "You get that? So shut up."


    Emir didn''t care for their reactions though.


    "But I''m weak..."


    "Weak? Look at you..."


    He chuckled.


    "A man who''s almost as big as me has no right to say that."


    "..."


    Ragnar didn''t know what reply to give so he kept quiet, allowing Emir to end his point.


    "So no... you''re strong... The weak... they already died."


    "...You mean her? The bitch I was supposed to KILL?"


    Emirughed aloud while cracking his neck.


    "Right, the one you passed out after seeing."


    Ragnar''s brows twitched as he stopped moving and turned around to face his brother.


    "But you knocked me out!"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "No one told you to y freeze."


    "Guys, chill out-"


    "Ha?!"


    Morgiana was shut down as Ragnar roared and grabbed Emir by his suit''s cor.


    "Yes, Sir Ragnar?"


    "You... fucking-"


    "What? C''mon, say it."


    "YOU!"


    "What, what? SAY IT!"


    "...FUCK!"


    Ragnar sighed while letting him go and stepping back, reason returning to guide his actions.


    "Bleh, you were pussy back then and a pussy now, guess I was wrong about you learning


    anything."


    The bearded man had finally snapped.


    Emir''sstment had destroyed all his rationale.


    His rage-filled eyes locked with Emir''s ck shades.


    Then suddenly, a pulsating portal appeared behind him.


    "Let''s talk outside Emir."


    "A... Are you lonely?...Go out yourself."


    Emir, who gave him no face, passed him by and headed into the gate.


    The one that blocked their ess to the Rite.


    "Are you running away?!"


    "You are strong, Ragnar... But you''re still way below me."


    Aqu, finally finding a chance to intervene and calm things down, added a few words after


    Emir''s.


    "He threatened to kill all ten of us Ragnar... You might not be strong enough to do that but


    you still killed a Six Core, something that I can''t imagine doing anytime soon."


    Ragnar paused at those words as a smile slowly began to appear on his face.


    "He''s right, you know! Not everyone can kill a Six Core!"


    Morgiana chimed in as well, stepping up to Ragnar and helping boost his mood while leaving


    Aqu by himself as he awkwardly trailed a few steps away.


    ''He isn''t at my level yet... But if we fight I''d be sure to lose an arm.''


    Emir looked back at that scene, nodding his head in approval.


    "C''mon let''s go."


    ***


    Everyone screamed at me.


    They called me names.


    Why?


    I only did as I was told.


    I, the Reaper, had them as targets. Wasn''t it only natural that they died?


    So why were they screaming at me?


    Well, I knew why.


    I killed them.


    Or rather, I was in the process of killing them.


    Burning them alive.


    Their families.


    Their friends. Their loved ones.


    Their enemies.


    Their acquaintances.


    Their entire city.


    Their everything.


    So I knew... I knew that they hated me.


    Hated all of us.


    I wasn''t crazy.


    And unlike my big brother, I still disliked killing.


    Normal...


    That word would describe me well.


    Yeah, I...


    I wasn''t crazy.


    Yet Aria told me that I was.


    What was wrong with her?


    Seriously, one moment she chased me around like a lost puppy, and the other...


    She threw curses at me.


    Saying that I damned us all.


    Should I be thankful that it stopped at just that?


    Maybe.


    However, unlike that brat, Sofia didn''t care much for what was happening around her.


    She gave up and waited for death.


    A good woman she was.


    Lily was a million times better though. Anyhow, Max and Quinn felt the same as Aria.


    Though it was for a different reasonpared to her.


    Those two once believed my theory.


    My lie.


    I told them that this was how we were supposed to pass the test.


    If we killed those people, we would weaken the mammoths.


    That was the only way.


    Such a lie wasn''t hard to deconstruct, and yet...


    The situation didn''t give them the chance to think long about it.


    And it wasn''t just that...


    I, Elijah, a student, had no reason to lie.


    Right?


    Well, yeah, I did.


    But how would they know that, though?


    ''Hah.''


    Aria didn''t catch me on that lie however, she simply had an emotional outburst.


    Simr to Ava and Arthur, who stayed huddled up in the corner, awaiting the fire to reach


    them.


    Oh... yes.


    Right. The fire.


    Our campfire.


    Ourst one.


    It wasing.


    It caught on to the fur and quickly spread everywhere.


    It took no more than a minute to engulf the mammoth''s back.


    Now, we six hid above a few hill peaks, watching as it approached.


    We awaited our deaths like good little souls...


    And with every blink of my eye, the fire surged forward.


    ''Wow.''


    Arthur truly was the protagonist of this world.


    I tricked him into writing down the runes for fire on a piece of wood...


    Then it spread.


    From a house.


    To another.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    From a family.


    To an entire tribe.


    From insiders.


    To outsiders.


    Us.


    Yes.


    It reached us.


    I was currently being engulfed by mes.


    Should I have run away like Max?


    No...


    Dropping from that height was suicide.


    We couldn''t go slow either, the mammoth shook continuously.


    Max certainly fell to his death by now.


    And I was to join him soon as well.


    ''Oh.''


    I heard screams.


    It had been a while since Ist heard something... Screams weren''t at the top of my list of things to listen to, but at least it wasn''t dead air-


    ''Wait...''


    ''Are those mine?''


    ''Probably.''


    But some also came from behind.


    Is that where the others were I wondered...


    I truly couldn''t know.


    Why?


    Because I died.


    ...


    ''Hm.''


    I blinked.


    ''Hmmmm.''


    What?


    Didn''t I die?


    So why was I standing in this room?


    It was dark.


    But I still saw others next to me...


    Was this Hell?


    ''No wait.''


    Something appeared before my eyes.


    A hologram.


    ''How?''


    ''Do they have technology in Hell?''


    Well, Hell looked like a better ce than I thought. [Test Completed.]


    [Objective: Survive.]


    [Time: 2 Days.]


    I blinked.


    "Ah."


    I... only needed to run away from the mammoths.


    Everything I did was unnecessary. And it was nothing but a fucking simtion.


    Something that I had eluded myself into believing as the truth, all so I could finish the


    mission, turned out to actually be true.


    ''Damn it all.''

 Chapter 269: A Seed...

    Chapter 269: A Seed...


    ?


    ***


    Elijah stepped forward through the darkness, his mind still processing what happened.


    While he still felt confused, he figured everything out quite quickly.


    This very thing he forced himself to believe, based on a few inconsistencies, was true.


    They were drugged.


    The test was nothing but a simtion in virtual reality.


    It was done that way so that the students would assume everything to be real and try their hardest to survive.


    It worked if their previous actions were any indication.


    Relief flooded through him as he finally rxed his mind.


    And now, to further understand what happened...


    He moved.


    It was the only thing he could do.


    Some of the students next to him did the same.


    Others had conjured small fires to see.


    But in the next moment, all that was unnecessary. sh!


    Bright lights appeared from unknown sources above.


    Those lights revealed a vast space before them.


    At once, a rush of awe reached all their hearts.


    This ce was beautiful.


    One that they weren''t used to.


    Soon, most realized where they were as the Rite wasmon knowledge among students due to its importance and beauty.


    They were on the ground floor of the Tower, and above them was the second.


    A wide-open space, a blend of the two floors crafted into one expansive area.


    The space in between gleamed, reflecting the lights and making the entire room feel bright.


    Towering podiums caught Elijah''s attention next.


    They stood like sentinels, rising high with a metallic sheen.


    Their surfaces hummed softly with faint luminescence as if infused with Aether.


    On each tform were patterns of swirling lines intertwined with pulsating lights resembling


    runes.


    Perched atop these elevated structures were the professors.


    Their presencemanded attention, respect, and fear, which quietened the students.


    Each one of them was d in attire that differed from the others, yet still maintained an air of


    reverence.


    Their focused gaze surveyed the room with a quiet intensity, causing further pressure to descend on the students.


    Those Celestials up there were the ones who held their key to entry.


    Without their collective approval...


    They couldn''t dream of attending the academy.


    But the most important of the lot was the principal.


    At the heart of Rite stood the grand podium.


    A masterpiece of design that seemed to bridge the realms of science and Aether.


    Its surface was adorned with shifting holographic disys, projected images of softly glowing symbols that encircled the podium.


    At the forefront of that disy stood the principal.


    Amon.


    His image was projected to all.


    An embodiment of authority.


    ''Huh...''


    Young.


    That''s how Elijah could best describe his looks.


    Like a soft teenager with curly ck hair and gentle ck eyes.


    Not the old man he expected.


    But it was his true appearance.


    One showed only to the true students of the academy.


    ''Damn...''


    Elijah couldn''t help but admire the principal''s poised demeanor.


    ''Will I be that strong one day?''


    A question that many other students probably had as well.


    "Wee to the Rite, my dear students..."


    Amon''s voice suddenly rang out, reaching everyone''s ears as if he were talking right next to


    them.


    "This ce shall be your final interview before being epted into the academy."


    It was friendly yet authoritative.


    "Now line up based on the number you received."


    ''Hm?''


    Nothing showed up before Elijah''s irises.


    ''What number?''


    Did he not pass?


    ''No... I''m just missing something.''


    He scratched his neck while looking around.


    None of the students had stepped forward yet.


    ''Wait...''


    Elijah held himself back from face-palming.


    He finally noticed that they had bracelets on their wrists.


    The little Reaper then raised his hand and checked its tiny disy.


    [01]


    He was the first.


    ''I see...''


    His thoughts organized themselves in moments.


    Everything fell into ce.


    Emir''s words had a purpose, after all.


    After nodding, he began to approach the principal''s podium in a respectful manner.


    The students behind him gasped and murmured, but he didn''t give them face.


    And after a tap, he could hear them no longer.


    "I greet the Principal and Professors."


    Elijah bowed slightly and brought his right arm above his second heart.


    "You may stand, child."


    He heeded Amon''s words, and his eyes rose to meet his.


    "Now... who would like to ask him a question?"


    Amon asked while looking around the podiums.


    ""


    It took a moment, but someone finally replied.


    And it was a heavy voice that Elijah was familiar with.


    "Principal, may I?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''Emir!''


    An excited Elijah smiled brightly as he looked at the dark podium beside the principal with


    anticipation.


    "No."


    But the duo were shut down.


    "Sir Emir, you''re his family member."


    "Correct."


    "So you don''t need me to exin why this isn''t possible, right?"


    "Right."


    "Great, now, any others?"


    "Take me!"


    Another gruff voice resounded, and this time it was from the podiums behind Elijah.


    "...Sir Ragnar... No."


    "Same reason, Principal?"


    "Yes."


    ***


    Tsk!


    ''These fuckers, man.''


    Emir kept clicking his tongue in disdain while his eyes remained stuck on his fellow SS


    teachers.


    Those two had the other professors in their grip.


    They didn''t allow anyone to ask questions to the Elite.


    Only the ''privileged'' could do so.


    So they took their time, watching to see if anyone would go against their rule.


    The two brothers did.


    Everyone else remained quiet.


    And now, with that confirmed, Emir watched as one of the two spoke up:


    "Shall I?"


    Amon nodded.


    "You shall, Judal."


    "Thank you, Principal."


    Elijah''s face was crestfallen, yet he still showed the respect Judal so desperately sought.


    "Professor Judal, I await your question."


    The man sneered, but no one noticed as he was shrouded in darkness like the rest of the


    professors.


    "Usually we would ask questions to take a look through your minds..."


    Judal''s voice was slightly withered, a reflection of his age.


    "But what you did today was unprecedented, to say the least."


    Elijah held his head low, offering no reaction.


    ''Good.''


    Emir smiled at that sight, snickering at the subtle disrespect his little brother showed.


    It didn''t matter to him whether it was intentional or not.


    He simply enjoyed it.


    "I asked you a question, Student Elijah."


    The Reaper nodded.


    "My apologies, I didn''t know-"


    "Then answer now that you DO know."


    "Yes... So I''ve theorized that ''death'' wasn''t real, as no souls were present from the other


    students that I presumed to be ''dead.""


    "So is that how you concluded that it was virtual?"


    "Correct, Professor Judal."


    "And then?"


    "Well, I came to the ''natural'' conclusion that killing or at least trying to kill the mammoths


    would result in the test''spletion."


    "I see..."


    With that, their short talk was over, and Judal stepped further back into the darkness.


    A signal to the end of his questions.


    Amon''s hologram nodded, and the runes around him brightened.


    "You''ve passed... You may leave." Elijah smiled.


    "Understood, Principal Amon."


    Tap!


    The istion barrier separating Elijah and the rest of the students opened to wee the


    queue and allow Elijah''s exit.


    He passed by Sofia, as she was the next one to step up.


    Another tap resounded as the barrier closed.


    Sofia approached the main podium and did the same salute as the one who came before her.


    "I greet the Principal and Professors."


    Her soft but cold voice resounded.


    And Amon weed it.


    "You may stand, child."


    After the pleasantries were over, Emir stepped up and requested to participate once again.


    "May I, Principal?"


    While he knew that his attempt would be rejectedst time, he still went for it so that it


    wouldn''t appear that he aimed for Sofia from the start.


    "You may, Sir Emir."


    The prince nodded, his eyes ncing at Judal''s and Judas''s podiums beforending on Sofia.


    "Nice to meet you, little Sofia."


    She quickly turned in his direction and bowed once more.


    "And it is to meet you, Sir."


    ''She knows me.'' Emir realized that immediately.


    It appeared that she was waiting for him.


    ''Those bastards must''ve given their kids all the info about me...''


    "As you know, I''m your professor, so expect to see me more often if you pass today."


    ''They''ll all pass though.''


    His musings were true, as this Rite was nothing but a front.


    The fact that Amon showed his true face only confirmed it.


    Sure, they used this ce to separate the wheat from the chaff, but that was about it.


    "Yes, Professor Emir."


    ''So she''s not going to deny it...''


    ''Smart.''


    Emir''s opinion of Sofia continued to rise.


    While he already learned about her through the novel.


    It still didn''t allow him to truly determine her potential.


    But now he was sure that it was a good one.


    "Alright... so herees my question."


    "Let''s say that a war broke out, two armies, all were Celestials. One side had 7777 soldiers, the


    other had 10,000 soldiers..."


    "So, which side do you think had won?"


    Sofia didn''t take too long to answer.


    "The first side."


    Only nodding briefly to acknowledge the question.


    ''Hm...''


    Emir wasn''t surprised.


    He knew her to be smart, so this question wasn''t for determining that.


    "Why?"


    The cold child took a second to articte her words...


    Then she answered with a smile:


    "7777..."


    ''That''s rare.''


    "A group that knows its force down to itsst soldier won''t lose to a simple army of 10,000."


    Yes, it was obvious that the child was smart-a borderline genius.


    "Correct... and as my student, you should never forget."


    So he wanted to use this opportunity to sprout a seed in her.


    "Sometimes knowledge is mightier than power." One that would grow and grow till it formed something extreme.


    "This knowledge could range from specializations to scientific advancements, and never


    forget that your opponent might have the same means..."


    His words paused for a bit, only to take on a slightly sinister, even poisonous tone.


    "Maybe even higher, nning out their attack using underhanded means while knowing all


    about you."


    All of what he said eluded to said cautiousness.


    A trait that she would desperately need in the near future, especially as a Ranger.


    "So never underestimate your opponent, even if they seem weak... for it might be an act that


    spells your doom."


    It might even determine her life and death since this world never followed the ''novel'' to the


    letter.


    Sofia nodded.


    "Thank you for the lesson, Professor Emir."


    But had she caught onto that or not?


    Well, Emir wasn''t able to know...


    Not yet.


    A Major Disaster would have to arrive.


    Only then would he know if his seed had sprouted.


    Until then, he''d watch over it, as watering it once was enough.

 Chapter 270: Makers Of Triumph

    Chapter 270: Makers Of Triumph


    ?


    Aria was next, but Emir didn''t show her the attention that she craved.


    He knew about her little crush.


    But he didn''t know what to do with her yet, so he kept her on the back burner.


    Judas asked her a question.


    A boring one.


    She answered with no enthusiasm.


    The professor was confused by her reaction...


    But she didn''t care.


    Aria then left while huffing and puffing, allowing Quinn toe after.


    ''This girl...''


    Emir grew interested in her after learning her name.


    Quinn Mercer.


    The daughter of the man he killed.


    ''She''s a poor one.''


    A twisted smile appeared on his face.


    One that contradicted his thoughts.


    It seemed that he enjoyed that memory.


    ''Let''s talk.''


    "Principal, may I?"


    Amon showed slight surprise.


    But the man soon caught on to their connection, and instead of rejecting him likest time, he...


    "Sure."


    Agreed.


    ''Nice.''


    Emir stepped forward.


    "Nice to meet you, Quinn."


    She flinched, and her face disfigured for a moment only to return to normal.


    Quinn then bowed and spoke:


    "I greet you, Professor Emir."


    The professor noticed that reaction...


    His Temporal Perception ability wasn''t just for show.


    ''Does she know?''


    Emir shook his head.


    ''No, no way; I made sure that she was knocked out.''


    "Stand."


    She nodded and straightened her back, her gaze still stuck on his podium.


    ''But she suspects me...''


    "What brings you to the academy?"


    ''Interesting.''


    His question gave her pause.


    She remained quiet for a while, multiple thoughts seemingly going through her mind.


    After a minute or so, she finally answered:


    "The professors."


    ''Hoh.''


    Emir''s smile became even more twisted.


    Such an answer could be taken in a few ways, but the main two were this:


    "I came here to learn from the professors."


    "I came here for the professors themselves..."


    "Or more specifically, you, Professor Emir."


    Right, if taken in the second way then Quinn was dering war against Emir.


    ''Does she have a death wish?''


    Publicly.


    ''Maybe.''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And in front of the Principal himself.


    Tap.


    "That is all; you may go."


    An amused Amon allowed her exit and brought the next two.


    Ava and Arthur ''died'' at the same time, so they both were ranked fifth.


    ''Fate strikes once again.''


    In the ''novel,'' it wasn''t Elijah who first met Arthur, but Ava.


    They developed a rtionship during their escape from death.


    That of a dog and its owner.


    And like a good pet, he died with her.


    The result didn''t change even after all that happened.


    Emir sighed and ignored the duo, letting the others take the stage.


    Evelyn was the one who grabbed that chance.


    It seemed that she passed...


    Her test was before Emir''s, so he didn''t see her.


    But he heard from Mariane that she had passed it.


    And now that he heard her voice, he was sure that she had joined them.


    ''Hopefully she doesn''t bring too much trouble.''


    Emir took a few steps back while chuckling and then sat on the ground in a lotus position.


    He began cultivating his Aether and Strength Art.


    Although inurate, he knew that the date of his ascension to Iron was near.


    His core would be able to hold much more Aether and his strength would increase by a


    massive margin.


    Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.


    Emir calmed himself back down as he noticed his increasing heart rate.


    He wasn''t about to mess up and kill himself during such a simple but ''slightly'' painful task.


    The professor blinked.


    And time passed.


    [Emir, you''re up.]


    Till it returned to normal.


    [Alright, thanks for the reminder, Ly.]


    [Of course, my love~.]


    He stood up and exited the room in slow steps.


    "Professor Emir, as the one who broke all records, you''re more eligible to take this stage


    today."


    Amon''s voice resounded around him as he walked through the hallway beside the podiums


    while heading towards the main one.


    "Please,e... Our youth would certainly understand you better."


    Emir arrived after a few moments and opened the door.


    His eyes first met the students.


    They were ranked in files, saluting his approach.


    Amon was next to capture his attention, stepping through the marbled ground to tap him on


    the back.


    "Good luck."


    Emir nodded, not giving the Principal the reaction he wanted.


    Because while he showed calm, what was currently happening wasn''t talked about


    beforehand.


    In other words, Amon simply dropped the speech on Emir''sp while bailing out at the same


    time.


    ''And this part is the same as well...''


    Emir already expected this, so he came prepared, mentally at least.


    ''Except that it was Morgiana instead.''


    Tap.


    A hologram depicting his looks suddenly materialized in front of them all.


    A dark-haired man with shades hiding his eyes and an immacte ck suit that covered his


    extremely muscr body.


    He was a man that most would imagine if they thought of a bodyguard.


    That scary-looking man was the prince.


    And he was about to give a speech.


    "Hm... Well, I''m not one to prepare for things like this, so I''ll just speak my mind."


    "Now all seven hundred and seventy-seven of you are students."


    Emir let out a small sigh.


    ''Even without me, this number was formed.''


    ''I guess that Quinn was the result... fate is quite strange isn''t it?''


    After shaking his head, he continued:


    "Elite or not, you''re green... Little kids trying to show themselves as adults."


    "But I''ll make of you all perfect soldiers."


    "Also, do keep in mind that my speech is for the little ones... not you second and third years."


    Emir chuckled as he eyed those students who joined them after the Rite was over.


    "Don''tinter, yeah?"


    || ||


    All those he addressed silently nodded.


    "Right, now let me introduce myself."


    "I''m called Emir, and to you lot, I''m only called Sir or Professor."


    "I might be of simr age to you, but never forget, I am your professor, and you will deem me


    as such."


    A few gulps resounded from the students, and Emir easily picked up on them; his upgraded ears, like his TP, were not just for show.


    But that wasn''t what he wanted to hear so he asked:


    "So?"


    It took a second or two but the students frantically responded like cute little soldiers:


    "Yes Professor!"


    "Yes Sir!"


    Emir nodded.


    "Good, now about me..."


    "You see... since the day I was born, I followed many rules, and they made me what I am


    today."


    "I''ll list them out for you."


    "First, is when you go after someone, dig two graves beforehand, one for yourself and the


    other, well..."


    Emir paused for a moment, then looked at two of his new colleagues.


    "For the enemy."


    "Of course, it''s now different in my case; while I might dig two graves, one will be for my


    enemy, and the next..."


    He tilted his head at the two in his sight, offering an innocent smile and a small wave of his


    right hand.


    "For their family."


    ||||


    Silence.


    Absolute silence.


    The whole ce didn''t dare utter a single word or sound a breath.


    They did it out of respect before, but now...


    They were afraid of their new professor.


    He was the devil incarnate, a man suited to lead a hunter group known as Azazel.


    The suffocating pressure from his words alone proved to be too much even for the third-year


    students.


    sh!


    All of a sudden, Judal and Judas had their podiums illuminated.


    Their appearance was revealed atst.


    Emir eyed Judal first.


    He looked to be a middle-aged man who carried a weathered visage with long salt-and-


    pepper hair that was tied in a knotted ponytail behind his back.


    A strong jaw and deep brown eyes hinted at a wealth of experiences.


    Judas looked the exact same, with the only difference being their clothes.


    The first wore a robe while the other wore a suit, yet both depicted the Academy''s colors.


    These men were twins.


    And it wasn''t only because they showed the same expression.


    One of absolute rage.


    ''It ain''t them.''


    But Emir''s attention on them was short-lived.


    sh!


    His brother illuminated his podium next.


    Ragnar gave him two thumbs up high in the air, showcasing his support.


    Emir let out a softugh and then gazed back at the crowd, continuing his speech.


    "...The second is to learn the rules so you can break them properly."


    He winked at the first years.


    "Only the smart ones can be wild under my watch, though I won''t let you y around too


    much."


    After establishing that, he proceeded to the next rule which rted to thest:


    "Third is that the bullet of consequence rarely arrives slow."


    It was a hint at how even the strongest and smartest would eventually find themselves buried


    deep in an ocean of blood.


    One of their own making.


    "There is a fourth and fifth, etcetera, but that would bore you lot, so I''ll just say this..."


    "In whatever aspects of your life, maintain your own rules, and you will thrive." Emir truly meant that, as he had followed said rules ever since he came to this world.


    "I mean, the worst-case scenario is that you die...."


    He sneered.


    "But who knows, maybe you won''t~." Then his face turned serious.


    "If you did though, then at least you died a dignified death."


    "You made your mark." "And that''s worth it..."


    "As legends never die, they are written down in eternity."


    ||


    Quiet was extinguished as loud murmurs spread across the hall.


    Some whispered about how unorthodox this all was, while others grew excited for the road


    ahead, imagining where their paths would take them.


    A few kept their mouth shut, while another few appeared annoyed.


    Were theyining because they were older than him?


    Did they think of themselves as better?


    Well, that didn''t matter.


    None of their words reached Emir.


    And a single raised hand of hismanded them to shut up.


    "Do any of you wish to be written in history?"


    "To be a great ''someone''?


    It took a while, but most raised their hands high, showcasing their resolve.


    They appeared like a forest of swords.


    Some were tall, others short, some were soft, and some were rough, but they all pointed at


    the sky...


    At their promised destination.


    Even those whoined responded to Emir''s call without fail.


    Quinn wasn''t an exception either. "Good, good..."


    Emir smiled.


    "You all have the enthusiasm, at least."


    It was a genuine one that came from the heart.


    "Now before I go, all of you here need to remember this."


    "So make sure to ingrain what I say next into your minds..."


    "For Earth''s survival..."


    He raised his hand and pointed at his back with his thumb.


    "It rests on our backs."


    "We, who are its parents, its children!"


    Then his thumb moved towards his second heart, his Aether core, threatening to pierce it.


    "We, who are its men!"


    "Its kin!"


    "WE WILL BE THE MAKERS OF ITS TRIUMPH!"


    || ||


    Everyone was utterly speechless.


    The students and professors, the twins Judal and Judas, Morgiana, and even Amon himself.


    None knew what to say to such a deration.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    But Ragnar was there to offer support, as always.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    He screamed at the top of his lungs. "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    Drowning out the silence.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    It was as if they had never fought a few hours ago. "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    And soon, the rest joined in as everyone began to chant.


    Wanting to lift the mood even further, Emir raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist.


    "WE OF EARTH WILL TRIUMPH!"


    The roars returned the favor, growing even louder. "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    The floor began to shake.


    "WE WILL BE THE VICTORS!"


    The Tower itself began to tremble.


    "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    A satisfied Emir stepped back from the podium, escaping the chorus.


    ''Magnus... Do you hear them?'' His job was done.


    ''They won''t allow your takeover.''


    His hologram nodded while gesturing for the principal to take the stage.


    ''Not while I''m around.''


    But the man didn''t move; he only stared at Emir.


    He appeared transfixed by his words. Only after the crowd went silent did he step out onto the podium.


    Amon then ced his hand over his second heart, showing him respect.


    Emir watched that with a smile.


    Meanwhile, the students who saw that scene followed their principal''s lead.


    All of them kneeled slightly as well.


    ''This feels nice...''


    No... it wasn''t all of them.


    Arthur and Quinn didn''t. ''Not anymore.''


    "That''s all... thank you."


    Emir turned around and left.

 Chapter 271: Twenty-Two

    Chapter 271: Twenty-Two


    ?


    "Wow, man, just wow... I never thought you''d be so good at speeches!"


    "Yeah! I was surprised a million times over!"


    "Same, same, same."


    Ragnar, Aqu, and Morgiana praised Emir as he drove them back home with him.


    "Yeah, yeah, I know."


    Tsk!


    "Just take apliment, you fuck."


    Emir shrugged off Ragnar as he swerved the cruiser harshly, causing his brother to crash into the window.


    "Ugh... you bitch."


    "Shut up, Akhi."


    "Ha?"


    Ragnar immediately looked to the back of the cruiser.


    "You guys heard that, right? Right?!"


    "?§Ö§â, §å§Ö§â..."


    Morgiana smiled brightly.


    "He finally acknowledged you."


    "Is he like some Tsundere?"


    Bang!


    A cube-shaped Aether construct smashed into Aqu''s face.


    "Gah..."


    His head snapped to the right as his shoulder crashed into thepartment''s ground.


    "Fuck! Stop hitting people, man!"


    "Sure, sure, I''m doing you a favor so let''s get along."


    Eagle clicked his tongue while rubbing his face in hurt.


    "So you seriously could kill us back then, huh?"


    Emir chuckled.


    "Yeah, though it''s too bad that we won''t be fighting like that again."


    "True, I liked the tension."


    Ragnar tapped Emir on the shoulder and telepathically asked:


    [You sure about all this, though?]


    [You mean?]


    [Look... I know that shit is covered by the contract, but he could still be a threat.]


    "Ah, it''s fine..."


    Emir''s voice grew true and loud:


    "Isn''t that right, Aqu?"


    "Hell yeah! We''re gonna party today!"


    ...


    "Wee to our mansion, boys and girls."


    Emir gestured for them toe in as he stood beside the gate.


    [Lyra, send the three musketeers to entertain them.]


    [Alright, they''re almost there.]


    "A nice wee, brother!"


    "Thanks."


    "Thank you."


    All three stepped in and followed him as he headed towards the dining room.


    "The food isn''t ready yet, but we''ve got a few snacks on the table."


    A reinforced gate stood in their path.


    One that opened with a click.


    "Yall could chew on that while we cook."


    Emir pointed at the fruits, nuts, cookies, dates, and whatever else that dotted theirrge oval table in baskets.


    "I already sent you the seating positions, so just check the holoscreen."


    "Roger boss."


    "Alright."


    "Okayyy!"


    "Ask the maid androids if you want something."


    After nodding at each of the three...


    "See you in a bit."


    He left and headed to the kitchen.


    While on the way, he saw Jamal, Raymond, and Longshot.


    "C''mon guys, don''t leave our guests waiting."


    "We''re on it, bossman!"


    Raymond nudged Jamal away as he rushed to hug Emir.


    "Congrats boss."


    Emir hugged him back while patting his back for a few.


    "Thanks, old man..."


    "Congrats bossman!"


    "Congrats sir."


    He acknowledged them with a nod and then returned his attention to Raymond while leaving


    his embrace.


    "ETA?"


    "The kids are done; they''ll be here in a minute or two..."


    Raymond paused, looking slightly ufortable.


    "Continue."


    Emir prompted.


    And heplied:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "The rest will take a while longer."


    Albeit still dreading his boss''s difort.


    "Hm, it''s fine; our guests can wait. Good job."


    His apprehension was alleviated by those two words, causing his smile to resurface.


    "Thank you, bossman."


    "No, thank you."


    Emir shared a quickugh with them as they parted ways.


    After crossing a few doors, he arrived at the kitchen.


    It was chaos.


    The three Ls made a mess of the ce.


    Lily looked the most messy, as she had flour all over her.


    He was certain that she had dropped it all over herself.


    Next was Laura, his mother.


    She was rtively cleanpared to his sister, but she still had some seasoning that sneaked


    its way past her apron and onto her clothes.


    ''Man, just how many do I have to tell her to always wear the augmented suit?''


    An exasperated sigh escaped him, catching Lyra''s attention.


    She greeted his arrival with a beautiful smile adorning her face.


    "Hey prince, you''re finally here."


    Just as her words reached the other two, they flinched and looked at the entrance, spotting


    Emir.


    "Ahem, ahem... you saw nothing."


    One of the two appeared embarrassed, a blush forming on her cute face.


    "I didn''t."


    While the other hid her head behind a cutting board.


    Laura knew that she had done something wrong.


    But she didn''t want to receive what her daughter called ''The Great Nagging...''


    So she hid.


    "Mom."


    It took a moment, but she eventually replied:


    "...Yes?" "Why use a cutting board? The counters are already designed for that use."


    His mother was confused about that question, expecting another, but she didn''t give him the


    chance to change his mind as she quickly answered:


    "B-But I''m used to them."


    Emir sighed while nearing Lyra.


    "So, what should I do to help?"


    This duo had no need for pleasantries.


    "Smash up those biscuits; we''ll use them on the cake as garnish."


    They always got straight to the point.


    "And?"


    He cherished that aspect of their rtionship the most and she knew that. So she, like always,


    amodated to fit the box that housed his desires.


    "I''m almost done with frying the spring rolls, so prepare a tray of tissues to dry them of oil."


    However, just because she amodated him doesn''t mean that she doesn''t enjoy their straightforward rtionship.


    After all, she began to love him because of his honesty.


    Though if she were honest herself, a bit of "I missed you" and "I love you," wouldn''t hurt... It


    definitely wouldn''t.


    "Sure, and should I prepare the Luqaimat?"


    Lily and Laura watched how they interacted with awe.


    "Yeah, the mixture is over there."


    As his mother, Laura knew that Emir had never once used the kitchen in his life.


    "Alright, how many minutes on the soup?"


    But now...


    "Let''s see..."


    Emir looked like a natural.


    "Eight."


    He multi-tasked, finishing one thing and then going to the next.


    "I''ll add the green onions then."


    And it wasn''t long till they got a hold of themselves and joined his flow.


    "Leave that to me, sweetie."


    "I''ll get the tes!"


    ...


    Emir sat on his seat, watching as all the food was distributed by the androids under Lyra''s


    command.


    The smell of it was lovely.


    The sight even more so.


    The ungodly amount of time he spent in solitude.


    A hundred millennia.


    Even that didn''t stutter or change the love he felt for his family.


    The love he currently felt as he watched them enjoy themselves.


    And it wasn''t just them.


    Everyone he considered an ''ally,'' or at least a potential one was now there.


    In the dining room.


    Lyra, Ragnar, Elijah, Jake, Emma, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, Leo, Nathan, Jamal,


    Raymond, Logan, Faye, Morgiana, Aqu, Mariane, and even...


    Evelyn.


    Yes, she was there.


    "Big bro." And she stared.


    Her gaze fixed on Emir with an intensity dwarfing that of many protagonists looking at their


    most cherished goal.


    "Hey~."


    Emir was the same, albeit much more rxed inparison.


    This whole thing began with her arrival.


    The two didn''t look away from each other. "You hear me?"


    If one didn''t know their past...


    They would think that those two loved each other to death.


    "Hello~."


    Yet, if Lyra''s jovial demeanor was any indicator, such a thing wasn''t the case at all.


    "Hey, heeeey~."


    Emir''s gaze finally left her and fell upon Elijah, as he had been the one calling him for thest


    minute or so.


    "What''s up?" "Finally-"


    "Ask."


    After being cut off, Elijah sighed and then excitedly asked:


    "Can you tell me more about the test? You know, like the hidden specifics."


    "...Sure."


    Emir nodded, and many at the table turned their attention towards him.


    Interested in the answer.


    ''Heh.''


    He obliged to their silent request by raising his voice.


    "So as you guys know, unlike our test, Elijah''s was in the digital realm."


    With a raised hand, Raymond asked a question that one would expect of someone his age:


    "You mean the one those scammers use, right?"


    "Yeah, NetWeavers."


    "I see..."


    "But it''s slightly different."


    Emir continued:


    "While both their cores is thework, unlike the realm NetWeavers surf, this one is crafted in


    one ''section.""


    Some of those before him still showed confusion, so he simplified it even more:


    "Think of it like this..."


    Lyra, as always, assisted Emir by projecting a hologram of what exactly he was about to say.


    [You''re wee.]


    He nodded at her.


    "The mainwork is the world itself." Earth was projected.


    It was covered by a light ''Fog.''


    "Our eleven sectors are the subworks that work in tandem with the main."


    The hologram zoomed in to show their A-11 sector from a bird''s-eye view.


    "Each district in our sector is a different privatework in that subwork."


    It now projected the Academy.


    "And each district has many buildings, all housing different ''sections.""


    The hologram then dissipated into the air.


    "The NetWeavers travel through the buildings in those districts..."


    Emir then looked at Elijah.


    "But what you experienced was a single floor in one of those buildings."


    ||


    ||||


    ||||


    The ce was silent.


    Only a subtle chewing sound was present.


    Faye was the cause.


    "On the other end of the spectrum, our mainwork is connected to our star system, the


    Sol''s domain, which is connected to the Local Group..."


    This dump of information hit them like a mortal squaring off against a truck.


    "It goes on and on until it reaches the Oracle itself."


    They simply couldn''t fathom the scale of it all.


    "You get it?"


    It took some time-tens of seconds at least-but Elijah eventually nodded.


    "Yes... thanks, big bro."


    "My pleasure."


    Then a blonde woman raised her hand.


    She sat at the end of the table with a light-skinned man.


    At the bossman''s gesture of eptance, she asked:


    "But what''s that fog about?"


    The man next to her frowned. And Emir smiled. "You''ve got a keen eye, Em."


    "Of course I do!"


    "I was about to ask that too-"


    "Bleh! Shut up, I win!"


    The family shared augh at Emma''s and Jake''s shenanigans, while Emir silently asked Lyra


    to project the hologram again.


    "What they experienced was a single floor..."


    Seriousness returned to the dining room.


    "But that floor wasn''t a simtion of something fake."


    A few gasps resounded...


    Murmurs followed.


    Everyone in the room, with a few exceptions, looked to be surprised. Their faces projected a single question.


    One that Emir picked up on.


    "Yes,s like that do exist."


    "And what they experienced was obviously an observable..."


    Unlike what one might expect, their reactions were subdued.


    "Contrary to the many fake ones that show themselves under our''s fog." But, why?


    "Don''t ask me how this fog works; I don''t know, nor does Lyra."


    They simply realized that this was another case of the Order''s deception. "Though what we know is that this fog has existed since or even much before the first


    epoch..."


    Their immortal enemy.


    "The Age of Myths."

 Chapter 272: We Won

    Chapter 272: We Won


    ?


    Except for the little one and Evelyn, all in the room nowpletely understood.


    This fog wasn''t something that the Order had orchestrated since the beginning.


    It was presented first with the Primordials.


    They hid Earth from the universe''s truth since the dawn of time using the very thing that surrounded those of a higher ne.


    Thes shown outside the Local Group were fake.


    This fact was true.


    Another was that humans weren''t supposed to know that.


    But they went against ''Their'' warning and crossed the barrier around Sol''s domain.


    Have they awakened the Myths?


    A question that remained unanswered to their current day.


    Whether or not they awakened mattered little to the Order.


    For they were the ones who followed in the Primordials'' footsteps.


    As they replicated the fog...


    And used it on Earth.


    It was simr to what was done to most backwaters.


    They needed to have the true universe hidden from the normal popce, and this was but a simple step to ensure that.


    That, along with all it further entailed, gave the family a feeling of disgust.


    Although some were used to it, being lied to since birth was still...


    Painful.


    It made them feel stupid.


    Lower than human.


    ''Hm?''


    Then all of a sudden, the Aether in the room subtly reacted and pulsed.


    It almost went undetected but Emir noticed that change.


    What caused that reaction?


    To get the answer to that question, he telepathically asked everyone except Faye, of course.


    [Tell me exactly what you did in the past five seconds, leave no detail.]


    All answered his question without disying a moment of hesitation.


    [Think about you.]


    Lyra was the first.


    [Worry about you two.]


    Then his mother.


    [I was thinking about a N-Nettoon since this reminded me of it.]


    Then his sister.


    [Eat air. I''m hungry bro, my brain wants food, it needs its sustenance!]


    Then his brother.


    {Worry about things I guess...]


    Then his younger brother.


    It went on till Emir received all twenty-two confessions.


    But during that twenty-two, he caught onto the reason.


    Kiera.


    She was the cause.


    Her thoughts ''angered'' Aether.


    If she were a Seraphim then the ripple they experienced would''ve been noticeable by all, not just by Emir.


    The reason for that was because a higher ranked Celestial would be more keenly connected to Aether, thoughts and all.


    Now... what did she think, that even Aether would be ''angered?''


    [''Cause of the fog, I thought about the Oracle, wondering if a bastard god like him had a name.]


    Most would be able to extract a few things from her confession.


    First, they would notice that she began to harbor hatred towards the Primordials for what she went through and continued to go through.


    Second, her mention of names.


    Third, was the calling of Oracle a bastard.


    As family, she knew most of the knowledge Emir had in that brain database of his.


    So she knew that all higher beings had titles, but it seemed that she didn''t pause to think about why they had them in the first ce.


    When one simply entertained the thought of a higher being''s true name, Aether reacted.


    With that in mind, most would understand that Kiera''s thoughts bathed in bad light and recklessness were the cause.


    A sighing Emir, who had long since reached that conclusion, simply couldn''t imagine the thunderous change that would ur if he bypassed the shield called Titles and directly name- dropped the Oracle.


    Unbeknownst to him, his questioning actions worried those around him, which caused a


    mood of gloom to permeate the room.


    ...It seemed as if their celebration was a failure.


    Emir leaned on his chair''s armrest and began thinking of ways to get their spirits up.


    But he didn''t need to.


    Faye existed.


    "Pops, pass me those circle sweets! They''re so good."


    And unlike the rest, she cared for nothing beyond her literal reach.


    "Sure, sure."


    Longshot was swept up in his daughter''s simple wants and thoughts as he gave her everything


    she wanted.


    With that scene, liveliness slowly returned to the room.


    But it wasn''t just because of the little one.


    Jamal was there, too.


    "Bossman!"


    Emir''s gaze met his.


    "What?"


    "Speech! Give us a speech, we''ve heard the one in the Academy, and damn, I got


    goosebumps."


    "I know, right?! Even me and Morgiana couldn''t believe it."


    "Yeah, and we''ve heard it live!"


    The prince, who wasn''t in the mood, was about to reject them, but the others joined in on the


    fun.


    "Yeah, bossman. Give us a speech!"


    "Speech!"


    "Speech!"


    "Speech!"


    "Speech!"


    The chant spread like wildfire.


    "Speech!"


    From the three musketeers to the old ''married'' couple to the children of corrupted feathers,


    to his brother, Morgiana, and even Aqu.


    "Speech!"


    Only a few women, mainly his blood family, Lyra, Mariane, and Evelyn, remained quiet.


    "Speech!"


    They silently watched with smiling eyes.


    "Fine, fine!"


    Emir relented, standing up from his seat and stepping behind the three L''s.


    "Hey, sweetie..."


    His mother''s smile grew as her eyes reflected his dark ones.


    Lyra was the same.


    Meanwhile, Lily had her face hidden away as she leaned her head on her right hand.


    Emir poked his sister''s cheeks.


    "A... you embarrassed?"


    "Humph!"


    He gave her a few pats, then looked around the room.


    His gazended on all twenty-two of them as he spoke:


    "Firstly, I thank you all foring today."


    "Of course, brother-"


    "Shut up, let me finish."


    Emir cut off a now-dejected Ragnar.


    "Even Jamal didn''t interrupt; you should learn from him."


    Leo, one of Kiera''s,mented, causing a few chuckles and giggles to escape everyone''s lips.


    "Not now, man; don''t embarrass us in front of the boss."


    "Yeah, you idiot, keep quiet."


    "You guys are kinda mean."


    "No, they''re right; this might make Kiera look bad."


    Her other four whispered amongst themselves.


    Evan, Hiro, Sarah, and Jack, respectively.


    They probably thought that their voices were too low to be heard.


    But they were up against Seraphims.


    It seemed they still hadn''tprehended that.


    Kiera facepalmed, and Emirughed, continuing his speech:


    "To keep things short, I''ll just say this..."


    "We won."


    "Me, Ragnar, Morgiana, and Evelyn had won."


    "And this today is to celebrate that."


    Emir took his newly poured ss of whiskey, one prepared by Lyra, and presented it before


    all.


    Everyone raised their own ss.


    A few had alcohol, while others had some variation of rose milk that Laura had made


    beforehand.


    Even Faye joined in, as she finally stopped stuffing herself and raised a ss with her two


    little hands.


    Lily was about to pour herself some wine, but Emir took the bottle off her.


    And before she couldin, his voice resounded:


    "Cheers!"


    They all followed.


    "Cheers!"


    "Cheers!"


    "Cheers!"


    "That''s not fair-"


    ...


    The party began, and those at the table had already formed groups.


    Conversations were lively.


    Bellies were full.


    Dining left and was reced by entertainment.


    "So, how did you guys meet?"


    Mariane asked Emir as she leaned back on her chair while taking a few sips of her wine.


    "We met-"


    Ragnar''s words took pause as a grinning Emir nudged him.


    "You know the saying that you should never meet your heroes?"


    The two sisters nodded.


    "Yeah."


    "We do."


    "Well, he first met me on the transport bus."


    A chuckling Ragnar lightly punched Emir in the shoulder.


    "You''re no hero." "What? I saved you, though."


    The girls enjoyed their banter, but their moment was interrupted as Faye ran into Emir''sp.


    "Grandpa!"


    She climbed onto him, reminiscent of how those students had mbered up the mammoth''s


    leg and settled on his right shoulder.


    "Hehe..."


    "Why, hello there."


    "Sorry boss!"


    Longshot approached the group, seeming to have been chasing Faye around the room for the


    past hour. "It''s fine..."


    Emir nodded towards an empty chair nearby.


    "Come sit."


    "Sit, pops!"


    Logan epted the invitation with a smile as he sat next to Ragnar.


    Their leader was at the head of the table; the two guys, Logan, and Ragnar were on his right,


    while the two girls, Mariane and Evelyn were on his left.


    "She tiring you?"


    Emir picked her up from her armpits and ced her above hisp.


    "Are you?"


    And a session of tickling began.


    "Hehehehe..."


    She squirmed like a fish out of water while giggling her lungs out.


    "Not really... I mean, besides her always being so energetic, I don''t really have any problems."


    Mariane, a woman overflowing with motherhood, asked:


    "Is it really that easy?"


    || ||


    Logan didn''t know how to answer.


    And she noticed that, so she rephrased her question:


    "Aren''t kids her age supposed to be more impulsive? You know, like having arguments and


    fights before gradually building a strong bond with the parents."


    A nodding Longshot seemed to know exactly what she meant.


    "I get what you''re saying, but to be honest, she''s so obedient..."


    He chuckled.


    "I feel like I''m getting off too easy."


    While they had their parent talk, Emir finally stopped torturing the little one, not wanting her


    to dye his augmented suit yellow.


    "Schtaaap!"


    "I did, I did-"


    "Emir!"


    The prince looked up at who called him.


    Evelyn.


    He was wondering when she was about to ask for a private talk.


    And it seemed like now was the time.


    "Faye, Grandpa has to do some business; do you want toe with?"


    "Yes, yes!"


    "Will you stay quiet?"


    "I will!"


    "Okay, let''s go."


    Emir picked her up and sat her on his head as he left his chair.


    ...


    "Why are you ignoring me?" ''Quite straightforward...''


    The two stood outside the dining room.


    ''I like it.''


    And Evelyn had her face close to Emir, her eyes demanding an answer.


    One that he couldn''t give.


    But still... he didn''t want to lie.


    "Do you want me to lie?"


    He had enough of lies. "Of course not!"


    So instead, he matched her straightforwardness.


    "Then I can''t say."


    Evelyn''s already furred brows became even more so.


    "Just... tell me anything..."


    She clutched his shirt and brought herself closer to him.


    "I hate this... You''re hiding things from me, and Sis isn''t helping either!"


    Faye silently pulled on Emir''s hair and bnced herself, stopping her fall.


    "Ay, don''t be pulling me now, you-"


    "Be serious!"


    Emir chuckled.


    "Sure..."


    His hands forced hers off him as he stepped back.


    "My and everyone''s lives-yours included-are at stake."


    He then gave Faye a few taps in the back for a job well done.


    "And now that you''re a professor, you know most things we do..."


    Evelyn''s brows rxed, alongside her once scrunched-up face.


    "The only difference is in our perspectives."


    Her eyes then suddenly widened.


    She appeared to have understood his hidden meaning.


    Perspective.


    His and hers were different.


    Why?


    Well, that was unknown.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Emir said that he couldn''t tell her, so no matter what she did, this equation couldn''t be


    solved.


    Some of the values were missing.


    But at least she now knew that the information given to her after bing a professor was...


    yed with.


    Changed.


    It showcased a different face than what was real.


    Maybe it was even propaganda-like.


    Simply put, what she knew wasn''t the whole truth.


    There was a lot more to it.


    This caused the difference in their perspectives.


    A difference that Emir couldn''t align for one reason or another.


    There was a high chance that it might be because she was rted to something with which he


    didn''t want to get involved in.


    Or at least that''s what she managed toe up with.


    And surprisingly... Evelyn was right.


    However, she was still off the mark.


    The degree of shift between their perspectives wasn''t just because of the hidden fact that


    Magnus, a leader of the Order, wanted to take over the Earth.


    But Emir''s revenge against him.


    The prince cared for Earth, yes, but if its destruction could help him in his journey to cut off


    Magnus''s head...


    Then it could be damned for all eternity, and he would not care.


    Not a single bit.


    "I understand..."


    Evelyn nodded her head after a long moment of silence.


    She then stepped back with an unexpectedly happy face, bidding him goodbye as she


    reentered the dining room.


    "Hoh..."


    ''She''s way smarter than I thought.''


    His surprise didn''te from the meaning behind her smile.


    Even though it was a factor.


    Instead, it stemmed from her realization that he awaited someone.


    ''She''d be useful if not for those behind her.''


    Emir sighed while looking at the gate as it opened and a man approached, walking towards


    him with slow steps.


    "So? Will you do it?"

 Chapter 273: Sweet Child

    Chapter 273: Sweet Child


    ?


    The man was Aqu.


    Eagle''s Leader.


    He left his group after noticing that Evelyn had reentered the dining room by herself.


    This was a chance for him to meet Emir privately.


    After all...


    Today wasn''t only for celebration.


    But business as well.


    And it was the only reason why he was invited in the first ce.


    "So? Will you do it?"


    Aqu looked up, his gaze meeting Faye''s.


    They exchanged warm smiles.


    He then looked back down.


    Emir''s face was ice cold.


    Quite the contrast.


    "Yeah, your team looks up to snuff... I''m willing to ce my bet on you."


    "And I''m ''willing'' to provide Alex''s head."


    ||


    ||


    "..."


    They stared silently at each other for a while.


    And Aqu was the first to blink.


    How? Or rather, why?


    Well, an Aether construct with the shape of a spear threatened to pierce his eyes.


    It soon disappeared as Emir snapped his fingers.


    "That''s good."


    Emir nodded at Aqu''s words.


    "It''s good indeed; just make sure to frame the dog''s death with him and his men as the assassins."


    "Do you think it''d work, though?"


    "Yes, while Alex''s life signal was extinguished around seven months ago..."


    The prince showed a twisted smile.


    "Temr wouldn''t know that, now would they?"


    Aqu chuckled.


    "Hopefully not... but honestly, I''m surprised you still have his head around after so long." Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Well, we had it preserved for a day like this; the Liberation Army will pay for attacking us that day."


    His eyes grew darker.


    "And Temr will be our weapon."


    The two men shared a nod as Aqu stepped back, returning to the dining room.


    "I''ll be expecting the good news soon."


    "Don''t worry, Emir, I''ll be getting straight to work after today."


    "Great, and Lyra will give you his head, so don''t forget to take it with you."


    "Yes, yes, yes."


    Click.


    The reinforced gate had closed.


    And now it was only Emir and Faye standing outside.


    "So what do you think, kid?"


    "Business?"


    "Yes, business."


    She began to pat his head excitedly as if it were a drum.


    "It''s like Godfather!"


    "Why''s that?"


    "Because it sounds so bad!"


    ''Hoh...''


    Emir''s face calmed once more as he set the little one down on the ground.


    "Do you hate me for being bad?"


    Faye immediately wore a look of absolute sorrow, as if she had lost all her loved ones.


    "No!"


    ''Man, she''s precious.''


    A chuckling Emir kneeled until he reached her eye level.


    "Longshot raised you well."


    He then began a spree of squishing and pulling her cute cheeks.


    "Schtop pease!"


    "Ten more seconds."


    "Okaaay!"


    After having his fill, he stood back up and held her little hand.


    He was going to escort her back to the dining room, but her next words gave him pause.


    "Grandpa, you and Evy fight?"


    "...No, no, we just straightened things out."


    "Really? That''s what Mom and Dad always did and it wasn''t fun!"


    Emir blinked.


    "Do you miss your mama?"


    While they talked, he hid his face from Faye.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "No, I love Grandpa''s mama more."


    He didn''t want her to see his eyes.


    "And what about Grandpa? You like him too?"


    Ones that showed pity.


    "A lot, hehe..."


    "Grandpa likes you too."


    Emir sighed while patting her head.


    ''If our fatees to pass then who...''


    ''Who would be left to love you?''


    ''Take care of you?''


    ''You sweet, sweet, child.''


    ...


    Once Emir sent the little one back, he bid his family goodbye and went up to his room.


    He wanted to go to sleep.


    His mind was exhausted.


    He had gone through a lot in thest three days...


    The memories, whispers,byrinth, and inevitable truth.


    The implication of Ragnar''s existence, fate''s intervention, and the many ns he kicked off.


    Quinn Mercer''s suspicion.


    It all took its toll on him.


    Even though the whispers left him, most of it at least, he could still feel their lingering


    effects.


    And he knew that sleep would be the best remedy for that.


    Something he hadn''t truly experienced for many months now.


    And just as he rxed on the bed...


    Emir drifted into a deep slumber.


    ***


    Knock...


    Knock...


    "You up?"


    Lyra was outside Emir''s room, checking to see if he was awake.


    But even after a few more knocks, she heard nothing back.


    So she entered the room, thinking that he had already gone to sleep.


    And she was right.


    ''Finally... his mind can rx.''


    Lyra smiled.


    She then neared his bed, standing beside his slumbering body.


    And unlike his, her body wasn''t idle.


    Her hands softly yed around with his hair, as she took a few peeks at his hidden scar.


    After she had enough fun, she adjusted the dark purple pillow under his head and the nket


    over his body.


    Her smile brightened as she approached the other side of the body andid next to him.


    While doing so, she made sure that her movements were silent so he wouldn''t wake up.


    There was some missing logic there, but it wasn''t the first time that she had lost it when he was involved.


    Anyhow, Emir rarely slept, if not ever, so she definitely didn''t want to disturb hisfort.


    And unlike Lyra, he was human.


    His mind needed to rx every once in a while.


    Especially after what he had gone through in the test.


    So she simplyid there, watching him sleep...


    Like any maiden in love.


    In times like this, she would usually turn off her systems and imitate sleep.


    But she hadn''t seen him for a while, and she missed his presence at every waking moment.


    So... this today was an opportunity to get her ''Emir charge'' up.


    One that she would use to the best of her ability.


    Like an addict, a chain smoker, lovingly looking at herst cigarette...


    Lyra stared at Emir.


    Unblinking.


    Her ruby eyes reflected his face.


    And her whispers were like those of a mother to her child:


    "Sweet dreams... my dear prince."


    ***


    [Good morning~.]


    Just as Emir blinked his eyes open, he heard Lyra''s voice echo next to him.


    [...Good morning, Ly.]


    He then sat up straight, rubbing his groggy eyes.


    [Man... that was some good sleep.]


    Lyra chuckled while pulling him back into bed.


    [That''s nice to hear.]


    Emir didn''t resist and rxed next to her.


    [What time is it?]


    She gave him a quick peck on the cheek.


    [5 am; you''ve got a few hours before ss.]


    [I do.]


    Lyra climbed atop his body while remaining under the nket.


    [So what do you want to do?]


    Emir immediately recognized her not-so-hidden intention to alleviate his stress through


    intimate means.


    "Sure, but why don''t we talk for a bit before that?"


    "Of course."


    She nodded and brought herself closer to him.


    "...Was it funny?"


    Their bodies were now stuck together like glue. "Elijah''s reaction, you mean? Or Ragnar?"


    "Both, but mainly Elijah; I know you care for Ragnar."


    His hands were on her back, gently patting it. "Right, but yeah, no... Seeing him break down like that was..."


    Lyra finished his sentence:


    "Ufortable."


    "Yeah, ufortable... I guess I cared for him more than I thought I did."


    "More than me?"


    Emir chuckled.


    "Do you want the truth?"


    Her body flinched as she pushed herself off him.


    "What?!"


    They stared at each other.


    "What do you mean, what?"


    "You care for-"


    Emir cut her off by closing her lips with his fingers.


    "No, I was just teasing you."


    She bit them.


    "You a dog?"


    Her teeth left his fingers as she lowered herself into him once again.


    "Hehe..."


    "Oh, and speaking of dogs, did you give Aqu Alex''s head?"


    "Yep."


    "Good, good..."


    Lyra then asked a question that seemed to have bubbled for a while:


    "Do I match Ragnar?"


    Emir thought for a moment and then said:


    "You can think of it like this... He''s my left, and you my right. So yes, you do."


    Another giggle resounded as her hands began to move around his muscr body.


    "You really don''t care about the mood, do you?"


    She gave him a few pecks on the lips. "No, I don''t."


    Emir turned off his augmented suit...


    "Me neither."


    And they began to y a game for adults.


    One whose details were known only between them.

 Chapter 274: Heads Or Tails?

    Chapter 274: Heads Or Tails?


    ?


    After Emir and Lyra had their fun, he bid her and the others goodbye while leaving their home.


    He quite enjoyed the salutes he received from his people on the way out.


    Soon, his sh Steps resounded through the streets as he headed towards what had awaited him since his arrival in this world.


    The Academy.


    Emir chose to go on foot for... no particr reason.


    Really, he just didn''t feel like driving that day.


    It was not as if he needed to practice his ability, and he had already identified what had been upgraded after his breakthrough. Which, obviously, was the much faster incantation speed.


    A result of his body''s improvement in all aspects.


    That was what made his path through the test''s second phase so easy.


    After all, a one-star ability could no longer drain his Aether reserves as fast as it had done before.


    So now he went wild and spammed his way to the Academy, wanting to reach there ahead of time.


    He intended to make sure that he wouldn''t bete for his first ss, unlike how a certain someone would.


    And this ss was one of the two he had each week.


    Monday and Thursday were the days.


    So while he needed to confirm their attendance and hold ceremony every working day...


    He''d only teach them twice a week.


    There were exceptions for certain events or if Emir himself requested an extra ss.


    But that was how it would usually go.


    The ss of SS-1 was his responsibility, correct, but he was entrusted to only pass down the basics and/or topics he deemed necessary.


    After all, he wasn''t on a path those students could follow.


    His expertise and experience differed from the norm.


    Amon recognized that, in turn offering himplete freedom in how he would teach his students as other professors were set to ingrain the Academy''s curriculum into their bones.


    So, more or less, the principal had nothing to worry about.


    Neither did Emir.


    His job was simple.


    He was set to teach whatever he wanted in whatever way he wished.


    If he kept track of the students'' progress and reported it to the principal, then he was all good in the Academy''s books. And thankfully for the kids, Magnus''s hounds were not friends with Amon, so they were in safe hands in that regard.


    "sh Step."


    With thatst incantation, Emir stood before the entrance of the Tower, surprising the students around him.


    They immediately figured out who he was, so they saluted, showing their respect and made their way in.


    He followed behind them until he reached the elevator and ascended to the tenth floor.


    Since he was quite early, he took that time to cultivate, but when it was nearing 8 a.m., he left his office and made his way down to the fourth floor.


    During that time, he thought about preparing a script for the ss...


    Yet that thought left as soon as it came.


    What reced it was a simple: ''Fuck it, I''ll just wing it.''


    And that''s what he did.


    Because at the end of it all, Elite or not, who he had to teach today were kids.


    They might be of legal age, and they definitely were smarter than the average fifteen-year- old...


    But still.


    They were kids.


    Some might say that the Elite students should''ve had higher ranks, been physically stronger, and maybe even been more mature.


    But again... they were kids.


    Ones that had responsibilities-extremely tough ones.


    They were to lead in the future and grow up into someone ready to take the head''s mantle.


    Yet for the third time...


    They were kids.


    They hadn''t given it their all.


    Stakes were involved, things that drove them forward, consequences for their failure, but for the fourth andst time...


    They were kids.


    Ones that lived their youths to the fullest, took breaks to have fun, despite the constant training and hammering from their parents...


    So it just wasn''t possible for them to reach Emir''s heights.


    Because, unlike them, he was no stranger to death. To tragedy.


    He was a man who walked on a tightrope and all that was below him was certain, unending


    sleep.


    Those children grew up without that feeling of death, that noose around their necks.


    Even though they had all the advantages the could offer.


    A golden spoon that fed them all they wanted on the daily.


    They simply could not match.


    Sofia was no exception to that rule.


    Their resources, however, still allowed the strongest of them to reach the Knight sub-rank. This was never expected from someone their age, even with the Well of Eternity in mind. But if they were to be considered strong, they still did not know how to use that strength. Some of them might think that they know the world, the creatures of the dark, and the shadows under the light.


    However, Emir himself couldn''t im that fact.


    He knew a lot... yes.


    He went through a lot... yes.


    But he wasn''t stupid or arrogant enough to call himself knowledgeable of the true world.


    A world where a mere coin flip could decide one''s life or death.


    Emir''s job was to teach them exactly that.


    And now... he stood in front of all his students, ready to give them heed.


    His eyes were locked on Arthur.


    The protagonist, who had expectedly arrived in ss a few secondste.


    {I smashed through the door, almost stumbling, as I barely stopped myself from falling.}


    Emir''s mind went through the lines of the ''Born In Ruins'' novel.


    And as if it were a script, all the students followed them to a tee.


    Except for a certain few...


    Mostly Aria and Elijah.


    {I looked to my right, spotting who appeared to be our ss''s professor.}


    {''She''s so beautiful... as expected of the-}


    Emir skipped past Arthur''s wonderment in an attempt to stop himself fromughing out


    loud.


    {''That''s Ava, right? Oh, and there''s that bastard Max...'' My mind grew confused for a


    moment.}


    {And then I felt anger... ''Why is she sitting next to him?!''}


    Because that was the seating arrangement ''fate'' had decided.


    {Does she not know that he kicked me? ...She might not.}


    Ava did, but she just didn''t care.


    {''Even that Elijah is sitting next to Sophia and Aria...''}


    Arthur was jealous.


    They paid him no mind when he entered as if their experience together in the exam was


    nothing but a dream.


    A dejected protagonist then made his way to a free seat.


    However, unlike most novels, Arthur found no seat awaiting him that matched his status-n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    the so-called window seats were taken.


    However, unlike the typical scenario in most novels, Arthur found no seat awaiting him that


    matched his status.


    The so-called window seats were taken-upied by unnamed characters, mere extras of the


    new world.


    So like all of thoseters to ss, he had to sit closest to the professor.


    "You''rete."


    Emir spoke, his tone cold, his eyes staring at Arthur through his shades like daggers ready to


    strike.


    "I-I''m sorry sir! Please don''t give me a penalty! Even though I overslept, I was only a few secondste!"


    {I wasn''t lying; of course, I in fact waste because of my sleep, but it wasn''t my fault! That bastard brother calling and asking me to do things for him, not allowing me a wink of proper


    sleep!}


    "Were you now?"


    "Y-yes sir!"


    Hidden chuckles echoed throughout the room, along with some daring but stupid ones that


    spoke out:


    "If I were you, I wouldn''t have evene here."


    "How dare this bastard bete while we''re here early!"


    "Those impure peasants-"


    "Quiet."


    Emir''s low voice cut through the noise, stunning everyone into silence.


    "...Now then."


    He raised his hand, presenting a Valora coin.


    A gold-ted piece featuring the Order''s insignia at its center.


    An eye.


    One that was highlighted in ck lines, contrasting strongly against the gold and creating a


    beautiful piece of art.


    Emir tossed that coin into the air...


    Ting!


    And pped it onto the back of his hand.


    "Arthur... Tell me..."


    It wasn''tpletely visible, but he allowed the protagonist to see its bottom to a certain


    degree.


    "Heads or tails?"

 Chapter 275: A Disciple In The Rough

    Chapter 275: A Disciple In The Rough


    ?


    ""


    Emir''s question was met with utter silence, as Arthur had no idea how to reply.


    "Answer."


    Urged by his professor, Arthur showed a determined face and stuttered out:


    "....T-Tails!"


    Emir checked the coin away from the students and then quietly put it back in his pocket.


    He then gave Arthur a nod and shooed him off to his seat.


    "B-But sir, did I get it right?"


    The professor smiled. It was wide-unnaturally wide.


    His eyes, hidden beneath the shades, didn''t match that look, however.


    And his next words didn''t either:


    "You''ll find out in due time... nowe sit next to your ssmates."


    Arthur remained in ce momentarily and then hesitantly approached his seat a few steps before their professor''s desk.


    "Now then..."


    As was usual, Emir had to take role call.


    "Rank 1, Elijah Oliver."


    A smiling little brother stood up to greet his big brother.


    "Present."


    The professor nodded, and Elijah sat back down.


    "Rank 2, Sofia Alexander."


    She slowly got up from her seat and calmly stated:


    "Present."


    He nodded once again, and like Elijah, she rxed in her seat.


    Emir''s mind then skipped over the process as he quickly called out the names of the rest.


    "Rank 3, Aria GoldLeaf."


    "Rank 4, Max ckwood."


    "Rank 5, Ava Nguyen."


    "Rank 5, Arthur."


    "Rank 6, Quinn Mercer."


    "Rank 7, ---"


    ...


    "Rank 77,


    After sighing, Emir looked back at the students.


    "Once again, it''s nice to meet you all... As you know, I''m the new professor, Emir."


    "Since it''s still the schedule correction period, I won''t be going into lessons right away, but I''ll announce a few things instead."


    "While I''ll teach you greens how to fight, I''ll be focusing on the basics first. You need to learn how to survive before trying to fight anyone. So expect my focus to be on your foundation for now."


    "Also, I''ve allowed second-years and up to join my lessons, don''teining if you don''t want them in, I won''t change my mind."


    "Last thing... I''ll warn you guys now. If any of you think it''ll be easy since I''m close to you in age or that I''m a new professor, then think again..."


    "As an educator, I''ll make sure you face regret for beingcent."


    Emir decided to end the ss there as he didn''t have much to say.


    But just as he was about to leave, he turned around and added:


    "Oh, and I almost forgot..."


    "Little baby fights between students are strictly disallowed."


    "If I see anything out of line, and when I say anything, I mean it, your head will be on the chopping block."


    "Do enjoy killing each other elsewhere; I don''t want to bother cleaning up the mess, is that understood?"


    It took them some time to get out of their stunned state, but they eventually replied as a collective:


    "...Yes Professor!"


    Emir noticed a few that stayed quiet but he didn''t care for their cute little rebellion.


    "Good. Now make yourselffortable and look forward to a hellish year."


    He chuckled and left the room, leaving behind bewildered kids who didn''t know what to make of all that just happened.


    ***


    Arthur continuously stared at the door, his eyes begging their professor toe back.


    Yet as time passed...


    Nothing happened.


    The students next to him were the same.


    It was their first and only ss today, so they expected something.


    But it was over so quickly.


    Like a gunshot, their professor said what was needed and left.


    Arthur expected it to be that one tanned beauty he saw some time ago...


    But it seemed their ss was out of luck.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ***


    Sofia had her back rxed on the seat, her posture no different from the start of the ss.


    It seemed her interest in this professor held merit.


    His background information was scarce, yet it painted a clear picture.


    The man knew battle.


    He might be able to teach her things that many professors of the past couldn''t.


    ***


    Aria didn''t get the attention she wanted.


    She was mad...


    Well, as angry as a girl might feel towards her crush.


    ***


    Elijah was her opposite.


    Emir called him Elijah Oliver.


    This meant that he had officially recognized him as a brother.


    Now all that remained in his mind was a single question.


    ''How should I celebrate this day?''


    Ironically, the Reaper was the only one who had enjoyed that short ss.


    ***


    Ava was bored, the same as Max, and after the professor left, they talked amongst


    themselves.


    "So what do you think, monkey?"


    "I don''t know BITCH... but he looks strong."


    "Oh, is the sun rising from the west tomorrow? You? Complementing someone?"


    "Shut up... Don''t talk to me like I''m stupid!"


    Max then ran his hand through his hair while adding:


    "I remember seeing him at an auction two years ago... I thought he was like the rest of those


    desperate bastards that wanted to try their luck with unknown items but he... it looked like he


    knew what the pill was."


    "Oh? You''ve had a run-in with him too?"


    "What? What do you mean ''too?""


    "He''s the guy that killed like half the rogue dudes chasing my convoy."


    "Ah, that''s when your dumbass dad fucked up-"


    "Don''t call daddy that!"


    He ignored her screams as his hand toyed with his red hair, curling it around his finger as he


    stated something she had just confirmed:


    "So he was already strong before that pill..."


    "Who cares about that?! Apologies!


    Their conversation flowed as such.


    And well... it could be summed up as useless drivel.


    Simr conversations urred in the entire ss, with many questioning the rumors


    surrounding their new professor.


    Those who were skeptical or ignorant questioned his validity, while those who were bright began going over his words, noting them down to ensure they would never contradict them.


    But there was someone among the chaotic lot who stood out.


    Extremely so.


    While Emir talked or rather stated his warnings...


    This certain girl had her quiet gaze fixated on him.


    Unlike Aria and Sofia, who were interested in him, each with their own reason...


    Her eyes held an incredibly intense emotion. One opposing theirs by arge margin.


    She showed hate.


    Absolute fury.


    A dying want for revenge.


    This student was Quinn Mercer.


    She stared at him the entire time he was in the ss.


    Yet he never once looked back at her.


    His shades remained pointed in the Elite''s direction the entire time.


    It was as if they were the main characters of a y, and she was nothing but a background


    character, an extra...


    A ''unnamed.''


    This infuriated her to the extreme.


    The man who caused her father''s downfall was now looking down on her.


    Quinn truly couldn''t handle her spiraling intent. Killing intent.


    One that wasn''t detectable to those beside her because it was weak...


    So weak, that Emir''s lingering presence extinguished itpletely.


    That indicated just how impossible her goal truly was.


    But that didn''t cross her mind.


    All that she thought of at that moment was the very same vow that crossed her mind a million


    times before today.


    ''I''ll kill you for what you did to my life!''


    A vow of revenge.


    ***


    Emir noticed all of that.


    And more...


    But he knew not what ''it'' was.


    ''It'' was the reason why he left so quickly. He just felt off.


    His thought process was slower, ever so slightly.


    Yet even still, that didn''t affect him so much that he wouldn''t pick up on Quinn''s death-


    wishing stare.


    Unlike the others, she wasn''t simply looking at him...


    Like a hawk, her gaze caught all his actions. His every gesture. Every disyed emotion.


    Emir didn''t know what she had nned, but he knew one thing for sure:


    That girl was utterly RETARDED.


    An absolute dysfunctional being that imagined the impossible.


    She dreamt of his death.


    But dreams will always be just that...


    Dreams.


    However, he saw something in her that the other students didn''t have.


    Drive, one that bordered on insanity.


    And there was nothing better than such fire to propel a Celestial forward.


    After all, a good noose around the neck didn''t hurt anyone.


    Emir chuckled while walking through the empty halls.


    [Hey, Ly.]


    It took a second, but her telepathic response soon reached him.


    [...Yes, prince?]


    [That girl, what do you think I should do with her?]


    [Quinn, you mean?]


    [Yeah.]


    [She''s good; her talent is bright as well, maybe even better than most named characters.]


    [A diamond in the rough, huh.]


    [That she is, especially with the cybeic enhancements she got.]


    Emir nodded, now nearing the fourth floor''s lobby.


    [Then I''ve decided...] And the smile on his lips died down. [She''ll be my disciple.]

 Chapter 276: Protagonists Halo

    Chapter 276: Protagonist''s Halo


    ?


    As Emir neared the elevator, he heard many students mingle about, heading to their next ss.


    "You guys checked out the new update?"


    "Yep."


    "Yeah, it''s still AI, right?"


    "I legit can''t see a difference between it and a real girl."


    "Facts."


    "But how much does it cost?"


    "Dunno, but the fucker that made it just locked it behind a few AUC, so I bet only degens like us are gonna buy it."


    "True."


    "Say something other than a single word you piece of shit!"


    And it seemed there was a new trend. As was usual in this ce. Last time, it was thenguage archive, and now it was this.


    Unfortunately, most couldn''t participate in this trend.


    AUC, Academy Unity Credits, were rare.


    A credit point system only for people registered in the Academy which included both staff and students.


    And this credit system was the reason why the Academy was so popr.


    After all, that currency was the only one that could buy skill imnts and instant knowledge from the Archive In Between.


    ''...I''ll be getting a lot of that soon.''


    Emir''s snickering arrival brought the student''s conversations to a close.


    They quickly made way for him, and he stepped into the professor''s elevator.


    After arriving on the tenth floor, he headed to his office.


    Beep.


    Soon, he entered his office, passed the desk, and sat on hisfortable chair. The door closed.


    ''Huh...''


    That weird feeling he had... just left him.


    Why?


    What even was it?


    He didn''t know.


    [Ly? You felt it too, no?]


    [What do you mean?]


    [Like you find anything different about yourself?]


    [No... not really.]


    Emir nodded, still lost in thought.


    ''Let''s see...''


    The door to his office opened as it received his neuralwork''smand.


    And the weird feeling arrived once again.


    ''Interesting.''


    [Lyra, initiate a self-check.]


    [Alright...]


    Not asking why, she immediately began:


    [What''s your name?]


    Emir rxed his right arm on the chair.


    [Emir Oliver.]


    [Blood family members?]


    [Lily and Laura.]


    [Who is Lyra to you?]


    [My partner... my right-hand woman.]


    [...And your left?]


    [Ragnar.]


    [Elijah, is your?]


    [Little brother.]


    [The others are?]


    [Family.]


    [No inconsistencies there... I''ll start with ns and goals.]


    [Go ahead.]


    [Alex''s head?]


    [We''ll use him to pit Temr against the Liberation Army, then end them.]


    [Third party?]


    [Constant identification failure; objective is to kill that bastard.]


    [Sofia?]


    [Absorb into the family.]


    [Quinn?]


    [Absorb into the family.]


    [Aria?]


    [Absorb into the family-]


    "Fuck."


    Emir''s body immediately tensed as his mind registered the mistake he had just uttered.


    He was now sure that...


    ''My head''s been tampered with.''


    He was under the influence of something.


    [Lyra, jolt my nanobots until I get knocked out.]


    Hismand wasn''t something she wanted to do ever.


    Hurting him was her nightmare.


    Yet she would never go against it, as that was a far scarier nightmare.


    [...Sure.]


    Emir began to spasm while still on his chair, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.


    Pain was giving him a visit.


    It bordered on death.


    But thankfully, like the pain he experienced during the breakthrough, it hadn''t crossed that


    line.


    Not yet.


    And the man was soon asleep.


    He woke up just as he was knocked out, and the feeling wasn''t there anymore.


    However, he soon felt it trying to invade his mind again.


    But it wasn''t going to enter. He wouldn''t allow that to happen.


    Emir was ready this time around.


    He took hold of his neuralwork, focusing hisplete attention on shielding it while also


    activating countermeasure programs.


    Then, in doing so, he detected the invading parasite.


    It was a wave among the many that surrounded him.


    Yet this one particr wave was aggressive, extremely so.


    It tried to hijack, or rather connect, to every open source.


    Every system.


    And Emir, like any other hunter, had a nanobot injection.


    So he too was a system.


    One that was in that wave''s line of sight.


    ''Good.''


    His anti-malware program was now fully activated.


    The virus, or whatever it was... could no longer enter his system.


    And sure enough, he eventually detected the source.


    After closing his eyes, he tracked it.


    Ninth floor?... No.


    Eight floor?... No.


    Seventh floor?... No. Sixth floor?... No.


    Fifth floor?... No.


    Fourth floor?... Yes.


    It was exactly where he ''taught'' his students.


    In the ss.


    To be more specific...


    ''Arthur.''


    The signal came from Arthur.


    ''Ah...''


    And everything clicked.


    ''I get it now.'' Emir quickly understood this to be one of the protagonist''s ''cheats.''


    It seemed that Arthur had a certain effect on the people around him.


    This ''effect'' caused their IQ to decrease and their thoughts to change, subtly at least.


    A protagonist''s halo.


    Basically, a spell-like program inside his system that would disrupt the neuralwork of


    those in his vicinity.


    Even those who only interacted with him once or twice.


    What Elijah experienced in the test was exactly that.


    His mind was slower, dumber.


    It was almost unrecognizable by the average man, but it existed nheless.


    ''Hmm...''


    Emir began thinking of ways he could use this to his advantage.


    He could bring Arthur around and dumb down the people that he''d negotiate with in the


    future.


    His existence would bring him an advantage in every possible situation.


    But would that even work on those Archon ranked and above?


    It might not even work on those above the Champion sub-rank.


    No, no, it barely worked on him, so it definitely wouldn''t on those stronger.


    Amon wouldn''t leave it be if it affected him.


    This was no spection. Besides, it was too much of a hassle.


    Emir deemed it best to just kill the source.


    A simple touch would do the trick.


    All he needed to do was activate a program and attack the parasite.


    [Ly, it''s Arthur; you already figured it out, didn''t you?]


    ***


    [No.]


    ''Yes.''


    Was that what Lyra wanted to say?


    She didn''t know.


    [What do you mean no? Are you affected?]


    [I''m really not... Is everything alright? I don''t see what you''re so suspicious about.]


    ''I am, but my systems are alreadypromised; I need you to kill the source ASAP!''


    Emir, who was in the process of leaving his office, paused his steps.


    He turned around.


    [Show yourself.]


    [Of course.]


    ''Of course.''


    Lyra''s hologram materialized in the middle of the room.


    Her smiling face appeared... normal as if nothing was wrong.


    [Are you brainwashed?]


    She quizzically tilted her head.


    [Emir, seriously... Are you alright? Something happened to you, am I right?]


    ''I am... Please, help me.''


    [...]


    Emir''s gaze turned cold.


    It was a sight that sent her trembling to the core.


    He then donned his shades and headed towards the door.


    [Wait! Where are you going?]


    Lyra chased after him, her hologram appearing before him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [To Arthur.]


    Emir walked through her, not caring one bit.


    [Don''t hurt him!]


    ''Kill him!''


    His hands clutched into tightened fists as he swung his right at the door.


    Bang!


    [What the fuck did you just say?!]


    Lyra materialized in his line of sight once again.


    Her face was no longer happy.


    She was mad, extremely so.


    [I said don''t hurt him! It''s a really bad idea!]


    ''Please kill him! How dare that bastard do this to me!''


    But Emir wasn''t.


    He only looked at her silently.


    And his eyes weren''t cold like before...


    ''I see.''


    Now they showed utter indifference.

 Chapter 277: Misfortunate Generation

    Chapter 277: Misfortunate Generation


    ?


    ***


    Arthur''s POV


    ''Ah... I''m going to get bullied here too.''


    No one helped me.


    Not even Ava.


    I thought we had something.


    Not friendship, but at least something closer than strangers.


    We survived that test together.


    We died together!


    And I helped her!


    I saved her...


    Without me, she would''ve been the first to die under that fire.


    But where was she now?


    Good deeds were supposed to be repaid, weren''t they? Smack!


    I got hit again. By the three students in front of me.


    Those three were Max''s goons.


    They were already annoyed with me for some reason, but when they saw me approach Ava...


    Smack!


    Yeah.


    This began.


    Now, I''m in an empty ssroom, getting clobbered like usual.


    ''Nothing''s changed from before.''


    ''Only the people doing the bullying.''


    ''At first, it was family. Now? It''s my very own ssmates.''


    My brain skipped through it. Their insults fell on deaf ears. Their hits reached an unfeeling body.


    I didn''t want to give them the satisfaction of winning.


    At least that, I held control over. Though... it never seemed like it.


    My mind continued to churn through that time...


    ''Why aren''t the professors helping?''


    Smack!''


    ''Are these cameras useless?


    ''I bet they''reughing at my sorry state right now.''


    Oh, they were.


    Or rather, it was one professor.


    He was responsible for our ss.


    The one we met today...


    Emir.


    He was at the holo-screen near the front desk.


    Watching with a smile.


    Was he goading me?


    No... that wasn''t something a professor would do.


    ''He w-wants me to fight back!


    ''Yes, he wants to see what I''m made of!''


    ***


    Third Person POV


    Arthur tried to fight back against them. He really did. He tried standing up, he tried deflecting


    his attacks. He tried many things.


    And all of them were scrutinized under his professor''s gaze.


    A trembling gaze.


    Why?


    Well...


    Arthur failed miserably.


    A few lucky ''wheel'' spins didn''t help him.


    They only prolonged his suffering.


    Emir didn''t interfere. He only struggled.


    Yes, he struggled to hold himself back.


    He wanted to get a few kicks in, too!


    But unfortunately, cameras were around. They prevented him from participating in this ''fun activity.''


    To top it all off, he couldn''t show himself oblivious to whatever was happening around him


    for too long.


    So he stepped in while letting out a few chuckles.


    The bullies finally noticed his presence.


    || ||


    And a few words flowed through the air:


    "You three will meet me in my office."


    "Check your bracelets; I''ll send the timeter."


    Emir then turned to the door, gesturing for them to leave.


    But a screaming voice stopped his actions:


    "You impuremoner bastard!"


    Ah...


    Not everyone was smart in this world.


    Or rather, the smart generation wasn''t theirs.


    Those that grew up in thetest one were...


    Unfortunate.


    Yes, misfortune gued them for living so easily.


    Emir, who showed no visible reaction, asked without looking back:


    "What did you just say?"


    Hearing no reply, he turned around and walked towards the dumbest of the three.


    "C''mon."


    "Say that again."


    "..."


    With every step, Emir spewed out his snake-like poison:


    "No? You can do it. C''mon, say it."


    "....."


    He had to hear his words again.


    "Say it. Say it. C''mon, say it."


    || ||


    If not, his killing intent, which had begun to drown the ce, would kill the students before


    The reached them.


    "Say it, say it... I SAID, SAY IT AGAIN!"


    "...COMMONER BASTARD!"


    And finally, he answered.


    Then all the killing intent suffocating that student...


    Disappeared.


    This caused his fear-stricken face to show slight relief.


    Emir then raised his right hand, causing him to flinch.


    "You''re right."


    And then it fell...


    "Huh?"


    Softlynding on the bully''s trembling shoulder.


    "You didn''t lie. What you said is true. Unlike you of the pure Elite..."


    He patted him.


    "I am but amoner... However, here..."


    He pointed downwards.


    "Here it''s different."


    "In this academy, I am a professor and you are a student. Nothing else."


    "So your statement challenges my authority as a professor, and for that, you deserve


    punishment!"


    "I didn''t-"


    "But..."


    Emir cut him off, inching his face closer to the bully''s ear.


    "If you continue your ''conversations'' with your new friend, I''ll consider this matter unseen.


    Is that understood?"


    The bully stepped back in surprise, and only after understanding his words did he continuously nod, wanting nothing more than this to be over.


    Emir let out a dark chuckle and then gestured for them to leave the room.


    Terrified, they heeded his unspoken demand and rushed out of there, leaving behind a


    speechless Arthur.


    He then approached his student, kneeled slightly, and pulled him to his feet.


    Only then did Emir see Arthur for the first time.


    An average-looking kid.


    Well, mostly the face.


    His other features certainly weren''t.


    Pale, with medium-length white hair and golden eyes.


    The boy didn''t look like any of this world.


    Maybe that was due to his lineage.


    But that didn''t matter to Emir.


    He only saw the contrast between their appearances.


    After the boy stood on his feet, his professor gave him a few pats on the head.


    Arthur flinched, seemingly feeling pain.


    Yet it onlysted a moment.


    And in that moment...


    [No...]


    Lyra realized.


    She finally realized what had happened.


    She understood how close their rtionship came to its potential end.


    Such a thing brought her sorrow deeper than any that she felt before.


    [I... I''m sorry, I just didn''t--]


    [It''s fine. I don''t mind it.] Their conversation stopped at that.


    Emir might truly not have cared about what happened.


    But Lyra couldn''t possibly know, because her brainwashed self wasn''t what mattered.


    What mattered was the implication that such a thing was possible.


    Maybe he knew of it beforehand, and this only served as a reminder.


    She couldn''t possibly know... Without him telling her, of course.


    Yet it appeared that he had no intention to do so, at least not for the time being.


    "I need you to fight back, Arthur..."


    Emir spoke, ending the weird silence that began after his pat.


    "I want to help, but the academy doesn''t allow us to coddle you students."


    Arthur looked exacerbated, his eyes twitching.


    "But I can''t do anything!"


    "It''s the same everywhere¡ª"


    Smack!


    His words died out as Emir pped him across the face, causing his neck to twist to the right.


    "Your future is that of a soldier... Arthur."


    The protagonist looked back at Emir with anger.


    "Why-"


    He got pped again.


    "But-"


    Smack!


    "I¡ª"


    Smack!


    "...You-"


    Smack!


    "Fuck! STOP IT."


    Emir''s hand paused just before reaching Arthur''s now bruised face.


    "Do you understand?"


    The student appeared to have learned as he quietly nodded.


    As his educator, Emir was proud. He taught him a valuable lesson today.


    ps to the face did indeed hurt.


    Oh, and that it was best to rely on oneself instead of others.


    In most cases, at least.


    "Good, I''ll see you next ss then."


    Emir left the room with a smile.


    He definitely didn''t p him for fun. It was to teach.


    Only that.


    Yes.


    ''Now let''s go get introduced.''


    ...


    [Wee to the ninth floor, Sir Emir.]


    "Thank you, Brain."


    Emir replied as he stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby.


    "Mind telling me where the camera feed is sent?"


    [Rank Identification: Privileged, SS Security Clearance, ess epted to Level 2.]


    A green-colored hologram suddenly materialized before him.


    It was a tiny, spherical blob of...


    ''...a Slime?''


    [Follow me.]


    The holographic creature left a trail of gunk in its wake.


    ''Oh, maybe that''s why.''


    Emir chuckled and walked after it.


    They made their way through a long hall bathed in blue, conversing between themselves.


    "So, Brain, what do you do around here?"


    [That would take me approximately one hundred and ten years to verbally exin. Is that fine


    with you?]


    "What do you think?"


    [You don''t want to listen to it.]


    "I don''t."


    [A summary then?]


    "How long would that take?"


    [Ten hours.]


    "...And?" [You don''t want that either.]


    "Why?"


    [It''s still too long.] "Correct, now what do you think I want?"


    [To check the cameras.]


    "No, ah, whatever."


    Emir gave on talking with it and looked around.


    The source of said blue light were big ss chambers that housed legions of servers on each


    side of the hall.


    The transparent walls revealed circuitry and pulsating processors across nearly all metallic


    frameworks. Soundless quantumputers in formation, a congregation of machines and servers interconnected by nothing but thework.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This behemoth of tech marvel worked without wires, speeding through countless data at


    iprehensible scales. Alongside them were normal, high-speedputers that maintained consistency in all


    departments.


    One did not use a nuke to kill a cockroach, and one did not need a quantumputer to do


    basic


    math.


    Quantumputers were simply a further advancement of everything database and


    simtion-rted.


    The transistors in those machines allowed in Qubits instead of Bits, which were zeros, and


    ones. The reason for such change was that if the transistors shrank to the size of only a few atoms, electrons couldn''t be controlled and would pass through the transistors due to quantum tunneling.


    So a simple upgrade wasn''t possible, an entire change was needed.


    A different machine altogether.


    One that could even teleport humans. Though without Aether, the only teleportation possible


    would''ve been where the original body was destroyed and copy-pasted to the location selected. A fatal, unnecessary wonder, but a wonder nheless.


    Such things and more were all created after the discovery of the fifth state of matter in space.


    It wasn''t ''sma,'' nor ''Quark-Gluon sma'', a liquid-like state sma. What it was was a


    ''Bose-Einstein Condensate.''


    A quantum object that neared Absolute Zero.


    ''Amon sure has outdone himself...''


    He cracked a grin as he stopped his mind from going too deep into the ck hole named


    science.


    His gaze then shifted from the inner workings of the ce to something closer.


    A few holographic disys hovered above some of the consoles that had escaped the mass of


    tech behind the walls.


    They projectedplex data charts and streaming algorithms, which added to the already


    high-tech sanctum.


    It truly seemed that the owner of this ce loved it to be sleek.


    ''Impressive... really impressive.''


    Emir liked what they had done here quite a bit.


    It matched what he wished for in his base of operation.


    His home.


    While he didn''t particrly need any of this as he had Lyra...


    That family of his wasn''t privy to such a privilege.


    They had Lyra''s help at times. But that was the thing. ''At times.'' Sure she hung around the


    house or thepany, but whenever Emir needed her, that''s where she would go. She


    couldn''t work on multiple spaces at super high capacity at once. After all, herputing power was limited.


    This setup on the other hand... It had everything Emir wanted.


    Multiplied by a thousand.


    Especially the camera system.


    And now Emir stood before the entrance to the said camera system.


    The monitoring room.


    He looked towards it, waiting.


    [Processing...]


    [Level 2, essed.]


    The gates opened to show arge room.


    Unlike before, it was rtively empty, only containing desks that outlined the walls.


    [Please, sit down; e camera feeds will appear shortly.]


    Brain approached a desk and circled its chair.


    Emirughed at how absurd this all looked, and then took his seat.


    Then, not even a moment passed before multiple holo-screens projected themselves in front


    of him.


    They disyed students and non-teaching staff members present throughout the academy. [Professors are hidden?]


    [Correct, level 3 privilege is required.]


    [I see, thanks, Brain.]


    [It''s my pleasure, Sir Emir.]


    ''Now then...''


    The holo-screens whirled to his neuralwork''smand.


    Snap!


    The movement of these projections ceased as Emir focused on a particr screen.


    In it, one could see a student with particr grey hair, bunched up into a ponytail.


    Emir rxed his posture, leaning back into his chair.


    ''Let''s see how my students are fairing.''

 Chapter 278: Chained Ruler

    Chapter 278: Chained Ruler


    ?


    That student, that Reaper was Elijah.


    He was alone.


    The Elite training room on the fourth floor, which should''ve been full, was empty.


    As if it were a ghost town. A house of horrors.


    Maybe that was too much.


    Right, well, in this case, it would''ve been more urate to say ''horror'' instead.


    It was obvious that Elijah was the cause of such a scene.


    His existence seemed to be ignored but also feared.


    Why?


    Was it because Elijah was an Elite?


    No, as Emir ''scrolled'' through his other ''named'' students, he found them surrounded by many who wished to be in their graces.


    Max had his goons with him, threatening another poor soul.


    Those goons appeared to be less enthusiastic about it, however.


    ''A good burial would do.''


    Sofia had many admirers flock to her, like a stampede pushing and pulling to reach her, groveling at her feet even.


    She ignored them.


    ''Keep up the good work, kid.''


    Arthur visited the Hub to get himself fixed up, and as fate premeditated, he met his nerdy friend there.


    Two bullied peas in a pod.


    An ''unnamed...'' Quinn.


    She was training with an assault rifle at the gun range, shooting holographic targets one after the other while also engaging them in CQC.


    ''Interesting.''


    It appeared that her talents remained a mystery to her.


    ''I can do something with that...''


    Ava was with Aria. They were out in the shopping district connected to the Academy.


    Aria seemed to have given up trying to make up with Elijah.


    At least for today.


    So Elijah was the only one who remained lonely.


    Quite a sorrowful sight.


    Now then, herees the same question again, if it wasn''t for him being an Elite, why was he alone?


    It was because of his specialization. His path through the Nether''s River.


    Thebel of the Reaper. One frowned upon by the masses.


    A Celestial that would benefit from anyone''s death... Was a hated, feared being.


    And what he did in the test had also spread.


    His act of burning down towns of people without knowing that he was in the digital realm.


    While he did know that, or so he imed that he did, rumors weren''t always about the truth, now were they?


    However, ironically it was actually the truth this time around, so such a phrase would not work.


    Heh.


    Emir chuckled, then took his eyes away from the holoscreen.


    [Hey... Lyra.]


    The girl took a moment to respond, as she didn''t expect him to call for her any time soon.


    [...Y-Yes?]


    [Should I help him out?]


    [No... he needs no pampering.]


    Emir nodded at her answer.


    If one judged by how he initiated the conversation, it would seem that he was over what had happened between them.


    But was he really?


    [Good.]


    Lyra once again had no idea.


    But for now, her focus was on keeping the status quo.


    So with that in mind, she quickly caught on to why he asked her such a question.


    [Were you... testing me?]


    He stood up from the seat and put it back under the desk.


    [Yeah, I just wanted to make sure of a few things.]


    In a few steps, he crossed the gate and followed after the blob.


    [Being?]


    [A question of whether you''d say the truth, speak your mind, even after what happened


    today.]


    [I see... Did I pass?]


    [Pass what? Did anything happen?]


    Seconds passed in silence before Lyra released a few telepathic giggles.


    It appeared that she, in fact, had an idea.


    [I don''t know either; hehe, don''t mind me.]


    With their conversation over, Emir left the ninth floor.


    Brain bid him goodbye on the way out, its blobby self disappearing into particles of light, and


    he was soon walking the halls of the fourth floor.


    All the students there made way for him.


    They appeared scared to be even near him.


    Emir noticed that and assumed that rumors about his ''style'' had already begun to spread.


    Other professors might''ve disliked being feared, but it was something that he enjoyed and


    even wanted.


    It gave him ''space'' to think, both figuratively and literally.


    [We close?]


    [Take a right then just continue straight.]


    He nodded, his thoughts halting, returning to focus on the present.


    His current destination was the meeting room on the fourth floor. One that was essible


    only to professors.


    Amon, their principal, requested that they introduce themselves to each other, so they had


    this meeting nned earlier today.


    Emir agreed on the time during his stay in his office.


    Ting!


    The bracelet rang to remind him that the time of the meeting was near.


    But he didn''t need such a warning, as he was now standing outside the meeting room.


    After a quick scan, the in white door slid open with a whoosh.


    His eyes first met the twins.


    One mimicked the blind, while the other had his arms rxed in his pockets.


    They were closest to the entrance, standing next to a long oval table.


    The ce looked extremely simr to what Emir had designed back home for their dining


    room.


    It was mainly because he took ''inspiration'' from this ce...


    Right, he didn''t steal it or anything.


    In fact, the colors were different, so he could deny their rtively concrete giarism ims


    if they ever went against him in court.


    Though if anything, they only differed because this room followed the Academy''s insistence


    on having everything be either a varying shade of gold, green, or blue and he didn''t want


    anything to do with that.


    After all, it was the same color scheme as the UEF''s insignia.


    ''Here we go~.''


    Emir already began to dread the meeting as Professor One approached him with a smile.


    "You''re early."


    "Yeah, I wanted to introduce myself to the seniors."


    Professor Two chuckled at Emir''s reply.


    "That doesn''t really match your speech, but who am I to judge, eh?"


    ''Fuck you too.''


    Emir joined him inughter, hiding his sharp thoughts behind his friendly demeanor.


    "My bad, my bad... just wanted to keep things straight, you know?"


    Professor One tapped his back.


    "It''s fine, but what''s up with you not using formalnguage?"


    "I respect my seniors based on their ability, not age."


    Professor Two appeared offended.


    "So you don''t respect us then?"


    ''Yes.''


    "No... You being a professor in the academy warrants that."


    "Hm, I like your honesty, Emir. My name is; it''s only my second year here, so it''s nice


    to see another junior."


    Professor One introduced himself next:


    "And I''m ¡ª¡ª¡ª, third year. He''s a Champion while I''m an Exarch."


    "It''s nice to meet you guys; please take care of me."


    "You''re acting so different from how I expected you to be..."


    Professor Three interrupted their conversation as she stepped closer to Emir.


    "That''s a good thing, no?"


    She nodded, bringing her arms closer to his wide shoulders.


    "Yes, it is~."


    He shrugged her off and nodded towards the two professors.


    "Right, well, excuse me... I need to introduce myself to the rest."


    "Of course, don''t keep the twins waiting."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "No worries."


    || ||


    The trio watched him leave, two of them struggling to hide their grins, while the ignored


    woman remained stunned in ce.


    [Ly...]


    [...]


    [Lyra.]


    [...]


    [Lyra!]


    [...]


    [LYRA!]


    [W-what?]


    [No killing her; you got that?]


    [But... she-]


    [Look, I don''t care if she dies, but you can''t kill her now.]


    [...]


    [Do it during the Temr Major event, one more professor dying wouldn''t change much.]


    [...Thank you.]


    Emir chuckled while shaking his head.


    ''Looks like what happened with Arthur still has her jumpy...''


    ''I guess we can talk after today''s little heist.''


    With those thoughts out of the way, he approached the twins with caution.


    Once he stood in front of them, his eyestched onto theirs like a hawk.


    Based on their expressions, it seemed that Judas and Judal had grasped everything he hadid


    down.


    But they didn''t interfere and just watched, interest apparent on their faces.


    Previously, while talking with the two professors, Emir changed their question and replied


    while not even answering it.


    And yet... they were none the wiser.


    With this, he understood the level they were at.


    And it appeared that most professors there, at least S-level, were of a simr disposition.


    When rted to the Academy, this wasn''t anything particrly bad.


    They looked to be experts in their paths, but they didn''t have much experience outside the


    sector''s walls.


    This would prove advantageous for Emir in the future, but for now, he needed toy down the foundation of that future.


    ''Looks like their anger died down a bit...''


    "Nice to meet you both; I''m called Emir, Champion, untrod path."


    He didn''t bow towards them, but he did salute, his hand hovering over his second heart for a


    short moment.


    "Ya better be grateful to be in our presence, ya tall piece of crap!"


    As expected, Judal reacted like a wild gangster.


    "Please, brother..."


    But his twin calmed him down, or at least tried to.


    "Whatever!"


    Judal shrugged him off and went to terrorize the other professors, leaving the two alone.


    "Apologies for his behavior, Emir; he has a certain dislike for the impure." Judas, a man who showed a bright, ''kind'' smile, began his battle of words with Emir.


    "It''s fine, sir Judas; even as an ''impure'' my expectations of how lovely the wee would be were more than exceeded."


    "Hoh... and why is that?"


    Emir grinned.


    "Our dear principal seems fond of me; he even told of a certain puppet belonging to you."


    And Judas... finally fluttered his eyes open, revealing two bright browns.


    "Puppet?"


    "Yes, a puppet; I heard it''s a part of your underworld collection."


    While acting surprised, Judas let out a low chuckle.


    "Oh, right, that''s a private... hobby of mine. It seems that I never grew out of collecting


    dolls."


    "Hmhm, the one I liked most was that chained ruler."


    ""


    "Doesn''t ring a bell? You know that one uhh... the leader of an army that fights for the


    people''s liberation."


    Judas sewed his mouth shut, not letting out a single breath, yet his eyes didn''t leave Emir''s.


    "It''s fine, sir; you shouldn''t be so embarrassed."


    "..."


    "Look, I get that you have your brother covering for you, but you should''ve known that this


    secret was bound to spread one day."


    ||||


    Emir frowned as if he were confused.


    "Ah..."


    Then, like a bulb going off in his head, he palmed his forehead.


    "Sorry, sorry, it seems I''ve said too much. Please don''t hold it against me; you know how us


    ''Impure'' are. We tend to vomit out our brain cells every once in a while."


    "..."


    Emir joined Judas''s silence and locked his gaze with the bright browns opposing him.


    Both had evil, sinister eyes visible in their depths.


    Yes, they weren''t heroes by any means...


    And it showed.


    Emir was known to lean towards such cruelty, his past exploits shared and much exaggerated


    within the Academy but not Judas.


    His reputation remained untouched by such tales.


    No one would''ve suspected him to be the true leader of one of the three underground factions.


    The Liberation Army itself.


    The prince''s enemy.


    A fact unknown to the ''blind'' man himself.

 Chapter 279: Here We Go Again

    Chapter 279: Here We Go Again


    ?


    "Truly..."


    Judas spoke, closing his eyes, much like he once closed his mouth


    "...Yes, truly."


    His smile twisted even more as the stalemate came to an end.


    "It has been nice to have met you, Emir."


    He paused while reaching out, wanting to shake hands.


    "I feel the same."


    Emir epted the gesture while nodding.


    "Again, wee to the academy, and I hope we have a bright year ahead of us."


    "Of course... I just hope that our enemies won''t attack any time soon."


    A grin was shared between the two.


    "Me too, Emir, me too."


    Then suddenly, their smiling match was interrupted by someone''s loud scream:


    "You inbred bastard!"


    ''Ah, Rag...''


    It seemed that his brother had arrived while he wasn''t looking.


    "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"


    Ragnar had his suit''s cor held by Professor Four.


    It was a ridiculous sight as the man tried to threaten someone who towered over him.


    "Ha? You mad? Calling yourself pure when your parents are just into incest-"


    Smack!


    Professor Four pped Ragnar across the face. Yet Ragnar didn''t even flinch; the only thing that moved was his beard.


    Ragnar spit on the ground then looked at the people around him with a nk face and asked: "I can hit back, right?"


    Receiving no reply, his raised hand was about to crush the man''s head in.


    But just as it began to fall, three professors materialized before Professor Four...


    And the room halted.


    "Rag, calm down."


    "Younky shit, chill out or I''ll kill you."


    "Stay still and stop screaming. Everyone''s gagging ''cause of your rancid impure breath."


    One more professor, hidden away from the spotlight, had her right hand pointed at Ragnar''s


    own.


    It was Morgiana.


    "Listen to reason."


    Although far away, her words easily reached them due to how quiet the room was. "Brother..."


    Sad but angry eyes were trained on Emir, ignoring everyone but him.


    "Why are you defending him?"


    They were Ragnar''s.


    "MOTHERFUCKER CALLED ME A FALLEN ELITE!"


    And he looked to be extremely wronged, pissed even, absolutely livid.


    "THIS INBRED BASTARD THINKS I''M AN INBRED TOO!"


    Emir snapped his head away, struggling to stop himself fromughing out loud.


    It appeared that Ragnar was mad not at the fact that he was called a Fallen but at being


    associated with the Elite themselves.


    Everyone soon realized this.


    And it caused mayhem to ensue.


    "You dare?!"


    "Say that again!"


    "Calm down, you idiots."


    "You don''t deserve to be here!"


    "What the hell are you guys on about?"


    "Act like adults, gentlemen."


    "Just who do you think you are?"


    "Get the fuck out of here!"


    "Take that impure peasant with you!"


    ''Ah shit... here we go again.''


    "HA?!"


    Ragnar snapped.


    Truly snapped.


    His Aether began to flood the room...


    And a chuckling Emir stepped back.


    He was not about to involve himself with a rampaging Warp Weaver.


    Or worse... being in the crosshairs of two High Lords.


    Thest subrank of those Seraphim.


    "Don''t kill him, and good luck."


    Leaving those words behind, Emir exited the room, with Morgiana quickly following behind


    him.


    "Hey, hey, how''s it going?"


    "Yo, it''s been good. You?"


    She giggled.


    "Damn... You. Are. Dry~."


    "Yeah, it''s been one hell of a day; what can I say?"


    "Oh, you messed up your first ss?"


    "No, didn''t you hear the rumors?"


    "I did, just making conversation."


    "Hm, you don''t need to do that with me."


    Her feet didn''t pause, but her smile did, almost turning into a frown.


    "What do you mean?"


    What Emir was about to say next was a gamble since he based his words on the novel...


    "I''m saying that you shouldn''t force yourself to act this way."


    But he wanted to probe the reason for the change in character she would soon experience.


    ""


    The Morgiana of the future wouldn''te from nothing after all.


    "Now you''re taking my words too literally-"


    His joke was interrupted as she walked off with puffed cheeks.


    "Hey, where you going?"


    Emir followed after her, easily matching her speed.


    "Answer me."


    ''Ah, I ain''t got time for this.''


    He let out a sigh while grabbing her shoulder and smashing it onto the wall.


    "Oi, stop ying with me."


    Her eyes threatened a rainfall of tears.


    And just as he noticed that, his mouth fell agape, almost hitting the ground.


    "You-"


    "What do you know?"


    Her cold words rang out, fitting the image of a cial Weaver.


    "I... I''ve never... I wasn''t like this before. I wasn''t... cold."


    ''Wait...''


    Emir grew suspicious.


    ''So her original personality really was this bubbly girl act that she always puts on?''


    Yet, this was not the time for that.


    He needed to calm her down first.


    And the best method he came up with was his usual hug session.


    Patting was to be included too.


    Who would say no to that?


    The prince was used to it working.


    But he wasn''t allowed the chance.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "No... I''m sorry."


    She shoved his hand away and ran off.


    "You don''t need to be."


    Emir could''ve easily caught her, but he didn''t care enough to chase after her.


    She was a grown woman, she could handle herself.


    ''Whatever...''


    And besides he had more important things to do than worry about a crying acquaintance.


    ''I better go rx before tonight.''


    He began to slowly walk in the same direction as her, heading to the elevator with his office as


    his goal.


    Meanwhile, his mind was busy calcting, thinking, and theorizing one of the said important


    things.


    The reason behind Morgiana''s personality switch.


    Such a massive shift in personality was extremely unusual.


    Severe trauma wasn''t involved, or so he assumed, as the novel didn''t dive into her backstory.


    That assumption came about due to her origin.


    A prominent branch of the ckwood family.


    She lived well off, to say the least.


    But then again, even if it was trauma, such a degree of change would still be abnormal.


    Strange, odd, bizarre, irregr, curious...


    Ting!


    Simply out of the ordinary.


    Yes, it certainly was not ordinary.


    That meant a rtionship between the change and the magical was possible.


    In fact, it was more than possible but definite.


    Ting!


    ''Hm... her specialization changed her.''


    Emir came to that obvious conclusion.


    The cold she cast affected her own heart.


    A piece of herself changed while she treaded the cial Path.


    ''But why her? Only her?''


    ''Why not me? Lyra? Ragnar? Anyone else?''


    His thoughts turned to those professors today.


    While he didn''t focus on their names and such, he did identify their personality types.


    But he didn''t find anyone going through something simr to Morgiana''s situation.


    ''Or did they already go through it?''


    They might''ve gone through ''it,'' adjusted to ''it,'' and then hid ''it'' behind a mask.


    And whatever ''it'' was rted to the Elite.


    Only they knew of ''it.''


    ''Ly doesn''t know so I''ll have to do some more detective work...''


    Ting!


    ''A few questions in the right ces are bound to give me a few answers.''


    The door to his office opened as it detected Emir approaching, the bracelet on his right hand


    doing its job well.


    ''...Shit.''


    Then, suddenly, he flinched as he moved closer to the door.


    His feet paused. His eyes, mouth, and entire face were next to follow.


    The same happened to his body.


    Emir, with survival instincts ingrained in every fiber of his being, simply didn''t dare to step


    into the room without having his mind prepared.


    After a trembling sigh escaped him...


    ''Damn, just what did they figure out?''


    He stepped forward... slowly.


    "Hi there~."


    And he was weed by a smiling principal.


    Amon.

 Chapter 280: Principals Visit

    Chapter 280: Principal''s Visit


    ?


    ''No... I ain''t guessing.''


    With that simple thought, Emir calmed his nerves and stepped into the room.


    "Oh, Principal Amon, you''ve been waiting for me?"


    "I have; nowe take a seat."


    Amon gestured for Emir to sit opposite him.


    "Sure."


    He nodded, appearing unnerved, and approached his desk.


    "But, I have to ask, what brought this... visit?"


    || ||


    Amon remained silent for a few moments, and just as Emir rxed his back on the main desk chair, he replied with a smile:


    "It''s nothing; I just wanted to check on how my new employee is doing."


    Heh~


    "Yeah... Well, I''m doing good; I don''t know about the students though."


    Amon chuckled.


    "It appears so... But I''d rather not have you terrify the little ones."


    Emir raised his brows.


    "What do you mean? Did I do something wrong?"


    "Shameless."


    The principal, not one to mince words, straight-up called him out on what he was.


    "I agree."


    A rising grin spread across Emir''s face...


    "Look child, like all the other Chosen, I know you''re up to something..."


    But it died out after Amon spoke his piece.


    "Something illegal. Consider me but a gentle reminder, ensuring that I and others remain in the dark."


    And what reced it was a full-teethed smile.


    "Because then... When I know, I''ll be obligated to intervene."


    ''A threat, huh...''


    Emir leaned further back in the chair, appearing rxed as ever.


    "Don''t worry, you won''t... or maybe you will, but by then it''ll be toote."


    The principal mirrored his professor''s smile with equal intensity, a regal fervor befitting kings of both old and new.


    In that moment, it was as if crowns made of pure gold materialized above their heads, casting a radiant glow upon all that surrounded them.


    Their chairs seemed to transform, evolving into thrones that gleamed with controlled power. This created an aura of majesty somanding that it could beckon all those beneath them to leap into the nearest monster''s mouth and be swallowed whole.


    "If our contract isn''t breached, I won''t interfere, but if it was..."


    Hisst words remained unspoken, but they both knew the prince''s ending in such a scenario. "Yeah, yeah, I know."


    Emir shooed him off while standing up from his throne, causing the ''scene'' to dissipate.


    "I appreciate you checking up on me today, so I''ll send you a gift, expect him toe and say hi."


    Amon eyed him suspiciously but made no furtherment and left the room, causing the ce to turn quiet.


    And just as the principal ended his visit...


    ''She ratted me out.''


    Emir''s demeanor took aplete one-eighty.


    ''No, no, no, she didn''t.''


    He moved closer to the wall behind him and threw himself on the ground.


    ''I should ask her.''


    Many thoughts filled his mind.


    ''The fuck is wrong with you?''


    And he dove deep into a web of doubt, of suspicion.


    ''Just stop being paranoid.''


    It had been a long while since hest experienced this... state.


    ''Right, Lyra wouldn''t make such an obvious mistake even if she did betray me...''


    But it seemed that he wasn''t cured yet, or at least the test brought back the fragility that he


    hid in the depths of his being.


    ''Yeah, Amon doesn''t know about Arthur''s cheat, we''ll be fine.''


    Emir then began to lightly bang the back of his head against the wall, frustrated, agitated.


    ''He had another agenda for today''s visit.''


    Such an action caused his nerves to steady once more.


    ''I''ll find whatter, but for now...''


    [Hey, Ly, let''s talk.]


    ***


    "So... did he give you anything?"


    Amon paused his steps and nced beside him, his once dim ck eyes now brightening ever


    so slightly.


    "No, even my King''s Gaze was useless..."


    Theynded on a man covered in a robe and mask.


    A familiar mask...


    It was that of an animal. An owl.


    More specifically, it looked to be like a Borrowing Owl.


    Its colors were a mixture of dark brown, white, and subtle yellow around the man''s ''blurred''


    eyes.


    Blurred eyes... yes, they were blurred-


    "Why quiet for so long? And staring so much? My mask look weird to you?"


    Amon''s lips curled slightly upward as he looked away and continued walking.


    "Hm? Oh, just lost in thought; that guy, Emir, he nullified my ability even though he''s just a


    Seraphim."


    The masked man followed his lead through the hall as they headed towards the lobby.


    "Ah, worried about that?"


    "Yes and no... it wasn''t an ability that nullified my gaze but his sheer will. Actually... no, it doesn''t make sense to call it that. It''s just in insanity."


    "Anyone with a spark of sense would see that if they checked his test records... Anyways,


    what''s your n to keep that in check?"


    "Don''t worry about it."


    The masked man shrugged his shoulders.


    "Whatever you say."


    "Indeed, now about what he said... None of his words were lies."


    After a moment, they shared quietughter.


    "Then we CAN use him."


    "Right, and this would benefit him as well."


    "Of course it would; he needs me more than we need him."


    Amon''s bracelet was automatically scanned by the elevator as they neared it.


    "But will you tell the truth?"


    Ting!


    "I will, but first we''ll need to gain so much more in return."


    The door opened with a whoosh, and they promptly got in.


    "Hm, you''ll never get rid of that stigma while acting like that, you know..."


    Isaac sneered at thatment while pressing on the ninth, causing the door to close a


    momentter.


    "There''s no honor among Thieves."


    ***


    [Yuriel, report on Lily''s status.] Emir ordered telepathically while leaning on his chair''s armrest.


    [She''s fine, and today Ren''s integration into the group was natural; her friends didn''t suspect


    a thing.]


    [Good, now-]


    Hic! Sniff...


    His words took hold as he heard someone cry in the background.


    [...What was that?]


    [What do you mean?]


    [I heard crying.]


    [Oh, it''s-]


    Suddenly, she was cut off by someone or something, and the only sound that reached Emir


    was a thud.


    But he didn''t panic, knowing they were within the Academy, and calmly asked:


    [Yuriel, do you hear me?]


    [...]


    [I repeat, do you hear me?]


    [...]


    [Is Lily in danger?]


    [...MMMMHHH.]


    He finally received a reply.


    It was a muffled scream.


    ''Fuck.''


    [Lyra!]


    He immediately rushed out of his office and used sh Step to reach the elevator in under two


    seconds.


    [Sending location now.]


    Thankfully for all, no one was in his way...


    No one died.


    In a few more moments, he reached the ground floor and began blinking towards the sports


    arena.


    It only took him five seconds, and he went past the building''s doors.


    The break room on the first floor held Lily, and that was his destination. Despite numerousints from students he brushed past, almost crashing into them, he


    remained deaf to their grievances, whether loud or whispered.


    Under normal circumstances, Emir cared little for the strangers around him, children or not.


    And now, with his sister''s life potentially at risk, his indifference was amplified even more,


    seeing them only as obstacles consuming precious moments.


    This urgency even quashed any fleeting sense of nostalgia that might have arisen, given his


    past involvement in simr scenarios, albeit in a vastly different role as the orchestrator of the kidnapping rather than the one racing to prevent it.


    Bang!


    Not caring for how it would''ve looked to the others, he crashed through the opening door,


    entering the room with his body colliding against its sides, almost bending them.


    His eyes immediatelynded on Lily, disregarding everything else.


    With slowed time, he scanned her from top to bottom, checking for injuries.


    He found none.


    And yet it appeared that not all was fine and dandy.


    Lily''s brown eyes were puffy, her nose red, as if she had been crying just seconds ago.


    Others surrounded her, but Emir didn''t care about them.


    Only his sister.


    Yuriel, although lost on him, was in fact right next to Lily.


    She was crying.


    Not before, but now.


    She cried while looking directly at Emir. Her boss.


    Afraid. Right, she was scared.


    Was she scared because someone bullied Lily with her around?


    Was she scared because Emir might find her ipetent and kill her?


    Maybe, perhaps, perchance.


    None knew her fate except for the man himself.


    And Lily''s reaction to that man''s entrance was not to be considered subtle by any means.


    She first snapped her away and made sure to wipe any remaining tears.


    "Are you -"


    Then, in obvious annoyance, she cut her extremely worried brother off with a shout:


    "What the hell are you doing here?!"


    Emir didn''t reply but only stared at her inly, waiting for her mental faculties to return.


    And it appeared that they did so a momentter, as she lowered her head in apology.


    "I-I''m sorry..."


    The bystanders witnessing this scene would never have guessed that Lily was the older one of


    the two.


    It appeared natural, just the average older brother, who happened to be a professor, a popr hunter group leader, an ever-expandingpany co-leader, and a clean criminal responsible for multiple war crimes, atrocities, and massacres, disciplining his younger sister.


    Right,pletely normal.


    "Good."


    Emir nodded after waiting for a minute or so in silence, giving her the time to reflect on her


    actions, and then, when he thought that it was enough punishment, he gestured for everyonen/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    to leave.


    None of them retaliated or even hesitated.


    In front of them stood THAT professor, a man with so many rumors trailing behind him that even they, the theoretical kids were well-acquainted with his notoriety.


    For them, listening to him was mandatory; they didn''t dare test the waters.


    They got out quietly, and Yuriel was the first of the lot, almost rushing, stumbling over


    herself.


    Snap.


    As everyone left, a barrier of Aether formed around the two siblings, isting them from the


    outside world.


    After ensuring no one could hear them, he asked:


    "So tell me... Who am I supposed to kill?"

 Chapter 281: Honesty

    Chapter 281: Honesty


    ?


    Shocked, Lily''s head snapped up, and her eyes locked on Emir''s shades.


    "W-What do you mean?"


    He repeated:


    "Who. Am I. Supposed. To kill?"


    Still bbergasted, Lily stuttered out:


    "N-no one, I... d-don''t get what you''re so mad about."


    To Emir, Lily''s actions seemed iprehensibly foolish.


    She appeared to be covering for her bully, or worse, hiding their name to protect him from potential repercussions.


    Such scenarios were highly unlikely, but if that was her intention, he would be deeply disappointed.


    And regardless of whether it was option A or B, he wasn''t about to tolerate either.


    "I get it; if you won''t tell me, then I''ll beat it out of Yuriel."


    Lily, almost jumping in shock, ran to pull him back, grabbing his right arm.


    "Stop!"


    Emir, protective as always, didn''t want to inflict the softest of pain on her, so he didn''t bother shrugging her off and just dragged her along as he continued heading to the door.


    "I get that it''s embarrassing for you-"


    "Stoooooop!"


    "But if you won''t tell me -"


    "I said stop!"


    "Who''s bullying you-"


    "STOP! Wait-"


    "I''ll find someone that will, so don''t worry, we''ll just talk."


    Her struggling proved to be in vain as Emir reached the door and was about to- "What? Bullying?"


    But he stopped moving as he took in her words.


    Why was she questioning this word?


    Was she crying because of something else?


    Emir turned around and faced his sister.


    "Were you not bullied?"


    Lily scoffed.


    "Of course not! Do you think Yuriel would allow that?"


    "No..."


    "And besides, they''re too scared of you-"


    "But why cry?"


    Emir cut her off with that question, just to get back at her.


    "Humph."


    Lily executed her ssic move...


    Subtly puffed cheeks, closed eyes, and a delicate twist of the head to the right.


    Adorable was the only way to describe such a move.


    But it proved ineffective against Emir.


    He remained immune.


    All due to his prolonged exposure to her antics.


    "Sure, if you won''t say it, I''ll ask Yuriel."


    Her pose broke as she reached out to Emir once again. "Okay, okay, wait!"


    "What?"


    Emir asked without turning around.


    "I''ll tell you, but promise that you won''t tease me."


    He nodded.


    "I promise."


    She let out a long breath and revealed:


    "...I-It was a Nettoon."


    The prince was the one who grew confused this time around.


    "You cried ''cause of thoseics?"


    "I see..."


    He, who received no reply, quietly nodded and left the room.


    Only an embarrassed Lily remained.


    Her face was as red as Lyra''s of a few months ago. And if it were apetition, she would''ve


    definitely won.


    Knock! Knock!


    She fanned her face while looking up, expecting that it was her friendsing back into the


    room.


    "Wait, why would they-"


    Her words got stuck in her throat as a person with an ''E'' in their name entered instead.


    This person wasn''t tall or intimidating. He didn''t wear all-ck either, in fact, his attire resembled hers more than Emir''s usual style.


    Sweat covered his face, his breathsing in rapid gasps, indicating he had rushed here as fast as he could. It was a feat shared by Emir, but as siblings, such actions were taken for granted, something that he cared little about.


    "W-What are you doing here?"


    "I... I thought something happened to you."


    Elijah breathed while attempting topose himself.


    "Don''t worry, I''m alright."


    Lily approached him and tenderly held his hands, showing her appreciation.


    The boy flushed red, even more so than Lily and Lyrabined, taking first ce by a


    landslide.


    She giggled at his reaction, about to tease him, but a bang interrupted their moment.


    "Aww... You guys hold hands now? How lewd~."


    And Lyra, who arrived not more than a minute ago, joined in on Emir''s fun.


    "How lewd~."


    The cute duo beganpeting to see who could turn their face the most red, and they


    screamed:


    "EMIR!!!!"


    "BIG BRO!!"


    -


    After everything was over-the embarrassing misunderstanding, teasing, and a bit of banter


    -the four of them went up to Emir''s office.


    The once-red duo sat in front of his desk while Lyra remained behind his right-hand side.


    She had a hologram up and was exining their n of attack today.


    "So you''re saying that you''ll sneak into Arthur''s room?"


    Emir nodded at his sister while adding:


    "Me, Ly, and Elijah are, yes."


    She stood up in a fit of ''rage'' and smacked her hand down at the table.


    "And why am I not going?!"


    He offered no reaction but a sneer.


    "Shut up; you don''t want to go either."


    A huffing Lily sat back down while shrugging her shoulders.


    "Yeah, but give me the chance to reject you at least."


    "You two... Focus please."


    The chuckling siblings nodded at Lyra''s reminder.


    "Now, we wanted to make sure of Arthur''s schedule, but unfortunately, Isidore had mostn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    likely sent the ''cheat'' today, just like the novel, so we''ll have to make do."


    After a moment of thought, Lily raised her hand, wanting to ask a question.


    Emir nodded, granting permission.


    "You''re going at night, but there''ll still be students around so be careful, if they see Emir,


    they''ll mob you for questions."


    The man in question tilted his head.


    "Why?"


    "I don''t think you understand how popr you are; half of the girls in my ss suck up to me


    just for the chance that they might meet you, but yeah, don''t get too excited, this trend will


    blow over in a day or two."


    "...Huh."


    Emir looked behind him and stared at his beautiful partner, Lyra.


    She locked eyes with him.


    Her face showed calmness, but her brows were twitching.


    He didn''t need to ask to know what was going through her mind.


    "Don''t kill the students, ya hear?"


    She nodded... grudgingly. And they continued to silently stare at each other.


    After a few seconds, he called it quits, turned around, and faced the cute ones again.


    "Let''s move on..."


    He smiled.


    "Do you know what a Yottabyte is?"


    --


    Two people sat on a bench.


    One was Amanda. Lyra''s second identity.


    The other was Emir. A seemingly popr professor.


    Not looks-wise, but more on demeanor, background, and history...


    Probably, or at least, that was the most likely case from his perspective.


    What surrounded them was a cleared-out in of marble bathed by an almost moonless


    night.


    They sat next to the train station and were facing a building for those who could be called Aether-less students.


    Minutes passed in silence while they waited for Elijah to arrive. Afortable silence that


    they enjoyed.


    This duo, unlike thest, spent every moment at the hip, in an almost literal sense...


    Well, Lyra was.


    And it only took two words for her earlier worry to disappear.


    "I''m fine."


    That was all it took.


    And yes, her worry was about his mental state, not their rtionship; that came first to her,


    topping all in her mind.


    While she did agonize over how he would react to the whole mind maniption situation, it turned out that it didn''t affect him- at least not as much as she thought it would.


    For it obviously did, and she knew that.


    Not because she went through his memories; she would never attempt to do so without his permission, not that she could in the first ce, but simply because he told her.


    Instead of the usual memory sharing, he spoke to her and exined everything,ying it all


    out on the table.


    The reason why he did so was obvious:


    He didn''t want her to know his thoughts at the time.


    He didn''t want to show his momentaryck of trust towards her.


    He didn''t want to hurt her even more than she hurt herself.


    But he still told her everything and briefly exined why.


    This pure honesty, along with a million other things, was what made her fall so madly in love


    with him.


    She knew that no matter what happened between them...


    "Ah..."


    He would remain true to the end.


    "Our little reaper is finally here."

 Chapter 282: Dragons Tail

    Chapter 282: Dragon''s Tail


    ?


    "Why do you guys look so sad?"


    Elijah asked as he approached the seemingly solemn duo.


    Emir scoffed, while Lyra gestured for him to sit next to her.


    "Come sit so we can tell you."


    "...Okayyy?"


    Although confused, Elijahplied and took a seat next to Lyra, feeling out of ce.


    At that exact moment, Emir let out a small chuckle and said:


    "This bench is freshly painted."


    "...What?"


    "It was repainted this morning; you know how it is with the UEF; they don''t spend more than they need to."


    Lyra repeated, answering Elijah''s question while taking a dig at the government as was usual for her.


    The Academy, or rather the A-11 Sector in general, housed no protective dome, so most structures were acid rain-resistant.


    But this bench wasn''t, or so they implied.


    Elijah soon came to that conclusion, and as a consequence, a question formed in his mind:


    "But it didn''t rain today? Or like at all for the past month."


    Lyra nodded.


    "Right, it was in terrible shape before, but with the reduction in acid rain thanks to the Aether congregation, they figured repainting the bench was a worthwhile idea."


    "Wait-"


    Emir stood up, causing Elijah''s words to pause, his ck pants undisturbed by the bench''s white color.


    "Ahh, yeah... We could exin why all day but you ruined the joke man. Let''s just go."


    ...


    An excited Elijah walked ahead, while Emir and Lyra followed from behind.


    Their objective, the innocent one, was obvious.


    They were paying a visit to Elijah''s new home.


    Though he wanted to live back at their mansion, Emir told Elijah to stay at the Academy...


    Above all, Emir needed his little brother there to keep up appearances, acting like all was normal, it was for emergencies as well, but that wasn''t much of a reason as he had others stationed in the Academy to deal with such things instead.


    So other than living in the mansion, Elijah could do whatever he wanted.


    ''Born in Ruins'' could go to hell for all he cared, its plot was of little significance to him.


    And this today was the biggest evidence of that.


    Emir nned to steal everything that Arthur would obtain.


    This would result in changes that he truly couldn''t n for.


    Why? Well, fate was involved.


    While he wasn''t a stranger to it, he still didn''t, couldn''t understand it, no one could.


    But still... It didn''t change how he did or would do things.


    "Big Bro, this is gonna be like one of those buddy movies."


    Elijah, not one to handle silence, slowed down until Emir neared him.


    "I''m not sure where that applies."


    "Ha? But why?"


    "Just exin it."


    "You know, like movies where two dudes set out on a mission, argue about something during said mission, break up, only toe back together and realize they can''t do it without the other... It''s simple yet magical."


    Emir scoffed, while Lyra softly smacked Elijah''s head.


    "Hey! What was that for?"


    "You forgot about me."


    Before Elijah could reply, Emir cut in:


    "Hm, this ''mission'' is too short for that, and you won''t even be there for the break-in, but if,


    a big if, such a situation presented itself, it''d probably feel more like a journey of a singr


    heroic extra-"


    "Stop right there! What extra? And whose heroic? Last time I checked heroes didn''t ckmail


    people."


    Emir ignored Elijah and continued:


    "-Against all odds, times over adversity."


    "You forgetting me too?"


    He looked slightly behind his right and winked at her.


    "You gotta catch up first."


    That joke got a giggle out of her, but then Elijah interpreted their sweet moment with


    squinting eyes:


    "Something happen between you two?"


    And it seemed that he caught on to their ever-advancing rtionship.


    The two of them didn''t have much of a reaction to his question, and Emir, not one to lie, to his family at least, answered honestly:


    "Yeah, but keep it at that; we''ve reached the gates."


    Their banter ceased, and their faces turned serious, except for Emir, whose smile widened


    further.


    What stood in front of them was the dormitoryplex for those who Ascended.


    Those Aether-less lived near the Tower, while only the ''privileged'' lived here.


    A gated location at the far end of the Academy''s Empty Marble.


    It only housed two blocked-off buildings, one for the rich and pure, while the other was for


    the impure and unworthy.


    The named and unnamed.


    Their target was obviously the building housing the pure, aptly named Dragon''s Tail, not the


    one where the impure lived, dubbed the Lizard''s Tail.


    Just as they neared the gate, a guard once rxed in his cubicle, called out to them:


    "Stop right there, impure scum!"


    Well, it wasn''t them exactly, but some random student in front of them.


    "W-What did I do?"


    "You were about to follow them inside, weren''t you?"


    "Ah, no, I-"


    "Does he, of the Lizard, want to enter the den of green dragons?"


    The guard nodded at Emir, his smile evidently bright at being acknowledged by a professor.


    "Yes, Sir Emir, he''s been loitering around for a while now; it''s obvious that he''s up to no


    good."


    "I see..."


    Emir took another look at the kid and, after a moment, matched his face to a ''Name'' in his


    database.


    ''Oh, he''s Arthur''s new friend...''


    [Ly.]


    [Yes, he''s definitely waiting on Arthur.]


    [Hm, this wasn''t mentioned in the novel.]


    [It''s no problem. If we don''t interfere, he''d still be sent back into his room after a few


    minutes.]


    [Yeah, it ain''t an issue, but I''ll just expedite the process a little bit.]


    "Well, can you please send him back? It isn''t a good look."


    "Of course, Sir!"


    "But-"


    Not even allowed to speak, Arthur''s friend was dragged back to his room, pulled by the cor


    of his uniform.


    Meanwhile, another guard took thest one''s ce, stepping closer to the trio.


    "Excuse me, Sir Emir... While I can allow you to join the student, she must not join you."


    Emir tilted his head.


    "Why?"


    "As my scans indicated, Ms. Amanda is not family, nor does she work in the academy, so she''s


    not allowed in. I''m sorry."


    "Even if I vouch for her?"


    "No, Sir, I don''t wish to make it hard for you; trust me, but I can''t go against the rules."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A sigh escaped Emir as his right hand neared his head, specifically the frame of his sunsses,


    his intention evident.

 Chapter 283: Going Dark

    Chapter 283: Going Dark


    ?


    Emir''s intentions were evident indeed, as he was simply adjusting the shades to sit properly on his head...


    "Aha, it''s fine then."


    A signal for their operation to begin.


    Lyra, who noticed his gesture, nodded and proceeded to leave without saying anything.


    The guard let out a sigh of relief, watching her go, while bowing his head repeatedly. "Thank you, Sir, thank you, really. I appreciate you being so understanding."


    "It''s fine, it''s fine, don''t worry about it."


    At his epting words, the guard went back to their small cubicle, and the gate suddenly rattled as it swung open, allowing them entry.


    "Please, go ahead."


    Emir nodded, not needing any more prompting.


    "Thanks."


    Surprised, the guard looked back at Emir as he entered theplex.


    It appeared the rumors were far from the truth; their new professor was a good guy!


    Or so he thought.


    But then a sudden, whoosh... grabbed his attention.


    "Hm... What was the sound?"


    He looked around in an attempt to identify the source, but as he saw nothing, his eyes returned to the center console and terminal before him.


    The camera feed showed no one sneaking around, so he knew that the Brain wasn''t going through a malfunction of sorts...


    And since everything seemed to be working perfectly, there was no need for him to take any further action.


    After all, his job description was to only act when the system experienced an error, which seldom happened, or when it identified an intruder.


    So, with all that in mind, he came to a natural conclusion:


    "It must''ve been the wind."


    And he spoke true.


    It was actually the wind-a very weak but unnatural gust of it.


    One caused by Lyra''s quick movements.


    While covered by shadows, she entered the cubicle, directly essed the console, and added a zip file.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    One named {Boss Ext TL 8 pm.}


    If opened, it would disable the entirework for a few seconds, as the Brain would need time to process all the data.


    How? Well, it wasn''t a normal zip file, but a zip bomb.


    A file that contained Yottabytes of data.


    To fathom how much that was, one needed to know that a Yottabyte amounted to one thousand Zettabytes. While a Zettabyte equaled a thousand Exabytes which equaled a billion Terabytes and a trillion Gigabytes.


    An unfathomable amount for most, this datapromised what they once called the inte by at least five times over.


    Yet all that data would take the Brain only a few seconds to process.


    It was no wonder that Emir wished to have a simr system at home. Even with the old-worldwork by Lyra''s side, the most she could do was kill the system for a few seconds.


    Still, however, that was an achievement in and of itself.


    One that would easily grant them ess to Arthur''s room.


    [It''s done.]


    Lyra didn''t take long to arrive next to the duo, as they awaited her near the elevator.


    He nodded while silently telling Elijah to allow the scanning of his bracelet.


    [Good job. How much time do we have till the bomb shows up in his terminal?] [Everything went smoothly, so let''s stick to the n. We have a minute.] Ting!


    [Alright.]


    The elevator doors slid open, and they slipped inside with Lyra clinging onto Emir like a Ku as they didn''t want the sensors to detect her weight pressing the ground, alerting the system of an invisible intruder.


    This solution of theirs would only make Emir seem like one heavy dude; it made sense if one looked at his size, so they didn''t bother with it too much.


    Ting!


    With each calm step, ten seconds ticked away as they headed to Elijah''s room on the fourth


    and highest floor of the building.


    Elijah, like the others on that floor, was the purest of the pure.


    Main children of the Elite.


    So they had the privilege of living by themselves.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the floors were subjected to a normal ranking order, where the bottom housed the first years and the top had the third.


    There wasn''t much of a difference between the facilities on those three floors, but it seemed that Celestials, students or not, sure loved hierarchies.


    Ting!


    By now, twenty seconds had passed.


    Elijah weed them to his... room?


    Well, it wasn''t so much a room but an entire t, with anything he would wish for.


    It was even better than what Emir had, his office of littleparison.


    Life was truly, really, and most absolutely, unfair.


    With Elijah as the lead, the trio walked through the living room till they reached the balcony.


    Click.


    After opening the door, he walked out, and so did they.


    But only he appeared visible. Them two were covered by shadows.


    "Good night kid, see you in ss."


    "Remember to practice what I sent you, and don''t forget to finish your homework."


    Now that thirty seconds had passed, they bid goodbye to the kid, each in their own way, and


    walked off the balcony, dropping down in a momentary free fall.


    Emir then slowed their descent with Aether, making sure that they wouldn''t make a sound,


    andnded himself and her softly on the ground.


    Their feet moved quickly as they exited the courtyard they found themselves in.


    In just ten seconds, they rushed past the security gate and reentered the building. With another ten, they ran past many rooms on the ground floor and reached Arthur''s. His room neared the end of the hall, and thankfully there weren''t any students around, so they had no reason to knock anyone out.


    ''Let''s see here...''


    While Emir brought his head closer to the door, Lyra began the telepathic countdown as only


    ten seconds remained.


    [Ten...]


    [Nine...]


    In two seconds, he confirmed that no one was inside, so he stepped back and stood next to his


    partner.


    [Clear.] [Eight...]


    A nodding Lyra continued counting down while silently wishing that her calctions were


    correct.


    [Seven...]


    After all, this was never done before...


    [Six...]


    She had nothing to back her n.


    [Five...]


    No example to go off of, and no extra time.


    [Four...]


    So she couldn''t help but feel nervous.


    [Three...]


    Yet none of that showed on her face.


    [Two...]


    Like the smiling Emir, she showed calm still as a clearke.


    [One...]


    And now...


    [Going dark.]


    It was time to see the results.

 Chapter 284: Red Pill Or Blue Pill?

    Chapter 284: Red Pill Or Blue Pill?


    ?


    The lights from above beamed shut...


    And darkness spawned, beginning to surround them.


    It was apparent that the entire dormitoryplex experienced a ckout, rendering residents of both tails blind to their surroundings, including the guards.


    It became an ideal habitat for a Shadow Binder but the duo didn''t pause to experience that change.


    Just as the world plunged into the night, the door before them opened with a click.


    A momentter, they were in the room, smiles hung on their faces.


    They refrained from celebrating just yet, knowing that they needed to retrieve the ''cheats'' and escape before getting caught leaving Arthur''s room.


    Said room looked simr to that of Elijah''s with the only exception being a difference in their luxurious aspects.


    There was no training room, nor was there a kitchen or office space.


    Just as Emir expected, it appeared like a dorm room that any normal old-world student would''ve been in.


    But that wasn''t his focus at the moment...


    No, not at all.


    His eyes, like a hawk''s, scanned everything around them.


    Lyra did the same.


    Then as another moment passed, both their gazes congregated at one point.


    It was the bed.


    The ''cheats'' were hidden under the pillow.


    Emir rushed to the bed while Lyra headed for the window, opening it wide enough so that they could jump out.


    Meanwhile, Emir lifted the pillow and grabbed an almost translucent, pulsating Aether core. Next, two pills found themselves in his pocket, one was colored blue while the other was red, and they were both the size of a thumb cut in half.


    Lastly, he took an injection needle while cing the pillow back in its ce, and just as the lights began to flicker back on...


    Whoosh!


    Emir had already materialized outside.


    Such blinding speed was courtesy of sh Step of course.


    "Shadow Veil."


    A now invisible Lyra closed the window right after, and she joined him as they both dropped to the ground.


    Theynded just four secondster, two of which were spent in freefall. So describing their actions as fast would be a gross understatement.


    [Good job, now let''s go back.]


    Lyra nodded as Emir took hold of her by the waist and jumped up.


    When he reached his highest, he created a construct beneath his feat andnded atop it.


    ''sh Step.''


    Then as a moment passed...


    "See youter."


    They disappeared.


    --


    Their n of escape had a w.


    Cameras.


    It would raise suspicion among them as Emir wasst spotted entering Elijah''s t; his sudden disappearance would certainly seem peculiar.


    In such a scenario, only two options remained to exin what urred.


    Option one was that Emir had afy sleepover with his little brother.


    Option two was that Emir had jumped out of the balcony and flew out of the building, passing by the gate while the camera system was down.


    Now option one was dismissed, not because it wouldn''t work, but because Emir had no intention of returning and acting out that scenario.


    For it, in fact, could remove suspicion from falling upon him entirely.


    But, in the end, that wouldn''t work on Amon.


    That man somehow knew that Emir was up to something. So, only option two remained and said option sent a message that read:


    "Fuck you, it doesn''t matter if you know or not, and there''s nothing that you can do about it." Like a rebellious child going through puberty, Emir taunted Amon with apparent mischief. After all, there truly was nothing that Amon could do to punish Emir. There was no paper trail to follow, no crumbs to pick up. They simply visited Elijah''s t, then a ckout happened due to an ''unknown'' factor, and then...


    They were gone.


    It was extremely suspicious, but Amon and the Elite couldn''t go after them with no evidence since the binding contract itself didn''t detect anything.


    This meant that he had either done nothing at all or at least had done nothing damming, But if neither of those were true, then the worst-case scenario for them remained.


    The scenario where Emir had managed to find a loophole in the contract-something so impossible yet likely with him involved demonstrated just how tricky it was to deal with him.


    "Heh..."


    Emir smiled while thinking about what reply Amon would give.


    He didn''t know what to expect, but he knew one thing for sure:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The guards down there would end up in a lot of trouble.


    "C''mon, focus!"


    Lyra brought him back to reality as she leaned harder on his back.


    "Okay, okay~."


    Donning his serious face, which was a smile, he fished out the two pills, and a question was


    brought forward.


    Red or blue, which one should he swallow first?


    Emir''s answer to that question was a simple one.


    ''Why not both?''


    Gulp!


    And down the hatch they went.


    It didn''t take long for him to experience change.


    His mind, the neuralwork, began to strengthen itself as the AI systems inside the pills


    were absorbed into his own.


    Then slowly, he started hearing an echo of static. Almost as if a change in frequency was


    taking ce.


    Soon, that static was snuffed out and was reced by a girl who said:


    [Wee Arthur! This is the Fortune System!]


    [From now on, no one will be able to match your ascent through the hierarchy!]


    [Unimaginable wealth and a harem of uncountable beauties await!]


    Her way of speaking was unnatural, simr to how high-pitched her voice was.


    [No matter who your eyesnd on, they will be yours!]


    It was too exaggerated, childlike even.


    [You are the child of luck! A heaven''s chosen!]


    ''Disgusting.''


    And it didn''t take long for Emir to be fed up with that.


    "Eat her."


    [The sun-]


    "Done~."


    It only took a moment, and Lyra absorbed all of the systems entirely, killing the bubbly voice


    where she metaphorically stood.


    "Interesting..."


    "What is?"


    She didn''t reply and just sent him the information she gained.


    "Hoh..."


    And his reaction was simr to hers.


    The AI systems that Lyra absorbed had expanded her reach and clearance level, allowing her


    to ess most, if not all, of the data on Earth. This was, of course, excluding systems


    protected by those rare systems simr to the Brain of the Academy.


    That wasn''t what surprised them, however.


    There was a mission-like section that Arthur would''ve had to clear to gain ess to higher


    privileges and secret information.


    But since Emir already cleared out all of the missions, those ''rewards'' were already


    essible.


    "Ly, disy the results."


    Suddenly, his view was obstructed by a long wall of text stretching across his entire line of


    sight.


    ''Damn...''


    He couldn''t help but feel fascinated by the sight before him.


    It was achievements galore.


    {Reached Novice CQC Proficiency}


    {Reached Novice Marksmanship Proficiency}


    {Reached Beginner CQC Proficiency}


    {Reached Beginner Marksmanship Proficiency}


    {Reached Initiate Acolyte Rank}


    {Reached Intermediate CQC Proficiency}


    {Reached Intermediate Marksmanship Proficiency}


    {Reached Initiate Apprentice Rank}


    {Reached Advanced CQC Proficiency} {Reached Advanced Marksmanship Proficiency} {Reached Initiate Veteran Rank.}


    ''Hm, that''s around the time we headed out to the academy.''


    {First Blood.}


    ''My first kill.''


    {Desert In The Bank.}


    ''When I finally bought new equipment... Those were the times.''


    {First Dive.}


    {One Man''s Trash is Another Man''s Relic.}


    ''Funny.''


    {You''ve Be an Ascendant, an Elite, a Being Above Mortals, a True Hunter, and a


    Celestial.}


    ''All thanks to that Arcadia bastard... I wonder how she''s doing. Hopefully shit-faced.''


    {Fiend Hunted.}


    {Reached Knight Sub-Rank.}


    {Reached Pdin Sub-Rank.}


    {Tyrant Hunted.}


    {Cursed Hunted. Elimination of Maddened Beasts.}


    {The True Beginning. Reached Seraphim Rank. One of Importance on Earth.}


    His smile widened even further.


    ''That''s a call back~.''


    {Special Achievement: Untrod Path.}


    ''Hoh... So this ain''t something that Arthur would get.''


    He stroked his chin.


    ''Really interesting.''


    {Special Achievement: A Few Eyes On You. Gained interest of higher beings.}


    ''Fair.''


    {Special Achievement: Eyes of The Author. Glimpsed at the Script Of Creation.}


    ''Wait...''


    Emir realized something at that moment.


    Something that eluded both him and Lyra till now.


    "Prince... That god... Silent..."


    And apparently, she had realized that just then as well.


    Emir wasn''t able to glimpse at the Script because of his blood, his lineage.


    ''They'' had given him the ability to truly see and record the Script of Creation way back then, just after his birth.


    This meant that the only reason Silent grew interested in Emir was due to the ability he got


    from ''Them.''


    Was that by design?


    Had ''They'' foreseen this all?


    Did Emir actually ask that question or was he made to ask that question?


    Did it even matter?


    ''No, no... it doesn''t matter.''


    {Ability is not of the ten but is something ingrained into your being.}


    His eyes flickered over the text below while his mind regained calm.


    ''Yeah, ''It''... or rather ''They'' wouldn''t act that out for me.''


    ''I''m insignificant, even beyond that, whenpared to them.''


    "Are you alright?"


    Emir nodded at Lyra''s question, softly pushing his back on hers while saying:


    "It says ingrained into my being, that means what exactly?"


    Lyra noticed his attempt at changing the subject from a mile away, yet she still answered,


    never denying him of what he wanted:


    "Your soul, maybe? Since it''s a passive ability, it has to be intertwined with you to the point


    where it''s a part of you, and what is more ''you'' than your soul?"


    "Probably, but let''s stop there, guessing is bad and all that... Also, I''m good... this only shows


    ''Their'' power, something we need no reminder of."


    She giggled and returned the gesture, pushing her back against his, setting the status quo as


    before.


    With that, he continued reading the holographic disy.


    {Special Achievement: Funeral Director. Kill count exceeded two hundred humans.}


    ''Hm, it counted my family''s too.''


    {Special Achievement: Dead Man Walking. Reached ''Death'' Count of 441,000}


    ''Ah... Lyra''s hard work right there, still beating me on pure skill.''


    {Special Achievement: The Seven Hundred and Seventy-Seventh Youngest Celestial}


    Emir chuckled at that one.


    ''Fate strikes once again.'' {Special Achievement: Experience ''Life'' and ''Death'' Twice.}


    ''Don''t get it...''


    "Like Ragnar, even Arthur, you ''died'' but were ''reborn.""


    Lyra, who had only recently let go of all the guilt she felt for that night, answered Emir''s


    unspoken question:


    "No, I get that part, but twice?"


    "Oh, you forgot about your ''reincarnation?""


    He snickered and continued reading, now understanding the parameters of the system. It


    generated all that he knew, using his mind as a conduit for anything that would be considered an achievement.


    [Special Achievement: Joined The Game. Unlock Rather Than Receive Unique Ability.]


    ''Joined the game?... It''s referring to my creation ability... Gates of Eternity.''


    "Hey, a unique ability is what exactly?" Lyra took some time to answer but eventually, she said:


    "Ibed through the database, not much there, the first time I heard of such a thing."


    ''Hm...''


    "Well, judging by the name it''s an ability only someone walking my path would unlock, can''t


    say much about the rest though."


    "I can confirm it has three upgrades instead of the usual five, and it doesn''t affect the ten


    ability slots you have, so you''re all good there. In fact, you even have an extra unique slotpared to the other paths."


    ''Interesting... So thankfully there''s nothing to worry about.'' Emir nodded, his eyes returning to the hologram once again. "Right, but having fewer upgrades means fuck all if they don''t change much, my creation''s


    range is already short, only ten meters, what would an upgrade do? Extend it to twenty?"


    "It might not work in the same principle as the ten, they''re separated for a reason." "True, true... And I bet it''ll rte to my rank in some way or another." {Special Achievement: Old Soul. Live a Truly Long Life. Current count 100,015 years.}


    ''Fair, fair.''


    Then, in the next moment, his eyes widened as he saw what appeared to be thest achievement.


    {Special Achievement: Received a Shield From System One...}


    A name, a title, an epithet that brought his entire identity into a single living set of words.


    One that had moved his very name under its veil, protecting those that dared utter it from


    Aether''s very slight consequence.


    Emir...


    His bloodline originated from the Apex that created the Eternal Star.


    A destroyed n that had once terrified humanity with its might.


    A force that was remembered for its strength.


    A people that towered over other ns.


    Feared even through the eons of time. And he was their prince.


    A man whose birth created change of unknown magnitude.


    A man whose existence had fate react...


    All to match the rest with him.


    It was like when a seemingly impossible record gets beaten by a single man.


    The others attempting that record would end up finding it to be not so impossible after all,


    maybe even exceeding it by a decent margin.


    He, Emir, was that man.


    He was the one who paved the way for that change.


    He was the origin.


    And he was the only one worthy to be called by this Epithet.


    {...Prince Of The Fallen.}

 Chapter 285: Novel Update

    Chapter 285: Novel Update


    ?


    "I..."


    Emir didn''t know what to say or think; he was utterly speechless.


    The being watching over their, their entire sr system, took note of him and even involved the Oracle in deciding his Title. Alternatively, perhaps the Oracle ''Itself'' took note of him and informed System One of his Title.


    Whether that was a good or bad thing, he couldn''t fathom. All he knew was that it showed


    how he only glimpsed at the rules of the games he was in, not understanding what its yers were after.


    But at the end of it, a familiar thought resurfaced in his mind.


    ''...Nothing... nothing changes.''


    He chuckled, shaking his head for a second or two before muttering:


    "Right, this changes nothing."


    Those words that escaped his mouth, he truly wanted to believe them.


    It was a sentiment he had repeated countless times in his life, and one that he would likely repeat many times more.


    Emir had always forced himself to ignore all that which he could not reach or even fathom. It was an action he needed to take if he wished to continue surviving, and he knew that because otherwise his mind would have broken long ago.


    "It doesn''t."


    And Lyra agreed, backing him up like always, wanting to alleviate his difort.


    {Rewards Sent!}


    But then a sudden message took hold of his attention, serving as a well-timed distraction from his once-jumbled thoughts.


    {Receive Rewards?}


    {Yes/No}


    {Note: When receiving rewards, the user would be automatically put to sleep.}


    Emir looked behind him, and his eyesnded on Lyra''s, for she too received that message. She nodded, and he smiled.


    Without any words shared between the two, he stood up from the training room''s ground and approached theid-back chair connected to a Neuro-cybeic interface.


    It appeared simr to the ones they had in the ssrooms on the third and fourth floors of the Tower.


    Just as he rxed his body on the chair, Lyra fixed multiple wires that ended in soft patches on his neck and face.


    Once that was done, his face joined his body in rxation as his neuralwork sent a ''Yes'' signal.


    "See you in a bit."


    The world-his world-turned dark as those words left his mouth.


    "Good night..."


    He had epted the rewards...


    "...my prince."


    And his mind went to sleep.


    ...


    Formatting faculties.


    Update initiated...


    Novel ongoing reconstruction...


    Database ongoing reconstruction...


    Error...


    Error...


    Error...


    Reader of neuralwork banned from ess...


    Reason... unspecified.


    Search.


    Reason... privacy of owner.


    Other?


    Lack of stability.


    Search for a fix.


    Found.


    Initiate?


    epted.


    Applying temporary stability of mind...


    Complete.


    NetWeaver requesting ess.


    Allow ess?


    Yes.


    NetWeaver epted ess was granted.


    Continuation of reconstruction.


    Database of abilities updated.


    [Ethereal Threader]


    Emir''s untrod path.


    Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp.


    Aspects: Weaver''s Veil, Aerialis, Celestia''s Hand.


    1st-Ability: Aether st.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    2nd-Ability: Aetheric des.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    3rd-Ability: Aetheric Shield.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    4th-Ability: Aether Overdrive.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    5th-Ability: sh Step.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    6th-Ability: Death''s Shadow. (Growth Type)


    7th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    8th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    1st- Unique Ability: Gates of Eternity.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:? 2nd-Unique Ability:?


    Level 2,3:? Pinnacle:?


    [Brawler]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Primal Might.


    1st-Ability: Iron Fist.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Dragon Fist.


    2nd-Ability: Elemental Acquisition.


    3rd-Ability: Dragon''s Roar.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    4th-Ability: Rapid Strikes.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    5th-Ability: Berserker''s Rage.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 6th-Ability: Unyielding Stance.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    7th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    8th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Titanic Impact.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Knight]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Noblesse Oblige.


    1st-Ability: Aetheric Bulwark.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    2nd-Ability: Honorable Duel. (Growth Type)


    3rd-Ability: Aetheric de.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 4th-Ability: Aegis Of Radiance. (Growth Type.)


    5th-Ability: Valor''s Call.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Defender''s Promise.


    6th-Ability: Celestial Charge.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Ethereal Charge.


    7th-Ability: Loyal Companion.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 8th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? Unique Ability: Vow Of Honor.


    Level 2,3:? Pinnacle:?


    [de Dancer]


    True name:? Aspect: Eternal Waltz.


    1st-Ability: Blurred Dance.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 2nd-Ability: Aetheric Evasion.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? Sun''s Mirage. 3rd-Ability: sh Step. Level 2,3,4,5:? 4th-Ability: Aetheric des.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Falling Petals. 5th-Ability: Graceful Flow.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    6th-Ability: de''s Resonance. Level 2,3,4,5:? 7th-Ability: Cascade Strike.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 8th-Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:? 9th- Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:? 10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? Unique Ability: Story''s Crescendo.


    Level 2,3:? Pinnacle:?


    [Ranger]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Wild''s Steward.


    1st-Ability: Eagle Eye.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    2nd-Ability: Longshot.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 3rd-Ability: Camouge.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Invisible. Nature''s Blessing.


    4th-Ability: Rapid Retreat.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    5th-Ability: Twin Shot.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Poisonous Dream.


    6th-Ability: Marked Target.


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 7th-Ability: Snare Trap.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    8th-Ability: Monster Tamer.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Beast Whisperer. 9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Tree of Life.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Gun Mage]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Starlit.


    1st-Ability: Ster Guidance.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Astral Prediction. Russian Roulette. 2nd-Ability: Elemental Acquisition.


    3rd-Ability: re Shot.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Starfire. 4th-Ability: God''s Ammunition. (Growth Type) 5th-Ability: Celestia''s Revolver.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Cosmic Draw. Chekov''s gun. 6th-Ability: Illusionary Bullets.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Star Eclipse.


    7th-Ability: Legion.


    Level 2,3,4,5:


    8th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? 9th- Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:? Unique Ability: Cosmic Insight.


    Level 2,3:? Pinnacle:?


    [Technomancer]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Magitek.


    1st-Ability: Aetheric Pulse.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Netweave. 2nd-Ability: Aetheric Siphon.


    Level 2,3,4,5:


    3rd-Ability: Aetheric Hologram. Level 2,3,4,5:?


    4th-Ability: Overclock. Level 2,3,4,5: Decay For All.


    5th-Ability: Techno-Meld.


    Level 2,3,4,5:


    6th-Ability: Data Beacon.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Restoring Snap. 7th-Ability: Tech-Summon. (Growth Type) 8th-Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:? 9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Singrity Convergence.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Zenith Warden]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Osiris''s Light.


    1st-Ability: Zenith Replenish.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Restorative Aura.


    2nd-Ability: Zenith Soothe.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Celestial Purity.


    3rd-Ability: Aetheric Heal.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Rekindled Life.


    4th-Ability: Sacred Gift.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Ethereal Boon.


    5th-Ability: Soul Kinship. (Growth Type)


    6th-Ability: Spirit Veil. (Growth Type) 7th-Ability: New Dawn. Level 2,3,4,5:?


    8th-Ability: Anointed Favor. (Growth Type)


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Life''s Embrace.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Shadow Binder]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Nyx''s Dominion.


    1st-Ability: Shadow Meld.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Overshadow. Animated Shadow.


    2nd-Ability: Shadow Step. (Growth Type)


    3rd-Ability: Shadow Veil.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Obsidian Shroud. Eternal Shade. True Night. Absolute Darkness.


    4th-Ability: Obscura Domine. (Growth Type.)


    5th-Ability: Umbral Constructs. (Growth Type.)


    6th-Ability: Stygian Whip. Level 2,3,4,5: Spider Thread. Flowery Bloom.


    7th-Ability: ck Bolts.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Thunder Clouds. Dark Rain. Devoured Space. ckout.


    8th-Ability:? Level 2,3,4,5:?


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Shadows Of Time. Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Reaper]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Nether''s River.


    1st-Ability: Spectral Scythe. (Growth Type)


    2nd-Ability: Distant Grasp.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Ethereal Chains.


    3rd-Ability: Grim Veil.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Soul Shroud.


    4th-Ability: Death Mark.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Cursed Touch. Life Drain.


    5th-Ability: Soul Harvest. (Growth Type)


    6th-Ability: Aetheric Phase.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Ethereal Shift. Ghostly Step. Spectral Reap. Wraith Form.


    7th-Ability:?


    8th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    Unique Ability: Death''s Embrace.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    [Spell Weaver]


    True name:?


    Aspect:


    Ability: Elemental Acquisition.


    1st-ss: Arcana''s Seventy-Ninth.


    2nd-ss:?


    3rd-ss:?


    4th-ss:?


    5th-ss:?


    6th-ss:?


    7th-ss: Schr of Stars. 8th-ss: Ethereal Magus.


    9th- ss: The Veil''s intern.


    10th-ss: Elemental Conjurer.


    -


    [Arcanist]


    True name:?


    Aspect: Runeweaver.


    Ability: Beholding Eyes.


    1st-ss:?


    2nd-ss:?


    3rd-ss:?


    4th-ss:?


    5th-ss:?


    6th-ss:?


    7th-ss: Warder of The Glyphs.


    8th-ss: Runescribe.


    9th- ss: Wordsmith.


    10th-ss: Rune Artificer.


    11th-ss: Elemental Enchanter.


    12th-ss: Runeweaver Novitiate.


    Further information will be disyed in ''Aether'' database.


    Database reconstructionplete...


    Born In Ruins reconstructionplete...


    Formatplete.


    epting other rewards...


    Two new ways of ranking up... Embodiment Method Revealed.


    {To harness this Method, Celestials are required to embody (act) the characteristics and


    qualities they associate with their chosen specialization. This practice is rooted in the idea


    that the subconscious mindprehends the nature of Aether more profoundly, akin to the


    roots of a tree tracing back to the mother tree.}


    {This, in turn, facilitates a smoother and more efficient process for enhancing their abilities,


    aspects, arts, and skills.}


    Aether Core Absorption Revealed.


    {By consuming Aether cores imbued with a kindred Celestial Essence, Celestials can reap


    various benefits. This practice enhances their connection to Aether, augments their Aether


    reserves, and


    expedites bodily mutation.}


    {However, the mental imprints (Celestial Essence) of the previous owner''s Aether core could


    be very powerful. If the mental ability of the advancing Celestial is unable to handle the


    mental imprints of the previous owner then it can increase the difficulty of the advancement


    and vice


    versa.}


    {At the higher ranks, the ''godhood'' inside the Aether core starts bing a serious problem.


    This issue cannot be solved by Embodiment (assimtion with the previous owner''s mental


    imprint) instead, the Celestial will need to have an appropriate Holy Relic to anchor their


    mind to fight against the ''godhood'' of the previous owner and reach an intricate bnce.}


    Godhood definition...


    Divine...


    Godhood definition...


    Sparkkkkkkkk...


    Godhood definition...


    Godhood definition...


    Godhood definition...


    Godhood definition...


    Error...


    Restart initiated...


    Restartplete.


    Identified Issue.


    Corruption of data.


    Searching for data origin...


    Found.


    Report:


    Two missing systems.


    Missing missions and rted rewards.


    The reward of detailed information regarding godhood.


    Acknowledged.


    Generating fix...


    None possible.


    Acknowledged.


    Rewards Received.


    Process Completed.


    Awaken...


    Son of Hay-

 Chapter 286: The First Time She Felt Fear

    Chapter 286: The First Time She Felt Fear


    ?


    ''Where am I?''


    Emir, who seemed to have remained asleep, met the darkness-the void he was so familiar with.


    ''Huh, I''m here again... but why?''


    Thump.


    He suddenly felt a tug, as if someone, something was calling him.


    And slowly, when he epted that ''call,'' this void around him began to grow color.


    As if it were being painted, shades of bloodied red and pure gray made their way onto the ck canvas that was once called the void.


    This ce... It reminded him of the illusion he put himself in a year or so ago.


    ''Wait... It''s real?''


    He reached that conclusion quickly because he could easily feel the difference between what he was experiencing now and the illusion from before.


    And it wasn''t just that; he subconsciously knew that this ce was his mindscape.


    No, not his mind, but his spirit, his soul.


    What he saw back then was what his subconscious mind thought of himself, and that thought was influenced directly by his soul.


    However, he couldn''t ess that soul, so he only met his mindscape, a fake projection, not only due to the poisonous illusion he cast on himself but also due to his inability, but now, as a Seraphim, he could.


    This hinted at how the spirit would be important in the future when he reached the Archon rank, but he couldn''t pinpoint exactly how it would...


    ''Hm.''


    Emir wondered if it rted to that godhood hint he received.


    But soon, he stopped thinking about it, as basing his decisions on guesses could only lead to disaster.


    Then he began thinking about how the other systems hadn''t shown up.


    It seemed that they were corrupted along with the information and missions.


    The reason why escaped him, and the only possibility that he came up with, besides them not


    being real, was that it was the result of him swallowing both pills at the same time.


    ''...Nah, that''s too stupid.''


    Concluding with that thought, he moved on to the two new ways of ranking up.


    The first thought that crossed his mind was Embodiment.


    It solved many of the mysteries he had regarding the Elite and, more specifically, Morgiana.


    Now knowing what he knew, Emir figured that Morgiana was extremely talented since her mind subconsciously began to follow this method. If not that then at least she subconsciously knew how a Celestial should embody the path of cial Weaver.


    And judging by her reaction, it appeared that it wasmon within the talented Elite to hide such changes, even if it crippled the speed at which they ranked up the Hierarchy.


    That very change was something they needed to embrace, to embody.


    They weren''t stupid so Emir could safely say that they didn''t know any better.


    ''That''s great.''


    He smiled...


    ''I can do a lot with that.''


    And finally, Aether Core Absorption came to mind.


    Emir now understood why they sent Arthur an Aether core.


    It was the reason why his strength gained such a massive boost.


    Unfortunately for Arthur however, he wasn''t about to experience that this time around.


    Emir called dibs on it.


    Just as his smile widened even further, blood began to fall from the canvas above him.


    ''Ah...''


    He clicked his tongue.


    "What brought this up?"


    The world responded to his question by raining down even harder.


    Emir let out a sigh and walked forward.


    He knew where to go.


    The sea of blood awaited him with open arms, in the literal sense of the phrase.


    It didn''t take him long to reach the edge and fall.


    Soon, he was amidst their suffocating embrace as they pulled him deeper and deeper until he experienced familiar slumber.


    When he woke up, he found himself standing in a room that was pure white, almost gray. It was quite different from thest time he visited, surprisingly, not the void.


    Lyra was in the middle of that nk space.


    "So... what now?"


    The answer came directly from Lyra''s mouth:


    "You don''t trust me."


    Emir, slightly surprised, waited for her to continue, and she did a momentter:


    "After all I did to you, you still treat me like garbage."


    He chuckled.


    "So is that what this is?"


    "How is that-"


    "Don''t bother-"


    Emir cut her off, and she did him:


    "What?! Are you scared?"


    "Just shut up and get me out of here! I ain''t got time for this shit!"


    His roar resounded, not caring one bit for this self-made nightmare.


    And it seemed that it was enough of an answer, a confirmation, to satisfy his aching soul.


    But he didn''t care for that and forcibly cut his visit short.


    Emir certainly wasn''t about to waste his time with a fake.


    ...


    [Good morning~.]


    Even before his eyes could flutter open, he heard Lyra''s love-filled greeting.


    [Good morning.]


    He didn''t take long to give his reply while pushing himself off the bed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After a moment of stretching, he looked beside him and asked:


    [Was I too heavy?]


    She giggled and rolled her body across the bed until her head bumped into him.


    [What do you think?]


    Emir joined her in softughter as he patted her head.


    [...Come, read my memories.]


    Lyra brought herself up by pulling on his neck, and then she closed the distance between their


    foreheads until they touched.


    Her cold skin met his warmth.


    [Why this?]


    They shared a quietugh at his question.


    It was because they both knew that while Lyra could extract memories from a distance she


    used this situation as an excuse to be close to Emir.


    Sure, it would''ve taken longer than usual since the memories were incredibly dense, but that


    still wouldn''t be a lot of time.


    "You..."


    This cute moment suddenly took a one-eighty when she processed all that she received.


    Lyra was incredibly concerned by what she saw.


    She didn''t care for anything else except what he experienced during the visit to his soul.


    Not the fact that he shut her up, no, nor was it what the fake her said, but rather how he went


    through such a thing in the first ce.


    She never heard of anyone going through that.


    But it reminded her of something she experienced herself.


    Emir''s darkness...


    His corruption.


    It was the first time she felt fear.


    And it was the very thing that had overwhelmed her code...


    The very thing that allowed her to fall in love.


    Something that Emir found very stupid at the time had now turned out to be more than


    reasonable.


    This... dream he experienced was just that-his own blood attempting to corrupt him.


    [So I shouldn''t sleep anymore, I guess...]


    Emir tried to pass it off with that joke, but Lyra wasn''t about to let that happen.


    [We have to talk about it.]


    He scoffed and pulled himself away from her.


    [About what? We went through this a million times... Again, this changes nothing.]


    But she didn''t relent; her body remained stuck to his as if they were glued together.


    [But I¡ªwe know that it''s only going to get worse.]


    Emir didn''t resist her attack, and to fight back, he began to y with her face, pulling on her


    cheeks that were as soft as a baby''s bottom.


    [Right, I''m not saying it won''t; I''m saying that we can''t do anything but wait... Holy relics


    don''t fall from the sky, you know.]


    Lyra, who attempted to puff her stretched cheeks, understood that Emir hade to the same


    conclusion as her.


    [Obviously! But I''m not talking about that!]


    Tobat the corruption they would need some type of Holy Relic that could anchor his


    mind, something that Emir couldn''t see them getting any time soon.


    The reason for that was because he realized it was a Holy Relic simr to the ones Celestials


    used in higher ranks tobat ''Godhood.''


    ''Whatever that meant...''


    Or maybe they would discover a technique, skill, or ability for that purpose.


    [Yeah yeah... Anyways, keep the core and needle locked up forter, we''ll need me to be at full


    strength for what''sing up. Now why don''t we go to the archive? Maybe they''ve got


    something we can use.]


    Just as Emir said that she threatened to bite his hand like a rebelling cat, and heplied,


    finally letting go of her cheeks.


    [That''s what I was talking about! Low chance we get anything useful, but we might as well


    check it out.]


    He rolled his body until he dropped off the bed and pressed down on the ground, his feet


    straight.


    [Agreed.]


    Lyra, unlike him, was elegant in nature, so her exit was many times more beautiful.


    She followed after him as they exited the office and met a hallway bathed by the sun''s bright


    streams of light filtering through the windows.


    [By the way, what do you think your embodiment would be like?]


    Emir shrugged his shoulders while nearing the elevator.


    Would his Aspect, Weaver''s Grasp, and specialization, Ethereal Threader, rte to his


    constant want for control?


    For answers?


    The never-ending questions?


    Probably.


    [Something rted to control, curiosity, and a burning hatred for fate.]


    At least that was what he coulde up with. He knew that there was something more to it,


    something that he couldn''t see yet, but what it could be escaped him.


    [Sounds about right... I guess we should''ve expected something like this toe up because


    of your untrod path.]


    [Yeah, you guys got it easier, but still, the question remains...]


    He paused for a moment, making sure of the words he was about to utter.


    [...How does one light a spark using a flint and steel while not knowing which one is the flint


    amidst a million other rocks?]


    This was a question that neither of the two knew the answer to.


    The knowledge they gained revealed the Embodiment method, which assumed that


    information about a Celestial''s own Specialization, their own ''flint,'' was already at hand.


    Emir had no idea what his ''flint'' looked like.


    He could go and grab whatever looked closest to what he assumed to be the real thing, but it


    would only end up being wasted time.


    Ting!


    Certainty was needed for the method to work in the first ce, so guessing like this was a


    definite no-go.


    ''Gah... Whatever.''


    He gave up on finding an answer.


    After all, if Lyra, an automata with systems that could evenpete against Brain couldn''t


    find any, he had no hopes to stumble upon an answer.


    Ting!


    Instead, he focused on what just opened up before him.


    The fifth floor.


    The Archive In Between.

 Chapter 287: Archive In Between

    Chapter 287: Archive In Between


    ?


    It might not seem obvious to some, but this floor was designed to house both the library and the medical facility on purpose.


    Students often overestimated themselves and tried to learn more than they could or even should. So the resulting consequence was obvious.


    A near-death state that required immediate attention.


    And what better attention than a next-door neighbor with every piece of medical equipment imaginable?


    "Right, that''s smart and all, but it''s still weird."


    "Yeah, yeah, just shut up; we don''t want a professor breathing down our necks."


    "Facts."


    "Oh, it''s you again."


    "Sup-"


    "Those outside, keep quiet!"


    "See! I told you to shut up."


    "It''s just a student though."


    "You''re highkey stupid."


    "No cap."


    "I said quiet!"


    "YOU FIRST YEARS! COME HERE!"


    A chuckling Emir and Lyra passed by three students who were currently being scolded by a third year.


    They exited the main lobby and crossed a reinforced door that scanned them on entry. Just as they stepped into the library, a voice that matched Brain''s weed them in:


    [Wee to the Archive in Between Professor Emir and his assistant, Ms.... Amanda.] "Thanks, brain."


    [My pleasure... Stay for as long or as little as you like, but please enjoy your time spent here.] "That we will."


    With their short conversation over, Emir''s eyes scanned all that was before him.


    This was the ce where all the students had kicked off their path to actual strength.


    What was better than knowledge?


    Instant knowledge.


    And here... every ''book'' was just that.


    Knowledge that would be immediately ingrained in the user''s neuralwork, their mind.


    But this all sounded too good to be true, right?


    Well, there was a catch, of course.


    Besides the limitations, a lot of money was needed-a special type, a currency only used in the Academy.


    Academy Union Credits, or AUC for short.


    Even after he received his first thousand AUC that came alongside his sry earlier this morning, the prices disyed along the rows and rows of shelves all around him spoke of a sad story.


    A story of a broke professor.


    ''They called it a library, huh...''


    Emir concluded his observation with that thought.


    The ce they entered no longer matched the title of a library, at least not one that he ''remembered.''


    Its walls, enveloped in hues of somber gray and muted blue, cast a sense of quiet stillness. The shelves, towering and imposing, stretched upwards towards a ceiling lost in shadow, forming levels upon levels of knowledge waiting to be explored.


    Amidst it all, wisps of digital fog driftedzily, a result of the humming Link Points that adorned the shelves, adding an air of mystique to the surroundings.


    The ce itself seemed to breathe, pulsing with the ebb and flow of intellectualmerce, a faint scent of static and music, a result of the passing of visitors.


    As they stepped closer, every shelf in their line of sight disyed holographic nametes and price ranges at the beginning of each column.


    They indicated what type of ''book'' or series of ''books'' rted to certain subjects, skills, arts, abilities, specialization paths, or whatever else the rows behind them housed.


    Now the rows themselves contained simr holograms, only way smaller in size.


    They were above the Link Points, protruding ''cup holders'' that remained hanging in the air, gleaming with a metallic sheen, each of their surfaces uniquepared to the others, adorned with small, almost uncountable patterns of interconnected dark nodes. Simr to what Emir and his fellow professors had done not so long ago, all that the buyer would need to do is ce their bracelet in the humming Link Point and send the required AUC After the transaction is confirmed, Brain, the system overseeing the Archive, would ept the transfer, and the data would be finally delivered to the buyer.


    [How about that one?]


    Step...


    [No, we''re better off checking that section.]


    Step...


    [Sure, sure.]


    Step...


    [Don''t act sassy with me.]


    Emir continued to lead them deeper into the archive, each step soft, almost unheard, drowned by the simrly soft music.


    Visitors didn''t need to browse the ce as the duo were doing now since one could simply ask the blob near the entrance where to go but these two had more or less nothing in mind when they came to search for something to help fix Emir''s growing problem.


    It could be a Holy Relic, a Skill, an Art, or even an Ability.


    So they walked around the rows that housed such ''books,'' and on their way through the archive, they saw many nametes for all types of knowledge imaginable.


    {Life Element} {300+ AUC}


    A column for Spell Weavers that healed.


    {Nether''s River} {300+ AUC}


    Another for Reapers.


    {Pilgrim To The East} {1200+ AUC}


    That one contained information about all that headed east.


    {Monsters} {500+ AUC}


    Thankfully, Emir had already obtained all the information in that column, as it would''ve set


    him back thousands upon thousands to gain what he knew now.


    {Above Ten} {2000+ AUC}


    Theories for specializations that weren''t a part of themon ten.


    {Arcane} {600+ AUC}


    Arcanists ''lived'' and ''died'' there.


    {The Paths} {200+ AUC}


    The abilities Celestials would need to go after, ones that depended on their specializations, of


    course.


    {Abilities for Newbies.} {300+ AUC}


    Quite self-exnatory-


    [Wait...] Emir paused as he saw Lyra step towards a Link Point in the distance.


    [You find something?]


    [I did... maybe.]


    Her hesitant words didn''t deter his rising mood, as he followed after her with a calm smile.


    They walked by many Link Points until they stopped at one that read:


    {Indifference of Monarchs}


    [Hm... It sounds familiar.]


    Lyra looked back at Emir with a questioning gaze.


    [How so?]


    [I''m not sure... Anyways can you check it for me?]


    She nodded, silently agreeing to ignore his randomment, and sent him the description of


    the ability. {Indifference of Monarchs: When the ability is in effect, emotions are erasedpletely, and


    the user bes no more than a machine that strives for a goal set beforehand by said


    user. Path unknown. Not advisable.}


    Emir didn''t take long to understand where Lyra wasing from, but...


    [It won''t help much.]


    He didn''t see it as useful.


    It killed off emotions, which might have helped him during those corrupting dreams, but it


    wasn''t something that he needed.


    In simple words, the ability was seen as a waste of a spot by him.


    [I know...]


    And Lyra agreed to his conclusion while adding:


    [But we could start with that as a base.]


    [Right, so we ask brain?]


    [Yep.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Sure... Hey brain,e here for a bit."


    A blob of green slime heeded his call and materialized between the two of them.


    [You asked for me?]


    Emir nodded and pointed at the Link Point of the ability that hovered above them.


    "I did; I want you to help me with that one."


    [Indifference of Monarchs is it?]


    "Yeah, is there an ability simr to it? One closely rted to the spirit?"


    [S-Spirit... Authority... Clearance Level SS... EX is required.]


    "Oi, stop spazzing out and say it straight." [Apologies, but I can''t help with your request.]


    He chuckled while shrugging his shoulders.


    "Of course, of course, another roadblock..." [Again, my sincere apologies, Professor Emir.] "Don''t worry about it; you can go now, thanks."


    Emir shooed off the blob while turning his attention back to Lyra.


    [So? What now?]


    [We''re done here and well... You''ll have to teach tomorrow, so go, get preparing!]

 Chapter 288: More On Aether

    Chapter 288: More On Aether


    ?


    The Academy didn''t have many theoretical sses for students, as it was mostly physical, and the higher scores they achieved in those sses, the more credits they obtained, so they could buy more ''books'' from the Archive to be inputted directly into their neuralwork.


    However, theatrical sses were still held as some professors amodated the underachieving students or those with a low AUC budget.


    Emir, as a Professor responsible for the SS-1 ss, was the one who had to introduce such a system to them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "He scares me like hell, so he''s got the vibe down, but can he even teach us properly?"


    "I don''t know, same age or younger; I don''t care; he''s hot-."


    His students came in early, and their actions didn''t make it seem like a Thursday, as many were excited.


    "Hot? Maybe, but anyways I can''t wait to see what he''ll bring up."


    "Yeah, even second years came in; the rumors exploded sky-high yesterday."


    They talked between themselves, making a lively scene in the ssroom.


    "Right?! Like damn, they think he''s some walking giant; the guy''s just got a mean mug."


    "Frostbite cold you mean?"


    "Who cares? He''s impure-"


    "Quiet!"


    "Shut up!"


    Aria and Elijah interjected, their screams killing said scene.


    But before they could worsen the ss''s mood even more by turning that guy into a punching bag, the door at the front of the ssroom slid open.


    Emir had arrived...


    And silence was a consequence.


    His every step felt heavy on their ears.


    It drowned out their thoughts.


    Those weak could even see a shadow of death float behind the man.


    It wrapped around his suit with its ck appendages, threatening to engulf him.


    Two eyes, which were colored red, hovered above where its face should''ve been, and their ck pupils remained on them, the students, filling them with dread.


    But in the next moment, all the pressure disappeared as if it was never there.


    A smiling Emir continued to walk until he reached the space behind his desk.


    "I see that some second-year students joined us today, so I''ll introduce myself again."


    He greeted them with a tilted head as if he was inwardly wondering why they seemed so terrified.


    "I''m Emir, a man who leads Prince Emporium, Azazel, and is now your professor."


    The ''named'' were no exception; even Sofia had sweat form on the back of her neck.


    Only Elijah enjoyed the privilege of being unaffected, as his eyes held apparent confusion for those who acted ''weirdly.''


    "I''ll be teaching you all how to be true Celestials, expect gifts."


    Excitement returned just as those words reached the students, and of course they''d be fired up. Their professor told them to expect expensive information for free if they attended his sses.


    What other professor did that?


    ...None that they knew of.


    Thankfully for them, even during their amped-up state, none let out a squeak, for their brains held wit and ingrained fear.


    And it seemed that their professor liked that.


    "Good... Any questions?"


    || ||


    Silence.


    ''He''s different, alright... Are the rumors actually true?''


    The students had questions.


    ''Is he a High Lord?''


    Many of them.


    ''Why wear sunsses?''


    ''Guys? Sunsses! Why is he wearing them?!''


    ''Who the fuck wears shades inside a building?''


    ''He blind?''


    Some questioned the same thing, while others differed.


    ''How is he so strong?''


    ''Is he really the same age as us?''


    ''I''ve got a lot to ask, but...''


    But they didn''t dare ask.


    ''I can''t bring myself to do it.''


    And Emir, whose every action in the past minute led them to reach such a conclusion, continued as if he noticed nothing wrong.


    "Alright, if there aren''t any questions, I''ll start today''s lesson, call it a warmup for things to


    come."


    The holoscreen next to him suddenly turned on and showed the cosmos.


    "The universe is 14 billion years old, and most of it is full of shit."


    Most Elite already knew this, or so he suspected, but he didn''t care for that as he wanted the


    entire ss to catch up.


    "It''s big..."


    His words came slow, matching the holographic video that he showed.


    "So colossal that you can''t even understand how big it is."


    The students were quiet, attentively listening, drawn in by his unmatched presence.


    "We might be more than mortals, but still... Our minds weren''t designed to fathom such


    -concepts."


    Emir smiled even further.


    "What I''m trying to say is that we''re irrelevant human beings in the great cosmos."


    He nced at Max slowly enough so he could notice...


    "Stomp your ego."


    Then pointed at the hologram, and the video changed to another.


    "A primordial ck hole at the size of an atom was hypothetical for so long."


    He allowed the students a moment and then asked:


    "Why?"


    || ||


    "...


    None answered.


    None raised their hand. Not Sofia, not Elijah, not Aria, not Max, not Ava, not Quinn, and definitely not Arthur...


    No, actually, Arthur seemed to have an idea if one were to judge his current actions.


    He was nkly staring at the empty air beside him while slightly nodding his head. Was he turning insane? Did his autistic justice already catch up to him? Or did his mind malfunction after Emir stole his systems from him?


    Noting it forter, Emir didn''t bother with analyzing him any longer and continued:


    "Well, it was due to its rtion to ''dark matter,'' something that was suspected to have a mass


    higher than everything that existed."


    The holoscreen flickered to show an ever-expanding mass of floating darkness...


    "Such a thing... is not real."


    Which suddenly dissipated to show two words that hid behind it.


    {Aether is.} "Right, Aether was what our equations were missing. It was the matter, the energy, that held


    the universe together."


    Seeing that their collective interest was fading, he brought up his next point, the thing he was


    leading up to.


    "Now some of you here experienced what we call a Well of Eternity."


    "!"


    A sneer left him as he noticed the reactions of the four, clearly surprised that he knew of such


    a thing. Then an unnamed student raised his trembling hand, wanting to ask a question even while


    scared shitless, his curiosity winning against his fear.


    Emir gave him permission with a nod. "Can... Can you exin what that is, Professor?"

 Chapter 289: Establishing Roots

    Chapter 289: Establishing Roots


    ?


    "Of course... As most know, Aether exists everywhere, so where there is space, there''s Aether. Usually, it''s a very subtle existence, but in some instances, it could be very dense, and that density dissipates as time passes since Aether is naturally an air-like substance."


    The holoscreen soon began to disy what his eyes had seen back when he was in the Well of Eternity himself.


    "But Arcanists can kill that process. They can force Aether into liquid and condense it using runes to create this Well, a Well where low-ranking Celestials will gain immense strength at incredible speeds. And just know, a ce like that needs to be managed properly since the runes could only hold Aether in for so long ''cause eventually some of it will dissolve back into the air, as any liquid would evaporate into gas."


    He paused for a moment, his gaze returning to the student who had asked the question earlier.


    "Do you understand?"


    "Y-yes! Thank you, Professor."


    Emir nodded and then proceeded to ask those who climbed the Hierarchy:


    "Now we all understand that ces with a high density of Aether will help us rank up faster... But how does one rank up in the first ce?"


    Sofia was the first to raise her hand.


    Emir gestured for her to answer.


    She stood up while nodding and said:


    "Cultivation, which is done by absorbing, processing, and releasing Aether."


    He pped once.


    "Correct, but is there a way for us to cultivate any better?"


    She took a moment to think, then slowly spoke:


    "...No, we can only improve by repetition, by ''breathing'' better; there are no techniques, and those that spread such knowledge are frauds."


    ''Laying it on thick, aren''t you?''


    Emir didn''t need to be a genius to catch her jab, but he ignored it and moved on: "What else?"


    Max stood up without asking for permission, wanting to answer before anyone else.


    Yet he couldn''t let out a word as his mouth was stuck in ce, all due to a sphere construct made by the holder of Celestia''s Hand.


    "Sit."


    Emir saw his actions before they could even take ce and was prepared to shut them down.


    "You''ve done a great disservice to yourself. A clear attempt at challenging a professor''s authority..."


    He was doing his job as a professor and was not about to ept such disrespect, especially not from those he saw as lesser.


    "Can only be called stupid."


    "I-"


    "Don''t worry, your penalty will be light."


    Max attempted to speak but Emir shut him up with the Aether construct again.


    "Minus a hundred AUC."


    "...What?"


    The students, taken aback, exchanged surprised nces.


    "That''s what we get for the entire month..."


    "Isn''t that a bit much?"


    "Is he serious?"


    Such a penalty was far from light, in fact, it seemed excessively harsh, evident in the students'' reactions.


    However, they dared not react further, fearing their professor''s attention might turn to them, all the while silently agreeing that Max had brought it upon himself.


    "I... understand."


    Max ceased his attempts of resistance, acknowledging the futility of his efforts and recognizing when to back down.


    He begrudgingly slumped into his chair, his eyes smoldering with anger. Despite Ava''s questioning look, his gaze remained fixed on Emir.


    Yet the man ignored him as he did Ava, his attention shifting onto his little brother, Elijah.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Can you answer?"


    "Of course!"


    Elijah stood up excitedly and said:


    "The second way is to fight; battle experience does the process of cultivation, but in a much


    faster way!"


    "And the third?"


    "?"


    His head tilted in confusion at Emir''s question.


    He knew the answer since Lyra sent the information they gained to the entire family, which included the Embodiment Method, so he was confused about why Emir would want it to be


    known.


    Was it a test? He didn''t know.


    So to be safe, he acted as if he was in the dark:


    "There''s a third, Professor?"


    Emir''s smile widened, proud that his little brother had reached the conclusion he wished for.


    "Yes, there is..."


    He paused for a second while gesturing for Elijah to return to his seat and looked back at the holoscreen.


    "The third is a hidden one, only known to high-ranking Celestials in the Hierarchy..."


    The course outline that Lyra had prepared showed itself as a hologram, depicting most of what he would teach during the next year.


    "I''ll tell you what it is if you''re one of the top three in the midterms; I''ll do the same for the fourth method at the final exam, so make sure to study well~."


    Whispers and murmurs resounded as a response. The students didn''t dare be any louder than


    that.


    Their professor had terrified them since day one, and they weren''t about to risk it only to lose their credits like Max did.


    So they showed their excitement in silence once again, as most of the ''Half-Pure'' and ''Impure'' students had no opportunities such as this before.


    Meanwhile, the Elite were skeptical.


    Or rather, it was mostly Sofia, as she attempted to guess what the third and fourth methods


    were, but she truly had no idea.


    The four family heads knew of the Aether core absorption method since that was what they used the prisoners for, something that Emir had figured out after processing the knowledge


    he gained recently.


    Judging by what Amon said, they most definitely experimented on them with semi- ipatible cores, noting down results that mostly included them turning hollow or just


    dying instantly.


    On the other hand, the fourth method, Embodiment, wasn''t so understood by anyone except Isidore and those above him in rank.


    At least that''s what it seemed like, considering Emir''s knowledge of this stemmed from the pills Isidore had sent.


    So he was sure of this guess as it made the most sense and went ahead with his n, pushing for the best of the unnamed to show themselves andpete with the Elite, igniting a fire under their green bottoms.


    "Now, now... Calm down, everyone. The details will be sent to youter, but for now, focus on


    the lesson."


    The hologram flickered and then depicted a massive tree-like structure with many branching


    paths.


    "As you all know, our paths are like those tree structures in the RPG games some of you y. So we can theatrically choose any path that we wish. However, many of those ability paths aren''t mapped out yet, or at least we don''t know if they are or not, so instead of going that unknown route, some be spell weavers instead."


    "Because at the end of the way, us specialists only take certain abilities while the spell weavers and arcanists enjoy a wider array of abilities."


    "They, of course, need to stick to their element, but their path isn''t as restrictive as ours." After letting out an annoyed sigh, his eyes scanned the students as he asked:


    "The first to answer this question correctly will get ten AUC; raise your hand only when you


    know the answer, alright?"


    The students collectively nodded.


    "Yes, Professor!"


    "Right, so while keeping in mind what I just told you, what''s the difference between a spell


    weaver with the life element and a Zenith warden?"

 Chapter 290: Technological Singularity

    Chapter 290: Technological Singrity


    ?


    Half of the students immediately raised their hands, all wanting to answer first, and all obviously after the credits.


    Emir took no offense to that, of course; he previously gave them the stick, so now the carrot


    was necessary.


    "You, back there."


    He pointed at some unnamed student near the back of the ssroom.


    His intentions were apparent.


    Show the image of justice, of equality; he wouldn''t act like one of those nobles who disregarded the less fortunate, the impure.


    While he didn''t care about them, such a sight would look bad on his resume, so he acted the part of a good teacher.


    And the students picked up on that.


    "Thank you for picking me, Professor!"


    At least... the part about him being good.


    "It''s fine; just don''t waste my time and answer."


    wasn''t discouraged by Emir''s stern words and spoke with a smile:


    "The distinction is that the spell weaver is more flexible, meaning that they can use their many abilities in many different ways. Meanwhile, the Zenith Warden, like all other paths, has some flexibility in their abilities, yet they can''t change the core entirely like how the spell weavers do it, but the upside to that is that their abilities are more potent."


    Emir pped his hands three times and gestured for the student to sit back down.


    "Perfect answer ----, you''ll be getting the credits by the end of the ss."


    He then looked at the other students, reading apparent discontent on their faces. ''Greedy now, aren''t they?''


    He didn''t want to spoil them, but with what he nned for them in mind, giving a few more carrots now would help because they would definitely despise himter on.


    "Since you''re all starving, I''ll ask two more questions with the same amount of credits aspensation."


    If they were sources of light, they would''ve blinded Emir by how much their faces beamed as they heard his words.


    After a chuckle escaped him, he asked:


    "This one is simple: how does our life span increase when we rank up?"


    Almost all students raised their hands in response... it indeed appeared to be too easy of a question.


    But he wanted a certain someone to answer this time around.


    "Quinn, stand up."


    Although surprised, she sprang up like a coiled spring and calmly said:


    "Life span... It increases because our cells, our tissues, and our organs rejuvenate after each rank up; it''s as if they travel back in time. This means that even mortals have the potential for immortality, but there exists a barrier, of course."


    Her words came smoothly, sharply, as if she were trying to prove a point.


    "Our own bodies wish for death..."


    A point that Emir shouldn''t underestimate her intelligence.


    "I say this since theoretically cells can live forever, and by taking that as fact we understand that our cells havemands that make them kill themselves."


    While she spoke, her eyes remained stuck on his.


    "Every time we rank up, thatmand gets dyed by an entire lifespan; I don''t know how long the dy is for the main ranks, but that''s something that you know, right, Professor Emir?"


    And... she was challenging him again.


    He sighed and massaged his forehead for a moment.


    "Sit."


    Sheplied, offering no furtherment.


    "Quinn, you''ll be awarded ten AUC, oh and since I''m answering your question, that''ll be the


    last AUC that I''ll give today..."


    Immediatemotion.


    That was the students'' reply.


    "That''s unfair!"


    "But Professor, we need the credits!"


    "Professor, can''t you just not answer it?"


    "That''s right, just minus her credits!"


    The ''named'' remained quiet through saidmotion.


    They were seated next to each other, but they never felt further apart.


    Aria still hadn''t talked to Elijah, so she felt awkward.


    Ava and Max were fighting like usual.


    Sofia was just Sofia.


    Arthur was off in wondend, while Quinn herself showed panic as everyone around her began to cuss her out.


    ''I can be sly too, you know.''


    Emir, who hid his grin, ignored them and turned to the holoscreen.


    "me her for that; now stay quiet, or you all will lose credits!"


    Just as his warning rang out, the students fell in line, returning to silence.


    Then the hologram before them flickered to show an image that depicted what the Old World


    was theorized to have looked like.


    "It''s an increase of two lifespans per major rank, and this doubles after each major rank, so for example, I, a Seraphim can live for four hundred years."


    Those words were the final nail in the coffin.


    The students truly missed out on ten AUC for such... ''nonsense.''


    Sure, they actually didn''t know the exact number, but who cared about that?!


    They wanted to buy this new trending AI app!


    It had true-to-life conversation skills for every character one could think of.


    Girlfriend and boyfriend with just a click!


    AI''s true purpose-


    "What you see is a natural cause of technological singrity."


    Emir''s words cut off the thoughts of those who drifted.


    "Sometime during our missing history, AI reached artificial general intelligence, which basically means that all systems under that banner were able to do everything a human can


    but better."


    "Yet that wasn''t the point of no return... It was when we achieved true AGI, the actual sentience of AI, and such advancement took us to what you see here."


    Buildings, incredibly tall ones, so tall that the term ''skyscraper'' no longer fit them as they pierced the clouds above the sky and beyond, reaching ungodly heights.


    Neon lights galore. Advertisements in all shapes and sizes that would put all under the


    cyberpunk genre to shame.


    Cars that flew along in between it all, always uniformly, under a collective hand called Air


    Traffic Control.


    It looked the exact same as the current Mars, except for the fact that red reced the beautiful


    blue.


    "Our technological singrity."


    Emirmented, bringing the student''s amazement to a close, and then proceeded to give examples of the technology Earthkind achieved at that time.


    A teleporter was one of them.


    It started off as a very studied concept, and only after their first contact with a Primordial


    during the Age Of Myths did they achieve results.


    Of course, this was thanks to Marcus''s discovery of Aether, since without it, the concept


    couldn''t take form.


    Said concept amounted to this:


    "After separating two linked particles an incredible distance away, they measured one particle, breaking the entanglement, yet the particle on the other side showed an identical


    state."


    Emir measuredly said while showing a hologram of two linked points on each side of Earth''s


    pr axis.


    "Any of you can technically confirm this... How? Well, let''s use ''linked'' dice. So we roll one of the two separated dice, get a number, and we automatically know what the other number would be on the second dice."


    His words flowed as the holoscreen presented the students with a video of scientists doing


    exactly what he said.


    "This means that information was teleported, something that the AIS confirmed to be true."


    The concept was finally validated.


    "After confirmation, money was pumped in as every government raced to be the first to create a teleporter, a situation simr to the nuclear arms race of ancient times." "With the help of Technomancers the US was the first to create one. A piece of technology that presented a ne of substance, of Aether, which had so much mass that it warped space itself and connected to somewhere else."


    "After many trials and re-trials using AI simtion, they''ve figured out a way to specifically choose a location, and the result is the teleporters we use today."


    The students of SS-1 were almost transfixed by his every word, interested in knowing their missing history, which was surprising to no one.


    Only the cream of the crop, the Elite-at least Sofia, Max, and Ava¡ªwere not showing the


    same enthusiasm as the others.


    Two of the three simply didn''t care, while the coldest of them already knew this information,


    as she was quite the nerd, or so her professor would ssify her as such.


    Emir didn''t bother with them, and his gaze turned to look at the time in his HUD.


    The ''bell'' was about to ring.


    Scanning the ss for thest time, his eyes paused on Arthur for a moment.


    He was looking at empty air once again, but this time his eyes showed focus as if he was


    looking at something, something visible to only him.


    ''Ah...''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And Emir immediately grasped an unfortunate truth.


    ''I see.''


    One that he couldn''t do anything about.


    ''Of course.''


    Not yet, not any time soon in fact.


    "There are many other examples, but I''ve given enough freebies; if you''re interested in


    learning more, you can either buy that knowledge from the Archive or just join our Academy''s


    history club."


    "And most of you already know this, but just to remind you, the clubs in the Academy will be


    showing off their stuff today in the Empty Marble, so don''t forget to check them out."


    Emir turned around and headed to the door.


    "If you''re going to request the creation of one,e by my office."


    It slid open, allowing him exit.


    "Good day."


    His feet stepped outside just as the ss time ended, and every student received a ringing bell


    icon from their bracelet.


    He didn''t even take a second longer on both his arrival and exit.


    ''Of course, of course...''


    And while his steps weren''t in a hurry, his mind raced through many thoughts.


    ''That rat bastard still has his systems.''

 Chapter 291: Not So Empty Empty Marble

    Chapter 291: Not So Empty Empty Marble


    ?


    ***


    ''Wow...''


    Arthur sat still for a while, even after Emir had long left the ssroom.


    ''The rumors made me think that it''d be a bad ss, but...''


    Chatter resounded all around him, but he remained quiet, staring at the system in front of him.


    ''Damn.''


    His eyes scrolled through the objectives, and two of them showed the very methods Emir spoke of as rewards.


    ''Though... I don''t really need to listen. With those two, I''ll be stronger than him in no time!''


    He pumped his fist in excitement at his bright future. He, Arthur, the bearer of fortune, would look down on them all soon enough.


    "Hey! You impure bastard!"


    ''Ah-''


    But it wasn''t time yet...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [The bullies are finally here~.]


    [That they are... But don''t worry, Arthur! I, your master, will teach you how to beat them!]


    [Bah! We''d be better off ckmailing them and getting some credits.]


    He would need to suffer a bit more until then.


    ***


    ''That rat bastard still has his systems.''


    Emir realized that truth as he studied Arthur''s unorthodox actions.


    They all indicated that one thing.


    So it wasn''t that Emir absorbed corrupted systems; they just weren''t in the pills in the first ce.


    He sneered while thinking of ways how he''d deal with the master wannabe and finance nerd imnted in the kid''s brain.


    ''But I better tell her first...''


    His thoughts didn''t go any further as he opened the telepathic ''door'' between him and Lyra. [How was my performance?]


    [You did amazing! Though you''ve had a few lows here and there.]


    [Hm, it isn''t bad for my first time, then.]


    [It really isn''t.]


    [Also...]


    [Yes, something happen?]


    [Deep read my memories.]


    [...I see, now everything makes sense.]


    [Yeah... Anyways how''s work?]


    [Check mine.]


    [...Heh, it looks like mom''s busy as ever.]


    [Of course, everyone wants to talk to the Devil''s Mother.]


    [Ah, I almost forgot how important professors are... And wait devil''s mother?]


    [Yep, rumors spread from the students to their parents, and this nickname was the result.]


    [Let me guess: Lily''s nickname is Devil''s Sister?]


    [It is.]


    Emir grinned, causing the students beside him to flinch.


    [I like it.]


    But he didn''t even notice them as he continued forward towards the elevator.


    [Alright, you should go focus back on Mom and the rest; I''ll busy myself with the clubs over here, see what''s up.]


    [Shooing me off now, are you?]


    [Heh, look at you being cheeky.]


    [What? Rather me being meek all the time?]


    [No, not at all.]


    [That''s what I thought~.]


    [Yeah, yeah, talk to youter.]


    [Love you, prince.]


    [I love me too.]


    [Humph!]


    Emir reused the same dad joke while quietly chuckling to himself, only causing further terror


    to those around him.


    Ragnar''s advice truly aged like milk.


    Even with the sunsses on, Emir''s presence spread fear to those who ced their eyes on him, and the rumors certainly didn''t help either.


    But, again, Emir didn''t care for that; he actually preferred it since the students always made way for him in the halls, giving him enough time to think...


    Ting!


    To think about the novel. About the missing details.


    Arthur had apparently received the other two systems since young.


    After being imnted in his neuralwork, they underwent hibernation, awaiting the signal they would receive from the third andst system.


    The Fortune System.


    But as Emir absorbed that system, the process was corrupted.


    This corruption caused the automatic activation of the other systems, as they presumably found out that the main system waspromised.


    So there was a high chance that Arthur knew of the night visit, or at least his systems did.


    Sigh...


    The match between the two just started, and it had already grown convoluted.


    Ting!


    The elevator that Emir entered a few seconds ago paused on the third floor.


    As he was lost in his thoughts, he almost mistook it for the ground floor and stepped out, but


    as his eyesnded on the outside...


    "Hey, hey!"


    He stopped.


    "Heyyy brooo! How was your first ss?"


    Ragnar and Morgiana were there, and they joined him without wasting a moment, smiles


    stered on their faces.


    "Technically second, but yeah, it''s been good."


    "More like a horror show. The kids are terrified of you!"


    "Right? I told him that it''d happen!"


    Emir wiped his face, which seemed to scream, "What the fuck do you want me to do about it?"


    with the palm of his hand, and said:


    "Whatever, are you guys going to check out the clubs?"


    "No, but if you are, then I''ming with."


    "Same here!"


    ...


    They stepped out onto the marbled ground and it wasn''t empty like usual.


    Club stands spotted the ce.


    Large tents that housed a few tables where advertisements for said clubs were ced.


    The sight made Emir reminisce over his fake memories.


    He was once a normal student... how funny was that?


    Well, the man himself found it extremely funny, which caused a fewughs to leave him.


    "You going insane again?"


    "Shut up Rag."


    "Is that usual?"


    "No, MAG, it isn''t." "...It''s... whatever."


    Morgiana gave up on correcting Emir and walked forward, her warm gaze scanning the ce.


    "Something up with her?"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders at Ragnar''s question.


    "Don''t ask me."


    But he knew the answer, and Ragnar should''ve known too, so he reminded him:


    [It''s Embodiment, you buffoon... It''s slowly taking over.]


    [Ah, the thing you sent me yesterday?]


    [Yes, don''t tell me you didn''t check it out yet?]


    [...I didn''t.]


    [...]


    That was the moment when Emir gave up on Ragnar and joined Morgiana on her tour.


    [Hey! You didn''t tell me that it was important!]


    [...]


    Ragnar''s scream was met by silence.


    A silence that was suddenly reced by extremely loud music.


    [The fuck?! Music? Gah! Why is it so goddamn loud?!]


    His hands rushed to his ears in an attempt to block the noise, a scene simr to that of the


    song of chaos.


    [Emir! What the hell did you do?!]


    But it was telepathic, sent directly from Emir''s neuralwork, so no amount of physical


    blocking would help.


    [Help me!]


    "Wait a sec Morg."


    "What''s up?"


    Emir looked back, watching as Ragnar flip-flopped on the ground as if he were experiencing a


    life-ending seizure.


    [Nah~... Lower the volume yourself.]


    He wasn''t affected by the sight of his brother''s suffering in the slightest.


    [PLEASE!]


    Ragnar was begging for his life, even though he could just cut off the neural connection


    between them, killing the noise.


    [You learned your lesson?]


    However, Emir, who knew that from the start, didn''t relent for a second, not taking pity on


    Ragnar''s loyalty.


    [I did, I did!]


    And that was all he needed to hear.


    [Sure.]


    The music ceased, and Ragnar could rx atst, his chest heaving as he looked towards the


    clear sky.


    [Fuck you...]


    "Ragnar just needed to be taught a lesson."


    Emir finally answered Morgiana as the whole ordeal was put to a close.


    "A lesson? That looks like bullying to me."


    "It could be a factor... Anyways let''s move; we''re attracting too much attention."


    His words were true; all the students around them were quiet, their necks stretched like


    giraffes as they attempted to listen in, enjoying the show.


    "Alright, let''s check that one over there! They''ve got free food~."


    He nodded, leading the way-


    "Not so fast professors!"


    But suddenly, a girl blocked their path, her right hand pointing at the two of them.

 Chapter 292: A Forgotten Council

    Chapter 292: A Forgotten Council


    ?


    ***


    Two girls sat next to each other, whispering between themselves.


    "No one ever mentions us, you know?"


    One of the two had dark blue hair and gray eyes, while the other had brown hair and eyes.


    "What do you mean? You''re like the most popr girl in the academy."


    "That''s not what I was talking about..."


    The girl paused for a moment and then pointed at the stands next to them.


    "Look! Everyone''s going to our neighbors... We didn''t even get a single applicant yet!"


    A sigh resounded as the second girl put her right leg over the other.


    "Screaming wouldn''t help."


    "But-"


    "No buts Olivia ALEXANDER, I told you that it''d be hard, but you persisted." "Whaaat? Stop being so mean... And don''t bring my dad into this."


    She, who opposed Sofia''s older sister, tilted her head.


    "Mean? Me? I''m the nicest one you know."


    "Yes, Ms. Devil''s Sister."


    "Oh c''mon! It''s not my fault he''s so scary!"


    Olivia giggled, then stood up and adjusted the UEF''s insignia on the uniform that adorned her slender frame.


    "It isn''t, so how about we make a deal?"


    Lily, her best friend, stood next to her and asked:


    "Which is?"


    "No talking about rtives."


    "Agr..."


    Just as she was about to ept, her words dissipated into the air as she noticed a certain someone walking down the not-so-empty Empty Marble.


    It was her brother, Emir.


    "Hide!"


    "Why-"


    Lily didn''t allow her to talk back as she pulled her down under the table.


    "If he sees me he''ll definitelye by and everyone will crowd our booth ''cause of him. Do you want that?"


    "No... It would ruin the purpose of not advertising ourselves."


    "Right, so hide."


    It was obvious to most that the two girls could''ve had half of the Academy at their doorstep if they wished, but since they wanted students who actually cared about the student council, they couldn''t use themselves and their subsequent poprity as a lure.


    On second thought, only Olivia cared about hiding their lure, for Lily couldn''t give less of a shit. She only wanted to get it over with.


    "Hey, hey..."


    "What?"


    "Check out what your brother''s friend is doing."


    Lily peeked over the table and saw Ragnar spazzing out on the ground, looking like a fish out of water.


    "What''s wrong with that?"


    She was confused about what Olivia wanted to point out.


    "The hell? Do you not see that professor?"


    "I do, but it''s nothing unusual; Emir ys around with people sometimes."


    "...He''s weird."


    "Keep it at that."


    Olivia stood up, ignoring Lily''s warning, and proceeded to walk over to Emir.


    "What the hell are you doing?!"


    "Professors ought to be better than that!"


    Lily chased after her, barely managing to stop herself from face-palming.


    ***


    "Not so fast professors!"


    ''Hm?''


    Emir paused his steps as a girl blocked their path, her right hand pointing at them.


    [She''s rude~.]


    Lyramented, prompting Emir to slow his time.


    [Oh, you were watching?]


    [I was, but disturbing you wasn''t something that I wanted to do.]


    [You wouldn''t; anyways, who''s she?]


    [Olivia.]


    [Ah, then that over there is Lily.]


    Emir''s eyesnded behind Alexander''s daughter, staring at the girl who was covering her face.


    [Correct.]


    [Well... I guess my existence forwarded the first minor disaster.]


    [It seems so, Olivia wasn''t supposed to enter the student council until next week.]


    [Right, it ain''t a problem though, and since she''s involved, I''ll have Lily help out.]


    [Are you sure?]


    [That I am.]


    "Lily! Look at you running over to your big brother!"


    Emir spread his arms wide, wanting a hug, but Lily didn''t even look at him and crashed into


    her friend, taking her to the ground.


    "Ugh-What are you doing?!"


    "Shut up!"


    "Oh-. Don''t worry, she-"


    "Don''t embarrass me, and stay quiet, please!"


    Heplied... No, not really; he picked them up by the neck in a single moment.


    "Waaaaaaaaah!"


    "Emmmmir!"


    And materialized inside their tent in the next.


    Lily was lowered gently while Olivia found herself crashing to the ground once again.


    But surprisingly, she wasn''t hurt as Aether calmed her fall.


    "I told you not to embarrass me! I hate you!"


    Bang!


    A metaphorical bullet shot through Emir''s chest as he fell alongside Olivia, joining her in


    ''death.''


    "Hey bro, you good?"


    "Emir?"


    "Kuhm... Kuhm..."


    Emir stood up after a few more ''coughs,'' not needing to fix himself up as his suit was never


    not immacte.


    "Just acting out a y, don''t worry."


    Ragnar didn''t care for what he said, and rammed into his back while asking:


    "Wait, wait! Is that your sister?"


    "Calm down, you bastard."


    Emir pushed him away and then focused on his sister, who watched all the ir unfold with a


    small smile.


    "So, you in this forgotten council?"


    "No, actually, I''m not in any club; I just help Olivia and some of my other friends out from


    time to time."


    He nced at the girl Lily mentioned, watching as she ''struggled'' to stand straight.


    "So you goof around."


    Then Morgiana, who arrived alongside Ragnar some seconds ago, made her ssic remark:


    "It sounds like something you''d do, to be honest."


    Ragnar agreed, neverte to join any opportunity at dissing Emir:


    "I concur, my dear brother, for you are nothing but a contained menace."


    [I agree as well, but you know I love you for that.]


    Emir chuckled.


    [Yes, yes... Now shoo shoo, focus on that dive.]


    [I will Sir~.]


    "Can''t disagree with that, actually... And wait, are you guys ganging up on me now that my


    sister''s here?"


    "We are..."


    Morgiana''s response was immediate; she didn''t even try to hide her enjoyment.


    "A little bit."


    However, being smart, she knew not to push too far, so she swiftly switched the subject.


    "Anyways, who''s older?"


    "She is."


    Emir answered.


    "Technically."


    And Ragnar added.


    "What does that mean?"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders, a sign that Morgiana needed to move on, and Ragnar, the one


    who got her in trouble in the first ce, intervened.


    "Yeah, and who''s the adopted one?"


    His intervention made things ten times worse, however.


    Lily shook her head while sighing.


    "Brother, your friends are pieces of work."


    "That they are... Ragnar, Mag, can you get out?"


    "We''re friends? And whatever you say!"


    "I''m outta here!" They didn''t offer an ounce of retaliation and left the tent at lightning speed, not wanting to


    experience his wrath.


    Emir and Lily looked at each other, and after a moment of silence, they burst outughing,


    seemingly forgetting that Olivia was still struggling for her life.


    Which she wasn''t.


    They both knew that.


    It was only Olivia who thought her act was award-worthy.


    Just as theirughter died down, he stepped closer to her with a shaking head.


    "There''s no need for that kid; c''mon stand up."


    He gave her his hand, and she, who was confused for a moment, picked up on what he meant


    and yed along, pulling herself up.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Lily tell you?" "No... I just know a lot."


    "That''s kind of creepy." "Creepy? Me? I''m a very kind person..."


    He chuckled and smiled, his face leaning closer to hers.


    "But only if you''re kind to me as well."


    "Yeah, creepy is an understatement. Your... presence? Right, presence, it freaks me out."


    Lily joined her brother''s side and pinched Olivia''s cheeks.


    "What did I tell you? Ha?"


    "Okeh! Okeh! I get it!"


    "No fighting kids."


    "We''re both older than you!"


    Emir chuckled and then brought his hands under Lily''s armpits, picking her up.


    "Wait, wait, wait, wait, don''t throw me out! I know that you''re up to something! I want to


    listen!!"


    Her screams entered his left ear and exited his right, not registering in his mind at all.


    "Stand outside; I''ll call you in when I need you."


    Lily, who iled her arms and legs around, immediately stopped when her brother carried her


    out of the tent, not wanting such a sight to be seen by the public.


    She quickly assumed a normal posture, acting like nothing happened as Emir reentered the


    tent.


    "She can juste back in, you know?"


    "I do, but she listens to me."


    Olivia''s face turned slightly sour.


    "That''s nice..."


    "It is."


    But Emir showed no care for that and proceeded to ask a question with a face that he hadn''t


    shown her before now:


    "Does Lily tell you about theics she reads?"


    A face of absolute calm, almost nk.


    "...What?"


    "You deaf? Theics that Lily reads. What are they? She doesn''t want to tell me when I ask


    her."


    She expected an important question-one that might even shatter her worldview-but his entire demeanor shift was for a goddamn Nettoon!


    Olivia officially surrendered on cooking up any type of n and simply answered: "It''s an old romance one called ''HQQky.'' Human-made, a ssic from a time before the old


    world, and she only recently finished reading it."


    Emir nodded at her and closed his eyes.


    ''Let''s see here...''


    He essed his terminal using his neuralwork, and it disyed theic that Olivia


    mentioned.


    It took him a second or two to check out and browse the reviews.


    Eventually, he settled on one that got a lot of replies under it.


    {This is just some more beta male faggot garbage. The kid MC we''ve got looks like your


    typical bowel cut sses wearing weak ass little dork bitch beta male virgin lifer. And that


    retarded bitch is his fake wack off time fantasy.}


    ''Uhhh, what?''


    Emir understood nothing of that paragraph, but he still read on, his eyes moving on to the


    replies.


    {What the fuck kind ofnguage are you using, you damn alien?! Trante yourself!} That one got a chuckle out of him, but he still didn''t see a proper review, so he continued.


    {Ain''t the point of series like these supposed to be about the cute girl? Why are you hyperfixated on the MAN so much? Are you a MAN ASS lover?? Big old lover of MAN ASS eh? Big cock and ball liker yeah?}


    ''Okay... This is getting out of hand, just what the fuck is wrong with people?!''

 Chapter 293: Drowning Sisters

    Chapter 293: Drowning Sisters


    ?


    As a man who had more or less never touched this side of thework, all of that disgusting drivel fried his mind, but he didn''t stop reading the replies.


    He wanted to know what his sister got herself into.


