《Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!》 Chapter 1 Awakening Talent "Listen up, students!""This test will decide your future. Fail, and you can kiss your dreams goodbye." "So don''t let me down. Give it your all! You got that?!" "Sir, yes Sir!" In the middle of a huge park, a tough-looking instructor in a crisp soldier uniform stared at the quiet students in front of him. They were the class 12 Year 3 students of No.3 High School . The students gazed at the floating cube moving in the center of the park. Their faces showed different feelings. Some fidgeted nervously, scared they might fail and ruin their dreams. Most looked excited and hopeful about their future. Among them, one student seemed unbothered, like he didn''t care about his future at all. Vincent Magnus, 17 years old now, but 27 just a few weeks ago. Back on Earth, he was just another struggling young adult. Life was tough. With only a high school diploma, he had to work multiple jobs just to get by. That''s right! But everything changed for him three weeks ago. His damn curiosity got him sent to this weird world. He was walking home when he saw a cat playing with a glowing marble on the street. Even though he knew ''curiosity killed the cat'', he still took the marble. Then, like some magic trick, a bright light swallowed him up. He vanished from Earth without a trace. Next thing he knew, he was in the body of some random guy who happened to have the same name as him. (a/n: Let it be) At first, he thought he''d traveled back in time, seeing how young he looked. But man, he was wrong! And not just a little wrong - he was dead wrong about time travel or ending up in some modern parallel world. He soon found out he''d landed in a place way more high-tech than Earth! But that wasn''t even the craziest part! This world¡ªAstrum, was too digital! A world connected to countless stars, realms, galaxies and space stuff! And the big boss system¡ªStarmark, ran the whole universe! That meant all the big shots and powerful beings were under Starmark''s rule and watchful eye. With the world linked to so many stars, galaxies, and realms, Astrum was no peaceful fantasy land. Men and women under 17 had to train for wars. At 18, they had to go to a special place called the Origin World. The Origin World was a crazy place full of different powers and races. It was like a huge arena where all smart life from the universe fought over resources and power. But not everyone could enter the Origin World. You needed a special key to get in. And today was the big day for Year 3 Class 12 of No.3 High School ! They were going to the Source Cube, that floating mechanical cube in front of them, to awaken their Origin Power! Suddenly, a figure appeared, floating in the air in front of the Source Cube! "Isn''t that our District Leader?!" "You''re right! That''s our very own District Leader Leo!" "He''s scary¡­ is this what an Origin Warrior feels like?" The man who just showed up, with a serious face, was the big shot of their district, Leo Blaire! Vincent had learned about this guy during his three weeks of research. Leo Blaire was a huge deal, a hero to many young people in their district. Before becoming a famous and powerful Origin Warrior, he was just a poor orphan living on government support. He had it rough, but on his awakening day, he got his origin power and C-rank talent! C - rank talent: Flame Synergy! With the power to use fire and make his body stronger with it, he started climbing the ranks. That''s how he became a role model for many students, especially those struggling in life. Then, Leo spoke. "Listen up, students of No. 3 High School ! Today''s the start of a new chapter in your lives!" "I know how you all feel today, I''ve been there! I just want to remind you that no matter what happens today, whether you awaken or fail, I hope you''ll still support your family, the young and old, our district and our world!" "We might not be the strongest compared to other races, but we''re tough! We adapt fast! We''re survivors! And we''ll keep surviving for ages to come! We are humans!" "Now, let the awakening begin!" As the students'' blood pumped with Leo''s words, the start of the awakening snapped them out of their daydreams! "ID no. 02783-672, step forward!" The called student stepped up and touched the Source Cube. A minute later, nothing happened. The instructor finally said, "Failed, next!" As harsh as it sounded, the student had no choice but to accept it. The next student came up. "Failed, next!" "Listen, move aside and go back to your room after your result!" "Next!" "Failed!" As time passed, Vincent could see the students'' faces changing. It had been a while, but still no one had awakened their Origin Power! If he was really a teenager and hadn''t faced the harsh realities of life, he might be like them - a bit worried, but probably too optimistic! He once thought he was the main character of the world when he graduated and started making money! He wondered where he got the guts to be that hopeful! Right now, all he could think about was how to use his experience and plan for the future if he failed to awaken. "I could always mooch off someone if things get really bad¡­" he thought. Just then, someone he knew stepped up to the Source Cube. It was Greg Malcolm! Coming from an Origin Warrior family, he had some pull in the school. But he was better known as one of the school bullies. Though Vincent hadn''t run into this bully, he didn''t like him. Three weeks was enough for Vincent to label Greg as a typical bad guy! He''d read thousands of novels in his boring past life, so he knew exactly what kind of character to avoid in this world. "Guess you can''t fix stupid," he thought. "Haha, it''s my turn! Out of my way! I''m finally gonna be an Origin Warrior like my brother!" Greg shoved the shocked student aside, making them fall. The instructor didn''t react to Greg''s behavior. It was clear he was ignoring what Greg did. "Enough, just touch the Source Cube for a minute!" Vincent gave the Instructor a quick look before turning away. This just reminded him what kind of world he was in! A world where strength and influence matter! If you''re poor and weak, your future''s worse than an animal''s! Vincent became more determined to reach his goal. He had to get stronger! Stronger than anyone else! If not, then at least smart and rich! He''d do whatever it takes! He''d struggled back on Earth, he didn''t give up then and he won''t give up now! While lost in thought. "Will Greg awaken his Origin Power?" "Are you doubting our Boss''s potential? He has an Origin Warrior brother, his father was a powerful Origin Warrior too! Boss Greg''s been eating and drinking special stuff! If he can''t awaken his Origin Power, then none of us will!" "I-I''m just talking nonsense, ignore me." "Hmph, you better watch carefully!" Just then, the Source Cube started glowing faintly. "H-Hey, something''s happening! The Source Cube is lighting up!" "Is this awakening¡­ Is Greg gonna be an origin warrior?" "Haha, see? I told you! Our boss is gonna awaken too!" The Instructor''s eyes widened a bit. As the Source Cube''s light faded, a faint shower of light covered Greg''s body. "Hahaha, I''ve finally awakened my Origin Power! Who can beat me now?!" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The instructor quickly went to Greg. "Congratulations, Greg! You''re truly a dragon among men! Your future is limitless!" "Haha, you''re too kind Instructor Pen!" "I''m just stating facts. Can you show us what talent you awakened?" Hearing this, Greg smiled smugly and held out his hand. A visual interface appeared above it. [D-Rank Talent: Fire Element Ability] "A D-Rank talent! That''s great! Congratulations Young District Leader Greg!" The Instructor became even more respectful as he addressed Greg. He knew how important this talent was. It wasn''t far from the C-Rank talent of their District Leader who ruled over tens of thousands of people! Suddenly, a figure appeared above Greg and the instructor. It was Leo Blaire! Leo''s face was still serious, but his eyes sparkled a bit. "Congratulations on awakening. Your talent is good. I can recommend you to the Flame Tower Guild if you''d like to join." "Are you inviting me to your guild, District Leader Leo?" Greg''s voice got louder, clearly excited by the offer. "I can''t promise anything, but I can recommend you." "That''s enough! With my talent, I''m sure they''ll take me!" Leo frowned slightly before shaking his head, thinking it was just a young person''s overconfidence! "You can go back to your classroom or stay here if you want. Go on, continue the awakening." Leo flew up again and stood with his eyes closed after ordering the Instructor. "How unfair this world is¡­ the bully gets powerful while we weak ones stay weak forever.." "We should leave this school and find work in another district, that bully will be even worse now!" "Shh, keep it down. He''s awakened now, he might hear you!" Vincent heard the talk of those who failed to awaken and were bullied by Greg. He also started wondering how cruel this world could be. Soon, his ID number was called. "ID No. 09051-997, step forward!" His heart raced as he stepped up, feeling everyone''s eyes on him. Following the Instructor''s directions, Vincent touched the floating Source Cube. The moment his hand touched it, he felt warm energy flowing through his body. He thought it would be cold at first. 30 seconds later, still nothing happened. The instructor, looking at the timer on his holographic screen, thought it was another failure seeing no reaction. "This batch might have the worst potential of all," he thought. Vincent, still waiting for something to happen, felt more and more disappointed. Even though he wasn''t too hopeful and had set low expectations, he couldn''t help feeling let down. "Looks like I''m not meant to be the Main Character in this world either." The moment he thought that, something changed. The quiet Source Cube started to vibrate. At first, it was subtle, but soon even the ground began to shake. "What''s going on?" "An earthquake now?" "W-Wait, look! The Source Cube is shaking!" "Huh?" Even the Instructor was surprised by the sudden earthquake. Then, a bright light shot out of the Source Cube and pierced the sky. The students, Instructor, and even Leo were shocked. They''d never seen an awakening like this before! Soon, Vincent felt like he was soaking in a hot spring as the light seeped into his body! [Congratulations to the Host on awakening Origin Power! Talent Awakened: C rank - Origin Power Enhancement! SSS rank - 10,000x Exp Converter!] Talent Details: Origin Power Enhancement - increase the total value of Origin Power by 30% 10,000x Exp Converter - receive ten thousand multiplication experience points upon killing lifeforms. Experience points can be converted to different subjects. SSS rank talent skill options: ¡ñ Upgrade to Next Level ¡ñ Upgrade Skills Quality ¡ñ Upgrade Skills Proficiency ¡ñ Upgrade Items Quality ¡ñ Upgrade Items Quantity "Whoa¡­ what the hell is this broken talent?" Chapter 2 Marina [Name: Vincent Magnus]Rank: Tier 0 Origin Power: 1300/1300 (a/n: mana) Force: 1 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 1 (Overall affects the agility and reaction speed) Mental: 1 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (a/n: 1 is average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) Talents: ¡ñ C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS - Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter Are these my personal attributes? Vincent couldn''t believe his eyes. Was this his cheat ability for transmigrating? As cliche as it seemed, he was thrilled! He could check his stats without a device, and he had two talents! A C-Rank talent comparable to a District Leader, and an unheard-of Triple S rank talent! In his 17 years, Vincent had never known anyone with an SSS rank talent. Even if someone had one and kept it secret, it didn''t change the fact that his future was limitless! I might have endless potential, but I''m still weak. I can''t let anyone know about my talent! "He actually awakened!" "Who is he?" "He''s in our class! He never talked to anyone. We thought he had no hope, but he awakened¡­" Among the shocked faces, Greg was fuming. He felt like his spotlight had been stolen. The instructor approached Vincent. "Congratulations on your successful awakening, student Vincent Magnus!" "Thank you, Instructor," Vincent replied calmly, his face unchanging. He''d expected the change in the Instructor''s attitude now that he''d awakened. The Instructor, unfazed by the short response, smiled and asked, "Can you show us what Talent you awakened?" Vincent''s expression remained neutral. He knew it was mandatory to reveal his awakened talent, so he''d already decided which one to show. He held out his hand, and a hologram interface appeared. "C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement?!" the Instructor exclaimed. "What? A C rank talent?" "He awakened a higher rank than Greg, who''s from an Origin Warrior Family?" "Is this the start of a new legend in our district?" The students buzzed with excitement. High above, Leo frowned. Something felt off. He had a C-rank talent too, but his awakening was different from Vincent''s. Despite his suspicion, Leo was happy. It was good news for the district. Vincent looked up, watching District Leader Leo descend slowly. "Congratulations on awakening, Young Hero." Leo said. "Thank you, District Leader Leo, but I don''t deserve that title." "Don''t be modest. Our talent ranks might be the same, but your talent has a brighter future than mine." The Instructor gaped in surprise. "What do you mean, District Leader?" Vincent stood calmly, curious about Leo''s words. "Origin Power is the key to the Origin World. It''s the life force of everything there. It''s also called mana, powering all lifeforms in the Origin World. With Origin Power, you can use skills and techniques. Vincent''s Talent lets him increase his Origin Power and attack strength." Leo explained. Vincent was enlightened. He hadn''t known his talent could do so much. "Thank you for teaching me, sir." "Don''t mention it." Vincent felt uneasy as the District Leader gaze lingered on him. "Is there something else, District Leader?" Leo paused, thinking. "Would you like to consider joining my Flame Tower guild?" Vincent was about to refuse, but Leo quickly added, "Don''t say no yet. I know your talent doesn''t match our guild, but we have a special spot for someone like you. You can skip the assessment. I want to recruit you directly." "We''ll help you start in the Origin World. You''ll get 2 million astrum credits yearly, a villa in the 10th District, and skills and armaments for your rank to boost your strength. Think about it." Vincent fell silent. The offer was tempting. He only got a few hundred credits monthly from his student support. The villa in the 10th District was surprising too. He was currently renting a house in the 12th District. From what he knew, they lived in a huge Ark with 12 Districts. The 12th District was on the edge, prone to monster attacks and crime. Moving to a safer district was appealing! But what tempted him most were the promised skills and armaments. These were vital for Origin Warriors, especially beginners like him. Skills and armaments weren''t sold openly. You had to use special trade routes, and they were incredibly expensive. Even the lowest-ranked skills or gear were hard to afford. As tempting as it was, Vincent didn''t agree right away. He only knew a bit about the Origin World. He knew there had to be a catch. Nothing in life was free. Even death could be demanding. "Thank you, District Leader. I''ll think about it carefully." Leo nodded, not pushing for an answer. "No pressure. Just focus on preparing for the Origin World. Use your new awakener credits wisely to buy things that''ll help you survive there." "I understand." "Good. You can go prepare on your own now." "Yes. I''ll take my leave then, Instructor Pen, District Leader." Vincent quickly left the awakening center, feeling the mixed gazes of the students on his back. Greg glared at Vincent, fuming. He couldn''t believe a nobody had stolen his thunder! Vincent Magnus! You''ll pay for humiliating me! "Find me everything about that brat." Greg hissed. ---------------- Vincent didn''t go home. He took a hover taxi, run by AI. Neon skyscrapers blurred past as he traveled. Minutes later, the taxi door opened, and Vincent stepped out in front of a towering building. Origin Warrior Association. It was just a branch in District 12, but it showed the association''s power and influence. Two 3-meter tall mechanical guards stood at the glass entrance. They looked like Transformers from Earth, painted dark green. Vincent entered, and blue lights scanned his body. The red caution hologram disappeared. You may enter, a voice said from nowhere. He followed the red carpet to a spacious lounge and went straight to the information counter, where a beautiful woman in professional attire sat. "How can I help you?" she asked. "I just awakened. I want to register and get my rewards." "Of course. Please fill this out, and someone will guide you to the registration office." She waved her hand, tossing a hologram screen to Vincent. He quickly filled in his name, student ID, and age, then pressed the ''O'' symbol. "Little 13, please guide Mr. Magnus to the registration office," the woman called out. A floating monochrome robot with ''13'' written on it appeared. In a small, girly voice, it said, "Mr. Magnus, this way please." Vincent silently followed Little 13 for a few minutes until they reached the registration office. He saw other young people his age seated in rows of chairs. He took a digital token with the number 24. Half an hour later, his number was called. He entered a room and saw a red-haired woman in professional attire sitting behind a glass screen. "Hello, Mr. Vincent Magnus. Please sit down." "Thank you." "You''re here to register as an awakener and claim your district rewards, right?" Vincent nodded. "Alright, please put your hand in this hole. I need to confirm your awakening." Vincent frowned. "Will that show all my awakened talent data?" "Don''t worry. This device just scans to confirm you''ve awakened. You had to reveal your talent name and rank at the awakening center, but everyone has the right to keep the specific effects private," she explained professionally, used to such questions. Convinced, Vincent put his arm in the hole and felt a sting on his wrist. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Vincent Magnus. You''re now officially listed as an awakened Origin Warrior of District 12. You''ll receive fifty thousand credits, access to Astrum Origin Hub, a basic origin power meditation guide, and a basic origin power movement guide," she said. "We''ve sent the credits to your bank account and the guides to your Astrum Origin Hub email. Log in with this.." She handed him a visual ID card with his name, photo, Origin Warrior number, and rank (zero). "This is your Origin Warrior License. Don''t lose it, or you''ll be penalized. Don''t try to make fake copies either, or you''ll be severely punished. We can revoke your registration if you do that. I''ve emailed you the rules for registered Origin Warriors. Please read them," she explained carefully. "Is there anything else I can help with?" "Yes, where can I learn the basics about the Origin World," Vincent asked. "You can easily find that on Astrum Origin Hub." "I see. Thank you." "No problem. Anything else?" "No, that''s all." "Great. Please give me a second of your time to rate your registration experience." Satisfied with the quick process, Vincent gave five stars on the hologram screen and left the Origin Warrior Association. He called a hover taxi home. He had a lot to prepare and research about his Awakened Talents, especially the SSS rank one! After more than half an hour, the view outside the taxi became more urban. Though the world was high-tech, some areas lagged behind. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As night fell, Vincent arrived home. He scanned his fingerprint to pay the taxi. His rented house was a three-story building, huge for one person. He used his fingerprint to unlock the door, and gem-like bulbs on the walls lit up the room. As soon as he opened the door, a young voice called from inside. "Is that you, brother?" In the living room, Vincent saw his younger sister, Marina, wearing a thin white dress. She sat on the sofa, sipping soda and watching a huge holographic screen showing a handsome man. "Watching that drama again?" Vincent asked. "What''s wrong? Jealous that I''m watching a handsome man other than my pervert brother?" Marina teased, bending her neck to look at him from the edge of the sofa with a smirk. Her wet black hair swayed behind the sofa, her dress revealing the cleave of her growing chest. Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Vincent''s. Her oval-shaped face was graced with fair, light skin that seemed to glow under the room''s soft light. Her eyebrows, perfectly arched, framed eyes that mirrored Vincent''s in their captivating purple hue. Long, sweeping eyelashes added depth to her gaze, enhancing the allure of her eyes. Her nose, small yet elegantly pointed, complemented her delicate features. Her lips, though thin, were plump and invitingly red, reminiscent of ripe cherries. Vincent, now accustomed to his newfound little sister''s behavior, ignored her teasing and asked, "Where is Sister Amara?" Sister Amara was the actual owner of this three-story building. Vincent and Marina merely rented two rooms. "Hmph, you''re ignoring your sister and asking about another woman instead!" Marina huffed indignantly. Vincent could only face-palm in response. Initially, he had been overjoyed to discover he had a sister in this world, having been without family back on Earth. Now, however, he was beginning to have second thoughts. With a sigh of resignation, he gently pinched both of Marina''s cheeks. "Alright, alright. Brother is sorry for ignoring the little princess," he conceded. Though slightly miffed, Marina couldn''t help but smile happily at the attention. At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. "Oh, you''re here, little Vincent," a feminine voice called out. Still pinching Marina''s cheeks, Vincent turned around. His eyes fell upon a short-haired woman standing at an impressive 170 cm. She was clad in a fitted gray sleeveless tank top that accentuated her curves, paired with form-fitting shorts that showcased her long, toned legs. Her alluring appearance was further enhanced by the casual way she held a beer in one hand, exuding an air of confidence and relaxation. "Sister Amara..." Vincent breathed, his eyes inadvertently drawn to her captivating presence. Chapter 3 Astrum Origin Hub "Brother¡­""Aren''t you staring at sister Amara too much?" Vincent suddenly shivered, feeling a chill down his spine. He slowly turned around to face his younger sister, Marina, who wore a dark and disappointed expression. "I''m not. You''re imagining things," he said simply before changing the subject. "Go wash your hands and let''s have dinner. I have something to tell you later." Still annoyed, Marina left to wash her hands. Vincent then faced Amara, who had messy bed-hair. "You''re drinking again, Sister Amara." "Oh, come on, little brat. Are you my father? Let me be," she casually responded before jumping on the couch. She spread her legs in a comfortable position and took a sip of her beer. "Fuah! That hit the spot!" she exclaimed. "Did you even eat before drinking?" he asked as he walked to the kitchen, heading towards a rectangular black screen mounted on the wall. "You know the answer to your question. Just go prepare dinner for us!" Tap! The moment he touched the black screen, it became transparent, revealing what was behind it: a fridge. "What do we have here¡­ Skinless chicken breast and some vegetables. I guess this will do¡­" In this house, Vincent was the only person who could make a proper meal. Having lived by himself before, it was natural for him to learn how to cook. Despite being 26 years old, Amara had no talent for cooking. Once, she made a meal for them, but Vincent had diarrhea for two days afterward. He vowed never to let her cook again. Although she lacked cooking skills, Vincent was grateful to Amara. Three years ago, when their parents suddenly went missing on a trip, they had no idea what to do. With no money to pay rent for their previous place, Amara, who was living alone, took them in. Amara actually had no connection to them; she just encountered them one night in a park while she was drunk, heading back to her house. Three years ago, Vincent was only 14, while his younger sister Marina was 13 years old at the time. To pay for rent, Vincent was tasked with cooking for her, doing laundry, and other household chores. Even after living with her for three years, he still had no idea about the background of this mysterious drunkard. Nevertheless, they were grateful to her. Twenty minutes later, Vincent made a chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables and rice. "Dinner is ready!" he called out as the food''s aroma filled the dining room. "Woah, it smells good!" Marina was the first to arrive, followed by Amara, who had already finished her beer. "Come on, let''s dig in!" Amara''s eyes shone as she stared at the food on the table. Her previous laziness was nowhere to be found. "These foodies¡­" Vincent thought. Although he wore a wry smile, Vincent was inwardly glad that someone actually enjoyed his cooking. His three weeks in Astrum had been quite an experience. He was able to accept his situation unusually easily. After eating, the two foodies let out sighs of satisfaction. Their stomachs were visibly bulging, obviously full. As Vincent cleaned the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher, the satisfied Amara suddenly inquired, "By the way, how did it go?" Hearing this, Marina also looked at her brother. She knew what Amara meant: the awakening! She was also curious about her brother''s results but didn''t dare to ask him, afraid that he might have failed and that it would hurt his feelings. "Well, about that¡­" Vincent didn''t immediately answer the question. He paused and stared at them, making them assume he had failed. Marina''s eyes darted left and right, unsure what to say. Making up her mind, she crossed her arms over her chest. "It doesn''t matter even if you failed to awaken. I''ll be awakening myself next year. I''ll be the one taking care of you!" The usually aloof and lazy Amara also chimed in. "That''s right, you can just continue living here and do the house chores." Vincent''s forehead twitched. Even though their intentions were out of concern, their choice of words sounded annoying. "Why would you assume I would fail?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If you didn''t fail, then¡­ did you successfully awaken?" Vincent stared at his young sister. "What? Just tell me already!" she demanded in annoyance. He eventually broke into a smile before nodding. Seeing him nod, Marina gaped, her eyes widening. Amara, on the other hand, raised her eyebrows. "Are you for real?" Vincent simply held out his hand, showing them the C-rank talent. "That''s great! Congratulations, brother!" Marina pounced and hugged him, obviously happy for him. "Congratulations, little Vincent," Amara smiled, genuinely glad for the siblings. "I can''t keep calling you ''little'' from now on. You''re grown up now¡­" Shaking her head, she added, "It doesn''t matter. You''ll still be adorable little Vincent in my eyes." Vincent could only offer a wry smile. "So, what''s your plan now, brother? It''s still August. You still have 2 weeks before September and your birthday," Marina asked. "Don''t worry about that. I already have a plan in mind." "Alright, if you need my help, just let me know," Marina claimed as she flexed her quite toned muscles. "Now, now, Little Rina, let your brother go and have a rest. You should also sleep early; you have school tomorrow. Don''t you dare be late again. I don''t want to talk to your Instructor again," Amara said, shaking her head. "Hmph! That was just once!" Although reluctant, Marina still agreed. On the third floor, finally alone in his room, Vincent took a flat screen device from his pocket. After tapping it, a hollow virtual screen appeared. He quickly visited the Astrum Origin hub. He logged in using his Origin Warrior License numbers. Soon, the ten-inch hologram screen widened, and a few more hologram screens surrounded him. As he scrolled through the hub, he finally saw a thread post titled ''Beginners Guide to Origin World''. It was posted by a user named ''Tata Lino''. He saw other thread posts by the same username but decided to read this one first. The Origin World was a vast, endless expanse. It was like a universe inside a universe. Monsters, races, extraterrestrials, experts, powerhouses, etc., were all over the Origin World. To enter, one had to use Origin Power to tap into their consciousness and enter the Origin World. By spending spiritual force, one could stay in the Origin World. Spiritual Force is a power that grows as the warrior climbs in rank. For his rank, Tier 0, Vincent could only stay in the Origin World for 48 hours. To be specific, Origin World''s time was twice that of reality. So, 24 hours of reality was 48 hours in the Origin World. The Origin World also had a rule that one could not simply leave the world as they wished. One had to wait for their time to run out or use an expensive escape item to leave the Origin World. It also had a rule that once you died in the Origin World, you wouldn''t be able to enter it again, essentially ending and cutting off one''s endless potential. Even with that risk, going to the Origin World had many benefits. As long as they survived in the Origin World, they could take everything they had back to reality! It was a world with countless resources! As an Origin Warrior, it was very important to explore the Origin World since the resources in the real world were already scarce. "I have to carefully prepare and thoroughly plan my way in the Origin World¡­" Vincent thought to himself. He knew the rewards and dangers the Origin World could bring to him. He continued reading through the hub, learning about key locations, influential powerhouses, and the rules within these key locations. After learning all of this, he checked his email and read through the rules and regulations for registered Origin Warriors. His attention then landed on the two Guides in his email: Basic Origin Meditation Guide and Basic Origin Movement Guide! He skimmed through them. The meditation method was a guide on how to easily enter meditation, directing the origin power to train mental power. The movement guide was just a basic movement method using Origin Power. Although both were basic and the lowest-rank skill books, they were very important not just to him but to all newbies as well. They would improve his overall survival ability. The meditation guide to train mental power was vital since there were many monsters in the Origin World that had higher mental power than humans. Furthermore, experts had powerful mental abilities. Just being in the presence of an expert with significantly higher mental powers could make someone faint. The importance of the movement guide lay in speed and escape movements, vital for survival. Therefore, there were huge red warning letters at the end of the guides regarding confidentiality. It was illegal to make a copy and sell it for personal gain. Since he was in his room, Vincent decided to try the meditation guide first. He took a lotus position, sat, and closed his eyes in the middle of his bed. He concentrated, clearing his thoughts. The guide said he had to empty his mind first. This was the hardest step, according to the guide. However, when he closed his eyes and focused for a moment, he felt something warm inside him, triggered, which instantly cleared his mind. Soon, specks of white light began to appear around him before gathering in his body. +0.1 Exp! +0.1 Exp! Notifications continued as he controlled the warm energy into the pattern according to the guide. +0.1 Exp! +0.1 Exp! Thirty minutes later, he woke up and summoned his personal attributes with a thought, focusing on certain data. [Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 0 (180/2600 Exp) "I''m improving? Isn''t it said it was only to train my mental power?" He had no idea what was happening, but he was thrilled to discover that it could help him improve. Not wasting any more time, he began meditating again! He continued until he fell asleep. The next day, Vincent, who was peacefully sleeping, unconsciously heard a buzzing sound. Bzzz! Pah! With a subconscious slap, the buzzing sound near his ears stopped. Host killed a mosquito, received +0.01 Exp! Talent activated! 10,000x exp! Received +100 Exp! As the notification sounded in his ears, Vincent felt a warm energy absorbed into his body, making him involuntarily moan. Soon, he felt a seething heat inside his body. He immediately sat up and began meditating. As time ticked by, he felt his body was bathing in a hot spring. His muscles and bones were cracking as if they were reforming. Specks of light gathered around him. After an indefinite amount of time, an explosion rang inside his body. He felt a surge of power. He even felt his senses increase greatly. He also realized he had found a dark marble in his body. "Origin Core!" It could only mean one thing. With a thought, he summoned his personal attributes. [Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 1 - 1 ¡ï (20/100,000 Exp!) "I''ve broken through?!" Chapter 4 Entering the Origin World! [Vincent Magnus]Rank: Tier 1 - 1¡ï (20/100,000 Exp!) Origin Power: 2300/2300 (mana) Force: 2 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 2 (Overall affects agility and reaction speed) Mental: 2.5 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (1 is the average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter "I''ve broken through?!" Vincent was dumbfounded. He had just awakened his talent yesterday, learned a basic meditation method, and accidentally killed a mosquito. Now he had broken through to Tier 1 - one star! "I thought cultivation was supposed to be difficult," he mused. "Didn''t I just sleep and unconsciously slap a mosquito? My talent is truly extraordinary. While others are probably risking their lives in the Origin World to gather resources and cultivate their rank, I might be the only one who can breakthrough by sleeping and casually slapping a mosquito to death." He shook his head, wondering about his future. With his increased power, his initial plans surfaced in his mind. Before transmigrating into this body, its previous owner had been a hard-working youth who matured early. He had died from exhaustion, training relentlessly every day and cramming at night in his desire to become an Origin Warrior and find their missing parents. Although Vincent admired the previous owner''s dedication, he understood the importance of a healthy diet and proper sleep. No one could grind mindlessly and expect to be fine indefinitely. Now that he was living in this body with limitless potential, he felt obligated to find the whereabouts of his and Marina''s parents. "I''m thinking too far ahead," he realized. "I''ve just started my path as an Origin Warrior. I still have a long way to go." With a clear mind, he began to observe the changes brought by his breakthrough. His personal attributes data showed his strength had doubled. He also examined his Origin Core, which seemed oddly familiar. The Origin Core was the foundation of Origin Warriors, serving as a container for Origin Power. Initially, upon awakening at Tier 0, origin power had roamed throughout his body. Now, it was all contained within his Origin Core. However, something puzzled him. "Isn''t the Origin Core supposed to be gray?" he wondered. His was black in color. Suddenly, he remembered the reason for his transmigration into this world three weeks ago. "Isn''t this the same marble that brought me here?" Lost in thought, he couldn''t determine if it was indeed the same marble or just an anomaly in his Origin Core. Shrugging off these thoughts, he focused on his plans for the coming days. Vincent left his room and headed downstairs. Marina had already gone to school, and sister Amara had left for work, though he wasn''t sure of her exact job. He prepared a light breakfast before jogging to the park in a tracksuit. He had memorized the Basic Origin Movement Guide and wanted to practice it. Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the park. Some residents of District 12 were also exercising, walking, and relaxing there. Although already warmed up, he stretched out of habit. "According to the guide, I need to control my origin power and focus it on my legs," he thought. Following this, he guided his origin power to his legs, feeling the warm energy settling there. "Let''s see the effect-" Just as he was about to test the guided movement speed, the warm energy in his legs vanished. Frowning, he focused and channeled origin power to his legs again. This time, maintaining his concentration, he kept the Origin Power steady. Completely focused, he took a step and vanished with a ''whoosh'', reappearing 4 meters away from his original position. The children and elderly in the park who witnessed this were surprised. "M-Mom, that person teleported!" "Shh, don''t point at him. He might be an Origin Warrior!" "Mom, I want to be like that person!" "Yes, yes. Mom would be happy if you awaken too..." Ignoring the whispers around him, Vincent marveled at his burst of speed. "That was fast!" he exclaimed. It was indeed quick, but he noticed the high consumption of Origin Power. He had used 100 Origin Power in just a second! "I need to train to get used to the speed and minimize Origin Power consumption," he concluded. Vincent continued training in the park, disregarding the whispers and stares of onlookers. He practiced the Basic Origin Movement until nightfall. Returning home, he prepared a meal and ate with Marina and Amara. At night, he meditated, expecting the rate of experience gain to remain the same as the previous day. However, it was several times slower. With 100,000 exp required to reach the next level, he realized meditation alone wouldn''t be enough. It would take far too long! He also tried killing insects in the house but failed to gain any experience from them. This meant he needed to defeat lifeforms of the same rank to receive experience points. For the next few weeks, he focused on physical training, origin movement practice, and meditation. He also used his awakening reward credits. Initially, he thought the fifty thousand credits in his bank account would be sufficient to buy several items. But he was mistaken! Browsing the Astrum Origin Online Market, he felt impoverished. Common dark-steel alloy weapons cost half of his entire reward - twenty-five thousand credits! He was even more shocked to find that armor of the same material was more expensive! He could only afford cheaper armor made of mixed leather and steel. He spent the remaining credits on other necessities, emptying his bank account. September 5, Astrum Calendar Year 3000 In the living room, Vincent, Marina, and Amara sat on the sofa. It was Sunday morning, and the two girls wore casual clothes, contrasting with the fully armed Vincent, who also carried a black backpack. "Brother, are you ready to go?" Marina asked, her voice tinged with concern. She honestly didn''t want him to leave. Today was his actual birthday; they had celebrated it just yesterday. Her worries stemmed from a fear of abandonment. He was her only family member. She couldn''t bear the thought of her brother leaving her too. She was well aware of the dangers the Origin World held. "You have nothing to worry about. Your brother is strong!" he assured her. He understood Marina''s concerns. He would be afraid too if he were in her position. That''s why he had to become stronger. He was no longer living just for himself. He had a younger sister and an older sister, though not by blood. "I understand, but please be careful there and come back tomorrow, okay?" "If you don''t return tomorrow, I''ll post your search history online!" Marina threatened playfully. Vincent couldn''t help but tremble inwardly at the thought. His body''s previous owner was a youth, so it was natural that there might be some questionable search history. Seeing his reaction, Amara smirked. "Hmm, why don''t you tell me your brother''s search history so I can post it on my social media as well?" Her tone was mischievous. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Marina turned to look at her, considering the idea. Seeing his younger sister about to agree, Vincent quickly intervened. "Alright, alright, stop! I''ll be back by tomorrow morning!" The duo chuckled at his reaction. "So you''re actually like that, Little Vincent..." Amara maintained her teasing smile. Vincent chose to ignore her and change the subject. "Alright, I''ve wasted enough time. You have nothing to worry about. I''ve thoroughly prepared for this moment. I''ll be going now!" As he stood up, a transparent vial filled with red liquid was thrown at him. He reflexively caught it. "Take that with you," Amara said. Vincent examined the vial in his hand before looking at Amara. "This is a recovery potion, right?" Amara didn''t respond, just smiling at him. "Where did you get this? This is expensive." The last time he browsed the online market, he saw the cheapest recovery potion selling for 50,000 credits! And that was the cheapest option! He could buy two dark-steel weapons with the vial he was holding. "Don''t worry about it. Just make sure to come back in one piece. It''s hard to find another tenant who can cook and do my laundry..." Although her tone was casual, he could detect a hint of concern in her voice. He didn''t press further. Though curious about the potion''s origin, he simply accepted it with thanks before tucking it into one of his pockets. "I''ll be going now." The two girls nodded. "Please be careful out there, brother!" "Come back quickly. You still have to cook for us." Vincent nodded with a smile. Closing his eyes, he focused his thoughts, and a bright light enveloped him before he vanished completely. The two girls watched in silence before Marina broke it. "How are we going to eat now?" Once again, silence filled the room. Chapter 5 Novice Sanctuary Vincent''s vision cleared, and he found himself standing in the center of a majestic circular field. Towering white walls of intricate architecture surrounded him, with a massive clock tower looming in the middle. The setting was a mesmerizing blend of futuristic and medieval styles.Countless white lights appeared around him as other Origin Warriors materialized in rapid succession. [Welcome to No.3 Novice Sanctuary!] A holographic interface flashed before his eyes. In the Origin World, Tier 0 to Tier 3 Origin Warriors, classified as Novice rank, were automatically spawned in one of four Novice Sanctuaries. These sanctuaries were situated on designated vast continents according to one''s rank. Vincent had appeared in No.3 Novice Sanctuary, located in the western part of the Novice Continent. The other sanctuaries were positioned at the cardinal points: No.1 Novice Sanctuary in the North No.2 Novice Sanctuary in the East No.4 Novice Sanctuary in the South "Of all places to spawn¡­ my luck truly is abysmal," Vincent muttered under his breath. According to the hub information, No.3 Novice Sanctuary was the worst possible starting location for humans. With a scarce human population, this sanctuary was dominated by other races. As Vincent surveyed his surroundings, he noticed one of the materializing figures nearby. It had a humanoid shape but sported green and black spotted skin, sharp fangs, and pointed ears ¨C a Vyrmin. These creatures were known for their smaller stature compared to humans. While Vincent was taking in the sights, a gruff voice cut through his thoughts. "Well, well, what do we have here? Another human insect dares to show its face in our sanctuary?" The voice dripped with malice. Vincent turned to face its owner and found himself staring up at an imposing figure. Standing nearly three meters tall, the being before him was clad in heavy chest plate armor with a giant axe strapped to his back. His appearance was vicious ¨C purple skin, short thorny spikes adorning his bald head and the sides of his face, all accentuating his bodybuilder-like physique. It was a Thrygian, one of the races most hostile towards humans. The Thrygian was flanked by two companions, both a head shorter than him but no less intimidating. The Thrygian''s booming voice caught the attention of the other spawning races in the area. Whispers began to circulate among the onlookers. "Isn''t that Grarik? The young master of the Blackthorn clan?" "You''re right. I heard he''s already at the peak of Tier 2." "What''s all this commotion about?" "Not sure, but it looks like Grarik''s set his sights on that human¡­" "Which human?" "That one there. Looks like a newbie¡­" "Poor soul. I''ve heard their clan is ruthless towards humans. A fight''s bound to break out if they cross paths." "But would they dare to fight inside the sanctuary?" Vincent frowned as he caught snippets of the whispered conversations around him. He was well aware of the strict rules governing the sanctuary, one of which explicitly forbade killing within its confines. However, the rules said nothing about fighting¡­ Realizing the precariousness of his situation, Vincent felt a headache coming on. He had just arrived, and all he wanted was to explore the sanctuary in peace. Was that too much to ask? With a furrowed brow, he addressed the Thrygian. "What do you want?" Grarik scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "What do I want? I want you to kneel, kowtow, and beg forgiveness from my ancestors, you miserable insect!" Vincent''s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "And why, pray tell, would I do that? Do I owe you something?" "Owe me?" Grarik growled, his purple face darkening with rage. "You humans owe my entire family! Your kind dared to pillage our resources and slaughter my people! Of course you owe me!" Vincent''s patience was wearing thin. "You''re spouting nonsense. If you want a fight, just say so. No need for these fairytales!" Although he knew he was at a disadvantage, Vincent wasn''t one to back down from a challenge. He believed in fighting for his dignity ¨C a man could die fighting, but should never suffer humiliation. Of course, if circumstances required him to swallow his pride for the sake of loved ones, he would. But this¡­ this was not one of those situations. Moreover, Vincent was confident that Grarik wouldn''t dare kill him inside the sanctuary. That knowledge emboldened him. "You, a mere human insect, dare to challenge me?" Grarik''s voice turned cold, disbelief evident in his tone. "Why not? Are you afraid?" Vincent retorted, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. He might be weak, but Vincent had never shied away from a fight. Even back on Earth, where he had grown up alone on the streets, he had faced death multiple times. He had always had to fight for himself. "Afraid? Haha!" Grarik suddenly burst into laughter as if he''d heard the funniest joke of his life. Without warning, a heavy pressure erupted from Grarik, crashing down on Vincent like a tidal wave. Although Vincent had braced himself for battle, this was his first encounter with the raw power of a Tier 2 Origin Warrior. The crushing weight seemed to bear down on every fiber of his being. "Why would I fear an ant like you?" Grarik''s voice was deep and cold, devoid of any humor now. ''Damn it! I had no idea the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 was this vast¡­'' Vincent thought, his body trembling under the immense pressure. In that moment, a sobering realization dawned on him. Just because he possessed an SSS-rank talent and had managed to break through to Tier 1 in a single night, he had allowed himself to become overconfident. He had naively expected his journey to be smooth sailing thanks to his innate abilities. As the pressure threatened to force him to his knees, Vincent gritted his teeth in defiance. "What''s the matter? Why has the little insect stopped buzzing? Cat got your tongue?" Grarik taunted, clearly reveling in Vincent''s struggle. Just as the situation seemed bleakest, a deep, calm voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "I believe you''ve had your fun, Giant Fool!" Suddenly, a similar pressure crashed down, colliding with Grarik''s mental assault. Vincent gasped in relief as the oppressive force lifted, feeling as though he''d just survived the most intense minute of his life. "Who dares?!" Grarik roared, his eyes scanning the area for the source of the interruption. Vincent turned to see his unexpected savior ¨C a man with flowing golden hair, dressed in elegant clothes and armor. An exquisite longsword hung at his waist, its sheath gleaming in the light. "Caelius!" Grarik spat the name as if it left a foul taste in his mouth. The newcomer, Caelius, casually picked at his ear as if Grarik''s shout had actually hurt it. "You really do have a habit of shouting, don''t you?" "You actually have the audacity to show your face before me?!" Grarik growled, his massive frame quivering with barely contained rage. Caelius let out a hearty laugh. "I even dared to kill your younger brother. Why wouldn''t I dare to show myself to a clown like you?" At the mention of his brother, Grarik''s eyes blazed with murderous intent, his expression contorting into one of pure hatred. "You bastard!!!" he roared, reaching for the massive axe on his back. In that moment, all he wanted was to hack the arrogant human before him into bloody pieces. However, before he could make a move, one of his companions grabbed his arm. "Wait, young master! The elders ordered us not to cause any major disturbances for the time being." "Did you not hear what this insect just said? He killed my younger brother!" Grarik snarled, struggling against his companion''s grip. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I understand your anger, young master. But please, calm yourself. I''m certain the elders have a plan, and we will have our revenge soon enough." Though still seething with rage, Grarik managed to regain some semblance of control. He fixed Caelius with a deadly glare. "Count yourself lucky we''re inside the sanctuary. If I catch you outside these walls, it''ll be your funeral!" He then turned his venomous gaze on Vincent before storming off with his men in tow. "Bye-bye, Giant Idiot!" Caelius called out cheerfully, waving as he watched Grarik''s retreating form disappear into the distance. As the crowd began to disperse, Vincent turned to face Caelius, his unexpected ally in this strange new world. "Thank you for stepping in," Vincent said, genuine gratitude in his voice. Caelius waved his hand dismissively. "Don''t mention it. I didn''t do it for you ¨C I just can''t stand that guy. Besides, it was hilarious watching his face turn black with anger. Did you see that?" He broke into laughter once more. Vincent could only manage a wry smile. It seemed he had encountered quite the character. "I''m Caelius, by the way. And you are?" the golden-haired man asked, extending his hand. "Vincent," he replied, shaking Caelius'' hand firmly. "You''re new here, aren''t you?" Caelius asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Is it that obvious?" Vincent asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Caelius shrugged. "If you''d spawned in any other sanctuary, maybe not. But here? A human walking around without a mask or robe? That speaks volumes." Vincent wanted to point out that Caelius himself wasn''t exactly hiding, but he bit his tongue, the memory of his recent encounter still fresh in his mind. "You seem to know that Thrygian well," Vincent observed. "Am I going to be in trouble after what just happened?" Caelius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I do know Grarik, unfortunately. As for trouble¡­ try not to dwell on it too much. We humans might be scarce here, but we''re not without our own foundations. They won''t openly attack you, especially not within the sanctuary. Unless¡­" "Unless I''m outside," Vincent finished, understanding dawning on him. Caelius nodded solemnly. "Come on," he said, his mood lightening. "I''ll give you a tour of the sanctuary. You''ll need to familiarize yourself with this place if you want to survive." Chapter 6 Novice Center As Vincent walked alongside Caelius, exploring the sanctuary, he absorbed the wealth of information his new acquaintance shared, solidifying the knowledge he''d gleaned from his prior research."The No. 3 Novice Sanctuary is under the rule of the Crystallians, a neutral race," Caelius explained, his voice tinged with a hint of admiration. "They''re known for their fair governance, which is a blessing in this melting pot of races." Vincent nodded, committing the information to memory. "What about the living arrangements here?" he inquired, his eyes scanning the impressive structures around them. Caelius''s lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Ah, that''s where it gets interesting. For newbies like yourself, the first two days are on the house. After that, you''ll need to pay taxes to stay." "And if I choose not to pay?" Vincent asked, raising an eyebrow. "Then you''re on your own in the wild," Caelius replied, his tone turning serious. "Trust me, you don''t want that. If you leave the Origin World while outside the sanctuary, you''ll spawn back in the wild when you return. It''s a death sentence for most newbies." Vincent felt that it does makes sense. "I see. What else should I know about the sanctuary''s layout?" "The sanctuary is divided into three districts: outer, middle, and core," Caelius continued, gesturing to different areas as they walked. "Living in the middle or core districts comes with perks, but you''ll need to earn contribution points to gain access." "What kind of perks?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued. "Discounts, valuable connections, access to special trade routes," Caelius listed off, a glint in his eye. "But don''t get ahead of yourself. For now, focus on understanding the system and surviving." Vincent nodded, his mind already working on strategies to climb the ranks. "Where to next?" "The Novice Center," Caelius announced, pointing to a grand building ahead. "It''s the go-to place for newbies and unaffiliated individuals. You can gather and sell info, take on missions, and trade items there." As they approached the imposing structure of the Novice Center. The building''s architecture was a testament to the advanced civilization of the Origin World, its sleek lines and imposing presence a stark contrast to anything he''d seen on Earth. Upon entering, Vincent was immediately struck by the diversity of races bustling about inside. Beings of all shapes, sizes, and colors moved with purpose, their conversations creating a low hum of activity. Human faces were few and far between, most hidden behind masks or concealed beneath hooded robes. Vincent touched the black mask Caelius had given him earlier, grateful for the anonymity it provided. Through the mask, only his striking purple eyes were visible, a feature he hoped wouldn''t draw too much attention. As they made their way through the crowd, Vincent couldn''t help but notice the sideways glances and hushed whispers directed at Caelius. His companion seemed either oblivious or deliberately ignorant of the attention. "Man, why is that demon here?" Vincent overheard someone mutter. "I heard he massacred a group of rogue warriors again," another voice added, tinged with fear. "Yeah, and didn''t he kill the youngest master of the Blackthorn clan?" a third chimed in. The whispers continued, painting a picture of Caelius that was at odds with the helpful, almost cheerful demeanor he''d shown Vincent. Curiosity gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside for the moment. There were more pressing matters at hand. They approached a long counter where five women of various races attended to visitors. Vincent stepped up to an available attendant, an Almaurian woman with almond eyes and copper skin. "How can I help you?" she asked, her voice professional and courteous. "I''d like to register," Vincent replied, keeping his voice steady. The woman nodded. "Certainly. Do you have any affiliation?" Vincent questioned. "What''s the difference if I''m affiliated or not?" The attendant''s expression softened slightly, recognizing a newcomer. "Well, if you''re affiliated with a guild, clan, or sect and want to join our organization, you''ll have access to special missions with amazing rewards. Without affiliation, you''ll only be able to access normal and some elite missions. You can still join other registered warriors for special missions, though." Vincent nodded, suddenly recalling the District Leader''s offer. He filed that information away for later consideration. "I''m not currently affiliated with any organization," he stated. "I understand," the attendant replied, tapping on a digital screen beside her. With a fluid motion, she dragged a virtual screen towards Vincent. "Please fill this out." Vincent quickly completed the form, providing his chosen alias ''Shroud'', his current rank, and confirming his unaffiliated status. As he passed the screen back, the attendant continued working, her fingers dancing across the interface. A moment later, a faint light shimmered before her, coalescing into a circular token. She handed it to Vincent with a smile. "This will be your identification token." Vincent accepted it, marveling at the strange material. It seemed almost alive, with lines of green and blue pulsing across its surface. The inscription "Tier 1 - 1¡ï" was prominently displayed, with ''Shroud'' written beneath. "The token serves multiple purposes," the attendant explained. "It''s your ID when leaving the sanctuary, grants you two days of free lodging in the outer district inns, and allows you to track mission progress. It also has an emergency signal function." Vincent nodded, absorbing the information. "Where can I accept missions?" he asked, eager to get started. The attendant pointed to a large virtual screen on the far side of the room. "You can check and accept available missions on that Novice Mission Board." After thanking her, Vincent turned to Caelius, who had been waiting patiently nearby. "You''re accepting a mission now?" Caelius asked. "Yes, that''s my plan," Vincent confirmed. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is there a problem?" Caelius paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "Nothing specific. Since you''ve explored the outer district and have a plan, I''ll take my leave. I have some matters to attend to." Vincent wasn''t feeling disappointed he just nodded in understanding. "Thank you again for your help earlier and for the tour." "Don''t mention it," Caelius replied with a wave of his hand. "Good luck, and see you around." As Vincent watched Caelius''s retreating form, he couldn''t help but feel a mix of gratitude and wariness. The first human he''d encountered in this new world had been unexpectedly helpful, but the whispers he''d overheard left him with more questions than answers. Shaking off his musings, Vincent steeled his resolve. The memory of his encounter with Grarik in the Spawn Field still burned in his mind, a stark reminder of his current weakness. It was time to start improving, to get stronger! With determined steps, he approached the Novice Mission Board. The massive virtual screen displayed four columns, one for each tier from 0 to 3. Vincent focused on the Tier 1 missions, scanning the available options: Gather 6 Tier 1 - 1¡ï Black-Iron Bee Stingers! Reward: 100 origin crystals. Gather 5 Tier 1 - 2¡ï Green-Horned Boar Horns! Reward: 200 origin crystals. Kill 4 Tier 1 - 3¡ï Corrupted Hyena! Reward: 300 origin crystals and 1 recovery potion. The list continued, offering missions ranging from one to five stars within Tier 1. Most rewards were in origin crystals, the currency of the Origin World, with a few offering additional items like potions. Recalling his humbling experience with Grarik, Vincent decided to start small. Overconfidence could be deadly in this new world. He had limitless potential, true, but he needed to be cautious and mindful of his actions and surroundings. After careful consideration, Vincent accepted the first mission: Gather 6 Black-Iron Bee Stingers. A soft ''ding'' sounded from his token, confirming the acceptance. He pulled out the token and tapped it, revealing a small virtual map showing the location of the Black-Iron Bees. With the information committed to memory, Vincent left the Novice Center. It was time to hunt some Black-Iron Bees! The outskirts of Verdant Wilds, a vast rainforest west of No.3 Novice Sanctuary, teemed with life. Vincent treaded carefully along the forest path, his newly acquired pair of dark-steel alloy daggers clutched tightly in his hands. The weapons, purchased from the Astrum Origin Online Market, felt reassuringly solid in his grip. As he ventured deeper into the forest, Vincent finally spotted a group of Black-Iron Bees in the distance. The creatures were enormous, easily 130 cm tall, with yellow bodies and menacing black stingers that gleamed in the dappled sunlight. Despite his mission, Vincent didn''t hesitate to retreat. He wasn''t about to risk taking on a whole group without knowing their true strength. For the next fifteen minutes, Vincent scouted the area, searching for a lone bee. His patience was rewarded when he stumbled upon a solitary Black-Iron Bee resting on an enormous, vibrant flower. The opportunity was too perfect to pass up. Gripping his daggers tightly, Vincent focused on channeling his Origin Power to his feet. A warm energy suffused his lower limbs, and when he was about ten meters from the sleeping bee, he sprang into action. In an instant, Vincent appeared behind the unsuspecting creature, driving his daggers towards its wings with all his might. To his shock, instead of piercing the delicate-looking appendages, his weapons rebounded with a resounding clang, leaving only faint white marks. The impact sent painful vibrations up his arms, nearly causing him to drop his weapons. "So hard!" Vincent gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. The disturbance roused the Black-Iron Bee from its slumber. Its body shook with anger, wings vibrating to produce an ominous buzzing sound. Fixing Vincent with a furious glare, it launched into the air, diving towards him with frightening speed. Vincent didn''t dare underestimate the creature now. Drawing upon the basic origin movement techniques he''d practiced relentlessly for a month, he managed to dodge the bee''s initial assault. But the Black-Iron Bee was relentless, swooping down again and again, its massive stinger a blur of motion as it sought to impale him. For fifteen grueling minutes, the dance continued. Vincent dodged and weaved, occasionally finding openings to counterattack. Slowly but surely, injuries began to accumulate on the Black-Iron Bee''s body, and its attacks grew sluggish. Vincent, too, was feeling the strain. Maintaining his Origin Power while constantly evading and counterattacking was taking its toll. But he pressed on, knowing that victory was within reach. Finally, as the bee swooped down for another attack, Vincent saw his chance. With a precisely timed strike, he severed one of its four wings, sending the creature crashing to the ground. Seizing the moment, Vincent pounced, driving his daggers deep into the bee''s ocelli and compound eyes, not stopping until he felt the weapons pierce its brain. A system notification chimed in his mind: You have successfully killed a Black-Iron Bee! You have received 5 exp! Talent activated! 10,000x Exp! You have received 50,000 Exp! As his talent activated, a surge of warm energy burst forth, flowing directly into Vincent''s Origin Core. The sensation was indescribable, a rush of power that left him feeling invigorated despite his physical exhaustion. Before his eyes, the defeated Black-Iron Bee dissolved into a shower of digital lights, leaving behind its prized stinger and a mysterious white orb of light. Curiosity overcoming his fatigue, Vincent reached out and grasped the glowing orb. The moment his fingers touched it, the orb shattered into motes of light, coalescing into a small white book that hovered before him. The title shimmered into view: "Common Stinger Skill Book." Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "It dropped a skill book?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the now-quiet forest. Chapter 7 Growth As the Black-Iron Bee dissolved into a shower of digital lights, Vincent''s eyes widened at the sight of a mysterious white orb hovering amidst the remains. Curiosity overcame his fatigue, and he reached out to grasp the glowing sphere.The moment his fingers made contact, the orb shattered into motes of light, coalescing into a small white book that floated before him. The title shimmered into view: "Common Stinger Skill Book." "It dropped a skill book?!" Vincent exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and excitement. He quickly composed himself, remembering the potential dangers lurking in the forest. Without hesitation, he focused on the book, and a system prompt appeared in his mind: Skill Name: Stinger Quality: Common Effect: Increases the damage and status effect of weapon strikes, causing the target to bleed and take poison damage for a short duration. [Do you want to learn Stinger?] Vincent didn''t even pause to consider. With a thought, he accepted the skill. As the white skill book dissolved into particles of digital light, he felt a warm energy and newfound knowledge enter his being. [New Skill ''Stinger'' has been added!] With a mere thought, Vincent summoned his personal attributes visual data: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 1¡ï (50,104/100,000 Exp) Origin Power: 2300/2300 (mana) Force: 2 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 2 (Overall affects agility and reaction speed) S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mental: 2.5 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (1 is the average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Origin Meditation (Proficiency: Novice) ¡ñ Basic Origin Movement Speed (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Stinger (Proficiency: Beginner) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter A smile played on Vincent''s lips as he reviewed his stats. "Excellent," he murmured, his voice low but filled with satisfaction. "Just one kill, and I''m already halfway to breaking through to Tier 1-2¡ï. This new skill will significantly increase my damage output against the Black-Iron Bees." He paused, considering his next move. "One more kill should suffice. Then I''ll be able to handle these creatures with relative ease." Vincent carefully stored the 20 cm long, 3 cm diameter Black-Iron Stinger in his backpack. He needed four more of these materials to complete his mission, and he was cautiously optimistic about obtaining them. After a brief rest to recover his energy, Vincent surveyed the area, searching for another Black-Iron Bee. It didn''t take long before he spotted one. This time, the creature wasn''t sleeping. It buzzed from flower to flower, seemingly collecting precious pollen to take back to its hive. Vincent observed its movements, formulating a plan of attack. With practiced stealth, he crept closer, his newly acquired dark-steel alloy daggers gripped tightly in his hands. As he closed the distance, Vincent channeled his Origin Power to his feet and activated the Stinger skill. His daggers began to emit a faint green glow. In a burst of speed, Vincent pounced. His enhanced daggers struck true, puncturing the bee''s tough hide and sinking deep into its abdomen. "Puchi!" The sound of metal piercing chitin filled the air, followed by the bee''s pained buzz. The creature crashed into a nearby tree, its flight suddenly erratic. As Vincent withdrew his weapons, rusty reddish-brown blood burst from the wound. "It worked," he muttered, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. The wounded Black-Iron Bee, now bloodied and desperate, began to buzz its wings frantically. The air around it grew heavy with vibration, forcing Vincent to leap backward to avoid the dangerous airwaves. "Not so fast," Vincent called out, his voice calm but determined. He brandished his daggers once more, purple eyes focused intently on the weakened insect. Vincent knew he had the advantage now. The bee was bleeding profusely and weakened by the poison from his Stinger skill. "Just one more strike," he thought, preparing to deliver the final blow. With a swiftness born of adrenaline and his honed reflexes, Vincent lunged forward, his daggers poised to strike. The Black-Iron Bee, despite its weakened state, attempted to dodge the incoming attack, but Vincent''s enhanced speed proved too much. In a single, deadly thrust, he plunged his daggers deep into the bee''s thorax. The creature''s buzzing reached a fever pitch before abruptly ceasing, its wings falling still as Vincent withdrew his weapons. The glow of Origin Power faded from the edges of his daggers as the bee''s body collapsed into digital specks of light. A familiar warmth spread through Vincent''s body as the system notifications appeared: You have successfully killed a Black-Iron Bee! You have received 5 exp! Talent 10,000x exp multiplier activated! You have received 50,000 exp! [Available Options: ¡ñ Level up to Tier 1 - 2¡ï (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] Vincent''s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. "Interesting," he mused, studying the unexpected options before him. "It seems my talent doesn''t automatically level me up as it did during my initial breakthrough." Although all the available options were enticing, Vincent knew exactly what he needed most at this moment. Without hesitation, he chose the first option. A surge of Origin Power flooded into his Origin Core, filling him with renewed energy and vitality. He had officially reached Tier 1 - 2¡ï. Despite his satisfaction with the level up, Vincent''s expression turned thoughtful as he realized the Black-Iron Bee hadn''t dropped any items this time. "Perhaps I used up my luck with that skill book earlier," he pondered, shaking his head slightly in disappointment. However, he quickly pushed the thought aside, refocusing on his mission. It took only a few minutes of searching before Vincent stumbled upon a pair of Black-Iron Bees. One rested motionless on a flower, while the other buzzed about, heavy with pollen. Feeling more confident with his increased strength, Vincent formulated a quick plan. Gripping his daggers, he took careful aim and threw one at the stationary bee''s head. In the same fluid motion, he pounced on the active bee, driving his remaining dagger into the back of its thorax. "Puchi! Puchi!" Two simultaneous strikes ended the lives of both Black-Iron Bees. The system notifications appeared once more: You have successfully killed 2 Black-Iron Bees! You have received 2.5 exp! You have received 2.5 exp! Talent Activated! + 25,000 exp! + 25,000 exp! As the experience points were added to his total, the two Black-Iron Bees left behind their stingers and a single white orb of light. Vincent collected the stingers before turning his attention to the orb, anticipation building as he reached out to touch it. Upon contact, the white orb collapsed into digital lights before reforming into a yellow-copper pair of leather armguards. Though only of common quality, Vincent equipped them without hesitation. Curious about his progress, he checked his personal attributes once more: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 2¡ï (50,104/200,000 Exp) Origin Power: 2000/2800 Force: 2.5 Speed: 2.5 Mental: 3 "The experience requirements for leveling up are substantial," Vincent observed, his tone neutral but his mind racing. "Without my experience multiplier talent, progress would be considerably slower." He also noted that he had yet to find an opportune moment to utilize his C-Rank talent. "All in due time," he reminded himself. "For now, the focus is on continued growth." With renewed determination, Vincent set out to hunt more Black-Iron Bees. Two hours of intense combat later, he had finally accumulated 200,000 exp. His efforts had also yielded more than the required five Black-Iron Stingers and wings, though unfortunately, no additional skill books or armaments had dropped. Now, Vincent found himself resting against the trunk of a massive tree, replenishing his energy with a ration he had brought from the real world. As he ate, the familiar options screen appeared before him: [Available Options: ¡ñ Level up to Tier 1 - 3¡ï (requirement: 200,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] Though tempted to explore the other options, Vincent''s pragmatic nature won out. "Increasing my cultivation level is the wisest choice for now," he decided, selecting the option to break through to Tier 1-3¡ï. Another wave of energy suffused his being, and Vincent could feel his strength improving once more. A small smile of satisfaction played on his lips as he finished his meal. Suddenly, his enhanced senses picked up a series of approaching footsteps. Vincent''s body tensed, his hand instinctively moving towards his daggers. "Who?" he wondered. Chapter 8 Resolve As the figures drew closer, emerging from the dense foliage, Vincent''s eyes narrowed in recognition. Two towering Thrygians, each standing nearly three meters tall, their purple skin glistening with an otherworldly sheen, stepped into view. Their massive frames dwarfed the surrounding vegetation, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath their heavy footfalls.Vincent''s jaw clenched as he recognized them as the duo accompanying Grarik earlier. Their hostile intent was palpable, radiating off them in waves that made the air feel thick and oppressive. The larger of the two, Taruk, brandished a massive sword that looked more like a slab of metal than a refined weapon. His bare, muscled chest heaved as he fixed Vincent with a predatory gaze. "We have finally found you, insect," Taruk growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the forest. "You really made us search, huh?" The second Thrygian, Farek, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles ominously. "You were fortunate that we were inside the sanctuary earlier," he sneered, baring sharp teeth. "You won''t be so lucky this time!" Vincent''s expression hardened, his mind working furiously to understand how they had managed to trace him. He had been meticulous in covering his tracks, donning a mask and venturing deeper into the forest. Yet here they were, having hunted him down like bloodhounds. Despite the worry gnawing at him regarding the Thrygians'' strength, Vincent steeled himself for the impending confrontation. His face remained impassive, betraying none of the tension coiling within him. "Go, let''s kill him already!" Taruk roared, his patience clearly at its end. "We have wasted so much time looking for this insect!" He raised his enormous sword, the metal catching the filtered sunlight and gleaming ominously. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a battle cry that shook the leaves from nearby trees, Taruk charged at Vincent. The ground trembled under his feet, small pebbles bouncing with each thunderous step. Vincent, however, didn''t flinch. In a fluid motion born of rigorous training and newly acquired skills, he gripped his daggers tightly and chose to meet the attack head-on. As Taruk''s massive sword came crashing down, Vincent raised his daggers in a cross-guard. The clash of metal on metal rang out through the forest, a discordant symphony of battle. "Clang!" "What?!" Taruk''s shocked voice cut through the reverberations of the clash. His arms numbed from the impact, his sword bouncing back unexpectedly. Vincent, despite successfully parrying the attack, couldn''t help but furrow his brow in confusion. ''Aren''t they supposed to be stronger?'' he thought, recalling the infamous reputation of Thrygian strength. Farek, seeing his companion''s attack repelled, let out a roar of frustration. "What the hell are you doing, Taruk?!" He charged forward, massive fists raised for a devastating punch. But to Vincent''s enhanced perception, the attack seemed to move in slow motion. With a grace that belied his recent transformation, he sidestepped the incoming fist. In the same fluid motion, he counter-attacked, his dagger finding purchase in Farek''s left ribs. "Slash!" "Ugh!" Farek groaned, more in surprise than pain. Vincent pressed his advantage, not allowing his opponents a moment to recover. He darted in again, his daggers a blur of motion as they traced crimson lines across Farek''s purple skin. With a final, powerful kick, Vincent propelled himself backward, executing a perfect vertical flip to create distance. Taruk''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Farek! Fall back!" he called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "There''s something wrong with him!" As Farek stumbled back, clutching his wounds, Taruk''s mind raced. This human, who had been paralyzed by their young master''s mere presence hours ago, was now moving with the speed and precision of a seasoned warrior. It didn''t make sense. "Isn''t he a newbie?" Farek gasped, voicing the confusion they both felt. "How come he''s this strong?!" Unbeknownst to the Thrygians, Vincent had activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement the moment they attacked. This not only amplified his already enhanced movement speed but also sharpened his senses by 30%, giving him a significant edge in the battle. Taruk, grasping for an explanation, called out to his companion. "He might be using a special or forbidden skill. He probably won''t last long. Let''s buy time!" Farek nodded grimly, "Alright!" The duo adopted a new strategy, attacking in tandem with coordinated movements. Slashes from Taruk''s massive sword were followed immediately by Farek''s powerful punches, leaving little room for error. But Vincent, emboldened by his earlier success, met their assault with growing confidence. He weaved between their attacks, his daggers flashing as he countered with precise strikes. Each movement was calculated, each dodge followed by a counterattack empowered by the Stinger skill. As the battle wore on, a look of understanding passed between the two Thrygians. With a synchronized nod, they prepared to unleash their race''s innate ability. Twin roars of fury echoed through the forest as the Thrygians'' bodies began to change. Their already impressive muscles bulged grotesquely, veins standing out like corded ropes beneath their purple skin. The spikes adorning their bald heads and the sides of their faces elongated and sharpened, giving them an even more fearsome appearance. Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he recognized the transformation. He took a cautious step back, reassessing the situation. "Die!" The Thrygians bellowed in unison, their voices deeper and more guttural than before. The battle resumed with renewed intensity. Despite their increased strength, the Thrygians found themselves still outmatched. Vincent''s higher cultivation level, combined with his Origin Power Enhancement, allowed him to maintain his edge. Taruk, frustration evident in his voice, shouted between swings of his massive sword, "How are you this strong, human? What kind of forbidden technique are you using?" Vincent, dodging a particularly vicious slash, replied coolly, "No forbidden techniques. Just the resolve to survive." Farek, launching a flurry of punches, growled, "Survive? You think you can survive in this world, insect? You don''t belong here!" Vincent parried a blow, his daggers leaving a thin line of blood on Farek''s arm. "I may not belong, but I''m here now. And I intend to stay." As the fight dragged on, the effects of Vincent''s Stinger skill became increasingly apparent. The Thrygians'' movements grew sluggish, their purple skin taking on a sickly pallor as poison coursed through their veins. Taruk, his breath coming in ragged gasps, locked eyes with Vincent. "You... you''re not like the others. Who are you really?" Vincent, maintaining his guard, responded, "Just someone trying to find his place in this world." Farek, stumbling as the poison took its toll, spat out, "Find your place? Ha! You''ll never be accepted here, human. You''ll always be an outsider, always be hunted." These words struck a chord in Vincent, but he pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the battle at hand. As the Thrygians weakened, their attacks became desperate, fueled more by fear than strategy. Taruk, his massive frame swaying, made one last attempt to reason with Vincent. "Wait... please," he gasped, his sword drooping. "We were just following orders. We have families... children..." Vincent hesitated for a moment, his daggers poised for the final strike. In that instant of doubt, Farek lunged forward with a roar, aiming a poison-weakened but still deadly punch at Vincent''s head. Instinct took over. Vincent''s daggers flashed, and Farek fell, his final words a gurgle of disbelief. Taruk, seeing his companion fall, let out a howl of anguish. "You monster! You''re no better than the worst of us!" With the last of his strength, he charged at Vincent, his sword raised high. Vincent, his face a mask of grim determination, met the charge head-on. In a flurry of strikes, Taruk''s massive form crumpled to the ground. As the light faded from Taruk''s eyes, he whispered, "Remember this day, human. Remember... the lives you''ve taken." Finally, exhausted and overwhelmed, the two Thrygians collapsed. Their massive bodies shimmered and dissolved into specks of digital light, leaving behind only their dropped items and glowing orbs. System notifications flashed in Vincent''s mind: You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 2¡ï Thrygian! You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 2¡ï Thrygian! You have received 3 exp! You have received 3 exp! Talent Activated! + 60,000 exp! As the adrenaline of battle faded, the reality of what had just transpired hit Vincent like a physical blow. He stood frozen, his daggers still gripped tightly in his trembling hands. Taruk''s final words echoed in his mind, mingling with Farek''s taunts about never belonging. He had killed. For the first time in his life, he had taken the lives of sentient beings. Even though the Thrygians weren''t human, they were close enough to make the act feel monumentally significant. And they had spoken of families, of children... Vincent''s mind reeled. Just two months ago, he had been a normal, struggling adult on Earth. Now, he stood in an alien forest, his hands stained with the essence of creatures he had only recently learned existed. Creatures who, despite their hostility, had lives and loved ones of their own. The weight of his actions pressed down on him, threatening to overwhelm his carefully maintained composure. But as the moments ticked by, something within Vincent shifted. His eyes, which had been wide with shock, slowly narrowed with determination. He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the tide of emotions. "This isn''t Earth," he reminded himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "The rules are different here. Survival... survival is everything." With each passing second, Vincent''s resolve hardened. He straightened his back, purple eyes scanning the forest with newfound purpose. "If I want to survive in this dog-eat-dog world," he vowed silently, "I have to be strong. Stronger than anyone else!" Yet, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered, echoing Taruk''s dying words: "Remember this day... remember the lives you''ve taken." Vincent clenched his fists, acknowledging the weight of his actions. When it suddenly dawned on him. "What the hell am I thinking? They are still alive tho they won''t be able to enter the Origin World for the rest of their life.." he thought, remembering the rules of Origin World. The killing felt so surreal that he thought of his actions. Having gathered his thoughts and reaffirmed his determination, Vincent turned his attention to the items left behind by the fallen Thrygians. Taruk''s massive black sword, nearly two meters in length, lay on the forest floor. Beside it, a brown pouch had spilled open, revealing pieces of broken, colorless crystals. Two orbs of light, one white and one blue, hovered nearby. Vincent approached cautiously, first reaching for the broken crystals. As his fingers brushed against them, he felt a faint pulse of Origin Energy. You have received 300 Origin Crystals! "So these are Origin Crystals," Vincent mused, carefully pocketing the valuable resource. Next, he picked up the white orb. It collapsed into a shower of digital lights before reforming as a transparent vial filled with a vibrant red liquid. You have received a common recovery potion! A small smile tugged at Vincent''s lips. "Nice! Another life-saving item." Finally, he reached for the blue orb. As his hand made contact, the light dissipated, leaving behind a blue book that seemed to hum with latent power. Vincent''s eyes widened in recognition. "Another skill book?!" he exclaimed, his earlier emotional turmoil momentarily forgotten in the face of this unexpected boon. Chapter 9 Upgrade Skill Name: Thrygian''s TraitQuality: Rare Required: An innate ability of Thrygians Race, only can be learned with Thrygians Bloodline. Effect: Physical Enhancement - enhance 20% of your physical ability for a period of time. Enhancement effects depend on the purity of bloodline. "A rare skill but..." Vincent''s voice trailed off, a hint of disappointment evident on his young face. He let out a small sigh, his brow furrowing slightly. "I can''t even use it." He contemplated his options, his mind working through the possibilities. "I could sell it on an online auction," he mused aloud, "but the prerequisites might make it difficult to find a buyer. Still, it''s rare. I could make good money if I manage to sell it." Vincent''s thoughts drifted to the quality tiers in this world: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. A small, wry smile tugged at his lips as he remembered the unlisted ''Poor'' quality tier, found only outside of Origin World. His black-steel alloy daggers, which had cost him 25,000 credits, fell into that category. "Just imagine how much this rare book could sell for," he muttered, carefully storing the skill book away. Next, Vincent turned his attention to the massive sword left behind by Taruk. He reached out, gripping the hilt with both hands, and lifted. "It''s quite heavy," he noted, silently grateful for his recent increase in strength. As he held the sword, information flooded his mind: [Darksteel Sword] Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Common Details: A sword crafted by a novice blacksmith using black-iron materials. Skill(s): Darksteel Slice Effect: A basic attack skill that deals moderate damage to a single target. This skill has a chance to inflict a minor bleed effect on the target, causing them to take a small amount of damage over time. "An armament?!" Vincent exclaimed, genuine surprise coloring his voice. His mind raced, recalling what he knew about armaments. They were on another level compared to crafted weapons on Astralis, capable of being stored in an Origin Warrior''s consciousness and growing alongside their owner. A cold realization washed over him. "I''ve been fighting against an armament with my black-steel alloy daggers," he murmured, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his voice. "If I hadn''t focused on dodging..." His gaze fell to the daggers at his side, and his lips twitched in dismay. Visible cracks marred their surface. "This is just the first day I used you for fighting," he addressed the daggers, a hint of bitterness in his tone, "but it seems you won''t last much longer." Despite the setback, a spark of excitement ignited within him. "At least I''ve got a new weapon now, and it''s an armament!" [Do you want to bind it?] Without hesitation, Vincent agreed. The Darksteel Sword broke into motes of light, entering his consciousness. With a thought, he summoned it back into his hand, marveling at the seamless transition. He repeated the process several times, familiarizing himself with the weight and feel of the weapon. As the excitement of his new acquisition faded, Vincent''s mind returned to the gravity of his situation. His appetite, interrupted by the Thrygian attack, had not returned. Instead, a sense of urgency filled him. "I need to use all my precious limited time in Origin World," he muttered, his purple eyes scanning the forest around him. "I have to get stronger quickly." The memory of the two Thrygians he had defeated surfaced in his mind. "Killing Grirak''s lackeys... our enmity has reached an irreconcilable state." He paused, his expression hardening. "No, it was irreconcilable the moment Grirak bullied and humiliated me." With a few hours of daylight remaining, Vincent set out to hunt, pushing himself to make the most of his time. As Vincent ventured deeper into the Verdant Wilds, unbeknownst to him, events were unfolding elsewhere that would have significant implications for his future. ***** Somewhere in Novice Continent, Grirak paced back and forth, his face contorted with annoyance. The young Thrygian''s usually composed demeanor had given way to visible frustration. "What the hell are those fools doing?!" he growled, his fists clenching and unclenching rhythmically. "Why are they taking so much time just to kill that insect?!" His eyes darted to the communication device on a nearby table, willing it to light up with news from Taruk and Farek. But the device remained stubbornly silent, further fueling Grirak''s irritation. "They had one simple task," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Find the human and eliminate him. How difficult could that be for two warriors?" As the minutes ticked by with no word from his subordinates, a seed of doubt began to take root in Grirak''s mind. Could something have gone wrong? He quickly dismissed the thought. After all, what chance did a mere human newcomer stand against his two Thrygian warriors? Little did Grirak know, his world was about to be turned upside down. ***** Meanwhile, on the Thrygian planet, within the residence of the Blackthorn Clan, a scene of confusion and despair was unfolding. In a dimly lit room, Taruk and Farek sat side by side, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and fear. Their usually vibrant purple skin had taken on a sickly pallor, a physical manifestation of their inner turmoil. Taruk, the larger of the two, broke the heavy silence. "We... died?" The words came out as barely more than a whisper, his gaze fixed on the window, staring out at a world that suddenly seemed alien to him. Beside him, Farek''s voice trembled as he voiced the question weighing heavily on both their minds. "What are we going to do now?" The reality of their situation crashed down upon them like a physical blow. Death in the Origin World meant more than just a temporary setback. It meant the severance of their connection to that realm, cutting off their chances of becoming the powerful warriors they had aspired to be. Farek''s hands clenched into fists, his voice taking on a bitter edge. "We were just lackeys. We can''t afford the resources for our cultivation outside of the Origin World." Taruk nodded grimly, the full implications of their failure sinking in. "Our dreams of power... gone. Just like that." As the initial shock began to wear off, their expressions shifted from despair to a mixture of fury and nervousness. The memory of their defeat at the hands of the human they had dismissed as insignificant burned in their minds. "How?" Farek growled, slamming his fist against the wall. "How could a mere human newcomer defeat us both?" Taruk shook his head, his voice low and filled with dread. "It doesn''t matter how. What matters is what comes next. We... we have to report this to the young master." The thought of facing Grirak with news of their failure sent a shiver down both their spines. They knew their young master''s temper, his intolerance for failure. Farek''s voice quavered as he spoke. "We have no other choice anymore. We can only report what happened to the young master and hope for mercy." Taruk nodded solemnly. "May the ancient Thrygian warriors have mercy on our souls." With heavy hearts and trembling limbs, the duo left their room, steeling themselves for the confrontation that lay ahead. The walk to Grirak''s chambers felt like a march to their execution, each step bringing them closer to a fate they feared more than the death they had just experienced in the Origin World. ***** Back in the Verdant Wilds, oblivious to the turmoil he had caused in the Thrygian ranks, Vincent continued his hunt. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the dense foliage. As he hunted, Vincent discovered new limitations to his SSS-rank talent. Not only did he fail to gain experience from killing lifeforms of a lower tier, but his accumulated experience points could not exceed the limit needed to raise his cultivation level. Currently at Tier 1 - 3¡ï, his limit was 300,000 experience points. This revelation led to a moment of contemplation. Vincent found a small clearing and sat down, his back against a sturdy tree trunk. He closed his eyes, focusing on his inner energy and the lessons he had learned. "If I continuously raise my level," he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, "one day I''ll hit a bottleneck. I might face an opponent I can''t defeat with cultivation alone." Opening his eyes, determination glinted in their purple depths. "I need to plan carefully for my future." After careful deliberation, Vincent decided against leveling up immediately. Instead, he focused on his available options: [Available Options: ¡ñUpgrade to Tier 1 - 4¡ï (requirement: 300,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] With 300,000 experience points at his disposal and no immediate plans to delve deeper into the Verdant Wilds, Vincent made his choice. "I''ll increase the quality of Stinger," he decided, recalling how useful the skill had proven during his recent hunts. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Do you want to upgrade the quality of Stinger?] Vincent nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I do." [The Stinger skill quality has been successfully upgraded!] Eager to see the changes, Vincent checked the skill''s new parameters: Skill Name: Virulent Stinger Quality: Uncommon Effect: Increases the damage and status effect of weapon strikes, causing the target to bleed and take poison damage for a longer duration. Additionally, the target''s movement speed is slightly reduced, making it easier for the character to land additional attacks. "The name changed, and it has an additional effect!" Vincent exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. The improvements to Virulent Stinger filled him with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for future battles. With 200,000 experience points remaining, Vincent considered his options carefully. He could upgrade Virulent Stinger once more, but the increased Origin Power consumption gave him pause. After weighing the pros and cons, he made his decision. [Choose Item to upgrade] ¡ñDrop materials ¡ñCommon Copper Armguard ¡ñDarksteel Sword Armament Without hesitation, Vincent summoned his Darksteel Sword. "I choose you," he declared, his voice filled with certainty. [Darksteel Sword has been upgraded successfully!] The massive sword in his hand suddenly glowed with digital lights. After a few moments, the lights faded, revealing the upgraded weapon: ``` [Darksteel Sword] Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Uncommon Details: This sword is forged from black-iron materials and infused with a magical enchantment that increases its damage output and durability. Skill(s): Darksteel Slash Effect: A more powerful version of the Darksteel Slice skill that deals increased damage to a single target. This skill has a greater chance to inflict a bleed effect on the target, causing them to take moderate damage over time. Vincent''s eyes gleamed as he examined the improved weapon. "It''s unfortunate that I didn''t get a new skill," he mused, "but it''s good that the existing skill improved!" Satisfied with his progress, Vincent decided against further upgrades. The sky was darkening, and he knew the dangers that lurked in the Verdant Wilds at night. Primals were more active in the darkness, and he had no desire to test his newfound strength against them just yet. As he made his way back to No.3 Novice Sanctuary, Vincent remained vigilant, occasionally engaging low-level primals to farm experience points. Each encounter was an opportunity to test his upgraded skills and weapon, and he found himself growing more confident with each victory. Upon reaching the sanctuary, Vincent headed straight for the Newcomer''s Lodge. He presented his Novice Warrior token, securing a single bed room for the night. Exhaustion from the day''s events weighed heavily on him, and he decided against cultivation, opting instead for a restful sleep. The next morning, Vincent descended to the lobby, intent on having breakfast before reporting to the Novice Center. Already wearing his black mask. To his surprise, he found the inn bustling with activity. The dining tables were filled to capacity, occupied by a diverse array of races engaged in animated conversations. Among them, he spotted a group of humans, a sight that caused him to pause momentarily. Curiosity piqued, Vincent approached the bar. Behind it stood a bartender with sharp ears, green skin, and black spots ¨C a striking appearance that momentarily caught Vincent off guard. "Is it like this every day?" Vincent inquired, his voice muffled slightly by the black mask he wore. The bartender, who had been cleaning a glass, looked up at Vincent. His expression remained neutral as he studied the newcomer. After a moment of silence, the bartender spoke. "I bet you''re a newbie, right?" Vincent nodded, seeing no reason to deny it. The bartender set down the glass he had been cleaning. "You might not know this, but today is the date for the weekly Outer District Battle." "Outer District Battle?" Vincent echoed, his interest piqued. "Yes," the bartender confirmed. "Newcomers will fight in the arena, and the selected winners will be allowed to enter the Lost Grove." Vincent''s brow furrowed beneath his mask. "What is Lost Grove?" Instead of answering, the bartender simply tapped the bar table. Vincent understood the unspoken message. He reached into his pocket, retrieving five origin crystals and placing them on the table. The bartender''s gaze fell to the crystals, but he made no move to take them. Vincent, catching the hint, added another five crystals to the pile. A wide smile broke across the bartender''s face as he scooped up the payment. "Lost Grove is a secret realm," he began, his voice lowered conspiratorially. "Rumor has it that it contains powerful relics and artifacts left behind by the Ancient Origin Warriors." Vincent leaned in, intrigued. The bartender continued, "The realm is said to be guarded by a powerful spirit, but those who can prove their worth and defeat its guardians will be rewarded with powerful treasures." As the bartender''s words sank in, a question formed in Vincent''s mind. He voiced it carefully, "If it''s really as you say, that it contains relics of ancient origin warriors, then who is recruiting warriors to enter the secret realm, and why?" The bartender''s smile faltered slightly. "About that..." Chapter 10 Strange Woman The bartender''s smile faltered slightly. "About that... If you''re interested, you can just go to the Outer District Battle Arena."Vincent didn''t press the bartender further. ''I guess it might be better to see it on my own,'' he thought. Deciding on his next course of action, he sat down and ordered a light breakfast before heading to the Novice Center to report and acquire more missions. Although his curiosity was piqued by the bartender''s information about the secret realm, he didn''t have enough knowledge about it. It might contain dangers he wouldn''t be able to overcome. Therefore, he believed the wisest decision was to improve his personal strength first. At the Novice Center, Vincent approached the same Almuarian woman who had guided him through registration yesterday, Alma. He submitted the Black-Iron Bee Stingers he had collected. "With these, you have completed your mission," she said, pausing before handing him a small silk pouch. "This is your reward, 100 origin crystals." Vincent accepted it without comment. He then heard a soft ''ding'' sound from the identification token in his pocket, indicating the completion of his mission. After thanking Alma, he skimmed through the Tier 1 missions and chose available tasks ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Initially, he wanted to accept all available missions within that range. However, he discovered he could only accept five missions simultaneously. With this limitation in mind, he chose missions focused on killing primals and collecting materials. As he was about to leave the Novice Center, a woman''s voice interrupted him. "W-Wait, you! The one who accepted five missions!" Frowning beneath his black mask, Vincent turned to face the voice''s owner. He saw a crimson-haired woman standing 170 cm tall, her red clothes clinging to her body, emphasizing her well-developed figure. Although she appeared human at first glance, her skin was different. She had red skin, reptilian crimson eyes, long eyelashes, and a few reptile scales on her cheekbones. A Drakorii. They were known as one of the neutral races in the Origin World, with a natural affinity for fire elementals. Most of them possessed an innate talent for fire manipulation and were skilled hunters. While observing her, Vincent could feel the gazes of others around him. They were assessing him, trying to determine if he was a powerful warrior or a suicidal idiot. Seeing nothing remarkable about him, they quickly lost interest, labeling him as the latter. Noticing his lack of reaction, the Drakorii woman approached him and said, "Hey, I saw you accept the mission about Flairmuse?" Still cautious, Vincent responded, "What about it?" "Oh, so you really accepted it. I was just guessing, hehe," the woman said playfully with a giggle. Vincent simply stared at her, unsure of her intentions. Seeing his lack of reaction, the woman pouted. "You''re so boring. Are other humans as dull as you?" Surprised by her innocent question, Vincent''s eyes widened, and he subconsciously touched his face, wondering if he had forgotten to wear his mask. Feeling the cold texture of the black fabric, he realized it was still in place. ''I am wearing my mask. How did she know I''m human?'' he wondered, having been extra cautious today after yesterday''s events. That was why he had donned the mask the moment he left his rented room earlier. Although curious, Vincent decided it was better not to get close to her. Without responding, he quickly left the Novice Center. However, the woman persisted in following him. "Wait! Human!" she called repeatedly, which eventually annoyed Vincent. He stopped in his tracks and faced her. "Why do you keep bothering me? What do you want?" His voice rose slightly, evidently irritated. The Drakorii woman faltered back, seemingly surprised at his tone. "W-Why are you mad?" Her voice softened, and the corners of her eyes watered. Seeing her reaction, Vincent couldn''t help but touch his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. ''Just what kind of people am I encountering today?'' he thought bitterly. Yesterday he had met individuals with deep backgrounds and others who wanted him dead. Now, he was facing another peculiar character. Calming his thoughts, he addressed the teary-eyed woman who was acting like a scolded child. "Calm down, I''m not mad." "Really?" she asked doubtfully. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, yes, really," Vincent responded, as if soothing a child. "Hmm, okay," she said, seeming to accept his words. Seeing her calm down, he asked again, "So, what do you want from me? Why did you follow me?" This time, his tone was more measured, wary of upsetting her further. The woman stared at him innocently. "I want to go with you!" "Go with me? Where?" "Flairmuse." "Flairmuse?" She nodded. Vincent''s lips twitched. Although her reply was brief, he somehow understood her intention. "Do you want to go with me to hunt flairmuse?" She nodded again. "Why? Can''t you go alone?" he asked. She went silent, fidgeting before shaking her head. "Don''t you know there''s a map in your identification token? You can find the whereabouts of flairmuse through that." She remained silent, her red skin taking on an even deeper shade of crimson, seemingly ashamed. "I-I don''t know..." her voice was almost inaudible. "You don''t know what?" "I don''t know how to look at the map..." she said softly. Vincent was speechless. "Just how old are you not to know how to follow a map?" The Drakorii woman was too embarrassed to reply. Shaking his head, Vincent chose to reject her. "No, I can''t go with you. I don''t even know you; you might kill me when I let my guard down." He didn''t completely believe her act. Hearing his rejection and accusation, the woman responded, raising her thin but perfectly arched eyebrows, "Why would I kill you? Are you a bad human?" "Are you sure you''re above 18?" he could no longer hold his doubt. Vincent saw her about to nod before she shook her head. He was skeptical but discarded the thought, knowing it was impossible to enter the Origin World for those below 18 years old. ''Maybe she has some cognitive issues,'' he reasoned, trying to find the most plausible explanation. "Anyway, I really cannot let you go with me," he said firmly, determined not to let a stranger know his secrets. Moreover, she would likely be a hindrance to his farming efforts. He turned around, preparing to leave. "W-Wait, I can pay you!" She called, grabbing his clothes. "No," he said simply, removing her hand. "I can pay you whatever you want!" This time, he was surprised. He raised his eyebrows, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Whatever I want?" Chapter 11 Azhara Vincent''s eyes locked onto the Drakorii woman before him, his gaze intense behind his mask. "Whatever I want, you say?"Azhara took an involuntary step back, unnerved by his piercing stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Ignoring her question, Vincent pressed on. "Tell me, young lady, what can you offer?" "What do you want? I have many things here¡­" Azhara waved her hand, and suddenly the air shimmered. A dazzling array of items materialized before them: crystals that seemed to pulse with inner light, gems that sparkled like captured stars, potions in every color of the rainbow, and various light orbs with possible variety of rare items. Vincent''s eyes widened behind his mask, fixated on the black ring with its neon light design adorning Azhara''s finger. ''She''s loaded!'' he thought, barely containing his excitement. ''If this were a game, she''d be the walking loot box!'' Unaware of Vincent''s reaction due to his mask, Azhara misinterpreted his silence. "Is this not enough?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice. Vincent cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "Which of these are you willing to offer?" Azhara tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean? Of course, I''ll be giving you all of this." "What?!" Vincent exclaimed, his composure slipping. ''Is this girl for real?'' "What''s wrong? Is this really not enough? In that case¡ª" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Vincent hurriedly interjected as Azhara prepared to summon even more items. "That''s more than enough! Any more and we''ll need a moving truck!" "Really?" she asked, uncertainty written all over her face. "Yes, really," Vincent assured her, marveling at her naivety. ''How has she survived in this world with such an attitude? Did she fall out of a "Rich Kids of Fantasy Land" reality show?'' Composing himself, Vincent addressed her request. "Listen, I''ll agree to bring you with me if you promise to follow my instructions. Are you alright with that?" His tone was firm, like a teacher laying down classroom rules. "Yes, I promise!" Azhara nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining brighter than her jewels. "Good. Let''s introduce ourselves properly. You can address me as Shroud," Vincent said, opting to use his alias. He couldn''t simply trust her, no matter how adorably clueless she seemed. "I''m Azhara, a Drakorii," she replied cheerfully, as if her dragon-like features weren''t already a dead giveaway. "Alright, Azhara. Are you prepared to leave?" "Yes," Azhara smiled gently. "Before I came here, my father even gave me a gift." With a flash of crimson energy, a beautiful silver rapier materialized, its rose-shaped crossguard gleaming. Vincent sensed a subtle flame energy emanating from the blade. ''An armament?!'' Vincent thought, astonished. His curiosity about Azhara''s background deepened. She was clearly from a privileged background, equipped with rare items and gifted an armament by her father. ''Great, I''m babysitting a dragon princess. What could possibly go wrong?'' As they left the Sanctuary, heading towards the Verdant Wilds, a shadowy figure stealthily followed them. In the Verdant Wilds, Vincent''s blade flashed, cleaving a ferocious Blackbite Rat in two. The creature dissolved into digital lights, leaving behind a small, dark tooth. [You have killed a Blackbite Rat!] [You can''t gain more experience points] It had been merely an hour since they entered the Verdant Wilds, and Vincent had already maxed out his experience points. The reason? Azhara had panicked at the sight of a bug¡ªa mere Tier 1 - 1¡ï primal¡ªand stumbled into a Blackbite Rat''s den. "It''s just a bug!" Vincent had yelled as Azhara flailed around. "But it''s so¡­ buggy!" she had shrieked back, demonstrating a remarkable grasp of the obvious. Although individually weak, the sheer number of rats had been overwhelming. Vincent lost count after slaying a hundred. Fortunately, Azhara proved her worth with her fire affinity and rare armament, allowing them to vanquish the horde. Exhaling heavily, Vincent turned to the silent Azhara. "What did you promise before I agreed to your request?" Azhara, too ashamed to respond, could only mumble an inaudible apology. Vincent sighed. "Forget about it. Let''s take a short rest before we look for flairmuse and conclude this deal. And maybe invest in some bug spray." As he began collecting the materials dropped by the Blackbite Rats, Azhara watched him curiously. "Why are you putting those in a backpack?" "Because I don''t have a storage item," Vincent replied, not looking up from his task. "Eh? But why? Isn''t this item cheap?" Azhara wondered, glancing at the black ring on his finger. Vincent''s lips twitched. ''Young miss, you have a nice way of indirectly calling me poor to my face!'' he thought. ''Maybe I should start a GoFundMe: "Help a Poor Origin Warrior Buy a Magic Backpack."'' "No, it''s not. They''re not cheap, and I can''t afford them yet," he admitted. "But father has many of these¡­" Azhara muttered before her eyes lit up with an idea. She approached Vincent, who immediately turned, still cautious. "What do you want?" he asked. "Um, I''d like to give you this as an apology for my mistake earlier¡­" Azhara held out a black ring¡ªa storage ring. Surprised but wary, Vincent asked, "Are you sure?" Azhara nodded with a gentle smile, pressing the ring into his hand. "I am sure. Please accept it." Though still dubious, Vincent accepted the gift. "Then, I''ll gladly take it. Thanks." He bound the ring to himself. As they prepared to continue their journey, a twig snapped in the nearby underbrush. Vincent tensed, his hand moving to his [Darksteel Sword]. "Azhara, stay close," he whispered. "And please, for the love of all that''s holy, don''t scream if it''s another bug." Suddenly, five rough-looking men with different races emerged from the foliage, their eyes gleaming with malice. Vincent quickly assessed them¡ªTier 1 - 4¡ï bandits, each slightly stronger than him individually. "Well, well," the leader sneered, a Tier 1 - 5¡ï brute with a nasty scar across his face. "Looks like the little princess has some valuable trinkets. How about sharing with us, sweetheart?" Azhara gasped, instinctively moving closer to Vincent. "W-who are you?" The bandit leader chuckled darkly. "We saw your little display back at the Sanctuary. Couldn''t resist following such a tempting target." "Wow," Vincent muttered, "stalking is really becoming an epidemic these days. Have you guys considered a less creepy hobby? Like knitting, perhaps?" The bandit leader''s eye twitched. "Enough talk! Hand over the valuables, or else!" Vincent''s mind raced, his mental score of 3.5 working overtime to formulate a strategy. These men were indeed higher-level than him, but he had his skills and talents to even the odds. He even had an option to upgrade his level now. "Gentlemen," Vincent said calmly, "I suggest you reconsider. This young lady is under my protection, and I assure you, the consequences of harming her would be¡­ severe." He paused for dramatic effect. "Also, has anyone ever told you that you''re really embracing the whole ''evil bandit'' stereotype a bit too enthusiastically?" The bandits hesitated for a moment, but their greed won out. They charged forward, weapons raised. Vincent pushed Azhara behind him, his [Darksteel Sword] vibrating. "Stay back," he warned her. "And remember, if you see any bugs, they''re on our side this time!" He met the first attacker head-on, their weapons clashing with a shower of sparks. Using his superior speed, enhanced by his Basic Origin Movement Speed skill, Vincent ducked under the bandit''s guard. "[Virulent Stinger]!" Vincent called out, activating his Uncommon skill. The [Darksteel Sword] glowed with a sickly light as it found a gap in the man''s armor. The bandit howled in pain as the poison took effect, his movements slowing. As the first bandit stumbled back, the others closed in. Vincent weaved between them, his movements fluid and precise. He couldn''t match them in raw strength, but his agility and quick thinking kept him one step ahead. "[Darksteel Slash]!" Vincent''s sword glowed with dark energy as he unleashed his weapon skill on the second bandit. The enhanced attack caught the man off guard, opening a deep gash across his chest and sending him reeling. "Azhara!" he called out, parrying a vicious blow from the third bandit. "Use your fire! Create a barrier!" Understanding dawned in Azhara''s eyes. She raised her hands, channeling her innate Drakorii abilities, and a wall of flames sprang up between them and the remaining bandits. The attackers recoiled, momentarily blinded by the intense heat and light. "Hot enough for you?" Vincent quipped. "I hear fire is great for roasting marshmallows¡­ and bandits!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated [Basic Origin Movement Speed], his form blurring as he dashed through the gaps in the flame barrier. His [Darksteel Sword] flashed twice in rapid succession, leaving two more bandits clutching at bleeding wounds. The bandit leader, seeing his men fall one by one, snarled in rage. He charged at Vincent, his superior strength sending shockwaves through the air with each swing of his massive axe. Vincent, recognizing the danger, focused his Origin Power into his blade. As the bandit leader''s axe came crashing down, Vincent sidestepped and countered with a precisely aimed [Virulent Stinger]. The poisoned blade found its mark, sinking deep into the leader''s thigh. The massive man roared in pain and fury, his movements becoming sluggish as the poison spread. Vincent, seeing his chance, unleashed a flurry of strikes, each empowered by his C-Rank Origin Power Enhancement talent. Finally, with a decisive [Darksteel Slash], Vincent brought the bandit leader to his knees. The remaining attackers, seeing their invincible boss defeated, turned tail and fled into the woods. "And stay out!" Vincent called after them. "Next time, try a less dangerous profession. I hear the Verdant Wilds are short on telemarketers!" Panting slightly, Vincent turned to Azhara, who stared at him with wide, awe-filled eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice rough from exertion. Azhara nodded, still too shocked to speak. Vincent quickly gathered what valuable items the bandits had left behind, his new storage ring proving immediately useful. "We need to move," Vincent said urgently. "They might have friends nearby." Grabbing Azhara''s hand, they sprinted deeper into the Verdant Wilds, leaving the groaning bandits behind. ''Is it really that difficult to have a peaceful experience farming..?'' Chapter 12 Unnamed After several minutes of running, Vincent heard Azhara''s meek voice."Um, can you please let go of my hand now?" As soon as he heard her words, Vincent subconsciously looked at his hand and immediately released hers. He hadn''t realized he had been holding her hand since they started running. "I apologize. I didn''t realize," he said, unabashed. On the other hand, Azhara, who was slightly blushing, felt a sense of loss when Vincent let go of her hand. "It''s fine..." At that moment, an almost 10-inch crimson dragonfly with a flame on its tail passed over them. Vincent paid no mind to it. However, when Azhara saw it, her crimson eyes shone. "Shroud, Shroud!" she called out. Vincent turned, curious. "What''s wrong?" "That, that!" She pointed at the flametail dragonfly. "Don''t tell me you''re afraid of that?!" His voice couldn''t help but rise. "No, no!" She shook her head. "Flairmuse!" Although she only said one word, Vincent was surprised to find that he somehow understood what she was trying to say. "Do you mean that thing is connected to Flairmuse?" Azhara shook her head before nodding repeatedly. "Food!" "You mean Flairmuse loves to eat that?" This time, Azhara''s eyes shone as she nodded, indicating that he finally understood what she meant. Vincent was slowly getting used to her personality, so he saved himself from having a headache by ignoring her short way of responding. "Then let''s follow that bug." The duo followed behind the flametail dragonfly. Several moments later, a rustling sound came from the underbrush, and then a sudden red figure flashed toward the peacefully flying flametail dragonfly. As it landed on the ground, the red figure finally revealed its appearance. It was similar to a squirrel; however, it had crimson fur, and its tail had a burning flame. "Here it is!" Vincent exclaimed in his mind. Both of them were hiding behind the bushes. Although a Flairmuse had already appeared, neither of them moved. According to the mission information, Flairmuse was known for being elusive. Just a simple sound could make them flee in panic. Although Flairmuse also had a strength of Tier 1 - 3 stars, similar to him, he wouldn''t be able to catch up to its innate speed. They even had a ''burrow'' skill, allowing them to escape through the ground. Therefore, he waited, silently letting the Flairmuse enjoy its meal. Soon, when it was about to completely devour the flametail dragonfly, Vincent exclaimed in his mind, ''Now!'' However, before he could even move, Azhara, who stood silently behind him, tugged the corner of his clothes. He turned and asked in a low voice, "What is it this time?" Instead of answering, she only handed him a shiny gem. He observed it but found nothing useful about it. "What do you want me to do with this?" "Throw it," she simply said while pointing at the Flairmuse. Although puzzled, Vincent just followed her request. She was the one who was looking for the Flairmuse in the first place. Even if it escaped, it would just take him some time to look for another one. It was still quite worth it compared to what she was offering him. As per her demand, Vincent softly threw the shiny gem toward the Flairmuse. The Flairmuse, which had just finished its meal, suddenly perked up at the sudden sound, cautiously looking around its surroundings. Its gaze then landed on the shiny gem thrown by Vincent. Although still cautious, it slowly walked toward the gem. Soon, it started fidgeting with the gem, seemingly interested and happy with it. Upon seeing this, Vincent felt it was the perfect time to move; however, Azhara beat him to it. He saw Azhara throw a crystal ball. It hit the unaware Flairmuse. A flash of light burst out of the crystal ball, forcing him to shield his eyes. Soon, when the light faded, the Flairmuse was nowhere to be seen. What remained was the same crystal ball Azhara had thrown. "Yay! Shroud, I caught it!" Azhara, obviously delighted, immediately ran and picked up the crystal ball. She then walked up to Vincent, showing him the crystal ball. "Shroud, look! I caught it!" She sounded so happy. Filled with curiosity about the crystal ball, he looked closer at it. He found the small figure of the Flairmuse moving inside. He had no idea what the name of the crystal ball was or its other functions, but for it to be able to imprison a primal, even though it was only a Tier I primal, he simply understood it was certainly expensive. Then, he couldn''t help but wonder, "Are you here just to catch a Flairmuse and not hunt it for materials or anything else?" Baffled, Azhara tilted her head. "Yes, why would I kill them? They are so cute! No one is allowed to kill them!" ''Okay, she probably truly likes the Flairmuse to respond with more than a word,'' he thought. "So, what now? Is our deal done?" Hearing his words, Azhara fell silent. She felt a sting inside her, wondering why, but she still managed a reply, "Yes..." She then waved her hand, taking out the promised rewards. "Here, this is all yours..." At the moment he accepted his rewards and put them all in his storage ring, the ground suddenly shook. "W-What''s happening?" Caught by surprise, Azhara moved closer to Vincent, tugging the corner of his clothes. Although also surprised, Vincent immediately summoned his [Darksteel Sword Armament] while frowning. Soon, the earthquake became stronger, trees falling down, as if making a path for someone or something. In the next moment, a familiar pressure he felt when he stood against Grirak came crashing down, making it hard to breathe. With his enhanced senses, his sight could see far and better than the average unawakened human. There, he saw a humongous moving black tortoise-like Primal, heading their way. It was over 20 meters tall. Without an ounce of hesitation, he took Azhara''s hand, calling out, "Run!" That thing was undeniably stronger than him, something he currently couldn''t compare with! That thing was even tens of meters away from them, but he could already feel the pressure. He couldn''t imagine what would happen if that Primal got closer to them. He would die if he fought that thing! No, he might die just by its pressure. However, they hadn''t gone too far when the humongous tortoise let out a deafening roar, forcing them to halt their escape. Groans escaped from their mouths. "Don''t tell me, this is how my journey is going to end..." Vincent couldn''t help but mutter, forcing himself to look at the humongous tortoise. Soon, he saw a bright light flash straight toward the head of the humongous tortoise. Bang! Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An explosion erupted, and smoke billowed. Roar! The humongous tortoise roared with a mix of rage and pain. Vincent then realized someone was fighting the towering primal! Someone is actually fighting that monster?! Focusing his sight, he finally caught sight of a lean humanoid figure. Humanoid because it had an appearance as though its body was made of crystals. Even its hair was like a set of spiky diamonds. Its upper torso was bare, revealing an ice-sculpted-like crystal chest and muscles. "Is that a Crystallian?" Vincent wondered, remembering the well-known neutral race and rulers of the No.3 Novice Sanctuary. Hovering in the air, the Crystallian lifted its right hand. Several sharp crystals materialized above him. With a wave of his hand, the sharp crystals swooped down, crashing into the humongous tortoise! Bang! Although there was a sound of explosion, the humongous tortoise seemed unaffected by the attack. When the smoke and dust faded, the humongous tortoise was revealed, its huge mouth widely open, with swirling water slowly charging in its maw. The Crystallian visibly panicked when he saw its action. His crystal eyes widened as he hurriedly flew back, attempting to escape. The Crystallian flew so fast that Vincent couldn''t even track him. Then, like a cannon, a powerful wave of concentrated water burst forth, straight toward the fleeing Crystallian. Bang! Vincent clearly saw the water cannon directly hit the back of the Crystallian, causing him to be shot down straight to the ground, his fate unknown. "The Crystallian lost?" As his thoughts stopped there, Vincent forced himself to run, dragging Azhara with him. Chapter 13 Going Back Vincent and Azhara burst out of Verdant Wilds, their feet pounding the earth as they ran. After several minutes of uninterrupted sprinting, they finally slowed to a stop, gasping for air. Vincent, still clasping Azhara''s hand, turned to her."Are you alright?" he asked between labored breaths. Azhara remained silent, her gaze fixed on their joined hands. Noticing her stare, Vincent quickly released his grip. ''Why do I keep grabbing her hand?'' he wondered, perplexed by his own actions. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "How are you holding up?" "I''m fine," Azhara replied, her cheeks slightly puffed in a pout. "That giant turtle was just being naughty! If Father were here, it would be turtle soup by now!" Vincent raised an eyebrow at her words, increasingly certain that Azhara came from a powerful, influential background. The monster that had nearly scared him to death seemed inconsequential to her father. As they approached the outskirts of No. 3 Novice Sanctuary, Vincent turned to Azhara. "Our deal is complete. I''ll be on my way now. What about you?" Azhara hesitated, seemingly reluctant to part ways. "I suppose I should head home. Father must be worried by now." Vincent nodded, having no intention of prolonging their time together. "And you?" Azhara asked. "I''ll rest for a bit, then resume hunting," he replied matter-of-factly. They entered the Novice Sanctuary, and Vincent prepared to leave. "Well, I''m off. Thanks for the deal!" He waved as he walked away. "Wait, Shroud¡­" Azhara''s voice trailed off, too late to stop him. She watched his figure fade into the distance, a hint of disappointment crossing her face. Shaking her head, Azhara retrieved a white scroll from her storage ring. She tore it in half, and in a shimmer of digital lights, she vanished. On Drakoth, the Drakoriis'' home planet, Azhara materialized in her opulent bedroom within the Drakota Clans Residence. She had barely opened her eyes when the door burst open, slamming against the wall. A lean, muscular Drakorri man wearing blood-red and golden royal attire rushed in, arms outstretched. "My princess! My baby!" he exclaimed, enveloping Azhara in a tight embrace. "Father!" Azhara returned the hug with equal fervor. Zhar Drakota held his daughter at arm''s length, scrutinizing her for injuries. "Are you hurt? Did anyone bully you?" Azhara smiled at her father''s concern. "I''m fine, Father. No one hurt me." "Are you certain?" She nodded, and Zhar exhaled in relief. "That''s good, that''s good. Now, tell me about your time in Origin World." Azhara recounted her adventures, including her encounter with Shroud. At the mention of a human, Zhar''s brow furrowed. "You met a human? And he assisted you?" "Yes, his name is Shroud. He helped me capture this Flairmuse," Azhara explained, producing the crystal ball. "Look, my first hunt!" Zhar''s expression softened at his daughter''s pride. He gently patted her head. "Well done. Father is proud of you." Azhara beamed at the praise. "Now, about this human¡­" Zhar began. "Shroud," Azhara corrected. Zhar''s lip twitched. "Yes, Shroud. Did he do anything else? Hurt you or try to deceive you?" Azhara paused, recalling the events. "No, I don''t think so¡­" Zhar nodded, "That''s a relief¡ª" "Except for grabbing my hand," Azhara added. "Twice." "What?!" Zhar''s voice rose sharply. "He grabbed your hand? Twice?!" "Is something wrong, Father?" Azhara asked, puzzled by his sudden anger. "Where does this human live? He seems tired of living! I''ll bury him myself!" Zhar fumed, an illusory smoke rising from his head. "No, Father! Stop!" Azhara protested. "If you don''t calm down, I''ll tell Mother you''re acting up again!" At his daughter''s threat, Zhar reluctantly reined in his anger, though he continued to plot Shroud''s demise in his mind. Meanwhile, in Origin World, Vincent sat on his bed in his rented room, marveling at the items and glowing orbs before him ¨C his payment from Azhara. "My word, I''m rich with just these!" he exclaimed, focusing on the valuable items. He first examined the white scroll: S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Name: Escape Scroll Type: Special Item Effect: Safely teleports the user out of Origin World three seconds after tearing the scroll. "An Escape Scroll! Excellent," Vincent chuckled. "Finally, a lifesaving item!" His laughter abruptly ceased as he remembered its origin. "Damn it! If I''d known I had this earlier, I wouldn''t have run for my life from that tortoise." Shaking off the thought, he continued his inspection. Touching the green light, an emerald metallic mask materialized. Name: Morphic Mask Rarity: Uncommon Effect: Assumes the appearance of any personally seen humanoid form, concealing the wearer''s true identity. The transformation is limited and cannot deceive higher-tier Origin Warriors. "This is merely uncommon?" Vincent marveled at the mask''s utility despite its modest rarity. He donned it, and with a thought, his skin turned red, reptilian scales emerging on his arms. Glancing in the mirror, he saw his dark purple hair and eyes had transformed to crimson, mirroring Azhara''s Drakorri features. "Incredible, it feels so real," he murmured, practicing different racial appearances. Next, he examined the blue orb, which transformed into a book: Name: Way of the Flowing Waters Rarity: Rare Description: A sword cultivation technique focusing on water''s ebb and flow to guide the cultivator''s swordplay. It allows the practitioner to mimic flowing water, adapting attacks from swift and precise to slow and powerful as needed. Stages: Rippling Waves: Increases speed and agility by 10%, enhancing quick strikes and evasion. Tidal Surge: Boosts attack damage by 20% with increased critical hit chance. Torrential Cascade: Imbues the sword with rushing water''s strength, increasing damage by 30% and bypassing physical resistance. "A cultivation manual!" Vincent exclaimed, understanding its immense value. He knew that Origin Warriors needed such techniques to advance beyond Tier 1-5 stars, refining experience points into Origin Essence. The manual''s rarity made it even more precious, something novice warriors from influential families would fight over. Vincent silently thanked Azhara for her generosity. Finally, he touched the purple orb, revealing another book: Name: Book of the Heaven''s Eye Rarity: Special Effects: Instantly discerns a cultivator''s power level, revealing their cultivation tier, stage, and technique nature. In combat, it grants temporary insight into the enemy''s fighting style and weaknesses. "A Special Skill!" Vincent''s excitement was palpable. This skill would be invaluable for navigating dangers in Origin World. Without hesitation, he learned it immediately. [You have successfully learned Heaven''s Eyes!] After reviewing his newfound treasures, Vincent decided to use his accumulated experience points to level up to Tier 1 - 4 stars. The encounter with the giant tortoise had taught him the true dangers of Origin World. With his experience points depleted, he opted to skip the Weekly Novice Battle and instead focus on farming more experience. Donning the Morphic Mask to appear as a Drakorri, he ventured to the southern part of No.3 Novice Sanctuary, another section of Verdant Wilds. He spent the remainder of his time in Origin World hunting, until the familiar sensation of being pulled back to Astralis enveloped him. In a flash of digital light, he vanished from his rented room. Back on Astralis, Vincent found himself in his living room. It was still dark, just 4 AM. His eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger. The room was in shambles, as if a typhoon had torn through it. Walls were cracked, and furniture lay in pieces. "What happened here?" he muttered, his composure slipping. "Marina! Sis Amara! Where are you?!" Chapter 14 Going Back (2) Vincent''s heart raced as he dashed through the wrecked living room, calling out desperately."Marina! Sis Amara!" Silence answered his pleas. Panic rising, he bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He burst into Sis Amara''s room first, only to find it in a similar state of disarray. Clothes were strewn across the floor, drawers hung open, their contents spilled out like entrails. "Damn it!" Vincent cursed, spinning on his heel and rushing to Marina''s room. The scene that greeted him was no better. Marina''s beloved anime posters lay in tatters, her collection of figurines scattered and broken. The sight of her ruined sanctuary sent a chill down Vincent''s spine. Last, he entered his own room. The destruction continued here, his belongings tossed about carelessly. But amidst the chaos, a glint caught his eye. His phone lay miraculously unscathed on the floor, having fallen between the bed and nightstand. With trembling hands, Vincent snatched up the device. He quickly navigated to his contacts, finding Marina''s number. His finger hovered over it for a moment before he tapped, bringing the translucent hologram to life. The call connected, but it wasn''t Marina''s voice that greeted him. "Little Vince?" Sis Amara''s casual tone came through, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Vincent''s mind. "Sis Amara! Where are you? Where''s Marina? What happened here?" The questions tumbled out in a rush. "Whoa, slow down there, kiddo," Sis Amara drawled. "We''re fine. We''re at the Stellar Plaza Hotel. Room 507." Vincent exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "I''m on my way," he said, already moving towards the door. "Take your time, little Vince. We''re not going anywhere," Sis Amara replied before ending the call. The journey to the hotel passed in a blur. Vincent''s mind raced with possibilities, each scenario more terrifying than the last. When he finally reached Room 507, he knocked with more force than necessary. The door swung open, revealing Sis Amara in her usual tank top and shorts, a beer in hand. "Hey, little Vince. Glad you could join the party," she said with a lazy smile. Vincent''s eyes shone, seeing the usual calm and lazy Amara. The heaviness in his heart was largely alleviated but not completely gone. "Sis Amara..." His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Marina. She sat cross-legged on one of the beds, engrossed in a holographic anime playing before her. "Rina!" Vincent called out. Marina''s head snapped up, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her brother. "Big bro!" she exclaimed, leaping off the bed and tackling him in a hug. "I missed you so much! Did you see what those jerks did to my limited-edition figurines? They''ll pay for that!" Vincent returned the hug, relief flooding through him. After a moment, he gently disentangled himself from Marina''s grip and turned to Sis Amara, his expression serious. "What happened?" he asked, his voice low and controlled. Sis Amara took a long swig of her beer before answering. "Robbers, looks like. Hit the place while we were out. I was at work, and Marina was at school." "Robbers? How''s that possible..?" Vincent muttered to himself. He was baffled since, based on Vincent''s memory, they had never encountered any kind of situation like this in the couple of years they had lived in their district. "Is that really it?" he thought, feeling there was something more to it. Though he had no definite suspicion who would do that to him. He had been quiet all his life and rarely talked or got in touch with anyone. Amara saw Vincent in deep thought, so she asked him, "What''s wrong, little Vince?" Facing her question, Vincent simply shook his head. He had no plan to implicate anyone if this event really had a connection to him. "Have you reported it to the authorities?" he asked. "Yeah, yeah," Sis Amara waved her hand dismissively. "They came, took some pictures, said they''d look into it. Don''t hold your breath, though." Vincent nodded, his mind already working on their next steps. Since it wasn''t safe to live in their house, it must be better for them to stay in the hotel for a while before he found them a new place to stay. "Brother, what do we do now? Are we going back to Sis Amara''s home?" Marina couldn''t help but ask, glancing at Vincent and Amara. Vincent didn''t answer immediately; he instead stared at Amara. Sensing the siblings'' gaze, Amara quickly understood that they were waiting for her decision. "You''re a big guy now, you can decide what you want to do..." she said before sipping her beer, as though she didn''t care what would happen to her place. Vincent kept staring at Amara. He was truly curious about her background and what was going on in her mind. She had been so calm and collected despite what happened to her house, as though nothing could shake her emotions. Since Amara let him decide, without thinking twice, he decided. "Then let''s just stay in the hotel for a while before we look for a new place to stay." Hearing his decision, Marina, who was silent, couldn''t help but ask, "We''re not going back?" Vincent simply nodded in response. "But where do we get the money to get a new place? Is sister Amara going with us?" Her eyebrows rose. Once again, Vincent turned to look at Amara, who was drinking her beer in silence with her eyes closed, as if she didn''t hear Marina''s question. He then turned to face his younger sister and pinched both of her cheeks. "What the hell are you thinking? I was just gone for a day. Why are both of you like this?" He wondered. Ever since he arrived at the hotel, he felt as if something was amiss between them. He deeply wondered until realization dawned on him. Looking at both of them, he questioned, "Did Sis Amara force you to eat something she cooked?" Marina, who was still being pinched by her cheeks, exclaimed, "You know it, brother!" Her eyes shone and her eyebrows rose, glaring at Amara, whose eyes were still closed but lips were twitching. Although she was being glared at, Amara just completely ignored her. She knew Marina had reason to be angry. Since Vincent had gone to Origin World and no one would cook for the both of them, she decided to cook for herself and Marina. And the result was Marina''s hate. Seeing them acting like this, Vincent could only sigh. They were too dependent on his cooking. Well, he could not dismiss Marina''s hate for Amara, since he clearly knew her cooking. ''Sis Amara''s way of cooking is definitely cursed,'' he thought. "Alright, alright. That''s enough. Have you eaten yet?" "No, I lost my appetite since yesterday morning..." Marina didn''t even hide her thoughts. Vincent chuckled, stroking her head to calm her down. "Let''s just order food downstairs. I''ll cook for you tomorrow." Enjoying her brother''s caresses, Marina simply nodded her head. After ordering a meal and having breakfast, Marina went to school while Amara stayed in the hotel and had no plan to go to work. Vincent, on the other hand, checked his email. It had been almost a month since he awakened. He had never been to the school since then and was focused on preparing to go to Origin World. He knew that event was about to come. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he expected, he found an email from school, which notified him to report back to school in order to participate in the Annual Battle Ceremony. Annual Battle Ceremony was a tournament battle between awakened Origin Warriors to showcase their abilities and promote their school to different guilds, institutes, and organizations'' recruiters. Therefore, it was basically the most important tournament for newly awakened Origin Warriors for their future career. Although he felt that with his talent, he could improve on his own, he had no intention to ditch the tournament. He was quite interested in the other awakened students and the champion prizes. Last year was also a blast; the Annual Battle Ceremony champion won a lot of high-quality items. Therefore, he had no reason to ignore the prizes if they wanted to hand them to him. Yes, Vincent felt that with his absurd improvement, he believed no one could compete with him, unless some cosmic fate interfered and caused him to lose. Hence, he immediately left the hotel and went out after letting Amara know. He didn''t immediately go to the school since the tournament would start in the afternoon. It was still early in the morning; he had enough time to sell his loot for quick money. After calling a hovering cab, Vincent arrived at the Origin Warriors Trade Market Branch of District 12. Although it was a market, the place was a towering skyscraper, although not as grand as the branch of Origin Warriors Association. Similar to the Origin Warriors Association building, Vincent was also scanned by blue lights as he entered the establishment. The moment he entered, he was greeted by a robotic AI. "Greetings! May I kindly know the purpose of your visit today?" "I''m here to sell my items." "Great! Would you like me to guide you to the Central Bazaar?" "I''m good, just let me know where to find it." "If you want to visit the Central Bazaar, you can go to the 10th to 13th floor. Just a reminder, you can freely visit the first floor of Central Bazaar, which is on the 10th floor, where you can buy or sell various resources that are common in quality. And if you want to buy or sell higher quality items, you have to visit the higher floors, which will require authorization from the Bazaar host." Chapter 15 Central Bazaar After getting directions from the AI robot, Vincent rode the elevator up to the tenth floor. As soon as the doors slid open, he stepped out into a long, wide hallway. At the far end, a crowded entrance buzzed with activity as people flowed in and out, while guards with serious expressions, dressed in sleek, skin-tight armor, kept a watchful eye on the scene.One of the guards stepped forward as Vincent approached. "Let me see your ID," the guard said, holding out his hand. Without a moment''s hesitation, Vincent presented his Origin Warrior License. The guard examined both Vincent and the card carefully. Although the card labeled him as just a Rank 0 Origin Warrior, the guard couldn''t help but feel an unusual pressure coming from Vincent. Confused, but brushing it aside, the guard returned the license and handed Vincent a black token. Vincent inspected the smooth black token, noticing a countdown timer ticking away. "What''s this for?" Vincent asked, raising an eyebrow. "That''s your visitor''s token," the guard explained, his voice steady. "It tracks how much time you have left to stay in the bazaar and is only good for this floor. If you want to go to any higher levels, you''ll need the Host''s permission and top-tier items to qualify." Vincent gave a nod of understanding, now aware he had just two hours. Thanking the guard, he moved forward and entered the Central Bazaar. As Vincent stepped into the bazaar, he was immediately swept up by the lively atmosphere. The immense space was filled with vendors and buyers, their chatter blending into a constant hum of activity. The bazaar stretched out so far that he couldn''t see its end from where he stood. "Armor materials for sale! Check out my stall!" "Buying common items here!" "Selling common and uncommon skill books!" Vincent was taken aback by the sheer scale of the market, having never experienced anything like it before in this world. His Heaven Eye skill activated, allowing him to sense the strength of those around him. Most of the people he passed were Rank 0 to Rank 1 Origin Warriors, with the occasional Rank 2 mixed into the crowd. As he wandered through the bustling marketplace, his attention was drawn to a particularly crowded stall: the Lucky Stone Stall. "Step right up!" the vendor called out enthusiastically. "Try your luck by cracking open a lucky stone for just 10 Origin Crystals or 10,000 credits! You might find a rare gem worth over 100,000 credits or more!" The vendor, an elderly man with a long, wispy goatee, stroked his beard as he continued promoting his goods. "I''ll even give you a discount¡ªfive Lucky Stones for only 40,000 credits or 40 Origin Crystals!" A brash-looking Origin Warrior from the crowd stepped forward with a confident grin. "Give me five! Today''s the day I clean you out!" The old man''s lips curled into a teasing smile. "Ho ho, looks like you didn''t learn your lesson from yesterday, did you?" "Shut it, old man! Today''s my lucky day!" the warrior snapped. "If you say so. It''s your money, after all." The man selected five stones and handed them to the vendor. "Crack them open already!" he demanded impatiently. The vendor chuckled softly before raising a hammer. "As you wish, let''s see what fortune has in store for you..." With a sharp bang, he brought the hammer down on the first stone. It was empty. "That''s your first stone. Unfortunate," the old man said, his voice dripping with feigned sympathy. Grinding his teeth, the man barked, "I''ve still got four left! Keep going!" "Very well, onto the next one," the vendor replied calmly. Bang! The second stone was also empty. The third and fourth stones yielded the same results, and frustration was etched deeply into the warrior''s face. His fists clenched tightly as he struggled to contain his anger. "This is a scam! Your stones are all rigged!" he accused, glaring at the vendor. "Now, now," the old man said with a shrug, "this is all a game of chance. You weren''t forced to buy my stones. I''m not responsible for your bad luck." Seething, the man''s lips trembled with fury, but there was nothing more he could do. "Just open the last one," he growled. "As you wish," the vendor said, raising his hammer one final time. Bang! The last stone didn''t split immediately but showed a few cracks. Seeing this, the man''s eyes gleamed with a flicker of hope. Bang! With the second strike, the stone broke apart, revealing a small green gem inside. "Congratulations!" the vendor announced theatrically. "You''ve uncovered a speed enhancement gem!" The man let out a triumphant shout. "Yes! I knew it! I won!" "Indeed," the vendor agreed. "You can sell that gem for 20,000 credits or 20 Origin Crystals." The warrior''s excitement faded quickly as he realized that even with the gem, he had still lost 20 Origin Crystals overall. "You swindling old bastard! I still lost out on this!" The vendor merely chuckled. "That''s how it goes, young man. You win some, you lose some." Furious but defeated, the man stormed off, grumbling under his breath. Vincent had observed the entire scene from a distance. "Anyone else feeling lucky?" the vendor called out to the crowd. His gaze scanned the area before settling on Vincent, who was watching intently. "You there! You look like a newly awakened warrior. Want to try your luck? I''ll give you a special discount¡ªjust 5 Origin Crystals for one stone!" The crowd, having witnessed the last customer''s frustration, started to voice their disapproval. "Hey, Old Feng! You''re trying to scam a newbie now?" "Yeah, you old fox! Don''t pick on the kid!" But the vendor, unfazed by their protests, scoffed, "Hmph! I''m not forcing anyone to buy. If you''re not interested, then move along!" He turned back to Vincent with a sly grin. "So, what do you say, young man? Feeling lucky?" Vincent met the vendor''s gaze, his mind churning with amusement. ''This old man thinks I''m easy prey¡­'' With a subtle smirk, Vincent responded, "How about we make it a bit more interesting?" The vendor''s eyes gleamed at the challenge. "Oh? What do you have in mind, boy?" Vincent''s smile grew. "I''ll buy just one stone. If I find a gem inside, you pay me double the market price." "And if you lose?" the vendor countered, intrigued. "Then I''ll pay double the normal price for your stones." The old man burst into laughter. "You''ve got guts, kid! Alright, if you''re so eager to give me your money, who am I to refuse?" Still smiling, Vincent stepped forward and began inspecting the stones carefully. "Take your time, lad," the vendor taunted, "but remember, you''ve only got about two hours left for your stay!" Vincent ignored the old man''s jibes, carefully examining the stones laid out before him. After several minutes of silent inspection, he finally selected one. "Ha! Took you long enough!" Old Feng chuckled. "I thought you were going to spend your whole time here staring at rocks. You sure about that choice? I''ll give you one last chance to change your mind¡ªthis one''s probably empty!" Vincent''s smile remained unchanged. "I''m satisfied with my choice. Go ahead and open it." The confidence in Vincent''s voice baffled Old Feng, but the vendor shook his head with a grin. "Alright then, don''t say I didn''t warn you!" He raised his hammer and, with a resounding bang, struck the stone. To his shock, the stone didn''t shatter like the others. Instead, cracks formed along its surface, and a glint of something shimmered through the fractures. Old Feng''s laughter faded as the crowd leaned in, murmuring in surprise. Vincent''s smirk widened. "Well, I''ll be!" the vendor exclaimed, his voice catching in his throat. "The kid''s got beginner''s luck! There''s a gem in there!" The vendor struck the stone again, and it cracked open fully to reveal a high-quality power enhancement gem. The crowd gasped. "That''s no ordinary gem," one of the onlookers whispered. "That one could go for 150,000 credits, easy!" "And the deal was for double the market price!" another shouted. "Old Feng''s gonna have to pay up 300,000 credits!" Laughter rippled through the crowd, and those who had lost money to the vendor earlier couldn''t hide their satisfaction at his predicament. "Looks like Old Feng''s finally taken a hit!" they jeered. Old Feng''s face twitched with barely concealed frustration, but he forced a strained smile. "Alright, alright, you lot! I''m not so shameless as to cheat a young man!" He shot a glare at the crowd before turning to Vincent. With a bitter tone, the vendor spoke, "I''ll pay up, but you''ve got to wager with me one more time. After all, I accepted your first bet, didn''t I?" Vincent''s smile vanished, and his face darkened. "You''re being pretty shameless, old man," he said coldly. "You''re the one who pushed me into buying a stone in the first place." But Old Feng, seeing Vincent''s stern expression, became convinced the young man had just gotten lucky. There was no way it could happen twice. The vendor''s eyes gleamed with confidence as he said, "Not shameless, lad¡ªjust giving you another chance to win more! What do you say? Will you take another bet?" Vincent paused, as if in deep thought, then gave a small nod. "What are the terms?" "Same as before," Old Feng replied eagerly. "If you win, I''ll pay double the market price again. But if I win, I won''t pay you your previous winnings, and you''ll have to pay for all the stones you''ve opened." Vincent didn''t answer immediately, pretending to weigh the risks. After a moment, he nodded in agreement. "Good!" Old Feng''s grin widened. He knew there were fewer than ten stones left on the table, and based on his experience, he was certain that all the remaining ones were worthless. "Pick your stone," he said, his voice dripping with smug confidence. Vincent approached the table once more, his expression grave. He took his time, carefully inspecting each remaining stone, while the crowd watched in silence, the tension rising with each passing moment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Vincent made his choice. "This one," he said calmly, handing it to the vendor. Old Feng''s eyes sparkled with excitement. He was sure this stone was empty. "Ready to lose, boy?" he taunted one last time, lifting his hammer. Vincent remained silent, his face unreadable as he watched the vendor. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bang! The first strike didn''t split the stone, but a crack appeared. Old Feng''s smile faltered, but he kept going. Bang! The second blow shattered the stone open, and to the vendor''s utter disbelief, another gem lay nestled inside. But this time, the gem wasn''t just valuable¡ªit was even more precious than the last one. The crowd erupted in cheers, some clapping in excitement at Vincent''s astonishing luck. A wide smile spread across Vincent''s face as he calmly looked at Old Feng, his eyes sparkling with amusement. It was as if Vincent had known all along what would happen. "You¡­ you knew, didn''t you?" Old Feng stammered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. His expression was a mix of shock, disbelief, and grudging respect. The old man stared at Vincent, realizing he had completely underestimated him. Chapter 16 Central Bazaar (2) Vincent''s smile grew wider, but he didn''t respond to Old Feng''s assumption. In reality, he had been aware of the gem hidden inside the stone all along.How? While watching the previous customer''s attempts, Vincent had been actively utilizing his Heaven Eyes skill to scan the crowd. Before Old Feng cracked open that final stone, he had sensed a strange aura emanating from it. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When the gem was revealed, he recognized that the peculiar energy he had detected indicated the presence of a gem within the lucky stone. Though confident, Vincent had initially held onto a sliver of doubt. To confirm his theory, he proposed a wager with Old Feng. Feigning displeasure at the vendor''s challenge, he skillfully hid his ability to see through the stones. The rest, as they say, was history. With a frown, Vincent spoke in a displeased tone, "What are you rambling about, old man? You think I can see through your stones or something? I won fair and square." "Then how did you do it..." Old Feng''s words were drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. "Old Feng, quit stalling and pay the young man!" "Ha! You''ve finally taken a big hit, old timer!" "Pay up! Pay up!" Though irritated, Old Feng had no choice but to concede to his misfortune. After asking for Vincent''s bank details, he transferred nearly a million credits into the young man''s account. Vincent couldn''t hide his smile. This was his first significant windfall since arriving in this world, and it felt like just the beginning. His dream of amassing wealth and living comfortably back on Earth seemed within reach, even though the idea of relaxation felt far away in this dog-eat-dog world. "Thanks for the business, old man," Vincent said lightly. "Hmph! Get lost! I don''t want to see your face around here again!" Old Feng grumbled. Vincent laughed at the vendor''s frustration as he left the Lucky Stones Stall to explore the rest of the Central Bazaar. He still needed to sell his items and perhaps discover something interesting. After nearly an hour of wandering, Vincent came upon a strangely deserted stall. The vendor, dressed in black clothing with a dark veil obscuring their features, sat quietly beside their wares. Vincent examined the items on display: old, tattered books, rusty and unadorned weapons, and various other objects that looked more like junk than merchandise. He thought to himself that there were indeed eccentric individuals in every world. Just as he was about to move on, an inexplicable force tugged at something deep within him as his gaze fell upon an ordinary-looking rock. His eyes narrowed as he tried to peer into the plain stone''s depths. Unlike his earlier experience with the lucky stones, he couldn''t see through this rock, but he felt a strong connection to it resonating within his Origin Core. An old man''s voice broke into his thoughts. "It seems something has caught your eye." Vincent turned to face the veiled figure. Rather than answering directly, he asked, "I''m just curious why you''re selling these old items..." "Oh? Do you think I''m peddling garbage?" the vendor challenged. Vincent raised an eyebrow. "If they''re not trash, what are they then?" The man fell silent for a moment before replying. "These items may have lost their value and purpose for some, but I believe in the saying, ''One man''s trash is another man''s treasure.''" Vincent pondered the vendor''s words, nodding silently in agreement. "If you''re not buying, please move along. Don''t obstruct my business," the man said, though his tone lacked genuine hostility. Despite being shooed away, Vincent stood his ground. "You say one man''s trash can be another''s treasure. Well, I have some ''trash'' here. Care to make a deal?" The vendor''s interest seemed piqued. "Ho, a business proposition? Do tell." With a wave of his hand, Vincent produced all the items he''d looted in Origin World. The previously sparse stall was now filled with his acquisitions. "Care to buy this ''trash''?" Vincent asked. While an unawakened person might have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items, the veiled man showed no reaction. That was, until Vincent revealed a purple book¡ªthe Thrygian Trait Skill Book. Originally rare, he had upgraded it to Epic quality before returning. "An Epic Skill Book?" the vendor remarked, though his reaction was more subdued than Vincent had anticipated. Vincent''s curiosity about the man''s background intensified. He activated his Heaven Eyes, scanning the vendor but found nothing unusual beyond confirming that he was a peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior. "Interested in buying the lot?" Vincent inquired. The man hesitated before responding. "I can offer 90% of market price for all your common items." "Ninety percent? Hmm. What about this book?" Vincent asked, gesturing to the purple tome. "That high-quality, specialized skill book is a bit different. It''s not in high demand, but it could be priceless to the right buyer. I''d recommend you auction it instead." "Auction, huh?" Vincent mused, contemplating where he might do so. Noting Vincent''s consideration, the vendor added, "I could auction it for you, if you''d like." "For how much?" The man''s tone became more appreciative. "I like you. Straight to the point. I want 20% of the sale." Vincent frowned, displeased. "Five percent." The vendor shook his head. "Can''t do it. Fifteen percent." Rather than continue haggling, Vincent made to withdraw. "Forget it. I''ll auction it myself." Seeing Vincent about to reclaim the book, the man hurriedly interjected. "W-Wait! Ten percent, and you can choose one item from my stall." Vincent regarded him silently. "Come on," the vendor pressed. "The auction site takes a 5% cut. I''d only be making 5% myself. Cut me some slack here." Though Vincent''s expression remained impassive, inwardly he was laughing. Of course, he knew the standard auction fees and how time-consuming the process could be. Still, he played along, acting as if he was accepting out of pity. "Alright. Ten percent and..." he paused, surveying the items before him. "...I''ll take this one," he said, pointing to the rock that had drawn him in so strongly. The moment he made his choice, Vincent felt a piercing gaze upon him. He glanced around, but the sensation vanished as quickly as it had come. ''What was that? Am I getting paranoid?'' he wondered. Oblivious to Vincent''s internal dialogue, the vendor responded cheerfully. "Excellent! Let''s draw up a contract, shall we?" With a wave of his hand, the man conjured a transparent interface. He signed it with his fingerprint before passing it to Vincent. Vincent carefully scrutinized the contract''s contents. It was a standard digital business agreement used in Astralis, governed by the laws of the Starmark System. Any breach would result in immediate arrest¡ªa marvel to Vincent, who hailed from Earth. Satisfied that everything was in order, Vincent added his own fingerprint signature. Both parties received a copy of the finalized contract. "So, you''re Vincent..." the vendor murmured, eyeing the signed document. Vincent learned the man''s name was Alex. "I''ll need your bank details and contact information," Alex said. "Then you can have this..." He carefully handed over a small box, about the size of a fist, containing the rock. Vincent accepted it without a word. The moment his fingers brushed the container, he heard a faint, rhythmic pulsing¡ªlike a heartbeat. ''Just what are you?'' he pondered, studying the strange stone. "Everything alright, young man?" Alex''s voice broke through his musings. Snapping back to the present, Vincent replied, "Yes, fine." He tucked the box into his storage ring. "When can I expect results from the auction?" "I''ll notify you in three days at the earliest, a week at most." "Alright. Just transfer the payment for my common items to my account. I''ve got other business to attend to." Alex nodded, watching as Vincent left the Central Bazaar. "Interesting..." the vendor murmured to himself. As Vincent rode in a hover cab on his way to school, he couldn''t help but grin at the bank notification that flashed across his interface. Notification: You have received a payment of 1,500,000 credits from Alex. Your account balance is now 2,400,000 credits. His first day in Origin World had netted him over two million credits, catapulting him from pauper to millionaire. Of course, he knew the source of most of his newfound wealth. ''Azhara, my little walking treasure,'' he mused. ''I hope we cross paths again in Origin World.'' Chuckling at the thought, Vincent retrieved the item he''d acquired from Alex. Upon opening the box, he immediately noticed a change in the rock''s appearance. It now emitted a faint black aura, exuding a mix of dread, chaos, and raw power. Filled with both curiosity and caution, he slowly reached for the stone. The moment his fingers made contact, a flash of black light erupted from within. The outer layer disintegrated, revealing a shiny black marble that was eerily familiar. It was identical to the one that had transported him to this world! "How... why is it here?" Vincent muttered, baffled. If the marble that had brought him to this reality now served as his Origin Core, what was this similar orb, seemingly filled with countless bright stars. Before he could ponder further, a pillar of obsidian light burst forth from the marble. It shot skyward, piercing the clouds and drawing the attention of countless onlookers throughout District 12. Vincent''s consciousness faded as the black light engulfed him. An indeterminate amount of time later, Vincent felt awareness returning. To his shock, he found himself floating thousands of feet above the ground. "Where the hell am I?" he wondered aloud, gazing at the unfamiliar landscape far below. Chapter 17 Mysterious Vision Vincent stood, bewildered, his eyes scanning the strange, desolate landscape that stretched endlessly before him.A towering figure cloaked in darkness loomed in the distance, its form pulsing with a sinister energy that seemed to consume the very air around it. Surrounding this dark entity were countless shadowy armies, locked in a brutal clash against forces from all walks of existence. Farther away, Vincent spotted another commanding presence, leading the opposition. This colossal figure, formed entirely from swirling mist, exuded a holy, almost divine aura. The sight of these two beings alone made Vincent feel minuscule, as though he were nothing more than a grain of sand in an incomprehensible universe. Although he had no idea who or what these entities were, one thing was clear¡ªthey radiated unimaginable power. "Where the hell has that marble dragged me now?" Vincent thought, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the scene unfolding before him. Just as his thoughts started to spin, the dark figure spoke, its voice deep, ancient, and strangely playful. "Still playing the hypocrite, huh? After all these reincarnations, you''d think you''d get tired of it." The misty figure, apparently unmoved by the taunt, responded with a scoff. "Don''t pretend you don''t know who you are. Your very existence is the reason calamity continues to fall upon the universe." "You old fools always find someone to blame for your own mess. Can''t you think of a better excuse?" the dark figure replied, dripping with sarcasm. "Shut up, demon!" the mist figure roared, its voice filled with fury. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hand over the Chaos System. You have no idea what you''re dealing with¡ªwielding that kind of power will bring nothing but disaster for all of us!" The mist figure''s form shifted and reconfigured, summoning an enormous golden hand that hovered menacingly in the air, orbs of holy light swirling in its grasp. The dark figure chuckled at the display. "See? There''s the truth. You''re still after my power, aren''t you? Even after all these eons, even after killing everyone I cared about¡ªand even your own people¡ªyou''ll do anything to get it." The chuckle turned into a bitter laugh filled with hatred. Raising its hand, the dark figure summoned a circular disc of dark energy, its surface resembling a clock. The hands of this clock moved backward, forcing the golden light back to its original form before it dissolved into nothingness. "You''ll never beat me, not in this lifetime!" the dark figure declared. "Hmph. You think I''m not ready for that?" The mist figure sneered, producing an artifact¡ªa golden hourglass brimming with chaotic energy. The dark figure''s voice faltered for the first time, a note of shock creeping in. "How did you get that?!" "I paid a heavy price for it," the mist figure said, throwing the artifact into the air where it hovered, ominous and foreboding. Strange, arcane chants filled the space, and a massive vortex of white, chaotic energy began to form, its gravitational pull swallowing everything in its path. Armies, monsters, even reality itself seemed to warp and bend as they were consumed by the chaotic portal. "You mad old dog!" the dark figure roared. "Are you really willing to destroy the entire universe just to defeat me?!" "I''ll do whatever it takes to end you!" the mist figure''s voice rang out, resolute. Desperately, the dark figure conjured countless clocks, their hands moving backward in a frantic attempt to reverse time. Some of the beings that had already been pulled into the vortex were yanked back, momentarily brought back to life. But the mist figure was unrelenting. "There''s no point in resisting. You know it''s futile." As the dark figure strained against the overwhelming force of the vortex, it suddenly shifted its gaze toward Vincent. Its abyssal eyes locked onto him, and in that instant, a searing pain tore through Vincent''s skull, so intense that he blacked out. When he came to, Vincent was back in his cab, his head still throbbing from the encounter. His body trembled, drenched in cold sweat. "Who... who was that?" he whispered to himself, rubbing his temples. "Why do I feel like I know him?" As he tried to piece together what had just happened, panic surged through him¡ªhis black marble was gone. Frantically, he searched the cab, hoping to find it, but it was nowhere to be seen. Just as despair started to creep in, a strange, dark aura pulsed from within him. Focusing inward, Vincent realized his Origin Core, once plain and unremarkable, now glowed with a multitude of bright stars¡ªeerily similar to the marble he''d been holding. The core throbbed with a dark, ominous energy, reminiscent of the power he had witnessed from the dark figure. Acting on instinct, Vincent tapped into the dark energy, channeling it to his eyes. His sclera turned pitch black, while his pupils remained their striking purple. Suddenly, a vision took hold¡ªa tower of obsidian light piercing the sky, surrounded by countless eyes watching over it. The vision shifted again. This time, he saw powerful figures converging on the tower of light, their eyes locked onto him. He could see his own cab, suspended mid-air, with himself being pursued by these beings. With a sharp gasp, Vincent cut off the dark energy, his eyes snapping back to normal. Without hesitation, he commanded his cab to descend. The moment it was low enough, he kicked open the door and leaped out, sprinting toward the crowded streets of the district. Disoriented, he knew one thing for sure¡ªif he didn''t keep running, he might not survive whatever was coming for him. The moment Vincent disappeared into the ocean of faces, hundreds of feet above him, Leo Blaire-District Leader of District 12-appeared, his face as grave as stone. A minute or two later, another figure appeared, hovering in the air beside Leo. The new one had long blonde hair, with a big horizontal scar across the bridge of his nose. Clad in skin-tight black armor, his face was a mask of arrogance. "Yo, Flame Boy!" the blond-haired man called out. "I gotta admit, I''m quite surprised you kept such a huge secret buried in your district!" Leo-least in the mood for any banter-forwarded a sharp glare in the man''s direction, Arman Matthews. "If you think I''m hiding something in my district, why don''t you go back to your own district like someone with some decency?" Arman was the leader of the neighboring District 11 and loved getting dirt under Leo''s nail. "Humph! Don''t play dumb about knowing what that black pillar means!" This time Leo said nothing; he knew exactly what Arman was referring to. Legend spoke of a black pillar that heralded calamity-a catastrophe that had once laid waste to an entire civilization. The thought of it nagged him and, simultaneously, incensed him that such an omen should appear in his territory. Having been a District Leader for a couple of years, even to think that something so villainous could be lurking within the ambit of his care was immensely disturbing. Not having received an answer from Leo, he pressed on. "Come clean, Leo. What are you concealing in your territory?" To the persistent inquiry from Arman, Leo just snapped, "Do you really think I''d be standing here with you if I knew what the answer to that was?" Almost immediately after this was said, two more figures materialized beside them. One was a tall, statuesque woman with flowing silver hair and piercing gold eyes, while the other was a stocky man with a shaved head, his exposed skin covered by intricate tattoos. "My, my," the woman spoke, her voice like silk. "What do we have here? A lover''s quarrel between our esteemed colleagues?" "Can it, Selena," growled the man with the tattoos. "This is no time for your games. We all felt that surge of power. Leo, explain yourself." Leo turned to them, his exasperation clear on his features. "Selena, Goran, I assure you, I''m as oblivious to this mess as you are. The thing with the pillar of light simply showed up out of thin air, and I''m completely at a loss about how and why it''s here." Goran, the tattooed man, narrowed his eyes. "You expect us to believe that? This is your territory, Leo. You should know every pebble and blade of grass within it." "I understand your skepticism," Leo said evenly, though he was clearly struggling to keep his temper. "But I swear upon my position as District Leader, I had no knowledge of this. phenomenon until it manifested." Selena prowled around the group, her movements fluid yet menacing. "The fact that either Leo knew or didn''t know about it is beside the point. What is relevant is what are we going to do about this?" said Arman, who had been uncharacteristically quiet till then. "We need to find the source of that pillar. If it indeed foretells some sort of disaster, just like those legends told, we can''t afford to just sit around." "For once, I agree with Arman," Leo said, his words drawing a surprised look from the rest. "We should get search parties and comb District 12. Whatever did this needs to be found and contained." Goran just nodded grimly. "Agreed. But let''s not forget, if this does turn out to be something you''ve been concealing from us, Leo, there will be repercussions." Meanwhile, as Vincent was making his way through the crowded streets, his heart racing with anticipation, the District Leaders were talking about what was to be done to find out the truth. Chapter 18 Annual Battle Ceremony (1) Vincent navigated through several alleyways, his appearance shifting subtly with each turn thanks to his Morphic Mask.As he finally approached the Academy grounds, he could sense the heightened atmosphere of anticipation and tension. His phone had been buzzing incessantly with messages from his sister and Amara, but he''d deal with those later. Despite the recent disturbance in the city - that ominous black pillar that had everyone talking - the Academy was bustling with activity. Today marked the Annual Battle Ceremony for awakened students, and representatives from various guilds and institutes would be in attendance. The stakes were high, and Vincent could feel it in the air. As he entered his classroom, the usual cacophony of morning chatter died down instantly. All eyes locked onto him, and whispers began to ripple through the room. "Vincent Magnus is here!" "He looks... different somehow. Has it really only been a month?" "Did you feel that? There''s something about him now..." "Could it be related to that black pillar we saw earlier?" Vincent made his way to his seat at the back of the room, his mind still processing the events of the morning. The dark energy he''d absorbed from the mysterious black marble pulsed within him, a constant reminder of the changes he''d undergone. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed the approaching footsteps. "Hello, Vincent." The voice was feminine, deliberately pitched to sound alluring. Vincent looked up to find Claudia Blonde standing before his desk, flanked by two of her usual followers. Her tanned skin and blonde twin-tails were as immaculate as ever, the red and white school uniform tailored perfectly to her figure. As the daughter of an influential family, Claudia was used to commanding attention - though she''d never paid much attention to Vincent before today. Keeping his expression neutral, Vincent replied, "What can I do for you?" Claudia twirled a lock of hair around her finger, a practiced gesture that had probably won over countless admirers. With a slight blush, she asked, "Would you like to join me for a walk after school?" Vincent had to suppress a smirk. The privilege of power was already making itself known. Before his awakening, he''d been invisible to the likes of Claudia. Now, suddenly, he was worthy of her attention. Though he was no ordinary teenager - his memories of his past life on Earth gave him a different perspective on such matters - he decided to play along. "Interesting invitation," he said, letting a hint of amusement color his voice. "Though I''m curious - we''ve never really talked before, have we? And weren''t you involved with Greg?" From the corner of his eye, Vincent could see Greg Malcolm tensing at his desk. The boy''s face was turning an interesting shade of red as he mouthed silently, "Don''t... you... dare... agree." Everyone knew Greg had been pursuing Claudia for over a year, flaunting his family''s connections and his brother''s reputation as a genius Origin Warrior. Vincent''s deliberate mention of him was like poking a sleeping beast. "I would love to join you for a walk," Vincent continued, his eyes locked with Claudia''s, "but I''m afraid I''m quite busy today with the Annual Battle Ceremony. Perhaps another time?" He punctuated his response with a subtle wink that made Claudia''s blush deepen. The reaction was immediate. A wave of heated energy rolled through the classroom as Greg shot to his feet, his Origin Power flaring visibly around him. "You dare to mess with my woman, you punk?!" Greg''s voice cracked with fury, veins bulging on his forehead as fire energy swirled around him. Vincent had to admit, he was somewhat impressed. Despite his D-rank talent, Greg had improved significantly - clearly, his family''s resources had been put to good use. Yet, compared to Vincent''s current level, Greg''s Tier 1 power felt like a candle next to a bonfire. Maintaining his playful smile, Vincent turned to Claudia. "Is that true? Are you his woman?" Claudia''s face scrunched up in anger. "I''d never like him at all! He just kept pestering me, always flaunting his family''s power and his brother being a genius Origin Warrior." Vincent faced Greg, his smile never wavering. "That''s what she said." Greg''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, his fury reaching a boiling point. "You! Good! Haha, you bitch chose that poor punk instead of me? Do you think he''ll survive and be great just by having a good talent without a proper background?" Vincent remained silent, studying Greg with an unnerving calmness that only seemed to enrage the other boy further. "What do you mean by that?" Claudia demanded, her voice heavy with indignation. "I''ll show you what I mean!" Greg''s right arm erupted in red-orange flames as he lunged forward. Claudia, still standing near Vincent''s desk, could only cry out, "Watch out!" Vincent didn''t move until the last possible moment. The dark energy he''d absorbed earlier surged through his body, mixing with his Origin Power in ways he was only beginning to understand. As Greg''s flaming fist approached, Vincent casually raised his right hand. His normally pure, transparent Origin Power now had a subtle dark tinge to it as he blocked Greg''s punch with a resounding bang. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the classroom, scattering papers and rattling shelves. Greg''s eyes widened in disbelief. "H-How can you block my attack?" Vincent''s smirk grew slightly. "You''re just too weak." Still holding Greg''s fist, Vincent gave a casual push that sent the other boy stumbling backward to fall ungracefully on his back. "Ugh!" The classroom erupted in shocked whispers. Vincent Magnus, the former nobody, had just effortlessly defeated Greg Malcolm. Even Claudia was staring at Vincent with newfound wonder. "Are you alright, Vincent?