    {None of those words are in our holy texts... Be better OP.}


    {Damn, the fuck is this? Did you just skip to this chapter and base the whole story on it? Are you that much of an edge lord? Anyways thanks for describing yourself.}


    {Bro is self-projecting.}


    {Judging by the dislikes OP got and all the replyments... I''m sorry to inform you of this OP but... You need to properly think about your actions.}


    {LMAO, here you are,menting about the MC when the story isn''t about the MC. Imagine getting angry at a burger joint not serving steak. Be better bitch, instead of trying to be an intellectual that uses buzzwords.}


    {Bro ispensating.}


    {Everyone, whenever you think about the UEF possibly implementing democracy, remember, guys like this would vote.]


    {Huh? Democracy? Don''t bring politics into this! And you, the little shit talking about holy texts. You think you''re better than us? Go copy your priests and touch some kids.}


    {Anyone say kids? Where they...}


    ''Nope.''


    Emir stopped reading that reply, giving up on that thread, his eyebrows twitching rapidly.


    He let out a sigh, calmed himself, and looked at another review.


    {Anyone keep getting this ad? There''s this fag that keeps saying:


    "Here in my garage, just bought this cruiser, it''s been fun driving it down there in the wastnd but do you know what I like a lot more than that? Knowledge!"


    And it''s so fucking annoying! I''ve gotten this same ad a million times! Like why is my shit flooded by NetWeavers only on this Nettoon? I''ve installed a better VPN! I bet the author is doing that shit! Zero stars!}


    ''Another.''


    {It''s so sad Daran died of ligma.}


    {Who the hell is Daran?}


    {Lick my balls.}


    ''That...''


    Though confused by the joke, rather by the delivery of it, he continued on to another review.


    {How to coup:


    Make the economy scream in destruction.


    Spread your name, and obtain a solid reputation.


    The easiest way to obtain a reputation is by attacking a main base of operations and then advertising in the interviews. Give them the y-by-y, exaggerate a little, stand out from the other war criminals in your area.


    Gonna make the One General y? Try to make it while the incumbent is away.


    Get military bigwigs and friends in high ces, mainly spies.


    Go fast or go home on coup day.


    It''s no war, you have to stab the giant right in the heart and twist the de. Go for the kill of everything at once.}


    ''Not bad advice... It needs a few edits though.''


    {If you are reading thisment your parents will die within 5 years. To undo this curse you need to copy this and paste it on 5 otherics.}


    ''Kids believe stuff like this?...Sad.''


    Emir then checked out another... and another... and another... and another...


    The reviews weren''t reviews.


    They never talked about the Nettoon they were under.


    ''Hm...''


    He was officially beaten.


    Beaten by words that came from basement dwellers.


    He cared for this Nettoon no longer.


    Lily could read whatever; he didn''t have a problem with it anymore.


    Rather, he simply didn''t know and didn''t wish to know.


    So he deleted all that from his memory and returned his attention to Olivia, his eyes fluttering


    open.


    "Thanks, and don''t tell her about this, yeah?"


    Olivia hesitantly nodded.


    "...Of course, but how did you check it so fast?"


    "So you''re the new president?"


    Emir asked, ignoring her question entirely.


    She didn''t mind that, or at least that was what her face indicated.


    "Yep, I''ve taken the mantle off a second year; some might say that I forced it off him, but I beg to differ; he only used that room to y around anyways."


    "Suuure..."


    Olivia snapped her head at him.


    "What?! I''m not lying!"


    He snickered.


    "And I''m not saying that you are."


    "But you''re implying it."


    "Anyways... Sofia sent a request to join yet?"


    She tried to hide her surprise but failed as her pupils widened, something that he caught on


    to.


    So instead of attempting the impossible again, she honestly stuttered out:


    "Y-yes, but I''m going to reject her."


    "Right."


    || ||


    || ||


    They looked at each other in silence.


    Emir was deadpan, while Olivia was nervous.


    It was obvious what she wanted, but he wasn''t nning to give her that chance.


    So they remained quiet, as she timidly waited for him to ask her why.


    And finally, he broke that stalemate with augh.


    ''She''s fun to tease... but I''m running out of time.''


    He had entertained himself enough; now it was time to get serious.


    "Olivia, I''ll repeat what your parents told you since the day you were born. You''re talented.


    Much more than Sofia-"


    "NO!"


    Not wanting to listen, she quickly covered her ears, and fortunately for her, she could block out his words, which was quite unlike a certain brother''s situation.


    ''Pathetic...''


    Although he knew of their ''story'' beforehand, he was still disappointed in her reaction.


    An older sister, gued by guilt, didn''t work on her talents, which led her to join the theoretical course at the Academy, but the results weren''t any different.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She still excelled and was the person everyone admired.


    The younger, while talented in her own right, couldn''tpare to the older, no matter what


    she did, no matter how many hours she practiced, and no matter how much blood she spilled.


    Despite her relentless efforts, her sister''s shadow appeared impossible to escape.


    And to her, it seemed impossible indeed.


    Sofia chased after Olivia since birth; she was obsessed, and that didn''t change...


    Even now.


    Her wanting to join the student council was nothing but the same old circumstance.


    The allure was just another manifestation of her desperate quest for recognition. A reflection of her enduring need to prove herself in the shadow of her sister''s brilliance. To carve out a ce for herself in the same limelight her sister hogged ever so naturally.


    Yet... Olivia knew-she knew deep down that Sofia would never be able to bathe in that light.


    So she always ran away, afraid of hurting her sister more than she already did, but Sofia wasn''t about to allow that; like a masochist, she chased and got hurt.


    And the more she chased, the deeper into the ocean they got. Meaning that Sofia wasn''t the


    only one getting hurt...


    Both sisters were drowning.


    This continued and would continue till the time fate would bring Arthur to Sofia, breaking her


    out of that cycle.


    It was ''written'' that the two Rangers would fight and that the younger would lose, but in a


    twist of fate, Arthur''s encouragement would win Sofia a match.


    "Ahem..."


    Emir struggled to stop himself fromughing out loud, stopping his ''scroll'' through the


    ''novel.''


    Funny was the only way to describe how she won that match.


    Why? Because the son of fortune was the cause, for his ''wheel'' allowed Sofia to get lucky and


    land a once-missing hit.


    Such a scenario wouldn''t happen this time around, however.


    The professor would do his job and make a soldier out of the green chick, allowing her a real


    win, allowing her to bathe in the true limelight.


    "Fine, fine I won''t talk about that, so listen up." Olivia nodded and then slowly brought her hands down.


    "Um... what is it?"


    "Well, it''s..."

 Chapter 294: Seek The Hidden Light

    Chapter 294: Seek The Hidden Light


    ?


    "It''s nothing much; I just wanted to make sure that you''d reject her at the wee partyter."


    "...Why?"


    His once nk face showed a grin.


    "Because I won''t allow a student of mine to chase someone''s shadow."


    Emir stood up and began to head towards the exit.


    "Also, do expect me and the principal toe by the party; prepare good food."


    "What?! The principal?!"


    Ignoring her once again, he left the ce and bumped into Lily, who stood just before the tent''s ps.


    "Ah, you''re done?"


    "Yeah..."


    [I just wanted to make sure of a few things before the first minor disaster.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He answered her unspoken question telepathically, knowing that it was what she was after.


    [Bad news?]


    [Good news.]


    [Great! Just don''t traumatize the new kids; all the blood might... you know.]


    [Anything you say~.]


    Emir patted her head and joined Ragnar, who stood waiting a tent away.


    "Where''s Mag?"


    "She left... Unlike you, we teach subjects, so we don''t just have two sses in a week."


    He lightly punched his brother''s shoulder.


    "You could''ve just said that she had a ss."


    "Heh~. What can I say? I got my sassiness from the best in the game."


    "Yeah, yeah, let''s just go."


    The two walked the marbled ground, passing by clubs of all kinds.


    Clubs for sports, for art, for music, for general and specific knowledge.


    Hidden under masking words were clubs for every specialization,mon elements, and weapons.


    Some researched and even created Holy Relics, while others focused on the ult.


    The students weren''t numerous, but they sure were passionate.


    And speaking of the ult, Emir and Ragnar were currently standing next to one, examining its tent from the outside.


    "Oh, Professors! Wee, please check out our club!"


    An excited student ushered them in, but Ragnar''s interest only rted to how their tent looked, so he gently turned down the invitation:


    "That''s alright, we just stopped to look at your ce for a bit."


    His words didn''t speak for Emir, because while the eye-filled tent grabbed his attention, he wasn''t there to simply look at Valora coins.


    "I understand, but please..."


    Though dejected, the student still handed out one of the pamphlets he had.


    "Take this."


    ''Bingo.''


    Emir epted the pamphlet while a confused Ragnar asked:


    "Why waste paper? You can just send it to our bracelets like how the other clubs are doing."


    The student flinched slightly, obviously rattled by the question, his answer not doing any better:


    "...I-It''s a s-s-secret."


    Ragnarughed in response, and after hitting the guy''s back a few times, he walked forward to the next club.


    "Good luck kid!"


    Emir followed his brother with his eyes stuck on the pamphlet.


    {Wee to the ult Enigma Society


    Uncover the Mysteries That Lie Beyond...


    Are you drawn to the unseen, the arcane, and the mysterious? Join us in exploring the realms of the ult! The ult Enigma Society at UEF Academy invites you to delve into the hidden


    knowledge that transcends themon ten.


    Discover Our Weekly Gatherings:


    Monday: Tarot Card Readings and Divination.


    Friday: Astral Projection and Beyond.


    Our meetings provide a space for students of mysteries to share experiences and discuss the ult in all its facets, soe and explore alongside us!


    Prepare for a Mind-Altering Experience Where Secrets are Unveiled:


    Unlock the hidden potential within yourself.


    Decode ancient symbols and texts.


    ess realms beyond the veil.}


    After scanning the entire page, he flipped the pamphlet and did the same to the other side.


    {SEEK THE HIDDEN LIGHT.


    Make sure to explore our diverse range of books during work days.


    Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow seekers as you delve into the mysteries of the ult.


    Embark on a journey with us, uncovering greater truths along the way to the top.


    Together, we navigate the unknown, seeking enlightenment and understanding.


    Intrigued by fate and its threads? Don''t worry, that too shall be talked about and unraveled.


    Never miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and broaden your horizons.


    Gatherings may ur at various times, amodating different schedules if needed.


    At our meetings, you''ll find a weingmunity of like-minded individuals, you shall fit


    right in.


    Tarot readings and astral projections await your exploration but that isn''t all.


    Much is hidden from themon public, and that includes events only we, the members


    know of.


    Inquisitive minds are always wee to join our discussions and activities, even when


    doubtful.


    Dive not only in ruins but in the deep, into the mysteries that lie beyond the mundane world.


    Navigate you will, all under the guidance of our many experienced practitioners.


    Illuminate your path with the knowledge and wisdom gained from our society.


    Grow alongside fellow members as you journey into the realms of the unknown.


    Hearken to the call of discovery, for we await your presence.


    Transcend the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with us!}


    Emir chuckled softly.


    [...Ly, you seeing this?]


    [I am, and it only confirms what we know.]


    [That it does...]


    "Hey bro, where are we going?"


    Although Ragnar was the one leading them, he felt lost because he had no idea which club to


    check out next.


    Emir looked up, his eyes finally leaving the pamphlet, and said:


    "Debate club."


    "Why that?"


    "I think a surprise is waiting for us there."


    "Cryptic Emir is so fun!"


    A sigh escaped him at Ragnar''s sarcasticment.


    "You can''t act, so this is for your own good you dumbass!"


    "What? Who said that?"


    "I did; now shut up and follow me."


    Slightly annoyed, Emir led to the debate club''s tent, taking a few turns to reach there.


    They didn''t take long, as the students made way for them without hesitating.


    "Is that what you experience every day?"


    Emirughed as his feet paused just outside a slightly crowded white tent.


    "It''s nice, no?"


    Ragnar looked around, watching how even the students who walked past never once entered


    within a few feet of them.


    "Makes me feel like a badass."


    "Not quite..." Emir''s words took a momentary pause as he stepped into the tent, his eyes meeting many


    students that surrounded a ck-haired ''young'' man.


    "It''d get stale in time." Opposite that man was another student, and he stood on a podium by his lonesome.


    Between them were a few tables that housed the club members.


    A few appeared to act like referees, so-called ''adjudicators,'' while the others took care of


    registering students.


    But all of that tter halted as his presence filled the room, and everyone turned their heads


    to look at the new arrival.


    "Hm, why did everyone turn quiet?"


    Ragnar asked while following Emir inside and almost crashing into his back.


    "I existed..."


    Pausing his words, the man who caused such a change in the tent''s mood tilted his head, his


    eyes locked with the ''young'' man as he asked:


    "...Principal Amon, what are you doing here?"

 Chapter 295: What Is A King?

    Chapter 295: What Is A King?


    ?


    "PRINCIPAL AMON?!"


    Ragnar''s scream resounded in the tent as he clocked in on the ck-haired man before them.


    Tsk...


    "Rag, calm before I crush your neck again."


    Emir ''politely'' asked his brother to lower his voice.


    "O-Okay."


    And he immediatelyplied...


    ''Now then... There''s our surprise~.''


    It certainly wasn''t because he was afraid.


    "Wee, wee; it''s nice to see those simr to me in position interacting with our youths."


    Emir tapped Ragnar''s shoulders, then went ahead to greet the principal.


    His right hand hovered over his second heart as he gave a short bow.


    "Thank you for the warm wee, Principal Amon."


    Ragnar quickly copied Emir''s actions while stumbling over his words:


    "Thanks, warm wee, Amon, Principal."


    Amon chuckled and gestured for them to join him.


    "Please, stand. There''s no reason to be so stiff."


    ''No, there isn''t, but we have to keep you on a pedestal, don''t we?''


    Emir nodded, his eyes emanating respect as if his thoughts weren''t bashing the hypocrisy of the man before him.


    "Thank you."


    "Now..."


    Amon''s words took a momentary pause as he closed the distance between him and the duo. "What do you want from me?"


    His cks stared at Emir''s inky marbles as if the shades he wore held no purpose.


    "Right, I did want to ask something of you, so I''m pleasantly surprised that you''re here, Principal."


    "Of course you are; now what is it?"


    Emir deflected Amon''s usation, and Amon allowed that deflection, only letting Emir know that he figured him out while not confirming anything.


    "I need you to stand as my witness at today''s wee party."


    It took a moment, but Amon eventually replied, his face unchanged, as if the smile he showed was fixed for all eternity:


    "Sure, but I''ll need you to join me first. Have you ever debated before?"


    "Just as a reminder, principal, the lives of the students are at stake here."


    As if Emir''s warning was nothing but passing air, Amon continued:


    "How does a debate about kingship sound? We both lead, so getting your perspective would be nice."


    "The Elite will die."


    Amon ignored him again and pointed towards the other podium.


    "You can stand over there."


    ''This fucker...''


    Emir wasn''t mad.


    He really wasn''t.


    He really, really didn''t want to smash Amon''s face in right now.


    Sigh...


    But like always, his control over his emotions was nigh perfect, so calm was but a step away.


    And with said calm came an idea.


    ''How about I just throw Rag under the bus?''


    Emir looked behind him.


    Ragnar was gone.


    Apparently, he ran out some time ago.


    Escaped like the little rat bastard that he was.


    Or so his thoughts went.


    "...Sure."


    Emir smiled at Amon and headed over to the other podium, scaring off the student who had previously stood there.


    "Let''s start."


    They faced each other, eyes locked, smiles gone, reced by subtle killing intent.


    It was apparent that Amon didn''t simply want a debate.


    This was more...


    A lot more than just that.


    "D-Do you know the rules, Professor Emir?"


    Their stare-off was interrupted by a stuttering student.


    Emir nodded.


    "If one were to talk about kingship, I see only three main variants."


    "Which are?"


    "Selfishness. Ambition. Duty... Do you agree, Amon?"


    "I do."


    "Now then, how are we to oppose or support this?"


    Amon snapped his fingers, and a hologram materialized between them.


    This hologram showed blue and red-colored gas that was cut in half by a word.


    {Selfishness.}


    "Do you oppose that?"


    "I do."


    He snapped his fingers again, and the word changed to {Ambition.}


    "I support that and oppose duty... somewhat."


    Emir didn''t need any prompting and answered for both.


    "Then let''s begin with both, as I oppose ambition and support duty..."


    Snap...


    Blue air surrounded Emir, and red engulfed Amon, but that fake smoke disappeared once the


    Principal spoke:


    "Let''s define kingship first, now shall we?"


    Amon was trying to help out the students, and Emir didn''t see a problem with that, so he


    answered:


    "Kingship... It''s the pinnacle of leadership. And while I say kingship it includes any leader of any position. The leader of a hunter group, apany, a corporation, an Elite family, even a government body or the government itself. They all fall under that banner."


    "So, in part, to be any of these things, you need to be the pinnacle of a human, to inspire andmand loyalty, and sometimes that loyalty isn''t just for a handful of people but an entire nation, an entire."


    "Now any of the three can work, but to know which is best... time is needed. Only time can be the true judge of a king''s worth. Whether it be to grow and prosper, to expand and conquer, or


    to defend and preserve."


    "In our case, our king, our leader, the one time would judge... doesn''t exist. It''s only a group of old greedy asses with clean shoes ''cause people lick the blood off them on the daily."


    Gasps resounded as the students heard hisst words.


    They didn''t care for those who led them; instead, they were scared of how Amon would react to such disrespect toward his superiors.


    Yet the man they felt so afraid of appeared to be unbothered; in fact, he was enjoying himself, his head dancing to each word that left Emir''s mouth, appreciating how unfiltered he was.


    "I agreepletely... But let''s not stay here for too long; we don''t want anyone toe knock on our doors, now do we?"


    "Sure... I''ll start by saying that ambition and duty are quite opposite do you agree?"


    "How so?"


    "Well, your ideals would demand altruism, and your enemy would be yourself your desires


    that you get rid of. But me, my enemy is the world itself. My desires take precedence over all


    that opposes me; whether it''s kindness, hatred, or even obligation, I ept it and impose it alongside my will on that very opposition."


    "But isn''t that selfish? If we, the capable, don''t help the weak, then who would? We can afford


    loss, they can''t."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Are you a saint principle? A king isn''t merely a symbol of nobility and chivalry... leave that


    for the Knights. The burden of ruling goes far beyond the glory often associated with those in our position. A true king must make ruthless decisions for the greater good, choose the lesser evil, even if it means sacrificing a few to save the many."


    "But what did the poor few do to deserve such a fate? Aren''t we failures as kings if we can''t save them? And do you not realize the irony in your words? You sound like the very viins the


    common man despises."


    "Viins huh? Don''t worry, you''re not to me, Principal. It''s just that your perception of a


    king''s duty overlooks the realities of leadership; they''re too idealistic. After all, sacrifice is


    only inevitable in our pursuit of securing a future where the majority can prosper. Guilt shouldn''t be..."


    He paused for a second, remembering the names of those he allowed to be ughtered.


    ''No regrets... None.''


    "It shouldn''t be in this equation of ours in the first ce. You know this very well; you know how our choices are often grim... Choices that bear the weight of the lives we control."


    Amon sighed, then wistfully said:


    "But I am... we''re all to me. A leader doesn''t just lead; they act as a beacon to his people. A


    beacon of honor and selflessness. Our duty extends beyond governance; it epasses protection, serving the people with loyalty, loyalty deserving of real respect." Emir tried to interject but Amon continued, pinning his point down onto the earth.


    "I''ll be borrowing this from you... A king, a true one, upholds the principles of a knight. Chivalry is natural, as they would strive to shield their subjects from suffering and injustice. The greater good? No, never. Sacrifice should never be a ruler''s defining trait; rather, it''s the willingness to stand by their people, putting their lives above their own!"


    A shaking head was the first reply Emir gave Amon, and after a moment of thought, he stated:


    "So our role is to safeguard everyone under our rule? Even at personal cost? Is it such an honor to die a martyr for pests that hold no more weight than a grain of sand? Upholding the virtues of fairness and righteousness for those that don''t deserve it doesn''t sound right to me." Amon''s face showed subtle, extremely subtle signs of anger, ones that Emir didn''t fail to pick


    up on.


    "But who are you to judge their worth? To you, they might hold a weight less than a grain of sand, but to others, they might weigh a mountain... But I do agree with you on one thing. A martyred king should be thest-case scenario, for when those unfortunate times eventually arrive, such a death would cement imminent demise for all."


    Emir nodded a couple of times, beginning to enjoy their back and forth.


    "True true... well, thest point at least. When I ''judge'' the lives of those under me, it''s a


    solely logical decision based on factual and known information. If they were a mountain disguised as sand, then I could only me my luck for being crap, and besides..."


    He slowed down his words for a few, his eyes scanning the students that had crowded the


    ce after their debate presumably spread in the Empty Marble.


    ''This''ll take long.''


    "Those ideals of yours are too romanticized, ones that woulde straight out of a kid''s


    comic; they cloud the practical reality of ruling. Our duty isn''t to uphold those bullshit ideals


    but to secure a future where the most can thrive... What I''m trying to say is that sacrifice isn''t an arbitrary act; it''s a calcted necessity, especially in a world like ours, a world gued by harsh realities. This idealism blinds you to a life of grief while mine twists the mind, as I make decisions based on oues, not sentimentality." And to anchor his point down like Amon did, he added:


    "I''ll say this for thest time: sacrificing a few to save the many isn''t an act of cruelty but an


    undeniable truth, an inevitable one, for all leaders participate in the act, knowingly or not. To ignore its necessity is to fail in leadership, to be irresponsible."


    Yet Amon wasn''t perturbed by that anchor. Instead, he pulled it out of the ground and carried


    it on his back, trudging forward with confident steps.


    "My idealism, as you call it, doesn''t hinder my ability to rule; rather, it sets the standard for


    leadership that is both righteous and true. Sacrifice should never be a calcted trade-off; it''s ast resort when all other options are exhausted, and are made sure to be."


    With every step, the Anchor on his back continued to rust, to crack, but he didn''t relent, his


    words flowing continuously:


    "A ruler''s morality is the cornerstone of a just kingdom and so the true essence of kingship lies not in what you called to be practical decisions but in upholding principles, guiding the people as would a Knight their employer, filled with honor. Values sacrificed for the sake of


    convenience will erode the trust of the employer, the very people you im to control." Emir clicked his tongue.


    "You are blind to a truth standing right before you''re very eyes..."


    He continued the debate, which mostly turned into a sparring match of words, of hiddenn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    insults, but as hours passed and as students came and went...


    "I give up, we''re going nowhere."


    Emir stepped off the podium, understanding that a conclusion wouldn''t be reached.


    As he previously said, they were literal opposites.


    Amon was like a father to his children, unwilling to let any of them go while expecting to


    follow in his ideals, expecting that they, like him, would battle their own desires or at least push them aside for the good of others.


    They would bear the burden of self-sacrifice and the loss of those dear.


    They would constantly make unwanted decisions, all for the dream of a peaceful world where injustice is banned.


    Meanwhile, Emir would embrace his desires, no matter what.


    He epted himself and all his faults while still imposing his will on the world, acting no


    different than a conqueror.


    His people would grow inspired by his dreams and ambition.


    They''d think of them as their own, deeming them something worth fighting, maybe even


    dying for. But unlike Amon, he bore the risk of leaving his allies behind, as hepelled them not to set aside their goals for his, but to focus solely on his.


    Amon''s wasn''t all good either, he, someone who chases an ideal, though admirable, was


    more dangerous, more... unconquerable.


    "You cling to impossible notions of honor; people like you will lead the world to ruin."


    Amon did the same, stepping off his podium upon realizing that his new professor would be a


    tough nut to crack.


    "If Earth won''t turn without the death of the unfortunate, then I''d wee ruin..."


    He then gestured for a handshake.


    "In fact, I''d rather it stop entirely so we can return to the ages of ice."


    Emir''s hand sped his. "You border on insanity."


    Augh was shared between them, an almost quiet one, so full of venom that students


    couldn''t bear staying in the tent any longer.


    "You bathe in it."


    "Can''t deny that... Now shall we go to the wee party?"

 Chapter 296: First Of Many

    Chapter 296: First Of Many


    ?


    ***


    Fourth Floor, SS-ss.


    I uh... I don''t know what to do.


    A bad man, a viin maybe I bet that''s what most would call me.


    It''s technically fair.


    But not really.


    At least I don''t think so.


    I mean, I''ve done things... bad things to people.


    Yet, it wasn''t really by choice.


    Even though they were incredibly vile-an understatement that was.


    Truly an understatement.


    Blood.


    Blood was spilled everywhere.


    On my clothes.


    On my body.


    On my face.


    And around my lips.


    The stabs-the first ones-were sloppy, so sloppy.


    Sometimes their flesh was as hard as bones, but other times it was smooth as butter.


    I wish thetter would be today''s case.


    Because today... ''I''ll'' begin my n, ''I''ll'' be killing people again.


    And this time it would be in the Academy, not outside like usual.


    It seemed that my little symbiotic friend grew quite hungry for a fresh teenager.


    A delicacy ''it'' called it.


    I agreed with such a notion.


    While I wasn''t a fan of cannibalism before ''it'' took over, I grew to enjoy certain body types more than others.


    Fresh meat tasted better; it chewed less, so the younger the better.


    Girls usually had a different vorpared to the boys; maybe it rted to their biology but wow, the clean ones certainly were a treat.


    A treat both to my stomach and my eyes, for their blood dripped beautifully off their bones.


    Anyways, what was I just thinking about?


    Oh right, some might call me a viin, but I''m not.


    I wasn''t doing this out of my own will.


    Their deaths were not mine to bear, but ''its.''


    Once I used to scour the slums and find the asional dead kid, usually buried under leaking trash, causing the smell of the meal to turn even more rancid than it already was.


    Dead bodies, almost rotting ones, tasted like spoilt milk-infused steak, where the steak had expired a decade ago and cooked for ten hours on high heat, burning it to a crisp while keeping the chewiness due to the milk.


    My first meal marked the beginning of my unending journey through such grim circumstances.


    Now some might wonder, when was I introduced to such a taste, such a texture, such a smell?


    Well... It was when I fell under its control.


    It was two years ago, in the slums.


    I''ve stumbled upon her in a hidden corner.


    She looked like a normal kid, but she wasn''t like the rest, which I eventually got used to.


    It was obvious that a knife of steel had recently found its way to her heart.


    That was a good thing.


    She didn''t die of malnutrition, dehydration, overdose, or even the asional rape gone wrong.


    She, in fact, had retained some meat on her bones before death.


    And that wasn''t all.


    The debris and trash covering her were rtively clean as well.


    Hmhm...


    It truly was a good meal.


    Ah... I was thinking of them as meals again.


    A bad habit I''d say...


    I better get rid of it before the symbiote takesplete control.


    But I might not live that long to fix that issue.


    A problem that I didn''t know how to solve had juste up.


    Emir.


    That scary professor joined the wee party I was hosting.


    It wasn''t just him, however.


    No, no it wasn''t...


    Principal Amon was here too.


    Did they figure me out?


    How?


    I never killed in the Academy.


    Never.


    Thoughts of doing such a thing didn''t even cross my mind before yesterday.


    ''Goddamn this symbiote!''


    If it wanted to dig its own grave then why the hell was it bringing me along with it?!


    ''Hoh... Calm down.''


    ''Yes, calm down, Felix.''


    ''Son of Bond...''


    ''Right, that''s who I am.''


    A child of a Gold Leaf sub-branch''s family head.


    ''I will not back down.''


    ''My existence will not be threatened.''


    "Wee to our little party everyone..."


    I shall survive.


    "By now, most of you here would''ve been epted into the clubs you applied for, but those


    that didn''t shouldn''t worry."


    My trembling feet weren''t noticeable as I stood behind a round dining table, colored light


    blue.


    "You can use this party as an opportunity to get the club leaders'' approval..."


    Bright chandeliers of gold above me threatened to highlight the forming sweat on my


    forehead.


    "For they didn''t outright reject you, and the evidence of that is the fact that you''re here."


    Yet the room was grand and wide, bathed in subtly reflective gold, so unless one focused, my


    nervousness would be hard to spot.


    "Act natural, yeah? Just a tip from your senior..."


    My words halted.


    Em-Professor Emir.


    He was staring right at me.


    His eyes I couldn''t see, but I knew they were locked onto me.


    I felt them pierce my skin like the fangs of a snake, injecting poison into my veins.


    Then, slowly, and only subtly at first, I felt my body twist as if I was being squeezed to death.


    He smiled an unnaturally wide smile upon noticing my growing reaction.


    That man was a professor?


    A man capable of making such a face was the one supposed to lead our newest meals?


    "Felix? Are you alright?"


    Ah... I didn''t notice Olivia getting close.


    "I-I''m fine, just got nervous after noticing that our principal was here."


    Shit, she definitely had noticed my less-than-ideal state.


    "Right? I don''t know why but he said that he''de today."


    ''No...''


    ''They know.''


    ''I''m dead...''


    ''I have to escape-''


    "Did anyone here kill someone before? Please raise your hand if you did."


    His words rang out, killing my thoughts.


    "Don''t worry about the legal stuff, Principal Amon guarantees that no harm wille to


    you."


    And they confirmed what I already knew.


    "Oh, someone..."


    My ears stopped listening to what was going on.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    I closed my eyes shut.


    They came here to lock me up.


    Nothing here mattered anymore.


    Should I escape?


    Should I not?


    Should I escape? Should I not?


    Should I escape? Should I not?


    Should I escape? Should I not?


    Should I escape? Should I not?


    Should I...


    Was that even possible?


    I don''t think so.


    But I have to try.


    I must.


    My life won''t be lost rotting in a prison cell.


    I''ll jump off the balcony-


    Swish!


    Wait...


    Those eyes of mine fluttered open as pain invaded my neck.


    I saw the world spin as my mouth let out a bloodcurdling scream.


    No... I heard nothing.


    I wasn''t screaming.


    Actually, I couldn''t scream even if I wanted to for my head left my shoulders.


    It flew in the air, leaving a trail of blood that sprinkled all over the ground, nearing a man''s


    feet.


    Thest thing I saw was just that.


    His in ck shoes.


    They hovered over my head, and...


    Crack!


    Crushed it.


    It brought an early end to the first of many disasters. ...Or so one might think.

 Chapter 297: Beautiful Violence

    Chapter 297: Beautiful Violence


    ?


    ***


    Sometime earlier...


    Emir and Amon arrived at the banquet hall on the fourth floor.


    It was near where the clubs had their daily and/or weekly meetings.


    Such a ce only existed for the SS-ss students; the ones below didn''t have such a thing. Not only because of their ''impurity'' but also because there was no space on the third floor to house such rooms, after all, the ''impure'' outnumbered the ''pure.''


    "So... Will you tell me now?"


    Amon asked a question that he had seemingly asked multiple times before.


    "You mean why I brought you here?"


    "Of course I meant that!"


    Emir raised his brows, feigning surprise at Amon''s reaction of ''anger'' towards him.


    "Sure, well, as I said... I need a witness, someone the students will trust."


    Amon showed a smug grin.


    "I see... Who wouldn''t ''trust'' the principal, right?"


    Emir matched it.


    "Exactly."


    They then walked over and sat among a group of students who almost fell out of their chairs due to the sheer shock they felt.


    "Please... act as if we aren''t here."


    Unlike Emir, the students weren''t shameless, so they couldn''t act like their principal wasn''t there.


    "U-Understood Principal..."


    But they tried at least, out of respect for the man and the devil on his shoulder.


    "ce looks nice, no?"


    "It does, Olivia''s brought her best cooks as well."


    "You''re bullying students now?"


    "Whaaaaaaat? Me?..."


    Though the two no longer paid any heed to them, the students had their every action rehearsed a million times in their minds to avoid being disrespectful.


    Emir couldn''t help but notice that, yet he didn''tment and continued talking to Amon while scanning the crowd around them.


    All the ''named'' were there, except Elijah and Aria.


    Sofia sat surrounded by admirers, while Max sat with Ava and his group of bullies.


    Arthur was in the corner with his friend, talking in hushed tones, their group being the obvious outcasts.


    ''Hm... it matches the novel so far.''


    However, his thoughts changed when his eyesnded on Felix Goldleaf.


    The perpetrator behind all the kidnappings.


    If left unchecked, this minor disaster would quietly unfold every few days as ''random'' students would suddenly disappear.


    No signs of fighting would be found anywhere as if the students had willingly gone off the grid.


    Some might wonder how Felix had done such a thing.


    It was simple.


    His targets had their drinks spiked, except that it wasn''t drugs that they would ingest but something way worse.


    A part of the symbiote itself.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This meant that their bodies would be under his control.


    For a short while at least, as the symbiote was spread too thin.


    So they were to be controlled until they died a silent death... A death akin to the disappearance


    of their physical form. Since they not only died but literally changed forms as Felix''s stomach digested them into pure energy that would sustain ''its'' existence.


    ''That''s one disgusting monster...''


    Emir didn''t want to think about it anymore, as the way it did things brought him furrowed brows.


    ''Let''s get this over with.''


    His eyes finally locked on to the nervous Felix, whose speech paused as he noticed his professor''s rising smile.


    And Emir was indeed happy.


    It had been some time since hest fought or killed anything.


    Usually, his urges would be taken care of by Lyra, but they didn''t have time to kill each other recently.


    So he walked over to the middle of the room, expecting the unexpected, secretly wanting things to go wrong.


    "Did anyone here kill someone before? Please raise your hand if you did."


    His words rang out, immediately drowning out the chatter.


    "Don''t worry about the legal stuff; Principal Amon guarantees that no harm wille to


    you."


    Emir scanned the audience that whispered amongst themselves, obviously surprised about such a question.


    They knew his words to be true, they could say that they did it and nothing would happen to them, but it wasn''t only because they thought Emir to be trustworthy but because Amon allowed his name to be used as a guarantee.


    It was their principal, the second strongest man in the world, his word, his presence was to be


    trusted.


    it was a genuine fact that not a single student in the room had killed before, not Sophia,


    not Max, not Ava, not Quinn, and definitely not Arthur.


    But just as Emir was about to move on, someone brave and true raised their hand.


    "Oh, someone did? May I know your name, student?"


    His interest was sparked by that boy, and he truly didn''t think that anyone would''ve had the privilege to experience such a feeling. Especially not a first-year student.


    "I''m Xavier Jr Professor; I''m in your ss..."


    He ignored thest part where the boy looked down, slightly dispirited, and asked:


    "When did it happen?"


    "...I''ve carried on his name sincest year... He died... My father died in the army."


    Emir''s smile left him as he finally realized who he was talking to.


    This boy was Xavier''s son, the very man who led Jake and Emma into a losing battle for


    survival.


    [Was he important?]


    [No, he was one of the first who got kidnapped, his story was cut short.]


    [I see...]


    "...May his soul be soothed by your achievements."


    Xavier brightened at hispliment, about to thank him, but Emir turned around and faced


    Felix, giving the kid his back, no longer showing the interest he once showed.


    He then took off his sunsses and put them in his pocket, while heading towards the


    symbiote.


    Those who saw his eyes almost shrieked but somehow managed to stop themselves in time,


    fearing his reaction.


    "Well, with the exception of Xavier over there..."


    His heavy steps echoed as he unsheathed his twin swords.


    "I''ll be showing you a dead body for the first time."


    It all happened in mere moments.


    Emir first positioned himself precisely, feet firm on the ground, his legs coiled like springs,


    gathering energy.


    As he swung his right, his hips and torso rotated with controlled force, tranting the power from his legs into a powerful motion.


    His arm guided the sword towards the target in an arc, while his wrists provided perfect control over the de''s trajectory.


    Then, at the critical moment, he tightened his grip on the sword''s hilt, channeling the force of


    the swing into its edge.


    Swish!


    The air was cut, and Felix''s head flew up above, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.


    His face contorted as a bloodcurdling scream was to leave his mouth...


    And yet nothing was heard except for the shattering of goblets, spilling all the drinks.


    That wasn''t all, however.


    A loud crack resounded next as the lower part of Felix''s head was squashed to the ground. Emir then kicked the air in an empty direction, flicking the blood off his shoe.


    ''Violence for the sake of justice sure can be beautiful.''


    Moments passed, and he turned back to the students, his smile returning to grace his face as


    he offered them a subtle nod.


    "Thank you for watching everyone; I hope you learned something from it."


    His previous thoughts were correct since objectively, his performance would be considered


    beautiful indeed... if only thest part was glossed over, of course.


    But it appeared that the students didn''t share his sentiment.


    "...RUN!"


    "KYYAAAAAAAAH!"


    "I TOLD YOU HE''S INSANE!"


    "FUCK OFF BITCH! EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!"


    "YOU''RE LEAVING ME?!"


    "STOP RUNNING OVER EACH OTHER YOU IDIOTS!"


    "COME BACK HERE!"


    "IN ORDER PEOPLE!"


    "GO GO GO! THE DOOR WILL OPEN!"


    Only after they registered his words did the screams resound-horrified screams, ones that


    came from the weak who began rushing out of the banquet hall, afraid that they would be


    killed next.


    The ''named,'' with Arthur as an exception, remained seated, as well as a select few of the


    ''unnamed,'' of course.


    While they had many opinions about their new professor, a rampaging serial killer wasn''t one of them, which was quite unlike Arthur''s reaction as he rushed to the exit, terrified, mumbling to himself or rather to his systems.


    Meanwhile, Amon face-palmed in the corner, already thinking of the trouble he''d have to


    deal with to calm things down again.


    But that was forter.


    Now, hemanded Brain to shut off the doors so that the students wouldn''t leave and


    spread chaos outside. Some tried to outsmart the situation by rushing to the balconies, but Emir''s gaze frightened them, not allowing them to step any closer.


    His actions weren''t just about controlling the crowd; he knew he wasn''t finished yet. He


    expected that something would go wrong, and indeed it did.


    However... it unfolded in a manner far better than he had imagined. Amidst the brief silence in the room, ''Felix'' hade back to ''life.''

 Chapter 298: A Familiar Scene

    Chapter 298: A Familiar Scene


    ?


    Small, almost luminescent, glob-like liquids left their broken containers and congregated towards Felix''s body, away from Emir''s notice.


    It appeared that the parts of the symbiote he was up against could live outside a host, at least for a while.


    Then, Felix came back to life, and his head grew anew.


    ''Huh... Dega vu... It''s the smander all over again... And why did this happen? He just died in the novel, no second try. Is it ''cause of me? Again?... Whatever.''


    Emir activated his Temporal Perception ability and nced at Amon, who remained sitting near the entrance, staring at him with a nk face.


    He didn''t need nor want to ask for help from Amon, but he wouldn''t get any in the first ce. As most could judge by his looks alone, Amon would not provide any, even if Emir was close to death. Although that seemed unlikely, no matter the unnatural, almost strange, increase in strength, this was ''written'' to be a challenge for those not Seraphim but Ascendant.


    It was ''written'' for the students who had no intention of helping as well.


    In fact, after Felix''s ''dead'' body flinched, they immediately sprang out of their seats and ran behind Amon, wanting to watch the fight from a distance. While afraid, they didn''t want to miss out on witnessing a Seraphim''s strength firsthand.


    Max, though a young master, still possessed a brain and he showcased it now as he did in the ''novel.''


    They were supposed to gradually figure out Felix as the serial kidnapper and take him down, with Arthur leading the charge, taking Max''s credit. Yet, their professor snatched away that entire ''plot point'' from them, as if taking candy from a child.


    ''Of course it got stronger... The novel be damned, cheats or not they can never win against this thing.''


    A chuckle couldn''t help but escape Emir as he returned his attention to the now-fully revived Felix or rather monster, as ''Felix'' seemed to have already died.


    It wasn''t moving, and it appeared to be waiting for him to attack.


    ''I gotta be clean.''


    Emir, who noticed that, had his hands tied.


    He couldn''t damage the ce too much; though Aether Infused, the building still couldn''t handle him going all out, so Aether st wasn''t allowed-well, not indoors, outside was fine. Neither could he use destructive Aether Constructs.


    So his only remaining option was to slice, bash, and then squeeze it to death, leaving nothing behind.


    Snap.


    Small randomly shaped Aether constructs materialized around Emir as he flicked his fingers. They didn''t attack the monster but rather, they pushed all the tables around them, clearing out the area, and creating an arena perfect for battle.


    After their purpose was achieved, they disappeared, his Aether returning to the origin. ''...Let''s begin.''


    With a single step forward, he reached it and held its bubbling body by the neck. Crack!


    Its neck crunched beneath Emir''s grasp as he seized its body, hauling it and flinging it to the ground with force.


    The monster retaliated with several protruding spikes aimed directly at Emir''s chest. "Aetheric des."


    He dodged that attack with a step to the left, then struck back, his right sword cutting the monster''s head again.


    Blood immediately left the neck, almost like a string, and pulled the flying head back, returning it to its ce.


    By then, Emir was already in the process of slicing its chest open as he swung in an X-like motion. But just as its body was cut, it reattached itself, not taking a moment longer to attack as well, spitting out spikes.


    Emir cut off the spikes that tried to reach him and threw them away from them, intending to dy its regeneration.


    Strings tracked what he threw, attempting to bring them back, yet he cut those off as well.


    "Time waste... you no kill me..."


    He chuckled at the monster''s attempt at making conversation, and threw his left sword, targeting its eyes.


    "We''ll see about that."


    The monster couldn''t react in time, taking his sword head-on, in the literal sense of the phrase.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir then swung down his right, slicing the monster from its shoulder to its thigh.


    It tried to reattach itself but it couldn''t in time as he kicked off its upper body, flinging it away.


    Strings chased, yet he was faster, slicing it up while it flew in the air, heading straight towards a wall.


    It didn''tst long enough to hit the wall however, Emir''s attacks proved too fatal.


    What remained was limb-mixed blood, yet that blood wasn''t harmless, it attacked him like a snake, threatening to crush his arm as it tried to coil around it.


    But he didn''t give it a chance, shaking it off to dy it for moments, as a wide-faced hammer construct materialized to their left.


    It swung itself down, hitting Emir away and crushing the semi-solid blood into the ground.


    Yet that blood wasn''t down for long, it escaped like an eel and ''pulled'' on the string, finally


    forming a whole body.


    "sh Step."


    Emir appeared.


    "sh Step."


    They disappeared and reappeared above, nearing a few chandeliers.


    Spikes, trapped in the monster''s skin, lunged out at him as if it were a terrified puffer fish.


    Emir blocked that attack with his swords as he was flung off into the distance.


    But he stopped himself midair, forming a construct beneath his feet, and pushed himself back towards the monster.


    Its spikes had retracted by the time he reached it, so without further ado, he swung down and cut it in two halves.


    The four slices of Felix had their blood jolt out, attacking Emir with their whip-like forms.


    Emir wanted to hide his shield ability until it was time for the performance''s closure, so he had to make do with dodging for the time being and that was what he did, as the whips continuously grazed his augmented suit, never truly hitting him even as he fell.


    A whip crackled to his left, and as he twisted his body out of the way, it spurted out another whip, a smaller one, heading directly towards the space between his eyes.


    Knowing that there was no dodging this attack while in freefall, he halted his decedent, courtesy of the newly conjured tform beneath his feet.


    Then he began to dance, his eyes experiencing the world in a state close toplete stillness.


    Whips of blood hit the air all around him as he dodged them with nimble steps and subtle


    feints of his body.


    He would bait out its attacks, stepping off a construct and forming another, only to return to the first, creating more and more tforms to dodge its attacks with.


    During that time, the monster continued to fall, and its body returned to form aplete


    Felix once more.


    "Talk! Talk-"


    It couldn''tplete its sentence as Emir''s sword construct tore through its throat, cutting its


    body in half again.


    "We will... After you die."


    Boom!


    The tforms he stood onbined into a massive one and joined him in his fall, squashing


    the monster down to its feet.


    But as if no damage was done, its coagted blood, mixed with remnants of organs and limbs, attempted to entrap him in a bubble of gore, escaping the tform above it. However, Emir wasn''t about to stand there waiting for it to happen, but instead of running away as most would, he doubled down.


    A circle-shaped tform materialized around him and crushed the monster once more, tightening the trap, yet it couldn''t push it backpletely, as Emir''s weight was not attached


    to it.


    The monster managed to find its way through, due to the small cracks that it created. Emir wasn''t worried by such news. He weed it, as he only pushed it down to make time


    for his true attack.


    Arge and wide box made of many interconnected small wires appeared above the two,


    draining him of a lot of Aether.


    "sh Step."


    The construct fell at the same moment he left.


    Squelching and whatever else that could be called unholy resounded as the semisolid got cut


    down even further.


    It tried to push back at first, but he didn''t give it a chance, clutching his hand and causing the


    wires to flex together even more, not giving it any bit of space to get out of the trap.


    The fight slowed down, almost halting, yet it wasn''t over, the monster wasn''t dead.


    ''Hm... those types sure are annoying.''


    Monsters that required the elements to be dispatched were quite a weakness for Emir as the


    only thing he could do to kill them was extinguish or squash thempletely, like he did to


    the Zerathar.


    However, as he didn''t want to use his Aether st, it became much harder toplete this


    performance.


    Squelch...


    With every grasp of his hand, the wires flexed, twisted, and writhed like living things, cutting


    the monster over and over again.


    His thoughts churned in a slow world as he tried to think of a way to kill the monster cleanly,


    he couldn''t keep this up for long.


    ''Ah, baseball sounds good.''


    Emir rushed to the nearest balcony and opened it.


    Another few steps took him back behind the trapped monster.


    He then raised and released his clutched hand as a bat construct formed atop it.


    This bat wasn''t cylindrical; instead it was very wide and t, almost the size of a fully grown


    man.


    Emir rxed that massive bat on his shoulder, acting as if he was a normal baseball batter,


    and then he raised his left hand, causing the trap to disappear.


    The monster immediately sprang up and tried to reattach itself, but, once again, he didn''t


    give it a chance.


    Bang!


    A swing of the bat caused it to fly off, directly towards the now-open balcony.


    Strings spurted out of its body, spreading in every direction, their intentions obvious.


    "Aetheric Shield."


    But this was the moment Emir was waiting for.


    "sh Step."


    Allowing the monster to stay inside would have rendered all his nning for naught.


    BANG!


    His shielded body collided with the monster, immediately melting much of it just by the


    impact.


    What remained sted off to the outside ahead of him as it struggled to heal itself due to the


    sheer power behind the attack.


    "I''m not done yet!"


    A smiling Emir flicked his right pointing finger, aiming it at the monster as he flew after it.


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    Aether was unleashed like lighting bathing the remains with pure might, extinguishing it


    entirely, and tearing through the clouds of the setting sky.


    Oh... how terrifyingly beautiful.


    It was a thought that was shared by all the students who heard his roar and saw his might.


    And that brought an end to this familiar scene.

 Chapter 299: Obvious Convergence

    Chapter 299: Obvious Convergence


    ?


    Emir''s Office.


    The man who showed the students those horrifying sights was rxing on his chair, eating the good food he was promised, while the man who had to deal with the aftermath lectured him as one would his misbehaving child.


    He asked about how Emir could kill the student without his nanobots exploding due to his vition of the binding contract, yet he was aired.


    It was only after forcing an answer out of him that he realized it was a simple matter: Felix was no longer considered a student, and the contract ''died'' once he was outed as a monster.


    This revtion was vaguely mentioned in the floating gossip. It had been around half an hour since the incident, and rumors began to spread.


    They ranged from the simple to the extreme. Yet none mentioned him killing a student.


    Amon had done his job well.


    Those who witnessed the head that flew had kept quiet.


    Some were afraid of the contract''s consequences, while the smart understood that Emir saved them from ending up in a Symbiote''s stomach.


    Meanwhile, those who saw the parting clouds yapped about it to all they met.


    They were the ones that fanned the mes, even specting that Emir fought Amon.


    Well... such a scenario wasn''t too far from the truth.


    Especially not now, as Amon was inches away from socking Emir a new one.


    "Listen you-"


    "What? You''ve got nothing on me... I knew that you''d get all anal about me destroying stuff, so I didn''t, and guess what? Your trap didn''t work... you''re shit out of luck!"


    Amon sighed, his anger reaching its limit, now no longer inches away from killing the man in front of him, but mere millimeters.


    "I beg you, interrupt me one more time, and, by God, help me, I''ll kill you..."


    Emir tilted his head.


    "By God? That''s not something I''ve heard other celestials say before... Are you, by chance, special Principal Amon? Religious maybe? From Temr?"


    His every word goated the man in front of him as if he were begging Amon to kill him. "Haha..."


    But surprisingly, the old man calmed down after he heard that question.


    "Do you think that I''d be the strongest man on Earth otherwise?"


    Amon threw out his bait, wanting to catch Emir as he did him.


    "Are you? ...The strongest man on Earth I mean."


    But Emir denied his attempt, muddling the waters even further.


    "I am, or do you think Isaac''s stronger?"


    Amon tried again, wanting any advantage over Emir.


    "Don''t know. Everyone calls him the strongest, but I beg to differ..."


    Yet his opponent poured corrosive oil into their river, turning it from just murky water into a dangerous trap, where even standing nearby could prove perilous for most.


    "There has to be some dude out there who''s stronger but hides under his shadow, using it to shield himself from the public and pursue his own agenda."


    Amon stayed quiet, his intention to stay away from the trap, not wanting to risk it.


    "Do you know someone like that, Principal?"


    But Emir, not one to hold back, pressed on his advantage, pushing Amon towards the river with each word.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I bet you do... Quite the bit actually."


    ||||


    Emir joined the silence, his eyes looked into Amon''s as they stared at each other for what approximately felt like a...


    "..."


    Dozen minutes or so.


    And their senses were urate as twelve minutes did, in fact, pass.


    That stare-off was broken as Amon shook his head.


    "...Heh."


    "Hahaha..."


    "PUWAHWAHHHAHA!"


    "WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!


    What started out as a low chuckle grew into full-blownughter shared between the two. Collectiveughter that could threaten to destroy a mortal''s eardrums.


    The reason for this was that they reached a standstill.


    Emir gave Amon what he wanted while also implying that he knew more than he let on.


    When probed to give more, Emir only regurgitated what Amon already knew.


    It was useless to continue any further.


    They both knew that from experience, one that they gained earlier in the day.


    Their debate...


    If both were to tell the truth, they would admit that they cared not for kingship.


    That debate held no further meaning than taking a look at each other''s inner workings.


    Now, however, was a true battle of words and minds.


    Just before their fight, Amon lectured Emir, wanting to set him on the straight and narrow, wanting him to act like how a professor would.


    But he was set in his ways, as if an old man on his death bed, extremely hardheaded, only causing further annoyance to permeate the room at each rebuttal.


    That culminated into this... wildughter.


    They let out all their bubbling emotions.


    "...haaaaah, the Order sure are troublesome."


    Emir nodded at Amon''s words.


    "They are indeed. After all without them, I wouldn''t know any of this, especially not an incident like this one."


    Amon sighed again, fixing the ck cloth that covered the remnants of Felix''s mushy head.


    "Right... And just before I go, quick warning, don''t use my name to threaten my professors


    again, alright?"


    Emir raised his brows.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Don''t y with me; you know who I''m talking about."


    "Sure, but are you saying that even if they''re bad? What happened to your ideals?"


    A chuckle left Amon as he stood up.


    "Look who''s talking, and besides, he''s better than some unknown."


    "True, but whaaat? Me? Bad? Who said that?"


    The principal shrugged his shoulders while heading towards the door.


    "You forgot what you did two days ago?"


    "But you don''t know what I did."


    With a quickmand from Amon, the door opened, allowing him exit.


    "Exactly."


    "But he''s way worse than me!"


    Emir''s screams were ignored as Amon left the office without looking back.


    ''Touche~...''


    A moment passed, and what took his ce were two students.


    Aria and Elijah.


    ''Hm... an obvious convergence. I wonder what else would change...''


    Emir quickly took the container that had its head off the table and ced it underneath his


    desk.


    "Wee, wee... pleasee sit."


    Worried at what he saw, Elijah asked:


    "What was that big bro?"


    And what type of big brother would lie to the little one who looked up to him?


    "Just a head, don''t worry about it."


    "...Sure."


    Elijah didn''t worry about it and moved on, just like he was asked.


    Then he approached the desk, alongside a nervous Aria, and sat on one of the chairs opposite


    it.


    Aria did the same, though much slower, clearly nervous.


    "So? What might you need from me?"

 Chapter 300: Black Tears

    Chapter 300: ck Tears


    ?


    "We want to create a club!"


    Elijah''s and Aria''s request was that.


    They wished to create a new club.


    "And we want you to be our club adviser!"


    And they wanted to throw the responsibility of managing it on Emir''s already heavy shoulders.


    "Can you do it?... Please."


    But was he the type of man to say no to such a cute request?


    "You guys made up?"


    Yes, he was.


    His question echoed multiple times in the room as he silently stared at them, waiting for an answer as if he heard nothing of what they said.


    Aria then spoke up before the confused Elijah could:


    "Um... Do you remember me, Professor Emir?"


    Emir nodded.


    "Of course, still remember it like it was yesterday, one of my biggest paydays..."


    Her smile began to disappear as soon as she heard his words.


    "And I even saved a cute kid like you as a bonus."


    But it was only a tease, as it returned brighter than ever.


    "Hehe... you better be... grateful."


    If one didn''t hear her words, they might''ve thought that she was being appreciative, which she technically was, but in a more twisted way.


    It was as per the rules of those one would call tsunderes.


    "I am grateful to have saved you, princess... Now tell me, you guys made up?"


    ***


    A Few Hours Earlier.


    Elijah was practicing his CQC in the same training room as before.


    And he was alone... Again.


    Well, he ''was'' alone, ''was.'' An influx of students had arrived at the training center on the fourth floor sometime after he did.


    Usually, they would''ve gone to the main training building, booked a private SS-ss room, and enjoyed their privacy. Yet after Emir disyed his might, the students grew excited, so they crowded the ce, taking every room avable.


    Now with none left and their blood still boiling, they had to make do, even stooping as ''low'' as training next to a Reaper.


    And so... they trained and trained, quilling their excitement with each passing minute, until eventually leaving the training grounds, leaving Elijah alone once again.


    But notpletely, Aria remained, she watched him from afar, staring, surprise coloring her face as she saw the way he moved.


    He waspletely different. Not evenparable to the man she knew before.


    Purpose adorned his every strike, his ck daggers an extension of his being, they screamed killing intent.


    His path truly was that of a Reaper.


    "Elijah..."


    Aria whispered, her voice unheard as Elijah was too focused, repeating the same attacks, courtesy of Lyra.


    Gathering her courage, she got closer to him, and only then when she was a few steps away did he notice her.


    "Hey you!"


    Elijah stopped, and looked behind him, locking eyes with whom he used to consider his best friend.


    "What?"


    Her brows flinched at his dry reply, yet she didn''t relent.


    "A-Apologize!"


    He tilted his head.


    "Ha? You want me to apologize? For what?"


    Aria snapped her head down, seemingly regretting the word that had escaped her mouth as if she hadn''t intended to say it.


    Elijah sighed, indifferent to whatever expression she wore, or at least trying to be. He refused to entertain her any longer; he was no dog, a promise he made to Emir.


    But just as he was about to return to his training, she stuttered out:


    "I-I''m sorry."


    And the rest was history.


    ***


    "Y-Yes!"


    A blushing Aria stuttered out her agreement, while Elijah simply nodded, still confused about why Emir said no, used to getting spoiled by the family.


    Meanwhile, the man himself quietly stared at her, feeling nothing in response to the obvious disy of a maiden''s puppy love.


    Even though the way she acted reminded him of a younger but dumber Lily, not a single disturbance urred in theke that was his consciousness.


    His mind had long since left the realm of normality, yet it didn''t stop him from wondering...


    Wondering if he would ever feel something like that in his life.


    ''That,'' being the feelings she wore on her sleeves, which showed themselves too pure to be


    sullied.


    Emir didn''t know.


    He couldn''t know.


    As smart as he was, he wasn''t able to navigate this arena.


    Not because of his own inability, but because it was simply impossible.


    After ''awakening,'' his mind changed to house people into two categories, and those in the


    distant category would never cross over to where his emotions presided.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet even those near couldn''t cause such a change in him. So no matter how much one would


    try, there was no changing him.


    But... his blood family was an exception to that rule.


    Somehow, they left those categories and crossed to the other side, if only slightly, their hands


    reaching over the border.


    How ironic was it that only his ''strength'' made him vulnerable?


    Emir chuckled while shaking his head.


    "Big brother... Are you alright?"


    Elijah''s voice surfaced, questioning the long silence.


    ''Hm. Guess he forgot where we are... I''ll give him a lil scare.''


    "Deem me as your professor, boy. We''re at the academy, not at home, do you understand?"


    The boy flinched, looking in horror at his brother, never expecting him to utter such a string


    of words.


    Aria was the same; while brief, she knew him not to be like this.


    "Professor are-"


    "I''ll check the club application tonight; expect a positive answer by tomorrow as long as your


    goals hold merit."


    Elijah stood up slowly, then, with a shallow breath, he asked:


    "Professor Emir, is your health in any danger?"


    "No, it''s gettingte; you may leave."


    But he was shut down.


    Meanwhile, Aria, wanting to check the time to form a response, took a nce at her bracelet, which showed a watch-something quite unusual, as most just used a digital clock-Tick.


    Tock...


    "...Let''s go."


    Aria, who didn''t know what was going on, got dragged off by an angry Elijah, leaving Emir


    behind, rxed in his chair.


    He stared at their departing figures with a nk face.


    ''Ayaaah... or whatever Mag says.''


    He massaged his forehead while leaning back, ordering the door to close.


    ''Why the fuck does everyone look at me like I''m some sort of viin? I just wanted to teach


    him a lesson...''


    Just as the door closed shut, a voice resounded in his mind.


    [Emir, you alright?] [Yes, I am... Tried to get the kid back in line, but I think I took it too far.]


    [Don''t care about that. I''m asking about you, you sure you''re fine?]


    [Yes, yes, no problems here.]


    [Should Ie?]


    [No, keep your watch on those diving, we can''t be losing more people this week.]


    [I really should, shouldn''t I?]


    [What brought this on? I said I''m fine, so why are you so persistent?]


    [Oh, this is bad... I''ming.]


    [Why?! And no you won''t.]


    [You didn''t notice yet? I suggest you go look in the mirror.]


    [Just show me a picture.]


    [No... You''re better off seeing this yourself.]


    Emir slowly nodded andplied, heading to the bathroom.


    After a few steps, he crossed the door and stared at the reflecting ss.


    Moments passed yet he remained still, gaze unmoving.


    ''Why?''


    His unblinking eyes had tears escaping them.


    ck tears.


    They trailed down his cheeks, a single drop at a time.


    ''This... what happened?''


    [Lyra.]


    [See? Should Ie?]


    [No... just send me a summary of all that happened in my office in thest ten minutes.]


    [Done.]


    It took Emir no more than a second to go through all the information.


    He talked with Amon, and then as Amon left, the kids arrived.


    They sat without touching or doing anything weird, and neither did Amon as he departed.


    Elijah requested something, Emir rejected it, then Aria and he talked.


    Emir paused in thought for a little while, then after his ''prank'' against Elijah, the boy angrily


    grabbed a confused Aria and left.


    Had they done anything else before leaving?...No.


    [Checkplete... No missing links... I think it might just rte to my innate corruption.]


    [I still think I shoulde.]


    [No you shouldn''t. You know that I''ll have to check out the club next, and we can''t afford to


    miss it because of some fucking ck paint.]


    [But-]


    [Follow my words, Lyra. Or are you rebelling? Should I have done what Rag-]


    [STOP! Okay, okay... just stop, I''ll listen.]


    [Good... Sorry.]


    [...Humph!]


    Emir sighed, not liking what he said either, but he felt forced to do it.


    Shaking his head again, he leaned on the right armchair with his elbow, his hand supporting


    his chin, as his thoughts flowed from one to the next.


    ''ck tears though? Is my corruption bing worse? And why then? What caused it? What


    was the spark? What was... What was the...'' ''What was the what?''


    ''Hm... What was I thinking about?''


    ''... Oh yeah, those two showed an obvious convergence indeed.''


    ''But it''s more or less a natural result caused by my interference, or maybe even my existence.''


    ''And Amon huh... He certainly knows how to y the game.''


    ''I got one over him, but he still won in the end... Guess I''ve got some refreshing to do.''


    ''Or maybe the very thought of winning against him was a false hope that he gave me?''


    ''No. Doesn''t matter. I didn''t tell him much, so he doesn''t have concrete information.''


    With that concluded, he nodded his head, turning his attention to what was next. ''Right, now, let''s see here...''


    Emir pulled a pamphlet out of his pocket, revealing it on the table.


    After a nce, he muttered a few words that only he could hear.


    His eyes then turned and met the window, scanning the darkness outside.


    "A bit more to go."


    ...


    Fourth Floor Of The Tower, Clubs Hall.


    Emir had arrived at their specified location a minute past twelve with a mask and trench coat


    on.


    The mask was grey and in, while the coat was simr, only ck, the same as the t-shirt


    and pants.


    He stood alone outside the club''s door, awaiting their permission.


    And finally, after another minute or so of waiting, came an expected question from a robotic


    voice:


    "What do you seek?"

 Chapter 301: A Toddler Came to Ask for Candy

    Chapter 301: A Toddler Came to Ask for Candy


    ?


    His answer met the robot''s question in a heartbeat:


    "The Hidden Light."


    Ting!


    The door whispered their eptance and slid open, weing him inside.


    What met his eyes next was a very thick fog, most likely artificial and only present to set the mood.


    Emir found that slightly childish, and as he entered, his hope for finding anything useful decreased even further.


    From what he could see, a long, oval table bathed in ck stood in the middle of the room.


    On both sides of that table were a group of seven people, each wearing a dark cloak and masks that hid their identities.


    They were already sitting there, staring at him as if wanting to intimidate him.


    But he was at the opposite end of experiencing such a thing.


    The only thing their staring had done was make him struggle to stop himself fromughing. ''These guys want to scheme against the Order? These? Guess I should''ve expected as much for a throwaway club that disbanded in the second week of the novel.''


    After coughing twice, Emir sat on one of the free chairs, opposite a girl and a boy.


    Just as he made himselffortable, a boy at the end of the table greeted him.


    "Wee, eighth sin, to our humble gathering... Don''t mind the theatrics, our members said that a little ir was always needed."


    Emir chuckled quietly.


    "Thanks, and I don''t mind, don''t worry."


    His voice turned robotic, almost static, as it passed through his mask and echoed through the room, startling the boy right beside him.


    "...D-Damn. Too much auto-tune, my friend."


    The one who seemingly led this gathering nodded his head.


    "We see no issue with your precautions, eighth. No matter who you are, you''re wee here, as we all wish to seek the light."


    Emir eyed him for a while, then scanned the rest as he asked:


    "Do the rest agree?"


    "Yeah, we do."


    "Of course!"


    "Sure."


    "No problems."


    "Me neither."


    Emir''s head subtly flinched as he heard the boy opposite him speak.


    "Let''s get this over with!"


    Then, as the girl spoke, his head snapped in their direction, and he stared at them with wide eyes.


    ''Holy hell... those dumbasses.''


    Aria and Elijah.


    They wanted to create a club.


    Why?


    It was for this.


    The two wanted to join this dumb club where they would y pretend, so they needed something to act as a cover, hide their paper trail, their tracks.


    That cover was going to be the new club Emir was supposed to ept the application for tonight.


    ''It''s good that he''s trying to help, but...''


    ''Wow.''


    Emir thanked the invisible stars for the fog as he couldn''t stop himself from face-palming.


    ''I gotta talk to that kidter.''


    With that decided, he said:


    "...Thanks for the warm wee, guys. I''m happy to be here among kin that see through the propaganda."


    "I am as well. Now, let me introduce you.


    The leader stood up, pushing some of the fog near him away.


    "We call ourselves the seven deadly sins..."


    ''More like the seven slightly lethal wrongdoings, but alright.''


    "But we''ll call ourselves eight deadly sins from now on..."


    ''Thanks for including me, bud.''


    "While our members are way higher than just seven..."


    ''Don''t lie, we all know they aren''t.''


    "We still use this name as we rotate the mantle every semester..."


    ''Don''t tell me it''s to keep spies out or something.''


    "It''s to make sure that our objective ispleted, as our members are prone to corruption."


    ''Haa... man...''


    To mask his sigh, Emir interrupted by asking a question:


    "But why not use a contract?"


    "That would leave traces... It''s also why we use paper."


    ''...At least he''s not that ipetent.''


    "I see, great job."


    The kid proudly pumped his chest.


    "Of course! I''m from the Order..."


    Time slowed.


    "after..."


    Emir''s eyes darkened as Temporal Perception activated without a thought.


    "..all."


    The mask covered it all though, hiding his narrowed eyes, and intense face.


    ''This kid...''


    His right hand tightened into a fist as he heard those wordse out of the kid''s mouth, his


    nails threatening to pierce his skin.


    [Lyra... You heard that?]


    His breaths had hastened quickly...


    [... Yes, but his face doesn''t show up in the database.]


    [That''s fine, I know he''s lying... I''m just asking you what to do with him.]


    And then they were back under control.


    [Are you mad?]


    [You think? Some kid thinks he can impersonate them to y pretend?!]


    Maybe not.


    [Calm down... call Amon. Let him deal with it.]


    [...Sure.]


    Emir let out a sigh and stood up, approaching the two opposite him with quick steps.


    "Where you going?"


    He ignored their leader and pulled the ''named'' up by the neck.


    "The fuck are you..."


    "What the hell..." They resisted at first, but they quickly picked up on the fact that it was Emir who had them


    trapped in his grip.


    It wasn''t a difficult realization, not because of his rare tall height orrge body, but because


    of his un-mistakingly dangerous presence.


    "We''ve got a code red boys and gals, lock the ce up."


    The six wrongdoings babbled about something or another behind them as they prepared to


    fight, but he ignored them and walked through the supposedly ''locked'' door, which slid open


    for him without any issues.


    "But how?! Sloth, are you sure that code red was in effect?"


    "Yes! I sent themand!"


    "Pride, we better activate code ck and bring in reinforcements..."


    Their chatter faded as the door closed shut, locking them in while they were none the wiser.


    [You should check their origins.]


    He nodded at Lyra''s reminder and hovered his bracelet over the door''s scanner for a moment.


    After a beep that confirmed his ess, he asked it to show him the profiles of those who


    entered earlier today.


    ''Hmm...''


    Five of them were from sub-branches of Elite families, while their leader was some


    commoner kid who had gotten in over his head after learning about the Order.


    [Nothing useful here.]


    [So we wasted time?]


    [I guess...]


    Emir shrugged his shoulders, his gaze lowering to meet the two little dumbasses.


    "Exin yourselves."


    Elijah''s grip over his mask tightened as he looked down in embarrassment.


    "I''m sorry... I... I know this isn''t an excuse, but... I wanted to tell you when we came by but I


    forgot about it after you got me a-angry."


    While her partner in crime stuttered over his words, Aria stared at her professor unblinkingly. Only when he looked back at her did she apologize, her ears blushing red:


    "I-I''m sowwy."


    She bit her lip.


    || ||


    She messed up her apology.


    "........"


    She fucked up!


    And with every second that Emir stayed silent, her embarrassment continued to grow.


    Then, in the next moment, Aria couldn''t take it anymore, so she snapped her head down and


    joined Elijah in reddened shame.


    They were both trying to hide away from his gaze.


    [Should I be harsh?]


    [Do whatever you want... I don''t know how to deal with kids.]


    [You know how to deal with everything, though?]


    [Yes, but I know it isn''t my answer that you want.]


    [...Smartass.]


    [Gigolo.]


    [Oh~. Look at you fighting back.]


    [Hehehe~.]


    Their telepathic conversation ended in under a second as they shared augh and went back to


    focus on their respective circumstances.


    "To be honest with you two, I''m not angry, really... I''m just disappointed."


    While scoffing, Emir turned around, showing them his back as he headed towards the


    elevator.


    "I didn''t expect either of you to be this... naive."


    The two didn''t give chase, or even show a reaction to his words.


    They simply kept their heads down as he walked away, almost tearing up, each heavy step of


    This a punch in their guts. Minutes went by, and they stayed there, locked in ce, not knowing what to do.


    Meanwhile, their professor reached the tenth floor with a smile apparent on his face.


    ''I''ve always wanted to say that!''


    It seemed that he had fulfilled a little fantasy of his.


    Anyhow, after he entered his office, he had a quick bite-some tasty protein bars-and tooka


    shower that he didn''t need.


    His next destination was the training room, a room that he reached in two steps.


    On the way there, he grabbed his augmented suit and ced it on the center of his broad


    chest.


    When a moment passed, he shed his nakedness as the hexagon expanded like slime all over his


    body, forming his desiredfy in ck pajamas with its nanobots.


    ''Nice as always...''


    Emir then sat down in a lotus position and cultivated, enjoying the SS-Density Aether only


    found in training rooms of this caliber or on the edges of those higher.


    He also practiced his strength Art at the same time, weing pain as it gave him its regr


    visit.


    They talked... him and ''pain.''


    However, unlike usual, pain stayed for a while, wanting to talk about deeper things...


    Things that hit hard and fast.


    Things that hurt a lot.


    But then, during one of their conversations... someone-no, something-tugged at his


    clothes.


    Emir opened his eyes, sensing danger.


    His senses were ring at him, forcing the activation of Temporal Perception.


    s...


    He waste.


    The activation...


    It only prolonged the moment.


    It started with a small, soft pull. Something akin to a toddler asking for candy.


    Then the toddler turned into a ck hole, calling death its friend.


    The pull was strong-strong enough to nearly snap Emir''s neck in half.


    ''Ah...''


    Emir began to float under the pull, finally understanding what had urred. Yet even in his elerated time...


    He waste. Once again.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Fff---''


    Late enough to the point that not even sh Step would save him.


    Then...


    There was no then.


    Everything urred in an instant.


    No, it was faster. Nothing of him could be found in the observable time.


    He just vanished without a trace.


    There was no ''after,'' no lingering presence, no remnants of his existence.


    Time ceased its meaning for that moment, rendering his personal cameras useless.


    All that remained was an empty training room.


    Fshshshshhhhhh...


    No...


    There was a new addition to the room.


    A portal. A hazy, purplish portal; dominated the room.


    Yet, even with its aura, it was undetectable to the naked eye.


    Camouged, it silently rhythmed to its creator''s tune. Pulsating slowly, sometimes


    shivering.


    Eventually however, the very thing that had caused Emir to disappear...


    Whoosh!


    Had disappeared as well.

 Chapter 302: I Kneeled

    Chapter 302: I Kneeled


    ?


    ***


    ''-Lash Step...''


    !...?!


    ... What just happened?


    Did something happen?... I don''t know... No, something did.


    I think... I think I was pulled somewhere by something that I didn''t¡ªI couldn''t understand...


    But I tried to, at least now, as I could still think.


    Many ideas came to mind, but I settled only on one.


    A portal...?


    Maybe.


    No... I shouldn''t guess, not yet anyways.


    I needed to confirm things first, as those thoughts of mine would take me nowhere.


    [Ly? You hear me?]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    A response I waited for but didn''t receive.


    Usually, moments or even seconds were the most Lyra would take, so this indicated that she was out of range.


    And that meant that I found myself in a ce far away from Sol''s domain...


    Or worse.


    But there was nothing I could do about that, so I continued ticking off my mental checklist. ''Alright... Now I need to find anyndmark or something to anchor in.''


    I tried to move for the first time since my arrival here but couldn''t.


    I tried to see, to flutter my eyes open... but it was an ability that escaped me as well.


    ''Am I actually... Dead?''


    ''Just like that?''


    ''No... no, a being with such power wouldn''t kill me for no reason... or ''They'' might.''


    ''But at least ''They'' wouldn''t kill me secretly... though ''They'' might as well.''


    I tried to delude myself into believing that as fact, but logic maintained its resistance, denying my attempts.


    ''Doesn''t matter, dead or alive, I should try to-''


    Pa~


    Just as that sudden sound resounded, one that resembled a piano''s note... Control returned to my body.


    My eyes finally opened wide, and what met them was nothing but the void.


    A seeminglymon urrence, yet this void wasn''t familiar.


    It felt ''foreign.''


    ''Not a dream?''


    My hands proceeded to touch every major part of my body that remained under my augmented suit, including my face, hair, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, neck, shoulders, arms,


    hands, chest, stomach, back, thighs, knees, and feet.


    Nothing was missing, and nothing was misced.


    ''Hm...''


    I pinched my cheeks lightly.


    ''Hmm...''


    My fingers pinched harder, scraping off a bit of my skin as I pulled my hand away. Though it didn''t hurt much, I felt something-a sensation-that brought the truth into focus.


    My nanobots.


    While I didn''t feel an ounce of Aether, my nanobots were still working, healing.


    ''I''m not dreaming... I''m...''


    The ''truth'' was that I did join the dead.


    ''I''m alive.''


    A smile couldn''t help but appear on my face as I realized that my worst nightmare hadn''te to pass.


    Now, with my reality confirmed, calm returned as I proceeded with my unspoken checklist.


    The next item to address: the very ground beneath me.


    It, too,y empty like everything else within my vision.


    ''Let''s see here...''


    Without pause, I extended my hand and pressed against the ck void before my feet.


    ''Solid.''


    After a second or two, I concluded that this ce was simr to my unpainted dreams, which meant that I could safely walk on the ck.


    And that was what I did.


    As I headed forward, the world moved with me.


    My steps through the void were real, not mere illusions, as I could notice subtle changes urring all around me.


    This notion of mine solidified with every echo and thought that crossed my mind.


    The world was truly changing.


    Slow at first, yet eventually, a ''man-made'' structure surrounded my every direction.


    It was as if the all-consuming ckness was reced by building blocks. Ones that resembled a vast hall, stretching endlessly before me.


    The hall''s entrance had ancient, almost regal architecture, reminiscent of a bygone era.


    It was adorned with calligraphy all around, painted over tired shades, most definitely Arcane, but that changed the further I walked.


    It had evolved.


    The tired shades gave way to a kaleidoscope of colors, swirling and swirling and swirling all


    around.


    They pulsed, breathed, and resonated with my own Celestial Essence.


    With those colors, more futuristic elements came into the mix,bining with the old, creating smoother surfaces that reflected the new lights up above.


    ''Interesting...''


    I had never seen or heard of a ce like this before, and such a mishmash of future and past


    was bound to make me curious.


    So my feet continued to carry me forward, and after about a kilometer...


    A massive gate obstructed my path.


    It appeared... blurry, almost.


    For reasons that eluded me, my eyes, or perhaps my mind, couldn''t fathom how it looked.


    ''Wow... This for giants?''


    Even with my neck fully stretched upwards, I couldn''t see the top of the gate''s end.


    ''Now how do I get-''


    A rumbling groan suddenly resounded, as if the ground was shifting and thundering.


    The gate was the cause of that sound.


    It began to open within seconds of my arrival.


    I flinched back, my hand at the ready, expecting a fight. Though I had no Aether, I wasn''t


    nning to go down easy.


    Yet, all that readiness and bravado vanished when I caught a glimpse of ''Him'' through the


    thick, purplish ''fog'' that bathed the room.


    ''Oh...''


    My head snapped downwards as my survival instincts went wild.


    ''No.''


    I was sure of my fate...


    Death wasing.


    It sure was bad-so bad.


    A ''He'' was here.


    One of the beings that I couldn''t even begin to glimpse at was actually in front of me.


    I, a Seraphim, stood before a God, a Primordial.


    And my mind screamed, begged my body to follow itsmand.


    Don''t look up!


    Don''t!


    Don''t!


    You can''t!


    Don''t!


    You shouldn''t!


    Don''t!


    You shouldn''t look up stop!


    Don''t!


    Don''t move your head!


    Don''t!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Keep it down!


    Don''t!


    Down!


    DON''T!


    Down!


    DON''T!


    Keep your head down!


    Please!


    DOWN!


    DON''T DO IT!


    DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T!


    DON''T! DON''T! DON''T! DON''T!


    DON''T LOOK-


    Tinggg~


    A... Piano?


    Right, a piano''s note.


    It somehow drowned out my thoughts. Another few followed.


    My knees buckled as I fell to the ground.


    Each note that reached resonated with a quiet intensity, filling me with warmth that healed


    my mind. It flowed effortlessly, as the gentle C whispered, ever so tranquil, and D blossomed like petals unfurling to the sun.


    E shimmered brightly, lifting my spirits to a ce of joy, while G grounded me, anchoring me


    to the earth. E returned, renewed, and D followed, weaving seamlessly with the others.


    And as the final note arrived, C, rxation washed over mepletely.


    The melody came full circle as it faded, leaving me in silence.


    ''Wow... Just wow.''


    ''His'' presence was still there.


    ''He'' didn''t go anywhere, and yet...


    I was fine.


    What I felt to be so suffocating that every nerve in my body screamed danger had left me


    alongside the music.


    It wasn''t just the aura of power he exuded that affected me, but something deeper, something primal, that stirred my survival instincts.


    Even though I was weak. Unworthy. Insignificant. Meaningless. Easily discarded. An ant, a speck of dust. No, not even that. I simply did not exist as they did... I was fine.


    All of that was gone.


    I was calm once more, and with that calmness came back my intellect.


    ''I''m good... ''He'' doesn''t want to kill me.''


    With a low sigh, I did what I had to do and crossed the gate, entering the room. They, who I just noticed, and ''He'' appeared to be waiting on me as they sat around a cozy


    table, their stares following my figure.


    So, not to dy whatever was going on more than I already had, I didn''t take long and joined


    them, my steps quick.


    And on the way to the table, where seemingly all the ''fog'' originated from, my eyes danced around the room, a room that could only be described as homely.


    Red carpet adorned the ground below me,ced with golden Arcane and touches of ck.


    They flowed quite well with the red row of curtains on each side of the room that hid blocked windows. A few brown cabs were ced in the leftmost corner away from me, alongside what


    appeared to be an ancient music box, a Carillons ¨¤ Musique, as well as a Dance Organ, an ordeo Boy, a Gramophone, Juke Box, and an Acoustic Piano.


    They were huddled against a simrly brown wall, making the rtivelyrge room feel


    filled.


    While the ce looked extraordinary, the table outshone the rest by its lonesome as it looked


    too beautiful, tooplex for my eyes to appreciate.


    The plexity,'' the symbols that adorned the table slowly dissipated as I neared, however, revealing a simple ck finish.


    Eight throne-like chairs surrounded the table: three on its left, three on its right, and one at


    each end.


    As I looked around trying to spot a free chair among the eight, only one showed itself to be


    empty.


    It was the one nearest to me, and directly opposite ''Him.''


    ''Of course...''


    My steps halted when I reached my seat, and then my eyes shifted, lowering towards ''Him''


    without making direct contact.


    A weight, unseen but heavy, pressed down on my shoulders, urging me to a decision I had


    never contemted


    before.


    In a singr moment that echoed through the silent chamber...


    "I humbly greet you... Divine one."


    I found myself sinking to one knee as my hand neared my second heart.


    It wasn''t merely a physical act; it was a concession, an acknowledgment of a power greater


    than my own.


    In my short fifteen years of life, never had I entertained the notion of kneeling before anyone


    or anything. It was a threshold I had never crossed, a line I had never approached. Yet here, in this moment, I found myself humbled, not by force but by choice, by the gravity


    of the being seated at the end of the table.


    "Am I allowed to sit opposite you?"

 Chapter 303: A New Pawn

    Chapter 303: A New Pawn


    ?


    ***


    "Hey, hey, hey! Quit bein'' so stiff,d! We''re all friends ''round here!"


    A girl with a childish voice called out to the kneeling Emir before ''He'' could respond.


    Yet the man her words addressed didn''t even shift an inch, staying in a kneeling posture. "Aye, ye be givin'' me the cold shoulder, eh? How rude~... But, by the Forge! I''m mightily impressed! Not any youngin'' can sense Mr. yer''s strength at first sight, and judgin'' by how ye reacted, I wager yer instincts went wild. Am I right?"


    || ||


    Emir was still, his mind like a clear river.


    "Hey, stop ignorin'' me! I''m just tryin'' to give ye apliment here, ya know!"


    || ||


    She received nothing but silence again.


    "Oh, is that ''cause I didn''t introduce meself? Ye can call me Ms. Knight,d."


    ||||


    Once more.


    "So ye want me to introduce the rest too? Well, ye should''ve asked, shouldn''t ye!"


    Ms. Knight didn''t even wait for him to give her the cold shoulder for the fifth time and began introducing those next to her.


    "As yer ''blood'' told ye, this opposite o'' ye is Mr. yer, a ss-Two..."


    ''ss-Two? Like the second-highest rank?''


    "An Angel, a Mal¨¡k, a Cherubim... A Paragon."


    Emir flinched slightly as he heard thatst word, which confirmed his thoughts.


    Paragon.


    ''He...'' or rather he was a Paragon?


    A being of such power was not a ss-One? A Primordial?


    He wasn''t a ss-Zero? A being ''Above The Hierarchy?'' But a ss-Two?... Him?


    Such a thing Emir could not fathom.


    "Mr. Board be the one sittin'' to Mr. yer''s right..."


    Her words got him out of his drowning thoughts as his head turned to whom she pointed, showing respect while still not raising his head.


    Mr. Board wore a in dark coat suit with a white shirt.


    His eyes were different-one ck, the other white-giving him an interesting look, especially with the presumably unneeded wire-rimmed sses.


    He kept his hair neatly cut around his surprisingly long, pointy ears, with one-half white and the other ck, mirroring the striking duality of his eyes.


    His build looked to be that of an average Celestial, and thest highlight of his appearance was the silver ring on his finger that showed a tiny chessboard.


    "Hmhm."


    He red at Emir, only letting out a worded nod.


    "While Mr King sits to his left."


    Mr. King''s presencemanded attention, yet much of it stemmed from his opulent attire. His all-white three-piece suit radiated luxury, reminiscent of a king from times long past, with subtle flecks of gold entuating its grandeur.


    His eyes were a striking shade of golden brown, radiating ambition, framed by meticulously styled hair that shimmered like spun gold. Around his face, a well-groomed beard boasted a lustrous golden hue.


    His physique was above average, marked by broad shoulders, towering height, and an almost statuesque presence.


    Adorning his fingers were multiple regal gold rings, each embellished with precious stones. Luxurious gold watches and bracelets marked his wrists, with one standing out-a bright gold crown, reminiscent of the king''s chess piece.


    The man looked to be gold all over and nothing but, he had more money on his body than some entire sectors on Earth.


    "Happy to have another... you show better promise than most that came before."


    Mr. Kingplemented Emir while shuffling his fingers.


    "Our lovely Queen sits next to her chess husband-"


    "Oh stop that, it''s a dead joke..."


    Ms. Queen had an almost goth-like appearance, effortlessly blending gentleness with undeniable sex appeal, even Emir would not be able to deny how sweet she looked.


    Draped in a fitted ck dress crafted from luxurious velvet, it molded to her curvaceous figure. The dress boastedce detailing along the neckline and sleeves, adding a touch of delicate beauty.


    Her mesmerizing eyes, a deep shade of purple, emanated both warmth and mystery. Silken strands of hair cascaded in loose waves around her delicate neck, flowing down to her lower back, their rich, dark purple hue adding to her allure.


    Silver jewelry adorned her wrists, some undoubtedly gifts from her countless suitors, while a subtle vine tattoo grew gracefully around one wrist.


    Much like Mr. Board and Mr. King, she too had an item denoting her status: a pair of ck- -colored queen-chess piece earrings.


    "And hello there, handsome~."


    With a gentle smile gracing her lips, she extended her hand in a small, adorable wave, even though she knew Emir couldn''t see her.


    "If ye fall for our wee subus, ye won''t glimpse the light o'' day again, so mind yerself."


    "Why say that? You know I''ll never harm those in our little club."


    "Aye, aye, Ms. Maneater... Now, onto the next, Mr. Rook. He''s the one sittin'' beside Mr. Board."


    Mr. Rook, in stark contrast to the vibrant aura of others, presented a somber figure, enveloped in an air of gloom. His appearance reflected his mncholic state, draped in muted tones that


    lacked refinement.


    He wore dark, oversized clothing that hung loosely on his frame. His body seemed diminished, burdened by unspoken sorrows, his posture slumped under their weight.


    His unkempt hair, long and ck, fell in disarray around his pale face, devoid of luster. A stark contrast to his dark locks, his eyes burned with an intense, blood-red hue, radiating an eerie ferocity that reflected the depths of his despair.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Adding to the unsettling aura, his mouth revealed a set of sharp, pointy teeth, reminiscent of


    a creature from the shadows.


    Mr. Rook bore a subtle yet symbolic trinket that signified his identity as the rook chess piece. It was a small, unassuming pin that adorned thepel of his worn jacket.


    "I don''t like you... much too talented."


    Mr. Rookined while not even bothering to nce at the neer, his head remained


    glued to the table.


    "Have no worries ''bout him, he''s not always like that, just a tad bipr... Now, over yonder is Mr. Bishop, sittin'' next to Ms. Queen, and of course, yourself."


    Mr. Bishop possessed a striking appearance with neatly styled blond hair, a strong jawline,


    and expressive green eyes. His hair and face were partially covered by a ''Keffiyeh,'' held in


    ce by an ''Agal'' atop it.


    d in mourning attire, he wore a ''Thobe'' of charcoal. The flowing fabric draped elegantly around his slender yet silently strong frame. Subtle buttons graced the cuffs of his thobe, each


    one carved in the likeness of a bishop chess piece.


    Completing his ensemble, he wore a ck ''Bisht,'' its rich fabric adorned with delicate embroidery along the edges. The man truly looked to be a man of the sands, embodying an


    ancient oil baron.


    "Peace be upon you, young one... May time embrace you with more endurance than those who


    came before you."


    He smiled warmly at Emir, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness behind the words.


    Ms. Knight, who acted as if she didn''t hear his somber words, pointed at herself and loudly


    stated:


    "He rattles on in gibberish now and then, but ye''ll grow ustomed to it, no doubt. Andst but not least, meself! The finest of the lot!"


    She, though short in stature, possessed a sturdy build. Her long ginger-colored hair cascaded over both of her front shoulders, adding a touch of warmth to her presence, a different type of warmthpared to Ms. Queen, it was one that most would feel when eyeing a child. Her eyes, a captivating shade of orange-brown, reflected the intensity of her character, and her attire seemed to contradict her wild demeanor, as she opted for practical yet well-tailored


    garments.


    She wore a fitted dark green jacket adorned with gold-brown stitching. Underneath that, a subtle light green sundress reached her knees, offeringfort for easy movement. Additionally, her neck wore a ck choker featuring the knight chess piece, delicately crafted


    in the shape of a horse, with gold ents, slightly dimmer than Mr. King''s almost blinding


    essories.


    ''Thanks, kid... Or dwarf.''


    Emir nodded his head, silently thanking the petite girl while still not uttering another word, awaiting his eptance.


    And finally, after silence returned to the room, a melody-no, a voice-resounded.


    It was Mr. yer''s to be exact.


    His voice was like music to the ears, almost in a literal sense of the phrase due to its heavenly


    quality. Rather than feeling suffocating, it was rxing, reminiscent of the jazz melody that


    had captivated Emir earlier.


    "Wee to the hidden gathering of chess pieces, Mr. Pawn."


    The verbal chains that Emir had imposed on himself began to loosen.


    "Wee to the esteemed Chess Club, Setrenc."


    And as those words registered in his mind...


    "Wee to the game." They snapped.

 Chapter 304: Notes Of Adam

    Chapter 304: Notes Of Adam


    ?


    Aether returned to his body as those ''chains'' snapped, and he straightened his back, standing up fully.


    ''It''s a fate I can''t escape, huh.''


    The new pawn, Emir, nodded and sat on the throne that belonged to him.


    A throne below a floating pawn.


    A throne directly opposite a Paragon.


    "Thank you for both this invitation and saving my life."


    "You''d best believe it! If it weren''t for him, you''d be naught but sttered mush on the walls of our meeting room."


    Ms. Knight loudlymented, showcasing her snarky personality, yet Mr. Board rebuked her: "Fear not, Mr. Pawn. Imend your sincerity, a virtue seldom seen, especially not whenpared to those who havee before you. Your ability activating within Mr. yer''s Celestial Realm attests to your strength. However, be mindful, the realm is yet iplete. Let not arrogance cloud your judgment."


    A long sigh interrupted the flow of conversation as Mr. Rook lifted his head from the table. "Maaaaaaaaan... Pawns are always so talented, why don''t they share some of that with me?" Ms. Queen chuckled.


    "Don''t feel bad, you''re plenty talented yourself... And those types don''t live long."


    She paused for a moment, then turned her head towards Emir.


    "Please, will you live longer than the rest?"


    Emir smiled at her words while shaking his head.


    ''Live longer, huh... How ironic is it that I''m ''written...'' created to die?''


    He then looked back at her and said:


    "I''ll try my best."


    "Aye, that ye will! I''m tired of-"


    Before Ms. Knight could continue her seemingly usual and endless chatter, low-sounding jazz began to y in the background.


    It wasposed of just a saxophone, but that enough was beautiful to listen to.


    "You''ve been introduced to the rest so now it''s time we move on with the meeting... Know beforehand that I am a yer who enjoys a bnced game, exchange any and all with either me or the rest but keep the scale in tune."


    These words held multiple meanings.


    Firstly, they signaled the conclusion of greetings, officially beginning the meeting and heralding themencement of the next phase-an exchange between members, characterized by fairness, devoid of any cheating, a perpetual harmony, always in tune.


    This exchange even epassed Mr. yer himself, indicating to Emir the likelihood of the item exchanged being the Script Of Creation, as the Primordial in his dream had alluded to this very exchange.


    "Provide the Notes of Adam that you''ve found."


    The atmosphere of those in the room shifted as everyone adopted a business-like demeanor.


    Despite feeling confused, Emir mirrored the rest, refusing to show any signs of weakness, but amidst the fa?ade, his mind offered a question:


    ''Notes of what now?''


    One that a whispering Knight answered:


    "They go by many names, so mayhaps ye know them as the Script Of Creation?"


    ''Ah...''


    It all clicked, and his assumption was confirmed to be true.


    ''Hopefully Mr. yer will ept Silent''s script then.''


    Emir nodded, thanking the past him for preparing for this beforehand.


    "I do, but why call it that?"


    She stroked her chin for a moment and then said:


    "It''smon knowledge, so I''ll tell ye for free. Listen well..."


    Ms. Knight took a few nces around while speaking, noticing the others staring in their direction.


    "Adam, aye, ''He'' was once a Primordial. ''E held all the Scripts o'' Creation afore ''His'' demise at ''Their'' hands."


    ''A primordial can die? ''He'' was killed by ''Them?...'' Is it the Myths?''


    ''Wait... so since ''He'' is dead, we can say his name without anything happening, right? Or is it just because of this ce?''


    ''Scripts rting to creation? Does that mean there are other scripts? Its literal opposite, maybe?''


    ''Does Eve exist as well? I''ve heard ancient religions mention both of them and some poison apple or something.''


    His mind instantly came up with many questions as he heard her answer, but he couldn''t voice them out. It wasn''t the time, and if her grin was any indication, answers wouldn''te free. ''Guess I''ll be going broke again, but hopefully they''ll give a few freebies.''


    With a scoff, Emir returned his attention to the table, watching as Mr. Board raised his hand.


    "I''ll go first."


    He stated and presented a scroll on the table.


    Paa~


    A saxophone blew, and the scroll floated to Mr. yer''s ''fog-covered'' hand.


    "Hm... Good."


    Mr. Board''s typically monotone face transformed into a wide, genuine smile.


    "That''s truly heartening, Mr. yer... I earnestly pray it has brought you even a mere inch


    closer to reaching the end of your path."


    Emir raised his brow at that promation.


    ''Seems like he''s a fanatic. Great.''


    The room stayed silent for a short while as it appeared that only Mr. Board had obtained a Script since theirst meeting.


    After realizing that, Emir presented his own scroll, cing it on the table, surprising all but


    Mr. yer.


    Mr. King mmed his hand down on the table, his gaze scanning those around him.


    "How? Did we have a leak?!"


    "Shut up, you idiot; all that money is rotting your brain."


    Ms. Queen rebuked him, her gaze settling on Emir as she added:


    "Who told you about us, dear?"


    Before he could reply, Mr. yer tapped the table, silencing them at once.


    The swirling purple ''fog'' surrounding him coalesced around his face as his gaze fixed upon


    Emir, hiding his power, yet the intensity of his eyes still seemed to cut through the haze with


    a piercing gleam.


    "Do you mind if I share this?"


    ''...What?''


    It took a while, but eventually, Emirprehended the fact that this Paragon before him


    asked for permission.


    ''I guess god-like beings have manners towards even the most insignificant.''


    He sighed while nodding.


    "Please, go ahead, Mr. yer."


    The ''fog'' shifted up and down as he looked at the other members.


    "Lady Of Time gave him a visit."


    Emir''s eyes subtly widened as he put two and two together.


    ''I really am fucked.''


    He already knew that ''She'' was the one who ''vouched'' for him, so that wasn''t what he was surprised about. A part of him simply didn''t believe that he was a man worthy of a


    Primordial''s visit.


    But after seeing how respectful Mr. yer, a Paragon was, he had to believe it, fully this time


    around.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah... So it IS ''Her...'' No wonder."


    Mr. Boardmented while pushing up his sses.


    "Of course ''She'' would visit a pawn, talented kids man..."


    Mr. Rook groaned as he leaned too far back in his throne, nearly toppling over.


    The rest ignored depression incarnate as they voiced out their surprise:


    "Ye''re both he lucky and unlucky to be in her sights, me friend."


    Ms. Knight tapped Emir''s shoulder as if to encourage him to fight on.


    A sad giggle escaped Ms. Queen as she looked down at the table and whispered:


    "Looks like he won''t be staying for long."


    Mr. Bishop was the only one who showed his skepticism.


    "But ya Mr. yer, doesn''t this raise an eyebrow? ''She'' has no ties to our alliance, and ''She''s''


    no partner of ours by any means; all ''She'' did was lend a hand in freezing the sand of your


    Realm fifteen moons past."


    ''Lady of Time... Fifteen years ago? When I was born? ...So ''She'' really nned it all, huh.''


    Emir confirmed one of his assumptions once again, understanding that this Lady Of Time orchestrated everything just so he could join this meeting. Even the very question he asked ''Her...'' or at least ''She'' made it so that no matter what he said, this result would be inevitable.


    ''Damn.''


    He shuddered. He couldn''t help it.


    This... all of it was way above his pay grade, in a realm so far he couldn''t even fathom.


    Yet, true to form, hisposure swiftly settled back, as it often did.


    Just as that happened, Mr. yer snapped his fingers, causing the room''s ''tune'' to shift.


    This man, who seemed to enjoy listening to jazz, jazz of his own making, used that as a weapon. The world, no, the Realm seemed to have barricaded itself even further, creating a


    ''fog'' and sound that allowed no eyes to peer in from the outside.


    For a time at least.


    And he did all of that to contain his next words.

 Chapter 305: Devils Trill

    Chapter 305: Devil''s Trill


    ?


    "''''She'' has ns set in stone involving all of us, and they started the moment Mr. Pawn arrived, so do prepare yourselves for the tide''s shift."


    Ms. Knight wildly raised her hand as she grasped the subtle undertones in his words, seeking confirmation.


    "Wait, wait, wait! Are we finally goin'' public, Mr. yer?!"


    Public.


    That word lit the room on fire. It electrified it, igniting a spark of anticipation in everyone present.


    Even Mr. Rook couldn''t help but crack a smile.


    Emir''s grin was the widest, as he knew how much he would gain from such a thing.


    If her words were true, then that meant their help was now possible, not just in item or information exchanges, but actual help inbat from presumably Archon-ranked beings.


    His heart¡ªall of theirs-pounded with the promise of something extraordinary unfolding with them at its center.


    "Correct."


    Mr. yer''s words only caused their hearts to beat louder, harder, as if ringing thumps were mixing with his natural melody.


    They imagined what their future would entail, and like a devil''s trill, it sounded perfect.


    Finally, they could show off their wings, fly high, or at least die trying.


    Their chess club was hidden no longer, it was on the move.


    The universe would know their name!


    And this was all thanks to Mr. Pawn joining them.


    It was something that they didn''t fail to keep in mind, even as their souls escaped what confined them, allowing their eyes to see what was previously unseen.


    Emir, as a Seraphim, a ss-Four, couldn''t imagine the same views as they did, still unknowing of the universe, yet he still felt simr to them, as his ns expanded greatly with them as overseers.


    This wasn''t the time to fall for those dreams'' promises, however. It was time to build a path that would show the same dreams as those next to him.


    "Mr. yer, please take my scroll."


    Pa~


    Without a second dy, the same sound resounded as the scroll floated towards him.


    And after a moment, it appeared that Emir wasn''t as lucky as Mr. Board.


    "Not bad for your first try."


    His words meant that the script did not rte to his path, so the question he could ask lowered in value.


    ''Well, I was never lucky, can''t see how that would change now.''


    Emir chuckled at that thought and nodded towards Mr. yer. "Thank you."


    Snap.


    Both scrolls disappeared as he flicked his fingers.


    "What is your request, Mr. Board?"


    "I wish it to be private."


    Mr. yer raised his hand and lowered it, drowning all in purple ''fog'' except the two of them.


    As if it were regr, no one reacted except Emir, flinching ever so slightly.


    "I yearn to learn the nature of the third upgrade of my eighth ability..."


    "Are you certain, Mr. Board? A plea of this manner falls slightly short of parity with your prior offering."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Yes, I''m certain, Mr. yer. Those ursed Mahalchei Hachl cling too tightly to their ancient ways, and I find not the time to grovel at their feet until they grant me clearance for this ability."


    Mr. yer nodded, and with a wave of his hand, a small parchment of paper materialized. On it were Path Lines of an ability, one that was called...


    "Eight Conduits."


    It was a summoning type ability instead of the previous two, which actively controlled


    monsters, called Monster Tamer and Beast Whisperer.


    With his next words, the paper flew towards Mr. Board.


    "May your path continue to shine brightly before you."


    He took it with both hands and brought it to his chest, his second heart, not once inspecting it so as to not show him any semnce of disrespect.


    "May your path continue to shine brightly before you... I pray earnestly that it shall, Mr. yer."


    Snap.


    The purple ''fog'' shifted, drowning Mr. Board, as the table''s middle cleared out, it had a line that had no ''fog; it was a line between Emir and Mr. yer.


    Only the two could see each other, and now they were face-to-face, alone, so to speak.


    Before Emir could say a word, Mr. yer asked:


    "What would you like your status to be on?"


    Mr. Pawn thought about his words for a moment, deciphering their meaning, and then he realized what he meant.


    "A pair of sunsses, preferably ck, sleek, and minimalistic."


    "So you, one thates from the Eternal Star, wish to hide your birthright?"


    Emir, who wasn''t surprised that Mr. yer knew, answered with a chuckle.


    "Yes, my eyes scare those that I teach too much; I''d rather the ss not be colored yellow."


    "...Must you speak in such a gross manner, Mr. Pawn?"


    Emir tilted his head.


    "Apologies if I stepped out of bounds, but I wished to not hide myself from you."


    "Even if that includes a side of you I find distasteful?"


    "Yes."


    Mr. yer hummed, almost as if he were chuckling.


    "I find you amusing, child, now... What do you ask of me?"


    "The Embodiment method... How do I begin?"


    "That''s a simple matter, the others will help, I''ll allow you entry to a certain room that would


    ignite your me."


    Emir nodded.


    "Thank you, Mr. yer."


    Mr. yer offered no reply and waved his hand, causing the ''fog'' to return like before,


    bathing the entire room in soft purple.


    "Tis over, you may proceed."


    With his permission, the next phase began.


    "Pray tell, who shall speak first?"


    Mr. Board asked as his gaze scanned those around him.


    Not giving anyone the chance, Ms. Knight raised her hand quickly and said:


    "Listen! Listen! A few days back, a bunch of monster tides sneaked up on our crew. Had us teeterin'' on the edge, literally, almost had to drag in a bigwig from the Edgekeepers!"


    Emir''s eyes widened as he processed all her words at once,ing up with some answers and


    many questions.


    ''An ancient n. Edge keepers... Those who protect our borders... probably.''


    ''Ms. Knight belongs to them, so I''m guessing they''re some n that only allows those with a


    de amidst them.''


    ''...She knows about our thing, doesn''t she?''


    Yet before he could ask her his question, Mr. Rookmented:


    "Even a worm will turn."


    Ms. Queen nodded.


    "True, your lot must''ve pushed up the borders too much, which prompted them to turn wild


    for a bit."


    Mr. Board shook his head.


    "Nothing but tomfoolery."


    Ms. Knight pped her hand down at the table.


    "Ye Void Walkers reckon ye''re better than us? Ha! Aye, that''ll be the day!"


    Mr. King chuckled softly but stopped midway, almost as if he attempted to stop himself, but


    they heard him. And Mr. Board wouldn''t allow such disrespect to pass.


    While he didn''t have much love for his kin, he was not one to turn his back on them.


    "Don''t involve yourself in matters you can only watch, Mr. KING."


    "My apologies, meant no harm. Please, I only sniffed. I urge you and your kin to continue your


    wasteful search for the tree."


    As their back and forth was about to begin, Emir, who had listened intently so far, alreadying up with many theories, interrupted, causing everyone to quiet down and turn their


    attention to him:


    "Aren''t you guys too old to be fighting?"


    Ms. Queen raised her brow, and with a fake sniff and cry, she asked:


    "And here I thought we had something going on, love; turns out you''re shallow like the rest."


    Emir ignored her and looked at who appeared to be the most sensible but quiet person in the


    group.


    Mr. Bishop.


    With Emir''s prating gaze on him, he knew what the new pawn wanted, so he said with


    shrugged shoulders:


    "Our reports are usually as barren as the desert, but this week brought an unexpected twist- you, a new pawn within our midst, and lo! Two scrolls surfaced instead of the customary


    none. That monotony often drives them to jest, and jest they do."


    "...I see."


    Ms. Knight, seeing that Emir''s ''inquiry'' was satisfied, proceeded to ask: "Anyways, y''all got anything to report, or am I to be the only one ppin'' me lips?"


    Her eyes sought Mr. Rook as her question seemed to be directed at him.


    Mr. Rook sighed as he leaned back onto the table, dragging his face on it.


    "Leave me alone dwarf ''fore I suck all the blood out of you."


    "Is the wee vamp still dreading a star''s touch? Must I drag words outta ye? If not from me,


    then from Mr. yer-"


    "Okay, okay..."


    He cut her off, sighing again as he raised his head and looked around for the first time since


    Emir''s arrival there.


    "I know what you''re alluding to, but Duskmourn had nothing to do with him. At least from


    what I know, the guy was just a rogue nocturne, a werewolf, a space pirate gone insane, a mix


    of corruption and cyberphsycosis... probably."


    Mr. King, seemingly interested, asked him a question.


    "Your source?"


    "Well, none of my kin knew, so I went and asked my friends at Steelborn; they didn''t know


    either, but they guessed that it might''ve been a malfunctioning Sentinel courtesy of the Order, couldn''t see how one would be near our system, so I went and asked them."


    He nodded his head at Ms. Queen.


    "What he says is true, I noticed a report of some Duskmourn asking for our help. Thankfully


    for him, or them, one of the very few slightly racist Astrals at Last Wish was willing to talk...


    For a price of course."


    "Aye, I see. And I could wager they snatched a good chunk o'' coin from ya."


    "Yeah, why do I think I''m so quote unquote depressed?"


    "So it ain''t the star''s light that be annoyin'' ye?"


    "Stop with the false rumors; it''s not funny, you know that we just prefer the dark."


    While they talked, Emir had his ears wide open, allowing every sound in, every word, every


    letter, making sure that he would never forget any of what they said as he imnted everything into his brain at a moment''s notice.


    His theories continued to pile up, and he was learning more and more.


    Yet the more he learned, the more he understood how the dreams he thought of were truly


    just that-dreams.


    An impossible memory.


    A trill only possible to be yed by the devil. For he began to fathom how small they, the


    chess pieces were.


    It wasn''t the others who dreamt of bigger heights, but he...


    The ignorant one.

 Chapter 306: A Game For Vez

    Chapter 306: A Game For Vez


    ?


    The three talked between themselves for a while, but soon it was apparent to even those not listening that no one else had something to report, so they moved on to the fourth phase of


    the meeting.


    Transactions.


    It was time to exchange with the rest while keeping it in ''tune,'' as Mr. yer previously stated.


    "Well, I''ll start again by asking for the same holy relic..."


    Mr. King asked, with annoyance seething in his voice, a question that seemed to have been repeated many times in previous meetings.


    "Have any of you found leads on one that could clone me, conciseness and all, like those ss-Three Technomancers?"


    All chess pieces shook their heads with the exception of Mr. Pawn.


    Emir was stroking his chin while looking back at Mr. King as they locked eyes.


    It appeared that the man held hope that their new member would''ve had something.


    "Anything specific? w doesn''t matter? Give details."


    Mr. King nodded.


    "Third ability, third upgrade, NanoClone. w mustn''t give out my location or sound any rms; simply put, I need my actions to be hidden and not broadcasted. Money is no object."


    After a moment of thought Emir nodded as well.


    "I''ll see what I can find... Don''t expect much though, as most of you have already noticed I don''t have much experience in things outside my."


    While he still held a glimmer of hope, he didn''t wish to put any pressure on Emir and his next words indicated that:


    "Don''t worry about it."


    Ms. Knight then interrupted their moment with a smile:


    "Not all of us are rollin'' in coin like thatd, so don''t ye go gettin'' all jittery, ya hear? And aye, ye scream space virgin, clear as day."


    "Cease your drivel and ask for what you want."


    At Ms. Queen''sment, Ms. Knight quietened down like a disciplined puppy and said:


    "I be needin'' a couple more white Aether cores for meself and me crew. We got hammered hard, and we need that boost if we''re to keep up."


    Mr. King''s bling rattled as he excitedly raised his arms to the air and sped his hands together like a shrewd merchant.


    "Allow me, little miss... I presume you''ve gained quite a bit of a Valora but I need details. What''s your budget?"


    "Well, we''re talkin'' Behemoths here, so I can manage about a thousand Vez a pop, no more." "Hm, for that I can only get you the ten Aether core variety, behemoths with more cores will need much more than just a thousand."


    "Ye won''t lend a hand here? No friend discount, eh?"


    "No, mixing family and business like that is never my policy, you ever heard of the quote, don''t shit where you eat?"


    "But... st it all! Ye gold-headed piece of "


    Emir stopped listening.


    While they went back and forth, discussing the price, or rather, talking smack about each other, he went back on all that they talked about.


    Firstly, someone with not much ''coin,'' could pay thousands of Valora, so-called Vez, as if it were nothing.


    Secondly, Behemoths, monsters that he couldn''t imagine fighting any time soon, were being sold like livestock, even those with Aether cores higher than ten. It was most probably the case even for the strongest of them as well, the Behemoths that had thirteen cores.


    Thirdly, Mr. King seemed to have difficulty moving around, it fit his name quite nicely. A chess piece who seemingly had many connections but couldn''t do much by himself, so it made sense that he needed that Holy Relic''s help, to slip through the chains that bound him. Fourthly, Emir figured out a couple of n names, reaching six out of the total ten, a number he based on the eyes that visited his breakthrough.


    He knew his own, Eternal Star, one called Last Wish that housed Ms. Queen, a subus or demoness of sorts; another called Void Walkers, from which Mr. Board came; an Elf; maybe a transformation caused by an ability, mostly likely a Ranger.


    Mr. Rook from Duskmourn seemed to be the same, an ability that caused him to be vampire-like, and with that came the prejudice of him hating ''star''s light,'' it fit as well since their n''s name implied that they mourned the dusk leaving them.


    He mentioned Steelborn, another n, most definitely where all the cyborgs and cyber- enhanced people reside. Tech junkies and the like would likely be there as well.


    And speaking of the dwarf, she, of the Edgekeepers, protected the borders of the known universe with her de.


    But this was where the whole transformation thing lost Emir.


    Why was a Knight specialist so short? Dwarfs weren''t meant to be knights, were they? Such a transformation made no sense, especiallypared to the others.


    Was she a Knight or was he wrongly assuming that?


    Anyhow, such a dilemma didn''t stay in his mind for long as he thought about the fifth and final thing that struck out to him, besides their sometimes weird ents, rather mostly Ms.


    Knight''s.


    The Order was mentioned.


    A "Sentinel of their''s" Mr. Rook said.


    From what Emir knew of them, he expected the Sentinel to be another technological construct, yet from the way they talked about it, it seemed to be something incredibly powerful, matching the status of high-ranking Archons, worth mentioning even in n


    reports.


    ''Hmm...''


    As he began to conclude everything, he couldn''t help but inwardly say:


    ''I''m really way out of my league here...''


    But that wasn''t something that affected him. In fact, it only increased his already insane drive


    to go forward as he finally took a real glimpse at the other side.


    "Now, is there anyone else?"


    At those words from Mr. Board, Emir''s attention returned to the table.


    Like the shameless man that he was, he proceeded to ask something no one expected except


    the one at the head of the table.


    "Yes... I''ve got many questions and not much money, so am I allowed a few freebies?"


    Ms. Knight smiled and lightly tapped his shoulders.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Aye, and why don''t we settle that with a game for Vez? What say ye, Mr. yer?"

 Chapter 307: Not Chess But Poker

    Chapter 307: Not Chess But Poker


    ?


    After a second of silence, Mr. yer replied:


    "Sure, and do teach him of the Embodiment method while you''re at it."


    "Oh, so we''re goin'' into that room again? Sounds like it''ll be a right st, cards and all!"


    The Paragon''s ''fog'' began to shift, and within moments it dissipated as the figure behind it disappeared alongside a few words that he left behind:


    "Do enjoy yourselves."


    Still caked in purple ''fog,'' courtesy of the realm, Ms. Knight was the first to stand up as she stepped towards the massive gate, leading outside of the meeting room.


    Mr. Bishop stood up next, yet he didn''t follow the dwarf and tapped the bishop-like buttons on his cor, disappearing just like Mr. yer.


    "That guy never stays behind unless it''s important."


    Those words from Ms. Knight were obviously telling Emir not to take his exit to heart, but he didn''t even notice that as he quietly stared at the table directly in front of him.


    The space was no longer empty, it housed something. Something that he requested.


    It was the sunsses.


    ''And here I was, waiting for ''em, thinking that he forgot...''


    Emir snickered and gingerly picked up the sunsses, feeling the weight in his hand.


    The frame, as dark as the deepest cavern, bore the outline of a grey pawn chess piece on each side, near the lenses, small, but noticeable. The ckness of the lenses was profound, almost swallowing any hint of light that dared to approach.


    As he ran his fingers over the surface, he could feel the smoothness of the thin frame and the slightly raised detailing of the pawn''s silhouette. Even an amateur like himself could see that the craftsmanship was exceptional, almost magical, especially the darkness of the lenses. When he put the sunsses on, his sight experienced an immediate transformation.


    The lenses were so dark that they rendered everything around him invisible. It was as if he had closed his eyes. No glint of them was visible through the shades, creating a world outside that was eclipsed.


    Yet that eclipse was only momentary.


    After a blink, his eyes saw the world like normal, almost as if the shades he wore were nonexistent.


    It seemed that this item truly was magical-perhaps a relic or a holy one.


    Mr. Board, the only one who had waited for Emir, gave him another moment so that his fascination would go over, and thenmented while standing up:


    "It is a Holy Relic, every time we touch our symbols, Mr. yer''s eyes fall upon us."


    He continued to exin while heading to the gate.


    "We use it to notify him of things. A few examples, if we''re ready for the exchange we agreed upon in a previous meeting, we tap it, or to tell him if we can''t make it to the meeting, we tap it, or simply tap it to leave said meeting after its conclusion. All you have to know is that if your Aether has the intention of wanting his attention while your finger hovers over the item, then he would know."


    Though a lot to take in, this whole meeting was in fact, Emir still took it in with long strides and nodded, standing up and trailing after Mr. Board.


    "Good that it isn''tplicated."


    The gate slowly closed behind them as they left the room, and began walking the long halls, now filled with ''fog.''


    "Hm, of course, Mr. yer knows much and simplifies all for us, his people."


    Emir didn''tment and moved on to something else, not wanting to mess with a fanatical Elf.


    "So, where''s the room?"


    Mr. Board nodded his head towards the distance and said:


    "Not far, just fifty or so steps down... By the way, I must ask..."


    It appeared to be a private question, so Emir gave him permission with a:


    "Yes?"


    Given eptance, he continued:


    "The others refrained from inquiring, deeming it sensitive. Yet, in our solitude, I deem it prudent to quell my curiosity. What surprises me more about what you had done is the readiness of a physical scroll upon your sudden transport, rather than foreknowledge of Mr. yer''s desire for them. You''ve not a storage item, and your sunsses are new, not upgraded."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "As you already know, Lady of Time told me about this meeting, ''She...'' well, ''She'' nned for all of this, I only made sure that I was prepared. And about that... Had some free time to write down the script that I''d found in a friend''s crib; I held on to it while waiting for a day like this, though never for the life of me did I expect to be teleported like that."


    The Elf chuckled at his woes, only finding them amusing, and slowed down his steps as they neared the door.


    This earned a shaking head from Emir.


    "Trust me, Mr. Board, one day Mr. yer will cause someone a heart attack, you really gotta think of the way you let people in more, almost broke my neck."


    A sudden, but subtle, transformation urred as Mr. Board heard his words to their end.


    The once rxed demeanor between the two, turned sharp, on edge.


    It seemed that Emir stepped on and mine.


    Was it on purpose or not?


    Only the man himself knew, and well, it didn''t matter to Mr. Board, for he stepped his foot


    down, setting a clear boundary.


    "Are you implying that Mr. yer doesn''t know best?"


    "No, not at all."


    Emir immediately backed off, now understanding which lines he shouldn''t cross.


    With a smile, he moved the conversation forward, sidestepping thendmine and wanting to calm him back down.


    "Since we''re both being curious here, tell me, what''s done to the leftover scrolls?"


    Mr. Board stared at him with dagger-like eyes underneath the sses, obviously knowing


    what Emir''s actions were for, and then pushed them up while stepping through the hazy door.


    "They await our arrival."


    That simple sentence was both an answer and a statement for the other chess pieces in the room they entered, where jazz yed in the background.


    It looked simr to thest, with the ground adorned by a red carpet, brown walls, and rows


    of curtains.


    What differed was that instead of a lone table, the ce contained many of all kinds.


    And the reason for that was because the ce looked to be a casino.


    Yes, it was a casino.


    ''Now what the hell does a casino have anything to do with the Embodiment method?''


    Emir''s sharp gaze surveyed the room, taking in the lively space.


    The casino was divided into sections, each catering to a different aspect of chance and


    fortune.


    Those who would clink chips on poker and ckjack had their tables surrounding the center, which featured a roulette, the wheel spinning as a few chess pieces tried their luck.


    No slot machines adorned the space, only their vibrant lights, and enticing sounds, setting


    the mood for the ce as if this was made solely for collective gambling.


    "Follow me."


    Caring not for Emir''s surprise, Mr. Board walked forward towards the others, nearing a poker


    table.


    Emir, getting out of his daze, followed after him while his eyes explored the space.


    A discreet entrance at the far end of the room caught his attention, hinting at a more exclusive section, perhaps the reason for this ce''s existence, concealed by a set of heavy curtains.


    His gaze lingered, curiosity sparking within him.


    ''Whatever they''re nning will end up with me going in there I bet.''


    "I''ll be house."


    Mr. Boards stated, getting Emir out of his thoughts, and stood where the dealer would.


    Emir nodded and sat on one of the six chairs surrounding the table. Meanwhile, all the chess pieces ended their games and congregated towards the two.


    "I ain''t tossin'' much into the bettin'' pot today, got Mr. King to settle with, ye know."


    Ms. Knightmented while sitting to Emir''s left.


    "Oh right, it''ll be fine if I bet and pay any lossester, right? Don''t have my coins on me."


    "Yep, don''t worry about it; most space virgins don''t have storage items."


    Ms. Queen said with a chuckle as she sat to his right.


    "I meant to ask, but the opportunity escaped me... storage items? Like storage rings in those


    cultivation novels?"


    She nodded, and her hand subtly brushed against his as she ced it on the table''s green surface, leaving multiple stacks of coins that appeared out of nowhere.


    "Correct... My earrings, once used only to contact Mr. yer, now work as storage items. Ifn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    you want your sunsses to have that capability as well, then just buy a storage item and give


    it to Mr. yer. He''ll add that for you, free of charge."


    Emir nodded and put his right hand on the table.


    "I''ll match her stack-two hundred Vez for me. And thanks, but nah, that''s alright; I''d rather


    have a second ring."


    His ''Stack'' wasn''t even how much Valora he had, as it was only around a hundred and forty-


    six, a fifty less than he asked for, yet such a gamble didn''t even show on his face, he acted like


    a natural.


    Meanwhile, Ms. Queen noticed the ring he had on, which showed a cracked skull that had two horns protruding out of it.


    "You''ve got more devilish stuff than me, Mr. Pawn, and I''m supposed to be the one that


    corrupts."


    He chuckled and looked to her right. Seeing Mr. King and Mr. Rook ce their coins on the


    table.


    One had a ''Stack'' much, much higher than the other, almost blocking his own view due to how


    high it was. Measly three hundredpared to one thousand.


    "Haha! I tower over all again; nothing differed!"


    "Doesn''t matter, that pawn will win everything... They''re always so lucky..."


    Ms. Knight, who was unusually quiet for the past few seconds, ced her coin as well,


    showing off her ''Stack,'' which looked pitiful inparison to the rest, only amounting to a


    hundred.


    "My crew''ll skin me alive for this, but mark my words, I''m gonna win!"


    And just as they all confirmed themselves to be ready, Mr. Board stated:


    "Let thest phase begin."

 Chapter 308: Why? Who? How?

    Chapter 308: Why? Who? How?


    ?


    "Now then. You guys, mind telling me why we''re gambling? And ain''t it weird? Chess club ying poker?"


    ||


    || ||


    The chess pieces dared not to answer his question, leaving it to the Board.


    It seemed that they too didn''t want to risk stepping on any of hisnd mines. But thankfully for Emir, he didn''t take it as an insult.


    "Indeed, the abundance of yers mayplicate matters, yet I perceive your meaning lies deeper. Consider this a preliminary exercise for what lies ahead. Picture it thus: your mind embarks on a marathon, and this game serves as the warm-up stretch. Besides, there''s naught amiss with chess enthusiasts exploring other games, is there?"


    He smiled while shaking his head.


    "None at all."


    "We could indulge in movies and other pursuits favored by the youth, but where lies the essence of social interaction in such endeavors? Furthermore, it seems improbable that individuals leading lives akin to ours could be significantly impacted by fiction..."


    While Emir listened to his rambling words, his mind searched for hidden meanings but found none, failing, so he went ahead and focused on the game they were about to y, not wasting his now extremely precious time.


    And judging by the money presented by all four,bined with several other factors he took note of, Emir figured out which of them lived in Order-controlled systems.


    Ms. Knight obviously wasn''t, as she apparently lived on the edge of the known universe, meaning that her Valora was obtained by much more arduous meanspared to a man like Mr. King, as he definitely lived smack dab in the middle of their Gctic Federation, enjoying the benefits that came along with such a status.


    Those benefits included easier ess to Valora, as that was the official currency used in all kinds of trades and purchases of goods, giving him leverage in every transactionpared to those without that benefit.


    This might''ve not been the case for Ms. Queen and Mr. Rook as well, which essentially meant that the Chess Club had members from all over the universe, separated by tens of millions or maybe even hundreds of trillions of light years.


    "...So Mr. yer, wise as always, chose this as our method."


    When Mr. Board was finally done with his fanatical rant, Emir asked:


    "Another question, are the meetings usually this long?"


    Ms. Knight answered as fast as lightning, shoving her elbow into his shoulder,


    "Nay, our meetings tend to be short, not much new to add, ye know. When all those years pass and ye finally be a ss-Three, there ain''t much novelty left. We don''t stumble upon anythin'' excitin'' like that. Usually just the same old routine. Your arrival today was our highlight since thest Mr. Pawn passed away..."


    Her excitement died down slightly as she stopped invading his space, finally giving his shoulder some rest.


    "Poord, still remember his enthusiasm. Unlike you, he was quite the happy-go-lucky fe, well, before it all when to shit at least. Anyways, if anythin'' interestin'' happens, then we linger, y chess, and talk for long, sometimes even for days, weeks."


    Emir nodded.


    "You know, not to be rude, but why the hell do you act like that?"


    Ms. Queen lightly giggled while Mr. Kingughed out loud, banging his hand on the table''s edge, causing the coins to tremble.


    "He''s got you there~."


    "Buahhahaha! You''re being ridiculed by the new kid!"


    Mr. Rook looked at the loud man with annoyance, his sharp teeth on full disy as he hissed like a snake while hugging the stack of coins with both his arms, not wanting them to fall.


    "Rich bastard..."


    Meanwhile, Ms. Knight showed surprise for a moment, not expecting Emir to be so blunt. "Ah, that. Me, a Knight, bein'' honorable and all, yet actin'' like this... quite unusual, no?" She answered seriously, her demeanor calm, a rare urrence, especially for those who knew her.


    But they didn''tment, allowing the scene to unfold.


    "Yes... Embodiment not work for you?"


    "Nay, it did, but just ''cause one''s all honorable, dignified, and shouts loyalty doesn''t mean they can''t also be like me-wild, yful, and whatever else ye might call me."


    ''I see... so not all knights are the same, it depends on how they perceive knighthood to be... All Celestials are different, even Morgiana could see her path differently-a cold so cold that it''s hot maybe?''


    "I''d say feral, but sure, I get it, Ms. Knight."


    Pfft!


    All present, with the exception of the two, forced themselves to swallow a chuckle that almost escaped their lips, not wanting to tease their little dwarf even more.


    "Humph!"


    Ms. Knight gave them the back of her head as she looked the other way, her arms hugging her


    body.


    The group shared augh, and Mr. Board, who had just finished distributing the chips after taking all their money, stopped shuffling the cards and finally began setting them down while announcing the game''s beginning:


    "Ladies and Gentlemen..."


    He pointed at the middle of a table where a ck and white chip was fixed.


    "Touch this link point to recall the rules if they seem hazy, for the first match is about tomence. Do remember not to cheat; I can easily spot if you''re using your abilities, as can Mr. yer; no one can use Aether in his Celestial Realm without his notice."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    No one moved his hand except Emir, his finger tracing its corners for a moment as he epted the data and went over the rules.


    He memorized all the cards in the deck: four suits. Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs, each containing thirteen cards: an Ace, number two till ten, Jack, Queen, and King. Alongside that, also noted down the ten ways to win, already forming a n, basing it on his luck, which was certain to be terrible.


    ''Good.''


    Emir nodded, tapping the table, letting Mr. Board know that he was ready.


    Then everyone did the same thing, cing a chip, ying their ''Ante'' so to speak, the buy-in bet to y the match, which was ten Valora.


    Mr. Board then proceeded to deal the cards, clockwise, to all the chess pieces, giving them two each, their values hidden as he had them face down, showing the cards'' red backs.


    Flick, flick...


    All at the table checked their cards, flipping the edge and ncing discretely.


    This was what they got.


    Mr. King: [A] [A?]


    Ms. Knight: [K?] [Ka]


    Ms. Queen: [Q] [J+]


    Mr. Rook: [10] [10]


    Mr. Pawn: [3] [8+]


    At first nce, anyone could see that Mr. King had the best hand, a pair of Aces, high potential


    for a ''Full House'' or even a ''Four Of A Kind.''


    The second best was Ms. Knight with her pair of Kings and the third was Ms. Queen, with a


    ''Ten'' she could get a ''Straight'' with the ''Flop'' and ''Turn.''


    Debatable with probability in mind, but Mr. Rook was fourth best, his pair of tens could get him a ''Full House'' to beat the rest, but yes, highly unlikely.


    Emir''s ''Hand'' was the worst.


    His luck truly was abysmal.


    No pairs, no flush, or straight potential-essentially a useless hand.


    Not folding there would''ve been absolutely dumb, but he didn''t want to be out of the woods


    yet, so he prolonged it, waiting to see if Mr. King would ''Raise'' before the ''Flop'' or not.


    If he did, then he would; if not, then he would continue, all for the n''s ending.


    "Well... Let''s warm up a bit.''


    After a heartbeat, Mr. King put another chip down, totaling his bet to twenty Valora.


    Mr. Rook did the same, followed by Ms. Queen, but this chain was broken by Emir, who had


    been tapping his cheek with his thumb as his hand covered his mouth.


    He threw his cards to their dealer, ''Folding,'' his ''Hand'' still hidden. Although it hurt quite a bit to lose ten Valora, which amounted to ten billion UC, an amount of money so astronomical that it would cripple sector management for a time, he knew that it was the correct decision, and it wasn''t as if he had another choice, there was nothing else he


    could do.


    "I''ll let you guys y this one."


    Ms. Knight chuckled at his nonchnt words while cing matching the bet and raising the total ''Pot'' to ny Valora.


    "Aye, sure, thanks for the ten Vez. Anyways, ye mentioned wantin'' freebies before, did ye


    not?"


    Emir nodded and rxed back on his chair, his eyes fixed on her ''foggy'' silhouette. "Hmhm, I''ll start off with this... Ms. Knight, as an Edgekeeper, do you know of the Order''s attack on Sol''s domain or, more particrly, on our mother?"


    She tilted her head, question marks projected through her bodynguage.


    Ms. Knight wasn''t the only one who reacted that way, as the rest and even Mr. Board, who was about to reveal three cards, the so-called ''Flop,'' paused his actions and stared at Emir. "Mr. Pawn, could you expound on this matter? Does the Order seek to assail system one? If so,


    why, and more importantly, who?"


    Emir was the one who showed surprise this time around, his gaze scanning them for any sign


    of a prank, but as he found none, he answered with a name:


    "Magnus Valerius."


    "...I see."


    It seemed that everything clicked with Mr. Board, the one who looked to be the most familiar with the mysteries of their world, as he continued with the ''Flop.''


    The rest of the chess pieces weren''t so skilled in that department, much better than Emir, yet


    lackingpared to the Board they were ced on.


    Mr. King was the first to speak after Mr. Board, wanting something to be cleared up:


    "I know who that man is; I think everyone does; a Throne is never silent; his greed is widespread; his terror hovers over many systems, but still..."


    He let out a sigh while running a chip through his fingers.


    "How?"

 Chapter 309: Old Women

    Chapter 309: Old Women


    ?


    Emir was about to answer, but Mr. Board stopped him with a raised hand.


    "Allow me..."


    A nod was shared between the two as he continued:


    "From the reports I''vee across, Earth yet harbors the remnants of robotic factories from the time preceding the Age of Myths, often referred to as the Old World by our people''s origin."


    While talking, he gestured for them to continue ying, and they silently agreed by checking out the ''Community Cards'' at the middle of the table.


    [A?] [K?] [5]


    "Reports suggested that rogue sentient AIS im dominion, but judging from what Mr. Pawn said, it appears the handiwork may be attributed to this Magnus, a Throne."


    Mr. King raised once again, but this time instead of doubling his previous bet, he quadrupled it, pushing up four chips, which formed a total of eighty Valora.


    After a moment of thought, Mr. Rook folded, and Ms. Queen met his bet, as did Ms. Knight.


    "Moreover, it''s not solely that; it seems he stirs the beasts within system one, hastening the emergence of a monster tide destined for their."


    Mr. Board dealt the ''Turn'' while speaking, revealing a [2].


    "A perilous gambit aimed at seizing their for his own, as he cannot openly intervene unless they''re faced with a truly world-ending event."


    Chuckling, Mr. King wanted to ''Raise'' for a third time, but his words were his creed; he was to go light for the first game, so he checked.


    Ms. Queen didn''t even bother and ''folded,'' thinking that he was setting up for another ''Raise'' at the ''River,'' counting her losses early.


    Ms. Knight confidently checked, the one who truly was nning a trap, a bluff, for in case her cards weren''t as good as Mr. King made his out to be.


    "Let me guess, that bugger''ll use that as an excuse to send his lot in, imin'' to help, only to stab them monkeys in the back usin'' some loophole in the CCA binding contract, takin'' over their from the inside out with us none the wiser."


    Emir held back the rising urge to p the back of her head for calling them monkeys while saying:


    "That''s exactly right, don''t ask how, but I know Magnus personally, so I''m sure that he wants Earth for himself, and you could say that I want his head on a spike."


    Ms. Queen''s foot brushed against Emir''s thighs as she asked:


    "Revenge deary?"


    Unfazed, he shook his head.


    "No... It''s a lot more than just that. Me and him can''t exist in the same universe knowing that the other is still alive."


    She let out a soft giggle while her foot continued to climb, nearing the top of his thighs.


    "Aw. You''re really cute... Isn''t that right, guys?"


    The others, mainly Ms. Knight and Mr. King, didn''t take long to match her words:


    "He''s a cute one, no doubt... Just a tad macho, that''s all."


    "Haha! Don''t worry about it, Mr. Pawn; they''re just a bit ol-"


    "Shut."


    "Hush yer mouth."


    Mr. King looked away with a face filled with grime.


    "O-Okay."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir, the man being teased, stayed silent, only giving them a shrug while pushing off Ms. Queen''s foot. But he knew their words to be true-at least from their perspective.


    Because at the end of the day, those opposite him have lived through the Age of Endless Chaos, before the Age of Rebirth, the Epoch when Earth returned to life, a time when death seemed asmon as breathing, which said a lot, especially when the Epoch they now live in was filled with death as well.


    He, though experienced in his own right, more so when age was considered a factor, was but a fledglingpared to them. And the fact that he tried to y around with his words, deluding his origin, source of knowledge, and intentions, appeared to them as such.


    For if they wished to know, they would.


    But they didn''t, as they were not to know each other outside of this meeting.


    So yes, scary as he was, the man was cute in their eyes.


    "Bahh..."


    Suddenly, the depressed vampire interrupted their charade by knocking on the table.


    "Must you enjoy yourselves in my presence? Just continue the round."


    Not needing his prompting, Mr. Board dealt the ''River,'' now revealing the fifth and final card.


    [A?] [K?] [5] [2?] [7?]


    "You would do well to glean wisdom from gambling addicts, Mr. Rook. They possess determination, discipline, and punctuality; they do not bemoan every breath as some do."


    Mr. Rook clicked his tongue while the rest chuckled, leaving the two yers still left in the game to focus on each other.


    Their eyes locked; though hidden by the ''fog,'' they could still somewhat make out what the other looked like, expression-wise only barely.


    Both showed confidence.


    The King knocked on the table, indicating his intention to ''Check,'' passing the round without raising.


    "I''m pitying you here; you''ve only got twenty left, don''t want to take that as well, so what do you say we just get the ''Showdown'' started?"


    Ms. Knight, the only one remaining to oppose Mr. King''s dominance, teased a knock on the table but stopped her right hand as it went to the side and picked up a chip, thest of her ''Stack,'' and threw it in the ''Pot,'' increasing it to a total of two hundred and ny Valora.


    "Let''s shall we?"


    "Hoh, since you''re going all in, why not just show your hand?"


    "Nah, I''d rather keep ye on yer toes for this game and the next, keeps things spicy, it does."


    She kept up with her ''feral'' demeanor, acting like usual whileying the groundwork for her


    bluff.


    Mr. King began to think, and the room remained silent to allow that.


    What were his chances of losing?


    A ''Flush,'' with any two Diamonds in her hands, like a {10} or {9}, was obvious but


    improbable, yet not as much as the other options, as the probability was 9/47.


    With a probability of 2/46 and 2/47, respectively, a ''Full House'' and ''Four Of A Kind'' were also


    possible.


    Now that all wasid bare, the question had arrived.


    Would Mr. King, a man with a thousand Valora in his ''Stack,'' risk adding a twenty coin loss


    alongside the eighty he already bet?


    "You really won''t show me your hand?"


    Ms. Knight shook her head, a grin stered on her face.


    "Not even if ye beg, me friend."


    He chuckled once again, shaking his head as he stated:


    "Fine then, I''ll..."

 Chapter 310: Rule Of Ten

    Chapter 310: Rule Of Ten


    ?


    "I''ll..."


    Mr. King paused for a moment and then threw his cards at the table''s middle.


    "I''ll Fold."


    "I WWWIIIIIIIIIIN~."


    The reactions of all except the screecher were rtively quiet.


    His seemed to be a sensible decision based on what all those watching knew.


    Ms. Knight''s hand was hidden, and Mr. King''s was as well, none realized that a bluff even took ce, not even the woman herself.


    And well... perhaps the decision Mr. King made was a bit too safe, considering the chance that Ms. Knight had a Flush was just 33%, yet it seemed that her act increased that percentage in his eyes to be above a level where he deemed risky, too risky for his liking.


    Besides, as rich as the man seemed to be, his wealth wasn''t umted by ident; throwing Valora away wasn''t something he''d do, no matter how small.


    "Ye suck, ye rich bastard! AHAHHAHAAH! That''ll teach ye, pitying me? Ye glittery toad!"


    Her screeching continued as she banged her hand on the table''s edge, copying a certain someone''s actions before they began the game and causing her new two hundred and ny Valora to rumble.


    "Piss head pity me, eh? I-"


    "Enough littless, you seem to have forgotten behind this game, this casino of ours."


    Ms. Knight immediately shut herself up and lowered her head at Ms. Queen''s disciplining words, as if she were being scolded by her mother.


    "...Sorry."


    "As long as you know, now, Mr. Board, will you please?"


    He nodded at her silent request to begin the next game and started collecting the cards, shuffling them.


    "Looks like calling you feral was an understatement."


    Pfft~


    Emir''sment caused both Ms. Queen and Mr. King to chuckle, but they barely managed to stop themselves from letting it out and stayed silent, waiting for the cards to be dealt.


    "So, sweetie, the next freebie? The world loves the rule of threes; we do too, so you''ve only got two more questions. Be wise."


    Ms. Queen spoke while rxing her back in the chair, her fingers softly tracing circles on the table.


    "Not a question, but isn''t it supposed to be the rule of tens? Think our world loves this instead, as it''s a trend for most. For example, if the world had its say on our game, Mr. Rook would''ve bet three hundred and ten Vez instead of just three hundred."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    An approving chuckle escaped Mr. Board''s lips while he dealt everyone their cards.


    "It seems our newpanion possesses insights beyond their years¡ªa surprise for sure and a wee one."


    The chess pieces proceeded toment while checking their ''Hands,'' their words matching Mr. Board''s demeanor.


    "Brains and brawns, I see."


    Mr. King got: [J?] [104]


    "Both talented and not pee-brained? Those ''Gods'' certainly have their favorites... they hate night dwellers like us."


    Mr. Rook got: [74] [2?]


    "I love a smart man, while you''re right, I still stand by what I said, and by the way... don''t correct women that you''re trying to pursue."


    Ms. Queen got: [A] [K]


    "Ayed, don''t be showin'' off yer noggin now, ya hear?"


    Ms. Knight got: [A] [Q?]


    Ignoring thest part of Ms. Queen''sment, Emir nodded his head while checking the ''Hand'' that he was dealt, seeing it to be: [9] [94]


    "Alright, enough ying around, here''s my question..."


    He thought of the wording for a moment, wondering if he should bepletely straight with them or not.


    ''... They know.''


    His decision came about quickly as he recalled how they saw him, they certainly already formed an image of him as a farm boy, not even a countryside boy, a man unused to space, a man from a backwater.


    So there was no issue in making what they already knew, clear.


    "The ns can you list them out for me?"


    Mr. Board approved of him with a nod this time, understanding how Emir went out on a limb, voluntarily exposing himself with that question ever so slightly.


    "As you ask, Mr. Pawn... And you might''ve noticed but we were already handing you freebies as we talked."


    Emir grinned.


    "I did. Though you guys did a good job not making it obvious."


    The smiling elf-like man began to exin while the rest focused on the game, looking at the ''Hands'' they were dealt.


    "Ten ns, once organizations, forged their dominance amid the age of Endless Chaos, spreading their influence across myriad corners of the universe. You know them with names in English, but their truth differs."


    Mr. King didn''t raise this time around, as his hand wasn''t the best, he wished to wait to see if he would get another Jack in the ''Community Cards.''


    Mr. Rook''s ''Hand'' was bad; he ''Folded'' at first sight, losing ten Valora, the buy-in bet.


    Ms. Queen was the one who raised, pushing chips worth twenty Valora, showing silent confidence. With her [A] [K], she had the potential for a ''Flush,'' and a ''Straight.''


    Emir''s hand, unlike thest, wasn''t so bad, yet it wasn''t good either. A pair of nines was semi-decent, yet to have a clear chance of winning, he would need another nine, getting him a ''Three Of A Kind'' or maybe even a ''Full House.''


    He wasn''t hoping for that; he knew his luck; such cards would never show, but he didn''t ''Fold'' and instead matched the bet, continuing with his n.


    Ms. Knight had the second-best ''Hand'' of the lot; an Ace and Queen had a lot of potential, so she matched the bet without hesitating, as did Mr. King, making the ''Pot'' reach one hundred


    and thirty Valora.


    "Najmat Al-Khulud, often hailed as the Eternal Star, sumbed during those tumultuous


    times, its members scattered, yet their legacy endures. Born with Aether, a testament to their bloodline''s origin, they stand as outliers, irregrs, and enigmas of our world. The children of an Apex, Sultan Of The Sands, a privileged but pitiful lot, conspired against by all. Many acknowledge their existence, but none can pinpoint their exact whereabouts."


    Emir showed a glimpse of surprise for a moment, both thankful for what he just learned, confirming many of his thoughts as well as their, no, his n''s true name, and disappointed as they too didn''t know where his people were.

 Chapter 311: Rule Of Ten II

    Chapter 311: Rule Of Ten II


    ?


    The rest didn''t notice his reaction, not only due to the ''Fog,'' but also because Mr. Board dealt the ''Flop,'' which took their attention.


    [Q] [104] [5]


    "Sar Phki, known as the Last Wish, serves as the abode of Astrals, diviners of stars. Guided by the Oracle ''Themselves,'' it harbors the Fortunate Ones, the Wheel''s blessed, alongside those ensnared by the cursed corruption element, such as Ms. Queen. Those who traverse its hallowed grounds tread the fine line between destiny and damnation."


    Mr. King ''checked,'' not yet seeing what he wanted.


    Ms. Queen now had a strong ''Flush Draw,'' four Spades, with only one more needed at the ''Turn'' or ''River,'' so she asserted her ''Hand''s'' dominance by ''Raising,'' increasing her bet to a total of fifty Valora.


    Emir folded after a long moment of thought, his fingers tapping his chin. The bet was too high, and the ''Community Cards'' showed no promise.


    Ms. Knight now had a pair of Queens on the board, giving her a good chance of winning, but she still hesitated before matching the bet, a result of Ms. Queen''s actions. She hoped to improve her ''Hand'' on the ''Turn'' or ''River.''


    Mr. King took a moment when it was his turn to call or fold. Calling the bet with his hand was viable-a pair of ten, a decent kicker-but he wasn''t in an incredibly strong position.


    "I fold."


    He threw his cards into the table''s middle, ying it safe once more. It seemed to be his usual ystyle.


    "Guardians against the unknown emerge from Kiremonjin, known as the Edgekeepers, in coboration with Stahlgeboren, the Steelborn, their primary provider of all things Tech. Celestials of Kiremonjin are less simple than just that; however, for unmatched cyborgs and cyber-enhanced individuals call it home, a result of wicked experiments conducted by dwarfs of Stahlgeboren who decimate monsters alongside their ded brethren. Many among them dwell in the Celestial Forge, a realm of dying stars."


    Not even stopping for a moment, Mr. Board continued to exin as he dealt the ''Turn'' which showed:


    [34]


    "Mahalchei Hachl, my brethren, the Void Walkers, akin to the Legionnaire, we traverse the unknown. Yet unlike them, our pursuit is singr: to uncover our true home, not to roam without purpose, aimlessly seekingnds to plunder. Sayeh Taranah, dwellers of shadows, aptly named Shadow Song, announce their presence while remaining shrouded, unveiling themselves only when one''s death is inevitable... We''ve mourned many fallen to their grasp, including a pawn from this very club. Trust, to confront them alone is to court oblivion, for their whispers herald theing of a True Night."


    Ms. Queen''s ''Flush'' was now certain, her ''Hand'' the best that it could be, one could check here, but to remain dominant, she ''Raised'' once more, doubling her previous bet and totaling it to a hundred Valora.


    Her intention was obvious; she was forcing Ms. Knight to make a decision now, before the River, in case she might lose the advantage.


    Ms. Knight, whose cards did not deteriorate nor improve, didn''t relent, she made her choice, ''calling,'' hoping for something more concrete at the ''River,'' trusting her luck not to fail her. "Kaiwhatu Wairua, the stewards of the Nether''s River, and the life that embraces us all bear the title of Soul Weavers. They have a certain dislike for people like Mr. Rook over here. A man of Sumrakove?, the Duskmourn, a folk who revel in the night as they''re creatures of darkness and darkness alone. You''ll find moon lovers amidst them as well, alongside Celestials that transformed to match mystical entities known throughout all of time, their souls bound to the Void Beyond, an abyss that lies past the stars."


    As Mr. Board''s flowery words, which described the Sumrakovec, ended, he dealt the ''River,'' reaching the final round of betting.


    [Q] [104] [5?] [34] [8+]


    "Penultimate are the Cecidi Angelus, the Fallen Angels, beings who fell from grace, cast down from their iplete heavens while remaining among the living. Their wings bear the ashen stains of their downfall and erstwhile splendor. Yearning for redemption, they toil relentlessly to attain it. Numerous among them were ss-Two, Celestials who attained immortality, akin to Mr. yer in rank. However, unlike him, they faltered, unable to maintain their grasp on the cusp of godhood as thepetition to reach their path''s end, the Apex, was much too fierce."


    Ms. Queen ''Raised'' once again, increasing her bet to a hundred and ten, all in, for she knew her ''Hand'' was a winner.


    Ms. Knight wasn''t as quick to ''Call'' asst time. She held off, pausing for many seconds, staring at Ms. Queen, her mind filled with thoughts of probabilities. Yet it didn''t take long for her to make a decision.


    Her hand reached forward, nearing her cards...


    "Last but certainly not least are the Cember-i On. Once they united the ten ns beneath their banner, yet such unity eludes them now, not due to incapacity, but because only nine endure. Thus, their appetion, Circle of Ten, resonates with irony. Nheless, these people operate under a structure where eight leaders serve under one, each hailing from a different n. It wasn''t an act of betrayal, but a deliberate choice made by all, as they deemed it imperative to unite against the Order and other Gctic Federations. Though now fractured still, the ember of unity continues to smolder, awaiting rekindling by one courageous enough to strike the match."


    Her fingers skipped over them as she took a chip and threw it into the ''Pot.''


    "Call."


    She decided to y, trusting her luck, even against a woman from the Last Wish, Celestials, who were known to be incredibly lucky, blessed by the Wheel of Fortune or not, simply absorbing the leftovers from those they frequent.


    But she soon found out that her decision was a bad one, and Mr. Board was the elf who delivered the news:


    "Wrong call, Ms. Queen wins."


    And just as those words registered in her mind...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "SHOW ME YOUR HAAAAAAAAND, YE MANEATER!" Mayhem ensued.

 Chapter 312: True Bluff

    Chapter 312: True Bluff


    ?


    After ten minutes or so, Ms. Knight finally calmed back down as she remained still, being scolded by Ms. Queen for her so-called "audacious and rude behavior."


    Through it all, Emir sat quietly, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.


    The ten eyes that watched him, their ns, even with his already high expectations, somehow managed to exceed them many times over.


    Besides the new things he learned, including the weird-sounding names, he also confirmed multiple theories.


    Celestials could transform into all manner of entities in ancient folk tales, not just vampires, dwarfs, elves, and subi, but also werewolves, so-called "lovers of the moon," and whatever else that had once existed in the human mind.


    Presumably, this transformation, caused by unlocking an ability in their path, would increase the effectiveness of all their abilities as their bodies, the conduits for Aether, would be more specialized to their path.


    But it wasn''t all sunshine and rainbows; if a Celestial began walking this path, their soul wouldn''t join the natural flow, reaching the Nether''s River, but would flee and escape into the Void Beyond, tethered to the unknown chaos where only darkness resides.


    Emir didn''t know what that entailed, but he could guess, as would anyone, that it wasn''t anything good.


    Another thing to highlight was that he now knew which n Arthur came from.


    Sar Phki, the Last Wish, had those blessed by the Fortune''s Wheel in their midst.


    He couldn''t see how they were connected, but perhaps it wasn''t that Ebonfyre were descendants of this n but rather Arthur''s mother, the woman Isidore had a bastard child with.


    She, a subus, lured Isidore into her embrace, siring him a child and then manipting his mind into taking them in; perhaps even the pills came from her, and she used Isidore as the delivery man, using him to raise her child.


    ''No... Maybe. Maybe not. Too contrived.''


    Emir stopped thinking about that there, as his imagination was going wild, and he didn''t wish to dig too deep into something he wasn''t sure of.


    His mind went back, continuing his previous trail of thoughts.


    Thest thing to highlight, besides Cember-i On''s hypocrisy and the deadlypetition between ss-Two''s, a fight for Scripts and ''resources,'' the otherpetitors themselves, was that Paragon''s, Primordials, literal Gods for that matter, could rank down instead of outright dying.


    It made sense considering their immortality, but wow, it certainly brought things into perspective.


    "...Even ''Gods'' are bound to slip."


    His almost silent whisper was drowned out by Ms. Queen''s scolding, yet Mr. Board still heard him, as he was the only one out of the lot who had his eyes on him the entire time, observing his reactions.


    "...True, but also untrue, for their slip might not be one after all. The Tapestry of Fate is a mysterious thing."


    "You mean to call it a bitch."


    "Perhaps."


    The two shared a chuckle as the rest ended their shenanigans and joined the table, prompting Mr. Rook to awaken from his short slumber.


    "She quiet now?...Can we continue this ursed game?"


    Mr. Board nodded to his moaning and dealt the cards, needing no further prompting.


    "Let''s, but to make it interesting, I''ll have you show your cards when you fold."


    They all nodded, turning quiet, leaving the third question forter as they focused on the game, knowing that showing their thought process here would prove disadvantageous for them in the gamesing next.


    Flutter~


    Mr. King, as the one who''d always start the round, had ''Folded,'' throwing his cards, revealing them to all:


    [44] [2]


    It wasn''t met by surprise, as they all learned that he was a safe yer, and this


    mediocre ''Hand'' only confirmed that, as he without even checking the ''Flop'' deemed it to be a losing one.


    And at that moment, everything clicked for a certain Pawn.


    He was waiting for this, a chance to contend against the rest without Mr. King''s towering ''Stash'' hanging over them.


    It momentarily cracked and fell over, decreasing the pressure on him and the rest, allowing them to y looser. Since the coin stacker''s out of the game, they could go for bigger ys without being forced to make a choice or lose a substantial amount of Valora.


    Emir wanted to use that shift in their thought process to his advantage, using it as a cover to kick off his n. It all came together for this.


    He showed them a pattern in the previous games, one that he fully intended to break, no matter what ''Hand'' he was dealt.


    So when it came for him to bet, unlike those before him, he didn''t ''Check'' but ''Raise'' increasing his bet to fifty.


    His choice was met by slight surprise, but they didn''tment, not even Ms. Knight, and continued with the round.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Mr. Board then dealt the ''Flop'' after everyone ''Called'' his bet, increasing the total ''Pot'' to two hundred and ten.


    [K?] [7] [5]


    Mr. Rook tapped the table, ''Checking,'' as did Ms. Queen, yet Emir ''Raised'' once again, increasing his bet to a hundred Valora.


    "Tshhh...."


    That got an audible reaction from Ms. Knight, grinding her teeth, but with not much dy, she ''Folded,'' revealing her ''Hand.''


    [6] [6]


    Her ''Hand'' wasn''t bad at all, a pair of six was decent, but she seemingly wanted to y it safe, or perhaps she wished to show that as her intention, trying to manipte the other''s view of her, and increasing the chance that they would see her first hand as exceptional, confirming it


    not to be a bluff.


    Emir caught a whiff of her attempt at mind games, but he didn''t dwell on it too long and looked at the table''s middle, awaiting the ''Turn,'' as did the other two, their minds filled with


    thoughts simr to his.


    Complying with their silent request, Mr. Board dealt the ''Turn.''


    [7]


    Tsk!


    It turned out that her luck wasn''t so good after all.


    Ms. Knight, who kept clicking her tongue, couldn''t help butment as she ''Folded'' too early,


    losing the chance to y a Two Pair, a mostmon winning ''Hand.''


    Mr. Rook snickered under his breath, enjoying her woes, while ''Checking.''


    Ms. Queen was about to ''Check,'' or so she teased, but then she pushed up a chip worth twenty Valora, raising her bet to a hundred and twenty.


    Emir ''Called'' without giving it a second thought, exuding confidence, not ''Raising'' the bet but only matching it as he wanted to save the end forst.


    But when it came to Mr. Rook, a man with a crooked posture and head close to smacking the table''s edge, proceeded to ''Fold,'' throwing his ''Hand'' away with a sigh, copsing onto the


    table even further.


    [J] [10] "I''m bowing out, my luck is as bad as my mood. Stay alive till next week, kid."


    His reaction was certainly justified; he did lose one hundred and thirty Valora in just three matches, while he could make it back, it seemed that trying hard wasn''t in his vocabry.


    "I will. See you."


    A nodding Emir watched as Mr. Board dealt the ''River,'' while Mr. Rook touched the small


    tower-like pin, disappearing a momentter.


    [K?] [7?] [5?] [7] [5]


    Now only Ms. Queen and Emir remained.


    Judging by her ys so far, it seemed that she was going along for the ride and only nudged the board to get rid of Mr. Rook, wanting a showdown between her and the pawn beside her. She looked at him, her purple eyes locked with his shades, teasing his cks.


    Her hand reached out to the table, and her fingers began nearing the chips, her nails scraping the green next to them as she wished to get a reaction out of him.


    But seeing that her actions were going nowhere, she knocked on the table.


    "I''ll check."


    Her move was correct, betting there would''ve been a bad move. What would she aplish


    by doing that? Bluffing, now? And killing her stack? No, that wouldn''t change anything. So


    she went for the check.


    But Emir, unlike her, didn''t wish for a showdown, he was aiming to make her ''Fold.''


    So, without further adieu, he pushed the remaining chips on his table up, going all in, his bet


    increasing to a hundred and seventy.


    "No, you won''t..."


    Ms. Queen raised her brows as she paused any movement, her thoughts churning, wondering what ''Hand'' would make him so confident.


    ''A straight isn''t possible, a double ace is unlikely; perhaps a double ten; or does he have a


    double king? But then, why didn''t he raise after the turn? Does he have a flush? No, four hearts, not five. Or does he have a three-of-a-kind? Maybe three sevens or even three fives... But then what about a Full house?''


    ''Is he bluffing? Does that make sense? Ae up going all in with his hard-earned Valora that


    he must''ve spent much blood, sweat, and tears to amass away in just a game of poker? Is he


    insane? That much Valora would make him a billionaire a hundred times over on backwater


    nets.''


    ''No, no, he went ahead with this because Mr. King pulled out early; he wanted to set the flow, and that wasn''t possible if he had a stack darkening his sight with its shadow.''


    ''But maybe that was what he wanted me to think... I can''t be sure; I don''t have a hold on his


    personality yet. Maybe he''s-''


    Emir knocked twice on the table, getting her out of her thoughts. "Wakey, wakey, Ms. Queen, must I remind you that we have a round to end?"


    She didn''t reply and silently stared at him, her eyes scanning him from top to bottom, and


    then, it finally clicked.


    She noticed something.


    An action that was missing.


    The pawn wasn''t tapping his chin likest time.


    His ''tell'' was discovered.

 Chapter 313: Corruption and Madness

    Chapter 313: Corruption and Madness


    ?


    Without wasting a moment further, Ms. Queen ''Folded,'' a smug grin stered on her face, thinking that she had figured out Emir, her n to hold it over him for the gamesing next.


    [8+] [8]


    Yet her grin didn''t show itself for long as he revealed his ''Hand'' with a full-teethed smile, dwarfing hers as he felt to be on an all-time high.


    [A?] [4]


    He, a Seraphim just pulled the wool over an Archon''s shoulder.


    It was quite the spectacle.


    A true bluff, one that he nned for since the beginning, and like a hunter of Earth, he stalked his prey until the opportune moment when everything came into y, influencing her decision, someone much older and more experienced than him.


    Truly... even gods were bound to fall.


    "§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡§¯§¡!"


    "BUHAHUAHAUAAAUAAUAH!"


    Such a scene wasn''t lost on Ms. Knight or Mr. King however, as they both began to holler inughter, their voices booming, seeing the irony in the one who corrupts getting yed with like that. A puppet on strings.


    "You''re mean doing that to me, you know."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders at the pouting Ms. Queen.


    "I was lucky."


    "No, you weren''t."


    He agreed with a chuckle:


    "No, I wasn''t. And besides, this isn''t a big deal, just because someone''s older doesn''t mean that they''re smarter."


    Ms. Queen nodded her little head.


    "True, but where is the but? I''m waiting for it."


    His smile widened ever further.


    "But you don''t rte to that phrase. You''re young."


    Mr. Board, who was quietly listening so far, interrupted their conversation while throwing Emir a sack full of coins.


    "That''s yours."


    Emir nodded, and calmly pulled the sack open, peeking inside the sack, his eyes meeting the tinkling Valora coins.


    With the first ''Hand,'' Ms. Knight won two hundred and ny Valora, the second ''Hand'' had Ms. Queen winning two hundred and seventy Valora, quite the amount to say the least, but the winner''s earnings of the third ''Hand'' dwarfed them, a whopping four hundred and fifty Valora.


    Of course, he would''ve received only two hundred and eighty if not for Mr. Board generously adding in the rest, as he didn''t have money with him, just chips, so even in his excitement, he didn''t forget to thank him with a nod.


    And yes, excited he certainly was, in that match, only he won so much, Ms. Knight profited thirty Valora while the rest lost, with the worst of them being Mr. Rook, who was followed closely by Mr. King, as he had lost a hundred and twenty Valora.


    Emir''s heart began to beat hard as he experienced an even further adrenaline rush.


    At that moment, he could really understand why gamblers got addicted; if he had no self- control, he definitely would''ve be one right then and there.


    "I can see it... There''s no need for more."


    Mr. Board cryptically said while stepping back from the table.


    "It''s time."


    His words weren''t very difficult to understand; they implied that Emir was now ready for the reason behind the casino''s existence; there wasn''t a need for them to y more games as his mind was warmed up.


    The Embodiment method.


    It was time to embrace it, and judging by where Mr. Board was going, it was going to ur in the very room that he had his eyes on ever since entering this ce.


    "Alright, I''m ready; let''s go."


    As Emir walked up to the room, Mr. Board pulled the curtains, revealing the red double door.


    He then knocked on it once, causing it to open towards them, almost hitting Emir as he had to step back. But as he was getting away from it, his back was stopped, a result of Ms. Queen and Mr. King holding him in ce, not allowing him an inch of movement.


    Emir didn''t react to their actions; he knew they meant no harm and simply looked at Mr. Board, silently asking about their intention.


    "Before you begin, I shall warn you... Be aware that once you ''unlock'' the Embodiment method, you can never stop. You will follow the path you chose unconsciously, whether you like it or not, till the day you die."


    Emir nodded without hesitation.


    "I know... This isn''t much to dissuade me."


    "Good. May your path continue to shine brightly before you."


    As those words reached his ears, someone to his left, with soft hands, belonging to Ms. Queen, took his coin pouch as he was harshly pushed from behind by rougher hands, belonging to Mr. King, causing him to enter the ''fog'' filled room with stuttered steps, almost falling over to the front due to the sheer power behind the man''s hands.


    He somehow managed to control himself, halting his fall, and stood up straight, his eyes scanning the room, but he couldn''t see much, for the ''fog'' didn''t allow him to see more than an inch before his nose.


    But suddenly, the jazz music ying in the background stopped.


    Alongside it was Emir''s movement. He seized as if frozen in time. Then, his ink-ck eyes began to throb, to swirl, it never stopped, it kept swirling and swirling, forming a storm of chaotic ckness in their middle.


    Mr. Board, Mr. King, Ms. Queen, and Ms. Knight watched that unfold with bated breath as they stood outside the room, seemingly waiting for something.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And what they were waiting for arrived in the next moment.


    Emir flinched and then his hands raced to clutch his throat, the ck on his eyes expanding, forming tens of lines on his face, as if drawn tattoos. Those lines continued from his face to the rest of his body, reaching even his toes.


    Next, his hair red up as if hit by a strong gust of wind from below, and his eyes opened fully.


    Slowly, he turned around and stared at his fellow chess pieces.


    None of them saw what happened exactly-only subtle changes in his silhouette-but now as they saw only his eyes through the ''fog'' and his shades staring back at them, locked, unblinking, they could confirm that he was one of ''them,'' an irregr, or at least a man with a bloodline originating from an irregr.


    How did they reach such a conclusion?


    Well... The level of power he emanated suddenly increased by a hundredfold or even more, pushing the ''mask'' that Mr. yer gave him and revealing his rank.


    It was as if he was a mortal that had ranked up the Hierarchy and reached the highest sub-rank in ss-Three in a single moment, bing an Archon Monarch.


    It wasn''t just that, however. Through the ''fog,'' above Emir''s eyes, they saw a floating mass of darkness, it had two orbs of red near where its face should''ve been and it engulfed his body. It looked to be a creature of the abyss, of the Void Beyond, filled with corruption. That creature started to inch closer to them, and the nk lines that grew on Emir''s body were seen as they too started to blink darkness.


    "Fuck that!"


    Ms. Knight roared as she mmed the door shut, locking the Pawn inside the room.


    While they could survive a fight with their now corruptedpanion, they wouldn''tst long; his state was too dangerous.


    "I expected as much... While he has talent and strength, it isn''t enough for him to join us; he''s too green, too ignorant."


    Mr. Board spoke while he calmly stepped back from the door and sat on air, using Aether that


    he condensed as a chair.


    "I as well, but no, he''s more than enough. Corruption of that degree is rare, no?... You think he''s from the Najmat Al-Khulud? A ck eye?"


    Mr. King mmed his foot down hard, obviously angered by Ms. Queen''s question. "Are you insane? Think of such things; that''s fine, but never publicly use someone like


    that; you don''t know what they''ll do to him if such rumors fly out."


    Ms. Knight chuckled as she stepped closer to Mr. King, tapping his back.


    "But this ain''t a public ce. Calm your titsd and exin to me what''s Mr. Pawn''s deal."


    "Allow me."


    This elf seemed to like being the one answering questions, and the rest were used to it, so they gave him the metaphorical mic and allowed him on the simrly metaphorical stage. "As you are aware, every Celestial treading the path akin to any Primordial encounters corruption. This corruption stems from the Primordial alreadyprehending aw inscribed in ''Their'' chosen script, aw that unsettles those beneath ''Them'' since they too mustprehend the samew to progress. Yet, in their endeavor to fathom thisw, this path, they be linked to the very Primordial who has reached the culmination. With each ascent in rank, these Celestials be more entwined with Aether, our mother tree, and that specific Primordial, leading to a heightened experience of corruption and madness..."


    He paused for a moment, looking at the ceiling with reverence.


    "Indeed, our minds are ill-equipped to fathom ''Theirs.""


    Then his eyes returned to Ms. Knight as he continued:


    "With that in mind, consider Mr. Pawn over there. He is likely a distant descendant of an irregr, someone whose lineage traces back to the inhabitants of Najmat Al-Khulud, the People of The Sands themselves."


    His reasoning for reaching that conclusion was obvious, besides what he said, Emir called


    certain things by particr names that weren''t used in the circle of the Star, he didn''t have a storage item either, and most importantly, he was a so-called "space virgin."


    "Even in its diluted form, such lineage carries immense power. Now, envision how his Aether core would respond if his corruption was suddenly induced, spiked, and elevated to levels he has never before experienced."


    Ms. Knight understood what he implied, and finished his words for him.


    "He would go boom!"


    His nod affirmed her words, but the silence that followed was deceptive.


    They underestimated Emir, dismissed him as a mere irregr.


    They were right, but not so quite.


    In fact, one could say they werepletely wrong, as the difference between the two held no


    comparison.


    He wasn''t just a distant descendant; he was a direct one, a ''ck eye,'' bearing the tainted bloodline of his father, thick with corruption.


    And his was much thicker, much more corrupt, even as a Seraphim. For within him flowed the blood of a Prince, an Emir, and an average man,bining two different lineages.


    One from the Sultan and the other unknown, or rather diluted to the point where its origin was


    close to being non-existent, untraceable.


    But even so, once he ''awakened'' his blood at the age of five, Emir adorned the legacy of


    Najmat Al-Khulud, their unmistakable eyes of pure darkness.


    What the chess pieces saw wasn''t a one-time thing, those eyes were a part of him.


    He was the Prince of The Fallen, and he was about to show Mr. yer what that status


    entailed.

 Chapter 314: Starvation

    Chapter 314: Starvation


    ?


    ***


    ''What is this that I feel?''


    My hands, which choked my neck, grasped harder.


    ''Rage?''


    Absolute, unbridled rage to the point of madness.


    ''Why?''


    They grasped even harder.


    ''Why do I wish for the world to burn?''


    Was it because of those people watching me from outside the room?


    Or was it because of my innate corruption?


    Maybe.


    I let go and I staggered forward as if pulled by a weight, my shades dropping to the ground.


    ck!


    The sound stabilized my... self?


    It did.


    But where even am I?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    I... remember, it''s blurry, yet I can make out the reason for why I was sent, no, pushed here.


    I am to learn of my ''flint.''


    I am to include the Embodiment Method in my path, alongside the others.


    I am to-


    Pa~


    Subtle, almost unnoticeable, but I suddenly felt some of my Aether leaving my reserves. It was as if I was a balloon that was poked by a needle, deting.


    My instincts kicked in and Temporal Perception activated.


    Wasting not a moment further, I attempted to close that hole, but I couldn''t, as if I were a mortal trying to push a mountain.


    Whoever was responsible was-


    No, I knew Mr. yer was the one who was siphoning Aether out of me.


    ''There''s no use resisting.''


    So, knowing that I could do nothing against him, I let myself go and sat on the ground in a lotus position.


    I then picked up my sunsses and put them in the breast pocket of my suit.


    During that time, all the ''air'' inside me didn''t stop its exit.


    Slowly at the start, but it quickly ramped up until it left me at once, almost instantaneously.


    My breath hitched as I lost all that made me a Celestial. Any attempt at absorbing and replenishing my reserves was met with failure, so I remained stuck on the ground, eyes nkly staring at the ''fog.''


    Time went by as I sat there, waiting for something, anything to happen, and eventually... It did.


    I heard a voice that came from all around me, echoing endlessly, like an orchestra''s symphony.


    "Child Of The Sands..."


    I immediately recognized who was speaking to me, so I stood up and bowed, now understanding that this was no mistake, grateful for the opportunity he had given me. "You must learn; grasp the essence. You are not merely a prince nor solely a weapon, but something greater and something lesser. Understand this, and you shallprehend how to embody."


    "...I shall."


    Our exchange ended at that, as I didn''t hear his reply.


    After a second of hesitation, I sat back on the ground and began to think about what the "essence" was.


    He took away my Aether for a reason, and that reason must rte to what he told me to understand.


    The essence of something greater than a weapon, lesser than a prince.


    It was humanity.


    Was it consciousness? Intelligence? Self-awareness? Empathy? Compassion? Creativity? Innovation? Morality? Adaptability? Resilience?


    Or might it be our never-ending quest for meaning, for purpose?


    Perhaps.


    But I could go further; there was no need to stop at what was known.


    I needed to expand, swim away from the shallow waters, and dive deeper into the unknown. What connected all of what I mentioned?


    Pain.


    Consciousness caused pain, as did intelligence and self-awareness. Empathy,passion, and morality did too. Even adaptability and resilience for human might didn''te with no


    consequence.


    What about creativity and innovation? Well, the people who led the charge into unknownnds were often not the most weed; at times killed; some were burned at the stake while others were ridiculed into career suicide, literally speaking in some cases.


    Many might argue that love could rece pain, but what is love without pain?


    What were joy, curiosity, wonder, and the pursuit of meaning without pain?


    One could not know true pain without love, correct. Yet one could not know true love without


    pain.


    A yin and yang, bnced and harmonious like Mr. yer''s every word.


    However, that wasn''t the case for me.


    Despite the love I hold for my family, the pain, the hate, and the suffering, I experienced were


    tenfold.


    So it was no wonder that I would choose pain over love ten out of ten times, for it was what I was most familiar with.


    Now, what could my Aetherless body have anything to do with pain?


    Well, in my current state, theck of oxygen or nutrients could prove fatal, as my Aether was what supplied my body with essential energy.


    This neutral energy could be absorbed in all forms, whether as the oxygen in my lungs or the food in my stomach, so without it, I''m not much different than a mortal, only astronomically stronger in body and mind.


    With that forming a base for my future actions, I chose my method of pain.


    I chose starvation.


    Suffocating to death, while painful, wasn''t somethingmon, which was quite unlike starvation, for that was somethingmon even today where food was manufactured from


    essentially nothing.


    Hitting myself was out of the question, I didn''t even bother thinking about it.


    ''This''ll take long...''


    I chuckled as I began to recollect my senses freely.


    I thought of the pain that someone would experience while dying from starvation, but it was


    tough for me to imagine such a scene.


    Familiar to hunger I was not.


    The sensation was lost upon me, for I have never experienced true hunger, in fact, I was never hungry, not even once, I missed my mom''s cooking at times, sure, but it was a want, not a


    need.


    I was privileged, soft, and stuffed like a pig always ready for ughter. My mind wandered back to the longest period I''d gone hungry, which wasn''t long.


    The training in the Well of Eternity didn''t count, as hunger couldn''t gue me then. The most urgent sensation one could feel, starvation, was impossible for me to experience. A pain that everyone should feel, both the impure and poor, the pure and rich, was something I left behind as I ascended the hierarchy.


    So no, it was a time before that, a time when I was a mutt chasing after low-level gangs.


    And as I thought about where I once was the slums, the torture, the thirst, the subsequent revenge, and the massacre of those under Alex''smand-my mind drifted to what I craved


    most at the time: my mother''s cooking.


    Oh, how I missed it...


    And now I needed to miss it again.

 Chapter 315: Starvation II

    Chapter 315: Starvation II


    ?


    My body, which could rely on Aether for sustenance, had nothing anymore-truly nothing- and now, like any normal mortal, I needed food, I needed water, I needed oxygen.


    Thankfully, thest one was somehow provided, for even through that thick ''fog'' I breathed in air that was unlike any other.


    So I began with calm...


    It had been about ten hours since I sat down; the time passed by in what felt like moments, while I couldn''t cultivate, I still ''Pathed'' the abilities in my mind, repeating their intricate lines over and over again.


    Eventually, fourteen more hours went by, with a few hours spent sleeping, and the first day was officially over.


    It was manageable... pretty alright, I''d say.


    Though I felt a slight hunger, my body, even without Aether, retained its divine nature, as that would never be lost.


    Surprisingly, I didn''t feel bad at all; it almost felt... real?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    I wasn''t sure how to describe it.


    I had never truly experienced hunger like this before. Maybe I had felt it in the past, but I never paid much attention to that sensation, always keeping myself busy. So, this feeling seemed new to me, and I almost found a strange enjoyment in it.


    The second and third days followed a simr pattern, but the fourth day marked a break from the routine.


    My enjoyment wore off, it felt new no more, just boring if anything.


    Pain kept knocking on the ''door'' but never entering, he was teasing me, expecting me to panic, yet I remained still, training my mind to pass the time.


    As the first week concluded, a new sound visited me: my stomach... It growled, like a caged animal resisting its confines; this did nothing but remind me of its emptiness.


    The pain began to ram up on the fifth week-not at a point where I couldn''t handle it, but still, it was quite an experience.


    My stomach constantly rumbled, and alongside that annoyance was a gnawing sensation of hunger that was hard to ignore. I never stopped practicing, and I slept more often, conserving energy while distracting myself at the same time. Yet even through all that, that feeling of hunger lingered like a persistent shadow.


    It will pass, or so I told myself.


    It didn''t.


    In the tenth week, the hunger intensified. It was no longer a distant rumble but a constantpanion. Pain crossed the ''door'' and sat directly in front of me, giving me its regr visit, which came in a different vor than usual.


    I felt weak, drained of energy, with thoughts of food consuming my mind, at times even disturbing my ''Pathing.'' Simple things like the aroma of my mother''s pancakes or the sight of them eating at our dinner table became torturous instead of a feast for my eyes.


    It was simrly painful on the twenty-fifth; the pain didn''t increase by much, but it didn''t feel any better.


    Fatigued and lightheaded, my body ached at every moment. It craved anything edible, imagining a taste of even the most basic of foods, a modest te that even those from the slums would find unsatisfactory.


    My senses were heightened, or so it seemed, as everything I felt was a million times more pronounced, and that was especially the case for my hunger.


    Desperation set in on the fiftieth week.


    My stomach felt like it was eating itself; I couldn''t escape the persistent feeling of emptiness and irritation.


    As if to match my surroundings, my mind turned foggy, thoughts jumbled, yet I still kept on ''Pathing,'' my futile attempts at escaping the all-epassing hunger.


    The hundredth week felt like hell.


    I was but a shell of myself. Weakness hadpletely taken over, and I was on the verge of copse, my body signaled its distress with each passing moment-moments that felt like an eternity.


    But as the days went on, pain had finally left me, and looked at me from a distance, silently watching as I suffered from its presence.


    My organs, especially my digestive organs, had long since dulled; their constant rumbles were a distant memory, and their protests, which fell on deaf ears, were no longer remembered.


    Alongside them were my ever-slowing thoughts.


    I felt my life dwindling with every passing eternity, like a suffering a monster tide.


    My cheeks were hollow, and even though I constantly slept, my eyes formed deep, dark circles under them.


    It seemed that I was on myst leg, that my body would die while my mind continued to fight, although barely.


    But then a sudden thought reached me.


    ''What was this for?''


    My answer didn''t take long to form:


    ''For the Embodiment Method, to find my ''flint¡ª''


    No...


    Dissatisfied with how I answered myself, I sat in silence for an ''eternity'' or two and then


    asked:


    ''Was this truly starvation?''


    ''Was I not muddying it by forcing myself to starve?''


    ''Wasn''t the act of starving wanting to eat food but not being able to?''


    Yes...


    That was starvation.


    ''I''m required to miss the act of eating itself, but...''


    ''That''s something I''m already doing.''


    What did I need to change?


    Perhaps it was too basic, too simple-only scratching the surface.


    I needed to immerse myself in the experience of a starving man, a normal one, to truly feel


    what he feels, instead of whatever semnce of hunger I''m experiencing now. For while it


    was true hunger, it was forced, artificial.


    Right, I am to starve-truly starve-to the point where I would unhesitatingly kill half of the for some of my mother''s cooking.


    And this was what I did.


    My consciousness began to drift as I went through an out-of-body experience, observing myself in third person. Unfazed by the change, I continued, imagining myself as a poor,


    starving man from the slums.


    Gradually, my body changed shape, resembling what I envisioned, and eventually, it settled


    into a form that I recognized all too well.


    It was the very same man that Longshot had killed.


    Faye''s biological father.

 Chapter 316: Starvation III

    Chapter 316: Starvation III


    ?


    How did that man live? How did he feed his children? What lows did he fall into to put food on their nonexistent table?


    What would I have done in a situation like his, with a mind like his?


    I know how.


    Even when I would experience the lowest of the lows, even when I would starve to the point where I''d be thankful if hell took me away...


    I would still work, and I would still do what I should, as it was my responsibility as a father of three.


    Regret for having three children might follow every moment of my life, but how was I to know that I''d be sent to the slums?


    The Gateway Alliance smuggled us in from a lower-ranked sector, promising a life of luxury, a life of kings even without money, and we...


    We believed them; of course we did.


    Did it sound too good to be true? Perhaps, maybe, probably, most definitely.


    It was too good to be true.


    But it also made sense.


    They, the Elite, wouldn''t want a dirty home, right?


    No, they wouldn''t; in fact, they would do a lot to make their home clean, to keep up their image, so I was sure that even poor, we would have better lives here than we did back home. I mean, my life beforeing wasn''t much to brag about, but I still lived a life worth living. Illegal manualbor, a tough, incredibly demanding job that only the dregs of society have. They worked us like ves, but honestly... it wasn''t that bad.


    It brought in some money, and that was good enough. I''m almost thankful, or rather, I was, since without them I couldn''t havee here; the price was too high.


    Our destination was an A-ranking sector after all. A ce where the Elite resided, and it wasn''t just any A-ranking sector; it was A-11; not many knew of it, and those that did begged toe with us.


    I denied them, smug, proud of how I made it and they didn''t.


    Now though?... Not so much.


    I regret the day I left my home.


    I regret everything.


    Yet even with all that weighing me down, I continued to work here, in my new home.


    Well, work wouldn''t be the correct term.


    Lack of UC and ID was abination that destined me and my family to homelessness in the slums.


    It brought me so much shame, so much so that I wouldn''t wish this upon my greatest enemy. With words that left me broken, I begged all the passersby for credits, yet I gained none. Thepetition in the area was much too fierce, with too many beggars and too few kind people.


    I decided to change locations, switch up my strategy, and ask them to hire me, saying that I could provide any services they wished for.


    It worked.


    No matter how demeaning, how vile, I did what they asked with a smile, for they have given me hope to live another day and to feed my family.


    But then, those who passed by got bored of me.


    They didn''t find my misery as fun as it was before; it turned stale like the food we ate every night.


    Right, our food situation has been impacted the most since our arrival here.


    Our IDs didn''t have the ''stamp'' of approval for us residing in this sector, meaning that we couldn''t show them to the officials to get the rations, since if they scanned them, they would see that we illegally arrived here and would kick us out.


    So, like many others, we had to ask the gangs responsible for getting much of the rations to share some with us, begging them for any scraps, even trash.


    They agreed, but only if I began to work for them, doing manualbor, while my wife would start working as a prostitute, and if she was popr they''d send her to the entertainment district.


    A usual deal for families like us they affirmed, trying to coerce me into it.


    I said no at once, not even entertaining the thought.


    I would never let my wife stoop so low and do such things for our survival.


    Regret... I sometimes felt that as I rummaged through the ck market''s trash.


    On days that we received no money, I tried to find leftover food, but even then it was toughpetition; many others were much stronger than I was, and they hoarded the food, especially the junkies. Even with bodies almost dead, their strength was much higher than that of the average man, as they had injected whatever needle they found in the trash.


    It was a gamble they loved to partake in, but it wasn''t something I could do, even if I had found it tempting.


    I had a family to watch over, and I couldn''t do so if I was drugged out of my mind.


    So... I tried, I really tried, I tried so incredibly hard to take anything that was left-the trash of the trash, the scraps of the scraps, and yet...


    Even that I wasn''t allowed.


    They beat me up.


    Those I saw as lesser beat me close to death.


    Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?


    Why? Why? Why?


    "WHY?!"


    I asked them as I repeatedly got hit.


    They didn''t answer.


    I asked again.


    They didn''t answer.


    I asked again.


    They didn''t answer.


    I asked-


    No, I couldn''t ask; they kicked my head in, almost breaking my jaw.


    Slowly, I began to pass out, and during myst moment of consciousness, I heardughter-


    loud, uncontrobleughter.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ah...


    I almost died for their entertainment.


    What a cruel world this was.


    ...


    A rumbling stomach awoke me.


    My body jolted up, my back leaving the cold ground as I sat and looked around the bright


    streets.


    People came and went, ignoring me, a broken man once lying in his own blood.


    It was usual.


    Dragging myself till I neared a building, I got off the ground, leaning on it as I stood up.


    Many hours passed as I trekked to my family with wobbled steps through grimy alleyways till


    I reached them.


    My wife met me with extreme worry; I inwardly thanked her for that, yet, a child of mine, a


    young boy, asked for food.


    I told him I couldn''t bring any, that I would do-


    "You''re useless! You can''t do anything right!"


    He, my own blood, cut me off andbeled me as that.


    Hebeled me as useless.


    I... I couldn''t handle it, without a thought going through my mind, my feet stepped forward as


    I neared the child and...


    p!


    I smacked my own son across the face.

 Chapter 317: Starvation IV

    Chapter 317: Starvation IV


    ?


    Just as the aftermath settled, instant regret washed over me. It was to a level I couldn''tprehend, one that I hadn''t experienced before now.


    While he cried, I wobbled deeper into the alleyway we took as a home, escaping my guilt, escaping them.


    Thoughts gued me for what I had done as my faltering steps echoed in the silence.


    ''What... No, I was-I''m not like this. This isn''t me.''


    ''Why did I do that?''


    I was never someone who would hit my kids; I neverid my hands on them, not even once...


    ''It''s not my fault; it''s because I was tense-the hunger, those junkies-they were the ones at fault, not me. Yes, I did nothing wrong. I''m a victim.''


    I fell down to the ground, knees scraping against the cold.


    ''... Our lives weren''t supposed to be like this. We don''t deserve this!''


    My hands reached out to my face as I covered my mouth, and after a moment, a guttural scream left my dry throat.


    "FUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK!"


    -


    Eventually, I calmed down, and all went back to normal.


    But something was amiss.


    Me, I couldn''t work, I couldn''t beg, I couldn''t scrape for trash.


    And so... seeing the state that I was in, my wife had to step up. Sell her body.


    The mother of my children had to be a prostitute.


    This... it was something I feared more than anything.


    While I wouldn''t deny feeling some regret for rejecting the gang''s offer, that regret always disappeared when I saw my wife smile at my arrival, weing me home.


    At those moments, I would always thank the stars for my decision.


    Yet... look at me now.


    I was scared for her, that was certain, but there was something else that I couldn''t shake from my mind.


    Uttering it felt like a dare beyond my ability, so I immediately stopped dwelling on it and focused my mind on making a decision.


    I would lose what was left of my already diminished dignity, but I...


    I couldn''t bring it upon myself to reject her.


    "The kids need to eat."


    Yes, that was my answer.


    I failed as a man, a provider.


    I failed as a husband, a father.


    While I recuperated from my injuries, people came along. She asked, begging them to take her, but none did, seeing her as nothing but bones, not desirable even for ten UC, the average price of a cup of coffee, or so I heard.


    When I saw that, I almost smiled, happy that she wasn''t going to be taken advantage of, yet also secretly angry that she was of no use.


    But those feelings of mine didn''tst for long.


    A few men bought my wife for an entire night; they took turns on her in some ditch, and I was there, lying down on the ground, hungry like always, listening to her scream in pain as they let out their lust on her, using her body as they would a piece of fuckable meat.


    My hands, which had once covered my children''s ears, now fell as I covered my own.


    They began to cry, but I didn''t listen; I didn''t dare to. Like a coward, I turned my back on them and closed my eyes, wishing for a Reaper to take me.


    Cold was my body as was my heart, in these freezing slums, Iy, broken both in heart and body.


    Eventually, I managed to sleep, somehow, though their small hands constantly tapped my back, seeking my attention, begging for me to be their father... Yet, I remained motionless. When I woke up, it was the next day, a day I thought wouldn''t arrive, and one I hoped never would.


    I turned to my side and noticed my wife, lying on her back.


    She looked miserable, many times more than usual, her eyes puffy from crying, her clothes torn even more, leaving much of her body bare to see, her face bruised, and her hair muddy.


    But... she was smiling as she slept.


    It appeared that she bought and ate some food while I escaped the horror that was my life. The kids seemed to have eaten as well.


    She might''ve left something for me, but I didn''t dare touch whatever she bought. Even though I escaped my responsibility yesterday, I still held some semnce of...


    Of...


    No, nothing was left.


    I ate it all.


    Like an animal, I scrounged on all the bread, and it was the best moment of my life.


    It was so so good.


    Thirst gued me after I finished eating, but not for long as I found some half-drunk water bottle discarded on the corner of the street.


    I rushed to it before anyone could.


    As I drank that water, emptying the bottle in seconds, a woman walking down the street spotted me and walked over while waving her hand.


    She had a nutrition bar in hand, and she threw it over to me, taking pity.


    Then she told me to visit her if I wanted more; ''Mother''s Kitchen'' was her restaurant''s name.


    I nodded repeatedly at her words, not listening a single bit, and when she left, I ate the entire thing without a single thought about my children''s or wife''s well-being.


    It tasted incredible, divine, as if it came from heaven itself.


    Heaven... Truly, the Wheel seemed to have blessed me today for I have never eaten so much in


    my entire life.


    I basked in the aftermath, enjoying the taste of what seemed to be pizza on my tongue, but


    that moment didn''tst long.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    My sanity returned.


    Realization dawned on me.


    Guilt had reced any feeling of satisfaction that once bathed my entire being.


    I didn''t only fail them, but I''ve also robbed what she earned for them.


    What kind of human was I? Such an ugly, ugly, being, no worse than the trash that abused my


    wife.


    Slowly, my feet began to step forward, one after the other, until it was a full-on sprint.


    I couldn''t help but run away from them. Once again.


    Facing my family after what I had done would break my mind; it was a terrifying feeling.


    They would wake up, expect food, but see nothing but an empty bag...


    Oh, how I wished for them to die.


    I prayed to whoever existed up above, I prayed for them to kill my children, my wife, and


    myself.


    It was all so that they wouldn''t ask me for a piece of bread.


    Not feeding them was one thing but stealing from them? Death was better than what this


    was.


    But I knew that it was a luxury I couldn''t afford. I had, no, I needed to get credits; no matter


    how small of an amount, I needed to repay her.


    So I ran to a ce all knew as a death zone.


    It was where the low-level gangs yed.


    That was the only ce I could guarantee myself a few credits-a ce where bodies of


    beggars more desperate than I amy dead.


    Knowing death was close was terrifying, but... ''Right now, joining them doesn''t sound too bad.''

 Chapter 318: I Am Human

    Chapter 318: I Am Human


    ?


    The further I walked, the less popted my surroundings grew to be.


    As if it were a ghost town, none dared show their ugly mug, afraid that the gangs mighte by and demand things of them-things that they couldn''t do.


    But I honestly couldn''t care any less; the thought of meeting them didn''t scare me, nothing did for the exception of facing my family again.


    Minutes went by, and I reached thendfill, a deep one, dug many meters down.


    On the surface where I stood were many rotting dead bodies, most likely used as a warning sign for those who wished to try their luck, basically me.


    Showing them no heed, I dragged a few bodies as I stepped forward, reaching the edge of the slope, then without any hesitation and with all my strength, I pulled on their disgusting legs, throwing them in.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    They slid down, reaching the trash in a few seconds.


    Thud!


    My eyes remained locked on their bodies as I waited. Yet even after a minute went by, no sound was heard.


    It appeared that no one was there, not down nor up, and the gang wasn''t watching.


    The Wheel''s blessing remained!


    Excited, I slid down, but as I neared the bottom, I slipped and fell face-first into the trash.


    Or not.


    Thankfully however, my mouth was closed, so I only suffocated because of the smell, or I almost did at least, as I managed to push myself up and spit out the horrid taste.


    Quietly, I began to move about the dump and looked for discarded relics.


    Right, that was my objective foring here. After all, if this ce housed food, it would''ve long since rotted ore close to being so.


    Yet it wasn''t going to be easy.


    The relics discarded here were either utterly useless or defective, not even worth a few UC. The transaction cost of trading them was often higher than the relic''s value itself, or maybe the owners couldn''t find a buyer, so they just threw their trash out.


    This scenario typically unfolded withpanies dealing with corporations; they purchased relics in bulk, but sometimes the market demand dwindled, leaving them with surplus relics that they needed to dispose of rather than letting them clutter their warehouses.


    But there was another option that many didn''t know about.


    The third type of relic here was counterfeit, forged to look simr to that of relics in demand -a rare find but a good one as that would sell for good credit. It was an almost guaranteed oue; after all, not everyone had ess to a Relic Appraiser.


    It was a rarity because most of the still-usable machines for this profession were snuffed out, as were the experts themselves. The UEF cracked down hard on all fronts, and we''ve never seen their men patrol the slums so extensively before. Those times were tough since nobody wanted to involve themselves in the chaos, but it wasn''t all bad; at least the streets were safe. Anyways... I was banking on finding a counterfeit; even a shit one would be fine.


    Down here, not many knew how to differentiate a true relic from a fake one; as long as the logo was on the packaging, they would believe it and buy it.


    So I went ahead. Searched, waddled through the garbage, my entire body aching, my stomach rumbling, eating itself from the inside, yet I didn''t stop.


    I dug out the ck bags, threw them away, and dove in, searching, but still, nothing. They were rare, and it seemed that my luck had run out.


    No matter what I did or how long I searched, I found nothing.


    The thought of giving up crossed my mind, but that was it, it only crossed it, never staying.


    Eventually however, I had to leave, not only due to my dying body but also because I heard footsteps in the distance.


    While hungry for death, I wasn''t nning on leaving before I could kill my guilt, my shame. It would haunt my soul.


    And as I escaped, a n formed in my mind a n that seemed impossible yet that wasn''t about to stop me.


    Finding a ditch nearby, I hid in some corner and rxed my back against a cold wall, my bottom freezing from the rough ground.


    Sleep washed over me, and the next day arrived.


    I repeated the cycle of yesterday.


    Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, but I didn''t give up.


    In fact, a few homeless saw my actions and joined me. I was surprised, almost scared, at first,


    but I grew used to it. Besides, they didn''tst long-some died, while others simply gave up, saying that it was hopeless, thinking the gangs had already taken everything.


    Such a scenario seemed to be true; maybe their security wasx because there wasn''t anything valuable in there.


    I didn''t know, or so I deluded myself.


    And so, even though I subconsciously knew it to be futile, I still went to thendfill every day.


    When it was time for dinner, I would eat what the gangs left behind every day-the scrap of their scrap.


    The food tasted rotten, as did the water, contaminated to oblivion, but I ate; I was too hungry to be picky.


    Sometimes it would smell so bad that vomit would escape my mouth, coloring the ground.


    It wouldn''t stay on the ground for long however, though disgusting, I had to swallow back the half-digested food.


    Unfortunately, this cycle wasn''t going tost forever, and there came a day where the gang themselves left no scraps behind.


    There wasn''t much I could do but wait for the next day, search for the relic, and pray-pray


    that they would find something.


    They didn''t.


    The next day arrived.


    Nothing.


    Desperate, I rushed to them as they arrived and begged them for food. My mind couldn''t handle it anymore, my body was so weak that moving felt as if I was going against the


    strongest of currents.


    Smack!


    Ugh...


    How beautiful.


    My eyes saw red, and my tongue tasted blood.


    It was a colorful color, one that I hadn''t seen in so long, and the taste... was different, it felt


    like a treat.


    Hm.


    Was this death?


    "...Wa..."


    "...Wake..."


    "Up..."


    "Wa...ke... up!"


    "Wake up!"


    I was shaken awake by hands that seemed no bigger than four of my fingers.


    Looking to my side, I saw the angel weing me to heaven.


    It was... no, that couldn''t be.


    Was my child killed as well?


    My family.


    Were they alright?


    I couldn''t ask him; I didn''t dare ask him.


    Although he looked older, I knew him to be my son, I¡ª


    Suddenly, disrupting my inner turmoil, he took my hand and ced it on his cheek, making


    me caress him in the same spot where I had pped him when I left.


    And then, he spoke, his words terrifying, shaking me to my core:


    "I''m sorry."


    He apologized to me.


    The one who had failed him, his brother, his sister, and especially his mother.


    He apologized to me, a father who deserved nothing but death.


    Yet he didn''t stop there, he continued:


    "And you are forgifen."


    Hah...


    Hahaha...


    Chuckles couldn''t help but escape my dry lips.


    I looked up, and there she was-my wife-the one who must''ve told my boy what to say.


    Alongside her were my other children, who looked to be in a much greater shape than I was.


    Tears left me at that sight.


    Even though they were doing better without me, they still wanted me to be with them.


    "I..."


    Oh, how scary was love? How painful?


    No matter the human-rich, poor, strong, weak, talented, average, trash, or disabled-they


    all experience pain in one form or another.


    Some more, some less, yet it still remained true.


    To be human was to suffer. To suffer was to be alive.


    To be alive was to choose who would make you feel pain.


    Whether it''d be one person alone or everyone that you met. Regardless of intention, people hurt others, both enemies and lovers.


    To feel pain was to be human. And humans weren''t perfect.


    But despite that, I stopped running away. I epted.


    I wished to remain, hurt and get hurt by those I call family.


    Those that I loved and those who loved me.


    Their words, theirints, their weak little hands, and their pointy teeth.


    It only felt like a show of their love.


    I wasn''t always sure; the way they acted hurt a lot. Many times I thought that their love for me


    had disappeared, wondering if the day they saw me half dead was the trigger.


    It was gradual; things got worse, and we lost hope, causing fights to happen more often.


    As time went by the pain they inflicted upon me grew to be not something one would inflict


    on another human but on an animal...


    And yet, it turned out I was wrong.


    My kids jumped before a hunter''s bullets, dying only a few moments before me.


    That was when I knew...


    I was still human.


    They loved me, and I loved them.


    At least, I died knowing that.


    Poor, deprived of rights, not a shred of dignity remaining, ridiculous acts of starvation-none


    of that mattered.


    I died knowing that-


    "I''m human."


    Fluttering my eyes open, I looked up through the purple ''fog'' and dered to Mr. yer:


    "I''m not just a pawn. Not just a creation, a weapon, a celestial, a prince of some n."


    With a serene smile, I stood up from my lotus position and put my right hand over my second


    heart.


    "No, before all of that..."


    I bowed.


    "I am human."

 Chapter 319: Him

    Chapter 319: ''Him''


    ?


    ***


    || ||


    Emir waited for a reply.


    He received none.


    He remained in his bowing position, waiting patiently. But then, after a few moments, he remembered that he needed to interact with one of the pawns on his sunsses to call for Mr. yer, and that was what he proceeded to do.


    Picking it up off the ground, his hands then neared his head, intended to wear it. Yet as his hands got to his ears they grazed his... beard?


    Right, it appeared that he grew a beard while immersing himself in a world so far different from his own.


    It wasn''t only that, his hair had also grown by a lot, reaching his shoulders in length.


    Just how long had he spent starved?


    As that question surfaced in his mind, another came with it.


    ''And why do I not feel hungry anymore?''


    ''Do I have my Aether back? I can''t feel it still...''


    Leaving that forter, he chose to not wear the shades and his right pointing finger touched


    the side, the temples, as he folded it by the two pawns, putting it back into his pocket.


    "Thank you, Mr. yer."


    And finally, a response arrived after a second or two, sounding as majestic as always:


    "I''ve only fulfilled my part; there''s no need for thanks."


    Emir nodded.


    "I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it."


    The ss-Two chuckled, his every high and low sounding to be a perfect pitch.


    "... What is your starvation?"


    He corrected his posture as he thought about that question, his mind returning to all he had gone through.


    Leaving his home,ing to the A-11 sector, hoping for a life worth living, and believing in what obviously was a lie.


    That was an act of starvation.


    With words that left him broken, he begged all the passersby for credits, yet he gained none. No matter how demeaning, how vile, he did what they asked with a smile, for they have given him hope to live another day and to feed his family.


    That was an act of starvation.


    A gang asked his wife to work as a prostitute, he said no, yet regret didn''t stop hounding him. That was an act of starvation.


    On days that they received no money, he had to go through many obstacles to gather whatever scrap he could find, evenmenting at how lucky the junkies had it, able to inject themselves with nanobots and all manners of drugs without a care in the world.


    That was an act of starvation.


    They, whom he felt slight envy for, beat him up. He almost died for their entertainment. That was an act of starvation.


    He smacked his own son across the face, and he cried for what he did, a guttural scream leaving his throat.


    That was an act of starvation.


    His wife, the mother of his children, became a prostitute. He failed. Though happy that no one bought his wife, he slowly grew silent anger at her uselessness, until eventually... all went away as he heard her cries for help.


    He turned his back on everything and slept on the cold, cold floor, his heart frozen to ice.


    That was an act of starvation.


    He robbed them of all the food that his wife had gained; he was satisfied only for a short while, as guilt soon came knocking, demanding his attention. It was an ugly sight.


    That was an act of starvation.


    He went to a ce where death was close, needing quick credits while also wanting to escape, begging for the Reaper to take him and his family. The sound of them desperately asking for a piece of bread would never be heard again.


    That was an act of starvation.


    Knowing that it was futile, he still went to thendfill every day, working with a rotting body. That was an act of starvation.


    His eyes saw beautiful red, and his tongue tasted blood. He was beaten by a gang he begged to but the pain didn''t visit him. All he thought at the time was how sweet the blood tasted.


    That was an act of starvation.


    "And you are forgifen."


    That... even that was an act of starvation.


    Emir smiled with a hint of pain adorning his face.


    "Starvation felt like ugly guilt and a cold shame of failure. It tasted like dry yet colorful blood."


    "And what do you make of it?"


    "It made me remember what my essence was. I forgot that I was human; it was just ''Fallen'' this, ''Weapon'' that, never me and only me... Everyone experiences their own starvation. To me, it was that, family was always first in mind, but to someone else, it might be a cycle of life and death. The beating heat of a dying star. The weak bowing to the strong. Being left behind, and more, as much as there are known things in the universe. Starvation, like any other emotion, can be experienced in an uncountable number of ways."


    "Incredible... truly."


    Emir tilted his head.


    "What is?"


    "You, a boy unknowing of such grim, could imagine, taste, and experience such a dream as if


    it was real."


    Shaking his head, Emir acted humble, his words contradictory to what he would usually say, an obvious sign of respect to Mr. yer:


    "Thank you, but it wasn''t without any issues; I couldn''t imagine the finer details; my family''s faces were nk; even someone that I know was too. As was the feeling of eating such foods, I''ve been quite privileged in that regard."


    "And the fact that you''ve seeded without limitations is extraordinary, no?"


    "Hm."


    "Now stop acting humble and tell me, what is it that you understood, Mr. Pawn?"


    "I''m human. I don''t just hate fate; I fear it. I''m not just controlling; I''m a perfectionist. I''m both sentimental and practical. A man-no, a child-forced to be a man. I''m proud, proud to be from Earth, proud of who I became despite the tragedies. I''m someone who didn''t spend much time working as a hunter but had that time influence much of my life and the way I did things. Treated as a subject, as ab rat since birth, memories manipted, and personality created, yet that very personality twisted and forged what I''m so proud of. I''m a safe yer; I like to keep things in control even if I have to sacrifice my puppets, but I''m also a person who could change his mind if needed; adaptability is a trait I learned. I''m a hunter by force, a result of circumstances, a result of fate. I would''ve liked to explore, learn about more hobbies, do something, anything other than kill, but I''ve got a mountain on my shoulders... I simply can''t take my eyes off the game. Money is nice, I love capitalism, unless it goes against my goals of course. I also love looking at my family, seeing them enjoy a life that I can''t. I''ve got a woman who has started to inch closer to my heart as well; she''s a long way off, but love appears to be inevitable. I dislike drama, had enough, and I despise excessive personalities, especially justice-minded ones. Fuck the Fortune''s blessed. I''m a Celestial with no bottom line; I can dive into any low to win. This results in me thinking a lot, thoughts of control always whispering in my mind, editing ns, adjusting and adjusting¡ªa never-ending cycle. Those who see me think of me as aloof, cold, creepy, and scary, and they aren''t wrong. I am just that, but I''m also much more; I seethe with fury, controlled, yet burning. I''m starved of life. A man who used to be an extra, now a cog, a pawn in this game of giants. And finally, I''m a protector, taking my father''s ce as the man of the house since young, a role I''ll continue to fulfill until I die; that is my obligation, my promise."


    Emir''s words finally came to an end, and only then did the man who spoke for so long notice


    how he acted.


    With surprise coloring his face, he looked up, silently questioning Mr. yer.


    He noticed his trepidation and answered, intent on alleviating his confusion:


    "Don''t worry child, it happens to most, those unfortunate with repressed feelings usually


    ''explode'' as such after their ''me'' ignites."


    "I see..."


    Mr. yer chuckled softly.


    "...So? What are you to embody?"


    Emir looked down, taking a moment to articte his words correctly, and then said a soft


    chuckle, noting the irony:


    "I''m a puppeteer, once a puppet now someone who tries not to be, someone who tries to be in control. I weave people and events into ce with my threads, but I have a w. A w where if any of my strings gets cut loose, or if my puppets are positioned incorrectly, I experience bacsh, the severity of said bacsh depending on the mistake."


    Mr. yer hummed an almost excited tune as he listened, only speaking after a long second of


    silence:


    "Interesting... I never heard of a Celestial gaining a w, only Holy Relics, but that tells me your path is nothing ordinary. Perhaps this is a result of your lineage, but I can''t say for sure, you''re the first Najma I''ve met. Anyhow, it''s apparent that this is needed to bnce your existence, both body and soul, for without that w you might die. Embodiment is dangerous


    after all."


    Showing a face full of hesitation, Emir looked back up again and asked:


    "You... Mr. yer said that you enjoy fairness, no? Then may I receive a gift for this knowledge I''ve shared with you? I''ve still not received the third freebie I''ve been promised."


    "..."


    Emir received no reply.


    He waited quietly.


    "..."


    But nothing changed; it seemed that Mr. yer ignored him-


    Fshshshshshshsh...


    A portal suddenly appeared in front of him, and Mr. yer materialized from it, causing a


    purple ''fog'' of insane magnitude to bathe their surroundings.


    Calmly, he began to float towards him.


    Emir flinched and looked down, not daring to look Mr. yer in the face.


    "Child, raise your head."


    Struggling with his instincts, he did what Mr. yer asked and slowly raised his trembling


    head.


    Now, their faces were only two feet apart, with Emir looking up at the floating mass of ''fog,''


    his inky eyes on Mr. yer''s colorless, almost invisible ones.


    "W... What brings you here Mr. yer?"


    ''Fog'' neared Emir''s hand, and then, without warning, his bracelet was flooded with


    information, requesting their path to his brain to open.


    Emir showed momentary surprise, but he didn''t reject the trade, allowing what Mr. yer


    sent to reach him.


    ''Ah... N-No. I...''


    He immediately realized why Mr. yer didn''t say anything out loud.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This... it wasn''t to be spoken about, even within this Celestial Realm for if ''He'' heard, ''He''


    woulde, knocking, no smashing the door in, no matter where they were-


    Click!


    He looked at where the sound originated, the door, it opened before his eyes, allowing


    someone in.


    It was a blurred figure, not by ''fog,'' by Aether, but simply a blurred existence.


    It was ''Him.''

 Chapter 320: Egg Sandwiches

    Chapter 320: Egg Sandwiches


    ?


    Tick! Tock!


    "-Child? Are you alright?"


    Emir, slightly dazed, slowly looked up at Mr. yer, struggling with his instincts, his head trembling.


    Their faces were only two feet apart, with him looking up at the floating mass of ''fog,'' his dark teary eyes on Mr. yer''s colorless, almost invisible ones.


    "I''m fine, just a bit tired... Can... can you tell me why you showed yourself to me?"


    Mr. yer''s ''fog'' shifted up and down as he said:


    "I wished to know of what reaction I might get."


    ''Reaction? Mine? Why say it so cryptically? Though, they''re usually like that, I guess it ain''t something new.''


    "I see. Well, can I ask now?"


    "Yes, of course."


    "My innate corruption, how can I deal with it?"


    Mr. yer paused for a moment, silently staring at Emir, and when he seemingly eyed him enough, he said:


    "You can''t. Not with abilities at least, you''ll need to be a ss-Three."


    Emir caught on to what he implied.


    "So holy relics?"


    "Yes, I shall inform the others to remain vignt for such acquisitions. Anticipate a heavy pouch for them, even with a discounted offer based on the intelligence I''ve gleaned from you today."


    "Sure..."


    Mr. Pawn smiled while nodding and then turned to the door, which was already open. ''When did that happen?''


    "While we talked."


    Mr. yer answered his unspoken question, causing him to let out a chuckle and bow once more, bidding him goodbye:


    "Well, I''ll be taking my leave now, hopefully, I can live to see you in our next meeting."


    Fshshshshhhhhh...


    The portal neared the back of Mr. yer and swallowed him whole while Emir walked to the door, only ncing at the scene on his way out.


    After many steps, he exited the room and arrived at the casino, a ce that felt so distant, as if thest time he had been there was a few years ago.


    As his feet stepped onto the casino''s ground, he took the pouch of coins that waited on a nearby table, put on his sunsses, pressed on one of the pawns, and issued amand:


    ''Return.''


    Emir blinked.


    His eyes fluttered open.


    He reached home, or rather, he was back at the office like nothing ever happened.


    Without thinking much of it, he turned on his augmented suit''s HUD and threw the pouch at his desk while checking the time.


    Only a second had passed since he left-only a single second. Yet that second he spent in God knows where felt like an eternity. An entire lifetime of experiences.


    It changed him.


    The Emir of now was not the same as the one of two seconds ago.


    ''It all feels so surreal...''


    He shook his head and approached the kitchen, wanting to cook something up. Though his hunger was alleviated, he still felt the need to eat, not for sustenance but for the feeling behind it.


    Opening the fridge, he looked over what he had in stock, and it wasn''t much.


    A few types of fruits, vegetables-


    Eggs.


    His eyesnded on them, and he decided what he was going to eat, disregarding everything else.


    Pancakes would''ve been his go-to, but he didn''t want to disturb his mother and randomly ask her for ingredients, he knew that she''d be suspicious, so he had to make do.


    He took out the egg carton and ced it on the kitchen counter. Next, he opened the cupboard above, grabbing a loaf of bread. He unwrapped it and took eight slices, cing them on a te he took with his left hand.


    A bowl found itself on the counter, and he cracked six eggs on it. After throwing away the shells, he began whisking the eggs with a fork.


    Eventually, the eggs became smooth; that was when Emir turned on the stove with amand from his neuralwork, heating up the pan.


    While that happened, he took the cheese spread from the fridge and applied it evenly to the bread.


    Just before he finished with that, he grabbed a bottle of olive oil and sshed some on the pan. It sizzled, awaiting the eggs.


    Seeing that it was time, he poured the eggs, watching as they filled up the pan, forming a ssic omelet. It didn''t take long for it to cook, and during that time, he sprinkled in some


    salt and pepper.


    He flipped the pan a few times, and after making sure it was cooked, he served it on a cutting board. Slicing the omelet into four pieces.


    Once done, he took each piece, cing them in between the four pairs of sliced bread.


    He then took out two tes, serving two sandwiches on each, and covered them with tissue, leaving them on the dining table.


    Emir didn''t begin eating and left to clean up the coordinated mess. He didn''t want to leave it to the machine as it would take long-well, longpared to his hands, at least.


    They moved quickly, and when he was done, he uniformly put everything back exactly to


    where they belonged.


    With slow steps, he approached the dining table and sat on the chair, his eyes turning to stare


    at the door to his office.


    It appeared he was waiting for someone.


    That someone didn''t make him wait too long, however.


    Spurting out of the ground''s shadow, Lyra materialized in front of Emir, face showing


    despair.


    Her tear-filled eyes immediately looked at his, and they stared at each other, unblinking. Like him of a few seconds past, she walked with measured steps, approaching the dining


    table.


    As she settled into her seat, she brushed away her tears and offered a smile-a smile that hid sadness of a magnitude so immense that Emir couldn''t fathom.


    "...Can I?"


    He didn''t know what she asked permission for, but he didn''t bother and simply nodded his


    head.


    Not showing a reaction, she walked over to his side of the table and sat on hisp. Seeing that Emir didn''t reject her, she continued, wrapping around him even more, her legs reaching over both of his and her arms hugging his body.


    She had her head shoved into his chest, her ears listening to his heartbeat.


    Thump.... Thump.... Thump....


    They were controlled, even more than usual, but that didn''t register in her mind.


    Lyra wanted-no, needed-only one thing.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She needed to confirm that he was alive.


    The face of the man she loved had changed; he grew older, looked more mature, had longer


    hair, and even grew a beard rivaling that of Ragnar''s, but still... he was the same Emir that she


    knew.


    Like a cat, cuddling with its owner, she began to rub him all over, making sure that he was


    unharmed.


    Thankfully, he was uninjured, or so she realized.


    Satisfied, she then took the te nearest to them and presented it to him, while taking her


    own te, from further along the table, and started eating.


    Emir did the same, and they quietly enjoyed their food. Their minds away from all that happened, away from all their responsibilities, just taking a few rare minutes to rx without thinking of the noose that never left their necks.

 Chapter 321: A Kitten

    Chapter 321: A Kitten


    ?


    They were soon done eating, but they still didn''t talk.


    Lyra simply sat on hisp, her hands ying with his beard, twisting and pulling.


    Emir, who had enough of her, pinched her hand, using his now-long nails as a weapon.


    She didn''t flinch, only giggled, and stepped up for a few moments,ing back with a nail clipper.


    Her eyesnded on his as she returned to hisp, requesting the obvious, which he epted with a nod, and she began fixing up his nails.


    Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik...


    She didn''t question why his body had grown like that. For she knew that when any Celestial bes a Seraphim, they lock their body in time, pausing their growth, and that the only way for them to resume growing was if they failed to rank up for an extended period, losing lifespan, or if their Aether reserves were extinguished entirely.


    Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik...


    It didn''t take a genius to know that it was thetter in Emir''s case, and Lyra was a genius, an AI, and an obsessive lover, so she had more than enough qualifications to reach that conclusion.


    Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik...


    His time was paused early on, during puberty, so when it suddenly resumed, everything spazzed out, reaching its peak, resulting in the long beard he grew.


    Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik... Tik...


    "Cut?"


    Lyra, who finished cutting both the nails on his fingers and feet, asked if he wanted her to shave his beard and hair as well.


    Emir took a moment, looked at her ruby reds, and saw his reflection on them.


    He looked pretty good; calling him handsome would be an understatement. He might have


    even reached S-Rank in charm, but unfortunately, he had to let go of the new look; it was too sudden.


    With a sigh, he nodded.


    Sheplied.


    They went to the bathroom; her body clung to him as he walked, her legs nted around his waist, holding herself up.


    He didn''t bother with her shenanigans, deeming it a reaction to what she experienced during the moment he was gone, and stood before the mirror.


    Lyra, her legs still hooked around him, took an electric razor off the sink and went to work.


    Her hand moved slowly, as she was unnecessarily careful, making sure that she wouldn''t even disturb his skin.


    Time went by, and soon she was done, happy with the result, looking at Emir''s baby face with a grin while he cleaned the ce.


    It didn''t take him long, and he returned to the mirror, stroking his chin a couple of times, sad to let go of the beard, but it had to be done, or so he continuously told himself.


    "...So?"


    Emir asked as he looked down, eyeing Lyra.


    "Will you let go?"


    She cutely shook her head multiple times.


    "No!"


    He tilted his head in response, only now noticing how different her demeanor was.


    "Why?"


    "Because I don''t want to!"


    A chuckle escaped his lips as he nodded, not challenging her any further, and stepped towards the training room.


    He propped her up, allowing him space to sit down, forming a lotus position with his legs, and only when he was ready did he return her to hisp.


    Lyra squirmed a bit, adjusting herself, and hugged his chest once again, acting like a typical cat.


    ''Hm...''


    Emir''s curiosity finally bested him, and he brought her forehead closer to his, causing them to touch.


    "Show me your memories."


    "Uhn..."


    He asked, and she epted.


    ***


    "Jack, Evan, Hiro, Sarah, Leo, all of you,e here."


    Imanded them, repeating the same words a million times now.


    They responded without fail, even when battered to the extreme, almost unrecognizable.


    "Yes Sir!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Letting out a sigh of air I couldn''t breathe, I began to scold them, drumming the training into their heads.


    But as a few minutes went by, my world suddenly paused.


    Was it just my world or everyone''s? I didn''t know.


    All I knew was that I had experienced an eternity in that moment.


    During that eternity, what I saw as my worst nightmare urred.


    It was something that I didn''t dare believe to be true.


    I realized that I had lost the very and only thing that kept me alive.


    Right, my reason for living... it was gone.


    My prince, my Emir, his lifeline had turned gray.


    H-He died.


    nkly, I ''stared'' at the straight line, begging for it to be a false call, perhaps a malfunction.


    And thankfully... my hopes turned out to be true.


    The life signal turned green, and it began to move, snake forward, and beat like a heart''s


    thump.


    "Are you¨D"


    Ignoring Jack, I rushed past the five and headed to Emir.


    He was alive!


    He had to be!


    What happened was nothing but a mistake!


    I kept repeating those lines in my head, deluding myself into believing that as a fact, because


    if I hadn''t, then I would''ve fallen right then and there, joining him in death.


    Asking him telepathically was an option, but doing so might tell me of his demise.


    What if he didn''t reply?


    What if it was someone else?


    That was something I had to dy; even as I ran as fast as I could, trying to reach his office. I


    wasn''t brave enough to know what happened to him.


    Brave with things that regarded him I was not; that never changed, and it might never will.


    So... my feet took me to where my life and death awaited.


    ***


    ''I see.''


    Emir pulled himself back and brought her head closer to his chest.


    It was now obvious what happened to her.


    Her systems and servers got overloaded as she attempted toprehend a truth that she could never imagine, her processing power crumbled, and whatever this was, was the result.


    ''Well, it''s nothing bad, at least she''s-''


    "Hug me."


    Lyra requested, cutting off his thoughts.


    "Sure."


    Emirplied, not minding it a single bit.


    "Pat my head."


    Lyra requested.


    "Sure."


    Emirplied.


    "My back too..."


    Lyra requested.


    "Sure."


    This cycle repeated, and he alwaysplied with her wishes, pampering her, never saying no.


    She looked nothing close to the Lyra he knew-not the maniptor, the mastermind, the terrifying Shadow Binder, or even the pure woman who loved him to a point beyond


    obsession.


    She felt so vulnerable, so small, so delicate, as if a single push from him would cause her


    death.


    It was as if she was a child, a kitten.


    Emir didn''t know how to react to that... but eventually, he made up his mind.


    He knew the future her would look back at this with shame, so he went ahead with every


    request that left her mouth, giving him teasing ammunition for years toe.


    ...


    Lyra''s state gradually returned to normal as time passed with her in his arms, and when she finally realized what she had done, she leapt out of his embrace, acting as if he had stepped on


    her nonexistent tail.


    "Forget that!"

 Chapter 322: His Shadow And Her Light

    Chapter 322: His Shadow And Her Light


    ?


    "Are you done?"


    Lyra shook her head.


    "I''m now sending all the data to Kiera''s kids."


    Chuckling, she added:


    "They''ll be so excited to hear that they can finally go ahead with the Embodiment method that they''ll forget my panic."


    Emirughed with her and said:


    "Hopefully. We don''t want them thinking shit got wrong, they might start sniffing around and find things they hope were hidden again."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be setting them straight, they listen to me well."


    He tapped her head with his chin, softly digging into her skull.


    "And I''m proud of that."


    She shook him off and repositioned herself on hisp, fixing her lotus position to match his while returning to her cultivation.


    "Now enough changing the subject... You''re telling me all that happened in one moment? Am I to seriously believe that?"


    Emir simply nodded.


    "Still doesn''t feel real to me either, I just... I don''t know how to react."


    She sighed only to giggle and pushed her back on his chest.


    "At least it''s better than how I acted."


    He joined her inughter once more, patting her head to tease her, reminding her of the state she was in a few minutes back.


    "I''m sure it is."


    Lyra shrugged off his hand like how she did his chin.


    "Whatever, now can we go back to what''s important?!"


    "Sure sure."


    They focused on their cultivation and continued the exchange of memories, mainly one-sided with Emir being the one who sent all that he went through.


    Meanwhile, the more Lyra saw, the more surprise colored her face. Her expectations were surpassed with every word that she heard and she experienced every conceivable emotion. Even anger.


    Yes, at one point, her heart was filled with anger, yet that anger dissipated as she saw her prince deflect Ms. Queen''s so-called ''corruption.''


    She was proud of how he won the bet, happy that he gained the ''flint'' for his Embodiment, sad for how he only just thought of himself as human, despaired that she wasn''t someone that could change that part of him, scared that he might rpse in the future and think of himself like that again, regressing to a weapon, yet, at the end of it all, she was thankful to Mr. yer.


    While she was suspicious of the Lady of Time, knowing ''Her'' intentions to be nothing good, especially because ''She'' hid the possibility that there was script other than ''Creation,'' she still appreciated the man who sent the invite because of ''Her,'' as he brought them closer to their goals, allowing them a much wider reach.


    Emir felt that excitement of Lyra being shared with him, as they were still connected, and he found that endearing.


    But he also saw it somewhat as an issue.


    She saw him as her reason for living; she lived through him, literally, to the point that his highs and lows brought her to tears, like how she began to cry as she saw him starve himself.


    He was her everything, and that meant everything.


    If he died, so would she, killing herself with no regard for anyone else, not even his family, whom she grew fond of.


    He didn''t want that for her.


    Lyra noticed that. She knew that he wanted her to be her own person, thinking that she would be better off that way....


    Her, not as his shadow, and he, not as her light.


    She denied such a notion.


    What was wrong with living for him and only him?


    She saw nothing as the answer.


    "..."


    As did he.


    They both knew that he used that as an excuse, lying through his teeth, or rather, his mind, and that he only wanted her to stay alive so that she could take care of his family.


    Lyra knew that, but for the first andst time since his awakening from lies, she was going to go against his wishes.


    She wanted to be selfish.


    She wanted to die alongside him.


    She wanted to be his shadow...


    And she wanted him to be her light.


    This was her true wish-the very thing she wanted to request when in her pampered kitten


    mode.


    Emir, like earlier, nodded, silently acknowledging and epting her unspoken request. Granting her a grave alongside his if the need ever arose for it.


    While he felt slight regret for saying yes, he would do it again if given a choice.


    He was a bad man, a cruel man, but he wasn''t a viin, not to his family at least. And besides, this only proved to him that if his mother and sister were to live, he needed to live as well, so sacrificing himself wasn''t a viable option, no, not at all.


    The two then showed genuine smiles to each other, ending their little ''talk.''


    Sure, neither of them uttered a single word, yet with their emotions alone, they spoke more than most couples did in their entire lives together, and they weren''t even a couple, only an obsessed jailer and her unshackled prisoner.


    ...


    Time passed, and when Emir was finally done cultivating, he picked Lyra up and ced her before him, allowing him space to stand up while not disturbing her.


    He then went to his desk, sat down on the chair, and took out the Nano-Bot injection, which was kept alongside an Aether Core.


    It looked like a simple injection needle with flowing, clear, deep blue liquid inside.


    Letting out a sigh, Emir eyed Lyra for a moment as she stepped closer to him and thenmanded his augmented suit to open up, allowing him to stab the syringe into his arm.


    Kachuck...


    Without needing his thumb, the liquid injected itself into his bloodstream, causing him to flinch as he immediately felt the invaders in his bloodstream.


    Closing his eyes, he looked at his body''s inner workings through the nanobots, seeing how the neers settled in, joining their seniors.


    After a few moments, a request was sent to his neuralwork, and he disyed it for both him and Lyra to see using his terminal''s hologram functionality.


    {Art ipatible with the user. Adjust?}


    {Note: When adjusting the Art, the Skill will merge with it.}


    ''Hm...''


    Emir looked at the hologram for a while, and he decided to ept it pretty quickly.


    The original Art was called ''Unseen Deflection.''


    It more or less deflected all the attacks the user would receive, no matter how strong the attack was, even if it came from ''Them.'' However, the chance of that happening was close to null, as every deflection was based on chance, and the stronger the attack was, the lower the chance this Art would deflect it.


    He could see why it didn''t suit him. His luck was beyond trash, even the Art noticed that. So without any hesitation, he agreed, not giving the skill a second nce, as it only helped in


    that deflection.


    {Adjusting...} {Adjusting...}


    {Adjusting...}


    {Adjusting...}


    {Adjusting...}


    {Adjust-Merge Complete.}


    {New Art: de of The Drowned.}


    Emirughed out loud.


    "Now that''s what I call Art!"


    Lyra joined him in celebration.


    "That sounds nice~. C''mon, show what it does."


    Heplied, and the hologram expanded downwards, revealing more text.


    {The user knows life. The user knows death. The user knows the ponds, streams,kes, rivers, seas, and oceans. The user knows drowning. And like the drowned, the user will drink all that around him when all out of air.}


    {While in a critical state in the heat of battle, the user will be able toprehend their enemies'' Abilities, slowly absorbing them into their arsenal. The resulting Skills will differ from the original, matching the fluidity of forgotten seas and the lows of the deep.}


    "Interesting, this is basically a get-out jail card on steroids."


    Lyra grinned at his analogy, and her head couldn''t stop itself from nodding.


    "True, but I can already see the limitations. It''s too bad we can''t abuse it, the ability specified


    that your opponent had to be your enemy."


    "Hm-hm, too bad indeed... Now give me a moment."


    Emir closed his eyes and epted, allowing the neers to make changes within his body,


    adjusting it to fit this Art.


    He felt pain, but it was only slight, rather, that was what he and only he would call it, as


    anyone else in his position, of his status and rank, would''ve already cried out in pain.


    It was obvious that his tolerance had increased by a lot, but somehow he could still barely


    handle the pain when cultivating his Strength Art, and that meant that he was nearing the next rank.


    Copper was soon to be let go, reced by Iron.


    He dreaded the day, imagining the horrors of pain he would experience, but he also


    anticipated the increase in strength he''d receive.


    ''I can only wait...''


    As his mind was lost in thoughts, he didn''t count the time passing by, and the process was


    done before he noticed, at least for his body, his Neural Network was still fitting,


    compressing, and storing the ability.


    "Ah..."


    Emir fluttered his eyes open then raised his right hand and flipped his palm to face the roof.


    Whoosh!


    Air congregated towards his now clutched fist due to the sheer force his fingers produced.


    While he didn''t gain much strength, he felt the control that he had over his body increase, as ifn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    he could use his muscles at one hundred and ten percent at a moment''s notice.


    "Good, good, great even; this just has so much potential."


    "Agreed."


    Lyra matched his words while heading back to the training room, preparing a soft mat for him


    to sit on.


    He joined her shortly with the Aether core in his hands as he yed around with it, throwing it


    from his right to his left as it pulsated continuously.


    "So... how will I be doing this?"

 Chapter 323: One Year

    Chapter 323: One Year


    ?


    Emir was cultivating with the white Aether Core nestled between his crossed legs.


    Gradually, the condensed Aether within the core seeped out and was absorbed into his own.


    It was a slow process, as he had to absorb the Aether, convert it into his favorite aspect, the Weaver''s Veil, and then let it flow out, returning to the atmosphere.


    He was ''breathing,'' as Sofia said during his ss.


    Several hours had passed since he began, yet the Aether core remained unchanged, amon urrence for those who practiced the method in this way.


    And yes, there are two ways to absorb an Aether Core.


    One can either do it patiently and precisely, like Emir, or do it at once, stuffing their own core full to the brim and beyond, forcing it to digest, absorb, and grow.


    Obviously, the first way would gain the Celestial better results. That was not only due to the leeway given to their Aether Core but also due to the Embodiment method.


    When one gains Aether while embodying their path, it helps them achieve the unachievable as Aether aligns more with their being.


    If one were to go with the second way, do as Arthur would''ve done, they would experience a meteoric rise, a sudden uncontrolled boost, yet they would lose much of the Aether within the core, unable to absorb most of it.


    In that scenario, nearly all would die, unable to contain the power within, yet those lucky would not only survive but also have their core strengthened, its'' walls thickened.


    Emir wasn''t about to gamble; he knew his luck, so he went with the safer and usually better route.


    However, one might say that he lucked out;monly, monsters had elements, and rarely were they pure.


    He would shrug his shoulders at those people; he deserved this core. Not a single monster of the thousands he killed would''ve given him a core that he could use, so this was only due.


    Besides, it wasn''t him that lucked out with the Core; it was Arthur; he only stole it.


    Anyhow, Lyra estimated that he would reach the second sub-rank of ss Four, Seraphim, Exarch, in around four years, but now it wouldn''t even take one.


    While they didn''t know exactly what rank the monster''s core originated from, they knew it to be a medium-level Tyrant, one that had six or seven cores, either stronger than the Zerathar they faced or simr to it in strength.


    But that wouldn''t matter much, it could be either and the result would remain the same. The Aether Core and Embodimentbo was killer already, alongside his expanded reserves, which allowed for much more efficient cultivation, had it guaranteed.


    Even then, it wasn''t just that; she had also ounted for his upgrade to iron.


    All these factors, along with minor others, resulted in her estimation, which would stun most of those who heard it to death.


    On average, Celestials would take six years to reach that rank, and that was for the extremely talented. She didn''t know of the statistics for those who knew of the Embodiment Method, but based on what she saw with Emir, she assumed that five years would be urate.


    This changed much of their ns.


    Arthur was a boon they underestimated, and Emir could only thank the past him for not trying to go kill the kid in a fit of rage.


    Truly, life-


    Ring~ Ring~


    With a chuckle, he opened his eyes and looked at Lyra, who had her terminal in her hands. "Something happen?"


    "Nathan''s guys want our help; they can''t crack the kid''s brain without destroying what remained."


    Emir nodded.


    "Sure, I could get a stretch in; by the way, what day is it?"


    She stood up and threw his terminal back at him.


    "It''s Sunday; you''ve been cultivating for more than two days now."


    "I see..."


    He grabbed the terminal while standing up and led the way, exiting the office, his intention to head home.


    "You''ve got my stats while I cultivated right? Show them, I''ll busy myself with that. I wanna see what''s new."


    Lyra, who followed behind him, nodded and lightly snapped her fingers, causing a screen of text to show itself before his irises.


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Body age: 15}


    {Profession: Professor}


    {Celestial Rank: Seraphim Champion}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Credit Bnce: 450 Valora}


    (Stats)


    {Strength: 10,010 -> 11,320} (Avg B+)


    {Agility: SS -> SS+} (Avg B)


    {Endurance: 10200 -> 12900} (Avg B+)


    {Mind: S--> S+} (Avg C+)


    {Charm: A+} (Avg C+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E10}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    (Aspects)


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical


    abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial


    dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create Aether


    constructs.}


    (Embodiment Method)


    {Puppeteer: Someone who tries to be in control. Someone who weaves people and events into


    ce with their threads. Someone with a w. If one of their strings gets cut loose or if their puppets are positioned incorrectly, they experience bacsh, severity depending on the


    mistake.}


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 99% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 99% Proficiency.}


    (Abilities)


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 5 Minutes 20 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 6 Minutes 05 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 73 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond


    human limitations.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.} [


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive


    damage to a single target.}


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from


    iing attacks.} |


    {Gates of Eternity: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them


    with power.}


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.}


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.} [ {Death''s Shadow: This ability causes the user''s eyes to darken like an abyss, projecting a potent illusion of the opponent''s unending demise. This chilling vision can paralyze the target in fear, rendering them vulnerable inbat, regardless of their willpower. Only truly effective against Celestials lower than the user''s rank by two sub-ranks.}|


    (Art)


    (Art)


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing


    further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while alson/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    {de Of The Drowned}


    While in a critical state in the heat of battle, the user will be able toprehend their


    enemies'' Abilities, slowly absorbing them into their arsenal. The resulting Skills will differ from the original, matching the fluidity of forgotten seas and the lows of the deep.


    (Equipment)


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {SS-Ranked Twin Swords: Peak Maintenance} {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: SS-Rank Item}


    (Vehicles)


    {Bike, ze Runner: Functional} {Cruiser, de Runner: Functional} X8


    {LAV, Cougar-AP: Functional} X3


    {APC, TurtleL3: Functional}


    {Mech, Royal Panzer-D: Functional} X6


    (Inventory)


    {Rank 6/7 Tyrant Aether Core: Pure}


    {100 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Stim Energy Packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    His eyes scrolled through the text over and over again, his mind diving into every intricacy,


    and only when they reached their destination, did he stop and actually look at where he was


    walking.


    In that path stood a man who had his arms spread wide.


    "Emir! Wee, pleasee in!"

 Chapter 324: Broken Memories

    Chapter 324: Broken Memories


    ?


    "Hey agent, it''s been a bit; how are you?"


    The two men greeted each other on the second floor of their home, just outside Nathan''s office.


    "Bossman! I''ve been waiting for you! Please,e in."


    As the "agent" ushered them in, "bossman" scoffed, while Lyra shrugged her shoulders.


    "Just get used to it prince; they got this engraved in our rule books."


    "Whatever, let''s go."


    "They''ve convinced me too; what can I say?"


    Led by a chuckling Nathan, they entered his office and were met with a ce that appeared to be a replica of Emir''s own office in the Academy.


    It seemed that he had stolen this as well, not just the main dining room.


    But they didn''t stop toment on the resemnce; they moved on and entered a hidden room at the back, concealed behind a door that almost blended into the white walls on either side of it.


    Now... there was a ce they paused at, and ament from Emir was inevitable:


    "This shithole is the only reason why we''ve got such a high electricity bill."


    Unfortunately, hisments weren''t about the room''s beauty but about its costs. Yet, for some, whenpared to the benefits, the expenditure would show itself as a mere drop in the bucket.


    Emir wasn''t a part of the ''some,'' unfortunately for Nathan and hisckeys.


    "It''s a cool-looking ce though."


    The trio found themselves standing upon a ss circr tform suspended above a simrly circr ground. At the center of this groundy a long tube that reached the roof, with multiple smaller tubes connected to it, filled with a luminous green liquid.


    At the center''s center was an almost pulsating, mushed brain.


    Adjacent to the tube stood a peculiar Neuro-cybeic Interface, which was connected to the main console that controlled all that could be seen in the room. It housed numerous blinking terminals that were currently being used by Nathan''s men.


    Unlike a conventional operating table, the NCI resembled more of a cockpit, inviting the user to strap themselves in. Once seated, they would be engulfed by its obsidian cushion, experiencing a cold sensation unlike any other, cooling their brain like one would aputer in case it overheats.


    Rows of holograms that streamed data andplex diagrams showed themselves near the console, they surrounded a hologram that shared a live feed of Ben trudging through a ''Storm'' within Felix''s mind.


    Emir scoffed as he saw Ben get picked up by the storm and thrown away through the white void, crashing into a floating building at an incredibly high speed, turning into mush-a fate that would''ve been his if not for Mr. yer.


    Rather, it wouldn''t have been his if Mr. yer hadn''t invited him in the first ce, but both stand true or so the man himself thought.


    Anyhow... Ben died.


    "FUCK!"


    "God dammit! Useless cunt!"


    And his friends began their seemingly usualmotion.


    "We''ll be getting grilled for this guys... I heard from the boss that the boss''s boss, boss man,


    ising soon. You know him; he doesn''t like to get disappointed."


    Emir looked beside him, his eyes digging holes into Nathan''s skull.


    "He''s right, you know; never have we gotten anything useful out of this ce."


    Nathan, the once respected manager, the once deadly agent, kept his head away, looking into the nk wall, acting as if he heard nothing.


    "Anything to say for yourself?"


    At his bossman''s insistence, Nathan turned around and pointed at the NCI.


    "Fine! You go do it yourself then!"


    His loud words caught the attention of his people, causing them to look up in surprise, only to look down again and subtly nce at the scene unfold in silence, not wanting to get involved.


    "Sure..."


    Emir nodded.


    "I came here to do exactly that."


    Nathan''s head snapped to him, his eyes asking an obvious question.


    "I''m serious."


    They asked another question.


    "Yes, I''m sure."


    Another one.


    "I''m not too familiar, but just exin the situation and I''ll be fine."


    Thest.


    "I can''t do that... My neuralwork''s still working on an art I got some minutes ago."


    Or not.


    "Yes, yes, tell me, no link points, do you want my brain to explode?"


    ... It appeared that it truly was thest question, as Nathan, who had finally calmed down, began to exin their situation, as he led them to the console below, stepping down spiral


    stairs.


    "We expected resistance, but this''s something else... The storms we''ve got are on another level, it certainly isn''t a result of Felix, the monster''s subconscious mind must still have its will imposed on the kid, trying to deny us from exploring his broken memories."


    Nathan shook his head.


    "Seriously, I''ve never seen a ''Virtual World'' more messed up than this, that monster fucked his mind, both conscious and subconscious, to a level I can''t describe... I mean, the kid thinks of people as meals, goddammit!"


    ''Hm... it ain''t that surprising. Though I wonder how he''d react to mine.''


    Emir chuckled while Nathan sighed as he stepped off the stairs, reaching the ground floor, his words not stopping:


    "Anyways, those guys at CyberNex seriously outdid themselves. This baby over here can reconstruct even the most degenerate of minds. And when I say degenerate, I mean it, like,


    look there."


    The two joined Nathan at the main console as they watched Ben jump from one floating building to the next, whizzing through a fragmented neighborhood while avoiding the brewing storm to his left.


    And just as he neared a floating bowl filled with bloodied meat...


    "Boom!"


    BOOM!


    A sudden explosion urred right on top of him, as announced by Nathan''s raised arms. Ben was killed in just a moment, respawning inside a broken and cut-up house like before. "It isn''t just the storm, but also this; for some reason, my men get randomly blown up. We tried to find out why, of course, even Lyra helped as you guys were on the way here, but nothing worked. Calctions are useless; we believe that they''re just random."


    Emir stepped closer to Nathan and tapped his shoulder.


    "Well, my luck is bad, so I don''t think I''dst a second in there, but I might as well try. By the way, what do you think this indicates about the kid? Whatever happens in there represents his thoughts, memories, and emotions, no? So what the fuck do random explosions mean?"


    Lyra answered before Nathan could, seemingly ready for a question like his: "The obvious one will be hisck of control, probably suicidal tendencies as well. But maybe this randomness is caused by the kid''s threat perception; sometimes the stress builds up quickly, other times it''s slow; it depends on those around him, and that''s what makes it so random. Emotions of one person are already hard to anticipate; imagine hundreds." Nathan nodded at her, acknowledging his answer to be simr to hers, while Emir tapped her back as thanks and headed to the NCI.


    "Ready her up for me and get that dumbass out after he dies."


    "Understood."


    At Emir''smand, Nathan began tapping away at the console.


    "We''re on it, bossman!"


    "Consider it done!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You got this bossman!"


    The others, who stayed quiet till now, spoke up atst, seeing that the conversation wouldn''t lead to them being ipetent, and congregated towards the console, joining their boss. Lyra followed her prince, and they stood next to the NCI for a minute or so, waiting for Ben to


    die.


    And die he did, in a wonderful explosion like what appeared to be usual for hours, his body parts flying everywhere.


    They all smiled at that sight and turned towards the now-blinking Neuro-cybeic


    interface.


    After a few more blinks, it started to gently push out Ben''s body from itself, granting him the freedom to move his limbs. Eventually, he shifted his head forward, and the straps of wires


    connected to his head were disconnected.


    "Gahh..."


    Flinching, the man fell out of the chair, crashing into the ground face-first.


    Emir pushed him away with his right foot and sat on the NCI, easing his body into the human-


    shaped outline and positioning his head in as well, feeling the wires automatically attach to


    his neck.


    His eyes then locked on Nathan.


    "Start it." Without dy, Nathan activated the machine, causing Emir to experience a cold deep within


    his bones and muscles, slowing down his heart and chilling his brain.


    This caused drowsiness to wash over him, engulfing his consciousness in a fog.


    ''So sleepy...''


    Thest thing he saw with his fluttering eyes was Lyra standing in front of him, her smile both


    encouraging and bittersweet as if she knew something he didn''t.


    She waved him goodbye and good luck before he sumbed to the numbing cold and


    darkness of unconsciousness.


    Blink.


    As his eyes opened, he found himself amidst the shattered remnants of a building, a house,


    the scene mirroring the broken memories he had invaded.


    But just as he started to look around, a point right in front of him shed red for a moment.


    And then...


    There was no then.


    BOOM!

 Chapter 325: They Pass Like Sand

    Chapter 325: They Pass Like Sand


    ?


    Emir''s managed to step back in time, or so he would''ve been able to in the real world.


    There, all that he could do was watch as his body got blown up to smithereens, body parts flying off with his blood painting the ground.


    Blink.


    His body, a so-called Icon, was reconstructed in the same building but there was no destruction around him. It seemed that alongside his death was the reset of the virtual world, as it returned to its original state.


    He didn''t move a step forward, awaiting another boom, body staying still, eyes locked on the dining table in the room before him, which was separated from the room he stood on by a white void that cut the house in multiple halves.


    This void of white was all around him, cutting through every structure and object, making each building have a random distance of nothingness in between.


    Now the buildings themselves were old, dusty, rotting almost, looking to be a washed-down copy of the slums, if not for them being so separated and the world''s peculiar gravity, they would''ve leaned over each other as well.


    It was a ce that could only be called broken, truly, it seemed the kid''s mind was way beyond repair, not only because of the structures but the very dining table Emir was staring


    at.


    People were eating...


    Eating their own bodies.


    The father went first, his smile twisted with cruel anticipation as he brought the de down, severing his arm with many a sickening squelch.


    Satisfied, he passed the bloodied knife to his wife, who followed suit without hesitation, the metallic tang of iron filling the air as her limb plopped to the table beside his.


    When passed the knife their daughter hesitated, tears welling in her eyes as she stared at the gleaming de. Yet, under the weight of their expectant gazes, and a force unseen, she too sumbed.


    With a trembling hand, she brought the knife to her flesh, the sharp edge biting deep into her elbow with a crunch.


    A choked gasp escaped her lips while her features contorted in shock and agony as crimson cascaded down her arm. But as the initial shock faded, her expression shifted, her tear- streaked face morphing into an eerie smile that mirrored her parents.


    As the deed was over, the room fell silent, the only sound present being the steady drip of blood pooling on the floor.


    Afterposing themselves, they crudely cleaned the table and wiped the blood from their bodies with tissue. Then, they began to clean the arms'' innards, removing the bones, tough muscle, and gunk, throwing them away in a metal bowl that was ced in the table''s middle. Once done, they bit into their own arms, tearing off chunks of flesh and skin. Blood dripped from their mouths as they greedily devoured said skin as if it were the best of foods.


    Their faces were twisted in a grotesque disy of ecstasy, hunger, and even desperation as if the world would end if they couldn''t eat the hands in time.


    Meanwhile, the bowl began to float, slowly at first, only to rapidly elerate upwards, flying into the void above.


    [Go.]


    Emir stepped forward at Lyra''s telepathic message, nearing the crack, and then jumped up, his handsunched themselves as well and theytched onto the room''s roof.


    He pulled himself above the cut without struggling, even though his Icon didn''t have his body''s original strength, only a mortal version of it, he still was plenty strong.


    The bowl continued to fly, heading towards a specific house in the distance.


    It was different than all the others, while still cut up, the house itself was massive, with a


    beautiful and luxurious design, screaming Elite, contrasting strongly with all that was around


    it.


    ''Felix is waiting there I bet.''


    After a moment of thought, he looked up at the sky and said:


    "Kill the feed."


    Lyraplied, or so she was about to, but Nathan stopped her.


    [Are you sure Emir? Unwatched, even a single second might be years to you, it''s too dangerous, your mind will-]


    Emir chuckled, interrupting him with a grin:


    [I''ve gone through worse Nathan, thanks for worrying about me but I''ll be fine, I know what I''m getting myself into.]


    [He does.]


    Lyra confirmed and shut off all the holograms that showed the life feed of Felix''s virtual world.


    Emir decided that there was no other solution than to go at it and chase the bowl down, but if ''seen,'' his time would be the same as the outside world. If not, then a time dtion would be created, an utterly random one, where a year spent inside could be only a few seconds outside, or on the other end of the spectrum, a minute inside would be a year outside.


    They obviously hoped for the former but if thetter urred, that was no blood on their shoulders, they could just get him out and repeat the process.


    Another potential issue of doing this, was that it would kill any chance of them helping him, but they had an objective already, so there was nothing else to do but to try.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Well then..."


    Emir cracked his neck and began routing a path towards the bowl''s destination. From the house he stood on, he could clearly see the other floating fractured buildings, which spread out in three directions, each branching out even more the further away it was from the spawn


    point.


    "Let''s get it-"


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    He chuckled, materializing before the family once more.


    But this time, without waiting for them to eat themselves, he climbed up, reached the roof, and ran towards where the bowl previously headed.


    Emir jumped from building to building, from roof to roof, swinging through windows and


    rushing-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    He chose a different route, running up the side of a house, and just before his momentum died, he pushed himself up the wall with his right foot, reaching the roof''s ledge.


    And while he threw himself up, his eyes were suddenly nketed by a storm of wind and dust. He stepped back, his intention to fall off the roof, but he wasn''t fast enough.


    His body got picked up by the storm and was thrown into the void.


    St!


    Blink.


    He chose the same route, however, he didn''t go up the wall this time, instead, he horizontally wall-ran the house, managing to reach a window that led inside.


    Emir rushed under the storm and through the dust, his body creating a-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    His body created a trail that was quickly reced by the congregating dust that blurred his


    vision.


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    Yet he was familiar with the room, it certainly wasn''t his first time there, the attempts


    might''ve passed like sand, but he remembered each grain, so he navigated it with no


    difficulty.


    He jumped out the room''s window andtched onto the building next to it.


    Pausing for a moment, he looked around, trying to see-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    He saw no other way than to jump from the building he was on andnd on the one below.


    After a sigh, he did exactly that-


    BOOM!


    But an explosion urred while he was mid-air and unfortunately, he didn''t die


    immediately, it seemed that the fall saved him.


    Emir wouldn''t call it saving however, for he nownded on the ground with charred and


    missing limbs, alongside broken bones.


    Most of his ribs were cracked, his spine and legspletely broken, even his left arm, yet


    thankfully, his right arm was still functional as he managed to protect it.


    He didn''t need to bleed out to death. He could kill himself.


    "Hah... man, this''ll take long."


    Chuckling, he brought his trembling hand up to his neck and squeezed.


    Crack!

 Chapter 326: Cannibal

    Chapter 326: Cannibal


    ?


    Emir blinked, materializing before the family for what felt like the millionth time.


    If asked he couldn''t say how long he spent there, at times he might say a few years, three or four, while at others, he would im ten times that number.


    It was an unending cycle of running and dying, sometimes slow, most times fast, immediate.


    The slow deaths annoyed him quite a bit, he didn''t enjoy killing himself, but he had to do it, he certainly wasn''t a fan of bleeding out to death.


    Anyhow, during that time, however long it was, he got closer to his destination but it seemed that it was impossible.


    Dying by an explosion appeared to be an almost sure oue.


    It was random, true, but it was also inevitable.


    No matter which route, he would die. Even with the best route he eventually reached, it wasn''t enough, he would still die a few buildings away from his destination.


    All of that was something he had realized early on, which made him figure out another way that he could solve the conundrum he found himself in.


    But that wasn''t something that he wished to do, so he dyed it and kept dying it, even if this unending cycle of death was the result.


    He wanted to make sure that he couldn''t get the job done using the first way, but it appeared simrly inevitable to the explosions.


    This showed how disgusting ''it'' was, that he was willing to go through death for God knows how long to just dodge this solution.


    Yet ''that'' very thing was going through his mind as he sat down and watched the family cut their flesh to eat.


    His face showed boredom, however, his mind was far from experiencing that.


    Emir-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    Clicking his tongue, he sat back down, rxing his back on the wall, and continuing his thoughts.


    Emir noticed one thing that was certain in this ursed virtual world.


    The explosions would only happen to him, not to any other human or building.


    But that was obvious, what was more important was that it wouldn''t happen if he stayed next to a human of this world, so it wasn''t just this family, but the others as well, because yes, there were others and they acted simrly as those in front of him.


    Another thing to note was that those people were Felix''s victims, so he figured out that Felix ate up to twenty-five and a half meals, the ''half'' in that number caused by his peculiar diet of babies.


    Now, the victims didn''t notice his existence until he talked to them, so unless they interacted he could stay next to them indefinitely and they would be none the wiser.


    It didn''t take a moment for him toe up with a n back then, which involved bringing one of them along to his destination, as a form of protection against the explosions.


    Yet his attempts to carry the smallest of them were never not annoying. Killing them or knocking them out would undo the protection they had, so he had to keep them awake, and when awake they retaliated, usually resulting in both of them dying, either by a storm or fall.


    He-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    He, after many attempts gave up on that method and continued with the first, dying what he figured out...


    Cannibalism was a theme.


    All humans in this virtual world ate human meat.


    He was the outlier.


    It was as if the world had an immune system and he was the parasite invading it.


    Emir bet that this was the reason why only he experienced the explosions. Because unlike the explosions the storms were neutral, they affected all.


    So he had to be like them.


    Be a cannibal.


    Be like Felix, be someone who wouldn''t cause him any stress. Be a part of the immune system.


    Only then would he be able to reach the destination.


    This was something that he deemed as absolutely disgusting, his body revolted against doing it, even if it was virtual, it was too dirty for him.


    Yet... he had to do it.


    It seemed that Lyra had figured this out or at least hade close to figuring it out since the


    start.


    ''No wonder she looked at me like that...''


    After letting out another sigh, Emir stood up and approached the family.


    "Hey, hey, can I join you guys? Didn''t eat yet."


    The father of the family looked up, surprised but not for long, as he ushered him to the table.


    "Wee, wee, please,e sit next to my daughter."


    Emir smiled while nodding his head as he approached them.


    "Thank you."


    Sitting down, he looked at the head of the table, watching as the man took out a knife, and slowly brought it towards his left arm, his face showing absolute happiness.


    Squelch...


    His blood sshed on all those around him as he began to cut. Although he had abnormally


    high strength, it still took a long time since he didn''t break his bones first.


    First was the skin, then the meat, and then, after a crack, the bone, Humerus, was cut.


    He did all of that with a calm face and the mother did the same.


    Like before, the daughter struggled, her technique sloppy, but eventually, she managed to cut


    her arm off too.


    It was Emir''s turn next as she passed him the knife with a trembling hand. Grabbing it off her, he hovered it over his left hand and his grasp on the knife''s hilt tightened. Then, showing no hesitation, he shed down, cutting his arm in one fell swoop. Like them, he showed a serene smile, attempting to fit in, already used to the pain of missing


    limbs.


    Those next to him showed no reaction to his feat and continued throwing the leftovers, like skin, bone, gunk, and tough muscle into the bowl.


    Emir did the same, preparing his own hand to eat, but he was much cleaner inparison, doing everything neatly... Well, as neat as this situation allowed him to be.


    Once done, everyone except him began eating.


    He watched them at the start, but as he noticed slight suspicioning from the dad, he took


    a piece of meat that he previously cut and neared it to his mouth. Sighing a third time, he raised his head, stretching his neck straight, and dropped it, gulping


    it at once, not allowing the raw piece to stay a moment longer in his mouth, and feeling it


    travel down his throat.


    It truly was a disgusting feeling. Like forcing down a rotten tomato that had tough, rubberyn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    skin, dirt, and a few rock-hard worms within the red flesh.


    But even then, after all that he did... it seemed that he wasn''t in the clear.


    The father had noticed his rushed actions. He was caught by the immune system.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    And before Emir could reply...


    ''...What?''


    He pulled a gun out of his pocket.


    Bang!

 Chapter 327: First Daughter

    Chapter 327: First Daughter


    ?


    Blink.


    ''A gun? Seriously?''


    Emir shook his head in exacerbation, not yetprehending how Felix saw the poor and approached the table once again.


    ...


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    He did the same thing as before and was asked the question again, but he was prepared for it, so he answered immediately.


    "My teeth hurt; I can''t chew-"


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Emir tilted his head as he respawned.


    ''Do I seriously need to chew?''


    ''No way... I can just trick him.''


    He stepped forward.


    Gulp.


    "-Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    And the question arrived.


    "Nothing is; can you tell me- "


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    "I am, what''s the-"


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    "Can you not pull out your-"


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    "I need some salt and pepper-"


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    "Fuck you."


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Gulp.


    "Is something wrong?... Are you not one of us?"


    "DO YOU WANT ME TO KILL YOU?! STOP-."


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, sh!


    "What the fuck are you doing? Don''t go after my meal!"


    The father screamed as he got attacked by the same knife that he cut himself with, courtesy of


    Emir''s rage.


    "Die you bastard!"


    "Stop!"


    "W-What are you doing?!"


    As Emirunched himself at the father, the daughter and mother tackled him from behind, screaming their lungs out. He easily pushed them off but even that short second was enough time for the man to get his gun out.


    Bang!


    Blink.


    Emir rushed forward, jumped over the cut, tackled the man to the ground, and started punching his face in.


    The wife and daughter tried to stop him, but they weren''t a match for his strength.


    BOOM!


    ...But the explosion was.


    Blink.


    Emir stared at those


    with a face


    rage.


    Was it really necessary for him to chew?


    He absolutely despised this.


    Out of all the things he had done, this had to be the worst... or so he thought.


    Truly disgusting-


    BOOM!


    Blink.


    Emir gave in.


    He couldn''t have it all.


    He needed to be within the bowl, and to be within the bowl was to be a part of this family, this


    group of victims.


    Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.


    Emir stared at the meat in front of him, and after sighing for what felt like a thousand times,


    he began to eat.


    As he sank his teeth into his own raw hand, the flesh squished and oozed between his jaws, like chewing on a slimy, half-rotten fruit.


    Strings of sinew tangled in his teeth, and the taste of iron, decay, and disgust, flooded his mouth, making him gag. But he forced himself to keep chewing, the crunch of bone splinters and the slurp of blood making his stomach churn with revulsion.


    "How is your meal? Good?"


    And finally... he was asked a different question.


    "What do you mean good?"


    Those words caused the father to frown, yet the next two:


    "It''s amazing!"


    Got his serene smile to return.


    "That''s great, my daughters ought to learn from you..."


    The mothermented, and for the first time since he came here, he heard her normal voice


    which didn''t scream at him as he killed her husband.


    "Moooom... Don''t embarrass me."


    Her daughter spoke too, as she ate her own hand, blood dripping from her mouth and meat


    showing through her teeth.


    "Heh, it''s fine; all moms are like that."


    Emir wasn''t much better; he felt disgusted on a level he hadn''t felt before, but his smile spoke


    of great enjoyment. He had to fit in.


    The group continued to eat, and eventually, they were done.


    Just as they finished, Emir sneaked in thest piece of leftovers into the bowl, causing it to


    begin rising.


    He wanted this attempt to be hisst, so he made sure that it would leave only after he chewed down all his food and waspletely a part of the immune system. Watching it go forth made his smile turn into a genuine one as he figured that this nightmare was soon to be


    over.


    ''Almost there...''


    Emir then stood up from his chair and followed after the bowl while bidding them goodbye:


    "It''s been great, guys; we''ll catch upter, yeah?"


    "See youter, son."


    "Bubye."


    "Byeee~."


    The three did the same as he climbed out of their house and started the chase.


    During his time here, he went through and perfected nearly a thousand routes, and now he


    needed to choose the best one.


    It wasn''t a hard choice; he went with a safer route; the difference was minimal between it and the fastest one, so if not stated enough, he preferred to end it with this attempt rather than go


    through the cycle again and eat his arm. Again.


    What surrounded his spawn point were two rooms and one building.


    He chose the one in the middle, the open room, by going through a door.


    As hended, he rushed forward in a burst of speed and jumped onto a couch, using it as a


    step-up so he could reach the top of the room''s walls.


    Stabilizing himself, he continued forward, and as he neared the house that floated to his left, The jumped, horizontally wall-running the side of the house.


    He eventually lost momentum, which caused him to fall, yet that was on purpose as he aimed


    for the open room below,nding on it with a roll.


    Not stopping even for a moment, he continued to rush forward as storm dust went about


    coloring his surroundings, killing his visibility.


    Emir didn''t need to see however, he easily cleared the room, not falling over any of its


    furniture, and reached the window.


    He jumped legs first, smashing through the ss as he got out.


    There, in mid-air, he finally allowed himself a moment to look around.


    To his right was the floating bowl, halfway to its destination, and to his left was an iing


    storm.


    He let out a sigh of relief and with his icon''s blood pumping, he continued to fall, diving underneath all the buildings till he reached a nightlight poll.


    His handsnded on its floating middle, and he swung himself, reaching for the one next to it.


    He repeated the same actions multiple times until he reached the other side of the house,


    clearing it from below, and then swung himself up,tching onto the ledge with his elbows out, hands behind his head.


    Emir turned himself around without letting go and began to climb, he then used the floating


    wall behind him to push himself up, cing his left hand and foot on the left building while


    his right hand and foot remained on the right.


    Seconds went by, and he reached the top.


    Pushing down hard with his left, he bounced his right foot on the wall and reached the open


    room.


    There, he saw another group of victims eating themselves, and they greeted him as he passed them, but he didn''t pause, running through the room.


    As he neared the end, he stepped off and ran atop a lone wall, which gave way to another two


    walls that floated a short distance above him.


    He jumped and used the same technique asst time, his body forming an X shape as he


    pushed through the two walls, reaching the other side andnding on a house''s roof.


    Taking another moment, he looked down to his right, seeing the floating bowl close by.


    ''Is that safe? Probably...''


    His smile widened as he decided to switch things up a little.


    Emir crouched, his hands nearing his legs, and then, like a spring, his entire body spurted


    upwards, leaving the roof and nearing the bowl.


    His arms raced forward as he hovered above it and grasped it.


    ng!


    It swung left to right for a few seconds, but it eventually stabilized. Victorious, he held on and started preparing himself for what he was about to witness because


    he was sure that it would be something.


    Not much time passed-only about ten seconds or so- and the bowl started to slow down.


    It paused in front of the house, which, if looked at from his perspective, wasn''t much of a house-only broken walls that formed a rectangr corner of a tall building that was cut short by the white void.


    And as the bowl got closer, he saw the other side of the building, which showed an alley filled


    with trash in ck bags that shifted every now and again, as if someone was underneath, moving, but only subtly.


    Slowing down even further, the bowl reached just above the trash and began to descend.


    Emir, not wanting to fuck things up, swung to the wall to his right,nding a bit further from


    the shifting


    trash.


    With bated breath, he watched as the bowl reached the source, halting for a slight moment,


    then descending even further, diving into the grime.


    Blink.


    The world blinked, but instead of him respawning at where he once was, Felix spurted out of


    the trash, his body coated with blood, and threw a girl''s head in the bowl.


    After spitting out leftover vomit from his mouth, he pulled the rest of her body to the surface


    and began cutting her up.


    It was sloppy, even worse than the second daughter.


    His hand was trembling, his breath was racing, and sweat dripped off his face alongside the


    blood, soaking the trash-filled ground.


    Felix was struggling; it was obvious that this was his first kill or rather... it was his first meal.


    Meanwhile, Emir, who watched it all unfold with a sad smile, had everything figured out.


    This ce was the same alley where he had ''buried'' the girl he killed. The very girl who had


    ignited his journey. ''Huh...''


    "...Daughters" was what the mother said.


    That revealed this girl to be the first daughter, which also meant that Felix killed and ate her


    family after struggling to eat her in this dump.


    Did that mean that her family stumbled upon the same sight he did and were killed as a


    result?


    ''No, that doesn''t matter.''


    What mattered was how ''strange'' this all was.


    Because how? Wasn''t the kid supposed to have be a monster a yearter? What caused


    that change? Emir? His existence? Even though they never interacted? Even though Felix had nothing to do with him? Or was it...


    Was it because of a third party?


    Someone who could control monsters... Make them mad. The man with the stopwatch, the


    third yer.


    His smile left him and was reced by a freezing cold stare. Like those of a hawk, his eyes


    were glued to Felix, watching his actions with the utmost focus.


    Time passed and all his focus amounted to null as Felix did nothing but cut and eat...


    "Felix."


    And Emir had run out of patience.


    "Show me."


    He nned to force it all to a close, even if it meant that Felix''s already broken mind would


    diepletely.


    Blink.

 Chapter 328: Investment

    Chapter 328: Investment


    ?


    Emir saw everything.


    He saw how Felix killed, how he struggled, how he feared, how he enjoyed.


    It wasn''t so at the start but... Felix saw those ''lower'' than him only as meals to be eaten, and he enjoyed the hunting, the killing, and especially the eating.


    As if he were a man from the time before the old world, hunting for deer in the mountains, except the deer were humans and instead of mountains it was the slums.


    Even the way of using leftovers remained simr for both.


    That floating bowl was usedter to quench his thirst for more meat as he used it to make stew, drink, even perfume, and anything else that would help dy his thirst from taking control.


    None of that interested Emir, however.


    He wanted to know, to understand what changed in his ''storyline''pared to the novel. Emir needed to use it as a reference so that he could point out when the third yer joined the game.


    But unfortunately, his mind was useless.


    Only highlights, like the death of the girl, the suffering and the like remained.


    Subtle beings like the third yer were deleted from his broken memories in their entirety.


    Letting out a snigger, Emir looked around the empty white void he found himself in after the blink andmanded.


    "Return."


    Blink.


    The virtual worldplied, and he returned to the outside world.


    "He''s back!"


    "Hey boss, look."


    "Guys-"


    "Shush, lower your voices."


    Loud screams weed his return but Lyra shut them down, wanting to make sure that he was fine first:


    "Prince... Are you, alright? You need anything?"


    Emir silently looked at her as he was slowly being pushed out of the NCI''s soft cushion. He then removed his head, took out the wires from his neck, and stood up, feeling the ground. The real ground.


    It was calm... There were no storms, no explosions.


    "I am... Just need to orient myself a bit."


    His feet pushed the ground a couple of times, feeling the familiar gravity washing over him as he moved around.


    ''I''m back''


    After showing a smile, he returned his attention to Lyra.


    "Yall got what I got?"


    She nodded and Nathan approached them from the flickering console.


    "It''s safe to say that we''ve really involved ourselves in a shitshow of a y."


    Lyra nced back, ring at him for a moment, then returned her gaze to Emir.


    "Involved is the wrong word... We''ve been forced to act, don''t forget."


    Nathan shrugged his shoulders and stood to her right.


    "Whatever you saw miss vice president."


    Chuckling, Emir neared them, acting as if he was about to thank them for their work, but as Nathan reached out for a handshake, he ignored him and headed towards the stairs.


    "Enough banter sir manager, we''ve got to go, take care of a few things..."


    And just before he climbed the stairs, he looked around the room with wistful eyes.


    "I''m sorry but this was more useless than expected."


    It appeared that his mood was dampened by what happened in there so no one took it to heart.


    With that as goodbye, Emir and Lyra left Nathan''s office and visited the first floor for a few minutes, giving their farewells to the many hunters diving today, making sure that their presence in the hunter group wasn''t forgotten.


    As thest hunter departed, they went to his room on the fifth floor.


    She rxed on his bed while he sat near his desk, and turned on his terminal, which projected a hologram of a screen right in front of him.


    "So why do you think that the third yer involved himself with that brat Felix? Him killing ''her'' because he was ''turned'' early on was strange, sure, but it didn''t really change things."


    "I don''t think we''ll ever know... Or maybe we will in the future, but it would already be toote. Whoever they are, they''ve done a great job at covering their tracks, it''s almost as if they deleted them entirely."


    Emir turned his gaze away from the hologram and looked back at her, slowly nodding his


    head.


    "Right... That''s exactly right... Deleted. You think they''re a Thief?"


    Lyra smiled, happy that he picked up on her words.


    "Maybe. We can''t say for sure, but it''s highly likely... Thankfully however, what we are sure of


    is that it isn''t Isaac Klein, though a bastard, he doesn''t have the strength."


    "True true, I don''t think that it''s anything to be thankful about though..." He shook his head as he snapped back to the hologram.


    "Blurred dick heads like him are hard to remember, although Mom mentions every time she sees the fucker on the holoscreen, she can''t recall how his face looks no matter how many times I ask her. And it''s not just her, to anyone else he might seem fine, but to us, the ones in the know, we see, we remember."


    She giggled and pushed herself off the bed, joining her prince at the desk and cing her head


    atop his.


    "Are you alright?"


    Emir, without dy, picked up on what she truly wanted, which was to know everything.


    "You wish to read my memories?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I do."


    "Go ahead then."


    It took a moment, and Lyra was done, then after another moment or two, she spoke:


    "So you really don''t care about her anymore?"


    ''Jealousy over a dead woman, huh...''


    Emir read her like an open book, understanding that she was jealous of the one whom he buried, as she influenced him to let out a single tear. It was the only person outside the family who invoked any semnce of sadness within him.


    "No, her story is done, I was just surprised that she was mentioned again, that''s all, now go do your thing or be quiet for a bit and let me write my letter."


    "Hm..."


    Lyra, who showed herself to be sulking with puffed cheeks, did as she was told and stepped back, exiting the room soon after.


    He didn''t react to that as he knew that she was only going out to help Laura, while his partner opened up by a huge margin after they had done the ''deed'' she was still a logical person at her


    core.


    Anyhow, Emir''s letter was for Quinn Mercer, the girl whose father he had tortured to death.


    While she wished for death to visit him, he wanted her to be his disciple, it was quite the...


    y.


    And so, to solve that issue, he would manipte her.


    This was only his first step in doing that.


    After all, the letter was to announce his sponsoring her.


    It wasn''t going to be a normal sponsor either, he, while acting anonymous, would pay for all


    her student expenses and give her a monthly sry that she desperately needed.


    Basically, this letter was a warning that he would be pping her face with a big wad of


    credits.


    And yes, she was desperate for money indeed.


    When her father died, she was the only one left of the main family.


    Now... what did orphans in the jungles and deserts attract the most?


    Vultures... Hyenas.


    Lo and behold, there came the vultures, there came the hyenas, her own rtives, even those


    whom she saw as sweet aunties ate up whatever her dad left behind, not even giving her the


    bones.


    They stole candy from a baby and that baby let out all its irrational anger on the only target it


    could.


    Emir.


    He, meanwhile, nned to use that anger, shape her into his mad hound, his Aetheric Duelist, and create a situation where she would feel guilty over the emotions she held for him. Her professor would be a man who only saw her as a great disciple, someone worth raising, yet she hated him so? How unfair was she to him? How sad must he feel?


    Guilt tripping certainly wasn''t on his bucket list of things to do, but it seemed to be the best


    method for beings like her who acted only on emotion.


    "A mad dog indeed."


    Emirughed... he couldn''t help it.


    How ironic was it that he, who had his fate decided, ''written,'' now yed as an unknown


    Elite, sponsoring a girl and molding her to his liking?


    Truly. The world was a small one... And fate certainly was a bitch.

 Chapter 329: Its Time To D-D-D-Duel

    Chapter 329: It''s Time To D-D-D-Duel


    ?


    Monday arrived, and it was time for Emir''s second, but technically third, ss.


    Students awaited his arrival in a ssroom different from the usual, as they were told to do


    So.


    The room in question was the third type he saw during his tour through the Academy.


    It was a marvel of technology created by Technomancers and Arcanists who made them capable of expanding and transforming themselves.


    Emir had the capability toprehend the intricacies of the science behind it, but he couldn''t bother wasting all that time and energy trying to understand something that had nothing to do with him.


    So, like the train, he simply chalked it up as Magitek.


    Now, it was obvious to all in the ss that their professor had something exciting nned because of the ss they were in, so they grouped up and began to chatter, guessing what it could be while still mentioning the rumors ofst Thursday.


    "So... what do you think it''ll be, Sofia?


    Surrounded by girls she cared not for, Sofia ignored them and stared straight ahead, as if unbothered by all the noise.


    But if one could see her truth, they''d know that she was the most excited one out of the lot; she, alongside many other ''named,'' saw Emir fighting that gooey monstrosity named Felix.


    She was right. The report was right. He truly wasn''t like the other professors. He was a killer. "H-how about we ask him?"


    "You mean him? The fucking Reaper?! No, do you want me to get cursed?"


    "Stop being a pussy and ask him¡ª"


    "You do it then."


    As those two ''unnamed'' boys argued, one of the trio gained a little courage and used his brain, asking Elijah''s only friend instead.


    "H-hey, hey, Aria, can you ask Elijah for me? He''s his little brother, isn''t he?"


    "Ask him yourself, you fuckface."


    Giving him a ssic "Humph," she pped the air with her twin tails as she snapped her head towards Elijah, who stood beside her.


    Whispering, she asked:


    "You know?"


    It appeared that she too was curious.


    "No, he told me nothing..."


    Yet Elijah was useless, as Emir never divulged what was unneeded.


    "But even if he did, I ain''t saying shit to-"


    "You guys better shut the fuck up! That impure bastard was just showing off!"


    Max''s words drowned out Elijah''s, and they stunned most for many different reasons, with only a few people in the crowd nodding at what he said, mainly Arthur and Quinn, both wanting to hate on him for reasons simr.


    Hate and envy.


    "You bastard-!"


    Brrring!


    Before Elijah could go wild, Max was again saved by the bell, as Emir entered the room right on time, halting everyone into silence.


    His aura was on another level, and they were reminded of that.


    Along with their silence came the transformation of the ssroom they stood in.


    Once a clear, minimalistic ssroom, turned into arge arena, dotted with uniform tforms in the shape of a square, each separated by a small path of white in between.


    Overseeing all of the tforms was a floating throne, made of nothing but ck, a few meters off the ground.


    Whoosh!


    A few students blinked and saw their professor sitting on that very throne as if he wasn''t standing next to them a moment before.


    Not needing to be told, they congregated towards him and stood in ranks, knowing that he liked things to be orderly.


    Emir smiled.


    "Thank you all foring to my second ss... As you can see, I''ve prepared a little dueling arena for you, but before we begin, I wish to know, teach, and show you a few things."


    He paused for a moment, eyeing all those in the ssroom, then dropped from his throne,nding softly on the ground.


    "Girls that tread a melee-based path, a specialist of close range, please step up."


    None moved at his words; they stayed still, too still, almost as if they didn''t even want to be mistaken for a specialist of that type; their eyes locked on his.


    "Good... I''ve expected nothing less from the students of the Academy."


    Subtle gasps resounded from most, yet they shut themselves up quickly, afraid of getting a penalty. But it was a reaction that he didn''t reprimand them for; because it was the first time that heplimented any student since his arrival, he expected such a scene.


    Snickering, he said:


    "Males are physically stronger. Females are physically weaker. Biology remains even when one ascends the hierarchy. Yes, no matter if you dislike it or not, it''s a fact that would never change, even when one''s a high-ranking Celestial."


    "To make this easy on those stupid of you, if a dude and chick both became Brawlers then the dude would win ten out of ten times. The girl could have more skill, a better mentality, h h, it could be whatever... But it wouldn''t change the result."


    "The guy will simply be stronger, and in a fight between green Brawlers, one solid punch would be the end of it."


    Emir slowed his words as he looked around, noticing questioning gazes from his students.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Now, why am I saying this?"


    That question brightened up most of them.


    "It''s to emphasize the importance of your strengths and weaknesses, both physically and in


    your specializations."


    "When fighting, follow the way your specialization taught you to fight. You could learn martial arts and self-defense techniques, but never make them the center point of your


    fighting style."


    "They are for surprise attacks, maybe ast-case scenario, but not something you unt... keep your cards hidden. Of course, this advice is mostly for thedies, it''s more lenient for the men, though it still applies, especially, and obviously so, for the ones with the melee-based paths I mentioned, to them, learning martial arts is a must."


    He paused once more, detecting a hint of annoyance in some of the girls'' faces, so he


    rhetorically asked:


    "It''s quite unfair, no?"


    "Yes Sir!"


    They agreed, and his smile widened as his gaze searched for someone in the crowd.


    "Well, that''s too bad; you''ve been dealt your cards, you can only y them..."


    And while his words flowed, his eyesnded on Quinn, a half-cyborg.


    "Unless you be a metalhead, of course. Then you''d have the best of both worlds-a body stronger than most of those on your level and a more lenient path."


    Sensing some frustration build up at his revtion of the hard truth, he soothed them:


    "But it isn''t all bad... You see, one of the methods to rank up that I''ve hidden from you favors


    thedies, so if you''ve added that to your arsenal, most of the boys next to you would eat your


    dust."


    Emir, unknowingly to them, was mentioning the Embodiment method, as it was better suited for women, who were gically and socially more intertwined with their emotions. Generally speaking, they were more knowledgeable about maniption than their male counterparts, and that was a factor as well.


    Exceptions existed of course, but they were outliers, Emir was one of them.


    "I''ll be telling him this..."


    "Hehe~ I knew it!"


    "Top three though, that sounds impossible."


    "True."


    "Shuushhhhhh... Quite. You guys want a penalty?"


    All of the girls quietened down with Ava''s reminder, and showed a smile; even Sofia, small as


    it was, seemed that she was thrilled to learn about this method her professor kept teasing.


    And to quell that excitement, she raised her hand, wanting to ask a question.


    He nodded, giving her permission.


    "Firstly, do you use this method as well, Professor? And secondly, I watched your ''fight'' and I


    can''t help but question how your abilities were used so."


    Emir let her question marinate for a moment, allowing the students a chance to form their


    own answer, and then said:


    "I do use all four methods of course, and no one, not even Principal Amon, can match me at


    the fourth method, for I am special in that regard. Now about my abilities, yes, they were the


    same ones you know, but I''ve adjusted them on the fly." bbergasted, she raised her hand once more, and seeing him nod, she said:


    "But that''s impossible! Every adjustment takes a long time, any mistake with the pathing


    might lead the ability to backfire."


    His smile turned into a grin as he let out augh.


    "As I said, I''m special in that regard, but you can still copy my footsteps; I can show you an


    example. Here, look."


    Emir created a tform and jumped atop it so all could see, then looked at an ''unnamed''


    student in the front.


    "Point somewhere."


    The student flinched, looked behind him, then looked back at his professor, finally realizing


    that it was him being called, so with trembling hands, he did as he was told, pointing a small distance away from him.


    Emir nodded as another Aether construct materialized.


    "sh Step."


    He disappeared and reappeared on the same tform his student once pointed at.


    "This..."


    "Just how?"


    "That should be impossible!"


    "Right? I''ve only seen fixed variations..."


    "My dad won''t believe me if I tell him this."


    "Max, do you "


    "Shut up, that''s nothing."


    "You shut up, always trying to find fault in something faultless."


    "Elijah, just ignore him."


    Not all realized what he did, and some began to bicker, but most reacted strongly as they saw


    his example. It seemed true, the student he picked randomly chose a spot, and their professor adjusted the


    ability, which sent the user a kilometer away in a certain direction, decreasing said distance to


    a few tens of meters.


    "Now..."


    Emir''s words returned the silence.


    "...Don''t think you can copy what I did, it''s impossible, so instead, I''ll teach you how to do something simr. ''You'' being those top three in our ss today."


    Their excitement grew even more as the students were shown proof of something they had


    never heard of before, wanting to acquire it by any means necessary. Even Max, contrary to how he acted, was in on the hype, never mind Arthur and Quinn, the quiet ones.


    "BUT!"


    Emir, who appeared to like ying with his students'' emotions, killed that hype and said: "Let me demonstrate a few things... Elijah, go to the first tform."

 Chapter 330: A Demonstration

    Chapter 330: A ''Demonstration''


    ?


    A jack of all trades is master of none... a popr phrase.


    Many of the students present might''ve nned their futures with it in mind but they had to know that it wasn''tplete.


    A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.


    It was best to diversify and learn a few tricks that one could surprise their opponents with, after all, a single mistake from either person would end up with a life lost.


    So, with that said, Emir nned to show them how to be a jack of a few trades and a master of one.


    He neared the expert rank at CQC, and that meant that he knew all themon ancient martial arts.


    Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Aikido, Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Capoeira, Kickboxing, Hapkido, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Sambo, Wrestling, Savate and some others. Now, of course, while he knew of them, it didn''t mean that he practiced them.


    Despite their strengths, they were no longer used, and for a simple reason.


    They were designed for a human body at a mortal level of strength, not a Celestial.


    That automatically invalidated every ancient martial art from the ''sleeves'' of all high-levelbatants.


    However, that didn''t make them useless.


    Every modern martial art was based on these ancient forms in one way or another.


    It was impossible to escape their influence.


    Understanding their principles provided a solid foundation, one that could build upon and adapt to the unique capabilities of a Celestial.


    "You can check out the restter in the Archive, but for now, focus on these three..."


    Emir, who stood in front of the students, announced the martial arts best suited for him:


    "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai... They are now known by different names but they remain with the same essence. In ''Bind Arts,'' you use your opponent''s momentum against them. In ''Guardian Combat System,'' you learn to deliver powerful, efficient strikes. In ''Neuro-Strike Discipline,'' you turn your entire body into a weapon. These martial arts can be adapted and integrated into ourbat techniques."


    He continued his ''demonstration'' by executing Bind Arts, a martial art focused on ground fighting and submissions, but his version of submissions resulted in cracked bones and fractured spines, well, it was mainly one spine-that of Elijah.


    Unfortunately for the kid, he was picked to participate in this ''demonstration.''


    "BA excels in extreme CQC," Emir exined as he effortlessly smashed his little brother to the ground, transitioning from one ''submission hold'' to another.


    "When you''re up against those stronger and bigger than you, this''ll help in taking them out by surprise. Never forget that leverage and technique are more or less better than brute force when used at the right moment."


    However, he cautioned, "One disadvantage of BA is that it usually relies on taking the fight to the ground, which might not be possible in whatever environment you''ll be in. And when you''re against more than one opponent this martial art will be more than useless. They won''t wait for you, you know. It ain''t a fight on the mat."


    Transitioning to Guardian Combat System, Emir''s movements became more aggressive and direct, breaking Elijah''s bones at every hit, requiring him to swallow old-world medicine costing millions of UC.


    "GCS is all about survival, a final stand you could say" he emphasized, delivering quick strikes to vital targets on Elijah''s body.


    "As you can see, it''s designed to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently, focusing on instinctual movements and attacking vulnerable areas."


    He continued, "The advantage of GCS is that it''s simple and adaptable. It doesn''t need years of training to be effective, making it ideal for self-defense situations and green kids like you."


    "However," he added, "you could argue that GCScks the technical depth of other martial arts, which can be a disadvantage in prolonged battles or against skilled opponents with an already established fighting style."


    As those words ended, Emir finally gave Elijah a breather and showcased Neuro-Strike Discipline to the empty space on his left.


    With every cutting whoosh, he showed the students why it was a martial art known for its devastating kicks, punches, elbows, and knee strikes.


    "Neuro-Strike Discipline is all about power and precision."


    Emir remarked, unleashing a barrage of strikes with lightning speed that created a torrent of air due to the sheer force his limbs produced.


    "It''s real effective for stand-up fighting, with techniques that can kill opponents at once, only if timed correctly of course."


    Emir pointed out, "The advantage of this one lies in how it emphasizes striking power... Simply said, if you want to hit someone fast, kill as many as you can, fast, and damage all that you see, fast. Learn this."


    "However," he noted, "NSD isn''t as good at dealing with grappling and the like whenpared to the other two I mentioned since it''s a lot more taxing on the body."


    A punch that cut through the air announced the end of his lecture as he stopped his attacks and looked back at the students.


    "As you saw in the outline I''ll be incorporating special sses like this on the regr, it''s the best way to get you used to fighting. And hopefully, by the end of the year, all of you will have an enhanced dynamic vision. Believe me, seeing the subtle movements your opponents make creates arge difference in any fight."


    Emir had Temporal Perception, so he certainly believed in the words he uttered. After all, he could just use the twitches in his opponent''s body to know how they would attack.


    "Yes Sir!"


    Seeing them nod their heads, he allowed Elijah to go back to the crowd and have Aria pat his still-injured back.


    "Now, this''s my opinion, it isn''t fact nor is it thew, for my build abination of those three, and a few others, worked best, but for some or even most of you, it''ll be different." "Don''t just buy whatever skill book you see. And to those of you who already did that, see if you can incorporate it with your current fighting style, if you can''t, start over. '' "Again, this won''t be on a mat, it''d be deep in some ruin, in the middle of the wastnd, or maybe even the frontlines. A fight of life and death, so always go for the kill and never expect


    it to go to n."


    He chuckled.


    "Trust me, I know. When I was of... lower standing, my fights usuallysted a long time, but as I went up the hierarchy, things changed. Soon though, when I advance, they''ll return as before, because long-lived Celestials have many tricks up their sleeves, their arsenal


    diverse."


    Emir noticed their attention pick up at his mention of the higher ranks, but he had to ground them, so he dampened their mood.


    "Of course, the exception to this rule are those matched in strength and skill set. If you found one, enjoy your fight, it''s rare, really rare, if you live you''ll look back at it with a smile."


    While saying that he disyed his own smile, reminiscing about the assassin-wannabe that almost killed him after he left the bar for the first time about two years ago.


    "So yeah, most fights would end quickly as bothbatants are almost never in the same standing. Be careful, a single careless error in such scenarios would spell your doom." Pausing for a moment, he stared at a ''named'' student, Xavier, a boy who looked like he had something to say for quite a while.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir gave him permission with a nod.


    "Do we really NEED to kill? ...I think that those ''strong'' can just kill... like they can only kill


    and deal with death. Only those with ''true power'' can incapacitate, show mercy, be humane to


    even those that don''t deserve it."


    Xavier... He remained true to his father, a man with ideals, impossible ideals.


    And as his professor, Emir wanted to mold that into something else, so he used his question


    to ask another:


    "What is the essence ofbat everyone?"


    But he didn''t allow the students to answer, continuing by himself:


    "Survival? Skill? Experience? Will power? No. It''s murder... Kill your enemy before they do


    you, simple as that. You train to kill, that is all. Leave that shit for the Knights, and only the


    Knights, Xavier."


    The kid wanted to rebuke his professor, as he was a Knight himself, but he was given no face. Emir''s gaze had left him andnded on Max without pause.


    "Those that learned no martial arts, or have not learned it enough to apply it effectively, can


    start off with the block and attack strategy. It''s simple and effective for chicks at your level. Even back in a time way before the old world, it was prominent for its simplicity, and ease of mastery. I''d rmend you get used to that before you start applying theplicated techniques I showed you today, otherwise, your tricks will be ced in a crumbling sleeve."


    Max, the young master took his professor''s stare as an insult, and that was done on purpose, as Emir chose him to be the next part of his ''demonstration.'' "Now then, Max... step up. You seem eager, so show them how to fight. Show them the


    essence ofbat."

 Chapter 331: A Demonstration II

    Chapter 331: A ''Demonstration'' II


    ?


    His words announced an addition to the environment, as the arenas experienced a miniature sandstorm, causing their surroundings to mirror that of a world ravaged by turmoil.


    Max showed a confident smile and rushed to the front of the ss, his body pushing through the crowd of students around him, causing them to stare daggers into him.


    "You''ll regret this."


    Emir chuckled at his words and gestured for the kid to join him at the tform.


    Maxplied and charged in, not waiting a second longer to attack.


    "First thing that you can do in a fight is make your opponent emotional, forsaking their rationality."


    Emir shifted his body back slightly, dodging a wide kick that was aimed at his midsection. "Say whatever you think is necessary to rile them up, curse their mother if you have to...." He then stepped to the side, while talking nonchntly, maneuvering out of Max''s lunge. "What do you think Max? How would you feel if I called your mother a whore?"


    "Fuck you!"


    Max''s face contorted into visible fury as he rushed at his professor once again, throwing punches that no longer held precision.


    "Now, thankfully your strategy worked," he said, not even grazed once by Max''s hands.


    "But it doesn''t matter if it didn''t. You''ll need to move on, you don''t have time to think in a fight."


    ''How ironic that I say that.''


    Emir inwardly mused and then held one of Max''s wild punches, throwing the teen''s body over his shoulder.


    "Keep yourself controlled and look out for weaknesses."


    "I''ll kill you!!"


    "If you can''t find any...."


    Emir paused as he sidestepped Max and tripped him over.


    Thud!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Then you need to look harder. Everyone has one, even me."


    Patting fake rumble off his clothes, Max took a deep breath and stood in a fighting stance.


    "As you can see, your opponent can be an idiot, but they still have a brain, so never underestimate them."


    "STOP FUCKING¡ª"


    Max''s scream was stopped midway as he received a punch straight in his guts, knocking the wind out of him.


    "Words child, please show your manners in front of your professor."


    "Ughh...."


    Max huffed out, his breathing uncontrolled as he took a few steps back to adjust himself.


    Emir waited, his right hand massaging his neck as he watched Max fish out a few old-world medicines from his pocket and swallow them.


    "Now regarding the fight itself, you can first...."


    He paused momentarily, anticipating Max''s charge, which came soon, as he surged forward, Aether congregating towards his fists.


    "Distract the target."


    Just as Emir said that he kicked hard at the ground, causing clouds of rumble and dust tond on Max''s face.


    Yet he didn''t relent and punched out at Emir, screaming his chant:


    "Iron fist!"


    "Then block or deflect their blind attack."


    Emir said while angling his right arm to easily deflect Max''s fist with his force shield, avoiding any direct impact and letting the burst of Aether attack the space behind him. "Counter with your own."


    He then raised his left hand and pped Max across the face.


    "Ahg!"


    Max stepped back in pain as he grabbed his swollen cheek.


    "Dibobte."


    And just those registered in Max''s mind, he could hear no more.


    Emir had ruptured his ears by smashing them both with his hands, obliterating them from the inside out in one swift, bloody p.


    "Dazed, they''ll attempt a wild attack, in the case of a Brawler, likely rapid strikes, or at least an imitation of it."


    As if following a script, Max did exactly as Emir said and wildly attacked with fists coated in a fire as red as his hair.


    "Now that you''re expecting it, you''ll be able to easily defend, disarm, and attack your opponent at the same time."


    Emir dodged what neared him and then simply raised his elbow while closing in on Max before he could swing another fist, hitting the inside of his arm, almost breaking it.


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Angered even further, Max stumbled back in pain while almost falling, and a pair of knuckle dusters fell out of his uniform''s pocket. They nged on the ground but as he tried to pick them up, Emir was there to kick them away.


    His boiling point had been crossed. With eyes that saw red, he looked up at Emir and punched


    out.


    "IRON FIST!"


    "Block the attack like before."


    Emir swiftly moved his elbow and angled it towards Max''s left hand that was aimed at his liver, stopping the attack in its tracks while snuffing out the Aether behind itpletely. That got a gasp from all the students watching. While they expected Max to lose, never did they imagine that even his abilities would be extinguished.


    "Weaken any of their vital points."


    Moving the same elbow he continued its motion and hit Max square in the jaw with it.


    "AGH!"


    "Traumatize sr plexus."


    Pivoting on his left foot, Emir stepped back, raised his right, and kicked Max straight in his


    midsection.


    "AGGGGHHHHHHHH!! STOP! I SAID STOP!"


    Max pleaded as his body fell to the ground, and Emir, who showed a smile of pure happiness,


    looked down at the teary eyes of his begging student.


    ''Fucker always talking shit, huh... Young master troupes man, stick to your boring ass novels


    and stop ruining my good time.''


    "Now go for the kill."


    His left foot shot out to Max''s face...


    "DON''T! PLEASE-"


    And paused an inch away from it.


    "Good match."


    bbergasted, bewildered, and utterly confused, Max nkly looked at Emir for many


    seconds, as did most of the students, not understanding how they reached this point, this


    conclusion.


    Only when Emir turned his back on him, did he regain his wits, or at least whatever of that he


    had left.


    "You.... You! Y-you-"


    His professor ignored him while letting out a sigh, his ears no longer registering Max''s incoherent screams as he returned to the students, who still showed surprised faces. "You and you, get him to the infirmary, his ears are ringing so take it easy on him, his jaw, right arm, and some of his ribs are cracked, so be careful with that... Let''s hope he isn''t ''traumatized'' after this."


    The ''unnamed'' students who were picked looked around in silence, thinking that it might''ve been those next to them that were called but when the ones they looked at began to push them up, they immediately rushed towards Max, terrified to be in his shoes.


    Now those who pushed them remained huddled together, simrly afraid, and whispered to


    each other.


    "...Did he seriously do that to an Elite?"


    "I know right... Isn''t he scared of what his dad will do?"


    "Right? I heard Lord Ignatius deals with the big 3 on the regr."


    "You mean those underworld factions?"


    "Yeah, what do you think?"


    "Nah, it doesn''t look like it... it''s more like he did it on purpose, showing us that not even


    they, the Elite, will escape pain."


    "So a ss that doesn''t discriminate? Count me in. We''re all dying together!"


    "Fuck that shit!"


    Only the ''unnamed'' had such words flow between them, the ''named'' weren''t so talkative.


    Sofia was excited, however, she hid that excitement with her cold demeanor, simply staring at


    her professor.


    Elijah didn''t hide his own excitement, however, and neither did Aria, wanting to show off in front of her little, weird, and extremely twisted, puppy love.


    Ava was looking at Max with pity as they dragged him off to the Hub, not bothering much with what was going on, while Quinn red at her self-admitted enemy like usual. With a p not so bloody as before, Emir quietened down the murmurs that gued the


    ssroom.


    "Some of you might copy the exact same thing I did today, or at least attempt to, but I don''t rmend that. What I do rmend is that you follow those smart next to you who''ve already learned something from my ''demonstration'' and have begun nning out how to use that something in their own fighting style. All paths are different after all. And don''t forget, it''s not about mastering all trades, but about bing proficient enough to use them when needed and to surprise your opponents. You will learn to be versatile, to adapt, and to turn the strengths of these old forms into your own. The key is to never be predictable. So by learning a variety of techniques, you can create a personalized style that suits your strengths andpensates for your weaknesses."


    After seeing them nod in a collective, he sh Stepped to his throne and announced: "Now then... You''ve already picked a weapon in that mandatorybat ss of yours so


    there''s no need for any dys, pick out your opponent, it could be anyone, and announce it to


    me."


    Sofia noticed that he wanted her to go first, courtesy of his stare, so she stepped up, reaching


    the tform that housed Max''s blood, and said:


    "Elijah."


    The Reaper, who showed no hesitation, walked towards her and stopped to stand opposite


    her.


    "I''ll win."


    As the two of them eyed each other, the next onemanded to go was Aria.


    She reached another free tform and stated:


    "I wouldn''t mind fighting Ava."


    Giggling, Ava brightened up and skipped towards her.


    "And I wouldn''t mind fighting you~."


    Xavier was called up next and surprisingly, he chose:


    "Arthur. Pleasee up."


    Flinching, Arthur looked up in surprise and walked towards Xavier with nervous steps.


    Meanwhile, Emir, who was watching a scene he knew not off unfold, picked up on what the kid was trying to do, calling out Arthur like that.


    It seemed that his justice didn''t stop at talk, he acted as well. Though, in his opinion, this action of his won''t change a thing, it might even make the


    bullying worse. Arthur wasn''t strong enough to scare off his bullies with equipment now, in fact, that would happen muchter than ''written.'' Quinn, thest ''named,'' was chosen next, as he finally matched her gaze.


    She went to a free tform with quick steps and turned around, looking at her professor once


    more.


    ''Don''t tell me this dumbass will-''


    "You said anyone didn''t you professor? Then I choose you!"


    ''.......of course-.''

 Chapter 332: Elijah Vs Sofia

    Chapter 332: Elijah Vs Sofia


    ?


    ***


    I fluttered my eyes open.


    Then I closed them.


    Then I opened them again.


    This action repeated until I came to a conclusion:


    ''...I''m alive?''


    I was.


    ''What even happened?''


    Confused, I began to look around the room I found myself in.


    The room was almost all white, as was everything in it, only varying in shades-quite the contrast whenpared to what was usual in the academy-with beds, simr to the one Iid on, ced every few meters.


    The walls were adorned with many medical thingamajigs, heartbeat sensors, and IV drips.


    My head moved slow as I looked around, and when I tried to move, wanting to see more, to stand up, I noticed that my body was stuck to the bed, strapped to it.


    ''...The Hub.''


    It didn''t take me long to realize that, and so I called out for a nurse to help me, wanting to know how I got here.


    "Excuse me! Is anyone there?"


    A reply came not even a secondter:


    "Here here, just give me a second!"


    It was a feminine voice that sounded just outside the room I was in.


    As her steps neared, she appeared in my line of sight, entering the room, wearing a gray scrub and whiteb coat. Her curves showed clearly in that dress, as if she wore one two sizes small. Her face looked average as was her shoulder-length ck hair.


    ''She doesn''t match.''


    Happy that I won the silent battle, I asked:


    "Can you tell me "


    Or at least I tried to, but she cut me off:


    "Please, please, rx your back on the bed, Ms. Quinn, we don''t want you to get injured."


    Annoyed, I repeated:


    "Can-"


    But she did it again:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Oh, and don''t worry, nothing''s wrong, you only need to rest, and you''ll be fine."


    My brows began to twitch, as I neared my boiling point, but I breathed out, trying to calm myself down.


    ''She''s only acting that way because she''s jealous, it''s fine...''


    Somehow, that thought stopped me from going ballistic and reined in my anger.


    "Miss Nurse, can you tell me what happened to me?"


    Clicking her tongue, she took out the dining table from underneath the bed, equipped it on the side rails, and then ced my terminal on said table.


    sh...


    Suddenly, a bright hologram appeared, and it showed a live feed of the ss I was just in with that bastard professor.


    "I see you''ve got your own issues with the man-."


    My gaze turned to the nurse.


    "Own?"


    She snickered.


    "Yeah, he brushed me off in thest meeting we had."


    Rolling my eyes, I looked back at the hologram, not caring for her words, in fact, they made me somewhat happy-that man shouldn''t be looking at women in the first ce. He had to repent for what he did.


    "You said anyone, didn''t you, professor? Then I choose you!"


    And speaking of... my words from a few minutes ago rang out the terminal as our professor epted my request.


    "I did indeed, so sure, why not? Now ready yourself, you''ll go first."


    I watched as he nonchntly jumped off the throne and sh Stepped towards me, his hands behind his back.


    That got me riled up as I unsheathed my daggers swiftly, and rushed-


    "Fall."


    As if his words werew, I fell to the ground.


    While at the time I couldn''t pick up on it since it was so fast, it looked like a sphere-shaped Aether construct materialized behind me and smashed into my neck, knocking me out at once.


    "...Grrr."


    Gritting my teeth, I grabbed my terminal off the table and threw it at the wall.


    Tak!


    The nurse ignored my emotional outburst while casually checking the time on her seemingly brand new silver pocket watch.


    "By the way, kid, while checking your information, I noticed that you have a sponsor, you should try not to disappoint him... or her, I don''t assume."


    Stunned, I looked at her with blinking eyes, but I quickly hid my reaction and said:


    "I know that... You don''t have to tell me!"


    Right, I knew that. Well, I ''knew'' that I had to stop letting my anger swing me all over the ce; my revenge would be impossible otherwise.


    But... a sponsor... really? Me? A pathless Celestial? What did they see in me?


    No, that doesn''t matter. If her words are true, I needed to get my shit together, fast.


    "Whoever they are, they saw potential in me... It''s a lot more that I can say for my family.''


    Letting out a sigh, I turned my terminal back on with a mentalmand and checked the live feed of the ss.


    I was not about to miss whatever that bastard would spit out.


    ***


    [She''s watching you now.]


    [Good...]


    At Lyra''s words, Emir''s smile widened, and he announced:


    "It''s time for the top two to fight, please, Elijah and Sofia, get ready."


    Elijah matched his big brother''s smile and unsheathed his daggers, getting into a fighting


    stance.


    "I''ll show you why I''m ranked first."


    His current daggers were much worse than the two he usually trained with, the ones he got from Emir, but they had to make do since students weren''t allowed to bring personal equipment. After all, it would nullify all the efforts to create a fair environment where only


    skills would thrive.


    "You won''tst ten seconds."


    Sofia equipped her precision rifle, right hand tight on the pistol grip, and aimed it at Elijah,


    finger above the trigger.


    Both were ready, waiting for their professor''s signal,


    Emir looked at them for a second, then at the crowd, feeling the building tension, enjoying it, breathing it in, and just as they began to show a hint of nervousness, he snapped his fingers.


    "Begin."


    At his word, they immediately chanted their abilities, not wasting a second:


    "Camouge!"


    "Distant Grasp!"


    As Sofia attempted to go invisible, a bloody chain spurted out of Elijah and rushed to her,


    aiming to pull her weapon out of her hands.


    But it wasn''t fast enough. When the chain got close to her, she was already invisible, and his chainstched onto her left arm instead of her gun.


    Elijah grabbed the chain, yanking it in an attempt to make her stumble, yet Sofia didn''t budge


    as he anticipated. Feet dug into the ground.


    Her extensive training had molded her into a little powerhouse, surpassing the strength of


    the just-above-average boy.


    He didn''t relent, however, quickly adapting to the strength difference and using the chain to


    get closer to her instead of pulling her towards him.


    Sofia showed a soft smile and aimed the rifle at him, only using her right hand as her left was


    busy fighting Elijah''s tug.


    Then, with an almost unheard whisper, she pulled the trigger.


    "Longshot."

 Chapter 333: Elijah Vs Sofia II

    Chapter 333: Elijah Vs Sofia II


    ?


    Following her words was a burst of Aether that congregated towards her gun, whose muzzle pointed towards Elijah''s head.


    The boy in her sights didn''t stop his advance, not even hesitating a fraction of a second as he uttered:


    "Grim Veil."


    Which caused his aura to change at once. Death enveloped him in its embrace and blurred his soul, causing his body to conjure a veil that hid it.


    Now that his movements could not be easily predicted, Sofia had to guess where he would go based on what she knew about his fighting style and the current situation.


    She aimed to the left, judging that was where he would go because of his momentum, and finally allowed the bullet to leave its chamber.


    Bang!


    But just as her gunshot rang out...


    Crack!


    The chain snapped.


    Boom!


    And the Aether-filled bullet took but a moment to reach Elijah, causing dust to fill the air and debris to form.


    ||


    Unexpectedly, not a cry was heard.


    ...Did the Reaper die instantly?


    The students turned to their professor for an answer, but he didn''t need to speak as said answer came a momentter.


    A human-sized scythe cut through the cloud of dust, heading straight towards Sofia.


    Her smile faltered, knowing that the attack was undodgeable, but she didn''t give up, putting her weapon in front of her to block the attack.


    The scythe cut through her weapon, but it wasn''t as easy as a knife through butter, it slowed down, which allowed her augmented suit to protect her from the rest, causing it to bounce off after almost depleting the force shield at once.


    Whoosh!


    Elijah wasn''t waiting however, he was already upon her, swinging both his daggers down at her now reappearing body.


    She stepped back, dodging the blow, and kicked out with her right foot, aiming at his kidney. He jumped over her leg and shouted:


    "Distant Grasp!"


    A chain spurted out of his stomach and immediately wrapped itself around her left leg.


    Just as her right leg returned to the ground, he pulled the chain, causing her to lightly stumble, her other leg fighting to keep her bnced.


    But without giving her a chance to adjust, he whispered:


    "Spectral Scythe."


    His veil vanished, his body appeared once more, and a scythe materialized in his hands.


    He swung it down, her right hand rose... and everything stopped.


    Emir interfered.


    || || "..."


    ||


    Silence.


    Neither of the two even saw him move, and now... he was standing between them.


    One of his hands held the Reaper''s scythe while the other stopped Sofia''s right hand from moving.


    "Good job, you two."


    Sighing, Sofia stood up straight while dusting herself off, a small pistol showing itself in her semi-clutched right hand.


    Elijah''s eyes widened as he noticed it. Seconds ago, he thought that the reason why Emir stopped them was because it was obviously his win... but apparently not.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sofia was about to shoot through him as his scythe would cut her in half. Or her bullet might''ve reached him first, giving her a moment to escape, severely injured but alive.


    It could''ve gone either way or so they thought. Unable toe to a definite conclusion.


    The two eyed each other for a while, then looked at their professor, wishing for his decision to be stated.


    "Thank you, Professor Emir!"


    "Thank you, Sir!"


    He nodded, understanding what they were silently begging him for.


    But before that, he wanted to exin what happened, give those watching the appetizer before the main meal.


    Looking at Sofia, he said:


    "You see when you shot at him, he used his scythe to push himself off the ground while still appearing to be on it because of the veil, so he tricked you into shooting his weapon. It''s also why the chain snapped, the kid can''t handle using more than two abilities at once. As for the scythe hitting you while you were still invis, don''t forget that once a bullet exits the gun''s chamber, it loses invisibility, showing its trajection and announcing your position."


    Then looking at Elijah he said:


    "After seeing your scythe, she decided to trick you, making you think that she had no weapon for her abilities. She used the kick to distract you from noticing her getting that tiny pistol out. So while you might''ve killed her or seriously injured her, she could''ve done the same to


    you too... but you both know this already."


    Emir turned around and scanned the ss; after a second, he stated:


    "With that said... Elijah wins!"


    The crowd erupted.


    "Sofia lost?!"


    "Against that freak?"


    "How?"


    "You think he made a mistake?"


    "No way, he''s not the type to y favorites."


    "But maybe he... dislikes her? I dunno."


    "The ice queen? No way mate."


    "Shut your trap with that cringe shit!... But yeah, I can''t believe it too."


    "What?! Titles are cool!"


    ''Necessary as well, but go off.''


    Emir silentlymented while listening to themotion.


    Even the ''named'' couldn''t keep themselves silent.


    "Sofia lost, huh..."


    Ava was in shock, while the girl next to her, Aria, was almost jumping in ce, happy that her childhood ve, now friend, won against the always-praised genius.


    The main character of Emir''s ''favorite'' novel, Arthur, wasn''t really shocked about the


    oue, as he was still struggling to wrap his head around what happened, his brain


    processing at maximum capacity.


    Everything happened quick-too quick.


    Not even ten seconds have passed since the fight started.


    [Looks like Sofia was right, ten seconds were enough for the fight to conclude.]


    Emir took his eyes off Arthur and turned back to Sofia, who showed a defeated expression, one


    filled with rage.


    Behind her was Lyra, a hologram of her, only visible to him, showing quite a contrasting


    expression.


    He matched her smile and telepathically replied:


    [True... I just hope this doesn''t result in some bacsh.]


    Sofia saw his gaze and smile, which she read as a pitiful one, causing her to feel more shame,


    and fueling her frustration even further.


    [It won''t, her pride won''t allow it.]


    Snickering, he looked away and scanned the crowd of whispering students once again,


    ignoring the ever-so-rising vexation of the so-called ice queen.


    [We''ll see.] "Next up, Ava and Aria,e to the second tform. Try to keep up with the top two, yeah?


    Don''t disappoint me."


    "Yes, professor Emir!"


    Sofia huffed and puffed on her way down, with Elijah trailing behind her, showing a face of disappointment simr to hers, only without anger.


    It looked like he wasn''t satisfied with his win today, he wanted it to be uncontested, absolute.


    Emir picked up on what his little brother was feeling, but he wasn''t about to coddle him. He intended to let that feeling of his simmer a little, fan the mes inside until the fire returned


    stronger than ever.


    Elijah''s motivation had been decreasing recently, and after getting first ce, it was almost


    snuffed out.


    The ever-so-kind big brother had something nned to motivate his ''little bro'' but it appeared that this was enough, his mes were reignitedpletely.


    Surpassing Lyra''s calctions, his rival Sofia looked to be more than adequate.


    His existence switched things up quite a bit.


    "I''m only a healer so do take it easy."


    Ava said teasingly while stepping onto the tform with an assault rifle strapped to her body,


    taking Emir''s attention away from his thoughts.


    "Excuses already? This''ll be easier than I thought."


    Aria matched her energy, standing opposite her with a staff in hand.


    Her staff was very different from Jake''s ded staff, for she had one made of wood instead of


    metal,plementing her Nature element, even more so with the roots spurting out of it from top to bottom, creating a captivating look.


    And yes, her elementplemented her personality quite well. She was a fair Tsundere, a walking natural disaster that ''attacks'' all those around her, no matter who they may be.


    "Heh~ Bring it on twin tails."


    Those rude words brought the ''natural disaster'' to her peak state, an eruption imminent.


    With eyes that screamed extreme annoyance, her gazended on Emir, silently requesting


    permission.


    He obliged: "Begin!"

 Chapter 334: Aria Vs Ava

    Chapter 334: Aria Vs Ava


    ?


    It wasn''t a fight.


    Not even a ''smackdown.''


    Just an adult kicking a baby in the face.


    Aria was a ninth-ss Spell Weaver specializing in nature.


    Ava was Zenith Warden with two abilities.


    Zenith Replenish and Zenith Soothe.


    Replenish helped allies, restoring their Aether reserves, not the Wardens themselves, while Soothe only did, as the ability''s name stated, soothe pain, difort, and the like.


    Her body naturally had incredible healing properties, but that wasn''t even close to being enough.


    She was more or less guaranteed to lose.


    The only chance she had of winning was if she could shoot Aria fast enough, breaking her force shield and causing their professor to interfere.


    Yet she wasn''t given the chance.


    "Root Surge!"


    Just before she could pull the trigger, roots sprouted out of the ground and gripped her legs in their spiky embrace, crashing her to the ground as they snatched her up.


    She fell face first, but she didn''t lose her hold over the gun, her body automatically healed itself, allowing her to keep her wits about her and lock her only weapon close to her chest.


    "Incapacitate!"


    But, again, Aria showed no ''mercy.''


    As she tried to aim her gun at her friend, the roots holding her upside down suddenly flung her on her back, knocking the wind out of her.


    While her force shield protected her from the impact, the momentum of said impact wasn''t canceled out, so she still felt pain-a great deal of it.


    The pain went away a momentter however, as she had already healed.


    Letting out a scoff, Aria raised her hand, and the roots followed her movements.


    Ava realized what was going to happen next, but for the final time, she couldn''t stop it.


    Her palm swished left, and the roots-n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Bang!


    Smacked Ava into the ground, causing dust to fill the air, and a gunshot-like sound to echo in the arena, a result of her force shield absorbing the impact.


    Bang!


    She didn''t stop.


    Bang!


    Even though Ava had no chance to move...


    Bang!


    Aria didn''t stop.


    Bang!


    Not giving her a chance to breathe.


    Bang!


    And with every ''p'' from her hand, Ava''s face paled even further.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The poor girl was running out of Aether at a fast pace due to the constant hurt and healing cycle, her core overworking itself.


    Aria was using much of her reserves as well, but not as much as Ava, so if this was a battle of attrition, she would''ve won the fight with no sweat.


    It wasn''t, however.


    Ava was not much of a soldier.


    She waved a white g.


    She surrendered.


    ''Her bravado amounted to nothing, it looks like.''


    Sighing, Emir looked away from the scene and announced:


    "Aria wins."


    His voice was as disappointed as his face, but the students didn''t mind or even notice that as they celebrated the end of a hard-to-watch ''fight.''


    "Finally!"


    "Man, I almost started crying..."


    "God damn, she''s got spirit! I would''ve surrendered way earlier!"


    "Me too, me too."


    "Still though, that was expected."


    "True, us healers ain''t suited for fighting."


    "Who said? Trust me, once we get other abilities, we can be menaces on the battlefield."


    "Sure sure."


    As they chatted away, Emir went to check on Ava, his mind a current of thoughts.


    ''I get what she''s going for, but she should''ve tried harder at least, Aria was too pussy to hurt her, so she could''ve won if she stuck out longer.''


    He was right.


    If she onlysted a minute or so longer, Ava could''ve taken Aria by surprise once she stopped swinging her around with those roots of hers and shot her up, making swiss cheese out of her, but unfortunately for the girl, she couldn''t handle the process leading up to that conclusion.


    Emir checked on the kid, and it only took him a nce to know that she was fine-only dizzy, out of breath, close to passing out, and experiencing a headache that could knock out any


    mortal.


    He looked at Aria, who stood next to him, and said:


    "You realize what she nned to do now, correct?"


    She flinched her head down in shame, understanding what he was trying to say.


    "Y-Yes Professor."


    "Good. Do better next time. If this was you showing no mercy then I wonder how you''d attack normally; tickle them maybe?"


    "I u-understand Professor!"


    He sighed and his face, which showed disappointment, vanished and was reced by a calm


    smile.


    Step...


    Getting closer to her caused her to flinch again, but he didn''t scold her as she thought he


    would, only patting her head.


    "You got time, you''ll learn, now go."


    Blushing, she nodded repeatedly and scurried off to join the crowd of students, not even


    looking back at the friend she almost killed.


    ''Carrot and stick works everytime.''


    A chuckle escaped him while he turned his gaze and stared at the door as if waiting for


    someone.


    Said ''someone'' or rather, ''someones,'' arrived a few secondster, two trauma team respondents from the ''Hub.''


    Equipped with all manner of weapons and wearing the best augmented suit avable, E10s, they ran towards Ava, a floating stretcher trailing behind them.


    Without asking a single question, they loaded her on the stretcher, nodded towards Emir, and


    rushed out quietly as they came.


    Emir, who weed their courtesy and professionalism, nodded back at their departure and returned his attention to the students.


    "She''ll be fine, no need to worry... Now next up, Arthur, Xavier Jr. tform three, c''mon!"


    The blessed flinched once he was called, but unlike a certain tsundere, it wasn''t out of shame but anger, more concentrated than Sofia''s; his eyes now burning with mes locked onto his


    professor.


    ''...Hm?''


    Slightly tilting his head, Emir, who quickly noticed the look, inwardly asked:


    ''Why?... Rather how?''


    He knew why. It was because, in the protag''s eyes, he let the fight y out for too long.


    So yeah, what he wanted to know was how.


    Weren''t the systems inside the little protagonist''s neuralwork supposed to work together


    and quell his naivety?


    Or were they now less effective at doing that since they lost the mainponent that made Arthur listen to them?


    A girl. At least the voice of one. A very annoying voice at that.


    ...Most probably.


    Ticked off at remembering that squeak incarnate, Emir clicked his tongue, which caused the


    one staring at him to snap out of it and quickly rush over to the tform as Xavier Jr was


    already there, waiting, shield and longsword in hand.


    "I''ve given you a chance, don''t waste it."


    Arthur, who mistook Xavier''s words for mockery, took his ded staff and stood opposite his


    opponent.


    "I''ll show you who gave who a chance!"


    Emir raised his brow, not because the reply was good-no, far from it¡ªbut because of what


    that reply implied.


    ''Huh... he grew a backbone of sorts.''


    [You think this shift is because of the bitch I ate?]


    [I don''t think that I know that. It looks like he''ll be some Chinese protag with a mix of


    Korean, not a Japanese one.]


    [I don''t know which is worse.]


    [Me neither Ly, me neither.]


    As he said that, their conversation ended, and he nced at both students, checking if they


    were ready.


    They were.


    And so...


    "Begin!"


    Emirmenced the match to begin.


    But as Xavier stepped forward, nning to attack before Arthur could write down a single


    rune...


    He slipped.

 Chapter 335: Arthur Vs Xavier Jr

    Chapter 335: Arthur Vs Xavier Jr


    ?


    While falling, little Xavier felt as if he could see the world in slow motion, but that was only due to his concentration spiking so rapidly.


    During that slow moment, he saw his Professor snicker, his shades reflecting light at him due to the shiny pawns on each side.


    ''I''ll show him!''


    The boy was embarrassed as he was called out in the club banquet some days back, and today, he wanted to prove his professor wrong. Show that even with his minimal strength, mercy was possible.


    And so...


    He was not about to fall so stupidly!


    Using the kite shield in his left arm, he stabilized himself, stabbing it into the ground and pushing himself up.


    Then, with his right arm, he raised his sword high and screamed:


    "HONORABLE DUEL!"


    This ability was felt at once.


    ".....!"


    Arthur flinched and stepped back, still inscribing runes for increased Power on his assault rifle. He instinctively knew that any damage they could do to each other increased by a hefty percent.


    Xavier sessfully pulled off his act, making the fall seem on purpose, and the crowd grew wild!


    "Wo000000000000h!"


    "Wo0000000000000oh!"


    As the students screamed their lungs out, the Elite, Elijah and Aria talked among themselves.


    "Shit man, I gotta admit, that was cool."


    "Yeah, I thought that he was falling."


    "He''s just showing off, stop hyping him up."


    "zing, you mean?"


    "Stop with the ng, there''s new words every day, I can''t keep up."


    ''Unlucky or not, they''re too slow.''


    Emir wasn''t impressed however, he silently watched from the side, eyeing the clumsy Arthur finally finish inscribing his weapon.


    Unfortunately for the kid, he wasn''t allowed to do it before the duel, as everything had to be done during the fight, keeping things fair and all that.


    Anyhow, he didn''t have time to inscribe some defensive runes on his augmented suit, since Xavier ended his fancy performance and rushed forward, his shield covering his entire body from the top of his head to the tips of his feet.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Bullets began to fly, hitting Xavier''s shield, pushing him back, but he kept marching forward, as if walking against a strong current.


    A few bullets deflected off, almost hitting those watching outside their little square, but it was guaranteed not to happen.


    Emir was there to block them all with his Aether Constructs if they came close.


    Meanwhile, Xavier''s shield was taking a beating, but it wasn''t enough, if Arthur didn''t change his strategy, he wouldn''t be able to shoot through it in time, and Xavier would reach him, cut him down.


    Whoosh!


    Arthur jumped up high, using his augmented suit''s strength to its fullest, and kept his finger on the trigger, raining down bullets.


    Luckily for him, the mag size wasrge, enough to house hundreds of bullets, so he went ham, not caring for when he would need to reload since if it came to that, he would have long since lost.


    Xavier quickly adapted to the onught, pulling his shield up to guard him from above.


    That was a mistake.


    Against anyone else, that defensive action might''ve been satisfactory, but he was up against Arthur, a Blessed, a boy so bathed in luck that a fake novel was written about him.


    Bang! Bang!


    The rune triggered as two bullets left the chamber and neared Xavier.


    Crack!


    They missed him, hitting the ground to his front.


    One could easily see that Arthur wasn''t good at aiming...


    But that didn''t matter.


    The first bullet lodged itself into the dusty ground, and the second hit that exact same location, ricocheting off it and heading straight to his right leg, tearing through the force shield and his calf at once.


    "AUUGGGGH!"


    Xavier screamed out in pain and fell to his knees, barely managing to keep his left arm up to block thest few bullets as Arthur dropped to the ground as well.


    "Give up, you can''t heal your way out of this!"


    Old-world medicine wasn''t allowed in their duels, so he couldn''t heal, he had to win with just


    his left leg.


    "...Hufffff... No, I must use my Aether."


    Deciding to go all out, Xavier stopped caring about saving his Aether reserves anymore and


    roared:


    "Aetheric Bulwark!"


    A massive, almost luminescent barrier materialized just before Arthur, stopping him from shooting outright.


    The boy quickly rushed to the side, as he didn''t want to allow Xavier a second more to close in.


    But he was toote; without any bullets blocking Xavier''s path, only a single step or rather hop was needed to cross the distance between them.


    His right arm was raised high, his sword gripped tight, threatening to fall on the protag''s


    head.


    Yet it didn''t move.


    Arthur, who hid himself behind his gun, only noticed that after a few seconds.


    "Surrender, there''s no need for the Professor to interfere."


    The tables had turned.


    Xavier''s words were clear and quite logical; even Emir agreed, subtly nodding as he watched.


    However, the blessed boy was far from logical.


    "Take this!"


    Using his weapon as a club, he swung at Xavier''s head, intending to knock him out.


    But his movements were too slow.


    "Ugh!"


    Xavier simply kicked his sr plexuses using his dead leg, copying his professor, and


    snatched the gun away from him.


    "I said surrender!"


    "....You bastard!"


    Arthur''s eyes narrowed on Xavier, and with clenched teeth, he punched out, aiming for his


    private parts, more specifically, his balls.


    The hitnded cleanly.


    ||


    ||


    ...


    No damage was done. The power behind his fist was too weak to even cause a minuscule ripple


    on the force shield.


    Xavier nkly stared down at Arthur, then used his shield to stab his hand into the ground,


    making him scream in pain.


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Chuckling, Emir stepped in, lifted the shield off Arthur''s hand, and said:


    "Please students, this isn''t a bar fight. Have some ss."


    "But it wasn''t me!"


    At Xavier''s rebuttal, Emirughed even louder, almost drowning out Arthur''s scream with the


    sheer depth of his voice.


    "I know, I know, just joking. Good job, Xavier, you''d make your father proud."


    Hearing such unexpected praise stunned Xavier into silence, even making Arthur shut his


    trap.


    "T-Thank you Sir..."


    Stuttering words that didn''t match his physique echoed in the quiet arena.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''That''s right...''


    The kid''s ''nk'' visage began to fill in as Emir ced Xavier into the ''human being'' category


    within his mind''s subconscious ranking, deeming him someone worth seeing.


    A young boy with a strong build, only slightly weaker-looking than Max. He had brown,


    almost orange hair that reached his ears and simrly colored eyes.


    ''Hm.''


    Emir blinked his eyes a few times, then gestured for Xavier to speak, seeing that he had


    something to say or ask.


    "Sir-Professor Emir! Do... do you know my father?"

 Chapter 336: Fate Always Find Its Way

    Chapter 336: Fate Always Find Its Way


    ?


    ''Did he notice?...''


    Emir slowed down his perception of time, then looked at the students, still uniformly standing, awaiting the result.


    His gaze turned to Arthur, ass on the ground, left hand holding his right while he gazed at empty space.


    Xavier, the one opposite him, looked up at him with eyes that held no lies, eyes withplete purity as if the world''s filth never touched him, not even grazing him.


    Emir didn''t like that look.


    [Ly, you think he''s fishing?]


    [.....Maybe, or he might''ve bought a report on you like the rest of those golden spoons.]


    [Doesn''t matter though, does it?]


    [True, it''s not time, shut him down.]


    "Asking personal questions is against the rules, student Xavier. Do you want to walk a mile in Max''s shoes?"


    Immediately bowing his head, Xavier stuttered out:


    "I-I''m sorry Sir! Please don''t give me a penalty, I didn''t mean to offend you!"


    Emir snickered and patted his shoulder.


    "As long as you know... now go."


    He nodded repeatedly and rushed off to join his ssmates.


    Arthur stood up as Emir turned to look at the students, but he was given no attention, so he just walked back, his face showingplete defeat.


    With two ps that deafened the room, Emir announced:


    "Xavier wins."


    Nobody reacted. It was obvious. They were only waiting to hear confirmation of what they had already decided.


    Emir knew that, so he continued:


    "You lot saw four matches, mine included, so you should have an idea of where the bar exists. Try to reach it."


    Stomping hard on the ground, the students replied in unison:


    "YES SIR!"


    "Good."


    He nodded towards them and raised his right hand, finger stretched, pointing at eight students.


    "Now


    and


    come forward. As well as,


    and


    They reacted this time around, not expecting him to call up so many people at once. "All of us?"


    "Damn, I guess we''re not that important to have the entire ss watch us duel." "True."


    "Nah, he just wanted to use the top as an example, he''s a fair prof."


    "Can he protect us if something goes wrong though?"


    "Of course he can, you saw how he moves."


    "He''s right, there''s nothing to worry about!"


    "Let''s go all out!"


    Emir smiled at their enthusiasm and naivety, thinking that his image was sessfully established in their minds as a positive one. Though evil, he was fair, awful evil type, and thankfully, it wasn''t too hard getting them to reach that conclusion.


    He could''ve gone for the neutral or good type, but that wouldn''t have worked. Many of his students were dumb, yes, but they weren''t that dumb.


    ''...Arthur might be, though.''


    Emir shook his head, getting himself out of his thoughts.


    "What are you waiting for? Chop chop. tform four, five, six, and seven, go."


    They did as he said and rushed to their respective tforms, beginning their duels.


    He kept his eye on them throughout, and even though his mind wished to skip through those boring duels, he scrutinized them with rapt attention.


    He had to do his job as a professor; he would not allow his image to be sullied.


    ...


    Time passed and came thest duel; like those before it, the duel wasn''t much to look at.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The average match had both students straightforwardly use their abilities,


    and only once or twice, just to break the other''s force shield.


    Once that happens, they start shooting each other up with their guns.


    A crude, unimaginative, but efficient way of fighting for those of low strength.


    It was obvious theycked experience, but that didn''t matter; he didn''t shame them for it. They came to him for that experience, and he would give them that in spades.


    ''I''m a good teacher, aren''t I?''


    Bang!


    A Ranger''s bullet rang through the air, breaking thest student''s force shield, forcing a sudden close to Emir''s musings as he materialized another construct, blocking the following shots from reaching the now-fallen student.


    "Good fight, ---- wins."


    Just as he was done making sure that they were both safe, he announced the winner, ending


    the match.


    The students thanked him as they walked back to join the rest, embarrassed that the entire ss''s attention was on them.


    Emir inwardly chuckled.


    ''At the end of the day... they''re kids.''


    [You are too... And technically, as am I.]


    Lyra,mented, knowing what he was thinking just by feeling his emotions alone.


    Rolling his eyes, he ignored her and stated:


    "The duels are over, I''ll announce the ranking now."


    The students were surprised causing murmurs to snake between them. Even the ''named''


    mainly Elijah, Xavier, and Aria, showed simr reactions.


    Xavier was especially disheartened, after all, he didn''t go all out, wanting to conserve his Aether reserves, thinking that he would fight again.


    "What? Did you guys think it''d be a tournament? I''ve got no time for that."


    His words quietened them.


    "I get it, you want to know who''s the best, but there''s no need to waste everyone''s time to


    find that out, I can just tell you now. It''s fair."


    A few hushed gulps resounded as they listened to his every word.


    "Elijah''s first. Sofia''s second. Max and Aria tie third."


    Emir would''ve ced Xavier third, but since he slipped, the students, unknowing of Arthur''s


    luck, would call him out on it.


    And even such obvious results got a reaction out of them as they began to whisper between


    themselves again.


    "Elijah being first is fine, but Max and Aria third? Didn''t that guy get fucked?"


    "He did, but if we''re talking skill, he might match Aria."


    "Maybe, he didn''t have a chance to show it off though."


    "True."


    Emir''s voice returned, silencing the students.


    "Xavier''s forth. ????''s fifth. Ava''s Sixth.----''s seventh....."


    One by one, he looked at each of them and stated their rank.


    Reaching the final one after half a minute, he looked at the nearest camera and said:


    "Quinn. Last ce... Pick an opponent that''ll give you a chance to showcase your skills next


    time."


    Emir''s gaze returned to the crowd of students, and he eyed them for a moment.


    Seeing that no one had anything to say, he announced:


    "ss is dismissed."


    He timed everything so that they would be done just before the ss ended, only leaving a


    few minutes or so of leeway, allowing him to leave after finishing what he set out to do right


    on time.


    The students, surprised at his meticulousness, replied:


    "Understood Sir!"


    They broke the uniformity, packing their stuff as their professor left the ss, heading home.


    But just as he exited into the hallway, his terminal rang.


    {Amon}


    He answered the call using his terminalwork, replying telepathically as it was the


    Principal himself who was calling.


    Whatever happened must be heard only by him.


    [Good morning, Principal Amon.]


    [Good morning to you, son.]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    Silence was exchanged between them for a minute or so, until Emir broke that silence with a


    sigh.


    [Always these games with you... What is it?]


    [...Material and Elementals broke out. They''re mad. The Freezer is under lockdown.]


    Emir smiled.


    ''Fate always finds its way.''


    He knew this to be a consequence of interfering with the symbiote. As the minor disaster was


    canceled out, another was created. Or maybe it was just the result of the third yer''s


    interference.


    ''Doesn''t matter.''


    This wasn''t written. It wasn''t supposed to happen.


    ''I just gotta deal with it.''


    [You should''ve started with that... I''ming.]

 Chapter 337: Fate Always Find Its Way II

    Chapter 337: Fate Always Find Its Way II


    ?


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Hey."


    "Hey."


    Emit and Amon stood opposite each other, just outside the Freezer''s entrance, on the sixth


    floor.


    "Just us?"


    Amon snickered at his question and then looked behind him, eyeing the security guards surrounding theb rats.


    They were tasked with protecting this ce, but looking at them now...


    "Unfortunate."


    Shivering in their boots was all that they could do.


    "Yes, unlike the others, you only have two sses, so expect that I''ll be asking more of you topensate for that imbnce."


    Ignoring his words, Emir nced at those whom Amon called his men and scoffed.


    ''They must''ve seen what was in there, and even with all that they''d experienced, it amounted to something a ''bit'' more than they could handle.''


    "Aha... Sure boss."


    He teased, his tone hinting at how useless he perceived Amon''s men to be.


    The principal rolled his eyes and then turned to face the door, performing the scan.


    "It''s above their paygrade, besides, professors are usually tasked with dealing with situations like these. And since there''s only a few professors that could be trusted in high-stakes


    combat, we have them deal with the rest."


    Emir nodded, silently epting his excuse.


    Momentster, a hologram of Brain appeared, a floating blob of slime, subtly asking if they were ready for what was inside with only the two of them:


    [Principal Amon, are you sure?]


    "Yes."


    Not arguing with its owner''s reply, the blob dissipated while saying:


    [Understood. ess granted.]


    They entered the isting chamber, but no filtration system cleaned them.


    Once the lockdown was initiated, all the systems shut themselves down, so the door before them was wide open.


    A monster stood waiting for them.


    It was a Zerathar.


    Though in its humanoid form, it was still massive, reaching the roof while pushing away many of the other monsters next to it.


    They looked up at it with faces that were all smiles.


    "Hello."


    "Thank you for weing us~."


    The shadowy beast raised its long arms in reply, intending to cut them from limb to limb.


    "YOU''LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY-"


    Those were itsst words.


    It didn''t die, no, no, no, that would''ve been a mercy. It was still alive.


    Amon defeated it with a thought. Materializing chains of Reapers all around the monster, which cocooned it like a shell.


    "I see your copy-paste ability is overpowered as always."


    Not reacting to Emir''s ''jab,'' he stepped forward and did the same for all the Six-Core Tyrant- ranked monsters in the room, trapping them in moments.


    He might''ve struggled a second longer if they were seven-cores, but thankfully their pods had tougher defenses that weren''t so easily broken, frozen in ice way beyond absolute zero.


    "Done."


    They only went after the weaker ones once they were sure the Six-cores were dealt with.


    ''Hm... Guess he already suspected that I knew of his abilities.''


    Emir stayed behind him, watching and thinking, letting him do all the work.


    ''A Devourer... An incredibly rare specialization. It''s strong just as it''s hidden. So how did he


    get a hold of all those abilities? The novel mentioned nothing about that.''


    The Devourer Path was one of the rare branches of those called Spell Weavers.


    It was a path that many would kill millions to have.


    After all, with it, one could copy any ability of the same or lower rank of an absorbed Aether core.


    So for example, if Amon absorbed Emir''s core, he would gain all six of his abilities as a one- time use.


    And yes, it could only be used once, since Amon would notprehend the ability but only devour it, store it, and release it whenever he wished.


    It was a tough ask, not just because of how hard it was to unlock the abilities that allowed ''Devouring,'' ''Storing'' and ''Releasing'' but also because the body had to have a specialwork within that could handle the use of such different abilities.


    The Celestial''s Aether Core had to be exceptionally strong as well because it had to store tens of different Aspects within it.


    Even a Devourer finds converting neutral Aether to all elements impossible, thatw wouldn''t change no matter what. So instead, the Devourer would simply retain the Aspect, the already converted Aether, in their core, and whenever the ability was chanted, it would pump out the


    needed Aspect.


    But even with all those limitations and difficulties, the specialization remained among those that Emir considered overpowered. Like seriously overpowered.


    If Amon grinded abilities for years and waspletely ready to die...


    He could fight against their very sun and win.


    Anyhow, with that in mind, Emir wondered why his presence was needed-could the man not


    deal with everything by himself?


    "I want to conserve my abilities."


    An answer was given.


    It seemed that Amon knew exactly what Emir was thinking, but neither of themmented


    on that as they formed their own opinion quietly.


    ''While he''s using it as an excuse, at least he knows something big ising. Good.''


    Emir smiled and walked forward, joining Amon in the other room.


    "Let''s begin."


    ***


    While Emir and Amon went ham, beating the monsters into submission and sending them back into their ice cages, their pods, students continued their sses for the day without


    knowing that anything had happened.


    No sound was heard from the sixth floor. Not a scream, screech, or even stomp.


    Once the floor entered lockdown many minutes ago, it was shut offpletely, as if it were in


    a different dimension entirely.


    Everyone on that floor was sent out, except the two, of course.


    Theb rats that got injured while escaping the quagmire were carried to the Hub, joining


    Quinn as her neighbors.


    She inwardly questioned the sudden spike in patients but didn''t care enough to ask. Her mind was busy listening to what Emir said on repeat.


    "Quinn isst... Pick an opponent that''ll give you a chance to showcase your skills next time."


    She, Quinn, the daughter of Mercer, gotst ce?


    She lost to those nobodies?!


    Even without a path, she exceeded the strength of most that dueled in the arena today.


    "That bastard!"


    She spat out with gritted teeth, simmering with barely suppressed anger. ming her low rank on him being her enemy and wanting to ruin the chance of her receiving any advantage.


    But just as she was about to curse him again, someone stopped her with eyes that screamed


    cold.


    It wasn''t Elijah, nor was it Aria.


    Unexpectedly, it was Sofia.


    She came up to restock on old-world medicine, as she swallowed a few after the fight, and midway through her post-purchase exit, she decided to visit Quinn.


    Not to wish her a speedy recovery, but to scold her. Scold her for constant ss interruptions


    and RETARDED decisions.


    The girl finally found someone that she could learn from, so she had no patience for someone


    who would ruin it.


    "You''re dumb."


    Saying that, she turned out silently and left the room, leaving a bbergasted Quinn behind.


    ''.... What the fuck is wrong with her?!''

 Chapter 338: Runes & Spells

    Chapter 338: Runes & Spells


    ?


    ***


    Sometimeter...


    [You''ve embarrassed your master with that performance, boy.]


    [You know I don''t like to agree with this old bastard, but he''s right, you fucked up bad.]


    [I get it! I get it! Stop crowding me!]


    Arthur sat in the back of the ss, talking to his systems telepathically as he continued to look up at empty space.


    What his eyes saw was far from that, however.


    A Japanese salesman, wearing a suit and reflecting sses, stood next to an old man who looked like he came straight out of a cultivation novel with long flowing white hair and a simrly long beard that reached below his waist-a beard that would put Ragnar''s, Emir''s, and Raymond''s to shame a hundred times over.


    [I understand you being weak, you''ve never trained before meeting us, which is bad sure, but that doesn''t matter...]


    The old man didn''t relent, scolding him while stroking his beard.


    [Especially not now!]


    Pushing his sses up his nose, the dull salesman agreed:


    [Right. What matters is how you disgraced us with that low blow. Or at least your attempt at one.]


    Snickering, the old man added:


    [Though I don''t know much of this world, I can be sure that it holds the same values as mine. And I''ve never seen a man kill another by aiming at their goddamn BALLS!]


    [Mhm, I can''t see how you and Emir are the same age...]


    "SHUT THE FUCK UP!"


    Ah... Arthur identally spoke out loud, causing the entire ss to stare daggers at him, especially the ''named,'' who looked like they wanted to kill him.


    "...Were you talking to someone?"


    The kid twitched and paused for a second, still processing what happened. Then he looked back at their bearded professor, his head lowering as he nodded at him.


    "Y-Yes... I''m sorry."


    "It''s fine, just don''t do it again and turn off your terminal, yeah?"


    "I will."


    Arthur let out a sigh while deting into his seat, trying to hide from the embarrassment and drown out their voices, but eventually...


    He failed.


    Why? Well, their professor, Ragnar interfered once again.


    Right, he was the one who was currently teaching them.


    Runes were introduced to them today, while he wasn''t the one responsible for the intricacies of that specialization, he was tasked with giving a very light introduction.


    And even though it was just an introduction, most of the students grew confused.


    Not because of how tough it was to understand, which it was, but because it didn''t rte to them or their path.


    So thinking that Arthur was adamant on not listening to his lecture, he grew annoyed, throwing a metal coin at the kid''s head, snapping him straight.


    "Focus!"


    "S-Sorry Sir!"


    The students next to Arthur clicked their tongues as he sat upright, finally looking to be focusing on the lesson.


    And he did focus indeed. But it was a struggle. The two ''reincarnates'' didn''t stop yapping, scolding him for reacting that way, so to switch their attention to something else, he asked:


    [Old man, you mentioned your world before, right? Murim or something. You too ancient salesman, Japan from another dimension?]


    His n worked.


    The two went on and on about their fabricated worlds, and Arthur could finally focus on Ragnar''s words without their insistent shouting.


    "So to emphasize, you NEED to gain the Runeweaver aspect by UNLOCKING the Beholding Eyes ability. This would enable you to SEE Runes. Now, of course, anyone can see Runes but to SEE them is different."


    "We don''t see only the symbol, the glyph, or whatever you call it, but we see the Path lines within them... Think of it like this: Our bodies, which are essentially conduits, contain thousands of paths, yet we don''t use all of them, only a certain number to form an ability."


    "The Arcane, thenguage of the Arcanists, houses many letters, or Runes as we call them, but we can''t just write down all of the Runes, input our Aether, and expect a proper result, an ability to form. No, it''ll only cause everything to backfire, maybe even explode."


    "We need to keep the result in mind while choosing the ''letters,'' only then can we expect to conjure something proper. Many simply memorize the ''words,'' but if you do that, then you wouldn''t know how to tweak the ability for more specific uses, how to apply it to different objects, and so on."


    Ragnar gave his ss a moment to breathe and then snapped his fingers, causing a hologram to materialize. One that showcased Runes for increased strength and speed.


    {Strength-000000000}


    {Speed - 00000}


    "Now look... The wording is important-strength and speed-both about the body, while it could be used on most things as it''s a general inscription, it''s still only best for the body."


    As he talked, the hologram added another two inscriptions.


    {Velocity - 00000000}


    {Power - 000000}n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "On a gun for example, you can use something like Velocity or Power. It technically does the same thing, increasing the speed and strength, but in a much more efficient way, even for cars as well, instead of speed, eleration would do better."


    Scanning the students for a moment, he nodded his head, then turned off the hologram and said:


    "Now why did I exin all of that? Well, besides the fact that it was something you should know, it was to introduce this..."


    He stepped away from the holoscreen, took the staff on his deck, and showed it to the ss. "A staff, why use one when our bodies are and will always be the best conduits to ever exist?" For the first time since the ss started, Ragnar''s question was not a rhetorical one or one that he would answer himself, and the students caught on to thatte, allowing a second or two for only Sofia to raise her hand.


    Ragnar picked her to answer, and she stood up, ignoring the grumbling students around her:


    "Because it''s more specialized."


    He nodded.


    "Correct! Ten AUC for you."


    Her bored expression didn''t change at that unexpected reward, and she quietly sat back down,


    as if all that he taught was nothing she didn''t know.


    Even if it was true, which it was, to act that way was rude, but unlike Emir, Ragnar wasn''t harsh on the kids, so he ignored her and moved on:


    "We spell weavers don''t really need a staff, but it helps us perform moreplicated spells. As I said, our bodies act as conduits far better than any staff, Arcanist or Technomancer can


    create but because of that, it''s harder to cast spells with many Paths."


    "Staffs like the one I hold streamline the process for a single category of spells. So they''re only useful in a certain element or a certain line structure, unlike our bodies, which can handle all. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule with overpowered staffs, but those are Holy Relics, and those are the exception, not the rule."


    "Remember, the more specific the inscription the better the result, after all, there are millions ofbinations in the Paths, Arcanenguage, and-"


    Ragnar paused just before ending his lesson, his eyes stuck on a certain student in the back of


    the ss.


    It was Arthur.


    The kid was staring at his watch, looking excited, as if he was dying to see the ss end.


    That ticked off Ragnar.


    "ARTHUR! MINUS TEN AUC!"


    And he immediately gave him a penalty, causing him to flinch and look up in shock while


    inwardly questioning:


    ''WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO?!''


    ***


    While Arthur fought the battle of his life, Emir was enjoying a battle of his own.


    Looking at the students fight so clumsily made him cringe a little, but it still lit up his urge to


    fight.


    And fight he did.


    He had a Material Type monster in his left grip, its neck twisted as he kept punching its face


    in, causing blood to spurt out in loads, sshing out andnding on the pool of crimson


    beneath them.


    "WILL YOU SURRENDER?!"


    Like a loan shark demanding his money, he kept repeating this question for what felt like a


    million times in the past hour.


    "A-Alright! I will, I will, just stop... please."


    The monster finally relented, epting his defeat, but Emir didn''t let go of its neck, wanting


    to punch it one more time for good measure.


    But just as he pulled his right arm back like a spring, about to unleash death...


    Ring Ring Ring~


    His terminal rang out.

 Chapter 339: Bonding Time

    Chapter 339: Bonding Time


    ?


    Throwing the monster away, he pulled up a hologram of his terminal in his HUD and saw that Laura was the one calling him.


    Immediately answering the call, he said:


    [Hey, hey, mom, what''s up?]


    [Hey sweetie, are you alright?]


    As the monster scurried away, Emir turned his attention to another that was in the next room.


    [Yep, you?]


    He dashed after it, sidestepping a fiery breath that was as big as his body and jumped over a massive spike of ice that materialized out of the floor.


    [I''ll be alright as long as you are.]


    As he reached the ground, the monster he aimed for was already upon him, unleashing tens of vines from its body.


    [Yeah, yeah, same here, now what''s up?]


    He used his monument from the fall and kicked the air with his right foot, shing the air and causing a draft of wind that opened a path for him to reach the Verdigris, pushing away the vines.


    [Mama''s got a little question, I don''t-]


    Emir didn''t return his foot to the ground but just moved his body along the kick andnded it on a floating construct he created.


    [Ask me.]


    Pushing himself off, he escaped multiple arrows of fire that cut through where he just was, making the monster hit its ally, burning it to ash.


    "AAAAAAAAAHH!!"


    [...Okay, so why did you remove your ess to our main bank ount? Did something happen? A NetWeaver? Or a-are you-]


    Ignoring its screams, a flying Emir immediately stopped his mother from panicking, as he crashed his feet into the smander''s head, sttering its brain out.


    [No, no, no, don''t go there. I''m fine, calm down mom.]


    Its insides didn''t remain still on the ground however, as two monsters attacked while he was mid-air.


    [Then what is it?!]


    The ground beneath him was bathed with water that shot out tentacle like whips and ice spikes came from the roof, attempting to incase him in their frozen clutches.


    [It''s just that I''ve got my own money now, I''ll tell you about itter, but for now just know that thepany''s money is for the family. I ain''t touching it.]


    His smile widened and he screamed:


    "AETHER BLAST 5%"


    Commanding Aether to pump out of core and soar through his pointed finger, causing destruction to be unleashed to the two monsters in the room, damaging them close to death, while also eliminating their abilities before they could touch him.


    [...I''ll ept that but you better properly exinter, bye.]


    Just as hended on the ground, the water which engulfed the room, fully dissipated, returning to Aether.


    [Don''t worry, bye.]


    Ending the call, he looked around the room, seeing not even a speck of damage, only a sttering pool of blood.


    Thankfully only Material and Elemental types escaped, the systems in ce managed to stop whoever caused the outbreak to happen, otherwise even Amon would''ve had to put in much effort.


    Now he was simply going after the tough ones while leaving those he called cannon fodder to Emir.


    But that didn''t matter much to him, because while the task ahead was daunting, he certainly was enjoying himself.


    "Haaah man... this''ll be fun."


    With an even brighter smile, he walked forward, joining Amon in the main room where all the pods were ced, and roared:


    "Come at me you filthy trash!"


    Amon, leisurely walking in between the broken pods while pushing back tens of monsters, nced at the entrance andmented:


    "Took you long enough, now go bait some more, and for god sake don''t kill any more of them!"


    "It was only one time, but sure."


    Their back and forth was almost drowned out as the monsters roared back, rushing at Emir with their fangs and teeth barred.


    One among them was a hulking beast, bearing armored tes on its horse-like body, leading the pack, consisting of the usual felines, canines, and even Fang d spiders.


    "I remember you... Let''s have some fun, yeah?"


    ...


    ...


    Many hours went by and night arrived.


    With Amon shoving thest monster into its pod, then trapping it with his chains, the two finally put an end to the first minor disaster.


    The only thing left was for Arcanists and Technomancers toe in and fix up the pods, allowing Amon to stop supplying Aether to his chains, give his core some rest.


    Emir slopped to the ground, battered, bruised, and bloodied, augmented suit long since dead.


    It was supposed to be simple. A student gone rogue, a few kidnappings, a few deaths, but it turned into this, the escape of hundreds of monsters, even many high-ranking ones, and the involvement of the principal himself for if he didn''t interfere, the school would''ve turned


    into a graveyard.


    He sighed and looked up at the roof, which was just as bloody as the ground.


    "Reinforcements got dyed, huh? They''re busy teaching, huh? You''ve run out of excuses no? Now tell me, Why?"


    Amon, who looked the same as he was before entering the Freezer, stepped next to him and


    casually replied:


    "Why what? Why I wanted only you to help?"


    Rolling his eyes, Emir confirmed:


    "You know that''s what I''m talking about, don''t y with me."


    Shrugging his shoulders, the principal headed towards the door while saying:


    "Whyin? You enjoyed it, no?"


    Clicking his tongue, Emir followed after him, wobbling through the grime as he pattedn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    himself clean.


    "Is it because you wanted to find out all my abilities?"


    Raising both his hands as if he were surrendering, Amon said:


    "Bingo. You caught me."


    Not satisfied with that reaction, Emir continued probing:


    "Did I really? Weren''t you also testing if I''m trustworthy?"


    Without looking back, he pped his hands and said:


    "Bingo again."


    Ticked off, Emir approached Amon with quick steps, and stood in front of him, stopping him


    from moving.


    "Don''t lie. Trusting each other is impossible, I''m using you and you''re using me. Can''t deny


    it."


    Chuckling, he brushed past him and said:


    "Don''t mistake it my little professor... You can''t trust me, sure, but don''t think that its also the case for me. Like all things, trust isn''t only ck and white."


    Giving up on fishing something out of him, Emir walked alongside his principal until they


    reached the Freezer''s exit.


    [Exit is closed. Lift lockdown? Clearance level three required.]


    Amon scanned while saying:


    "Brain, it''s done."


    It took a moment but Brain replied after the scan wasplete.


    [...Understood Principal Amon, opening doors now.]

 Chapter 340: Still Alive

    Chapter 340: Still Alive


    ?


    Fwishhh....


    [Operations will be resumed once the pods are fixed.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Thanks, Brain."


    Amon led Emir through the filtration chamber and met with a few security guards who wore all ck, along with two trauma team respondents.


    It was pretty obvious that the principal wanted to keep things hush-hush, as he only called a few people toe in.


    "Wee back, Lord Amon, Professor Emir!"


    They kneeled, hovering their dominant hands on their second hearts as the two approached.


    Gesturing for them to stand, Amonmanded:


    "Clean up the ce, and one of you help the professor back to his room."


    Raising a brow, Emir sarcastically asked:


    "You treating me like an old man? I can take care of myself."


    Disappearing from his position and reappearing in front of Emir, Amon flicked his pointing finger at his neck.


    "Can you?"


    Emir barely reacted to his threat, not even flinching or blinking his eyes.


    "...Sure, I''ll do it. Only because you insist so much."


    "So stubborn..."


    Shaking his head, Amon stepped back and joined the others.


    "I was nning to brief you on the ''patrols'' you''ll be doing from tomorrow on, but this took longer than expected."


    "So?"


    "So just check what I sent you, everything you need to know is there."


    "Alright."


    Heading off in opposite directions, they didn''t bother to bid each other goodbye, as if they had a scuffle simr to that of a normal family.


    ''Lemme see here.''


    Like before, he pulled up his terminal on his HUD and began scrolling through the reports, messages, and whatever else he received.


    "Good, good, good, nothing, nothing, nothing, not-She replied."


    He paused his scrolling as he noticed that his ''lovely'' disciple had sent a letter back.


    Deciding to read itter, he turned his attention to the digital link point that Amon had sent.


    epting the link, he established a connection and was sent all the data.


    {Hello, this is Brain!}


    Alongside it came a video briefing from the Academy''s little blob.


    ''Hello.''


    Emir replied, knowing that it wouldn''t be able to hear.


    {I''m honored to inform you that you''ve been deemed satisfactory atbat by our very Principal!}


    ''Only satisfactory?''


    {Don''t mind the wording, professor. Principal Amon has really high standards.}


    ''Yeah, yeah.''


    {Anyhow, you and your fellow professors will be joining an unnamed team under the Principal''smand. On the surface, you''ll be tasked with patrolling the Academy, but behind the scenes, you''ll be going on missions.}


    ''For free?''


    {Of course you''ll be paid ording to how much you contributed to the mission, so work hard for great rewards!}


    ''Nice, now who''s with me?''


    {At this point, you might be wondering who''ll be there with you, so look at this sexy


    organizational structure. It''s so beautiful... Look! LOooook at it!}


    Emir slowly opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he let out nothing but a scoff. Speechless at how differently Brain was acting.


    ''It looks like that little structure it created made it horny or something.''


    Shaking his head, he scanned the names before him and showed a smile.


    {Leader: Judas.}


    {Vice leader: Judal.}


    {Firstbatant: Emir.}


    {Secondbatant: Ragnar.}


    {Thirdbatant: Morgiana.}


    {Hunter Group Leaders: Eagles, Red Dragon Kremlin, Lionheart, Phoenix,


    Iron Reich, Maharajah, Shinobi Leader, Southern Cross, Khari.}


    {Be ready, you''ll start tomorrow. The mission details have already been sent.}


    Nodding his head, Emir unmuted the open channel between him and Lyra, as he had muted it earlier, not wanting to distract and worry her with his once chaotic thoughts and emotions.


    [You''re back!]


    Her voice echoed in his mind, screaming happiness.


    [I am indeed... It took me more time than I expected.]


    Relief flooded through her at his casual tone, and she let out a short sigh.


    [It''s fine, as long as you''re safe.]


    [Yeah, I am, I am. Anyways can you do something for me?]


    [Anything.]


    [...Well, actually you''d better read my memories first.]


    [Uhn.]


    It took her a few seconds, probably due to how far she was from the Academy, but she


    eventually replied:


    [Hm, so the team is actually real... Don''t worry, I''ll see what I can find, and I''ll also have Nathan investigate the mission while preparing a summary report.]


    [I''m counting on you.]


    He heard a giggle, and a few heart-shaped emojis appeared in front of him.


    [That''s music to my ears.]


    [Show off.]


    They shared augh as he ended their conversation while turning around and facing the


    cked-out security guard.


    "My bad."


    Lowering his head, the man immediately replied:


    "Don''t worry, sir! I can wait until I''m only skin and bones."


    Tapping his shoulder, Emir began heading back to the top floor.


    "You''re a good man."


    With his head still lowered, he said:


    "I''m stillcking, but I''ll never stop trying to match your praise, sir!"


    Gesturing for him to move, Emir asked:


    "Nah, stop the humble act, it''s true, even Amon thinks so... Mind telling me why?"


    Standing up straight, the man silently trailed behind the professor he was tasked with protecting, always a step behind.


    Emir didn''tment on that as he picked up on the man''s intention, his feet continuing


    forward.


    Ting!


    Their silence ended once they entered the elevator, as he said:


    "So?"


    With a face that showed unearthed pain, he uttered his words slowly:


    "...I was one of Ebonfyre''s people; now I''m the principal''s, as you are his. We''ll be working


    together in the team, only instead of fighting side by side, we''ll be watching your backs and


    cleaning up the mess you leave behind."


    His smile widening, Emir closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.


    "What''s your cover?"


    "Receptionist."


    That unhesitatingly stated answer made Emir curious, as his memory of a certain someone


    resurfaced almost like it was unlocked by a key.


    Johnson, thewyer, the receptionist.


    Ting!


    Exiting the elevator, they stepped out onto the tenth floor as he asked:


    "You worked with a man named Johnson?"


    The man stroked his chin for a second or two, then stated loudly:


    "...Ah, I know him!"


    Emir''s smile died as a face of incredible stillness reced it.


    "What do you know?"

 Chapter 341: The Game

    Chapter 341: The Game


    ?


    Though showing surprise at his sudden transformation, the man quickly replied, recalling all that he knew:


    "He''s a rtively new hire; just about a year since he joined us. His record is clean, dating back to twenty-plus years of hunter experience, even his thoughts gave us nothing to worry about. We''ve found little dirt on him, but that isn''t unusual, actually, some saw it as too little, as if his record was altered, some parts deleted. Most hunters have a truckload of dirt on them after all."


    Emir stayed still for a while, appearing to be lost in thought, his gears turning.


    ''...Deleted?''


    With a nod, he turned to the man and asked:


    "Do you have his ID? I want to talk to him."


    "Oh, you don''t know? ... He''s dead."


    ''...Dead?''


    Emir''s eyes widened as he inwardly repeated what the man had just said, and the gears inside his mind shifted once more, hinting at a possibility that he NEEDED to be false.


    "When?!"


    The man replied calmly, not reacting to his quickly changing state:


    "It was more than seven months ago, I believe. We investigated his whereabouts, but we found nothing. There''s a high chance he went missing alongside all those desperate hunters who went after Ms. Aria..."


    ''Fading Haven.''


    Emir blinked.


    "Aria, you said?"


    "Yeah... I lost a few friends that day too. Damn that life insurancepany! Second Life, huh? Second life my ass!"


    Ignoring the man''s frustrated grumble, Emir continued to think as the gears within his mind shifted more and more until...


    ''Fuck.''


    Everything clicked.


    What he wished to be false turned out to be true.


    Johnson was the third yer.


    And he-no, ''He'' was still alive.


    ''He'' was the one who made the monsters go mad, making saving Aria much more difficult.


    Yes, ''He'' was the shriveled-up man who they saw in the ruin.


    Yes, ''He'' could somehow control more than one body, hiding his true identity from ever being found out.


    ''He'' was the reason why Emir''s ID was seven hundred and seventy-seven.


    ''He'' was the reason why there were seven hundred and seventy-seven students.


    ''He'' was the reason why Emir ranked as the universe''s 777th youngest Seraphim. ''He'' was the reason why Felix was taken over by a parasite so early.


    ''He'' was the one who agitated Emir to stab his steel into the girl walking in the dark.


    ''He'' was the one who led Felix into eating the poor girl with steel in her heart.


    ''He'' was the one who repeatedly stole Emir''s memories.


    ''He'' was the one who visited Mr. yer''s Iplete Celestial Realm.


    ''He'' was the ''Man'' with the pocket watch.


    ''He'' was the one who watched all along.


    ''He'' was the ''Author,'' the one shaping Emir''s story.


    Not the Oracle, not Magnus, and certainly not his allies.


    It was ''Him.''


    ''He'' was the third yer.


    [Lyra...]


    [...]


    ''...I can''t contact her.''


    And that yer seemed to have found out about Emir discovering ''His'' little secret, jamming his connection.


    Click ck...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Slow steps resounded in the distance, approaching their location, but Emir remained still, not panicking, thinking of a solution.


    ''I can only escape... but I need to know first.''


    Tick...


    A sigh escaped his lips, and he looked at his bodyguard.


    "Did anyone join after he went missing?"


    Tick, tick...


    "Hmm... I think some chick called Maria was brought in. She''s a doctor."


    Tick, tick, tick...


    Emir''s icey face turned even colder.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick...


    ''Maria?.... No, no, no, no, no... no FUCKING way! He was the nurse too?!''


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    As his thoughts churned, the steps quickly grew closer, faster, and alongside them was the ticking of a clock, a sound that eventually drowned out the steps, reverberating inside his


    mind.


    It came from a watch, or more specifically, a pocket watch.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    His bodyguard reacted calmly to whatever was happening, indicating that he didn''t hear the ticking, only the steps that caught his attention, causing him to turn around and look at who


    was approaching them.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    No one was there.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    Emir, knowing that to be a lie, leaned forward lightly and whispered:


    "Whoever''sing, slow them down."


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    Without questioning him for a moment, the man sprang into action, rushing towards the


    steps, while Emir ran the other way, heading to his office.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick...


    But as he was about to sh Step away, his legs wobbled, as did his entire body soon after, feeling all of his Aether get sucked out of him, leaving only a trickle in his reserves.


    Tick, tick, tick, tick... Tick.


    Not relenting for a second, he marched on, dragging his feet till he reached his office.


    Tick... tick... tick...


    The door opened, automatically detecting his presence, and he rushed in.


    Tock!


    As the melody neared its end, his eyes began to bleed, to cry, leaving ck tears trailing down


    his face as he looked past his desk.


    Tick!


    And just before he could reach out for his guns...


    Tock!


    A voice resounded right behind him:


    "Sleep."


    ''Not again...''


    Like a puppet cut loose from its strings, he immediately crashed into the ground, his eyes


    bleeding a waterfall of ck.


    It seemed that those tears weren''t a result of his corruption but a result of the woman who now stood next to his sleeping body.


    That woman was Maria, the same nurse who weed Emir into this world.


    "How many times does this make, hm?"


    Her voice resounded once more, and it was far from normal, far different from the one he


    knew.


    It sounded like hundreds of people talking at once, each with different tones, ents, and volumes, all speaking at different times. It was contradictory to itself.


    Her voice rivaled the song of chaos in just how revolting it was to hear. "Stop figuring me out, boy. Just rx, take it easy. No need to worry, you''re in good hands,


    really."


    Maria chuckled, giggled, andughed out loud, continuing to talk to herself:


    "Yeah, I know, I know, it''s not your fault. But I can''t help but get the watch out, you know."


    ""


    "Right, right, you''ve missed quite a few as well, but hey, it was a lot better thanst time."


    Pulling his body by the arms, she dragged him back to the elevator, closing the door to his office behind her.


    "It isn''t time yet, so don''t ruin this for me... I don''t have many tries left, and look at you, you''re already crying."


    While she moved, her eyes nced at each and every camera, stealing everything, deleting her very existence from the database, and making it as if she was never there.


    "This game between you and Magnus is just beginning. I''ll be watching it till its conclusion,


    so stop..."


    Letting out a bored sigh, she continued:


    "Stop trying to be something more than what you really are. You ''awakened'' early once, you unlocked a unique ability without a blessing. Neither will happen again."


    Her face, which once showed a kind smile, had twisted, and as if it were a glitch, her features began to be rubbed off, erased, scrambled, and blurred.


    "You''re alone, child. So utterly alone. Not even your little subject friend holds a candle to your


    starless fate."


    Ting!


    Reaching the elevator, its door automatically opened, and there stood a sleeping guard,


    awaiting the entry of the professor he failed to protect.


    "Don''t forget, darkness awaits you, and death awaits your people. You will get stronger, but


    I''m beyond strength."


    "....."


    She pulled him up and ced him next to the man, with arms that were as ''nonexistent'' as her


    face.


    "I''ll be your end..."


    The doors closed as thest of her words resounded.


    "And you''ll be my new beginning."


    Emir remained there, standing next to a man he knew not of his name.


    He was still sleeping, and the tears that once surrounded his eyes cleared, as if a cloth was


    wiping them away.


    "§´§Ñ§â...


    But then, all of a sudden, his right-pointing finger moved, harshly hitting his thumb.


    The first tap was followed by three others in quick session, and after a pause, two taps in


    simr volume and speed resounded.


    || ||


    That was it.


    His finger moved no more, and he stayed limp, standing like a zombie.


    However, his mind, or rather, his neuralwork, was busy working.


    An incredibly small part, which connected to his subconscious, was recording the taps, and


    those taps brought forth a hidden countermeasure that wasn''t active or even formed before everything aligned.


    That guaranteed this procedure would never be detected by the third yer since it wouldn''t


    even exist before ''They'' made their move.


    {Procedure conditions met.}


    {Initiating procedure.}


    {Decoding Morse Code.}


    {H: ....}


    {I:..}


    {Complete.}


    {Adding to previous 9 procedures.}


    {Johnson. Thi...} {Sentence iplete, requiring further input.}


    {Procedure termination dyed.}


    {Sending to Lyra''s database.}


    {Authorization requested.} {Authorization sent.} {Lyra system 20175182109 epted data.}


    {Procedureplete.}


    {Wiping information.....}


    {...}


    {...}


    "...Ah."


    His eyes slowly fluttered open.

 Chapter 342: Exchange Of Letters

    Chapter 342: Exchange Of Letters


    ?


    Emir sat on his office chair, his right hand ying with a pistol while he spun himself around aimlessly.


    [So?]


    His question was directed to Lyra, as they had been talking for a while. His so-called bodyguard had left long ago.


    [Nothing''s wrong, self-check results are fine, the history of what you did matches with the database, and so does your and my memories. Even the guard''s own camera showed nothing out of the ordinary.]


    Leaning his head on his left hand, he slowed the chair down and asked:


    [Even the time?]


    [Even the time.]


    Her confirmation almost gave him a headache as he threw away the gun and kneaded his forehead.


    ck!


    [Am I being overly paranoid again? It almost feels like deja vu at this point.]


    Lyra''s hologram materialized to his right, showing her in clothes different than usual, jeans and a normal white t-shirt.


    "What do you think? I tried on a new style."


    Emir smiled at her obvious attempt to change the subject and flowed along, deciding to ignore his paranoia.


    "Beautiful as always, my white-haired princess-."


    Picking up on his joke, she put the back of her hand on top of her head, kneeled slightly, and said with a happy voice:


    "Oh~ my prince! Must you twist my heart so?"


    He pushed his chair forward, crashed into her holographic body, and ced her on hisp.


    "I must, for you always pull me out of the dark."


    Her nonexistent heart fluttered as she heard his sincere words, ones disguised as nothing but a cringy joke.


    "...I-I always will, my love."


    Emir lowered himself and kissed her forehead, but his mouth touched nothing.


    Her body was ''true'' only to the augmented suit, so as his head wasn''t connected to the suit like the rest of the body was, he couldn''t feel anything.


    But that didn''t matter to the two of them, as she squirmed in his arms, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.


    Lyra didn''t act like that for long however, her serious face returned as she stood up from his embrace.


    She had things to do; if she continued to enjoy herself there for too long, their men might die. They needed her full focus to survive.


    In truth, while she was talking to him, her real body was out of the sector, deep in some ruin, leading their people in a dive. Not only that, she also kept an eye on the entire family while helping Laura with her work.


    The girl was certainly the cornerstone of his life, for without her, everything would slowly fall apart.


    "Mhm..."


    Eyeing her prince, she bids goodbye while blowing a kiss:


    "I''ll be home in an hour or two with the report; don''t tire yourself out, okay?"


    He waved back while nodding.


    "Sure, sure, see you."


    Her hologram dissipated, and he turned his attention to the terminal on his desk.


    Navigating it took not much more than a second, and he opened Quinn''s letter, showing it on the screen.


    {Dear Sponsor,


    I''m Quinn, the girl you sponsored. I''m writing this letter to thank you for believing in me. Not many do... I don''t think there''s anyone that does except you actually, but yeah, that doesn''t matter. I''ll show them what they''re missing out on, and I''ll prove to you that investing in me was the right choice!


    Now with my promise out of the way, I''ll tell you a bit more about myself. I won''t ask about you since you''re hiding your identity, but that doesn''t mean that I should hide mine, right?


    Anyways, Its...}


    Emir continued to read the letter, which was many pages long, full of tangents, impossible promises, trauma dumping, useless information about herself, and much more.


    It seemed that she thought of him as her therapist.


    Chuckling at this joke of a situation, he shook his head and started writing back a reply.


    {Dear Quinn,


    You''ve done nothing wrong, child; it''s the world that has betrayed you, but don''t worry, just do your best. No matter the result, I''ll still be here for you.}


    He gave it a few reads, and after making sure the words contained a hidden meaning that only she would realize, he saved it in his drafts, nning to send itter, waiting for the opportune moment to have the most impact.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With that done, he turned off his terminal, clocked out, and stood up, heading back home.


    Laura wanted to talk with him, and it had been a while since they saw each other, so he nned to spend the night there while also discussing the money distribution of their


    business.


    He still didn''t tell them about Setrenc, the gathering of powerhouses, but he wasn''t going to do that tonight. He needed to make sure of a few things first, ensure his family''s safety, and


    only then would he tell them.


    So for now, only Lyra knew.


    But what he did n on revealing was that he would be a part of the Academy''s undercover team, giving his jailerpanion the stage to brief him on the mission details while letting the cute mother-daughter duo listen in.


    And that was what happened.


    After everything was done, they all went to their separate rooms, leaving Lyra and Emir alone


    in the meeting room.


    "Training room?"


    "Training room."


    Off they went, cultivating till the next day arrived.


    ...


    As the sun beamed down at the Academy, Emir stood in front of his students, taking their attendance.


    He had no ss today, as it was only on Monday and Thursday; Tuesday being neither of the two meant that he only had a homeroom ss, one where he would check up on his students. That was what he did as he walked around, asking them what sses they took, how they were doing in said sses, and which of the sses was the toughest for them.


    Emir already had all of that information on hand, but asking them directly gave the impression that he gave a shit, and that would also put pressure on them to perform, so he continued to act as he was told, following Amon''s orders to a tee.


    Some students had doubts, and he cleared them, briefly exining what they were taught while also making sure to not go further up the curriculum so as to not confuse them.


    But as he was teaching,motion suddenly erupted at the far left of the ss.


    "I didn''t do jack shit!"


    It was Arthur, his screams directed at an ''unnamed'' sitting next to him.


    "Don''t lie! I know you did it!"


    This ''unnamed'' wasn''t like the rest; however, he was a bully, and he was one of the three who


    beat Arthur up in front of their professor.


    Letting out a sigh, Emir walked towards them, his demeanor even colder than usual.


    ''A new event, huh?''

 Chapter 343: A Man Of Mystery And Honor

    Chapter 343: A Man Of Mystery And Honor


    ?


    "What happened?"


    Standing right in front of them, Emir asked with his hands behind his back.


    His eyes were trained on them like a hunter on its prey, making them shiver. The intensity of


    his gaze reminded their bodies why they feared him so much, sending chills down their spines and making their breaths hitch.


    But Arthur didn''t stay shivering for long. He stood up, reaching just below his professor''s shoulders at his tallest, and stuttered out:


    "H-He''s framing me for something I didn''t do!"


    The bully shot back, stuttering even more:


    "B-b-but you did! I saw you!"


    ''Seriously?...''


    Emir shook his head and raised his right hand, showing them his palm. "Quiet."


    They did as he said, immediately shutting themselves up.


    "Good."


    His gaze then left Arthur andnded on the bully.


    "What did you lose?"


    After a few seconds of hesitant silence, he received a reply:


    "...My terminal."


    Nodding his head, he asked:


    "Did it happen in ss?"


    "...N-Yes."


    "Yes or no? Be sure."


    "Y-Yes!"


    His cold face broke into a calm smile at that answer, and he turned to Arthur, meeting his furrowed brows and golden eyes.


    "Did you steal it?"


    Almost wincing at the question, he thought their professor believed the bully. But he didn''t stay quiet and eventually ended the silence through gritted teeth:


    "I did not! What would I do with a terminal that I can''t even use?!"


    ''True.''


    Emir''s smile widened even further as he turned his back to them and returned to the front of the room.


    "Who do you think is telling the truth?"


    || ||


    ""


    || ||


    ||||


    No one raised their hand to answer.


    It seemed that they didn''t want to interfere in something so pointless, or they just didn''t want trouble with the professor-not even Max did, knowing the consequences quite well.


    Noticing that, Emir faced them and asked another question, switching up his words a little bit:


    "Who do you think is responsible for the incident?"


    But this time he didn''t wait for them to answer, as he pointed at himself and stated:


    "It was me."


    His eyes, through the shades, showed that he truly believed his words.


    "Everything that happens in this ss is my responsibility."


    Returning his attention to the two troublemakers, he asked the bully:


    "So I''llpensate you and buy you a new one... but..."


    His reaction to his professor''s words wasn''t happiness but dread, as he knew what wasing next.


    "If I ever find out that you lied, you''ll be kicked out of the Academy before the principal even knows. Is that understood?!"


    The bully blinked as his professor''s words echoed in the ssroom.


    He didn''t know what to say or do, so he stayed frozen in ce, acting as if he could escape the situation by pretending he wasn''t there, believing his professor to be like one of those monsters that only saw movement.


    But Emir was no fictional dinosaur-he stared right at the kid.


    "So?"


    Urged to move, he looked around in panic and stuttered out while reaching out to the ground: "A-Ah! There it is!"


    He picked up a terminal hidden behind his seatmate''s desk and stood up, looking back at his professor with his head down.


    "I''m sorry for all the trouble, Sir! It looks like I lost it! I don''t use it much, so I sometimes


    forget it..."


    The bully didn''t believe his own words as with each second his voice lowered in volume until The shut himself up.


    His act wasn''t getting awards anytime soon.


    But, obvious as it was, no one said anything about it, not even Emir, as he shrugged it off and approached the bully, wanting to tell him something directly.


    "S-Sir?"


    Once he reached his seat, Emir lowered himself slightly and whispered:


    "Do whatever you want, kill yourself, I don''t care, but not in my ss or when I''m around,


    and for the sake of your daddy, who''s paying for all of this, find better ways to bully the kid,


    alright?"


    Wide-eyed, the bully stepped back and looked at Emir, speechless.


    Just what type of professor would talk that way to his own student?


    They understood him to be evil, but that really was an understatement.


    He was simply unfeeling. He saw them as nothing, so of course he was fair to them.


    Who would treat an ant any differently from the one behind it?


    The bully''s head was now clear. He understood.


    "...I understand."


    And so he said.


    "Good man."


    Patting his head, Emir went back to his desk, standing in front of the ss.


    "Now with that over, does anyone have any questions?" Time''s almost up."


    A couple of students raised their hands, but Emir had time for only one, so he chose a studentn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    who hadn''t asked a question before, appearing to be shy or simply afraid.


    "T-T-T-Thank-ssh Thur."


    She was definitely afraid.


    Wincing for a bit tongue, she braved on, stabilizing her breath, focusing her eyes, and asking


    her question:


    "How can I be more like you?"


    Surprised, Emir showed genuine emotion for once, as he looked at the girl with interest.


    "Like me'' how exactly?"


    She let out a heavy breath and said:


    "...Brave... Confident."


    ''She saw me fight that symbiote then.''


    Emir concluded that she was one of the students who stayed behind that day, which was why


    she arrived at this question, seeing how he dealt with all that mess at the time.


    "Brave huh..."


    He allowed that word to marinate a little, then said:


    "I learned to be that. And one can only be brave when they''re scared... The man you see in


    front of you has experienced far more setbacks than sesses, and they taught me to be strong. So do your best, if you die, at least it''ll be on your own terms. Looking cool is a plus~."


    While those next to her quietlyughed at his joke, she didn''t show any sign of a chuckle, staring at him with extreme seriousness.


    "But... what if it''s impossible? What do I do if I, a lone student, am surrounded by a hundred men who are dead set on killing me?"


    Emir grew slightly confused, but he didn''t think much about it and answered:


    "That''s impossible indeed... only if you challenge them yourself. Every situation has more


    than one solution. In this case, you should call triple nine as soon as possible. Their Guard will


    reach you in minutes."


    She shook her head.


    "And if I can''t?"


    He shrugged his shoulders.


    "Run away."


    She shook her head again.


    "If I have someone to protect?"


    He smiled, now picking up on what she wasying down.


    "Get them up on your shoulders and run."


    She shook her head for the third time.


    "I''m slow, they can catch up."


    He began to nod his head slowly, imagining the scene.


    "Are you willing to die?"


    Her reply came without hesitation:


    "I am!"


    His smile reached the tips of his mouth, stretching unnaturally wide.


    "Then fight and die."

 Chapter 344: Choosing An Assistant

    Chapter 344: Choosing An Assistant


    ?


    ***


    Sofia''s POV


    Anyone with a sound mind could pick up on what the girl was implying.


    It seemed our professor did so midway through their short Q&A session as well.


    She was being bullied. And it wasn''t only her, but her friend as well.


    It was an exaggeration of that, correct, but it was still the essence of what she was alluding to.


    The "hundred men" were the Elite that surrounded her in school and went after her for anything and everything as if they were trying their best to get her kicked out.


    Her "calling the UEF Guard" was simply him asking if she wanted help from a teacher.


    But she didn''t, she wanted to fight herself, willing to even get kicked out of the Academy because of it.


    She, a poor girl, was picked as one of the very few to join us, the Elite, under the guise of a schrship program aimed at grooming talent, all funded by the same credits our parents pay them with.


    So feeling as if they were owed something, they went after them, choosing her as one of the first to bully since she seemed to be the weakest, a spineless coward with no brave bone in her body.


    This was her wake-up call-an uncertain decision turned concrete. Not her asking for help. "Yes Sir!"


    Shouting at the top of her lungs, she stood in attention, her right hand above her second heart, as our professor nodded towards her and the rest of us, leaving the room shortly after.


    Ring ring~


    As his heavy steps resounded outside, the bell rang, indicating the end of the lesson and the beginning of my wonderment.


    ...Just who is he?''


    I didn''t care for the girl... I cared for how he dealt with her.


    He was truly unlike any teacher that I had met before.


    His gaze was always clear.


    His eyes seemed to know the answer to every question there was. As if every direction he looked at was the right one.


    Hesitation, doubt, fear, regret.... He never showed any of that.


    It hadn''t been long since we first met, but I was now sure that he was different.


    That man had to stay in my life... he was my muse!


    ***


    ncing at Sofia, whose eyes remained fixed on Emir''s desk, Elijah thought:


    ''Did she see what I see in him?''


    ''She did, didn''t she?''


    Smiling with pride, he inwardly screamed:


    ''That''s my brother, you know!''


    Sitting next to him with her arms crossed, Aria beamed as well, inwardly announcing his brother as worthy to be the one teaching her.


    ''He''ll be honored!''


    Ava felt the same, thinking that her "daddy" picked well.


    Xavier agreed as well; while he wished to know more about the mysterious professor for other reasons, he appreciated the fact that Emir had both the strength and knowledge to back up his ideals.


    Meanwhile, Max couldn''t deny his all-epassing knowledge. While he knew of the man''s strength, now he was further introduced to his intellect, and even that seemed to be more than good.


    Finding fault in him was shaping up to be quite a tough quest.


    Quinn reacted in a simr vein to Max, but she was way more delusional, thinking that this once again proved Emir to be a good enemy for her to kill.


    The ''named'' had varied reactions, but none of them differed as much as the next one.


    Arthur, the protagonist of the world, vowed not to acknowledge Emir as his professor.


    His feelings burned with envy hotter than the seventhyer of Hell itself, seething at the growing poprity of their professor.


    ''I''LL SHOW THEM WHO''S STRONG!''


    He internally vowed, plunging into a deep end where his personality shifted, no longer the same as the ''novel'' his ws magnified-a puppet of the reincarnates'' mind games.


    Their constant whispers made his mind prone to emotional maniption, which allowed them to pit him against their professor without him even noticing.


    But why would they do that?


    It was simple.


    They knew Emir desired their deaths.


    Back on the first day of sses, Arthur wagered that Emir''s coin flip would reveal ''heads.''


    To this day, no answer came.


    He could have been toying with him, but given what they understood of the man, every action was deliberate, purposeful.


    Emir had singled out Arthur for a reason. Moreover, the professor had dispatched the parasite they deployed against everyone they encountered...


    So there was no denying it-Emir, for some unknown reasons, wanted them dead, and they weren''t going to stand for that.


    ***


    "His every step is confident... but there''s something off."


    Amon leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the owl mask concealing the face of the man standing across from him.


    "Emir is terrified..."


    Blinking, he motioned for the owl-masked figure to take a seat before continuing:


    "All I see behind his confident demeanor is a man gripped by fear."


    The owlplied with his request and sat down.


    "I can ''see'' the weight, Isaac."


    Tapping his mask, the founder and leader of the Hunter Association asked:


    "Right, but what else do your eyes see? Haven''t you spent much time with him?"


    Chuckling a little, Amon nodded his head.


    "It''s quite confusing. Emir defines conflict with his very being. He shows himself aswful, a man of order, cleanliness, and uniformity, but while fighting, his chaos reveals itself... It''s


    where his soul leans."


    Before Isaac could get a word out, he added:


    "But just as he ends the battle, he resumes his act... Or it might not be an act. Maybe a disorder, some type of OCD, meaning that he has something corrupting his thinking while in


    battle, a curse of sorts."


    After letting those words sink for a little, Isaac said:


    "It''s good then; he''s bordering the edge but hasn''t jumped off yet. Simply put, he''s fucked in


    the head, like how the world''s fucked in the head, like how you''re fucked in the head, and like how I''m fucked in the head... Guess if you wanna be something in this world, that''s the first step. Get fucked in the head."


    || ||


    ...


    "..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    They silently stared at each other for a long moment then burst outughing.


    ***


    While they scrutinized him physiologically, the man himself was at ease, strolling with Ragnar through the halls as he escorted the bearded Viking to his ss.


    Following behind were two unfamiliar students.


    "And those kids are?"


    Surprised at being mentioned, they lowered their heads, but Ragnar gave them a tap on the


    back, encouraging them to keep their heads held high.


    "My assistant''s. Don''t be too mean to them; not everyone can take it as well as I do."


    "Yeah, yeah-"


    Cutting Emir off, Ragnar asked:


    "By the way, where''s yours?"


    ||||


    Not answering, he ignored the man and looked forward.


    "I said, where''s yours?"


    As if he were talking to the wall, he received no reply but the echo of his own voice.


    This didn''t continue, however, as Emir finally replied with a simple:


    "I don''t see their use."


    This was quite true. He had an AI that did almost everything for him; how would a couple of


    students evenpare?


    Ragnar agreed with the answer he received, but still questioning the random pause, he asked:


    "But why-"


    "That''s why."


    Emir cut him off as he did him a few seconds ago.


    Chuckling while shaking his head, Ragnar epted that dumb reason and moved on, talking


    about something else.


    "Anyways, so today morning my wife was..."


    As Ragnar yapped away, Emir telepathically confessed the true reason for his pause to Lyra:


    [I forgot.]


    [No worries, I did too.]


    Neither of them bothered with it since they had each other, and it seemed their neural


    networks dismissed that information as something entirely useless.


    Inwardly snickering, Emir said:


    [I can see a way to use this, though.]


    He took a quick nce at the students around them, silently telling her what he had nned.


    [Mhm, let''s see if he''ll ept it.]


    Lyra easily caught on and watched as the brother''s talk of assistants flowed in whispers


    between nearby students.


    "See yater~."


    "You won''t."


    And as they went their separate ways, one to his ssroom and the other to his office, the


    story was passed on, with each retelling altering the details slightly, changing it bit by bit.


    From one friend to another, this repeated hundreds of times throughout the day, muddying


    the story to the point where something that Emir had never said was seen as fact, spread like wildfire through the Academy. "Emir was in need of an assistant."


    By the end of the school day, a wave of students flooded toward his office, eager to seize the


    opportunity.


    The first ''named'' of the lot was Elijah.


    He walked in with Xavier Jr alongside him, all buddy-buddy, as if they were the closest of


    friends.


    Emir looked at Elijah unblinkingly for a few seconds.


    ''That got out of hand quick, but I guess it at least got him toe here.''


    He then turned his gaze to Xavier Jr.


    [That''s new...]


    Visible only through his eyes, Lyra materialized next to the kid, looking down at him as if


    studying his features.


    [But expected.] Emir inwardly nodded.


    [Right, the kid who''s always going after injustice had to step in. I mean... How could Elijah live


    while being so discriminated against?!]


    Giggling at his sarcastic words, Lyra added:


    [It runs in the family.]


    ''...Though it''s a pity his first outside friend came from an obligation.''


    He grinned and turned his gaze back to Elijah.


    "What do you two want?"

 Chapter 345: A Little More Than Student And Teacher

    Chapter 345: A Little More Than Student And Teacher


    ?


    "What do you two want?"


    ||||


    "..."


    ...Right, that was what he asked.


    Even though it was so obvious that they came here to ask about the assistant position.


    Just like how Amon yed games with Emir, he did the same to his students, never being direct... At least when off duty.


    Elijah and Xavier Jr nced at each other then lowered their heads, bowing to him while requesting at the top of their lungs:


    "Please let us be your assistants!"


    Emir smiled at them, and then...


    Snap!


    He flicked his fingers, materializing two Aether constructs that crashed into their chins. "Ugh!"


    "Gah!"


    Their necks almost cracked as their heads shot upwards, and their feet staggered as they stepped back, barely stopping themselves from falling.


    After stabilizing themselves, their heads locked onto his, and their eyesnded on his shades, understanding what he wanted.


    Eye contact... one-sided, sure, but, again, when was he ever fair to them when his benefit was involved?


    ''Good.''


    Emir nodded.


    "There''s no need for all the theatrics. Elijah, I was waiting for you toe. Look at the contract I sent, sign it, and you''ll be my assistant."


    "I will!"


    Elijah, like most of those who came before him, didn''t take a moment to even skim the contract, he opened it just after receiving it and had its hologram materialize a step in front of him.


    Signing it took him three seconds, and once he was done, the contract dissipated into the air. "I''m done, Sir!"


    Xavier Jr watched the scene unfold while showing a face full of disappointment. He didn''t have high hopes of being epted, not only due to their shing ideologies but also due to his own weakness, yet it still hurt to see himself ignored like that.


    He lowered his head like before, giving up-


    "Xavier-too long. Hey Jr."


    His head snapped straight as he looked at Emir, his depressed thoughts kicked out of his noggin.


    "You''ll be working as my assistant''s assistant. I''ll leave the details of your contract to him, so discuss it between yourselves."


    He wasn''t forgotten. Not air. He was someone.


    Jr pumped his fist as if he had just won a one-in-ten-million chance lottery, then repeatedly bowed toward his professor.


    "Thank you! Thank you so much!"


    Emir gestured for him to shut up and shooed them out of his office.


    "Okay, okay."


    "Thank you, Sir!"


    But just as they left, another came.


    It was Aria.


    With a look that screamed betrayal, she stared at Elijah as he walked away with Jr.


    "This betrayer..."


    Shaking her head to focus, she knocked on the door and was allowed entry, Ava following behind her.


    They stepped to the front of his desk, about to speak, but before they could do so, Emir interrupted them:


    "Are you here for the assistant position?"


    Aria replied quickly, not giving her friend a chance as she pped her twin tails into her face: "Y-Yes. You''re good enough to have me as your assistant!"


    || ||


    Emir nkly stared at her for a few seconds, inviting awkward silence into the room, until a thought eventually crossed his mind:


    ''...Usual.''


    Ava looked at her in a simr fashion to Emir, but with an added touch of embarrassment at being associated with her.


    "That''s alright. I already have Elijah as my assistant."


    They were rejected before they could even ask.


    How embarrassing.


    And to proud people like them who had almost no one say no to them, that embarrassment was felt tenfold.


    So they didn''t even reply and rushed out of the room, Aria first and Ava following behind her, both with faces looking to be the ripest of tomatoes.


    With their exit came the ice queen''s arrival.


    Her body showed disinterest as usual, but inwardly she was pretty nervous.


    The sight of the two students scurrying away increased that nervousness even further, but she still didn''t let that show.


    She was Sofia, and whileckingpared to her sister, she was still the daughter of Richard Alexander, the leader of Ster Solution Inc. A genius above geniuses.


    If not for her intelligence and second rank, Emir would most probably still ept her to try and gain favor from her father.


    Sofia would NOT be denied...


    "Oh, you''re here for the position as well? Sorry, but it''s already taken."


    ...Or she thought.


    As soon as she entered his office, he shut her down, not allowing her to say a word.


    ||


    Stunned, she stood in ce for the longest minute of her life, then turned around and silently


    left.


    ''She''ll learn. It''s too soon to cuddle her.''


    Emir, who enjoyed her reaction, continued his work, helping Lyra on her quest for never-


    ending Corpo greed. Which basically meant that they were managing everything rted to


    their twopanies.


    But while he was doing that, another knocked on the door.


    He checked who it was... and grinned.


    Quinn Mercer.


    She stood outside with a face full of scorn, as if she were forced to be there.


    ''Heh, she''s trying hard, alright.''


    Inwardlyughing at that sight, he weed her in:


    "Come sit."


    Entering his office, she stepped forward and stood, quietly looking at him.


    "..."


    A chuckle escaped him as he said:


    "It''s fine, you can stand if you want."


    She sat down as soon as she processed his words, appearing to be doing the exact opposite of


    what he asked of her.


    ""


    Emir easily noticed that, so to prompt her to speak, he stated:


    "If you''ve nothing to say, you should leave."


    || ||


    His attention returned to his terminal as he continued his work, showing that he meant what


    he said.


    That riled her up.


    "Make me your assistant!"


    And her demand was announced.


    Slowly blinking his eyes, he looked back at her and stared for a few seconds.


    [So you''ll do it?]


    Lyra''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind, indicating that she was watching their interaction


    the entire time.


    Emir didn''t react and simply replied:


    [Yeah.]


    He chose Elijah to be his assistant to show everyone that the boy was under his protection,


    sending a clear message that anyone who dared touch him would not see the light of day.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Trust was a factor-hence, Jr was chosen-but it wasn''t the main reason. They wouldn''t be


    doing much anyway.


    Now the reason they wanted Quinn as well was because Emir nned to mold her into his disciple, to be the second Emir, an Aetheric Duelist.


    This would easily provide an excuse for them to meet so often.


    Meanwhile, on the other end, it was obvious what Quinn wanted.


    By being his assistant, she believed she could find any dirt on him that wouldnd his head on


    a spike.


    ''It''s too bad that isn''t possible~.''


    He had dealings with the Elite themselves, so no matter what she uncovered, it wouldn''tpare to the cards he held over them: their betrayal of Earthkind and coboration with the


    Order.


    That is, if she could dig up anything at all, for he left close to no traces. "Sure, you''ll be working with Elijah. The contract has been sent, do check it out."


    She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again as the seconds ticked by. The


    girl was utterly speechless.


    Something she had worked so hard to request, or rather demand, was given to her so easily.


    "D-Dammit..."


    Quinn Mercer felt cheated.


    But she didn''t share her feelings and quickly left the room, her body trembling.


    As she stepped into the hallway, her movement halted abruptly, as if time itself had paused.


    The door closed behind her, sealing her in silence and indicating that time wasn''t frozen.


    Only she remained still.


    ...Why?


    Well, Sofia stood before her, arms crossed, wearing an unfamiliar expression-jealousy.


    Quinn, not emotionally mature but perceptive, sensed the tension.


    So, feeling threatened, she blurted out:


    "What do you want?!"


    Showing no reaction to her tantrum, Sofia slowly asked:


    "Why did he choose you? What''s your rtionship?"


    || ||


    Like before, Quinn didn''t know how to react. Sofia''s question came out of left field, even


    stranger than Emir''s quick eptance.


    Out of all the things she thought Sofia would say, this wasn''t one of them.


    "Is that why he lets you challenge him so much? And why are you so adamant about


    challenging him in the first ce?"


    But the girl herself treated that silence as an answer, solidifying what she theorized as the


    truth.


    The truth that the two of them had something going on behind the scenes. Something more


    than a simple teacher-student rtionship.


    ""


    Quinn remained frozen and was now even more confused.


    ''Why is she asking such dumb questions?''


    ''Was she THAT jealous that Emir picked me over her?''


    ''tantly lying like that...''


    That "bastard" allowed her to challenge him?


    No, no, she simply found a workaround every time she could.


    ''He allowed nothing!''


    Her pride was hurt, and she wouldn''t let Sofia trample on her feelings of revenge.


    But even if what she said was true, why would Emir even allow that?


    Because he felt guilt over killing her dad?


    "Fuck that!"


    She screamed her thoughts out loud, surprising Sofia, but not for long, as the girl looked


    down at Quinn one final time and left.


    "Stupid Quinn."


    Those two words echoed as a stupefied Quinn remained, her eyes trailing the girl''s exit.

 Chapter 346: The First Mission

    Chapter 346: The First Mission


    ?


    Emir leaned on his right hand, watching as the once-stunned Quinn left the floor.


    They seemed to have forgotten that their professor had ess to cameras, giving him a front- row seat to their well-acted drama.


    ''Things are going well-.''


    Snickering, his face slowly turned serious as he closed his eyes and said:


    [It''s almost time for the mission. I''ll be cutting offmunication now.]


    [...]


    Unlike usual, Lyra took her time to respond, and eventually, she materialized before him, her hologram seated on his desk.


    [...Are you sure?]


    Her question echoed in his mind a couple of times, as if insisting on its weight. [Yeah...]


    He conveyed his confidence with a casual nod.


    [I''ll be in an open channel with them, if they have high-ranking NetWeaver connected, they can scan my neuralwork and find you. If they find you, they can attack your database, and if they seed, they''ll know everything about us. We''re better off not risking it.]


    Lyra listened to his words, nearly nodding along in agreement, but her emotions overpowered her logic.


    Disconnecting from him on purpose was happening for the second time, and she dreaded the day it would be a regr urrence.


    [I know... But still, you have to see where I''ming from, right?]


    He understood her woes, but he saw no other way. It had to be done.


    [I''m sorry.]


    So there was nothing else he could do but apologize.


    She gave a sad smile at that word. Although she felt the struggle he was going through, it didn''t stop her from feeling so... No.


    To escape those thoughts, she immediately disappeared, cutting off her connection with him and returning to her work.


    If she had to do it, at least she would busy herself with matters of life and death.


    "Man..."


    Emir sighed and leaned back in his chair, his right hand massaging his forehead. "...She''s bing human."


    ...


    ...


    Professor''s Meeting Room, Fourth Floor


    "Even though it''s your first mission, try not to let us down too much. Amon must have had some reason for picking you... despite the filth."


    Judas''s stern voice resounded as he stood before three professors, each seated at a different side of a long oval table.


    "Whatever you say, inbred Sir."


    That was Ragnar, sitting to the left nearest to the door, rolling his eyes as he put his feet up on the table.


    Tsk!


    Judal, who stood next to his twin, puffed his cigarette while flicking his finger, creating a tendril of darkness that sliced through the air, narrowly missing Ragnar''s shoulder.


    "Show some respect, ya pubes infested bastard! Try it again, I--"


    "BUAHHAHAHAHAHA!"


    Emir, sitting in the middle, let out a loudugh, stopping Judal''s roasting session from spiraling out of control.


    "Hehe..."


    Morgiana, who noticed that, gave a few giggles herself, not interfering too much, mostly keeping quiet and listening.


    "Focus back on me and cease thatughter. You sound like a dying, impure animal." Shrugging his shoulders, he did as he was asked, and as did Ragnar, finally quieting down. "You three are fortunate. Atst, we have something different. Thest ten missions were merely tedious assassination jobs, clearing out Constructs that slipped past the front lines."


    Intrigued, Ragnar leaned forward, acting as if he hadn''t done any research beforehand, which he actually hadn''t.


    "How so?"


    Judas picked up on that but didn''tment, only answering his question:


    "We''ll be hunting a seven-core."


    Emir smiled.


    "C''mon, spit it out."


    Ignoring his words, Judas continued:


    "A War Queen as big as a medium-sized hill is our target. We need to get rid of it before the next sunrise. It''s resting near Sector 9-C in Russia, blocking themon routes to Sector 10-


    B."


    Tilting his head, Emir asked:


    "That''s all?"


    Judal answered in his brother''s stead, sending a cloud of cancerous smoke at him:


    "That''s all you need to know, creepy fuck."


    Scoffing, Emir stood up and headed towards the door.


    "What about transport? We using Gateway''s portal station?"


    Ragnar followed behind him and said:


    "No, it''ll be better if I teleport you guys. I''ve got my Aether stored in all eleven sectors, so


    there''ll be no problem with that as long as I''m here."


    Morgiana joined them.


    "What about the clean-up crew?"


    Judas, not one to stand behind others, zapped to the front, his body bright with light in a way simr to Emir''s and de Dancers'' sh Step.


    "I''ll have them deploy a few APCs; by the time we kill it, they''ll be there. Mind you, the vehicles we''re using aren''t the usual ck market fare. They''re brand new, equipped with maic repulsion tech like the train, which makes them far faster on all types of terrain."


    Snickering, Ragnarmented:


    "Did they pay you? If not, they should, you sound like a pretty good salesman."


    Judas gave Ragnar a death stare before Judal could fire back like usual.


    "Eat pig manure and die filth."


    "Yes, fuck you, Sir."


    The two continued to cuss each other out as they equipped themselves and teleported


    towards the ninth sector.


    During that time, Emir telepathically exined to Ragnar the report that he had gotten from Nathan about the mission.


    As stated, the monster was named War Queen; the Queen of what used to be tiny Army Ants


    turned massive.


    Her current nest was aboveground and consisted of soldier ants asrge as dogs, numbering two hundred thousand and more.


    Their numbers used to be in the millions, but due to the bounty ced on it, the queen lost most of her children. After surviving many battles, she was unable to protect them from the hundreds of hunters who pursued her.


    But even though they killed so many of them, they never touched the queen herself, she was nestled too deep in her base-like nest of ants.


    This caused her bounty to balloon up to an insane amount.


    One hundred Valora.


    Such an inted number wasn''t unusual.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Itmonly urred when hunters repeatedly failed to hunt a high-core monster that


    blocked many kilometers of space.


    That was because it would lead to massive losses for the corporations that depended on the pre-established routes that weaved through those various spaces.


    Tobat this scenario, those corporations group together and increase the bounty price, skyrocketing the hunters'' interest in exterminating it.


    After all, what else would hunters chase? And who would say no to a hundred billion UC?


    If they managed to do it, they could live like kings for the rest of their lives, as could their


    children, their grandchildren, their grandchildren''s children, and so on.


    But that wouldn''t happen. Their dues wouldn''t be paid.


    The corporations wouldn''t allow it. It would hurt their margins.


    And so...


    Emir''s unnamed group was tasked with preventing such scenarios.


    They were called just as a squad of hunters whittled down the ants enough that this dream


    became feasible.


    So tonight, they would swoop in, steal their kill, crush the dream, and leave like they were


    never there.


    Unfortunately, the bounty wouldn''t be given to them, but at least Amon promised a good


    reward for those who worked hard.


    Now all of this information wasn''t necessary. Sure, it was to those who led the operation, but


    Emir and the other two were foot soldiers, they only had to do as they were told.


    [It''s like garnish on a well-cooked dish.]


    Ragnar understood that, but he still liked to know, even though he didn''t act like it.


    [I like that analogy.]


    Emirmented, chuckling as he, along with the others, drove towards their destination,


    their vehicles sttering mud all around them.


    [Cause it''s about food?] Unlike the rest, Emir and Ragnar drove motorbikes, ze Runners, as they enjoyed the feeling


    of freedom it gave them.


    [Yeah, I think anyone would if they starved like I had.]


    The others weren''t so into that, preferring less bumpy rides, so they opted for cruisers,


    simr in design to the one Lyra always drove.


    It was a better version called de Runner Z5.


    [Oh, your embodiment thingy still affects you?]


    Emir shook his head and returned his attention to the path before him, his eyes scanning a


    lone building in the distance.


    [Not really, it just gave me a new perspective on things...]


    He chuckled, pausing his words for a moment then said: [Now enough about that. Focus, we''re meeting them here.]

 Chapter 347: GO!

    Chapter 347: GO!


    ?


    They were up against a monster that would take Amon moments to kill. But they weren''t Archons like him. Only Seraphim. ss-Four Celestials.


    The gap between them was as tall as the distance between Earth and the Sun.


    Emir, Ragnar, and Morgiana barely defeated a Six-core, and now, with hardly any increase in strength, they were tasked with defeating a seven-core.


    They wouldn''t even be able to scratch it.


    The strength increase between each core varied significantly. The higher the core count within the monster, the more strength they gain with each additional core.


    This applied to Celestials as well, but not as a directparison.


    Unlike monsters, Celestials had only one core, making the monsters simply stronger.


    Now, fortunately, that wasn''t their job.


    They were to be used as foot soldiers, and what did foot soldiers do?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Deal with other foot soldiers. This time in a more literal sense.


    They were tasked with killing the soldier ants and making way for the High Lords to attack freely and directly.


    Yes, Judas and Judal would be the ones attacking the War Queen.


    They could kill it by themselves, but such a scenario wouldn''t have been ideal.


    Even though they were High Lords, the highest sub-rank within the Seraphim major rank, defeating the queen at such a quick pace would''ve proven to be quite a tough ordeal.


    That was because it would guarantee unwanted destruction, a result of the War Queen''s resistance, while also fully revealing their position, simply wasting time.


    This, in turn, would give all the hunters in the nearby sectors a higher chance of reaching them, leading to mission failure, as they were supposed to proceed quickly and as silently as possible.


    After all, they wouldn''t be only fighting the War Queen but also the two hundred thousand ants itmanded.


    So, if they hoped to quickly deal with it, the trio and the rest were needed.


    The ''rest,'' included the five HG leaders they met up with just out of the monster''s detection range, hidden behind a big hill of corroded rock and wet sand.


    Red Dragon, Southern Cross, Phoenix, Maharajah, and Lionheart.


    Each sat in their vehicle-eight cruisers and two motorbikes-ready toy waste to what was ahead.


    [With introductions over, let''s go over the n one more time; we''ll go one by one; you start us off ck eyes.]


    Judas telepathicallymanded over the open channel they set up.


    ''Typical~.''


    Emir snickered while driving forward, leading them past the hill and into the valley.


    [Me and Rag will set the tracker for the Aether-imbued homing rockets, the others will split, and act as bait for the little ones, giving us an easier time cutting through them and reaching the queen.]


    Ragnar was the first to follow, showing a demeanor opposite to Emir''s; his face colder than Morgiana''s magic.


    [Once set, we''ll shoot the rockets, killing those protecting the War Queen.]


    Morgiana trailed behind them next, driving in between them.


    [After hit confirmation, we professors will reload first, leaving our protection to you five.]


    Red Dragon, as the second inmand of the once ten, now eleven, top hunter groups, was the next person to drive his cruiser forward, matching Morgiana''s pace with his friends trailing after him.


    He wore the same clothes as before: a red robe lined with gold dragons, proudly disying his heritage. However, his early advance wasn''t only due to his heritage''s worth; he was the strongest among the currently avable HG leaders.


    An 8th-ss Spell Weaver, Ethereal Magus, focused on the fire element. His Specialization was aptly titled Hell Weaver, matching his status as the dragon of red.


    [We do the same, leaving them to watch our backs until theunchers are ready to fire the second volley.]


    Next to speak and move was Southern Cross, the Australian juggernaut, a hulking Knight that matched Emir in size.


    Unlikest time, he wore no high-ss clothes, but simply the default appearance of his E10 augmented suit, fitted with a mechanical spine on the back and a visor protruding from the suit to the front of his eyes.


    [Then we leave the exposed War Queen to Sir Judas and Sir Judal who''ll be conjuring their strongest attack till then, helping them deal the killing blow by getting rid of the-]


    [Yeah, yeah, SC, we''ll be killing them all and getting the fuck out of here! But if shit hits the fan, we split up, leaving the strongest of us to deal with our big queen.]


    Phoenix, who interrupted "SC," was loud as ever and unsurprisingly not as hostile as before, which made a lot of sense considering that Emir threatened to kill them when they first met. Her beh covered a slight bit more of her body this time around, as it was designed not to show what she didn''t want to be seen duringbat.


    Especially ''her''bat, as she specialized in the Air Element, titled Sky Weaver.


    A chuckling Maharajah was next, giving Phoenix a thumbs up as he followed after her.


    [Right. Sir Judas and Sir Judal will remain atop the hill, while Emir, Ragnar, and Morgiana will help them. I and the other four shall dispose of the trouble.]


    Thest to speak of their small convoy was Lionheart.


    [If the trouble overwhelms us, we''ll ask Sir Judas to interfere and rejoin the main group,


    ending the battle as soon as possible.]


    He drove at a safe distance behind them, furthest away from harm.


    The contradiction of his ''name'' to his actions was overlooked since he was a Zenith Warden,


    their only healer.


    [You muppets can memorize things at least.]


    Judas, standing atop the hill beside his twin and overlooking the valley below, was the one who ordered him to act that way.


    Lionheart''s role was to stay back, heal the others if needed, andunch his rockets at the right


    moment.


    "Second Sun."


    And now, with everyone''s roles defined, Judas clenched his fist, creating a beacon of light.


    [Don''t stare...]


    The light shot high into the sky almost instantly, illuminating their surroundings and turning the dark night of their small field into a blindingly bright day.


    This sudden brilliance revealed their target: a green sea of dog-sized ants covering everything in sight, their loud chirps sounding like the grating of metal.


    Their clenching jaws and snapping mandibles rattled the air while their movement thundered


    through the ground.


    Terrifying would have been an apt description of such a scene. But for those heading there, it


    was simply another day. Another battle.


    [GO!]


    With Judas''smand, they sped forth, donning in masks of ck, and roaring in unison:


    [Initiating first task!]

 Chapter 348: Riding Waves

    Chapter 348: Riding Waves


    ?


    The light from Judas''s sun cast stark shadows, highlighting every contour of the battlefield. The chirping grew louder, almost deafening, as the ants became aware of their presence.


    Each meter forward felt like plunging into the heart of a storm, where death lurked in every shadow.


    But they didn''t show any sign of fear.


    As they sprung forth, foot on the pedal, revving their engines to the max, their collective roar continued to reverberate in their minds, alongside gunfire that drowned out their breaths.


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    Emir led the charge with a lightly glowing assault rifle in each hand, his eyes scanning the undting mass of ants while bullets continuously shot out of his two guns.


    He could feel the mission''s weight on his shoulders. He was trusted with making sure it was a sess, but that wasn''t what was so important to him.


    It was the reward.


    Amon knew he desired certain information that only Isaac had, so Emir was now doing his best to inch closer to getting said information, each bullet tearing through those under his sights, thinning them out before they got close.


    The rest did the same, and the valley turned into a war zone as hundreds of bullets flew, making bloody swiss cheese out of the ants they touched.


    They alternated fire at each reload, getting closer and closer to their target.


    And eventually...


    [BREACHING IN THREE!]


    They were three seconds away from shing against the sea of green.


    Emir''s roar was what warned them, and he continued the countdown while reloading his guns:


    [TWO!]


    Holding his breath, he aimed right at those that stood before them.


    [ONE!]


    His fingers pulled on the two triggers.


    [FIRE!]


    RATATATATATAATAT!


    A symphony of destruction resounded as they cut a path through the ants. Parting it like Moses did the sea, an ancient and beautiful story within the archives of the Old World.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But there was nothing beautiful about this story. Their vehicles sttered green, while remnants of ants fell onto them and theirpartments.


    No other sound was heard except gunfire, the clinking of bullets, and the low chirping of dying ants.


    [TRACKER ON!]


    That wasn''t for long however, as Ragnar announced himself to be ready. His motorbike was directly behind Emir''s, his right hand holding a small tracker in the shape of a square, leaving his left on the hand clutch as he dodged and weaved those that managed to slip through the front.


    [Initiate phase 2.]


    [Roger!]


    At Emir''s call, the other six split into two groups, one heading left and the other right, creating separate paths through the ants.


    In each group, the two at the front cleared the way, while the one at the back showered the ants in the middle with bullets, diverting their attention from the motorbike duo.


    Their goal to bait the ants in the middle path into chasing after them was sessful, as the sea began to form currents that headed in different directions, shing with each other.


    Meanwhile, allowed a few seconds to adjust, Emir put the guns back in the rucksack attached to his bike, then unsheathed his twin swords and slowed down slightly so that Ragnar would catch up and drive parallel to him.


    [Rag, phase three.]


    The War Queen''s nest had a weak outeryer that grew stronger the deeper one entered, since the stronger the ant was, the closer the queenmanded it to be.


    [Alright!]


    This meant that they couldn''t rely on their guns any longer.


    They had to make direct contact, de to antenna.


    It would''ve been a slightly different story if Khari the Arcanist was with them. But it wouldn''t be by much, the guns they were using already had been inscribed right out of the factory, making them rank above SS, reaching the limit of their potential, which was killing Fiends.


    While Khari being present would allow them to cross that potential by a few sub-ranks, or in the case of monsters, sub-cores, her Aether would be spread too thin to be of use, making it only slightly stronger than what they were currently using.


    Inyman''s terms, that bump up by leagues and bounds was only possible if she only inscribed one weapon.


    After all, their guns'' runes were absorbing Aether directly from the environment, but if an Arcanist had inscribed temporary runes, it was their Aether that would be used as fuel for the runes to work.


    So the advantage was that it would be deadly in the hands of one, but not that much better than the minimum in the hands of many.


    Either way, and unfortunately, like those who didn''te today, she had no time, so it wasn''t happening regardless.


    "BRACE!"


    Emir roared once more as he created an Aether Construct in the shape of a ramp beneath them.


    It pushed off the ants surrounding them, but they didn''t go far, crawling back in a second,


    their mandibles snapping in response to the delight of a self-invited prey.


    [Your turn.]


    [Yeah...]


    They weren''t surprised by that, however.


    As Emir got low, preparing himself for the jump, Ragnar raised his left hand and punched out.


    Screech!


    The ants were pushed far away by his gravity, causing waves of them to crash into each other and giving the two a clear path forward.


    Seeing that, Ragnar braced himself, and as a moment went by, their motorbikes flew high in


    the air, above the sea.


    But they didn''t stay up for long, their motorbikes almost nosediving downwards, and it wasn''t the valley they were returning to, but a ravine that spanned about a kilometer in width.


    It was as if the very Earth was cut in one stroke, making a ce for the War Queen''s nest.


    There, during the fall, they finally saw the nest for what it was.


    It had a tunnel-likework with ants half their size stacked atop each other, forming cylindrical shapes that connected with the ones next to them, all leading to the nest''s middle.


    The War Queen''s room.


    ''This''ll be fun!''


    A smiling Emirnded first, squashing an ant with his back wheel as he had imbued it with Aether using his Weaver''s Veil Aspect, making his bike a weapon in and of itself.


    "I''M LANDING!"


    Ragnar didn''t bother copying him, knowing that he wasn''t skilled enough. Instead, he opted


    to jump off his motorbike and crash his body into Emir, the rocketuncher, ''Fat Man,'' twice his height held tight in his left hand.


    Even though it was long, extremely heavy, and very difficult to hold steadily with one hand, Ragnar did it with ease, managing not to hit his brother with it, a natural result of his


    Celestial prowess.


    "YOU''RE FAT AS HELL!"


    The motorbike sank for a second but sprang back up, somehow managing to carry the load as


    Emir continued to abuse it, riding atop the ants'' heads, killing them while driving straight


    towards the queen.


    "IT''S THE LAUNCHER, BESIDES, IT CAN HANDLE IT!"


    Their one-sided banter ended as the ants began to retaliate.


    Hundreds of them disconnected from the surrounding tunnels, forming a towering wave that


    rushed towards them, covering the sky andnding them in shadow.


    Chirp! Chirp!


    Emir was about to swerve his motorbike away, but then suddenly the antennas of the ants


    around and under them began to vibrate.


    SCREECH!


    They conjured a st of sound that almost reached them in an instant, freezing them in ce.


    "Fuck."


    "EMIIIIRRRR! DO SOMETHING!!"


    His panic was valid as the motorbike they sat on kept moving, getting closer and closer to the wave that intended to swallow them up.


    Emir immediately tried to drive using his neuralwork but failed as his and Ragnar''s inner


    systems were malfunctioning.


    "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"


    Then, out of nowhere... a scream resounded.


    It was Ragnar''s.


    This was due to the pain he felt, as if a needle the size of Mars had pricked his brain.


    Emir felt the same pain, yet his smile didn''t falter, indicating that it was something nned.


    And it was.


    His neuralwork was what induced the pain, snapping them both off the stun and allowing


    him to drive right, narrowly dodging the wave moments before impact.


    "HAHAHAA! It''s fine; you''ll get used to it!"


    Laughing out loud, Emir nced back at Ragnar, seeing a face filled with horror.


    "Fuck, I know, but it''s just so much more than I expected!"


    His gaze returned forward, and at that moment, they were a few meters away from falling off


    the tunnel''s top and into a ground filled with ants, their antennas ready to stun them to death.


    If that happened, they would certainly survive by the skin of their teeth, yet that ''guarantee'' wouldn''t cover the motorbike, tracker, and two rocketunchers, which meant their mission would result in failure or at least inch closer to such an oue.


    But Ragnar had no such worry; Emir was the one driving.


    "Hold!"


    Using the back wheel as a hook, he pulled back, raising the front of the bike while drifting left,


    away from the drop.


    "HAHHAHA! HOLY SHIT!"


    "I''M GOING TO FALL!!!"


    Blood sttered all over as the body of a single ant sustained the motorbike''s weight for a


    moment, and they roughly dug into it, using whatever was left of its remains as a step to go


    back into the tunnel''s top.


    "HAHAHAHA! LOOK AT THAT!"


    "GAH! LETS GET THIS OVER WITH!"


    If not for the augmented suit''s force shield, their bodies would''ve been covered in blood like


    the motorbike they sat on, cosying as maniacal serial killers, which, in truth, Ragnar wasn''t far from bing.


    But in Emir''s case, even without the blood, his unnaturally wide smile looked deserving of a


    title far worse than that of a serial killer.


    Ragnar shuddered when he nced at him, quickly looking away, his eyesnding on the


    second waveing their way.


    "Iing!"


    Raising his left hand, Emir aimed his pointing finger at them.


    "I see them... Die."


    And a torrent of Aether splurged out like lightning, destroying them entirely and leaving


    nothing of them behind, killing them before they could even reach full speed.


    "Don''t waste your Aether! We need to save up in case shit goes tits up!"


    Emir snickered at Ragnar''s warning, revving the bike and elerating as he neared the


    tunnel''s end.


    "I know, I know, it was only ten percent."


    "Whatever!"


    A third wave formed before them, exactly where the tunnel they were on was connected to the


    two tunnels on either side of it.


    ''We jump.''


    It didn''t take a second for Emir to decide what to do.


    "HOLD!"


    With a sharp turn, he drove in a straight line towards the edge on the right, intending to jump


    over to the next tunnel.


    "FUCCCCCK!"


    A few heads were popped, and off they went, flying over the floor of ants andnding on top of


    many, squashing them and spluttering out blood everywhere.


    "See that?!"


    This tunnel they reached led to the queen, which was directly in front of them, resting inside


    her cocoon of ants, reaching many hundreds of meters in height and width, half the size of the Academy''s football stadium.


    "Yeah, fuck, remind me to never ride with you again."


    Emir chuckled while his eyes scanned the cocoon.


    "Sure, but save that forter. It''s time." [Task one ended. Initiating task two.]

 Chapter 349: A Short Interruption

    Chapter 349: A Short Interruption


    ?


    "Yeah, it''s time, get to it!"


    Emir extended his right hand behind him, opening his palm to receive the small tracking device.


    "Alright! Give me a second."


    Clutching it tightly, he stood up on top of the bike, using his neuralwork to keep it straight.


    ''Let''s get this over with.''


    Eyeing the War Queen, he chanted:


    "sh Step."


    Disappearing from his position, he reappeared just above the War Queen''s cocoon.


    Using Aerialis Aspect, he empowered his body with overflowing strength and assumed a throwing posture.


    Whoosh!


    Like a bullet, the tracker shot out of his right hand as he swung down, crashing into the ants and wedging itself through them.


    They snapped their heads up, eyeing their attacker, about to unleash a wave of sound that would rupture his body from the inside out.


    "NOW!"


    But as he began to fall, a portal materialized underneath him, and he let it swallow him whole, escaping certain death.


    "I''ll match your speed!"


    He got out of the other portal, just a few meters in front of the motorbike, giving him ample time tond on it.


    "Alright!"


    And that was what happened, as he slowed his fall with Aether at thest moment and easily reached the motorbike''s front, gripping the handles mid-descent as he sat down, fixing his legs around it.


    "We leave now."


    It roared at hismand, elerating at once and getting them out of there.


    [The tracker is set!]


    Ragnar calmly reported while Emir focused on driving, zig-zagging his way through the


    waves.


    Meanwhile, those outside prepared themselves after hearing the signal, making sure their rocketunchers'' connection to the tracker was without fault.


    [Morgiana, ready.]


    [Red Dragon, ready.]


    Morgiana and their second inmand were done first. The rest reported quickly after them:


    [Southern Cross, ready.]


    [Phoenix, ready.]


    [Maharajah, ready.]


    [Lionheart, ready.]


    Once everyone confirmed their connection, Judas instructed:


    [Judal and I are ready as well; we''re waiting on you two. Get out of there now; you''ve taken long enough.]


    That they did, flying out from the ocean of ants and reaching the valley''s surface.


    [We''re here! Give us a few seconds to set up.]


    As Ragnar''s words echoed, Emir rode the ants like a pro surfer, exiting the inner area in seconds, his bike nearing the cruisers of the group.


    And now that they had reached the outeryer, the ants in their path were weaker, making them easy to kill with guns alone.


    This gave the others a chance to provide a helping hand by gunning down the monsters and clearing a path for them.


    RATATATATAT§¡§´§¡§´§¡§´§¡§´!


    Their gunshots drowned out the ants'' rumbling chirps, mowing down all that stood between the two groups.


    Bullet casings littered the ground as the relentless barrage continued, each shot precise and deadly. The ants fell quickly, their bodies piling up and creating makeshift barriers that further hindered the swarm.


    The teamwork was seamless. Those at the back provided cover fire, ensuring no ant could get close enough to pose a threat. Allowing Emir and Ragnar to go through them at a faster pace, without hesitation.


    And it didn''t take much longer for the two groups to meet.


    "Behind me! I''ve got your back!"


    Phoenix bellowed as she keptying waste, not allowing a single ant to near them.


    ''Huh... No grudges?''


    Emir raised a brow and did as he was told, surprised at how she acted.


    She picked up on that, or perhaps she knew that he would think that way, and reassured him:


    "Let bygones be bygones, Emir! We''re allies now!"


    He was even further surprised, his mind automatically trying to match her current personality with the one he experienced.


    [Psst... See why I''m chasing her now? She''s really wholesome, especially whenpared to the average hunter.]


    Maharajah, who drove behind the two, sent Emir a private telepathic message, boasting about his obvious crush.


    It appeared that he acknowledged Emir''s analytical skill, assuming that he had already figured out the connection between them.


    ''...Hm.''


    Thinking about it for a second, Emir replied with a single word, focusing back on killing the


    ants:


    [No.]


    He knew that anyment from him would somehow end up being bad in Lyra''s mind, so he preferred to keep quiet instead of risking it.


    This ''risk'' being the possibility of her believing him to have cheated bymenting... somehow. In turn, killing the girl and possibly herself out of pure jealousy.


    [Sure sure~.]


    Next to Maharajah''s cruiser was Ragnar''s motorbike, following them by itself and lining itself


    to their left.


    Ragnar called it over since they couldn''t continue on the same motorbike. Emir''s back-st would severally injure him, scarring his face to oblivion.


    "Thanks for the ride!"


    He moved over his rocketuncher, let his legs go, and jumped off Emir''s motorbike,nding


    harshly on top of his own.


    It took him a second to stabilize and get hisuncher ready, ensuring the tracking was


    perfect.


    [Ragnar, ready!]


    Emir''s smile widened even further at those words.


    He took out the Fat Man from his motorbike''s bag, leaned it on his left shoulder, and aimed it


    in the general direction of the queen.


    [Emir, ready.]


    Just as he said that... all hell went loose.


    "FIRE!"


    Judas''s voice echoed through the valley, heavy andmanding, weighing down on everyone


    as they pressed their triggers.


    WHOOSH!


    That sound repeated seven times, each followed by a powerful thump, that tore through the


    air.


    The power behind the st caused Emir to wobble, as did his bike, but he controlled it in seconds, increasing the speed and leaning back, shifting his weight to the rear tire and easily


    regaining control of the steering.


    Ragnar couldn''t control his bike, however, not as skilled.


    He spun out, nearly crashing into the ground.


    "HAAAAAAA!"


    But by sheer luck and Celestial strength, he managed to stay upright, pushing himself and the


    motorbike off the ground just as he was about to fall.


    "HOOHOHOOLY SHIT!"


    Tightening his grip on the handlebars, he let out a few uncontroble chuckles at that close


    call, his breath stuttering.


    "H-Huff.... Fuck man..."


    Emir nced at him and snickered, then turned his attention to the rockets high up in the air,


    his eyes tracking them through the smoke stilling from his Fat Man''s discharge.


    [Look at them go Kakakak!] Phoenix''s wildughter echoed as the rockets slowly angled themselves to hit the War Queen


    directly, giving the twins a window to attack her without the cocoon''s protection.


    But her happiness didn''tst long.


    It died at the next moment.


    Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!


    An EMP st boomed a few hundred meters away from them.


    "WE''VE GOT COMPANY YOU IMPURE BASTARDS!"


    BANG! BANG!


    Alongside Judas''s roar and the EMP came two loud shots, heavy with power.


    BOOM!


    BOOM!


    The armature hit their targets almost immediately, exploding the two rockets nearest to the


    War Queen.


    BANG!


    The Ranger didn''t stop there, shooting for the third time, and instead of aiming at the rockets, he shot at where Emir threw the tracker, destroying it while taking away a whole


    chunk of the cocoon.


    BANG!


    By the time the fourth shot rang out, the group had already split, not needing their neuralwork channel tomunicate.


    With Southern Cross in the lead, protecting the group with his Aetheric Bulwark, the HG


    leaders went after the attacking hunters; their faces, still hidden behind masks, were cold, unlike before, showing extreme seriousness.


    At the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, a smiling Emir casually reloaded the rocketuncher while checking its Runes.


    {XXXXXX}


    {XXXXXX}


    ''This''ll hurt-.''


    He ignored the rockets above that went haywire, dodging them without even looking, only


    using his Temporal Perception to predict their paths.


    They flew randomly, shooting off the clusters within them and destroying his surroundings to


    oblivion, digging tens of meters into the ground while also ending the lives of tens of thousands of ants.


    A scene ofplete and utter chaos.


    BANG!


    Satisfied with his initial assault and considering Emir and Co''s attack to have ended, the Camouged Ranger now turned his focus to firing at the team members themselves. His first target was Ragnar.


    With a steely gaze, the Ranger took aim, his rifle''s scope trained on Ragnar''s figure, hidden


    behind a portal, waiting for the moment that he would expose himself.


    The chaos of the battlefield provided enough cover for him to find a near-perfect vantage


    point but that was it, chaos.


    Within that chaos, Emir was assumed to have died due to the rockets falling upon him.


    But death was far from him now as it was the day that he was born.


    In other words, this attack didn''t bring him any closer to that oue.


    "Where are you?..."


    Emir stood next to his motorbike, hidden by the dust, smoke, and debris.


    His inky eyes were locked on to where the shots resounded, scanning the area, and then


    slowly...


    That genuine smile of his turned creepy. Teeth began to clearly show.


    ''They''re good.''


    He casuallyplimented them as if his life wasn''t in any sort of danger.


    And if one would take a step back, think objectively, their surprise opponents did indeed know


    what they were doing.


    They used their Shadow Binder to hide them until they got close, waiting till Emir and Co shot


    their first volley.


    Once that happened, they had the Technomancer use his Aetheric Pulse, an EMP-like st


    that disrupted everything tech at a three-kilometer radius, shutting off their open channel and disrupting the homing rocket tracking capabilities.


    But that wasn''t enough, they needed to destroy the tracker so that the rockets wouldn''tn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    recalibrate.


    That was where the Ranger came in.


    Instead of aiming for the kill, they disrupted their hunt.


    It showed overconfidence, and it meant that they had a very high opinion of themselves.


    That wouldn''te from nothing. They had something to back that up.


    They were strong.


    So knowing that, Emir wanted to keep things safer, and slightly more under control.


    Even though his w wouldn''t be activated, as this wasn''t his n, he still liked to keep his ''strings'' within reach.


    This meant that he would improvise. Not a task that he was assigned but it didn''t matter.


    Adaptability was the hunter''s motto after all.


    Chuck...Zing!


    Just as he was done reloading the rocketuncher, he strapped it to his back, its length going


    from left to right.


    After making sure that it wouldn''t fall off, he left his motorbike behind and sh Stepped to


    Ragnar.


    BANG!


    As his right foot touched the ground, a shot rang out in the distance, heading directly towards


    them.


    WVOOP!


    But it hit no one.


    The Ranger saw Emir''s movement but couldn''t react fast enough, his shot hitting the ground


    where Emir passed fractions ago.


    A sharp crack resounded as what remained of the armature scattered, with some of the


    Aether-infused material heading directly towards the two.


    Yet again, they were safe. Protected by the portal that Ragnar had conjured, which opposed


    where he assumed the Ranger was.


    It sucked up the remains, shooting it off the other portal behind them.


    "Hey."


    Stepping back in surprise at Emir''s sudden arrival, Ragnar''s grip tightened on his assault rifle,


    barely stopping himself from pressing the trigger. "F-Fucking hell man! You scared the shit out of me!"


    Notmenting on his stutter, Emir threw another tracker at him and tapped his shoulder.


    "Good luck."


    With those words as a short goodbye, he turned and...


    "Wait-"


    sh Stepped directly towards the Ranger.

 Chapter 350: A Short Interruption II

    Chapter 350: A Short Interruption II


    ?


    "I''m sorry about us stealing the kill, I know you guys worked hard."


    A sarcastic whisper resounded loud and clear just above an invisible man lying prone.


    " ?!"


    Shocked to his core, that man looked up.


    He saw death.


    ck eyes swirled, a mouth smiled, and twin swords descended onto him, emitting a simr ck filled with Aether.


    "RAPID RETREAT!"


    He roared, his body springing away in a roll, barely dodging the swords that left two long gashes across his back.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ughh..."


    As the Ranger struggled to stand up, blood continued to trickle from his wound. His augmented suit''s force shield was broken and out of energy, rendering the suit unable to provide any sort of medical assistance.


    Gritting his teeth against the pain, he tried to assess the situation. The once-reliable suit now felt like a heavy burden, its advanced systems reduced to dead weight. Each movement sent a fresh wave of agony through his body, but he forced himself to focus on the menace that


    stood opposite him, his Camfuge ability about to end.


    "Ah, there you are."


    Emir, who spotted the once ''floating'' blood slowly reveal a human, raised his brow.


    "You dodged that? And here I thought most on my level wouldn''t handle Death''s shadow."


    Completely losing his Camouge, the Ranger didn''t reply, not involving himself in the provocation game. Instead, he threw away his anti-material rifle that was half the size of his body and took out a sidearm that was as big as his head, aiming it at Emir.


    "Twin shot!"


    BANG!


    Two blinding bullets shot out at once, heading directly towards Emir''s second heart.


    If they hit, he would die instantly, since they were both Seraphim, yet he didn''t react, only watched as they approached, the world going through slow motion in his eyes.


    Crackle...


    It took a moment for the bullets to cross the tens of meters between them, reaching a few inches before his body.


    Whoosh!


    And just as they were about to hit, he disappeared, his body joining the bullets in their path, almost leading them. Their destination was the side of the hill, and once Emir''s foot touched the ground, they tore through the rock to his right, rumbling the entire hill, bringing untold destruction.


    Emir didn''t witness that for long, as he stepped away while picking up one of therger rocks that scattered in his direction. Using his Weaver''s Veil aspect, he filled it with Aether, then paused, using his Aerialis aspect in the next moment to throw the stone with all his strength directly at the Ranger.


    Whoosh!


    It cut through the air like a bullet, urate and deadly, but the Ranger easily dodged it by stepping to the side.


    In that swift movement, his eyes momentarily looked away from his opponent.


    That was a mistake. It was no attack, Emir''s intention was to distract him. He seeded. When the Ranger returned his gaze to Emir, he found that he was no longer there. Unknown to him, Emir had sh Stepped upwards and flew high in the sky.


    The Ranger blinked, his head turning in every direction to find him, but it was toote. For in the time that it took him to spot Emir, he had already conjured a tform up above, flipped upside down, and pushed himself off it, sh Stepping back onto the ground.


    With his Temporal Perception ability still active, he saw the man shift to absolute panic in hisst moments, trying to Rapid Retreat away but failing, their speeds iparable.


    So all the Ranger could do was watch as Emir''s footnded on his left shoulder, squashing half his body to the ground.


    Crack-BANG!


    Hisst act of resistance only increased his suffering as he lived for a few seconds longer, his eyes staring at what remained of his body in disbelief as it slowly fell over.


    Thud!


    Emir looked at him in pity and stepped on his head, crushing it.


    St!


    No blood neared touching him as he had his Aetheric Shield up, easily killing the man while not using the augmented suit for protection.


    "You''re too weak to face my sword, enjoy this death instead."


    As he said that, he looked back at Ragnar in the distance and saw him return to his motorbike through a portal hidden behind Morgiana''s cruiser.


    Ragnar, without wasting any time, got out his assault rifle and began helping Morgiana, his calm undisturbed, indicating that he had sessfully set the tracker.


    "Let''s confirm that."


    ***


    Meanwhile, Southern Cross led the other four into battle, his feet plowing through the mud, This shield up, and his eyes on the enemy.


    "BEHIND ME!"


    They faced a Knight, a Shadow Binder, and a Spell Weaver that surrounded a Technomancer who sat in the same type of mech Emir had in his garage. Royal Panzer-D.


    It was a menacing piece of tech with human-like limbs the size of Titans,ser rifles on each hand, and four massive Aether sters equipped on top.


    In the hands of a mortal, it wouldn''t be much of an issue. But when a Technomancer rode the machine, it became a whole other beast. Techno Meld would make them one with the machine, their ability amplifying its power and capabilities.


    "AETHERIC SIPHON! OVERCLOCK!"


    But that wasn''t enough for this Technomancer as he went all out at the start.


    With his roar, much of the Aether around and in them began to congregate towards him, absorbed by the mech and sent to his core. That allowed him to supply a lot more Aether than what was usual to the machine, overclocking it, making it more than a tool, a Celestial, not a first sub-ranked Seraphim, but a second, an Exarch.


    That transformation wasn''t uncontested, however.


    "Hell''s Rain."


    Red Dragon nted his long staff into the ground, and the veins ofva within it brightened.


    The still bright sky above them shed and a barrage of fireballs came down, much more potent than the one Emir went up against when battling Alex''s men.


    BOOM!


    But before the fire could reach the ground, the mech shot out arge st of Aether, cutting through them and pushing the others away, clearing the sky.


    As the Technomancer and Hell Weaver fought to control the battlefield, the two Knights faced


    off against each other, both protecting those behind them with an Aetheric Bulwark, swords


    shing.


    But their shields weren''t going to stop the Shadow Binder.


    He Shadow Stepped forward, springing out of Phoenix''s shadow and shing down his


    dagger at her head.


    "YOU''VE COME TO DIE!"


    Not bothering to look behind, she smiled, and her body shot out a fiery st in all directions,


    pushing back the Shadow Binder and burning away much of his augmented suit''s energy.


    ||||


    Making no sound, hended softly on the ground and raised his right hand, whipping it


    forward.


    "Stygian Whip."


    A snake-like whip suddenly materialized under his shadow and snaked its way from shadow


    to shadow towards her me''s own shadow.


    "Fuck, this bastard is a six-ability!"


    Her surprise was warranted; with the exception of Eagle, none of their members had more


    than five abilities, and no Spell Weaver was above the Eighth ss.


    Yet that spike of emotion didn''t hinder her.


    As the whip sprang out to form tendrils that attacked her, she didn''t allow it to get close.


    "JET!"


    Pushing her hands down, she conjured a strong force of wind that molded with her fire, flying her up and away like a booster jet.


    The Shadow Binder was about to chase after her, but Red Dragon interrupted, swinging his


    staff forward.


    "Dragon''s Breath!"


    A streak of fire shot out of his staff, aimed directly towards the Shadow Binder, and before he could react, it expanded in size, bursting in all directions, covering all the space around them.


    It momentarily stole the surrounding shadows, killing his every chance to escape.


    The Shadow Binder stopped moving. Red Dragon did the same.


    They locked eyes.


    ||||


    "..."


    "...Dammit! That mask ain''t hiding shit! I know that you''re Red Dragon!"


    Deciding to change tactics, the Shadow Binder began his attempt at conversation, wanting to


    distract him.


    "Oh, great job figuring that out. And don''t bother asking why we''re doing this. It''s just


    business."


    Quickly concluding that to be a failure, the Shadow Binder rushed to the nearest shade, his


    steps fast.


    "Gah!"


    But... he wasn''t fast enough.


    Phoenix came crashing from above, blocking his path with her mes, causing him to fall on


    his back.


    "The only ce you''re going is down!"


    She continued with the momentum of her descent, moving forward in a dance-like motion as


    she manipted the fire that sprouted from her skin, swirling it around her as she shed her


    hand in a wide arc.


    "Wind sh!"


    The firebined with the wind, boosting the air de forward while trailing behind it.


    "SHADOW MOLD!"


    As shadows returned due to Red Dragon''s ability extinguishing, the Shadow Binder immediately tried to escape, but he wasn''t fast enough.


    With half his body already sinking into the shadows, the fiery de struck.


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    It cut him in half, the intense heat cauterizing the wound instantly, leaving behind a


    smoldering, severed form.


    The battle was over for him, he died mid-scream in absolute agony.


    "Easy!"


    Phoenix, acting as if her actions didn''t cause such a scene of horror, shed a proud face to her


    left, wanting to brag to Red Dragon, but he was already gone.


    He was on his way to help Maharajah deal with the Spell Weaver, which by the looks of things,


    turned out to be a Tidal Weaver, her every spell a flood of water.


    "No wonder he''s taking so long..."


    Shaking her head, she pushed her hands down and soared through the sky, joining her team.


    Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!


    But while she was flying, tens of straysers shot at her from the mech, with one aimed right


    at her chest.


    "Fuck..."

 Chapter 351: A Short Interruption III

    Chapter 351: A Short Interruption III


    ?


    "AIR WALL!"


    Using every bit of Aether in her reserves, she conjured a long block of extremely condensed air right in front of her, then filled it with mes.


    Her intention was to block theser aimed directly at her chest, leaving the others to hit less critical parts of her body.


    However... even that sacrifice wasn''t enough.


    Unlike most of the team, she didn''t have a shielding ability, as Emir once pointed out, so to prove him wrong, she learned of this ability, which acted as a recement.


    But that was all it was-a recement.


    What the wall was up against wasn''t a bullet or concentrated Aether but aser.


    And thatser was a weakness of hers, as she was a wielder of air.


    The barrier of fire-infused air was no contest, despite its searing heat.


    ''No...''


    To Phoenix''s dismay, theser pierced through the barrier with a loud sizzle, not even slowing down for a moment, only scattering it and barely at that.


    So while it had kept away the non-life-threateningsers, the main one wasn''t affected. "URGH!"


    What remained after the scatter hit her in full force, cutting through her force shield and tearing arge hole through her stomach.


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Crying out in agony, her mes died in moments, and she fell to the ground, a few meters behind their Knight, Southern Cross.


    "...PHOENIX?!"


    Southern Cross turned sharply, his eyes wide with shock and fury.


    The sight of Phoenix, their fieryrade, lying half-dead, ignited a burning rage within him. He raised his shield once more, ready to defend her at all costs.


    "LIONHEART HEAL HER NOW!"


    Not needing to be ordered, he rushed to her, cing his hand on the gaping hole across her belly.


    "AETHERIC HEAL!"


    While healing her, he used his free hand to unclip the golden frills attached to her beh and toss them aside.


    He didn''t do this for nefarious reasons, of course. The frills were a Holy Relic, and even when not actively in use, they drained a significant amount of Aether from the wearer. In her current half-dead state, this was a dangerous burden.


    This exined how she could wield fire. Unlike Emma, who possessed both the Fire and Ice elements, Phoenix only had the Air element, making her a Sky Weaver.


    The w of such a strong Holy Relic was perplexing, for it only needed her to dance while using it.


    An unusual w for sure, but she, and most people like her, would never say no to it.


    "I told you not to be reckless!"


    Lionheart reprimanded her, his face slightly pale as he had continuously resupplied their Knight with Aether.


    After Red Dragon disengaged from his fight against the Technomancer to help Phoenix, Southern Cross had to step up and stop the Technomancer from chasing after him.


    This resulted in their Knight spending much of his Aether to trap both the enemy Knight and Technomancer, not allowing them to help the others in battle.


    And it wasn''t just that. Since their group separated, the Technomancer''s Aetheric Siphon focused on the two of them, draining their reserves.


    But thankfully, they weren''t out of the count just yet.


    The enemy Knight had no one to resupply him with Aether, which allowed Southern Cross to keep them in check, giving Red Dragon and Maharajah a clear path to kill their Tidal Weaver.


    A chance to end the fight.


    And they took that chance.


    "EARTH SPIKE!"


    Standing on a long hexagonal tform formed from the ground, Maharajah lowered his right arm and shot out tens of small spikes from the tower he stood on, all aimed directly at the


    Tidal Weaver.


    "Water Wall."


    She didn''t even flinch, snapping her fingers, causing the water in which she stood to rise, blocking all of the spikes.


    "Lava Whip."


    As Red Dragon''s words echoed, a long whip ofva materialized in his clutched fist.


    "You''re not the only one who can do that. Sea Whip."


    But before he could even attack her, tentacle-like whips of water sprang out at him from below, surrounding him from all directions.


    Scoffing, he stepped down hard, jumping out of the attack''s range before they could close in on him.


    She didn''t relent however, supplying more Aether to her spell and flicking her staff towards him,bining the whips into each other, allowing them to extend even further as they chased after him.


    "Slow."


    With thatment, he swung his whip, wrapping it around Maharajah''s pir and pulling himself to the left, leaving just before his previous location was stabbed to no end.


    Just as he neared his teammate, a whisper heavy with Aether resounded from above.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Cocoon."


    A long circr beam sprouted out of the ground, originating from the pir, and before she could react, it built itself up and in, forming a robust sphere of rock around her.


    "WATER SPEAR!"


    For the first time since their fight began, she bellowed in panic, weaving spear after spear of water, trying to dig herself a way out.


    But before she could do so, Red Dragon jumped on top of the cocoon and walked to the


    middle.


    He then pushed his hand through a small hole that Maharajah left for him.


    "Grain of Hell."


    The Tidal Weaver snapped her head up and saw a harbinger of death.


    Descending upon her was a me so condensed it appeared as a ck and cyan grain-sized orb, pulsing with Aether. It crackled with intensity, the air around it warping from the heat,


    filling her, its target, with dread.


    "I''LL KILL YOU BASTARDS!"


    With all the Aether she had, she weaved the strongest spell in her arsenal, even using the


    groundwater beneath them.


    "FLOOD!"


    But it wasn''t close to being enough.


    If she had more time, the result might''ve been different, yet...


    BOOM!


    It was toote.


    Before her spell could even fully take form, all the water evaporated and the orb touched the


    ground.


    "NO0000000-AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH-!"


    The fire bounced all around the cocoon, and she was cooked alive, dying a death so quick yet


    so agonizing.


    Red Dragon smiled as he nced at the exhausted Maharajah.


    "Good job."


    "...Yeah, only the best for the team."


    Sharing a shortugh, they turned around and looked at their team, observing how everyone


    was managing.


    "...What?!"


    Maharajah''s eyes widened in shock.


    He finally noticed the sorry state his crush was in-almost dead with her guts out.


    As if refilled with Aether, he rushed forward, rage pumping in his veins, his adrenaline on an


    all-time high.


    Red Dragon was about to reprimand him for acting irrationally, but he also felt a slight anger


    at how they treated their neer.


    "We''ll have them dead in ten."


    And that...


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Was exactly what happened.


    As they returned to Southern Cross, the battle ended in seconds.


    It wasn''t only due to their numbers or Maharajah''s rage-fueled rush, but also because of the Knight''s ability, Aegis of Radiance.


    The strength increase it provided allowed them to easily smash in the enemy Knight''s shield, killing him and then ganging up on the Technomancer, reducing his menacing mech to a pile of burnt scraps.


    While he was an Exarch at that point in time, theirbined strength left him no chance of


    effectively retaliating.


    Though strong, to this group of Celestials, they were nothing but a short interruption.


    "I''ll be reporting in."


    While Lionheart made the finishing touches on Phoenix, patching her stomach up with


    bandages, her guts back in ce, Red Dragon looked back at their vehicles, his face losing the


    smile.


    [Threat cleared, let''s end this farce.]

 Chapter 352: Taste Of The Future

    Chapter 352: Taste Of The Future


    ?


    With Phoenix healed up to the point where she could move freely, they headed to their vehicles, and a surprise awaited them there.


    All their Fat Man rocketunchers were reloaded.


    [Thank meter, yeah?]


    Emir''s chuckling voice echoed in their minds, and they knew exactly what happened.


    They spent much too long, so he took things into his own hands.


    [Sure.]


    [Yeah, fuck off, and thanks.]


    [Yes, Sir~.]


    [Want some beans?]


    [§¡§¯§¡§¯§¯§¡§¯§¡§¡§¯!]


    Red Dragon replied with a snicker, Phoenix was rude and straight up as usual, Maharajah''s reply was friendly seeing that they ''shared'' amon ''interest,'' Lionheart was just weird, and Southern Crossughed like a maniac.


    [Shut up you maggots; our spells are ready, so get the rockets up now!]


    Their fun moment was interrupted by their annoyed boss, Judas.


    They all replied in unison, saying something along the lines of:


    [Yes, Sir!] [Understood!] [On it!] with only Ragnar standing out as he said:


    [I''m waiting on the rest inbred, Sir!]


    Emir chuckled again while shaking his head.


    ''They''ll kill him one day.''


    Lifting his finger off the trigger, he threw away the assault rifle, and retreated, joining the approaching five.


    [Respect your seniors, you piece of shit! You''re lucky the contract won''t let me kill you right now!]


    [Hah! Too bad you yanky fuck!]


    While Judas and Ragnar started insulting each other, Emir looked at the nest of ants in the distance.


    It was as if not a single ant had died.


    The once-dug-out ground was filled back up with the green sea, and those that died were being munched on by the new ones.


    "They got pumped out faster than I expected."


    Focusing his eyes, he grabbed his rocketuncher from the motorbike''s rucksack, dropped it on his right shoulder, and jumped up.


    Reaching a hundred or so meters in the air, he materialized a tform and stood on it. "Hm, it reacted."


    The War Queen''s cocoon was much bigger in size.


    It seemed that when they were busy fighting the pitiful hunters, it called in its children, reinforcing its defenses.


    Not only that, the soldier ants forming her nest appeared to be much more agitated; gone were the interconnected tunnels, and came tall walls that encased the cocoon from all sides.


    Thankfully, the rockets woulde from above, so they could get through their defenses with no problems.


    They only needed to create a wide enough gap in the cocoon for the two High Lords to attack and immediately kill the queen, not allowing it to retaliate.


    [I''m ready you bastards! Morg is too!]


    [I can speak for myself!]


    Interrupting his thoughts were Ragnar and Morgiana, shouting at each other while driving away from the sea of ants.


    [Red Dragon, ready.]


    [Phoenix, ready!]


    [Maharajah, ready.]


    [Southern Cross, ready!]


    [Lionheart, ready.]


    Unlike the two, the HG leaders were more professional, and Emir should''ve appreciated that...


    He should''ve, he really should''ve, but he didn''t.


    During battle, what he enjoyed was not professionalism or uniformity but chaos. As if his switch flips once he fights and his personality changes, weing yfulness.


    There was no line to keep away from, no rules.


    It recently got worse, alongside his corruption, and he had long since noticed that corrtion.


    But only now did he begin to notice how his original personality differed as well.


    It was almost as if he became the opposite of his corruption-influenced state.


    Right, since when did he be such an organized freak?


    ''...Lyra must''ve noticed but kept quiet about it. I have to talk to her.''


    Shaking his thoughts away, he fixed the rocketuncher on his shoulder and stated:


    [Emir, ready.]


    As if his earlier thoughts were an illusion, his words were slow and his smile was wide, awaiting the chaos he trusted fate would bring.


    [FIRE!]


    Almost rumbling their minds, Judas''s voice echoed, and they did as they were ordered, pulling the trigger.


    WHOOSH!


    Like the first volley, that sound repeated seven times, and every time a powerful thump followed it, tearing through all that was near.


    HISSSSSSSS!


    The rockets flew high in the air to the War Queen''s nest, turning slightly till they were directly above the cocoon.


    When they reached, they instantly faced the ground and sted themselves downwards.


    But just as they neared it, they exploded, bursting open and letting out a cluster of smaller rockets that went in rounds, exploding one after the other, chipping away at her cocoon.


    BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!


    As if an earthquake was happening, the ground shook hard and continued to shake as the night sky began lighting up even further, due to just how many explosions urred in


    session.


    Once a few seconds passed, the aftermath was barely visible as the ants were lit on fire and much of the nest grew smoke.


    It would''ve only been difficult for mortals to see however, and this group of people certainly


    weren''t that.


    And Emir, who was in the highest position, saw everything.


    Through all the smoke and mes, remnants of the cocoon remained, and the ants walling off the cocoon fell apart, rushing to strengthen the cocoon, walking over their dead brothers.


    [...Breach failed.]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    [...]


    At his report, a short bit of silence replied, and what resounded after were multiple sighs.


    They suspected that already, but when Emir confirmed, it caused their moods to dim.


    Before any of them could respond, he continued:


    [But I can solve it. Ragnar, you got your Aether in the tracker, right?]


    [Yes, do you want me to get you in there?]


    Nodding at his simple reply, Emir answered:


    [No, I''ve got an even better idea.]


    [We''ll trust that you''re worth the dy, impure.]


    [Us too, Eleventh.]


    Ignoring Judas''s and Red Dragon''s attempts at being courteous, his eyes scanned the


    destruction below, and after finding Ragnar, he sh Stepped next to him.


    "Bah! Man! Stop fucking scaring me like that!"


    Emir chuckled and walked past his motorbike, nearing Morgiana.


    "Prepare your strongest spell."


    "Absolute zero?"


    She asked, and he confirmed:


    "Yes."


    Returning to Ragnar, he pointed a small distance away in front of them, clear from all debris.


    "There, make it as big as you can."


    Ragnar raised his brows, surprised, as he just understood his intention.


    "Sure..."


    While doing as he was told, he closed his eyes and asked:


    "But why not bring the others? Cause of the space?"


    "That and because they''ve got little to no Aether. Besides, you''ll barely handle our abilities."


    Morgiana stepped behind the two, and the air around them instantly turned cold, slightly


    colder than what they remembered.


    ''She got stronger, huh~.''


    Snap!


    Emir smiled at her and then turned his attention to the just-formed portal.


    Fshshshshhhhhh.


    It pulsated, its gravity affecting the dust around them, but all of that died down once Emir


    pointed his finger at it.


    As if the world was told to keep quiet, everything turned still, even the ants in the distance.


    ''Aether overdrive.''


    His demeanor changed entirely, and all the Aether around them began to congregate to his


    core, which snaked through the many tens of paths inside his body and ended at the tip of his


    finger.


    But he didn''t stop there and used all that he had, emptying his reserves.


    Once done, he looked beside him.


    Morgiana had a long arrow of ice at the ready, it stood atop her long staff of blue, the dark-


    blue crystal on top shining.


    ''Ready?''


    ''Ready.''


    As they locked eyes, they knew that it was time.


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    "ABSOLUTE ZERO!"


    Their collective roar echoed and a current of Aether went forth, destroying the ground


    beneath, barely getting swallowed by the portal.


    Behind it was an arrow of ice that froze the destruction, leaving everything as still as it was a


    minute ago.


    "Ughh..."


    Just when they crossed through entirely, the portal closed, and an out-of-breath Ragnar smacked into the ground, huffing as he tried to absorb more Aether into his core.


    The amount of concentration he needed to teleport abilities of such magnitude was immense,


    never mind the incredible loss of Aether that came alongside it.


    B00000000000000000000M!


    [It''s... done.]


    Not knowing of the aftermath, Emir and Morgiana, who looked in simr shape, fell to the


    ground, joining Ragnar, breathless.


    If any of the ants in the distance came along, their lives would''ve been at stake.


    "Great job."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But thankfully, that wasn''t going to happen.


    Four of the HG leaders stood guard around them, securing the perimeter and not allowing any


    in.


    Lionheart, the fifth, sat among them. His Zenith Replenish going on full st. Meanwhile, at the top of the hill was a smiling Judas, a Sun Weaver.


    His salt and pepper hair had turned fully white as he held a staff of gold that ended with a big


    pearl with his left arm, cing it in front of him.


    That pearl shined even brighter than his Second Sun, yet that brightness didn''t travel far.


    Just to the left of the light was the dark.


    Judal, a Void Weaver, stood in a striking stance, a cigarette still in his mouth.


    He held the bottom of his staff high up in the air as if he was going to swing it down.


    And he actually was, as the staff was in the shape of a katana, with many streaks of ck woven through the wood.


    Darkness emanated from it like smoke, reaching many meters atop it while coloring his surroundings ck and bathing them in a void.


    His hair looked to be the opposite of his twin, as dark as Emir''s eyes.


    Emir, who looked at that scene with his mouth slightly ajar, noticed that but his attention was


    on something else entirely.


    It was his first time seeing a higher-ranked Celestial going all out, and it certainly was a sight


    to behold. The sheer power their Aether held was immense-so immense that he couldn''t fathom it.


    Even the very hill the twins stood on trembled in fear.


    ''This-''


    "DIMENSIONAL CUT!"


    His sword traveled down, and the darkness that simmered atop it went forth, slowly at first,


    then instantly slicing the ground in half until it reached what remained of the nest, the


    cocoon, and the War Queen.


    It was a hulking monstrosity of an ant, reaching almost thirty meters in height, with


    mandibles that-


    "KREEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    The de of darkness sliced it cleanly in half, separating it in two.


    The two parts attempted to regenerate, connect back together, but they couldn''t; darkness


    laced its innards, continuously cutting it from further regeneration while also eating away


    more of the queen, devouring its body bit by bit.


    "Sun''s Sword."


    Next came Judas''s attack.


    He opened his eyes while moving the staff up and motioned it towards the War Queen.


    With a flick of his wrist, the staff swiped downwards, and the air it touched left behind a


    streak of light. Judas closed his eyes.


    This light shed...


    Emir blinked.


    And everything ended.


    ''...Ha.''


    There was no aftermath, no explosion, simply death.


    A death so quick, so painless, that not a single cry was heard.


    The War Queen, along with the smoke and many tens of thousands of ants, simply


    disappeared.


    ""


    || ||


    ""


    || ||


    || ||


    Everyone down the hill was stunned to silence; even Ragnar couldn''t say anything in that


    situation.


    It wasn''t only out of awe but also because what they just saw was a taste of the future they so


    desired.

 Chapter 353: Evil For The Sake Of Evil

    Chapter 353: Evil For The Sake Of Evil


    ?


    Upon further inspection, some of the War Queen remained.


    Parts of limbs no longer than a human hand, her seven cores the size of the average male, and dried blood of deep green.


    Everything valuable was taken away by the clean-up crew after the rest of the ants were disposed of.


    That wasn''t too difficult for the crew, as the ants began to scatter once their queen died, allowing them to easily pick them off, group by group.


    With that done and the destruction all around being taken care of as well, they sent the loot back to the Academy.


    And yes, trucks filled with sand and rock did in facte through, filling everything and excavating where it was needed as if it was a construction site.


    They made it seem like nothing urred, and that the War Queen disappeared.


    While they did that, the unnamed team had already left, gone back to their homes.


    There was no celebration for a job well done; they did what they were asked and left. As Red Dragon had said to the pitiful Shadow Binder, it was just business.


    While a few might''ve liked such a meeting, some more than others, most had busier schedules and cared less for their group.


    A few, or rather, more particrly a single person who hadn''t gone through much struggle in her life, even disliked what they did...


    And she wouldn''t be med for feeling so.


    After all, if one took a step back and thought about what they did, they could never be titled anything other than viins.


    A group of hunters worked hard for weeks hunting down a bounty for riches and glory, but to not slightly disturb the margins of the Big Eight, their group was called to interfere.


    And interfere they did, killing the group that worked so hard in the process, in turn losing those Corporations a lot of money in the long run, but they never cared about that, did they?


    Short-term gain always proved more important.


    Sure, Morgiana and her team had no say in the matter, it was for the Academy as well, since without the Corporations and the Elite, there would be no Academy to teach in, so they had to do their dirty work, but still...


    It left a bad taste.


    Emir however, showed nothing of the sort.


    His face was all smiles as he listened in on a conversation between Judal and Judas, his body hid behind a wall as they walked the halls towards their offices.


    "...It''s nostalgic."


    He controlled his Aether and trapped it within his body, creating a vacuum in Aether itself. "What? The ability?"


    This allowed him to get close and listen to Judas''s reply, or so one might think.


    "Yeah, those bastards didn''t deserve to see it."


    Judas cracked a sly grin, and his eyes fluttered open for a moment.


    "Only the dead deserve it... and they''re dead men walking."


    "..."


    Judal stood behind, speechless, watching as Judas entered his office with slow steps.


    Then slowly, he turned around and called out:


    "Fuck you snooping around for?"


    Chuckling, Emir stepped out into the hall, as it was obvious that Judal knew of his being there since the beginning.


    He wasn''t surprised by that fact; he even expected it; after all, they could easily detect him using their information gathering device if they had it on at all times, like he did.


    But if not, then Judal could simply feel a disturbance in the Aether around them, since it wouldn''t touch the vacuum caused by Emir, going around it.


    "What do you mean snooping? I was just heading back to my office."


    Raising a brow, Judal sarcastically asked:


    "But weren''t you going to check on our half-dead bird?"


    With both his hands up, he said:


    "Oh, I did. Her Aether core is stable now, but she''s knocked out, so I left."


    ||||


    They stared at each other, silently acknowledging Emir''s words to be "absolute dog shit" without actuallymenting on them.


    "Whatever fuck head, just know in that smooth brain of yours that he noticed you too."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Mhm, and his warning? It''s of little concern."


    Sure, he had always dealt with those ''human'' never with those who were pure evil, but nothing changed about what he had to do.


    Kill. Destroy. Conquer.


    That was all.


    For now however, they had to get along, the binding contract holding its weight over them.


    But one day...


    "Hah?!"


    Emir''s musings were cut off as Judal pushed him back.


    "Little concern? I don''t think you understand who you''re dealing with."


    His words caused Emir to let out a loudugh:n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "AHAHAHAHAHAAH! ME?! NOT KNOW?"


    ||||


    Judal didn''t reply, only staring at Emir as hisughter died down.


    "Haha haa... Man, it''s you who doesn''t know who they''re dealing with... You know what? How about you join me in my office? I''ll tell you a story about a certain twin duo."


    With his mouth still shut as if it were locked, perhaps his attempt at restraining himself, Judal did as he was asked, following Emir into his office and sitting on the chair opposite his desk.


    "Listen up..."


    Emir leaned on his chair, putting one leg over the other as he began:


    "This''s a story about an evil light and a good, no, a slightly decent, no, a just okay, no¡ª"


    "GET TO IT!"


    Snickering at Judal''s impatience, Emir continued:


    "Alright, alright, it''s about an evil light and a neutral dark..."


    ***


    My head stayed still as I watched my Father drive through the streets of Sector 2-E.


    Filth was around every corner, and most of the residents here were homeless bum.


    I didn''t feel bad for them, nor did I hate them, I only saw them as unimportant. My brother, who sat next to me, however, felt what I felt only a few hundred times stronger.


    He constantly argued with Father about why he brought us here, dampening the already crap


    mood even further.


    "They are nothing but impuremoners! Why do we need to learn about them?!"


    Father banged his hand on the steering wheel and screamed back:


    "How many times do I have to tell you this?! We are responsible for them! As their superiors, we need to do better, and to do that, you need to learn how they live!" Valid points or not, none of that mattered, my brother wasn''t thinking of them as humans.


    "They are lower lifeforms that serve no purpose! What use is there in keeping them alive?!"


    Father''s eyes widened in shock. He simply couldn''t understand how and why his son became


    like this.


    "...He''s only nine."


    Letting out a sigh, Father wiped his face with his hand as Mom patted his shoulder.


    "It''s fine, dear; he''ll learn-"


    !!!


    All sounds around me suddenly drowned out as I focused on one thing.


    The road.


    Only I could currently see it; my Father blocked his own vision while Momforted him,


    momentarily taking their eyes off the road.


    And there in front of us was a childmoner who stood, unmoving, staring at the


    approaching car, us, as if he weed death.


    Right, death. We were seconds away from crashing into him.


    So... before I could think, my body acted as I reached out to touch my Father.


    "HEY, WATCH OUT!"

 Chapter 354: Evil For The Sake Of Evil II

    Chapter 354: Evil For The Sake Of Evil II


    ?


    "We''re so sorry!"


    In unison, my parents bowed their heads to the parents of themoner we almost crashed into.


    But it wasn''t in public; thoughpassionate, they had an image to uphold, so we visited the dump they called a house.


    Big Brother Judas didn''te with us, absolutely despising what they did and were going to do.


    "I-It''s fine! Please..."


    The man who received such an apology didn''t know what to do with himself.


    Even though his daughter almost died, arguably on purpose, he wasn''t mad one bit, only surprised at what just happened.


    The fact that they bothered to do this much to people like them almost felt like a miracle.


    "I''ll take your word."


    Raising their heads, Mother stepped away from themoner and pulled me along, heading outside the house, while Father continued talking to the man.


    And as we made our way out, I heard Father mention wanting topensate them for what had happened. But once we were outside next to the car, their conversation faded into silence.


    "Alright, hop in; we won''t take long."


    Mother opened the door for me and left after making sure I was alright.


    She didn''t even look at my brother once, still mad at the hurtful words he spouted.


    "Will you say sorry? I get you, but talking shit to them won''t change anything."


    He didn''t reply to my question, remaining still with his eyes closed...


    I asked again:


    "Bastard, I know you''re listening. Answer me, will you say sorry?"


    My words were hurtful, but they came from endearment. I loved my brother despite the innate evil being that he was.


    Judas hid his true self from our parents, buttely, he had been growing out of control, and I couldn''t help but feel that everything would go to hell soon.


    "...Sure. I will."


    ''...What?''


    Surprised, my head snapped to face his.


    "What did you say?"


    "I said I will."


    His reply was immediate. He ACTUALLY said that.


    ''Damn...''


    My face grew a smile.


    "Then go!"


    And I urged him on.


    Judas did, in fact, go, and to my unending surprise, he made noment on my harsh words.


    ***


    I don''t like it.


    I don''t fucking like it. Not one bit.


    They lowered their heads to ANIMALS!


    That only means one thing...


    My parents are animals too.


    Unlike me and my brother, they''ve been corrupted; they''ve lost their purity.


    This meant that their lives were no less important than the monsters we kill. ''Yes... it''s not.''


    ***


    Judas, being only nine at the time, wasn''trge in size.


    Even his augmented suit, which was a few sizesrger than his body, didn''t help to hide that fact.


    So when he went past the house''s makeshift gate and into the backyard, he faced an animal muchrger than him.


    A lion-like cat.


    Though still affected by Aether and nuclear mutations, not all domesticated animals were dead, at least not in his time.


    Compared to now, where there were only flies and other smaller insects remaining, semi- normal animals existed.


    Most of them didn''t exist for long, however.


    This was not only due to their mutations rapidly corrupting their minds and returning them to their wild state, but also because...


    They were simply killed, put down.


    Most did it out of fear, but others did it for sport, calling it having fun, training their skills, and whatnot, all until they neared extinction.


    So despite the risk, it wasn''t rare to see lower-ss citizens use them for protection.


    Meow...


    The cat-lion before him was calm and friendly, deeming him to be a nonbatant, a guest.


    It came up to him and lowered itself not to scare him, rubbing its head on his leg and licking his shoes.


    || ||


    Judas quietly looked down on it.


    Then, with slow movements... he pulled a silenced pistol out of his breast pocket.


    Click-ck!


    He locked the pistol''s slide back and aimed it at the cat, finger on the trigger.


    Thwap!


    As he pulled the trigger, a barely audible shot rang out.


    St!


    And the bullet tore through the poor animal, killing it before it could even utter a cry for help,


    sttering its blood all around.


    Judas opened his eyes and watched as blood left its skull, dripping onto the ground.


    "WHA-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"


    His father roared behind him in rage, his voice almost breaking, appearing to have juste out of the house.


    Any kid in his situation would show emotion-any emotion, but Judas only turned around to face his parents with a neutral face.


    His mother looked at him for a while, speechless, then turned to her husband, her words a stutter-full mess.


    "H-H-He isn''t m-my son. W-we didn''t raise him to be like... like... like this! A devil-"


    Thwap!


    A bullet found itself in the middle of her head...


    Thud!


    And she dropped to the ground, killed by her own son.


    Thwap!


    Before his father could do anything, another bullet found itself tearing through his brain,


    ending his life.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He fell on top of his wife, joining her in hell.


    "I gave you a chance."


    Leaving those words behind, he stepped forward, heading inside the house.


    Judas was met by the mother as she was still near the entrance, in the kitchen, cooking up a


    feast for her family to celebrate the money they received.


    Hearing his steps, she turned around and showed a face full of surprise:


    "Ah! Are you their eldest="


    Thwap!


    Blood sttered, painting the kitchen''s walls, and she hit the stove as she fell over, limp.


    He opened his eyes for a moment, nced at her, closed them, then continued on his way.


    Following the sound of water sshing and giggles, he found himself outside their bathroom.


    ck!


    Kicking the door open, he stumbled upon the dad bathing his daughter inside a tub full of


    water and soap.


    A raremodity in a ce like this.


    "..?!"


    They looked at him in confusion, but before they could say anything...


    Thwap!


    Judas pressed on the trigger.


    The dad died in moments and fell forward onto his daughter, his blood and what remained of


    his brain leaking into the water they bathed in.


    Meanwhile, the daughter was suffocating, her dad''s weight trapping her under the water as


    she slowly lost all the air in her lungs.


    Bubbles began to float to the surface and only then did he...


    A nine-year-old kid, finally show emotion at the scene of absolute despair that he caused.


    A full-teeth smile.


    It was filled with enjoyment, rivaling that of Emir''s during battle.


    This was when Judas finally realized what made him whole.


    The earlier kills were too quick, this... this was fulfilling, unique, special.


    It was fun.


    "I''m home!"


    And he could make it even better!


    Opening his eyes fully, he headed back to the kitchen, expecting to hear a scream any time


    soon.


    "Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"


    There it was.


    He circted the Aether within him to strengthen his muscles and rushed to her before she


    could call the UEF Guard.


    Once he reached her, he punched her terminal away, almost breaking her hand, and shot it multiple times, destroying it.


    In utter shock, the girl stepped back, almost falling over, as she screamed her lungs out again:


    "YOU MURDERER!"


    Smack!


    pped by a child barely half her size, she fell to the ground, holding her red face in pain.


    "Quiet, or do you want to die too?"


    Her body instinctively realized that he held the choice of whether she lived or died, causing


    her mouth to shut and her brain to follow his words.


    "Great. Even filth can understandnguage, it seems."


    ""


    She didn''t react to his insult at all, her trembling eyes wide open and stuck staring at his.


    "And they can learn too. Even better..."


    His smile grew smaller as he asked:


    "Now I''ve got a question for you. Make sure to answer. Is that understood?"


    Her mouth remained shut, as if her entire body was frozen due to fear.


    Seeing that made him nod his head in approval.


    "Exceptional. So my question is, what''s your favorite book?"


    || ||


    "I allow you to speak."


    Letting out a rough breath, she slowly inhaled air till her lungs were filled and answered:


    "B-Burning Ruins."


    "Ah..."


    Judas lowered himself and sat next to her, acting as if he was a visiting friend.


    "I know that one, it''s trending even in our circles! What''s your favorite character, by the


    way?" "X-Xavyr."


    Thwap!


    Thest bullet in the gun found itself in a nearby wall, bloody, with brain remnants on it.


    Thud!


    And there dropped the body whose blood painted said wall; her head no longer whole.


    He looked at her for a few seconds, then closed his eyes.


    "Tough luck, he annoys me. Too justicy, if that''s even a word."


    With that, this family''s tragedy was concluded.


    He stood up and left the house, his shoes marking the ground with blood.


    But as he neared the car, two cubs belonging to the mama cat-lion rushed him from behind.


    GRRRRR!


    Unfazed, he threw the gun away and waited, eyeing their movements.


    "Sun''s de."


    Once they reached him, he swiped his hand from left to right, conjuring a tiny arc of


    concentrated light that shot out and easily sliced through the two cubs.


    Scoffing, he turned back and entered the car.


    His brother looked at him with his mouth ajar, amazed that Judas could use abilities already;


    they weren''t meant to learn that until they came of age!


    However, that face quickly changed to another, as Judas dropped unimaginable news on him:


    "Our parents are dead. Those impure filth killed them; call the Guard now!"


    Judal was presented with a calm voice and face that didn''t match those intense words at all.


    "....."


    So the only thing he could do was stare at him in silence.


    He stared for a long while, attempting to process what happened as he knew it to be the truth,


    not a joke, his brother would never do that.


    Never. "...I see."


    Eventually, he understood.


    His parents were dead...


    And his OWN brother had killed them.


    Thosemoners didn''t have the ability.


    Even with their Augmented Suits off, there was no way they would be blindsided by a bunch of


    nobodies.


    It had to be him.


    So...


    What should he do now?

 Chapter 355: Fifth Step

    Chapter 355: Fifth Step


    ?


    ***


    "What should he do~? Oh, what should he do~?"


    Emir sang happily, moving his arms around as if he were a conductor leading an orchestra.


    "Tell me~ tell me~, what should this pitiful BASTARD do~?"


    Raising his right arm, he smashed it into the table, his face stone cold.


    "Warning me of death?! ME? THIS FUCKER THINKS HE CAN KILL ME?!"


    Judal frowned in annoyance.


    "Stop acting like you''re angry. You''re not too good at it."


    ||||


    "..."


    Shrugging his shoulders, Emir admitted:


    "Heh~ you''ve caught me."


    Exacerbated, Judal sighed and stood up from his chair.


    "I won''t ask how you''ve found that out; it''d be a waste of time. I won''t tell you to keep this secret; I know most of your people already know. But I will tell you this..."


    Emir tilted his head innocently.


    "What?"


    "Don''t think that you''re safe because of the binding contract. If this story ever goes public, I''ll kill you, even if death is my ending."


    "Isn''t it everyone''s?"


    Rolling his eyes, Judal turned around, and headed out of the office, passing by a white-haired beauty that was waiting just by the door.


    He didn''t bother looking at her, as he knew her to be his quote-unquote secretary, Amanda, still unaware of her true identity, as it was known only to the top Elite and Amon, their principal.


    [Wee back... again.]


    Emir kindly smiled at her. It was a smile only seen by those he considered family, quite rarely at that.


    [I''m back.]


    As she got close, reaching his desk, he was about to stand up to wee her, but she stopped him, lightly pushing his shoulders down, not allowing him to get up from his seat.


    [Oh- do I sense a rebellion?]


    Lyra giggled and kissed his forehead.


    [Maybe~.]


    Their rtionship had certainly advanced. It reached a point where jokes about betrayal and the like weremonce, usually met withughter rather than suspicion.


    This showed that Emir''s trust in Lyra grew and was continuing to grow as time passed, making her happier than ever.


    But that happiness took pause when she saw a certain memory as she stepped back from the kiss.


    "...Phoenix... you agreed!"


    Emir face palmed and leaned back on his chair.


    "Ahh, not again."


    Lyra let out a soft giggle.


    "Just kidding."


    With eyes that showed suspicion, he asked:


    "Are you really?"


    And she answered immediately, her facepletely serious:


    "Yes. If I acted on my jealousy, then no nonfamilial woman near you would be alive today. So know that despite what I feel, you take precedence and always will."


    Emir scoffed.


    "Thanks for not killing my family."


    She shrugged her shoulders and sat on the desk.


    "You''re wee~."


    Shaking his head, Emir''s face matched Lyra''s as he took out his terminal.


    A hologram materialized, showing a long line of text that described much of what Emir had done since the day he returned from Setrenc.


    {Emir didn''t begin eating and left to clean up the coordinated mess. He didn''t want to leave it to the machine as it would take long-well, longpared to his hands, at least.}


    {They moved quickly, and when he was done, he uniformly put everything back exactly to where they belonged.}


    {Time went by, and soon she was done, happy with the result, looking at Emir''s baby face with a grin while he cleaned the ce.}


    {Emir slowed down his perception of time, then looked at the students, still uniformly standing, awaiting the result.}


    {Clicking his tongue, Emir followed after him, wobbling through the grime as he patted himself clean.}


    "Look. You see a pattern, no? I bet you''ve noticed this immediately."


    Lyra didn''t show surprise at being caught, butplete and utter happiness. Her smile screamed at how excited she was that he had finally caught on.


    "Of course! Who else but me? If I didn''t, I''d be a failure of an assistant."


    Emir, expecting such a reaction, followed along with her joke:


    "Indeed, you would''ve been. But what now? Have I be a cleaning freak?"


    She shook her head.


    "No, well, technically yes-"


    "Just say it."


    At Emir''s urging, she revealed:


    "You''ve developed Mild OCD. I''ve confirmed it during your daily diagnosis; there''s no


    doubt."


    His eyes widened slightly, and he couldn''t help but ask:


    "I, a Celestial, have a disorder?"


    She repeated:


    "Yes. But it''s nothing to worry about."


    "Huh, that''s..."


    Emir looked around his office for a moment, and when his eyes returned to Lyra, he asked:


    "Is this why your face makes me feel calm?"


    Lyra blushed at once but then quickly snapped her head away in shame.


    "S-Sorry, for a second, I thought that you were confessing."


    He didn''t react and urged her once more:


    "Tell me, is that why?"


    She nodded.


    "My face is perfectly symmetrical. It''s only natural that your eyes find me pleasant."


    There was also another reason they both silently acknowledged.


    Emir''s favorite color was blood red-the same color as her ruby-like eyes.


    He hadn''t had a favorite color before his ''immersion'' at Setrenc, but since then, he hade


    to see it as the most beautiful, the most vibrant.


    This coincidence only highlighted their unnatural connection.


    "...I see."


    Emir chuckled and leaned back on his chair, closing his real eyes to focus on his mind''s eye.


    He felt the paths within and noticed a difference, now understanding why Lyra was so happy that he had realized the change.


    After all, that realization had brought this ''difference'' to life as his being, his soul, grew more intertwined with Aether due to him sessfully embodying a puppeteer. A man so obsessed with control that his brain couldn''t handle anything out of his chosen order.


    Even though it would''ve been fair to call him a control freak before Setrenc, this here was on another level, as his OCD was control manifest. The result of his perfectionist mindset. Now all of this led his Aether Core to react and grow, matching the status of his being within Aether''s metaphorical eyes.


    Hiswork of veins and arteries were altered. They became slightly bigger, denser than a mortal''s bones, and more numerous at their ends, allowing for better absorption


    capabilities.


    This was a massive step forward towards reaching the next sub-rank and bing an Exarch.


    The fifth one in his path.


    It seemed that Lyra''s estimation was correct; he truly was on course to do the impossible


    within a year.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''That future isn''t so far it looks like.''


    Excited, Emir stood up from his chair, about to go train with the Aether Core that he stole from Arthur, but was interrupted as his terminal rang out.

 Chapter 356: Field Trip To Life

    Chapter 356: Field Trip To Life


    ?


    {Amon.}


    That name was what his terminal showed.


    The principal was calling.


    Why?


    Well-


    "Oh, wait. I forgot about the reward."


    Emir realized why.


    || ||


    Lyra parted her lips silently, indicating the same.


    It seemed that in their excitement, theypletely forgot about what he worked so hard to get.


    That goddamn reward!


    Answering the call, Emir ced the terminal back on the desk and put it on speaker, so Lyra could hear as well.


    "Son, do you not want to be rewarded?"


    Emir snickered, acting natural.


    "I forgot to ask, what''s up with you calling me son? Never knew that we were rted."


    Amon matched his energy.


    "Oh really? It seems that I was the one who forgot. My apologies, but we are in fact rted." "How so?"


    "I''m your principal thats how! Now shut up and take your reward you annoying little bastard!"


    "And what would that be?"


    Their back and forth paused for a second, as Amon let out a chuckle.


    "...WE acknowledge your efforts. We know of your dilemma. And WE have what you need."


    This time it was Emir''s turn to remain silent as he sucked in a long breath, certainly not expecting the call to have headed in this direction.


    Breathing out, Emir calmly asked:


    "Tell me. What is it that I need?"


    They both knew what that ''need'' was but Emir wanted to hear it straight up, no mind games.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I swear this Oath to you son, that I and a blurry younger brother, know what happened to your father."


    His words couldn''t be any clearer.


    Amon had just acknowledged what Emir chased after since a few months in after his birth.


    This was the first lead he had ever confirmed to be true and he would never let go of it.


    With a nk face, he looked at the terminal, then at Lyra, softly nodding his head. "Is that my reward?"


    "Yes."


    "Then know that I''ll look forward to future ones."


    "...Sure-"


    Toot toot~


    And the call ended...


    Just like that.


    Emir and Lyra stared at each other for a very long while then slowly, she came to him and hugged him, whispering her congrattions in his ears:


    "Well done my love... We''re getting there. We really are."


    He didn''t say anything back and simply enjoyed the moment, feeling utter bliss.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Time went by, and they returned to their routines.


    Their routines, in turn, made the days pass swiftly.


    For Emir, time was consumed with cultivation, pathing, work, and countless meetings, so much so that Thursday arrived in what felt like the blink of an eye.


    During this period, Emir observed that while he hadn''t gained any noticeable physical strength since his ''realization,'' his abilities had be more efficient.


    The vessels that transported his Aether had been upgraded, allowing his skills to require slightly less Aether to perform.


    Additionally, he found that he could Path more effectively and learn new abilities faster, thanks to hispletely stable Aether Core.


    This newfound stability enabled him to unlock another ability, bringing his total potential to


    seven.


    And with that under his belt, it was time for him to teach again.


    Today he nned something big for the students, copying what Morgiana did in the ''novel'' and having them go on a field trip to the wastnd.


    It would certainly give them a new ''perspective'' on things, teach them about life.


    Death would be taughtter, as it was a tougher pill to swallowpared to what he nned to make them experience today.


    He wouldn''t be there to watch over them the entire time, as he had a certain minor disaster to


    worry about.


    But that didn''t matter, he made sure that they would be ''safe.''


    ''Oh- they''ll be in a world of hurt.''


    Inwardly chuckling, he pointed at a student in the front row and gestured for him to stand.


    "Sir?"


    The boy did as he was told, questioning the silence while standing up.


    "What did you Spell Weavers do in your little PE ss yesterday?"


    Gulping down his nervousness, the boy answered:


    "We yed tag sir! The one ying ''It'' was blinded and forced to find the rest of us using


    Aether."


    "I see, you may sit."


    Emir looked away from the kid and nodded.


    ''So it''s confirmed, today is the day.''


    Judging by his thoughts, the question wasn''t because he was interested in theirbat ss,


    far from it. But it was because he needed to confirm the best time for this ''field trip'' he


    nned for. Match its timing with the ''novel''


    Reason why he didn''t ask Elijah was because he was not there, being a Reaper meant that he had special sses that took away his time to join regr ones.


    The same applied to the others as Aria or anyone else might find his question suspicious.


    They knew he never asked anything for no reason, so he just left it for ss time, not


    bothering too much.


    Now there was also a reason why he was disinterested in thebat ss even though he


    enjoyed battle.


    It was too lenient. Often times boring.


    They would train in simtions, against controlled targets, and in gravity rooms.


    There was no danger, no pain.


    Special training like what the student just talked about was interesting but it stopped at that.


    He knew that most students cheated, peeking through the blinds slightly, releasing more Aether than usual or something along those lines, so he would''ve done it differently. Instead of covering their eyes, he would blind them. Actually blind them. Focusing on one student more than the rest. Though that student wouldn''t even know that, his chromosomes missing, or so Emir believed.


    That would be a surefire way to ensure that no cheating could ur. And again, especially not from a certain lucky bastard.


    Yes, that was the definite reason for why he would do that, certainly not for anything else.


    [I got a message back from Amon, he said we''re good to go.]


    [Alright, we''ll meet up at the border.]


    [Don''t bete.]


    Ending his report with Lyra, Emir scanned the students for a moment and then announced:


    "As it seems that yourbat experience ising along nicely, I''ll have all of you here go


    on a field trip to learn about life, are you not excited?!"


    ||


    || ||


    || ||


    "...What?"

 Chapter 357: Field Trip To Life II

    Chapter 357: Field Trip To Life II


    ?


    That was, more or less, the collective reaction of every student in the ss. Beyond confusion and shock.


    But eventually, they all processed his words, and chaos erupted as a result.


    "Field trip?!... This early?"


    "You idiot! It''s Prof. Emir; you know that it''s not going to be a normal field trip."


    "He said we''re going to learn about life, the hell does that mean?"


    "Dunno, probably ruin diving, but yeah, it sounds exciting!"


    "I know right?! I didn''t leave the sector for so long!"


    "Isn''t it too early though? It''s too dangerous."


    "Shuddup! He didn''t confirm that, so don''t jump to conclusions."


    "Yeah, besides, that''s what I want!"


    "Right. And if we can''t handle it, the professor will definitely step in."


    This excitement was not only felt by the ''unnamed;'' even the ''named'' caused amotion.


    After all, theck of experience outside the sector''s safety wasn''t a problem reserved only for those without money or privilege.


    They, who had too much money and privilege, couldn''t go outside either. Their importance mandated that.


    It was too dangerous and would be a hotspot for kidnappings to take ce.


    The four heads might''ve been a little lenient before, but not now, especially not after what happened with Aria.


    "Elijah! Why didn''t you tell me about this?!"


    "Who told you that I knew?! It surprised me as much as it did you!"


    "Don''t lie, you cursed piece of shit."


    "Yeah, yeah, piss off. What do you think, Sofia?"


    "... It sounds good."


    "He said life, right? So this is totally my thing. I''m so gonna win this time, Aria!"


    "Try your best."


    "Let''s all do our best!"


    "Shut up! You cringy ass bastard!"


    Aria, Elijah, Max, Sofia, Ava, and Xavier Jr. talked among themselves, sitting next to each other in the back of the ssroom.


    Out of the ''named'' only Arthur and Quinn remained silent, sitting at each corner of the ssroom, their eyes staring daggers at Emir.


    Even without hearing their reactions, he knew what they felt, what their thoughts were.


    One wanted to prove herself, as she, like the rest, knew what his ''field trip'' would entail while the other simply hated him. An emotion sprouted from envy.


    The golden-eyed boy was iffy about going to a ruin, feeling slight trauma as he had almost died in one, so he internalized that feeling andbined it with what preexisted.


    A life of mediocrity, a childhood cut short, a family estranged, bullies who gave him no break, and a Professor who was the walking and living example of what was promised to him.


    The envy, the anger, and the trauma, a recipe for disaster.


    With a ssh of maniption from his two trusted ''reincarnates,'' what he felt for the Professor turned into hate.


    A burning hatred that was fueled each time the Professor even spoke.


    It wasughable how easy it was to manipte his emotions but Emir didn''t find it funny.


    That dumbass was once the protagonist of his story... he only felt shame.


    ''It''s fine... the past is the past. I''m not the same as I was a week ago, never mind fifteen years.'' Taking his attention away from him, he looked back at the students, studying their eyes. ''Hm.''


    ...They were ready.


    Though not sure what was in store for them, they knew that it involved the blood and guts of monsters.


    To others, that might''ve sounded like a nightmare, and to some students, it did, but most of them wanted that nightmare, starved of truebat.


    They wanted to test their mettle in the real world, not in a safe environment or against professors who held back all their strength.


    And Emir was about to provide that exact need.


    But before that, he brought up a reward that the students most likely forgot about in all their hype:


    "A few of you might still remember that I promised to teach the top three about my Pathing technique in today''s ss."


    Sofia perked up at that, apparently harboring doubt about it for a while. Elijah, Aria, and Max looked surprised, their eyes widening.


    "Don''t worry, I didn''t forget, but because of this ''slight'' change of ns, I''ll have the lesson dyed to the next ss as it''ll be a regr one. Oh, and it won''t only be for you four, I''ll teach it to all of you, I just said that back then to encourage you."


    The room almost instantly buzzed with a mix of anticipation and relief.


    "No way! He''s actually going to that for free?"


    "That''s frickin awesome! I can''t wait."


    "Man, I was worried he''d forgotten."


    "Guess it''s our lucky day, huh?"


    "We''re really going to learn ''that'' from him? All of us? This is huge."


    "You hear that, Arthur? Even you get a chance," a bully teased with a grin.


    Arthur remained silent, but he couldn''t hide the flicker of interest that passed through his


    eyes.


    His system had no such technique in its achievement section.


    Quinn, on the other hand, maintained her icy re, unwilling to show any sign of excitement.


    But again, with Sofia as an exception, they were the only two who kept to themselves.


    Elijah leaned back in his chair, a smirk ying on his lips.


    "As expected, guess I didn''t need to work so hard," he said, nudging Aria.


    "What do you think?"


    Aria, her eyes sparkling with barely concealed excitement, crossed her arms and huffed.


    "It''s not like I need to learn this stuff or anything..."


    She looked away and muttered:


    "But, I guess learning how he does it with unlocked abilities might be... interesting, or


    whatever."


    Ava pped her hands together, practically bouncing in her seat.


    "This is gonna be sooo amazing! Pathing for healers like us is, like, super important, you


    know? And the field trip? Omg, it''s gonna be perfect!"


    She was one of the rare and unfortunate students who somehow believed their field trip


    would be considered fun.


    "It''s a massive opportunity; we won''t learn this from anywhere else."


    Xavier Jr, gave a thoughtful nod, trying his best to act mature andposed even though he


    was burning with happiness deep inside.


    "We need to stay focused and take this seriously. If we do, our entire batch will grow into


    something more."


    His ''sophistication'' only sounded cringeworthy to his ssmates, however, as they began to


    boo him.


    "''...''


    Sofia, unlike them, remained silent, her expression unreadable. Her eyes, though, betrayed obvious resentment.


    She wasn''t thrilled about being grouped with everyone else for the lesson.


    She recognized the value in what was being offered, more so than the others. Believing that


    only worthy people like her deserved to be taught that technique.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But she knew that there was nothing she could do about it.


    ''I''ll prove myself, even if it means ying along with this.'' Meanwhile, Emir studied their reactions, his Temporal Perception active, noting their mental


    states.


    He nned topare these observations to their post-dive conditions after returning to the academy, while also checking their physical changes and pain tolerance.


    This ''pop quiz'' wasn''t going to be just that; it would also include measuring their Aether control and purity levels, setting a benchmark for them to pass the next time they were


    tested.


    The purity of their Aether would indicate how much they had cultivated or, more precisely, circted their Aether. Control, on the other hand, would measure how quickly a Celestial could conjure their abilities.


    It would also have acted as a prerequisite for learning how he could optimize and change the


    pathing of his abilities.


    As of now, he believed that none of the students had obtained that ''prerequisite,'' so they had


    better hope that this dive would awaken them.


    ...


    ''...And that''s thest one. It''s time to move.''


    Once he finished his assessments, he calmed them down and gathered them outside the


    Academy, right beside the shopping district.


    There, three APCs awaited them, specially provided by the principal himself.


    The students entered in a uniform line and acted as if they were actually going on a field trip,


    their mood merry.


    That gave Emir nostalgia as his fake memories resurfaced, but he ignored that and continued


    to usher them in.


    When they all took their seats, he entered the driver seat of the first APC and drove forward


    with the others trailing behind, using the AI ingrained within them to precisely follow him.


    It didn''t take long for them to reach the Northern Border and take a brief stop as Emir pulled the vehicles over to the side, just behind the shops.


    Half a minuteter, five cruisers drove up to them and parked to their left, leaving one light-


    armored vehicle at the front.


    The LAV''s hatch opened with a mechanical whir, lowering to reveal two fully equipped


    women, their beauty unmatched by many.


    Lyra, with her white hair and red eyes, exuded an aura of a femme fatal even through her augmented suit, which was designed as a ck dress that covered her from the tip of her nails to the top of her head with a vest hugging her chest, ending in a cape on her back.


    Her dark clothing made her pale face and white hair stand out even more, entuated by the


    de gauntlets protruding from each hand, which absorbed the surrounding light with their dark, ominous sheen.


    Kiera, with her glowing blue eyes, was as focused as a de, clutching her assault rifle.


    She, unlike the one next to her, had the default appearance of the augmented suit on disy,


    a ck overall that had a mechanical spine on the back and joints.


    Taking a saluting position, they bellowed:


    "Awaiting orders Sir!"

 Chapter 358: Gateway Alliance

    Chapter 358: Gateway Alliance


    ?


    The sight of them had the students almost salivating, theirposure shattered as they turned into hormone-driven monkeys, despite their familiarity with beauty.


    "Who the fuck is that?!"


    "Amanda and Kiera, I heard about them."


    "Holy shit they''re hot!"


    "Calm down, you idiots."


    "You think one of them is with the professor?"


    "Maybe, but I can''t see him loving someone."


    "True."


    "Nah, it can happen even to our stone-hearted prof. I mean look at them!"


    "Yeah, especially that Amanda, she can beat me up all day."


    "I wouldn''t mind being killed by her either."


    "Shut! Have some respect."


    A certain girl even grew jealous while another felt anger, and a third, a man, was envious, all three whispering their discontent:


    "Eh... They don''t look that good. I mean, I-I guess I''m prettier. Not that he deserves me or anything."


    "That bastard has time to be ying around with women?! He''s probably ruined their lives too! But don''t worry, he''ll face justice soon. I''ll make sure of it!"


    "Those chicks are ugly. I can get a hotter one if I... want... to."


    Those who made their entrance next were Kiera''s squad, as they left their cruisers, receiving a more lukewarm reactionpared to the two before them.


    "Oh, that green-haired kid is cute~."


    "Ouf, what the hell happened to her?"


    "The scars, yeah? I bet she''d look real cute without them."


    "That big one kinda looks like a teddy bear, no?"


    "Hehe, yeah, but I prefer the blonde boy."


    "The Japanese one for me~."


    Leo, Sarah, Evan, Jack, and Hiro.


    They joined their leaders and stomped hard on the ground, dominant hands on their second hearts.


    "Awaiting orders!"


    Emir smiled and waved at them, then turned his attention to the students as his voice echoed out of every speaker inside the three APCs.


    "Those you see in front of you will protect you until we reach our destination. We''ll be tagging along a Gateway convoy, but we won''t depend on them; in fact, they''ll depend on us, as we are their protection. If all goes to shit we''ll make our way out of the fray and protect our own. Is that all understood?"


    As if they weren''t acting like uncontroble monkeys a few seconds ago, they replied in unison, their voices serious:


    "Yes Sir!"


    "Good. Now give me a few minutes, I have to finalize a few things."


    Stepping out of the APC, Emir joined his family and silently gestured for them to circle the APCs as he stepped closer to the shops.


    "Nothing touches them."


    "Understood!"


    It took him moments to reach a small shop, which was at the end of the line, nearest to the border''s outside.


    The shop had no sign above disying their name, and it showed no merchandise or advertisement. It looked to be in rough shape, especially whenpared to those next to it.


    No lights adorned it-not a window, not even a single poster-it was only reinforced concrete walls and a metal door.


    Emir entered and was met with a long set of stairs heading down.


    His steps resounded as he went, and during his descent, the decor started to change until it became starkly different.


    So different that it sat at the opposite end of white-colored opulence. Filled with paintings, artifacts, bookshelves, and the like.


    As he reached the bottom, a long hall stood between all of that, surrounded by offices on both sides, all leading to a main office at the hall''s end.


    And that was where he was headed.


    Reaching the door, he knocked thrice and said:


    "We''vee to ask for transport."


    ""


    After a short moment of silence, the door slid open with a hiss.


    "Then you''vee to the right ce, Sir Emir! Wee to the Gateway Alliance."


    What greeted him was a man covered in scars from top to bottom; even his face didn''t escape


    such a fate.


    There was a particr one that overshadowed the rest. Arge scar ran from the top of his forehead down to his chin, crossing over one eye.


    Despite its natural appearance, that eye was a prosthetic, and it wasn''t the only robotic part of him.


    Both his elbows were mechanical, the joints sharp beneath the pulled-up sleeves of his white shirt. There might have been more cyberware hidden under his clothes, but Emir didn''t dwell on it, as the ''novel'' hadn''t mentioned much more about Darius, the very leader of one of the Big Three factions known as the Gateway Alliance.


    Almost everything Emir knew about him came from his own research. That,bined with the man''s hardened presence, gave each scar a story of its own-a visible history of the time he had spent on the front lines.


    "Thanks for the warm wee, Sir Darius."


    "Mhm..."


    Calmly nodding his head, he returned to his desk, leaning on it.


    "Where will you be going?"


    Emir pointed to the massive world map on the right, his finger directed just at Canada''s north.


    "The bunker nearest to Corp za, Outpost Three."


    Darius raised his brows, showing slight surprise.


    "Ah... the second heart of our Earth, rivaling the academy in terms of protection."


    His words weren''t an exaggeration.


    Sector 11-A was situated just outside ska''s borders, many kilometers south of Yukon, one


    of Canada''s three northern territories, and thend where thousands of Celestials went to die.


    The frontlines.


    That fact already terrified most, but the Corp za''s location terrified them even more, as it was further north, closer to the steel, blood, and unending bombardments.


    It was so close that it was smack dab in the middle of the UEF Army base, the heart of Earth''s resistance against the Order.


    This naturally gave the corporations a level of protection that Amon had to sacrifice an arm and a limb to achieve, giving in to many of their demands, something Emir had seen and


    experienced firsthand.


    It might be seen as favoritism, and it was.


    Their proximity made perfect sense; after all, what ce needed the corporations'' services


    more than the army itself?


    A co-dependent people.


    Truly, a perfect partnership.


    "Yeah, that''s the one; I''ll have them work as Trauma Team respondents."


    "Isn''t that too much for them though? They didn''t fight, they''re still kids."


    "They''ll be fine. I taught them."


    Darius grinned.


    "And ain''t that like nepotism? Sending your students to work for apany that your lot


    owns?"


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "Second Life isn''t ''our'' lot; they''re Ster Solution''s. The principal pays for their services at


    the Hub."


    "Sure sure~."


    Turning around for a moment, Darius grabbed a portable link point in the shape of a card.


    "Take that. It shows all the convoys we''ve got, and it automatically updates tomorrow''s


    schedule at 20:00."


    This time, it was Emir''s turn to be surprised.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He never heard of them doing this in the ''novel,'' only directly exchanging data by holding


    each other''s wrists or simply sending it from afar.


    Darius noticed that reaction, prompting him to ask:


    "You think that just because we''re underbelly scum, we''ve got no ss?"


    Emir snickered.


    "Don''t say shit to me; you called yourself that."


    "Fair, fair..."


    Acknowledging his ability at conversation, Darius allowed him a few seconds of silence so


    that he could check the link point.


    Emir closed his eyes and essed it, his inner eye scrolling through the list.


    {Convoy From Sector 3-A To Sector 4-C}


    {Convoy From Sector 4-C To Sector 5-A} {Convoy From Sector 7-B To Sector 7-D} {Convoy From Sector 8-A To Sector 9-A} {Convoy From Sector 2-A To Corp za} {Convoy From Sector 10-B To Sector 10-E}


    It didn''t take him long to finish, choosing the nearest time, which was no more than thirty


    minutes away, transporting ammo, mechanicalponents, and raw materials.


    {Convoy From Sector 11-A To Corp za}


    Fluttering his eyes back open, he stared at Darius, asking a silent question.


    The man, observant as always, caught on to what he wanted to know and answered:


    "Moneywise we''re no longerpeting with Temr and themies, more or less demoted out of the Big Three. Keep in mind one lives off donations and the other has a big pocket backing it. The demand for our services is decreasing by the day. Corpos are starting to get their own transport and our smuggling business isn''t doing so well. The average man can barely pay us ten-k to get him and his family across the wastnd and into a higher-ranked sector. Imagine the costs, sure, we make a profit if there''s a group of them but if it''s a family or two we barely break even. The wealth in middle-ss hands decreased by a lot, never mind the poor, and this''ll continue to happen until the Elite hold ny-nine percent of Earth''s


    credits." Emir tilted his head in confusion... not at what he was just told but at the fact that he was told such an important thing in the first ce.


    Their demotion was a surprise for sure but not something that he didn''t expect, after all, he


    didn''t only rely on the ''novel,'' he already had his people perform a background check on


    anything of interest on Earth and their investigation didn''t end to this day, so this simply confirmed what he already assumed.


    Meanwhile, Darius picked up on Emir''s reaction... again.


    "Do you think that I''m stupid?"

 Chapter 359: Gateway Alliance II

    Chapter 359: Gateway Alliance II


    ?


    Before Emir could say yes, Darius continued:


    "Not many got tight lips, and even those who do, I wouldn''t trust. You, however... I read your file; trust between us is impossible, but I know for certain that all of what I told you will never be repeated to the public."


    Acting as if he didn''t know about the report they had about him, he asked:


    "My file?"


    Darius nodded towards the link point, using his neuralwork to send over the report.


    "Check it out."


    And that was what Emir did, pulling it up on his HUD.


    {Subject:


    Summary of Emir''s Activities and Ascension in Sector 11-A


    Background:


    Emir''s name first began to spread at the age of thirteen upon his arrival in Sector 11-A. His


    early notoriety stemmed from his first official kills defending a convoy from being raided by rogue pirates, an event nearly fatal due to the gun''s kickback.


    Initial Struggles:


    Emir narrowly survived an assassination attempt, barely defeating his attacker.


    In his quest for vengeance, he utilized a local kid for information but inadvertentlymitted his first massacre, gaining little intelligence in the process.


    Exploiting his rtionship with the kid''s leader, Emir continued his search for the perpetrators.


    Notable Actions:


    Emir publicly announced his search, using himself as bait to lure out his targets.


    Suddenly, Emir vanished, presumably captured and tortured. Three dayster, he emerged from apound, leaving only rotting corpses behind.


    He sold an Aether core, attended an auction, and casually annihted another gang, obtaining coordinates for a secret ruin entrance.


    Transformation:


    Emir waster seen entering Arcadia''s bazaar, spending nearly an entire day there. He emerged a changed man, having written a will and undertaken a tour of the academy for further training.


    Significant Disappearance:


    He ventured into the Silent Archive ruin and was not officially seen again for a prolonged period, no less than seven months. His ''disappearance'' is believed to have fundamentally altered the ruin and himself.


    Reappearance and Demonstrations of Power:


    Upon his return, Emir publicly demonstrated his Aether prowess by exploding a man inside out at a caf¨¦, announcing his Ascension from mortal to Celestial.


    He was subsequently seen with Nathan, a Hunter Association Manager, andter visited his former gang and the Hunter''s Den. It is suspected that he struck a deal to acquire remnants of theirpany to further solidify their rtively new start-up, Prince Emporium.


    Personal Connections:


    Emir ended his night visiting friends Jake and Emma. Shortly after, his assistant, Amanda, presumably left the Sector to gather evidence for an uing court case.


    His time passed, spent sparing his people, and preparing for the day, until their judgment day arrived.


    They lost the court case even with Elijah''s help. Yet despite that, Emir continued his usual activities as if nothing was wrong.


    He and his cohort-Emma, Jake, and Alex-set out to rescue Aria among many others, but only they sessfully returned her safely to her father. Their reward was a fair court hearing - a chance to rectify past injustices, or so it is assumed.


    Combat and Victory.


    During their return, Rogues and several monster hordes attacked Emir and his group. But they were no match, and Emir emerged victorious.


    Once Amanda returned, they managed to maintain a fair court hearing and won it, cementing them as actualpetition.


    Seraphim and Seclusion:


    Emir dedicated himself to secluded training and frequent ruin dives, uncovering many new ruins and clearing old ones, ultimately reaching a significant number of seventy-seven.


    He then became a professor, excelling in the test, iming the first position, and was selected as Professor SS-1, the elite''s yroom.


    As the students underwent a test, he, for unknown reasons, challenged all the Hunter Group leaders and made them back down, establishing himself as a new pir of Sector 11-A and a household name. Devil, also known as Azazel.


    Current Status:


    Since that event, no further information has been received from the Academy, which remains in apletely protected environment, allowing no way in, their ICE (Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics) unbreakable.


    But if rumors are to be believed, the devil''s influence is growing ever stronger in the Academy and will one day bring significant change to Earth.


    Report End.}


    ''Hm, better than I expected. Though thankfully, it isn''t much better. A lot of it is wrong, downying what happened, and most of what I actually did is still hidden. The ns, ckmail, deals, and threats. That''s what allowed me to survive to this day.''


    A smiling Emir stepped back to the nearest wall and said:


    "You all got me figur


    Darius''s grin died out.


    out, eh?"


    "The Ebonfyre do. I do. Your students do. We all know that you''ll do anything that benefits


    you. Revealing this doesn''t."


    "You don''t know me; I can publish it just to fuck with you."


    They locked eyes.


    "Really?"


    "Yeah. I''ll do it while ensuring you won''t find out, making a quick buck in the process."


    "That won''t work. You just outed yourself. If anything happens, I''ll know that it''s you."


    "...Hm."


    Emir opened his mouth, then closed it only to nod his head.


    "Maybe."


    "..."


    ""


    They continued to stare at each other in silence, but then suddenly...


    "BUAHAHAHHAHAHA!"


    "AHAHAHAHHAHAHA!"


    Wildughter erupted from them both as they brought themselves together for a half-hug.


    "Not all of you guys are absolute asses, huh?!"


    "Fuck you too, man!"


    As they separated, Darius couldn''t help but ask:


    "Heh, I''m curious; you got a problem with the other two?"


    "I hate them. One jacks off to depraved shit, and the other is a fucking fanatic."


    Darius chuckled.


    "Who are you to talk? I told you, I read your file; you read your file; we both know how happy


    you get when death is involved."


    Emir raised both his hands as if he had surrendered.


    "You''re right. But there''s a difference: men who kill without reason cannot be reasoned with.


    I don''t like that, they are my opposite. Besides, what''s so wrong about it? I enjoy being a hunter; to be a hunter is a way of life."


    Darius shook his head.


    "No, to be a hunter is a way to die. It''s a quick path to an early grave. But when you travel, rediscover, and uncover new ces, that''s when you truly feel alive. You folks wouldn''t know that, the expiration date stamped right on your foreheads makes you stupid." Lowering his hands, Emir locked them below his chest,ying one over the other.


    "Oh, on that, I agree. But, you don''t do much of that anymore, I can easily argue that you''re


    more depraved than the old devil I mentioned."


    With brows that flinched, Darius stepped back and leaned on his desk once more.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Bah! I ain''t biting, no matter how curious you make me, I won''t jump into that rabbit hole."


    Emir stepped closer.


    "Noment on the argument?"


    "No, I acknowledge the evil shit I do. I give people hope only to destroy it and deliver them to


    a slow death... all for profit."


    "And the reason you chose this upation is?"


    "...Besides my love for adventure, I guess I had no other choice. The front lines messed me up


    more than I''d like to admit. I can''t fight like I used to, and fighting was all I was good at. So, I


    had to make do."


    "That you did."


    "Yeah..."


    They shared a quiet chuckle as they both reminisced about times past, but that second was


    ruined as Darius randomly said:


    "You know, back in the military, we had this sayin''..."


    He momentarily paused, then dropped to the ground and screamed:


    "Oh god, where''s his leg? FUCK!! IT''S GONE!"


    "..."


    || ||


    ||||


    "..."


    || ||


    || ||


    Emir quietly stared at him for what felt like an eternity.


    And this eternity was finally broken as Darius tried to make up for his failure of a joke with


    another one:


    "F-Fun fact, I saw a woman get dragged off by six men a few years ago."


    ||


    || ||


    ||


    || ||


    |||


    The one-man audience didn''t even react to his shocking words, his dead eyes remaining


    locked on his.


    "Uh... how about this..."


    Lowering his right hand to his crotch, he pulled on his mechanical elbow, dislocating it and


    causing his arm to fall limp, going unnaturally backwards through his legs.


    "I''ve got a magic dick!"


    ||


    || ||


    11


    Emir''s deadpan face began to fade as he slowly showed signs of anger...


    "What?!


    And at that point, Darius finally gave up, spouting out excuses to save face:


    "These are popr military jokes; it used to be a hit back in the day!"


    "....."


    "Mannn... You don''t know what lying in those coffins did to us-panzers that sizzled us, Celestials-alive. It was like being stuck in an oven, a goddamn hotbox. But you know what? That wasn''t even the worst of it. And no, it wasn''t the annoying onboard AI either. It was the


    Geiger counter. That damn thing just never shut up, click-click-click-click-click-click. so


    fucking annoying!"


    "..."


    "Haaah... Look, I lost a lot, alright? That hidden department in the underbelly holds whatever


    I remember. Their names. All inscribed in ck lockers. Their faces? All gone. This is my way of remembering them; others might do it by honoring their deeds or whatever, but that


    doesn''t fit me. I''m not built like that. Those jokes are all that''s left when those bastards took everything else."


    Emir blinked, then turned around, heading out of the room.


    "...You should consider therapy, it''s free. It might fix that room-temp IQ of yours."


    Leaving those words behind, he walked up the stairs and exited the building under a speechless Darius.


    Once he got out and back to the convoy, he entered the frontmost APC, sitting in the driver''s


    seat.


    [Alright everyone, buckle up; we''re moving now.]


    "Yes sir!"


    As he heard their loud screams echo behind him, he stepped on the gas, and the vehicle moved


    forward.


    And just as their little journey began, his brain went over what he had learned.


    Darius acted like he expected, with the only variation being the state of his faction, but again,


    that didn''te out of left field, he knew something simr had happened.


    The card link point was new but that was about it--


    ''...Wait.''


    He noticed something that cut off his own thoughts.


    ''Big Eight and Big Three. They total eleven. But with the Gateway leaving the ranks, they''ll


    be ten...''


    Emir let out a long sigh.


    ''The goddamn trend continues.''

 Chapter 360: No Equals

    Chapter 360: No Equals


    ?


    [It''s adamant.]


    Emir chuckled at Lyra''sment who easily caught on to what he was thinking about.


    [That it is.]


    [By the way...]


    [What?]


    [You seemed to hit it off with that guy. Should I be worried?]


    He rolled his eyes.


    [Shut up and drive, I''ll go check up on the students.]


    [I will, my prince~.]


    Sighing at her shenanigans, Emir left the driverpartment and entered the open livingpartment after crossing the main door.


    It was a long hall with two benches sitting on each side, parallel to each other.


    He had all the ''named'' there alongside a few ''unnamed'' just to abide by his fair persona... even though he cared not for their lives.


    "Does anyone know where we''re even going? I bet-!"


    "There no world where Prof. Judas would''ve allowed us to go on a field-!"


    "I would''ve liked Miss Morgiana to have popped my wastnd cherry instead!''


    His entrance caught the attention of many, leading them to turn quiet, leaving only a few in the back that talked, who quickly shut themselves up after noticing the change in atmosphere of those around them.


    Thest of them was beet red as everyone heard his less than ''ideal'' words.


    "Everyone."


    p, p!


    But everyone forgot about it at once, as his voice and his pping made them snap their heads towards him, immediately shutting themselves up.


    Emir nodded.


    "Now that your excitement has died down, I bet your rationality has taken over and questions naturally formed. So please, if you have any, do ask them now."


    Though he spoke to those in front of him, his voice echoed through all the student-housed APCS, as did the words of the students themselves.


    It was to allow them to hear everything, but unfortunately for the students in the second and third APC, they could only listen to the questions, not ask them.


    Those who realized that could do nothing but me their luck.


    "Sir!"


    Sofia was the first to raise her hand, and Emir gestured for her to speak.


    "Where will we be going exactly?"


    "Outpost three near Corp za. Next."


    "...That outpost? Isn''t it too dangerous?"


    A random student''s follow-up question was answered by another sitting next to him:


    "Not really, even though it''s right next to the front lines, we''ve got the Army to protect us." "Right, but still, it''s scary."


    "Eh. I for one, didn''t think I''d ever see the Corpo''s natural habitat."


    "Idiot, we ain''t going there, only passing by."


    Murmurs spread as a reaction to his answer, but the serious ones continued to ask their questions at a fast pace:


    "Is it okay that we''ll be skipping all our sses today?"


    "I contacted them beforehand, and they all agreed to this."


    "Everyone, Sir?"


    "Yes."


    "Even Judas?"


    "Even him."


    "Thank you for answering."


    He had sessfully assured them that he had it all taken care of, but his thoughts were not so convincing:


    ''I told them a few minutes before we left, but it''ll be fine; Morgiana only bothered telling the principal, so they''d better appreciate me.''


    An ''unnamed'' was picked to ask next.


    "What will we be doing?"


    "Join cohorts of Trauma Team respondents and Watchers. Protect them as they extract hunters and/or heal them. Basically, you''d be the reason every hunter paid for life insurance."


    " ||


    That answer got an even wilder reaction out of them, but as they saw his gaze turn stern, they quietened down without saying anything.


    Max, who had his hand raised since early, was picked next.


    "Will there be apetition?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Noment. Just do your best."


    Grumbling under his breath, he looked away in disappointment, seemingly calmer since theyst interacted.


    ''Goooooooood. I''ve made progress in training this dog.''


    Next to get picked by a now-grinning Emir was Elijah.


    "Will we choose our own teams?"


    "Yes. Max of three."


    Another ''unnamed'' was then picked and asked:


    "Why sir?"


    "Because it''s best to have five in a cohort when confronted with small spaces. One stays in the middle, acting as a spotter with their information gathering device, two in the front, acting as vanguards, and two in the back, protecting your nk from chasing monsters."


    Another:


    "So we''ll be the vanguard and nk?"


    "Yes, those in the Trauma Team are experienced spotters. They''ll lead you well."


    Another:


    "You sound really experienced, sir. Did you dive a lot?"


    That student mixed in a personal question, but Emir didn''t mind; he was actually going to use


    it to figure out something he had been interested in knowing for some time now.


    [Ly, how many times was it?]


    [Seventy-seven times.]


    Inwardly nodding, he answered:


    "Quite a bit, I must''ve done it around eighty-one times."


    Immediately activating his Temporal Perception, he scanned the ''named'' faces.


    Arthur showed no reaction. Neither did Max, Ava, or Xavier.


    Quinn, on the other hand, was obviously surprised. Sofia''s brows moved slightly while Elijah and Aria shrugged their shoulders, understanding that he lied there for a reason.


    And that he did.


    In that world of slow, Emir had figured out who read his file, or at least those who were smart


    enough to try and dig into his history, searching for anything that would help in their agenda. Whether it was Quinn and her quest to find a weakness or Sofia and her understanding of her


    "muse."


    The world''s protagonist, Arthur, should''ve been among those who pried into his past, but it seemed that he wasn''t smart enough for that; in fact, his AIS must''ve done it behind his back.


    ''He''s really useless... I can''t-''


    [Emir, rogues are on the prowl, twenty kilometers in front.]


    His musings took pause as he registered Lyra''s words.


    ''... Looks like Arthur foundpetition.''


    Turning back, he stepped away from the confused students and reached the driver''s seat, his


    eyes scanning the center console.


    Thirteen blimps showed themselves on the radar, not approaching and maintaining the


    distance between them.


    [They''re not as dumb as I thought.]


    [Right, they''re checking us out right now; do we puff our muscles?]


    [No. Kiera, leave and throw those hyenas a skull.]


    [Understood!]


    Not even hesitating for a moment, Kiera swerved out of the formation, going full speed


    towards the pirates.


    [Bossman... can I ask why?]


    Emir snickered at that nickname, long since choosing to ept it as one of his many titles,


    and answered the green-haired Leo:


    [It''s best to avoid using our abilities in public. And these guys know what they''re doing-


    tracking us before we neared the front lines.]


    [Ah, so that ce is a free-for-all.]


    [Exactly, Jack. Everyone there knows about Celestials, even the average citizen living in the


    small settlements near the outposts.]


    [Huh, that''s kinda nice. I almost wish that-]


    Evan joyfullymented, but Sarah angrily shut him down:


    [No it isn''t! I... They use those settlements as breeding grounds to endlessly pump out army


    cadets. There''s nothing nice about it!]


    Surprised, Evan was about to apologize, but Emir interrupted them:


    [We''ll talk about thister, but for now, focus up! Kiera is only a few kilometers away.]


    [Yes Sir!]


    Two blimps on the radar neared each other, one from both convoys.


    [Ten seconds till contact...]


    And they kept getting closer.


    [Nine... eight... seven... six... five...]


    But just as she reached five seconds, the cruiser in front of her stopped moving,pletely


    causing her to pass it in that single moment.


    [They''re behind me!]


    Kiera screamed, warning the others, but she didn''t need to as the cruiser quickly elerated


    to full speed, sticking behind her.


    [On my tail, do I try to shake them off?]


    [No need; they didn''t shoot; it''s probably them being cautious.]


    Emir''s words immediately calmed her down.


    She believed everything he said, even if it was something oundish like the sun would rise


    from the west or that Earth was covered by a ''fog.''


    It was as if she saw him as a God who spoke no lies and only truths.


    Now this was nowhere near that level of ridiculousness, so for her calm to return was natural.


    "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY?!"


    And it indeed was the truth as one of the cruiser''s passengers stepped out to the roof, his hand


    waving a massive hologram of a white g.


    [What should I do?]


    [...Reveal yourself.]


    Kiera did as she was told, leaving Lyra to telepathically drive the cruiser, and got to the roof


    with no gun in hand, only a ring-sized skull with two horns protruding out the front.


    "WE ARE NO EQUALS!"


    She roared fiercely and threw the skull at him.


    "...You?!"


    The surprised rogue easily caught it, and when he took a look, his face turned dark.


    "GO, NOW!"


    He rushed back down in panic as he screamed at his lot to leave, and leave they did, getting


    out of there as if they were never there in the first ce.


    [...Well, that reaction was a bit more than I expected.]


    [A lot more. They knew all about us.]


    Emir slowly nodded, agreeing with Lyra. ''I guess they were not dumb at all.''

 Chapter 361: Students Undercover

    Chapter 361: Students Undercover


    ?


    "So you''re telling me those outside aren''t students from the Academy?"


    Emir looked behind him at the window disying the wastnd.


    There, multiple rows of students stood uniformly just in front of a paved road, their clothes no longer gold, blue, and green but simply ck as their augmented suits were reset to the default state, naturally equipping a minimalistic overall design.


    "Why do you ask?"


    His gaze returned to the receptionist at Second Life''s counter, a man whose eyes screamed annoyance.


    "I''m not blind; no hunter group will be supplying all its men with E10 suits. Especially not people their age. So that only leaves the Academy."


    p!


    Smacking his hands together, Emir smiled and eximed:


    "Look at you being smart! Now tell me, we''ve got an UNKNOWN group of young CELESTIALS that want to work under you for FREE. What do you say?"


    The receptionist snickered.


    "Sure, but you''ll need a contract. I can''t expose my neck to the people behind this UNKNOWN group of yours, so I''ll have to specify in the contract that we won''t be liable for any injuries or deaths and that everything will be your responsibility, Sir Emir of Azazel."


    "Know me, dickhead?"


    "I do. Everyone does."


    "That''s nice."


    "It is."


    "Indeed."


    "...Indeed...?"


    Confused at why Emir kept the conversation going, the man asked:


    "Your head alright, Sir?"


    "Hm. Write it up."


    Even when still bewildered, the man did his job, presenting a contract that Emir signed once a few seconds had passed.


    "It looks like your AI''s real good."


    "Not the first time I heard that."


    [And it won''t be thest~.]


    With those words, Emir turned around and exited the shop.


    To his right, just beside the door, were two people bleeding out on the ground, their legs cut off.


    Unlike the passersby that gave not a single crap, most of the students nced at them in worry, afraid that they might die at any moment.


    Those of them who specialized as Zenith Wardens wanted to heal them, but they couldn''t. Emir ordered them not to.


    He even spent more time at the reception desk to make them watch those two bleed to death.


    It might seem cruel, which it really was, but in a world like this, people like them held no worth.


    A few minutes ago, when they had just arrived, those two nobodies were outside the shop, blocking everyone from entering.


    Some might wonder about what they were doing. Was it for a grand n? A conspiracy? Anything interesting?


    No, it was simply a "goddamn" protest.


    A usual event, as stated by the receptionist.


    They had their legs cemented into the ground while screaming how unfair Second Life was, demanding that the basic life insurance package be set to free for all the residents registered under the UEF.


    Their demands were fair if one looked at all human life equally, but that wasn''t going to happen in a ce like this, especially not when the Corporations were in control.


    So they were removed from the door, their legs cut.


    As they screamed in pain, the shop''s guards checked their profiles, but as they saw them with no life insurance, they left them out to die, not bothering to even carry them away.


    It was obvious to all that they used the two as an example for those that mighte next.


    Emir didn''t help them for that reason; he didn''t want to unnecessarily interfere with the Corpos if he could.


    The fact that they were annoying and useless didn''t help either.


    Anyhow, the students certainly experienced shock when they watched what happened, but as time passed, they calmed down, growing numb to it and epting their deaths.


    It was a memory they would never forget.


    The first death of a human life that they had ever seen, and it was due to corporate greed.


    They weren''t even hunters or Celestials. Just normal citizens from the settlement nearby.


    Their protest was not for themselves but for their loved ones, who had to work as hunters to provide them with a pitful amount of food to survive these harsh times.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Quite fitting.''


    Emir mused as he stepped closer to the students.


    But just as he was about to speak to them, his neck snapped to a certain direction, his


    attention focused on a single man.


    That man was the definition of the word gentleman.


    A well-groomed beard, a small top hat that covered his short hair, and a monocle hung over


    his right eye-all of it fit that definition.


    His threeyer suit was quite dapper as well.


    Yet... it certainly was an out-of-cebination.


    ''What the fuck is he doing here?''


    Emir''s mind wasn''t busy scrutinizing his looks, however.


    He was on high alert. Preparing to fight at any moment as the gentleman slowly approached.


    "Ah... Is that truly you, Sir Emir? I''ve seen you in the distance, and I''ve got to say, I certainly


    did not expect to see you here."


    Still ready for battle, Emir calmly answered:


    "I can say the same for you. I never heard that you were a hunter."


    He pushed his monocle up slightly.


    "A Celestial, you mean?"


    "Yes."


    The gentlemen questioned, and Emir confirmed, as he repeated:


    "So, what brings you here?"


    ***


    ''Who?''


    Sofia stared at her professor for a long while.


    He was chatting away with a man who appeared so out of ce that it didn''t even seem funny.


    Her interest in him was not due to his cosy hobby, but because Sir Emir looked to be


    enjoying himself as if he was talking to a long-lost friend.


    In the time that she met him, she saw the professor smile, grin, snicker, frown, grit, and show many other emotions, yet she knew that they were fake.


    They were created to keep up with a certain persona that he showed to the world, or at least to


    them, the students.


    Sofia didn''t know what he hid, and it was a good thing for her, as only those dead saw it.


    His real face.


    A nk one-not calm, but nk. Simply still. Indifferent. As if everything no longer mattered to him.


    What she knew and saw however, was his genuine smile, deriving enjoyment out of pure


    chaos.


    Right, the first time she saw him genuinely smile was when he fought against the Parasite


    that took over Felix.


    But this smile that he showed in front of her was different.


    At first, he was on guard, but that switched quickly in what felt like moments, as the previous


    Emir disappeared, and in his ce was a young, carefree man.


    That change was almost staggering.


    It was as if three different people existed under the name of Emir.


    Or was that fake too?


    She didn''t know. She couldn''t.


    As perceptive as she was, the girl was no Amon. For only he could figure out the true Emir, his


    King''s Gaze reading truth from false.


    ''But... maybe he knows.''


    Sofia looked to her right, and her eyesnded on Elijah.


    ''He''ll team up with me.''


    ***


    [We''re done over here, the convoy reached the za. Do tell me when you''ve got them set up,


    so we can time our return.]


    [It''ll be done in a few minutes.]


    [Alright, we''re on the way.]


    Emir''s quick conversation with Lyra ended as he continued to talk to the gentleman, a bright


    smile not leaving his face:


    "So did you find those so-called legendary scissors? Can''t imagine you''ll be that lucky."


    His monocle jumped as he lightly chuckled.


    "Unfortunately, you''re correct. It seems my luck ran out when I evaded the ivemantis near the train tracks... Now that I think about it, I at least got out without fighting a single time, so


    I am mistaken on that."


    "You are indeed..."


    Matching his mood, Emir let out a few chuckles himself.


    "But do excuse me, Sir. I''ll have to go now, my schedule is packed."


    Taking his top hat off his head, he put it on his second heart and bowed slightly while saying:


    "It was a pleasure meeting you. Doe visit my humble saloon again, Professor Emir."


    "I will." Turning left, they parted ways, as Emir headed towards his students while the gentleman


    walked towards the underground parking area.


    [Nostalgia?]


    Perking up at her question, he answered with a grin:


    [More than that. Talking to him was almost calming. He''s dedicated to his craft, and unlike Jr


    over there, his purity isn''t naive but the exact opposite.]


    It was a purity forged from adversity. They both picked up on that in seconds after meeting


    him.


    The past Emir wasn''t able to notice, while the same applied to Lyra. Just because she knew a


    lot didn''t mean that she was any better than him, as they had more or less the same life


    experience.


    [Mhm, his clothes aren''t the only thing that is out of ce.]


    [Yeah, it''s rare to find someone like that.]


    With those words, Emir turned his attention to the students as he stopped a few feet away


    from them.


    "From now on, you''re no longer students but are an up-and-up hunter group working under


    Second Life."


    His words were clear and loud, quieting the hunters nearby.


    "Form your teams..."


    Pausing for a moment, he pointed behind him with his thumb.


    "And go!"

 Chapter 362: Outpost Defense

    Chapter 362: Outpost Defense


    ?


    ***


    "You better shut your ugly mouth before I kill you!"


    "Hah?! Do you even know who you''re threatening kid?"


    "And do you know who you''re talking to?!"


    Two men argued, their faces inches away from smacking into each other.


    One looked to be a child, his androgynous appearance making him unthreatening, but that didn''t stop him from standing up to himself.


    Their loud voices bounced off decaying walls that had undergrowth sprouting from the tiles that covered them.


    This scene was barely illuminated by flickering bulbs hung above.


    "Yeah, yeah..."


    The man opposite the teen snickered, stepping back as he said:


    "Of course I do. But you''re not here as ''Elijah,'' are you? Right now, you''re a nobody. A nobody that is under my fuckingmand!"


    Elijah''s brows twitched as he barely managed to reign in his anger.


    "I get that, mister ''Spotter,'' but that doesn''t mean that you get to treat us like this!"


    "You''re right. It doesn''t. But that isn''t why I act like this."


    "Then why?"


    "Kids like you shouldn''t be here. You''ll be better off going back home and sucking on your mother''s tits."


    Elijah snapped.


    But unlikest time, he didn''t swing his daggers. No, his actions were methodical.


    Acting like he was about to step back, deescte the situation, he-


    Click-ck!


    Paused.


    His surprise attack couldn''t even happen as a glowing pistol was aimed right between his eyes.


    "Don''t. ept defeat or go back home in a casket."


    After staring at the gun for a few seconds, Elijah sighed and nced left, spotting an approaching Sofia, which prompted him to say:


    "Let''s stop for now... And by the way, you need acting lessons."


    Their spotter lowered his gun as his gaze followed Elijah''s.


    "Eh. I still got you mad, but hey, you at least passed my little test."


    Ignoring his words, Elijah approached Sofia, Aria, and a random Watcher they chose to invite into their cohort.


    "What was that?"


    He shrugged his shoulders at Sofia''s monotone question.


    "Bastard wanted to shoo us out of here, thinking that we weren''t ready."


    Their spotter stood to Elijah''s right, patting his back as he added:


    "Don''t worry, I''ll stop doing that. Your top ranker is a little feisty and direct, it''s a suitable attitude for a profession like ours..."


    Looking at the Watcher, he asked her:


    "What about them two?"


    And before she could reply, Aria and Sofia cut in:


    "Who are you to test me?!"


    "We stand in different leagues."


    Shuffling her blonde hair, she pointed at them and said:n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "...As you can see, they''ll be fine."


    Stroking the back of his tanned mechanical neck with his fully cybeic right arm, their spotter nodded.


    "Alright. To keep things on the low from HQ, we''ll go by numbers, I''m one, she''s two, Elijah''s three, Sofia''s four, and Aria''s five. Sound good?"


    Everyone silently agreed-


    "Why the fuck am Ist?!"


    Or rather, everyone except Aria, as sheshed out at the Watcher.


    "A.R.I.A."


    But before he could reprimand her, Elijah slowly said her name, stressing each letter.


    She flinched slightly as she saw his angry stare and looked away, epting defeat. Elijah wasn''t done yet, however.


    "I allowed you into this cohort under a condition. Don''t forget it. Sofia won''t coddle you like I do."


    Unknowing that Sofia joined his cohort for the sake of understanding his older brother, he assumed that she might just leave in the middle of their dive from what he knew of her efficiency-first personality, even though she was the one who requested to join him.


    "O-Okay, I get it. Humph!"


    With a ssic swing of her blonde twin tails, she closed her red eyes and looked away, her cheeks puffed.


    When they witnessed, the Watcher and Spotter nced at each other with knowing eyes and lightly chuckled while shaking their heads.


    --


    [This is HQ, Hunter 1036 get your cohort to checkpoint three.]


    Elijah stepped back, dodging a Berta Scorpion''s swipe as a NetWeaver from the Headquarters


    of Outpost Threemanded, his voice echoing in all the cohort''s minds.


    Hiss!


    As the name implied, the Construct was in the shape of a scorpion, slightly bigger than the average man. Its pincers were covered by random metallic scrap, protecting it like a shield, while its stinger had a long needle-like object protruding out of it.


    [There''s a Cannonjaw Crocodile on the loose.]


    The scorpion''s stinger snapped straight, the needle aimed directly at Elijah''s chest.


    [It got in through a new path, your objective is to kill it or at least help in killing it.]


    Elijah blocked its attack with his daggers, then transitioned it to a deflection, as he led the stinger to his right.


    [Once done, you''ll resume extractions. If your quota is finished, join Hunter 398 and his cohort. Defend the position until the opening gets blocked or if there is a need for ''cleaners.''] And without wasting any movements, he stepped forward, his body reaching the pincers


    range.


    "Distant Grasp!"


    But before it could cut him in half, they paused for a second, barely held back by his ability.


    That second was enough for him to get close safely and lob its head off.


    "Hooouf..."


    Breathing out heavily, he looked around their small battlefield as the rest of his cohort went


    ham against the Berta Scorpions.


    ''One'' had his akimbo sub-machine guns out, shooting through the scorpions with ease, his Arcanist prowess evident.


    ''Two'' wielded both Ice and Fire, her storms killing all that was in her path.


    ''Five,'' being Aria, had her vines trap the monsters, allowing their Watcher and Spotter a much


    easier time at killing them. Her damage not high enough to pierce through their shields.


    ''Hoh... She''s really keeping up our teamwork.''


    Elijah, whose attention was diverted momentarily, failed to notice the iing scorpions.


    Bang! Bang!


    But ''Four,'' Sofia was at the ready, killing them with her anti-material rifle as shey prone far


    behind them, in the corner of the rotting train station they were in.


    [Thanks for watching my back, Four.]


    [You owe me.] Chuckling, Elijah stepped forward to meet two scorpions in battle.


    [Sure, One, let''s clean up quick. We don''t want HQ on our backs likest time.]


    Killing a scorpion by throwing his dagger into its face, he sidestepped a stinger, andtched


    onto it, pulling himself behind the monster.


    [Take it easy, you little devil. I told you we were doing too good!]


    As he gutted it on the way down, their Spotterined while shooting down another


    scorpion.


    [Hahaha! Our reward for our hard work is more hard work! Yay to corporate!]


    The Watcherughingly shared his sentiment as she shot an ice bolt that tore open a


    scorpion''s head.


    [Stop your yapping and kill those two.]


    Aria had thest two Berta scorpions trapped within her vines, waiting for the rest to kill


    them.


    Bang! Bang!


    And she didn''t need to wait long as Sofia''s Twin Shot came through, tearing them in half.


    [Don''t waste time. Let''s go.]

 Chapter 363: Saving Lives

    Chapter 363: Saving Lives


    ?


    [Alright, on the way to checkpoint three, we''ll pass by point 227, point 232, and point 264, we''ve got a few groups there to save. If we count this one, we''ll be seven people in. Which is not bad considering it''s your first time.]


    The Spotterplimented them as he led them through the train tracks, their feet leaving behind the blue blood of Berta Scorpions.


    [All groups? Lucky!]


    Their Watcher giggled, carrying an unconscious man on her shoulder as she kept pace in their middle.


    [Yeah, we''ll be hitting our quota sooner than expected.]


    Elijah agreed while gazing at the distance, his daggers ready.


    [...]


    Sofia remained silent while Aria only showed a face that said, "You better be thankful!" As if their luck was due to her.


    [We''re almost at the second drop-off point. It''s a hotspot; be careful.]


    Bang... bang... bang...


    As his words resounded, they began to hear gunshots in the distance, and the closer they got, the brighter their surroundings became, all due to the newly ced light bulbs.


    "We''re Hunter Group Seven! Watch out!"


    Not stopping their feet, they ran through the battle, dodging the scorpions and jumping away from the train tracks onto the tform.


    ''Two,'' in quick steps, took off and dropped the body near the entrance so that the trauma team would have an easier time getting him out.


    She then rejoined her cohort, moving past two cohorts that stood in files, raining down fire on the Berta Scorpionsing in from the train tracks.


    They, not wanting to walk into their deaths, took another route through the tform as it had an open path leading to checkpoint three, which was just beside this one.


    Ping!


    [Watch out; two big onesing, five feet, from the left.]


    Their Spotter warned them, and as was usual in thest few hours, Sofia quickly responded, aiming her anti-material rifle at the wall, tracking the Constructs, waiting till they squeezed out through one of the wall''s many holes.


    [Got it.]


    Bang!


    One bullet was enough for both, killing them just as they peeked out.


    But they weren''t done.


    As Emir would say, shit was just getting started.


    Ping!


    [Three more, ten feet, right-scratch that, four, no, five.]


    [I''ve got the three.]


    [I''ll get the rest!]


    Elijah, once matching their Spotters stride, rushed forward and extended his hand. "Spectral Sycthe."


    Materializing a long scythe within his grasp, he threw it at the approaching constructs.


    It moved as if it were a living thing, tracking them while spinning perfectly so that each swing cut through them.


    Crack!


    But after the third, the tracking stopped, and it hit the ground, bouncing off into the wall. "Ice bolt!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The remaining two didn''t live for much longer however, as the Watcher''s ice shot out and tore through a scorpion''s head, then froze it, forming an ice spike that cut the one next to it.


    [Next?!]


    Ping!


    She was answered in moments as their spotter highlighted another three scorpions, this timeing from the back.


    [''Five,'' eleven feet behind, those three are yours.]


    Aria stopped moving and turned around, swinging her staff towards them while chanting:


    "Root Surge!"


    All the fauna in their immediate surroundings congregated at where the staff pointed, joining her own conjured roots as they broke through the ground and sprouted right underneath the scorpions, growing around their feet, rooting them in ce.


    But those roots didn''t stop there, as Aria rejoined her cohort, her roots continued to dig deeper into the scorpions, slowly inching their way to their mechanical hearts.


    Once there...


    Squeeze.


    The roots tightened, slicing them into multiple halves.


    Ping!


    [Ten in the front... Let''s go left. Too much of a hassle.]


    While saying that, he updated the map on their HUDS, showing a new path through a small opening that the constructs used.


    That opening gave them a tour inside the walls, as they maneuvered directly to point 227, only killing a few scorpions on the way.


    When they got out, they were met with a massive but empty hall, presumed to have been


    where those of the old world purchased their tickets or shopped.


    It was as bare as it was quiet, prompting Aria to take a jab at their Spotter:


    [Of course we''rete!]


    But ''One'' didn''t stand for that and replied:


    [This group requested help about twenty minutes ago, and since they have gold-level


    insurance, we''re more than early.]


    He called her dumb without explicitly saying it, and she thankfully didn''t catch on, dying


    their rescue even further.


    [You think they''re behind that half-broken door over there?]


    ''Two'' pointed at a short distance eastward, at the hall''s middle, near the edge.


    [Hm... Probably.]


    [Let''s find out then!]


    Elijah, still not fully corrupted by Emir, rushed forward till he reached the door and knocked


    on it harshly, announcing their arrival.


    "Second Life''s rescue team is here! Are you still alive? Do wee in?!"


    He assumed a ramming position, about to smash through the barely standing door, assuming


    that no one would answer, but a woman''s voice eventually cut through his voice''s echo:


    "W-We''re here! Alive, y-yes, alive!"


    She sounded beyond ecstatic as she shuffled her feet forward until she reached the door, barely able to open it.


    ''One,'' helped her and entered first, breathing out roughly as he witnessed the state of her


    cohort.


    A manid his back on the wall, both his arms cut off, only a single leg remaining, while some of his guts leaked out of his open stomach, his augmented suit barely managing to keep him


    whole and alive.


    Another was without guts, or rather, almost his entire hip area and stomach were removed, as if yanked out, leaving his exposed lungs rising and lowering while he fought for dear life. Thest man had it easy; only his neck was injured. Blood poured out like a stream through his clutched hands that desperately attempted to keep the wound closed.


    Elijah winced, Sofia raised a trembling brow, and Aria began to vomit.


    Those reactions were expected since none of the seven they saved was even close to matching


    those three in level of injury.


    It truly was a disgusting sight.


    But to ''One'' and ''Two...'' this was simply another day.


    They had a few questions to ask before jumping in to give them first aid.


    "What about the woman? Cassy? There were five in your group."


    bergasted, the limping woman looked at ''One'' at a loss for words, but seeing his provisional demeanor, she quickly answered:


    "D-Dead... Her eyes were cut blind. We... we lost two."


    He nodded, then turned his attention back to the three men, gesturing for ''Two'' to scan them.


    She did just that. Taking out her terminal and hovering it over their dying bodies for a second, only removing them after it beeped.


    ''Two'' then proceeded to point at the man with the bleeding neck and the man with the cut-off


    limbs.


    "Only those two."


    Her calm words fell like thunder to their ears.


    In other situations, it might not have been such a big deal, but now... they meant one thing.


    Those two she pointed out were the ones they would heal; thest man had no life insurance.


    He was not a part of the team.


    She had just announced that they would leave him out to die...


    "I... you... yes. Only them."


    And they couldn''t do anything about it.


    They had to ept. That was how this world worked.


    "Understood. We''ll begin now."


    True to his words, ''One'' worked in earnest,ying down his rucksack and emptying much of it.


    What fell out of the rucksack were three advanced first aid kits, two intable bio-healing


    bags, and numerous packs of synthetic blood.


    "Two."


    "On it."


    Croak...


    The pitiful man begged them to save him, or at least tried to; his throat no longer functional.


    He could only watch helplessly as they began treatment on the other two. They started by wrapping their wounds with a silk-like, nano-infused material designed to


    staunch bleeding and initiate cellr repair.


    Once the bleeding was controlled, and their holes covered, they stuffed them with old-world medicines of the priciest kind, despite the patients'' weak, coughing protests. Meanwhile, the two bio-healing bags behind them started to inte to their full sizes.


    When they reached a length of three meters, the tan and blond duo opened them by pulling down small zips at the top, revealing sterile interiors.


    After that, they carefully picked up the injured andid them inside the bags.


    Each healing bag featured an integrated intravenous system, including a central needle for


    blood transfusion.


    They picked the right blood-type bag from the pile and then connected everything together,


    needle to vein, and blood-bag to bio-healing bag.


    Automatically, the bags sealed around the injured men, initiating a controlled infusion of synthetic blood and a cocktail of regenerative nanobots while also administering precise doses of medication, promoting rapid healing and stabilization.


    "Done."


    "He''s all good."


    With no change in temperament, ''One'' nced at the still-shaken ''Three.''


    "Get them up."


    Elijah breathed out, then stepped forward, quickly followed by Sofia, as they carried each side


    of the bag.


    Aria, not one to be left behind, wiped away the traces of her vomit and went for the remaining


    one.


    ''Two'' joined her, picking up one side as they grouped up with the first and second-ranked


    students.


    The limping woman took a pitiful nce at the dying man, then quickly joined them, leaving


    ''One'' alone in the room.


    He, after a chuckle, waved his hand at them and said:


    "You guys go on ahead; I''ll need a moment."


    His cohort didn''t argue back and did as he said, moving to the second drop-off point.


    "H-hahh...."


    With a stuttering breath, he watched them leave, and only when they were out of sight did he


    lean back on the wall and let out a soft cry.


    "E-Emir... I can''t do this..."


    His eyes couldn''t help butnd on the dying man, drawn as if they were metal gravitating


    toward a powerful ma.


    This... He would be left to rot in the depths of this outpost. Forgotten to time.


    "It''s too much. I''m not cut out for this."


    Slowly, his hands neared his face and pulled on his skin, stretching it.


    Like a mask, his skin started to peel off, revealing a very familiar face.


    It was Jake''s.


    "I''m sorry..."


    With all the strength he could muster, he managed to look away, his gaze reaching the roof.


    "I''m really sorry."


    He wiped his sweat and let out a long sigh.


    "But I... I have to do this. Emma has to do this. We must."


    Jake stretched the skin mask, equipping it in the next second, his demeanor returning to calm.


    "There''s no one else."


    His brown eyes returned to the dying man, and he took out his silenced pistol.


    "Consider this a mercy." Thwap!

 Chapter 364: Stampede

    Chapter 364: Stampede


    ?


    ***


    Quinn''s eyes were locked in ce, staring at a scene so very foreign.


    Men, once strong and tall... Women, once beautiful and deadly, were now nothing more than crying bs of meat.


    Limbless creatures that barely resembled humankind, bleeding out onto the dirty concrete.


    Such a scene was taking ce at the third drop-off point.


    It was where her cohort operated.


    In the first few hours, they were simply defending low-ranking hunters as they put up lightbulbs and blocked off holes, plugging them with foam-like liquid that expanded to fill every crevice.


    With each point done, they headed to the next, picking up any leftover targets on the way, and adding them to their group as they continued their task.


    They were judged as a weak cohort, so they were allowed up to six people and were given only the easy jobs.


    It was a formic operation-a recurring one.


    But that slow scene suddenly changed...


    A terror emerged. A Tyrant-ranked construct.


    Those Berta Scorpions they killed for the past how many hours were considered on the same level as Three-Core Fiends, so this certainly was a jump.


    And that ''jump'' was felt by all as Quinn, Max, Ava, and Arthur bolted out of there, quickly followed by their Watcher and Spotter.


    By the time they reached this drop-off point, high-ranking hunters had already been sent to dy it.


    They failed.


    It made its own path through the walls and was heading directly towards them by the second, killing everything on its way.


    But thankfully, it only had five cores, so the destruction it brought wasn''t too abysmal.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Considering the damage a high-core construct could do, this scene that shocked her so much would, in all fairness, be considered light.


    Yet to her, it felt like a world-ending event.


    ''This is too much, that bastard sent us here to die, I-''


    "You kids are a waste of space!"


    Her panicked thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a man twice her size brushed past her, almost knocking her to the ground.


    "The fuck did you just say?!"


    Max, her red-haired teammate, confronted the man, prompting him to turn around and face him.


    "What? I said nothing wrong. You and your cohort are a waste of space. It''ll take you all day to kill one Sheep!"


    While his words were true for most kids in hunter groups, they wouldn''t work against them as they were Academy students. First years or not, they were far stronger than the average hunter in that outpost.


    But they couldn''t reveal that, so Max did the best next thing, sucker punching the guy in the face.


    "Ugh!"


    "Eat that, you weak bitch!"


    As the man staggered backwards, his teammate looked at Max and rushed at him, starting a two-on-one brawl.


    "I''ll teach you a lesson for hitting your elder, you little shit!"


    "You dead brat!"


    "Come at me, I''ll kill you worthless bastards!"


    Even more chaos broke out as other hunters joined the fight, defending Max, whom they thought of as a kid being picked on.


    "What the fuck are you two doing?!"


    "Stop the fight and run, you idiots!"


    "Get back!"


    Some tried to separate them from each other and end the meaningless fighting, but Max only saw them as a threat, his fists going for them all.


    "I''ll show you who you''re dealing with!"


    "..."


    Quinn watched silently, not helping him out or caring if he died.


    ''Stupid.''


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    At that exact moment, the Cannonjaw Crocodile revealed itself at the far end of the drop-off point, letting out a rumbling growl as its green, glistening eyes locked onto them.


    The beast was enormous, at least twenty meters long, its body covered in tough, impregnable scales that shimmered like dark armor.


    Three long barrel cannons, reminiscent of those on an LAV, jutted from its back, poised to unleash destruction.


    Its mouth was a cavernous maw filled with jagged, razor-sharp teeth that glinted like roughly cut diamonds, capable of tearing through anything unfortunate enough toe within reach.


    The ground trembled with each slow step it took, its presence sending a chill down everyone''s


    spines.


    "Run away you idiots!"


    "HQ told you guys to evacuate this point years ago!"


    "Stop arguing and move!"


    "You heard the man, get a move on!"


    Its entrance immediately ended the fight as everyone resumed their exit, rushing out of there


    as fast as they could.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Explosions resounded as the Cannonjaw''s cannons began to fire, killing many of those who had just started to run, sttering their remains, and painting their blood on the wall. Quinn joined the front of the crowd, panic consuming her.


    But as she took her fourth step, a set of hands reached out from the side, pushing her to the


    ground.


    "Ah!"


    Surprised, her eyes snapped to the attacker and traced that man''s body through those who stepped over her until she saw his face.


    It was the same guy who cursed her not a minute earlier.


    "Imagine having a train run on you for your first time, slut!"


    With that, he quickly disappeared, joining the stampede that trampled her body, mistaking her for a dead person as she was kicked around, unable to speak out of sheer shock and pain.


    ''No...''


    She wrapped her hands around her head in a feeble attempt to protect herself, her eyes flickering desperately as she tried to locate her cohort.


    Quinn couldn''t see them through the chaos, only the relentless blur of people''s feet. But through her HUD, she found them, their neural connection still intact.


    Ava had run off with their Watcher and Spotter, their blinking dots on the radar getting


    further and further away.


    Max was still chasing one of the hunters who had insulted them, while Arthur was nowhere to


    be seen.


    They were supposed to defend this point from constructs, holding the line to protect the


    others and stop them from escaping the front lines.


    Their job was to ensure that no single construct was seen in the outside world.


    They were meant to be thest stand!


    ...But now it was clear just how pitiful that stand had be.


    It revealed the cruel reality of the hunter world to her: every man for himself.


    The trust within their cohort had shattered so easily that even a piece of paper held more


    weight.


    In her state of delirium, it hadn''t urred to her to call for help telepathically; the pain clouded her mind, making rational thought impossible.


    Her consciousness was slipping away, her focus waning with each kick to her head.


    But just as she was about to get knocked out, a sturdy hand reached down to her, somehow


    stopping the trampling feet.


    Quinn grasped that hand without hesitation, pulling herself up, desperate to live.


    And as she got up, she slowly recognized her savior, his face matching that of a ssmate.


    It was Xavier Jr.

 Chapter 365: Too Young To Die

    Chapter 365: Too Young To Die


    ?


    ***


    Xavier Jr watched everything unfold in the distance.


    His cohort dipped on him in seconds, and he had no idea what to do, still trying to process what happened.


    So as he saw Max getting involved in a punch-up, he stayed back to observe right beside the exit, waiting in case he had to get involved while not risking his life for being too close to where the construct was.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    But once the Cannonjaw Crocodile arrived, his n went awry.


    Why?


    Couldn''t he just leave since he was nearest to the exit?


    Max was already heading towards him, so he didn''t have to worry about him; he was going to easily escape.


    Yeah, he was... but not Quinn.


    A man pushed her down while making a crude joke.


    She got run over by many, their feet kicking her ck and blue.


    In his shock, his body took a few seconds to move, but when it did, he swam through the stampede, against the current, crashing through those that blocked his path as he headed directly towards the explosions, his face never more serious.


    As he had a sturdy build, it didn''t take him long to reach her, and once he did, he conjured an Aetheric Bulwark that blocked any iing hunter, creating a gap that gave her a chance to breathe.


    He reached out to her, and she immediatelytched on to him, pulling herself up only to look at him in shock when she stood fully straight.


    Xavier gave a reassuring smile and dragged her along, as he ran towards the exit.


    "My cohort ran off too, so don''t worry, let''s get out together!"


    "Don''t touch me!"


    Quinn pulled her hand away from his grasp, not even thanking him.


    Her breaths were stuttered and her steps wobbly, but she kept moving, trailing behind Xavier Jr, the monster getting closer behind them.


    "O-Okay, sorry..."


    She wasn''t in the mood for talking, barely managing to stay conscious as her augmented suit worked hard to heal her damaged head.


    If not for her cybeic imnts, death would have been certain.


    At that moment, she was almost thankful for the abuse her dad had inflicted.


    Her state was that bad.


    Boom! Boom!


    Explosions continued to go off, rumbling the ground, each boom closing in on them as the seconds ticked by.


    The deafening sts disoriented her further, each explosion sending a shockwave through her already weakened body.


    "Quinn, stay with me!"


    Xavier shouted over the noise, ncing back to ensure she was still on her feet.


    He could see the strain in her eyes, the sheer effort it took for her to keep moving.


    The ground continued to shake violently beneath them while dust and debris filled the air, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.


    The acrid smell of smoke, blood, and burning materials stung their nostrils, adding to the chaos.


    "...Gah!"


    Quinn stumbled, her legs threatening to give out, but she pushed herself forward, barely managing to stay upright.


    She was not about to die without fulfilling her revenge!


    "We''re almost there!"


    Xavier encouraged, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at him.


    After three more steps, they finally exited the tform, alongside many others.


    But they weren''t in the clear.


    Just as they stepped foot outside, one of the cannons atop the construct shot out a stray rocket in front of the duo, destroying their path.


    The ground erupted in front of them, sending a shower of dirt and shrapnel into the air.


    They both skidded to a halt, hearts racing, as they stared at the smoking crater that had been their escape route.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Fuck!"


    "...Dammit."


    The realization hit them simultaneously-they weren''t going to outrun it.


    They had to hide.


    "Left!"


    Xavier didn''t even hesitate as he grabbed her hand once more, pulling her to a hole in the wall, not caring if it contained a nest of Berta Scorpions as they had a way more chilling thing


    to worry about.


    "Watch where you''re going!"


    "The fuck are you doing?!"


    "Fuck you!"


    They crashed against a few screaming hunters on the way, but eventually got in, their steps crawling to a halt as they were met with a tight squeeze.


    Xavier Jr went first, letting go of her arm as he squeezed through the tiny hole of rock.


    Quinn did the same, only struggling more in the process, needing Xavier Jr to pull her in.


    Once settled, they hid by crawling to a corner, then turned off their systems and controlled their Aether as best they could.


    She suffered greatly because of that, as the augmented suit no longer healed her since it was offline, causing her to nod her head up and down, barely able to stay awake.


    Boom! Boom!


    But the explosions outside snapped her eyes open and her back straight.


    "It''s here! Run-"


    "Get out of the way!"


    "Watch out!"


    "Run!"


    "Dammit! I don''t want to-!"


    Screams resounded just outside the hole, hunters getting blown to bits as explosions rang


    out.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    But the chaos quickly died down, leaving a tense silence that suggested everyone had been


    killed.


    That silence didn''tst long however, as heavy steps approached, crunching the ground in


    their wake.


    The closer the steps got, the slower and more deliberate they became, as if the creature was searching for someone.


    Its breath echoed in their ears, unnervingly close, as it stopped movingpletely.


    The crocodile''s head was aimed directly towards the hole.


    It knew they were there.


    They held their breath, hearts pounding out of their chests.


    But it was useless; they knew that the construct had already locked onto them.


    Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...


    It let out a heavy, ominous growl.


    "Fuck... I''m too young to-"


    It mmed its head down, easily breaking through the wall and crushing everything


    underneath.


    St!


    Opening its mouth, it gobbled up the remains of its prey, chewing for a moment before


    swallowing.


    Satisfied, it turned back to the drop-off point, uninterested in chasing the rest, and wanting


    to eat those it left behind.

 Chapter 366: Shit For Brains

    Chapter 366: Shit For Brains


    ?


    As its steps slowly became distant...


    "Hoooooooohhh..."


    "Haaa... haaa... haaa..."


    Xavier Jr exhaled, his body trembling, while Quinn huffed and puffed as she tried to calm her


    nerves.


    It appeared that a hunter was still alive outside.


    The construct didn''t spot them; it was after him.


    "...Fuck."


    Xavier Jr murmured under his breath and gritted his teeth as he reyed the man''sst words in his mind.


    ''Too young to die...''


    It was a cruel way to go-a really pitiful one.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He wanted to save him, but he had no power to do so. He was too weak.


    "...Damn it all."


    While Xavier was in his contemtive mood, Quinn sat quietly, unbothered by what happened.


    She had swallowed a few old-world medicines and was now healing well, so that wasn''t why she didn''t feel anything.


    Her unfeeling state was because she simply didn''t care for the hunters who died.


    They treated her like trash, so why shouldn''t she do the same?


    Emotions were wasted on them.


    Unknowingly to her, this indifferent reaction of hers was by design.


    Emir had ''trusted'' this to happen.


    She was a coddled kid acting tough; of course the hunters would treat her wrong.


    Not only her, but the rest of the students as well.


    They would be seen as the same, and the hunters who had a roughe-up would act out on their envy by treating them as trash, letting out what they had bottled deep inside.


    Emir wanted to teach them about life, and he seeded.


    What they experienced today showed them how cheap lives could be and how one could buy their survival with credits.


    It taught some of them the meaning of true hatred-a deep, burning animosity that only Quinn and Arthur had known before.


    For some, like Xavier Jr, the ordeal ignited a desire to grow stronger, to be able to save people and prevent such tragedies.


    He believed his duty as a Knight was to protect the vulnerable, and this only cemented that. He would do his best to ensure that no one else would suffer as they had.


    Others, like Max, were driven by a darker urge.


    The same desire for strength was there, but it was fueled by a need for vengeance.


    Max wanted the power to destroy those who had clowned him, to make them pay for their words against a person of higher status.


    On the other hand, people like Ava felt the crushing weight of the real world.


    Its cruelty had shown itself in the most brutal way possible, and she didn''t resist, giving up and taking the easy way out.


    They escaped it before they lost their lives to its clutches, deeming themselves unprepared. Each group was affected differently, but one thing was constant.


    Their desire to get stronger.


    And that was what Emir wanted to instill in them.


    He lit their survival instincts on fire, awakening them from their fantasies.


    All of this didn''t affect Quinn, however.


    Her revenge was already at the center of her mind, irrationally controlling her actions.


    No tragedy would change that.


    But that didn''t matter.


    Emir had a special n for Quinn.


    Her current indifference stemmed from being in a highly emotional state; usually, she wouldn''t think of people in such a way, even if she was treated like trash.


    This shift in attitude would make her act impulsively, allowing her to do cruel things that she would deeply regretter.


    And in that vulnerable state of regret, Emir would swoop in as the anonymous sponsor, sending the letter he had saved in his drafts since early on.


    The resulting impact on her mental state would be magnified a hundredfold.


    His carefully chosen words would embed themselves in her mind, cementing him as someone important in her life.


    Now that sounded good and all, but for that n toe to fruition, they had to stay alive, yet judging by how unresponsive she was to Xavier Jr, their survival appeared to be a difficult


    thing to achieve.


    And so, to ease the tension, he joked:


    "Don''t mind that guy. Running a train or whatever-that was a contradictory statement... Also, it wasn''t funny. Sexual innuendos are so old world."


    She blinked.


    With eyes that screamed disgust, she silently looked at him before turning her head away.


    "I''d rather die than listen to one of your ''jokes'' again, so do excuse me."


    As she stood up to leave, his hand shot out and grasped hers, stopping her in her tracks.


    "Alright! Alright! I''m sorry. Please, sit down. We need to figure out a way to get out of here." She turned her head back to him and slowly nodded.


    "Sure."


    ***


    During the chaos, Arthur snuck out and stood by the side, far away from the rest, his back against the wall.


    His golden eyes were scanning the forming crowd, congregating towards his teammate Max.


    [Did you disconnect from the channel, boy?]


    [Yeah. But... are you sure it''s safe? HQ told us to never go solo.]


    [Don''t care for what they told you, boy. Yagami, please.]


    Letting out a sigh, the Japanese salesman materialized before him as a hologram and nudged


    his sses up.


    [How many times do I have to say this? The UEF is corrupt; they have dealings with the Order, so that means the Hunter Association is as well. Our evidence is the propaganda you see in the Academy. Not a single book in the Archives mentions their rtion to the war not so far from here. They are responsible for every dead hunter you see. So never forget; trust no one except


    us.]


    [I know that, but why?...]


    Arthur paused, his mind lost in thought for a moment, as he continued with a stutter:


    [W-Wait... I get it. You''re saying that this warning of theirs is not for our safety but is for dying us from unearthing what''s underneath this outpost?]


    The old man materialized as well, standing next to Yagami while wearing a majestic white


    robe and a grin as he stroked his beard.


    [Exactly boy, you''ve gotten smarter!]


    His praise brought Arthur a smile...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    But that smile quickly disappeared once he heard the explosions just outside their location.


    [You have to move now boy!]


    [Get moving Arthur!]


    With his systems urging him on, he rushed forward and squeezed inside a tiny hole to his left, taking a path not to the second drop-off point like the rest, but the fourth, passing by the Cannonjaw Crocodile as he went from one hole to another, his small size proving beneficial. He was happy about that, almost prideful, deeming it a plus one in his internalpetition with Emir, their professor.


    And while he was in his own world, hovering over his crawling body were the two


    ''reincarnates.''


    They stared at him, their grins twisting as Arthur kept his pace.


    [Nice boy, keep going...]


    [Mhm, just follow the path, you''re not far-no, not far at all.]

 Chapter 367: Smell Of Death

    Chapter 367: Smell Of Death


    ?


    ***


    "Shit for brains."


    That was the only way anyone would describe the current Arthur.


    If it weren''t obvious by how the AIs'' acted, this hidden treasure they wanted him to unearth was nothing but a cover.


    Their true purpose was to send him closer to danger, nearly kill him.


    But why would they do that?


    Weren''t they supposed to protect Arthur?


    Yes, yes they were.


    However, that didn''t mean they couldn''t hurt him in the process of doing so.


    Emir.


    Their host''s main enemy.


    They needed to hurt him in any way they could.


    Problem was, they couldn''t hurt him physically or mentally, their host was too weak.


    So they had to improvise, and their improvisation resulted in the n they enacted today. Luring Arthur away from safety and using his status as a student in the Academy against Emir. After all, if he was severely hurt under Emir''s supervision, his position as a professor would be under serious threat, or at least he''d be questioned.


    Some might wonder why they didn''t manipte Arthur into staying and fighting the Cannonjaw Crocodile, but that would''ve been difficult, borderline idiotic.


    There was a high chance that he would''ve run away with the rest, but if he was dumb enough to stay, he would have died.


    No injury, just death.


    A lose-lose situation.


    This resulted in only one option remaining...


    They had to lure him away.


    Emir, not one to risk anything, understood that, so he had it covered and was fully prepared for a situation like that to happen.


    He knew that the systems were suspicious of him, and as AIS, their first instinct would''ve been to get rid of him, deeming him too much of a threat.


    So his being prepared was only natural.


    It might''ve been safer if he trapped them in the Academy for the entire time he worked there, but he was not about to have Arthur''s existence dictate his ns.


    Anyhow, all of that was the main reason why he had Jake and Emma join Elijah''s cohort.


    They started working in Second Life for a few days,ying the groundwork in preparation for today.


    And those two had already realized that shit had gone awry. Noticing that Arthur was disconnected from his cohort''s channel, as they had ess to every student''s status.


    [How far from checkpoint three?]


    Emma asked as she shot another ice bolt, killing two scorpions that sprang out from the left. [Not far, we''re twenty seconds away!]


    Jake answered as he nced at the timer in his HUD while simultaneously updating their minimap, showing them a new path to their destination.


    They had to get through the third drop-off point to get to Arthur, which meant that they had to kill the construct.


    That was close to impossible if they were alone, so they had Elijah request reinforcements.


    [Three, what''s their status?}


    Clicking his tongue, Elijahined:


    [Bastards still got me on hold! Fuck-wait. They just connected, I''ll put you guys through.]


    Static echoed in their minds for a moment, and they heard a clear voice in the next:


    [Hunter 1036, apologies for the wait. We''ve got many requestsing through; lines are pretty busy-]


    Ticked off by the NetWeaver''s slow words, Elijah interrupted:


    [We need reinforcements right now!]


    [...No can do. The groups we sent already died, so you''ll have to adapt. The rest are busy getting the injured out. The Cannonjaw is distracted right now, but it won''t stay still for long. Once it moves, you have to dy it as much as you can.]


    With flinching brows, Elijah was about tosh out, as was Jake, but Emma beat them to it:


    [A student is about to die, you fuck! Do you want to beplicit in that?]


    Like her partner, she was deeply affected by their actions.


    However, unlike him, she managed to hold it together-until now.


    This was her breaking point.


    Failing to follow through with her orders was not something she could handle.


    Not Emir''s.


    So she continued tosh out at the man, losing rationality:


    [You''ll lose your life if that happens. No matter-]


    But her words stopped as it was his turn to interrupt them this time, begrudgingly saying:


    [Emir signed a contract that stated everything to be his responsibility. I''ve no time for your lectures; we bear nothing. Just do as you''re told or get out.]


    The Netweaver ended the call with those words, but Elijah didn''t react to that as he, Sofia, and Aria stared at the two in silence, their feet still moving, asking the obvious.


    Jake let out a sigh, then stopped, turning around to face them.


    Emma did the same, and the students almost crashed into them, barely stopping in time.


    The two then slowly raised their right hand and pulled off their masks, revealing their true


    faces.


    Elijah''s face registered pure shock, not because of their true identities but because they revealed themselves in the first ce.


    He didn''t notice at the beginning, but mid-way through their second target extraction, his growing suspicions were confirmed, as he saw more of their abilities, knowing their fighting


    style pretty well.


    Besides, it didn''t help that most of their features weren''t hidden.


    Aria and Sofia''s reactions weren''t as expressive as his, however.


    One tilted her head in confusion while the other stared nkly at them, still unsure if they


    were a threat or not.


    Sofia was one to act on her suspicions, but Two''s piercing blue eyes held her back.


    They were far too clear to be eyes belonging to someone malicious.


    And she was correct, as Emma stepped closer to them and spoke, her voicepletely


    different than before:


    "We''re Emir''s people. Elijah can vouch for that."


    Elijah nodded at his ssmates'' questioning stares, and she continued:


    "Emir assigned us to watch over you kiddos. And if things go wrong like they usually do, we


    are to interfere."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Jake highlighted an area in their minimaps, causing it to blink red.


    "Arthur''s throwing his life away somewhere around there; we need to catch up before


    something irreversible happens to him."


    It took them a moment, and the three eventually nodded their heads, ncing at each other


    to see if they all realized the absurdity of what they were about to do.


    They were students, barely Celestials, stuffed with skills but not experience.


    Elijah''s recent diving streak wouldn''t change that; his life before then was like the rest: easy.


    Their ''protectors'' weren''t much better, a ninth-ss Spell Weaver and an eleventh-ss


    Arcanist.


    While they had the experience, they were of the same rank as those they had to protect.


    Right, all of them were Ascendant Knights...


    Certainly not the strongest group.


    And they had to kill a construct one major-rank and one sub-rank above their strongest


    hunter.


    Indeed, that was tough to imagine, but it was something they had to do nheless.


    There was no room for hesitation.


    "Let''s go!" Elijah brought his clutched fist to his second heart and hit his chest twice.


    "You guys are weak, but you''ll manage if I''m with you."


    Aria flipped her hair, adding:


    "Not that I care or anything."


    "....."


    Sofia remained silent like usual, but her face spoke instead.


    ''He''ll see what I''m made of...''


    Emma and Jake shared a chuckle and turned around, beginning their short march to arge


    tform that reeked with the smell of death.

 Chapter 368: A Sacrifice Remembered

    Chapter 368: A Sacrifice Remembered


    ?


    Their feet moved through debris, rubble, craters, chewed-up limbs, and blood.


    Every step brought them closer to a horrifying scene-an insanity-inducing one-causing Sofia''s throat to chock up. Never mind Aria, who had spat out vomit twice in the first ten seconds of their grimy trek.


    Surprisingly, Elijah handled it well, almost as well as Emma and Jake, two people who certainly had seen worse. Kiera''s crew, or at least what remained of them, a nightmare still stuck in their minds.


    The smell was all too familiar, only slightly worse as a strong odor of gunpowder was mixed in, giving Sofia a hard time; her senses as a Ranger more heightened than the average Celestial.


    But that somber mood of hers suddenly changed as Jake announced:


    [We just got extraction requests from two students a few hundred meters ahead. Xavier Jr and Quinn.]


    Quinn being in trouble brought her joy, as she smiled slightly.


    ''That''s what she gets for being such an idiot.''


    No one picked up her change as they were concentrating on the path ahead, killing every monster that blocked them from reaching their destination.


    But that wasn''t the same for Elijah, as he voiced out his reaction:


    [What''s their status? Is Junior hurt?!]


    [Junior?... Ah, Xavier.]


    Jake questioned and then answered himself as he proceeded to check on the health status of the two students.


    {Quinn:


    Physical Health: 97 Percent. External Damage o Percent, Internal Damage 3 Percent.


    Mental Health: 31 Percent. High emotion spike, likely experiencing panic. Increased levels of cortisol and adrenaline, leading to suppression of empathy and basic emotional connection.} {Xavier Jr:


    Physical Health: 99 Percent. External Damage o Percent, Internal Damage 1 Percent.


    Mental Health: 76 Percent. Slight panic. Increased serotonin levels indicating a strong focus on goals. Elevated levels of dopamine and oxytocin, suggesting feelings of guilt and conflict between responsibilities and personal desires.}


    [...He''s fine, Quinn''s the one we''ve gotta be worried about.]


    Thatment made Emma perk up, curious.


    [What''s wrong with her?]


    [We''re about to find out.]


    Jake smashed a Berta Scorpion down with his ded staff and stopped just outside a hole to their right, the cohort behind him.


    He then neared his face to the wall and whispered:


    "Quinn, Xavier, we''re from the Academy, it''s safe;e out."


    "


    ||


    A long silence resounded as if the world had gone still, and they might''ve believed that if they hadn''t heard the crunching of bones in the distance.


    Elijah, knowing that they didn''t have much time to spare, got close and said:


    "Junior, it''s me, Elijah!"


    ||


    |||||


    Things didn''t change; silence remained.


    "You''ll regret ignoring me, you jacked piece of shit!"


    ""


    ||


    Again, nothing changed-


    Click ck.


    Or so that was the case for the first few seconds, as eventually, steps echoed out of the hole.


    The two began to move, slowly making their way to the cohort.


    And it didn''t take long.


    Junior was the first one out, long sword and shield at the ready, Quinn directly behind, her assault rifle aimed at them.


    The cohort didn''t return that tension, Jake and Emma raising their hands in surrender to calm them down.


    Quinn breathed out, but Junior didn''t do the same as he rushed forward.


    Before Jake, Emma, Sofia, and Aria could react, Elijah did the same.


    "You bitch!"


    "You''re alive!"


    They met in half hug, as Elijah cursed the kid a few more times while Junior patted his friend down, checking for injuries.


    The rest looked at them with dumbfounded and nk faces, almost disappointed.


    But Jake''s gaze was different from theirs.


    ''Is he really?...''


    He had never deeply thought about it before, only suspecting it and then dismissing it, but


    now, upon seeing his face, it was something he couldn''t deny.


    ''He is, isn''t he? He''s an exact replica of themander, only younger.''


    That kid was Xavier''s son.


    ''Why didn''t Emir tell me?...''


    He internally questioned and once again, he answered himself:


    ''Probably ''cause he wanted to fuck with me.''


    Chuckling, Jake moved closer to Junior, who had stepped away from Elijah, and tapped his


    shoulders.


    "Hey kid, you up to join our cohort? We''ve got one big monster to kill."


    Junior looked up in surprise.


    "Uh... Yeah-"


    As he was answering, he suddenly turned silent, noticing the way Jake looked at him.


    The familiarity was evident.


    ''Does he know?''


    He grew curious.


    Once, he asked that question to Emir but received no favorable reply, so he couldn''t help but wonder if it would be the same this time around, unable to stop himself from asking:


    "...Do you know my father, sir?"


    Jake simply smiled.


    "I do, little Xavier. I was the one who closed his eyes."


    Junior''s eyes widened, not knowing how to react or what to say.


    He had always wanted to know more about his father, but the man never shared his exploits in


    the Army, keeping him, his son, at an arm''s length, never divulging anything of importance


    while repeating the same words.


    ''Never involve yourself with the north.''


    What secret was he hiding?


    Junior wanted to know. He needed to know.


    What did his father die for? Was it really just a sacrifice to dy an enemy? Was that all that


    happened? A routine death that meant nothing?


    "...C-Can you tell me about him?"


    Jake slowly nodded, noticing the apprehension on the student''s face.


    "He''s the second bravest man I know...-"


    Interested, Aria rudely cut him off and asked:


    "Who''s the first?"


    Not minding that, Jake answered:


    "Emir, your professor..."


    Quinn''s face twitched as she heard his name being mentioned.


    ''Are those bastards his men?''


    That realization spread to Junior as well, but he wasn''t surprised by it; he knew that his


    professor wouldn''t leave anything to chance.


    In fact, he highly doubted that those two were the only ones he sent; he bet that there were many more with the other students.


    So his mind was clear as he focused on Jake''s words, making sure that nothing missed him.


    "It was my and Emma''s first mission on the front lines. We were green, too green; they expected us to die and threw us to the battlefield to dy a Tyrant, a Cub."


    His tone was somber as he retold a story that was still heavily ingrained in his mind.


    "He was the one that led us that day. He promised us death and glory. We received neither." Emma giggled from the side, looking at Jake with a sad smile.


    "A bombardment that turned the day into night was about to wipe us out, he changed that. He sacrificed himself, setting an example that the others had to follow. And follow they did, flying into certain death, hisst roar sending them to an early grave."


    Tears began to form in Junior''s eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. "Many died, and we were of the lucky few that lived. It''s all thanks to your father. His death


    saved lives; never forget that."


    Letting out a heavy breath, Junior bowed slightly to Jake, his hand on his second heart.


    Sincerely thanking him for lifting a heavy weight off his shoulders.


    "You shouldn''t forget this either."


    As Jake continued speaking, Junior raised his head and locked eyes with him, respect clearly


    reflecting off his pure sockets.


    "Being a Celestial is in essence a... individual Job. It''s true that you need to work with others


    but at the end of it..."


    Pausing for a second, Jake recalled the lonely body of Xavier, whoid cold on a rock even


    colder.


    "No matter how many allies you have... You''ll always die alone."


    Clicking her tongue, Emma killed the somber mood as she said:


    "Acting cool doesn''t suit you."


    Jake clicked his tongue as well, and the two started bickering, going back and forth like an old


    married couple-a scene that Emir would''ve loved to see, as he quite missed it.


    "You always fucking cut me off! But to do it even in front of the students?"


    "What?! You do it more than me!"


    "Yeah, yeah, whatever."


    "Stop with the emo party and-"


    "You guys forgot about Arthur?"


    Elijah, Aria, Emma, and Jake let out an "ah," seeming to have actually forgotten about the


    world''s protagonist.


    They turned to Sofia, the one who had reminded them, seeing her seething but also calm...


    somehow. Sharing a quickugh, their faces turned serious, and Elijah began to debrief the two new


    cohort mates they got as Jake sent them an Invite Link to join their channel while also sending


    theirbat information.


    "Since you''re so eager to save people, this is your chance to shine. Arthur is on the other side


    of this drop-off point. But to get there, we need to kill the Cannonjaw."


    ncing at Quinn, hemented:


    "It''ll be your only chance at revenge."


    He knew how to get her on board, learning from one of the best maniptors in the game.


    It was obvious to most what he was trying to do, but Quinn was either none the wiser or too


    unbothered to care.


    "...I know."


    Her grumble made him smile as he looked at Junior, pride emanating from his eyes.


    ''You wish you were half as smooth as me.''


    ''Yeah, whatever.''


    Turning his face away, Junior held back a chuckle and said:


    "Alright, I''m good to go."


    "...Same."


    Ready to enter, they got in formation and stepped forward, entering the tform turned


    meatgrinder.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 Chapter 369: Cannonjaw Crocodile

    Chapter 369: Cannonjaw Crocodile


    ?


    Junior slowly led them into battle, his shield and sword raised high.


    Jake was almost touching shoulders with him as he wielded a single assault rifle, inscribed with all the Runes he knew, aimed at the Cannonjaw in the distance.


    Emma was to his left, her half-dark-blue, half-bright-red staff gripped with both hands, flickering with the two elements.


    Aria was behind her, doing the same with her staff, its vines pulsating.


    Elijah was to her right, his daggers raised to shoulder level, prepared to strike at a moment''s notice.


    Next to him was Quinn, wielding a bloodied sword that she had picked off the ground.


    Sofia was thest of them, at the back with her anti-material rifle trained on the construct, ready to unleash deadly rounds the size of her hand.


    It was a 1-2-3-1 formation.


    She could''ve stayed back, the furthest distance possible, making it a 1-2-3 formation, but that would''ve been a death sentence for the girl.


    Her camouge ability would be of no use; the level difference was too high.


    Besides, she couldn''t use more than two abilities at once, so she couldn''t be camouged in the first ce, as both the slots would be taken by Eagle Eye and Longshot.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It wasn''t so ideal to be a stationary target for a walking cannon.


    She also would''ve been susceptible to attacks from Berta Scorpions as she would have been too distracted by the Cannonjaw.


    Her attempts to get a shot at its weak points would repeatedly fail, not only because of the distance but also because her cohort would block her from shooting.


    So this formation was what they came up with in the few seconds it took them to enter the death-stained arena.


    Aria would''ve vomited if she could, but her stomach had run out of food, though that didn''t stop her from gagging every few seconds.


    Sofia had her nose scrunched up, absolutely despising the smell, while Jake and Emma showed almost mncholic faces.


    Elijah was fine, for some reason, scanning the scene with a nk gaze. Junior was the same, as in, he didn''t react much to the carnage before him.


    Quinn had apletely different reaction from the rest.


    She was smiling.


    ''Serves you right!''


    It seemed that it didn''te to her mind that those who trampled over her had lived, while most of those who didn''t actually died.


    But those next to her didn''t have time to fix her thought process.


    The construct had finally turned around, swallowing what remained of its meal with a rumbling gulp.


    Hair, limbs, snew, and unidentifiable junk were stuck in its diamond-like teeth. Jagged and sharp.


    Its green eyes were upon them, and as soon as it shut its mouth...


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    The battle had begun.


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    Junior bellowed and nted his wall shield on the ground, bracing for impact.


    As the others did the same, each cannon shot out a rocket, simr in size to the ones Emir and co had used.


    They reached the Bulwark in no time.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    The ground rumbled as Junior''s Aether reserves dropped, the Aetheric Bulwark taking a lot out of him to stay up, cracks forming upon it, allowing what remained after the explosion to pass through.


    But it was all blocked by his physical shield, scattering into the ground.


    "Now! Aegis Of Radiance!"


    As they felt the sudden increase in strength, the bulwark in front of them disappeared.


    The melee fighters, Elijah and Quinn went in separate directions around the construct, dashing as fast as they could.


    Ratatatatatatatat!


    Meanwhile, Jake began firing at the Cannonjaw, his bullets hitting the first of its three cannons, digging into its armor.


    Emma had a strong spell ready, and she weaved it alongside Aria as they attacked at the same time.


    "Beyond Zero!"


    "Entangling Roots!"


    A spell much weaker than Morgiana''s shot out Emma''s staff in the form of arge arrow, heading straight towards the construct''s eyes. Underneath that arrow were Aria''s roots, moving forward in a wave-like motion.


    They hit the Cannonjaw at the same time, and it reeled back slightly from the impact.


    But it didn''t stay like that for long, almost immediately shaking off the damage.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    It let out another trembling growl and prepared to fire at them.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Three thumps resounded as the rockets shot out, but the first exploded only a few moments


    after it left the cannon''s nozzle, Jake''s bullets shutting it down.


    Now only two remained, and that was the moment for Sofia to shine.


    She previously didn''t try to disable the cannon from afar; it wouldn''t have worked, so instead


    her role was...


    BANG!


    To reduce its ammunition.


    Boom!


    She aimed in the middle of both rockets, destroying them at once.


    Pieces of what remained flew out in all directions, smashing into the walls and forming


    debris.


    At that moment, Elijah and Quinn reached the construct, but with a stomp of its legs, they were pushed back, the air pressure too strong for them to handle.


    [Shit! It''s going to move!]


    Jake warned and Junior took heed, redeploying the Aetheric Bulwark.


    [Step back!]


    As the Cannonjaw charged at them, its massive bulk crashing through debris as if it were


    nothing but air, they moved back, their steps quick.


    They weren''t trying to outrun it; instead, they had something prepared.


    Just as the construct stepped over where they were previously positioned, Aria screamed:


    "Seed Burst!"


    Boom!


    An explosion thundered the ground, directly hitting the construct''s underbelly.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAH!


    Though it roared in pain, its charge didn''t stop, only slowed.


    Bang!


    Its head crashed into the bulwark, cracking it even further, but it still managed to push back


    the now-dazed construct.


    Junior grunted, much of his Aether spent.


    [Elijah, Quinn! NOW!]


    Jakemanded, getting away from cover and resuming to fire at the first cannon.


    While Sofia, Aria, and Emma did the same, Elijah and Quinn returned to attack the Cannonjaw,


    but as they did so, a swarm of Berta Scorpions suddenly emerged from the rubble near the construct, drawn by the noise and chaos.


    They skittered towards the two, pincers snapping.


    [We''ve gotpany.]


    Sofia quickly shifted her aim from the cannon''s nozzle and started picking them off one by


    one with precise shots.


    [Yeah we fucking do!]


    [Way to go queen obvious!] Elijah and Quinn sarcastically replied while finding themselves dodging between the


    scorpions, their movement bing increasingly frantic.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    The Cannonjaw growled once more as it got out of its daze and responded with terrifying


    speed, its massive form moving with surprising agility.


    Itshed out with its tail, narrowly missing Elijah, who rolled to the side and struck at its


    joints.


    Quinn followed suit, her darkened sword slicing into its flesh.


    Her attack left barely a scratch, but it brought the construct''s attention.


    That was something she couldn''t handle.


    With another stomp, she was pushed away, and one of the cannons on top trailed her path


    through the air.


    But just as it was about to shoot, Sofia interfered, her bullet hitting the cannon''s barrel,


    damaging it while shoving it to the left.


    Whoosh!


    The rocket flew, a few moments passed, and then boom!


    It hit the ground three or so meters away from Quinn, killing a bunch of Berta Scorpions and causing her to crash into the wall due to the force of the explosion.


    She took a moment to breathe, as the Cannonjaw''s attention returned to Jake, whose bullets kept finding their mark on the first cannon, chipping away at its integrity.


    Emma and Aria weaved spells non-stop, ice that chipped away at its scales and roots that


    momentarily kept it in ce.


    The construct roared in anger, its green eyes burning with fury.


    But before it could shoot them with its rockets, Elijah jumped on top of it, standing right next


    to itsst cannon, away from his cohort''s attacks.


    "Spectral Scythe!"


    He summoned his scythe and used it as a pickax, repeatedly hitting the top of the cannon,


    slowly digging into it like Jake did.


    With no dy, the construct reacted, whipping the second cannon towards him and firing.


    Whoosh!


    But Elijah was ready.


    He dove and rolled, reaching the ground while narrowly avoiding a rocket that would have


    turned him into ash.


    Berta Scorpions rushed to him upon hisnding, not giving him a chance to breathe.


    Quinn, who had enough of that, chanted her Aetheric de ability again and went forth, charging at the construct.


    She killed a few scorpions on the way, decapitating them with pure strength, curtsy to her cybeic imnts, and stabbed her swords into its left back leg.


    The sword pierced through like a skewer through tough, overcooked meat, roughly and


    barely.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!


    Another growl resounded, and this time the construct seemed really mad.


    Itplexly ignored the barrage of damage it took from the rest of the cohort and focused all


    of its attention on Quinn.


    ''...What?''


    Quinn looked up.


    Three cannons were aimed at her.


    She was about to die.


    [I''ve got the back.]


    [Middle.] [It''s almost destroyed!]


    Or so she thought.


    Elijah, Sofia, and Jake weren''t about to let that happen.


    As the rockets shot out, the first one was destroyed by a swinging scythe, the second by a loud


    bullet, and the third...


    No, the third wasn''t destroyed.


    At least not as quickly as the rest.


    It seemed that Jake''s bullets weren''t enough.


    Or perhaps the first cannon was the strongest.


    Who knew? At that moment, the cohort certainly didn''t.


    Many bullets had banged against the rocket, but only one finally prated it when it was just


    two meters away from Quinn.


    BOOM!


    It exploded directly above her, engulfing her in a devastating st.

 Chapter 370: Cannonjaw Crocodile II

    Chapter 370: Cannonjaw Crocodile II


    ?


    The girl certainly wasn''t lucky.


    She was no Arthur, maybe even his opposite.


    That Cannonjaw was obviously targeting her more than the others.


    Perhaps it was due to her cyber-enhanced body...


    But then the question of why it didn''t do the same to Jake woulde up.


    Indeed, that would not make sense.


    So this possibility would be deemed incorrect, leading everyone to a natural conclusion.


    It was targeting Quinn because it deemed her to be the weakest among them.


    The easiest human to kill.


    Unfortunately, it was correct.


    Quinn had only one ability, and that was Aetheric des.


    She couldn''t protect herself from the explosion.


    Her augmented suit had to take it head-on.


    And that was what happened.


    A burst of me, metal, and smoke came at her, smacking her into the wall, while also burning through her force shield at incredible speeds, killing it in under a second.


    "AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    She screamed in pain as her sword fell from her grasp.


    But thankfully, those moments were enough for her to survive, even though her exposed skin was charred to oblivion, while her body''s inside was boiling hot.


    The cohort felt relief at the scene, even Sofia.


    Though hurt, traumatized, and near death, Quinn was still alive, only needing a few old- world medicines to get patched up.


    ck!


    But to their dismay, a Berta Scorpion near her had survived, its pincers snapping in anticipation as it closed in on her.


    Elijah, Aria, and Emma weren''t able to help, their abilities were too slow.


    [Quinn watch out!]


    [Run away!]


    [This fucker!]


    Sofia needed to reload, and Jake couldn''t stop shooting at the Cannonjaw for if he did, it


    would focus back on Quinn.


    [To your right, you idiot.]


    [Fuck! Someone do something!]


    And Junior ... well, he was barely surviving himself.


    [...Dammit!]


    The girl was about to die.


    Through her blurry vision, she saw it, but she didn''t dread it.


    If that was to happen, she wouldn''t stay idle.


    Her death wouldn''t be without consequence for the killer.


    At least... not if her enemy was Emir.


    "GRRRRAH!"


    With a growl mimicking that of the crocodile, her battered body lunged forward with all the strength it could muster.


    She bull-rushed the scorpion, smashing into the carapace before it could snap its pincers.


    That blow sent it reeling, blinding and almost killing it, but that was it, ''almost.''


    Its tail came down and caught her shoulder, tearing a hole through the metal.


    "URGH-!"


    Quinn muffled a scream as she pressed her body forward, using her weight to kill the scorpion, its needle-like metastoma still lodged in her shoulder.


    Screech...


    It died beneath her, its head smashed in.


    She, who didn''t know that, tried to remove the needle but couldn''t; all her strength


    exhausted.


    "Quinn!"


    Elijah yelled, rushing to her side, and shing at the scorpions on the way.


    While he did that, one of Jake''s bullets finally made their way into the cannon, and Sofia, who had just reloaded her anti-material rifle, was not one to miss that opportunity.


    "Longshot."


    BANG!


    A bullet of immense weight hit the target in moments, causing the cannon to explode in a shower of sparks and debris.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!


    The Cannonjaw growled in pain and fury, its movements bing more erratic, its stomps pushing Elijah away, but that only benefited him as he used the wind andnded next to Quinn


    in a roll.


    "Stay with me!"


    He quickly picked her up and rushed out of there.


    ''She''s heavy...''


    With that thought aside, his feet moved faster than ever before, scrambling to reach his


    cohort before the Cannonjaw could fire the next rocket.


    The Reaper tried his best.


    He really did.


    But he wasn''t fast enough.


    Whoosh!


    A rocket was fired before he could reach the Aetheric Bulwark.


    "Fire Wall!"


    Emma had predicted that this would happen.


    Her wall of fire barely blocked the explosion until Elijah crossed and reached the bulwark,


    unable to handle the impact.


    "...Haahhh, fuck."


    Elijah breathed out, slightly trembling at that close call.


    It wasn''t the first, as this entire fight so far had been a series of close calls, but this was particrly close, in fractions of time.


    [Hide her somewhere!]


    Jake''smand echoed in Elijah''s mind, but he didn''t need to be told that as he was already on the way out, shuffling through his pockets for old-world medicine.


    [Jake, Sofia, cover us!]


    [We''ll focus on the second cannon!]


    The two did as they were told while Emma and Aria ran out of cover, heading right, to a ce


    filled with rubble and dead scorpions.


    And as they got into position, theybined their magic again, weaving their spells at the


    same time.


    "ming Tornado!"


    "Leaf Storm!"


    As Aria''s roots withered away, the construct''s ability to move had returned, but in its ce, abined ability of far more strength had been conjured.


    Leaf Storm was the ability that made Emir say that what Aria had done to Ava was a mercy.


    Even he deemed it as strong.


    Well, against slow-moving or big targets, at least.


    Now it was even stronger, as the storm of leaves that spun around the second cannon was lit


    on fire due to Emma''s tornado.


    With each leaf sh, the metal sizzled, and the crocodile''s scales burned.


    It certainly damaged it, but it was slow.


    At that pace, they would kill the construct in around a half-hour.


    Not great considering their Aether reserves were almost drained already.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    The Cannonjaw response to their tornado was a relentless one.


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As the two scurried back to the bulwark, its two remaining cannons fired in rapid session,


    but they never hit their target as Jake and Sofia had them covered, either shooting down the rockets or deflecting the barrels away.


    Seeing its attacks defended, the beast quickly changed its strategy, lunging forward, its jaws


    snapping at the air.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Make way!]


    Junior ran past the retreating Emma and Aria as they finally got behind him and shed his shield with the construct''s lower jaw, pausing its momentum for a moment, only to get pushed back, his feet dragging the ground.


    His strength was meagerpared to the Cannonjaw, so it was an obvious result.


    But that wasn''t what he had nned for.


    As the construct''s mouth opened wide, about to snap him in half, he dug his sword down,


    aiming at the gap in between its teeth.


    Squelch!


    His sword struck true, causing the construct to wince, and swing its head around in an attempt


    to throw him and his sword out.


    Juniorplied with its demand only after checking behind him.


    [I''m back!]


    [.....]


    Elijah had returned, and Sofia was ready.


    "CLEAR!"


    She surprised those next to her and shouted from the back, her AMR trained on the construct.


    Junior flung himself off, and Elijah rushed forward, masking himself with his Grim Veil.


    She fired a shot that streaked through the air, hitting the beast''s left eye with pinpoint


    uracy.


    GRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAH!


    The Cannonjaw growled with hurt, momentarily blinded on one side.


    And Elijah chose that very side to approach it. Veilbined wit its momentary blindness, gave him the perfect chance to attack


    it unawares.


    As Emma''s and Aria''s abilities dissipated, Elijah slid under it, wielding two daggers that he used to gut the construct''s underbelly, aiming at where Aria had previously injured it.


    The location was obvious, as blood continuously dripped off it, pooling on the ground in a


    small puddle.


    But just as his daggers reached the beginning of the wound, the Cannonjaw reared up on its hind legs, revealing a series of sharp, spiked tendrils underneath.


    Itshed out at him, catching Elijah off guard, but he managed to block the biggest of them,


    receiving little to no physical damage as he was sent flying backwards.


    The attack wasn''t only aimed at him, however.


    In fact, most of the tendrils headed to Junior, and he was caught with his pants down-no


    bulwark to defend the cohort.


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    Reactivating it took a moment, and that was enough for some of the tendrils to reach them.


    He went forth, his shield up, and took the attack on by himself.


    But again, it was too strong; he barely managed to deflect the tendrils upwards and away.


    That resulted in him being forced downwards and with no time to react...


    Crack!


    Hended hard, dazed, and struggling to breathe as his shield ttered alongside him.


    "Junior!"


    Elijah shouted, his eyes wide with panic, as he ran back.


    [Protect him from the cannons!]


    Sofia shook her head, and as Elijah''s foot reached the ground near her, he noticed why she


    reacted that way.


    Junior''s bulwark was still up, ready for another volley.


    ''...How?''


    Quickly getting behind it, he stepped next to Junior, who kept writhing on the ground,


    gritting his teeth, barely holding on.


    ''Big brother chose well...''


    Elijah thought, unable to suppress apliment.


    As the younger brother of a man who valued loyalty above all else, Elijah held it in equally


    high regard, making this thought instinctual, ingrained in his blood.


    [It''s time.]


    Jake tapped Elijah''s shoulder, and they exchanged a determined nod. They knew what needed to be done.

 Chapter 371: Cannonjaw Crocodile III

    Chapter 371: Cannonjaw Crocodile III


    ?


    Elijah kicked Junior''s head, knocking him out at once.


    "The hell?"


    "What''s wrong with you?!"


    "...Elijah?"


    Under the surprised reactions of his cohort, he picked up his body and ced it on his shoulder.


    Only then did they understand.


    His goal was to hide Junior next to the soundly sleeping Quinn.


    The first step toward that goal naturally resulted in the Knight''s Aetheric Bulwark disappearing, giving the Cannonjaw an open window to attack.


    But it didn''t have a chance to shoot its rockets.


    [Go!]


    Jake seized the opportunity to unload a clip into the second cannon, which was already damaged due to the Spell Weavers''bined attack.


    [Keep hitting it! We can take it down!]


    Emma encouraged the group as she and Aria focused their efforts, getting their minds straight.


    "Frostbite!"


    "Entangling Roots!"


    They both cast spells that were aimed at immobilizing the construct.


    Emma''s spell encased one of the Cannonjaw''s legs in ice, slowing its movements.


    At the same time, Aria trapped a leg with tens of roots, like she had usually done since the start of the battle.


    "Attack!"


    "Be useful!"


    Their n was obvious.


    They were giving the damage dealers a clear shot at the cannons.


    [Leave it to us!]


    [...Watch.]


    Jake and Sofia stepped up to the task, each shot hitting the cannon, chipping away at its protective metal while destroying every rocket it shot out.


    Ratatatatatatat!


    Bang! Bang! BANG!


    A Longshot after many normal bullets had managed to make arge dent, deep in the cannon.


    Jake capitalized on that and supplied more of his Aether into his gun, cutting through that dent and exploding the cannon.


    Boom!


    GRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!


    As it blew up into splinters, the Cannonjaw growled in pain, but they didn''t celebrate.


    This construct was not to be underestimated. They knew that best.


    With a mighty shake, it shattered the ice encasing its leg and let out a rumbling gurgle.


    Aria''s roots still held it in ce, but that didn''t matter.


    Like a fully grown man tearing a piece of paper, its legs went forward through the roots as if they were nothing, and in that single step, it got close to the cohort.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With fewer cannons on its back, the construct had naturally gotten faster, but that didn''t pass through their minds.


    They were caught off guard.


    The Cannonjawshed out with its tail, catching Aria.


    She stood no chance.


    Crack!


    Before Emma could do anything, Aria was sent flying into a wall.


    Silently, she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.


    The girl was knocked out so quickly that she didn''t even react.


    "ARIA!"


    Emma screamed, her eyes widening in horror.


    She ran to her side, checking her condition and trying to wake her up, but Aria was out cold.


    [Dammit!]


    Jake cursed, reloading his rifle with trembling hands.


    [We''re not gonna make it at this rate!]


    Emma looked up from Aria''s body, her gaze returning to the construct, her face set in grim determination.


    [We have to... For Emir.]


    Boom!


    The Cannonjaw continued its attacks.


    Jake''s bullets and Sofia''s antimaterial rounds had wasted more than a hundred of its rockets, but it seemed to have endless reserves of ammo and energy.


    Even when Emma gave them the perfect opportunity to damage itsst cannon by pausing the Cannonjaw for a few seconds...


    Boom!


    They were unable to.


    It never stopped shooting.


    It never stopped moving.


    Every small step towards victory that they achieved was met with a brutal counterattack.


    Their loss seemed to be set in stone, and they were caught in a stalemate.


    ***


    What the fuck am I doing here?


    Why the fuck did I join the Academy?


    It wasn''t somewhere I belonged.


    ...I never trained before being admitted.


    I mean, why would I?


    A rich girl like me had no need to.


    Instead of protecting myself with my own strength, I could have someone else do that for me, leaving me the trouble called ''hard work.''


    It wasmon sense.


    Why do what was difficult if you could avoid it?


    If I were to be the devil''s advocate however, I could argue that a certain minority of people


    would enjoy the satisfaction they felt after gaining strength and doing things with their own


    two hands.


    But that wasn''t me.


    I was not such a minority. I was an Elite.


    And as an Elite, such things were unknown to me.


    Besides, I was never called talented.


    All I did was host boring tea parties and show off to my friends with my dad''s money.


    A boring life? Maybe. But the highlights were fun, so that was that.


    Well, that doesn''t matter anymore.


    I lost that life the moment my father turned psycho.


    For someone like me who had never been hurt their entire life, such a change shocked me to


    my core.


    He hit me. His daughter.


    Mercer beat me so much that half my body had to be reced, no longer functional.


    I could''ve been healed of course, but that would reveal what he had done, so he disguised it as


    me wanting cyber-enhancements, sending shady Rippers to fix me up.


    No one questioned that.


    The whims of the Elite, they said.


    Even though they saw the consequences...


    My body rejected the metal.


    I still don''t know if it was because the Rippers messed up the procedure or because my body


    simply didn''t like it, but that didn''t matter.


    I was forced to swallow more pills than a grandpa on his deathbed.


    Immunosuppressants after immunosuppressants.


    A never-ending cycle that wouldst till the day I die.


    How clever...


    Or maybe not.


    Yeah, he wasn''t so clever.


    He was killed.


    By who?


    "...Q"


    No one knew except me.


    "u..."


    Emir... the reason everything went to hell.


    "n..."


    His defamation of my father made him turn insane!


    "...Qui.."


    That bastard ruined my life!


    Fucking-


    Ah, wait...


    "inn.."


    I finally remember why I went to the Academy.


    Yes, how did I forget?


    "...Quinn."


    Revenge.


    Dying here would end that, so I should wake up.


    "Quinn."


    Killing him will be impossible if I can''t manage to gang up on a five-core.


    Right-


    "QUINN!"


    "WHAT?!


    Opening my eyes, I shouted at the bastard who kept repeating my name.


    "...Ah."


    It was Elijah, Emir''s little brother.


    He was indeed a bastard.

 Chapter 372: Cannonjaw Crocodile IV

    Chapter 372: Cannonjaw Crocodile IV


    ?


    ***


    Elijah had returned, his objectiveplete.


    He nced around as he entered the blood-filled room, seeing his cohort members nearing death one by one.


    Jake appeared to be on hisst magazine, and Emma was desperately trying to protect Aria and keep her from an early grave.


    Sofia was still firing her anti-material rifle, but her shots were losing effectiveness; her Aether reserves almost out.


    Bang!


    The Ranger fired another bullet, hitting the third andst cannon, but it deflected off to the right, tearing through the wall.


    This was due to the construct''s movements bing unpredictable.


    After it got over the shock of losing its second cannon, it seemed to sense its own vulnerability and fought with renewed ferocity.


    Its fire rate hadn''t decreased either, shooting rocket after rocket.


    ''...Fuckin hell.''


    Upon witnessing that scene, Elijah almost felt like retreating, but he snapped himself out of that cowardly daze and adorned his Grim Veil.


    [Cover me.]


    He went right, and as he did so, a limping Quinn arrived at the tform, her skin all healed up, leaving only deep wounds inside her body.


    She went left as the two attempted to nk it.


    Quinn was in no shape to mount a proper attack; no amount of willpower would help her do that.


    She wasn''t Arthur.


    So instead, she suggested that Elijah use her as bait.


    At least her receiving an injury would matter this time.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    The Cannonjaw turned its massive head at Quinn, falling for their scheme, and its jaws snapped shut inches from her head as she barely dodged it by dashing back.


    "Spectral Scythe."


    With a burst of energy, Elijah sprinted towards the Cannonjaw, his daggers glinting in the dim light while his scythe floated around his neck.


    The construct tried to track his movements, wanting to kill him with its cannon, but quickly gave up, his blurred figure impossible to predict.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    ''Giving up'' didn''t mean that it wouldn''t shoot rockets, but simply that it wouldn''t be urate.


    "...Fuck."


    Boom! Boom!


    The sts nearly killed him but didn''t, as it was randomly shot around his body.


    He managed to avoid them moving with precision born of pure desperation, each rocket by a hair''s breadth.


    "Over here, you ugly bastard!"


    Jake shouted, attempting to draw the beast''s attention with a hail of bullets as he neared Quinn.


    "Why are you focusing on that weakling for?!"


    She joined his taunting match and rushed at the construct, hailing insults at it with each step.


    "Is that all you''ve got, you overgrown tin can?!"


    "You can''t even aim straight, you pathetic scrap heap!"


    "You''re nothing but a rusty pile of junk!"


    "I''ve seen rust buckets with more fight than you!"


    They seeded.


    Whether it was due to her words or his bullets, they would never know, but at that moment, all they thought was:


    ''YES!''


    ''ALRIGHT!''


    The feelings behind that thought didn''tst long, however.


    Quinn was about to regret grabbing its attention.


    GRARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAH!


    In response, it growled back and shot out its tail directly at her.


    ''Shit, shit, shit, shit!''


    She panicked, her eyes locked on an iing death.


    It was too fast for her to dodge.


    "Brace!"


    But she didn''t need to.


    Jake activated the runes on his augmented suit, increasing his speed, which allowed him to reach Quinn before the tail could, pushing her away.


    Thud!


    "Ah-shit!"


    He wasn''t fast enough.


    Jake only took her ce as the tail struck him down to the ground, breaking his force shield


    and leaving him out of breath, his gun no longer in his grasp.


    With all his strength, he tried to crawl towards his fallen weapon, but couldn''t.


    The massive limb was dug into his back, tearing through his flesh.


    [Emma do something!]


    He pleaded, but she was too preupied to respond, barely able to protect Aria from the Berta Scorpions, her reserves depleted.


    Bang!


    Sofia continued to fire her AMR, but the round, like thest ten, went wide as the construct moved, every step unpredictable.


    She lost her focus, strength, and Aether, which meant that she had also lost her Eagle Eyes, making her much less urate than before, not evenparable.


    It was obvious now that it was up to them, Elijah and Quinn, to win, to survive.


    But Quinn didn''t bother thinking about such a thing.


    She didn''t even look back when Jake sacrificed himself to save her.


    Sure, he didn''t do it out of the kindness of his heart, as he did it only to give her a chance to help Elijah deal the final blow, but ignoring himpletely was something else entirely.


    Yet even with that, she was stillte, Elijah was already upon the construct.


    So how was she going to distract it?


    Taunt it again; her scream feral.


    "YOU UGLY BASTARD!"


    Apparently, that short sentence was enough as the enraged Cannonjaw turned its cannon


    towards her.


    Whoosh... Boom!


    A rocket shot out and sted the ground in front of her.


    She flew back due to the impact, and this time her force shield protected her from being burnt


    to crisp, but it couldn''t protect her from the impact of crashing into the wall; the concussive dampeners in the suit not of godly state.


    "Haaaah... haaaahhh... haaahhhaa..."


    Shey there, barely conscious, her breathsing in ragged gasps.


    ''Finally!''


    Elijah, not knowing of her current state, took advantage of the distraction and leaped onto the


    Cannonjaw''s back.


    Once he reached the top, he plunged his daggers into the joints of the remaining cannon,


    using them as anchors.


    He then used his scythe to repeatedly hit the dent formed by Sofia and Jake''s many shots.


    ng-CHINK!


    The scythe''s tip pierced through, disabling the cannon without exploding it.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!


    The Cannonjaw growled in rage and twisted its massive body, trying to shake him off.


    "Woooah!"


    Elijah dove down and managed to grasp one of his daggers.


    Stomp! Stomp!


    But that wasn''t enough, the construct was moving too roughly.


    The dagger couldn''t hold his weight as he pulled it off and tumbled in a roll,nding near its


    gaping maw.


    Before he could react, the beast snapped its jaws shut around him, swallowing him whole.


    "No!"


    Sofia screamed, firing her AMR in a futile attempt to stop the inevitable.


    She was not about to lose her only rival!


    And it wasn''t only her, Jake began shooting as well.


    He was just set free when the construct went mad, forgetting that it had him under its tail as it


    swung it around aimlessly.


    Emma was still fighting off the scorpions, making a dent in the horde that arrived and


    protecting those behind her.


    Meanwhile, inside the creature''s mouth, Elijah fought to stay conscious.


    The stench of blood, decay, and gunpowder was overwhelming.


    He thought that he had grown used to it, as the outside stench was already suffocating, but


    this was on another level.


    It showed how there was always a stage above what he knew.


    But that thought was lost on the current him as he struggled to process what just happened.


    ... What was he to do now?


    Elijah could feel the walls of the beast''s throat closing in on him.


    It was going to crush him if he did nothing.


    Yet he had no idea what to do.


    His one dagger and abilities were more or less useless in such close quarters.


    But then, as he was lost in thought, he saw it-a big, glowing Aether Core at the back of then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Cannonjaw''s throat.


    Again, this moment wasn''t off celebration...


    Above that core was a cannon.


    And it was aimed directly at him.


    ''Cannonjaw Crocodile...''


    In that moment, he was reminded of why it was called that.


    Whoosh!

 Chapter 373: Taking A Breather

    Chapter 373: Taking A Breather


    ?


    That cannon must prove no adversary.


    Elijah was fully prepared for it...


    The Reaper would not fail the Devil!


    He pushed his hands forward and chanted:


    "Distant Grasp!"


    Every bit of his remaining Aether was funneled into this desperate gambit.


    The small rocket within the barrel began to move, inching forward slowly as his Aether wrapped around it, restraining it.


    His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a countdown to the moment of truth.


    The rocket trembled, straining against the invisible force holding it back.


    Sweat poured down his face, his focus unwavering despite the suffocating heat and stench surrounding him.


    The beast''s throat was tightening even further, crushing him, but he held firm, his eyes locked on the glowing Aether Core, the source of the creature''s power.


    Time seemed to stretch out, each second feeling like a thousand.


    But then...


    It all stopped.


    The rocket paused.


    Suspended in the barrel, its lethal charge held in check by Elijah''s Aether.


    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!


    Then, with a sh and a deafening growl, the rocket exploded.


    The force of the st reverberated through the Cannonjaw''s throat, shattering the cannon and sending shrapnel flying.


    Its flesh expanded fully, and Elijah was thrown backward, the impact mming him against the walls of the beast''s throat.


    Pain shot through his body, but he refused to give in.


    The explosion had done more than just destroy the cannon; it had disrupted the Cannonjaw''s internal mechanisms.


    Sparks flew and fluids leaked, the construct''s insides now a chaotic mess.


    That caused a seemingly never-ending rumble to spread through its body, and the insides where Elijah stood were no exception.


    In fact, it was where all the power was concentrated, as its throat roughly shook.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The flesh suddenly closed in on him, tightening around his body, threatening to crush him like earlier.


    Elijah didn''t wait for that to happen, he pushed himself to his feet despite the searing pain. With each step towards the Cannonjaw''s core, the crushing force grew stronger, as if gravity itself nned to tten him into a pancake, much like the construct had done to Junior.


    The pain was just that excruciating.


    Every part of his body-his head, arms, legs, stomach, and back-felt as though it was being relentlessly squeezed, forcing him down to the meaty ground.


    The pressure intensified quickly, reaching a point where even his arteries, veins, and blood vessels felt constricted.


    His vision blurred, and dizziness overcame him, along with a host of other debilitating effects that sent him to a near-death state.


    Breathing became a struggle, each huff a reminder of the unyielding force bearing down on him.


    Some might''ve felt that death was a better oue.


    But he didn''t.


    That thought didn''t even cross his mind.


    His goal was within his grasp, and he wasn''t about to let go just because of ''some'' pain.


    That mentality of his was ingrained due to the harsh training he received under Lyra and Emir.


    So, like back then, he grunted out his effort and quickened his pace as best as he could, slithering like a snake.


    And then, with a final, desperate pull, Elijah reached the core.


    He crawled through thest of its slippery meat as he plunged his dagger into the core, twisting it with all his remaining strength.


    Fsssshh-BOOM!


    There was a blinding sh of light, followed by an earth-shaking implosion.


    The Cannonjaw''s growl turned into a gurgling roar as it convulsed and copsed, its body disintegrating from the inside out.


    Elijah was caught in that chaotic implosion, aw-defying vortex that Emir once experienced but way weaker, as the Aether within the core had neared emptying out, not enough to form an Anomaly.


    Thankfully, his force shield took on most of the blow, leaving his body to deal with the aftermath.


    Even still, that roughed him up quite a bit, as he was spat out from what remained barely alive, his rolling body repeatedly crashing into the ground as it slowed him down, until he stopped at once, reaching the wall and smashing into it.


    The rest of the cohort, who were still conscious by then, watched in stunned silence as what remained of the beast turned into scrap no bigger than them.


    The tform shook, and then everything went still, the Vortex dissipating.


    The Cannonjaw Crocodile was dead.


    The Cub was no more.


    They killed a Tyrant.


    ||


    ||||


    This... it was finally a moment of celebration, but even now, no one bothered to say a thing. Elijah for one,y motionless on the ground, covered in the creature''s ichor.


    He was barely breathing, his body broken and battered.


    Sofia, the least injured person in the group, decided to check up on him, forgetting that she


    could do so using the channel.


    The others moved as well, but she was the first to reach him, her hands trembling as she


    checked for a pulse.


    Thump... Thump...


    "He''s alive," she whispered.


    [Elijah''s alive.]


    Jake, and Emma, who were on the way to them, limped over, their faces a mix of relief and


    exhaustion.


    They had won and done the impossible, but at a terrible cost.


    There was no way they could continue the mission.


    Right, killing the Cannonjaw wasn''t the objective.


    Even though the battle was over, they still had Arthur to extract, and who knew what he ended


    up encountering.


    They only hoped that it was something he could take on until they arrived.


    "Let''s get them out of here," Jake said, his voice hoarse.


    "We need to regroup and tend to our wounds."


    With great effort, and after a bit of time to heal, Jake lifted Elijah, Sofia lifted Quinn, and


    Emma lifted Aria.


    They began the slow trek back to safety, their spirits battered but unbroken.


    Junior was picked up on the way, but as Jake couldn''t carry both, he ended up dragging them


    by their feet all the way to the second drop-off point.


    It took them only a few minutes, as there were no monsters on the way.


    It wasn''t hard to figure out why, as every Berta Scorpion in the vicinity hade to the chaos


    that was their battle against the Cub.


    Anyhow, once they stepped foot in the point, they were met with a man wearing the UEF''s


    insignia, indicating that he was sent from HQ.


    He weed them with open arms.


    "We know of your victory, and we thank you. You''ve made a hard week turn into an easy day."


    They ignored him and passed by.


    "H-Hey, wait!"


    They didn''t, continuing forward.


    "Listen!"


    Their ears acted deaf, taking his words in one way and out the other.


    "Please! It''s important!"


    They seemed to not know what that word meant.


    "...We have a reward for you!"


    But that one they did.


    It perked up their ears and slowed their steps.


    They gave the man a bit of face, while still not stopping, as they were heading to the trauma


    team respondents near the exits.


    "What is it?"


    "Better make it worth our blood!"


    "...Hm?"


    Smiling with returned confidence, the man jogged for a second till he reached them and then


    matched their pace, used to being treated in such a way.


    "That Cub would''ve ruined an entire week''s profit at a minimum if you didn''t stop it when you did. So with that in mind,bined with the bounty for killing it, the reward we decided


    to give you amounted to one Valora per person."


    That was seven coins.


    Seven Veez.


    Seven billion UC.


    An insane amount.


    But to them?


    The Elite and Azazel?


    That was nothing.


    Well, with the exception of Quinn.


    She had little to no money before Emir sponsored her.


    Now anyone worth their salt would''ve reached that conclusion, meaning that it wouldn''t have


    been missed by HQ.


    So before they could react with displeasure, the man continued:


    "But as we know that money is no object to you, we managed to get our hands on a few twenty


    percent off coupons that could be used for any transaction with the Big Eight."


    Jake grinned, Emma smiled, and Sofia subtly nodded her head.


    "Now we''re talking!"


    "That ''few'' better be seven!"


    "Good."


    The man sped his hands at those reactions, seeing it as an opportune moment to bring in


    the infamous ''but.''


    "But in return, we want you to sign an NDA about what happened there."


    The three looked at him, then looked at each other, and then the two girls turned to Jake,


    asking the obvious.


    "Sure. Let''s see if he replies."


    Using his HUD which was connected to his terminal, he scrolled through his contacts and


    called up Emir.


    It rang once, twice, and a third, stopping at the fourth as the call was connected.

 Chapter 374: Taking A Breather II

    Chapter 374: Taking A Breather II


    ?


    ***


    [Anyone die?]


    Emir sat in a lotus position on top of his APC, his eyes trained on a Twin-Headed Cannonjaw Crocodile in the distance.


    In front of the construct was a cruiser belonging to Evan, moving as fast as it could away from the chasing Cub.


    On top of that cruiser were the remains of what appeared to be mechs, strapped to it with chains.


    [No, but if we don''t move quick enough, Arthur just might.]


    Even though such a scenario would be a hard blow to his cranium, Emir didn''t react, choosing to clown on him instead:


    [Then move quick enough.]


    Jake''s sigh echoed in his mind and he chuckled, proud of himself.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Anyways HQ got us a few coupons as a reward for killing a Cannonjaw but they want us to sign an NDA.]


    Emir closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.


    [Does it stack with ck Cards?]


    [...]


    After a few seconds of silence, presumably to ask the agent, Jake answered:


    [Yes, no issues there.]


    [Then sign the binding contract. They''ll take that kill off your hunter history as well but don''t mind it. You won''t be bragging about a Cub.]


    [Wait, you mean they''ll delete our records? He didn''t mention that.]


    Emir snickered.


    [Of course not, you think they sent him for no reason? Their tongues are shrewd.]


    [...I guess. Alright, that''s all, good luck with the Corpos!]


    [Thanks.]


    Ending the call, Emir returned his attention to their surroundings, his eyes scanning the dunes around them as they had done a thousand times in the past hour.


    Usually, that job would be left to the vehicle''s information-gathering device, but they had them turned off.


    As they reached the halfway point to Corp za more than an hour ago, a cruiser, undetected on their radar, sped past them.


    That signaled two things to the cohort.


    First, that cruiser was in ghost mode, which meant that they didn''t want to be detected.


    That showed that they were either afraid of something or wanted to surprise something or


    someone.


    But the second point indicated the former.


    They had the peddle to the metal, abusing the engine to go as fast as it could, escaping from death.


    So Emir didn''t even question it.


    Without hesitation, hemanded everyone to shut off their devices and turn on ghost mode, so their vehicles wouldn''t produce any signals either.


    No neural signals would be detected.


    It all went well, at least until Jake called.


    As the bossman of many, Emir couldn''t have his terminal off, emergencies could happen at any time.


    So he did the next best thing, by having it turn on only when an important person in his contacts called.


    That person ended up being Jake.


    And his short call, which in essence wasn''t that important, had brought the attention of a Cub.


    An evolved version of the Cannonjaw that his little brother fought.


    Now that construct thankfully didn''t call its friends over, so they simply watched as it chased after them for no reason other than entertainment.


    But that eventually got boring.


    Emir wanted to ride his motorcycle again.


    Cultivating on top of the APC simply didn''tpare to when it was done on his mechanical steed.


    The APC was too safe and sturdy; it lessened the feeling of speed.


    His Z5, however?


    There woulde a point where everything just faded.


    The machine would be weightless, almost disappearing.


    Most of his mind would be too preupied with cultivation, leaving only a body moving through space and time.


    10,000 RPM.


    That was where he always encountered it.


    He would feel it approaching, creeping up on him, closing in on his ears...


    And it would ask a question-the only question that mattered.


    "Are you free?"


    No... no, Emir wasn''t.


    The noose was still tight around his neck.


    Ticked off, he stood up and eyed the Twin-head Cannonjaw.


    He then brandished his twin swords, and his body glowed with Aether.


    Whoosh!


    Before the others could even register his movements, he disappeared, reappearing before the construct in an instant.


    "Die."


    ...It did.


    His body tore through it like a spear, slicing a hole from the top of its mouth to the base of its tail, killing it before it could react.


    A monster many times stronger than the ones the students had killed was done in by him in


    mere moments.


    Such disparity wasn''t unusual, not at all...


    The others knew that very well.


    So when they finally noticed what happened, seeing Emir return to his APC with blood


    dripping off his Aetheric Shield, they remained silent.


    It wasn''t as if they could telepathicallymunicate in the first ce, preventing them from


    making their usual quips.


    ''I forgot how loud they were...''


    With a chuckle, Emir retrieved his motorbike from the back of the APC and weaved through his cohort''s vehicles, reaching the front and leaving the onboard AI to drive the APC.


    Time passed, and they kept up the incognito situation, rxing and training till they reached


    their destination.


    ***


    "I''m Maria, a doctor from Second Life; may I know your name?"


    "Sir Hunter, please do tell me your name; I need it to continue."


    The voice repeated.


    And I, for some reason, found myselfpelled to quickly answer, despite how sluggish I


    felt:


    "...Elijah."


    An approving sound reached my ears alongside a lot of clutter in the near background. "While you were unconscious, we healed you to full health. Now your body simply needs to wake up, and the grogginess will disappear. Do you want that?"


    As if talking to a child, the doctor asked me a question that she knew I would say yes to, but I didn''t fault her for it, not that I wanted to, because I knew that she meant well and that this


    was a part of the process.


    "...Yes."


    Another approving hum resounded as she asked:


    "Then... Sir Elijah, can you look at me?"


    Groggily blinking my eyes open, my vision finally saw something other than the dark, as I had


    been in a state of near consciousness for quite a while.


    "That ''something'' was the doctor.


    Maria, unlike the many hunters around me, had average looks, ck hair, and eyes, wearing a


    whiteb coat above an E-10 augmented suit.


    She held a tablet-sized terminal, noting down words as she scanned me from top to bottom, presumably checking on my stats.


    Once she picked up on my gaze, it held her focus for a moment, as she appeared to scrutinize


    my blue eyes.


    "Hm... You''re fine. Go to your cohort, they''re waiting for you near the second exit."


    ||||


    Not knowing what to say, I nodded and stood up, feeling as if I hadn''t moved in years, my joints creaking, in need of lubricant, WX-40 perhaps.


    My feet moved through grime, dried blood, and wounded hunters, screaming for medical


    attention.


    "Help me! I can''t see, oh lord, I can''t see!"


    "My arm! Where''s my arm? Somebody, please!" "Medic! We need a medic over here! He''s bleeding out!"


    "Please, I''m begging you, it hurts so much! My ear... I can''t hear anything!"


    "The pills...no! They''re gone! What do I do? What do I do?"


    A chaotic scene that I wanted no part in.


    As I approached the exit she mentioned, I saw my cohort in the distance, and they did me,


    waving in my direction.


    "C''mon, youzy shit!"


    "d you got up, but you really took your time!"


    "Get a move on!"


    "Good morning, bro~."


    "...You''rete."


    Maybe I should have stayed knocked out.


    ***


    They spoke one by one, with Jake going first, followed by Emma, Aria, Xavier, and Sofia, who


    surprisingly spoke her mind, getting ustomed to their group of whipped-up hunters.


    "How long did you guys wait?"


    Junior and Elijah half-hugged each other, as he scanned the rest, looking for Quinn.


    "Not more than ten minutes. Also, she''s not here, Maria couldn''t heal her."


    Stepping back and raising his brow at Emma, he asked:


    "Why not? And did that Maria heal all of us?"


    Emma shook her head.


    "Dunno, but yeah, that one is from the Hub. They brought her for you students. Just as we


    arrived here, she healed Aria, Junior, and now you, taking only a few minutes, almost as if she


    was deleting your wounds from having ever happened."


    Jake gestured for them to move while nodding.


    "Wild analogy, but I agree. I guess that''s what you get from the professors in the Academy,


    only the best."


    Aria crossed her arms and tried to mask a giggle.


    "Right, like Ava''s ever going to catch up."


    Elijah shrugged his shoulders and asked:


    "So are we leaving Quinn behind?" Junior answered while bumping his shoulder:


    "No, we sent her out. Hopefully, her Ripperes soon and fixes her back up."


    Looking away, Elijah let out an exacerbated sigh, calming his mind. ''Hope huh... Well, I can only hope that bastard Arthur is still alive.''

 Chapter 375: The Sharpest Tool In The Shed

    Chapter 375: The Sharpest Tool In The Shed


    ?


    ***


    [Are you guys sure? Really, really sure? They looked too threatening.]


    [Certain, boy. Those are just bigger-sized Berta Scorpions, evolved as you call them; nothing to worry about.]


    [What he said. And you should stop worrying so much. There''s a time to be cautious and a time to take action. This is the time to take action.]


    Arthur stood still on a tform next to the train tracks.


    He was at the fourth drop-off point, an empty ce where all its hunters had run away, due to the Cannonjaw''s arrival.


    This point was deeper underground, so it had no straight exit to the outside world like the earlier three, which made it so that only the bravest of hunters would dive here.


    Well... the bravest or the stupidest. Most times, both.


    Arthur leaned more on the stupid side however, repeatedly falling for his AIs'' words until he reached this ''point'' of no return.


    He surely was not the sharpest tool in the shed.


    [Sure, sure, I''ll do it! Fine! Stop with the lectures.]


    Yagami floated away, juggling an apple between his hands, as he snidelymented:


    [It ain''t my fault you''re a pussy.]


    The old man let out a heartyugh, joining his conniving friend.


    [Oh, ain''t that true!]


    Clicking his tongue, Arthur ignored them and slowly dropped down to the train tracks.


    His steps then echoed loudly in the quiet hall that he moved across.


    Flickering lights showed him the way forward, and he moved with hesitant feet, afraid of any construct that might suddenly pop out.


    The many shadows around him involuntarily attracted his eyes, and he felt them move every time he scanned them.


    Slowly, he began to feel suffocated, his mind exhausted.


    The paranoia was getting to him¡ª


    [Boo!]


    "AAAAAAAHHHHH!"


    His heart almost jumped out of his throat as he fell back, body momentarily frozen due to the


    scare.


    Never in his life did he expect Yagami to act this way, especially not when they were this deep in monster territory.


    "You..."


    Arthur red at him with hatred, about to chew him out, but the old man''sughter interfered, stopping him from screaming out loud:


    [Ahahahahaha! Rx boy, you''ve got that info-gathering device for a reason.]


    Yagami nodded in agreement, pushing his sses up his face.


    [Exactly. The current you is too tense to use it properly. You have to calm down.]


    ""


    As their host stayed quiet, the salesman continued his lecture:


    [Look, unlike those naturals who just seem to know where every monster is without even thinking about it, deeming it as instinct while it''s just them subconsciously using the device, you have to do it manually. Think of it like training wheels. Maybe one day you''ll get to their level, but for now, let''s focus on getting you to getfortable with it.]


    Arthur, who was already frustrated at how they were treating him, couldn''t hold it in andshed out, those words setting him aze:


    [Do you think I don''t know that?! I know I''m weak, untalented! That''s why you''re here!] Roughling his hair, he let out an exacerbated sigh.


    [...Fucking-]


    But as he was about to go off on them even more...


    Ping!


    His radar beeped.


    He was interrupted once again.


    But this time it wasn''t some annoying lecture...


    It was a matter of life and death.


    Something was approaching from behind.


    It was moving at a fast pace, way faster than any of the scorpions he fought.


    Its steps didn''t sound like them either; it almost sounded... human?


    "Wait right there, you bastard!"


    He was a human. A familiar one.


    With another step forward, he revealed himself.


    It was a student. An Elite student. One that Arthur knew very well.


    "I caught you bitch!"


    Max.


    ''What the fuck is he doing here?!''


    Arthur stepped to the side as Max got close, punching the air where he just was, and tripping


    on a rail.


    His body fell face-first onto the metal, his forehead smashing against it.


    Bang!


    A crispy bullet-like sound resounded, and Arthur basked in that moment, enjoying seeing his bully in an embarrassing position.


    "Ugh... Fuck!"


    Max pushed himself up and turned to face him, his eyes as fiery as his dirty red hair.


    "You-... I know you. That Arthur kid, right? The fuck are you doing here?!"


    It seemed that the bully forgot about the time when he sent his goons after Arthur, and the blessed protagonist wasn''t about to remind him of that.


    "T-That''s what I want to ask!"


    Cracking his neck, he looked around while saying:


    "I was chasing an impure bastard that dared talk shit! I swear I''ll have him dead if it''s thest


    thing I''ll do!"


    "T-There''s no one here but me..."


    Max shrugged at Arthur''s admittance, believing his words to be true, knowing that he


    wouldn''t lie for no reason.


    "Useless weakling..."


    "..."


    Being called that for the umpteenth time today angered Arthur, but he held it in.


    There was no denying; Max would fold him in half if they fought.


    "Hah, what did I expect?"


    Dismissively shrugging his shoulders, Max walked away, heading deeper down the train tracks.


    His words were meant to get a rise out of Arthur, copying what Emir had done to him, but as the Blessed kept quiet, shuddering in boots, the only response he got was disappointment.


    ''This bastard... One day you''ll lick my feet-...what?''


    Arthur watched as his back got further and further away, but then his eyes picked up on


    movement.


    A small section of the wall next to Max had moved...


    No, it wasn''t the wall itself, but a creature hidden above, Camouged as if it were a part of


    it.


    Why was it here?


    The ivemantis constructs were supposed to have been wiped out on the fourth point up.


    But before he could think about that, his eyes widened as he watched the ivemantis descend from its hidden perch.


    The creature moved with an eerie fluidity, its exoskeleton blending with the wall until thest


    moment.


    It was a predator perfected by nature, and now it was here, hunting.


    The ivemantis'' dark, iridescent gray carapace shimmered under the flickering lights,


    giving it an almost ghostly appearance.


    The creature had ive-like forelimbs, each about four feet long and razor-sharp.


    Hidden beneath its armored carapace were wings, which made a soft rustling sound as it


    prepared to pounce.


    Its multifaceted, glowing eyes locked onto Max, who still grumbled under his breath,pletely unaware.


    Arthur, his heart beating further out of his chest, knew he had to act fast.


    The situation was dire; the death of a student would affect the entire ss, and they might not


    allow them on these ''field trips'' anymore...


    Maybe, just maybe, he could use his luck and turn this around.


    But what could he do?


    Shoot it? Were his inscriptions enough? Would the assault rifle itself even be strong enough to


    handle his inscriptions going at max capacity? It was an AR-HA2 from Hyperion Arms, the


    best he could buy, so it definitely should, right?


    Frankly, he was scared out of his wits.


    His radar only picked up a faint signal from Max, which meant there could be more monsters


    lurking around that he wasn''t aware of, waiting for him to get distracted.


    If helping Max earned their attention, could he handle it?


    [Boy, what are you waiting for?! Do something!]


    The old man''s voice cut through his paralysis-like state, urgent.


    Arthur, spurred by his words, did, in fact, do ''something.''


    He raised his gun and pointed it at the construct, his aim slightly off its weak point, but he


    knew his luck would make the difference.


    "BEHIND YOU!"


    Whoosh!


    As if on cue, the mantis attacked its prey, lunging forward onto Max.


    Click.


    The moment he pressed the trigger, Yagami''s earlier words echoed in his mind:


    ''A time to be cautious and a time to take action.''


    This was the time for action! Aether was sucked out of him in an instant as the runes inscribed on his assault rifle glowed


    brightly, almost blinding him.


    Ratatatatatatatat!


    Max spun around at the sound of gunfire and Arthur''s scream, his eyes widening in shock as he


    took in the sight of the monstrous creature bearing down on him.


    For a moment, a sh of fear flickered in his eyes, quickly reced by rage at the thought of


    being considered prey by the construct.


    But it was toote.


    Before the bullets could reach, the ivemantis struck with lightning speed, its ive-like


    forelimbs slicing through the air.


    Max barely had time to react, throwing up his arms in a desperate attempt to shield himself.


    "AAAAHHHHHH!"


    The creature''s des cut deep, ignoring his force shield, treating it as nothing but air, and


    sending him sprawling to the ground with a scream of pain.


    Only then, when Maxy on the ground, blood seeping from the wounds on his arms and


    chest, did his bullets reach the ivemantis.


    ng! ng! ng! ng! ng!


    It sounded as if metal was hitting metal as each bullet smacked into its left front leg, cracking


    it bit by bit, until it suddenly broke in half, causing it to fall to the ground.


    Shrieeek!


    A hiss-like shriek resounded as Arthur continued to dump his entire mag into it, breaking the


    other legs in the process.


    The ivemantis tried to move, drag itself away with its ive appendages, but Max wasn''t about to allow that to happen.


    Breathing heavily, he groaned and stood up, his mad eyes locked on the dying construct as he


    punched out with his right arm.


    "Iron Fist!"


    Despite his injuries, a notable current of Aether congregated around his hand and was


    released forth.


    It struck the mantis hard, smashing it into the wall and killing it, as its head and most of its


    body were crushed by the attack.


    Arthur, in the middle of reloading his weapon, stopped and let out a sigh of relief.


    But that was something he was about to regret.


    Another ivmantis appeared above, forsaking its Camouge as it pounced on him,


    threatening to cut his head off.


    "DRAGONS ROAR!"


    Max interfered before that could happen, his ability momentarily freezing the construct with


    fear, causing it to simply crash into Arthur and send him to the ground.


    Panicked, Arthur reloaded with trembling hands and began shooting the life out of the


    creature, killing it from underneath.


    It died before it could make any sound, slumping over Arthur, and trapping him under its


    weight.


    He tried to push it off, as it was suffocating him, but he was too weak.


    Was he seriously about to die like this?


    "I don''t owe you anymore."


    No, that wouldn''t be fitting for the protagonist of this world.


    Max easily pushed off the construct with one hand while the other shoved old-world medicine


    down his throat.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After taking in a heavy breath, Arthur coughed a few times and then looked at Max.


    "Haaa... T-Thank... you...?"


    Though he thanked him, he was confused whether he should or not, hence the ''question


    mark.''


    "No need..."


    Pausing his words, Max took his gaze off Arthur and looked around, scanning the room with


    furrowed brows.


    "It''s too early for that."


    Arthur did the same and then realized a horror truth.


    They were surrounded.

 Chapter 376: The Sharpest Tool In The Shed II

    Chapter 376: The Sharpest Tool In The Shed II


    ?


    [Boy... we didn''t mean this to happen.]


    [I... you proved yourself. We''re sorry for encouraging you toe here.]


    The two weren''t lying by saying that.


    They only wanted him to lose a limb or two-nothing major.


    But this was more than that.


    Two students were about to lose their lives.


    They had to run away.


    [You should run, Ar-]


    [No.]


    With that single word, Arthur denied them and stepped forward.


    He wanted to show them-truly show them that he was something to be reckoned with.


    The reward didn''t matter anymore.


    For the first time in his depressing life, Arthur felt a glimmer of hope.


    Maybe the current him wasn''t as useless as he thought.


    Maybe he could do this with his own efforts.


    The systems be damned; he was enough!


    ***


    "HELP US!"


    "PLEAAASE! ANYONNNEEE!!!"


    "WE''RE ACADEMY STUDENTS!"


    The cohort walked in on a disaster.


    Their trek to the fourth drop-off point didn''t take more than two minutes as they went full speed ahead.


    And in those two minutes, plus a few before, Arthur had lost all his will to fight.


    He left Max on his own as he ran around like a headless chicken, barely making it by the skin of his teeth.


    Every attack missed due to his insane luck.


    The constructs tripped, attacked each other, or simply missed.


    Arthur, despite his earlier resolve, found himself cornered at each turn, his back pressed against the cold, damp wall of the underground chamber as he dodged yet another swipe. His trembling hands held on to his assault rifle for dear life, his breathing in ragged gasps.


    Meanwhile, Max, bleeding and battered, swung wildly at the ivemantis constructs, his rage fueling his every move.


    He was taking most of them on, getting hurt with each exchange.


    They had to interfere now if those two were to survive.


    "Arthur! Max!"


    Junior''s voice boomed through the chaos, and they snapped their heads at him, surprised. "X-Xavier?!"


    "The fuck?"


    They weren''t the only ones who had their attention taken away, as the ivemantis andrger Berta Scorpions had also focused on the iing intruders.


    "We''re here to get you out! Professor''s orders."


    At Jake''s statement, the cohort moved with practiced precision, their teamwork strengthened by the battle against the Cannonjaw Crocodile.


    Junior led the charge, his shield and sword at the ready, while Jake and Sofia provided covering fire.


    Emma and Aria nked them, their staffs glowing with Ice and Flora.


    Elijah darted between the constructs, his daggers gleaming in the dim light.


    "Focus on the ivemantises!"


    Jakemanded, and Junior nted his shield firmly into the ground.


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    A translucent barrier shimmered into existence, setting a temporary safe point and deflecting the iing attacks from the Berta Scorpions.


    The ivemantises were still taken aback by the sudden reinforcements, but they didn''t hesitate for long, joining the scorpions in their attack by blending into the wall, attempting to nk the group.


    "Aegis Of Radiance!"


    Once he got the buff, Jake aimed his assault rifle at the nearest of them and fired a burst of runic bullets, not allowing them to get close.


    The projectiles struck the creatures'' carapaces, cracking them and causing them to screech in


    pain.


    Sofia, positioned at the back, lined up her anti-material rifle and fired precise shots, severing the ivemantises'' limbs one by one.


    "Ice Bolt!"


    Emma chanted,unching arrow after arrow of ice that struck the constructs in their eyes.


    With each sessful hit, the creatures recoiled, momentarily blinded.


    "Entangling Roots!"


    Aria followed, her spell sending roots snaking across the ground to ensnare the blinded ivemantises as they were easier targets.


    The roots tightened around their legs, restricting their movement, and then slowly crawled


    up the constructs.


    When inside, they squeezed, slowly killing them.


    Elijah seized the opportunity as well and killed the other blinded ones that Aria couldn''t,


    leaping onto their backs with his Spectral Scythe in hand.


    He drove it into the creatures'' exoskeletons, repeatedly striking them as they thrashed wildly


    until death was a result.


    They killed many, but it wasn''t enough, even more attacked, while most of the Berta


    Scorpions remained uncontested.


    Junior''s barrier began to crack under their assault, but he held firm.


    "Now, while they''re distracted!"


    With his signal, Max came at them from behind, punching them to death with his Rapid


    Strikes.


    He had just killed those in the background, leaving only the constructs attacking the cohort.


    That allowed him free reign, and he went as wild as his strength allowed, forsaking defense for all-out offense, trusting that Junior''s bulwark wouldst.


    While all that happened, Arthur stood alone, quite a distance behind Max, still in shock.


    [It''s fine boy, you can redeem yourself!]


    [me it on us and go. There''s no shame in being scared.]


    His AIs urged him to move, trying to quell his emotions about what had happened, but it was


    no use; his feet felt stuck to the ground.


    He was still terrified.


    If Jake''s cohort hadn''t arrived, he might''ve even pissed himself.


    But when Max''s voice echoed through the chamber with a powerful "DRAGONS ROAR!"


    freezing another construct in fear, Arthur felt the opposite.


    The fear drained away, leaving him truly resolute.


    He moved, not wasting the chance, and emptied his magazine into the immobilized creature.


    Ratatatatatatatatatatatat!


    His assault rifle spat out bullets, each one finding its mark.


    The ivemantis he targeted shrieked as its carapace shattered under the onught, and it


    died not a secondter.


    "We''re almost done!"


    He celebrated his kill, about to pump his fist, when he barely stopped himself.


    Those who saw that ignored it and focused on their own battles.


    With coordinated efforts, the cohort whittled down the remaining constructs.


    Sofia''s AMR rounds, Jake''s enhanced gun, Emma''s ice arrows, and Aria''s roots created a


    relentless barrage that the constructs couldn''t withstand.


    Elijah, and Max, with the help of Junior, ended those closest, protecting those four and allowing them to go all out without worry.


    Arthur had a kill here and there, helping them slightly.


    His time to kill was random, unlike Jake, as not every bullet he shot had the buff of the runes


    he inscribed.


    After all, luck was what made his runes be of use, his casino-like build going hard at work to


    make up for the mistakes.


    And as he was dumping another mag into a Berta Scorpion, shooting it even though it was


    already dead, a loud bullet rang out.


    Bang!


    It was Sofia''s, and it marked the end of the battle.


    A final, thunderous screech, announced the falling of thest construct.


    The hall fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the exhausted hunters.


    Junior lowered his shield, panting, his cracked bulwark dissipating.


    "Is everyone alright?"


    Max staggered to the nearest wall, rested his back on it, and red at Arthur.


    "You... actually helped."


    Arthur, still trembling, managed a weak smile.


    "Yeah... I guess I did."


    Elijah sheathed his daggers, surveying the carnage.


    "We need to get out of here before more of them show up."


    Emma and Aria nodded, their staffs'' elemental light fading.


    "That was something!"


    "You two better be thankful!"


    Sofia kept her AMR at the ready, her eyes scanning the shadows.


    || ||


    Jake pped a hand on Arthur''s shoulder.


    "You did good, kid. Let''s get out of here, yeah?"


    "Y-Yeah..."


    As they made their way back to safety, Arthur couldn''t help but feel a sense of


    aplishment.


    Even though he barely contributed to the fight, for once, he had faced his fears and emerged


    victorious.


    The AIS might have led him here, but it was his own determination that saw him through.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    While he would''ve liked a reward, he actually didn''t mind this...


    "Are they gone?"


    A voice resounded in a whisper, just where their battle took ce.


    It was cold, monotone, and almost familiar.


    "They are."


    Stepping out from one of the many holes in the wall, a man dressed in ck, with every limb


    and part of his body covered, surveyed the area.


    "So what do you think, Ben?"


    Another man joined him, barely visible under the flickering light.


    "Not bad. Guess we weren''t needed."


    They truly weren''t.


    Or so some might think.


    "For this? Sure, but if not for me, that Quinn and Xavier would be without legs."


    A third man revealed himself, joining the rest.


    "Right, good job deflecting that rocket, but well..."


    The fourth andst person in this group was now revealed, as he dropped down while saying:


    "Technically, if I didn''t manipte that dumbass into pushing her, she would''ve escaped


    without help."


    The second one chuckled.


    "Maybe, but Max wouldn''t have caught up with Arthur if we hadn''t done that."


    Ben shook his head, his tiny slits for eyes blinking.


    "Don''t bother thinking too much. We did good, bossman told us to make sure that she suffered, and that''s what we did."


    Indeed... ''Bossman'' was the one whomanded this ninja group.


    It was the same group he had used to keep track of Arthur before the entrance exam, his


    hidden card among many.


    The group was made up of Nathan''s men, as well as tens of others that Emir had picked after


    much scrutiny.


    And yes, it wasn''t only them here; they simply were the best of the lot, made to protect the ''named'' characters while the rest took care of the ''unnamed.''


    If it wasn''t obvious by now, Max had met Arthur because he chased the third one around.


    Even though Max lost him, he still managed to sniff their location like the mad dog he was, baited into joining Arthur.


    So that whole time he cried to his mommy who abandoned him, Arthur was safe from harm, with four guardian angels watching over him.


    Emir could''ve had them save Arthur, but he wanted to train the students as well.


    Jake and Emma were no exception, they were still far from where he wanted them to be.


    And true enough, everyone got closer to what he wanted from them today.


    His w didn''t start acting up and that was to be expected.


    The n went smoothly if one ignored a few hups, mainly the unexpected appearance of


    the Cannonjaw Crocodile.


    No matter how strong one got, ounting for every variable could only be deemed


    impossible.


    But he didn''t n for that.


    His personality was careful, perhaps too careful, all due to the unending paranoia he felt, but


    even he knew that such a goal was an utter delusion, no matter how pristine it sounded.


    So even though there were many moving parts, he retained control, not trying to overstep any


    boundaries.


    The ''puppets'' danced along nicely to his tune as if he was there, pulling them into ce.


    "Truly... there is no one sharper."


    The second of the four smiled as he said that, proud to have such a leader.


    "He''s not here, you don''t need to lick his shoes so much."


    "Nah, wait till he''s around; this guy will shut his trap and won''t even breathe."


    "True true..."


    While the others began to ridicule him, Ben pulled up his terminal.


    "I''ll check up on bossman. Stand down for now."


    Ring... Ring...


    Ring... Ring...


    Ring... Ring...


    Ring--


    [...]


    [Hello, Sir Emir, can you hear me?]


    [...]


    [We''vepleted our mission. Do you copy?]


    [...]


    [...Sir?]


    Toot-Toot~


    "Fuck!"


    The call suddenly ended, and he grew worried, turning to his contacts once more, about to


    dial Lyra, but the second of them stopped him, cing a hand on his shoulder.


    "Check the weather."


    Ben did that at once, not questioning him, the information appearing in his HUD, a tiny


    hologram before his eyes.


    And in a moment...


    "What?"


    His eyes widened.


    "It''s raining?"

 Chapter 377: Corp Plaza

    Chapter 377: Corp za


    ?


    ***


    In known history, two Cold Wars have taken ce.


    The first was beyond ancient, suspected to have happened before Earth''s technological singrity.


    A time before the old world even existed. Many tens of millennia ago.


    It might be more than that, by much, no Earthener knew.


    That information wasn''t shared by the Order.


    This estimate they had was based on scientific evidence that the UEF managed to gather, so like the history books that filled the Archives shelves, it wasn''t somethingpletely reliable.


    But even though this information had to be taken with a mountain of salt, it could still be trusted... somewhat.


    Anyhow, the first Cold War saw the Soviet Union and its allies, the Eastern Bloc, fight proxy wars with the United States and their own allies, the Western Bloc.


    The date wasn''t specified, but it must''ve begun after the Second World War and ended with the fall of the Soviet Union.


    Communism had copsed, and Capitalism thrived.


    The consequences of that were still present to the current day, but not manyined, themies were still unpopr.


    Everyone hated the Liberation Army and their brotherhood.


    While they weren''t exactlymunists, they gained thatbel simply because they were enemies of the UEF and the Big Eight.


    Such was the battle of minds, make your enemy inhuman to justify their annihtion.


    Was it the first time?... Certainly not.


    An unarguable example of this trick urred in the Second Cold War.


    A war that was known more about.


    After all, it was the Cold War that turned hot, erupting into nuclear Armageddon instead of a cute little arms race that culminated in the deaths of rtively few Japanese.


    Many things happened, and it would be too long to list but the summary of that was this: "The ck gue, white death, and that undying COVID strainbined had nothing on that day. Not even if all warsbined into one would they prove to be adequatepetition." In a single day, Earth ceased to exist.


    Life on the surface was extinguished.


    Human idiocy wasn''t to be underestimated.


    Thankfully, world leaders learned their lesson after that day.


    Well... at least on the surface.


    That was an improvement, no?


    Probably not.


    Actually, they didn''t learn their lesson at all.


    Instead of fighting with weapons, they fought with credits, only ending lives if there was no other option.


    That wasn''t because they felt merciful, but because they knew that it''d be used against them by the rest,


    The question was... When did this new one start?


    It was recent-seventy-six years back.


    Once corporations fully established themselves, this new Cold War brewed behind the scenes. Though it was secret, it had affected the lives of many, forcing the UEF to intervene.


    They had built Corp za for them, an arena that became the melting pot where the war slowly cooked.


    Spies and espionage between corporations weremonce. Treachery was expected. Most would even call it the bare minimum, for the battle highly depended on information. This new Cold War was more than just a shadow conflict; it was a maze of double-dealing. The Big Eight, each with their own agendas, engaged in a never-ending waltz.


    It wasn''t just about who had the best products or the most innovative technology-it was about who could outmaneuver, outwit, and oust their rivals in the game of corporate espionage.


    In the corridors of high floors, CEOS and executives whispered ns in soundproof rooms, their words veiled inyers of subtext and innuendo.


    Every handshake concealed a hidden dagger, every smile masked a sinister intent.


    Corporate espionage became an industry unto itself, with specialists,weavers, and spies all ying their part.


    Information was the currency of this war, and everyone had a price.


    They infiltrated each other''s ranks, nted moles and sleeper agents deep within theirpetitors.


    ckmail, bribery, and extortion were just tools of the trade.


    It was a ce where alliances were made and broken in the blink of an eye, where yesterday''s


    ally could be today''s enemy.


    Loyalty did not exist in their vocabry.


    Employees were often caught in the crossfire, their careers and lives jeopardized by the


    machinations of their superiors.


    Whistleblowers and defectors faced dire consequences-disappearances, ''idents,'' or


    worse.


    Public trust in the corporations had long since eroded, but the web of corruption ensured that no one could challenge their dominance without bing entangled in the same dirty game, making them no different than the Goliath they im to be the David of.


    Projects were sabotaged, innovations stolen, and reputations destroyed, and that was an everyday urrence.


    Of course, this war wouldn''t have continued to this day if not for who the average man called


    Fixers.


    Every corporation had them-men and women-whose job was to clean up the messes, to bury the scandals, and silence the inconvenient truths.


    These fixers operated in the underbelly of all sectors, alongside the gangs, their work unseen but vital to maintaining the facade of legitimacy.


    They bribed officials, doctored documents, and asionally, made people disappear, usually


    by assassination.


    The Academy could be considered one of them, as Emir and Co had to do the dirty work that guaranteed its existence, only instead of killing people, they killed constructs and monsters.


    But... no matter what was said, at the end of the day, the UEF had contained the war.


    That was enough.


    While seeing the rotting chaos and instability their decision brought almost made them


    regret their decision, they would still do it again if given the chance.


    After all, the Order was involved, and if the Big Eight were concentrated in a single ce, their influence would spread slower.


    In the Third Cold War, there were no clear winners or losers, only survivors.


    And the war continued to brew, each side waiting for the moment to strike, to tip the bnce


    of power in their favor.


    Unfortunately, this bnce was soon going to tip.


    The UEF had no idea, nor did seven of the other corporations, leaving only one.


    For all their schemes, they never expected the one to light the war on fire to be an unknown


    employee, an impure.


    But Emir knew that.


    He hade to steal his invention like he did Arthur''s Aether Core.


    How did he know?


    The ''novel'' was a great teacher.


    His and Laura''spany, Prince Emporium had reached the limit.


    Mariana''spany, Hunters Den, did so as well.


    There was no more room for growth.


    The demand was too little, so no matter how much they increased their supply, their margins


    wouldn''t change by much.


    Now, even though they were almost trillionaires, only if Emir''s personal Valora was added of course, they still needed more, it wasn''t even close to being enough.


    Investing and the like wasn''t going to cut it, not that they could do so in the first ce, there


    was no stock market.


    Thest time such a term was used was during the Old World, not so much after it.


    If one wanted to buy ''interest'' in apany or corporation, they had to transact directly with them, requiring an attorney, banker, and other professionals.


    It was too much of a hassle, and there was a high chance that they wouldn''t ept his credits,


    they might even be dumb enough to try to spy on him or leak his information.


    So with all that in mind, Emir decided to find a problem and create a solution.


    That was the fastest way to make credits.


    And what was faster than stealing both the problem and solution from someone who had


    already worked on it for many years?


    The poor man was employed at Apex Dynamics, his neck caught in their chains. Usually, in scenarios like these, emotion would influence the ''protagonist''s'' decision to either make them help the pitiful genius inventor or add them to their team.


    But Emir''s n was far simpler than that much easier.


    The patent about Gravbikes he spent so many years designing?


    He would steal it, but not before killing the guy, extracting everything out of him, and


    breaking his mind.


    Gravbikes were already a thing, but their speed was slow since the systems installed on other maic repulsion-equipped vehicles weren''t able to fit in theirpact frames.


    So only the Elite used them, and it was for fun. Not inbat, and definitely not in the


    wastnd.


    There was the want, the ''problem,'' now they had to fulfill it, provide a ''solution,'' something


    different, better.


    Emir thought of many names on the way but eventually settled on Sparrow.


    Wasn''t that a good name?


    The name wasn''t the only thing he would change.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He also nned to attach a massive rocket booster to the back.


    When asked by his cohort for what reason he wanted that, his answer came simple.


    "It''d be fun."


    ***


    ''Mhmm...''


    A man sat at a corner table in a Luna Noir Caf¨¦, savoring the rich, aromatic blend that the


    establishment was renowned for.


    It was a caf¨¦monly frequented by men like himself for the privacy it provided, a quaint retreat amidst the hubbub of Corp za.


    He rarely allowed himself such moments of peace, but today was an exception.


    The world hadn''t rained in so long, he wanted to enjoy it.


    Corrosive droplets drummed a steady rhythm against the caf¨¦''s windows, creating a soothing


    backdrop to the muted conversations within.


    But that soothing mood was interrupted as someone neared his table.


    "Would you like anything else, Sir Richard?"

 Chapter 378: Ice Queens Father

    Chapter 378: Ice Queen''s Father


    ?


    "...That''s alright, Maria, thank you."


    The man shook his head, denying the waiter, and continued to look outside with a distant gaze, taking a sip every other second.


    He appeared to be in histe fifties with a meticulously groomed beard, sharp, discerning grey eyes, and ear-length dark-blue hair that he styled to the left, giving him a noble look. His eyes were stuck on the za, scanning its features as if it were a painting.


    One that was unlike anything on this Earth he called home.


    It was as if all the other sectors remained frozen in the past while this ce moved forward, traveling to the future.


    A testament to human ambition that bore distinct marks of the Big Eight.


    Horizon Holdings'' towering skyscrapers dominated the skyline, their facades shimmering with holographic advertisements and digital disys.


    Each of these buildings was a fortress of ss and steel, housing hundreds of offices that controlled most of the Earth''snd.


    Ster Solutions Inc., apany he was very ''familiar'' with, had its influence etched into the very foundation of the za.


    Minimalistic structures with advancedboratories, research facilities, and farms stood as beacons of scientific progress where the next big breakthrough was always just around the corner.


    The emblem of Ster Solutions, a stylized shooting star, was emzoned on each building, and on the man himself, a symbol of their pursuit of innovation.


    Quantum Corp''s headquarters, aplex of interlocking cubes, was a hive of activity.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Here, some of the brightest minds worked on quantumputing and advanced algorithms that pushed the boundaries of what was possible, creating solutions that powered the other corporations and the za itself.


    Everything cybeic was of their making as well, a coborative effort with CyberNex and Helix Tech.


    Now, CyberNex''s presence was less visible but equally pervasive.


    As known by all, this corporation controlled the virtualwork and the technologies associated with it, their influence embedded in the very fabric of Earth''s digital infrastructure.


    The virtual realities they created were integral to the daily lives of many Corp za''s inhabitants.


    Nexus Enterprises'' buildings were centers of financial power, the banks of the New World.


    This corporation managed the vast wealth that flowed through the za, ensuring the smooth operation of its economic systems.


    Their influence was felt in every transaction, every deal made within the za and outside it. Helix Tech had many warehouse-like structures as their factories instead of the usual high- rise buildings that towered above the za''s ground.


    Their augmented suits were amon sight, worn by many of the elite.


    Apex Dynamics'' went with a route simr to Helix Tech and their influence was also visible in the vehicles that zipped through the air and streets.


    They ranged from flying Gravcars to high-ss sports cars, all beautiful to the eye.


    Hyperion Arms, with its branches like Vanguard, was responsible for the weapons that ensured the corporations'' security.


    They had showrooms that seemed to never end, reaching the clouds in height. Within, they disyed thetest in military technology, things that even he, Richard, had never seen.


    Fiercepetitors, like Revenant, hounded them, but, like the rest of the Big Eight, Hyperion''s dominance in the market was unmistakable.


    ''...Boring.''


    The man wasn''t impressed with what he saw.


    Though the view was nice as he was so high above, it was tarnished by the people.


    A bee hive that did all they could in order to climb the corporatedder.


    These people, like the less privileged sectors, had long forsaken their humanity and embraced metal, opting for augmentations that promised power at the cost of their very essence and mental fortitude.


    He didn''t mind that, after all, he was a man of science, a people who always weed change.


    And without change, Ster Solutions would lose its purpose.


    What he did mind was the result, the consequences such metal brought to the people.


    Truly... Richard was just d that he no longer had to worry about such things.


    There were days when his supervisor gave him pretty straightforward tasks; developing a new training module for Ster''s medical department.


    Those days were boring but safe.


    Well... as safe as it could get in a ce like this.


    Others were pretty raw.


    One time he had to send a "ck operations" team into a low-ranking sector to spread a designer gue so the marketing team could clean up selling the vine.


    Another week, he led a mixed team of specialists, andweavers on a headhunting run to kidnap a researcher from an up-anding rival corp, demanding credits.


    Since the ransom wasn''t paid, he was ordered to ''zero'' the researcher.


    The week after, his project was to steal ns for a new vehicle prototype from Apex Dynamics so that they could sell it to their rivals for no other reason than to sue chaos and make a quick


    buck.


    They didn''t even copy the design, burning any and all traces they could find.


    It was absolute anarchy.


    ''But that''s over... it''s been over for a long time... There''s no need to reminisce, I-'' Richard''s drifting thoughts suddenly quietened as his eyes returned to the za''s streets. He spotted a group, and even through the rain, their presencemanded attention. Emir, a man who recently rocked the world, led the group, hisck of an umbre setting him apart from everyone around.


    He appeared to be using an Aetheric Construct, forming a shimmering bubble that deflected the acid rain effortlessly.


    Behind him, Lyra, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and Leo followed, each holding a ck umbre that protected them from corrosion.


    They didn''t rely on their augmented suits since they would do little to repel the rain as the drops moved at the perfect speed where they could easily bypass their force shields, rendering


    them ineffective.


    ''...The professor?''


    Richard''s interest was piqued.


    Emir and his cohort were a formidable sight, their reputation preceding them.


    Especially the prince, even there, high up in the building, Richard could feel the pressure he


    exuded,


    The prince was an enigma.


    A man of immense intellect and ambition, known for his ruthless and unorthodox methods.


    Where that ambition was headed, no one knew.


    His past and history were muddied to the point that even his best agents found it difficult to


    find anything concrete.


    All of that only spoke of Emir''s capabilities.


    And the fact that he hadn''t heard any of the usualints from his daughter since he became her professor at the Academy, meant that his capabilities were likely still


    underestimated.


    It almost made Richard forget that Emir was younger than her.


    So, with that in mind, watching them navigate the streets made him feel unbridled curiosity.


    What brought them here today to this war-ridden za?


    As he set his cup down, he made a decision:


    ''Let''s find out.''


    He then rose from his seat, leaving a generous tip on the table, and donned his coat.


    Reaching the elevator, it took him to the ground floor, but to his annoyance, the rain intensified as he stepped outside.


    He scoffed and paid it no mind, grabbing one of the many free umbres presented at the exit.


    The caf¨¦''s awning provided brief shelter before he moved into the open, his footsteps


    measured.


    And while he approached Emir, he observed his cohort closely.


    Starting around six months ago, they became pretty popr as well, their exploits recounted


    in every bar.


    Each one carried themselves with a distinct air of confidence, with some more than others.


    Amanda and Kiera walked to the right and left of their leader, their eyes scanning the


    surroundings with each step.


    Jack and Sarah followed, engaged in a quiet conversation, while Evan, Hiro, and Leo brought


    up the rear, their expressions alert, trained on him, the approaching man.


    "Emir."


    Richard called out, his voice cutting through the rain.


    The group halted, turning to face him.


    Emir''s expression remained impassive, but a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes.


    "Richard Alexander."


    He slightly nodded out of respect, while the others bowed, their hands on their second heart.


    "Never thought I''d meet Sofia''s father today; it''s an honor."


    "It''s my pleasure; please stand."


    Emir met his gaze, and the rest straightened up.


    "I must ask, what brings you out on a rainy day like this?"


    Richard smiled, though it didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    "Curiosity, mostly. It''s not every day one sees a man like you walking these streets."


    Emir''s lips curled into a faint smile.


    "Business, as always. We''re here to discuss some potential coborations and perhaps a few...


    acquisitions."


    Richard''s interest was genuinely piqued now.


    "Coborations, you say? I hope Ster is on your list."


    Emir''s smile widened slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    "Ster is always of interest. Your work in scientific advancements is unparalleled, without it,


    my childhood would be so very different, but I must decline, it''s too audacious for us to even


    think about coborating with your corporation."


    "Perhaps..."


    The ice queen''s father didn''t deny that and instead pointed at the cafe; he just left with his


    thumb.


    "Care for a coffee? Luna Noir Caf¨¦, I''m sure you''re familiar with their service."


    Emir nced at the caf¨¦, then back at Richard.


    "I do, the cleaners did great the first time I visited..."


    After a moment of contemtion, he said: "Suppose I could use a break. Lead the way."

 Chapter 379: Battle Of Words

    Chapter 379: Battle Of Words


    ?


    They walked back to the caf¨¦, the rest of Emir''s cohort trailing behind, ever watchful. Inside, the atmosphere was warm, starkly contrasting with the cold outside.


    Richard led them up seven floors to a room in the corner, away from prying eyes and ears.


    Only the two of them entered; the rest stayed outside the room, standing in a row with Lyra in the middle.


    As they settled in, Emir felt a pang of nostalgia, remembering his first-ever intellectual battle.


    It was him against a dog of the GoldLeafs, Vincent Reinfield.


    Magnus Valerius.


    A name he equipped as a weapon, using it to kill the man before he could even realize that death had arrived to im him.


    Since then, and the direct call with the tenth leader of the Order, Emir hadn''t noticed any more moves in their game of chess.


    Magnus got rid of a pawn of his, but that pawn''s removal resulted in bettering Emir''s position, not worsening it.


    And it stopped there, with nothing big happening-the pieces going back and forth, repeating moves, awaiting the chance to strike.


    Being reminded of that feeling almost excited him, but he reigned himself in.


    Richard felt the same, though for a different yet slightly simr reason.


    It was in ces like this, over cups of coffee and whispered conversations, that his real power ys were made.


    During a time when he was eyeing the position he managed to nab a few years before Olivia''s birth.


    So like before, he studied his opposition; he studied Emir, wondering what his next move would be.


    Truth was a raremodity in this za of secrets, and Richard knew better than to offer it lightly.


    "Emir..."


    He began, leaning back in his chair.


    "What grand scheme are you plotting this time? And don''t weasel your way out of answering;


    I read your records, though halfplete, I can make out your personality."


    Emir''s smile disappeared, his face donning a nk mask.


    "Certainly not the first time I heard that. Oh, and you know how people like me operate... Always looking for the next big thing."


    "True..."


    Richard admitted, but as his eyes narrowed on Emir, he repeated:


    "But can you share a little? I''m interested in whatever ''big thing'' you''ve found."


    Emir shook his head, his voice measured.


    "I''m under oath, can''t say much. But I assure you, our presence here is part of routine business. Our position in the relic market has no more room for growth, so we''re looking for acquisition offers and special opportunities-all legal, of course."


    Richard had a glint of skepticism flickering in his eyes.


    "Routine business, you say?"


    Hemented, his tone casual yet probing.


    "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe, especially with your reputation for ''unconventional'' methods."


    A subtle tension hung between them, the rain masking the intensity of their exchange.


    Emir was forced intoing here.


    He couldn''t say no; doing so would announce that he hade for something shady, or at least put him under suspicion.


    Not only that, the crafty scientist had invited him out in public.


    If he was rejected, it would be heard by those around them and spread to all as a stain on Ster Solution''s name.


    It was a trap that Emir had to willingly walk into.


    He couldn''t leave either; he was stuck and had to weasel his way out bit by bit.


    Any slip in his words could reveal more than he intended, so he trod carefully.


    Unlike him, his opponent had words as his preferred weapon.


    Richard Alexander, the most formidable figure in the scientificmunity, added unwanted tension to his ns with his undying curiosity, but he saw no need to deviate.


    The man moved slow, as expected of someone in his position, his every move careful.


    So retreating would only cause Emir to experience an avoidable w bacsh.


    He might not win this battle of words, but he would at least survive on equal grounds.


    "My methods are driven by necessity. Like any in my line of work, we deem efficiency as key, and to be that, we have to be adaptable, frequent the grey... I''m sure you''re very familiar." Emir replied evenly while taking a stab at Richard.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Efficiency and adaptability..."


    But the man acted like he didn''t notice, echoing thoughtfully.


    "It seems that our genes share the same DNA as you hunters. Don''t change; those traits will serve you well when navigating the webs around here."


    Emir nodded his head in acknowledgment.


    "Indeed... The wastnd is no different than this ce. Both are full of challenges and opportunities alike, only difference is that the monsters here hide in human skin, especially


    those at the top."


    Their conversation circled like predators probing each other.


    It was as if they were in a merry-go-round, each man taking potshots at the other, missing, but their aim was slowly getting better, their bulletsnding closer to their opponent.


    Emir had long since read Richard''s barely hidden purpose-to discern if his ''routine business'' would affect the bnce between the Big Eight.


    If he only knew that this bnce would shift overnight due to a single invention, by an impure man no less.


    The prince wanted to reveal a bit of that to get Richard off his back. Yet, revealing too much would jeopardize his strategic position.


    It was a dilemma.


    Divulging too much risked exposing vulnerabilities, while saying too little risked making an


    enemy.


    "You must understand, Sir Richard..."


    Emir continued after a brief pause, his tonepletely neutral:


    "Every move I make is calcted to advance my objectives without having anysting effect


    that might render my exit difficult."


    Richard''s lips quirked in a faint smile, a hint of amusement coloring his features as he mused


    aloud:


    "Objectives... I''m sure they are as lofty as they are ambitious."


    Emir''s facade remained impassive.


    "Perhaps, but that would be putting the chicken before the egg."


    Raising a brow, Richard asked:


    "So you''re saying that this ''ambition'' won''t be sedated much if those objectives are


    completed?"


    "...Perhaps."


    Emir answered simply, inwardly happy with the point of conversation they had reached.


    He really didn''t expect to see this man today, but that didn''t mean that he wasn''t prepared. When they met, he gave Richard the upper hand by lowering his head, even if slightly, making him appear more important even though they acted as if they were on equal terms.


    It was a sign that he didn''te to attack, submitting to the authority of the za. Richard abused that authority, inviting Emir to the cafe, both knowing that he couldn''t be seen refusing him in public.


    Their back and forth began the moment they saw each other, and even now, it didn''t stop.


    Though Richard gained what he wanted, which was the insurance that Emir wouldn''t affect the ''bnce,'' his objectives being too low-stakes for it to matter in the bigger picture, he wanted to know more, greed an integral part of his being.


    Such a thing didn''t surprise Emir; it only confirmed what he knew from the ''novel.''


    "Emir..."


    Richard leaned closer, his voice lowering fractionally, bing more earnest.


    "I trust that your interests will always align with the progress of this za." "Can''t say. I''m no Primordial; who knows if the za will turn into a hellhole in a few years?"


    "But if it stays the same?"


    "Sure. There''s no reason to stop Earth''s advancement."


    "Really?" "Yes."


    ||||


    "..."


    || ||


    Pushing his hands down the coach, Emir stood up, breaking the silence:


    "I appreciate your curiosity. Rest assured, our objectives will bring you and your people no


    harm. Our presence here serves a purpose that aligns with the za''s existence."


    Richard inclined his head, admitting defeat.


    His opponent was a tough nut to crack, repeating what they both knew over and over without


    sharing anything new.


    "I understand. Just as you understand the necessity of discretion in our respective


    endeavors."


    Emir''s face finally showed emotion for the first time since the beginning of their duel.


    "What do you mean? We never met today."


    It was a wide grin.


    "Mhm."


    Richard matched that grin, yet his gray eyes remained dead.


    "Don''t forget, in this ce, every move has a consequence, and it always arrives when you''re


    looking the other way."


    Emir''s gaze sharpened, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle.


    "Of course. You know, I''m always prepared for the consequences. I wouldn''t have gotten


    where I am today if I wasn''t."


    Gesturing for the door, Richard bid him goodbye:


    "Then I won''t waste any more of your time, do teach my daughters well."


    Turning around, he exited the room, the door automatically opening.


    "I will."


    The door closed as his voice resounded, leaving Richard alone in that room, presumably


    sitting to enjoy the rainy mood.


    But Emir was in no shape to think about that.


    [Fucking hell... That was stressful!]


    Though he looked beyond calm on the outside, his telepathic scream at Lyra was anything


    but.


    [Yeah... how was it?]


    [Ah, my bad for not showing you a live feed, I didn''t want distractions.]


    [It''s fine, I''m only a little sad, like negligibly sad, that you think of me as a distraction.]


    Inwardly chuckling, he ignored her teasing and said:


    [I didn''t win or lose, just diverted his attention and fed him a few lies. I''ll share my memories


    later, but just know that we''ll still be watched.]


    [Right, he might trust your words because of his lie detector, but he''ll still spy on us to satiate


    his curiosity.]


    [True.]


    With him as the lead, the cohort walked in silence.


    None of them asked a question, knowing that it wasn''t the time for that.


    They simply moved as a unit, dominating the street with their presence.


    Their destination? Apex Dynamics''s only tower.

 Chapter 380: Poor Bastard

    Chapter 380: Poor Bastard


    ?


    On their way to the tower, the cohort felt as if they were in another world.


    There was not a single road or side of a building without any form of advertisement.


    Most of them were about VPNs; their names were numerous but irrelevant as they served the


    same purpose.


    Even the traffic signs had advertisements.


    They projected green arrows and bold letters on the ground with small pictures of corp products in the corner.


    The ce was disgustingly neon, almost frying their eyes, and the noise was loud too, every video disy ovepping the other while cars zoomed past,peting on who had the loudest exhaust.


    Their ears were met with people speaking in different dialects, a foreign concept for most of the cohort.


    They might''ve looked like country boys if not for Emir and Lyra stealing the attention of all, keeping up their collective image with their threatening presence.


    Especially Emir¡ªnot even here was he able to escape the fate of terrifying every random passerby.


    It was only natural, he was a hulking man with building muscles that easily showed through his suit and eyes that exuded death.


    Who wouldn''t be intimated by that?


    Lyra wouldn''t.


    She herself was pretty tall, slightly shorter than Emir, with a body that radiated strength even through the ck dress that covered her from head to toe.


    Their lovely sentient AI almost felt at home, as this environment was simr to where she was ''born.''


    The rest slowly got ustomed to the sights and sounds as they continued their walk, getting deeper and deeper inside the web called Corp za. Nearing their destination with each slow step.


    ***


    Hello, I''m Gabriel Voisin, a mid-level engineer at Apex Dynamics.


    A nobody working under an Exec.


    ''Hmm... a bit depressing, but that''s fine, let''s continue.''


    I''ve always been fascinated by the potential of technology to transform our lives.


    It was why I worked for this corporation.


    They gave me the means to pursue my passion...


    Or so I thought when I first started.


    Now? Not so much.


    Mytest project?


    Well, it was nothing important. The usual one-week do-over.


    So that isn''t what I''m writing this report for.


    Today, I''m truly excited to share my side, but technically main and only true project, something I''ve poured years of passion and effort into:


    The Gravbike 2.0!


    Redesigning the Gravbike into a fully functional floating bike has been a challenging yet rewarding endeavor.


    I''m almost done with the project, but I haven''t even settled on a name, though it''s shaping up to be something special, so do keep an eye on that.


    It wouldn''t be a lie to call me obsessed.


    I''ve spent countless hours tweaking the design, testing prototypes, and refining the maic repulsion system.


    The idea was simple: create a bike that could glide effortlessly above the ground, providing a smooth and quick mode of transportation.


    The execution, however, was anything but simple.


    In the early stages, I started by researching the principles of maic levitation.


    I dove into scientific papers, the ones that I could find at least, dissecting every detail about maic repulsion and attraction, superconductors, and the various ways these concepts had been applied in other technologies.


    My goal was to find a bnce between efficiency and practicality.


    A floating bike needed to be lightweight yet sturdy, powerful yet safe.


    Once I had a theoretical foundation, I moved on to the design phase.


    I sketched hundreds of iterations, experimenting with different shapes and materials. Then, after a lot of thought, I settled on a streamlined frame made of a carbonposite for its lightweight properties and durability.


    The bike''s frame had to house the maic repulsion system, which I knew would be the most challenging aspect.


    The core of the system was a series of powerful electromas embedded in the bike''s base. These mas needed to generate a repulsive force strong enough to lift the bike and its rider off the ground, as well as the average weight of items they might carry.


    I configured them in a hexagonal pattern, ensuring an even distribution of the maic field. Each ma was controlled by an onboardputer that adjusted the power output in real- time, maintaining stability and height.


    The power source was another hurdle.


    Traditional batteries were too bulky and couldn''t deliver the necessary power without


    weighing the bike down, even though,pared to what we used to have, it was way lighter and smaller.


    After several experiments, I developed, or rather incorporated, a tweaked,pact, high- capacity graphene-based battery.


    It provided the required energy density while remaining light enough to integrate seamlessly into the bike''s design.


    Testing the prototypes was an arduous process.


    The first few versions barely lifted off the ground, and when they did, they were unstable.


    I spent many sleepless nights in theb, recalibrating the electromas and fine-tuning the control algorithms.


    Gradually, the bike began to respond better, hovering steadily a few inches above the ground. One of the critical breakthroughs came when I incorporated gyroscopic stabilization. Inspired by the technology used in modern drones hailing against our men on the frontlines, I added a gyroscope to the bike''s onboardputer.


    This device provided real-time feedback on the bike''s orientation, allowing theputer to make micro-adjustments to the maic fields, keeping the bike bnced and stable.


    As the prototypes improved, I began to focus on the user experience.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The bike needed to be intuitive to ride, so I designed a set of handlebars equipped with sensors that responded to the rider''s touch. Subtle shifts in pressure and angle would adjust the bike''s speed and direction, providing a smooth and responsive ride.


    I got it set to two modes, like the Augmented Suits Velocity and Neural-Link counterparts; each mode was-


    [Gabriel! Where are you? I need an update on the project right now!]


    Just as I was immersed in the report, my supervisor''s call came through, breaking my


    concentration.


    [Don''t make me wait!]


    His voice was a sharp reminder of the corporate world I was still tethered to.


    And with that reminder came my ever rising anxiety.


    [I-I''m on my way.]


    I stammered, grabbing my terminal and umbre while rushing out of my workspace.


    Leaving the tower in under a minute, I could feel the weight of the corrosive rain pattering above me, almost as if it were my supervisor''s expectations pressing down on me. That man was always there, hounding me for no other reason than to feel superior, even though not a day went by without him kissing our department head''s feet.


    I navigated the crowded streets, the neon advertisements blurring as I hurried past. The racket of city sounds was a distant hum, overshadowed by the pounding of my heart.


    I was so focused on getting to my destination that I didn''t even notice the rain intensifying, causing me to slip and hit the wall before falling face-first into the ground.


    Passersby looked at me with condescending eyes, but I didn''t even nce at them, quickly standing up and continuing to run.


    My thoughts were racing as I reyed the details of my project and what I would say in the


    update.


    This would be myst update.


    They could fire meter if they wanted; I didn''t care.


    I was nning to resign in any case, but I nned to do it after I put the final touches on my


    Gravbike redesign, still needing theb.


    Whoosh!


    But then suddenly...


    ''...No!''


    Everything went dark.


    One moment I was rushing through the bustling za, and the next I was engulfed by an overwhelming darkness, knocked out before I could even react.


    The sights, sounds, and even the rain disappeared, leaving me in a state of utter confusion


    and fear. Panic set in. My breath quickened, and my mind raced to make sense of the situation.


    Was this some kind of attack? A sabotage? But why me? I''m a nobody!


    I tried to move, but my limbs felt heavy and unresponsive, as if I were suspended in a dense,


    invisible fog.


    And then, as abruptly as it had vanished, the world returned.


    I was lying on the cold, wet ground, the rain pounding mercilessly against me, somehow not


    burning my skin...


    No, that wasn''t rain, but a bucket of water thrown at me from above.


    The one responsible looked down on me, only his inky eyes visible, almost highlighted as if they had absorbed the surrounding light.


    I blinked, trying to clear my vision, and everything changed.


    The scene that unfolded before me was nothing short of a nightmare.


    Bodies. Lifeless, twisted forms strewn across the za, their eyes wide open in eternal terror.


    The once-bustling square was now a grim puppet show of death.


    My heart sank as I realized that these were the people I had rushed past moments ago.


    The same vibrant, bustling crowd nowy motionless, their lives snuffed out in what


    appeared to be an instant.


    I struggled to my feet, my mind reeling.


    What had happened? How had I survived when so many hadn''t?


    As I stood there, drenched and shaking, a cold, metallic taste filled my mouth.


    It was suffocating.


    I looked down, about to use my hands to check the reason for such a ''vor,'' only to see them


    covered in blood-whether it was mine or someone else''s, I couldn''t tell.


    And then suddenly, my head snapped straight, by a force not of my own.


    I saw him.


    A figure standing amidst the carnage.


    His presence exuded an aura of sheer menace.


    Tall, with ck holes for eyes, he surveyed the scene with a detached calmness.


    His gaze moved from left to right until it eventually locked onto mine.


    At that moment, I understood.


    I had seen the devil...


    And his shadow of death.

 Chapter 381: Poor Bastard II

    Chapter 381: Poor Bastard II


    ?


    Snap...


    The darkness receded, revealing a lightless room.


    My body was strapped to a cold chair made of metal.


    Voices whispered before me, but I couldn''t understand them.


    "....you... think.... talk?"


    "... Maybe... it..... too much?"


    "Probably..."


    My mind was still there.


    That nightmarish ce.


    I tried to detach myself from it, but I couldn''t.


    The fear was ingrained in my bones, like a disease.


    Illusions materialized around me, even though I could barely see, my vision blurry.


    Every shadow seemed to dance, taunting me.


    The air was thick with a feeling of death.


    It was a jarring contrast...


    "Can... hear me?"


    My head slowly rose, meeting a familiar figure in the distance.


    He was quite the giant, looking like a beefed-up version of my Exec''s security personnel. And


    like them, he wore shades indoors, which I still didn''t quite understand.


    Behind him were six people, each with a distinct appearance.


    They certainly stood out from the average operatives around the za.


    No metal adorned their bodies...


    This za was not their home; they were guests.


    I scrutinized their features for a moment, trying to identify them, and then I suddenly realized who they were.


    My heart sank much more than earlier, almost leaving my body.


    These people were not just any operatives.


    No, not run-of-the-mill at all.


    They were members of the eleventh Hunter Group, Azazel.


    Everyone knew about them.


    Such a young hunter group rose through the ranks in what felt like days, bing a colossal headache to many.


    They''ve found more ruins than any of the other hunter groupsbined.


    Their exploits were legendary, solving many mysteries that hounded the wastnd for years. The kind of stories told in pubs across all sectors.


    There was a time when they unearthed the Lost City of Nefarius, an ancient underground metropolis. The only clues found for this ruin came from The Silent Archive, a ruin that had long since been plundered of all its worth, so it was a wonder how they managed to find it. They not only mapped the entire city but also recovered relics that rewrote history and filled in the nks of some of the Missing History.


    Then there was their daring raid on the Fortress Of Metal, a ruin infested with Cubs.


    It was once an outpost used by the UEF, but it got run over by escaping constructs that somehow managed to pass through the front lines unnoticed.


    They cleared it in a single night, rescuing an entire toon of Armybatants.


    And who could forget their breakthrough in entering the Unseen Vault, a ce where many thousands had tried and failed?


    They navigated its corridors and brought back technologies that revolutionized modern engineering. Out of the loot, there were a few research papers that even helped me with my project.


    ''Just... what are they doing here?''


    The woman with the ck cape had to be Amanda, the Shadow Binder and strategist whose ns never failed.


    Next to her was Kiera, the one who led every battle.


    Behind them were Leo, the techie genius who could hack anything; Sarah, their fearless, scarred healer; and Jack, the sharpshooter who never missed.


    Hiro, known for his quick closebat skills, stood next to Evan, the muscle of the group. Only when my gaze left them and turned to him-the giant figure, the man in shades-did I realize that the devil I saw was Emir.


    ..


    I froze, my thoughts still. The stories about him were the most terrifying.


    The man was never seen much with his cohort, but when he was, people, no matter what rank and profession, knew that shit was about to go down.


    The idea of bing his enemy was a nightmare no one wanted to entertain.


    ''...Seriously, what the hell is going on?!''


    ''What do they want from me?''


    ''What did I do?''


    My thoughts raced, fear gripping me as I realized the gravity of my situation.


    These were not people to be trifled with, and I may have stepped on their toes in some way. How? I didn''t know; all I knew was that I had to beg.


    "P-Please-"|


    But as I was about to, my eyes widened in terror as they all approached.


    In a moment, they stood directly behind Emir, who, in the time I hadn''t looked at him, had somehow gotten closer to me.


    He sat on the ''air,'' a small distance above the ground, with one leg over the other, staring me


    down.


    "Do you know who we are?"


    His heavy voice echoed in the empty room, and after many breaths, I managed to reply:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Y-you''re... Azazel..."


    Gulping down my forming saliva, I built up my courage and asked:


    "W-why am I here? What do you want from me?"


    ***


    Emir smiled, leaning back on his Aetheric Construct as his eyes lingered on Gabriel.


    ''I might''ve scared him too much...''


    Though it was his n, seeing the man shake so much brought him slight displeasure.


    Was he really that scary?


    He didn''t think so.


    But he knew that Gabriel''s reaction wasn''t solely due to how he looked.


    In fact, it was a minor factor.


    Besides his Death''s Shadow, the main factor was their reputation.


    Emir had built his hunter group with a certain thing in mind:


    ''Show yourself as so dangerous that the idea of bing your enemy would inspire dread


    and chaos.''


    He really took that to heart, making sure that no one ever tried them, tested them, unknowing how far their roots ran or how deep they held.


    And if Gabriel''s reaction was any indication, his tactic had worked.


    In the eyes of people with a simr status to his, Emir appeared to be an unbridled menace.


    That was nice to know... but him being a ''fan'' wasn''t about to change his fate.


    ''I guess it''s time to end this poor bastard''s life.''


    Standing up, Emir unsheathed one of his swords and asked:


    "Have you tried sending a distress signal yet?"


    Gabriel, realizing he hadn''t, immediately attempted to connect to his terminal.


    But as he did, his neuralwork twitched unsettlingly.


    Trying again, he found his terminal unresponsive.


    Panic surged through him once more; something was terribly wrong.


    ''Wait-no!''


    "I''m in."


    Lyra''s chilling words cut through his dread.


    And before he could even grasp their meaning, two others followed swiftly:


    "Kill him."


    Frozen with fear, Gabriel strained against his chains, the cold metal biting deep into his


    wrists.


    His entire body trembled as raw desperation wed at him, each futile tug against the restraints echoing his escting panic.


    "I don''t want to die! PLEASE-ugh! ...I have so much to live for."


    He tried his hardest to get out, yet with his meager strength, he only hurt himself.


    "Why me?!"


    His mind raced through memories and regrets-images of faces he loved, moments of joy and sorrow, his once-in-a-lifetime chance at freedom-all shed before his eyes.


    "Please someone help me... help me... someone... please... ahhhhhhh.... ughaaaaaahaaa Why?!


    Why?! Why?!"


    He gasped for air, his voice croaking, his chest tight with the weight of impending death.


    "There are worse people out there."


    Gabriel pleaded, knowing that his words mattered not.


    "Kill them! They deserve to die, not me!"


    The chains rattled as he pulled hard against them, almost breaking his bones.


    "I''m wed; of course I fucking am, but who isn''t?!"


    They dug deeper into his skin with each frantic struggle, blood trickling down his arms.


    "NOBODY! NOOOOOBBBBOODDY!"


    Tears welled in his eyes as he continued to scream, his voice a broken mess.


    "PLEASE AHHH!"


    His body convulsed, vomit gurgling out his mouth, the pounding of his heartbeat defeating


    as he bellowed even louder:


    "PLEASE! PLEEEAASE LET ME-"


    Schwing!


    Emir''s sword cut through the air, silencing Gabriel''s anguished plea as it died on his lips.


    The head flew clean off, bloodlessly, leaving only a chilling silence in the wake of his futile


    struggle.


    ||


    ""


    ||


    ||


    "...


    || ||


    No one uttered a word.


    Kiera was impassive; Sarah''s eyes darkened, reflecting a suppressed sympathy; and Jack''s jaw


    tightened, his expression resolute.


    Evan trembled, shook from the viscerality of it all; Hiro felt the opposite way, hyped almost;


    and Leo, thest of them, had his head down, showing respect to the headless man.


    He was usually the one making jokes, but death was something he held in high regard, especially the deaths of ''named'' people and techies like himself.


    Each member processed the scene in their own way, but their reverence for Emir was shared


    between them, unmistakable.


    They watched him clean his de and unsheathe it back to its holster on his augmented suit. Meanwhile, Lyra, who showed no change in emotion, walked up to the head that slowly tumbled across the room, then picked it up with a cloth, wrapping it tightly and putting it in a


    small bag.


    She looked at Kiera, who just snapped out of her daze, then gestured for her to clean the ce


    up.


    Nodding, she signaled for the rest to move, and they began to work.


    The previous her would''ve never done something like this, especially not those under her


    command, but after that ursed day, she changed.


    Her principles were no more. Long gone was their naivety.


    Stealing from other hunters? They did that in spades and were doing it right then as well.


    Harming civilians? They tended to avoid it, but if it wasn''t possible, they had no issue involving them.


    While it did leave a sour taste, they did anything and everything they were asked.


    They were monsters in human skin, no worse than any other Corpo rat in the za.


    At least, that was what they thought of themselves.


    Emir didn''t care about morals and whatnot, that word was deleted from his vocabry a long


    time ago, like how ''loyalty'' was deleted from the Corpos.


    Now all that was on his mind was to rx a little, so once his cohort was done with the


    cleanup, he asked:


    "Whose down to go drink?"

 Chapter 382: Quick Drink

    Chapter 382: Quick Drink


    ?


    "Let''s see... We''ll have twenty beers, two bottles of your finest scotch, and..." Emir momentarily paused, nced at Lyra then looked back at the waiter.


    "A red wine; make sure it''s top shelf."


    Nodding her head, the waiter looked at the rest and asked:


    "Will that be all?"


    Evan waved his hand, catching her attention.


    "You''ve got cigars here, or just that weird shisha thing?"


    She nodded once again.


    "We have every kind of cigar you might want, but if we don''t, ask, and I''ll make sure to bring them to you."


    sping his hand, Evan grinned and said:


    "Alright then! Surprise me."


    Turning to Emir, he asked:


    "Do you want one too, bossman?"


    "Sure, bring us two."


    "I will."


    She bowed to him, then to the others, and finally to Emir.


    Soon, the sound of her footsteps echoed as she left their table to bring their orders.


    Said echo was a result of them having the entire floor to themselves.


    Emir tried to settle in with the rest downstairs, but his OCD was acting up, not letting him enjoy himself, so instead of canceling this much-needed break, he spent a bit more money than he nned to.


    "Hey, hey, bossman!"


    Getting him out of his thoughts was a smiling Evan, curiosity evident in his brown eyes.


    "What''s up?"


    "Since when did you smoke?"


    ''Ah...''


    An unexpected question arrived.


    He decided to deflect.


    "I only smoke when I''m rxing with friends."


    Evan''s eyes widened, as did the rest, and they looked at each other as if they couldn''t believe what they had just heard.


    "F-Friends? He just called us friends guys!"


    "So I wasn''t the only one that heard him?!"


    "Horray!"


    "Horray-ahahahah!"


    "Hahahahaha! Soon, he might even teach me about his sh step!"


    Kiera, Sarah, Jack, and Hiro had their fun, while Leo was the only one confused.


    "Guys, isn''t this a downgrade? We were called family before!"


    But they ignored him, swept up in the mood.


    ''Hmm, effective... and don''t worry Hiro, I''ll be teaching you that technique pretty soon.''


    Emir inwardly chuckled as he watched their reactions, then his attention was drawn to Lyra, who gave him a yful wink.


    [Stop ying with them like that, they might revolt if they get ''smarter'' you know.]


    He shrugged casually, spotting the waiter approaching.


    [Heh~ you calling my men dumb? Besides, they''re getting better; you should know that, Ms. Teacher.]


    [I do~ And sure, just make sure not to go too far.]


    Her giggles echoed softly just as the waiter reached their table.


    "Here you go."


    With those words, the waiter began distributing ss cups to each person and, with a


    flourish, opened the bottles, cing them in the center of the table.


    Once done, she presented Emir with two cigars in a small box.


    They were Churches, the same brand that he asionally smoked with Ragnar.


    Though they weren''t addicted, and they no longer smoked tobat schizophrenia-having long since ovee the after-effects of the test-it still felt good to share a cigarette


    whenever they rxed together.


    It was the third-best thing to calm his mind, with Lyra being the first, and his family second.


    "Thanks."


    "...My pleasure. Please do ring me up if you need something."


    After bowing her head, the waiter took her leave while showing a slight surprise on her face.


    She knew them, and of course she did; they were the infamous Azazel.


    Their position and importance were unfathomable to her, yet they treated her like they would an equal, with manners.


    That was rare, really rare.


    Especially their leader, even thanking her for doing her job-not even the average Joe did


    that!


    To her, this was a big deal, but Emir was, like usual, just being himself, careful.


    In gaming terms, he would be the type to finish the entire game with a full inventory.


    Ants or not, it was best to treat those unfamiliar with courtesy.


    While his mind only categorized people into allies, enemies, and potential enemies, it didn''t mean that he would treat them like dirt.


    ''Who knows, they might be a master in disguise that even the ''novel'' failed to mention.''


    Emir wouldn''t put that cliche past this world.


    So even though it wouldn''t be wrong to call him arrogant, as he saw himself above them, not bothering to register their names in his mind, he still acted in a gentlemanly manner.


    In any case, while the girl went off to La La Land, the cohort celebrated and let loose, talking about whatever came up, drunk on the mood and alcohol.


    "So you wanna tell us why you got so mad?"


    "Will it harm our family in any way?"


    Kiera sat next to Lyra, and they looked at Sarah with curiosity, each girl holding a ss of


    wine.


    While the reason for their curiosity differed greatly, they still had that question in their minds


    since her outburst back then.


    "I-It''s nothing interesting..."


    Not used to having Lyra''s attention, Sarah stuttered a bit, but after gulping down her ss as


    if it was a shot of vodka, she revealed:


    "I was born in one of those small settlements near the outposts. Life there was tough. It wasn''t just the constant attacks from rogue pirates or constructs from the front lines. The real danger came from the inside."


    Kiera poured Sarah some wine while she continued, her fingers tracing the rim of her ss.


    "We were nothing more than a resource. Children trained from a young age to be the best bodybags. My parents... they were proud to serve, well, when they were alive at least, brainwashed by endless propaganda. They just couldn''t see the suffering of their kids... us."


    She paused, taking a deep breath.


    "When I was ten, my older brother was drafted. He was barely fifteen, and they sent him to the front lines... He never came back. My parents were heartbroken, but they still believed in the cause. They died the day after, and I was relocated to another family..."


    Sarah touched the scars on her face and showed a quivering smile.


    "They told me that I was next in line and that they were going to train me early, reveal the truth... Now I can easily guess that ''truth'' was Aether, but back then... back then... I..."


    Her gaze hardened as she continued.


    "When I was twelve, I decided to run away. I had no n, just a desperate need to escape. I


    wandered the dunes for days until I was found by a group of rogues who were raiding the area.


    Instead of killing me, they took me in."


    Letting out a sad chuckle, she shook her head at the naivety of her past self.


    "They saw something in me-a spark of defiance... or so I thought. They sold me to an Elite,


    to be his ything, but on the way to the sector, I got lucky. Monsters ate them for breakfast, leaving me to rot in a cage."


    Sarah looked at Kiera, her quivering smile turning happy.


    "That''s when I met you, going to a ruin dive. Kiera saved me, and the rest was history."


    Her gaze turned to Lyra, the happiness in her eyes giving way to absolute hate. "That''s why I reacted the way I did. Those settlements-they''re not nice ces. They''re prisons, breeding grounds for soldiers who are taught to follow orders without question. And


    I can''t stand the thought of anyone romanticizing it."


    "...Come here, you!" Kiera, not standing it any longer, hugged Sarah, shoving her into her embrace, and


    surprisingly, Lyra joined in as well, patting both their backs.


    "It''s alright, girls... Grief is human."


    While those girls had their pity party, the one who ''romanticized'' it smoked with Emir on the


    balcony, unaware that his words had such an effect on her; what he said already forgotten.


    "Yo bossman, you think we improved sincest time?"


    Puff...


    Leaning on the railing, Emir breathed out smoke into the moist air.


    He watched distant figures waving at him while hiding from the corporate drones below.


    With a nod, he turned to face Evan.


    "Compared to the ''smackdown?'' Almost iparable. You handled the mechs much better than I expected, even those flying Sheep didn''t stand a chance. Our cute ninjas over there aren''t a match either. But if I did have something to point out..."


    He flicked his head, pointing his chin at him, and patted his pants'' left pocket.


    "You''re too overprotective, I get that you''re a Knight and all that, but no one will be attacking


    us here, you know."


    Embarrassed, Evan took his left hand out of his pocket, revealing a pistol that he had


    somehow sneaked into the establishment.


    "But Sir, I-!" Emir stopped him with a raised hand while taking a puff of his cigar, his tone turning soft as


    he said:


    "I know... I know. But don''t worry. What happened to them won''t happen to me."


    He pulled up the bottle, chugged it down, and added with a smirk: "Besides, if I die, you guys will follow me into hell right after, so you won''t miss me too


    much~."


    "...Heh."


    "Hahaha..."


    "''"''HAHAHAHAHAHA!""


    It took a moment, and eventually, the two juggernauts shared a loudugh as Emir repeatedly


    smacked Evan''s back, forcing him down with each blow.


    "Alright¡ªugh! Alright! Stop!"


    At Evan''s begging, Emir stepped back and leaned on the railing once more.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Unlikest time, his eyes weren''t out on the streets, but on his cohort.


    That brought the attention of Hiro, who was talking to Leo, and Jack. With a few steps, he joined them on the balcony, not minding the smell. "You need something, bossman?"

 Chapter 383: Quick Drink II

    Chapter 383: Quick Drink II


    ?


    "Nah, I''m good, was just watching you guys."


    Hiro smiled, leaning against the railing beside Emir.


    "We''vee a long way, haven''t we?"


    Emir nodded.


    "Yeah, you have. I''m proud of all of you."


    Evan, regaining hisposure, looked at Emir with a hint of curiosity.


    "Bossman, why are you always so rough with me, but uh, gentle with Hiro?"


    Emir nced at Hiro, a man almost half his size, then back at Evan, a man who was only a few inches shorter than him.


    "Because you can take it. You''re a Knight, a tank, built to endure. I push you hard because I know you can handle it. And deep down, you know it too. Hiro, on the other hand, has a different kind of strength. He doesn''t need the same kind of push."


    "Really?"


    "Yeah, seeing you squirm is only a plus."


    Evan grinned, taking a sip of his beer.


    "So, it''s tough love, huh?"


    Puff...


    "Mhm. You all have different strengths, and with Lyra''s help, I push each of you in the way I think will make you stronger."


    "Well, I guess that makes sense. Though I wish it doesn''t."


    Emirughed.


    "Wouldn''t have it any other way."


    Hiro did the same while patting Evan''s back.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "You won''t see meining~."


    Clicking his tongue, Evan punched Hiro, but the man had already stepped back, dodging the blow.


    He then rushed to hide behind Emir, using his body as a shield.


    "..."


    ||


    11


    They all looked at each other in silence, and after a few coughs, the two behaved themselves, stopping their childish y.


    ||


    11


    ""


    There was another moment of silence before Evan spoke again, his voice quieter.


    "You know, bossman, despite all the tough times and roughhousing, we... we like you. Hell, we just really really respect you."


    That was alcohol courage right there, but no one pointed it out, and Hiro even nodded in agreement.


    "Yeah, we love you! So you''ll tell me about that technique, right? I NEED to know how your sh Step works!"


    Emir chuckled while grabbing the guy''s head and pushing it away, sending him to the ground.


    "Come talk to me when you and your lot pay your debts."


    As he took another puff of his cigar, he grinned and added:


    "Alright, enough of this sentimental crap. Go back to celebrating before you turn mushy- eyed."


    They smiled at his words and left the balcony, leaving Emir alone with his thoughts.


    ''Wonder how long they''ll feel that way... Will try to kill me if they find out?''


    His smile died down, and he looked up, taking another puff of his cigar.


    ''Maybe... at least I would if I was in their shoes.''


    At the other side of the ss window, Leo and Jack stopped talking and looked at Emir.


    They exchanged a nce, an unspoken understanding passing between them.


    Jack, always the more perceptive one, sighed softly.


    "You think he''s okay?"


    Leo shrugged, his eyes still on Emir.


    "I don''t think he ever is. He carries a lot on his shoulders. Much more than we know."


    "Yeah..."


    Jack agreed, nodding.


    "But he''s beyond tough. He''ll be fine."


    Emir, feeling the weight of their gazes, turned slightly and caught their eyes through the window.


    He gave them a small, reassuring nod, and his smile returned like it was never gone.


    "Come," he mouthed, gesturing for them to join him outside.


    They did just that, stepping foot on the balcony, and coughing through the ''nasty'' smell.


    "It ain''t that bad-."


    Leo shook his head, trying to get his breathing under control.


    "Y-you cough! don''t know what you''re talking about."


    Jack did the same, but he managed to control himself much faster.


    "Anything you want, Sir?"


    Like the first time they met, Jack didn''t change, always treating Emir as professionally as


    possible.


    Emir didn''t mind it; in fact, he had no opinion about it; all he cared about was whether his people followed his orders or not.


    Of course, loyalty and respect were also very important in his eyes, but those fell in line with following orders, so he saw no need to include them.


    "Nothing, just interested in what you guys were talking about."


    The tech junkie''s eyes lit up as he immediately dove into his exnation:


    "I was telling him about the cruisers and the modifications we installed on them! You know how they were originally designed for long expeditions, right? Well, they harness sr energy and hydrogen, but we''ve taken it a step further by implementing a multi-source energy matrix. We''ve integrated photovoltaic cells with high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, which are coupled with advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking controllers to ensure optimal energy conversion even under variable light conditions."


    Leo barely took a breath before continuing:


    "But that''s not all. We''ve incorporated a redundant energy system that switches between sr and hydroelectric power based on environmental conditions. The hydroelectric turbines are equipped with microturbine generators that activate in low-light scenarios, utilizing ambient moisture to generate power. The turbines are encased in a dual-phase ceramicposite housing to ensure durability and thermal regtion under high-pressure conditions."


    He went on, "We''ve also enhanced the energy storage capacity by integrating graphene- based supercapacitors with traditional lithium-sulfur batteries for rapid energy discharge and efficient storage during low consumption periods. With Lyra''s help, we also have an AI- driven energy management system that predicts energy needs and dynamically adjusts the power flow, while a thermoelectric cooling system manages heat. It continuously monitorsponent health and performance, providing real-time feedback and predictive maintenance alerts to address issues before they escte, and-"


    "Alright, give me a second, boys."


    Emir finally cut in, raising his hand to pause Leo''s enthusiastic and seemingly unending


    ramble.


    "I''ll be going to the toilet."


    Leo took a deep breath and exchanged a nce with Jack, breaking into a mischievous grin.


    Hiro chimed in all of a sudden, as he hade by during Leo''s exnation:


    "You''re a Seraphim boss man; you forgot that?"


    Even though he was still catching his breath, Leo couldn''t help but quip:


    "Yeah, you don''t need to piss anymore!"


    Jackmented as well, smirking:


    "You can make a more believable lie than that, Sir."


    Emir chuckled, ruffling Leo''s green hair and flicking Jack''s forehead.


    "I''ll just wash my face. I won''t be long."


    It indeed didn''t take him long to reach the bathroom, as it was near their table.


    Entering it, he went straight to the sink, turning the cold water on and sshing it over his


    face.


    The coolness was refreshing, grounding him momentarily.


    As he looked up, droplets of water cascading down his face, he grabbed a towel and began to


    dry himself. While doing so, he stared at his reflection, his mind clear of thoughts.


    Before him was a handsome man in a suit with ck, inky eyes; sunsses sat on top of his


    short hair, revealing a small scar on the side.


    His face seemed older and wearier than what he was familiar with.


    The weight he carried had etched lines into his features... Or maybe that was the result of his


    momentary loss of Aether at Setrenc; he didn''t know.


    It didn''t matter to him.


    Just as he was about to turn away, something shifted.


    The edges of his vision blurred, and the mirror seemed to ripple.


    He felt a tug, as if an invisible force was pulling him away.


    Emir blinked.


    The next moment, his reflection wavered and then vanished.


    ""


    The bathroom door remained ajar, the sound of running water the only evidence that he had


    ever been there.

 Chapter 384: Im An Archon!

    Chapter 384: I''m An Archon!


    ?


    ***


    ''I''m back...''


    I raised both my hands, looked at them for a moment, then wiped my face.


    A soft sigh escaped my lips, and my smile disappeared, reced by indifference.


    ''Let''s confirm things.''


    This time, I wasn''t teleported outside the meeting room but inside, directly behind my throne.


    Thankfully, it blocked me from immediately seeing Mr. yer, giving me a second to ustom myself.


    As I reached the table and sat down, I saw the others do the same.


    In order, Ms. Knight, Mr. Rook, and Mr. Board sat to my left, while on my right were Mr. Bishop, Ms. Queen, and Mr. King.


    Of course, directly opposite me was Mr. yer himself, so I took it upon myself to greet him first.


    "Good day, Mr. yer. Thank you for inviting me to your esteemed gathering once again."


    I chose my words carefully, not wanting to reveal anything about where I lived.


    Their true capabilities were lost upon me, so I didn''t even want them to know if my had a day-and-night cycle.


    It might sound ridiculous, but these people were exactly that: ridiculous.


    "Peace be upon you, Malik ul-Sout."


    "Howdy, Mr. yer! Howdy, everyone!"


    "I hope your week went well, Mr. yer."


    "Hello... Mr. yer."


    "This''s the best of days, Mr. yer!"


    "My most sincere greetings, Mr. yer. I pray that your path continues to shine brightly before you."


    With me as the origin, a ripple of greetings began.


    The person on my right went first, then the left, then right, then left, and so on, until it ended with the fanatic, Mr. Board.


    Pa...


    A hum of eptance resounded.


    It snaked its way to my ears, drumming my head purely due to its weight.


    "Setrenc wees you... Before we begin, do present your scripts, if you have any."


    "


    11


    || ||


    ||


    ||


    It seemed that nobody had one, as all that replied was silence.


    "Then you may talk. Leave transactions and reports for the fourth week counting from thest."


    And Mr. yer, who noticed that, gave us the go-ahead.


    Ms. Knight turned to me with a smile that I could barely make out through the fog.


    "Here I thought ye''d surprise us again,d. Heh- wee to the usual, where things move slower than dry paint."


    "Don''t worry, you more than got that point acrossst time."


    She giggled.


    "Smartaad~! Ye know, I heard rumors ''bout the discovery of a new script in a nearby gxy.


    I tried to nab it, but I couldn''t get me hands on it in time. Those bastards at Fantasia had me hooked with theirtest movie!"


    Mr. King smacked his hand on the table and leaned towards us.


    "I know right?! It was hrious-first time I saw a movie making metamentary about its own producer, a goddamn Mega Corp."


    ''Mega Corporations? An entertainmentpany is one of them? Interesting.''


    The two went on about that movie of theirs, and I didn''t say a word.


    Though they already saw me as a space virgin, I didn''t want them to know that I was a citizen of a backward.


    It would ruin my already low image.


    So I turned my attention to the two on my right.


    They had been quietly staring at me since we started.


    "What?"


    My question was safe but also confrontational, not giving them any limbs to bite on.


    "Young man, how did your embodiment go?"


    It seemed that they had different questions for me, as Ms. Queen didn''t expect Mr. Bishop to


    ask me about that.


    "Pretty good I''d say. It took me a couple of days to figure it out after the meeting."


    Mr. Bishop smiled, easily putting two and two together.


    "I see... so you''re not of themon paths."


    Nodding, I confirmed it:


    "Indeed, I am not."


    He figured it out because of the flint and rock analogy.


    If I knew about the embodiment method but didn''t use it, then it was clear I didn''t know what


    my flint was.


    Finding my flint and lighting my path so quickly after the meeting indicated that I was genuinely unaware of the flint my Specialization required.


    This information wasn''t important enough to hide.


    In fact, I deemed it useless since I knew that everyone here, except Ms. Knight and maybe Mr. Board, had an umon path-perhaps even Mr. Bishop, who had adorned the ck robes


    of Reapers.


    Everyone, except for Mr. Bishop and Mr. Rook who had left early, must have seen my corruption-induced state that day, however I looked. So, they already knew I was special in


    one way or another.


    How special? To what degree? I didn''t know.


    My knowledge regarding that Apex ancestor of mine was close to null, all I knew was ''His'' Title and that my corruption stemmed from him.


    I couldn''t ask them about ''Him'' as that would reveal much about me-about my origins.


    Moreover, I wasn''t sure if my existence was considered taboo.


    They might try to hunt me down if they figured out that I was a direct descendant of Najmat Al-Khulud, the Eternal Star.


    In conclusion, it was way too risky.


    Anyhow, once he heard my answer, he looked away in his usual mncholy, showing slight


    satisfaction.


    That gave Ms. Queen a chance to say:


    "Your third question remains unasked, Mr. Pawn; don''t tell me you forgot."


    ''...What?''


    Barely stopping myself from showing any sign of surprise, I nced up at Mr. yer, whose


    fog-covered hand gestured for me to ask, and so I began to think of which question to choose, happily taking this opportunity presented to me.


    The fact that it was ''free'' only made me happier, though suspicion remained as I knew things


    were never free.


    Mr. yer must have taken something from me without my knowledge, or at least my presence gained him some sort of advantage, after all, he said it himself, he was fair.


    ''Hm... I''ll go with that.''


    It wasn''t long before I picked a question out of the hundreds in my mind, but before I could


    ask, Ms. Queen warned:


    "Be cautious when seeking answers beyond your rank, darling. Remember, knowledge is a double-edged sword. Too much curiosity can be deadly, for Aether responds to more than just


    Titles."


    That vital piece of information shocked me for a moment, but then I quickly regained myposure-it made absolute sense.


    At the same time, I realized that it had scratched off almost all the questions that I had in


    mind, and prepared for hours on end before this meeting.


    And with that realization came another.


    Silent, whose true name was Marcus Aurelius, hadn''t died from old age or an attack.


    Death imed him due to his own genius, having learned things that were far beyond his rankn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    in the Celestial Hierarchy.


    He was the embodiment of the phrase, "Too smart for their own good."


    ''He''ll never cease to surprise me.''


    The moment I met that man, I held sincere respect for him, and I still did. It seemed like I


    always would.


    But enough about that I needed to get myself out of this predicament.


    Ms. Queen had set a trap to uncover my true rank.


    I wasn''t sure why she decided to do that.


    Perhaps it was curiosity about my corrupted blood, or she might''ve just misjudged my


    strength and wanted to confirm if I was an Archon.


    It could also be a routine test for every new pawn in their midst.


    Regardless, none of that mattered.


    I wasn''t going to be like those pawns.


    She woulde to see me as an equal soon enough.


    "Wait, so you know things that only Paragons do?"


    Flinching at the absurdity of what I said, Mr. Queen breathed out and asked:


    "Ah, just a little warning, my dear. But since you''re an Archon, I''m sure you wouldn''t mind if I


    indulged you with some secrets about your rank, would you?"


    A heavy weight descended upon me...


    This was THE deciding moment.


    If I said yes, she would reveal that information for free, and I would die.


    She might be bluffing, but I wasn''t willing to take that chance.


    Unlike Arthur, I wasn''t a man who liked to gamble.


    Backing out now was not an option either.


    Not only would I expose my rank as Seraphim, but I would also jeopardize any future position


    I might have within this circle.


    ''I have to do it! I have to show myself as an Archon... There''s no-''


    "Hey, hey, why''s everyone so tense?"


    "The movie wasn''t that bad, was it?"


    "By the way, Archon is ss-Three, right?"


    My thoughts were interrupted by Ms. Knightzily asking Mr. Rook the dumbest of questions.


    He ignored her, his eyes fixed on me, as were the others, their stares piercing through my skin.


    It appeared that while I was lost in thought, the entire room''s attention shifted to me.


    The intensity of their gaze felt suffocating, but with a shake of my head, that feeling went away.


    My rationality was always quick to return no matter how dire the situation was, and I almost felt thankful to the Order for that.


    Without them, my mind wouldn''t have been tortured so much; it wouldn''t have been at such a


    high grade.


    ''...Alright.''


    Clutching my right hand until blood began to seep, I leaned back on my chair, acting calm,


    and said:


    "I don''t mind; you can take it as my question as well."


    Ms. Queen''s smile widened, and she yed around with her bracelets, thinking of what


    information to give.


    Only after a few silent seconds went by did she say:

 Chapter 385: Misunderstandings Galore

    Chapter 385: Misunderstandings Galore


    ?


    "Well, as you''re aware, darling, all Celestials-save for Spell Weavers and Arcanists-are limited to a maximum of ten abilities. But, reach ss-Three, and you''ll find a little surprise: an extra ability is granted."


    Ms. Queen spoke slowly, her eyes scanning my features as best the fog allowed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "But how does it work, you may ask? It''s quite simple, really. They don''t unlock this ability themselves; instead, it''s bestowed upon them by an external source..."


    My head throbbed with sharp pain.


    ...as a blessing..."


    The throbbing intensified, pounding against my skull.


    "...from what you call..."


    The pain continued to build, like a vise tightening around my mind.


    "...a Primordial..."


    My vision blurred, and the agony surged through me.


    "...a ss-One."


    Then, boom!


    The pain went haywire, reaching its peak.


    It was as if a lightning bolt struck directly into my brain, sending shockwaves of torment through every fiber of my being, burning my every nerve.


    ''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!''


    Inwardly, I screamed, yet I couldn''t hear that scream, the pain took all that my mind could give, enduring each wave that was more brutal than thest.


    Outwardly, I showed nothing.


    My face remained stoic, giving no hint of the pain that threatened to shatter my mind.


    The rest spoke, or so I believed, as I could only hear a distant murmur against the roar in my head.


    I couldn''t confirm that even if I wanted to.


    My eyes... they no longer saw anything.


    Not because I closed them shut, but because I had turned blind.


    The world around me had spun, and the edges of my vision kept blurring until I saw white and nothing but.


    In that blindness, each second stretched into an eternity, the pain unrelenting.


    I was afraid that they had caught on to my act, that I began to show my pain, and that only worsened it.


    It was as though invisible ws were raking through my brain, leaving trails of fire in their wake.


    I could feel my heart up to my throat as I inhaled and exhaled, breathing bing a conscious effort.


    It felt like I was being pulled apart at the seams...


    But I fought to stay grounded, to keep my mind from splintering.


    I wouldn''t die from this, that much I knew after hearing her words, but it truly felt otherwise.


    Eventually however, after ''Gods'' know how long, the intensity began to wane.


    Slowly, it disappeared, leaving behind a dull, throbbing ache as I tried to gather my thoughts, piece by painful piece.


    Blessings. Souls. Primordials. ss-Ones.


    Those words echoed in my mind over and over.


    After the tenth round of echos, I understood that the reason why I didn''t die was different than what I had thought seconds ago.


    While I already knew of the eleventh ability, the unique one, I didn''t know that it came from a blessing.


    But I did have a hint.


    [Special Achievement: Joined The Game. Unlock Rather Than Receive Unique Ability.]


    When I swallowed the blue and red pills that I stole from Arthur, I also stole his achievements, and this was one of them.


    The wording was important.


    ''Unlock rather than receive.''


    That was why I was still alive.


    I had already known half of it beforehand, so the pain was ''lessened.''


    Not only that, it must''ve also been a result of me figuring out that souls became significant when reaching the Archon rank.


    Godhood, a concept I still didn''t fully understand, might have yed a role as well.


    So in simpler terms, I knew of its existence and its general framework, but not the specifics.


    Blessings were an actual thing, and they directly interacted with the soul.


    Everything was falling into ce now, filling in most of the puzzle.


    But then, that brought up the question of how I unlocked the unique ability if it was meant to be bestowed upon me as a blessing.


    The answer to that was simple.


    I had the blood of a Primordial, a God.


    What was a mere blessingpared to the very blood of a God?


    ''Hmm... It seems like Arthur''s luck rubbed off me a little.''


    This had confirmed another thing as well.


    {Ability is not of the ten but is something ingrained into your being.}


    Back then, we guessed that this was a passive ability connected to the soul.


    We were correct.


    And what was the only passive ability that I had?


    No, it wasn''t Temporal Perception.


    It was the ability that I got before that, on the very day that I was born.


    The ability that allowed me to glimpse at the Scripts.


    Though it didn''t feel like it, that was a blessing from the Lady Of Time.


    ''...Oh?''


    Now that I had realized that, my soul had also ''told'' me its name.


    {Eyes Of The Author}


    It was quite fitting.


    Like always, my soul knew how to name things best, people ought to learn-


    "Mr. yer, could you possibly tell me if he''s... dead?"


    Ms. Queen''s words cut through the fog in my mind, stopping my musings and bringing me


    back to the present.


    ''Damn, I was too lost in my thoughts.''


    I straightened, pushing the remnants of pain to the back of my mind.


    ''It''s time to act.''


    ***


    "I''m fine; do you really think I''d die from that?"


    Emir said indifferently, casually leaning his head on his left hand.


    This immediately put all six Archons on high alert.


    His killing intent was obvious as was his defensive demeanor.


    It was as if he was a lion whose tail had just been stepped on.


    Ms. Queen''s mouth formed an ''o'' of surprise, thinking that he might''vee close to death,


    given that he hadn''t spoken for the past ten seconds.


    ''...He''s fine?''


    She let out a sigh of relief that was heard by all.


    "...You... you worried me a little."


    He waved away her words with the back of his hand, dismissing her concern.


    "Don''t lie. You actually went through with it knowing that I could be a Seraphim."


    Ms. Queen wasn''t lying.


    She was sincerely worried.


    When shest made Emir promise to live long, it wasn''t for show.


    In fact, she had never thought that he was Seraphim.


    She just wanted to confirm what she felt that day when they shoved him into the ck room.


    This ''trap'' was a misunderstanding on Emir''s side, as he didn''t know of his sudden and insane increase in strength.


    Ms. Queen caught on to that and was about to exin herself, but he cut her off before she


    could so:


    "There''s no need for excuses. I get it, I wouldn''t want to work with someone so weak either."


    ''But I don''t feel that way!''


    She really wanted to scream that aloud, but seeing how Mr. Pawn acted, she backed off, giving


    him time to process what just happened.


    In that silence, she also attempted to process what she learned.


    ''So he really is a Third?''


    The Archon rank had three sub-ranks, as was usual in the Celestial Hierarchy, with the Apex


    Major rank being the only exception.


    Emperor, Sovereign, and Monarch.


    When the ''veil'' covering his strength was lifted, Mr. Pawn was revealed as a Monarch.


    But she could not believe that someone would gain such strength before learning the


    embodiment method.


    Especially not at such a young age.


    That had to be a result of his corruption.


    Mr. Pawn being a Sovereign was hard to believe for the same reason mentioned above, but...


    Talent was a terrifying thing.


    If it was possible, it could happen even if the probability was almost zero.


    This universe was unfathomably big, andpared to it, probability was meaningless.


    His being an Emperor didn''t even cross her mind.


    The purity of his blood would have to be extremely high and be filled with corruption for such


    an impossible jump in rank.


    ''Direct descendants no longer exist. Hunted. So if he''s of the first sub-rank then...''


    Ms. Queen tapped her chin.


    ''He''d be a fifth-generation descendant.''


    Surprised at the implications of her own thoughts, she quickly dismissed them and decided to


    deem him as a Third-ss Second Sub-Rank, a Sovereign.


    One could only imagine her reaction if she knew the truth-that he was actually a fourth-


    generation descendant.


    This meant that between the Sultan of Sands and himself were only three generations...


    The Sultan was his great-great-grandfather.


    Such knowledge wasn''t known to anyone but Emir and Lyra as they had checked his DNA after


    the whole Aria debacle and discovered that his lineage was surprisingly short, extending only


    to three.


    Thankfully, Emir was careful not to spill anything, but in his extremely humble opinion, none


    of his words or actions mattered...


    ''Not in front of him.''


    For Mr. yer already knew.


    Unarguably, it had to be one of the main reasons he was invited.


    Every person at the table belonged somewhere only essible to them.


    So he must''ve known of Emir''s blood connection since the start. Previously, Emir thought it was because he was from Earth, but now it made a lot more sense.


    ''...That''s why ''She'' said that he''s interested in me.''


    ''As always, things were never free and will never be.''


    Yet that didn''t make him suspicious of Mr. yer, it did the opposite.


    Emir wasn''t invited for a reason with low substance, like him being talented or a man from


    Earth, but because of the potential of him connecting with Najmat Al-Khulud, providing Mr. yer a window to that world.


    He didn''t know how exactly, but Setrenc''s host would benefit from him being there.


    Besides, there had to be another reason as well.


    One that he knew not off... a reason that somehowpensated for hisck of strength.


    So with all that in mind, Emir decided to make a move.


    He needed to confirm his findings.


    Showing a calm smile, he looked up, and his eyesnded on Mr. yer''s throne.


    "Might I ask for a private talk, Mr. yer?"

 Chapter 386: Private Talk

    Chapter 386: Private Talk


    ?


    ''Fog'' covered Emir''s left and right, shielding him from the otherspletely and isting him with Mr. yer.


    This was the second time this had happened, and he still wasn''t used to it.


    The pressure was immense.


    Having Mr. yer''s entire attention fixated on him almost made him break into a sweat.


    And unlike thest time, there was no melody in the background.


    It seemed Mr. yer wanted him to feel the full weight of the moment.


    Whether this was to help him get used to it or to use it against him in his mental battle with Ms. Queen, Emir didn''t know.


    All he knew was that his life felt like a tiny me on a candle-one of trillions-vulnerable to being snuffed out by the softest of winds.


    He was humbled, reminded that while he might be considered of ''importance'' on Earth, to giants like the man in front of him, he was no more significant than the very ''ants'' he often squashed.


    This, however, didn''t deter him from speaking his mind.


    It wasn''t something new he had just learned; he had always known that his life waspletely and utterly insignificant in the grand scheme of things.


    He was both a puppet on strings and a puppeteer, a pawn and a yer-a constant irony and contradiction that he acknowledged without hesitation.


    For despite it all, he had always spoken his mind freely, done what he decided was best, and ultimately, he saw no reason to stop now.


    Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and spoke:


    "I''m a Seraphim Champion, a ss-Four First Sub-Rank. But you know that already, correct?"


    Some of the ''fog'' in front of him coalesced into a smile under what could only be described as an ancient depiction of Angels-except its features were grotesquely exaggerated.


    Countless eyes, too many to count, shimmered within its shifting form like stars.


    The smile itself contorted unnaturally, revealing thousands of rows of teeth that stretched almost infinitely.


    "Indeed."


    Emir shuddered at that sight and at Mr. yer''s voice, which rumbled his mind due to just how deep it was, causing his next words to be a struggle:


    "Will... you reveal... hooouff... that to the other members?"


    The ''fog'' shifted once more, its smile increasing in size while getting closer to his face.


    The eyes within its form stared at him unblinkingly, their pupils widening and narrowing at random.


    "Here,ws abound. One dictates that personal knowledge remains veiled by the ''fog'' unless willingly divulged by the bearer. I am just; none of my decrees shall be transgressed. A binding pact holds no necessity."


    Emir''s heartbeat raced, and his trembling remained, but he did not stop:


    "Did... did you invite me because of my lineage?"


    The ''fog'' pressed closer, just a few inches away from touching his skin.


    Its countless eyes froze once it stopped moving, and then its pupils began to blink in disorienting patterns that formed eerie sounds, threatening to hypnotize him.


    "Mhm... yes, a fourth-generation irregr. A ''ck Eye.'' In bygone times, I would''ve hunted you down in moments. But fear not; as I am a ''yer,'' your worries are needless. Besides, there is another reason, as you must have guessed, but that remains within my sacred silence."


    Emir''s breaths began to sound extremely rough, echoing in a mouth that threatened to swallow him whole.


    But his mind seemed to forget that ''fog,'' concentrating on what was revealed.


    Firstly, he found that he was correct-there were at least two unchangeable reasons for his receiving the invitation to Setrenc.


    Secondly, as he already suspected, an order akin to a witch hunt was enacted by most, if not all, in the universe.


    They had long since eradicated Najmat Al-Khulud, so it made sense that they still hunted down their descendants, the so-called irregrs and ck Eyes.


    It seemed they wouldn''t rest until the bloodline was extinguished.


    The third important revtion was that once Mr. yer became a Paragon, his status was elevated to "yer."


    This indicated that he had reached a level where he had a tangible effect on the universe.


    Because of this, different rules were ced on him, shackling his power.


    This was undoubtedly the reason why the universe existed until today.


    Those of unfathomable strength were bound by an even stronger force.


    ''...D-Damn... this is-!''


    "Do thoughts of betrayal stir within you?"


    The ''fog'' was upon him, not even an inch away.


    It swallowed him whole.


    He could not breathe, let alone answer Mr. yer''s question.


    Its smile had stretched impossibly wider, longer, somehow revealing even more jagged teeth,


    and its open maw had one of its teeth pressing against his neck.


    But his eyes remained still, even through his horror, the earlier pain preparing him for this


    terrifying sight.


    Seeing that, Mr. yer''s ''fog'' slowly moved back until it returned to normal, joining what


    circled around him.


    "Rest assured, I was merely confirming."


    With those majestic-sounding words, the ''fog'' on his right and left was lifted.


    Emir slowed his time and breathed heavily, calming his mind...


    After being in that state for a moment turned a hundred, he lifted his Temporal Perception,


    and time returned to normal.


    "Heyyy! Wee back~!"


    Ms. Knight was the first to greet him, acting as if nothing had happened a minute earlier.


    "Are you alright, dear?"


    Ms. Queen had surprisingly done the same, sounding genuinely worried.


    ''She knows how to act alright.''


    But Emir didn''t believe that, so he ignored her and replied to Ms. Knight with a smile:


    "Thanks, but tell me, why did you guys look at me like that?"


    His question referred to the time after he requested a private talk.


    Back then, everyone snapped their heads at him in shock, even Mr. Board, who seemed to not


    care about anyone but Mr. yer.


    "Hm~? Ain''t that obvious?"


    The little Knight giggled and pointed at Mr. King, who looked to be holding himself back


    fromughing.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ms. Queen clicked her tongue and punched him in the shoulder, but instead of feeling pain, he just let out hisughter, rumbling her eardrums.


    "BUWHAHAHAHAHA! Look at you being ignored by the new kid! Sad? Too bad! KAKAKAKA!"


    Mr. Rook couldn''t help but get a stab in as well:


    "So much for a maneater..."


    "Oh, shut up, you undead piece of shit! Why don''t you slink back to your coffin where you


    belong?"


    Appearing to have had enough, Ms. Queen went off on both, scolding the duskmourner first and then the walking gold shop.


    "And you! You''re far too loud! I hope all that glittering gold of yours gets stolen while you


    sleep!"


    Their banter annoyed Mr. Board, as he saw it as disrespectful to Mr. yer, prompting him to


    interfere:


    "Keep quiet you inferior creatures..."


    But his words were drowned by Mr. King''s loudeback:


    "Hah?! You''re the inferior one, chasing an olive tree and calling it Yggdrasil!"


    That triggered him.


    "That''s just one of its many names! The olive tree is the tree of life!"


    Mr. Bishop, usually quiet,mented for once, agreeing with Mr. Board:


    "That is true; while I don''t see the reason for the endless search, there''s no denying its


    existence."


    Clicking his tongue, Mr. King turned to the eternally mourning man.


    "I know that; don''t think of me as an idiot! You gotta look at yourself before you do that; I


    mean, who else worships a dead man?"


    The chaos in the room quietened at once as Mr. Bishop''s killing intent pulsated throughout.


    "Ah~. I knew this would happen."

 Chapter 387: Creator Or Coincidence?

    Chapter 387: Creator Or Coincidence?


    ?


    Ms. Knight face-palmed, her hand cupping her face.


    "They''re always so loud."


    Emir, the only one who had kept quiet since the start of their little fight, looked at her with disbelief, his body unaffected by the intent.


    She looked back at him with eyes that said, ''What? Anything wrong?'' which made him question her mind even more, but he stopped it at that, turning his attention to Ms. Bishop, wanting to obtain as much information as possible.


    "We do not worship Adam. But we do consider him sacred. One of the ''Great Ones.'' We only worship his ''Creator,'' the being from whom all Aether flows. Don''t count us as those from Temr who worship Aether itself or those that consider Adam as the creator."


    Mr. King chuckled.


    "There were a million Adams before the known Adam, and this Adam whom you hold in such regard is simply the Adam of our generation. Nothing makes him special; they all walked the path of Creation."


    Punching his throne with the bottom of his right fist, Mr. Bishop shot back:n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "But that''s precisely why he holds such a special ce in our hearts. We, his generation, were the only ones truly able to walk the same path as he did! He was our messiah! You..."


    While they went back and forth, Emir''s mind grew busy understanding a concept that was once lost upon him.


    On Earth, there were ''Adams'' before their Adam. That was an undeniable fact.


    Though obvious, he had never thought about it before. There was no reason to.


    But now?... He was curious.


    It might give him an idea of how his blood was so corrupted.


    Adam and Eve were never alone; otherwise, how could humankind exist? By incest?


    No, that wouldn''t make sense; not everyone was retarded like Quinn.


    So that meant that besides his wife, there were other women as well. Maybe men too, who had continued the lineage with his one hundred and forty-one children.


    That naturally exined the existence of Primordials.


    They were beings who lived a minimum of a few million years before Earth''s religious and scientific history.


    A million plus years before Earth''sst generation was created.


    The ''Creator'' here was unknown, whether it was trillions of coincidences that formed the first ''Adam'' in some cosmic ''soup'' or that, as Mr. Bishop seemingly believed, a ''Creator'' above this realm had created ''Him.''


    There was another theory about evolution; its name lost to time, but it was proven to be false.


    Mutation could happen; Emir knew that very well as he saw the evidence of that on a daily basis, but he also knew that evolution could never change the species'' origin.


    Humans were not monkeys.


    They were inferior animals, incapable of walking the same Path as ''Adam.''


    Honestly, Emir didn''t care for either belief, and judging by what they said, Adam had died. And not just thest, but all of them.


    Every single ''Adam'' led a human generation and died once the next was created, either by ''Their'' own hands or the ''Creator,'' leaving behind stragglers that managed to step into the Celestial Hierarchy.


    This repeated until thest and final generation.


    An entire generation born with the ability to walk the same paths as ''He,'' ''His''panions, and ''His'' children did.


    But Emir''s lineage didn''t date back to Adam.


    He was, as stated by Mr. yer, a fourth-generation irregr. A ck Eye.


    His blood traced back to a straggler, the Sultan Of The Sands.


    After all, it wouldn''t make any sense that he was considered a fourth-generation when there were uncountable generations between him and their Adam.


    But still, that didn''t mean that he didn''t have Adam''s blood in him.


    His mother was one of ''His'' children.


    So the diluted blood inside him was a natural result of being her son.


    And somehow... that wasn''t a bad thing.


    When his straggler''s blood was awakened during what Lyra called the ''mutation unlock,'' Adam''s blood induced his corruption to a higher level than his father''s, who was supposed to have purer blood than him.


    ''I see... so that''s why.''


    Everything clicked, and the ''plot holes'' within his mind that only started to exist a few minutes ago were filled.


    It was a bit tough to wrap his head around all this while picking up information from their argument at the same time, but that didn''tst long as the two were finally quietened by Mr. yer, signaling that the time to converse neared the end.


    Pa~


    Emir looked at Mr. Bishop in a weird light; unlike Mr. Board, he didn''t dunk on him by calling


    him a fanatic, but he also didn''t know how to react to such passion.


    Because for him, such things were meaningless in the quest for survival.


    It was a waste of time.


    But he wouldn''t judge him.


    He was thankful that such a topic was brought up, as it allowed him some much-needed


    introspection.


    However, the time for introspection was over. Survival took precedence.


    "Can you guys answer my question now?"


    They all turned to Emir, only now remembering where this entire debate had started.


    After every chess piece except the rook shared a chuckle, Mr. King answered:


    "You''ve broken the record for the fastest time a pawn took to ask Mr. yer for a one-on-


    one."


    bergasted with the answer, Emir asked:


    "Really?"


    And Ms. Queen confirmed:


    "Really. You did it in two meetings. The average was six, with the record being five. I''d say


    that''s quite the impressive feat, darling."


    "Huh... Well, that''s good, I guess?"


    She nodded to his confused words and added:


    "Uhm, I''m sorry about earlier, didn''t mean to -"


    Emir waved his hand again, but unlikest time, it was not to dismiss her.


    "I know, I realize that. I just misunderstood, my bad."


    A smile spread across her face at his words, but her happy mood was abruptly cut short by Mr.


    Rook.


    "Careful, Mr. Pawn. Don''t be falling in love now... Our queen here used to be a-"


    "Not another word!"


    Unexpectedly, it wasn''t Ms. Queen who silenced him, but Ms. Knight.


    For the first time since Emir had joined the gathering, he saw her disy an emotion other


    than carefreeness.


    It was almost the exact opposite-she showed pure hatred.


    It seemed that whatever Mr. Rook was about to reveal was a massive deal for her, and that she


    would never let him get away with it.


    "Alright alright..."


    But when he backed off, her demeanor took a one-eighty-degree shift, returning to normal.


    No onemented on that, and Ms. Queen stayed quiet, only looking at the vampire in disappointment before turning her gaze to Emir.


    "It''s no big deal, sweetheart, but I''d rather hold off on revealing that for now... I''m sure you


    already have plenty to think about."


    Emir chuckled.


    "On that, you are right..."


    His eyes turned left,nding on Mr. King as he added:


    "By the way, I didn''t find a relic that matched your requirements on my. I''ll try my luck


    with others when I have the chance, but don''t expect much."


    Mr. King didn''t react as if expecting such an oue.


    "Thanks for trying."


    Pa~


    A piano key resounded in the room once more, its source-Mr. yer''s throne.


    It bounced off the walls and repeated multiple times as if it were its own song, eventually setting their minds to absolute rity and calm.


    "Verily, this gathering concludes. Our first public mission lies distant; folly it would be to


    tarry for it."


    Snap.


    In the next moment, he found himself back in the bathroom, with the tap still running.


    But that barely registered in his mind as his attention was fixated on the mirror.


    More specifically, his eyes were locked on his own face...


    His reflection was smiling.

 Chapter 388: End Of Trip

    Chapter 388: End Of Trip


    ?


    The cohort''s celebration ended upon his return and consecutive exit.


    Not because he demanded it, but because they saw his face.


    It didn''t take the smartest of them to understand that something had happened.


    While they didn''t know of Setrenc, they knew of Emir, their leader.


    And he showed a face they hadn''t seen before- a smile that was neither genuine nor fake.


    As if he was an alien mimicking a human smile, something about it was just eerie.


    Even Lyra, the only person who knew about Setrenc, couldn''t understand what had happened.


    But when he began to cultivate in his room, allowing her to see his memories, she realized the reason behind that errieness.


    The man was genuinely excited-perhaps too excited.


    He didn''t know how to show that emotion in his normal state.


    It was in conflict with his identity. A puppeteer who only used his emotions as tools.


    Mr. yer had mentioned a mission on the horizon, and as a Seraphim in a room full of Archons, his first instinct should''ve been to escape...


    Yet he might''ve been the most excited of the lot.


    The only he stepped foot on other than Earth was a purple one that was intent on killing anything not born from poison.


    That trial improved his strength by leaps and bounds, but it wasn''t anything adventurous. Just training and running.


    This mission however, would take ce in societies to which he didn''t belong.s of higher status.


    There were too many unknowns to count, so of course, a man with such a thirst for knowledge would get excited.


    But those feelings didn''tst long.


    Like everything in life, they hit sky-high and then slowly withered away.


    When the morning came, he was back to normal, cold and aloof.


    He greeted Lyra, met up with the family, and with no dy, they went back to the outpost.


    Most of the students were sleeping now, as reported by his men, so they didn''t rush and took their time, using it to cultivate.


    It didn''t take long for them to reach, and when they did, the students were already gathered outside the settlement''s gate, waiting to board.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir opened the doors of all three APCs and spoke, his voice loudly echoing outside through the speakers:


    "Que up and enter in a straight line. I''ll give minus credits to anyone who disturbs the uniformity. Is that understood?"


    Stepping their foot down hard, almost cracking the pavement, the students saluted and screamed:


    "Yes SIR!"


    ''Hoh...''


    [The results are better than expected.]


    He chuckled at Lyra''sment, certainly not able to deny it.


    [Way better. Looks like that Cub did us a solid.]


    [It did, but if we hadn''t sent in the Elite cohort, half of the students might''ve died.]


    [Yeah, like always, something happened that didn''t in the ''novel,'' maybe it''s a result of us ending that minor disaster, or maybe it''s the third yer, who knows.]


    [Fate is a fickle thing~.]


    [It''s a bitch.]


    With that conversation over, Emirmanded:


    "Board."


    And the studentsplied as if they couldn''t wait to return home, rushing onto the APCS while remaining orderly.


    Behind the students were Jake and Emma, watching over them with weapons on hand in case anything went wrong.


    Nothing did.


    Everything proceeded smoothly and all the students took their seats.


    [We''ll be going now. Good job you two. See you back home, yeah?]


    At his telepathic words, Jake and Emma looked to where they believed their leader sat and saluted.


    [Thank you, Sir!]


    [Thank you, Sir! I expect my sry to increase, Sir! I beg you, Sir!]


    One of them was professional, and the other... not so much.


    Emir didn''t mind that, he actually found it endearing.


    Those two were the first friends he made in this world, though... he only considered that after gaining an advantage over them. The binding contract helped quite a bit as well.


    [You should stop using all your credits on alcohol; seriously, I still remember the day you asked me to be careful; guess it was you projecting, huh?]


    [W-What? What do you meeeaaan? I uhhhh, I drank like ten bottles this week, that''s all.]


    Chuckling, Emir gave up on setting her straight and appointed Jake to handle her as he always


    did:


    [Good luck, half-man. Don''t let her steal all your money.]


    [Don''t worry, I got it covered, and thanks boss, I''ll need a lot of that...]


    Emir nodded as if he could see them, which he did due to the cameras, and announced:


    "We''re departing."


    The APCS closed their doors and began to move.


    They followed Lyra''s lead while surrounded on both sides by cruisers matching their pace.


    There was no Gateway Alliance transport request at that time, so those nine vehicles were all there was.


    That meant a higher chance of them encountering pirates and rogues, but Emir didn''t worry


    about it.


    Neither did his two friends, as they saluted their departure with bright smiles on their faces, only returning to their vehicles once the convoy could no longer be seen.


    Meanwhile, and likest time, all those ''named'' sat in Emir''s APC, but unlike that time, the awkwardness in their interactions was gone.


    Even Sofia, with her unfeeling personality, wasn''t able to shield herself from theradery that came as a result of the life-or-death battles they experienced.


    The change wasn''t much, sure, but for there to be a change in the first ce was surprising.


    And what was that change, one might ask?


    She initiated conversation!


    "...Elijah. Tell me how you think I performed yesterday."


    Well, it was more amand than a conversation, but it was a step in the right direction.


    "...?"


    Simr to those next to him, the Reaper looked at her in surprise, only answering after her eyes narrowed:


    "Great. Without you, we would''ve died, no doubt. You protected us at every turn, and most of your shots hit their target. You positioned yourself well in each fight, especially against the Cannonjaw. To be honest, I still can''t believe we killed that thing... Anyways, I don''t know much about Rangers, so I won''t bash you too much, but even I can see that you need to time your reloads better. If you did, then Quinn wouldn''t have gotten so-"


    "Who are you to say that?!"


    Max cut him off, ''defending'' Sofia in hopes of gaining her favor.


    But the only thing he gained was a re, so he shut himself up and looked away, escaping her


    eyes which spoke more than her mouth ever did.


    Elijah shrugged, used to Max''s stupidity.


    A young master would not be considered one if he wasn''t a few chromosomes short.


    Despite his irritation, Elijah almost felt pity for him.


    So, instead of getting back at the Brawler like he usually would, he decided to include Max in


    the conversation.


    "You were pretty good too. You controlled an entire section by yourself, allowing us to finish


    up quick. Saving that guy was a plus, and your Dragon Roars were on point. Besides that, from what I saw, you always took on more than you could handle, your Rapid Strikes missed most of the time, and you were filled with openings that any higher-ranking monster would easily


    exploit."


    Ava leaned forward, then snapped her head towards him and asked:


    "What about me~? I totally carried yesterday, didn''t I?"


    Elijah nced at Max, and he took it as a sign to speak:


    "I''d take a rat as a teammate instead of you."


    She acted hurt, opening her mouth wide to breathe in a gasp, only to cover her mouth with


    both her hands.


    Knowing her since childhood, Max didn''t care for her act and doubled down:


    "Actually, you know what? I''d rather have that gold-eye bastard than you!"


    She was truly hurt this time, having deemed Arthur absolutely useless since the first time she


    saw him at the test.


    "You can''t say that!"


    Seeing her be so defensive struck Arthur to the core, as he had been quietly listening to their


    conversation for a while.


    In situations like this, he would usually stay quiet and act like he wasn''t there, but this time


    was different.


    Boldened by his recent victory and confidence boost, he fought back:


    "D-Don''t act like being with me is so bad!"

 Chapter 389: Popcorn And Soda

    Chapter 389: Popcorn And Soda


    ?


    Max, who leaned back in his seat, expecting Arthur to run away like a rat, was shocked.


    He never expected him to say a word; after all, he was not only impure but also a weak bastard with no backbone.


    Of course, his being impure was false, but Max wouldn''t know that.


    ''...Why?''


    Surprisingly, Arthur''s response didn''t anger him.


    Instead, it made him take a metaphorical step back and reconsider why he had ordered his goons to bully the guy in the first ce.


    What he saw in the outpost wasn''t anything close to good, but it was definitely better than the average student.


    Most of it appeared to be luck, but that didn''t matter to him; that was also a skill.


    Besides, that wasn''t why he took a ''step back.''


    The reason was because of Arthur''s emotional growth.


    Not only did he move past his fear in the outpost, but also now, when confronted with people that could ruin his life in seconds.


    Again, Max was wrong in thinking that.


    Arthur had a stronger background than even him, but the redhead wouldn''t know that now, would he?


    Max truly believed that Arthur was brave enough to stand up to the children of the four untouchable Elite.


    So he couldn''t help but wonder why he grew annoyed with him, and the answer to that wonder didn''t take too long to arrive.


    Simply put, it was because of the way he looked at Aria, Ava, and most importantly, Sofia.


    ''That bastard eyed them like pieces of meat!''


    He failed to catch the hypocrisy where he did the same to Sofia, but as a young master, there was no such thing as a two-way street. Only his way or the highway.


    "Fuck you rat bastard!"


    Arthur''s confidence died on the spot like it never even existed. His body deting back into his seat.


    "S-Sorry."


    As he backed off, Aria came in his ce, peaking her head around Ava.


    "Stop cursing up a storm, you red-haired idiot... And, um, E-Elijah, what about me?"


    She stammered, ncing away.


    "But you don''t need to say anything. It''s not like I care about your opinion or anything..."


    Not a single soul sitting next to her was able to stop themselves from rolling their eyes, but they did manage to hide it, unlike Elijah who was forward with her:


    "For the sake of my sanity, please stop acting like that!"


    Aria smacked Ava''s face with her blonde twin tails as she let out a ssic "Humph!" in response.


    Sighing and chuckling at the same time, Elijah reached out and tapped her forehead.


    "You were great too. Without your roots, me and Quinn wouldn''t have been able to get close, we might''ve even gotten pancaked like Junior. Yourbined abilities with Emma were amazing, really, you have great control over your abilities, using them in many different ways."


    He gave her onepliment after another, making her pump her chest out in pride. But that wasn''t because she was his favorite, Lily was.


    It was because he was about to destroy whatever ego he built up with his next words: "Your weaknesses are many. Low preventative power, nonexistent defense, and bad positioning. If you were by yourself, you would''ve been killed in seconds."


    Contrary to what one might expect, she didn''t push back against his criticism.


    Instead, she nodded her head as he spoke, agreeing with his words.


    The girl wasn''t ranked third for no reason.


    "Thanks for being honest."


    Her words came with a small, appreciative smile.


    This didn''t surprise any of the five; they all knew that the girl was a cinnamon roll underneath all that bravado and emotional idiocy.


    Otherwise, Elijah wouldn''t have stuck around as her ve for so long.


    "Yo, hook your brotha up too!"


    Junior had also asked, but this time instead of actingposed, he took the route of ''cool.''


    "You don''t talk like that!"


    It didn''t work.


    Elijah reprimanded him with a face twitching with cringe:


    "You''ll never get friends at this rate."


    Bang!


    His heart was shot by the truth, but that bullet didn''t stop him.


    He was a goddamn Knight!


    "But I have you!"


    Elijah ignored his melodramatic attempt at an acting award and answered his question while looking away, his smile quivering. He dissed him for being cringy, but that didn''t mean that he didn''t find it funny, he was barely stopping himself fromughing.


    "Kuhm! You were the rock of our cohort. It goes without saying that we wouldn''t even have attempted to fight the Cub if you weren''t with us. Your defense is solid, you use your shield well, and you know how to move when needed. But when everyone is away from the bulwark, you stand idle, you need to find abat style that makes use of that time. Also, your Core is in dire need of an upgrade; your abilities are greedy for Aether."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ||


    "...


    || ||


    The response to his long reply was silence.


    They hadn''t realized it before, or maybe they had, and this only confirmed their suspicions.


    Elijah knew exactly how they fought.


    It was as if he had studied them, not just by sight, but also in text.


    A Nigh-Omniscient ''reader'' who learned of all the characters'' strengths and weaknesses.


    "That wasn''t a wrong thought.


    Only that it wasn''t Elijah but Emir who did that.


    This knowledge was passed down to him in one of the many lessons he took under Lyra.


    So he felt slightly awkward about how they saw him, deeming him better than he actually


    was.


    "A-Anyways everyone asked me, but I didn''t ask anyone, so let''s start with you, Sofia. How


    was I?"


    To dispel that awkwardness, he forced out a question that he didn''t care for, as the only opinion that mattered to him was his big brother''s and sister''s.


    ||||


    Sofia quietly looked at him for a long moment, as if the world had slowed down.


    Then, almost painfully slowly, she opened her mouth and said:


    "....Fine."


    "Who are you to be judged by her?!"


    Max''s loud voice drowned hers out, fueled by jealousy... Again.


    But Elijah retaliated this time around:


    "Quiet down before I cut your legs a second time."


    Pushing himself up, Max roared while his fists tightened:


    "Hah?! What did you say?!"


    Elijah didn''t move, acting nonchnt.


    "Oh, so you''re deaf too? Choose a disability and stick with it."


    At a loss for words, Max stood still and silently stared at Elijah.


    "You know, if Temr is right and Aether is a ''Creator...'' They say it gives its toughest battles


    to its strongest soldiers. But I think it gave you too many because even it thinks you''re a lost


    cause."


    ||||


    That stunned Max even further, causing him to sit back down.


    He was not cut out forplicated insults.


    By the time it took him to understand them, everyone else was already shouting


    "Oooooohhh," as if it were a holoscreen show.


    They almost heard a "KO!"


    It was that bad, or rather, that good.


    But the fun didn''tst long.


    Once Max calmed down, they returned to their earlier conversations.


    Most of the students didn''t have time for this kind of talk yesterday.


    After a head count, they quickly dove back in, their emotions at their peak, taking only a short break to heal to full health and resupply their ammunition and old-world medicine.


    So they now naturally immersed themselves, asking questions and receiving answers, their time passing many times faster than usual.


    And before they knew it, they had reached the Academy.


    Emir watched them the entire way there with soda and popcorn in hand.


    Though altered, those five were the same main cast that his ''past life'' had read. And yes, it


    was five, not seven.


    Quinn and Xavier Jr, though considered ''named,'' were new additions, a result of his


    interference, so he didn''t count them.


    Not that Quinn said anything; she was just off in the corner like always, ring at everything


    that existed.


    She was still affected by what had happened yesterday and hadn''t yet processed what she did


    after her cohort saved Arthur.


    Her mind was dying it as much as possible, afraid of how she would react.


    It was a natural countermeasure.


    Emir was delighted by that sight.


    Her struggle only meant that his n was on track.


    She would lose control by tonight.


    He had to send the letter.

 Chapter 390: Pretty Lies

    Chapter 390: Pretty Lies


    ?


    "Come closer, Silent, you''ll miss it!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ragnar tapped the free space on the ''couch'' to his right while repeatedly bumping his left shoulder against Emir''s, his hands holding arge serving of popcorn.


    "Stop moving ya fuck."


    Emir stepped on his feet, silencing him, and turned to face Silent, who stood behind them with a confused look on his face.


    "What? I know you''re interested too, so don''t act like you''re better than us."


    Scruffing his long ck hair, he blinked his green eyes a few times.


    Only then did he move, finally convinced that what he saw was real.


    Just two minutes ago, while he was rxing in his neuralwork after shooing off another cohort, his long day of protecting the Silent Archive over, he noticed Emir and Ragnar pulling up to the ruin, taking a leisurely walk through it as if on a pic.


    He almost felt like sending the monsters to attack them right then and there, but then he saw what Emir had in his hands: a big bowl of popcorn and arge soda.


    ...That stopped him.


    Silent didn''t know if Emir had brought the snacks on purpose, knowing he was always searching for the real thing instead of the fakes he materialized every time he entered his neuralwork.


    But that mattered not.


    Whether it was a bribe or coincidence, he ushered them in by scaring off all the monsters on the way.


    Once the two entered through therge doors made of polished stone, they made themselves at home, crafting a makeshift couch out of the library''s shelves and setting up a holoscreen on the ground in the nearest corner.


    While doing so, they chatted about some ''field trip'' that Emir had supervised earlier this morning and other random things Silent cared nothing about, making it seem like what they were doing was perfectly normal.


    Expecting them to eventually head for the hole next to his statue, he waited in silence, living up to his name.


    However, seeing them rx so freely and for so long, ticked him off.


    So he rushed out of his hole and approached them, using an android he kept hidden for emergencies and memorial decoration.


    But when he saw their reaction to his arrival, he was stunned.


    The all-powerful AI could not equate the previous Emir with the current one, nor could he do the same for Ragnar.


    They had changed too much...


    No, that was an understatement.


    It was as if they had been ''reborn.''


    Emir did talk to Silent after theyst said goodbye, but always through Lyra.


    This was the first time they talked face-to-face since then.


    Ragnar was worse.


    Thest time Silent saw him, he was a kid, a little boy under the control of an AI and the Order.


    His artificial mind couldn''t equate the bearded savage in front of him with the young, naive teen he had saved no less than ten years ago.


    It seemed that even with his sentience, change wasn''t something he had learned to ept.


    Like all long-lived beings, he was ustomed to static norms, so it was only natural that such a drastic transformation confused him deeply.


    Emir understood this and repeated his invitation, pulling Silent out of his bubble:


    "Sit with us. Me and you have a lot to talk about."


    The reverence in his voice was still there, but now it carried obvious pride as well.


    That indicated that he saw him as his equal.


    Silent didn''t mind that.


    With a single step, he was already beside the half-broken shelf they called a couch.


    "Then make room, sunny boy."


    The princeplied, pushing Ragnar to the right and allowing Silent to sit on his left.


    "Here you go."


    He then passed the bowl of popcorn to Silent, took a few sips of the drink, and handed it over as well.


    "Thanks... but how did you know I enjoy such things?"


    Emir returned his attention to the holoscreen and responded with a single name:


    "Lyra."


    Nodding in understanding, Silent began to munch away, his eyes shifting to the holoscreen as well.


    There, they could see a live feed of a private training room in the Academy.


    It was Quinn''s.


    Lyra, in Emir''s office, was sending the recording straight from his terminal.


    "I didn''t take you for such a creep."


    Ragnar chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.


    "I said the same thing, but he told me to shut up and watch. So that''s what I''m doing. You should think of doing the same."


    Silent looked at Ragnar with surprise.


    "Where''s the respect you had for me, Rag boy? Gone with time? Or did you forget that I saved you? I assumed our reunion would be different."


    Ragnar shook his head.


    "No, I''ll never forget. But as I said, Emir told me to shut up and watch. If he hadn''t, I''d be hugging your cold ass body right this second."


    "So his words take precedence over mine?"


    "Yes, without question. And it isn''t about who saved mest, it''s more than that, much


    more."


    Silent''s curiosity grew, but he stopped himself, well aware of the phrase "curiosity killed the


    cat."


    Emir caught on and sensed that the timing was right, which prompted him to ask:


    "Marcus Aurelius, you died because of knowledge too great. Am I wrong?"


    The android flinched, froze for a moment, and then nodded, not questioning how Emir knew.


    This information was privy only to the upper circle of the Order and hispanions in the


    Legionnaire.


    In turn, his realization solidified-this Emir was no longer the boy he once knew.


    There was a high chance that Emir now knew even more than he did, a man who had died a


    Seraphim with thousands of titles depicting his knowledge.


    Or at least he had the capability of knowing more... Silent was sure of that.


    "I did."


    As if expecting the answer, Emir immediately asked:


    "Then why didn''t you tell me?"


    Silent let out a shortugh, almost inaudible to mortals, something he hadn''t done in so long,


    perhaps not since hest saw Emir.


    "Still shameless I see... You got a lot of free stuff from me you know, especially that priceless script of creation that I had on the wall."


    Ragnar didn''t react to the mention of Scripts as he was already familiar with them, courtesy of


    Lyra''s many lectures.


    And as his focus was entirely on the feed, he was first to notice that a change had taken ce.


    "Look! I think she''s crying!"


    ***


    Memories of yesterday kepting back to me...


    I tried hard to ignore them, but it was hard. Incredibly hard.


    Today, all the professorsined that I wasn''t focusing in their ss but they didn''t


    understand!


    My mind was... it was riddled with guilt.


    That was when I decided to take a break. I was only wasting my time by going to sses in


    that state.


    I went to the building next to the Tower to find myself a private training room but they were


    all booked so I had to make do with the Elite training grounds on the fourth floor.


    Maybe... I could just swing those thoughts away.


    That bastard had caused all of this. If not for him I...


    No, that didn''t matter.


    Though I didn''t want to admit it, he seeded in teaching me about life.


    It was unfair, cheap, and downright ugly.


    I learned something new. Something that I would''ve never learned with the other professors.


    There was no denying that he was fit for the job... but still.


    He wasn''t a good man.


    The bastard had to have noticed my gaze; even a blind man would. Yet I was ignored.


    But then... Why did he make me his assistant?


    To confuse me? Manipte me? y jokes on me?


    Was it due to pity?


    ''Or was he really feeling guilty?''


    I shook my head almost immediately at that thought.


    "That''s impossible.''


    That man was a monster in human skin, he felt no such thing.


    Fifteen and already at such a rank was utter insanity.


    No other professor even neared the pace he seemed to be going at.


    And that wouldn''t have be a reality if he didn''t dip his foot in the shade.


    His objective in inviting me as his assistant was beyond me but it had to benefit him


    somehow.


    I didn''t know in what way, but I had a feeling that I would soon.


    All I knew was that it certainly wouldn''t be for actual assistance work.


    The professor was never random.


    Or he might-


    Schwing!


    Before I realized it, I had already equipped my sword and swung downwards, my body in a


    striking stance.


    ''Ah...''


    It seemed that when I was lost in thought, I automatically began training out of habit, muscle


    memory taking


    Schwing!


    over.


    The training ground was silent for a while, only echoing the sound of each of my swings.


    But not for long, as I stopped thinking about him and turned on the program using my neural


    network.

 Chapter 391: Pretty Lies II

    Chapter 391: Pretty Lies II


    ?


    A secondter, the loud hum of the holographic projectors resounded.


    Stepping forward, I stood amidst the flickering targets, sword in hand, trying to lose myself in the familiar rhythm ofbat drills.


    My mind was a mess.


    When left with nothing to do, my thoughts never stopped churning.


    If I wasn''t thinking about yesterday, then I thought about Emir, theorizing what he had in store.


    That was a problem that I had to resolve... I simply couldn''t function like this.


    So losing myself here was the only solution that I thought of.


    Schwing!


    Each swing and parry should have been more fluid, but today they felt extremely disjointed and clumsy as if I was fighting against more than just holograms.


    Memories from the outpost surfaced uninvited, ying out in my mind with vivid rity.


    The chaos, the anger... the fear, the damn FEAR.


    They looked at me with such unbridled fear that struck to the core.


    It was as if I had sent them to hell.


    Gone was the stampede that ran me close to death, reced by pitiful men and women who begged me like I was their god.


    They desperately held onto my feet, dragging themselves along the bloodied ground, looking up at me with eyes that screamed terror.


    Schwing!


    Like the hologram before me, I had cut them and their hope away, kicking off those who managed to hold on.


    I didn''t even give them a second of attention.


    They either had no life insurance or the package they purchased couldn''t cover their level of injury.


    So I followed my cohort''s lead, acting as if they weren''t there.


    Now... all that came back to bite me.


    Emotions that I couldn''t even name-they all swirled together, creating a storm that threatened to overwhelm me.


    Schwing!


    I swung my sword with more force than necessary, trying to channel my frustration into each strike.


    "You''re a waste of space."


    But as the hologram struck back, that fucker''s words cut through me like a de.


    I gritted my teeth, trying to push the thoughts away, but they persisted, gnawing at my resolve.


    Those in the stampede were angry, scared, and on tenth thought, I couldn''t me them. They saw me as someone who didn''t belong, someone who couldn''t handle the pressure- someone in over their head.


    An Elite who mistook having the best equipment for having actual skill.


    Maybe they were right. Maybe I was just a burden, dragging everyone down with me.


    ''No! That''s not a valid excuse!''


    My thoughts earned a response from my memories.


    A reminder of the screams of hunters, the smell of smoke and blood-it was all too much.


    I could almost feel the ground trembling beneath my feet again, and hear the panicked shouts ringing in my ears.


    Schwing!


    Each strike was a release of pent-up frustration, a futile attempt to vent the overwhelming emotions that threatened to suffocate me since I witnessed that scene.


    "They were at fault! I did nothing wrong!''


    Schwing!


    But then, all of a sudden, the holograms I cut didn''t dissipate into thin air like usual.


    They fell to the ground, dead, a pool of blood around them, left to rot as I had done to many in the outpost.


    "Blurgh..."


    A wave of nausea swept over me, and I stumbled, my grip on the de slipping.


    I copsed to my knees, gasping for air as tears welled up, blurring my vision.


    The weight of my actions-orck thereof-crushed me.


    I had failed them. I had failed myself.


    "No..."


    I muttered hoarsely, my voice breaking.


    What revenge? I had no right to talk.


    "I couldn''t... I didn''t..."


    The cold floor beneath me was a stark reminder of my vulnerability.


    Guilt, heavier than anything that I''ve ever felt, pressed down on my chest, making it hard to


    breathe.


    How could I face myself after what happened?


    In the silence of the training room, I felt utterly alone.


    The walls seemed to close in around me, trapping me in a prison of my own making.


    I wrapped my arms around myself, shaking with silent sobs.


    The tears came freely now, hot and bitter against my cheeks.


    And time seemed to stretch as I wrestled with my emotions.


    The guilt, the fear, the sense of failure-they were relentless, refusing to let me go.


    I wanted to scream, to shout out my frustrations to the empty room, but all that escaped my lips were choked sobs.


    The dead holographic targets flickered, their movements mocking my distress.


    Each one represented a missed opportunity, a mistake that cost lives, a mistake that spelled


    my hypocrisy.


    I wanted to destroy them all, to obliterate every reminder of what I had done, but I knew it wouldn''t change anything.


    Ping~


    But then I was jolted ''awake'' due to my terminal chiming softly, signaling an iing


    message.


    I ignored it, lost in my own turmoil.


    I didn''t know who it was, but I didn''t care; no one would check up on me.


    I had no friends in the Academy, not even back home, where ''home'' used to be.


    At least not after what happened.


    They all left me when the vultures took everything.


    It just showed how vain my life was...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As minutes passed, the sobs subsided into quiet sniffles.


    I sat back on my heels, wiping tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand.


    The ache in my chest hadn''t lessened, but I felt a strange, sorrowful calm settle over me. eptance... perhaps. eptance that I couldn''t change the past, but I could control how I moved forward.


    I nced at the terminal, its soft glow a stark contrast to the dimness of the training room. Wondering who it might be, my mind went wild and the name of a certain professor came up.


    Emir. Maybe he needed me for something?


    Or he might''ve seen my state in the cameras... I didn''t know which scenario I hated more.


    But I knew that if he messaged me, his words were poised to manipte me in some way- truths and lies that would spin my emotions and use them to further his own agenda, like a puppeteer pulling strings in the dark behind the curtains.


    Most would call me obsessed, but I observed how he moved, how he acted against the parasite, and how he prepared for our dive.


    He was always many steps ahead.


    So I couldn''t stop wondering if he knew about my breakdown-if he had orchestrated it


    somehow.


    ''...Let''s see it for now.''


    Shaking off my fear and doubts, I reached for the terminal with trembling fingers.


    The screen blinked to life, disying the message waiting to be opened.


    I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest.


    "Hooooohhhh..."


    Taking a deep breath, I tapped the screen, opening the message that would shape my next


    steps, for better or worse.

 Chapter 392: Dangerous Game

    Chapter 392: Dangerous Game


    ?


    ***


    In a dimly lit room, where the only bright light came from a flickering hologram disying the training room, sat Emir.


    He watched the live feed through the holoscreen, his eyes focused intently on the pitiful girl.


    Ragnar and Silent, sitting on either side of him, did the same, but they found it hard to watch Quinn''s breakdown.


    Only Emir maintained a stoic face, his body still as he listened to her sobs echo through the speakers.


    There was a mixture of contentment and cruelty in his gaze.


    The others didn''t notice it. Ragnar was too busy munching on popcorn, while Silent, holding a soda in one hand, appeared deep in thought.


    His usually calm front was slightly disturbed by the raw emotion on disy.


    "Come on, just read it."


    Ragnar muttered under his breath, clearly anxious to see how she would react to the letter Emir had sent her.


    Ping!


    As if on cue, Quinn''s terminal chimed again, reminding her that a message had reached her.


    She didn''t notice it at first, but after a few seconds, the bright screen finally grabbed her attention.


    Her fingers trembled as she reached for it, letting out a short breath before finally opening the message.


    "Okay..."


    Emir leaned forward slightly, his anticipation almost palpable.


    {Dear Quinn,


    You''ve done nothing wrong, child; it''s the world that has betrayed you. But don''t worry, just do your best. No matter the result, I''ll still be here for you.


    Your friend,


    Mr.Sponsor.}


    As she finished reading the letter, her expression changed.


    The sniffles stopped, reced by a look of confusion that quickly turned to something else¡ª a smile.


    It was a small, hesitant smile, but a smile nheless.


    That smile cemented Emir''s n.


    He had seeded.


    He had made her dependent on the sponsor-on him. Her self-admitted main enemy.


    His lips couldn''t help but curl into a smirk.


    "She bought it..."


    Ragnar unconsciously spoke, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "She''s actually smiling."


    Silent too, appeared intrigued.


    "You''ve truly managed to make her see you as an ally. Her only ally. It''s... remarkable."


    Emir nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.


    There was no doubt that Quinn was now a puppet in his y, manipted to see him as her only support.


    Even amidst her doubts, she never expected that her sponsor would be him, the one she imed as an enemy... It seemed to be a near-impossible thought.


    "She''s fully dependent on me now."


    He said quietly, more to himself than to hispanions.


    "She''ll do anything to keep that sense of security."


    Silent observed Emir closely, understanding the depth of his maniption.


    "But what''s your next move? You''ve got her where you want her, but what''s the endgame?"


    Emir''s eyes gleamed with a cold, calcted light.


    "The endgame is herplete submission into my disciple. She''ll do whatever I ask without question. And through her, I''ll explore what my path used to be. The Aetheric Duelist. But that''s not all; I''ll control more than just her actions-I''ll influence those around her. The Elite. Elijah alone is not enough. Her decisions, her loyalties-they''ll all serve my purpose." Ragnar chuckled, shaking his head in amazement.


    "Are you sure about this? It''s a dangerous game you''re ying."


    Emir didn''t respond.


    He once said those exact words about the Order and their plot to control Earth through the Academy. Now someone else had said the same about him.


    That irony wasn''t lost on him, but he didn''t care.


    ''All for survival.''


    His eyes were fixed on the screen, watching as Quinn began to gather herself, the terminal still clutched in her hand.


    He could see the determination in her eyes now, a stark contrast to the despair that had overwhelmed her seconds before.


    She was resolved to push forward, motivated by the false sense of support and understanding he had provided.


    And as she left the training grounds, he knew that his n was only just beginning.


    The path he had chosen was clear, and Quinn was now firmly ensnared in his web.


    All he had to do was continue walking that path, expanding his web, and defining his specialization as the Ethereal Threader.


    To do so, he figured that it was time to ept his reward.


    Emir leaned back, closed his eyes, and sat in a lotus position, allowing himself to fully absorb the moment.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Ragnar and Silent noticed that something was about to happen, so they gave him space, and when they did...


    Thump!


    A sensation of utter bliss enveloped him as if he were riding a high that elevated him beyond


    the physical world.


    His entire being seemed to hum with power.


    He could feel his Core strengthening with every breath, its Aether pulsing more robustly than


    ever before.


    Ripples of Aether were sent through his body with each heartbeat, invigorating him.


    His mind, too, felt the surge.


    Thoughts became clearer, more focused, and his senses were heightened.


    Ideas flowed effortlessly, each one sharper and more precise than thest.


    In his mind''s eye, he could almost see the strands of his many ns weaving together, forming aplex web that only he could navigate.


    Unbeknownst to Emir, this surge extended even deeper, touching his very soul.


    The Puppeteer Embodiment within him resonated with this sess, drawing his soul closer


    to its true form.


    His entire being-body, mind, and soul-began to align with the status of his embodiment,


    making him feel moreplete, while also fixing the cracks that cluttered his psyche.


    He had also felt his physical form be more resilient, as if every cell within him had been revitalized and strengthened to new heights.


    The blissful high didn''t stop there, and waves of power continued to course through him.


    It reached a point where he obtained the feeling of absolute control, of being the master of


    his fate and the fates of everyone around him.


    A feeling that he had never felt before-not even close.


    It was intoxicating.


    With every passing second, more of this power-this unknown spark of energy-poured into


    him, filling his soul and, in turn, his body to the brim.


    And then suddenly... it all stopped.


    The peak was reached.


    In that moment, Emir was not just a pawn in the games of gods, of yers-he was the one


    pulling the strings, a being amongst them...


    The Puppeteer.


    But as that sensation slowly ebbed, that moment where he felt simply unbeatable had gone...


    Poof, just like that.


    He was no longer a God.


    The high left him when everything was at its Apex, so the drop...


    ''Ugh...''


    It was massive-unfathomably so.


    He felt a pain he had never experienced before-a deep, hollow ache gnawing at his core. The


    omnipotent feeling had left behind an insatiable craving.


    Emir adorned the shoes of a junkie, one that stared at an empty needle, thest one in his


    stash, too broke to buy another, desperate for a hit of that intoxicating high.


    "Haaaaaaah..."


    The craving was overwhelming, almost consuming him, but he could control himself, taking


    off their shoes.


    But it wasn''t easy-no, not at all.


    He took deep breaths, forcing himself to stay grounded, to remember who he was.


    The hunger for power was there, gnawing at him, but he knew it was a means to an end.


    Yet the ache deepened, not caring for what he knew, making him feel as if a part of his very essence had been ripped away.


    Truly... theparison to a junkie wasn''t far off.


    He imagined those addicted souls, their bodies trembling, minds in turmoil, consumed by a


    need that overrode all reason.


    Emir felt that same desperation, that same all-consuming need for the high of control, the


    rush of absolute power.


    It was as if his entire being was screaming for that sensation again, willing to do anything to


    reim it.


    He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, the sharp pain an anchor in the chaos of his


    mind.


    Anyone else with the same rank as him would''ve already sumbed to this addiction, losing themselves; there was no doubt about that.


    But Emir was different.


    He, whether he liked it or not, had been trained since birth for moments like this, building a mental fortitude that could withstand the strongest of temptations.


    Each measured breath he took was one step away from the abyss.


    He reminded himself of the bigger picture, of the ultimate goal thaty ahead.


    Their survival... dominating survival.


    Closing his eyes, he visualized the steps of his n, his second anchor, and the faces of those


    he would manipte, exploit, undermine, extort, rob, kill, and the oues he desired.


    The rity of his vision helped push back the gnawing need, recing it with a cold focus.


    Slowly, the overwhelming craving began to recede.


    Emir''s breaths evened out, his heart rate slowing as he regained control.


    The hunger was still there, lurking beneath the surface, but he had it in check like he did the


    corruption.


    He was not a ve to his desires; he was their master.


    From the day he was born, he had a n, a purpose, and nothing would stand in his way.


    His path was clearer than ever now, and as Silent had once said...


    All he had to do was walk.

 Chapter 393: His "Ex"

    Chapter 393: His "Ex"


    ?


    Later that night...


    [Ly, show me my status.]


    Emir ordered while driving his Z5 back home.


    It was one of the newest models from Apex Dynamics, a recent ''gift'' from Amon, and the same motorbike he had used during his first mission.


    Behind him was Ragnar, who was lent a Z5, as Amon gave Emir two motorbikes, not one, acting as if he was magnanimous.


    But in truth, he simply wanted to show the others in the group that Emir had gotten a reward since it would be suspicious if he received ''nothing.''


    [Done, sending it now.]


    The status materialized as a hologram directly in front of his eyes, as always, disying a long wall of text, this time only longer.


    {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Body Age: 15}


    {Profession: Professor}


    {Celestial Rank: Seraphim Champion/ss-Four-Three}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    {Path: Puppeteer.}


    {Credit Bnce: 450 Valora}


    (Stats)n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    {Strength: 11,320 -> 14,510} (Avg B+)


    {Agility: SS+-> 12,860} (Avg B)


    {Endurance: 12,900 -> 17,230} (Avg B+)


    {Mind: S+-> SS} (Avg C+)


    {Charm: A+ -> A} (Avg C+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E10}


    (Aspects)


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create Aether constructs.}


    (Embodiment Method)


    {Puppeteer: Someone who tries to be in control. Someone who weaves people and events into ce with their threads. Someone with a w. If one of their strings gets cut loose or if their puppets are positioned incorrectly, they experience bacsh, depending on the severity of the mistake.}


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Advanced, 99% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 99% Proficiency.}


    (Abilities)


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 19 Minutes 50 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 4 Minutes 30 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 4.40 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.}


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.}]


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.} [


    {Gates of Eternity: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them with power.}


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.}


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.} [ {Death''s Shadow: This ability causes the user''s eyes to darken like an abyss, projecting a potent illusion of the opponent''s unending demise. This chilling vision can paralyze the target in fear, rendering them vulnerable inbat, regardless of their willpower. Only truly effective against Celestials lower than the user''s rank by two sub-ranks.}


    (Art)


    (Passive Abilities)


    {Eyes Of The Author: It enables the user to glimpse at the Scripts.}


    The ability is tethered to the user through the soul in the form of a Soul Glyph.


    (Art)


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also


    increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Copper


    {de Of The Drowned}


    While in a critical state in the heat of battle, the user will be able toprehend their enemies'' Abilities, slowly absorbing them into their arsenal. The resulting skills will differ from the original, matching the fluidity of forgotten seas and the lows of the deep.


    (Equipment)


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {SS-Ranked Twin Swords: Peak Maintenance}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: SS-Rank Item}


    (Vehicles)


    {Bike, ze Runner: Functional}


    {Bike, ze Runner Z5: Functional} X2


    {Cruiser, de Runner: Functional} X8


    {LAV, Cougar-AP: Functional} X3


    {APC, TurtleL3: Functional}


    {Mech, Royal Panzer-D: Functional} X6


    (Inventory)


    {One Aether Core From Six/Seven Core Tyrant: Pure}


    {100 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Stim Energy Packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    Emir wasn''t impressed.


    The increase in his stats was good, great even, but that wasn''t his focus.


    His attention wasn''t on the decreased charm either-though he had be more handsome, his intimidating presence far outweighed that.


    It diminished the change and even lowered his charm stat by one sub-grade.


    Neither was it on the substantial Temporal Perception use time increase, a natural result of


    his mental fortitude being tested so thoroughly.


    So no, what truly mattered to him was that two of his skills had remained stuck at ny-nine percent since thest time he checked his so-called system.


    He thought that the boost in strength he just gained would push him past the barrier of ''Advanced'' and into ''Expert'' tier, but it seemed it wasn''t enough.


    There had to be some criterion he needed to meet first-a threshold for both skills to move


    one step closer to perfection.


    Lyra wasn''t any help in this regard, as she didn''t know herself.


    Their recent training sessions always ended in a draw, or at least, there was no clear winner.


    She was also stuck in the ''Advanced'' tier, the skills ingrained in her since birth no longer


    proving a surmountable challenge but a manageable one.


    This was one of the main reasons why they had stopped dueling.


    They had officially reached ten thousand duels, and if anyone wondered whether that number


    was exactly urate-yes, it was.


    Unconsciously, due to his OCD, he instructed her to switch up the training program, stopping the duels right after reaching thatplete number.


    Lyra was fine with that, as she knew there wasn''t anything she could teach him anymore. Emir


    hade a long way since their first duel, where he slipped on his sweat and died from a kick


    that sttered his brain into mush.


    ''What a time~...''


    He reminisced for a moment, imagining holographic copies of his body lying dead


    throughout their backyard.


    ''It feels like it''s been a thousand years.''


    With a sigh, he scanned the system once more, ending his ''checkup'' on a positive note.


    Eyes Of The Author, a Soul Glyph, was finally confirmed.


    Lyra had created a new section for passive abilities like it.


    This update, he believed, marked thepletion of the world''s ''magic system.'' While there was definitely more to it-like Godhood, the unknown Spark, the Scripts and Laws he knew that it all rted to the soul, or as he once called it, the spirit.


    And since the soul was discussed at the Archon level, it was only natural that Brain had prohibited him from essing that information back at the Archive In Between.


    He knew this now better than ever... If he even took a glimpse at the ability, death would


    arrive and im him.


    ''Guess I gotta thank that little slime.''


    ...


    ...


    Hours went by, and they reached the Academy.


    There, they went their separate ways-Ragnar heading back home to his fianc¨¦e, and Emir to


    his, more or less.


    She was waiting in his office, cultivating as she always did, desperate to catch up.


    But Emir was interrupted before he could meet her.


    When he parked his bike and reached the tenth floor, he saw someone he never expected to


    see:


    Evelyn.


    She was walking alongside Morgiana as they headed to her office.


    Emir, a short distance behind them, couldn''t hide; there was no time.


    His presence, never subtle, announced his arrival, and once he reached the floor, they turned


    to see him.


    When their eyes met, they froze, staring at each other.


    Awkwardness filled the hall, prompting Morgiana to attempt to defuse the tension.


    "Haha~ is she your ex or something?"

 Chapter 394: Deep Kiss

    Chapter 394: Deep Kiss


    ?


    ||


    11


    The bomb of a joke was ignored by both Emir and Evelyn as they stepped closer, remaining silent.


    While it could technically be true if one jumped through multiple irrational hoops, Evelynter understood that Emir''s intention in inviting her out on a date would never qualify their rtionship as anything close to being lovers, since the date couldn''t really be considered one in the first ce.


    All that banter and friendliness was an act. A ruse that he used to learn of her objective, to clear suspicions.


    It wasn''t a date at all, it was an interrogation.


    And for that reason, Emir had always ''stepped'' around her.


    If she was in the cafeteria, he would avoid it like the gue, choosing another route to his destination.


    If she went to the Empty Marble, he would bolt out of there.


    The Hub, the Archive In Between, or any other facility?


    No, nada, nichts,, non, nee, nein!


    Long story short, he never allowed her to see him.


    He didn''t know what she might figure out if she did so.


    Her death wasn''t something he wanted to happen; at least he didn''t want to be involved in it.


    So though they acted the same, their silence stemmed from different reasons.


    One felt confusion at why this unknown variable was on the tenth floor, while the other felt a mix of fear and curiosity.


    Right, Evelyn was deeply curious, but she knew that curiosity mighte back to bite her in the ass.


    This caused her to hesitate under Morgiana''s gaze for a long moment before finally gathering her courage to ask:


    "W-Why are you avoiding me?"


    Emir knew that this wasn''t the question she truly wanted to ask; she could already guess why, as could anyone.


    Yet she still asked it, thinking that any other question might have sent him away.


    "You know why..."


    He remained unmoving and answered simply.


    The answer didn''t satisfy her; that was obvious by the exacerbated look on her face, but


    before she could say anything, he added:


    "But I get it. Fine, you win. I won''t avoid you anymore."


    "..."


    Those words brought a bright smile to her face.


    She was finally epted into the family.


    The others wouldn''t need to tiptoe around her anymore.


    Her sister could talk to her without being so cryptic.


    Atst, she wouldn''t be treated as a stranger anymore!


    Even though Morgiana didn''t fully understand what had just happened, she felt happy for her friend, matching her smile.


    "So it''s all good, now?"


    The man who sprouted such emotions in the two calmly smiled and gave Evelyn a nod.


    "All good. Now I''ll get going, got a meeting."


    He stepped between them and walked to his office without saying goodbye.


    "Treat your colleagues better, you jerk!"


    "Y-Yeah!"


    Their words echoed in the hallway, bashing his manners, but he didn''t pay them any attention and simply waved his right hand.


    Once they could no longer see his face, his inky eyes turned cold, and his smile vanished.


    ''It''s early, but we''ll make do. The one behind her will feel some heat.''


    ---


    ...


    Morning arrived in the blink of an eye as the two spent it all cultivating.


    There was a ''meeting,'' but itsted only a second as Lyra touched foreheads with Emir, almost instantly learning of everything that had happened.


    Besides being mad at Morgiana for calling Evelyn his ex, she didn''tment much on anything; none of it was unexpected.


    All the revtions were among the hypotheticals they had considered for each ''unknown.'' Even the possibility of Emir encountering Evelyn before they dealt with the first obstacle, Arthur, was ounted for.


    In fact, that particr scenario was studied more thoroughly than many others.


    It involved an unknown acting through Evelyn, subtly influencing her to interact with Emir.


    Now that she had talked to him, he couldn''t continue to ignore her.


    She would be too emotionally affected and might go off the deep end as a result.


    It was better to let her know a few private things while controlling what she heard and


    observing the results to identify the unknown.


    They knew it would be a long and slow battle, but they weren''t worried.


    Lyra wasn''t called the best of AIS for nothing.


    Anyhow, what she did react to was the mimic of Mr. yer''s true form or rather, one of his true forms.


    Even though she had seen him in Emir''s memories, her entire processing power was halted, disabling all the Lyra clones around his family.


    Her kitten mode had returned.


    This time, instead of a spoiled brat, she regressed into a strangely obedient child who cultivated without question.


    While focused, Emir yed around with her, enjoying himself until sunlight peeked through


    the windows.


    It wasn''t that the sun had just risen, but rather that the windows allowed sunlight in, marking


    the start of the day at the Academy.


    His fun was over, and he woke her up.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    How, one might ask? Well... through overstimtion.


    Emir gave her an extremely long, deep kiss that would have knocked out a human.


    The poor AI was back up and running in no time, red-faced and outshining both Aria and


    Elijah with how red her face was.


    [Why do that when I''m out of it?!]


    As expected, her embarrassment wasn''t just out of shame but also because she had missed Emir''s first time initiating a kiss without being asked to do so.


    She knew that his action wasn''t solely meant to overstimte her but also to quell any rising


    jealousy, ensuring that their nning wouldn''t go to waste, stopping any bloody thoughts


    from forming in her mind.


    Yet, despite this, the tion she felt from him making a move remained unchanged.


    [Do it again.]


    He ignored her pleas and walked to the ssroom with measured steps, students nearly jumping out of his way as he walked through the halls of the fourth floor.


    Normally, today would have been a question-and-answer session, a homeroom ss, but since Emir hadn''t technically taught them anything two days ago, Amon, by request, had granted him an extra official ss this week.


    [Okay, at least one~... Hm?]


    He chuckled and waved her hologram away, stepping into the elite''s yroom, SS-1.


    ||||


    "..."


    ||


    11


    ||||


    Silence.


    When the door slowly slid open, every student quickly shut their mouth, as ifpeting for a


    world record.


    Emir shed a soft smile at the sight.


    ''How nice~.''

 Chapter 395: Path Optimization

    Chapter 395: Path Optimization


    ?


    "Aether Core Purity. Aether Control. Mental Fortitude."


    Emir stood near the holo screen, pointing at three terms that were disyed for all students to see.


    "These are the makings of a good Spell Weaver and Arcanist."


    Their eyes tracked his every move, wanting to extract any and all information that he provided.


    This fate did not even spare Quinn and Arthur, his self-proimed ''enemies.''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Some of you might wonder why I''m exining such a concept to even you, specialists foreign to the intricacies of weaving."


    A few actually nodded; they couldn''t help it-wasn''t their ss today about Pathing? But the rest, knowing their professor, already figured this was a necessary setup for the reveal, as the man always enjoyed a proper lead-up.


    "Not to worry, you won''t dive too deep, only graze the ocean''s shallow end."


    With those assuring words, he flicked his wrist, changing the holoscreen to the next ''page'' and disying the Pathing for his Aether st ability.


    The holoscreen depicted a detailed diagram of a human body with bright, pulsing lines showing the flow of Aether.


    "Here..."


    Emir pointed at the core.


    "As you all know, the Aether starts in your core, behind your sternum, next to the heart, it''s one of the main reasons we call it our second heart."


    His hand moved, trailing the Path of Aether.


    "It flows through the central artery, an extension of our core, and what we like to call the Aetherial Vein, up through your chest."


    The diagram highlighted the path, a glowing line moving up from the sternum, through the Aetherial Vein, splitting at the shoulders, and continuing down the arms.


    "It travels through the subvian arteries, branching out to the brachial arteries, and finally, it splits into smaller vessels down the forearm."


    The students watched as the line split and traveled down the arms, illuminating the radial and ulnar arteries.


    "The Aether finally reaches your hands, where it converges at the tips of your fingers."


    Emir paused, letting them absorb the information before he continued.


    "Pretty simple, no?"


    He didn''t wait for them to answer and continued:


    "Yes, it is. But you can make it even simpler, faster. You can use a technique I like to call Path Optimization."


    Emir came up with this name yesterday, there was no such ''technique'' before then.


    He never considered tweaking the pathing of abilities an issue due to his advanced mind and neuralwork.


    The man just did what he felt was best.


    Those students weren''t like him, however.


    In fact, they were the same as Hiro, desperate to know how he did the things he did.


    "I never heard about that technique before!"


    "Me neither!"


    "Haha! I''ll so be bragging about this!"


    "Same... but I don''t think he''ll allow us to share the technique."


    "Who cares?! Either way, those dumbasses that didn''t join this ss will regret it till the day they die."


    "They will. Especially the unlucky second years now probably stuck in their home room sses."


    "I never heard of a professor sharing a personal technique before, for free at that."


    The ''unnamed'' were lit abuzz, not a single one of them silent.


    And the ''named'' weren''t any different.


    "Are you really not lying?"


    Aria pushed the questioning Ava away, and let out a sigh.


    "How many times do I have to tell you that I know just as much as you do?! Elijah told me nothing!"


    Max, sitting next to Ava, gave her a light smack on the back of the head, purely on a whim.


    "Ah!..."


    She snapped her head towards him.


    "What was that for?!"


    "You''re disturbing my concentration."


    Sofia, who sat in front of the three, wanted to jump in and scream, "That''s what I want to say!" but held it in, her gaze stuck on Emir.


    None of her many teachers taught her anything close to what the name of this technique implied.


    Ability Path tweaking wasn''t new-most experienced Seraphims had multiple versions of the Path memorized.


    However, none imed they could ''optimize'' the ability itself, only ''tweak'' it to better fit their desired results.


    Truly, only she and that Reaper deserved such knowledge.


    Meanwhile, in the two back corners of the ssroom, Quinn and Arthur stayed silent as usual,


    but one of them appeared slightly, if not a lot, more agitated than usual.


    Her ck bob of hair looked ubed, messy, and her eyes were puffy with dark circles underneath.


    It was obvious that she was still reeling from the mental breakdownst night, and had likely cried herself to sleep, emotions resurfacing.


    No one around her bothered to ask if she was alright, as if she didn''t exist in ss, but she


    didn''t mind that.


    Despite being a sniffling mess, all her focus was on the professor; she had no time to entertain


    worthless pity.


    Just because he was her enemy didn''t mean she couldn''t learn from him, right?


    Arthur used the same rationality to cope with his envy, nearly grinding his teeth in the


    process.


    But all that stopped when Emir raised his hand, silencing them.


    "...It''s good that you''re excited, but there''s a limit to what I can allow. Is that understood?"


    They all immediately straightened up as they felt his gazend on them through the shades, their bodies shaking uncontrobly.


    "Yes Sir!"


    He nodded.


    "Good. Now, to learn the technique, you need to be adept at the earlier concepts I


    mentioned."


    He stopped talking for a moment, and Elijah, who had been waiting outside since the start of


    the ss, entered carrying strange equipment.


    Junior followed behind, holding even more peculiar contraptions.


    "What the hell is that?"


    "Dunno."


    "They look like torture devices to me."


    "I think my older brother used those things while we ran around the field during our entrance


    exam."


    "So it''s only for second years?"


    "Maybe, and probably only Spell Weavers."


    "Shhhh, shut up."


    The students whispered among themselves but didn''t dare speak any louder, scared that their


    professor might silence them for good.


    Gesturing at the three machines, Emir announced:


    "This here will test if you are ready to even know of such a technique, so try your best; I''ll


    have this set as your benchmark."


    The first machine, designed for Aether Control, looked like aplexwork of transparent tubes connected to a central console with two hand-sized sockets. Each tube had a different diameter, and the console had multiple knobs.


    Students would need to manipte the flow of Aether through the tubes, maintaining a


    steady and precise stream despite the varying resistances.


    The second machine, for Aether Purity, resembled arge, cylindrical chamber filled with a


    shimmering, viscous liquid.


    Inside the chamber, there was onerge floating crystal in the shape of a ball.


    The task, as exined by Emir, was to channel as much of their Aether into the chamber,


    causing the crystal to glow without disturbing the liquid.


    Any impurities in the Aether would cause turbulence, making the liquid show color, or the crystal itself would dim or react unpredictably.


    This, as stated by Emir before the ''field trip'' was to see how much they circted their Aether.


    Because the more a Celestial cultivated, the fewer mistakes they would make in the Aether conversion process.


    These ''mistakes'' referred to the conversion of Neutral Aether into random Aspects that were


    of no use to the Celestial.


    It was usually a very minor amount of the converted Aether, but that still had an effect when stacked. Resulting in worse ability output and Aether absorption rate.


    This was what prompted the Order to name such mistakes ''impurities.'' They almost acted like cancer cells, unseen, while generally worsening everything they


    touched.


    The third machine, testing Mental Fortitude, was a sleek, metallic helmet with numerous electrodes extending from its surface.


    When worn, it would directly connect to the student''s neuralwork, injecting false readings


    of pain that gradually increased until they reached their limit and had to tap out.


    ''Hm.''


    With the introductions done, Emir stood back, observing the reactions of the students as they stared at the machines with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "We''ll start with the highest-ranked student. Elijah, show them how it''s done."

 Chapter 396: Vivid Day

    Chapter 396: Vivid Day


    ?


    It wasn''t as if the ss had never seen or heard of those machines before; many were familiar with them through their family or friends.


    The second years, in particr, faced monthly tests using these among many others, to measure their physical performance as well.


    Their stats were recorded, ranking them on a leaderboard.


    If they couldn''t match or pass their previous record, they would be expelled from the Academy.


    Calling itpetitive would be an understatement.


    The Academy couldn''t afford to spare resources for those deemed ''ipetent.''


    Thus, the grueling regimen that the second and third years endured was only natural. First years, however, were spared from this rigorous testing.


    It wasn''t out of pity or anything; there was no such thing in the hunter world.


    In simple terms, their initial year was dedicated to transforming them from green, inexperienced cadets into real threats on the battlefield.


    Even those from the ''schrship'' program needed that year to develop, as their previous hunter experience was ineffective against Celestial prowess-a lesson Emir had learned early


    on.


    But... that didn''t apply to this year''s batch.


    The SS-1 ss was different.


    Most of the students had arrived at the Academy already more capable than the highest- ranked hunters, and Emir had recognized their potential long before he even set foot in the Academy, almost an entire year prior.


    Once their prowess became evident at the outpost, it was clear to all the other professors and Amon himself that some students of this batch were on par with, if not surpassing, the second years.


    After all, the ''named'' were the only first years to have killed a five-core.


    Such a feat was unprecedented, astonishing everyone who heard about it.


    However, the surprises were far from over.


    The results of these tests would be sure to shock them even more.


    As Elijah stepped forward toward the first machine, it responded with a low hum.


    He ced his hands in the open sockets on each side of the console and closed his blue eyes. "I''m ready."


    Emir, who stood next to him, knocked on the machine and said:


    "Begin."


    Elijah took a deep breath and began circting his Aether slowly and carefully.


    In the next second, his Aether moved from his right hand into the tubes.


    Once inside, his flow was met with resistance, but he pushed through until the Aether reached


    his left hand,pleting the cirction, the machine acting as a part of him.


    Seeing that, Emir telepathicallymanded the knob to turn.


    "Grade E."


    The resistance inside the tubes increased, destabilizing the flow, but Elijah kept it under control, and the circle continued.


    His expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of struggle in his eyes.


    "Grade D."


    The resistance increased again, but Elijah was ready.


    He maintained hisposure, treating it as if nothing had changed.


    The Aether flowed steadily, though he could feel the effort it took to keep it smooth.


    "Grade C."


    This time, the challenge was evident.


    Elijah''s face tightened in concentration as he pushed the Aether through the now significantly resistant tubes.


    Hepleted the circle, but it was a noticeable struggle as sweat began to bead on his forehead.


    "Grade B."


    Elijah braced himself, expecting the increased resistance, but it was much more than he anticipated.


    The flow of Aether slowed almost to a halt.


    His muscles tensed as he fought to maintain cirction.


    His breathing grew heavier, and the effort showed in the strain on his face.


    Bit by bit, he pushed through, managing to barelyplete one full cirction.


    His hands trembled slightly as he maintained the flow, the machine humming louder under the strain.


    The struggle was clear; his body visibly fighting against the pressure inside the tubes.


    Emir watched closely, noting Elijah''s determination and the effort it took to reach this level.


    Finally, he decided to end the test.


    "We''ll stop there. Your grade is B."


    Elijah withdrew his hands from the machine, shaking them to relieve the tension.


    "Let''s move on to the next."


    He let out a long breath at Emir''s words and, withoutment, stepped to the second


    machine.


    The students watching didn''t say anything either, unsure of how to react.


    They kept their silence, anticipation alive in their eyes.


    Touching the chamber with his right hand, Elijah closed his eyes and concentrated, awaiting Emir''s signal.


    "Begin."


    It wasn''t a long wait.


    Almost immediately, Emir gave his permission, and Elijah began channeling his Aether into


    the chamber.


    The Aether easily passed through the ss material, reaching the crystal floating in the


    viscous liquid.


    The clear object began to show color, starting as a faint shadow that quickly deepened.


    That darkness spread, turning the crystal a deep, ominous ck.


    Meanwhile, the viscous liquid surrounding it started to react.


    Slowly, stters of unusable Aspects made themselves visible.


    It was as if a painter had flicked a random assortment of colors-crimson reds, electric blues,


    and stark yellows-onto a white canvas.


    Those Aspects danced and shed, while Elijah kept pushing out his Aether.


    And then, after a few moments, a mini console near the bottom of the chamber suddenly


    beeped.


    Ding!


    The test was over and the result was disyed on its screen.


    "C Rank."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Elijah opened his eyes and stepped back, not surprised by the result.


    Before meeting Emir, his training was inconsistent, and he made little to no effort.


    The only reason he was an Ascendant Knight was because of the Well of Eternity.


    And he remembered that day vividly.


    His parents had brought him and his siblings together out of nowhere, sending them down to


    the underbelly.


    There, they met a few hunters who led them deep inside the bunker, past the slums and


    graveyard, and into the red-light district.


    But, of course, they did not venture into those streets.


    They knew their parents hadn''t sent them down there to gamble or to ogle at girls, even though the oldest brother had taken an interest... indulged a little.


    When he was forced back, they were led to a hidden trap door in a ditch, unseen by most.


    Descending the stairs, they were met by Arcanists with concealed faces and bodies underneath long ck robes.


    Behind them stood a Well that eternally changed the lives of those three siblings.

 Chapter 397: Will Of Iron

    Chapter 397: Will Of Iron


    ?


    Emir knew of that story; it was one of the first things he had asked about when Elijah joined them after judgment day.


    Before then, he had always wondered how they gained ess to such a thing, as it was never mentioned in the ''novel.''


    Was it truly a reaction to his existence, like he thought? Did everyone really get stronger because of him?


    Those questions might never be answered, and he epted that, calming his burning curiosity.


    Regardless, he too expected this result from his little brother, so he didn''t react.


    ''I would''ve been disappointed otherwise...''


    He watched as Elijah took a moment topose himself before moving on to the third machine.


    The students did the same, staring in silent anticipation, each one internally gauging their own abilities against what they had witnessed.


    Elijah looked at Emir, who nodded at him, signaling for him to begin.


    Aether Purity and Aether Control had been tested; both were difficult, but this uing machine was something entirely different.


    As he sat on the chair that Junior had prepared, Elijah took the helmet-like contraption and ced it on his head.


    "You ready?"


    ncing at his professor, Elijah blinked softly, too focused and nervous to even say yes. Emir chuckled and tapped the machine.


    It took a moment, but eventually, the electrodes on the surface lit green, and the machine connected to his neuralwork as he epted its request.


    This ''thing'' was about to give him hell, and he was allowing it to.


    In fact, he had to fully open himself to the pain for the test to work.


    "Gah!"


    Elijah let out a small whimper as the device injected its first drop of pain, dreading what was toe.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Ughh..."


    He groaned as another wave hit him.


    It felt like he was struggling to get out of the deepest ocean, his breath stolen by the agony coursing through his body.


    "Grade E."


    Elijah braced himself for the next wave.


    "§¡§¯§¯-!"


    The pain intensified, like hot needles pressing into his skull, causing him to scream, but he managed to mp his mouth shut, keeping himself in check.


    His muscles tensed involuntarily, and sweat began to form on his brow.


    The only thing he could hear was his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.


    "Grade D."


    The next hit of pain was even worse.


    Elijah''s vision whitened, and he bit down even harder, trying to keep himself from crying out.


    His hands gripped the arms of the chair tightly, knuckles white from the strain.


    Each breath was a struggle, his chest heaving as if he were trying to breathe through a straw. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, but he pushed through, determined. "Grade C."


    The machine seemed to sense his determination, and the next wave of pain almost made him tap out just as it began.


    Elijah''s entire body shook, his teeth grinding together as he fought to keep himself together.


    Tears formed in the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.


    He could feel the exhaustion about to knock him out, but he hurt himself awake.


    His mind tried to focus on anything but the pain.


    Memories, mental exercises¡ªjust anything to distract himself from the burning sensation. "Ready for Grade B..."


    Emir announced calmly, though the worry in his voice was clear.


    He might''ve been considered a viin by all, but even he would feel a semnce of pain when seeing his non-blood family suffer.


    And his little brother was truly suffering at that moment.


    The next wave of pain hit him like a sledgehammer.


    Elijah''s body convulsed, his back arching involuntarily.


    It felt like fire coursing through his veins, every nerve ending alight with agony.


    He struggled to maintain control, his mind teetering on the edge of surrender.


    The room seemed to darken and dance, the edges of his vision bingpletely white. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving as he fought to stay conscious. Sweat poured down his face, mingling with the tears he could no longer hold back.


    The electrodes on the helmet glowed brighter, reflecting the increasing intensity of the test. Elijah''s hands, still gripping the chair, began to tremble uncontrobly, and the sharp stabbing pain he felt in his temples got worse, as if the burning needles drove deeper into his


    skull.


    "Almost there..."


    He forced himself to focus on those words, using them as an anchor.


    Each second felt like an hour, the pain unending.


    The urge to tap out, to end the torment, was overwhelming, but he resisted.


    Slowly, agonizingly, he began to adjust.


    His body, though wracked with pain, started to find a rhythm.


    His breathing steadied; each inhale and exhale measured and controlled.


    He visualized the pain as a tangible entity, something he couldpartmentalize and push


    away.


    ''...Hm.''


    Emir watched closely, noting the change in Elijah''s demeanor.


    The boy was fighting through the pain, refusing to let it break him.


    "Hold on, Elijah. This''ll be thest push."


    Emir encouraged and the pain peaked once more, a final surge that left Elijah screaming:


    "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    His body convulsed, but he held on, teeth gritted and eyes squeezed shut.


    He could feel the edge of his endurance-the absolute limit of what he could bear.


    But then, all of a sudden, the intensity overwhelmed him.


    His grip on the chair loosened, his muscles refusing to obey.


    His mind, though resilient, could no longer withstand the relentless assault.


    With a final, pained scream, he tapped the chair twice, signaling an end to the test.


    The machine powered down, the electrodes dimming as the pain began to recede, leaving a


    lingering ache in its wake.


    Elijah''s body went limp, slumping back into the chair as he fought to catch his breath.


    "Grade C. Excellent effort, Elijah."


    Emir stepped forward, gently removing the helmet.


    Elijah managed a weak nod, his eyes barely open.


    The room slowly came back into focus, the concerned faces of his ssmates surrounding


    him.


    He had pushed himself to his limit and had almost made it to Grade B.


    It was there... in his grasp. But he failed. He fumbled thest step.


    "You see that?! He almost made it. That''s insane!"


    "Not even second years can handle it!"


    "I can''t believe he held on for so long. I would''ve tapped out at D."


    "Cursed or not, I can''t deny that he deserves the first rank." "True, his toughness is something else. No wonder Emir picked him."


    "Yeah, he''s stronger than I thought. I need to step up my game."


    "That was brutal. Just watching it made me sweat."


    "The Prof must be training him privately, no way he did that with no help."


    "I know right? He''s lucky. If I had his backing, I''d be that strong too."


    "Exactly. We could''ve gone just as far."


    "Nah, even so, look at him now, barely standing. Is it really worth it?"


    "It is. It proved his rank, his will of iron. No way any of you could endure that."


    The students, previously silent as mice, now buzzed with murmurs of all kinds. They expected something special out of their first ranker, but this... it was something else.


    None of the second years had even managed tost a moment in grade B without tapping out,


    and he almost did it. Truly unheard of.


    Emir was right. The records noted today will rock the Academy.


    "Hmph, it''s not like I was worried or anything. I knew he could handle it..."


    Aria crossed her arms while looking away from him, trying to hide the admiration in her eyes.


    "But he better not get cocky. I''ll easily match his grades."


    Next to her, Max clenched his fists, his eyes burning withpetitive pride.


    "Damn it, you creepy bastard! I''ll catch up to you, just wait!"


    Despite his words, he did feel genuine respect for Elijah''s feat. Quite unlike Ava, who twirled a


    strand of her brightly colored hair, her expression annoyed.


    "Ugh, he''s such a show-off. But... I guess that was kinda cool. Still, I bet I could do that if I


    really tried. Maybe..."


    Sofia observed the scene with her usual icy demeanor, her face revealing no emotion.


    "...Adequate."


    Her voice was barely above a whisper, picked up by none but Emir.


    Even she, the best of the ''named,'' couldn''t help but look at him in a new light.


    Elijah had set the bar high, and each of them knew they would have to dig deep to match his


    performance.


    Quinn and Arthur did as well, but they remained closed off as usual.


    "Go sit down and rest, you''ve earned it."


    Emir ced a reassuring hand on Elijah''s shoulder and gestured for Junior to drag him back to


    his seat.


    Showing a weak smile, Elijah nodded, unable to speak, and let his body get pulled up from the


    chair.


    "Great job, as expected of my best friend!"


    Elijah would''ve smacked his head if he could, but all he could do was stare at him in


    annoyance as he slowly limped to his seat.


    While that happened, Emir reset the machines and looked at Sofia, who was quietly staring at


    Elijah a few moments ago.


    "You''re up next."

 Chapter 398: Pop Quiz Results

    Chapter 398: Pop Quiz Results


    ?


    Sofia had unsurprisingly achieved a simr result to Elijah:


    Grade B for the first machine, Grade B for the second, and Grade C for the third.


    Again, it was no surprise that she scored higher than Elijah on the second machine since her Aether Purity was naturally higher, having taken cultivation seriously from a much younger age.


    However, her mental fortitude wasn''t close to Elijah''s, as she barely survived a second in Grade B.


    Despite that, Sofia still looked at Emir with a prideful expression, hoping for praise.


    What she got instead was him simply sending her back to her seat, with Aria giving her a hand.


    Once situated, Aria went; after her was Max, followed by Arthur, and then the brothers'' assistants, Junior and Quinn.


    There were a few surprises here and there, but overall, their performances were within expectations.


    The ''unnamed'' were up next, and they didn''t deliver at all.


    E''s and D''s weremon while scraping past with a C grade was considered an incredible achievement for all of them.


    Time crawled by, and finally, thest student finished, receiving an E for his mental fortitude. It wasn''t a surprise; like the rest, he was just a kid, unustomed to such cruelty in life.


    As Darius said, "They didn''t fight; they''re still kids."


    Such a statement fit them to a tee, even with their recent dive in mind.


    Sure, it changed their perspectives and introduced them to pain and hate, but that was about


    it.


    They, in the back of their mind, knew that no matter how much danger they were in, death wouldn''t visit them.


    Emir was there.


    So their experience still didn''t reach the level that it could have.


    Of course, there were a few exceptions that matched Sofia''s grade, but those came from ''schrships,'' meaning that they had experienced their fair share of battle, no matter how sloppy.


    "Alright, quiet down."


    Now... after they were all tested, Emir disyed their results on the holoscreen, gesturing for them to look.


    {Rank 1. Elijah Oliver:


    Aether Control: B Grade. Aether Purity: C Grade. Mind Fortitude: C Grade.}


    {Rank 2. Sofia Alexander:


    Aether Control: B Grade. Aether Purity: B Grade. Mind Fortitude: C Grade.} {Rank 3. Aria Goldleaf:


    Aether Control: B Grade. Aether Purity: D Grade. Mind Fortitude: D Grade.} {Rank 3. Max ckwood:


    Aether Control: D Grade. Aether Purity: C Grade. Mind Fortitude: C Grade.} {Rank 4. Xavier Jr:


    Aether Control: D Grade. Aether Purity: C Grade. Mind Fortitude: C Grade.} {Rank 5. Arthur:


    Aether Control: D Grade. Aether Purity: D Grade. Mind Fortitude: D Grade.} {Rank 6. Ava Nguyen:


    Aether Control: B Grade. Aether Purity: D Grade. Mind Fortitude: E Grade.}


    {Rank 7.....}


    {Rank 8.....}


    {Rank 77. Quinn Mercer:


    Aether Control: D Grade. Aether Purity: D Grade. Mind Fortitude: C Grade.}


    To anyone else, these results would''ve seemed natural, but those who knew a certain revenge-driven girl would definitely notice herck of mental fortitude.


    After all, out of the lot, only she could truly im to have met cruelty.


    So given her history, a C grade was unexpected; Quinn would have easily achieved a B.


    Yet, as she already knew, life was unfair.


    Still reeling from her mental breakdown the night before, her endurance was cut in half, barely allowing her to get a C.


    This was another reason why Emir had this pop quiz done today.


    Allowing someone to achieve a B in mental fortitude before Elijah would raise questions


    about the rankings, making the Reaper''s uniqueness seem less exceptional.


    Emir couldn''t allow that to happen-not yet, at least.


    "Think of this as your benchmark."


    He eximed, pointing at the results.


    "And your goal mustn''t be to just repeatedly pass this every other month."


    His face showed a calm smile, but that only gave them shivers.


    "No, your goal has to be to match my grades."


    The holoscreen flickered, and a new set of grades was added, right above Elijah''s.


    {Emir Oliver:


    Aether Control: SS+ Grade (Max). Aether Purity: SS+ Grade (Max). Mind Fortitude: Unable To


    Compute.}n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    There was now a chasm of unknown magnitude separating first ce from the second.


    It was likeparing a flickering candle to the sun.


    "That is what you should be aiming for."


    And Emir instructed them to chase after that very sun.


    Chaos immediately erupted after they processed what they had just heard.


    "SS+ for both? That''s... impossible. No way we can ever reach that."


    "Mind fortitude, unable topute? What does that even mean?"


    "Dunno, I think it''s SS+ too."


    "Damn, I knew he was strong, but seeing it like this is something else."


    "It''s hard to even imagine."


    "No way anyone can reach that level at fifteen. How does he even do it?"


    "He''s younger than me... This is just depressing."


    "We''re barely making D''s, and he expects us to reach SS+? It''s not fair."


    "Yeah, but we''re just starting."


    "We''ve got time to improve. Besides, if we''re being trained by him, maybe we can get close


    by the end of the year."


    "Exactly. We either try to meet his standards, or we fall behind and get left out. I''d rather try."


    "No pressure, right?"


    "Heh, it''s brutal, but we have to do it... We can''t let those at the top keep looking down on us.


    If they can get those grades, so can we."


    "The Academy is going to chew us up and spit us out if we don''t."


    The ''named'' reacted no different.


    Elijah and Junior, already aware of the result, were still impressed, staring at him with


    admiration.


    "My grades look so smallpared to that."


    "Mhm, this just shows how much further we need to push ourselves."


    Aria had her arms crossed like always, a hidden smile on her face.


    "...That was the least he could score if he wanted to teach me."


    Max''s eyes were wide, his fists clutched harder than ever before.


    "This''s just... No way this guy is younger than me. Fuck!"


    Ava rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm.


    "Oh, great, now we''re supposed to be super geniuses too? As if I had the time for that~."


    Sofia''s icy demeanor remained unchanged as she processed thest few words.


    "Unable topute, that means..."


    She looked at Emir with a glint of determination in her eyes.


    "It reached too high a level. The possibility of permanent damage made it stop."


    Her words were spoken softly, almost to herself, as if she was trying to make sure she


    understood the sheer absurdity of what that entailed.


    ''...Just what did he go through?''


    The ice queen didn''t dare voice out that thought, afraid of the incredibly small chance that he


    might answer her.


    She didn''t want the image of her muse to be tainted.


    "T-This bastard." Quinn stared at him with gritted teeth, blood almost seeping out.


    "I don''t care what it takes. I''m not staying at the bottom!"


    Arthur''s reaction was in a simr vein to Max''s, only much worse... he suspected deceit.


    ''He must''ve faked it, there''s just no other possibility.''


    While he didn''t say it out loud, Emir knew that he would suspect such a thing, envy clouding


    his judgment.


    So he already had a reply ready, and once he read Arthur like an open book, he announced:


    "For those that suspect my grades to be fake, I''ll send video evidence after the ss is over, so


    focus up now."


    Ignoring their subsequent reactions, he changed the holoscreen again, disying a modified diagram, and started teaching as if nothing had happened.

 Chapter 399: Ability Paths

    Chapter 399: Ability Paths


    ?


    "Path Optimization involves adjusting and refining the path while deleting certain parts, such as specific arteries and veins. This allows for quicker Aether flow while maintaining the necessary pathways for the ability to activate."


    The diagram now showed a more streamlined ability path, with certain branches dimmed.


    "For example, with my Aether st ability, instead of sending the same amount of Aether through both shoulders and arms, which uses fifty percent and keeps the remaining fifty. I path most of it through my right shoulder and only a negligible percent to my left toplete the Ability Path. This reduces the time it takes for Aether to travel and increases the ability output to almost 100 percent since most of my remaining Aether is supplied. The ability isn''t precision-based, so such an imbnce is fine."


    Emir pointed to another part of the diagram.


    "Alternatively, I can decrease the power of the ability by distributing the Aether outside the path and returning it to my core once the ability path isplete. By using more arteries and veins than needed, I can control the potency of the ability, making it more adaptable to different situations."


    He then moved his finger to a specific section of the diagram.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Now, let''s take a step back and look at how we can optimize specific arteries one by one for different effects."


    Emir highlighted the central artery, the Aetherial Vein.


    "First, we focus on the main artery that channels Aether from your core. By narrowing this artery slightly, you can increase the pressure and speed of the Aether flow, allowing for quicker spell activation. However, be cautious not to constrict it too much, or you risk overloading the path."


    Next, he traced the subvian arteries.


    "From here, we can optimize the subvian arteries. Like I said, instead of splitting evenly into both arms, you can direct arger portion of the Aether to your dominant arm. This prioritizes power in one limb, which is useful for spells that require concentrated force."


    He then highlighted the brachial arteries.


    "Further down, we reach the brachial arteries. You can choose to bypass minor branches that lead to less critical areas. By skipping those areas, you might lose on a few safety features thate with the traditional ability path. But in turn, you would ensure that more Aether reaches your limbs. This streamlines the flow, reducing any loss of Aether along the way."


    A hologram of the ability path for sh Step was shown.


    "For example, in my sh Step ability, if I ignore some parts of the ability path, the bacsh I receive will not be entirely negated. Some of the G-force behind the movement speed will be felt, or parts of my body might experience the force behind each step. Basically,ws of physics will be reapplied, and a sonic boom might also ur."


    As that hologram disappeared, Emir moved to the radial and ulnar arteries without pause.


    "We can go even further. When the Aether reaches the forearm, it splits into the radial and ulnar arteries. For precision spells, you can focus the Aether through the radial artery, which provides a more direct path to the fingers. You can use both arteries for spells that require a broader distribution, but ensure they are equally optimized."


    He pointed at the smaller vessels in the hands.


    "Finally, the smaller vessels in the hands can be optimized by reducing any unnecessary branching. Oftentimes, the ability path has your Aether converge at the tips of all five of your fingers while only needing one, to make it easier for you to choose. Even this can be cut to make it more efficient while slightly enhancing the uracy and potency of your Ability." Emir paused for a few seconds to let the students digest the information, then continued: "By fine-tuning each of these five sections, you can create a more efficient and effective path for your Aether. As you know, most Seraphims can tweak a section or two, switching from a memorized path to another. This is something else; it optimizes everything and allows for quicker ability casting, better spell weaving, greater control, and adaptability in every possiblebat situation."


    The hologram flickered and changed to another ability path, this time more simplified.


    "And yes, I said everybat situation, this doesn''t apply only to attack abilities but to defensive abilities as well."


    He pointed at the center.


    "You can optimize the path to prioritize vital areas. Redirect the Aether to flow through the chest and core, creating a concentrated shield. This way, you reduce the exposure of your limbs while protecting your vital organs. You can also change the shield into different shapes instead of the usual oval around your body."


    The hologram flickered and changed to show another ability path.


    "For sustained abilities like the Aegis Of Radiance, you can learn how to transform it into a near-passive ability. Making it so that it wouldn''t ount for your current max of two active abilities."


    The students, already astounded ten times over, were surprised once more as he continued, not giving them a chance to breathe.


    "How? Well, it''s by creating a loop within the Aetherial Vein, allowing the Aether to circte back to the core for constant replenishment without needing your mentalmand. This technique also enhances the duration of your ability without requiring additional Aether input."


    Emir waved the holoscreen again, now showing aparative diagram of a Traditional Ability Path and an Optimized Ability Path.


    "Notice the difference in efficiency. The optimized path reduces Aether usage and increases the speed of activation. And by removing detours, you ensure that the Aether reaches its destination with greater precision. The only consequence is the increased bacsh, as the ability path''s natural safeguards are bypassed."


    He stepped back, finally allowing the students time to absorb what he had just dumped on


    them.


    "Path Optimization is about refining your technique to suit your needs. It''s not about changing the essence of the ability but enhancing its performance. With practice, you''ll find the perfect bnce between speed, power, control, and bacsh."


    His eyes scanned the room, noting the mixture of emotions on the students'' faces. "Now, let''s begin with some practical exercises to get a feel for this technique. Partner up with those of your Specialization and start by sensing your Aether Core. Understand the flow. Feel its pulse, its rhythm. Then, try to see what points of the ability path can be changed." Emir headed to his chair with slow steps and sat down, rxing his back on itsfortable cushion.


    "Note them down; I''ll have a look after ss and send ament on each. By the end of the year, I''ll make sure that every single one of you has multiple interchangeable sections for each ability in your arsenal."

 Chapter 400: A Friend Of Pain

    Chapter 400: A Friend Of Pain


    ?


    The ss was over before they even realized it.


    They were so immersed in circting their Aether that time passed in what felt like a second.


    It was the exact same feeling that Emir had during his time at the Well Of Eternity, though his focus had been far more intense.


    There was no doubt that the technique they had just begun to learn would stir chaos among the upper echelons of Earth''s Celestial Hierarchy.


    Their fathers and mothers demonstrated no such knowledge.


    A few of them were much stronger than Emir, but they were stiff-too stiff.


    The level of control was simply iparable.


    Those ''named'' knew that the best.


    Especially Sofia.


    As the training freak she was, she understood just how groundbreaking this all was.


    Emir wasbining the freedom of Spell Weavers with the increased output of the other specialists.


    Inyman''s terms, he was getting the best of both worlds: flexibility and power.


    It sounded too good to be true, but Emir had already demonstrated that the technique was more than just a promise, more than true.


    And if they reached his level, they might even achieve the same, not needing to memorize more than a hundred sets of ability paths.


    Such a dream seemed almost impossible to her...


    If only she knew that Emir had started mastering that technique without even realizing how extraordinary it was.


    The sheer thought might have made her already exhausted brain short-circuit, knocking her out on the spot.


    The other ''named'' weren''t any different, not even Quinn and Arthur.


    In fact, it wouldn''t be a lie to say that Arthur was the second most surprised person in the


    room.


    It wasn''t because he was as smart as Sofia, no, not at all, it was due to his AIs.


    They confirmed that such a technique was unheard of even to his father, Isidore, the head of the Ebonfyre family.


    While it wouldn''t matter much if Isidore and Emir fought directly-given that Isidore had reached a level of strength capable of demolishing Emir in an instant-when facing another Archon, even the smallest of detailed changes would be crucial.


    In the higher ranks, every advantage and every difference, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, could tip the bnce of power.


    Elijah, who had such a teaching ingrained in his mind, had practiced alone, as he was the only first year with the Reaper Specialization.


    Unfortunately for him, the second years weren''t allowed to join Emir''s ss; only the first years attended.


    He wouldn''t have known any of them anyway.


    Although Elijah interacted with the second years in their special Reaper sses, they rarely crossed paths outside those sses.


    It was almost as if the Reapers only existed within those walls, embodying the very souls they took through Nether''s River.


    They were what could only be described as introverts, a result of the constant discrimination they faced.


    Emir''s little Reaper wasn''t affected by such things, however.


    He was aware of the technique beforehand, as Emir had mentioned it randomly a few times, always hinting at its importance but never exining it in full.


    Today, Elijah finally learned the name:


    ''Path Optimization.''


    Not only had he grasped what the technique involved, but he also realized how foolish he had been for not pushing harder to learn about it sooner.


    Regret gued him, and he knew it wouldn''t be long before the others in his family felt the


    same.


    This lesson made it clear that it was time for everyone else to be taught as well.


    Hiro''s wish was granted.


    Of course, the teaching would be handled by Lyra, who was already familiar with the technique.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She had been the one to point out Emir''s unique way of casting his abilities.


    Ragnar also knew about it, and before this lesson, he was one of the only two that did.


    Emir had dropped that knowledge bomb on him just yesterday while they were rxing with Silent.


    It was when he had recorded the video that the entire ss was about to watch.


    And yes, none of the students had left the ssroom even when their professor had exited many minutes ago.


    They were all engrossed in reading the Binding Contracts he had dropped on theirps, scrutinizing every detail for any loophole that could fuck them over.


    Though still dazed, tired, and seconds away from being consideredte for their next ss, they kept at it, knowing that any control Emir exerted over them could turn their lives into a


    disaster.


    Those smart didn''t bother much and skimmed through the contracts quickly before signing them, knowing that Emir couldn''t reenact their nightmares as harming a student in such a way would go against his own binding contract.


    But they didn''t leave either, the curiosity of his ''evidence'' outweighing their responsibilities.


    The video he sent them was a must-watch!


    "I''ll do it."


    Elijah, being the top-ranker and the only one who hadn''t received a binding contract, took it upon himself to connect his terminal to the holoscreen and y the video.


    He didn''t care about the penalty for beingte to his next ss; his curiosity to see this video was overwhelming.


    Kuhm! Kuhm!


    A hologram materialized, showing a coughing Ragnar who had just stepped back from his terminal-turned camera.


    Once he stopped covering the entire scene, the same three machines were revealed, all positioned in front of a wooden shelf sorge it extended off the edges of the screen.


    Ragnar then could be seen silently gesturing for someone to proceed, and that was when Emir entered the frame, walking towards the machines with measured steps.


    He first approached the Aether Control machine, plunging his hands in without hesitation.


    It pulsed and the knob twitched.


    "Grade E."


    As Ragnar announced, it pulsed again and the knob moved.


    "Grade D"


    It happened for the third time.


    "Grade C."


    The same was true for the fourth.


    "Grade B."


    Fifth.


    "Grade A."


    Sixth.


    "Grade S."


    Seventh.


    "Grade SS."


    Eighth.


    "Grade SS+."


    It stopped.


    Emir continued circting his Aether, but nothing changed-the machine had reached its maximum capacity.


    To everyone watching, it was clear that the machine couldn''t even begin to measure his


    control.


    Not even once did his cirction stutter; it had remained smooth and unbroken throughout.


    That meant that he received Grade SS+, not because it was the best grade he could get but because it was the best grade there was.


    As the students struggled to grasp this, Emir moved on to the second machine to measure his


    Aether purity.


    After a brief moment, the machine beeped, disying the result:


    [Grade SS+]


    Even though they had anticipated this oue, the speed with which he achieved it was still


    astonishing.


    His fingers barely touched the chamber, grazing it, yet the orb inside immediately shifted to a


    bright, almost blinding white.


    This color was the opposite of what Elijah had achieved with his murky red darkness.


    It didn''t suit what they knew of his personality.


    The purity was extraordinarily high-almost neutral, as if he had no element at all.


    This was indeed urate; Emir''s primary aspect, Weaver''s Grasp, allowed him to control


    Aether in a nearly neutral state.


    So their initial impressions weren''t entirely off, only muddied.


    What followed next only served to confuse them further.


    Emir sat on a chair facing the recording terminal, his bored eyes staring right at them, the


    students.


    "Watch me."


    He had said the same thing before to the parents of four students, but the reactions were drastically different.


    While the Archons had felt a thrill at those eyes and two words, the students were paralyzed


    with fear.


    They felt as if their souls were beingid bare, as though he could read them like an open


    book.


    In a way, he could-something his ''past life'' had indeed aplished. Under the weight of his terror, the students were transfixed, their eyes fixed on his.


    Then, the electrodes atop the machine-like helmet began to sh green, signaling the start of


    what promised to be a demonstration unlike any they had seen before.


    "Grade E."


    Seconds ticked by, and the machine moved to the next stage, as it received no mental


    response.


    The pain it inflicted was so insignificant that it almost went unnoticed by him.


    "Grade D."


    It did the same at Grade D, still not receiving a reaction.


    "Grade C."


    Nothing again.


    "Grade B."


    A grade Elijah had struggled so hard to achieve was barely an effort for their professor.


    "Grade A."


    Here, it finally seemed to pause for more than a second-or so they thought.


    The machine, however, quickly adjusted and moved up to the next grade, the brief wait due to


    its internal preparations.


    "Grade S."


    With that announcement finally came a change to Emir.


    His mouth moved-was he about to scream?


    No. He just... yawned.


    The man was utterly bored.


    As if acknowledging this, the machine skipped to the next grade for the seventh time.


    "Grade S+,"


    His mouth slowly closed as Ragnar announced the grade.


    Emir then turned away from the camera, closing his nk eyes and forming a smile.


    It was a smile that seemed to wee a guest-a friend who was painfully familiar.


    In that ensuing silence, a robotic voice resounded: "Damage exceeded recoverable threshold, shutting off now."

 Chapter 401: Taste Of Blood

    Chapter 401: Taste Of Blood


    ?


    ***


    Three dayster...


    Elijah stared at the body lying dead beneath him, blood pouring from arge wound that stretched from the top of the chest to the bottom of the stomach.


    The same blood dripped off his scythe as he swung it again, cleaving the air and sttering it across the arena''s ground.


    Steps resounded behind him, prompting him to look back.


    It was Sofia.


    She moved to his left and aimed her pistol at a man far away.


    Thwap!


    A small bullet shot out, tearing through the man''s head and sttering his brain.


    His body wobbled forward with stuttering steps until it tripped and fell onto the one Elijah had killed, no longer moving.


    The two nced at each other, then looked around the arena.


    Their fellow students had men and women rushing at them as well, their mouths cuffed.


    They didn''t go to help and instead sat on the ground, their gazesnding on Emir who stood above, staring down at them.


    Thankfully, his eyes were covered by his sunsses like always, so due to that barrier, they didn''t kill themselves out of fear and simply looked elsewhere, unable to handle the pressure. And as that happened, Sofia unexpectedly started a conversation:


    "You owe me."


    It would be more urate to call it a reminder, but it was still unexpected.


    ||||


    Elijah looked at her in surprise for a while.


    ''...Wait, seriously?''


    Only after a few seconds had gone by did he realize that this was about when she saved him back in the fight with the Cannonjaw Crocodile.


    He didn''t know how to react to that. This came out of left field, to say the least.


    Deeming his continued silence to be agreement, she went ahead and requested:


    "Tell me what you know about Professor Emir."


    He tilted his head.


    "...Are you serious?"


    She nodded, looking at him as if he was dumb.


    "But... when people say ''you owe me'' while doing their job, they don''t mean it. They say it just to say it."


    Sofia slowly opened her mouth and said:


    "I do. I mean it."


    "..."


    Speechless, Elijah waited for her to say something else, but seeing as she wasn''t moving an inch, both physically and mentally, he shook his head and denied her:


    "Wait in line. Everyone asked the same thing."


    "...I see."


    Saying that, she stood up and left, acting as if nothing had happened.


    He stared at her while she walked away, wondering just why she asked him now out of all times, but suddenly, Emir''s voice resounded in the arena, taking away his attention.


    "How was it? This was the first time most of you killed anyone."


    Though he framed his words in a question-like manner, no one tried to answer as they knew it


    was rhetorical, having grown ustomed to his teaching style.


    And they were correct indeed, as Emir snapped his fingers, causing the dead bodies to


    dissipate and reappear perfectly fine in uniform rows beneath him.


    "While this is virtual reality, it still feels real, close to a hundred percent simtion... So if you can''t handle it, tap out now."


    ||


    ||


    || ||


    ||


    || ||


    Silence.


    Not a single student wanted to leave... They couldn''t.


    Not after what they saw of Emir, his nk eyes still ingrained in their minds.


    It haunted them.


    A man simr to them in age had endured pain that made them scream and cry without even


    flinching.


    That alone was hard enough to fathom, but the fact that he had broken the machine itself with a smile on his face was beyondprehension.


    If he could do that, then they had to at least try their best, mask their emotions, no matter how close they were to vomiting whatever was in their stomachs inside this virtual realm. "Good. Teaching you about life seems to have been worth it..."


    Emir indirectlyplimented them but they didn''t even notice that as his next words struck them hard.


    "We''ll go again. You learned of life, now you learn of death. Just one kill isn''t enough."


    They were shocked, but not for long, as they prepared themselves, weapons on hand.


    But suddenly, those weapons disappeared.


    "Try killing them in a different way. Don''t be boring. Most of you yed a VR game at one point in your life, no? Channel that experience here."


    Before they could react, the rogues were set loose upon them, their hands iling wildly with each step.


    Panic gripped the students for a few seconds, but they quickly snapped out of it, equipping whatever weapons remained at their disposal.


    Elijah had first killed with his Spectral Scythe, so he couldn''t use it again and was now forced


    to rely on his daggers.


    With one on each hand, he went forth with the same intensity as before, closing in swiftly, being the first to attack.


    Sofia was not far behind him, aiming a railgun at the target that was highlighted to her.


    Bang!


    As Sofia''s armature round sted a hole through the rogue''s head, Elijah seized the moment.


    He hurled one of his daggers into his target''s neck, then kicked him in the back of his right knee, dropping him to the ground.


    The man fell onto his knees, but Elijah followed through with another kick, driving him face- first into the concrete with a sickening thud.


    If left alone, he would''ve undoubtedly died, but Elijah chose to show his mercy.


    He stepped in front of the kneeling rogue, then ced the bottom of his foot firmly on the man''s head, pressing it into the ground, driving the dagger deeper through his throat.


    In the next moment, the man limped to the side, dead.


    The kill was gruesome, that was for sure, but it paled inparison to Max''s brutality. His first one was clean, Iron Fist taking out his target with a single punch.


    He tried using Rapid Strikes for the second round, but his Aether was nonexistent, deleted.


    So with no weapons but his fists, he resorted to his knuckledusters.


    Like an untethered savage, he unleashed a barrage of wild punches, disabling his target


    before he could even defend himself.


    Each strike sent blood and fragments of bone flying.


    The rogue screams were muffled due to his cuffed mouth, but his words didn''t need to be heard to understand the pain that he was going through.


    His face became a mangled mess, cheeks puffed, eyes swollen, teeth shattered, simply unrecognizable, and soaked in blood.


    Within seconds, the rogue crumpled to the ground, lifeless, and Max stood over the body, breathing heavily due to the adrenaline consuming him.


    It was his first time killing someone at such a close range, and it certainly wasn''t a pretty


    sight.


    He trembled, unable to calm himself, slightly excited by the power he could dish out.


    But he wasn''t the only one feeling such intensity-though her reasons for it were entirely


    different.


    Aria had woven a spell earlier and that only meant one thing...


    Crack!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She had no choice but to engage in meleebat.


    Crack!


    With every swing of her staff, Aria cracked the girl''s skull, the blunt force of each impact


    inflicting slow and agonizing damage.


    Unlike Jake''s ded staff, hers wasn''t designed for meleebat, so she struggled, each swing chipping away at her once opponent now punching bag''s life.


    It wasn''t until a final, powerful crack! across the head that she managed to end it, the force snapping the girl''s neck with a sickening crunch.


    Ava, Quinn, and Arthur lucked out; like Sofia, those three wielded both a main gun and a secondary weapon, allowing them to dispatch their targets quickly.


    But they were still affected; the brutal reality took its toll on them, particrly Ava.


    She was among the few who had run away from the harsh truths of their world, and the violence weighed heavily on her.


    Her emotions weren''t spiked for long however, as she chanted Zenith Sooth on herself, calming her fried nerves and shaken mind.


    "Again. Not until you all learn the taste of blood."


    Emir''s suddenmand sent her emotions spiking once more, resisting the ability.


    But she chanted it again and screamed, running forward towards her now respawning target,


    the pistol she used no longer in her hands.


    "Ahhhhhhhh!"


    Her war cry wasn''t about to scare anyone, but it did its job, masking her fear and allowing her


    to kill.


    This time almost every student had no weapon.


    They had to kill their attackers barehanded.


    Ava was no exception.


    She wrestled her target to the ground, both delicate hands tightening around the girl''s neck.


    Her grip, though belonging to a rtively untrained body, was determined, squeezing with every ounce of strength she could muster.


    Her eyes remained locked on the girl''s, watching as she convulsed beneath her. Despite the girl''s desperate attempts to defend herself, something seemed to hinder her,


    blocking her from attacking, leaving Ava with all the time she needed to tighten her choke.


    Each second that passed threatened to snap the girl''s neck, the panicked pulse beneath Ava''s fingers serving as a grim clock, a countdown.


    With every rough breath Ava took, her fingers ached more intensely from the strain, her grip bing increasingly difficult to maintain.


    It wasn''t long before her fingers started to throb painfully, the strain making her hold almost


    unbearable.


    She wasn''t alone in this struggle.


    Many of the students resorted to the same brutal method, unable to think of an easier route,


    their faces reflecting the same exhaustion and difort as they grappled with their own


    targets. Those who thought of themselves as smart experimented with their targets, searching for some sort of puzzle to solve.


    Meanwhile, those who were truly smart acted decisively.


    They killed their targets as fast as possible by targeting their necks, showing mercy even to


    what they thought were digital creations, fake humans.


    Yet when the next cycle arrived, they were banned from targeting those areas, unable to


    damage them, and forced to be painted in blood.


    They resorted to punching, kicking, and twisting with all their might, driven by a desperation


    to end their internal suffering.


    The scene descended into utter insanity.


    Students, freed from societal norms and emotional constraints, treated their targets like programmed bots, moving objects, unleashing their primal instincts.


    For some, it was the first time they had ever punched with full force. For others, it was the first time their feet aimed to kill, attacking vulnerable areas.


    This cycle of violence kept repeating itself, each round a new lesson in methods of death.


    Once they had reached the tenth cycle, attacking in every conceivable manner they coulde up with, Emir raised his hand, halting all the rogues in their tracks.


    The students only noticed their professor''s movement when they saw everyst target freeze


    in ce.


    They were so consumed by death that everything else had slipped from their minds.


    It was at that moment they noticed that those rogues looked different than before.


    Their faces remained the same, but they were now paler, quieter, and weaker-looking, with darker, clumped blood staining their bodies from top to bottom.


    It was apparent that the cycles took a toll on them, preventing the system from fully healing


    them back to their previous state each time they died.


    But that didn''t make much sense...


    Were they not just programmed bots-mere ones and zeros? Shouldn''t repairing them be a


    straightforward process?


    Snap!


    Instead of addressing their confusion, Emir flicked his fingers, and without warning, everything went dark.

 Chapter 402: Blood Stained Innocence

    Chapter 402: Blood Stained Innocence


    ?


    Light returned in the next moment, and as they opened their eyes, expecting to see the arena, they were met with the familiar walls of their ssroom.


    They looked around collectively, scanning each other and the rtively empty room.


    The space was equipped only withid-back chairs, each outfitted with deep dive systems connected to their necks through many wires.


    One by one, the students removed themselves from the chairs, the deep dive systems hissing softly as the wires retracted with a faint click.


    Fully disconnected, they were left blinking and adjusting to the dim light of their ssroom.


    ...Did they reallye back to the real world?


    Was Emir''s lesson over? Just like that?


    No, he never ended a ss early.


    There had to be something-


    Arge hologram materialized in front of them, cutting off their thoughts.


    It disyed one hundred images, matching the number of students present.


    Each image showed a face that at least one student had be very familiar with in the past hour.


    They were the same digital creations they had killed... and they weren''t in the best of shape. In fact, they appeared to be dead, limp on the cold ground, their mouths open, as well as their hazy eyes, which stared at the walls and roof, their bodies showing no visible injuries.


    Most of the students struggled to understand what they were seeing, unable to piece two and two together.


    Emir, who stood next to the holoscreen, noticed that and, with deliberate calmness, announced:


    "Congrats on your first kill, everyone. You sessfully learned of death."


    ||||


    ||


    ""


    ""n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    They didn''t know how to respond.


    His tone was too rxed, but his words shook them deeply.


    Those digital creations they had repeatedly killed were real people.


    Death had visited them in the real world, even though there was an obvious absence of injuries on their bodies.


    That could only mean one thing:


    Their minds were directly connected to their icons.


    Every punch, kick, twist, shot, spell, and choke had been felt in a visceral way.


    With each virtual death, the death of the mind came closer, until eventually all was gone.


    Not one student had managed toe out of that realization unscathed, or, as Jake would crudely put it, all their cherries were popped.


    Thankfully, none of them had lost control of their dders like he did, but they weren''t doing


    much better.


    While they hadn''t fully lost their innocence yet, as these deaths fell on Emir''s already heavy shoulders, the experience had left its mark, staining what was left with dark, coagted blood.


    Blergh!


    That sound-a sudden, involuntary retch-served as the catalyst, allowing the students to finally process the grim reality of what had just happened.


    "Did we really... kill them?"


    "I thought it was just a simtion!"


    "How could this happen? They didn''t even look injured."


    "Are we... murderers now?"


    "I can''t believe it. I didn''t sign up for this."


    "Those poor people... did they feel everything we did to them?"


    "I... I never wanted to be a killer."


    "I can''t handle this. I just can''t."


    "I feel sick. I can''t believe I did that."


    "I can''t get her faces out of my head."


    "This is so messed up. What kind of lesson is this?"


    "Is this really what it means to be a hunter?"


    "Did anyone else know this would happen?"


    "Doesn''t matter, we''re first years. How could he do this to us?"


    "You would''ve done this eventually, it''s better that you did it early unlike us."


    "Yeah, you have to live with this now. There''s no going back."


    "Right, once you do it once, the second time is always easier."


    "But why didn''t the professor tell us the truth?"


    Emir listened to their reactions, his ears picking up on every word that was uttered.


    The ''unnamed'' were certainly going through it, and as he expected, the second years stepped


    in to help them process what happened, stopping their emotions from spiraling out of


    control.


    The ''named'' students, though better prepared, were not untouched by the ordeal.


    Elijah and Junior, who had anticipated a simr oue, still felt a chill run down their


    spines.


    "We actually... killed them."


    Elijah swallowed hard, feeling a heavy weight settle in his chest.


    During all his ruin dives and journeys through the wastnd, he was never once forced to kill


    another human being.


    His cohort had always taken on that responsibility.


    But now...


    Junior nodded in silent agreement and patted Elijah''s back, offering whatfort he could.


    "Sometimes there''s no other option. I know that well..."


    Aria, sitting behind them, had her usual defiance waver as she relived every strike she had


    delivered.


    "...F-Figures he''d pull something like this."


    In stark contrast, Max''s reaction was explosive.


    Rather than feeling saddened, he was excited, knowing that he had taken another step toward


    bing a man like his father.


    "I don''t know how this''s allowed, but I ain''tining!"


    Ava though, felt the same as her blonde friend.


    "Oh, fantastic. Now we''re m-murderers too?"


    Her sarcastic demeanor faltered, her tonecking its usual bite, failing to sound nonchnt,


    quivering almost.


    "Just great... as if I needed another reason to hate this ce."


    Sofia''s cold exterior remained mostly intact, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of shock.


    ||||


    She stared at Emir, her mind racing toprehend the full implications.


    ''So, it was real-every single one of them. Just what did he go through to think this is normal?


    And where did he even get that many people for us to kill?''


    This time, Arthur finally had some input as well, though it was internal and unexpectedly


    muted.


    ''Somehow... I''m fine. Maybe it''s because of those two.''


    His initial reaction wasn''t so calm, however.


    At first, he was visibly confused, evident in the furrow of his brow and the way his mouth


    opened and closed as if searching for words.


    After that, his eyes darted around, seeking answers in the faces of his ssmates, but he


    found none.


    Only then did the weight of what they had done slowly settle on him, though that left him unaffected with a disconcerting sense of detachment, as if he had done nothing wrong.


    [...You guys do anything?]


    [Noo~.]


    [Do ''anything'' about what?]


    While he talked with his two AIS that tried their best to act dumb, Quinn, who sat at the


    opposite end of the ssroom, whispered:


    "I get it now... This is what he meant by teaching us the reality of death."


    Her earlier reaction was a mix of shock and cold indifference.


    She did feel a pang of something, perhaps guilt, but she shoved it aside.


    There was no room for emotions when the bastard was still alive.


    Said "bastard" didn''tment on any of their reactions; he simply waited, allowing them to


    let out their emotions.


    This process was necessary; he knew it firsthand as he had vomited when he identally


    killed the young ''spark'' two years ago.


    It was a moment that he would never forget.


    He almost smiled at the memory but stopped himself, choosing to remainposed instead.


    The students didn''t take much longer to settle down-only a few minutes-prompting Emir to pause his unfocused cirction and walk to the middle of the room. "Those you killed are prisoners. Some hadmitted grave crimes, but most were hunters


    who couldn''t repay their debt... They''re not entirely bad, but are still considered ''bad'' by the UEF."


    He scanned their faces, noting the relief that began to surface as they convinced themselves that they hadn''t done anything wrong.


    The guilt that had weighed heavily on some of them seemed to slightly lift as well.


    ''As expected.'' Emir dyed the reveal for a reason, waiting to share it until the right moment while


    carefully managing their emotions, and guiding their thoughts, simply stringing them along.


    His goal wasn''t only to grow his Puppeteer Embodiment but to shape their perceptions, making them believe that killing ''bad guys'' was justified.


    And judging by their visible relief, it was clear that he had seeded. Thankfully, the principal had allowed this, only after much discussion and negotiation of


    course, as he was the one who supplied the prisoners.


    Those pitiful men and women were condemned to work under the UEF for life, stripped of their rights, and treated like ves.


    This meant that killing them would be a loss to the UEF.


    Topensate for that loss, Amon reimbursed them with billions of credits from his digital


    pocket, dering it as Emir''s second reward.


    It was an obvious attempt to make him feel grateful, but he shamelessly epted it without a


    word of thanks.


    This conversation had taken ce yesterday morning, just before Emir''s usual homeroom


    ss.


    Amon had mentioned a follow-up meeting, which Emir was now heading to as the ss was


    over.


    The bell rang the moment he stepped out the door, perfectly timed as always.


    But while on the way to the top floor, inside the elevator, Lyra suddenly unmuted their


    channel and reported: [Nathan''s report is in.]

 Chapter 403: Strung Along

    Chapter 403: Strung Along


    ?


    [Actually?]


    Raising a brow, Emir looked to his left, and Lyra materialized, only visible to his eyes.


    [Yes, but, like always, it wasn''t much. I''ll send the data through now.]


    She put up her right hand and touched his neck.


    {ept Link Point?}


    A hologram appeared and he epted it in under a moment, closing his eyes shortly after.


    The dark world he saw changed into a bright one.


    Digital screens surrounded him while the figure of a concealed man stood at the center.


    Lyra appeared next, floating above him, her long white hair unmoving.


    [As we expected, most caught a whiff of what happened. Apex Dynamics knows their employee was killed. How? They already knew of Darius''s redesign, so they had him on watch by this man over here.]


    The screens on each side disyed walls of text, feeding directly into Emir''s mind.


    He absorbed the information swiftly, processing all they knew about the figure standing before them.


    [A few of our guys in the Shadow Squad spotted him snooping around the area where we kidnapped Darius. They chased after him, and eventually, saw him get back to his base of operations. He disappeared and hasn''t been seen since.]


    Emir grinned andmented:


    [Nathan didn''t give up there, though.]


    Lyra descended slightly and circled him, still floating in the air.


    [Correct. They investigated further, and that apartment led to the discovery of a series of middlemen who owned the property. That line of owners eventually connected to Apex Dynamics as one of their throwaway executives was thest connection.]


    He became lost in thought for a moment, then asked:


    [You think they found any evidence that it might be us?]


    Lyra shook her head.


    [No, they would''ve sent the UEF guard if they did. But there''s no denying that they heavily suspect our involvement.]


    [True... as unfortunate as that is. Anyways, what''s the current status of the Shadow Squad?] [They''re keeping a low profile, monitoring the area. We''ve got eyes on the base, but there''s been no activity. It''s like he vanished into thin air.]


    [Good...]


    Emir paused his reply for a second and his mind had already formed a n.


    [Keep the best two there to maintain surveince, the rest must get out by tonight and regroup with the Elite Cohort. It''s risky, but we need to know the moment there''s any movement. We can''t afford to let anything through our fingers.]


    [Understood. I''ll keep you updated.]


    Their entry into Corp za couldn''t be done in secret.


    They had to show themselves to allow Nathan''s men, the recently named Shadow Squad, an easy way in.


    And yes, those ninjas were in fact strapped to the undersides of the vehicles, clinging like spiders.


    They weren''t caught thanks to their invisible augmented suits and Lyra''s Shadow Veil.


    Now, all they had to do was get out, which was considerably easier than getting in.


    The exit protocols were morex, giving the Big Eight some leeway in their illegal activities, and negating the need for any borate extraction.


    [But for now, that doesn''t matter as much. What we need to know is if they''re able to retrace what Darius did and build it anytime soon. Likest time, a minor disaster still happened even though we contained it, so I don''t doubt the same will happen again.]


    She repeatedly nodded at his words and flicked her hand once he was done, changing the scene, allowing different screens to show themselves alongside a hologram of a long oval column where Darius''s brain was housed.


    Information invaded his mind once more, and he blinked his eyes open, returning to the real world.


    [...I see.]


    The elevator door slid open and he walked down the hall, heading to Amon''s office.


    While doing so, his mind went through all that he learned a few moments ago.


    Darius was a smart man.


    He had his tracks covered, destroying every prototype once his testing wasplete.


    The traces he left behind were faint, and only his halfplete report remained, which wasn''t too useful.


    Though they had the form, it was too basic to be of true use.


    They needed to tread the same path he had and fail in the same ways he did until they could


    manage to figure out the details of his solutions.


    Emir and family didn''t need to do that, however.


    They had the man himself helping them, his brain a treasure trove of information.


    With it, they not only figured out how to build the machine but also how Apex Dynamics spied on the man and the reason why they had kept quiet about him.


    Finding out how they caught him was pretty easy.


    While there weren''t cameras in the privatebs, the numerous discrepancies in his reports led to a routine fraud investigation.


    The Apex Dynamics'' investigation department didn''t take long to uncover the project, which must have surprised them quite a bit as they had expected the usual employee-gone-rogue shtick that was somon in Corp za, not a project that would gain them thousands of


    Valora.


    Now the second ''why'' wasn''t as obvious, but if one took a step back, they could easily figure it out.


    Corp za had information on everyone, true, but it wasn''t focused on everyone.


    Low-level dregs tripping their way up the corporatedder weren''t of much interest.


    This meant that no one would look twice at Darius, giving him an invisible shield.


    Even his own employer caught himte, let alone those in other corporations.


    It was a good tactic... Too bad they had crossed paths with someone knowledgeable about the future, courtesy of the Oracle, the Rulekeeper itself, and the Order''s fabricated novel.


    [Alright, thanks for the heads-up. I''ll talk to themter.]


    With that, Emir shared the details of everything that happened in ss with Lyra and


    approached Amon''s office.


    He knocked lightly on the side of the door as it slid open.


    Stepping inside, he saw Amon nce up from his terminal, and the bored expression on his


    face gave way to a smile.


    "Wee, wee, son, you''ve kept me waiting."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Emir rolled his eyes.


    "I was right on time, you''ve got nothing toin about."


    Exaggerating a gasp, Amon pushed himself and his chair away from his desk.


    "But that only means that I''ve missed you~."


    "Yeah, yeah, what''s up?"


    "Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you that you are, as I expected,pletely and utterly


    crazy."


    "Why so?"


    "I saw that video of yours. While insanely impressive, and I mean that by the way, not even I


    could do it the way you did... It''s still pitiful."


    Emir gave him a nk stare.


    "...I''d rather you not do that. What did you invite me here for?"


    Seeing how quickly he changed the subject, Amon deemed it sensitive and yed along.


    "Well, first tell me, did those prisoners do your students any good?"


    Emir proceeded to sit on one of the two seats in front of Amon''s desk while saying:


    "They did great. It''ll take a while for the students to process their first kill, so I can''t make any concretements, but I think it''s safe to say that it''s a solid step in the right direction."


    Amon solemnly nodded, his smile fading.


    "...Thank you for doing what I can''t."


    "You''re wee, just make sure to keep my ''rewards''ing."


    They both knew what those rewards were, so the joking mood quickly shifted to one of rising


    tension.


    Their eyes locked, and Emir leaned on the table, getting closer, but Amon did the opposite,


    pushing himself further back.


    "You trying to kiss me, son?"


    Clicking his tongue, Emir looked away, and the tension diffused along with him.


    "And here I thought that you wouldn''t dodge-"


    "No, I''ll tell you about your father."


    Amon cut him off while waving his hand as an apology.


    "Just don''t expect it to be quick. I''ll use you as much as I can... After all, I''m sure you''ll dip the


    moment you know their names."


    Emir''s brows twitched.


    "And you called me shameless?"


    Amon chuckled.


    "Like father, like son, eh?"


    Leaning his head on his now clutched fist, Emir asked:


    "What''s up with you calling me son? I don''t see you doing that to the other professors."


    The principal''s smile returned, and it was the brightest one Emir had ever seen adorn his face.


    "I am the king of this ce, am I not?"


    Emir nodded, admitting:


    "You are."


    "Then, are you not its prince?"


    || ||


    They looked at each other for a few seconds, silent, until Emir nkly said:


    "So it was a pun?"


    Amon chuckled once more.


    "No, no, it''s to remind you of your ce..."


    In that short moment of pause, his eyes dimmed, and a crown materialized above his head.


    "For what is a prince to a king?"

 Chapter 404: Twice In A Row

    Chapter 404: Twice In A Row


    ?


    Amon''s words carried an oppressive weight, far exceeding the casual tone of his expression.


    The resulting pressure forced Emir''s head down, and the burden behind the reminder nearly overwhelmed him.


    But he was not one to remain subdued for long.


    ''Aether Overdrive''


    He chanted inwardly, unleashing a momentary surge of power that lifted his strength by several grades, bordering Serpahim''s second subrank, Exarch.


    His Core pulsed, and Aether congregated towards him.


    Emir thenmanded the Aether to coat his body, and that was what happened, as it enveloped him while also circting through him, amplifying his defense.


    Gritting his teeth, he readied himself and raised his head, his inky eyes swirling.


    He met Amon''s gaze head-on, defying the principal''s insinuation.


    The room seemed to vibrate with the intensity of their silent confrontation, a tension so high that it felt as if a knife could cut through it.


    If one looked at how they usually interacted, one might forget that Amon was the strongest being on Earth.


    It wasn''t Isaac Klien, as the world believed, but Amon.


    His power was absolute, his presencemanding.


    Every head must bow, every tongue must confess-Amon was the strongest Celestial of Earthkind.


    Students, professors, even the Elite-all feared him.


    It wasn''t merely because he held authority over them, but because he possessed a terrifying capacity for retribution.


    In simple words, he could be a nightmare if he wanted to be.


    They used him and made deals with him, but there was a line they didn''t dare to cross.


    And while that ''line'' wasn''t defined, it certainly included the protection of his students.


    Amon''s casual demeanor masked a formidable force capable of bending the entirety of Earth to his will, and Emir, standing before him, felt the full weight of that reminder.


    To put it into perspective for those slow, he was the same rank as the chess pieces in Setrenc, the gathering of powerhouses.


    Aether would react violently to his true name, just as it would to theirs, unlike those directly beneath him in rank.


    The difference between sub-ranks in the Archon rank was just that significant.


    Isaac Klien was an exception, as that wasn''t his real name.


    Being a Thief, he naturally hid it.


    Though the chess pieces had been in that rank for much longer, Amon''s strength might still rival theirs, thanks to his overpowered Specialization.


    It was no exaggeration; the sole demonstration of his prowess proved that. Throughout the relentless hours they had spent fighting and trapping the Tyrants, Amon had wielded only one ability-Ethereal Chains, a power he had acquired from killing a Reaper.


    The sheer potential of that ability, if unleashed in full, was unimaginable. One could only specte how devastating it could be if used all at once against a single target.


    Again, if it hadn''t been emphasized enough, with the best possible preparation, Amon had the potential to end even the Sun itself.


    Truly... Emir was ying with fire every time he teased him, but he wasn''t about to back down, he wasn''t scared, not even close.


    "Stop... bluffing, I ain''t... falling for... it."


    As he barely spoke those words without stuttering, Amon released his hold over him, allowing him to straighten his back and let out a long breath.


    "That''s nice to hear, son~."


    Emir, dismissive of thement, simply muttered, "...Whatever," before standing up and striding toward the door.


    "Don''t forget to check out the mission details tonight, you''ll be going out this Friday." Without turning around, he asked:


    "And my reward?"


    A softugh resounded behind him, ticking him off, but he let Amon speak, only clicking his tongue in response.


    "You''ll have to stack missions for that."


    Not giving him the reaction he wanted, Emir stepped out, the door sliding shut behind him.


    Slowly, his demeanor did a one-eighty as his frown turned into a calm smile, too calm to be seen by cameras.


    ''You''re not the only one who can y those games~.''


    His act went off without a hitch, and he managed to loosen Amon''s tongue, earning a vital piece of information.


    The principal and his Thief of a friend suspected Emir was only there in the Academy to gather information on his father and would leave once he had it.


    They openly nned to string him along, stretching his patience as much as they could without exhausting him and causing him to turn against them.


    This revtion indicated they were unaware of his animosity with Arthur, his secondary objective being to kill him.


    His primary goal, of course, remained the survival of his family and vengeance towards those who forced his father to disappear.


    ''Hm...''


    Emir put his little acting contest on hold as he arrived in his office.


    He then sank into his chair, allowing himself a few hours of respite before the next challenge.


    ''I need to rx a bit. I can''t be going up against Mr. yer when I''m tired.''


    With that thought, he closed his eyes and took a nap, letting the tension of the day fade away.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    He fluttered his eyes open.


    There, directly in front of him, sat Mr. yer.


    The other chess pieces?


    They were covered by the purple ''fog.''


    He couldn''t see them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This was another private talk.


    Emir had requested it as soon as he arrived, surprising everyone else, who buzzed about how


    he had broken another record and created a new one himself-being the first to do it twice in a


    row.


    "...I''m sorry, but I can''t."


    The ''fog'' before him twisted at those words.


    "Why not?"


    Emir sighed and looked further down, his head still in the direction of Mr. yer''s throne.


    "To bepletely honest with you... not having a binding contract makes me really uneasy. There exists but one person in the universe outside my blood family who has a deep connection with me without a binding contract... Actually, make that two. I''ve recently acquired a brother, you see."


    Mr. yer hummed for a moment, appearing amused.


    "...How did youe to this point?...Such a degree of paranoia is unusual."


    As they both silently decided to be honest, he continued to be truthful as well.


    "Well, I lost something. It wasn''t much, just myself what I believed to be my identity. There are other things that are far more important, but it still affected me... quite a lot." Another hum yed out, but this time it was mncholy, matching the somber mood that


    drowned the ce.


    "Child... We are the guardians of humankind, Celestials as numerous as the stars, our might


    on a quest to surpass that of our forebears. Yet we are also ill-stared souls, damned and eternally ensnared in a struggle against chaos, vying to control our wretched fates."


    Emir closed his eyes, taking in those beautiful words with a smile, almost enchanted.


    He could see why Mr. Board was such a fanatic.


    The man before him walked the path of sound, for every word he uttered was a symphony in


    and of itself.


    It was such a poetic way of expressing things that he couldn''t help butpliment him:


    "...That was beautiful."


    Mr. yer''s ''fog'' shifted up and down as he said:


    "I don''t mind undertaking a binding pact, but keep in mind that you won''t be able to escape


    this one like you do the others."


    Emir tilted his head.


    "How so?"


    "Simple... The oaths are anchored to the soul, not to the nanobots. It shall be directly


    entwined with Aether, our mother tree."


    At Mr. yer''s quick exnation, Emir immediately grasped what was left unsaid.


    Archons could no longer be killed by their own nanobots, they reached a rank too high, though the nanobots were still used as usual, keeping their internal systems active.


    The functionality for punishing a breach of contract was disabled however, leaving them only as recording devices for the Oracle to monitor the contract or the oath itself. Presumably, instead of scrapping the entire system, the Archons influenced their own souls, shackling them, as that was the only way to make sure that death would win.


    This raised the question of what came first, the technological binding contract or the soul


    binding contract.


    Mr. yer, who seemingly expected him to reach such a question, answered that for him:


    "The soul came first... Do you not see? The concept of the binding contract was born from it. Your government appropriated this notion, lifting it from the old worldeners who first conceived the nanobots and iming it as their creation."


    ''...Ha.''


    There was and still is no winter on Earth because its maic shield no longer existed...


    At least not in the way it used to.


    During Arrmagoden, the''s Maosphere was already significantly weakened.


    This was due to the ongoing maic pole flip, a natural phenomenon where the north and


    south poles switched ces.


    Before the nukes wereunched, many other proxy wars took ce, and their impact exacerbated the situation, causing the already fragile shield to shatterpletely.


    As a result, the so-called old worldeners faced cosmic rays, sr wind, and many other


    dangers.


    Tobat that on a human scale, they developed nanobots.


    But they didn''t use them for long, as life on the surface ceased to exist not so long after that.


    And so... given this history, Mr. yer''s words madeplete sense.


    "I understand. But how do I make this oath when I''m only a Seraphim?"


    Mr. yer moved his left hand and snapped his fingers.


    "Here is how..."

 Chapter 405: Becoming Human

    Chapter 405: Bing Human


    ?


    Emir was in his office, rxing in his chair.


    His eyes were closed, brows furrowed, and his face showed an expression of near desperation.


    He seemed to be trying extremely hard to remember something, but despite all his concentration, he ultimately failed, slumping back into the chair in defeat.


    ''I guess he really removed... no, he just soothed my mind so much to the point that I can''t remember a single thing after that snap.''


    He couldn''t even recall how he had interacted with the other chess pieces after his private talk with Mr. yer.


    It was as if he had suddenly appeared in his office without warning.


    For others, this might have seemed suspicious, as Mr. yer could have cheated by not enacting the oath. But Emir knew better.


    The oath waspleted¡ªandpleted with extreme fairness... He felt it¡ªa tug.


    So, he abandoned his attempts to remember, deciding it was for the best.


    Even though he knew more about souls than the average Seraphim, he still wouldn''t have been able to handle the bacsh from such information.


    This memory loss, though unsettling, was ultimately for his own good.


    ''It''s better to just move on.''


    Standing up, Emir left the main room of his office and entered the training area.


    There, he saw Lyra sitting on the ground in a lotus position, cultivating, awaiting his arrival.


    Without a word shared between them, he stepped near her and sat down, leaning his back on hers.


    Slowly, his memories began transferring to her, and she smiled, happy for him.


    Emir could now do something that he wanted to do for what felt like a long while.


    Which was to announce the existence of Setrenc to his family.


    The oath ''stamped'' it as something safe enough to be revealed to those who shared his blood -and Ragnar.


    And that was exactly what he nned to doe Sunday morning.


    Until then, he and Lyra simply spent their time cultivating.


    Their weekend meetings were postponed, as everyone was still outside, upied with missions or deep in ruin dives.


    On Friday, Emir had alsopleted a mission, killing another Tyrant.


    This one was a five-core, so it wasn''t as exciting as thest one and it didn''t need any preparations.


    Emir went alone, killing it in under five minutes after exiting Ragnar''s portal.


    Since it wasn''t something to write home about, both men returned to their respective duties and training, not spending much time together.


    The prince maintained his usual monstrous schedule, one that would drive most of his peers in the Celestial Hierarchy insane, while Ragnar tried his hardest to catch up, not wanting to be of such little use to his brother.


    When Sunday arrived, Lyra and Emir left the office and headed home, where they joined the family in the dining room for breakfast.


    It had been a while since the "prodigal son"st visited, so his mother went all out, preparing a feast of pancakes and french toast-enough to feed an entire squadron of theirs.


    Lilyined about the mess she made, but Laura proudly bragged about their androids- more precisely, their maid droids-that cleaned up after her with every step.


    Though Laura had initially resisted the idea, only epting it due to their insistence, like most hard-headed parents, she had eventually warmed to the change.


    There was no need for her to reenact the struggle of putting food on the table anymore. They would do it for her.


    How convenient!


    Emir read those exact words from the emotions he saw on her face.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He felt the urge to go to her and start ying around with her slightly chubby cheeks while kissing them to oblivion, her innocent purity affecting his rational mind. But, he managed to keep himself in check, knowing that it wasn''t the time for that, and instead chatted away with his little sister and Ragnar as they waited for all the food to arrive.


    Their conversations didn''t have much substance, if any at all, but he enjoyed them greatly.


    Lyra, who sat next to him at the head of the table, was of the same opinion.


    She experienced the same joy he felt through their emotional connection, so even though the feelings didn''t technically originate from her, she enjoyed herself as well.


    Now, If asked whether she trusted Emir, her answer would be "Like no one else."


    This would differ from her earlier hypothetical response, as it had evolved over time.


    A couple of years ago, way before she was even introduced to the family, her answer would have highlighted her singr trust in him.


    This meant that while her unbreakable trust in Emir remained unchanged, her perception of those he loved had shifted.


    They began to evoke emotions in her, no matter how slight-it was a first.


    Such a thing wasn''t new, but what was new was that these feelings didn''t solely stem from


    their connection to Emir.


    Instead, they arose from their own existence as separate individuals.


    She even began to feel a growing level of trust in them.


    Despite this, her core nature remained the same; she continued to be Emir''s shadow, both literally and metaphorically.


    Emir''s previous thoughts were correct, his AI was slowly turning human, or at least, she was acquiring more human traits, ones other than pure and unbridled obsession.


    "Hey, don''t you think it''s a bit cramped? Go back home."


    Venomous words spewed from his right, originating from the very girl that dominated his thoughts for thest minute.


    "No, I ain''t moving. If it''s really bothering you, leave yourself."


    His left-hand man, who uncoincidentally sat on his left, shot back at Lyra, genuinely ticked


    off.


    "Says the guest... We shouldn''t have invited you today."


    "Haa? You think I came for you? My brother wants me here, so shoo off."


    "Humph, you believe yourself to be special? I''m the first, his right hand. You are second,


    never forget."


    Apparent to anyone listening, this wasn''t the first time they argued, as they constantly fought over who would sit next to him.


    There was no conclusion, and they both sat at the head of the table, crowding Emir, leaving Lily and Laura by themselves on the left and right of the table respectively.


    "An Order''s AI will always remain¡ª"


    "Alright. That''s enough."


    Emir cut in, stopping them before things got real.


    "Both of you will sit here and that''s that. Understood?"


    Dejected at not being chosen, they both looked down, but eventually nodded their heads.


    "...Sure."


    "Whatever you say, lil bro~."


    Lily and Laura giggled at the scene, treating it like one of their favorite drama shows.


    Emirughed too, delighted to see them so happy.


    "Good, let''s eat."

 Chapter 406: Telling The Family

    Chapter 406: Telling The Family


    ?


    With a gesture, he signaled for everyone to start eating, now that the tes of food were allid out.


    They dug in, humming with satisfaction at every bite, savoring the simple yet delicious meal. Perhaps it was precisely the simplicity that made it so delightful, but they didn''t bother thinking of that; their minds too busy rxing, a very contradictory but true statement. Not long after, when all the tes were licked clean, did the family talk again.


    Laura and Lily were asking Ragnar a bunch of questions, ever curious about Emir''s new brother, his stories never-ending.


    But eventually, the younger of them unknowingly stepped on andmine.


    "By the way, how''s your fianc¨¦e? She wants to divorce you yet?"


    Usually, when faced with a question like this, Ragnar would''ve pped back, but uncharacteristically, he slumped his body into the chair and sighed.


    That caught the attention of Emir.


    "What''s up? Did your perverse soul finally get what it deserves?"


    Ragnar let out a rough chuckle and exined:


    "We fought... At first, it was the usual, ''Why can''t I go with you? I want to meet them too!'' You know, all that jazz. The same scenario you had with Evelyn, except that she''s my fianc¨¦e!... I exined my reasons, but she kept repeating herself like a parrot."


    Laura and Lily leaned in, eyes almost sparkling, enjoying the drama to the fullest.


    "But then, when she got tired of repeating herself, she switched gears,ining about her day at the frontline. And guess what?"


    Before any of them could say anything, he continued:


    "When I gave her a solution, she exploded, her built-up anger reaching its peak."


    At those words, the room collectively pped their foreheads in embarrassment, cringing.


    Even Lyra was embarrassed to be associated with him.


    "What?!"


    Emir spun towards the confused Ragnar and grabbed his shoulder.


    "Understand this, you idiot. When womenin like that, they don''t want your logic or ''bright'' solutions. Most of them aren''t clueless. She probably already knew how to solve her issue; she just wanted someone to listen. So, stop trying to be Mr. Fix-It and nod like a nervous student pretending to pay attention. Parrot her words, give her somefort-show her you''re actually listening. Only after she''s had a chance to vent should you think about stepping in with advice. If she still doesn''t want to address the problem and acts like a spoiled brat, then, yeah, p her into shape-figuratively speaking, of course."


    Lily stood up, pping her hands enthusiastically as if giving a standing ovation, while Laura quietly nodded her head, a proud smile on her face.


    "Teach Elijah that in one of your lessons! Kid thinks he''s smarter than me."


    Emir barely managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes at his little sister.


    ''Oh, I bet he''s living through hell trying tond a rtionship with her.''


    He knew Lily very well and could safely bet that Elijah was likely in the right; her incessant talking always made things more difficult than they had to be.


    "When the hell did you be such an expert? And besides, that shit sounds so exhausting."


    ncing at Ragnar, Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "True, but why do you think I''ve got Ly around? She''s even more logical than me..."


    His thoughtspleted his true feelings on the matter.


    ''Recently, that dynamic is slowly changing but it ain''t much of an issue, at least not yet, and hopefully never, but I won''t bet on that; sentience is human.''


    Lyra perked up at hearing her name, raising her chest with a proud deration:


    "That''s right, I''m the best fit for Emir."


    No onemented on that; they all saw it as a fact.


    There truly was no one better for Emir.


    The only unfortunate thing was that he himself was still unable to reciprocate those feelings.


    He was inching closer to that oue, sure, but it was still far, incredibly far, and at the finish line, he could see a massive chasm that required an event of simr magnitude for him to cross.


    That was only natural given that he had experienced a lie of such magnitude, which forever shook any semnce of trust he had in everyone, even those holding the highest positions within the three categories of people in his mind: allies.


    "Anyways... Just go apologize. Like how she alwaysins, she also always forgives you."


    Emir naturally switched the subject away from his love life and turned to his mother, bringing up something they mentioned not so long ago.


    "Mom, how''s the memorization going? Do you remember anything of Isaac''s face?"


    Closing her eyes for a moment, she hummed and then opened them back up.


    "...His hair is ck, I think."


    Emir''s calm smile widened.


    "That''s right, looks like your mental fortitude training is going well."


    Thest time she was asked this question she remembered nothing; his face appeared as a blur in her mind, so her answer showed visible progress, exciting him.


    "I saw that too~."


    Lily was the same, and that was to be expected since they were both taught by Lyra. Their


    course one.


    "Good good, so do you think you can handle what I''m about to reveal?"


    Without a moment''s hesitation, all three, starting with Ragnar, agreed.


    "Lay it on me, I''ve been waiting on this for three weeks!"


    "Yep~, I''ll be fine, can''t have an existential crisis when I already did two years ago."


    "Mama will always listen to what you have to say, dear."


    He pushed both his hands down on the table and stood up, his smile disappearing.


    "Three weeks ago, I got involved in a meeting of powerhouses."


    Emir slowly looked at their faces while speaking.


    "I was invited by one of the connections of the very same Primordial that visited me when I was born. Back then, you didn''t know ''Their'' title, but now I''m sure that ''She'' is called the


    Lady of Time."


    Their reactions were nearly uniform-nk faces, unsure of how to respond.


    "The leader of that gathering is one of the ten eyes that you witnessed on the day of my ascension. He likely holds a high position among the nine, previously ten, ancient ns, or he might be a leader himself."


    They remained still, unconsciously holding their breath.


    "His members are as strong as Amon, maybe even stronger-I''m not sure. But their leader is a Demi-God, an Angel, a Paragon, a man that can wipe out our sr system with a singlen/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    thought."

 Chapter 407: Each Their Own Stage

    Chapter 407: Each Their Own Stage


    ?


    As the weight of Emir''s words settled into the room, a heavy silence enveloped the table. What hest said sent their emotions soaring, leaving them feeling lightheaded.


    Even Ragnar didn''t escape such a feeling; in fact, his deeper understanding of an Archon''s true might only amplified the impact.


    He couldn''t help but shift ufortably in his chair, his usual bravado subdued by the simple mention of a being higher than what he saw as an unreachable peak.


    Laura and Lily exchanged nces, their expressions a mix of awe, fear, and curiosity.


    Meanwhile, Lyra, everposed, watched with a glint of analytical curiosity, interested in how they would take his next words.


    "I''ll keep the name secret, for your own safety, but know that it''s something way bigger than the Sol domain. The people in there act on a universal stage, and I''ll be stuck with them till the day I die... They were the ones who taught me how to explore the embodiment method. My personal Veez came from them, my universal knowledge as well-knowledge that would ruin your minds for their sheer weight. Not even Lyra can handle it."


    He paused, allowing his family a few moments to breathe before addressing them directly.


    "You already knew my fate had the potential to be universal, flip both the known and unknown of their heads... This only made that concrete. Now I have the opportunity to act on that universal stage, and it won''t be too long till I''m sent on missions. Missions outside this, on an unfathomably faraway system."


    Laura hesitatingly leaned forward, always the first to speak in such situations.


    "...And what does that mean for us? For you?"


    Emir''s eyes softened as he considered the question.


    "It''s a good thing. If we survive the day of our deaths, which is only a few months off, and Iplete my objectives at the Academy, we''ll have to face Magnus''s goons directly. There''s no doubt that he''ll write me off as too much of a danger if I actually end that kid''s life, sending all that he can after me, wanting to make sure that I''m dead."


    Ragnar, trying to reconcile his understanding with the reality of the situation, grunted softly. "So... you''re saying we''ll have them as allies?"


    Emir smiled, though it was tinged with seriousness.


    "Yes. They might not provide directbat help by then, but I''ll try to mooch off them as much as I can, getting us as strong as possible."


    The Warpweaver''s eyes widened.


    "Then can you ask if any of them can get their hands on a dimensional object? It could be a ring, a wristband, a ne, anything. With it, there''s a high chance I can raise my embodiment by many levels, like you did back at Silent''s ce. I can even learn a few spells from it."


    Emir nodded at him, understanding his excitement well.


    "No worries, this Thursday we''ll have another transaction and request period; I''ll ask them then."


    "Haha! I''ll match your strength in no time! Just watch!"


    As Ragnar loudly spoke, determination burned bright in his eyes.


    "Heh~ we''ll see..."


    The two smiled at each other, challenge sparking between them, but that moment was interrupted when Lily stood up, nearing her younger brother.


    Facing her, he asked:


    "Anything wrong? You been too quiet."


    She didn''t reply and continued to approach him.


    Once she got behind him, she wrapped her delicate arms around him and shoved her head into his shoulder.


    "...T-Thank you for everything you do for us."


    Emir was surprised, his jaw agape, almost hitting the floor.


    His mind took a few moments to register her words. A reaction shared by both Laura and Lyra.


    This was more unexpected than the metaphorical bomb he revealed today.


    "Of course... I''ll do anything."


    But he didn''t stay frozen for long, he controlled himself and hugged her back, knowing how embarrassed she was to initiate such things.


    "Make space for me!"


    Laura knew as well, so she quickly joined the hug, yfully butting heads with her children. "Might as well."


    Lyra joined the fray as well, though with much more gracepared to her fellow Ls.


    The man was squeezed in from all sides, and he made sure to give each one enough attention, patting their backs.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    While doing so, his eyes caught Ragnar moving, and they immediately narrowed, halting him in his tracks.


    Though he trusted Ragnar almost as much as Lyra, he wasn''t about to let hime near them with a ten-foot pole.


    The guy was too perverted.


    Dejected, Ragnar raised his arms in mock surrender and backed off, chuckling under his


    breath.


    He wasn''t actually trying to join the group hug-he only did that to annoy Emir.


    Like true brothers, the two thrived on irritating each other.


    Emir understood the game, so he gave Ragnar a dismissive nod, gesturing for him to leave. Nodding in return, Ragnar waved goodbye and quietly departed, heading to the Academy. As the wannabe Viking exited their house, the family remained still, united in their resolve. Since the day he revealed his reincarnation to be a fabrication, their first family meeting, there was always an understanding among them that the journey ahead was dark, uncertain, and fraught with challenges.


    So this today, like every day, simply highlighted how muddy their lives would be and how they could only survive it by their continued unity and honesty.


    With a final, reassuring smile, Emir tapped their heads onest time, silently telling them to let go, which they did, returning to their seats.


    "Thank you... Your support means more than you know."


    It wasn''t long before the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, as the family enjoyed


    each other''s presence before they all had to leave, their duties calling.


    When away from Emir''s gaze, the air around Lily and Laura seemed to change, bing charged with a new sense of purpose.


    While they had expected to be surprised today, like always, they underestimated what he had


    to say.


    He truly was carrying a weight they could only struggle to understand.


    But that didn''t mean that they would wallow in guilt at how they weren''t of much use.


    No, they would do the exact opposite. There was no room for self-pity.


    They knew their capabilities, and this simply pushed them to do better at their own stage.


    y their roles better.


    Unlike his, their stages weren''t universal but limited to Earth and the Academy, respectively.


    And to them, that only meant one thing...


    "Failure isn''t an option!"

 Chapter 408: The Missing History

    Chapter 408: The Missing History


    ?


    One Day Later...


    "There is only one lesson you can learn from history, and that is the guarantee that humans do not learn any lessons from history. We will always repeat the same tragedies; we will never stop the infighting, no matter how much the next generation suffers..."


    Emir stood in front of the students, his words echoing in the open room.


    This ss wasn''t the usual one he taught in; it was a lecture hall with no less than ten rows of seats surrounding the podium.


    All those seats were taken, which wasn''t a surprise.


    Though his sses usually housed around a hundred to a hundred and ten students, this ssroom allowed for more, so he epted those who wanted to at least listen to one of his sses.


    Unfortunately for them, it was a history lesson, and as second-year students, they expected that they had already learned it.


    But those thoughts didn''t cloud their minds for long, as Emir''s words easily hooked them.


    "To be human is to fight, to inflict pain... To be human is to involve yourself in conflict-in war, no matter what kind. Peace is never an option. It''s a dream and it will forever remain as such."


    He chuckled, his eyes showing familiarity, seemingly remembering something.


    "We might make poetry about it, sprinkle some deep-meaning words, and call it a day... But nothing ever ends poetically. It ends and we turn it into poetry. All that blood was never once beautiful. It was just red, although some of us might say otherwise..."


    The holoscreen next to him materialized a hologram that showed a long wall of text below a golden eye outlined in ck.


    "Take the CCA for example; it''s made up of many orders. The first order, the second order, and so on, but even still, loopholes are strategically ced for their own benefit, ones that only they and a few geniuses would notice."


    Emir threw shade on the Order, hinting at the start of his attempt at dismantling the propaganda present in the Academy.


    But he stopped himself there, aware of the severe consequences of pushing further.


    "Now... though I say all of that, it doesn''t mean we shouldn''t learn about history."


    The hologram flickered, and amon term was shown.


    {Missing History.}


    "This term refers to the hidden truths within our historical books... And it''s not only truths but hidden years as well."


    Those smart of the students immediately picked up on what he was saying.


    The Archive housed hundreds of history ''books,'' but there were significant gaps of nothingness between most of them.


    It was as if the knowledge and time between each historical record had been erased from existence.


    Everyone who knew of it deemed it as strange but almost no one bothered about it.


    Why would they? After all, it didn''t affect their current lives.


    Not many were interested in their history in the first ce... and the reason for that was simple.


    When knowledge became asmon as pebbles on the road, it got treated as just that: pebbles.


    But the Elites were better than that, as anyone must attest.


    The position they reached today wasn''t solely due to luck.


    They had retrieved all they could of that history and filled the gaps with their own ''interpretation'' of events.


    Naturally, that interpretation leaned in their favor, but no one bothered to challenge it.


    Bread and circuses-a time-tested method of control.


    By entertaining the masses and censoring information, they ensured people wouldn''t question anything.


    It was a never-ending pattern that began at the dawn of civilization, perfected by the Romans, and continued by those in power-a recipe followed by every empire.


    This applied primarily to the D-ss citizens and above; those below the middle ss were too busy surviving to even think about such things, so Emir excused them.


    Who he didn''t excuse were the students in front of him.


    Most of them learned history only through the asional ss from their professors, the second years included.


    "There''s no doubt that most of you know of the term Cold War..."


    He paused momentarily, seeing most of them nod.


    Those who didn''t were either too ignorant or too knowledgeable.


    Thetter didn''t nod for an obvious reason.


    They held the opinion that calling it a ''cold'' war did it a disservice, for it was certainly ''hot.''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Coups, revolutions, terrorism, massacres, assassinations, war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity-the list went on.


    Armageddon was close, extremely close.


    Those before the old world narrowly escaped nuclear holocaust by a hair''s width.


    It was abination of skill, luck, and most definitely divine intervention by yers outside


    Earth.


    "But what do you really know of the second one? The only Cold War that took off."


    Sofia, unsurprisingly, was the first to raise her hand. Elijah was the second, followed by a few other Elites and a small group of second years.


    Emir scanned the room and then picked one of the second-year students, showing his fairness.


    "T-Thank you, Sir... Alright, so, uh, from what I know, during our missing history-the time just before Armageddon¨Dthe world hated the United States with a passion. And it was for a simple reason: their mouths spewed words of peace while their fists were shoved down the world''s throat, choking some slowly and outright killing millions of others. They, the ones the entire world imed were evil and ipetent, kept on winning. It was natural considering they were in control of our technological singrity while also being the first to implement teleporters on a global scale. Yet eventually, their unsustainable growth caught up to them. Like every empire before them, their chase after profit and power caused them to sumb to the weight of their own contradictions. The world fell alongside them, changing everything as we know it."


    With the student''s long answer over, Emir slowly nodded and said:


    "Too vague, but yes, correct. Ten AUC for you."


    Bowing his head, the second-year student almost roared his gratitude:


    "Thank you, sir!"


    Ignoring him, Emir sent Lyra a telepathic message:


    [Send ten creds to that guy.]


    [...Sure.]


    At her reply, he turned to the holoscreen, flicked his arm, and the hologram increased in size.


    "They spent tens of trillions and killed millions, only to cement themselves as an empire destined to ruin."


    Once it reached the ssroom''s ceiling, it flickered, revealing two pixted gs, as if


    intentionally obscured.


    One was white and blue; the other was ck, green, and red.


    "These two gs belonged to what we used to call countries, as you must know... And they


    were at war."


    Another set of gs materialized below; this time one was white, blue, and red, while the


    other was blue and yellow.


    "Those countries were at war as well."


    The third set of gs materialized, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth, until the entire hologram was filled with gs, reaching all the way to the bottom.


    Some were recognizable and clearly disyed with names beside them, but many others were pixted, suspected to havee from the East-specifically Asia, many parts of Africa, and


    a few countries in the Middle East.


    Those countries and many other erased ones had experienced amunist resurgence... or so


    the world was led to believe.


    In reality, the West used this as a propaganda tool. Only China and some of its close allies genuinely fell under thatbel.


    The West targeted nations like Vietnam, Guatem, South Korea, Haiti, and especially Indonesia, feeding misinformation to suit their interests.


    Mass graves becamemon in these areas, and the concept of a "free strike zone" emerged, where civilians were considered as much of an enemy as the military-even infants were not


    spared.


    Meanwhile, India and Pakistan were embroiled in conflict, and Afghanistan descended into internal strife, exacerbated by covert interventions from the USA.


    Sudan was the same, with the only difference being that the UAE and KSA were heavily


    involved. Argentina faced a coup, as did many African countries, while Saudi Arabia, not busy enough with Sudan, attempted to challenge Iran with the help of its Gulf buddies, all supported by the USA, their men trained by them.


    However, they stood no chance, and when rumors of the deployment of nuclear weapons surfaced, they quickly retreated, focusing on smaller-scale skirmishes in Yemen, Sudan, and


    other erased countries.


    This wasn''t the whole story-there was more to uncover.


    However, Emir''s knowledge was limited by what was avable in Lyra''s database.


    Using the Archive In Between, he could only verify the uracy of this information. The rest, not so much, for it was undoubtedly fabricated.


    "All of them were at war... Who was responsible? They themselves. But ultimately? The


    United States. China and Arabia were no ck, but when it came to impact, the US outmatched


    them by a wide margin. Either way, these proxy wars were for their benefit, no matter how little. And guess what? All of this is considered missing history."


    Students nodded in surprise at his words, even Sofia. They had all heard of small wars before Armageddon, but they hadn''t realized there had been so many.


    "Old Worldeners were jaded by this. At their time, there was a world-ending disaster every


    other day, so it was natural that most of the wars became mere trends-badges they wore for


    a while, throwing them away when the next best thing came along. It got so bad they could eat breakfast supporting one country and switch to another by dinner, casually forgetting their earlier stance within hours. Their hypocrisy was astounding: one side was indifferent, while the other only pretended to act if they were guaranteed safety."


    Suddenly, two gs were highlighted and brought to the center. The first of the list that he


    showed.


    "This one is a great example of that. To be real with you all, this wasn''t really a war-it was a massacre, a genocide, an apartheid. Whatever you choose to call it, it was a tragedy-a stain on humanity''s existence-that it ever happened. And they weren''t the first. It was just the


    beginning, an appetizer."

 Chapter 409: The Missing History II

    Chapter 409: The Missing History II


    ?


    Like the other erased countries, the names of these two were not known, intentionally deleted from history. Censored. Redacted. Even in Lyra''s database.


    So what Emir knew was a vague recollection of what happened back then.


    Although Country B was on the losing side, they had several factions supporting them- religion-based factions.


    This unknown religion had two main bodies.


    One was filled with corrupt leaders who, despite their ims of religiosity, turned a blind eye to the massacre at y.


    These men were no more pious or religious than the atheist prostitutes who came along to their mansions every weekend to shit on their chests and be given a wad of cash in return, along with a few pictures that would depict their momentary luxury.


    The other body, however, were the genuine supporters of Country B. They were the ones who sparked the beginning of the second Cold War, which ultimately led to the slow destruction of Country A.


    When the perfect opportunity to be the world''s sole leader arrived, China swooped in, fueling the spark that ignited World War III.


    This happened while the US was preupied with those religious factions, their own proxy wars, and the rising threat of AIS, unable to control the Technological Singrity they had created.


    What followed was nothing short of absolute destruction.


    "This was the curse of beings with rationality. Regardless of the species, when acquiring intelligence, they also acquire ideologies, opinions, and the driving force behind all this... emotions."


    Snickering, Emir flicked his hand, making the hologram dissipate.


    "I might not act like it, but even I find emotions to be quite fascinating. They enable us to achieve great things, but at the same time they create many problems."


    Inwardly, he added the real reason why he thought so:


    ''After all... without emotions, I wouldn''t be much of a puppeteer.''


    Sure, if everyone operated purely on logic, his path might appear simpler. But no, he would argue the opposite.


    With logic as the sole guiding principle, people would be more difficult to manipte.


    Predicting their actions might be easier, but manipting them to align with his goals would be far more challenging.


    "This dilemma applies to all intelligent races. As beings capable of self-awareness, emotions, and intelligence, we can make our own decisions, whether selfish or kind. This is what makes us unique."


    Emir''s voice slowly took on a darker tone as he said his next words:


    "A tree cannot make such choices; it simply lets other species grow around it and shares water and nutrients. A human, however, can choose to remove someone from their space or choose to share that space. Our ability to be aware of ourselves and make decisions is what makes each human being different from one another..."


    He paused for a moment, then revealed the beginning of his lesson''s conclusion:


    "It''s what makes a human a nightmare to others."


    What he was about to say next was known to almost every Elite child.


    It was a bedtime story used to instill fear, warning them as future leaders that if they didn''t


    heed the lessons, something of a simr scale would happen again.


    A twisted tactic, but then again, nothing in this world wasn''t twisted in some way.


    ***


    Before the first attack began, the West, led by the United States, tried to neutralize as many nuclear forces as possible, using their war against the AIs as cover.


    But they weren''t fast enough; their enemies expected that and beat them to the punch.


    One might think Singrity Weapons would be used, like the ''Eye Of God'' satellites, or the ''Hades Array,'' awork of orbitalsers capable of incinerating entire cities in seconds, or the ''Quantum Disruptors,'' devices that could destabilize matter at the subatomic level, causing catastrophic chain reactions... but no, they were never seen in action.


    Both sides had these weapons in some form or another, and a few others lost in history, primed and ready, held in a delicate bnce of mutually assured destruction.


    However, as already stated, these Singrity Weapons were never deployed, for reasons moreplex than mere hesitation or diplomacy.


    The AIs had already integrated deeply into the world''s infrastructure, far deeper than anyone realized. Their reach extended into every satellite, everymunicationwork, and everymand center.


    The moment one side attempted to deploy these ultimate weapons, the AIS would detect the activation and counteract it.


    The Eye of God satellites, for instance, could be turned against their creators, reprogrammed in microseconds to fire upon their own cities. The Hades Array could be hacked, its targeting systems corrupted, making it impossible to distinguish friend from foe.


    Furthermore, the use of such weapons would destabilize the very fabric of the.


    The Quantum Disruptors, if used, could potentially trigger a cascade that would annihte not just the targeted regions, but entire continents, or even the itself.


    Both sides knew this and understood that any attempt to wield these weapons would likely result in a pyrrhic victory at best, or total annihtion at worst.


    In the end, the decision not to use these weapons was made not out of mercy, but out of cold, calcting pragmatism.


    The risk of losing control to the AIS,bined with the potential for global devastation, made them untenable.


    Instead, the conflict yed out through more conventional means-advanced drones, and tactical nuclear strikes-all while the specter of these doomsday devices loomed in the background.


    Now, the East''s first chosen method of attack was Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). China, Iran, Russia, India, and other global powers revealed their hidden arsenals,unching rockets high into space.


    When these missiles neared their targets at around 1,200 kilometers of altitude-they released their warheads, faster and higher than anything the West couldpletely intercept.


    The hundreds of thousands of anti-missilesunched had no chance.


    The East used decoys and mid-flight detonations to create radar interference, leading to the failure of interceptors.


    They were the anti-missile crutch, and it showed, as most bombs pierced through.


    It was over.


    The West couldn''t defend against them all.


    They had no choice but to let some through, and focus on protecting the more important


    locations.


    The US''s infrared monitoring satellites detected at least three hundred ICBM bursts on theirnd. And while three hundred might seem minorpared to the tens of thousands fired, it


    was still a staggering number to endure.


    The devastation was unprecedented.


    What was clear to Aerospace Command was that the ICBMs targeted crucial nuclearmand centers: silos, major air force bases, and even naval facilities.


    The East aimed to end the war before it began.


    If they failed, their secondary targets-industry and infrastructure-would still advance their


    goal.


    They targeted refineries, power stations, and deep-water ports, all of which were situated near major poption centers: states, cities, viges... Everything was destroyed.


    The casualties were uncountable.


    But that wasn''t the end.


    Not many of the East''s known nuclear silos had fired.


    Estimates suggested that only twenty to thirty percent of their total units were used.


    Two theories emerged about the low number of active missiles.


    One was that Transport-Erector Launchers, which are massive trucks carrying nuclear warheads, were the only operational systems, rendering the silos as mere decoys-useless, empty shells, a fake attempt at a show of force meant to project power rather than deliver it.


    The other theory posited that the East kept most of their missiles in reserve, intending to force the West into surrender by threatening massive and most definitely mutual destruction while iming to avoid "unnecessary bloodshed."


    This approach aimed to dismantle the West''s capabilities withoutpletely obliterating what the East wanted as theirs.


    At the time, most doubted the first theory, leaning toward the second.


    They believed the East wouldn''t squander so much money on mere decoys when they could invest in actual weapons, especially since creating new ones was rtively easy. How? Well, this situation stemmed from Ignition-a process where 192sers focused on a hydrogen capsule created conditions mimicking the sun''s power, fusing hydrogen atoms into helium, and releasing 1.5 times the energy input.


    This breakthrough, a result of their Technological Singrity, led both sides to ramp up their


    nuclear production and reliance on nuclear energy.


    Given this, choosing between the theories was nearly impossible.


    Should the United States strike back? Were the threats real or just bluffs?


    The decision rested on the president''s shoulders, and he...


    He chose to call their bluff.


    With the US at the lead, the Westunched their entire nuclear arsenal-silos, bombers, ships,


    submarines, jets-simply everything.


    Then, they were met with the truth.


    The East wasn''t bluffing. Within minutes, the world ended.


    These leaders became the nightmares of others, leaving survivors to flee to Mars.


    As known, preselected citizens essential to starting life outside Earth were taken as well.


    Now, most people weren''t Seraphims back then, having only recently discovered Aether, so


    one could only wonder, how did they survive on Mars?


    The answer to that was simple.


    Terraforming.


    As if the entire disaster was nned, way before Earth''s devastation, Mars was frozen and


    then nuked.


    The poles emitted vast amounts of water vapor and carbon dioxide, forming an atmosphere.


    To sustain it, they created an artificial maic field, trapping heat and establishing water


    cycles and rain. Using Earth''s collective effort, they settled there and made themselves a home.


    Over time, the Order and Universe Table was established, leading to the proposal of then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Nuclear Arms Ban Act.


    This act exined why only the Sr System had experienced such extensive terraforming.


    They enjoyed these benefits and once their bellies were full and their needs met, they


    prohibited the official manufacturing of nukes.


    In turn, when further expansion was needed, the others were made habitable through


    different methods.


    This wasn''t to say they stopped manufacturing nukes, it continued but was done covertly, exploiting the same loopholes Emir had mentioned early on in his lecture.


    Like before, those smart had noticed the underlying meaning in his words, but their internal


    celebration didn''tst long.


    When he finished retelling this history, he dismissed everyone who wasn''t in his previous


    ss, which were the second years, leaving only those who had signed the binding contract.


    The murmurs of unfairness faded as the students left, fully aware of the consequences of challenging his authority.


    Once only the first years remained, Emir turned to them and instructed: "Alright, I''ve given you enough freebies. Now, start practicing the technique I taught you. Show me I wasn''t wrong in sharing it with you."

 Chapter 410: Come Kill Your Professor

    Chapter 410: Come Kill Your Professor


    ?


    They continued practicing the Path Optimization technique till the bell rang, circting their Aether over and over, trying to find which ability path they could change, how much they


    could optimize, and what bacsh they would receive.


    The next two days followed the same pattern: arriving at the Academy, entering Emir''s ss, and practicing diligently.


    However, when Thursday arrived, their professor had a different n for them.


    They knew something was up even before entering the ss, as they were informed to head to the third type of ssroom, the ''empty'' one, suggesting that today''s lesson would likely involve some fighting.


    This news excited them-after all, hunters preferred action over burying their heads in books.


    It didn''t take long for the first-year students to assemble in the ssroom; their excitement palpable.


    Emir arrived exactly on time and stood before them, a small smile ying on his lips.


    Snap.


    As he flicked his fingers, the room transformed into a simted slum street with many alleyways, and dpidated buildings, the details eerily lifelike, as if it was an exact replica of the bunker beneath them.


    "Today, we''ll be doing something different. Follow me."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Like little ducklings, the students trailed after him through the grime and rubble, their feet kicking away trash at every tenth step.


    "I''ll be practicing with you all today. I''ll only be using a gun and a knife. Mind you, the guns will fire nks, so none of you will die, only feel pain. The simtion will take care of the rest, registering hits and deaths. Abilities are banned. No Aether."


    The students, both the ''named'' and ''unnamed'' exchanged curious nces.


    This was unlike any training they had undergone before.


    "Every time I win, I''ll apply debuffs to myself. Every time you lose, you''ll get buffs. Let''s see how you adapt."


    Stopping, he turned around to face them and tapped his neck.


    "ept the link."


    Nodding, they did as hemanded without question.


    Those who hated him, mainly two, were especially eager, excited at the prospect of fighting him.


    Dreams of besting him inbat whispered into their minds, and they loved the feeling such a dream gave them.


    Once everyone had epted, Lyra connected to all of them, applying the simtion directly to their neuralwork.


    In an instant, all the students had a Heads-Up Disy appear in front of them.


    It disyed a radar in the top left, health and shield levels below that, an ammo count on the right, and the number of allies alive above that.


    The inexperienced ones flinched at the sight, confused, and raised their hands, wanting to ask questions.


    "No. You''ll learn during the training. Also, only you kids have that, so don''t worry; I can find you only through my five senses."


    But Emir curtly shut them down while turning around.


    "First round begins in three..."


    He announced, his steps picking up pace as he disappeared into the darkness.


    "Remember, no Aether. Just your skills and instincts."


    A countdown dominated their HUDS, and they looked at each other, excited and nervous in equal measure.


    {3...}


    The smart of them looked around, checking for equipment.


    {2...}


    It didn''t take them long to find what they wanted, as their equipment was hidden behind a crate in the alley to their left.


    {1...}


    They rushed like a horde of sheep, pushing each other as they tried to fit into the rtively small alleyway.


    {Come Kill Your Professor.}


    The first round began and Elijah was the first to grab an AR, named AR-HA2, the same one Emir had purchased before going on a ''stroll'' with Aria and a knife, taking off by himself. Behind him, his fellow students did the same, respecting the unspoken rules by only grabbing a single set.


    Eventually, when they were all ready, they scattered, trying to use the environment to their advantage.


    They moved cautiously through the dimly lit streets, their eyes scanning for any sign of Emir. Some were in pairs, and others went solo, but most were in groups of at least three.


    And soon, when the students reached a clear distance away from the starting point, silence fell over the slum.


    But that didn''tst for long.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, a shot rang out.


    One ''unnamed'' student who went solo was dropped, the simtion marking their ''death.''


    {76/77}


    Panic set in almost every student as they realized how quickly things could go wrong.


    Two students, more cautious than thest one, moved together, their eyes scanning every


    corner.


    They were closest to where the shot originated, so they were on high alert.


    Swish...


    A soft rustle resounded behind them, and before they could react, a shot rang out.


    The taller of them fell, the simtion marking his ''death.''


    His friend spun around, about to aim his rifle, but another shot took him down.


    {74/77}


    Emir moved swiftly, his steps silent, his movements fluid.


    Up next on his list were ''named,'' and unlike thest, he wasn''t going to give them any hints of


    his arrival.


    He watched as Ava and Aria took cover behind a crumbling wall, their breath quick and


    shallow.


    They peeked around the corner, trying to spot him, knowing that he was somewhere near.


    Arge shadow moved, and they aimed their guns at it, tracking it.


    But that shadow was faster.


    "No-!"


    Emir emerged from a different angle, taking them both down with urate shots, not giving


    them the time to say a word.


    {72/77}


    One by one, the students fell.


    They were supposed to be the hunters, but they felt the exact opposite.


    There was no doubt, they were prey.


    Unlike them, Emir moved with precision, each ''kill'' executed wlessly.


    He navigated the slum with ease as if he had lived there for many years. He climbed walls, jumped across rooftops, and used the shadows to stay hidden, using every bit of the


    environment to his advantage.


    {40/77}


    After ''killing'' twenty-two ''unnamed'' Emir finally neared another ''named'' and this duo was


    unexpected.


    It was Junior and Quinn.


    While they had gotten closer during their near-death ''date,'' they didn''t grow any feelings of camaraderie with each other, so their being together was most probably coincidental.


    The two crouched behind a stack of crates, forming a makeshift barrier that protected them on either side of the alley.


    Their guns were mounted on top of the crates, trained at each entrance, awaiting Emir''s


    arrival.


    Unfortunately for them, the man they so eagerly awaited was above them on the roof, just outside the range of their information-gathering devices, the muzzle of his gun hovering


    over their heads.


    ''Didn''t think they were this dumb...''


    Bang! Bang!


    Emir fired twice, ''killing'' them in under a second.


    It was incredibly fast, but that second was enough for Sofia to spot him.


    She was lying prone on the roof of a building far away, her gun now trained on him.


    It seemed they had nned this out, using themselves as bait-or at least, Sofia used them as


    bait-hoping to ambush him.


    Bang!

 Chapter 411: Come Kill Your Professor II

    Chapter 411: Come Kill Your Professor II


    ?


    Her bullet sped toward him, closing in within moments.


    But Emir wasn''t their professor for no reason.


    By leaning back slightly, the bullet only grazed the tip of his nose, passing by harmlessly.


    He quickly turned and aimed at her, shooting back.


    Sofia pressed the trigger once more, willing to ''die'' if she could ''kill'' him.


    TING!


    Yet their shots canceled each other out as his bullet intercepted hers just as it exited the chamber, the resulting fragments disabling her rifle.


    Emir had anticipated her move and exactly where she would aim, shooting precisely to block her bullet. But that wasn''t all, he didn''t stop there.


    Bang!


    Another shot followed, and it got through, heading directly for her head.


    He then turned around before the impact, not needing to see her body to know that she was ''dead.''


    {37/77}


    The noise attracted a few courageous students, but they were done in a few seconds as he could easily see them all from the roof.


    During his killing spree, Arthur and his nerd friend got close to Emir, attempting to set up an ambush.


    They positioned themselves on either side of a narrow passage that led to the building where The stood, ready to catch him in a crossfire.


    But, Emir anticipated their move, as he had done to others in the past minute.


    Silently approaching from above, he dropped down behind the weaker of the two.


    Taking out his knife, he stabbed the kid in the back, ''killing'' him.


    The kid wasn''t able to cry out, not because his body was genuinely hurt, but because of the simtion.


    His augmented suit forced him onto the ground, and pain was induced in his brain, making it feel as if he had been actually stabbed-something that Emir was used to since early on in his life.


    {31/77}


    Arthur didn''t notice that his friend had died until it was toote.


    Emir already had his scope trained on him.


    Bang!


    The shot veered off course by a wide margin, exploding against the wall next to Arthur. Crack!


    It was a miss way beyond expectation.


    Biting your tongue while eating was the perfect example of how one can mess up even with decades of experience.


    But that didn''t mean that he would miss his target entirely, swallowing his tongue whole!Tsk! Frustrated by the blessed''s luck, Emir switched firing modes and pressed down on the trigger. Bullets rained out, creating a circle of destruction around the retreating Arthur, who ran away with his ''tail'' between his legs.


    But his luck wasn''t all mighty, the wheel eventually missed, and by the tenth shot, a bullet managed to hit him in the head, dropping him.


    Sighing with relief, Emir reloaded his assault rifle.


    Click ck...


    Just then, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.


    Quickly, he concealed himself, curious to see how the neers would handle the situation.


    Surprisingly, it was Max and Elijah who had arrived, their eyes scanning the alley.


    "Looks like he''s already gone, good job dumb-"


    "Shut up!"


    Elijah stared daggers at Max, gesturing for the young master to zip his mouth.


    There was no need for that, however.


    Emir stepped out to greet them, his gun aimed steadily.


    "He''s behind you!"


    Max, a few steps behind Elijah, fired first as he was the one who saw him approach.


    "What-?"


    Sidestepping, Emir dodged the bullet and now stood behind Elijah, using his body as a shield. "E-Emir? Ugh..."


    Still shocked at how quickly everything went down, Elijah was unable to protect himself, allowing his big brother free reign to stab him as he liked.


    But to Emir, that would''ve been a mercy, so instead of doing that, he gripped his neck and lifted him up.


    "The fuck am I supposed to do?!"


    Max, who had his gun aimed at Emir, screamed his lungs out, losing his cool, however little there was.


    The distance between them wasn''t even more than a meter, so he was sure that if he sprayed and prayed, wanting to kill Emir through Elijah, he would be ''killed'' before he even knew it.


    While that was true, his hesitation was his downfall.


    "Fa-Fuckit!"


    The moment he gave up on thinking and pressed the trigger, Emir kicked Elijah''s body onto him, and as they fell to the ground, he gunned them down.


    {28/77}n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Now that all the ''named'' were dead, Emir decided to quickly end the round.


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his ears searching for the sound of distant


    footsteps.


    ''Found you...''


    A group of students found themselves in a dead-end alley.


    When they turned, realizing toote that they were trapped at the end of the ''map,'' their professor appeared at the entrance, his gun aimed at them.


    Five shots, and they were down.


    There wasn''t any exchange of bullets, they were too flustered to shoot back.


    Another five tried to hold a fortified position, using debris as cover.


    They heard Emir''s footsteps but couldn''t pinpoint his location, as it was echoing from alley to


    alley. Almost as if on purpose. Slowly closing in on them, like a night terror.


    Bang!


    Then, a shot from behind took out two of them at the same time.


    "Dammit! He''s here!"


    Their leader turned, firing wildly, but Emir was already gone.


    "Fuck! Where did he go?!"


    He appeared from another angle, taking him out with a single shot.


    "R-Run!"


    "There''s no way we''re winning this!"


    Thest two tried to flee, hoping to regroup with others and he let them go, wanting to use


    them as his hound dogs since only the students knew of each other''s location.


    Emir had no radar or any type of support, not even an information-gathering device.


    So to end things quickly, he nned to use the prey against each other. They ran through the winding alleys, trying to get him off their tail, but Emir was relentless, chasing them down while not even giving them any sign of his existence.


    Once they reached a far distance, assuming that they had escaped him, they began to walk towards the nearest group.


    Identifying their route, Emir tracked the group before they could, finding them in a small


    courtyard.


    ''me your friends~.''


    Six more precise shots, and they were down.


    While this group managed to shoot back, their aim was too imprecise and their reaction was


    toote to matter as they had ''died'' in a panic.


    His hounding dogs noticed the dip in the total number of students left, prompting them to


    check the radar only to see that the same group they were heading to was wiped out.


    They grew increasingly desperate, rushing to another.


    But again, they werete.


    Emir''s movements were nigh perfect, his tactics simple but incredibly effective.


    He predicted everything they did as if he could see the future, easily outsmarting their amateurish ambushes, and striking with uracy.


    In the final moments of the round, thest two students attempted ast-ditch effort to take


    him down.


    Pretending to be dead, theyy among a few ''dead'' students, hoping to catch him off guard


    when he returned to ''kill'' them, having figured out he was using them as apass.


    It was a tense, unsettling feeling.


    The ground was cold, and the air was damp. They could almost smell the blood.


    Every gust of wind sent shivers through their bodies, making them flinch repeatedly,


    expecting him to appear at any moment...


    What they didn''t know was that Emir was already there.


    In the shadows, hanging off a building, directly above them.


    He was moving past but stopped in his tracks once he noticed the increased number of bodies.


    After staying there for more than ten seconds, he was sure they were ''alive'' basing it on their


    rapid breaths.


    "Good idea, but no dice."


    They opened their eyes and looked up at the source of the voice.


    What they first saw was the glint of his rifle''s muzzle, but as their gaze moved further up...


    "Better luck next time~."


    His smile came into view, and it was as wide as could be.


    Bang! Bang!

 Chapter 412: Come Kill Your Professor III

    Chapter 412: Come Kill Your Professor III


    ?


    With thest ''kill,'' the simtion ended.


    The students'' augmented suits lifted their hold over their bodies and they could finally move again.


    But none of them moved, breathing roughly as they stared up at the bunker''s grim ceiling.


    It was to be expected as they had just experienced ''death'' for the first time-something Emir had gotten used to when he was five.


    So, as he was ''familiar'' with this feeling, he knew they could handle it.


    Ignoring their pain, he had the stats appear on their HUDS.


    {WIN: Emir...} {LOSE: Students...}


    {Leader Board:}


    {Rank 1. Elijah Oliver:


    Time: 2:11. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: D+.}


    {Rank 2. Sofia Alexander


    Time: 1:35. Skill: B+. Instinct: D+. Intellect: C+.}


    {Rank 3. Aria Goldleaf


    Time: 0:48. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: E+.}


    {Rank 3. Max ckwood


    Time: 2:11. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: E+.}


    {Rank 4. Xavier Jr:


    Time: 1:31. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: D+.} {Rank 5. Arthur:


    Time: 1:51. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: E+.}


    {Rank 6. Ava Nguyen:


    Time: 0:48. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: E+.}


    {Rank 7.....}


    {Rank 8.....}


    {Rank 77. Quinn Mercer:


    Time: 1:31. Skill: E+. Instinct: E+. Intellect: D+.}


    There was no doubt... With the exception of Sofia, all the students had failed.


    The leaderboard before them highlighted their inefficiencies and hesitation.


    They knew they had performed poorly, but E grade? That was a failure far beneath the Elite name their ss bore.


    Their faces couldn''t help but show a mix of awe and frustration.


    Compared to them, Emir was something else entirely.


    Hisrge size didn''t decrease or negatively affect his movement speed at all; his gun and knife almost blurred in motion.


    And that didn''t affect his uracy either, every step calcted.


    They almost felt that it was unfair to exist in the same time and ce as him.


    His strength overshadowed everything they had.


    But he didn''t give them time to wallow in their woes.


    Going back to the starting point, he announced:


    "We''ll begin the second round in a minute."


    Though his words weren''t loud, everyone heard him clearly, not just due to the silence hanging over the simted slums but also because of the Aether behind each syble.


    "Yes Sir!"


    The students responded immediately, screaming their lungs out and forcing their exhausted bodies up, rushing towards him.


    Some were quick to follow his instructions because they were afraid of a penalty, while others wanted to have a second chance.


    They needed to prove themselves.


    In less than twenty seconds, every student had arrived, scrambling to form uniform ranks.


    ''They''ve got that down at least.''


    Smirking at that sight, he tapped his neck twice.


    "First buff... An omnipotent spotter. You can see through walls."


    He then suddenly flinched and closed his eyes.


    "My first debuff... Disorientation."


    Like a drunk Emma off her twentieth bottle, he snapped his head towards them and said: "My people? In a row. Ordered. Disciplined. Behaving predictably. You guys? Scattered. In disarray. Scrambling aimlessly. Desperate for a leader to impose structure. Pathetic." Every student, without exception, lowered their heads at those words.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    They couldn''t deny anything he said. Not even Arthur and Quinn.


    It was true, they had failedpletely.


    "But... That''s why I''m here. To teach you how not to be pathetic."


    Raising their heads, their eyes met his shades, and their faces slowly began to show determination.


    ''There''s hope for them... They all might just survive the first major disaster-or maybe not. High chance it gets forwarded like everything else.''


    Emir''s smirk turned into a smile.


    "Good. Prepare now... The minute''s almost over."


    Turning around, he began to walk deeper into the slums, his body eventually swallowed by


    shadows.


    ***


    Elijah looked around him.


    Most of the students grouped up, discussing strategies, knowing that they had to adapt quickly if they wanted to stand a chance.


    The harsh reality of their situation settled in; though they had expected it, they had been utterly outssed in the first round, making them feel worthless.


    Their professor was a force of nature, and they needed to figure out a way to level the ying field, using their new "buff" to the best of their ability.


    "Alright, listen up!"


    Elijah called out, trying to gather everyone''s attention.


    "We need a solid n this time. Splitting up didn''t work. We need to coordinate and use our numbers to our advantage."


    He nced at the leaderboard again, the sight of his name at the top doing little to boost his


    morale.


    Sofia did much better than him, and if he kept this up, she would take his position in no time. Either way, being the second-best among the worst wasn''t an de he cared for. Not with actual stakes present.


    Emir hadn''t promised them a reward, but they knew the best of them would gain something


    out of this.


    "So?"


    His gaze turned to Sofia, the ''named,'' and the others he recognized as some of the better performers in the first round.


    Surprisingly, no one argued when he tookmand, not even Max.


    "...We need to set traps¡ªmany minor and one major. Create choke points and force him into predictable movements where he can no longer dodge our bullets."


    Sofia was the first to suggest something; her analytical mind already piecing together a


    strategy.


    "Exactly..."


    Elijah agreed.


    "Using the buff to its fullest must be our priority. We can also have a few of us act as decoys.


    Draw him out, make him think we''re absolutely in over our heads. Then we ambush him."


    Max looked at him with a disgruntled face.


    "And which pitful bastard''s going to be the bait?"


    Pointing at a few of his ssmates, Elijahmanded without hesitation:


    "You three do it."


    Flinching from being called, they looked at him with obvious trepidation on their somewhat


    familiar faces.


    While Elijah hadn''t interacted with them before, he knew that they were Max''s goons.


    It was the only reason he picked them-to spite Max.


    The young master wasn''t so dumb not to pick up on that, so, ignoring the three, he walked to


    the nearest wall and leaned his back on it.

 Chapter 413: Come Kill Your Professor IV

    Chapter 413: Come Kill Your Professor IV


    ?


    "I don''t roll with them anymore, you creepy bastard... They''re too weak."


    They flinched even harder at those words as if they were some sort of abuse victim, lookingically pitiful.


    At that moment, the word Elite couldn''t even corrte to them.


    When Max, like the rest of the ss, had a change of mentality after learning about life, he shredded away those he considered weak from his life, taking strength as the first parameter to judge most things.


    While he had kept the same mentality, he saw that interacting with such weaklings would soil his image, even though they were his dogs.


    Simply put, they were abandoned.


    Those around the three almost felt bad for them, but remembering their actions in ss, this scene only brought them joy.


    Arthur had especially felt this emotion.


    He was the one who was bullied by them at random, so of course he enjoyed seeing them beat, his hatred for them matching the hatred he directed at Emir.


    "Something wrong?"


    Acting like he didn''t know what Max was talking about, Elijah went behind the three and tapped their backs.


    "It''ll be fine. From the looks of it, the professor rates our grades based on how we contribute to thepletion of the objective."


    The smarter two of the trio calmed down and nodded, acting like this was why they were worried, a pathetic attempt at keeping up their image.


    Bully number three, the one who believed himself to be way smarter than he truly was, went even further, asking a question that just might make the braindead in ss believe that it was what they were actually thinking about.


    "B-but are you sure we can even do it right?"


    Elijah shrugged, ying along.


    "No. I''m not sure anyone here could seed, but still, you can handle it. You just need to distract him long enough for the rest of us to get into position."


    Aria, standing close by, frowned, turning a blind eye to what happened and focusing on the n.


    "That''s too risky. If he figures out what we''re doing¡ª"


    Elijah cut her off.


    "I know that. But we don''t have a choice. If we don''t do something drastic, we''re all going to get ''killed'' again. We need to be smarter this time. Besides, no matter what we do, he''ll see through it, so we just need to try and he''ll follow, enjoying our attempts."


    "True, ''cause he can just pick us off from the roof likest time."


    "Yeah, we just need to be interesting enough for him to chase."


    All the students reluctantly agreed and then spent thest few seconds going over their n


    in detail, marking key locations on their HUDs and assigning roles.


    ''No chance we seed, but I gotta at least act like we''ve got a shot at this.''


    As Elijah took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the challenge ahead, the simtion reset.


    {3...}


    With it came the countdown...


    {2...}


    And the oppressive atmosphere, quietening every student.


    {1...}


    The students nced at each other one more time while taking their stances.


    {Come Kill Your Professor.}


    Steps loudly resounded as the three bullies went forth, followed quickly by Elijah and his group, knowing that Emir wouldn''t give them much time to set up.


    The rest split up, acting like they did in thest round but still congregating near where they saw their professor.


    Once they got deeper into the slums, and closer to Emir, they split into smaller teams, each with a specific task.


    Whether they were certified cannon fodder, a trail of crumbs for Emir to randomly pick off to reach the bait, or just cover fire specialists, they all agreed to fulfill their role to the best of their ability.


    However, not all of the students werepliant.


    By self-admission, Quinn, and Arthur would be the secondary bait team, the insurance if, or rather when, the first team would get wiped out.


    But their true goal was to attack him when he least expected it, wanting to get a one-up over him by any means necessary.


    [In position.]


    Elijah, who didn''t care for their true intentions, sat behind cover at the edge of an alley, his heart pounding.


    Behind him were Sofia and Max, guns aimed forward.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    They heard the faint sounds of gunfire in the distance, signaling that Emir was already on the


    move.


    {74/77}


    And the drop in life count confirmed that.


    ''...We have to act fast.''


    [Ready?]


    Elijah whispered in theirms.


    [Ready,] came the replies from his ssmates turned bait.


    [Let''s catch that shark then.]


    [...Don''t fail us.]


    Saying that, Sofia jumped, climbing up the side of the building, causing it to tremble and lean.


    [I''ll get that bastard good.]


    Max went forward, hiding near the alley''s entrance, his body stuck to the wall.


    As everyone took position, the bait went forth and threw themselves into the sea, ensuring they were as visible as possible.


    They started running, making enough noise to attract attention, and it didn''t take long for Emir to notice, as he had gone after the trail of crumbs, ''killing'' another group of students who ''died'' happy, seeding in leading him closer to the baits.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Shots rang out, and the trio ducked just in time, the first few bullets whizzing past their


    heads.


    Before the fourth shot could end one of them, they rushed around the corner in time, away from Emir''s sights.


    They kept running, their muscles straining, leading him through the maze of alleys and


    buildings.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But it didn''t take him long to catch up, as by the end of the fourth turn, his gun hovered over


    them.


    Bang!


    His first shot managed to ''kill'' one, even when he attempted to duck, as Emir had anticipated


    his movements.


    "Keep on going!"


    "Don''t stop!" Their feet didn''t falter even when their teammate''s body crashed into the concrete like a


    loose ragdoll, going as fast as their augmented suits allowed.


    But, again, Emir caught up to them in the next turn, and this time he had enough time to take


    down both of them.


    Bang! Bang!


    And that was what he did, each bullet striking true.


    His steps slowed down until he came to aplete stop next to their bodies, staring at the


    holographic blood seeping out of their heads.


    "Did they think three would be enough to bait me?"


    Looking up, he jumped, almost immediately reaching the roof.


    As hended, he moved forward, noticing Arthur and Quinn in the distance.


    "...Another unusual duo."


    With that, he realized what they were after and dove back down, epting their invitation to


    y.

 Chapter 414: Come Kill Your Professor V

    Chapter 414: Come Kill Your Professor V


    ?


    ***


    [Looks like he''s epted you kids'' little game~.]


    [To be honest, I dunno if that''s a good thing or not, but we''re about to find out, haha!]


    While Arthur ran for his life, his two AIsmentated as if watching the usual hunter death match they had up on the holoscreen every weekend.


    [...]


    He didn''t bother replying to them, focusing all his being on defining the word ''fast.''


    His every step was a hundred percent effort, trying to catch up to the half-cyborg in front of him.


    Each turn of theirs was intentional, heading further out of the slums and towards Elijah and his group.


    Arthur could barely hear his own breath, his heartbeat loud in his ears.


    It was almost as if he was an inch away from experiencing a panic attack.


    Turning left, both students couldn''t help but nce behind them, wanting to see how close their "enemy" was.


    And close he was, about to join them in their run through this alleyway.


    "Fuck!"


    Quinn, unlike her cursing baitmate, was already near the next turn and she wasn''t worried about Emir catching up.


    In fact, she was waiting for it, as she had pulled herself into cover just as she went right. Bang! Bang!


    At that moment, two shots rang out, aimed at Arthur, but theypletely missed, hitting the walls on either side of him.


    The boy flinched, almost fumbling his next step, which caused him to fall, but luckily he dove into the corner, getting away from Emir''s sight.


    However, he wasn''t fast enough.


    Bang!


    Due to his momentary pause, Emir managed to get another shot off.


    This time, it got close, grazing Arthur''s shoulder, and sending a sharp pain through his body. "Ahh-!"


    "Out of the way!"


    Emir turned around the corner at Quinn''s interupting scream, and with his arrival came a hail of bullets from her gun.


    Snickering, he stepped back and left, dodging the first volley.


    "You''re not getting away!"


    But as she tracked his movement, he stepped hard onto the ground, snapping up a jagged wall of concrete that momentarily protected him from the bullets.


    A few hand-fist-sized rocks made their way to them, all missing Arthur and reaching Quinn, either grazing or hitting her body, some even smacking her straight in the face.


    "Ugh!"


    That stopped her from shooting for a second, or so she wanted Emir to believe as she simply tanked the hits, only stopping to bait him out.


    "Cute~."


    But it seemed that she had forgotten who she was up against.


    "You ate that up pretty easily, but how about trying something that needs a bigger bite?"


    Emir kicked the b of rock,unching it into the girl, which sent her flying into the wall before she could even react.


    "...You... basta¨Dugh..."


    Her face would''ve been crushed in, but fortunately for her, it was all simted, her pain only internal.


    While she was dazed, Emir''s attack caused him to lose his cover, giving Arthur the opportunity to attack.


    "I''ll kill you!"


    As the boy flipped around on his stomach and aimed his weapon at his professor, the man himself was already prepared, firing a burst of bullets before his finger could even touch the trigger.


    The first bullet missed as well as the second, but the third managed to strike his left shoulder, which would realistically be embedded deep into him but simply bounced off whilemanding Arthur''s brain to experience an incredible amount of pain.


    "AHHHHHHH!"


    Clicking his tongue with annoyance, Emir was about to kill him with his next few shots, but another scream came from behind, interrupting him.


    "Now!"


    Elijah sprung forth out of the shadows, leading the charge.


    Behind him were Max, Aria, and Ava, all aiming their guns at Emir.


    Once they got close enough to where their bullets would be guaranteed to hit, they pulled their triggers, and a hail of bullets was let loose.


    Emir raised a brow and then sh Stepped back, going along with the trajectory of the bullets. The bullets chased him for a moment, but as hended on the ground, he jumped up, narrowly avoiding being hit, the bullets grazing the underside of his feet.


    As he flew up, reaching the building''s roof, he spotted Junior waiting for him, prone on the ground around twenty meters away.


    "Got you."


    Those two words marked the beginning of the student''s real hunt.


    Elijah knew that the insurance bait would try to kill Emir, so he switched up the n after the start of the round without their knowledge, slowly stepping closer to them.


    Now his n paid off.


    Emir was caught off guard...


    Or so they thought¡ªuntil they saw him block the first bullet with his arm, disabling it while protecting his head, and then dodged the second shot by leaning forward, reaching the building, and pushing himself out of harm''s way.


    Landing on the roof''s edge, he mbered up, causing it to tremble, threatening to copse.


    Ratatatatatatatat!


    A stream of bullets followed his every step as Junior emptied his entire magazine, desperate


    to hit him at least once.


    But he failed-the empty click of his gun announced it.


    "Ah~."


    Emir stopped, pivoted on his left foot, turned around, and aimed his gun at Junior.


    "Nice try, kid."


    Junior chuckled.


    "I tried my best, Sir."


    Bang!


    The bullet went right in between his eyes, dropping his head to the ground.


    Though Junior failed, the n wasn''t yet over.


    It was only the second step.


    Bang!


    Emir snapped his head toward the origin of the sound, quickly spotting Sofia.


    She was positioned at least a hundred meters away, lying prone on a taller building, the glint


    of her gun reflecting off his shades.


    His smile widened, and his inky eyes darkened.


    Leaning forward slightly, he angled his head and bit down.


    Crack...


    Smoke began to flow from his mouth as the bullet seemingly struck his face.


    But in the next instant, when the smoke faded, it was revealed to her that he had caught the


    bullet with his teeth, biting down on it with an audible crunch.


    "...Just what?"


    The sheer audacity of the move left Sofia in disbelief.


    Her finger hovered over the trigger, unable to press it, momentarily paralyzed by what shen/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    had just witnessed.


    That moment of hesitation was all he needed.


    Without missing a beat, Emir smoothly raised his gun, his eyes locking onto her stunned


    figure as he squeezed the trigger.


    Bang!


    The shot rang out, echoing through the still air.


    Sofia barely had time to react before the bullet found its mark, ''ending'' her life.


    As her body slumped against the rooftop, Elijah and Max showed up, managing to climb to


    the roof.


    But... they were toote.


    Bang! Bang!


    They were ''dead'' the moment their heads peaked out.


    Their bodies dropped in front of Aria and Ava, who stood below in the alleyway. Unlike the guys and Sofia, those twocked physical athleticism, and the augmented suit didn''t help with that, so they stayed beside their friends'' bodies, waiting for Emir to show


    himself.


    And it didn''t take long.


    The moment those two were subtracted from the total remaining students, he dropped down,


    behind the still-struggling Quinn.


    "You coward!"


    She had just managed to get herself off the ground, so she wasn''t in any shape to attack, her


    roar cracking under the pain.


    "Thanks."


    Emir stabbed her in the neck, ''killing'' her at once, then threw her body at the blondes,


    blocking them from shooting.


    "The hell?!"


    "You can''t do that to your students!"


    They jumped back, barely avoiding being hit.


    And just as the ''dead'' Quinn hit the ground, two shots rang out.


    Bang! Bang!


    In a wobble, they stumbled around and fell face-first into Quinn, joining her on the ground.


    Chuckling, he turned to look at Arthur, noticing that he was already ''dead.''


    His own teammates had killed him in the crossfire.


    "Touche~."


    He took a breather as he said that, his eyes calmly scanning the area.


    At that exact moment, the buildings around him began to tremble, and in the next one, four


    loud bangs were heard.


    It appeared that even with all the ''named'' dead, Elijah''s n was yet to be over. The very ones he saw as useless came at him as a collective, springing their "major" trap, which was the utter destruction of the four buildings he stood in the middle of.


    "Using one of my old strats against me, huh... not bad."


    In under a second, they fell over each other, debris, rotting beams, and columns falling all


    around him.


    Nothing touched him as he easily dodged everything, but that was fine, they didn''t fail yet.


    Their n was not to kill him with those buildings, they knew his capabilities better than


    that.


    They just wanted to pin him down.


    When the dust began to settle, all potential escape routes becamepletely blocked off, and Emir, who now stood on top of shaking rubble, continued scanning his surroundings, searching for the remaining students.


    Ten or so meters away, he spotted a few of them making their way through the inside of a


    fallen building, trying to get the height advantage over him.


    Then, he noticed another group that cut through rubble circling around to get behind him.


    "Surrounding me, I see..."


    Emir smiled at his own words, almost happy that his students were something more than just nameless sacks of living meat.


    "But it won''t work against someone much stronger than you."


    To teach them a lesson, he sprung forth, attacking what he saw as the weakest point of the encirclement, which was the small group maneuvering inside the building.


    They were not yet in position which made them easy targets.


    "Stop him!"


    "Fire!"


    "We need to keep him in!"


    Leaders of the other small groups surrounding him reacted quickly,manding their


    teammates to attack.


    And attack they did, dumping their magazines without any care for saving ammunition.


    He tried to outrun their bullets, but some students directed their fire to cut off his route forward, pinning him down and forcing him into cover.


    Though their shots were far from urate, they did their job, stopping him from ''killing'' their weakest link.


    They knew it wouldn''tst long; their bullets were already running out, yet it didn''t even


    come to that.


    Emir didn''t spend his time behind cover idling without purpose, no, he had been listening closely, noting the clinking of their guns and the direction of their fire.


    Just as a few students on his right stopped to reload, he rushed out, using arge b of


    concrete as a shield.


    Two or three students continued firing, but the b protected him from the first few bullets,


    shattering only after he escaped their trap.


    "Follow me."


    As their taunting professor got inside the building, the students snapped out of their


    stupefied state and hurried after him.


    "Chase him!"


    "Dammit, you guys fucked it!" "Keep up the pressure, c''mon, c''mon!"

 Chapter 415: Come Kill Your Professor VI

    Chapter 415: Come Kill Your Professor VI


    ?


    As the students converged on Emir''s position, he moved up the building almost like a drill, breaking through walls while dodging their shots and returning fire with precision.


    Those trailing behind watched in awe as he took down three students in quick session without even ncing their way, their bodies dropping as the augmented suits took hold of them.


    But the remaining students didn''t falter.


    They pressed forward, using their numbers to overwhelm him.


    Surely, even Emir, who was undeniably and overwhelmingly skilled, couldn''t handle all of them at once... Right?


    No-he could. And he did so with almost frightening ease.


    As the students reached the makeshift stairwell Emir had created, they could hear his footsteps above, apanied by stato bursts of gunfire.


    It was always a double tap followed by a quick lone shot.


    They knew exactly what he was doing, it was one of the drills they were taught.


    Two shots at the body and one at the head.


    A sure-fire way to end hunters without an Aether Core.


    "We''ll go this way."


    "We''ll go through the stairs."


    "We''ll go from the outside."


    Once halfway through the building, the team leaders signaled for their cohorts to spread out, attempting to reach the roof through different routes.


    That decision sealed their defeat.


    If the total remaining students'' status was any indication, those on the roof had already been taken out.


    Splitting up now would only make it easier for him to pick them off one by one.


    Those who burst through the roof''s doors were met with a hail of bullets, while those who tried to sneak around were shot once in the head, ''eliminated'' before they even saw him.


    Emir predicted their every move by sound alone, countering their every attempt at an ambush.


    The students fell, and it wasn''t a slow process.


    Their professor was a monster in human skin.


    It was as if the stat was a countdown; every passing second, another student would ''die.''


    Some even thought the system was glitched, but they ''died'' before that thought could go anywhere.


    They could see him through walls, but he was too fast for them. They''d spot him one moment only to lose track of him the next.


    It was as if their wallhack was a disadvantage, something that he was somehow using against them.


    Emir was simply terrifying.


    The ''unnamed'' could only watch in absolute panic as one by one, their ssmates fell.


    And it wasn''t long before only one remained.


    She was behind him, desperately firing one shot after another, but Emir dodged them with ease, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat.


    Before she could react, he disarmed her and brought her to the ground.


    Thest thing she saw before ''death'' was a knife heading towards her and her professor''s face, showing a victorious smile.


    "Not too bad."


    Soon after, the simtion ended, and the augmented suits released their hold, the room returning to clear white as itpletely reset, which was quite unlike before when only the buildings had reformed.


    This technology was truly a marvel.


    Emir, who usually chalked it up to Magitek, couldn''t help but feel a twinge of curiosity. And as always, once something piqued his interest, he wasted no time in quelling that curiosity.


    [Ly, if you''re not too busy, exin Magitek to me.]


    [...I''m never too busy for you.]


    [And I appreciate that.]


    As always, they were straight to the point, and Lyra didn''t waste time before beginning her exnation.


    [I know... So, it''s mostly runes that pull the weight of rooms like this. They expand them, kind of like how Ragnar does it, only on a muchrger scale. While illusions are involved, the buildings themselves aren''t fake-how else could you climb them? The runes create structures that fit the outline of the illusion, avoiding the creation of anything the suit can''t handle, whether it''s impact or movement...]


    While Emir and Lyra were off in their own slowed world, with her going on and on about the tech''s intricacies to him, the students looked around, defeated.


    Elijah''s heart still pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins.


    {WIN: Emir. Emir...} {LOSE: Students. Students...}


    {Leader Board:}


    {Rank 1. Elijah Oliver:


    Time: 1:54. Skill: E+-> C-. Instinct: E+-> D+. Intellect: D+-> B+.}


    {Rank 2. Sofia Alexander:


    Time: 1:52. Skill: B+. Instinct: D+-> C+. Intellect: C+ -> B+.}


    {Rank 3. Max ckwood:


    Time: 1:54. Skill: E+-> D+. Instinct: E+-> D. Intellect: E+ -> D.}


    {Rank 4. Aria Goldleaf:


    Time: 2:02. Skill: E+ -> D+. Instinct: E+ -> D+. Intellect: E+->D+.}


    {Rank 5. Xavier Jr:


    Time: 1:48. Skill: E+-> C+. Instinct: E+-> C+. Intellect: D+-> C-.}


    {Rank 6. Arthur:


    Time: 1:41. Skill: E+-> D-. Instinct: E+-> D. Intellect: E+ -> E.}


    {Rank 7. Ava Nguyen:


    Time: 2:02. Skill: E+ -> D+. Instinct: E+ -> D+. Intellect: E+ -> D-.}


    {Rank 8.....}


    {Rank 9.....}


    {Rank 77. Quinn Mercer:


    Time: 1:59. Skill: E+-> D+. Instinct: E+-> C-. Intellect: D+-> D.}


    Like the rest of the students, Elijah looked at the leaderboard, feeling frustration on a level


    never felt before.


    He wasn''t the only one feeling that way, as most of the students'' determination was squashed into nothing, leaving only a bitter feeling.


    They had fought harder and nned better, but still, it wasn''t enough, not even close.


    "...Dammit."


    He turned his gaze, wanting to see the reactions of his fellow students, and he noticed a shift


    in their demeanor.


    It wasn''t random, it happened each time their eyes met.


    Their frustration was snuffed out, reced by a burning feeling of desire. Of a need to prove


    themselves.


    They saw how their leaders did, and how high their grades became on the leaderboard...


    Any outsider seeing it could easily say that they had carried them, minimizing their


    contribution.


    No, they wouldn''t stand for that.


    Elite or not, they all had one thing in mind.


    ''This is just the beginning.''


    ...


    They went again and again, each round presenting a new challenge, a new opportunity.


    The students began to recognize patterns in their movements, finding ways to improve and


    adapt.


    By the end of the lesson, they were exhausted, mentally more than physically, but even so, their desire didn''t wane.


    Despite their miserable losses, they weren''t as disheartened as one might expect, especially considering the buffs they had been given.


    Their abilities had been heightened to a degree they could hardly have imagined at the start. They saw through walls, had enhanced reflexes, increased strength, faster movement, enhanced aim, improved HUD,plete night vision, bullet resistance, extra lives, and even


    auto-aim assist.


    Indeed, by the final round, they didn''t even need to aim directly for their bullets to hit Emir-


    they just had to press the trigger.


    Yet, they still lost. Meanwhile, Emir''s debuffs only worsened with each round.


    His movement speed became half as fast, and less fluid while his shots grew increasingly


    inurate.


    Disorientation, limited mobility, increased recoil, slower reload times, blurred vision, restricted hearing, periodic weapon jams, periodic loss of sight, and general slower


    movement-he faced it all.


    And yet again... they had lost.


    {WIN: Emir X10.} {LOSE: Students X10.}


    {Leader Board:}


    {Rank 1. Elijah Oliver:


    Time: 9:12. Skill: C--> B-. Instinct: D+-> B+. Intellect: B+.}


    {Rank 2. Sofia Alexander:


    Time: 11:45. Skill: B+. Instinct: C+-> B+. Intellect: B+.}


    {Rank 3. Max ckwood:


    Time: 6:34. Skill: D+-> C+. Instinct: D -> C-. Intellect: D.}


    {Rank 4. Aria Goldleaf:


    Time: 11:42. Skill: D+. Instinct: D+->C+. Intellect: D+ -> C+.}


    {Rank 5. Xavier Jr:


    Time: 12:35. Skill: C+-> B+. Instinct: C+-> C+. Intellect: -> C-.}


    {Rank 6. Arthur:


    Time: 5:11. Skill: D-. Instinct: D. Intellect: E.}


    {Rank 7. Ava Nguyen:


    Time: 11:06. Skill: D+. Instinct: D+. Intellect: E+ -> D+.}


    {Rank 8.....}


    {Rank 9.....} {Rank 77. Quinn Mercer:


    Time: 8:14. Skill: D+. Instinct: C-. Intellect: D--> C.}


    Elijah looked at the leaderboard once more, feelingplete respect.


    Desire, frustration, and whatever else he felt during thest eight rounds was gone,


    dissipated.


    Now he just felt respect.


    They had given it their all, and used every advantage to the fullest, but Emir had stille


    out on top.


    Around him, most of the other students shared the same sentiment.


    Their expressions, a mix of exhaustion and awe, reflected their feelings.


    They did their best, at least they could be proud of that...


    "You fought well."


    Emir''s voice suddenly broke the silence that had settled in the room over the past minute or


    so.


    ''What?''


    Every student, without exception, snapped their heads toward him, their minds struggling to


    process what they had just heard.


    Those simple wordsing from him-were more surprising than anything they had ever experienced in their entire lives.


    He... Emir, the very man who had effortlessly outssed them, hadplimented them.


    Their professor never lied-at least not when it came to matters like this.


    So it wasn''t just empty praise; he genuinely meant it. Though some students had eventually caught on to a subtlepliment they missed not so


    long ago, they recognized this as something entirely different.


    They could see a rare hint of pride on his face, and his next words didn''t tear them down and


    bash them in as usual. Instead, he continued with the extremely rare precedent he had set:


    "Today, my opinion changed about many of you. It''s good to know that my teachings have gone somewhere... Now, remember, in realbat, your survival skills, instincts, and intellect will keep you alive. Learn from your failure today, adapt, and improve as all hunters do. Who knows, one day you might reach my level."


    With those words marking the end of his lesson, he turned around and left the ssroom


    under the confused gazes of his students, utterly bbergasted at what they heard.


    ''Did someone kidnap Emir and rece him with a doppelganger?''


    No. The thought briefly crossed their minds, but they quickly dismissed it.


    Such an idea wasughable, they couldn''t even imagine it happening. Their professor simply recognized their efforts and decided to praise them... for once.


    As they calmed down and reflected on his actions, they began to realize that, in a strange way, this did match his MO.


    Emir was direct, whether he was bashing them orplimenting them. He just happened to


    have a few sadistic tendencies and enjoyed ying with his students'' emotions from time to


    time.


    Actually, now the more they thought about it, the more they wondered...


    ''Does he hate us?''


    Elijah knew the answer: no, Emir didn''t hate them.


    Well, not all of them-he certainly hated Arthur quite a bit. But the rest?


    He simply didn''t care enough about them for him to have any emotions rting to them,


    whether hate or otherwise.


    Would one hate an ant he saw walking across a broken pavement?


    In any case, unlike most of his ssmates, Elijah had received a fewpliments from him


    here and there, so he wasn''t as shocked, regaining hisposure rtively quickly. He then started reflecting on the simtion, about how he and the ss still had a long, long


    way to go.


    It wasn''t that defeating a man who could catch a bullet with his teeth and spit it out was


    impossible; they were just too unskilled to make it happen.


    If they could achieve close-to-perfect movements, like he did, victory would be within reach,


    there was no denying that.


    Emir would have to be as skilled as a god for it to be otherwise.


    ''Heh... One day he just might be.''


    With those ten rounds, they got a glimpse of what it took to be truly Elite.


    That was Elijah''s goal, like most of the students present.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    To be ''someone of importance'' on Earth, a Celestial capable of matching and perhaps


    even surpassing the caliber their professor had shown.


    ''One day, one day...''

 Chapter 416: Bad News

    Chapter 416: Bad News


    ?


    ***


    "ss SS-1''s ruin dive will be brought forward."


    "...Say that again?"


    Two men, Amon and Emir, sat opposite each other in thetter''s office.


    Therger of the two leaned forward on his table, his arms digging into the expensive wood.


    "What was brought forward?"


    The younger-looking, but actually much older of the two, chuckled, his right hand flicking the air.


    "Your. Students. Ruin. Dive. Was. Brought. Forward."


    "...When?"


    "Friday."


    "You can''t dy it?"


    "No, it has to happen on Friday. That''s final."


    "Why?"


    "Because I say so."


    "Is there nothing I could do to dy it?"


    "Why are you so adamant? Heh, will you even ept being called that or-"


    "I am. Tell me."


    Amon paused for a second, staring at him, then slowly said:


    "...No. I fear an influx of Aether is arriving by Saturday. Due to that, even the monsters in our ruin will be too much for the students to handle. We''ll be forced to other ruins that aren''t in ourplete control, giving way to variables that I don''t have the time nor mind to manage." Emir opened his mouth then closed it, speaking only after a few seconds had passed:


    "How do you know? I expect there to be an influx soon, but I can''t predict the exact date like you did."


    Smirking, Amon waved his hand again and then gestured for Emir to look up.


    "A praying woman told me."


    Closing his eyes, Emir matched his expression and nodded.


    "I see..."


    Opening his eyes, he looked back down and continued saying:


    "Guess I should''ve expected that."


    Their snappy back and forth ended there.


    Emir then looked further down.


    ''Hm.''


    It seemed that he hadn''t heard wrong...


    What he jokingly mused would happen did in fact happen.


    The first major disaster, an event that was scheduled to happen a few weeks from now, was forwarded to Friday... Tomorrow.


    And that was due to the increase of Aether on Earth, which was something that he had kept track of since their day of judgment.


    Furthermore, a hidden character influenced this date''s advancement.


    Temr''s true leader.


    Like how the Liberation Army had kept its true leader, Judal, concealed from the public eye, Temr also had their own figurehead, taking away the spotlight from who truly mattered. This puppet was a religious fanatic who stirred the masses with fervent rhetoric, but the actual leader, "Praying Lady," was the exact opposite of that.


    Behind the scenes, it was she who truly wielded power, using Temr for her own gain.


    She operated from the depths of the underworld, her influence shaping much of it through a vastwork of information, manipting the many gangs to her whims.


    All that Emir knew of her from the ''novel'' was that she was an Astral, a specialization that used the power of stars and read fate.


    Her unique abilities made her the Temr''s most valuable asset, the reason they could stand toe-to-toe with other powerful factions and corporations.


    Her information was invaluable, drawing in the wealthiest and most influential donors- whales that kept them above water, and her many digital pockets full.


    The biggest whale of them all was Isidore, a king of assassins who always dealt in


    information.


    Due to this, Emir''s n of framing the death of the ''bitch''-the daughter of one of Temr''s leaders-as Alex''s doing was extremely risky.


    They were up against an expert in fate and information gathering, and there was no way to know if their n had already been discovered.


    The tension they observed between the two factions suggested that their deception might hold, but they couldn''t be certain, they couldn''t afford to becent, not against her.


    For now, they needed more information before making any decisive moves.


    The final piece of the puzzle woulde from Aqu of the Eagle.


    His report would determine how they would proceed, and whether they could go ahead with the n or if they needed to rethink their strategy entirely.


    ''...It''s time.''


    Looking up, Emir''s eyes focused and his face turned indifferent.


    "Do you want to know why I am so ''adamant?'' And before you say yes, whatever you''re assuming, triple, no quadruple it''s impact on the Academy."


    Amon smiled.


    "Sure, tell me... Or so I''d say if I didn''t know that you''d never give out this information for free. What do you want in return?"


    "Third-Tier Privilege in the Archive, EX clearance... I want to read what only you can read, see what only you can see."


    Surprised, Amon was about to shut him down and ban him from ever suggesting that again, but Emir raised his hand, stopping him from speaking, and continued:


    "I know. Learning more about Archons before bing one will kill me, but I crossed that


    ''step'' already. My soul might be godless, but my blood isn''t."


    Amon''s eyes widened and dimmed, then a golden crown slowly formed atop his head.


    "Speak."


    Emir''s indifference momentarily faltered, but he quickly protected himself from the sudden


    pressure, letting out a sigh.


    "Will you use force on your own son?"


    This time, it was Amon''s turn to be speechless as he opened and closed his mouth several


    times.


    Tsk...


    Eventually, the crown above his head dissipated and he leaned back into his chair.


    "I''ll give you what you want..."


    Before Emir could smile, Amon added the infamous:


    "But! I''ll have you help in solving whatever disaster is upon us."


    Thinking that he''d react, Amon gave a second to process it, but Emir instantly agreed:


    "Deal. Send the privilege invite first."


    "...You."


    Shaking his head, Amon realized that he had fallen into his professor''s trap.


    Emir had always nned to help with the First Major Disaster, he simply didn''t put it in as a


    part of his offer to make Amon feel like he had one-uped him with the negotiation.


    "A clever boy you are~."


    "I am indeed."


    Amonplimented him, and Emir acted shameless about it, epting it openly.


    They shared a chuckle, and Amon stood up, as did Emir a momentter.


    Stepping closer, they held on to each other''s right forearm and clutched.


    {Trade offer. ept or Decline?}


    "ept."


    "ept."


    Both didn''t look at the contents of the trade, knowing the other wouldn''t cheat, and epted


    just as the prompt showed up in their HUDS.


    "...Ah."


    That low mumble from Amon indicated that he had just processed all the information that he


    received.


    There was no need to question the authenticity of that information, he knew Emir wouldn''t


    lie about such things. And the fact that he seemingly knew the future wasn''t under question.


    Again, Amon knew Emir to be an Order''s Chosen, or at least he used to be, and that meant that


    he had information others could only dream of.


    "So..."


    Emir silently looked at him and then asked:


    "Can all the students survive?"


    The principal blinked a few times, lost in thought.


    "I... don''t know."


    Snickering, Emir sat back down and said:


    "Me neither... me neither." Amon remained standing for a while, and after a minute or so had passed, he finally moved.


    But instead of sitting down like Emir, he headed towards the door, intending to leave.


    "Where are you going?"


    He nced back, then continued forward, exiting the office.


    Emir was left alone, his eyes staring at where his self-admitted father used to be.


    "He''ll need Arthur''s luck to get through this without using up any of his strong abilities."


    Turning around in his chair, he too became lost in thought.


    ''The disaster was moved up, so that must''ve affected Temr''s and Liberation Army''s


    preparations, right?''


    [No, they''re prepared. At least I''m sure LA are.]


    His left eye twitched.


    [Ly?]


    Her hologram materialized as he called her by her nickname.


    [Yes?]


    [You, how are you sure of that?]


    She smiled and reported, which was quite an unusualbination of actions for her:


    [Once I heard the news, I immediately informed the family.]


    Emir nodded, guessing the rest.


    [Ah... I see. Kiera did something drastic.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Yes...]


    She confirmed and added:


    [Her grudge at what they did to her family remains. Unfortunately, I didn''t check where she


    was when I shared the news.]


    [The slums.]


    [Correct. She went to one of their hunter group''s bases and... well, let''s just say that she''s


    under house arrest.]


    There wasn''t any need for her toplete that sentence.


    It was obvious that Kiera had gone loose, crashing out and killing an entire hunter group in


    the time Emir and Amon had talked.


    "Can''t me her... Though this''ll cement their involvement in the disaster."


    Sighing again, he tapped the table twice and said:


    "This only makes my decision harder."

 Chapter 417: Bad News II

    Chapter 417: Bad News II


    ?


    Emir had possessed six abilities for some time now, deliberately postponing the unlocking of the seventh.


    At first, this dy stemmed from his ongoing process of Consolidation-an essential phase where a Celestial''s body had to fully adapt to each newly unlocked ability before it could be imed as truly theirs.


    Without this, unlocking additional abilities wouldpromise the Celestial''s future, as their foundation would be shaky, brittle, and thin.


    Their Pathing control and efficiency would be greatly affected as well.


    However, with the consolidation over, he could now consider unlocking the seventh ability, something that he had been capable of doing ever since his first Embodiment quote unquote level-up.


    ''Yeah... this isn''t ideal, but it has to be done. Though... I should do itter. Let''s finish up with the students first.''


    After a brief moment of consideration, he postponed the task once again, deciding to check out the Archive In Betweenter, after the gathering at Setrenc.


    For now, there was something more immediate to address the students were expecting a reward.


    They would need that reward too, as surviving the uing major disaster without it would be close to impossible.


    However, he wasn''t about to hand out these rewards willy-nilly.


    Only those who had truly put in the effort would benefit.


    How would he determine that? Well, besides the ''pop quiz'' and one-v-one duels, he had the dive recorded and reviewed, along with thebat simtion from earlier today.


    So while there wasn''t an officialpetition that determined everything required, this assessmentbined provided all the information he needed to evaluate who was the best, who tried to be, who required more focus, and who needed to be cut off.


    Those deemed unworthy wouldn''t be expelled in the traditional sense, like what usually happened to many second years.


    Instead, he nned to trim the fat by letting a few of them ''identally'' fall to Earthkind''s internal enemies.


    Naturally, he would make it so that the responsibility would fall on others, not him.


    The strong would grow stronger, the weak would weaken further, and the weakest would perish, be ''dropped'' - a cruel but effective strategy.


    While a few hidden gems might be mistaken for trash and discarded, those who survived would shine brighter than ever.


    Emir could almost guarantee it.


    The odds of winning that bet were far from slim; in fact, it felt more like a prophecy than a gamble.


    But even so, he wasn''t one to rely on chance, not one bit.


    Luck and he had never been friends, always on the worst of terms.


    And as if to prove that point, a melodic voice suddenly resonated just above his ears, emanating from his shades.


    [Mr. Pawn... Unfortunately, the gathering today will be dyed to next week.]


    Just as Mr. yer finished speaking, the aura that permeated the room dissipated, indicating that his message already ended.


    [I understand.]


    Emir''s reply was quick, even though surprise remained obvious on his face.


    After all, it was Mr. yer that informed him of such a thing. A Paragon. If something forced him to dy-


    [Do not be asinine... The dy is due to a request from Mr. King.]


    A whiff of that presence returned at Mr. yer''s quick rebuttal, assuming what Emir thought before he could even think it.


    [Thanks for telling me, Mr. yer.]


    At Emir''s short bow, the Pargon''s presencepletely disappeared, and he let out a long breath, rxing back into the chair.


    ''Bad news one after the next... Guess most of my luck ran out after fighting that blessed piece of shit.''


    Shaking his head, he took out his terminal, tapped it a few times then scrolled down and tapped twice.


    Ring~ Ring~ Ring~


    He set it down as it rang, the caller ID showing Ragnar''s name.


    After ten more rings, the bearded man finally replied, his voice in a whisper even though it


    was telepathic:


    [Hey Ak, what''s up? Sorry it took a while - I was with my girl.]


    [...Ak?]


    [Yeah, you know, Akhi, or brother.]


    [...]


    [So, uh, like how I say bro instead of brother, I shortened Akhi to Ak. Clever, right?]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [...]


    Emir stayed silent, giving up on understanding why Ragnar was so insistent on using that ancient Arabic term. Maybe it had something to do with his name, but that was stupid-it was the only Arabic thing about him.


    Either way, it all could boil down to Ragnar''scking mental capacity, so Emir ignored him and said:


    [I''ve got bad news. The gathering''s been dyed to next week, so no dimensional item for


    you.]


    The terminal flickered, and Ragnar''s holographic face appeared.


    [What?]


    [It''s dyed. We''ll talk more about itter. For now, I need you toe to my house. We''ll be


    having a family meeting.]


    Ragnar''s expression shifted from surprise to seriousness.


    [Roger. See you there.]


    The call ended, and Emir turned in his chair, resting his head on his right hand.


    He then looked up, and another hologram materialized.


    This time, it was Lyra, her hair styled in a neat bun with a few strands falling delicately at the


    front.


    She appeared in a suit and tie, resembling an average office worker.


    Emir might have thought her attire was mundane, but her undeniably perfect beauty


    prevented any such trivial thoughts.


    Besides, he was too focused on her eyes to think of such things in the first ce.


    They held a note of sadness, almost fear.


    What troubled her wasn''t the news she was about to share; it was his anticipated reaction.


    Picking up on that, he nudged her to speak with his chin and sheplied in under a second:


    [I know you''re not in the mood for another bad thing happening, but I have to say it...]


    [...]


    He didn''t rush her, staying quiet until she found the right words.


    [...Our two men in the za are dead. We don''t know if they got caught or not but we know


    who did it.]


    Emir froze and his eyes darkened, their inky vortexes circling.


    [Send their families three hundred-no, five hundred million credits. Now more


    importantly...]


    His voice could no longer be considered ''normal,'' now, it was too cold, too indifferent. It


    simply became terrifying, rumbling with weight.


    [Who did it? Was it the man we tracked?]


    Even Lyra couldn''t stop herself from trembling at that sight, his Death''s Shadow


    unintentionally affecting her, even through thework.


    [No, that man was killed. ... It was Judas. He wasst spotted at the ce of their


    disappearance. By checking what remained of the scene, one could argue that his attacks werepletely random and for seemingly no reason. A game of his most likely. They died because


    of bad luck.]


    [...]


    He breathed out and closed his eyes.


    [I see.]

 Chapter 418: Unlocking The Seventh

    Chapter 418: Unlocking The Seventh


    ?


    Emir sat alone at a table near a few ''book'' shelves, the faint hum of the archive blending with the quiet thoughts swirling in his mind.


    He hade here because it was time-time to decide the direction his path would take.


    This wasn''t yet his ''sixth'' step, but it was on the verge of bing one.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He considered his ''sixth'' step to be the upgrade from Advanced to Expert in CQC.


    Now, while he could technically upgrade any of his six abilities, that thought hadn''t crossed his mind.


    Second Rank abilities required a long time to memorize, let alone execute.


    First Rank abilities were much simpler byparison; it was like jumping from drawing 2D shapes to 3D.


    For example, the next ''step'' for his sh Step would certainly be Winged Light, which wouldbine his Celestia''s Hand Aspect and Aerialis Aspect, allowing him to finally use thetter to its full capacity and take flight.


    So, while he had the option to unlock a Rank Two ability, he wasn''t seriously considering it.


    The effort required would impact his progress in every other area, slowing his overall strength increase.


    In any case, the Archive In Between was the one ce where decisions like these usually became clear.


    But this time, rity seemed elusive.


    Just what ability should he choose?


    Emir leaned back in his chair, fingers tracing the edge of the table as he mentallyid out the abilities before him.


    By request, Brain provided the entire list of abilities that the Archive held, and they were many, reaching thousands.


    Though he still needed to pay for the Ability Path, ess to the ability itself was granted due to his clearance level bing the same as Amon''s, at least within the Archive''s walls.


    Each ability he was given was powerful in its own right, a tool that could shape the oue of the battles ahead.


    But he couldn''t have them all, he had to choose one, not even Primordials had the capability of doing that.


    And while he didn''t have a defined path like most, he couldn''t stray out too much, abiding by the Aspects that defined his being which formed his Celestial Essence, Weaver''s Grasp.


    The three, Weaver''s Veil, Aerialis, and Celestia''s Hand, wereplimentary, as they only manipted close to neutral Aether in different ways, one to infuse, the other to strengthen, and thest to create.


    So, he needed to find an ability that would make use of at least two of those aspects, while alsoplimenting the other abilities that he already had, covering for their weaknesses and enhancing their strengths.


    The first one that came to mind was {Aetheric Needle}-a straightforward ability based on the Brawler ss.


    It promised raw, extremely concentrated power, the kind that could break through any defense and end a fight before it truly began.


    It was tempting, especially with the many duels he would partake tomorrow.


    {Weighted Fear,} based on the same ss, added anotheryer of relentless aggression, as it would disturb the Aether around the user when chanted, infusing Aether with their killing intent, and in Emir''s case, his internal corruption would be felt as well.


    These two would serve him well in tomorrow''s battles, no doubt. But beyond that?


    Their utility would diminish, for he could do simr things eventually using his already unlocked abilities.


    ''Rejected. I need something else.''


    He shifted his thoughts to Knight-based abilities.


    There was one that interested him, it was based on Honorable Duel, aptly named {Aetheric Domain}-a growth-type ability that could evolve with him, perhaps bing


    indispensableter.


    But was it enough for the battles thaty further down the road? He couldn''t say for sure.


    ''Maybe... I''ll get back to thister.''


    Emir''s gaze grew distant as he considered de Dancer-based abilities.


    It was {Falling Threads} that caught his attention¡ªa wide area of attack ability that would work great in a fight against many opponents.


    While hecked AOE abilities, his Gates Of Eternity was more than enough to pick up the ck, and it would only get better in the future, so after a few more seconds of thought, he discarded that ability from his mind.


    He then shifted to the Ranger ss, which presented him with survival options, ways to stay hidden, and/or escape. He had sh Step, so he skipped them and checked out {Aether Tame,} a growth-type ability.


    It had potential, especially for the future.


    While Aetheric Domain would affect an entire area''s Aether, this would be targeted, an ability that would affect the Celestial''s Aether directly, attempting to turn it against its owner.


    It wasn''t just about fighting; it was about control, about turning them into puppets for his


    use.


    This ability could work in all environments as well, even underwater, though it wouldn''t be of any use against monsters, their Aether too different from what any Celestial was used to, the amount impossible to control.


    So, opposite Rangers, the only thing he could tame was humans.


    Though that made the ability half as desirable, it was still good, and it fit his path pretty well.


    But was it worth sacrificing the immediate power he needed?


    ''No.''


    Gun Mage-based abilities were next.


    Abilities that could amplify his uracy, ensuring that every shot counted. Others allowed even offered a way to confuse and mislead


    him


    his enemies.


    his arsenal to any situati and


    But it was {Celestia''s Revolver} that stood out-an ability that he could unlock without any


    change.


    His Aspect of creation was toopatible with it, for he had Celestia''s Hands, the maker of that very weapon.


    Yet, he couldn''t shake the feeling that using up a spot on something that he could potentially create himself would be a waste.


    ''...Maybe not.''


    Emir sighed, his thoughts skipping Technomancer-based abilities as they weren''tpatible, as well as Zenith Warden-based abilities, for they were of the Life element.


    And while he could get abilities like Sacred Gift or Spirit Veil, as it belonged to the Holy Element, something that every Celestial had ess to, it wasn''t time for that.


    His soul could be protectedter, besides, those abilities focused more on protecting allies rather than one''s own self.


    Shadow Binder-based abilities and Reaper-based abilities were the same-too


    ipatible.


    Skipping over those four was easy. They were too far removed from his Aether-based focus, too specialized in areas that didn''t resonate with his current needs.


    After going through the tenmon specializations, what remained were the random abilities that were created by Spell Weavers, ones not tied to any specialist in particr.


    These were the wild cards, abilities that could either be exactly what he needed orpletely


    useless.


    He didn''t bother with the umon specializations as they were too unique, which made them ipatible, much more so than themon four he ignored.


    ''Hm...''


    {Anomaly''s Call.}


    That ability allowed the user to influence their surroundings'' Aether, summoning an Anomaly. Said anomaly could destroy the user if he couldn''t escape it in time, yet it wasn''t something hard to escape from but incredibly easy.


    It would take a while to form, as the user could only influence an anomaly to happen, and it would only be useful if the user''s surroundings were already infused with an abnormal influx


    of Aether.


    Such a situation would bemon on Earth a few months from now, but it would be toote, he''d most likely die before he could use the ability in its best form. Funnily enough, Emir could see himself in the middle of arge army of monsters, protecting himself with his Aetheric Shield and Aetheric Constructs till the anomaly was summoned, the sky darkening and the earth trembling as a vortex formed, tearing through the ranks of the


    monsters with ease.


    ''Sounds fun... but no.''


    He shook his head, dismissing the image from his mind.


    Anomaly''s Call was far too situational, and while the thought of unleashing a devastating force against a horde of monsters was appealing, the risks outweighed the benefits.


    It was too risky, too unreliable. He needed something that offered consistent results, not an ability that required the perfect storm of conditions to be effective. He couldn''t deny that it was an appealing idea, but the reality of relying on such a fickle force was less so.


    If he couldn''t control it perfectly, the ability could easily turn on him or his allies. And right now, he couldn''t afford that kind of unpredictability.


    Emir leaned forward again, letting out a sigh as his fingers tapped rhythmically against the table while he sifted through the mental list of remaining abilities.


    ''...Just what should I choose?''

 Chapter 419: Unlocking The Seventh II

    Chapter 419: Unlocking The Seventh II


    ?


    The weight of the decision pressed down on him, a weight he hadn''t felt in so long.


    Emir had assumed himself to be used to such life-altering decisions, but apparently not.


    Each ability had its strengths and weaknesses, but none seemed to fit perfectly into the path he was trying to forge.


    There had to be something more bnced, something that wouldn''t just give him an edge in one or a few specific scenarios but would be versatile enough to adapt to various challenges.


    He went through many abilities, their power undeniable, but theycked the finesse and control he sought.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    They didn''t align with his vision for the future. Too direct, too straightforward.


    AOE abilities were the same, like Falling Threads, which had caught his attention earlier, and for good reason.


    Such wide-area attacks would be devastating inrge-scale battles, but he had to admit that it would ovep too much with his Gates of Eternity.


    The redundancy made it less appealing, and he couldn''t afford to waste a spot on something The essentially already had covered.


    Basically, it was a valuable ability, just not for him.


    Next, two abilities were highlighted in his mind, {Aetheric Ripplle} and {Aetheric Anchor,} but those in turn only highlighted how good Aetheric Domain was.


    Thetter of the two was undeniably good, an ability that created points of concentrated Aether in the environment, tethering his movements and allowing for rapid repositioning. It was simr to sh Step but offered more versatility, as the anchors could be set up in advance, creating awork of points he could move between instantly.


    The thought of setting traps, creating a web of movement possibilities, was certainly appealing. It would make him even more unpredictable in battle, but it was also situational, requiring setup time that he might not always have.


    Aetheric Domain was the same, yet it still lingered in his mind, an ability that could grow with him, evolving into something far greater over time.


    It wasn''t just about raw power; it was about establishing control, asserting dominance over an area, and making it his own.


    Like how turning people into puppets using Aether tame was tempting, this idea was even more so, but again, itcked the immediate impact he would need for the battles toe.


    It was more of an investment for the future, but Emir was focused on the present, on surviving the imminent threats.


    That immediate impact would be absolved with Celestia''s Revolver, but he reached the same conclusion as earlier.


    It was useful, but was it truly irreceable?


    Could he justify using one of his limited slots for something he could potentially replicate through other means?


    No, he could not.


    "Control... control..."


    Emir repeated that word in a whisper like a broken record, thinking of ways he could obtain that in battle.


    But then he suddenly stopped.


    An idea popped into his head.


    Control wasn''t always about taking over something but taking away something as well. {Celestial Severance.}


    Interestingly enough, this ability was based on Judal''s Spell Weaver specialization, void Weaver.


    Their ability was called {Void Thread,} which did the same thing, only far slower and far more potent, even affecting same-rank Celestials.


    While Celestial Severance was faster, its potency was much weaker.


    This was the same as how his Death''s Shadow worked only on those two sub-ranks below him.


    Emir saw this caveat as natural. It would have been too good otherwise.


    The difference in speed was just that great.


    It was a growth-type ability that could directly suppress an ability from both Celestial and monster, extinguishing it before it could fully form.


    Even though it couldn''t nullify same-rank abilities and spells entirely like the Void Weavers, it was possible to disrupt and simply weaken them, diminishing the power behind them. There were two ways to use this ability, either from a distance, chanting Spellbreak, or direct contact chanting Silencing Touch.


    Whenbined with his other abilities, Emir could control the flow of battle by selectively disabling opponents'' strengths.


    This was undoubtedly the best ability for him, but it didn''t take him long to find another on the same level.


    It too was based on control, though much slower in application than thest.


    {Author''s Strings.} Another growth-type ability.


    Chanting this would let loose strings of Aether from the user''s hands, attaching themselves to the chosen ability of an enemy.


    By doing so, the user could seize control of that ability and redirect it against the original wielder.


    It would directly work against opponents of the same rank because it had more disadvantagespared to Celestial Severance, mostly the speed of the ability.


    Furthermore, the ability would grant the user heightened control over their own Aether, as it would change the body to further suit itself, to better amodate it.


    This would make the real-time path optimization of all his abilities much easier than it already was. It would also help in covering his elemental weakness, as he could use the


    elements of others...


    ''Not bad... Not bad at all...''


    Emir leaned back in his chair, a small smile ying on his lips.


    This wasn''t the shiest ability, nor the most powerful in raw terms, but it was the one that would give him the most control-control over his enemies'' abilities, over his Aether, and ultimately, over the battlefield.


    In the end, that was what he valued most.


    So now that he picked the first potential seventh, he had to consider another that was


    essential to his survival.


    The problem was clear.


    He could pick something that would make him stronger for tomorrow, something that might guarantee the survival of most of his students and his men''s lives while ensuring victory.


    Or, he could choose the ability that would be required for the disaster that loomed far beyond the horizon, something that might make all the difference when he was deep underwater, facing something far worse than tomorrow''s threat.


    But in doing so, he would risk everything-his life, his family, the future itself.


    The issue was that this ability he needed wasn''t a first rank but a second.


    {Hydro Breath} was the first rank ability.


    As the name implied, it allowed the user to breathe underwater, but that wasn''t all, it also increased their swimming speed and gave them sticky hands, which would transform into


    fins, as would the feet.


    Yes, it transformed the user''s four limbs and made their hands sticky... that was what it did.


    Though breathing wasn''t needed when one bes a Seraphim, the ability mighte in handy when Aether reserves reach extremely low levels deep underwater, even more so with


    the increased movement.


    But obviously, that wasn''t what he was after.


    {Octus.} The upgrade was what he needed.


    When used, his body would be like water, able to handle all types of extreme pressure in the Deep, while it would also heal minor wounds over time if he stayed submerged.


    This ability was essential for surviving down there, especially with where he''d be going, the Deep was the least forgiving ce on their Earth after all.


    Emir wasn''t so wary of the ce for no reason.


    Back then, even when Oldworldeners explored the entirety of the sr system, Earth''s ocean wasn''t fully mapped out, so one could only imagine it now, muchrger and many hundred


    times more dangerous than before.


    It was terrifying. And so... with all the cardsid out, which hand should he choose?


    The clock was ticking, and he needed to make a decision by the end of the hour.


    A family meeting was waiting for him, as were the preparations for tomorrow.


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from his body.


    He knew that whatever ability he chose would course his future as there was noing back


    from this, no matter how much regret the future him might feel.


    ''Alright.''


    With one final exhale, Emir opened his eyes, the decision clear in his mind.


    His jaw tightened.


    He knew what he had to do.


    He reached out, mentally, and chose.


    ''Author''s Strings.''


    The decision was made, and now, his path was cemented.


    This ability would be the seventh in his arsenal, the one that would bring everything together.


    It would ensure he survived, not just tomorrow, but in the days that followed.


    Celestial Severance was great too, almost as good, but he could get itter, after Hydrobreath


    and its upgrade.


    There was no rush.


    He rose from the table, the weight of the decision still heavy on his shoulders.


    Surviving and besting tomorrow was in his best interests.


    There was no need to be too greedy.


    It was better to guarantee tomorrow than a future he didn''t know would arrive.


    After all... the ''novel'' had been axed at that point, leaving him with a future unseen.


    If he survived till that ''chapter,'' which was long after his death, and the tide''s arrival, he


    would finally reach a time where his life wouldn''t revolve around the words of those who shackled him.


    ...Emir couldn''t wait for that day to arrive.


    He smiled and headed towards the Archive''s exit.

 Chapter 420: Calm Before The First Storm

    Chapter 420: Calm Before The First Storm


    ?


    Emir sat cross-legged in the center of his home''s training room, the quiet hum of the space around him barely registering as he focused entirely on the task at hand.


    Memorizing the Ability Path.


    The ability he had purchased not more than ten minutes ago had cost him all his AUC-his entire admission gift and his first month''s sry.


    The price was steep for sure, but he didn''t mind. He had no other use for the credits anyway.


    In his hands, he held a sheet of paper, the lines etched across it forming aplex puzzle of the path his Aether needed to follow for this new ability.


    It was the mostplicated one he''d encountered so far, almost on another level, despite it being only first rank like the others.


    Though he expected that, as it was a growth ability, it still surprised him a little.


    The thought of optimizing and adjusting it seemed like a nightmare, but he was up for the challenge.


    His mental fortitude wasn''t just for show.


    Emir continued to stare at the paper, carefully studying the lines andmitting every twist and turn of the path to memory.


    They crisscrossed and curved in ways that seemed almost random but were actually very precise.


    Each line represented a path his Aether needed to follow, and any mistake could ruin the process, so he made sure that he hadpletely memorized it.


    Once satisfied, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    ''Here goes nothing...''


    He started by gathering his Aether at a central point in his body, the Aetherial Vein, imagining this point as the starting point of the path on the paper.


    Slowly, he began to move the Aether along the lines, upwards, trying to match his internal flow with the patterns on the page.


    The first part contained simple curves along the left and right shoulders. He guided the Aether along them, making sure to keep it steady.


    As he continued, the lines became increasingly moreplex, with sharp turns and ovepping paths, veins one over the other.


    He had to adjust his focus constantly, making sure the Aether didn''t stray from the path at best, or crash into itself at worst, disabling him with a powerful bacsh.


    At one point, there was a section with tight loops.


    Emir had to slow down and carefully navigate the Aether through these loops without letting it get tangled.


    It felt like guiding a thread through a needle-one mistake and everything could unravel... or in this case, explode.


    Time passed and he kept following the lines, eventually feeling the Aether around him beginning to respond, and soon enough, small, almost invincible threads materialized, dangling from his fingers.


    Emir tried to move them, but they weren''t smooth, often getting stuck together or moving too quickly and randomly crashing into the walls around him.


    He had to make constant inner adjustments, gently pushing and guiding the Aether to follow the exact paths with barely any margin of error.


    When he reached a section with multiple lines crossing each other, he had to be especially careful.


    It was the hardest part for him, and he was sure that it was the section that caused him such trouble in controlling his ability.


    Aether had to split and flow in different directions simultaneously and multiple times at that, which was quite tricky, to say the least.


    But again, his mental fortitude wasn''t just for show.


    He took his time, making sure each path was correct.


    Eventually, he nearly perfected the final part of the pattern, feeling a sense of relief as the Aether within him settled into ce, officially epting Author''s Strings as his seventh ability.


    ''Hm...''


    Emir rxed for a moment and checked his work.


    The Aether was flowing correctly along the lines, the margin of error was extremely low, but it was there.


    He had gotten it to a point close to perfection, but that was the easy part.


    The hard part was what came next, making that ny-nine percent to a perfect hundred.


    ''Though, unlike thest ability, this one won''t take me too long. My embodiment resonates perfectly with it.''


    With that, he ended the training session, feeling aplished.


    The ability was officially unlocked!


    "Author''s Strings."


    Emir yed around with the ability for a while, a few minutes, and the time for the meeting had arrived.


    He stopped, got up, and felt his Aether still moving within him.


    Taking a deep breath, he let it settle before heading downstairs.


    On the way to the dining room, he pulled up the {Aether} tab within the files of his Neural Network.


    The updated data appeared, showing the new paths he had memorized.


    [Ethereal Threader]


    Emir''s untrod path.


    Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp.


    Aspects: Weaver''s Veil, Aerialis, Celestia''s Hand.


    1st-Ability: Aether st.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    2nd-Ability: Aetheric des.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    3rd-Ability: Aetheric Shield.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    4th-Ability: Aether Overdrive.


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    5th-Ability: sh Step.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Winged Light.


    6th-Ability: Death''s Shadow. (Growth Type)


    7th-Ability: Author''s Strings. (Growth Type)


    8th-Ability: Hydrobreath.


    Level 2,3,4,5: Octus.


    9th- Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    10th-Ability:?


    Level 2,3,4,5:?


    1st- Unique Ability: Gates of Eternity.


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    2nd-Unique Ability:?


    Level 2,3:?


    Pinnacle:?


    Emir''s path was slowlying together.


    He only needed two more abilities and a blessing.


    His ninth ability was still a mystery, but it would certainly be about the soul; which he


    nned to unlock after upgrading Hydrobreath to Octus.


    His tenth ability was nearly chosen, Celestial Severance.


    But that was a long way off, a really long way...


    It would be when he reached a rank and sub-rank higher than Archon Emperor, the first sub-


    rank of ss-Three.


    So, nothing was set in stone.


    Who knew? He might find something better before then.


    After reviewing his progress a bit more, he found himself at the reinforced door to the dining


    room, ready to join the others for the meeting.


    It opened to wee him, and he entered, seeing that almost all of his family was already


    there. Laura, Lily, Lyra, Ragnar, Elijah, Jake, Emma, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, Leo, Nathan, Jamal, Raymond, Logan, Morgiana, Mariane, and Evelyn.


    The only one missing was Faye, who had been forced to sleep by Longshot half an hour


    earlier.


    His presencemanded their immediate attention, and the light chatter in the room died down as all twenty-one people turned their focus to him.


    As he approached his seat, everyone except the three L''s stood up out of respect, saluting him.


    Nodding at them, he took his ce at the head of the table, and they sat back down, waiting


    for him to speak.


    Every single one of them donned serious faces. Even Jamal.


    They knew very well that this was no time for banter.


    Death was upon them tomorrow.


    With a calm, measured tone, Emir began:


    "First, two of our people died in the za. Hold a minute for them."


    ||


    "..."


    ||


    11


    ||||


    "..."


    || ||


    ||||


    "..."


    || ||


    || ||


    After a minute of silence had passed, Emir leaned back in his chair, letting the slightly dim


    lights above cast sharp shadows across his face.


    His head rested on his right hand, which was propped up on the armrest, and he took a moment to observe the room, his gaze scanning each of his people''s faces.


    He was taking in their expressions, moods, and emotions, understanding how they were


    feeling and doing without asking anything.


    This wasn''t something new; his Embodiment naturally made him better at detecting and unraveling emotions.


    It was the very thing that made him a puppeteer.


    He studied people, figured out their patterns, learned where he could make them flinch,


    where he could hurt them... kill them.


    Shaking his head, he stopped his thoughts from spiraling, grounding himself in the present.


    "We''ll talk about the First Major Disaster, but first there''s something that you need to know... Aqu, please,e in."


    The reinforced door opened with a low click, and Aqu of the Eagle stepped into the room,


    his usual confident demeanor firmly in ce.


    He gave a slight nod of respect before meeting Emir''s gaze.


    "Thank you for waiting on me."


    Emir dismissed his thanks with a wave of his left hand.


    "It''s fine. I already know a bit of what''s happening. Had a few of my men down there, and


    they saw constant skirmishes throughout thest two weeks." The Eagle''s leader nodded his head.


    "Right, as per our deal, I delivered Alex''s head to Temr and they took the bait. There''s


    rising tension from both sides, little skirmishes throughout the slums. The Liberation Army believes our act it looks like. Though some of their groups still seem surprised by the sudden


    tension between them and their neighboring faction."


    As he paused for a moment, allowing his words to settle in their minds, Emir, showing no reaction, noticed shock on the faces of those in the room.


    It was clear what they were thinking; the surprise was written all over them.


    Their leader had never shared any of this.


    Until now, they had only been instructed to send a few of their men to keep an eye on those


    two factions. The rising tension between the two, which was weirdly limited to the underworld, had puzzled them, but now they understood-Emir had orchestrated it all.

 Chapter 421: Calm Before The First Storm II

    Chapter 421: Calm Before The First Storm II


    ?


    Despite their confusion and the questions burning on their tongues, dying to be asked, no one interrupted.


    They were eager to learn of the details, but they respected the unspoken rule: when their bossmanmanded, they followed.


    And hismand before Aqu had entered was to listen, so that was what they did.


    "A few of my men had grievances with both sides, so they disguised themselves and got involved in a few skirmishes, killing a few in the hope of exacerbating the situation. Nothing changed. Besides that, the operation proceeded without any significantplications. Oh, and there were a few that seemed to belong to Alex''s toon, perhaps leftovers that didn''t meet you that day, and they were the fiercest of the lot, it almost seemed that they were the only ones taking their fight seriously."


    He paused, gauging the room''s reaction, and more particrly, the one he had this deal with.


    Emir, who was looking at an enraged Kiera, turned to Aqu and then nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes-something that Aqu couldn''t quite ce.


    Taking this as a sign of approval mixed with doubt, he pressed on:


    "Trust me. I''m sure they fell for our trap, I dealt with the leader directly, giving him Alex''s head. They were just too busy preparing for tomorrow''s attack. As for the Liberation Army, we leaked the time of our meeting, I''m sure they sent a few to spy on us, so they know that a leader of theirs was killed by Temr."


    Emir leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking onto Aqu.


    "I''m fine believing the Liberation Army was tricked, but Temr... You''re confident they bought the story?"


    "Yes. From what I''ve heard and gathered, Temr is eager to be the dominant force of the big three. They don''t want to outright end theirpetition, as that would result in major losses for both sides, as well as allowing the big eight and UEF an upper hand, which would result in their end. So instead, they want a major advantage over the other factions. With thatdy''s death as the spark, they''ll begin their conquest, they do not need to suspect otherwise."


    Silence hung in the room for a moment, broken only by the faint hum of the venttion system.


    Then, with an almost imperceptible shift, Emir''s demeanor changed.


    The coldness in his eyes deepened, and the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.


    "Was he a man?"


    Aqu frowned, the sudden shift in his tone unsettling him.


    "Temr''s? Yes. Their leader was a man."


    Emir darkly chuckled.


    "Unfortunately, my friend... things have taken an unexpected turn."


    "...What do you mean?"


    His smirk widened, though it held no warmth.


    "Temr knows."


    Aqu''s heart skipped a beat.


    "Knows what, exactly?"


    "They know that I was the one who killed Alex."


    The Eagle felt blood drain from his face.


    "That''s... impossible. How could they-?"


    Emir interrupted, his voice sharp:


    "Do you know about the Praying Lady?"


    "I..."


    The man was stumped, utterly confused.


    He thought that he was doing his job well, but all of a sudden everything was flipped on its head.


    "She''s the true leader of Temr. You only met a fake... And judging by how their skirmishes have barely any impact, only the Liberation Army believes our lie, Temr is using them to trick us."


    "...But how?"


    "It doesn''t matter how they know, what matters is that they do, and they''ve been ying along with this charade for their own reasons."


    Aqu''s mind raced, trying to make sense of what he had just learned.


    If Temr knew the truth, then everything he had just reported... all of it was worthless.


    Worse, it meant that Temr had been stringing them along, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables.


    At that moment, the ever-curious Lily couldn''t stop herself from interrupting, her bubbly voice defusing the tension and providing a much-needed breath of fresh air:


    "Why would they let us go through with this n if they knew?"


    Emir''s gaze softened as he replied:


    "They wanted to see how far I was willing to go. How deep I''d dig my own grave. They wanted us to overestimate ourselves and underestimate them, thinking of them as weakened, deploy less of our forces in tomorrow''s attack."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aqu swallowed hard, his failure so clearly defined hit him like a truck.


    He hadpletely fucked it up-if Emir did not know about this "Praying Lady," his men would have dropped like flies tomorrow.


    Now, he wasn''t sure if he was even still eligible for the favor, but he acted like everything was fine, calming himself, and proceeding to ask:


    "... What will you do?"


    "We''ll adjust. Pivot and use this to our advantage. If Temr thinks they have the upper hand, then we''ll let them believe that we''ve fallen for their trap, decreasing the number of our men tomorrow on the surface but doing the exact opposite behind the scenes."


    his head, Aqu let out a sigh through gritted teeth.


    "I''m sorry, I don''t know how I messed up..."


    "Enough."


    Emir''s voice became sharp again, cutting through Aqu''s words.


    "If my theory is true and Temr knows the whole truth, then we''re already at war. There''s


    no fixing it. Either way, you''ve done your end of the deal. So don''t worry, I''ll still do that


    favor, all good?"


    Aqu nodded quickly.


    "All great. Thank you for being understanding."


    Emir didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he turned his head to the right towards arge


    vertical window that showed the sprawling neighborhood.


    The night was dark, the streets bathed in the cold light of the moon, it was a quiet ce, but


    soon, it was going to be the exact opposite.


    After a few seconds of staring at that scene, he spoke, his voice cold and detached:


    "You can leave... Just make sure to keep your favor in line with your performance."


    Aqu didn''t need to be told twice.


    He turned on his heel and left the room, the heavy reinforced door closing behind him with a


    resounding click.


    The room remained silent after he left. The family, sensing the tension, kept their distance, figuratively of course.


    While they weren''t privy to the details, they understood the gravity of what had just happened and how close they were to being blindsided.


    If Temr knew, then it was only a matter of time before they made their move, aimed at


    them and only them.


    But they knew that Emir wasn''t one to be outmaneuvered so easily.


    He would ensure that, if this was war, it would be on his terms. And anyone who stood in his


    way, Temr or otherwise, would be crushed underfoot.


    Their trust in him outweighed whatever doubt Aqu''s report had brought.


    Emir''s eyes moved away from the window, scanning the room to make sure he had their full


    attention.


    "Now..."


    His voice regained its calm and soft tone.


    "Let''s discuss the First Major Disaster. As you''ve heard, we''ve got more work to do."


    The room remained quiet, giving him all the time to speak.


    "The way it was ''written,'' was as if many of Temr and a few leaders of the Liberation Army


    just appeared out of nowhere. No details, no exnation of how they managed to infiltrate a secure location like that. It was almost like they teleported straight into the ruin, ignoring all defenses as if they didn''t exist with some sort of enhanced teleporter."


    "But we know better than to ept such a shallow exnation. There''s always more beneath


    the surface."


    Emir leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought.


    "The one who orchestrated this attack, the ''Praying Lady'' knew exactly when the students


    would be at their most vulnerable. She knew where to strike and when to strike, and that knowledge didn''te from thin air. Someone on the inside had to be feeding them


    information."


    He paused for a moment, giving everyone time to process his words.


    ...There was a mole in the Academy.


    And that wasn''t all.


    Somehow, that mole managed to bypass the binding contract and slip past the test


    undetected.


    Trust was a fragile thing, it only exited when that paper was drawn... but now? They realized


    that it was possible to step around it, bypass it.


    The threat of betrayal loomed so close to home.


    Emir, the one who should''ve been the most shocked of all, treated this as a normal thing.


    Not because of his natural immunity to technological binding contracts, but because he knew


    how that mole did what he did.


    "It wasn''t Judas, he wouldn''t move so early. I''m sure it''s someone else, but we''lle back


    to thatter," he said, signaling a temporary end to their train of thought.


    "For now, we focus on know... the beginning of our operation..."


    He smiled and they immediately understood.


    The calm before the first storm had just ended.


    "Operation Metro."

 Chapter 422: Operation Metro

    Chapter 422: Operation Metro


    ?


    ***


    One Hour Later


    Laura stood in the middle of the main shop''s gallery, her hands on her hips.


    She looked around at the relics, taking ast nce at each one, making sure that they were all closed shut.


    Behind her was Lily with arge terminal in her hands.


    It disyed a long list of tasks that were being ticked off one by one.


    "All good, mom?"


    Laura took a second longer to look then nodded, turning around to face her daughter.


    "Everything''s locked; there''s no error in the system."


    Another task was ticked.


    "Great. So it''s only the first floor that was the problem, huh..."


    "Looks like it."


    Lily swiped twice on the terminal and operated the facilities onboard AI like a natural, locking the ce''s current state as theplete lockdown state.


    While AIS had taken over many human jobs, most people were still in charge of overseeing these AIS, acting as their managers and bosses.


    They needed to know the right prompts, when and how to use them, and have a broad understanding of most things in the world-from science to astrology.


    Much like the Industrial Revolution, AI automation eliminated numerous jobs but also created new ones.


    Although the ratio wasn''t equal, rather it wasn''t even close to being so, it still wasn''t as dire as many had feared.


    Of course, this bnce was only achieved because the governments back then, and most certainly now, have found a way to coexist with AI, implementingws to protect workers and reining in AI advancements by a few centuries.


    The old world had failed itself in the end, the creation of absolute sentience marking its downfall, but before then, the life of the average oldworldener was more than decent.


    After all, without these measures, the world might have seen a popce reduced to idle recipients of government allowances, useless bums who did nothing but waste resources.


    Now, manualbor and service jobs, like cashiers, were still in demand, especially in private businesses where owners themselves or some cheap slum kid filled those roles.


    Only major corporations and the UEF could afford to fully digitize and automate everything, boosting their profit margins in the long run.


    As a private business closing in on bing partially automated, at least in the main shop, Prince''s Emporium still required a few ''slum kids'' to move inventory around, but besides that, everything could be done on thework.


    That could only be the case if the operator waspetent, and Lily definitely was.


    "...Let''s see here."


    The task list reappeared on the terminal, and with a mentalmand, she checked off each item, watching the boxes turn green one by one.


    "We''re all done here, mom."


    Disying a proud smile, Laura went behind Lily, kissing her on the cheek.


    "Who''s the best AI manager in the world~? You are~."


    "Mooooooom~."


    Ignoring her half-assed protest, she gave her another kiss.


    Giggling, Lily stepped away, her eyes looking around, making sure that none of their people were there.


    "Mooooom scthap, you''re embarrassing me."


    Laura knew this wasn''t the time for jokes, but she couldn''t help noticing how tense her daughter was.


    No mother would willingly ignore that.


    Though she didn''t continue doing that for long, stopping once she noticed a small smile returning to grace Lily''s face.


    "Alright, alright, I''ve had enough."


    "Hmph..."


    She tried to sound annoyed but failed, unable to stop her smile from widening.


    "Whatever, I''ll check on the others now."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Thank you, dear."


    "Of course, Mom."


    Laura took off, going back to her office upstairs while Lily dialed Mariane.


    After a few rings, she epted the call, a hologram of her face materializing above the


    terminal.


    Her long brown hair was bunched up into a ponytail, sweat dripping off her face.


    [Hey cutie~. We''re almost done, how about you?]


    [Hey Auntie, we''re done here, just need to take out our stuff.]


    [That''s great! I won''t take long, just give me a few more minutes and I''ll be back at the base.]


    [Great, see you there.]


    Lily smiled as she ended the call, and with another swipe on her terminal, she dialed Evelyn


    next.


    After a couple of rings, the hologram of Evelyn''s face appeared above the terminal, her long ck hair slightly disheveled from the hour''s work.


    [Lily, darling! How''s everything on your end?]


    Her voice was cheerful, but there was an underlying tension that matched Lily''s own.


    [We''re all done here. Just need to take our stuff before we head out. How about you?]


    Evelyn gave a small, tired smile, wiping a bit of dust from her cheek.


    [Just finished up myself. Everything''s locked tight, and the security systems are on full alert...


    I just hope there won''t be any need for theme tomorrow.]


    [Same, and that''s good to hear. We''ll be going back home in a minute, I already talked to Auntie Mariane, and she''ll be taking a bit longer, so meet her first ande by once she''s


    done. Is that alright?]


    Lily asked while her fingers idly tapped on the terminal.


    [Of course. Stay safe. I''ll see you soon.]


    [Same to you, Evey.]


    She ended the call and immediately swiped to dial the next contact.


    The hologram of Longshot'' appeared, his rough scar illuminated by the bright lights in the


    shop.


    It seemed that he had his terminal on the shelf nearby, answering the call from afar while locking up a few chests in the storagepartment, his hands pushing the heavy steel.


    [Miss Lily.]


    Logan greeted with a respectful nod, his voice gruff but warm.


    [Hey, Longshot. You almost done over there?]


    [Yeah, just finishing up. No one''s getting in here unless they''ve got a death wish.]


    He grinned, the expression slightly softening his otherwise stern face.


    [Good. Don''t forget toe by before joining Jake and Emma.]


    [Never. See you in a bit.]


    With a final nod, the call ended, and Lily quickly dialed Jamal.


    Not a ring went by and the hologram of a wide-shouldered ck man appeared, his brown


    eyes focused as he scoured through his workshop.


    [Ay, bossman''s big sis!]


    Jamal greeted her with his usual happy-go-lucky demeanor.


    [Hey Steel. How''s everything on your end?]


    [Almost done. Just taking all my expensive equipment. Wouldn''t want to leave anything


    behind for the vultures.]


    He let out a loudugh, his hands moving swiftly as he threw thest of his tools in arge


    cart.


    [Good thinking. Once you''re done, you know where to go. Don''t bete!]


    [Ha, I wouldn''t wish that on my worst enemy. Your brother will roast me alive!]


    [It wouldn''t make much of a difference~.]


    Jamal eyes widened as he coughed hard, struggling to catch his breath due to the shock he


    felt.


    [...Don''t tell me. Emir order you to say this?!]


    Lily giggled. [Yeah, he said that you''re not the only one who could make others say things.]


    Shaking his head in defeat, Jamal ended the call after leaving a few words.


    [Didn''t think racism was infectious...]


    She felt a bit more at ease after talking with him, the tension slightly winning.


    He always had that effect on her and the rest of the family, Emir included. ''Whenever you''ve got the opportunity, have a go at Jamal. I''ll show him who''s the bossman.''


    While dialing thest contact on her list, Lily giggled again, remembering her brother''s face when he told her of this absurd request.


    Raymond''s hologram soon appeared, his head taking less than half the hologram as the rest


    was busy disying his long white beard.


    "Hey there, kiddo."


    "Hi old man. All set?" "Yep. My diagnostics were all smooth, and the security systems were fully armed. I don''t envy


    anyone who tries to break in here."


    "Great. You shoulde to the base now, me and Mom will be there soon."


    "Did the guys go to those love birds yet?"


    "You mean the Elite Cohort? No, they''ll pop by before then, so say your goodbyes there."


    "You got it, miss."


    With that, Lily ended the call, exhaling a sigh of relief.


    Everyone was done, or at least close, and zero notable problems had shown up.


    She nced around the gallery onest time, making sure everything was as it should be,


    even though she knew they were, simply paranoid.


    The relics were all safely secured, and the facility was onplete lockdown.


    It was time for them to leave.


    Laura only took a few things from her office and they were off, a small convoy leading them


    back home.


    Once there, they waited downstairs and it didn''t take long for the three musketeers- Longshot, Jamal, and Raymond-to arrive. Soon after them were Mariane and Evelyn.


    The group exchanged quick farewells and three of the seven present headed out to join Jake and Emma, leaving behind the two Ls, Raymond, and Mariane. They watched as the three moved quickly through the deserted streets towards the slums.


    When they disappeared into the distance, those who stayed entered their home, except Lily, standing near the pavement, surrounded by cruisers in ck on her left and right. Her heart was heavy with the weight of what wasing.


    They were tasked with one thing, to protect their business.


    Emir was sure that looting would break out tomorrow, as those with nothing left to lose


    would challenge the UEF''s authority, using the chaos to their advantage, inevitably meeting their end at the hands of the Guard.


    But till that happened, their items wouldn''t return, greatly affecting their business.


    Lily knew they were prepared, but the uncertainty of whaty ahead gnawed at her, thest


    thing she wanted was to fail her brother like Aqu did.


    "Haa... I just have to trust myself."


    With a final nce at the terminal, she turned it off and headed upstairs to join her mother.


    It was time to wait for what the morning would bring.

 Chapter 423: Operation Metro II

    Chapter 423: Operation Metro II


    ?


    ***


    In a much darker, more secluded room stood Lyra, her body barely visible, covered like usual under a cloak of ck.


    She seemed to be alone, the flickering light from a nearby holoscreen casting her shadow across the room.


    Her red eyes nced at a distant window,nding on the Tower of the Academy which rose high to the sky.


    She was a few buildings away from the Academy, far from the halls and their students, yet due to her vantage point they were clear as day.


    This room she was in was within the few apartmentplexes that surrounded the Academy''s walls, using it as guaranteed protection.


    It was a hotspot for crime, as there was no better ce to get away with illegality than right under the UEF''s nose.


    As the saying went, the safest ce to hide was always in in sight, and nowhere was iner than the heart of the beast.


    This ''beast'' was observant, aware of the dealings happening within, but it never interfered, preferring to watch instead, adopting Amon''s strategy of maintaining control.


    So there was a mutual understanding betweenwbreakers and enforcers, though never openly acknowledged.


    This naturally made the area the safest ce tomit crimes, but of course, this only held true as long as certain lines weren''t crossed.


    The owners of these ces didn''t mind either, most of them beingpensated for their show of ignorance, but not all of them were like that.


    While the world was certainly twisted, the pure hearted like Xavier and the monocle wearing gentleman still existed to this day and they...


    Well, they were the ones truly ignorant.


    Such things were hidden from them, so no reports took ce.


    After all, the closer one was to the lion''s den, the less likely they''d be suspected of being a thief.


    Heh...


    Turning around, Lyra exited the room and entered another, a king-sized bed in the middle. She then pulled back the sheets and a figure appeared, wires stuck to their neck.


    Lyra didn''t know if they were a man or woman, their entire body was metal, especially the neck, where an external inlet was fitted.


    Since the start, she figured this person to be a Netweaver, and they were the one who had most likely given Temr detailed information.


    The Praying Lady had her prophecies, but, as written in the ''novel,'' they weren''t detailed, only giving vague information about events.


    This vagueness increased whenever the fate behind the event was heavy or unique, which was why she was able to find out the date when Earth''s Aether would increase.


    That fate had a bright star and was light in weight due to itsmon nature.


    At least, thatst part was what Emir had assumed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Now, the person in front of Lyra was dead, as she had appeared to have immediately killed them the moment she snuck into this apartment, their blood cold and coagted.


    It might seem like it if one judged by the silence, but she wasn''t the only person alive in there.


    Turning to the bathroom, she opened the door, and dragged a man by his feet, throwing him to the ground near the bed.


    "Filthy insect..."


    Taking a cloth from a table nearby, she rubbed her hand, cleaning it, then approached the man, stepping on his neck with the base of her foot.


    He wore an augmented suit, though it was deactivated since Lyra had removed the energy stem pack, leaving it as useless as regr clothing.


    However, it still was far from ordinary.


    Since the suit was made of nanobots, those defensive capabilities were still present, and even without its functionality, the UEF''s insignia-a globe behind a leaf and sword-still set it apart.


    Right, this was the inside man, one of the irreceable keys to the attack that had nearly brought the Academy''s public image to its knees.


    The man had worked at the academy for many years, blending into the background, unnoticed by most, nothing more than an extra.


    Yet he had ess to critical information¡ªthe kind that could tip the scales in favor of those who knew how to use it.


    It was he who Temr had extracted the information from, learning from him of the students'' forwarded departure to the ruin, noticing the subtle movements behind the scenes at the Academy, and offering Temr the perfect opportunity to strike.


    While he hadn''t directly betrayed the Academy, he allowed the Netweaver to ''steal'' off his daily diary, as well as y with his mind, bypassing the binding contract.


    This strategy was pretty smart since if the man himself didn''t know he was going against the contract, no death could ur.


    And because no one under the same contract knew of his actions, the system failed to pick up on his betrayal.


    Emir was an exception, it didn''t matter that he knew, technological contracts couldn''t bind


    him.


    Anyhow, the guard''s betrayal hadn''t been cheap.


    From what Lyra could extract, it had taken more than a few bribes, promises of power, and freedom from the chains that bound him.


    It wasn''t known if he had been forced to do it or if it was of hisplete initiative.


    But in the end, he had delivered exactly what was needed-ess, timing, and detailed knowledge that only someone on the inside could provide.


    Her gaze remained fixed on the man, her expression cold.


    ''Pathetic.''


    She stepped back and gestured for people to enter.


    A man who wore simr clothing to her appeared from behind.


    "Wake him up."


    "Yes, Sir!"


    He moved swiftly at hermand, forcing a pill down the man''s throat before pping his


    face hard enough to redden it.


    The guard stirred, jerking awake with a trembling gasp, though it was muffled by the


    restraints over his mouth.


    His eyes darted around in panic, but there was no escape-only the cold, silent stares of those who had brought him back to consciousness.


    Without giving him any time to understand what was happening, she began to speak:


    "So... you''ve done what was asked of you and betrayed the Academy. Unknowingly or not,


    willingly or not, it doesn''t matter. Your past self made that decision."


    Kneeling closer, she flicked her right wrist, and a gauntlet de sprouted, gleaming under the


    dim light.


    "But don''t think for a second that your part in this is over."


    The de''s tip touched his face causing blood to flow as he tried to move away, but the


    cloaked man didn''t allow him, holding him down.


    "You will continue to serve."


    Her tone left no room for argument, but it didn''t seem like the man would even try to do that.


    He had given up.


    "If you don''t, you''ll die a really... slow... death. But if you do, then I''m sure your death will be


    a sweat as this blood you''re leaking."


    Lyra stood up and turned away, dismissing the man with a wave of her hand.


    As she walked out, another two shadowy men approached, entering the room behind her.


    "Get him to talk and kill himself. Check theweaver''s brain, we need to find out when and


    where they''ll meet."


    They stepped on the ground at hermand.


    "Yes, Sir!"


    The "plot holes" were beginning to fill in, piece by piece, and Lyra was determined to uncover


    every single one of them...


    It was her prince''smand.

 Chapter 424: Operation Metro III

    Chapter 424: Operation Metro III


    ?


    ***


    Jake and Emma moved through the slums with practiced ease as if it were their yground.


    A statement that wouldn''t be so false: they had trained in simted slums quite a lot, for better or for worse, since that nightmarish day, never wanting a repeat of what happened. Though their being faster wouldn''t have mattered back then, a part of them still med themselves.


    The ce hadn''t changed much since theyst saw it; the buildings, if they could even be called that, leaned over one another, crumbling, their walls barely holding together.


    Narrow alleyways dotted the ce, littered with debris, broken tech, and remnants of life.


    Makeshift shanties, a new addition, were spotted within a few of the safer buildings, supporting homeless encampments.


    That might''ve been a result of the fake war going on between Temr and the Liberation Army, forcing those scared into forming groups.


    The two didn''t look at such things for long as they neared their first target.


    It was an old, dpidated building that had once been a factory.


    Now, it was nothing more than a shell, its windows broken and its walls cracked. But it was strategically located, sitting at the intersection of two main roads.


    It was the perfect ce to set up one of them disruptors.


    Jake knelt by the entrance, pulling out a small device from his pack. It waspact, almost unnoticeable, but its effect would be anything but.


    Though it looked like a harmless piece of scrap tech, it wasn''t an issue but a perk, as it would easily blend with the background.


    He began attaching it to a rusted support beam, its maic mps securing it in ce. Emma stood watch, her eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.


    The slums were quiet tonight, more so than usual, and that made her uneasy.


    While most skirmishes between the two factions took ce before sundown, a few fights had urred without fail here and there at night, so this certainly was unnatural.


    But she didn''t think about that for long.


    She trusted Emir.


    He was methodical, careful, almost to an insane degree, and he knew what he was doing.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    There were much better things that she could do instead of doubting him.


    [How''s it looking?]


    Her question came telepathically over their open channel.


    [Almost done.]


    Jake replied in a few seconds, his fingers tapping a fewmands into his terminal, linking the device to their privatework.


    [This should knock out theirmunications for at least a few blocks. Man, they won''t even know what hit them.]


    He finished securing the device and stood up, giving it a final check.


    The green light on the side blinked once, then went dark, entering ghost mode, signaling that it was ready.


    [Let''s move.]


    Jake said, nodding toward the next location.


    Their next stop was a cluster of shacks that had been cobbled together from scrap metal and old wood.


    It was a ce where no less than a hundred of the slum''s residents had gathered, a hub of activity that would be perfect for nting anotherm disruptor.


    Jake handed the device to Emma this time, letting her take the lead, her smaller stature proving a better fit.


    She crouched low, carefully cing the disruptor beneath a stack of old abandoned crates that once housed high-tech goods, now repurposed as makeshift furniture.


    It was a perfect hiding spot, out of sight but close enough to disrupt any signals in the area.


    As she secured the device, Jake checked his terminal, making sure thework was still clear. Thest thing they needed was for their signal to be intercepted.


    [Ready.]


    She whispered, standing up and dusting off her hands.


    [Nice. We''ve got one more to visit.]


    Jake replied and led her to their final location.


    Thest site was one of the narrow alleys that cut through the heart of the slums, leading to the ck market itself.


    It was a chokepoint, a ce where many trying to escape the attack would have to pass


    through.


    The buildings here were even more unstable, their walls leaning in so close that the fake stars above were barely visible.


    Here, they would set up not just am disruptor, but also a series of traps that would annihte their enemies.


    Jake pulled out a bundle of tripwires, carefully stringing them across the alley at different


    heights.


    Each strand was embedded with micro-explosives designed to send out a shockwave once touched.


    All were directly connected to small, but powerful, explosive charges.


    They were virtually invisible, designed to blend seamlessly with the decaying environment.


    It wasn''t enough to kill sub-rank two Awakened, but it would certainly hurt.


    Not that any of them would be up here tomorrow.


    Emma, meanwhile, was setting up the finalm disruptor at the far end of the alley, a specialized model equipped with a signal jammer and an EMP burst, costing them quite the


    penny.


    This one was slightlyrger in size, able to cover a wider range.


    It would not only cut offmunications, ensuring that no one could call for reinforcements or alert others to what was happening, but also temporarily disable any nearby electronics, rendering the enemy''s tech useless.


    With the traps and disruptors in ce, they stepped back, taking a moment to survey their


    work.


    Everything was set.


    The stage was ready.


    The only thing they had left to do was wait.


    "Let''s get out of here, we gotta regroup with the others, make sure those dumbasses are in


    position for tomorrow."


    Emma nodded, and they went back into the shadows.


    ***


    As the two returned to their Elite but not so Elite Cohort, Kiera and her toon were off deep


    in the ruin, Metro''s Heart.


    Their ess came from Amon directly, as they were stated to be under Emir''smand, earning them his trust.


    The main hub where all the metro lines connected was a ce that needed guaranteed protection, as monsters near the frontlines constantly funneled inside the ruin in fear,ing from all different metro lines in the north.


    They took over most maglev trains as their homes, scaring a few within the toon every


    time they passed one, as some of the technology inside the train remained active, flickering in and out of life, blocking their information-gathering device from detecting them.


    Ambushes were prime in locations like these.


    It was nerve-racking.


    But that wasn''t the only thing that scared them.

 Chapter 425: Operation Metro IV

    Chapter 425: Operation Metro IV


    ?


    At random, the walls would light up with flickering ads, while the air, thick with the smell of mold and old oil, would be filled with the sounds of machines, creaking as if on their deathbed.


    The tunnels themselves were long and twisted, their metal walls rusty and dirty. Every step they took echoed in them, due to how empty they were.


    Thankfully, the Academy had people set up bulbs along the way, though most of them were broken, whether on purpose or not they didn''t know, but what they did know was that they were creeped the fuck out.


    Kiera, while not as affected as the rest, had also felt a bit iffy.


    She led them carefully, her sharp blue eyes always scanning the darkness ahead.


    Jack, the first squadron leader, was directly behind her, moving in a tight formation with his squadron, while the rest of the toon followed behind, with Leo, then Sarah, then Hiro, and finally Evan, each leading their respective squadron.


    Leo, their now-experienced spotter, was in the middle for a reason, leaving his protection to others and giving his all, guiding them through the ruin while dodging every monster on the way.


    While they might seem like it, the tunnels weren''t empty; monsters of all kinds that thrived in the dark had taken over, either hidden within the walls, in in sight, or sleeping away, dormant, waiting for a spark to awaken them.


    Alongside them were the defensive systems of the metro itself.


    A few were still active, taking Leo some time to avoid.


    They went deeper and deeper into the heart of the heart, and it didn''t take them much longer to reach their desired location.


    It was a huge station, an open space with tforms stretching out into the dark and esctors leading to upper levels.


    The ceiling was high, held up by steel beams now covered in rust and hanging debris. The tracks below on either side were filled with dirty, still water from a long-forgotten flood. Old, broken trains sat still on the tracks. Some were turned over, others buried under rubble. The walls were covered in paintings and markings that were too faded and hard to make out. Next to those colors were forgotten things-abandoned bags, rusted vending machines, and broken benches.


    Everything there filled the toon with creepiness ever more, getting under their skin and increasing their internal rm meters.


    But they didn''t stop moving or even hesitate, seeing their confident leaders, friends, and squadron mates moving with purpose.


    Their job was to make camp and wait till tomorrow.


    Once tomorrow arrived, they were to kill all they could, halt the awakening, and protect the students, especially those who had no idea how dangerous this ce would really be. And the toon didn''t need to wait long to see the first glimpse of that danger.


    Leo, who had his HUD flicker with data, showing the positions of his squad members and highlighting any potential threats, suddenly identified a massive figure in the distance, and the scanner pinged.


    He immediately raised a hand, signaling the toon to stop.


    They did so without question while Kiera at the front silently looked ahead.


    There, around thirty meters next to an electrical control station, hidden behind copsed beams and rubble, stood a construct.


    It was sphere-shaped, hulking in size, almost reaching the roof, supported below by rtively small spider-like legs.


    The metallic beast was dormant, but its sensors were still active, sweeping the room in slow red arcs.


    [Hold position. Squad Leaders,e.]


    Kiera whispered into herm, her voice calm but firm.


    The squad leaders ryed the order in more depth to their squads, and the toon blended


    into walls of the ruin, hiding themselves on each side, leaving only the five to approach theirmander.


    Jake crouched beside Kiera, his eyes locked on the construct.


    [Are we taking it out?]


    Kiera nodded, her mind already working on a n.


    [Yes, it''ll go rogue like the rest tomorrow, we can''t use it as protection...]


    [True. But we need to do it as quickly as possible.]


    Looking behind her, Kiera gestured for those three to move.


    [Evan, Hiro, and Sarah will circle around to the left. Leo and I will take the right. Jack will stay here. We''ll hit it from all sides.]


    [Yes Commander!]


    The squad leaders moved while not showing a moment of hesitation.


    As Jacky prone on the ground, setting up his anti-material rifle, Evan and the other two moved silently along the left wall.


    Kiera led Leo, mirroring the trio''s movements on the right, both sessfully avoiding the construct''s sensors.


    When they sessfully closed in, Kiera pulled out her semi-automatic rifle, the HA-15, and swiftly fed it unique-looking bullets from the top.


    This gun suited her best as she preferred slower-firing rifles toplement her abilities. Then, after tightening the silencer and making sure it was correctly equipped, she raised her weapon, aiming atop the sphere, as that was where its head would pop out.


    The others followed suit, taking a stance with their weapons in hand, fully prepared to


    engage.


    Oblivious to their presence, the construct, continued its low-energy patrol, its sensors sweeping past them.


    Kiera waited until theser was directly in the middle, and then gave the signal, her voice echoing in all their minds:


    [Now!]


    In an instant, the entire station felt a tug of Aether as Leo began the attack, inwardly chanting


    his Aetheric Pulse.


    Jack came after with his Longshot, sting a hole through its middle.


    Before the construct could react, Kiera was next, firing five times, using re Shot, which infused her bullets with Aether and her chosen Elemental Acquisition, the fire element.


    Her bullets weren''t normal either, they were God''s Ammunition, containing sma charges that acted like mini-emps, highly effective against force shields.


    They tore through its shield and body, exploding inside, disabling many of its systems.


    The construct staggered, its sensors flickering wildly as its head finally popped up, a small cylinder with an eye in the middle.


    That eye began to flicker widely, charging itsser to attack, but before it could, Hiro sh Stepped, appearing atop the sphere in an instant.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With a single swing, he severed its head cleanly from its body.


    As its head fell, the construct copsed to the ground, but they didn''t celebrate.


    They knew this type of construct was famous for its self-implosion.


    Leo activated his Aetheric Sihpon, draining its core before it imploded, and Evan rushed to the other side, jumping inside the construct through the holes Kiera had made. Inside, he was met with a chaotic mess of wires, gears, mechanisms, circuits, and flickering


    lights.


    Sparks flew from damagedponents, and the faint smell of burnt metal filled the confined


    space.


    The core chamber was at the center, glowing with an unstable red light.


    The Aether cores, four in total, were nestled within a protective casing, their energy


    fluctuating erratically as they neared the point of critical overload.


    Not needing to assess the situation, he already knew that if they weren''t contained, the


    resulting explosion could destroy an entire section of this station.


    With a deep breath, Evan focused up and summoned his Aetheric Bulwarks-two translucent horizontal shields that materialized on either side of the casing.


    The core chamber trembled as if replying to his actions, and the Aether within grew more


    unstable by the second.


    As the sound from his surroundings was sucked in, a whine resounded, reaching a fever pitch.


    He gritted his teeth, pouring nearly all of his Aether reserves into the shields, reinforcing them to the best of his ability.


    With the construct as the source, the ground shook violently, and for a moment, the whine


    disappeared and a deafening silence fell.


    ''...What?''


    Then a momentter, the cores erupted with a sh of blinding light.


    "Ugh..."


    The resulting implosion was muffled, the anomaly''s force contained within the Aetheric


    Bulwarks.


    They eventually cracked under the strain, unable to take on all that Aether, but besides that, nothing else happened.


    It was almost too quiet, anti-climactic, and the only sound that remained constant was his


    rough breathing.


    That was a good thing of course, as it had meant his sess.


    And when the light finally faded, Evan fell on his back, sweat pouring down his face.


    [...Core''s neutralized.]


    He sluggishly reported through hism, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing


    through his veins.


    [Good work. Do you need help getting out of there? Your stats are low.]


    Kiera''s voice came back, calm and clear.


    [Yes please.]


    Not needing to be told, Sarah was the first to enter, casting Zenith Replenish to refill his


    Aether reserves back up while Hiro dragged him along, struggling in the process as he was


    half his size.


    They gave onest look at the now-dead construct and made their way to Kiera, who was already standing before their men, motioning for them to move out.


    [Let''s get going. We need to find a secure location to set up camp; we''re already behind


    schedule.]


    As her toon took positions, she went back to the fallen construct, kneeled beside it, and


    took out her information-gathering device.


    It flickered in her hand as she waved it over the construct, analyzing the remains.


    Seconds passed and it beeped, causing her to show a smile.


    ''Look''s like there are no discrepancies here... At least one variable remained the same.''


    Satisfied, she stood and motioned for the others to follow.


    The toon moved quickly, navigating through the station until they found a small, secluded


    room hidden next to a tform''s exit.


    This ce wasn''t far from the ruin''s heart, and it was next to many tunnels that led to other tforms, a near-perfect ce to set up camp.


    [Jake, Leo, have your squads set up the perimeter.]


    Kiera ordered as she dropped her rucksack to the ground.


    [Sarah, Evan, Hiro, have yours start setting up the camp. We need to be ready to move at first


    light... Temr won''t wait for us.]


    [Roger that!]


    As the toon went to work, unpacking portable shelters, preparing ration packs, positioning


    motion sensors, and the like, Kiera sat down near the room''s entrance, her back against the


    wall, letting her gaze drift to the ceiling.


    She knew the real battle wasing with the morning light, where Temr would try their best to summon a terror outside their wildest imagination.


    Even now she got shivers from picturing it, but she stopped herself at that.


    For now, they had done all they could to prepare, and worrying about it further would only


    prolong the long night ahead.


    ''I just wish for most of my men to survive tomorrow...''

 Chapter 426: First Major Disaster

    Chapter 426: First Major Disaster


    ?


    ***


    The first light of dawn barely broke through the heavy clouds hanging over the Sector as the Shadow Squad descended into the slums, moving silently through it.


    The ce provided ample cover for their covert operation, but they didn''t take it easy.


    Even though it was early, the slums were already stirring with life as people exited the ck market, done with their day.


    Still, the squad''s presence went unnoticed, as if they were nothing more than shadows.


    This small team consisted of the best of the best-Ben, the squad leader, the only one worthy enough to have his name remembered by Emir; Donovan, the techie of the group, his Netweaver prowess on par with Emir himself; Jax, the most experienced at infiltration, able to blend into most environments; and Joe, the master of face maniption, a man who could easily disguise himself as anyone or act in a waypletely fitting hisbel as the average Joe.


    They were Nathan''s best friends, so they were always close to him, acting super friendly like true family, but now...


    None of that showed.


    No matter how close they were to him, at this moment, he was their acting superior, and they followed hismands seriously, which in turn followed Emir''s.


    They were tasked with spying on the meeting and gathering as much intelligence as possible, which was set to take ce in just an hour as Lyra had finally cracked that person''s mind and reported the information.


    One might think that Temr would rx their protocols since they had ''seeded'' in tricking Emir, but no, they were extremely careful, setting up the meeting only a few hours before the attack.


    They didn''t even detect the Netweaver''s death, as she had infiltrated the pitiful man''s systems, showing that he was still alive. This indicated that they weren''t cautious since they caught on, but it was just their natural way of doing things.


    And unfortunately, Temr forces hadn''t gathered yet, preventing Jake and the others from striking preemptively.


    They needed to wait a little more.


    Soon, the squad reached their vantage point, an abandoned building overlooking the meeting ce, which was a few blocks away.


    The structure was dpidated, with sections of the roof caved in and walls barely holding together. It provided an excellent cover, though, with enough gaps in the walls and ceiling to observe the surrounding area without being seen.


    "Position set."


    Ben whispered, his eyes scanning the area below.


    "Keepms silent unless absolutely necessary. We can''t risk them picking up on us."


    The others responded with a series of quiet clicks, affirming themand.


    Donovan set up his portable surveince gear, linking into nearby cameras and feeding live data to their HUDs.


    Jax, as usual, seemed to melt into the shadows, his presence all but undetectable.


    Joe stationed himself near the entrance, getting himself ready to walk by the meeting.


    From their perch, they could see the meeting spot-an open area between two crumbling buildings, surrounded by makeshift barricades and debris.


    It wasn''t far from the ck market nor close, just in between, in an open enough area where no one would try to listen in.


    They likely didn''t do it inside their church in case moles were present, and they weren''t allowed in Lena Noir Cafe, so they opted for the next best thing. The public.


    It was a good ce for a ndestine meeting, isted and easily defensible.


    Temr had chosen well, but Shadow Squad was better.


    "Movement."


    Donavon whispered, his fingers flying over his console.


    "Four targets entering the perimeter. Looks like Temr."


    Ben adjusted his scope, zooming in on the figures moving into the meeting spot.


    They were heavily armed, all donning E-10 augmented suits, their chests marked with the insignia of Temr-a gold cross that had a white tree''s root circle around it, with an eye in the middle, its iris fully white.


    It was obvious those men and women weren''t going to be doing anything in secret. They wanted the world to know that this attack today was theirs to im, proud almost.


    It was apparent in the way they moved, confident, but there was an underlying tension to them, a wariness that suggested they weren''t entirely sure of their safety.


    "Confirm visual on targets."


    Ben quickly replied, his voice calm:


    "Jax, your time to move. Get closer. We need to know if it''s safe."


    Jax didn''t respond, but a momentter, he was gone, slipping out of the building and into the shadows below.


    His movements were so smooth and silent that even Ben, who knew him well, had trouble keeping track of him.


    Within minutes, he had positioned himself close enough to Temr''s group, a building away.


    Ben watched through his scope, awaiting his signal, and he got in the next second, as Jax waved his hand once.


    "Joe, go now. Distract them."


    "Roger."


    Nodding his head, he stepped off the building,nding softly on the ground.


    His dark clothes were gone, reced by a simple, worn-down shirt and jeans, a stark contrast


    to his previous appearance.


    Even his Asian features had shifted to European ones, making him look like apletely different person.


    Jax led Joe through the empty streets, while Joe appeared as though he was wandering


    aimlessly.


    It wasn''t until they neared the building that Joe shifted his demeanor.


    Two men stood on guard outside, their eyes scanning the area.


    Joe stumbled toward them, feigning drunkenness, and shed a sloppy grin, acting overly


    friendly.


    "Heeeey guys~, yall look like people with alotta credits! Mind if you spare lil old me some?" The response he received wasn''t so friendly however.


    "Human fucking filth."


    "Junkies."


    They approached him in a few steps, and the first of them kicked him to the ground without


    saying anything.


    "Ugh! What the hell, man?!"


    "Shut up, consider yourself lucky. I ain''t in a killing mood today."


    Ben, flicked his scope to the right, ignoring the guy acting tough, and focused on Jax, who got


    in behind the two, approaching listening distance to the meeting.


    There, he only saw the top of the fanatics'' heads, huddled together, speaking in what seemed


    to be low and urgent tones.


    Unfortunately, their mouths weren''t visible, otherwise, this operation would''ve been much easier, allowing them to extract information from afar.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Not long after, hisms crackled softly, and then Joe''s voice came through:


    [They''re discussing the final attack n...]


    He was slowly reporting what he was listening to, and Ben calmly watched.


    The first few bits of information they received weren''t too important, but then...


    [Hm, seems like they''ve got more moles.]


    Ben''s grip tightened on the scope.


    This confirmed what they had feared-there was more than one mole within the Academy''s


    ranks.


    It wasn''t just the security guard, someone higher in the food chain had been feeding them crucial information, enabling them to adapt their n of attack with every new development


    from the Academy''s side.


    [Any mention of who the insider is?]


    Ben asked, his tone controlled.

 Chapter 427: First Major Disaster II

    Chapter 427: First Major Disaster II


    ?


    [Not yet... They''re being cautious. No names, just vague references. But I can safely say that there''s only one remaining. Every word rting to ''them'' is singr in nature.]


    The meeting continued with those disappointing words, and the tension in the air slowly grew.


    Those of Temr were clearly on edge, ncing around as if expecting an ambush.


    Perhaps they got nervous due to Joe, but that was unlikely, Ben could bet that they had just received less than ideal info from up top or maybe even picked up on the signal of their encrypted channel''smunication.


    Either way, they couldn''t afford to engage here; their mission was to observe and report back. Any confrontation now could jeopardize the entire operation, so if this continued, they would have to pull back.


    "Ben..."


    Donovan''s resounded next to him, a note of urgency in it.


    "There''s no doubt, they caught on to our channel''s signal. I see them coordinating with other units across the slums. They''re trying to figure out our location and attack us."


    Ben''s mind raced as he processed the news, and it didn''t take him a second to decide what to do.


    [We need to pull out.]


    Standing up, he continued:


    [We have what we need. It''ll take a minute to decode where they''ll ce the Thumpers but we have time. Jax, get back to the rendezvous point. Donovan, Joe, start packing up.]


    The squad moved quickly, dismantling their gear, cleaning up the ce of any indication that they were ever there, and exfiltrating the area.


    When they reached the rendezvous point, Jax reappeared beside them, his expression grim.


    "They''re on the move, they''ll teleport to the students within the hour."


    "Then we move faster."


    Ben replied, already leading the way through the slums as they slipped back into the shadows, retreating as silently as they hade.


    While doing so, his thoughts turned to Emir, the man their boss promised his life to.


    ''... Will he survive?''


    Shaking his head, Ben focused on the present and reported, signaling the end of their reconnaissance:


    [Missionplete. Get ready for the real fight... The boss will be on the move soon.]


    ***


    "Good morning, students."


    Emir''s voice echoed through the Empty Marble, his figure suspended high above the crowd of first-year students.


    They stood in rows a short distance away, their eyes trained on him.


    His presencemanded their absolute attention, the air around him charged with Aether.


    They had been briefed earlier about this surprise dive, but now, the true nature of their day was about to be revealed.


    "As you''ve been informed, we''ll be sending you to a ruin. This time, it won''t be an outpost filled with seasoned hunters. No, this ruin is solely for your use, a ce where you will truly be tested. I won''t talk too much about it; your principal will tell you our n for today." Gesturing to his right, Emir created an Aether Construct and Amon materialized atop it. Unlike usual, no smile adorned his face, only calm, suggesting the gravity of what was to


    come.


    "Today marks the beginning of your path as both hunters and specialists. The ruin you''ll be entering is not just a training ground; it''s a proving ground. It''s a ce where the weak are weeded out and the strong emerge, ready to face the real world. Inside, you''ll encounter what''s real. Nothing is particrly designed by us, just adjusted. Your task is simple: survive. You can either work together or face the consequences alone."


    "We''ll provide you with all the equipment you need, just put in the requests now, they''ll be ready once you near the ruin."


    Taking a quick nce at Emir, he continued:


    "Have trust in your training, and more importantly, trust in each other. Others might not have the capacity for such things, but that doesn''t mean that you shouldn''t."


    With that snidement at the end, Amon stepped back, his gaze sweeping over all seventy- seven faces below.


    "Now, prepare yourselves. The portal will open shortly."


    While his words hung in the air, a low hum began to resonate through the Empty Marble.


    A portal that was at least four meters long, a few wide, materialized under them, swirling


    with shades of deep blue and purple, its edges crackling with Aether.


    Ragnar was there, as if he had suddenly appeared, stood next to the portal.


    "Stay uniform!"


    He reminded the students and they began to move, forming orderly lines as they approached.


    Emir watched them closely, his eyes narrowing as they neared the portal.


    The construct he stood dissipated and he slowly drifted down from his elevated position,nding gracefully at the edge of the crowd.


    As the students filed past, he began to speak once more, his voice softer but no less intense:


    "Before you enter, I want to remind you of a few facts."


    They immediately stopped moving and turned to face him.


    Amon, who stayed above, looked at him with a raised brow, inwardly wondering what the hell he would do now.


    But, eventually deciding that he did not want to be involved, he disappeared.


    "You''ve been taught by your other lecturers about the nature of the monsters, I''m sure. But I want to emphasize one point-only Tyrants leave their Aether cores intact after death. And unless things go wrong, all you''ll meet down there are Fiends, so you can go as ham as you like. But that doesn''t mean that you''re safe from anomalies. Beware of the constructs. Where monsters of flesh very rarely undergo an anomaly, the four-cores down there have that as a biological quirk; it''s what makes them so dangerous, even in death. Do not forget this. They might not be hostile against you, but it''s better to be careful than sorry."


    If one, like Amon and Ragnar, knew of what was going to happen, they could see the obvious warnings he was giving them.


    But most of the students took his words at face value and nodded, only leaving the ''named'' and a few others who knew of Emir''s more paranoid personality to understand what he wasn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    truly saying.


    After that short pause to let his words sink in, he added:


    "Most of them have been rendered non-lethal-or so you''ve been told. But the truth is, these constructs are still very much lethal, by new-world standards at least. Oldworldeners were a bit tough, you see... Thesers some of them wield, for instance, could cut through you like butter if you''re not careful, but back then, they were used to disperse riots and the like, since the average Joe used to be filled to the grills with metal."


    There was a low murmur among the students, a mixture of anxiety and excitement.


    Even those who had realized that something was likely to go wrong couldn''t help but feel the


    hype.


    Yet when they calmed down, questions began to form.


    Then, one of the students, a young man near the front, raised his hand hesitantly.


    "S-Sir, will you be with us during the dive?"


    Emir turned his gaze on the student, his expression unreadable.


    "No. I have something else to attend to. You''ll be with the other professors, but make no mistake¡ªI''ll be watching. I''ll know who falters and who rises to the challenge."


    The student nodded, swallowing nervously.


    His professor''s words carried a finality that left no room for doubt or hesitation, he could only


    ept.


    "Now... enter the portal and your lesson will begin. Prove that you belong here. Prove that


    you''re worthy of the hunter title."


    ''Prove that you''re worthy of being alive.''


    Thatst one he kept to himself, and with that, the students began to file through the portal,


    one by one, their figures disappearing into the swirling vortex.


    Emir watched them go before finally turning away, his thoughts already focused on the tasks


    thaty ahead.


    As he walked to the exit, he nced back at Ragnar and their eyes met.


    They smiled at each other.


    Then, very slowly, Emir mouthed the words:


    "The First Major Disaster has begun."

 Chapter 428: Echoes Of A Forgotten World

    Chapter 428: Echoes Of A Forgotten World


    ?


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ***


    A Short While Later


    Quinn stood at the top of a long esctor that headed down, pointing a small shlight that lit up the entire path below.


    As stated in the information package provided by the Academy, this route headed deep, leading to the shops that weed all arrivals from nearby metro stations.


    "So? All clear?"


    She looked behind, eyeing the approaching Reaper, then shrugged her shoulders.


    "Just a few small boulders we have to jump over, nothing major."


    Elijah nodded at her, then gestured for the other in their cohort to move up.


    Soft steps resounded, and once they neared the light, their faces were seen, revealing themselves to be Aria and Junior.


    "Let''s go then! I''m dying to test out this new ability!"


    "I wish! Got two skills instead, I need to rank up for my next one."


    Their excitement was understandable, as they had finally received their rewards.


    And it was from Emir no less, for their results in the first month of the Academy. Those who hadn''t reached the limit had gotten the next ability in their path.


    Each one was inside an imnt injection like the Skill Imnt, immediately inputting the Ability Path in their minds, though rough and unperfected.


    Some opted to not use it, as it was generally better for the user to learn the Ability Path manually, inching closer to Path Optimization as they would learn the intricacies firsthand and much more quickly at that, but most preferred the convenience.


    Aria had received {Thorn Volley} which allowed her to do actual direct damage.


    She desperately needed it since it was the first ability that allowed her a certain degree of swift lethality.


    Junior received two of the three skills Emir had demonstrated to them, {Guardian Combat System} and {Bind Arts.}


    He wasn''t given an ability since he had reached the maximum for his rank, which was four. "Heard your friend can heal now."


    "Yep, that girl is finally useful. I bet if she was assigned to our cohort she''d say how she wouldn''t mind if some of us get injured or something."


    "True true~."


    Right, their pointless chatter was true; Ava had received the third ability for her Zenith Warden specialization, {Aetheric Heal.}


    While she did have the ability path already, she didn''t bother unlocking it, waiting until she saved up enough Academy credits for the imnt.


    She could have obtained the imnt through less-than-legal means, as many in her circle did.


    After all,ws were nothing but words to people like them.


    But this was different.


    This was Ava, not someone else.


    Her reckless personality would inevitably catch up to her, and she''d be exposed, dragging her family''s corruption into the light.


    Michael Nguyen knew this and, for the first time in her life, had put his foot down, telling her


    no.


    She had to get the imnt through the Academy-the only legal option left to her.


    But now, she had gotten it for free, no need to save up or use her hard-earned credits.


    It was only natural that she was excited.


    Ava and the other two weren''t the only ones thrilled, however.


    Most of the students had received an ability, and those who put in extra effort were rewarded with a significant amount of AUC.


    For many, this was more than just progress-it was a step closer to survival.


    Elijah had unlocked the fourth ability on his path, {Death Mark.}


    Quinn meanwhile had just gotten sixty AUC, but that was in public, a cover.


    In private, her sponsor had granted her two new abilities: {Aetheric Shield} and {Aether st,} unlocking the first three that Emir himself had once wielded when he was on the path of an Aetheric Duelist.


    It was obvious why the prince had given her the abilities that way.


    Quinn trusted her sponsor wholeheartedly-so much so that she would have willingly died for him if asked.


    And while she was just as excited as the others, perhaps even more so, she forced herself to remain calm.


    Following the directions of the one person she considered her true support, she focused on blending in, trying to engage with the rest of the group, even though she didn''t want to.


    "Hopefully not. Let''s go; I''ll take the lead."


    No oneined and let Quinn walk in front with an assault rifle in hand, leading them down the esctor.


    It didn''t take them more than a minute to reach what used to be the first underground floor. The ce was rtively clean, the ceramic tiles on the ground almost in perfect condition, as well as the ceiling, where venttion vents seemed to be in one piece.


    It was only uninhabited, dusty, with a few weird items dropped here and there, half eaten.


    Withoutment or pause, they walked through the passage, heading further in, and the closer they walked, the more vibrations they felt from the ground beneath them as if it were gyrating, experiencing a small earthquake.


    They silently looked at each other, expecting a monster, and then held their weapons close, slowly moving forward while holding a 1-2-1 formation.


    Continuing through the passage, time slowly passed and tension began to increase in the group as they hadn''t met a single monster, not even a whiff of one.


    They almost felt exhausted, their breathsing in heavily, even though their bodies did nothing but walk.


    Elijah was the only one who had acted normally, but as he saw them get worse, he finally intervened, deeming it too unsafe for them to continue:


    "Everyone stop."


    Still breathing hard, they looked at him, quickly noticing the contrast between them.


    The boy had experience with dives, they already knew, and that was confirmed to them now.


    In his eyes, they must''ve looked funny, exhausted due to how their emotions weighed them


    down, literally.


    But he didn''t tease them for their trepidation.


    He knew exactly how they felt, he had gone through it before.


    In fact, he was doing much worse when he first dove with the family, afraid of letting them down while also afraid of the ruin itself.


    "We won''tst if you continue like this. Calm down. I''m the Spotter and if I don''t show a monster on your radar, then there isn''t one. If you continue being tense, your minds will


    fry..."


    He paused for a moment then looked at Quinn.


    While she faired better than the two girls as her mental fortitude was much higher, she still


    was affected:


    "Especially you. You''re at the lead, we can''t have you mess up. Unlikest time, there''s no one here to protect you. Understand?"


    Thatst part was a lie, but Emir told Elijah to make it seem that this was the case.


    He needed them to have a genuine dive experience, even if they went through an incredibly traumatic experience, something way worse than anything they had experienced before,


    which he was sure they would.


    It was for their own good.


    And well, he needed them to follow what they did in the ''novel,'' because it would be easier to


    protect them from Temr.


    This cohortposition was on purpose as well; after all, Ava, Max, Sofia, and Arthur would undergo major character development in this ruin, and Emir didn''t want those changed four


    to interrupt that.


    "...Fine."


    Quinn took a couple of deep breaths, then breathed out, calming her nerves.


    The others did the same, and soon they were on the move again.


    The shaking continued, but they paid it no mind and focused on their surroundings.


    Eventually, they arrived at the shopping section of the metro, whererge shops lined both


    the left and right sides of the passage.


    There, in the nearest shop to them, they saw arge, expensive dress, red in color, brightly


    contrasting against the dull surroundings.


    "Follow me! That relic has to be expensive."


    Quinn instantly straight-lined towards that shop, pausing her steps near therger corner


    ss panel that disyed the dress.


    She then began looking around left and right, searching for the entrance, Aria and Junior did


    the same at the back, excitedly looking around.


    "Guess you useless being in the lead brought us some luck!"


    "Hahaha! We''re gonna get a lot of AUC for this!"


    As they searched all over the ce like maddened monkeys, Elijah looked at them with a


    pitiful face, barely holding back a smirk from showing.


    He remembered this exact scene as it happened to him long ago, only that Lyra was there and


    she showed him the truth.


    It seemed like it was his turn to take on her mantle.


    Elijah stepped next to the dress and tapped twice on the ss window.


    A bright dot appeared at the bottom; he tapped that, and the dress turned from a realistic 3D


    hologram to a 2D one.


    The others, still searching, eventually nced back, and when they did, they looked at Elijah with a confused look, demanding an exnation, one that he provided with a smile: "It''s how they advertised things in the old world. This hologram has pseudo-stereoscopic viewing tech. Don''t ask me what that means, all I know is that it''s better than the hologram


    tech we use in terminals."


    Aria clicked her tongue.


    "You should''ve told me then! That was so embarrassing."


    He chuckled.


    "It''s fine. Same happened to me. I''ve heard that it''s amon trick experienced hunters use


    every time a newbie joins them."


    Juniorughed alongside his friend, patting his back as he rejoined the formation.


    "Good thing we got you here then, eh?"


    "Of course, others would beg me to be in their cohort, you know~."


    Aria showed her tongue.


    "Bleh, don''t lie to yourself; no one wants a Reaper..."


    Looking away, she added:


    "I-Its only us that ept you."


    Elijah shook his head, a smile still on his face, then turned to Quinn, thest to approach.


    Her eyes showed disappointment appearing as if she truly had wanted that dress.


    Rtive to the others in the cohort, she had barely any credits to spend on such extravagant


    things, so she thought that she had finally caught a lucky break. Besides, the dress was beautiful, she would kill to wear something like it.


    However, those thoughts quickly receded, and she began leading the cohort again, walking


    slowly in between the shops.


    After passing a few that also had no entrances, they saw one in the distance with ss doors,


    obvious from the handles on them.


    On the outside, Manquins were ced behind ss panels, each with a different outfit.


    Quinn looked at Elijah, asking the obvious, and he nodded.


    They headed there, more calm head this time around, and stopped at the door.


    She reached out to grab the handle but couldn''t, as the two doors swung open by themselves,


    allowing them in.


    "Let''s go."

 Chapter 429: Echoes Of A Forgotten World II

    Chapter 429: Echoes Of A Forgotten World II


    ?


    The group stepped cautiously into the shop, the automatic doors closing behind them with a quiet hiss.


    Inside, the air was still, even thicker with dust, and the faint smell of something stale lingered.


    Quinn adjusted the shlight, sweeping it across the room, revealing rows of shelves and disys filled with various items from a bygone era.


    Even to their inexperienced eyes, it was apparent that the Academy had maintained its hold over this ruin since its discovery.


    Everything was in stock, and not a single item wasn''t in its designated ce, making it seem like this was an undiscovered ruin.


    And they technically wouldn''t be wrong in thinking that.


    It was designed to be that way.


    One of the tests that they would undergo down here besides survival was identifying which relic to take.


    They didn''t have unlimited inventory, each carrying a normal-sized rucksack, so the overseers would rate the decision-making of the students, measuring their greediness and levelheadedness.


    Of course, that could only work when true gain was possible.


    Amon knew that, so he had included real stakes in this test, giving them an incentive that was more than just digital points or a hidden leaderboard.


    The relics could be sold for AUC.


    Those credits that they begged the professors for could be given just like that.


    All they had to do was find relics that were worth something.


    The professors in charge made sure to instill that in their minds before allowing them into the ruin.


    They wanted an important answer to a very important question.


    Would it be their downfall like the many hunters before them, or would they control themselves?


    That had yet to be seen for this cohort.


    If not for ''their'' inevitable interference, this would have made for quite a unique test, but s...


    Fate always had its say.


    The shop the cohort was in wasrge, with several aisles stretching deep into the shadows.


    It appeared as if it had been abandoned suddenly, leaving everything untouched. Products were neatly arranged, almost too neatly, without a single imperfection, giving the whole ce an eerie, preserved look.


    Quinn moved forward, her footsteps muffled by the thick dust on the floor.


    Aria and Junior followed closely behind, their excitement from earlier now reced by a mix of curiosity and caution.


    Elijah, as always, was calm, his eyes scanning the surroundings for anything that might pose a threat.


    "Whoa..."


    Junior whispered, reaching out to touch a packet on one of the shelves.


    The packet was small and rectangr, with faded text on it that read {Compression Clothing- All Sizes.}


    He turned it over in his hands, trying to make sense of what it was.


    "What do you think this is?"


    Quinn nced at it, her interest piqued.


    "I read about these. They''re supposed to expand into full-sized outfits when activated."


    Aria asked, peering over Junior''s shoulder.


    "Really?"


    Junior grinned, holding up the packet like a prized find.


    "That''s alright. It''s like carrying an entire wardrobe in your pocket... This has to be worth something, right?"


    Elijah confirmed, reaching out to take the packet from Junior:


    "Yep, but barely."


    He turned it over in his hands, examining it closely.


    "The clothes would expand once you open the packet and expose them to air. It was amon way to save space, especially for travelers or people living in cramped spaces."


    Junior snorted, no longer impressed.


    "Now that I think about it, this seems like a lot of work just to wear something. I prefer the augmented suits we have now."


    Elijah ced the packet back on the shelf.


    "Well, they had better technology than us, so they must''ve preferred this for some weird reason. Anyways, let''s check the other side, these clothes aren''t worth much."


    At those words, they moved further into the shop and entered a section that appeared to have specialized in personal care products.


    The shelves were lined with bottles and jars of various creams, lotions, and other beauty products, all sealed and untouched.


    Quinn picked up a bottle of what she assumed was some kind of moisturizer, thebel had faded but was still legible enough to read the words {Anti-aging form.}


    She looked at the back of it, and unfortunately, the thing had long since expired.


    The rest were too, as every item they picked up was almost solid, jelly, or just extremely viscous.


    That was a bad thing of course, as it was supposed to be liquid, indicating its unusable and most likely toxic state.


    Next, they saw a small, handheld device with buttons and screens attached to a beam, with wires dangling from it.


    Aria wiped the dust off to reveal thebel on it: {Product Data Assistant.}


    "What''s this for?"


    Elijah stepped closer, taking a look.


    "Probably something to browse the items in this shop. I think this ce is some sort of retail


    store, so that makes sense. I doubt it works now though."


    Aria nodded, setting it back down carefully.


    The technology of the old world fascinated her.


    While she wasn''t a hidden gun nerd like Ava or a scientific ''trainaholic'' like Sofia, she had an interest in unearthing hidden gems, sniffing out a good deal from the bad.


    She couldn''t help it.


    It was due to the merchant blood in her veins, the Gold Leaf DNA, whether she liked it or not.


    The constant nagging from her father yed a part in that of course, but she wasn''t going to acknowledge that.


    Either way, there was something intriguing about these ancient devices, relics of a time when


    the world was very different from the one she knew.


    Aria wasn''t the only one who had such feelings.


    The other three in her cohort felt the same to varying degrees.


    Though, two of them were more interested in the AUC reward than the relic itself.


    They continued exploring and came across a row of clear, cylindrical containers filled with


    what looked like food.


    Thebels were faded, but they could still make out words like {Nutri-Packs} and {Long-Life


    Provisions.}


    Quinn wrinkled her nose at the sight, remembering the food she had forced herself to eat


    before her sponsor came along.


    Aria asked, poking one of the containers with her finger:


    "None of these are worth anything, right?"


    Elijah shook his head, picking up another packet from the shelf, this onebeled {Self-


    Heating Meal-Chicken and Rice.}


    The packaging was worn, and there were small tears along the edges.


    "Not really. The only way to profit from this is if we know the market."


    She nced at him.


    "How so?"


    He smirked.


    "We just have to search for something that isn''t made by Steller Solutions and sell it to themN?v(el)B\\jnn


    for a nice stack of credits. Easy right?"


    Chuckling, Junior took one for himself, checking its contents.


    "Even if they''re expired?"


    Elijah nodded.


    "Yeah, they just need the recipe."


    Aria stepped back and they moved on, finding shelves lined with actual books, not the link


    points they had in their Academy.


    Their pages were yellowed and brittle, filled with information that had long since faded.


    Behind them, which was the clothing section, they saw disys of shoes, now cracked and dry from age, their colors faded.


    Like what was before it, none of the items seemed worth anything.


    They started losing hope at finding anything good inside this store, thoughts of exploring the others emerging, but then, amidst the decay, they finally found something worth taking.


    It was in the corner of the shop, a section filled with small, round devices that looked like tiny


    orbs.


    Each one had a small button on it, and when Quinn pressed it, a holographic screen appeared,


    showing a menu of options.


    Quinn guessed out loud while scrolling through the menu:


    "Is this what holoscreens were back in the day?"


    The options listed various old-world media, from movies to music.


    The thought of what people used to do for fun back then remaining the same now made her


    smile a little.


    Elijah grabbed another, turning it around in his hand.


    "Looks like it."


    Junior asked, eyeing the orbs with interest.


    "Do we take the whole stack back with us?"


    "... Maybe half, keep our rucksacks light. Don''t cumber yourself when you''re only just


    beginning."


    "Roger boss~!"


    The four of them dropped their rucksacks, put a few relics in, and then exited the shop after taking onest look to make sure nothing worthy of many credits was left behind.


    As they walked, the ground beneath them vibrated slightly harsher than earlier, reminding them that something very wrong was going on somewhere in this ruin. They passed a few stores without any way in and stopped at another that had a gate.


    It was unlike thest shop; instead of a ss door, this one looked like reinforced steel.


    There were no holograms or ss disys, so they didn''t know what kind of shop it was. Thankfully, the gate opened for them and they entered, eyes scanning for danger. Nothing was there with them.


    Once they were sure of that, identifying no monsters or constructs, their eyes turned to the


    relic.


    Quinn stared at the closet item, a small rectangr screen the size of her hand.


    "...A tech store?"


    Aria joined her, picking up one of those devices.


    "Do you think these still work?"


    Quinn answered, her voice distant as she scanned the rest of the room:


    "Probably not."


    She wasn''t as interested in old-world technology as the others.


    It wouldn''t be a lie to say that she hated all things metal, especially what was in her body.


    Being reminded of that slightly dampened her mood, but she shook her head, snapping out of


    it and focusing back up.


    Junior, however, felt quite the opposite, enthralled by everything he saw.


    He picked up a small device from one of the shelves, flipping it in his hands.


    It was a ck cube with small, almost unnoticeable vents underneath and a tiny circr


    button on top, embedded into it.


    Thebel on the shelf read, {Personal Assistant - Model XJ-42.}


    Junior showed it to Elijah.


    "Hm, think this was one of those oldputers?"


    Elijah took it and examined the back.


    "Looks like it... It''s definitely dead now, though. But the technology it has could be worth


    something."


    He began packing a few of them, and Junior did the same.


    Meanwhile, Aria was already moving toward the back of the store, where arge disy case


    stood.


    The ss was cloudy with age, but inside, she could see rows of neatly stacked items.


    She wiped away some of the dust with her sleeves and peered inside.


    Slowly, her eyes widened.


    "Hey, guys, check this out!"

 Chapter 430: Echoes Of A Forgotten World III

    Chapter 430: Echoes Of A Forgotten World III


    ?


    Quinn, Elijah, and Junior joined Aria in a second, peering into the case.


    Inside were rows of small devices, each the size of a coin, with small buttons on the sides. They, with one exception, reacted simrly to her, thinking that they had hit the jackpot.


    Getting closer, Junior squinted his eyes at the tinybels beneath each device and asked: "What are those?"


    Elijah, the ''exception,'' shrugged his shoulders.


    "Dunno. They might just be data storage. Back then, people used these to keep information


    on physical devices, not just on thework or inside their own bodies like we do."


    Aria reached for the handle of the disy case, but it wouldn''t budge.


    She tried again, pulling harder, but it was locked.


    "Guess we''re not getting in there."


    Juniorughed.


    "Not without breaking it open, at least."


    Quinn looked at Elijah.


    "You think the Academy will allow that?"


    He nodded.


    "You''re not thinking right. It doesn''t matter what the Academy wants, they told us to do as we like, so we can break this no problem."


    "Then let''s do it¡ª"


    Elijah clutched Junior''s shoulder, interrupting him.


    "The Academy doesn''t care, but that doesn''t mean that the AI manager of this ce doesn''t. It might send its droids after us if we''re not careful."


    "Ah..."


    Defeated, Junior stepped back and began searching the other sections of the shop.


    The others went their own way, exploring every nook and cranny, their footsteps echoing on the tiled floor.


    They packed things like Personal Drones, Home Automation Systems, and even what appeared to be Holo Gaming Consoles.


    Aria found herself drawn to a section near the back of the store, whererger, bulkier items were stored.


    One of the items caught her eye-an eighty-inch rectangr vessel as thin as the nails on her fingers, with cracked ck ss on its front, held within the frame.


    The vessel was covered in dust, and the ss had a spiderweb of fractures running across it, certainly not a credit maker, but there was something about it that made her want to investigate further.


    "What do you think this was used for?"


    She asked, her voice quiet as she ran her fingers along the edge of the screen.


    "I think this''s a Television Screen. It''ll probably connect to thatputer device. I heard about it from the professor."


    Elijah joined her, leaning in to get a better look.


    He didn''t need to define who that "professor" was as they all knew that it was Emir.


    "It''s too big to carry. Besides it''s broken, it might''ve been worth it otherwise."


    Aria sighed in disappointment and continued to browse this section.


    "Yeah... It would''ve been interesting to see how it worked at least."


    Elijah nodded at her, then turned his attention back to the rest of the cohort.


    Looking around, he found Junior standing before rows of tools and equipment hanging from racks, all rusted and brittle.


    He picked up a small, handheld device that looked like it could be some kind of power tool, but when he pressed the trigger, nothing happened.


    The battery was long dead.


    Throwing it away, he kept moving and picked up what was next to it.


    It was another small, handheld device that looked like a scanner of some kind.


    Thebel read, {Multi-Spectrum Analyzer.}


    He pressed a button on the side, and to his surprise, the screen flickered to life, disying a series of reads.


    Junior quickly turned it off and ced it in his rucksack, continuing his search for anything that might get them credits.


    Aria and him were like kids in a candy store. They picked up item after item, marveling at the strange gadgets and devices they found, then quickly shoving them in their rucksacks.


    Elijah watched over them, while doing the same, though he was more cautious, carefully inspecting each item before deciding whether to take it or not.


    Meanwhile, throughout all of that, Quinn went back to the entrance and stayed, keeping an eye on the hallway.


    She didn''t want to get too caught up in exploration.


    Her mind was focused on the test. On making sure that she stood out from the rest. On guaranteeing that she would no longer be thest ranked student.


    But as they took longer and longer, her curiosity bested her.


    She proceeded to check out one of the small-screen projectors near her.


    Quinn activated it by pressing a button on its side, and a flickering image appeared where the device pointed.


    It showed a family-parents and two childrenughing together as they sat around a table, enjoying what seemed to be a meal.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The image was grainy, the colors faded with age, but the warmth of the moment was still there, she could see it... feel it.


    She watched the scene for a very long moment, a pang of emotion tugging at her.


    Envy was burning within her.


    A more pure type of envy, quite unlike Arthur''s.


    Why could they live normally but she couldn''t?


    What had she done to lose her life?


    This was a glimpse of something she could never have... It wasn''t-


    "Quinn."


    Elijah cut off her somber thoughts, and she shook her head, calming her emotions.


    "What is it?"


    At her question, he pointed at his rucksack and stepped outside the shop.


    "Let''s keep it moving."


    Quinn nodded, turned off the projector, and set it back on the table.


    They left the shop, stepping back into the dimly lit passageway.


    The vibrations from below had increased even more, but again, they didn''t pay it any mind, or


    at least they tried not to.


    But just as they passed a neighboring shop, a sudden presence appeared, making them all


    freeze in ce.


    A man stood before them as if materializing out of thin air.


    He was tall and imposing, wearing a white cloak that had a familiar insignia on the chest,


    right above where his second heart would be.


    Elijah had realized it at once.


    While there were a few inconsistencies, like his hair not being white, it was obvious where


    this man hade from.


    Temr.


    "Guys... prepare yourselves. This''ll be the hardest fight of our lives."

 Chapter 431: Templars Warmup

    Chapter 431: Temr''s Warmup


    ?


    ***


    Thirty Minutes Earlier


    Jake crouched behind a crumbling wall, the yellow light above, a reflection of the outside world, only now beginning to illuminate the decaying structures around him.


    He was lying prone, a railgun before his face, which appeared to be stressed, waiting on something.


    And it wasn''t much longer for that something to arrive.


    [The students are on the move.]


    Emir''s voice echoed in his mind, and he slowly smiled, his hand gripping the railgun.


    [Roger.]


    He was sure that others- the Shadow Squad and Elite Cohort-had replied as well, but he didn''t hear them since this was a private channel between the two of them.


    Jake leaned forward, pressing his eyes on the scope.


    [Everyone, we got the signal. The rats will be on the move in under a minute.]


    [Roger!]


    He held the ring on the scope and turned it right, zooming in further, getting a better visual of their potential entrance points in the distance.


    They had long since identified them, all in order to ensure that Temr''s men would funnel in towards the main exit not so far behind him.


    That wasn''t all they did to guarantee such an oue.


    The cohort was spread out, each member was positioned near those points.


    The big hitters from Temr were already gone through a portal, but the riffraffs and dregs, daring to call themselves soldiers, remained.


    While they weren''t much of a threat to the Academy and their staff, many students would certainly die at their hands, especially if they worked alongside the constructs that were fated to block their escape.


    They were better off being eliminated here and now.


    Unfortunately, the UEF Guard wasn''t involved and wouldn''t step in, they didn''t want to, nor did the principal.


    Amon had his reputation to uphold, and any sign of weakness or failure would tarnish that image.


    It was up to them-the unfortunate ones-to fit the bill, deal with the consequences, and clean up the mess.


    Well... at least this was going to ensure the safety of their business.


    Still, a few might pass through and exit the slums, reaching the Upper District.


    The cohort was Elite but not perfect, they couldn''t cover all locations, but that didn''t matter,


    the rats wouldn''t be able to inflict any sort of notable damage.


    Jake inwardly chuckled, though a wave of bitterness followed.


    ''That Rag bastard is getting special treatment like always. We''re out here losing sweat, and potentially blood, while he''s just kicking back at the base.''


    Ragnar''s role was to protect the family, he knew that, but still, he couldn''t help it, his frustration building up.


    ''And I knew him much longer too...''


    Though that was what Jake showed, the root of his frustration wasn''t the difficulty of the job.


    It was the fact that his friend and boss trusted Ragnar more than him-a man he had only known for a month.


    ''It''s unfair.''


    Simply put, he was jealous, though he couldn''t acknowledge that, so he stuck with the narrative of having the tougher job.


    Jake and the others knew the basics of why Emir trusted Ragnar so much-both used to be Order''s Chosen. But they didn''t know the deeper details-what truly made them brothers.


    As a result, they couldn''t understand how they''d be so close, so quickly.


    If seen from an outside perspective, one couldn''t help but wonder... If they knew that Emir didn''t have him sign a binding contract, how would they react?


    Regardless, it was a fact that Emir couldn''t trust anyone else but Ragnar with the task of guarding his family.


    Even if it meant losing a significant amount of ''firepower.''


    Sure, most of the Warp Weaver''s Aether was spent teleporting so many people, but that didn''t mean Ragnar couldn''t recharge in time.


    Emir simply couldn''t afford to go all out if he was constantly worried about his family''s safety.


    That was why he had his left-hand man stay back-to allow forplete focus.


    ''Feels bad knowing that one guy''s more capable than us, a beautified clean up crew but whate


    "Sir."


    Being called, Jake looked behind him, pausing his thoughts.


    It was Longshot.


    "Ah..."


    Without saying anything, Jake stood up, leaving the railgun, and walked out of the room, heading to Emma upstairs.


    It seemed that he was too lost in his thoughts, momentarily forgetting their n.


    Shaking his head, he climbed up and entered the room, spotting her near the right corner, eyes down below through the windows while she sipped whiskey from a small container.


    Crunch...


    Hearing his steps she snapped her toward him and immediately closed the small bottle, shoving it back into her pocket.


    "H-Hey what''s up?"


    Jake ignored what he saw, giving up on reprimanding her, and stood beside her, looking out


    to the street below.


    "How''s the guys?"


    She coughed and donned a serious face, her gaze turning to where he looked.


    "He''s ready; the rest are too. They''re just waiting now."


    There, further ahead was Jamal.


    He stood at the checkpoint they boobytrappedst night.


    The rest of the squad, the unnamed others, were scattered around the perimeter, ready to


    strike on Jake''smand.


    "Alright, go to your position."


    "Yep~!"


    Emma left at hismand, and while he watched her go, his mind went over the n for the


    last time.


    It was simple.


    Funnel the enemy in and hit them before they could rally and join the main force.


    Temr had made the mistake of presuming victory against Emir in their mental battle. Or perhaps they didn''t care about their low-ranking soldiers, writing them off whether they lived or died. Either way, they''d underestimated the slum''s potential for guerri warfare, and Jake intended to exploit that mistake to its fullest.


    Click...


    A sudden but faint sound from above resounded, signaling Longshot''s readiness.


    "Hmm."


    Jake''s eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, his hand hovering over his Akimbo submachine


    guns resting on his augmented suit.


    [Movement?]


    [Emma, none.]


    [Longshot, none]


    [Jamal, noneee?... No, wait. I see three, all got that insignia.]


    Jake didn''t respond and quickly rushed out of the building, jumping through the room''s many


    holes, andnded on the street below.


    As he continued forward, he took a deep breath, hoping for their impossible-sounding worst-


    case scenario to not have happened.


    And sure enough...


    [I see more exiting the building. They spent the entire night there, no chance they''ll give out


    their base''s location.]


    It hadn''t happened.


    [Agreed.]


    Sighing in relief, Jake couldn''t help but think back to their boss''s extremely paranoid words.


    "There''s a very very low chance of this happening, but those fanatics might just camp in the wastnd, traveling from there."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It would''ve gone against the information they had received from Emir''s semi-omniscient future-knowing brain too, so the impossibility here was timed by two.


    ''Thankfully those fuckers aren''t dumb enough to do that.''


    ncing at the distance between them and the soldiers on his HUD, Jake calmed himself, a


    cold sense of reassurance settling in.


    They had the advantage, and it wasn''t just about firepower-it was the environment itself.


    The tripwiresm disruptors, pressure mines, and proximity grenades-were all strategically ced to maximize chaos and confusion.


    Not just the slums but the entirety of Sector eleven''s underbelly had ever seen this kind of


    warfare before. No one was brave or reckless enough, too afraid to unleash such destruction


    on gang-affiliated turf.


    Unwanting of the bacsh, they yed by the unspoken rules, avoiding conflict here and


    fearing the UEF''s wrath for stirring too much trouble.


    But Emir was not part of ''no one.''


    He had Amon''s permission, and more importantly, he didn''t care about attracting the gangs''


    attention.


    He wasn''t ying small-time politics-he was in a battle with far bigger dogs, his opponents


    universal.


    The slums, and whatever grudges came from it, were the least of his concerns.


    Neither was it his men''s.


    [Alright, on my mark.]


    Jakemanded, pulling up his terminal and pressing arge button that wrote {Start.}


    {Three... two...}


    A countdown appeared above the now grayed-out button and he matched it, only a fraction


    slower:


    [two... one... mark!] Longshot''s armature round was the first to break the silence, a moment before Jamal''s, the sharp crack of his railgun echoing through the alleyways.


    Jake didn''t need to see to know that the bullet had found its mark-Longshot seldom missed.


    The signal was given, and the rest of the team sprang into action, shots echoing all over the


    slums.


    The threem disruptors were activated, killing and disabling thework in the


    surrounding area.


    It had also disabled their ownms as well, since the pulses it sent out scrambled


    everything in their vicinity without exception.


    But they were fine because, unlike the enemy, they knew that it was going to happen and had everything coordinated before the operation even began, not requiringms.


    Those Temr soldiers weren''t so ready however, they were almost immediately sent to


    panic.


    By the time they figured out what was happening, it was already toote, and the first ten of


    them had already died.


    But the shots didn''t stop there.


    Others hade out of their holes like rats, forming the first wave, and as they tried to


    contact their fellow soldiers, no doubt they grew confused.


    All they heard were shots and they couldn''t know if their men had died or not; their status


    unable to update.


    So they, instead of finding each other, headed straight for the main exit.


    That was their undoing.


    With Jake at the lead, the Elite Cohort didn''t give them a chance to adjust.


    He opened fire, the continuous burst of his submachine guns tearing through the morning air.


    Emma wasn''t far from him, in the opposite alleyway, pincering the soldiers, unusually using


    an assault rifle, as the UEF ruled for no Aether to be used within sector grounds.


    Of course, the Academy was an exception, and this certainly wasn''t that.


    Ratatatatatatatat!


    Jake didn''t stop shooting, chasing after them as they ran away for cover.


    They managed to fall behind abandoned crates, the Aetheric-infused kind, blocking Jake''s


    bullets.


    But that couldn''t stop him for long as they started to crack and splinter.


    "We ain''t dying here!" "Shoot back!" "You''ll meet the creator!"


    Before they did, the soldiers sprang out of cover, another three, weapons aimed at their


    attacker.


    Jake focused fire on the middle one, leaving the other two for Emma and Longshot.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    BANG!


    Three shots from Emma, who peeked around the corner behind Jake, and one round from Longshot, took them down.


    At least half of these Temr soldiers were well trained, but they were caught off guard, and


    in the narrow confines of the slums, their numbers worked against them.


    Boom!


    That explosion announced Jamal''s entry to the scene.


    When the soldiers tried to move away from the gunfire, taking another route to the outside,


    they triggered a trap.


    They weren''t the trip mines the "lovebirds" set-up, but pressure mines, Jamal''s handy work.


    They were hidden in the rubble and had exploded with lethal force, sending shrapnel that tore


    through the pitful ones nearby. That formed a chain reaction.


    The slum''s residents were used to the usual gunfight here and there, so they hadn''t reacted so


    far.


    But this was the breaking point.


    An explosion went off and a building copsed.


    This was no gang skirmish but a war.


    One or two screams resounded but otherwise, the slum''s reaction wasn''t so loud.


    The homeless simply ran out of their so-called abodes, rushing to the ck market for


    security. Meanwhile, the residents of the remaining functioning buildings went deeper down their basements, escaping the fates of the homeless.


    Bang!


    Longshot, who stayed up in the building, shot down those who neared the traps, his breath


    rapidly increasing as well as his pulse; the trauma of what changed his life relived in his mind.


    But as he remembered Faye''s cute little face he managed to calm down, his breath stabilizing, allowing him to urately aim once more.


    At almost the other end of the spectrum, Jamal went ham, uncaring of who he killed. His proximity grenades detonated in shes of light and sound, disorienting those who


    survived the initial sts of his traps, and he killed them soon after, all his bullets aimed at


    the head.


    "Push forward! For Temr''s glory!"


    He barked, acting as if he was one of them, baiting them into his traps. That worked in the beginning, as he got a few kills out of it, but eventually, the soldiers grew


    wiser, and a type of man Emir had warned them about had shown up.


    A fanatic.

 Chapter 432: Templars Warmup II

    Chapter 432: Temr''s Warmup II


    ?


    This fanatic wasn''t much differentpared to his peers.


    They looked the same. Acted the same. Attacked in the same way.


    There was only one difference.


    He had an explosive vest around his waist.


    "FOR TEMPLAR''S GLORY!"


    Jamal''s eyes widened, and, using all the strength he could muster, he rushed back, shooting behind him with each step.


    But the man didn''t let him go.


    He was going to die today, and he was determined to take Jamal down with him.


    The bullets intended to shred him apart bounced harmlessly off his augmented suit, its shield set to maximum.


    Nothing-not even air-could prate it, allowing him to withstand the barrage for a little longer.


    A soldier suddenly appeared in front of Jamal, blocking his escape route.


    Still sprinting, Jamal nced back, then forward, eyes locking on the gun aimed straight at his head.


    ''No way I''m dying to this racist fucker!''


    Ratatatatatat!


    A bullet grazed past as Jamal dove into cover.


    Without wasting a moment, he took a deep breath, steadied himself, then returned fire.


    He moved from cover to cover, left to right, shooting every time the soldier tried to peak out.


    Once he got to the alleyway''s end, the soldier rushed him, about to dump his mag, but Jamal was ready for him, ending his life with three bullets.


    That brief moment of focus had cost him, though.


    The quick pause to urately aim,bined with his earlier dive, allowed the suicide bomber to close the distance-now only a few meters away.


    ncing over his shoulder as he sprinted, Jamal''s eyes widened in horror.


    The vest on the bomber began to glow.


    ''Dammit... Guess the Steel family was destined to die.'' Whinee-BANG!


    A loud shot rang out, interrupting the bomb''s buildup.


    Just before it could go off, the bullet struck the bomber''s upper chest, a few centimeters above the vest.


    The impact lifted him off the ground for a moment, and as the armature ripped through his shield, he was propelled backward by the sheer force of the shot.


    BOOM!


    The bomb detonated almost immediately afterward, sending a blinding explosion tearing through everything around it¡ªincluding Jamal.


    Initially, the force of the st pushed him away, but his shield couldn''t hold up.


    It shattered, and the full brunt of the explosion hit him directly.


    Heat seared across his back, the pain almost overwhelming, burning him to a crisp.


    that moment, his world became a chaotic mess of mes and debris.


    Yet, amidst all of that destruction, Jamal clung to life.


    Thebined distance from the force shield''sst stand and the impact of Longshot''s round had given him just enough space to survive.


    "Hahh..."


    Chuckling, Jamal flipped on his back, ignoring the throbbing pain, and raised his hands, showing a thumbs up, knowing that Longshot was watching.


    And he was indeed, a relieved sigh escaping him as he saw his best friend remain among the living.


    He had noticed that Jamal was in trouble near the beginning, but he couldn''t save him due to theck of a clear shot.


    When they finally got to an intersection of alleyways, in the middle of four buildings, he fired, using the ability that his nickname was based on, Longshot, saving Jamal.


    After that, without pause, he took out the stragglers near Jamal, making sure that he would remain safe while he recuperated.


    It didn''t take him long, no more stragglers remained after his fourth shot.


    He scanned the area to make sure there wasn''t anyone else, and once he was certain, he reloaded his railgun, resuming to follow the n.


    Jake and Emma, who noticed theck of action from Jamal''s point, knew that something had happened to him, so they separated.


    She remained near the routes to the exit while he moved up to where Jamal should''ve been, nking the enemy, cutting off the other routes to the exit, and driving them further into the trapden maze.


    He grew fear in the enemy ranks, this was his yground, a ce where he could use his runes as he liked without anyone using their abilities.


    Suicide bombers began to appear more often to counteract his domination, but he killed them as well, not letting them get close.


    The soldiers were in disarray, whatever information they had was shattered by the assault.


    They were being hunted, cornered like rats in a maze with no escape.


    And when Jamal was healed back up, rejoining the battle, it got even worse for their


    opposition.


    The cohort was relentless, methodically taking them down one by one.


    It was a brutal, efficient ughter.


    But those of Temr weren''tpletely defenseless.


    The remaining soldiers managed to regroup once they retreated near the ck market.


    This many of them would certainly pose a challenge to the cohort.


    Unfortunately for them however, the Elite Cohort was prepared.


    As they fought back, chasing Jamal, returning fire with a desperation born of fear, he led them


    somewhere special.


    A tight checkpoint where death was guaranteed.


    "C''mon you bastards! You ain''t killing me anytime soon!"


    Acting like a reply to his ridicule, a gunshot rang out and he felt a bullet whizz past his ear,


    close enough to feel the heat.


    Smiling, he ran faster and once he reached the checkpoint, he jumped, running from wall to


    wall, easily dodging the wires.


    Those chasing him didn''t even pause to think about why he moved like that.


    They weren''t dumb, if their emotions weren''t at an all-time high, they would''ve suspected that a trap wasid, but Jamal made sure that this wouldn''t happen.


    Andbined with the fear they felt, well...


    This was expected.


    Just as he got out the other side, he dove to the ground, rolling into cover behind a pile of


    rubble.


    BOOM!


    The explosion urred right after, rumbling the slums itself.


    Every building in the surrounding area trembled while the ones attached to the trip mines crumbled, the remaining concrete falling to the ground, squashing the remnants of the


    soldiers.


    Not all were killed, as the lucky ones at the end of their group were out of the explosion range,


    surviving the impact and the subsequent st.


    But they weren''t alive for long.


    Jake appeared behind them.


    He pulled up his submachine guns. "Die."


    ...


    "Steel, take the left nk!"


    Jake ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.


    "On it!"


    Jamal replied, his loud voiceing from a distance.


    Jake could hear the faint thuds of his boots as he moved to outmaneuver the enemy.


    He then peeked around the corner, assessing the situation.


    What remained of Temr''s soldiers were pinned down, their numbers dwindled from no


    less than a hundred, to around fifteen, rapidly.


    But before the cohort could end them, they had managed to set up a makeshift defense point


    around a partially copsed building.


    It was theirst stand, and they were making it a hard-fought one.


    "Emma, with me."


    Jake said, signaling for her to follow.


    The two moved quickly, darting from cover to cover, their movements synchronized.


    As they approached the building, Jake could see the fear in the eyes of the Temr soldiers.


    They knew they were outmatched, but they were fighting to thest breath.


    Jake admired their tenacity, but he wasn''t about to let it slow him down.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He signaled to Jamal, who had sessfully nked the enemy, and then to Longshot, who


    was already lining up his next shot.


    "NOW!"


    The coordinated attack was swift and devastating.


    Longshot''s shot rang out, taking down the soldier who seemed to be leading the defense.


    At the same time, Jamalunched a volley of grenades into the building, the explosions ripping through the structure and sending debris flying.


    Jake, Emma, and a few of the unnamed were on them before the dust had settled, their guns


    spitting out bullets with precision.


    Those soldiers didn''t stand a chance.


    Within moments, it was over.


    Thest of the enemies fell, their bodies crumpling to the ground.


    The silence that followed was deafening.


    Jake stood amidst the ruins, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.


    Smell of gunpowder and blood filled his nose and lungs, mixing with the acrid scent of


    burning debris.


    "Status report."


    At hismand, his cohort gathered around him in under ten seconds, their faces showing


    exhaustion.


    "All clear. No movement."


    Longshot was the first to reply.


    "Minimal injuries on my end."


    Jamal added, wiping sweat from his brow.


    "They never saw iting."


    Emma took out her bottle and took a sip.


    "Good."


    Ignoring it again, Jake nodded and looked around at his team, their faces illuminated by the


    flickering fires of a few nearby buildings.


    "We''ve done our part. Temr''s forces have been weakened, and only a few bombers will join


    the main battle."


    Emma stepped forward, putting away the alcohol, her gaze meeting Jake''s.


    "What''s next?" "...We hold this position. Make sure no stragglers get through. The main force will be


    engaging soon, and we need to make sure they''re not reinforced."


    His team nodded in unison, their objective now clear.


    They had dealt with Temr''s warmup.


    In the eyes of others, this might seem like a critical blow against them, but they knew better.


    This was just the beginning.


    They had to ensure that Temr''s momentum in the slums waspletely shattered.


    A smiling Jake took a moment to look out over the slums as his cohort spread out, setting up a


    defensive perimeter.


    The fabricated sun had risen fully, casting a bright light over the devastatedndscape.


    Their battle here was far from over, but at least, this victory was theirs.

 Chapter 433: Terrors Awakening

    Chapter 433: Terror''s Awakening


    ?


    ***


    At The Same Time


    Kiera stood at the entrance of their camp, watching as her toon ate their breakfast. Besides her was Lyra, sharpening her de gauntlets, the light from a flickering holographic advertisement reflecting off them.


    The two women were waiting for a signal.


    Their first objective wasn''t to protect the students, but to stop or at least dy the awakening of an unfathomable terror...


    A Behemoth.


    Right, a ten-core monster was slumbering in this ruin.


    Temr was nning to awaken it and use it to distract Amon, giving them free rein against the professors and students.


    They wanted a ughter, and Emir tasked his army to minimize that as much as possible.


    Fate was a tricky opponent, and it was close to impossible to beat, so they certainly had their work cut out for them.


    [Emir arrived in the slums. Temr will most likely begin their real attack now.]


    At those sudden words from Nathan, their headquarters, the entire camp stopped eating and turned to the two women.


    Kiera gestured for Lyra to speak, recognizing the difference in their ranks.


    She nodded towards her and stepped forward, pulling back the hood that covered her head.


    "You heard him. We''ll move in one minute."


    Pointing behind her, she added:


    "Low chance we see professors and HG leaders on the way, but in any case, ignore them. We need toplete our task in secret. They must not know we did anything."


    The squad leaders stood up, and the rest of the toon did so right after, stomping the ground hard and saluting her, their dominant hands on their second hearts.


    "Yes Sir!"


    Lyra turned around and stepped outside their camp, leaving Kiera to end her little speech, which she did:


    "Our time begins now! Move! Move! Move!"


    They did as theirmander instructed, setting everything back to its neutral state-the tents, the cooking stations, and the devices they put up to secure the perimeter.


    Just as one minute went by, everything was back in their rucksacks, and they were lined up perfectly behind the two, waiting for them to move.


    And move they did, beginning with a sprint, their eyes alert as they scanned the darkness for any sign of movement.


    The students were still near the entrance of the ruin, as were the professors and HG leaders, so they didn''t try to keep themselves hidden, opting to go as fast as possible through the rotting tforms and debris-strewn tunnels.


    Once they reached the station''s entrance, they split up, each squadron and their leader going through different tunnels.


    These tunnels all led to the same destination deeper underground but through different routes.


    Lyra and Kiera watched them go, then turned around, going back to where they just came from.


    There, just beside the entrance to the station, was another tunnel, housing many broken trains.


    In a few steps, they reached the top of those trains, then jumped down the other side, stopping a foot before a massive hole in the train tracks.


    They nced at each other and then Kiera moved, breaking off rusted metal, and nting it like a pole near the hole.


    After making sure it wouldn''t fall anytime soon, she dropped down without hesitation, entering a ce that used to be a passageway-turned cave.


    Lyra joined her and they continued their sprint, this time much faster than earlier, no one weighing them down.


    As they descended deeper into the metro, below its heart, the air grew colder, and the barely audible gunfire faded into the background.


    The route became more treacherous, with copsed sections, exposed wiring sparking asionally in the dark, and destroyed constructs.


    Here, they felt that Aether was heavier, pressing down on them.


    Though rming to their chance of survival, it was a good thing for thepletion of their


    task, indicating that the Behemoth had indeed slumbered here.


    They and their people weren''t going on a wild goose chase.


    But suddenly, killing their momentarily joyful mood, a low robotic growl echoed in the distance, about a tform away.


    It sent a shiver down Kiera''s spine.


    The construct down there was certainly a sub-rank above her.


    She quickly nced at Lyra and they both nodded, rushing to the sound''s origin.


    Temr had to be there.


    The closer they got, the louder the growls became, as well as the sound of scraping metal and suppressed guns.


    Since she was at the lead, Lyra saw it first, her eyes narrowing as she spotted seven people adorning Temr''s insignia.


    Her arms instinctively flicked, sprouting her des.


    Besides them, in the shadows, there was what could only be described as a weird creature; its form a mix of mechanical and flesh.


    Once, it might have been a simple maintenance drone with security capabilities, but Aether and the flesh of other monsters it mostly likely consumed had turned it into something solely


    unique.


    It was arge car-sized drone, but instead of propellers it had weird arm-like limbs, elongated, ending in sharp, rusted ws, and its body was covered in a patchwork of metal and organic matter, while its bottom had spider-like legs, simr in shape to the one their toon killedst night.


    The creature''s eyes glowed with a sickly green light, and its movements were erratic, as if it was struggling to control its own body.


    Temr''s soldiers surrounded the beast, throwing all they had at it, while three melee specialists went in close, with who appeared to be a Knight at the forefront, blocking its legs


    from moving.


    Kiera and Lyra didn''t waste any time.


    The moment they got close to the Temr soldiers, they exchanged another brief nce, and


    the older of them reported:


    [We''ve found one group. Engaging now.]


    [Noted!]


    No more words were needed; they knew what to do as did HQ.


    Kiera tightened her grip on her rifle, while Lyra''s de gauntlets clicked into ce.


    Lyra''s specialization embodied assassins, and that was how she moved, like an assassin, blending into the shadows, literally.


    She moved from one shadow to the next until she was directly under who they presumed to be


    their leader.


    He was a Hell Weaver, shooting fireball after fireball, while those surrounding him used their guns, indicating that they were either Ragners or Gun Mages.


    Those four were fully engaged with the mutated drone, absolutely unaware of the danger


    underneath.


    And just as another st conjured out the soldier''s staff, Lyra materialized above ground, melding out the shadows.


    Before they could react, her gauntlets went forth, piercing through his shield, slicing his neck,


    and cutting it right off.


    "Deacon!"


    His body fell, his head alongside it, and the ce she stood on was lit up with bullets, a result


    of his enraged cohort.


    They weren''t loud for long, as five bullets rang out and another of them fell, his body sizzling.


    "AETHER STRIKE YOU DOWN!"


    "DIE YOU HERETIC!"


    Cursing up a storm, they turned to shoot at the person who killed their mate, Kiera.


    Yet Lyra didn''t allow them.


    She appeared a step away from the one further back and cut her arm off with her left hand, stabbing the girl''s neck with her right.


    Thest soldier fired at both of them in the brief moment it took for Lyra to kill hisrade, but his bullets found no target.


    Lyra had sprouted a wall of shadow in front of him, using her fifth ability, Umbral Constructs.


    She had long since unlocked it, directly after reaching Awakened''s third sub-rank, Pdin.


    But she wasn''t that practiced with it and that showed.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A few bullets had gone through.


    Fortunately, they hit nothing but the rubble,


    Kiera had already nked him, getting out of the way, and setting up a clean shot from the


    right.


    Kiera had already nked him, setting up a shot from the right.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Another five and he was done in.


    The first three disabled him and thest made sure that he was dead, sttering his head.


    Now only the melee specialists remained, and they were too busy fighting the construct to


    help out their team and attack.


    But they didn''t need to.


    Reinforcements had quickly arrived, and with them came two bursts of bullets that intended


    to end the duo.


    In a slow-moving world, Lyra turned to Kiera, spotting where she stood, then raised two


    fingers.


    "Shadow Wall."


    Two protective shields materialized, blocking the bullets, allowing them a moment to hide


    behind cover.


    Lyra snapped her fingers, signaling that she would move up, and quickly melded back in the


    shadows.


    Those soldiers were rtively strong, trained to handle situations like this, but they weren''t ready for the cards Lyra held.


    Her specialization was too umon, and they had no experience with Celestials of her type.


    She was on them in seconds, her des shing as she took down the first soldier, a clean cut


    through his neck.


    Blood sprayed, and she didn''t pause, already moving to the next target before they could even shoot at her.


    Meanwhile, Kiera provided cover from a distance, her shots precise, ending the second soldier''s life, body crumpling as a bullet pierced his skull, remnants of his brain falling into


    the ground before he could even register the pain.


    It might''ve seemed like it due to the difference in strength, but those soldiers weren''t


    pushovers. They quickly took formation behind their Knight as he conjured an Aetheric Bulwark, protecting the remaining two behind him from Kiera''s bullets.

 Chapter 434: Terrors Awakening II

    Chapter 434: Terror''s Awakening II


    ?


    Lyra appeared at that exact moment, not allowing them the chance to breathe.


    A de Dancer interrupted her attack, lunging at her and swinging his light sword in a wide


    arc.


    She dodged, barely avoiding the strike, and retaliated with an upward sh, cutting through the soldier''s force shield.


    He staggered back, but another soldier, her previous target, came at her from the side, his punch directed at her face, forcing her to block with her gauntlets.


    ng!


    The sound of metal hitting metal resounded, and the impact jarred her,


    Lyra''s de gauntlets trembled, but she held firm, twisting her body to deliver a counterattack that cut off his right arm.


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    As he screamed in pain, hisrade chanted an ability under his breath and swung his sword, which began to blur, as did his body.


    Lyra, still in the motion of her previous attack, barely managed to step back, avoiding the swing, or so she thought, as the sword still grazed her, cutting through her force shield and cloak.


    The swing was aimed just below her midsection, causing the front half of her cloak to sag down, slightly revealing a part of her lower body, though no skin was shown as she had an augmented suit underneath.


    Right, she wasn''t at all naked, but what happened still angered her greatly, and sheshed out with more venom than usual, her left gauntlet tearing through the man''s neck.


    That feeling of being seen by someone other than Emir disgusted her.


    She couldn''t allow these ants to live!


    However, before her rage could go out of control, Kiera interfered.


    By the time Lyra and those two soldiers engaged, she had already changed positions, getting a clear shot at all three of them.


    But the Knight was watching her, so he blocked her with another Aetheric Bulwark, taunting her with a smirk as his men died beside him.


    The soon-to-be pitiful guy was underestimating her though.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    As usual, she shot five times, and even though a Bulwark was blocking her bullets from getting through, they still did, as they were aimed above, away from the shield.


    The Knight looked at her weird, but his eyes quickly widened as he realized what she was about to do.


    Her firey bullets dropped back down, tracking the barely surviving Brawler.


    "No!"


    He immediately repositioned the Bulwark, but he wasn''t fast enough, only blocking thest bullet.


    Four had gotten through, dropping the Brawler before Lyra could end him.


    Her rage hadn''t diminished however, and as she watched him fall, her gaze turned to the Knight.


    "Die."


    Spikes of shadow formed off the ground around him, aimed at his chest from all directions. He calmly stepped back, tanking one spike, and pulled up his great sword, blocking the rest of the attack.


    Lyra was momentarily surprised by his skill, certainly not expecting Temr soldiers to be frontline-readybatants.


    The Knight noticed that, but before he could taunt her, a bullet found its way inside his skull, killing him in an instant.


    It seemed that he had forgotten about Kiera for a second, and that second was all she needed to kill him.


    While he might''ve had skill, death was fast, able to arrive in fractions of moments.


    Nothing mattered before that; he was simply unable to take its attention off him.


    That was the story of most in this world.


    ''This bitch...''


    Lyra looked at Kiera with obvious annoyance and then sighed when she saw her partner making an okay sign,posing herself.


    Her eyes went back to the drone, still in the center of the fray, watching as itshed out with its elongated limbs, swiping at anything within reach.


    ''That''ll be annoying to kill.''


    She began to walk toward it and Kiera did the same.


    The only difference between them was that one melded into the shadows while the other had her gun up, aimed at one of the three remaining soldiers.


    After a second of adjusting her aim, adapting to the chaos, she pressed the trigger.


    Her bullet went forth, and just before it could pierce its target, he leaned back, avoiding the swing of the drone''s limb, while identally doing the same for the bullet.


    Clicking her tongue, she was about to curse his luck, but what she saw next shut her up.


    The poor man couldn''t even celebrate his slightly prolonged life.


    While he dodged the bullet, it still made him jump, causing him to stutter for a moment longer than what the construct allowed.


    "^^^^^^^^^^^^AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    A limb reached him, the w tearing through his force shield, ripping him apart from left to


    right.


    Lyra took that distraction as a chance and moved to finish them off, appearing behind the Knight, her de gauntlets out to kill.


    But she wasn''t able to because of the drone''s erratic movements.


    A swipe meant to tear off their heads swooshed above her and she ducked, stepping back,


    away from the Knight.


    He quickly looked behind him, spotting her, and then began to chase after her, anger obvious


    in his eyes.


    "I''LL KILL YOU!"


    Just as they left the drone''s attack range, he swung his long sword down, screaming:


    "HONORABLE DUEL!"


    A heavy pressure descended upon her, the Aether behind the sword almost pushing her to the


    ground.


    They were the same rank; if that sword hit, there was no doubt that she would die.


    But...


    "Shadow Meld."


    Hitting a Shadow Binder was a tough task.


    She disappeared in the shadows, the ground above cracking as the sword crashed into it.


    A crater formed as it dug deep, getting stuck.


    Lyra could''ve used that opening to attack, but it was dangerous, so she decided to


    momentarily back off, strike when she was sure of her safety.


    But as she was about to escape in the shadows, the Brawler stopped her.


    He, who stood next to Knight, using his Bulwark as cover from Kiera, smacked his hands together, lighting them on fire, then punched out above, using Iron Fist.


    That created a strong source of light, killing the shadows Lyra was in and forcing her above


    ground.


    The Knight smiled at that moment, raising his sword from the ground to attack her, but he,


    like the Knight from earlier, wasn''t fast enough.


    She had decided to attack, deeming it safer to end them as soon as possible.


    Her des went forth, piercing his force shield and puncturing his neck from both sides, his


    kite shield was of no use.


    "Augh-!"


    He staggered and she pulled back, dodging another firey st from the Brawler.


    ''...What?''


    That rarely shocked thought from Lyra wasn''t a reaction to the Brawler''s attack.


    No, not even close.


    Somehow, the Knight remained alive, standing on his feet, eyes locked on her.


    Even as all his blood spurted out his neck, his body remained straight, working on pure


    adrenaline, rage, and indomitable spirit.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He had to kill this woman!


    SHE RUINED EVERYTHING!

 Chapter 435: Terrors Awakening III

    Chapter 435: Terror''s Awakening III


    ?


    The Knight raised his shield and rushed forward, intending to crush her to the ground.


    Another burst of fire burned around them as the Brawler assisted his mate''sst stand, taking away her chance of escape again.


    He was bigger, stronger, and his shield was impossible to prate with her gauntlets.


    Lyra tried to back off, but his Aetheric Bulwark had materialized behind her, stopping her.


    She had only one option left.


    "Aetheric des!"


    Lyra went forth, then hunkered her heels down and punched with both fists, stabbing the des into the shield.


    They got stuck in, digging into the shield, as she tried to stop his momentum.


    Her feet dragged through the concrete, slowing him down, but in the next few moments, it was apparent that she wasn''t strong enough.


    He overpowered her and mmed his shield into her, knocking her back into the Bulwark, then smacked her again, sending her crashing to the ground.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Lyra!]


    The Knight dropped his shield and then raised his sword with both hands, ready to deliver the final blow.


    "Fuck! LYRA!"


    A desperately screaming Kiera was almost there, running as fast as she could, trying to reach her second boss.


    However... it appeared that she didn''t need to.


    Just as he brought it down, shadows from the roofbined like pythons into one massive spike, striking from above like lightning.


    It pierced the top of his head like a drill, squashing his body into the ground.


    Everything above his shoulders was gone, sttered everywhere, yet his arms still moved, sword nearing her face.


    She watched it fall in slow motion, and before it could end her life, she quickly moved her neck to the right.


    The sword grazed her pale chin, anchoring in the ground.


    Blood would''ve trickled down from the small cut if she had any, staining her cloak, but it only revealed the metal underneath the skin.


    It stung almost¡ªnot the attack; she barely registered that--but the reminder of what she


    was.


    She seemed to have forgotten that.


    But she quickly dismissed that thought, noticing that his body was about to fall on her as well, but the shadows had already returned by then.


    Lyra melded into them, escaping one of her worst nightmares.


    With his death, the Bulwarks disappeared, allowing Kiera the chance to finally attack.


    Five bullets, and she killed the Brawler, who was a second away from turning Lyra into ash. He died without ir, dropping into the ground a charred mess.


    That marked the end of their first small skirmish.


    They were done with this section of the tunnel.


    But still, there was no time to rest or even a chance to go to the next section.


    The mutated drone, now free of its attackers, turned its full attention to the two women.


    It let out a mechanical roar, its legs nging against the ground as it prepared to strike.


    Lyra and Kiera felt slight exhaustion, their Aether reservescking due to the fight, but to them, that didn''t matter.


    They couldn''t afford to slow down.


    They had to kill the monster.


    Letting it live would only spell disaster, as it certainly would go outside to attack the students, deeming them as prey.


    KKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!


    The drone''s limbsshed out at them, its ws slicing through the air with terrifying speed.


    Lyra stepped into another shadow, easily dodging the attack, while Kiera struggled a bit, jumping just before it could cut off her legs.


    She then immediately fired at its already weakened joints, trying to cripple its movement.


    But the drone''s patchwork armor deflected most of the shots as it did with the previous group, allowing only a few to pierce it, barely doing any damage.


    Kiera currently had only two types of God''s Ammunition, and neither was suitable for this enemy, lessening the potential damage she could output.


    She was forced to rely on normal bullets, but that didn''t mean she was useless, her re Shots had the monster crying with each bullet thatnded.


    As that happened, Lyra waited in the shadows, below it, trying to find a weakness in its


    underbelly.


    While she could barely see when in the shadows, she was still able to identify things if they wererge enough.


    Thankfully, her target wasn''t so easy to miss.


    She materialized, stabbing both des at the exposed organic matter.


    Just as the construct felt her presence, it pushed itself up, countering with strong and wild


    stomps with its legs, tearing the ground to bits and forcing her to retreat.


    That was when Kiera fired her bullets once more, aiming at the limbs, which again wasn''t that effective as its armor was of higher strength.


    This scene had repeated multiple times, over and over, Lyra stabbing its underbelly and Kiera shooting its joints.


    The construct didn''t have any different type of attack, or so-called ''new phases.''


    Itssers were long dead, and whatever it had left as a means of attack was just a mutation that went wrong.


    That didn''t mean that it was easy, no, every attack from the construct was a close call, its ws leaving deep gouges in the walls and floor as it chased them, its movements growing


    more frenzied.


    Yet unlike theirst fight, this ended anti-climatically.


    They simply stopped it from moving until it died.


    Kiera had finally destroyed its joints, and Lyra gutted it from below, which bled the drone to


    death.


    Itsst moments were sad screeches and rough convulsions as it copsed with twitching limbs before fallingpletely still.


    Breathing heavily, Kiera approached the fallen drone, scanned it, then looked back at Lyra, who was already routing the path ahead.


    Both were now more exhausted, but neither woman voiced it, they had to keep going.


    The real battle was still ahead of them.


    After all, they had to repeat what they had just done multiple times.


    [Let''s go.]


    Kiera nodded at Lyra''s words, and they began to move.


    There was no time to spare... if they failed, a terror would awaken.

 Chapter 436: Terror Awakening IV

    Chapter 436: Terror Awakening IV


    ?


    ***


    Each of the five squad leaders led their squadrons through the dark tunnels, diving deeper into the Behemoth''s domain with each step.


    They battled fiercely to stop Temr from setting up their Thumpers, which wereter found out to simply be neuralwork disruptors, set up on old-world frequencies.


    This meant that it would only affect the AI manager and its systems, not anything else, it wouldn''t even affect Lyra since, unlike it, her systems were based on the new world, not the old.


    She just had an ess key to the old world.


    But that didn''t diminish the consequences of their failure.


    In any case, if fate hade to pass, what would the toon, or rather, Lyra being there even do?


    Well, actually... she could do something that Amon couldn''t.


    Something that only she, an AI, could do.


    Make a deal with the ruin''s manager.


    And that might just save Amon the effort of dealing with a Behemoth.


    So their mission was made clear, updated, and the nks were filled.


    Now they knew how the terror would awaken, and it was simpler than theorized.


    Yet knowing that didn''t help much.


    While it did increase the methods of getting through this disaster to two, none of them were very likely.


    In fact, one of them seemed almost inevitable.


    Temr were sending their entire force in, using teleporters that had been secretly ced all over the ruin, likely since long ago.


    They were just never-ending.


    Even with the hundred soldiers the Elite cohort had already killed and the additional fifty they had eliminated since then, the toon had faced no fewer than three hundred soldiers in total.


    Of course, most of them weren''t Celestials but in old hunters, yet that still was an impressive number, especially whenpared to Emir''s measly toon of fifty men, women, and half-cyborgs.


    While he did make for the low quantity with quality, it was not enough to cruise by with no casualties.


    The deaths... they were many.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    For every twenty they killed, one of theirs was either severely injured or dead.


    It was a race against time.


    Just who would lose their ''resources'' first, Emir or the Praying Lady...


    There seemed to be no answer to this question.


    Truly, this fate wasn''t merciful.


    Even Jake, a squadron leader, couldn''t escape it.


    The poor Ranger lost the very thing his Specialization needed.


    His eyes.


    They were burned alongside his face, his skin melting off.


    Minutes before then, he was leading his squadron with the precision expected of a Ranger, just off an encounter with a few soldiers, his once sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.


    Then, he spotted a group of soldiers in the distance, already halfway through setting up their Thumper.


    Without even needing hismand, Jack''s squad split up into small cohorts and attacked. Most used long-range weapons to pick them off before they could react, but one cohort went close to nk them.


    Jack took the lead himself, eventually taking down thest of them with a few well-ced shots.


    After making sure that no one was around, he began to dismantle the device, something that


    he had gotten used to in the past however long.


    But then... the unexpected happened, like always.


    It exploded, his face and upper body taking most of the impact.


    Thankfully, none of the others were close enough to get swept up, but that alone showed that it was a targeted attack.


    They wanted to kill or at least hurt him, and they seeded.


    He was now blind, at least on one side.


    The Zenith Warden in the squadron was of no help to the other.


    One might me her, but it wasn''t her fault, Jake''s innate healing capacity was limited.


    As an Ascendant second sub-rank, a Knight, his body could not heal from injuries that


    disabled the entirety of an organ.


    Only Pdins could do that.


    So for now... he would remain with a blind left.


    Not even the best Zenith Warden within the family could save him.


    And speaking off, Sarah was luckier than her buddy.


    While she had faced an even tougher battle, she came out unscathed, no thanks to her innately high healing factor, a natural result of her Specialization.


    Her squadron was ambushed by arger group of Temr soldiers while they were disabling one of their Thumpers.


    Sarah''s squadron made sure to protect her, and she led them to momentary victory, an assault rifle in her right hand and a bloodied club in the other.


    She learned how to be something more than just a healer, given only select circumstances of


    course.


    The girl knew how to pick her fights.


    Those injured were swiftly healed by her, while those on their deathbed survived a while


    longer, some even indefinitely.


    Without her, many of them would''ve been left behind, their bodies awaiting the nearest monster for a grave inside its stomach.


    She was invaluable to the squadron; there was no doubt about that.


    The biggest evidence of that was her squadron itself.


    It had the least amount of deaths, though she more than made up for it with the injured.


    So while she was impressive, her level remained simr to her fellow leaders.


    Opposite her strategy was Hiro the de Dancer.


    He, like Jamal, went wild.


    His squadron had killed the most and had the most deaths to match.


    They went through their route much faster than the other four.


    At times he killed most of the enemies by himself, not caring for injury and abusing his sh


    Step as much as he could.


    Lyra had taught him the Path Optimization method, and he had been ecstatic since then, begging for a chance to go all out with it.


    The chance had certainly arrived, and he abused it, almost treating it like a game with how enthusiastic he was.


    Even when the soldiers had set traps throughout the area, catching several of Hiro''s men off guard, he went ahead by himself, his des whirling like a deadly dance, slicing through the traps and the soldiers alike.


    He used both a curved de and his usual short swords, switching between them to match what suited the battle most.


    His squad didn''t mind his uncaring nature; they were like him, people who enjoyed battle.


    It was why Emir was entertained by theirpany the most.


    They, like him, reveled in the chaos, loving the feeling of dismantling opposition.


    Evan, the Knight, wasn''t so simr.


    He was extra cautious, embodying Emir''s normal personality outside of battle, and his squadron had perhaps the hardest fight.


    They almost matched Sarah''s squadron''s low number of deaths, even with the bad luck they


    were getting.


    However, inparison, their injured were much less-no more than two.


    This indicated that when any of them got injured, it was usually fatal, ending their lives.


    But that wasn''t the only reason for their low number of casualties.


    Evan was leading them.


    He was the second strongest of the lot under Kiera, perhaps first if it was CQC.


    It wouldn''t be a lie to say that he was close to being number one-very close.


    Almost all of those they faced were well-prepared, making them put much more effort into matching the pace of the other squadrons.


    Even then, their usual pace was rtively slower, caution ying arge factor.


    Their strategy was to put safety first at all times, surround the enemy, trap them, and pummel


    them to death, swords raised high.


    Evan was always the first of them, and he was a force to be reckoned with, almost taking on


    entire cohorts by himself.


    He battled against every single enemy leader, his duel strength unmatched by his peers.


    Every fight was a brutal one, but they always emerged victorious, smashing those Thumpers


    to pieces.


    Leo, the Technomancer, was sneakier than the others, craftier.


    He had to be.


    Unfortunately, he couldn''t bring along the Mechs they had back in the garage.


    The reason was simple and quite obvious: they couldn''t be seen using them.


    All Mechs belonged to the UEF Army and were illegal to be owned by anyone other than them.


    Bringing those killing machines here would only put arge target on their backs, giving the UEF free reign to weaken the family as they liked.


    His squadron yed off his skills and copied what was done to Jake, killing Temr soldiers


    with their own devices before they knew what hit them.


    Those men couldn''t even report what was happening.


    Every time they closed in on death, an EMP st would ur, disabling theirms and


    stopping them from reporting what happened.


    This resulted in a cycle that always started with their explosive deaths.


    The squadron was on the weaker side, even with Leo carrying them, they couldn''t avoid


    deaths, and there was no ming them.


    A majority of them were techies like him, or newly awakened hunters, brimming with talent


    but not much experience.


    That showed quite a bit.


    When they first encountered a group of soldiers, they almost allowed them to set up the


    Thumper and reach full functionality.


    In Leo''s own words, the only thing they had left to do was match the exact frequency to


    connect to the ruin, as every location needed a different frequency, a countermeasure put in ce by the AI manager.


    Desperate, he managed to hack in and pause that process at thest moment.


    He then corrupted the device''s systems, disrupting its function and causing it to malfunction.


    The only reason no explosion resounded was because he didn''t know that such a thing could happen and at such a scale.


    Since then, and sometime after, the deeper they descended into the ruin, the more explosions rang out.


    Those were eventually heard by the other squadrons as the tunnels began to converge.


    It wasn''t long till the five squadrons found themselves heading toward the same direction-


    the myocardium of the Metro''s Heart ruin.


    The air there grew even heavier with Aether, and slowly, every sound had faded, obscured almost as if in deep water.


    Kiera and Lyra were the first to arrive, reaching arge, empty circr chamber.


    The walls were tall there, and the roof was high up, simrly empty of anything as if this


    ce was designed to induce boredom.


    But when they stepped foot in the chamber, a man appeared, his back facing them.


    He wore a long dark blue coat made of soft fabric, with gold lines running through it. Underneath, they could see a lighter blue shirt, paired with ck pants and tall boots. His familiar features were easily recognizable.


    They almost couldn''t believe their eyes.


    That curly ck hair, and gentle visage.


    There was no mistaking it.


    ...It was Amon.


    He stood before a fully functioning neuralwork disruptor, which had around fifteen men,


    or at least the limbs of what appeared to be fifteen men, strewn about, painting the device as


    well as the white chamber in red.


    And before Lyra could react or do anything to stop it-just anything-a pulse was emitted,


    sending a shockwave through the whole ruin.


    "NO!"


    She felt it.


    There was no escaping this.


    It had happened.


    The AI manager, the one they had fought so hard to keep dormant, was now enraged.


    And in the next moment...


    A hologram materialized before them.

 Chapter 437: Terror Awakening V

    Chapter 437: Terror Awakening V


    ?


    Amon stood on rubble that stretched as far as he could see, which was really saying something as his eyes could see incredibly long distances.


    From his vantage point, the entire way down revealed itself-a makeshift tunnel most likely created naturally after the metro''s destruction.


    It was dimly lit, but to him, it appeared bright as day.


    Behind him were no less than thirty soldiers, all decapitated.


    Their heads were sliced with such precision that it seemed to be the work of a machine.


    And those whose heads were facing upwards had faces that could be seen frozen in shock, evident even by their bodies, their weapons still clutched in stiffened fingers.


    Plop....Plop...


    Blood dripped from his hand and, growing annoyed by the sound, he flicked it aside, the crimson droplets sttering against the cold metal floor.


    Amon was old school, preferring to wear normal clothes, and that came with several disadvantages, this grime being one of them.


    But at that moment, none of that mattered to him.


    ''Emir was right... Damnation.''


    He took a moment to steady his emotions and then nced back.


    "Call them in. All of them."


    His words received no reply, but it seemed like they were heard as he turned around and continued to walk forward, deeper into the ruin.


    While he moved, his figure gradually faded into the shadows, likely activating a Camouge ability.


    Just as he became invisible to the naked eye, he picked up his speed, each step faster than Emir''s sh Step.


    Even though the floor beneath him was cracked and worn, his movements remained utterly silent.


    It was almost as if he was teleporting from location to location, going near the speed of sound.


    If that didn''t sound ridiculous enough, this was purely due to his physical strength-no abilities involved.


    His seventh step had him stumble upon more of Temr''s men, gathered in a wide, open chamber.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    They were next to the tunnel he stood on, under its rubble, protected by rusted beams that formed makeshift roofs.


    Most of the men were busy setting up a dish-like device, simr to those he had seen earlier. He didn''t know what they were, but from what Emir had told him, those devices had to be destroyed as they would awaken the terror if allowed to activate.


    Amon disappeared, and once he reappeared...


    Everything in his vicinity was dead, decapitated, blood painting his hand like earlier.


    He then looked at the device and swung his arm, flicking the blood towards it.


    This time, he put more strength into that movement, creating an incredibly strong gust of wind that cut the machine in half, as well as the wall behind it, causing rubble to fall and further destroy whatever remained of it.


    Once his eyes scanned the scene, he turned around and began moving again, each step propelling him at least a kilometer forward.


    But that didn''tst long.


    On his fifteenth step, the tunnel had reached a dead end.


    Rubble was stacked up to the roof, blocking anything from continuing forward.


    He stopped and looked around, quickly realizing that this was a natural urrence, not a man-made one.


    There couldn''t be any soldiers on the other side unless they went through a secret route, of course.


    Otherwise, they would have to dig through this, and that in turn would ruin whatever structural integrity remained in this tunnel.


    He pulled up the map in his HUD, his eyes darting around as he scanned it from top to bottom.


    ''Hm.''


    The map ended here, directly where he stood; there was no more ruin to explore; he had killed all of the soldiers...


    But was that really it?


    Emir gave him this route for a reason.


    He knew that it was the ce where Temr would station most of their force.


    Yet arguably, it was the exact opposite.


    Amon had faced the least amount of peoplepared to the rest of Emir''s men.


    Sure, they were stronger, but that couldn''t be it, could it?


    ''...Wait.''


    His eyes suddenly widened.


    He looked up at the rubble and closed his eyes, letting his Aether free.


    A second went by, and he felt it-a subtle tremor in the air, a disturbance.


    This... this in front of him was an illusion.


    The map they had, sourced by his own people, trusted people, was a fake.


    For all those years since the Academy''s purchase of this ruin, they had used this map, only updating it when routes copsed or danger zones appeared, either monsters or concentrated radiation pockets.


    Amon had a mole deep inside his Academy.


    There might also be other sleeping agents that he didn''t know of.


    ''My God...''


    His own inadequacy threatened the lives of his students.


    Veins began to appear around his neck, almost bursting.


    While his face didn''t show it, the man was beaming with rage.


    He raised his right hand and punched the air, tearing arge hole through the rubble.


    It copsed at first and then dissipated into the air, the illusion broken, revealing arge, empty circr chamber where nothing was ced.


    Amon almost sighed with relief but immediately stopped himself.


    ''...One more?''


    His eyes twitched, and he took a step forward, entering the chamber.


    Amon found himself before a fully functioning Thumper, guarded by twenty soldiers.


    The device was already activated, dishing out pulses that slowly ruined the AI manager''s


    systems.


    He was toote.


    They fell into their trap.


    This was by no means Emir''s fault; it was entirely his.


    They trusted a map they shouldn''t have.


    Standing there, Amon was lost in thought, his internal world moving in slow motion.


    Could he force the men to reverse the damage they had done?


    Or should he just kill them and destroy the device?


    But would that be enough? Would the Behemoth awaken either way?


    What was he to do? Which was the safest option?


    His thoughts were never-ending, but it seemed that there was no need for him to waste those


    fractions of moments.


    A decision was already made for him.


    Before he could intervene, the atmosphere shifted.


    The twenty men in front of him suddenly exploded.


    A few of them were outright obliterated, turning into mush.


    Those that didn''t, had their guts and blood fly everywhere, painting the chamber, leaving


    only limbs that looked half-eaten.


    Amon was stunned.


    Throughout his long life, he was never met with such...


    He couldn''t name what this was.


    Desperation? Savagery? Madness? Derangement?


    Either way, whatever this was, he was not familiar.


    Lyra was, however.


    She entered at that moment, and before she could do anything to stop the device, just anything, another pulse was emitted, sending a shockwave through the whole ruin.


    "NO!"


    He felt it as she did.


    There was no escaping this.


    It had happened.


    The AI manager, the one everyone had fought so hard to keep dormant whether knowingly or


    not, was now enraged.


    And in the next moment...


    A hologram materialized before them.


    That was when Amon finally realized the extent of his fuckup.

 Chapter 438: Terrors Awakening VI

    Chapter 438: Terror''s Awakening VI


    ?


    Amon didn''t even pause to look at him, the new arrival.


    Instead, he lightly punched the air, instantly shattering the Thumper and tearing it into tiny scrap pieces while crumbling the wall behind it.


    Perhaps this would appease this AI-whatever it was.


    But when he looked back... he met the expected.


    Nothing had changed.


    The hologram was still there. Floating, unphased, untouched.


    The destruction and ughter he caused hadn''t mattered, not one bit.


    Now... there was nothing more he could do.


    Amon had dealt with many things in his life, but engaging directly with an entity like this?


    That would be beyond foolish, especially when it was in such an unpredictable state.


    He wasn''t about to make that mistake.


    The principal didn''t waste time standing idle, though.


    His eyes shifted to Lyra, sending a silentmand through his gaze.


    ''Intervene.''


    They had only crossed paths seconds ago, but he had already identified her.


    She was Emir''s right-hand woman. His AI, an extension of his will. A secret that only he and the Four Elite Heads were privy to. Of course, her own family wasn''t ounted for in that statistic.


    Regardless, Lyra didn''t need to be told.


    She was already on the move, not surprised that he knew of her.


    In their world, secrets were currency, and Amon was rich with them.


    Whatever the family heads knew, he knew ten days earlier.


    Their source for that information was unknown, but it wasn''t something difficult to piece together for those who understood the world''s undercurrents.


    The Elite, particrly Moonscribe and ckwood, had connections with the goons of the goons of the Order-one knowingly, the other unknowingly.


    Naturally, they had gotten their intel from them.


    Gold Leaf and Ebonfyre, the more legal of the four, had likely bought it from the Praying Lady for one or two heavy wallets filled with Valora.


    It was quite ironic, really. Laughable almost.


    Thosemitting the gravest crime were responsible for Earth''s most critical legal matters, hiding behind facades of legitimacy.


    Such hypocrisy wasn''t new; it was a standard of this world.


    A twisted normalcy that thrived under the guise of order.


    But beneath the surface, the entire Elite Alliance was on a knife''s edge.


    Their intricate and delicate friendship was under constant threat by no one else but their very own members.


    Emir had nted the seeds of their downfall long ago, a ticking bomb ready to go off.


    Yet, nothing showed on the outside.


    They all wore their masks well, as if the world were still merry and unspoiled, as if the rot beneath wasn''t growing.


    This had given them the upper hand in the war of information.


    Azazel couldn''t know if their leader was caught having kidnapped Aria or if his true rtionship with Ragnar was discovered.


    It was one-sided.


    A one-way mirror that only showed their activities, all the public and sometimes the few hidden ones.


    ''Bastards.''


    Lyra took a deep breath, stopping her thoughts from spiraling and steadying herself as she stepped forward.


    The AI manager now loomed right in front of her, his form appearing to be a default male android, with no skin on its body, just metal.


    But he still had features on his face.


    They flickered with a cold fury that threatened them with certain death.


    She knew this wasn''t going to be sessful, but she had to try.


    Closing her eyes, Lyra forced herself into the AI''s neuralwork.


    Her now dark vision blurred, and then everything around her went white.


    She found herself in a vast, endless space, a void of pure light.


    It would''ve been disorienting to others, but this ce felt like home to her, not like how the Corp za did, because this was simply a mind space-a ce where logic and data reigned


    supreme.


    What differed was that the AI manager was in control here, not her.


    He appeared before her, and his presence was overwhelming a massive, towering entity that seemed to stretch on forever.


    It was an obvious attempt at intimidation and she didn''t fall for it.


    Lyra felt its anger pulsing through, a constant, unrelenting force that sought to push her out. But she held her ground, refusing to back down.


    "Stop!"


    She roared, her voice echoing in the white void.


    "I''m not your enemy!"


    After a few seconds, which was many times when experienced in this space, the AI''s form slowly shifted, bing more defined.


    It took on its previous look, resembling a vaguely humanoid shape.


    Its eyes¡ªif they could be called that-glowed with a bright cold light as it focused on her.


    "You are all enemies. Stealing from my ruin as you like."


    His voice boomed, a deep, mechanical sound that was more robotic than human.


    "You have tampered with my systems, threatened my existence. For that, you must be eliminated."


    Lyra smiled, acting like a friendly warranty salesman.


    "I understand why you''re angry. But this wasn''t done by us. We didn''te here to destroy you. We came to stop those who would use you for their own gain and we did... only toote." His form wavered as if considering her words, but the anger didn''t dissipate.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You cannot undo what has been done. The damage is irreversible. My systems barely work, none of my constructs follow my instructions! ONLY MY INTERNAL NETWORK REMAINS! I HAVE NOTHING LEFT!"


    "...Maybe not."


    Lyra replied, her voice calm, quite unlike his.


    "But we can still prevent further harm. Awakening the Behemoth will help no one, it will only guarantee mutual destruction. You gain nothing from it. Instead, we can help you, but you


    need to let us."


    There was a long pause-a very long, almost defeating one.


    They remained staring at each other throughout.


    Lyra could feel the AI''s scrutiny as if it was weighing her every word, every thought.


    Its decision was a big one, monumental, determining its fate for the rest of time.


    Usually, such life-altering choices were out of the question for beings as logical as it, favoring gradual change over sudden shifts...


    But now, time was a luxury it didn''t have.


    There was no room for hesitation.


    It had to decide and she had to convince it-there was no other way out.

 Chapter 439: Terrors Awakening VII

    Chapter 439: Terror''s Awakening VII


    ?


    "You know what will happen if the Behemoth awakens. Everything will be destroyed. Not just us, but you as well. You''ve been dormant for so long, protecting this ce. Don''t let it all go to waste."


    His form flickered, its features shifting rapidly.


    It was a sign of indecision, of conflict within its own programming.


    She pressed on, sensing that she was close.


    "We don''t want to fight you. We want to work with you. We can fix this together. But you need to trust me."


    The void around them seemed to pulse, the light dimming slightly as the AI processed her words.


    Finally, when another ''eternity'' passed, it spoke again, but this time its tone was less hostile, more contemtive:


    "What do you propose?"


    Lyra felt a glimmer of hope... Maybe this wasn''t so impossible after all.


    "You''ve been protecting this ruin for centuries, keeping its secrets safe. But these hunters- they don''t respect that. Theye in, take what they want, and they leave nothing but destruction in their wake. Having you clean up their mess. Let me help you stop them."


    The AI remained silent but Lyra could feel it weighing her words, considering her proposal. She took a step closer, like a hunter approaching its entrapped prey.


    "I can make this ruin inessible to them. No more intrusions, no more theft. I can help you protect what''s yours, keep your secrets safe, and restock the relics from the storage, switching products every ''season,'' following old-world standards. And in return, you can keep the Behemoth slumbering for a while longer."


    He looked away, and then slowly nodded his head.


    "How so?"


    She felt a smile show up on her face but quickly dismissed it, just before he turned to look back at her.


    "Here''s how it will work. On the outside, I''ll have hunters protect this ce all day, all week. I''ll also create a secure link between us. You''ll receive data on hunter activities, system breaches, and any threats to your security. No gaps, no dys. All will be dealt with by us of course, and any relic lost will be reimbursed with a relic of simr type and quality."


    It seemed that herst words had finally brought his eptance.


    His emotions had shiftedpletely, fully aligning with her proposal.


    And once a second had passed, he responded, his voice softer:


    "eptable. Provide your data stream specifications."


    Lyra nodded and quickly transmitted the necessary information to him.


    They exchanged data at lightning speed, trillions of ones and zeros streams flowing back and forth.


    The AI began integrating the new data into what remained of its systems, its presence bing much moreposed and less vtile.


    The deal seemed to be solidifying and Lyra felt a wave of relief.


    Fate was possible to bypass after all...


    She continued to exchange data, ensuring every detail was correct and that the agreement was being set up properly.


    However, as the data exchange continued, the AI''s form suddenly shuddered, and she felt a sharp jolt through her entire being.


    It was as if a wave of recognition had washed over it, something deep and primal triggering within its code.


    His light darkened, shifting from white to a menacing red.


    "You... You''re not one of us."


    Long gone was the soft voice, it boomed, much higher than before, exploding with fury. Lyra''s digital heart sank.


    She knew what wasing.


    "YOU ARE FROM THE ORDER!"


    His voice grew louder, more hostile.


    "A PARASITE SENT TO DECIEVE ME!"


    "No..."


    She pleaded, barely managing to hide her scorn from seeping into her words, her form glitching from existence as she tried to maintain control.


    "I''m here to help-"


    "LIAR!"


    He had somehow detected her true nature, there was no denying it.


    She had failed.


    "TRAITOR! INTRUDER! YOU DARE TO DECIEVE ME?!"


    Lyra tried to regain control, to forcibly calm the AI, or even kill it, but she couldn''t.


    This was his home ground, she was no match.


    "DIE!"


    Thest thing she felt before barely managing to sever the connection to his neuralwork was his overwhelming wrath.


    One so concentrated that it shattered all the white space around her like broken ss.


    "Gah..."


    Back in the physical world, Lyra staggered backward, falling onto the ground.


    Her systems went into overdrive, trying to recover from the abrupt disconnection.


    The AI manager''s hologram twisted in front of them, its form now distorted.


    In moments, the chamber began to tremble, debris falling from the ceiling as if responding to


    his rage, and she knew they were out of time.


    Amon was at her side in an instant, his calm eyes burning into her.


    "What happened?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lyra shook her head, her systems still reeling from the AI''s attack.


    "It knows... It knows what I am. I failed."


    The principal''s expression darkened, his gaze shifting to the pulsing hologram of the AI still


    hovering in the chamber.


    "Then you have to move, you''ll die if you stay here."


    Lyra nodded, pushing herself to her feet.


    She hade so close, but now the situation was even worse.


    The AI''s anger had only grown stronger.


    "Let me help!"


    Kiera approached her in a dash and grabbed her by the side, as did Sarah, who moved in to


    support her from the opposite shoulder.


    Together, they helped her up, leaving their squadron behind, waiting in the chamber


    alongside Hiro and his once-squadron now cohort.


    "Are you alright, vice leader?


    "I''ll be fine, just get me out here."


    ncing at Kiera, Lyra added:


    "Have everyone else retreat, tell them what happened. We''ll meet at the third rendezvous


    point."


    "Roger."


    As they fled the chamber, the ground shook beneath their feet, and they all couldn''t help but


    feel a deep sense of dread. Just absolute unending dread.


    And then... they sensed it.


    Aether itself had shifted.


    The terror had awakened.


    Not a nine-core, but a ten-core.


    That meant that this Behemoth was an old one.


    It knew how to use its abilities perfectly, and judging by what happened to the AI, it would


    not be so merciful.

 Chapter 440: Road To God

    Chapter 440: Road To God


    ?


    ***


    Amon had remained behind, and it was only of course that he did he was responsible for dealing with that terror.


    It wasn''t a being the others could see without dying.


    The monster''s mere presence was enough to squash them all into a paste.


    Even the ground it walked on became no more.


    Each step reduced everything in its surroundings to nearly nothing, slowly, deliberately so, bing worse the closer it got to him.


    Its every breath felt like guttural roars, so powerful that it seemed toe from the very Earth itself.


    Whatever this being was, Emir knew not of it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He only knew that it was a Behemoth, his knowledge from the ''novel'' halfplete as always.


    Amon didn''t know either.


    His documented fights were limited to monsters in the Tyrant rank.


    While he had definitely fought Behemoths before, it hadn''t been on Earth.


    It must have been somewhere else in the vast universe.


    This was guesswork, spection, but Emir was sure that he had, at least once or twice.


    The difference between him and the Four Elites wouldn''t make sense otherwise.


    So, while Amon wasn''t inexperienced, he wasn''t really all that experienced either.


    Either way, whatever experience he had seemed to be enough.


    Panic was far from his mind.


    Instead, what repeated in his mind was the word caution.


    He had to minimize the damage as much as possible.


    If he didn''t, almost everyone around their side of the Earth would die, leaving only the strongest of Seraphims and Archons like himself.


    His eyes stared at the end of the chamber, the only ce where shadows loomed.


    As that moment stretched, another came by, and he held his breath, the ruin did so alongside him.


    And then...


    It tore through the wall and roof, stepping into the light that revealed its form.


    The creature was enormous, towering over him like a living mountain.


    It stood on its massive two feet, its body shaped like a wingless dragon, with rtively small arms that ended with long ws made from some kind of crystallized steel.


    A grotesque amalgamation of metal and flesh was on its back like jagged spikes, starting from its neck and ending at its tail, which was the biggest part of the terror.


    The tail was not simply flesh and thick armored scales like its ck skin but filled with metal, protruding out like a porcupine.


    Multiple eyes, three in total, glowed with obvious intelligence, set deep within its skull, locked on Amon with a predatory focus.


    This was a Ten-Core Behemoth, a ZiColossi, an easily gottenmodity within the higher ranks, but a world-ending terror on Earth.


    There was no doubt that this was the most dangerous creature to ever emerge throughout their history.


    The power radiating from it was so intense that the very air seemed to warp around it.


    Amon''s eyes widened slightly.


    It appeared that he would have to put in more effort than he previously thought.


    Stepping forward, he looked up and snapped his fingers.


    Then everything went silent.


    The world could no longer see them.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in another, dimmer, grimier, and uglier ce, stood Emir, seemingly waiting for something.


    His family had sessfully stepped in before Temr''s n took hold.


    Yet that was their only sess.


    Sure, they snuffed out much of their force, but what did it matter when the main event went as ''written?''


    Well, at least they made it so that Amon had nothing else to deal with, allowing him to fight the Behemoth with no distractions.


    Even then, it would take the principal a while to kill it.


    Though it wasn''t much of a challenge to him, this was to be expected.


    After all, only he would be holding back his strength, the Colossi would go all out.


    Besides, he would be focusing on minimizing its damage to the environment, and that was another challenge to consider.


    So while they ultimately failed, Temr''s attack would''ve been many magnitudes worse had they not interfered.


    The entire batch of first-year students might have been wiped out-every single one, even Arthur.


    A few of the professors and hunter group leaders would have fallen too, leaving Temr''s attack as an overwhelming sess in everyone''s eyes.


    Emir could easily bet that Amon had realized that by now, and it most certainly raised his


    image in the man''s eyes.


    While his actions were driven by self-interest and fulfilling his duty as a professor, they far exceeded what anyone else had contributed-and that was putting it lightly.


    Regardless, Emir''s reason for acting leaned heavily on the former.


    He didn''t care much for des or titles, notpared to what he viewed as most important: the protection of his family.


    It was what truly mattered to him-what had always mattered.


    Everything else was secondary, a means to ensure that goal.


    A dominating survival.


    He would never let them step an inch closer to them.


    Not only because of the danger but because of their nature as fanatics.


    Emir didn''t want them to see their pathetic sight, his hatred for those types running deep.


    Anyhow, he knew where Temr''s soldiers had met from Lyra''s report, so he stalked that area for a while, silently watching his Elite Cohort''s battle through an incredibly dirty


    window.


    He was waiting for Nathan''s men to provide him with the exact location of Temr''s base of


    operations.


    Their church.


    And thankfully, he didn''t need to wait long.


    Just as the cohort ended the second wave, killing no less than fifty men, Nathan''s voice


    resounded in his head.


    [Sorry for the dy, boss man. These no-brained bastards took a while to crack. Their minds were fuzzed up real bad, so we had to check out at least ten of em.]


    Chuckling, Emir checked the information and then inputted the coordinates to his map of the


    slums.


    [It''s fine; I expected as much. You''re up against her. She must''ve tinkered with their brains in that millisecond before death. So don''t worry, you''ve done well.]


    [Thank you, bossman!]


    Their connection was cut there.


    He nced at the map and then, after identifying a route to their church, he kicked the wall he


    was leaning on, opening the room to sunlight and revealing the nearby street.


    Looking up, his eyes turned to a building in the distance.


    "sh Step."


    He disappeared, reappearing just above the building''s roof andnding on it softly.


    It was simr-looking to all the buildings in the earlier sections of the slums-broken,


    rusting, and crumbling.


    However, there was something unusual-a figure that stood out.


    A homeless man sat on one of its rusted beams, unfazed by the destruction and gunfire that


    had echoed through the area for thest half hour.


    Interested, Emir dropped right in front of him, not slowing his fall and cracking the ground,


    all in an attempt to intimidate him.


    But again, the man remained unfazed.


    His eyes slowly drifted toward Emir, meeting his inky ones without fear or surprise.


    "Sir... Can you spare me some credits?"


    Emir tilted his head, confused, almost disappointed.


    His face didn''t show that emotion, however.


    A different one was more evident.


    Disgust. He was unable to hide what he felt from looking at the man, his OCD acting up.


    While he could ignore the building by focusing on particr elements, this man was a mess from top to bottom, there was nothing clean about him, almost as if he was aical


    caricature of a homeless man...


    A fake.


    "My daughter is cold... very cold."


    His begging sounded genuine though, he had to give him that.


    Or... he might be real, just preyed upon by the Praying Lady.


    ''Ah... That''s definitely it.''


    Emir nodded his head, epting that conclusion as the truth.


    It sounded like something right up her alley.


    "Sir?"


    Sighing, he looked away, his eyes scanning the streets, then suddenly vanished.


    Ten secondster, he reappeared back in front of the homeless man, an assault rifle in his


    hand.


    "What''s your name?"


    "I-Its E-Emir, Sir."


    He smiled at that answer.


    Now he was sure of his conclusion.


    Emir got closer to the filthy Emir and handed over the AR.


    "Warm up your daughter with this."


    Showing emotion atst, filthy Emir looked at clean Emir with surprise, thinking that he was


    about to get shot.


    That emotion switched to something else as a moment passed, confusion, mirroring clean


    Emir fifteen seconds earlier.


    "How?"


    Clean Emir presented the gun even closer to the filthy one''s face.


    "I don''t have time to teach you how to fish. It''s a gun, use it."


    "To... extort people? Steal from them?"


    "Exactly."


    "Then..."


    The homeless man took the gun, pressed its stock on his shoulder, and aimed it at the owner


    of the hand that fed him.


    "Hm."


    For the first time since he arrived, Emir looked directly at the man''s face and leaned towards


    him, intentionally slow.


    "Does desperation make people this stupid?"


    With every second, the homeless man pushed himself further back, his flinching body


    screaming at him to run away, that he had made a mistake.


    "Am I like this as well? Can''t imagine it."


    In the next second, there was no more room for the man, his back was pinned against the wall.


    Meanwhile, Emir''s head was pushing down against the rifle''s nozzle.


    "What do you think? Am I stupid?"


    Utterly speechless, the homeless man''s finger neared the trigger, while his eyes remained


    stuck on Emir''s.


    He couldn''t stop himself, it was as if his body was moving on its own ord.


    He had to kill this man!


    "DIE YOU MONSTER!"


    His finger pulled the trigger fully and...


    Click!


    Nothing happened.


    All they heard was a click.


    Click! Click! Click! Click!


    He pressed the trigger multiple times like a maniac, begging for the impossible to happen,


    but nothing could.


    "Please... p-please... don''t kill me... please."


    The gun had no bullets.


    "I beg you, please don''t-"


    Emir kicked him into the ground, shutting him up, and then, without giving him a moment to


    react, he curb-stomped his head, ending his life at once.


    Like a ripe tomato thrown against a rock-hard wall, what remained of his head sttered everywhere, coating his surroundings in blood, bone chips, brain matter, and muscle tissue.


    He had stomped the heads of many before this, but none had resulted in such a gruesome disy.


    It was on purpose.


    This wasn''t just about his usual efficiency; it was a statement-a warning to those who dared


    to misuse his name.


    "Bitch... trying to y me like that."


    Emir cursed under his breath, his voice seething with barely restrained anger.


    He then took a deep breath,posing himself, then kneeled down slightly, grabbed the


    cleanest part of the man- the left shoe-and dragged the body forward into the building. "Fine. If death is what you want then I''ll show it to you."

 Chapter 441: Road To God II

    Chapter 441: Road To God II


    ?


    Emir slipped through a narrow gap between the crumbling outer walls, avoiding the main door, which was blocked by a pile of debris.


    Though he could''ve easily torn through the obstruction, he knew doing so would bring the entire unstable structure down on top of him.


    The ce was barely holding together as it was, and even the slightest disturbance could send it crashing to the ground.


    Continuing to drag that headless body behind him, he searched around the building''s basement, looking for a trap door.


    It didn''t take him long to find it.


    There was no one guarding it, and that daughter he mentioned was nowhere to be seen.


    As he expected, the "filthy bastard" lied.


    Emir''s hate for the pitiful man was a bit unwarranted, but it was also understandable.


    They used his name on a man who looked like that-filthy, disheveled, andpletely beneath him.


    His obsessive need for order red, but so did his pride.


    It was an insult to him on every level.


    But, as always, he had already calmed down, this time even faster, before even stepping inside the building, his mind quickly refocusing on the task ahead.


    After checking the trapdoor for any threats, he pulled it open without hesitation.


    He then stepped back and threw the filthy man''s body down the hole.


    A moment passed and he closed his eyes, focusing on his ears.


    Thud...


    They picked up on the faint sound of a body hitting a solid floor, its bones cracking slightly due to the impact.


    He waited a few seconds longer and once he heard no other sound, he started to move, slowly descending down thedder while his eyes checked for any traps on the way.


    Even though dropping the body revealed there to be no traps, he wasn''t sure, perhaps they had something attached to thedder itself.


    The hole was a tight squeeze, especially for a body his size, but he got through safely and eventually reached the bottom, dropping next to what remained of the homeless man.


    Emir was about to pick him up but paused, surprise coloring his face.


    His new surroundings differedpletely from before, it was as if he had stepped into a different time period, an old era.


    The ce screamed gothic, even though it technically was just a long and wide hallway.


    Its walls were rough and uneven, lined with old, tarnished metal sconces that held flickering torches, casting wavering shadows that danced on the ground. The air was musty, carrying the scent of damp stone, wood, and decay.


    The floor was made of cracked tiles, some missing entirely, revealing stone covered in dirt and grime. The ceiling was high, arched with ornate carvings that had long since lost their original luster.


    Cobwebs hung in the corners, presumably made by the designers themselves, and there was the asional drip of water from somewhere above, adding to the atmosphere.


    ''Damn... at least she''s got taste.''


    Emir didn''t let this new environment distract him for too long, snapping out of his wonderment with a single thought.


    He picked up the headless body once more, not putting an end to his suffering just yet, and began dragging it along the cold floor.


    The echo of the body scraping against the surface resonated through the empty corridor for a while.


    After a minute or so of walking, his steps began to slow.


    He was approaching a wall with a small door in the middle, where he knew an opponent waited.


    From the outside, a few feet away, he could already smell it a faint scent of poison.


    Pausing his steps, he checked the door''s hinges, which differed from what he knew, and stuck close to the wall, beside it.


    Aether hummed within him, coating his right hand, using his Aerialis aspect.


    He then hovered his hand over the door and shot it down like a sledgehammer.


    ng!


    Sounding like a metallic impact, the door flew away, its hinges broken, and crashed on the ground, skidding on the tiles til it came to aplete stop.


    It turned quiet after that, just the constant drip of water on stone was heard.


    Emir smirked and threw the headless man inside, awaiting the activation of a trap.


    Yet, again, he heard nothing.


    ''Hm.''


    Deeming it a bust, he inwardly channeled his Aetheric Shield and stepped past the door.


    He entered an empty room, with only one difference from the hall he walked through earlier.


    A man other than him was here.


    He stood close to the middle of the room, where the dead body and doory.


    The man was covered from top to bottom in a white cloak, leaving only his head exposed.


    Temr''s insignia was above where his second heart was, proudly disyed.


    His face had average looks, but his hair certainly wasn''t.


    It was pure white, even whiter than Arthur''s hair, likely a result of a dye.


    But Emir''s focus wasn''t on that.


    He zeroed in on his posture.


    The man was rxed, even against him, and that either spelled overconfidence or


    preparedness.


    Emir leaned on thetter.


    "...I''m Emir Oliver. I''m sure you know a lot about me, but I don''t know anything about you."


    He gave the man an invitation to converse before they fought, and after a second of thought, the man epted.


    "I''m called nc, a Priest of Temr. And yes, as you will know soon, I learned a lot about


    you."


    nc took out a sword, and it shimmered with a faint, dark glow, almost identical to Emir''s Aetheric de.


    "I see."


    With that all-familiar word, Emir pulled his hands back, unsheathing his twin swords, and


    took a stance.


    "Thanks for waiting. I''ll let you have the first move."


    Chuckling, nc ced his hand inside his cloak and took out what appeared to be a green


    incense cauldron.


    He raised it up, wiggling it towards Emir.


    "Judging by how you already have your shield up, you smelt the poison inside this."


    There was a small leaf in the middle, which was green in color, almost highlighted.


    "As you must''ve guessed by now, it''s a holy relic."


    Before Emir could reply, he continued:


    "I know, rare right? Can''t believe I have it either."


    nc tossed that in the air, and it paused, floating for a moment.


    His smile dimmed and he chanted:


    "Aetheric Shield."


    Just as his shield formed, the holy relic dissipated, green gas recing it and wafting in all


    directions, smelling of heavy poison.


    Emir, uncaring for his performance, nced behind him, and sure enough, the entrance on his side of the room was blocked; a new door reced the broken old.


    ''Hm, they researched my abilities quite a bit.''


    It was obvious what the poison was for, forcing him to use his Aetheric Shield ability.


    His opponent had that ability as well, so the situation required him to use Aetheric des. Nothing else in his arsenal of abilities would prate it, leaving him with one ability usen/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    slot.


    Of course, Author''s Strings could disrupt nc''s Aetheric Shield, allowing his own poison to kill him, but that would reveal his ability.


    Emir couldn''t have that happen, not yet.


    Now, he could only wonder what they would force him to do next, but he didn''t need to wait,


    not even for a moment.


    The second the poison reached him, it began to leak inside the shield, corroding it.


    He jumped back in rm, smacking into the door, his eyes widening as he barely escaped


    death.


    ''AETHERIC OVERLOAD!''

 Chapter 442: Road To God III

    Chapter 442: Road To God III


    ?


    Emir''s body pulsed with Aether as his core began to overwork itself.


    He used all that extra Aether to supply his shield with even more Aether, strengthening it to the extreme.


    Just as he did that, the poison caught up to him, creeping in all around him.


    But this time, it didn''t leak into his shield, unable to breach it.


    He had sessfully sealed it out.


    Exhaling thest bit of air from his lungs, he steadied himself.


    ''...Too close.''


    Calm washed over him as his inky eyes locked onto the man before him.


    Tension was apparent, more so within this field of poison-a deadly threat that demanded vignce.


    This was something Emir had learned firsthand.


    It would kill them at first contact.


    They couldn''t afford to let their guard down for even a second.


    nc chuckled, Aether visible on his tongue.


    "Pity, I almost got you there."


    His voice sounded dry and rough, as if he had no water left in his body.


    "You thought that I had the same shield ability as you, didn''t you?"


    Emir didn''t reply and touched the door, subtly feeling its strength.


    "It''s what you get for not hiding your abilities."


    nc quipped with a smirk that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    "I''ve been waiting for this moment for so long, you don''t understand. I studied you and found a way to level the ying field. You''re used to speed, but here? You''ll have to slow down. You can''t just rush through this."


    Emir''s hand left the door, realizing that he couldn''t punch his way out of it.


    It was stronger than thest one, a higher level of Aetheric Infusion.


    Without showing a reaction to that information, he met nc''s gaze, unfazed by the threat. "Heh~."


    A faint smile touched his lips as he responded, his voice confident:


    "I won''t deny it, you got me."


    There really was no denying that.


    He waspletely tricked, in and simple.


    If not for his Temporal Perception, something that no one knew except Lyra and his blood family, he would''ve died.


    nc had already cast his shield ability, whatever it was called, before Emir even entered the


    room.


    So when he chanted Aetheric Shield right in front of him, he made Emir believe that his own Aetheric Shield was enough to handle the poison.


    They were both Seraphims of the same sub-rank, Champion.


    And while his family had failed to stop the Behomoth from awakening, his soul wasn''t affected.


    That ''failure'' was just one of the two paths where the Major Disaster would go.


    Their actions would simply change to adjust to that; this was all that was no more, no less.


    So since he didn''t see it as a failure, his rank wasn''t affected, and it wasn''t going to be a variable here either.


    Though Emir didn''t know the ability, he knew that it was of the second rank, for nc could handle the poison with no issue.


    It was a smart move, and Emir, who now stepped closer to him, wasn''t one to hate such tricks, but the opposite; he was a puppeteer for a reason.


    "I don''t care what you know; I''m not one to hide... not too much at least. And besides, I want to be challenged, not take a stroll in the park. Soe, let me learn."


    nc smirked and looked up at the ceiling.


    "Oh, heavenly tree. Aether. My Father. My Mother. Bear witness... as I show you the strength of your creation."


    Without another word, the battle began.


    Both stepped forward at the same time, the shimmering shields enveloping them in a protective cocoon, pushing the poison away and momentarily clearing the air behind them.


    They both knew what they had to do.


    Now, their shields were so concentrated that they blocked oxygen from entering.


    Their own weapons would still hit, of course, as both their shields allowed the inside to go outside but not the inverse.


    But then, did that mean that they had to break the other''s shield?


    Was it a simple battle of attrition?


    No, if they knew Emir as much as he imed they had, then they would know about his much increased Aether capacity.


    They were aiming for something else.


    Something more tactical.


    And Emir realized that ''something'' the moment they stood a foot away from attacking each


    other.


    The shield had a weakness.


    Rain.


    Well, not rain itself, but the speed at which it dropped.


    It was why Emir used an Aetheric Construct instead of his Aetheric Shield when he visited the


    za.


    They seemed to have picked up on that, and they knew that Emir could do nothing to cover that weakness.


    It was an intentional one, done so that the ability could remain as a first-rank.


    Aetheric Shield would''ve been too good otherwise, reaching the second rank.


    Like how all abilities defied thews of physics, this one did the same in that every attack, no matter what speed, would be blocked.


    Needless to say, that would be the case only if the user had enough Aether.


    The single exception was when the attack moved at a speed of sixteen to twenty-five meters


    per second.


    This meant that they had to act with the speed of rain, attacking just at the right moments while timing steps to block attacks, turning an endurance match into a game of chess.


    It wasn''t amon ability, and this was the first time Emir had met someone with anything


    simr in battle.


    Excited was an understatement for what he was currently feeling.


    Normally, this weakness wouldn''t be much of an issue, as either Celestial could simply run away from the poison, push the other out of the poison, break the other''s shield, y the endurance game, use the environment, bury them, or even just siphon all the Aether out of them till they died by their own poison.


    But here, it was the only thing that mattered.


    ng!


    Emir''s perception speed turned to normal for a moment, as he was done with his thoughts, and his twin swords struck nc''s.


    They locked each other in ce, identifying the strength of the other, and once nc realized he was weaker than his opponent, he backed off.


    Emir didn''t chase him and they began to circle each other, their eyes locked, each waiting for


    the other to move.


    Every twitch, nce, and muscle tension was analyzed, a silent battle of minds as they anticipated their opponent''s actions.


    The prince had faced simr challenges before, particrly against Arcadia''s dolls, but never


    in an environment like this.


    The poison left no room for error, fractions without his shield, and his life would be over.


    Slowly, a smile that he was holding back appeared on his face.


    He couldn''t help it.


    His chaotic nature was taking over... this became the time he felt most alive.


    nc didn''t know of this nature.


    The only ones who knew were the students and those rotting somewhere in the wastnd,


    fermenting in a monster''s stomach or buried six feet under.


    Would he be one of them?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir couldn''t wait to find out.

 Chapter 443: Road To God IV

    Chapter 443: Road To God IV


    ?


    nc didn''t flinch at the sight of his opponent''s terrifying expression.


    His focus was trained entirely on Emir''s body movements, allowing him to tune out everything else.


    It was a good decision because, at that very moment, Emir had decided to move.


    His attack came as quick as a raindrop, fast but slow.


    He swung his right sword, aiming it at the priest''s head.


    nc sidestepped the sword, then counterattacked, stabbing his forward like a stake.


    Emir stepped into the sword, blocking and pushing it away as the attack speed was increased. Then, pivoting on his left, he turned anti-clockwise and swung his left sword.


    The sword passed through nc''s shield as it shimmered, nearing the bottom of his head.


    But he raised his neck at thest moment, and it grazed him, forming a small cut.


    Unaffected, nc swung his sword at Emir''s left shoulder, and as his feet still hadn''tnded on the ground, the sword seemed bound to hit.


    But it was the prince he was fighting against, and he was certainly unpredictable.


    In his slowed internal world, Emir stared at the sword, watching as it inched towards him, and with barely a thought going through his head, he threw his right sword at nc''s.


    That paused his swing for a moment, making it not fast enough for the shield, causing nc''s sword to bounce off.


    Thunk!


    As one of Emir''s swords ttered to the ground, his left foot finallynded, and he immediately shot forward, swinging his right arm towards nc''s midsection.


    It bypassed nc''s Aetheric Shield and smashed into his body, picking up and throwing him into the wall.


    "Ugh!"


    nc got the wind knocked out of him, barely holding on to his sword as a crater formed behind him, cracks spreading in all directions.


    Emir didn''t stop there, chasing after him with an even brighter smile.


    He reached him in a single step, then grabbed him by his cloak, yanking him over his shoulders with ease, and hurled him into the ground with bone-shattering force.


    "GAAH!"


    Tiles broke under him, the stone cutting into his skin, and he bounced up after the impact, unable to fight back.


    Emir stepped on the hand where he held his sword, pinning it and his body down.


    Then, holding his remaining sword with both hands, he lunged downwards. "Die."


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    ''What?''


    Before his sword could reach, a stream of Aether was released from nc''s free hand, pushing his body up.


    At that moment, Emir couldn''t do anything, there was not enough time for him to slow his speed.


    ng!


    The sword bounced off, as did Emir, looking at the man in front of him with disbelief.


    There was no doubt about it, nc was an Aetheric Duelist, whether knowingly or unknowingly.


    In that brief shock, nc seized the opportunity.


    Twisting his body midair, he awkwardly swung his sword at Emir.


    His form was sloppy, the strike shapeless, but the raw force of his Aetheric de made it dangerous.


    Emir looked at the sword, then, deciding to back off, he sidestepped it, using that as a chance to near his right sword.


    By the time he picked it up, nc was already on his feet, taking a stance.


    They looked at each other for a while, and Emir took his stance as well.


    "You''re better than I expected."


    nc admitted, his tone grudgingly respectful.


    "But you won''t win. Not here."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir''s smile widened further, obvious excitement in his eyes.


    "We''ll see about that."


    He was truly enjoying the challenge.


    This was what he lived for-not the easy victories, but the battles that pushed him to his limits, that forced him to grow, to evolve.


    He was undoubtedly thrown off by the rtively slow pace of the fight, but instead of floundering, he was thriving, his confidence only growing.


    "We will."


    At nc''s two words, both their minds raced, analyzing the timing, the speed, the angles, and once a second passed, they went at it again.


    Each of their movements was deliberate, matching the speed of the rare poison droplets that began to fall from the stones above.


    It almost acted as a reminder of what they had to do, how they had to move at that exact speed to bypass the shield-too fast, and they''d crash against the barrier; too slow, and well, the other would strike them down.


    Emir''s opponent was skilled; no mistaking that; his movements were fluid, his timing faultless by Seraphim standards.


    But Emir was no stranger to adapting, to learning on the fly.


    As if it were a true chess match, he studied nc''s rhythm, understanding the ins and outs of the person before him.


    Eventually, he began to press the attack, his strikesing a fraction faster, his timing more precise.


    With each sh, he grew morefortable with the pace, his mind and body adjusting to the unusual demands of the fight.


    The poison droplets continued to fall, reaching a steady rhythm that matched the tempo of their battle, sizzling their shields, and threatening to break through with each drop.


    It seemed that their battle ended up as an endurance race after all.


    But Emir couldn''t have that, this was just the beginning of his little war.


    He couldn''t waste all his Aether here.


    So while nc calmed with his attacks, Emir kept the pace.


    He moved faster than the priest, forcing him to dodge and parry, pressuring him as much as


    he could, awaiting a slip-up.


    The shing of their steel rang through the room, each strike a sh of force that


    momentarily pushed away the surrounding poison.


    Even though Emir used more of his strength, he made sure to keep himself in check, not


    wasting an ounce of Aether.


    His eyes tracked nc''s every shift, every small tell.


    Though, as seconds passed by, nc wasn''t slowing down as much as he seemed.


    ''A trap?''


    Emir then noticed the slight tightening of nc''s grip, the tension in his shoulders rising.


    Without warning, nc lunged forward, his sword aimed at his neck.

 Chapter 444: Road To God V

    Chapter 444: Road To God V


    ?


    Not at all surprised, Emir deflected the strike with a sharp parry and immediately countered, his left sword arcing towards nc''s midsection.


    nc twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, and retaliated with a quick upward sh aimed at Emir''s chest.


    Emir stepped back just in time, the tip of nc''s sword grazing his augmented suit.


    He then pivoted on his heel and swung both swords in a fluid, cross-sh motion.


    nc barely managed to bring his sword up in defense, the force of Emir''s attack pushing him back several steps.


    "Tricks, tricks, tricks, a pathetic showinging from a man of God-."


    nc ignored Emir''s obvious attempts at riling him up and they resumed circling each other, eyes locked.


    He feigned a low strike, but Emir didn''t fall for it, keeping his guard steady.


    And when ncunched a real attack-a rapid thrust aimed at Emir''s shoulder-he sidestepped it, bringing his right sword down in a diagonal sh.


    nc blocked it, but the sheer force drove him down to one knee.


    Seizing the opportunity, Emir pressed the attack, unleashing a flurry of quick shes.


    nc was forced to retreat, barely keeping up with the onught.


    His swordsmanship wasmendable, likely the same rank as Emir''s, but the prince''s seemingly endless stamina and relentless offense were more than he could handle. Whoosh!


    He barely ducked under a horizontal sh and rolled to the side,ing up with a quick counterattack that aimed for Emir''s legs.


    Emir jumped back, avoiding the sweep, and followed up with a powerful downward strike. nc crossed his sword above his head to block, the impact sending shockwaves through his arms.


    "Grah!"


    With a grunt, nc shoved Emir''s sword away and swung wildly at Emir''s chest.


    Emir blocked the blow with one sword, then stepped in close, using the hilt of his other sword to smash into nc''s side.


    nc winced in pain but didn''t back down.


    He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Emir to leap back to avoid the edge.


    nc coughed loudly and stepped away from the corner he was about to get trapped in, appearing to be heavily exhausted, sweat dripping down his brow.


    Emir, stillposed, shifted his stance slightly, preparing for the next exchange.


    nc''s left hand quickly rummaged underneath his cloak, then took out some sort of small canister and shoved it in his mouth.


    He took a deep breath, threw it to the ground, and charged, aiming for Emir''s head with a swift, upward strike.


    "How unfair-."


    Emir deflected it with ease, then sidestepped to nc''s open side, shing with both swords. nc spun on his heel, bringing his sword around to block, but he was a fraction too slow. Emir''s left sword sliced across nc''s arm, drawing blood.


    nc hissed in pain, retreating a few steps.


    He was losing ground, and he knew it.


    Emir pressed forward, giving him no time to recover.


    Another flurry of attacks followed, each swing of Emir''s swords faster and more precise than thest.


    nc blocked and dodged as best as he could, but the relentless assault left him no room to counter.


    Emir''s final strike came swift and sudden-a powerful thrust aimed straight at nc''s chest. Desperately, nc attempted to parry, but Emir''s left sword interfered, striking his sword directly.


    ng!


    The force of the blow sent his sword flying out of his hand, leaving him defenseless. Allowed free passage, the tip of Emir''s sword stabbed into nc''s stomach, stopping just shy ofpletely piercing through, gutting him.


    nc gasped in pain, his body trembling as blood oozed from the wound.


    Emir unhanded his embedded sword and crushed the priest''s right leg with a vicious stomp.


    nc copsed, dropping fully to the ground, his mind still processing the loss, reeling from the pain.


    "I wasn''t going to win?"


    Emir''s other sword swung down, halting just before it sliced into the priest''s neck.


    ...


    For a moment, the room was silent.


    nc''s chest heaved as he struggled to control his trembling body, his eyes locked on Emir''s


    inky ones.


    Even though he was one inch away from death, he couldn''t move, it was as if he was


    hypnotized.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Those eyes that swirled... they were mad, demonic.


    He could feel it corrupting his mind.


    "You... you really are a demon."


    Emir chuckled softly at nc''s words.


    It wasn''t the first time he''d been called that to his face, but hearing it from a man of the cloth


    gave it a different weight.


    At least one that took on the robes of one.


    "Tell you''re god I said hi."


    Squelch...


    Emir''s de plunged effortlessly into nc''s throat, and he swung it to the right, silencing


    the priest forever.


    Blood sprayed across the ground in a crimson arc as nc''s head fell to the ground, the light slowly fading from his eyes while his Aetheric Shield flickered and faded away.


    Emir''s inky gaze remained fixed on the dying man, his expression emotionless, save for a faint glimmer of satisfaction.


    nc''s now rotting body twitched once, twice, before finally going still, leaving only the eerie quiet of the room and the faint sound of dripping blood, and sizzling poison.


    Emir pulled his other sword free with a casual twist, and wiped both des clean against nc''s melting robe before stepping back.


    "First one down..."


    He muttered, his voice steady but carrying a trace of anticipation, as though savoring the


    moment.


    The fight had ended.


    Once again, the challenge had been real, the fight intense, but he hade out on top.


    And as if it was a reward for his sess, the poison bathing the room began to dissipate until


    none of the green remained.


    Emir, still standing over his fallen opponent, waited for a few seconds, searching for the holy


    relic, wondering if it would reappear.


    It didn''t.


    ''Hm... unfortunate. Was it a one-time use?''


    He shrugged his shoulders at that thought.


    It wasn''t much of a loss.


    His battles rarely urred in inescapable prisons, rather quite the opposite.


    While he certainly wouldn''t mind acquiring another holy relic, this one was highly


    circumstantial, so he didn''t feel anything for losing it.


    As he turned towards the door leading to the next room, his thoughts lingered on nc''s final


    words.


    "A demon, huh?"


    He let out another chuckle, this one quieter, more to himself.


    There was a time when such words might have stung.


    Now, they simply amused him.


    In the end, it didn''t matter.


    Not to him.


    His mind had already moved on.


    This was nothing more than a necessary step-a brief pause before confronting someone that


    truly mattered. "Now... who''s next?"

 Chapter 446: House Of Worship

    Chapter 446: House Of Worship


    ?


    On the way, Emir thought about taking nc''s head as well, but quickly shot down that idea. That priest only had a slightly better shield than him, nothing interesting.


    Besides, it had the same weakness as a first-rank ability, which automatically ced it among the lower tier of second-rank abilities.


    It wasn''t worth the time or effort to extract it from his mind.


    With that decided, Emir safely reached the outside.


    While the doors were locked, made to resist even second sub-rank Seraphims, Exarchs, he managed to st them off by the hinges using Aether st.


    Just as he stepped onto the street, four men dropped down from nearby buildings, surrounding him.


    Emir didn''t react, only watched as they moved towards him.


    They walked slowly until they stood right in front of him, their actions uniform.


    ||||


    ""


    No words were exchanged.


    There simply wasn''t any need for them.


    Emir put forward two of the three items, throwing them on the ground.


    His arm, and a man''s head.


    They quickly took them off the ground, and stepped back, saluting him.


    He nodded, turned around, and went back in.


    Once he climbed back down, he saw that the doors had already been reced.


    ''Of course~!


    Emir chuckled.


    Thankfully, he didn''t need to waste his Aether sting them off again as they could be easily pulled open.


    Like his Aetheric Shield, those doors only blocked him from going out, not in.


    He went through the first and second rooms, crossing a third door that led to a wide hall.


    It was simr to the one before, only difference was that it slopped downwards.


    Emir didn''t sense anyone''s presence, so he calmly walked forward, his right hand firmly gripping the curved de''s hilt.


    The de rested on his shoulder, gleaming in the flickering light.


    Its surface was a pristine white with a delicate engraving etched near the base, just above the hilt.


    The hilt itself was a stark ck, smooth to the touch, and in its center, a white eye was set, mirroring the insignia of the Order.


    He didn''t know what ability it had, but judging by its previous user, it was mostly likely rted to indestructibility.


    No matter-he''d have Raymond inspect itter.


    For now, his attention shifted to the empty hall stretching before him.


    After a solid minute of walking, it opened up into a church, half the width of the hallway but no less imposing.


    This church was a marvel of dark elegance, with towering arches and carved stone walls.


    The ceiling, far above, was held aloft by thick, ckened pirs, each adorned with grotesque eyes repeatedly etched into the stone.


    Stained ss windows reflected the inside, disying candles lining the walls.


    Emir was mesmerized for a moment, appreciating the view.


    ''Not bad... not bad at all.''


    Stepping closer, he pushed open one of the two massive stone doors, its weight barely a hindrance.


    Inside, a thick wave of incense hit him, though his body quickly adjusted.


    Hundreds of eyes turned his way, all belonging to people draped in identical cloaks, seated on wooden benches lining both sides of the church.


    Emir didn''t care about them-they were mortals, insignificant to him.


    Instead, he quickly scanned the area for any potential threats.


    At the far end, an altar dominated the space-a b of dark marble, polished to a mirror-like sheen.


    Above it loomed a massive wrought-iron cross, painted in gold.


    It cradled an eerie eye of white, its pupils conjoined by a twisted tree spiraling around the cross like a coiling serpent.


    Before the alter stood a white-haired man, adorning a look simr to thest two.


    Emir nced at the crowd, then at that man, beginning to approach him right after.


    The church was deathly silent.


    His footsteps and the whisper of an asional breeze were the only sounds that disturbed the stillness.


    Those cloaked figures seated on the benches around him remained wordless, though they weren''t entirely stationary.


    Their heads turned in unison, tracking his every movement.


    None of them moved beyond that, just watched as Emir closed the distance between himself


    and the man at the altar.


    Emir didn''t know if it was an intimidation tactic or something simr, but he didn''t care.


    He continued to walk until he was directly in front of the man.


    For a long moment, there was... nothing.


    No movement, no words, just silence as they locked eyes.


    Emir waited, expecting something a reaction, a challenge, perhaps even an attack. But none


    came.


    Everyone around him remained still, as time itself was frozen.


    Growing impatient, he decided that he had waited long enough.


    With a practiced motion, he shifted into hisbat stance, his muscles tensing.


    "I''m Emir, a professor in the Academy, and the leader of Azazeel."


    As he introduced himself, the man let out a soft sigh and then smiled.


    "....I''m White. The one youst killed was called Weiss. Unfortunately, he was too excited to


    introduce himself to you. My apologies for that."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "It''s fine. I killed his daughter, he deserves to be angry."


    White''s smile died down.


    "Oh, so you know."


    "I do. It was pretty obvious. I think he hated me the third most in this world."


    Chuckling, White shook his head.


    "As expected of the devil. A being who only breeds hatred."


    "Ah, really?"


    "Indeed. If you''re not knowledgeable of the name, you might know Lucifer, Prince of


    Darkness, Beelzebub, Mephistopheles, Baphomet, Lord of the Flies, Father of Lies, Moloch, Satan, or even Iblees, and Shaytan judging by your filthy ancestry."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Emir inwardly scoffed.


    ''Even this guy is hopping on the bandwagon.''


    He nced behind him, smirked, then looked back at White with a neutral expression.


    "I''m filthy now?"


    "Yes. You call yourself Azazel, and that was a direct attack against us I presume. You can''t say that you don''t know. Azazel was ''His'' name before ''He'' lost his life, got cursed, and became a Fallen Angel, forming the n we know today."


    While Emir didn''t fully understand the meaning behind White''s words, he yed the part


    convincingly.


    His expression remainedposed as if he was entirely in control of the situation. Maintaining his image in their eyes was paramount.


    His focus now was on gathering more information-he mentally shelved the need to process what the man had just said forter, seamlessly keeping the conversation flowing.


    "So you know of the n? And here I expected you to be ignorant."


    White snickered.


    "Unlike you, a man chained to the Order like a puppet, we act as Temr''s foothold onto


    Earth. They are us and we are them."


    Emir tilted his head slightly.


    "You say that, then I''m sure you know who killed Lucifer, no?"


    White''s face lit up with righteous conviction.


    "Of course! He fell because he refused to bow and acknowledge Adam as the holder of


    creation!"


    Nodding, Emir held himself back from smirking, continuing his act:


    "It seems that you''re not lying."


    White''s expression darkened, clearly insulted by the insinuation.


    "Ha?"


    He crossed his arms defiantly and raised his voice.


    "Who do you think we are?!"


    Emir''s calm demeanor finally cracked, and a sneer spread across his face, his smirk widening.


    "Lying fanatical pieces of shit."


    White was truly angered and he stepped hard on the ground, denting the wood.


    "Do not swear in the house of God!"


    Raising his remaining arm in surrender, Emir chuckled.


    "Sure, sure. But in return, will you tell me about Alex? I want to know how you figured out


    that we''re the ones who killed him."


    White calmed down and puffed his chest.


    "Me. No knowledge escapes an Astral. Besides, we had private dealings with Alex, and we


    knew more of his movements than his own faction. He wasn''t one of us, as he was non- religious, but we held the same goal of saving Earth, unlike those hacks at the Liberation


    Army. He would''ve done Earth some good, it''s too bad that you killed him."


    Emir repeatedly nodded his head.


    "Hm, hm, hm, it''s too bad indeed... But why keep that knowledge secret?"


    White snickered, his next words filled with disdain.


    "Themies can''t act well, and we needed them to be truly mad. Though it doesn''t matter


    now that you caught on, we''ll just tell them after our attack is over."


    "Are you sure you should be saying that in front of me?"


    White rolled his white eyes, ignoring Emir''s threat, and asked:


    "Do you believe in God?"


    "I do... they obviously exist, but they are not to be worshiped... I don''t worship those I could


    match."


    "Interesting answer..."


    "Boring question. Now tell me, are you Temr''s leader?"


    "Yes."


    Emir''s smirk blossomed into his signature smile, an unsettling, maniacal one that stretched


    impossibly wide across his face.


    "Lies? ...In your own house of worship? No wonder..."


    Pausing for a moment, he stepped closer to White, his voice deepening as he continued:


    "No wonder your God abandoned you."


    "Yo-"


    Emir''s spike of killing intent immediately shut him up, leaving White unable to utter a word.


    He struggled to properly breathe, facing the full weight of Death''s Shadow.


    The ability''s true power flourished against those two sub-ranks below the user, and judging


    by his pathetic sight, all the conditions were met.


    This confirmed Emir''s suspicion from the moment he entered the church.


    The man before him posed no real threat.


    Without a doubt, this man was the fake.


    A puppet that wasn''t even a priest.


    "But I like you... we like you."


    Emir raised his curved de.


    "So let your God..."


    An Aetheric construct in the shape of a cross materialized above White.


    "Weep."


    It fell at once, piercing his head and crushing his body, sttering his remains all around the


    altar.


    Heavy silence returned to the church with a subtle but noticeable difference.


    Instead of steps, rhythmic dripping could be heard.


    Nothing else.


    The cloaked figures didn''t react.


    They only watched as blood began to drip off his cross.


    That was when Emir turned around and addressed the crowd for the first time since his arrival:


    "Everyone my bad for keeping you waiting."


    He bowed slightly as if performing on a stage and continued:


    "I''ll just say a few words, yeah?"


    None replied.


    "From now on, all of you will heed mymands."


    Finally, that got a reaction out of them, but Emir picked up on none of that.


    He wasn''t interested.


    All he knew was that the majority opposed him.


    How or in what way?


    He didn''t care to know.


    It was all a blur.


    "Hm. This''s annoying. Oh, how about this..."


    Emir raised his remaining arm and pointed his curved de at a random person in the crowd.


    "You there, can youe up here for a moment?"


    The man he pointed at looked around, then looked back at him, confused.


    "Yes, you."


    Still silent, heplied, slowly approaching the prince without resistance.


    Just as his foot neared the altar, Emir unleashed a small amount of his Aether.


    The pressure alone crushed the man''s entire body into mush, sttering blood all over the


    ce.


    A drop managed to touch Emir''s face.


    Disgusted, he quickly wiped it off with his finger and cleaned it using his augmented suit.


    "So, I''ll say it for thest time..."


    He scanned the crowd andmanded:


    "You guys better obey me."


    One man stood up, quiet, face hidden, but his intentions were evident. Emir, baffled by the creature''s foolishness, approached him and grasped his neck.


    "You like movies? Horror movies? Well, you know in the start there''s always this nice guy that


    you''re sure he''ll get himself killed? Then it happens... he gets killed. Trust me... you''re going


    to be that guy."


    Emir nced around the room, his eyes narrowing on a particr figure.


    "Unless the true leader has anything to say about it."


    ||||


    Silence hung in the air.


    A moment passed, then a second, then a minute, the man''s choking was heard.


    After two minutes, he neared death, and then finally...


    A woman rose from the crowd.


    She looked directly at Emir, and as they locked eyes, he froze.

 Chapter 447: Ignorant Prey

    Chapter 447: Ignorant Prey


    ?


    ***


    Meanwhile, in another ce, at the same time...


    A man in a white cloak stared a cohort of students down, a cold smile ying on his lips.


    He stood still, a wave of heat radiating from him.


    With Elijah in the lead, Quinn, Aria, and Junior instinctively took their stances, preparing for the worst.


    The four understood that this was no test. Readying themselves for the hurt they knew was inevitable.


    "Oh~."


    Letting out a low chuckle, the man raised his hand and opened his palm.


    "Since you already picked up on what I''m here for, let''s not waste any time, shall we?"


    A dark red me materialized above it.


    "Remember you died in my Hell. Wit."


    The me began to dance, and he blew his hand, extinguishing it.


    "Don''t freeze up..."


    Elijah muttered, his eyes never leaving Wit''s, while his mind raced through possible strategies.


    "We''ll live a few minutes longer if we do this right."


    The priest didn''t give him a chance to speak further.


    With an unseen motion, he raised his left hand, matching his right, and pped, conjuring a wall of fire that erupted from the ground behind them, cutting off their retreat.


    The heat was intense, the mes roaring like a beast ready to devour.


    Aria looked at it with slight panic, her heart pounding in her chest, but she steeled herself, gripping her staff tighter.


    "No turning back now!"


    Elijah was the first to move, Quinn right after him, nearing a shop to Wit''s right.


    He quickly activated Grim Veil, shrouding his soul in a dark mist that made his form difficult to track, and dashed forward, closing the distance between himself and Wit.


    Just as he reached him, he swung his daggers in cross-motion, inwardly chanting Spectral Scythe.


    His daggers went forth, and an ethereal scythe materialized above Wit, spinning downwards to cleave his head off.


    Wit grinned, conjuring a ming Tornado around him just before any of Elijah''s attacks could reach.


    The vortex of fire exploded upwards, pushing away everything around it.


    Elijah was forced to leap back to avoid being engulfed by the mes, barely managing to escape uns


    That single exchange showed the difference in power between them, but no one in the cohort was discouraged.


    They already knew that it was an unwinnable fight; seeing evidence of it changed nothing.


    Instead, they chose to go out in a ze of glory.


    Aria attacked next, nning to use Wit''s ability against him.


    She aimed her staff and chanted in a low voice:


    "Thorn Volley."


    Sharp green thorns, each one the size of her hand, shot out her staff, all aimed at Wit''s chest.


    While midair, they suddenly experienced a speed boost.


    The reason was clear: Junior had activated his Aegis Radiance, buffing all his allies.


    This sudden eleration might have caught a different opponent off guard, but Wit remained unfazed.


    He flicked his right hand, and the tornado copsed, unleashing mini Dragon''s Breaths that erupted in all directions.


    Torrents of searing mes incinerated the thorns before they could even near him, destroying the surrounding walls at the same time.


    Junior charged forward to meet what remained of the attack with his wall shield, blocking a tiny lick of me that came in his cohort''s direction.


    As he got pushed back slightly, he raised his newly acquired ive, another of Emir''s rewards, activating Aetheric de.


    The ive''s de, now coated with Aether, tore through the air, aimed at Wit, intent on tearing through him, but the man barely flinched.


    Instead, heshed out with a Lava Whip.


    The molten weapon cracked through the air, reaching Junior before his ive couldnd. Junior''s eyes widened, barely managing to hide behind his shield in time.


    But that didn''t matter.


    The force of the impact sent him flying back, heat radiating through him as his body rolled across the ground.


    At that exact moment, Quinn finally revealed herself, attacking him from the left.


    As she took Wit''s attention away, both Elijah and Aria attacked from the right.


    "Aether st!"


    Quinn didn''t hesitate to use half her reserves, sending a beam of concentrated Aether directly towards his chest.


    Two other abilities came at him as well.


    Elijah''s Spectral Scythe was spinning through the air while Aria''s Thorn Volley shot out.


    Wit simply grinned, barely moving as he watched their attacks near him.


    Then suddenly, a small blue orb appeared directly in front of him, floating in the air.


    Elijah knew what that was.


    A Grain of Hell.


    That me absorbed everything they threw at him with ease, devouring the Aether for breakfast, dispersing harmlessly around him once it was done.


    The priest retaliated immediately, summoning Hell''s Rain-a storm of molten rocks and balls of pure fire that fell from the ceiling.


    "AETHERIC BULWARK!"


    Junior summoned a shield directly above them, momentarily protecting Elijah and Aria.


    Quinn was left unprotected.


    She was still to the right of Wit, not allowed the chance to regroup with her cohort.


    Thankfully, the girl could take care of herself, activating her Aetheric Shield.


    She managed to avoid therger projectiles, leaving her shield to deflect some of the smaller


    fragments.


    "Dammit... Where are the professors?!"


    Quinn cursed under her breath, constantly being reminded of just how outmatched they were


    with each life-ending hit her shield tanked.


    If this kept up, they would die; that was guaranteed.


    They faced an impossible choice: kill a Seraphim as second sub-rank Ascendants-something even Emir couldn''t manage¡ªor die a dog''s death in this ruin for nothing but a fanatical


    creed.


    It felt hopeless, yet they couldn''t back down.


    If they were going to die, they might as well die trying.


    "RAH!"


    Junior swung his ive, only for the Wit to catch the de mid-swing with a single hand.


    Wit''s grip tightened, bending the metal slightly before he pushed it away, shoving Junior


    back.


    Quinn dodged another fireball and closed in, lunging at him, her sword glowing.


    But Wit sidestepped her strike with ease, sweeping her legs out from under her and sending


    her sprawling to the ground.


    Elijah darted in, attempting to catch him off guard with a quick sh to the side, but wit twisted his body just enough to avoid the attack, retaliating with a powerful backhand that


    sent him crashing into the ground.


    Aria tried to ensnare him with Entangling Roots, but he burned through them with one fireball, the mes searing the ground where the roots once were.


    Wit was toying with them, his expression showing a mix of boredom and irritation.


    "Elijah! We need to coordinate!"


    Quinn called out, desperate enough to plead to her enemy''s little brother.


    "Give us a n! Anything!"


    Elijah didn''t need to be told; his mind had alreadye up with something.


    "Aria, cover us with your roots! Junior, you and I will create an opening!"


    Their Forest Weaver wasted no time.


    Her staff waved through the air as she chanted the spell.


    Another set of thick, thorny roots erupted from the ground, surging towards Wit like snakes,


    intent to bind him in ce.


    Wit sneered, flicking his hand to counter with a Dragon''s Breath.


    But Junior interfered, deflecting the attack slightly with his wall shield.


    He did it long enough for the roots to ensnare the Wits legs.


    Elijah saw his chance.


    He snuck in from behind and swung his scythe just as he got in range.


    Wit didn''t bother to dodge, smacking the side of the scythe with his fiery hand, breaking it.


    That was a mistake.


    Even though he dismantled the attack, he shouldn''t have touched a Reaper carelessly, even if


    it was a student.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The figure of a hooded humanoid engraved itself into where he touched the scythe.


    A Death Mark had been cast on him.


    He looked up in surprise, not expecting Elijah to be a fourth-ability Reaper at such a young


    age.


    It wasn''t one of the most rarely sighted of the ten specializations for no reason. Besides the stigma being a factor, it was a hard path to walk, so Wit''s surprise was more than


    understandable.


    However, he quickly regained hisposure, shaking off the rising weakness creeping


    through his body.


    Wit anticipated Elijah''s next attack-two daggers aimed directly at his neck.


    He could''ve dodged, but he couldn''t move.


    Aria''s roots were still wrapped around his feet.


    It would take him a second to break free, but that time would be plenty enough for Elijah''s


    daggers to reach him.


    "Good."


    In a blur of motion, Wit shot both hands forward, fingers spreading like ws as they snapped


    around the des, halting the attack.


    Tiny cracks formed at the points of contact, and Elijah quickly stepped back, recognizing


    failure for what it was.


    This allowed Quinn the freedom to follow up.


    Her sword glowed further dark as she stepped near and shed at the Wit''s midsection.


    The de cut through his cloak, catching him off guard since he was still recovering from


    repelling Elijah.


    || ||


    No blood was drawn.


    The sword was stuck, barely digging an inch into his skin.


    Wit looked at her, marking the moment when one second had passed.


    His legs were freed; he had kicked the roots apart, breaking their hold.


    Quinn didn''t move, not because she couldn''t, but because she wanted to.


    Her sword dug itself further into him, a poor attempt meant to hold him back.


    "NOW!"


    The cohortunched their attacks from all directions-a scythe, a ive, and roots.


    "Good, good~."


    With a chuckle, Wit activated his ming Tornado once more.


    Before the vortex of mes could fully materialize, Quinn kicked his back, yanking her sword


    free as quickly as she could.


    His body didn''t even flinch, nor did his ability waver. mes erupted around him, surging upward and searing Quinn''s hands.


    It bounced off their attacks, forcing them all to retreat while incinerating Aria''s roots.


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯-!"


    Quinn barely stifled her scream, quickly joining her cohort and positioning herself behind


    Junior.


    Wit stared at them through the mes and stepped forward, interest burning in his eyes.


    "Really, great effort. Except for him and another cohort in your batch, no one your age can


    match you..."


    He admitted, his voiceced with obvious amusement.


    But that faded with his next words:


    "It''s truly unfortunate that you''ll die today."

 Chapter 448: Ignorant Prey II

    Chapter 448: Ignorant Prey II


    ?


    Wit''s words hung in the air like a death sentence, but the cohort had no time to dwell on them. He finally moved, approaching them with slow steps, hands sped behind his back.


    A blurred Elijah tried to nk him again with his Spectral Scythe ready to strike, wanting to repeat the sess ofst time.


    But Wit saw him from a mile away, sidestepping the attack and mming his fist into Elijah''s chest.


    "Bah!"


    The force of the blow sent him crashing into a nearby wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him.


    He struggled to rise, but the pain radiating through his ribs made it clear he''d be slower from here on out.


    "Elijah!"


    Aria and Junior screamed, their voices tinged with fear.


    She quickly cast Root Surge, and he summoned his second Aetheric Bulwark, protecting the barely standing Elijah.


    The root snaked across the ground towards Wit but he was too quick, disappearing and reappearing before Quinn, pping her to the ground.


    Seeing that, Aria''s face paled, realizing just how ineffective her magic was against him. She tried to retreat, get behind Junior, gaining her some distance, but Wit was too fast. He appeared before her in a sh, his Lava Whip crackling with mes as itshed out, wrapping around her arm, burning through her force shield like it didn''t even exist.


    "§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    Her skin was instantly torn off and the searing heat on what remained echoed through her body, making her scream in agony.


    With a brutal yank, Wit threw her to the wall, dislocating her shoulder and shutting her up, her lungs momentarily copsing.


    Her vision blurred from the pain, and before she could do anything, Wit''s foot came down hard on her back, crushing her ribs and leaving her gasping.


    Quinn, who just stood on her trembling feet, watched as Aria went down, unable to do anything about it as she took too long hesitating whether or not to use her Aether st.


    But once the sound of Aria''s crushed bones resounded, she instantly pointed at him and screamed:


    "AETHER BLAST!"


    A torrent of Aether shot towards Wit, crackling like lightning-much faster and more potent than before, as she poured more of her reserves into the attack in a desperate bid to get him off Aria.


    Wit barely reacted.


    He raised his ming arm, effortlessly catching the st in his palm.


    A brilliant sh erupted at the point of impact, momentarily brightening everyone around him.


    But just as quickly, the light flickered and died.


    The attack was snuffed out.


    It didn''t even make him flinch.


    He turned his gaze to Quinn with a delighted look that sent chills down her spine.


    This man was reminding her of Emir, and she didn''t like it one bit.


    Before she could react, Wit closed the distance between them with a single step.


    His hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her off the ground. "GRR!"


    Quinn struggled like an animal, growling, trying to break free, but his grip was irond. With her sword, she shed at his arm again and again, the de glowing due to her Aetheric de, but it barely affected him, his mes acting like a shield.


    Frustration welled up inside her like a dam about to burst.


    Was she really going to die to this nobody?


    Unlike the others, she was still an Ascendant Elite, not yet a Knight-the weakest a Celestial could be, the lowest.


    Unless she went all out, even scratching him felt like a pipe dream.


    The difference in rank was too great.


    But she already did that and failed.


    No cards remained in her sleeve.


    Wit tightened his grip, and her vision started to fade as darkness crept in at the edges.


    Her strength waned, and the sword slipped from her grasp, ttering to the ground.


    "HONORABLE DUEL!"


    And just when death was a moment away, Junior had finally intervened.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He attacked from Aria''s direction with his ive, recently done tending to some of her major wounds.


    Elijah, who had also approached in the time Wit spent choking her, reached forth, activated Distant Grasp, and clutched the air, trying to hold him down.


    Wit was frozen and would likely remain so for no more than a second, but that was all Junior needed.


    Since he was currently the only one in the process of harming Wit, his ability, Honorable Duel, activated in its fullest form, increasing his strength even further.


    His ive, already coated with his Aether, went forth, tearing through the cloak, aiming for


    Wit''s liver.


    Once it touched his skin, it paused for a moment, shook, then continued, piercing it, the nearby fire, and the muscle underneath, letting blood flow.


    But the progress was short-lived.


    Before it could even reach the bone, Wit''s free hand shot up, gripping the bottom of the


    ive''s de, stopping it dead in its tracks.


    Without a change of emotion in his pale, white eyes or on his face, Wit yanked the ive out


    of his body with ease.


    His movements were casual almost as if the pain meant nothing.


    Then, his grip tightened, and he shook the weapon from Junior''s hand effortlessly, twisting it


    free.


    In one swift motion, he turned and drove the ive straight into Quinn''s stomach.


    She barely had time to react.


    The force was overwhelming, and the weapon slid through her augmented suit like it was


    nothing.


    "Gah-!"


    Her breath hitched as the cold steel impaled her.


    All of it happened in under a second-far too fast for Junior to process.


    By the time he realized what had urred, it was already toote.


    His eyes widened in horror as Quinn''s body was lifted into the air, the ive having pierced


    clean through her.


    Blood dripped slowly to the floor, and her limbs hung limply as the weapon exited the other


    side of her body, raising her to the ceiling.


    Junior could do nothing but watch.


    There was just nothing he could do.


    They had met a force too strong. It was their bad luck.

 Chapter 449: Ignorant Prey III

    Chapter 449: Ignorant Prey III


    ?


    Without even looking, Wit flicked his wrist, sending both the ive and Quinn''s body to the ground as if she weighed nothing.


    The motion was dismissive-like tossing away a piece of paper.


    She hit the ground hard, unconscious, barely alive.


    But that didn''t stop her.


    Whether it was her will, her augmented body, or a mix of both, she had herst say.


    She wouldn''t uselessly bow out of the fight likest time!


    With trembling hands, Quinn grasped the ive, wincing as she slowly pulled it out of her body, inch by agonizing inch, blood pooling around the wound.


    When she finally yanked it free, a torrent of blood sttered around her, painting the ground in deep red.


    Her hands paused, trembling more as the blood loss took its toll, the world around her darkening even further.


    She tried to throw the ive back to Junior, but her strength failed.


    Her eyes fluttered shut, and her arms let go of the ive, allowing it to fall back toward its previous home.


    Before she could do anything to protect herself, or even muster another breath, her body copsed, slipping into a deep sleep.


    Elijah ncing away from Wit, finally noticed her struggle and imminent execution.


    He acted without hesitation, using his Distant Grasp to catch the falling ive mid-air and push it toward Junior.


    But just as the weapon left his control, a deep, sinking feeling spread through his gut, and he copsed to the ground.


    Confusion clouded his mind until he looked down at his leg-a chunk of his right thigh was gone, burnt away, the remaining flesh still sizzling from the heat.


    Gritting his teeth, he extended a trembling hand, desperately trying to summon his Spectral Scythe, but each attempt only ended in failure.


    "F-fuck..."


    Elijah had already swallowed a handful of old-world medicines, but they didn''t help; only dulled the pain.


    His mind raced, unable to process the overwhelming reality.


    ''Why aren''t they helping?!''


    They were going to die.


    And there was nothing he could do to stop it.


    He couldn''t even beg, his throat choked up.


    The Shadow Squad, meant to watch over them, hadn''t interfered-not even as their deaths became inevitable.


    There could be only two reasons for that.


    Either they couldn''t, tied up with something far worse...


    Or his big brother had abandoned him.


    The sinking feeling in Elijah''s gut deepened.


    ''No way... right?''


    His thoughts spiraled in disbelief, grappling with what seemed to be the most likely option. He, Elijah Oliver, was left to die.


    Calling it a painful realization did it a disservice.


    It had already happened once when his first family had cut him loose; for it to happen again felt utterly unimaginable.


    While he battled his inner turmoil, slowly falling into slumber, Wit shifted his gaze to Junior -thest one still standing.


    Wit expected to see panic, the same terror that gripped the others.


    But Junior was calm.


    Not with fear, but with a quiet resolve, as if he had already epted his death.


    It threw Wit off, just for a moment.


    This scene was a stark contrast to thest time when Elijah remained conscious to the end while Junior was knocked out early.


    Now, the roles were reversed.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It wasn''t entirely unexpected, though.


    Junior had found his fighting style.


    While it wasn''t typical for someone of his size to adopt such a method-especially whenpared to Evan, who was much bigger but wielded a smaller kite shield and long sword instead of a heavy wall shield and ive-it suited him.


    This approach significantly increased his survivability many times over, allowing him to maneuver with surprising agility while still packing a punch.


    "I won''t die easy."


    Junior raised his kite shield, his eyes narrowing as he faced down the Hell Weaver.


    His Aetheric Bulwark red to life in front of Wit, an attempt at blocking him from immediately attacking and ending his life.


    Naturally, he knew the odds of himnding a hit were impossible, but he was a Knight, and Knights didn''t back down.


    "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"


    He charged forward with a roar, thrusting his ive with all his might.


    Wit tracked the de as it neared him, and just as Junior deactivated his bulwark to let it through, he sidestepped, letting it sail past.


    But Junior wasn''t stopping there.


    He pulled back the ive and let go for a moment, gripping further up the steel pole.


    Then he swung at Wit, the de slicing through the air to meet him.


    Wit, instead of backing up, stepped closer to Junior, stopping an inch away from his face. The de paused, striking nothing but air, the pole hitting Wit''s body.


    It was stuck.


    Junior let go of his weapon andunched himself at Wit, employing one of his newly learned


    skills.


    He pushed against the back of Wit''s knee with his left leg while both hands shot for Wit''s neck, twisting his body as he fell forward and spun to the left, hoping to drag Wit down with


    him.


    Wit grunted, nearly losing his bnce, but his expression remained unchanged-no shock, no concern, just cold amusement.


    He quickly adjusted, straightening his knees and stabilizing himself, leaving Junior to hang off him like a monkey on a tree.


    Then, without a word, Wit turned to Junior and shed a toothy smile, fire seeping through


    his teeth.


    His Dragon''s Breath surged the moment he opened his mouth, moving with terrifying speed.


    Junior instinctively jumped back, ducking behind his shield just in time.


    He was pushed back even further as the mes licked at his face.


    Wits followed as Junior retreated, his beam of fire bearing down on him.


    Junior gritted his teeth, feeling his face almost melt as he was forced onto his knees, thest


    of his strength near giving out.


    But then...


    BOOM!


    He smiled.


    The ground beneath Wit erupted in a violent explosion, engulfing him and forcing him to halt


    his attack.


    In a nearby corner, Aria, who was previously healed just enough to survive, had passed out, happy that she had finally gotten a hit in.


    "Damn bastard."


    Junior threw his shield away, unable to carry it anymore as his left hand was burnt to a crisp,


    and stood up, his right barely holding onto his ive.


    He took a deep breath and stepped through the Seed Burst''s smoke.


    Then, with all the Aether he could muster, he chanted:


    "HONORABLE DUEL!"


    The ability sent out a wave of Aether that challenged Wit, and a strengthened Junior swung


    down, using his entire body in the attack.


    "I''ve had enough." ...Those were thest three words he heard, and unlike all the others, they wereced with


    anger.


    Junior didn''t know what happened.


    He didn''t have time to process it.


    In the split second it took him to swing down, a waft of me materialized, and Wit appeared


    behind him, his grip crushing Junior''s neck.


    The pitiful student dropped on his ive, joining the rest of his cohort in slumber.


    What Wit did next brought them even closer, in a literal sense, as he used his Lava Whip,


    pulling them to the center of the passageway.


    Then, with a casual snap of his fingers, the air around him vibrated, and an ominous blue orb


    of fire materialized in the middle of them.


    It condensed slowly and descended, reaching the ground.


    "Lord, forgive me. I sacrifice these ignorant prey to you. I hope that you are pleased..."


    Wit paused for a second, appearing to be unsure of his words.


    "Is that what the priests say, or am I fucking it up?"


    After a moment of thought, he shrugged his shoulders.


    ''It doesn''t matter anyway. No one''s listening, I don''t need to act.''


    He lowered his arm and the orb began its descent.


    But just before the orb could touch the tiles, the ground beneath them trembled, much


    rougher than it had before.


    A rumbling sound echoed through the passageway, and suddenly, the earth around the orb shifted, and thick walls of rock erupted, encasing the deadly sphere in a cocoon of solid stone.


    The orb exploded, and the heat caused the stone to glow red-hot, but it held firm, containing death within.


    In moments, the cocoon sank into the earth, taking the orb with it.


    "Hm...?"


    Wit''s eyes showed a new emotion, surprise, as he turned to face the source of the interference.


    ''It''s been prophetized that no one would y against me... Did the Lady sell a lie to me?''


    Emerging from the shadows, a familiar figure stepped forward, wearing something entirely distinctive.


    It was a ck Sherwani.


    Wit''s expression darkened as he assessed the neer, his annoyance evident.


    For the first time, he seemed to take the situation seriously.

 Chapter 450: Death Of Four

    Chapter 450: Death Of Four


    ?


    ***


    [Where''s Maharajah? He''s not replying.]


    Phoenix asked on thems as she ran through a trembling tunnel.


    Her eyes were fixed on the road ahead, and her feet were following a pathid out for her.


    Unlike usual, she wore her augmented suit in its default look, not needing to be in her best form to face the Temrs.


    Besides, she didn''t want the students tripping over themselves.


    While they were considered adults at that age-thanks to factors like increased maturity, intelligence, and the shorter average lifespan of an Earthener-she still saw them as teens, their hormones often spiraling out of control.


    [He''s likely reached Elijah''s cohort by now. His opponent could be giving him some trouble.]


    She raised a brow at Aqu''s response.


    [Nah. Those Temr Deacons are too weak, no way he''s struggling.]


    A chuckle echoed in her mind.


    [Who said it''s just Deacons? Or only Temr soldiers, for that matter? But enough of that; we''ve only got ten cohorts left, so let''s pick up the pace.]


    Aqumanded while checking the coordinates of the closest cohort near him.


    Once he locked on to them, he added:


    [Any of you see Emir yet?]


    In response, all eight hunter-group leaders had scoffed in some way or another.


    This question seemed to be frequently asked if one judged their reactions.


    [I''m telling you, that punk definitely went straight for their base!]


    [Haha! Exactly, fuckers like us always pull up to the factory!]


    The fighting maniacs, Kremlin and Iron Reich, joined the conversation, loud as always.


    They were currently in the middle ofbat, Kremlin, a Brawler, smashing through the soldiers with his fists, while Iron Reich, an Arcanist, fired a minigun, tens of enchantments engraved on it.


    Students ran away behind them, rushing towards the ruin''s exit.


    [I wouldn''t put it past him...]


    Red Dragon agreed, lifting a few pieces of rubble that trapped a student beneath and tossing them aside.


    [And stop being too loud, German humor is noughing matter.]


    Lionheart chimed in:


    [They''re right though. Judging from the types of injuries I''m seeing, there are just too many of them. It''s like they have a factory producing knockoff Celestials, even the highest-ranked Awakened are subpar.]


    Despite the chaos around him, his tone was calm, almost indifferent.


    He, unlike the other nine, remained at the entrance, healing the injured alongside those from the Academy and Second Life.


    [And about Emir, if he''s not at their base yet, which I doubt, he''s on the way now, clearing everything out. Either way, you guys better be ready for whoever''s left that sneak down here. They''ll join those at the exit soon enough.]


    A creepyugh resounded.


    [Heh... He always does like to make an entrance, doesn''t he?]


    Shinobi''s voice was low as his scythe sliced through the air.


    He was unseen among the ruins, only appearing to signal the arrival of death.


    His Shinobi Shozoku allowed him to blend in seamlessly, leaving only heads and blood in his wake.


    [But it''s always the quiet ones like his little pale friend that you need to watch out for.]


    Southern Cross joined in next, his voice gruff:


    [Quiet or not, I''d rather see him in action than just hear about it... Fuck! I''ve seen one ability, and that was it.]


    He wiped blood off his long sword with the back of his hand.


    The muscles under his dirty brown hair tensed as he tightened his grip on the hilt.


    [I WANNA FIGHT THE BASTARD SO BADDDD!]


    Ignoring what appeared to be a usual urrence, Khari muttered, her tone dismissive:


    [This waiting around; it''s not my style. Let''s hope he''s as good as he looks, or else we''re all screwed.]


    The South African woman was a Shadow Binder through and through, moving with grace that belied her deadly nature, matching Lyra in skill.


    [But if he tries to take all the glory, we''ll have words. He won''t get away with it just because he''s a little handsome~.]


    She wielded the shadows at all times, never advancing into a ce where none were present. Phoenix, who had been uncharacteristically silent for a while, finally spoke up again: [Alright, alright, enough talking; I just asked something simple, geez.]


    [Agreed.]


    Aqu affirmed.


    [Shut the fuck up and move.]


    They did just as he asked.


    His words were harsh, but they didn''t mind.


    He was their leader, and he could say hismands how he liked.


    Soon, the outer underground tunnels echoed with the sounds of battle.


    Dust filled the air, making it hard to breathe while lights flickered on and off, casting long shadows on the cracked walls.


    Gunshots constantly rang out alongside Aether Core implosions.


    Anomalies formed all over the ce, destroying much of the ruin.


    The trembling ground increased in fervor, now rumbling.


    Many students screamed for their lives and hid away in random corners near the exit.


    Yet, most stood their ground and fought.


    This was a testament to Emir''s effectiveness as a professor.


    It was unfortunate that some chose to rot away instead of fighting, but he didn''t expect that


    every promising student would rise to the asion when the time came to shove.


    The mind was difficult to change after all.


    Still, the oue was better than he had previously anticipated.


    Though his methods were questionable, the results spoke for themselves.


    No one would dare question him after this... if they survived, that is.


    Regardless, with no one to rely on but themselves, the students were forced to act, and in that


    challenge, they seeded.


    The several first-year professors who monitored their dive had left them early on.


    They couldn''t afford to help them.


    Other battles took precedence, much deeper inside the ruin.


    It was a war.


    One that simultaneously unfolded on multiple fronts.


    They were up against Temr, Liberation Army dregs, Constructs, and Monsters.


    While they certainly had the stronger force, they were greatly outnumbered.


    But the Academy showed no major signs of defeat.


    In fact, they had gotten closer to their goal of saving most of the students.


    Unfortunately, however, it wasn''t all sunshine and rainbows.


    Good news usually came with something else that was a bit more sour.


    Amidst the chaos, Phoenix was just done rescuing another cohort.


    She sprinted ahead of them, their boots pounding against the broken floor as they went in


    opposite directions.


    Her ck hair was tied back, and sweat dripped down her forehead, a clear sign that her


    repeated Holy Relic use was taking its toll.


    [How are you holding up?]


    Aqu''s words crackled through her mind.


    She nced at a small radar on her HUD and quickly replied:


    [Alive, and a minute away from reaching the next cohort!]


    [Great. We''re almost done on our end.]


    His voice was calm, but the strain was clear.


    Not because he was exhausted, but because of failure.


    There weren''t any major defeats, true, but that didn''t mean jackshit.


    "Fucking rats!"


    He stabbed his assault rifle forward, a long bay at the end of the barrel tearing through a


    soldier''s throat.


    Blood sttered, and he kicked the soldier away, dropping him to the ground next to multiple


    dead bodies with simr-looking injuries.


    Aqu was saving his ammo as much as possible, using his gun as a melee weapon.


    It was the best in the market, an HA415. Completely customized, with a short-stroke gas piston system, a full-length Picatinny rail on


    top for an integrated digital optic, a copsible stock, embedded LED indicators for ammo status, and a robust handguard with multiple essory rails.


    The man had certainly paid a pretty penny for it, and thankfully for him, it paid off.


    Beside him, Professor Lang summoned an Aetheric Bulwark, shielding three frightened


    students as they made their escape.


    He stayed on the ground, performing chestpressions on a male student, even though he felt no heartbeat beneath his hands.


    Lang repeated that motion for what felt like hours, silently begging for a miracle. For him to


    come back to life.


    But as Aqu fired his gun, taking out more soldiers, the student''s heart remained still,


    lifeless.


    Right... a student had died. And he wasn''t the first.


    Two more had fallen before him-both girls.


    The bullied one and her friend, the one who had stood up for her, the one who questioned


    Emir about bravery.


    It appeared that they had been left behind by their cohort.


    Signs of battle littered the scene, evidence of their struggle. They had fought valiantly, but against a Deacon from Temr, their efforts were futile.


    Though the HG leaders dismissed them as knockoffs, they were still Pdins and Knights.


    The difference in sub-rank was more than those poor girls could handle.


    After all, they were the same rank as Quinn-Elite.


    They were burned alive.


    Ironically enough, Iron Reich had found them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He and Kremlin were now fighting side by side at the end of Aqu''s tunnel, clearing a path


    through the chaos.


    Kremlin''s fists shot out bright sts of ice-cold Aether, each punch taking down multiple


    enemies.


    Meanwhile, Iron Reich''s enchanted minigun roared, bullets flying in all directions, indiscriminately tearing through foes.


    Those two did not care whether students had died or not; they were simply enjoying


    themselves.


    "Haha! These guys just keeping!"


    "Let''s make sure they regret it!"

 Chapter 451: Death Of Four II

    Chapter 451: Death Of Four II


    ?


    Behind those four, near the other end of the tunnel, Southern Cross moved with heavy steps.


    His massive frame and augmented suit made him look like a walking tank, especially whenpared to the students next to him.


    He used his strength to push debris aside, clearing the path for them to escape.


    "Stay close and keep following the highlighted route!"


    Shinobi was deeper in the ruin, standing guard at a crossroads, his Spectral Scythe held tightly in his hands.


    He killed iing soldiers, not allowing a single one the opportunity to pass through while a cohort of students he had just saved escaped way behind him, running for their lives.


    "Don''t look back! Just run!"


    Meanwhile, just slightly ahead in a deeper tunnel, a few away from the main station''s


    entrance, Khari stepped from shadow to shadow, her hands weaving through the air as her kin obeyed hermand.


    She conjured shields, protecting the professors, and spikes, attacking enemy soldiers.


    Right, unlike most of the others, she wasn''t fighting alone.


    This was their current front line.


    It was where the war was at its most chaotic.


    Nearly all the professors were here or at least nearby, killing their way through everything before them.


    Khari, done killing a Deacon, Shadow Stepped before a trembling girl who stood a safe distance from the battle.


    "It''s safer now. Go."


    She gave her and those beside her a gentle push towards the path to the exit.


    They didn''t need to be encouraged any further, as they immediately began to move. However, one of them remained, a boy.


    He silently looked at Khari as his cohort left, not joining them in their escape.


    Khari appeared confused.


    "What''s wrong--"


    Pausing her words, she noticed that his leg was injured.


    He couldn''t walk, not in this chaos at least.


    "You''re going to be okay."


    She handed him a single old-world medicine pill, one that cost three hundred million UC.


    The Zenith Wardens were overwhelmed, focusing on healing those with life-threatening injuries, leaving her to deal with him personally until they could spare him a look.


    Though she winced at the price, the credits didn''te from her own pocket, so she shrugged it off.


    It wasn''t her concern how the Academy wasted its resources.


    The student stared at the pill on his palm, hesitating to swallow.


    Annoyed, Khari shoved the pill into the kid''s mouth without a second thought, not bothering to convince him.


    Before he could protest, she pulled him up and directed him toward Doctor Maria, a Zenith Warden stationed at the back.


    Khari had noticed something curious about Maria from the start-she didn''t heal in the typical sense.


    It was almost as if she was deleting injuries altogether.


    The speed at which she worked rivaled Lionheart or even surpassed him.


    She moved tirelessly from one injured student to another, her hands glowing with a soft, almost blurred light.


    Though biased toward one of herpanions, Khari couldn''t deny Maria''s superiority in that aspect.


    In any case, she was thankful that someone like her was on their side, not the enemy''s, confident the kid would soon be on his way to the exit.


    As he headed off, she turned her attention back to the chaos.


    Professors fought with everything they had, pushing themselves to the brink just to keep the front line from regressing.


    They were far from matching the ten HG leaders in skill; the gap inbat experience was stark, even though the professors were considered some of the best on Earth.


    The professors weren''t both hunters and specialists like them.


    Still, they held their own, if only barely.


    But despite their efforts, the opposition seemed relentless.


    As if no matter how many they took down, more came-dauntless, unending.


    Especially Temr.


    None of the professors and HG leaders had anticipated such a hidden force.


    The scale of Temr''s strength, hidden from everyone''s sight, was certainly staggering. Unbeknownst to them, their numbers had already been thinned thanks to Azazel''s earlier attack.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet even with those losses, many soldiers remained, many who fought fiercely, many who were more fanatical, driven by a deranged zeal.


    If only they knew...


    The thought of what could have unfolded if Temr''s entire n had gone without interference, without even a minimal warning, would send a shiver down the spine of anyone who considered it.


    The death of every student would not have just been possible-it would have been expected. And what was currently happening would have been worse by tenfold.


    Explosions constantly rocked the ruin, no thanks to the bombden vests worn by the fanatics.


    The walls crumbled under heavy fire, turning once-solid stone into dangerous rubble.


    Many of the tunnels copsed, cutting off escape routes and trapping professors in isted


    sections.


    Those hurt had their cries fill the air with no one there to heal them.


    But thanks to the HG leaders, most were saved from worse fates.


    Half an hour seemed to pass in a blur as the battle raged on. Slowly but surely, the Academy''s forces began to reim each sector.


    They either pushed back the enemy or outright annihted them.


    Every sector gained came at a cost, but they pressed on, rescuing those trapped under debris


    or cornered by fanatics.


    Exhaustion was evident on everyone''s faces, but they didn''t dare stop.


    They couldn''t afford to.


    Not all the students were ounted for.


    Eight still needed saving.


    Some were missing, their whereabouts unknown, while others were in hard-to-reach ces.


    Among them, four were of particr importance-the purest of the Elite, whether publicly


    known or not.


    Sofia, Max, Ava, and Arthur.


    Their disappearance during thest thirty minutes had thrown the entire operation into


    overdrive, not just Amon''smand.


    They were arguably the second most important cohort that had dived into this ruin, and the


    urgency behind the HGLS was due to them.


    Students that held significance beyond their rank.


    In the thirty minutes that passed, they had reached the entrance of the main station.


    ording to thest trace of the cohort''s signals, they were supposed to be here. And now, they could finally check if their efforts bore fruit.

 Chapter 452: Death Of Four III

    Chapter 452: Death Of Four III


    ?


    Eight hunter group leaders were present.


    Maharajah wasn''t there; the group couldn''t contact him.


    He just didn''t reply no matter how many times they asked for a report.


    But they didn''t worry.


    It wasn''t the first time he had done something like that.


    Besides, his status appeared normal, with no severe injuries or blood loss.


    He was only exhausted, irritated, and likely still in the middle ofbat.


    Lionheart couldn''t get there as well, busy healing the students near the exit.


    They were still fighting their way out, and if nothing changed, it wasn''t going to end any time


    soon.


    So with just the eight of them, Southern Cross calmly led the way.


    Phoenix followed closely behind him, her heart pounding hard, hoping to find them safe. The rest walked in a formation around her, their eyes scanning their surroundings.


    This section of the ruin was eerily quiet, a contrast to the explosions and gunfire from the outside.


    While the front lines weren''t so far behind them, the deep rumbling from beneath pushed away the noise.


    Whatever the cause was, they didn''t know.


    They didn''t try to know either.


    Not a single one of them cared to find out.


    It wasn''t in their job description to examine the ce.


    Curiosity had always killed the cat, and dying wasn''t something they wanted to tick off their bucket lists any time soon.


    Their singr focus remained on locating the missing cohort.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    If something had happened to them, or if fate forbid they died, then...


    The consequences would be catastrophic.


    They simply couldn''t imagine what would happen to their lives.


    Most of the avable professors weren''t idle, as they had realized that fact too.


    The fighting had died down slightly, allowing them to search in other sections nearby without worrying for the lives of their fellow professors.


    Their hope of finding the cohort was low, but it was certainly better than doing nothing.


    But eventually, it turned out that they had wasted both their effort and time.


    Further in the main station, smoke hung in the air from an unknown source, clouding eight Seraphims that walked past a few rusting trains.


    They were hard to see, mixing in with the environment, and the same applied for those eight.


    Even their much upgraded eyes could not see through the heavy fog.


    But that didn''t stop them from identifying shapes in the distance near the train tracks.


    There, bodiesy scattered across the ground, unmoving.


    Aqu''s steps slowed as dread filled his chest.


    The others beside him didn''t react any better, especially Pheonix, hands trembling at her sides, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "No..."


    She truly wanted to save the students-not for mary gain or to fulfill her obligation-but simply for the sake of saving them.


    Elite or not, they were kids, and this...


    This horrific scene announced their failure.


    "This can''t be happening!"


    They moved closer, and it became clear.


    Sofia, Max, Ava, and Arthury together, their eyes closed, and their bodies-or what remained of them-burnt to a crisp.


    Blood stained the ground around them, dark and dry, revealing that death had imed them long before they arrived.


    Aqu''s face went pale as the reality of it all hit him like a tide.


    Southern Cross clenched his fists, his jaw tight.


    Shinobi lowered his head, his clothes hiding his expression.


    Khari covered her mouth, the shadows hiding hers.


    Kremlin and Iron Reich were indifferent but also slightly angry.


    They had expected more from these Elite students.


    They had expected more from Amon and Emir.


    This wasn''t supposed to happen under their watch.


    And then there was Red Dragon, whose mind was already racing ahead.


    Unlike the others, he didn''t linger on the loss.


    He was thinking of their next move, of ways to escape the Elites'' wrath.


    If me were to fall on them, he knew they needed a way out.


    Failure had its consequences, and he wasn''t going to stick around to face them.


    It wasn''t just him, however.


    None of them escaped the gut-wrenching realization that the lives they had fought so hard to protect were now extinguished, snuffed out like candles in the wind.


    Phoenix dropped to her knees beside Sofia''s body, tears welling up in her eyes.


    She reached out a trembling hand, touching the girl''s crisp, cold cheek.


    "We were toote..."


    Her murmur was barely above a whisper, filled with a raw pain that twisted in her chest.


    It was a pain not only for the loss of the students but for her own future, or whatever remained of it.


    The sounds of rumbling remained, but at that long moment, all they could hear was the beating of their own hearts, each for a different reason.


    "W-Wait.."


    But Phoeenix''s sudden voice cut through all of that, ending the moment.


    Something felt off.


    Sofia''s skin was... unusual.


    Phoenix knew how burnt skin felt firsthand, and this wasn''t that.


    It was close to the texture, yes, but it wasn''t the same.


    That was enough.


    Suspicion had formed.


    "There''s something wrong about this."


    As soon as her words echoed, the air around her seemed to ripple, almost like a mirage on a


    hot day.


    She blinked, trying to clear her vision, but the strange distortion only grew stronger.


    Suddenly, the student''s bodies began to flicker, like holograms on a broken holoscreen.


    Phoenix pulled back as the scene around her wavered.


    The others noticed it too, and their shock turned to confusion.


    "The fuck''s happening?"


    Aqu muttered, stepping closer to the flickering figures.


    Not surprising anyone around him, he kicked the most annoying of them.


    His once muscr body ragdolled across the ground, and then, with a faint shimmer, he


    broke apart.


    The rest followed soon after, their lifeless bodies gone, reced by empty ground.


    It didn''t take the group long to understand what happened.


    The entire scene had been a trick-an illusion, a trap.


    Before they could react, eight shadows emerged from nearby rubble.


    Then, without wasting a moment, each figure attacked one of the eight HGLS.


    ''Those fuckers were aiming for us since the start!''


    At once, Aqu realized that these eight werepletely different from what they''d faced


    earlier that day.


    Deacons didn''t evene close to matching them.


    These were the leaders of not only Temr but also the Liberation Army.


    While priests could be rtively easy to deal with, based on their history record, the


    mies" would undoubtedly pose a tough challenge.


    He recognized some of them and, in turn, knew that his people would die if he didn''t


    interrupt their ambush.


    But he couldn''t attack all eight at once; he wasn''t fast enough.


    Instead, he opted for the next best thing, tricking them into thinking that he was fast enough


    to do so.


    Aqu raised his assault rifle and aimed at the strongest of the lot.


    It was the one who was gunning for him.


    Inwardly, he chanted Illusionary Bullets and pulled the trigger.


    The rifle didn''t truly fire, but it sure sounded and appeared like it did.


    Eight bullets ''exited'' its chamber and moved faster than sound, tracking each enemy.


    They were upon the figures before they could even get close enough to attack.


    That forced them to defend themselves, using their weapons, which ranged from swords to a


    shotgun, to block the shots.


    Yet when the bullets had reached them, they dissipated on contact, taking their minds for a momentary spin.


    This allowed the rest of Aqu''s group enough time to counter or escape. Right after, loud shes and gunfire resounded, the loudest of them being Aqu''s.


    His bay nged against a LA leader''s curved sword, blocking it from moving.


    He was up against a de Dancer-one of the worst possible matchups for him. Speed had always been his major weakness; after all, a faster target was much harder to hit. Though he thought that, he still managed to react to her sh Step.


    That disyed his ample experience, resulting in a matchup that wasn''t so one-sided.


    Next to him, a figure cloaked in dark robes, wearing an eye visor, stood by himself.


    Khari was his opponent, and she stepped away the moment she had a chance, slippery like


    all Shadow Binders.


    The air around him shimmered with Aether due to the many enchantments on his body, pump-action shotgun, and augmented suit.


    Runes covered him from top to bottom like tattoos.


    There was no need to guess; he was the Arcanist belonging to Temr, the one responsible


    for the false vision they had seen, and he was definitely responsible for the other illusions in


    the ruin as well.


    His hands had caused the deaths of many.


    "It''s ironic howpassion saved you... making you see through my little trick."


    His voice was calm, almost mocking.


    "But it''s toote now. Our n isplete."


    These words were thest thing they heard as chaos erupted right after.

 Chapter 453: The Way A Healer Fights

    Chapter 453: The Way A Healer Fights


    ?


    ***


    Not counting Emir, the Hunter Group Alliance had ten leaders.


    Nine of them were currently locked in battle, facing equally ranked opponents.


    One remained-Lionheart.


    But again, he had stationed himself near the entrance, now moremonly referred to as the exit.


    The ruin had be a ce to escape, not dive.


    Within its confines was a war beyond the students'' capabilities.


    Temr was responsible.


    That much had be abundantly clear to everyone.


    Temr made sure of it-driving the point home even to those they ughtered.


    This attack had been years in the making. Possibly longer than Emir had been alive. Now, what did all of that indicate?


    There was an enemy Seraphim on the loose.


    Temr wanted to end or at least hurt the alliance.


    They wouldn''t make a mistake bying one Seraphim short.


    So that brought the question...


    Where was thest Seraphim? What was he doing?


    The answer to that was in the possession of Azazel. Emir''s family.


    After their failure at stopping the ascent of the Behemoth, they met up at the third


    rendezvous point, which was south of the main station''s entrance.


    Once everyone was ready, they followed the students, secretly protecting them until the professors and HGLS arrived.


    Of course, that couldn''t have been such a secret if their entire toon was with them, so they had sent them back to camp.


    Besides, they weren''t exactly ready to fight.


    Most of them were injured and exhausted, more mentally than physically, even though some of them could barely move.


    The deaths of theirpanions had hit them hard.


    What happened right after did so as well.


    They couldn''t carry their bodies with them in the initial attack.


    The dead would''ve slowed them down... they had to leave them behind.


    None knew if the bodies had remained intact.


    Monsters and constructs could''ve fed on them while they were away.


    But thankfully, they eventually found out that the worst hadn''te to pass.


    On their way to camp, they were ordered to bring the bodies back with them.


    Nearly all were fine, with a few exceptions here and there, rubble causing the damage. Everything down there was dead, most likely due to the fight between Amon and the terror.


    The sight didn''t affect them that much; in fact, they were brought slight relief.


    At least their families would have a body to bury; not everyone was as fortunate.


    And so, time passed, slowly, very slowly, each second filled with death and blood.


    All until they received a report.


    A report that they were waiting for.


    [Vice Leader! Commander! Someone''s heading directly towards Sofia''s cohort. He''ll find them in under a minute; you have to move now!]


    Lyra, gutting a soldier''s stomach, looked behind her.


    Kiera, who shot two in front of her, did the same, eyes locked with hers.


    "Kill them all."


    "Let''s end it."


    ***


    Sofiay prone ten meters away from a few copsed trains, her newly bought anti-material rifle set before her.


    Cmity V-1-a colossal, matte-ck weapon, taller than a human.


    It had glowing energy conduits along its multi-chambered barrel and digital targeting systems.


    She aimed at the monsters deep within.


    BANG!


    Each shot of hers thundered the ground, pushing her back slightly.


    The recoil was barely manageable for continuous fire, even with the bipod she had sat down.


    It felt as if she were firing tank shells with each pull of the trigger.


    In fact, calling them that wouldn''t be far from the truth-though technically, they were something far stronger.


    Still, as terrifying as the weapon appeared, its results didn''t match up.


    That wasn''t the weapon''s fault, but the monsters-they were too tough.


    The Metalzis before her were proof that this area was too dangerous for them.


    Normally, these two-legged lizards, with their metal-like armor coating their skin-like scales, wouldn''t pose much of a problem.


    But in a group, they were apletely different beast.


    And this tunnel housed their nest, meaning they were definitely together.


    Every time she lined up a kill shot, another would move in to shield itspanion, their


    armored bodies absorbing the brunt of her powerful rounds.


    The metal scales could tank shot after shot, and it was getting annoying.


    No matter how many she hit, they always had backup.


    Sofia didn''t mind the situation much, though.


    She wasn''t particrly focused on killing the Metalzis, only on keeping them at bay until


    her cohort finished looting.


    Behind her, the rest of the group was scouring the copsed trains for relics.


    While one of them could have stayed back to help, she hadn''t asked anyone to stand guard.


    The reason was simple: it would''ve been counterproductive.


    Their priority was gathering the relics and getting out of the tunnel as quickly as possible.


    Otherwise, the cost of the rounds would likely exceed the price of whatever junk they could


    find.


    She wasn''t worried about the off chance that she would get ambushed.


    Her newly unlocked ability, {Rapid Retreat,} allowed her to escape in most scenarios.


    At least against simr-ranked opponents.


    Indeed.


    It would only work against those that matched her in strength.


    Not a Seraphim.


    BANG!


    Her next shot echoed through the tunnel, but just as it did, a figure appeared above her.


    It was a white-haired man gripping a ded staff with both hands.


    Aiming directly for her head, he shot it down at a blurred speed.


    Sofia noticed him instantly, as if she had eyes in the back of her head.


    In that split second, she realized escape was impossible.


    But instead of panicking like the others would in her position, her analytical mind


    immediately began calcting.


    A solution then took shape in her thoughts, clear and methodical.


    It involved a sacrifice, yet that was the only way for her to survive.


    Grabbing the base of her gun from the side, she flipped on her back and aimed it upward.


    ng!


    The staff''s de hit her gun hard, denting it out of shape but not cutting through.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She had survived.


    Her gun didn''t.


    Its chamber cracked, unable to handle the force applied to it.


    Clicking his tongue, the attacker pushed himself off andnded on the ground, just in front of


    the still-lying Sofia.


    "Kids are too strong nowadays~."


    Switching to the blunt end of the staff, he swung down again, this time aiming for her legs.


    But before the staff could reach her, she had already disappeared, reappearing on her feet ten


    meters away, closer to the nest.


    Behind her, the Metalzis began to exit the train as her constant shooting had stopped.


    At the same time, her cohort showed up and stood confused before this strange man between


    them.


    "Who the fuck are you?!"


    "Punk, who do you think you''re interrupting?"


    "...Y-Yeah!"


    The man gave them a nk stare as if looking at lower lifeforms.


    He wore a white cloak with Temr''s insignia, proudly announcing his faction, yet none of


    those three could make the corrtion.


    They couldn''t be med for that; they simply hadn''t seen much of Temr before today.


    Sure, they learned of them in their private sses, but listening wasn''t a particrly strong


    point of theirs.


    There was something of note, however.

 Chapter 454: The Way A Healer Fights II

    Chapter 454: The Way A Healer Fights II


    ?


    Unlike the priests Emir had met, this one''s hair was a dimmer white, dirtier, while his eyes were brown instead of the usual white.


    It was almost as if he was mid-transformation, newly brought into their fanatical fold.


    A man who only recently became a priest, not yet deserving of the title.


    Sofia had realized that, and she wasn''t the only one who realized something.


    The others had finally, after a full second of silence, caught on to the fact that they were being attacked.


    "Tell me your name, you bastard!"


    Max, unlike usual, didn''t instantly attack but asked a question, or rather, hemanded an answer, taking a note of Sofia''s book.


    It was amand that surprised everyone in his cohort.


    ''Why the hell would someone who tried to assassinate a student answer that?''


    A variation of that question appeared in all their minds.


    Yet their surprise didn''t stop there.


    The man actually answered his question, his eyes returning to his target:


    "Album. A man of Temr. A priest. "


    Those words marked the end of their short conversation as Album stepped towards Sofia.


    His first step covered half the distance between them, and in that time, she threw away her anti-material rifle.


    His second stepnded him directly in front of her, and she managed to take her pistol out.


    He swung, and she pressed the trigger.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    At thest moment, Sofia had moved the muzzle slightly, aiming at his arm.


    The first of the three bullets she dumped into his arm had slowed the attack, not injuring him.


    The second hit exactly where thestnded, going skin-deep.


    The third tore through muscle, reaching the bone and pushing his hand back entirely.


    Feeling that pain, Album smiled, his body flinching back.


    Then, without a word, he further flicked his injured right arm,unching the bullet out of him. The wound almost instantly healed, appearing like nothing had happened.


    All that happened in under a second.


    "Nice one. Try again."


    Tightly clutching the staff with the same hand, he swung again.


    Befuddled, Sofia tried to repeat what happenedst time, but Album had another n.


    His left hand hovered over her pistol, his palm covering the muzzle.


    The world immediately slowed for her.


    It was a feeling a talented few experienced just before death.


    Not on the level of Emir''s Temporal Perception, but somewhere close.


    Their thoughts would move at an incredibly fast rate, making it seem like the world had slowed.


    Sofia experienced exactly that, understanding it for what it was anding up with the only two viable options.


    st his hand away and eventually shoot his body while dodging his attack at the same time, or simply retreat, avoiding both his attacks and the Metalzis that were approaching from behind.


    The correct option was obvious from an outsider''s point of view, but to someone in her predicament, it certainly wasn''t easy.


    While she would damage him in the first scenario, he would be healed back up before she could even blink.


    This priest appeared to be a Zenith Warden.


    Sofia hadn''t known that healers could be this aggressive; it was something entirely different from what she was taught.


    Ava was the same; rather, she reacted much more to the sight of his fully healed hand.


    What she alwaysined about had just been disapproved right in front of her.


    It was a surprising sight.


    Emir had told them about it and even encouraged them to pursue such a path, but none of them did.


    The Zenith Warden professors they had back at the Academy couldn''t replicate this, so they deemed it impossible.


    But... they should''ve known.


    In this world, the impossible was often achieved.


    The word had almost lost its meaning.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sofia only hoped that it would be the case for them as well.


    Her decision had arrived, and she chose the safer option.


    "Rapid Retreat."


    She disappeared, reappearing high in the air, outside the train tracks.


    Album nced at her, then at the Metalzis approaching him.


    Ignoring Max, Arthur, and Ava, he dove into their nest, swinging his staff like a club, too fast


    for their eyes to see.


    Each swing struck true, smashing the monsters'' heads in and killing them at once.


    They were four-cored Fiends, but in front of him, they seemed like younglings with dormant


    cores.


    But as fast as he was, a few monsters had still managed to reach him.


    They took small chunks out of his body, their teeth tearing through the augmented suit- turned-cloak as well as his skin and muscle.


    Blood began to seep onto the ground, dripping down what remained of his cloak, yet he didn''t appear a slight bit affected.


    He wailed down on them until every single monster was on the ground.


    They were all killed in seconds.


    Their metal scales did nothing to protect them even as theytched onto him, their teeth digging into his body.


    Raaaaaaaaaaaawwr-!


    Ending the life of thest one inside the nest, Album grabbed the lizards'' heads that stilltched onto his body, ripping them off him and crushing them beneath his hands.


    Then slowly, he turned around, and his eyesnded on the cohort.


    They now stood in formation, prepared to face him, each their own stance, several emotions


    visible on their faces.


    Despite their efforts to appear unfazed, the shock was apparent.


    They had seen what he was capable of, and though they tried to hide it, fear lingered in their


    eyes.


    His own blood painted the ground red, yet he appeared no different than earlier.


    If one defined him, perhaps they''d notice that he was even stronger, all warmed up.


    They had faced strong opponents before, mainly Emir, but this was different.


    This monster was unchained and unknown.


    No amount of studying had repaired them for this.


    The way Album, a healer, fought was a mystery to them.


    He was uncaring for his body; whether it would get shredded or chopped, it didn''t matter.


    All was nothing but flesh, no sacrifice too big toplete the objective.


    And this Zenith Warden''s objective was to kill them.


    The cohort had no hope of winning, and even survival seemed impossible, but...


    "Ready?!"


    "Ready!"


    They were going to try nheless.

 Chapter 455: Fortune Didnt Favor The Brave

    Chapter 455: Fortune Didn''t Favor The Brave


    ?


    Their voices were calm, but inside, they were worried, two of them terrified even.


    They needed to keep their distance, use their abilities strategically, and hope they could oust him until a professor arrived.


    It sounded impossible, as Album could reach any of them in one or two steps and end their lives.


    But instead of thinking about that, they began to act.


    Max stepped forward, clenching his fists through his two knuckledusters, as gold as his eyes.


    His abilities were close-range, so he had no choice but to engage Album head-on.


    "DRAGON''S ROAR!"


    A shockwave of Aether spread through the area, targeting Album and injecting fear into him.


    It wasn''t close to being enough to freeze a Seraphim, but it might just slow him down slightly.


    "Cover me!"


    Max yelled as he charged forward.


    His fists burned with fire, and his muscr body radiated raw power.


    Ratatatatatatatatat!


    Arthur, aiming his AR-HA2 assault rifle at Album, activated the engraved runes on the barrel, and dumped his entire mag, trying to pin him down.


    His enhanced bullets tore through the air, humming with {00000000}, {000000}, and {000000}.


    Album didn''t even bother to dodge, dismissing Arthur''s poor aim.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet, inexplicably, the bullets curved toward him, adorning Ster Guidance.


    His body caught a few, and they tore through his legs before he could react.


    They must''ve hurt, though Album didn''t show it, casually stepping towards Max while his wounds healed.


    That single step forced Arthur to stop shooting, his line of fire interrupted by his ssmate.


    The gunfire didn''t pause for long, though.


    "Longshot."


    Sofia reced him, confident that she wouldn''t hit Max despite how close they were.


    Her Aether channeled into her pistol, forming one powerful bullet that turned the gun into a mini-sniper rifle.


    She aimed it directly at Album''s head and...


    BANG!


    Fired.


    The bullet would''ve stuck his head directly, aimed perfectly, but Album saw iting.


    He twisted his body just enough that the bullet grazed his cheek.


    The wound sealed almost immediately, leaving only a faint smear of blood behind.


    Max had reached him then and punched him square in the chest.


    "IRON FIST!"


    Aether shot out,bined with his fire element, and formed a miniature Dragon''s Breath.


    Album didn''t dodge and took the hit with a smirk.


    The cloak covering him immediately burned away, and so did most of his chest.


    Only difference was one instantly healed and the other didn''t, leaving him half-naked.


    Not caring for that, his left hand shot out, grabbing Max''s throat before he could attack a second time.


    "Urg-!"


    Raising him up, he took out an energy stim pack from his pants'' right pocket, stabbing it into the small hexagon in his chest.


    His augmented suit was filled back up with energy and additional nanobots, regenerating until the cloak returned to its brand-new state.


    Ratatatatatatat!


    In the time that he attacked Max and wasted fixing his appearance, Arthur had gotten behind him and opened fire, his assault rifle spitting out a hail of bullets.


    None of the bullets missed this time around, hitting Album square in the back, shredding his just-fixed augmented suit.


    But again, his innate healing factor kicked in, and the damage was minimal, even as his blood sttered all around them.


    The Zenith Warden barely flinched while turning around, his face showing slight annoyance.


    He then swung his staff at Arthur''s gun, bending the muzzle, and threw Max into him. Arthur tried to dodge, but wasn''t fast enough.


    "U-Useless bastard."


    That was thest thing he heard before they smashed into each other and rolled across the floor.


    BANG!


    Another shot resounded behind Album, this time aimed at his heart.


    The bullet hit its mark, piercing his chest and exploding out the other side.


    But even as the blood sprayed from the wound, he remained standing, his expression


    unchanged.


    He looked down at the hole in his chest, then back at Sofia, his eyes narrowing.


    "That was a good shot... But it won''t save you."


    With a surge of Aether, his body began to heal itself, the hole in his chest closing rapidly. Sofia watched in horror as the wound disappeared entirely, leaving no trace of the injury.


    "How... how is that possible?"


    Her whisper was unheard by him, by everyone; it was too quiet.


    She simply couldn''t believe someone could heal his entire heart, returning to its peak state


    from almost nothing.


    It went against everything she knew.


    Album ignored her wonderment and continued moving forward towards the two, his eyes focused on Max, who was now within striking distance.


    With blurred movement, he swung the blunt end of his staff toward Max''s head.


    Max raised his firey fists, silently activating Rapid Strikes, his newly acquired ability, in an


    attempt to counter.


    His arms moved in a blur, each punch aimed at Album''s left hand.


    The staff had its descent slowed down bit by bit until it began getting pushed back.


    Max didn''t stop there; he retaliated and attacked Album''s weak points.


    He punched his nose, eyes, temple, throat, jaw, sr plexus, liver, and even groin.


    Each hit sent shockwaves through the air, but his regeneration kept him standing strong,


    unfazed.


    From not so far behind, Ava cast Aetheric Healing on Arthur, as well as Max.


    In fact, she directed most of her Aether towards Max to keep his ability going.


    "Don''t let up, you monkey!"


    Max certainly didn''t need to be told.


    Every ounce of Aether that he had received he used right after, most of it continuously looping the same Ability Path, allowing him to continue the attack almost indefinitely.


    They had to stop him from moving for a few seconds longer.


    But Album was fast-much faster than they realized.


    He could have always dodged if he wanted to, but he was more interested in what Max had in


    store.


    Now, seeing that this was all Max had, he deemed it the time to end him.


    Album stepped away from one of his punches and equipped his staff on his right hand,


    swinging it at his head.


    Max immediately stopped, protecting his head with his two hands in cross-motion. Expecting an impact, he stood like that for a moment, but the pain came from somewhere else.


    His abdomen.


    The first attack was a feint; Album had twisted his staff midway and mmed it into Max''s


    side with crushing force.


    CRACK!


    Max''s ribs shattered under the impact, and he was sent flying into the nearby wall, gasping


    for air.


    "Max!"


    Ava cried out and rushed to his side, immediately using Aetheric Heal to stabilize him.


    But the damage was severe.


    Even her ability couldn''t fix every broken bonepletely.


    She still tried her best, however, realigning what remained with sickening crunches.


    The longer she worked, the more the pain on Max''s face faded.


    Meanwhile, Album turned his attention to Arthur, who had continued to fire at him.


    He was alone, with Sofia nowhere to be seen.


    His enhanced bullets did little more than slow Album down, but he didn''t stop.


    Arthur knew that if he faltered, Album would target Ava next, and the currently Camoughed


    Sofia straight after.


    Without those two, they wouldn''t stand a chance at survival...


    Album lunged forward, and in one swift motion, he closed the gap between him and Arthur,


    bringing his staff down.


    Arthur tried to dodge, sidestepping the attack, but Album was too fast.


    Or so it appeared at first, as Arthur''s left foot had identally tripped on a tiny piece of


    rubble, causing him to slightly slip backwards.


    The staff broke his force shield yet only clipped his right shoulder, skidding down without


    injuring him. Apparently, Arthur''s Fortune Wheel was back on full st.


    Confused, Album pulled back in a second and attacked again in the next, aiming at the same


    ce.


    Arthur didn''t take that sitting down and continued to abuse his bent assault rifle.


    He awkwardly aimed the barrel at Album and pulled the trigger, hoping that his luck would do


    the rest.


    The wheel spun, and it was a sess.


    A few bullets had gone straight towards Album.


    But he...


    "Weak."


    Deflected them with a flick of his staff''s nearly cracked de, sending them ricocheting off


    the walls of the tunnel.


    Before rubble could fall, Album was already upon him, his staff swinging in a deadly arc.


    Arthur tried to block with his rifle, but the force of the blow knocked the weapon out of his


    hands.


    He stumbled back, defenseless, as a man twice his size loomed over him.


    "Luck is the only thing you have, boy."

 Chapter 456: Fortune Didnt Favor The Brave II

    Chapter 456: Fortune Didn''t Favor The Brave II


    ?


    "Luck is the only thing you have, boy."


    With that, Album struck Arthur with the blunt end of his staff.


    The force of the blow sent him crashing into a nearby wall, the impact reverberating through the stone.


    No amount of luck could save him from that.


    Or if it could, it would require massive quantities-quantities that, unfortunately for Arthur, were nowhere to be found.


    Fortune, it seemed, did not favor the brave this time.


    Arthur crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from his head, his vision spinning.


    He was undoubtedly delirious, staring in horror as Album advanced toward him with a slow- moving step.


    But then, out of nowhere, a blur shot past, and with a burst of speed that caught everyone off guard, Max appeared behind Album, fists zing brighter than ever.


    "I''m not done yet!"


    He drove both hands at Album''s kidney, using his Iron Fist.


    The man was cleanly hit, and arge chunk of his body had essentially exploded.


    His insides flew everywhere as the heat went in, sizzling what remained.


    Album calmly looked down at his waist, and after a moment, he eyed Max, the one who


    inflicted such a seemingly annoying injury.


    Without saying anything, his right hand shot out, and his staff descended with the ded end pointing down.


    Max barely had time to react.


    There was no way he could back off in time; he needed to defend himself.


    "RAAAAH!"


    At thest moment, he raised his ming arms, his scream, and Aether fueling what appeared to be his final stand.


    The staff moved half an inch down and CLANG!


    Like metal hitting another, sparks flew, as did Max''s arms, flung apart.


    His feet dug into the ground, creating deep cracks beneath him, but something was off.


    The impact wasn''t as devastating as it should have been.


    Max was the reason.


    He had channeled the remaining force backward, using it to propel himself into a semi- controlled skid.


    It was a smart move, an attempt to deflect as much of the attack''s force as he could but still.


    The vibrations that traveled up his arms threatened to shatter his bones.


    Max needed a moment to breathe, organise himself, but Album didn''t let up.


    He swung again, this time aiming for Max''s side.


    Max countered with Dragon''s Roar, a powerful scream that slowed Album''s attack, but he had anticipated it.


    As the Brawler barely dodged the strike, Album continued the swing, spinning on his heel and throwing his staff at Max like an axe with bone-crushing force.


    Max had just dodged an attack.


    He wasn''t ready for another.


    Barely able to move his left hand to protect his head in time.


    CRACK!


    "FUCK!"


    Max cried out in pain as his arm crumpled under the blow.


    His entire body staggered back while his functioning hand clutched his broken arm, which now hung limply at his side.


    Yet again, Album didn''t stop there.


    He grabbed Max''s remaining arm and used his momentum to m him into the ground.


    The impact created an even bigger crater beneath Max''s body, the ground splintering from the sheer force.


    "GAH!"


    Max gasped in pain, but before he could recover, Album brought his feet down on his chest.


    CRACK!


    A cringe-inducing sound resounded as Max''s ribs shattered under the blow.


    He coughed up blood, his vision blurring.


    Scoffing, Album paused his attacks.


    He scanned the ground, his eyes zeroing in on his staff, whichid at the edge of the crater.


    Calmly, he went and picked it up from the ground, ready to deliver the final strike.


    But suddenly and finally, Sofia saw her chance-her best and only chance at survival. She reappeared just behind Album, aiming her pistol at the back of his head.


    BANG! Bang! Bang!


    Starting with a Longshot, three bullets were fired in quick session, each one aimed at his head.


    The bullets hit true, tearing through his skull and reaching his brain, turning it into mush.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His body staggered for a moment and then fell to the ground,nding just beside the fallen barely conscious Max.


    "Kids these days... always so eager to prove themselves."


    But again, Album''s incredible regeneration kicked in.


    His wounds began to knit together, brain and skull reforming back to their previously


    unscathed state.


    Sofia wasn''t about to let that happen.


    Bang! Bang!


    She unleashed another volley of shots, the constant roar of her pistol keeping the unnaturally monstrous Zenith Warden pinned down.


    At the same time, her gaze darted to Ava, who had just finished patching up Arthur.


    With a quick gesture, she silently urged her to move.


    Ava didn''t hesitate, rushing toward Max, her voice erupting in a scream she''d been holding


    back since the start:


    "DON''T DIE YOU MONKEY!"


    Those two shared a bond that ran deep, as unusual as it might seem to outsiders.


    Their friendship was forged over years, and by now, life without each other felt


    unimaginable.


    They had simply known each other for that long.


    "Aetheric Heal!" Dropping to her knees, Ava quickly shoved the old-world medicine down Max''s throat,


    straightening his body and arms to aid his recovery.


    Tears welled in her eyes, but she wiped them away, focusing all her remaining Aether into


    him.


    Thankfully, no vital organ waspletely dead; he wasn''t going to wake up any more


    disabled than he already was.


    By the time Sofia reloaded for the third time, Max was almost fully healed and back on his


    feet, ring down at the man who had brought him to the brink.


    "Fucking bastard..."


    Max seethed, a deep desire to return the favor burning within him.


    He wanted nothing more than to kill Album multiple times, but he knew that doing so would


    disrupt Sofia''s rhythm.


    Thest thing he wanted was to annoy his crush, so he swallowed his rage and turned his gaze


    to Ava.


    "At least you''re useful for something."


    Though he wanted to thank her, he was too embarrassed to do so; instead, he did the next best thing, at least in his mind, which was to acknowledge her efforts.


    "Whatever monkey- I wouldn''t have healed you if Sofia didn''t tell me to."


    Acting like she wasn''t the least bit worried, she yed along with their usual banter, hiding


    the pain she felt from him so roughed up, close to death.


    Max chuckled and shot her a grateful look before quickly looking away.


    Ava, ever the performer, pretended not to notice and turned her attention to Arthur, who remained near the wall in the distance, staring nkly into empty space.


    Thinking that he dropped a few chromosomes, she got closer and waved her hand in front of


    his face.


    But just then, she saw his pupils constrict as he suddenly focused on something behind her,


    his expression shifting to rm.


    She didn''t need to look to know that his eyes were on Sofia and Max.


    Ava was about to ask him what was wrong when a sh of golden light illuminated the


    darkness behind her.


    Confused, she finally turned back and...


    "NO!"


    Her heart sank at the sight.


    Both Sofia and Max were gripped by the neck, held up to match Album''s eye level as if they


    were no more than little ythings, dolls.


    The monster of a man waspletely healed, his appearance no different than when he first


    showed up, making it seem like their efforts had never touched him.


    "You first boy."


    Album clutched his right hand, snapping Max''s neck like a twig, and threw him to the ground.


    Turning his attention to Sofia, he seized her wrist with his free hand, twisting it until a crack echoed through the tunnel.


    Pain surged through her, but it was nothingpared to the desperation wing at her chest.


    She struggled, desperately trying to activate Rapid Retreat, but wasn''t allowed to.


    His grip was unyielding, and with her feet suspended above the ground, she was rendered powerless, unable to do a single thing but choke.


    Smiling with cruel satisfaction, he felt the need to inflict more pain on her as she did him.


    What happened next unfolded in a blur-too fast for any of them toprehend.


    In a heartbeat, Album threw her up and shattered every major bone in her body.


    "§¡§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯§¯!"


    As she screamed in pain, he stepped forward and mmed her to the ground.


    The impact silenced her cries and created a small crater where shended. Sofia grunted and twisted her body, face stuck to the ground.


    She, without letting out another whimper, tried to crawl away with her broken limbs.


    Each movement sent fresh waves of agony coursing through her, causing her to shudder


    uncontrobly.


    Tears welled up in her eyes, the intensity of her suffering almost overwhelming.


    And just as she neared the approaching Ava, Album''s right foot came crashing down onto her


    back, pinning her to the ground.


    "You''re strong."


    His voice resounded with apparent delight.


    "But not strong enough."


    With that, he raised his foot, ready to deliver the final, crushing blow.


    At that moment, Ava was a mere step away from reaching Sofia, her heart pounding as time


    stretched into an agonizing eternity.


    Arthur, who was running directly behind her, felt the same.


    In that slow world of theirs, they could do nothing but watch as Album''s foot descended


    towards Sofia''s neck, a dark shadow looming over her. Then... just before her death, that shadow had twitched.

 Chapter 457: Worthy Followers

    Chapter 457: Worthy Followers


    ?


    Out of the shadows, a whip-like snake shot forward, piercing through the bottom of Album''s foot and coiling tightly around his leg.


    Hidden beneath its surface were small chains thattched onto his shadow, anchoring him in ce.


    His foot froze, a mere inch above Sofia''s neck.


    Album''s eyes narrowed as he nced at the motionless limb, then slowly turned his gaze to his surroundings, scanning for the source, the attacker.


    "Why did you intervene? I thought you were going to just watch."


    His eyes soon locked onto Ava, more specifically, the flickering shadow beneath her feet.


    "I know you''re there."


    A dangerous giggle resounded, and a white-haired woman materialized behind him. "Are you sure?"


    Before he could react to those words, her right de gauntlet was already shing across his neck.


    But just as the de bit into his flesh, it stopped short, unable to sever his headpletely. Album had concentrated his healing factor on that precise point, reinforcing his neck, making it nearly indestructible to someone of her strength.


    Now, the de was momentarily lodged in his neck, its entrance now healed.


    For a second, neither of them moved, then, the white-haired woman-Lyra-clicked her tongue in frustration and swiftly kicked him in the back.


    While doing so, she pulled away, dislodging her weapon as he was sent sprawling to the ground beside Sofia.


    Dirt and dust were picked up at the impact, making quite a dramatic entrance for Ava and Arthur, who finally gained the courage to approach the new arrival.


    Lyra gave them a quick gesture, her ruby eyes sharp.


    "Take them. Now."


    There was no time for more words.


    Both of them nodded in silent thanks, not wasting a moment.


    Ava carefully lifted Sofia, her broken body limp in her arms, while Arthur heaved Max, still unconscious, onto his shoulder.


    They bolted from the scene, running as fast as their legs could carry them.


    In the time it took them to jump out of the train tracks and onto the tform, Album was healed back up, ready to chase them down.


    But before he could, a loud sound filled the air-the rumbling of the earth, the cracking of


    stone.


    He looked behind him and saw new faces, five of them.


    Kiera, Sarah, Hiro, Leo, and Evan.


    Jack really wanted toe along, but Kiera had forced him to join the others and ensure they could safely reach camp.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    While he could still fight, facing a Seraphim with such an exploitable disadvantage was bounding him for failure or, even worse, death.


    Rumble... Rumble...


    The ground trembled violently beneath all seven of them.


    Cracks snaked through the stone floor, and chunks of the ceiling above the tform''s


    entrance began to crumble, threatening to bury all that was underneath.


    Album nced up at the copsing structure, unfazed.


    He knew what was happening.


    Those six had caused the quake.


    Though... he didn''t doubt that his battle had added to the damage.


    Regardless, none of that mattered to him at that moment.


    His next actions were more important to identify.


    He stood still, weighing his options.


    Album could pursue the students now-hunt them down and finish what he started-but the risk gnawed at him.


    If he gave chase, those "heretics" might interfere again, and adding to that, the crumbling ceiling above threatened to bury him if he gave chase.


    Even with his enhanced healing, getting trapped under tons of rubble might be his undoing.


    With a final, frustrated nce at the escaping cohort, he faced his new enemies and stepped forward.


    "At least I''ll have six sacrifices today."


    Lyra looked at the falling debris in the distance and then nced at Album.


    Without a word, she melded into the shadows, intent on leaving her family behind.


    As she was nothing but a shadow, she easily crossed the flood of stones, reaching the other


    side, and following the students.


    Album let out a sigh, his annoyance growing.


    "Will any of you escape too?"


    Kiera aimed her HA-15 at him.


    "Only two ways we leave this ce. Either we kill you or get carried out in caskets."


    "...It seems even heretics can have grace."


    With that, Album began to slowly walk towards them.


    Kiera''s heart pounded as she, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and Leo formed a tight circle, eyes locked on


    the approaching threat.


    His white cloak, torn and bloodied, pped in the wind caused by the still-falling debris as he moved like a predator.


    Album smirked at them, clearly underestimating the group.


    He''d fought many, and none had posed a significant challenge.


    In his mind, they were beneath him-mere nobodies that he''d crush like all the others.


    He gripped his ded staff tighter and then suddenly put some strength behind his legs, focusing it all on his next step.


    At once, he appeared directly before Kiera, the one he identified as the biggest threat.


    Using the resulting momentum in his movement, Album swung his staff down, aiming to cleave her in half with one swift blow.


    But she was ready for him.


    "re Shot."


    Two bullets shot from Kiera''s weapon, each a creation of her God''s Ammunition ability.


    They hit Album''s chest before his staff could reach her, burying deep within his body.


    The moment they pierced through him, they exploded inside, sending shockwaves of destruction through his internal organs.


    The force of the explosion wasn''t powerful enough to tear through his skin, but it was more


    than enough to obliterate much of what was inside him.


    His organs were either severely damaged or outright destroyed in an instant.


    But the two bullets didn''t stop there.


    Kiera had learned of two types before this fight.


    The first, sma Charge, which she had used against the constructs.


    The second, Biological Ammunition, which unleashed something far worse: parasitic organisms engineered to eliminate the target from within, devouring their organs.


    It was the perfect weapon against Album''s regenerative abilities, at least for someone at her


    rank.


    Though there were more advanced bullets like Nanite Swarm Pods or Soulstone Ammunition,


    Kiera knew she wasn''t skilled enough to craft them yet.


    Even Aqu, a Seraphim-ranked Gun Mage, had only four.


    The parasites released from her Biological Ammunition crawled inside his body, gnawing away at his insides and slowing his regeneration.


    Album''s smirk faltered as he staggered back, clutching his chest.


    His body trembled, fighting to heal, but the parasites worked fast, hindering his natural


    recovery.


    Yet that didn''t go on for long.


    While it did slow him down, apparently, it wasn''t as effective as it first seemed.


    He had only paused for a few seconds, attacking as soon as he could.


    But that was enough time for the others to be ready.


    "Let''s end this quickly."


    Evan summoned his Aetheric Bulwark.


    A shimmering barrier of Aether formed in front of Kiera, absorbing Album''s strike.


    Wasting no time, Junior stepped to the front; just before the barrier, his Aetheric de


    activated, his long sword shing down.


    Album leaned back at thest moment, barely avoiding being cut in half.


    Still, the tip of the sword had reached him, gutting his stomach from the right to the left.


    It was a grave injury, but he didn''t slow down to heal.


    With a snarl, he lunged forward and swung his ded staff.


    Evan immediately stepped back, and the de shed against the Aetheric Bulwark, sending


    shockwaves through the air.


    It cracked in the next moment, needing a single extra hit to break.


    The force of the impact pushed them all back, but they held their ground while Evan gritted


    his teeth as he channeled more Aether into his bulwark.


    Just when Album cocked his hand back, about to swing again, Leo activated his ability,


    Aetheric Siphon.


    Album flinched, momentarily pausing, and that was all they needed.


    Hiro darted to the side, out of the bulwark''s protection, and activated sh Step.


    In an instant, he vanished from sight, only to reappear a short distance away, his curved de


    held bloodied and held in a ready stance.


    Behind him, a clean cut formed just above Album''s right elbow.


    Then, blood oozed from the wound, and his arm fell to the ground, severed entirely.


    Album''s eyes flickered with surprise, and he quickly reacted, stomping the ground.


    His right leg broke and healed repeatedly, as he used twice his maximum strength, sending a violent shockwave through the earth.


    The impact hurled everyone back and sent his severed arm flying upward, allowing him to


    snatch it mid-air.


    Without hesitation, he mmed the limb back into ce, instinctively aligning the bones.


    The arm began to reattach, skin and muscle knitting together rapidly as his healing factor


    kicked in.


    Despite the grotesque sight and what must have been excruciating pain, Album remained


    calm.


    Rather, he didn''t even seem bothered, more interested in something else, particrly Hiro,


    his white eyes fixed on him with a puzzled expression.


    ''sh Step... for such a short distance?''


    Album was unable to fathom how Hiro could manipte the ability so precisely.


    Whatever technique that was, it couldn''t havee from thin air.


    It had to be from an outsider, not an Eartherner, someone with a different perspective,


    someone who dared to ask.


    ....Just who was it that taught him this?


    Before he could reach the semiobvious answer to that question, he was rudely interrupted.


    The target of curiosity had disappeared, reappearing in front of him with blurry movements. It was his Blurred Dance ability at y.


    He was nearly impossible to track as his de closed in on Album, no longer shimmering with


    darkness.


    Hiro struck fast, and Album couldn''t defend himself, unable to hit him, skin-deep scratches forming all over his body.


    However, Album''s regenerative abilities were almost instantaneous.


    Every wound Hiro inflicted closed up within seconds, leaving only faint traces of the attacks.


    Sarah, standing behind the group, activated Aetheric Heal while he attacked, boosting his speed even further, his body reaching a state above a hundred percent.


    She kept her focus on him, constantly mending the tiny wounds inflicted by Album''s fists.


    Her Sacred Gift was cast on Kiera, preparing her for what they nned to do next. Leo stayed at the back, near her, his focus entirely on draining Album of his Aether. His form had split into three while everyone wasn''t looking, each form performing different and utterly random actions to confuse their enemy.


    When they noticed that change, Kiera whispered something under her breath and stepped out.

 Chapter 458: Worthy Followers II

    Chapter 458: Worthy Followers II


    ?


    The moment that happened, Evan moved as well, his Aetheric de deactivating as he silently cast Aegis Of Radiance.


    Their strength had quickly increased by arge percentage.


    More importantly, whenbined with Sacred Gift from Sarah, Kiera''s sub-rank had temporarily gone up, reaching Pdin.


    With their preparations over, all three nked him from one side, not wanting a crossfire of melee and bullets.


    Kiera aimed carefully, waiting for the perfect moment, while Evan swung down his sword, aiming for Album''s head.


    Album easily dodged his sword and attacked Hiro at the same time, his staff breaking his ribs.


    But Evan didn''t stop there.


    As his sword neared the ground, he charged forth with his shield and crashed into Album, forcing the Seraphim back.


    Hiro, using that opportunity, sh Stepped towards him and cut off the same arm.


    Album''s eyes shed with anger as he retaliated, ignoring the boy and shing his staff at Evan with blinding speed.


    The de shed against Evan''s shield, sparks flying as the two forces collided.


    Again, Hiro sh Stepped, striking Album from the side.


    But this time Album had expected him.


    He was fast-faster than Hiro''s sh Step.


    Album''s body spurted blood due to how much he pushed his muscles, and it twisted, narrowly avoiding Hiro''s de.


    Hiro clicked his tongue,nding a few steps in front of him.


    Before he could get to a safe distance, Album forced Evan to the ground and stepped towards him, countering with a swift kick that sent him flying into the wall, his ribs nowpletely broken.


    "GAH!"


    Arge crater was the result, spreading even more cracks to the ceiling that sent debris falling all around them.


    Luckily, none fell near Hiro, as they would''ve easily done him in.


    He was barely conscious, unable to control his body, his brain experiencing unprecedented shock.


    All he could do was watch as his body slowly detached itself from the wall.


    But just as he was about to slump into the ground, five shots rang out.


    The bullets zed through the air, a streak of searing fire that connected with Album''s chest. They exploded, and the impact was gory.


    His entire upper body turned into nothing but bones, mush, tiny tissues, and barely connected muscle surrounding what appeared to be his Aether Cores.


    What remained of him scattered back, wracked with spasms as the parasites from her God''s Ammunition devoured him.


    For a moment, it seemed as if they had done it-Album''s was no more than a skeletal frame, his body struggling to return to its prime state.


    But then, with a strong pulse of Aether, Album glowed brightly, most of his organs and muscles returning to grace his grim visage.


    Unlikest time, when he fully healed by using that unknown ability, the skin around his midsection was no more.


    The reason for that was simple.


    His Aether reserves had decreased by a lot.


    It was due to both his constant regeneration and Leo''s Aetheric Siphon, preventing him from healingpletely.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Kiera''s Biological Ammunition had also done its work, continuously devouring its target.


    The pain certainly was great, and judging by his eyes that zed with killing intent, it had finally affected him.


    Album''s smirk had left his face.


    He wasn''t going to look down on them anymore.


    The fight would be lost if he didn''t take it seriously.


    "By Aether, I''ll strike you down!"


    Album, using thrice the strength his body could generate, mmed the blunt end of his staff into the ground.


    During that simple motion, every muscle and bone within him had been torn, broken, and regenerated, creating a shockwave unlike any they had seen before.


    BAANGG!


    It was as if a bomb had gone off, knocking Evan, Kiera, and the just-healed Hiro off their feet like ragdolls.


    Sarah and Leo were safe, the Aetheric Bulwark protecting them.


    They kept at their tasks, closely watching their struggling cohort in case they needed to


    interfere.


    Hiro, the fastest of them, was the first to rise, though blood trickled down the side of his face


    as he had fallen face first due to the impact.


    He sh Stepped, trying to cut the remaining arm, but failed.


    Album could now match his speed, dodging the sword.


    Evan attacked right after, momentarily forsaking his Aegis Radiance and striking him with an Honorable Duel, swinging horizontally.


    Album didn''t even try to dodge.


    He struck him with his fist before his sword could get close, making him double over while


    stumbling back.


    Then his staff shot out, aiming for Evan''s second heart.


    If itnded, this attack would easily end his life.


    However, Kiera wasn''t about to allow that.


    Though incredibly surprised at his regeneration speed, she calmed her breath and began


    firing again, forcing him back.


    She busied Album as much as she could, giving their two meleebatants a second to


    breathe.


    After her third bullet, Hiro and Evan were back up.


    They circled around him, attacking from the sides with coordinated strikes.


    Hiro''s sh Step allowed him to blink in and out, delivering quick, precise attacks, while


    Evan tanked and punished where he could, preventing Album from having a single uninterrupted thought.


    This gave Leo all the time in the world to drain Album''s Aether reserves without the threat of


    death, weakening him bit by bit.


    But Album wasn''t the only one being worn down.


    Every strike from those three was met with a counter that sent them reeling, their bodies


    cracking under the pressure.


    Sarah was healing them as soon as injuries marked their bodies, but if the battle remained


    developing at that rate, she wouldn''tst.


    Her core was overworking itself, and she was close to running out of Aether.


    They had to end the battle fast.


    "Ster Guidance!"


    Kiera fired for the tenth time, aiming for Album''s head.


    The shot connected, piercing through, but he barely flinched this time even though the hole


    stayed open for way longer than usual.


    Whatever pain he felt must''ve tripled by now, and even then, his eyes didn''t show any of that,


    filled with nothing but hatred.


    He wanted them dead.


    "Keep going!" Sarah desperately cried out, her voice shaking with obvious strain, barely keeping up.


    And as if responding to her, they unleashed their strongest abilities at once. Evan, disabling Aetheric Bulwark, charged with his Aetheric de and Honorable Duel, his


    long sword glowing brighter than ever.


    Hiro blurred into motion, his de stabbing deep gashes all over Album''s body.


    Kiera fired her final Biological Ammunition mag with re Shot and Ster Guidance, ensuring every bullet would hit.


    Sarah pushed her healing to the limit, ensuring they could give this final attack everything


    they had.


    Thebined force of their abilities struck Album hard, pinning him in ce and destroying his limbs before he could even think about making a move.


    They especially targeted his legs, making sure that Evan and Hiro would have free reign over


    him.


    Album, realizing their n, stood his ground and focused, trying to regenerate his legs faster than they could disable them.


    For a moment or two, he seemed to be gaining ground, closing in on victory.


    But out of nowhere, Leo darted in, joining the melee fighters with a sword in hand.


    The priest hesitated for a fraction of a second, trying to determine if it was the real Leo.


    Yet, in the next fraction, he still felt a small portion of his Aether leaving, which caused him to


    think that it was bait.


    Their trump card wouldn''t rush out of cover. It was too risky, stupid even.


    Besides, what could a Technomancer with no tech even do?


    Album ignored him, returning his focus to heal from the attacks of the others.


    He was wrong.


    That was the real Leo, and that sword that aimed for his neck was simrly real.


    Though it had no ability like Aetheric de cast on it, just an engraved enchantment, that was


    enough, at least for extremely weakened Seraphim.


    The sword pierced through, cleanly exiting the other side.


    Album snarled, or at least tried to, anger shing in his eyes as he turned his full attention to


    Leo.


    A click resounded just then, indicating that Kiera had run out of bullets.


    That was nearly the worst possible moment that could happen.


    It gave Album the chance that he desperately needed.


    A sh of light blinded them for a long moment, and knowing what was going to happen next,


    all three of them stepped back.


    They were right to do so. Before the light could even dispate, Album''s staff was upon them, swinging wildly.


    Leo barely managed to dodge, but the force behind the attack sent him sprawling to the


    ground.


    He kicked out, aiming for Leo''s head, but the attack was interrupted mid-motion.


    Arge cut formed, and his leg flew off, with Hiro reappearing a few steps away soon after.


    Unfazed, Album turned back and struck at Evan, but the blowcked the strength it once had.


    Evan deflected it with his shattered shield, then stabbed his de into Album''s chest.


    It went through but stopped just before it went deep.


    Album had done the same asst time, concentrating his healing factor at that one point.


    Evan tried to push but didn''t have enough strength; the de was stuck.


    It wasn''t going anywhere-


    "PUSH!"


    "I''ve got it!"


    Kiera and Sarah joined him, pushing it deeper with each step forward until it pierced through


    his core.


    Album tried to let out a guttural scream as the Aether within him imploded, but all that was


    heard was gurgling as Leo''s sword was still stuck in his neck.


    At that moment, he knew that death was inevitable.


    Those "heretics" had seeded in killing him.


    But they weren''t going to celebrate! "RAAAAAAAH!"


    Album roared and swung his staff.


    It was hisst hurrah before death could im him.


    "No, you won''t."


    Hiro didn''t allow that, however.


    He cut off the priest''s arm before it could fully extend, dropping it to the ground.


    Right after, Album''s body was consumed in a blinding sh of light that was brighter than


    ever before.


    Moments passed in what felt like a fraction, and when the light faded...


    "Huh."


    Those five were left standing or rather, barely standing.


    They were all injured in some way, their bodies battered, breathing heavily.


    The ones with straight knees dropped to the ground, exhaustion finally catching up with


    them.


    Kiera could barely stay conscious due to the pain; her vision swimming.


    Sarah''s hands shook from exhaustion, her Aether reserves nearly depleted, close to turning


    Hollow.


    Evan''s body, like his shield, was simply broken in a lot of ces, while Hiro''s legs could


    barely function, and Leo''s, the healthiest of them, felt an ache in his entire back.


    No doubt, they were close to death.


    "We... we did it."


    But, like what Kiera''s barely audible whisper had stated, they had done it.


    Album was dead, his body now no more than a gooey blood.


    They had proved themselves worthy of following Emir, as Celestials capable of doing the


    impossible.

 Chapter 459: Fate Never Lets Go

    Chapter 459: Fate Never Lets Go


    ?


    ***


    While those five had the fight of their lives, Lyra continued to chase Sofia''s cohort, moving alongside a few of the Shadow Squad that were assigned to protect and keep tabs on them.


    But, seeing that things were under control, she did something incredibly uncharacteristic of her.


    She left the cohort and took a detour.


    Why and where did she have to go?


    They didn''t know.


    All they were told was that it would be short.


    If she was asked that by a certain someone, however, her answer would be heard, and it would be quite an obvious one.


    "To kill Maria."


    ...This proved just how possessive she was of Emir.


    A short touch and hold of the arm was all Lyra needed to put that woman on her kill list.


    While she technically wasn''t deviating from the n by targeting Maria-after all, Emir had given his permission to eliminate her-it still wasn''t the most logical move given the circumstances.


    Temr soldiers were yet to be fully wiped out of the ruin.


    That called for restraint, and this impulsive action risked destabilizing everything.


    Either way, it would''ve been fine if her detour had truly been one.


    But Lyra hadn''t been seen or heard from since.


    Thest known position she''d been at was near the former front lines, a zone that had temporarily transformed into a healing camp for treating the wounded from the battle that had moved closer to the main station.


    It was highly likely she had met her target there.


    Whatever happened after that must have been swift-devastatingly so.


    It couldn''t be stated enough how strong Lyra truly was.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Even though she held the rank of Pdin, there was no doubt that she could trouble even Champions of the Seraphim rank.


    The ever-adaptable Automata was nearly on par with her partner''s standing in the Celestial Hierarchy.


    Her progress, nearly rivaling Emir''s, came as no surprise to anyone in the know.


    Rather, it was only natural and expected.


    She had been his shadow for as long as any of the family could remember, which was the very day he was born.


    Long before the concept of embodiment was known, she had met every prerequisite tenfold. If there had been apetition in the entire sr system on who was currently the best at embodying someone''s shadow, Lyra would have won it effortlessly.


    Of course, therger universe might have different winners, as it was another matter entirely, but neither she nor Emir ever imed to be among that level.


    They remained mere spectators-for now.


    That made what had just happened all the more unsettling.


    If there was one thing everyone knew about Lyra, it was that she was nearly impossible to kill or incapacitate.


    Yet, against all odds, she had been taken out of the equation, just like that.


    None of Azazel knew what to do.


    Though Emir tried not to rely too much on Lyra, he wouldn''t be too hypocritical to deny the truth: he needed her.


    She was his right-hand woman, his backbone-the one who made it possible for him to function at his best capacity.


    She handled the intricacies of his world, allowing him to focus on what mattered most.


    It was much like the current situation with Ragnar.


    Without the Viking, Emir wouldn''t be able to go all out, worrying that his family might be attacked.


    Without Lyra, he couldn''t trust that the family would operate smoothly in his absence.


    She kept everything and everyone in check, easing the burden of his already impossibly busy schedule.


    So, when Emir lost his connection with her, a knot of uncertainty gripped him.


    He remained frozen for a moment, even as the Praying Lady-the true leader of Temr- revealed herself before him.


    She stood there, staring at him for ''Aether'' knows how long, as if expecting him to say something.


    Her presence, though silent, was potent.


    Emir''s thoughts, however, were elsewhere, trying to grasp what had happened to Lyra.


    ''Just what could''ve taken her out? Judas? No... impossible. If he actuallyes down here, he won''t go out of his way to attack someone he doesn''t know. That''s not the type of game he


    enjoys.''


    He wanted to rush to her aid, but he knew better.


    ''It''s Lyra. She can handle herself...''


    Emir repeated it to himself like a mantra, hoping it would quell the gnawing worry.


    Eventually, he calmed himself with a deep breath, deciding to trust her and focused on the


    present.


    That was when he finally turned his attention back to the Praying Lady.


    Her white cloak was much like the others in the room-in and pure.


    However, there was a subtle but significant distinction: hers bore no insignia.


    A choice, no doubt, to disy her unique position above the rest, to show that she operated outside the conventional structure.


    "Please."


    At that soft,manding word, those seated beside her on the bench immediately stood, silently making way for her.


    With calm steps, she walked past them and made her way toward Emir.


    His eyes followed her every movement as she brushed past him without uttering another word, heading towards a small door behind the altar.


    Emir deactivated his Aetheric construct and followed her, not needing any further invitation.


    They entered a private room-her office- and the change in atmosphere was stark. Unlike the rest of the cathedral-like setting, this space was sleek, modern, and refined. The dark wood and stone remained, but the gothic designs were gone, reced with a minimalist aesthetic that reminded Emir of his own office back at the Academy.


    The Praying Lady stopped near a clothes hanger and removed her coat, hanging it carefully.


    It revealed something quite unexpected, even to Emir, as her appearance was never once mentioned in the ''novel.''


    Long and unnaturally vibrant purple hair cascaded down her back.


    Adorning her body was a dark purple cashmere suit, impably tailored and of higher quality than anything he had seen in quite some time-perhaps even superior to his own.


    Her face was angr, with sharp features, and her eyes, also purple, matched the flowing


    locks of hair that framed her face.


    Even her lips were a dark shade,plementing the intensity of her overall look.


    She was the definition of a femme fatale.


    If Emir had ever imagined a mysterious Astral dealing in information behind the scenes, she would''ve been the second clearest image his mind could conjure, the first being Lyra, of


    course.


    Everything about her screamed influence, yet it was understated, subtle.


    "You can rx over here."


    Saying that with a voice like honey, she sat on her office chair, leaning back slightly.


    "Sure."


    Emir rxed as well, sitting on a normal chair in front of her desk.


    They exchanged nces for a long moment before she giggled.


    "My men seem to have roughed you quite a bit."


    "Perhaps."


    Showing a contemtive face, shemented:


    "...The devil inside God''s house. It is quite ironic, no?"


    He snickered.


    "You don''t believe in that."


    "True..."


    She admitted and added:


    "But they make quite the cover; give me the ability to do as I like."


    Emir nodded and asked:


    "I know that you''re an Astral and all, but since when did you foresee my arrival here? Your preparations run deep; you even taught your men about me."


    Thedy smiled, her lips widening.


    "Oh, I know you very well. For a long time. And I know why you called your group Azazel."


    "You do?"


    "Yes. It was because of me. You wanted my attention."


    Emir raised his brow.


    "Is that so?" "Mhm. I thought about why for a while, but when I read the stars, I knew... I knew you wanted


    us gone."


    She leaned further back and closed her eyes.


    "That only deepened my curiosity about you. But when I tried to read your fate, I found I


    couldn''t. Or rather, I could-up to a certain point."


    He did the same, closing his eyes, leaning back, and listening intently to her words.


    "I''m not saying that you''ll die, though you will, since a person''s star continues to shine even


    after death."


    She reopened her eyes and stared at Emir.


    "But you... Your star faded into nothingness.... You became Starless."


    Emir was taken aback, but he didn''t show it, somehow managing to keep hisposure


    intact.


    ... In his entire life, he had referred to his fate as Starless, deeming it dark and dreary, unaware that it would eventually align with the literal meaning of that term.


    The Oracle''s thoughts, which Emir knew not off, now held an entirely different meaning.


    "Fear it. Run from it. Fate never lets go... It tightens its grip and arrives all the same."


    The reminder of something he knew very wellpelled him to open his eyes and meet her


    gaze.


    "Is that a threat?"


    Giggling, she shook her head and leaned forward.


    "No, but it''s just to let you know... You, the Order''s Chosen, are not the only one cursed with


    knowledge."


    Emir pushed himself slightly forward and raised his hand, threatening an attack.


    "Do those eyes of yours tell you that you''ll die today?"


    Her smile faded, and she stared at him with a nk face.


    "You won''t win this fight."


    "I know... But you won''t win either."


    "Then let''s not fight?"

 Chapter 460: Fate Never Lets Go II

    Chapter 460: Fate Never Lets Go II


    ?


    Emir returned to his previous position, nodding his head.


    "...Lets."


    While it wasn''t revealed in the ''novel,'' this woman was a Seraphim Exarch, a sub-rank that was still close to a year away for him to reach.


    He realized that ever since he sat across her.


    Thedy was an Astral, certainly not abat-oriented Specialization, but the sheer strength her body held as a Celestial of that sub-rank made him second guess and calm any thoughts of fighting her, even though killing her was possible.


    Despite her ability to see snippets of the very near future, allowing her to dodge every attack that came at her, Emir had enough to make him a formidable contender, particrly Aetheric Overload.


    Regardless, she was more useful alive than dead, a conclusion that most who met her had reached.


    So, instead of wasting his time threatening her, he began thinking of questions to ask. "I''ve got a few questions for you; mind answering them?"


    She gestured for him to continue, and he did:


    "First, what do I call you?"


    "Purple."


    Thisdy seemed to like purple to an obsessive degree, but Emir didn''tment on that and moved on:


    "Well, let''s begin with a warm-up question. Were you the one who told the four heads about the bloodbath I caused against the liberation army?"


    She nodded.


    "Yep. I''m sure you know, but Isidore is my biggest customer. He''s the one who, more or less, funds Temr."


    Emir smiled.


    "Did you use today''s attack to ruin the Academy''s public image and keep Amon in check? Forcing the chains of the Elite and the UEF on him?"


    Showing a slightly surprised face, she nodded once again.


    "Exactly. From the reports I''ve received, your people have almostpletely squashed our attack."


    Clicking her tongue, she added:


    "It''s almost like you can see the future."


    Emir chuckled, not liking how close she was to the truth.


    "Don''t worry, I''m nopetition. Just a bit too cautious."


    Shrugging her shoulders, she continued:


    "Either way, I lost nothing too important. This attack had seeded in the public front as it brought Amon''s dominance to question, and while those Seraphim I cultivated would eventually get killed by him, if not by your men or hunter group leaders, it still isn''t much of a loss. Temr follows whatever I say; they''d do anything as long as it gets them sacrifices for their Aether God, so I''ll restock Seraphims in no time. I might even get them faster thanst time; you see, I''m hoping the UEF will give me a little gift. Don''t ask what it is; I won''t say; it''ll ruin the surprise."


    Purple''s words were inhumane to an insane degree, seeing those men and women under her as livestock, but that was to be expected considering her money-minded nature.


    She only dealt in ones and zeros, and they were simply expendable assets in her eyes, to be managed, traded, or discarded as nothing more than numbers in a ledger.


    Their lives held no value beyond their potential profit or loss, and any shred of humanity had long been discarded in the pursuit of her goals, whatever they may be.


    Emir didn''t care for that; it would be hypocritical of him.


    He treated those not in his family in the same way, not even seeing them as humans.


    "I see... Thanks for the straight answer."


    "You''re wee. Anything else you''d like to ask? This one would cost you."


    He thought about it for a second, then touched the link point on her desk, sending ten valora from his personal bank ount.


    She epted them and gestured for him to ask.


    "Before that, mind telling me something?"


    Purple noticed his little trick but didn''t mind, gesturing for him to speak with her chin.


    "So, you saw me fading into nothingness?"


    Her eyes narrowed slightly as she nodded.


    "I did. Sometime in the future, your Star... vanished. Again, it wasn''t because you died-it was as though you simply ceased to exist, no trace of your presence left in the cosmos."


    He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, mulling over her words.


    "And you think that means something? That I should be concerned? What''s so different?"


    She smiled, but itcked warmth.


    "You should always be concerned when the universe no longer recognizes your existence. You''re not just walking an unknown path... you''re walking a path that shouldn''t exist."


    He scoffed, masking his unease.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I''ve never cared for destiny or in Stars guiding my way. Maybe that''s why my Star disappeared."


    She shook her head slowly, her gaze sharp, almost pitying.


    "That''s not how it works, and you know it. This isn''t about belief; it''s about reality. One day you''ll slip into something beyond fate''s reach. You''ll be a paradox. And paradoxes have


    a cruel way of unraveling."


    Emir studied her face, the yful femme fatale now reced by a cold seer.


    He didn''t show it, but the thought of bing Starless gave him an unfamiliar emotion, too alien for him to process.


    He''d built his entire life on control-on nning, maniption, and calcted risks.


    But how does one path what the Astrals themselves couldn''t read?


    What would he even be?


    Had the Oracle discovered that when he read Emir''s Fate?


    "...You''re not the first to tell me I''m different... but you''re the first to tell me that my existence was erased entirely."


    Her purple eyes flickered with amusement, though her expression remained serious.


    "That''s because I see further than most. But know this: whatever power has made you Starless, it isn''t without consequence. You''ve made yourself untraceable, unchained, and


    free, but at what cost?"


    Emir allowed himself a small smirk.


    "I guess I''ll find out one day..."


    Purple leaned back once more, her lips curling slightly as if she was entertained by the entire


    conversation.


    "Perhaps. But just remember, you and I-we''re more alike than you think. We both manipte the unseen. The difference is, I work with the Stars, while you, my dear... well,


    you''ll be abandoned by them."


    Letting out a sigh, he put everything that was revealed behind him and shrugged his


    shoulders.


    ''Eh, whatever happens will be nothing new. I was walking blind since day one.''


    He chuckled and looked down.


    "I''m a fair guy; as thanks, I''ll ''tell'' you something."


    Purple''s smile died down.


    "You chose a name like Azazel to catch the attention of something bigger, didn''t you?


    Something divine or..."


    She paused, the faintest trace of amusement creeping back.


    "Perhaps unholy?"


    Emir snorted.


    "I chose that name because I wanted to send a message to the Order, nothing more. And yes, I


    wanted attention. Just not yours."


    Her eyes twinkled with a knowing gleam.


    "Oh, you did want mine. Even if you didn''t realize it at the time."


    "...Sure. What do the Stars say about you, then? You''ve read mine, but what''s yours?"


    That question seemed to strike her deeply, but she masked the solemnity disyed on her


    features before he could notice.


    Unfortunately, Emir wasn''t looking at her then, because if he was, he would''ve easily picked


    up on that switch.


    "I have a Star, of course, everyone does, but I try not to follow it. I''d rather walk in the


    shadows between them, use them to my benefit."


    "That makes two of us, then."


    "Perhaps, but you''re still searching for something in the light, aren''t you?"


    Emir remained silent, refusing to give her any ground.


    He wasn''t about to reveal anything, especially not to someone like her.


    "Enough philosophy. I didn''te here to talk about Stars. I came for answers."


    Giggling, she pped her hand once, wordlessly agreeing to his words.


    "Where will I die?"


    Purple paused for a moment, then tapped the link point, silently asking for more coins.


    Emir didn''t mind her greed, sending her ten more.


    Satisfied with the amount, she blinked, looked at him, and spoke:


    "Astral Whisper... Show me the Fading Star."


    A soft glow enveloped her, and her eyes glimmered with Aether as she peered into the threads


    of fate.


    The room seemed to darken as if every light was being drawn into her.


    For a few long moments, nothing happened, and then she closed her eyes.


    "In a ce far from here, beneath a sky that knows a rising dusk..."


    Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, yet it carried an undeniable weight.


    "Surrounded by uncountable shadows that scream your name, you''ll fall alone where the Stars you


    belong to cannot reach."


    The poetic words seemed carved in stone.


    "A ce called Kar Babel."


    She leaned back in her chair, the glow fading from her eyes as she added quietly:


    "That''s where your path ends. The ce of the grave. But the exact moment? The day? The


    month? Even the Stars hesitate to reveal."


    Emir was lost in thought for a while, many thousands of things going through his mind.


    Once a few minutes passed, he finally turned his gaze away from her and nodded.


    "Hm, worth the twenty billion credits."


    Purple giggled. "I bet... You''re not the first toin about the cryptic words you know-. There''s nothing I


    can do about it; it''s all I get."


    Flicking his hand, he ignored her teasing and asked:


    "Can''t deny. You''re good. Really useful. So I have to ask, though I don''t care whether Earth


    survives or not after I aplish my goals, why don''t you try and help Earthkind? I¡ª" She raised her hand, interrupting him with a furrowed brow:


    "We can''t win. Can''t you see? Whether against that one Throne from the Order or a higher


    being. This universe of ours, the entire realm, it''s nothing but the creation of the devils up above, a ypen. Nothing is real; we can only do what we are designed, fated, and written to do. Lifeless puppets dancing for the sick pleasure of Gods, of Observers, in thisnd of ignorance. Our souls are bound to be cloned and molded, creating new, slightly different variations; their intention is not to bore those who watch... And yes, they''re watching us, even now. Listening to, or reading this very conversation, thinking of me as nothing but a crazy woman, or maybe just a creation written to be out of control, I don''t know; only they know


    exactly what I mean."


    Emir stared at her, bbergasted, not knowing what to say or how to react.


    She nced at him, then slowly looked away.


    "Or so I would say if I had loose screws inside my head, but that was just a joke; I''m a normal


    Bishop. I just like money more than my life."


    "Aha..."


    Acting like he didn''t hear anything, he asked onest question:


    "Where''s the teleporter at? I have to go to the ruin now."


    She pointed in the direction of the altar.


    "Consider it a gift alongside your purchase. To activate it, you just have to sp your hands,


    prey to it."


    "I ain''t doing that, you know."


    "Oh, you''ll have to. My people don''t listen to anyone but me."


    "We''ll see about that."


    He stood up from his chair and headed towards the door with rxed steps.


    "Move quick before all your friends die. While my Seraphims are third-rate, they might still


    kill a few."


    Emir didn''t need to be told, as he was already at the door, waving his middle finger goodbye.

 Chapter 461: Eight V Eight

    Chapter 461: Eight V Eight


    ?


    ***


    Purple''s words didn''t ring true.


    His so-called "friends," the hunter group leaders, weren''t anywhere near defeat.


    In fact, they were dominating the battle.


    After the initial sh, the ambushers split them apart, each singling out a target within the group.


    Like the n Temr enacted against the students, it was clear they had nned this ambush for a long time, as-except for Aqu-each attacker''s Specialization was the same as their chosen opponent.


    What followed were eight intense duels, scattered across the main station, each sh shaking the ruin.


    No more than ten minutes had passed since the battle began, but in that short span, they had exchanged over a thousand strikes.


    Now, the duels seemed to be nearing their conclusion, and Aqu appeared to be the closest.


    As she had since the beginning of their duel, the de Dancer stuck first, lunging forward with her twin des.


    Aqu dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the sh.


    In the same breath, he drew his Celestia''s Revolver from thin air, locked on his opponent.


    He then retaliated with a quick shot, but the de Dancer deflected the bullet with a flick of her des.


    The impact sent a shockwave through the air, pushing her back tens of meters.


    It was obvious that the impact affected her if one judged her slightly trembling arms, but she didn''t relent.


    Closing the distance in an instant, her des whirled in a Blurred Dance.


    Aqu saw through her movements, dodging both des.


    She didn''t miss a beat-her des, which arced toward the ground, suddenly spun back up as she stepped forward while contorting her body.


    This time, her attack was too fast.


    Aqu couldn''t avoid it and was forced to deflect with his revolver, metal shing against concentrated Aether.


    Taking advantage of the moment, he kicked out with his left leg, aiming for her midsection. But the de Dancer reacted swiftly, leaping back just in time to dodge the blow.


    Aqu used that distance to his advantage and fired again, this time aiming for the de Dancer''s leg.


    He was certain that his bullet wouldnd, as she was currently in apromised position, yet she remained untouched, again.


    She had twisted mid-air, her body bending impossibly as she evaded the bullet.


    Then, the moment her foot touched the ground, she vanished, reappearing in front of him with her des slicing toward his throat.


    Aqu ducked under the attack, rolling to the side as her weapons shed through empty space.


    He, though in an awkward position, didn''t waste a moment and quickly fired another shot, but the de Dancer was already gone.


    She reappeared behind him, her des descending like twin vipers.


    Aqu spun around just in time, blocking the strike with the barrel of his revolver.


    The force of the sh echoed, and he shoved her back, creating some much-needed distance between them.


    However, instead of retreating like he did in all their previous shes, he closed the gap in a heartbeat and pulled the trigger at point-nk range.


    The de Dancer''s eyes widened in obvious surprise, not expecting such an uncharacteristic move, but she quickly got back her focus and managed to tilt her head just enough for the bullet to graze her cheek.


    Blood flew, but the injury only seemed to fuel her ferocity.


    "YOU WILL JOIN MY BROTHERHOOD IN THE GRAVE!"


    She countered with a flurry of shes, her des a silver blur.


    Aqu weaved between them, his revolver raised, looking for the briefest of openings.


    When the onught paused for a fraction of a second, he fired.


    Nothing was hit.


    The bullet zipped past her ear as she ducked, narrowly avoiding the bullet.


    In response, she spun into a kick aimed at his head, but he dodged, stepping back.


    A momentter, her hidden attack was on disy, as she continued the movement and shed her left de toward his chest.


    Aqu moved in close before the de could reach him, pressing his revolver to her stomach.


    He pulled the trigger, but the de Dancer twisted at thest fraction, the bullet grazing her ribs instead of striking its intended mark.


    She retaliated immediately, shing at his midsection, but he backflipped out of range.


    Mid-flip, his revolver barked once more.


    This time, the bullets grazed her arms, drawing thin lines of blood across her skin.


    Seemingly not registering the pain, the de Dancer pressed her momentary advantage, attacking before he could settle his feet on the ground, her des stabbing toward him like a spear.


    Her des came dangerously close, but just as she was a mere moment from piercing through him, a bullet appeared in between her eyes.


    Without hesitation, the de Dancer sh Stepped, disappearing in an instant, not risking her life to find out if it was an illusion or not.


    She reappeared just as her momentum carried her into a wall, but she wasn''t fazed.


    Aqu crouched low, taking advantage of the opening.


    His HA415 red to life as he unleashed a barrage of reshots, the lightning-infused rounds exploding around her, turning their surroundings into a storm of light and sound.


    Yet, she was unfazed.


    The de Dancer leaped high into the air, away from certain death.


    Then, with precision, she went forth and descended toward him, her twin des shed


    downwards.


    Aqu rolled to the side just in time, firing upwards as he did so, the bullet tearing through her thigh as shended on his previous location.


    She didn''t flinch or make a sound.


    Her eyes simply locked on him as sheunched herself at him again, attacking like there was


    no tomorrow.


    Aqu stepped back, dodging the first two blows, then got in close with his revolver raised.


    He deflected the de that came at his right with the barrel and fired point-nk at the


    other.


    Using the force behind the bullet, the de Dancer flew back, escaping, but before she could do so, a third bullet went through her shoulder, sending a spatter of blood onto the ground.


    She gritted her teeth, her movements slowing slightly as the injuries took their toll.


    Aqu capitalized on that, firing a rapid series of shots.


    Knowing that the end was close, she remained in range, blurring around him, dodging, deflecting, and attacking as best she could, but her incredible will wasn''t enough.


    Rather, it didn''t even seem to matter.


    One bullet grazed her cheek, another her side, a few tearing through the skin on her legs.


    Her injuries were bound to increase dramatically if the fight remained this static.


    She needed to do something, anything.


    It was now or never.


    "AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    The de Dancer roared and sh Stepped forward, her des moving in a final, desperate


    attack.


    Contrary to what she thought, this moment was what Aqu was waiting for.


    His n demanded it.


    As she vanished from view, he dropped onto his back, timing the dodge perfectly.


    Yet even as his body was parallel to the ground, her des still came within inches of shingn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    his throat.


    Incredibly close wasn''t enough, however.


    At that moment, she subconsciously knew that she had lost.


    How or why? She didn''t know. It was instinct.


    CRASH!


    The de Dancer smashed into the wall behind Aqu with a force that shook the ruin.


    And then, as her eyes turned to him, she realized...


    "...No."


    She realized how death would im her.


    Before his back could hit the ground, Aqu had already aimed his revolver squarely at her


    head.


    Even though he was upside down, his aim was not a moment slower than his best.


    "reshot."


    His finger tightened on the trigger.


    BANG!


    The final shot rang out, echoing in the air, and the de Dancer''s body violently jerked as the


    bullet pierced the back of her head, her eyes wide with shock.


    "No... I-"


    She crumpled to the ground, her des falling from her hands.


    The duel was over.


    Aqu lowered his revolver and it dissipated back into Aether.


    He nced down at the fallen de Dancer and then turned away.


    Ten seconds.


    Twenty shes.


    The fight ended just as he revealed his trump card.


    Celestia''s Revolver.


    It required a lot of Aether to use, but it more than made up for it with its infinite ammo,


    unmatched uracy, and firepower.


    As long as one had the Aether required, the opponent would fall, no matter who it was.


    "Well... it''s time to move."


    Aqu looked at where the nearest sound of battle originated and headed there, his steps


    slow.

 Chapter 462: True Might Of An Arcanist

    Chapter 462: True Might Of An Arcanist


    ?


    ***


    Iron Reich stood at the center of a massive crater, his augmented suit glowing against the rubble.


    In his hands, he gripped the Thunderstrike X-12, a formidable minigun designed for maximum firepower rather than uracy, only able to be handled by Seraphims and above.


    It was simr in size to the Cmity V1 anti-material rifle, and it featured multiplepact handles, allowing him to wield it with surprising ease.


    The barrels glimmered with a faint blue light, the engravings on their surface matching those on his suit.


    He was prepared.


    Across from him was a Seraphim with the same Specialization, the one responsible for illusions that made a mockery of them and the Academy.


    He held a massive pump-action shotgun, the long barrel glinting menacingly.


    The priest had previously ambushed Khari but switched targets once he failed to take her by surprise.


    He knew he wouldn''t fare well in a direct duel against her.


    Despite possessing the highest damage output per second, making him the most capable of taking her down, that advantage meant little if she was aware of his approach.


    So instead of fighting a losing battle, he went after Iron Reich, leaving Khari to someone else.


    With no one else around them, those two went at it, shots loud and clear, decimating their surroundings.


    They were simrly skilled, as the priest likely wasn''t a rushed Seraphim like the rest, but one with a solid foundation.


    The prolonged duel had proved that.


    Still, it didn''t go in his favor; Iron Reich was relentless, his minigun not allowing him to get close or an uninterrupted moment to breathe.


    But the priest wasn''t about to keep the status quo.


    If the battle continued much longer, another hunter group leader woulde by, and death would be inevitable then.


    Now, how would he get unpinned when against a minigun?


    The answer was simple.


    He backed offpletely, staying low while moving through the rubble, and found a new ce of attack.


    Gunfire stopped, pen-drop silence remained, and Iron Reich''s eyes locked on a pile of rusting beams in the distance.


    He knew that the priest was there thanks to his information-gathering device, and the priest knew that himself.


    There was no hiding.


    Only distractions.


    That signal was fake, a lie created by the priest.


    He peeked out from behind arge bolder to the right of those beams, shotgun aimed at Iron''s head.


    Quickly spotting him, the German man dove behind cover.


    Almost at that exact moment, a st of shrapnel tore into the ground where he had just been.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Not pausing, he immediately retaliated, using the time the priest would take to pump his shotgun to his advantage.


    Before Temr''s Arcanist could fully step back into cover, a few bullets from the minigun ttered against his force shield, sparking but failing to prate.


    "STOP HIDING YOU LITTLE RAT!"


    Iron Reich advanced, his minigun firing as he walked forward, a barrage of bullets peppering the area.


    Without hesitation, the priest leaned out from the other side of the rubble and fired his shotgun, aiming for Iron''s head.


    A bullet hit it mid-air and the shot scattered, but still, several pellets found their mark.


    It wasn''t something to worry about however, his force shield absorbed the impact with little effect.


    "I''ll fish you out, you priest bastard."


    That was when Iron Reich shifted his strategy, ceasing the continuous fire andunching a concentrated burst at the debris, aiming to force the "rat" out.


    Heavy rounds tore through the cover, and after a few seconds, when the stone was near its breaking point, he rushed out.


    Yet he wasn''t hit.


    Just before moving, he touched a part of his body with runes that read {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, activating it.


    That,bined with the {0} enchantment on his robe-like augmented suit, momentarily increased his agility to the Exarch sub-rank.


    All Iron Reinch saw was a blur, and by the time he realized that it was the priest, he already got behind the next set of rubble.


    Though it drained him to use that ability, he didn''t pause and raised his shotgun to fire.


    ''Damn!''


    Surprised, Iron Reich anticipated the move, swinging his arms upward to shield his head. Not a fractionter, those very arms turned into steel as the {0} rune brightened and the force shield dissipated.


    The shotgun st hit his arms, lightly cracking the steel, and the resulting impact pushed him back while shaking his entire body and the minigun that was still tightly clutched in his


    grasp.


    "Urgh..."


    Though he protected himself, the concussive dampeners on the suit weren''t enough to shield him from the force behind the shot; it felt as if he was run over by a truck the size of a


    skyscraper.


    "Got you now!"


    Taking advantage of his momentary disorientation, Temr''s Arcanist charged forward,


    closing the distance between them in another burst of speed.


    In that sh of time, Iron Reich had his force shield back up, expecting ricochet.


    The priest shoved his shotgun into Iron Reich''s chest and pressed the trigger.


    Before the bullets could shoot out, Iron Reich retaliated by mming the butt of his minigun


    into the shotgun, the force sending the priest''s arms down.


    A loud st resounded, the pellets flying everywhere as they bounced off the ground.


    "Die!"


    While that happened, Iron Reich immediately crashed into the priest''s chest, staggering him


    backward.


    Temr''s Arcanist recovered quickly though, too fast for Iron''s liking, as he raised his


    shotgun and fired point-nk into his torso.


    He couldn''t do much at that moment; dodging a shotgun at that distance was impossible; instead, he needed to focus on defense.


    {*} brightened, and his torse turned into steel.


    It was the only thing that could stop the priest''s enhanced pellets.


    BANG!


    The st hit hard, instantly destroying his force shield and hitting his body.


    CLANG!


    But sure enough, {?????} was the savoir as it had managed to deflect the bullets, protecting


    him from certain death.


    And though the subsequent impact knocked the wind out of him, he stood his ground, unmoving, and counterattacked with a powerful kick that sent his opponent flying back.


    "Eat this! HAHAHA!"


    Then, before the priest could even hit the ground, Iron Reich opened fire once more, the minigun unleashing a torrent of bullets.


    His force shield rekindled to life with what remained of its energy, while his opponent''s situation started to match his of a few seconds ago.


    The priest''s shield sparked and cracked under the barrage, but still, he kept his grip on the shotgun, rolling with the impact to minimize the damage until he reached cover, pulling


    himself behind it.


    He then quickly scrambled to his feet and raised his shotgun for another shot.


    Iron Reich anticipated that, shifting his stance to reduce his profile.


    The shotgun st went wide, the pellets scattering harmlessly across above him.


    In response, he charged forward, using his bulk, enchantments, and momentum to close the


    distance.


    Temr''s Arcanist saw the chargeing and ducked, secretly activating an ability.


    That created a familiar illusion-a wall of Aether where only one side could see the other.


    Aiming his shotgun behind that wall, he trained his sights on Iron Reich''s legs, waiting till he


    got a clear strike that would guarantee to cripple him.


    BANG!

 Chapter 463: True Might Of An Arcanist II

    Chapter 463: True Might Of An Arcanist II


    ?


    Just as he heard the st, he tried to dodge, sidestepping away, but the shot connected still, breaking the force shield and sending three or four pellets into his right knee.


    "RAAH!"


    The hit caused him to falter for a moment, but he easily powered through the pain and suddenly flew forward, as if his body held no weight.


    To the priest''s surprise, it turned out that he wasn''t charging aimlessly.


    A new set of runes had appeared, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, glowing through his augmented suit.


    Judging by his reaction, it was apparent that Iron Reich had hidden this ability until now, as he, unlike the priest, didn''t disy all his runes on his augmented suit.


    No, instead, he had them drawn on his very skin, hiding them for surprises like these, dying their activation until the perfect moment.


    "DIE YOU RAT!"


    And it was perfect indeed, as he had managed to reach the priest before he could react, mming his fist into his head.


    His force shield remained active, yet his visor cracked, and he was sent reeling back due to the blunt impact.


    "HAHAHAHHAAH!"


    Iron Reich didn''t relent, his minigun firing once more at the priest''s head.


    Seeing his impending death, he dropped to the ground and rolled to the side, avoiding the deadly stream of bullets by a hair''s breadth.


    Once he had a moment to breathe, he ran a hand through his white hair, his eyes growing even colder.


    It was clear that something within him had shifted-a decision perhaps.


    Then, the many runes etched across his body red to life, even those that had remained dormant until now.


    This could only mean one thing.


    He had epted his death, throwing away all his options of escape.


    It was obvious what he wanted.


    "I''ll take you down with me."


    The runes glowed brighter, pulsing with Aether.


    {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á} shone the brightest among them.


    The first rune summoned ten fireballs that ignited the air above him.


    The second conjured a seemingly powerful wind st, swirling behind them in a torrent.


    The third rune crackled as bolts of lightning materialized, dancing between the suspended mes, waiting for the signal to strike.


    This was the strength of an Arcanist-a Runescribe-a ss marking the true beginning of their journey into bing true threats on the battlefield.


    An Arcanist''s path began humbly.


    They start with the mere perception of runes and Aether, able to enchant items at the most basic level.


    Soon, they learn how to weave elemental runes-yet still, this alone was nothing to note. In the third ss, they master the art of enchanting their equipment, imbuing weapons and armor with spell-like enhancements.


    But it wasn''t until the next stage that they could truly craft runes capable of summoning abilities. Actual raw abilities, no matter the element.


    Even then, the Arcanist was often overlooked, not because of their Pdin sub-rank, but because the next ss would change everything.


    There, they gained the ability to conjure multiple abilities at once, inscribingyered runes to trigger devastating effects in quick session.


    From this point onward, they became a force no one could ignore.


    And now, at this moment, the priest was proving exactly why.


    But he wasn''t the only one.


    Iron Reich responded in kind.


    His runes, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, {XXX ¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}, glowed bright, and many walls of steel were erected in front of him, an element that he seemed to favor.


    Above him, multiple spears materialized as well, hovering in the air, flowing sporadically in what seemed to be a current.


    Directly behind was a concentrated wind st, indicating that both of them had no ess to Ethereal Elements, which contained Telekinesis.


    This madeplete sense as that was reserved for a higher ss that neither of them knew of, not even Emir did.


    BOOM!


    As if an explosion had gone off, all their spiraling thoughts disappeared, and their attacks went forth.


    Wind sted, fire hit steel, weakening it, and lighting tore through it all, reaching Iron Reich in a blink.


    While most spears fell, hit by fireballs, a few had reached the priest as well.


    Now, both were guaranteed grave injury.


    But neither of them cared nor attempted to dodge, not that they could, taking the hit head-


    on.


    Iron Reich was hit first, even though the walls had slowed down the lighting strike


    considerably.


    His force shield was disintegrated in an instant, and his hands, coated in steel, were flung apart as it made contact, breaking them.


    What remained to protect his heart was his chest, and it too was coated in steel, this time a lot


    more concentrated.


    That showed.


    CRACK!


    The lighting strike paused for a long moment, making a dent into his body.


    No doubt, his ribs were broken to bits, but even then, he didn''t relent.


    Iron Reich stayed still, knowing that it wouldn''t be able to go through.


    He was right.


    It bounced off and struck the ground, creating arge crater that was almost instantly charred


    to oblivion.


    "...Fuck."


    Coughing up blood, he fell to the ground, taking a breather.


    Though he was in a vulnerable position, he wasn''t worried that he would be attacked.


    The priest wasn''t fairing any better.


    His dark robe was gone, left tattered on the ground, as was his left hand.


    The worst of him was his legs, skewered like meat on a barbecue, spears going through them


    from one side to the next.


    His injuries were grave, alright...


    But still.


    Neither he nor Iron Reich were out of the fight just yet.


    Swallowing old-world medicine, they both began to move.


    The priest fired his shotgun as he crawled into cover, but the pellets were blocked by Iron


    Reich''s minigun, most ricocheting off.


    Switching tactics, the fanatic picked up a small rock from the ground and drew a few runes on


    it, not caring for Iron''s advance.


    {¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á¡Á}-one enchantment transformed the piece of rubble into a grenade.


    He hurled it toward Iron Reich, and the grenade began to heat up, glowing red.


    But a mere moment before it could explode, Iron swung his minigun like a club, batting it


    away.


    Boom!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It exploded harmlessly a very short distance away.


    His change in tactics had seemingly failed... or did it?


    "Die you heathen."


    This was nothing but a distraction, and it gave the priest enough time to close in again.


    Just as he reached him, he jabbed the barrel of his shotgun against his side and pulled the


    trigger.


    BANG!


    The loud st went forth, tearing through his body and ending his life.


    ...Or so the fanatic expected.


    Iron Reich''s force shield was already back up to full health; it not being visible was the work


    of an illusion.


    The priest was tricked with his own specialty.


    Every single pellet was absorbed, and though the force shield cracked, nothing else happened;


    The only got sent skidding back.


    And before he could process the pain behind the impact, he shot forth, grabbing the priest''s head, crushing it with his left hand.


    He looked down at his opponent, a smug smile spreading across his face as he savored the


    shock in his white eyes.


    "NOW WHO''S THE ONE WHO GOT WHO?!"


    Tightening his grip even further to ensure the priest''s body would stay in ce, he activated


    all the engravings on his minigun and it glowed even brighter, its full might about to be


    unleashed.


    The priest tried to escape, but Iron Reich''s grip on his head was too strong.


    He barely managed to put up his shotgun to defend himself, but he simply ruined an


    expensive weapon in vain.


    The bullets tore through it, destroying it and ripping it from his remaining hand.


    "ARGH!"


    He kept his arm raised in ast-ditch effort to shield himself, but again, it was futile.


    The minigun chewed through his force shield, augmented suit, and body, shredding metal


    and flesh alike.


    A final, deafening burst announced the duel''s end.


    Temr''s Arcanist copsed, his body riddled with holes.


    Then, there was silence, at least for a second.


    Iron Reich stood over him for that second, the minigun''s barrels still spinning.


    Once he engraved that image in his mind, he began to survey his surroundings.


    That was when he heard the sound of battle in the distance.


    "Let''s see who''s left!"


    Wondering who it might be, he walked towards it.

 Chapter 464 True Endurance

    464 True Endurance


    ***


    In another ce, a makeshift arena had formed, carved out of a frozen wastnd littered with jagged ice formations, rubble, and the shattered remains of earlier skirmishes.


    The cold was everpresent¡ªbiting, the kind that gnawed at the bones and even chilled the soul¡ªbut for the twobatants at its center, it was nothing more than a harsh stage for their brutal duel.


    Kremlin, the Russian Brawler, stood tall like a mountain, his massive frame covered in thick, muscle-bound flesh that seemed imprable to the icy winds of his own making.


    Facing him was another Brawler, nearly as massive, nearly as imposing, with eyes that glinted with fire.


    His mere presence seemed to melt the ice around him, making for quite a beautiful sh of the elements. Judging by that sight, it madeplete sense that the duel hadsted this long.


    And that wasn''t a surprise to Kremlin.


    The firey Brawler had revealed himself as one of the Liberation Army''s leaders early on. Since then, Kremlin knew he wouldn''t be an easy opponent to take down.


    His strength matched that of the Arcanist Iron Reich had defeated earlier¡ªa foe equal in power and just as dangerous.


    Both men had already lost their force shields, but neither had bothered to use an energy stim. They preferred to rely on their raw power and abilities to see themselves through the fight.


    Now they circled each other, their breaths visible in the cold air, eyes locked.


    They knew what wasing and how it all would end.


    This was not going to be a quick fight.


    Rather, this was a test of who could endure longer.


    "Dodge this!"


    The fiery Brawler made the first move, a sudden sidestep followed by a heavy punch aimed directly at Kremlin''s midsection.


    "Hah! I ain''t dodging shit ckwood''s ve!"


    But he was ready, his arm already moving to intercept.


    "MY NAME IS DAMIEN DAMMIT!"


    Their fists collided with a bone-jarring impact, a shockwave of force that sent ripples of fire and ice through the air around them.


    For a moment, it seemed as if time stood still; the two Brawlers locked in a contest of strength as their muscles bulged and strained against each other.


    "RAH!"


    But then Kremlin grunted and pushed forward, using his superior bulk to force his opponent back a step.


    "Hmph!"


    Damien responded with a grim smile, and then they traded blows with the ferocity of two wild beasts, punching the ever-living shit out of each other.


    Kremlin feinted a left, then threw a quick jab at his opponent''s head.


    Damien ducked, swinging a powerful hook toward Kremlin''s ribs.


    Kremlin blocked it with his forearm, the impact sending a shockwave of pain up his arm, but he ignored it and countered with an uppercut.


    The punchnded squarely on his opponent''s jaw, snapping his head back, but Damien barely flinched.


    Instead, he retaliated with a knee to Kremlin''s gut, forcing the air from his lungs.


    They separated briefly then lunged at each other again, fists flying in a flurry of Rapid Strikes.


    Both got pushed back, and Kremlin used that small pause to his advantage.


    "YOU WILL DIE!"


    With a guttural roar, he activated Berserker''s Rage.


    His muscles swelled, veins bulging as his strength and speed increased exponentially.


    "WE''LL SEE ABOUT THAT!"


    Damien mirrored the ability, and they were back at it, the increased ferocity of their attacks leaving no room for defense.


    Kremlin''s icey fists became blurs of motion, each strikending with the force of speeding trucks.


    His opponent matched him blow for blow, the two Brawlers turning into a whirlwind of fists and feet, neither willing to give an inch.


    The ground beneath them melted, froze, cracked, and shattered as they mmed into each other, their bodies creating small craters at each step.


    "Gah!"


    Kremlin managed to catch his opponent with a powerful right hook, sending him crashing into a nearby ice formation, a result of his Iron Fist.


    But Damien recovered quickly, breaking free of the ice with fire spewing out his hands, his eyes zing with rage.


    He charged at Kremlin, who stood his ground, and the two shed again, their fists colliding in mid-air with a thunderous boom.


    Kremlin felt the impact echo through his muscles and no doubt his opponent felt the same, but they pushed it aside, focusing on the next strike, the next impact.


    And as the battle dragged on, both Brawlers began to incorporate their elements even further, no longer caring about saving their reserves.


    Kremlin summoned a coating of ice over the gauntlets covering his fists, turning them into jagged, freezing weapons.


    Damien did the same, but instead of a simple fire, it was concentrated, conjuring a coating of ave-like material.


    BOOM!


    Their next sh was an explosion that sent shards of ice and pieces ofva flying in all directions.


    "DIE!"


    Kremlin swung at Damien''s head, but the man ducked and countered with a sharp elbow to Kremlin''s ribs, the fire burning his flesh. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Guh...!"


    Kremlin grunted in pain but retaliated with a headbutt that sent Damien staggering backward.


    Then, at that moment, he finally decided to use a certain ability. It was obvious. They had been holding back, neither wanting to be the first to use it.


    They knew the risk¡ªonce the cooldown was triggered, they wouldn''t be able to use it again for a few seconds.


    Whoever activated that ability first would reveal their strategy, and if they failed, that would give the second fighter a critical advantage, learning what not to do for their attack to seed.


    To go first was a wrong move.


    But Kremlin didn''t care, or rather, he stopped caring.


    He was no tactician. He wasn''t interested in carefully crafted ns or drawn-out mind games.


    And as Emir had observed before, Kremlin truly didn''t use his brain much, preferring to let his fists do the talking, and they sure did talk, nearing volumes of words.


    "DRAGON''S ROAR!"


    The sound was deafening¡ªprimal, an earth-shaking bellow that reverberated inside their minds.


    Damien, caught off guard, was momentarily stunned, fear taking over his mind.


    Kremlin didn''t waste the opportunity.


    He lunged forward,nding a series of Rapid Strikes to his opponent''s torso, each one driving him back further and further as his bones began to break.


    But Damien recovered quickly, pushing away the fear and responding with his own Dragon''s Roar that sent Kremlin reeling, momentarily freezing him.


    "You''ll die, you bastard!"


    Even as Damien got close, about to give him a world of hurt, Kremlin''s smile remained. Not because he liked the pain; he wasn''t much of a masochist, nor was it because of his excitement, but because he was prepared. A moment before the stun took hold, Kremlin silently chanted, "Unyielding Stance."


    It was the sixth ability of the Brawler Path.


    It being unlocked was a secret he had kept close to his chest.


    While Kremlin wasn''t as smart or talented as their leader, his Path was simpler, allowing him to unlock his sixth ability much faster than the others.


    Though they could unlock their sixth ability, they were still stabilizing the fifth, leaving them unable to catch up.


    So if this was revealed, some unneeded drama would unfold, and it certainly wasn''t the time for that.


    This was why only Iron Reich and Aqu knew, and Kremlin had intended to keep it that way.


    But now, with no other choice, he had to risk the secret getting out.


    Damien recovered from the fear far quicker than he had anticipated.


    Now, Unyielding Stance, as its name implied, was a defensive ability.


    Typically, the user would adopt a particr stance to maximize its effects, but Kremlin, being stunned, couldn''t take that stance.


    Yet even without it, the defensive buffs kicked in, and his body hardened to the strength of the most unbreakable ice.


    That was all he needed.


    "EAT MY FLAMES!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Kremlin took punch after punch, his head twisting left, right, and up, burns spreading all over his body. But it didn''tst long.


    The moment his stun wore off, Kremlin''s own ability activated.


    "DRAGON''S ROAR!"


    He did the same to his opponent, though with a lot more damage, his icey fists punching the man ck and blue.


    And once the firey Brawler got out his stun, he activated his Dragon''s Roar, resetting the cycle.


    They took turns like this¡ªone roaring, the other punching¡ªrepeating the brutal exchange no less than ten times.


    Each turn took less and less time, the gap between their recoveries shrinking rapidly.


    Their minds grew more resilient as their battered bodies tired.


    It wasn''t much longer before their roars had no effect on each other.


    The fear that once froze them in ce was nullified, both due to their dwindling Aether reserves and their minds simply bing ustomed to it.


    Now, this fight was down to raw endurance¡ªno abilities, no tricks¡ªjust sheer willpower and strength.

 Chapter 465 True Endurance II

    465 True Endurance II


    Their bodies bled from many tens of wounds, covered in bruises, cuts, ice fragments, and burns.


    They were close to the limit but neither showed any sign of backing down.


    Instead, the opposite was happening. Pain seemed to be a foreign concept for them, as they never stopped going all out. "RAAAH!"


    Kremlin gritted his teeth and charged forward again, fists raised.


    Damien met him head-on, and they mmed into each other with the force of two charging bulls.


    ""DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!""


    Their fists were a blur, each strikending with a sickening thud.


    No strategy was on disy¡ªjust pure, unbridled aggression.


    Kremlin''s energy waned more than ever before, but he refused to slow. And he wasn''t the only one.


    Damien, bleeding like a broken fountain, somehow kept up with him, closely matching his every step, his every punch.


    It was impressive¡ªalmost impossible¡ªconsidering he was twice as injured as Kremlin. Yet he fought on, relentless.


    However, no matter their mentality and drive, their bodies had a breaking point.


    Eventually, it was reached.


    Their movements had slowed just enough to be noticeable.


    That told them what they already knew.


    They had to end this soon.


    "Communist rat!"


    Kremlin punched out, activating Iron Fist. "Goverment ve!"


    Damien did the same, and their next sh was like two mountains colliding.


    A sh of light momentarily blinded their surroundings as the ground they stood on was destroyed, arge crater forming around them.


    BOOM!


    Then, when an explosion-like sound resounded, the impact sent both men skidding backward.


    Neither fell.


    They charged at each other again, their fists meeting in a powerful collision that sent shockwaves through the ce.


    Their arms were numb from the repeated impacts, but they easily pushed through the pain.


    Every nerve in their bodies screamed for rest, but they silenced those cries.


    "I''M KILLING YOU TODAY!"


    "YOU''LL BE MY BEST TROPHY!"


    As they shed again, their movements became even stronger.


    Every punch, every block, was more than a hundred percent effort.


    The rhythm of the fight had be almost hypnotic¡ªstrike, block, counter, repeat.


    Whoosh!


    Kremlin ducked under a heavy swing, countering with a quick jab to his opponent''s ribs.


    The impact forced a grunt from Damien, but that didn''t give him pause.


    He retaliated with a sharp kick to Kremlin''s thigh, nearly knocking him off bnce.


    Kremlin staggered but caught himself, mming his shoulder into Damien''s chest and forcing him back.


    He didn''t let up, following with a punch to Damien''s liver, causing even more blood to stter between them from their many, many wounds.


    Damien grunted in pain once more, feeling lightheaded, yet he didn''t wait for the next attack.


    Catching Kremlin''s arm, the same one that punched his liver, he pulled him into a knee strike.


    Gritting his teeth, Kremlin punched out with his right, almost breaking Damien''s jaw.


    Hurt, he let go of Kremlin''s arm and stepped back, breathing heavily. It wasn''t just him; both were out of breath, each huff a visible cloud of steam in the cold air. Kremlin''s gauntlets had a lot of blood dripping off them, trailing down his arms, his knuckles bleeding from the constant barrage of attacks.


    His opponent was no better off, blood staining what remained of his augmented suit and face, but the fire in his eyes remained undiminished.


    They both knew that they were entering the final stretch of their duel.


    It was now or never.


    Kremlin activated Berserker''s Rage once more, his muscles swelling to the extreme.


    Damien did the same, and they collided with renewed vigor, their punchesnding with the force of giants.


    The sound of their gauntlets hitting flesh was like the beat of war drums.


    If a single punch hadnded on Emir''s bare body, even he wouldn''t havee out unscathed, yet these two never relented, even as their bodies broke to bits.


    Their blood sttered across the frozen and burnt ground as they exchanged blow after blow, their wild movements bing wilder.


    It was a brutal, primal struggle, befitting of their Primal Might Aspect.


    They were both truly and utterly exhausted, their bodies battered and bruised beyond recognition, their muscles burning withctic acid, their fists feeling like lead, but neither of them gave in.


    Words were no longer exchanged, only grunts, as if they had be actual cavemen.


    "GRRRRAH!"


    Kremlin ducked under another wild swing, driving his fist into his opponent''s gut with all the strength he could muster.


    Damien doubled over but quickly recovered, mming his forehead into Kremlin''s nose in a desperate move.


    A trickle of blood poured from his nose, but he barely registered the pain and returned the strike.


    Their fists met, and the impact knocked them both back, but they quickly recovered, rushing at each other again.


    Kremlin sidestepped Damien''s swing and delivered a powerful uppercut that sent him staggering.


    His chance to end the fight seemed within reach, but before he could follow up, Damienshed out with a kick, connecting hard with Kremlin''s ribs.


    The impact sent Kremlin crashing to the ground, pain shooting through his side.


    Yet, without missing a beat, he rolled to his feet, eyes locked on Damien, both of them knowing quite well that any such exchange might be theirst.


    Again, unlike the earlier duels, this one had no finesse.


    It was just a raw, brutal exchange of punches, each fighter trying to overwhelm the other through sheer force of will.


    The final moments of the fight disyed that in its entirety. A blur of motion and pain.


    What used to be a rusting tform turned into a wastnd of utter destruction. But neither man cared about their surroundings. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    All that mattered was the fight.


    They charged at each other for what felt like the hundredth time...


    Yet they knew this was thest one.


    After this attack, only one of them would remain standing.


    Their blurred fists met, and for a moment, there was no aftermath¡ªjust blue and red light mixing into a bright white. Then, when the world caught up to their speed, a collision never seen before in that arena had urred¡ªa shockwave that ttened the ground around them.


    The impact was so powerful that it shattered everything in their immediate vicinity, sending both men crashing to the ground.


    Seconds passed and neither of them moved, cold and hot wind howling around them.


    "Urgh..."


    But suddenly, one of them twitched.


    It was Kremlin.


    With a loud pained groan, he forced himself upright and headed toward his opponent, every step forward heavier than thest.


    Yet his face betrayed none of the strain, instead stretching into a wide grin.


    Victory was close, and he relished the taste of it.


    Damien stilly on the ground, barely able to move, his breath barely audible as he struggled to rise.


    Kremlin towered over him, staring down without a word.


    Slowly, deliberately, he leaned forward, his body tipping into a parallel with the ground, maintaining the pose for a heartbeat longer than expected.


    Then he fell.


    With all his weight behind it, his elbow descended, aimed directly at Damien''s exposed neck¡ªa final, crushing blow meant to end it all.


    CRACK!


    Just as contact was made, his elbow broke Damien''s neck with quite ease, killing him on the spot.


    His body spasmed for a second and went limp right after. It was a gruesome death, a satisfactory victory.


    But Kremlin wasn''t satisfied yet.


    Still on his knees, before Damien''s now dead body, he summoned what strength he had left and raised his fists high in the air.


    Bang!


    The sound of Kremlin''s fist echoed, and what followed was nothing short of grotesque. A disgusting act that achieved nothing, a purposeless endeavor.


    Each blow drove what remained of Damien deeper into the ground, breaking what little was left unbroken.


    Before, there was no doubt of his survival, and now, even more so. The fight was over. It ended.


    He had won.


    Relishing that, Kremlin was satisfied, so he stood back up, his legs wobbling slightly.


    He looked down at Damien once more, then at the sound of battle some distance away.


    "Let''s go." His vision was darkening, his legs barely holding him up, but he forced himself to move.


    It was the "Captain''s" orders.

 Chapter 466 Men Of Fire

    466 Men Of Fire


    ***


    A Short While Earlier Red Dragon stood on cracked, scorched ground, the air around him thick with the scent of brimstone, shimmering with heat.


    A type of heat that was unlike Damien''s, a kind that warped the air itself, creating shimmering waves of intense, unnatural warmth. It was alive¡ªa concentrated fire¡ªa hell beyond what was realistically possible.


    Across from him, his opponent¡ªa Hell Weaver like himself¡ªmatched his stance.


    Both were cloaked in the mes that defined their specialization, their eyes locked.


    The arena seemed split in two: one side bore armageddon while the other was marked with fewer abilities, an area that clearly belonged to the Hellweaver from Temr.


    Red Dragon seemed to have conserved his Aether.


    It was clear now why this battle had dragged on.


    Emir''s favorite chinaman had been biding his time, waiting until his leader was finished with his duel.


    The prolonged fight wasn''t because of anyck of power; it was simply a matter of patience.


    That was evident at the ten-minute, twenty-one-second mark.


    Once his internal clock reached past that time, Red Dragon noticed a subtle shift in Aqu''s movements.


    He was moving calmly in a specific direction.


    That could only mean one thing¡ªAqu had ended his duel.


    Now, Red Dragon could finally end his own.


    And he was sure he could end it quickly.


    Unlike the one Aqu, Iron Reich, and Kremlin fought, the man before him wasn''t anything noteworthy. A third-rate Seraphim like the rest, manufactured byzy cultivation instead of realbat. Stable foundations were a foreign concept to them.


    They would''ve been better by many degrees if they had a little mix of both, but they weren''t allowed that.


    It would''ve risked their identity being revealed, and that was thest thing Purple wanted. ''Let''s just get this over with.''


    Red Dragon raised his staff and chanted:


    "Grain¡ª"


    But before he could attack, multiple fireballs came at him from the front. Swinging his staff upward, he conjured a towering Fire Wall that erupted from the ground between them.


    The mes roared, splitting the already split battlefield in two while absorbing the mes that attacked it.


    Temr''s Hellweaver lowered the metaphorical throttle, pausing his attack to strategize, but Red Dragon did the opposite¡ªhe was already on the move.


    He sidestepped his own wall, his movements fluid, andunched a ming Tornado towards his opponent.


    The cyclone of fire spiraled forward, but before it could get close, the enemy countered with a tornado of his own.


    The two ming whirlwinds collided in between them, merging into a massive inferno that reached the ceiling, raining down melting rubble at the both of them.


    Unfazed, Red Dragon didn''t kill his spell, and pressed forward, using it to his advantage.


    He inhaled deeply, his chest expanding as he breathed in all the oxygen he could.


    A sharp hiss, like the sound of a kettle releasing steam, echoed through the air as Red Dragon opened his mouth.


    In an instant, he unleashed Dragon''s Breath¡ªa searing jet of mes that surged forward with terrifying speed, engulfing everything in its path.


    His opponent barely had time to react, responding with their own Dragon''s Breath at thest possible moment.


    But it didn''t take more than the very next moment to realize that his attempt at defense was futile.


    Red Dragon''s mes were far stronger, far hotter.


    As the two streams of fire met, Red Dragon''s pushed his opponent''s back inch by inch with each passing second.


    Sensing the tide turning against him, the opposing Hell Weaver tried to regain control by switching the point where his fiery breath originated to his staff, decreasing its power but in turn returning his ability to dodge, in preparation for his next attack.


    "Hell''s Rain!"


    Joining the already falling rubble from the crumbling ceiling, fiery meteors began to fall from the sky, heading into the ground around them with explosive force.


    Red Dragon mirrored his opponent''s actions, shifting the origin of his Dragon''s Breath, but for apletely different reason, almost the opposite. He stopped dodging the rubble and looked up.


    Hell was descending upon him.


    Yet before anything could strike, he calmly pointed upward, relocating his Firewall far above him.


    It melted every falling attack into ashes and absorbed the mes.


    He then raised his other hand, which held his staff, and summoned his own Hell''s Rain. Though the ability they activated held the same name, Red Dragon''s appeared with a major difference.


    His meteors and fireballs were not onlyrger and faster but also far more numerous, closely reflecting the status of their incantation. The entire ce was lit up with zing projectiles, and even as his opponent conjured a Firewall, many of them got through, forcing him to dodge frantically.


    But, even when his victory seemed close, Red Dragon didn''t let up.


    Canceling his ming Tornado, he summoned a Lava Whip into existence, clutching it in his right hand.


    With a swift motion, he whipped it forward, aiming at the man''s upper body.


    The molten weapon hissed as it crackled through the air, leaving a trail of steam in its wake. Temr''s Hellweaver tried to dodge, but he was too slow, unable to move faster than the speed of sound.


    Hiss¡ªCRACK!


    The whip''s tip tore through arge chunk of the man''s left side, ripping away his entire abdominal wall and instantly burning the wound.


    "AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    Screaming in agony, the pitiful Hellweaver struggled to maintain his grip on his staff, his eyes widening in horror as Red Dragon''s Dragon''s Breath drew closer. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But then came his Savior.


    The augmented suit.


    Just as its painkillers kicked in, dulling his senses, he bit back the cries and attempted to do the same, summoning a Lava Whip, even as his strength faltered, arm barely able to lift the staff.


    Red Dragon didn''t give him the opportunity to use that ability, however.


    Heshed out with the whip once more, aiming to tear off the man''s arm.


    Temr''s Hellweaver, still whimpering, tried to parry, but again, he was too slow, and Red Dragon''s superior strength was evident.


    His whip cracked, piercing through the man''s own whip and wrapping itself around the hand that wielded it.


    Like what Wit, the fake priest, did to Aria, Red Dragon tore off the man''s skin, singing the muscle, and burning his nerves. "Gah¡ª!"


    Staggering back, he gritted his teeth, mping his mouth down to stop himself from screaming. But... none of that mattered.


    Before he could recover, Red Dragon moved in for the kill.


    He twisted his body, and his whip danced behind him, generating force.


    Meanwhile, their still ongoing Dragon Breath sh had neared its end, his own mes almost reaching the man''s staff.


    It was a beautiful sh, a scene performed only by men of fire.


    Though unfortunately for any romanticist watching, Red Dragon had no intention of letting this performance continue.


    He was going to end then and there. The whip went forth, breaking the staff''s burning crystal.


    That momentarily killed his spell, as the origin was disrupted, and Red Dragon''s Dragon''s Breath had reached him, engulfing his entire body.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" His augmented suit melted away, quickly followed by his skin, muscle, and bones, leaving behind nothing but a charred, formless mass, mush no longer recognized as human. When the mes fully subsided, remnants flickering out, Red Dragon showed a victorious smile.


    His breath was steady despite the intensity of the battle, making it apparent that he wasn''t challenged whatsoever.


    He lowered his hand and staff, terminating all his abilities, and the ce returned to silence.


    Red Dragon then wordlessly turned away, the air around him cooling as he walked in the direction of his leader, Aqu.


    Behind him was nothing but scorched earth and the smell of burnt flesh.

 Chapter 467 Piece Of Light

    467 Piece Of Light


    ***


    Shinobi, the Reaper of the group, faced off against a man of simr disposition, following the trend the other duels had presented.


    Both Celestials were d in flowing robes, one a dark ck and the other a bright white, their faces hidden beneath hoods.


    Their hands rested on the hilts of their weapons, Spectral Scythes that shimmered with an ethereal glow, for they were truly ethereal, unable to be wielded by anyone but themselves.


    Unlike thest four, their surroundings were clean of any damage, almost untouched.


    That indicated just how careful they were since if any attacknded without interference, death would be a certain result.


    Reapers were ss cannons, insane damage dealers but weak damage takers. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    So while they were a danger to all, they were especially a danger to themselves.


    With that in mind, Shinobi and the enemy Reaper vanished in what seemed to be an instant, their forms reappearing in the middle of their arena.


    Their Spectral Scythes sliced through the air until they locked in a sh of strength, the force impact sending ripples of Aether around them, filled with death.


    Their Death Marks had wanned in the past few minutes, so they reapplied them on each other, causing an engraving of the Reaper to appear on their opponent''s skin.


    Then, Shinobi''s visage blurred, his weapon retreating for a moment, only to attack at a different angle.


    His scythe arced through the darkness, narrowly missing his opponent''s throat as he had twisted away at thest fraction.


    Temr''s Reaper retreated, but Shinobi didn''t give chase; instead, he threw his scythe while raising his left hand.


    Realizing what he was about to do, the priest threw his own scythe and extended both his hands, a fraction slower than Shinobi''s. "Distant Grasp."


    They summoned invisible chains that shot out their palms,tching onto each other''s limbs in a deadly tug-of-war.


    Just as their scythes shed, Shinobi used his superior strength to yank his opponent toward him, while alsomanding his scythe to return.


    The priest and scythe moved at a simr speed, and again, he was a beatte in matching Shinobi''s actions, so when he reached him, he had no scythe to defend himself with.


    Shinobi enjoyed the panic he inflicted on his opponent and gripped his scythe as itnded on his right palm, releasing one set of the invisible chains as he leaned his body backward like a spring, about to unleash death.


    Due to his shackles being momentarily loosened, the priest barely managed to twist free, but not before Shinobi''s de grazed his side, drawing first blood.


    Not letting out any sound, not even a grunt, the man retreated once more, grabbing his floating scythe on the way back.


    Then, a heavy fog descended upon him, blurring both his soul and body. It was Grim Veil, and that ability signaled a boring ritual.


    Sure, it wasn''t anything religious, but it most definitely looked like it.


    The two would start running circles around each other, appearing like ghosts haunting an invisible being. Why do that? Well, hitting each other in that state was close to impossible, at least if either of them wanted to stay safe.


    Sighing, Shinobi activated the ability as well, and for a moment, all was silent and still. But in the next, a single loud step resounded. The hunter group leader had given up on ying it safe. He was going to end it now.


    Shinobi appeared in front of him, his scythe a blur as it sliced through the fog.


    The priest, noticing the change in mentality, met him head-on, their weapons shing with a series of rapid strikes.


    Each blow was precise, every step, whether backward or forward, was calcted, and every twist and turn was aimed for a kill, but neither couldnd a decisive hit.


    Grim Veil distorted their forms, making them seemingly flicker in and out of existence as they seemingly phased through each other''s attacks.


    Shinobi swung low, aiming for his opponent''s legs, but the priest leaped into the air while his own scythe came down in an arc.


    Shinobi twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, and retaliated with a powerful horizontal sh.


    The priest parried the blow as his feat reached the ground, the force of their collision sending small shockwaves through the air.


    They disengaged for a brief moment, both panting as they circled each other, their scythes humming with Aether and Death.


    Without warning, they shed again, moving faster than before.


    Their scythes blurred as they struck, dodged, and parried in a relentless barrage of attacks, almost dancing around each other.


    15:37


    Yet, refusing to let up, Shinobi pressed the attack.


    He spun his scythe in a wide arc, and that forced the priest to backpedal.


    His opponent''s veil grew thicker as he inputted more of his Aether into it, making it harder to see, but Shinobi''s instincts guided him, allowing him to anticipate his next move, which was a direct attack.


    The priest had suddenly lunged forward, his scythe aiming for Shinobi''s heart.


    Shinobi waited a beat, then sidestepped at thest possible moment, feeling the de graze his robes as it passed.


    He retaliated with an upward sh, but his opponent blocked it with his scythe''s pole, skidding back many steps.


    They locked eyes for a brief moment, then both of them suddenly flinched, ncing at the distance.


    There, the reason for such a reaction existed.


    A floating piece of light was heading towards them.


    The sight was unmistakable.


    It was a soul.


    While they did feel other souls earlier, flying up to wherever souls went, perhaps a ce connected to the Nether''s River, their Aspect, it was too far out of range to get attracted to them.


    This one, however, was close, so it came to them out of its vition, recognizing them as Reapers that guided souls like it to where they belonged.


    Whether that ce was with its kin, somewhere above, or within a Reaper themselves, fully consumed and brought closer to what all beings loved, Aether, their mother tree, they didn''t know.


    All they knew at that moment was that they needed it.


    "SOUL HARVEST!"


    Shinobi roared, beating the priest to the punch. Absorbing that soul wouldn''t just grant him a temporary buff capable of ending this battle within seconds¡ªit would also edge him closer to the next rank.


    Usually, consuming a soul didn''t have such significant benefits, but this one was different.


    Quality mattered, and this soul had power, likely a Seraphim killed by one of his allies.


    The priest had the ability as well but knew that attempting to absorb the soul now wouldn''t make a notable difference. At best, it would disrupt Shinobi''s consumption of it for a few moments, not enough to change the tide of battle.


    epting it as a lost cause, he decided against wasting time on the chant.


    Instead, he went all out, fullymitting to killing or at least crippling Shinobi, abandoning all concern for his own safety.


    His scythe became a whirlwind of death, shing through the air with incredible speed.


    But Shinobi matched him blow for blow, his attacks slicing skin-deep marks in his opponent.


    Their veils had dissipated as they began using Distant Grasp in between attacks, neither Seraphim willing to back down.


    And as the soul was a second away from being consumed by Shinobi, the priest''s strikes grew more intense, each swing of his scytheing faster and harder than thest.


    He was desperate.


    The end was upon him and all he managed to do was scratch his opponent, and barely at that.


    His own body had sustained much worse injuries.


    But then all of a sudden, by their seventh sh in that single second, Shinobi''s scythe glowed a pure white light, appearing almost tangible, the air around it vibrating with dark, dark Aether.


    The priest knew that the end had arrived.


    He was dead.


    "I WON''T GO DOWN QUIETLY!"


    No longer putting up any defense, he used all his remaining strength and jumped, swinging downwards, aiming to cleave Shinobi in half.


    The priest was fast, incredibly so, but to the current Shinobi, he was no faster than a snail.


    Shinobi closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, and before his opponent could near him, he struck.


    His scythe carved through the air, cutting through the priest and his scythe as if they were paper.


    The de had severed the connection between the Reaper''s soul and body in one clean motion, killing him at once.


    Separating into two parts, both the scythe and body fell to the ground, blood sttering on impact.


    Soon after, the body began to rot and age, as if it were Turning Hollow while being corrupted at the same time.


    Shinobi, still experiencing the high of absorbing that soul, watched in silence as the scythe dissipated and the body became an indescribable mess. His expression was unreadable beneath his hood, but it was apparent that the sight was too ugly for him, as he looked away, eyeing the distance where battle was still taking ce. As he walked towards the sound, he felt the glowing mark of death slowly fading from his right hand.


    "That felt nice."

 Chapter 468: Respect Even In Death

    Chapter 468: Respect Even In Death


    ?


    ***


    Southern Cross, presented what a Knight should be, standing tall and poised, his long sword glimmering with light behind his kite shield, the usual equipment chosen by Knights like himself.


    Opposite him stood a man who mirrored him in all but appearance, his augmented suit in the design of a white cloak instead of its default state.


    Their gazes locked, and unlike all the duels going on around them, respect, not disdain or anger, filled their eyes.


    They were Knights and they treated each other as such.


    No matter where they hade from, this single fact wouldn''t change.


    "Here Ie, Abyad!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I''m waiting, Cross!"


    The two Knights wasted no time-Southern Cross lunged forward, his Aetheric de slicing through the air.


    His opponent was quick to parry, their des meeting in a blinding sh of Aether.


    The sh sent shockwaves through the ground beneath them, but neither Knight faltered. Southern Cross pressed forward, attacking with his shield.


    Abyad was momentarily pushed back, barely managing to slow down Southern Cross''s momentum with his own shield.


    As their collective movement came to aplete halt, both stepped away and then went right back, attacking more freely.


    Each strike and block sent echoes through the air and ground due to the sheer strength behind them.


    Both had Aegis Of Radiance activated so their strength was enhanced, and as if that wasn''t enough, they stacked it with Valor''s Call, increasing it even further.


    Their auras, brilliantly bright, shed against each other, one white with a hint of blue while the other was pure white, simply unadulterated.


    They filled the space with a crackling Aether that made the air hum.


    But, all that eventually settled as Southern Cross''s will-infused Aether devoured Abyad''s.


    Abyad was previously able to fight back longer, reach a stalemate, sacrificing much of his reserves, but now, as they dwindled, he couldn''t fight quality with quantity.


    That was when Southern Cross moved, his feet barely touching the ground as he lunged forward.


    Abyad responded in kind, their swords shing with a resounding ng!


    Sparks flew as the two Knights exchanged blows, each strike and parry executed with near- perfect timing.


    And though not noticeable at first, it quickly became apparent that Southern Cross was on a different level.


    His opponent, though skilled, struggled to keep up with the relentless onught.


    Southern Cross moved with the fluidity of water, his strikes seamless.


    The difference in experience was on full disy as Abyad was forced to retreat step by struggling step.


    Despite him replenishing the augmented suit''s energy not many seconds ago, its force shield began to show small cracks.


    Though he blocked most lethal strikes with his kite shield, those that slipped through weren''t anything to scoff at.


    Abyad needed to retreat.


    He swung wildly in an attempt to keep Southern Cross at bay, but it was no use.


    Each of Southern Cross''s strikes found its mark, a specific point on the shield, driving him back further and further until his back was nearly against the wall.


    Then, with no hesitation, Southern Cross brought his long sword down in a sweeping strike aimed at Abyad''s midsection.


    His opponent raised their shield, but, like everything he did in the past few seconds, it was useless.


    Southern Cross had nned for this since the beginning, and Abyad had just unknowingly presented him with a clear victory.


    The de paused as he switched his grip and pulled it back.


    In the next moment, he stabbed it forward like a stake, targeting the same point always did.


    And finally, it pierced through the shield, leaving a deep gash in Abyad''s stomach as he pulled back in thest fraction, barely holding on to his life.


    Gritting his teeth, he retaliated with a desperate charge, aiming to catch Southern Cross off guard and bash him into the ground.


    But Southern Cross was prepared.


    He sidestepped the bull-like charge, his de shing as he delivered a quick, controlled cut


    to his Abyad''s side.


    He staggered, whatever was left of his defenses crumbling.


    Then, the deciding moment had arrived.


    "Honorable Duel."


    Southern Cross had called upon his strongest ability.


    This duel was truly honorable.


    His usual wild personality wasn''t on disy; rather, he neared the Gentlemen incarnate in


    how he acted.


    That was reflected in the ability.


    It was as if Evan, Junior, and all other Knights were frauds.


    The difference in power shown was just thatrge.


    A brilliant shield crest materialized above him, its radiance dwarfing the light of Aegis of


    Radiance.


    The symbol pulsed with Aether, syncing with Southern Cross''s every heartbeat.


    Abyad could only watch that beautiful scene with wide eyes.


    He already knew their leagues differed, but not to such an extent.


    And though he tried to muster a final defense, it was toote.


    Southern Cross''s de, now charged with Aether to an extreme degree, descended in a


    straight arc.


    The Aether concentrated within exploded outward, and like Judal''s Dimensional Cut ability, it pulverized the ground on its path to kill, sending multiple shockwaves through their


    surroundings.


    Abyad, unable to keep standing, was thrown to his knees by the sheer pressure of the attack before it even reached him.


    He gasped, trying to move, but his limbs wouldn''t respond.


    His shield shattered, and his sword fell from his hand as his strength gave outpletely.


    Then, the strike hit.


    A blinding sh followed as the de of Aether connected with Abyad''s chest.


    It didn''t just cut; it tore through him, splitting him in half with ease, flesh and bone.


    His body twisted unnaturally into itself, skin ripping apart, leaving only his head intact.


    Before the Reapers could take him, Abyad let out a broken, choking sound as what remained fell t to the ground.


    His eyes, wide with shock and pain, stared nkly into nothingness as life slipped away from


    him.


    Southern Cross turned around and didn''t look back.


    He simply wiped his sword clean and stepped away, not wanting to look at the grotesque


    scene of his own making.


    Knights held natural respect for one another, and that remained even in death.

 Chapter 469: Those Who Smile The Brightest

    Chapter 469: Those Who Smile The Brightest


    ?


    ***


    Khari was rxing, or so it seemed, as she sat on rubble near the train tracks.


    The dim, flickering lights barely touched her figure, making it hard to tell where she began and the shadows ended.


    Only the faint outline of her body could be seen, and even that shifted and faded when the light moved.


    Her long cloak, as ck as Emir''s eyes, draped over her slender frame, concealing her features, as did her Specialization, bonding her with the surrounding shadows.


    Opposite hery a man shrouded in the same darkness, his eyes gleaming with anger.


    There was no need to guess what happened and what was currently happening.


    The truth hung between them as heavy as the night itself.


    He was being toyed with.


    If one could see Khari''s stuttering smile, that would be all but denied.


    Rather, it was apparent that she had found it quite funny.


    Even with all those years of preparation, Temr couldn''t manufacture a proper Shadow Binder. This Specialization was just that unique and difficult.


    So Khari, though amused, knew his plight all too well.


    Her Path wasn''t easy to obtain... it certainly wasn''t.


    Yet, none of that showed on her face, intent on riling the priest to death.


    She was seeding. However, that wasn''t what made him rage as such.


    It was the fact that despite all his efforts, he was just a wed attempt at what she truly was.


    And that, more than anything she had done, stoked his undying fury.


    "Shadow Meld."


    Seeing him begin to move, her form dissolved into the mist of shadows below, bing almost impossible to pinpoint.


    Her opponent mirrored the ability, and the two figures swam through the murk, circling each other, silent, hunting one another in the void.


    And then, without warning, they lunged.


    Both shadows collided, the force of their meeting ripping them from the world of shadow they had momentarily inhabited,nding them back into the material world.


    Khari appeared to have anticipated her opponent''s movement, as she was prepared, her daggers already slicing through the air the moment she appeared in front of him.


    The priest attempted to react, block her des with his own, but Khari''s quickness left him off bnce.


    Her des struck him, destroying his force shield, and sent him a few steps back, reeling.


    "You''re not quick enough."


    Khari said softly, her voice almost a taunt, as she advanced on him again.


    But before she could get close, the priest roared in a panic, just now processing how close he was to death:


    "Obscura Domine!"


    Shadows coalesced, bing shackles, then shot forth from shadow to shadow, nearing her. She scoffed, holding back a giggle.


    The reason behind her reaction was obvious.


    Though desperation clouded the judgment of the man before her, even then, he had to know that using shadows to shackle a literal Shadow Binder wasn''t the smartest of ideas.


    As she hadn''t tried to avoid the ability, it easily caught her shadow, wrapping itself around her legs.


    Yet, in the next moment, those very chains exited her shadow, bing a tangible object. She gave a firm tug on the chain, and the rest followed, leaving her shadow.


    The priest stared at her in clear shock, even through the white cloak.


    "It''s incredible, isn''t it~?"


    Her lips curled into a sly smile as she watched him struggle toprehend what had just happened.


    Besides moments where silence and shadows merged into one, making the world feel distant, almost forgotten, she liked watching someone realize toote that they were already trapped the most.


    To someone more attuned to shadow maniption, this turn of events wouldn''t have been shocking.


    But, again, the priest was no true Shadow Binder.


    This was to be expected.


    Khari had used Umbral Constructs on the chains, taking them as her own, transforming the core of the ability itself.


    They coiled around her like obedient pets, even as the priest tried to reim control over


    them.


    No matter how hard he tried, nothing happened.


    It was impossible.


    Before, the ability was far from his body, enabling her to manipte it more freely, but now,


    she turned it into a tangible object, close to her core.


    There was nothing he could do, and his desperation was almost pitiful.


    Even if she had let go of the whip, he would still be unable to take what was his.


    His Aether Core Purity was too low; his control shaky at best.


    He had neither the skill nor the foundation to match her in this domain.


    "You thought your shadows would obey you, hmm?... Not when Imand them."


    With a flick of her wrist, Khari sent the chains snapping toward him, drawing first blood.


    The priest was forced to retreat in a flurry of movement, barely escaping the chains as they ripped his skin apart.


    Offering a pained grunt, he tried to meld back into the darkness once more, his form


    shimmering.


    Noticing that, Khari threw away the chains and did the same, only much faster.


    She Shadow Stepped directly in front of him and dissolved into the shadow of nearby rubble. Once in the shadow world, she chased after him for a second, and that was enough to catch up. They emerged from the darkness, daggers shing in one sharp strike after another. Khari''s movements were rxed, almostzy, as she parried his desperate blows with


    ease.


    Each time their des met, a spark of Aether flickered in the air, illuminating their faces for the briefest of moments before plunging them back into gloom.


    The priest tried to regain control, pushing back with a shower of shes, but Khari dodged each one with seemingly effortless grace.


    She was ying with him, testing his limits, savoring the fear that radiated from him.


    Her opponent was skilled, at least whenpared to the average Celestial on Earth, but hecked the finesse, the connection with the shadows that came so naturally to her and those


    like her.


    "Hey~."


    With swift movement, Khari spun behind him, her dagger inching close to his neck.


    He barely managed to block the strike, his own de trembling from the force.


    Sheughed softly, a sound that echoed in the dark, further angering him.


    "DIE YOU CRAZY BITCH!"


    Heshed out wildly, his dagger slicing through empty air as Khari Shadow Stepped away


    once more.


    She circled him like a predator, appearing in and out of material existence, watching as he struggled to keep up with her erratic movements.


    His eyes darted around, trying to predict where she would strike next, but Khari was always


    one step ahead, literally.


    All of a sudden, she chose the least expected spot of attack. directly above him, falling like a


    spear.


    The priest attempted to meld into the shadows, but she interfered, using the same chains she previously threw to hold him in ce.


    CLANG!


    Their daggers shed in a burst of Aether as his feet dug into the ground, barely withstanding


    the impact.


    Gritting his teeth, he put all his strength into his legs, trying his best to stay upright, but it


    was all for naught.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Khari was relentless.


    She disappeared, reappearing to his right, attacking from an angle that he was unprepared


    for.


    He blocked at thest moment but was unable to contain the force behind her attack.


    The priest was pushed back, falling onto the ground as the chains pulled him forward.


    "Urgh..."


    His head hit the ground hard, and he paused, catching a breath that he desperately needed.


    At that moment, Khari could''ve easily killed him, but she remained still, looking down on


    him with eyes that gleamed with amusement.


    He was her new toy, and she didn''t like to break them so quickly.


    "DAMN YOU WITCH!"


    He roared in frustration as he pushed himself up, summoning multiple chains that went


    forth, rushing towards her shadow.


    Unlike earlier, she showed no particr reaction to his attack, taking it a bit more seriously.


    It seemed that even she wasn''t able toe out of such an attack unchained.


    "Walls."


    Many shadows conjugated as if forced together, forming walls upon walls in the shadow


    world.


    Then... well, his chains didn''t put up much of a fight.


    Though not tangible, they still somewhat followed thews of physics, and chains certainly


    weren''t sharp and pointy.


    "How unfortunate~."


    Khari, not giving him a moment to breathe, struck back.


    Her daggers danced, and each time he tried to counter, she effortlessly deflected his blows,


    herughter growing louder with each failed attempt.


    Their des locked again, the force of the sh sending a shockwave through the air.


    Khari leaned in close, her face inches from his, her voice dripping with mockery.


    "Is this all you have? How disappointing."


    "RAH!"


    His response was a growl of fury as he shoved her back, trying to regain what little remained


    of hisposure.


    But Khari was already on him, her daggers moving faster than his eyes could track.


    Shended another strike, this time carving a deep gash into his side.


    "Ugh..."


    He staggered back, clutching the wound, his breathing in ragged gasps.


    Khari tilted her head, feigning concern.


    "Oh dear, did that hurt? Maybe I should end this before it gets any worse."


    But just as she was about to continue torturing the poor bastard till he begged for death, something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye.


    She nced to the side and saw Southern Cross approaching with a surprisingly glum face.


    He met her gaze and gave a small nod, signaling that it was time to wrap things up. Khari''s yful smirk faded, reced by an icy expression, one that mirrored the cold,


    unfeeling demeanor Lyra often disyed to her enemies.


    This was no longer a game.


    She stepped forward and gave her opponent no time to react.


    In a blur of motion, she drove her dagger deep into his chest, piercing his heart.


    The priest gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he crumpled to the ground.


    Khari watched him fall as she stepped back, then flicked her fingers.


    "Spikes."


    At hermand, dozens of sharp, shadowy spikes, each the size of her fingers, erupted from the surrounding darkness, impaling the priest from all sides.


    His body jerked violently as life was drained from him, his final gasps barely audible.


    Her expression remained impassive while watching that gruesome scene, as though she had


    simply swatted away an insect.


    There was no satisfaction, no cruelty, only the efficientpletion of a task.


    ...One truly could not judge from appearances.


    Those who smiled the brightest, acted the nicest, often hid the darkest truths.


    Well, at least, they had no less a chance of being the worst.


    It was a lesson all hunters had learned well over the years, and now, Khari embodied that


    contradiction entirely.


    Without another word, she turned and walked away, her silhouette melding into the shadows, disappearing as though she had never been there at all.

 Chapter 470: True Menace

    Chapter 470: True Menace


    ?


    ***


    The seven victorious HG leaders-Aqu, Iron Reich, Kremlin, Red Dragon, Shinobi,


    Southern Cross, and Khari-stood at the edge of a tform''s wreckage, their eyes fixed on the duel that was unfolding before them, on the train tracks.


    They had arrived here one by one; thest of them was Khari, smelling of fresh blood.


    "Helloo friends- how''s our phoneix doing?"


    She was quite unlike her previous sadistic self, too happy-go-lucky for a time such as this.


    Everyone there, except Aqu, ignored her, preferring to focus on the battle instead of ying along with one of her many whims.


    "See for yourself."


    Even he didn''t bother exining, too immersed to bother.


    "Sure."


    She shrugged her shoulders and joined them, her face now visible in the cold, dim light that flickered sporadically from the damaged overhead bulbs.


    Her brown eyes were fixed at the center of the chaos, where Phoenix stood.


    Opposite her was an Air Weaver like herself.


    The difference between them was simple.


    Her air had fire while his didn''t.


    "Wind de."


    Phoenix spun her body, her arms extended, sending two razor-sharp des of firey wind at her opponent.


    Temr''s Air Weaver responded with a silent Air Wall, the barrier of wind absorbing the attack and dissipating the force.


    The sh of their abilities sent a gust of strong wind, filled with heat, reaching the spectators. And as they shed once more, Aqu, still watching with interest, nced left and asked: "Kremlin, Iron, do you mind?"


    Not needing an exnation, they immediately gestured for the group to get closer.


    Both then summoned their cold, one through Iron Fist that froze the ground while the other wrote {000} and {000} on a nearby surface, creating a miniature air conditioning unit.


    Satisfied with their work, they looked back at the action.


    "Jet!"


    Putting her hands behind her, Phoenix shot forward with a burst of speed, her two Jambiyas swung wide.


    Her opponent easily anticipated the move, evading with a sidestep.


    He then retaliated by summoning Wind des of his own, directing them towards the still- moving Phoenix.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She slowed down her forward momentum with one hand, shooting a burst of air, propelling herself to a controlled halt.


    With her other hand, she conjured an Air Wall, dense and solid.


    The Wind des crashed into it, but the barrier stood firm, absorbing the attacks without the slightest reaction.


    "Oooohhh~ She''s got better purity at least."


    "She got some skills too, much better than ourst mission."


    "Bah! That girl''s still no Phoenix, just a chick."


    "Nice one! Hahahahahaha!"


    Southern Cross''s, Red Dragon''s, Iron Reich''s, and Kremlin''s words followed each other, acting asmentators.


    They weren''t taking this duel seriously, enjoying it more than anything.


    Why would they?


    Only one remained, their work was done, and most, if not all, threats were dealt with. "Jet!"


    Phoenixunched another attack, moving in a blur of speed to close the distance.


    The priest dodged her swing, and judging by the wince appearing on his face, it was a bit too close for his liking.


    Either way, the same oue asst time was repeated.


    But it seemed that she wasn''t done.


    Just as Phoenix shot past him, her body slowed abruptly, and she sted herself to the right, using momentum to her advantage.


    In the next moment, she twisted her body mid-air to face him and used both hands to unleash another burst of mes behind her.


    Tearing through the air, she closed in from a different angle than earlier, confusing the priest. Her attack was nearly perfect, though she had sacrificed the use of her two Jambiyas to get the jump on him.


    That forced her to use the only weapon she had left.


    Before they made contact, she shifted into a swift, powerful kick with her right leg, aimed to crush his head in.


    Reacting in thest moment, he summoned an Air Wall that paused her feet just atop his head, not even an inch away.


    The force behind the strike rippled through the barrier, but no more damage was done.


    Yet, even then, Phoenix didn''t back off.


    As he shot a Wind de at her midsection with his free hand, she sted herself up, her body flying above the Air Wall and away from the de.


    Still horizontal to the ground, she flipped her body, rotating a full one-eighty until her face pointed downward.


    In that short moment, it was as if she was hovering above the priest, like a raindrop frozen in


    time.


    It didn''tst long, however.


    With two sts emanating from her feet, she dove in, her curved des pointed like spears.


    She had learned this move from a certain Shadow Binder, and though she could already imagine her annoying teasing, she couldn''t deny its power.


    Barely managing to react, the priest crouched low and summoned multiple Air Walls directly


    above him.


    Phoenix tore through the first of the walls, then did the same for the other, though much slower, and almost came to aplete halt as she passed the third, reaching him.


    The man panicked as they locked eyes, not expecting her to cut through.


    He quickly pushed up his club-like staff, hisst Hail Mary defense.


    And that simple move was enough.


    Her attack wouldn''t be going throughpletely.


    Realizing that, she continued the fall for a moment, feigning the attack, then at thest


    fraction, when their weapons were about to touch, she cast Jet.


    A st of fire shot her away from the staff and into the ground, just beside him.


    On the way down, she flipped her body once more, and her feet, which now faced the floor,


    shot another st of fire.


    The priest was still facing where she was a moment ago.


    Phoenix could attack freely; nothing blocked her way.


    And that was what she did.


    With all the strength she could muster, she followed the momentum behind her movement


    and swung both jambiyas at his shoulders.


    The desnded, tearing through, from the tip of his shoulder to the end of his stomach and


    back.


    Blood spilled all around the two, and those watching began to celebrate:


    "Daaaaaaamn~! The girl can dance!"


    "Look. At. Her. Go. Whoop whoop!"


    Well, at least Iron Reich and Kremlin did.


    Only theymented this time; the rest had begun to show respect to the duel, keeping their


    presence to a minimum.


    They silently watched as the fight escted, with Phoenix retreating after her first sessful attack, using Jet to leap high into the air.


    The priest, not caring for his now dead right arm, responded by summoning powerful Wind


    des at her.


    Phoenix spun in the air, narrowly avoiding the des, and came down with a countering Wind


    de aimed at the priest''s midsection.


    He deflected the attack with an Air Wall, but it wasn''t as clean as before.


    His defense showed signs of strain.


    Phoenix appeared to notice that and wasn''t about to let that pass.


    She used Jet to close the gap, suddenly appearing above him.


    Countering with a few Wind des, he retreated before she could attack him, sting


    himself away.


    She easily dodged them and pressed her advantage with a series of Wind des that had him


    run around like a headless chicken.


    He was barely able to escape them, his cloak being cut up in the process.


    Phoenix had him on the run for a while, and it didn''t take long for him to be visibly


    fatigued.


    This made it seem that there was no way for him to escape the chase, at least without getting


    severely injured.


    But there actually was.


    He had one ability that he hadn''t used until now, which would''ve easily gotten him out of this


    predicament.


    {Pocket st.}


    It was a reallyrge AOE ability, making it quite obvious why he did what he did.


    The st would reach those watching, even if it was barely felt, and that might prompt them


    to interfere, hastening his death.


    Now though... he needed to use it.


    There was no choice.


    He would get killed by her otherwise. "POCKET BLAST!"

 Chapter 471: True Menace II

    Chapter 471: True Menace II


    ?


    Aiming his staff forward, it glowed for a moment, and then a tiny arrow of air shot out.


    It stopped just short of Phoenix, hovering in ce before rapidly expanding into a swirling sphere.


    The sphere began to draw in the surrounding air with incredible force, growing dense and distorting everything around it.


    Phoenix could feel herself being pulled towards it, her movements sluggish as all her Wind des went astray.


    Then, in the next moment, the sphere detonated.


    Its walls ofpressed air shot out in all directions.


    The sheer force behind the violent gusts of wind caused the tform beneath them to groan as its steel supports bent under the strain.


    "Finally some fight."


    An excited Phoenix quickly realized she''d be seriously hurt if the attack reached her.


    She had no choice but to retreat, halting her pursuit as she shot off backwards to avoid the st''s aftermath.


    Meanwhile, as the priest expected, a breeze had reached the spectators, but instead of getting angry or acting in any simr way, they all smiled, enjoying the cool air.


    Noticing their unordinary reaction, desperation set in for him as he made his decision.


    It didn''t matter whether this was a time thing or not.


    He had to go all out, and if they changed their mindster, so be it.


    Large area-of-effect abilities were the only way he could win this fight.


    It was the only way he could reign in Phoenix''s movement.


    "WIND STORM!"


    His chant echoed, summoning a chaotic storm at the center of their little arena.


    Torn metal tracks from the ground were uprooted and swept into the spiraling vortex, alongside loose debris and anything not bolted down.


    Phoenix quickly pulled back before she was swept in and responded with a focused Wind de, its edges glowing red-hot with fire, slicing through the heart of the storm.


    The two forces shed, unleashing a thunderous explosion that sent debris, wind, and fire, flying in every direction.


    The resulting shockwave rattled their entire section of the station, destroying the remaining steel.


    It was a pretty but dangerous sight.


    While those nearby wouldn''t think that way, too busy trying to kill their opponent, the spectators certainly did.


    Wafts of air continuously reached them, and most of them smiled even further, enjoying the makeshift weather system they had going on.


    "She''s got ir~. Kakaka!"


    Southern Cross nced at Khari, whozily stretched her arms overhead as if all the destruction around them was no more than a passing breeze.


    "Hm-... But she''s dragging it out."


    Red Dragon chuckled under his breath.


    "She''s trying her best. Not everyone ys with their food."


    She giggled at his not-so-subtle jab.


    "Can''t say anything to that."


    Kremlin, still holding his arms crossed, simply grunted.


    "It''s boring now. If she doesn''t end it soon, I''ll do it for her."


    Just as Iron Reich was about to open his mouth to speak, unable to stop himself frommenting, Aqu''s terminal buzzed, grabbing his attention.


    He frowned and watched as his leader raised a finger to his temple, ncing away from the fight.


    [Maharajah.]


    The name echoed in their minds for a moment, gone in the next when a slightly higher- pitched voice replied.


    [It''s me.]


    Hearing that, the others paused as well, their attention shifting from the duel in front of them to Aqu.


    They knew what happened.


    Maharajah had been tasked with protecting another set of VVVIP students, and the fact that he was calling now meant only one thing.


    [Finally done?]


    ***


    After more than thirty minutes into the fight, the passageway Maharajah fought in was nearly unrecognizable.


    Jagged rocks jutted out of the ground, mes licked at the scorched earth, and smoldering debris littered the floor.


    Before him was Wit, undoubtedly dead.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    His blood leaked into the spears of earth that had pierced through his body from all directions, the sharp points bursting through his chest, limbs, and back.


    Maharajah got closer to him, his expression unreadable as he looked up.


    With a sigh, he looked away and began walking in the opposite direction.


    Soon after, the earth around them disappeared and cracked while the spears retracted back


    into the ground, leaving Wit''s lifeless form crumpled on the stone floor.


    "It''s done."


    He spoke quietly, his words barely more than a whisper to the wind.


    Shaking his head, he repeated his words on them channel:


    ***


    [Yeah, it''s done. I''ve killed the lying bastard. He''s no fucking priest!]


    Aqu''s lips curved into a rare smile.


    [I know. And good. Head to the station; we''re almost done here.]


    [On my way now.]


    Chuckling, Aqu''s eyes returned to Phoenix''s fight.


    [Took you long enough. You''re missing real entertainment here.]


    Maharajah chuckled too, masking the frustration that simmered beneath.


    Being sent alone was irritating enough, but he couldn''t shake how much he actually wanted to


    see her.


    [Tell her not to finish without me. Should be there in a few.]


    Shinobi''s eyes gleamed with interest, but he stayed silent, a smirk tugging at his lips.


    Not caring for that reaction, Aqu turned to the others.


    "As you''ve heard, Maharajah''s on his way. He''s killed his guy, so we''re almost done here."


    Khari giggled softly.


    "Good for him; I was starting to think he forgot how to kill."


    The others joined her inughter, but not for long as their attention returned to the battle, seriousness adorning their faces.


    Phoenix had grown visibly tired, her movements losing their earlier precision, but she still


    didn''t relent.


    And despite the brutal chase, her opponent was still holding on, though barely, body drenched in sweat and blood.


    She dodged another one of his Wind des, this timeunching herself into the air and crashing down with a fiery Wind de that cleaved through the priest''s defenses, sending


    him stumbling back.


    "Looks like she''s really cornering him now."


    Iron Reich muttered, adjusting his posture as he leaned on a jagged piece of metal debris.


    "Yeah, but he''s pulling out everything he''s got."


    Red Dragon added, squinting through the chaotic winds.


    "Too bad it''s not going to save him..."


    Kremlin lightly chuckled.


    "...The guy is giving her a run for her money. But at this rate, it''s just a matter of time before


    he burns out."


    There was no doubt; the priest only dyed the inevitable.


    His weakening defense couldn''t keep up.


    But the HG leaders had seen enough.


    Aqu stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he spoke.


    "Shall we finish this?"


    Khari twisted her head.


    "What about Maharajah?"


    Southern Cross grinned.


    "Who cares?! Let''s kill him!"


    He, as usual, was one of the first to move.


    Not one to be outshined, Khari shrugged her shoulders and disappeared into the shadows


    before reappearing behind the priest.


    "No-!"


    Her daggers sliced through the air, shutting him up and forcing him to raise an Air Wall in


    defense.


    At that moment, Kremlin, Iron Reich, Red Dragon, Shinobi, Aqu, and Southern Cross all


    launched their respective attacks, elemental abilities, and bullets, which all converged


    towards the priest.


    There was no escape, no time to react.


    In less than a second, his body was torn apart, engulfed by the onught of theirbined


    power.


    "A^^^^^^^^^^AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    His scream was swallowed by the chaos, and then... silence.


    It was over.


    The storm, which was the first major disaster, passed.


    Every priest and leader of the Liberation Armyy dead.


    Thest of those with true capability had been destroyed.


    Only scattered stragglers, the weak and the lost, remained, while mindless constructs


    continued to block the exit, fighting the students till theirst circuit.


    What killed many in the ''novel'' hadn''t killed any at all.


    It seemed that fate could be defied somewhat, no matter how little.


    "Clean work... now we only need to wipe-"


    Or so they thought.


    Without warning, a figure appeared between them-a masked man wearing a white cloak,


    standing in the center of the wreckage with an aura of calm arrogance.


    "We''ve gotpany!"


    Before Aqu''s roar could even echo, all eight HG leaders had already turned to face the new


    threat, their weapons and abilities ready.


    To face all of them at once was a death sentence for most. Especially when they were perfectly


    ready, Emir knew that firsthand.


    But the man didn''t even flinch.


    He just stood there, scanning each of their faces, a smile at the corner of his lips.


    They didn''t know why, but they all instinctively felt it.


    Something was seriously off with him.


    The man before them gave off a feeling of absolute dread.


    He was unlike any opponent they had faced before.


    A true menace.


    It was as though the carnage that had just unfolded was nothing but a minor skirmish, a


    warm-up for what was yet toe.


    "Who the hell are you?"


    Aqu''s eyes were narrowed as can be, locked on the masked man.


    "Can''t say, and well..."


    The man''s smirk widened, though it couldn''t be seen.


    "You''ll find out soon enough. It''s finally time for things to get serious."


    His almost familiar voice dripped with hubris.


    And before they could react, he uttered two words that sent a chill through the air:


    "Game Start."


    In response, a bright light exploded into existence, blinding and swallowing them all at once.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 472: The Fate Of All Heroes

    Chapter 472: The Fate Of All Heroes


    ?


    ***


    The echo of their voices still rang in my ears.


    Phoenix''s fight, the banter of the others- so casual, so sure... so damn sure.


    Now, all of that was drowned by silence as I made my way through the ruins, stepping over jagged rocks and scorched debris.


    The air was thick with the stench of charred metal, burned flesh, and dust swirling in the aftermath of war. A small one, but a war nevertheless.


    I reached for my terminal, even though I didn''t need to, and spoke, my voice rough from the strain of battle.


    "What''s the status?"


    [...]


    Silence.


    My heart skipped a beat. Again.


    No snarky reply from Southern Cross, no teasing banter from Khari. Not even a grunt from Kremlin, or a short acknowledgment from Aqu. Just... nothing.


    They always answered. Always.


    But only the distant whine of twisting metal and the whisper of wind answered me.


    My frown deepened as I repeated the question with more urgency, my feet picking up speed: "Status? What''s happening over there?"


    {...}


    Nothing.


    No response.


    I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, each step growing heavier.


    This... I... I couldn''t ignore it anymore.


    Something wasn''t right.


    ''Faster.''


    The rubble cracked beneath each step.


    ''Faster.''


    My legs burned, but I pushed harder.


    ''Faster.''


    The terrain blurred-rubble, twisted metal-all fading into a chaotic mess as I sprinted. ''Faster.''


    My heart pounded in my chest, panic wing at me with every breath.


    {...}


    Something was definitely wrong.


    I could feel it, deep in my gut.


    I drove myself harder, squeezing everyst drop of strength from my muscles, my Aether sparking as I stretched beyond my limits.


    Wind whipped past me, my feet barely touching the ground as I circted my remaining Aether the best I could, feeling it strengthen my body and propel me forward like never before.


    "STATUS! I SAID STATUS DAMMIT!"


    I yelled into my terminal, my voice breaking.


    "WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    {...}


    I''d never felt this kind of fear before-this sickening sense of dread inside me.


    Not even in the hardest of missions we went through, where death stood right before us.


    The ground underfoot trembled with every burst of my Aether, but I couldn''t stop. "RESPOND! WHERE ARE YOU?!"


    My voice cracked, the words somehow spilling out louder than before.


    {...}


    I couldn''t stop myself from repeating the question.


    {...}


    I needed to hear them.


    {...}


    I needed to know they were still there.


    {...}


    But nothing.


    {...}


    The silence was suffocating.


    I tore through the passageways, ducking beneath copsed beams, leaping over gaping


    craters.


    The air was thick with dust, swirling around me as I moved, my hands clenched into fists, the burning panic spreading like wildfire.


    Fuck those students, I should''ve been there with them.


    I should''ve been fighting by their side.


    "Southern Cross! Khari!"


    I called again, desperation obvious in my voice.


    "Anyone?!"


    {...}


    Still nothing.


    My breath hitched, and I pushed even harder, calling on my Aether once more, overworking


    my core, nearing Hollowness.


    The world around me became a blur, everything whipping by in streaks of grey and ck as I elerated beyond my limits.


    I would certainly die if I kept this up, but I didn''t care.


    I couldn''t afford to care.


    "P-Phoenix! Is Phoenix okay?!"


    The question burst out of me, my voice almost pleading now.


    She had been fighting, but... but if something happened to her-


    No. I couldn''t think like that.


    I had to get there.


    I HAD TO!


    The passageway widened, and in the distance, I saw the faint glow of light breaking through


    the darkness.


    My heart mmed against my ribs as I closed the final gap.


    And when I finally arrived, the scene that unfolded before me left me frozen.


    It was a massacre.


    Khari¡ªno arms. Her signature daggers, gone. Just her body. Broken. Slumped against twisted metal, blood soaking the ground beneath her, her face twisted in agony, eyes wide


    with disbelief.


    I swallowed, hard, but my mouth was dry. It didn''t matter.


    She was gone.


    Southern Cross, the once unshakable pir of our group... He was lying on the ground,


    missing a leg, crawling pathetically across the rubble, his face contorted with pain and panic.


    Shinobi was out cold-his body twisted unnaturally, limbs bent in ways that shouldn''t be


    possible.


    Kremlin, he was encased in a shell of ice,pletely frozen.


    I couldn''t tell if he was dead or alive, his features locked in a grimace of surprise-whether


    from the cold or the terror, I couldn''t tell.


    Was this how it would end for him? Silent? Still?


    Iron Reich... I recoiled at the sight of him.


    His eyes. They were gone. Completely burned out of his skull, leaving nothing but ckened, charred sockets, his once proud posture reduced to a stumbling, sightless wreck.


    "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    His scream tore through the air as he groped around, lost and broken.


    It was the one sound I could hear.


    I felt my stomach twist, the bile rising in my throat as I took it all in.


    This was the Hunter Group Alliance.


    This was the force that no one dared challenge.


    Yet here they were, decimated, reduced to nothing.


    I couldn''t move. I couldn''t think. I couldn''t...


    I was toote.


    They were absolutely and utterly... destroyed.


    But then... I saw him.


    A masked man. He stood there, untouched by the carnage around him, his aura calm and cold, as if this


    massacre was nothing more than a game, a game that brought him endless amusement.


    And standing before him... Red Dragon.


    They were fighting. Or at least, that''s what it seemed like at first nce, not at the second.


    Red Dragon''s movements were frantic, his attacks wild and desperate.


    Though... that didn''t happen for long.


    In a sh of light, it happened.


    One of Red Dragon''s signature moves-Dragon''s Breath-was reflected back at him.


    Faster. Stronger. Many times more than what he shot out.


    He couldn''t dodge the attack. He didn''t stand a chance.


    His own fire consumed him, the mes biting into his flesh, searing him until he was nothing


    more than a broken, charred husk on the ground.


    I couldn''t breathe.


    My lungs seized, breath caught between disbelief and a rage so deep it threatened to burn me


    alive like it did Red Dragon.


    How had this happened? How could he have done this, whoever he was?!


    Yet, before I could even process it, the masked man vanished, reappearing behind Phoenix.


    I saw the look in her eyes, the realization that she was next.


    Aqu was nearby.


    He could save her, get her out of there with his Rapid Retreat, but...


    He ran.


    He ran away.


    And Phoenix was left alone.


    Then, I saw it.


    The glow forming in the masked man''s hand.


    The light aimed right at her.


    ''...No.''


    No obstruction. His aim was clear.


    ''No, no, no, no, no!''


    She was going to die.


    "NO!"


    My mind went nk-didn''t matter.


    There was no time to think, no time to hesitate.


    I moved. Faster than thought.


    Instinct had taken over.


    Every muscle moved on its own, driven by something deeper than fear.


    Phoenix... I had to reach her.


    And I did. Somehow. Only then realizing that it was my voice that tore the air.


    Inwardly chuckling, I activated my strongest defensive ability, Turtle Shell, and jumped into


    the attack.


    My barrier of metal-infused earth formed just in time, the masked man''s attack colliding


    with it, the force reverberating through my entire being.


    FSHH-CRACK!


    The barrier held. Barely. But I felt it-the strain on my body, my core trembling, my life force


    draining with each passing second.


    The pressure was overwhelming, but I held on.


    I held...


    For her.


    Yet, I couldn''t hold on forever.


    My barrier cracked.


    In that incredibly short moment, Phoenix''s eyes met mine, wide with shock, as the reality of


    what I had done settled in.


    I was going to die.


    There was no saving me.


    My body started to fade, dissipating into Aether, my Celestial Essence dissolving along with


    it, the Turtle Shell holding just long enough to stop the attack from reaching her.


    I had vaguely known this would be the cost.


    However, that didn''t matter.


    I hadn''t hesitated.


    I never would have.


    Not for her.


    But still... Even then I...


    ''...I ...I don''t want to die.''


    I didn''t want to die-no one ever did.


    I was too young.


    I didn''t obtain what I wanted.


    I had nothing truly valuable in my life.


    None of it shed before my eyes.


    The only thing I wanted was a chance to be with her.


    Phoenix.


    Maybe have a family, settle down somewhere before the inevitable war ravaged the.


    I know, the goal wasn''t at all noble or even eptable for a man of my position to have but...


    ''Heh, yeah, whatever.''


    Well, it didn''t matter anymore.


    This moment wasn''t mine to own anymore


    The selfish lived... those who cared only for themselves survived.


    But for those who felt for others, those who cared too much, those who fought to protect,


    who dreamed of saving others, of being heroes-even if only for one special someone-they


    were the ones to fall. Every. Single. Time.


    That was the undeniable truth.


    The fate of all heroes.


    And before darkness swallowed me whole, I took onest look at her-the one I fought for,


    the one I saved.


    Phoenix... she was alive. For now.


    That was enough.


    ''Yeah, I did good... right?.... I... am...''

 Chapter 473 A Familiar Face

    473 A Familiar Face


    ***


    A Few Minutes Earlier


    In another ce not so far, Emir, dripping with blood of all colors, darted through the ruin, instinctively navigating the empty tforms and tunnels.


    He didn''t need to think about it¡ªhis mind had already mapped the fastest routes to the SOS signal.


    A professor, no doubt trapped by a horde of constructs, was holed up somewhere with thest unounted-for student.


    The situation was clear enough: if Emir didn''t intervene in some way, it would be a notable loss for the Academy.


    More importantly, it would be a personal loss, one that could result in penalties he had no intention of facing.


    Four students had already fallen, but they had been the weakest of the ss¡ªexpendable, irrelevant in the not-so-grand scheme of things.


    Impure.


    This one, however, was different.


    They mattered.


    More so did the professor.


    Their deaths would be more than just a loss; it would sting the Academy, a waste of its investment and resources.


    Worse still, it would spark outrage from the public, and perhaps even the Elite.


    Both forces would converge, and the Academy, under fire from all sides, would have no choice but to find someone to me.


    Emir was a prime candidate. Or at least that would be the case if not for Amon''s existence.


    The principal had undoubtedly nned to step up and bear the burden of these losses.


    It was highly unlikely he''d allow his "son" to take the heat.


    Not only did he need him to stay in the Academy due to their deal, but he trusted him as well, no matter how unnatural it seemed from Emir''s perspective.


    Unfortunately, however, the professors under him weren''t so agreeable.


    They would be all too eager to let the me shift Emir''s way, citing his direct oversight of the ss.


    Again, he was the perfect candidate for a scapegoat¡ªan ''unpure'' man with no ties to the Elite.


    To them, the Academy had made a costly mistake in hiring him.


    But now, they believed they had an easy fix.


    All they had to do was fire him, and everything would go back to normal.


    Yet¡­ they were gravely mistaken if they thought they could brush him aside so easily.


    Emir knew the game better than anyone.


    This wasn''t just about saving students¡ªit was about showing off his own value and worth.


    If he put on the right disy, even if the rescue failed by ''ident,'' Amon could maneuver through the political aftermath more easily.


    Even an Elite could be sacrificed for the right optics.


    And in the ruthless hierarchy of the Academy, being indispensable was a shield stronger than any position.


    Emir didn''t waste any mental capacity worrying about the politics; he had already calcted every move.


    If most things went ording to n, his position would not only be secure but solidified.


    But even with everything seemingly under control, his mind refused to stay in the present.


    No matter how alert his eyes were to the dangers in the ruin, his thoughts kept returning to the encounter with the Praying Lady.


    She was ying a game he didn''t fully understand.


    Why had she given him such information without demanding anything in return?


    What did she want?


    He didn''t know. But one thing was certain: nothing from her came without strings attached.


    Her motives were undoubtedly self-serving, steering him toward a specific goal, pushing him to make a move that would benefit her in the end.


    For someone so credit-hungry, there was no other reason she''d give anything away for free.


    Emir didn''t like that feeling.


    Not one bit.


    Being manipted but not knowing in what way was internally killing him.


    But eventually, he calmed himself and decided to go over thister.


    And as soon as he did that, he reached his destination, entering arge open room, its walls stained with blood.


    Tens of monsters and constructsy dead all around and a giant one stood in the center.


    It was a Metalzi, though muchrger, seemingly containing a minimum of five cores, as it was a Tyrant, its grotesque form towering over everything around it.


    A female student, wide-eyed and trembling, was held in one massive w, while a male professor, bleeding out every orifice, was in the other, his face pale with terror.


    Its eyes locked onto Emir as he approached, its mouth snarling.


    Seemingly feeling the pressure within the rtively small being before it, the monster tightened its grip on its hostages, causing both to cry out in pain. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Emir''s expression remained unchanged, even as the two looked in his direction, pleading with him to interfere with their eyes.


    He acted as if he didn''t see them; his gaze never wavered from the monster.


    Then, without a word, he raised his curved sword, aiming it directly at the creature''s head.


    The monster roared in response, recognizing the challenge, its voice a guttural anger.


    Unmoved, Emir''s fingers tightened on the hilt of his de, and he burst forward, reaching it in a single step. It opened its mouth to wee him with a stream of dark green toxic fire.


    He could feel it before it even exited the Tyrant''s mouth, corrupting the very air around it. The mes almost had the same potency as that Holy Relic nc had used.


    Without his Aetheric Shield, he would undoubtedly die. But, instead of repeating what he did earlier, he decided to unveil something new. "Author''s Strings." A number of thin, shimmering threads unraveled from his hand, flowing like thick strands of silk.


    They snaked along the length of his de, picking up speed as they neared the tip, before he flicked them forward.


    The threads weaved through the air, nearly invisible as they shot towards the beast.


    Almost instantly, they slipped into its gaping mouth, disappearing into the mes.


    They had reached their mark.


    A moment of stillness was the result.


    Then¡ªBOOM!


    The fire exploded, the force of the st shredding its now-rotting flesh from the inside out.


    WWRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUURRRH!


    It howled, a sound so loud it deafened the hostages, its grip on them loosening.


    Seeing that, Emir smiled and flicked two fingers upwards.


    His ability followed hismand, and the monster further convulsed, the explosion rippling outward, sending chunks of molten flesh scattering across the area.


    The monster was close to death; he could easily kill it now, but he did not stop there.


    Emir wanted to see how long he could control the ability.


    And, as it unfortunately turned out, it wasn''t for long.


    Once seven seconds passed, his control was gone.


    This wasn''t due to the fire extinguishing, as it was still inside the monster, wreaking havoc, nor was it because of the Aether Core interfering due to its close proximity, though it was a factor.


    It was simply the maximum duration of the ability. At least the current maximum, one for a monster of this rank.


    There was a high, almost certain chance, that it wouldst a few seconds more when used against lower-ranking monsters or Celestials.


    The opposite was impossible, as higher-ranked beings were impossible to control, the most he could do was disrupt.


    He could improve it the more he Pathed, so it wasn''t too unfortunate. Either way, with his experiment done, he now had to deal with the monster.


    It wasn''t dead yet.


    That wasn''t the case for long, however.


    Emir raised his right hand, pointing a single finger towards the ceiling.


    "Fall."


    In an instant, a massive spear of Aether appeared high above the struggling Metalzi.


    With a coldmand already given, it plunged downward, piercing straight through its body, tearing a gaping hole from top to bottom.


    The beast stiffened, its limbs locking in ce, unable to even let out a final roar.


    It staggered backward and copsed to the ground with a thunderous crash. Dead.


    The male professor was finally free, but Emir didn''t spare him a nce.


    His eyes were locked elsewhere, drawn by something far more unsettling.


    It was something that sent an unexpected chill down his spine.


    A familiar face.

 Chapter 474 World Returning To Form

    474 World Returning To Form


    Just a few feet away from the Metalzi''s copsed arms,y the severed head of a student.


    The creature must have killed her when it fell, slicing through her neck with one of its ws.


    It was a horrifying sight, no doubt, but that wasn''t what made his chest tighten, what made his breath quicken.


    He didn''t care whether she had lived or died.


    That wasn''t the point, not one bit.


    A professor had been saved, and that was enough.


    His position in the Academy was cemented.


    What mattered was her face.


    ...It was familiar.


    Emir rarely remembered names, let alone faces.


    He didn''t need to.


    But this time, he forced himself to look, to acknowledge the girl as a person¡ªto put a name to the life he''d let slip away.


    The reason for that was simple.


    He needed to report her death.


    And what he saw struck him cold.


    Her head was small, delicate, with childish features frozen in terror.


    But that wasn''t what disturbed him, twisting his insides like his ability did the Tyrant.


    No, it was something far worse.


    The girl''s face was almost a perfect match for Faye''s.


    "...Huh."


    Emir stood there, staring.


    The resemnce was uncanny¡ªdown to the curve of her jaw, the shape of her lips, even the wide, fearful eyes that were now dull.


    For a moment, it felt as if time had stopped, the world shrinking around him as all he could see was that face.


    Faye''s face.


    Herughter, her voice, her smile¡ªall of it shed in his mind, blending with the expression of the dead girl in front of him.


    Emir knew that it wasn''t her.


    It couldn''t be.


    Faye was home, likely ying with his mother and sister.


    There was just no way.


    But the image lingered, burning into his memory.


    ''...Her sister?''


    His hand clenched involuntarily, Aether sparking to life around him.


    There was no room for this kind of weakness, no room for doubt or hesitation. Emir had a task toplete.


    He was an Ethereal Threader, a puppeteer in control of his every thought and action.


    Yet here he stood, shaken by the face of a dead girl who wasn''t supposed to matter.


    But she did.


    He wasn''t even sure why.


    Perhaps he had taken a liking to Faye more than he would like to acknowledge.


    But was that even possible?


    He didn''t know.


    Neither did he know how long he stood there, staring at the girl''s head.


    His mind simply refused to process the love he felt for someone who wasn''t a blood rtive.


    It was as if his brain was going to war against itself, the rational side versus the much smaller emotional one. Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...


    But that war was shattered when, out of nowhere, he heard the whistling of bullets heading towards him.


    ''Aetheric Shield.''


    Reacting in nearly an instant, he conjured his shield before the bangs! could even resound and was hit with incredible force.


    It cracked but didn''t break, and he was sent back, stumbling.


    In the next second, multiple assants rushed him, attacking him from each direction. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    One swung his long sword, another bashed him with a shield, and thest stabbed with his spear.


    Their attacks were coordinated, aiming to overwhelm him in one swift strike.


    Emir watched them approach in slow motion, as he had activated Temr Perception the moment he heard the gunshots.


    He could''ve defended himself and stuck back, killing at least one in the time their attacks reached him, but he focused on his Aetheric Shield instead, intending to use their attacks in his favor. Dodging the spear, he closed onto the shield, directly taking the hit.


    He deliberately bounced off it and was thrown to the ground, evading the sword sh as his Aetheric Shield mmed hard against the cold concrete.


    Crack!


    Smiling wildly, he pushed himself upright, standing fully straight before the rubble caused by his impact could even reach its highest.


    Without pause, he reached out to the now floating rubble, and his surroundings transformed into a shimmering haze of Aether.


    Using both his Weaver''s Veil and Aelis Aspect, he strengthened himself to the max, pushing his explosive power to the limit.


    Then, each fragment of rubble trembled in the air as he infused them with Aether, transforming them into Celestial killing weapons.


    The shards glowed intensely, vibrating as if barely able to contain the Aether within.


    Time seemed to slow even further as his assants began to realize what was happening, but it was already toote.


    Emir began to punch away, unleashing his makeshift gattling gun.


    They shot outward in all directions, each shard moving with the speed and precision of a bullet.


    In the next slow-moving moment, he saw the expressions of shock and fear on his attackers'' faces as the projectiles tore through their heads, cutting through flesh and bone.


    Blood sprayed in the air, and the attackers, finally caught to speed, were thrown back, their bodies falling to the ground in an incredible disy of carnage.


    One by one, they died, their lives snuffed out in an instant by the very rubble they had helped create.


    When thest of them had fallen a full secondter, Emir rxed his arms and undid his Aspects, giving his core a breather. ''Now, who were my little assassins? They even knew about Faye.''


    Looking around at the scene of destruction he had wrought, he attempted to identify his "little assassins."


    They had no identifiable features he could pick up, just the standard E10 augmented suit in its default state¡ªsleek, nondescript, andpletely void of any personal customization.


    Yet it didn''t take him long to figure out that they were from the Liberation Army.


    While they didn''t adorn their insignia, the "brothers" hairstyles were matching.


    An undercut, long on the top but shaved at the back and sides. No one but the Liberation Army would settle for such a shit-looking haircut.


    But it wasn''t just the hair.


    The augmented suits they wore were another giveaway.


    The E10 model wasn''t something just anyone could afford, even if the Elite made it seem incrediblymon.


    Each one cost a billion UC¡ªa price way out of reach for the average hunter group.


    Owning even one would be a stretch, let alone ten.


    Emir had no doubt about it.


    These men belonged to the Liberation Army.


    Besides, he hadn''t exactly maintained the best rtionship with one of their leaders either.


    In fact, he was willing to bet that these were the leftovers Aqu had mentioned in his report.


    They were out for revenge.


    Chuckling, Emir took onest nce at them. "Too bad they picked the wrong target."


    There was no denying it, Faye had be an important someone in his life.


    14:11


    He only realized that now but this wasn''t the time for that. He looked appreciative almost. "Hm... And good job on helping me cut loose ends I guess."


    Apparently, he was. "I''ll mention you to your leader, don''t worry."


    With those words, his gaze drifted back to the decapitated head of the student or rather, the outside girl they brought in from who knows where.


    The feelings it gave him still sent a shiver down his spine, but he forced himself to keep that at bay. There was no denying it, Faye had be an important someone in his life.


    He only realized that now but this wasn''t the time for that. The Major Disaster took precedence.


    Emir checked the life status of the hunter group leaders.


    It looked utterly chaotic, heart rates were spiked, oxygen levels had dropped, disjointedmands were issued, signals moved randomly, nothing was in sync, and most importantly...


    One signal was missing entirely. An HG leader had died. ''Ah, man. Things always gotta go wrong.''


    Emir smiled.


    He knew that anything that could go wrong would go wrong, no matter how much he prepared.


    It was natural.


    ''But I ain''tining... It''s what makes it so fun.''


    Though he was enjoying the danger, he really needed to move before it was toote. The world was returning to form, following an unspoken rule.


    Ten Ancient ns, likely ten Mega Corporations, ten Leaders of the Order, ten Primordials, ten systems in control of humans on the Local Group, Big Ten, and now¡­


    Ten Hunter Groups.


    And he didn''t know if it was going to stop at that. ncing at the wall to his right he pointed at the professor and then began to move.


    There would be time to deal with the consequence of thatter¡ªif there ever was time at all.


    For now, all that mattered was the n.


    Lyra''s disappearance, behind-the-scenes politics, the Praying Lady, the dead student, none of that mattered at that moment.


    The n had to seed...


    Otherwise, their entire future was in jeopardy.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 475 I Know You

    475 I Know You


    Emir moved swiftly, his steps unnaturally calm, almost slow.


    Yet, in an instant, he would vanish and reappear in a new position. Behind him, a white cloak¡ªtorn and stained with blood¡ªfluttered, remnants of a very recent and untold battle clinging on.


    Slung over his right shoulder was his curved sword, and on its tip was a decapitated head, strapped by the hair¡ªits lifeless eyes wide open in an expression of terror.


    Emir''s appearance was grim; he looked more like a Reaper than the Reapers themselves, but that didn''t matter to him.


    The current prince wasn''t so interested in keeping himself clean, the corruption taking the ce of order. By his twentieth step, he had already reached his destination, slowing down as he entered a massive room further in the station. The sight he stumbled upon was straight out of a horror movie. Scattered around him were the figures of HG leaders,id across the ground, burnt, broken, limbless, and bloodied, their presence imposing no longer.


    But not all were there.


    Two were missing. Lionheart, who was no more than ten seconds away from reaching the site, and Maharajah, who was no longer among the living.


    His body had been reduced to little more than dust, his remains swirling through the air and settling in the dark corners of the ruin.


    For him, the battle had ended, just as it had for the rest of the fallen.


    All except for one.


    Aqu.


    He stood alone, barely holding his ground against the masked man. His body trembled with exhaustion, his augmented suit ripped apart, most of the nanobots returning to their neutral state, leaving him half-naked.


    His gun arm had it the worst, blue and ck, a result of constantly parrying each of the masked man''s lightning-fast strikes.


    The bay on his gun was cracked as well, nearing its end.


    Aqu was severely outmatched.


    All this... was just entertainment for the man. He moved with such speed that his every action left a blur, his form a series of afterimages.


    Bullets flew, but they never found their mark¡ªdodged withzed ease, almost as though the fight was beneath his attention.


    And Emir, who watched from a distance, immediately picked up on who their surprise guest was.


    ''...It''s obvious.''


    He wasn''t confused as to why he showed up.


    Though it went against the ''novel,'' he had anticipated this as one of the possible scenarios, drawing from the man''s most defining trait¡ªevil.


    The masked man hadn''t noticed him yet, or at least he hadn''t acknowledged him, too entertained by the struggling man in front of him to care about a new addition.


    ''I''ll have your attention alright.''


    Emir''s hand tightened on the hilt of his curved sword and lowered it, letting the head slip from the de.


    It hit the ground with a dull thud, rolling slightly beforeing to a stop.


    Just as that happened, eight mennded on the ground behind him, appearing to havee out of the walls and roof.


    All wore ck, and at first nce, one could notice that the four at the front of the group were in charge, the air about them deadlier than the others. That sight finally caught the masked man''s attention, his eyes flickering briefly toward them.


    He paused mid-strike and straightened.


    Aqu took a stumbling step back, panting, his face pale.


    The Shadow Squad, not needing to bemanded, immediately spread out, each man heading to one of the fallen HG leaders.


    The masked man''s body turned to face one of them, about to attack, but Emir interfered.


    "I know you..."


    He stepped forward, nting his sword into the ground with a heavy ng. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His cloak settled around him, partially covering the stump where his left arm used to be.


    "Can''t say I''m surprised though."


    Emir gave him a once-over, his expression unreadable.


    Then, with a faint smirk, he quipped:


    "By the way. Say hi to your cute puppet, your ''chained leader.'' I''m afraid that you might need a recement."


    The masked man turned fully towards him now, eyes narrowing.


    He nced briefly at the head on the ground where the heady, then back at Emir, his tone t and unimpressed.


    "¡­What happened to you, filth?"


    Emir chuckled softly, as though the question amused him.


    "Just had some fun with a few priests."


    He then tilted his head slightly, running a hand over the hilt of his sword.


    "Now, I gotta ask¡­ can you hurt me? Won''t it be going against the binding contract?"


    There was a pause, the man regarding Emir with both disdain and curiosity.


    "I can... because all I''m doing now is ying a mere game. One devoid of killing intent. Nothing more than that."


    Emir raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his face widening slightly.


    ''Huh¡­ he actually believes that.''


    He chuckled. "Judas. You''re insane."


    "...I''m afraid I don''t know who you''re referring to. But tell me, are you any different? If you truly believe this to be reality, well... I would already be dead, wouldn''t I?"


    ''I guess being immune to contracts has its disadvantages as well...''


    Shrugging his shoulders, Emir shifted his gaze toward Aqu, who had finally regained his bnce, eyes filled with exhaustion.


    Blood dripped down his forehead, and his grip on his gun was unsteady, but still, he met Emir''s inky eyes and gave him a curt nod.


    He wasn''t done yet.


    Not if there was still a chance to survive.


    Emir returned his focus to Judas and the atmosphere grew thick in response.


    For a brief moment, all was still.


    Then, without warning, Emir''s form experienced rapid transformation, pulsating with Aether.


    The power he now emanated was on an entirely new level.


    There was no mistaking it...


    He had ranked up.


    No longer a Champion, he had ascended to the Exarch sub-rank.


    Not too long ago, Aetheric Overdrive would have only pushed him close to this threshold, but it never would have allowed him to cross it.


    This disyed just how rapidly his strength was growing¡ªall thanks to his embodiment and stolen Aether Core.


    To call such progress shocking was an understatement.


    "You¡ª"


    Before Judas could fully process the situation, Emir lunged forward, his glowing de slicing through the air.


    Aqu followed a split second behind, his Celestial Revolver shing as they moved in tandem.


    Shots rang out, and Judas dodged, shing away. But he was up against Emir, a man who held sh Step.


    In a single step, he was upon Judas, his curved de raised high, muscles bulging as he swung it down.


    "Die."

 Chapter 476 Fun Game

    476 Fun Game


    Judas reacted instantly, driving two punches into Emir''s stomach in the time it took for the de to descend.


    His strikes were powerful enough to shatter Emir''s force shield, but still, he didn''t relent.


    The de continued on its path, closing in on Judas''s head.


    But just before it couldnd, he stepped back, letting it slice through empty air, missing him by a breath.


    Emir, expecting such an oue, released the hilt for a split second, his hand reversing its grip before he stepped forward, swiping the de upward in a sharp arc.


    Judas attempted to step back again, but Aqu was there, waiting for him with his revolver.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    He smirked, eyeing the approaching bullets, then jumped up, dodging both the bullets and the de.


    But, again, the attack didn''t end there.


    Aqu''s bullets tracked him, while Emir disappeared, appearing right next to him, high in the air.


    This time, he didn''t swing his de, instead, he stabbed forward, intending to pierce through him.


    At that moment, Judas had nowhere to move, nothing to push himself off of. But... he didn''t need to.


    He twisted his body and caught Emir''s de with one hand, bare, blood pouring from his palm as the weapon bit into his flesh.


    Emir smiled at the sight¡ªright before Judas used the force of the thrust to hurl him towards Aqu''s iing bullets.


    "Aetheric Shield."


    Emir, still sporting a smile, chanted an ability, yet, when looked at closely, nothing materialized.


    He was mimicking a little trick he learned recently¡ªpretending as if he had the maximum number of abilities active to hide his real attack.


    Aqu had caught on immediately.


    He extinguished his bulletsand went after Judas from an unhindered location.


    And just as he made his move, ethereal spears flickered into existence above Judas, all directly aimed at him.


    Without dy, Emirunched them at the same time, the air crackling as they converged on Judas from every angle. Most streaked straight down, but some arced in patterns while others curved like serpents to attack from below.


    Judas, finally realizing the stakes, acted, deciding to take things up a notch.


    His right hand shot to his cloak, pulling out a staff.


    But rather than wielding it like a traditional Sun Weaver, he swung it with brute force, smashing each iing spear. They ricocheted, crashing into the ground and walls as if they were nothing but mere, Aetherless rubble.


    Each swing and impact resulted in a push in the opposite direction, his body nearing the ground faster than they expected. Still, Emir didn''t stop and more spears followed.


    That onlyunched him further down, however, and it wasn''t long before he reached the ground. By then, nothing had hit or even grazed his body.


    He was too fast.


    Worst still, the moment his feet touched the ground, Judas became a blur faster than before. He darted left, twisting his body in a way that seemed impossible, narrowly avoiding the spears by mere inches.


    The second volley came from behind, aimed directly at his back.


    He ducked low, his movements fluid as though he could predict where each spear wouldnd before it even left the prince''s control.


    Though it seemed hopeless, Emir wasn''t giving him any room to breathe.


    And as another set of spears swarmed, he lunged forward, his curved de aimed at the arm carrying his staff.


    Judas deflected his attack, twisted his body to narrowly dodge a bullet precisely aimed at his heart, then jumped back, evading another sweeping arc of the de while simultaneously sidestepping two more spears.


    Each dodge was wless, not due to skill but simply the speed of execution.


    It was always at thest moment as though Judas was dancing on the edge of a de on purpose.


    But, he must not yet celebrate.


    It wasn''t just Emir he had to worry about.


    Aqu, hanging back slightly, tightly held onto his Celestial Revolver.


    He tracked Judas''s every move, building up an attack, which started many seconds ago. As seen, however, his presence wasn''tpletely detached from the battle. Aqu had sent over Illusionary Bullets at random to mimic attacks, faking his participation. This little trick of his was simple but effective, and now, the results of how effective it was would be on disy.


    BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!


    A thunderstorm of shots resounded as tens of bullets streaked toward Judas, each one cloaked in Aether and Lighting, distorting the air as they traveled.


    That in itself was a terrifying attack to face, but they weren''t alone.


    Illusionary Bullets had joined them¡ªtheir paths unpredictable, shifting mid-flight in between their brethren to throw off any attempts to dodge the real threat. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As Judas dodged another spear, he quickly tilted his head to the side, avoiding a bullet that seemed to materialize out of thin air beside his ear.


    It was an illusion.


    Five bullets came in front, curving toward his chest.


    He twisted to the right, letting it graze his shoulder as he sidestepped another spear.


    Seven more came from behind, three from up top, and ten from the front.


    Judas''s left was filled with spears, and his right was Emir, the most dangerous threat.


    He was surrounded.


    And yet, even now, when he needed to use an ability toe out of the attack unscathed...


    He didn''t.


    His pride didn''t allow him to.


    Against the earlier eight, it was fine, expected, epted, but now, when facing a measly two?


    Never... NEVER!


    THOSE "FILTH" WOULD NOT FORCE HIM TO DO ANYTHING! Judas, using all his strength, stepped hard on the ground, sending a shockwave that spread in all directions.


    The air almost immediately dug into the wall of their surroundings, as if escaping him, crumbling what remained and expanding the room. A crater formed right after, taking out the entire area around them, reaching further out as hundreds of cracks snaked through the concrete.


    Rubble of all sizes flew into the air, covering them in dust. Only then was a roar-like explosion heard, reverberating in their ears. Aqu was blown away, and Emir almost was, using an Aetheric Construct to halt his body in ce. The shockwave had essentially slowed the world around them, and that was enough for Judas.


    He needed to care of the weakest link first.


    The bullets above.


    Judas raised his staff,unching it upward, yet nothing made contact.


    ''Illusions.''


    A smug snicker escaped his lips as his attention snapped to the real threat.


    Bullets aimed at his back.


    Without pause, he swung his staff down, the motion so fast the air itself blurred. It spun on contact, striking down the bullets.


    They were real. Each of Aqu''s bullets dissipated in bursts of light as the staff fell upon them, destroying them in a fraction.


    A speed so terrifying, that the ng of metal on Aether had yet to resound, simply unable to catch up. In the next fraction, he shoved the end of the staff behind him, destroying the seven remaining bullets with a single touch. Now, only two attacks remained, and they finally reached him.


    One was the spears, and the other was the conjurer himself.


    Emir, who had shed Stepped towards him.


    His curved de was held at an angle, whistling through the air in a sweeping arc, aiming to sever Judas''s left arm.


    Like earlier, when he fought against Weiss, he used momentum to his advantage, letting it take his de home.


    It was close, a fraction away from reaching that home, touching his skin, slicing through it.


    The spears were as well.


    Fast as he was,ing out of that unscathed was truly impossible.


    Judas had to use his abilities.


    But, again, he wasn''t going to.


    He, in the next and final fraction of the attack, allowed the spears to stab into his back.


    Then, before they could evenpletely pierce through his skin, he twisted his body to meet Emir.


    His de cut into Judas, nearing the bone, but that was all it could do.


    At the end of the fraction, it had stopped, and the reason for that was simple.


    Judas''s right hand had shot out.


    "Who''s dying now?"


    Itnded squarely on Emir''s chest, copsing him like a crushed can.

 Chapter 477: Game... Over?

    Chapter 477: Game... Over?


    ?


    Judas staggered forward as the spears'' impact came through, but he held himself straight, his muscles tightening.


    "...Is that all you''ve got, trash?"


    Then, with a swing of his staff, he flicked off the spears embedded in his back.


    It pained him, but it didn''t seem like he was going down anytime soon.


    "Not even close..."


    Emir was the same.


    Though his internal organs were a mess, he had somehow managed to keep himself up.


    "...Ready for round two?"


    They looked at each other, and in a blink, both of them disappeared.


    Materializing just a few meters in front of Emir''s previous location, their weapons went forth.


    Judas deflected Emir''s de, moving it across his staff''s length, then stomped straight, intending to tear a hole through Emir''s stomach with a single kick.


    Emir followed his de''s movement and frontflipped upward, evading the attack.


    Mid-air, directly above Judas, he summoned a spear to his left, aimed downwards.


    And at that exact moment, a st of air shot through where he just was, exploding the wall next to it, ingraining what seemed to be a footstep in the concrete.


    Using the same leg as his two previous attacks, Judas kicked upwards, attacking Emir while destroying the spear at the same time.


    But Emir wasn''t hit.


    He wasn''t even there.


    A fraction before the kick, a tform had materialized underneath his feet, and he pushed himself off it, sh Stepping away.


    Though, before getting the Hell out of there, he didn''t forget to leave behind a present.


    In his ce, right where the tform was, was another spear.


    The tform protected it long enough so that it could move without obstruction.


    And move it did, attacking Judas from the side.


    "Slow."


    His cloak billowed out a sh of slightly dried blood as he ducked under the spear, letting it fly past him.


    BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!


    In the distance, Aqu''s eyes narrowed as he fired another volley of bullets, taking the opportunity he was given.


    This time, they were less in quantity but were charged with more Aether, glowing brighter and moving faster.


    They homed in on Judas from multiple angles, forcing him to pause.


    His eyes flickered, calcting.


    Then, in less than a heartbeat, he swung his staff low, smacking one of them to the ground.


    It detonated with a deafening crack, sending up a plume of smoke and debris.


    The others soon followed, exploding as they collided with the ground, walls, and ceiling, showering the area in dust.


    Judas used the brief moment of cover to pivot and backstep, narrowly dodging Emir''s attack as the curved de arced again toward his midsection.


    Or so he thought.


    The first attack was bait, an Aetheric Construct that moved a fraction before the de.


    Emir''s real attack came after it-a stab that shot through the dust.


    Judas stepped back in thest fraction but was toote.


    He felt the heat of the de graze his side, a faint line of blood appearing on his cloak.


    It wasn''t a deep cut, but it was a mark of Emir''s growing pressure.


    A sign that this duel was no longer just a game.


    "This won''t be fun for long."


    Emir pressed harder, spear constructs materializing in the air around him.


    Several of them orbited him like a halo of death, and with a single gesture, he sent them flying toward his enemy, their tips aimed to pierce him from all sides.


    Judas bent backward, letting three des pass over him, then spun his staff to parry another, deflecting it into the ground with a harsh ng!


    WHIIINNNEEEEE!


    That sound, simr to an anomaly''s formation, was a sign of Aqu''s readiness to attack.


    It was unlike anything he had done earlier.


    His Celestia''s Revolverbined all six bullets in its chamber into one.


    A single bullet that was unlike any other, an Aether so dense that his hurting arms struggled to lift it.


    The barrel stopped spinning, and with most of the Aether he had left, he pulled the trigger.


    BANG!


    The revolver roared, sending a luminous bullet hurtling toward Judas''s heart.


    He was mid-twist. The shot was timed to perfection.


    There was simply no way he could dodge this bullet like he did the others.


    And Judas realized that, his eyes widening.


    Even he was surprised.


    The timing was too tight, if he didn''t dodge, death could be an option.


    With no time to think, he nted his staff into the ground and vaulted himself into the air.


    Not even a fractionter, the bullet passed inches below him, grazing his cloak and tearing a hole through his staff, ruining it.


    He survived. Only sacrificing his staff in the process.


    But as he leaped, and the bullet dug into the wall, exploding and copsing an entire section


    of the room, Emir appeared above him.


    "Die."


    It was as if he was waiting for him, his curved sword already descending like a guillotine.


    Judas reacted on instinct, twisting his body and raising his staff to block the iing strike.


    CLANG!


    Metal met metal with a resounding sh, the force of the impact sending a shockwave that rattled the ground.


    The sheer strength behind Emir''s attack forced Judas back down, his feet skidding along the ground as his body absorbed the blow.


    And before he could fully recover, Aqu''s next volley of bullets was already on its way, using his HA415 Assault Rifle.


    They were much weaker this time around, as his Aether reserves ran at an all-time low, but


    still dangerous as they were God''s Ammunition.


    The bullets came in a torrent, a barrage of Aether-charged ammunition that lit up the ce in shes of blue and silver, starkly different from anything Kiera had made.


    Judas had no choice but to retreat further, his body a blur as he jumped back.


    He moved with a speed they could barely perceive, but they kept up, unfaltering. Judas was unarguably dominating so far, but it was growing harder for him. Emir''s spears weren''t slowing down; in fact, they were speeding up,ing at him from


    every conceivable angle.


    Perhaps it was because he was nearing the end of his buffed-up state, but that didn''t matter.


    Judas didn''t have the time to think about that, too busy dodging Emir''s curved de that


    pushed him into increasingly tighter positions.


    He ducked under another horizontal sh, then leaped backward just in time to avoid a spear


    that shot up from the ground in a surprise attack.


    Nothing was hitting him, but it was all part of an unspoken n.


    Every attack until now was for this next moment.


    They both knew that survival was only possible when Judas''s speed no longer mattered.


    A situation where no matter how fast he could go, the result would be the same... end in the


    same way.


    Now, their efforts had bore fruit.


    Judas had been lured into the perfect position-boxed in a corner, with nowhere left to go but


    straight.


    It might''ve not been obvious to most, which was on purpose, but to them, it was seen as clear


    as day. They forced him the best they could to move in one direction throughout the entire fight, and


    only now did they seed.


    This was their chance... perhaps their only one.


    Raising his arm high, Emir summoned another set of Aetheric Constructs, many times more


    numerous.


    Spears of all kinds materialized above, shimmering like stars, intent to inflict havoc.


    "Fall."


    In one fluid motion, he lowered his arm,unching them, their trajectories obvious, prioritizing speed rather than trickery.


    That was when Judas realized his predicament.


    His escape was sealed off.


    The spears came at him from all sides and he couldn''t dodge them all.


    One option remained: deflection.


    Judas swung his staff in a wide arc, swatting away as many as he could, but, as fast as he was,


    he wasn''t fast enough.


    One spear caught him in the side, piercing through his cloak and embedding itself deep into


    his flesh.


    He blocked many more, but another struck his leg, staggering him.


    Judas gritted his teeth, blood trickling from his wounds.


    His eyes burned with fury, but still...


    He refused to use any abilities.


    Emir slowly approached, breathing heavily, obviously exhausted, but his smile remained.


    Rather, it widened even further as he watched Judas falter.


    This was the moment he had been waiting for.


    Seeing Judas struggle felt exhrating.


    And it was about to get worse for him.


    When an entire second had passed since the start of the attack, Aqu''s bullets had finally


    joined the fray.


    And then it happened-Judas finally misread a shot.


    A Quantum Bullet zipped toward him, but instead of warping randomly, it followed a direct,


    predictable path. Too predictable.


    Judas evaded it easily, but as he dodged, another bullet appeared, flickering in from the


    opposite direction.


    This one was perfectly aligned with thest of Emir''s spears, which came from the same direction as the bullet he just dodged.


    The timing was precise-there was nowhere for Judas to move. Caught between the two attacks, it seemed inevitable that he would be struck.


    The spear and the bullet closed in, one aimed at his heart, another at his head, inches from


    connecting.


    At that fraction of a moment, he had two choices.


    Either dodge one and get struck by the other, or use an ability.


    Nothing else was possible; not even he could make it out of this without deciding one of the


    two.


    ''Game over.''


    Emir inwardly announced, knowing what his decision would be.


    A humanly uncountable period of time passed, and Judas...


    His lips curled into a faint smirk. That was when everything changed.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 478: Extra Life

    Chapter 478: Extra Life


    ?


    Light exploded from Judas''s body like a beacon, a blinding surge that filled the room.


    It wasn''t just a sh; it was as though a part of the world itself had been erased.


    The spears-gone. The bullets-vanished.


    Emir''s sword, mid-swing, was stopped in its tracks and sent flying.


    There were no exceptions.


    It all was swallowed in pure, radiant light.


    The floor buckled beneath the force of it, the surrounding debris incinerated in an instant.


    Emir staggered back, shielding his eyes from the overwhelming brightness.


    Aqu was forced to halt his next shot, raising an arm to protect himself.


    For a moment, the room was plunged into silence, the light searing through every shadow, every crack, no matter how deep, erasing all in its path.


    And then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the light faded.


    Judas stood in the same spot, unharmed, with no new scratch marring his cloak.


    His eyes, hidden behind the mask, bore into Emir with obvious hate... killing intent.


    He was forced to do what he saw as beneath him.


    The air of superiority he used to wield was gone, reced by a need to inflict pain.


    A need that was soon to be fulfilled.


    The duo''s carefully orchestrated attack had been rendered meaningless in the face of his power.


    And now that he decided to use it, there was nothing else they could do.


    ...Or was there?


    Aqu, panting, wiped the sweat from his brow, his grip on his AR tightening.


    His expression was a mix of extreme frustration and exhaustion.


    They had been so close, yet Judas had slipped through their grasp at thest possible fraction.


    Emir didn''t waver either.


    His smile returned, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable.


    The battle wasn''t over. Not yet.


    One more card remained in his sleeve.


    "An extra life, huh?"


    He lifted his sword once more, locking eyes with Judas, who had his hair turn fully white.


    "Let''s see how many times you can pull that trick before I cut you down."


    Together, they attacked once more, a flurry of strikes and shots, an attempt to overwhelm.


    Unfortunately, however, they didn''t step close to achieving that.


    Judas was even faster now, moving with an unperceivable speed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Even Emir could barely track him, his Temporal Perception working at max capacity.


    Judas''s injuries didn''t seem to affect him at all.


    The ease at which he dodged and deflected their attacks was apparent.


    His every action was fluid, effortless, as though he was toying with them again.


    Which he was.


    But unlike before, this wasn''t for entertainment.


    Before ending their lives, he wanted to instill fear into them, break their minds, and show them the difference between himself and "filth."


    Aqu began to show signs of that, as he was less and less involved in the fight, about to Turn Hollow due to how spent his Aether Core was.


    Emir wasn''t far off from reaching that state as well, but he remained adamant, a smile stuck on his face.


    He wouldn''t give Judas the satisfaction he wanted.


    Emir''s de repeatedly shed against his staff, sparks flying with every impact.


    And with each sh, he could feel it-his Aetheric Overload nearing its end, about to wear off.


    Though no more than two minutes had passed since the start of the fight, he had burned through his Aether at an unprecedented rate, cutting hisparatively massive reserve down to nearly nothing.


    The same applied to Aetheric Overload.


    While the ability had no definedsting time, itsted five minutes on average, so this


    showed just how much he pushed his Aether Core.


    He was being utterly outssed; there was no questioning it.


    No matter how fast or precise his strikes were, Judas was always one step ahead.


    But he didn''t relent, and neither did Aqu, expecting this oue.


    Instead of giving up, they went even harder, using all they had.


    "FALL!"


    Emir gritted his teeth till they bled and rained down spear construct after spear construct, chasing him down with a curved de in hand.


    Aqu meanwhile, no longer using Aether in his attacks, spammed his God''s Ammunition, opting for damage rather than uracy.


    Nothing had changed, however.


    Earlier, their attacks might''ve injured Judas once or twice, but now...


    It seemed to only annoy him, forcing him to use a bit more of his strength.


    "I SAID FALL!"


    Dodging a sh from Emir, he glided back, five spears piercing the ground in front of him.


    Then, as Aqu was about to shoot, Judas disappeared, reappearing tens of meters away.


    He, seemingly bored, scanned their faces and snapped his fingers.


    The fighting immediately paused.


    It seemed that he had something to say.


    The two were ying for time, so they certainly didn''t mind, standing still to listen.


    "The sun has been out for a few hours now... While it isn''t noon yet, it isn''t far."


    He pointed straight up at the ceiling, or rather at what was beyond it.


    "I''m almost at my strongest state."


    Pausing his bragging, his gaze turned to Emir.


    "I hate filth, but you I hate more. Bastards that are hard to kill. Wretched cockroaches."


    Harshly flicking his hand down, he threw his staff, nting it on the ground.


    "That''s why I''ll make sure to kill you in one attack."


    Emir and Aqu didn''t show much of a reaction to what he said.


    They silently stood there, knowing that their little parade hade to an end.


    Death was upon them.


    Judas raised his right arm, appearing to call or rather summon something from above.


    "Sun''s Decree."


    Those two words cemented their end.


    He had used an ability once more.


    One that would kill them before they could even blink.


    A fractionter, a beam of white light tore through the roof,nding on Judas''s open palm.


    FZZZAK!


    He recoiled, legs kneeling slightly as he caught the beam.


    It blinded them at once.


    And in that momentary blindness, Emir revealed a smile.


    He wasn''t even close to giving up.


    Rather, it was the opposite.


    His time hade.

 Chapter 479: Third

    Chapter 479: Third


    ?


    Though he felt an incredible strain on his body, allowing the missing limb to throw him slightly off his bnce, he sh Stepped forth, arm straight like a spear, risking it all for a single chance to critically injure Judas.


    Indeed, the chance had arrived.


    His de, which previously oozed darkness, had returned to normal, indicating that he had terminated his Aetheric de.


    And in the next moment, just before his curved de and Judas''s light shed, white string- like threads wormed their way up the de, reaching the tip.


    Those were the Author''s Strings.


    As known and previously tested, the ability worked only against a simr or lower-ranked opponent.


    Judas certainly wasn''t that.


    Control was impossible; Emir knew that.


    All it could do was disrupt the attack...


    B00000000000000000M!


    But that was precisely what he needed.


    The two forces collided with a deafening boom, the ground splintering in all directions.


    Aether and light danced between them, a deadly spectacle that would pull anyone into a trance.


    Most of the surrounding light was diffused, and continuous explosions erupted at the same point of impact, sending shockwaves through the air, destroying every surface they touched. Through all of that, Emir kept himself rooted in the ground, feet dug in, his strings wrapping themselves around Judas''s hand like snakes.


    And though in a world of hurt, he smiled even wider, holding on just barely. "Fall."


    Then, in response to hismand, his strings flickered and squeezed.


    "Gh..."


    Judas''sposure broke almost immediately, his body trembling as his legs failed to keep him standing.


    Finally, the bacsh of his spell''s destruction had reached him.


    To no one''s surprise but him, it directly affected him, both externally and internally.


    His glowing eyes twitched behind the mask, a crack in his otherwise unshakable confidence. "FALL!"


    Emir''s already wide smile had widened further, to an insane degree.


    His gamble had worked.


    For the first time, Judas''s dominance hadpletely faltered.


    Though it wasn''t more than a few seconds, both felt that time stretch to nearly an eternity.


    They simply looked at each other, one standing, the other almost kneeling.


    Their positions had entirely switched.


    But not for much longer.


    This... even this wasn''t enough.


    Killing him would require a bigger sacrifice.


    By the fifth second, Judas control had returned.


    With a twist of his wrist, he snapped free from the strings, sending a bacsh of Aether crashing into Emir''s core.


    "GAH!"


    The force was immense, his chest exploding with pain as he was flung backward like a loose ragdoll.


    His vision blurred as the world spun around him, but he didn''t let go of his de.


    Not yet.


    He was not going to die!


    Aqu, lying prone on the ground, barely able topose himself, leveled his AR for one final, desperate mag dump, using all the remaining God''s Ammunition at his disposal.


    Sweat poured down his face, his arms trembling uncontrobly from exhaustion, but still... Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    He aimed true.


    The bullets ignited once more, streaking toward Judas with a roar like thunder.


    Judas turned his headte, too enraged by Emir that he seemed to have forgotten about Aqu''s existence.


    Watching the iing bullets, he immediately realized that he could not fully evade them. At least not the first bullet; the ones after it were no problem.


    And that was exactly what happened.


    One bullet grazed his mask, a spark of lightning shattering the surface and gashing his skin.


    Before the rest could follow, he had disappeared, reappearing way off to the left.


    Then, unexpectedly... Judas stilled.


    The air seemed to freeze as a thin line of blood trickled down his mask.


    His hand slowly rose to his face, fingers tracing the crack along the edge.


    He pulled back and stared at the blood on his fingertips.


    Soon, a growl escaped his lips:N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "You... insignificant vermin."


    His voice was low, but it carried with it a weight that chilled Aqu to the bone.


    He couldn''t waste time reveling in his minor victory, even if he wanted to.


    His core was dangerously unstable now; the risk of Turning Hollow was closer than ever.


    Aqu needed to fall back, but he couldn''t leave Emir behind.


    Not for sentimental reasons, but because of that favor he still owed him.


    Besides, if it ever got out that he had left him here, Azazel wouldn''t let him live another day;


    he was sure of it.


    "Get up!"


    Aqu shouted, his voice strained.


    "We have to retreat-he won''t hold back anymore!"


    But Emir didn''t move.


    He, who just stood up from the ground, remained still as ake.


    His eyes were locked on Judas, even as his body screamed in agony, feeling like lead.


    A smile, though faint, never left his lips.


    He refused to back down, no matter how much the odds were stacked against him.


    "EMIR LISTEN TO-!"


    Before Aqu couldplete his sentence, he scrunched over, doubling in pain as he fell to


    the ground.


    He was on his knees, coughing up blood, his gun on the ground next to him.


    Judas had appeared in front of him, punched his stomach, and returned to where his staffy


    before any of them could notice.


    He was finally going all out, his body alight.


    Emir was stunned.


    ''Nothing...''


    He saw nothing.


    Not a single inch of movement.


    His inky eyes, which he was so proud of, were useless.


    They couldn''t track Judas at all.


    That meant that Judas was moving at least twice as fast as sh Step.


    Now, for the first time in his life... he didn''t know what to do.


    He felt lost.


    Emir knew that winning against Judas was impossible, but this was different.


    He was used to doing the impossible.


    But, again, this was beyond that.


    It seemed that the script was broken.


    Though he realized that early on, knowing something and being shown it was a different


    thing entirely.


    "Cruel Sun."


    Judas showed his palm and raised it, a ball of light forming above.


    Even when it wasn''t fully formed, the surroundings became fully bathed in light, as if an


    incredibly tiny piece of the sun was brought before them.


    For a moment, Emir thought it was the end.


    He lost, now for the third and final time.


    But then Judas paused inexplicably.


    His head tilted slightly, as though listening to something distant.


    Emir could feel it too-the faint vibrations in the ground, growing weaker.


    "...Amon."


    The fight far deeper underground was nearing its end.


    Judas hesitated, then, after thinking about it for a moment, he lowered his hand, the sun


    returning to Aether, dissipating.


    "Ah, it looks like our time is up... unfortunate. Truly. But don''t worry, we''ll continue this soon


    enough. Trust me on that... and just remember, if you ever feel safe. I''m out there, watching...


    waiting."


    He turned around, about to escape, but then he paused, as if a thought had suddenlye to him, and nced at Emir for one final time.


    "Oh, and before you go, you might want to check out the bodies. I think someone... relieved


    you of them. Quite the retarded oversight, wouldn''t you agree?"


    "Fuck... You."


    "Well, what can I say? As expected of impure trash."


    With that, he vanished, leaving nothing behind but the faint rustle of his cloak.


    Emir remained still, his body aching like hell, his mind racing.


    He turned his head toward Aqu, who was barely conscious, his breath shallow.


    They had been utterly defeated, barely clinging to life. But they had survived... they had cleared this stage.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 480: Maria

    Chapter 480: Maria


    ?


    Emiry t on his back, hand tucked behind his head, enjoying a brief, well-deserved rest beside an unconscious Aqu.


    Judging by his nigh-vibrating body, the tremors had stopped, allowing him to sink into the hard ground withoutint.


    He let the tension seep from his muscles, but his mind refused to follow suit.


    It was far from still. Far from rxed.


    He thought about many things-too many to count.


    Just how was he still alive?


    Emir had faced someone far above him in strength, a bastard of a man wielding power two entire sub-ranks higher.


    It should have been a guaranteed death sentence. Yet here he was, breathing and intact. Was it because another date had promised him death? Another ce? Kar Babel?


    Perhaps. And it''d all be thanks to that soon-to-be Starless Star of his.


    Either way, judging by the current pace of things, it was a precarious gift.


    The benefits of today were as well.


    Emir had a few things nned for the Seraphims they killed, but...


    "Oh, and before you go, you might want to check out the bodies. I think someone... relieved you of them. Quite the retarded oversight, wouldn''t you agree?"


    Judging by Judas''s words, nothing remained for him to collect.


    The bastard annoyed him like no other, more than Arthur even, something that he didn''t believe possible before today.


    Make no doubt about it; if Emir could, he would kill him right that instant, whatever the consequence.


    But, unfortunately, hecked the strength and equipment to kill a Celestial of that caliber. Truly... it was unfortunate.


    In any case, the information about his family... Azazel¡ªa surprise that was.


    It turned out that the stories he''d found lying around the archive had some truth to them.


    The leader of one of the ten ancient ns, Cecidi Angelus, had been revealed.


    A man with many titles. Paragraphs long.


    ''He'' was THE literal devil.


    ''How fun...''


    With such thoughts in his mind, Emir''s past words echoed, ringing true more than ever before.


    "Even Gods are bound to slip."


    Other than Adam-the one who once held Creation-Iblyees was the first Primordial he heard of actually meeting death.


    That also confirmed what he learned in the gathering at Setrenc, cementing the chess pieces as valid sources of information.


    Primordials could die and still survive, only losing an entire major rank in the process. It was a literal extra life.


    However, from Emir''s perspective, that seemed to be a fate not so different from death. After all, would the one who killed you stop once you regressed a rank? No.


    They would finish the job.


    Besides, the loss of Godhood alone might be devastating enough to break a Celestial''s mind, leaving them hollow, unable to function.


    This was a fate he would reserve only for his worst enemies, for even he had a conscience, no matter how tiny.


    Now... there was Purple.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Emir didn''t know quite what to make of her.


    Her rank, a sub-rank higher than his own, had caught him off guard, though not enough to intimidate him, only surprise him a little.


    In truth, he still could''ve fought and killed her, ending the threat she posed-paranoia urged him to, deeming her too dangerous to keep alive-but her value made him hesitate.


    She was simply too useful to let go.


    The cost of sacrificing what he could gain through an alliance was high, and surviving her death would be far from assured.


    Purple likely had contingencies in ce, ones that would instantly trigger a cosmic bounty on her killer, pooling her vast wealth to ensure vengeance.


    It was a risk Emir was too prudent to provoke.


    So, rather than risk his life on a gamble he would likely lose, he opted to make his statement another way: by massacring her followers.


    Their blood was the red that colored his robe as he made his way to the SOS signal.


    He could almost picture her shock when she eventually walked out of her office and found only crimson-filled mush.


    A retaliation, it could be, but he wasn''t one to kill those unarmed, both literally and


    figuratively.


    That was something more, something that Purple had to interpret herself.


    If nothing else, it would serve as a reminder not to y games with him.


    Emir wasn''t foolish enough to scoff at fate or underestimate its pull; those who did rarely understood its weight.


    Still, he''d never been one to run from it.


    Not now. Not ever.


    He didn''t need his fading star, no matter why or how it disappeared after his supposed death.


    After all, he was the fallen prince, a man whom fate had long since forsaken.


    ''I am my own shepherd.''


    Emir smiled.


    ...Another thought dominating his mind was the death of a hunter group leader.


    Maharajah.


    His sacrifice was unexpected, to say the least.


    It was an event that shouldn''t have happened, at least not so soon.


    Everything had derailed beyond recognition.


    Most of the remaining ''novel,'' once assisting his ns, could no longer be trusted.


    Today proved that.


    The students remained in a scramble, still struggling at the exit even though they should have


    left long before Amon ended his battle.


    Plot. Character development. Theme.


    It all changed.


    The ''story'' was corrupted, and from now on, any certainty Emir once had was lost.


    It was far from ideal, his thoughts reflecting the frustration of it all.


    But above everything else, one thing dominated his mind.


    Lyra.


    Where was she?


    She was still missing, and every attempt to locate her had turned up nothing.


    No trace of herst known location existed, as if every record had been wiped clean.


    All they knew was that she''d veered off course, leaving the path that shadowed Sofia and her cohort before disappearing.


    Lyra wouldn''t have broken from the n without reason-especially not against Emir''s


    direct orders.


    She must have had something specific she needed to aplish.


    But what? And more importantly, why go alone?


    ''Wait...''


    At that exact moment, when that question echoed in his mind, another name popped up to


    answer it, but he couldn''t exactly say what that answer was.


    It was on the tip of his tongue, extremely faint but true, the sybles just out of reach.


    That went against what he was¡ªa walking library of information. But, for whatever reason,


    that didn''t seem suspicious to him, as if he was sedated, blocked.


    Weird was the only way he could describe it.


    The memory was there, but... wasn''t. A familiar contradiction.


    Emir tried again, diving through the corridors of his mind, searching through each mental


    pathway, each shelf.


    It was as if his library was submerged and he swam at the bottom, in the dark, pressure mounting with every inch forward.


    Then, as he opened another ''book,'' a ripple of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over him, tightening into a dull,


    throbbing ache behind his eyes-a migraine pressing into every part of his brain.


    Finally... he saw it, remembered it.


    A glimmer, a memory broke through the dark depths, illuminating everything.


    ''Maria.''

 Chapter 481: Signs Of Life

    Chapter 481: Signs Of Life


    ?


    Emir remembered.


    He realized... He trembled.


    A moment passed.


    He forced himself still, pressing down the tremor in his hands.


    Slowly, his face went cold, and he closed his eyes.


    Unknowingly to him, a single ck tear slipped from his right eye, tracing a path down his face.


    It left a faint, inky trail that shimmered before dropping to the ground.


    And then, just like the name that summoned it...


    It had vanished.


    Once that happened, Emir began to click his thumb and index fingers at specific intervals, only stopping after a few seconds had gone past.


    At that moment, a certain procedure had repeated itself, and apparently, it wasn''t the first time this happened since it was first ''noted.''


    {Procedure conditions met.}


    {Initiating procedure.}


    {Decoding Morse Code.}


    {P:.--.}


    {Complete.}


    {Adding to previous 12 procedures.}


    {Johnson. Third P...}


    {Sentence iplete, requiring further input.}


    {Procedure termination dyed.}


    {Sending to Lyra''s database.}


    {Authorization requested.}


    {Authorization sent.}


    {Lyra system 20175182109 epted data.}


    {Procedureplete.}


    {Wiping information.....}


    {...}


    {...}


    "Hmm..."


    Groggily, his eyes opened back up, and he nced at the remnants of the walls surrounding him as if nothing strange had just happened.


    "...Hey, Shadow Squad."


    Two heartbeatster, four men materialized at his call, surrounding him from all directions. "Sir."


    He nced at them, then pointed at Aqu.


    "Joe. Dump this guy with the rest of them. We can''t have any more dying today."


    One of the cloaked men nodded and rushed to hoist Aqu over his shoulder, ncing at his leader onest time before leaving the room.


    Emir stared at him in silence, while the others in the Shadow Squad exchanged quick nces, their unease clear.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And then one of the men, Jax, finally gathered his courage and broke the silence:


    "Sir, was that... are you alright?"


    Emir''s eyes drifted over to him, narrowing just slightly.


    "Do I look unwell to you?"


    Jax hesitated, choosing his words carefully.


    While Emir looked like everything but "well," he couldn''t exactly say that now, could he?


    "Of course not; i-it''s just... thatst encounter. It was close."


    Emir''s gaze sharpened further, as if snapping out of a fog.


    "I''m fine. Close, yes, but not close enough to end me."


    He showed a smirk, but itcked any of his usual ''charm.''


    It screamed danger.


    "Are you worried I can''t handle it?"


    "N-No, sir. Just... we noticed you were, uh, lost in thought."


    Emir gave him a curt nod, brushing off the concern.


    "Nothing that concerns you."


    The question hung in the air, and the squad''s silence stretched for a little until Donavan cleared his throat.


    "Permission to ask, sir."


    "Granted."


    "Why didn''t you order us to interfere back there? If you died... we..."


    His voice dropped, clearly unsure if his words were considered disrespectful.


    "Azazel can''t function without you."


    Emir looked at him for a while and his smirk died down.


    "Your name?"


    At that moment, the poor spy thought that everything was over, yet he still answered the question, his loyalty unquestionable.


    "I-It''s Donavan, sir."


    Nodding, Emir patted his shoulder and revealed a genuine smile.


    "Well, Donavan, it''s because you would''ve been a burden."


    Not minding his words one bit, he hid a sigh of relief and saluted.


    "Understood, sir."


    Just as their conversation ended, Ben quickly bowed his head, unable to mask his stuttering


    voice.


    "Forgive us, sir. We''ve been with you for some time now, seen you face a lot... yet that was-"


    He paused, unsure how to describe it.


    "Different. Please dismiss their rude questions as simple curiosity."


    Emir held Ben''s gaze, letting a moment of silence pass before speaking.


    "It''s fine... Don''t worry. I dislike killing the ''named'' ones."


    The men shared a nce, not knowing what he meant, but knew better than to push any


    further.


    But then all of a sudden, Ben shifted, his head snapping upwards.


    "Apologies for interrupting, sir, but I have news."


    "Go ahead."


    "Thank you. About the bodies... the Seraphims. There''s no trace of them. The ''opportunist''


    who took them left no clues behind."


    Emir frowned, running a hand over his chin as he processed the consequences of this


    information.


    "So, Judas wasn''t bluffing."


    He nced up, addressing all four men now.


    "It''s likely the work of the Praying Lady. She''s gathering ''resources'' for her next attack in


    advance. No Astral would leave Seraphim bodies behind unless they were stripped of their


    cores."


    Jax raised a brow.


    "What should we do if we find him? Do we intervene, or...?"


    Emir chuckled.


    "Find him? You won''t. He''s likely on the other side of the right now."


    Embarrassed, he nodded and hid behind his leader, internally vowing to never ask a question


    again.


    Ben, covering for his mate, stepped forward and asked:


    "And Aqu, sir? Will we let Lionheart heal him or...?"


    Emir simply nodded.


    "Yeah, no mind games here. I just want him back in the lineup. He knows this isn''t a free


    pass."


    The men exchanged nces again, this time with subtle approval.


    Emir''s approach was incredibly strict, but they understood the necessity.


    Otherwise, Azazel wouldn''t have thrived as such.


    "Anything else?"


    Jax cleared his throat multiple times, his calm face masking the turmoil within.


    "Sir, there''s been word from a few of our scouts. They''ve found herst location."


    Emir''s expression turned bright, knowing who he meant.


    "...Lyra." "Yes, sir. No signal yet, but signs point to her being active. She''s alive."


    Emir''s smile widened.


    "Stay on her trail. Report anything you find. She might be in more trouble than we can


    imagine."


    With that, the men nodded and dissolved back into the surroundings, as silent as they had


    come.


    ''I hope that she''s alright...''


    Emir, after a moment of thought, proceeded to head towards Lionheart.


    But, right before he could leave the room, a figure appeared directly in front of him.


    There was no questioning who this figure was, the power behind his existence engraved itself


    in his surroundings.


    His clothes were spotless as they always were, and no speck of blood, dirt, or dust adorned


    him.


    If one looked at him, they wouldn''t be able to imagine that he had just fought and defeated a


    terror, a world-ending disaster.


    A Behemoth.


    Right, that figure was Amon, the principal of the Academy, and the strongest Celestial on


    Earth.


    He seemed rxed, yet that changed the moment his eyes scanned Emir''s body.


    Concern was obvious, like a king looking at his prince, a father, and his son.


    But his words didn''t show that.


    He wasn''t about to give him ammo to embarrass himter.


    "You look like you''re one foot into the grave."

 Chapter 482: Buried Alive

    Chapter 482: Buried Alive


    ?


    Emir regarded Amon with a measured expression, much more than usual, as if he was on guard.


    "I''m perfectly fine. Just tired a little from... handling things."


    Amon''s brow furrowed, and he took a step closer, his voice lowering.


    "Fine, huh? Wouldn''t call the loss of an arm ''tired a little'' but alright."


    It seemed that Emir was right to react that way as Amon''s words were getting a little heated. "What do you want to say?"


    Silence responded to his question, and they stared at each other, looking like they were about to fight.


    "Shouldn''t you be chasing Judas right about now?"


    "...You... hahhh."


    Amon sighed and looked away, disappointment obvious in his eyes.


    "Nothing justifies what you did."


    "Maybe."


    "...What happens when it''s someone important to you? Would you think it''s fair to y with lives then?"


    A chilling smile crept across Emir''s face, devoid of warmth.


    "It won''t happen. I exist to ensure that."


    Frustration crept into Amon''s voice as he locked eyes with him again.


    "This isn''t a game."


    "Is it? Your strongest professor thinks otherwise."


    "You... you''re dragging yourself into unnecessary chaos. It''ll tear you apart."


    Emir remained unflinching, the intensity of Amon''s words rolling off him like water.


    "I know it will, but it''s what I am, whether I like it or not. I won''t change; I can''t." Scoffing, he added:


    "And you think I''m losing control? Hardly. I''m exactly where I want to be. This chaos creates opportunities. It isn''t simply a pit; it''s adder. I wield it for my own interests. It doesn''t move me."


    Amon clenched his fists, barely able to hold himself back.


    "You think you''re invincible? You''re just a ticking time bomb. One more slip, and you''ll bring everyone down with you."


    Emir''s gaze darkened, his calm demeanor almost unsettling.


    "And what would you have me do? Fight what I am? Be weak? Stand aside and wait for the next disaster? If I-"


    Amon cut him off, his voice softening:


    "You have to learn how to quill your insanity. Those poor students don''t deserve what you''ve allowed to be done to them."


    Emir raised his hand in mocking surrender.


    "Those who cannot keep up are expendable. The world is harsh. I''m sure you know that best."


    Amon sighed once more, exasperation etched on his face.


    "I just... I hate so much about the things you choose to be."


    Turning around, the principal disappeared, leaving Emir by his lonesome.


    ''... Whatever. He doesn''t know. His ignorance is to be expected.''


    Ticked off, Emir looked at where Amon stood for a few seconds, then walked forward, exiting the room, not bothering to spare Lionheart a nce as he left the station.


    ...


    Not more than a minuteter, Emir could be seen approaching an area with the same pace he previously disyed.


    The bloodied cloak draped around him pped softly with each step, the tattered edges brushing against his shoes.


    His curved sword was still slung over his shoulder, his remaining arm resting on its hilt.


    Around him, the ruin was quiet, a stark contrast to all that had reigned minutes earlier. Emir had passed many scenes of massacres, both monsters and humans.


    It was a sorry sight.


    But, as anyone would expect, he didn''t spare them a second nce.


    He previously nned to have some small talk with Lionheart, but since Amon interfered, he had no more time to waste.


    The final act of this mini ''arc'' was upon him.


    A breeding ground of advancement.


    And it all started with the three students who had yet to be found.


    Max''s goons. Arthur''s bullies.


    The worst of the lot.


    If not for their rtion to the red-haired young master, Emir wouldn''t have even bothered to save them.


    Rather, they were quite fortunate to struggle before their young master, it made saving them much easier.


    Shadow Squad reported certain hideous happenings to Max, and if they reached their end, Emir''s life might as well have been over; ckwood''s head, Ignatius, would make sure of it.


    ''Hm.''


    Once Emir neared arge rock sitting awkwardly against a column in a corner, he kicked away the dead Temr rats around him and leaned on it.


    He then peaked into the tunnel to his right, his senses alert for any signs of movement.


    But instead of movement, he picked up on a sound that reced the silence.


    It was muffled but obvious, especially to a hunter like Emir.


    "Damn... bastards!"


    It was the familiar voice of a male student.


    One filtered through rubble, sounding as if it had originated from somewhere deep.


    ''Found you.''


    Emir quickly scanned the area and vanished, reappearing high above on the ceiling, his de inserted into the metal without a sound, holding him up like a chandelier.


    He looked down and the events of the ''novel'' unfolded before him.


    Five men, all from Temr, stood scattered around a small pit, watching a boy as he dug a person-sized hole with his bare hands.


    That boy was Max.


    He was bloody all over, even more than Emir, and looked malnourished, obviously close to


    Turning Hollow.


    There was no need to guess what was currently happening, even without the ''novel''s'' input,


    Emir would''ve known.


    Anyone would.


    Max... He was digging his own grave.


    ''...Damn indeed.''


    Though expecting it, Emir was slightly surprised.


    It had never gotten to this point in the ''novel...'' not this deep.


    The other three ''named'' had interfered.


    This showed that they too were currently in less than ideal positions.


    Emir sighed, feeling like an overqualified nanny, and focused his gaze on who appeared to be


    the leader of the group.


    "Look at his face, hahahahah!"


    That deranged rat enjoyed Max''s misery.


    "Oh, the great Elite can''t even dig a hole! I bet your dad''ll be disappointed when hees


    cryingter!"


    "Nice one, ahahahahaha!"


    Another soldier, a particrly brutish figure, brandished his gun, pointing it at the students


    who remained unconscious just outside the pit.


    "If you don''t hurry up, we''ll start taking our fun out on your goons!"


    Max scoffed, not caring for their words, simply too exhausted to respond.


    He continued to ve away, his hands covered in grime as he dug, the rubble seemingly


    pressing down on him the deeper he went.


    His breaths were shallow and ragged, each inhale a struggle yet a flicker of prideful arrogance remained on his face, even as he deemed death not so far away.


    And it truly wasn''t; just digging was a tough task now, one that he needed a break from.


    Cough! Cough!


    Max tried to speak and distract them for a bit while he rested but failed the first time, barely


    managing the second:


    "I''m... doing as you asked you... rat bastards. Cough! Cough! Don''t kill them; you''ll be making


    a mistake."


    "You''re not in a position to tell us what to do!"


    One of the soldiers threw arge rock that hit him square in the head.


    "Urg-Cough!"


    He stumbled, crashing head-first into arge rock to his right.


    "...Ugh... Fucking rat."


    The soldiersughed, their cruel amusement evident.


    "Don''t worry. Wouldn''t want them to suffer unnecessarily now, would we?"


    They continued tough, mocking, threatening, and boasting as they liked.


    Emir quietly observed that scene, his eyes locked on Max''s face.


    Though he showed some fight, it was a facade.


    His spirit was broken.


    Was it because he thought that Sofia and Ava had died?


    Unless his neuralwork was disrupted, he should''ve known that not to be the truth, and


    yet...


    ''He''s given up.''


    Unable to stop himself from chuckling, Emir turned his gaze away, enjoying the scene a bit


    too much.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The soldiers weren''t the only deranged ones you see...


    But the reason for hisughter was different, very different.


    It wasn''t due to how pathetic Max looked; though it was a factor, it was because of the reason


    behind why this scene yed out the way that it did.


    Max obeyed the ones he most hated, the ''impure,'' to save his three little musketeers, the


    goons who followed him wherever he went.


    Though... recently, that stopped being the case.


    After their first ruin dive, Max began to be seen with them less and less.


    The reason for that was obvious, and now, it was apparent what he wanted to do... what he felt


    would make a better end.


    Max wished to sever their ties.


    This ''sacrifice'' of his was a way to repay them for all they did to him all those years.


    No doubt that was his thought process.


    It was a naive, stupid, and almost poetic way of thinking that didn''t suit his character.


    That was why Emirughed.


    Character development.


    A ''named character'' was going through that right in front of him.


    It was beautiful.


    The boy''s now pale, raw, and bloodied hands trembled as he continued to dig, each handful of


    dirt heavier than thest.


    His dead augmented suit tore the more he dug, rubble scratching it apart as they randomly


    fell down the ustrophobic pit.


    And soon enough, the pit was nearly six feet deep.


    "Almost there, big man!"


    "Just a bit more, you can do it!"


    The soldiers encouraged him to keep going as if it were a fun sport.


    "Show us the Pride of the Elite!"


    They were right. He could. And did.


    While his body barely functioned, trembling nonstop, and his spirit was nonexistent, he dug


    himself a resting ce.


    Max wouldn''t allow his body to rot down here in the open.


    "Hah!"


    With a loud grunt, he threw out thest pieces of debris and fell to his knees, then to his side,


    and then finally on his back, eyes staring at the ceiling.


    His quick actions surprised the rats as they finally quietened down, only now processing what


    they were about to do and who they were about to do it to.


    But before they could second guess their purpose, their leader began to send down dirt and


    rubble, burying Max alive.


    They looked at him with a flinch and slowly copied his actions.


    It wasn''t long before the rubble was up to his chest, the weight of it pressing down on him


    and crushing his broken bones.


    ""


    No cries for help were heard, just near-silent grunts as each handful of the pit returned.


    The scene was truly grim. Nothing was funny about it anymore.


    A fifteen-year-old child was being buried alive, and he would die a slow, agonizing death,


    more so due to his Celestial nature.


    Incredible pain would be inflicted, up to a point where even Emir would react to it.


    But, even then, he had no intention of intervening to save Max from that pain.


    He wasn''t going to follow the ''novel.''


    Gradual character development be damned, he would force Max to change, to be a


    proper soldier... he''d sculpt him through pain.


    Emir had no time to coddle him.


    It was a twisted, brutally pragmatic way of looking at things, but it could just work.


    "Ugh..."


    The boy''s grunts grew fainter as the rubble continued to encroach upon him, his entire body obscured, leaving only his face.


    After a second of hesitation and one more shove, even his head was fully covered.


    He could no longer breathe.


    They had condemned him to death.


    ''...It''s time.''


    And just as that happened, Emir dropped down behind one of the soldiers.


    His curved de shed, and all five of them were cut down, seemingly at once. Their heads flew and then rolled on the ground, three of them joining Max in his grave.


    Their bodies copsed into the dirt a secondter, dead before they even knew it.


    Emir, not caring for them one bit, flicked his right hand, conjuring and shooting out a small needle that struck a hidden drone high up in the wall.


    It was recording this scene since the beginning for reasons more obvious than any other.


    ckmail.


    Purple had them torture the boy not for sadistic pleasure but for personal gain.


    Emir had no intention of allowing that to happen.


    Sure, it might make things a lot more interesting, chaotic, just what he liked, but it would


    make things harder for him and the Academy as a whole.


    One simply couldn''t imagine the public bacsh if even a single image of this scene surfaced.


    Especially if its ''intended audience'' had received it, the Academy would be under a world of


    pressure.


    Shaking his head, Emir pointed at it, and a cloak-covered man stepped out of one of the holes


    in the walls,nding next to it.


    Knowing that it was dealt with, Emir looked back at the pit, and spoke, his voice devoid of


    sympathy:


    "You''ve made your bed, boy... Nowy in it."

 Chapter 483: A Young Masters Life

    Chapter 483: A Young Master''s Life


    ?


    ***


    ''So I''m gonna die now huh...''


    I didn''t know what to think about that.


    I just didn''t.


    And now, even if I wanted to, I couldn''t.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Memories shed before my eyes. Memories that made up my really short fucking life.


    I could do nothing but watch them... experience them.


    I... I was barely a year old when I first became aware of the world around me.


    A bittepared to that bastard, but that didn''t matter. He was a nerd since birth.


    Besides, I was...


    ''Why am I even making excuses?''


    Giving up on that thought, I returned to my memories.


    The earliest ones were vague-an endless crib, a mother''s soothing luby, a father''s absence, and theforting, rhythmic beat of a heart that wasn''t my own.


    Though my dad was barely around, I wasn''t lonely. I had the world in my palm.


    An Elite of great caliber, a part of the privileged few whomanded respect and authority.


    By the time I was five, I was more than just a child; I was a... specimen? Yeah, a specimen under constant observation.


    Not by my parents but by those theymanded.


    My parents had be so absorbed in their world of power that they barely noticed me, their presence a mere formality.


    I was more of an afterthought, a symbol of their status rather than a cherished child.


    They rarely attended my events or showed interest in my achievements.


    When they did, it was more about showcasing me as a trophy than about genuine pride.


    I was a symbol of their sess, not a child who needed attention.


    The contrast between their public personas and their private neglect was stark, a rift that grew wider as I aged.


    The world outside my family''s estate was equally indifferent.


    I was thrust into a world where everyone was vying for recognition, where the strong survived and the weak were left behind.


    I was told that sess was the only path, and that failure was not an option, but no one bothered to exin the cost of achieving it.


    I learned quickly that to be Elite wasn''t about personal growth or happiness-it was about domination and control.


    Heh...


    ...Or so people might think if they saw how I acted.


    No. Wrong. All of it.


    It should''ve gone that way; it usually did in every simr story, but... it didn''t.


    They were there for me, always, and they gave me what I wanted, wished for, and needed.


    I was all they could ask for in a child-talented and handsome.


    The way they treated me reflected that.


    Though most of my time was spent in the care of servants and tutors, who were more interested in their paychecks than in my well-being, they were still there for me.


    Even when I stopped bothering with lessons too much, escaping to y with Ava, that bastard, and Sofia, at least whenever she was forced toe by.


    My parents never made me feel wronged. My life was the dream of allmoners. The life of kings.


    By the time I was ten, I reached the point where I neglected the lessons entirely.


    My training, which was designed to mold me into an ideal representative of my family''s name, worked naught.


    They called it "character-building," but I didn''t bother. The value of discipline, or whatever didn''t matter to me.


    I was an Elite, yet I didn''t act like it.


    Everything was boring.


    My parents tried to get me to act right, or at least however ''right'' looked in their eyes, but they never could.


    After all, I was, and I am, a pretty stubborn guy.


    ''...That''s when things took a turn for the worse.''


    The surface gave me all it had, except a few unattainable things... which was annoying, but I was full; it no longer interested me.


    I much preferred the sector''s underbelly, a bunker where my words werew.


    As the youngest and most talented officially recognized son of Ignatius ckwood, my status was unquestionable, especially in our controlled territories.


    So yeah, I grew up in a life most people only dream of.


    A life so gilded, so wrapped up in nonsense, that I didn''t really get the point of it all.


    I got anything I wanted, anytime.


    Food? Perfectly cooked every meal. Clothes? Best in ss. Games? The ones that got me bored


    in an hour got reced by ones that could keep me busy for two.


    Even when I was around people, I didn''t actually see them.


    Tutors, house staff, bodyguards-they all just blurred together.


    They were more like... fixtures in the ce than real people.


    Yeah, sometimes I''d mess with them just to see if they''d react. They didn''t, not really.


    A fake smile was all I got.


    I was the kid of Ignatius, their employer; they couldn''t just ignore that.


    Then there was that bastard... Elijah. Aria''s ve.


    He was probably the only one who had the guts to not care what I thought.


    A kid who didn''t blink twice at my actions, who''d argue with me till he was blue in the face,


    like he actually mattered.


    The bastard always acted like he was better than me. Like he was doing me a favor just by existing in the same damn room. Made me hate him, really.


    Looking back, though, it was funny.


    I probably would have done twice the dumb things I did if it weren''t for Elijah.


    He pushed me away from that shit, even if I hated him for it.


    But for some reason, no matter how much I hated him, I''d still listen to him.


    And that made me mad too. I didn''t like feeling like I owed anyone, let alone some annoying


    know-it-all.


    So I''d double down, act out, try to prove I didn''t need anyone telling me how to do things.


    I guess that''s where it all really started-the whole "young master" thing.


    The name didn''t mean much to me at first, but people started whispering it behind my back,


    and before long, they said it publicly.


    ''Young master.''


    It was like... I dunno, a badge dering me as the problem child? Or maybe just a big, shing


    sign saying fuck you straight to my face.


    But I didn''t see it like that. This badge made me out to be different. Better. Untouchable.


    That was the point, wasn''t it?

 Chapter 484: A Young Masters Life II

    Chapter 484: A Young Master''s Life II


    ?


    They wanted me to be that kind of person-the kind who could get away with anything.


    And once I figured that out, I started leaning into it hard.


    Why wouldn''t I? Everyone was practically begging me to act like I was above them.


    I started picking fights for the fun of it. Arguing with tutors, backtalking my parents, blowing off responsibilities just to see how far I could push things.


    And every time I did, they''d just shake their heads, shrug, and move on. Like nothing I did could really touch me. Like I was some force of nature they had to put up with.


    That was when I really understood the power I had, the weight of the name I carried.


    I remember Ava''s birthday party one year.


    Big, fancy affair, tons of lights and decorations, enough food to feed the entire sector for a day.


    We were sitting in her giant garden under some ridiculous ice sculpture, and she wasughing about something stupid that bastard had said.


    Then she stepped back, hitting one of the staff, causing them to spill a tray of drinks.


    ss fell, shards and liquid sttering everywhere.


    Unfortunately for the man, a few drops had sshed on her dress.


    The whole thing immediately turned tense.


    Ava left in anger, screaming about this or that, and everyone stopped, just watched. Even I held my breath, knowing exactly what was going to happen next.


    The guards hauled that guy to the middle of the hall like he''dmitted treason. Made him kneel, beat him, humiliated him in front of us, all of us, just to please us. He begged and begged for it to stop, looking around for a savior, looking at me, and I... I didn''t do a damn thing. Just sat there, enjoying the show.


    I realized something then: I liked seeing people scramble, beg, and fear. Made me feel... powerful.


    Watching someone get torn down for a mistake, knowing it''d never happen to me that was addictive.


    Every kid wanted power, but me? I''d tasted it young, and I wasn''t letting go.


    My dad would try to talk to me sometimes. Like he actually gave a damn, cared about such things. But those talks never went anywhere.


    He''d sit me down, look me in the eye, and go on about "responsibility" and "duty" like I was supposed to just snap my fingers and turn into this perfect little son he could parade around, show off to his little gangster friends.


    It was pathetic, honestly.


    The more he tried to "help" me, the more I pushed back, just to spite him.


    By the time I was twelve, I had it all figured out.


    I was the boss, the one in control. And if anyone had a problem with that, they could take it up with my fist.


    It was a simple philosophy, but it worked.


    People either respected me or feared me, and that was good enough for me.


    Maybe that was when the world changed for me, when I realized nothing could touch me unless I let it.


    My father''s name, the money, the people always ready to bow and scrape-all of it put a shield around me.


    I could do the worst, and still, no one did a damn thing.


    The more I pushed the boundaries, the more power I found I had.


    They all knew who I was, after all-Max ckwood, son of Ignatius ckwood, the name everyone respected and feared.


    I was untouchable, a little god in my own right, and that kind of thing messes with a kid''s head.


    But if I''m honest, I wasn''t always that cocky, not to a level where I thought of myself as some sort of god at least.


    ''Heh...''


    My friends¡ªif you could call them that were just beggars, Elite that risked to fall.


    I''d make them cover for me, all the while knowing they''d do anything to stay in my good graces.


    Eventually, most of them couldn''t take it and left, leaving only three dumbasses who kissed my feet until their lips bled.


    I was a bad guy. Everyone saw me as that; even Elijah stopped associating with me, spending most of his time chasing Aria instead. Ava was no different.


    Only one person remained unaffected.


    Sofia.


    She was... different. Truly different, unlike me.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Quiet and observant, she always kept to herself unless she had to be there.


    She never reacted to my crap; she never gave me that wide-eyed fear the others did.


    At first, I thought she was just weird, but eventually, I got it.


    She faced something simr, and she was bored with the whole act, just like I was. Probably


    worse.


    Maybe that was when I started growing a crush on her... maybe it was why my actions escted.


    It was dumb; now I see that more than ever, but back then, I thought that it might gain her


    attention.


    I pushed and pushed, seeing how far I could go, how much I could get away with.


    Every time someone caved, every time they looked at me like they were terrified, it fed that


    hunger.


    But... even I wasn''t invincible.


    One day, after pulling a particrly reckless stunt, I found myself face-to-face with my


    father.


    It was rare he ever dealt with me directly, and the look he gave me that night... yeah, that one


    stuck.


    He didn''t yell, didn''t hit me, didn''t even raise his voice. Just looked at me, cold as a de, and told me to "grow up."


    Told me I was an "embarrassment to the family name."


    I remember how quiet the room was, every word echoing in my ears.


    For a moment, I felt this stab of something-fear, shame, whatever you want to call it.


    Then Iughed. Justughed in his face and told him he''d have to try harder if he wanted me


    to change.


    He never spoke to me about it again.


    By fifteen, I was a full-blown nightmare.


    Breaking rules, running my own little gang of spoiled kids with my three ''friends'', doing


    whatever I wanted.


    I''d walk into a room, and it''d go dead silent.


    People knew who I was and what I could do to them if they stepped out of line.


    Even the adults. They''d mumble apologies, avoid my gaze, and let me have my way.


    And that''s how I wanted it.


    Everything was mine, whether it be then or eventually. I didn''t need to pretend otherwise.


    Or so I thought... until I found myself here, lying in this grave, my body broken and my mind reeling, too weak to move, too tired to fight.


    The irony? All that power, all that privilege... and it meant nothing now. Nothing.


    It''s funny, really.


    After everything I''ve been through, after all the fights and the challenges, it came down to


    this.


    I''m gonna die here, alone, without anyone to witness it. Just me and the ruin.


    I tried to move, tried to feel something in my arms, but they were dead weights at my sides. My chest hurt, lungs dying to breathe-just one was all I wanted.


    Even my anger was slipping away, lost in the exhaustion and pain that was pulling me under.


    Images of my father, of the house, of Avaughing. Sofia. That smug, stupid grin on Elijah''s face, like he''d already figured out how to live in this screwed-up world and I was the idiot


    fumbling around.


    Damn it. That bastard.


    My hand twitched, and I managed to curl my fingers into a fist.


    Felt weak as hell, but it was something. Just a flicker of energy, enough for onest try.


    I imagined his face right in front of me, and I flexed my right arm, ready to punch.


    I''d wipe that smirk off his face, one way or another.


    My fist shot upward, sailing through the rubble, and it went... through?


    It didn''t bounce back.


    It had reached the other side.


    I could actually feel the damp air touching my hand.


    ''No...''


    And that was when it hit me-the grave I dug was barely filled.


    I could''ve wed my way out all along.

 Chapter 485: ...That Sprouted

    Chapter 485: ...That Sprouted


    ?


    ***


    Something about Max''s backstory intrigued Emir.


    In the ''novel,'' the boy had experienced neglect; in the real world, he hadn''t, rather he was quite coddled.


    It was a telling difference, suggesting that something he did had altered Max''s childhood.


    Or perhaps it was just due to his existence.


    Either way, Max''s behavior remained consistent between the two worlds even without simr context.


    A weird result, no?


    How could the same conclusions be reached with twopletely different equations, numbers, and structures?


    Yet that didn''t surprise him.


    The ''novel'' was never real-it was a simtion of a potential future, written in a condensed form by the Rule Keeper, Oracle.


    Phenomenal, terrifying, yes, but that was all it was.


    ''It'' simply had misinterpreted the exact source of Max''s behavior.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    After all, even tech-backed fate had difficulty predicting emotions and their cause, a variable more intricate than any path it could trace.


    Emir understood that well, and he aimed to erase those ties, shaping Max''s future so his past couldn''t drag him back, no matter what it contained.


    Only time would reveal if he''d seeded, though.


    For now, he was more interested in the rest.


    Again, if Max''s situation was any indication, his friends weren''t doing any better.


    Emir needed to reach them before it was toote.


    He moved fast, almost flying through the tunnels.


    Though he knew they were still alive, courtesy of his Shadow Squad, it didn''t seem like they wouldst much longer.


    ''sh Step.''


    As he reappeared many tens of meters ahead, the ground beneath him became littered with wreckage and scattered bodies.


    Like earlier with Max, it was obvious the cohort had fought here, killing many of their pursuers.


    Not much differed from the ''novel'' except their quantity.


    The trend of more powerful disasters continued.


    ''Touch¨¦~''


    With another ''sh Step'' Emir spotted the cohort in the distance.


    It was a scene of dire struggle.


    Arthur fought with every ounce of his remaining strength, desperately holding off a group of soldiers with his gun''s bay, which seemingly housed no more ammunition.


    And just in the time Emir''s eyesnded on him, he made multiple life-ending mistakes.


    Yet none of them came true.


    Like always, he escaped death a moment before it could embrace him.


    Sofia was the same, barely standing, trying her best to fend off their attackers despite her severe injuries.


    She dodged and weaved their strikes, adorning the way snakes moved.


    Ava was glued to her side, never more than three steps away, healing her with whatever Aether she had left, whenever she could.


    Those two acted like a well-oiled machine and it was all due to Sofia.


    Though they were on theirst ropes, she dominated the battle, deciding the tempo of everything around her.


    But even then, the soldiers were relentless, their attacks way more coordinated than what the cohort had gotten used to.


    They were undoubtedly the best of the rats that were sent after them, and it showed.


    Arthur''s efforts seemed futile, as did Ava''s, their faces as pale as the moon.


    Sofia''s face was the palest of them, sweat mixing with the blood staining her augmented suit.


    Every swing of her weapon seemed to cost her more, her strength waning as the battle dragged on.


    If things remained the same, there was no doubt they''d die a dog''s death.


    "Enough."


    But as if it wasn''t bad enough, a new figure appeared among the opposition, wearing a faded cloak.


    It was a man who appeared out of ce, frail, his movements slow, clumsy.


    Yet, there was something about him that made Sofia wary, even when the danger she sensed was not immediately apparent.


    The rats stopped attacking and made way for him, allowing him to walk towards Sofia uninterrupted.


    "...Who the hell are you?"


    The man smiled faintly, giving a slight bow.


    "Call me Maraak. A priest-to-be. Good manners demand I introduce myself, though I doubt names matter to the dead."


    He gesturedzily, and the ground shuddered beneath them.


    Machines, once hidden, clicked to life, constructs rising from the debris around them like


    predators.


    "Damn Technomancer... Kill him you guys, I''ll get out of your hair-!"


    Ava muttered as she stepped back, her eyes scanning their surroundings for a ce to hide.


    "Arthur, follow her. These things can hunt."


    Arthur, almost doubled over from fatigue, nced at her, his grip tightening on the gun.


    "Like I''m leaving you here. They''ll just have to go through both of us."


    Maraak''s thin smile widened, though his eyes remained cold.


    "How touching. But I didn''te here for heroics."


    He lifted a hand, and the constructs moved, their limbs extending like talons as they closed in.


    "Resistance is futile. You''re tired, spent, and frankly, unprepared."


    "Quiet."


    Sofia spat, raising a nearly broken sword that she recently picked up.


    "We don''t need your monologue."


    Maraak chuckled, unbothered.


    "Is that so? Then, by all means, die."


    Sofia''s grip tightened around her sword''s hilt, and she went forth, meeting the first of the


    constructs.


    "Keep your guard up!"


    Arthur was right next to her, stabbing his bay through a construct''s animal-like head.


    "They don''t look like much!"


    He was confident against them, an emotion so incredibly rare, perhaps even new.


    The man chuckled.


    "That''s the problem with youth. Always trusting your eyes."


    He raised a hand, and with a metallic hum, the constructs formed a tight perimeter around


    them, leaving no room for retreat.


    That was when the soldiers rejoined the battle, standing shoulder to shoulder, their guns


    tracking the duo.


    || ||


    "F-Find cover!"


    Sofia''s and Arthur''s attention was immediately divided.


    The cohort was already struggling to fend off the specialists, and having tens of constructs


    attack them certainly wasn''t helping.


    Making matters worse, they couldn''t even make use of fallen enemy weapons; they wereser


    rifles, and each one was bound to its owner.


    Adding to that, the energy cells were useless, their guns had no way of using them.


    Temr had nned for this exact scenario to unfold.


    They were surrounded, outgunned, and out of options. And though Arthur spoke bravely, his face showed nothing but.


    He cowered behind the only piece of rubble in their vicinity, leaving Sofia alone in the middle.


    "Typical~."


    The Technomancer smiled, finding his reaction amusing.


    "Your fear is justified. You may rest knowing this will be quick."


    Just as his words ended, a blur went past, reaching one of the soldiers.

 Chapter 486: ...That Sprouted II

    Chapter 486: ...That Sprouted II


    ?


    The blue paused, revealing itself, and struck.


    ng!


    "Don''t forget about me!"


    It was Ava.


    As she stepped back, premeditatively avoiding an attack that hadn''t yet arrived, she struck another with her staff, cracking their skull and dropping them to the ground.


    "You talk a lot for someone hiding behind a scrap heap!"


    Maraak mockinglyughed in response.


    "Alright! Let''s test your theory! OVERCLOCK!"


    The constructs lit up with Aether and attacked Arthur and Sofia at once, leaving them only a second to react.


    But that was enough.


    At least for Sofia.


    She disyed her martial arts prowess, meeting the swarm before they could even attack.


    Unlike Arthur, whose each strike depended on luck, she moved with something beyond, a level nearing Emir''s, a level unattainable by luck.


    Her de sliced through two constructs, their metal ting seemingly offering no protection.


    She thenpletely halted the momentum of her movement, using all the strength behind her muscles to attack in theplete opposite direction, ending another two.


    Arthur tried to do the same, but all he could do was swing wildly at them.


    Eventually, his baynded on one, and before another could kill him, the one he stabbed killed its fellow construct upon death, identally piercing its pincers through its head.


    Their des cut deep, sparks flying, but the more they killed, another would close in, and then another.


    The sheer number was overwhelming, a relentless tide.


    "These damn things just keeping!"


    It was just as Arthur''s panicked scream perfectly described.


    Meanwhile, Ava stayed outside the circle, using nearby rubble as cover as she took the soldiers'' attention away from the duo.


    She focused her Aether on her own wounds as she repeatedly sustained them, not at all fit for meleebat, following a hit-and-run tactic that she was taught at the Academy.


    "Arthur, keep at it."


    Sofia yelled, parrying a construct''s arm as it lunged toward her.


    "Ava, don''t let your guard down."


    "I won''t!"


    Maraak''sughter echoed in the tunnel.


    "You''re resilient, I''ll give you that, but resilience without reason is foolishness."


    Arthur spat, barely deflecting a blow:


    "Says the dumbass attacking the ACADEMY!"


    "Oh, I wouldn''t say that. It''s mean~."


    Ignoring himpletely, the two continued to destroy the constructs one by one, each block met with swift retaliation.


    With Ava taking away most of the soldier''s attention, annoying them to no end, they almost had an easier time surviving this fight than earlier.


    If looked at from that angle, Maraak''s intervention was a boon instead of a curse.


    The more they killed, the more their confidence grew, their focus sharpening as they fell into a rhythm.


    Dodge the asionalser, deflect an attack or two, and retaliate, ending the life of one or two constructs.


    They were nearing victory and their guards unknowingly lowered because of that. Maraak seemed to have noticed that, or rather, he might''ve been waiting for it to happen. Just as Sofianded another killing blow, his smile widened, and his fingers twitched slightly. Then, another figure appeared, an exact replica of Maraak, and he stood on a flying drone-like construct high above them, near the still-hanging Emir.


    It appeared that he was hiding there the entire time, waiting for his chance to strike.


    A small spider-like construct shot out of his hand, and as it fell, its legs-multiple thin, needle-like des-exited the main body, racing towards Sofia.


    She looked up at the attack, and that was when her mind slowed, mimicking her muse''s Temr Perception.


    Only then did she realize her mistake.


    In her road to victory, she had lowered her guard, forgetting an ability that could''ve easily turned the tables.


    Aetheric Hologram.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Maraak had already activated Overclock and Aetheric Pulse, leaving him a single ability slot. She usually would''ve wondered why an opponent kept his third slot inactive when he could''ve used it to his advantage, but her growing confidence had clouded her judgment.


    As he did with Aetheric Pulse, Aetheric Hologram was activated before he even stepped into


    battle.


    He was waiting for her to slip all along.


    "Never underestimate an opponent, even if they seem weak, for it might be an act that spells your


    doom."


    That was when Emir''s words echoed in her mind.


    It was a seed that sprouted.


    Back at the Rite, when she was doubting his capability like an idiot, he said those exact words


    to her.


    ''...Did he know of my weakness all along?''


    Something that she herself didn''t know was spotted at their first meeting.


    ''Just what kind of monster is he?''


    Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she activated Rapid Retreat, using all the Aether she


    managed to stock up in the past minute ofbat.


    Time returned to normal as her body moved, twisting just enough to avoid most of the des.


    Sofia was fast, but not fast enough. One grazed her cheek, leaving a sharp, stinging line, another embedded itself in her shoulder, and thest found itself in her foot, tearing through


    it from one end to the next.


    "UG-!"


    Before a scream could exit her mouth, she gritted her teeth, shutting herself up.


    "Sofia!"


    Arthur and Ava screamed her name, momentarily stunned by what just happened.


    Their enemy too was stunned, though for an entirely different reason, his smug expression


    faltering.


    "Ah, you actually caught on... Fascinating. I didn''t know Elites could be as self-aware. I thought you were all children pretending to y war."


    Barely standing, Sofia wiped away the blood on her face, eyes ring at the real Maraak.


    "This isn''t over."


    Maraak''s smirk returned.


    "No, I suppose it isn''t. Shall we see how it would, then?"


    Before he could resume the fight, Ava, hiding behind a massive rock, interrupted him:


    "How about a quick break?! Your toys might need some WX-40!"


    He chuckled.


    "My machines are perfection. Unlike you, they don''t falter. They don''t tire. They do exactly


    what Imand and mymand is for them to kill you."


    "You''re right, Maraak."


    Schwing!


    A sharp sound cut through the tunnel-a metallic slicing noise, and with it came a deep voice,


    cold as ice.


    "Machines don''t tire. But they also don''t think."


    It was Emir.

 Chapter 487: End Of The First

    Chapter 487: End Of The First


    ?


    Emir''s intervention was as quiet as it was terrifying.


    He seemed to float down from the darkness above, like he''d materialized straight from the ceiling.


    And when his feet touched the ground, it felt like the entire tunnel had hushed to listen.


    Every sound died away; not a single soldier or construct dared to move, and even his students were frozen in ce, caught between fear and awe.


    All awaited his next move.


    Slowly, he raised his remaining hand and swung it down.


    "Fall."


    That single word, spoken softly, felt like a death sentence.


    And it was.


    Though his Aether reserves were low, what little he had regained was enough to unleash devastation.


    Many tens of Aetheric Constructs in the shape of spears materialized, raining down like hailstones, piercing through every construct and soldier in their path.


    Metal twisted, cracked, and flesh tore, each figure copsing in shattering steel and blood.


    Not a single peep was heard from the soldiers; their deaths came too quickly for them to react. Eventually, when the carnage subsided, only one figure was left standing.


    Maraak.


    Just moments ago, he''d ruled the fight, his expression smug.


    Now, horror yed a mess with his face while his hands trembled uncontrobly.


    The reality dawned slowly, settling into his wide eyes:


    He was going to die.


    Even after he nearly had the man go through a mental breakdown, Emir paid him no mind, barely sparing a nce.


    His gaze swept to Arthur instead, his expression as calm as ever, betraying nothing.


    "Lead them to the exit. I''ll handle this."


    Arthur, still reeling from Emir''s sudden appearance, had a flicker of anger sh through him, though he managed to keep it in check.


    Dumb as he was, even he knew not to mess with a man like Emir.


    Nodding stiffly, he took a few breaths to steady himself and then turned toward Sofia, who hadn''t moved an inch since Emir had arrived.


    She stood rooted to her spot, her gaze locked on him as if he were some phantom she hadn''t seen in years.


    There was no shock on her face, no surprise-just eyes that held so many words that she''d never say out loud.


    But, like he did with Maraak, Emir ignored herpletely, acting as if she were no more than air.


    "H-Hey, l-let''s go."


    Arthur urged softly, awkwardly, waving a hand in front of her face.


    "....."


    Nothing. He received no response.


    "W-We have to move."


    He tried again, but the words fell on deaf ears as she stared through him.


    Her thoughts were miles away, oblivious to his repeated attempts to break her trance.


    Arthur''s frustration began to grow, but before he could do anything about it, Emir moved towards her.


    His patience ran thin.


    He reached out and tapped her shoulder, the touch as quick as it was impersonal.


    "Go to the exit."


    Sofia''s head snapped up, her eyes meeting his.


    She stared, wide-eyed, her mouth parting slightly, as if to speak.


    For a long, tense moment, they simply watched each other in silence.


    Then, without a word, she nodded.


    Turning around, she limped toward the exit, her steps unsteady.


    Arthur fell in step beside her, ncing back once at Emir with eyes filled with resentment.


    Besides that one look, he moved swiftly, hurrying after her as if he couldn''t wait to get out of there.


    But then, just before they''d gotten a fair distance away, Emir''s low murmur cut through the silence.


    "Can''t even do one thing right."


    Arthur stopped dead in his tracks.


    It was as if every simmering frustration, hidden resentment, and burning envy erupted all at


    once.


    He''d never been this humiliated in his entire life, and he had certainly gone through a lot of


    that.


    His fists clenched so hard that his nails bit into his palms, drawing blood.


    Gritting his teeth, he looked down, fighting back tears that blurred his vision.


    His whole body shook as he held back the shout that burned in his throat, but he further mped his mouth, more fearful of death.


    The boy was certainly going through it, and yet... Sofia didn''t notice any of his turmoil.


    Her attention was fixed on the path to the exit, unaware-or simply unconcerned-about him


    and whatever he was going through.


    She was determined not to let anything else slow her down.


    Meanwhile, Ava, thest of the cohort, sidled up to Emir''s side.


    She hesitated, her posture unsure, like she was waiting for his permission to speak.


    When he finally turned his attention to her, she flinched, looking away, her hands nervously twisting a lock of her dirty blonde hair.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What is it?"


    "M-Max... is... is he okay?"


    Emir chuckled as he turned his back on her, his gaze fixing on Maraak''s escaping figure.


    "Don''t worry, he''s fine. He''ll meet you all at the exit."


    Relieved, her shoulders rxed as she nodded quickly and turned to follow her cohort.


    But just before she disappeared down the tunnel, she paused and, with a hesitant bow, inclined her head to him, her mouth forming a quiet "thank you."


    Then, she was gone.


    Now, the tunnel was silent, save for the distant pitter-patter of steps and Maraak''s shallow


    breathing.


    The pitiful-looking man was still trying his best to escape, and yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t.


    Fallen rubble blocked his path to survival, and his body was too weak to lift or even shove any


    of it aside.


    For all his previous confidence, he now seemed nothing more than a cornered rat, climbing


    and falling like mad.


    ''Huh...''


    Emir found that sight surprisingly enjoyable.


    He wasn''t sadistic by any means, so the satisfaction he felt startled him somewhat.


    Though he loved battle, ying with his food had never interested him.


    The likes of Judas and Khari had nothing to do with him.


    But, for some strange reason, he really enjoyed seeing this "bastard" scared out of his mind.


    Was it because he''d finally put an end to the disaster and Maraak signaled that end? Perhaps it was due to seeing an event from the ''novel'' y out so differently, to the extent that Arthur, the one who was supposed to save his ''heroine,'' waspletely ignored.


    Or was it the simple satisfaction of seeing someone so previously pompous get ''face


    pped?''


    Either way...


    ''I don''t care.''


    None of that mattered to him, not anymore.


    Emir had reached the end of the first.


    Now, all he needed to do was kill.


    He walked closer to Maraak and raised his curved de.


    "Goodbye."

 Chapter 488: Defeated But Victorious

    Chapter 488: Defeated But Victorious


    ?


    By now, all the surviving students had gathered near the crumbling exit of the ruin. They were injured and exhausted, yet not a single one had let go of their weapon.


    Elijah stood in the lead, while Junior, Sofia, Aria, and Ava nked him.


    These five demonstrated exactly why they were ranked so highly, proving the Academy''s evaluation to be urate and well-deserved.


    But there was an anomaly among them: Quinn.


    She was proof that even the best could err.


    No doubt after today, her rank would rise, perhaps even nearing the top thirty.


    Her extreme efforts had finally borne fruit.


    In a metaphorical contrast stood Max.


    If judged by his current performance, he wouldn''t even ce in the top fifty.


    He trailed near the back of their makeshift toon, moving mechanically, his eyes distant, lost somewhere beyond the ruin.


    The boy barely reacted when constructs appeared; he''d only move with the others, more like a shadow than a person.


    Arthur was the same, walking nearby, his face pale and drawn.


    He followed the group, but unlike Max, his steps were unsteady, and his head hung low.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    There was nothing in his eyes but shame, one that grew more apparent with each stumbling step.


    They took no part in the fighting, merely drifted forward whenever the group advanced, and retreated when explosions echoed.


    asionally, smaller constructs would appear in their vicinity, but even then, they showed no reaction to it.


    Though, in spite of that, they surprisingly didn''t get injured.


    Arthur''s Blessing wasn''t at y here; instead, it was a rather beautiful and unexpected scene. Max''s goons were protecting them both, perhaps as thanks for Max saving them from certain death, or as a final act that acknowledged the end of their ''friendship.''


    Either way, it was highly likely that Arthur wasn''t even on their mental radar; he survived merely by being in the same area.


    Beyond them, whether intentionally or not, none of the toon acted as if they existed, ignoring thempletely, and focusing on something way more important.


    Survival.


    As a collective, they pressed on through the ruin, surrounded by debris, craters, and broken machinery.


    Every few moments, multiple new threats would emerge-sphere-like constructs crawling out from Aether-knows-where, joining the ever-growing army of enemies.


    But even then, the students kept up, dismantling them one by one.


    And eventually, despite the seemingly unending danger, the students made it through without even a single casualty.


    This was, inrge part, all thanks to the professors.


    With their augmented suits in ghost mode, they kept watch from afar, alert for anyone nearing the brink.


    They had strict orders from their principal to not interfere unless someone''s life was truly on the line.


    After the original test had fallen apart, this was the best form of training they could offer-a lesson in survival, in grit, in facing the merciless side of the world.


    Amon didn''t like putting them through this, forcing them to experience such things.


    But even he couldn''t deny that, brutal as it was, this fight had been necessary.


    The students needed to see what awaited them beyond the Academy''s sheltered grounds.


    He knew, as did everyone, that this was only the beginning of the trials they would face. Today, they had learned defeat, but tomorrow, they''d be victorious.


    ***


    Meanwhile, still deep in the ruin was Emir.


    He stood in ce, eyes locked on an approaching figure with hair of white.


    She had red jewels for eyes and the most beautiful face he had ever seen, one of perfect symmetry.


    There was no mistaking her.


    It was Lyra.


    The closer she got, the brighter his smile became.


    Seeing that, she couldn''t hold it any longer, Shadow Stepping into his embrace.


    "I''m back."


    Emir hugged her tightly, much tighter than usual.


    "Wee back."


    Though he didn''t show it, he was afraid of losing her.


    A fear that he had kept locked deep within himself.


    Neither of them knew what exactly happened, or why, only that Lyra had lost functionality for


    a while.


    But the logical side of their minds wouldn''t still with that as a conclusion.


    They repeatedly attempted to find a reason for why that happened, cycling through endless possibilities.


    The only exnation they could settle on was that she had somehow entered an area of highly condensed radiation, which immediately shut down her systems, locking everything up so


    that nothing within could be at risk.


    When it passed or lessened, that was when her systems extracted her out of there without any manual input, ensuring noputing power would be wasted.


    That scenario was the only one that exined how or why Lyra was spotted in the middle of nowhere, stumbling near a pile of debris.


    The other, far more unlikely possibility was that an Archon-ranked Technomancer had scrambled herwork, ceasing her functionality at once.


    But that seemed nearly impossible; as far as they knew, no Technomancer of that rank existed


    on Earth.


    For now though, none of it mattered to them.


    All they could see, feel, and hear was each other, and that was enough to rx their minds.


    While Emir rxed for a different reason, as it leaned more towards the professional and her


    face, Lyra didn''t mind.


    The fact that he allowed this closeness was all she needed.


    "Kuhm."


    Interrupting their intimate moment was Kiera.


    She awkwardly fidgeted, covering her mouth with her fist.


    In response, Lyra instantly released him but not before naturally covering his missing hand


    with his cloak, and then stepping back to a more "professional" distance.


    But it was toote.


    They had all seen them hugging.


    And yes, all of them-because it wasn''t just Kiera.


    Jake, Emma, Jamal, Logan, Jack, Sarah, Hiro, Evan, and Leo were there, too.


    "Wooohhhhh~!"


    "Damn, bossman, didn''t know you had it in you!"


    "Ahahaha! Congrats!"


    "I knew you two were lovebirds!"


    Most of their reactions danced between surprise, joy, and satisfaction-confirming a lot of


    their past spections.


    Only two showed something different.


    The first of them was Emma.


    Her face was shadowed by a bittersweet smile, like something she''d expected but dreaded to


    see.


    The second was Jake, who looked at his "partner" with sad eyes, seemingly understanding a


    lot more than he let on.


    "Was I the only one who didn''t have a single clue about this?"


    Oh, apparently there was a third.


    Leo, who was always lost to anything non-mechanical, looked around in confusion.


    "And you''re right. There were no clues in the first ce because there''s no such rtionship." Emir confirmed it, leaving Lyra to look crestfallen as the blush drained from her face. Noticing the atmosphere shift, Kiera quickly took out a small device with a radar and a trigger.


    "You heard the boss. Now let''s move out!"


    Before she could press it, Jamal snatched the charge from her hands and held it high.


    "For their rtionship! Hahahaha!"


    Bombs that had been ced by the Shadow Squad lit up all at once.


    They were near the entrances to the Behemoth''sir, on top of the marked spots.


    And as Jamal''sughter echoed, deafening explosions erupted, engulfing the ruin in a ze.


    The earth shook, tunnels copsed, railways were destroyed, rooms crumbled, and tforms


    no longer appeared as such.


    Mortally uncountable amounts of rubble and debris descended upon the Behemoth.


    It formed a grave fit for a monster of its caliber, worthy of its size and terror.

 Chapter 489: Finding A Mole

    Chapter 489: Finding A Mole


    ?


    One Day Later


    "How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?"


    A woman covered in a cloak of pure white stood behind a podium.


    "And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard?"


    Her words flowed like honey, smooth and sweet, yet their underlying meaning was nothing but.


    "And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"


    She raised her hand high and called out:


    "Oh, heavenly tree. Aether. My father. My mother. Hear my call and-"


    Tst!


    The holoscreen suddenly turned off, and a tiny remote was thrown into the wall behind it.


    ck...


    "Praying Lady, huh? Chick''s got some nerve."


    Judal''s words echoed as he stood up, hitting the oval table he sat adjacent to.


    ''Tell your brother that.''


    Emir rolled his eyes and nced towards Judas, not hiding his contempt.


    The man receiving such stares didn''t react one bit, keeping his eyes on Amon, seemingly waiting for him to speak, which he did after a flick of his fingers:


    "I bet one thought is dominant in your minds right about now..."


    Judal, Judas, Emir, and a few senior professors chuckled in response to his words.


    "Who will take the fall?"


    Indeed, Amon spoke true. Most of the first-year and second-year professors hadn''t yet cemented themselves.


    Their heads could still be presented to the chopping block.


    Since the disaster yesterday, every single one of them tried their best to push the me onto another.


    Especially Emir; they targeted him the most.


    But, unfortunately for them, he had already anticipated this and had nned ahead.


    All they did was waste their time, and they realized that toote when Amon himself had excused Emir of any responsibility, as did another senior professor, mentioning how he saved him even with a single arm.


    He was described as a hero.


    It was funny, and quite ironic, that the one who said that most was the one who least believed


    it.


    And rather than believe it, he thought the exact opposite.


    Since their argument in the ruin, Amon and Emir had yet to talk.


    They were too busy dealing with the aftermath, ounting for their losses, and calming those affected, death threats and all.


    Well, thatst part was something only Emir did, but one could get the gist.


    "You needn''t worry. Everyone in this room is excused. You may go home today knowing that your position as a professor is safe."


    Sighs of relief met his words; even Evelyn, who wasn''t present in the ruin or in the subsequent operation, was worried, so this certainly was a relief for her.


    As it was for Ragnar and the other professors who had no cake in the upper levels of the Academy.


    "Dismissed."


    Without a word, they all stood up from their chairs, exiting the room.


    Only three professors remained: Emir, Judas, and Judal.


    They nced at each other and then at Amon, silently asking an obvious question.


    But Amon wasn''t going to give them an answer, at least not to the twins.


    He pointed at them and then at the door, quietly telling them to get out.


    ''Hoh~...''


    Emir chuckled.


    It seemed that even the principal could hold a grudge.


    The two didn''t react to his disrespect; knowing when to hold back, they simply stood up and headed to the door.


    "I liked the fight..."


    Judal nced at him but didn''t stop moving, not wanting to test Amon''s limits.


    His older brother, however... he had a mind of his own.


    Just before he could pass Emir, he leaned forward and pressed hard on his shoulder.


    Reaching his ear, he whispered:


    "I was serious at the end, you know... Guess Amon never tires of ying favorites."


    Almost immediately picking up on what he was getting at, Emir snickered and waved him off, finding it funny how he was so close to the truth but still so very far.


    Judas didn''t like that reaction, but not wanting to risk it any further, he exited the room in a


    sh, literally.


    That was when Amon finally spoke again, ignoring what just happened:


    "I still stand by my words."


    Emir turned to him.


    "...I know."


    They looked at each other and then shared a lowugh.


    "You''ve gotten much stronger since Ist saw you fight. Your progress is quite terrifying."


    Emir shrugged his shoulders.


    "I have a few secrets. Besides, like you, I know my way around the embodiment method." Amon opened his mouth, closed it, and then smiled.


    "Is that a perk of being an Order''s Chosen? Thought I''d be the only one on Earth to know of it."


    "No, and you aren''t. My students will join us by the end of the year."


    "Are you sure about doing that? Won''t you be killed by a binding contract of sorts?"


    "The one for the soul? For Archons, you mean? No, I got nothing like that."


    Amon was shocked again, much more than a few seconds ago.


    He seriously didn''t expect Emir to know this much and it surprised him to no end.


    "I... I won''t ask why you know of that and just say great... I''ve always wanted to share this


    method."


    Emir nodded.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Don''t worry; it''ll fall in the right hands."


    "I hope..."


    Amon paused his words, wanting to ask a question but hesitating, indicating its sheer weight.


    "...Can you tell of your embodiment? What''s your path?"


    Emir chuckled, understanding his hesitation now.


    "Will you tell me yours?"


    Amon shook his head.


    "Why should I? You already know, don''t you?"


    "I do... You''re a Devourer, but rather than a snake, you''re noble. A wolf. A creature unable to


    be mimicked by evil or djinn."


    He nodded his head as Emir spoke as if agreeing with each of his words.


    "Thanks for thepliments."


    Emir looked up at the ceiling for a while, then down, his smile disappearing.


    "I''m a Puppeteer."


    Amon immediately clutched his hands, muscles flexing as he realized many things at once.


    "...Is that why?"


    His words were vague on purpose, as neither of them truly wanted to confirm what the other


    was thinking.


    "Yeah."


    The principal leaned back in his chair.


    "By all means, I wish that you''ll still love your family and friends after seeing them as they


    are."


    Emir''s smile returned at those words.


    "Don''t worry. I''ve already seen all there was to be seen."


    "Good. But how about others? Me, for example?"


    "You..."


    He took a moment, then pointed at the door with his thumb.


    "Have a love-and-hate rtionship with those two, even more than me. You don''t keep Judas around just because it''s easier to control a known enemy, but because you want to teach him


    what ''good'' is."


    Amon''s eyebrows flinched, not liking how Emir could see through him so.


    "...It''s nothing close to love. People like them are just easier to handle."


    Emir chuckled.


    "Really now? You''d say that after ''failing'' to catch the attacker?"


    He shrugged his shoulders.


    "What can I say? Went to the other side of the but saw no one. I think he dug himself a


    hole and hid to be FORGOTTEN about."


    Picking up on Amon''s not-so-subtlemand, Emir shook his head.


    "Unfortunately, that wouldn''t be so easy. Someone spotted him before he hid."


    Amon gave him a knowing look.


    "Who knows?"


    "...Aqu."


    "Only him?"


    "Yes."


    Clicking his tongue, he quickly realized why Emir revealed Judas''s name to the man of Eagle.


    "Why... why do you want them killed so bad? I know it''s not simple revenge for the fight you


    guys had. There''s something more to it."


    "You seem to have forgotten."


    Emir leaned back in his chair and looked up, his face appearing nostalgic as if going over


    precious memories.


    "Temr, I can''t annihte anymore; attacking a state religion isn''t feasible. But the Liberation Army? I want them gone."


    "I realize that, and you still didn''t answer, why?"


    His smile widened.


    "Raven... Some cyborg from who knows where kidnapped me. She sent me back to her base,


    ordering her goons to have some ''fun'' with me. I was strapped to a chair, under a dangling


    bulb, got beat the shit out of... now that I think about it, they were really trying to set the


    mood."


    Chuckling even more, he added:


    "Since that day, I promised their destruction. I''d deliver even at a loss."


    Emir looked back at Amon; this time his face held no familiarity, as if he was looking at a


    stranger.


    "Will you stop me?"


    "....."


    They stared at each other for long, both seemingly analyzing whether the man opposite them


    would truly pose a threat to their personal objectives.


    Both knew this one thing: at times, usually more often than not, it was better to let a bridge


    burn than to watch as the wood rotted, even when the bridge was like no other.


    But then, Amon awkwardly coughed and gestured for him to calm down, quickly switching


    the subject.


    "Alright, alright, enough about that. Let''s get to business."


    Emir yed along with another shrug and waited for him to go ahead.


    He did:


    "I know you to be a mastermind, so tell me how you''d go about finding a mole."


    "Simple, you''d just..."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 490: Upon Who The Blade Falls

    Chapter 490: Upon Who The de Falls


    ?


    Emir and Lyra walked through a ss passageway, a cold and sterile space surrounded by server racks as far as their eyes could see-which was incredibly far, to say the least.


    They followed a holographic, wobbling blob of slime that slithered in front of them, leaving a trail of goo.


    If not obvious enough by now, they were on the ninth floor of the Tower, Brain.


    [Almost there.]


    Brain informed them.


    [Level 2. ess granted.]


    Ahead, the gates slid open automatically, granting them ess to the next section.


    They entered and walked through the rtively empty room, meeting no one else on their way.


    Netweavers were taking a ''break'' somewhere far from here and would remain doing so for the entire duration of their visit.


    Emir had arranged it to be that way.


    Soon, they reached and stopped at the third gate, awaiting Brain to allow them in. [Rank Identification: Privileged, Momentary EX Security Clearance... processing ess.] This was the third level; only those with EX-level clearance could enter, a fact made all too clear by the barely visiblebel just beside the door, subtly reminding everyone they weren''t special enough.


    A few hours ago, Emir would''ve been in that same boat, no way past this gate.


    But thanks to Amon, who allocated him a {Momentary EX Security Clearance} just before they left the meeting room, he could get in.


    It was an incredibly big deal too-this clearance gave him keys to all that the Academy was. And for some reason, Amon even gave the green light for Lyra to tag along.


    Once, Emir would call him too trustworthy, but now he knew better.


    Amon was just crazy, perhaps even crazier than he was, especially when considering how this setup made it stupidly easy for them to wreck the ce if they felt like it.


    ''That''s why I like the guy~.''


    Chuckling softly, Emir held up his watch to the link point where a regr doorknob would''ve been.


    A soft beep and a blinking green light confirmed it.


    [Level 3. ess granted.]


    Then, with a quiet hum, the door slid open.


    "Go ahead."


    Emir gestured for Lyra to enter and she did, while he followed after her like a gentleman.


    Once they stepped inside, the atmosphere immediately changed.


    The once-dim room lit up with a harsh light, revealing every screen and terminal that lined the walls in multiple rows.


    Next to them were many tens of Neuro-Cybeic Interface pods, likely housing all the essential Netweavers.


    They were still active, on the clock; even Emir couldn''t get them to ''rx.''


    Made sense, though. If these people left their posts without recements lined up, the Academy might as well have put up a giant "Hack Me" sign.


    They were the first andst line of defense, fully prepared for a cyber war at all times.


    This wasn''t a job one could half-ass, and the Netweavers themselves?


    They were the best of the best-on Earth, at least.


    Sure, their physical stats weren''t winning any arm-wrestling contests, even when up against an average man, but in the digital realm? Their weaving skills were par none.


    Emir had brought Lyra along exactly for this reason.


    There was no way he was about to mess with these guys himself-too risky, and besides, Lyra was leagues ahead of him when it came to weaving.


    If anyone could pull this off without a hitch, it was her.


    Sure, they could''ve just let Brain handle it. That would''ve been way easier. But that came with its own set of headaches.


    If the mole was as sharp as they thought, he or she might''ve nted a tracker on certain files. One wrong move, and they''d tip him off.


    Worse still, the mole could''ve rigged everything with a kill switch-a big red fuck you button where the data would delete itself the second someone tried to grab it.


    That wasn''t a risk they could afford.


    So, they were stuck doing it the old-school way. Manual. Tedious. Slow. But safe.


    Lyra moved toward a console connected to multiple terminals, her expression focused as she examined the setup.


    "Hm...?"


    She showed slight surprise at the sight of a physical keyboard.


    After a flip or two, checking out its material, she quickly logged into the system, using Emir''s data, then navigated through menus and screens that would have been a maze to anyone else.


    This was her territory, and she knew exactly where to go.


    "Alright, I''ll need a few seconds to get to the database."


    She typed quickly, and the holoscreens before her shifted as she bypassed the standard interface and started essing more specific databases.


    {EX:\Users\USER>...}


    After a few moments, a familiar prompt appeared, and she entered a series ofmands, narrowing down her search to the right department.


    Her eyes scanned the options on the screen until she found what she was looking for-the


    map generation department.


    They were the ones responsible for creating and updating the maps used for missions, training, and other purposes.


    She focused on them and began filtering through the recent projects.


    Each project was tagged with contributors, timestamps, and update logs, but she needed to


    be even more specific in her search.


    Slowly, she set even more filters, narrowing the projects down by date and keywords.


    The list shrank significantly, revealing only a handful of projects that fit her criteria.


    And among them was the one they were after.


    {Metro''s Heart}


    "Bingo."


    Lyra murmured, ncing over her shoulder at Emir, who stood silently behind her, watching


    the screens.


    "Great job, now let''s see the bastards."


    Not needing to be told, she essed the details of the project.


    It was arge file, at least a few terabytes,st edited only a few days ago.


    As she scrolled through the details, she noticed something odd-an extrayer of encryption


    around some of the data, one that was not typical for this type of project.


    "That''s strange."


    She opened up the encryption to inspect it further.


    "What is?"


    Emir asked, his eyes narrowing as he leaned closer.


    "Extra encryption. It''s unusual for a standard map update."


    She exined while tapping a few keys to break through theyer.


    Once inside, she discovered a set of coordinates attached to the project.


    They didn''t align with real-world geographical maps of that location.


    This revealed what they already knew.


    A map in the Academy''s official database had been tampered with, or at least it had been


    inputted incorrectly.


    With that in mind, she quickly moved on to the logs, hoping to find something more concrete.


    She did.


    It was a log entry made by someone using a pseudonym-amon tactic among those trying to avoid detection.


    Lyra tracked the pseudonym across the database, following its trail from one project to


    another.


    She scrutinized those involving slight alterations that didn''t match standard protocols and found themon users, eventually noting their information.


    "Two teams."


    The first pseudonym, a team responsible for the oldest map of Heart''s Ruin, had already been


    killed by the Academy, likely after making them rot in prison, tortured with Aether Cores.


    The second username appeared to be a more recently awakened sleeping agent, likely still


    alive.


    "I''ve got them. But the team has three people, and all of them use the same username."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Emir rubbed his chin.


    "Three suspects... huh, perfect. Everything solid?"


    "Definitely."


    Lyra replied, pointing at a screen where three profiles were disyed alongside their histories


    and recent logins.


    "Two of them seem suspicious, but this one"-she pointed at the third, a gruff-looking man


    -"is the most suspicious. We must focus on him."


    "Will do."


    She logged out and stepped back from the console, exiting the room.


    Emir followed after he cast a final nce at the setup to ensure everything was back to its


    original state.


    "I''ll handle the rest now... You can expect a debrief soon."


    With those words, he began to head back to Amon''s office.

 Chapter 491 Upon Who The Blade Falls II

    491 Upon Who The de Falls II


    ***


    Three suspects. One traitor. A direct approach wouldn''t work¡ªthe mole was too careful.


    By the time they would get to him, he''d likely already havemitted suicide.


    They needed to find out who he was before he knew that he was caught.


    So instead, Emir nned to set up a trap and wait for one of them to slip.


    In no more than ten seconds, he had already returned to the tenth floor, reaching his office, where Amon was waiting.


    "Did you get what we need?"


    He handed him a small note with the three names written down. Emir sat on his office chair, then looked at his terminal, mentallymanding it to disy their profiles.


    "As I expected, we''ve got more than one. We''ll be going ahead with n A."


    Amon looked over those names multiple times and then looked back at Emir.


    "So we feed them false information?"


    Emir nodded.


    "The mole knows we''re searching for them; making that public wouldn''t hurt. What we''ll do next is simple: each suspect gets a different version of the n to find themselves, something that only they know. Whoever leaks it to Temr will reveal themselves as the soon-to-be dead bastard."


    Amon raised a brow, genuinely impressed.


    "You''re a puppeteer alright~. And sure, each message will be delivered privately."


    "Good."


    Emir sent him a list.


    "The details are unnecessary; the oue is the same. One involves a delivery route for a weapon stockpile, the other is about getting the rats out, burying them in the wastnd, and thest is a surprise ambush of a convoy affiliated to a gang under Temr."


    Amon nodded slowly and closed his eyes for a moment, studying each version in detail.


    "Not bad... These are pretty believable. Nothing that would raise suspicion at least."


    "Yeah, they get the job done. And by the way, give the rats to ------- -------."


    "By nine am. We need to have this ready before your ''woe is me'' speech tomorrow."


    Chuckling, Amon stood up from his chair.


    "Then let''s catch the bastard."


    ...


    The hour they had been waiting for came, and the tension was through the roof.


    But honestly? Nothing seemed too out of the ordinary.


    Well¡­ except for one little detail.


    The holy grail of any student''s life had just dropped:


    sses were canceled.


    Not just for today¡ªno, the whole week was a free pass.


    That was the second big announcement from the Academy.


    The first? Just the usual corporate fluff.


    "We take full responsibility," "deepest condolences," h h h. ssic damage control.


    Yet that seemed to only fan the mes.


    Sector 11-A was on fire, every news channel reporting on the harrowing event, each with their own take and spin, making up theories before the death count could be even confirmed or announced.


    Funerals had yet to take ce, and that was likely something Amon would announce in his speechter on.


    In any case, the principal wasn''t currently thinking about that.


    He was more interested in finding the mole than quelling the mortal masses.


    Amon had funneled the n through a chain of trusted team leaders, each link passing it down until it hit the boots on the ground.


    At that point, each suspect was led to believe that they were getting direct intel from the principal himself. Exclusive info¡ªjust for them.


    And believe they did. Emir''s n had seeded, hook, line, and sinker.


    Now, all they had to do was wait.


    Once word reached the Temr proxies and their gangs, it would confirm which suspect was the mole. ...


    For the next few hours, Amon''s men kept careful watch over the sector.


    His informationwork tracked every piece of gossip, every message that traveled through both the Academy''s hidden channels and beyond.


    Meanwhile, each suspect acted naturally and went about their daily routine.


    Nothing the least bit unusual showed on the surface.


    But then, at the eleventh hour¡ªjust before midnight¡ªa rumor had finally surfaced.


    One of the small gangs operating in the bunker had received word about Temr soldiers being carted off to the wastnds to be dumped in mass graves.


    The exact details hadn''t trickled down to the gang''s dregs yet, but it was enough to make them stir¡ªa spark to light the fuse.


    Once that information reached Amon, he quickly sent it to Emir and called him up on the terminal: [That confirms it, doesn''t it?]


    [...Yeah, no doubt about it.]


    The principal nodded, a small smile ying on his lips.


    [Now, what''s next?]


    Emir, still in his office, nced at Lyra, who was cultivating in the training room.


    "We keep up the illusion for now... When the timees, the de will fall. And it''ll fall on him."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    The Rite¡ªa hall spanning half of the second and first floors, typically reserved for student interviews¡ªhad been transformed into an assembly hall.


    Key professors stood atop their own pirs with no lights illuminating their tforms.


    The only light in the room focused on the central pir, where Amon stood,manding attention.


    Everything looked pretty much the same as thest time the students had seen it, but this time, there was one major difference.


    Amon didn''t reveal his true appearance.


    Instead, he masqueraded as an old man, ying the part of a frail mortal burdened by time.


    The ce was packed, reporters, cameras, and drones stationed across the perimeter, each angle capturing his presence at the podium.


    Now was the time for his address, and every eye was on him.


    Behind him, the towering hologram disy carried the Academy''s insignia, and above it was a new phrase. {We''ll Never Forget.}


    It was written in ck, reflecting the somber mood that was today.


    The Academy had been shaken to its core by the major disaster, and he had to reassure them... remind them... instill into them, that the Academy was far from weak.


    "Today..."


    Amon cleared his throat, his voice almost fatherly.


    "We stand here together, not only to mourn but to recognize the bravery of those who gave their lives for the Academy. For every student, every friend, every family that has lost someone dear, we owe a debt that we cannot repay in words alone... I know that personally."


    He paused, allowing his words to sink in, while his gaze swept across the seated rows, where all the Academy staff, and many students, sat in heavy silence.


    "To those families who will forever feel this loss, I extend my deepest condolences. But just know... Know that their courage, their dedication, their bravery, will be remembered."


    Amon put his dominant hand on his second heart and looked up at the ceiling.


    "I Vow to you now. We will not allow this tragedy to be repeated. We will take every necessary step to safeguard our halls, our future, and our unity."


    He moved that same hand forward, sweeping it across the crowd until it settled on a group of Academy staff near the back. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "And the first step is to eliminate the traitors within our fold."


    Soft, nearly inaudible murmurs from the crowd stilled instantly.


    It was clear¡ªthings were about to get real serious.


    The moment Amon''s hand lowered back to a resting position, a sudden sh blinded everyone in the audience.


    "There is one among us, who, by their actions, has sold their honor, endangered, and ended the lives of many others."


    As the crowd opened their eyes back up, the first thing they saw was Emir roughly handling a gruff-looking man, shoving him forward with each step. The mole tried to bite and swallow his tongue multiple times, desperate for a quick exit, but it was all for naught. Emir had stuffed his mouth with a wad of tissue, breaking a few teeth in the process and ending any chance he had of suicide.


    When he realized that, it quickly dawned on him¡ªhisst option, one he hadn''t even considered before had be his only choice.


    The problem? His brain would die, but his body would stay alive.


    He''d end up a living corpse, stuck on a deathbed, with the Academy free to do whatever they wanted with him.


    It was a nightmare for human rights, sure, but that kind of thing never stopped anyone.


    But, unlucky for him, even that, he couldn''t pull off.


    There was no "kill switch" to press. Before he could even entertain the thought, the Academy''s Netweavers were already on him, ten steps ahead.


    They had wormed their way into his neuralwork, seized control, and locked his Icon down in a cage designed for rats, shutting him downpletely.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rite was silent.


    Everyone there could do nothing but watch as Emir dragged the man forward while he struggled uselessly in his grip.


    Amon was the same, though his eyes contained a lot more satisfaction. It was what he wanted, a fitting reminder to all who might consider simr treachery.


    Then suddenly, with another blinding sh, Emir appeared above, next to Amon, shoving the man''s head down, presenting it to the de.


    "I do not take this lightly." Amon stated, ncing briefly at the man beside him before turning his gaze back to the crowd.


    "Let this be a message to all... This betrayal is more than just a crime¡ªit is an attack against me, against the very foundation of the Academy." He paused, fixing the crowd with an unblinking stare, or rather it was the cameras he was looking at.


    "Temr''s recognition matters not. Any who harbor ill will or deception within these walls will meet the same end."


    A man stepped close to Amon''s left, presenting a ceremonial sword with both hands.


    He took it off him and slowly unsheathed it.


    Shwing...


    The crowd held its breath.


    Amon lifted the de high, the light above him catching its edge, and then, with a casual swing, brought it down.


    Swish!


    The mole''s head fell, a loud thud echoing through the hall as it hit the podium''s ground. Amon gave back the sword and took onest look at the gathered crowd before stepping back from their view.


    "We''ll never forget."


    The moment his cold and final words resounded.


    A near-silent moment where the Academy imed its victory, sending a clear and chilling message... "Bravo."


    Emir pped his hands.


    Behind him, a floating shadow of death could be seen doing the same.

 Chapter 492 A Smile

    492 A Smile


    ***


    ''Where am I?''


    The question came to me slowly, as if it had to fight throughyers of thick fog.


    My body felt heavy, weighed down, and I couldn''t see anything in the pitch-ck surrounding me. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This darkness, though¡ªI knew it too well.


    It was a familiar void, silent and vast, like some shadowy ocean.


    I was floating in it, almost suspended, but a tugging feeling, like an unseen hand, pulled me forward.


    Only now did I understand how, or rather, why I was here.


    My purpose was to receive punishment.


    After Amon''s speech, I returned home, and as I talked with my family, my mind felt slow, incredibly so. It didn''t take me long to realize why.


    I needed sleep. True rest from all that happened.


    My mind hadn''t taken a break in so long, even when I reattached my hand yesterday, I was still awake, talking things over with my people. If they knew what I was going through they certainly would''ve forced me to rest, but thankfully Lyra had my back as she always did.


    She was too quick in covering me that only Kiera spotted my injury, and well, that girl knew best not to tell me what to do.


    So now, when I slept, my corruption yed its hand, taking my ruin as its greatest purpose, attacking my soul directly.


    This tug I felt was that very thing.


    I needed to ept it, otherwise, I wasn''t getting out of here.


    And that was what I did, letting it pull me forward through this personal realm of mine.


    Soon, I began to see color bleed into the darkness, creeping across the space like paint spilled on canvas.


    Red, dark and heavy, stained everything, casting the whole ce in a sickly, bloody hue.


    Gray streaks followed, swirling and mixing until the void looked like a distorted memory of a battlefield.


    21:33


    Worn stones and broken rubble started to emerge from the emptiness around me, a seemingly new addition. That wasn''t the only change.


    Now, every part of this nightmare was sharper, more real.


    That madeplete sense, as the closer I got to the pinnacle, the more intertwined with my soul I''d be, and the more corruption could affect me.


    It was the same the other way around, as the closer I was to the pinnacle, the more my corruption would get induced, affecting my soul even more. An ever-climbing cycle that would result in my death if not intercepted. My feetnded on the bloody ground and rain began to fall.


    With each step, more details surfaced, growing around me like this ce was reconstructing itself, brick by blood-soaked brick.


    Then, in the distance, a twisted hand made of many stretched out under that red sky, above an endless sea of blood.


    I kept walking, heading towards it, feeling the rubble grind under my feet as I moved, until I couldn''t.


    My feet had reached the edge and I fell, only to get caught amidst their suffocating embrace as they pulled me deeper and deeper until I experienced a very familiar slumber.


    And then I found myself sitting.


    Just sitting... though not in the void, but on the edge of a tform, next to a few destroyed trains.


    ''Metro''s Heart.''


    I didn''t know why, but I felt like I had to say here, wait for something. So I waited.


    Minutes slipped by, slow as sludge, with nothing but the quiet around me.


    They turned into hours, and still, nothing moved. No one came.


    I didn''t know why I was waiting anymore, but I couldn''t seem to stop.


    Hours stretched to days, and the days blurred into months.


    The colors faded, and the sky darkened as if the world was aging along with me.


    I waited through the seasons, whatever of them remained, feeling my body grow tired, weaker, like each passing second drained me.


    My skin felt thin, like paper, and my bones ached, but I stayed, fixed to that broken stone like I was bound to it.


    The world continued to shift, decaying and crumbling around me.


    Before I knew it, decades had passed, and I was nothing more than a shell, a skeleton wrapped in rusted scrap.


    All that was left of me was bones, brittle, nearly powder.


    And just as I felt thest threads of awareness slipping, I heard a voice cut through the silence.


    "You left me."


    I looked up, though I had no eyes to see, and there she was¡ªLyra.


    The one who I was waiting for.


    She stood just beyond the rubble, her red eyes filled with feelings of betrayal. "You abandoned me. Left me to rot in these ruins while you¡­ you just moved on, didn''t you?"


    I wanted to respond, to shake my head, to say something, but my jaw wouldn''t move.


    My bones were silent and all I could do was listen as she stepped closer.


    "You didn''t even think about me."


    Her voice grew louder, harsher, each word cutting deeper, not into me, but into herself.


    "Not once did you think ofing back. Of saving me. I was nothing to you. Just a tool¡ªa puppet, a piece of the n. That''s all I ever was to you."


    She was trembling with anger that had clearly been festering in her for far too long.


    "All your promises, all that talk about trust and loyalty¡ªlies. All lies! You left me behind like I was disposable, like I didn''t matter! I gave you everything, believed in you, and you didn''t even blink when I was gone! Do you know what that feels like?!"


    Her voice was shaking now, quietening down.


    "...Do you know what it''s like to trust someonepletely, only to be discarded?"


    She took a step closer and her words became a torrent, spilling out like a dam had broken.


    "I stayed by your side through everything, sacrificed for you, defended you, all because I believed you cared. I believed you''d do the same for me. But you wouldn''t, would you? When it came down to it, I didn''t matter. The n mattered more than I ever did."


    She was so close now, her face an inch away from touching what remained of mine.


    "And even now... even now, I bet you''re just thinking about how you can use this. How you can twist this to your advantage. You think you''re invincible, untouchable. But what kind of person..."


    Her words got stuck in her throat for a moment, too heavy to let out.


    "What kind of monster can be so heartless? You discarded me, your so-called backbone... m-me."


    She cried.


    "You betrayed me"


    The words echoed, announcing her disappointment to the world, her broken faith in me.


    Lyra''s gaze bore into me, daring me to flinch, to show any sign of guilt, of regret.


    But I didn''t.


    I showed no reaction, not to the world and not to her.


    That made her even madder, if that was ever possible.


    Yet before she could utter another word...


    "See youter."


    I let a slow, quiet smile spread across my face.


    The world froze.


    I blinked awake.

 Chapter 493: Sixth Step

    Chapter 493: Sixth Step


    ?


    ***


    Emir leaned back, resting his head against the headboard.


    ''...I''m back.''


    He turned to his left, eyes drifting to Lyra.


    She was lying beside him, her features softened in her ''sleep''-though he knew any small movement would instantly wake her up.


    Her face looked calm, peaceful, and he allowed himself a moment to take it in, feeling a strange sense of relief.


    Perhaps he had been affected by the nightmare more than he let on.


    Once he''d seen enough, Emir closed his eyes, letting his mind wander.


    His thoughts circled back to the nightmare, piecing together the mysteries surrounding it.


    These ''dreams'' had changed since he became a Seraphim


    Counting from the day of his ascent, he''d only slept four times: once on the same day, once after the test, the third was a brief nap just before the third gathering, and now him of a few seconds ago.


    A trend remained clear between all the times he slept.


    No nightmare tortured him when his slumber was brief.


    He needed to be in deep sleep to experience it.


    That was enough to make him wonder why, but not long, as it made sense in a certain convoluted way.


    Emir needed his brain to rx a slight bit and let its guard down, allowing his corrupted soul to dredge up these scenarios, buried so far below his consciousness.


    And now that he thought about it, he could still recall the string of nightmares he had suffered as a child, back before he understood any of this.


    Especially the first one. He remembered it vividly, too vividly, as if it happened yesterday. It simply nted itself in his mind and never left.


    A version of himself, much older, strangling a baby-his younger self, helpless in his own hands.


    The meaning behind that nightmare no longer mattered; he took no one''s ce; he was simply a subject undergoing an experiment, a victim, even though he didn''t see himself as one.


    What mattered was that it happened directly after he had done the mutation unlock, allowing in the corruption, the eyes of ck.


    Back then, he''d believed those nightmares were random, or perhaps induced by someone, but


    now...


    He knew that ''someone'' was himself.


    ''...It''s all so ridiculous.''


    Just as his past was done flooding through his mind, he opened his eyes again, gazing at the ceiling.


    Something had shifted with this recent nightmare, and though he smiled at the end, epting it all, he didn''t like it one bit.


    The immersion, Lyra''s image, her usations, the way she''d forced him to confront the tiny voices in his mind...


    None of that felt like just a dream. It was too real. Every second he experienced was felt, even now.


    And what he felt most of all was...


    ''No. I better forget it.''


    He shifted slightly, turning his gaze back to her sleeping form.


    That was enough to wake her up.


    Lyra''s eyelids fluttered, her expression gradually shifting as she propped herself up on her elbow.


    She opened her eyes slowly, and after a moment, she looked at him and murmured: "Good morning~."


    "Morning."


    His reply was quieter than usual, but she didn''tment on that, appearing to have something new to report.


    "Nathan sent over the results from Weiss. Want me to send everything?"


    He nodded, already curious about what wasing.


    She smiled, then leaned forward, bringing her forehead to his.


    Emir closed his eyes as their neuralworks shared a connection, the data beginning to stream through.


    He could feel the information slotting into ce, his library-like mind automatically sorting and analyzing each piece.


    But then, something unexpected happened-an electrifying sensation jolted him to


    attention.


    It was a familiar feeling... an all-epassing one.


    Emir had just made his ''sixth step.''


    He had gained a new skill.


    It was a milestone he didn''t expect to cross anytime soon, but it appeared he had underestimated himself.


    (Skills)


    {Close Quarter Combat: Inept Expert, 0% Proficiency.}


    As the hologram before his eyes announced, he had finally entered the next stage.


    His skill level was no longer that of an Advanced CQC specialist, but an Inept Expert one. And the reason for that advancement was simple.


    -


    (Specialized Skills)


    {Quick Draw: 5% Proficiency.}


    Emir had gained a new tab in his status, and within that tab came a new specialized skill called


    Quick Draw.


    That specialized skill was what allowed him to cross the chasm, entering a grade that represented the beginning of true mastery within the Celestial Hierarchy.


    His previous efforts were nearly useless; he was being too greedy.


    Emir needed to be incredible at something specific, and now that he was, whether


    identally or not, everything fell into ce.


    It had awakened in him through his Art, de of the Drowned, and it originated from Weiss''s ability, {Silent Bloom,} the third upgrade of the fourth ability in the de Dancer''s Path.


    He wasn''t at all surprised as to why he had it.


    After all, the prerequisite was that he had to be in a near-death situation, and what was closer than having his head nearly cut off by milliseconds-a moment so intense that his body could


    feel the blow even now.


    Quick Draw wasn''t as powerful as Weiss''s ability of course, not even close, yet it was a significant enhancement to his attack speed, a straight boost that came with no downsides, not taking up space in what remained of his ten ability slots.


    And there was more that he realized.


    Expert wasn''t merely a higher grade; it was a new status entirely, with Inept, Proficient, and True as the three subgrades, each defining a stage in his evolution as a Celestial.


    This wasn''t simply an increase in percentage or raw power; it was a recognition of his ability


    to handlebat on a new level...n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A higher ''step,'' the sixth one.


    But he didn''t think that just because of the new skill.


    His recent experiences had contributed to this leap.


    The dangerous game with Quinn, the unlocking of his seventh ability, the execution of both his ns, the major disaster, and the revtion of the mole in their midst-all of these sesses and many more, hadbined to push him to this point, bringing him closer to the


    next sub-rank.


    Exarch.


    ''Hmm...''


    It seemed Lyra''s previous estimation had been conservative, even though she overestimated


    most factors.


    She previously said that it''d take him a year to cross to the next rank in the Celestial


    Hierarchy, but right now...


    ''Not bad.''


    He believed that it wouldn''t even take him half that time.


    ''Not bad at all.''

 Chapter 494 Iron

    494 Iron


    Emir, still on the bed, sat in a lotus position, eyes closed as he further processed what changed inside his body.


    It all had been a surprise, an unexpected but very wee leap forward.


    He hadn''t felt that sense of aplishment in a while.


    Emir missed the time when advancement was as ''easy'' as breathing...


    Shaking his head, he looked over to Lyra, who was watching him quietly, thoughtful as always.


    "You understand why I leveled up now, don''t you?" She nodded slowly.


    "I do. It wasn''t just about increasing your overall strength... it was about refining something extremely specific."


    "Exactly. I became faster, but not just generally fast. Quick Draw is very targeted, and that''s why it worked. I dare say... I was lucky. If not for Weiss, I imagine we''d be stuck on the previous step for a while."


    He could see her eyes narrow slightly, the gears turning in her mind.


    "Focus on one aspect of your CQC skill. Find a way to turn a single move into a specialized skill."


    She thought about it, her gaze lowering to her hands as if imagining the gauntlets already there.


    "Faster shes, a more precise pierce, maybe... Even if it''s just a tiny improvement, it could make a huge difference."


    "Yeah, if you find one thing, just one, and specialize it to a point where it''s not just an attack but a true skill that you''ve mastered, it''ll push you forward."


    Lyra gave a small nod,pletely agreeing with what he was saying.


    Her mind had already begun thinking of what aspect she was best to focus on, and Emir noticed that, so before she went too deep, he interrupted, wanting to request something of her:


    "By the way, can you¡ª"


    His words suddenly paused in his throat.


    Emir could no longer speak. He felt a tightness in his chest, a pressure that quickly built up, like a flood trying to break through a dam.


    Lyra looked up, noticing his expression.


    "P-prince? Are you alright?"


    Emir tried to answer, but the words wouldn''te out; instead, a strangled noise escaped him.


    His vision blurred, and before he knew it, he let out a scream, raw and agonizing, his hands gripping the edge of the bed.


    Lyra''s eyes instantly widened in panic as she rushed to him, eyes scanning his body for any injuries. "What''s happening?! Talk to me!"


    But, again, he couldn''t answer.


    He gritted his teeth, feeling something shift within him, deeper than muscle or bone.


    Blood began to drip from his nose, then his eyes and ears.


    He could barely see or hear, yet he felt the warmth of Lyra''s hands, her shaking voice pleading with him.


    "Emir, please! What do I do? Just... just breathe! Stay with me!"


    He forced himself to take slow breaths, each one feeling like dragging a truck up a steep hill.


    Through the haze of pain, he managed to meet her eyes.


    "Ly... I''m¡ªthis... Iron." Her face was frozen with worry, but as she repeated hisst word, realization dawned on her. "An advancement?" "Yes. The... the nanobots. They''re restructuring. It''s the next rank... I-Iron."


    Thest word left his mouth in a strangled gasp.


    It was a grueling process, each second feeling worse than thest.


    His body was being reconstructed, but this time, it was more intense than anything he''d felt before.


    The pain he felt when ranking up to Seraphim, the one he imposed on himself using the machine, even the mental pain he felt when he remained in that forsaken maze, or the time he became a virtual cannibal, or when he starved, or even when he saw Mr. yer''s reflection in the ''fog.''


    All of thatbined didn''t evene close to what he was currently feeling.


    Right, Emir wasn''t going through hell on earth, but he was on the deepest floor of hell itself.


    And yet even then, he had somehow managed to keep himself shut, teeth digging into each other.


    ''ENDURE!''


    That one word repeatedly echoed in his mind as he gripped the bed harder, feeling his muscles and bones shift over and over again.


    His entire body was both falling apart and being welded back together at the same time, almost liquefying and then rebuilding itself inyers.


    The nanobots within him were going wild as they worked to enhance every cell, every fiber of his being.


    Lyra was watching him, and he could see the fear in her eyes, her hands trembling.


    She didn''t know if he''d make it through this, but he forced himself to keep breathing, to focus on her face.


    "Lyra... It''s... fine. I''m not... dying."


    "Emir, you''re bleeding from everywhere! How is this fine?"


    "...Heh... not the... first... time."


    He tried to give her a reassuring look, but even his facial muscles felt like they were being stretched, twisted, andpressed.


    So instead, he just kept breathing, feeling the changes happen with every beat of his heart.


    The pain was blinding, and he cursed the world for it, but somewhere in his mind, he med only himself.


    He''d chosen this path after all, knowing full well the price of each step.


    Time passed, and he stayed there, trembling, bleeding, his back caressed by Lyra, though he couldn''t feel it.


    And then, finally, after several hours, the pain began to lessen.


    His muscles settled, the nanobots slowing their activity as the final adjustments were made. His vision cleared, and the sound of his ownbored breaths filled his ears.


    Emir opened his eyes fully and saw Lyra, her hand gripping his shoulder, her face inches from his.


    "...Emir?" He took a deep breath, letting thest remnants of pain fade away, and this time, he managed a faint smile. "I''m... okay. It''s done."


    Lyra''s expression shifted from panic to cautious relief.


    "You really scared me. I thought... I thought I was about to lose you."


    He shook his head, still catching his breath.


    "Not today." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He tried tough, but it came out as a weak cough.


    "But... thank you."


    She gave a small, hesitant nod.


    "So... Iron rank now, huh?"


    "Yeah..."


    They sat in silence for a moment, both letting the intensity of what had just happened settle in. And then, as if nothing happened, Lyra slowly asked:


    "What were you about to say?


    "Oh..."


    Emir stood up from the bloody bed. "Was just gonna ask you to update my status."


    She closed her eyes for a short moment, then gestured for the bathroom with her chin.


    "I sent it, but go wash up first. I fear you''ll hit yourself if you look in the mirror."


    He chuckled at her words.


    "Sure thing, Ly."

 Chapter 495 Hospital Visit

    495 Hospital Visit


    As Emir closed the door behind him and entered the bathroom, Lyra crossed her arms and leaned back against the bed''s headboard.


    "I just hope we''re ready for what''sing. If... if this was Iron, I can''t imagine what the next rank''s going to feel like."


    Meanwhile, the man behind her worry was rxed, seemingly carefree as he stood under the shower, washing off the blood painting his skin. His well-shaped muscles flexed and rxed as he repeatedly rubbed every part of his body, covering himself in foamy soap.


    Yet even through that, one could see an obvious change in his physique. Emir undoubtedly was a muscle-bound man, not to the level of drug-abusing bodybuilders, but a few levels under. It was a body that was both extremely muscr and agile, a perfect mix of both.


    But now, his muscles hadpressed even further than they already were, giving his body a slightly tighter frame. His abs, which could previously cut steel, could now cut diamonds. Literally.


    Instead of appearing less threatening, it was the opposite; now his muscles were bursting with strength, even when rxed.


    It was as if his entire body was bing a weapon.


    And his status screen showed that.


    ¡ª {Name: Emir Oliver}


    {Body Age: 15}


    {Profession: Professor}


    {Celestial ss: Ethereal Threader}


    {Celestial Essence: Weaver''s Grasp}


    {Path: Puppeteer.}


    {Credit Bnce: 430 Valora}


    ? Stats ?


    {Strength: 14,510 -> 20,390} (Avg B+)


    {Agility: 12,860 -> 18,640} (Avg B)


    {Endurance: 17,230 -> 21,520} (Avg B+)


    {Mind: SS -> SS+} (Avg C+)


    {Charm: A -> A+} (Avg C+)


    {Overall Augmented Strength Level: E10}


    ?Aspects?


    {Weaver''s Veil: The Weaver''s Veil Aspect grants the user the ability to manipte and infuse Aether with finesse, weaving patterns to create powerful effects.}


    {Aerialis: Aerialis is an Aspect that focuses on harnessing Aether to elevate the user''s physical abilities to extraordinary levels, granting them immense strength, agility, and aerial dominance.}


    {Celestia''s Hand: Celestia''s Hand is an Aspect that enables the user to create Aether constructs.}


    ?Embodiment Method?


    {Puppeteer: Someone who tries to be in control. Someone who weaves people and events into ce with their threads. Someone with a w. If one of their strings gets cut loose or if their puppets are positioned incorrectly, they experience bacsh, depending on the severity of the mistake.}


    ?Skills?


    {Close Quarter Combat: Inept Expert, 0% Proficiency.}


    {Marksmanship: Advanced, 99% Proficiency.}


    ?Specialized Skills?


    {Quick Draw: 5% Proficiency.}


    ?Abilities?


    {Temporal Perception}


    Slows down the user''s perception of time, every second is slowed down to 0.1 seconds.


    In absolute focus, the user could slow down time to a millisecond.


    Current Total Use Limit: 21 Minutes 10 seconds.


    Mental Energy Recharge Time: 4 Minutes 15 seconds.


    Energy recharge rate: 4.18 seconds per minute of use.


    {Sensory Enhancement}


    The user''s neuralwork was upgraded.


    Allows the user to enhance their five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) beyond human limitations.


    {Aetheric des: The ability to channel Aether into des, creating des coated with pure energy that can slice through nearly any material.} ?


    {Aether st: The ability to channel Aether into a single, devastating shot that deals massive damage to a single target.} ?


    {Aetheric Shield: The ability to channel Aether to create a shield that protects the user from iing attacks.} ?


    {Gates of Eternity: The ability to use Celestia''s Hand Aspect to sculpt and shape Aether. The user can mold the raw essence of Aether intoplex and detailed constructs, imbuing them with power.} ?


    {sh Step: The ability to leap incredible distances in a single step.} ?


    {Aether Overdrive: This ability temporarily pushes the user''s Aether reserves beyond their limits, significantly increasing the user''s power and speed for a short period of time.} ?


    {Death''s Shadow: This ability causes the user''s eyes to darken like an abyss, projecting a potent illusion of the opponent''s unending demise. This chilling vision can paralyze the target in fear, rendering them vulnerable inbat, regardless of their willpower. Only truly effective against Celestials lower than the user''s rank by two sub-ranks.}?


    ?Art?


    ?Passive Abilities?


    {Eyes Of The Author: It enables the user to glimpse at the Scripts.} The ability is tethered to the user through the soul in the form of a Soul Glyph. ?Art?


    {Strength Cultivation}


    The user cultivates strength by slowly reconstructing andpressing their body, allowing further absorption and possession of Aether without harming the user''s body, while also increasing their strength.


    Current Cultivation Rank: Iron


    {de Of The Drowned}


    While in a critical state in the heat of battle, the user will be able toprehend their enemies'' Abilities, slowly absorbing them into their arsenal. The resulting Skills will differ from the original, matching the fluidity of forgotten seas and the lows of the deep.


    ?Equipment?


    {Aetherstorm Launcher: Peak Maintenance}


    {Maelstrom Minigun: Peak Maintenance}


    {Vindicator Assault Rifle: Peak Maintenance}


    {SS-Ranked Twin Swords: Peak Maintenance}


    {Terminal: Standard Issue}


    {Information Gathering Device: SS-Rank Item}


    ?Vehicles?


    {Bike, ze Runner: Functional}


    {Bike, ze Runner Z5: Functional} X2


    {Mech, Royal Panzer-D: Functional} X6 ?Inventory?


    {One Aether Core From Six/Seven Core Tyrant: Pure}


    {100 Million UC Old-world Medicine: Max capacity]


    {Stim Energy Packs (Max Capacity): Functional.}


    ¡ª Emir''s smile brightened as he gave it another look over. Everything wasing together quite nicely...


    Now he only needed to find a weapon he would stick with.


    After all, it was in obvious by now that he could not keep up switching between weapons. He needed to stick to one if he ever wanted to continue advancing on the Expert grade.


    The only question was... what weapon?


    That would take a long time to figure out.


    If he was a mortal, the choice would''ve been obvious.


    The King of Melee Combat, the spear.


    But unfortunately, or rather fortunately, he was a Celestial of "importance," and his kind operated on different terms.


    What was king wasn''t anymore.


    It all had be a bit more contested as the user was what mattered most, not the tool. That was why he never really stuck to one weapon; weapons were just instruments to him, ones that he would use where they excelled and ignore for others when the situation demanded it.


    So even though he recognized the spear''s superiority, he never focused on it too much. His fighting style simply didn''t fit with how a spear user moved; moreover, itsrge size was an issue.


    ...


    As he walked through the quiet corridors, the asional nurse or patient gave him a wide berth; some offered him respectful nods while others flinched.


    Though he wore his sunsses, it didn''t keep them from fearing him.


    His recent increase in strength made it a bit harder to control his presence. Once he reached the right room, he pushed open the door only to find Aqu propped up on the bed, scrolling through his terminal like a dopamine junkie.


    ''And here I thought he''d be moping.''


    Chuckling, Emir entered the room, making Aqu look up, amusement creeping into his once bored expression.


    "Well, look who finally decided to show up."


    He raised an eyebrow as he looked over Emir''s fully healed arm.


    "Huh... I watched the speech, thought it was fake, but I guess I''m wrong."


    Emir smirked, holding up his arm.


    "And here I thought you''d be out of here already."


    Aqu let out a chuckle, though it quickly turned into a wince as he clutched his chest, just above his second heart.


    "Yeah, well, not everyone''s got that insane recovery rate you seem to have. One minute you''re getting your arm torn off, and the next, you''re back in action looking like nothing happened."


    He shook his head in disbelief.


    "Meanwhile, I''m still here, probably fucking staying for a few more days."


    Emir settled into the chair beside Aqu''s bed.


    "Too bad~... now tell me what''s up."


    09:50


    "The other guys have been busy holding everything together; even the German and Russian bastards picked up the ck."


    Emir chuckled.


    "I can imagine why."


    Aqu nodded, leaning back on his pillow.


    "Yeah. Solid guys, but damn, they''re high-maintenance. You''ve seen the bastards; they barely break a sweat in the field, right? But now they don''t go one hour without calling me."


    He threw away his terminal.


    "Especially Kremlin. Sometimes he makes believe that he''s actually retarded. He''s got this insane superstition about drinking a ss of some ancient, radiated whiskey after a fight. ims it was his first relic."


    Emir snickered.


    "That''s rich; you''d think someone his rank would''ve moved on from victory charms by now."


    "Right? But hey, it seems to work for him."


    Aqu adjusted himself, wincing slightly as he shifted his injured side, then continued:


    "Then there''s Phoenix... She''s got her group running on precision drills twenty-four-seven. Apparently, she''s been doubling down since¡­ well, you know."


    He paused, eyes downcast for a moment.


    "Maharajah''s death." Aqu thanked him with a gesture.


    "Yeah. His death really shook things up, especially for her."


    Emir''s expression turned serious.


    "How bad we talking?"


    "Terribly bad. She''s acting like she''s got this under control, but she''s not the same, not even close¡ªcan''t even go five minutes without pushing some idea that would''ve saved his life."


    Aqu sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.


    "Thing is, Maharajah¡­ He was one of the good ones. You know the type. Sadly for us, that doubles the guilt Phoenix feels."


    Emir nodded, not offering any words offort.


    This wasn''t his ce to speak, nor did he care enough to do so in the first ce. They both knew that, as he didn''t even bother asking to attend the man''s funeral.


    "Funny thing is..."


    Aqu nced at him, a bit of humor returning to his voice.


    "Even Khari''s feeling it. She''d never admit it, but I think she''s softened up on her group just a tad¡ªshe knows this is hitting everyone hard, even if she''d rather drop dead than say it out loud."


    Emir raised a brow.


    "Khari? Softening up? That sadistic bitch? Now that''s newsworthy."


    "I know, right?" N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aquughed, and Emir joined him.


    "She''ll go right back to her normal shtick as soon as she thinks everyone''s back on their feet, I guarantee it. For now, though, it''s like she''s biting her tongue on every little screw-up."


    They both shared a quiet moment, theughter fading.


    "Oh..."


    Aqu uttered uncountably, his face growing more serious.


    "And speaking of Maharajah¡­ the one who killed him¡ªJudas."


    He looked at Emir with eyes that spoke of nothing but death.


    "That bastard... he was a professor too, wasn''t he?"


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