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. As Vincent turned to answer her, his eyes flashed with dark energy for a brief moment before returning to normal. "I''m fine." Greg''s enraged roar cut through the murmuring crowd. "Vincent Magnus! I will kill you! I want you dead!" He scrambled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. A pair of ornate red gauntlets materialized on his fists, the red pearls embedded in them glowing ominously as flames erupted around his arms. "Today will be your funeral!" Just as Greg was about to attack again, a stern voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What''s happening here?!" All eyes turned to see Councilor Carlos Castellanos standing in the doorway, his gray hair and lined face doing nothing to diminish his commanding presence. Vincent''s senses tingled as he observed the old man. He''s actually Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡­ "Aren''t you both ashamed of what you''re doing?" the councilor demanded. "Today is an important day for both you and the school, and here you are making a mess? Go back to your seats!" Vincent noticed the councilor studying him intently for a moment, and he wondered if the old warrior could sense the change in his Origin Power. "Both of you, come with me to the announcement hall," Councilor Carlos ordered. "The Dean will announce the rules of the Annual Battle Ceremony." As they filed out of the classroom behind the councilor, Vincent could feel the weight of everyone''s stares. The walk to the announcement hall was tense, filled with unspoken hostility between Vincent and Greg. Councilor Carlos led them through the Academy''s sprawling corridors, his steady footsteps echoing against the polished stone floors. Other students they passed whispered and pointed, word of their confrontation already spreading through the school like wildfire. Vincent took the opportunity to observe his surroundings more carefully. The Academy was even more alive than usual today, with staff members hurrying about making last-minute preparations for the ceremony. Through the large windows, he could see viewing stands being erected in the courtyards and what appeared to be large, covered cages being transported toward the arena area - undoubtedly containing the Primal Beasts for the first phase of the tournament. As they walked, Vincent became increasingly aware of the dark energy coursing through his body. It seemed to respond to his emotions, curling and uncurling like a sleeping beast. He could sense it mixing with his original Origin Power, creating something new, something potentially dangerous but undeniably powerful. Greg, walking slightly behind him, was still radiating anger. The red pearls on his gauntlets pulsed rhythmically, matching his agitated breathing. Vincent could hear him muttering under his breath, probably plotting some form of revenge during the ceremony. "Both of you," Councilor Carlos suddenly spoke, his voice carrying the weight of decades of experience, "I hope you understand what today represents." He paused in his stride, turning to face them. "The Annual Battle Ceremony isn''t just a competition. It''s a tradition that dates back to the founding of our Academy, a chance for students to prove their worth not just to their peers, but to themselves." The old councilor''s eyes seemed to pierce through Vincent, and for a moment, he wondered if the man could sense the strange energy within him. "It''s also," the councilor continued, "a reminder that true strength isn''t just about power. It''s about control, strategy, and knowing when to fight and when to step back." They resumed walking, now joined by streams of other students all heading toward the announcement hall. Vincent noticed how people reacted to their group - some with curiosity, others with barely concealed excitement at the prospect of upcoming battles. He recognized many faces: Lin Feng, known for his exceptional speed; Sara Chen, whose healing abilities were renowned throughout the school; Dmitri Volkov, whose physical enhancement Origin Power made him a formidable opponent. As they approached the massive doors of the announcement hall, Councilor Carlos turned to them one final time. "Remember, whatever personal grievances you may have, they end here. In the ceremony, you fight for the honor of the Academy and for your own growth as Origin Warriors. Do you understand?" "Yes, Councilor," Vincent replied calmly, while Greg merely nodded, his jaw clenched tight. The announcement hall was already filling up as they entered. It was an impressive space, with high vaulted ceilings supported by columns inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed with a soft, blue light. The air was charged with anticipation and the mingled Origin Power of hundreds of students. Vincent found a spot near the middle of the hall, conscious of the curious glances thrown his way. The confrontation in the classroom had clearly sparked interest in him as a potential contender in the ceremony. He could hear snippets of conversation around him: "Did you hear? He took down Greg Malcolm without even trying..." "But isn''t he the one who only awakened recently?" "Something''s different about him now..." Before long, the runes on the columns flared brighter, signaling the arrival of Dean Augustus Thorne. The legendary Origin Warrior stepped onto the elevated platform at the front of the hall, his presence immediately commanding attention. The dean''s Origin Power was so refined that it was barely noticeable, yet Vincent could feel its immense pressure filling the entire hall. "Students of the Academy," the dean''s voice resonated throughout the space, "today marks the commencement of our Annual Battle Ceremony." His eyes swept across the gathered crowd, and Vincent felt a slight pressure when that gaze passed over him. "As you stand here, know that you represent not just yourselves, but the future of Origin Warriors." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Holographic displays materialized around the hall, showing maps of the different arenas and statistics from previous years'' ceremonies. Vincent studied them intently, already formulating strategies in his mind. "This year''s ceremony will follow the traditional three phases," Dean Thorne continued. "However, I must warn you - our scouts have reported unusually aggressive behavior among the Primal Beasts in recent months. The creatures we''ve captured for the ceremony are stronger and more cunning than in previous years. Exercise extreme caution." A murmur of excitement and apprehension rippled through the crowd. Vincent noticed Greg smirking, probably thinking this would give him an advantage with his fire-based abilities. As the dean proceeded to explain the specific rules for each phase, Vincent felt the dark energy within him resonating with his anticipation. He knew that this ceremony would be more than just a test - it would be his opportunity to truly understand the changes happening within him, to push the boundaries of his newfound power. The announcement concluded with the dean activating a large holographic display showing the random team assignments for the first phase. Vincent quickly located his name and memorized his teammates - he was paired with Lin Feng, which could be advantageous given their complementary abilities, along with two students he didn''t know well. As the students began to disperse to prepare for the ceremony, Vincent caught Councilor Carlos watching him with an unreadable expression. The old warrior nodded slightly before turning away, leaving Vincent to wonder if he had sensed something different about his Origin Power. Chapter 19 Annual Battle Ceremony (2) Vincent stood at the corner of the training field, his mind adrift in thought. The recent changes he''d been experiencing gnawed at him, a constant presence just beneath the surface. Ever since he had absorbed the strange black marble, something had shifted. His emotions felt foreign, as though they were no longer his own, influenced by something dark and unfamiliar."What the hell is that marble, really?" he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the bustling field. The ceremony would begin soon, and all the awakened students were gathering, their excitement palpable in the air. Vincent''s gaze drifted toward the far end of the field. "Alex¡­ that old man might know something. I''ll ask him once this ceremony is over." As he stood, lost in his thoughts, the sound of footsteps approaching snapped him back to the present. A confident voice, smooth yet laced with arrogance, cut through the noise around him. "Vincent Magnus." Vincent turned to see Lin Feng, a young man with long black hair that cascaded down his back, standing a few feet away. Dressed in light blue martial clothes with a sword at his hip, Lin Feng exuded an air of superiority. He had been one of the first to awaken in their batch, and Vincent could sense that the boy''s pride came as much from his family name as it did from his power. Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly, and with a thought, he activated his Heaven Eyes ability. He couldn''t help but feel a flicker of surprise. Lin Feng had already reached Tier 1, 4-star. How are they improving so quickly? Vincent wondered, his mind racing. Even for someone from a prestigious martial family, the speed at which Lin Feng had progressed made no sense. His C-rank talent, Swift Speed Ability, enhanced movement and attack speed, but the experience required for such rapid breakthroughs should have been astronomical. Something about it felt off. "Yes?" Vincent''s voice was terse, betraying his lack of interest. Lin Feng''s smile widened. "You know who I am, don''t you?" He didn''t wait for an answer. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m Lin Feng. And unlike that idiot Greg, I''m not someone you can just defeat so easily." Vincent sighed internally. Why does every world have people like this? Arrogance like Lin Feng''s was as predictable as the rising sun. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone flat, clearly not in the mood for a drawn-out conversation. Lin Feng took a step closer, his tone turning demanding. "When you''re on my team, you''ll follow my orders. Understood?" Vincent glanced past Lin Feng at the two other students standing silently behind him¡ªa boy and a girl, both looking uncomfortable but unwilling to voice their concerns. The weight of Lin Feng''s family name loomed over them, and Vincent could see it in their eyes. He turned to them, his expression neutral. "How about you two? Are you okay with this?" The boy, Van, shifted uncomfortably under Lin Feng''s glare, his eyes flicking nervously between them. The girl, Shaina, remained silent, her posture stiff. Neither dared oppose Lin Feng openly, and after a tense moment, they both nodded quickly. Vincent shrugged. "Do whatever you want." The truth was, the ceremony didn''t matter much to him. His goals were beyond these petty rivalries, and he could grow faster in the Origin World regardless of the outcome. He had no intention of getting involved in a leadership dispute with Lin Feng. He''d win in the end, regardless of who called the shots now. Closing his eyes, Vincent sat down, his posture relaxed, signaling the conversation was over. Lin Feng, clearly annoyed by his nonchalant response, clenched his jaw before turning to his followers. "You two! If you want to win, follow me!" he barked, storming off with an indignant huff. Soon after, the deep voice of Dean Thorne echoed across the field, commanding the attention of all the awakened students. "All awakened students, preparations are complete. Please proceed to the training field!" Vincent stood and began making his way to the field along with the others. The training ground had been transformed into an enormous arena, the size of a football field. A large podium stood at the front, surrounded by rows of spectators¡ªstudents, their families, and various influential figures from across the region. On the podium, beside Dean Thorne, sat several notable individuals, their presence radiating authority. Vincent recognized a few faces from news reports, the kind of people whose power and status were often mentioned in whispers. The excited chatter of the crowd filled the air, their voices a mix of awe and anticipation. "Are those recruiters from the big organizations?" "They must be! I feel weak just looking at them. They''re stronger than our Dean, I bet." "That woman there¡ªsee her? That''s the Snow Princess. She''s got an A-rank talent!" "No way¡­ She''s here at our battle ceremony?" Vincent''s curiosity piqued, and he instinctively activated his Heaven Eyes to observe the podium more closely. What he saw startled him. He couldn''t discern Dean Thorne''s power level, nor that of the visitors seated beside him. They must be above Tier 4, Vincent realized. He could still make out Councilor Carlos''s power, who was at Tier 3, but the rest were beyond his ability to read. As his gaze moved across the figures on the podium, a woman with long blue hair and a short, form-fitting dress suddenly turned her head in his direction. Her sharp, ice-blue eyes locked onto his for a split second, and Vincent quickly averted his gaze. The woman was none other than the Ice Princess¡ªan elite member of the Bronzehaven Legionnaire Corps, one of the few Origin Warriors who had awakened an A-rank talent in their Arc. She''s even more dangerous than I thought. That sharp sense... Dean Thorne noticed the exchange and leaned toward her, his voice low but clear enough for those nearby to hear. "What''s wrong, niece?" The Ice Princess continued to stare in Vincent''s direction, her face impassive. "Nothing, uncle." Satisfied, Dean Thorne stepped forward to address the students, his voice carrying across the arena. "Students, as mentioned earlier, the first phase of the ceremony will be the Primal Hunt. You will be transported through the portal to a designated location. The rules are simple¡ªthe ten teams that hunt the most primals will advance to the next phase and earn a special prize that will aid your cultivation." He raised a small wrist device. "For your safety, instructors are stationed throughout the area. If your team wishes to withdraw, simply activate the bail button on this communication device. You''ll each be given one before entering the portal. It will also track your primal kills. And remember, killing other students is strictly forbidden!" The students erupted in excitement, their voices rising in a collective cheer. Vincent stood with Lin Feng, Van, and Shaina. Lin Feng shot him a quick, irritated glance before addressing the group. "Let''s go." They received their devices in silence, and Vincent glanced down at the two-hour countdown timer. Group 24 was up. As they stepped through the portal, the world shifted around them. The brief sensation of vertigo passed as quickly as it came, and within moments, Vincent found himself in a dense wilderness. Towering trees stretched skyward, their thick canopies casting deep shadows over the underbrush. The air was humid and thick with the scent of moss and damp earth. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unknown creatures. The communication device on Vincent''s wrist buzzed softly, and he glanced down to see a holographic map materialize above it. The map showed a birds-eye view of their current location, represented by green triangular icons. Other purple icons marked the positions of nearby teams, and several large red dots indicated the locations of high-tiered primals scattered across the hunting zone. Vincent remained quiet as he studied the map, already planning his strategy. He had no intention of sticking with Lin Feng and his team for long. The sooner he could break off, the better. Lin Feng, on the other hand, had other plans. "Let''s go!" Lin Feng barked, his voice brimming with authority. His eyes flickered toward Vincent, narrowing slightly. "And as for you," he added, his tone sharp, "I don''t like your attitude. You''re out of the team." Vincent raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. Well, that was quicker than expected. Van, clearly startled by the abrupt decision, stepped forward. "W-Wait, Lin Feng! You can''t just kick him out. We need all the help we can get if we want to qualify for the next round." Shaina, equally concerned, nodded in agreement. Her gaze shifted uneasily between Lin Feng and Vincent, not daring to voice her thoughts but clearly troubled by the sudden exclusion. Lin Feng shot Van a look of pure disdain. "Do you think I''m an idiot? I have my own plans. You just need to follow my orders. Or maybe you want to join him?" Van''s expression faltered, and despite his obvious discomfort with the situation, he shook his head quickly. Though he hated Lin Feng''s arrogance, he wasn''t confident that Vincent could outmatch him. He chose the path of least resistance, stepping back without further protest. Vincent, unsurprised by the turn of events, gave a casual shrug. He didn''t have the energy to argue or convince them otherwise. If they thought kicking him out would benefit them, he wasn''t going to waste his time trying to change their minds. "Suit yourselves," Vincent said simply, turning on his heel and walking off into the dense forest. He didn''t bother looking back as he vanished into the shadows, leaving the group behind. Lin Feng watched him go, his jaw clenched in irritation. "Good riddance," he muttered before turning to Van and Shaina. "Now, let''s move. We don''t have time to waste." Meanwhile, Vincent moved deeper into the forest, his senses alert as he navigated the terrain. He wasn''t concerned about being alone. In fact, he preferred it that way. Lin Feng''s impulsiveness would only get in the way, and Vincent knew his own strength better than anyone else. The Primal Hunt was just another obstacle, one he would overcome on his own terms. As he continued forward, his communication device buzzed again, signaling the proximity of a primal beast. He stopped, scanning the area with his Heaven Eyes. The faint outline of a creature appeared through the dense foliage¡ªa large, hulking beast covered in thick scales, its eyes glowing faintly with primal energy. Vincent''s lips curved into a smile. Finally. He moved silently through the underbrush, positioning himself downwind of the creature. The primal was a Tier 1, not particularly dangerous, but strong enough to pose a threat to those who were careless. For Vincent, however, it was perfect practice. Chapter 20 Primal Hunt All eyes in the arena were glued to the floating screens before them. The central display, larger than the rest, focused on a young man with wild red hair and a muscular build, his stern face a mask of concentration.This was Elric Baelius, an A-rank awakened talent who the instructors and VIPs fully expected to dominate the ceremony. He and his team were making short work of the Tier 1 primals, dispatching them with practiced ease. Nine smaller screens surrounded the main display, each tracking other promising groups who showed potential to advance to the next round. In the center podium, the influential figures had already begun their own subtle battle. A man with long green hair, dressed immaculately in a fine suit and thin-framed spectacles, spoke up from his seat near Dean Thorne. His voice carried no emotion, carefully neutral as he asked, "Mr. Thorne, have you delivered my requested favor to student Elric?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Augustus Thorne, who had been watching his students'' performance with an approving smile, briefly frowned before smoothing his expression. He was well aware of the speaker''s background. This was Verno Alius, an A-rank Origin Warrior and elite member of the prestigious Emerald Python Guild. Led by a formidable S-rank Origin Warrior, the guild was notorious for recruiting only those with A-rank talent or higher. Before Augustus could respond, another voice cut in. "Pulling strings already, Snake Verno? That''s low, even for you." The words dripped with undisguised contempt. The speaker was Arnold Mazels, another A-rank Origin Warrior and elite member of the White Tiger Guild. His tanned skin stretched over thick muscles, barely contained by his white martial garment. Short hair and heavy eyebrows completed his intimidating appearance. At the mention of his nickname, Verno''s reptilian jade eyes flickered briefly as he turned to face Arnold. "Don''t act so righteous. We both know you had the same idea. I just moved faster, old dog." With that, he closed his eyes and turned away, clearly dismissing any further discussion. "Who are you calling an old dog? You looking for a fight?!" Arnold''s voice rose dangerously. "Are you sure you''re in a position to challenge me right now?" "What''s that supposed to mean?" "You know exactly what I mean, old dog. Your... owner''s days are numbered." The mention of his ''owner'' triggered an explosive reaction. A vibrant, bloody aura erupted from Arnold as killing intent filled the air. His clenched teeth revealed sharp fangs, and the armrest of his seat cracked under his grip. In response to Arnold''s pressure attack, Verno released his own baleful emerald aura, the two forces clashing violently. With a thunderous ''bang,'' a shockwave rippled through the arena, startling the audience and terrifying the school instructors seated behind the VIPs. "What''s happening?!" "Mad Dog Arnold and Snake Verno are at it again!" "Someone stop them!" While chaos erupted in the stands, Vincent was threading through the wilderness with deadly precision. He obliterated a Tier 1 - 1 star primal with a single punch. [You''ve killed Tier 1 - 1 ¡ï Vile Snake] +0.0005 experience points! Talent activated! You have received 5 experience points! His kill counter ticked up by one, but after fifteen minutes of hunting, he''d only managed to earn 20 primal points. A frown creased his brow as he considered his options. "This isn''t going to cut it. Only an idiot would waste time on low-level primals. Real-world primals don''t even drop loot or leave corpses." Decision made, Vincent set his sights on the large red dot closer to his position. He needed to gauge whether he could take it on with his current strength. As he made his way there, he casually eliminated any primals in his path. He quickly learned that Tier 1 - 2 star primals were worth 2 points each. It made him wonder if higher-tier primals would award points proportional to their cultivation level. Meanwhile, in another part of the wilderness, Greg''s party of two D-rank and two E-rank Origin Warriors crouched behind bushes and tree trunks. They watched intently as another group battled a Tier 1 - 2 star Vicious Wolf. One of Greg''s teammates whispered nervously, "Are we really doing this?" Greg''s expression soured slightly as he replied, "Just follow my lead. My brother tipped me off. The rules only prohibit killing other participants, not injuring them. And get this - if we snatch their communication devices, we get their primal points." "But aren''t we being monitored?" another teammate asked anxiously. "Enough questions! You want to make it to the next round or not? Then do as I say!" Thud! The group they were watching finally took down the Vicious Wolf, its form dissolving into digital particles. Greg''s voice rang out with determination, "Now!" Back with Vincent, he perched on a tree branch, carefully observing his surroundings. His attention was drawn to a massive black bear sleeping near a cave entrance, its fur blending seamlessly with the forest shadows. Activating his Heaven Eyes, he quickly assessed its cultivation level. "A Forest Fury... peak Tier 1." The sight prompted Vincent to check his own status: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 5¡ï (500,250/1,000,000 Exp) Origin Power: 5300/5300 Force: 7.5 Speed: 7.5 Mental: 8.5 Chaos Energy: 60/100 Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Origin Meditation (Proficiency: Novice) ¡ñ Basic Origin Movement Speed (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Stinger (Proficiency: Beginner) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter "Good call on farming experience points before coming back. I''ve hit peak Tier 1, but I still need to work on my skills, upgrade my gear, and start cultivating that manual from Azhara..." His thoughts drifted to the chaos energy coursing through his body. "But this energy..." Frowning slightly, he connected the dots. This had to be from absorbing that chaotic marble earlier. "What else can this do besides foresight?" he wondered. Experimentally, he channeled the chaos energy into his right arm. Power surged through his muscles, making his veins bulge visibly. He watched in fascination as his force stats jumped from 7.5 to 8.5 - a full point increase! The chaos energy meter dropped from 60 to 59. To test his enhanced strength, he gave the tree trunk a light jab. The result was explosive - the entire trunk shattered, forcing him to leap to another branch. "Holy shit! Wasn''t expecting that!" As the tree crashed down with a thunderous impact, Vincent''s eyes snapped to the supposedly sleeping Forest Fury. The bear''s head was now raised, its gaze locked directly on him. Vincent could only manage a weak, "Good morning?" The bear''s answering roar shook the forest. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the cave," Vincent muttered. The beast charged his position, massive jaws clamping down on his tree branch. CRUNCH! As the tree began to splinter, Vincent leaped down, using his momentum to deliver a powerful kick to the Forest Fury''s head. Despite landing with a resounding ''bang,'' it felt like striking solid metal. He flipped gracefully, landing several meters from the thirteen-foot-tall black bear. "Damn, that''s one hard head!" The Forest Fury merely shook itself, seemingly unaffected by the blow. "Tough customer, huh?" Enraged, the bear charged again, its bloodshot eyes promising death. Despite its enormous size, it moved with shocking speed, closing the distance in an instant. It swiped with massive paws tipped with razor-sharp claws, but Vincent had anticipated the attack. He dodged smoothly and countered with a devastating punch to its stomach. BANG! His fist connected solidly, but numbness immediately shot through his left arm. The Forest Fury''s jaws gaped wide, revealing gleaming fangs as it attempted to crush Vincent in its maw. But before it could, Vincent summoned his [Darksteel Sword], blocking the savage bite. CLANG! Metal met fangs in a shower of sparks. Vincent quickly disengaged as the bear''s claws began to glow with crimson energy. With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a cross-shaped energy attack. Vincent responded instantly, unleashing Darksteel Slash. A white energy wave erupted from his blade, completely nullifying the bear''s attack. BANG! The collision generated a shockwave that devastated the surrounding trees. "Alright, that''s enough testing the waters. I can definitely handle peak Tier 1 primals now." Without hesitation, Vincent activated his awakened talent: Origin Enhancement! His force increased by 30% as he channeled chaos energy into his [Darksteel Sword], making the blade hum and vibrate ominously. "Darksteel Slash!" A mixture of light and dark energy exploded from his blade, streaking toward the furious Forest Fury! BOOM! The deafening roar was followed by a cloud of dust that completely obscured the beast. When no confirmation of the kill came, Vincent unleashed three more slashes in rapid succession. Finally, the notification he''d been waiting for appeared: You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 5 stars Forest Fury! +10 experience points! Talent activated! You have received 100,000 experience points! As the dust settled, the Forest Fury''s massive form dissolved into digital particles. Vincent let out a slow breath, checking his communication device. His primal points had increased by 50 - equivalent to killing fifty Tier 1 - 1 star primals. The difference was staggering. Though this method was faster, Vincent suspected the number of peak Tier 1 primals in the area had to be limited. Otherwise, nobody would have trouble passing to the next round. As he studied his map, Vincent realized something odd - despite killing the Forest Fury, the red dot near his position remained. "What the hell?" Confused, he scanned his surroundings before his eyes settled on the cave entrance he''d noticed earlier. "That dot must be coming from in there..." Gripping his [Darksteel Sword] tightly, Vincent cautiously entered the cave. Though dark, his enhanced senses allowed him to see clearly. The entrance, deceptively small, opened into a vast, cavernous space. Water dripped somewhere in the darkness as he followed the winding path deeper inside. Morning sunlight barely penetrated this far, casting everything in dim shadows. Unknown to Vincent, mere moments after he disappeared into the darkness, another group of four silently entered the cave behind him. Chapter 21 Primal Hunt (2) Vincent traced the winding cave path with practiced caution, periodically consulting his floating map interface until he finally reached the spot marked by an imposing red dot.Instead of the high-tier primal he''d anticipated, his eyes fell upon a serene lake. In its center, a yellow lily flower bloomed, its petals shimmering with an ethereal pale golden light. Standing at the water''s edge, recognition slowly dawned on Vincent''s face as he recalled crucial information about the mysterious bloom. "Isn''t that..." he began to murmur. A sharp voice cut through his thoughts like a knife. "We''ve hit the jackpot! That''s a rare Sunspire Lily!" Vincent turned unhurriedly, unsurprised by the newcomers. He''d been monitoring his map diligently, so their arrival hadn''t caught him off guard. Four students stood at a distance, two guys and two girls, looking as casual as if they were on a leisurely field trip rather than a dangerous expedition. The guy who''d spoken carried himself with the unmistakable air of entitlement that came from a privileged upbringing. His brown hair was meticulously styled, and his companions shared the same aura of unearned confidence. "Hey there, fellow student," the brown-haired young man called out, his tone dripping with false camaraderie. "You wouldn''t mind if we claimed that Sunspire Lily, right?" Behind him, his friends exchanged knowing smirks, already certain of the outcome. Vincent had to suppress a wry smile. If he hadn''t known the true value of the Sunspire Lily, he might have just walked away - confrontation wasn''t typically his style. But this flower, which required a full decade to reach full bloom, was no ordinary plant. It could permanently increase both force and speed attributes by a point, boost heat resistance, and improve sun affinity. Such a prize was worth fighting for. So instead of backing down, he let his annoyance show. "I found it first. You''ve got some nerve making demands like that." The brown-haired student''s friendly facade cracked instantly. He let out a hollow laugh as if he''d heard something utterly ridiculous. "Are you seriously refusing to hand it over?" Vincent responded with silence, his steady gaze speaking volumes. One of the girls stepped forward, her platinum blonde hair arranged in an elaborate braid that must have taken hours to perfect. Her face was caked with enough makeup to paint a small mural. "Senior Cyrus," she drawled, "let''s just beat this loser down! Look at him - all alone. Probably got kicked out of his party for being too weak!" Her voice dripped with the kind of contempt that only the truly privileged could muster. The other girl, sporting vibrant violet hair and enough piercings to set off a metal detector, eagerly joined in. "Yeah! Let''s take him down and grab the lily. We''ll make a fortune!" Her eyes gleamed with anticipated riches. Cyrus''s eyes lit up as if he''d just had an epiphany. "Oh man, they''re right, aren''t they? Your team ditched you, didn''t they?" Vincent frowned briefly before plastering on a goofy, disarming smile. Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he stammered, "Heh, well, Senior Cyrus... I was just trying to act tough. Of course I wouldn''t actually refuse you. But maybe we could work something out? You know..." He rubbed his hands together suggestively. Cyrus stared for a moment before bursting into uproarious laughter. "Wait, are you seriously trying to get me to pay you?" Vincent nodded, maintaining his dim-witted expression. Cyrus''s laughter cut off as abruptly as it had started. "Do you really think you''re in any position to negotiate? I''ll give you one last chance - get lost." The quiet guy with black hair shifted uncomfortably. "Cyrus, maybe we should-" "Shut it, Martin," the blonde girl snapped, her manicured nails tapping against her arm impatiently. "This weakling needs to learn his place in the pecking order." Vincent''s face fell in apparent disappointment, but he remained silent. He simply turned and walked toward the exit, shoulders slumped in defeat. "What a coward," the blonde sneered as he passed, her overpowering perfume almost choking in the damp cave air. Once Vincent was out of sight, the group couldn''t contain their glee any longer. "That was almost too easy," the violet-haired girl giggled, twirling a strand around her finger. "Did you see how fast he gave up? Absolutely pathetic!" "Martin, go grab that lily!" Cyrus ordered, his D-rank Combat Intuition failing spectacularly to warn him of the impending danger. Martin jumped onto the nearest lily pad, wobbling slightly despite his E-rank Enhanced Balance talent. "These things are way slipperier than they look!" Meanwhile, Vincent watched silently from behind a cave wall, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Come on, Martin! Just one more jump!" the violet-haired girl cheered, her D-rank Sound Amplification making her voice bounce unnaturally off the cave walls. "I know, I know! Here goes nothing!" Martin gathered his courage and made the final leap, grinning triumphantly as he reached for the golden flower. But before his fingers could even brush the delicate petals, a dark shape exploded from beneath the water''s surface! Cyrus could only shout a belated warning: "Look out!" The shadow wrapped around Martin in an instant, dragging him under with frightening speed. "Martin!" The blonde''s scream shattered her composed facade as the water churned violently, Martin''s cries quickly turning to desperate gurgles. A massive serpentine form breached the surface, its sickly green scales seeming to absorb what little light there was in the cave. Martin was caught in its coils, his face turning an alarming shade of purple as the creature constricted. "Oh god," the violet-haired girl whispered, her hair standing on end as her Sound Amplification picked up the creature''s subsonic growls. "That''s no ordinary lake serpent." Indeed, mutation had twisted the primal into something truly nightmarish. Bony spikes jutted from its scales at irregular intervals, and a frill of poisonous barbs crowned its neck like some grotesque royal collar. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural yellow light as it fixed the students with a predatory stare that spoke of nothing but hunger. Cyrus, his earlier arrogance replaced by naked terror, tried desperately to rally his team. "Lysithea, use your Light Burst! Zephyrine, try to distract it with sound! We have to save Martin!" Lysithea''s hands shook violently as she formed a pathetically weak ball of light, barely matching the Sunspire Lily''s natural glow. "I-I can''t! It''s too strong!" The serpent seemed to tire of its toy, flinging Martin aside like a rag doll. He landed hard on a lily pad, coughing up a disturbing mixture of water and blood. "Help... please..." Zephyrine attempted to disorient the creature with her sound abilities, but it seemed more annoyed than affected. Its tail whipped through the air with lightning speed, catching her off guard and sending her crashing into the cave wall with a sickening crunch. "This can''t be happening," Lysithea babbled, backing away on trembling legs. "We''re Tier 1 - 3 star students! We''re supposed to be the elite!" From his hidden position, Vincent observed the unfolding chaos with calculated interest, his Heaven''s Eyes assessing the creature''s strength. "A Mutated Lake Serpent, another peak Tier 1 primal. But how does it compare to a normal one?" he mused quietly. "Their talents are clearly useless against something of this caliber." The serpent reared up to its full height, its frill expanding to reveal glistening poison glands. Cyrus scrambled backward, earlier bravado completely evaporated. "Everyone, fall back to the tunnel! Now!" As the group began their desperate retreat, Vincent saw his chance. Activating his Origin Movement Speed skill, he became a blur across the lily pads. The serpent, still focused on the fleeing students, didn''t notice his approach. Time seemed to slow as Vincent neared the Sunspire Lily. He could hear Cyrus shouting incoherent orders, Lysithea''s hysterical sobs, and Zephyrine''s pained moans. His hand closed around the flower''s stem just as the primal finally sensed his presence. Vincent''s Adept-level martial techniques came into play as he narrowly avoided the serpent''s lightning-fast strike. His Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique allowed him to maintain perfect balance on the precarious lily pad as he swiftly severed the flower with his Darksteel Sword, immediately securing it in his storage ring. "You... you were waiting for this!" Cyrus accused, his voice cracking with fear and rage. "You knew all along!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent didn''t waste breath responding. He focused entirely on escaping, using the primal''s momentary distraction to make his way back to solid ground. Only when he reached safety did he turn to address the battered group. "Unlike some, I don''t rely solely on talents," he said quietly, carefully securing the Sunspire Lily. "Observation, patience, and actual skill count for far more than star rank alone." Lysithea, her perfectly applied makeup now streaked with tears, pointed a shaking finger at him. "You... you used us as bait! We could have died!" "And? What''s that to me?" Vincent responded with ice in his voice. "You were so certain of your superiority that you never even considered the danger. That''s not my fault." The serpent, recovering from its confusion, now seemed uncertain which prey to pursue. It wavered between Vincent and the larger group, its forked tongue tasting the air hungrily. "This isn''t over," Cyrus spat as he helped Zephyrine to her feet, the violet-haired girl wincing in obvious pain. "When we get back to the academy¡ª" "You''ll what?" Vincent interrupted, his voice still maddeningly calm. "You think I''ll let you continue this event?" His eyes hardened to chips of ice. "Hand over your communication device, or you can enjoy being that thing''s dinner." He gestured casually at the mutated lake serpent. "Don''t make me laugh! I''ll kill y¡ª" Cyrus''s threat died in his throat as bone-chilling killing intent radiated from Vincent''s eyes. His battle intuition screamed that one wrong move meant certain death. Fear struck him to his core, rendering him speechless and thoroughly confusing his party members. "Senior Cyrus? What are you waiting for? Get him!" The moment those words left Lysithea''s mouth, Cyrus whirled and slapped her hard across the face, his own contorted with fury. "If you want to die so badly, don''t drag me with you!" "H-How dare you hit me?" Ignoring her outburst completely, Cyrus quickly removed his communication device and held it out to Vincent with trembling hands. "Here, take it. We already transferred all our primal points. Just... let us go." Vincent silently accepted the device and activated the bail option. In an instant, Cyrus vanished, teleported back to the safety of the arena. He simply watched as the remaining three students struggled briefly with their pride before following their leader''s example, bailing out one by one. Storing the communication device in his ring, Vincent turned his full attention to the mutated lake serpent. A relaxed smile spread across his face, excited to truly test his strength against such a formidable creature. Back at the school''s arena, Verno and Arnold''s intense standoff was suddenly interrupted by the amazed gasps of the crowd watching Vincent''s exploits on floating screens. "Holy crap!" "He actually killed a peak Tier 1 Fury Forest!" "And he snatched that rare herb right from under Cyrus''s nose!" "Who is this guy?" Chapter 22 Mutated Lake Serpent As the crowd gasped with excitement, all eyes turned toward the small floating screen showing Vincent. Even the Dean and other influential figures at the podium shifted their attention.Snake Verno and Mad Dog Arnold, who had been in the middle of a heated argument, suddenly stopped. Dean Augustus Thorne inwardly sighed in relief, glad that the tension between the two powerful Origin Warriors didn''t escalate further. His eyes then focused on the live screen, silently thanking the person who had unknowingly diffused the situation. As his gaze settled on the screen, his eyes briefly flashed with recognition. "Him?" The Ice Princess, Sylthana Glacienne, seated beside her uncle Augustus, noticed the change in his expression. "What''s wrong, Uncle? Do you know that student?" she asked. Augustus didn''t immediately reply, seeming to carefully consider his response. But Verno Alieus, nearby, interrupted. "Mr. Thorne, why have I heard nothing about this student? Are you hiding a talent from us?" Verno''s voice was cold as he referred to Vincent. Even Mad Dog Arnold joined in, questioning Augustus. "Mr. Thorne, what''s the meaning of this?" Though Augustus was grateful to Vincent for defusing the situation earlier, he now regretted it. The student was causing him more problems than he could have anticipated, and he felt like crying under the pressure. "Mr. Alieus and Mr. Mazels, please allow me to explain," Augustus began. "I didn''t reveal anything about the student, Vincent Magnus, because he only awakened last month." "Last month?!" both Verno and Arnold exclaimed in low voices. Sylthana''s eyes flashed briefly, but she remained silent. "Yes," Augustus confirmed with a nod. The other recruiters from lower-level guilds and organizations began murmuring among themselves, wondering if a true genius had appeared in this school. Arnold''s eyes sparkled with excitement at the revelation, though he quickly masked it. "So, tell us. What''s his talent?" Arnold asked, trying to contain his enthusiasm. Augustus hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reveal Vincent''s talent. Ultimately, he decided that since it was public knowledge and easy to discover, it was better to be upfront. "His talent is... C-rank: Origin Power Enhancement." As expected, Verno and Arnold immediately lost interest. Even Sylthana''s initial curiosity faded. Verno fell silent, while Arnold clicked his tongue in disappointment. Augustus could only manage a wry smile, having already anticipated their reaction, though he was still surprised at how quickly Vincent had advanced. He couldn''t help but wonder how Vincent managed to grow so fast. --- Meanwhile, back at the battle, Vincent stood silently, eyeing the Mutated Lake Serpent that had now slithered fully out of the lake. The serpent''s scales gleamed like molten gold in the dim cave light, a result of its mutation from the Sunspire Lily, which had given it radiant power. Vincent could feel the heat radiating from the creature''s body, now pulsing with sun-infused energy. Its fury was palpable¡ªafter months of guarding the flower, the beast was ready to unleash its rage on Vincent for stealing its treasure. "I need to keep my distance until I understand its full strength," Vincent thought, his gaze locked on the serpent. He shifted his stance, bracing himself for the battle. His recent encounters with low-tier Primals over the past two days had taught him that brute strength wasn''t everything. Cunning and patience were just as important. The serpent coiled its massive body, its yellow eyes fixated on him. Without warning, it lunged forward¡ªfaster than he had anticipated. Vincent barely managed to sidestep, his muscles tense as he spun out of the way. The ground where he had been standing exploded as the serpent''s head slammed into it with terrifying force, sending rocks flying in every direction. "Fast, but predictable," Vincent observed, keeping his composure as the serpent recovered quickly, its tail whipping toward him. Anticipating the follow-up attack, Vincent ducked low, feeling the wind from the serpent''s tail pass just above him. He rolled forward, closing the distance between them and swung his [Darksteel Sword] at the beast''s underbelly. The sword connected with a satisfying hiss, leaving a gash in the serpent''s softer scales. It wasn''t deep, but it was enough to make the creature rear back in pain. The serpent thrashed violently, its body twisting as it let out a loud, piercing screech. Vincent watched as its golden scales glowed brighter, energy building within its body¡ªthe mutation feeding it with even more power. "It''s absorbing sunlight..." Vincent realized, his brow furrowing. If this fight dragged on, the serpent would only grow stronger. He needed to finish it quickly. Just as that thought crossed his mind, the serpent reared back, its mouth wide open, gathering energy for a powerful attack. A brilliant flash of light burst from its body¡ªa Radiant Pulse. Vincent''s eyes widened as he threw his arm up to shield his face. The pulse exploded outward, momentarily blinding him and knocking him back several feet. He hit the ground hard, skidding across the rocky surface before managing to flip back onto his feet. His vision blurred, the afterimage of the blinding light still burning in his eyes. "Too strong to face head-on..." he thought, quickly assessing his options. But the serpent wasn''t giving him time to recover. It lunged again, more ferocious this time. Vincent sidestepped, but the serpent anticipated his movement. Its tail crashed down from above, forcing him to roll out of the way. The ground beneath him cracked, leaving a deep crater where the tail had struck. "I can''t let this continue," Vincent thought. The serpent was growing stronger with each passing second, and the faint sunlight filtering into the cave only fueled its power. Vincent took a deep breath, centering himself. His Heaven''s Eye had already given him insight into the serpent''s fighting patterns. It favored brute force, relying on its size and power to overwhelm opponents. But Vincent had no intention of being overwhelmed. As the serpent lunged once more, Vincent didn''t dodge. Instead, he charged forward, closing the gap between them in a blink. His [Darksteel Sword] gleamed as he slashed upward, aiming for the serpent''s exposed neck. The blade connected, but the serpent''s scales were tougher than expected. It hissed in pain, but quickly retaliated, coiling its massive body around Vincent in an attempt to crush him. Vincent barely managed to twist out of its grasp, feeling the pressure from its tightening coils as he slipped free. Darting to the side, his mind raced, strategizing his next move. The poison from his earlier strike was starting to take effect, slowing the serpent''s movements, but it wasn''t enough. He needed to land a decisive blow. The serpent reared back, preparing to unleash another Radiant Pulse. Vincent''s eyes flickered as he calculated the timing. He couldn''t afford to be hit by that attack again. The light began gathering in the serpent''s mouth, its body glowing with an intense golden aura. Now! Vincent activated his Origin Movement Speed, his body becoming a blur as he dashed toward the serpent. Just before the Radiant Pulse was released, he slid under the serpent''s massive body, his sword glowing faintly as he activated Virulent Stinger. His blade sliced deep into the serpent''s soft underbelly, injecting a potent poison directly into its bloodstream. The serpent let out a blood-curdling screech, thrashing violently as the poison spread through its body. Vincent rolled out from beneath it, narrowly avoiding the serpent''s tail as it slammed into the ground with terrifying force. He could see the pain in the creature''s movements now. Its attacks were becoming more erratic, less precise. "It''s working," Vincent thought, keeping his breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. But he couldn''t let his guard down. Even in its weakened state, the serpent was still dangerous. Its massive body coiled again, eyes burning with hatred, as it lunged with its fangs bared, intent on tearing Vincent apart. This time, Vincent was faster. He sidestepped the attack, his [Darksteel Sword] flashing as he delivered a precise slash across the serpent''s neck. The creature recoiled, dark blood pouring from the wound. Vincent didn''t stop. He pressed the advantage, slashing again and again, each strike more accurate than the last. The serpent''s movements slowed further, its body weakening under the combined effects of the poison and blood loss. Finally, with one last effort, Vincent leapt onto the serpent''s back, raising his sword high. He drove the blade deep into the creature''s neck, sinking it into its flesh. The serpent let out one final, agonized screech before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching violently before going still. You have successfully killed a Mutated Lake Serpent! You have received +50 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! Vincent stood over the disintegrating body of the serpent, his chest heaving from the exertion. His mind remained sharp as he assessed the situation. He had won, but the battle had pushed him to his limits. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I can''t afford to take risks like that again," he thought, wiping the blood from his sword. This was the first time he had fought against something nearly stronger than him, without even using his chaos energy. Although he knew the power that energy could provide, he was still uncertain about the potential negative effects it might have on him. Shaking off those thoughts, Vincent noticed that his primal points had increased by 100, doubling what he would normally gain from killing a normal peak Tier 1 Primal. With the additional 100 points, his primal points were now close to 300. He glanced at his communication device, checking the remaining time. "There''s still more than an hour left. I can hunt a bit more, but before that..." Vincent muttered to himself, falling into deep thought as he observed his personal interface. --- Back at the school''s arena, the crowd was still glued to the screen, watching Vincent''s performance. Their expressions were a mix of awe and disbelief. They had just witnessed Vincent defeat a Mutated Peak Tier 1 Primal without taking a serious injury. "Wow!" "Vincent! Vincent! Vincent!" the crowd cheered. "I can''t believe it! He actually beat that mutated lake serpent! But does that mean he can defeat our top student, Elric Baelius?" one spectator asked. "Are you crazy? Senior Elric would easily beat that mutated Primal! He has an A-rank talent! A-rank! And Vincent only awakened a C-rank talent. He''s nothing compared to Senior Elric!" another argued. Once again, the crowd fell into heated debate, arguing passionately over Vincent''s abilities compared to the school''s elite. Chapter 23 Blind Arrogance Vincent had no idea what was happening in the arena. After taking a quick rest, he now faced another Tier 1 - 5 stars primal.Standing before him was a 3-meter tall wolf with abyss-like thick fur covering its body, capable of blending within the shadows. A Shadowstalker! This menacing primal beast that could easily trample any normal human being was now covered in injuries. Vincent couldn''t help but be amazed by his newly upgraded armament sword he was now gripping. The changes it brought to the weapon were quite significant. The previously heavy and plain double-handed sword had become lighter and thinner. It now had a matte black hilt wrapped in dark leather, with a smooth, polished blade. Silver veins occasionally pulsed with energy, giving off a faint, shadowy glow during use. When skills were activated, the sword became enveloped in a dim dusky purple aura that intensified with each strike. Even its name and effects had improved. [Duskedge Blade] Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Rare Details: The Duskedge Blade is crafted from black-iron and dusksteel alloys, giving it a sleek, dark-gray finish with veins of silver running through the blade. The sword is light but exceptionally durable, enchanted to deal greater damage and inflict lasting bleed effects. Its sharp edge gleams under low light, giving it an ominous presence in combat. Skill 1: Duskedge Slash Effect: A precise strike that deals significantly increased damage to a single target. It has a moderate chance to cause a deep wound, inflicting a severe bleed effect over 12 seconds. Each tick of the bleed slightly reduces the target''s defense, making them more vulnerable to future attacks. Skill 2: Duskedge Wave Effect: A ranged energy slash projected from the blade, traveling up to 10 meters in a straight line. The wave deals moderate damage to all enemies in its path and has a small chance to stagger them. It also inflicts a minor bleed effect that lasts for 8 seconds. Stagger Chance: 15% He had upgraded it before leaving the mutated lake serpent''s cave, which consumed half of his accumulated experience points. Besides upgrading his armament, he had also activated his currently most useful skill: The Virulent Stinger skill. The additional effects it brought gave him immense satisfaction. Skill Name: Venomstrike Lash Quality: Rare Effect: Enhances weapon strikes with corrosive venom, causing severe poison damage over time. The target suffers from crippling wounds, bleeding profusely and taking continuous damage. Additionally, the venom has a moderate chance to briefly stun or slow the target''s movement and attack speed, giving the user an opening for follow-up attacks. The poison and bleed effects are harder to resist and linger longer, even against higher-tier enemies. Poison Duration: 15 seconds Bleed Duration: 10 seconds Stun/Slow Chance: 25% Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After upgrading these two factors, he was only left with 300,000 experience points, which was nowhere near enough to upgrade either to a higher level. With these improvements, Vincent''s fighting capability had obviously increased. With deliberate action, he slashed his Duskedge Blade armament, unleashing his new weapon''s skill - Duskedge Wave. "Haaa!" Vincent roared as he struck. A dark-purple energy slash projected from his blade, fiercely traveling straight at the exhausted Shadowstalker, destroying everything in its path! The weakened primal attempted to flee by using its innate ability to hide within the shadows but completely failed as the energy blade swiftly landed across its battered chest. Bang! Awoo! The Shadowstalker Wolf could only let out a pitiful whimper before it collapsed into particles of digital light. You have successfully killed a Tier 1-5 stars Shadowstalker Wolf! +10 experience points! Talent Activated! You have received 100,000 experience points! "I''ve definitely gotten stronger!" Vincent exclaimed as he gripped his sword tightly. Seeing his efforts clearly show the progression of his strength gave him a profound sense of fulfillment. "Let''s go, no time to lose. I better hunt more primals to fill my experience points!" Vincent then headed to another location according to the given map. On the other side of the wilderness, Greg''s group had been continuously hunting and setting traps for other participants. Standing before Greg''s group was another team consisting of four male students. They all had furious and displeased expressions etched on their faces. Injuries were visible all over their bodies, indicating they had just been in battle. The male student¡ªacting as party leader of the team, spat furiously, "Greg! Aren''t you ashamed of doing this? Such a despicable move against your fellow students? Do you really think the dean is just going to sit back and watch this happen?!" His face flushed as he gritted his teeth in anger. Hearing the male student, Greg flashed a wide, malicious grin. "What are you talking about? Is there a rule that says it''s prohibited to fight against other participants?" The male student fell silent, realizing that the event''s rules specifically only prohibited killing. One of Bry''s party members suddenly asked in worry, "Team Leader Bry, what should we do now? We''re all exhausted. We just fought against several Tier 1 Black-Iron Bees. Should we try to escape?" "Why should we run? Let''s fight our way out. I''ve really hated that fucking Greg''s face for a very long time!" Another party member chimed in, clenching his fists. Before Bry could make a decision, Greg no longer wasted time and unleashed a wave of fire energy from his gauntlet, straight at Bry''s party! "I have no time for your pointless chatter. If you don''t want to surrender your communication devices, then you can die!" Greg shouted, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Go! Attack!" He ordered, which was immediately followed by his party members. Flashes of skills flew straight at Bry''s party! Bang! Bang! Greg burst into maniacal laughter as his team bombarded them mercilessly. In another part of the wilderness, Lin Feng''s group, who had abandoned Vincent, were now fighting and being surrounded by swirling dark cloud fly-like primals. They were a swarm of insects called Sky Swarm! Slash! A plain steel sword cut through one of the huge flies as Van slashed desperately. "Is this really your plan, Lin Feng? How are we supposed to kill all of these?!" He questioned, no longer caring about Lin Feng''s background. "Will you shut up? Just fucking focus on killing these disgusting insects!" Lin Feng snapped, his usually arrogant face now distorted with displeasure. Initially, he thought his plan was flawless. Before coming to this event, he had brought several pouches of honey to attract the Sky Swarm. With his cultivation level of Tier 1 - 4 stars, he had assumed it would be a breeze to hunt the Tier 1 Sky Swarm. However, he hadn''t anticipated these overwhelming numbers. Even with his speed and sword techniques, it wasn''t enough to kill all the insects. "Van, watch out! One more behind you!" Shaina, who had a second of breathing space, shouted as she waved her staff, swatting the insects away! "Argh!" Although Van managed to slash one, another bit him in the back, making him yelp in pain as his movements became more sluggish. "Lin Feng, do something, or we need to give up now!" Shaina spoke in a hurried and worried voice. "I know! Just shut up!" Lin Feng''s mind worked quickly, coming up with a desperate plan. Gritting his teeth, he took out two leather pouches and handed one to each of them. "What is this?!" Shaina asked, holding the pouch as she cast a green healing light toward Van, faintly alleviating his labored breathing and sluggish movement. "It''s honey! No time to explain! Start running if you don''t want to die!" Lin Feng no longer bothered to explain the effects to them. He immediately activated his Swift Speed Talent, increasing his movement speed incredibly, leaving after images as he escaped, dumbfounding Shaina and Van for a short moment. "Shit! He''s using us as bait!" Van immediately realized Lin Feng''s plan as he hurriedly threw the pouch in the distance. "Shaina, throw it and run! Come on!" As the two of them ran for their lives, Lin Feng was grinning deviously when he realized that no Sky Swarm had followed him. Looking back to where he had left Van and Shaina, he muttered, "Don''t blame me for doing this. Blame your own stupidity for being weak..." He then turned, dismissing his thoughts, determined to hunt for more primals to increase his chances of passing to the next round. And just as he turned around, he was surprised to see Vincent standing right in front of him. "You..." Vincent, who had been constantly monitoring his map and heading to another location of a possible peak Tier 1 primal, was also caught by surprise when he encountered Lin Feng. However, he was confused to see him alone. Van and Shaina were nowhere to be found. Although surprised for a moment, Vincent had no intention of arguing with him as he continued heading toward his target location. However, before he could move far, Lin Feng''s voice rang out loudly. "Stop!" Vincent frowned, slightly turned to face him, and asked coldly, "What do you want?" "H-How come you''re still not out of this event?" Lin Feng demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Why would I be? You''re still here. Why can''t I be?" Vincent replied evenly. "You! Huh, I should have known. You must have been hiding all along. How else could an idiot like you survive this long!" "Think whatever you want." Vincent really couldn''t stand talking with this insufferable person. He simply ignored him and was about to leave but was once again stopped. "Stop! Where do you think you''re going? It was already a mistake that I let you go before. You better concede right here, right now!" Utterly confused by how Lin Feng''s mind worked, Vincent couldn''t control his thoughts and responded, "Are you mentally ill?" "W-What? What did you just say?" Lin Feng''s face reddened with anger. "I said, don''t waste my time. If you want to fight, then just fight. You''re talking too much!" "Me? You want to fight me?" Lin Feng burst out laughing as if he couldn''t believe what he had just heard. A newly awakened nobody actually dared to provoke him. His expression then twisted, evidently furious at Vincent''s attitude. "You seem not afraid of death. Fine, I''ll let you know the difference between us!" Gripping his saber, Lin Feng channeled his origin power as he activated his Swift Speed Talent, explosively increasing his movement and attack speed. Lifting his saber, he immediately dashed at Vincent with blinding speed, his form blurring in motion. "Die! Flash Strike!" He slashed his saber down smoothly, cutting through Vincent''s body, making Lin Feng anticipate his victory. However, before he could rejoice, Vincent''s figure blurred and vanished, revealing his attack had only landed on an afterimage. How? Vincent''s voice then resounded despite Lin Feng''s utter shock and confusion. "Too slow..." it was calm and devoid of emotion. What came after was a heavy ''bang'' as the bone-chilling sound of cracking bones filled the air. Vincent had punched Lin Feng''s back in a swift motion, causing the arrogant youth to be blasted several meters away with a pained moan. "Agh!" Vincent didn''t waste another second and immediately rushed at Lin Feng. He grabbed him by the collar, blood spilling from the corner of Lin Feng''s mouth. Pain distorted his usually arrogant face. "Thank you, I am now clear about the difference between us." Vincent smiled coldly as he grabbed Lin Feng''s communication device before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground. Chapter 24 End of Primal Hunt Vincent gripped the communication device firmly as Lin Feng desperately reached for it, his voice breaking with desperation."Please, I''m begging you," Lin Feng pleaded, his composure completely shattered. "I can''t afford to lose this event. I''ll pay you anything¡ªjust spare me this one time." Despite Lin Feng''s pathetic appeals, Vincent remained silent, his expression unreadable. Though he understood well that every action carried consequences, he had long since stopped caring about others'' desires for revenge. A steely resolve hardened in Vincent''s mind: I''ve already experienced what it''s like to be weak, to live in constant fear of those with influence. In this life, I refuse to take a backseat to anyone. Cross my path, initiate conflict with me, and you''ll find no mercy. His philosophy was simple: A tooth for a tooth. With a cold finality, Vincent uttered, "See ya later," and pressed the bail button on the device without hesitation. Lin Feng''s furious scream echoed through the air: "Vincent Magnus!" His form disintegrated into particles of digital light as he was forcibly transferred back to the arena. Following this encounter, Vincent didn''t waste time. He systematically hunted down two more peak Tier 1 competitors and several lower-tier primals. As the final seconds of the ''Primal Hunt'' event ticked away, a satisfied smile crossed his face before he, too, dissolved into particles of light along with the other surviving participants. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back in the school''s Annual Battle Ceremony arena, a spectacular scene unfolded before the audience and the influential figures seated in the podium. Multiple figures materialized in bursts of light, revealing the state of the competitors. Vincent observed with interest that most participants bore injuries ranging from minor to severe. Only a select few¡ªthe well-known top students¡ªemerged unscathed: Elric Baelius, the prodigy who had awakened an A-rank talent. Sara Chen, whose B-rank talent specialized in healing. Dmitri Volkov, another B-rank talent holder focusing on Physical Enhancement. And several other elite students with equally formidable abilities. To Vincent''s mild surprise, the notoriously arrogant Greg Malcolm also appeared unharmed, sporting his typical smug expression. When Greg noticed Vincent''s gaze, his expression quickly morphed from smugness to rage. Vincent simply ignored him, which only served to further infuriate Greg. Dean Augustus Thorne rose from his seat at the podium to formally conclude the first stage. "Now that the first stage of the Annual Battle Ceremony has ended, we will announce the top 10 groups advancing to the next round. Please surrender your communication devices to the instructors." The Dean''s expression grew serious as he continued, "I must also address the matter of Team Leaders who abandoned and expelled their own members..." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the participants. In the audience, Lin Feng, who had barely recovered after consuming a healing potion, wore a dark expression. His eyes remained fixed on Vincent as he muttered, "Just you wait, Vincent Magnus..." before departing, seemingly anticipating the Dean''s next words. Dean Thorne''s voice carried clearly as he declared, "These individuals will be disqualified. The remaining team members'' Primal Points will be counted individually. However, those failing to reach the minimum threshold of 100 primal points will not advance to the next round!" The announcement sparked immediate outrage among certain participants who grasped its implications. "This is absurd! We won''t accept this!" "There were no rules against removing team members!" As protests filled the air, an overwhelming mental pressure suddenly descended upon the dissenters. Vincent, still standing in the arena, felt the suffocating force¡ªfar more intense than anything he''d experienced before. The pressure brought the protesting students to their knees with heavy thuds, accompanied by their pained groans. "I-I can''t breathe..." "Please... make it stop!" Tracing the source of this overwhelming force, Vincent''s gaze landed on Dean Thorne, who maintained his pleasant smile despite the cold fury in his eyes. The Dean''s voice cut through the chaos: "I see no reason to justify my decisions in my own school. I am the Dean¡ªI make the rules here! Remove these fools from the arena!" As instructors dragged away the disqualified students, their pleas echoed futilely: "Dean Thorne, please have mercy!" "No, don''t do this!" After this dramatic interlude and the collection of communication devices, the ranking announcement began. An instructor, holding a holographic document, took center stage and began: "With 242 primal points, the tenth and final group to advance is... Group 10, led by Michael Archons!" The rankings continued, building tension with each announcement: 9th: Group 13 - Loy Mesins, 250 points 8th: Group 9 - Luke Collins, 270 points 7th: Group 16 - Franco Bullocks, 280 points 6th: Group 7 - Greg Malcolm, 320 points 5th: Group 3 - Sara Chen, 335 points 4th: Group 6 (Individual - Ana Blackwings, 340 points) 3rd: Group 2 - Dmitri Volkov, 350 points 2nd: Group 1 - Elric Baelius, 400 points 1st: Group 24 (Individual - Vincent Magnus, 815 points) As the final rankings appeared on the floating screen, the arena erupted with a mixture of excitement and disbelief: "Incredible! Vincent Magnus scored more than double Senior Elric''s entire team!" "I can''t believe that snake Greg''s team made the top 10!" "Another solo qualifier? Who is this Ana person?" The successful group leaders displayed various reactions, but most shared looks of curiosity and disbelief. The question on everyone''s mind: How had Vincent amassed such an astronomical point total? Greg, whose initial satisfaction at his team''s placement had quickly soured, couldn''t contain his shock and fury. "How did that bastard pull this off?! HOW?!" Chapter 25 Second Stage As the echoes of the Primal Hunt faded, Dean Thorne once again stood forward, capturing the attention of every student at No.3 High School. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and he wasted no time as he addressed the eager crowd."Congratulations, students of No.3 High School! You''ve all shown incredible skill and determination during the Primal Hunt. But the competition is far from over. Next, we''re kicking off the Arena Challenge Gauntlet!" The students leaned in, excitement palpable in the air. Dean''s voice became more serious as he continued. "We have our top 10 contenders: two outstanding individuals and the leaders of eight formidable groups. These fighters have proven their worth, but now they face their toughest challenge yet. In this round, each of the top 10 must participate in five battles." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle among the students. "However, listen closely: to advance to the final stage, each top fighter only needs to win three out of those five battles. If you lose more than two, your journey ends here. It''s a high-stakes game, and only the strongest will move forward." Dean Thorne''s expression turned resolute as he emphasized the rules. "Each fighter will face challengers from the eight parties, and after every battle, they''ll have ten minutes to rest and regroup before their next fight. Remember, you can only challenge a top fighter once, so make your choice wisely." His gaze swept over the crowd, inspiring confidence. "Fight with honor, with skill, and represent No.3 High School with pride! This is your moment to shine. Now, let the Arena Challenge Gauntlet begin!" The crowd erupted into cheers, and the challengers stepped forward, their eyes focused on the top 10. The arenas were ready, and the battles were about to commence, with each participant eager to prove themselves. Standing in the huge arena under the scrutinizing eyes of the students he was going to fight, several drones appeared, creating 10 smaller platforms where the top 10 students would defend their spot to advance to the finals. One of the instructors then said, "The Top 10 students go to your designated platforms according to points ranking." Vincent ignored their gazes and walked to his stage. As soon as he stood on his platform, he caught the figure of Elric Baelius in the corner of his eyes, standing next to him on his own platform. Their gazes met each other. Elric then gave him a nod which somewhat surprised him. Therefore, he confusedly nodded back before looking at the other top students standing on their designated platforms. Next to Elric was Dmitri Volkov. He had a clean haircut, tanned skin, and toned muscles like a bodybuilder. He had a serious and disciplined expression on his face, like a real soldier. Standing on another platform next to Dmitri was a fair-skinned lady, the person he was most curious about: Ana Blackwings. She had a beautiful appearance; however, her expression was cold. She had straight, silky black hair with straight-cut bangs hiding her forehead, long eyelashes, thin red lips, and a perfect pointed nose. Standing on another platform next to Ana was brown-haired Sara Chen. Contrary to the commonly known frail appearance of a healer, she had well-toned skin, wielding a heavy metal club. She looked like a tomboy, a gangster from Vincent''s perspective. While he was checking out the Top 10 students, they were also checking him out. As these students observed each other, a loud feminine voice resounded, filling the air. "Hello, helloooo! Ladies and Gentlemen of No.3 High School. It''s me, Vianne Dior, your host for this stage! I hope you enjoy this event with me!" Hearing this, Vincent turned to look at the source of the voice and found near the audience area, on an elevated stage, a pretty lady with pink hair and a sexy outfit. This person was also one of the school belles of No.3 High School, like Claudia. "This Vincent really has youthful memories," he thought to himself as he realized he actually knew a lot about these school belles. "Now that our top 10 students are on their designated platforms, challengers may now proceed to choose who you want to fight!" With Vianne''s cue, several eyes immediately landed on him, which made him smile wryly. "These kids¡­" Just as the second cue had announced, a short-haired male student immediately jumped onto his platform. The student landed heavily with a ''bam'' on the platform. "Vincent Magnus, right?" The student stretched his neck and arms in a haughty but relaxed movement. "I don''t know how you managed to accumulate those primal points, but I don''t believe you earned them by your own strength! I''ll be your opponent. You don''t deserve that spot!" "I, Cley Dioti, challenge Vincent Magnus! Do you dare to accept it? Or maybe you''re afraid. I''ll give you a chance to concede." As Cley announced his challenge, the crowd erupted, followed by Vianne''s resounding voice. "Here we go! The dark horse no one expected to be in the Top 10 has received his first challenge!" While the students who wanted to challenge Vincent could only curse Cley who shamelessly beat them to it. "Damn it! That idiotic Cley had been eyeing Vincent Magnus this whole time!" one of them couldn''t help but exclaim. While on the other hand, Vincent was silent for a moment as he stared at the smug face of Cley. He then responded, "What''s there to be afraid of?" "Well, if you''re asking for death, I won''t stop you!" Vincent watched as Cley took a stance, stretching his arms as three small energies made of liquid appeared before his hand, quickly forming a bullet-like appearance. "Water Bullet!" Shooting straight at Vincent like a triggered gun! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Clang! A metal clashing sound filled the air as the water bullets collided with his [Duskedge Blade]. Vianne: The bullet has been shot! The battle has begun! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that his attack did not work, Cley did not lose his confidence as he channeled his Origin Power, summoning more water bullets. Bam! Bam! Despite the speed of the water bullets and force they brought, Vincent simply defended himself by holding his blade in the trajectory of the water bullets. Vianne: Once again! Cley''s bombarding attacks are useless! The trajectory is so predictable! Cley has to do something for his attacks to work, or he will just exhaust himself. As predicted, Cley began to run in a circle, moving around Vincent who was motionless while shooting water bullets! However, Vincent was able to block it with ease. But then, a ball of liquid flew before him as he heard Cley''s exclamation, "Explode!" Immediately, a loud resounding boom filled the arena as a white cloud of dust covered Vincent. Vianne: Oh, it seems like a direct hit! But soon, when the wind finally swept the cloud of dust away, Cley couldn''t believe his eyes. "How are you unscathed?!" Vianne: Woah! What a surprise. The dark horse is not even slightly injured! Vincent simply replied, "You''re underestimating me too much if you think those attacks will work on me." Cley was instantly enraged when he heard the mocking Vincent. With a furious expression, "I''m preparing for the final round, but I''ll let you experience this secret weapon of mine!" With a wave of his hand, a sapphire futuristic handgun appeared in his hand. "You probably haven''t seen an armament in your life, right? Behold my Sapphire Pulse MK-IV!" "Water Blast!" Vincent could not bother to argue with him, and even if he told him the quality of his [Duskedge Blade], he probably wouldn''t believe him at all. A blast of pure water energy was immediately unleashed, blasting toward Vincent. This time, Vincent did not choose to block. He took a stance, and when it was about to hit him, he slashed the blasted water energy, cutting it in half. Boom! Boom! The cut water blast landed on both his sides, leaving a deep fracture on the ground. "Hoh, that''s quite strong at least¡­" Vincent simply said. However, to Cley, it was a deafening mocking response. As a Tier 1 - 4 stars, Cley believed he could trample on Vincent, believing Vincent''s being ranked 1 in the primal hunt was a fluke. Still in a state of disbelief, Cley pointed his armament gun at Vincent. However, before he could even touch the trigger of his gun, Vincent''s figure suddenly vanished and instantly disappeared before him. With a deliberate action, Vincent slightly moved the thickness of his blade to hit Cley''s face. Bam! "Argh!" Cley cried in pain as he rolled on the ground, a few of his teeth falling onto the ground, shocking him. Chapter 26 First Victory Seeing Cley in a state of utter disbelief, staring down at his broken teeth, unable to process what had just happened. The crowd, fully aware of Vincent Magnus''s true strength, could hardly contain their excitement. They erupted into wild cheers, their voices booming across the arena."Vincent! Vincent!" they chanted, their enthusiasm infectious. "Haha! That idiot thought Vincent was weak!" someone in the crowd shouted. "That''s what you get for being so arrogant!" another voice added, the sound of laughter cutting through the air as people celebrated Cley''s defeat. Meanwhile, the students who had previously doubted Vincent''s abilities were left in stunned silence. None of them had expected the fight to end so swiftly, let alone with Cley on the losing side. Their skepticism had melted away, replaced by a growing sense of awe and confusion. One of them, still trying to comprehend what had happened, asked hesitantly, "Did you¡­ Did you catch how he moved?" "I-I don''t know either," replied another, just as mystified. "Even Lin Feng wasn''t that fast." The mention of Lin Feng sparked a wave of murmurs among the students. "Speaking of Lin Feng, where is he?" someone else asked. "Did he fail?" At this question, another student¡ªone who had remained silent until now¡ªspoke up. "Well¡­ about that¡­" Immediately, all attention turned to him. Eyes wide with curiosity, they pressed in closer. "You know something?" The timid student fidgeted nervously before stammering out his response. "I-I heard he was beaten to a pulp by Vincent Magnus." The revelation hung in the air for a moment before the students exploded into angry outbursts. "What? You knew this, and you didn''t tell us?! What if I had jumped up there first? I could''ve been humiliated just like him!" The timid student tried to defend himself, though it was clear his excuse would not save him from their ire. "Y-You didn''t ask me¡­" But it was too late. The angry students quickly surrounded him, venting their frustrations on the poor boy. Meanwhile, back at the platform, Cley was still reeling from the fight. His mind raced as he stared at his fallen teeth, unable to come to terms with what had just occurred. His face throbbed with pain, but the physical hurt paled in comparison to the humiliation of being bested so thoroughly. He had been confident of his abilities, so sure that Vincent would be an easy target. Now, he could hardly believe that he hadn''t even seen the blow that had felled him. To make matters worse, his left ear was ringing, the constant buzz making it impossible for him to hear the crowd''s reaction. His vision blurred as he looked up and saw Vincent, who stood on the platform with an air of complete calm, his expression as unreadable as ever. It was as if the entire fight had been little more than a routine for him, just another task to complete. "Is he still wondering how I slapped him with a blade?" Vincent mused inwardly, barely suppressing a smile at Cley''s bewildered expression. Deciding to put an end to the fight for good, Vincent raised his [Duskedge Blade] once more and moved swiftly toward Cley. His speed generated a gust of wind, and within an instant, Vincent was standing right in front of Cley, the edge of his blade mere centimeters from the defeated boy''s neck. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cley, finally realizing the danger he was in, came to his senses and stammered, "I-I concede!" Vianne, the energetic host of the tournament, didn''t miss a beat. Her voice rang out over the loudspeakers, amplifying the already frenzied energy of the crowd. "And there we have it, folks! In the blink of an eye, Vincent Magnus claims his first victory! Let''s give him a round of applause!" The arena erupted into cheers, the crowd chanting Vincent''s name with renewed enthusiasm. "Vincent! Vincent!" "You''re my hero now!" "Well done! I''m betting on you in the finals!" Despite the overwhelming praise being showered on him, Vincent remained unfazed. He calmly sat down in the center of the platform, cross-legged, and began to meditate as he took advantage of his ten-minute rest period. With Vincent''s incredible display of power fresh in everyone''s minds, no one dared to challenge him immediately. It was as if they were all waiting for someone else to step forward and test their strength against him, unwilling to be the next sacrificial lamb. The other challengers, emboldened by Vincent''s victory, started making more calculated decisions about who to fight. The remaining top rankers in their respective platforms were soon engaged in battles of their own. Unsurprisingly, no one approached Elric Baelius''s stage, leaving him unchallenged for the time being. As Vincent continued to rest, he heard Vianne''s voice once again, booming across the arena with her signature enthusiasm. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have another battle underway! Ana Blackwings, another dark horse in this tournament, is facing off against Lisa Vishkov, who has awakened a D-rank talent: Wind Ability!" Intrigued, Vincent turned his attention toward the battle. Even with just a glance, he already knew how it would end. Lisa Vishkov, a tall but otherwise plain-looking young woman, stood confidently on her side of the platform, holding a folding fan. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a powerful gust of wind that rushed toward Ana, the motionless figure on the other side of the stage. The wind roared as it tore across the platform, causing gasps of awe from the crowd. But Ana stood still, unmoved by the attack. Her hair fluttered gently in the breeze as the once-powerful gust of wind dissipated into nothing more than a soft breeze. The crowd, as well as Lisa herself, were left in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how such a forceful attack had fizzled out so quickly. In the crowd, voices began to rise in admiration for Ana. "She''s absolutely stunning!" one boy exclaimed. "Beautiful!" another agreed. "Kyaaaah! Marry me, Ana!" cried an overzealous fan. Vianne, clearly as bewildered as everyone else, struggled to find an explanation for what had just occurred. "What just happened? Did anyone see that? How did that gust of wind just vanish?" Frustration flashed across Lisa''s face as she attempted another attack. With a flick of her wrist, she sent another gust of wind hurtling toward Ana. But just like before, the attack fizzled out, turning into nothing more than a soft breeze. Lisa, growing more desperate by the second, continued to wave her fan, summoning gust after gust of wind. But each attack met the same fate¡ªpowerful at first, only to dissipate into nothing before reaching Ana. The crowd watched in awe as Lisa''s stamina quickly began to wane, her constant attacks having no effect. Finally, as Lisa''s strength began to fade, Ana made her move. She lifted her finger and pointed it directly at Lisa. In the blink of an eye, a flash of silver light shot from her fingertip. Before Lisa could react, she was struck by an invisible force and sent flying off the platform, landing with a heavy thud on the ground below. The entire arena fell into silence, shocked by the sudden turn of events. But the stillness didn''t last long. Within moments, the crowd erupted into cheers once more. "Ana! Ana!" "What just happened?!" Though no one fully understood what had occurred, Vianne was quick to announce the result. "Victory for Ana Blackwings!" Vincent, who had anticipated Ana''s victory from the beginning, was not surprised. The difference in strength between the two combatants had been obvious from the start. Lisa was a Tier 1 - 3 stars, while Ana had reached the peak of Tier 1. The outcome had been all but inevitable. However, even Vincent found himself slightly puzzled. He still didn''t know the full extent of Ana''s abilities. As Ana''s battle came to an end, Vincent watched as Sara Chen defeated her own opponent¡ªa muscular man, with her heavy club. The other top rankers in their respective platforms quickly followed suit, each claiming their first victory with ease. More than ten minutes passed before Vincent''s next challenger stepped forward. A determined figure ascended the stage, looking Vincent in the eye. "I''ll be your next opponent, Vincent Magnus!" Chapter 27 Fighting Greg As Vincent locked eyes with his new challenger, he couldn''t help but feel a momentary sense of relief. Unlike the arrogant villains he had faced before, this opponent seemed devoid of the typical overbearing pride that often clouded their judgments. For the first time, Vincent thought he might be up against someone who wouldn''t waste time on empty words.That brief sense of relief, however, vanished the moment his challenger opened his mouth. "It''s time for you to know your place. Let''s fight!" The challenger''s voice boomed across the stage. Vincent suppressed a sigh, already regretting his earlier optimism. Standing before him was a man with a military-style crew cut, his chiseled physique on full display as his armor left his six-pack abs exposed. In his hands, he wielded a massive axe that looked capable of cleaving through steel. This man was a Tier 1, four-star Origin Warrior, someone not to be taken lightly. Vincent''s face darkened, feeling foolish for expecting anything different. Without hesitation, he unsummoned his [Duskedge Blade] and activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. The energy coursing through his veins heightened his force attribute, increasing his strength. With his Basic Origin Movement technique activated, he became a blur of motion, rushing at his opponent with deadly intent. His fist, glowing with a faint musky aura, made a resounding clap as it collided with his opponent''s gut. The impact was immediate. The challenger''s eyes bulged as he was hurled backward, skidding across the stage before crashing unconscious outside its boundaries. "I''ve had enough of these clich¨¦ speeches for today," Vincent muttered under his breath, casually picking at his ear, as if the fight had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Vianne, who had been preparing to announce the second challenger, was frozen in place, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. The crowd, which had been buzzing with anticipation, fell into stunned silence. "Did... did he win just like that?" someone in the audience finally murmured. "I guess? That guy''s not moving at all," came the uncertain reply. As confusion spread throughout the arena, an instructor stepped forward to check on the fallen challenger. A quick examination confirmed that the fighter was no longer able to continue. With a gesture to the referee, the decision was made. Vianne snapped back into action, her voice filling the stadium with excitement. "Instant victory for Vincent Magnus!" The crowd erupted, their previous shock giving way to thunderous applause and cheers. "VINCENT! VINCENT!" they chanted in unison, their voices reverberating across the arena. "ONE MORE WIN!"another section of the crowd roared, eager to see their new favorite triumph once again. High above the arena, in the distinguished seats reserved for the influential, Dean Thorne watched with an impressed expression. "Not bad," he muttered under his breath, a rare compliment slipping past his lips. Sylthana, seated beside her uncle, overheard his words but kept her expression neutral, though her curiosity about Vincent deepened. On the other hand, Arnold looked utterly bored, his gaze wandering away from the stage, while Verno hadn''t even bothered to watch the fight. With another decisive victory under his belt, the atmosphere shifted among the remaining challengers. Those who had harbored thoughts of testing Vincent''s strength or dethroning him now found themselves laughing nervously at their own hubris. The challenger he had just knocked out was one of the academy''s elite students¡ªsomeone many believed to be unbeatable. "Do you still want to challenge Vincent Magnus?" one student asked, breaking the uneasy silence. "I might have doubted his strength before," another replied, "but I''m not blind. He deserves that position. It''s probably smarter to challenge Greg Malcolm instead." "Yeah, I heard Greg was pretty underhanded last round," came the whispered reply. "Didn''t he and his party gang up on some weaker students and kick them out of the event?" As the students speculated, Vianne''s voice once again boomed across the arena, cutting through their conversation. "What''s this? It seems the Top 6th contender, Greg Malcolm, is leaving his stage! Is he... conceding? Wait, no, he''s heading towards Vincent Magnus'' stage!" All eyes turned to Greg, who strode confidently across the arena. His presence commanded attention, and Vincent, standing at the center of the stage, watched him approach with a calm, stoic expression. Greg stopped at the base of the stage and addressed the nearest instructor, who also served as a referee for the event. "If I concede my current position," Greg asked, "will I be allowed to challenge Vincent Magnus for his spot?" The instructor hesitated, unsure how to respond, and glanced up at Dean Thorne for guidance. The Dean, after a moment of silent contemplation, nodded his approval. "I allow it," the Dean declared, his voice carrying across the arena. A slow smile spread across Greg''s face. "Thank you for your wise decision, Dean," he said, his tone dripping with mock gratitude. Vincent, still unmoved, was curious. Where was Greg''s confidence coming from? He had seen what Vincent was capable of, yet here he stood, certain that he could emerge victorious. "Will you dare accept my challenge, Vincent Magnus?" Greg called out, his voice loud enough for the entire audience to hear. Vincent''s response was simple and unshaken. "Come up here, then." Though visibly irritated by Vincent''s nonchalant demeanor, Greg kept his anger in check and leaped gracefully onto the stage. "Do you need to rest?" Greg taunted, a grin spreading across his face. "Take your time¡ªI wouldn''t want you to claim I took advantage of you later." Vincent remained utterly unfazed. "I don''t need to rest to fight a weakling like you." "Hmph! We''ll see how smug you are after I beat you to a pulp!" With a shout, Greg took his fighting stance. A faint red glow enveloped his fists, solidifying into a pair of fearsome [Fire Gauntlets]. The air around him began to shimmer with heat as his fire affinity activated, surrounding him in an aura of burning energy. Vincent, maintaining his calm demeanor, summoned his [Duskedge Blade]. The dark, gleaming blade glowed faintly with purple energy as he held it at the ready. Still, he couldn''t help but wonder where Greg''s confidence came from. Greg was only a Tier 1, three-star Origin Warrior¡ªhardly a match for someone who had just bested a higher-tier opponent. Once both fighters were ready, Vianne''s voice rang out again. "What an unexpected turn of events! Our Top 6th contender, Greg Malcolm, has surrendered his position to challenge the Top 1 contender, Vincent Magnus, who''s already secured two impressive victories today! Could this be an act of revenge after Vincent''s earlier humiliation of Greg? Either way, this promises to be an exciting battle!" The crowd, already on the edge of their seats, erupted into cheers once more. "Go, Greg! Beat the crap out of him!" one voice shouted. "Vincent! Vincent!" others called, eager to see the academy''s top contender continue his winning streak. Vincent watched as Greg''s fiery aura intensified, small fireballs materializing in the air around him. They hovered for a brief moment before, with a swift motion of Greg''s hand, they flew toward Vincent, whizzing through the air like blazing projectiles. The first few were easy enough to block. Vincent deflected them with his [Duskedge Blade], the dark weapon slicing cleanly through the flames. However, more fireballs kept coming¡ªtwo, four, six¡ªand soon, the barrage seemed endless. Greg was relentless, hurling them with increasing speed. Yet, even with the pressure mounting, Vincent moved with calculated precision, dodging and parrying each attack. His face remained impassive, his focus unshaken. Just as he prepared to advance, Vincent noticed something off. One of the fireballs, unlike the others, curved mid-flight. It was coming from behind, tracking his movements like a homing missile. "Crafty," Vincent muttered under his breath. Before he could react, the fireball hit its mark. A loud boom echoed through the arena, and a cloud of thick smoke enveloped Vincent''s figure. The crowd gasped as Vianne''s voice cut through the tension. "A direct hit!" For a moment, all eyes were fixed on the smoke, wondering if Greg''s surprise attack had given him the upper hand. But the anticipation was short-lived. Without warning, Vincent burst through the smoke, unharmed and as stoic as ever. His [Duskedge Blade] gleamed menacingly as he rushed toward Greg, his movements swift and decisive. Greg clicked his tongue in frustration, clearly annoyed that his trick hadn''t worked. He quickly shifted into a defensive stance, his fists clenched and his [Fire Gauntlets] glowing brighter as he prepared for the impending clash. As Vincent closed the distance between them, he unleashed his next move. With a sharp swing of his blade, a pulse of venomous purple light shone¡ªa manifestation of his skill, Venomstrike Lash. "Haa!" Vincent''s battle cry rang out as his attack tore through the air. Greg gritted his teeth and met the attack head-on, his gauntlet-covered fists ablaze. With a powerful punch, he tried to counter the strike, flames erupting from his hands as he attempted to overwhelm Vincent''s offensive. Clang! The sound of clashing metal filled the arena, followed by a heavy bam as the force of the impact sent Greg stumbling backward. He rolled across the stage, struggling to regain his footing. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Agh!" Greg grunted in pain as he finally came to a stop. His arms throbbed, the force of the blow leaving them numb. He winced, barely able to believe what had just happened. "How... how can he be this strong?" Greg''s thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of it. His gauntlets, a rare gift from his father, were of high quality¡ªTier 1, rare armaments. Yet, they had been matched by Vincent''s seemingly humble blade. Greg''s confidence faltered for the first time. He had underestimated Vincent, assuming that his background would make him an easy target. But now, it was clear¡ªVincent''s strength wasn''t something that could be explained away by wealth or status. Vincent, for his part, was equally surprised. He had expected Greg''s gauntlets to show some damage after their clash, but they were unscathed. "So, he has rare armaments too," Vincent thought with a frown. "His father must be filthy rich¡­" But there was no time for further speculation. This was a battle, and Vincent knew better than to waste precious moments standing still. He had to press the advantage while he still had it. "I don''t know what he''s planning," Vincent thought, eyeing Greg warily as the latter struggled to his feet. "But it''s better to end this quickly." Without hesitation, Vincent activated his Basic Origin Movement once more, his figure blurring as he dashed forward with blinding speed. He closed the distance between them in an instant, his [Duskedge Blade] cutting through the air with lethal intent. Greg, still reeling from the earlier attack, barely had time to react. He raised his arms in a desperate attempt to block the strike, his [Fire Gauntlets] clashing with Vincent''s blade. Bang! The force of the blow was too much. Greg was forced to one knee, the stage beneath him cracking from the impact. The crowd gasped as they saw the fracture spread across the floor, a testament to the power behind Vincent''s attack. Chapter 28 Fool Forced onto one knee, Greg pulled his right arm while his left arm was still blocking Vincent''s blade. With a loud grunt, his [Fire Gauntlet] suddenly seethed with crimson fire before he hurled it towards Vincent with full force."Die!" When Vincent saw the flame taking the form of a gauntlet hurling straight at him, he skillfully tilted his head to the other side, making the flame pass by him. And while his feet were still covered with origin power, he quickly gave Greg a roundhouse kick! Which, of course, could not be blocked by Greg at all, and landed straight in his guts! "Urgh!" Once more, Greg was blasted backwards, struggling to stand up, agony evident on his face. He felt one of his ribs had been fractured, causing him to cough out blood. After brushing off the blood seeping out of the corner of his lips, he furiously roared, "Vincent Magnus!" "I WANT YOU DEAD! I''M GOING TO KILL YOU!" The pain he was feeling began to cloud his mind, as though he could not see the difference in power between them. Staring at his raging opponent, Vincent suddenly caught Greg''s action, taking out a crimson-orange vial and quickly drinking it in one gulp. Vincent frowned, wondering what Greg had just drank. Soon, Greg began to roar, his muscles bulged, his skin began to tear, and flames slowly rose out of his body, making him grunt in pain and excitement as he felt his aura slowly increase. From Tier 1 - 3 stars, it began to climb. 4 stars... It then reached the peak of Tier 1. However, it still did not show any sign of stopping. Realizing that his situation might turn bad if he did not stop him, Vincent no longer held back and used his armament''s second skill while keeping his Origin Power Enhancement talent to increase his force attribute. "Duskedge Wave!" A crescent-shaped dark-purple energy immediately projected out of his blade, fiercely flying straight at Greg, leaving a dark trail of cracks on the arena floors. Boom! A loud explosion occurred when his attack landed, and a thick cloud of purple smoke instantly devoured Greg''s figure. Vianne, who could not understand what was happening with Greg, continued her enthusiastic hosting, "Another direct hit to Greg Malcolm! Is this the end of the fight?" While the people who had understood what was happening, especially the influential figures at the high podium, were keeping their silence. And when the cloud of smoke slowly cleared, Greg''s standing figure appeared before his laughter reverberated. "Haha. That''s all you can do? Then you''re pathetic, Vincent Magnus!" Greg was now standing almost 3 meters tall with bulging muscles and torn skin while flames occasionally seeped out of his body. His physique became stronger, but his looks turned grotesque. And as Vincent expected, Greg''s power had reached Tier 2. The crowd and Vianne were stunned, wondering, "Is that Greg Malcolm?" One of the audience members who had keen sense suddenly muttered, "He broke through to Tier 2?!" Hearing him, someone close to him immediately questioned, "What are you saying? Did Greg really break through to Tier 2? Just by drinking that unknown potion?" While the crowd was in shock and heated conversation, Vincent wasn''t bothered at all. He was not stupid; although Greg broke through to Tier 2 and the gap between them hugely increased, he still had an option. The rules stated that he only needed to win 3 times in 5 battles. Therefore, even if he forfeited this round and lost his spot, he still had a chance to challenge another top contender to take their spot and secure his slot in the finals. "This Greg is really stupid..." he thought and felt slight pity for the idiotic Greg. His hate had definitely clouded his decision. Now the question is, should I test my strength against a Tier 2 Origin Warrior, reveal my strength, and risk my life? Ah... what a stupid question. I love life... This is not the right time or place to risk my life for a simple tournament. While he was having his thoughts, Greg''s voice once again reverberated, "Vincent Magnus! Now, prepare for my wrath!" Greg, who had already started imagining beating Vincent with his upgraded power and was about to attack, suddenly halted, frozen by Vincent''s following words. "Ah, no. I forfeit this round, have fun on your own. I''m good." He did not wait for Greg''s or the referee''s response and jumped off the arena. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Greg came back to his senses, he hysterically bellowed, "No! No! I don''t accept this! Come back here and fight me! VINCENT MAGNUS~" Shocked by the sudden twist of the situation, Vianne uncertainly announced, "V-Vincent Magnus, forfeited? Victory for Greg Malcolm..." Although she had already announced who the winner was, the crowd was still in shock and silence. "Did he just quit like that?" "What would you do if you were in his position? Would you fight against that grotesque human? I''m not even sure if you can still call that appearance human." While at the high podium, Dean Thorne and the influential figures were also caught in subtle surprise and could not help but let out uncharacteristic giggles. On the other hand, Arnold, who was getting bored of watching the battle below, burst out in laughter. "Hahaha. Good, good. I like that kid! Having the knowledge of his limits and knowing when to retreat and advance is very rare to find nowadays." Dean Thorne''s lips broke into a subtle smile when he heard Arnold complimenting one of the students from his school. Chapter 29 Upgrade While the crowd burst into laughter, Vincent noticed Elric Baelius, who was chuckling at his decision as he walked to a corner. The other students quickly made way for him. He settled into the corner, his gaze fixed on the ongoing battles across the various platforms.Elric Baelius seemed unchallenged, securing his position for the final stage with ease. The other top contenders were either resting or still fighting. Apart from the original nine contenders, there was only one new face ¡ª a student who had taken Greg''s previous spot. Otherwise, nothing had changed. As time passed, the top students defending their stages earned their second victories, though not all of them emerged unscathed. Ana Blackwings, Sara Chen, and Dmitri Volkov bore visible signs of battle. Meanwhile, Greg remained fuming, his glare fixed in Vincent''s direction. No one dared to challenge the grotesque-looking man, despite him still retaining the strength of a Tier 2 warrior. However, Vincent knew that Greg''s temporary surge in power wouldn''t last long. He may make it to the finals, Vincent mused, but once his power is drained, he''ll be vulnerable¡­ Shaking away those thoughts, Vincent turned his attention to his accumulated experience points. Exp: 700,000/1,000,000 "What should I do with this?" he thought, uncertain about which path to take. Deciding he needed more time to think, Vincent took out a few Origin Crystals to replenish his energy. This would be the first time he''d use them for this purpose, and he was curious about the outcome. He started consuming the crystals and was immediately surprised by the result. +1 Origin Energy Talent Activated! +10,000 Origin Energy! In an instant, his Origin Energy was restored to its full capacity. "Wow, it can do that too?" he marveled at the unexpected boost. Now, with his energy fully restored, Vincent contemplated his next move. He had three potential upgrades in mind, each requiring a significant amount of experience points. Basic Origin Meditation ¡ª focused solely on cultivating mental attributes. Basic Origin Movement Speed ¡ª improved agility and speed through the consumption of Origin Energy. Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Techniques ¡ª a set of basic combat fundamentals learned in school. The first two were solid long-term investments, but Vincent believed that upgrading his combat skills would offer immediate benefits in the upcoming battles. With that in mind, he made his choice. Without hesitation, Vincent selected the Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Techniques, which cost 50,000 experience points. Upgrade Complete! Name: Balanced Origin Stance Quality: Common Effect: S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Offensive: Enhances basic strikes and kicks, increasing power by 15%. Defensive: Increases block efficiency by 10%, reducing incoming damage. Special: Grants a 5% chance to deflect an enemy''s attack, dealing half of the original damage back to the attacker. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy per minute of continuous use. Pleased with the improvement, Vincent realized he still had enough experience points to further enhance the technique. He spent another 100,000 experience points, upgrading the skill again. Upgrade Complete! Name: Flowing Origin Technique Quality: Uncommon Effect: Offensive: Increases attack power by 25% and adds fluidity to combos. Grants a 10% chance to deliver an additional strike after a successful hit. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 15% when blocking. A small parry window allows Vincent to reflect 20% of the damage back at the attacker if timed correctly. Special: Unlocks the ability to redirect force, staggering the enemy upon blocking an attack and creating an opening for a counterattack. Consumption: 45 Origin Energy per minute. Satisfied with the technique''s evolution, Vincent decided not to push further. He feared higher upgrades might consume too much Origin Energy, potentially limiting his combat ability. With a significant amount of experience points still available, he turned his attention to his movement speed. To Vincent, speed equaled power, and he believed this upgrade would be equally valuable in the short term. Another 50,000 experience points were consumed. Upgrade Complete! Name: Swift Origin Step Quality: Common Effect: Consumes 90 Origin Energy to instantly move 7 meters. Movement speed is temporarily increased by 20%, and precision improves, allowing for agile direction changes mid-step. Consumption: Reduces with proficiency; at max proficiency, consumption decreases to 75 Origin Energy. Encouraged by the result, Vincent upgraded the skill once more. Upgrade Complete! Name: Blink of Origin Quality: Uncommon Effect: Consumes 85 Origin Energy to instantly move 12 meters in any direction. Grants a brief moment of heightened perception, allowing precise movement through obstacles or rough terrain. Movement speed temporarily increases by 30%. Consumption: At max proficiency, consumption can drop to 65 Origin Energy. "Nice! I still have experience points left," Vincent thought, "I should improve my proficiency next." Over the next few minutes, he invested 150,000 experience points into each of his newly upgraded techniques, raising their proficiency from Novice to Adept. Feeling the surge of newfound power, Vincent stood up and stretched. He needed to test these upgraded abilities and secure his spot in the finals. After all, he had his eye on the grand prize. Without overthinking, he picked the nearest stage and jumped up. Vianne, as the active and enthusiastic host, immediately announced, "Vincent Magnus is on the move! He seems eager to get his third victory to secure his spot in the finals!" The 10th stage was held by Michael Archons, who was visibly exhausted after a hard-fought second victory. The moment he saw Vincent land on his platform, his expression darkened. He cursed his luck, having hoped to avoid a confrontation with the dark horse of the competition. "Vincent Magnus¡­ Can you give me a break and let me keep my spot?" Michael asked, desperation evident in his voice. Vincent remained silent, his face betraying no emotion. On the neighboring platform, Loy Mesins overheard Michael''s plea and couldn''t help but laugh nervously, imagining Vincent might target him next. "Are you really going to beg like that, Michael? You''re an Origin Warrior! Where''s your warrior spirit?" Loy taunted. Frustrated, Michael retorted, "Warrior spirit? My foot! If you''re so brave, why don''t you challenge him instead?!" Chapter 30 Finals The atmosphere around the podium was tense, as Dean Thorne stood flanked by a collection of influential figures and esteemed guests, all of them silent, their attention focused on the events unfolding below. Conversations between smaller guild recruiters filled the air as they murmured about the latest developments."Student Greg''s actions are reckless..." "I agree. His anger clouded his judgment." "The Fury Potion he used is certainly powerful¡ªit provides a temporary surge in strength but at a dangerous cost. The potential loss of power is a price too high." "The damage will be difficult, if not impossible, to fully recover from." The observers shook their heads, their disapproval evident. Even Dean Thorne, despite his typically calm demeanor, frowned slightly. He couldn''t help but agree. "What a waste of potential," he muttered. "The difference between Greg and Vincent Magnus is like night and day." On the stage, Michael Archons wore a dark expression as he watched Vincent Magnus, whose face remained utterly indifferent, as if unaffected by the mounting tension. Michael found himself hesitating. His thoughts swirled. Should he risk a fight with Vincent, knowing he might emerge injured? Or should he play it safe, forfeit the round, and conserve his energy to fight another opponent¡ªone he felt more confident in defeating? After a long, contemplative pause, Michael exhaled a heavy sigh. "I surrender," he declared. His voice cut through the tension, but the audience remained mostly unfazed. For many, this wasn''t a surprise. By now, Vincent''s reputation preceded him, and no one doubted his capability. Vianne, the announcer, had been eagerly awaiting the fight but now stood disappointed. Still, she did her job, her voice ringing out clearly, "Michael Archons has surrendered! That marks the third victory for Vincent Magnus!" Applause broke out, the crowd cheering Vincent''s continued dominance. Yet, despite the noise, Vincent''s face betrayed a subtle hint of frustration. He''d been looking forward to testing his new strength, but with his opponent surrendering so quickly, that opportunity had slipped away. Smiling wryly to himself, he resigned to the fact that he would have to wait until the final stage to push his limits. With nothing else to do, Vincent sat down in the center of the stage, arms folded across his chest, as he patiently awaited the outcome of the other matches. After some time, the Top 10 finalists were revealed. Unsurprisingly, they were the same contenders who had been leading their teams throughout the competition¡ªparty leaders who had proven their strength and tactical skills. As the fighters rested, Dean Thorne stepped forward, commanding the attention of the entire crowd with a wave of his hand. "First, I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone who showcased their talents and bravery in front of their families, friends, and fellow students. I would also like to applaud the Top 10 student warriors of No. 3 High School for their incredible performance!" His voice boomed through the arena, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. He paused, allowing the noise to settle before continuing. "Tonight marks the final stage of our Annual Battle Ceremony, and it will be unlike anything you''ve seen before." His words caused a ripple of excitement and confusion to spread through the crowd. The ceremony had always followed a simple elimination format. What could possibly be different this time? Before Dean Thorne could explain further, loud, boisterous laughter erupted, filling the air as a shadowed figure soared high above the crowd, landing with a thunderous impact in the middle of the stage. The Top 10 contenders, including Vincent, leaped back, eyes widening in surprise as a cloud of dust swirled around the figure. When the dust finally cleared, their shock deepened. Standing before them was none other than Arnold Mazels, an Alpha warrior of unparalleled strength. Dean Thorne''s voice echoed again, "For the final stage, the Top 10 will not face each other as expected. Instead, they will face a common foe, The Alpha ¡ª Arnold Mazels!" The crowd buzzed with disbelief. Whispers of shock and confusion filled the arena. "What''s going on?" "Why the sudden change?" Before anyone could question further, Arnold''s booming voice cut through the noise, dripping with arrogance. "Relax, everyone. I won''t be bullying you. I''ll restrict my strength to the peak of Tier 1." For most, this might have sounded reassuring. But to Greg, whose anger had already begun to boil over, it was nothing short of an insult. "You''re underestimating me!" Greg''s voice was hoarse, his Fury Potion still coursing through his veins, amplifying his rage. "You think you can defeat my Tier 2 strength with just your Tier 1 power? You''re out of your mind!" Without waiting for a response, Greg launched himself at Arnold with blistering speed, his gauntlet-clad fists aflame with raw power. He aimed a crushing blow directly at Arnold''s face. Bang! The sound of impact reverberated through the arena, but it wasn''t the sound of a successful hit. Instead, it was the sound of Arnold catching Greg''s punch with his bare hand, stopping the attack cold. "What?!" Gasps erupted from the crowd. Greg''s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth hanging open in shock. "H-How?" Greg stammered, trying to pull his hand back, but it was no use. Arnold had him locked in place. Before Greg could react, Arnold delivered a devastating punch to his face, sending him flying across the stage. Greg''s body skidded to a halt several meters away, unconscious. Arnold dusted off his hands, his expression serious now. "Abominations like you have no place in this battle," he muttered disdainfully. Vincent, having watched the entire exchange, furrowed his brow. He''d known Arnold was strong, but seeing him handle Greg so easily was a stark reminder of just how wide the gap between them truly was. "He''s powerful," Vincent thought, his mind already strategizing for the battle to come. The rest of the Top 10 watched in stunned silence, realizing that the final stage would be far more challenging than any of them had anticipated. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 31 Battle Against The Alpha With Greg knocked out cold, only nine students remained to face ''The Alpha''.Vincent had no clue how their rankings would be decided simply by fighting Arnold. However, instead of feeling anxious, he was filled with excitement at the prospect of battling such a powerful Origin Warrior. Despite his eagerness, Vincent didn''t rush to attack. He lacked information on Arnold''s abilities and fighting style. He discreetly moved to the back of the group, unnoticed by the others. The tension hung in the air. Vincent and the other students stood still, watching as Arnold smiled confidently, his gaze fixed on them. "No one''s making a move?" Arnold''s voice broke the silence. In response, the students tightened their grips on their weapons, bracing themselves for what was to come. Arnold''s expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing his face before his eyes hardened. "Since no one''s stepping up, I guess I''ll start." Still smiling, he took a single step forward and seemed to disappear, reappearing in front of Dmitri Volkov. Dmitri, a muscular, tan-skinned student with crew-cut hair and advanced technological armor, barely had time to react. Before he could raise his arms to block, Arnold''s fist connected with his face, sending him flying. The others, now fully alert, launched a series of counterattacks. Leading the charge was Elric Baelius. His wild red hair blew in the wind as his arms, covered in crimson serpent scales up to his elbows, swung toward Arnold''s back. He shouted as he threw a heavy punch. "Ha!" The others followed suit, attacking simultaneously. But before any of their blows could land, Arnold vanished again, this time reappearing behind Sara Chen, a tall, lean girl with tanned skin. He whispered in her ear, "Why aren''t you joining the fun?" Sara shivered, goosebumps rising all over her body. She swung her heavy steel club in panic, but it met only empty air. Arnold disappeared once more, materializing several meters away, unharmed. While Vincent carefully observed Arnold''s movements, Dmitri, who had been knocked down earlier, got back to his feet. He frowned as he stared at Arnold, but despite the direct hit, he appeared unscathed. His Physical Enhancement Talent was clearly no joke. Arnold smirked, pleased with himself. "Is this really the best the top students of this school have to offer? Pathetic!" The words sent a wave of anger through the crowd of students watching from their seats. Their faces darkened as they began shouting. "Come on, Senior Elric! Beat that bastard!" "Kick his ass!" "Make sure his own mother won''t recognize him!" Even Dean Thorne, seated at the high podium, was visibly displeased. Although he kept his face neutral, it was clear he wasn''t happy about the disrespect shown toward his school. Sara, her fury barely contained, turned to Elric. "Elric, what''s the plan? I''m ready to crush that old man!" Her casual tone suggested the two shared a close relationship. Dmitri chimed in, massaging his cheek where Arnold had punched him. "Elric, we can''t fight him one by one. We need to work together. What do you have in mind? I owe him a punch." Elric kept his gaze locked on Arnold. His face was serious as he responded, not bothering to look at the others. "He''s fast, and his punches are no joke, but..." He paused, glancing at Dmitri, "You took his hit pretty well." "So, what''s the plan?" Dmitri asked. Elric didn''t answer immediately. His eyes shifted to Ana Blackwings, another student whose abilities he wasn''t fully aware of, and then to Vincent, who seemed stronger than his known talent suggested. "Are we doing this together?" Elric finally asked. Vincent exchanged a glance with Ana, who nodded, and then gave Elric a curt nod in agreement. After a brief discussion, the group had a plan. Arnold, who had been watching them in silence, finally spoke. "Done talking? Ready to fight?" Dmitri cracked his knuckles and shot back, Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Are ''you'' ready to get your ass kicked, old dog?" At the insult, Arnold''s smile didn''t waver, but the pressure he exuded intensified. "Show me what you''ve got, then," he sneered. "Let''s see just how pathetic you all are." "Now!" Elric shouted, and the group sprang into action. Dmitri led the charge, activating his talent. His muscles bulged as his body swelled, growing from a well-built man into a towering giant. His height shot up from 180 centimeters to over seven feet, towering above Arnold, who stood at 6''6". His feet slammed into the floor, leaving deep imprints as he charged at Arnold with a menacing grin. "Take this, old dog!" Dmitri''s massive fist swung through the air toward Arnold, and the sound of their fists colliding echoed across the platform. But before Arnold could follow up, thick tree branches burst from the ground, wrapping around his legs and pinning him in place. "Nice one, Loy!" Franco Bullocks called, standing beside Loy Mesins, who had used his Nature Affinity Talent. "My turn!" Franco declared, raising a rifle. "Time to die!" Azure energy gathered at the barrel of his gun, and with a thunderous crack, the shot was fired, its destructive power clear as it hurtled toward Arnold. Arnold frowned as the deafening blast hit, engulfing him in a thick cloud of smoke. "Got him!" Loy exclaimed. But Elric wasn''t so quick to celebrate. "Don''t celebrate yet!" As the smoke cleared, Arnold emerged unharmed, but his body had changed. His arms were now covered in fur, ending in sharp, wolf-like claws. He bared his fangs in a wide grin. "Not bad, but you''ll have to do better than that!" With both his arms and legs now resembling those of a wolf, Arnold lunged toward Franco, eager for revenge. But once again, Loy''s tree branches shot up, halting his advance. Sharp stones followed, piercing his body. "Yes!" Luke Collins cheered internally as his attack seemed to land. But before a drop of blood could fall, Arnold''s wounds healed instantly, leaving the group stunned. And just as they recovered from their shock, a silver streak of light zipped toward Arnold ¡ª Ana Blackwings'' signature attack. Arnold broke free from Loy''s bindings just in time, dodging the silver light with ease. Before Arnold could recover, Vincent, who had been waiting for his moment, appeared like a ghost behind him, ready to strike. Chapter 32 Showcasing Abilities The moment Vincent appeared behind ''The Alpha ¡ª Arnold Mazels'' ¡ª he didn''t hesitate. His Venomstrike Lash infused the Duskedge Blade with a menacing purple glow as he swung it toward Arnold''s back.However, instead of the satisfying sound of his blade cutting through flesh, a metallic clang echoed through the air. Vincent''s brow furrowed as Arnold slowly turned to face him. His torn garment revealed his transformed, muscular torso, covered in thick, furry werewolf-like skin. "Sneaky brat¡­" Arnold uttered with a pissed expression, clearly wasn''t expecting someone to make him use his talent to this extent. Initially, he assumed that transforming his limbs to his werewolf talent was already bullying them, but he did not expect someone who had the strength to push him to this extent, using almost 50% of his talent''s full transformation. Before he could retaliate, Vincent vanished using his newly upgraded movement skill, Blink of Origin, instantly putting distance between them. Arnold was caught by surprise. "That kid can use a high-level movement skill?!" But before he could process Vincent''s speed, a powerful, fiery strike was aimed at his flank. It was Elric Baelius! Elric''s appearance also had few changes. His face had a hint of crimson serpent scales, his arms were still covered in similar scales, while his school uniform was replaced and turned to armor-like coating with similar crimson snake-like scales! It was his awakened talent: Flaming Python! Which could be labeled as similar to Arnold''s talent Demon Werewolf. A talent that could transform his physique to a flaming python and having access to its innate abilities. Barehanded, he swung his bulging right arm which was covered with serpent scales and infused with fire energy to Arnold''s flank. Upon seeing the unavoidable attack, Arnold made a quick decision, grinning, before swinging his wolf-like fist in counter. "Let''s see what you got!" He countered Elric''s punch with his own, and their fists collided with a deafening ''boom'', sending shockwaves through the arena. Both fighters took a single step back from the impact. With a determined grunt, Elric lunged forward and threw another punch, which was once again met by Arnold''s. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The air trembled with the force of their blows. Boom! Shockwaves occurred as the two of them exchanged blows simultaneously. And soon enough, Elric''s inexperience shows itself, making a small mistake with his rhythm and timing, giving Arnold a smallest gap for his attack to landed straight to Elric''s abdomen, blasting him several meters away! As Elric struggled to stand, a soft, emerald light enveloped him, soothing his wounds and easing the pain. The blood dripping from the corner of his mouth disappeared. "Thanks, Sara," Elric muttered as he looked up at Sara Chen, who was already standing beside him. "Stop." She interrupted him before continuing, "What are you doing? Are we just gonna accept that stupid old man''s insult? Take your stupid ass and beat that old man!" Just as she said that, Elric saw Arnold''s gaze locked at Sara before his figure vanished into thin air, rushing towards them. "Watch out!" Elric called out, wanting to move in front of Sara to block Arnold, however, his speed was obviously nowhere near Arnold''s speed. Arnold, who suddenly reappeared before Sara Chen uttered, "A lesson for everyone of you. In battle, you must take out the healers first!" He then revealed his sharp claws and was about to slash to Sara when a destructive dark-purple crescent energy, flashed straight at him, forcing him to pull back his attack and retreat. Elric immediately stands between Arnold and Sara. "Are you alright?" He asked with an obvious hint of concern in his voice. Sara confusedly nodded as she answered, "Y-Yes¡­" She was unable to understand what happened because everything had happened too fast for her. Arnold, clearly frustrated at being interrupted again, turned his attention to the source of the attack. "You''re really fond of sneak attacks, aren''t you, kid?" Facing Arnold''s question, Vincent simply responded with a subtle smile before disappearing once again, blinking himself away in the distance. "Don''t dream that I will let you go again this time!" Arnold snarled and quickly rushed to Vincent, evidently irritated by his way of fighting. However, once again, he was interrupted as thick tree branches burst from the ground, momentarily immobilizing him before he tore them apart with ease. Loy, who had summoned the branches, couldn''t hide his shock. "No way... he broke free that easily?" His only way to immobilize Arnold had failed miserably. Arnold continued his pursuit, but Vincent remained elusive, using Blink of Origin to keep just out of reach. Each time Arnold closed in, Vincent blinked several meters away, maintaining a frustrating distance. At one point, Vincent blinked beside Ana Blackwings, who stared at him with her usual cold expression. "Is that silver light your only method of attack?" Vincent asked, almost teasingly. Ana furrowed her brows, somehow displeased by his question. "That ''silver light'' is not an attack," she replied, her voice soft but laced with anger. "Her name is Little Winter." His eyebrows rose in confusion, not even wondering about her uncharacteristic tone of voice, "Little Winter?" His eyes then fell on the small creature perched on Ana''s shoulder ¡ª a rabbit-like being with translucent wings and tiny horns. "She''s a summoner?" He thought in realization as he saw her whisper something to the winged-creature who stared at him for a moment before swiftly flew in the sky. And when the winged-creature, ''Little Winter'' reached a certain height, he heard Ana''s small and soft command. "Now!" As if responding to his initial assumption, he saw Little Winter suddenly flapping its wings before unleashing a twin whirlwinds materializing out of thin air, hurtling toward Arnold, who was still fixated on chasing Vincent. The audience, who had no idea what Ana''s abilities were, looked on in shock as the powerful winds tore through the arena. "What''s happening?" one of them asked, bewildered. "Where did these whirlwinds come from?" another murmured in disbelief. Caught in the middle of the whirling storm, Arnold''s face darkened. "These kids think they can make a fool out of me..." He slowly turn around and saw the other kids aside from Vincent and Ana fully preparing to unleash a combo of charged attack. Chapter 33 Turn of Events The moment Arnold turned around, he saw the other kids, aside from Vincent and Ana, standing together, their talents fully charged and ready to be unleashed at him.Loy Mesins, wielding his Nature Affinity talent, had crafted a 3-meter-tall hand made of thick tree branches. Michael Archons, who had been silent all this time, clutching his spear glowing with an azure light, now stood prepared. Franco Bullocks, one eye closed, had his rifle raised, looking through the scope, ready to fire. Luke Collins had summoned a massive spike of earth with his Earth Affinity talent. Dmitri Volkov, his bulging arms straining, had dug into the ground and lifted a large chunk of it. Sara Chen clenched her steel club, glowing with a pale emerald light, while Elric Baelius had grown almost three feet taller, his form shifting further into that of a Flaming Python. With a loud bellow, Elric gave the command that echoed through the air. "Attack!" Excited responses rang out at his signal. "I''ve been waiting for this!" "Go, beat the crap out of him!" Whirlwinds formed behind Arnold as the students'' combined attacks rushed towards him. His lips curled into a wide smile, excitement dancing in his eyes at the unfolding scene. After a brief laugh, Arnold muttered, "Good, good. This is exactly what I''ve been waiting for. Now, let me show you the real difference between talent ranks and experience!" "Haaa!" With a loud grunt, Arnold''s werewolf form began to bulge, his fangs extending, his eyes sharpening, until he fully transformed into a 3-meter-tall werewolf with nearly black skin. Roar! Letting out a bone-chilling roar, he dodged the incoming whirlwinds from behind and rushed toward Elric and the others. Growling like a beast, Arnold balled his fist and met the giant wooden hand Loy had summoned with a deafening ''bam'', shockwaves rippling through the air from the impact. Instead of being pushed back, Arnold overpowered the massive tree-hand, forcing it backward before whipping around, kicking the large chunk of earth Dmitri had hurled at him, shattering it into pieces. Tilting his body slightly, he caught the glowing spear thrown by Michael and hurled it into the giant earth spike Luke had summoned, causing an explosion of dust and debris that filled the air. Franco, fully locked in with his Sharpshooter Talent, saw his moment. His Talent gave him a holographic crosshair in his vision. He squeezed the trigger of his rifle, unleashing a blinding azure energy beam that shot straight at Arnold. With no space or time to evade, Arnold growled, his arms emanating a dark, ominous aura as he slashed at the energy beam, cutting through it with a loud ''boom'' that echoed across the battlefield. The explosion cleared the whirlwinds that had been pursuing him. Loy and the others, whose attacks had either failed or been deflected, couldn''t contain their shock. "What?!" "Is he even human?!" "That''s impossible!" Despite their disbelief, Elric didn''t falter. He rushed forward with Sara, both determined to take down the fully transformed Alpha¡ªArnold Mazels. Elric, his right arm brimming with flame energy, threw his strongest punch at Arnold, who seemed to possess limitless Origin Energy and stamina. For the first time, an attack landed. Elric''s punch connected with Arnold''s chest, and the crowd, along with Elric''s comrades, cheered in unison. "Yes! A direct hit¡ª!" But before they could celebrate, Arnold''s cold, detached voice shattered their joy. "Is that all you''ve got? Pathetic." Elric''s eyes widened in disbelief. He, too, had awakened an A-rank talent, yet the gap in strength was unimaginable. While he questioned himself, Sara''s voice broke through his thoughts. "Take this, old man!" Appearing behind Arnold, she swung her glowing steel club with all her might. But before the blow could connect, Arnold swatted her away like a fly with a flash of his werewolf arm. "Ugh!" Sara let out a groan as she tumbled across the ground before falling unconscious. "Sara!" Elric called out in alarm, his voice filled with worry. Seeing his childhood friend struck down so easily, rage ignited within him. The flames of his innate Flaming Python ability began to spread over his entire body. Clenching his hands together, he gathered pure fire energy, forming a ball of flames between his palms. This was his ultimate move, one that would drain all his remaining Origin Energy. It was a risky move, one he had hoped to avoid using, as it could damage his potential. But seeing Sara in such a state filled his mind with fury. All he wanted now was revenge. At point-blank range, he thrust his hands forward, releasing the beam of fire energy with a shout. "Fiery Beam!" Boom! A deafening explosion followed as the fiery beam engulfed Arnold, and thick smoke filled the air. Loy, Dmitri, and the others watched anxiously. Loy, unable to control his curiosity, asked, "Did it work?" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But before anyone could answer, that familiar, prideful voice echoed through the battlefield. "Unfortunately, that wasn''t enough to defeat me." Gasps filled the crowd as the thick smoke cleared, revealing Arnold, completely unscathed, standing behind Elric''s unconscious form. "No way¡­ even Senior Elric''s ultimate attack didn''t work?!" One of the students in the crowd couldn''t believe it. Loy and the others stared, dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the massive difference in power between themselves and Arnold, the Alpha. As though the battle was over, an ominous purple crescent of energy suddenly flew toward Arnold. He recognized the attack immediately. With a furious roar, his werewolf arms, now cloaked in black mist, countered with a powerful punch. Bam! Another attack followed, whirlwinds surging toward him. Arnold''s claws tore through the whirlwinds as though they were nothing but paper, dispersing them into gentle breezes. "He¡­ broke a whirlwind with his bare hands?! That''s impossible!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed, their voice full of disbelief. At that moment, Vincent''s figure vanished, reappearing behind Arnold with his Duskedge Blade in hand. Activating his Origin Power Enhancement talent, he boosted his strength by 30%. Simultaneously, he unleashed his newly upgraded Flowing Origin Technique, increasing his attack power by an additional 25%. With his blade glowing a deep purple, Vincent slashed at Arnold with his Venomstrike Lash and Duskedge Slash combination. This time, Arnold had no chance to dodge at such close range. Boom! Vincent felt it¡ªhis attack had pierced through Arnold''s defense. The crowd watched in stunned silence as a deep wound appeared on Arnold''s shoulder, extending down his back. Even Dean Thorne, seated with the other guests, looked surprised. "He managed to injure that mad dog?" Dean Thorne thought to himself. Verno, initially bored, revealed a slight reaction, surprised that Arnold had been wounded. "Did he let that kid hit him?" Verno mused. Back on the stage, Arnold, bleeding from his shoulder to his back, was stunned. "I-I got injured¡­ again?! And by that damn kid?!" he thought, disbelief clouding his mind. Even though he had fully transformed, unleashed his Talent, and restricted his cultivation, someone had still managed to wound him. "Am I really being beaten by these kids?!" With rage boiling inside him, Arnold''s expression darkened. "I won''t accept this!" Arnold''s roar was followed by a burst of overwhelming pressure that flooded the entire arena, affecting both the audience and the participants on the stage. Vincent and the others, closest to the source of the pressure, collapsed to their knees, struggling to breathe. Instinctively, Vincent summoned his chaos energy to shield himself from the crushing force. He took several deep breaths as the protection took effect. Arnold, noticing the ominous energy surrounding Vincent, widened his eyes in shock. "H-How do you possess that aura?" Arnold muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. Dean Thorne and the other guests, equally shocked, quickly took action. "That mad dog''s lost it again! Someone stop him!" a weaker guest cried out. Without hesitation, Dean Thorne leapt from the podium and landed on the stage. "Mister Mazels, cease this immediately!" He released his own aura, shielding the crowd from Arnold''s oppressive pressure. But his attention quickly shifted to the dark energy surrounding Vincent. "That aura¡­" Dean Thorne murmured, his voice trailing off. Chapter 34 Problem Arise Just as Vincent instinctively covered himself with chaos energy and struggled to his feet, he heard a familiar voice. It was Arnold''s, and it carried a tone of disbelief."H-How do you have that aura¡­?!" In that moment, Vincent realized his grave mistake. He had been so preoccupied with the Annual Battle Ceremony that he had completely forgotten about the trouble he caused when he merged with the black cosmic marble. Now, even Arnold had recognized his chaos energy. His expression immediately darkened. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind, as he carefully considered his next move. Should I run? Could I even escape? Even if he managed to flee, what would happen to his sister and Amara? Would they be safe? It was then that the full weight of his situation hit him. One small misstep had the potential to unravel everything he had built in this world. His new life¡ªfragile and precarious¡ªcould fall apart in an instant. How foolish I''ve been, thinking I could handle everything just because of my talent. I need to become stronger. I want to be stronger! "But first," he muttered to himself, "I need to figure out how to survive¡­" Before he could finish that thought, Arnold''s voice cut through his musings once more. "You¡­ You''re a bearer of calamity!" Calamity? Vincent had no idea what Arnold was referring to, but the seriousness in his tone made it clear that this was not a minor issue. Despite his growing sense of dread, a different emotion stirred deep within him. It wasn''t fear¡ªit was something primal, a feeling that he wasn''t the one who should be afraid. They should fear him. Yet, Vincent couldn''t understand why he felt this way. "I''ve already exposed this damn chaos energy," he muttered, clenching his fists. "Might as well use it to my advantage¡­" With a steely resolve, he channeled the chaos energy into his eyes, which turned abyssal black. In an instant, different scenes flashed through his mind, and his initial calm gave way to horror as his face paled. "Am I¡­ going to die?" he whispered, terror creeping into his voice as the visions played out before him. Arnold, sensing the change, ignored Vincent''s words and instead took a step forward, his own voice tinged with panic. "You demon! What did you just do?!" Dean Thorne, who had been standing silently behind Vincent, hadn''t witnessed the full extent of what had transpired. Nevertheless, he quickly stepped between the two, positioning himself as a barrier between Arnold and his student. Though the ominous energy emanating from Vincent didn''t escape his notice, Dean Thorne was more concerned with his duty to protect the honor of his school. "Mr. Mazels," the dean said firmly, "I must ask you to stop this at once!" Arnold''s expression twisted into a frown. "Dean Thorne, do you have any idea what you''re doing? You''re protecting a demon!" At the mention of the word "demon," a wave of confusion spread through the others¡ªLoy Mesins and others, who had only just regained their composure after being shielded by the dean''s aura. "A demon?" "What''s happening?" Their bewilderment only grew as Verno and the Ice Princess, Sylthana, arrived on the scene, standing behind the dean. Verno, who had no knowledge of what was happening, spoke in his usual emotionless tone. "Just because you''ve been let off your leash doesn''t mean you can act like a rabid dog in front of these students." Sylthana, her aura cold and frigid, stepped forward to stand beside her uncle. Her eyes narrowed as she addressed Arnold in a chilling tone. "Senior Mazels, please control your anger. This is simply a ceremonial event at my uncle''s school. While you were the one who proposed this event, we''re willing to overlook that and compensate you for your injury. So, please¡ªcalm down and make a wise decision." Though her words were polite, the threat behind them was clear, and Arnold''s face darkened in displeasure. "You''re all insane!" he shouted, jabbing a finger in Vincent''s direction. "Don''t you see that aura? It''s pure evil!" However, neither Verno nor Sylthana detected anything unusual about Vincent, aside from his pale complexion. They assumed the pressure from Arnold was responsible for his appearance. Dean Thorne, on the other hand, had sensed something strange earlier, but he remained silent, choosing not to reveal his suspicions. "You''re just a senile, old fool," Verno said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can''t believe you''d stoop this low¡ªto the point of framing a student." Sylthana, meanwhile, continued to fix Arnold with her icy stare, saying nothing. Arnold, rendered speechless by their dismissal, could do nothing but fume in frustration. As the situation unfolded in his favor, Vincent found no relief. His face remained ghostly pale as the images of his vision replayed in his mind. Without a moment''s hesitation, he gathered his strength and sprinted out of the arena, fleeing the school grounds. "He''s running away!" Arnold roared. "He''s guilty!" Just as Arnold moved to chase him, a sharp, crystalline barrier of ice appeared out of thin air, blocking his path. Furious, he spun around to face Sylthana. "You''re going to cross me for that boy?!" he bellowed. Her voice was calm but firm as she replied, "I''m merely fulfilling my duty as the protector of our citizens and Bronzehaven Arc." Arnold let out a hollow laugh, seething with rage. "Fine¡­ I''ll remember this." Vincent, now outside the school, donned his Morphic Mask, altering his appearance into that of an elderly man. He moved stealthily through the districts, heading toward the Central Bazaar. He needed answers. Alex, the mysterious old man, had to know something about the other black marble. He must know¡­ The sky had darkened, the moon casting its silver light over the city. As Vincent turned into a shadowed alley, a suffocating aura suddenly locked him in place, immobilizing him. A cold, arrogant voice cut through the night. "I''ve finally found you." Vincent''s eyes widened as the figure revealed itself¡ªfloating in midair. It was a blonde-haired man, clad in sleek black armor, almost identical to Dmitri''s but far more refined. This was one of the men from his vision. The leader of District 11, Arman Matthews. The man who would kill him. Vincent, his heart pounding, quickly adopted the role of the old man and rasped, "W-Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" Arman smirked. "Drop the act, boy. Your tricks won''t work on someone like me. I can see right through that illusion." "You calamity bearers must die." Though Vincent maintained his disguise, he stammered, "W-What are you talking about? What calamity bearer?" Arman sighed. "Since you''re about to die, I might as well tell you. A calamity bearer is cursed¡ªdoomed to destroy everything around them. It''s a force of destruction with only one purpose: to annihilate everything. Luckily for us, we found you early enough to prevent that." Despite Arman''s explanation, Vincent''s mind raced. How can I escape? "What¡­ what makes you so sure I''m a calamity bearer?" Vincent asked, desperate to stall for time. Arman''s eyes burned with hatred. "I know that aura. I''ve seen it before. It''s the same power that killed countless innocents¡ªmy comrades, my family." His gaze hardened. "That''s why you must die." Arman stretched out his hand, closing his fist slowly as if crushing something. In that instant, Vincent felt an unbearable pressure pushing him to the ground. He gasped in pain, barely able to move. With a grunt, Vincent muttered through clenched teeth, "I won''t die here." With a roar, he unleashed all of his chaos energy, his body groaning under the strain but slowly pushing back against the overwhelming pressure. Dark, ominous energy swirled around him as a singular thought filled his mind: Kill. Kill. Kill. "Shut up!" he screamed, trying to silence the voices echoing in his head. Arman''s expression didn''t waver. "That''s it. Show your true self. You''re nothing but a mindless killing machine. And now¡­ you die." Before Arman could make a move, Vincent''s fury boiled over. His right arm transformed into a demon-like appendage, and without thinking, he lunged at Arman with all his might. "Die!" Though Vincent''s chaos-empowered eyes could foresee Arman''s counter, his body couldn''t react fast enough. Arman''s punch landed squarely in his abdomen, sending him crashing through several walls. "Urgh¡­!" Vincent coughed, blood spraying from his lips. The pain was excruciating, but like a machine, he forced himself back to his feet. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he charged at Arman once more. Arman, still standing in the same spot, didn''t move. He waited for Vincent''s attack, only to counter each time, sending him flying again and again. "You''re persistent," Arman mocked. "But you''re no match for me. Just die already." As Arman raised his hand, preparing to deliver the final blow. His voice was filled with deadly intent as he said, "Just die." But before he could strike, a sharp feminine voice echoed through the night, cutting through the tension like a blade. "That''s enough." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Arman froze, his eyes darting to the source of the voice. He hadn''t sensed her presence at all, which left him momentarily stunned. Slowly, he turned, scanning the shadows. "Who?!" Arman demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief. Stepping into the moonlight was a woman, her cold beauty unmistakable. She floated effortlessly in the air, her long, pink-blossom hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her eyes glowed with an ethereal light, sharp and piercing. Arman recognized her immediately. His expression shifted from rage to astonishment as he processed the sight before him. "Why is she here?" he muttered under his breath, clearly unsettled. The woman, unperturbed by his shock, regarded him with a gaze as cold as ice. Her presence radiated power and authority, the kind that made even seasoned warriors like Arman cautious. She stood tall, her aura dominating the space around her as she addressed him with a chilling calm. Chapter 35 Vice Commander Arman''s astonishment quickly shifted into a respectful expression as he straightened up, offering a formal salute."Greetings, Vice Commander Iris." The woman before him, a striking figure known for both her beauty and formidable reputation, was one of the vice commanders serving under the Arc''s current leader. Her reputation preceded her¡ªfamed for her cold, calculating demeanor and ruthlessness on the battlefield. Her moniker, the "Floral Witch," stemmed from her ability to decimate Primals and invaders alike with her unique talents. Despite this, Arman found it hard to believe that the current threat¡ªa calamity¡ªcould justify the personal involvement of someone of her stature. Vice Commander Iris made no attempt to acknowledge his greeting. Instead, she descended gracefully, her attention immediately drawn to the wild, near-unrecognizable Vincent below. His figure had warped, barely human now, struggling to remain upright under the weight of his own primal instincts. A flicker of panic crossed Arman''s face before he spoke up again, his voice tense. "Vice Commander, please allow me to handle this abomination." Behind his words, fury simmered, but there was more than anger at play here¡ªthere was greed, well-concealed but no less potent. Ending a calamity like Vincent would not only satiate his thirst for revenge but also earn him significant merit. The rewards would be substantial. But once again, Vice Commander Iris offered him no response. Her gaze remained fixed on Vincent, whose awareness seemed to have long since slipped away, leaving only a mindless shell, struggling purely on instinct. Why does Master want me to protect this man? Iris wondered silently. Her mind teemed with questions, but she knew better than to question her orders, especially since her master seldom requested anything from her. Curious as she was, she pushed her thoughts aside, having already conducted a background check on Vincent. Apart from his rather common backstory¡ªa child of missing parents, a situation not unusual in these turbulent times¡ªthere was nothing particularly remarkable about him. Yet now, watching him in this state, Iris found her intrigue growing. Could her master be indebted to this man? She had no answers. Arman''s voice interrupted her musings once more. "Vice Commander!" Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she finally deigned to speak. "I can hear you, District Leader Arman." Her tone was as cold as the reputation that preceded her, tinged with unmistakable irritation. "My apologies, Vice Commander. You seemed preoccupied. But... may I be given the honor of eliminating that demon?" Without a hint of emotion, Iris responded, "No, I will handle him myself." "But¡ª" Before he could finish, a wave of icy killing intent washed over him, smothering the words in his throat and forcing him to drop any further protests. "District Leader Arman," she said, her voice dangerously calm. Arman swallowed hard, stiffening under the weight of her presence. "Y-Yes, Vice Commander?" "I want all recordings of today''s events deleted from your data." "But, Vice Commander¡ª" "District Leader Arman," she interrupted, her voice colder than ever, "this will be the last time you interrupt me when I''m speaking." His heart raced as he hastily lowered his head. "I understand." Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she continued. "Furthermore, I don''t want to hear so much as a whisper about my involvement here. If I do..." She paused, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous promise, "...you will not like the consequences. Understood?" Arman barely managed to nod, his voice trembling. "I-I understand, Vice Commander." Satisfied, Iris turned her attention back to Vincent. His transformation had worsened¡ªhis human form barely holding together as his left arm morphed into a twisted, abyssal limb. His eyes glowed an unnatural red, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. When he lunged toward her in a final, primal rush, Iris responded with a mere flick of her wrist. Instantly, Vincent collapsed, unconscious before he even hit the ground. Iris caught his limp body with ease, cradling him in her arms as if he weighed nothing. Without so much as a glance at Arman, she looked over her shoulder and gave her final command. "Clean this area before you leave." And with that, she shot into the night sky, vanishing from Arman''s sight, Vincent in tow. Arman could only glare at her receding figure, his face twisted in anger. "Fucking bitch!" he cursed, fury overtaking him as he slammed his fist into the nearby wall. The force of his punch caused yet more damage to the already devastated area, only to realize with a groan that he had just added to his own workload. "Argh! Fuck!" --- The Next Day While rumors about Alpha Arnold Mazels causing a stir at the Annual Battle Ceremony of a certain school circulated through the district, Vincent, oblivious to the events of the previous day, slowly began to regain consciousness. "Ugh¡­" he groaned, wincing in pain as he rubbed his eyes. His body felt heavy, disoriented, as he pushed himself into a sitting position, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where am I?" he muttered, eyes narrowing at the opulent space around him. The room was spacious, far too luxurious for someone like him¡ªits decor akin to a VIP suite in an extravagant hotel. Before he could piece things together, a soft knock came from the door. It opened slowly, revealing a woman in her thirties, dressed in a professional maid''s uniform. She pushed a cart into the room, her expression calm and composed, as if entirely unsurprised by his awakening. "Good morning, young master," she greeted politely, her voice gentle. "Your breakfast has been prepared by the young lady." "Young master¡­?" Vincent repeated, blinking in confusion. His hand instinctively rose to his face, where he realized his Morphic Mask was gone. "It''s missing?" he murmured. Strangely, he didn''t feel panic¡ªonly a vague curiosity. He looked at the woman, trying to make sense of the situation. "Uh, miss¡­?" "Victoria," she replied smoothly, not missing a beat. "What?" "Please, call me Victoria." "Oh, okay." Vincent shook his head slightly, still trying to clear the fog in his mind. "Miss Victoria, could you tell me where I am?" "You may simply call me Victoria, young master. As for your location, you are currently a guest at Lady Sophie''s villa." "Sophie?" Vincent echoed, the name drawing a blank in his mind. "I''m sorry, but... who''s Sophie?" Victoria gave him a look of mild surprise, almost as if she were speaking to a clueless child, but she answered without hesitation. "Sophie Iris." The name still didn''t ring any bells for Vincent. He paused, frowning slightly in confusion, before offering an awkward, "Oh." Not wanting to dwell on his ignorance, he pressed on with another question. "How did I end up here?" "I''m afraid I can''t answer that," Victoria replied, her tone apologetic but firm. "It would be best if you spoke to the young lady herself after you''ve finished your breakfast." Vincent sighed but nodded in understanding. As she moved toward the door, something else crossed his mind. "Wait¡ªdid you happen to see a plain emerald-colored mask?" Victoria gestured toward the bedside table, where his belongings had been placed. Relieved, Vincent gave her a small smile. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you, Victoria." "You''re welcome, young master. Please enjoy your breakfast. The young lady will await you in the living room." With that, she left the room, leaving Vincent to turn his attention to the cart she had brought in. His eyes widened in surprise. The cart was filled with an array of expensive dishes, the kind of food he had only seen on commercials or online. As if on cue, his stomach growled. --- Having thoroughly enjoyed the meal, Vincent changed into a set of freshly laundered black clothes. His usual armor was nowhere to be found, but he didn''t mind. It had been cheap anyway, and now that he had the means, he could afford to replace it with something better. Victoria soon guided him to the villa''s lavish living room, where the opulence of the place was on full display. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the interior d¨¦cor screamed wealth and extravagance as he descended the spiral glass staircase. Chapter 36 Chaos Energy Secret ? As Vincent entered the opulent living room of the villa, his eyes finally settled on Sophie Iris, the young lady whom Victoria had mentioned. Sophie sat gracefully in a red armchair, her figure accentuated by a skin-tight dress that matched the soft hue of her pink hair. The dress clung to her curves, highlighting her ample figure as she absentmindedly swiped through a holographic screen.''She''s beautiful... but why do I feel like I''ve seen her before?'' he thought. Despite the curiosity bubbling up within him, Vincent maintained a composed exterior, offering only a faint, polite smile. Victoria, after offering Sophie a respectful bow, excused herself from the room. Standing just a few feet away from Sophie, Vincent waited, his expression neutral. After glancing at him, Sophie parted her lips and asked, "It seems you managed to recover on your own. How are you feeling now?" "I''m alright," he responded curtly, still perplexed as to how he had ended up in this place. Sophie gave a slight nod, swiping once more at the screen before her. "I imagine you have questions. Please, take a seat." "Thank you." He accepted her offer, lowering himself into a nearby armchair. Though unsure of how to address her formally, he kept his tone steady and calm, as always. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Miss Iris, first, I must thank you for saving my life," he said, his gaze unwavering. Though he didn''t fully understand what had transpired, Vincent assumed that Sophie had played a key role in his survival. He had unleashed his chaos energy fully, and when he lost consciousness, he was almost certain he would die. Sophie closed the hologram screen, her attention now entirely on him. "I was merely doing my master a favor," she replied, shaking her head slightly. "Your master?" Vincent echoed, his curiosity piqued. But it seemed Sophie wasn''t inclined to discuss her master. She smoothly shifted the conversation. "Do you have any idea about the power you possess?" Her question caused Vincent to fall silent. He had no clear understanding of the origin of his chaos energy, nor why it was labeled as an evil or demonic force. The only insight he had received came from Arman, who had branded him a ''calamity bearer,'' but even then, the explanation had been vague at best. Eventually, Vincent shook his head, signaling his lack of knowledge. "That''s understandable," Sophie said calmly. "But have you heard of the event that occurred several hundred years ago? The one before the continents of Astralis fragmented into the smaller Arcs?" Vincent nodded. Every citizen was required to study their world''s history, and even those who hadn''t formally studied would have heard of the event at some point. Nearly nine centuries ago, before their planet had become partially digital and fallen under the Starmark System¡ªlong before Origin Warriors existed¡ªAstralis had been invaded by legions of powerful Primals. "And how does that relate to my power?" Vincent asked, his curiosity deepening. Sophie studied him closely, as though assessing whether he was truly unaware or simply pretending. Seeing only genuine confusion in his eyes, she continued. "Those Primals emitted the same energy you now possess." Vincent''s eyes widened in shock. Until this moment, he had believed that Primals wielded Origin Energy like the warriors of today. But the revelation that they had once channeled something far more dangerous left him momentarily speechless. Noting his surprise, Sophie clarified further. "The Primals we know today are vastly different from the ones that invaded Astralis nine hundred years ago. Those ancient Primals were not only more intelligent and savage but also far more powerful. Some were even more intelligent than humans." She paused briefly before adding, "It is known as Primal Energy." Primal Energy? Isn''t my power called Chaos Energy? Vincent''s brow furrowed in confusion. Reading his expression, Sophie elaborated. "Though many of those ancient Primals were either driven back to their home worlds or killed over the centuries, there have been rare anomalies like yourself¡ªhumans who somehow awakened and gained control over Primal Energy. But because Primal Energy is inherently wild and destructive, most of these individuals caused widespread chaos, leading to their branding as ''calamity bearers.''" Vincent fell silent once again, pondering her words. The energy she described shared striking similarities with his own Chaos Energy, making him fear that he might one day become a mindless force of destruction. Yet, there was an undeniable feeling that there was more to this mystery¡ªsomething he needed to uncover. Masking his unease, Vincent asked, "So, what happens to me now? And why did your master ask you to save me?" Sophie paused, seemingly weighing her words before responding. "My master''s only instruction was to protect you¡ªnot to take care of you." Vincent''s curiosity deepened. "Is there a chance I could meet your master and thank him personally?" "I don''t believe my master has any desire to meet you," Sophie replied. "If my master had wanted to, they would have saved you themselves, rather than sending me." Vincent had to admit, her reasoning made sense. Still, his curiosity about her mysterious master lingered, but he decided not to press the issue. Noticing his silence, Sophie''s brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "If you truly wish to learn more about Primal Energy, I would suggest you consider enrolling in Bronzehaven Academy." Bronzehaven Academy¡­ The name immediately struck a chord with Vincent. It was one of the three most prestigious and influential academies in their Arc, alongside Magic Trinity Institute and Beastial Academy. Bronzehaven was renowned not only for its excellent curriculum but also for its notoriously difficult entrance exams, which only the most gifted students from prominent guilds, organizations, and sects could pass. Vincent, however, didn''t feel intimidated. He had confidence in his own abilities. Not only could Bronzehaven hold the key to understanding his Chaos Energy, but it might also provide clues about his parents'' whereabouts. If no traces of them existed within the Bronzehaven Arc, he would continue his search in other Arcs. Regardless, applying to the academy seemed like the best path forward. Chapter 37 Its Not Mine... Resolved, he nodded and accepted Sophie''s advice."Before that¡­ why don''t you check your phone first?" At those words, his expression faltered for the first time as he quickly grabbed his phone. Though he had found it earlier when changing clothes, the thought of checking it hadn''t crossed his mind, preoccupied as he was with his current situation. When he tapped the screen, multiple holographic windows popped open. Ding! Ding! Most of the messages were from his younger sister, Marina, and Amara. There was also one from his school, but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the ones from Marina and Amara. Both were worried because he hadn''t returned to the hotel and hadn''t responded to their calls. As soon as he replied to them, his phone rang. Marina was calling. He glanced at Sophie before answering. Shortly after, Marina''s anxious face appeared on the holographic screen from the hotel room. "Brother! Where are you? Are you alright?" Vincent could only offer a sheepish smile as Marina bombarded him with a series of frantic questions. He patiently waited for her to settle down before assuring her that everything was fine. "I''m okay, stop worrying. Just let sister Amara know I''m alright and that I''ll be back later, alright?" "I understand, but please come back as soon as possible, okay?" "As you wish, your highness." He teased. Marina giggled at her brother''s playful tone before suddenly noticing something behind him. "But, brother, where are you? That place looks fancy. Wait¡­ is that the limited edition Lone Leveler - Sang Jenwoo figurine?" Her words made him glance over his shoulder, where he saw a figurine, encased in glass, resting on a table. He turned toward Sophie, who remained impassive, though she averted her eyes. Facing the screen again, he offered a casual excuse, "I''m at a friend''s place, don''t worry. I''ll let you know when I''m on my way. Bye~" He ended the call before she could respond. A tense silence followed, broken only by Sophie''s quiet voice, which contrasted with her usual composed tone. "That''s not mine¡­" "What?" "That figurine¡ªit''s my younger brother''s¡­" "Oh, no worries. I understand." --- At the villa''s gate. Vincent cast one last glance at the villa before stepping into the backseat of a sleek, black hover car. Sophie''s personal driver was already waiting inside. Though the car had an advanced AI driving system, Sophie insisted that her driver accompany him for the journey. At the wheel sat a stern, white-haired man¡ªGordon, middle-aged but clearly not an ordinary driver. Without needing to use his Heaven Eyes ability, Vincent could sense Gordon''s formidable presence. Catching his gaze in the rearview mirror, Gordon''s tone was calm yet firm. "Shall we depart, Young Master?" Vincent no longer contested the way they addressed him, so he simply replied, "Yes, let''s go." As the cityscape blurred past them, Vincent''s curiosity grew, and he decided to learn more about Sophie. "Mister Gordon, could you tell me a bit about Miss Sophie''s background?" Gordon, much like Victoria had earlier, gave him a strange look, as if questioning how he could be so uninformed. "I believe it would be faster if you searched for her online, Young Master, rather than me explaining," Gordon replied. Raising a brow, Vincent took his advice and began searching the internet, his interest piqued. Before he could even finish typing her name, the search bar auto-filled, revealing Sophie Iris''s renowned title. "She''s the Floral Witch?!" he exclaimed inwardly. From the corner of his eye, he caught Gordon''s brief smirk before his expression returned to its usual seriousness. "I was saved by the Floral Witch herself?" Vincent muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion. His curiosity deepened. What sort of master did Sophie have, and why had they gone to such lengths to protect him? For what purpose? Despite his desire to figure it out, he found himself at a loss. He couldn''t yet unravel the mystery of his missing parents, and now there was another enigma to solve. Unable to grasp any clear answers, he resolved to focus on something he could control¡ªhis strength. He needed to strategize further, to be prepared for whatever might come his way. Still in transit, Vincent asked, "Mister Gordon, which district are we in right now?" Without glancing back, Gordon answered impassively, "We''ve just left District 2. We''re now entering District 3." "District 2¡­?" She brought me all the way from District 12 to District 2? Vincent wondered, astonished at the distance they had traveled. Although the speed of the journey surprised him, he chose not to comment, keeping his thoughts to himself and waiting until they reached their destination. Several hours later, they arrived near the Origin Warrior Association branch in District 12. Vincent decided it was time to leave. "Mister Gordon, I''ll be fine from here." "Young Master, I''ve been instructed by the Young Lady to see you safely home." With a resigned sigh, Vincent nodded in agreement. "Alright, just drop me off at the Stellar Plaza Hotel." A few minutes later, they arrived. After expressing his gratitude, Vincent exited the hover car and exchanged contact details with Gordon. "If you ever need assistance, Young Master, just call. As long as I''m nearby, I''ll come immediately." "Thank you, Mister Gordon. Have a safe trip back." --- Finally, back at the hotel, the door swung open after just a single knock, and a figure rushed to embrace him. "Brother~" "Marina¡­" "I''m so glad you''re safe. I heard about what happened at your school from a classmate¡­" "I''m sorry for making you worry¡­" As he gently stroked her hair, Vincent noticed Amara standing at the doorway, offering a rare smile. He spent some time explaining what had happened to him the previous day, careful to omit anything that might alarm them further. "Alright, little Rina, let your brother get some rest," Amara said gently. Marina hugged him one last time before finally letting go. And Amara''s soft gaze lingered at him for a few moments before he entered his room. --- Finally alone, Vincent began to replay his conversation with Sophie before he left. "If I want to pass the entrance exam next month, I need to raise my strength. It''s wishful thinking to expect to pass the Bronzehaven Academy examination with just a Tier 1 cultivation level." He sighed and glanced at the three items laid out on his bed. The first was a box containing the Sunspire Lily he had acquired during his encounter with the Mutated Lake Serpent during the Primal Hunt. The second was a wooden token intricately carved with the letters B and H. The third item was a blue book. The second and third items were gifts from Sophie. She hadn''t specifically mentioned the use of the token, but she had clearly explained the purpose of the third and most important item¡ªa Tier 2 cultivation technique manual. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sophie had explained that breaking through to Tier 2 wasn''t as simple as accumulating experience points. One had to cultivate their Origin Energy by following specific techniques to strengthen themselves and advance. She gave him only a general overview before handing him the manual. Flow of Origin Energy Level: Tier 2 Quality: Rare Effects: Purifies Origin Energy, enhancing overall attributes by a factor of two¡­ "Flow of Origin¡­" The basic information felt vague, but Vincent decided to start learning the technique immediately. As soon as the book vanished into thin air and entered his consciousness, he instantly absorbed its fundamental concepts and methods. "So¡­ I need to gather experience points and cultivate by following this process¡­ purifying Origin Energy to enhance my basic attributes and break through Tier 2." Setting aside the other items, Vincent sat cross-legged on the bed. He closed his eyes, focused, and began to follow the guidance he had just learned. He still had 250,000 experience points left, and his Origin Energy was fully replenished. He started by channeling the energy from his Origin Core to specific acupoints in his body, circulating it in a pyramid-like formation. As the energy flowed smoothly through him, a notification echoed in his mind three minutes later. 10,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy have been consumed! +1 purified Origin Energy! He was a bit surprised at first, expecting another notification in three minutes, but it didn''t come. Confused, he dismissed the thought and cleared his mind, focusing only on the process. As soon as he let go of any expectation, the next notification sounded. 10,000 experience points and 100 origin energy have been consumed! +1 purified Origin Energy! This time, he wasn''t distracted and remained focused. The notifications started coming regularly, every minute, as he purified more energy without losing concentration. He continued until he had consumed all his experience points and accumulated 250 units of purified Origin Energy. "The conversion speed definitely stabilized when I kept my focus¡­" He summoned his interface with a thought and noticed the "+" symbol next to his attributes. Without hesitation, he tapped the plus sign next to his Force attribute. Would you like to consume 100 purified Origin Energy? As soon as he confirmed, his remaining purified energy dropped to 150, and he felt a warm sensation surge through his body and muscles as his Force attribute increased slightly¡ªfrom 7.5 to 7.6. "That''s it?" he muttered, frowning at the slight increase. Realizing that improving his attributes would take much more effort, Vincent shifted his thoughts, his gaze hardening with determination. "I think it''s time for me to return to the Origin World." Chapter 38 Please, Carry On The next day, as soon as he woke up, Vincent went to the small kitchen area of their hotel room and started preparing breakfast.Though they could order from the hotel, Marina and Sister Amara always preferred his cooking. However, since he had forgotten to buy ingredients, he could only make some fried rice, sunny-side-up eggs, bacon, and hotdogs. He also prepared coffee and hot chocolate for Sister Amara and Marina. Just as he was about to set the table, the two girls woke up and sat down for breakfast. "Good morning, brother¡­" Marina, still in her pajamas and with bed hair, greeted him with a yawn, rubbing her eyes. Amara, as usual, asked, "M''rning, do we have any beer left?" Vincent just shook his head. "I''ll be heading back to the Origin World today," he said as he placed the food on the table. The two girls were suddenly wide awake and exchanged concerned looks. Marina was the first to speak, sipping her hot chocolate. "Then be careful, brother." Her tone was casual, though her eyes betrayed her worry. Amara gave him a brief glance, nodding. "I know you can handle yourself, but... be extra careful." "I understand." Vincent didn''t argue or make any promises. He just focused on doing his best to come back to them safely, knowing that was the most important thing. After finishing breakfast, they all prepared for the day. Marina donned her school uniform, and Sister Amara was dressed in a fitted black office suit, while Vincent wore his new black armor, a gift from Sophie. Though he had initially wanted to refuse it, he accepted the armor, knowing he needed all the help he could get to grow stronger. Sophie hadn''t asked for anything in return, but Vincent silently promised himself that he would repay her one day. The armor was a rare Tier 1 quality body armament, which was a significant upgrade for him. "I''m heading out now," he said. Marina hugged him tightly before heading off to school. "Take care, brother," she said, determinedly leaving the room. As she walked out of the hotel, her resolve strengthened. "I have to become stronger... I must become an Origin Warrior too, to help my brother!" she thought. Back in the hotel room, Vincent was left alone with Amara. She stepped forward, handing him a white scroll. "Take this," she said. "Don''t ask any questions. Just... come back to us. Marina needs you and..." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent raised an eyebrow. "And what?" Amara looked away. "Nothing. Just come back safely." Though he was curious about what she had almost said, he didn''t press her. Instead, he nodded and, with a thought, he turned into particles of lights, leaving Amara alone in the room. "Little Vince¡­" she murmured. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Vincent reappeared in the room he had rented at the Newcomer''s Lodge in No.3 Novice Sanctuary. As soon as he arrived, he suddenly heard a woman moaning in pleasure behind him. He spun around in reflex and was shocked by the sight before him: two green-skinned, sharp-eared humanoids with black spots¡ªVyrmins¡ªengaged in an intimate moment. "Ugh, harder!" the naked female Vyrmin moaned, lying on her belly as the male pressed against her. The male Vyrmin quickened his pace, eliciting another moan of pleasure from the female. Vincent grimaced in disgust. "What the hell?! Ew!" He was not disgusted by the sex since he was not a virgin, he was disgusted because the female Vyrmin was drenched in green sticky liquid. His shout startled the Vyrmins, who immediately stopped their activity and stared at him. For a moment, there was nothing but awkward silence. Then, the female let out a deafening scream. "Kyaaaaah!" The male Vyrmin angrily covered himself with a blanket. "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" Since he was wearing his Morphic Mask albeit not using its effect, they were only able to see his purple eyes beneath the plain-emerald mask and nothing. The female Vyrmin quickly demanded, "Honey, cover me too!" Still not fully familiar with the social customs of the Origin World, Vincent hadn''t anticipated this awkward scenario when returning. Scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile, he apologized, "Uh, sorry about this. Please... carry on." He hurried out of the room and rushed downstairs. As he descended the stairs, he checked the item Amara had given him earlier, and was surprised when he read the information. Name: Instant Escape Scroll Type: Special Effect: Instantly allows escape from the Origin World without delay. Vincent''s eyes widened. "An Instant Escape Scroll? I''ve never heard of this before..." Normally, escape scrolls had a three-second delay before they could be activated. "Just where did Sister Amara get this?" he wondered, slipping the scroll into his storage ring. His curiosity about Amara''s mysterious background deepened. Pushing the thought aside for now, he reached the bar area of the Newcomer''s Lodge, where the usual bartender was waiting, eyeing him curiously. "It seems you''ve had an... interesting morning," the bartender commented. Vincent replied with a wry smile, tossing a few Origin Crystals onto the counter. "Any news while I was away?" It had been two days in the outside world, which equated to four days in the Origin World. He had to catch up. The bartender pocketed the crystals and leaned in. "The Thrygians have been getting more aggressive. They''ve been openly hunting humans, especially the young master of the Blackthorn Clan, Grarik. He''s been looking for a human specifically. I don''t know what''s happening but I''ll advise you to be careful outside." Vincent grinned beneath his mask. Grarik, huh? Looks like he''s pissed that I killed his men. "Anything else?" Vincent asked. The bartender thought for a moment before replying. "I also heard that there''s a new Tier 2 labyrinth that has appeared in the west of Verdant Wilds, where the Blackbite Rats usually roam. You might want to check it out." A new labyrinth? And Blackbite Rats? Vincent recalled fighting a few of those creatures during his previous visit to the Verdant Wilds. He then remembered the event he decided to pass last time. "When''s the next Outer District Battle?" he inquired. "In four days," the bartender answered. Vincent nodded. "Thanks. Also, I''ll need a new room for two days." "That''ll be 20 Origin Crystals," the bartender said, handing him a thin black, rectangular key. Vincent paid, stored the key in his ring, and headed to the Novice Center. His goal was simple: take on some missions, explore the newly discovered labyrinth, and check if it was a good place to efficiently gain experience. For now, he decided to hold off on breaking through. He wanted to focus on upgrading his abilities and equipment first before any major breakthroughs. He wasn''t reckless enough to push forward with cultivation at the cost of his other skills. Vincent had already reached the peak of Tier 1 but believed that between a one-star and a five-star primal, there wasn''t a significant difference in abilities and intelligence. So he was confident he could still hone his skills. He had proven that already, having faced and defeated several peak Tier 1 enemies during a primal hunt. With his upgraded skills and equipment, he was now ready to hunt them with ease. Chapter 39 Invitation When Vincent arrived at the Novice Center, the place was already packed with Novice Origin Warriors accepting missions from the mission board. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as warriors from various races crowded around the boards, their voices creating a constant murmur throughout the hall.Aside from the regular board, he noticed a smaller one titled Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, marked with ''New'' beside it, indicating it was the mission board for the newly discovered labyrinth. As expected, there were plenty of missions listed, their reward amounts catching the eye of every passing warrior. Next to the mission board stood a group of novice warriors from various races, holding a large plaque that read ''recruiting party members,'' with several Novice Origin Warriors queuing up to form teams. The line stretched across the floor, each warrior hoping to find compatible teammates. He spotted a Vyrmin male, about the height of a middle schooler, clad in bronze armor that gleamed under the center''s lights, shouting, "We need someone who can deal area damage! We''ve already got someone with healing talent! Join us!" His high-pitched voice carried across the room, drawing curious glances from passing warriors. Surprisingly, there was also a group of humans. Although they wore masks, he could tell from their fair skin and long, delicate fingernails that some were women. Their masks ranged from elaborate designs to simple coverings, each hiding their true identities from the world. As Vincent walked closer to inspect the available missions, he overheard a young woman''s voice from behind a clown-faced mask, her words carrying a hint of worry. "Have you still not contacted Dmitri?" she asked, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "Shh. It''s Macho. Call him by his alias," a male voice beneath a half-smiling joker mask corrected, glancing around nervously to ensure no one had overheard the slip. "Oh, right. I''m sorry. I''m still getting used to it." Her shoulders slumped slightly in embarrassment. "It''s fine. Just be careful next time. The Origin World is nothing like our own. We have to stay cautious; this place is full of uncertainty. If Macho doesn''t show up in five minutes, we should just recruit someone from here." The man''s voice carried the weight of experience, despite his obvious youth. Dmitri? Even though the name reminded him of his schoolmate, he doubted they were the same person. The Origin World was vast, after all, and names could be coincidental. Vincent accepted five Tier 1 (5 stars) missions, his fingers moving efficiently across the board. Since the new labyrinth was labeled Tier 2, he knew it would be filled with peak Tier 1 primals. Just as he finished, he heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, followed by a hoarse voice that grated on his nerves. "Hey, you with the ugly emerald mask!" Vincent didn''t turn around right away but glanced around, looking for anyone else wearing a similar mask. When he saw no one, he realized the voice was directed at him. Before he could react, the voice called out again, more aggressive this time. "Hey, are you deaf?!" A hand reached for his shoulder, but before it could make contact, Vincent spun around with practiced ease, grabbed the arm, twisted it slightly, and pulled, forcing the figure to stumble forward, yelping in surprise. The movement was fluid, almost casual, but contained unmistakable power. "Ow, ow! My hand! Let go of my hand!" The figure demanding release turned out to be a Boarman¡ªbipedal, covered in thick brown fur, with sharp tusks that gleamed dangerously. This one was smaller than the two other Boarmen standing nearby, including one towering almost 7-ft tall in height and wearing heavy armor that clinked with each movement. The Boarman whose arm Vincent held yelled again, his voice rising in pitch, "Let go of my arm! Brother, help me!" The larger Boarman, his voice tinged with anger and threat, commanded, "Kid, let go of my little brother now!" His massive frame tensed, ready for conflict. "You want me to let him go?" Vincent thought, grinning beneath his mask. Then, with a casual push that belied its force, he sent the smaller Boarman stumbling and rolling across the floor, drawing the attention of those nearby. The spectacle caused a ripple of whispers through the crowd. "Ugh!" "Buhik!" the muscular Boarman cried out, rushing to help his younger brother stand. "Are you alright?" His concerned tone contrasted sharply with his intimidating appearance. With his brother''s help, Buhik stood up and glared at Vincent, hatred burning in his small eyes. Vincent, still grinning behind his mask, raised his hands in mock apology. "Oops. Your brother told me to let him go, so I did. Don''t blame me." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "You!" the two brothers growled, glaring at him with undisguised fury. Unperturbed, Vincent asked, "What do you guys want from me, anyway?" He maintained his relaxed posture, though his senses remained alert. From the way Buhik had addressed him, Vincent knew they had no good intentions. He wasn''t one to look for trouble, but he also wouldn''t shy away from it when it found him. The larger Boarman, Burak, spoke with a sneer that twisted his tusked face. "I was going to be nice, but I''ve changed my mind. Hand over the missions you just accepted." Vincent finally understood their motive¡ªthe rewards from the missions he took must have attracted their greed. He might have considered negotiating if they''d shown any respect, but their hostile approach left no room for that. "What if I refuse?" Vincent asked calmly, his voice carrying an edge of steel. Burak snorted, his nostrils flaring. "Then I''ll tell you you''re stupid if you think you can survive in this world after offending me!" He revealed his peak Tier 1 strength, trying to intimidate Vincent with mental pressure, the air growing thick with tension. But before Burak could fully exert his influence, a sharp snort pierced the air, disrupting his focus. He staggered back, coughing up blood, his face contorting in shock and pain. "Cough!" "Brother!" "Leader!" Burak''s companions rushed to his side, supporting him as they stared at Vincent, who remained calm and unmoved. Fear and anger churned in their hearts, their eyes wide with disbelief. Who is this guy? They wondered, their thoughts practically visible on their faces. Vincent stayed silent, merely watching them. He had spent the previous night experimenting with his clairvoyance skill and discovered that channeling chaos energy into a mental pressure attack greatly boosted his mental attributes. The discovery had opened new possibilities for his combat style. Among all his attributes, his mental capacity was the highest. By combining this with his chaos energy, he could exert a Tier 2 (1 star) mental pressure, though it consumed a significant amount of energy. He hadn''t even tapped into his C-rank talent, Origin Enhancement, which could potentially make his attacks even stronger. Though impressed by his own abilities, Vincent heeded Sophie''s advice: "Avoid using your Primal Energy as much as possible. If you must, be discreet." The words echoed in his mind like a constant reminder. Thanks to her, he had developed a technique where no one could detect that he was using chaos energy in his mental pressure attacks. The subtlety of his power made it all the more effective. Burak, now pale and shaking slightly, asked, "W-Who are you?" "You don''t have the right to know my name. Get lost." Vincent''s dismissal was absolute. As much as they hated him, Burak and his group realized they were no match for him. "This isn''t over. We''ll meet again!" Burak snarled, though his voice trembled slightly. "Let''s go!" they hurried off, tails between their legs, their retreat watched by curious onlookers. I just got back¡­ and I''m already dealing with idiots. I need to get stronger and leave this place. These third-rate villains are getting old, Vincent thought, leaving the Novice Center to head to the new labyrinth. The encounter had barely raised his heart rate. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before he could get far, a woman''s voice called out to him, clear and determined. "Wait, mister!" Great¡­ another one. Can''t I have a peaceful day? He suppressed a sigh of frustration. He turned to see the woman with the clown-faced mask from earlier, flanked by her companions. Their masks caught the light, creating an almost theatrical scene. Curious, but weary, he responded, "Yes?" Without hesitation, the woman asked, "Would you like to join our party? We''re also heading to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth." Her voice carried a note of hope, though her mask hid her expression. Chapter 40 Blackbite Rat Labyrinth Vincent silently observed the woman in the clown-faced mask and her companions. Aside from the man with the half-smiling joker mask, who had the strength of a Peak Tier 1, the others were only Tier 1, with 3-star and 4-star rankings.He had already made up his mind, but before he could voice his decision, the man in the joker mask stepped forward. "Ah, sorry for approaching you so suddenly. We''re actually short of one person. One of our party members couldn''t make it, so we won''t be able to enter without the minimum of five." "Oh, and I apologize if you already have a party. This young lady here was just eager to have you join ours," he said, patting the woman in the clown mask on the head. She didn''t protest, her gaze fixed on Vincent. She had witnessed his earlier encounter¡ªhow he defeated the man with just a snort. That convinced her he was stronger than them, so she decided to recruit him. Vincent, on the other hand, was taken aback. There''s a party requirement to enter a labyrinth? He mused. The bartender hadn''t mentioned that. His plan was to investigate the labyrinth on his own, but now it seemed he needed to be part of a group to enter. With no other option and the opportunity in front of him, he tossed aside his initial refusal. He figured he might as well accept the invitation and observe their talents. His farming might slowed down, but he had nothing to lose. "How about it?" the man in the half-smiling joker mask asked. Vincent nodded, smiling behind his own mask. "Sure." The woman in the clown mask reacted first. "Nice! I''m Clauny!" She introduced herself, shaking his hand forcefully. The joker-masked man laughed, pulling her back. "You''re getting too close, Clauny. By the way, you can call me Jokyr." Vincent shook his hand, introducing himself as ''Shroud''. It was clear they were using aliases. Well, anyone would do in their case. After all, this world was a survival of the fittest. A little conflict could start a war. The other two companions introduced themselves as well¡ªSwordy and Rossy, a man and woman whose masks matched their names, a golden sword and thorny red roses, intricately designed. A few minutes later, they reached the newly formed labyrinth. The dense forest around the entrance had been cleared, leaving space for several tents and stalls on either side. The labyrinth itself had three cave-like entrances, each with a line of novice origin warrior groups waiting to enter. Vincent scanned the area, noticing many Tier 1 origin warriors and a few Tier 2s, but no sign of any Tier 3s. It seemed that this low-tier labyrinth didn''t attract the attention of higher-ranking warriors. It''s understandable¡­ if I''m a Tier 3 warrior, I also won''t waste my time here. After waiting for a while, it was finally their turn. Standing before the three-meter-tall entrance, a digital screen appeared in front of them. Would you like to enter the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth? Vincent wasn''t surprised. His temporary companions also had the same screen pop up. Once he accepted, the counter appeared: 1 of 5. It quickly filled to 5 of 5 as the others agreed. You may now enter the labyrinth! Good luck! They exchanged glances, nodded, and stepped forward, passing through the liquid-like surface of the entrance. It felt just like the sensation he had experienced during the Primal Hunt field event. "Let''s go!" Soon, they found themselves in a narrow passage that could only fit two adults walking side by side. Jokyr, as the acting party leader, took the lead. Vincent noticed that his companions didn''t seem surprised by the surroundings. He glanced back at the entrance, curious as to why no other groups were entering behind them. Plenty of people had been waiting, so why wasn''t anyone following? Strange¡­ Noticing his confusion, Jokyr spoke up. "Is this your first time here?" Vincent nodded, seeing no reason to hide the fact that he was new to this labyrinth. "I thought so. You''re probably wondering why no one else is coming in, right?" "Yeah, that''s right." A chuckle cut in their conversation. "Haha, don''t worry about it. There are a lot of entrance and exit points in this place. It''s rare to spawn with another group in the same location," Swordy chimed in. "You all seem pretty familiar with this place," Vincent remarked. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jokyr chuckled. "Kind of. We started grinding here on the first day this labyrinth appeared. Last time, we made it to the third underground level. I''m not sure how deep it goes, but we plan to conquer it." From that, Vincent gleaned a lot of information. So, it''s an underground labyrinth¡­ They''ve made it to the third level, and it goes even deeper. "All right, team, let''s move. Same formation. Shroud, you stay at the back with Clauny and observe. Jump in if you see an opportunity, okay?" Vincent nodded, finding nothing wrong with the arrangement. They were still on the first floor, where only Tier 1, 1- to 2-star primals roamed. Most of the creatures were Blackbite Rats, which traveled in packs. Before Jokyr could give any commands, Swordy lunged forward, slashing his thin but sharp sword through a group of rats. Squeak! The rats stood no chance against Swordy''s swift attack. The group continued moving through familiar territory, as they had been there before. Half an hour later, they arrived at the second underground level. Despite the vastness of the first floor, they had easily found the entrance to the next. They had only encountered a few groups of novice warriors, all of whom were at the early stages of Tier 1. On the second floor, the cave-like pathway widened but grew darker. The first floor had been lit by glowing stones embedded in the walls, but down here, the light was sparse. As soon as they reached the second floor, Rossy pulled out a fist-sized white gem. It was an Illuminary Stone. With a tap, it emitted a steady, bright light, hovering above them and illuminating their path. Jokyr stepped forward again. "Let''s keep up the pace and stay alert. We might start running into other parties now." The group nodded in agreement, Vincent included. "So, how do you feel about our pace, Shroud?" Jokyr asked, unaware of his real strength. Vincent didn''t feel the need to argue, understanding Jokyr meant no harm with the question. Clauny, however, thought differently. "Leader, he might be stronger than you," she said with a smirk. Jokyr laughed, thinking Clauny was just trying to boost Vincent''s confidence. But he didn''t take her seriously. "Let''s keep moving," he said, brushing off her comment. Clauny, frustrated by being ignored, glanced at Vincent, hoping he''d back her up. But she only met his calm, purple eyes before he followed the others. "Hey! Wait up!" she called, hurrying after them. After nearly an hour of traversing the second level and battling Tier 1, 2- to 3-star primals, they finally reached the entrance to the third floor. The journey had been smooth, though they had used up some of their origin energy and stamina. --- Chapter 41 Blackbite Rat Labyrinth (2) At the entrance to the third underground level¡ªa wide, three-meter hole¡ªJokyr spoke, "Let''s take a quick rest, replenish our origin energy, and then we''ll head in."He removed several bags from his storage ring and distributed them among his companions. It seemed the group had only one storage ring, and Jokyr was responsible for it. After setting up a simple camp, the group sat down on a mantle, beginning to replenish their energy by absorbing origin crystals. Jokyr stood by, guarding his companions. Vincent, meanwhile, took a single origin crystal and absorbed it. You recover +1 origin energy! Talent activated! You recover +10,000 origin energy! In an instant, his origin energy was full. A moment later, Clauny finished recovering her energy and sat beside him, staring up at him curiously. He met her gaze, wondering what she was up to. "What are you doing?" he asked, seeing her openly watching him. "Nothing. Just curious about what you look like behind that mask," she replied, tucking her black hair behind her ear. Amused by her youthful behavior, he decided to tease her. "Do you want to see?" He kept a serious tone but was grinning behind his mask. Clauny was taken aback for a moment. Eh? Will he really reveal his face? Why? she wondered, surprised. She had only said it, assuming he wouldn''t take her seriously. But here he was, willing to do it just because she''d asked? Maybe he likes me? she thought, her cheeks warming beneath her clown-faced mask. Slightly flustered but determined, she nodded. Seeing her serious expression, Vincent couldn''t help but grin wider. "Alright," he said, voice serious. "But I''ll only show it to you. No telling anyone, okay?" "I promise," she nodded eagerly. "Then close your eyes first." She closed her eyes without hesitation. Still grinning, he gently touched his emerald mask, slowly morphing it. "Are you ready?" Clauny nodded, eyes shut. "Alright, on the count of three, open your eyes." "One¡­" "Two¡­" He leaned in close, just inches from her mask, and whispered, "Three." As soon as she heard "three," she opened her eyes¡ªand promptly screamed, "Kyaaaaaah!" Her scream startled the others, especially Jokyr, who was on lookout. He spun around, immediately looking at Clauny, who was covering her face with her hands. "W-What happened?!" he demanded, hurrying to her side. "What''s wrong, Clauny?" Clauny didn''t answer, only pointing in Vincent''s direction. Jokyr and the others turned to look at Vincent, stunned to see a woman''s pale face with long, wet black hair¡ªan image straight out of a horror film. In the dim surroundings, the effect was chilling. Vincent couldn''t hold it any longer and burst out laughing, shifting his mask back to its usual form. "Haha, sorry! I was just messing with her." Clauny peeked through her fingers, immediately going silent at the sound of his laughter. The others were equally taken aback. "You..." Clauny managed, speechless. Jokyr swallowed hard, asking cautiously, "H-How did you do that?" He was beginning to wonder if they''d recruited a ghost into their party. "It''s nothing, just one of my simple tricks." Seeing that Vincent didn''t want to explain further, Jokyr sensibly changed the subject. "Alright, five more minutes, then we''ll move." Clauny glared at Vincent and huffed in annoyance, which only made him laugh more at how easily she''d been tricked. Just as the group finished resting, a series of hurried footsteps approached from the distance. "Someone''s coming. To your positions." Jokyr quickly alerted everyone, taking position shoulder to shoulder with Swordy. Rossy stood in the middle, with Vincent and Clauny covering the rear. The footsteps grew louder, revealing three Vyrmin warriors in tattered armor, pursued by a towering, two-meter-tall black rat. It was a Tier 1 (4-star) Thornback Rat. True to its name, spiky bones protruded from its spine to its tail. With a powerful leap, the rat''s sharp incisors sank into one of the male Vyrmin, splitting him in half. His companions, wide-eyed with terror, fled toward Vincent''s party, casting a last, horrified glance at their fallen comrade as his form dissolved into digital particles. "Get out of the way!" The fastest Vyrmin shouted, panic clouding his mind as he ran, heedless of his companions'' survival. "Honey! Wait for me!" cried the female Vyrmin running behind him, her tight breastplate dress clinking as she struggled to keep up. Vincent raised his brows, recognizing the pair as the same couple he''d caught in a rather intimate moment earlier. "What do we do, leader?" Swordy asked. Jokyr frowned beneath his mask, then gave the command: "Make way!" "Tch!" As much as he wanted to block the Vyrmin who had dragged a Thornback Rat into their path, he bit his tongue and obeyed. The male Vyrmin rushed past them without a word of thanks, forgetting his partner entirely. "Honey¡ª!" the female Vyrmin began, only to trip over a rock and tumble to the ground. "Agh!" she cried, struggling to sit up as the Thornback Rat loomed above her, casting a menacing shadow. Her face went pale as she looked up at the primal, its maw open, ready to strike. Squeak! With a chilling squeal, it prepared to bite when a shadow shot forward, striking the rat''s skull and piercing straight through. A fist-sized hole appeared in its head. The creature was dead. It toppled to the ground beside the frozen Vyrmin. Clauny''s eyes went wide as she turned to Vincent, shock evident behind her clown-faced mask. "H-How?" she stammered. All she''d seen was Vincent casually picking up a fist-sized rock, coating it in Origin Energy, and tossing it. Although she knew Vincent was powerful¡ªshe''d seen him take down a Peak Tier 1 Boarman in the Novice Center¡ªshe hadn''t expected him to one-hit a primal, especially one known for its speed. As he threw the rock, Vincent finally heard a familiar notification confirming the Thornback Rat''s condition. You have successfully killed a Tier 1 (4-star) Thornback Rat! +25 experience points! Talent activated! 10,000x! +250,000 experience points! "Yeah, I''ve grown strong enough to one-hit a Tier 1 (4-star) primal now¡­" he thought, feeling the stunned stares of his companions. "H-How did you do that?" Jokyr asked, disbelief creeping into his voice. He was finally realizing that Clauny wasn''t exaggerating. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Swordy and Rossy were also staring, mouths agape. Chapter 42 Showing Strength "Nothing, I just threw it."Vincent shrugged, then walked over to help the stunned female Vyrmin still seated on the ground. Reaching out his hand, he asked, "Are you okay?" When she finally regained her senses, the female Vyrmin let out a loud scream, realizing how close she had come to dying. Calming down, she took the offered hand, only to freeze again when she recognized the mask. It was the same face she''d seen earlier when caught in a private moment with her partner. "You''re the¡­" Before she could finish, Vincent cut her off. "We''re even now." "Huh?" "I accidentally saw you two earlier, and then I saved you. So, we''re even." "Oh, right¡­" she replied in a daze, then recalled her partner, who had left her to die. "S''van!!" Jokyr walked up, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "I guess that was the guy who ran the fastest. He''s probably escaped by now," he said, joining the group. Turning to Vincent, Jokyr asked, "Do you know her?" "No, just happened to run into her this morning. I owed her one," Vincent replied casually. "What are you going to do now?" Jokyr asked the female Vyrmin. Still fuming over S''van''s betrayal, the female Vyrmin seemed torn. She sighed, glancing at them with a conflicted expression. She had an escape scroll¡ªone given to her by her boyfriend¡ªbut she felt reluctant to impose on these strangers who had saved her. "I have an escape scroll, so I''ll be going. But first, let me thank you for saving me. What''s your name?" she asked, looking directly at Vincent. "Shroud," he answered curtly. She nodded. "I''m S''hannah. I''ll repay you someday for saving me, Shroud. Goodbye." Without waiting for a response, she tore the escape scroll. Three seconds later, her form dissolved into particles of light and disappeared. With S''hannah gone, Jokyr and the others fixed Vincent with sharp gazes, almost making him uncomfortable. "What?" Seizing the moment, Clauny spoke up, "I told you guys, Shroud is stronger than the leader. You didn''t believe me." Her tone was triumphant, her hands on her hips as if she''d been the one to take down the Thornback Rat with a single blow. Swordy and Rossy remained silent, but Jokyr eyed Vincent cautiously. Initially, he''d thought Vincent was a mere novice, but now it was clear he was a formidable warrior, perhaps as strong as himself. This realization made Jokyr wary. In the worst-case scenario, if Vincent¡ªor Shroud¡ªbetrayed them, Jokyr wasn''t confident he could protect his companions. Yet, he trusted his instincts. He felt that Vincent was not a malicious person. They resumed their journey, descending to the third underground level. The third level of the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth greeted them with a stench as foul as rotting corpses. The space was larger and brighter than before, more suited for a big battle, though the nauseating smell lingered in the air. Fortunately, Vincent''s mask filtered out the smell, while the others took out nose plugs and blocked their nostrils. Amused, Vincent asked, "Why are you all plugging your noses? Can''t you use origin energy to block the smell?" Clauny replied, "We can''t afford to waste origin energy like that. We need to conserve it if we want to reach the next level." The others nodded in agreement. Swordy reached into his pocket and pulled out an extra pair of nose plugs. "Good thing I brought an extra. Here, take these, Shroud." Vincent glanced at the plugs but shook his head. "I''m fine. I can handle it." Swordy clicked his tongue, slipping the plugs back into his pocket. "Tch. Don''t come asking for them later when you''ve used up all your origin energy." Just as Swordy finished speaking, Vincent sensed a presence approaching from a distance, though the others seemed unaware. "Something''s coming." The statement caused everyone''s brows to raise, especially Jokyr, who prided himself on his scouting abilities. "What are you talking about? I don''t sense anything," Jokyr replied, doubting Vincent''s claim. His own sensing skill detected presences within a 40-meter range, so he assumed Vincent was being overly sensitive. Clauny, however, trusted Vincent''s intuition. "How many?" she asked. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "At least ten¡­" Vincent wasn''t surprised that Clauny trusted him¡ªshe''d been his one believer from the start. "And their strength?" Clauny pressed further. "About four stars." Jokyr still seemed skeptical. He couldn''t detect anything, yet Vincent could pinpoint both the numbers and strength of the approaching enemies? It didn''t add up. More than that, the last time they''d been here, they''d never encountered a group of four-star Tier 1 primals. Most late and peak Tier 1 creatures roamed solo. "You''re talking nonsense¡ª" Swordy started, but Jokyr interrupted, his expression shifting to disbelief. "Positions! We have incoming!" "You can''t be serious!" Swordy exclaimed, gripping his sword. Soon, several large shadows appeared in the distance, kicking up clouds of dust as they advanced. When the figures finally came into view, Jokyr recognized them instantly. "Blackbite Rats¡­ Toxic Toads¡­ Razorfang Rats¡­ and even a Poisonous Toad Leader!" "There are so many¡­" Rossy, usually silent, couldn''t hold back. "Leader, what''s the plan? Are we fighting?" Swordy asked, his voice tense under the pressure radiating from the Poisonous Toad Leader, which was stronger than him. Jokyr hesitated, torn between retreating and advancing. But retreating would be risky; they''d have to climb or locate one of the rare exit points on this level. He made a decision. "Prepare yourselves! We''re moving forward!" "But how?" someone asked. "Help me handle the other primals. Buy me time to kill the Poisonous Toad Leader," Jokyr commanded. "Rossy, create a barricade around the Poisonous Toad Leader¡ªseparate it from the others!" "On it!" Rossy replied without hesitation. She raised her hand, which glowed with an earthy hue, and commanded, "Sprout!" Instantly, thorny branches erupted from the ground, isolating the Toad Leader at the back and immobilizing it. Clauny suddenly leapt into action. She summoned a wooden staff, raising it as it glowed faintly yellow. "Boost!" she cried. The yellow light fell upon Rossy, who was still summoning the thorny branches. Her speed increased, forming a dense cage around the 2-meter-tall Poisonous Toad Leader. "Great work, Rossy and Clauny!" Jokyr praised. "Swordy and Shroud, buy me time. I''ll handle the Toad Leader." Swordy met Vincent''s gaze, and they nodded, moving into position. Vincent had no intention of hiding his abilities. He summoned his [Duskedge Blade], activating Venomstrike Lash along with Duskedge Wave. A dark-purple, crescent-shaped slash flew toward the advancing primals. The attack was also enhanced by his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. A loud explosion shook the ground as a cloud of purple smoke erupted upon impact. Jokyr and the others stood stunned, their jaws dropping as the smoke cleared. At least ten Tier 1 primals, ranging from two to four stars, had been obliterated, reduced to particles of digital light. "Are you kidding me?" Chapter 43 Upgrade Amidst the shocked expressions of Jokyr and the others, Vincent finally heard the satisfying notification of gaining experience points as the defeated primals collapsed into shimmering particles, dropping several items.Talent Activated! +250,000 experience points! +125,000¡­ Before anyone could react, Vincent blinked, reappearing near the remaining primals. With precise strikes, he cut through each one, leaving only the Poisonous Toad Leader alive. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Talent Activated! +125,000 experience points! +12¡­ Turning to Jokyr, he asked, "You wouldn''t mind if I took care of that toad, right?" Since he had the ability, Vincent saw no reason to hold back on farming experience points. Keeping his strength hidden wouldn''t lead to growth; being cautious was one thing, but holding back was another. He had no intention of slowing his progress¡ªonly a fool would do that. His plan to improve his cultivation rested on his assumption that the power gap within Tier 1, from 1-star to 5-stars, wasn''t substantial. Once he reached Tier 2, however, it would be a different story. So, he decided to push everything to its limit at peak Tier 1. Since his experience points were capped at one million, he anticipated that future upgrades might demand over a million points. Still frozen in shock, Jokyr replied subconsciously, "No¡­" With a nod and a quick "thanks," Vincent tightened his grip on his weapon and unleashed Duskedge Wave, slicing through Rossy''s thorny cage. His strike pierced the toad''s head and body, cutting it cleanly in half. You have successfully killed a Poisonous Toad Leader! +50 experience points! Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! In an instant, the toad disintegrated into particles of light, leaving behind a green orb and various materials, along with origin crystals on the ground. The sight of his experience points maxing out was immensely satisfying. "This is so fulfilling¡­" he thought, thoroughly pleased with his awakened talent. He couldn''t wait to upgrade his abilities and equipment. However, Clauny and the others hurried over, their eyes wide with curiosity. "That was amazing, Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed, her long brown hair bouncing as she spoke. "That''s...indeed amazing," Rossy murmured, still visibly surprised beneath her mask as she absently twirled a lock of her curly red hair. "Yeah, quite amazing¡­" Even Swordy couldn''t deny it. Jokyr, meanwhile, wore an unreadable expression. He could no longer assume that Vincent was just another Tier 1; he himself was a peak Tier 1 and could have handled the Poisonous Toad Leader, but not without a struggle. "There''s a lot of materials here¡­ and even some uncommon items," Clauny said, her eyes sparkling at the loot on the ground. Vincent ignored the other items and focused on the green orb left by the toad leader. Picking it up, it transformed into a necklace with a distinctive emerald hue. Name: Necklace of Resistance Quality: Uncommon Effects: Slightly increased poison resistance The item didn''t specify the exact boost to poison resistance, but it was still valuable¡ªand would be even better once he upgraded it. He''d have to test it out, though. Looking at the others, he asked, "You guys wouldn''t mind if I took this item, right?" Everyone turned to Jokyr, the party leader. Seeing the others waiting for his decision, Jokyr considered Vincent''s request. Since Vincent had taken down the toad, with initial assistance from Rossy and Clauny, Jokyr had no desire to contest it. But he was taken aback by Vincent''s next words. "I''m only taking the toad leader''s drop items. The rest is yours." "What? Are you sure? Some of this stuff would still fetch a decent price!" Vincent shook his head; his storage space was limited, and for some reason, he hadn''t been able to upgrade the storage ring he''d received from Azhara. So he only took what he needed and what was mission-essential. "It''s fine, I can''t carry it all anyway." "Are you sure?" Jokyr asked, still hesitating. Meanwhile, Clauny had already started looting, clearly not needing any further encouragement. "Stop hesitating and help me pick these up," she called. Imaginary lines of irritation appeared on Jokyr''s forehead as he shook his head in mild exasperation. "Apologies for Clauny," he said. "I have no idea where she gets this behavior." Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly behind his mask, reminded of his younger sister, Marina, who had a similar knack for opportunism. As they looted, Vincent considered which skills he should upgrade. Though he''d somewhat expected it, he still felt a pang of frustration upon discovering that it would cost a hefty 500,000 experience points to enhance his rare skills to epic quality. Yet, he reminded himself that very few Tier 1s would possess an epic skill. Now, he just had to decide which two skills to prioritize. There was Flowing Origin Technique, which focused on his fundamentals; Blink of Origin, a movement ability crucial for survival; Venomstrike Lash, a potent debuff skill; and Flow of Origin Energy, a Tier 2 cultivation manual. He ruled out his armaments for now since he couldn''t risk exposing his cheat-like talent. There was also Basic Origin Meditation, which centered on cultivating mental attributes, though he saw no immediate need for it. Why worry about which one to upgrade first? He could farm more experience points later¡­ nothing''s going to change. With that thought, he decided to upgrade his debuff and movement skills. His current strength was sufficient against any Tier 1 primal, and he had no intention of tackling Tier 2 just yet. Well, for now¡­ While he might consider fighting above his level someday, he wanted more skills¡ªand upgraded ones¡ªbefore attempting anything that dangerous. He wasn''t about to risk his life when he had a safe route to growth. You have successfully upgraded Venomstrike Lash! You have successfully upgraded Blink of Origin! Skill Name: Abyssal Venomlash Quality: Epic Effect: Releases a wave of venomous energy from the weapon, causing corrosive venom to envelop enemies within a 10-meter radius. The toxic aura inflicts severe poison damage over time, with each pulse amplifying the damage taken by 15%. Affected enemies suffer agonizing wounds, which lead to blood loss, impaired regeneration, and persistent bleeding. Additionally, Abyssal Venomlash has a 40% chance to destabilize targets, stunning or slowing their movement and attack speed by 30% for 5 seconds. Skill Duration: 10 seconds Range: 10 meters Poison Duration: 20 seconds Bleed Duration: 15 seconds Stun/Slow Chance: 40% Slow Effect: 30% Cooldown: 60 seconds Consumption: 250 Origin Energy "It''s a ranged attack now¡­" he thought, before moving on to check the upgraded version of his movement skill. Skill Name: One-Step Shift Quality: Epic Effect: Instantly shifts the user 50 meters in any direction, bypassing physical barriers and obstacles. During the shift, the user gains a brief period of heightened perception, allowing for precise control over positioning and navigation in challenging terrain. For 5 seconds after reappearing, movement speed is boosted by 40%, enhancing agility for quick repositioning or escape. Range: 50 meters Movement Speed Boost: 40% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 15 seconds Consumption: 500 (reduced to 75 at max proficiency) "Damn, this is basically teleportation now." Chapter 44 Encounter "Damn, this is practically teleportation now," he thought, marveling at the astonishing leap in his upgraded skills.With an epic skill at his command, he felt unrivaled. "None of my peers can match me in movement speed now¡­" He was briefly overjoyed, but his excitement faded as he saw the absurd requirements to elevate his epic skill to the next level. Requirements: 1,500,000 experience points and 3 epic skills. "This is insane. That''s an outrageous amount of experience, plus three epic skills, just to reach legendary?" he muttered to himself. Little did he know, most veteran origin warriors had never encountered an epic skill, let alone a legendary one. The task felt overwhelming now, given his novice status, but he knew that as he raised his cultivation, gathering experience would eventually become easier. Just then, Clauny, who had just finished collecting loot, came closer and waved her small hand in front of his face, breaking him from his thoughts. "Hey, are you okay?" He nodded at her, and Jokyr took one last look at the ravaged surroundings before giving the order: "Let''s go!" What ran through Jokyr''s mind, no one could tell. Slash! With a flashing crossed slash, Jokyr and Swordy sliced through a massive rat together, killing it instantly. As the creature collapsed, disintegrating into shimmering light, Jokyr sheathed his weapon and looked up at the faintly shining gem above, just before its light dimmed. "Slow down," he commanded, raising his fist slightly. Vincent and the others immediately halted. "We''re near the last point we explored. Let''s switch out the illuminary stone before moving forward. Rossy!" Jokyr called. "On it!" Rossy responded quickly. As they took a brief rest, Vincent remained on high alert, scanning their surroundings. He sensed that something unusual lurked further ahead. Based on Jokyr''s remarks and the area they had just explored, it seemed highly abnormal to encounter a group of primals led by a peak Tier 1 leader here. Despite his enhanced senses, courtesy of his chaos energy, Vincent stayed cautious; he was keenly aware he wasn''t invincible. His chaos energy even allowed him glimpses into the future through clairvoyance, but he was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary. Unleashing it fully would be risky since he couldn''t control it yet. Even a minor use might disrupt his perception, making the ability unpredictable. "It''s done, leader," Rossy reported. "Alright, let''s move out," Jokyr ordered. As they resumed, Jokyr spoke, slowing his pace slightly. "Be ready. This time, we''re fighting the Blackbite Rat Leader. Last time, we couldn''t defeat it due to its overwhelming summoning abilities, but we''ve practiced for it now. Plus, we have Shroud''s help this time. Just stay focused and follow my lead. Understood?" "Yes!" they all replied in unison. Soon, Vincent spotted a wide cave entrance in the distance. Focusing his senses, he frowned. "There it is¡ªthe Blackbite Rat Leader''s den. Move carefully!" Jokyr announced. They can''t sense it, Vincent thought, his brows furrowing. Before they could step inside, he held up a hand. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait." The others halted, turning to him in confusion. "What''s wrong, Shroud?" Clauny asked, standing beside him. "There''s something inside. Be careful," Vincent warned. Swordy, however, rolled his eyes. "Isn''t that obvious? We''re here to get revenge on that rat leader." He made Vincent''s concern seem unnecessary, but Jokyr wasn''t dismissive. Now that he had seen Vincent''s strength, he took his words seriously. "Enough. Stay close. Moving with caution won''t hurt," Jokyr instructed, and Swordy begrudgingly followed the command. They entered the den, and Jokyr soon sensed something was wrong. Normally, they''d be swarmed by low-level blackbite rats by now. Yet several minutes passed, and they hadn''t encountered a single primal. "Where are all the primals?" Clauny finally voiced, noticing the unusual silence. "The answer might lie behind that light¡­" Rossy murmured, staring at a large, glowing hole in the distance. They approached the source of the light, finding themselves peering into an abyss teeming with countless small black shapes. Focusing, they realized it was a sea of blackbite rats! In the middle of the swarm, a group of origin warriors¡ªtwo females and three males¡ªstood surrounded, their armor tattered, their masks broken. Their faces were visible now, showing exhaustion and despair. Humans. They were all humans. One warrior, a striking woman with black hair, was the group''s last line of defense, relentlessly releasing gusts of wind despite her fatigue. Vincent blinked in surprise; he recognized her. She wasn''t just any warrior. "Ana Blackwings¡­" he whispered. Clauny and the others gasped, taken aback by the scene. "Are those¡­ disgusting rats?!" Clauny exclaimed. "A group of humans trapped in that sea of rats!" Rossy pointed out, noting Ana''s party''s desperate situation. "They''re as good as dead," Swordy muttered, scowling. "Leader, we have to help them!" Clauny pleaded, glancing at Jokyr. Jokyr stayed silent, his expression tense. He wanted to help, but as their leader, he couldn''t afford to endanger his own team without weighing the risks. Was it worth it? Could they manage it safely? Seeing him hesitate, Clauny grew more anxious, shaking his arm in frustration. "What are you doing, leader? They''re going to die. You have to decide!" "Clauny¡­" Rossy and Swordy murmured, concerned about her agitation. As Jokyr deliberated, Ana took a deep breath below, wiping sweat from her flawless face. She glanced over at her little translucent-winged, horned rabbit on her shoulder¡ªher summoned companion, ''Little Winter,'' who looked equally drained. "Are you alright, Little Winter?" she asked softly. The tiny creature blinked its crystal blue eyes, pushing through its exhaustion and nodding in determination. "I''m sorry to ask more of you, but we need your help to create a path," Ana said gently. Little Winter shook its head, signaling her not to worry, then floated above her, preparing to fight. Ana''s hand glowed with a soft white light as she activated an innate skill. "Boost!" she commanded, channeling her energy into the creature. With a faint squeak, Little Winter unleashed twin whirlwinds, ripping through the sea of rats. But as the whirlwinds faded, the tiny creature wobbled in the air, on the verge of collapsing. "Winter!" Ana cried, racing to catch her summon. But as she reached for it, rats surged through the gap left by the whirlwinds. "Ana, look out!" one of her female companions shouted, warning her of the danger. Ana glimpsed the approaching swarm over her shoulder, her face paling. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. Yet, instead of an attack, she heard the sound of rats squealing in pain¡ªand then, a familiar voice. "Are you alright?" She opened her eyes, astonished, to see a tall figure standing before her, his face hidden by an emerald mask. "You¡­" Her eyes widened. She could recognize the man in front of her despite hiding under a mask. Chapter 45 Strength of Epic Skill "You¡­"Ana was shocked. Though he wore a mask, she recognized his voice without a doubt. Vincent interrupted her after a quick glance. "It seems you''re alright. Go, take a rest. I''ll handle this." Ana was speechless. Unsure of what to do, she walked subconsciously toward her companions, carrying Little Winter in her arms. Facing the countless Blackbite Rats, a normal human would likely despair. But to him, they were weaklings unworthy of experience points. He could, however, gain experience by finding the source of these rats. But he could still not pinpoint its location. He had to do something to let it reveal itself. Gripping his Duskedge Blade, he considered how to annihilate the Blackbite Rats most efficiently. Before he could move, several shadows approached and stood around him: Jokyr and the others. "Why did you jump in alone?!" Clauny complained, evidently frustrated. Jokyr stepped closer, giving Clauny a gentle knock on her head. "You idiot! You saw Shroud jump, and you immediately followed!" Jokyr sounded angry, but his voice held more concern. Rossy and Swordy had also joined, worried about Clauny. Vincent couldn''t help but smile behind his mask, surprised to see them all jump in. This group seemed odd and a bit reckless, yet he was glad for it. They were far better than cold-blooded people. It showed that despite conflicts in human territory, humans in the Origin World were compassionate toward their own kind. Just like when he had received help on his first day in Origin World. Jokyr, though still annoyed, could only sigh before facing Vincent. "You jumped first. It''s your responsibility now. What''s your plan?" His gaze was serious and determined, and Clauny looked at him with anticipation. Rossy and Swordy simply followed Jokyr''s command. A soft laugh escaped Vincent. Shaking his head briefly, he began. Though it was true he had jumped first, he hadn''t asked them to follow. Even so, he wouldn''t argue over it. He voiced his plan: "Rossy, I want you to use the skill you used to isolate the Poisonous Toad Leader earlier. Make a simple barricade to protect yourselves." He glanced at Jokyr and Swordy. "I need you to keep them safe in the barricade. If you have a way to attract the primals, use it." Clauny chimed in, "What about me?" Vincent paused. He had only a vague idea of her abilities. Even the others hadn''t revealed their full strength. "What can you do besides buffing Rossy''s casting speed?" he asked. "I can heal and summon a small anti-toxin barrier," she replied. Vincent''s purple eyes glinted for a second before he decided. "How long can it last?" "I can hold it as long as I have enough energy." "How''s your origin energy?" "I still have more than half." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright. Once Rossy casts the barricade, I want you to summon the anti-toxin barrier. Keep it up until I tell you otherwise. Understood?" Clauny nodded with determination. Jokyr then handed him a small pouch. "What''s this?" Vincent asked. "This will help you attract these disgusting rats. Don''t open it now," Jokyr said hastily, stopping Vincent as he began to open it. "Open it when the time is right." Vincent nodded. "Thank you." "Don''t mention it. Do what you need to. Good luck." Holding his Duskedge Blade, Vincent didn''t hesitate and leaped into the sea of Blackbite Rats, slashing his sword to clear a ten-meter radius instantly. Seeing this, Jokyr promptly commanded, "Go, Rossy!" Without hesitation, Rossy raised her hands. "Sprout!" Thorny branches sprouted from the ground around them. Clauny followed up with her staff. "Boost!" Rossy''s casting speed increased rapidly, soon forming a ten-meter circular barrier. Clauny then stomped her staff on the ground, creating a transparent green barrier. Vincent glanced over his shoulder to confirm their setup was complete. He held out the pouch and pulled the string. "Let''s see what you can do¡­" A nauseating smell wafted out, worse than the foulest stench. The sea of Blackbite Rats squeaked, then swarmed toward him as if bewitched. Vincent began to run in a circle, attracting them all. Inside the barrier, Clauny and the others, now regrouped with Ana''s group, watched him with worry. "Will he be alright?" Ana''s female companion asked, her voice filled with concern. Before Ana could answer, Clauny approached. "He''ll be fine. Let''s trust him. But if you want to help, you need to recover quickly. I''ll treat you all now¡­" As Clauny worked, Ana could only look at Vincent, being chased by countless rats, with an unreadable expression. Back to Vincent. Seeing the swarm furiously chasing him, he decided to end things swiftly. He leaped, distancing himself from Ana and the others. Standing firm, he raised his Duskedge Blade with both hands and whispered, "Abyssal Venomlash!" The blade emitted a toxic aura, and with a loud "ha!" venomous, corrosive energy waves spread out, enveloping the primals within a ten-meter radius. The rats, as if bewitched, halted, coughed blood, turned purple, and dropped dead. The swarm continued to push forward, dying within seconds, as if he had sprayed them with bug repellent. In ten seconds, he killed thousands of Blackbite Rats, leaving Jokyr and the others watching in awe. "He''s so strong¡­" Rossy muttered, amazed. Ana, holding Little Winter, reacted as well. "He''s gotten stronger¡­" Though the Abyssal Venomlash''s effect ended, he had managed to kill half of them, though thousands still remained. Without hesitation, he activated his C-rank talent, Origin Power Enhancement, and began slashing, using his blade''s skills, releasing waves of purple energy, killing the rats and turning them into shimmering lights. A minute later, he unleashed Abyssal Venomlash again, killing the remaining rats. But before he could celebrate, a loud squeak sounded from deep within, causing a faint tremor that shocked Ana and the others, still awestruck by Vincent''s strength. Turning at the source of sound, he found a giant and plump rat, it had a height of almost 3-meter tall. It was emitting a nauseating smell and corrosive aura with a hint of familiar energy. It was like his chaos energy but somehow different. It was the same energy he felt before entering the den. Chapter 46 What just happened? "What is that¡­?""Isn''t that the Blackbite Rat Leader we fought last time? But something''s wrong with it¡­" "It has mutated," Ana interjected, clarifying the confusion within Jokyr''s group. Her gaze hardened as she observed the grotesque creature. Jokyr and the others stared tensely at the Blackbite Rat Leader, hidden behind their masks. Despite the distance, they could sense its strength. Vincent, closest to it, could feel it had power nearly at Tier 2, making him frown. Although he had fought a mutated primal during the Primal Hunt, this creature was evidently stronger. With a roar-like squeak, the enormous Blackbite Rat Leader''s figure suddenly blurred, covering the 40-meter gap in just three strides. It appeared before him, swinging its front paw, claws sharp and glinting. "Shroud!" Clauny, who had just finished tending to Ana''s injured companion, couldn''t help but shout in alarm. The others watching grew concerned as well. However, when the creature''s attack landed, Vincent''s figure vanished, its claws slashing through an afterimage. Vincent''s voice came from beside Clauny. "Why are you shouting? I''m right here." A surprised yelp escaped their lips as they looked at him, wide-eyed. "H-How did you get here¡­?" Clauny was still in shock. It was nearly 40 meters away¡ªthey had no idea how Vincent had suddenly appeared beside them, especially with the thorny branches of Rossy''s skill guarding them. Vincent was inwardly impressed by the effect of his Epic Quality movement skill. Ignoring their shock, he turned to Jokyr. "That thing is dangerous. I''d suggest you fall back. But if you think you can beat it, I won''t stop you. Decide quickly; we don''t have much time." Though he hadn''t tested its strength directly, he had an idea of its power source. Primal Energy¡­ He had heard about it from Sophie, who also warned him to avoid entities emitting Primal Energy, as it could trigger his chaos energy to erupt and lose control. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For now, he hadn''t sensed any changes in himself. But he couldn''t risk endangering those around him, so he advised them to retreat. Before Jokyr could respond, Clauny spoke up. "Wait, what do you mean fall back? How about you? Aren''t you leaving with us?" Vincent didn''t answer and kept his gaze on Jokyr. Seeing this, Clauny was puzzled and looked between the two. "What''s going on?" Jokyr explained simply, "If Shroud follows us, the Blackbite Rat Leader will track us. Shroud just activated the Aggro Scent, which usually lasts for an hour. And that big guy is still drawn to it¡­" Even Ana and the others understood, but Clauny looked shocked. "Are we just going to let him die?" The mutated Blackbite Rat Leader didn''t remain idle and furiously charged toward Vincent and the others. Vincent''s voice interrupted her, "Who said I''m going to die? Didn''t you just see how fast I am? That oversized mouse won''t even touch my shadow. Now go." Without waiting for their response, he broke through Rossy''s barricade, slashing at the massive creature. He halted its advance but couldn''t leave any wounds. "Tch, tough defense¡­" he thought, clicking his tongue. Jokyr then decided, resolute as he commanded, "Let''s go. We''d only be a burden to him." Clauny couldn''t believe it. "What are you talking about? We can''t just leave him!" This time, before Jokyr could respond, Ana interjected, "I know you want to help him, but look around you¡ªask yourself if you have the ability to fight that creature. You''ve seen it; you''d die in a blink of an eye just from its speed." Her face was still cold as ever, but worry flickered in her eyes. Ignoring Clauny and the others, Ana thought of her own team and her unconscious companion, ''Little Winter.'' She had no way to assist, so she could only trust Vincent. "If you want to thank him later, we need to get out safely first. Let''s go." She led her team away without looking back. ''I''ll thank you personally the next time we meet. Don''t die¡­'' she thought as she moved with her team. "H-How can she do that¡­? After Shroud saved her life?" Clauny muttered, dumbfounded. Jokyr grabbed her wrist. "Remember what happened when we fought that creature before it mutated. Be realistic; we can''t help him. If you want to help him, get stronger. Now, let''s go!" Without hesitating, he dragged her along, following Ana''s group. Clauny could only watch Vincent''s retreating form, her expression unwilling. "Finally¡­ no more distractions¡­" he murmured, glancing over his shoulder to see them leaving. He then turned to face the three-meter-tall creature. Its eyes glowed a deep blood red, its sharp incisors like spears, and it was surrounded by a misty, dark aura. It stopped, stood on its hind limbs, and glared at him. It let out a deafening squeak. Squeak! Several dark auras emerged from the ground, transforming into hundreds of Blackbite Rats. Vincent didn''t hesitate and unleashed his full strength. Origin Power Enhancement Activated! Duskedge Wave! Abyssal Venomlash! As the venomous aura spread within a 10-meter radius, it killed hundreds of rats instantly. He swung his Duskedge Blade, releasing a crescent of purple energy toward the Blackbite Rat Leader, leaving cracks in the ground. Swoosh! The creature casually slapped it away, creating a cloud of dust where it landed. "Seriously? It just slapped my attack away?!" The creature squeaked again, summoning more Blackbite Rats. "This thing''s got a rat factory!" he muttered, frowning. He could feel his origin energy depleting rapidly. He''d only used his epic skills a few times but had already consumed over 3,000 origin energy¡ªmore than half of his current reserves. He still had 2,300 origin energy. He summoned an origin crystal and quickly consumed it, instantly replenishing his energy. Talent Activated! +10,000 Origin Energy! "Let''s see who lasts longer." He chuckled, amused by his talent''s effect. As long as he had origin crystals, he had limitless energy. Without holding back, he vanished, reappearing above the Blackbite Rat Leader. He swung his blade, combining Duskedge Wave with Abyssal Venomlash! Boom! Venomous aura exploded as the crescent energy from his blade slashed straight at the creature''s head, raising a purple cloud of smoke. An agonized squeak escaped from it, signaling that his attack had hit its mark. But then, hundreds of rats charged at him with furious, glaring eyes. "Tch!" He slashed at the surviving rats from his venomlash, cutting them down. After he fell back, the smoke cleared, revealing the Blackbite Rat Leader, a huge gash across its face. However, it began healing within seconds. "Damn, it can regenerate too!" "Do I really have to use my chaos energy?" Just as he considered unleashing his chaos energy, the Blackbite Rat Leader suddenly froze. It glanced in another direction, then back at him with an unwilling expression, before hurrying off as though summoned. "What just happened?" Chapter 47 Tier 2 Armament "What just happened?"He wore a puzzled expression beneath his mask, unsure of what had just occurred. He contemplated using his chaos energy, but before he could even act, it suddenly vanished. While he pondered the reasons, he decided not to pursue it. As long as it remained within the labyrinth, he was bound to encounter it again. Thus, he refocused on his primary goal: farming experience points and leveling up his remaining skills. Having experienced the strength of Epic-grade skills, he felt even more excited to advance his skills and armaments. Still, with each encounter against stronger opponents, he realized how weak he was. "I''ll definitely get you the next time we meet!" he vowed, gazing toward where the primal creature had disappeared. He then looked at the wrecked surroundings. Unfortunately, none of the summons he had killed dropped any items. "It seems those summons don''t count as living creatures of Origin World¡­ Sigh¡­ Forget about it. This is just my first day; I still have plenty of time!" Now that he had no distractions, he could focus solely on farming. He didn''t follow the path the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader took; instead, he went in another direction to continue hunting, dismissing any thoughts of Jokyr and the others. On the second underground level of the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, Jokyr and Ana''s group stared silently at the entrance to the third underground level, each showing different emotions. Several minutes had passed, yet Vincent, known to them as Shroud, was still nowhere to be seen. Clauny could no longer keep silent. "He will come back, right?" Her question was met with silence. "He''s going to be safe, right?" Again, no response. Unable to contain her emotions, she turned fiercely, taking off her mask and revealing her youthful, flawless face. Her brown hair flowed free as her hair tie came loose, revealing a beautiful maiden who could rival Ana in appearance. While Ana was a cold beauty, Clauny had an innocent charm that could stir any man''s protective instincts¡ªespecially now, as her beautiful brown eyes shimmered with tears. Ana''s two male companions, whom Clauny had healed earlier, were captivated by her beauty. However, Jokyr and his group were stunned. "Clauny?!" Jokyr exclaimed. Yet, there was nothing he could do now. They had already seen her face, and he felt he had no right to stop her anymore. The guilt gnawed at him; if Shroud truly died because of their actions, he would never forgive himself. But he believed he had made the right choice, choosing his companions over a stranger. "What?! Isn''t it your responsibility to care for your party? Shroud is our companion too, even if only temporarily." She glared at Jokyr before shifting her fierce gaze to Ana. "And you¡ªyou said to trust him. So why didn''t you do anything? Shroud saved your lives! You''re all so ungrateful!" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The typically composed Ana could only avert her gaze, clenching her fists while her companions hung their heads in shame. She couldn''t respond, having also been the one to trust Vincent''s idea. As tears continued streaming down Clauny''s face, Jokyr gently took her by the shoulders to comfort her. "Clauny, I know you''re worried about him, but this was also Shroud''s idea. We have to respect his decision and trust him." "Stop crying. We don''t know what happened in there, but we also don''t know what other resources he might have. There''s a good chance Shroud left in another direction or used an escape scroll. Remember how he didn''t even bother with low-level items? A rich guy like him must have at least one escape scroll, right?" With Jokyr''s reasoning, Clauny''s eyes showed a hint of clarity. It did make sense. Although she was still worried, she held firmly to the thought that Shroud was safe. "Shroud¡­" she murmured, glancing toward the entrance of the third underground level. Elsewhere, deep within the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, a dark humanoid figure sat on a massive stone throne. A black, serpent-like shadow coiled around his right arm, which he played with idly. Hiss~ A faint tremor emanated from the dark entrance to the throne room. Soon, the familiar figure of the Blackbite Rat Leader appeared, immediately prostrating itself before the throne like a subservient servant. The figure on the throne revealed a pair of blood-red eyes. A deep, raspy voice broke the silence as the dark figure spoke. "My servant, tell me what happened¡­" The Blackbite Rat Leader slowly raised its head and spoke in an audible tone, drawing a series of amused exclamations from the dark figure. "Hoo¡­ interesting, for one of such a low tier to possess such abnormal abilities. Interesting¡­ quite interesting indeed." The dark figure muttered repeatedly, unable to contain his laughter. As his laughter faded, his eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity. "I want you to find him for me. Report to me immediately once you do. Now, go." The Blackbite Rat Leader voiced its affirmation and hastily left, leaving the dark figure alone on his throne. Meanwhile, on the third underground level¡­ Several massive primals collapsed to the ground as the venomous purple energy faded. After a tremor, their corpses dissolved into bright digital lights, leaving materials and items scattered on the ground. You have successfully killed a Digged Leader Tier 1 (5 stars) You have successfully killed a Digging Servant Tier 1 (4 stars) You have successfully killed a¡­ Notifications rang continuously in his ears as he swung his Duskedge Blade, flicking off the remaining blood. With this wave alone, he managed to fill his experience bar completely. One million experience points. Now, he had the opportunity to upgrade his skills or armaments to a higher quality. Although he had several options, his choice was already clear in his mind. With Abyssal Venomlash as his AOE skill, his farming speed could increase. With One-Step Shift, he didn''t need to worry about movement abilities. But what he had found lacking in his fight with the Mutated Blackbite Leader was firepower. He needed more firepower, so he wouldn''t have to rely on his chaos energy. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade his Duskedge Blade. Name: Nightflare Blade Power: Tier 2 Armament Quality: Epic Description: The Nightflare Blade is masterfully crafted from obsidian dusksteel and reinforced with shadowflame alloys, giving it a lustrous midnight-gray finish with shimmering veins of crimson and silver. Lightweight yet incredibly resilient, it''s enchanted to deal increased damage with each strike, inflicting deep, lasting bleed effects on enemies. The blade seems to capture and refract even the faintest light, creating an almost otherworldly gleam that instills fear. Visual: The Nightflare Blade has an elegant hilt wrapped in deep crimson leather. Its polished blade is accented by vibrant silver and crimson veins that pulse gently when wielded, emitting a faint red-black aura that intensifies with each strike. When activating skills, the blade ignites with a dark, fiery glow that illuminates every slash with a brilliant radiance. Skill 1: Umbra Slash Effect: A single-target slash that channels shadow energy, dealing amplified damage and inflicting a bleed that lasts 15 seconds, progressively reducing the target''s physical and magical defenses. Bleed Duration: 15 seconds Defense Reduction: 2% per tick, stacking up to 4% Skill 2: Shadowflame Wave Effect: Releases a shadowflame-infused, ranged slash that travels 12 meters, damaging all enemies in its path with a chance to stagger, and inflicting both a burn and bleed effect. Range: 12 meters Bleed Duration: 10 seconds Burn Duration: 10 seconds Stagger Chance: 25% Skill 3: Emberstrike Effect: Channels fire energy, delivering a powerful single-target strike that inflicts a burn for 12 seconds, briefly lowering the target''s resistance to fire-based attacks. Burn Duration: 12 seconds Fire Vulnerability: Reduces target''s fire resistance by 10% for 6 seconds "It''s now Tier 2?" Chapter 48 Tier 2 Armament (2) "It became Tier 2?!"He was astounded. Not only had it upgraded to epic quality, but it had also advanced to Tier 2! Seeing the newly upgraded skill set confirmed that upgrading his armament had been the right decision. It even transformed with fiery characteristics and acquired a new single-target skill, significantly enhancing his firepower. He was confident that if he''d had this upgraded armament while battling the Blackbite Rat Leader, victory would have come effortlessly. "Beautiful¡­" he murmured, admiring the blade''s new appearance. Its elegant hilt was wrapped in deep crimson leather of high quality. The blade was smooth, polished, and streaked with vibrant silver and crimson veins, perfectly suiting its name. "Nightflare Blade¡­ I like it. Whoever named it has good taste," he mused with amusement. He could feel warmth radiating from the blade as he softly gripped the hilt. With a slight wave, it left a trail of flame energy that lingered in the air momentarily. "Good stuff!" Satisfied, he unsummoned the Nightflare Blade and continued upgrading. "I''ve already got good mobility and just gained more firepower. What I lack most is¡­ defense. Although I don''t have any defensive skills, I''m lucky to have received this¡­" He glanced at his current armor, a Tier 1 Rare Quality armament gifted by Sophie. He hadn''t had a chance to use its innate skills. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade it. A bright light erupted from his armor, and when the blinding glow faded, he stood clad in a newly transformed black armor. He quickly examined its new information. Name: Obsidian Aegis Power: Tier 2 Armament Quality: Epic Details: Forged from midnight-black dusksteel and infused with shadow quartz, the Obsidian Aegis offers exceptional resilience while remaining surprisingly light. Its sleek, matte finish is adorned with faintly glowing runes along the chestplate and gauntlets, providing physical and magical protection, invaluable for intense combat. Base Defense Increase: Grants a 20% boost to physical and magical defense, allowing the wearer to withstand powerful strikes and resist magical effects with greater ease. Visual Appearance: The armor boasts a deep, polished black finish with dark silver trim along the edges. Subtle runes emit a faint, pulsing crimson glow. In combat, the runes intensify, flaring to life when skills are activated. The pauldrons are reinforced but maintain a sleek, angular design, with a faint aura of shadow around the armor, enhancing its formidable appearance. Skill 1: Veil of Shadows Effect: Envelops the user in a shadowy shroud, reducing incoming physical damage by 20% for 10 seconds. While active, it grants a 10% boost in evasion, enhancing the ability to dodge incoming attacks. Ideal for withstanding powerful blows and repositioning in close-quarters combat. Damage Reduction: 20% Evasion Boost: 10% Duration: 10 seconds Cooldown: 30 seconds Skill 2: Aegis Ward Effect: Projects a barrier that absorbs substantial incoming damage for 8 seconds, significantly enhancing defense in critical moments. While active, it boosts resistance to elemental attacks by 15%, bolstering resilience against magic and elemental effects. Damage Absorption: Moderate to high, based on attack strength sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Elemental Resistance: +15% Duration: 8 seconds Cooldown: 40 seconds Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: Stores up to 15% of damage received over 5 seconds and releases it as a dark-energy shockwave, dealing accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. It has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. Stored Damage: 15% of damage received Radius: 6 meters Stagger Chance: 20% Cooldown: 35 seconds He wasn''t sure whether to be surprised or unsurprised, but it too had become a Tier 2 armor. "This is insane¡­" he muttered, eyes wide as he read about his new armor. With a single upgrade, he had gained three powerful defensive skills. Trying a small hop, he was amazed by how light it felt, despite its heavy appearance. It was as light as a feather. "The design really suits my Nightflare Blade¡­" The urge to test his upgraded armaments in battle surged within him. Yet, upon scanning his surroundings, he found them empty. He had already cleared out the Primals in the area, leaving behind scattered materials and glowing orbs on the ground. He swept everything up, putting them directly into his storage ring for later examination. It was still afternoon, with only a few hours left before nightfall. He needed to use his time efficiently. "Time to keep farming!" He set out, searching every corner of the third underground level. Thirty minutes later, he spotted another peak Tier 1 Primal, one of his targets within the labyrinth. Rock Snake Tier 1 (5¡ï) A few meters away, a rock-type creature shaped like a snake caught his attention. "Another reminder I''m in a fantasy world¡­" he sighed, bemused. Wasting no time, he summoned his Nightflare Blade, gripped it tightly, and took a step forward. His figure blurred, flashing straight behind the Rock Snake. Before it could react, flame energy burst from its body, and it collapsed, sliced cleanly in half. You have successfully killed a Tier 1 (5¡ï) Rock Snake! +50 experience points! Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! The effortless victory over a peak Tier 1 Primal made him grin behind his mask as the sweet sound of notifications filled his ears, half-filling his experience bar. Once again, he marveled at the Nightflare Blade''s power. The Rock Snake, known for its defensive prowess, had fallen as easily as slicing butter. With his experience bar now half-filled, he decided to upgrade his uncommon physical combat skill, Flowing Origin Technique, to rare quality. He chose it because he anticipated situations where hand-to-hand combat might be unavoidable. Without solid physical combat skills, he would be at a disadvantage. You have successfully upgraded the Flowing Origin Technique! Name: Torrent of Origin Technique Quality: Rare Effect: Offensive: Increases attack power by 35% and enhances combo fluidity. Has a 15% chance to land an additional strike after a successful hit, enabling dynamic and potent follow-ups. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 20% when blocking. Additionally, a refined parry window allows 30% of the damage to be reflected back at the attacker when timed correctly, making it a formidable defensive maneuver. Special: Unlocks advanced redirection techniques, allowing it to absorb and redirect an attacker''s force. A successful block causes the enemy to be staggered for a longer duration, creating a prime opening for counterattacks. Consumption: 55 Origin Energy per minute With his remaining experience points insufficient for further upgrades, he paused the series of enhancements and decided to continue hunting, but not before collecting the loot from the Rock Snake. Alongside a rock-shaped nucleus, one of his mission targets, he discovered a glowing white orb. He quickly stored the nucleus and grabbed the orb, which transformed into a familiar white book¡ªa skill book. He glanced at its details. Name: Stonebreaker Strike Quality: Common Effect: Delivers a focused strike that deals an additional 50% of the user''s base physical damage. Upon impact, it weakens the target''s defenses, reducing physical defense by 3% for 5 seconds. When activated, the user''s arm becomes encased in a stone-like surface, increasing physical defense by 5%. This stone form can be sustained for an extended period, though it consumes Origin Energy continuously. Additional Damage: 50% of base physical damage Defense Reduction for Target: 3% for 5 seconds Defense Increase: 5% (can be maintained) Duration of Stone Form: 10 seconds (extendable) Origin Energy Consumption: 20 Origin Energy per minute while maintained "Perfect timing!" he exclaimed, relieved. Just as he had been concerned about his physical capabilities, he obtained a skill to boost them, and he anticipated it would become even better with a few upgrades. Chapter 49 Emberstrike "Stonebreaker Strike¡­"With a mere thought, he activated the new skill he''d acquired, channeling his origin energy. Instantly, his arm from fist to elbow transformed, taking on a stonelike surface. He clenched his fist, surprised that despite the change, he felt no discomfort. When he jabbed at the air, a faint shockwave lingered in its wake. Having 200,000 experience points left, he chose to upgrade the skill, consuming 50,000 points and raising it to the uncommon grade. You have successfully upgraded Stonebreaker Strike! Name: Stone Crusher Quality: Uncommon Effect: Delivers a focused strike that deals an additional 100% of the user''s base physical damage. Upon impact, it weakens the target''s defenses, reducing physical defense by 6% for 5 seconds. When activated, the user''s arm becomes encased in a stonelike surface, increasing physical defense by 10%. This form can be maintained for an extended period but continuously consumes Origin Energy. Additional Damage: 100% of base physical damage Defense Reduction for Target: 6% for 5 seconds Defense Increase: 10% (maintainable) Duration of Stone Form: 20 seconds (extendable) Origin Energy Consumption: 25 Origin Energy per minute while maintained Skill: Rock Smash Deals 150% attack damage, unleashing explosive earth damage upon impact. Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 20 Origin Energy "Not bad¡­" Vincent nodded, satisfied with the upgrade. With 150,000 experience points remaining¡ªinsufficient for further upgrades¡ªhe continued farming, intent on filling his experience bar before calling it a day. Deep within the third underground level, tremors shook the area, alarming various origin warriors. "W-What''s happening?'' "I have no idea¡­" In the distance, black shapes began moving rapidly. "Look! Something''s coming!" "Are those blackbite rats?!" "No way! There''s a whole swarm of them!" "Run if you don''t want to die!" shouted one quickthinking warrior, wasting no time as he sprinted away from the blackbite swarm. However, a shadow flashed, and one of the warriors, slower than the rest, found himself ensnared. "Argh! Help me!" Before anyone could react, the black shadow coiled tighter, squeezing him until blood streamed from his seven orifices. His body vanished into a burst of digital light. Across the third underground level, the sea of blackbite rats swept through, mercilessly hunting down every origin warrior in their path. Meanwhile, Vincent had just defeated his last mission target, killing a peak Tier 1 primal and filling his experience bar completely. As he gathered his loot, a scream pierced the air from somewhere nearby. He turned in the direction of the noise, frowning behind his mask. Moments later, he spotted a battered group of Vyrmins, covered in injuries, racing toward him. Behind them loomed a massive swarm of shadowy figures. Recognizing the familiar sight, Vincent flashed a grin beneath his mask. "I wasn''t looking for you guys, but since you''re here¡­" Ignoring the fleeing Vyrmins, he transformed his hand into an earthtype arm. With a single step, he leaped into the center of the blackbite rat swarm, landing a punch on the nearest rat with his Rock Smash skill. The strike obliterated the target and several others in a five meter radius, scattering rocks around him. He continued, delivering punch after punch, releasing Rock Smash every eight seconds. Boom! Agonized squeaks filled the air as he slaughtered the remaining blackbite rats, each one dissolving into digital lights, leaving only emptiness behind. Elsewhere in the labyrinth, the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader swung its long tail, slicing an origin warrior in half. Suddenly, its head jerked up, sensing a signal. Unbeknownst to both, they were moving toward each other. Soon, Vincent spotted the massive rat leader, and with an earthshaking squeak, it lunged at him with astonishing speed, its thick tail whipping toward him. This time, Vincent forwent his blade, opting instead to activate his Origin Power Enhancement, increasing his force attribute. He followed up with Stone Crusher, meeting the beast headon with a Rock Smash punch. Boom! A shockwave rippled from the impact, and both Vincent and the rat leader were forced to stagger back. Cracks appeared on his stone arm, fragments falling to the ground. "That thing has some tough defense¡­" he thought, observing the primal, which seemed equally shocked by his strength. Satisfied with his progress, Vincent concluded, "If I want to defeat it, I''ll need to use my Tier 2 Epic Armament." He summoned his Nightflare Blade, which emitted a faint fiery aura. Sensing the weapon''s power, the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader paused, instinctively wary. Yet it recalled its master''s command¡ªto report back if it encountered this target. Emboldened by the prospect of capturing him, it bared its incisors, curling into a tight coil before rolling toward Vincent at high speed. As the rat leader charged, Vincent blurred into motion, vanishing and reappearing behind it. Yet, as if guided by instinct, the rat leader veered, redirecting its path toward him. Unperturbed, Vincent smoothly dodged, backflipping to gain distance. Seizing the opening, he slashed with his Nightflare Blade, unleashing a wave of crimson black aura that sliced through the air with remarkable speed, carving a fissure into the ground. A deafening crack resonated as his Umbra Slash hit its target. The rat''s pained squeal filled the air, and when the smoke cleared, a deep wound lay open on its back, oozing blood and laced with lingering dark energy that hindered its recovery. "Umbra Slash''s effect is working¡­" Vincent murmured, watching the creature''s wound reopen continuously, spilling more blood. Despite its injuries, the rat leader rose on its hind limbs, its claws glowing with a bloodred light. As it prepared to attack, the reopened wound disrupted its focus, causing it to stagger. Vincent seized the chance, flashing above the creature. His Nightflare Blade ignited with a redblack glow as he slashed downward, releasing a crescentshaped wave of shadowflame. The strike landed squarely on the rat''s head, trailing a burning dark arc behind it. Bam! The impact shook the ground, sending a thick cloud of smoke into the air. The rat leader shrieked in agony as its massive body was flung against the wall, leaving a large crack. This time, the wound was irreparable, the searing flames prolonging its suffering. Without hesitation, Vincent raised his Nightflare Blade, its fieryorange flames blazing. With a slow, sweeping motion, he launched the flames toward the collapsed rat leader. As they landed, the flames erupted, filling the air with searing heat. The Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader''s pained cries echoed briefly before fading. When the smoke cleared, the rat''s burned corpse remained, slowly transforming into a black liquid orb. Rather than dispersing into digital lights, the orb suddenly shot toward Vincent, embedding itself within his abdomen, merging with his origin core. You have received +100 Primal Energy! You have received Rat Shadow Summoning! You have received Rolling Bash! You have received Fierce Strike! The notifications flooded his mind, leaving him stunned. "What the¡­?" He was at a loss for words. Elsewhere, in the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth''s throne room, a dark figure lounged on a throne, a black snake coiling lazily around his arm. His crimson eyes flared suddenly. "How did my servant die? How?!" He snarled, "No matter where or who you are! I will find you!" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 50 Meeting Acquaintance "I got three skills at once¡­?"Vincent was astonished. The thought of acquiring three skills simultaneously hadn''t even crossed his mind. He hardly considered the experience points he''d gained. "Primal Energy¡­" He didn''t fully understand this new power or how it differed from his chaos energy. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Surveying the area, he noticed the blackbite rats were all gone, leaving a trail of destruction and silence. The Mutated Black Rat Leader didn''t drop anything since he absorbed its essence directly. It was already late, and his mission was complete, so he decided to call it a night. Heading back toward the exit he''d noted while hunting primals, he ordered a meal and, after dining, returned to his rented room in the Newcomer''s Lounge. Seated cross-legged on his bed, free from his Morphic Mask''s effect, he reviewed his spoils from the day''s battles. "Two epic skills¡­" "Two epic-tier armaments¡­" "I also found an uncommon-quality necklace that I haven''t upgraded¡­" "I upgraded my combat skill to rare¡­ Plus, I obtained a new skill, Stonebreaker Strike, which I''ve enhanced to uncommon grade¡­" "Then there''s the drop from the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader¡­" He checked the skills he''d obtained. Skill Name: Shadow Rat Summoning Grade: Uncommon Initial Summon Cost: 10 Origin Energy per Shadow Rat Sustained Cost: 1 Origin Energy per rat every 10 minutes Summon Limit: Up to 25 Shadow Rats at once Duration: Unlimited¡ªpersists until dismissed, destroyed, or the summoner depletes Origin Energy Strength: Tier 1 (1¡ï) Basic Functions and Effects: 1. Shadow Form: Shadow Rats possess a semi-ethereal nature, blending seamlessly in dim environments and becoming nearly invisible in shadows. 2. Physical Attributes: Each rat has the strength, speed, and agility of a Tier 1 (1¡ï) creature, suitable for quick attacks and scouting, though fragile in combat. 3. Basic Stealth: Naturally stealthy, they are hard to detect by lower-tier foes, especially in low-light conditions. 4. Combat Abilities: Bite: Minor damage, enough to distract and irritate opponents. Claw Scratch: Inflicts light wounds on unarmored targets. 5. Limited Command and Feedback: Follows simple commands like "scout," "attack," or "retreat." Limited mental link provides brief sensory impressions, such as nearby sights or sounds. Skill Name: Rolling Bash Grade: Uncommon Description: A powerful, spinning dash attack, slashing everything in its path. The user advances while inflicting consistent, moderate damage to enemies. Effective against clustered foes or agile opponents, as the rotation disrupts their movements. Effects: Damage: Deals 150% of the user''s base attack as continuous physical damage per second. Stagger Effect: 50% chance to stagger enemies, interrupting weaker attacks or momentarily disorienting them. Knockback: The final spin ends in a powerful horizontal slash, knocking enemies back by 1 meter. Consumption: 35 Origin Energy per use. Duration: 3 seconds¡ªcommitted movement; early cancellation is impossible once initiated. Travel Distance: Up to 5 meters forward in a straight line. Cooldown: 15 seconds. Skill Name: Fierce Strike Grade: Uncommon Effects: Direct Impact: Channels condensed Origin Energy into a swift, powerful strike. Upon impact, the target endures an additional 25% of the user''s base attack as pure physical force, bypassing conventional defenses. Shockwave: Releases a concussive wave outward in a cone from the impact point, dealing 10% of the user''s base attack to all within range. Causes minor knockback (up to 2 meters) and staggers enemies for 0.5 seconds. Primary Strike Range: 2 meters in front of the user¡ªideal for close combat. Shockwave Cone Radius: Expands to 5 meters from the impact. Consumption: 40 Origin Energy. Cooldown: 6 seconds. "Damn, all these are pretty useful skills. But Rolling Bash seems risky¡­" Satisfied with his skills'' effects, Vincent looked forward to upgrading them. He next searched for information on Primal Energy. Opening his system interface, he clicked on it. Primal Energy: A unique energy usable only by primals or those with an affinity for it. Temporarily enhances specific attributes of the user or primal summons. Warning: Energy can cause temporary loss of awareness. Use cautiously. Effects: Grants +10 attribute points per 100 Primal Energy. "This¡­" Vincent was speechless. He couldn''t decide if he was pleased or dismayed. He was intrigued by the contrast with his chaos energy, whose mechanics remained mysterious. However, he was unsatisfied with the limitations. First, it didn''t explain how energy would regenerate. Second, it gave no detail on how long he''d lose awareness or its exact effects. He decided to set it aside for now and plan his next move. "I could keep upgrading my skills, but¡­ If I max out my Tier 1 attributes, my hunting speed should improve¡­ then upgrade my skills to epic grade before attempting a breakthrough." It might take time, but he was determined to succeed. "So, the plan: when I''m out, focus on skill upgrades. While resting, cultivate my Origin Energy into purified energy and boost my basic attributes¡­" Without hesitation, he began meditating, surrounding himself with Origin Crystals. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy He stayed awake the entire night, purifying his Origin Energy. By dawn, he''d accumulated 1,150 purified energy, adding to what he had purified previously. The next morning, as he went downstairs, he noticed an unusually busy scene. Crowds of people were armed, and whispers filled the air. He made his way to the counter where the bartender stood. Vincent casually left a few Origin Crystals on the counter, which the bartender took without a word. "Tell me¡­" he asked, nodding. "I heard there was an incident yesterday in the new labyrinth¡­" The bartender paused, looking directly into Vincent''s eyes despite his mask. Vincent remained unfazed, having experienced it himself. Seeing no reaction, the bartender continued, "A swarm of blackbite rats wreaked havoc from the third floor to the upper floors, killing hundreds of novice warriors. This alerted several guilds and organizations. Even the Novice Center''s higher-ups sent a team of Tier 2 investigators. But, just this morning, I heard that almost the entire team was annihilated, with only one survivor." The bartender glanced over Vincent''s shoulder at the groups of armed warriors. "That''s why you see these armed groups. The Novice Center posted a mission and raised the labyrinth''s rank to Tier 3." Vincent remained calm at the news. He''d anticipated trouble; it wasn''t usual for a Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader to appear without cause. But he hadn''t expected them to increase the labyrinth''s rank to Tier 3. Now, he was more intrigued by the events. Originally, he planned to quietly farm experience in the labyrinth, but that now seemed impossible. "What on earth happened there¡­" he pondered. He considered checking it out. If things turned bad, he was confident he could escape with his current speed. After breakfast, he went to the Novice Center to report. "I''ve verified the report. Everything checks out. Here''s your reward for completing five peak Tier 1 missions. Please verify." The attendant handed him a silk pouch, which he glanced at before storing it in his ring. 5,000 Origin Crystals¡ªjust like that! He then asked, "I heard about the new labyrinth incident. Are there new mission requirements?" The attendant nodded. "Yes, there are a few changes. Besides the minimum strength of Peak Tier 1, each group must include one Tier 2 member." Her words made him frown. While he met the minimum requirement, where would he find a group with a Tier 2 warrior? Then he heard light footsteps approach behind him¡ªso quiet a normal Tier 1 warrior wouldn''t notice. As the figure reached his shoulder, he turned, meeting a smiling blonde guy. "Yo, long time no see?" "Caelius¡­" Chapter 51 Back to the Labyrinth "Yo, long time no see¡­""Caelius¡­" The familiar, good-looking blonde man waved, wearing his usual proud smile that caught the attention of everyone around the room. Vincent ignored the whispers and wondered how Caelius recognized him, even under his mask. Even the armor he wore was entirely different from their first meeting. Yet somehow, Caelius had recognized him instantly. This is the second time someone''s recognized me¡­ He recalled how Azhara had known he was human. Though he showed no reaction, Vincent sensed that Caelius was dangerous and mysterious. He realized he still hadn''t explored the origin world much, having focused so heavily on hunting that he hadn''t learned about the society here. He had a lot more to do. "I haven''t seen you in a while, but you''ve gotten stronger¡­" Caelius paused, staring at Vincent. Though it hadn''t been a week in the real world, Vincent had jumped from early Tier 1 to peak Tier 1, which surprised Caelius, although not by much. He had his fair share of experience. "Yeah¡­" Vincent replied curtly, finally realizing the strength of the young man in front of him, through his Heaven Eyes. Peak Tier 2, not far from breaking through, he thought, sensing the thick aura Caelius emitted. This person was perhaps his age but already close to Tier 3. This world really is filled with hidden talent, he mused, surprised at meeting someone like Caelius on his first day in the Origin World. "Anyway, what brings you here?" Caelius asked. "Hmm, nothing much. I was just curious about yesterday''s incident." "Oh, about the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth? You planning to check it out?" "Kinda¡­" "Got a party already, or want to go with me?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent paused, staring at Caelius''s smile, weighing the risks and whether it was worth it. A commotion broke out behind him as someone entered the Novice Center. "Look! The young master of Blackthorn is here, too!" "Oh no, both demons are here. Conflict''s bound to happen!" As expected, Vincent turned to see the person who had humiliated him on his first day. His gaze sharpened. Grarik Blackthorn¡­ The muscular, purple-skinned thrygian, clad in heavy chestplate armor, was accompanied by two more thrygians as they walked arrogantly, scoffing at their surroundings. "Yellow dog!" Grarik called out, glaring at Caelius, who smirked. "You''re here too, Big Fool." The usually short-tempered Grarik remained unaffected by Caelius''s insult, keeping his arrogant smile. "It seems you''re interested in the mission. Unfortunately, you won''t accomplish much with me on it." "Well, if a genius like you says so, then I bet that''s definitely going to happen." Unfazed by the sarcasm in Caelius''s response, Grarik laughed before turning serious. "You better not show your face outside the sanctuary, or else¡­" He was interrupted by one of his companions. "Young master, they''re in the meeting place now. We should go." Grarik nodded, giving Caelius one last glare before leaving, completely ignoring Vincent as if he didn''t recognize him. Vincent frowned as he watched Grarik leave, curious about the mission they''d mentioned and the rewards the Novice Center had offered to interest these two rivals. Sensing his curiosity, Caelius looked at him. "Curious about what he meant?" Vincent nodded. "Well, the Novice Center posted an investigation mission for the new labyrinth and offered a Tier 3 cultivation technique along with several other rewards." Vincent was shocked by the Novice Center''s generosity. He now understood why Caelius and Grarik were interested. Even he was tempted to try. A Tier 3 technique was essential for any warrior, especially those preparing for a breakthrough, though Vincent knew little about it. He could only imagine the other rewards. Seeing Vincent''s momentary reaction, Caelius smiled. "Interested? Want to join my party?" Vincent''s curiosity grew. "You say ''your party,'' but where are the others?" Caelius simply smiled in response. Moments later, at the entrance of Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, Vincent and Caelius arrived. He noticed how different the surroundings were from the day before. Yesterday, Tier 1 (1¡ï - 5¡ï) origin warriors had crowded the entrance, but today was different. Groups of peak Tier 1 and several peak Tier 2 warriors gathered. Vincent still couldn''t sense any Tier 3 in the area. Even the three portal entrances of the labyrinth had merged into a single, larger portal. While observing these groups, three shadows suddenly appeared beside Caelius, surprising and alerting Vincent. "Relax. They''re our companions," Caelius said, smiling. Vincent looked at the newcomers¡ªeach clad in a golden cloak and mask, all silent and exuding the aura of Tier 2 origin warriors. They neither spoke nor moved, simply standing behind them. Vincent looked back at Caelius, expecting an explanation, but Caelius only smiled, clearly not intending to elaborate. Though Vincent didn''t know their true motives¡ªespecially Caelius''s¡ªhe wasn''t afraid. He''d considered the possible outcomes. If things went badly, he could always use his instant escape scroll. When it was their turn to enter, the interface displayed options for which floor to enter. Vincent realized the choices were available for those who had already visited certain floors. Though he had options, Caelius and his party hadn''t been to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth before, so they''d need to start from the first floor. Upon entering, one of the golden-cloaked figures pulled out a golden short staff and chanted, creating a bright yellow orb that illuminated the area. With Caelius''s command, "Let''s go," the group moved quickly, reaching the third underground level within an hour of non-stop travel. Once there, Vincent sensed an eerie silence. The surroundings were so still, void of life. He couldn''t feel any primal energy within 50 meters, which he found strange. He understood their goal: investigating the incident that had killed several Tier 2 origin warriors. But he had no idea where or how to begin. Caelius then took out a compass, channeling origin energy into it. The arrow began to move, pointing in a direction. "What''s that?" Vincent asked, curious. "Oh, this?" Caelius replied, holding up the device. "It''s a ''source compass.'' It points to where someone last died, allowing their soul to transfer back to their world." He held up a vial filled with misty energy. "Oh." Vincent realized he knew next to nothing about the origin world¡ªeven items like this existed here. Once again, he was reminded of the world''s dangers. If someone somehow acquired some of his aura, he''d likely be hunted relentlessly. Luckily, Grarik hadn''t managed to get any trace of his aura; otherwise, he''d be pursued every time he entered the origin world. Caelius uncorked the vial, and the misty energy flowed into the compass, which lit up and whirled, pointing north. Without hesitation, Caelius said, "Let''s go." Moments later, they arrived at a huge portal. None of them knew where it led. They stopped, searching the area but found nothing. "It seems we have only one choice¡ªwe have to enter this portal," Caelius said, turning to Vincent. "I might not be able to protect you once we''re inside. Are you willing to go? I won''t force you." Vincent didn''t hesitate. "Don''t worry. I can take care of myself." "Hoho, I wouldn''t have believed you if you''d said that when we first met." Caelius chuckled, recalling his first encounter with Vincent. Vincent could only smile wryly, feeling slightly embarrassed. He vowed silently to get revenge on Grarik to erase the humiliation he''d felt. "Alright then, let''s go." Caelius said. When they passed through the portal, Vincent''s vision blurred briefly before clearing. They found themselves standing on a red pavement, outside a massive crimson castle. Chapter 52 Crimson Castle (1) "I think that''s where we need to go," Caelius said, staring at the crimson castle in the distance.Vincent also gazed cautiously at it, noticing the fully open crimson gate nearby. Signs of a recent battle were evident around it. "It seems someone reached here before us¡­" he murmured, causing Caelius to frown briefly before flashing a confident smile. "It doesn''t matter¡ªlet them clear the path for us," Caelius said, storing the ''source compass'' back in his storage ring. He no longer needed it, as their destination was now obvious. With a relaxed smile, he stepped forward. "Let''s go." His longsword clinked at his waist as he moved, and his elegant azure garments, worn beneath intricate armor, fluttered lightly. After some time walking past several shattered primal statues, they reached the castle''s main entrance. The doors were already wide open, signaling that someone had entered before them. As Vincent took his first step inside, an ominous energy surged through his body, freezing him in place. Caelius turned back, puzzled by Vincent''s sudden halt. "What''s wrong? You okay?" Vincent shivered, shaking off the feeling with a frown. "It''s nothing. Let''s go." Though Caelius was slightly skeptical, he didn''t press the issue and resumed moving forward. As they walked, Vincent couldn''t shake off the sensation he had felt. The aura was oppressive, savage, and dangerous¡ªand oddly familiar. He suspected something deep within the Crimson Castle might be connected to him. After several minutes traversing the castle''s halls, their group encountered their first obstacle. A band of five humanoid figures with rat heads, each wielding rusty short swords, blocked their path. Blackrat Man - Tier 1 (4¡ï) In the center stood a larger Blackrat Man wielding a heftier, corroded sword. Blackrat Man Leader - Tier 1 (5¡ï) Vincent stepped forward. "Mind if I handle these? I might be less useful later." He was aware of his limitations. If he allowed Caelius and the others to fight these creatures, he''d lose valuable chances to gain experience points. So, as long as they encountered weaker enemies, he intended to take them on. Caelius gave him an approving nod, curious to observe Vincent''s combat abilities. "Go ahead. Just shout if you need backup." Ignoring Caelius'' words, Vincent activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. This ability amplified his force attribute by 30%, enhancing his physical strength. He then channeled origin energy into his right arm, triggering the Stone Crusher skill, transforming his arm from elbow to fist into rock-like form. He wasn''t done yet. He activated Fierce Strike. A fierce crimson aura enveloped his stone arm. With precise control over his origin energy, he blurred forward, reappearing in front of the Blackrat Man Leader in an instant. The creature barely had time to react before Vincent''s powerful punch struck its abdomen, creating a gaping hole and sending a shockwave that blasted two Blackrat Men behind it into digital sparks. With another swift step, he delivered two more crushing blows to the remaining Blackrat Men, dispatching them in seconds. Caelius was momentarily speechless before muttering, "Impressive¡­ quite fierce¡­" His curiosity about Vincent''s background deepened, while his golden-cloaked companions remained silent. Vincent quickly collected several origin crystals and other loot, storing them in his ring. Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! +250,000 experience points! +250,000 experience points! +250,000¡­ His experience bar filled rapidly, allowing him to upgrade other skills and items. As they moved forward, he didn''t hesitate to enhance the skills he had just used: Stone Crusher and Fierce Strike. Both were uncommon-grade skills. Upgrading them to Rare grade required a total of 600,000 experience points. You have successfully upgraded Stone Crusher! Name: Earthshaker Gauntlet Grade: Rare Effect: Earthshaker Gauntlet unleashes a reinforced strike, dealing an additional 150% of the user''s base physical damage. This blow weakens the target''s defenses, reducing both physical and elemental resistances by 10% for 8 seconds. When active, the user''s arm encases in dense, resilient stone, enhancing physical defense by 15% and granting a 5% chance to block incoming attacks. This form can be maintained with moderate Origin Energy. Additional Damage: 150% of base physical damage Defense Reduction: 10% (physical and elemental) for 8 seconds Defense Boost: 15% (maintainable) with a 5% block chance Duration: 30 seconds (extendable) Cost: 35 per minute while active Skill 1: Rock Smash Effect: Rock Smash delivers a reinforced strike, inflicting 200% attack damage and creating an earth-energy shockwave on impact. This AoE damage affects enemies within a 3-meter radius, slowing their movement by 15% for 4 seconds. Damage Multiplier: 200% attack damage AoE Radius: 3 meters Slow Effect: 15% movement speed reduction for 4 seconds Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 30 Origin Energy Skill 2: Stonebound Guard (New) Effect: Stonebound Guard forms a dense rock shield, blocking up to 25% of incoming damage for 10 seconds. While active, attackers within a 2-meter radius take 50% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage and experience a slight knockback. This skill provides effective crowd control, deterring close-range foes while absorbing damage. Damage Reduction: 25% for 10 seconds Counter Damage: 50% of user''s base physical damage Knockback Radius: 2 meters Cooldown: 12 seconds Consumption: 40 Origin Energy Satisfied, Vincent nodded to himself before upgrading his next skill. You have successfully upgraded Fierce Strike! Name: Severing Blow S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grade: Rare Effects: Direct Impact: Channels denser Origin Energy, delivering a powerful cleaving strike. This impact inflicts an additional 40% of the user''s base attack as pure physical force, bypassing typical defenses. This reflects the skill''s upgrade to Rare grade. Enhanced Shockwave: A stronger shockwave radiates from the impact point, dealing 15% of the user''s base attack to nearby enemies. Knockback range increases to 3 meters, staggering foes briefly, improving crowd control. Bleed Effect (New Skill): Inflicts a bleeding effect on the primary target, dealing 10% of the user''s base attack as damage per second for 3 seconds. This bleed effect stacks if the skill is used repeatedly on the same foe, enabling sustained high damage. Primary Strike Range: Extends to 3 meters, improving close-combat reach. Shockwave Radius: Expands to 6 meters from impact, increasing AoE. Consumption: 60 Origin Energy Cooldown: 8 seconds "Good¡­" Vincent muttered, nodding in satisfaction. His remark caught Caelius'' attention. "What''s good?" "Oh, just pleased with my new skill''s performance." "That stone arm move? Impressive. Was it an uncommon-grade skill?" Vincent nodded. He wasn''t lying¡ªthe skill he''d revealed was uncommon, but he''d since upgraded it to rare grade. He saw no reason to explain further. With 400,000 experience points left, he decided to upgrade his Shadow Rat Summoning skill to rare grade as well. You have successfully upgraded Shadow Rat Summoning! Name: Umbral Rat Legion Grade: Rare Initial Cost: 20 Origin Energy per rat Sustained Cost: 1 Origin Energy per rat every 5 minutes Summon Limit: Up to 40 Umbral Rats at once Duration: Unlimited until dismissed, destroyed, or summoner''s energy depletes Strength: Tier 2 (1¡ï) Enhanced Functions: 1. Umbral Form: Umbral Rats now have a semi-ethereal form, allowing them to partially phase through solid surfaces and become invisible in deep shadows. This grants advanced stealth, making them nearly undetectable to most Tier 1 creatures and difficult for even Tier 2 (1¡ï) foes to detect. 2. Physical Abilities: Each rat now possesses the strength, speed, and agility of a Tier 2 (1¡ï) creature, allowing for higher damage and increased reflexes in combat while retaining agility for reconnaissance. 3. Advanced Stealth: The Umbral Rats can partially obscure their forms even in daylight, making them faintly transparent. In shadow, they''re completely invisible, undetectable to all but the highest perception skills. 4. Combat Abilities: Venomous Bite: Delivers 5% of the user''s base attack as poison damage over 5 seconds, stacking with repeated bites. Effective for weakening larger enemies or inflicting group damage. Shadow Claw: Their claws are now charged with Origin Energy, capable of moderate slashing damage. Bleeding wounds deal 2% of the user''s base attack per second for 3 seconds. 5. Improved Command and Feedback: The summoner''s link with the Umbral Rats is now stronger, enabling complex orders like "flank both sides" or "target weak spots." Visual and auditory feedback is sharper, enhancing scouting effectiveness. Additional Skill: Swarm Convergence Effect: By spending 40 more Origin Energy, the summoner can direct all Umbral Rats to focus on a single target, delivering concentrated venom and slashing attacks. This attack inflicts 150% of the summoner''s base attack in combined poison and slashing damage over 5 seconds. Range: Umbral Rats can converge within a 20-meter radius of the summoner, making it ideal for swift ambushes or overwhelming a target in close quarters. Cooldown: 15 seconds after the swarm disperses. "Oh, Tier 2 strength?!" Vincent thought, surprised as he reviewed the upgraded skill details. Before he could fully process this new information, he sensed a distant battle, a disturbance that Caelius and the others also noticed. "Stay alert; there''s fighting up ahead." Soon, they encountered a group of five armored Vyrmins engaged in battle against Blackrat Men. Near them, a group of crimson-skinned reptilian warriors fought against several 1.5-meter-long snakes. At the rear stood an imposing 7-foot-tall Blackrat Man in heavy armor. Blackrat Soldier - Tier 2 (2¡ï) "A Tier 2 primal¡­" Vincent muttered. Aside from the massive tortoise he''d seen with Azhara, this was his first time encountering a Tier 2 primal face-to-face. Chapter 53 Crimson Castle (2) "A Tier 2 primal¡­"Vincent prepared himself unhesitatingly. From this point on, the enemies would be stronger than any he had encountered. Being careless could cost him his life as an origin warrior. Thus, even without Caelius'' command, he silently channeled his origin energy throughout his body. However, contrary to his expectations, the moment these groups caught sight of Caelius, they all frowned simultaneously. "That demon in human skin is here, too. What should we do?" one of the Vyrmins whispered before slashing a Blackrat Man in front of him. "If you''re asking me, who should I ask? Don''t bother looking¡ªmake way!" commanded the Vyrmins'' acting leader. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, the group of crimson-skinned reptilian warriors also made way subconsciously. This party was from a race different from Drakoriis like Azhara''s; they resembled lizards but had reptile scales covering their bodies. They were Lyards, a race with strength similar to humans but more fierce and uncivilized. However, despite their fierce nature, they undoubtedly showed fear when they saw Caelius. Vincent was becoming more curious about Caelius'' true background. Despite these groups making way for their party, the group of primals was unbothered. Since the Vyrmins and Lyards had stepped back, their attention fell on Vincent''s party. The imposing seven-foot-tall Blackrat Soldier stood fiercely, glaring directly at them¡ªmore precisely, at Caelius, who still wore a nonchalant smile. As though angered by Caelius'' attitude, it suddenly emitted a heavy pressure¡ªa mental pressure twice Vincent''s current attributes! However, he felt it only for a brief moment as Caelius flicked his sleeve, brushing away the suffocating pressure with ease. Vincent couldn''t help but frown, realizing the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. "There''s still a wide gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. I need to increase my growth rate," he thought as he saw the Blackrat Soldier''s figure suddenly blur and flash next to Caelius, about to strike with its longsword. However, in the next second, a beam of golden light flashed, blasting the Blackrat Soldier away! One of the golden-cloaked figures under Caelius'' command, wielding a short golden staff, had managed to blast the Blackrat Soldier away. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Although the attack seemed to have landed directly, the Blackrat Soldier stood without any visible damage. However, its small round shield bore a noticeable dent and burn marks. At the same time, a group of Blackrat Men and Rat Snakes began to rush toward them. In that moment, Caelius'' relaxed voice rang out, "Clear the way." Without delay, the three golden-cloaked figures behind him quickly took action, blocking the incoming group of primals. One figure brandished a pair of golden gauntlets, fighting head-on against the group of Blackrat Men, while another wielded a golden whip studded with sharp metal, lashing it at the advancing Rat Snakes. Only hisses and squeaks filled the air before these groups of primals vanished into digital light, leaving several items on the ground. These Tier 1 primals clearly had no chance against the group of Tier 2 origin warriors. All that remained was the Blackrat Soldier. It stood motionless, staring at the three golden-cloaked figures, as if the deaths of the primals were insignificant. Before it could react, the three golden-cloaked figures bombarded it simultaneously with various signature skills. Flashes of light illuminated the area briefly before the Blackrat Soldier, too, turned into digital light, dropping its equipment on the ground. Silence prevailed as the three golden-cloaked figures finished off the group of primals, gathered the dropped items, and returned to stand behind Vincent and Caelius. Vincent wasn''t surprised by their performance, as he already knew their strength when he first met them. This trio was made up of Tier 2 (3¡ï) origin warriors! It would have been surprising if they had lost to a single Tier 2 (2¡ï) primal. He was silent, not because of their strength, but because he hadn''t yet witnessed or felt the real power of a Tier 2 primal. However, he had gained a glimpse of the strength of Tier 2 origin warriors. Beyond that, he was quiet because he felt a pang of regret, seeing the amount of experience points that would have flashed before his eyes. "What a shame¡­" he thought. It would have surely filled his experience bar if he had acted a little faster. The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards could only suck in a cold breath upon witnessing the strength of Caelius'' escorts. "The Lionfang''s strength is undeniable!" one of the Vyrmins muttered, a comment that Vincent overheard. "Lionfang¡­" he murmured. It sounded familiar, but he couldn''t recall exactly where he had heard it. Caelius, still wearing a faint smile, stepped forward. "Let''s go." The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards were silent, watching Vincent''s party retreat. "What are we going to do now? Should we still investigate this place?" "Hmm. Do you remember the first group that came before us?" "Oh, that party? Why?" "I''m certain there will be a conflict ahead. We can just observe for now, and after they fight? Heh." No one knew which of the two groups had this conversation. Moments later, Vincent''s party reached three different pathways. Once again, Caelius took out the "source compass" and activated it. After turning for a moment, the arrow locked onto the middle pathway. Caelius nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let''s go." However, Vincent stopped him. "I think it would be better if we go this way," he said, pointing to the left pathway. Caelius frowned slightly, curious about where Vincent''s confidence came from. "Why do you think we should go that way?" He didn''t answer immediately, pausing to look at the three golden-cloaked figures behind them. "Instinct," he replied simply, as he couldn''t explain the ominous energy he felt emanating from the left pathway. His brief answer made Caelius frown, and before Caelius could respond, one of the golden-cloaked figures could no longer remain silent. A sharp, feminine voice cut through the air. "Are you really going to believe his words, young master?" she asked, removing her hood to reveal long, golden, curly hair. She had clear, crystal eyes and a small face, rating an 8 out of 10 in appearance. "The ''source compass'' already pointed us to the middle path. He must have hidden intentions for guiding us that way!" A young man''s sharp voice joined in, "I agree with Fiona, young master." It was the one with the golden gauntlets. He, too, revealed his face¡ªa fierce-looking youth with short golden hair. Another voice joined the conversation, this one with a calm, amiable tone. "Calm down, you two. Fiona, Karl." "But, Uncle Gold¡­" While Vincent''s party was engaged in a heated discussion, elsewhere, a group of Thrygians was surrounded by nearly countless Blackrat Soldiers. "Damn! Who told me to keep following the compass?!" Chapter 54 Crimson Castle (3) Standing before the three pathways, Vincent''s party remained locked in a tense debate.Two disagreed with his decision, one tried to calm them, while another wavered. The white-haired elder, known as Uncle Gold, who had wielded a golden whip earlier, glanced at Caelius after soothing the two youths. "We are here to support the young master. You, too, should be grateful that the young master allowed you to be here." His words finally silenced Fiona and Karl, though they continued to cast suspicious glances at Vincent. Although skeptical himself, he refrained from voicing his doubts and waited for Caelius''s decision. Caelius'' expression darkened initially when Fiona referred to him as ''young master.'' "I told you not to call me ''young master'' while we''re outside, remember?" His words left them speechless. "But we can''t do that, young master¡­" Fiona replied quietly, causing Caelius to sigh in resignation. "Sigh¡­ forget it. Anyway, it doesn''t matter which path we choose. We''re here to investigate, so we might as well explore every path. As for trusting him, that decision is mine alone." He cast a deep look at Fiona and Karl before turning his gaze to Vincent. Vincent remained silent, avoiding any argument with Fiona and Karl since he, too, would question a stranger''s words. Still, his curiosity about Caelius'' background grew. "Let''s move," Caelius commanded, following his own suggestion. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite their caution and suspicion, Caelius''s three companions respected his command, trailing behind. The path they chose was a spacious hallway with crimson walls, black and white checkered floors like a chessboard, and dim lighting from crimson lamps mounted on the walls. Large windows on the left gave them a view of the dark outdoors. Even with their enhanced senses, they could only see a few meters ahead. A few moments later, faint footsteps echoed from a distance. So faint, one might wonder if they were human footsteps. "Prepare yourselves." As Caelius issued the warning, more footsteps approached from all directions. Even without further instruction, Fiona raised her short golden staff, casting a bright light that illuminated the long hallway! As the light spread, several dark figures scurried away as if afraid, squeaking as they disappeared. "Where did they go?" Fiona asked, puzzled. Vincent raised an eyebrow in mild confusion. "It seems they couldn''t see them¡­" he thought, observing the vaguely visible bipedal rats. Each stood nearly 160 centimeters tall. Covered entirely in black fur, they had thin, elongated limbs. They weren''t quite rats. However, their faces were unmistakably rat-like, with claws sharp as daggers. Thanks to his Heaven Eyes skill, he could clearly see these otherwise invisible primals. Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1¡ï) "There are at least ten of them¡­" he noted after a quick scan. One Blackrat Scief crept closer, triggering Caelius''s alertness even without clear sight. "Karl, at your 3 o''clock!" Without questioning his young master, Karl swung a heavy punch into the empty air. Bam! Summoning his golden gauntlet, a black figure was forced out of stealth mode, squealing in agony as it slammed against the crimson wall, cracking it. Its abdomen was crushed, blood dribbling from its mouth, yet it didn''t die instantly. It slipped back into stealth. "I don''t have time for this." Caelius muttered, irritation lacing his voice. With a mere half-step forward, he tapped his elegant shoes against the checkered floor. Tap! A faint light spread across the hallway floor. "Close your eyes." Vincent, though slightly perplexed, shielded his eyes without hesitation. A blinding light burst forth, illuminating everything around them and revealing the Blackrat Sciefs, who shrieked, covering their blinded eyes. They were surrounded, with some even clinging to the windows outside. "Open fire!" At Caelius''s command, the trio in golden cloaks unleashed their skills, striking with whips and slashes. Vincent joined in, quietly summoning a single Shadow Rat amidst the chaos. He ordered it to lurk in the shadows, targeting Blackrat Sciefs close to death. The Shadow Rat looked like an ordinary rat, but stood knee-high, wreathed in a misty black shadow. "Go, finish off anything on the brink of death." As Caelius''s skill exposed the creatures, Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl attacked the twenty-plus Blackrat Sciefs with ferocity. One of the Blackrat Sciefs, struck by Fiona''s skill, was nearly obliterated before Vincent''s Shadow Rat swiped its claws, ending its life in a flurry of digital particles. Vincent heard the sweet chime of a notification, confirming a surge of experience points. You have successfully killed a Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1¡ï) +100 experience points! Talent Activated! +1,000,000 experience points! With a single kill, his experience bar overflowed! If he didn''t spend it fast, the excess experience would go to waste. Without a second thought, he upgraded two of his rare-grade skills to epic. You have successfully upgraded, Earthshaker Gauntlet! Name: Stoneheart Gauntlet Grade: Epic Effect: Delivers a reinforced strike that adds 180% of the user''s base physical damage. Reduces target''s physical and elemental defenses by 15% for 10 seconds. Encases the user''s arm in an unbreakable stone form, enhancing physical defense by 20% and providing an 8% block chance. This form can be sustained with a moderate Origin Energy cost for prolonged encounters. Damage: +180% of base physical damage Defense Reduction: 15% for 10 seconds (physical and elemental) Defense Increase: 20% (maintainable) with 8% block chance Duration: 40 seconds (extendable) Consumption: 45 Origin Energy per minute Skill 1: Rock Smash Effect: Delivers a 220% reinforced strike, creating a shockwave of earth energy that deals AoE damage within a 10-meter radius. Staggers enemies, slowing them by 20% for 5 seconds. Damage Multiplier: 220% AoE Radius: 10 meters Slow Effect: 20% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 35 Origin Energy Skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Summons a dense rock barrier, reducing incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. Strikes trigger a shockwave dealing 60% base physical damage within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback. Damage Reduction: 50% for 12 seconds Counter Damage: 60% as earth damage Cooldown: 14 seconds Consumption: 45 Origin Energy Skill 3: Earth''s Resilience (New) Effect: Fortifies the user''s body with stone armor, granting additional attack and defense Attack and Defense Boost: 50% Duration: - - Consumption: 10 origin energy per 120 seconds. "Another insane upgrade!" he thought, exhilarated. You have successfully upgraded Severing Blow! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact: Cleaves armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. Shockwave: Deals 50% base attack in a 5-meter radius, knocking back enemies and staggering them for 2 seconds. Hemorrhage: Causes the target to bleed, taking 15% base attack every second for 5 seconds. Skill 1: Earthsplitter Cleave Effect: Unleashes a 10-meter fissure, dealing 80% base attack as earth damage and reducing affected enemies'' movement by 20% for 6 seconds. Consumption: 80 Origin Energy Cooldown: 10 seconds "These skills are out of control!" he marveled, quickly spending his experience. His Shadow Rat killed another Blackrat Scief before the trio finished off the rest. "My experience bar is full again!" He dismissed his Shadow Rat. "Clean up and move on." No one noticed the Shadow Rat as Caelius ordered the group forward after collecting the loot. After several minutes, they reached the end of the hallway without encountering another primal. At the end of the hallway stood a towering, open iron door. Sounds of battle echoed from beyond. Clang! Boom! "Kill them!" "Behind you!" "Look out!" "Argh!" Voices filled with pain and struggle resounded. Caelius didn''t rush in. "Uncle Gold, scout ahead." "As you wish, young master." Vincent watched as Uncle Gold stepped forward, eyes closed, sending a wave of faint energy toward the battle beyond. A moment later, he opened his eyes and reported to Caelius. "What did you see?" Caelius asked. "I saw groups surrounded by Blackrat Men. --- Among them are Birdmen, Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians." Caelius paused, processing the information. "Did you spot anyone familiar or suspicious?" Uncle Gold shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment shadowing his face. "No, young master. None of them stood out in that way." "It''s fine. Let''s stay alert. We''re going in." Caelius nodded firmly before turning to Vincent. "And you? Are you ready?" Vincent gave a calm nod, his expression unwavering. "Don''t worry about me. I''m prepared." "Good to hear." Caelius''s reply was brief, reflecting his confidence in Vincent''s capability. "Move out!" Without further delay, they advanced through the doorway, emerging into a vast chamber where the chaotic battle unfolded. Various groups were locked in combat, their desperate cries echoing through the grand, dimly lit space. Around them, Blackrat Men swarmed with relentless ferocity, their dark forms weaving through the crowd like shadows. Beasts with feathered wings, known as Birdmen, fought alongside the Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians, each species using their unique abilities to fend off the wave of attackers. Chapter 55 Attracting Attention As soon as they entered the chamber, Vincent saw various groups of different races, each surrounded by an almost countless number of Blackrat Men. Though some of these origin warriors had Tier 2 strength, they were still overwhelmed by the sheer number of Blackrat Men and Leaders filling the chamber''s vastness.The sight of so many primals might have spelled trouble for others, but to Vincent, they were all shimmering amounts of experience points. He couldn''t help but drool in his mind. "What a feast!" he thought, eyes shining, unbothered by the situation. Even though he was excited to farm experience points, Vincent wasn''t a reckless brute. He quickly scanned the surroundings for anything suspicious. Although his Heaven Eyes skill was special, he couldn''t filter everything at once due to their sheer number. Still, he sensed a strange feeling within the chamber but couldn''t pinpoint it. He prepared himself regardless. After all, this was the path they chose, now blocked by these Blackrat Men, and they''d have to break through to go deeper. As expected, Uncle Gold, the wise elder, voiced his thoughts, "We have to pass through them. Young master, your command?" While Uncle Gold remained calm, the two youths, Fiona and Karl, were already eager to fight. "Please, command us to kill our way through, young master!" Fiona requested, followed by Karl. "Yes, please, young master!" Caelius showed no reaction this time, as though he was already familiar with their behavior. "Do whatever you want, just make it quick." His reply made the two youths exclaim in joy. "Yes! You''re the best, young master!" Fiona exclaimed. Karl added, "What about those groups? What do we do with them?" He gestured at the different races being surrounded, looking to Caelius for a decision. However, what met his question was pure silence and a sharp gaze. ''Oh no, I blabbed too much!'' Karl thought, recognizing that look¡ªit meant, ''Stop asking questions; I don''t care.'' Fiona saw her young master''s expression too, and it sent chills down her back. ''We''re dead this time!'' she thought, pulling Karl and bowing to Caelius. "We''ll be quick, young master!" She then leaned and whispered in Karl''s ear, "Stop talking and move!" "Yes, Big Sis," Karl replied before glaring at the Blackrat Men, taking a stance and summoning his golden gauntlet armament. Vincent''s brow rose slightly behind his mask as he overheard their conversation. ''They''re brother and sister?'' he thought, recalling their appearance behind their golden masks. "They don''t look alike, though," he muttered, which Caelius somehow overheard. "Who doesn''t look alike?" Caelius asked, his usual smile accompanied by slightly raised golden eyebrows. Vincent simply shook his head. "It''s nothing. I''ll be doing my part this time. I can''t let these experience points pass." Without waiting for Caelius'' response, he followed behind Fiona and Karl. Boom! A loud sound reverberated as Fiona and Karl unleashed their skills, killing dozens of Blackrat Men at once, immediately catching the attention of the groups being surrounded. "There''s a new group behind us!" one of the injured Vyrmins exclaimed. "I know that. I''m not deaf!" his companion retorted. "What should we do now? Move forward or retreat?" "Do you think we can move forward in our current condition?" Alko Swyz, the party leader of the Vyrmins'' group and a Tier 2 origin warrior, replied before glaring in a particular direction. Initially, they had banded with various races and an influential party before entering the labyrinth. However, the moment they activated this trap and got surrounded by Blackrat Men, that ''influential party'' abandoned them without hesitation¡ªeven their own kin¡ªmaking him furious. They had promised a lot when they made contact but ended up betraying them. Now, even their lives as origin warriors were at stake. If he were alone, he could blast his way out, buy time, and use an escape scroll. Unfortunately, his party members didn''t have escape scrolls like he did. It was his mistake to trust that party, and now he had to take responsibility for his group''s lives. At the same time, the other party leaders among the surrounded groups noticed the commotion behind them, each exchanging words within their own teams. Oblivious to their conversations, Vincent didn''t summon his Tier 2 armament; instead, he unleashed his newly upgraded epic skill¡ªStoneheart Gauntlet. His arms, from fists to shoulders, transformed as the previously earthy-colored stone became like silver-colored stone arms, with wolf-head pauldrons on both shoulders. "I feel strong!" he thought, feeling the surge of power in his arms. "Rock Smash!" Thrilled, he punched the nearest Blackrat Man, blasting it to pieces with a shockwave force that spread five meters forward, shattering several Blackrat Men into particles of digital light. "You have successfully killed a Blackrat Man!" "You have successfully killed¡­" "Talent Activated!" "+250,000 experience points!" "+250,000¡­" The beautiful sounds of killing confirmation filled his experience bar. Naturally, the Blackrat Men didn''t just stand idly; they rushed at him, weapons drawn. A Blackrat Man Leader wielding a corroded huge sword even joined them. With a simple wave of his stone arm, Vincent summoned a dense silver-rock barrier around himself. "Guard!" Clang! Hum! The sound of metal clashing against his barrier filled the air, yet it left no cracks. A faint hum followed as his barrier vibrated briefly before unleashing a shockwave, knocking the Blackrat Men away. Squeak! They squeaked in pain as they landed, injured. "This is great!" Vincent thought, barely able to contain his satisfaction. Real men should fight like this¡ªbeating everyone by hand! But he only entertained that thought briefly; he wouldn''t hesitate to use everything he had in a real battle. He wasn''t foolish enough to hide his strength and risk his life just to avoid drawing attention. Meanwhile, Caelius and Uncle Gold, who had stayed behind, noticed Vincent''s actions. Uncle Gold couldn''t help but ask, "Young master, what is that person''s background?" Clearly surprised, he noted that what Vincent had unleashed wasn''t a simple uncommon skill. Not even rare skills produced that level of power. Though Vincent was only at Peak Tier 1, not even half-step to Tier 2, the force he displayed was near Tier 2. Caelius, too, was a bit speechless. "Other than knowing his name, would you believe me if I told you he was just a newbie not even a week ago¡­" Uncle Gold was shocked by Caelius'' response. But he didn''t question his young master''s words; Caelius had no reason to lie. The revelation gave his heart a jolt. "Not even a week, and already at Peak Tier 1 with near Tier 2 strength?" Uncle Gold muttered. "He might already be at Tier 2 strength. I doubt that''s all he''s capable of," Caelius remarked with a serious expression, which soon turned into a mysterious smile. "It doesn''t matter. We''ll just continue building our relationship with him." Meanwhile, Fiona and Karl created a path by killing dozens of Blackrat Men, eventually reaching the surrounded groups. The moment those parties noticed them, they also caught a glimpse of Caelius'' figure in the distance. "We were just abandoned by a demon. We haven''t even fallen back, and now there''s another demon?" "The Lionfang Clan¡­" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s the uniform of the Golden Lion Legion!" someone pointed out, indicating Fiona and Karl''s attire. "They''re a legion of madmen!" another chimed in. Fiona heard them but wasn''t bothered. However, it was different for Karl; he disliked hearing their elite legion labeled as madmen. Fueled by frustration from the unending primals, he growled, "Who are you calling madmen?!" His voice frightened some weaker origin warriors, while party leaders frowned in displeasure. Just as conflict was about to erupt, the chamber floor suddenly shook, surprising everyone. "What''s happening?!" "Look! What is that?!" Chapter 56 A Calamity Blackrat "Look! What is that?!"The loud exclamation turned everyone''s attention in the same direction. There, they saw a sea of Blackrat Men being pulled together by an unknown force. A closer look would reveal a small orb¡ªa living mass, throbbing like a heartbeat¡ªas it floated in the direction where the Blackrat Men were being dragged. Squeak! The Blackrat Men squeaked in agony as the chilling sound of bones cracking filled the air, their cries echoing. Slowly, the black mass convulsed, continuing to consume the Blackrat Men, killing them in the process. Vincent, on the far end, finally recognized the strange sensation he''d felt earlier. "This feeling¡­ could it be primal energy?" he wondered, recalling his own experiences absorbing primal energy. That familiarity tugged at his mind. As the black mass grew larger, its shape began to change, alerting all the surviving parties. "I don''t know what''s happening, but we must stop it from evolving any further!" someone in the group urged. "I agree, but how? Can you even see how many Blackrat Men there are?" another responded. "Maybe we can''t do anything¡ªbut they might be able to¡­" The Vyrmin party leader, Alko, who had been on high alert, finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Caelius'' group. Caelius, seemingly ignoring the gaze, frowned slightly, locking his attention on the evolving mass. "Young Master, you recognize that energy, don''t you?" Uncle Gold asked, his old face marked with a serious frown beneath his golden mask, eyes focused on the black mass in the distance. "That''s a calamity aura¡­" Caelius muttered, recalling the warnings his father and clan elders had taught him. He understood the danger it posed to the world. "Could this be the force behind the investigating team''s disappearance from the Novice Center?" he wondered, narrowing his eyes. "What should we do, Young Master?" Without hesitation, Caelius replied, "Try to stop it. Go with the siblings." "As you wish." Uncle Gold bowed respectfully to Caelius before approaching Fiona and Karl. The two siblings immediately noticed his arrival. "Uncle Gold!" "Uncle, do you know what that is?!" Karl asked, hoping for an answer. "I don''t know precisely, but it''s known as a Calamity." "Calamity?!" Karl exclaimed. "Then it must be dangerous. What are the Young Master''s orders?" Fiona asked. "We''re to attempt to stop it. But there''s no need to go all out. Just don''t cause unnecessary trouble for the Young Master." Uncle Gold''s tone was stern, and the siblings nodded with serious expressions. "Yes." "I understand." Uncle Gold nodded, satisfied. "All right then, just like our usual practice. Let''s take it down!" At this, Karl immediately took his stance, letting out a loud growl as Fiona raised her short golden staff, which glowed with a golden light as she chanted, "Lion''s Boost!" In an instant, a lion-shaped aura appeared above Uncle Gold''s and Karl''s heads, enveloping their bodies and boosting their physical attack and movement speed by 20% for 60 seconds. "Thanks, Big Sis!" Karl said as his golden gauntlets gleamed with a yellow-gold aura. Uncle Gold quickly sprang into action, summoning his golden whip, which extended three meters. It glowed momentarily before splitting into two identical whips. Bam! He cracked the whips, taking down dozens of Blackrat Men and Leaders, leaving a deep fissure across the chamber''s floor. Karl followed, kicking off the ground to charge through the path Uncle Gold had cleared, roaring as he delivered a crushing punch. The impact created a powerful shockwave that obliterated the primals in front of him. Boom! Their casual attacks held such power that ordinary Tier 1 primals had no hope of resisting. Fiona then raised her staff and unleashed a golden light beam, further clearing the path Uncle Gold and Karl had forged. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whoosh! Boom! The trio continued their powerful assaults until they reached the black mass, now partially formed with a thick lower abdomen, still devouring Blackrat Men to complete its transformation. "It''s visible now! Shoot it down!" Uncle Gold commanded, spreading his mental force to hold back the Blackrat Men from swarming Karl. "Argh! Lion''s Smash!" Karl didn''t hesitate to unleash one of his best skills. His arms bulged, veins and muscles swelling like a titan''s, as a lion''s head and roar appeared above his arm. He swung it down at the half-formed primal abdomen. Boom! A deafening sound filled the chamber, followed by a flash of golden light, a faint tremor, and a cloud of smoke that shrouded the creature''s form. Without waiting for the smoke to clear, Karl quickly retreated. Just then, he heard his sister''s voice cutting through the air. "Light Beam!" A yellow beam flashed above him, striking the half-formed creature and causing another loud explosion, sending a more intense tremor through the chamber. "They''re strong!" Vincent thought, watching the trio''s impressive skills from afar. Members of different races were equally astonished, some left speechless. "Are humans really that powerful?" one of the Birdmen party members asked, surprised. "No, humans are generally weaker than us Birdmen, but there are exceptions. The Lionfang Clan is one of those exceptions," the Birdmen party leader replied with a serious expression. "Their clan has considerable influence in the Origin World," he added. "Did they get it?" one of the other origin warriors asked eagerly. "Shut up! Don''t jinx it!" his companion scolded. The trio¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona¡ªremained serious, on high alert. They hadn''t received a kill notification yet, so they knew the threat wasn''t over. As the smoke finally began to clear, they saw the full extent of their attack''s impact. But what they saw next sent a shock through their hearts. Roar! A deep, resounding roar reverberated through the chamber, shaking the hearts of all present. Emerging from the smoke was a towering figure¡ªa gigantic Blackrat Man, standing three meters tall, with thick, quivering muscles formed from a black, pulsing mass. Vincent looked up, his eyes wide. Blackrat Man Tier 2 (5¡ï) (Half-Primalized) "Primalized? So it''s because of primal energy!" he thought, feeling a strange tugging sensation within his origin core. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his head, and a cold, deep voice echoed repeatedly in his mind. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" "Ugh! Stop!" he shouted, clutching his head, which drew Caelius''s attention. Caelius approached with concern in his voice. "Are you all right?" Vincent raised a hand to stop Caelius from coming any closer. In a slightly strained voice, he answered, "I¡ªI''m fine, don''t worry. I just overused my origin energy." But the voice continued to echo relentlessly in his mind. Chapter 57 Caelius Strength While Vincent tried to shake the voice from his mind, Uncle Gold and the two siblings stood agape behind their masks, staring at the transformed three-meter-tall Blackrat Man."What is that...?" Fiona muttered, her eyes wide. After releasing a thunderous roar, the massive black creature suddenly leaped into the air, vanishing momentarily from their sight. "Look out!" Despite the warning, the Half-Primalized creature landed in the center of the origin warriors, causing a tremor and sweeping its nearly two-meter-long tail, instantly killing several slower, weaker party members. "Argh!" "Dendo!" "Damn! It got Mish!" "Lhika!" "No way..." Alko, the Vyrmins'' party leader, wore a dark expression as he took in the damage inflicted by the black creature on their makeshift group. ''Damn it!'' he exclaimed in his mind. Initially, along with the ''influential party,'' there had been a total of fifty origin warriors. Once abandoned, they were left with forty, with each race represented by ten members. Surrounded by countless primals, five of their number had already fallen. Now, after the creature''s single, sweeping attack, only thirty-two warriors remained. Alko''s gaze turned toward the Thrygians'' surviving group. Despite the chaos, the Thrygians were untouched, not a single injury or sign of fatigue among them, which he finds suspicious. Others had noticed, too. The Lyards'' leader, a tall, muscular, crimson-scaled lizard-man named K''vok, thrust his spear toward the Thrygians. "This is all your fault! If we hadn''t trusted Grarik, my people would still be alive!" Spit flew from K''vok''s mouth as he raged. Of the eight fallen warriors, three were his own, fueling his fury. Indeed, Grarik had been part of the ''influential party'' that abandoned them, which he deeply regretted trusting them. The Thrygian leader, Gorak¡ªa muscular figure standing 6''6"¡ªresponded calmly like a matter-of-fact, "My group was abandoned too, as you can see." K''vok''s rage only grew at Gorak''s calmness. "You don''t look abandoned to me. It seems like this is all part of your plan! You say you were left behind, yet look at your group¡ªthey''re in perfect condition!" K''vok''s words caused a ripple among the party leaders. It was true; Gorak''s group was oddly calm, given the circumstances. Yet, Gorak''s expression remained unbothered, composed despite the hostile stares. "We''re simply not afraid of dying, unlike all of you," he replied flatly. "You''ll only lose your chance to enter the Origin World. You''re not really going to die. So, why do you all act as though this is your end?" he added with a scoff. His words stirred mixed reactions. Some were silent, unsettled by the truth he spoke, while others maintained dark expressions. Becoming an Origin Warrior was no easy feat, and losing access to the Origin World was akin to becoming crippled. For them, failure was not an option. But the rampaging Blackrat Man continued its assault. With claws shrouded in dark mist, it unleashed powerful slashes, cracking the ground and slaughtering both its kin and several more origin warriors. Alko, known for his cautious nature and influence within the group, spoke up. "Let''s settle this later. We need to survive first!" sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What are we going to do?!" "The door is open, and the Lionfang Clan has created a path¡ªlet''s escape now!" exclaimed a Birdman origin warrior. Initially grounded to avoid spear bombardments from above, he now saw an opportunity to flee. He flapped his white wings and dashed toward the exit, passing by Vincent and Caelius, who glanced briefly at him. The Birdman''s face radiated excitement as he neared the exit, thinking, "I''m going to survive!" But just as he was mere steps away, a dark shadow flashed through the air. The Birdman froze mid-flight. In the next instant, his body split in two, his remains dissolving into particles of digital light. A silence hung in the air as those who witnessed the scene turned toward the source of the attack. One of the two statues of hooded Blackrat Men, each holding long scimitars, had moved, blood dripping from its blade. Crack! Earlier, the warriors had ignored the statues behind the massive door¡ªa grave mistake. Vincent, having finally subdued the voice in his head, had also seen the Birdman''s death. Chamber''s Guardian Tier 2 (4¡ï) The statues were actually late-Tier-2 primals. Vincent hadn''t noticed them upon entering the chamber. He then heard Caelius mutter, "Fool. If it were that easy to escape, the Novice Center''s Tier 2 investigation team wouldn''t have died here." Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl, who had been battling the Blackrat Man, retreated to Caelius. They''d tried to prevent its transformation but failed. Silently, they joined their young master, heads slightly lowered in shame. Caelius noticed their dejection. "Don''t let it bother you. You all did well. The Golden Lion Legion doesn''t fear failure. Stand tall and watch me take this thing down." Karl, clearly a fan, exclaimed with shining eyes, "Young Master''s finally stepping in?!" Hearing this, Vincent''s curiosity grew as he focused on Caelius. "Be careful, Young Master," Fiona said, her voice and gaze filled with concern. Vincent watched Caelius step forward, releasing a powerful aura that swept through the chamber, causing their hair to whip in the force. "So strong!" Vincent thought, astonished. The rampaging Half-Primalized Blackrat Man took immediate notice of Caelius'' approach. As it could sense a dangerous feeling coming from him. Vincent saw Caelius rest his hand on his golden longsword''s hilt before smirking. In a blur, he vanished. Vincent frowned. "He''s fast!" He turned his head, trying to locate Caelius. Then, a yellow flash erupted, illuminating the vast chamber for a brief moment, followed by a deafening explosion. Boom! Howl! A pained howl split the air as the massive black figure was hurled dozens of meters away, crashing into a thick pillar and embedding itself there. Vincent''s eyes widened as he finally spotted Caelius, hovering tens of feet above the ground. His body radiated golden energy, and his unsheathed golden longsword glowed with a lingering yellow-gold aura. "That demon''s truly worthy of his rank," someone muttered, awestruck. Chapter 58 Another Surprise Vincent narrowed his eyes as he sensed Caelius'' strength.''He''s emitting the strength of late-Tier 2 (5¡ï), but he''s clearly stronger than that...'' he thought, focusing his attention on the cloud of smoke that slowly dissipated, revealing the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man embedded in a thick pillar. Crack! Rubble fell as the massive creature dug itself out of the pillar, exposing a deep wound across its chest. Yet, like something out of a movie, countless thin black masses writhed like worms, converging and swiftly healing the massive gash. With furrowed brows, Vincent thought, "It has a regeneration ability similar to the Mutated Blackrat Leader but far superior." Caelius, now calmly descending, couldn''t help but frown slightly at the regenerating ''calamity''-class creature. "Quite tough," he mused, while the rest of the crowd, witnessing the scene, was stunned. "No way¡­" "Even with the strength of a Top Ranker?!" "What kind of creature is that?" No one dared to leave the chamber. With the two Chamber Guardians blocking the exit, escaping was not an option. Thus, all eyes remained glued to the spectacle unfolding before them. Even the trio of Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl, who had a clear estimate of Caelius'' strength, were surprised. Although their ''young master'' possessed the strength of a Tier 2 (5¡ï), he was far from ordinary. Considered a genius by many, he ranked among the top in the Novice Continent. "Should we help the young master?" Fiona asked in a worried tone, her gaze fixed on Caelius with concern. "Don''t doubt the young master''s strength, Big Sis!" Karl replied, though visibly shocked. His belief in Caelius'' abilities was unwavering. "You two needn''t worry¡ªjust watch," Uncle Gold said calmly, a hidden smile behind his mask. As he spoke, the fully recovered black-mass creature crouched before launching itself at Caelius with astonishing speed. Despite the oncoming attack, Caelius remained motionless, his golden-lion longsword pointed at the ground. Slowly, it began releasing a flame-like golden aura. With its claws shrouded in a dark aura, the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man swung ferociously at Caelius. A split second before impact, Caelius raised his weapon and thrust forward. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Lion''s Strike!!! The image of a lion mid-attack materialized briefly before colliding with the Half-Primalized creature. A deafening sound rang out, followed by a shockwave that sent dozens of Blackrat Men and the surviving origin warriors sprawling. Rumble! Vincent instinctively shielded his eyes, his focus still on the battle. The simplicity of Caelius'' strike belied its immense power. For Vincent, this marked the first time witnessing Caelius in action. That single strike was enough to highlight the gulf in strength between Caelius and the trio of Uncle Gold. Despite the force behind the collision, both combatants merely staggered back before resuming their attacks. The Half-Primalized Blackrat Man, despite its speed and size, failed to evade several of Caelius'' strikes. Conversely, Caelius effortlessly dodged its attacks. The creature''s massive frame made its movements predictable, and Caelius countered with precision. Yet, despite the relentless damage inflicted, the creature showed no signs of pain or fatigue. Its black mass continuously healed every wound. "This will take forever if I don''t get serious. Let''s end this¡ª" Caelius'' thought was interrupted as the creature suddenly withdrew, releasing a dark aura that surged across hundreds of Blackrat Men. The moment the aura touched them, the Blackrat Men transformed. Their squeaks turned frenzied, their eyes bloodshot as they charged mindlessly. "Damn it! They''ve gone berserk!" "Kill them! Don''t hold back if you want to live!" "Watch it! Are you trying to kill me?" "Idiot! You''re the one who got in my way!" "Stop fighting, you morons! If you''ve got the energy to bicker, use it to kill these rats!" Chaos erupted as the crazed Blackrat Men attacked indiscriminately. Even Vincent and the trio weren''t spared. However, they dealt with the onslaught effortlessly, and Vincent''s experience bar began to fill once more. Observing the pandemonium, Caelius'' golden eyes narrowed in displeasure. "Enough," he muttered, stomping softly on the ground. A golden light spread across the floor, bursting into a blinding radiance that illuminated the vast chamber, momentarily stunning everyone. An overwhelming aura surged through the air, suffocating the Blackrat Men while immobilizing the surviving origin warriors. Exempt from the effects, Vincent watched intently as Caelius lifted his sword and stabbed it into the ground. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Lion''s Tail Strike!!! Boom! Countless yellow crystals erupted from the floor, skewering the bodies of countless primals. Blood dripped from the dazzling crystals as they impaled the creatures. The surviving warriors instinctively jumped back, startled by the sudden spikes. Like a grand fireworks display, the corpses of the Blackrat Men disintegrated into particles of digital light. With a single strike, Caelius wiped out the remaining Blackrat Men, leaving the chamber eerily silent. Even the massive creature paused, seemingly stunned. Seizing the moment, Caelius'' sword ignited with golden flames once more. Leaping into the air, he descended upon the creature, weapon raised high. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Golden Lion Slash!!! A three-meter crescent of golden energy surged from his blade, slamming into the creature''s thick arms as it attempted to defend itself. The moment the attack connected, the immense force blasted the creature''s arms aside. Boom! A deafening sound echoed as the golden slash carved through the chamber, leaving destruction in its wake. With a heavy thud, the massive creature collapsed, causing the ground to tremble faintly. Although the creature''s body remained intact, Caelius'' confident voice rang out, "Stop dawdling. We''re moving!" The surviving warriors hesitated, stunned and filled with doubt. "Is it really over?" Before their questions could be answered, the creature''s body suddenly burst into a massive sphere of light particles. As the light dissipated, a single black orb of energy remained. "What? No drop?" a shocked voice exclaimed. Vincent, recognizing the energy emanating from the orb, furrowed his brows beneath his mask. "They can''t see it?" he wondered. Suddenly, the orb shot forward, entering Vincent''s body at lightning speed. You have received +500 Primal Energy! You have received Primal Regen! S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You have received Primal Boost! You have received Primal Strength! "What the¡ª?" Chapter 59 Primal Skills "What the¡ª" Vincent exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise as a notification echoed in his ears. Violent, dark energy surged into his body, causing him to groan softly at the strange sensation."Are you alright, young man?" Uncle Gold''s voice sounded from behind. Vincent nodded once he calmed himself, though his mind was still reeling from the unexpected experience. "Let''s move, then," Uncle Gold said. Not noticing anything unusual about Vincent, he led the way, guiding him and the siblings forward. The stunned Origin Warriors around them instinctively parted, making way for the group. No one dared to block their path. The very presence of Caelius, with his striking golden hair and commanding aura, was enough to instill fear and awe. But just as they advanced, a calm, deep voice interrupted them. "I apologize, but no one is allowed to leave this place!" All eyes turned toward the speaker¡ªGorak, the current leader of the Thrygians. The other party leaders exchanged confused and displeased glances. Before anyone could voice their concerns, Caelius'' voice cut through the air, cold and laced with irritation. "Too noisy." Three shadows moved in an instant, and the next moment, Gorak found himself surrounded by three figures, weapons drawn and pointed at him. A nervous gulp broke the tense silence as all eyes focused on the trio cloaked in gold. Uncle Gold and the siblings stood poised to strike, their weapons gleaming with a deadly light. Gorak, despite his size and presence, couldn''t mask the fear in his expression as he stared at the cold, threatening stares of his assailants. "Leader!" his party members shouted in alarm. The scene had unfolded too quickly for anyone to react. Gorak had barely spoken a sentence before being surrounded. The killing intent radiating from the trio was suffocating. Caelius'' voice echoed again, calm yet commanding, "What did you mean by that?" Gorak hesitated, his eyes darting nervously between the gleaming weapons pointed at him. He could feel the power emanating from them, each one capable of ending his life. Caelius'' fan, Karl, barked aggressively, "The young master asked you a question. Answer!" Gorak''s face twisted with indecision. His young master had ordered him to prevent anyone from leaving the chamber, but now he was caught between his master''s wrath and the deadly trio before him. ''Damn it! Better to face my master''s punishment than die at the hands of these lunatics,'' he thought bitterly. "I-I apologize. I misspoke," Gorak stammered, gesturing toward a group of mixed-race warriors. He added hastily, scratching the back of his head, "We''re in a temporary party. We need to rest before deciding whether to continue or retreat." "I see. That makes sense," Caelius replied simply, prompting Uncle Gold and the siblings to lower their weapons. Gorak immediately bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you for understanding, young master Caelius." But even as he spoke, his mind was racing. He was already planning how to report the presence of Caelius'' group and how to deal with them. His scheming thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Caelius'' next words. "Do you think I''m stupid enough to believe that?" "Wha¡ª" Before Gorak could finish, a sharp golden light flashed, slicing through him and his party members. In the blink of an eye, purple blood sprayed into the air as their bodies were cleanly severed, collapsing to the ground. Gorak''s expression froze in shock as his vision darkened. ''Demon¡­'' was his final thought. Thud! sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent, who had watched the entire scene, remained silent, his expression cold. He had been shaken the first time he killed the Thrygians who had targeted him, but he was now fully aware that their deaths weren''t real. This was a digital world. His emotions had numbed, and he viewed it simply as the strong dominating the weak. As silence filled the chamber, the corpses of the Thrygians dissolved into particles of digital light, leaving behind several loot items. The other Origin Warriors stared at Caelius, their thoughts unanimous: He''s a demon. A murmur broke the silence. "Will he kill us next?" Fortunately for them, Caelius'' next words were a reprieve. "Collect the loot. We''re leaving." The tension in the room eased as Caelius and his group departed. "Sigh¡­ That demon is finally gone. He''s even scarier than that massive Blackrat man," someone muttered. "Check the surroundings! There''s no way that monster didn''t leave any drops!" "Forget the loot. How are we supposed to leave this place now?" another voice cried. "Oh, we''re doomed!" ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Vincent''s party ascended a spiral staircase, heading upward. Now that they had a moment of calm, Vincent focused on the new skills he had somehow acquired. Name: Primal Regen Quality: Rare Effect: Recovers any physical injury for a short amount of time. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ªdepends on the severity of the injury. Name: Primal Boost Quality: Rare Effect: Increases all attributes by 50% for 90 seconds. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ª10. Name: Primal Strength Quality: Rare Effect: Increases strength by 50% for 5 minutes. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ª50. "This is amazing, but¡­" Vincent thought, frowning as he reviewed the details. "I still don''t know how to recover Primal Energy or use it effectively without consequences." As he pondered, Caelius sidled up beside him. "Yo, you really surprised me back there. Aren''t you a genius like me?" Caelius said with his usual smile. Though suspicious of Caelius'' intentions, Vincent replied casually, shaking his head. "I''m not a genius. I only awakened a C-rank talent. I''m far from someone like you." His response made Caelius and Uncle Gold pause, both giving him a doubtful look. Their expressions seemed to say, Who are you trying to fool? Caelius chuckled, shaking his head. "It doesn''t matter. I know a genius when I see one." He then added, "Why don''t we meet in the real world next time?" Vincent halted, curiosity and suspicion flashing in his eyes. Why would Caelius suggest such a thing? "If I''m not busy," he replied noncommittally. Fiona, who had overheard their conversation from behind, bristled. "You should be grateful the young master is inviting you¡ª" "Fiona!" Caelius cut her off sharply. She immediately lowered her head, chastened. "Don''t mind her," Caelius said to Vincent, his tone warm. "Just let me know whenever you''re free." Vincent nodded curtly and resumed climbing the staircase. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª In the throne room of the Crimson Castle, a dark figure sat upon a shadowy throne, its crimson eyes glowing ominously. A black snake coiled around its shadowy arm, hissing in pain as the figure clenched it tightly. The figure''s voice, deep and hoarse, echoed through the chamber. "I don''t know what''s happening out there, but whoever killed my minions will die by my hands." It suddenly sensed several presences beyond the throne room door. "So, I finally have visitors after all this time," it murmured with a hint of dark amusement. Outside the door stood a group of ten individuals. At the center was a towering purple giant¡ªGrarik Blackthorn¡ªflanked by four more Thrygians. Opposite them stood five cloaked figures, their features obscured. Grarik spoke first. "This is the boss room. Follow the plan, and I''ll give you what I promised." One of the hooded figures stepped forward, his voice old and rasping. "Hehe, I believe you. After all, you know the consequences of displeasing our organization." Chapter 60 Execution Organization Vincent''s party finally reached a crimson hallway after ascending the spiral staircase for quite some time.The journey had been surprisingly uneventful. They hadn''t encountered any trouble along the way, which Vincent found peculiar. Ever since they left the chamber, he had become more attuned to the familiar energy emanating from the depths of the Crimson Castle. At the end of the hallway stood a massive crimson metal door, firmly shut. "Is this the boss room?" Fiona murmured softly. "It''s still closed. Are we the first ones to get here?!" Karl''s voice carried a note of excitement, thrilled by the idea that they might be the first team to reach the boss'' room. "Don''t get too comfortable. Who knows what lies behind that door? We just encountered a calamity-grade primal in a low-tier labyrinth," Uncle Gold said, his eyes narrowing slightly. Ever since they had faced the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man, Uncle Gold had been on edge. He was convinced that this labyrinth was far from ordinary, and he refused to let the two siblings lower their guard. "Take a quick rest," Caelius ordered, echoing Uncle Gold''s vigilance. He also suspected Grarik''s party had reached this place first. Yet, he couldn''t sense their presence or find any traces of them. He surmised that whatever properties this door held, it could block mental energy. Upon hearing the command, the trio sat down promptly to replenish their energy. Vincent, however, merely feigned exhaustion. In truth, his origin energy remained full, as he only had to consumed a single origin crystal. Once their energy was fully restored, the group prepared to enter the room. Caelius stepped forward, turning to face the group, though his gaze settled beyond them. "How long are you going to hide? Aren''t you tired of waiting?" His words were met by an old, raspy voice echoing down the hallway. Slowly, five figures materialized out of stealth. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Heh, the Lion''s Cub¡ªtruly deserving of your title." The voice dripped with sarcasm. Fiona and Karl spun around, startled by the sudden appearance of the hooded figures. In contrast, Uncle Gold and Vincent turned with casual composure. With his scout ability, Uncle Gold had already detected them, while Vincent''s Heaven Eyes skill kept him informed. "One peak Tier 2 and four Tier 2 (3¡ï)..." Vincent frowned slightly behind his mask. In normal circumstances, he might have been a burden to Caelius and the others. Of course, that would only hold true if he were an average Tier 1 origin warrior. With his unique skills and trump cards, Vincent could potentially contend with Tier 2 warriors. As he steeled himself mentally, Caelius addressed the five hooded figures. "You were sent by that Big Fool, weren''t you?" Simultaneously, Uncle Gold and the siblings unsheathed their weapons without hesitation. In response, the four hooded figures behind the raspy voice also revealed their armaments. "You''re perceptive," the old voice replied. "But you won''t get anything from me." "Young Master, let''s deal with them already. Villains will only talk when they are about to die," Karl grumbled, his tone betraying his irritation. "Youngsters truly know no fear," the same old voice chuckled in amusement. "And you must be truly cowardly, hiding under that hood," Caelius retorted, stepping forward. As he did, golden light radiated across the hallway floor. Before the hooded figures could react, brilliant flashes of light erupted, accompanied by gusts of wind that stripped away their cloaks. When the figures were revealed, Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise. Though humanoid in shape, their bodies were emaciated, resembling skeletons with rotting flesh. Their hollow eyes and skeletal masks gave them an eerie appearance. On each mask was the symbol of a white-inked eye. Caelius''s expression darkened the moment he recognized the symbol. "To think Grarik would go so far as to hire the Executor Organization... He must have promised them something significant." The Executor Organization was infamous for its deadly assassins, whose services came at a steep price. Caelius couldn''t help but wonder what Grarik had offered to secure their loyalty. His smile returned, though, as he declared, "It''s time for you three to show me the results of your training. Leave the old man to me." "Yes, Young Master!" Uncle Gold and the siblings responded in unison. The old man from the Executor Organization, code-named Old Bone, issued his orders calmly. "As usual¡ªyour kill, your loot." "Heh, we''ve been waiting for you to say that, Old Bone." "Don''t you dare hog all the kills this time!" "Hah, not my fault you''re as slow as a snail!" Uncle Gold, usually composed, finally showed a hint of irritation. "Did you hear these skeletons? They talk like we''re already dead. Don''t hold back¡ªbreak them so badly even their bones won''t remain intact!" "Yes!" "Wasn''t planning on doing anything less!" the siblings replied enthusiastically. At this point, Caelius turned to Vincent. "Will you be alright?" Instead of answering, Vincent waved his hand. In an instant, five Tier 2 (1¡ï) Shadow Rats materialized around him, leaving Caelius and the others visibly stunned. "Is he... a summoner? But how can a summoner fight like him and summon higher-tier creatures?!" "Is that even possible?" Uncle Gold and the siblings, their expressions hidden beneath their masks, were nonetheless baffled. Even Caelius momentarily questioned his assumptions. It had already been shocking that Vincent could physically contend with Tier 2 warriors, but now he had revealed summoning capabilities exceeding his tier. Suppressing his surprise, Caelius chuckled. "You never fail to amaze me. I suppose I was wrong to think of you as a rookie." Vincent merely shook his head. If Caelius knew he possessed more than one epic skill, his shock would only deepen. Meanwhile, Old Bone and his party regarded Vincent with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Do you know anything about him?" one of the assassins asked. Old Bone''s silence spoke volumes. He, too, was encountering a summoner like Vincent for the first time. "It doesn''t matter," Old Bone said coldly. "His summons are just initial Tier 2. Kill the summoner quickly¡ªhe''s only a Tier 1." As if in defiance of Old Bone''s words, five more Shadow Rats appeared at Vincent''s command. Now surrounded by ten Shadow Rats, Vincent''s display left his opponents speechless. The Shadow Rats aligned themselves in formation like disciplined soldiers, further stunning the onlookers. Caelius couldn''t help but laugh softly. "You really know how to steal the spotlight." He then turned back to Uncle Gold and the siblings. "Don''t let him outshine you. Show me what you''ve got!" "Yes, Young Master!" Uncle Gold split his golden whip into two, Karl clenched his golden gauntlets, and Fiona aimed her golden staff forward. In response, the four assassins charged with synchronized precision, daggers in hand. Their movements, despite their decrepit appearances, were remarkably swift. "Light Beam!" Fiona cried, sending a burst of golden light from her staff toward them. But before the attack could land, the figures blurred and disappeared. Boom! The explosion illuminated the hallway as the assassins reappeared, closing in on Uncle Gold and the siblings. Karl reacted instantly, pulling his arm back and launching a heavy punch, the aura of a lion''s head roaring from his strike. "Back off!" Chapter 61 Fighting Old Bone "Back off!"The executor men, standing like shadows in the dimly lit hallway, did not flinch at the attack. As though they had rehearsed their response a thousand times, they swiftly dispersed, sidestepping with a practiced ease that left Karl''s strike roaring past them. The force of his attack did not dissipate¡ªit continued its path, heading straight for Old Bone. Old Bone, seemingly unbothered, raised a withered hand. With an almost lazy wave, faint purple energy materialized in the air, dispersing the strike like a gentle breeze extinguishing a candle flame. To him, Karl''s offensive skill was no more than an insignificant disturbance, like a child flailing their arms in frustration. "Stop fooling around!" Old Bone''s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, tinged with irritation. His men chuckled, unperturbed by his tone. "My bad, didn''t think it''d reach you. Hehe," one said, his grin audible in his voice. "Hehe, you wouldn''t die from that strike, Old Bone!" another chimed in, his words dripping with mockery. Old Bone''s brow furrowed, his displeasure growing. "If you don''t start taking this mission seriously, you won''t see another reward from me," he snapped, his voice carrying a stern warning. His men exchanged sheepish glances. They knew better than to push him too far. With reluctant nods, they silently agreed to refocus. "Well, we''d better do our share, or Old Bone will cut us off," one muttered, breaking the silence. "Alright, I''ll handle two of them. The rest are up to you," another offered casually. "What did you say? I''m taking two¡ªgo find someone else to fight!" "Enough! I''ll take them all if you two keep arguing!" "Keep dreaming, old fool!" Their voices overlapped in a chaotic symphony of bickering, their camaraderie evident despite the harsh words exchanged. Suddenly, a sharp energy fluctuation cut through their argument. Their chatter ceased as they all froze, sensing a swift incoming attack. Without needing to exchange a word, they nodded in unison, their coordination impeccable. Their figures blurred, vanishing into the shadows as if they had never been there. Yet, the incoming strike moved with purpose, like a predator with unyielding focus. It locked onto one executor, striking with snake-like precision. Before he could react, the energy lashed out, binding his entire body in an unrelenting grip. The other executors stared in wide-eyed disbelief, momentarily stunned by the scene. A calm, steady voice broke the tension. "Aren''t you taking us a bit too lightly?" It was Uncle Gold. He stood tall, exuding a composed confidence that demanded attention. In his right hand, he held a golden whip, its surface gleaming ominously. With a flick of his wrist, Uncle Gold hoisted the bound executor into the air. The bound man struggled but could not break free. Then, without hesitation, Uncle Gold brought the whip down, slamming the executor onto the cold, unyielding floor. The sound of the impact echoed through the hallway, a resounding bang that made the walls tremble. "Fourth Brother!" the other executors cried out, rushing to their fallen comrade. One drew his weapon and slashed at the whip, but Uncle Gold was quicker. With a deft motion, he retracted it, avoiding the strike effortlessly. They glared at him, their fury evident. "Are you alright, Fourth Brother?" the third asked, his voice tinged with worry as he helped the injured man up. "I''m fine. It''s just a minor dislocation," Fourth Brother replied. To prove his point, he raised his twisted arm, showing no signs of pain or discomfort. Second and Third Brothers let out sighs of relief, reassured by his calm demeanor. Without a moment''s hesitation, Fourth Brother grabbed his dislocated arm and snapped it back into place with a sickening crack. His expression remained impassive, as if the pain meant nothing to him. "So this is what Ghouls are capable of¡­" Vincent murmured, standing beside Caelius. His brows furrowed slightly as he observed the scene with a mix of intrigue and wariness. Vincent had done his research on the Ghoul race, one of the most notorious in the Origin World. With their rotting, skeletal appearance and inability to feel pain, they were often likened to zombies. However, unlike the slow-moving undead of myths, Ghouls were known for their agility and stealth, making them highly effective assassins. Their infamy was such that most races shunned them, viewing them with disdain and fear. After resetting his arm, Fourth Brother joined his siblings near First Brother, who remained locked in a silent stare with Uncle Gold. "This is our first encounter with a member of the Golden Lion Legion. Let''s give it everything we''ve got," First Brother declared, his voice steady and resolute. "I agree!" Second and Third Brothers echoed in unison. "Let''s go!" On the other side of the hallway, Uncle Gold addressed his team. "We won''t disappoint the young master this time. On my signal, we''ll end this quickly. Understood?" "Yes!" the siblings replied in unison, their voices firm and resolute. Beneath their masks, determination burned brightly in their eyes. "Let''s move!" Vincent, observing from a distance, issued silent commands to his Shadow Rats. They scurried into action, ready to provide support. Keeping a safe distance, Vincent followed, his focus unwavering. The hallway, though spacious, felt charged with tension as the two groups prepared for battle. Meanwhile, Old Bone stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Caelius. "Hehe, I''m eager to see what kind of loot you''ll drop when I kill you," Old Bone said, rubbing his hands together as though savoring the thought. Caelius met his gaze with a calm smile. "I doubt your corpse will yield anything of value." Old Bone chuckled darkly. "Talk all you want. This is the end of the road for you." With those words, dark-purple daggers materialized in his hands. Vicious Fangs¡ªTier 2 Rare Quality Armaments, infamous for their deadly precision. Caelius responded by drawing his golden longsword, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly radiance. It, too, was a Tier 2 Rare Quality Armament, crafted from the remains of a mutated Earth Drake. A faint purple mist began to envelop Old Bone, obscuring his figure. When the mist cleared, he was gone. Yet, Caelius remained unfazed. With a measured step, he illuminated the area around him with golden energy. Within the light, he spotted a faint footprint on the floor. Without hesitation, he struck at the air where the footprint lay. But his blade met nothing. A mocking voice echoed around him. "Nice try." Caelius pivoted and struck again. "Not even close." Again, he slashed. "Wrong direction!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The voice taunted him relentlessly, each word dripping with mockery. Caelius suddenly stopped, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Who said I was trying to find you?" The taunting ceased. Old Bone felt his back press against something. Turning, he saw a golden string of energy stretched taut behind him. His eyes widened in realization. Golden strings surrounded him, intricately woven like a web. Caelius acted swiftly. The moment Old Bone touched the string, Caelius dashed forward and slashed. Poof! Purple smoke erupted as Old Bone stumbled backward, clutching his side. Black blood seeped through his fingers, dripping onto the floor. "Hello there," Caelius greeted, his tone light, as though the battle was a mere game. Old Bone, unfazed by his injury, chuckled. "Impressive. But let''s see how long you can keep that smile, Lion''s Cub!" With those words, purple smoke spread outward, covering a five-meter radius. "Poison Cloud!" Chapter 62 Limit "Poison Cloud!"As the poisonous purple mist expanded to cover a five-meter radius, Caelius immediately shielded himself with his origin energy to block the toxins. However, the dense cloud obstructed his vision and dulled his senses, making it impossible to perceive anything around him. Within moments, he felt a presence darting toward him from within the poisonous haze. Suddenly, Old Bone''s dagger pierced out of the cloud, aimed straight for him. With quick reflexes, Caelius tilted his head slightly, letting the blade narrowly miss. Without hesitation, he thrust his golden longsword toward the source of the attack, but his blade sliced through empty air. Before he could react, another dagger flashed toward him, this time from behind. Turning swiftly, he deflected the weapon with his armament. The pattern repeated itself multiple times. "This slippery zombie¡­" Caelius muttered in annoyance. "If I hadn''t already used my Golden Light Steps to expose them earlier, I could locate his position easily." He frowned. "The Golden String won''t work in this poisonous fog¡­" "This poison also drains my origin energy rapidly¡­" Despite the clear disadvantage, a grin tugged at the corners of his lips. He had begun to understand Old Bone''s tactics. Just then, another dagger shot through the smoke. This time, Caelius had to use both hands to lift his sword and block the attack. "Huff¡­" He exhaled sharply, exhaustion evident. Old Bone didn''t let this weakness go unnoticed. Seeing his Caelius'' labored movements, he sent a barrage of daggers flying toward him. Summoning every ounce of strength, Caelius parried each strike, his breathing becoming increasingly ragged. "Huff¡­" Amid the swirling poison, Old Bone''s mocking voice rang out, followed by his shadowy figure appearing behind Caelius. "Is this the extent of the Lion''s Cub''s strength? Are you truly worthy of that title? Why don''t you smile now?" Caelius didn''t respond. He lunged forward, his sword slicing cleanly through Old Bone¡ªonly for the figure to dissolve into thin air. "Hehe, you can''t defeat me in my domain," Old Bone taunted, his voice echoing ominously. Caelius'' eyes widened in disbelief. "Show yourself!" he demanded. The response came in the form of eerie laughter. "Heh, even the Lion''s Cub has a foolish side. Very well, I''ll grant your wish." Suddenly, Caelius sensed multiple presences around him. Eight identical figures of Old Bone emerged from the poisonous fog, each wielding the same weapon. "Hehe, this is the end. Farewell," the eight figures declared in unison. Their armaments glowed with purple light as they charged at him together. Outside the Poison Cloud Meanwhile, the battle between Old Bone''s men and Uncle Gold''s group had erupted. From their positions, the five ghoul brothers watched the purple haze with eager eyes. The Fifth Brother sneered, "Haha, your young master is done for. No one can beat Old Bone in his domain." His words caused Karl and Fiona to exchange worried glances, their focus lingering on the mist concealing Caelius. Uncle Gold, however, remained unfazed. "Don''t lose focus! Do you think the young master will fall to some nobody?" he scolded. "Fiona, buff us. Karl, go wild¡ªI''ll back you up!" Without hesitation, Fiona cast her spell. "Lion''s Boost!" Both Uncle Gold and Karl felt their strength and speed surge by 20%, the effect lasting 60 seconds. "Go, kid!" Uncle Gold urged. Karl roared as he charged at the five ghouls. On the other side, the First Brother barked orders at his siblings. "Don''t let them do as they please! Intercept them!" The four other brothers moved in unison, daggers gleaming in their decayed hands. "Lion''s Smash!" Karl''s right arm bulged as his skill activated, enhanced further by Fiona''s buff. An aura shaped like a lion''s head erupted from his gauntlet, roaring as it surged toward the enemies. In response, the brothers unleashed their own skill. "Five Star Strike!" Their movements blurred as their daggers shone like purple stars. "First Strike!" "Second Strike!" "Third Strike!" "Fourth Strike!" "Fifth Strike!" The synchronized strikes clashed against Karl''s attack, neutralizing it. "Tch!" Karl clicked his tongue in frustration. "These damn zombies!" Uncle Gold''s whip cracked through the air, aiming for the group. "Iron Whiplash!" Sharp, thorny spikes jutted from his golden whip as it lashed toward the brothers. Yet, despite the whip''s power, the brothers deflected it with precision. "Hehe, is that all you''ve got? Now it''s our turn! Attack!" Before they could advance, a blinding light engulfed the battlefield. "Flash!" It was Fiona''s modified Flashbang skill, derived from a common Flashlight ability. "Argh! My eyes!" "Spread out!" The brothers stumbled, covering their faces as the trio seized the opportunity. "Attack!" Uncle Gold commanded. Karl and Fiona unleashed their skills simultaneously, targeting the First Brother. "Golden Tailwhip!" "Lion''s Claws!" "Exploding Light!" Their combined assault struck with devastating force. The First Brother, barely regaining his vision, could only brace himself. "Oh¡­ I''m screwed¡­" he thought as he struggled to defend. Boom! The impact sent a cloud of dust billowing into the air. Vincent''s Umbral Rats darted into the smoke while others remained on guard around him. "Brother!" the remaining siblings cried out in alarm. In the chaos, Vincent took the chance to focus on upgrading his abilities. "Do you want to upgrade the Umbral Rat Legion?" "Yes." However, the system''s response left him stunned. "Upgrade process failed. The current skill has already reached its limit." "What?! Upgrades can fail? Does this mean some epic skills can''t advance further?" The revelation startled him. He''d always assumed upgrading was limitless. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So I need to find skills or items with higher potential? But how?" Shaking off the thought, he shifted his attention to the teardrop necklace he wore. Name: Necklace of Resistance Quality: Uncommon Effects: Slightly increases poison resistance. "I almost forgot about this¡­" He quickly upgraded it to epic grade. You have successfully upgraded Necklace of Resistance. Name: Venomous Ring of Resistance Quality: Epic Effects: Greatly increases poison resistance. Skill: Poison Immunity ¨C Consumes 100 Origin Energy per 120 seconds. Grants immunity to ten types of poison. "Poison Immunity?! This is perfect!" The necklace transformed into a glowing purple ring, which Vincent slid onto his finger. You have successfully assisted in killing a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have received +1500 experience points! Talent activated! +15,000,000 experience points! "Fifteen million XP?!" He groaned in frustration. "What a waste¡­ I can''t store more XP than my level allows." Chapter 63 Defeat Assisting in the defeat of a Tier 2(3¡ï) Origin Warrior filled Vincent''s entire experience bar, a sight that made him smile beneath his mask.On the opposite side, the remaining four ghoul brothers stood frozen, their eyes wide in shock. Even with half-masks covering their mouths, their expressions betrayed their disbelief. "F-First Brother¡­" "Did he really¡­ die?" "N-No way!" As the smoke dissipated, the horrifying truth was revealed. Their First Brother''s lifeless body was surrounded by Vincent''s Umbral Rats, which began consuming him. Moments later, the corpse disintegrated into particles of digital light. Two green orbs and the First Brother''s dagger armaments were left behind, marking his defeat. The four brothers gawked at the scene, their shock quickly turning into unbridled rage. "They killed our brother! I want revenge!" "Stop holding back! Destroy them!" "Kill those disgusting rats first!" "Use everything you have!" Fueled by fury, the four brothers charged at Vincent''s Umbral Rats, unleashing a storm of dagger skills. Their swiftness and precision were lethal, and they quickly dispatched five of the creatures. Amid the chaos, the Second Brother pulled out a glowing purple orb and hurled it toward Uncle Gold and the others. "Die!" Uncle Gold''s sharp instincts kicked in as he shouted a warning. "Watch out! It''s a toxic bomb!" Karl and Fiona were already on high alert and reacted immediately, retreating several meters as the bomb exploded into a dense cloud of purple smoke. Bam! The toxic mist spread rapidly, covering a three-meter radius. But the ghouls weren''t done yet¡ªmore bombs followed, raining down near the trio''s position. Despite their quick retreat, the noxious fumes forced them to shield themselves with their Origin Energy. The hallway became a haze of violet, blurring their vision and sense of surroundings. Amid the swirling smoke, Vincent stood still, unfazed and unmoving. Uncle Gold and the siblings noticed his peculiar behavior and stared in confusion. "Are you trying to die? Why aren''t you protecting yourself?!" Fiona exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. Vincent remained silent, raising a hand as if to touch the poisonous cloud. The faint discomfort he felt was insignificant¡ªhis natural recovery and the purple ring on his forefinger rendered him nearly immune. "So this is how it works," Vincent mused, studying the ring''s faint glow. His immunity was evident, and Uncle Gold quickly pieced it together. "You''re immune to this poison?" Though he phrased it as a question, the calm on Vincent''s face gave him the answer. Fiona, meanwhile, flushed red behind her mask, embarrassed by her earlier concern. "You¡­" she started but couldn''t finish, her words cut off as the ghouls closed in. "They''re coming! Fiona, we need cover!" Uncle Gold barked. "Understood!" Fiona quickly activated her skill. "Light Wall!" A golden, transparent barrier materialized around the group, intercepting the ghouls'' onslaught. Metal clanged against the wall as daggers struck relentlessly, sending sharp echoes through the corridor. However, the strain began to show. Cracks webbed across the barrier as Fiona struggled to maintain it. "Uncle Gold, I can''t hold this much longer!" "Just a few more seconds. Karl, replenish your energy!" Karl didn''t hesitate. He grabbed several Origin Crystals and began absorbing their energy, while Uncle Gold followed suit. Vincent, observing quietly, spoke up. "Can this barrier block poison too?" Fiona blinked, puzzled. "Why does that even matter? Can''t you see for yourself?" Vincent nodded, noting how the toxic smoke failed to penetrate the barrier. But he pressed further. "Can it withstand a more potent poison?" Her pride stung, Fiona retorted through gritted teeth, "Nothing can breach my Light Wall, no matter how strong the poison!" "Good," Vincent replied with a soft smirk as he summoned his Tier 2 Armament, the Nightflare Blade. Fiona frowned. "What are you trying to do?" Ignoring her question, Vincent simply said, "Just ensure no poison enters your barrier." "What¡ª" Before she could finish, Vincent vanished. "Where did he go?" Fiona gasped, her confusion mirrored by the others. In the blink of an eye, Vincent reappeared amidst the four ghoul brothers. His sudden arrival startled them. "Hey! That weakling human came out!" "What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Before they could act, Vincent raised his Nightflare Blade. Channeling Origin Energy, the blade flared with dark emerald flames. "Abyssal Venomlash!" The venomous energy erupted from his weapon in a mist-like wave, enveloping a ten-meter radius. The attack''s shockwave sent the ghouls stumbling, the poison infiltrating their bodies. From inside the barrier, Fiona and the others felt the tremor. As the green mist spread, Fiona''s confusion deepened. "What''s happening?" Continue reading at empire Her question was answered by the ghouls'' anguished screams. "What kind of poison is this?!" "We''re immune to poison¡ªhow is this affecting us?!" "I¡­ I can''t breathe¡­ someone help!" "I''m bleeding! Why won''t it stop?!" The venom corroded their flesh, their faces melting as though doused in acid. Their agony was evident as they looked at Vincent in terror. "What kind of monster are you?" "You''re not human¡­!" Vincent remained silent, his blade glowing menacingly as he activated his Origin Power Enhancement Talent. His force attribute surged by thirty percent as he prepared his next move. Channeling his energy into the Nightflare Blade, it flared with an intense red-black glow. "Shadowflame Wave!" With a horizontal slash, a crescent-shaped wave of shadowflame tore through the air, striking the incapacitated ghouls. "You demon!" one of them managed to cry before¡ª Boom! The explosion rocked the corridor, startling Fiona and alerting Uncle Gold and Karl. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s happening?" Uncle Gold demanded. Fiona was too stunned to reply. In the poisonous mist, Vincent''s powerful abilities had unleashed consecutive bursts of destruction. Uncle Gold scanned the area, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Where''s the young master''s friend?" The green mist began to dissipate, and as Fiona''s Light Wall faded, the battlefield was revealed. Their eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell happened here?" Karl muttered, his voice trembling. Vincent stood amidst the carnage. The four ghoul brothers lay in pools of their own blood, their bodies dismembered and corroded beyond recognition. Though still alive, they were barely clinging to life. Before anyone could speak, another figure emerged from the smoke where Caelius and Old Bone had been fighting. The figure tumbled across the ground, landing near the fallen ghouls. Uncle Gold and the others instinctively turned toward the commotion. It was Old Bone. A deep gash stretched across his torso, and his shattered mask revealed jagged, yellowed teeth. Caelius followed, stepping out of the mist with a calm smile. Glancing at the defeated ghouls, he turned to Uncle Gold and the siblings. "It seems you didn''t disappoint me this time." Chapter 64 Entering The Boss Room "It seems you didn''t disappoint me this time."Caelius''s words hung in the air, but instead of celebration, they were met with awkward silence. Uncle Gold and the two siblings, Karl and Fiona, exchanged uneasy glances. None of them could comprehend what had just transpired. If there was one thing they could be absolutely sure of, it was that they had contributed next to nothing in the fight against the four ghouls. As this tense moment lingered, Caelius, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, stood tall. Old Bone, on the other hand, had just managed to get back on his feet, his hollow eyes widening in bafflement as he surveyed the battlefield. His gaze fell on the mutilated forms of his men, now reduced to broken, defeated shadows of their former selves. "What¡­ what happened here?!" Old Bone demanded, his voice filled with disbelief and fury. He turned to his men, expecting some explanation, but none came. Their mouths, now melted and useless, could not form a single word. The silence only enraged him further. His hollow sockets burned with fury as his gaze shifted between Vincent, Uncle Gold, and the others. "You''re going to pay for this!" he roared, his skeletal figure trembling with rage. Caelius, unbothered, responded with a scoff. "So this is how the Executors Guild operates? You can kill us, but we aren''t allowed to kill you? Pathetic." Old Bone harrumphed angrily, his bony fingers twitching with suppressed rage. "You''re just lucky today! This won''t be the last time we meet!" As his words echoed, he hurled a toxic bomb toward Caelius and the group. Poof! The bomb detonated, releasing a dense cloud of purple mist. Reacting swiftly, Caelius and the others retreated, narrowly avoiding the worst of the attack. Old Bone seized the opportunity. He retrieved a white scroll¡ªan escape scroll¡ªand tore it apart without hesitation. As he activated the scroll, circular particles of light began to form around him, signaling his imminent escape. His remaining men, trapped and wounded, glared at him with hate-filled eyes, their expressions screaming betrayal. Their silent accusations seemed to shout: "You''re leaving us?! How dare you!" Amid the purple haze, Uncle Gold, his vision partially obscured, sensed the shift. "He''s trying to escape!" he warned. Caelius reacted instantly. He swung his sword, releasing a surge of golden energy that sliced through the mist, aiming directly for Old Bone. Slash! But it was too late. The strike passed harmlessly through Old Bone''s afterimage as he vanished from the Origin World. Before his departure, Old Bone cast one last glance at Vincent. The young man stood motionless, staring into the distance as though the chaos around him didn''t concern him. Old Bone''s hollow gaze narrowed, his mind etching Vincent''s aura into memory. He was certain that this "newcomer" would become a force to reckon with in the Origin World. As the tension began to settle, Uncle Gold and the siblings clicked their tongues in frustration. Caelius remained impassive, his expression unreadable, leaving everyone to wonder what was going through his mind. Moments after Old Bone''s escape, the mutilated bodies of the four ghouls dissolved into particles of digital light. System notifications rang out in everyone''s minds. You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have successfully killed¡­ You have success¡­ The notifications continued, accompanied by an influx of experience points. You have received +1500 experience points! x4 Talent Activated! +15,000,000 experience points! x4 Vincent let out a long sigh of relief as the system''s voice faded. "Luckily, I managed to spend my XP before they died," he thought. Earlier, when he noticed how severely the ghouls were affected by his Abyssal Venomlash, he had been taken aback. What he had intended as a distraction to buy time for Uncle Gold and Karl had far surpassed his expectations. The venom had decimated the ghouls. Realizing they were on the brink of death, Vincent had quickly spent one million experience points to upgrade two of his skills: sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The first was the Torrent of Origin Technique, a physical combat skill he hadn''t upgraded since the Academy''s Annual Ceremony. Using 300,000 experience points, he advanced it to epic grade, renaming it Cascade of Origin Flow. Name: Cascade of Origin Flow Grade: Epic Effect: Explore more at empire Offensive: Boosts attack power by 50% and enhances combo fluidity. Grants a 40% chance to trigger an Origin Echo Strike after a successful hit, bypassing a portion of the target''s defense. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 50% during blocks. A precise parry reflects 40% of mitigated damage back at the attacker. Special: Unlocks Forceflow Manipulation, allowing energy absorption and redirection. Successful blocks unleash a shockwave that staggers nearby enemies. Utility: Grants minor regeneration of 5 Origin Energy per second during sustained defensive streaks. Consumption: 80 Origin Energy per minute. The second skill was his uncommon ability, Rolling Bash, which he had acquired from the mutated black rat. Using the remaining points, he upgraded it to epic grade. Name: Cyclone Breaker Grade: Epic Effect: Damage: Inflicts 200% of base attack damage per second during the spin, weakening enemy defenses. Stagger: High chance to stagger opponents. Knockback: Ends with a powerful slash, creating a shockwave that hurls enemies backward. Special: Grants a speed burst for repositioning after the attack. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy Duration: 4 seconds Cooldown: 20 seconds Although Vincent was satisfied with the upgrades, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of regret as millions of experience points vanished. "What a waste," he thought bitterly. Turning his attention to the glowing orbs and items dropped by the ghouls, his excitement grew. Before he could move, Caelius approached him. His expression calm yet inquisitive. "Are you alright?" Vincent quickly composed himself and nodded. Then, noticing Caelius''s battered armor, he added, "What about you? Looks like you had a rough fight." Before Caelius could respond, Uncle Gold and the siblings rushed over. "Young Master, are you okay? What happened to you in there?" Fiona asked, concern lacing her voice. Recalling the recent battle, Caelius suppressed a smile. In truth, he had feigned exhaustion to lure Old Bone out of his domain. The ploy worked perfectly, catching the skeleton off guard and allowing Caelius to deliver a decisive strike. Still, he offered no explanation, simply smiling. "You surprised me this time. I didn''t expect the four of you to take down those ghouls so quickly. Go collect the loot and replenish your energy. It''s time to meet this labyrinth''s master." Despite his encouragement, none of them moved. Uncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona exchanged uneasy looks. "What''s wrong?" Caelius asked, his sharp gaze narrowing on them. After a moment of hesitation, Uncle Gold stepped forward. With a wry smile, he explained, "Actually, young master, it wasn''t us. Vincent killed the remaining four ghouls on his own." Caelius''s eyes widened in disbelief. "He killed them? All four?" Vincent scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Somehow¡­" Caelius didn''t press further, nodding in understanding. "Then the drops from those four are yours. The others can share the remaining loot." Vincent had no objections and gratefully began collecting the items. Chapter 65 Glimpse Vincent worked quickly, collecting the items dropped by the enemies while Caelius and the others rested to recover their origin energy. After securing the loot, Vincent directed his five remaining umbral rats to stay hidden in the shadows, tasked with keeping an eye on the area and warning him of any approaching threats. Confident in their vigilance, he pulled out several origin crystals, though he knew he would only need one to fully replenish his origin core.Once his energy was fully restored, Vincent began reviewing the spoils of their battle, neatly sorted before him: 12,000 Origin Crystals Tier 2 Common-Grade Daggers Experience tales at empire Executor Mask White Orb Green Orb Blue Orb His first focus was the Executor Mask, which was mostly intact but bore minor damage. Name: Executor Mask Grade: Uncommon Details: A mask used by low-ranking members of the Executor organization. Effects: Slightly reduces the wearer''s presence. Next, Vincent examined the Silver-Iron Dagger, which immediately disappointed him. Name: Silver-Iron Dagger Power: Tier 2 Grade: Common Details: Forged from Tier 2 Silver-Horned Beast antlers. "This is nothing but trash," he thought with a grimace, placing it aside. It wasn''t even an armament, though a fleeting curiosity struck him: would upgrading it transform it into one? He shelved the idea for later exploration. Turning to the White Orb, he observed as it emitted a soft glow, eventually morphing into a small white book. Name: Daggers Technique Grade: Common Effects: Slightly increases damage dealt with daggers. The book presented him with an option to learn the technique, but Vincent decided against it for now. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I already have enough armament and sword skills," he reasoned, storing the item in his ring for future consideration. Next, he reached for the Green Orb, which transformed into a pair of leather boots as it activated. Name: Fierce Crow Boots Grade: Uncommon Effects: Slightly boosts mobility. Skill: Light Steps: Temporarily increases movement speed by 5% for three minutes and reduces fall impact for three seconds. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy. "Finally, something to replace my worn-out boots," Vincent mused. He wasted no time donning the Fierce Crow Boots, pleased with the upgrade. The final item, the Blue Orb, immediately drew his attention. It radiated a faint azure glow before solidifying into a skill book. "A skill book?" Vincent''s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Name: Stealth Grade: Rare Effects: Grants the ability to turn invisible, muffling footsteps and boosting movement speed to avoid detection. Consumption: 10 Origin Energy per 60 seconds. "Stealth¡­ exactly what I needed!" Vincent''s heart raced. He had long envied the innate stealth abilities of monsters and especially Ghoul''s natural talent. Without hesitation, he chose to learn the skill. "With this, my arsenal grows even stronger," he thought, his excitement palpable. Now, Vincent shifted his focus to his accumulated experience points. Many of his items and skills required exorbitant resources to upgrade. For instance, the Tier 2 cultivation manual he received from Sophie Iris demanded over a million experience points, while his primal skills necessitated primal energy. Similarly, several of his epic-grade skills also required over a million experience points to enhance further. The new items he had acquired seemed more feasible to upgrade, particularly the Daggers Technique and the recently learned Stealth Skill. Among his equipment, potential candidates for enhancement included his Morphic Mask, Silver-Iron Dagger, and Fierce Crow Boots. However, Vincent quickly ruled out the Executor Mask, as his current Morphic Mask was clearly superior. "I''ll prioritize upgrading my skills first," Vincent decided. He selected the Stealth Skill, initiating its enhancement. You have successfully upgraded Stealth! Name: Phantom Veil Grade: Epic Effects: Upgraded from Stealth, this skill renders the user completely invisible, bypassing even enhanced detection abilities. It significantly increases movement speed, nullifies sound, and grants Shadow Blink, allowing teleportation up to 15 meters while remaining invisible. Consumption: 15 Origin Energy per 60 seconds. "An epic-grade skill¡­ perfect!" Vincent thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction. With 500,000 experience points remaining, Vincent turned his attention to his Morphic Mask, which was still at uncommon grade. He activated the upgrade process, watching as the emerald mask glowed brightly, shifting into a vivid azure hue. The mask now bore an elegant, ever-changing design that seemed alive. Name: Shifting Visage Grade: Rare Effect: Allows the wearer to perfectly mimic the appearance, voice, and minor mannerisms of any humanoid they have observed. The transformation is convincing enough to deceive mid-tier Origin Warriors and evade basic detection techniques, though it is less effective against high-tier opponents or advanced methods. While the upgrade wasn''t revolutionary, Vincent appreciated the improved functionality. With just 200,000 experience points left, he resolved to replenish his reserves. "I''ll need to hunt more," he muttered, determination hardening his resolve. Quietly, so as not to disturb his companions still recovering their energy, Vincent approached the door to what he suspected was the boss''s chamber. Activating his Heaven Eyes, his purple irises glimmered with azure light, allowing him to pierce through the door and glimpse the room beyond. The throne room was vast, bathed in crimson light. Inside, Vincent immediately recognized a familiar figure¡ªGrarik¡ªflanked by four Thrygians. They were encircled by a horde of black-armored ratmen wielding various weapons: swords, spears, cudgels, and shields. Despite the tense standoff, neither side made a move to attack. As Vincent''s awareness extended deeper into the room, a sudden wave of oppressive energy washed over him. An icy chill ran down his spine, and beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. At the far end of the chamber, seated upon a massive crimson throne, was a shadowy figure. Its presence exuded overwhelming power, and for a fleeting moment, its icy gaze shifted toward Vincent. The sheer pressure of its attention caused his breath to hitch. His heart raced as he fought to steady himself. "What... what was that?" Vincent''s thoughts spiraled in confusion. The creature''s aura radiated a level of danger far beyond anything he had encountered before¡ªeven the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man paled in comparison to this mysterious entity. Chapter 66 Labyrinths Heart Huff!Vincent gasped for air, struggling to compose himself. The image of those crimson eyes seared vividly into his memory. Before he could process his thoughts, a hand abruptly rested on his shoulder. Jolting, he instinctively grabbed it. "!!" "Yo, chill. It''s me. Are you alright?" It was Caelius, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Realizing who it was, Vincent released his grip. Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and finally regained his composure. His gaze wandered to the others, still resting and recovering their energy, before turning back to Caelius. "I''m fine. But I need to ask you something." Caelius frowned slightly, noticing the seriousness in Vincent''s tone and the intensity in his eyes. "What''s wrong?" "What''s your real reason for coming here?" For a moment, Caelius fell silent, seemingly debating whether to reveal the truth. Soon, a calm smile broke across his face. "I suppose it''s fine to tell you. While it''s true that I''m interested in the rewards promised by the Novice Center, our main goal is to track Grarik''s movements. My clan has been monitoring the Blackthorn Clan from the shadows for some time. We suspect they''re planning something that could lead to another disaster for my family." Vincent frowned deeply as Caelius shared his reasoning. Inside the Throne Room¡ªBoss''s ChamberGrarik and his companions stood tense, their fierce gazes locked on the dark figure seated atop an imposing throne. Hundreds of armored Blackrat Men surrounded them, weapons drawn and ready. "Thrygians¡­ I didn''t expect your race to be my first visitors after all these years of imprisonment¡­" The dark figure''s voice was raspy, cold, and unsettling as it broke the silence. "I''ll give you one chance to explain why you''re here before I kill you all," it added, its tone laced with a quiet menace. Grarik masked his displeasure, maintaining a respectful demeanor. "We didn''t come to fight. We''re here to offer you an opportunity." No sooner had he spoken than an overwhelming pressure descended on them, forcing them to their knees. "Y-Young Master! Your tone!" one of Grarik''s companions stammered, gritting his teeth in alarm. Realizing his misstep, Grarik''s expression tightened, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow. "F-Forgive my rudeness, Senior. I was wrong," he said, teeth clenched. "We''ve come to ask for your favor!" The suffocating pressure lifted, allowing them to catch their breath. "Hoh, a favor, you say? Explain," the dark figure said, amusement flickering in its voice. "Please help us kill someone!" Grarik finally admitted, his tone steady as he masked his inner turmoil. Though outwardly calm, his thoughts burned with anger. ''If I were stronger, I''d kill him myself,'' he seethed silently, though he dared not voice his resentment. "Hoh¡­ So, you claim you can free me from this prison?" The figure''s question was casual, but its interest was undeniable. Years of confinement had dulled its patience, and the recent transformation of its prison into a labyrinth had only heightened its frustration. In the origin world, labyrinths typically formed naturally from concentrated origin energy, creating primals and eventually the maze itself. However, unique cases like this occurred when sealed entities evolved into powerful beings, forcing the world''s system to create a labyrinth around them. This transformation took countless years, making the figure''s predicament particularly unusual. Grarik nodded, showing deference. "You''re wise, Senior." The crimson eyes of the figure narrowed briefly before regaining their composure. Grarik then produced a fist-sized ruby crystal, holding it aloft. The moment the figure''s gaze fell upon it, a flicker of excitement betrayed its otherwise impassive demeanor. "Is that¡­ a Labyrinth''s Heart?" Grarik''s lips curled into a confident smile. "Yes, this is indeed a Labyrinth''s Heart." The Labyrinth''s Heart was a rare and sought-after artifact, created over decades as a labyrinth''s energies condensed in its deepest recesses. Typically, a labyrinth''s master guarded it, as the heart granted immense power, freedom from the labyrinth, and even the ability to construct a new one elsewhere. For creatures like the dark figure, it was a treasure of unparalleled value. Despite its inward excitement, the figure maintained its stoic facade. "State your terms." "It''s simple, Senior. We want you to¡­" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Grarik elaborated, Vincent and his party prepared themselves on the other side of the labyrinth. Caelius, usually relaxed, wore a grave expression. He recalled Vincent''s earlier warning: a presence more powerful than the Calamity-rank Blackrat Man awaited them. Though skeptical at first, he had chosen to trust Vincent''s words. "Are you all ready?" he asked his team. "Yes, Young Master," they replied in unison. "Good. Be prepared to retreat if necessary." "Retreat? What''s wrong, Young Master?" Fiona asked, her curiosity piqued. "We may encounter a dangerous individual beyond this door. No, I''m certain of it." Caelius''s tone left no room for argument. Though confused, Fiona and the others nodded solemnly, trusting their leader''s judgment. "Let''s go," Caelius ordered, pushing open the heavy metal door. Its creak echoed ominously, and the resounding thud as it fully opened sent a chill through the air. The moment they stepped inside, a crushing glare and oppressive aura halted them in their tracks. Their gazes snapped to the throne, where a dark figure sat holding the Labyrinth''s Heart. Vincent instinctively activated his Heaven Eyes, scanning the entity before them. Vash Volcane (Primalized) Race: Demi-human Power: Tier 3 Vincent''s eyes widened in shock. "A demi-human? And primalized!" he thought, stunned. Demi-humans, rare in Astralis, were born from human and primal unions. Despite their unique heritage, they faced severe discrimination. Grarik''s laughter broke the tense silence. "Haha! You''re too late, Caelius!" Caelius ignored him, his focus solely on Vash Volcane. ''He''s dangerous,'' Caelius thought, steeling himself as he countered the oppressive aura suffocating his team. Vash''s grin widened, his gaze lingering on the Labyrinth''s Heart in his hand. Grarik turned to Vash. "Senior, will you help me eliminate them?" Caelius tensed, knowing the dire consequences if the two forces joined. But to his surprise, Vash rejected the request outright. "Though I despise humans, our contract doesn''t include them. They''re your problem. Do not seek me again¡ªI''ll appear when the time is right." With that, Vash conjured a black, misty serpent that coiled around Grarik''s wrist. "Do not lose it." "Wha¡ª" Before Grarik could respond, Vash''s aura flared, and the Labyrinth''s Heart blazed with crimson light. The throne room trembled as rubble fell from above. "Senior, what is the meaning of this?!" Grarik demanded, his voice quaking. Vash''s sharp glare silenced him instantly. "Are you questioning me?" Grarik gulped, bowing his head. "I-I wouldn''t dare." A massive crimson portal, five meters tall, materialized before Vash. Vincent stood frozen, his gaze locked on the dark figure. As Vash stepped toward the portal, its crimson eyes flicked toward Vincent, sending a shiver down his spine. Then, without another word, Vash disappeared. Chapter 67 Back As soon as Vash Volcane disappeared, the labyrinth began to tremble violently. Moments later, the hundreds of armored Blackrat Men vanished into thin air.Caelius grinned at Grarik, whose dumbfounded expression was fixed on the portal through which Vash had left. "It seems you''ve been abandoned, Big Fool," Caelius remarked, his tone dripping with mockery. Grarik''s attention snapped to Caelius, his teeth grinding in frustration. Vash''s dismissive attitude had already irritated him, and now he was being mocked by the person he despised the most. One of Grarik''s companions intervened, reminding him, "Young Master, the labyrinth is collapsing. We''ve completed the Master''s mission¡ªwe need to leave now." Grarik clenched his fists, his desire to fight Caelius evident. But he knew the location and timing were far from ideal. Shooting a sharp glare at Caelius, he reluctantly jumped through the portal. Caelius made no move to stop them. Even if he''d wanted to, he knew he couldn''t prevent their escape. Likewise, he was certain they couldn''t stop him if he decided to leave. Once Grarik''s group had departed, Caelius turned to his own party. "We''re done here. Let''s leave." Obeying his command, they all followed him through the portal. When Vincent stepped through, he felt the surroundings distort momentarily before stabilizing. Moments later, he realized they were now outside the entrance to the Blackrat Labyrinth. Though the sky was dark, the stalls in the area illuminated the surroundings, creating a lively atmosphere. Not long after, several figures began to appear outside the labyrinth. "What just happened?" one person asked. "I don''t know. I was fighting Blackrats when the whole labyrinth suddenly started shaking," another responded. "Same here. We barely made it out. A massive piece of rubble nearly crushed us, but we managed to find an exit point in time," a third added. Various parties that had been inside the labyrinth were now emerging, all sharing similar tales of narrow escapes. Vincent scanned the area but couldn''t spot Vash or Grarik''s group. "They must have already left," he thought, just as Caelius approached him. "Are you looking for them?" Caelius asked. Vincent gave a curt nod. "They''ve gone. You can stop worrying," Caelius assured him. Despite the reassurance, Vincent remained cautious, unwilling to let his guard down. Who knew if they might be lying in wait? "Let''s go back," Caelius said. After some time, they reached the No. 3 Sanctuary. Following brief pleasantries, the group parted ways, agreeing to report to the Novice Center the next day on their own since Vincent wouldn''t be able to accompany them. Tomorrow would be his final day in the Origin World, as his two-day limit as a Tier 1 Origin Warrior was nearing its end. Back at the Newcomer''s Lounge, Vincent extended his room reservation to avoid a repeat of his previous awkward encounter¡ªwhen he had materialized mid-rental, interrupting a couple engaged in... intimate activities. Once inside his room, Vincent prepared to cultivate while waiting for his remaining time in the Origin World to run out. Converting his remaining 200,000 experience points into purified energy, he laid out several Origin Crystals around him. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed. +1 Purified Energy. He repeated the process. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed. +1 Purified Energy. By the time he was done, Vincent had converted 200 purified energy points, bringing his total to 1,350. A tugging force enveloped him, and within moments, digital lights surrounded his body, signaling his return to the real world. --- Vincent reappeared in his hotel room, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. It was Thursday. Changing into casual clothes, he left his room and entered the living area, where he found his younger sister, Marina, and his landlord, Amara, seated on the couch. Both stared blankly ahead as if they''d just woken up. Vincent smirked. "You two look so lifeless when I''m not around." His voice jolted them back to life, their eyes snapping to him simultaneously. Marina''s face lit up. "Brother! You''re back!" she exclaimed, springing forward to hug him. Vincent caught her with ease, ruffling her hair affectionately. "How''s my princess?" he asked, tapping her nose playfully. "I missed you so much, brother!" "You little rascal, I was only gone for a day. You probably just missed my cooking," he teased. "No!" Marina pulled back, pouting. "Well¡­ maybe a little. But I missed you, not just your food!" Vincent chuckled, messing up her hair again. "I''m kidding. Of course, I missed you too. Who knows what you''d do to my search history if I said otherwise." Marina''s expression darkened despite her innocent smile. "Are you saying something, brother?" Vincent shivered. Her aura in that moment was more menacing than the Blackrat Primals he''d faced. "N-Nothing! Just talking to myself," he stammered. Turning his attention to Amara, who was lounging in her usual white tank top and shorts, he nodded. "I''m back." Amara offered a small smile before reverting to her usual indifferent expression. "Good. Now, make us breakfast and do the laundry today." Vincent sighed but complied, heading to the kitchen. Soon, the enticing aroma of freshly prepared breakfast filled the air. Breakfast consisted of burrito bowls¡ªfluffy scrambled eggs nestled amidst a colorful array of vegetables and topped with tangy salsa. The intoxicating aroma had Marina and Amara practically drooling as they waited at the table. "Lil Vince, grab me a beer!" Amara ordered. "Brother, hot chocolate for me!" Marina chimed in. Shaking his head with a wry smile, Vincent fetched a cold beer from the fridge for Amara and prepared a steaming mug of hot chocolate for Marina. Once their drinks were served, the two eagerly dug into their meals. Amara took a hearty gulp of beer between bites. "Don''t you have work today, Sis Amara?" Vincent asked. Amara shot him an annoyed side glance. "Tch. Don''t worry about me. I can handle my job, even if I down a dozen beers." Vincent could only sigh, turning his gaze to Marina, who noticed his attention almost immediately. "What''s wrong, brother?" she asked through a mouthful of food. Vincent stayed silent for a moment, making her fidget under his scrutiny. Finally, she glanced at Amara and caught on to his meaning. "You don''t need to worry, brother. I won''t be like Big Sis Amara," she said, grinning mischievously. Amara rolled her eyes and ignored the siblings, focusing on her meal. After breakfast, Vincent handled the laundry, loading it into the washer-dryer before plopping down on the couch. As he scrolled through his phone, he came across several emails. Most were from his instructors and even the dean, inquiring about his well-being and availability. He decided to set those aside for now, focusing instead on messages from various guilds and organizations inviting him to join their ranks. There was no reply yet from Alex regarding the item he had sent for auction. Vincent frowned; he was counting on the proceeds to buy a new house for his family. After dealing with his emails, Vincent browsed the internet to check for news related to the aftermath of the Academy''s Annual Ceremony. Unsurprisingly, there was no mention of him. With Sophie Iris''s authority and influence, it made sense that any information linking him to the event had been thoroughly suppressed. He suddenly remembered he hadn''t received any prizes from the academy or even checked his final ranking. Deciding to clear this up, he resolved to visit his school. "Marina, you have class today, right?" he asked. She nodded. "Mmh, why?" "I''m heading to my school. Let''s go together," Vincent suggested. Her face lit up instantly. "Okay! Just give me a minute¡ªI''ll take a quick shower!" she exclaimed, rushing to her room. Left alone with Amara, Vincent turned to her. "Aren''t you heading to work?" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Amara ignored the question, instead sitting upright and fixing him with a casual yet probing gaze. "How''s life over there? Are you doing anything dangerous?" Vincent immediately understood she was referring to his time in the Origin World. Smiling softly, he reassured her, "You don''t have to worry about me. I''m managing fine. And even if I do encounter danger, I still have the item you gave me." He was referring to the instant escape scroll Amara had gifted him. "By the way, where did you get it? Isn''t something like that really expensive?" At his question, Amara abruptly stood up. "Alright, I''m off to work. Don''t forget to finish the laundry and get some rest," she said nonchalantly, evading his inquiry as she retreated to her room. Vincent watched her leave, curiosity gnawing at him. Still, he chose not to press her. If she wanted to tell him, she would do so in her own time. Chapter 68 Meeting with Dean Thorne Vincent and Marina shared a hover cab, dropping her off at her school before heading to District 12''s No. 3 High School.When he arrived outside the school, Vincent paid the hover cab and stepped out. Almost instantly, he drew the attention of passing students. Whispers filled the air. "Isn''t that him?" "Who''s ''him''?" "The one who almost fought The Alpha¡­" "That''s Vincent Magnus!" someone exclaimed. Hearing the murmurs, Vincent furrowed his brows slightly. "It seems I''ve gained some fame after the Annual Ceremony," he mused with mild irritation. Though he had anticipated notoriety as part of the path he''d chosen, the reality of it annoyed him. Fame wasn''t something he craved. Vincent sought to grow as quietly as possible, even if he knew such anonymity was unrealistic. He had no choice but to adapt, as rising through the ranks of origin warriors would inevitably bring attention. As he walked to his classroom, the crowd thickened. Among them, he noticed Lin Feng¡ªthe opponent he had defeated during the Primal Hunt stage of the Annual Ceremony. Vincent felt the sharpness of Lin Feng''s glare but ignored it. He wasn''t one to shy away from trouble, but he never actively sought it. If trouble left him alone, he would leave it alone. Unsurprisingly, Lin Feng did nothing but continue glaring until Vincent reached his classroom. The moment he stepped inside, all eyes turned to him. "Vincent Magnus!" "He''s here?!" The exclamations echoed through the room. Vincent scanned the classroom but didn''t see Instructor Pen anywhere. Strangely, even Greg Malcolm, the class bully, was absent. "Well, after what happened during the ceremony, he probably doesn''t have the guts to show up to school," Vincent thought. Just as he was about to leave and head directly to Dean Thorne''s office, a familiar voice called out to him. "W-Wait!" He instantly recognized the owner of the voice. Turning around, he saw his classmate, Claudia Blonde. Her usual twin-tailed hairstyle was loose today, her blonde hair flowing freely. Her tanned complexion glowed faintly, and her cheeks were tinged with a subtle blush. "Miss Blonde, what''s wrong?" Vincent asked, his stoic expression softening into a faint smile. Claudia blinked, startled by his formal address. "Miss Blonde¡­" she murmured, then quickly shook her head. "Don''t call me that. Just call me Claudia." Vincent didn''t respond to her request, maintaining his faint smile. Seeing no reaction from him, Claudia''s disappointment was evident. She hesitated but finally mustered her courage. "Do you remember the promise you made last time?" she asked. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent tilted his head slightly, confused. "Promise?" Claudia frowned, realizing he had forgotten. "Yes, you promised to walk with me after school." At her reminder, the memory resurfaced. He had agreed to her invitation back then to annoy Greg Malcolm. The promise, however, had completely slipped his mind. "I see¡­ My apologies, Miss Blonde," Vincent said, scratching the back of his head. "I''ve been very busy with matters related to the Origin World." "Claudia," she corrected him, her voice quieter now. Vincent gave a small nod. "Claudia." "Are you free after class, then?" she asked hopefully. Vincent paused for a moment, considering. "I''m sorry, but I''m not free today. I''ll let you know when I have time. For now, I need to head to a meeting with the dean." Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving Claudia standing there, stunned. "Did he just reject me?" she murmured, watching his retreating figure. Vincent, naturally, didn''t hear her words. Even if he had, relationships were far from his priorities. His primary focus was growing stronger and uncovering any clues about his parents'' whereabouts. For now, though, his goal was to visit Dean Thorne and collect his rewards. While unsure of his ranking, he knew he''d earned a top-10 placement and was curious about the dean''s request to meet. Standing before Dean Thorne''s office, Vincent could sense two presences inside, even without using his Heaven Eyes. He hesitated, wondering whether to wait until the other person left, when Dean Thorne''s voice rang out. "Come in." The command caught Vincent off guard, but he quickly realized that with the dean''s strength, it was only natural he''d sense his presence. Opening the door, Vincent saw Dean Augustus Thorne¡ªa white-haired, amicable-looking old man¡ªsitting calmly at his desk. Vincent nodded respectfully before glancing at the other person in the room. It was a man with long black hair, parted down the middle and falling to his shoulders. He wore elegant black attire and had a stern expression, his eyes closed as if lost in thought. Dean Thorne gestured for Vincent to sit on the opposite chair. As soon as Vincent was seated, the dean spoke. "How have you been, student Magnus?" "I''ve been doing well, Dean. Thank you for asking," Vincent replied, rising to his feet and bowing respectfully. "And thank you for protecting me last time." He referred to the incident involving The Alpha, Arnold Mazels. Dean Thorne waved his hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. You''re a student of my school. It''s my responsibility to protect you." Vincent''s respect for the dean deepened at his words. Though he harbored some doubts about the man''s true intentions, he remained genuinely grateful. Once seated again, Vincent asked curiously, "May I ask why you wanted to meet me?" The dean smiled. "You left the Annual Ceremony early, so you missed your rewards. I wanted to personally give them to you and introduce you to someone." Dean Thorne gestured toward the man in black, who had remained silent. "This gentleman here is Arthur Aviss. He will be your special instructor for the upcoming school district tournament." Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the tournament, confusion flashing across his face. "What tournament, Dean? I''ve never heard of it." "You didn''t read my email?" the dean asked, raising an eyebrow. "I read it," Vincent replied. "But there was no mention of a tournament." Dean Thorne frowned thoughtfully. "Really? I could''ve sworn I included it." After a brief pause, he waved a hand dismissively. "No matter. I''ll explain now." He leaned back in his chair. "The School District Tournament is a battle competition between the high schools of Districts 7 through 12. Initially, we planned for Elric Baelius to represent our school, but he''s unavailable. In his absence, we''ve chosen you as our representative. In exchange, the rewards he got from the annual battle ceremony will be given to you." Vincent was speechless. "Can''t I just hand over my rewards and let someone else do it?" Honestly, he really did not care about the tournament. It would hinder his growth speed. He would better farm experience points rather than attend tournaments. Dean could only wryly smile at him. "Unfortunately, everyone else is either injured or recovering. You''re our last hope." "But¡ª" Before Vincent could protest further, the dean clutched his back dramatically. "Ah, my back! Arnold hit me so hard when I was protecting someone who vanished without a word¡­" Vincent sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, I''m being blackmailed." Reluctantly, he gave in. "Fine. When does it start?" "Next weekend," the dean said with a smile. "You have just over a week to prepare." Chapter 69 Behind the Wall "You have just over a week to prepare."Upon hearing this, Vincent furrowed his brow but quickly relaxed it, realizing there was no point in worrying about something that had yet to happen. If he only had just over a week to prepare, so be it. He then inquired about what he needed to do next. "What should I do now?" "All you need to do is listen and follow the guidance of your special instructor. But before that..." Dean Thorne gently waved his hand and held out a leather pouch. However, it wasn''t an ordinary pouch¡ªit was a storage pouch, a spatial storage item with very limited space. It had a smaller capacity than his current storage ring. Vincent accepted it calmly, though he was curious about its contents. Dean Thorne continued, "The rewards from the recent Annual Battle Ceremony are inside. You can check them yourself." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you," Vincent replied. "Don''t mention it. Everything in that pouch is rightfully yours." Vincent didn''t check it immediately, opting instead to store it in his storage ring. "Well, there''s no time to waste. Sir Arthur, I leave my student in your care." The moment Dean Thorne addressed the silent gentleman, he opened his previously shut eyes, nodded meaningfully, and stood. Vincent also stood, glancing curiously at the mysterious instructor. Dean Thorne then spoke again, grabbing Vincent''s attention. "Student Magnus, I trust you will respect and follow Sir Arthur''s guidance." Vincent nodded firmly, assuring the dean, which made the kind old man smile. "Good. Now go and follow your instructor." Sir Arthur immediately left without a word, giving the dean one final nod. After bowing to the dean, Vincent quickly followed. He trailed in silence, wondering about the mysterious instructor''s background. "Where are we going?" he thought but refrained from asking. Just one glance told him that his instructor wasn''t a talkative person. Therefore, he resolved not to initiate any conversation unless spoken to. After a while, they arrived at the campus parking area. Vincent was curious about their purpose here until Instructor Arthur approached a nearby cerulean hover car, opened it, and got inside. The passenger seat''s door then opened, and a clear, melodic voice followed: "Hop in!" Vincent''s eyebrows rose slightly as he stared at Instructor Arthur''s stern expression. He was inwardly stunned¡ªArthur''s voice was entirely different from what he''d expected. The instructor had a stern face and a commanding demeanor, but his voice was almost feminine. Instructor Arthur furrowed his brows. "What are you doing? Get in the car!" Shaking off his thoughts, Vincent got into the hover car. Once the door closed, Instructor Arthur immediately drove off. As they traveled, the surroundings blurred, and Vincent watched in silence for almost thirty minutes, still wondering about their destination. Before long, a towering iron wall loomed in the distance. It was the wall of District 12. Behind it lay the wild region, where primal beasts still roamed freely. From the direction they were heading, Vincent became almost certain they were going outside the district. After a brief inspection, they exited the district, and Vincent finally saw what lay beyond the iron wall. It resembled an abandoned civilization engulfed by wilderness. This was his first time venturing beyond the district walls, and the sight felt strange. Even though it was just the outskirts of District 12, he was already surprised. His curiosity about the world beyond the Bronzehaven Arc grew even stronger. After a while, Sir Arthur drove into an abandoned building, parked in a hidden spot, and stepped out of the hover car. Vincent followed silently. They walked into a nearby forest and stopped by a clear, vibrant stream. The early morning light made the surroundings glow with life. Arthur finally turned to face him. "Let me officially introduce myself. I am Arthur Aviss, and you will be my student for just over a week. Let me remind you now¡ªif you don''t intend to follow my orders, you''d better find another instructor." Vincent met his stern gaze and replied, "I''m willing to listen, but may I know why we''re here?" Arthur''s expression remained unyielding as he answered, "Starting today, you will train here until the District Tournament." Vincent frowned at this. He wondered if he could still visit the origin world during his training. He also hadn''t informed his younger sisters, Marina and Amara, since he hadn''t anticipated this situation. It seemed Arthur noticed his reaction. "I''ll let you inform your family first about your situation. In the meantime, stay here. I need to check something." Without waiting for a response, Arthur left. Vincent was dumbfounded. "My special instructor is truly a man of few words," he thought wryly. Taking out his phone, he quickly informed Amara and Marina of his situation. He didn''t wait for their replies, knowing they were likely busy. "Ha¡­ just what kind of training requires us to be outside the wall?" he muttered to himself. With nothing else to do, he retrieved the storage pouch from Dean Thorne and began inspecting its contents. Inside, he found several items: A green book with a sword engraved on the cover. A green orb. Three vials containing green liquid. 1,000 origin crystals. A black card. Setting the origin crystals aside, he inspected each item. First, he stored the crystals and picked up the black card. "A bank card?" he wondered before storing it, as he had no way to check the balance. Next, he examined the potions. Item Name: Experience Potion (Tier 1) Grade: Low Quality Details: A low-quality experience potion created by a low-tier alchemist. Effects: +1,000 experience points. "What? An experience potion?!" he exclaimed in surprise. This was the first time he''d heard of such a thing. He hadn''t imagined someone could actually create an experience potion. Realization dawned on him. "So this is one of the reasons children from wealthy families level up so quickly!" He finally understood. He had initially assumed they were being boosted by high-tier warriors. "So, items like this exist..." "If this kind of potion is possible, there must be magical items or other tools that can rapidly increase someone''s level as well." He stored the potions and examined the green book next. Item Name: Moonlight Sword Manual (Tier 2) Type: Skill Book Grade: Uncommon Prerequisite: Tier 2 "This must be the reward for ranking first," he thought. It wasn''t surprising, as he had anticipated it. Even so, he was pleased to receive it, though he couldn''t learn it just yet. Lastly, he inspected the green orb, which transformed into an old piece of paper with a map drawn on it. Item Name: Hidden Crystal Map Shard Grade: Uncommon Details: A fragment of the Hidden Crystal Map. Combine it with three other pieces to complete the map. Vincent frowned. "This is useless. Why would the dean think this item would help me?" he wondered, storing it away. Suddenly, a rustling sound behind him caught his attention. Before he could activate his Heaven Eyes, a black figure lunged at him. Chapter 70 Training Begins A sudden rustling sound behind him caught Vincent''s attention.Before he could activate his Heaven Eyes, a black figure lunged at him. Reacting instinctively, Vincent sidestepped, causing the black figure to miss and crash into a nearby tree trunk. The impact made the tree tremble, dislodging several leaves that drifted to the ground. The black figure became stuck on the trunk, letting out squeals as it struggled in vain to free itself. Vincent recognized it instantly by its appearance It was a Mad Horned Rabbit¡ªtwice the size of a normal rabbit and known for its aggressive nature. Although it was merely a Tier 1 (1-star) primal, it had somehow managed to hide its presence from him. With a casual movement, Vincent grabbed the rabbit by its neck, snapped its horn, and stabbed it through the heart, killing it in a single strike. Despite their excellent sneaking abilities, Mad Horned Rabbits were generally weak. Unlike in the Origin World, where creatures disappeared into particles of light upon death, this one remained intact. Not wanting to leave blood that might attract others, Vincent carried the carcass to a nearby stream to wash it clean. Who knows how many more of them might be lurking around? After amateurishly removing its pelt and cleaning it, he stored the rabbit in his storage ring. With that done, he exhaled calmly, feeling oddly relaxed¡ªas if he were on a camping trip. "I guess it''s natural. Back on Earth, I never took a vacation...always juggling multiple jobs," he mused, smiling wryly at the memory of his old life. Suddenly, a sharp presence appeared behind him, and he froze as something cold and metallic pressed against his neck. It took him only a moment to realize who it was, and his initial shock faded into a frown. "Special Instructor," he muttered softly. "Lesson number one: never let your guard down in any situation," Instructor Arthur said firmly. Vincent remained still until Arthur withdrew the weapon. Once it was gone, he turned to face him with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head. "I apologize, Special Instructor. It won''t happen again," Vincent said earnestly, though the truth was he had sensed Arthur''s presence earlier. He had merely chosen to feign relaxation, curious about the instructor''s intentions. Despite this, he was inwardly impressed by Arthur''s speed. Even with Heaven Eyes, he couldn''t gauge his level¡ªit could only mean one thing: Arthur was above Tier 3. Unaware of Vincent''s deception, Arthur maintained his usual stern expression and melodic tone. "In real life, there''s no ''next time.'' No time-outs. Once you die, that''s it," he said before pocketing the knife into a sheath strapped to his leg. Arthur glanced at the tree where the Mad Horned Rabbit had been stuck earlier. "You''ve awakened a C-rank Talent: Origin Power Enhancement, haven''t you?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "Tell me¡ªhow do you usually use your talent? What effects does it have, and are there any side effects?" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though puzzled by the question, Vincent respectfully replied, "I usually use it in battle to increase my strength or speed by 30%. As for side effects, I haven''t noticed any yet." "It just means you haven''t faced a deadly situation," Arthur said bluntly. "It''s good to know your limits and avoid fighting stronger opponents. But that mindset has its consequences," he continued. "What would you do if you encountered someone vastly stronger than yourself? If you exhausted all your methods to flee, what then?" Vincent was at a loss for words. Arthur''s point hit home¡ªhis cautious mindset often kept him in his comfort zone. Noticing Vincent''s silence, Arthur stepped closer and swiftly tapped his shoulders, forehead, and abdomen in quick succession. Suddenly, Vincent felt as though he had returned to Earth''s gravity¡ªhis body felt much heavier. He quickly realized that his origin energy was no longer accessible. "He blocked my origin energy!" Vincent thought, stunned. Arthur confirmed his suspicion. "I sealed your origin energy at its core." Vincent didn''t protest. He understood the purpose behind the action. "It''s for training," he thought¡ªArthur voiced the same sentiment aloud, to which Vincent simply nodded. "From now until sunset, I want you to bring me 1,000 Mad Horned Rabbits. You''re not allowed to use potions to recover health or stamina," Arthur declared. Vincent was about to nod when Arthur added, "And you must bring them alive." "What?! I''m already not allowed to use origin energy, potions, or even items from my storage ring. Now he expects me to bring them alive?" Vincent thought incredulously. "And in exchange," Arthur continued, "I''ll let you use your talent." Wait¡ªuse his talent without origin energy? But his talent enhanced origin energy usage. What did Arthur mean? Though confused, Vincent had no choice but to agree. "If you bring even one less than 1,000 rabbits, you''ll fail. As for the punishment..." Arthur trailed off, refusing to elaborate. Grinding his teeth, Vincent rushed into the forest, grabbing thick vines and a sturdy stick along the way to prepare for capturing the rabbits. After some time, he encountered his first two targets. Hiding behind a bush, he observed the rabbits hopping around and grazing. "This would be so much easier if I could use stealth," he thought, though he quickly dismissed the notion. Finally, he burst out of the bush, grabbing the nearest rabbit by its horn. It tried to flee, but Vincent, with strength five times that of a normal human, quickly subdued it. He snapped its horn, tied its limbs, and secured it to his stick using the vines. The rabbit squealed in agony. "Alive doesn''t mean unharmed," Vincent muttered with a smirk before turning his attention to the second rabbit, which now stood alert, its ears upright. Instead of fleeing, it squealed ferociously and lunged at him. Vincent swatted it aside, sending it rolling across the ground. Injured and limping, the rabbit hesitated before eventually fleeing. "Run back to your nest," Vincent thought as he silently followed it deeper into the forest. Chapter 71 Am I A Masochist? After tracking the limping Mad Horned Rabbit for what felt like an eternity, Vincent finally spotted their warren. It sprawled at the base of a small hill, with several burrow entrances dotting the slope. His eyes narrowed as he studied the scene. Near one of the holes, a group of Mad Horned Rabbits was dragging a lifeless fawn."This really is a different world¡­" he muttered, staring at the carnivorous rabbits in disbelief. Despite their differences, the Mad Horned Rabbits shared a few traits with their Earthly counterparts: they were nocturnal, sluggish under sunlight, and territorial. But they also feared the unknown. Vincent knew his actions would need to be swift and precise to avoid startling them¡ªone wrong move, and they might escape. He glanced down at the Mad Horned Rabbit tied to the stick he carried. The creature wriggled with a ferocity that would''ve been impressive if it weren''t so pathetic. Its squeals were muffled by a gag he''d fashioned earlier. "Look, buddy," Vincent said, setting the stick down in a bush, "it''s not personal. You''re just the unlucky star of tonight''s show." Satisfied with his hiding spot, he scanned the area for anything useful. His hands itched to dive into his storage for tools, but the rules of his current situation forbade it. After several minutes of searching, Vincent stumbled upon a clearing that seemed ripped from a painting. A field of vibrant flowers stretched out before him, their colors glowing softly in the sunlight. For a moment, he forgot the grim task ahead. "It''s¡­ pretty," he muttered without thinking. The sight reminded him of his younger sister, Marina, who, despite her otaku tendencies, had always adored flowers and beautiful landscapes. "She''d love this," he thought, snapping a quick photo with his phone. A tri-colored bee landed on a purple flower just as he clicked the picture. "Flower Bee," he muttered, instantly recognizing the creature. Known for their vibrant colors and passive nature, Flower Bees were usually harmless¡ªunless you disturbed their queen. Then they''d chase you with the determination of a caffeine-fueled Karen. As the thought struck him, a dangerous grin spread across Vincent''s face. "I might be crazy," he muttered, "but this just might work." A moment later he reached a massive tree. The Flower Bees'' hive was embedded in the trunk of a massive tree, its branches sprawling out like the arms of a giant. Vincent craned his neck to take in its full height. "Of course it''s enormous," he sighed. "Why can''t anything in this world be normal-sized? Just once, I''d like to see something I can punch without needing a step ladder." Despite his grumbling, he couldn''t deny the opportunity was perfect. He watched the bees buzzing in and out of a hole near the middle of the trunk, waiting for a lull in their activity. When the coast was clear, Vincent began his ascent, muttering as he climbed. "If anyone''s watching this, I swear I''m not insane. Just... resourceful." The climb was grueling, but he finally reached the hive. Inside, rows of honeycombs gleamed in the dim light, arranged so neatly they looked like the work of a perfectionist librarian. Vincent didn''t linger. His senses, sharpened even without origin energy, quickly located the queen. She stood out immediately¡ªa larger, multicolored bee that exuded an aura of authority. "Found you," Vincent whispered, his grin widening. Flower Bee Queen, Tier 1 (3¡ï) Even without using his Heaven Eyes, the queen''s aura made its level clear. While Astralis primals were generally weaker than those on the Origin World, he knew better than to underestimate her. Before the queen could react, Vincent grabbed her, ignoring her furious buzzing and swift attempts to sting him. He yanked out her stinger, effectively disarming her. "Sorry, Your Majesty. Can''t have you poking holes in my plans." The hive erupted in chaos. Worker bees swarmed toward him, their buzzing like the roar of an angry mob. Vincent wasted no time, leaping from the hive with the queen firmly in hand. "Hehe, that''s right! Follow me, you little maniacs!" he thought, sprinting back toward the warren. The plan unfolded perfectly. As Vincent approached the Mad Horned Rabbits'' territory, the swarm of Flower Bees followed, their fury laser-focused on recovering their queen. When he reached the warren, Vincent hurled the injured queen into one of the burrow entrances. The bees, as expected, swarmed inside without a second thought. "Time for Act Two," Vincent muttered, grinning as he grabbed the rocks he''d prepared earlier. He sealed most of the entrances, leaving only one open as an escape route. The first Mad Horned Rabbit burst out of the hole, its body riddled with stingers. Vincent moved quickly, disabling it with a sharp jab to its limbs. "Sorry, buddy. You''re not going anywhere." More rabbits followed, each one panicked and disoriented. Vincent worked methodically, crippling them one by one. "499¡­ and 500," he counted, finally stabbing the last rabbit''s limb to immobilize it. His muscles ached, and his stomach growled loudly in protest. Vincent glanced at the growing pile of captives beside him. "I wonder what they taste like¡­" he muttered absently, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of retreating bees. He watched as they dragged their injured queen away, buzzing furiously. Just as he relaxed, a loud squeal pierced the air. Emerging from the warren was a massive red-skinned rabbit with two horns. "Well, that''s new," Vincent thought, frowning. The creature''s size and demeanor marked it as a leader¡ªor perhaps the "big boss" of the warren. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit squealed angrily at the carnage, scanning its surroundings. It didn''t take long for it to notice the mountain of its fallen kin. Seizing the moment, Vincent charged from the bushes, wielding two horn-shaped weapons. But just as he was about to strike, the rabbit''s ears twitched, and it spun to deflect his attack with a powerful kick. "Fast!" Vincent muttered, backflipping to create distance. The creature''s sharp claws glowed crimson, and it lunged at him with alarming speed. Slash! The rabbit''s claws sliced through his weapons, leaving a small cut on his arm. Vincent retreated, inspecting the wound. "This¡­ is the first time I''ve been injured since coming to this world," he thought, his lips curving into a smile. He should''ve been angry. Instead, he felt energized. "Am I enjoying this?" he wondered, laughing softly. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait¡­ am I a masochist?" The rabbit glared at him, its crimson claws gleaming dangerously. "Well," Vincent muttered, raising his fists. "Let''s find out." Chapter 72 New Method "Let''s see if I am a masochist or battle maniac!"With that thought in his mind, he took a fighting stance, raising his fist. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit''s claws were still dangerously glowing with crimson light, a menacing reminder of its lethal capabilities. Its expression was still painted with killing intent, a bloodthirsty aura emanating from its small but deadly form. It clearly had no intention of letting him go. Therefore, upon seeing him disregarding his injuries and even smiling, it was infuriated. With glinting eyes, it pounced at him with the same speed as before, a blur of red and shadow. Compared to his initial surprise, there were no changes in his expression¡ªhe just kept his grin, unwavering as though mocking the creature''s effort. And just as its claws were about to slash at him, he finally made his move. The moment it slashed its claws, he took a single step backward, making its strike miss his chest by mere inches. "I''ll be stupid if I get hit by the same strike again," he thought, a flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes. He then threw a heavy punch straight at the head of the Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit, which was still in mid-air. It could not dodge, even if it wanted to. While it possessed astonishing speed, without its feet on the ground, that advantage was nullified. Hence, his punch landed directly on its face, making it squeal in pain as its small body was blasted against a nearby tree before smacking down onto the ground with a soft thud. It stood back on its feet almost immediately, a testament to its resilience. However, its right eye was already bleeding profusely. The damage was severe, and it was natural¡ªVincent''s current physique was powerful enough to explode the head of an average human with such a strike. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit touched the blood dripping from its wounded eye, staring at its paw for a brief moment before glaring at him. Squeal! The sharp, enraged sound rang out like a curse. "Sorry, bro, but I don''t speak alien language!" he quipped with a much wider smile, the provocation in his tone deliberate. With his response, the squealing sound of the creature turned almost into a growl. Its entire body vibrated with rage, and its killing intent intensified further, suffocating the air around them. It lowered its head, the tips of its horns catching a sinister glow, before its figure suddenly blurred and vanished from sight. Whoosh! Vincent did not flinch despite the sudden disappearance. His grin remained, though his eyes carefully scanned his surroundings, his instincts sharp. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him. Without hesitation, he spun around, crossing his arms in time to block. Bang! The impact was powerful enough to force him a half-step backward. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit''s feet had struck his arms with force comparable to a sledgehammer. "Haha, that''s right! Give me your everything!" Vincent laughed, his voice wild with excitement. Quickly regaining his balance, he stepped forward and launched a counterpunch. However, his strike met nothing but an afterimage as the creature disappeared again. He immediately sensed its presence reappearing behind him. This time, instead of blocking, he ducked his head smoothly, avoiding its incoming kick by a hair''s breadth. While it was still in mid-air, he spun on his heel, channeling all his momentum into a roundhouse kick. As he did, he instinctively thought of activating his C-rank Talent: Origin Power Enhancement. For a brief moment, he felt a surge of energy from his origin core. But just as quickly, it was blocked, the flow ceasing abruptly. The interruption caused his kick to falter for a second¡ªjust enough time for the Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit to vanish once more, its movements like a ghost flitting through shadows. When it reappeared several meters away, its crimson claws glowed even brighter, and now, its horns began to crackle with an ominous electric light. Crackling~ Soon, an electrifying crimson orb materialized between its horns. With a sharp squeal, the orb shot toward him at a terrifying speed. Vincent did not hesitate. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the projectile. Boom! The explosion that followed sent shockwaves through the area, splintering a tree into burning fragments. "Damn! That looks kinda painful if it hits me," Vincent muttered, his eyes darting to the smoldering wreckage before shifting back to the furious creature. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit was undeterred. Despite having just unleashed a devastating attack, it was already charging another orb. "Oi, oi. Calm down!" Vincent called out, though he knew his words were meaningless to the creature. Another crimson orb hurtled toward him, faster this time. Boom! The blast sent Vincent flying back, though the projectile itself had missed him. He skidded across the ground, dirt and debris flying in his wake. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And with this strike, he finally assessed its level. Tier 1 (5¡ï). "Hoh, so this was his plan all along," he thought, pieces of the puzzle clicking together. He recalled Special Instructor Arthur''s cryptic behavior: leaving him here, demanding he collect 1,000 Mad Horned Rabbits despite having already captured 500 in the warren, and allowing him to use his Origin Power Enhancement Talent. "I have to defeat this guy without using origin energy¡­" The realization made him frown. What was Arthur trying to prove? Was there really a way to use Origin Power Enhancement without relying on origin energy? Or was this some twisted test? There was no time to dwell. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit resumed its relentless assault, unleashing another electrifying orb. "There''s no other choice. I have to get closer and land a decisive strike to defeat it," Vincent resolved, determination flashing in his eyes. Dodging the crimson orbs with precise movements, he surged forward, closing the distance between them. Boom! Boom! Each explosion grew closer, singeing the air around him as he weaved through the barrage. Finally, he reached a pile of immobilized Mad Horned Rabbits, grabbing a pair of broken horns from the ground. The boss creature paused, its crimson glow dimming slightly as it hesitated. Vincent grinned. "Hoh¡­ you beasts actually have compassion?" Without shame, he grabbed one of the crippled Mad Horned Rabbits by its ears, holding it up like a shield. "Why don''t you attack me now, huh? Another crimson ball, maybe?" he taunted, poking at the smaller rabbit''s face. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit narrowed its eyes, its hesitation clear. But after a moment, it let out a sharp squeal and launched another electrifying orb. Vincent''s eyes widened. "Oi, oi! Where was your compassion?!" The crimson orb struck his makeshift shield with deadly force. Boom! The smaller rabbit disintegrated instantly, leaving only smoke and charred remains. "Damn it! If I''m short one rabbit, I''ll barbecue you for compensation!" Vincent snarled, his irritation masking the satisfaction of surviving. Realizing he needed to act fast, he tried activating his talent again¡ªthis time focusing solely on his physical body. To his astonishment, he felt a surge of strength course through his arms. "It worked?!" But the sensation was fleeting, fading as quickly as it came. Worse, he felt his hunger intensify, his stomach growling audibly. "It''s draining my stamina¡­" The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. Using Origin Power Enhancement without origin energy came at the cost of his physical endurance. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit gave him no time to rest, disappearing from view once more. Sensing its presence above, Vincent reacted instinctively. "He''s above!" With a reflex born of desperation, he activated the enhanced strength in his legs, blurring out of the crimson orb''s path just in time. Boom! The ground where he had stood erupted in a fiery blast, but Vincent was already preparing his counterattack. Chapter 73 End of 1st Day of Training Boom!The ground where he had stood exploded in a fiery blast, but Vincent was already poised to strike back. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit, after launching that crimson ball, finally showed signs of exhaustion. It had been relentlessly hurling skills. With its energy waning, it staggered and dropped to the ground. In that instant, despite his own fatigue and gnawing hunger, Vincent forced his legs to brace and pushed himself forward. Breathing raggedly, the crimson beast raised its sharp claws in a desperate attempt to block him. Puchi! Vincent''s weapon pierced its abdomen. Just as its claws were about to slash him, his figure blurred and reappeared behind it. The creature barely turned halfway before he drove the remaining horn into the back of its head. It froze, then collapsed lifelessly onto the ground. The system notification rang: You have successfully killed an Infernal Horned Hare Tier 1 (5¡ï)! +50 Experience Points earned! Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! The confirmation of its death gave Vincent a fleeting sense of relief before his body gave out, and he fell onto his back, legs cramping painfully. "Ugh¡­" Even with his enhanced physique, using his talent took a severe toll. He needed to rest before the pain subsided. The sun blazed high in the sky, making his aching body feel the midday heat more acutely. Growl~ His stomach''s protest reminded him of the Hare''s corpse lying nearby. "This has to be the hardest I''ve fought just to kill one beast¡­" he muttered, realizing how much he''d struggled. Things had been relatively smooth for him up until now. Yet instead of frustration, a grin spread across his face. He liked the thrill of struggle, the fight for survival. Still, his pragmatic side remained. If a task could be done with less risk, why gamble his life? "Now, the question is... how do I get these Mad Horned Rabbits to him?" After pondering, he managed to haul the Mad Horned Rabbits and the Infernal Hare''s corpse back to the stream. Exhausted, he collapsed beside the pile. At the edge of his vision, he noticed someone approaching. Looking up, he saw the stern face of his Special Instructor, Arthur Aviss. "Your parcel, sir¡­" Vincent said with a strained grin before his vision faded to black. Arthur stood silently, his eyes shifting between the unconscious Vincent and the pile of crippled rabbits alongside the Hare''s corpse. No one knew what he was thinking. After a moment, he carried Vincent to the shade of nearby trees and left him to rest. Several hours later, Vincent stirred awake, the sky above painted in shades of crimson and amber. The sun had already set. Realizing the time, he shot to his feet, only for pain to lance through his legs. "Ugh!" He groaned, clutching at his limbs. Arthur''s cold yet melodic voice broke the silence. "You''re awake¡­" Vincent turned to see his instructor approaching, holding a stick of barbecued meat. His stomach growled loudly at the sight. Arthur wordlessly tossed the skewer toward him. Vincent caught it instinctively, momentarily forgetting the pain in his hands. "Ah! H-hot!" He yelped, hurriedly blowing on his palms and the steaming barbecue. After some effort, he took a bite, the savory juices flooding his mouth with intense flavor. Warm energy coursed through him, slightly alleviating his fatigue. His eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, "Delicious!" It was his first taste of primal beast meat, and its effect was unexpectedly rejuvenating. Arthur, seated by the campfire, asked without looking at him, "How is it?" Vincent blinked and replied, "It''s amazing!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Arthur glanced over his shoulder briefly. "I wasn''t asking about that," he muttered before returning his attention to the fire. "Forget it." Confused, Vincent finished the barbecue quickly. Without turning, Arthur tossed him another stick, which he caught with a grin. "Thanks, Instructor!" The second serving left him full and energized, though his legs still felt unsteady. Arthur stood, gazing up at the star-strewn sky. "Done eating?" "Yes, Instructor." "Good. Then it''s time for your punishment." Vincent''s smile froze, confusion quickly giving way to frustration. "Why? Didn''t I deliver 500 Mad Horned Rabbits and their leader''s corpse?" Arthur''s expression remained neutral as he lowered his gaze. "What did I ask you to bring?" "A thousand Mad Horned Rabbits," Vincent replied, exasperated. "But there weren''t that many! Only around 500!" Arthur smirked. "Not my problem. I said a thousand. You should''ve found a way." Vincent furrowed his brow, unsure if Arthur had deliberately set him up. Before he could argue, Arthur''s voice cut through his thoughts. "For the rest of the night, you''ll use your talent until you can''t move a finger." His heart sank. "Is he trying to kill me?" Vincent thought but wisely kept silent, glaring at Arthur with narrowed eyes. Arthur noticed. "Why? Want me to increase the difficulty?" Vincent quickly forced a smile. "N-no, Instructor! I think your idea is perfect! Let''s do it!" He struggled to his feet, ignoring the pain. Recalling his earlier battle, he decided to start by activating his talent in his right arm. To his surprise, strength surged through both arms instead. "What? I only meant to enhance my right arm¡­" he muttered, confused. He tried again, focusing intently on isolating the effect. But once more, both arms were enhanced. "What am I doing wrong?" Arthur, watching closely, noticed his hesitation. "What''s the issue?" Vincent explained his confusion briefly. Arthur was silent for a moment, then replied, "I see. Instead of wasting time standing there like an idiot, give me ten sets of 100 pushups. Use your talent on both arms." Vincent''s frustration spiked. "Why does asking a question result in punishment?" But he dared not complain aloud. He dropped into position, activated his talent, and began. With enhanced arms, he completed the first set swiftly. "First set done!" Vincent announced. "Second set!" "399¡­ 400! Fourth set!" "999¡­ 1,000!" By the time he finished, sweat drenched him, and his arms throbbed with fatigue. Arthur''s voice interrupted the brief silence. "Now, ten sets of the school''s basic combat routine. Every movement must be precise. One mistake equals another set." Vincent wanted to groan but immediately began the routine, his body moving mechanically despite his exhaustion. The drills stretched late into the night, his energy reserves dwindling. Finally, his body gave out, and he collapsed, consciousness fading once more. Arthur stared at him for a long moment, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his face. With a slight shake of his head, he muttered, "Still too soft." The silent forest bore witness as the stars wheeled above, marking the end of Vincent''s grueling first day of training. Chapter 74 Valyn The next day.Morning. Vincent woke up, his entire body aching in pain, especially his arms. He could see them, but he couldn''t feel them¡ªno strength left to lift them. He let out a tired sigh, which didn''t go unnoticed by the already wide-awake Instructor Arthur. "You just woke up and you''re already tired? Wanna quit?" Vincent didn''t react to the taunt. He was getting accustomed to his instructor''s demeanor. "He''s heartless... this guy''s pure evil..." Of course, he only dared to think about it. Saying it aloud? Who knew what kind of twisted punishment Arthur might devise? While entertaining such thoughts, Arthur approached him. "Don''t tell me he can hear my thoughts?" Vincent thought, instinctively retreating¡ªonly to back into a tree. "I-Instructor?" he stammered. Arthur ignored his words. Before Vincent could react, the instructor''s fingers moved with precision, tapping his forehead, shoulders, and abdomen in swift succession. What followed was a surge of Origin Energy coursing through his entire body, forcing him to let out a soft groan. Arthur had lifted the seal on his energy. "Take a quick breakfast and replenish your stamina." Vincent, though full of questions, chose not to ask. Instead, he grabbed the same meal he''d had the night before by the campfire. Afterward, he downed a recovery potion in one gulp. Once finished, Instructor Arthur, who had been resting in the shade of a tree, opened his eyes and asked, "Which Sanctuary are you in right now?" Vincent, curious about the question, still answered truthfully. "I''m currently in No. 3 Novice Sanctuary." The usually stoic instructor frowned for a second before his expression reverted to neutrality.. "I see. For your next training, I''ll assign someone for you to meet in the Origin World." Vincent didn''t question him. He''d wondered if he''d be allowed to return to the Origin World. It would be foolish to waste such an advantage. He quickly realized why Arthur decided to continue his training there. "Now, go. She''ll meet you at the north entrance of your sanctuary." She? A girl? Curious but unwilling to pry, Vincent saluted respectfully. "Alright, Instructor. I''m going then." His surroundings blurred for a brief moment before he arrived in his rented room at the Newcomer''s Lounge. First, he donned his Shifting Visage mask before heading downstairs. With no interest in inquiries today, he walked straight to the north entrance to wait for her. After some time, he noticed someone approaching from a distance. Despite the mask concealing her features, her figure made it clear she was a woman. As she neared, her attire became visible¡ªlight armor beneath a tight pink robe. Her long jet-black hair was tied in a ponytail, and a pink fox mask covered her face. "She''s strong¡­" he thought, sensing the pressure she emitted unconsciously. "Excuse me, but are you Student Magnus?" she asked, her voice soft and slightly high-pitched. Vincent nodded. Since she was sent by his special instructor, there was no need to hide his identity. Keeping his alias secret outside the Origin World was more important. "I''m Valyn," she introduced herself. "You can call me Big Sis Valyn. I''m already 21, after all!" Her ample chest jiggled slightly as she spoke energetically. Vincent couldn''t help but glance before shifting his focus back to her face. Though much older in soul and mind, he complied with her wishes. "Okay, Big Sis Valyn." Her bright, lively jet-black eyes sparkled with delight as she pounced and hugged his arm. "Haha, good, good. From now on, you''re my little brother." Vincent, unfazed by her sudden action, closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of her embrace. "I guess this is what heaven feels like¡­" he muttered without thinking. "What heaven?" Valyn asked, tilting her head. Vincent snapped back, laughing awkwardly. "Haha, it''s nothing, Big Sis Valyn. By the way, what''s your relationship with Special Instructor Arthur?" "He didn''t tell you?" Vincent froze for a moment. Of course, he didn''t tell me. Would I ask you if he had? he thought but kept silent. "I figured. He''s a man of few words," Valyn said. "In that case, I''ll leave it to your imagination." Vincent resisted the urge to facepalm. "I seem destined to meet strange people." Dropping the topic, he asked, "So, what are we doing today, Big Sis?" "Right. My task today is to take you somewhere." "Somewhere?" "Yes," Valyn nodded. "Where is it?" She giggled, placing a finger over her mask''s mouth. "It''s a secret!" "Come on, let''s go. I''m sure you''ll like it!" "Okay," he replied with a nod. As he just took a step, Valyn stopped him. "Oh, we''re not walking. I only walked earlier for exercise. The place we''re headed is far, and walking would take too long." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How are we getting there, then?" "Hehe, don''t be surprised." With that, she let out a piercing whistle that echoed through the forest. Moments later, a white figure dashed through the greenery, stopping before Valyn. It was a massive, two-meter-tall, three-meter-long fox with silvery-white fur. Silverwood Fox, Tier 2 (5¡ï). "A peak Tier 2 Silverwood Fox?!" he thought, stunned. The creature lowered its head, letting Valyn pet it affectionately. She turned to Vincent, chuckling. "Hehe, surprised?" Vincent nodded. "This is my mount, Fenro, a Silverwood Fox. I found him as a cub a few years ago," she said, smiling warmly while stroking the fox''s fur. "Anyway, let''s go." Valyn mounted Fenro, then patted him gently. "Fenro, this is Vincent Magnus. He''ll be joining us today, okay?" Fenro growled softly in acknowledgment. Valyn patted the fox again, urging Vincent. "Come on, hop on. We''re leaving." Vincent didn''t hesitate, climbing onto Fenro''s back and settling behind Valyn. Valyn grabbed his hands, placing them around her waist. "You''ll need to hold on. Fenro''s fast, you know." Needless to say, Vincent didn''t refuse. Who would decline to hold a stunning woman like Valyn? Once he was comfortably seated and holding her waist, Valyn gave the command. "Okay, Fenro. Let''s go!" With her cue, their surroundings immediately blurred as Fenro began running with amazing speed. Chapter 75 Garga While riding with Valyn on her mount, the Silverwood Fox, Ferno, Vincent still had no idea where they were heading. He also noticed that despite Ferno''s speed, he believed that if he continuously used his movement skill, One Step Shift, he would be much faster.With Ferno''s strength and speed, no primals dared to stop them. The journey was nearly three hours long and could be considered quite lengthy. In the distance, Vincent noticed groups of origin warriors assembling near a massive, ancient tower. Their expressions mirrored mutual hostility, heightening the tension in the air. "What is that?" he asked after hopping off Ferno. He couldn''t recall any information about the tower. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After dismounting, Valyn responded while gazing at the structure, "That is the Tower of Combat." "Tower of Combat?" "Yes," Valyn nodded and continued, "Once you go inside, your Origin Energy will be sealed, and you''ll have to defeat the challengers assigned to you. "The more wins you get without losing, the better the rewards!" "Of course, you will only be fighting challengers of the same tier as you." Vincent nodded in understanding before asking curiously, "Is there a maximum number of wins one can achieve?" Valyn fell silent for a moment, her gaze landing on a large board with numerous names listed on it ¡ª the ranking board. "Yes. Once you reach a certain number of wins, the tower will increase the strength of your opponents. However, only geniuses and top rankers have been able to achieve this." Following her gaze, Vincent found the names listed on the ranking board. There were three categories corresponding to the levels of strength: Novice Origin Warriors, Tier 1 to Tier 3. At the Tier 1 Ranking, there were dozens of names listed. At the top of the list, one name and its battle record stood out: 1st ¡ª Criocliz Chrystals (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 49 Wins 2 Loss 2nd ¡ª Drakoth Asher (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 47 Wins 5 Losses 3rd ¡ª Shylvia Torn (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 46 Wins 6 Losses The list went on. He also checked the rankings of other tiers. However, one name in the Tier 2 list caught his attention: 1st ¡ª Elvi Rolud (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 49 Wins 1 Loss He couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows when he saw it. A Tier 1 Origin Warrior competing against Tier 2 Origin Warriors? It seemed this person had defeated most Tier 2 warriors, with only Tier 3 warriors managing to best him. "Elvi Rolud¡­" Vincent muttered, as though engraving the name in his mind. Valyn, standing beside him, overheard. "Are you curious about him?" Vincent simply nodded. "Legend has it that Elvi Rolud was a nobody ¡ª a timid guy with weak talent who was often bullied. But one day, during the Novice Ranking Battle, he reappeared as if reborn, dominating the rankings. Despite being Tier 1, he defeated Origin Warriors far above his level. Even though he eventually lost to a higher-tier opponent, his performance was enough to make his name known throughout the Origin World. "He didn''t stop after the Novice Ranking Battle. He began challenging all the Fundamental Towers, including the Tower of Combat, revealing overwhelming power that dominated the rankings and shocked the Novice Continent. But one day, he vanished without a trace. Some say he was killed, but no one has ever proven it. To this day, his fate remains a mystery." "He didn''t ascend to the higher continent?" Vincent asked. Valyn shook her head softly. "There''s a rumor that he might have already ascended, but it''s never been confirmed." As she spoke, they walked closer to the Tower of Combat. Their presence began to attract attention, likely due to Ferno, the Silverwood Fox, and its master, Valyn. Whispers filled the air. "That''s a Silverwood Fox, right? So that must be Valyn Aviss?" "Yes, you''re right. One of the Silver Rankers¡ªValyn Aviss, the Witch Fox." Valyn Aviss? Silver Rankers? Witch Fox? Vincent''s mind raced with questions as he overheard the whispers. She''s related to Special Instructor Arthur? What are Silver Rankers? And Witch Fox must be her title¡­ At that moment, a purple-haired Thrygian woman approached them. She was a head shorter than male Thrygians but still taller than a human, with a bulky build. Vincent frowned behind his mask, his impression of the Thrygian race soured by his earlier encounter with Grarik. He now assumed the entire race to be enemies of humanity. Valyn, however, seemed familiar with the woman. "What do you want, Garga?" she asked coldly, her usual high-pitched voice replaced with an emotionless tone. Garga, the female Thrygian, flanked by two male Thrygians, crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "Nothing. I just wanted to confirm if the stinky smell I noticed was indeed yours. And I was right¡ªnothing compares to your slutty scent." The two male Thrygians burst into laughter as Garga smiled provocatively. "It''s alright to be jealous. You don''t have to hide it. If I were ugly and had a face like yours, I''d be jealous of me too," Valyn retorted, shaking her head. Her response left Garga fuming, and the two glared at each other, creating a suffocating tension in the air that Vincent immediately felt. Fortunately, it didn''t last long. The two women broke their staring contest with cold harrumphs. "Just pray I don''t meet you in the tower later!" Garga threatened before turning away. "Hmph, I''m not sure who needs the prayer more, considering some purple fool has a lower ranking than me," Valyn said softly, her tone mocking. Garga heard the jab and faltered briefly but chose to ignore it. Her male companions, however, were less composed. They turned and faced Vincent, glaring at him instead of Valyn, which left him baffled. "What?" he muttered. I didn''t even say anything! I was ignored the whole time, and now they''re mad at me for doing nothing? Valyn noticed the situation and glanced at Vincent, their confused expressions mirroring each other. Suddenly, she broke into soft giggles, which escalated into laughter. "Haha!" Vincent could only shake his head with a wry smile. The brief exchange between Valyn and Garga had caught the attention of many, but both of them seemed unbothered by the stares. Valyn was clearly accustomed to it, while Vincent simply didn''t care. Curious, he asked a question that had been on his mind. "Who was that?" "Her? She''s Garga Blackthorn." Upon hearing the name, Vincent''s eyebrows rose in recognition. "Blackthorn? Is she related to Grarik?" "Oh? You know Grarik?" Vincent nodded. "She''s Grarik''s older sister," Valyn revealed. "I see¡­ but how are you related to her?" "I encountered her three years ago when I found Ferno," Valyn explained, her gaze falling on the Silverwood Fox resting under the shade of a massive tree. "She tried to snatch Ferno from me. Fortunately, I wasn''t any weaker than her, so I managed to retreat safely with Ferno." Seeing her willingness to answer, Vincent didn''t hold back and asked several more questions that had been bothering him. Through their conversation, he learned a lot of valuable information. The first was about the "Silver Rankers" mentioned earlier. Rankers were those on the leaderboard of the Novice Ranking Battle. The ranks included Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Valyn didn''t elaborate further, saying he would learn more soon enough. The second revelation was about experience points and the leveling speed of other Origin Warriors. Vincent had always wondered how others managed to increase their levels so quickly, especially those who didn''t come from wealthy backgrounds. If he calculated based on the experience points he needed to level up, it seemed absurd¡ªordinary Origin Warriors would require decades to increase their strength by even one level. Valyn explained that the required experience points varied based on the rank of one''s awakened talent. Those with lower-ranked talents needed fewer experience points to level up. Additionally, there were special talents like Alchemist, which allowed the creation of potions that could directly grant experience points or temporarily boost experience gain. However, such items were incredibly expensive. With her explanation, Vincent''s doubts were finally resolved. "Do you still have questions?" Valyn asked. "Not for now." "Alright then. In that case, it''s time for you to challenge the Tower of Combat." Chapter 76 Challenging the Tower of Combat "Do you still have questions?" Valyn asked."Not for now." "Alright then. In that case, it''s time for you to challenge the Tower of Combat." Vincent once again shifted his attention to the massive ancient tower. He wondered what was inside it and who had created it. He nodded at her and asked, "I understand. Is there anything I should keep in mind?" "You must remember that dying inside the Tower of Combat is the same as dying outside. This means you''ll be transported back to our planet and lose the ability to return to the Origin World." "Well, you don''t have to worry too much about that. You''re allowed to concede defeat if you feel like you''re about to lose or are certain you can''t win against your opponent." Vincent nodded in understanding. "Anything else?" Valyn faintly shook her head before reaching for Vincent''s face and embracing him against her bosom. Vincent was surprised, but he didn''t react as he felt her softness. "This is your good luck charm. Now go, beat the crap out of them!" After saying that, she let go of Vincent and pushed him forward. Vincent was still lost in thought, recalling the softness of Valyn, as he joined the line at one of the three entrances to the tower. The left entrance was for Tier 1 challengers. He queued behind the others. After a while, it was his turn. An interface appeared before him, asking for his handprint and name. Once he placed his hand on it, his body was immediately surrounded by digital lights before vanishing into the Tower of Combat. [Welcome to the Tower of Combat, dear challenger, Magnus!] An archaic voice rang out as soon as he found himself in a dimly lit ancient chamber where the end and roof were out of sight. [As per the tower''s rules, your Origin Core will be sealed for the duration of the challenge.] He felt his Origin Core being sealed once again. Though he was already aware of it, he still felt a little bitter. He had just regained his Origin Energy after a rough training session last night, and now it was sealed again. [In this tower, you will fight a random opponent of the same tier. Each victory earns you 100 Tower Points, which can be exchanged for items at the tower''s exchange. Since you currently have no Tower Points, you cannot visit the exchange.] Vincent nodded in understanding as the archaic voice continued. [After each fight, you will have 30 minutes of rest. If you lose and admit defeat, you won''t be able to challenge the Tower of Combat again for two weeks.] He nodded once more. [Additionally, you cannot use any weapons or items that aren''t from the tower.] Vincent showed no reaction, as he had already expected this. [Are you ready to begin your challenge?] Vincent nodded. "Yes." As soon as he answered, several digital lights appeared in front of him, materializing into various types of weapons: swords, rapiers, bows, axes, and more. [Please pick your weapon of choice.] Without hesitation, he grabbed a plain sword. It wasn''t particularly long or heavy, measuring approximately 150 centimeters and weighing only a few kilograms. As soon as he picked it up, the other weapons vanished. [Your opponent will be assigned shortly. Please wait patiently...] [Match Found!] Vincent then saw his opponent''s record. Bjor Palku Tier 1 (5¡ï) 4 Wins - 5 Losses His opponent had more losses than victories. [Please select your Battle Map!] Several screens appeared in his vision, showcasing maps of different terrains. He chose a simple flat arena named the Cliff of Death Arena. Once he made his choice, his vision and surroundings blurred. On the other side, when Bjor Palku saw his opponent''s record, he couldn''t suppress a grin. "Finally, a newbie! This is going to be my fifth win!" After a short moment, the two appeared in the flat, elevated arena. Despite its plain appearance, the arena was surrounded by an endless pit, making falling off a fatal mistake. As soon as he appeared, Vincent caught sight of his opponent: Bjor Palku, a Birdman. The battle map was clearly in Bjor Palku''s favor. "Haha," Bjor Palku laughed when he saw the map. "To think you chose this map against me? It seems you''re giving me a free win. I''ll be kind and let you concede defeat." Vincent simply took a fighting stance and raised his sword in response. Bjor Palku frowned, displeased by Vincent''s reaction. "You really don''t want to surrender?" Vincent ignored him. "Hmph, don''t say I didn''t warn you!" With that, Bjor Palku flapped his jade-colored wings, taking to the air. He nocked an arrow and aimed at Vincent. With a strong pull, he released the bowstring, and the arrow flew swiftly toward Vincent. Whoosh! Vincent didn''t react until the arrow was within two meters of him. Then, he turned his sword and used the width of the blade to block it. Bjor Palku wasn''t disappointed. Instead of shooting a single arrow, he nocked three at once and released them. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The arrows whistled through the air as they sped toward Vincent. Vincent narrowed his eyes and slashed the arrows as they neared him. Clang! Bjor Palku didn''t relent. He continuously fired three arrows simultaneously. Whoosh! This time, instead of a direct attack, several arrows curved mid-air, passing around Vincent and targeting him from behind like homing missiles. Whoosh! One arrow arrived too quickly, forcing Vincent to dodge by jumping backward. Thud! The arrow missed and embedded itself deeply in the ground. Two more arrows followed in quick succession as Vincent rapidly retreated. Just as he moved back, he heard another whistling sound behind him¡ªa new volley of arrows had been fired. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent quickly spun around and performed a series of backflips, narrowly dodging the arrows as they struck the ground. Whoosh! Another whistle sounded, this time from three more arrows curving through the air. However, Vincent was more prepared now and anticipated their path. He avoided them effortlessly and, as soon as the last arrow passed, he grabbed the nearest arrow stuck in the ground. With a full spin, he hurled it forcefully at the airborne Birdman. The arrow tore through the air with a piercing whistle, reaching Bjor Palku almost instantly. Despite seeing it coming, Bjor Palku had no time to react. He managed to tilt his body and flap his wings but was still struck in the left shoulder. "Ugh!" Bjor Palku groaned as the arrow pierced his shoulder. He lost balance, swaying in the air before plummeting headfirst toward the ground. Seeing this, Vincent grabbed another arrow from the ground and threw it over his shoulder with precision. Whoosh! Bjor Palku, still falling, noticed the incoming arrow. Clutching his injured shoulder, he gritted his teeth and flapped his wings desperately to dodge. While he succeeded in avoiding the arrow, he crashed onto the arena floor, leaving traces of blood behind. Vincent wasn''t one to show mercy. As soon as his opponent hit the ground, he charged forward, aiming to end the battle. However, a weak but forceful voice stopped him. "I¡­ I concede!" The moment Bjor Palku announced his surrender, his body was enveloped in digital lights before vanishing from the arena. [Congratulations! Victory for Challenger Magnus!] [You have received 100 Tower Points!] [You now have a 30-minute resting period.] Chapter 77 Isnt This Basically Cheating? [Congratulations! Victory for Challenger Magnus!][You have received 100 Tower Points!] [You now have a 30-minute resting period.] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! "Wait, what?" He exclaimed, unsure if he had heard it correctly. The multiplication effect when absorbing Origin Energy from Origin Crystals was understandable because it came from primal creatures. However, this time was entirely unnatural and made no sense. Oblivious to his shock, the tower''s archaic voice continued. [You are now eligible to check the items you can exchange for Tower Points.] An interface appeared before his eyes. [Tower Exchange] Skills Weapons Equipment Miscellaneous It had four categories under it. When he checked the skills category, a long list of skills appeared, ranging from common to rare quality. He also noticed that there were no cultivation techniques, which made sense since cultivation techniques were generally Tier 2 items. The other three categories followed a similar pattern, offering only Tier 1 items ranging from common to rare quality. He confirmed the amount of Tower Points he had: 1,000,000 Tower Points. He was speechless. "Isn''t this basically cheating?" he muttered to himself, grinning beneath his Shifting Visage mask. "Who cares? The world is never fair." With that in mind, Vincent began using his rest period to browse the available items and buy whatever he wanted. He had a million points to spend, after all¡ªhe might as well buy everything worthwhile in the store. Needless to say, he already had his eyes on the top items he had seen. Particularly the skills. Dragon''s Might - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. The user emits a Dragon''s Aura that can immobilize targets of the same or lower level based on the user''s Force and Mental attributes. The weaker the race, the greater the effect. Sterling Silver Body - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. Permanently enhances overall physical strength by 30%. Five Wave Strike - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A rare martial technique that increases physical attack power by up to five times when mastered. Sixth Sense - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Permanently enhances perception by 30%. Physical Regeneration - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. Increases base physical regeneration by 20%. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The list of intriguing skills went on. However, most of the skills revolved around physical strength and Force attributes. Even so, there were several combat skills suited for different fighting styles. His curiosity didn''t stop him from purchasing them. He began by buying the ten top skills on the list. Afterward, he had 900,000 Tower Points remaining¡ªstill an enormous amount. Next, he checked the weapons category and purchased ten Tier 1 rare armaments. Even though he already possessed an epic-grade Tier 2 armament, having more wouldn''t hurt. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 800,000. The skill books he had bought went into his storage ring, but the armaments piled up in front of him, startling him. "It seems my storage can no longer hold more items." With that realization, he quickly opened the Miscellaneous tab, which listed items like potions, scrolls, and more. He purchased the first item that caught his eye. Storage Ring - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: 500 cubic meters of storage space. A five-hundred-cubic-meter space was comparable to 15 standard shipping containers¡ªspacious enough to store a vast number of items for a long time. He wondered if it could be upgraded, unlike the storage item he''d acquired from Azhara, which was not eligible for upgrades for some unknown reason. For now, he shelved the thought. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 700,000. He collected the armaments and stored them in his newly purchased storage ring, which had a white-gold appearance. Naturally, he bought ten more of them until the stock sold out and disappeared from the list. Unlike skill books, which vanished from the list as soon as purchased, miscellaneous items displayed their available stock. Since he was already in the Miscellaneous tab, he browsed further and found several fascinating items. Tier 1 Capture Ball - 20,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A rare item used to capture a Tier 1 primal. Once captured, users can initiate a taming process. Capture Chances: Tier 1 (1¡ï) - 100% Tier 1 (2¡ï) - 80% Tier 1 (3¡ï) - 60% Tier 1 (4¡ï) - 40% Tier 1 (5¡ï) - 20% Curious, he purchased five of them. -100,000 Tower Points. He also found Escape Scrolls, priced at 10,000 each, with ten currently in stock. Though he didn''t fully understand how they were made, he bought all ten. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 500,000. He discovered even more intriguing items: Force Potion - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Increases Force attribute by 5 points for five minutes without side effects. Experience Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Doubles experience gain for five minutes. Stamina Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Boosts stamina for five minutes. Drop Chance Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Increases drop chances by 30% for five minutes. Tier 1 Experience Potion - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Grants experience points ranging from 1,000 to 3,000. The list continued. Vincent''s eyes gleamed as he saw the experience-related items. Excitedly, he bought ten of each item he found appealing, exhausting his remaining Tower Points. Unfortunately, he no longer had points to buy anything from the equipment tab. However, he wasn''t concerned. After another victory, he''d have plenty of points to spend. Afterward, he retrieved four of the ten skills he had bought and immediately learned them. Dragon''s Might Learned! Sterling Silver Body Learned! Sixth Sense Learned! Physical Regeneration Learned! Waves of strength and information surged through his mind and body. He spent the remainder of his rest period adapting to his newfound strength and skills. Unsurprisingly, Vincent''s spree of hoarding top items from the Tower Exchange didn''t go unnoticed by the current challengers. "What? How did this happen?!" "Oh no! My Dragon''s Might is gone! Who bought it?!" "The top items are all gone, except for the equipment?" "There must be a glitch in the tower!" "This must be a bug! There''s no way those items could disappear like that!" While the challengers within the tower were in an uproar, those outside the Tower of Combat remained unaware of the chaos unfolding. After some time, Vincent was finally prepared to continue his challenge. "I''m ready to continue the challenge!" he announced confidently. The tower''s archaic voice responded. [Looking for a match¡­ Please wait patiently.] Soon, the voice declared: [Match Found!] Chapter 78 Another Million Points [Looking for a match¡­ Please wait patiently.]Soon, the voice declared: [Match Found!] Vynco Vynk Tier 1 (5¡ï) 2 Wins - 0 Losses His next opponent was also a newbie like him, already boasting two wins and no losses. ''He might be stronger than Bjor Palku,'' Vincent thought, but he wasn''t worried. Unlike his previous match, this time he wasn''t offered the choice of a battle map. Instead, the surroundings around him were distorted, and his vision blurred. [Your opponent has chosen the Swampy Field as the Battle Arena!] "It seems it''s not my turn to choose the map¡­" he thought as he vanished from his previous location. Moments later, he materialized in an uneven swampy area. The atmosphere was damp, heavy with the pungent smell of stagnant water and mud. Thick mist curled around the field, obscuring some parts of the terrain. In the distance, Vincent''s sharp eyes spotted the silhouette of his opponent. As the mist parted, his opponent''s peculiar appearance became clearer. The figure before him had a distinctly frog-like head with two large, beady eyes that seemed to glisten unnaturally in the dim light. Its green, sleek skin shimmered faintly, covered in a sheen of moisture. Despite its amphibian-like features, the creature stood upright, its posture resembling that of a human. It was clad in loose white pants that billowed slightly, exposing its bare upper body. In its webbed hands, it gripped a six-foot-long iron-silver rod. His opponent belonged to a race known as the Wetskins¡ªa neutral, amphibious species widely recognized for their exceptional martial prowess and unique combat techniques. Vynco Vynk, as the voice had announced, cupped his webbed hands ceremoniously and spoke in a hoarse, gravelly tone that echoed across the swampy field. "My name is Vynco Vynk. My martial name is Croaker. You may address me in whichever way you prefer. Please enlighten me with your skills." Vincent raised an eyebrow at his opponent''s overly formal mannerisms, momentarily caught off guard by the display of respect. "Did their ancestors watch too many kung fu movies for their descendants to turn out like this?" he wondered to himself, a hint of amusement flickering in his mind. Despite his internal musings, Vincent didn''t dare to respond disrespectfully. The opponent''s tone and attitude demanded a measure of dignity in return. Rather than mimicking the introduction, Vincent kept his response succinct and to the point. With a curt nod, he simply stated, "Magnus." The brief exchange of introductions ended, and silence settled over the arena for a fleeting moment. Without warning, Vynco sprang into action. The Wetskin began hopping forward, his sleek movements fluid and precise. He gripped the iron-silver rod tightly as he moved, the water beneath his webbed feet splashing audibly. Tap! Tap! The sound of Vynco''s agile hops echoed through the swampy terrain. Vincent remained rooted in place, his sharp gaze locked onto the rapidly approaching figure. He knew that this arena was deliberately chosen to give his opponent the upper hand. Yet, he didn''t show any sign of panic or hesitation. The Wetskin darted from left to right in erratic zigzag patterns, clearly attempting to throw Vincent off balance and obscure his line of attack. When Vynco was about 13 feet away, Vincent finally moved. The moment Vynco thrust his weapon, Vincent ducked his head and launched himself forward. Splash! Water sprayed into the air as his feet kicked off the ground. Whoosh! In an instant, he closed the distance, evading Vynco''s weapon. As Vincent swung his sword toward his opponent''s exposed belly, Vynco''s tongue shot out unexpectedly, forcing Vincent to retreat several meters. Vynco also stepped back, faintly surprised by Vincent''s speed. He had chosen the map for an advantage, expecting his opponent to struggle in the swampy terrain. Yet Vincent maneuvered with remarkable ease, thanks to his recently acquired Sixth Sense skill, which heightened his awareness. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In that brief exchange, Vincent had instinctively stepped only on the drier, firmer spots of the field. "A frog is still a frog," Vincent mused after dodging the sticky tongue. Both combatants now had a rough measure of each other''s speed. Vynco crouched slightly, muscles tensing, and with a sharp grunt, propelled himself forward with astonishing speed. Clap! He launched himself into the air, gripping his weapon overhead with his webbed hands. Vincent reacted swiftly, preparing to slash horizontally. But just like before, Vynco''s tongue lashed out, coiling around Vincent''s sword and neutralizing it. Taking advantage of the moment, Vynco let out a loud grunt and brought his iron-silver rod crashing down toward Vincent''s head. But Vincent smirked beneath his mask. He released his sword and swung his right arm upward to intercept the blow. "Initial Wave Strike!" Clang! The sound of metal clashing reverberated as Vincent''s fist met Vynco''s weapon. A powerful force rippled through the rod, sending Vynco flying several meters before tumbling across the swampy terrain. Vincent felt only slight numbness in his fist, which quickly faded. Glancing at his hand, he noticed a subtle silvery sheen¡ªevidence of the Sterling Silver Body, a skill he had recently learnt. The strike that overwhelmed Vynco was the first phase of his Five Wave Strike skill. Despite being in the beginner stage, it had proven potent against an opponent like Vynco. On the other side, Vynco scrambled to his feet, uninjured but visibly shocked. His wide, beady eyes now seemed even larger. "What kind of body do you have? Are you a Crystallian?" "No, you don''t look like a Crystallian¡­" Vynco muttered, answering his own question. He eyed Vincent thoughtfully. "You don''t resemble a Thrygian either. Those madmen would never bother hiding their appearances..." As he pieced things together, Vynco''s expression brightened. "The only race I know that matches your appearance is the Human Race. You must be human!" Vincent was speechless. His opponent had gone from respectful martial artist to amateur detective. Ignoring the speculation, he asked flatly, "Do you still want to fight?" Vynco quickly hid his weapon behind him. "Oh, hell no. I might be a martial artist, but I''m not stupid. I know when I''m outmatched." "So, are you conceding?" "Yeah, but can we talk for a while? It''s been so long since I''ve spoken to anyone. Lately, everyone I approach either runs away or ignores me. I can''t tell if it''s because I''m boring or if there''s something wrong with¡ª" Before Vynco could finish, a gust of wind swept past him, accompanied by the sharp press of a blade against his neck. Vincent held his sword, his voice cold. "Are you going to concede, or do you want me to make you?" Vynco gulped nervously. "I-I concede!" Whoosh! Digital light enveloped Vynco, and his figure vanished. [Victory for Challenger Magnus!] [You have gained +100 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! "Another million tower points," Vincent muttered, satisfied. Chapter 79 Causing an Uproar "Another million tower points," Vincent muttered, his voice laced with satisfaction as he checked the system''s notification.[You have a 30-minute resting period.] The mechanical tone of the tower''s voice echoed in his mind, but Vincent paid it no heed. Rest was the last thing on his mind. "Open the tower''s exchange," he demanded without hesitation. Moments later, the exchange interface materialized in his vision, displaying a variety of tabs and options. He navigated directly to the Equipment Tab, his interest piqued by the prospect of upgrading his arsenal. Vincent''s gaze swept across the available items until he focused on the top equipment listed: Name: Emberheart Plate Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Forged from fire-tempered steel and imbued with the essence of elemental flames, the Emberheart Plate offers robust protection and enhances fire-related abilities. The armor radiates a natural warmth, making it effective in cold environments and empowering its wearer''s resilience in combat. Base Effect: Increases physical defense significantly and grants resistance to fire, reducing the impact of fire-based attacks. Skill 1: Flame Barrier Effect: Summons a fiery shield that absorbs incoming damage and retaliates by scorching melee attackers with bursts of flame. Duration: 8 seconds Cooldown: 25 seconds Name: Frostwoven Carapace Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Crafted from the scales of frost drakes and reinforced with glacial crystals, this armor offers exceptional protection against both physical and elemental threats. Its freezing aura numbs attackers upon contact, making it invaluable in prolonged confrontations. Base Effect: Increases physical defense and significantly reduces damage from ice-based attacks. Skill 1: Glacial Retaliation Effect: Releases a burst of freezing energy that damages all nearby enemies and slows their movement significantly. Damage: 30 frost damage to enemies within a 5-meter radius. Movement Slow: 20% reduction in speed. Duration: 5 seconds Cooldown: 30 seconds Name: Verdant Lifeguard Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Woven from the bark of ancient magical trees and infused with druidic energy, the Verdant Lifeguard offers excellent protection while nurturing the wearer''s vitality. Known for its regenerative properties, it is highly sought after by those who endure battles with resilience and persistence. Base Effect: Increases physical defense and gradually restores vitality over time while worn. Skill 1: Nature''s Embrace Effect: Activates a healing aura that restores the wearer''s vitality and boosts the regenerative ability of nearby allies within a 10-meter radius. Duration: Restorative effects persist for a short period. Cooldown: 40 seconds These three pieces of equipment were undeniably powerful, but Vincent wasn''t particularly impressed. His current body armament already surpassed the capabilities of these items. Still, the abundance of tower points he had amassed made the cost insignificant to him. Winning one battle alone rewarded him with a million points, making the prices seem trivial. Without a second thought, he purchased all three items and transferred them to his storage ring. He didn''t stop there. He continued browsing the exchange, scanning through other intriguing options. The array of available equipment¡ªarmguards, shoulder pads, and other pieces¡ªcaught his attention briefly. But what truly piqued his interest were the accessories. Among the most notable accessories were: Name: Blood Ruby Ape Earring Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Effects: +3 Force Attribute Name: Steelscale Salamander Bracer Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Effects: +3 Basic Defense Name: Iridescent Cobra Ring Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Effects: Significantly increases poison resistance. Without a second thought, he purchased all the items and equipped them immediately. He instantly sensed a notable increase in his strength. The Blood Ruby Ape Earring alone boosted his Force Attribute by 3 points. Considering his current Force Attribute of 7.6 points, the earring raised it to 10.6 points¡ªessentially tripling the average human''s strength. Although the effects of the Steelscale Salamander Bracer were not immediately visible, he knew that combined with his newly learned skill, Sterling Silver Body, his durability would see a substantial improvement. The Iridescent Cobra Ring, on the other hand, bolstered his poison resistance. With the Venomous Ring of Resistance, he speculated that he might eventually achieve complete immunity to all poisons. He still had 940,000 Tower Points remaining. A mischievous grin spread beneath his mask as a thought crossed his mind. "What would the other challengers think if I emptied the tower''s exchange?" Determined to find out, he proceeded to spend his remaining points on skill books. There were around 20 rare-grade skills still available, as well as over 100 common and uncommon skills. He bought every single one. "I''m rich, hehe¡­" As Vincent stood there, admiring the collection of skill books now safely stored in his storage ring, his laughter echoed throughout the space. It wasn''t just the joy of acquiring such a vast array of treasures¡ªit was the realization that his actions were causing chaos among the other challengers. Unbeknownst to him, his actions had already sparked confusion and panic.. "W¨CWhat''s happening again? Why are the skill books missing?" a voice cried out in disbelief within the tower. "Oh my god! What''s wrong with the tower this time?" "I need answers! Tower of Combat, you owe us an explanation!" someone else shouted, their frustration mounting as the exchange''s inventory dwindled further. Despite the uproar, the Tower of Combat''s archaic voice remained silent, offering no explanations to the bewildered challengers. It was as if the tower itself was unaware¡ªor perhaps indifferent¡ªto the chaos Vincent''s actions were causing. Oblivious to the commotion outside, Vincent continued with his plans. After a brief pause, he resumed his challenges, his mind set on further solidifying his position. [Match Found!] Syche Goud Tier 1 (5¡ï) 5 Wins ¡ª 0 Losses [Please select your Battle Map.] This time, Vincent opted for simplicity. He selected the Novice Battle Arena, a straightforward map devoid of complex terrains or environmental hazards. It was a perfect choice for a quick and decisive battle. As digital lights enveloped him, transporting him to the arena, Vincent''s gaze immediately locked onto his opponent. The challenger before him was a Vyrmin¡ªa small, goblin-like creature with green skin, pointed ears, and a pair of gleaming scimitars in its hands. Despite his diminutive stature, Syche exuded an air of arrogance. His voice dripped with disdain as he shouted, "Surrender! You have no chance against me!" Vincent, however, remained unfazed. He had no intention of wasting time on idle banter. His mind was already formulating a plan to end the fight swiftly and efficiently. As Syche stood there, oblivious to the impending doom, Vincent unleashed his Dragon''s Might skill. An oppressive aura surged forth, enveloping the arena and targeting Syche with unrelenting intensity. The Vyrmin froze in place, his eyes widening in terror as the weight of Vincent''s aura crashed down upon him. To Syche, Vincent seemed to grow taller, his figure shrouded in an almost mythical presence. In his mind''s eye, he saw the shadow of a massive black dragon looming behind Vincent, its menacing gaze fixed on him. Syche''s legs trembled uncontrollably, and before long, a dark stain appeared on his pants. The realization struck Vincent like a bolt of lightning. "Did he just¡­ pee himself?" Vincent muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of disbelief and amusement. He hadn''t anticipated this outcome. Sure, Dragon''s Might was an impressive skill, combining his Force and Mental attributes to create an oppressive aura capable of shaking an opponent''s spirit. But to reduce someone to this state so quickly? That was beyond his expectations. Releasing the skill, Vincent watched as Syche crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as if he''d been freed from the jaws of death. "Surrender," Vincent ordered, his voice cold and commanding. Syche, still haunted by the image of the dragon, could do nothing but comply. His voice trembled as he stammered, "I¨CI concede." "Good," Vincent replied, a faint smile forming beneath his Shifting Visage mask. [Match Found!] [Victory for challenger Vincent Magnus!] [You have gained +100 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points. The process repeated itself several more times. Match after match, victory after victory, Vincent continued to amass tower points and spend them in the exchange. By the time he secured his tenth consecutive win, the entire Tier 1 inventory of the exchange had been emptied. A new notification appeared before him: S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tier 1 Rankings 100th: Magnus ¡ª Tier 1 (5¡ï) 10 Wins ¡ª 0 Losses Vincent nodded in satisfaction as he read the notification. It was a good start, but he wasn''t content to stop there. "Continue," he commanded, eager to climb even higher. To his surprise, the tower''s voice responded with an unexpected announcement. [Unable to find a match. Current Challengers Count: 1] Vincent frowned, his mind racing with questions. "Am I the only one left in the tower?" he wondered aloud. The idea seemed absurd, yet the system''s message suggested otherwise. Meanwhile, outside the Tower of Combat, chaos was unfolding. Digital lights flashed as Tier 1 challengers began appearing, one by one, exiting the tower in a state of frustration and confusion. Among them was Valyn, her fox mask hiding the mixture of curiosity and concern on her face. She watched as the challengers gathered, their voices rising in a chorus of complaints. "What''s going on? Why did you all leave the tower?" someone asked, their tone filled with disbelief. "Why? You want to know why? All the exchange items are gone¡ªthat''s why!" one of the frustrated challengers shouted, kicking the ground in anger. "All of them?" another voice echoed, shock evident in their tone. "Yes, every single one! It''s insane! I was saving up for a skill book, and now everything is gone!" Valyn''s brows furrowed as she processed the situation. The idea of the tower''s exchange being emptied seemed impossible¡ªuntil her gaze shifted to the ranking board. There, prominently displayed among the top 100, was a familiar name: Magnus. "What? He''s already in the top 100?" she murmured, disbelief evident in her voice. Chapter 80 Leaving the Tower "What? He''s already in the top 100?" she murmured, disbelief evident in her voice.Although she had been briefed slightly by Arthur and had faint expectations regarding Vincent''s performance and talent, she never truly believed he would climb the leaderboard so quickly. "Or perhaps he was able to climb so fast because of the tower''s issue?" she thought, still skeptical about Vincent''s performance. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As she stood lost in thought, a digital glow materialized nearby. A Tier 2 challenger emerged from the tower, visibly perplexed by the commotion outside. After gathering information from a bystander, his expression shifted to confusion and disbelief. "How is that possible? I just exited the tower, and Tier 2 items were still available¡­" His words triggered a fresh wave of bewilderment among the affected challengers, deepening the mystery surrounding the situation. Meanwhile, inside the Tower of Combat, Vincent stood lost in thought. Since all the Tier 1 challengers had left the tower, leaving him with no one to challenge, he felt uncertain about what to do next. Even though he was curious about how his current strength would measure against a Tier 2 opponent, he had yet to meet the specific win requirements to ascend to the Tier 2 challenges. Hence, he had no choice but to wait for others to return to the tower. However, Vincent believed that, with the tower''s exchange stock depleted, no challengers would return for the time being. After a brief consideration, he decided to leave the tower. "I want to leave the tower," he uttered into the air. The tower''s archaic voice responded: [If you leave the tower now, you will be able to challenge it again after 3 days. Do you still wish to leave?] "Three days¡­" he murmured. "So be it... Others won''t be able to challenge the tower during this time anyway." With that in mind, he confirmed his decision. Soon, his vision and surroundings blurred. When clarity returned, he found himself outside the tower, immediately met by the commotion of frustrated challengers. A smirk formed beneath his mask as realization dawned. He was certain that his actions were the root cause of the uproar. Despite knowing this, he remained indifferent. I''d do it again if given another chance, he thought, as Valyn''s voice called out to him. "Student Magnus!" Her tone was neither weak nor loud, yet it was enough to catch the attention of those nearby. "Magnus? Is he the one who just entered the top 100 leaderboard?" "It must be him. Look, he''s acquainted with her¡­" someone commented, referring to Valyn. Valyn approached him quickly the moment he appeared. "How are you? Are you all right?" she asked, concern evident as she scanned him for any injuries. Vincent was baffled by her actions. He couldn''t understand why she treated him so kindly. Even so, her concern touched him. But, of course, he wouldn''t trust someone so easily. "I''m all right, Big Sis Valyn," he assured her. "Are you sure?" Valyn was internally curious about how Vincent had managed to climb the leaderboard so quickly. When she noticed he was completely unscathed, she was momentarily surprised. This only meant one thing¡ªhis battles had been effortless. "Yes, there''s nothing to worry about." "Anyway, what''s happening here?" Vincent asked, feigning ignorance. Valyn set aside her curiosity to answer his question. "They''re saying the items in the Tower''s Exchange are all missing. Is that true?" Hearing her response, Vincent confirmed his suspicions. While he subtly grinned behind his mask, he displayed no strange reactions. "Ah, so that''s what this is about. I thought it was normal. Right after I used my tower points to exchange for an item, the available stock vanished." His answer sounded so natural that no one would suspect he was the cause of the problem. Valyn furrowed her brows, wondering aloud, "What is happening in the tower? This has never happened before¡­" Sensing her rising curiosity, Vincent quickly changed the subject. "How about you, Big Sis? Aren''t you going to challenge the tower?" Her train of thought interrupted, Valyn considered his question alongside her plans. Initially, her intent was to challenge the tower while Vincent was occupied, per Arthur''s request. However, the tower''s current state made this impossible. Moreover, she couldn''t leave Vincent unattended, especially with Garga nearby, her sharp glares a constant annoyance. "Oh, right. Congratulations on reaching the top 100 leaderboard," she said, ignoring his question. "Thank you." "Did you leave the tower because of the issue?" "Well, sort of, but mainly because I had no one left to match with." Valyn was speechless. If she were in the Tier 1 challengers'' position, she would''ve left the tower immediately too. Yet, the boy in front of her wanted to fight more, even without rewards. Her impression of him changed. "This guy¡­ he''s just like him," she thought, recalling a normally quiet man whose expression turned wild in battle. Shaking off her random thoughts, she responded, "I''d love to take you to the other Fundamental Towers, but the nearest one would take almost a day to reach, even with Fenro''s speed. I think your training ends here for today. Don''t worry¡ªI''ll inform your Special Instructor about the situation." Vincent nodded in understanding. While curious about other Fundamental Towers, he couldn''t force Valyn to take him there. Those towers weren''t going anywhere; he could wait. "Okay, let''s head back to your sanctuary," Valyn said as she moved toward her mount, the Silverwood Fox¡ªFenro. But before they could leave, Garga''s grating voice interrupted. "Where are you going, bitch? Are you leaving without challenging the tower?!" Without looking back, Valyn retorted, "What''s it to you? Are you my manager or something?" She then turned to Vincent. "Let''s go. Just ignore her." Vincent nodded. Garga, seething at being ignored, gritted her teeth. She had been searching for Valyn for weeks, waiting for a chance to fight her. Now, Valyn was leaving without even entering the tower. Frustrated, Garga barked at her thrygian guards, "Stop them!" "Yes, Lady Garga!" the two thrygians responded, rushing toward Vincent and Valyn. "Foolish humans! Halt!" Valyn, annoyed, was about to take action when she noticed the thrygians freeze mid-step, their legs trembling uncontrollably. Their fearful gazes weren''t on her¡ªbut on Vincent. Curious, Valyn glanced at Vincent, only to be stunned. For a fleeting moment, she saw the towering figure of a black dragon. The vision vanished almost instantly, but its impact remained. The thrygians, like Vincent''s previous opponents, quaked with terror, even wetting themselves. "W-What are you?" "Y-You''re not human!" The two thrygians stammered, still paralyzed by fear. Chapter 81 Increasing Strength "W-What are you?""Y-You''re not human!" The two Thrygians stammered, their bodies frozen in fear. Although the effect of Dragon''s Might had long since dissipated, its presence lingered heavily in their minds like an ominous shadow they couldn''t escape. Your journey continues at empire Standing behind them, Garga had an incredulous expression etched across her face. Since Vincent had specifically targeted the two Thrygian guards with Dragon''s Might, she herself hadn''t experienced its oppressive force. Instead, she was left to wonder why her guards were acting so disgracefully. "What the hell is wrong with you two? Are you trying to embarrass me?!" she bellowed, her frustration bubbling over. "L-Lady Garga¡­" one of the guards stammered. "We¡ªwe don''t dare, but¡­" "But what?!" Garga snapped, cutting them off mid-sentence. However, her tirade abruptly paused as a peculiar odor wafted through the air. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, her sharp eyes darted around in search of the source. "What is that smell?" she muttered before her gaze fell upon the guards. Following their trembling figures, she noticed the dark stains spreading across the fabric of their pants. Instantly, her naturally purple-skinned face flushed a deeper, angrier shade of violet. "Y-You¡­" She pointed at them, her voice faltering between rage and sheer disbelief. "You¡ª" Her words trailed off, leaving her momentarily speechless. The sight of her supposed elite guards reduced to such a pitiful state rendered her unable to articulate the depth of her anger. Meanwhile, Vincent ignored their pathetic display entirely. He turned toward Valyn, who stood nearby, still stunned by what she had just witnessed. "Big Sis, aren''t we leaving?" Vincent asked, his tone calm and unbothered. "Y-Yeah¡­" Valyn replied absentmindedly. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to comprehend what she had just seen. What kind of skill could instill such overwhelming fear that even a Tier 3 Origin Warrior like her had felt pressured¡ªalbeit indirectly¡ªfrom a mere Tier 1 Origin Warrior? The two mounted Fenro, the Silverwood Fox, and rode off without sparing Garga and her trembling guards a second glance. Garga could only watch helplessly as her hated enemy disappeared into the horizon. Finally, when they were completely out of sight, she erupted. "Fucking bitch!!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the surroundings in frustration and humiliation. After a not-so-short journey, Vincent and Valyn arrived at the North Entrance of No.3 Novice Sanctuary just as the sun began its descent, painting the sky with hues of orange and crimson. Throughout the ride, Valyn remained lost in her thoughts. Despite her curiosity, she knew better than to pry into secrets that Vincent clearly wasn''t ready to share. As they approached the sanctuary gates, Vincent dismounted Fenro, leaving Valyn on the creature''s back. "Thank you for today, Big Sis," he said with a grateful smile. "Don''t mention it. I had fun today¡ªespecially when I saw Garga''s face. That frustrated look of hers was enough to make my day," Valyn replied, her tone laced with amusement. "Haha," Vincent chuckled, recalling Garga''s face turning an even deeper shade of purple in anger. The two shared a lighthearted laugh before Valyn''s expression softened. "Alright, go on inside. I''ll contact you later once I get a response from your Special Instructor," she said, her voice gentle. "Contact? About that, I still don''t know the communication method here in the Origin World," Vincent admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Valyn raised an eyebrow. "You don''t know about the Prismstone?" she asked, pulling out a three-finger-sized transparent crystal from her storage. "No¡­" "Heh, this is common knowledge. Just what have you been doing in the Origin World?" she teased, shaking her head in disbelief. Despite her light reprimand, she didn''t press the matter further. Instead, she handed him a Prismstone. "Here, register your Origin Energy to it, and it''ll bind to you." Vincent accepted the crystal and channeled a small amount of Origin Energy into it. The process was seamless, and soon, he felt a faint connection form between himself and the Prismstone. Valyn then demonstrated how to link contacts. She held out her own Prismstone, channeling her Origin Energy into it. A thin, wire-like mist made of energy extended from her Prismstone to his. "Do you want to add this to your contacts?" a monotonous voice emanated from the Prismstone, startling Vincent slightly. He quickly recovered and entered the name ''Big Sis Valyn'' into his contacts. "Done?" Valyn asked, smiling at his slightly awestruck expression. Vincent nodded. "Now, use your Origin Energy and think about calling me," she instructed. Following her guidance, Vincent focused his energy on the Prismstone. Within moments, a soft click resonated in his mind, and Valyn''s voice rang telepathically in his ears. "Moshi Moshi, can you hear me?" she asked playfully. "Yes¡­" Vincent replied absentmindedly, marveling at the technology. Though he came from a modern Earth where smartphones were common, the telepathic nature of the Prismstone felt surreal and far more advanced. "I''ve got to get one of these!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He extended the Prismstone back to Valyn. "Thanks for letting me try it. Where can I buy one, and how much do they cost?" Valyn chuckled at his enthusiasm but didn''t take the Prismstone back. "I bought mine at the Verdant Wild Market for 50,000 Origin Crystals, but you can also find them in the Sanctuary''s Market." "50,000?!" Vincent''s jaw dropped. Even with the loot he had obtained from Old Bone''s minions, he only had around 15,000 Origin Crystals to his name. Valyn giggled at his reaction. "Don''t worry about it. Just keep this one. Consider it a gift from your Big Sis to commemorate our partnership." "No, I can''t accept something so expensive," Vincent protested. Valyn feigned a pout. "Are you saying you don''t see me as your Big Sis?" she teased, pretending to be offended. Caught off guard, Vincent could only relent. "Fine, thank you, Big Sis. I''ll make sure to pay you back someday." Valyn''s teasing smile softened. "You don''t have to. But if you really want to, just buy me a gift when you can." Her mention of a gift sparked an idea in Vincent''s mind. He rummaged through his storage and retrieved a beautifully crafted ring. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then, please accept this as my gift to you," he said, holding out an emerald-colored ring designed like a twirling vine. The ring radiated a faint aura of vitality. Valyn hesitated before accepting it. The moment she inspected the ring''s details, her eyes widened in shock. Item Name: Veridian Tortoise Circlet Type: Ring Accessory Grade: Rare Effects: +2 Base Defense, +10% Natural Recovery Speed "A rare item?!" Valyn gasped. "I can''t accept this¡ªit''s far more valuable than a Prismstone!" Vincent shook his head firmly. "Oh? So you''re the one who doesn''t see me as your younger brother?" he countered, mimicking her earlier words. Valyn was momentarily speechless before bursting into laughter. "Alright, you win. I''ll cherish it. Thank you," she said, slipping the ring onto her finger. After bidding Valyn farewell, Vincent returned to his rented room in the Newcomer''s Lounge. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he laid out several Origin Crystals around him. "It''s time to increase my strength," he muttered to himself, determination glinting in his eyes. Over the past few days, he had focused on farming and upgrading his skills, neglecting his cultivation in the process. While others might not consider this a long time, to Vincent, it felt like an eternity. He began circulating his Origin Energy according to the principles outlined in his cultivation manual, Flow of Origin Energy. His first task was to convert the remaining 500,000 experience points he had earned from slaying the Infernal Horn Hare into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! The system''s notifications rang continuously in his ears as he diligently converted his experience points. When he was finished, his total purified energy had increased to 1,650. Without hesitation, Vincent began upgrading his Force Attribute. His current base Force, unaffected by external buffs, was 7.6. He allocated 400 purified energy to raise it to 8.0. Do you want to use 400 Purified Energy on the Force Attribute? The moment he confirmed, a surge of power coursed through his body, strengthening every fiber of his being. Yet, it wasn''t enough. He continued, spending an additional 1,200 purified energy to raise his Force Attribute to 9.2. As he opened his eyes and clenched his fists, Vincent felt the unmistakable improvement in his strength. Yet, a frown crept onto his face. "This is still not enough," he murmured. Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved several experience potions he had earned from Dean Thorne and the Tower of Combat. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began consuming them. Chapter 82 Breaking The Limit "This is still not enough," Vincent murmured to himself, his determination unwavering.Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved several experience potions he had earned from Dean Thorne and the Tower of Combat. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began consuming them one by one. He started with the low-quality experience potion from Dean Thorne. Surprisingly, it didn''t taste odd or unpleasant as he had anticipated¡ªit was sweet, reminiscent of candy. As the liquid slid down his throat, a melodic notification echoed in his mind. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +100 experience points! Talent Activated! +100,000 experience points! Vincent frowned at the unexpected result. The potion''s description had promised an additional 1,000 experience points, yet the numbers were vastly different. Moments later, the notification sounded again: +100 experience points! Talent Activated! +100,000 experience points! ''Ah, so it gives 100 points initially and then 1,000 over time,'' Vincent mused, quickly piecing together the mechanics. He soon realized that this staggered allocation was actually beneficial for him. If the potion had granted the full 1,000 points immediately, a significant portion of those points would have been wasted due to his talent''s experience multiplier. Recognizing this as an unexpected boon, Vincent didn''t waste any more time. He immediately began converting his accumulated experience points into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! The conversion process continued steadily, the rhythmic notifications echoing in his mind like the beat of a drum. This went on until the effects of the experience potion finally wore off. In that single session, Vincent managed to accumulate a total of 5,000 purified energy. While this was undoubtedly an impressive amount, he couldn''t help but wonder how much more he could have achieved if the process of converting experience points to purified energy had been faster. Hypothetically, if the speed of conversion matched his experience point gains, he could have amassed a staggering 10,000,000 experience points, equivalent to 10,000 purified energy. Even so, he was pleased with the results. The 5,000 purified energy translated into 50 attribute points. Without hesitation, he invested one point into his Force attribute, bringing it to 10.2 Force. But he didn''t stop there. +1 +1 +1 +1 He continued assigning points with a single-minded determination, each increase fueling his growing strength. When his Force attribute reached 19.2, the sheer pressure radiating from his body became so intense that even the sturdy bed beneath him began to creak ominously, as if protesting against his improved power. A flicker of doubt crossed Vincent''s mind. "If 19 points isn''t the limit for Tier 1, how did I manage to defeat the minions of Old Bone?" He couldn''t come up with a definitive answer but speculated that it might have been due to the extraordinary effects of his epic skill, Abyssal Venomlash. After all, it defied logic for a Tier 1 Origin Warrior with single-digit attributes to overcome Tier 2 opponents who possessed double-digit stats. What Vincent didn''t yet realize was that he was severely underestimating the combined impact of his powerful skills and high-grade equipment. Determined to push further, he added an additional 0.8 points to his Force attribute, bringing it to a perfect 20 Force. The moment he crossed this threshold, a powerful wave of energy erupted from his body, scattering objects around the room like leaves caught in a storm. It felt as though he had broken through an invisible barrier and entered an entirely new realm of power. ''This must be the limit for Tier 1,'' Vincent thought, marveling at the overwhelming strength coursing through him. Yet, alongside this newfound power, he could feel an intangible barrier and chains binding him, restricting his full potential. Before he could decide which attribute to enhance next, his long-dormant chaos energy suddenly surged to life. At first, it coursed quietly alongside his Origin Energy, but then it became erratic. An excruciating pain suddenly radiated from deep within his soul. "Ugh!" Vincent groaned, his body convulsing as he clutched his chest. The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced in either of his lifetimes. It felt as though countless daggers were stabbing directly into his very essence, shredding his soul apart piece by piece. The agony persisted for what felt like an eternity, forcing him to grit his teeth in a desperate attempt to endure. When it finally subsided, Vincent collapsed onto his bed.. For several moments, he lay there, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. But as the minutes passed, he began to notice something strange. His exhaustion disappeared as quickly as it had come. His breathing returned to normal, and his body felt lighter than ever before. Pushing himself upright, Vincent examined his body closely. On the surface, there were no visible changes, yet he could sense an incredible strength coursing through every fiber of his being. Most importantly, the restrictions he had felt earlier had vanished entirely. "Did I just break through?" he wondered aloud, quickly opening his interface to check his status. Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 5¡ï (0/1,000,000 Exp) Origin Energy: 3000/6000 Purified Energy: 39,200 Force: 20 + 3 Speed: 7.5 Your journey continues on empire Mental: 8.5 His brows furrowed in confusion. While his Origin Energy limit had increased from 5,300 to 6,000, his rank still displayed as Tier 1. "Why am I still at Tier 1? Wasn''t that a breakthrough?" he muttered, puzzled by the discrepancy. Curious, he tried adding another point to his Force attribute and was surprised to find no resistance. He continued incrementally raising the attribute, watching the numbers climb. At 30 Force, there was still no obstruction. Even at 40 Force, the process remained effortless. It wasn''t until he reached 50 Force that he encountered the familiar invisible barrier preventing further progress. "So, there is still a limit," he muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Yet, he couldn''t deny the thrill he felt from the unprecedented growth. Curious to test his strength, he clenched his fist and threw a simple jab into the air. A deafening crack echoed through the room as a shockwave burst forth, traveling over two meters before slamming into the fortified wall of the Newcomer''s Lounge. The impact left a deep, fist-shaped imprint in the wall. "What the¡­?" Vincent stared at his fist in disbelief, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. "Did I really just do that?" he whispered, a mixture of awe and excitement surging through him. "And you say I''m still Tier 1? What kind of Tier 1 has this kind of strength?" Chapter 83 A Huge Leap Despite his thoughts, he couldn''t stop grinning from ear to ear. The sense of improvement coursing through him was undeniable. This wasn''t just a slight enhancement¡ªit was a monumental leap forward.Unable to contain his excitement, he clenched his fist in triumph, inadvertently causing his bed to creak ominously. Moments later, the wood gave way with a resounding crack, sending him tumbling headfirst to the floor. Bang! The loud crash echoed through the Newcomer''s Lounge, causing the entire structure to tremble. The noise jolted everyone below and the occupants of the adjacent rooms. Bang! Bang! Angry pounding on the wall soon followed, accompanied by the irate voice of his next-door neighbor. "You''re too loud! I''ve tolerated you long enough! Do you think this is your personal playground? Go find somewhere else to stay!" the man roared. Vincent scratched his head and let out a wry smile as he stood amidst the wreckage of his rented room. "I suppose I''ll have to pay for this¡­" Though he thought about switching rooms, he didn''t act on it immediately. Instead, he moved his belongings into a corner, stored the broken bed in his storage ring, and cleared out the central space. Once everything was settled, he resumed his cross-legged position and arranged several origin crystals around him. His work wasn''t done yet. There were still two attributes left to upgrade, and luckily, he had a couple of experience potions remaining. Without hesitation, he drank the second Tier 1 experience potion he had received from Dean Thorne. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! As the points accumulated, Vincent began converting them into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 origin energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy. After some time, he amassed another 50,000 purified energy. His remaining attribute points, combined with this newfound energy, brought his total to 59.2 points. "Fifty-nine points¡­ Let''s see what I can do with this," he thought aloud. After a brief moment of deliberation, he decided to focus on his Speed Attribute. At the time, it sat at 7.5 points. He added 2.5 points to reach 10, encountering no resistance as expected. With another 10 points, his Speed attribute reached 20. This time, he was puzzled. When his Force attribute had hit 20, he''d encountered an invisible barrier preventing further upgrades. Yet now, with his Speed attribute at the same threshold, there was no such obstruction. "Could it be due to the Chaos Energy''s influence?" That seemed the only plausible explanation. Somehow, the Chaos Energy inside him had expanded his potential, though he couldn''t confirm it. Still, that was his assumption. With this realization, he continued adding points to his Speed attribute until it hit the known limit of 50 points. As anticipated, an invisible barrier within his mind and soul halted any further improvement. He examined his body but noticed no visible changes, aside from a slight sense of lightness. Perplexed, he decided to stand. However, as he did, he felt as though he were floating. Suddenly, his body surged upward at an incredible speed, startling him. Just before colliding with the ceiling, the world seemed to slow, as if he were moving in slow motion. Even so, he couldn''t stop his momentum. Reflexively, he adjusted his body and spread his limbs, anchoring himself to the ceiling with his arms and legs like a certain superhero, before landing back on the floor. In that brief moment, he understood the transformation his enhanced Speed attribute had brought. His physical speed had surged, and what seemed like slow motion was actually his perception accelerating drastically. "This is incredible!" he exclaimed. His strength had already improved, and now his speed had too. Just these two enhancements alone were enough to thrill him. Yet, he was even more eager to enhance his Mental attributes, curious about the surprises they might bring. He once again sat in a lotus position and consumed the last Tier 1 experience potion from the Dean. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! Without delay, he began another session of conversion into purified energy. A while later, the potion''s effects subsided, and he had gained another 50,000 purified energy points. Adding this to the 16.7 attribute points left from the prior session, his total rose to 66.7 points. His current Mental attribute stood at 8.5. He didn''t hesitate, upgrading it directly to 20, which he believed was the natural limit for a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. As he had anticipated, further confirming his theory about Chaos Energy''s influence, there was no resistance. With another 30 points, he raised his Mental attribute to 50. The moment it reached 50, the world around him seemed to freeze. His vision extended beyond the walls of his rented room. He saw the people in the adjacent rooms, some silently cultivating and others engaged in intimate activities. His vision didn''t stop there. It moved beyond the Newcomer''s Lounge, traversing the Novice Sanctuary to its outskirts. It was as though he were physically present wherever he looked. Suddenly, he sensed a powerful presence emanating from the tallest building in the core of the Novice Sanctuary. Focusing his gaze, his vision zoomed through an open window, revealing a humanoid figure with a crystalline body. Explore more stories with empire It was a Crystallian, a well-known race and the rulers of this sanctuary. Vincent frowned, feeling an odd familiarity with the figure. "Wait! He''s the¡ª" Before he could complete his thought, the Crystallian abruptly opened his eyes, staring directly in Vincent''s direction. "Who''s there?!" The Crystallian frowned, then tilted his head in confusion upon finding no one. "I must be paranoid¡­" he muttered, returning to his meditation after glancing at the moonlit sky. Back in his room, Vincent took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He recognized that Crystallian. It was the same being who had battled the massive tortoise when he was with Azhara. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent knew how powerful and dangerous this entity was. Thankfully, he had escaped before being noticed. If caught, he couldn''t imagine what might happen. "I''m still not strong enough¡­" Though he had felt confident after his recent improvements, this encounter reminded him of his vulnerability. There were still many far stronger than him. He resolved not to settle for his current strength. With renewed determination, he began crafting plans for his future. Only after that did he finally head to bed. Chapter 84 Outer Districts Market The next day.As Vincent descended the stairs in his usual attire, complete with his Shifting Visage mask, his gaze met the ever-stoic bartender of the Newcomer''s Lounge, Rednetrab. The man was dutifully wiping down a glass, as if the act were a sacred ritual. "Seems you had a fun night, eh?" Rednetrab remarked. Though his tone was devoid of overt emotion, Vincent couldn''t shake the feeling that there was a teasing undertone lurking beneath the words. Hidden by his mask, Vincent managed a wry smile, unwilling to confirm or deny the implication. The morning had been an interesting ordeal, to say the least. When Vincent woke up and took his first step, his body betrayed him, and he nearly collided with the door. His reflexes barely saved him from a humiliating crash. He realized, once again, just how unaccustomed he was to his recent power surge. Navigating his own movements felt like learning to walk all over again. If not for his quick reflexes, the tally of bruises and broken furniture would have grown significantly. The drastic leap in his power had left him struggling to control his newfound strength. He knew he needed to adapt quickly, or more accidents would follow. "I apologize for the racket last night," Vincent said in an apologetic tone of voice. Rednetrab, however, didn''t respond. He simply continued cleaning the glass in his hand, his focus unwavering. ''Does this guy ever run out of glasses to clean?'' Vincent mused internally before retrieving ten Origin Crystals from his storage ring. "This should cover the damages to the room," he said, tossing the crystals toward Rednetrab. Unfortunately, his casual throw sent the crystals flying at an alarming speed. They embedded themselves into the bar counter with a loud crack, creating several deep fissures. Moments later, the counter split cleanly in half, leaving Rednetrab wide-eyed as he stared at the destruction while still holding the glass he was cleaning. Other patrons turned their heads, startled by the commotion. Stunned by his own strength, Vincent froze. He really needed to figure out how to manage his power better. Awkwardly, he walked forward and gently placed another handful of Origin Crystals next to the bartender. He didn''t dare toss anything again, worried he might accidentally kill someone next time. After settling his debt, Vincent left the lounge and headed toward the Novice Center. However, instead of taking the usual main road, he decided to explore the outer district''s market. The market was bustling with activity. Origin Warriors filled the streets, browsing through countless stalls brimming with goods. "Selling uncommon-grade Spire Horn Staff! Only 4,000 Crystals!" "Get your Lesser Pyre Drake Leather Armor here!" Continue your adventure with empire "Rare items from the Vicious Violet Forest¡ªdon''t miss out!" The shouts of vendors echoed across the market, but nothing particularly caught Vincent''s attention. Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out to him. "Kind sir, care to check out my wares?" Vincent turned to find a cloaked figure whose face was obscured. Judging by the voice, the person seemed to be middle-aged. Out of habit, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes skill to gauge the individual''s strength. Hyktor Deus ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï). ''Another Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior?'' Vincent thought. That made three he had encountered so far, including Caelius and Old Bone. "I just got some fresh stock this morning," Hyktor said, pulling aside a cloth to reveal a square cage beneath. "Take a look." Inside the cage were several unusual creatures: red, chick-like beings, blue-feathered sparrows, and an overweight, gray rabbit that seemed oddly out of place. Curious, Vincent examined them using his Heaven Eyes. Ruby Chick ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Type: Winged Primal Pet Potential: Tier 3 (2¡ï) Blue Cloud Sparrow ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Type: Winged Primal Pet Potential: Tier 3 (3¡ï) Pig Fate Hare ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Type: Unknown Potential: Unknown Vincent''s eyes widened beneath his mask as he absorbed the information. While the potential of the first two creatures was impressive, the gray rabbit''s unknown potential intrigued him even more. "Unknown?" he muttered. "What does that mean?" The vendor noticed Vincent''s interest and seized the opportunity. Rubbing his hands together, he said with a sly grin, "What do you think, kind sir? These adorable creatures make perfect gifts for a girlfriend or someone special." Ignoring the pitch, Vincent asked, "What''s a primal pet?" Momentarily taken aback, the vendor quickly recovered and explained, "Primal pets are tamed primals meant to be companions rather than fighters. Even as adults, they have minimal combat abilities." Vincent nodded thoughtfully. "How much for them?" Hyktor''s eyes lit up with excitement. "For the Ruby Chick, just 2,000 Origin Crystals! It''s a steal, considering its fire affinity makes it a popular choice among young girls. Its natural warmth makes it a perfect cuddle companion." Without pausing, he added, "The Blue Cloud Sparrow is priced at 4,000 Crystals. It''s favored for its potential as a flying mount, though it rarely grows large enough to carry a person. Plus, it''s highly intelligent¡ªfar more so than the Ruby Chick." Vincent stroked his chin, feigning consideration. "Hmm... 4,000, you say?" Finally, he pointed at the gray rabbit. "And that one?" The vendor hesitated, his expression momentarily dubious. ''Why is he interested in that useless rabbit? It''s practically a waste of space,'' he thought. Still, he maintained his composure. "That one?" Hyktor said with a forced chuckle. "It''s nothing special. All it does is eat. But if you''re interested, I''ll throw it in for free if you buy one of the others." Vincent remained silent, lost in thought. He suspected the vendor was unaware of the rabbit''s true nature. Hyktor, mistaking Vincent''s silence for hesitation, quickly made a new offer. "Alright, how about this? Instead of 6,000 Crystals for the two, I''ll give you all three for just 5,800." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "5,000." "That''s way too low!" Hyktor protested. "5,700." "5,100," Vincent countered. "5,600!" "5,200." The back-and-forth continued until finally, the vendor sighed in defeat. "5,400! That''s as low as I can go." "Deal," Vincent said nonchalantly, shaking the vendor''s hand to seal the agreement. He handed over the Origin Crystals and received the cage containing the three primal pets. Before leaving, he asked, "Is there anything I need to know about taking care of them? And how do I bring them out of the Origin World?" Hyktor, now gleefully counting his earnings, replied, "To bond with them, just feed them your Origin Energy. Once they accept it, they''ll recognize you as their master. As for food, they can eat almost anything, but they especially love Origin Crystals." "So they like eating money," Vincent muttered dryly. Hyktor chuckled. "And to bring them out of the Origin World, you''ll need either a Primal Pet Storage or a Capture Ball. But just so you know, both are expensive and rare¡ªespecially here in the outer district." "So you sold me pets I can''t even take out of this world," Vincent remarked. Hyktor shrugged with a sly grin. "Hey, no one forced you to buy them." He simply ignored the Vendor and left the market. "Thank you for your business, kind sir!" the vendor called after him, waving cheerfully. Once Vincent was out of sight, Hyktor glanced at the bag of Origin Crystals and smirked. "Hehe, another day, another fool," he muttered, planting a kiss on the bag. Chapter 85 Primal Pets After leaving the market in the outer district, Vincent decided against heading to the Novice Center as planned. Instead, he ventured outside the sanctuary, entering the Verdant Wild Forest.Once he entered the forest, he ventured deeper, carefully selecting a secluded area where he could focus without the prying eyes of others. His upgraded Mental attribute made the task easier, allowing him to sense his surroundings with acute precision. He closed his eyes briefly, extending his perception like an invisible net, ensuring there were no other presences within the vicinity. Satisfied, he set down the steel cage holding the three primal pets he had purchased. The moment he did, the Ruby Chick and Blue Cloud Sparrow curiously examined their surroundings before turning their attention to him, chirping adorably. Chirp! A smile tugged at Vincent''s lips. Meanwhile, the overweight gray rabbit¡ªstill munching on a nut¡ªregarded him with an odd expression. It wasn''t curiosity; it was the unsettling gaze of someone appraising food. Drool trickled from the corner of its mouth. "What the hell is this rabbit thinking?" he muttered under his breath, waving his hand in an attempt to distract it. Yet the creature''s focus remained unnervingly fixed on him, its beady eyes unblinking. Shrugging, he retrieved three Capture Balls. Unlocking the cage, he gently picked up the Ruby Chick. Despite his care, the creature panicked, chirping loudly and pecking at his hand. However, with Vincent''s current physique, the pecks were as harmless as tapping on steel. "Calm down, calm down. I''m not going to hurt you¡­" he said softly, trying to soothe it. The attempt was futile, and the Ruby Chick remained agitated. Recalling the vendor''s advice, he produced an Origin Crystal, waving it in front of the bird. Instantly, its crimson eyes gleamed with hunger. "Heh, this little money eater," Vincent smirked, holding the crystal closer. The Ruby Chick lunged for it, pecking at the crystal with aggressive fervor. "Take it easy. No one''s going to steal it from you." Despite his reassurance, the Ruby Chick devoured the crystal as if it were its last meal. Once finished, it turned its attention back to Vincent, its expression expectant, as though asking for more. "I''ll give you more later, but you need to acknowledge me as your master first." The Ruby Chick tilted its head, seemingly processing his words. After a moment, it chirped. Stay connected with empire Chirp! Vincent took this as agreement. Guiding his Origin Energy toward the bird, he watched as its beady eyes closed, allowing the energy to penetrate its mind. Moments later, he felt a faint connection form between them. "Can you understand me?" he asked aloud, testing the link. The Ruby Chick tilted its head in confusion, but when he instructed, "Jump down," it hesitated briefly before leaping off his palm. Flapping its tiny wings, it tried to slow its descent but failed. Vincent caught it mid-fall. "So, it can follow simple commands but doesn''t fully understand me yet," he mused. Holding out one of the Capture Balls, he said, "You''ll stay here for now. I can''t carry all three of you around in a cage." A pale light enveloped the Ruby Chick, drawing it into the crystal sphere. Through the translucent surface, Vincent saw the bird fluttering inside, seemingly unbothered by its new confinement. Next, he turned to the Blue Cloud Sparrow. The fist-sized creature remained calm, observing him with intelligent eyes. Vincent recalled the vendor''s claim that this sparrow was the smartest of the three and decided to test it. "I''ll feed you and take care of you, but you need to acknowledge me as your master," he said. To his surprise, the Blue Cloud Sparrow chirped in response, nodding its tiny head. "Does it really understand me?" Vincent wondered, cautiously guiding his Origin Energy toward the bird. It accepted the energy without resistance, forming a connection instantly. Pleased with its intelligence, Vincent rewarded it with an Origin Crystal before securing it in a Capture Ball. Finally, he faced the overweight gray rabbit. Unlike the others, it had been eyeing him intently the whole time. The moment he unlocked the cage, the rabbit leaped onto his shoulder. Despite his speed and perception, Vincent allowed it, curious about its behavior. On his shoulder, the rabbit tossed aside its nut and reached out with its short, chubby arms, grasping at his face. Vincent watched, puzzled, until he felt a strange sensation¡ªhis Origin Energy draining rapidly. Checking his interface, he saw his energy levels plummeting. Origin Energy: 5000/6000 S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. -500 Origin Energy! -500 Origin Energy! -500 Origin Energy! "It''s devouring my Origin Energy?!" he exclaimed. Such an ability was unheard of. Origin Energy was a warrior''s lifeblood¡ªthe source of their strength. Without it, they were little more than enhanced humans, incapable of defeating high-tier Primals. Alarmed, Vincent noticed the rabbit showing no signs of stopping, even after draining all his Origin Energy. It began tapping into his Chaos Energy instead. Chaos Energy: 58/100 -1 Chaos Energy! -1 Chaos Energy! "No, no! Not that! I still don''t know how to replenish it!" Vincent shouted, hastily distancing himself from the creature. His Chaos Energy, unlike Origin Energy, did not regenerate naturally. Losing even a single point was a significant blow. The rabbit, dislodged by his sudden movement, tumbled to the ground, rolling a few times before stopping. Slowly, it stood up, its heavy body swaying slightly. Then, dark, ominous energy began to seep from its form. Vincent watched silently, anticipating what would come next. The dark aura thickened, enveloping the rabbit entirely before dissipating. When the transformation was complete, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes to assess the creature. Chaotic Fate Hare ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) Type: Unknown Potential: Unknown "It¡­ evolved?" he muttered, unsure whether to feel impressed or concerned. The rabbit''s appearance had changed drastically. Its once-gray fur was now a deep abyssal black, and its ears had elongated, trailing down its back like dark ribbons. Despite the unsettling transformation, it retained its plump, comical shape, as though mocking its enhanced power. Chapter 86 ‘Companions Name "It''s still fat..."Vincent muttered under his breath, his tone laced with amusement, as he studied the newly evolved black rabbit. Its long, thin ears, which reached its back, perked up sharply. The plump creature spun around and fixed him with a sharp glare, its small eyes gleaming with indignation. Suddenly, Vincent felt an odd tug in his mind, like an invisible thread had connected him to something. Moments later, a young girl''s voice¡ªchildlike yet firm¡ªrang in his ears. "I''m not fat!" Startled, Vincent instinctively tensed, almost flinching as he processed the impossibility of the moment. "You... you can talk? Telepathically?!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his astonishment. The rabbit crossed her stubby arms over her rounded form and snorted, the sound both comical and indignant. "Hmph! I can do more than that!" "Oh, really?" Vincent replied, an eyebrow raised in mock challenge. The faint smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his disbelief. "Like what¡ªeating everything in sight?" Her already irritated expression deepened into frustration. "I can do many things besides eating!" she snapped, jabbing a tiny, furry finger in his direction. Her round cheeks puffed up, and she resembled an animated balloon, moments away from popping. The sight was too much for Vincent, who suppressed a laugh, though his shoulders betrayed his mirth. "Alright then," he drawled lazily, his tone oozing playful condescension. "Why don''t you show me? Come on, impress me, fat rabbit." The rabbit stomped her tiny feet against the ground, her frustration bubbling over into a full-blown tantrum. "I''m NOT a fat rabbit! I have a name!" she huffed, her voice trembling with barely restrained anger. Vincent''s intrigue piqued at the mention of a name. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze narrowing. "Oh? A name, huh?" he prompted. "Alright, then. What is it?" The rabbit''s bravado faltered. Her mouth opened as if she were about to declare something grand, but no sound emerged. Her ears drooped slightly, and her expression turned sheepish as she scratched her head in visible embarrassment. "I... I forgot," she finally admitted, her voice barely audible. Her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at Vincent, her vulnerable demeanor a stark contrast to her earlier bravado. "D-Do you know my name?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation, as though clinging to a fragile thread of hope. Vincent froze, momentarily caught off guard by the abrupt shift in mood. Her tearful gaze struck a chord he hadn''t expected, leaving him at a loss for words. "I... have no idea," he admitted truthfully, his voice softer than before. The rabbit''s eyes brimmed with tears, and her small frame shook as she burst into loud, pitiful sobs. "Waaaah!" "Whoa, whoa, calm down!" Vincent panicked, his hands flailing slightly in an awkward attempt to console her. Despite his usual composure, dealing with crying companions¡ªespecially small, furry ones¡ªwas clearly not his forte. "It''s just a name! We can always come up with a new one for you!" His desperate attempt at reassurance seemed to work, as the rabbit sniffled and wiped at her tear-streaked face with her tiny paws. Her gaze turned hopeful. "Really?" she asked, her voice tinged with cautious optimism. "Of course," Vincent replied with an emphatic nod, determined to avoid another outburst. "Then..." she sniffled again, her tone soft yet expectant. "Can you give me one?" "A name..." Vincent echoed thoughtfully, scanning the rabbit''s appearance. After a moment, he offered, "How about Fudge?" "Fudge? What''s that mean?" she asked, tilting her head. "It''s from my favorite chocolate snack, Fudgee Bar. Soft, sweet, and¡ª" "No!" The rabbit interrupted, scrunching her nose in disgust. "I don''t like it!" Vincent sighed, already regretting offering to name her. Still, he crossed his arms and pondered for a moment before suggesting again. "Alright, how about Bean?" The rabbit''s eyes narrowed into a glare. "Bean? Do I look like a tiny vegetable to you?" He held back a smirk, enjoying her indignation more than he should. "Okay, okay, not Bean. How about... Lumpy?" "Lumpy?!" she squawked, her cheeks puffing up again. "Are you even trying?!" "Alright, alright!" Vincent waved a hand to calm her, though his lips twitched with amusement. "How about Pudgy?" Her entire body bristled with indignation. "No way! Absolutely not!" "Fatty?" he offered with a sly grin, unable to resist teasing her. The rabbit practically exploded. "STOP CALLING ME FAT! It''s fur! FUR, I tell you!" she screeched, stomping her little feet with so much force that Vincent half-expected the ground to shake. "Okay, okay!" Vincent laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You''ve made your point. No more fat jokes." He sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. Naming this rabbit was proving more challenging than expected. After a long pause, inspiration struck. "Alright," he began thoughtfully, his tone more serious now. "How about Mochi?" The rabbit blinked up at him, tilting her head slightly. "Mochi? What does that mean?" Vincent''s expression softened, a rare trace of sincerity in his voice. "It''s the name of the most beautiful girl in my world." Her eyes widened, her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. "Really?" "Really," he affirmed without hesitation, his gaze steady. She studied him closely, her golden eyes narrowing as though trying to discern whether he was joking. But his face remained serious, devoid of the mischief she had grown accustomed to. After a moment, her lips curled into a small, shy smile. "Okay," she said proudly, puffing out her chest. "From now on, I''m Mochi!" "Yes, you''re Mochi now," Vincent replied, his tone light, though his lips twitched as if suppressing a laugh. The rabbit''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why are you laughing?!" "Nothing, nothing," he said quickly, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him. "I''m just... happy for you." "Hmph!" Mochi huffed, but her expression softened. Vincent seized the moment to steer the conversation in a different direction. Experience more tales on empire "Now that you''ve got a name, why don''t you show me what you can do? You said you could do more than talk." Mochi''s ears perked up, her golden eyes gleaming with determination. "Hmph! Prepare to be amazed!" With that, she closed her eyes, her tiny body radiating a faint ripple of Origin Energy. The air around her shimmered briefly, and her long ears twitched before her eyes snapped open. "Found it!" she declared triumphantly before dashing off toward the forest. "Found what?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued as he followed her. Mochi darted under the towering canopy, her movements surprisingly agile despite her plump frame. She stopped beneath a massive tree and began scaling its trunk with an ease that left Vincent momentarily stunned. Once she reached a high branch, she plucked a yellow, apple-shaped fruit and leaped down, landing lightly on Vincent''s shoulder. "Here!" she chirped, holding the fruit out to him with a smug grin. Vincent took it, his brows furrowing as he inspected the peculiar fruit. Name: Experius Fruit Grade: Uncommon Effect: Grants +1000 experience points upon consumption. "A fruit that grants experience points?!" Vincent''s eyes widened in shock as he processed the item''s description. It was yet another reminder of how little he truly knew about the Origin World and its unique resources. Mochi smirked, clearly basking in his astonishment. "You have some kind of fruit-hunting ability?" he asked, still marveling at the fruit. "Not just fruits," Mochi replied with a flick of her ears. "I have a treasure-hunting ability. I can sense the most valuable items in my surroundings!" "Only the valuable ones?" Vincent probed, his mind already calculating the potential uses of such an ability. "Of course not! But why would I bother with trash? Are you some kind of garbage collector?" she asked bluntly. Vincent''s lips twitched as he fought the urge to retort. ''Money is money,'' he thought indignantly but decided not to say it aloud. Instead, he pressed further. "Is that all you can do? Because, honestly, a single trick won''t justify the food you''re going to eat." "Hmph! I''m the Great Mochi! I can do everything!" she declared grandly. Then, after a moment''s hesitation, she added sheepishly, "...but I don''t remember how." Vincent sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. Just tell me what you do remember." Mochi''s ears twitched as she thought. "Well... I can sense an individual''s fate!" "Fate?" Vincent frowned deeply. He''d always been skeptical of abstract concepts like fate or destiny. Prophecies, astrology, and anything similar had always seemed like nonsense to him. Still, his curiosity got the better of him. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, what can you tell me about my fate?" Mochi stared at him intently, her golden eyes glowing faintly before dimming again. Her expression turned baffled, and she tilted her head in confusion. "Eh?" "What do you mean, ''eh''?" Vincent asked, his voice wary. "I... I can''t sense your fate," she admitted, her tone laced with puzzlement. "It''s like you don''t have one." Vincent chuckled, more amused than concerned. "See? Fate isn''t real." "No! Fate is real!" Mochi protested, her cheeks puffing up again. "You''re just... strange!" "Yeah, yeah, I''m strange," Vincent said dismissively, pulling out a crystal-like ball. "Now, get in here." Mochi''s eyes widened in alarm. "No! Don''t imprison me!" she yelped, leaping off his shoulder and retreating several steps. Her expression teetered on the verge of tears once more. Vincent sighed in exasperation, realizing that forcing her would likely result in another dramatic episode. "Fine. You can stay outside," he relented. "But you''d better behave yourself." Mochi nodded eagerly, her earlier distress forgotten as she puffed out her chest with pride. "Of course! I''m the Great Mochi, after all!" Chapter 87 53 Force Points "Fine. You can stay outside," Vincent relented, his voice laced with a mix of resignation and authority. "But you''d better behave yourself, understood?"Mochi''s earlier distress vanished as she nodded eagerly, puffing out her chest with an exaggerated sense of pride. "Of course! I''m the Great Mochi, after all! Such a simple task is nothing for someone of my stature!" No sooner had she declared her greatness than the birds in the surrounding trees erupted into startled chirps, scattering in every direction as though a storm had rolled in. Their sudden departure set the atmosphere on edge. The silence that followed was broken by a distant explosion. Boom! The sound was faint but unmistakable, accompanied by a subtle tremor beneath their feet. "Hiic!" Mochi squeaked, startled, and launched herself onto Vincent''s shoulder with surprising agility. Her fur bristled as she clung to him, wide-eyed and trembling. With a piercing gaze, Vincent''s expression hardened as he stared fixedly toward the source of the explosion. "W-What''s happening?" Mochi''s voice rang in his mind as she wondered. Soon, the tremor grew stronger as a massive figure began approaching from a distance. With his current Mental Attribute, his perception was heightened through his skill Sixth Sense, combined with the permanent slight enhancement from the chaos energy he had absorbed. His perception could extend to a maximum of half a mile. Hence, even without fully exerting his senses, he could already discern the appearance of the approaching figure. It was enormous¡ªa hulking, green-skinned primal standing nearly nine meters tall. Its thick, powerful back legs were built for raw strength, while its comparatively smaller forelimbs gave it an unmistakable appearance. Vincent''s mind clicked in recognition. "A Tyrannosaurus Rex," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and disbelief. For a man who had lived on modern Earth, the sight of such a creature felt surreal. He had read about them in books, seen them in films, and even dreamed of what they might have looked like in their prime. Yet now, standing before him, was a living, breathing Tyrannosaurus¡ªsomething he had never expected to witness. But this was the Origin World, and things here were rarely what they seemed. Every primal, no matter how familiar its appearance, was far more dangerous than any creature that had existed on Earth. Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the creature''s strength. Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) "A Tier 2 (1¡ï) primal¡­ I guess this is enough for me to test out my current strength," he thought before turning his attention to the black-furred rabbit perched on his shoulder, Vincent raised an eyebrow. "You''re Tier 2 as well, aren''t you? Shouldn''t you be able to take care of that thing?" Mochi bristled, her ears twitching as she responded with a haughty tone that wavered slightly under scrutiny. "Hmph! Of course, I could handle that oversized lizard! But¡­ well, I just reached Tier 2, you see. My strength hasn''t fully stabilized yet." Her gaze darted nervously to the side, refusing to meet his. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent smirked beneath his mask, his expression hidden but his amusement clear in his tone. He saw through her excuse instantly but chose not to press the matter. Calling her out would only result in another dramatic display of tears, and he wasn''t in the mood for it. "Are you planning to stay on my shoulder while I fight it, then?" Mochi''s ears perked up at his question. "You want to fight that? No, you might die!" Vincent didn''t repeat his words, instead maintaining a steady stare. Mochi twitched her nose in subtle annoyance before leaping off his shoulder. "Hmph, do what you want!" Vincent ignored her protest and focused his attention back on the approaching primal. By now, the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus had locked onto their position. Its movements, initially random, grew deliberate as it charged with an earth-shaking roar. Despite its massive size, the creature moved with surprising speed, closing the distance with alarming efficiency. Vincent stood his ground, deciding not to summon his armament. This was a rare opportunity to test the raw power of his 50 Force Points, bolstered further by the additional three points from the Ruby Ape Earring. "100 meters¡­ 90¡­ 80¡­" Vincent counted silently, his body coiling like a spring as he calculated his timing. The moment the primal reached 50 meters, he launched himself into action. With a single, explosive kick, Vincent disappeared from sight, leaving behind only a faint gust of wind. "Where did he go?" Mochi muttered, her wide eyes darting around in confusion. Her search ended when she spotted him high above the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus, suspended 12 meters in the air like a shadow looming over its prey. The massive creature, unaware of Vincent''s sudden appearance, continued its charge with unrelenting momentum. Hovering above, Vincent clenched his right fist, muscles rippling with raw power. With a sharp exhale, he brought his arm down in a devastating punch aimed directly at the creature''s skull. "Ha!" The sound of his fist cutting through the air was followed by an earth-shattering impact. Boom! The Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus crumpled under the force of the blow, its massive body smashing into the ground with a deafening crash. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, uprooting trees and leaving a massive crater in its wake. As the dust settled, Vincent landed gracefully, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body of the primal. Moments later, the massive creature dissolved into particles of shimmering digital light, its form dissipating like an elaborate fireworks display. A notification appeared in his vision. You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus! You have received 200 experience points! Talent Activated! +2,000,000 experience points! "Am I truly this powerful?" Vincent murmured, staring at his fist as if it belonged to someone else. From her hiding spot behind a nearby tree, Mochi peered out cautiously, her expression frozen in utter disbelief. Unbeknownst to Vincent, Mochi possessed an ability that allowed her to see an individual''s level. When he had declared his intent to fight, she had been certain he was throwing his life away. Yet the scene before her contradicted everything she had anticipated. Vincent, oblivious to her turmoil, turned his attention to the loot left behind by the tyrannosaurus. +1,000 Origin Crystals 1 Green Orb 2 White Orbs He stored the crystals in his ring before inspecting the white orbs. You have received 4 Leafscorcher''s Tendons! You have received 1 Leafscorcher''s Serrated Tooth! A quick scan revealed these to be common-grade forging materials. He stored them without hesitation and shifted his focus to the Green Orb. The orb glowed faintly before revealing its prize: a crystal-shaped emerald. Item Name: Leafscorcher''s Core Grade: Uncommon Details: A Tier 2 Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus'' Origin Core, containing residual energy. An item capable of enhancing a primal''s strength. "How convenient," Vincent mused, raising an eyebrow. The timing was almost suspicious, considering he had recently acquired primal pets. Still, he dismissed the thought, storing the core in his ring. "What''s a Tier 2 primal doing here on the outskirts of Verdant Wild Forest?" he muttered softly in wonder. It was an anomaly that demanded investigation, though he lacked the information to form a concrete theory. His thoughts turned to Mochi, who still stood frozen, her wide eyes locked onto him. "Just what kind of creature is Mochi?" he pondered. The question had been plaguing him for some time. He had no comprehensive understanding of his own chaos energy, yet this small creature had absorbed it without issue. Now, she radiated a faint aura of chaos energy herself. For now, however, his priority was to leave. The commotion from the battle was sure to attract either a powerful figure or more primals, neither of which he wished to encounter. "We need to move," he said firmly. Mochi snapped out of her stupor, scrambling to his side. The earlier bravado in her demeanor had vanished, replaced by quiet obedience. After a few moments, just as he got back into the Novice Sanctuary, he noticed several groups of origin warriors moving in a hurry. He narrowed his eyes in wonder before picking up his pace, heading to Novice Center. Continue reading on empire And before he could enter the establishment he could already sense the commotion inside. Chapter 88 Breakout After a few moments, just as he stepped back into the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent noticed several groups of Origin Warriors moving hurriedly, their expressions tense. He narrowed his eyes in curiosity, his mind already churning with speculation, and quickened his pace toward the Novice Center.Even before reaching the entrance, he could sense the commotion inside¡ªa chaotic energy that seemed to spill into the air around the establishment. As soon as he stepped through the doors, the sight before him confirmed his suspicions. The staff of the Novice Center were bustling back and forth, their faces reflecting a mix of urgency and concern. Origin Warriors were scattered throughout the hall, their postures rigid, their eyes sharp with unease. Just as Vincent was about to stop one of the staff members to inquire about the situation, a soft, feminine voice called out behind him. "Excuse me, by any chance¡­ are you Young Master Shroud?" The question made him pause. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker. The woman was clad in a uniform he immediately recognized¡ªthe signature golden mask and cloak of the Lionfang Legion, the elite force serving the Lionfang family of Caelius. Her black hair was tied neatly at the back of her head, and she held a hand-drawn portrait, her gaze flickering between the image and him. Vincent''s brows furrowed beneath his mask, his posture instinctively shifting into one of caution. "Who are you?" he asked in a tone that was wary but controlled. "You may call me Jessica," she replied, her voice soft yet carrying a subtle air of confidence. "I serve Young Master Caelius." Jessica took a step closer, her voice lowering slightly as she continued, "Young Master has no direct means of contacting you, so he sent me to deliver a message." Without giving Vincent a chance to respond, she pressed on. "He asked me to warn you¡ªGrarik may have uncovered your identity. It''s highly likely the Blackthorn Clan is already searching for you." The words made Vincent''s frown deepen. How? he wondered. How could Grarik have discovered his identity? Since their last encounter, he had been nothing but cautious, taking every precaution to ensure he wasn''t followed or exposed. But speculation wouldn''t solve anything now. He could only accept the warning and adjust his actions accordingly. After discarding the thoughts clouding his mind, Vincent turned his attention back to Jessica. "Tell Caelius that I appreciate his warning. By the way, where is he now?" "I''ll make sure your message reaches him," Jessica replied. "As for his location¡­ he''s currently on a mission. That''s all I''m permitted to say." Vincent nodded. "I understand. Thank you." But Jessica didn''t leave. Her gaze lingered on him, sharp and probing. "Is there something else you need to say?" Vincent prompted, his tone edged with curiosity. Jessica hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "You''ve likely noticed the atmosphere here." Vincent simply inclined his head in agreement. "This is just a piece of advice¡ªtake it or leave it," Jessica continued, her voice calm but firm. "It would be wise for you to avoid the Origin World for a while." Vincent''s eyes narrowed further. "Why?" Jessica glanced around, as if ensuring they weren''t being overheard, before leaning closer to his ear. She whispered something that made Vincent''s expression freeze, his mind momentarily blank. Without another word, Jessica straightened and bid him farewell, disappearing into the crowd. Mochi, the fat rabbit perched on Vincent''s shoulder, finally broke her silence. "Do you believe her?" Vincent''s gaze followed Jessica''s retreating figure as he replied, "Not entirely. But her warning is worth keeping in mind." After all, there was no harm in being cautious. Before Vincent could ponder further, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance. A haggard Vyrmin stumbled into the Novice Center, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. "A-Another Tier 1 Labyrinth has been reported¡ªit''s about to break out!" he managed to stammer. The announcement sent a ripple of shock through the room. A labyrinth breakout¡ªthe catastrophic event where primals escaped out of labyrinth¡ªwas not unheard of, but it was rare and always disastrous. Most breakouts occurred when a labyrinth''s boss ascended to a higher tier, but there were whispers of another, far more dangerous cause: a boss escaping without the Labyrinth''s Heart. The latter was almost unheard of, but from the Vyrmin''s tone, Vincent guessed this wasn''t an ordinary case. "Another one?! That''s the third today!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief. As if on cue, another figure burst through the doors. "A Tier 2 Labyrinth is on the verge of a breakout as well!" A wave of alarm swept through the room. "A Tier 2?!" another voice cried. "How is this even possible?" Vincent''s expression darkened. Jessica''s warning echoed in his mind. It seems she wasn''t exaggerating. At that moment, a staff member standing behind the counter shouted into a Prismstone communicator. "What? It''s already happening?! Understood¡ªwe''ll send reinforcements immediately. Stay safe!" She ended the call with a look of grim determination and hurried into the main office. When she emerged moments later, she was accompanied by a striking figure. The woman was a Drakorii, her crimson leather coat complementing the golden-orange hair tied into a ponytail. Her light armor accentuated her powerful build and commanding presence. Her gaze swept across the room, sharp and authoritative, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. Her voice rang out, steady and resonant. "Attention, everyone! I am Maggie Phire, Vice Leader of the Novice Center Frontline Team. As you''ve heard, breakouts are already happening. If left unchecked, these primals will wreak havoc, and it''s only a matter of time before they reach this sanctuary. "We need all the help we can get. Rewards will be distributed based on your kill count¡ªthe higher your kills and the stronger the enemies you defeat, the greater your rewards!" "What kind of rewards?" someone asked cautiously. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maggie''s gaze locked onto the speaker, her golden eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that made the questioner shiver. "As long as it''s within our resources, you''ll be compensated in Origin Crystals. Additionally, the top three participants will have the opportunity to exchange their rewards for skills from our vault, ranging from common to rare grade." "This is a special mission," she continued. "Anyone willing to fight can participate!" Excited chatter broke out among the gathered warriors. "The Durak Party will join!" "The Dong''er Sect is in!" "The ''One Strike You Dead'' Guild will participate!" Despite the enthusiasm, Vincent remained still, observing the groups that eagerly volunteered. Their names struck him as overly flamboyant, but he refrained from reacting outwardly. What truly caught his attention was the absence of Thrygians. Normally, they would have been the first to register for such missions, yet not a single one was in sight. As he mulled over this strange detail, Mochi''s childlike voice rang in his mind. "She''s going to die." Vincent turned to her, startled. "Who?" Mochi pointed a chubby paw at Maggie. "Her." "What makes you say that?" Vincent asked, baffled. Without looking at him, Mochi replied, her golden eyes dimming, "Her fate is clouded in death. She''s only alive now because someone close to her made a great sacrifice. The aura of death clings to her¡ªit''s only a matter of time." Stay updated via empire "So this mission is dangerous?" Vincent pressed. Mochi''s gaze remained distant. "Maybe. My abilities can''t yet see the full picture." Chapter 89 Heading Out "So, this mission is dangerous?" Vincent pressed, his tone cautious but curious.Mochi''s gaze was distant, her small frame perched comfortably on his shoulder. "Maybe," she said softly. "My abilities can''t yet see the full picture." Her words hung in the air, and Vincent fell silent, mulling over her response. Although skeptical of her supposed ability to read fate, he couldn''t completely dismiss it. But is it worth it? Jessica''s warning echoed in his mind. The Blackthorn Clan might already be searching for him. But so what? Vincent wasn''t the type to back down easily. While cautious by nature, he wasn''t afraid of a fight. The decision formed solidly in his mind¡ªhe''d join the mission. As he deliberated, a strong yet calm voice broke through the din of the Novice Center''s Lounge, cutting through the chatter of warriors registering for the special mission. "Count me in." The voice reverberated across the room, silencing the boisterous crowd. Heads turned toward its source, including Vincent''s. In the corner of the lounge, a towering figure leaned casually against the wall. Standing approximately 6 feet 8 inches tall, the green-skinned individual wore a steel breastplate that left his sculpted abs exposed. Sharp steel spikes protruded from his pauldrons, and a white cape flowed over his shoulders. As he strode forward, the crowd instinctively parted, forming a path for him. A beam of light illuminated his imposing figure, revealing his distinctive features. With a bald head, muscular build, and a pair of upward-curving fangs, the man resembled an orc straight out of Earth''s fantasy stories. Yet, the blue diamond-shaped gem embedded in his forehead marked him as something more¡ªShardbone. The Shardbone race was renowned for their intimidating presence and their unique talent, tied to the gemstone on their foreheads. Vincent recognized the race instantly. Stories of Shardbone warriors had circulated even during his younger days. The whispers began almost immediately. "Isn''t that Saffiro Blujem?" "Yeah, the Young Master of the Blujem Tribe." "I thought he was challenging the Tower of Combat. Why is he here?" "Maybe it''s because of the rumors about the exchange items from the tower disappearing." S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Who knows? But with him here, we''ve got more competition¡­" Saffiro ignored the murmurs, his piercing gaze fixed on Maggie, who stood at the front of the room. "I can participate, right? You said anyone could join, Miss Maggie," he said, his tone arrogant as he emphasized the word. Maggie''s expression tightened briefly at the sight of him. As the daughter of a weaker clan on the same planet as the Blujem Tribe, she was all too familiar with Saffiro''s antics. For months now, he had been pestering her to become his woman¡ªa prospect she loathed. But with the Blujem Tribe''s influence looming over her own, she was powerless to confront him directly. "Naturally, Young Master Saffiro," Maggie replied, keeping her voice steady despite her distaste. "You''re welcome to participate." Saffiro smirked and tilted his chin upward. "I have a question, Miss Maggie." "What is it?" she asked, her tone clipped. "If I get the highest kill count, can I exchange my reward for something else?" Maggie''s brows furrowed. "Stop being cryptic, Young Master Saffiro. If you have a specific request, state it clearly. The Novice Center Association will accommodate it if it''s within reason." "I can''t reveal it just yet," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But I need your promise first." Silence settled over the room as Maggie considered his words. Her frown deepened. Saffiro pressed on. "Take your time deciding, but I don''t think your people can afford to wait too long." His grin widened, and Maggie felt a surge of frustration. She sighed inwardly, weighing her options. With the leader of their group unavailable, she needed all the help she could get¡ªeven if it meant making concessions. "Fine," she said at last. "You have my promise. But only if you achieve the highest kill count." Saffiro''s grin widened further. "Perfect. I''ll make sure to meet your expectations." Ignoring him, Maggie turned her attention back to the crowd. "Registration will be sent to your identification tokens shortly. If you wish to join, simply accept the mission. Once registered, follow me to the South Gate!" With that, Maggie disappeared, leaving the room buzzing with activity. A soft chime sounded from Vincent''s pocket. He pulled out his identification token, and a glowing screen appeared before him. "Would you like to join the Special Mission: Stop the Outbreak?" Without hesitation, Vincent tapped the confirmation button and moved with the crowd toward the South Gate. As they walked, Mochi''s voice echoed in his mind. Find adventures on empire "Are you sure about this? Aren''t you afraid of dying?" "If you''re that scared, you can hide in the capture ball," Vincent retorted, his tone dry. The black-furred rabbit puffed up indignantly. "Hmph! I''m just worried about you. Go ahead and die if you want, but don''t come crying to me later!" Mochi fell silent after that, refusing to engage further. Before long, they reached the South Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. Vincent scanned the gathered warriors, estimating their numbers. Three hundred Origin Warriors stood ready. The majority were Tier 1, with only about fifty at Tier 2. Among them, three were at the peak of Tier 2¡ªSaffiro Blujem and two others. Maggie stood at the forefront, flanked by two women of the Drakorii race. "We''ll split into three groups," Maggie announced. "Each group will head to a designated target location. Pyra and Pyre will lead two of the groups." She gestured toward the women beside her. Pyra, on her right, had striking purple hair, while Pyre, on her left, sported green locks. Finally, Maggie''s gaze landed on Saffiro. "I assume you can handle a Tier 1 Labyrinth with your team, Young Master Saffiro?" Saffiro''s smirk was unshaken. "You don''t need to worry about me, Miss Maggie. Just keep your promise." Without waiting for a response, Saffiro gathered several Tier 2 and dozens of Tier 1 Origin Warriors before heading out. Pyra and Pyre quickly divided the remaining warriors into two groups. Maggie, meanwhile, took only a small contingent of Tier 1 fighters. Despite her confidence in handling a Tier 2 Labyrinth alone, she brought them along for field support. Among her group was Vincent. Vincent had maneuvered his way into Maggie''s team through a subtle trade, paying another warrior to exchange places. He wanted to see if Mochi''s vague warnings held any merit. Chapter 90 Bad Actors Maggie Phire led Vincent and nineteen other Origin Warriors along a winding, uneven trail. Their pace was steady, but the worry etched on her face, coupled with her frequent glances over her shoulder, betrayed her growing anxiety. Ahead lay their destination, the Tier 2 Labyrinth: Howling Spires, still a considerable distance away. At this rate, their progress was far from ideal.Vincent surmised her concern lay with her people. Outside the labyrinth, they were holding back the Primals, risking their lives to prevent a breakout. The weight of responsibility visibly bore down on her. Suddenly, Maggie came to a halt, turning sharply toward the group. Her eyes burned with resolve, her voice cutting through the quiet with commanding authority. "Halt!" "What''s wrong, Vice Leader Maggie?" one of the warriors asked, curiosity cutting through the group''s urgency. Her expression was resolute. "I apologize, but moving at this pace, we''ll be too late. My people are holding the line with their lives, and I can''t allow them to fight alone any longer. I''ll go ahead to clear a path. Follow quickly; I''ll ensure you encounter no Primals on the way." Before anyone could argue, a Lizardman stepped forward, thumping his scaled chest with confidence. "Vice Leader, you don''t need to worry about us! I, Lizno, will lead the team to the destination." Maggie nodded, wasting no time. "Good. I''m entrusting them to you, Lizno. Catch up as fast as you can." "Understood." With that, Maggie turned, fiery energy erupting behind her as it transformed into wings of flame. In a single powerful leap, she disappeared into the sky. One of the warriors let out an envious murmur. "When will I get a flying skill like that?" Another scoffed. "Focus on ascending to Tier 2 first before dreaming about fancy skills." "Hmph, at least I have goals," the first one shot back. "Unlike some people here who bring pets along as if this is a field trip." The group''s attention shifted to Vincent and the small, fluffy creature perched on his shoulder¡ªMochi. Quiet mutters rippled through their ranks. "What''s he thinking, bringing a pet?" "Maybe he''s here to die¡­" "No one dies in the Origin World, idiot. If he wants to off himself, he can do it back on his planet." "Quiet. He''s probably just a clueless newbie chasing rewards." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lizno''s sharp gaze landed briefly on Vincent before he barked a command. "Enough! This isn''t a casual mission. We''re here to reinforce the Vice Leader. Move out!" The grumbling died down, though one warrior continued glaring at Vincent. Mochi, unfazed, tilted her head and spoke through their mental link. "Do you know that guy?" Vincent''s lips curled into a smirk as he glanced at the cloaked figure. Their eyes met briefly. "No," he replied inwardly, his voice calm. "But it seems he knows me." Scanning the group discreetly with Heaven Eyes, Vincent''s smirk deepened. "Hehe," he chuckled to himself. Mochi tilted her head further. "What''s so funny? Did my question break your brain?" Vincent chuckled softly, letting the moment pass. The group reached a fork in the road. Two trails snaked upward, each disappearing into the rocky hills ahead. "Which way, Acting Leader?" someone asked Lizno, who scrutinized the paths carefully. After a long pause, Lizno pointed confidently to the left. "This way!" But the hooded warrior glaring at Vincent stepped forward, his voice laced with skepticism. "Are you sure that''s the correct path? If we take the wrong one, we''ll be too late to assist the Vice Leader." Lizno bristled. "Are you questioning me?" The cloaked figure raised his hands, his tone calm yet pointed. "Not at all. I''m simply asking if you''re confident. If you''re wrong, will you take responsibility for the delay?" Lizno hesitated, his uncertainty evident. The murmurs began again. "Does he even know the way?" "He looks unsure." Lizno''s frustration flared. "If anyone knows better, step forward. Otherwise, follow my lead!" The hooded warrior broke the tense silence. "I know the way." All eyes turned to him. Lizno sneered, crossing his arms. "Prove it. If you''re wrong, we stick to my decision." With a dramatic flourish, the warrior produced a scroll from his cloak. He unrolled it, revealing a detailed map. "This," he said, pointing to a red mark on the parchment, "is a map to the Howling Spires." Suspicion lingered in Lizno''s voice. "And how do we know it''s real?" Enjoy more content from empire The cloaked figure pointed to a red stamp in the corner. "It bears the mark of the Novice Center Association," someone muttered after comparing it to their identification token. Murmurs of approval spread through the group. Lizno reluctantly stepped back. "If you had a map, you should''ve said so earlier," he muttered, retreating to the rear. The cloaked warrior smirked, stepping forward with an exaggerated bow. "Since our Acting Leader seems¡­ uncertain, I, Gartin, will lead us. Follow me!" Reluctantly, the group resumed their march under Gartin''s guidance. As they moved, the bushes ahead rustled ominously. "Halt!" Gartin commanded. Seven figures emerged from the shadows, towering over the group at nearly seven feet tall. Their muscular frames and concealed faces exuded menace. "These are Tier 2 warriors," someone whispered, dread creeping into their voice. The leader of the mysterious figures stepped forward. "If you value your lives, hand over everything you have." One defiant warrior retorted, "Who do you think you are?" Before anyone could intervene, a shadow flashed, and the defiant warrior crumpled to the ground, headless. The group froze in horror. "They killed him!" "These are bandits!" Panic surged through the ranks. Gartin raised his voice, attempting to restore order. "Calm down! Let me negotiate!" He turned to the bandits. "Is there any way we can resolve this without surrendering our belongings?" The bandit leader''s gaze scanned the group, stopping on Vincent. "You want to live? Hand over that guy." Gartin didn''t hesitate. "Take him. If it means our safety, he''s all yours." Vincent chuckled darkly, drawing startled glances. "Haha. You guys are such bad actors¡­" Chapter 91 You Are Just Too Weak The bandit leader''s eyes swept across the group, his gaze finally locking onto Vincent. His expression was cold and calculating, as if he were weighing his options and already confident in the outcome of this confrontation. Malice gleamed in his eyes, accompanied by a twisted smirk of superiority, as though he had already declared himself the victor."You want to live?" he asked, his voice smooth yet threatening. "Hand over that guy." The group shifted uneasily, their collective tension palpable as the leader''s words hung in the air. Gartin''s gaze lingered on Vincent for a long moment, his lips pressed into a thin line as if debating internally. Finally, he exhaled heavily, the sound carrying the weight of his resignation. His shoulders drooped slightly, a silent confession of guilt. He nodded, his decision made. "If it means our safety¡­" Gartin began, his voice low, hesitant. Then, more firmly, he added, "Take him. He''s all yours." The murmurs among the group grew louder, their unease bubbling to the surface. A young man in the back whispered harshly, "Are we really just going to give him up like that? How can we¡ª" "Do you want to fight those monsters instead?" another cut in, their voice trembling but resolute. "It''s him or us. If this is the price to stay alive, then so be it." Gartin turned sharply, his expression dark. "Enough," he snapped, his tone commanding yet weary. "Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I made this choice lightly? Look around you! We don''t stand a chance against them. Sacrifices must be made, or none of us will survive." The words settled over the group like a suffocating fog. A sudden, dark chuckle broke through the oppressive atmosphere. Vincent laughed, his voice cold and mocking, the sound sharp enough to cut through the tension. The unexpected noise caused the group to collectively turn toward him, their faces a mixture of confusion and unease. "Haha," Vincent said, his lips curling into a smirk. "You''re all such terrible actors¡­" Gartin''s frown deepened as his brows furrowed, the corners of his mouth twitching as if suppressing his anger. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his tone defensive, though a faint quiver betrayed his nerves. Vincent''s smirk widened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Gartin. "Your acting wouldn''t even pass in a B-grade movie. It''s laughable." The accusation hung in the air, stirring an audible ripple of unease through the group. Gartin stiffened, his face darkening. "You''re spouting nonsense!" he barked, his voice rising to cover the tremor of uncertainty. He pointed sharply at Vincent, his arm rigid with tension. "All of you, get him if you want to survive!" The command was like a match striking dry tinder, igniting a wave of movement. The group''s tension snapped into action as their stares hardened into hostility. Their collective intent was clear¡ªVincent had been marked as their scapegoat. "Forgive us," someone muttered, their voice trembling yet resigned. "We just want to survive. That''s the rule of this world, kid. If you hadn''t been so greedy and joined this mission, you wouldn''t have to be our sacrifice today." "Bad luck, I guess," another added with a bitter edge. "You should''ve stayed out of this. Next time, keep to your room." Vincent remained silent, his smirk unyielding as he surveyed the group''s growing hostility. His calmness was unnerving, the quiet confidence in his demeanor disarming those who met his gaze. On his shoulder, the black rabbit Mochi clung tightly, its small body tense but still, as though it shared Vincent''s eerie composure. A voice resonated in Vincent''s mind, distinct and familiar. "Those seven are all Tier 2. Including Gartin, that makes eight Tier 2 Origin Warriors who want you dead. What are you going to do now?" Vincent''s brow raised slightly in surprise, though his smirk didn''t waver. She can assess levels? he mused, the revelation intriguing him. He had never known Mochi possessed such an ability, though given her peculiar nature, he wasn''t entirely shocked. What truly caught his attention, however, was her unshakable calmness. "Why aren''t you afraid?" he asked her in his mind, his tone curious. "Where''s the Mochi who was trembling in fear earlier?" "Hmph!" Mochi harrumphed indignantly. Her voice carried a trace of pride. "I wasn''t scared of that oversized lizard. I was just¡­ surprised. That''s all." Vincent''s smirk twitched slightly at her response, though he chose not to argue. Lizno, the group''s previous acting leader, suddenly stepped forward, his voice sharp. "What are you doing? We''re here to bring reinforcements, not gang up on a kid!" "Shut up, Lizno!" snapped one of his acquaintances. His tone was laced with frustration and fear, his eyes darting nervously between the group and the bandits. "This isn''t the time to play hero. Can''t you see those people? We can''t beat them! If you''re ready to throw your life away, go ahead and fight, but I''ll survive." Lizno''s fists clenched, trembling with barely contained anger. "Wake up, Kofi! Can''t you see it? Gartin knew this was going to happen. He''s the one who led us here! We''ve been set up from the start!" The group stirred at Lizno''s outburst, unease rippling through their ranks like a wave. The man''s accusations carried weight, his words striking a chord that no one dared to voice before. Doubt crept into their expressions, and the unity they had moments ago began to fracture. "Set up?" one of them echoed, their voice hesitant but laced with rising suspicion. "What are you talking about, Lizno?" Lizno pressed on, his tone sharpening as he seized the moment. "Think about it! Do you really think they''ll let us walk away after handing the kid over? Use your heads! There''s nineteen of us here. If we work together, we can break through!" He paused, deliberately casting Gartin out of his count. His glare landed squarely on the man, who stood rigidly, his face unreadable but his silence damning. Lizno''s voice rose, emboldened by the murmurs of agreement growing around him. "Gartin knew this was going to happen. Ever since he suggested taking this route, I''ve had my doubts. And now, his calmness in the face of danger? It''s obvious¡ªhe''s been working with them all along!" Gartin''s lips tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "What are you saying, Lizno? You must have hated that I took the role of acting leader. Now you''re using this moment to undermine me?" "Stop your act!" Lizno snarled, his words like a whip. Before he could continue, a dark blur cut through the air toward him. The gleam of metal caught the faint light¡ªa dagger, slicing through the atmosphere with lethal precision. Move! Lizno''s mind screamed, but his body froze, paralyzed by the sheer speed and intent behind the attack. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. Swish! The sound of rushing wind filled his ears. Moments passed, but the expected pain never came. Slowly, hesitantly, Lizno opened his eyes. Experience tales at empire Standing before him was Vincent, his hand gripping the dagger that had been meant for Lizno. The weapon rested lightly in his palm, as though it weighed nothing at all. On his shoulder, Mochi gave a smug thumbs-up¡ªa gesture so bizarre that Lizno blinked, unable to process what he was seeing. "You really like throwing things at people''s heads, don''t you?" Vincent remarked coldly, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. His gaze shifted to Gartin, whose face had turned pale and ashen. Vincent tossed the dagger casually in the air, catching it with a flick of his wrist. "Why don''t you see what it''s like to be on the receiving end?" With a fluid motion, he hurled the weapon back toward Gartin. The dagger whistled through the air, narrowly missing Gartin''s head but slicing cleanly through his hood. The fabric fluttered to the ground, revealing Gartin''s face. The dagger didn''t stop and hit the fully clothed figure behind him. Gasps rippled through the group as recognition dawned on them.. "So it''s him," Vincent thought. Lizno''s eyes widened as he pointed an accusing finger. "You''re Garmus, one of Grarik''s men!" Gartin¡ªno, Garmus¡ªflinched, his hand instinctively flying to his exposed face. Panic flickered in his eyes as the realization of his unveiled identity settled in. Before he could respond, the group of cloaked figures behind him sprang into action. Their movements were sharp and purposeful, their leader barking orders. "Check Goma''s condition!" the leader growled, his tone brimming with irritation. He turned to Garmus, his frustration boiling over. "I told you to let us handle this. Now you''ve blown your cover. We proceed with the original plan." "Wait!" Garmus protested, his voice high and desperate. "We can still salvage this! A massacre will bring too much attention. My young master¡ª" But his words were cut off by a booming laugh. The leader of the Hyena Gang, Sinep, stepped forward, his grin stretching unnaturally wide. "You dare attack one of my men? For a mere human, you''ve got guts!" Sinep''s arms bulged grotesquely, his mottled yellow skin darkening as black spots spread across it. His claws extended, razor-sharp and glinting menacingly in the dim light. With a feral snarl, he lunged at Vincent, the air crackling with the force of his attack. "This is for attacking my guy!" Sinep roared, his claws arcing downward with deadly intent. Vincent raised a single palm, meeting the attack head-on. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the force of the clash reverberating through the air. Sinep staggered back, his arm hanging limply at his side. "How?" Sinep sputtered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You''re just Tier 1! There''s no way¡ª" Vincent stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant. His voice was calm, almost bored. "I''m only Tier 1," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You''re just too weak." Before Sinep could react, Vincent''s hand shot out, closing around the gang leader''s throat. Sinep clawed at Vincent''s grip, his struggles growing weaker by the second as the air was squeezed from his lungs. "L-Let me go!" Sinep choked, his voice barely a whisper. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent''s gaze swept over the remaining enemies, his expression unreadable yet undeniably commanding. His voice, low and menacing, cut through the silence like a dagger. "Who''s next?" The weight of his words seemed to crush the air around them, leaving only stunned silence. Chapter 92 Show of Prowess Countless eyes fell on him as Sinep struggled, clawing his arms but to no avail. With his current force attribute and the additional effect of Sterling Silver Body, his physique could not be broken by normal means.Hence, he gained shock, surprise, and different expressions as the oppressing Tier 2 Origin Warrior struggled in his arm. And the most affected of all these people was Garmus. It was not even more than a week since the last time his Young Master Grarik made the guy in front of him, kneeled without an ounce of effort. However, the supposed to be ant in his eyes were now like a towering figure in front of him. He could not but to break in cold sweat as he stared at the condition of Sinep. He knew that even though Sinep and him had the same level, Sinep was more experienced than him. Therefore, he was utterly dumbfounded as he watched Sinep struggling like a baby in Vincent''s hand. And he understood what it meant, he too would definitely struggle if not die if he fought Vincent. He already thought of running away, however, the rest of Hyena Gang reacted otherwise. Seeing their leader helpless, they felt extremely humiliated. They were already furious when Vincent attacked Goma without being able to react and they just checked their Companion''s condition and in that short moment, their leader was already subdued. At this moment, Sinep''s right hand man¡ªRaytand, clenching his teeth, demanded, "Let go of our Boss!" The remaining conscious members of Hyena Gang wanted to follow up, however, before they could even utter a single word, Vincent''s eyes fell on them. In that instant, they felt as though they were being stared by a ''God-like'' pair of sharp purple dragon eyes, glaring at them from above, making their legs tremble in fear. Vincent''s voice then rang in their ears, nonchalant, but felt like thunder in their mind, "You guys wanted to live? Then, hand him over¡­" It was the same words their leader had said to him. They first looked at him before turning to the person he was indicating. Their eyes then fell to Garmus before flashing a furious gaze. It was the guy who said that their target was only a weak human. If they did not accept this guy''s request and if their boss did not simply believe this person, they would not be in this deadly situation. Before Raytand could even utter a word, his companions beat him to it. "Let''s hand over that guy!" "He probably set us up! I told you guys that we should not trust people from Blackthorn!" "Raytand!" And the one who was receiving the vicious eyes, Garmus turned furious, subtly forgetting his situation. "You dare to go against my Blackthorn Clan?!" "If you really made a move against me, you think my Blackthorn Clan will let your group go?! I dare you to do it!" He felt indignant being glared at by this group of bandits that he never treated as the same level as him. I''m a member of the Blackthorn Clan! These fools dare to look at me with those eyes?! He exclaimed in his mind. His words seemed to have had effect as the Hyena Gang fell in silence. Garmus couldn''t help but scoff seeing their hesitant reaction. Raytand gritted his teeth in frustration. In their right hand was their boss in the hand of a dangerous individual, while on the other hand was the Blackthorn Clan. As he was considering which sides he should take, the groan of their boss cut through the cold air as Vincent''s voice broke out, "Ha, forget it. You guys are wasting my time. I have to see something with my own eyes." Raytand turned to face Vincent and wondered, "What do you¡ª" Before he could complete his words he saw Vincent clenched their Boss'' neck. With a bone-chilling sound, Sinep''s neck was crushed by Vincent, dead. Once again, silence prevailed for a moment until Vincent threw aside the corpse. And once the corpse collapsed into particles of digital lights, Sinep''s companions finally reacted, breaking the silence. "Boss!" "N-No! Boss!" "Big Brother!" Vincent ignored as he also ignored the sweet notification, confirming Sinep''s death. He then realized that he still had a full experience point when he killed the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus and he hadn''t spent it yet. ''Fuck! What a waste!''He exclaimed in his mind. ''I should have crippled him first before killing him.'' With that thought in his mind, he made a quick scan to everyone. His gaze made the group subconsciously retreat back. "I guess this is enough¡­" he muttered, quite satisfied that he confirmed the identity of Garmus. Hence, he wasted no more time, with a single step, bringing gusts of wind in his wake, he instantly arrived in front of Garmus who was still in shock when he killed Sinep. "You¡ª" he couldn''t even complete his words as Vincent slightly punched his guts but it was enough to make him vomit all the food he ate yesterday. "Urkh!" Garmus clasped his stomach as he fell on his knees, vomiting on the ground. Everything happened in a blink of an eye, no one in the area managed to catch his speed. "S-Stop!" Raytand finally mustered. Now that their boss had been killed they could no longer live under the same sky with Vincent. He decided that it would be better to offend a single person than offend the entire Blackthorn Clan. However, just as he uttered it, Vincent reappeared in front of him. "Just because I didn''t go for your group first, doesn''t mean I will let you go." Vincent leaned in and whispered to Raytand''s ear. After that, a stronger pressure smashed down to the Hyena Gang, forcing them to fall flat on the ground, gasping. Boom! The ground beneath them cracked under Vincent''s Dragon''s Might pressure. He kept the pressure until they collapsed and lost consciousness before turning back his attention to Garmus who had just managed to climb back to his feet. "Y-Young Master Grarik will never let you go if you kill me!" He uttered after mustering his strength. Vincent could not help but smirk when he heard him. "As if your clan will let me go if I let you go. Unfortunately, that kind of manipulation won''t work to me. I''ve already read too many web novels in my free time, enough to memorize the villain''s lines¡­" "What are you talking about?!" Garmus clearly could not understand what he meant. "You don''t have to understand it. Go to sleep." Garmus could not even react before his vision went black as Vincent swiftly chopped his neck. He then searched Garmus'' body until he found the folded scroll inside his clothes. He checked it and was able to understand that it was a legit map but they somehow deviated from the correct path midway. He then put it in his storage as he took Garmus storage ring, he didn''t not check the contents and just put it also in his storage ring before standing up. The plump black rabbit who had kept her silence on his shoulder finally uttered a word, her voice ringing in his mind. "What are you going to do to these people?" She was indicating to the frozen group, including Lizno. Vincent did not answer immediately, he glanced at the unconscious Garmus and Hyena Gang, before shifting back to the stunned group, making them retreat subconsciously once again. Find your next read on empire "I have a plan for them.." he simply responded in his mind. "Just what are you planning?" Mochi wondered but she was ignored. Vincent''s eyes then landed on Lizno. He had a good impression of this Lyard. When those people gang up on him, he was the only one who stood up for him. Thus, he couldn''t help but smile beneath his mask as he moved towards him. However, Lizno could not see his expression. Thus, his action caused the guy to take a step backwards. He halted his feet as he smiled wryly. ''It seems I scared them too much¡­'' he thought, shaking his head imaginatively. "Lizno." He addressed, jolting the guy. "Y-Yes?!" Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent ignored his stammer and continued. "I want you to tie them," he said pointing at the unconscious Garmus and Hyena Gang, lying on the ground. "I believe you know how to seal their origin core, right?" Lizno responded with a nod as he gulped nervously. "Good." He responded, ''because I don''t.''he thought. Clearing his mind, Vincent continued, his voice steady yet commanding. "Once you''ve tied them up, I want all of you to follow me later." His piercing gaze swept over the group, sending an icy chill down their spines. "I''ve already memorized all your auras. If even one of you fails to show up at the Howling Spire, you know what will happen, don''t you?" The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for argument. The group frantically nodded, their heads bobbing like chickens pecking at grain, utterly terrified of defying him. Satisfied, Vincent turned toward Lizno, who, despite his visible unease, managed to stand his ground this time. Stepping closer, Vincent handed him the map he had taken from Garmus. "Follow this map. I''ll head out first," Vincent instructed, his tone softer but still firm. Lizno stared blankly at the map for a moment before nodding, his hands trembling as he accepted it. Vincent placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a fleeting gesture of acknowledgment. Without wasting another second, Vincent vanished from sight, leaving behind only the faint whisper of wind in his wake. Time was of the essence. He had to confirm whether Mochi''s prediction was correct. Chapter 93 Town Labyrinth of Howling Spire Vincent''s One-Step Shift movement skill and his speed attribute points allowed him to swiftly close the distance between himself and Maggie.Although she had departed a considerable time ago, Vincent''s epic-grade movement skill and finely honed stats were no mere display. He traversed nearly 1.12 miles in just 15 minutes. High above, Maggie soared through the air using fiery wings, her speed astonishing. To avoid detection, Vincent activated his epic-grade stealth technique, Phantom Veil, masking his presence before she could sense him. Mochi, perched on his shoulder and clutching his hair, voiced her astonishment. "How many skills do you even have?!" she exclaimed in his mind, gripping his hair tighter as Vincent''s near-blinding agility left her flustered. Unable to suppress his laughter, Vincent glanced over his shoulder. Mochi flailed in the air, desperately holding on. "You should focus on not falling off first," he teased. "Why don''t you slow down, you evil human?!" Mochi snapped, her voice a mix of indignation and panic. Vincent only chuckled in response. "K-Keep laughing! I swear I''ll make you pay for this one day!" Mochi threatened, her words faltering under the turbulence. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Right, right, I''m so scared¡­" Vincent retorted, smirking. Before long, the outline of a small town surrounded by stone walls came into view. At its center stood a towering emerald spire, its once serene presence now overshadowed by dark clouds crackling with lightning. "That must be the Labyrinth of Howling Spire," Vincent mused, his brow furrowing as he detected countless presences clustered within the town. Maggie appeared to sense the same as she suddenly accelerated, diving into the town. Vincent followed at a cautious distance. Near the labyrinth''s entrance, a ragged group of Origin Warriors had erected a makeshift barricade to stem the tide of primals spilling out of the portal. The town''s surroundings lay in ruin, the streets painted in blood. Amidst the chaos, a striking young woman with crimson skin and fiery orange hair stood out. Oria Phire, Maggie''s younger cousin and a Drakorii, battled fiercely alongside four companions. Her orange dress clung tightly to her figure, accentuating her form despite the scars marring her body, including a deep gash on her flank that continued to bleed. The foes she faced were Tier 1 primals¡ªSpires. These infant-like creatures with translucent green skin, dark emerald eyes, and small fangs were notoriously difficult to combat due to their near-intangible forms. Their affinity for wind and nature elements made them especially lethal for novice warriors. Oria''s exhaustion was evident. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as she fought to maintain her footing. It had only been half an hour since the primal outbreak began, but the devastation was already immense. Many warriors had fallen; those who survived either fled or regrouped at the final barricade. A gust, shaped like a bullet, hurtled toward Oria. She gritted her teeth and countered with a fiery slash of her short sword, severing the attack but straining her stamina further. "Huff¡­" "Sister Oria, when will reinforcements arrive? We''re not going to last at this rate!" cried one of her companions, an Almaurian woman with almond-colored eyes and copper-toned skin. Clutching her wounded side, Oria forced herself to respond. "Just hold on a little longer. Sister Maggie is surely on her way with help." Her words carried forced optimism. Deep down, she doubted reinforcements would arrive in time. The distance from Novice Sanctuary No. 3 to the Labyrinth of Howling Spire was considerable, even at an average Tier 1 Origin Warrior''s pace. Yet, she clung to hope, trusting Maggie''s speed. The group''s struggle intensified when one of her male companions let out a cry of pain as a bullet of wind pierced his shoulder. "Agh!" "Jonson!" "Bro!" "Sonson!" Oria and her companions cried out in alarm. "Alma, take Jonson to the backline!" Oria ordered, her tone sharp. "But how will the three of you hold the front?!" Alma protested. "Just go!" Oria snapped, her eyes narrowing as she sensed an even stronger presence emerging from the portal. A humanoid form, initially a swirling tornado, materialized into a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Elite Spire. It stood tall with long, flowing green hair but lacked any distinguishing features. Dread filled Oria and her remaining companions. Already strained, their chances against such a foe seemed nonexistent. "Now, go!" Oria barked, urgency lacing her voice. Reluctantly, Alma carried Jonson toward the rear lines, promising, "Don''t die! I''ll be back!" Left with only her two heavily armored male companions, Oria steeled herself. The Elite Spire raised its hand, summoning two small tornadoes that hovered menacingly by its sides. "What do we do, Oria?" one companion asked, his voice trembling. "Maybe retreating isn''t such a bad idea," the other chimed in, equally shaken. Oria''s jaw tightened. Retreat meant abandoning the town¡ªher family''s livelihood¡ªand rebuilding it would cost a fortune. Losing the Labyrinth of Howling Spire wasn''t an option. "Hold it off for me!" she commanded. Enjoy more content from empire The two warriors roared as they embedded their axes into the ground, conjuring massive stone walls to block the incoming tornadoes. Bam! The walls absorbed the initial impact but soon began to crack under the relentless force. Crack~ Rubble scattered as the tornadoes battered through. "These walls won''t hold much longer!" one companion warned. Oria ignored him, her focus razor-sharp as fiery energy engulfed her sword. She formed two massive fireballs and shouted, "Get behind me!" The warriors retreated just as Oria unleashed her attack. The fireballs collided with the tornadoes in a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Smoke obscured the area, but as it cleared, the Elite Spire stood unscathed. Its tornadoes now swirled with even greater intensity. Oria''s resolve faltered as she muttered, "No way¡­" The Elite Spire let out a piercing screech, and its tornadoes surged forward, accompanied by a barrage of attacks from the hovering spires. "Is this the end? I''m sorry, Sister Maggie¡­ I guess this is the last time I can help you in this world¡­" Oria softly muttered, closing her eyes. Suddenly, a warm gust swept over her. A familiar voice echoed. "Save your apologies. You still have to help me achieve my goals." Chapter 94 Howling Spire Lord A warm gust swept over her, carrying a familiar voice that cut through the chaos like a blade."Save your apologies. You still owe me your help in achieving my goals." Oria''s eyes flew open. As her gaze fell on the figure before her, her voice trembled, filled with disbelief and relief. "Sister Maggie!" Her companions, equally astonished, exclaimed in unison. "Vice Leader!" Maggie paid their outbursts no attention. Her piercing gaze was locked on the incoming wave of attacks. She had felt the Elite Spire''s presence from miles away and had rushed to the scene, barely arriving in time. Her expression was sharp, her resolve unshaken. With a slight furrow of her brows, she raised her hand. A massive sea of flames erupted, roaring into existence and surging forward to meet the enemy''s assault. BOOM! BOOM! The sky exploded with fire and smoke as Maggie''s flames clashed against the oncoming attacks. She didn''t wait for the flames to subside. Another wave of fire surged forth, this time more ferocious, sweeping across the battlefield. Countless spires were caught in the inferno, detonating one after another. Satisfied with the result, Maggie glanced back at Oria and her companions. Her voice, calm yet commanding, rang out. "Go back and recover. I''ll handle the rest." There was no room for argument in her tone. Oria hesitated for a moment, her lips trembling as she spoke softly. "Please¡­ be careful." Maggie nodded but didn''t look back. Oria and her companions retreated, their trust in her absolute. On a nearby rooftop, Vincent stood with Mochi, surveying the devastation. The town was in shambles, ravaged by the relentless assault of the primals. Vincent''s eyes sharpened as they focused on Maggie, her fiery attacks obliterating hundreds of enemies in a dazzling display of power. As the smoke cleared, a quarter of the spires lay in ruins. The Elite Spire, however, remained unscathed, its menacing presence undiminished. Vincent wasn''t surprised. Maggie had focused her efforts on neutralizing the smaller threats while conserving her strength. The Elite Spire let out an enraged screech, raising its hand to retaliate. But before it could act, Maggie struck. She raised her arm high, summoning a blazing, three-meter-long lance of fire. "Flame Lance!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the battlefield. The fiery weapon shot forward with blinding speed, piercing the Elite Spire''s body before detonating in a brilliant explosion. BOOM! When the smoke dissipated, the Elite Spire was gone, its form utterly obliterated by Maggie''s overwhelming power. Cheers erupted from the Origin Warriors watching nearby. "Vice Leader!" "Vice Leader!" Oria, being tended to for her injuries, smiled faintly. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn''t help but feel pride and admiration as she watched her cousin''s display of unmatched strength. The celebration was cut short by a violent tremor that shook the ground. "What''s happening?" a warrior shouted, panic evident in their voice. "The portal! Look at the portal!" another yelled, pointing toward the labyrinth''s entrance. Vincent''s sharp eyes caught the change immediately. The once-white portal had turned pitch black, arcs of lightning crackling ominously within its swirling depths. Then, an Elite Spire emerged from the portal. And another. And another. Soon, twenty Elite Spires stood before them, their forms radiating an oppressive, malevolent energy. The Origin Warriors froze in place, their earlier confidence evaporating in the face of such overwhelming numbers. But Maggie didn''t flinch. Instead, a smirk crept onto her lips, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "It doesn''t matter how many of you come," she muttered under her breath. "Ants are still ants." She raised her arms, summoning another inferno. This time, the flames burned even brighter, hotter, and fiercer. Lance after lance of fire rained down, striking the Elite Spires with unrelenting force. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The battlefield was engulfed in chaos as the spires screeched in agony, their forms disintegrating under Maggie''s relentless assault. From the rooftop, Vincent watched in awe. His usually composed expression betrayed a flicker of disbelief. "She''s incredible¡­ How much origin energy does she even have?" His thoughts turned skeptical as he glanced at Mochi, the black rabbit perched on his shoulder. "Are you sure she''s going to die?" he asked, his tone laced with doubt. Mochi huffed, its expression indignant. "Hmph! Just wait and see. My skill has never failed before." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t it fail to predict my fate?" Mochi flinched, its confidence visibly shaken. After a moment of awkward silence, it snapped back defensively. "Y-You''re different! You''re a special case!" Before their banter could continue, a deafening crack of lightning tore through the air. BANG! Dark clouds gathered above, swirling like a living entity. Lightning crackled within the storm as it condensed into a colossal figure¡ªa twelve-meter-tall spire, its presence suffocating. A voice, deep and resonant, boomed across the battlefield. "Hoh, what do we have here? A fiery little girl from the Drakorii race?" The sheer weight of its voice pressed down on everyone, making hearts tremble. Even Vincent felt the pressure, though he stood at a distance. Beneath his mask, his brow furrowed as he assessed the creature. Howling Spire Lord ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) Despite the overwhelming aura, Vincent remained composed. His gaze never wavered. The Howling Spire Lord''s mocking tone rang out again. "Little fiery girl, have you had your fun? Why not let my children go?" Maggie scoffed, her disdain evident. "You want me to let them go after slaughtering my people? You must have gone senile!" Although they would not really die, it was still the same as cutting their future when they lose their ability to enter the Origin World. The Howling Spire Lord''s tone darkened, its voice dropping to a menacing growl. "Calm yourself, child. We sought only to escape that prison. It was your people who struck first. Let us go, and I will spare you." Maggie''s eyes blazed with fury, her lips curling into a scornful smile. "Spare me? You spineless windbag! Let''s see which one of us ends up needing mercy!" For a moment, the battlefield fell silent. Even the Howling Spire Lord seemed taken aback by her boldness. From the rooftop, Vincent blinked, stunned. He glanced at Mochi, whose wide eyes mirrored his disbelief. "Did she just¡­?" Vincent began, his voice trailing off. Mochi nodded wordlessly. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nearby, Oria and the other warriors exchanged wry smiles. "Yep, that''s the Vice Leader we know," someone murmured, a hint of pride in their voice. The Howling Spire Lord finally broke the silence, its confusion giving way to booming laughter. "HAHAHA! Yes, that''s it! Hate! Rage! I''ve missed this!" Its laughter turned to a guttural roar as its eyes burned crimson. Misty smoke coiled violently around its form, and its limbs became encased in raging winds. Explore more at empire Then it howled¡ªa bone-shaking cry that sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. CRACK! The force of the shockwave obliterated what little remained of the town. Oria and the other warriors clutched their ears, grimacing in pain. But Maggie stood firm, shielding her eyes from the debris. The tension in the air was palpable, the battlefield poised on the edge of a cataclysmic clash. Maggie''s flames roared defiantly, their brilliance undiminished by the Howling Spire Lord''s oppressive aura. "Come on, then," she challenged, her voice unwavering. "Let''s see if you''re as powerful as you claim." The Howling Spire Lord bared its fangs, a cruel grin spreading across its face. "Very well, little Drakorii. Let me show you what true despair feels like." Chapter 95 Howling Spire Lord vs Maggie Phire "Very well, little Drakorii. Let me show you what true despair feels like."As soon as the Howling Spire Lord uttered those words, it lifted its right hand, balled into a fist. A black storm swiftly converged within its massive hand, lightning crackling ominously. Maggie didn''t hesitate. Fiery wings burst from her back as she soared into the air. Despite their significant height difference, Maggie remained completely unshaken. The Howling Spire Lord stood at 12 meters tall, its sheer size already oppressive. Yet, Maggie maintained her composure as if facing a creature of her own stature. Raising her slender arm, she summoned a three-meter-long Flame Lance above her. The Howling Spire Lord simply snorted in response to her action. It loosened its fist slightly, and a round, dark misty energy began to materialize and hover in its palm. Without waiting any longer, it hurled the misty energy ball toward Maggie, a huge grin spreading across its indistinct face. Maggie didn''t hesitate. She launched the Flame Lance forward! Swish! Swish! Both attacks sped through the air at the same velocity. When the two distinct energies collided, a powerful sound reverberated upon impact, creating a shockwave and a tornado-shaped burst of flames! The Howling Spire Lord couldn''t help but snicker. "You are not bad, little girl. But it won''t be enough to defeat me!" The massive primal clenched its hands into fists once more. Lightning crackled as pairs of round, misty energy balls formed in both hands. "Hmph! You''re talking too much for a windbag!" Maggie retorted, summoning a pair of Flame Lances. "It seems your elders never taught you how to respect an elder. Then, let me do it for their sake!" With a low grunt, the Howling Spire Lord flicked the pair of misty energy balls toward Maggie. It didn''t stop there; fierce winds swirled around both of its arms, creating gauntlet-like weapons of whirling air. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It hurled its fists forward, generating a fierce shockwave that traveled toward Maggie, increasing the speed of the misty energy balls. Experience new tales on empire Unyielding, Maggie refused to be underestimated. She hurled the Flame Lances forward! This time, she followed up with fireballs that hurled into the air like homing missiles, targeting the Howling Spire Lord''s back. Swish! Swish! All her skills whistled through the air before colliding with the Lord''s attacks, causing another wave of explosions and shockwaves that filled the sky with bright, windy-crimson flames! As the fireballs neared the Howling Spire Lord, its misty body suddenly created a gaping hole, allowing the fireballs to pass smoothly through and head back toward Maggie. Maggie subtly raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised for a moment. She then shifted her attention to the incoming fireballs. It was the only flaw of the Homing Fireball¡ªonce released, she couldn''t control it again. Now, her own attack was heading toward her. But she showed no emotion despite the dire situation. With a simple flick of her hand, a wave of flames swept over the homing fireballs, redirecting them to the opposite direction, heading once again toward the Howling Spire Lord. Additionally, she summoned dozens of Flame Lances into the air and quickly launched them at the massive primal! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Witnessing this, the Howling Spire Lord punched forward with its fists covered in gust gauntlets, sending a strong shockwave that forced the incoming Flame Lances and fireballs to slow down before losing their momentum. However, despite the Howling Spire Lord''s defense, a few Flame Lances managed to pierce through its attack and landed on its body. Boom! A massive plume of flame erupted upon impact, accompanied by loud cheers from the spectating Origin Warriors on the ground. "Nice hit!" someone exclaimed. Their celebration was short-lived as the smoke was immediately swept away by a wind, revealing the Howling Spire Lord''s unscathed appearance. A chuckle escaped its mouth. "Hehe, you''re really not bad for a little girl¡­" The Howling Spire Lord spoke in an amused voice, completely ignoring Maggie''s previous attack. Maggie slightly frowned at this, while the spectators stood visibly stunned. "There''s no way¡­" someone muttered in disbelief. "Not even a scratch¡­" another remarked. At this moment, a worried expression appeared on Orian''s face. "Sister Maggie¡­" she softly muttered, gazing at the small figure hovering in the air with obvious concern in her eyes. On a building''s rooftop, Vincent was equally surprised, witnessing a battle between Tier 3 figures. Yes, Maggie was also a Tier 3 (1¡ï) Origin Warrior. Although the brief exchange between the two powerful individuals wasn''t enough to determine who was stronger, it was sufficient for Vincent to doubt Mochi''s prediction even more. Based solely on Maggie''s short performance against the Howling Spire Lord, he couldn''t understand how a powerful Tier 3 Origin Warrior would just die. He sensed that the Howling Spire Lord didn''t possess enough strength to actually kill Maggie in one strike. Or so he thought, until the Howling Spire Lord''s aura suddenly burst, and fierce winds erupted from its body! "Enough of playing around! I have somewhere I need to be!" It exclaimed as its body began to swirl like a storm. Fierce gusts blasted outward as it let out a grunt. "Ha!" Lightning crackled in the sky as multiple massive tornadoes materialized in the air before spreading everywhere. Maggie frowned upon witnessing this. She might avoid the tornadoes herself, but Orian and the other people in the town were a different matter. The Howling Spire Lord didn''t stop there. Using its mental ability and unique talent, it commanded the remaining spires to destroy the town in his mind. "Destroy the town! Kill everything in sight!" The remaining hundreds of spires released a low screech in acknowledgment as they began destroying the area! Fierce winds almost engulfed the broken town, alerting Orian and the remaining Origin Warriors. Maggie immediately noticed the chaos. She scoffed, "You finally showed your true nature! You savages!" The Howling Spire Lord only chuckled at her words. She ignored it completely and waved her hand, creating a huge wall of flame to block the spires from reaching Orian and the others. However, in that brief moment, the Howling Spire Lord seized its opportunity. It appeared above Maggie as its voice echoed in her ears, "I don''t think you have the right time to be distracted¡­" Its voice carried a mocking tone. As she looked above, she saw the massive fist of the Howling Spire Lord hurling toward her at high speed! "Too slow!" she exclaimed as she also punched with her fist covered in fiery flames, facing the massive fist head-on! Boom! A loud sound rang through the air upon impact, sending a strong shockwave. The crimson scales on her cheeks flared with fiery energy. As their fists collided, Maggie felt the immense strength of the Howling Spire Lord''s punch coursing through her body, numbing her arms before she was blasted into the town''s pavement! Orian, whose attention was still on the fight despite the situation, was shocked when she saw Maggie being hurled by the massive primal''s punch! "Sister Maggie!" she called out in worry. Vincent''s expression faltered for a moment as he witnessed the sudden turn of events. "Is she really going to die?" Chapter 96 Howling Spire Lord vs Maggie Phire (2) Vincent''s expression faltered for a moment as he witnessed the sudden turn of events."Is she really going to die?" he wondered. Soon, a pillar of flame energy burst forth, clearing the smoke and revealing Maggie''s furious expression. Although she appeared unscathed, her entire arm was numb and trembling. Her appearance lifted the worry in Orian''s heart and eased the others'' fears. However, they couldn''t completely hide the concern in their eyes. They believed their Vice Leader was a powerful individual, but they couldn''t deny the strength of the Howling Spire Lord. "Pah!" Maggie spat out the dirt that had gotten into her mouth, her face full of annoyance and disgust. The Howling Spire Lord, hovering above, looked down with amusement. "Hoh, you took that really well¡­" "Hmph!" She snorted, ignoring its mocking tone. A grin flashed across her lips as she reached out her hand. A swirling mass of fiery energy appeared before her, taking shape into a two-meter-long silver lance. It was her weapon armament, a Tier 2 rare-grade armament. Its shaft was wrapped in crimson veins, and the blade''s tip emitted fiery energy. Gripping the lance tightly, Maggie stabbed it into the ground, embedding it in the pavement as fiery wings burst from her back, scattering debris all around. Without saying a word, a fiery, oppressive aura exploded from her body as she rose into the air, her lance firmly in hand. The Howling Spire Lord didn''t immediately react. It simply kept its amused expression fixed on her. "You''re not bad. I''ll give you a chance¡ªserve me, and I will spare your people." As it spoke, its gaze shifted to Orian and the others, who were behind the wall of flames, struggling to block the incoming spires. Maggie scoffed. "I also have an offer for you. Become my primal pet, and I''ll spare all of your lives." "Heh, what a shame¡­" Its tone sounded both disappointed and amused, before abruptly deepening into a sinister growl. "Indeed. What a shame¡­" Maggie said, shaking her head before her expression hardened. In a flash, her figure vanished, reappearing above the Howling Spire Lord. The moment it registered her reappearance, she thrust her silver lance, burning with fiery energy, toward its massive head. This time, the Howling Spire Lord didn''t dare underestimate her attack. It wasn''t like the ''homing fireball'' it had easily dodged before. The strange elements emanating from her weapon signaled danger. If it allowed her strike to land, it couldn''t be certain its special physique would endure. Without hesitation, it hurled its massive fist forward, swirling with storm energy, to intercept her strike. Bang! Their attacks collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. This time, neither gained the upper hand. They held their ground as they began trading blows. Boom! Boom! Their speed was too fast for the spectators to follow. All they could see were flashes of light and hear deafening sounds as the two clashed, creating chaos in the sky. The only person who could track their movements was Vincent, who kept his full attention on the battle. "So this is how a Tier 3 Origin Warrior and a Primal fight¡­" he muttered softly to himself. He wondered how Maggie could sustain such an intense display of skills. Did she possess an unlimited pool of origin energy? Or was it something unique to her race? His gaze lingered on Maggie''s fiery wings. Were they a learned skill from a skill book, or another racial talent? As a man, he naturally dreamed of flying. Surely, everyone from modern Earth wished they could soar like the heroes in movies. His thoughts were interrupted as a group of spires approached the building he stood on, causing it to tremble. Irritated, he summoned two groups of five Tier 2 Umbral Rats. Mochi, perched on his shoulder, stared in shock. "H-How can you summon creatures a tier higher than your level?" her voice echoed in his mind, filled with disbelief. Vincent tilted his head slightly, looking at Mochi. "Isn''t that normal?" "Normal? Normal your face! That''s anything but normal!" "Are you sure?" "I may not remember everything, but I can confidently say you''re far from normal!" As their conversation continued, a stronger shockwave swept through the town, demolishing several buildings and scattering debris. A loud grunt filled the air. "Ha! Die!" The Howling Spire Lord summoned multiple windstorms and launched them at Maggie, who dodged them with ease. With a powerful kick, she propelled herself forward, arriving face-to-face with the massive, 12-meter-tall primal. Without hesitation, she hurled her lance, now swirling with fiery energy, while muttering a low grunt. "Die, windbag!" Boom! Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A wave of fiery energy erupted from her armament, striking the Howling Spire Lord at point-blank range. An explosion followed, and the primal''s agonized screech filled the air. The Howling Spire Lord retreated. When the smoke cleared, its left eye, once transparent and mist-like, burned brightly with Maggie''s fiery energy. Experience more content on empire It frantically attempted to extinguish the flames, but its efforts were futile. The fire burned on, undeterred. Maggie watched with satisfaction and smirked. "Try all you want¡ªyou''ll never extinguish my fire." "W-What is this fire?!" "You don''t need to know. You''re going to die anyway." "Fucking bitch!" The Howling Spire Lord roared in rage. It had been centuries since it last felt pain, and it had forgotten how agonizing it could be. It screeched furiously, summoning several tornadoes around itself. Fierce winds roared as it hurled the tornadoes forward. "Die! Die! All of you! Die!" Raising its right hand, it beckoned the remaining spires. They burst into smoke, the vivid emerald energy coalescing into a massive wind spear in its hand. In its left hand, dark misty energy formed into another weapon. Maggie''s sharp eyes darkened. The savage primal had lost its reason and gone all out. She clenched her teeth, her expression grave. If she avoided the strikes, the town¡ªand everyone in it¡ªwould surely be destroyed. Making her decision, she gritted her teeth as fiery waves of energy erupted from her body. Unlike before, her energy was no longer hollow and transparent. It blazed fiercely, as though it would consume her. Crimson veins bulged along her neck, crawling up to her face. "Haaa!" she grunted, as dark, ominous energy emerged from her body, merging with her flames. Her sclera turned jet black, and her energy surged with a terrifying, crimson-dark intensity. The moment the dark energy appeared, Vincent''s heart skipped a beat. A strange sense of connection tugged at him. "That''s¡­" he muttered, his expression hardening as realization dawned. Nearby, Orian froze. Recognition turned her worry into abject fear. "N-No, Sister Maggie! Don''t do it! Stop!" she screamed, but her voice failed to reach Maggie''s ears. Chapter 97 Fierce Battle "N-No, Sister Maggie! Don''t do it! Stop!" she screamed, but her voice failed to reach Maggie''s ears.At this moment, Maggie was barely holding her senses together. She could only focus on herself to avoid letting the ominous dark energy overwhelm her mind. The ominous energy had been with her since birth. Her elders had no information about it and treated her as though she were cursed. Originally, the ominous energy did nothing to her aside from causing frequent sickness. However, everything changed when she awakened her origin energy. The ominous energy became aggressive. It started to change her behavior in exchange for rapid strength. However, every time she used it, it consumed her lifespan. It came to a point where, to increase her lifespan, her grandmother gave her remaining lifespan to Maggie using a special ritual. Since then, she had barely used the energy, only activating it in situations where she had no other choice. Experience more content on empire Her current situation was one of those moments. Once the ominous energy combined with her fiery energy, her crimson skin began to pale, the scales on her cheeks showed signs of cracking, and the roots of her crimson-orange hair started turning white¡ªindications of her lifespan being consumed. In exchange for all that, her aura steadily rose. From Tier 3 (1¡ï), it climbed to Tier 3 (2¡ï) and finally stopped at Tier 3 (3¡ï)! Her appearance became wild and savage. Visible shock appeared on the indistinct face of the Howling Spire Lord. "H-How did you get stronger?!" Its genderless voice was clearly shaken. It had no idea how, but it could vividly feel a strange yet oppressive energy weighing on its very core. Its voice turned from shock to anger. "It doesn''t matter. Borrowed strength will never win against true strength!" Despite its indignation, the Howling Spire Lord did not back down. It hurled all its abilities at Maggie with a savage expression on its face. "Die!!" Rumble! The sky rumbled as towering tornadoes, misty dark energy, and a wind spear launched toward her simultaneously! Hovering in the air, Maggie''s hair billowing in the wind, she let go of her lance, and it floated before her. She spread her arms wide as the fiery wings on her back burst with stronger energy, increasing their span. With a loud grunt, almost like a growl, dozens of Flame Lances appeared above her. A ten-meter wall of fire then erupted, protecting Orian and the others. Clasping the shaft of her lance once more, dark and crimson fiery energy burst forth, continuously emanating from it. Without a word, she waved her hand forward, sending the dozens of Flame Lances hurtling toward the fierce tornadoes, while others targeted the Howling Spire Lord. Chaos filled the sky as bright light erupted, accompanied by shockwaves whenever their attacks collided. Orian and the other spectators, initially stunned, finally reacted as they saw the fierce tornadoes and massive Flame Lances about to collide. "Everyone! Protect yourselves!" Orian hid her worry as she commanded everyone. She couldn''t help Maggie but could protect the people behind her. Without hesitation, she unleashed her energy barrier skills to block any residual impact. Others with protective skills also did not hold back. Meanwhile, Vincent, who was on the rooftop of a building within the range of the destructive attacks, felt the searing heat from Maggie''s energy and the fierce, cold wind of the Howling Spire Lord. Though he believed he could block the force, he didn''t dare risk his life. If he could avoid it, he would. Without hesitation, he retreated to the town''s wall. At this distance, with his perception, he could still observe the battle without difficulty. After another explosion, within the thick smoke, a figure burst out, blasted away by a powerful force¡ªit was the Howling Spire Lord! Maggie''s weapon, surrounded by dark and fiery energy, had struck the Howling Spire Lord''s chest with such force that it was pushed hundreds of meters away before finally stopping. With a furious screech, it flung Maggie''s lance away and reached out its hand. Within the thick smoke, its emerald wind spear flew back into its grip. When the smoke cleared, Maggie''s unscathed figure was revealed. Her expression, however, had turned wicked. Her usual smile was replaced by a wide, unsettling grin. She spoke in a strange voice, as though possessed by a demon. "What''s happening? Hehe. I thought you wanted me to die, windbag? Come here!" The Howling Spire Lord snorted in displeasure. "Hmph. Don''t be arrogant, bitch! You think I don''t know you''re consuming your lifespan for borrowed strength? You won''t last long!" "Hehe," Maggie chuckled. "You don''t have to worry about me. You''ll be dust before that happens!" Once Maggie finished speaking, her weapon flew back into her hand. Without hesitation, her fiery wings burst forward, propelling her instantly above the Howling Spire Lord. Despite Maggie''s explosive speed, the Howling Spire Lord''s innate ability to control wind allowed it to anticipate her move. It immediately reacted, creating a storm barrier in front of it. Bang! Maggie''s lance collided with the storm barrier, creating a shockwave. As soon as the clash occurred, a strong presence appeared behind her. Without needing to guess, Maggie spun around, lashing her weapon. Bang! Another shockwave erupted as her weapon struck a metallic surface. The Howling Spire Lord, gripping its wind spear, had blocked her strike. Reacting swiftly, Maggie''s left foot burst with fiery energy as she delivered a heavy kick to the Howling Spire Lord''s left flank. The Howling Spire Lord lowered its elbow slightly to block the attack. Bang! In quick succession, it summoned and hurled dark, misty energy at Maggie. She dodged effortlessly, grinning as she retorted, "Aren''t you a bit slow, windbag?" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Raising her hand, Maggie summoned dozens of fireballs, which hovered briefly before hurling toward the Howling Spire Lord. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The Howling Spire Lord scowled. "You know that won''t work against me!" Earlier in the battle, Maggie had used fireballs with no effect. Confidently, the Howling Spire Lord ignored the incoming projectiles, expecting them to pass harmlessly through its body. But when Maggie smiled mockingly at it, the Howling Spire Lord sensed something was wrong. Before it could react, the fireballs struck, causing immediate pain. Boom! Boom! Boom! Screeches of agony pierced the air as the fireballs rained down relentlessly. "Stop it, bitch!" it demanded, only to be met with Maggie''s scoff. Following up, Maggie unleashed waves of Flame Lances. Whoosh! Whoosh! With the advantage now firmly in her grasp, Maggie held nothing back, attacking without pause. Blood dripped from the corners of her eyes and lips, and pain wracked her body. But Maggie endured it, refusing to stop until the Howling Spire Lord was dead and Orian and her people were safe. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Howling Spire Lord''s screeches faded as Maggie slowed her attack, exhaustion sweeping over her. Losing balance momentarily, she swayed in midair before forcing herself to stabilize. As her energy waned, the massive wall of fire protecting Orian and the others dissipated. From the ground, Orian, who had been deeply worried for Maggie the entire time, noticed her sister figure slowly falling from the sky. Despite her injuries, Orian forced herself to move, rushing toward Maggie. "Sister Maggie!" Chapter 98 I Guess This Is My Fate… Her companions were surprised as they called out, "Sister Orian!"However, they did not dare to move, afraid that the Howling Spire Lord was still alive. Orian managed to catch Maggie before she fell to the ground. "Sister Maggie! Are you alright?!" Maggie let out a cough, blood spraying onto her hand, earning Orian''s concern. "Sister Maggie!" "G-Get out of here, Orian. It''s still not safe," Maggie said forcefully, brushing away the blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Orian ignored her words and asked in a slightly panicked voice, "W-Where''s your recovery potion? Take it out. You have to heal yourself." However, Maggie just kept her gaze on Orian and smiled at her. Gently caressing her cousin''s face, she responded, "You know it¡ªrecovery potions won''t heal me. You have to get out of here. Bring everyone away with you. Better use the reserve escape scroll and leave the Origin World for now." "N-No, what are you saying? We won''t leave you here to fight alone. We can fight!" "Orian!" Maggie interrupted her words before continuing, "You know I won''t die in Origin World, right?" "B-But¡ª" Maggie shook her head. "There''s no ''but''! You all are a burden to me right now¡­" Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her words shocked and silenced Orian. Maggie felt bad saying it, but she had no choice. To make them leave without worry, she had to say it. After a short silence, Orian''s stunned expression slowly turned resolute. "I understand, Sister. I will bring everyone away with me." Orian stood up and turned around, her hands clenched into fists. "Orian¡­" Maggie muttered under her breath. Orian halted and looked over her shoulder, not directly at Maggie. She said, "Please, fight to your heart''s content. Be safe. We''re going to wait for you¡­" After saying this, Orian no longer gave Maggie her attention and went to her companions to convey Maggie''s decision. Despite saying it in a straight and calm voice, Maggie could sense the subtle worry in Orian''s tone. She couldn''t help but smile warmly in her heart. Her face then turned bitter as she watched them leave. She already knew what was going to happen to her after consuming all her lifespan in the Origin World. She would also die in the real world. She had realized this the first time she used the ominous energy in the Origin World. The lifespan she consumed in the Origin World was the same as consuming her lifespan in the real world. She had the choice to leave with them, but she wasn''t sure how long she could hold on to her sanity. Once she lost consciousness, the dark, ominous energy would turn her body into a mindless monster that would attack everyone in sight. If she returned to her world in her current condition, she feared she would harm her clansmen. Hence, she decided to stay behind. Additionally, she still hadn''t heard the system''s notification yet. Therefore, she turned toward the thick smoke where she had bombarded the Howling Spire Lord. "Why don''t you come out now, windbag? Let''s end this!" As soon as she uttered those words, a fierce wind swept away the thick smoke, followed by a loud screech. Screeeeech! It revealed the Howling Spire Lord. Its massive height had shrunk to around six feet, and its previously transparent body had become more human-like. Its genderless features were now masculine, resembling a Greek god with sculpted muscles, a sharp jawline, and curly hair. Its lower body was draped in silk cloth. The Howling Spire Lord resembled an emerald-painted Greek statue. Although the flames in its eyes had been extinguished, likely due to its transformation, they had left scars. Even its wind spear, formed by hundreds of spires, had materialized. Its strength had also reached Tier 3 (3¡ï). "That''s right, little bitch! I will end you now!" it roared. Maggie''s expression hardened as she saw the Howling Spire Lord''s transformation and newfound strength. However, it was only for a moment. Her face turned ferocious, breaking into a wicked smile. Despite her exhaustion, she clenched her lance and mustered all her strength, thrusting herself forward with her dark, fiery wings! At the same time, the Howling Spire Lord charged, gripping a jade-colored spear in his hand. They grunted as their weapons swung, both aiming to deliver a killing blow. Yet, both strikes missed by a hair''s breadth. Despite the miss, the force of their strikes unleashed a heavy blast, shaking their surroundings. They simultaneously pulled back their weapons and hurled their left hands, brimming with their signature energies, at each other. Bam! Another shockwave erupted as their attacks missed once more. One shot into the sky while the other chased immediately. Bam! Bam! Heart-stirring sounds and brilliant lights filled the sky as they exchanged relentless blows. They were evenly matched, despite both being exhausted. Neither dared to make a mistake, sending precise and deliberate strikes one after another. Soon, the Howling Spire Lord began to bleed green blood. Even so, he showed no signs of retreat. He counterattacked every time Maggie struck with her lance and skills. On a distant hill, Orian and her companions watched the battle in the sky with worried eyes. Muttering something under her breath, Orian resolutely led the others away. Meanwhile, Vincent and Mochi stood atop the broken town wall, observing the clash of these two formidable individuals. Mochi, the fat black rabbit, spoke in a childlike voice within Vincent''s mind. "She''s killing herself¡­" Vincent didn''t need her to explain. He could see it clearly. Maggie was wielding Primal Energy without restraint. That''s right. The ominous energy Maggie was using was Primal Energy. Vincent could now distinguish it from Chaos Energy. Chaos Energy was pure destruction, while Primal Energy carried an aggressive intent for destruction. Though they sounded similar, they were fundamentally different. One was destructive in nature; the other sought destruction with purpose. Despite their differences, both energies were extremely difficult to wield. Even now, Vincent didn''t know how to use them without suffering backlash or losing his mind. So, he was lost in thought. How could Maggie wield it without losing her sanity? He wanted to ask her but hesitated, fearing the consequences. Based on Mochi''s prediction, Maggie was destined to die. If true, Vincent feared interfering might worsen her fate. Enjoy more content from empire While he pondered, the sounds of battle abruptly stopped as a figure was blasted into the town''s pavement. When the dust settled, Maggie''s battered figure was revealed. Half of her hair had turned white, and half her face bore cracks like dry land. A massive gash stretched from her abdomen to her chest. She gasped for breath. A shadow loomed over her as the Howling Spire Lord hovered above, glaring down at her. Seeing him, Maggie tried to stand but failed. No matter how much strength she mustered, her body wouldn''t obey. ''No! Stand up! I can''t die here! Not now!'' she screamed in her mind, gritting her teeth. But no matter how many times she tried, she couldn''t rise. ''I haven''t uncovered the truth behind my father''s disappearance!'' ''I haven''t avenged my sister''s murder!'' ''I can''t die yet!'' Her unwillingness turned to despair as the Howling Spire Lord spoke. "You''re a strong warrior, kid. Unfortunately, you chose to go against me. You''ve wasted too much of my time. I still have a debt to settle with the one who freed me from my prison. It''s time for you to meet your maker." Maggie could only watch in despair as the Howling Spire Lord raised his spear. She wasn''t afraid of dying in battle. She was afraid of dying without uncovering the truth of her father''s disappearance, her sister''s death, or fulfilling her promises to her mother. She wanted to live. She wanted to see her clan prosper. She wanted to have her own family. Facing death, her despair and unwillingness turned to sadness, regret, and finally, acceptance. "I guess this is my fate¡­" she muttered bitterly, closing her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Farewell¡ª" Before the Howling Spire Lord could finish his sentence, he sensed a powerful force approaching rapidly from behind. He turned, only to see a fiery purple crescent-shaped energy hurtling toward him. His eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, it sliced through his body as if it were nothing. His shock turned to disbelief. "Haha¡­ That scared the hell out of me. I thought it could affect my physique¡ª" His voice stopped abruptly as his vision flipped. In the corner of his eye, he saw a headless body standing beside him. "Isn''t that my body?" he thought as consciousness faded. Before his mind went dark, he glimpsed a figure in the distance¡ªa man with a plump rabbit perched on his shoulder. Boom! The ground trembled as the fiery purple energy landed, causing a massive explosion. Mochi turned to Vincent, her expression shocked and dumbfounded. "H-How can you kill a Tier 3 Primal with your level?!" Vincent didn''t answer. He couldn''t. He was in shock himself. It was his first time using his Tier 2 armament, along with his new skills and upgraded stats. He never expected it to kill the Howling Spire Lord in one strike. He had planned only to distract it long enough to escape with Maggie. The system''s confirmation rang in his ears. You have killed a Tier 3 (1¡ï) Howling Primal Lord! You have received +100,000 experience points! Talent Activated! Ignoring the talent multiplier this time, Vincent focused on Maggie, wondering why the system classified the enemy as Tier 3 (1¡ï) instead of Tier 3 (3¡ï). Perhaps that was its true strength. He ignored the details and rushed to check on Maggie. Chapter 99 Treating Maggie Vincent ignored the talent multiplier this time and focused entirely on Maggie, puzzled as to why the system classified the enemy as Tier 3 (1¡ï) instead of Tier 3 (3¡ï).Perhaps that was its true strength. He set the thought aside and rushed over to check on her. Maggie, lying on the ground, summoned her remaining strength to open her eyes. Through the blur, she could barely make out someone standing before her. "W-Who are you..?" she whispered weakly before her vision darkened and she fainted. Mochi leapt from Vincent''s shoulder, landing near Maggie to examine her closely. Her long, thin ears twitched as she assessed the situation. Maggie was in dire condition. Her life force was rapidly fading, a result of consuming her own lifespan. Her hair had almost turned completely white, and one side of her face was cracking. "She''s going to die," Mochi said plainly, her voice resonating in Vincent''s mind. Vincent responded curiously, "I have recovery potions, will those work on her?" Mochi shook her little plump head. "It''s impossible. Even if you heal her with recovery potions, it won''t restore her consumed lifespan." Her answer deepened his frown. "You sounded like she''s not only going to die in Origin World but also in the real world as well.." Mochi nodded her head with a straight face as though she was not concerned about Maggie''s life at all. "So you actually know about the real world.." He said before quickly changing the subject, "Is there any way to save her?" Mochi faced him, cutely tilting her head, but she voiced a wonder, "Are you really sure you''re going to save her?" "You might not believe in fate but it can greatly affect not only yours and hers fate but everyone connected to both of you¡­" Vincent had already considered it. Aside from wanting to know her secrets about her ''Primal Energy'', he felt a strange feeling that he had to save her. He had no idea why, but his instincts told him to save her. Therefore, he nodded at Mochi. "If you know a method to save her, tell me." Hearing and sensing his determined response, Mochi no longer questioned him. She then shifted her attention to unconscious Maggie. "Based on my memories, there''s a few methods to save her." "Tell me." "The first method is to transfer your own lifespan to her using a special technique." He furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Do you know how to do it?" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was hoping for a good response but his hopes were immediately shattered by Mochi''s response. She shook her head and said, "Unfortunately, I don''t have information about it." "Then what are the other methods?" "The last method is to feed her a Life Fruit, but it is a very rare item. It''s very difficult to find¡ª" Before she could complete whatever she was going to say, Vincent suddenly took out a vibrant and tri-colored spherical fruit, and showed it to her. "Is this what you''re talking about?" Mochi''s big golden eyes widened in surprise, recognizing the fruit in his hand. "H-How do you even get that?" "Hmm, I changed it for some points." He simply replied. Find your next read on empire "Points¡­?" Mochi was speechless. Vincent did not explain it to her but he got it from the Tower of Combat. It was a rare item that could increase a lifespan for 10 years. He was only able to exchange for three of these. Originally, he planned to consume the one and give the other two to Marina and Amara. Mochi did not know his thoughts and simply urged him to feed it to Maggie. "Then what are you waiting for? Feed it to her." However, Vincent did not immediately do it. He focused his attention on it, checking if he could upgrade it. Surprisingly, it was upgradeable. Do you want to upgrade Rare Grade Life Fruit to Epic Grade? (Requirements: 1 million experience points) Vincent was slightly taken aback. The required amount of upgrading rare grade items to epic grade was 500,000 experience points. However, this Life Fruit required double the amount. Despite that, he did not hesitate to upgrade it. Once he agreed to it, the life fruit suddenly burst out a kaleidoscope light, surprising Mochi. "What''s happening?!" Vincent did not respond and waited for the process to end. Soon, when the lights faded, he heard the system''s notification. You have successfully upgraded a (Rare Grade) Life Fruit to (Epic Grade) Life Essence! The previous tri-colored fruit had turned to a multi-colored orb. Item Name: Life Essence Grade: Epic Effects: Increase lifespan by 50 years! ''It actually increased to 50 years?!''he exclaimed in his mind when he checked its information. Now, he was hesitant to actually feed it to Maggie and just use a rare grade one and save the epic grade for himself. However, he quickly dismissed that thought. He still had two of them and he could upgrade it next time, when he got enough experience points. When he was about to feed it to Maggie, Mochi''s voice rang in his mind. "How did you do it? How come your Life Fruit suddenly turned into a Life Essence?!" She spoke in a high-pitched voice with her child-like voice. "You''ll understand soon." He did not bother explaining himself as he slightly opened Maggie''s mouth and was about to feed her. However, Mochi abruptly stopped him. "Wait!" "What''s wrong?" "You might kill her if you do that. Let me do something first." She did not bother explaining and put one of her feet on Maggie''s head, soon she started sucking the ''primal energy'' leaking out of her. After a while, Mochi let out a satisfied burp. Burp~ Aside from her stomach slightly bulging, nothing had changed in her appearance. Vincent was no longer surprised when she saw her absorbing the ''primal energy'', if she could absorb the ''chaos energy'' without having a backlash or any problem, it was not strange for her to devour the ''primal energy''. Therefore, he simply ignored it and cut the life essence to small pieces and slowly fed it to Maggie. Once a piece of life essence entered her mouth, it would immediately dissolve to a misty energy and spread throughout her body. Gradually, her appearance began to recover. Her hair, once nearly white, regained its original sunset hue. The cracks and wrinkles on her face faded, though the roots of her hair remained white. When the entire Life Essence had been consumed, Maggie stirred, her eyes blinking open. As her vision cleared, she found two figures watching her. "Who are you?" she asked weakly. Chapter 100 Conclusion of Breakout "Who are you?" she asked weakly, glancing warily around her, searching for the Howling Spire Lord. When her gaze fell upon the headless corpse beside her, her eyes widened in shock before quickly morphing into a frown. Moments later, the corpse dissolved into bright digital particles.When the final glow vanished, it left behind three radiant orbs resting on the ground¡ªone glowed with an ethereal green hue, while the other two pulsated softly in shades of azure. The enigmatic sight momentarily entranced her, but her focus snapped back to Vincent, the figure standing silently before her. "Did you kill it?" she asked, still in shock. The figure before her radiated the aura of a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, yet the Howling Spire Lord was a formidable Tier 3 Primal¡ªa boss of a Tier 2 Labyrinth. A whole realm above him. Vincent gave a simple nod. There was no reason to hide it; in fact, it saved him the trouble of a lengthy explanation. Maggie''s frown deepened. She wanted to doubt him, to dismiss his claim, but the proof was undeniable. The Howling Spire Lord was dead, and its body had vanished. Her frown gradually eased as a realization struck her. She glanced down at her body and was stunned to find not only her injuries healed but also part of her lifespan restored. For a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, the standard lifespan was 120 years. Tier 2 extended to 150 years, and Tier 3 reached 200. Yet, for someone like Maggie, born with ''ominous energy''¡ªknown as ''primal energy''¡ªher lifespan had always been halved. Each time she used it or when it acted aggressively on its own, it drained her life further. She had been certain she would die after wielding the primal energy against the Howling Spire Lord. But now, upon closer inspection, she realized 50 years of her lifespan had been restored. Tears welled up in her eyes, unbidden and overwhelming. Vincent, observing her silently, couldn''t help but find amusement in the cascade of emotions crossing her face. Quickly brushing away her tears, Maggie fixed her gaze on Vincent. Though her eyes were still slightly red, they now held a steely determination. She recalled that Vincent was one of the individuals she had requested for reinforcement. For a moment, she wondered where the others were but pushed the thought aside. More pressing matters demanded her attention. "Who are you?" "Shroud," Vincent replied curtly. "Why did you save me?" Her voice was serious and laced with wariness. Maggie didn''t press him for details about how he defeated the Howling Spire Lord. There was no hostility in her voice, only a cautious curiosity. To Maggie, nothing in this world came without a price. Saving her from certain death, defeating an enemy as overwhelming as the Howling Spire Lord¡ªacts of this magnitude surely carried a purpose. Vincent didn''t shy away from the truth. "I want to know why you have ''primal energy'' and how you''re able to wield it without losing your self-awareness." "Primal energy?" she echoed, confusion evident in her voice. Vincent frowned slightly beneath his mask. Was she genuinely unaware, or was this an act? He decided to clarify. "The dark energy you used against the Spire Lord," he explained, watching her closely for any sign of deceit. To his surprise, her reaction seemed genuine. Her wide-eyed expression suggested she truly didn''t know what he was referring to. "So, that''s what it''s called? Primal energy?" she mused. "Do you know more about it? Can you tell me?" Vincent ignored her questions, focusing on her demeanor. Despite her curiosity, there wasn''t a trace of falsehood in her eyes or actions. She honestly didn''t know. Disappointment flickered in his gaze, though he masked it quickly. The possibility of her having knowledge or control over the primal energy had been dashed. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You still haven''t answered my question," Maggie pressed. Realizing her eagerness had betrayed her, she tempered her tone and straightened her posture. Just as she was about to respond, her thoughts shifted to her original purpose for being there. Her gaze darted to the Howling Spire Labyrinth''s portal entrance, which had returned to its normal state after Vincent killed the Spire Lord. Her attention shifted to her team¡ªOrian and the others¡ªand the Origin Warriors she had sent to stop the breakout. Though she had faith in them, she knew her responsibilities were far from over. Experience exclusive tales on empire Addressing Vincent, she said, "I''m grateful for your help, but can we discuss this later? I need to check on the others." Vincent nodded, deciding not to press her further for now. Before they left, he asked, "You wouldn''t mind if I took the loot, would you?" Maggie gave him a puzzled look, as if questioning why he was asking for permission when he was the one who killed the Howling Spire Lord. "Go ahead¡ªit''s yours," she replied. Without hesitation, Vincent swept the orbs into his storage ring without even checking them. Once they confirmed no Primals remained in the town, they set off. Along the way, they couldn''t catch up to Orian''s group but instead encountered the reinforcements Vincent had called for. However, there was no sign of Lizno¡ªthe Lyard man Vincent had tasked with leading the reinforcement team and guarding Garmus and the Hyena Gang members. Before Vincent could voice his concerns, a cautious voice broke the silence. "Sir, Lizno didn''t come with us, but he left a message for you." The speaker handed Vincent a scroll, his hands trembling slightly. "This map will lead you to him. You''ll find him there, along with the goods," the man said weakly. The goods, Vincent surmised, referred to Garmus and the others. Although curious about Lizno''s intentions, Vincent decided to set it aside for the moment. As they continued their journey, Maggie received good news through her prismstone: the other groups had successfully stopped the breakout. Relieved, they made their way back to the Novice Sanctuary. And when they got back to Novice Center, Maggie left after they both added each other in their own prismtones. Chapter 101 Hyena Gang Hideout Inside the main office of the Novice Center, Maggie stood at the front of a long table surrounded by people of different stature.These individuals were official members of the No. 3 Novice Center Frontline Team. After discussing what had occurred during the mission¡ªwhile excluding certain details, especially Vincent''s request not to fully disclose that he was the one who killed the Howling Spire Lord¡ªshe explained that Vincent had helped her defeat the Howling Spire Lord. During their discussion, she mentioned the Howling Spire Lord''s words. "Are you saying someone helped him escape from the labyrinth?" a blonde-haired, copper-skinned young man in his early twenties, sporting a brush-up hairstyle, silver plate armor, and an azure cape draped over his shoulder, asked in a skeptical voice. This man, Mauro¡ªan Almaurian¡ªwas also a vice leader of the Frontline Team. He had been deployed on another mission during the breakout and thus had arrived late. "How''s that even possible? You know that a labyrinth''s bosses are like programmed primals that, once killed, only respawn after a specific amount of time. The only ways for them to leave the labyrinth are to break through to a certain level or cultivate a Labyrinth''s Heart! "And according to your ''assumption''¡ªwithout actual investigation¡ªhe received help from an outsider to escape the labyrinth? You''re spouting nonsense." Maggie kept her eyes shut. Mauro might sound rude, but he had the right to question her. She lacked sufficient proof and had based her assumption solely on the Howling Spire Lord''s words. At this moment, another voice chimed in. It was deep, composed, and filled with authority. "That''s enough, Mauro. If you want to know, investigate it yourself." The speaker was a man with the appearance of a red-scaled dragon and the broad body of a human, wearing the Novice Center''s uniform. He was also a member of the Drakorii race. This individual was the leader of the Novice Center Frontline Team, D''raur. Mauro glanced at him. His gaze darkened, but he didn''t retort. Clicking his tongue in subtle annoyance, he murmured to himself, "Tsk! He''s obviously taking her side..." D''raur clasped his hands together and stood up, followed by the other members. With his back to them, he spoke. "I believe I don''t need to say what I want to happen. Bring me results." The ever-mysterious leader of their Frontline Team was a man of few words. He appeared only briefly during discussions and reports, never directly sharing his thoughts. Yet, his eyes and actions were enough for them to understand his intentions. Find your next read at empire In unison, they answered, "Yes, Team Leader!" However, one of them kept his mouth shut until D''raur''s presence disappeared. "Tsk! He''s going to leave us all the work again and will only come back after we finish the job to take all the credit," Mauro muttered in a low voice, loud enough for everyone to hear. Despite his words, no one argued with him. Although they remained silent, they shared the same thoughts. They had no idea what their Team Leader did without them. He was always absent during team missions, claiming to be on "special missions." However, he never once explained what kind of missions these were. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They could only sigh inwardly. Maggie, on the other hand, was lost in thought, still wondering about Vincent''s identity and intentions. ''I have to talk to him,'' she thought as she left the main office. Back to Vincent''s side. After parting ways with Maggie, he left the sanctuary and followed the map she had handed to him. He was curious about where Lizno had dragged Garmus and the members of the Hyena Gang. He was currently in the southern area of Verdant Wilds. After treading a hidden path shown on the map and brushing away thick bushes, he discovered a dilapidated manor. The building looked ancient, its walls covered with thick vines that spread like veins. Mochi, perched on his shoulder, perked up her long ears. "There are people inside," her voice rang in his mind. He didn''t need her to tell him, as he could already sense their presence. Creak~ The manor''s door groaned as he pushed it open. Strangely, compared to its outer appearance, the manor was neat and clean inside, as if someone was living there. At that moment, heavy footsteps approached from beyond the living room door. Soon, a familiar figure appeared before him. It was Lizno, his expression one of excitement, as though meeting his idol. "Sir, you''re here!" Lizno exclaimed. Vincent remained stoic and guarded. "Why did you call me here? What is this place?" he questioned, his voice cold. Hearing his tone, Lizno hurriedly explained, afraid Vincent might misunderstand. "Please don''t get the wrong idea, sir. I mean no harm in bringing you here. It''s about this... After you told me to tie up and guard Garmus and his goons, I discovered they were part of the Hyena Gang, and the person you killed was their infamous leader!" "Oh¡­" Vincent responded with a blank expression beneath his mask, uninterested. He clearly had no idea who they were, and even if he did, he wouldn''t care. Seeing Vincent''s indifferent reaction, Lizno quickly continued. "During your absence, I took the initiative to check their belongings and found the map to this place¡ªtheir hideout. I also overheard their secret conversation about you. They were planning to abduct you." Lizno was curious about why they wanted to kidnap Vincent, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He knew better than to say too much. He still couldn''t forget how the man before him had killed without hesitation. Although dying in the Origin World didn''t mean death in the real world, it was still a massive setback for anyone. Vincent remained calm as he listened. He had already expected this, and Jessica had notified him earlier. "Did you find anything else? What about the other gang members?" Lizno realized from the question that Vincent had no idea who the Hyena Gang truly were. "Yes, sir. I found their stash of treasures. Regarding the gang members, the Hyena Gang is notorious for having seven Tier 2 members. You killed their leader and gravely injured their vice leader. The others are currently locked in the basement with Garmus." Vincent frowned slightly. "They''re infamous despite being so weak?" His innocent question made Lizno''s lips twitch. Lizno wanted to say that only Vincent would think so because of his strength. For a newbie and a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, the Hyena Gang was already considered formidable. However, as usual, Lizno kept his thoughts to himself. He simply agreed. "Yes¡­" Vincent then said, "Take me to them." "Yes, sir. Please follow me." Chapter 102 Gaining A New Trustee Lizno brought Vincent to a dimly lit basement where the remaining members of the Hyena Gang and Garmus were tightly bound with thick ropes, their mouths gagged.Lizno stepped aside and let Vincent walk through. By this moment, Garmus and the others had already regained consciousness. As soon as they saw him, they glared at him sharply, growling while gritting the gags in their mouths. "Hnnng!" "S#8ygk6!" Vincent didn''t bother trying to understand what they were attempting to say. He walked toward Garmus, who was glaring at him with the most intense hatred. Without a word, he removed the gag from Garmus'' mouth. As soon as the gag was off, Garmus spat and snarled, "You dare kidnap me? Do you really think my young master will let this go? Kill me if you dare!" Vincent promptly replaced the gag in Garmus'' mouth, darkening his expression. "L@6$xgx!!" Garmus mumbled incomprehensibly. Slightly annoyed, Vincent clasped Garmus'' mouth. "You talk too much. Did you really think I wouldn''t dare to kill you? Heh." With a light chuckle, Vincent increased the force of his grip, causing a bone-cracking sound. Garmus screamed in agony as his jaw dislocated. "Don''t worry; I''ll grant your wish after I kill your dear young master," Vincent spoke in a chilling voice. From the moment he opposed Grarik, he had anticipated this outcome. There could only be one ending: one of them would have to leave the Origin World permanently. "No matter what kind of universe it is, there''s always a young master who''s unreasonable and entitled," he thought. He kept Garmus alive for a good reason. Killing him would give him a chance to report to Grarik about Vincent''s current strength. At this stage, Vincent had to be cautious. He had no clear understanding of the strength and influence of the Blackthorn Clan. He needed time to grow strong enough to face the Blackthorn Clan on his own. He believed that day wasn''t far off. After all, Tier 3 was the limit of the Novice Continent. As a Tier 1 Origin Warrior with the strength of a Tier 3 Origin Warrior, Vincent was confident that once he reached Tier 3, his strength would surpass it. At that point, he would have the power to dominate the Novice Continent and begin executing his major plans. But for now, his focus remained on the present. His eyes fell on Lizno, who had a curious expression. ''This guy is quite good¡­'' Vincent thought. He appreciated Lizno''s attitude¡ªhow he stood up for him and refrained from pocketing the belongings of the Hyena Gang. It was commendable behavior. Lizno, feeling Vincent''s gaze, became uncomfortable, wondering if he had made a mistake. After a moment, Vincent gestured toward Garmus and the Hyena Gang. "Beat them up," he ordered coldly and firmly, leaving no room for discussion. Lizno was momentarily stunned. Why does he want me to beat them? Can''t he do it himself? he thought. He only pondered this briefly before regaining his composure. "I understand," Lizno replied, stepping in front of Garmus. Garmus'' eyes widened. He had heard the brief exchange but couldn''t defend himself with a dislocated jaw and sealed origin core. All he could do was glare furiously at Lizno, as though warning him not to proceed. In response, Lizno''s fist landed squarely on Garmus'' face. Bam! Garmus groaned in pain, stumbling to the ground as a few teeth fell out. Lizno remarked, "There''s no use glaring at me. If you were in my position, you''d probably hit yourself even harder than I am." He cracked his neck and stretched before continuing the beating. Bam! Bam! Garmus'' cries of agony filled the basement as Vincent observed silently. The remaining members of the Hyena Gang watched in horror, their eyes wide. After some time, Lizno exhaled in satisfaction, gazing at the unconscious, battered Garmus. His attention then shifted to the Hyena Gang. Grinning, he walked toward them, prompting them to instinctively retreat. "Don''t blame me, guys. I''m just following orders," Lizno said. One of the gang members managed to spit out his gag. "The hell you''re not enjoying it! Just look at your face!" Lizno paused, touching his face. "What''s wrong with my face?" He then noticed he was grinning widely. "Oh¡­" he murmured before adding, "I guess I do enjoy beating arrogant guys like Garmus." "You''re dead! Do you think one person can stand against the Blackthorn Clan? If that human dies, you''ll be next! Everyone connected to you will be affected!" Lizno froze momentarily, and the Hyena Gang''s eyes lit up with hope. But their hopes were dashed when Lizno chuckled, his grin growing wider. "Haha, too bad I don''t have any friends or family for them to go after." Without hesitation, he resumed the beating. Bam! Bam! Vincent finally got a clear look at the Hyena Gang members, noting their hyena-like appearances. Unsure of their race, he simply labeled them "hyenas." Bam! Bam! "Arghhh!" "Accck!" "P-Please¡­ stop¡­" "Hahaha! This is payback for all the sins your gang committed against poor newbies!" "That''s right! Cry more! Haha!" The basement echoed with cries of pain and Lizno''s wicked laughter. Watching from the sidelines, Vincent began to doubt himself. Initially, he only wanted to test Lizno''s attitude to see if he had the guts to stand against the Blackthorn Clan. Instead, he discovered Lizno''s determination¡ªand possibly a hidden part of him. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Drip! Blood dripped from Lizno''s fists as he stared at the defeated gang members he had once feared. He turned toward Vincent, still grinning, and respectfully approached. "It''s done, sir," he said. Vincent held his gaze for a moment before responding, "Do you understand what you''ve done?" Still grinning, Lizno nodded. "Aren''t you afraid their families might come after you?" Vincent asked. Lizno shook his head. Discover hidden tales at empire "The moment I clashed with Garmus, I knew he wouldn''t spare me. Besides, I believe following someone like you will give me a better life." Lizno''s confidence was clear. Though he couldn''t see Vincent''s face or know his background, his voice suggested a young and promising man. A Tier 1 Origin Warrior capable of defeating Tier 2 warriors was certainly remarkable. Knowing his own limitations, Lizno felt it better to serve a promising individual than to chase unachievable greatness. Hearing this, Vincent smiled beneath his mask while Mochi watched curiously. "Are you willing to follow me?" Lizno half-kneeled and lowered his head. "I am willing." "Good. Stand up." "For your first mission, I want you to do this¡­" Chapter 103 Back Vincent had been giving his orders to Lizno for quite some time, ensuring every instruction was clear and precise."I understand, Young Master," Lizno respectfully replied, his tone steady and filled with determination after carefully listening to the commands. Vincent acknowledged Lizno''s response with a small nod. Initially, he had contemplated being addressed as ''Master'' or perhaps something more formal like ''My Lord,'' but neither felt quite right to him. His sharp gaze met Lizno''s eyes, making the latter instinctively avert his gaze and lower his head. "You may use all the assets of the Hyena Gang as your funds," Vincent stated firmly, his voice carrying the authority of someone in control. Although he had granted Lizno temporary approval, Vincent wasn''t the kind to trust someone fully without ample proof of their reliability. Lizno would need to demonstrate his worth through actions. Lizno, however, was unaware of the extent of Vincent''s reservations. To him, this mission was clearly a test¡ªa test of both his behavior and his capabilities. He needed to succeed and prove his value. With that in mind, he responded confidently, "I won''t let you down, Young Master." "Good," Vincent replied, his tone calm but deliberate. Vincent turned his attention to the window of the manor, noticing the golden hues of the setting sun spreading across the sky. The day in the Origin World was drawing to a close, and it was almost time for him to resume his training with Special Instructor Arthur Avyss. His gaze shifted back to Lizno, and he took a moment to assess the man''s appearance. Lizno''s equipment was entirely composed of common-grade items. The sight made Vincent wonder¡ªwas Lizno simply poor, or had his understanding of equipment quality been skewed by his own possession of an ''SSS Rank Talent''? "What weapon do you specialize in?" Vincent asked, breaking the silence. Lizno hesitated for only a moment before answering, "I can handle most weapons, but I''m most proficient in the ''Way of Spears,'' Young Master." Vincent acknowledged this with a subtle nod, closing his eyes briefly as he reached into his storage ring. A moment later, he pulled out several items. Lizno''s eyes widened in shock as three glowing blue orbs materialized in Vincent''s hands. He instantly recognized them as rare-grade items¡ªsomething he had never even dreamed of owning. Three rare-grade items at once! Lizno had spent years battling Primals, yet he had never managed to obtain anything beyond uncommon-grade gear. His most prized weapon was a mere uncommon-grade spear. The sight of these rare items left him utterly dumbfounded. Before he could speak, Vincent''s voice cut through his thoughts. "Take off your items." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What?!" Lizno exclaimed in disbelief. "Huh?!" Even Mochi, who had been peacefully dozing on Vincent''s shoulder, jolted awake, startled by the command. "S-Sorry, Young Master," Lizno stammered, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I am willing to serve you, but not in that way¡­" Vincent felt his head throbbed, feeling a surge of annoyance. "What the hell are you talking about? I''m telling you to replace your items with these!" He tossed the three blue light orbs toward Lizno, who scrambled to catch them. Afraid the items might shatter upon impact, Lizno''s movements were swift and careful. However, he quickly realized his fears were unfounded¡ªitems in light orb form were nearly indestructible. "Keep in mind," Vincent continued, his tone colder now, "I''m only lending these to you. If you want to keep them, you''ll have to prove your worth to me." Lizno''s hands trembled slightly as he inspected the items. His astonishment grew as he realized just how powerful they were. The orbs contained a Rare-Grade Spear Armament, a Rare-Grade Armor-Type Armament, and a Rare-Grade Accessory¡ªall designed to enhance his abilities significantly. With these, Lizno would gain the strength to challenge far more formidable opponents. Overcome with gratitude, Lizno knelt before Vincent and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master! I swear I will not let you down!" ''Haha! My future is finally looking bright!'' Lizno thought gleefully. ''My master is not just powerful¡ªhe''s unbelievably generous!'' Unable to contain his excitement, he even pressed a kiss to the glowing orbs. Vincent, however, couldn''t stand the overly dramatic display and quickly dismissed him. "Go. Do your work. And don''t bother looking for me¡ªI''ll be in the real world." Lizno bowed one last time before leaving, the rare items clutched tightly in his hands. With the room now empty, Vincent turned his attention to Mochi, who was watching him curiously. He picked her up and placed her gently on the table. "We need to talk," he said, his tone serious. "What about?" Mochi asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "Tell me more about yourself," Vincent replied. "Tell me everything you can remember. And most importantly, explain how you''re able to absorb Chaos and Primal Energy." Mochi fell silent, her expression thoughtful. The plump rabbit paced back and forth across the table, her round chin resting on one paw as she tried to gather her thoughts. After a long pause, she stopped and looked up at Vincent. Her golden eyes glistened with tears, and it became clear she was on the verge of crying again. Vincent groaned inwardly. Every time he tried to get personal information from her, it ended the same way¡ªwith her acting pitiful and bursting into tears. "I-I don''t remember¡­" Mochi stammered, her voice trembling. "I really can''t remember anything about myself. All I know are random bits of information¡­" Waaah! Mochi broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Vincent let out a weary sigh and reached out to comfort her. "All right, all right. Calm down. It''s okay. You don''t have to force yourself to remember. My bad." Mochi sniffled and looked up at him, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Really? You''re not going to throw me away?" she asked in a voice so pitiful it made Vincent pause. ''Throw her away?'' he thought. What made her think that? But he chose not to press the issue, fearing it might lead to yet another crying fit. "No," he said firmly. "I won''t throw you away. So stop crying now." Mochi wiped her eyes and nodded. "I''ll be heading back to my world," Vincent said. "Do you want to stay here or come with me?" Mochi''s ears perked up at the question. "Can I come with you?" "Yes," Vincent replied. "But you''ll have to stay inside the capture ball for a little while. Are you okay with that?" Mochi hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Fine," she said, though her tone suggested reluctance. "But you have to let me out as soon as we arrive!" Read latest stories on empire Shortly afterward, Vincent returned to the real world, appearing in the same spot where he trained with Special Instructor Arthur Avyss. The sky was bright, the warm sunlight spilling across the landscape. A gentle breeze rustled his hair, and he removed his mask, letting the fresh air touch his face. Vincent immediately scanned his surroundings. Being outside the district''s walls, caution was essential. To his relief, no Primals were nearby, but there was also no sign of his instructor. "Did he just leave me out here alone?" Vincent muttered. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of his phone. The caller ID was unfamiliar, but he answered anyway. A hologram screen projected from the device, revealing a pink-haired woman in a kimono decorated with sakura blossoms. Her appearance was striking¡ªelegant yet undeniably familiar. Then, she spoke. "Hello~ How''s my little brother doing? Did you miss your Big Sis?" Vincent''s eyes widened slightly. "Big Sis Valyn¡­" Chapter 104 This Place is Dying… "Hello~ How''s my little brother doing? Did you miss your Big Sis?"Vincent''s eyes widened slightly. "Big Sis Valyn¡­" "So that''s how you look without a mask¡­" she said in an amused voice. Vincent could only smile wryly at her. He did not expect that she would contact him out of nowhere. Well, it was not strange since she had a connection with Special Instructor Arthur. "Why did you contact me, Big Sis?" he asked curiously. "Why? Can''t I call my little brother without a reason?" Vincent wryly shook his head. "It''s not what I mean¡ª" Before he could even complete his words, Valyn interrupted him with a chuckle. "Hehe. I know, I''m just messing with you. I called you to inform you about your next training." "My next training? What about Special Instructor Arthur? Where is he now?" "Well, about that¡­ He said he was on a mission. But he will be back soon. Anyway, for your training today, you will have to bring ten Shadow Monkeys before the night. I will send you the information you need after the call." Vincent slightly furrowed his brows before asking, "Do I also need to refrain from using my Origin Energy?" Still wearing a bright smile, Valyn responded, "No, not this time. You''re allowed to use all your abilities." Vincent was quite skeptical of her response. "Is this training set by Big Sis Valyn or Special Instructor Arthur?" Valyn just winked at him in response. "It''s a secret!" "Alright, that''s all you need to know. Good luck on your training! Bye~" Valyn then ended the call. A moment later, he received an email. It was information about Shadow Monkeys. "Shadow Monkey¡­ Tier 2 primal, commonly found in the Mad Ape Mountain Forest¡­ fifty miles from my current position¡­" He couldn''t help but frown. His training difficulty increased absurdly. He assumed that Valyn must be the one who had set up the training because she had seen him use his Dragon''s Might to subdue the minions of Garga Blackthorn. The difficulty had definitely increased by a whole level because the Mad Ape Mountain Forest also housed some Tier 3 primals, and the distance was quite far. Additionally, aside from knowing his target''s location and general strength, it did not notify him about their characteristics or abilities. Sigh¡­ After letting out a deep sigh, he took out the capture ball he used to store Mochi and let the fat rabbit out. A bright light flashed for a second before Mochi materialized. "Fwaah!" she exclaimed. "I''m alive!" Seeing her reaction, Vincent could not help but wonder, "Is it really that suffocating inside?" Mochi gave her attention to Vincent and answered, "I don''t know. But I can''t stay in a place without Origin Energy¡­" Just as she said that, her face changed as though she had eaten something bitter. Slowly, it turned to horror. "W-Where are we?" she asked robotically, scanning her surroundings with an afraid expression. "Astralis, my planet. Why? What''s wrong?" He could tell that there was something wrong from Mochi''s reaction. "Y-Your world is d-dying¡­" Vincent was immediately stunned when he heard her answer. His eyes narrowed deeply. "What do you mean by that? Is it dying because of pollution? Climate change? Because of primals?" Mochi shook her head. "No," she said while still looking at her surroundings, before continuing, "Y-Your world''s fate¡­ is about to deplete. Something or someone has been consuming your world''s fate. I can''t clearly see it, but it should not be far off¡­" His expression darkened when he heard her response. He had no idea what Mochi was seeing, but he could tell that she was not lying at all. Her expression showed she wanted to leave this place no matter what. Although he had an assumption, he still asked her, "What''s going to happen to this world if its fate is depleted?" Mochi turned to face him. Realizing it was the first time she had seen Vincent''s appearance behind the mask, her expression did not change; it was still dark. She said slowly, "Calamity. Destruction. You name every bad thing that can happen¡ªit is possible for a world with no fate energy." This revelation gave him another wake-up call that he could not relax at all. He had to become stronger! He had something to protect! If he could not even protect himself, how would he dare to protect someone else? He then questioned, "How long do you think it will take before the world''s fate energy is completely depleted?" Mochi''s eyes glowed for a moment before subsiding. "At least ten years¡­" Frowning, he muttered, "Ten years¡­" He knew deep inside that ten years was a very short time. It was nowhere near enough for him to grow into a powerful existence capable of protecting his own world. ''If I cannot protect this world¡­ then I''ll just do anything to have the strength to survive and protect the people important to me!'' With that thought, his mind became clearer. He felt he didn''t need to pressure himself so much. He believed that if the sky were to fall, someone would catch it. It was not necessarily him. Still within the topic, he questioned, "Is there any way to stop the exhaustion of fate or anything to improve the fate energy of the world?" "The answer to your problem is actually simple." His eyebrows rose at her words. He waited for her to continue. "It''s either you find a new world to relocate to or find another world to consume their fate energy. There''s also the most direct method." "What is it?" "Find the source of the problem and stop it." Vincent could only shake his head. All the possible options were currently impossible for him, especially the last one. No matter who or what kind of existence was consuming their world''s fate energy, it would be a god-like existence¡ªa being that could kill him with a glance. The only thing he could do was grow stronger and faster. With that thought in his mind, he simply set aside future problems and focused on the present. Before going to the Mad Ape Mountain Forest, he responded to the emails from Amara and Marina. Several minutes into their journey, Mochi, who was sitting on his shoulder, suddenly pulled his ear. Naturally, Vincent felt no pain but asked, "What''s wrong?" Mochi''s response rang in his mind. "Your world has scarce Origin Energy. I am hungry. Feed me!" She sounded like a spoiled child. Vincent could only comply. If not, she might have started crying again. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Therefore, he took out a few Origin Crystals from his storage ring and handed them to her. "Here''s your food, my rabbit-eating money!" Chapter 105 Encounter In Mad Ape Mountain Forest After a while, Vincent could already see the towering shape of Mad Ape Mountain Forest. It was so massive and intimidating that, if he hadn''t upgraded his stats significantly, he might as well have given up entirely on finding the elusive ''Shadow Monkey.'' The sheer scale of the forest made it evident that this would not be an easy task. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.At that moment, Mochi, who was munching on an origin crystal with unrestrained enthusiasm, suddenly voiced her thoughts. "Is this where your home is?" she asked, her tone curious but playful. Vincent glanced at her, utterly speechless. "Are you trying to say I''m a monkey?" he retorted with a mix of amusement and annoyance. Without hesitation, he swiftly snatched the origin crystal she was munching on. Mochi froze for a moment, her small body stiffening as she realized what had just happened. A second too late, she cried out, "Give me back my food!" She leaped up in an attempt to snatch it back, but Vincent simply raised his hand higher. Her short, stubby limbs were no match for his height. The corners of her eyes began to glisten, as though tears were about to fall. "Give me back my food¡­" she whimpered softly, her voice laced with pitiful desperation. As always, Vincent sighed in defeat. He couldn''t bring himself to refuse her. Handing the origin crystal back, he said, "Alright, I apologize. Here''s your food, my ''Oscar Awardee'' rabbit." Mochi''s face instantly brightened, and she accepted the crystal with a delighted giggle. "Thank you, monkey." Vincent chose to ignore her playful jab and instead turned his attention to the task at hand. He equipped his Shifting Visage mask and stepped into the dense, foreboding Mad Ape Mountain Forest. The moment Vincent entered, his heightened senses came alive. He immediately detected the faint presence of low-level primals scattered around the area. These creatures lurked in every corner¡ªtiny insects hidden under leaves, crawling along the rugged tree trunks, or burrowed just beneath the soil under his feet. Thanks to his sharpened perception, nothing escaped his notice. Every living thing in his vicinity was clearly within his awareness. However, he paid no attention to these weaker primals, knowing they wouldn''t yield any valuable experience points. As Vincent proceeded deeper into the forest, he kept a steady pace, scanning his surroundings for signs of ''Shadow Monkeys.'' A few moments later, something unusual occurred. Mochi''s long, fluffy ears perked up sharply, twitching in response to a sound or presence. At the same time, Vincent''s senses detected multiple presences in the distance. Unlike before, Mochi remained silent. By now, she had come to understand just how strange and mysterious her master was. There was no need to alert him, as she trusted he was already aware of their surroundings. He possessed an arsenal of abilities and skills that defied the limits of what a Tier 1 Origin Warrior¡ªand a human¡ªshould be capable of. Her fragmented memories told her that humans were among the weakest races in the universe. Yet, meeting Vincent had thrown her beliefs into disarray. Her master''s existence contradicted everything she thought she knew. Time and again, he shattered her understanding of what was possible, leaving her in awe. Without hesitation, Vincent activated a high-grade stealth skill and moved soundlessly toward the distant presences. His movements were calculated, each step as silent as a whisper. Bang! Bang! Roar! As they drew closer, the sounds of an intense battle filled the air. Explosions echoed through the forest, accompanied by the enraged roars of a primal beast and the clash of weapons. Vincent leaped onto a sturdy tree branch, his masked face concealed as he observed the scene below. With a single glance, he assessed the situation. Three humans¡ªa man and two women¡ªwere locked in fierce combat with a massive, three-meter-tall Stone Arm Ape. The beast, a Tier 2 (3¡ï) primal, lived up to its name. Its thick arms and parts of its chest were made of hardened stone, making it a formidable opponent. The man, dressed in an azure silk martial robe adorned with intricate designs, wielded a thin, sharp sword with remarkable skill. His strikes were swift and precise, each aimed to exploit the ape''s vulnerabilities. The two women, clad in matching pink martial robes decorated with lotus flower motifs, wielded similar weapons and moved in perfect synchronization with their senior brother. Together, they formed a coordinated team, parrying the ape''s powerful strikes and supporting one another seamlessly. "Now, Senior Brother!" The short-haired woman called out as she blocked one of the Stone Arm Ape''s massive arms, her voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. The man, referred to as Senior Brother, reacted instantly. His long, jet-black hair flowed behind him as he dashed forward, positioning himself beneath the ape''s exposed belly. His sword emitted a faint white glow, buzzing as he infused it with energy. With a low grunt, he delivered a powerful upward slash. Slash! Roar! The Stone Arm Ape let out a thunderous roar of pain as a deep, diagonal wound appeared across its belly. The beast staggered backward, waving its heavy arms in a desperate attempt to push its attackers away. Blood dripped from its wound, staining the forest floor. Despite its injuries, the primal didn''t charge recklessly. It hesitated, its sharp eyes scanning the area as though calculating its next move. After a moment, it locked its gaze onto the man. Its glare was filled with fury and determination, as though memorizing his face. Then, without warning, it turned and leaped into the trees, attempting to flee. "Don''t let it escape!" the senior brother shouted urgently. The group wasted no time, chasing after the primal with unwavering determination. However, the Stone Arm Ape abruptly changed direction. Instead of fleeing deeper into the forest, it turned and headed straight toward Vincent''s position. Vincent remained motionless. His Phantom Veil was an epic-grade stealth skill, rendering him completely undetectable. However, he hadn''t accounted for one factor: Mochi. He wasn''t certain if his stealth extended to her as well. Before he could verify, the Stone Arm Ape let out a furious roar¡ªnot at him, but directly at Mochi. Mochi, who had been peacefully nibbling on her origin crystal, jolted in surprise. She tightened her grip on Vincent''s hair and cried out in a panic, "Quick! Quick! Run!" But Vincent didn''t budge. Meanwhile, the trio chasing the ape noticed Mochi for the first time. To their astonishment, the plump rabbit seemed to be floating in mid-air, perched invisibly on Vincent''s shoulder. "Senior Brother Jiang, look!" Lu Mengmeng, the short-haired woman, shouted, pointing toward Mochi. Jiang Hao, the senior brother, had already seen the rabbit. His eyes gleamed with greed. He recognized the creature as a Primal Pet, a rarity highly coveted by the wealthy. While these creatures held little value in combat, their rarity and cuteness made them status symbols among noble families. In Jiang Hao''s eyes, Mochi wasn''t just a rabbit¡ªshe was a treasure worth a fortune. Forgetting the Stone Arm Ape entirely, he commanded his junior sisters, "Leave the ape! Don''t let that fat rabbit escape!" "Yes, Senior Brother!" The two women responded in unison, immediately changing course. At that moment, the Stone Arm Ape also shifted its focus. It wasn''t fleeing anymore. Its movements indicated it was targeting Mochi. "Don''t you dare touch my money!" Jiang Hao thought, surging forward with incredible speed to intercept the primal. However, before his blade could strike, a masked figure appeared out of thin air. Jiang Hao froze in shock as he watched Vincent''s arm transform into a stone-like appendage. With a casual motion, Vincent delivered a casual punch to the incoming ape. "That''s it?" Jiang Hao thought, bewildered by the seemingly simple attack. But what happened next left him speechless. A massive shockwave erupted from Vincent''s punch, sending the Stone Arm Ape flying through the air. The force was so immense that it also pushed the trio back, forcing them to shield their eyes from the swirling dust. Bam! Tremble! The Stone Arm Ape crashed heavily onto the ground, causing a faint tremor. When the dust settled, the trio turned their gaze toward the ape''s lifeless body. Its massive head was caved in, and a pool of blood spread beneath it. The beast was dead. "Killed in one shot?!" Jiang Hao and his junior sisters exclaimed, their voices filled with disbelief. On other hand, Vincent, who had shot dead the Stone Arm Ape, heard the system''s confirmation. You have killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Stone Arm Ape! You have received +150 experience points! Talent Activated! +1,500,000 experience points! It once again filled his experience bar. However, instead of feeling joy, he frowned beneath his mask. "Why is it only 150 experience points¡­" he wondered. Because it doesn''t make any sense. He killed a Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus which only was a Tier 2 (1¡ï) but it yields him 200 experience points. So, why did he gain fewer experience points when he killed a stronger primal? Thoughts ran through his mind and he could only assume that it was probably connected to what Mochi had told him. Chapter 106 Sudden Conflict After a moment, he could only accept it. Fortunately, he had his experience multiplier; therefore, he wasn''t greatly affected by it.On the other hand, Mochi, who was gripping his hair, was once again shocked by her master''s strength. Vincent ignored Mochi''s reaction and kept his eyes on the fellow below. What now¡­ What are they gonna do after I kill their prey? Are they gonna follow the stereotype of arrogant encounters, or will they deviate from the script? he quietly thought. At this moment, the trio was still in shock. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. Initially, they were fighting against the Stone Arm Ape, chased it, discovered a floating rabbit, and were soon blasted by the sudden appearance of a powerful individual. The two women, Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing, slowly stared at their Senior Brother, who was also still in shock. "Senior Brother¡­" Lu Mengmeng softly called out, bringing Jiang Hao back to his senses. He shut his gaping mouth, gave his junior sisters a look, and then turned to face Vincent with a serious and cautious expression. Jiang Hao sheathed his sword back into its scabbard, a gesture immediately copied by his junior sisters. He then cupped his hand and slightly bowed his head toward Vincent. "Greetings, Senior." The two girls followed suit. "Greetings, Senior." Vincent, who was on the receiving end, showed no reaction to their greetings. Despite this, Jiang Hao and the two girls were surprisingly not offended. They kept their heads slightly lowered as Jiang Hao''s voice rang once again. "We apologize for disturbing you. We had no idea the rabbit already had an owner." Although his head was lowered, Jiang Hao was still trying to sense Vincent''s strength. However, he could not understand why Vincent was only emitting Peak Tier 1 strength. There''s no way a Tier 1 Origin Warrior could kill a mid-level Tier 2 in a single punch, he thought. It''s probably a special skill to hide his true strength. He recalled hearing from his master that some powerful existences could hide their strength to surprise their opponents. At that moment, his junior sister with a double bun hairstyle suddenly spoke up. "Senior Brother, the beast''s corpse is technically ours, right? We were the ones fighting it, after all. It just fled when it was about to die." What perfect timing to say it! Jiang Hao''s face immediately darkened as he hurriedly pushed her head lower, apologizing profusely. "I apologize for her behavior, Senior. Please forgive her. It''s her first time in the outside world. Please don''t mind her. The ape''s corpse is all yours." After saying this, he shot a glance at Fu Xingxing, who was about to open her mouth again. Meanwhile, as Vincent quietly observed them, Mochi''s voice rang in his mind. "These people have an aura of death around them¡­" Vincent frowned beneath his mask and turned his head, looking at Mochi. He asked, "Are you saying they are also going to die?" However, Mochi did not respond. No, he did not need her answer. Once Mochi said something, he knew it was the truth. Still, he felt slightly uncomfortable. Again? he thought. He encountered people who were going to die, again! And not just one, but all three of them. As he was about to wonder if he might be the cause of their deaths, his expression suddenly changed as though he finally understood the reason. Soon, a group of five figures, fully clad in black clothes that concealed their appearances, suddenly appeared and surrounded Jiang Hao and the others. They were all Peak Tier 1 Origin Warriors. The trio was caught off guard for a moment but quickly reacted, drawing their weapons and preparing to fight. "Who are you?!" Jiang Hao exclaimed cautiously. He knew his question would not change the situation, but he simply had no choice. He had to act quickly. They were surrounded, and from the looks of these people, their intentions were far from good. As expected, the black-clad figures did not utter a single word. They simply pointed their weapons at the trio and maintained their positions. At this moment, another presence arrived, slightly delayed. "Hehe, after playing hide and seek for a few years, I finally caught you, Jiang Hao!" The voice was very familiar to Jiang Hao. He turned to face its owner and immediately recognized the person standing before him. The newcomer appeared to be about the same age as Jiang Hao, in his early 20s. He wore a purple martial robe, matching the color of his long, silky hair tied in a ponytail. It was Zhang Chen, a Tier 2 Origin Warrior and a member of their rival sect, the Purple Moonlight Sect. Behind him stood an old man with long white hair, dressed in a darker-shaded purple robe. Jiang Hao could feel an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from him. He did not recognize the old man, but it was clear that he was significantly stronger than anyone present. Jiang Hao faced Zhang Chen and said, "What are you doing, Zhang Chen? Are you still unable to move on from your loss to me?" It was the only explanation Jiang Hao could think of. Zhang Chen was the grandson of an Elder from the Purple Moonlight Sect. During the last Sect Cross Tournament, Jiang Hao had defeated him soundly. Since then, Zhang Chen had relentlessly pursued him under the guise of revenge. Every time, Jiang Hao had managed to escape death by a narrow margin. However, this time, running away seemed far less likely. With his junior sisters to protect and the old man behind Zhang Chen, the odds were stacked against him. The mention of his humiliating defeat caused Zhang Chen''s face to darken momentarily before he quickly recovered, his expression smug. "Hehe, it seems you still can''t see your situation, Jiang Hao. You''re in my hands now. I can finally erase the humiliation I suffered because of you!" At this moment, Fu Xingxing could no longer hold back her thoughts. She glanced at her Senior Brother and spoke confidently. "Senior Brother, this guy is talking too much. Let''s beat him!" Her loud, unwavering tone conveyed her absolute belief in her Senior Brother''s invincibility. No matter who or what stood before them, she was confident he would emerge victorious. However, despite her words, Jiang Hao did not respond. When she turned to look at him, she saw his dark expression fixed on the old man behind Zhang Chen. "Senior Brother¡­" she called softly, but Jiang Hao ignored her. In response to her defiance, Zhang Chen turned his attention to Fu Xingxing, an arrogant smile spreading across his face. "Hoh¡­ You actually brought two pretty girls with you. Are you three on a date?" Jiang Hao ignored the taunt and said, "Are you truly so adamant about revenge? Do you think our Mystic Light Sect will stand idly by if they find out about this?" Hearing his words, Fu Xingxing seemed emboldened. She followed up, "Hmph! You ugly toad! If you dare lay a hand on my Senior Brother, my Grandpa won''t let you go!" Amused by her confidence, Zhang Chen raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh? Who''s your grandfather?" "My grandfather''s name is Fu Gao! He''s an Elder of the Mystic Light Sect!" she declared proudly, expecting the revelation to intimidate Zhang Chen and his group. Contrary to her expectations, Zhang Chen burst into laughter. His voice echoed through the mountain forest. "Haha! I thought you were from a super sect. Woman, I''m also the grandson of an Elder. Do you think I''d be scared of your grandfather?" His words stunned Fu Xingxing into silence. Zhang Chen smirked and continued, "Come to my side. If you two are willing to serve me, I might spare your lives. Perhaps I''ll even make you my concubines." He licked his lips maliciously. Seeing this, Jiang Hao''s fury boiled over. "Don''t you dare have any dirty thoughts about my junior sisters, or I''ll make sure to cripple you this time!" Zhang Chen''s smug expression twisted into a glare. "Too late. You should''ve done that earlier." He signaled to the black-clad men. "Kill Jiang Hao and capture the women." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The five figures nodded in acknowledgment. As they moved in, Jiang Hao shouted, "Close your eyes!" Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing hesitated briefly but quickly complied. Jiang Hao''s blade began to buzz, and moments later, a blinding white light burst forth, catching Zhang Chen and his men off guard. "Argh! My eyes!" "Damn it!" "It hurts!" As cries of pain erupted, Jiang Hao seized the opportunity. He grabbed Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing by the arms and started to run. "Senior Brother?!" they exclaimed in confusion. "Stop talking. Let''s run!" he interrupted urgently. By the time Zhang Chen regained his vision, Jiang Hao and his group were already disappearing into the distance. "Damn it!" Zhang Chen roared, kicking one of his men to his feet. "Get up! Chase them! If you let them escape, you''ll face punishment!" The black-clad men, their eyes still red, scrambled to their feet and began the pursuit. Zhang Chen followed closely behind. Meanwhile, the old man behind him did not immediately follow. Zhang Chen simply glanced at the old man and did not force him. He had no complete information about the old man, he was only sent by his Grandfather to protect him but he had no authority to order the old man around. Hence, he simply ignored him. At this moment, the old man was staring obviously in Vincent''s direction. Chapter 107 Me Again? At this moment, the old man was staring intently in Vincent''s direction.Vincent, who had been a complete bystander during the sudden situation, felt the sharp gaze of the old man. He remained in his position, waiting for the old man to speak. "Are you just gonna let them die?" the old man spoke in a hoarse voice. Vincent raised his brows upon hearing the question. ''He probably thought I was with them,'' he thought. Hence, he answered, "I''m not with them." The old man did not respond and kept his eyes on him. Both of them remained silent for a moment. Vincent finally broke the silence. "If you don''t have any questions, I''ll be leaving then," he said as he was about to turn around, but the old man''s voice halted him. "You may leave, but leave the fat rabbit behind." Vincent and Mochi wore the same stunned expression. "You again?" "Me again?" Vincent couldn''t help but wonder what they found in Mochi¡ªwhy all of them wanted her. Even Mochi was confused about why she was attracting so much attention. "Do you have something you''re hiding from me?" he asked as he observed her. However, Mochi simply gave him a genuinely clueless expression. He then shifted his attention back to the old man. "You want her?" The old man did not respond, but his expression said it all. He wanted him to leave Mochi behind. Vincent smirked and said, "If you want her, you can try to convince her. If you manage to convince her, then I''ll let you have her." His words made Mochi furious. She began pulling Vincent''s hair. "What are you doing? Are you giving me away?! Huh?!" she yelled, clearly upset, but her voice grew softer as her eyes began to water. "I-I thought you said y-you wouldn''t throw me away¡­" Hearing her voice, Vincent realized he had made a mistake. Just as he was about to explain that he was only joking, the old man''s voice interrupted. "Come and be my pet, fat rabbit. I have a lot of good stuff with me." As he said this, he revealed several fruits in his hands that emitted a thick aura of Origin Energy. The moment Mochi sensed it, her sadness was immediately washed away. Her ears perked up, and her saliva began to drool. Vincent was dumbfounded by her sudden change in reaction. From sadness to greed in the blink of an eye. He could only wryly shake his head in slight annoyance, but he kept silent and watched as the old man attempted to convince Mochi to be his pet. The old man noticed his actions had an effect. He couldn''t help but reveal a subtle smile as he reached out his hand holding the vibrant fruits. "Come, be my pet, and these are all yours." Mochi stared greedily at the fruits in the old man''s hand. Her eyes darted between Vincent and the old man¡ªor, more accurately, the fruits¡ªas though she was considering it. To Vincent''s surprise, Mochi hopped off his shoulder and jumped toward the old man. "You¡ª" he was at a loss for words. The old man happily caught Mochi as she landed in his hand. He let out a soft chuckle, clearly satisfied. However, before he could savor the moment, the fat black rabbit suddenly disappeared, taking the Origin Fruits with her. His mouth hung open as he slowly shifted his gaze back to Vincent. There, he found the fat black rabbit already back in her usual spot on Vincent''s shoulder, hugging the Origin Fruits. Now, it was the old man''s turn to be speechless. Pointing a trembling finger, he stuttered, "Y-You¡­" Mochi paid no attention to the old man''s reaction and quickly devoured an Origin Fruit in one bite. Vincent was stunned for a moment before wryly smiling at Mochi''s actions. This kid really had her way of cheating people. The old man''s expression was quite the performance. His joy turned to shock, then to anger. A heavy pressure began to radiate from his body. "To think I got cheated by a Primal at this age. I must have gone senile¡­" the old man muttered self-deprecatingly, lowering his head slightly. Vincent furrowed his brows as he sensed the old man''s strength. Xu Zheng, Tier 2 (5¡ï) The old man¡ªXu Zheng¡ªbegan to release a soft wave of purple aura. Then, Xu Zheng snapped his head up and glared at him, his lips curling into a malicious smile before his figure vanished, reappearing in front of Vincent. His hands, claw-like and surrounded by a purple hue, slashed toward Vincent''s face. However, his smile faded immediately as his claws struck nothing but air. Vincent''s afterimage vanished. Xu Zheng quickly scanned his surroundings, only to find Vincent and the fat black rabbit in his previous position, staring at him with nonchalant expressions. This infuriated him. "I guess I''m not the only one at this age with strange hobbies," Xu Zheng sneered. He assumed Vincent was his age, disguised as a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. It was the only explanation. After all, it didn''t make sense for a Tier 1 to evade his sudden attack. Although he hadn''t gone all out, his speed was far too great for a normal Tier 1 Origin Warrior to handle. Without hesitation, Xu Zheng rushed at Vincent again, aiming to rip away his mask. But this time, as Xu Zheng appeared before him, Vincent didn''t dodge. This would be his first time fighting a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior since upgrading his stats. It was true he had killed a Tier 3 Primal, the Howling Spire Lord, but that had been more of a sneak attack. He hadn''t exchanged blows with it directly. So, he decided to meet Xu Zheng''s strike head-on with his own strength. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bam! Vincent''s fist collided with Xu Zheng''s claw strike, creating a deafening sound and sending a shockwave that blasted the nearest trees. Vincent remained firmly rooted in his position, while Xu Zheng was forced back several steps, shock evident in his eyes as he felt his numbed arm. Experience more content on empire In that single exchange, Xu Zheng could already tell¡ªVincent''s physique was stronger than his own. Chapter 108 Fighting Xu Zheng In their first exchange, Xu Zheng already sensed it¡ªVincent''s physique was stronger. He had clearly been at a disadvantage. Yet, Xu Zheng wasn''t someone who discouraged easily.It had been a long time since he faced someone of equal or superior strength. Instead of retreating, a malicious grin spread across his face as his arms began to emit a deeper, more ominous shade of purple. "State your name! I don''t fight nameless people!" Xu Zheng demanded, his voice calm but dripping with killing intent. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent, however, ignored him entirely. Instead, his gaze shifted to Mochi, perched on his shoulder, contentedly munching on the origin fruit she had stolen from Xu Zheng. "All you do is eat. Go sit in the corner," Vincent said, his expression helpless. It wasn''t that he couldn''t fight with Mochi on his shoulder, but she was eating, and he didn''t want to disturb her. Still chewing on the round yellow fruit, Mochi glanced up at him lazily. "Hmm, okay. Take your time. Those kids will probably die..." she said casually, then hopped onto a tree branch and resumed eating. Vincent showed no reaction to her words. He wasn''t a hero. Those people meant nothing to him, and he had no interest in them. The world was cruel. Somewhere, someone was always dying¡ªit was normal. At this moment, his focus remained solely on himself and those he cared about. Setting aside the thought, he turned back to Xu Zheng, who now wore a dark expression after being ignored. Xu Zheng chuckled darkly. "Haha. So be it. It seems I, Xu Zheng, am being underestimated! In that case, I''ll make sure you remember me even in your next life!" In an instant, Xu Zheng''s figure disappeared, reappearing behind Vincent. Yet Vincent remained motionless. Xu Zheng vanished again, flickering to his left, then his right, repeatedly shifting positions without making a move. "What''s wrong? Frozen in fear?" Xu Zheng mocked, his voice coming from behind Vincent. "Or are you regretting offending me?" he taunted, his voice now echoing from another direction. His provocations continued, his confidence building as Vincent remained as still as a statue, not uttering a word or reacting in the slightest. Xu Zheng''s frustration began to boil. With a purple flash, Xu Zheng appeared on Vincent''s right side, his fingers in a claw motion, aiming to strike his neck. However, when his fingers were only a few inches away from Vincent''s neck, Xu Zheng once again disappeared and reappeared on his left side with a huge grin and killing intent in his eyes. "Die, arrogant bitch!" Xu Zheng exclaimed as he slashed his claws towards Vincent''s mask. He had been wanting to know the person behind the mask. However, before his claws could land on Vincent''s mask, he saw Vincent''s purple eyes shifted, locking onto him.. Xu Zheng''s eyes widened. ''He can follow my speed?!'' he thought, retreating in alarm. But before he could celebrate his evasion, Vincent exploded forward with blinding speed, appearing before him. "Where are you going? I''ve been patiently waiting for you to attack, but now you''re only going to run away?" Vincent''s voice was like a reaper in the dark, startling Xu Zheng as Grabbing Xu Zheng''s collar, Vincent spun him forcefully before slamming him into the ground with a deafening impact. Bang! "Argh!" The heavy sound of impact echoed as Xu Zheng cried out in pain, his body bouncing off the ground before rolling to safety. Clutching his back, he glared at Vincent with hatred but didn''t rush forward again. He wasn''t stupid. Initially, he believed Vincent''s strength matched his own. Now, he understood the gap between them was far larger. To charge recklessly would be suicide. But Vincent wasn''t about to give him the chance to strategize. Switching to offense, Vincent rushed forward. "Stop running. You were talking a lot before. Show me your confidence!" His jab struck toward Xu Zheng''s chest, forcing the old man to retreat. Although the punch only grazed him, the sheer force caused Xu Zheng to stumble back, coughing violently. Cough! Cough! Xu Zheng winced, clutching his chest. His ribs felt as though they''d shattered despite the punch barely making contact. It was then he started to realize he had made a huge mistake. He had provoked someone far beyond his league. Yet, his pride wouldn''t let him bow. Instead, frustration and hatred swelled in him. ''I want him dead!'' At this moment, Vincent had no idea what was running through Xu Zheng''s mind. Well, even if he knew, he wouldn''t care! He slowly approached the old man clutching his chest. "You talk so much, but you''re actually so weak," he said in a disappointed tone, which further displeased his opponent. "You just caught me by surprise. We still don''t know who''s going to die!" Xu Zheng retorted, stubbornly refusing to be humiliated. He then took out a recovery potion and drank it in a single gulp. Despite seeing this, Vincent didn''t stop him. He was here to test his strength and gain battle experience, after all. He had been intentionally provoking Xu Zheng, but the old man was overly cautious. When he saw the old man had already recovered, Vincent said, "Are you done taking your vitamins, old man?" His words were effective, as Xu Zheng''s expression turned furious. "Old man? At least I''m not as shameful as you. Hiding behind a mask and acting like a youth!" Xu Zheng still believed Vincent was an old person as well. While still wearing a furious expression, Xu Zheng suddenly waved his right hand. It was followed by a flash of purple light that materialized into a 150-centimeter-long deep-purple blade with an 8-inch thickness. "I had no plans to use this against you¡­ but I changed my mind. You will be my first sacrifice to my new armament¡­ Fiend Blade!" Stay updated via empire It was a rare-grade Tier 2 armament that he had bought using all his savings! He had been keeping it a secret, planning to use it in the next sect battle, but he hadn''t expected to encounter such a strong individual. He had no choice but to fight with all his strength. Fortunately, no one was around. Thus, he could use his armament to his heart''s content. The moment he summoned his Fiend Blade, he could no longer hide his excitement. "Haha! You wanted to see my real strength? As my first sacrifice, I''ll grant your wish!" With a huge grin across his face, Xu Zheng took a stance and closed his eyes for a second before snapping them open as his aura burst, releasing a heavy pressure. His Fiend Blade began to emit a purple hue as he locked his gaze on Vincent. He then dashed straight at him and slashed his blade forward. "Purple Moonlight ¡ª Five Moonlight Shadowstrike!" Despite it being early in the morning, Vincent could vividly witness an aura of the moon, shadows, and sharpness bursting forth as Xu Zheng began slashing at him. "First Strike¡ªShadow Slash!" The moment Xu Zheng''s blade slashed, the light reflected on it, turning it invisible to the physical eye. "Die!" Xu Zheng exclaimed. Despite the blade turning invisible, Vincent didn''t panic. With a slight movement, Xu Zheng''s blade missed his body by a small margin, but it still brought a strong gust of wind and left a deep scar on the ground. Taking this chance, Vincent counterattacked by punching towards Xu Zheng''s abdomen. However, Xu Zheng immediately reacted. Taking a single step back and raising his Fiend Blade, he easily blocked Vincent''s fist. Even so, Vincent didn''t retreat and threw more punches at him. However, all of them were blocked effortlessly by Xu Zheng''s blade as though he predicted every action. "Second Strike¡ªMoonlight Parry!" Vincent slightly frowned. He was just starting to realize the foundation of martial sects. A martial sect''s foundation was no weaker compared to modern-day guilds and organizations. Although all Xu Zheng had done was parry his punches, Vincent felt his fists burning. When he looked at his hand, he saw purple steam marks left by Xu Zheng''s blade. He recognized it immediately. Poison. The Fiend Blade had a poisonous effect. Fortunately, Vincent''s current toxic and poison resistance was high. Therefore, the burning sensation quickly disappeared. He smirked as he saw this. He really enjoyed the feeling of a challenge. However, it wasn''t enough! It wasn''t satisfying enough. Thus, he once again provoked the old man, "That''s all? Isn''t your sect a little trashy?" Chapter 109 Right, You Should Do That Too! "That''s all? Isn''t your sect''s skill a little trashy?"Vincent''s words immediately darkened Xu Zheng''s expression. It was one thing for him to be insulted, but it was entirely different if his sect was insulted. He had to defend the honor and name of his sect. No one was allowed to insult his sect to his face. Therefore, he increased the intensity of his attack. "Third strike¡ªLunar Lunge!" Xu Zheng burst forth with speed as he lunged his glowing blade forward. "Die!" Xu Zheng cried. However, even with the sudden burst of speed from Xu Zheng, it was still slow in Vincent''s eyes. Therefore, he calmly responded, "No." Then, instead of dodging, he clenched his fist and activated his skill Stoneheart Gauntlet. His arms were immediately encased in silver-colored stone. With a stoic expression, he punched Xu Zheng''s blade. Bang! A deafening sound erupted as Vincent''s arms subtly trembled, while Xu Zheng was forced to retreat several meters upon impact. Vincent was quite satisfied with his physical strength. With his epic-grade skill Stoneheart Gauntlet and Sterling Silver Body, his force attribute was greatly enhanced, allowing him to withstand even a rare-grade Tier 2 armament without difficulty. The reaction was quite the opposite for Xu Zheng. His expression turned ugly at the result. His curiosity about Vincent''s identity grew immensely, but so did his concern. "That''s impossible! There''s no way he can withstand my armament with just his physical skill!" Xu Zheng exclaimed in his mind before once again dashing at Vincent with bloodshot eyes. "There''s no way you can defeat me with just a physical skill! You will die under my armament! Die!" "Fourth strike¡ªCrescent Strike!" A purple crescent energy flashed out of his blade as he bellowed, "I''m not done yet! Taste my armament''s special skill Fiend''s Fury!" The initial purple crescent energy quickly transformed into a shade of crimson and expanded to a three-meter span horizontally. It flew toward Vincent with greater speed. With a thought, he activated the third sub-skill of Stoneheart Gauntlet¡ªEarth''s Resilience. His entire upper torso was immediately covered in a dense rock of silver-stone armor. He didn''t stop there. He shielded himself with both arms and activated the second sub-skill of Stoneheart Gauntlet¡ªStoneheart Guard. Immediately, a dense, two-meter tall, two-meter wide stone shield materialized in front of him. Everything happened within moments. By the time Xu Zheng''s sword skill arrived, Vincent had already prepared himself. Hence, the crescent crimson energy landed harmlessly on the thick stone shield. Bang! Another loud sound echoed upon impact, sending shockwaves through the mountain forest. When everything subsided, Xu Zheng''s attack had failed to leave even a scratch on the stone shield. Needless to say, Vincent''s physique and skill were far superior to Xu Zheng''s. There was no need to mention his current force points; while Xu Zheng''s armament was rare-grade, Vincent''s Stoneheart Gauntlet skill was epic-grade. There was no comparison between the two. Therefore, it was no surprise to Vincent when he saw the result. However, for Xu Zheng, it was a different matter. Oblivious to Vincent''s force points and skill grade, Xu Zheng was unable to hide his shock. But before he could voice his disbelief, Vincent''s voice cut through the air. "Weak." One word was enough to shatter Xu Zheng''s confidence. He had one final move, but he doubted it would be enough to defeat Vincent. Just as he hesitated, his phone rang. Though still focused on Vincent, he quickly took it out and answered the call without checking the caller ID. Experience new tales on empire Before he could even ask who it was, Zhang Chen''s furious voice bellowed from the other end. "Where are you right now?! Isn''t it your job to protect me?! I need you now!" Instead of being displeased, Xu Zheng''s expression brightened. However, he maintained an irritated fa?ade. "Don''t contact me unless it''s urgent. If it is, then just use the Moonlight Summon." Zhang Chen''s furious voice rang again, "Damn it! Do you expect me to use my precious item?!" "Then don''t use it." Xu Zheng maintained his calm and composed tone, though he silently hoped Zhang Chen would. He wanted an excuse to leave Vincent''s presence. On the other end, Zhang Chen cursed vehemently. "Damn it!" Taking out a deep blue crystal from his storage ring, Zhang Chen hesitated momentarily before finally activating it. Meanwhile, Xu Zheng pocketed his phone and feigned composure. "You done?" Vincent asked nonchalantly. Xu Zheng grinned. "Heh, you''re indeed strong." Acting as though the conversation with Zhang Chen had not happened, he continued, "But you won''t survive my next strike. Prepare yourself!" Xu Zheng took a stance, his blade beginning to emit waves of purple energy and immense pressure. "Fifth strike¡ªFarewell! Haha!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instead of releasing a powerful attack, Xu Zheng burst out laughing when he felt a tug on the connection to his mind. Slowly, his figure dissolved into smoke. "You might win today, but this isn''t the end! I''ll kill you the next time we meet!" Xu Zheng vanished. Mochi, who had been peacefully eating and watching the battle, was speechless. "He ran?" she muttered before resuming her snack. Vincent made no move to stop Xu Zheng, assuming it would be futile after noticing the shift in his confidence. However, he wasn''t one to let his enemies grow stronger unopposed. Closing his eyes, he spread his mental perception. Ten kilometers... Twenty... Fifty¡­ Finally, nearly a mile away, he located Xu Zheng''s presence. "Found you," he muttered, snapping his eyes open. Without a word, he grabbed Mochi, who was startled, and placed her on his shoulder. "Hold on tight; we''re running." Before she could react, he activated his One-Step Shift movement skill. Almost a mile away, Xu Zheng reappeared beside Zhang Chen, who bore several wounds. Xu Zheng frowned after scanning the surroundings. Lifeless black-clothed corpses littered the area, while Jiang Hao''s group stood in front of them, visibly injured but in better condition than Zhang Chen. Xu Zheng''s appearance brightened Zhang Chen''s ugly expression, though his tone remained accusatory. "Finally! Go deal with him for me, or I''ll tell Grandfather you let me end up like this!" On an ordinary day, Xu Zheng would have been displeased with Zhang Chen''s attitude. However, today he chose to let it slide¡ªafter all, Zhang Chen had inadvertently saved his life from Vincent. On the opposing side, Jiang Hao''s face darkened at Xu Zheng''s arrival. He had been one step away from killing Zhang Chen, and now this elder appeared out of nowhere. Lu Mengmeng''s worried voice called from behind, "Senior Brother, what do we do now?" Jiang Hao didn''t answer. Even if he had a plan, his group was already drained from their fight against Zhang Chen and his men. Xu Zheng sneered. "I''m in a bad mood, and you kids just made it worse. Why don''t you accept your deaths gracefully?" Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Right, why don''t you do that too?" Xu Zheng froze in terror, mechanically turning toward the voice. The demonic figure he feared most stared back, predatory eyes locked on him. "H-How¡­" Chapter 110 Killing Zhang Chen "Right, why don''t you do that too?"Xu Zheng froze in terror, mechanically turning toward the voice. The demonic figure he feared most stared back, predatory eyes locked on him. "H-How¡­" He could not understand how Vincent had appeared in front of him. Zhang Chen had used a precious Moonlight Summon to call him instantly from a mile away. Moonlight Summon was a rare talisman crafted by a spatial talent holder. To use it, one had to bind the person''s origin energy they wanted summoned. It could instantly summon someone from up to 100 miles away. It was a one-time-use item, difficult to craft and incredibly expensive, reserved for life-or-death situations. Xu Zheng''s emotions were in turmoil. He thought he had managed to escape Vincent''s presence, only to be dragged back to hell. At this moment, Zhang Chen had no idea about Xu Zheng''s thoughts or Vincent''s identity. He was still fuming over Jiang Hao and eager to kill his most hated enemy. But the intrusion of a nobody further stoked his rage. "Who the hell are you?!" he bellowed. When Zhang Chen yelled at Vincent, Xu Zheng''s face morphed into an expression of dread. ''What the fuck are you doing? Are you trying to kill both of us?!'' he wanted to shout at Zhang Chen but couldn''t. He was frozen under the weight of Vincent''s piercing, deep-purple gaze. Jiang Hao''s group was equally stunned by Vincent''s sudden arrival. Though confused, their instincts screamed danger. Glancing at one another, they silently prepared to flee when the opportunity arose. Meanwhile, Zhang Chen''s face turned red with shame. Vincent''s obvious disregard for him was intolerable. Clenching his teeth in fury, he approached, his heavy steps echoing his anger. "Are you deaf, or are you intentionally ignoring me? Hey!" Frustrated, Zhang Chen reached for Vincent''s collar. As Zhang Chen grabbed his collar, Xu Zheng and Jiang Hao''s group gasped, their expressions filled with astonishment. Xu Zheng tried to intervene, but it was too late. Vincent''s cold voice cut through the air: "Let go." The two words were simple, clipped, and cold¡ªyet their weight felt like thunder in the quiet of the standoff. Scoffing, Zhang Chen sneered down at him. "Too arrogant for your own good. Let me teach you what happens to overconfident insects who don''t know their place in the hierarchy." But the lesson didn''t unfold as Zhang Chen anticipated. Before he could react, a surge of force exploded outward from Vincent, striking Zhang Chen squarely in the chest. The blow was precise, not just powerful but impossibly fast¡ªso fast Zhang Chen barely registered the attack before his body hurtled through the air. Bam! Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire Zhang Chen''s form crumpled to the ground in a heap, dust billowing where he landed. A strangled groan escaped his lips, blood spraying from his mouth in an arc. For a moment, silence blanketed the scene¡ªa fragile calm that seemed to draw out endlessly. Then, Xu Zheng''s panicked voice shattered the stillness. "Zhang Chen!" Rushing forward instinctively, Xu Zheng faltered as his gaze clashed once again with Vincent''s. Those deep, unrelenting purple eyes pinned him to the spot. His fear returned tenfold, leaving him paralyzed by the overwhelming pressure Vincent exuded. Panic flooded Xu Zheng''s mind. He knew Zhang Chen''s condition was dire, and if the situation worsened, the Purple Moonlight Sect might not kill him outright, but severe punishment was guaranteed. Still, Vincent''s presence was an unyielding storm, leaving Xu Zheng without a feasible solution. Meanwhile, Vincent calmly began to approach Zhang Chen, who struggled pitifully to lift himself from the ground. "Stop right there!" Xu Zheng called out desperately. "Don''t go any further! You don''t understand who you''re messing with! If you kill him, the entire Purple Moonlight Sect will hunt you down to the ends of the earth!" Vincent paused, giving Xu Zheng a fleeting hope that his warning had worked. Encouraged, he pressed on arrogantly. "That''s right. Even if you''re strong, you''re just one man. You can''t possibly stand against an entire sect!" However, Zhang Chen stirred from where he lay, still coughing blood. His body trembled violently, a mixture of pain and pure, unrelenting hatred. "Shut up, old man," he spat hoarsely. "Kill him! That''s an order! And if you ignore me again, I''ll make sure it''s the last thing you ever do!" His voice trembled with rage. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xu Zheng''s face darkened. Internally, he cursed Zhang Chen for dragging them into this mess. If he''d just stayed in the sect instead of chasing Jiang Hao, none of this would''ve happened. Still, Xu Zheng dared not openly oppose Zhang Chen''s orders; the repercussions from Zhang Chen''s grandfather would be far worse than Vincent''s fury. "Let us go, and we''ll forget everything that happened today," Xu Zheng bargained, his tone less commanding and more pleading. "What the hell are you talking about, old ma¡ª" Zhang Chen''s words ended abruptly. Vincent reappeared beside him, and with a silver-encased fist, drove a brutal punch into Zhang Chen''s abdomen. "Urgh!" Zhang Chen fell to his knees, vomiting violently. "You talk too much," Vincent muttered. "I have no time to waste with you. I still have monkeys to find¡­" Grabbing Zhang Chen by the head, Vincent smashed it into the earth with terrifying force. The sound of impact thundered across the area. The earth quaked from the impact. "Let him go!" Xu Zheng yelled frantically, surging forward. But Vincent was unmoved. The next impact cracked the ground beneath them. Bang! The tremors intensified. "Phantom Moonlight Slash!" Xu Zheng roared, unleashing a glowing arc of purple energy. It flew straight toward Vincent, whose response was chillingly swift. Pulling Zhang Chen''s body like a shield, Vincent blocked the attack effortlessly. "No! Don''t!" Xu Zheng screamed, his voice breaking in horror. The attack landed, and the horrifying sound of cleaved flesh split the air. Blood splattered everywhere. Zhang Chen''s lifeless body slumped, leaving an eerie stillness in the air. Thud! Zhang Chen''s corpse fell with a thud on the ground as Vincent heard the system''s notification. You have successfully assisted to kill Zhang Chen ¡ª Tier 2(1¡ï)! Chapter 111 Crippling Xu Zheng! The dull thud of Zhang Chen''s lifeless body echoed as it hit the ground. Vincent''s expression remained impassive, but the monotony was broken by the system''s unfeeling notification ringing in his ears.You have successfully assisted in killing Zhang Chen ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï)! You have received +100 Experience Points! You have recovered +100 Primal Energy! Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Experience Points! You have fully restored your Primal Energy! Each line of notification felt both distant and mechanical to Vincent, as if they didn''t fully register in his mind. His eyes lingered on Zhang Chen''s lifeless form¡ªblood pooling, limbs sprawled unnaturally. Though indirect, this was the first time Vincent had caused someone''s death. A real death! This wasn''t like the Origin World, where one could still respawn once dead. This was real. Zhang Chen wouldn''t respawn. His existence had been erased. Forever. For Vincent, the weight of the realization struck with unexpected subtlety. A part of him had anticipated guilt or regret¡ªa flood of emotion from taking a life. Yet, as he stood motionless, an eerie calmness blanketed him instead. There was no shame, no pang of remorse in his chest. "It''s as if my common sense has been¡­ twisted," he muttered internally, fingers twitching in slight unease. Origin World had changed him, warped his morality. The detachment he felt now was unnerving. And that revelation scared him. What frightened him most was not that he killed someone, but the possibility that someday he might lose all semblance of humanity. Would there come a day when even hurting someone precious to him evoked no feelings at all? Was he destined to become a soulless machine of destruction, a creature indifferent to the suffering it caused? "I won''t let that happen," he vowed silently, his hands curling into fists. "I can''t become that¡­" Before despair could overtake him, a soothing, melodious voice resonated in his mind, breaking the tension. "It''s fine. You''ll be fine," Mochi assured him. Vincent blinked, staring at his faithful companion. The tiny creature''s calm tone acted like a lifeline, pulling him out of his spiraling thoughts. It was as though she could hear the storm in his heart. He wanted to ask her how she always knew. Instead, he exhaled deeply, letting go of the tension in his body. "This is the path I''ve chosen," he reminded himself resolutely. His gaze hardened with determination. "I''ll do whatever it takes to become the strongest." The moment of introspection was fleeting. Vincent''s sharp eyes now turned toward Xu Zheng, who stood frozen in shock and disbelief. "Y-You¡­ you really killed him?" Xu Zheng stammered, his voice quaking with fear. "No. You killed him," Vincent corrected, his tone unnervingly steady. Xu Zheng''s face twisted with desperation as he vehemently shook his head. "No! Don''t pin this on me! You used him as a meat shield! You''re the one who got him killed! Argh! Damn it!" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The reality of Zhang Chen''s death was sinking in, and with it, a wave of panic surged through Xu Zheng''s mind. Zhang Chen''s grandfather¡ªa powerful and vengeful elder¡ªwould undoubtedly blame him. Xu Zheng''s own life now hung by a thread. He needed a scapegoat. Xu Zheng''s gaze flitted wildly until it landed on Jiang Hao and his group. A sinister idea sparked in his mind, lighting up his expression like a glimmer of hope in the dark. Jiang Hao and his two junior sisters, Fu Xingxing and Lu Mengmeng, flinched as Xu Zheng''s predatory gaze fell upon them. Before they could react, Xu Zheng''s figure blurred into motion. In a flash, he appeared behind Fu Xingxing and Lu Mengmeng, gripping their delicate necks in his vice-like hands. "Arghh!" "Hmmph!" Their strangled cries sent a jolt of panic through Jiang Hao. "Xingxing! Mengmeng!" he shouted, his face twisting in rage as his fists clenched. "Let them go, you bastard!" Xu Zheng sneered, tightening his grip. "Don''t move! If any of you try anything, I''ll kill them!" His eyes darted to Vincent, radiating warning and intent. Xu Zheng gambled on Vincent''s possible morality, assuming the masked figure wouldn''t dare endanger innocents. Unfortunately for him, Vincent wasn''t the righteous type Xu Zheng was counting on. Vincent''s nonchalant demeanor remained unshaken as he began walking forward, each step deliberate. Xu Zheng''s grip tightened reflexively, causing the two women to whimper and struggle for breath. Their eyes widened in terror as they kicked helplessly in the air. "I said don''t move! I mean it¡ªI''ll kill them!" Xu Zheng''s voice was shrill, panic creeping in as Vincent ignored his threats. From his position, Jiang Hao felt despair clawing at him. "Please!" he yelled at Vincent. "Don''t move, Senior! You''re going to get my junior sisters killed!" Despite his protest, Vincent didn''t stop. Desperation etched itself across Lu Mengmeng''s pale face. Through her labored breaths, she choked out, "S-Senior Brother¡­ d-don''t mind us. P-Please, escape¡­" "No!" Jiang Hao''s voice cracked as he shouted. "I''m not going to leave both of you!" The determination in Jiang Hao''s words made Vincent pause for a brief moment. Xu Zheng noticed and seized the opportunity to press further. "That''s right," Xu Zheng jeered, smirking smugly. "If you listen to me, they''ll live." Jiang Hao''s jaw tightened as he weighed his options. There wasn''t much choice. Steeling himself, he offered a grim compromise. "Let them go, old man," he said in a low, trembling voice. "You''re after me, right? Take me instead, but let them go!" Read latest stories on empire Xu Zheng raised an eyebrow, feigning thoughtfulness. In truth, he was already scheming. If he captured all three of them, he might have something valuable to bargain with. But first, he needed to manipulate Jiang Hao further. "I''ll consider it," Xu Zheng lied smoothly. "But only if you seal your origin core. Do that, and I''ll let your girlfriends go." Jiang Hao hesitated, his heart warring against his pride and survival instinct. His junior sisters gasped and squirmed weakly in Xu Zheng''s grip, their lives slipping away with every second. Clenching his teeth, he finally nodded. "I''ll do it," he muttered, his voice laden with sorrow. "Just¡­ let them go." A victorious grin stretched across Xu Zheng''s face. "Good boy. Do as I say¡­" But just as he was about to savor his triumph, a violent gust of wind erupted around him. His body lifted off the ground as a powerful force slammed into his chest, sending him hurtling backward. His grip on Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing faltered, releasing them as he crashed heavily into the ground dozens of meters away. Jiang Hao''s breath hitched in his throat as he stared at the masked figure now holding his junior sisters safely in his arms. "Senior¡­" he whispered, awe and relief mingling in his voice. Vincent set the two girls down gently, his eyes not even glancing back at them as he approached Xu Zheng. The older man groaned, coughing up blood as his body ached from the impact. Before Xu Zheng could gather his wits, Vincent appeared beside him, moving with almost unnatural speed. Xu Zheng''s trembling gaze met Vincent''s piercing eyes before he felt a claw-like grip tighten around his neck. "Urgh¡­ L-Let me go!" Xu Zheng rasped, but his demands fell on deaf ears. Vincent''s origin energy coursed through his palm as he thrust his hand forward, piercing through Xu Zheng''s abdomen. Crack! The sound of the shattered origin core rang loud in the silent battlefield. "Y-You destroyed my origin core¡­" Xu Zheng stammered, his voice filled with despair. With his life force rapidly depleting, wrinkles etched themselves into his face as he visibly aged. Vincent, unbothered, tossed the broken man aside like discarded trash. He did not immediately kill him; instead, he retrieved the remaining Life Fruit to upgrade it to an epic grade. Earlier, he had used the experience points gained from killing the Stone Arm Ape to upgrade one of the Life Fruits. Now he used the experience points gained from Zhang Chen''s death. Chapter 112 Zhang Ku After upgrading the last Life Fruit to Life Essence, Vincent shifted his attention to Jiang Hao''s group.Although he had made the decision to save the girls in Xu Zheng''s grasp, they were still witnesses to him killing Zhang Chen and crippling Xu Zheng. There was no way that he could entirely trust them to keep this incident a secret. His intuition screamed at him that witnesses were liabilities Surprisingly, before Vincent could voice his concerns, Jiang Hao seemed to sense his intentions. Therefore, without Vincent even speaking his mind, Jiang Hao stood in front of the two girls and spoke with a resolute expression. "Senior, please be at ease. We are willing to take the Oath of Starmark." The Oath of Starmark¡ªan ancient binding contract that affected the soul itself. Unlike the commonly used Contract of Starmark, which relied on mutual agreements enforced by external systems, the Oath was absolute and entirely unforgiving. Failure to adhere to its terms resulted in immediate, often fatal punishment. Death, if one was fortunate. Vincent stood still, letting the silence hang in the air as he evaluated Jiang Hao''s words. He considered whether this young man was attempting some form of manipulation. However, seeing the resolve in Jiang Hao''s unwavering gaze, Vincent''s doubt began to wane. The boy''s decisiveness was commendable¡ªthough it also revealed his understanding of the situation. Jiang Hao knew that without this oath, Vincent would have little reason to spare their lives. With a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, Vincent nodded subtly in approval. After a while, they agreed that if they directly or indirectly told anyone about today''s events, the Starmark System would destroy their origin cores. It was equivalent to a death sentence for any origin warriors. Jiang Hao''s group exchanged glances and nodded before they started taking the oath. A colorful light appeared on their foreheads as they began reciting their oaths with closed eyes. Vincent watched silently. His interest in knowing the entity behind the Starmark System deepened. But he set it aside¡ªfor now, it was useless to know the person behind the system as he was still just a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. When Jiang Hao and his companions completed their oath, the colorful light dimmed and faded. It left behind glowing star-shaped marks deeply imprinted on their very soul. "Senior, we have completed it," Jiang Hao announced, his voice steady yet laced with weariness. "Please, rest assured now." Vincent simply gave an approving nod. Across from them, Xu Zheng, who had been slumped against a tree, was slowly regaining clarity. As he pieced together what had just transpired, his body began to tremble uncontrollably. The sight of Jiang Hao and the others taking the Oath of Starmark snapped something deep within him. "Hahaha!" A chilling, broken laugh escaped his lips, escalating into an unhinged cackle that echoed eerily through the clearing. His twisted grin widened as tears, drool, and even snot streamed messily down his disheveled face. "There''s no use taking that pathetic oath," Xu Zheng sneered, his voice a hoarse rasp. "The moment you killed Zhang Chen, the sect was already notified of his death! Hahaha! Zhang Ku is probably already on his way here!" He erupted into another fit of wild laughter, the sound grating against the silence. "Haha. We''re all going to die!" Vincent narrowed his eyes, his expression barely shifting as he studied the broken man. Xu Zheng''s erratic behavior wasn''t enough to shake his composure, but the name Zhang Ku had caught his attention. With a slight tilt of his head, Vincent''s gaze turned toward Jiang Hao, wordlessly conveying his unspoken question. Understanding the unvoiced inquiry, Jiang Hao''s previously calm expression darkened. "Senior," he began cautiously, "the Purple Moonlight Sect possesses Origin Lamps. These lamps are bound to individuals'' life forces. If the lamp''s fire extinguishes, it signifies their death¡­" Vincent nodded subtly. "And regarding Zhang Chen''s grandfather¡ªZhang Ku¡ªI''m not certain about that old man''s claims." "So it''s possible?" Vincent asked. "Yes, if Zhang Chen had a special treasure capable of transmitting his last moments before death." After a beat, he spoke again, his voice firm and deliberate. "Tell me everything you know about Zhang Ku." Jiang Hao paused to recall all the information he knew about Zhang Ku. "Zhang Ku is one of the Purple Moonlight Sect''s elders. He is known to be among the strongest elders in the sect. It is also known that he awakened an A-rank Talent. The last time I saw him was during the Sects'' Cross Tournament over a year ago. At that time, he was already a Tier 4 Origin Warrior." Vincent''s gaze sharpened. "His relationship with Zhang Chen?" "Close," Jiang Hao replied without hesitation. "Zhang Ku dotes on Zhang Chen. It''s no secret within the sect¡ªhis affection for his grandson is almost excessive." "Anything else I should know?" Jiang Hao frowned slightly. "I apologize, Senior, but that''s all the information I have about Zhang Ku." Vincent gave a curt nod, a gesture of acknowledgment rather than dismissal. The lack of insight into Zhang Ku''s specific talent or abilities was unfortunate, but the information Jiang Hao provided was enough to form a rough estimate of what he might be facing. His thoughts, however, were soon interrupted by the sound of Xu Zheng''s continued laughter. "Hahaha! You think you''ve won?!" Xu Zheng spat, his laughter teetering on hysteria. "You''re already a dead man walking! When Zhang Ku arrives, you¡ª" Vincent cut him off with a single, icy glance. "Maybe," he said evenly, his tone devoid of emotion. "But you won''t live to witness it." Without hesitation, Vincent snapped Xu Zheng''s neck with a simple clench of his fist. The twisted expression on Xu Zheng''s face froze mid-laugh. His lifeless body slumped to the ground, eyes wide and mouth agape as if the sound of his final mockery lingered in the air. You have successfully killed Xu Zheng ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï). You have received +500 Experience Points! You have recovered +200 Primal Energy! Talent Activated! +5,000,000 Experience Points! Your Primal Energy is still full! Without a word, Vincent collected Zhang Chen and Xu Zheng''s belongings and stored them in his storage ring. Just as he prepared to burn the corpses and erase any evidence of the battle, Jiang Hao and his junior sisters approached him cautiously. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their expressions, though filled with gratitude, bore traces of awe and fear as they looked upon the man who had so easily dismantled their foes. "Senior," Jiang Hao began, his tone respectful but firm, "we would like to extend our official thanks for saving us. My name is Jiang Hao, and these two are my junior sisters, Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing." Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing bowed deeply in unison. "Thank you for saving us!" they said earnestly. "If there''s ever a time you need assistance, please seek us out at the Mystic Light Sect," Jiang Hao continued, reaching into his robes and withdrawing a small, intricately carved token. The emblem of their sect shimmered faintly in the light as he presented it to Vincent. Vincent accepted the token without a word. "We truly appreciate your kindness today, Senior," Jiang Hao said, bowing again. "But we must take our leave now. May fortune favor you on your path. Farewell." Without waiting for further response, Jiang Hao and the two girls departed, their figures disappearing into the forest''s dense foliage. Saving them hadn''t been a big deal. Since he had already offended Zhang Chen''s group, he was not the type to show mercy to his enemies. Hence, everything had gone according to his plan. Vincent watched them for a moment before turning back to the gruesome task at hand. He incinerated the corpses of Zhang Chen and Xu Zheng with quick precision, the fire leaving no trace behind. He then ventured deep into the Mad Ape Mountain Forest. Purple Moonlight Sect. Far away, within the inner sanctum of the Purple Moonlight Sect, a gray-haired, middle-aged man sat in meditation. His sharp brows furrowed slightly as he maintained his composure, his dark purple martial robes billowing slightly despite the stillness of the dimly lit room. His meditation was interrupted by a faint sound at the door. The elder''s sharp eyes snapped open as an unmistakable voice rang out. "Pardon my intrusion, Elder Zhang, but I have urgent news to report." Zhang Ku''s brows twitched in irritation, but he responded coolly. "Enter." The door slid open, revealing a man dressed in plain light-purple martial robes. He stepped forward hesitantly, clearly nervous under the intense scrutiny of the elder''s gaze. "What is it?" Zhang Ku demanded. "Speak. What could be so urgent as to disturb my cultivation?" The man gulped audibly, his posture stiff with unease. "Y-Yes, Elder Zhang," he stammered. "I-It concerns your grandson, Zhang Chen¡­" Find your next read on empire A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Ku''s features, though his tone remained even. "What of him? Has he caused trouble again?" "N-No," the man said shakily, pausing as though unsure how to proceed. "I¡­ I regret to inform you that¡­ Young Master Zhang Chen''s origin lamp¡­ its light has gone out." The room fell deathly silent. "What did you just say?" Zhang Ku asked, his voice low and dangerous. The man clenched his fists nervously as he repeated, "Young Master Zhang Chen''s lamp¡­ has gone out¡­" Suddenly, a suffocating pressure filled the room. The man fell to his knees, gasping for breath under the weight of Zhang Ku''s fury. Chapter 113 Another Series of Upgrades! while cautiously moving through the mad ape forest, vincent finally had the time to focus on the system notifications he received.there was one thing that stuck in his mind. it was about primal energy. when he assisted in killing zhang chen, he received a notification that a few points of his primal energy had recovered. at the time, he thought it was a one-time event. but he did not expect that he would also recover primal energy after killing xu zheng. "is it possible that i can recover primal energy by killing a human?" he thought but quickly dismissed the idea. there was no way he could conduct further research on it. he might not feel guilt about killing enemies, but he wouldn''t harm humans solely for experimentation. after some time, he finally encountered one of the inhabitants of the mad ape forest. it was a group of black-furred monkeys. your journey continues at empire however, compared to regular monkeys, these creatures had long, spiky fur, fangs that were currently embedded in what seemed to be a boar corpse, and tails that resembled thorny whips. with a quick scan, vincent immediately learned the creatures'' names and strength levels. fierce monkey ¡ª tier 1 (5¡ï) there were six of them¡ªeach at the peak of tier 1. at that moment, mochi''s childlike voice echoed in his mind. "your race really has a lot of variations. your race can be short, tall, plump, and even hairy¡­" she said casually while nibbling on the last origin fruit she had been eating. vincent was once again speechless at mochi''s random comments. yet he couldn''t deny her observations, as science indeed suggested that humans had evolved from monkeys. "but why don''t you have tails?" she added indifferently. hearing her question, an idea popped into his mind. "you want to know why?" mochi gave a simple nod. vincent then flashed a mischievous smile beneath his mask. without warning, he grabbed the plump rabbit by the back of her neck and hurled her toward the group of fierce monkeys while saying, "why don''t you ask them yourself?" "waaaaah!" before mochi could process what was happening, several pairs of crimson eyes locked onto her. some of the monkeys were even drooling. "h-hi?" mochi gave a nervous smile, trying to play it cool. unfortunately, the monkeys responded with excited roars. roar! jolted by fear, mochi bolted in the opposite direction, panic surging through her. she cursed vincent in her mind, "merciless human! once this great mochi recovers her powers, i''ll make you pay for this!" naturally, vincent heard her thoughts and nonchalantly replied. "yeah? if you''re truly the great mochi, why don''t you beat them up instead of running?" "i-i could beat them up, but i don''t want to hurt your kind!" "no need to worry. go ahead and beat them up; i won''t mind." "this great mochi is merciful! i would never harm your people." despite being chased by the fierce monkeys, mochi avoided their attacks with ease. it was not surprising. mochi was already at tier 2. although vincent didn''t have full knowledge of her origin, her rabbit features, known for agility and speed, gave her a clear advantage. the fierce monkeys simply couldn''t catch her. "stop them now, idiot master!" mochi yelled, exasperated. without a word, vincent unleashed his dragon''s might skill, immediately immobilizing the fierce monkeys, paralyzing them with fear. once mochi caught her breath, she shot him a sharp glare. vincent ignored the black rabbit''s sulking and moved toward the group of fierce monkeys. without hesitation, he killed two of them, filling his experience bar. he then immediately used his experience points and upgraded his dragon''s might to epic grade. do you want to upgrade dragon''s might? he confirmed, and moments later, the process was complete. you have successfully upgraded dragon''s might (rare) to dragon''s fury (epic)! name: dragon''s fury grade: epic details: this passive skill allows the user to tap into the primal power of dragons, enveloping them in a blazing aura of draconic energy. effect: enemies within a 20-meter radius of the user with a sub-level higher, same or lower level are paralyzed with fear. the intensity of the fear and the length of the paralysis increase based on the user''s force and mental attributes, respectively. the weaker the opponent''s race, the stronger the effect. vincent was satisfied. while the skill''s mechanics hadn''t changed significantly, the increased radius was a notable improvement. next, he used 500,000 experience points to upgrade his sterling silver body. you have successfully upgraded sterling silver body (rare) to impervious silver armor (epic)! name: impervious silver armor grade: epic details: this passive skill creates an armor-like coating on the user''s skin, imbuing them with the resilience and durability of sterling silver. this skill increases the user''s physical strength by 60%, allowing them to strike with greater force and withstand more damage. the silver coating also enhances the user''s speed and reflexes, as well as their resistance to magical and elemental attacks. after a quick scan of the updates, vincent killed another two fierce monkeys with a punch and moved on to upgrading more skills! you have successfully upgraded physical regeneration (rare) to regenerative resilience (epic)! name: regenerative resilience grade: epic details: this passive skill enhances the user''s natural regenerative ability, granting them the ability to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate. increase base physical regeneration by 50%. effects: minor injuries - (such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes) heal within 5 minutes, and moderate injuries (such as broken bones and internal bleeding) heal within 1 hour. severe injuries - (such as multiple fractures or organ damage) can heal within 6 hours, provided the user is not actively taking damage. note: the base attribute points haven''t been taken into consideration. "this is great!" he could not help but exclaim in his mind. he could assume based on the note that the effect should be better according to his current attributes points! s§×ar?h the nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he did not stop and used the remaining experience points. you have successfully upgraded sixth sense (rare) to combat intuition (epic)! name: combat intuition grade: epic details: a passive skill that enhances the user''s situational awareness and intuitive grasp of combat dynamics, enabling them to react to threats more quickly and accurately. this enhanced perception is a result of a 60% increase in the user''s sensory processing abilities, allowing them to detect and analyze subtle changes in their environment such as shifts in body language, minute sounds, and even fluctuations in temperature. this heightened awareness provides the user with a significant advantage in combat, allowing them to anticipate and respond to attacks more effectively. Chapter 114 Completing The Task vincent no longer spared the two remaining fierce monkeys and swiftly killed them.mochi, observing from the side, couldn''t help but wonder aloud, "why did you have to kill them in pairs?" he simply ignored her question, unwilling to reveal his cheat talent. with another million experience points, he decided to upgrade his remaining rare passive skill. do you want to upgrade five wave strike? yes. after a brief moment, the process was completed. you have successfully upgraded five wave strike (rare) to tidal mastery (epic)! name: tidal mastery aura grade: epic details: a passive skill that empowers the user''s physical strikes with the unyielding force of tidal waves, enhancing sustained combat capability and strength. base effect: each consecutive strike in a combo passively increases physical attack power. the boost resets after 3 seconds of inactivity or a missed attack. effect scaling: 1. first strike: 1.5x physical attack power. 2. second strike: 2x physical attack power. 3. third strike: 3x physical attack power. 4. fourth strike: 5x physical attack power. 5. fifth strike and beyond: 7x physical attack power (cap). bonus effect: gradually increases the user''s resilience against physical knockbacks by 5% per strike, stacking up to 25%. vincent was pleasantly surprised. "this is great!" he wanted to test the effect immediately but set it aside for later. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. with 500,000 experience points remaining, he rummaged through his storage ring, deciding what to upgrade next. finally, he recalled the item he had overlooked. dean thorne had given him experience potions, including higher-quality ones exchanged from the tower of combat. curious, he retrieved a rare-grade tier 1 experience potion to see if it could be upgraded. do you want to upgrade tier 1 experience potion? "is it possible to upgrade?!" he could hardly believe it. if upgrading were truly possible, it would drastically increase his growth speed. after agreeing to the process, it began and ended almost instantly. you have successfully upgraded tier 1 experience potions (rare) to tier 1 experience potions (epic)! name: tier 1 experience potion grade: epic details: grants experience points ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 over time. while the changes weren''t monumental, they were more than enough to satisfy him. "this is perfect!" with this discovery, he could worry less about the ever-increasing experience points needed to level up. at that moment, mochi stared dumbfounded at her master''s magical ability. the last time she had witnessed such a transformation was when the life fruit had evolved into life essence. though she couldn''t confirm what had happened, the subtle change in the potion in vincent''s hand was evident. before she could voice her curiosity, vincent jogged into the forest again. "hey! wait for me!" she hurriedly chased after her foolish master. after some time, vincent finally encountered a creature matching the description of his target. shadow monkey ¡ª tier 2 (1¡ï) a regular tier 1 origin warrior likely couldn''t have discovered it, given its entirely black figure and long, straight fur. the shadow monkey resembled a dark silhouette with glowing, white eyes. thanks to his heaven''s eyes skill, vincent immediately sensed its presence. this special ability remained a mystery¡ªhe still couldn''t fathom where or how azhara had obtained it. setting aside his curiosity, he decided not to wait for the monkey to notice him. with phantom veil concealing his presence, he blinked into existence right next to the shadow monkey, which remained oblivious. as he reached out, the creature finally sensed him. screeching loudly, it retreated. however, vincent was quicker and managed to grab hold of it. the moment his hand touched the monkey, it dissolved into shadow, escaping his grasp and perching on a tree branch dozens of meters away. "huhu-haha!" the shadow monkey seemed to enjoy vincent''s surprised reaction, pointing and laughing while scratching its belly. still upset over being thrown into a pack of fierce monkeys earlier, mochi added, "hehe, it must think you''re an idiot." vincent ignored her comment but not the monkey''s actions. drawing energy from an origin crystal, he instantly restored his origin energy. this time, using one-step shift, he appeared next to the monkey again. prepared this time, the monkey reflexively slashed at him with its claws, but they collided harmlessly against his armor, obsidian aegis. its eyes widened in astonishment before it dissolved into shadow once more and fled. vincent wasn''t discouraged. with a swift motion, he unleashed a palm strike. using tidal mastery, he sent a shockwave through the air, forcing the monkey out of its shadow form and eliciting a pained screech. screeech! not giving it a chance to escape again, vincent quickly knocked it unconscious. recalling valyn''s instructions, he noted she hadn''t specified whether the monkeys needed to be brought back dead or alive. he assumed it would be better to capture them alive. dragging the unconscious creature, he resumed searching for the remaining nine shadow monkeys. a few hours later, his task was complete. it was still bright¡ªjust around lunchtime. valyn had likely underestimated the advantages of his heaven''s eyes and his strength. consequently, today''s training proved effortless. now, he had the rest of the day free. with arthur unavailable and valyn occupied, vincent turned to mochi. "can you drain their energy?" enjoy exclusive content from empire though curious, mochi nodded. "then they''re yours. suck them dry!" squinting for a moment, she complied. free food was not something she would decline. a moment later, she let out a satisfied burp. "how long until they regain consciousness and recover their energy?" "judging by their condition, they might wake up by night or, at the latest, tomorrow. but their energy recovery will take over a day." she spoke proudly, evidently pleased with herself. nodding, vincent dug a deep hole, burying the monkeys'' bodies and leaving only their heads exposed. he snapped a picture, sent it to valyn with the coordinates, and added a message: "since i''ve completed my task early and special instructor arthur is unavailable, i''m taking a day off today." with that, he returned to the hotel, mochi perched on his shoulder. Chapter 115 Shes Mochi! with continuous use of his one-step shift and paired with phantom veil, vincent and mochi reached the bronzehaven arc in less than an hour.since he wasn''t with special instructor arthur and his hover car, he had to enter through the walk-in gate and queue. after receiving a strange look from the seemingly cyborg guards and a quick identity inspection, he was finally allowed entry into the arc. the moment he stepped inside, his phone suddenly vibrated. quickly, he checked it. the message was from an unknown number. curious, he opened it and read the contents. it was from alex, the old man he had met at the central bazaar, where he had found another chaos marble. the message was about the item vincent had assigned alex to auction. though only a week had passed in this world since their last meeting, to vincent, it felt as though ages had slipped by. the fluctuating nature of time within origin world made even brief intervals seem vast. alex explained, with his characteristic flair for understatement, that it had taken time to find a buyer, given the specific nature of the item''s requirements. but the auction was a success, and the payment had been processed and sent to vincent''s account. however, vincent wasn''t particularly interested in that at the moment. what he really wanted was to ask alex about the chaos marble¡ªwhere he got it or its source. before he could send a reply, his bank notified him of the amount alex had transferred. bank notification: you have received a payment of 100,000,000 credits from alex. your account balance is now 102,400,000. vincent blinked, then counted the zeroes in disbelief. "six¡­ seven¡­ eight!" he couldn''t help but suck in a sharp breath when he realized he hadn''t made a mistake. initially, he hadn''t been interested in the auction''s outcome. he thought the item might fetch a few million credits, but he hadn''t expected it to sell for a hundred million. could he have underestimated the value of an epic-grade skill? or was it the bottomless wealth of origin warriors that he''d failed to grasp until now? regardless of the explanation, there was no denying his elation. nevertheless, he couldn''t hide his joy. it was the first time in his entire life he had seen such wealth. uncharacteristically excited, vincent soon composed himself. he still had a mountain of skill books and other equipment in his storage ring. if he upgraded those items, the wealth he could amass was beyond his imagination. but for now, he had no intentions of parting with them. a different plan brewed in his mind, one with greater long-term significance. responding to alex''s message, he confirmed receipt of the payment and inquired if they could meet in person. if anyone held the answers he sought regarding the chaos marble, it was alex. and vincent intended to get those answers, no matter what. he needed to ask alex directly about the chaos marble. perhaps alex had some valuable insights. minutes passed, but alex didn''t respond. vincent set the matter aside and returned to the stellar plaza hotel with mochi. as he arrived and was about to open the door, he sensed a presence inside. he found this surprising since it was still friday, and both marina and sis amara should have been at school or work. the moment the door clicked open, marina''s melodic voice greeted him from inside. "is that you, big sis? aren''t you home early?" vincent smirked, stepping inside just as marina''s casual greeting gave way to surprise. "unfortunately, i''m not your big sis." hearing her brother''s teasing response, marina tossed her phone aside without hesitation, launching herself toward him with childlike enthusiasm. "brother!" her purple crystal eyes sparkled as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, and vincent responded with a fond smile, gently patting her on the back. "why are you back early?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice. "i thought you had training this week?" "i took a day off," vincent replied simply, before tilting his head in mild amusement. "what about you? why are you home? don''t you have school today?" "school ended early," marina explained. "how long are you staying, brother?" "i''m not sure yet. maybe just the night," vincent admitted, shrugging slightly. "i still haven''t received any updates from my special instructor." "are you really going to participate in the district''s school tournament?" the question brought a flash of reluctance to vincent''s expression. "i don''t have much of a choice," he said, sighing softly. "the dean and the school need me to represent them. i owe them, so i can''t say no." marina''s brows knitted, concern flickering across her face. but before the sentiment could grow, her attention was drawn to something else entirely. the fat, black rabbit perched on vincent''s shoulder twitched slightly, catching her gaze. her eyes lit up with unrestrained glee. "so cute!" without hesitation, before vincent or mochi could react, she grabbed the rabbit and hugged it tightly. mochi, stunned by the sudden embrace, protested mentally to vincent. "i''m being attacked! help me!" vincent chuckled softly. "brother, where did you get this cute, fat rabbit? is this our new pet? is it a he or a she?" "she''s a she," vincent replied, still smiling. discover hidden content at empire "can i keep her?" sear?h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. vincent shook his head, amused by his sister''s demand. "unfortunately, you can''t. she''s not an ordinary pet." "what do you mean?" "she''s a primal pet. you need to be an origin warrior to own one." marina looked surprised but skeptical as she studied mochi more closely. "really? this is a primal? how can this fat rabbit be a primal? she looks useless." vincent laughed at her blunt remark, hearing mochi''s outraged protests in his mind. "enough, human! i''m not fat! i am the great mochi! how can i be useless?!" ignoring her protests, vincent agreed with his sister. "yes, primal pets are generally known to be non-combatant even as adults. you''re right; she''s pretty useless." mochi was left speechless. marina nodded in understanding. "i see¡­" "did you already give her a name?" "yes, mochi." "hmm¡­ mochi¡­" marina muttered, observing the rabbit closely. she giggled as she realized why her brother had chosen the name. "hehe, you''re right, brother. she is mochi." "do you have plans today?" "hmm¡­ i was planning to watch the new season of lone leveler. why?" "would you like to come with me?" "where?" "to buy a house." Chapter 116 Metabot buy a house? do we have the money to buy a house?"marina was skeptical, as her brother had just awakened not long ago. where would he get the money to buy a house? despite her doubts, she went to her room to change, dragging mochi along, who kept struggling to escape her grasp. vincent also changed into not-too-formal clothes. after a while, marina returned, wearing a light-purple off-shoulder dress. his eyes lingered on marina for a moment before shifting to the sulking mochi. the plump black rabbit was wearing a striped black and yellow shirt and a golden-yellow beanie. a smile tugged at the corner of vincent''s lips when he saw the adorable yet obviously upset rabbit. "what do you think, brother? she looks cute, right?" "mmh, where did you get those clothes?" "these were the old clothes of my cross-stitch dolls. i remembered i still had them when i saw her." vincent just smiled at marina as he heard mochi''s voice in his head. "i bet you''re enjoying this!" with a wry smile, he responded telepathically, "don''t worry. it looks good on you." mochi was still upset, glaring sharply at vincent. however, her reaction suddenly changed, betraying her initial emotions. "really?" mochi asked. vincent affirmed with a straight face. seemingly satisfied with his compliment, mochi broke into a huge grin and rested her hands on her hips. "that''s right. i''m the great mochi, after all. any clothes would fit my sacred figure! hmm. hmm!" marina slightly tilted her head when she saw mochi''s mood brighten. she wondered what was happening to the plump rabbit but had no time to ask as vincent urged her to leave. they took a hover cab and, after a while, arrived at an establishment¡ªbr haven real estate co. after a quick scan, they entered the building. marina curiously looked around her surroundings, while vincent approached the attendant. "good day, sir. how can i help you?" the attendant greeted. "i''m here to look for a villa. it would be better if you could recommend something within district 10 or a better district," vincent replied. the attendant gave vincent a scrutinizing look before responding. "i understand. just give me a moment. i''ll contact one of our available agents to assist you. please have a seat." vincent waited patiently. after a minute or two, a young woman in her early 20s appeared and greeted him. "good day, i''m anjie. i was informed you''re looking for a house?" vincent gave the woman a quick scan. she had a small, round face, a small but pointed nose, and pouty, glossy lips. her chestnut-colored hair was neatly tied at the back of her head, and she wore a tight black suit that emphasized her curves, especially her bountiful chest. her appearance was enough to make her an a-rank artist on earth. however, in astralis, where origin warriors were the trend, she could only be a real estate agent for wealthy warriors. "i''m magnus. yes, please recommend a good villa within district 10, or find me something in a better district," vincent said. just then, a red-haired woman in her early 30s with thick makeup and a curvaceous figure suddenly chimed in. she appeared shortly after anjie. "anjie, you better let your client know that not everyone can live wherever they want," the woman said. anjie furrowed her brows as soon as she heard this. the woman was her senior and the current top broker in their branch, harlot fowler. anjie disliked how harlot often interrupted her conversations with clients. she couldn''t understand why harlot subtly bullied her without reason. despite her displeasure, anjie maintained a respectful tone. "i understand, senior harlot." "hmph." vincent remained silent and waited for anjie to explain further. anjie complied, "regarding that, sir, buying or renting a house in district 11 or closer to the core district requires a certain prestige." vincent gestured for her to continue. "it means you have to be an origin warrior." "i am an origin warrior," he replied simply. "i''m not doubting you, sir," anjie said, "but if you want to buy a house in district 10, you need to be a tier 2 origin warrior. higher-tier districts have stricter requirements. may i know your current level?" "tier 1," vincent answered curtly as he showed his origin license. your next chapter awaits on empire as soon as he replied, harlot snickered and muttered, "ha! a mere tier 1¡­" vincent ignored her and focused on anjie. "unfortunately, i can only recommend houses in districts 12 and 13," anjie said apologetically. vincent frowned slightly. "what if i''m already a tier 2 but haven''t updated my records with the origin association?" his question elicited cold laughter from harlot. "haha. anjie, your client seems to be dreaming big. why don''t you help him?" vincent ignored her sarcasm and asked, "do you have any method to verify or scan my level?" before anjie could respond, harlot interrupted again. "if you''re serious, young sir, you can test your strength by fighting one of our guard metabots." "but senior¡ª" anjie began, but harlot silenced her with a sharp glare. "would you like to test your strength, young sir?" harlot asked with a soft but subtly mocking tone. "lead the way," vincent replied. as he followed harlot, anjie hesitated before addressing him. "sir magnus, please don''t do it," anjie warned. "our metabots are the latest models from orions. they''re classified as tier 2, but their combat strength far surpasses an average tier 2 origin warrior!" harlot''s expression darkened, and she snapped at anjie. "shut your mouth, anjie! aren''t you ashamed of discouraging your client?!" marina, noticing her brother''s departure, quickly followed with the struggling mochi in tow. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. a moment later, they reached a spacious room housing five 4-meter-tall, white robots lined up against a wall. the orions trademark, a constellation-like logo, was engraved on their chests. "how about it, young sir? would you like to start now?" harlot asked. vincent nodded. harlot concealed a malicious smile. that''s right, keep acting arrogant. i''ll show you how reality works. moments later, the metabot activated with a mechanical whir. "target locked!" its voice echoed. before it could act, vincent vanished, reappearing above the robot''s head. his arm, coated in silver, delivered a crushing blow. the metabot exploded into pieces, its fragments scattering. silence filled the air. Chapter 117 Fired! silence filled the air as the spectators gaped in utter disbelief.the stillness was violently shattered when an explosion echoed through the room. the sudden burst of sound was followed by a faint but distinct tremor that seemed to ripple through every corner, amplifying the shock.. vincent retreated to a safe distance as his sharp eyes caught the movement of several figures storming into the metabot room, led by a short, stout man in an impeccably tailored suit. the man''s shiny bald head reflected the harsh fluorescent lights above, a stark contrast to the stern, stormy expression that painted his face. "w-what''s the meaning of this?! what in the world is going on here?!" the man barked, his voice a strange mix of confusion and boiling anger. the authoritative tone cut through the lingering tension, dragging harlot back to reality with an almost visible jolt. her face turned ghostly pale as her trembling eyes reluctantly focused on him. "b-branch manager vald?!" she stuttered, her voice betraying her terror. across the room, anjie stiffened. she, too, recognized the man who had arrived but chose to keep her thoughts to herself, pressing her lips tightly together. vald, however, did not bother sparing her even a glance. his eyes swept over vincent, lingering momentarily with a flicker of curiosity, before fixing themselves on harlot. "explain yourself, harlot!" his voice grew louder, more demanding. "what is the meaning of this chaos?!" "b-branch manager¡­" harlot stumbled over her words, her confidence crumbling with every syllable. "what?!" vald snapped, his patience visibly wearing thin. "why is our metabot lying there in ruins?!" "a-about that¡­" her hesitation only served to infuriate vald further. the frustration was clear in the way his eyebrows furrowed and his voice rose an octave. he whirled toward anjie, his tone carrying the sharpness of a blade. "anjie! you explain this mess!" anjie hesitated, unsure whether to respond. she stole a glance at senior harlot, the moment their eyes met, harlot''s expression twisted into a scathing glare. teeth clenched and jaw tight, harlot''s silent warning couldn''t have been clearer. don''t you dare. anjie subconsciously lowered her head in response. but then, vincent''s calm voice cut through the tension. "say it." vincent''s voice was quiet yet commanding, imbued with an unshakable sense of confidence. his unwavering gaze met hers, silently assuring her that the truth was the only path forward. gathering her courage, anjie straightened her back and looked at the branch manager. her voice, though shaky at first, gained strength as she recounted the events in painstaking detail. "branch manager vald¡­" she began, meticulously recounting every moment, sparing no detail. when her story concluded, vald''s face contorted, his anger reaching a palpable intensity. he turned on harlot with eyes that burned with accusation. "is what she just said true?" "i-i¡­" harlot''s voice faltered. "forget it!" vald cut her off, his voice a booming declaration. "i''ll verify the truth myself with the surveillance footage." with a sharp gesture, he called out to one of his subordinates. "johnson, bring up the surveillance camera footage¡ªnow!" with a brief nod, the man, tall and precise in his movements, reached into his coat and retrieved a sleek, compact device. he tapped on the screen, and within moments, the scene unfolded in vivid clarity. every action, every word, and every emotion played out in sharp detail for all to witness. the damning evidence left no room for denial. harlot''s legs buckled as fear swallowed her whole. unable to withstand the pressure any longer, she collapsed to her knees, clutching at the hem of vald''s coat with trembling hands. "b-branch manager, i''m sorry! please forgive me! i promise i''ll never do it again!" she pleaded, clutching the hem of his clothes. vald''s expression hardened as he coldly pried her fingers from his clothes. his voice was razor-sharp when he spoke. "shut up! who gave you the authority to use the company''s metabots without my permission? how did you even gain access?" desperate, harlot''s eyes lit up as she pointed to one of the men standing behind the branch manager. "it was larry''s fault! he gave me admin access and said it was okay to use it!" larry''s eyes widened in shock as his face darkened. "you bitch?! i only gave you access after you blew me, and you said you just wanted to try it out!" gasp! a collective intake of breath swept through the room. the weight of larry''s words settled heavily on the onlookers as an air of scandal and disbelief flooded the space. even vald, who had heard rumors of misconduct between the two, was momentarily stunned. for a split second, his stern demeanor wavered, but his fury reignited, stronger than ever. "enough!" he roared, his voice a definitive end to the madness. "i''ve heard all i need to. as of this moment, both of you are fired! get out of my sight!" sear?h the nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. harlot''s pleas grew more frantic as security dragged her from the room. "n-no! please, branch manager vald! don''t do this! i''ll do anything!" she screamed, thrashing against the firm grips pulling her away. "stop! let me go!" her anguished cries gradually faded as the doors slammed shut. larry, having accepted his fate with bitter silence, followed without protest.. finally, vald''s gaze shifted to the source of the commotion¡ªvincent. having reviewed the footage, he knew this young man possessed remarkable strength, capable of instantly defeating a metabot. he addressed vincent respectfully. "young hero, i apologize for the behavior of our former employees. i hope you will give us another chance to serve you." without much reaction, vincent asked, "am i now allowed to purchase a house in a better district?" vald''s face broke into a smile. "of course, young hero. to apologize for the inconvenience, we''ll offer you a 10% discount." "alright. please recommend a good place." "as you wish, young hero." vald then turned to anjie. "anjie, this young hero is your client. do your best and don''t disappoint me." he gave her an approving pat on the shoulder before bidding vincent farewell. anjie, still processing what had happened, jolted when vincent''s voice addressed her. "miss anjie?" enjoy exclusive chapters from empire "ah, yes! please, follow me this way." as vincent followed, marina¡ªstill shocked by recent events¡ªapproached him with mochi in her arms. "brother, when did you get so strong?" vincent chuckled, his smile full of warmth and mischief. "i''ve always been strong. i was just hiding it from you, your highness," he teased. "hmph! how dare you hide it from me?" she huffed, pretending to be upset before reverting to her usual cheerful tone. "so, are we really rich now?" her eyes sparkled with excitement, making vincent chuckle. "haha, yes, your highness. soon, we''ll be rich, and you''ll be sleeping on piles of money." marina couldn''t contain her joy, already dreaming of buying her favorite limited-edition figurines and other treasures. Chapter 118 Who Are You?! after some time, with anjie''s recommendation and marina''s help, they were finally able to decide on which property to purchase."we will buy the sunset river villa. where should i pay?" vincent asked anjie. "will you be paying through a mortgage loan?" anjie questioned. "no, i''ll pay it in full now." marina, who had been silently observing up until now, could no longer contain her disbelief. "brother!" she exclaimed, nearly jumping in her seat. "that''s 60 million astralis credits! do we even have that kind of money?!" vincent only flashed a warm smile at his younger sister. "please proceed with the documentation and payment processing," vincent instructed anjie, his tone calm, yet assertive enough to leave no room for argument. with a soft nod of acknowledgment, anjie immediately prepared the necessary documents, and vincent signed them quickly. "please input your bank details and fingerprint to confirm the payment." without missing a beat, vincent complied, his movements fluid and deliberate. within moments, the payment was completed, the transaction finalized. just like that, 54 million astralis credits were subtracted from his account in an instant¡ªa sum so staggering, so monumental, it could alter entire lives. it was the biggest payment he had ever made in his two lifetimes. he wasn''t sure how to feel¡ªwhether hurt or proud. nevertheless, he was happy to see his sister''s stunned expression. "all right, mr. magnus," anjie said, her voice softer, almost reverent now. "that''s everything on our end. i''ll personally ensure the process goes smoothly. your villa will be fully prepared and ready for you within a week." vincent gave anjie a brief nod as he stood up and left with marina, who was still unable to believe he had just spent 54 million credits. but just as they approached the exit, anjie''s voice rang out. "mr. magnus! wait a moment!" vincent paused mid-step, turning back with a raised brow. "yes? is there a problem?" her gaze was steady yet filled with a certain warmth, and her tone had shifted to something more personal. "i just wanted to thank you for giving me this opportunity to prove myself." vincent blinked in mild surprise, shaking his head lightly. "it''s really nothing," he assured her. "i didn''t do anything particularly special to warrant gratitude." still, anjie insisted on expressing her thanks, so he could only accept it with a nod. once they exited the building, marina immediately turned to him, a playful smirk gracing her lips. "brother, you''re such a lady killer." she teased. vincent raised an eyebrow. "what are you talking about?" "hmph! do you really think i didn''t notice the way you were looking at sister anjie back there? she''s pretty, sure, so i guess it''s normal for boys like you to get all flirty." her eyes glinted mischievously as she cast him a side glance. "i mean, helping a damsel in distress and all that..." s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. vincent smiled wryly. but her teasing expression sobered slightly as he asked, "when is amara coming home tonight?" marina thought for a moment. "she might be late again. ever since you started going to origin world, she''s been coming home late." vincent frowned at her response. he still didn''t know what kind of work amara did, and it worried him. but he knew he couldn''t force her to reveal anything if she didn''t want to. so, he set the thought aside for now. "i understand. let''s eat out tonight. is there anywhere you''d like to go?" marina''s eyes brightened at his words. "really? anywhere?" vincent nodded. "i heard there''s a newly opened ramen shop¡ªichiraku ramen!" vincent was momentarily stunned by her suggestion. ''that ramen shop¡­ why does it sound so familiar?'' he thought, but he couldn''t recall where he''d heard of it. it was already nighttime when they returned to their hotel. inside his room, vincent browsed astrum origin hub, scrolling through news about events in novice continent. one topic stood out: an issue regarding the tower of combat. even now, no one had discovered what caused the sudden disappearance of the tower''s exchange items. he also read reports of breakouts in both his sanctuary and other novice sanctuaries, along with an increase in the appearance of new labyrinths. however, there was still no information on one matter he was particularly concerned about¡ªthe primalized entity grarik had released from the blackrat labyrinth. vincent was certain that if the entity caused a commotion, it would be a major problem. he also searched for details on the blackthorn clan and other thrygian clans and organizations. to his surprise, he discovered that the blackthorn clan was the largest and most powerful in his sanctuary. the other thrygian groups were smaller in both number and influence. "i guess i need to speed up my plans¡­" he muttered, realizing the strength of the blackthorn clan. next, he researched caelius lionfang and his clan. "caelius lionfang, 19 years old, awakened talent s-rank: sun mane lion¡­ father: calixtus lionfang, awakened talent s-rank: golden lion¡­" vincent''s eyes widened as he continued reading about the father-son duo. "two s-rank talents in one family¡­ that''s insane." for the rest of the night, vincent focused on expanding his knowledge of the origin world''s common sense and lore. meanwhile, elsewhere in district 10, a beautiful, pink-haired woman stepped out of her shower, a bath towel wrapped around her body. "how''s my new younger brother doing¡­" she murmured, grabbing her phone. it was valyn, who had just returned from a brief journey. as she tapped on the screen, a hologram popped up, displaying messages. ignoring most of the emails, she opened vincent''s. reading the contents, her eyebrows lifted briefly before a smile graced her lips. "to think he still considers it light work¡­" she said softly, closing the email and sending a report to arthur, confirming vincent had completed his training for the day. at 11:45 p.m., back in vincent''s hotel room, he closed his phone, only to hear footsteps in the living area. marina should have been asleep by now, and he hadn''t sensed the door opening. no one should''ve been able to bypass his perception. frowning, he cautiously stepped out to investigate. the living area was dark, with the lights off. but he could hear the footsteps now heading to the kitchen. a moment later, he heard the fridge door open. in a single step, vincent blurred, reappearing behind the intruder. "who are you?" startled, the intruder spun around. discover hidden tales at empire lit only by the fridge light, vincent''s eyes widened. standing before him was a long, black-haired woman with fair skin, her hair partially concealing her ample figure. her golden eyes gleamed as she held a piece of bread in her mouth. "?!" Chapter 119 Realization "who are you?"startled, the intruder spun around. lit only by the fridge light, vincent''s eyes widened. standing before him was a long, black-haired woman with fair skin, her hair partially concealing her ample figure. her golden eyes gleamed as she held a piece of bread in her mouth. "?!" vincent did not recognize the woman, but his eyes couldn''t hide his shock. she had the most beautiful face he had ever seen¡ªeven amara paled in comparison. his heart skipped a beat when the woman suddenly leaned closer. for some reason, his body betrayed him, and he stood frozen until the woman let go of the bread in her mouth, and her lips connected with his. in the next moment, vincent felt his vision blur as he lost consciousness. the woman gently caught him before he fell to the floor. with a snap, they appeared inside vincent''s room, where she gently laid him on the bed. "that was close¡­" the woman muttered to herself as she gazed lovingly at the unconscious vincent. after one more look, the woman turned and, before she left, muttered to no one, "it''s not time for you to know yet¡­" ¡­ the next morning, vincent woke up to his phone vibrating continuously. with his eyes still closed, he instinctively reached for his phone next to his pillow. a hologram screen popped up. "wakey, wakey! you''re wasting your time by still sleeping at this hour." vincent''s blurry vision slowly regained clarity, revealing the owner of the voice: valyn. as usual, she wore a complete set of pink-colored attire. "it seems you enjoyed your day off, my younger brother," she remarked upon seeing the absentminded vincent, who had just woken up and seemed to have a hangover. s§×arch* the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. at her words, vincent suddenly remembered the woman he had seen last night. realizing he was already on his bed, panic struck him. in a rush, he released his mental energy to scan the entire hotel room. soon, he sighed in relief; he found his younger sister peacefully sleeping in her own room, and even amara was soundly asleep in hers. although he had no idea when amara returned, his focus shifted back to the woman he had seen the night before. ''who was she? was it all a dream?'' he wondered, but it had felt so real when their lips connected. "hello? are you alright?" valyn''s voice brought him back to his senses, and he set aside his thoughts. "i''m fine. good morning, big sis valyn." valyn looked doubtful but smiled and replied, "hmm, good morning." "you called this early for my training today?" "you are correct." ''so the special instructor still hasn''t come back,'' he thought, refraining from asking her further. "so, what do i have to do today?" "i already told you about the tower of fundamentals, right?" vincent simply nodded. the tower of combat was one of them. the others were the tower of speed and the tower of illusion. "we are going to visit another tower of fundamentals," valyn continued. "which one?" "hehe, let''s meet outside your sanctuary, and i''ll tell you on the way." "i understand." "all right, see you later." after the call with valyn, vincent exited his room and went to the kitchen, still trying to recall if the woman he saw was just a dream. he made a quick breakfast, took a shower, and ate alone. he chose not to wake marina and amara, who were still peacefully sleeping. since it was the weekend, they didn''t have school or work. vincent left a note to let them know he would be in origin world. as he prepared to leave for origin world, he felt as if he was forgetting something. ''hmm, am i missing something?'' suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind. "stupid master! are you going to leave me here?" at that moment, marina''s door slowly opened, and the fat, black rabbit stepped out. "oh, mochi¡­" vincent subconsciously murmured. "what do you mean, ''oh, mochi?''" mochi''s child-like voice pitched higher. "nothing. let''s go. we are leaving." vincent quickly changed the subject, fearing mochi might realize he had actually forgotten about her. he had been so engrossed in scrolling through the origin astrum hub that he forgot to retrieve mochi from marina. "hmph!" mochi harrumphed in his mind but squeaked in reality as vincent placed her inside the capture ball. ¡­ hyena gang manor. as vincent exited the chamber, he was surprised to find a familiar creature cleaning the manor''s living area with an innocent expression. he might have believed this creature to be innocent¡ªif he didn''t know better. it was one of the captured members of the hyena gang, raytand. raytand stood like a normal human, but his features bore the distinct characteristics of the hyena race. with a slight frown, vincent asked coldly, "how are you here? where''s lizno?!" raytand, holding a feather duster, was startled at vincent''s sudden voice. with a quick spin, his startled expression turned fanatical. he straightened and bowed deeply. "welcome back, big boss!" raytand shook his head, muttering, "no, it should be ''young master.''" "welcome back, young master." vincent raised an eyebrow in curiosity. just as he was wondering what was happening, lizno appeared and greeted him immediately upon seeing him. "you''re back, young master." curiosity growing, vincent frowned and asked, "what''s happening here, lizno?" lizno glanced at raytand briefly before explaining. "it''s like this, young master¡­" vincent listened attentively as lizno detailed what had occurred in his absence. when he had been in his world, lizno realized he couldn''t keep the captives locked up forever. once their time in origin world ran out, they would be forcefully returned to their real world. experience tales at empire this fact had also slipped vincent''s mind. fortunately, lizno realized it before it was too late. since tier 2 origin warriors could stay much longer in origin world than tier 1 warriors, lizno used his remaining time to "train" the captured hyena gang members. lizno didn''t specify what sort of training it was, but judging by raytand''s fanatical expression, vincent guessed it involved brutal torture. according to lizno, the captives were now dead loyal to vincent. even when returned to their real world, their loyalty would remain steadfast. although skeptical, vincent chose to set the matter aside. "where''s the rest of the hyena gang?" "i''ve sent them to do some chores," lizno answered respectfully. "what about garmus?" "i''m sorry, young master, but that guy is a tough nut to crack. he''s hell-bent on following the blackthorn clan." vincent simply nodded. it wasn''t lizno''s fault. according to an article vincent had read, the blackthorn clan bred unbelievable loyalty among its people. vincent furrowed his brows. he knew grarik would eventually find out about his current strength. however, he hadn''t accounted for this detail. now, grarik would discover his strength much sooner than expected. grarik would undoubtedly send stronger warriors to eliminate him. "how much longer before garmus'' time in origin world runs out?" Chapter 120 Heading to Tower of Illusion! grarik would undoubtedly send stronger warriors to eliminate him."how much longer before garmus returns to his world?" "in five days, young master." vincent was silent for a moment, contemplating his next action. after a curt nod, he commanded, "try to ''train'' him until the time limit. if it doesn''t work by then, i''ll end him. more importantly, don''t forget your main goal¡ªdon''t focus so much on garmus." "i understand, young master. rest assured, i won''t disappoint you." s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. vincent nodded. "i''m heading out. do you have prismstone?" "yes, young master. i found an unbounded prismstone when i cleaned up the manor." "good. register my contact info and let me know if anything happens." "understood." after that, vincent headed out and waited for valyn to arrive. along the way, he also let mochi out of the capture ball. he did not contact maggie for the time being; she might be busy, especially with the events happening in the novice continent. he had a theory about the sudden increase in labyrinths but needed more evidence to prove it. nevertheless, he set it aside as he spotted the silhouette of a quickly approaching silverwood fox¡ªfenro. the ever-cowardly great mochi hid on his shoulder in a hurry. "it''s coming!" mochi cried. vincent chuckled at her usual behavior as he calmed her down. "relax, it''s not hostile." "relax your face! you might throw me again!" vincent just laughed at her until the silverwood fox stopped in front of him and valyn hopped off fenro''s back. read exclusive content at empire the moment valyn saw vincent, her eyes immediately caught sight of mochi. her face brightened instantly. "what a cute little fella. who is that?" vincent introduced mochi, who was cautiously looking at fenro and valyn. valyn''s gaze locked onto mochi. "oh, mochi. that''s a cute name. come here, little fella, i have a gift for you." with a flick of her hand, she fetched a cluster of red, round origin fruits. the moment mochi caught sight of them, she immediately drooled as she took a whiff. she was starving since her master had forgotten to feed her the previous night and let her be a cuddle toy for marina. without hesitation, she pounced on valyn and rested in her arms, nibbling on the origin fruits. "she''s so soft and warm..." valyn commented, hugging the busy, eating fat rabbit. she then hopped back onto fenro. "come on, hop on. we''re leaving." without a word, vincent mounted behind valyn. with a simple pat from valyn, fenro sped forward. along the way, vincent once again asked where they were heading. instead of answering his question, valyn asked, "what do you feel you lacked the most when you challenged the tower of combat?" vincent did not need to contemplate and simply answered, "battle experience." "that''s a given. you will be able to improve it over time. i''m asking about your skills, your repertoire." vincent fell silent for a moment. valyn probably wouldn''t believe him even if he told her how many skills he had. however, if he had to answer, it should be one thing he lacked the most. "i have no mental energy skills," he admitted. valyn smiled at his answer. "then we''re heading to get you corresponding skills and to gain experience battling origin warriors who focus on mental power." a few hours later, vincent noticed the surroundings beginning to change. the dense forest remained, but the area grew darker. "where are we right now?" "we just entered the dark forest. if you traverse this forest, you''ll reach the no. 2 novice sanctuary. however, keep in mind that the dark forest requires several days of non-stop travel, even with a shortcut. "that''s why most novice warriors move in groups or use special transportation to travel between novice sanctuaries." vincent nodded in understanding. he still had no clear idea how big the novice continent was. although he had read its approximate size, exploring it was an entirely different matter. along the way, they encountered several primals who, despite their disadvantages against fenro, rushed forward without a care for their lives. observing this, vincent realized the difference between the primals of the dark forest and the wild verdant. the primals in the dark forest seemed to have an affinity for dark energy. it wasn''t primal energy or chaos energy. it felt more like a ghostly energy capable of sending chills down a civilian''s spine. while pondering this, he suddenly noticed towering trees in the dark forest falling, as if making way for a massive entity. soon, vincent spotted the source. a towering figure, approximately 15 meters tall, walked slowly with a lumbering, uncoordinated gait. it appeared human, but its decaying, rotting body was stiff, its limbs heavy. the moment he saw it, vincent had one thought. it was a giant zombie! decayed skinny giant ¡ª tier 3 (1¡ï) "that''s one hell of a zombie," he muttered, which valyn naturally overheard. she gave him an approving look, proud to see him unfazed in the presence of a tier 3 primal. fenro halted, growling cautiously at the tall primal, while mochi scrambled out of valyn''s arms to perch on vincent''s shoulder once again. valyn didn''t stop mochi but let her go. then, she calmly dismounted fenro. she turned slightly, facing vincent. "would you like to fight it or just watch?" vincent raised an eyebrow under his mask, wondering why she was asking a tier 1 origin warrior to fight a tier 3 primal. "don''t worry. that''s just a normal tier 3 primal," she said casually. normal? he thought. is there a new classification for tier 3 primals now? but he shook his head and replied, "no, big sis. i''m just a tier 1 origin warrior. i should observe you from a distance." valyn smirked, knowing vincent wasn''t an ordinary tier 1 origin warrior. no regular tier 1 origin warrior could defeat a group of shadow monkeys! even so, she didn''t press him further. "alright, if that''s what you want." she gently stroked fenro''s fur. "stay back with them, okay? make sure nothing happens to them." "arf!" fenro barked in acknowledgment. "watch carefully, little brother, as big sis takes care of that disgusting creature," valyn said, stretching briefly. as she gazed sharply at the massive primal, an illusory fox tail appeared behind her, followed by a milky aura surrounding her figure. in the next second, her figure blurred as she rushed forward, leaving afterimages with her speed. Chapter 121 Tower of Illusions! "watch carefully, as big sis takes care of that disgusting creature," valyn said, stretching briefly.as she gazed sharply at the massive primal, an illusory fox tail appeared behind her, followed by a milky aura surrounding her figure. your next read is at empire in the next second, her figure blurred as she rushed forward, leaving afterimages with her speed. when the decayed skinny giant caught sight of the speeding valyn, it let out a hollow growl and hurled its long, rotting arm! growl! because of its huge figure, valyn''s speed allowed her to easily dodge it. bang! a cloud of dust rose when the giant zombie''s arm hit the ground. valyn jumped over its arm, used it as a platform, and ran on it, heading toward its massive head. when she reached its massive head, a milky aura, sharp like claws, formed on her fingers. without hesitation, she flashed to the top of its head and, with a strong and quick motion, stabbed down her claws, digging deep into its rotting brain. growl! the decayed skinny giant growled¡ªnot in pain but in annoyance. it wanted to remove valyn from its head with its free hand; however, valyn pierced its head again with her other hand and twisted her arms while still deep in its brain. immediately, the decayed skinny giant''s movements and noises halted. both its arms fell lifelessly, followed by its entire figure. valyn had already retreated to a distance. with a heavy thud, it fell to the ground and soon collapsed into particles of digital light. dead. a massive tier 3 primal was instantly dead before it could even display its might. valyn then appeared next to vincent after retrieving the items dropped by the decayed skinny giant. with a bright smile that seemed to light the dark forest, she asked, "how''s big sis'' performance?" vincent gave an approving nod as he said, "it was amazing!" although he did not witness all the abilities of a ''normal'' tier 3 primal, he was a fan of valyn''s fighting style. she immediately eliminated her enemy, knowing she had the strength to toy with it. hearing his response, valyn giggled softly. "it was nothing. come on, let''s go. i''ve already cleared our path." with that, they continued toward their destination: the tower of illusion. several moments later, vincent was immediately alarmed when he heard a deep and reverberating roar in the distance, but valyn nonchalantly pressed on with fenro. vincent was confused. the last time something blocked their path, valyn had made fenro halt, and she eliminated the blocking primal first. based on the roar he heard, it was likely another tier 3 primal or even stronger. just as he was wondering, a different sound pierced the air and reverberated through the silent dark forest. screech! next, an ear-splitting howl cut through the air. howl! soon, tens of different sounds reverberated in their ears as they delved further into the dark forest. despite this, valyn pressed on without concern. during this series of sounds, mochi kept silent on vincent''s shoulder, cautiously looking around. vincent, on the other hand, was not particularly worried but could not suppress his curiosity. therefore, he spread out his mental perception, quickly scanning the area far ahead of them. at that moment, valyn sensed vincent''s mental perception and was surprised. vincent''s energy was so dense and could already extend over a significant distance despite his current level. she could not help but wonder to herself, how can his mental perception be this strong? sea??h th§× n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. based on vincent''s performance in the tower of combat, she had assumed his strength was primarily physical. however, upon observing his mental perception, she realized she might have been mistaken. though she was curious, she did not disturb him and allowed him to do as he pleased. the next thing vincent saw was a group of massive creatures. he immediately halted his mental perception in shock, but his expression quickly changed to one of confusion beneath his mask. he saw a figure of a western dragon that he had only ever read about in books. it wasn''t alone¡ªthere were other mythical and fantastical creatures roaring in the distance. they all appeared mighty, radiating tier 3-level pressure. however, when his heaven eyes activated, the mythical creatures vanished into nothing but empty air. he finally understood what was happening. retracting his mental perception and regaining his senses, he muttered, "so, it was all an illusion¡­" upon hearing his words, valyn was unsurprised that vincent quickly deduced the truth, though she felt a tinge of bitterness. the first time she had experienced those illusions, she had nearly peed herself in fright. the source of the illusions was the residual energy from the tower of illusion¡ªa cluster of mental energy that created illusions in the surrounding area. soon after feeling a slight discomfort, vincent once again saw the familiar archaic tower. however, it had a darker appearance this time. compared to the bleak environment of the dark forest, the surroundings of the tower of illusion were bright. the tower was situated in the middle of a clear area, as if the space had been intentionally cleaned. aside from the usual leaderboard rankings, there were numerous stalls around the tower, and many origin warriors of different races were roaming about. strangely, unlike the hostile atmosphere surrounding the tower of combat, most people here seemed focused on their own business rather than on everyone around them. before stepping into view of the crowd, valyn had already donned her mask. valyn then spoke, "you must be wondering why the atmosphere here is so different from that outside the tower of combat?" although he wasn''t particularly interested, vincent still nodded in response. "unlike the tower of combat, where you fight against other challengers, in the tower of illusion, you''ll be battling various primals in their energy forms using only your mental energy," valyn explained. "but keep in mind, that''s not all there is to it. you''ll be in for some surprises the deeper you challenge it," she added. with slightly furrowed brows, he responded, "but i don''t have any mental offensive skills¡­" well, he did have one, but it wasn''t a true offensive mental skill. valyn chuckled. "that''s why it''s a training exercise. but you''ve got nothing to worry about. from what i''ve seen, you won''t die on the first level¡ªbut you''ll have to figure out a way to fight your way through." "additionally, when you die in the tower of illusion, you won''t lose your access to the origin world. however, you will enter a weakened state," she added. vincent nodded as it piqued his interest. Chapter 122 Challenging The Tower of Illusions! "are you going to enter the tower now, or do you want to rest first?" valyn asked."i''m still at my peak condition thanks to you. i want to try it now," vincent answered, shaking his head. it was a fact. during the entire journey, vincent did not do anything. the primals they encountered were either eliminated by fenro or valyn. he hadn''t lifted a finger the entire time; hence, he was still in his best condition. before entering the tower of illusion, he asked mochi telepathically, "would you go with me or stay with big sis valyn?" mochi responded without hesitation, "hmph! i don''t wanna go with you. you always forget to feed me!" she was still upset because he had left her in marina''s care the previous night and forgotten to feed her. explore hidden tales at empire he could only offer an apologetic smile before turning to valyn. "big sis, can i leave mochi to you while i''m in the tower?" valyn''s eyes brightened upon hearing him. "hehe, gladly! come here, little fella; this sister still has a lot of delicious food." the moment mochi heard her words, she didn''t even look at vincent and quickly pounced into valyn''s arms. valyn hugged and caressed mochi against her cheeks, muttering, "so soft¡­" vincent simply ignored the fat rabbit''s behavior. he was already used to it. without further ado, he queued at the tower''s entrance. after a process similar to the tower of combat, vincent finally entered the tower after a few moments. he soon found himself floating in an endless white space. aside from that, he also realized his body had turned illusory and transparent. a second later, a cold feminine but monotonous voice rang out from somewhere and yet everywhere. [welcome to the tower of illusions, dear challenger magnus!] [as per the tower''s rule, your origin energy will not be sealed, but you won''t be able to use your force and speed attributes and abilities in your current form.] vincent was not surprised. it wouldn''t be a challenge for his mental attribute if this tower focused on other attributes. [in this tower, you will fight against primals starting from tier 1. the difficulty will increase as you win the challenges. each victory has a corresponding reward of tower points. tower points can be exchanged for items in the tower''s exchange. as you currently have no tower points, you are unable to access the tower''s exchange.] vincent felt a little disappointed. he had accumulated a lot of tower points from the tower of combat; if he could bring them, it would''ve been incredible. unfortunately, it seemed the towers of fundamentals had their own unique currency. nevertheless, he looked forward to seeing if his talent could also affect the tower of illusions'' points system. [after each battle, you will be granted 10 minutes of rest time. if you lose or admit defeat, you won''t be able to challenge the tower of illusions again for two weeks.] [do you want to begin your challenge?] with a nod, he responded immediately, "yes!" as soon as he agreed, his vision blacked out for a moment. when he regained it, he was already standing in a flat wilderness area. his figure was still illusory, similar to the creature in front of him, which he immediately sensed and recognized. the appearance of the primal in front of him had a single description: a goblin. a goblin he hadn''t encountered yet in the wild, making him wonder if such a creature truly existed. "so they actually exist¡­" he murmured. compared to his illusory white form, the goblin had an emerald hue. it stood at approximately 160 centimeters tall, a long green robe draped over its shoulders. in its empty hand, a green illusory orb appeared and slowly transformed into a wooden staff. [goblin mage ¡ª tier 1 (1¡ï)] although it was merely a tier 1 goblin, vincent did not immediately act. he observed how it moved since they could only use mental energy to fight. soon, the goblin mage began to growl at him, as though asserting dominance. it followed with a strange incantation, forming a jade illusory fiery orb on its staff. graaa! it exclaimed as it hurled its staff forward. the illusory fireball launched at him at a speed of 25 mph. to vincent, it was rather slow. although his speed attribute was locked, his mental attribute was significantly higher than the goblin mage''s, enhancing his mental perception. instead of dodging, he simply flicked away the incoming fireball, which exploded far to his right. this casual act shocked the goblin mage. it growled, narrowed its eyes, and bared its sharp teeth before summoning more illusory fireballs! this time, vincent sensed it more clearly. the goblin mage was channeling its mental energy into its illusory staff, speeding up the process of forming fireballs. he wondered how it was possible. the illusory staff was also made of mental energy¡ªhow could it function like a physical staff? swoosh! swoosh! the illusory fireballs hurled at him again, but he swatted them away with his left hand. meanwhile, his other hand controlled his mental energy, attempting to mimic the goblin mage''s actions. soon, an illusory white orb began to form in his right hand. however, a sting in his brain interrupted him. s§×ar?h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "argh!" what was that? he tried again but felt the same pain. changing his approach, he instead thought of creating a plain sword, like the one he had used in the tower of combat. surprisingly, this went smoothly. it had the same weight, width, and length as the original¡ªpractically a "mental-copy" of the real weapon. without hesitation, he slashed at another fireball hurling toward him. his sword smoothly cut it in half, causing two weak explosions upon hitting the ground. at this moment, vincent realized the goblin mage''s illusory form had become more transparent. it hadn''t appeared exhausted, but it had clearly spent most of its mental energy. realizing this, vincent knew the goblin mage was no longer suitable for practice. with a single step, he crossed the 20-meter distance and slashed the goblin''s neck. although he wasn''t as fast with his speed attribute sealed, his higher mental energy made his illusory figure stronger and quicker. in the end, it was all about mental attribute points. [you have successfully completed your first challenge!] [you have gained 1 tower point!] only one? well, it made sense since it was just a tier 1 (1¡ï) primal. however, the magic words he''d hoped for soon came. talent activated! +10,000 tower points! "haha, great!" it is actually effective here as well! Chapter 123 Exchanging Tower Points talent activated!+10,000 tower points! "haha, great!" it is actually effective here as well! although he had already expected it, it was still enough to excite him. the effect of his talent was too broken in this place. it was still a wonder how the tower of fundamentals allowed his talent to work. [you have 10 minutes to rest!] [you can now access the tower''s exchange!] vincent simply ignored the cold, monotonous, feminine voice of the tower and quickly checked the tower''s exchange. "open the tower''s exchange!" soon, the golden interface appeared before his eyes. similar to the tower of combat, there were 4 tabs on it: skills weapons equipment miscellaneous items he clicked on the skills section, and it showed three subsections under it. it was basically tier 1 to tier 3 skill lists. however, aside from tier 1, the other tiers were still locked. he thought it might be because he hadn''t met the necessary conditions yet. therefore, he clicked on tier 1. immediately, a long list of available skills was displayed before his eyes. from the bottom, he scrolled all the way to the top. skill name: mental manipulation price: 10,000 tower points sear?h the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. grade: rare details: a skill that can influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through subtle, undetected manipulation of the mind. skill name: thoughts spike price: 10,000 tower points grade: rare details: a skill to project sharp, piercing mental energy at an opponent, causing mental harm or disruption. skill name: cognitive shield price: 10,000 tower points grade: rare details: a skill to form a mental barrier or shield against mental and external attacks or manipulation. skill name: energy lances price: 10,000 tower points grade: rare details: a skill to form lance-like constructs out of pure mental energy, which can be launched at an opponent. ... the list went on. despite having enough points to buy one rare skill, vincent chose not to buy a rare-grade skill at the moment. based on his current attributes, he was certain that his next opponent still wouldn''t stand a chance against him unless the tower gave him a tier 3 primal, which was quite unlikely. instead, he exchanged for two uncommon skills for 8,000 tower points: skill name: mental wave price: 4,000 tower points grade: uncommon details: a skill that can send a mental wave attack for a maximum distance of 100 meters. skill name: mental shield price: 4,000 tower points grade: uncommon details: a skill that can block a mental energy attack. the details were very short and vague. even so, he chose them for a good reason. he could practice attacking and blocking mental attacks from now on. hence, he didn''t delay any longer and learned these two new skills. mental wave skill has been added to the skill list! mental shield skill has been added to the skill list! he still had 8 minutes remaining in the resting period. although he had just learned the skills, the instructions were very simple. he shifted his focus to one of the nearest trees beside him, and with a thought, a milky wave, like a sound wave, spread forward at a not-so-fast speed. your next chapter awaits on empire whiiiing! however, the mental wave attack simply passed through the trees and didn''t leave any damage. he slightly furrowed his brows in wonder before realizing that he was only in an illusion. it would be useless practicing in this environment¡ªhe had to continue the challenge if he wanted to know its actual effects. however, he wasn''t in a rush. after practicing mental wave attacks and summoning mental shield for a few minutes, he decided to continue the challenge. "proceed with the next level!" [next level will start in 3¡­ 2¡­ 1!] in the same environment, 10 goblin mages appeared in the distance. all of them still had the strength of tier 1 (1¡ï). the goblin mages immediately began unleashing a wave of illusory fireballs toward him. needless to say, vincent quickly activated his newly learned skill, mental shield. instantly, a white aura appeared over his entire illusory figure. despite deploying a mental shield, he did not fully trust its durability. therefore, he also unleashed his mental wave, attacking the incoming illusory fireballs. based on his short practice, he discovered that if he spread his mental wave around him, it could only reach a 10-meter radius. however, if he narrowed its range to a cone shape, it could reach over 50 meters, and if focused in a straight line, it reached 100 meters. in the next second, as his mental wave contacted the illusory fireballs, they were cut in half horizontally without any obstacles. as the broken fireballs exploded in the surroundings, his sharp mental wave continued forward, heading toward the goblin mages. upon seeing this, the goblin mages in range immediately deployed a similar skill to his mental shield, shielding themselves from the incoming mental attack. bang! loud sounds occurred upon impact as the mental wave collided with the goblin mages'' mental shields. it was followed by cracking sounds, and eventually, the mental wave cut through the illusory figure of five goblin mages, splitting them in half. bang! consecutive explosions occurred as the five goblin mages died in a single attack. the remaining goblin mages growled in anger upon witnessing it. and just when they were about to counterattack, vincent''s second mental wave attack was already in front of them. based on what he learned, his mental wave attack could release 5 waves of attack before he had to unleash another one. however, just by the look of it, his mental attribute point was too overwhelming for the goblin mages. hence, just the second wave of his attack swiftly eliminated the remaining goblin mages. [you have successfully cleared the second level!!] [you have received 10 tower points!] talent activated! +100,000 tower points! [you have 10 minutes to rest!] "should i buy new skills first or continue?" he wondered since his current strength was enough to sweep through the current level. but he eventually decided against it. it was better to spend all his tower points as soons as possible as the skills might be taken by other tower challengers. with a quick snap, he exchanged for 10 rare grade skills, spending 100,000 tower points. naturally, he did not learn all of it at once. he just chose the top four skills he had found. mental manipulation skill has been added to the skill list! thoughts spike skill has been added to the skill list! cognitive shield skill has been added to the skill list! energy lances skill has been added to the skill list! Chapter 124 Accumulating Tower Points after learning it, he began practicing to familiarize himself with it.after a while, he once again proceeded to the next level. he was still in the same environment; however, his opponent this time was not a goblin mage or any species of goblin. the illusory figure this time had the appearance of a wolf. it had sleek, dark fur and intense amber eyes. with a quick scan, he learned its name: cerebrah ¡ª tier 1(3¡ï) suddenly, the cerebrah''s fur glowed faintly with a violet hue. at the same time, vincent felt his mind blank for a moment but instantly regained clarity. "it just attacked me¡­ unfortunately, my mental power is too high," he muttered. the cerebrah let out a soft howl as it tilted its head, probably wondering why its skill did not work even though it successfully hit vincent. unfortunately for it, vincent wasn''t the type to let any chance slip through his hands. with a thought, a sharp mental energy flashed into the brain of the cerebrah. in the next second, its eyes suddenly lost their glow as though it had lost consciousness. with a word from him, "sit." the cerebrah immediately sat without struggling. it was his mental manipulation skill. it was the first time he had used it, so he had no complete idea or image of its effect. but upon seeing cerebrah''s action, it seemed more like a mind control skill. although he had no information on its limits, the effect was still useful from vincent''s perspective. he had no information on how long it could last. hence, he began a series of commands for quite a while. he soon discovered that a tier 1(3¡ï) primal could be controlled for at most 10 minutes. after that, the cerebrah managed to regain its awareness. additionally, he learned that he could not force it to commit suicide, or perhaps it had no way to kill itself. he still had to do some more experimentation. once he exhausted the cerebrah, he no longer hesitated and killed it. [you have successfully cleared the 3rd level!] continue your journey on empire [you have received 2 tower points!] talent activated! +20,000 tower points! this time, vincent chose to proceed immediately to the next level. and the moment his next opponent appeared before him, he felt a wave of mental and origin energy sweep over him, recovering his mental and origin energy in an instant. it was the first time he realized that the tower had this function because he had never had a chance to actually spend his origin energy. his previous opponents were too weak. he mostly spent his mental and origin energy during his practice. this time, there were 20 cerebrahs appearing in the distance. they howled and growled when they saw him. without a word, their fur started to glow, attacking vincent''s mind. unfortunately for them, vincent had already anticipated it. initially, he thought of deploying mental shield, but he immediately switched to cognitive shield after a second. soon, a bright, milky aura with a few strange symbols appeared over his entire figure, shielding him from any external and mental attacks! needless to say, the cerebrahs'' confusion attacks failed to penetrate his shield. realizing this, the other ten cerebrahs still glowing with violet hue opened their mouths and launched illusory purple fiery balls! "hmph!" vincent snorted. he raised his hand with a simple activation, and following the information in his mind, several phantom images of 150-centimeter lances formed over his head. with a wave of his hand, the phantom lances hurled toward the incoming purple fiery balls! swoosh! swoosh! he did not stop there! with another thought, a sharp mental energy once again flashed toward the closest cerebrahs, and before they could unleash more purple fiery balls, they suddenly halted their actions and whimpered in pain. it was the effect of his skill thought spike! it could inflict mental harm or disrupt the target. the phantom lances then collided with the purple fiery balls, causing a fireworks-like display in the air. bang! bang! vincent did not even think of slowing down his attack. with a slash of his sword, a mental wave attack burst forth towards the injured and confused cerebrahs! it did not take long before vincent annihilated the pack of cerebrahs. [you have successfully cleared the 4th level!] [you have received 20 tower points!] talent activated! +200,000 tower points! [you have 10 minutes to rest.] he had a total of 222,000 tower points! "hehe, what should i get next¡­" he thought with a wide grin on his face. he could not wait to see the faces the other tower challengers would make when he hoarded all the available items in the tower''s exchange once again. instead of clearing the available skills, he checked the weapon list section. weapon name: psionic dagger cost: 10,000 tower points power: tier 1 armament grade: rare weapon name: psychonic orb cost: 10,000 tower points power: tier 1 armament grade: rare s§×ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. weapon name: cerebral staff cost: 10,000 tower points power: tier 1 armament grade: rare weapon name: psionic sword cost: 10,000 tower points power: tier 1 armament grade: rare without even clearly reading through them, he swept the top 10 rare weapons on the list, using one hundred thousand tower points! he then closed the weapon section and opened the miscellaneous items section. he always checked the equipment section last. there were tons of miscellaneous items listed in it. there were similar items that he also found in the tower of combat, like the capture ball, storage ring, experience potion, experience boost, and so on. naturally, there were also items that he did not find in the tower of combat, like the mental potion. item name: mental potion cost: 10,000 tower points grade: rare details: increase mental attribute by 5 points for five minutes without side effects. there were a lot of interesting items, but he first exchanged his remaining points for 10 rare-grade tier 1 experience potions! he would need a lot of them since he was preparing to break through to tier 2. he had no idea how many experience points he would need to break through, but preparing more than the required amount was better than being short. with that, he was left with 22,000 tower points. although he could use them, he held onto them for the time being and proceeded to the next level! the next thing vincent faced was a tier 1(4¡ï) primal resembling a huge butterfly. however, he no longer held back to train his skills and quickly killed it in a few seconds. +3 tower points! talent activated! +30,000 tower points! vincent simply set it aside and continued to the next level. he now faced 50 tier 1(4¡ï) butterfly primals. despite their numbers, he was able to finish the battle in a short moment. +30 tower points! talent activated! +300,000 tower points! he didn''t take a rest and fought the next level! vincent only took a rest when he defeated a hundred peak tier 1 primals. he now had a total of 752,000 tower points! although vincent was still not satisfied with it, he couldn''t hide his grin when he imagined the commotion he was going to cause. "again!" Chapter 125 Empty after defeating another batch of peak tier 1 primals, vincent had finally accumulated 1,500,000 tower points!he couldn''t help but exclaim, "sweet!" with this amount of tower points, he could clear an entire section of the tower''s exchange, but he held that thought as the tower''s voice echoed again. discover exclusive tales on empire [you have met the condition to challenge tier 2. would you like to proceed?] brows furrowing slightly, vincent muttered thoughtfully to himself, "tier 2¡­ hmm, i wonder if i''ll be able to use the points i earned in the tier 1 challenge to exchange for tier 2 items?" his question lingered for only a moment before the cold, mechanical voice of the tower promptly responded. [you are only allowed to exchange them for tier 1 items.] although it sounded disappointing, vincent thought it made sense. if tier 1 origin warriors could use their tower points to acquire tier 2 items, there would be an abundance of tier 1 origin warriors equipped with tier 2 gear. he asked another question. "can i continue challenging tier 1 and accumulate more tower points?" even with over one and a half million tower points already in hand, it still wasn''t enough to empty out everything available in the tier 1 tower''s exchange. vincent, being the hoarder he was, couldn''t let it go to waste. if there was even a tiny chance to amass more, he was absolutely determined to seize it! without hesitation, the tower''s voice answered his inquiry. [you can.] short and direct, but enough for vincent. "great." [would you like to proceed?] "not yet. let me take a rest." [you have 5 minutes to rest.] "five minutes? isn''t it ten?" ... despite his question, the tower''s voice remained silent after half a minute of waiting. "forget it¡­" he muttered, letting out a defeated sigh. "open the tower''s exchange." once the tower''s exchange interface appeared before him, vincent contemplated for a moment before opening the equipment tab. soon enough, a long list of available items unfolded before his eyes. the items were separated into two distinct sections: armor and accessories. vincent scanned through the list carefully, noting the details of some standout pieces: item name: mentalist dark robe cost: 10,000 grade: rare details: a magical robe crafted using materials with mental energy. increases mental power and mental resistance by 10%. item name: illusory armor cost: 10,000 grade: rare details: crafted from materials of an illusionist primal. grants the wearer the ability to create tier 1 illusions and projections. item name: mental energy shoes cost: 10,000 grade: rare details: these shoes absorb and store mental energy from the environment, allowing the release of powerful mental energy blasts or waves. item name: mindstone ring cost: 10,000 grade: rare details: increases mental points by 3. item name: mental resistance circlet cost: 10,000 grade: rare details: increases mental resistance by 5. vincent didn''t waste much time dwelling on lesser items. he quickly snatched up the top 10 rare-grade items listed. -100,000 tower points! with these newly acquired treasures, he felt an immense sense of satisfaction. most of the remaining items in the equipment tab were either common or uncommon, so he shifted his focus. systematically, he cleared out all the rare-grade skills, weapons, and other miscellaneous items available. even after that shopping spree, vincent found himself with an impressive half a million tower points still at his disposal. afterward, with half a million tower points still left, he exchanged for available uncommon items. when he finally used up all his tower points, he equipped the new items, greatly increasing his mental power. s~ea??h the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he donned the mentalist dark robe, placed the mindstone ring on one finger, and wore the mental resistance circlet on his wrist. "now¡­ let''s continue!" soon, hundreds of peak tier 1 primals began appearing before him. "well, isn''t that almost three times the amount from the previous level?" several minutes later, vincent exhaled deeply after killing the 400th primal. he was rewarded with 800 points and a multiplier of 10,000 on his talent! without hesitation, vincent swept up the remaining tier 1 items in the tower''s exchange. "hehehe," vincent chuckled wickedly, unable to suppress his delight at completely sweeping the inventory. his actions, however, didn''t go unnoticed. the rapid depletion of the tier 1 exchange sent ripples of shock among other challengers, sparking a frenzy. initially, his clearing of rare-grade items had already caused a commotion. but now, his action of emptying the entire tier 1 exchange caused a new uproar among challengers. "n-no! this can''t be happening!" "no, bro! my rare-grade armament!" "why is this happening here too?!" amidst the chaos, vincent''s challenger name, ''magnus,'' quietly appeared on the tier 1 leaderboard in the no. 1 spot, only to disappear moments later. one observer rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "what was that?" he murmured, confused. as confusion reigned, digital lights began appearing outside the tower as challengers exited. someone shouted, "the tower''s exchange items have disappeared!" "is that real?" another person asked. "yes! i was about to exchange for an uncommon-grade skill when i found it was empty. i thought it was a bug, but nothing changed even after refreshing or waiting. then i remembered the tower of combat incident¡­" "yeah, true! i just entered the tower, and the whole exchange was emptied!" the murmurs intensified as they speculated what had happened. none of them considered the possibility of a single person emptying the exchange¡ªit was simply impossible. at least, so they believed. amidst the confusion, valyn naturally also heard the commotion. "it happened again?" she whispered, clearly confused. this had never occurred before, but ever since she brought vincent to the tower of combat, impossible events began happening. "was it because of him?" she wondered before shaking her head. it seemed unlikely. vincent was only tier 1. although he was stronger than an average tier 1, it shouldn''t be enough to cause such disruptions. unbeknownst to them, vincent had already started the tier 2 challenge. at this moment, he was facing an illusory primal resembling a 3-meter-tall black-furred boar. Chapter 126 Tier 2 Reward with a quick glance he instantly learned its name.gossakan boar ¡ª tier 2 (1¡ï) he clearly had no idea about this primal, it just showed how he was still lacking in this area. he kept in mind that he had to increase his knowledge not just about the general information of origin world but the other areas too, especially about the primals. keeping that thought aside, vincent did not hesitate to initiate the battle. he had already started getting familiar with his new skills. in quick succession, he summoned his cognitive shield around him and with a wave of his hand, 2 energy lances formed above him before he immediately hurled towards the gossakan boar. seeing this, the three-meter tall black-furred boar growled before a transparent mental barrier appeared around its body. the energy lances cut through the air and flashed in front of the gossakan boar, however, the moment it crashed into the transparent barrier, instead of a loud sound of impact, the energy lances smoothly went through it and disappeared. the gossakan boar was complete and healthy! a second later, the similar two energy lances that he had just launched were now flying back at him! vincent was not worried despite seeing it but he was instead got interested by the gossakan boar''s skills. "interesting, it can absorb and reflect my attack¡­" he muttered to himself before slightly furrowing his brows, it was followed by a sharp mental energy flashing straight to the boar''s mind, causing a high-pitched squeal. buu! it shook its head in pain, causing it to lose its focus and the energy lances to fly in a different direction before plunging into the ground causing explosions. that''s how useful his skill thoughts spike was! it could easily affect the mind of an opponent lower than his mental power! the gossakan boar seemed annoyed as it grunted loudly before its eerie blue eyes glowed followed by a mental energy forming from its mouth and blasting it towards him. vincent slashed his sword, sending a wave of mental energy that smoothly cut through the incoming mental blast. he immediately followed up with his mental manipulation, immobilizing it in an instant. "lay down!" simple and authoritative. the gossakan boar could not even resist it as it laid down on the ground respectfully. with a simple wave of his hand, several energy lances formed and pierced through in its massive figure before it collapsed into particles of digital lights. dead. [you have cleared the 1st level of tier 2 challenge!] [you have received 10 tower points!] talent activated! +100,000 tower points! [you have a 5 minute resting time.] with a hundred thousand tower points, vincent had been curious what were the items he could exchange for tier 2 tower points. with a quick command and motion, he opened the tier 2 tower exchange and checked the skill tab. scrolling through the top, he saw a skill name in bold font and purple color. skill name: yellow heaven mental aura cost: 50,000 grade: epic details: a higher-grade mental energy from yellow heaven. allowing the user to wield yellow heaven mental power¡­ "epic-grade!" although he had a lot of epic-grade skills, it was the first time he saw an actual epic-grade that did not come from upgrading with his talent. therefore, he was quite excited. despite the given details being short and vague, it did not stop him from exchanging for it immediately. it was the only epic-grade on the list, he could not let someone take it before his hands. the moment a purple book appeared in front of him, he quickly learned it. yellow heaven mental aura learned! as soon as he learned it, information flooded his mind but he still checked its visual information. name: yellow heaven mental aura grade: epic details: a high-grade mental energy from yellow heaven. allowing the user to wield yellow heaven mental power. note: there are four levels of mental energy in origin world. lowest, low, mid, and high grade. sub-skills: psychic volley details: cone-shaped mental energy attack that deals moderate damage to enemies and increases with each successful hit. 50-meters range. effect: deals moderate damage to enemies in a cone-shaped area, with the damage increasing with each successful hit. cooldown: 6 seconds cost: 40 origin energy mental domination details: forced everyone in a 50-meter radius who are weaker than you to obey you for a long period of time. cooldown: 60 minutes cost: 1000 origin energy stay connected via empire "it only has two sub-skills but both of them are truly useful, especially the mental domination!" although it sounds similar to his skill mental manipulation, his mental manipulation skill could only have a single target and could only make a few simple commands and only for a short amount of time. while the mental domination could affect multiple targets at the same time and it clearly stated for a long period of time. although he had no idea how long it was, it was still better than a short period. another thing he discovered was about the grades of mental energy. there were actually different grades of mental energy and surprisingly, the yellow heaven mental aura was a high-grade mental energy! he was already interested to find out what was the difference between his normal mental energy and the yellow heaven mental energy. therefore, he continued to the second level. s§×arch* the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. this time, there were 20 gossakan boars that appeared not just in front of him but all around, surrounding him. without a word, vincent focused his mental energy according to the information in his mind. in the next second a pale golden yellow energy burst forth off his body and spread 50-meters around him. in the next instance, the hostile eyes of gossakan boars lost their luster before transforming to fanatic eyes as though they were worshipping their god. they respectfully lowered their limbs and head, bowing at him. vincent''s eyes revealed a disbelief expression. he could somehow understand their thoughts! Chapter 127 Epic Grade Items in the next instant, the hostile eyes of the gossakan boars lost their luster, transforming into fanatic gazes as though they were worshipping their god.one by one, the gossakan boars bent low, lowering their sturdy limbs and massive heads to the ground. they prostrated themselves before him, displaying absolute submission, their actions a clear testament to the overwhelming power that had overtaken them. vincent''s wide eyes betrayed his astonishment. he could hardly believe what he was seeing, yet the evidence was right before him. he could inexplicably understand their emotions, their thoughts¡ªan unshakable loyalty towards him, no matter the command. even the most extreme order¡ªlike instructing them to end their own lives¡ªwould be met with unquestioning compliance. that was the terrifying effectiveness of mental domination! it could turn affected targets into his dead-loyal subordinates. "this could turn the tide of any situation¡­ especially on a battlefield. this is really great!" the potential of the skill was far beyond anything he had imagined. though its cooldown time of 60 minutes might seem limiting at first, he knew this drawback could be minimized as he upgraded the ability and increased its proficiency. additionally, if combined strategically with his phantom veil skill, it could drastically alter the course of battle and provide a critical edge against any foe. it was no exaggeration to call it a game-changing power. he truly liked it! however, there was one notable limitation. the gossakan boars, now fully loyal to him, could not be taken out of the tower. otherwise, he would have considered forming an unstoppable army of mental-energy-wielding primal beasts! resigned to this reality, vincent ultimately gave them a final, absolute command¡ªto end their own lives. the creatures obeyed without hesitation. [you have successfully cleared the 2nd level of tier 2 challenge!] [you have received 100 tower points!] talent activated! +1,000,000 tower points! a million tower points popping into his inventory was enough to make vincent smile gleefully. the sheer satisfaction of seeing those points accumulate never ceased to thrill him. for him, there was one clear implication of having such a massive reserve of points¡ªit was hoarding time! without wasting a moment, vincent moved on to browse the available epic-grade items. since there were no more epic-grade skills left in the skill section, he skipped it for now and instead focused on the other categories. without hesitation, he began exchanging points for every epic-grade item he could find. item name: twilight blade cost: 50,000 power: tier 2 armament type: weapon grade: epic details: the twilight blade is a unique alloy sword crafted from lunarium metal, earthly materials, and ancient magical runes. it balances the energies of both force and mental attributes, enhancing the wielder''s physical and mental powers, such as strength, agility, telekinesis, and psychic abilities. item name: astral crown cost: 50,000 power: tier 2 armament type: armor grade: epic details: the astral crown is a lunarium metal circlet set with lunar crystals that enhance the wearer''s mental attributes and powers, such as telepathy, telekinesis, and mental resistance. item name: astral rune cost: 50,000 type: accessory grade: epic details: crafted from the same lunarium metal, the astral rune is a precious accessory that resonates with powerful energy. its capabilities are often compared to those of the astral crown, adding versatility and fortification to the user''s mental prowess. item name: elixir of mental fortification (tier 2) cost: 50,000 type: potion grade: epic details: a high-quality potion that helps break through mental attribute limitations to reach tier 2. altogether, he had spent a total of 200,000 tower points, and though he hadn''t yet scrutinized every aspect of the items, he was already brimming with excitement. it was four epic-grade items after all! he quickly stored the elixir of mental fortification for future use, then turned his attention to the astral crown. a glint of light flashed in his eyes as he examined the astral crown. to put it simply, the astral crown was a thin circlet with a silver sheen and a faint blue hue, made from the rare lunarium metal. embedded at its center was a diamond-shaped lunar crystal that seemed to pulse faintly with an abundance of mental energy. name: astral crown power: tier 2 armament type: armor grade: epic effects: mental +25 [skill 1: astral sundering] ¡ª allows the wearer to sever the connection between mind and body, temporarily rendering the target unable to control their physical actions. range: 100 meters cooldown: 10 minutes cost: 100 origin energy [skill 2: astral sanctuary] ¡ª allows the wearer to create an astral sanctuary, shielding themselves and their allies from psychic attacks and mental influences for a set duration. sea??h th§× novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. range: 100-meter radius cooldown: 10 minutes cost: 100 origin energy [skill 3: mental nullification] ¡ª allows the wearer to negate or nullify mental powers within a 100-meter radius for a set period, making it impossible for enemies to use mental abilities within the area of effect. range: 100-meter radius cooldown: 60 seconds cost: 100 origin energy continue your journey with empire awestruck by its versatility, vincent placed the astral crown on his head. to his surprise and delight, the crown became invisible the moment it was worn, though its presence remained tangible. "this is perfect! i won''t look ridiculous walking around with a crown on my head in public," vincent thought with relief, glad that he wouldn''t draw unnecessary attention. next, his focus turned to the astral rune. true to its name, it resembled a faintly glowing azure diamond-shaped rune, appearing almost like a star suspended in the night sky. name: astral rune type: accessory grade: epic effects: mental +25 [skill 1: astral invisibility] ¡ª allows the wearer to cloak their thoughts and intentions, making it difficult for others to sense or detect their presence for a set duration. cooldown: 60 seconds cost: 50 origin energy [skill 2: mental shatter] ¡ª allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. cooldown: 60 seconds cost: 50 origin energy [skill 3: astral clone] ¡ª allows the wearer to create an astral clone, enabling them to act and fight in multiple locations simultaneously. the clone possesses 50% of the main body''s abilities and exists unless destroyed or the main body dies. maximum clones: 2 cost: 1000 origin energy once again, vincent was astounded by the skills of an epic-grade accessory! "now, how do i equip this¡­?" just as he was wondering, the astral rune shone briefly before embedding itself into his temple. moments later, it settled within his consciousness. "how can this be an accessory? it''s inside my consciousness!" setting aside his bewilderment, he inspected the final armament he had acquired. it was a plain-looking sword with a blade that split into two distinct colors: black and white, separated vertically. although simple in appearance, it emitted a calming aura that soothed his mind. Chapter 128 A Huge Uproar name: twilight bladepower: tier 2 armament type: weapon grade: epic effect: force +10, mental +15 twilight blade skills skill 1: psychic storm this ability allows the wielder to unleash a devastating psychic storm within a radius of 100 meters. the storm can strike multiple enemies simultaneously, inflicting massive mental damage that lasts for a duration of 10 seconds. range: 100 meters cooldown: 120 seconds sear?h the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. cost: 200 origin energy skill 2: twilight shroud this skill enables the wielder to summon a twilight shroud spanning a 50-meter radius. the shroud reduces enemy visibility by 50% and significantly enhances the wielder''s mental faculties for 10 seconds. additionally, all attacks launched within the shroud deal 50% more damage to enemies. range: 50 meters cooldown: 180 seconds cost: 200 origin energy skill 3: twilight rend the wielder channels immense power into the twilight blade to unleash a potent mental strike. this melee-range ability deals devastating psychic damage to the target, tearing through their mental defenses and leaving them exposed to subsequent attacks for 10 seconds. range: melee cooldown: 120 seconds cost: 200 origin energy "this is insane¡­" vincent couldn''t help but take a sharp intake of breath as he fully absorbed the capabilities of his new items. the magnitude of what he had acquired was almost beyond belief. each piece significantly amplified his mental attributes, taking them to heights he had never expected. the combined effects of the astral crown and astral rune added a staggering 50 mental points to his already impressive base. with the twilight blade''s attributes layered on top, vincent''s total mental score skyrocketed to an astounding 115 points! this was more than double his current ability¡ªand the realization sent a thrill of excitement coursing through his veins. "with these items," he muttered to himself, a sly grin forming on his face, "i think i might even be ready for the tier 3 challenge!" his confidence bolstered, vincent wasted no time. he quickly spent the remaining tower points he had on hand and moved forward to test his strength on level 3. vincent''s was against two tier 2 (2¡ï) primals. cleared! his next challenge came in the form of 40 of those same primals. cleared! by this point, vincent was an unstoppable force. he charged headlong through the trials, his enhanced mental attributes and superior weapons leaving a path of utter destruction. the highlight of the tier 2 challenge was a grueling battle against an army of peak tier 2 primals, numbering over a thousand. despite the overwhelming odds, vincent emerged victorious. his success was thanks to his extensive use of origin energy and origin crystals, which enabled him to continuously activate his abilities throughout the prolonged fight. still, vincent knew that if he''d been forced to rely purely on his stamina, he would have collapsed from sheer exhaustion before the battle''s end. by the time he cleared the 10th level, vincent had racked up a staggering 50 million tower points. explore new worlds at empire "that''s more than enough to clear out the tower''s exchange of everything it has to offer," he said with satisfaction, already envisioning the treasures he could now claim. with a broad smile, he declared, "it''s hoarding time!" while vincent was busy inside the tower, a different kind of scene was playing out in the world outside. a crowd of spectators had gathered, eagerly watching the tier 2 challenger leaderboard, and they couldn''t believe their eyes. out of nowhere, a name they''d never seen before¡ª''magnus''¡ªhad appeared at the top of the rankings. the details were jaw-dropping: 1st: magnus ¡ª level 10, time cleared: 2 minutes and 5 seconds! 2nd: vox ¡ª level 9, time cleared: 1 hour and 39 minutes 3rd: jojo ¡ª level 9, time cleared: 1 hour and 45 minutes as they scanned the rest of the leaderboard, the gap in performance between this mysterious ''magnus'' and the other top-tier challengers became glaringly apparent. "two minutes¡­ and five seconds?" someone muttered incredulously. "that''s not possible!" it seemed almost as if magnus was merely strolling through the levels, obliterating any and all opposition without even breaking a sweat. but just as abruptly as it had appeared, magnus'' name vanished from the leaderboard. "what just happened?" one of the onlookers asked, stunned. the crowd murmured, their confusion evident. "did anyone else see that? where did the name go?" before the they could fully process what they''d witnessed, an alarming announcement sent a ripple of shock through the gathered spectators: "the tier 2 items are all gone!" for a moment, silence fell over the crowd, everyone stunned into stillness. then chaos erupted as the reality of what had happened sank in. "no way!" someone cried. "that''s impossible!" "what do you mean the items are gone?" another demanded. "i''m not lying!" the announcer shouted back. "if you don''t believe me, go check the tower yourself!" a wave of panic swept through the crowd as people scrambled to verify the claim. one by one, challengers dashed into the tower of illusions to investigate. it didn''t take long for the first wave of scouts to return. their faces were pale, their expressions grim. "well?" someone asked anxiously. "what did you find?" "the tier 2 items¡­" one scout stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "they''re gone. all of them. every single one." "t-that can''t be true!" but the scout''s words were echoed by every other warrior who had gone in to confirm the situation. both the tier 1 and tier 2 items had been completely wiped out. for many in the crowd, this news was like a physical blow. "no way¡­ i''ve been saving tower points for months!" one warrior wailed, falling to their knees. others reacted with a mixture of rage and despair. the tower of illusions had been a cornerstone of progress for countless warriors. its items represented not just power, but hope and opportunity. without access to these resources, the path forward suddenly seemed much steeper, especially for those who had been betting their futures on acquiring specific pieces of equipment. even the prodigies of the mental energy era weren''t immune to the impact of this event. while they might eventually recover, the absence of these items would significantly slow their development. while chaos reigned outside, vincent calmly stored away all the tier 2 items he''d managed to claim. with a quiet sense of triumph, he reflected on the fortune he''d secured. "with this haul, i just might be one of the wealthiest individuals in the entire novice continent," he thought with satisfaction. Chapter 129 Legendary vincent had already met the conditions to challenge tier 3 of the tower of illusions. after his free resting period, he began the trials, causing his name to disappear entirely from the tier 2 ranking leaderboard!tier 3 challenge, 1st level. he found himself face-to-face with a 3-meter-tall primal resembling a fox with two tails. with a quick scan, he identified both its name and strength. twin-tailed phantasm fox ¡ª tier 3 (1¡ï) the difference between this primal and the ones he had previously fought was immediately apparent. the earlier primals had a more illusory quality, while the twin-tailed phantasm fox had a tangible, almost lifelike appearance despite being composed purely of mental energy. at that moment, vincent had no precise idea about the exact amount of attribute points a tier 3 level primal should possess. however, based on his current stats¡ªsince he could easily overwhelm most peak tier 2 foes with his 50 attribute points¡ªhe estimated that tier 2''s limit would likely fall below 50. the starting point for tier 3 might, therefore, lie somewhere around 40-45 points. "if my guess is correct, it should be around that..." he speculated. alternatively, if his assumption was wrong, tier 3 might require attribute points well above 50. regardless, even if the base value for tier 3 was an astronomical 100 points, it wouldn''t matter to vincent. his current mental attribute was well over 100, ensuring his dominance. while he calculated the primal''s potential strength, the creature had other ideas. seizing an opportunity, it unleashed a powerful howl and dashed toward him with startling speed. its movements were unlike anything vincent had encountered before. unfortunately for the twin-tailed phantasm fox, vincent''s mental power was double¡ªif not more¡ªthan its own. to his heightened perception, its swift attack seemed to unfold in slow motion. "should i take my time to study its movements and skills?" he briefly considered before shaking his head. no, he wasn''t patient enough to waste time on such experiments. gripping the twilight blade in his right hand, he raised it overhead. the blade emitted a faint white light, releasing a fierce storm of mental energy. this storm spread in a 100-meter radius, bombarding the fox with relentless mental strikes. the twin-tailed phantasm fox had no means of escape! howl! the fox''s mournful cry echoed from within the raging psychic storm, the first skill of the twilight blade. ten seconds later, the storm began to fade, leaving behind nothing but silence and empty air. a formidable tier 3 primal had been annihilated in an instant. vincent couldn''t suppress the excitement surging through him. with his current mental power, only a handful of individuals across the entire novice continent might pose any threat to him. this realization meant he could now accelerate his plans. his thoughts swirled with the possibilities, but he was pulled back to the present as the tower''s voice announced the completion of the first level. [you have successfully cleared tier 3, level 1!] [you have received 100 tower points!] talent activated! +1,000,000 tower points! [you now have access to the tier 3 tower''s exchange!] [you have a 3-minute resting period.] "an instant one million points... absolutely insane." he had cleared just one level and already gained a million points. if this information ever became public, people would probably scream "unfair!" or react with disbelief and jealousy. his talent was nothing short of extraordinary¡ªsome might even call it broken. vincent didn''t care if others discovered his talent; he intended to exploit it to the fullest extent. one detail, however, caught his attention: the resting periods were growing shorter with each subsequent challenge. wasting no time, he opened the tier 3 tower''s exchange menu, heading straight to the skill tab. at the very top of the list, a skill caught his eye. it was written in bold, italicized golden font, making it stand out immediately. discover hidden stories at empire his eyes sparkled with excitement as he read the name aloud, "astral immunity..." skill name: astral immunity cost: 500,000 tower points grade: legendary details: the user''s mind and soul are fortified against mental intrusion and manipulation. grants complete immunity to illusions, mind control, and similar effects. immune to scanning abilities, concealing the user''s information. additionally, it provides unparalleled mental fortitude, significantly enhancing focus and learning speed. "legendary grade... it''s actually a legendary-grade skill!" this was the first time vincent had seen a legendary-grade skill available. even with his overpowered talent, he could currently only upgrade his skills to epic grade. he believed, however, that he would eventually unlock the potential to elevate them to legendary grade as well. sear?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. for now, though, this skill was beyond exciting. although astral immunity''s description seemed straightforward, its effects were incredibly powerful. the complete immunity to illusions alone was enough to justify its legendary classification. but it didn''t stop there¡ªit provided even more benefits! it was truly worthy of being labeled legendary. better still, it was a passive skill¡ªmeaning vincent wouldn''t have to actively activate it. the cost, while exorbitant, was irrelevant to him. without hesitation, he exchanged 500,000 tower points for the skill. in the next moment, a majestic golden book materialized in the air, floating before him. it radiated a warm, radiant golden light that seemed almost alive. without a second thought, vincent chose to learn the skill. astral immunity learned! the instant he learned the skill, a wave of warm and soothing energy surged into his mind. he let out an involuntary groan of pleasure, his eyes closing instinctively. when he reopened them, a golden light momentarily flashed from his pupils before dimming. he exhaled deeply, a satisfied smile forming on his lips. his mind felt clearer than ever¡ªso sharp and focused that he couldn''t help but marvel at the change. "if i were back on earth, nothing could distract me. i could breeze through the toughest board exams in record time," he thought with amusement. as vincent basked in the thrill of acquiring his first legendary-grade skill, a ripple of disturbance spread across the novice continent. many origin warriors currently challenging tier 3 of the tower of illusions noticed something peculiar¡ªthe only legendary-grade skill listed in the tower''s exchange had vanished. "there''s no way it''s gone!" Chapter 130 Tower of Illusions Cleared! "there''s no way it''s gone!"they could hardly believe their eyes. the skill that had remained in the tower''s exchange for an eternity had suddenly vanished. for years, many origin warriors had considered the skill unattainable, its requirements nothing short of absurd. the novice continent was a huge continent. naturally, there were several tower of fundamentals all over the continent. therefore, origin warriors from all over the novice continent who were challenging the tier 3 of tower of illusions closest to their sanctuaries, had taken notice of it. the skill required an extraordinary amount of tower points¡ªa staggering half a million. tower points were notoriously difficult to earn. the towers of fundamentals doled them out sparingly, making the task of accumulating 500,000 points an almost herculean effort. faced with such overwhelming difficulty, most novice origin warriors chose a different path. rather than wasting precious years attempting to gather the required points, they ascended to higher continents, seeking greater challenges and rewards. however, there were a select few who were stubborn enough¡ªor perhaps daring enough¡ªto bet everything. they remained behind, dedicating years of their lives to painstakingly accumulate tower points, all for the chance to exchange them for the sole legendary-grade skill within the tower of illusions. for these warriors, the skill was more than just a prize; it was a dream, a symbol of their relentless perseverance. so, when word spread that the skill had disappeared, the news hit like a thunderbolt. many couldn''t handle the shock and collapsed on the spot, as though their very reason for existing had been torn away. it wasn''t just a loss; it was a complete and utter devastation of hope. still, not everyone gave in to despair. a handful of warriors with calmer dispositions quickly turned their attention to the tier 3 leaderboard rankings. if someone had managed to exchange for the legendary skill, it would likely be one of the top-ranking warriors. surely, a feat of this magnitude couldn''t go unnoticed. but to their astonishment, the leaderboard remained unchanged. the same names occupied the top spots, and none of them seemed capable of amassing the required points. the mystery only deepened. confusion turned into a burning curiosity. who had managed to claim the legendary skill? for a while, warriors across the continent debated and speculated, but soon they were forced to accept reality. resigned to their fate, many decided to use their tower points to purchase rare-grade items before they, too, vanished. after all, the tower''s exchange had already run out of epic-grade items. but when they accessed the exchange, they were met with another crushing revelation¡ªrare-grade items had also been wiped clean. all that remained were the more common and uncommon-grade items. this discovery was too much for many. several tier 3 origin warriors coughed up blood, their frustration and disappointment reaching a boiling point, before fainting on the spot. others, sensing the urgency, hurriedly exchanged their points for whatever was left, unwilling to risk losing everything they had painstakingly saved. meanwhile, the cause of this unprecedented chaos, vincent, could only let out a wry smile. "they were fast¡­" he muttered, shaking his head. vincent had just cleared the ninth level of the tier 3 challenge. while exchanging his hard-earned points for items, he had watched in amazement as the tower''s exchange was swiftly emptied by frantic warriors across the continent. he had planned to exchange his remaining points for uncommon and common-grade items, but they had disappeared before his very eyes. now, with one final level remaining to complete the tier 3 challenge, vincent found himself at a crossroads. "should i do it? i don''t really need more tower points¡­" he mused, weighing his options. clearing the trial would undoubtedly place his name on the leaderboard, drawing unwanted attention from powerful organizations and influential figures. "it doesn''t matter," vincent finally decided. "i can always hide my strength with astral immunity¡­" with his mind made up, vincent moved forward, ready to face the final challenge. the last trial awaited him, and it was nothing short of terrifying. standing before him were ten peak tier 3 primals. each stood an imposing four meters tall, their hooded black robes billowing eerily as they floated several feet off the ground. in their hands, they wielded specialized staffs that pulsed with ominous energy. they were known simply as mentapaths ¡ª tier 3 (5¡ï). below the mentapaths stretched an overwhelming army of thousands of primals, ranging from tier 1 to tier 3. the sheer magnitude of the opposition would have broken the spirit of any ordinary challenger. but vincent was far from ordinary. from his previous battles, vincent estimated his mental power to be on par with tier 3 (3-4¡ï). however, his greatest asset wasn''t raw strength but the legendary-grade skill astral immunity. this skill rendered him completely immune to mental attacks, a boon that was almost certainly designed for the tower of illusions'' brutal challenges. without hesitation, vincent initiated the battle. he appeared within the enemy army in an instant, unleashing his full arsenal of mental skills: astral clones mental shatter astral sanctuary psychic storm mental domination one after another, his abilities decimated the opposition. to maintain this relentless onslaught, vincent absorbed origin crystals continuously, fueling his attacks. the primals retaliated with a barrage of mental attacks, but their efforts were futile. against vincent''s astral immunity, their assaults felt no more threatening than a gentle breeze. after five grueling minutes, the battlefield fell silent. vincent had emerged victorious. [you have successfully cleared the tower of illusions!] [you have received 100,000 tower points!] talent activated! +1,000,000,000 tower points! enjoy more content from empire [you now have access to the special section of the tower''s exchange!] "special section? what''s that?" vincent wondered aloud. curious, he accessed the tower''s exchange and noticed a new tab labeled "special section," glowing brightly. inside was a single item: name: gu zhenchen key (?) cost: 1,000,000 tower points grade: special details: one of three keys required to accept the inheritance of gu zhenchen. sea??h th§× n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "gu zhenchen? who could that be?" vincent considered several possibilities. perhaps it was the name of the tower''s creator, an ancient ancestor, or simply a figure of great renown. whatever the case, the key intrigued him. its cost alone¡ªhigher than even a legendary-grade skill¡ªhinted at its extraordinary value. "what kind of inheritance could be worth more than a legendary-grade skill?" as vincent pondered, his name shot to the top of the ranking leaderboard, sending shockwaves through the tower of illusions and beyond. Chapter 131 End of the Tower of Illusion! as vincent''s challenger name, "magnus," shot to the top of the leaderboard, the tower of illusions suddenly trembled before a blinding light burst out of it, shooting toward the gray sky!tremble! it alerted people from within and outside the tower. naturally, valyn, who was resting with the ever-plump rabbit, mochi, in a small inn, felt the sudden commotion. enjoy new chapters from empire valyn tightly furrowed her brows as she stared at the tower of illusions, the center of the commotion. vincent¡­ she thought, worried about vincent''s well-being. she still had no idea about vincent taking the number one spot on the leaderboard. therefore, the moment she saw the sudden commotion, she dragged mochi away, who was still enjoying her food. "waaaait! my food!" mochi cried in protest. unfortunately, valyn could not understand her. she just rushed to the tower, along with fenro, the silverwood fox. at this moment, digital lights began to appear outside the tower of illusions. they were the challengers who got kicked out of the tower. at first, they wore confused expressions but soon switched to disbelief, realizing they had actually been sent out of the tower. soon, their attention was drawn to the tower''s strange phenomenon. "what''s happening with the tower?" "i-i don''t know. i was in the middle of a battle when i realized i got kicked out. i thought i died or something, but seeing these people and the tower''s strange activity¡­" "at first, the tower''s exchange was emptied. now this? there must be a reason for all of these!" "it must be that ''magnus'' who''s behind all of this!" said someone who had been keeping an eye on the leaderboard. "magnus? who''s magnus?" "i also have no idea who magnus is, but he came out of nowhere and shot to the no. 1 rank. it was clearly stated that he cleared the 10th level of tier 3 trials." "what?! does it mean he cleared the tower of illusions?" "if that''s the final trial, but i''m uncertain¡­" "was there any record that someone had ever cleared the tower of illusions?" "i have no idea¡­" amidst the conversations of the origin warriors, the strange activity of the tower of illusions finally ended after a reverberating boom. the outside of the tower was now packed with origin warriors, from tier 1 to tier 3. at this moment, someone attempted to enter the tower of illusions once again. [error!] [the tower of illusions will be unavailable for 30 days!] "what? the tower will be unavailable for 30 days?!" gasps filled the air upon hearing the man''s exclamation. "i don''t believe you! get out of the way!" someone, filled with doubt, tried for himself, but soon his expression turned to utter disbelief. "it''s really unavailable¡­" at this moment, someone suddenly exclaimed, "it should be that ''magnus''s'' fault!" "i also thought about that!" "have you ever heard about that guy? no, right? but how did he suddenly clear the tower or reach the no. 1 rank?! isn''t that strange?" "he must also be the reason behind the missing items!" "that''s right! he must still be here! find him!" "show yourself, magnus!" amidst the cries of these people, vincent, who had just appeared outside of the tower and witnessed everything, let out a smirk in a corner. he had already donned in his original attire. hehe, you all can cry until your voices give out, but i''d be a fool if i revealed myself just because you say so. maybe he still had some naivety because he was new to the origin world, but he wasn''t so naive as to be stupid. suddenly, a heavy oppressive pressure spread through the area. the air grew thick and stifling, making it hard to draw breath. those around struggled to speak, their voices reduced to gasps as the crushing force bore down on them. a deep masculine voice then resounded. "do you all think you''ll be able to bring him out just because you want to? and what if you manage to make him reveal himself? do you really think your lowly strength can even do something against him?" "do you all think tier 3 trials are that easy?" the voice continued. seeing that no one could even talk back, the owner of the voice scoffed at them and remarked, "pathetic." meanwhile, the people who were demanding ''magnus'' to reveal himself could only lower their heads and shut their mouths despite the harsh remarks. they could only do so since they clearly knew the identity of the voice''s owner. their eyes took a sneaky glance at him. it was zarki. he resembled a bald middle-aged man. however, compared to normal humans, zarki had a huge peanut-shaped head and a third eye on his forehead. sear?h the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he was also almost 7 feet tall and wore a long dark, exquisite robe. he had a frail appearance, in stark contrast to his deep masculine voice. he was a paraxian, a race known for their mental abilities. previously, zarki was ranked 7th on the tier 3 leaderboard. however, since ''magnus'' appeared, he was pushed down to rank 8. he was one of those who bet their lives staying in the novice continent to accumulate tower points and claim the legendary-grade skill. unfortunately, he was too late. despite being at peak tier 3 and already considered one of the novice continent''s powerhouses, he was stuck at the level 9 trial of the tower of illusions. although he felt bitterness at losing his dream skill, he admired ''magnus'' for clearing the level 10 trial. unfortunately, not everyone shared his thoughts. most of these origin warriors were used to blaming others for their pathetic abilities. at this moment, vincent''s attention naturally drew to zarki. although he had no idea who zarki was, he could recognize his race and strength. "the second peak tier 3 powerhouse¡­" that''s right, zarki was the second peak tier 3 he had encountered. the first peak tier 3 he encountered was valyn. that''s right, valyn was already at the peak of tier 3. suddenly, zarki''s voice rang out again. "i know you''re still here, magnus. if you ever think of selling your items, you can come to my place and we can make a deal. i don''t have to tell you where to find me. i believe i still have some influence here for you to know me." unfortunately for him, vincent was a newbie and had no idea about his identity. after zarki''s statement, a few more voices spoke, inviting ''magnus'' to their places! even with all that, vincent ignored them and scanned his surroundings, looking for valyn and mochi. "are you looking for me?" a familiar sweet voice rang behind him. it was valyn, carrying mochi in her arms. valyn was not wearing her mask at this moment, and fenro waited in the distance. she did it so no one could recognize her. along the way, she had already heard about the commotion, which was why she removed her mask, as people could easily recognize her with it. Chapter 132 Heading Towards The Tower of Speed! before vincent could respond to her, valyn shushed him and grabbed his hand."let''s leave quietly." seeing her being sneaky, vincent immediately understood that valyn had already realized he was the ''magnus'' they were talking about. the sky was already darkening, and night was about to fall. valyn brought him to the inn she was staying at. inside the rented room, valyn suddenly waved her hand, and an invisible barrier spread across the entire room. "it''s just a simple soundproofing. i can teach it to you later," valyn said, noticing his expression. "but setting that aside, it''s you, right?" vincent didn''t immediately admit it and tilted his head, acting confused. "what are you talking about, big sis?" "the ''magnus'' they were talking about. don''t deny it to me. you also used that challenger name when you were at the tower of combat." vincent smiled wryly. since she had already figured it out, there was no use hiding it from her. he also knew she would eventually find out on her own. it wasn''t that he fully trusted her, but he now had the ability to prevent her from betraying him if she ever chose to. thus, he nodded, confirming her assumption. valyn''s eyes lit up the moment he nodded. although she had suspected it, she still felt surprised by his confirmation. in her excitement, she tossed mochi aside and lunged at vincent, embracing him against her bosom. "hehe, i knew it! my little brother is a genius!" vincent couldn''t help but release a "puah!" sound when she finally let go of him. ''that was heaven in hell!'' he exclaimed in his mind. being buried in that deep and soft cleavage was a mix of bliss and torture. her eyes then gleamed with curiosity. "but how did you do that? how were you able to clear the 10th trial? what''s your real level?" "peak tier 1." "your true level," she demanded. "big sis, i''m really at peak tier 1." "but how? you can defeat a peak tier 3 primal at your current level? is that even possible? are you sure you''re a human being?" vincent vaguely explained what had happened but didn''t mention his legendary-grade skill. "how about the missing skills? was that also your doing?" vincent let out a soft laugh at her question. he would never reveal his talent''s effect and planned to hide it as long as he could. "haha. do you think that''s even possible? how could a single person accumulate enough points to clear the entire tower''s vault?" valyn fell silent at his answer. although she was skeptical, it truly seemed impossible for someone to have that many tower points. therefore, she didn''t press him further. "you''re right. how about the legendary-grade skill? you took it, right?" "no. i''m still short on tower points to exchange for it." sea??h th§× novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he lied effortlessly. with her hand on her chin, she nodded. "hmm. i guess i have to report this to your special instructor," she mumbled. when vincent heard her muttering, his expression changed to horror. if special instructor arthur learned of his actions, he would increase the difficulty of his training¡ª not by a small margin but several times! he might even have to face a peak tier 3 in his next training session, which was impossible at his current level. he was only able to defeat a peak tier 3 because of his astral immunity. without it, he wouldn''t have cleared the tower of illusions! therefore, he admitted it. curious, valyn suddenly released a thick smoke of mental energy. soon, her figure was obscured. moments later, the smoke disappeared, revealing her in a very revealing outfit that barely covered her private parts. "how do i look?" valyn struck a sexy pose, showcasing her enticing figure, and asked in a seductive voice. despite her provocative appearance, vincent remained unaffected. with a wry smile, a simple but solid mental energy flashed toward valyn, and the sound of glass breaking resounded, revealing her original attire. "stop teasing me, big sis. it won''t work on me." "hehe, i apologize. i just wanted to try it out," valyn said playfully. "alright. go rest. we''ll leave tomorrow." vincent nodded but felt curious about the last tower of fundamentals. "aren''t we going to the tower of speed?" "why? do you want to challenge it too?" vincent nodded again. having cleared the tower of illusions and obtained the gu zhenchen key, he was eager to complete the other towers. if his assumption was correct, clearing the tower of combat and the tower of speed would grant him the remaining keys¡ª and another batch of items! seeing his eager expression, valyn remained silent for a moment. she also wanted to see if vincent had what it took to conquer the other towers. just what kind of future monster would she have as a younger brother if vincent managed to clear all the towers of fundamentals? "alright, i''ll take you there. rest up. we''ll leave tomorrow," valyn said after contemplating. vincent nodded and went downstairs to rent a room for himself. he spent the rest of the night doing nothing. although he wasn''t physically exhausted, he was mentally drained. thus, he enjoyed a sweet and restful sleep. the next day, valyn knocked on his door, waking him up. "little brother?" "i''ll be out in a second." after getting ready, vincent went downstairs and had a light breakfast with valyn. the commotion he had caused the previous day had already spread like wildfire across the entire novice continent. stay tuned with empire "have you heard about magnus?" "yes, i heard he defeated thousands of peak tier 3 primals to clear the tower of illusions!" "no, i heard he defeated hundreds of thousands of peak tier 3¡­" "i also heard he scared the rank 7 zarki into submission and was invited to his home!" "no, no. i heard¡­" vincent was speechless upon hearing the exaggerated rumors along the way. meanwhile, valyn giggled at him, amused by the chatter in the surroundings. "you''re famous now, little brother. aren''t you happy?" she teased. vincent shook his head with a wry smile. she was clearly enjoying this at his expense. Chapter 133 Freedom Swift City while traveling on fenro''s back, vincent seized the opportunity to question valyn about the tower of speed. to which she answered each of his questions with sincerity, her tone brimming with a wealth of knowledge.from her explanations, he discovered that the closest tower of speed was located in a bustling metropolis known as freedom swift city. the origin world was not limited to novice sanctuaries. there were numerous private cities and towns scattered across the land, built and governed by powerful organizations. unlike the novice sanctuaries, which were managed by a neutral and powerful race as part of an agreement among the top races, these cities were ruled by their founders. this meant that in private cities, the city owner''s laws were absolute. such a setup often made visiting these cities a gamble¡ªone wrong move, and trouble could easily follow. fortunately for them, freedom swift city was renowned for its fairness. it stood as one of the few cities with a reputation for just and reasonable governance, attracting both citizens and visitors alike. according to valyn, the city was ruled by a single clan of the agisaur race. the agisaur were famous for their speed. although vincent had read about their capabilities, he had never encountered a member of the race in person. hence, he was quite excited to meet one. along the way, valyn shared the basics of the tower of speed and the trials that awaited challengers. the more she explained, the more his eagerness grew. located roughly 200 kilometers from the tower of illusions, it took them several hours to cover the distance. as freedom swift city came into view, even from afar, it was an impressive sight. the city boasted medieval-style architecture and was surrounded by towering walls that stood an imposing 50 meters high. on the road leading to the city, vincent observed massive carriages drawn by gigantic primals resembling four-meter-tall bulls. a quick scan of the carriages revealed presences inside, their sheer size comparable to buses. these carriages were a common mode of transportation in the origin world. looking to the skies, vincent caught sight of an enormous winged primal ferrying dozens of people on its back. the passengers were seated in an orderly fashion, much like an airplane. despite having spent a significant amount of time in the origin world, vincent found himself awestruck by the scene. compared to the vibrant activity of freedom swift city, the novice sanctuary seemed lifeless and monotonous. finally, after hours of travel, they reached one of the city''s gates. guarding the entrance were two towering humanoid creatures, standing at an impressive seven feet tall. while their physique resembled that of humans, their lizard-like skin and thick, tyrannosaurus-like legs set them apart. clad in light armor and wielding long spears, the guards exuded an intimidating presence. vincent immediately recognized their race as agisaur. a quick scan with his heaven eyes confirmed their strength¡ªboth were mid-stage tier 2 origin warriors. he couldn''t help but feel surprised. mid-stage tier 2 origin warriors serving merely as gatekeepers? in the novice sanctuary, even the strongest gatekeepers only reached peak tier 1. this raised questions about whether the novice sanctuary lacked stronger warriors or simply didn''t need them due to its neutral governance. as their turn arrived, one of the gatekeepers addressed them with an emotionless tone. "reason for your visit?" despite the presence of fenro, the menacing silverwood fox, the guards showed no signs of intimidation. the gatekeeper''s sharp gaze lingered on them briefly. without their masks, their races were easily identifiable. vincent wisely kept silent, allowing valyn to handle the interaction. she flashed an innocent smile and responded with a calm voice. "we are here for the tower of speed." the gatekeeper studied her for a moment before withdrawing his gaze. his next words were equally blunt. "humans, 500 origin crystals each." valyn didn''t hesitate. with a flick of her wrist, she produced a thousand origin crystals and handed them over. "take these," the gatekeeper handed over a pair of bronze tokens engraved with the word swift. "these are bronze tokens. you''re allowed to stay for two days. lose them, and the city guards will detain you. if you wish to continue your stay, you''ll need to purchase new tokens." valyn nodded in acknowledgment and led vincent and fenro through the gates. once inside, vincent finally voiced his thoughts. "isn''t that an absurd fee just to stay for two days?" valyn chuckled softly, her tone laced with amusement. find your next read at empire "don''t overthink it. you''ll get used to it eventually. this isn''t a human city, after all." her words made vincent frown slightly. "so, humans also have cities on the novice continent?" valyn nodded. "of course. while we''re not as powerful or influential as the top races, we humans still have our own places. but don''t expect much. our cities are smaller and scattered across the continent." although vincent had already suspected as much, he couldn''t resist asking, "why is that?" valyn''s smile faded into a bitter expression. she remained silent, leaving vincent to piece the truth together. the human race might appear united against common threats, but deep down, internal divisions and clashing ambitions kept them apart. sear?h the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. vincent sighed, acknowledging the painful reality. humanity had always struggled with unity. wars could have been avoided long ago if they had truly stood together. by the time they reached a restaurant named stew hare bowl, it was lunchtime. although neither of them needed food for survival, valyn insisted on sharing a meal. the restaurant was run by humans, and its staff were predominantly from their race¡ªa rare sight in freedom swift city. as they settled in to eat, the vibrant atmosphere of the city enthralled vincent. there were far more humans here than in the novice sanctuary, and their confident demeanor suggested they had lived in the city for a long time. just as vincent was beginning to enjoy the experience, a loud commotion shattered the tranquility. bang! "agh!" a feminine cry of pain rang out. turning towards the source, vincent spotted a bald, muscular agisaur man towering over a human waitress. her face bore a fresh red handprint. "fuck!" the agisaur spat angrily. "we let you build your little food shop here, and this is how you repay us? do you think this garbage is fit for us to eat?" the waitress, trembling on the ground, tried to apologize, but her words were drowned out by the man''s fury. the agisaur raised his leg, preparing to kick her, when a mature woman''s voice cut through the chaos. "dear gentlemen, please show some mercy to my staff." Chapter 134 Ellie "dear gentlemen, please show some mercy to my staff."the bald agisaur turned toward the source of the voice, his expression curious. vincent''s attention followed, drawn to the same figure. the speaker was a woman with fair, flawless skin and striking jade-green hair cascading freely down her back. she appeared to be in her early twenties and was dressed in an elegant yet provocative office outfit¡ªa stark contrast to the armored gear typically worn by origin warriors. her enchanting presence immediately drew all eyes in the room. s§×ar?h the n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. even the agisaurs, crude as they were, couldn''t help but be captivated by her appearance. with a quick glance, vincent assessed the situation. his sharp senses easily measured the strength of the woman and the bald agisaur. the comparison made him smirk in quiet amusement, his interest piqued. at this moment, the red-haired woman''s stern voice broke the silence. "what are you doing, annie? apologize to these gentlemen and get back to the kitchen." annie, the waitress, clutched her reddened cheek. she hesitated before looking toward the red-haired woman, her lips trembling slightly. "i understand, sister ellie¡ª" she began, only to stop abruptly as ellie''s sharp gaze bore into her. realizing her mistake, annie quickly corrected herself. "i-i mean, lady boss." experience tales at empire with a deep bow, she addressed the agisaurs. "i apologize, dear customers," she said, her voice wavering. without waiting for their response, she turned and hurried back to the kitchen, her steps unsteady but quick. ellie turned her focus to the group, her smile unwavering and professional. she spoke with calm authority. "i deeply apologize for the inconvenience, gentlemen. rest assured, we will serve you our finest dishes without further delays." the agisaurs stared at her, utterly mesmerized. agik, the bald leader, licked his lips and grinned, his smile filled with lecherous intent. "do you think that''s enough? if you want this business to keep running, you''ll have to personally serve us," agik sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "he''s right! you''ll need to accompany us!" one of his companions chimed in, their laughter vulgar and grating. ellie didn''t flinch. her smile remained serene, her voice steady. "if that''s what you wish, gentlemen, it would be my pleasure to personally serve you. please, follow me." agik chuckled darkly, his gaze never leaving her. "smart woman. you should teach your staff to behave like you." from their table, valyn watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. she turned to vincent and asked, her tone light and teasing, "aren''t you going to step in and help her?" earlier, valyn had noticed vincent''s subtle readiness to intervene when the waitress was slapped. now, however, he remained seated, watching with calm detachment. "she doesn''t need my help," vincent replied, shaking his head slightly. moments later, muffled groans and cries began to leak from the room where ellie had led the agisaurs. the sound barely caused a stir among the other patrons, who continued their meals as though nothing unusual was happening. soon, the group of agisaurs stumbled out of the room, their faces battered and bruised, their confidence completely shattered. ellie followed close behind, her expression still adorned with a professional smile. "thank you for patronizing my establishment, dear gentlemen. please visit again soon," she said, her tone polite but laced with a subtle sharpness. the agisaurs froze, trembling. "w-we won''t be coming back! forgive us!" agik stammered, before the group bolted out of the restaurant, not daring to look back. the rest of the customers barely reacted. such events were commonplace here, so much so that they had become part of the restaurant''s normal atmosphere. behind ellie''s composed smile was a powerhouse capable of taking down foes without breaking a sweat. vincent had noticed her strength from the very beginning, which was why he hadn''t moved to interfere. ellie''s gaze shifted toward their table, her sharp eyes locking onto valyn. curious, vincent turned to valyn, silently questioning her reaction. valyn sighed, a mix of resignation and irritation flashing across her face. ellie approached their table, her expression cool but her steps deliberate. her focus remained entirely on valyn. "how come you''re still here, bitch? i thought you''d be preparing to ascend to the next continent by now," ellie said, her voice tinged with mockery. valyn''s lips twitched, her irritation barely masked by her smile. "who are you calling a bitch, you bitch?" the tension between the two women was palpable, despite their smiles. vincent, observing the scene, couldn''t help but feel as though invisible sparks were flying between their gazes. the air grew heavier, thick with pressure. the other patrons, less resilient than vincent, began shifting uncomfortably in their seats, unable to enjoy their meals under the suffocating atmosphere. vincent coughed lightly, attempting to break the tension. "ahem! is she your friend, big sis?" he asked, his tone casual. valyn scoffed, a small smirk playing on her lips. "why would i associate with someone like her?" ellie''s sharp eyes turned to vincent, her expression softening into a playful smirk. "i''m not her friend. i''m ellie, just a simple restaurant owner. but i must say, i''m surprised someone like her has such a handsome younger brother." leaning closer, ellie grinned mischievously. "do you have a girlfriend, little brother? if not, how about giving this big sister a chance?" she leaned forward slightly, emphasizing her curves. valyn''s expression darkened instantly. without hesitation, she shoved ellie back. "don''t you dare lay your slutty hands on my little brother!" ellie struggled on leaning towards vincent against valyn''s protest for a moment before she eventually fell back. her tone changed and lost her playfulness as she glanced at the eyes of the curious customer''s behind her. "let''s continue our business somewhere else. follow me." soon they followed behind ellie and went into a private room upstairs. inside the room, ellie was sitting on an office table behind her were a window and bookshelf filled with books. in front of her were vincent and valyn sitting face to face in between a small table. "so, why are you here?" Chapter 135 Ellie (2) inside the room, ellie sat confidently behind an ornate office table.the sunlight streaming through the window behind her cast a golden hue on the bookshelf filled with neatly arranged volumes. vincent and valyn occupied a sleek leather couch, separated by a polished mahogany table that reflected the room''s soft lighting. "so, why are you here?" ellie asked, her voice even but tinged with curiosity as her eyes flicked toward valyn. valyn, ever the picture of innocence, shifted her posture. hugging the soft, plump mochi snugly in her arms, she leaned back slightly, her casual demeanor at odds with the sharpness in ellie''s gaze. "nothing much," she replied with a teasing lilt. "just having a little date with my younger brother. ellie''s brows furrowed slightly, her sharp eyes darting between them as if searching for something amiss. "i know he''s not your real sibling. you don''t even resemble each other in the slightest. so, who is he?" valyn let out a soft snort, clearly unfazed by the probing question. she waved a dismissive hand before directing her ever-innocent smile toward vincent. "little brother, this woman here is ellie. unfortunately, she''s one of my acquaintances¡ª" "hold your horses, bitch!" ellie interjected sharply, her fiery tone cutting through valyn''s introduction. she turned her full attention to vincent, offering a charming smile. "nice to meet you. i''m ellie vancord, one of her schoolmates and best friend. you can call me sis ellie, or anything else you like," she added, punctuating her words with a playful wink. valyn rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning forward just enough to interject. "yeah, yeah. call her a dog. it''s fitting for someone always in heat." vincent chuckled awkwardly, unsure whether to laugh or change the subject. introducing himself simply as vincent, he avoided any mention of his alter egos, ''shroud'' or ''magnus.'' today, he was accompanying valyn without any mask or pretense, adopting the unassuming identity of an ordinary individual. after a brief explanation of their purpose for visiting freedom swift city, ellie''s demeanor shifted subtly, her expression growing serious as she clasped her hands on the table. "so, you''re here for the tower of speed¡­ understandable," she began, her words deliberate. "but i think your timing is off." vincent''s curiosity was piqued by the sudden shift in tone. "what do you mean, sis ellie?" ellie leaned back slightly, her gaze steady. "have you heard about the recent incidents with the tower of fundamentals?" vincent exchanged a glance with valyn before nodding in unison. ellie''s lips pressed into a thin line as she elaborated. "between that and the sudden spike in the appearance of new labyrinths, the tower of speed and the tower of combat are absolutely swamped with challengers." vincent''s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, though his thoughts raced. the ripple effects of his actions were far more extensive than he had anticipated. yet, one detail still puzzled him. "what about the tower of illusions?" he asked, his tone neutral but probing. ellie arched a brow as she regarded him. "oh, that one? someone cleared it recently, that maybe caused all its items to vanish. now, every tower of illusions is completely unavailable. what was his name again? mag¡­ magnum?" "magnus," vincent corrected smoothly, his voice even. "right! that guy! because of him, origin warriors across the novice continent are scrambling to challenge the remaining tower of fundamentals. they''re desperate to earn tower points and exchange them for items." ellie let out a long sigh, shaking her head as if exasperated by the chaos. "i wonder what kind of person he is." valyn, unable to contain herself, smirked, her lips twitching as she struggled to suppress her laughter. if only she knew he was sitting right in front of her, she mused, her shoulders trembling as she tried to maintain composure. ellie noticed her reaction and frowned. "what''s wrong with you? are you sick?" she asked, her tone skeptical. valyn coughed theatrically, brushing off the suspicion. "n-nothing. just a little cough," she replied, waving a hand as if to dismiss ellie''s concern. ellie''s eyes narrowed, her gaze scrutinizing. "a tier 3 origin warrior with a cough? really?" her skepticism lingered, but she didn''t press further, choosing instead to let it slide. at that moment, a firm knock resounded through the room. knock, knock! "lady boss, i apologize for the interruption," came a feminine voice from the other side of the door, "but young master boltor is requesting your presence." ellie''s expression darkened almost instantly, her brows knitting together in irritation. valyn''s smirk deepened as she quipped, "who''s that? another one of your suitors?" ellie shot her a cold glare before sighing in resignation. sea??h th§× n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "no, he''s a young master from the boltor family¡ªa newly established clan with ties to the swift clan. he''s been pestering me to join their clan." her tone was clipped as she turned to the door. "i''ll be there shortly. prepare the vip room and let him know i''m on my way." "yes, lady boss." the voice receded, leaving the room in silence. valyn tilted her head thoughtfully. "wait, the swift clan? the one that built freedom swift city?" ellie nodded curtly. "that''s the one." vincent leaned back slightly, absorbing the information. "hmm¡­" valyn crossed her arms, her brow furrowing slightly. "boltor family¡­ i don''t recall hearing about them in the bronzehaven arc. where are they from?" "they hail from the steelhaven arc," ellie answered, her tone matter-of-fact. "ah," valyn murmured, filing the information away for later. "so, why do you look so drained at the mere mention of that guy?" valyn asked, her curiosity unrelenting. ellie exhaled heavily, her shoulders sagging slightly. "initially, he kept pestering me to become his woman. after i turned him down a few times, he changed tactics. now, he''s trying to recruit me into the boltor clan." "and you rejected him, of course?" "naturally. only someone like ''magnus'' could make my heart flutter," ellie said with a mischievous grin, prompting a laugh from valyn and a wry smile from vincent. experience more on empire "stop daydreaming," valyn quipped, her voice light but teasing. "you''d better deal with him quickly. who knows what strings he might pull with the swift clan to mess with your business." Chapter 136 Toad "you''d better deal with him quickly. who knows what strings he might pull with the swift clan to mess with your business."ellie heaved a sigh of exhaustion. she had repeatedly declined that person''s invitation, but he still kept pestering her. if not for her business, she might have already beaten the crap out of him. therefore, she could only roll her eyes at her best friend''s teasing remarks. "do you need my help?" valyn asked in all seriousness, void of her usual playfulness. s§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ellie felt warmth in her heart when she heard the offer. despite their usual banter, she was truly glad to have a best friend like valyn, especially in situations like this. nevertheless, she acted the opposite, despite being touched within her heart. "hmph, i still have enough strength to protect myself. i don''t need help from a bitch like you!" once again, valyn broke her usual innocent character and raised her voice. "w-what did you just say, you bitch? keep calling me a bitch, and you''ll be dead!" "hmph, i want to see you try," ellie dared. however, when valyn was just about to retort, the room suddenly swung heavily open before an arrogant male voice drew their attention. "i apologize for the intrusion, but i can''t wait any longer to see you, miss vancord." hearing the man''s voice, ellie''s expression instantly darkened, as vincent and valyn turned their heads to the owner of the voice. it was a good-looking man in his early twenties. his brown hair was brushed upward, and he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall. he had a good physique, fair skin, and wore expensive equipment. on his flank were two rough-looking men standing expressionless in silence. he was the young master of the boltor clan, clark boltor. still wearing a dark expression, ellie addressed the man. "young master boltor, i don''t think i gave you permission to enter my room." at this moment, the female staff member she had ordered to bring young master boltor to the vip room arrived late, flustered. "l-lady boss, i¡ª" ellie glanced at the woman. "it''s alright, tina. you can go back and continue your work." "t-thank you, lady boss." tina bowed apologetically before quickly leaving. once tina left, ellie snapped back at the young master boltor, who was smiling smugly. "please, don''t get mad at me, ellie. i just really cannot wait to see you." although apologetic, his eyes and expression betrayed everything he had said. furthermore, he switched the way he addressed her, making ellie even more displeased. with tightly furrowed brows, ellie responded in a cold voice, "we are not that close for you to address me casually, young master boltor." at this moment, clark finally scanned the room. his brows furrowed for a moment when he saw vincent, then shifted to subtle surprise when his eyes caught sight of the innocent beauty, valyn. in the next second, he placed his right arm on his chest, took a practiced bow, and introduced himself in the most noble way he could. "i apologize for the sudden intrusion. i didn''t know ellie had guests. let me introduce myself. my name is clark boltor, the sole heir of the boltor family. and who might these distinguished guests be?" "valyn." "vincent." valyn and vincent curtly replied. clark''s lips subtly twitched, displeased at their curt response, but he didn''t show it. he kept his smile and addressed valyn. "so, it''s miss valyn. it''s my pleasure to meet a beautiful woman like you on this chaotic day. you must be one of ellie''s friends. a beautiful woman like you only deserves beautiful people around her..." clark continued blabbering, obviously ignoring vincent. explore more at empire after a while, clark finally moved his attention to ellie. "ellie, have you already carefully considered your answer to my invitation?" "young master boltor, i already told you many times. i am not joining your clan. you should understand, with your stature, that i''m declining your invitation." "why? is there something you don''t like about the benefits? are they lacking? you can tell me if you have any conditions, and i''ll consider them." "no. please leave, young master boltor. you are ruining my time with my guests." ellie had already thrown away the pretense she had. she was clearly displeased by clark''s behavior. the moment clark heard that, his expression immediately darkened with displeasure. "ellie, are you sure about your decision?" "i am sure, and please stop addressing me so casually." "are you sure you won''t regret it?" "what do you mean by that? are you threatening me?" "no, no. i wouldn''t dare threaten you, but if someone were to decline my invitation again, i might say something to the swift clan. someone might lose her business." clark''s words carried an indirect threat. ellie''s expression darkened further. despite clark''s casual tone, she could sense the menace beneath his words, causing her to fall silent. as much as she hated to admit it, clark had the connections to make good on his threat. but even so, she would not sell herself out of fear of losing her business. her only concern was for her staff, who treated their work as their livelihood. if she lost her business, they would lose their jobs. nevertheless, she would never join the boltor clan. not because the benefits were bad, but because she could already see clark''s sinister intentions. the way he looked at her¡ªand at valyn, even though he quickly hid it¡ªdid not sit well with her. there was no good in having a connection with a lecherous person like him. at this moment, vincent could no longer hold himself back and let out a soft chuckle, which immediately drew clark''s attention. "is there something funny about what i said?" clark asked, displeased. vincent feigned surprise before laughing awkwardly. "haha, no, young master boltor. i just remembered something funny from a novel i read. it''s about a toad chasing a swan." so, it''s real. i thought those authors were just making cringe dialogues, but those words were actually said by this young master, vincent thought, laughing in his mind. despite vincent''s excuse, clark still felt displeased for some reason. even more so when valyn followed with a chuckle. "haha, that''s right. i also used to read something like that when i was a kid. the toad was so ridiculous!" valyn added. at this moment, ellie already realized that vincent and valyn were not talking about the toad but about clark instead, forcing her to stifle a chuckle. meanwhile, clark was at a loss. he couldn''t understand what they were talking about, but he was clearly displeased. one of the rough-looking men behind him approached and whispered something into his ear. clark''s expression darkened as his face turned red with anger. "you bastard!" Chapter 137 Slap Clark''s expression darkened as his face turned red with anger."You bastard!" He finally understood what they were laughing at. They were apparently referring to him as the toad chasing the swan, which was Ellie. "A mere Tier 1 nobody actually dared to make fun of me?!" He exclaimed as his Peak Tier 2 strength intentionally leaked out, tightening the atmosphere in the room. The moment Clark released his aura, Valyn abruptly stopped her laughter, her expression becoming stern, the same as Ellie, who had been holding herself back for a while. Meanwhile, Vincent nonchalantly smiled at him. Ellie''s cold voice rang in a displeased tone. "Young Master Boltor, you are still in my territory¡ª" But she was immediately cut short by Clark''s angered voice. "Shut up, woman! You are going to come with me whether you like it or not!" He took a glance behind him and ordered the two rough-looking men, pointing at Ellie and Valyn. "Take these women for me! I''m going to enjoy myself tonight and leave that stupid guy to me. I''ll make sure he remembers me whenever he sleeps at night!" At his command, the two men behind him responded expressionlessly in unison. "Yes, Young Master!" Boom! They released their auras, revealing their Tier 3 (1¡ï) strength! "You''re already going too far, Young Master Boltor!" Ellie coldly said. Clark snorted at her. "Hmph! I already gave you a lot of chances, Ellie. You think I''m such a pushover? Guess what, I''ll fuck you crazy tonight!" At this moment, Valyn, who had an annoyed expression, couldn''t help but smirk and remarked to her best friend, "You have quite an aggressive suitor¡­" Ellie scoffed in response, "As if you never had a guy chasing you like him." At the same time, as the fists of Clark''s bodyguards just started to glow with vibrant energy, Ellie also unleashed her Tier 3 (1¡ï) aura! Boom! The restaurant''s foundation subtly trembled with the sheer pressure of three Tier 3 Origin Warriors, drawing the attention of the people who were eating downstairs. "W-What''s happening in this place today?" "C-Come on, let''s leave. I can''t breathe properly, let alone eat!" "No shit, Sherlock. Of course, we should leave!" The customers started leaving the Stew Hare Bowl one by one. Back in Ellie''s office, one of Clark''s bodyguards flashed toward Ellie, bypassing Vincent and Valyn, while the other appeared behind Valyn, who was still sitting on a sleek couch. Vincent''s gaze naturally followed their movement, yet his casual demeanor, dismissing Clark''s presence, infuriated the man. "You still have time to be distracted? Why don''t you laugh at my face again, you fucking bastard!" Vincent heard Clark''s furious words as he casually glanced behind him just as Clark approached. As Clark was about to lay his hand on Vincent, the same as his bodyguards aimed for their targets, a chilling aura abruptly halted them. An irritated and cold voice cut through the air. "If any of your fingers touch their bodies, I will break all the bones in yours¡­" Clark and his bodyguards mechanically turned toward the owner of the voice with visible perplexity. Their eyes landed on the innocent-looking lady, Valyn, now wearing a cold expression as the image of an enchanting white-haired fox woman appeared over her figure. Clark''s eyes widened¡ªnot because he recognized her but due to disbelief. ''How can she be a Peak Tier 3?!'' he exclaimed internally. Unlike Clark, his bodyguards were more knowledgeable and quickly identified the fox-woman''s image. "Y-You''re the Witch Fox!" uttered the bodyguard standing behind Valyn, the one most overwhelmed by the pressure. When Clark heard his bodyguard''s words, he sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening in horror before his face contorted with complicated emotions. Read latest stories on empire "Y-You''re the Witch Fox?" he stammered, still in doubt. Valyn ignored the perplexed Young Master and snorted at the bodyguard behind her. The fox-woman''s illusory image glanced at the man, blasting him into the office''s wall with immense force. Bam! "Urghk!" The bodyguard groaned in agony, while Clark and the other bodyguard watched, stunned. "B-Byro¡ªBodyguard!" Clark stumbled over his words, unable to even recall the bodyguard''s name but still cried out in shock. Ellie seized the chance and attacked the distracted remaining bodyguard! Bam! "Urgh!" Another cry of pain, and the other bodyguard slammed into the wall beside his colleague, embedded in it. "Y-You..!" Clark was speechless. His two Tier 3 bodyguards, who he had brought along so confidently, were defeated by two women in mere moments. A cold shiver ran down Clark''s spine when two sharp, intimidating gazes bore into him, making him subconsciously retreat. He felt fear. ''W-What? I¡ªI''m afraid of women? They''re just women! How can I, the future patriarch of the Boltor Clan, be afraid of women?! I won''t accept this!'' Determined to suppress his budding fear, Clark clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "D-Do you know the consequences of offending my Boltor Clan?! You''re not just offending my family but the Great Swift Clan as well!" Clark shouted, his voice loud but tinged with panic. A soft chuckle responded. "Aren''t you tired of using someone else''s influence? You''re so pathetic," Valyn said casually, pressing her hand to her forehead. She despised people like him¡ªthose who pretended to have strength but only hid behind someone else''s power. "That''s enough, Young Master Boltor. Take your men and leave my restaurant. I''ll consider this a mere misunderstanding if you stop bothering me," Ellie added. Though she despised Clark and his antics enough to want to cripple him, she didn''t want to create trouble for her best friend. However, her words seemed to infuriate the young master even more. "S-Shut your goddamn mouth, bitch! Once I report this to my father, I''ll burn your business to the ground and make you kneel before me, begging for mercy!" "What did you just call me?!" Ellie growled. Just as she was about to make a move, a shadow flashed, followed by a loud and reverberating slap, sending Clark flying into the wall. Thud! Clark fell heavily to the floor, struggling to rise. His face stung on the right side, blood spilling from his mouth, along with a few broken teeth. With his hand on his cheek, he slowly looked at Valyn, still seated on the couch as though she hadn''t moved. Technically, she hadn''t¡ªonly the fox-woman image had acted. "Y-You dare slap me? Me?! The heir of the Boltor Clan?!" "Believe me, I''ll slap all your teeth out if you open your mouth again," Valyn responded casually. Although she enjoyed teasing Ellie, she refused to let anyone else insult her best friend. "Y-You..!" Clark was stunned into silence. Though humiliated, he lacked the strength to retaliate. Just as despair began to settle over him, a familiar voice suddenly lifted his spirits. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hoh, it seems the Witch Fox doesn''t regard my family''s name with respect¡­" Chapter 138 Swifts Clan Third Young Master Just as despair began to settle over him, a familiar voice suddenly lifted his spirits."Hoh, it seems the Witch Fox doesn''t regard my family''s name with respect¡­" Vincent''s and the others'' attention immediately shifted to the owner of the voice. Their gazes landed on the newcomer. He had an intimidating height of 7 feet, almost touching the ceiling of the office. He had a dread hairstyle with a color similar to his lizard-like skin. He wore an azure, exquisite-looking attire, as though he belonged to royalty. His chest area was slightly open, revealing his muscular figure. He was an Agisaur. "Brother Axl!" Clark exclaimed in joy. Indeed, the newcomer was Axl Swift, one of the direct descendants of the Great Swift Clan, the ruler of Freedom Swift City. Axl casually glanced at Clark before shifting his attention to Valyn. He didn''t have a good impression of Clark; in fact, he hated the person. If not for Clark''s family still having some use, Axl would have already disposed of him. At this moment, as Valyn realized who the newcomer was, her furrowed brows faintly eased. "So, it''s you. Mr. Slippery Lizard." Vincent''s interest piqued at the way Valyn addressed the Agisaur. ''They must know each other,'' he thought. Axl smiled wryly at Valyn''s address. After shaking his head, he responded, "You still haven''t changed at all, Witch Fox. You still have a sharp tongue. Anyway, how are we going to fix this?" At this moment, Ellie had a dark expression. She never thought that one of the direct descendants of the Great Swift Clan would appear in her restaurant. And it was none other than the Third Young Master, a prospect leader of Freedom Swift City, Axl Swift¡ªtitled the Mad Lizard for his brutal methods of killing enemies despite his innocent smile. With him witnessing everything, Ellie knew it would be bad news and would bring trouble to her best friend. She had to diffuse the situation or ensure Valyn didn''t get into trouble. "Third Young Master Swift, this has nothing to do with her. If you need compensation, I''m willing to listen to your conditions; just leave her out of this issue," Ellie said in a serious voice. Valyn couldn''t help but look at her best friend. Warmth filled her heart. Axl Swift glanced at Ellie, and just when he was about to respond, Clark''s annoying voice interjected. "No, Brother Axl. That woman slapped me!" Pointing at Valyn, he continued, "She should pay for slapping me!" However, just as he finished, Axl Swift coldly glanced at him, stunning him into silence. "B-Brother¡­" Clark stammered. Axl ignored him and turned back to Ellie. "You have nothing to worry about, Miss Vancord. I witnessed everything that happened. What I''m trying to say is, how would you like for us to compensate¡­" Axl flashed a thin smile at her. "What?!" Clark exclaimed internally, unable to believe what he just heard. Wasn''t Axl going to make them pay for slapping him? For beating his bodyguards?! Despite Axl''s smile, Ellie remained skeptical of his intentions. The rumors weren''t baseless, so she was unsure if he was truthful. Though doubtful, Ellie answered, "We don''t need any compensation, Third Young Master. I just hope that he stops bothering me and my business," she said, glancing at the stunned Clark. Axl was silent for a moment before shaking his head and replying, "No, that''s not enough. How about this: why don''t you visit my family''s household? Perhaps then my family might earn the respect it deserves from the Witch Fox." He glanced at Valyn. Hearing his offer, Ellie looked at her best friend for a response. "I like your offer, Mr. Slippery Lizard, but I''m here to bring my younger brother to the Tower of Speed. Perhaps next time," said Valyn. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing her answer, Axl finally took a good look at Vincent. Despite being stared at by a towering figure, Vincent didn''t flinch and met his gaze directly. ''Interesting¡­'' Axl thought, before smiling. "What a coincidence. I''m actually on my way to the Tower of Speed. Why don''t we go together?" Valyn didn''t immediately respond and looked at Vincent, as if asking his opinion. Vincent nodded simply. Naturally, this brief exchange didn''t escape Axl''s attention. His interest in Vincent grew. ''How could a mere Tier 1 have such a relationship with the Witch Fox?'' He didn''t buy Valyn''s excuse that they were siblings¡ªthey bore no resemblance at all. After receiving Vincent''s affirmation, Valyn nodded. "I see no issue with you tagging along," she said. Axl politely nodded. "Good to hear. Alright, I won''t waste your time. I''ll wait for you outside." After saying that, Axl turned his attention to the still-stunned Clark, and in the blink of an eye, Axl disappeared with him and his bodyguards. Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise. Despite his sharp perception, he hadn''t been able to catch Axl''s movement! Valyn noticed his surprise. "Surprised?" she asked. Vincent didn''t hide it and nodded. "That''s natural. The Agisaur race is known for their speed, and the Swift Clan is one of the Agisaur clans renowned for being the fastest," Valyn explained. Ellie finally snapped back to her senses. She had been worried that Axl would harm her or Valyn, but the situation had shifted suddenly. Turning to Valyn, she questioned, "Bitch¡­ tell me. What kind of relationship do you have with the Third Young Master Swift?" She slowly approached, leaning closer to Valyn. "Tell me!" she repeated. Valyn shoved Ellie''s face away. "Stop overthinking. We don''t have that kind of relationship," Valyn said, sneaking a glance at Vincent, hoping for a reaction. Unfortunately, Vincent was just smiling, which slightly disappointed her for some reason. In a quiet alley within Freedom Swift City, Axl reappeared with Clark. "B-Brother Axl, why did you let those people go? Aren''t you mad at their disrespect of your family''s reputation?!" Clark demanded an answer. Axl turned and faced him. The polite expression vanished from his face, replaced by coldness in his almond-shaped, lizard-like eyes. "Brother Clark, you know I can''t act recklessly in public. I have a reputation to uphold. But that doesn''t mean I won''t help you get your revenge." "Really?" Clark still felt skeptical after Axl''s earlier behavior. "Of course. We''re brothers, right?" Clark hesitantly nodded. "And as you heard, we''re heading to the Tower of Speed. That will be the best time for you to take revenge¡­" Discover hidden content at empire Axl then began outlining his plan to Clark, causing the latter''s eyes to light up. "Haha! That''s a great plan. You truly are my good brother! Thank you, Brother Axl!" Clark exclaimed enthusiastically. Axl smiled, hiding the glint in his eyes. Chapter 139 Entering the Tower of Speed After a while, Vincent and Valyn met Axl Swift outside and headed towards the Tower of Speed. For some reason, Ellie also decided to tag along with them.Vincent could only wonder what Axl had done with Clark after they disappeared, but he was certain that guy must still be alive. And if that guy was still alive, it meant future trouble. Although he did not do anything to offend Clark Boltor, just based on their short interaction, he knew what kind of person he was. A saturated stupid young master born with privilege¡­ he thought. He wasn''t the type to give mercy to enemies, but since the young master of the Swift Clan had already intervened, he had to find some other way to deal with Clark Boltor. While they were still on the way, Mochi, who had already returned to her usual spot on his shoulder, suddenly spoke into his mind, "When are you going to feed me?" Vincent was speechless. She had barely talked to him since they met Valyn, and the only time she would initiate a conversation was about feeding her. "Didn''t you just eat?" "Stupid master, that''s from the pretty and kind lady," she said, referring to Valyn. "You haven''t fed me for a very long time! You have to feed me!" Although it was true that he had forgotten to feed her a few times, it had been a long time for her. With an internal sigh, he surrendered and promised to feed her after visiting the Tower of Speed. "You promise? You won''t forget this time?" she asked, sounding doubtful. "Yes, I promise." "Alright!" she exclaimed happily, like an innocent child promised a toy by her mother. At this moment, Mochi glanced at the towering Agisaur¡ªAxl Swift¡ªwho was walking ahead, leading them to the Tower of Speed. "I don''t like him. You should be careful¡­" she said in a soft, serious tone before dozing off on his shoulder. Hearing this, Vincent also glanced at Axl. He didn''t need her to warn him. He already knew something was off about Axl. There was no way he would just let the matter go. Although he hadn''t been in this world for very long, the ''young masters'' he had met all had something in common. They never liked being disrespected, especially if it insulted the name and honor of their clan or family. In any case, it didn''t matter to him. Just from simple observations, he could tell that Axl put importance on his public image. Along the way, they met several citizens of Freedom Swift City, all of whom smiled and greeted Axl like he was some kind of ''proper and just'' politician. Thus, he believed Axl wouldn''t do anything insane in public that would tarnish his image. However, it was a different matter in private, so he always had to stay on guard. It was better to overthink than to die without knowing how. After some time, they finally reached a spacious and bustling area of the city. At the center of this bustling area stood the Tower of Speed, similar in architectural design to the other Towers of Fundamentals. Around the Tower of Speed were carefully designed ponds, grassy patches, and vibrant flowers. The surroundings of the Tower of Speed resembled a picturesque park. There were also several food and miscellaneous stalls set up around, creating a cozy atmosphere, as though they weren''t in the Origin World. It was certainly different from other Towers of Fundamentals he had visited, as those were usually located deep within forests. This was the first time he had visited a Tower of Fundamentals within a city. At this moment, the dozing, plump black rabbit on his shoulder suddenly perched upright, its nose twitching as though it had caught a scent. "Food!" Mochi exclaimed, tugging on his hair, but Vincent simply ignored her. At the same time, Valyn asked, "Little Brother, do you still need me to brief you about the tower?" Vincent simply shook his head. With his mental attribute points, he could easily remember all the information Valyn had shared earlier. According to her, the Tower of Speed was similar to the Tower of Combat, where challengers would compete against others. However, it wasn''t a one-on-one combat battle but rather a speed-based competition. In any case, it thrilled him. As much as he denied it, he was a highly competitive person, despite always prioritizing his life and peace of mind. As they got closer to the tower, they began drawing more attention. Accompanied by two beautiful women and the well-known Axl Swift, they stood out. Axl Swift was practically a celebrity in the city. "The Mad Lizard is here¡­ Is he planning to conquer the Tower of Speed?" "Perhaps¡­ after someone cleared the Tower of Illusions, the geniuses must have been awakened by that guy." "For sure! Who would''ve thought some nobody would suddenly appear and clear the previously unconquerable Tower of Illusions¡­" "Anyway, why is the Mad Lizard accompanied by three humans?" "Who knows? Maybe they''re his new escorts or something¡­" Murmurs filled the air as onlookers gazed at Vincent''s group. At this moment, Axl Swift suddenly turned to Vincent and, with a polite smile, offered, "Would you like my help? I can get you to skip the queue if you''d like." Vincent fell silent because he could see the long line waiting to enter the tower. Although the tower had seemingly endless space, not everyone could challenge it simultaneously, which caused the long queue. He didn''t answer immediately, glancing at Valyn, who gave him a simple nod, as if saying he was free to decide. After a brief moment of contemplation, he accepted the offer. Since it was just that¡ªan offer¡ªhe felt he wouldn''t owe Axl anything. The moment Vincent agreed, Axl''s eyes glinted briefly as he nodded in response. "Good. Hold on a second; I''ll get someone to guide you to the entrance." After a short wait, another Agisaur arrived, dressed in the same uniform as the city gatekeepers, and respectfully greeted Axl. "Third Young Master." Axl simply nodded. "Guide him to the entrance." The Agisaur guard didn''t question Axl''s command and followed it without hesitation. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Please, follow me." Vincent left Mochi in Valyn''s care and followed the guard. "Make way!" the guard commanded, shouting at the queuing warriors. His voice was so loud it buzzed in the ears of those nearby. Continue reading at empire "Who the hell is that?!" someone exclaimed, but immediately shut up upon realizing it was a city guard. Fortunately for him, the guard didn''t seem to hear the words. If he had, the man could''ve been kicked out of the city¡ªor worse, killed. The bystanders could only wonder about Vincent''s identity as he disappeared from view, entering the tower. When Vincent regained clarity, he found himself in a familiar endless white space. However, this time, he wasn''t alone. People of various races stood with him. [Welcome to the Tower of Speed, Challengers!] Chapter 140 Bet Against an Agisaur! [Welcome to the Tower of Speed, Challengers!][As per the tower''s rules, any items that are not from the tower are prohibited. Challengers are allowed to access their storage ring for storing items only.] [Challenger''s offensive skills are sealed, as well as their mental abilities. Most importantly, challengers must keep in mind that dying in the tower is the same as dying outside the tower.] [For the first trial, challengers will be competing against others to climb the Rock Monkey Mountain!] In the next second, the endless white space suddenly turned into a green wilderness, and in front of them stood the towering green mountain. With a simple glance, Vincent could feel the primal presence within the mountain. The mountain had an approximate height of 9,000 meters! [Only the first 50 challengers will qualify for the next round!] [Challengers are allowed to surrender before and after the trial. However, once the trial starts, challengers won''t be allowed to surrender freely!] [You have 5 seconds to decide if any of you want to surrender!] Vincent showed no reaction despite hearing the cold and monotonous voice of the tower, as he had already heard about it from Valyn. However, some weren''t aware of the rules and conditions, causing them to furrow their brows in slight worry. Even so, no one dared to surrender. The tower''s voice continued. [In addition, Origin Crystals are prohibited. However, your Origin Energy will be fully recovered after every trial.] [The trial will start in 10 seconds!] [10!] [9!] At this moment, Vincent glanced at the other participants. With a quick scan, he sensed that there were 100 challengers, including him, all with a strength of Tier 1. What he realized, though, was that everyone was suppressed to Tier 1(1¡ï)! This meant their attributes were only around 2¨C5 points. Unfortunately for them, Vincent was a cheat. With his current potential, even when suppressed, his attribute points were still over 30! A very unreasonable advantage if the other challengers found out! Thus, once the countdown ended, the challengers roared as they unleashed their various movement skills! "Haha. Get out of my way, newbies!" A birdman challenger exclaimed loudly as he flapped his wings and attempted to fly into the mountain. However, the next second, a heavy pressure came crashing into him, embedding him into the ground. "Haha. Idiot! Do you think you''ll be allowed to fly in this trial? You should''ve done your research first!" someone mocked after noticing what happened to the birdman. At this moment, Vincent didn''t immediately move. He wasn''t in a rush. Instead, he observed the other challengers. Since he had seen some humans in this trial, he was curious about their techniques. Unfortunately, aside from a slightly faster speed, the humans didn''t possess good movement techniques. As he continued observing the other challengers, a deep and curious voice spoke beside him. "Why are you still standing there like an idiot, human? Did you give up already?" Vincent turned to face the owner of the voice. The person had a very recognizable appearance, as Vincent had encountered many of them today. It was an Agisaur. He wore specialized pants and revealed his muscular, bare upper torso. Vincent didn''t answer the Agisaur''s question but instead asked, "Why are you not running yourself?" The Agisaur scoffed. "Hmph. I''ll be bullying all of you if I don''t give you all a head start." Vincent couldn''t help but chuckle at the Agisaur''s response. It seemed the Agisaurs really took pride in their speed. He wondered what kind of traits and techniques they possessed. However, his reaction somehow displeased the Agisaur. "What''s funny? Do you think I''m kidding?" Vincent shook his head. "Why don''t we make a bet?" "What bet?" the Agisaur asked, curious. "Let''s bet on which one of us can climb the mountain first," Vincent suggested. The Agisaur was stunned for a second before bursting into laughter. "Haha. You''re a funny human! You want to compete with me, an Agisaur, in speed? You''re hilarious." Vincent stared at him expressionlessly, letting him know he wasn''t joking. Naturally, the Agisaur also realized Vincent was serious. He halted his laughter but kept the playful smile on his face. "Alright. What are we betting on?" "If I win, you''ll be my slave for a month," Vincent answered without hesitation. Once again, the Agisaur broke into loud laughter. "Haha. This human really thinks he can win! Alright, alright. If you manage to win, forget a month. I''ll be your slave for my entire life. However, if I win, you''ll be my slave!" The Agisaur, Moutaur, laughed in his mind, thinking Vincent must have gone insane to bet against an Agisaur like him in speed. Upon hearing his response, Vincent suppressed his smile, afraid Moutaur might sense something amiss if he smiled too suddenly. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had been over a minute since the others had started running, and the other challengers were no longer in sight. Vincent said, "Once the second minute starts, the bet is on." "Whatever you say," Moutaur replied nonchalantly. Soon, as the second minute was up, Vincent started to jog. He didn''t immediately run at full strength. However, he immediately noticed that Moutaur hadn''t moved yet. When Vincent looked back, he saw the 7-foot-tall Agisaur arrogantly smiling at him. Vincent smirked when he saw this. If that''s how you want to play, don''t blame me for not giving you a chance, he thought to himself, using only 2% of his speed. Boom! The sudden burst of speed created a loud sound, leaving a trail of dust and smoke behind him. "Hoh, so he wasn''t just all talk. Unfortunately, humans will never win against me in terms of speed!" Moutaur thought as he took a stance akin to an Olympic sprinter. His muscular Tyrannosaurus-like legs vibrated briefly before exploding into motion, leaving deep fractures in the ground. Boom! In just a few seconds, he was already behind Vincent. "Human, if that''s the fastest you can run, then please give up. You shouldn''t have bet against an Agisaur in the first place!" Moutaur sneered, increasing his speed, sending a powerful shockwave past Vincent and blowing his hair wildly. "Haha. Learn your limitations next time!" Moutaur exclaimed, believing he''d left Vincent far behind. However, just as he finished his taunt, Vincent''s voice rang out beside him. "Did you say something?" Vincent glanced casually in his direction without slowing down. Moutaur''s eyes widened in disbelief. I''m already using 30% of my speed! Normally, humans would fall behind by now! Determined, he increased his speed to 50%. Boom! The gap between them widened once again. Yet, a second later, Vincent appeared next to him. "Are you getting serious now?" Vincent asked, still wearing a nonchalant expression. What?! I''m already at 50%! This human shouldn''t be able to keep up! Moutaur thought, stunned. He clenched his teeth and increased his speed to 80%, bypassing several challengers who had started two minutes before him. But even at 80%, Vincent was still right beside him. "How are you so fast?!" Moutaur shouted in frustration. "Is this considered fast?" Vincent tilted his head mockingly. "Aren''t you too slow then?" After making his remark, Vincent decided to widen the gap between them. He was still at only 10% of his speed, without using Origin Power Enhancement or any special movement skills. Moutaur''s face darkened as he pushed himself further, releasing 100% of his speed and leaving Vincent behind momentarily. Continue your journey with empire Finally! However, the next moment, a huge boulder flew toward Moutaur. The Rock Monkeys atop the mountain were throwing obstacles at the challengers. Bang! The boulder smashed into the ground, creating a thick cloud of dust as Moutaur barely avoided it. He smirked. "You might be fast, but let''s see how you handle sudden attacks!" But when he glanced behind him, Vincent had easily dodged the boulder and was once again running beside him, his speed having visibly increased. "You look tired already. Is that all you''ve got?" Vincent asked casually. Moutaur scowled in frustration, unable to understand how a human could rival his speed. "S-Shut up! You still haven''t won yet!" "That''s true," Vincent replied, suppressing a smile. "Well then, I''ll just wait for you at the top, my slave." Boom! Vincent exploded forward with an incredible burst of speed. "Argh, fuck!" Moutaur stumbled and fell backward as dirt and debris filled his face. "Impossible¡­" Moutaur muttered, still lying on the ground in disbelief. He could no longer see Vincent anywhere. In a blink, Vincent had vanished from his sight. Thirty minutes later, Moutaur finally reached the top of the mountain. Gasping for breath, his eyes darted around until he spotted Vincent lying leisurely on a tree branch. [Time Records] 1st: Vincent (00:05:00) 2nd: Moutaur (00:30:45) 3rd¡­ 4th¡­ 5th¡­ Aside from the two of them, no one else had finished the trial yet. But when Moutaur saw the gap between their times, his expression twisted in horror. "N-No¡­ I c-can''t be someone''s slave..." Chapter 141 End of First Trial [Time Records]1st: Vincent (00:05:00) S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 2nd: Moutaur (00:30:45) 3rd¡­ 4th¡­ 5th¡­ Aside from these two, no one else had completed the trial yet. When Moutaur saw the gap between their times, his expression twisted in horror. "N-No¡­ This can''t be happening¡­!" Disbelief consumed him. How could a mere human achieve such speed? He was an Agisaur¡ªa member of a powerful race born with innate speed traits! Even by sheer physical strength and appearance, Agisaurs were undeniably superior to humans. Moreover, their abilities had been suppressed to Tier 1 (1¡ï). How could Vincent, a human, achieve such unreasonable speed?! Vincent, perched casually on a tree branch, glanced at Moutaur with a faint smile. ''Using my real name was the right choice,'' he thought. Before entering the tower, challengers were asked to select a name or codename. Having caused a commotion during his conquest of the Tower of Illusions, Vincent hesitated to use his codename¡ªMagnus. Furthermore, his current companions gave him additional reason to hide his identity. He was traveling alongside Valyn, her best friend Ellie, and Axl Swift, the Third Young Master of the Swift Clan. If someone discovered that Vincent and "Magnus" were the same person, it would draw unnecessary attention. People would already have the idea that he had the only Legendary-grade skill from Tower of Illusions. Only him had the highest possibility to take it after all. Setting his thoughts aside, Vincent hopped down from the tree and approached the frozen Moutaur. The Agisaur instinctively retreated. "Y-You¡­ You are not human! That must be it! There''s no way a human could beat me in speed. Tell me, no¡­ show me! Show me your true form! What are you?!" Moutaur''s pride, wounded by his loss, spurred his frantic accusations. He simply couldn''t accept that a human had bested him. Before Moutaur could step back any further, Vincent''s figure blurred. In an instant, he was beside the Agisaur, leaving an afterimage behind. "Does it really matter who or what I am? You lost the bet, my slave." Vincent''s grin held a hint of danger. Despite Moutaur''s intimidating height, he felt dwarfed by Vincent. He hadn''t been able to follow the human''s speed! Shaking his head, Moutaur stammered, "N-No¡­ I didn''t lose! You cheated! You didn''t even show your true race!" Vincent''s smile faded. "So Agisaurs aren''t just slow; they''re dishonorable as well," he muttered, loud enough for Moutaur to hear. The words hit their mark. Moutaur''s expression twisted further, rage bubbling up alongside his frustration. "You can call me a liar, but we are NOT slow!" Vincent raised an eyebrow at the Agisaur''s vehement response. ''Their ego about speed is incredible,'' he realized. ''They''d rather be called liars than slow. What a mindset.'' His expression turned cold. "So, are you going back on your word now? You boast about your race''s speed but lack the honor to stand by your promise? Pathetic." Having said his piece, Vincent dismissed Moutaur entirely. If the Agisaur refused to honor their wager, so be it. To Vincent, the bet was nothing more than a playful curiosity about an Agisaur''s abilities. Unfortunately, Moutaur''s performance had been lackluster compared to someone like Axl Swift. Disappointed, Vincent walked to the shade of a nearby tree and sat, waiting for the trial to conclude. Moutaur, still reeling from the encounter, was speechless. He wanted to protest but found himself at a loss for words. Deep down, he knew Vincent was right. Moutaur had spent his entire life training for speed, to the point where he''d forgotten what honor meant. Now, faced with his loss, doubt crept into his thoughts. As Moutaur sank into contemplation, more challengers began to reach the summit. Their conditions were starkly different from Vincent''s and Moutaur''s. Most were injured and visibly exhausted. Only a handful bore minor injuries and light fatigue. The new arrivals couldn''t hide their astonishment. Murmurs spread among them, especially from the human challengers, who regarded Vincent with disbelief. "Did that guy actually beat an Agisaur in a speed contest?" someone whispered, glancing between Moutaur''s frozen figure and Vincent, who was lounging casually. "Has this ever happened before? An Agisaur losing to a human?" another wondered aloud. "Maybe he''s not human¡­" muttered by a human, voicing what many were thinking. "There''s no way someone like me could defeat an Agisaur in speed." Others exchanged approving nods, acknowledging the logic in his statement. Nevertheless, despite their curiosity they did not dare approach Vincent or even thought of demanding anything from him. They all plop on the ground, gasping for breath. Although the trial sounded so simple the main objective of the trial was to climb the Rock Monkey Mountain summit while also avoiding countless traps. When the 50th challenger finally reached the summit, the tower''s voice echoed around them: [Congratulations to all challengers who passed the first trial! The Top 31~50 have been awarded 10 Tower Points. 20 Tower Points for the Top 11~30, and 30 Tower Points for the Top 6~10.] [40 Tower Points for the Top 1~5.] [Those who failed will be expelled from the tower and prohibited to enter for 7 days.] Exclamations of joy and disappointment filled Rock Monkey Mountain. Vincent paid them no mind, his attention elsewhere. [You have received 40 Tower Points.] Talent Activated! Experience tales with empire +400,000 Tower Points! [You now have access to the Tower''s Exchange.] [The second trial will commence in 5 minutes.] A subtle smile played on Vincent''s lips. This is what I''ve been waiting for. He quickly navigated to the Tower''s Exchange and accessed the Skill Tab. To his surprise, only three rare-grade skills were available. He frowned. ''It seems they''re trying to limit me from draining this tower dry¡­'' He scoffed mentally. Too bad. They still left plenty for me to take. Without hesitation, Vincent exchanged the three rare-grade skills for 10,000 Tower Points each. -30,000 Tower Points. He naturally did not stop there, he also checked the Weapon Tab without a beat. Similar to Skill Tab, there were 3 remaining rare-grade armaments. Without an ounce of hesitation, he exchanged for it with another 30,000 Tower Points! All of these items had directly entered his storage ring. He might cause a huge commotion if the other challengers discovered the sudden appearance of rare-grade items. In spite of that, he was destined to cause a commotion since he took the remaining rare-grade items in Tier 1 Tower''s Exchange. Chapter 142 Forcing Others To Quit and Getting a Slave Vincent did not continue exchanging his tower points for items. He scanned his surroundings and found a not-so-hidden corner before checking out the skills he had exchanged for.Skill Name: Temporal Acceleration Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: The user''s perception of time is accelerated by 200% for 10 seconds, allowing faster reactions and decision-making. While active, the user can execute precise actions without external time advancing significantly. Consumes 30 Origin Energy per second. "This is great!" Despite its simple details, Vincent instantly knew the importance of the effects of this rare-grade skill. Without hesitation, he learned it. Temporal Acceleration has been learned! Next, he checked the second skill. Skill Name: Velocity Field Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Creates a 10-meter radius field around the user, increasing the movement and attack speed of all allies within the field by 50% for 15 seconds. Consumes 80 Origin Energy upon activation. "A buff? This is another good skill!" Velocity Field has been learned! Finally, he checked the last rare-grade skill. Skill Name: Stormstep Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: The user summons a burst of storm energy, allowing them to move at lightning speed in a straight line up to 60 meters. Enemies in the path are stunned for 1 second. Consumes 50 Origin Energy per use. "Another good movement skill!" He learned it without hesitation. Stormstep has been learned! Vincent was quite satisfied with the rare-grade skills he obtained this time. If upgrading them was allowed, they would be even better! He then took a quick glance at the weapon-type armaments he had acquired. Item Name: Stormracer Bow Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Bow) Grade: Rare Details: A bow crafted from Windoak Wood and strung with Gale Threads. Activating its skill allows the wielder to fire arrows at triple their normal speed for 6 seconds, with each arrow generating a small shockwave that increases the wielder''s movement speed by 10% for 3 seconds. This ability consumes 50 Origin Energy and has a cooldown of 30 seconds. Item Name: Lightningstep Rapier Discover more content at empire Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Rapier) Grade: Rare Details: A sleek rapier imbued with Thunder Glyphs that channels the power of lightning. Activating its skill allows the wielder to perform a "Flash Step," instantly closing the gap to an enemy within 10 meters and delivering an electrified thrust that stuns the target for 1 second. This skill consumes 60 Origin Energy per use and has a cooldown of 15 seconds. Item Name: Gale Reaver Blade Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Greatsword) Grade: Rare Details: A massive blade carved with Wind Runes that lightens its weight while amplifying its wielder''s speed. Activating its skill creates a "Wind Surge," increasing the wielder''s movement speed by 30% and attack speed by 20% for 12 seconds. This surge consumes 70 Origin Energy and has a cooldown of 45 seconds. Unfortunately, while these weapons were good, they weren''t suited to his style, and he currently had a better weapon. Still, it wasn''t a bad thing to have them! He still had 340,000 tower points remaining. Needless to say, he exchanged them for all the rare-grade items in the Equipment and Miscellaneous Tabs and used the rest for uncommon-grade items. He set aside checking the information on those items as his surroundings buzzed with whispers of exclamation. "Oh no, it''s happening..." someone murmured. "What''s happening? What do you mean?!" questioned another. "The rare-grade skills and items are all gone!" The man said it as he frantically scrolled through the Tower''s Exchange and saw the listed items disappearing. "Are you certain?!" exclaimed another. "Check for yourselves!" "Oh no... it''s true!" someone realized with despair. "No... I just started saving tower points! How the hell are they disappearing so fast?!" "Fuck! There are only a few uncommon and common-grade items left!" "Go! Check the leaderboard! See if that guy, Magnus, has already shown up!" Unfortunately for them, their efforts were futile. They wouldn''t find the culprit, as Vincent was using his real name, and he had just cleared the first trial of Tier 1. How could his name possibly appear on the leaderboard? "What are we supposed to do now? Should we still take these trials? There are barely any good items left..." Those words triggered contemplation among the other challengers as they debated whether continuing the trials was worth the effort. Then, one person stood up and made a decision. "Fuck it! I''m not going to waste more time here! If I ever find this Magnus guy, I''ll fucking slit his neck!" The man''s body dissolved into particles of light as he left the Tower of Speed. His actions caused a ripple effect, and many other challengers quickly decided to quit as well. Vincent watched the scene unfold with amusement. He was the cause of it all, yet he felt no guilt. If anything, he was suppressing a smile. "What can I do? My talent is so broken. I''d be a fool not to use it for myself," he thought, amused. Soon, only 30 challengers remained, including Vincent. To his surprise, Moutaur did not leave the tower. As the second trial was about to begin, Moutaur approached him, not with anger, but with hesitation. "Human... no, Vincent," he said, struggling with his words. "What do you want?" Vincent asked flatly. "I lost our bet, and I... I..." Moutaur struggled before finally saying, "I''ll honor it. I will be your slave, but only for a year!" The Agisaur gritted his sharp teeth, clearly despising the words he had just uttered. Vincent was genuinely surprised. He hadn''t expected Moutaur to honor the bet, even if it was only for a year instead of a lifetime. "Why the change of heart?" Vincent inquired, keeping his gaze steady. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moutaur stared at him with determination. "You don''t need to know the reason. But after a year, I''ll beat you and erase this humiliation, human." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "What did you just call me?" Moutaur frowned but repeated, "Human." Vincent''s tone hardened. "It seems you still aren''t willing to honor your words." Realizing what Vincent meant, Moutaur gritted his teeth again. After a moment of hesitation, he sighed in resignation and said, "M-Master." Vincent nodded in satisfaction. "Good. From now on, you''ll follow my commands without complaints. Otherwise, everyone in Origin World will learn how dishonorable Agisaurs truly are." Though filled with hatred, Moutaur swallowed his pride and replied, "Yes, Master." Their exchange didn''t go unnoticed. The remaining challengers looked on in disbelief. "What did I just witness?" "Did that Agisaur really submit himself to a human as a slave?" Vincent ignored the murmurs. Before the second trial began, he questioned Moutaur about the upcoming trials. As a resident of Freedom Swift City, the Agisaur was well-informed about the Tower of Speed. Moments later. The Tower''s voice echoed again. [The second trial will begin in¡­] Time passed quickly, and Vincent completed all the Tier 1 trials. Chapter 143 Bet Vincent smoothly cleared all the Tier 1 trials.Most of the trials were about speed fundamentally and no direct battle against other challengers, except for the last trial where he had to play tag with the remaining 10 Tier 1 challengers. It was a no-brainer that it had no challenge for him. With his current attribute points and his strength fully unsealed at the Tier 1 last trial, it was child''s play for him. And regarding Moutaur, the slave agisaur had naturally lost against Vincent in the last trial. After all of that, it was needless to say that he had millions of tower points. So, did he empty the remaining items on Tower''s Exchange? Naturally. Initially, he was hesitant because he was accompanying Valyn, and he had told her that he had no connection with the disappearance of the tower''s items. However, once or twice might be possible for him to dismiss the accusations, but the third time? Only a fool would believe that he was not connected with the tower''s issue. Since whenever he was challenging a tower, the Tower''s Exchange was always being emptied, and Valyn was with him all that time. That''s why he was hesitant. Well, it was only for a very short moment. As long as no one saw him and had solid proof that he was the culprit, he would deny it all the time. Therefore, with a huge grin on his face, he emptied the remaining items, filling his storage ring again. After all of his hoarding, his storage ring still had a lot of remaining space. And it was important to note that he still had more storage rings with the same size as his epic-grade storage ring. Soon, the tower''s voice echoed. [You have completed the Tier 1 Trials, you have now qualified to challenge the Tier 2 Trials. Would you like to proceed?] Vincent curtly agreed with a nod. "Yes." In the next second, his vision blurred as he disappeared from a flat arena. At the same time, outside of the Tower of Speed. Valyn, along with Ellie and Axl Swift, were gathered in a gazebo that was not there in the first place. Axl Swift had ordered one of the city''s guards who had a talent for building structures to build one for him and his guests while they talked and observed the Ranking Leaderboard. The moment Vincent cleared the last trial of Tier 1, his name naturally appeared at the 100th place. It was for a reason that Vincent simply chose not to enter the top rank as it did not matter to him. Needless to say, with Valyn and the others'' perceptions, they immediately noticed when Vincent''s name appeared. "Your younger brother seems to have managed to clear the Tier 1 trials and enter the leaderboard. Will he come out now?" asked Ellie, who was quite surprised. She had no idea what was the real relationship between Valyn and Vincent, thus she was quite curious how Vincent would perform. And so, she was a little surprised that Vincent managed to clear the Tier 1 trials quickly. And opposite of Ellie, Valyn had not much reaction. She was already expecting it. As much as it sounds unbelievable, she was already assuming that Vincent would be able to conquer the Tower of Speed if not highly possible to enter the Tier 2 Ranking Leaderboard. Aside from that, her thoughts lingered about the commotion revealed by the Tier 1 challengers. The Tower''s Exchange was once again emptied. She was not a fool. She knew Vincent must be connected with this issue in some way or another. Well, despite that, she could only smile wryly in her mind. ''He dared to lie to my face¡­ I would make him pay, this big sister when he comes out¡­'' she thought before grinning at her best friend. "Don''t be surprised yet. He wasn''t done yet," she replied, which was naturally heard by Axl Swift as well. Raising his lizard-skin-like eyebrows, Axl questioned Valyn. "Is the Witch Fox saying he''ll be able to enter the Tier 2 Leaderboard?" He sounded quite skeptical because, as far as he knew and observed, Vincent was a mere Peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was already a miracle that a human like Vincent had managed to appear on the leaderboard. But clearing Tier 2 and appearing on the leaderboard? That''s quite impossible, as the leaderboard was dominated mostly by his race and other races known for their speed techniques. "I''m not trying to be rude, but I can''t seem to see your brother appearing on the leaderboard¡­" Valyn''s eyebrows rose as she looked at Axl with a questioning look. "Are you doubting my younger brother''s capability?" Her voice rose a little higher than usual. "Well¡­ I''m just saying your brother''s strength is limited. He will be competing against Tier 2 Origin Warriors." Without saying it specifically, Valyn knew that Axl was doubting Vincent''s strength. It was a natural reaction. If she did not know about Vincent, she would also think that Axl''s words were true. Unfortunately, Vincent was not your average Joe, he defied common sense. She believed that Vincent had the strength to clear the Tier 2 Trials. Therefore, her eyes glinted as she thought of something exciting, which didn''t escape Ellie''s sight. ''Oh no, she''s up to something¡­'' Ellie thought. They had been friends for several years already, so she understood Valyn''s seemingly unnoticeable expression. Valyn narrowed her eyes and said, "Do you wanna make a bet then?" Axl furrowed his brows for a second before easing it back. He was quite skeptical about where the Witch Fox was getting her confidence. Nevertheless, his interest was piqued. "Hooh, a bet with the Witch Fox? What are we betting on?" replied Axl, amused. "I''ll say, my younger brother will be able to enter the Tier 2 leaderboard. If I got it wrong, you can have this." After saying it, Valyn flicked her hand, and a deep purple scroll appeared in her hand. "I''m certain you are familiar with this, right?" Ellie and Axl furrowed their eyebrows when they noticed the scroll in Valyn''s hand. "You''re taking out that scroll for a bet?!" Ellie exclaimed. Ellie naturally recognized the scroll. It was an Upgrade Scroll¡ªan epic-grade one. Meaning, a scroll that could upgrade any kind of items or skills from rare to epic grade. As far as Ellie could remember, Valyn had fought so hard just to get this scroll. She even had to recuperate for a few months because of her injuries. She thought Valyn had already used it, but it wasn''t the case, and she wanted to use it as a bet?! Just what kind of trust does she have for Vincent?! When Axl Swift noticed the purple scroll, his eyes immediately brightened with excitement before he composed himself. ''An Upgrade Scroll? Is she crazy?'' he thought as he laughed in his mind. ''I don''t know the source of her confidence, but she would never believe that it will be her younger brother''s¡­'' Axl''s thought trailed off before he hid his excitement. "Are you sure you wanna bet that?" he asked in a casual but serious voice. He acted as though he was concerned. "Why? Is our slippery lizard afraid to lose on a bet?" Valyn teased. Axl wasn''t affected by Valyn''s words. With a polite smile, he asked, "Well, it''s not every day someone gets the chance to wager with the Witch Fox herself." "And I''m not the type who likes to take advantage of others¡­" Axl paused and waved his hand. "If I lose, you can have this¡­" Two items appeared in front of Axl, a blue crystal gem and a slightly old, rusty necklace emitting a pale purple light. The moment the blue crystal gem appeared, Mochi, who was dozing off in Valyn''s arms, suddenly perched, her cute rabbit nose twitching. "Food!" Mochi exclaimed in her mind, drooling. She tried to reach it with her short plump arm but was unable to even touch it. "This gem is a Tier 3 Rare-grade Primal Boss Core, and this necklace is an epic-grade item. I''ve used it twice, but it still has one more chance to use." "What is that?" Valyn asked, curious. "This item is called the Temporal Runic Necklace, and it has an ability effect called ''Portal Displacement'' allowing one to instantly travel from anywhere within the Novice Continent, bypassing any restrictions." Upon hearing his explanation, Valyn''s eyes shone. Although it still only had one more chance to use, she knew its importance. It was a life-saving item. Although there were items like escape scrolls, there were special places in the Origin World that hindered the effect of escape scrolls. It meant, with the Temporal Runic Necklace and its ability, she could attempt to visit those places with a free mind. Similarly, Valyn didn''t show her true thoughts and agreed after acting as though she had a thoughtful consideration. "Alright. We have a bet." "Great." Both parties nodded casually, but both of them were grinning in their minds. Back in the Tower of Speed... [The final stage of Tier 2 Trials will start in 5 minutes.] Vincent smoothly passed the 9 trials without an effort. Chapter 144 Battle Royale Vincent smoothly passed the 9 trials without any effort.It was important to note that, aside from his overwhelming basic attribute advantage, the trials went easily because of the new epic-grade skill he had just exchanged for 100,000 Tower Points. It was a skill he never expected to find within the Tower of Speed. Skill Name: Boundless Energy Flow Cost: 100,000 Tower Points Grade: Epic Details: Removes stamina consumption for 30 seconds. Creates an energy circulation field, increasing stamina recovery by 1000%. Perfect for extended battles. Consumes 200 Origin Energy upon activation. It meant he could go all out for 30 seconds! Although it couldn''t yet show its true strength as he was being held back by his limited Origin Energy, he knew it would be a very good technique in the future! Just imagining unleashing his epic skills or possible legendary skills, he would be overwhelmingly powerful and wouldn''t be far from his main goal: to enjoy the peaceful life of the strongest! Aside from that, he equipped new items he had exchanged from the Tower''s Exchange, which were only rare items, but they were enough to increase his speed attribute by 10 points! It was truly unfortunate that there was only one epic skill left in the Tower''s Exchange. The other challengers seemed to have managed to accumulate enough points to exchange for epic-grade items. Even so, he wasn''t too disappointed, since he was able to hoard the remaining rare-grade items. He could upgrade them to higher grades in the future if he wanted to. He wouldn''t lose out just by having rare-grade items; hell, even uncommon-grade was already good to him. At this moment, sitting in a lotus position in an endless white space, Vincent rubbed his chin and thought about his possible next plan. "If Lizno manages to complete what I''ve asked of him, I will finally be able to put to use the skills and items I have¡­" "I can probably sell some of it for funds¡­" "Or upgrade some of it and sell it to specific individuals¡­" He still remembered the people who had invited him to their territory when he cleared the Tower of Illusions. They could be his potential clients. "Well, that''s for another time¡­ Let me clear this trial for now¡­" Soon, the tower''s voice echoed. [The final stage for Tier 2 Trials will start in a minute. You will be sent to a battlefield where you will have to fight against 200 qualified challengers in a Battle Royale.] [The rules are still mostly the same. Offensive skills and mental abilities are prohibited, with an exemption for movement skills.] [Important note: This stage allows direct combat. Therefore, you are allowed to surrender anytime as long as the trial hasn''t started yet.] Vincent fell silent when he heard the tower''s announcement. "A battle royale¡­" If it''s a battle royale, would it be a solo battle or a team battle? With that question in his mind, he unhesitatingly voiced his concern, to which the tower promptly responded. [Every challenger will be randomly assigned to a group of five members, and only the winning group will qualify to challenge the Tier 3 Trials.] [Do you want to surrender? Yes/No?] Vincent silently pondered. It would be the first time he would be against many challengers in a direct elimination trial. Most of the trials he had experienced in the Tower of Speed were more like a competition and training focused on speed, reaction, and adaptability. [You have 10 seconds before the trial starts...] [10¡­ 9¡­ 8¡­] Naturally, Vincent wouldn''t just leave like that; he was here to try to clear the Tower of Speed after all. Soon, the countdown ended. [You will now be sent to the battlefield along with your other teammates.] Vincent''s vision blurred, and in the next second, he found himself within a dense forest. He was currently standing in the middle of a flat, open surface, along with four more individuals. With a quick scan, Vincent was able to instantly gauge their strength. They were all Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors. He was the only Tier 1 in their group. He carefully observed his teammates, who were also doing the same thing. Aside from him, there were two more male Origin Warriors that were from different races. One of them was a not-commonly-seen but still infamous race, Nervewalkers. The Nervewalkers were a race of slender, humanoid creatures with long, spindly limbs and ethereal, transparent skin. They possessed a unique nervous system that allowed them to move with uncanny speed. Its ghostly appearance made Vincent wonder what would happen if this alien race suddenly appeared on the streets of Earth. Aside from the Nervewalker, the other male in his team was from a race called Cheetral. The male Cheetral stood tall and proud, his digitigrade legs covered in sleek, spotted fur. His muscles rippled beneath his spotted skin, a testament to his agility and strength. His long tail swished behind him. His eyes were a piercing gold, the color of sunlight reflected off a wild animal''s gaze. And his remaining two teammates were females. One of them was from the same Cheetral race, but compared to the male one, the female had a slender body. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent wasn''t being racist, but he somehow could not see any difference between the male and female Cheetral. As much as he wanted to ask if they were siblings, he firmly held his curiosity. Then his attention shifted to the last person, who was also observing him apparently. She was from his race¡ªa human¡ªwhich sort of surprised him. Ever since he started the Tier 2 Trials, he had never encountered anyone from the human race, and that made him wonder if humans were truly one of the weakest races. With one look, Vincent could tell that the jade-haired lady in front of him was a beauty and around the age of Valyn¡ªin her early 20s. She was wearing a silky green martial robe. She looked like an immortal in those Chinese movies he had watched in his life on Earth. Although she had a pair of sharp green eyes, her lips were smiling warmly at him. He had no idea what was going on in her mind, but he had a good impression of her. At this moment, the woman spoke, "I didn''t expect to meet someone from the same race¡­" Just as Vincent was about to respond, an emotionless and hollow voice interrupted him. "You, human¡­ Why is a weakling like you here?" Although the words seemed like an insult, when Vincent turned to face the owner of the voice¡ªthe Nervewalker scratching its head¡ªa sense of pure curiosity radiated from its stance. His expression eased, feeling that it was merely seeking understanding. Hearing the words of the Nervewalker, his other teammates turned their attention to him. "Wow, he''s really a weakling. A Peak Tier 1 managed to reach this stage? What kind of luck do you have?" This was said by the female Cheetral, who eyed him amusedly, while the male Cheetral just glanced at him before snorting. At the same time, the jade-haired woman approached him. "How did you manage to reach this stage with your strength?" Her voice had a hint of wonder and curiosity. The male Cheetral suddenly interjected, "Hmph, what''s so good about being Tier 1 here? He will only be a deadweight for us!" "Is he?" The Nervewalker tilted its head, still filled with questions in his transparent mind. As soon as the male Cheetral said it, the female Cheetral immediately covered his mouth and said, "Haha, don''t mind this guy. His words might sound harsh, but he only said it out of concern. Don''t worry, we won''t treat you as a deadweight. We are a team for this stage, after all." The male Cheetral struggled, wanting to break free from the female Cheetral''s grip, but to no avail. "By the way, I''m Nira, and this sharp-tongued guy is my friend, Nor. How about you guys?" The jade-haired woman promptly responded, "I''m Ruoruo." "Vincent," Vincent replied simply. Their eyes then looked at the silly-looking Nervewalker. "How about you, big guy?" Nira asked. "Me? I''m S''an. My mom told me my name means ''strongest and kindest!'' That''s what I''m aspiring for!" S''an replied enthusiastically and innocently. After their introduction, the tower''s voice echoed, announcing the rules of the battle royale. [Listen well, challengers. Amongst the 40 groups of five members, only one group will have the chance to qualify for the next level.] [In this battle royale, the battlefield has a size of 100 x 100 km with different environments. The battlefield has many loots that can temporarily increase your chance of survival.] [Keep in mind that the safe zone will shrink over time. Be sure to keep your eyes on the virtual map for the next circle. Any challenger who remains outside of the safe zone will suffer damage until they move back inside or are eliminated.] [The goal is to survive and be the last one standing. May the odds be ever in your favor.] As the tower''s voice faded, Vincent and every challenger looked at the virtual map of the battlefield that appeared in the corner of their vision. "To think it will be like this¡­" Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly upon completely realizing the trial rules. "So, do you guys have any plan?" Nira asked. Their group then fell into a deep conversation. Somewhere on the other side of the map, the young master of the Boltor Clan, Clark Boltor, along with four other individuals, stood in silence. At this moment, Clark was looking at the information and names of the other groups. He was focused on a certain name in Group 24. "Vincent¡­ I finally found you!" He had received intel from one of Axl Swift''s men that Vincent had somehow managed to reach the Tier 2 Trials. Initially, he suppressed his strength to Tier 1 so he could re-challenge the Tier 1 Trials, hoping to meet Vincent. But he waited so long, and he never encountered Vincent even after clearing the Tier 1 Trials. He was so disappointed that he wasn''t able to get his revenge. Fortunately, he had met one of Axl''s men, who informed him about the sudden change in the situation. "Haha, heaven must be taking pity on me. Wait for me, Vincent! I don''t care if it''s you or not, but I''ll check it with my own eyes. Don''t die before I meet you!" Chapter 145 Battle Royale (2) After some time, Vincent''s group somehow came up with a plan.From a simple scan of the map, they immediately understood their location. According to the virtual map, they were currently at the edge of the western part of the battlefield. Within this dense forest, there were many old houses and different ruins. The red zone hadn''t appeared yet, so, for the time being, they were safe. After their short conversation, they decided to give each other a role. Nira took the group leader role and forced Nor to take on the frontline and scout role along with S''an, while Ruoruo and Vincent assumed support roles. Their roles matched their introduced abilities. Naturally, they didn''t fully reveal all of their abilities. Even so, no one forced them. It was normal not to fully trust strangers; they were only a temporary team, after all. Although they weren''t treating Vincent as a deadweight, no one fully trusted a Tier 1 Origin Warrior like him. At this moment, they went inside an abandoned two-story establishment with several rooms. The establishment was empty, as it had already been scouted by S''an, whose race''s traits allowed him to turn transparent and intangible, enabling him to pass through walls without any problem. "This place is empty. Let''s go quickly and search all the rooms separately and meet back here in a minute or two," Nira commanded. Vincent and the others nodded, complying silently. Vincent went to the left wing of the first floor, and the others also moved and began searching. However, Ruoruo followed him. He looked at her in wonder, but before he could voice his thoughts, Ruoruo spoke. "Come on, it''s safer if I come along with you." It seemed she was worried about him. However, Vincent didn''t think of that. He was wondering what her motive was. Although he had a good impression of her, it didn''t mean he could trust her with his back. Hence, he said, "I''m fine. You don''t have to worry about me. I can protect myself. Additionally, the place is empty. I don''t think anyone will be able to enter this establishment without alerting anyone." "Come on, don''t be shy. This big sister will protect you!" As she said that, she proudly stuck out her ''disappointing'' chest. Vincent glanced at it, but he didn''t say a word about it. He just thought, ''That wasn''t big¡­ sister¡­'' Although he never uttered it, Ruoruo seemed to have sensed his thoughts as her expression faintly darkened. "Y-You, you definitely glanced at my chest." "I did not," Vincent immediately denied, not even glancing at her. He would never admit it, no matter what. "T-This¡­ I¡ªI''m still in development!" she exclaimed as though she was trying to reason. "Development, what?" Vincent acted innocent. "N-Nothing!" She then went ahead of him, her voice trailing as she passed over him, "...pervert." Vincent could only smile wryly in a subtle way. After some time, the group finally searched every room of the establishment. "What did you all find? As we talked about, no one''s gonna hide anything from the group. So, please show all your loot," Nira said in a straight voice. No one had any objections. They began to reveal their loot. "These are what I''ve found¡­" Nira revealed hers first. She found three med-kits¡ªlow-quality recovery potions. "Here are mine," Nor simply said, revealing his loot. He found a blue glowing orb that emitted a cool light and three old-looking storage rings. Nira inspected it. "These three storage rings all have the size of backpacks. As you all know, we can no longer access our storage ring. We cannot store any of the items here. These storage rings are going to be helpful." After saying that, she wore one storage ring and stored all the recovery potions she found before handing over the other two storage rings to Nor and Ruoruo. Vincent simply watched in silence. He didn''t care. If he wasn''t being lazy, he would have gone and eliminated everybody. Unfortunately, it would not give him anything, even if he did that. Thus, he decided to just take it easy. "What is that orb used for?" Ruoruo questioned after equipping the storage ring. Nira inspected it, and it felt cold upon touching. "This is a Freeze Ball. It can transform a 50-meter radius into a glacial environment, freezing and immobilizing the affected targets," she explained. "I will hold these items for now¡­" Nira continued. "These are what I''ve found¡­" S''an took out several items: Two backpack-sized storage rings, two med-kits¡ªlow-quality recovery potions, two transparent milky armors, and three green potions. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nira handed the storage rings to S''an and Vincent before inspecting the other items. "These milky armors are called Tier 1 Shields. They simply increase base defense by 20%, while the three green potions are buff potions that can increase movement speed by 20% and physical damage by 10%!" She then handed the armors to Nor and S''an as they were the scouts, before giving everyone a recovery potion. Now, everyone had their own recovery potion. "I''ll hold these buff potions for now¡­" Ruoruo revealed 3 more transparent white armors and a small device with a simple button. "With these 3 more shields, we all can equip Tier 1 Shields," said Nira. She continued, "While this device can scan a single target building, revealing all the presence inside." Nira stored it without a word. Their eyes then gathered at Vincent. Still silent, he showed them the item he had found. "Hehe, we found that!" said Ruoruo, seemingly proud of the loot. "Well, isn''t that surprising. Well, you may hold it for now. We can use it later." Nira immediately snapped a glare at Nor, who was about to say something. Nor had no choice but to forget whatever he was trying to say. "Okay, let''s go and clear the other buildings before the others arrive!" Just in the early minutes after the Battle Royale began, some groups in close proximity had already started fighting. Needless to say, similar situations were happening across the battlefield. Vincent''s group was fortunate to be at the edge. However, there was also a disadvantage: groups engaged in constant battle might have better loot and items by the time they encountered them. At the 10-minute mark, the circle began shrinking. After another 10 minutes, it shrunk again. It was at that moment, as they were leaving the dense forest and approaching the desert environment, that they finally had their first encounter. Surprisingly, it was with a group of a race very familiar to Vincent. They were bipedal hyenas¡ªYeenlings! All of them were Peak Tier 2. Initially, Vincent had no idea what their official race name was. Fortunately, he had read more about the Origin World before returning here. As soon as they saw Vincent''s group, the Yeenlings bared their fangs, growling. They all wore Tier 1 Shields. With snarls and erratic movements, they rushed toward Vincent''s group without a word. Vincent observed that the Yeenlings were dangerously focused on Nira and Nor, glaring at them with visible hatred. "Nor! Kill these low-class copycats!" Nira spat venomously. The Yeenling and Cheetral races had a long-standing enmity. Despite their similar appearances, the Yeenlings were savages, notorious for ganging up on and slaughtering the Cheetrals. "You don''t need to tell me. I already planned to kill every fucking Yeenling I find in this place!" Nor roared, baring his fangs and crouching slightly. In the next moment, two more Nor clones appeared beside him. As one of the Yeenlings pounced, Nor charged forward with his clones, meeting the attack head-on. Bam! Clang! Awoo! The clash of claws and shields echoed, followed by a howl of pain as Nor''s attack left deep wounds across the Yeenling''s chest. "Fucking yellow cat!" cursed the injured Yeenling. Before it could retreat, a tall, slender humanoid figure materialized in front of it. "Be quiet, spotty dog!" It was S''an, who had quickly moved to support Nor. S''an''s massive hands vibrated with blinding speed, creating a buzzing sound. Bang! With a single strike, his hands smashed the Yeenling''s head, killing it instantly. "Good job, big guy!" Nira praised. "I''m the strongest!" S''an roared, exhilarated. "Sphart!" one of the remaining Yeenlings cried out in anguish. "Fuck! Avenge our brother!" "Awooo!" The remaining Yeenlings charged, but even as they fought ferociously, Vincent''s group maintained the upper hand. In no time, the Yeenlings were covered in deep injuries. Just as Nira and the others were about to finish them off, the Yeenlings each pulled out a token. Their figures blurred. "This won''t be the last time. We will meet again!" The next moment, they vanished completely, safely exiting the Tower of Speed. Escaping the trials was supposed to be impossible once they started. However, Vincent knew what the Yeenlings had used: a Tower''s Escape token. This item, costing 5,000 Tower Points, allowed users to exit the tower safely, even mid-trial. The downside was that they wouldn''t be able to re-enter the tower for a whole month. Nira and Nor clicked their tongues in frustration at the Yeenlings'' escape but didn''t dwell on it. They knew their current situation. There was no time to relax or lose focus. "Let''s go!" Nira commanded, and the group pressed onward. Chapter 146 My Plan Is Better After defeating the group of Yeenlings, Vincent''s group finally reached the desert biome part of the battlefield.In the distance, several connected buildings formed a triangular shape. In the middle of these buildings stood a towering structure resembling a wizard''s tower. Hiding behind a huge rock, Nira faced Nor and S''an, who had just returned from scouting the nearest building. "How was it?" she questioned. Nor took the initiative to respond. "There were at least three groups within the perimeter of the ''Abandoned Tower.'' That''s just the perimeter¡ªwe haven''t been able to completely scout the tower itself." Nira frowned. "How about their situation and equipment?" she asked further. "Regarding their equipment, two groups were all wearing Tier 1 shields, while the other group was equipped with transparent green armor. Most likely, Tier 2 shields." Nor paused before continuing. "And about their situation¡ªthis is just my assumption¡ªbut based on their locations and reactions, they seem aware of the presence of the other groups as well." Nira continued to ask, "And their level?" Nor responded promptly as he took a glance at Vincent. "All Peak Tier 2." Nira seemed preoccupied, failing to notice Nor''s gaze. However, Vincent and Ruoruo definitely caught it, sensing that Nor was trying to say something. Ruoruo stepped in front of Vincent and stared directly into Nor''s eyes. "You don''t have to worry; he won''t be a deadweight. I''ll be supporting him." Vincent was faintly surprised. He didn''t know why she was protecting him, especially since this was their first meeting. He grew more curious about the real reason behind her actions. At the same time, Nira sensed something amiss. When she heard Ruoruo''s words, she raised her head, looking at them in confusion before immediately realizing what was happening. Without a word, she approached Nor and pulled him by his ears. "When are you going to stop acting like a jackass?" "I''m not a jackass! L-Let go of my ears!" Nira then turned to Ruoruo and, with an awkward smile, said, "Don''t mind this guy. He would never dare to do anything as long as I''m here, so you both can relax." Ruoruo nodded, though her expression remained serious. She then turned around to face Vincent. She flashed him a warm smile and said, "You have nothing to worry about. I''ll protect you¡­ even if you''re a pervert¡­" Her last sentence was weak, almost a whisper, but still audible to Vincent''s sharp hearing. Vincent couldn''t help but ask in wonder, "Why? Why are you helping me?" Ruoruo''s perfectly arched eyebrows rose as her eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean, why? Isn''t that normal? We''re both from the same race¡ªwe ought to protect each other from the oppression of other races." Though still in doubt, Vincent didn''t say anything and simply nodded in response. Her answer sounded reasonable, yet he knew there was more to it. But he refrained from pressing further as they moved inside a two-story house. "Everyone," Nira started, drawing their attention. "Now, let''s discuss what we''re going to do¡­" As Vincent''s group discussed their plan, the other groups, unaware of their presence, remained focused on each other. After some time, Vincent''s group finalized their plan. However, Ruoruo still wore a worried expression. "Do we really have to do this? Can''t we just wait for them to fight each other and then take them out in one fell swoop?" she asked. She wasn''t worried about herself¡ªher concern was for the task given to Vincent. Nira smiled at her wryly. "I''m not trying to be rude, but as you can see, if we really wait for them to kill each other and a group survives to claim all the loot, do you think we''ll have any advantage against them?" Though she didn''t directly say it, she was clearly implying that having a Peak Tier 1 in their team put them at a distinct disadvantage against groups of Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors. Noticing that Ruoruo was still unconvinced, Nira added, "Well, if you''re that worried, why don''t you do it on your own?" At this moment, Vincent could no longer remain a silent listener. He interjected, "I appreciate your concern, Miss Ruoruo, but you don''t have to worry about me. I can protect myself." "But¡ª" Before she could protest further, an emergency alarm echoed across the entire battlefield, signaling the shrinking of the safe zone circle. "It''s time!" said Nira. As soon as she spoke, a loud explosion echoed in the distance. The other groups had already begun fighting. The curses and clashing sounds from the distant groups filled the air, followed by another resounding explosion. "Fuck you! Die, assholes!" "Haha! I thought you were going to hide forever like a fucking rat! Go kill them!" Nira looked at Nor and S''an, nodding to them before turning to Ruoruo. "There''s no time to argue now. We have to follow the plan." Ruoruo''s gaze hardened before she turned to Vincent and handed him a wooden token with a strange aura. "Here, you can have this," she said, placing it in Vincent''s hand. With a glance, Vincent instantly recognized it. He had some of them as well: a Tower''s Escape token. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ruoruo didn''t wait for Vincent''s response before vanishing in a flash toward a specific direction. Nira, Nor, and S''an also left shortly after, with Nira saying, "Stick to the plan." Vincent grew tired of their shenanigans. He wasn''t the type to hide his strength, and if it weren''t so time- and energy-consuming to eliminate all the other groups on his own, he would have done it already. But now, looking at the situation, he felt his original plan to take it easy was turning out to be boring. "Haaa, fuck the plan. I''ll do it my own way." With that, Vincent''s figure suddenly blurred before completely vanishing. He had activated his epic-grade skill: Phantom Veil. Vincent had never attempted to use his movement skills during trials, finding no need to do so. But this time was different. Determined to act, he used the sub-skill of Phantom Veil, Shadow Blink, teleporting straight to one of the buildings where three groups were engaged in fierce combat. Unnoticed, he appeared amidst the chaos, halting everyone in their tracks. "What''s a fucking Peak Tier 1 doing here?! And it''s a human no less!" "Yo, brat! Are you already tired of living?" Members of the groups mocked him with laughter. "Haha, are you guys missing a team member? Which group does this human belong to?" another joked, laughing. Just as he finished speaking, Vincent''s figure reappeared beside him. The man was from the Mantice race, known for their agility. Standing nearly seven feet tall with a thin, mantis-like frame, his beady eyes bulged in shock as Vincent slowly withdrew his arm from the man''s stomach, causing green blood to spill onto the floor. "Since I''m not your enemy, I''ll give you a second to use your Tower''s Escape," Vincent whispered to the Mantice, who collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by the human''s speed and strength. Moments ago, he had been mocking Vincent; now, he was bleeding and trembling. "Matty!" the Mantice''s teammates shouted, breaking out of their stupor. "Bastard, let him go!" As they moved to assist their fallen comrade, Vincent''s figure blurred once more. Reappearing just a foot away from them, he hurled a powerful punch. Bam! A thunderous sound echoed as his fist generated a shockwave, blasting Matty''s group into the building''s wall. "Argh!" "Uwargh!" As the groans of pain filled the air, Vincent scanned the remaining two groups. "I''ll give you all one chance: use your Tower''s Escape tokens and abandon this trial, or else¡­" He didn''t bother to finish the threat¡ªhis intent was clear. The two groups gritted their teeth, their expressions filled with fury. "Who the hell do you think you are?! You''re just a mere human!" shouted someone with a boar-like appearance. Vincent smirked. Thankfully, none of these three groups were human, giving him peace of mind to unleash his full strength. In response, he used Shadow Blink to appear beside the boar-man who had spoken. "Look out!" one of them shouted in alarm. Before the boar-man could react, Vincent grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground. Bam! The floor trembled from the impact. Even though the boar-man wore a Tier 1 shield, it offered no protection. Vincent had directly targeted his face, leaving a deep fracture in the floor. Instantly, the boar-man lost consciousness, his condition unknown. "B''aro!" his teammates cried out. But B''aro didn''t respond. Vincent glared at the remaining group members. "Choose. Leave, or end up like him." Though they seethed with anger, they hesitated, realizing the human''s overwhelming strength. Before the boar-man''s group could decide, Matty''s group no longer hesitated and silently activated their Tower''s Escape tokens. As they vanished, the equipment they looted remained behind. Glancing at each other, B''aro''s group also reluctantly decided to leave. The trial had barely started, and they had already been defeated. Though they had begun building trust as a team, it wasn''t strong enough to risk their lives against this "demon in human disguise." They doubted Vincent was truly human¡ªor only Peak Tier 1. After the two groups fled, one group remained, dressed in Tier 2 shields. This group, all members of the Caniscelerus race, stood silently, watching Vincent. Their race, known for their swiftness and cunning, resembled coyotes with sandy fur, sharp eyes, and lean, sinewy bodies. Vincent addressed them. "I don''t have much patience. Are you leaving, or do I have to make you leave?" The leader, Cannis, stepped forward. "How about this? If you block my attack, we''ll leave immediately." His teammates reacted with surprise. "What are you saying, Cannis?! Are you afraid of this brat?" Without looking at the speaker, Cannis replied, "If you think you can defeat him, why don''t you try?" The rebuke silenced his teammate, who knew he stood no chance alone. Vincent smirked, unimpressed. "Make it quick," he said. Moments later, a deafening noise echoed, and the surroundings trembled. Silence followed, broken only by Vincent standing amidst the loot. "My plan is better. There''s no better plan than beating them with overwhelming power." He chuckled at the thought before hearing a familiar voice behind him. "What''s happening here? Where are the other groups? And what are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to sneak and steal the loot?" Turning, Vincent saw Nor standing there with a confused expression. Chapter 147 Arrival "What''s happening here? Where are the other groups? And what are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to sneak in and steal the loot?"Turning, Vincent saw Nor standing there with a confused expression. Soon, Nira, along with S''an, also arrived. "What''s happening?" Nira''s attention eventually turned to the loot items around Vincent. "Woah, the weak human found a lot of useful loot!" S''an, the Nervewalker, said in a surprised tone. Later, Ruoruo also arrived. "Nira, there''s something wrong with your plan. I couldn''t find them¡ª" Ruoruo was interrupted by the scene in front of them. Vincent ignored their questions and simply checked the loot around him. With a quick scan, he set aside almost everything except the Origin Energy recovery potion and the Tier 2 Shield. Ruoruo then approached and asked him, "What''s going on here?" After shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "I don''t know. When I came here, these items were already there, and I couldn''t find those groups that were fighting¡­" He simply made a quick lie. Even if he told them that he forced those groups into quitting, they wouldn''t believe him. Who would believe that a mere Peak Tier 1 like him could scare away three groups of Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors with his strength? No one. And it would cause a long question-and-answer session again, which he never liked. Hence, it was better to make up a lie. Needless to say, no one believed him when he said these items just revealed themselves in front of him. However, no matter how skeptical they were, they couldn''t understand it. Thus, they could only accept it as it was. Soon, there were only 20 groups remaining, and the safe zone had already shrunk to half the size of the original battlefield. Along the way, Vincent''s group encountered a special device that allowed them to predict the location of the safe zone. And they were heading toward it now. Three 10-minute marks had cut the safe zone circle in half again. His group had barely encountered another group along the way, and all of them eventually leveled up their looted items. However, it also meant the other groups were already equipped with better items too! At this moment, they were fiercely engaged with one of the remaining groups, a group of Agisaurs. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent didn''t find it strange as the Tower of Speed was technically dominated by Agisaurs. It was needless to say that with Nor, S''an, and Nira only fighting against the five Peak Tier 2s, Vincent and Ruoruo were supporting them from the back. As per Nira''s assigned roles, Vincent only had to stand at the back and support them by handing out potions and medkits, while Ruoruo''s role was to buff them with her rare-grade skill that could increase the group''s attack and movement speed while also doubling their stamina recovery speed. However, just by a simple glance, Vincent knew that they were at a disadvantage. The Agisaurs were physically stronger and faster than the Cheetrals, Nira and Nor. They had been able to fight with the group of Agisaurs until now by abusing the special traits of S''an. The Nervewalkers had the ability to make themselves invulnerable for a certain period of time. As absurd as it sounds, it had a huge drawback. It would quickly exhaust the Nervewalkers and put them in a prolonged weakened state if used for too long. At this moment, they had been fighting for over five minutes! The safe zone circle had once again started shrinking. It was also important to note that it wasn''t just S''an who was getting exhausted but also Ruoruo, who was constantly buffing them while also attacking the Agisaurs promptly. Fortunately, despite their physical advantage, the Agisaurs had no one like Ruoruo in their party, making them fall into exhaustion at a much faster rate than Vincent''s group. Naturally, Nira noticed this. "They are already exhausted!" she exclaimed, notifying them. Nor didn''t respond but increased his attacks, while S''an exclaimed, "I''m S''an the strongest!" He was truly proud to defeat a group of Agisaurs dominating the Tower of Speed. "Let''s end this, Nor!" Nira commanded. "Understood!" On the other hand, the Agisaurs, who were already exhausted, started feeling agitated when Vincent''s group became more intense. "Fuck these yellow cats! And this fucking ghost! Why are we getting beaten like this? Where the fuck is that human?!" thought Agus, the group leader of the Agisaurs, in frustration. Just as Agus thought about that, the presence of a new group suddenly appeared behind Vincent''s group. At this moment, Vincent and the others also noticed the sudden arrival of a new group. Soon, it was followed by a familiar arrogant voice. "I''ve finally found you, Vincent." The voice was filled with hate and rage. Naturally, Vincent also recognized the voice, as he had just encountered it earlier. With a quick glance behind him, he saw the young master of the Boltor Clan, Clark Boltor, accompanied by four more Origin Warriors from other races who were not human. At this moment, Ruoruo also noticed that Clark was human. She retreated closer to Vincent and asked, "Is he your friend?" Vincent smiled wryly and replied, "I''ll never befriend a toad." His voice was loud enough to be heard by Clark. At the mention of the toad, Clark immediately grew enraged, recalling the moment when he was mocked by Ellie and others right to his face, though he didn''t understand it at first. "Vincent! I''m going to kill you!" The next second, Clark summoned a disc device and tossed it to the ground. It transformed into a huge transparent barrier that covered a 100-meter radius. "Haha, none of you are going to survive this place now!" Clark exclaimed loudly. "You might not know this because you''re nothing but a mere Tier 1. This is a Restriction Disc. No one within its area of effect will be able to leave this barrier by any means other than me. So, even if you have special items or Escape Tower tokens, they won''t work. Haha!" Clark broke into laughter, feeling so proud of himself. However, what others didn''t know was that the Restriction Disc wasn''t his; it was lent to him by Axl Swift. Upon hearing Clark''s proclamation, aside from Vincent, his teammates furrowed their brows deeply, obviously worried. At this moment, the exhausted Agisaurs managed to retreat and regrouped with Clark''s group. With a serious expression, Nira approached Vincent, but before she could ask him about Clark''s identity, Nor''s frustrated voice cut through. "You are already a deadweight to this group, and now you''ve even brought your own enemy to us and put us in this situation! What are you going to do now?!" "Nor¡ª" "Shut up, Nira. I won''t listen to you this time. I told you, we should have already kicked this guy out in the first place! If you had just let me do it, we wouldn''t be in this situation!" Nira fell silent. As much as she wanted him to calm down, everything he had said was true. But then she snapped out of it. "There''s no use getting angry over spilled water. We have to do something, and being angry at him won''t change anything." However, Nor thought otherwise. "I don''t know about that, but just based on that guy''s tone, he''s going to do anything to kill that weak human." "What are you trying to say¡ª" "Let me handle this in my own way this time." After saying that, Nor turned to Clark''s group and specifically looked at Clark. "I want to make a deal!" At the same time, Vincent and Ruoruo wondered what Nor was trying to do. At this moment, Clark stood with his back straight and his arms crossed, looking down at them arrogantly. "Who are you to deal with me?" Nor frowned, displeased, but chose to hide it. "I''m Nor, and we have nothing to do with this guy! Let us go, and you can have him!" As soon as he said that, Nira and Ruoruo''s expressions immediately changed to stunned disbelief. "What are you saying, Nor?!" Nira exclaimed. While Ruoruo was speechless. "You¡­" Vincent only smirked at him but didn''t say anything. On the other hand, Clark burst into laughter. "Haha! I like you, Nor. It seems you''re the only one intelligent enough to actually understand your situation. How about this: if you personally hand me Vincent, I''ll spare your life. I can also spare your girlfriend''s life." Nor fell silent upon hearing Clark''s condition. "However, my patience is short, so you better act quickly," Clark continued. At this moment, Nira pulled Nor to face her. "What are you doing, Nor? Are you trying to save your own ass? Is that how an honorable warrior of the Whitefang Tribe should act?!" "You don''t understand, Nira. I''m doing this to save us!" "No, you''re the one who doesn''t understand me. You''re not the same Nor I''ve known all my life... If you really want to do it, go ahead, but you''ll have to fight me." "Don''t do this, Nira. Please, listen to me just once." Instead of being convinced, Nira took a stance, ready to fight Nor. Nor was obviously disappointed by her reaction. His eyes darkened as he heaved a sigh of resignation. "Please don''t blame me, Nira. You''ll understand later." As soon as he said that, he instantly appeared behind her and struck her neck, rendering her unconscious. He carefully laid Nira on the grass, softly gazing at her as he caressed her face. "Forgive me for doing this..." Nor stood up and glared in Vincent''s direction, but Ruoruo immediately stepped in to block him. "Heh, so you''re just like the savages you hate¡ªa hypocrite!" Ruoruo exclaimed. "Shut up, woman. Get out of the way if you don''t want to get hurt!" "I dare you!" At this moment, the innocent S''an stood at a loss. He couldn''t understand what was happening. Why were his teammates fighting each other¡­ Chapter 148 Thats Enough "This is my last warning, woman. Get out of the way, or you will regret it!" Nor uttered in an icy tone.Despite the threat, Ruoruo stood her ground, standing still in front of Vincent. She looked over her shoulder and said to Vincent with a warm smile, "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you get out of here safe." Vincent was really confused. ''Why is she going too far to risk her future to protect me?'' He really could not understand her motives. Who would save a stranger''s life by risking their own life? But in Ruoruo''s case, she was risking her future. If she died in the Origin World, she would basically lose her future as an Origin Warrior. At the same time, witnessing the chaos happening to Vincent''s group, Clark Boltor couldn''t hold his laughter, clearly enjoying Vincent''s predicament. "That''s what you get for offending me!" Clark stared at Vincent directly. "Are you now regretting that you offended someone you could never afford to offend?" Clark was expecting to witness Vincent being engulfed in despair; however, instead of getting afraid, Vincent smugly smiled at him, infuriating the arrogant young master. Fuming, he growled, "I would like to see how long you can hold your act!" Clark shifted his attention to Nor. "Big cat, you are running out of time. Bring that guy to me, or prepare yourself to be buried with them!" Despite feeling displeased by Clark''s commanding tone, Nor didn''t show it on the surface but became more determined. ''I won''t die here! I have to survive. If I just get out of this disc, I can immediately transport us out of the tower¡­'' With that thought in mind, Nor quickly sprang into action, creating two clones that appeared on his sides. In the next second, the clones blurred and dashed straight at Ruoruo from both sides, with their claws glinting dangerously. Swoosh! In response, Ruoruo parried their claws with her hands glowing with pure speed force, pushing their arms away in result. Smoothly, she punched through the clones'' abdomens simultaneously, blasting them away before they poofed into a pair of smoke. Bang! Bang! Vincent watched it filled with interest. He had been witnessing this kind of force being used in this tower. It was very different from Origin Energy or other forces that he had learned and encountered. "That''s not gonna work on me," said Ruoruo after defeating Nor''s clones. Well, it was a fact. After all, she had witnessed how Nor used it a couple of times already and it was enough to find its weakness. Tsk! Nor clicked his tongue but didn''t show so much disappointment and once again summoned a pair of clones. He had been fighting against the group of Agisaurs earlier and was already exhausted, thus limiting his strength. If he was in his peak form, he could easily beat Ruoruo with a few techniques. The two continued exchanging blows after blows for a straight five minutes, causing Clark to lose his patience. "Ahh, fuck it! You''re so slow. It''s my fault for expecting something from a cat!" With a deep frown, Clark looked over his shoulder and said to his team and the Agisaur party, "Go help that big cat and bring me that brat!" Agus, the team leader of the Agisaurs, felt displeased by Clark''s commanding tone. If not for his young master''s order to help this human, he would have already beaten the crap out of him. He didn''t respond to Clark but instead glanced at his teammates and simply said, "Let''s go." And they rushed to help Nor. On the other hand, the silent random group of Clark''s were hesitant for a moment. "What are you waiting for? Do you all still want the money or not?!" Clark exclaimed. That''s right; he managed to convince these people to help him¡ªfinding Vincent instead of randomly surviving the trial, but of course with the help of money. Therefore, after a short hesitation, they rushed toward Vincent, who had been curiously watching the fight between Ruoruo and Nor. At this moment, Agus and his team arrived and surrounded Ruoruo immediately. "Surrender, human!" Agus ordered. While gasping, Ruoruo''s expression darkened with Agus'' group''s appearance. She felt a little frustrated. If not because of the tower''s rules, she could have even defeated all of them with one of her offensive skills. Unfortunately, all she could do was use the basic speed force that she just started to practice. On the other side, Nor, who was also visibly exhausted, retreated next to the unconscious Nira. He had been waiting for this! In reality, since he was already exhausted from the arrival of Clark''s group, he was already aware that he would not be able to defeat Ruoruo, thus he decided to buy time and make Clark lose his patience. Because he understood that those people who easily lose their patience in a battle tend to make a mistake. And this moment was one of them. With their attention fully occupied and locked onto Ruoruo and Vincent, he could finally sneak out with Nira in silence. At the same time, the four random teammates of Clark appeared behind Vincent. "Human, don''t blame us. We were just offered a lot. If you were in our situation, you might also do the same thing." Vincent looked at the individual who had just spoken. He couldn''t recognize the race of the person as he looked like a dark-skinned goblin. There were almost countless races in the Origin World, after all. Origin Hub could not completely know them all. Hearing the hypocritical dialogue of the dark-skinned goblin, Vincent could not help but sigh in exhaustion. "I think I''ve heard enough bullshit today¡­" he muttered. The same moment he muttered, Ruoruo finally realized that Vincent was also surrounded, making a worried expression. "Young Master!" Ruoruo exclaimed. Vincent''s ears twitched at the sudden change in Ruoruo''s address to him. ''Young Master?'' he wondered, confused. Ruoruo still hadn''t realized she called Vincent differently but continued, "Please, hold on for a minute. I''ll¡ª" However, before she could continue, Agus already stepped in. "I think you should worry about yourself first!" Agus hurled his fist toward Ruoruo''s face. Like hers, Agus'' fist was also emitting Speed Force! sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She was forced to block it. Bam! "Agh!" Ruoruo exclaimed in pain as she was sent flying several feet away, crashing into the ground. But she quickly rolled and stood up, clutching her left arm, which was still numb with pain. It was a natural result. Agisaurs had superior strength and speed compared to humans. Therefore, even though both of them were at the basic level of Speed Force, Agus had a clear advantage. "Go, get her!" Agus didn''t let the chance slip and rushed forward with his team to go after Ruoruo. At the same time, the dark-skinned goblin behind Vincent said, "You better surrender now, human. That woman is going to die because of y¡ª" However, the goblin''s words were cut off as Vincent suddenly clamped a big hand over his mouth and slowly lifted him off the ground. The goblin''s eyes widened in shock and terror. In the next second, Vincent''s hand tightened its grip. Crack! A bone-chilling sound filled the air before dark-colored blood sprayed onto the ground. Thud! The dark-skinned goblin fell heavily, lifeless and unable to even struggle. "You talk too much¡­" Vincent said softly, shaking off the blood on his hand. "You!" "H-How?!" Before the other teammates of the goblin could react, Vincent''s figure blurred, followed by a series of sharp bone-cracking sounds. The rest of them were killed in an instant. Meanwhile, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of Ruoruo''s lips. She felt incredibly frustrated! She could have defeated all of them easily outside the tower, but here, restricted by the rules, she could only struggle to defend herself. "Just surrender, human!" Agus shouted. "You''re only making things harder for yourself! That despicable human might give you mercy if you give up now!" "S-Shut it!" Ruoruo replied weakly, her injuries and exhaustion weighing on her. Agus snorted, displeased. "I''ve given you enough chances! If you want to die that badly, I''ll grant your wish! Go, don''t hold back now!" Following Agus'' command, the buzzing of Speed Force filled the air as the five-man team of Agisaurs lunged at Ruoruo. She readied herself to block, but her knees faltered, causing her to lose balance. ''N-No, not yet! I have to protect him!'' she cried in her mind, watching their attacks draw closer with an indignant expression. She clenched her teeth and roared, trying to force out any remaining strength. But nothing happened. Her Origin Energy was already depleted, and her stamina was entirely drained. Despair overwhelmed her¡ªnot because of the thought of dying and losing her future as an Origin Warrior, but because she was about to fail to protect Vincent. Then, just as she began to fall to the ground, she felt a warm embrace and a calm voice whispering in her ear. "That''s enough. You don''t need to protect me anymore." In the next instant, she felt a soft breeze. Suddenly, a powerful shockwave burst out, followed by a fierce wind, forcing her to shield her eyes. Boom! "Argh!" She could hear the cries of Agus and his group amidst the chaos. When the fierce wind finally subsided, Ruoruo opened her eyes, curiosity overcoming her. She saw Agus and his team lying injured on the ground. She was shocked. Slowly, she turned her head to the owner of the warm embrace. "Y-Young Master?" "That''s the second time you''ve called me that," Vincent said with a subtle smile. Realizing her mistake, Ruoruo''s eyes widened. Just as she opened her mouth to make an excuse, exhaustion consumed her, and her eyelids became heavy. Noticing this, Vincent said softly, "It''s fine. You can relax now. I''ll take care of the rest." He carefully laid her on the ground, his gaze filled with guilt as he stared at the injured and exhausted Ruoruo. ''She genuinely tried to protect me¡­'' he thought, his expression darkening as his eyes shifted toward the stunned and terrified Clark. At this moment, Clark was utterly shaken. He couldn''t comprehend what had just happened. Everything had unfolded in mere seconds¡ªfrom Vincent defeating his team to protecting Ruoruo! "H-How¡­ W-Who¡­?" Clark stammered, his confusion laced with fear. "Cat got your tongue?" Vincent asked coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes. Chapter 149 Smash At this moment, Clark was utterly shaken.He couldn''t comprehend what had just happened. Everything had unfolded in mere seconds¡ªfrom Vincent defeating his team to protecting Ruoruo! "H-How¡­ W-Who¡­?" Clark stammered, his confusion laced with fear. "Cat got your tongue?" Vincent asked coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "T-This must be a dream¡­ Haha, that''s right! There''s no way all of this is real! This must be an illusion¡ªthere''s no way a mutt like you has that kind of power!" Clark was still in denial. At the same time, the innocent S''an had a shocked and baffled expression on his face, the same as Nor, who was silently retreating with the unconscious Nira in his arms. "How could he be so strong?!" Nor exclaimed in disbelief in his mind. The person he had been looking down upon since the beginning of the trial was actually a monster in disguise. His expression darkened. He could say that there was no enmity between him and Clark, so he could still somehow salvage the situation; however, it was a different matter with Vincent. He had been edging on him since the start of the trial. If he were in Vincent''s position, he would also hate himself for the way he acted. Explore new worlds at empire I have to leave now! With that thought in mind, he slowly took a step back, retreating. However, just as he took a step, Vincent suddenly glanced in his direction, sending a shiver down his spine and freezing him in place. But Vincent quickly turned his attention back to the still-delusional Clark Boltor. The young master of the Boltor Clan was still muttering his denials. "Haha, you''re just an illusion¡ªthere''s no way you can defeat me!" Vincent scoffed at him and said coldly, "Wake up, toad. This is your reality. I''ll make sure you remember my face whenever you sleep at night¡­" In the next second, Vincent appeared in front of Clark, who was still unable to react. Without a word, he delivered a precise punch to his gut¡ªenough to avoid sending him flying but sufficient to bypass the defensive capabilities of his armor. Bam! "Ugh!" A muffled groan escaped Clark''s mouth as he clenched his stomach with bulging eyes, collapsing to his knees. Vincent''s expression remained dark. He thought about how much he would have regretted letting his doubt overwhelm him and allowing Ruoruo to ruin her future. For this reason, he felt a rare anger at this moment. He had always minded his own business, but these kinds of people kept appearing in front of him like cockroaches. It seemed his way of living was not the correct way. If he remained low-key, he would always attract this kind of unnecessary trouble. He needed to grow stronger, much faster, and make a name for himself that would strike fear into anyone who heard it. Still expressionless, he grabbed Clark''s hair and stared directly into his widened eyes, drool gathering at the corners of his mouth. Vincent could clearly see the pain and fear in Clark''s eyes, but he didn''t care. His gaze remained stoic, as cold as a frozen river. "Don''t worry, you''re not going to die yet. I''ll make sure you enjoy this ''dream'' to the bone¡­" And with a bam! the ground trembled as Vincent smashed Clark''s face into it. Bam! Bam! Bam! Vincent repeated the motion. At the same time, S''an and Nor watched everything in silence, frozen in shock. Vincent''s actions had a greater effect on Nor, who shivered in fear each time Vincent brutally smashed Clark''s head into the ground. Bam! S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "S-Stop¡­ please¡­ stop¡­" Clark managed to utter. Unfortunately, Vincent didn''t listen. He continued smashing Clark''s head into the ground, creating a deep crater. When the Safe Zone circle began shrinking once again, Vincent asked S''an to carry Ruoruo as he dragged Clark by his hair. Naturally, the frozen Nor was forced to follow after just a single glance from Vincent. Vincent''s cold stare was threatening enough. Nor knew that even if he were at his peak, he might not be able to defeat Vincent¡ªor even put up a fight¡ªso he didn''t dare struggle. Needless to say, he carried Nira in his arms. Before leaving, Vincent retrieved the ''Restriction Disc'' item Clark had used to block escape items. As the battle royale continued, the scene caused an uproar on the battlefield: a human dragging his own kind while beating every tower challenger they encountered. Eventually, Vincent eliminated or forced the remaining groups to quit. It was only his group and the unrecognizable Clark left on the battlefield. Nor and S''an watched Vincent beat and heal Clark repeatedly, developing newfound respect and fear. Bam! Eventually, Clark could no longer endure and lost consciousness. "You can''t even endure this kind of beating. How dare you dream of leading a clan?" With that, Vincent tossed Clark aside and stared at S''an, who was carrying Ruoruo, and the terrified Nor. When Vincent''s gaze landed on Nor, he subconsciously gulped and retreated. Looking down, Nor''s gaze fell on the unconscious Nira in his arms. Though his expression remained dark, his eyes softened before becoming determined. He lifted his head and looked Vincent directly in the eye. He said through gritted teeth, "Nira has nothing to do with this, and you know it. I''m willing to accept the consequences of my actions, but spare her." Stoic, Vincent responded shortly, "I know. If not for Nira, you''d be no better than that fool." Vincent then fell silent, contemplating Nor''s punishment. He wanted to kill Nor to avoid future worries, but he felt it would be a waste. Surely, there was a way to make him useful. His attention was then drawn to the unconscious Ruoruo, who began regaining consciousness. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She looked at the innocently smiling S''an before glancing around her, her vision clearing. Her eyes locked on Vincent, whose expression had softened into a subtle smile. "You''re awake," Vincent greeted. "V-Vincent¡­" Ruoruo softly muttered as if half-asleep. Vincent couldn''t help but tease her. "Am I not your young master?" At his playful comment, Ruoruo''s absent-minded state vanished. Her memory of her earlier slip-up surfaced, causing her eyes to widen briefly before she composed herself. "W-What young master? You must have misheard," she stammered. Vincent smiled wryly but let it go. Her denial didn''t bother him¡ªit was enough to know she wasn''t an enemy. Meanwhile, Ruoruo''s attention fell on the unconscious Clark before shifting to Nor, who stood silently nearby. Her expression darkened. "What happened after I lost consciousness?" she asked, still wary of Nor. Vincent briefly explained the events in simple terms, with S''an eagerly adding his own excited commentary. Ruoruo''s disbelief was evident. She turned to Nor as Vincent asked if she had any suggestions for his punishment, given that she had fought him directly. "I think I have a good solution¡­" she replied thoughtfully. "Oh? What is it?" Vincent asked, curious. Chapter 150 Honouring the Bet "I think I have a good solution¡­" she replied thoughtfully."Oh? What is it?" Vincent asked, curious. Ruoruo then explained her solution to him. According to her, there was a similar oath to the ''Oath of Starmark'' in the Origin World: the Origin Oath. However, compared to the ''Oath of Starmark,'' which could lead to a brutal death, breaking the Origin Oath would result in forfeiting access to the Origin World. To an Origin Warrior, that was almost equivalent to death. Upon hearing the conversation between Vincent and Ruoruo, Nor''s expression darkened, but he couldn''t do anything about it. It was still better than losing direct access to the Origin World. Nevertheless, he was worried about what kind of oath they would ask him to take. After discussing with Ruoruo, Vincent turned his attention to Nor. "I believe you already heard it. Choose: take the Origin Oath and be my slave for 10 years, or¡ª" Before Vincent could even finish his words, Nor interrupted. "I''ll take the oath." Vincent was quite surprised. Nor reminded him of someone he had met before, Jiang Hao, who also hadn''t hesitated to make an oath to save his and junior sisters'' lives. Soon, Ruoruo guided Nor through the process. After some time, Nor began following the instructions, spelling out his oath as particles of digital light began forming on the back of his hand. These particles soon converged, and a mysterious circular symbol appeared on the back of his right hand. Vincent then said, "Once you leave this tower, you must go to this place¡­" He handed him a map and continued, "Find an Agisaur named Moutaur and tell him that I sent you. He will understand." The once mighty Nor was now fully submitted to Vincent¡ªnot just by his own decision, but also due to the effects of the Origin Oath. Nor half-kneeled, lowered his head, and placed his right arm on his chest as he respectfully responded, "I understand, Master." Vincent simply nodded, unimpressed. After dealing with Nor, Ruoruo asked Vincent about the guy still lying face-first on the ground. "What about that guy?" Vincent didn''t answer. Instead, he looked at Nor and said, "Send him away." After a respectful nod, Nor immediately approached the unconscious Clark. Without a word, he pierced Clark''s heart with his long, sharp claws! Puchi! Clark couldn''t even react properly before his body collapsed into particles of digital light, sending him back to the Astralis. Vincent felt a little disappointed every time he killed an opponent in this trial. The deaths in this tower were equivalent to dying outside. This meant that the corpses of the dead Origin Warriors would normally drop loot and grant experience points. However, the tower seemed to disallow this. Continue your journey on empire He wondered where the loot items went. As soon as Nor killed Clark, the tower''s voice rang out. [Your party has successfully survived the trial. You are now qualified to challenge the Tier 3 Trials!] [You have 5 minutes to rest.] Vincent ignored the tower''s announcement and sent Nor and Nira out. Now, he was left alone with Ruoruo. "It''s just the two of us. Can you tell me now who you really are?" He had to ask her, at least to confirm if her given name was real. Ruoruo stared into Vincent''s eyes without faltering. She understood there was no point in hiding it any longer. Dropping all her pretenses, her gaze became serious. She half-kneeled and respectfully bowed to Vincent. "Li Ruoruo pays respect to the young master." "Who are you? Why do you keep calling me ''young master''?" "I apologize, young master. But I am not permitted to give you that information. I am nothing but a mere servant, but you can rest assured that I am at your service anytime, even during your night¡ª" "Okay, okay, stop. That''s enough." Vincent quickly stopped her. He wasn''t a virgin or a pathetic man. He just didn''t want any kind of relationship like that with anyone for the time being. "By the way, which sanctuary are you in right now?" "I''m in the North Sanctuary," Li Ruoruo answered. Vincent fell silent. The distance between his sanctuary and hers was vast. Even with his current speed, it would take a long time to travel there. "What''s your current strength?" he inquired, curious about whether the tower was suppressing her real level. Li Ruoruo proudly replied, "I''m already at Peak Tier 3, young master. If not for the suppression, I would have already defeated that gang of Agisaurs and that toad!" She was still frustrated about almost being beaten to death by Origin Warriors much weaker than her. Her response naturally shocked Vincent. "Peak Tier 3?" Another Peak Tier 3! Aside from Valyn and Axl Swift, she was the third Peak-level Origin Warrior he had encountered. Of course, this was only within the Novice Continent. To an old expert, a Peak Tier 3 warrior was still considered a novice. As the two of them continued their conversation, outside the tower, Valyn was sitting with her best friend Ellie and the third young master of the Swift Clan, Axl Swift. Valyn had a smile on her face, in stark contrast to Axl''s dark expression as they stared at the ranking leaderboard. Vincent had managed to rank on the Tier 2 Leaderboard. "So, I guess I won the bet, right?" Valyn said, holding back a grin. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing her, Axl Swift hid his dark expression behind his usual polite smile. "I guess it''s my fault for doubting the younger brother of the Witch Fox¡­" Valyn didn''t respond to his words. She simply held out her palm. Axl Swift looked at her slender arm, understanding what she wanted. The Temporal Runic Necklace. He felt frustrated. He couldn''t afford to lose this epic item. He had only dared to bet it because he expected Clark to handle the situation well. He''d even ordered some of his men to support Clark in completing his revenge. However, he didn''t expect things to turn out like this! Just what the hell did that human do? I even lent him one of my rare items! Seeing Axl''s hesitation, Valyn couldn''t help but taunt him. "Is the honorable Third Young Master of the Great Swift Clan going to go back on his word?" Hearing her, Axl forced a laugh. "Haha, stop teasing me, Witch Fox. I was just thinking. I would never go back on my word." After saying that, he reluctantly handed the Temporal Runic Necklace to Valyn. Valyn, growing impatient, snatched it from Axl''s hand. "Thank you for this gift! The Great Swift Clan is truly generous!" Axl gritted his teeth for a moment before forcing a natural smile. "Hehe, as long as the Witch Fox likes it. It is always my pleasure." Just as Valyn was observing the Temporal Runic Necklace, Ellie nudged her shoulder. "Your younger brother is back." "Huh?" Valyn responded absentmindedly. Sure enough, Vincent had already exited the tower. She wondered why he came out so quickly. Didn''t he plan to conquer this tower too? Chapter 151 Visit The sky was already turning dark when Vincent exited the Tower of Speed.The moment he stepped out, he immediately spotted Valyn and the others sitting in a gazebo. Looking around, it seemed his actions today hadn''t caused much commotion, other than the undeniable fact that he cleared the Tier 1 and 2 trials, which made him smile as he thought about it. He approached them and quickly noticed that, aside from the dozing plump rabbit in Valyn''s arms, he could feel the gaze of Axl Swift. Although the stare was not hostile, he could tell that Axl was unhappy for some reason. He wondered what had happened. On the other hand, Valyn and Ellie were smiling at him warmly, which confused him even more. "Welcome back," said Valyn. "You''re quite good at hiding your strength, huh," Ellie commented. She was definitely impressed by Vincent''s ability since she also knew the difficulty of the Tower of Speed trials. Vincent simply shook his head wryly. He was not hiding his strength. He was just a mere Tier 1; it was his basic attributes that were insane. At that moment, Axl Swift joined the conversation. He had a polite smile. "Congratulations. As expected of a younger brother of the Witch Fox, you are also a genius. I''m not going to deny that you surprised me, but how did you do it? Did you receive any help?" Vincent didn''t react to Axl''s words. Although he sounded polite, he was evidently asking about his secret or doubting him. Well, if he were in his shoes, he would doubt himself too. How could a mere Tier 1 defeat Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors, not only in speed but also in basic force? Generally, Origin Warriors mainly focused on cultivating one attribute. For example, a Peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior with 20 Force Points who had awakened a talent or trait that enhanced strength would focus on cultivating their Force attribute. Once they raised it past 20, it meant that the Origin Warrior had officially become a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Origin Warrior. Therefore, knowing the final stage for Tier 2 trials, Vincent had to fight against Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors with 40 Attribute Points. Furthermore, with the differences in racial traits, Vincent had to fight against races with superior physiques. Axl couldn''t understand it. As far as he knew, there were barely any humans who managed to clear the Tier 2 trials. Some succeeded only because they were lucky to be in a good team. Just as Axl Swift was waiting for Vincent''s response, Valyn chimed in, "I believe it''s not important how he did it. Why? Are you doubting my younger brother''s strength? Or perhaps you still don''t want to accept your loss?" Vincent tilted his head slightly at Valyn''s words, noticing Axl Swift''s expression darken briefly before he forced a bitter smile. "Heh, you have nothing to worry about, Witch Fox. I know how to accept a loss," Axl said with a bitter smile. Seeing the confusion in Vincent''s eyes, Ellie leaned in and whispered something to him, clearing his confusion and slightly surprising him. He finally realized why Valyn was in such a good mood. His attention then shifted to Axl, who returned to his usual polite smile. "So, are we done here? If so, would you like to visit my family household now?" Valyn looked at Vincent and Ellie, seeking their opinions. Ellie gave her a look that conveyed she was free to decide. Vincent gave a nonchalant nod. Upon seeing this, Axl smiled and said, "Please, follow me." Soon, after a brief wait, an expensive-looking carriage pulled by a pair of 6-ft tall red-skinned stallions arrived. Both stallions were at Peak Tier 2. Shortly after, Vincent saw a fortified wall and, within it, a traditional-style small castle. As the gate opened, a pair of well-built Agisaurs in silver armor greeted Axl Swift as he stepped out of the carriage. "Welcome back, Third Young Master." "Welcome back, Third Young Master." Axl simply nodded at them. "These are my guests. I want you to prepare a feast for them and individual rooms for them to rest in." "As you wish." The guards quickly left to carry out Axl''s orders after switching with others. Axl then turned to his guests. "This is my territory. Nothing bad is going to happen to you here. You have my permission to roam around. I''ll call for you later when the feast is ready." With that, Axl left, leaving the three of them at a loss. "He invited us, but he just left like that¡­" Ellie muttered. Valyn heard her but ignored her, turning to Vincent. "Why didn''t you continue challenging the Tower of Speed trials?" she asked. Vincent remained silent for a moment before responding. "I''m not powerful enough yet to compete against Peak Tier 3¡­" That was a fact. Before leaving the tower, he had asked Li Ruoruo many questions to test her knowledge about Origin Warriors and the Origin World. He specifically asked about the attribute points of a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior. With his current attribute points, he wouldn''t be able to clear the Tier 3 trials. It made him realize he was lucky to have obtained the Legendary-grade skill from the Tower of Illusions, giving him an insane advantage that was enough to conquer the trials. The three of them roamed around the Great Swift Clan castle while conversing. Great Swift Clan Castle, Axl Swift''s office. Axl was sitting behind an office table with a serious expression, looking at a middle-aged man from the human race standing nervously in front of him. Behind him stood his personal servant, an Agisuar with a rough appearance, expressionless. "Who are you?" Axl questioned. "T-Third Young Master of the Great Swift Clan, I''m Bolo, a member of the Boltor Clan. I''m here to report about Young Master Clark''s situation." Axl showed no reaction. He had already assumed the man''s background. However, he was curious about Clark''s situation. He was still upset that he had lost an important item he had decided to bet on, thinking he would certainly win after giving Clark enough help. In an expressionless tone, he said, "Tell me what happened." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bolo began narrating what had happened inside the Tower of Speed and how Clark Boltor had kept screaming "Stop!" while holding his face after being sent back to Astralis. Axl Swift wore an incredulous expression as Bolo finally finished narrating the event. "He beat the other challengers alone?!" he exclaimed inwardly. He couldn''t believe it, as he had assumed Vincent had received help from a strong group. However, he was gravely mistaken. Vincent didn''t need any help at all! Even his personal attendant, Silo, was equally incredulous. The two looked at each other, wondering if Bolo''s information was accurate. Eventually, Axl calmed down. He asked, still expressionless, "So, what do you expect me to do? I already helped your young master. It''s his fault he failed to do his job. He even lost my rare item. Furthermore, your young master is useless now." That was a fact. Clark Boltor would never appear in the Origin World again. Bolo was stunned by Axl''s response. Since their clans had a good relationship and Clark often boasted that they were as close as brothers, he had expected Axl to help them enact vengeance. Axl continued, "It seems you don''t understand. Our clans only have a business relationship. It''s not our job to clean up your mess. Please, go back. If you really want my family''s help, tell your patriarch to ask my father. I won''t be taking that risk for your clan." After that, Axl asked Silo to escort Bolo out. "Third Young Master, are you planning to cut the Boltor Family from your plans?" Silo asked curiously. Axl looked at him for a second before responding, "Why not? When there''s a better choice in front of me?" Axl then gazed out the window, looking at Vincent and the two women beside him, roaming around. ¡ª Somewhere in Astralis, Li Ruoruo, now wearing a commonly known black-and-white maid outfit, was currently half-kneeling on the silver-plated floor within a dimly lit room. In front of her was a thin black silk screen, obscuring the appearance of the person behind it. "Master, I''ve had a chance to meet the young master in the Origin World," Li Ruoruo said in a very respectful tone, albeit with a hint of excitement. After she spoke, the room fell silent. The person behind the screen didn''t immediately respond, making Li Ruoruo worry she might have made a mistake. After a while, the person finally spoke. "Li Ruoruo¡­" The voice was very indistinct, hiding the owner''s gender. "Yes, Master." "Do you still remember what I told you regarding having a connection with the young master?" "Yes, Master." "Tell me." "We are not allowed to help the young master intentionally." "So?" "Don''t worry, Master. I acted according to the rules. I was inside the Tower of Speed when I encountered the young master. I didn''t intentionally help him." Li Ruoruo put emphasis on the word "intentionally." "Intentionally, huh¡­ Anyway, tell me more about what happened." "Yes, Master. It was like this¡­" Li Ruoruo then recounted all the events that transpired, without missing any detail except for the fact that she called him ''young master.'' If her master learned about that, she would definitely be punished. "Hoh¡­ The Boltor Clan, a nobody clan, actually dared to touch the young master¡­" Li Ruoruo heard the amused tone of her master. However, she knew that tone was often used when the master was upset. "Thank you for your time, my little disciple." "It''s my pleasure, Master." "Mm-hmm. You may go back and lock yourself in the punishment room for three days." "M-Master?!" "Do you want me to increase it?" "N-No, I''ll go back and lock myself up!" Li Ruoruo could only leave with bitter tears. She had no idea why her master still punished her. The master was left alone in the room, gazing at the moon through the window. Stay updated with empire "Master¡­ the young master is growing strong. I hope you''re here to witness it¡­" Chapter 152 Central Library After roaming the Great Swift Clan castle, Axl called for a feast. During the feast, Vincent wondered what had happened to Axl while he was gone.Axl kept smiling and praising him for some reason. Although Vincent was suspicious of Axl''s actions, it didn''t feel like he was lying¡ªhe sounded quite genuine. This also confused Valyn and Ellie. After the feast, they were guided to their rooms. Vincent turned to the plump black rabbit, Mochi, who was lying with her bulging stomach. She had eaten a lot during the feast. Burp! Mochi let out a burp of satisfaction. "Won''t you turn into a pig soon if you keep eating like that?" he couldn''t help but remark upon seeing her appearance. "Ahnng! Hua~" Mochi exhaled in resignation, turning her head to Vincent while clutching her stomach. "Hmph! I will never turn into a pig! I am the Great Mochi, I have the perfect figure in the entire universe! Hnng~" She attempted to stand again but failed, plopping back onto the bed. Vincent shook his head wryly. "I''m going back to my world. Are you coming with me?" Mochi fell silent for a moment. "Do I still have to enter that ball?" "Mmh," Vincent answered, then continued, "If you don''t want to, I can leave you with Big Sis Valyn while I''m gone." The moment Vincent said that, he noticed the corners of Mochi''s eyes starting to get moist. Perplexed, he added, "I''m not abandoning you. Sigh¡­ forget about it. Just get in the capture ball, and I''ll let you out immediately." Before leaving, Vincent informed Valyn that he was going back to Astralis through the prismstone. He was also notified that he could take a rest from training, which he was grateful for. He had been planning to ask for a rest day. He had been wanting to go somewhere. After putting Mochi in the capture ball, he finally felt the strange force tugging within him. Soon, he was back in his hotel room. The first thing he did was bring Mochi out of the capture ball. He then left his room and went to the living area. Since it was Monday, his younger sister Marina and Amara were already at school and work. Vincent changed into casual clothes, went out of the hotel, and grabbed a hover cab. He was heading to the District 12 Central Library. The Origin Hub had a lot of information and knowledge about the Origin World that he could visit anytime. However, he also lacked knowledge about his own world. He had already begun his plan in the Origin World, but he required more knowledge about his world if he wanted to start his plan here too. After a while, he arrived in front of a very unfitting building surrounded by new-generation establishments¡ªa traditional-style pagoda. From its appearance, Vincent could tell it only had five floors. As he approached the pagoda, Vincent saw a gray-haired, hunchbacked old man in gray clothes sweeping around the entrance. Needless to say, the old man quickly noticed him, as he was the only one approaching the entrance. The old man stopped sweeping and looked at him. "Are you lost, young man?" the old man asked, raising one eyebrow. "No, Senior. I''m here to visit the Central Library." The old man raised both eyebrows slightly, skeptical of his response. "Why do you want to visit the Central Library personally? Doesn''t your generation use the internet nowadays?" Vincent finally realized why the old man had asked if he was lost. It seemed rare for someone his age to visit the Central Library in person. Vincent responded with a smile, "I can''t simply trust everything written on the internet." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old man was stunned for a moment by his response before smiling at him. He seemed to approve of Vincent''s answer. "What are you searching for?" "Hmm¡­ I''m looking for the world''s geography and something about chaos energy. Have you heard of that, Senior?" The old man narrowed his eyes briefly when chaos energy was mentioned, but he quickly adjusted as if he hadn''t heard it. "If you''re looking for the world''s geography, you might be disappointed, as the world''s geography is treated as special information for people in power. However, if you want to know about our continent, you might find it in aisle two on the third floor." "And about chaos energy? I don''t think I''ve heard of that. But you may try looking in aisle five on the same floor." Vincent thanked the old man and entered the Central Library. After registering his name, he went to the third floor and began searching. Following the old man''s guidance, he quickly found a book titled Verdant Jade Continent. He found a table and began reading through it. According to the book''s contents, there was a theory that tens of hundreds of years ago, Astralis was a single, massive continent. However, since the Primals began appearing around the world, the huge continent had broken into several smaller continents, one of which was the Verdant Jade Continent. Within the Verdant Jade Continent, there were tens of Arcs. Their Bronzehaven Arc was one of the smallest Arcs in the Verdant Jade Continent. He also found out about the neighboring Arc where the Boltor Clan was situated: Silverhaven Arc. Although it was named the Silverhaven Arc, it was the same size as the Bronzehaven Arc. Aside from that, there were other Arcs of similar size nearby. Vincent could only wonder how truly vast Astralis was. It was just one continent, but its size already amazed him. After reading about that, he looked for information about the Bronzehaven Arc itself. He had barely any information about the Bronzehaven Arc and was also lacking knowledge about its important families, guilds, sects, and organizations. Thus, he finally had a chance to fill his mind with knowledge. He was surprised to learn that the sects he had only heard about from Jiang Hao¡ªthe Mystic Light Sect and the Purple Moonlight Sect¡ªwere also from the Bronzehaven Arc. "So, they have quite a foundation¡­" Vincent muttered upon learning about when the two sects had been founded. He still had many things to worry about. Although he had killed two disciples of the Purple Moonlight Sect, he wasn''t too concerned. Unless Jiang Hao revealed his information, no one would be able to find him or even suspect him as the culprit. He was basically a nobody. He was more worried about the Boltor Clan. Although they were from a different Arc, they still had enough influence and power to possibly find out his identity and background. He could expect Clark and the Boltor Clan to go after his loved ones. He also tried to find information about the Vice Commander of the Bronzehaven Arc, Sophie Iris. However, aside from general knowledge, there was nothing more. It was understandable¡ªit would be a problem if private information about important personnel was readily available. Chapter 153 Tier 2 Origin Warrior After returning the book about the Verdant Jade Continent and the Bronzehaven Arc, Vincent went to the 5th aisle.According to the old man¡ªwho he assumed was probably the librarian, based on his knowledge and familiarity with the books¡ªhe could find something that might be connected to Chaos Energy, or so he thought. Unfortunately, even after searching for quite some time, he failed to find anything. Having nothing else to do, he left the library with Mochi. On the way, he couldn''t help but notice that the old man, who had been peacefully sweeping at the entrance, was nowhere to be seen. He also hadn''t seen him entering the central library. He could only wonder about it as he made his way back to his hotel. Now, he was sitting in a lotus position on his bed. Surrounding him were several Origin Crystals that he had prepared, which Mochi eyed with drool at the corner of her lips. However, Mochi could only stare at them. Vincent had specifically told her not to touch them as he was preparing to break through. That''s right. Aside from filling the gaps in his knowledge, the most important reason he had requested a day off was to finally break through. He had been delaying it for a while. Initially, he restrained himself from advancing to Tier 2 because he was afraid he might struggle to gain experience points, as he would need to fight stronger primals to earn them. However, this was no longer a problem. With his current attribute points and high-grade skills, a Peak Tier 2 primal was no challenge to him anymore. Only Tier 3 and above would pose a challenge. Therefore, it was the perfect time to level up. At this moment, he took out two low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. Each potion could grant 1,000 experience points over time. There was one thing he had forgotten to do while upgrading his basic attribute points. He hadn''t considered whether it was possible to upgrade the Experience Potions. Before proceeding with anything else, he decided to check if it was possible. Although he was looking forward to it, he was quite skeptical. He removed the cork from the experience potion and took it in one gulp. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! After some time, he finally filled his experience bar. With his attention focused on the remaining Tier 1 Experience Potions, he attempted to upgrade one. However, the moment he thought about upgrading it, he heard the system''s voice: [Unable to upgrade!] Vincent frowned and tried again. [Unable to upgrade!] "Why? This doesn''t make sense..." He had never encountered an item that he couldn''t upgrade. Well, there were a few items he hadn''t been able to upgrade¡ªnot because it was impossible, but because the item had either reached its potential limit or required special conditions to upgrade further. Experience Potions were also items. This particular potion was one of the countless items he had hoarded from the Tower of Fundamentals. As far as he had experienced, almost all the items he obtained from the Tower were upgradeable. Therefore, he couldn''t understand why he was unable to upgrade this potion. "Maybe there are other items that aren''t eligible for upgrades, and I just haven''t encountered them yet..." Since that seemed to be the case, Vincent decided to set the matter aside. It didn''t matter much, as he had a total of 105 low-quality, common-grade and 55 rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. With these, he was certain he could break through to Tier 2! With his eyes closed, Vincent fell into rhythmic breathing. With practiced familiarity, he began circulating his Origin Energy according to the principles outlined in his cultivation manual, Flow of Origin Energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! Vincent kept calm and composed as he continued converting his experience points into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! Soon, he had converted his 1 million experience points into a total of 1,000 Purified Energy. Since 0.1 Attribute Point required 100 Purified Energy, the 1,000 Purified Energy equated to a whole Attribute Point. With the addition of his remaining 8.2 Attribute Points, he now had a total of 9.2 free Attribute Points. Naturally, he didn''t think this was enough to break through to Tier 2. Thus, he prepared several low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. He immediately drank one in a single gulp and quickly began meditating, ensuring not to waste its effects. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! As the effects of the potion activated, Vincent simultaneously converted the gained experience into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! As he grew accustomed to the process, the speed of conversion visibly increased. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! By the time the potion''s effect ended, Vincent had converted a total of 6,000 Purified Energy, equivalent to 6 whole Attribute Points. Now, he had a total of 15.2 Attribute Points. Vincent didn''t stop there. After consuming his 16th potion, he finally amassed a grand total of 100 free Attribute Points. Taking a deep breath, Vincent maintained a determined expression, even with his eyes closed. With his brows slightly furrowed, Vincent began focusing on breaking through his Force Attribute. He first used 10 Attribute Points to test the invisible wall in his mind. Bang! The invisible wall showed no reaction. Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! There was a reaction¡ªthe wall rippled, like a stone dropped into calm water. Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! The ripples intensified! Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! When he finally used 90 Attribute Points, visible spiderweb-like cracks appeared all over the invisible wall. Vincent could feel it¡ªhe just needed one more push. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he gritted his teeth. Though slight, he could definitely feel the soul-crushing pain emanating from his core. Once more! Bang! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crack~ With the 100th Attribute Point, the cracked invisible wall finally collapsed. A surge of strong and refreshing energy swept through his mind and body, followed by a rush of strength! A milky jade aura began leaking from his entire body, representing the aura of a Tier 2 Origin Warrior! He had finally advanced to Tier 2! Vincent checked his stats to confirm his breakthrough: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 2 (1¡ï) (0/2,000,000 Exp) Origin Energy: 5,300/5,300 Purified Energy: 3,300 Force: 60 Speed: 50 Mental: 50 Chaos Energy: 58/100 Primal Energy: 1,500 "I''m officially a Tier 2 Origin Warrior¡­ and my Force actually jumped to 60 points!" he exclaimed inwardly, unable to hide his excitement. But the good news didn''t stop there. Soon after, he heard the system''s notification: [You have unlocked your talent skill: Upgrade Quantity!] "It''s here!" he thought, his heart pounding with excitement. Chapter 154 Upgrade Quantity [You have unlocked your talent skill: Upgrade Quantity!]"It''s here!" he thought, his heart pounding with excitement. Ever since he awakened his talent, he had been wondering why he couldn''t see this option in the choices. He thought he probably hadn''t met the requirements yet so he was not worried too much about it. However, he had been wondering when he could unlock it. Fortunately, it didn''t take so much time. Even so, he wasn''t foolish enough to underestimate the skill. He was keenly aware that something this powerful would come at a high cost. Broken skills like this never came cheap. Still, he didn''t waste time marveling at the notification. Since there was already an item right in front of him, he decided to test the skill without delay. . Target Item: Low Quality Tier 1 Experience Potion (Common) [Unable to Upgrade] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Common)] 100,000 Experience Points = x10 1,000,000 Experience Points = x100 2,000,000 Experience Points = x1000 Vincent''s brow furrowed slightly as he examined the system''s interface. It was clear that the feature placed significant emphasis on an item''s grade. This detail intrigued him. It meant there were likely additional requirements for upgrading higher-grade items, which made sense. After all, balancing was necessary for such a powerful ability. Curious to see how the skill worked on different items, he reached into his storage ring and retrieved an uncommon-grade item. Target Item: Blackrat Hide (Uncommon) [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Uncommon)] 200,000 Experience Points = x5 1,000,000 Experience Points = x50 2,000,000 Experience Points = x500 His theory was confirmed. The experience point requirements for upgrading quantity varied based on the quality of the item. This realization gave him a clearer understanding of how the skill operated. Next, Vincent decided to test a rare-grade item to see if the pattern continued. Target Item: Tier 1 Experience Potion (Rare) [Unable to Upgrade] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Rare)] 500,000 Experience Points = x2 1,000,000 Experience Points = x4 2,000,000 Experience Points = x8 "It became so expensive¡­" he muttered but he felt that it was understandable. If the cost didn''t scale with the item''s rarity, the skill would be absurdly overpowered. He could simply lock himself in a room, drink experience potions endlessly, and grow stronger with no effort. Lastly, he took out his Astral Crown, an epic-grade item. He was wondering if it was possible to multiply the quantity of an epic-grade item. The moment the Astral Crown appeared on his hand, it emitted a mysterious radiance. Mochi, who was lying on the bed, quickly noticed it. Her previous bored expression turned to a faint surprise. She could only wonder where her master found an epic-grade item which was already very rare in Origin World. Unaware of Mochi''s reaction, Vincent focused entirely on the system interface in front of him. Target Item: Astral Crown (Epic) S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Epic)] 2,000,000 Experience Points = x2 "It''s possible!" Even though the skill only allowed him to multiply the item by two, Vincent wasn''t disappointed. In fact, he was thrilled. Being able to multiply an epic-grade item at all was extraordinary. He couldn''t imagine anyone else in the world possessing a talent as broken as his. In the back of his mind, Vincent also had a theory. He believed there was a chance that his skill would improve over time, perhaps allowing him to multiply higher quantities in the future. With this optimistic thought in mind, he carefully returned the Astral Crown and the other items to his storage ring. The only exception was a low-quality Tier 1 experience potion (common-grade). Vincent wanted to test the practical effects of the skill, but there was one small problem¡ªhe had completely run out of experience points. Unfazed, he retrieved a single experience potion from his storage and drank it, instantly refilling his experience bar. Once his points were replenished, he pulled out another potion. For now, he ignored the option to break through to Tier 2 (2¡ï). Instead, he focused all his experience points on increasing the quantity of the experience potions. [Do you want to use 2,000,000 experience points to multiply by 1000?] [Yes!] The moment he confirmed the action, the experience potions in front of him began to glow with a blinding white light. The intensity of the glow forced both Vincent and Mochi to shield their eyes. When the light finally faded, Vincent couldn''t help but grin. Before him were 1,000 additional low-quality Tier 1 experience potions. "H-How?!" Mochi stammered, her child-like voice ringing in his mind. Vincent ignored her for the moment, picking up one of the potions to inspect it. It felt solid and real in his hand, indistinguishable from the original. Curious, he uncorked the potion and drank it in one gulp. But nothing happened. Frowning, he waited a few moments before drinking another. Again, there was no effect. "What''s going on?" he muttered, confusion evident in his voice. Could these potions be defective? To test his theory, he drank the original potion he had multiplied. This time, the system notification rang out loud and clear: +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! It worked. The original potion had an effect. Wondering, he turned to the shocked rabbit, Mochi. He held out an experience potion and said, "Can you try this and tell me if it worked for you." Mochi was still baffled as she subconsciously accepted the experience potion. With her innate appraisal skill, she immediately learned its information. "You know this won''t work on me. I''m a primal." Vincent nodded, "I know, I just want to know if it really has an effect." Confused, Mochi simply drank the experience potion in one gulp. Soon, Mochi felt a faint energy entering her body but quickly went away as if it was not compatible with her body. "How was it?" Vincent questioned. Mochi tilted her head before answering, "Like a normal potion, it works but it doesn''t stay in my body." Vincent rubbed his chin in realization. ''So it wasn''t a fake. It seems that I am not allowed to use a replica other than the original¡­ but there''s no problem for others to use it¡­'' He couldn''t understand why but he had no choice but to accept it. In any case, it won''t stop him from exploiting his talent. If he couldn''t use the replica, he could sell it and use the money to buy originals. Although it would give him a slight hassle, it was the best choice he could think of right now. Nevertheless, it was a good thing! He couldn''t help but imagine a future where he commanded an army of Origin Warriors, each equipped with complete sets of epic-grade¡ªand perhaps even legendary-grade¡ªgear. His thoughts were interrupted by Mochi''s voice. "How did you do it?!" Vincent smirked and replied simply, "I just can." "Tell me!" Mochi demanded. But Vincent only laughed in response. Chapter 155 Continue Breaking After conducting a few more tests on the effects of the Upgrade Quantity skill, Vincent resumed cultivating, converting his experience points into Purified Energy.After consuming 40 Low-Quality Tier 1 Experience Potions and with the effect of his talent, he had amassed a grand total of 200 free attribute points! It took him two hours to accumulate that amount. After another hour, he used 100 free attribute points to break through the Tier 2 Speed attribute! The moment his Speed Attribute crossed the threshold, he experienced a familiar yet exhilarating transformation within his body. His movements felt sharper, his reflexes honed to an edge he hadn''t thought possible. But Vincent remained composed; this was not his first time feeling such changes. He had already undergone a similar transformation when breaking his Force Attribute into Tier 2. Enjoy more content from empire Still, there was no time for complacency. After a brief rest to stabilize the energy coursing through him, Vincent turned his focus to his Mental Attribute. Channeling another 100 free attribute points into it, he successfully broke through to Tier 2 in just an hour. With all his attributes now elevated to Tier 2, a profound change swept through him. The world around Vincent seemed to slow down, each detail sharper and more vivid than before. He felt light as a feather, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip on him. His body was filled with an uncontainable sense of vitality and power, making him feel as though he could punch a star out of the sky. Of course, he knew this was just an illusion, yet the overwhelming surge of strength was impossible to ignore. At this point, Mochi could no longer bring herself to be surprised as she watched Vincent continuously break through. As much as she wanted answers, her master wouldn''t say a word. She merely accepted it as natural for the only person whose fate she couldn''t read. Vincent considered consuming more experience potions to upgrade his base level, but he heard the door open. Even without using his mental energy, he immediately sensed it was Marina who had entered. So, he decided to stop for a while. Amara was also set to return in an hour, and he had to prepare dinner for them. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Vincent left his room, Marina was surprised to see him. "Brother?! Aren''t you supposed to be training?" she asked, her tone a mixture of shock and confusion. Vincent nodded calmly. "Yeah, but I decided to take a day off today." "You should''ve told me!" she pouted, quickly closing the distance between them to hug him. Her face nuzzled against his arm, an unusual display of affection. Vincent raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her behavior. "Are you alright? What happened?" he asked, gently placing his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gaze. "Nothing¡­ I just missed Mom and Dad¡­" Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Vincent remained silent. Even though he had awakened in this body and lived through the care of Vincent''s parents, the memories he inherited carried the weight of their love and warmth. In that moment, he shared her sentiment. Subconsciously, he pulled Marina into a comforting embrace. "Don''t worry," he said softly. "I''m going to find ''our'' parents one day¡­" Marina lifted her head slightly, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. "Really?" "Mm-hmm," he replied with a firm nod. The promise lingered between them, drawing Vincent''s thoughts back to the memories of his parents. From what he could recall, Vincent''s parents were ordinary, unawakened individuals. Both had grown up as orphans with no relatives to speak of. Despite their humble beginnings, they had built a simple yet happy life together. They worked normal jobs at a company Vincent could no longer remember, and their love for their children had been undeniable. His mind replayed flashes of warmth and laughter, especially the memory of their last family day before their mysterious disappearance during a business trip. But the more Vincent tried to piece together their past, the more he realized something was amiss. Neither he nor Marina could recall the name of the company their parents had worked for. It was as though the information had been deliberately erased from their memories. This unsettling mystery left Vincent with a gnawing sense of unease. There had to be more to their disappearance than met the eye. While lost in thought, Marina''s hesitant voice broke through his reverie. "Brother¡­ Do you have some extra credits?" "Hmm? Why?" "I need to buy something." "What is it?" "I-It''s something important. Can you give me 200?" Vincent narrowed his eyes at her sheepish tone. "Sigh¡­ You little booger. This is the real reason for your strange behavior, isn''t it?" "W-What are you talking about? I really do miss our parents!" she retorted, but her inability to meet his gaze betrayed her true intentions. Vincent sighed but couldn''t help smiling wryly. It was obvious she was planning to splurge on another figurine or piece of merchandise from her favorite anime or drama. Even so, he sent her 10,000 Astralis credits without hesitation. Marina''s eyes widened in shock as her phone pinged with the notification. "Ten thousand?!" she exclaimed. Her astonishment quickly gave way to joy, and she threw her arms around Vincent. "Thank you, brother!" She even gave him a peck on the cheek in her excitement. At that very moment, the door opened again, revealing Amara. Amara froze, her gaze shifting between the siblings. The air grew tense before she broke the silence with a pointed remark. "You siblings really have a close relationship." "Of course!" Marina replied cheerfully, clinging to Vincent''s arm. Vincent, unfazed by the scene, headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. During the meal, Amara, scrolling through a holographic screen, casually asked Marina, "How''s the situation at your academy, Little Rina?" "It''s slowly getting back to normal¡­" Hearing this, Vincent''s curiosity was piqued. "Why? What happened?" Without missing a beat, Marina replied, "A couple of days ago, some newly awakened Origin Warriors went missing." Her tone was so casual it bordered on indifferent, but Vincent could sense there was more to the story. Turning to Amara, he asked, "Can you tell me more about it, Sis Amara?" Amara glanced at him briefly before replying, "Haven''t you been reading the news?" Vincent smiled wryly. "I''ve been too busy with the Origin World and training." Amara sighed. "Two days ago, a group of black-clothed men kidnapped several newly awakened Origin Warriors from different academies. The media says it''s the work of a terrorist group called the Primal Syndicate." She continued, her tone grim. "They''re targeting those who awakened in the past few months, intending to train them into their ranks." Her gaze sharpened as she addressed Vincent. "We know you''re strong, but you need to be cautious. Think about the people you''d leave behind if something happened to you." Her words struck a chord. Vincent knew the world was dangerous, but this incident heightened his awareness of the threats surrounding him and his loved ones. He silently vowed to hasten his plans. The safety of Marina and Amara depended on it. "I need to move my plans faster¡­" Chapter 156 Back To Origin World After dinner, Vincent returned to his room, ignoring the soundly sleeping Mochi. He took out his phone to search for more information regarding the kidnapping incident. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.As he read the articles, he realized that most of the newly awakened Origin Warriors who had gone missing were abducted around the same time he had awakened. This discovery made him suspect there was more to the incident. These young Origin Warriors weren''t targeted without a reason. Still, it wasn''t his responsibility to worry about such matters. He already had enough on his plate. Setting aside those thoughts, just as he intended to resume cultivating and converting his experience points to purified energy, his phone suddenly pinged with a notification. Checking it, he found an email from his Special Instructor, Arthur Aviss, and the school''s dean, Dean Thorne. They informed him that the ''School District Tournament'' had been delayed by another week. They didn''t explain the reason behind the delay, but Dean Thorne advised him to be more careful. Vincent suspected the kidnapping incident might be related to it. Additionally, since Special Instructor Arthur couldn''t train him personally, Vincent was told to focus all his attention on the Tower of Fundamentals. This made him wonder. ''It seems Big Sis Valyn didn''t report my recent progress. But why?'' Curious as he was, he chose to set the matter aside. There was no point in worrying about it now. With the tournament postponed, he could shift his focus to improving his cultivation level and refining his plans. Resolving to make the most of his time, he began taking out his stock of 49 low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions and 55 rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. However, he refrained from using the replicated 1,000 Tier 1 Experience Potions. Since he couldn''t use them himself, he had a different plan for those. What should I do? Should I use these to break through continuously and push the limits of my experience points... or should I advance cautiously? At that moment, Vincent realized he lacked an expert''s guidance. He had been progressing largely on instinct and experimentation. Though the academy provided basic knowledge about being an Origin Warrior, it was limited to history and surface-level understanding. This was understandable; after all, their instructor was merely an unawakened citizen. True nurturing of an Origin Warrior required the resources, expertise, and influence of higher-level academies or powerful organizations. I''ll have to figure it out myself. With that resolve, Vincent immediately consumed a common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion and took a lotus position as its effects activated. +0.1 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +1,000 Experience Points! With his eyes closed, Vincent furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing the system''s notification. Though he had anticipated this outcome, it still disappointed him. A Tier 1 Experience Potion had limited utility for someone who had already advanced to Tier 2. Without the enhancement provided by his talent, he wouldn''t have gained more than 1,000 experience points. After a few seconds: +0.1 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +1,000 Experience Points! Vincent repeated the process until the potion''s effects subsided. In the end, he accumulated a total of 100,000 experience points. To fill his experience bar entirely, he would need to consume 19 more common-grade potions¡ªan arduous and time-consuming process. In that case, let''s try this one. He uncorked a vial and drank a rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion in one gulp. Since rare-grade potions could yield between 1,000 and 3,000 experience points, he expected better results. Soon, a lukewarm energy coursed through his body. +10 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! Only 10?! After consuming the potion, Vincent accumulated one million experience points. Without his talent, the rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion would have provided a meager 100 experience points, proving that Tier 1 potions were essentially useless for Tier 2 Origin Warriors. Fortunately, thanks to my talent, these potions aren''t entirely wasted. Determined, he consumed another rare-grade potion, gaining another million experience points and filling his experience bar. He then arranged 10 Origin Crystals around him and began converting the accumulated experience points into purified energy. 1,000 Experience Points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! After some time, he had converted two million experience points into 2,000 purified energy, equivalent to 2 attribute points. Let''s test this on my Force Attribute. He added one point to his Force Attribute. +1 Force! He felt a noticeable, albeit minor, increase in strength. Though not as impactful as a major breakthrough, the improvement was still evident. With no adverse effects, he added another point to his Force Attribute. Satisfied with the results, Vincent spent the night consuming experience potions, converting the energy, and enhancing his Force Attribute. By dawn, he had consumed 16 more rare-grade potions, gaining 8 additional attribute points, all allocated to his Force Attribute. When his Force reached 70 points, his Origin Core trembled slightly. It seems I can''t enhance my Force Attribute further for now. With that realization, Vincent decided to stop. He prepared breakfast for Marina and Amara before they left the hotel. Switching to his usual equipment, he placed Mochi into a capture ball and returned to the Origin World. Soon, he found himself back in the guest room of the Great Swift Clan Castle. As he released Mochi from the capture ball, he felt a warm sensation emanating from the prismstone in his pocket. Curious, he took it out and connected with it instantly. "Young Master," a man''s voice spoke telepathically. It was Lizno. "What''s wrong? Why did you contact me?" Discover more stories at empire "It''s about Garmus..." Garmus was a lackey of Grarik Blackthorn, currently held captive at Hyena Gang Manor. "What about him?" "I apologize, Young Master. I tried every method to make him submit, but he was determined to keep his mouth shut. In the end, I had no choice but to kill him." Lizno''s voice was tinged with apology and fear. He dreaded disappointing Vincent, knowing his young master''s power. Vincent, however, wasn''t surprised. He had anticipated this outcome. It was likely that Garmus'' family was being held hostage by the Blackthorn Clan or something along that line. He responded calmly, "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it." "Thank you for understanding, Young Master." "How''s the progress on that other matter?" "Everything is proceeding smoothly, Young Master," Lizno replied confidently. "Good. Handle it well, and you''ll be rewarded. If you encounter any issues, contact me immediately." "I understand." After disconnecting, Vincent pocketed the prismstone. At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. Knock! Knock! "Little Brother, are you back?" Chapter 157 Asking Valyn for Favor At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.Knock! Knock! "Little Brother, are you back?" Vincent took the sleeping Mochi in his arms and opened the door. The sweet and innocent-looking pink-haired Valyn greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning." Vincent nodded and greeted her in response. "How was your day off?" she asked. "Hmm, it was good. Where''s Big Sis Ellie?" he questioned upon not seeing her best friend. "She already went back. She said she has matters to attend to." Vincent nodded in understanding and didn''t question further. He then told her about the email sent by Special Instructor Arthur. "Hmm. You already know where to find the Tower of Fundamentals. I guess you no longer need my help¡­" Her voice softened as though she were disappointed. Vincent naturally sensed it. "That''s not true, Big Sis. I still need your help." Hearing his words, Valyn''s eyes brightened. "Really?" "Yes." "What kind of help do you need from your Big Sis? Just tell me." Without a word, Vincent took out a low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potion and handed it to Valyn. Valyn simply accepted it and instantly recognized it. Confused, she asked, "This is a common-grade low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potion. What do you want me to do with this?" "How much can I sell that for?" he inquired. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "With this quality, you can only sell it for 500 at most." "500?!" "Yeah, this is the lowest quality. Why are you selling this? Why don''t you just use it? Are you in need of Origin Crystals?" At this moment, Valyn still hadn''t realized that he had already broken through to Tier 2, as he was wearing his Shifting Visage Mask, albeit not using its function to change his appearance. Vincent was quite shocked. He knew that experience potions were expensive, but he didn''t expect them to be this costly. If he converted 500 Origin Crystals to credits, it was half a million credits! Vincent set aside his thoughts and responded after shaking his head. "No, I need your help to sell these for me." He brought Valyn into his room and then took out the rest of the replicated low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. Valyn gasped when she saw over a thousand Tier 1 Experience Potions on Vincent''s bed. Before returning to the Origin World, Vincent had used his experience points to replicate another batch of low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. Including the one in Valyn''s hand, there were 1,997 low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. If she managed to sell all of them, it would amount to around 1,000,000 Origin Crystals or almost a billion credits! Although she wouldn''t call herself poor, it was still a huge sum for her. "Where did you get all of these? No, forget it. Are you sure you want me to sell all of them?" Valyn had just asked, but instead of answering, Vincent flashed a mysterious smile at her. "That''s not all¡­" With a wave of his hand, a small mountain of items appeared in front of him. Valyn was lost for words as she stared at the small mountain of common-grade items in front of her. "Wha¡ªHow¡ª" Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire She opened her mouth but didn''t know what to say. Vincent had a lot of common-grade items he had gotten from the Tower of Fundamentals. Even so, he had no plans to sell them all quickly. He selected a few items and replicated them in batches. Although they wouldn''t sell for much individually, with this quantity, he believed he could make a fortune. After some time, Valyn finally returned to her senses. She didn''t question Vincent about where he got all these items. She already knew the answer. The Tower of Fundamentals. Needless to say, Vincent also understood that Valyn would easily connect the dots. Despite that, he didn''t hesitate to ask for her help. He could no longer afford to continue at a slow pace. He needed people''s trust and help to accelerate the progress of his plans. Hence, he said, "Of course, I won''t mistreat my Big Sis. We will split the sales in half. 50/50." "What?! 50%?!" "Why? Is it too low? Then, I can take 40, and you take 60." "That''s not what I meant. Sigh¡­" Valyn let out a deep sigh, as though she were stressed. With this amount of items, if she sold everything, she would certainly accumulate over a million Origin Crystals! "I am fine with 50%, but are you sure? You know it''s a huge amount." Vincent simply smiled at her. He knew that gaining someone''s trust and loyalty wasn''t easy, but most of the time, an absurd amount of money could do the job. Of course, it didn''t mean that their relationship was only about business and money. He genuinely wanted to earn Valyn''s complete trust. And since Valyn treated him very well, it wasn''t a bad thing to treat her well in return. After a few more discussions, Valyn eventually accepted Vincent''s conditions. She had nothing to complain about¡ªit was free money. Despite her willingness to help him without compensation, Vincent insisted otherwise. He said that business and personal relationships were different matters. She then asked, "Is it alright if I sell this all to our human race Origin Warriors?" Vincent couldn''t help but smile. Even at this point, Valyn still showed her pure heart and care for the human race. Hence, Vincent nodded at her with a smile. Naturally, he also wanted to contribute to the human race, even in a small way. However, it didn''t mean that he would limit his business to the human race. The other races existed for a reason. After finalizing everything, Vincent and Valyn went to Axl Swift to bid farewell. Axl wanted them to stay in their castle a little longer, but Valyn politely declined, saying they still had matters to attend to. Outside the Swift Clan Castle, Valyn offered to bring him back to his sanctuary, but Vincent declined. "Why? Are you not going back to your sanctuary?" she asked. Vincent nodded. "For now¡­" He wanted to use this chance to explore the other Labyrinths and farm experience points to upgrade his skills and items! His matters in the sanctuary could wait. And Lizno was doing better on his own. There was nothing to worry about. In fact, it was much better to be out of the sanctuary. He was far from the eyes of Grarik and the Blackthorn Clan. Chapter 158 Exploring Tier 2 Labyrinth After separating with Valyn, Vincent slowly explored the Freedom Swift City.At this moment, he was currently walking around the busiest area of the city, the market area. There were shops on both sides of the road and some simple stalls set up by rogue vendors. Not far from him, he overheard two male voices, one young and the other old, arguing over something. "Don''t you try to scam me, old man! Who would believe that key belongs to a hidden ruin?! Do you really think I''m that easy to fool?!" the young man uttered in a loud voice. "Hmph! If you believe this is a scam, then forget it! I''m not gonna sell this to you! Leave! You''re scaring my customers away!" the old man responded in a similar tone. "Customer? Where? You should be thankful that I even checked your stall!" The young man then left after clicking his tongue. At this moment, his eyes met Vincent''s. "Magnus?" the young man muttered with a slightly surprised expression. Vincent also recognized the young man. He was one of his schoolmates. Franco Bullocks. He could still remember him during the Annual Battle Ceremony, as this guy had awakened a B-rank Talent: Sharpshooter. Franco was wearing a set of brown-leather equipment and a cowboy hat on his head. Over his shoulder was a long rifle. Unsurprisingly, Franco had already broken through Tier 2 (1¡ï). It wasn''t surprising since he had been at the peak of Tier 1 during the annual ceremony. Vincent still hadn''t responded, but Franco approached him. "You''re Vincent Magnus, right? Where have you been? What happened to you last time?" Franco was asking about the incident when he fought against Arnold ¡ª The Alpha. Since no one knew at that time why he suddenly left amidst the battle aside from Dean Thorne. Vincent simply ignored his question. He wasn''t close with him, after all. They didn''t have that kind of relationship to be having that kind of private conversation. He simply responded with a question. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, I got here yesterday with my guildmates and challenged the Tower of Speed. But who would have thought that when we just got in, we realized that the Tower''s Exchange items were empty!" Vincent didn''t know how to react upon hearing his response. He didn''t know if he should feel guilty or laugh. He was the mastermind, after all. "How about you? Don''t tell me you''re also here to challenge the tower? Let me advise you, you better go to the Tower of Combat instead. At least there, it still has items to exchange for." That was a fact since Vincent didn''t have the chance to challenge the Tier 2 because he couldn''t find a match, as the Tier 1 challengers decided to leave the tower when he cleared the Tier 1 items. "...but you gotta be at least Tier 2," Franco added as he observed Vincent. He couldn''t sense Vincent''s strength as Vincent was using the effect of his Shifting Visage mask. Stoic, he replied, "I''m just casually roaming. If that''s all, I''m leaving." Vincent didn''t wait for Franco to respond and started walking away. However, before he could walk far, Franco called out, "Wait, would you like to go with my team? We''re going to explore a new Labyrinth. It''s a Tier 2 Labyrinth. We need more support." Vincent halted, slightly furrowed his brows, and contemplated. "Where is it?" "It''s approximately 200 km northeast from here..." "Hmm..." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Do you wanna join?" Vincent shook his head. "I appreciate your invitation, but I have something else to do." And just as Vincent was about to leave, Franco stopped him again. "Wait, do you have a prismstone? Can we exchange contacts?" Vincent considered it for a short moment before deciding it wasn''t a bad thing to have a connection with his fellow schoolmates. It might come in handy in the future. After the short encounter with Franco, Vincent left Freedom Swift City along with Mochi on his shoulder. He was naturally heading towards the labyrinth mentioned by Franco. Although a 200 km distance might be considerable to a normal human being, Vincent was able to traverse it in just over an hour. Within a dense jungle, he discovered a pathway separated by thick and intertwined roots. Vincent casually followed the path, and he soon found an over-a-hundred-feet-tall ancient tree, and under it was a green portal. Since it was a new labyrinth, he found no one outside at the moment. But perhaps there were several groups already exploring the labyrinth. Vincent didn''t enter the labyrinth immediately. He sat down and took a rest, quickly replenishing his Origin Energy. Although his Origin Energy had also increased since he broke through Tier 2, using his movement skill continuously for over an hour was quite exhausting. With his eyes closed, Mochi, sitting on his shoulder, suddenly perched as her nose twitched. Vincent didn''t need Mochi to say anything, as he also sensed a group of five Origin Warriors that had just arrived. The moment this group noticed Vincent, alone with a fat black rabbit resting on his shoulder, they were at a loss for words. Curious, they approached Vincent. A middle-aged man with a well-built physique called out loud enough for Vincent to hear from yards away. "Are you alright, young man? What are you doing here alone? Where''s your party?" Vincent slowly opened his eyes. He wasn''t surprised as he saw the party of humans in front of him: three males and two females wearing fitted robes. Since Franco already had information about this labyrinth, he had already expected that there should be more from the human race that had learned about this labyrinth. The middle-aged man who asked him seemed to be the leader of this party, a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. Vincent replied curtly, "I''m fine." "Are you sure? It''s rare to encounter someone from our race. If you need our help, don''t be shy about it," the middle-aged man continued. "It''s alright. I''m fine. I don''t need help," Vincent replied. However, Vincent''s response seemed to displease one of the two young men standing behind the middle-aged man, making the young man click his tongue. "Tch! Forget about him, Leader. If he wants to die out here, then let him be. Let''s go and clear this labyrinth! We have to go now, or others might beat us to it." The middle-aged man turned to the blonde-haired young man who had just spoken. "Don''t say that, Phart. We humans should always help each other out in the Origin World. We are one of the weakest races; you must remember that! You guys are the future of our human race, so learn to be compassionate." Phart''s face turned slightly red as his leader continued to lecture him. This caused the other young man next to Phart to laugh loudly. "Haha. You never learn, Phart. It''s still early in the morning, and you''ve already activated our leader''s lecture mode! Haha!" At this moment, one of the two ladies approached Vincent. "Hi, handsome. Don''t mind those idiots. But why are you here alone?" Vincent glanced at the red-haired lady in front of him, who appeared to be in her early thirties. "I''m here for the labyrinth." "Alone?" the red-haired lady asked, raising her eyebrows. Vincent didn''t respond. He just stood up and stood in front of the labyrinth''s portal. He reached his hand into the portal. Ding! [Do you want to enter the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth? Minimum of 5 party members.] Right. He needed more members. He turned to the red-haired lady, who smiled at him. "Would you like to join us? It''s alright if you want to separate ways when you enter the labyrinth." Vincent didn''t decline the offer this time. He was here after all, it would be a waste if he couldn''t even enter the labyrinth. "I''m Amy, nice to meet you." She said before turning to her leader who was still reprimanding the embarrassed Phart, she exclaimed, "Leader, he''s going to join us!" Hearing her, the leader glanced at her and responded with a simple okay with his fingers before going back, lecturing the poor Phart. After a while, they entered the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. As soon as Vincent felt his surroundings regained its clarity, he smelled a nauseating odor. Without hesitation he activated the function of his Shifting Visage Mask, blocking the nauseating odor. However, the others were not as fast as him. "Ugh! Fuck! What is that smell?" "Urk! It smelled like an otaku''s basement!" "What?" Amy exclaimed looking at Jake who was standing behind their Leader, Phaker. At this moment, party leader Phaker alerted them, "Incoming! On your guards!" At the same time, Vincent noticed a group of humanoid figures approaching them at a quick speed. With his perception, he could clearly see the appearance of the incoming group of humanoids figures. They stood like a human but their appearance was made of tree branches, emitting a rotting smell. Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï) Chapter 159 Umbral Rats and Upgrade Requirements Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï)Seeing the incoming primals, Leader Phaker who was standing at the front suddenly summoned a big silver-plated shield and a broadsword. He then grunt as he smashed the broadsword to his shield, making a metal clashing sound, attracting the Wood Corpses attention. "Come at me!" Leader Phaker exclaimed. Suddenly, the humanoid shape of the wood corpses transformed to a wolf-like appearance, they growled and pounced straight at Leader Phaker. Leader Phaker wasn''t slightly afraid or surprised. With a skilled reaction, he lifted his shield and bashed it forward, pushing away the first Wood Corpse before slashing the other one that had just pounced with his broadsword. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, another one had jumped at him again. But despite that, Leader Phaker wasn''t worried. Before the Wood Corpse could even touch his skin, a ball of fire suddenly flew over his head and blasted the Wood Corpse away. "Nice Shot, Aki!" Leader Phaker praised the brown-haired young lady who was quietly standing beside Amy. Naturally, after a short delay, Jake and Phart also came and helped their leader with their weapons, slashing the Wood Corpse to death, while Amy helped them while buffing their weapons with fire affinity while also shielding them with Origin Barrier. Soon, they eventually annihilated the group of Wood Corpses. "Great job, guys!" Leader Phaker praised the group''s reaction. "Hmph! It wasn''t even worth using my skill!" Phart commented. "It''s natural. Wait until we reach somewhere deep in the labyrinth and you''ll be wishing that you just stayed back at home," said Jake, glancing at Phart''s way. "Alright, that''s enough. Go clear the area, check if those Wood Corpse drop anything." Leader Phaker ordered before facing Vincent. "How about you, young man. Do you still want to go on your own? As you''ve witnessed. This place is nothing like a park. You''ll encounter more stronger primals than those Wood Corpse." Vincent was determined to go his separate way. If he didn''t do it, they would definitely slow him down a lot. At this point, with his current strength, he believed he could clear this labyrinth on his own. Therefore, he simply nodded at the kind-hearted leader. Leader Phaker, Amy and others had no problem with his decision. However, it was a different matter to Phart. He felt Vincent was too arrogant and full of himself. How could a mere Tier 2 survive a labyrinth alone? Even a single Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior would struggle alone in a Tier 2 Labyrinth, especially if it was an unexplored labyrinth. Hence, Phart could not hold himself to say, "Hmph. Arrogant. Don''t come looking for us later if you realize how stupid your decision was!" Vincent simply ignored him. After thanking Leader Phaker and Amy, he went ahead in a different direction. The group watched as his figure disappeared in the distance. "Is he going to be fine?" The silent girl Aki couldn''t help but mutter. Amy, who was beside her overheard her and responded with a hint of disappointment, "Let''s just hope. Anyway, it''s his decision. We can not force him to join us if he doesn''t want to." Amy paused for a second before continuing while looking at Aki in the corner of her eyes, "But he''s handsome, right?" "Yes¡­" Aki absentmindedly replied, causing Amy to laugh mischievously. With her laughter, Aki finally realized what she had just said, making her face flushed immediately in embarrassment. "Hehe, it seems our little girl has been lovestruck." Amy teased. While waving her hands, Aki denied it. "N-No, it''s nothing like that!" Despite her denial, Amy''s laughter continued. On the other hand, Vincent, who had just separated from Phaker''s party, finally started to wonder about the labyrinth''s environment. "This is so different from Black Rat Labyrinth¡­" He muttered to himself. Unlike Black Rat Labyrinth, which was a huge cave-like space with a ceiling, the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was like a different world. It was a real jungle with several paths and no ceiling but a bright sun hanging over the sky. With this dense jungle, it would be really difficult for a solo Tier 2 Origin Warrior to survive in this place. Hence, he realized the worry and care of Phaker''s group. Although the Black Rat Labyrinth had also turned to a Tier 2 Labyrinth, this Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was a real Tier 2 Labyrinth. A different world. Although finite. At this moment, he was currently surrounded by 10 Wood Corpses. Since he had just broken through Tier 2, he wondered if he would get the same experience points whenever he killed a same-level primal. Albeit curious, he didn''t move to kill them. He instead summoned a group of ten Umbral Rat. He wondered how his Umbral Rats would compare to these Wood Corpses. Although they were similar Tier 2(1¡ï) level, the Wood Corpse had a larger build. "Take each one and kill them as fast as you can." Since he wanted to know the difference, he commanded them to have a 1 versus 1 fight. Upon his command, the Umbral Rats let out a high-pitched squeak as their semi-ethereal form immediately solidified and rushed straight at their opponents with their incisors glowing with purple light. It was the effect of their offensive skill, Venomous Bite that could do poison damage over 5 seconds and weaken their opponents. However, despite successfully biting the Wood Corpses, the Venomous Bite had no effect at all. In response, the wolf-like Wood Corpses counterattacked with a similar bite action. Vincent didn''t make any command, he was waiting how his Umbral Rats would react with these attacks. Squeak! Four of his Umbral Rats were unable to dodge it and were bitten by Wood Corpses, however, the rest had managed to quickly react by turning their form to semi-ethereal form, dodging the sharp and smelly fangs of the Wood Corpses. Those who had managed to avoid the attacks immediately reacted, slashing, releasing a shadow claw energy that swiftly flashed through the Wood Corpses body. The Wood Corpses wood physique made a wood cutting noise as his Umbral Rats bite and slashed through their body. Eventually, Vincent heard the system''s notification. You have successfully killed Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï) x10! You have gained +50 Experience Points! x10 Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! x10 In that instance, Vincent''s experience bar was filled and overflowing. He no longer felt disappointed with the wasted experience points as he could easily farm it after all. Fortunately, it did not lower the amount of experience points he could get by killing a same-level primal. And he was quite satisfied with the results of Umbral Rats performance. With his ten summons, only 4 had died in battle, which was a better result than he had expected. Unfortunately, he could not further improve the grade of this skill. He could only hope that perhaps one day he might encounter a special item or special skill that could break a skill''s potential limit. ''Now, the question is which one should I focus on upgrading? Hmm¡­'' As far as he remembered, upgrading an epic-grade skill had an absurd amount of requirements. He checked out one of his Epic-grade skills. Target: Abyssal Venomlash (Epic) Quality Upgrade: Possible Quantity Upgrade: Possible Vincent immediately chose the first option. Requirements: 1,500,000 experience points and 3 Epic-grade Skills. "Right, it didn''t change at all." He could only let out a sigh of disappointment. Fortunately, he had more than enough skill books he had got from Towers of Fundamentals. If not, he would truly struggle finding skill books. Now the question was, if any-type of book would require or must be same or similar-type? He didn''t know the answer. He could just worry about that later and focus on upgrading a random book to epic grade. And that''s for sure would take a huge amount of experience points. To upgrade a common-grade book to uncommon-grade requires 100,000 experience points and to upgrade uncommon to rare-grade requires 300,000 experience points and 500,000 experience points to upgrade it to epic-grade. And now, it requires him 1,500,000 and 3 epic-grade skills to upgrade it to Legendary-grade, which despite the absurd amount excites him. Just imagining him having tens of legendary skills thrilled him to the bone. He might be the only person in the Novice Continent to have a set of legendary skills and items. So, with his current experience capped, he could upgrade 2 common-grade books to epic-grade. He set his eyes to normal-grade skill books as he had a fewer amount of uncommon and rare grade skill books. Additionally, a normal-grade skill book was still evidently had a weaker upgraded version despite being a higher grade. He had realized it with his experience of upgrading series of skills and items.. Hence, without further hesistation, he took out two common-grade skill books and upgraded it directly to epic-grade. The common-grade book ''Air Shot'' had transformed to epic-grade ''Gatling Windstorm'' it sounded powerful but in Vincent''s perspective, it was underwhelming for its grade. He wasn''t even tempted to learn it, he simply stored them and picked up the drop Origin Crystals on the ground and replenished his Origin Energy and moved forward. The Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was vast after all. He could definitely farm a lot of experience points! Chapter 160 Another Legendary Grade! After advancing for a while, the path he had taken became narrowed as overgrown with twisted vines and thick underbrush filled the surroundings.Although Vincent was confident that he could take any primals that could appear in this labyrinth, he was not reckless. He already used the maximum range of his mental perception but it was not enough to completely cover the space of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Therefore, he still summoned a group of Umbral Rats to scout the area ahead. After some time, he received a mental signal that one of his summoned Umbral Rats had encountered something. With his perception, he immediately went towards it. Not far from him, he saw one of his Umbral Rats was squeaking as it was being ganged up by a group of green and black serpent with vine-like scales and a bioluminescent crest on its head. Its body is covered in thorny ridges. Venom Vine Serpent - Tier 2 (2 - 3¡ï) Despite biting so hard with its venomous incisors, the umbral rat was unable to fully break through its hard scales. The umbral rat attempted to break free but it was still locked with the Venom Vine Serpent''s grasps. The other umbral rats immediately jumped in, attempting to help but the other Venom Vine Serpents had a quick reaction, slithered away before pouncing with their sharp fangs glowed with deadly lights. Puchi! Squeak! One of the umbral rats had been bitten by the Venom Vine Serpent. It let out a high-pitched squeak before its movements slowly turned sluggish. "It has a better venom quality¡­" Vincent murmured upon noticing it. Needless to say, aside from the apparent difference with their level, snakes or serpents were rats'' natural predators. Upon seeing this, Vincent stopped watching and summoned several fireballs. After commanding the remaining umbral rats he hurled his fireballs at the group of Venom Vine Serpents. Hiss~ The Venom Vine Serpents could only hiss as they got washed over by a sea of fire. When the fire subsided, what remained was the burned figures of the serpents. Soon, it broke to ashes before collapsing to particles of digital lights and dozens of Origin Crystals left on the ground, along with the system''s notifications. You have successfully killed Venom Vine Serpents Tier 2 (2¡ï)! You have successfully killed Venom Vine Serpents Tier 2 (3¡ï)! In that instance, Vincent''s experience bar was once again filled to the brim. Without losing a beat, he retrieved the drop Origin Crystals and other common-grade materials and a common-grade dagger, storing it in his storage ring. He didn''t even check it and quickly took out a common-grade skill book and directly upgraded to epic-grade. "Alright, I already have the third epic-grade skill book but I''m a little short on experience points¡­" After upgrading a skill book to epic-grade, he was left with 1,100,000 experience points. He was short of 400,000 experience points. But it was not much of a problem. He was in a labyrinth, and the labyrinth never lacked a primal, meaning experience points. Therefore, after summoning a few more umbral rats and commanding them to go to different paths, in no time, he encountered the next group of primals. Boom! Boom! Needless to say, even without wearing his Mental-type equipment, with his Mental Attribute of 60, it was no-brainer that Tier 2 primals couldn''t stand his fireballs. Even if his fireball skill was only an uncommon-grade, it was still overwhelming for them. You have successfully killed a¡­ Ignoring the system''s notification, he set his eyes on the skill lists he had. He was considering which one of his epic-skills he should upgrade first. His attention then landed at the first ever skill he had gotten. The Abyssal Venomlash, it was at first a common-grade ''stinger'' and this skill was his only common-grade that evolved in a very good path. Unlike other upgraded skills that originated from being common-grade, the Abyssal Venomlash was truly potent, especially with its venomous capabilities, it could over power most of the Origin Warriors he had encountered. He was naturally curious how it would grow to Legendary-grade, however, it was still originally a common-grade. And seeing the current environment he was in, Abyssal Venomlash might be not useful and not the best one to upgrade for the time being. His attention was then drawn to one of his passive skills, Dragon''s Fury. It was originally a rare-grade Dragon''s Might that he got from Tower of Combat. He had a good impression of this skill as it greatly affects a mentally weaker opponent despite their level. It especially had greater effects against a weaker race. Since the skill was made from dragon''s race, there were only very few races that could stand against it. However, his eyes also landed on the epic skills he got from other towers. They were all good choices. "Why worry? I won''t lose anything even if I upgrade any of my skills first. The thing I will only lack will be experience points that I can get for a very short amount of time." Hence, he decided to go for Dragon''s Fury! [Do you want to upgrade Dragon''s Fury (Epic)?] Yes! [Please select 3 Epic-grade Skill Books you want to sacrifice] Vincent casually brought out the three epic-grade skill books he had upgraded. As soon as he did it, the books in his hand immediately collapsed into particles of colorful lights before he felt a warm energy coursing into his very core, forcing him to close his eyes. After an indefinite amount of time, he heard the system''s notification as his eyes released a soft bright light. [You have successfully upgraded Dragon''s Fury(Epic) to Infernal Dragon''s Wrath(Legendary)!] Thrilled, he immediately opened the interface and checked what had changed. Name: Infernal Dragon''s Wrath Grade: Legendary Details: This passive skill infuses the user with the unmatched dominance of an apex dragon, enveloping them in a fiery draconic aura that imposes absolute authority on their surroundings. Effect: Enemies within a 30-meter radius are afflicted with Dragonfear, causing mental and physical suppression. Same or lower-tier enemies: Paralyzed with fear for 2-5 seconds (duration scales with Mental attribute). Weak-willed or physically inferior races (e.g., lesser beasts, goblins) experience complete incapacitation, unable to fight back or resist for the full duration. Higher-tier enemies: Combat effectiveness reduced by 20%-50% (scales with user''s Force attribute). Mentally weaker higher-tier enemies may experience momentary hesitation or loss of focus (up to 2 seconds). The user''s Force and Mental attributes are increased by 20% for as long as the aura remains active. Sub Skill: Name: Infernal Dragon''s Blaze Grade: Legendary Details: The user channels an overwhelming surge of draconic power into a fiery catastrophe, leaving no room for escape. Effect: Consumes 30% of total Origin Energy to create an unstoppable inferno blast in a 50-meter radius, dealing fire-based damage. Damage: Scales with Force (150%) and Mental (50%). Debuff: All struck enemies are afflicted with Dragonburn, reducing healing and regeneration by 60% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. At this moment, in his excitement, he subconsciously activated it. Instantly, a fiery draconic aura surged out of his body, jolting Mochi, who was dozing on his shoulder. "Hmm¡­ What''s happening with you?" Vincent furrowed his brows upon seeing Mochi''s nonchalant reaction. Curious, he controlled the effect of Infernal Dragon Wrath towards Mochi. However, surprisingly Mochi still had the same expression as though she was wondering what her stupid master was doing. Baffled, he asked, "Don''t you feel anything?" Slightly tilting her head, she answered with a question, "Hmm, what are you talking about?" He waved his hand, surrounded by fiery draconic energy, he asked, "What do you think about this? Do you feel anything? Don''t you feel any discomfort?" Baffled, Mochi carefully looked at the draconic energy Vincent was emitting, furrowing her brows together. She then responded, "Discomfort? I felt disgusted. Why do you have the aura of those worms?" She flashed a disgusted expression as she looked at Vincent in wonder. Vincent was speechless. "Worm?" How could she call his legendary-grade skill and a Dragon''s aura a worm? He carefully observed Mochi''s expression. However, the fat rabbit was evidently only showing a pure disgust and was not afraid a little bit by the infernal dragon''s aura. He was truly curious how she could call a dragon''s aura a worm''s aura. However, he was certain that Mochi wouldn''t give him a satisfactory answer so he just kept it in his mind and went deeper into the labyrinth. He had lost his excitement upon getting a new Legendary-grade skill due to Mochi''s lackluster reaction. After walking through several dead ends, he finally reached a new area of the labyrinth. The bright sun was nowhere to be seen as thick tree branches covered the sky as mist filled the surroundings. Although the mist limited his vision, he still advanced with the same pace. He naturally let his Umbral Rats walk in front of him. When suddenly, sharp glowing yellow eyes pierce the mist behind him. Without a word, it pounced straight at him¡­ S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 161 Mist Stalker Despite the incoming attack, Vincent stood still, unmoving like a statue. He waited until the danger was only inches away from him before finally making a move.In that fleeting moment, his sharp eyes caught the full appearance of the primal predator. Four-legged creatures prowling in the mist, their sleek, silvery fur shimmering like liquid metal under dim light. Their glowing yellow eyes burned through the fog like eerie lanterns, and their razor-sharp claws left trails of glowing light with every swipe. Mist Stalker Tier 2 (3¡ï) Vincent tilted his head slightly, evading the glinting claws by mere millimeters. In the same motion, he launched his fist toward the beast. However, before his attack could land, the Mist Stalker vanished back into the dense fog, as if it were a ghost. Squeak! Suddenly, his umbral rats let out sharp, panicked squeaks, their sounds echoing in the haze. Then, just as quickly as the noise came, it was gone. A chilling silence followed, signaling the inevitable. The connection between Vincent and his summoned umbral rats was severed. They were dead. Mochi, who had been watching everything from the sidelines despite the thick veil of mist, couldn''t help but speak. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Your pets are dead. Are you not going to do anything?" Mochi''s tone was casual, almost mocking. But Vincent said nothing. He kept his gaze fixed deep within the swirling fog, his expression unreadable. With his finely tuned mental perception, he could see what others could not. Amidst the chaos of the mist, he detected a group of Origin Warriors. They were struggling to fend off a relentless pack of Mist Stalkers, their glowing eyes circling like predators closing in on prey. "Stand your ground! Don''t you dare think of running! If any of you cowards try to flee, I''ll make sure to end your career myself!" a furious voice bellowed. "B-But, party leader! Our healer is already injured and exhausted! Even Junjun''s completely drained of energy!" "Shut up! I said we''re clearing this labyrinth before anyone else, and that''s final!" In the midst of the chaos, one of the party members stationed at the rear suddenly noticed movement. His voice wavered as he shouted. "Leader, there''s someone coming from behind us¡­" No sooner had he spoken than Vincent emerged from the thick fog, his presence commanding and unshaken. The party turned to face him, their wary gazes scanning him from head to toe. Vincent''s attention, however, was elsewhere. His eyes locked onto the figure of a brown-haired woman kneeling on the ground. She wore a clown mask and clutched her injured shoulder in obvious pain. He recognized that mask. He recognized that figure. As the group continued to fend off the sneaky Mist Stalkers while cautiously observing him, Vincent softly called out. "Clauny?" The clown-masked woman slowly turned her head toward him. Behind the mask, her eyes widened slightly with curiosity and confusion. "Do you know him?!" asked the tanned-skinned man at the front, his buzzed haircut and rugged features giving him an intimidating appearance. "I-I don''t know him, Leader¡­" Clauny stammered, her voice shaky. She didn''t recognize Vincent, likely because he wasn''t hiding his true appearance anymore. The man, Boscauk, narrowed his eyes at Vincent and growled, "Who the hell are you? And how do you know our healer?" Vincent ignored the question entirely, his gaze never leaving Clauny. He remembered her clearly. Clauny was part of the first party he had joined during his visit to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth. She had been the one to invite him to join their group back then. Her kindness had left an impression, and he had never forgotten her. As Vincent''s thoughts wandered, the man wielding the large shield let out a pained cry. The shield slipped from his grasp as he fell to the ground. "Argh!" "Matthew!" someone shouted. Boscauk tore his gaze from Vincent and turned back to Clauny. His face twisted in anger as he barked, "Stop kneeling there! Go and heal him now!" Vincent''s frown deepened. Clauny was visibly injured, her body trembling from exhaustion. Yet Boscauk showed no concern for her state, his tone as harsh as ever. Vincent couldn''t help but wonder what had happened to Clauny''s previous party. While his time with them had been brief, he was certain that Jokyr, her former leader, had been a responsible and considerate leader. Despite her pain, Clauny gritted her teeth and tried to stand. Her hands trembled as she braced herself against the ground, but her strength gave out, and she collapsed back onto her knees. Boscauk sneered, his frustration boiling over. Without hesitation, he kicked her in the side. "Useless!" "Ugh!" Clauny gasped, clutching her side as pain radiated through her body. Vincent''s expression darkened further. His fists clenched at his sides, though Boscauk was too caught up in his tantrum to notice. The short young man with long bangs covering his eyes flinched as Boscauk turned to him next. "You! Get over there and give Matthew a recovery potion!" "Y-Yes, Leader!" The young man, Mauro, scrambled toward the fallen shield-wielder, Matthew, who was being protected by another party member desperately slashing at the Mist Stalkers. Boscauk''s attention snapped back to Clauny, who was still struggling to catch her breath. "If you weren''t so damn useless, I would''ve cleared this labyrinth ages ago!" he snarled. Raising his foot, he prepared to stomp on her. But before he could follow through, a sudden gust of wind surged toward him, forcing him to stagger backward. "W-What the¡ª?!" Boscauk exclaimed, his voice tinged with surprise. When he looked up, a shadowy figure loomed over Clauny, shielding her from further harm. She slowly raised her head, and though she couldn''t recognize him, she saw Vincent standing tall in front of her. "Are you alright?" Vincent asked, his tone soft yet steady, his gaze piercing. Clauny hesitated, her voice weak as she replied, "I-I''m fine. Please, don''t worry about me. If you interfere, you''ll only offend our leader." "Stay still," Vincent said firmly. He pulled out a recovery potion and extended it toward her. "W-What are you doing?" Clauny asked, bewildered. The stranger''s actions confused her even more. Why was he helping her? Why did he know her? "Drink it," Vincent commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. As Clauny stared at the potion, still frozen in confusion, Boscauk finally regained his composure. His face contorted in fury as he bellowed, "You bastard! Who the hell do you think you are? Giving a recovery potion to that useless healer?!" Vincent''s head turned slowly. His icy glare locked onto Boscauk, freezing the man in place. A chill ran down Boscauk''s spine as the atmosphere grew tense. The tension was shattered by another pained scream. The man wielding a sword was overwhelmed by Mist Stalkers. "L-Leader¡­" Mauro stammered, his voice laced with fear. Boscauk turned toward the source of the scream, his face paling as he took in the sight. Dozens of glowing yellow eyes stared back at him from the thick mist. Enjoy more content from empire It wasn''t just in front of them. The eerie lights surrounded them completely, cutting off all paths of escape. Boscauk instinctively took a step back, only to stumble into a puddle of sizzling green liquid. "Argh! Fuck!" he cursed, the acid burning his leg. "L-Leader! We have to leave!" Matthew cried out, his voice frantic. "I said we''re not leaving! Anyone who tries to run will answer to me later!" Boscauk roared. He turned back to Vincent, pointing a shaking finger at him. "And you¡ª" But his words were cut short as the Mist Stalkers surged forward, their glowing eyes narrowing with intent to kill. At that moment, Vincent released a fiery draconic energy that roared to life around him. He had activated his Legendary-grade skill: Infernal Dragon''s Wrath! The Mist Stalkers froze mid-attack, their high-pitched screeches echoing as their minds were crushed by the overwhelming pressure. Within seconds, they disintegrated into light, their forms vanishing into nothingness as system notifications flooded Vincent''s vision. You have successfully killed a Mist Stalker Tier 2(3¡ï)! You have successfully killed a Mist Stalker Tier 2(2¡ï)! You have successfully killed¡­ Vincent simply ignored the system''s notifications before turning to Boscauk who had a stunned expression. Nevertheless, he was satisfied by the results of his Legendary-grade skill. Although he knew it was a strong legendary-grade skill, he didn''t expect that it would kill the Mist Stalkers with his sheer pressure alone. At this moment, Boscauk had no idea what to say or react. But needless to say, his expression was dark. He didn''t expect that this nobody was actually a powerful Origin Warrior! And he already offended him. In addition to that, this powerful individual seemed like had a connection with the useless healer. Vincent then ignored Boscauk and faced Clauny, who also had a shocked expression beneath her clown mask. "Are you alright now? Can you stand up?" He offered his hand. Clauny hesitated for a second before accepting his hand and stood up. Chapter 162 Claunys Experience (1) Vincent ignored Boscauk and faced Clauny, who also wore a shocked expression beneath her clown mask."Are you alright now? Can you stand up?" Vincent''s voice broke the silence as he extended a hand toward her. Clauny hesitated for a brief second. Her gaze darted from his outstretched hand to his face, as though unsure whether to trust him or not. After a moment of uncertainty, she finally accepted his hand, allowing him to help her up. As she steadied herself on her feet, she looked directly at him. Her voice, though trembling slightly, carried a note of curiosity. "Who are you?" Vincent didn''t answer right away. Instead, he gave her a warm, reassuring smile. His calm demeanor seemed almost out of place given the tense atmosphere. His gaze briefly shifted back to Boscauk, who looked as though he was about to interject. Vincent''s expression hardened instantly, silencing the man with nothing more than a glance. Turning back to Clauny, his tone shifted, carrying an unsettling calmness. "Do you mind if I kill him?" The question hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. His voice was cold and precise, lacking any trace of emotion. It felt less like a question and more like an invitation for her agreement. Yet, despite his demeanor, Vincent remained perfectly still, patiently waiting for her response. The weight of his words caused the entire atmosphere to shift. Boscauk''s face immediately darkened, though he tried to cover it with an awkward smile. "W-What are you talking about, Young Hero?" Boscauk stammered, forcing an unconvincing chuckle. His eyes darted toward Clauny, his expression growing more desperate. "Heale¡ª Cough! Clauny, we have a good relationship, don''t we? I''ve been nothing but good to you, right? You wouldn''t want me to die, would you? I mean, remember, I was there for you when you needed help!" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he spoke, his words came out in a hurried stream, each one more desperate than the last. He could see the hesitation in Clauny''s eyes and was determined to exploit it. ''That''s right, bitch!'' Boscauk thought, his inner voice laced with arrogance. ''I was the one who helped you when no one else would! You should be grateful to me, not questioning my intentions! You better speak up now, or else!'' Vincent, ever observant, noticed the flicker of doubt in Clauny''s gaze. He didn''t say anything, but a part of him couldn''t help but wonder what had happened to her. The hesitation in her eyes told a story of conflict, of struggles he couldn''t yet understand. But he wasn''t about to pry into someone else''s personal matters unless absolutely necessary. He had only stepped in because he had a favorable impression of her from before. If she didn''t want his help, he was prepared to walk away without a word. At that moment, Clauny seemed lost in her thoughts. Her emotions swirled like a storm, visible even through the mask she wore. Since the day they had parted from Vincent¡ªback when he was known as "Shroud"¡ªher life had taken a sharp turn. She hadn''t heard anything about him since then, leading her to believe the worst. That belief had driven a wedge between her and Jokyr''s group. She had argued with them, blaming them for letting Shroud die. The argument escalated until she, consumed by anger and disappointment, decided to leave the group altogether. Although Jokyr and the others had apologized, even begging her to reconsider, she had stood firm in her decision. Not long after, during one of her solo hunts, she ventured into the territory of a savage race. She had underestimated the danger, and before she knew it, she had been captured. Her despair was overwhelming, but to her shock, a member of her old party who had secretly followed her rallied the rest of the group to rescue her. The rescue attempt succeeded, but at a devastating cost. Her entire party suffered injuries so severe that they lost their connection to the Origin World. Find more chapters on empire In this world, that fate was akin to being crippled. An Origin Warrior without access to the Origin World would never progress to a higher realm, no matter how many experience potions or other items they consumed. Such items were only effective for those who retained their Origin World connection. The guilt Clauny felt was immeasurable. How could she face them after everything? Unable to confront them, she wandered aimlessly, joining one group after another. But her pain and guilt followed her, leaving her unable to stay in any party for long. Eventually, she joined the Scavenger Guild. The guild was far from welcoming. She endured insults, mistreatment, and humiliation, all while clinging to the hope of reaching a higher realm. Her sole goal was to secure a future¡ªnot for herself, but for the friends she had lost. Through sheer determination, she rose from Tier 1 (3¡ï) to the peak of Tier 1 in an impressively short time. Yet, every step forward came with pain and sacrifice. Lost in these memories, tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. They fell silently, one by one, dampening the ground beneath her. Clauny''s gaze returned to Vincent. There was something about him¡ªsomething familiar. Yet, she couldn''t quite place it. She wanted to ask who he was, but fear held her back. What if knowing his identity brought him trouble? She couldn''t risk it. Swallowing her emotions, she forced a stiff smile beneath her mask and spoke with measured words. "I''m alright. Please, don''t kill my leader. He''s¡­ been good to me." Vincent''s brow furrowed slightly at her response. Boscauk, on the other hand, practically beamed with relief. His polite smile returned, though it did little to mask his true thoughts. "You hear that, Young Hero? I told you, we''re like family here. Sure, things might look rough, but I care deeply for my party members! I''m just under a lot of pressure to clear this labyrinth. I have to prove to my superiors that my party is capable!" Even as he spoke, his inner thoughts were filled with malice. ''You little bastard,'' he sneered inwardly. ''As soon as I get out of this place, I''ll make sure my guild hunts you down like the dog you are!'' Vincent remained silent, his eyes lowering to Clauny''s hand, which still gripped his own. In a quiet voice, he whispered, "It''s alright. You''ll be fine." Chapter 163 Claunys Experience (2) Letting go of her hand, Vincent gently tossed Mochi towards Clauny.Without warning, he vanished from where he stood. When he reappeared, it was behind Boscauk, who still wore a forced, kind smile, oblivious to the danger now looming directly over him. With a swift and casual motion, Vincent grabbed the man''s head. "Wha¡ª" Bang! Boscauk''s face smashed into the ground with a sickening thud. "Bastar¡ª" Bang! Before he could finish his sentence, Vincent slammed his head into the ground again. The impact echoed, reverberating through the silent space. Clauny and the rest of her party stood frozen, their mouths agape. None of them could believe what they were witnessing. "H-Help me, you idiots¡ª" Bang! Vincent didn''t pause, showing no sign of stopping as he lifted Boscauk''s head again. His movements were methodical, almost routine, like someone working through an unpleasant chore. Meanwhile, Mochi, now nestled in Clauny''s arms, muttered quietly, "He really likes smashing heads..." Continue reading at empire Clauny, on the other hand, was utterly lost. Her mind couldn''t process what was happening. She had explicitly told him not to kill her leader, and yet Vincent continued to beat Boscauk without hesitation. "L-Leader¡­" Mauro and the others murmured weakly. They glanced at one another but made no move to intervene. They lacked the strength, but more importantly, they lacked the will. None of them particularly liked Boscauk, and the sight of him being pummeled didn''t exactly inspire sympathy. "P-Please, sto¡ª" Bang! The final impact left Boscauk utterly limp. His unconscious body slumped to the side as Vincent released him, tossing him aside like a broken doll. Vincent straightened, brushing his hands off casually, and turned to face Clauny. His expression was unreadable, but his presence radiated a quiet authority that made everyone around him hesitate to speak. Before addressing Clauny, he glanced at Mauro and the others, who stood trembling in place. "Do you also want to fight?" Vincent asked, his tone flat and matter-of-fact, as though he were offering them a choice rather than issuing a threat. The trio immediately shook their heads in unison, waving their hands frantically. ''That wasn''t even a fight!'' they all thought, terrified. ''That was just a one-sided beating!'' Satisfied with their response, Vincent ignored them and returned his focus to Clauny. "I don''t know what happened to you or what you''ve been through, but if Jokyr were here, he''d do the same thing," he said softly, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of certainty. Clauny''s breath caught at his words. "W-Wha¡­ How do you know Jokyr?" she asked, her voice trembling. For the first time, Vincent smiled in a way that wasn''t cold or detached. It was warm, familiar, and oddly comforting. "It''s me, Shroud. It''s been a while," he revealed. "Shroud¡­" Clauny whispered, her voice barely audible as the realization hit her. Her eyes widened, her entire body freezing in place as if she had seen a ghost. "Y-You''re Shroud?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief. Although curious about her reaction, Vincent simply nodded, his smile unwavering. For a moment, Clauny didn''t move. Then, without warning, she tossed Mochi aside and lunged toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around him in an emotional embrace. Vincent stiffened, surprised by the sudden contact. "H-Hic¡­ Hehe, you''re alive. Great, great¡­" Clauny muttered through her sobs, her voice breaking as she clung to him. Vincent stood silently, letting her cry. He could feel her shoulders trembling as weeks of pent-up emotion poured out all at once. Suddenly, her body went limp, and she collapsed against him. Startled, Vincent caught her before she could fall. His hands instinctively steadied her, his expression softening slightly. He wasn''t worried; she had just consumed a recovery potion. She was probably just exhausted from everything. Carrying her gently in his arms, Vincent released a wave of energy, clearing the surrounding mist. The once oppressive fog retreated several meters, leaving the area feeling more open. He walked to a nearby patch of soft ground and knelt down, carefully laying Clauny down. Her mask slipped from her face, revealing her features for the first time. Beneath the mask was a strikingly beautiful young woman. Her delicate features were framed by strands of messy hair, and even in her unconscious state, there was a certain grace about her. Vincent allowed himself a brief moment to admire her appearance before his expression returned to its usual calm. His attention shifted back to Mauro and the others. "Tie up your leader," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. The trio nodded quickly, rushing to comply. Though they were frightened by Vincent''s power, they were also relieved to have someone else taking charge. As they worked, Vincent summoned a group of umbral rats. The dark creatures scurried into position, forming a perimeter around the group. The sight of the rats sent shivers down Mauro and the others'' spines, but none of them dared to protest. Satisfied with the precautions, Vincent sat down beside Clauny. He rested his arms on his knees, his gaze fixed on her as he waited for her to wake up. After some time, Boscauk remained unconscious, but Clauny stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Vincent, his striking purple hair catching the light. He was staring at her with a calm expression, his presence steady and reassuring. "Shroud¡­" she muttered, her voice weak but filled with emotion. Vincent''s lips curved into a slight smile. "Yes? How are you feeling?" "I''m good¡­ so you didn''t die¡­" she replied, her voice trembling slightly. Raising an eyebrow, Vincent teased, "What? Were you hoping I was dead?" "N-No! That''s not what I meant!" Clauny stammered, her cheeks flushing as she waved her hands in protest. Vincent chuckled, his laughter light and unburdened. "Haha, I''m just messing with you. But¡­ why are you here with these idiots?" His gaze flicked toward the silent trio. "And where''s Jokyr and the others?" At his question, Clauny''s expression darkened. She hesitated for a moment, but eventually, she began to speak. She told him everything¡ªabout her guilt, her choices, and the tragedies that had unfolded since they parted ways. As she spoke, her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue, keeping her emotions in check. Vincent listened silently, his expression growing more somber with every word. When she finally finished, the weight of her story hung heavy between them. "Hic¡­ It''s my fault! If I''d just believed that you were alive, if I''d stayed with them, they''d still be here! They wouldn''t have lost their futures! It''s all my fault!" Clauny cried, her voice breaking as the floodgates finally opened. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 164 Mental Domination! Vincent listened in silence as he let Clauny release all the emotions she had been holding back.Although she assumed everything was her fault, Vincent also felt partially responsible. He hadn''t anticipated that his actions that day would impact their group so significantly. He felt slightly guilty, as though he had made a mistake intentionally, even though it wasn''t the case. He believed he should take responsibility. ''This will leave a bad taste in my mouth if I don''t take responsibility for my actions¡­'' he thought, frowning slightly. After a while, Clauny finally calmed down. She looked at Vincent''s face with a hint of embarrassment. It was unclear if it was due to her crying or for another reason. Seeing that she had finally calmed down, Vincent spoke. "I apologize for not immediately letting you know about my situation." Clauny shook her head. "No, it''s not your fault." Vincent didn''t press her further, but he kept it in mind. He stood up and looked at her with a serious expression before shifting his attention to the tied-up Boscauk. "At this point, you can no longer return to your guild. Can you tell me everything you know about the Scavenger Guild?" Clauny followed Vincent''s gaze and saw the unrecognizable state of her leader. Although she had witnessed how Vincent had defeated Boscauk one-sidedly, seeing the once powerful and intimidating party leader in this condition still shocked her. Her surprised expression gradually turned grim. Although Vincent had grown stronger, she was well aware of the strength her guild possessed. A single Origin Warrior couldn''t stand against an entire guild. Especially not the Scavenger Guild. Although it wasn''t a renowned guild, it was still feared by rogue Origin Warriors. Furthermore, Boscauk was only one of the many party leaders within the guild. To hold the position of a party leader, one needed Peak Tier 2 strength. Since Vincent had offended both Boscauk and the Scavenger Guild, she was certain they would hunt him down. Her guilt deepened. She had just reunited with a friend after so long, and now she had dragged him into her problems! ''Am I really this unlucky?!'' she cried internally. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent glanced in her direction and noticed her grim expression. He called out, "Clauny!" "Y-Yes?!" she exclaimed, startled. "I need you to tell me what you know about your guild." Reluctantly, Clauny began sharing all the information she had. Meanwhile, the trio kneeling beside their unconscious leader watched silently. They were too afraid to utter a word, fearing they might be the next to end up face-first on the ground. After relaying all the information she knew, Clauny pleaded, "You have to leave now! Please, just go. I''ll figure something out to cover this up! I don''t want you getting dragged into my problems too!" Vincent smiled at her while processing the information he had just learned. ''So, there''s a possibility of a Peak Tier 3 within the Scavenger Guild¡­'' he mused. Despite this revelation, he wasn''t worried in the slightest. With his current strength, while he might not be able to defeat a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior, escaping wouldn''t be impossible. Moreover, he had another method to ensure everything was resolved. He could simply force them to take the Origin''s Oath. If that didn''t work, he still had the Mental Domination sub-skill of his epic-grade skill¡ªYellow Heaven Mental Aura! Although he didn''t know how long it would last, it was a better alternative to outright killing Boscauk. At that moment, the unconscious Boscauk began to stir. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, only to realize he was completely tied up. He ignored the pain in his face when he noticed the silent trio kneeling on the ground, staring at him with strange expressions. "You idiots! Get me out of here! Untie me right now!" he roared, only to realize they weren''t moving or even acknowledging him. Following their gaze, he finally remembered what had happened as his eyes landed on Vincent''s expressionless face. In an instant, the pain coursing through his body returned, and his face twisted in agony. Through gritted teeth, he growled at Vincent. "You bastard! Do you know what you''ve done?! You''re not just offending me; you''re offending my entire Scavenger Guild!" He then turned his attention to Clauny, whose expression had turned grim. "And you, useless healer! Forget about your dreams! Once I get out of here, I''ll kill you and all those friends you''ve been worrying about!" The moment he uttered those words, Vincent noticed Clauny faltering. He could see how deeply those words affected her. Annoyed, Vincent activated his Mental Domination sub-skill. In an instant, Boscauk''s furious expression shifted to one of fanatic reverence as he stared at Vincent blankly. Vincent turned to Clauny and said, "Don''t listen to him. He''s just a dog. There''s no point in listening to a dog barking." He then looked back at Boscauk. "Kneel and apologize for everything you''ve said." Explore more adventures at empire Still tied up, Boscauk knelt on the ground and slammed his head down so forcefully that the ground trembled slightly. "Please forgive me! I apologize for everything I''ve said! I''m nothing but a dog!" His loud voice stunned the trio and shocked Clauny. Clauny was dumbfounded. She had no idea what had just happened. Why had her egotistical leader suddenly apologized at Vincent''s command? She looked at Vincent, silently demanding an explanation. However, Vincent either didn''t notice her gaze or chose to ignore it. "That''s not enough!" Vincent declared. "Do it again! Keep going until she accepts your apology!" Bang! Boscauk slammed his head onto the ground again. "Forgive me! I shouldn''t have said those things! I was a fool¡ªa worthless fool! Please, show mercy!" Bang! Blood began to drip from his forehead. Bang! The trio was frozen in fear. Whatever Vincent had done to their leader terrified them. Bang! Clauny stared in disbelief, her mouth hanging open as Boscauk continued. Vincent suddenly commented, "If you want him dead, you can just ignore him." His words snapped Clauny out of her daze. In panic, she shouted, "Alright! Alright! Stop slamming your head! I accept your apology!" Boscauk weakly replied, "Thank you for your forgiveness¡­" before fainting again. Vincent ignored him and turned to the trio. "I''ll give you three a choice. Either take the Origin''s Oath or end up like him." "We''ll take the oath!!" "I''m willing to take it!" "I''ll do it!" The trio responded simultaneously, not even knowing what the Origin''s Oath entailed. Anything was better than becoming a mindless dog like their leader. Vincent gave them instructions to complete the oath. He told them to report back to the guild that Clauny had died in the labyrinth, losing her access to the Origin World. This wasn''t unusual; such occurrences were common in the Origin World. As for Boscauk, Vincent wasn''t worried. The system notification earlier had confirmed his control: You have successfully controlled Boscauk Bourat ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï)! Duration: 7 days! Yes, the Mental Domination would last for an entire week! Chapter 165 Inner Ring You have successfully controlled Boscauk Bourat ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï)!Duration: 7 days! Yes, the Mental Domination would last for an entire week! Nevertheless, he was still uncertain about its effects. He still had to do more research. He was quite skeptical that the Mental Domination could last that long if the target was more than one. But for now, he set it aside. After the trio had taken the Origin''s Oath, Vincent ordered the three of them to bring their leader out of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Read exclusive chapters at empire Seeing that they started walking back, he couldn''t help but wonder aloud, "Why are you walking? Don''t tell me you don''t even have an escape scroll?" sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before the trio could answer, Clauny cleared his confusion, "You didn''t know? This labyrinth does not allow the usage of escape scrolls." The trio also nodded their heads, confirming Clauny''s words. If not for the goddamn restriction, they would have already used their escape scroll and left their leader alone. Vincent slightly furrowed his brows before easing them up. It didn''t matter to him. With his current speed, he could easily escape if the worst came to the worst. Additionally, he already had a plan in mind for which skill he would upgrade next, but he set it aside for now. After nodding and letting the trio go, he turned to Clauny, "Are you sure you''re not going back with them?" Clauny firmly shook her head before showing a determined expression. "No. I cannot be weak forever. I cannot hide forever behind someone''s back. I have to stand on my own feet and become stronger, not just for my friends but also for myself!" She then paused and continued with a weaker voice, "So I hope you don''t mind me tagging along with you¡­" Vincent stared at her expressionlessly, which made her nervous. After a short consideration, Vincent finally nodded. She wouldn''t slow him down even if she tagged along anyway. Additionally, he also felt responsible for her situation. He might be selfish, but he still had his bottom line. He would not give mercy to his enemies, but it was the opposite for his friends and loved ones. And just for the record, he did not give that guy¡ªBoscauk¡ªany mercy. He just let him go since it was the best choice for the time being. Once he was certain that he could defeat a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior, he would no longer hesitate to end him. However, all of that would be in the future. For now, he should focus on improving his strength and clearing this labyrinth. With his experience bar filled, he could upgrade two common-grade skill books to epic-grade! But there was a slight problem¡ªClauny kept glancing in his direction. As he was wondering what he should do, his attention landed on the fat black rabbit on his shoulder, Mochi. While grinning in his mind, he grabbed Mochi by her back. "Hey! Let me go!" Mochi demanded, but Vincent turned a deaf ear to her and tossed her to Clauny. Clauny caught Mochi reflexively. "She''s Mochi. She''s my primal pet. You take care of her, and I won''t mind you tagging along with me." Clauny finally had a good look at Mochi''s appearance. Earlier, she had no time to observe Mochi closely as she had been shaken. Her eyes glowed brightly, muttering to herself, "S-So cute¡­" Subconsciously, she gave Mochi a tight hug, rubbing its soft cheek against her own. "Ah¡­ soft¡­" Mochi, on the other hand, kept demanding Vincent, in his mind, to get her out of Clauny''s hands. Nevertheless, Vincent simply ignored her cries. Now that Clauny''s attention was not on him, he discreetly upgraded two common-grade skill books to epic-grade, emptying his experience points. Along the way, Vincent and Clauny encountered a few more Mist Stalkers. Since Clauny had joined him, the amount of experience points he could get had become lesser. Nevertheless, killing Mist Stalkers allowed him to fill his experience bar. After upgrading one more skill book to epic-grade, he was left with 1,100,000 experience points and was short 400,000 experience points to upgrade an epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. At this moment, they finally reached another area of the labyrinth. The thick mist that surrounded the area had cleared, allowing them to have a clear view of the area ahead. Ahead of them was a massive circular space with pulsating, corrupted trees and glowing veins of ominous dark energy. The air was heavy with malevolence. With his perception, he could sense several high-star-level primals. He turned to Clauny and said, "Stay here for now. I''ll scout the area ahead." "No, let me follow you!" Vincent shook his head and firmly said, "I can feel several Peak Tier 2 primals ahead. Let me scout first. Don''t worry; I won''t leave you." After some hesitation, Clauny could only reluctantly agree, softly hugging Mochi in her arms. "Alright, please be safe." Vincent simply nodded. It was a no-brainer that those primals wouldn''t stand a chance against him. He just said it to have some time alone. He knew he couldn''t hide the process of upgrading an epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. After leaving a few umbral rats to protect Clauny, he went inside the labyrinth''s corrupted inner ring area. Slightly narrowing his eyes, he instantly discovered a primal that stood at least 4 meters tall when fully upright. Bloodthorn Behemoth ¡ª Tier 2 (4¡ï) It was a massive quadrupedal primal. It had bark-like skin covered in sharp crimson thorns. Its eyes glowed a deep red, and its gaping mouth dripped with sap-like blood. It looked strong, but to Vincent, it was nothing but a practice target. It wouldn''t give him a challenge. Thus, with a slight wave of his hand, a wave of mental energy in the form of a lance flew straight at the Bloodthorn Behemoth almost instantly. It attempted to dodge, but it was impaled nevertheless. It howled in pain and wanted to counterattack. However, Vincent didn''t give it a chance. With another wave of his hand, another lance of energy flew straight at it, piercing its huge body. Puchi! Awoo! Vincent summoned a few more lances of energy until it stopped breathing, followed by the system notification informing him that he had successfully killed it. That kill naturally filled his experience bar. He now had enough experience points to upgrade one of his epic skills to legendary-grade! "In that case, I''ll choose you!" Chapter 166 Is Legendary The Limit? (1) He now had enough experience points to upgrade one of his epic skills to legendary-grade!"In that case, I''ll choose you!" [Do you want to upgrade One-Step Shift (Epic)?] "Yes!" Without hesitation, he made the decision. The instant he made his choice, a warm, familiar energy began to flow through his body. It wasn''t the first time he had experienced this sensation, but it never ceased to amaze him. The energy felt alive, as though it were a conscious entity searching for something within him. When it finally found its target, Vincent felt a sudden explosion of power. It was as though a dormant force had been unleashed, tearing through his body and soul. Bright golden lights erupted from his eyes, their brilliance illuminating the area around him! [You have successfully upgraded One-Step Shift (Epic) to Spectral Shift (Legendary)!] As soon as he heard the system''s notification, Vincent couldn''t suppress his curiosity. He immediately opened the system interface to check the detailed information about his newly upgraded, legendary-grade skill. Name: Spectral Rift Grade: Legendary Effect: The skill allows the user to instantly phase up to 200 meters in any chosen direction, completely bypassing all physical and magical barriers. While shifting, the user''s spatial awareness is enhanced, providing extraordinary precision over positioning, even in the most complex environments. Upon reappearing, the user generates a powerful spectral shockwave that briefly disorients all nearby enemies within a 10-meter radius for 2 seconds. Additional Effects: After reappearing, the user''s movement speed is increased by an impressive 60% for the next 5 seconds, greatly improving their ability to reposition, evade, or pursue targets. Enemies caught in the shockwave also suffer a 10% reduction in their movement speed for the same duration. Movement Speed Boost: 60% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 12 seconds Consumption: 150 Origin Energy (reduced to 100 at maximum proficiency) Sub-Skill: Spatial Domain Effect: The user creates a specialized domain with a 50-meter radius that restricts the use of any spatial movement skills within the area, including their own. Consumption: 150 Origin Energy Cooldown: 30 seconds Duration: The domain remains active as long as the user has sufficient Origin Energy. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn! This is insane¡­" Vincent muttered under his breath, his eyes widening in disbelief as he read through the skill''s description. It was clear that this was a massive upgrade from the previous epic-grade effect, but the sheer versatility and power of the skill exceeded even his expectations. What truly caught him off guard was the sub-skill, Spatial Domain. While it restricted his movement as well, Vincent instantly realized its potential. Against opponents who relied heavily on speed or teleportation abilities, this skill would grant him absolute dominance. A grin spread across Vincent''s face. He couldn''t wait to test the full extent of his new legendary-grade skill in battle. As if on cue, a Bloodthorn Behemoth in the distance noticed his presence. Its massive, crimson eyes glowed menacingly, and a guttural growl escaped its throat, echoing through the surroundings like a warning. Vincent''s grin widened. "Perfect timing¡­" he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and excitement. The primal beast seemed to share his intentions, as it began crawling forward, its heavy body causing the ground to tremble. Within moments, it shifted into a full sprint, charging directly at Vincent with frightening speed. He remained completely still, waiting for the creature to make its move. The Bloodthorn Behemoth, sensing its opportunity, lunged forward, its long, razor-sharp blood claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. In an instant, Vincent disappeared. The beast''s claws sliced through nothing but a fading afterimage. Before the creature could react, Vincent reappeared behind it. The speed of his movement created a shockwave that resonated like a thunderclap, forcing the Bloodthorn Behemoth to stagger. The beast growled in frustration, its movements sluggish and unsteady from the disorienting shockwave. But it wasn''t ready to give up. With a roar, it unleashed a barrage of blood-colored thorns in all directions, aiming to catch its elusive target. Yet, even at such close range, the attack failed. The Bloodthorn Behemoth couldn''t comprehend what was happening. From its perspective, Vincent hadn''t moved. But in reality, Vincent''s speed was simply beyond its ability to track. Vincent chuckled, his amusement evident. Feeling satisfied, he clenched his fist and hurled it forward, channeling the speed force he had mastered during his trials in the Tower of Speed. His fist vibrated with an intense energy, emitting a sharp, buzzing sound as it struck the creature''s massive, gaping mouth. Bang! The impact was catastrophic. The combined force of Vincent''s speed and strength caused the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s massive head to explode into fragments, scattering blood and debris across the battlefield. Explore stories at empire The lifeless body of the primal beast crashed heavily onto the ground, its weight creating a thunderous impact. Moments later, the system confirmed his victory as the creature''s corpse disintegrated into particles of digital light. [You have successfully killed a Bloodthorn Behemoth (Tier 2¡ï4)!] [You have received¡­] In just one devastating strike, Vincent had taken down the massive primal beast, and his experience bar was nearly half full. As the digital light particles faded, they left behind dozens of Origin Crystals and a glowing green light orb on the ground. Vincent wasted no time retrieving them. When he opened the green light orb, it transformed into a pulsing wooden heart that radiated energy. Item Name: Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core Grade: Uncommon Details: A Tier 2 Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Origin Core, containing residual energy. This item can enhance a primal''s strength. "Oh, another one of these¡­" he muttered. He remembered obtaining a similar core when he defeated the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus. However, he hadn''t tested its effects on Mochi yet. Perhaps now was the time. Afterward, Vincent hunted a few more Bloodthorn Behemoths until his experience bar was completely filled. However, this time, he refrained from immediately upgrading another skill book. "If I keep burning through resources like this, I might run out someday," Vincent thought to himself. While this wouldn''t happen anytime soon, he knew it was better to plan ahead. Chapter 167 Is Legendary The Limit? (2) Taking out a common-grade skill book, Rock Throw, Vincent decided to experiment using his Quantity Upgrade ability.Vincent focused on the skill book in his hands, ready to test his theory. [Target Item: Rock Throw Skill Book (Common)] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] Three options appeared before him: 100,000 Experience Points = x10 1,000,000 Experience Points = x100 2,000,000 Experience Points = x1,000 Without hesitation, Vincent chose the first option. He wasn''t looking to invest too much experience in this experiment¡ªjust enough to test whether his ability to multiply skill books could apply to a replica. [You have successfully multiplied Rock Throw (Common)!] S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moments later, ten identical skill books materialized alongside the original one. Vincent stored all of them in his inventory, leaving only one replica to analyze further. [Target Item: Rock Throw (Common) (Replica)] (Unable to Learn) [Upgrade Quality: Impossible] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible] Vincent sighed, a slight frown crossing his face. The system''s restrictions were clear: he couldn''t upgrade or multiply a replica. "Well, I suppose it makes sense," Vincent muttered to himself, shaking his head. "If I could do that, it would make my already broken talent even more absurd. The universe seems to have its way of keeping things balanced¡­ somewhat." Although he felt a bit disappointed, Vincent understood the limitations. It was a reminder that even his overpowered abilities had their boundaries. As he stored the skill books back in his inventory, a new thought crept into his mind. Could legendary really be the highest grade for skills? Curiosity gnawed at him. He decided to test the limits of his abilities once more. This time, he chose his newly upgraded legendary-grade skill, Spectral Rift. [Target: Spectral Rift (Legendary)] [Upgrade Quality: Impossible. Already at its highest potential.] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible. Learned skill cannot be used as a target.] Vincent furrowed his brows, feeling both intrigued and slightly frustrated. "So, it really is at its peak¡­" he muttered. "And I can''t create replicas of learned skills either." Still, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. The fact that he couldn''t replicate or upgrade learned skills meant that every decision he made moving forward would carry even greater weight. "From now on, I''ll make sure to create replicas of unique or high-graded skill books before learning them," Vincent thought, resolving to be more strategic with his abilities. Yet, his curiosity remained unfulfilled. Was legendary really the peak of all skills, or was there something beyond it? Determined to find the answer, Vincent turned his attention to another skill: Astral Immunity, a legendary-grade skill he had exchanged for a significant number of Tower Points in the Tower of Illusions. [Target: Astral Immunity (Legendary)] [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible] Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise, and a spark of excitement ignited within him. "There really is a higher grade than legendary!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his enthusiasm. Eager to know more, Vincent checked the requirements for upgrading Astral Immunity to the next grade. Legendary to Mythic Requirements: 3 Legendary-grade skill books 3 Legendary-grade Primal Cores 1,000,000,000 Experience Points Vincent froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Fuck!" he blurted out, running a hand through his hair. The sheer absurdity of the requirements left him speechless for a moment. "Three legendary-grade skill books?! And what even is a legendary-grade Primal Core? Where the hell am I supposed to find that?! Not to mention a billion experience points¡ªare they serious?!" Letting out a long sigh, Vincent shook his head. The idea of upgrading a skill to mythic-grade felt impossible at the moment. But deep down, he knew that the future held endless possibilities. Perhaps one day, he would reach a point where these requirements wouldn''t seem so daunting. "For now, I''ll focus on what''s within my reach," Vincent decided, pushing the thought aside. Shaking off his frustration, Vincent focused on his immediate goals. With his experience bar full and his spoils collected, he made his way back to regroup with Clauny and Mochi. "You''re back!" Clauny exclaimed as soon as she spotted him. Her expression brightened, a mix of relief and curiosity crossing her face. "How was it? Are we good to go?" she asked eagerly, her tone reflecting her impatience to move forward. "Hmm, yeah. Let''s go," Vincent replied curtly, nodding toward her. At that moment, the black fat rabbit in Clauny''s arms began to stir. Mochi''s nose twitched rapidly, her beady eyes locking onto Vincent with an intensity that could only mean one thing. Sniff! Sniff! "Stupid master," Mochi''s child-like voice rang telepathically in Vincent''s mind. "What''s that sweet smell you''re hiding in your clothes?" Vincent chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. He wasn''t surprised that Mochi had sensed the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core in his pocket¡ªit was just like her to sniff out anything that might be edible. Naturally, Clauny noticed Mochi''s strange behavior. She tilted her head, confused. "What''s wrong, little Mochi?" But the rabbit ignored her, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on Vincent. Vincent smirked mischievously, replying telepathically, "Call me ''Great Master'' first, and I''ll give you a surprise." Without even a moment''s hesitation, Mochi responded in an instant, "Great Master!" Vincent blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned. Mochi''s response was so quick and shameless that he couldn''t help but laugh. "She really is unpredictable," he thought, shaking his head in amusement. Mochi could be prideful at times, but when food was involved, she was willing to toss her pride aside without a second thought. With a resigned sigh and a wry smile, Vincent pulled out the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core and handed it to her. Mochi''s eyes lit up like stars, and a line of drool escaped from her mouth as she eagerly accepted the core. "What is that?" Clauny asked, her eyes widening as she watched Mochi devour the item with child-like enthusiasm. Your journey continues with empire "It''s the core of a Bloodthorn Behemoth," Vincent explained simply. "I''m testing its effects on Mochi to see if it has any unique properties." Clauny nodded, watching intently as Mochi munched away. Crunch~ Chapter 168 Another Encounter (1) Vincent and Clauny watched as Mochi enjoyed munching on the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core.Crunch~ Soon, after swallowing the last bit of the core, Mochi let out a satisfying burp. It was followed by the release of a soft crimson glow, a faint aura that seemed to emanate from her small, plump body. The air around her shimmered faintly, as if the energy from the core had momentarily altered the very fabric of the jungle. The faint hum of power lingered, and even the corrupted leaves of the jungle seemed to tremble slightly in response. Mochi licked her fat rabbit fingers and commented, "Hmm, that wasn''t bad. Stupid master, give me more!" Vincent was speechless. He couldn''t help but place his palm on his face, a gesture of both exasperation and amusement. "I''ll give you more next time, but tell me, how was it? Did you gain anything from it?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and mild frustration. Mochi instantly replied, "Hmm, a little. It lessened the energy I needed to break through by 1%, and I think I learned a new skill." Vincent''s eyebrows rose in surprise. "What skill? Let me see." At this moment, Clauny was wondering what was happening. The two were just staring in silence when the fat rabbit in her arms suddenly hopped to the ground and stretched her chubby arm forward. Her movements were surprisingly graceful for a creature of her size, and there was an air of anticipation as she prepared to demonstrate her newfound ability. Soon, Clauny was surprised to witness a couple of crimson spikes being released from Mochi''s hand, flying into the distance with a sharp, menacing hiss. The spikes embedded themselves into a nearby tree, causing it to wither slightly where they struck. The bark cracked and blackened, as if life had been drained from it in an instant. Mochi then looked at Vincent, her expression one of pride, as if she was asking how her new skill was. Vincent naturally recognized it. It was the same skill the Bloodthorn Behemoth had used, though the strength was probably around 10% of the original. Nevertheless, it was a good discovery. As long as Mochi could grow stronger, it would be the best outcome for them. Setting aside his thoughts, he decided to move forward. "Let''s go," Vincent said, his voice calm but firm. Clauny, who was still surprised by the little fat rabbit''s performance, could only follow behind in silence despite her curiosity. She thought, ''I guess it''s normal since she''s Shroud''s primal pet¡­'' However, she forgot one thing¡ªa primal pet should never have an offensive ability! Later, the two marched into the inner ring of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Along the way, they encountered several more primals, ranging from Tier 2 (1¡ï) to Tier 2 (4¡ï). The jungle grew denser, the air thicker with a faint, oppressive energy that seemed to weigh on their shoulders. The trees twisted unnaturally, their bark blackened and cracked, as if corrupted by some unseen force. Although Clauny had already seen Vincent''s strength, she was still surprised at how he effortlessly defeated those high-level primals without breaking a sweat. His movements were precise, almost casual, as if he were swatting away flies rather than battling monstrous creatures. Additionally, she, who had just broken through the peak of Tier 1, had already filled her experience bar. The thrill of growth was palpable, but so was the exhaustion that came with it. At this moment, Vincent, who had just stored away the 6th epic-grade skill book he had upgraded, noticed that Clauny was trying to say something. "What is it?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious. Clauny answered after a short hesitation, "Can we take a rest? My experience bar is already full. I would like to convert it to purified energy, if you don''t mind¡­" Vincent simply nodded in understanding. She wasn''t like him. Aside from having a bigger experience pool, he had a lot of use for his experience points. For Clauny, this was a crucial step in her growth, and he respected that. Clauny responded with a cheerful smile before sitting cross-legged on the side, her posture relaxed but focused. She closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she began the process of converting her experience. Vincent stared at her for a moment before ordering a few of his Umbral Rats to stand guard and protect her. On the other hand, Mochi simply lay down beside her, her long ears twitching occasionally as she kept watch. Vincent also sat on the other side and began replenishing his Origin Energy. He decided to take a rest as well. It had been a couple of hours since he started exploring the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth, and even he needed a moment to recover. After some time, he opened his eyes and looked at Clauny. She was still converting her experience points into purified energy, her concentration unbroken. The faint glow around her grew brighter, a sign that the process was nearing completion. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he was wondering how long it would take before she finished cultivating, he suddenly received a signal from one of his Umbral Rats that was positioned several meters behind them. Explore new worlds at empire His Umbral Rat had encountered something, and soon he couldn''t help but frown when the connection between him and his summon suddenly disappeared. "Hmm¡­" Vincent muttered, his expression darkening. He stood up and stared in the direction where his Umbral Rat had been positioned. His eyes narrowed as he tried to sense what had caused the disruption. A few moments later, Mochi''s long ears twitched as several footsteps could be heard in the distance. She perked up and looked in her master''s direction. Seeing Vincent composed, she went back to sleep, seemingly unbothered. At this moment, a man''s voice rang out from a distance. "Look, boss. There''s actually someone who arrived here before us!" "Boss! Boss! Look at that!" another man exclaimed, pointing at Clauny, who was still deep in meditation. "Oh, boss! That''s a jackpot!" another one chimed in, his voice filled with greed. Chapter 169 Another Encounter (2) "Boss! Boss! Look at that!" another man exclaimed, pointing at Clauny, who was still deep in meditation."Oh, boss! That''s a jackpot!" another one chimed in, his voice filled with greed. "Hmph. You idiots really have no taste. I''m definitely way better than her!" a slightly feminine voice said, dripping with arrogance. "Oh, fuck off, Yasmine. You''re not even a man. How can you be better than a woman? You''ll never beat a woman in your lifetime in terms of appearance!" The moment the guy said it, Yasmine''s purple-bleached eyebrows rose in annoyance. "What did ya just say? You''re telling me, this beauty?" Yasmine struck a pose, trying to appear sexy, and continued, "...can''t beat any woman? I guess you don''t need your eyes anymore." When Yasmine spoke those words coldly, the man subconsciously retreated. Although Yasmine was usually a chill person, she never tolerated any insults regarding her appearance. "H-Hehe, of course, I''m just kidding. You know you''re our sexy rose in our party, right? In our eyes, there will never be anyone better than you. Do you agree with me, right?!" he said, looking at the other two men beside him with a pleading expression. "Hmph!" Yasmine simply responded with a cold harrumph before shifting her attention to their leader. "Boss, are you alright?" At this moment, the ''boss'' was ignoring their conversation. His gaze was locked on the purple-haired young man. "Vincent Magnus..." he coldly muttered, his voice low and filled with disdain. Hearing his name being spoken, Vincent opened his eyes. He looked at the person who had uttered his name. It was a good-looking young man with long black hair. He was wearing a familiar martial robe, the same robe that Lin Feng usually wore. Confused, Vincent asked, "Do I know you?" The man scoffed at his question, his expression one of contempt. "My younger brother has been pestering me for weeks to look for you. It was your fault that father became cold to him." Vincent kept his silence. He already had a guess about the man''s identity, but he still asked, "Who are you?" "You''re truly ignorant. Open your eyes and listen closely. I''m Lin Baxi, Lin Feng''s elder brother!" Vincent''s guess was on point. It wasn''t strange, as Lin Baxi and Lin Feng resembled each other closely. At this moment, Yasmine chimed in, "Boss, do you know that little handsome?" Lin Baxi simply answered, "He''s Vincent Magnus. He attended the same school as my younger brother." "Hoh... a schoolmate of the young boss. What are you going to do with him? If you don''t mind, you can leave him to me. You know how much I love to play with handsome boys," Yasmine said before licking her glossy, thick lips. The moment the trio behind her heard her words, they couldn''t help but feel goosebumps all over their bodies, just imagining what Yasmine would do. At the same time, Clauny, who had been meditating, finally opened her eyes and immediately noticed the arrival of Lin Baxi''s group. She overheard their conversation and felt a sense of unease. She carried Mochi in her arms and went to stand beside Vincent. Softly, she asked, "Do you know them?" She was wary. Just by the simple exchange she had overheard, the presence of the other party was not good news. Vincent gave her a brief explanation about Lin Baxi''s background and his connection with Lin Feng. Clauny''s expression became worried. "What are we going to do? Are we running?" Vincent simply smiled at her as he gently patted her head. "Relax. There''s nothing scary about a bunch of clowns," Vincent said, loud enough for Lin Baxi''s group to hear. "Boss! You heard that arrogant kid?! He called us a bunch of clowns!" "Boss! Let us three handle him! We''ll make sure he won''t be able to look you in the eyes!" "That''s right, boss! You don''t need to dirty your hands with just a kid! I can handle him on my own!" Lin Baxi coldly glanced at them. "Are you sure? Let me inform you. He was able to fight head-to-head with the Alpha." Hearing his words, the trio slowly turned to him in disbelief. "The Alpha? Are you pulling our legs, boss?" Lin Baxi ignored them. He didn''t respond. He believed they knew that he wasn''t the type to joke with them. Lin Baxi was also in disbelief when he learned it. Although the Alpha had lowered his level at that moment, he was still one of the only few S-rank talent holders in Bronzehaven Arc. It was not normal for a mere C-rank Origin Warrior to fight against the Alpha without getting injured at all. As much as he hated Vincent, he was not stupid enough to assume that Vincent had no secrets. He must have something within him that gave him the ability to stand toe-to-toe with the Alpha. That''s what he wanted to learn. Therefore, he had been looking for him for a while¡ªnot because his younger brother asked him, but because of his own interest. Despite his curiosity, he wasn''t a reckless person. In order to test Vincent''s current strength, he ordered the trio who had been boasting earlier to fight Vincent. "You three kept on yapping. Go get him!" The trio glanced at each other before nodding at the same time. "Yes, boss!" Without any hesitation, the trio took a combat position and rushed at Vincent. At the same time, Vincent faced them after letting Clauny stand behind him. "Stay back," Vincent said calmly. Your journey continues on empire "Please, be careful!" Clauny urged, her voice filled with concern. At this moment, sharp lights flashed as the trio summoned thin longswords and slashed them toward Vincent! "Die, kid!" "You better learn to pay respect to someone stronger than you next time!" Vincent remained motionless despite their attacks. The trio couldn''t help but grin, thinking that he was frozen, scared silly because of their attacks. However, their grins instantly disappeared when they felt their swords collide with something metallic upon hitting Vincent''s body. Their arms went completely numb as they fell back, their expressions turning from confidence to shock. "What in the world are you...?" one of them stammered, his voice trembling with fear. Vincent''s gaze was steady and unyielding. "Is that all you''ve got?" he asked, his tone almost mocking. The trio gritted their teeth, unwilling to admit defeat. They regrouped and prepared for another attack, but their confidence had been thoroughly shaken. Lin Baxi watched the exchange with a calculating expression. He wasn''t surprised by the outcome¡ªhe had anticipated as much. But now, his curiosity only deepened. "Stand down," he ordered the trio, his voice cutting through their hesitation. Relieved to be spared further humiliation, the three men quickly retreated behind him. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 170 A Satisfying Slap! Lin Baxi observed the exchange with a calculating expression.He wasn''t surprised by the outcome¡ªhe had anticipated as much. Yet now, his curiosity only deepened. "Stand down," he ordered the trio, his voice cutting through their hesitation. Relieved to be spared further humiliation, the three men quickly retreated behind him. Lin Baxi''s sharp gaze locked onto Vincent. As far as he remembered, Vincent was only at the peak of Tier 1 not long ago. And yet, this recently awakened Origin Warrior was already strong enough to withstand a group of Tier 2 (3¡ï) Origin Warriors without so much as a scratch! Even with his own B-rank talent, Lin Baxi had required considerable time to reach his current level. Vincent, on the other hand, wasn''t surprised in the slightest. With his current Force points, the effects of his epic-grade skill, Impervious Silver Armor, and his epic-grade armament¡ªObsidian Aegis, it was obvious that their attacks would never break through his defense. Impervious Silver Armor Grade: Epic Details: This passive skill creates an armor-like coating on the user''s skin, imbuing them with the resilience and durability of sterling silver. It increases the user''s physical strength by 60%, allowing them to strike with greater force and withstand heavy damage. The silver coating also enhances speed, reflexes, and resistance to magical and elemental attacks. Vincent still had a variety of skills in his arsenal that could further enhance his defense. If mere Tier 2 (3¡ï) Origin Warriors and Tier 1 armaments could pierce his sky-high defenses, that would have been a real surprise. Unfortunately, his opponents had no way of knowing this. If they did, they likely wouldn''t have dared to provoke him. At that moment, a purple-haired woman with a rough-looking appearance, Yasmine, spoke in a flirtatious tone. "Ughhh! That was so hot! You''re not just handsome¡ªyou''re strong too! Ugh!" The moment Vincent heard her voice, goosebumps ran down his entire body. Her voice... It sounded like a big man desperately trying to sound like a woman. "Hohoho~" Yasmine giggled, covering her mouth with a large, manly hand. "Are you feeling excited?" She had completely misunderstood his reaction. Turning toward Lin Baxi, she fluttered her lashes dramatically. "Boss, I like him! I want him! Can you let me have him? He''s exactly my type." Lin Baxi considered it for a moment before making his decision. This was perfect timing¡ªhe had already planned to send Yasmine to test Vincent further. With a casual nod, he responded, "Alright. Do what you want." Yasmine''s grin widened in excitement. "Thank you, boss~! Love ya!" She blew him a flying kiss, which Lin Baxi completely ignored. The trio standing nearby shivered in disgust. No matter how many times they had witnessed this, they still couldn''t get used to it. Yasmine slowly stepped forward, swaying her bulky hips dramatically. "Are you ready to have some fun, handsome?" Vincent said nothing. He couldn''t even look straight at her. Naturally, Yasmine misunderstood this as well. "Awww, are you shy?" she teased, waving her hand. In an instant, a purple fan materialized in her right hand. She flicked it open, revealing an exquisite floral design. Then, with a swift motion, she sent a purple wave of energy outward. As it surged forward, the energy morphed into a glowing purple butterfly. With another flick of her fan, a second purple butterfly formed. She continued waving her fan, releasing dozens of purple energy butterflies that fluttered around her. She smiled at Vincent and spoke in her forced girly voice, "Take this gift from me, handsome." With a final wave, the purple butterflies shot toward Vincent. Swoosh! Swoosh! Vincent remained motionless as the butterflies approached. At that exact moment, Yasmine snapped her fan shut and shouted, "This is my art¡ªExplode!" Boom! Boom! Multiple explosions erupted simultaneously, sending thick purple smoke billowing into the air, completely shrouding Vincent''s figure. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed, shielding her eyes from the fierce winds caused by the explosion. A transparent energy barrier shimmered around her and Mochi. "Haha! Nice shot, Yasmine!" "Well done, Yasmine!" "Haha! Serves him right!" The trio, who had been humiliated earlier, cheered excitedly. But Lin Baxi remained serious. He refused to celebrate until he saw Vincent''s corpse. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Yasmine was already feeling proud of her actions. She was confident that Vincent had been critically injured¡ªif not outright killed. Of course, she held back at the last second. "Forgive me, handsome~," Yasmine cooed, her voice dropping slightly. "Don''t worry, it''ll only hurt for a moment. After that, you might even enjoy it. Hohoho~" Just as she finished speaking, a voice rang through the smoke. "Painful? Did you do something?" The purple haze dissipated, revealing Vincent''s completely unscathed figure. "Shroud!" Clauny sighed in relief. Yasmine''s confident expression stiffened. "Hoh... You''re quite tenacious, handsome." Deep inside, however, she was shocked. Frustrated, she snapped open her fan once again, sending another volley of purple energy butterflies. But before they could even get close, a wave of mental energy surged outward. Boom! The butterflies exploded mid-air before they even reached him. Yasmine''s expression froze. "You''re quite the naughty one, handsome~" she cooed, retreating cautiously. "Hoho¡­ But I love you even more for that~. I''ll make sure to teach you a proper lesson, hohoho~" She closed her fan and took a stance. In the next instant, a purple aura surged from her fan, enveloping her entire body. Her eyes gleamed with a bright violet light as a pair of purple wings sprouted behind her. A set of butterfly-like antennae emerged on her forehead. "Behold my true beauty~! This is my second gift to you! I''m coming, handsome~!" With a sudden burst of power, Yasmine launched herself toward Vincent. "Take my love punch, handsome~!" Her arms doubled in size as she hurled a powerful punch forward. "Haaa!" A fierce wind followed the strike. Vincent''s expression darkened. This was the most annoyed he had ever felt in a fight. Not even when he fought Clark Boltor had he been this irritated. His patience snapped. With cold indifference, he slowly raised his hand¡ªintending to block her attack barehanded. Seeing this, Yasmine felt insulted. "Arrogant, handsome!" she huffed, pouring even more strength into her punch. Boom! A powerful shockwave erupted upon impact. "H-How can you block my atta--" Before she could finish her sentence¡ª Pang! A crisp slap struck her left cheek. "Aghhh!" Yasmine yelped, clutching her face. "You dare to slap--" Pang! A loud, crisp slap echoed again. Pang! "Aghhh! W-Wait! Let me¡ª" Pang! "L-Listen¡ª" Pang! Yasmine''s protests were cut off by another brutal slap. Each time she opened her mouth, Vincent''s hand flashed faster than her words, smacking her across the face. Her purple aura flickered, her stance faltering with every strike. The once flirtatious and confident Yasmine now looked utterly stunned, bewildered, and in pain. The surrounding onlookers stood frozen, their expressions twisted in disbelief. Even the trio, who had been celebrating earlier, now gawked in stunned silence. Only Lin Baxi remained composed, but his eyes darkened with each passing second. At that moment, the sharp hum of a sword rang through the air. A surging wave of sword energy suddenly shot toward Vincent with deadly precision. Vincent''s gaze flickered. He sensed it instantly. Without hesitation, he grabbed Yasmine and tossed her aside like a rag doll before vanishing from his spot. Discover hidden tales at empire In the next instant, he reappeared beside Clauny, then vanished again, taking her with him. The incoming sword energy missed its target entirely. It shot forward, slicing through the air for several meters before slamming into a distant tree. BOOOOM! The force of the attack shattered the tree, leaving behind a deep fissure in the ground. The earth trembled beneath their feet. A suffocating silence followed. Then, Lin Baxi''s cold, furious voice broke through the tension. "Hmph! Get back here, Yasmine. Stop humiliating me." Yasmine, who had been lying on the ground, staggered to her feet, still dazed from Vincent''s relentless slaps. "B-But, boss¡ª" "Get. Back. Here." Lin Baxi''s tone was sharp and final. Hearing the clear displeasure in his voice, Yasmine had no choice but to obey. With one last venomous glare at Vincent, she reluctantly retreated to Lin Baxi''s side, her face still red and swollen. Lin Baxi stared at Vincent, his expression growing darker. He had already assumed Vincent had grown stronger, but... He had still underestimated him. Yasmine wasn''t just some lackey¡ªshe was a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior with a C-rank talent. Yet despite that, she couldn''t even leave a scratch on him. Even more shocking¡ª Vincent had dodged Lin Baxi''s surprise attack as if it were nothing. In that short, ridiculous exchange, Lin Baxi had already gauged Vincent''s strength. And the conclusion? Vincent was far beyond a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. It was almost unbelievable. Vincent had only been Tier 1 a little over a week ago. And yet, now, he had the strength to dominate a Peak Tier 2 B-rank talent holder without breaking a sweat. Impossible. There was only one explanation. Vincent had a secret. A massive, world-shaking secret that allowed him to grow at an unnatural speed. Lin Baxi''s lips curled into a smirk as his killing intent sharpened. He spoke, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I don''t know what secret you''re hiding, but I will uncover it¡­ and make it mine." Chapter 171 171 Lin Baxi''s lips curled into a smirk as his killing intent sharpened. His voice carried a dangerous edge as he spoke."I don''t know what secret you''re hiding, but I will uncover it¡­ and make it mine." Despite hearing this, Vincent showed no reaction. There was simply no way Lin Baxi could take something intangible. Vincent''s talent was his alone, and no one else could utilize it. Even so, Vincent didn''t appreciate anyone coveting what was his. Furthermore, Lin Baxi''s killing intent was unmistakable. Vincent would never show mercy to someone who sought his death. After summoning a few more umbral rats to stand guard and protect Clauny, Vincent stepped forward, his expression stoic as ever. Clauny could only whisper his name with a concerned expression. "Shroud¡­" At that moment, Lin Baxi also stepped forward, his gaze locked directly on Vincent. "Heh. You''re truly full of surprises. You, a mere C-rank talent holder, managed to grow at such a speed. Those old farts from the different associations will probably do everything to learn your secret¡­" Lin Baxi paused, his smile deepening before he smirked. "... Unfortunately, they will never find it out because... I WILL TAKE IT!" With a loud grunt, a powerful aura burst from his body, spreading in all directions and causing a fierce wind. Azure energy radiated outward, showcasing his Tier 3 strength. Lin Baxi took a step forward, clutching the hilt of his sword, which was sheathed in a sleek azure scabbard. In the next second, his figure vanished, leaving behind an afterimage and a trail of lightning as he reappeared instantly in front of Vincent. Lin Family Sword Technique ¨C 2nd Move, Lightning Slash!! "Die!" Lin Baxi exclaimed as he hurled his silver sword, which crackled with azure light and destructive force. Just before the sword could strike, Vincent simply raised his right arm, now coated in sleek silver, and caught Lin Baxi''s sword barehanded. Bang! A loud explosion resounded upon impact, creating a shockwave that caused deep fractures in the ground. Yet, Vincent stood perfectly still. "Die? With just this?" He glanced at Lin Baxi''s sword before shifting his attention back to him. Lin Baxi''s expression darkened slightly as his eyes narrowed, but he wasn''t disappointed. He simply unsummoned his sword, causing it to vanish from Vincent''s grip, before reappearing in his other hand. He swung the sword again, this time diagonally toward Vincent''s neck. His killing intent was unmistakable¡ªhe wanted to end Vincent in one swift strike! However, to his surprise, Vincent didn''t dodge or block. Instead, he tilted his head, leaving his neck wide open for Lin Baxi to strike. Lin Baxi frowned, displeased. He felt Vincent was underestimating him, so he increased the force of his strike and let out a loud grunt. "Haaa!" But a loud ''Clang'' echoed as his sword bounced back the moment it collided with Vincent''s neck, which had transformed into sleek silver skin. Lin Baxi''s frown deepened. He was genuinely curious about Vincent''s defensive skill. _He must have a rare-grade defensive skill!_ he thought. Why? Because his Silver-Winged Sparrow Sword was a rare-grade Tier 2 Armament! It was impossible for a low-quality defensive skill or technique to completely block his armament without leaving even a scratch. His eyes glowed dangerously as he realized Vincent had more than one secret. He was even more eager to uncover them. At that moment, his attention was drawn to the fragile-looking lady behind Vincent, who was watching with a worried expression. Lin Baxi''s eyes brightened as he grinned inwardly, though he kept his outward expression stern. He glanced at the trio and Yasmine, who were silently spectating behind him. This subtle action didn''t escape Vincent''s notice, but he wasn''t worried in the slightest. Just as Lin Baxi was about to move, he suddenly swung his sword, releasing a wave of sharp azure energy that launched swiftly toward Vincent. In response, Vincent simply waved his hand and summoned a couple of Energy Lances, hurling them toward the incoming sword energy. Boom! Loud explosions erupted upon impact, and thick smoke obscured their vision. Swish! Purple shadows pierced through the smoke, flashing straight at Vincent before exploding. Boom! Boom! A flurry of explosions followed as Vincent was bombarded with purple energy. Needless to say, it was Yasmine''s attack! At the same moment, the trio behind Lin Baxi exchanged glances and nodded before disappearing. Yasmine didn''t stop. She continuously sent purple butterfly explosions toward Vincent until she finally halted, gasping deeply for air, utterly exhausted. "Ha~ That''s all I can do, boss. You have no mercy for my beauty! Ha~" Lin Baxi ignored her, keeping his focus on Vincent''s direction. Soon, a figure emerged from the thick smoke, walking confidently as if nothing had happened. "Tsk!" Lin Baxi couldn''t help but click his tongue in annoyance. But he had already expected this. He took a stance, gripping the hilt of his sword firmly in front of him. Boom! His aura surged upward, causing fierce winds and leaving deep fractures in the ground around him. Particles of azure light began to converge around his sword. Once the blade became a beam of light, he raised his arm and slashed it down. Lin Family Sword Technique ¨C 5th Move, Azure Blade!! Hummmm! A beam of sword energy launched forward, accompanied by a reverberating hum. Though the sound was tranquil, the beam was filled with destructive power. The beam cut through the ground as it traveled swiftly toward Vincent. Seeing the incoming attack, Vincent felt the destructive power it emitted. However, instead of drawing his armament to defend himself, he decided to test the limits of his current defense. Under Lin Baxi''s watchful gaze, Vincent simply stretched out his right arm. "Arrogant!" Lin Baxi spat furiously. He hated how Vincent continued to underestimate him. But this was the best situation for him. At the same time, a deafening explosion occurred as the sword beam collided with Vincent''s palm. Vincent felt a strong force and pressure pushing him backward. Hmmm~ The sword beam continued to hum as visible cuts began to appear on his palm. "So this is the limit of my current defense¡­" he thought. But as soon as the cuts appeared, they immediately healed due to his high recovery ability and regeneration skill. With a cold harrumph, he clenched his hand into a fist and hurled it at the sword beam. Bam! Crack~ S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sword beam cracked momentarily before exploding into a massive shockwave that cleared the thick smoke. Vincent''s action shocked both Yasmine and Lin Baxi. "T-That''s impossible¡­" Lin Baxi muttered in disbelief. There was no way Vincent had just punched away his best offensive skill! However, before he could dwell on his confusion, Vincent suddenly appeared in front of him like a ghost and uttered, "You''re pathetic, just like your brother¡­" With a swift, almost invisible movement, Vincent punched Lin Baxi in the gut, sending him flying. "Ugh!" Crash! "B-Boss!" Yasmine exclaimed in deep shock. Her powerful boss had been sent flying with a single punch and crashed to the ground, leaving a trail of blood. "Cough!" Lin Baxi coughed out blood as he clutched his abdomen, unsteadily rising to his feet with a hateful gaze and a hint of fear. Vincent''s attack was so fast that Lin Baxi couldn''t react. He felt fear as Vincent''s simple punch broke through all his defenses! He was wearing a rare-grade armor-type armament! It had been a long time since someone had made him cough blood. Experience new stories on empire And it was from someone several years younger than him! If his father found out, he would undoubtedly face severe punishment. He felt indignant but had no choice but to accept it. He was far weaker than Vincent. "Damn it! If I had just had more time to master my father''s sword technique, I could easily beat this arrogant bastard!" he thought in frustration. However, he couldn''t dwell on his thoughts as Vincent began to walk toward him again. But this time, the voice of the trio broke the tension. "Stop! Take one more step, and we will kill her!" Vincent snapped around and looked behind him. He immediately saw the trio holding Clauny. One of them was covering her mouth, while another held her arms. The third was holding Mochi, whose head was covered by a sack. Vincent frowned as soon as he saw this. He wondered what had happened to his umbral rats¡ªhe hadn''t received any alarm indicating he had lost connection with them. He scanned behind the trio and saw his umbral rats staring dazed at the sky. What had happened? On the other hand, Lin Baxi''s expression brightened. "Haha. What now, little bastard? We''ve got your girlfriend! Why don''t you take another step and see her die? I dare you! Heh!" However, just as he said that, Vincent''s figure blurred, disappeared, and reappeared in front of the trio in an instant. Before they could react, a powerful pressure pressed down on them, forcing them to their knees with a heavy thud. "Urghk!" They could only groan in pain as they clutched their necks, unable to breathe. The pressure was suffocating them! "B-Boss..!" Bam! One of the trio''s heads, who had managed to utter a word, suddenly exploded, splattering blood everywhere. The remaining two were stunned in deep shock as they reached out toward Lin Baxi, pleading for help. However, to their surprise, the moment one of the trio died, Lin Baxi pulled out a scroll. "W-We will meet again, Vincent Magnus! I will take everything from you!" As soon as he said this, he tore the scroll in his hand and vanished, leaving the shocked Yasmine alone. Even the remaining two of the trio could only watch in utter disbelief. Vincent couldn''t help but frown. "Isn''t it prohibited to use an escape scroll in this labyrinth?" he thought in confusion. Vincent was right¡ªit was impossible to use an escape scroll in the labyrinth. What Lin Baxi had used was a random labyrinth teleport scroll, a special type of scroll designed for labyrinth exploration. Unfortunately, Vincent had no idea about this, and he had no time to care as he quickly beheaded the remaining two men who were crawling on the ground. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed as she dashed into Vincent''s arms. Vincent softly patted her back to comfort her. "How are you? Are you hurt?" Clauny looked up at him with teary eyes before shaking her head softly. "I''m fine..." she whispered, "thank you." Vincent simply nodded upon seeing that she was unharmed before turning to face Yasmine, who was still stunned after being left behind by Lin Baxi. "Now, what should I do with you...?" Chapter 172 172 "Stop! Take one more step, and we will kill her!"Vincent snapped around and looked behind him. He immediately saw the trio holding Clauny. One of them was covering her mouth, while another held her arms. The third was holding Mochi, whose head was covered by a sack. Vincent frowned as soon as he saw this. He wondered what had happened to his umbral rats¡ªhe hadn''t received any alarm indicating he had lost connection with them. He scanned behind the trio and saw his umbral rats staring dazed at the sky. What had happened? On the other hand, Lin Baxi''s expression brightened. "Haha. What now, little bastard? We''ve got your girlfriend! Why don''t you take another step and see her die? I dare you! Heh!" However, just as he said that, Vincent''s figure blurred, disappeared, and reappeared in front of the trio in an instant. Before they could react, a powerful pressure pressed down on them, forcing them to their knees with a heavy thud. "Urghk!" They could only groan in pain as they clutched their necks, unable to breathe. The pressure was suffocating them! "B-Boss..!" Bam! One of the trio''s heads, who had managed to utter a word, suddenly exploded, splattering blood everywhere. The remaining two were stunned in deep shock as they reached out toward Lin Baxi, pleading for help. However, to their surprise, the moment one of the trio died, Lin Baxi pulled out a scroll. "W-We will meet again, Vincent Magnus! I will take everything from you!" As soon as he said this, he tore the scroll in his hand and vanished, leaving the shocked Yasmine alone. Even the remaining two of the trio could only watch in utter disbelief. Vincent couldn''t help but frown. "Isn''t it prohibited to use an escape scroll in this labyrinth?" he thought in confusion. Vincent was right¡ªit was impossible to use an escape scroll in the labyrinth. What Lin Baxi had used was a random labyrinth teleport scroll, a special type of scroll designed for labyrinth exploration. Unfortunately, Vincent had no idea about this, and he had no time to care as he quickly beheaded the remaining two men who were crawling on the ground. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed as she dashed into Vincent''s arms. Vincent softly patted her back to comfort her. "How are you? Are you hurt?" Clauny looked up at him with teary eyes before shaking her head softly. "I''m fine..." she whispered, "thank you." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent gave a simple nod, his sharp eyes scanning her to confirm she was unharmed. Satisfied, he turned his attention to Yasmine, who stood frozen, her face a mask of shock and disbelief after being abandoned by Lin Baxi. "Now, what should I do with you¡­?" Vincent''s voice was low, almost contemplative, but laced with an undercurrent of menace that sent a shiver down Yasmine''s spine. Yasmine''s wide eyes met his, her expression a tangled web of fear, anger, and betrayal. Her lips parted, but no coherent words came out¡ªonly a stuttered, "A-Ah¡­" She was torn. On one hand, the chilling fear of Vincent''s potential wrath gripped her, threatening to crush her resolve. On the other, the searing fury of being discarded by her own leader burned in her chest, leaving her feeling hollow and used. The weight of these conflicting emotions proved too much. Her body swayed, her vision blurred, and with a soft thud, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Vincent and Clauny exchanged a brief, incredulous glance. Clauny raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching as if suppressing a laugh, while Vincent simply sighed, running a hand through his hair in mild exasperation. "What are you going to do with her now?" Clauny asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and amusement. Vincent''s gaze lingered on Yasmine''s crumpled form for a moment before he gestured to his umbral rats, who had now regained their senses. With a flick of his wrist, the shadowy creatures scurried forward, their glowing eyes glinting with eerie intelligence. They seized Yasmine with surprising gentleness, dragging her toward a nearby area teeming with primal creatures. The dense foliage rustled as they disappeared into the shadows, leaving Clauny to watch with a mixture of awe and unease. After that, Vincent ignored it and they marched forward. He could already sense that they were closed at the core area of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "Let''s go." But just as he took a step forward, a high-pitched, indignant voice screeched in his mind, "Stupid Master!" Vincent paused, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ''Oh, right¡­'' he thought, his gaze sweeping the area until it landed on a small, tightly bound sack. Inside, Mochi squirmed, his tiny form wriggling furiously as he glared up at Vincent with all the indignation a small creature could muster. "Did you just forget about me?!" "No, I didn''t." He responded without a beat but in reality he really forgot about her. "Yes you did!" "No¡­" On the side, Clauny couldn''t help but let out a soft giggle as she watched the cute, fat rabbit making furious noises at Vincent. "Hehehe¡­" Vincent and Clauny encountered only a few Primals before arriving at a towering dark tree, its massive trunk emanating a sinister aura. "Is this the boss room?" Clauny murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Vincent didn''t respond. His gaze remained locked on the enormous wooden double doors embedded within the trunk of the dark tree. His brows furrowed deeply as an unsettling yet familiar sensation stirred within him, emanating from beyond the doors. Even Mochi sensed it. "Stupid master, there''s something good in there! Let''s go!" she exclaimed excitedly in his mind. Vincent could only shake his head wryly. "Let''s go. Stay behind me," he said, stepping forward to push open the doors. Clauny, holding Mochi in her arms, followed silently without question. As soon as the doors creaked open, a chilling wind billowed out from the darkness, carrying an eerie stillness. A deep thud echoed as the doors abruptly shut behind them, sealing them inside. Clauny instinctively stepped closer to Vincent, her wariness growing. The chamber was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from flickering jade-fire lamps affixed to the walls, casting eerie, dancing shadows. "Shroud¡­" Clauny whispered, tugging lightly at the corner of his clothes. A suffocating pressure filled the air, an oppressive force weighing down on her, making her legs tremble. A voice suddenly broke the silence. "Aren''t you a little too old to be picking up women? Hmph!" Vincent''s expression turned cold. His gaze remained fixed in the same direction he had been looking all this time before he let out a sharp snort. Without hesitation, he released a surge of mental energy, instantly dispelling the oppressive force suffocating Clauny. "Haaa~" Clauny let out a shaky breath, her body finally freed from the crushing pressure. A deep, reverberating laughter echoed through the chamber, and in an instant, the surrounding darkness retreated, revealing the chamber''s full grandeur. The space was far more extravagant than the exterior suggested. The polished marble floor gleamed with a deep, dark purple hue, and massive stone pillars lined the chamber, their intricate carvings exuding an aura of ancient power. At the far end, a grand staircase led up to a throne. Seated upon it was a figure Vincent recognized instantly. A familiar, shadowed silhouette. The same entity he had encountered in the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth. The very individual Grarik had released. Vash Volcane (Primalized) Race: Demi-human Power: Peak Tier 3 The last time Vincent had faced him, Vash had only been at the early stage of Tier 3. But now¡­ he had reached the peak. Vincent''s expression darkened, his gaze sharpening. He had never expected to meet this monster here. And despite his current strength, he could feel the immense pressure radiating from Vash¡ªan entirely different kind of power compared to Valyn or any other Tier 3 Origin Warriors he had encountered. His instincts screamed at him. This¡­ would be his most difficult battle since becoming an Origin Warrior. Yet, despite Vincent''s tense posture, Vash remained relaxed, a subtle, knowing smile playing on his lips. "You''re quite an interesting human," he mused. "It''s been a while." Vincent ignored his words, remaining silent. Vash, unfazed, let out a smirk. "You don''t have to be so tense," he said, leaning back against his throne. "Do you think I can''t feel it?" His words sent a flicker of confusion through Vincent''s mind. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," Vincent replied coldly. But Vash only chuckled, his expression filled with amusement¡ªas if he saw through the lie. "There''s no need to hide it from me. I was born from that energy too." His smirk deepened. "We are the same." Vincent''s fingers twitched, but he remained silent. Vash continued, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "I don''t understand you. Despite having that power, why do you still side with humans? Aren''t they full of hypocrisy?" His golden eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and bitterness. "They act so kind at first¡­ but once they learn your secret?" His voice dropped lower, almost a growl. "You''ll find yourself losing everything." "They''re good when they need you. But once they don''t?" He scoffed. "They''ll toss you away like garbage." He leaned forward slightly, his expression darkening. "So, I''ll ask you once again¡­" His voice was firm, resonating through the chamber like a challenge. "Why are you still siding with humans?" Continue reading on empire Chapter 173 A Gift His voice was firm, cutting through the silence of the chamber like a blade, resonating with an unshakable resolve."Why are you still siding with humans?" While Clauny stood bewildered, unsure of the context of their conversation, Vincent''s stern expression softened for a fleeting moment before twisting into a smirk, as if he had just heard something absurdly amusing. He replied simply, yet with unwavering conviction, "Because I''m a human." In truth, Vincent could see where Vash was coming from, but he wasn''t Vash. Though he, too, harbored doubts about humanity¡ªespecially the leaders of this era¡ªhe couldn''t deny his own nature. At the end of the day, he was human. His parents were human. His loved ones were human. He was human. To not side with humanity would be nothing short of foolish. That said, it didn''t mean he blindly trusted every human he encountered. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire He was a human with his own beliefs, his own principles, and his own code. The chamber fell into a heavy silence, broken only by Vash''s sudden, booming laughter. "Hahahaha!" Vash laughed uncontrollably, one hand pressed to his forehead as though he had just heard the most hilarious joke in existence. The chamber itself seemed to tremble under the weight of his laughter, the walls vibrating with each burst of sound. When Vash''s laughter finally subsided, the chamber returned to an uneasy stillness, the air thick with tension. Vash''s eyes gleamed with an unreadable intent, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Heh, you''re right. That was foolish of me to ask. You''re a human." He chuckled softly, the sound dripping with amusement, before repeating, "You''re a human¡­" His words lingered in the air, heavy with implication, and he gave Vincent a look that was both calculating and enigmatic. Vincent felt a flicker of confusion at Vash''s odd expression, but he quickly pushed it aside, his focus sharpening as he braced himself for any sudden attack. Yet, contrary to Vincent''s heightened alertness, Vash continued speaking in a casual, almost dismissive tone, as if the idea of a fight was the furthest thing from his mind. "Relax a little, kid. Do you really think you''d still be standing there if I wanted to fight you?" Vincent''s confusion deepened, his brow furrowing as he struggled to make sense of Vash''s demeanor. He decided to voice the questions burning in his mind. "Not trying to fight? Aren''t you the one behind the breakouts happening on the Novice Continent?" At Vincent''s question, Vash''s lips curved into a subtle smile, but he didn''t directly answer. Instead, he sidestepped the inquiry with a cryptic response. "I just wanted to meet you, that''s all." Vincent''s frown deepened, his suspicion growing with every word Vash spoke. He didn''t buy it for a second. Vash noticed his skepticism and let out a small, exasperated sigh, shaking his head as if dealing with a stubborn child. "You''re such a doubtful kid. Alright, I wanted to meet you because I thought you were like me. But it seems I was wrong... for now." His voice trailed off, leaving an unsettling pause that hung in the air like a storm cloud. Vincent caught the last part of Vash''s sentence, and it only deepened his unease. His frown tightened, his mind racing to decipher the hidden meaning behind Vash''s words. Suddenly, Vash turned his head sharply to the side, as if something had caught his attention. For a brief moment, his expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features before he regained his composure. He turned back to Vincent, his tone now carrying a note of finality. "Unfortunately, I''ll have to cut our conversation short. It was nice meeting you." With that, he rose to his full height, his presence commanding and imposing. "I''m sure we''ll meet again, and when that time comes, I hope you''ll join me by then..." With a casual wave of his hand, a swirling red portal materialized beside him, its edges crackling with energy. Just as he stepped toward it, he paused, as if remembering something important. "Oh, I almost forgot. I can''t simply leave without giving you a gift for our first official meeting." The moment the words left his lips, a massive figure plummeted from above, crashing into the ground with a deafening impact that shook the chamber to its core. Dust and debris filled the air, and the ground trembled beneath Vincent''s feet. "Hehe, I hope you like my gift." Without waiting for Vincent''s response, Vash stepped into the portal and vanished, leaving behind only the faint hum of energy as the portal closed. Vincent no longer had the luxury of worrying about Vash. Before him stood an almost 20-meter-tall primal if it was standing, its hulking form radiating raw power and menace. Its eyes glowed with a feral light, and its low, guttural growls echoed through the chamber, sending shivers down the spines of anyone who heard them. Umbra Tyrant ¡ª Tier 3 (2¡ï) (Half-Primalized) The Umbra Tyrant was a chimeric beast, a monstrous fusion of power and darkness. Its body resembled that of a sleek, muscular panther, covered in dark purple fur that seemed to absorb all light, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance. Glowing tendrils formed a pulsating crown on its head, and its enormous wings, tattered at the edges, oozed a shadow-like mist that trailed behind it like a sinister aura. Seeing this, Vincent felt an immediate sense of danger, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for the fight of his life. He slightly turned his head, glancing over his shoulder at Clauny. "Get to the back and protect yourself. I''ll end this quickly." Clauny hesitated for a moment, her concern evident in her eyes, but she knew her limitations. Reluctantly, she complied, stepping back to a safer distance. "I understand. Please be careful." Vincent simply nodded in response, his focus already shifting back to the towering beast before him. As soon as Clauny moved to the back, the Umbra Tyrant let out a reverberating growl that shook the chamber, causing faint tremors to ripple through the ground. Dark energy began to gather around its glowing tendrils, coalescing into a pulsating dark orb. It was the Umbra Tyrant''s skill: Dark Pulse! With a stomp of its massive leg, the dark orb shot toward Vincent like a laser cannon, its speed almost blinding. It was upon him in an instant, but Vincent was ready. He activated the second skill of his Obsidian Aegis armor: Aegis Ward! Skill 2: Aegis Ward Effect: Projects a protective barrier that absorbs a substantial amount of incoming damage for 8 seconds, providing a significant boost to defense in critical moments. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While active, Aegis Ward also enhances resistance to all elemental attacks by 15%, making the wearer more resilient against magical effects and elemental-based attacks. A translucent shield of crimson and black energy formed around him, just in time to meet the incoming attack. Bang! The dark energy pulse collided with the Aegis Ward, the impact producing a deafening sound as Vincent was slightly pushed backward, his feet sliding across the ground. The dark pulse dissipated after three seconds, leaving him unscathed. The Umbra Tyrant growled, clearly annoyed by its failed attack. Without hesitation, it charged its tendrils once more and launched another Dark Pulse! Boom! This time, Vincent didn''t rely solely on his Aegis Ward to absorb the full force of the attack. Instead, he activated the second sub-skill of his Stoneheart Gauntlet: Stonebound Guard! Sub-skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Stonebound Guard generates a barrier of dense rock around the user, reducing all incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. While active, this shield emits a shockwave when struck, dealing 60% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage to nearby attackers within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback effect. A dense rock barrier materialized in front of him, intercepting the dark pulse. Boom! Despite the barrier''s damage-reducing effect, the dark pulse shattered the rock shield instantly, though its force was significantly weakened by the time it reached Vincent''s Aegis Ward. Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated his movement skill, Spectral Rift, and teleported into the air above the Umbra Tyrant. At that moment, the effect of his passive skill, Impervious Silver Armor, was fully active. The skin of his right arm gleamed with a metallic silver sheen, radiating power. He didn''t stop there. Vincent activated his epic-grade skill, Rending Strike! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact Effect: Cleaves through armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. His fist glowed dangerously with crimson light, the energy crackling around it like a storm waiting to be unleashed. But Vincent wasn''t done yet. He activated the third skill of his Obsidian Aegis¡ªUmbra Retribution! Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: When activated, Umbra Retribution stores up to 15% of the damage received over 5 seconds and then releases it as a shockwave of dark energy, dealing that accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. This shockwave has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. Vincent could feel an overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him, a thrilling sensation that made his heart race. With a loud grunt, he hurled his fist toward the massive head of the Umbra Tyrant. "Ha!!!" BOOM! An overwhelming force erupted upon impact, accompanied by a deafening explosion. The shockwaves that followed were so powerful that the chamber trembled violently, dust and debris raining down from the ceiling. "Kyaaah!" Clauny, standing at a distance, let out a yelp as the shockwaves reached her, forcing her to shield her eyes and brace herself against the force of the blast. Vincent and the Umbra Tyrant disappeared into the thick smoke that now filled the chamber, the aftermath of the devastating collision. Chapter 174 Going Back To Novice Center! While active, Aegis Ward also enhances resistance to all elemental attacks by 15%, making the wearer more resilient against magical effects and elemental-based attacks.A translucent shield of crimson and black energy formed around him, just in time to meet the incoming attack. Bang! The dark energy pulse collided with the Aegis Ward, the impact producing a deafening sound as Vincent was slightly pushed backward, his feet sliding across the ground. The dark pulse dissipated after three seconds, leaving him unscathed. The Umbra Tyrant growled, clearly annoyed by its failed attack. Without hesitation, it charged its tendrils once more and launched another Dark Pulse! Boom! This time, Vincent didn''t rely solely on his Aegis Ward to absorb the full force of the attack. Instead, he activated the second sub-skill of his Stoneheart Gauntlet: Stonebound Guard! Sub-skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Stonebound Guard generates a barrier of dense rock around the user, reducing all incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. While active, this shield emits a shockwave when struck, dealing 60% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage to nearby attackers within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback effect. A dense rock barrier materialized in front of him, intercepting the dark pulse. Boom! Despite the barrier''s damage-reducing effect, the dark pulse shattered the rock shield instantly, though its force was significantly weakened by the time it reached Vincent''s Aegis Ward. Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated his movement skill, Spectral Rift, and teleported into the air above the Umbra Tyrant. At that moment, the effect of his passive skill, Impervious Silver Armor, was fully active. The skin of his right arm gleamed with a metallic silver sheen, radiating power. He didn''t stop there. Vincent activated his epic-grade skill, Rending Strike! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact Effect: Cleaves through armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. His fist glowed dangerously with crimson light, the energy crackling around it like a storm waiting to be unleashed. But Vincent wasn''t done yet. He activated the third skill of his Obsidian Aegis¡ªUmbra Retribution! Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: When activated, Umbra Retribution stores up to 15% of the damage received over 5 seconds and then releases it as a shockwave of dark energy, dealing that accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. This shockwave has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. Vincent could feel an overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him, a thrilling sensation that made his heart race. With a loud grunt, he hurled his fist toward the massive head of the Umbra Tyrant. "Ha!!!" BOOM! An overwhelming force erupted upon impact, accompanied by a deafening explosion. The shockwaves that followed were so powerful that the chamber trembled violently, dust and debris raining down from the ceiling. "Kyaaah!" Clauny, standing at a distance, let out a yelp as the shockwaves reached her, forcing her to shield her eyes and brace herself against the force of the blast. Vincent and the Umbra Tyrant disappeared into the thick smoke that now filled the chamber. After a while, when the chamber regained its peace and the thick smoke finally dissipated, Clauny gasped in shock as she witnessed the scene before her. Vincent stood several meters away from the Umbra Tyrant. Its body had been obliterated into pieces from head to abdomen, leaving only its lower torso intact. Yet, for some reason, it remained standing upright. In her astonishment, countless black shadow tentacles began to gather, rapidly regenerating its missing body parts! Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire "Impossible¡­" Clauny muttered in disbelief, her hand covering her mouth. Vincent wasn''t surprised. This was within his expectations, having encountered a halfprimalized creature before. Their regeneration abilities were truly insane. Therefore, he had no intention of letting it complete its recovery. With a simple raise of his hand, he summoned several Energy Lances above him. However, at that moment, black shadows appeared beneath him. In the next second, numerous black shadow tentacles burst forth, rushing toward him with incredible speed. Vincent paid them no mind as he waved his hand forward, launching the Energy Lances toward the Umbra Tyrant. In response, the shadow tentacles seized the opportunity, surging toward him, aiming to bind him. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, just as they thought they had succeeded, his figure suddenly became intangible, allowing the shadow tentacles to pass through him harmlessly. The shadow tentacles hesitated for a moment before attempting again. Yet, they still failed to even graze a single strand of his hair. This was the result of his legendary skill, Spectral Rift. Aside from allowing him to phase up to a 100meter distance, it could render his physical body intangible, granting him invulnerability for 3 seconds. Though brief, it was more than enough for him. Boom! His Energy Lances finally struck the recovering Umbra Tyrant, creating a deafening explosion and powerful shockwaves! The shadow tentacles writhed in pain before retracting back into the shadows. Despite the successful attack, Vincent launched more Energy Lances. Once he felt his Origin Energy depleted, he immediately absorbed an Origin Crystal, quickly replenishing his energy. He then hurled another series of Energy Lances! Vincent continued this relentless assault until he heard the system''s notification, followed by a black shadow that flashed and entered his body. You have successfully killed a Umbra Tyrant Tier 3(2¡ï)! You have received +1500 Primal Energy! You have learned Dark Pulse! You have learned Shadow Bind! You have learned Primal Regen! You have learned Primal Predator! The moment he heard the system''s notification, along with the other skills he had learned, he couldn''t help but frown slightly. _Is this what he meant as a gift?_ Vincent wondered if Vash had intentionally led him to fight the Umbra Tyrant to acquire these skills. Vincent''s assumption wasn''t far from Vash''s intention. Vash had wanted to give him a chance to obtain one of the Umbra Tyrant''s skills. However, Vash hadn''t expected that Vincent would acquire all of the known skills of the Umbra Tyrant! If Vash learned of this, he would likely be beyond shocked! Fortunately, he didn''t know. If he somehow found out, he would probably regret it. Vincent had no time to check his newly learned skills as Clauny approached him. "Shroud!" she called out. He turned to her. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Clauny''s first question was about his wellbeing, her worry evident. Vincent nodded and asked, "How about you? Are you alright?" Clauny nodded earnestly. She then asked, "How about that scary guy? Is he gone?" She was truly afraid of Vash''s presence. With her level, Vash''s sheer pressure was enough to make her tremble. Before Vincent could answer, Mochi, cradled in Clauny''s arms, chimed in, her childlike voice ringing in his mind. "Where''s that delicious guy?!" _Delicious guy?_ Vincent raised an eyebrow in brief confusion before quickly realizing she was referring to Vash Volcane. _She was probably attracted by Vash''s primal energy,_ he thought before completely ignoring her. "Come on, let''s leave," Vincent said. Clauny followed Vincent as they jumped into the portal exit that appeared after Vincent killed the Umbra Tyrant. In the Lin Family Residence, Lin Baxi''s chamber. Lin Baxi had successfully escaped the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth after using a random teleportation scroll and finding an exit point. His face was etched with anger. He felt utterly humiliated by Vincent. It had been a long time since someone dared to offend him! He wanted nothing more than to kill Vincent! "Steward!" he barked. As soon as he called out, a steward guarding his chamber rushed in. "First Young Master," the steward greeted respectfully. "Prepare for a meeting!" Lin Baxi commanded. "Understood!" the steward replied before quickly leaving, leaving Lin Baxi glaring furiously into the distance. Back to Vincent, they had now returned to the entrance of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "Haaaa! We''re finally back!" Clauny exclaimed the moment they emerged from the labyrinth. She truly hated being inside that labyrinth. If not for her leader, she would never have considered exploring the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "What''s your plan now? Do you have anywhere to go?" Vincent asked. His question brought her back to reality. That was right¡ªshe could no longer return to her guild. At the moment, she had nowhere to go. She had no idea what to do. As the realization sank in, her emotions overwhelmed her, and the corners of her eyes moistened. Vincent naturally noticed this and said, "If you like, you can help me with something." Hearing his words, Clauny''s interest was immediately piqued. She brushed away the tears in the corners of her eyes. "Of course, tell me. Anything, as long as I can repay you," she said earnestly. She was truly grateful for Vincent''s help. Once Vincent heard her response, he couldn''t help but recall a certain Drakorii who had given him a similar response. Vincent simply shook his head, setting aside unnecessary thoughts before telling her the same goal he had shared with Lizno. Once he finished explaining, she immediately responded, "I will do it! No, please let me do it!" She was eager! Naturally, Vincent''s offer was better than anything she could have asked for! Even large guilds couldn''t offer what Vincent was proposing! Seeing her eagerness to accept his offer, Vincent simply nodded. "Alright, then follow me. It''s time to go back. I''ve been gone for a while," he said. Chapter 175 Swift Travel Corp (1) Seeing her eagerness to accept his offer, Vincent simply nodded."Alright, then follow me. It''s time to head back. I''ve been gone for a while," he said. That was right¡ªhis plans had changed. He had initially looked forward to exploring the other labyrinths around Freedom Swift City, but with Vash''s sudden appearance, he no longer had the luxury to do so. A heavy sense of inevitability pressed down on him. He could feel it¡ªsomething was pulling him into a larger scheme. And he hated it. He hated the feeling of being steered towards an unknown fate. He hated being manipulated. "If you want to drag me into your game, don''t blame me for tearing your entire scheme apart!" Vincent vowed silently as he led Clauny back toward Freedom Swift City. Carrying her all the way to the Novice Sanctuary was out of the question¡ªit would be far too exhausting, and if they traveled at her speed, it would take an absurd amount of time. By the time they neared the city gates, the second morning since his return to the Origin World had already arrived. Just as they were about to enter Freedom Swift City, Vincent spotted a familiar figure among a group of human warriors. It was Franco Bullocks¡ªthe same man he had met yesterday, the one who had informed him about the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. At the same moment Vincent noticed him, Franco''s gaze landed on him as well. "Vincent Magnus¡­?" Franco muttered, his voice drawing the attention of his companions. "You know him?" one of them asked. "Yeah, he''s a schoolmate. Give me a minute." The man who had spoken simply nodded in understanding. Franco strode over, a grin on his face. "Magnus! Didn''t expect to run into you again. Where are you headed?" Before Vincent could answer, Franco continued excitedly, "Your timing is perfect! Remember what I told you? These are my guild party members, and we''re heading to the new labyrinth I mentioned. Want to join us?" Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire He then turned toward the man who had questioned him earlier. "Leader Mak, is it alright if they tag along?" Leader Mak, a laid-back-looking man, gave a slight nod. "See? The leader already approved. Come on, stop hesitating!" Vincent felt a moment of awkwardness. Franco was simply being friendly by inviting him along. He considered explaining that he had already cleared the labyrinth. But after a brief pause, he dismissed the idea. Even if he told them, it wouldn''t change a thing. And more importantly, they wouldn''t believe him. Just as he was about to decline, Clauny, clueless as ever, suddenly spoke up. "Are you talking about the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth?" Franco, seeing that she was Vincent''s companion, nodded. "Yeah, so you already know about it?" For some reason, Clauny was eager to answer. "Not only do we know about it¡ªwe just cleared it! Ah¡­ No, actually, Shroud cleared it alone, I was just¡ª" She was abruptly cut off by Vincent''s voice. "Clauny..." She turned to him, confused, only to see him rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. Then, she noticed Franco''s stunned expression. And it wasn''t just him. The entire group behind him wore looks of sheer disbelief. They did not believe her. Clauny looked at Vincent again, still failing to understand why they were reacting this way. Her confusion was broken by Franco''s stifled laughter. "Haha! Your companion sure has a wild imagination," Franco said, chuckling as he patted Vincent on the shoulder. Even his party members behind him let out amused chuckles. Seeing them laugh, Clauny''s face turned red with anger. She had spoken the truth, yet they were mocking her? She turned to Vincent, silently pleading for him to back her up. But he simply shook his head. "I appreciate the invitation, but we just got back and haven''t even rested yet," Vincent said. Since Vincent had already declined, Franco didn''t push any further. He simply nodded. "Alright, I get it. In that case, we''ll be heading off." "Hmm," Vincent responded with a simple nod. They watched as Franco and his group left. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as they were out of sight, Clauny turned to Vincent, frustration evident in her voice. "Why didn''t you tell them that you already cleared it?!" She felt embarrassed and ashamed that Vincent hadn''t backed her up. Vincent looked at her and gave a subtle smile. "What''s the point? Even if you told them the truth, they would still go there. No need to waste your breath trying to explain." As he finished speaking, he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Wha¡ª" "Come on, we need to catch a trip to No.3 Novice Sanctuary." "Wait for me!" After paying the city guards, Vincent relied on his memory and made his way toward the transportation terminal he had seen when he was with Valyn. After some walking, they arrived at a massive establishment. Swift Travel Corp. That was the name of the building. Just from the name alone, Vincent could tell¡ªif this place wasn''t directly owned by the Swift Clan, then they were certainly deeply connected to it. After asking for directions, they were guided to the ticket counter. The cost of travel from Freedom Swift City to the Novice Sanctuary was 3,000 Origin Crystals per ticket. When Clauny heard the price, she flat-out refused and insisted on walking back instead. It took Vincent quite some time to convince her otherwise. The Swift Travel Corp was an enormous facility, resembling a small airport with a spacious open area in the center. Various massive winged primals and bull-like creatures were stationed there, pulling elaborate carriages. After some time, they were notified that it was time to board. Following the crowd, they arrived at an open field where several colossal winged primals were waiting. Behind them were huge compartments filled with seats¡ªan aerial transport system eerily similar to an airplane. On instinct, Vincent activated Heaven Eyes and analyzed one of the creatures. [Blue Avior ¨C Tier 3 (2¡ï)] "So, it''s Tier 3..." he mused, realizing why the Blue Avior stood out among the other winged primals. It was immense, standing between 9 to 10 meters tall, with a body length of 12 to 13 meters and an incredible wingspan of 25 to 30 meters. At that moment, a towering figure suddenly appeared atop the head of the Blue Avior¡ªa 7-foot-tall humanoid clad in a pilot-like outfit. With a single glance, Vincent could tell¡ªthis was an Agisaur. [Cooper Xlo ¨C Tier 3 (1¡ï)] Chapter 176 Swift Travel Corp (2) "So, it''s Tier 3..." he mused, realizing why the Blue Avior stood out among the other winged primals.It was immense, standing between 9 to 10 meters tall, with a body length of 12 to 13 meters and an incredible wingspan of 25 to 30 meters. At that moment, a towering figure suddenly appeared atop the head of the Blue Avior¡ªa 7-foot-tall humanoid clad in a pilot-like outfit. With a single glance, Vincent could tell that the humanoid figure before him was an Agisaur. Cooper Xlo ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) Cooper''s deep, commanding voice cut through the air like a blade. "Passengers of B.A flight, I''ll be your escort today¡ªCooper. We depart in five minutes. Board now, or you''ll be left behind." Vincent couldn''t help but be intrigued by the background and identity of the owner of Swift Travel Corp. A Tier 3 powerhouse¡ªreduced to a mere transportation escort? In the Novice Continent, where Tier 3 was the pinnacle of power, such warriors held significant influence. And yet, here, a Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡ªan Agisaur, no less¡ªwas nothing more than an escort for a travel company. There had to be someone immensely powerful pulling the strings behind Swift Travel Corp. Vincent was certain of it. Even Clauny, standing beside him, seemed uneasy. She glanced at the massive beast ahead and hesitantly pointed at it. "A-Are we riding that...?" she asked in a wary voice. Vincent turned to her, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Why? You don''t want to?" "N-No..." Vincent chuckled inwardly. He could tell that she was nervous¡ªand rightfully so. If he were just an ordinary Origin Warrior, or worse, an unawakened civilian, the sheer size of the Blue Avion alone would have been enough to terrify him. Fortunately, despite its colossal frame, the Blue Avion had a surprisingly majestic and serene appearance. Unlike most Primals, it lacked the usual savage and feral features. After a brief hesitation, they made their way up the makeshift stairway and took their seats. The Blue Avion had space for twenty passengers¡ªten seats lined up on either side. Vincent and Clauny settled into their seats at the front. Five minutes later... Cooper stepped forward, facing the passengers. "Alright, it looks like everyone is here. Sit tight and enjoy the trip¡ªwe''ll be arriving at No. 3 Novice Center in three hours." As he spoke, he gently tapped his foot. A translucent blue barrier shimmered into existence around them. At that moment, the Blue Avion let out a resounding screech. FLAP! With a single powerful flap, the Blue Avion shot into the sky like a blue comet. Yet, to everyone''s surprise, not a single gust of wind was felt. After reaching a stable altitude, the Blue Avion glided smoothly through the skies. A passenger couldn''t help but exclaim, "The Blue Avion really is the best flying transport! No other Avions even come close!" "That''s for sure!" another chimed in. "It''s a Tier 3 Primal¡ªjust its presence alone intimidates other winged Primals, ensuring a safe journey every time!" "Although that''s true, the real reason I always choose this ride is because of him," someone muttered, subtly nodding toward Cooper. "Yeah, having a Tier 3 Agisaur escort makes the trip ten times safer." Despite his lack of reaction, Cooper had undoubtedly heard their remarks. Though he remained expressionless, a subtle sense of pride flickered in his eyes. Vincent and Clauny overheard the conversation as well. Vincent remained unfazed¡ªhe had already deduced this much. But Clauny... She was visibly stunned. A sharp-eyed passenger sitting across from them smirked. "Heh, first time riding?" Clauny turned toward the voice. A woman from the Vyrmin Race sat elegantly in her seat. Her expensive, gem-encrusted attire shimmered under the light, exuding wealth and status. Beside her sat a muscular Vyrmin male¡ªhis expression cold and unreadable as he gazed out the window. Clauny gave a small nod. The woman chuckled, amusement flickering in her serpentine eyes. "Adorable. I''m Vina. This is my third time riding the Blue Avion." Clauny introduced herself in return, "I''m Clauny. This is my first time. Uhm... Is it really true that the escort is a Tier 3 Origin Warrior?" Vina let out another light giggle. "Oh, excuse me. You''re just too cute." She leaned forward slightly. "But yes, it''s true. Sir Cooper Xlo is a Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡ªand not just any Tier 3. Even though he''s only at the early stage, he can already defeat mid-stage Tier 3 Primals!" Clauny''s eyes widened. "W-Wait, he''s that strong?" Vincent, having heard everything, simply raised an eyebrow. It made sense¡ªAgisaurs were naturally superior in terms of physical prowess. Vina giggled again at Clauny''s reaction. "I''m not making this up, dear. The first time I rode the Blue Avion, I witnessed Sir Cooper single-handedly force a mid-stage Tier 3 Storm Falcon to retreat!" Clauny could hardly believe it. Just as their conversation continued, Vincent suddenly felt something. A presence¡ªfar in the distance. He subtly scanned the area, but no one else had noticed it. For now. Moments later, Cooper''s eyes narrowed. Then¡ªhe abruptly stood up. Passengers exchanged confused glances. "Why did Sir Cooper suddenly stand up?" someone muttered. Before another person could speak, Cooper''s voice rang out. "Nothing to worry about. Just a flock of lost Sparrows. They won''t interfere with our journey. Remain at ease." Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire His words quickly reassured the passengers. That is¡ªuntil he suddenly tensed. This time, his expression turned grim. He sensed something else. Something stronger. It wasn''t one. It was two. Two powerful Primals. The instant he felt them, Cooper did not hesitate. With a swift hand gesture, he activated a special technique¡ªordering the Blue Avion to change course. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The shift was immediately noticed by the passengers. "Wait, why did we suddenly change direction?" "I don''t know... but Sir Cooper looks tense." Instinctively, they followed his line of sight. Moments later¡ª Two black figures appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching their position. One of the passengers, possessing keen eyesight, recognized them first. His face turned pale. "No... no way..." he muttered in horror. Then¡ªhis trembling voice broke the silence. "It''s a pair of Crimson-Winged Condors!" Gasps of shock filled the air. "No way! Those are Tier 3 Primals!" Chapter 177 Battle Against Crimson-Winged Condors Moments Later¡ªTwo dark figures streaked through the sky, their vast wings casting elongated shadows over the Blue Avior. Their razor-sharp eyes gleamed with ruthless intent, locking onto their prey. The passengers onboard paled as realization dawned. "No¡­ no way¡­" a trembling voice broke the silence. Then, panic erupted. "It''s a pair of Crimson-Winged Condors!" Gasps of horror spread through the group like wildfire. "Those are Tier 3 Primals!" The escort, Cooper, cursed inwardly. He had faced a mid-stage Tier 3 Primal before¡ªbut that had been one, and even then, the Blue Avior had helped him drive it away. Now, there were two. And these weren''t just any Tier 3 Primals. Crimson-Winged Condors were relentless hunters. Once they marked their prey, they never stopped until it was dead. Cooper clenched his fists, a cold sweat forming on his brow. "Bloo, go faster!" The Blue Avior screeched in response, its powerful wings flapping harder as it surged forward. Yet, despite its efforts, the condors only closed in. "They''re catching up!" "Why aren''t we losing them?!" "What do we do?!" Cooper gritted his teeth. Running won''t work. We''ll have to fight. From behind, a piercing shriek cut through the air. HISSS~! One of the Crimson-Winged Condors dived at terrifying speed, its talons glowing with crimson energy. BANG! Its strike slammed into the Blue Avior''s barrier, causing a ripple of golden light to spread across the surface. The impact sent a deep vibration through the beast''s body. A second screech followed. The second condor followed suit, its beak glowing with a menacing red light. BANG! BANG! Repeated strikes hammered the barrier, cracks webbing across its surface. "Oh no, the barrier won''t last much longer!" Another deafening shriek filled the air. A blazing beam shot forth from one of the condors'' beaks, striking the barrier directly. CRACK! SHATTER! The protective shield shattered completely. KYAARRH! The Blue Avior screeched in pain as its body lurched midair. The passengers were thrown from their seats, clinging desperately to whatever they could grab. Cooper''s face darkened. "Fucking birds¡­" His body tensed as speed force exploded around him. He launched himself off the Blue Avior, a sonic boom erupting behind him as he streaked through the air toward the nearest condor. His fist glowed with intense speed force as he drove a devastating punch straight into the condor''s steel-like feathers. BOOM! A shockwave rippled outward. The Crimson-Winged Condor was blasted backward, its body flipping midair before it stabilized, its murderous eyes glowing with fury. The other condor flapped its wings aggressively, a violent gale surging toward Cooper. WHOOSH! The winds struck like a hurricane, sending Cooper spiraling out of control for a moment. He clenched his teeth, twisting his body midair to regain his stance. The first condor had already recovered and retaliated. It dived down, its wings flaring as red energy surged around its talons. SWOOSH! Cooper dodged at the last second, the sheer force of the attack grazing his shoulder. The second condor followed immediately, twisting midair and slashing with its beak. Cooper barely managed to block with his arms crossed in front of him. BANG! The impact sent him flying backward, his body hurtling toward the Blue Avior. Mid-fall, he flipped, landing on the beast''s back with a heavy thud. His breath came in ragged pants. "Shit¡­ their speed and power are insane." The passengers watched in stunned silence, their hope wavering. "Sir Cooper... can''t win?" Before anyone could dwell on it, the first condor shrieked again. This time, a crimson glow surged around its beak, forming a dense energy lance. Cooper''s eyes narrowed. That''s¡­ bad. The energy lance shot forward, aimed directly at the Blue Avior. Cooper acted immediately, pushing his speed to the limit as he streaked forward. With a burst of energy, he struck the lance mid-air, dispersing it into harmless sparks. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire Before he could celebrate, the second condor dived. SWOOSH! Its talons raked across his side, blood splattering into the sky. "AH¡ª!" Cooper gritted his teeth against the pain. But he couldn''t stop. He spun midair, counterattacking with a barrage of rapid punches infused with speed force. BANG! BANG! BANG! The first condor took the brunt of the strikes, its body jerking from the repeated impacts. But its steel-like feathers prevented serious damage. Instead, it let out an infuriated screech and retaliated with a high-speed dive, its wings vibrating at impossible speeds. The second condor followed suit, both of them attacking in perfect coordination. One from above, one from the side. Cooper dodged left, only for the first condor to predict his movement. Its beak struck like a spear. BAM! The attack connected, slamming into Cooper''s shoulder. "GAH¡ª!" His body was sent flying like a bullet, crashing hard onto the Blue Avior''s back. THUD! The impact left a dent in the beast''s thick hide. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Blood dripped from Cooper''s mouth as he struggled to push himself up. The passengers screamed as the condors circled back, their next attack already forming. The Blue Avior screeched in defiance, its wings glowing as it unleashed a hurricane of razor-sharp wind blades. The condors barrel-rolled through the assault, taking only minor scratches. They let out synchronized screeches. Then, they both inhaled deeply, their chests expanding unnaturally. Cooper''s eyes widened. Shit¡­ they''re about to use a real attack! The condors unleashed twin beams of crimson destruction. WHOOSH! The twin beams tore through the air, locking onto Cooper and the Blue Avior. He had only one choice. His legs tensed, speed force surged, and he vanished. Reappearing in front of the Blue Avior, he crossed his arms and summoned every last bit of speed force to form a rotating shield of compressed energy. BOOOOOOM! The beams collided. An earth-shaking explosion erupted mid-air. Blinding light filled the sky as shockwaves spread outward, sending the passengers tumbling. When the dust cleared, Cooper was kneeling, blood dripping from his lips. His arms trembled. And worst of all¡­ His speed force had run dry. His body screamed in pain, his muscles barely responding. The Crimson-Winged Condors hovered in the sky, unharmed, their eyes filled with predatory amusement. Cooper knew. He was no longer a threat to them. His vision blurred. Was this¡­ the end? Cooper then fainted. "There''s no way¡­ Sir Cooper has lost¡­" someone muttered in shock and disbelief. Their only chance of surviving had been lost already. "What should we do?!" "Let''s use an escape scroll!" "Are you dumb?!" "What do you mean by that?!" "You''re so stupid. What do you think is gonna happen to you when you come back?! You will fall to your death! Stupid!" That was right. Even if the escape scroll was usable, they couldn''t simply use it because the consequence was the same as death. At the same moment, Vincent couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. He had expected Cooper to put up more of a fight, but he hadn''t anticipated such a swift defeat. Clauny, like the other passengers, was in a state of panic. "Shroud¡­ Shroud! What are we gonna do?!" she cried, her voice was trembling. Just as the words left her lips, the passengers erupted into chaos as the Crimson-Winged Condors let out an ear-piercing shriek. "Oh, we''re doomed!" someone wailed. "N-No, I can''t die yet¡­ I still have so many girls I want to marry!" another shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "Please! Anyone who has a way out! I''m willing to pay¡ªprice doesn''t matter!" a third pleaded, his face pale with terror. Amidst the panicked cries, wind energy began to gather within the condors'' opened beaks, glowing ominously as they prepared to unleash their attack. "Alas, I never imagined this would be my first and last trip in the Origin World¡­" someone muttered, their voice heavy with resignation. "Sigh¡­" With a collective sigh of defeat, the passengers could only watch as the Crimson-Winged Condors charged their attacks, their doom seemingly inevitable. But then¡­ Just as the condors were about to unleash their deadly skills, they suddenly let out an ear-piercing shriek¡ªthis time, not of fury, but of pain. The passengers froze, their confusion evident as the Crimson-Winged Condors lost their balance, diving headfirst before stabilizing mid-air. When they rose again, the ferocity in their eyes had vanished, replaced by a strange, disciplined calm as they flapped their wings without attacking. This sudden change left everyone baffled. "What''s happening?" Clauny muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her wide eyes reflecting both shock and relief. Standing beside her, Vincent simply smiled. Naturally, the sudden shift in the situation was caused by Vincent. Vincent had assumed that, given their level, his mental domination wouldn''t easily work on them. So, before using mental domination, he activated the second skill of his Astral Rune. [Skill 2: Mental Shatter] ¡ª Allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy Once their mental defenses were broken, he used Mental Domination to control them. Now, they were essentially his pets. Chapter 178 Back to Hideout (1) Vincent had assumed that, given their level, his mental domination wouldn''t easily work on them. So, before using mental domination, he activated the second skill of his Astral Rune.[Skill 2: Mental Shatter] ¡ª Allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy Once their mental defenses were broken, he used Mental Domination to control them. Now, they were essentially his pets. Before long, amidst the confusion of the passengers, the Crimson-Winged Condors started flying away. Vincent commanded them to fly ahead from a distance, ensuring they remained within his control but out of sight to avoid further panic. Meanwhile, the Blue Avion resumed its flight, following the usual route despite Cooper being unconscious. The passengers were left in a state of bewilderment, their murmurs filling the air. "What just happened? They left just like that?" one passenger muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "...It doesn''t matter. What''s important is that we''re alive," another replied, though the unease in their tone was palpable. The passengers glanced suspiciously around, still unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. It wasn''t until one of them noticed Cooper, still unconscious, that their attention shifted. "Sir Cooper! Is there any healer here?!" a passenger cried out, desperation creeping into their voice. "I don''t think there''s a healer here. They would have already assisted Sir Cooper. Just use a recovery potion!" another suggested, their tone more pragmatic. Upon hearing this, Clauny slowly pulled back her half-raised hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She had been so overwhelmed by fear that she had forgotten she could have supported Cooper earlier. Her eyes darted to Vincent, who immediately offered her a comforting smile. "It''s not your fault. Don''t worry about it," Vincent said softly before turning his gaze to the sky, where the two Crimson-Winged Condors now flew obediently. [You have successfully controlled a Crimson-Winged Condor ¡ª Tier 3(3¡ï)] [You have successfully controlled a Crimson-Winged Condor ¡ª Tier 3(3¡ï)] [Duration: 7 days!] Vincent couldn''t help but smile as the system''s notifications echoed in his mind. He had been skeptical at first, unsure if his Mental Domination would work on such high-tier targets. Yet, to his relief, it had succeeded. The addition of two Tier 3 primals would significantly bolster his strength and aid his future plans. However, the limited duration of his control left him slightly disappointed. "Should I upgrade it?" he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. He contemplated whether to upgrade his Yellow Heaven Mental Aura now to extend the duration of his Mental Domination or to wait for a more opportune moment. Curiosity got the better of him, and he used his talent to check the requirements for upgrading the skill. [Target Item: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)] [Upgrade Quality: Available] Requirements: Three epic-grade Mental Skill Books and 1,500,000 experience points. [Upgrade Quantity: Available] Vincent''s brow furrowed faintly as he read the requirements. While they weren''t drastically different from his other skills, the specificity of needing mental-type skill books stood out. "Why is it different this time?" he mused, his thoughts swirling. He could only assume that the reason was tied to the skill''s inherent potential. His other legendary-grade skills had originally been common-grade, whereas the Yellow Heaven Mental Aura had been epic-grade from the moment he acquired it in the Tower of Illusions. That, he reasoned, must be the key difference. Fortunately, the requirements wouldn''t hinder him too much. He had a stockpile of various skill books and had coincidentally upgraded a mental-type skill book to epic-grade earlier. Still, he decided to set the matter aside for now, aware of the many watchful eyes around him. The journey continued smoothly, without further incident. After an hour, Cooper, the transportation escort, finally regained consciousness. A low groan escaped Cooper''s lips as his eyes fluttered open. His vision slowly cleared, and he found himself staring at the clear azure sky above. For a moment, he lay there, disoriented, before a single thought crystallized in his mind. "I''m alive?" It was a question more than a statement, as he had fully expected to wake up in his own world¡ªa world that lacked the vibrant blue skies of the Origin World. As he slowly sat up, the passengers immediately noticed his movement. "Sir Cooper, you''re awake!" one exclaimed, relief evident in their voice. "Are you feeling alright?" another asked, their concern genuine. Cooper, however, was too confused to respond immediately. His eyes darted around, searching for answers. "What happened? Where are the Crimson-Winged Condors?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with wariness as he scanned the empty sky. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Calm down, Sir Cooper. They''re gone," a passenger reassured him. "Gone?" Cooper echoed, his confusion deepening. The passenger nodded and began to explain the events that had transpired while Cooper was unconscious. As Cooper listened, his bewilderment only grew. He knew the behavior of Crimson-Winged Condors well¡ªthey weren''t creatures to retreat without reason. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the passengers, suspicion flickering in his gaze. He was certain that someone among them had intervened, though he couldn''t pinpoint who. Vincent, of course, noticed Cooper''s lingering gaze as it briefly settled on him. Yet, he remained unfazed. Between the Shifting Visage mask, which concealed his appearance and level, and the Astral Invisibility skill from his Astral Rune, which shielded his thoughts, he was confident Cooper would find nothing. As expected, Cooper''s attention soon shifted away, leaving him muttering under his breath. "Just who is it¡­" Despite his curiosity, Cooper found no answers. The rest of the trip passed without incident, and he could only chalk it up to some inexplicable miracle. By 9 a.m., they finally arrived outside the No. 3 Novice Sanctuary. "We''re finally back!" Clauny exclaimed, her voice brimming with relief as she hopped off the Blue Avion, Mochi cradled in her arms. Just as she was about to step into the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent''s voice stopped her in her tracks. "We''re not heading there¡­" he said, his tone calm but firm. Confused, she turned to him. "Where are we going?" Vincent didn''t elaborate. Instead, he simply turned and began marching toward the Verdant Wilds. "Follow me." Curiosity piqued, Clauny fell into step behind him, Mochi still clutched tightly in her arms. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of piercing eyes watched from a distance, their intent unreadable, before vanishing into the shadows. After walking a considerable distance from the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent suddenly came to a halt. Clauny looked around, her confusion mounting. There''s nothing here¡­ Just as she was about to voice her bewilderment, a powerful gust of wind swept through the area, startling her. Her eyes widened as two massive, familiar winged primals descended from the sky, landing gracefully before them. The Crimson-Winged Condors. They were half the size of the Blue Avion, their crimson feathers glinting in the sunlight. "H-How are they here?!" Clauny stammered, her voice trembling with shock. But her surprise didn''t end there. The two Crimson-Winged Condors lowered their heads in front of Vincent, their movements deliberate and respectful. It was clear they were acknowledging him as their master. Vincent reached out without hesitation, his hand gently caressing their feathers. The sight left Clauny speechless as the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. So, it was him after all¡­ she thought, realization dawning. Clauny decided then that she shouldn''t be surprised anymore. Vincent had a way of defying expectations, after all. Her thoughts were interrupted when Vincent called out to her. "Let''s go." Clauny hesitated for a moment before accepting Vincent''s outstretched hand, her eyes still wary as she glanced at the Crimson-Winged Condor. With a single, powerful flap of their wings, the creatures launched into the sky, carrying Vincent and Clauny with them. The wind rushed past her face as they soared higher, the ground shrinking beneath them. Clauny''s grip on Vincent tightened, her heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration. Chapter 179 Back to Hideout (2) So, it was him after all¡­ Clauny thought.She felt that, by now, nothing Vincent did should surprise her anymore. Everything he had accomplished so far was beyond ordinary. Her thoughts were interrupted when Vincent called out to her. "Let''s go." Clauny hesitated briefly, her gaze warily shifting toward the Crimson-Winged Condor. After a moment, she accepted Vincent''s outstretched hand. With a single, powerful flap of Goldie''s wings, they shot into the sky. At the Hyena Gang Manor Inside his newly furnished office, Lizno, a Lizardman of the Lyard Race, sat comfortably. He was clad in the rare items Vincent had entrusted to him, their craftsmanship and power making his presence all the more imposing. Before him stood a figure clad in a black hooded robe, their features completely concealed. "How''s the mission I assigned to you?" Lizno asked, his reptilian eyes narrowing. "I have completed it according to your orders," the hooded figure replied in a monotone voice. Lizno nodded in satisfaction. Since receiving Vincent''s orders, he had been working tirelessly, recruiting Origin Warriors that met his young master''s exact specifications. The progress was steady, and things were falling into place. At that moment, the hooded figure spoke again. "Sir Lizno, when can we meet our Guild Master?" Lizno smirked, tapping his claws against the desk. "Hmm¡­ Soon. You''ll all meet him soon." Before he could elaborate, hurried footsteps echoed outside the office. The next second¡ª Bang! The doors burst open as a man with the distinct features of a Hyena stormed in, his breathing ragged, his expression frantic. "Excuse my sudden intrusion, Sir Lizno, but we have a situation! Our scouts spotted two winged Primals heading straight for us! Based on their size and aura, they''re estimated to be¡­ Tier 3!" Lizno''s eyes widened. Tier 3?! This was bad¡ªdisastrous, even. He had only just begun fortifying their hideout. If something happened now, how would he face Vincent? Without hesitation, he barked, "Gather everyone! Prepare for battle!" "Yes, sir!" Approaching the Manor From the skies, Vincent and Clauny finally spotted the enormous manor below, surrounded by towering eight-meter-high earth walls. Clauny''s eyes flickered with curiosity. Vincent, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. His gaze sharpened when he noticed a force of at least fifty people stationed atop the walls, with another fifty warriors standing guard at the main gate. They were on high alert¡ªsome visibly trembling. Vincent''s lips curled slightly. Interesting. Sensing his intent, Goldie adjusted its trajectory, hovering above the fortified compound. He had named this Crimson-Winged Condor Goldie due to the striking golden feather on its head. The other condor, with its vibrant blue feather, was named Azu. As they hovered, a muscular man with copper-toned skin stepped forward from the gathered warriors. He was an Almaurian, clad in heavy armor. His voice, though steady, carried a hint of unease. "T-This is our guild''s territory! Please show some respect! If you have an appointment with our guild, state your name!" He stammered slightly but managed to get the words out. Due to the height difference and the sunlight obscuring their view, they couldn''t clearly see Vincent''s face. Clauny glanced at Vincent, waiting for his response. But Vincent remained silent. The air grew thick with tension. The longer he stayed quiet, the more unease spread among the guards. "Sir, if you have no business here, please leave!" the same man, Aldo, urged. Yet, even as he spoke, his eyes darted behind him¡ªsearching, desperate. Where the hell is Sir Lizno?! he cursed internally. I can''t handle this! Those are fucking Crimson-Winged Condors! He had never signed up for this kind of madness. But Vincent still said nothing. Aldo could only pray that the intimidating figures above would turn and leave. Just when he was about to speak again, the figure on the condor finally uttered a single phrase¡ª "Where''s Lizno?" Aldo''s brows furrowed. So this guy knows Sir Lizno¡­ But he didn''t lower his guard. Calming himself, he responded, "If you have business with Sir Lizno, state your name so we can report it." The response was immediate. "Tell him to welcome me." Aldo''s veins bulge. Welcome you?! Who the hell do you think you are?! Just as he was about to snap back, a loud, boisterous voice rang out beside him. "Leader, that guy is definitely Sir Lizno''s enemy! His attitude is pissing me off! Let''s fight him!" The source of the voice was a towering, muscle-bound woman with tanned skin, wild fiery hair, and sharp ears. A Barbarian. Her name was Barbara, and despite looking mostly human, her race''s defining features included slightly protruding fangs and a monstrous level of raw strength. Aldo felt his sanity slipping. Fight? Those are fucking Tier 3 winged Primals! Only a powerhouse could own two! Any one of those condors could kill me in a single strike! But before he could even try to shut Barbara up, another reckless voice joined in. "That''s right, Leader Aldo! We owe our lives to Sir Lizno! We are ready to die!" Aldo turned toward the speaker. It was Warren, a frail-looking Almaurian dressed in a gray hooded robe and thin spectacles. Aldo''s face twitched. Prepared to die?! Go die on your own! Don''t drag me along! "Haha!" Barbara''s hearty laughter filled the air. She turned to Warren, her sharp teeth flashing in amusement. "I didn''t expect that from you, four-eyes! So you have a warrior''s spirit! I like you." Warren''s expression darkened. "Stop calling me four-eyes! And I don''t like you!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha!" Barbara ignored him completely. Then, without warning, she turned her blazing gaze toward the hovering figures above. Aldo''s stomach dropped. "Hey! You! The man riding the bird!" Vincent''s sharp eyes flickered with curiosity as he turned to her. A Barbarian¡­? Before he could speak, Barbara continued, her voice bold and unwavering. "Sir Lizno is currently not here¡­" Her words trailed off¡ª Then¡ª Boom! The ground beneath her cracked as she exploded into the air, her right arm pulled back, veins bulging. "So, I''LL be the one to welcome you!" Her fist rocketed toward Vincent''s face like a meteor. Bang! A thunderous shockwave erupted across the sky. "A¡ªBarbara!" Aldo choked out. The grin on Barbara''s face twisted into pure shock. Her massive fist¡ªher full-force punch¡ª Had been effortlessly caught. Vincent''s fingers enclosed around her knuckles like a vice. The air fell deathly silent. Chapter 180 Barbara Fist Barbara hurled her fist straight at Vincent''s face.Bang! A deafening thunderclap echoed throughout the area. "Barbara!" Aldo cried out in alarm. However, the wide grin on Barbara''s face slowly faded, replaced by a look of utter shock. Her powerful fist¡ªsomething she had always taken pride in¡ªhad been effortlessly caught by Vincent''s hand. It wasn''t just the fact that he had blocked her punch. If he had been from a race renowned for their physical strength, she wouldn''t have been surprised. But humans? Among all the races, humans were one of the physically weakest. Even so, despite her shock, she was a warrior. Gritting her teeth, she let out a low grunt and tried to pull her fist back¡ªbut it was clamped in Vincent''s grip like a vice! Her expression darkened into a deep frown. With a growl, a powerful aura burst out from her body, revealing her Tier 2 (1¡ï) strength. A fierce wind whipped around her as her wild, fiery hair danced in the air. Strength surged through her arms, muscles tightening as she prepared to retaliate. Yet, Vincent remained unfazed. He had already scanned everyone''s level, so her strength came as no surprise. However, he hadn''t expected to encounter a barbarian at this stage¡ªespecially since they were incredibly rare in the Novice Continent. "Haaah!" Barbara gritted her teeth and yanked her hand back with full force. This time, she succeeded, regaining her balance. The brief victory boosted her confidence, momentarily pushing aside her initial shock. She didn''t waste time. Barbara immediately launched a flurry of punches! Bang! Bang! Bang! Each strike was like a hammer, heavy and relentless, but every single one was intercepted. Vincent''s arms were like steel, blocking her attacks with effortless precision. Barbara''s bafflement deepened. How could a human possess such a monstrous physique? But she didn''t waver. Her confidence as a warrior remained intact. She swiftly retreated and shouted, "Four-eyes! Stop standing there and support me!" Several feet away, Warren, the bespectacled young man, frowned in irritation. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" he snapped, pushing up his glasses with his middle finger. He then exhaled and continued, "You better not lose." As soon as he finished speaking, a wooden staff¡ªgnarled and ancient-looking¡ªmaterialized in his hand. He held it in front of him and began chanting in an unfamiliar language. A jade-green light, the same shade as his bowl-cut hair, pulsed around him before cascading down onto Barbara. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oldwood Blessing." Barbara''s body immediately reacted to the skill. A surge of power coursed through her veins, her muscles growing even firmer. Skill: Oldwood Blessing Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire Effects: +15% Physical Attack and Defense +10% Movement and Attack Speed +10% Stamina Recovery Rate Duration: 2 minutes Cooldown: 3 minutes Barbara clenched her fists, grinning. "Nice, Four-eyes!" "Stop calling me that!" Warren barked, exasperated. But Barbara was too focused to care. Fueled by the newfound strength, she lunged at Vincent once again. Aldo, who had been watching in stunned silence, finally snapped out of his daze. His face paled. What the hell are you two doing?! he screamed internally. But it was already too late¡ªBarbara was locked in combat with Vincent once more. Bang! Bang! Every time their fists clashed, the resulting shockwaves blasted wind outward, rattling the surroundings. Two minutes passed in an instant. As the effects of Oldwood Blessing faded, Barbara staggered back, panting heavily. "Haah¡­ Haah¡­ Tsk! That guy is tough!" she muttered, frustration seeping into her voice. Aldo nearly choked on air when he heard her words. Tough?! he thought incredulously. That guy has been playing with you this entire time! "Barbara¡ª" But before Aldo could warn her, Barbara cut him off. "I won''t admit defeat! You''ll have to kill me first before you take Sir Cooper!" Aldo''s face twisted in horror. "Wait, Barbara¡ª!" She ignored him. Once again, she charged at Vincent, fists swinging. And once again, Vincent blocked each and every punch with ease. He silently assessed her. Barbara''s physical strength was indeed impressive¡ªfar greater than that of the average Tier 2 Origin Warrior. However, a Tier 2 warrior was no longer a threat to him. Even early-stage Tier 3 warriors struggled against him. If he wanted, he could end this fight in an instant. Yet, he held back. She intrigued him. So he let her attacks continue, solely defending, without counterattacking. Standing a few feet away, Clauny observed the battle with calm, sharp eyes. She wasn''t worried. Even from a single glance, she could tell Vincent wasn''t taking this seriously. Besides, if he had come here to cause trouble, he wouldn''t have let the Crimson-Winged Condors remain passive. Barbara''s movements gradually slowed. She panted, her body trembling from exhaustion. Vincent noticed this immediately. "Stop it," he said, voice even and firm. "You can''t defeat me." However, Barbara misinterpreted his words as an insult. Her face twisted with rage. "Grrr¡­ I¡ªI''m not done yet! I''m a proud warrior of the Fist Tribe!" As soon as she declared those words, something inside her changed. A crimson aura¡ªthick and ominous¡ªbegan leaking from her body. Her breathing grew ragged. Her muscles bulged. Her fangs elongated. Aldo, watching from the sidelines, froze in confusion. What¡­ What''s happening? Not only him¡ªeveryone who had been wary or afraid of Vincent was now looking at Barbara with growing unease. "Grraaaa¡­!" Her ruby eyes darkened into a deep, menacing crimson. Her strength exploded, jumping from Tier 2 (1¡ï) to Tier 2 (3¡ï) in mere moments. Vincent''s brows lifted slightly. He hadn''t expected her power to surge two whole stages. Now, he was genuinely intrigued. What kind of technique is this? Barbara''s face contorted into something inhuman. Her claws protruded. She let out a guttural growl. "Kill¡­ Kill¡­ Kill!" With unnatural speed, she lunged at Vincent. This time, her attacks changed¡ªshe no longer punched. She slashed. Slash! Vincent''s instincts flared. He didn''t dare take the attack head-on with bare skin. With a flicker of thought, Impervious Silver Armor coated his fists. Clang! The sound of metal clashing against claws rang out. Barbara''s maddened eyes gleamed. "Hahaha! Die, human! Kill! Kill!" She was beyond reason. Her power had definitely increased¡ªbut Vincent remained unfazed. Suddenly, Barbara roared, "Strong Fist!" Vincent raised a brow. What a crude name for a technique. But¡ª Bang! Vincent wasn''t caught off guard, but he instinctively felt the need to defend with both arms. And just as he expected, the moment her fist collided with his guard, a powerful force surged through his arms, forcing him to take a single step back! This surprised him. His Force attribute was at 60 points! A Tier 3 Origin Warrior was required to have that level of strength! Yet Barbara, a Tier 2 Barbarian, had actually managed to push him back?! Instead of being frustrated, Vincent felt a grin stretch across his face. His battle-hungry nature was flaring up again. Without hesitation, he deactivated the Impervious Silver Armor''s effect. "You want a fight? I''ll give you a fight." Chapter 181 Young Master Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Strong Fist!"The name of the technique was crude. However¡ª Bang! Vincent wasn''t caught off guard, but he instinctively felt the need to defend with both arms. And just as he expected, the moment her fist collided with his guard, a powerful force surged through his arms, forcing him to take a single step back! This surprised him. His Force attribute was at 60 points! A Tier 3 Origin Warrior was required to have that level of strength! Yet Barbara, a Tier 2 Barbarian, had actually managed to push him back?! Instead of being frustrated, Vincent felt a grin stretch across his face. His battle-hungry nature was flaring up again. Without hesitation, he deactivated the Impervious Silver Armor''s effect. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire "You want a fight? I''ll give you a fight." Barbara didn''t even notice the subtle shift in his expression. She simply roared and lunged at him with all her might. "Kill! Kill!" Seeing this, Vincent abandoned the thought of blocking. He adjusted his stance, raising his fists in a boxer''s posture before throwing a punch to meet her incoming strike. Bang! Barbara let out a guttural growl of pain, but her frenzied mind didn''t register it. She immediately launched another punch. Vincent responded in kind. Bang! "Graaa!" Their blows clashed, sending violent gusts rippling through the air. Every time their fists connected, shockwaves burst outward, stirring dust and rattling the spectators below. "Barbara¡­" The onlookers could only whisper her name in worry. She was the strongest among them. If even she couldn''t hold her ground, what could they possibly do? "What are we doing?! Why are we just standing here? Leader Aldo! We have to help Barbara! We can''t just watch and do nothing!" Someone in the crowd shouted. Aldo turned to the gathered warriors. Their faces, though filled with fear, also held a fierce determination. Even Four-Eyes Warren, nodded in agreement. Aldo felt torn. He had only taken this job because Lizno promised him good pay in exchange for leading a small group. He wasn''t paid to risk his life. Yet, looking at his people¡ªpeople who still dared to fight despite their fear¡ªsomething stirred inside him. Damn it. He clenched his fists before finally cursing under his breath. "Fine! We''re helping Barbara! But listen up¡ªonce you die, you can''t return to the Origin World!" "Yes, Leader!" "Alright! Warren, take those with ranged abilities and support from the back! The rest of you, with me! We''re backing Barbara up!" "Yes, Leader!" Just as they were about to charge¡ª Thud, thud, thud¡ª The sound of rapid footsteps approached from behind. A familiar voice rang out¡ª "What the hell is happening here?!" Aldo and the others turned. "Sir Lizno!" Lizno had arrived, accompanied by a hooded figure and the hyena-faced subordinate who had reported to him earlier. His eyes widened in shock at the chaotic scene before him. Aldo immediately rushed to his side. "Sir Lizno, you''re here!" Lizno''s gaze remained fixed on the two figures battling in the sky. "Aldo, what''s going on?!" "Sir, those people barged in and demanded that you welcome someone!" Lizno''s expression twisted in confusion. "Welcome someone? Who?!" Aldo shook his head. "That''s what we''ve been wondering! He kept saying you should welcome him, but he never gave his name! Barbara got pissed and started fighting him!" Lizno''s furrowed brow shifted from curiosity to something more complex. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. Two figures were still trading blows, but this time, Lizno recognized one of them. His face drained of color. "Oh, I''m fucked." His heartbeat quickened. He had to stop her. But before he could move¡ª "GRAAAH!" Barbara''s pained scream pierced the air as her body was violently blasted backward. She crashed into the ground right in front of Lizno. "Barbara!" The crowd rushed toward her, their faces filled with concern. "Barbara! Are you okay?!" But Barbara could no longer answer. She had lost consciousness. The moment they realized it, anger surged within them. Their eyes snapped toward Vincent, who was still floating above them, looking down with an indifferent gaze. "Bastard! Come down here so we can kill you!" "Sir Lizno, let''s kill that guy! Show him your strength! We have to avenge Barbara!" However, Lizno''s face had turned pale. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Then¡ª A voice echoed from above, carrying an unmistakable weight of authority. "Oh? You''re going to kill me? Is that right, Lizno? Why don''t you show me your strength? Come on." Lizno''s lips twitched. His heart nearly stopped. H-Haha¡­ No, no. I wouldn''t dare." His response shocked Aldo and the others. "What are you saying, Sir Lizno?! You''re just going to let that bast¡ª" Thud! Before the man could finish, Lizno appeared in front of him in a blur and delivered a swift chop to his neck, knocking him unconscious. Everyone froze. Then, to their absolute shock, Lizno took a step forward and half-knelt. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His voice was solemn, filled with respect. "Forgive me for being late. Welcome back, Young Master." ¡­What?! Young Master?! The crowd stood frozen in disbelief. They had been fighting Sir Lizno''s Young Master?! At that moment, Vincent and Clauny leaped down from the Crimson-Winged Condor, landing gracefully before Lizno. Vincent observed Lizno for a moment before shifting his attention to the stunned crowd. A subtle smile played on his lips. Then, he returned his gaze to Lizno. "Stand." With just a single word, Lizno immediately obeyed. As the two now stood eye to eye, Lizno swallowed hard. He was worried. He had just received word that Vincent was returning. But he hadn''t expected him to arrive this soon. Seeing his apprehensive expression, Vincent smirked slightly and patted him on the shoulder. "Relax. I was only gone for a few days, and you''re already acting like a scaredy-cat?" He squeezed Lizno''s shoulder playfully. "Hmm. Nice. You look good in your armor." Lizno straightened his posture. "It''s all thanks to you, Young Master." Vincent waved his hand dismissively. "Forget about that. Why don''t you introduce me to the people behind you?" Lizno turned around to face the still-stunned crowd. "Young Master, these are¡­" Chapter 182 The Situation "Relax. I was only gone for a few days, and you''re already acting like a scaredy-cat?" Vincent teased, his voice light but laced with amusement.He squeezed Lizno''s shoulder playfully, his fingers pressing into the hard surface of the armor. "Hmm. Nice. You look good in your armor." Lizno straightened his posture, his expression a mix of pride and gratitude. "It''s all thanks to you, Young Master." Vincent waved his hand dismissively, his tone casual yet commanding. "Forget about that. Why don''t you introduce me to the people behind you?" Lizno turned around to face the still-stunned crowd, his movements deliberate and confident. "Young Master, these are¡­" ¡ª¡ª¡ª In Vincent''s office, the atmosphere was calm but charged with purpose. Vincent sat on the edge of his office table, where Mochi lay curled up, sleeping soundly. Lizno stood in front of him, his gaze occasionally flickering to Clauny, who sat quietly on the couch to the side. While gently caressing the sleeping Mochi, Vincent broke the silence. "How''s the progress?" Lizno''s voice was steady as he replied, "Reporting, everything''s going well according to your plan. I have already made initial preparations. As of now, the guild has over a hundred members¡­" At the mention of this, Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued. "On that note, what did you name the guild?" Lizno hesitated, his voice slow and measured. "About that¡­ I haven''t given the guild a name. I was waiting for the Young Master to decide." Lizno looked at him with anticipation, his expression earnest. Vincent subtly nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he pondered. Hmm¡­ name, shadow? It sounds so cringe¡­ darkness? Sigh¡­ I''m so useless when it comes to thinking of a name¡­ Just as he was grumbling internally, a soft, childlike voice cut through his thoughts. "Umbra!" Vincent''s eyes flicked to Mochi, who was still asleep on the table. "Umbra¡­" he muttered, testing the word on his tongue. He liked it. Umbra had depth and meaning. In astronomy, the umbra was the innermost and darkest part of a shadow. There were other interpretations, but they all revolved around darkness and shadow. It also aligned perfectly with his alias, Shroud. When he muttered the name, Lizno naturally heard it and immediately recognized its significance. "Umbra. That''s a good name, Young Master! From now on, I''ll be a member of the Umbra Guild!" "No¡ª" Vincent started to say, wanting to clarify that he hadn''t fully decided yet. But seeing Lizno''s enthusiasm, he simply shook his head and kept his mouth shut. "Forget about that. Tell me the situation within the Novice Sanctuary while I was gone¡­" Vincent''s tone shifted, his curiosity now focused on the broader events that had unfolded in his absence. He was particularly interested in the Blackthorn Clan''s actions. Since he had suddenly disappeared from their sight, he expected they might have taken extreme measures. "Right, I was about to tell you, Young Master¡­ but I''ve been busy recruiting guild members," Lizno admitted, his tone apologetic. Lizno then proceeded to report all the events that had transpired in the Novice Sanctuary during Vincent''s absence. Vincent''s expression darkened as he listened. In summary, aside from the continuous appearance of newly spawned labyrinths, there had also been a significant increase in breakout reports. Additionally, the Blackthorn Clan and the Lionfang Clan had escalated their conflict into an all-out war, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. And lastly, the Blackthorn Clan was no longer hiding their pursuit of Vincent. They had even put a bounty on his head¡ªa mere 50,000 Origin Crystals. Vincent couldn''t help but frown at the last detail. He wasn''t upset that they had put a bounty on him, but the amount was insulting. Am I only worth 50,000 Origin Crystals?! I''ll soon show them how much I''m truly worth! With that thought burning in his mind, Vincent turned his attention to more practical matters. "How''s the fund? Do you still have enough?" Lizno hesitated, his silence speaking volumes before he awkwardly shook his head. "I apologize, Young Master. I''ve already used all the funds you gave me last time for recruitment¡­" Vincent waved off the apology, his tone reassuring. "It''s alright. You have nothing to apologize for. Don''t worry about the funds. I''ll take care of it soon." He wasn''t overly concerned about resources, as he had already struck a deal with Valyn. He just needed to wait for her to fulfill her end of the bargain. However, this didn''t mean he was idle. On the contrary, he had more to do than ever. Now that he had started a guild, he had to ensure its growth and support its members. But for the moment, he set those thoughts aside. His attention shifted to Clauny, who had been silently observing their conversation. "Clauny, this is Lizno. You''ll be working together from now on. Lizno, fill her in on the guild''s situation. She''s a healer with strong support abilities¡ªa valuable asset to the guild. Clauny, if you decide on what you want to do, just let Lizno know." Lizno nodded at Clauny, who returned the gesture with a polite nod of her own. Vincent then shifted the topic, his tone casual but probing. "About that barbarian girl¡ªhow''s her condition?" Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire "Oh, Barbara? You have nothing to worry about, Young Master. She''ll be in perfect condition in no time. That girl is tenacious. I met her when she was still at the Peak of Tier 1¡­" Lizno''s voice carried a hint of admiration as he recounted the story. At the time, Lizno had witnessed Barbara single-handedly defeat a group of Tier 2 Origin Warriors using nothing but her physical strength. Initially, he thought she would decline his invitation to join the guild, but she had surprised him. She was simple-minded, her only request being three meals a day. "Do you know her origin?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued. Lizno shook his head. "Forgive me, Young Master. All I know is that she''s from a tribe called Fist. But I haven''t been able to find any information about the Fist Tribe." Vincent fell silent, lost in thought. Barbara''s identity was a mystery, and mysteries always intrigued him. "Is there anything else important I should know?" Vincent asked, his tone shifting back to business. "There''s also someone you might find interesting, Young Master¡­ but that person isn''t here at the moment," Lizno replied. Vincent nodded in understanding, not pressing further. "Is there anything else?" Vincent asked, his tone indicating that the meeting was nearing its end. "No, that would be all, Young Master," Lizno replied respectfully. Vincent nodded. "Alright. Lizno, take Clauny with you and explain everything she needs to know." "Understood, Young Master," Lizno said before turning to Clauny. "Miss Clauny¡­" Clauny quickly waved her hand, her voice soft but firm. "No-no, just Clauny is enough." Lizno glanced at Vincent, as if seeking permission. Vincent simply nodded, his expression conveying that he trusted Clauny''s judgment. Lizno then nodded. "Alright. Clauny, please follow me." As they left the office, Clauny paused at the door and turned to Vincent. Without a word, she mouthed a silent "thank you" before following Lizno out. Vincent watched them go, a small smile playing on his lips. But as soon as the door closed, his expression hardened. "Grarik¡­ you want me dead that badly? Keep dreaming. That day will never come!" He pushed the thought aside and pulled out a pen and paper. It was time to organize his plans. He had laid the foundation; now, he needed to build his guild into the strongest force on the Novice Continent. Meanwhile, in the Blackthorn Clan''s territory, Garik sat on a throne made of purple crystal, his expression cold and unreadable. Below him, a thrygian knelt, trembling slightly under Garik''s piercing gaze. "What is it?" Garik''s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. The thrygian immediately replied, his voice shaky. "Reporting to Young Master, we''ve found traces of the human, Vincent." Garik''s purple brows rose, his nonchalant demeanor replaced by a flicker of fury. "You''ve found him? Where is he?!" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "One of our scouts stationed outside the Novice Sanctuary saw Vincent arrive with a human girl," the thrygian explained. Garik''s face contorted with anger. "I''m not talking about that! I''m asking why you didn''t bring him here!" The thrygian stammered, "I-I apologize, Young Master. The scout who reported this didn''t take any action. He immediately left to inform you of Vincent''s return." Garik''s rage boiled over. "Are you all fucking stupid?! I told you to bring him here, not to stalk him! Is the clan wasting its resources on incompetents like you?!" The thrygian lowered his head, his nervousness palpable. "What are you still doing here? Get out! Don''t come back until you bring Vincent to me!" Garik roared. The thrygian scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply. "Yes, Young Master!" He then hurried out of the room, leaving Garik alone with his thoughts. Garik''s expression was icy, his voice a low growl. "Vincent¡­ you''ve finally shown yourself. Don''t think I''ve forgotten about you." Chapter 183 Meeting (1) No. 3 Novice Sanctuary.After organizing his plans, Vincent returned to Novice Sanctuary with Goldie. He was wearing his usual ''Shroud'' outfit, complete with his Shifting Visage Mask, which was set as a plain emerald mask. His goal was to meet someone he had been supposed to meet before Valyn brought him to the Tower of Fundamentals. Novice Center. It was 12 noon, and the Novice Center was relatively empty, with only a few people inside. Vincent approached one of the staff members at the counter, a female Almaurian. Before he could even speak, she softly exclaimed, "Mr. Shroud!" Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Do you know me?" The staff member quickly composed herself. "Oh, excuse my reaction. We were told to inform you that Vice Leader Maggie wanted to have a meeting with you." Ah, yes. Vincent was supposed to meet with Maggie after the Howling Spire event. However, he had left for a few days due to his training and hadn''t been able to inform her. His primary reason for visiting the Novice Center was to ask her about how she controlled her Primal Energy. Vincent nodded. "Where is she?" The staff member hesitated. "Unfortunately, Vice Leader Maggie isn''t here at the moment. She left for a mission. If you''d like, I can let her know and set up a meeting appointment." "When will she return?" "I apologize, but I''m not certain. It could be later today or tomorrow at the latest." Vincent considered this for a moment. "Then just tell her to contact me when she returns. She has my contact." The female staff nodded in understanding. "I understand. Is there anything else I can help you with?" Vincent thought for a moment. "Hmm... How''s the situation with the outbreaks? How many new labyrinths have appeared around the Sanctuary?" The staff member replied cautiously, "All I can give you is general public information. Is that alright with you?" Vincent simply nodded. "As per recent reports, there have been at least four more labyrinths that have experienced outbreaks since the issue with the Howling Spire Labyrinth. Fortunately, many active Origin Warriors have been on the lookout and have managed to prevent the outbreaks from causing further damage." She continued, "Regarding newly spawned labyrinths, there have been five reported. Three of them are Tier 1 labyrinths, one is Tier 2, and one is Tier 3." Vincent''s interest piqued at the mention of a Tier 3 labyrinth. "Hmm, Tier 3? Where is it?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s 200 kilometers southeast of the Sanctuary, near the Blackthorn Clan Territory and the Green Sharp-eared Guild Territory." Vincent frowned at the mention of the Blackthorn Clan. He wasn''t familiar with the Green Sharp-eared Guild, but the Blackthorn Clan was another matter entirely. "It seems like heaven wants us to meet," he thought, though he set the thought aside for now. They would meet at the right time. For now, he had more pressing matters to focus on. "Alright. Thank you for the information." Just as Vincent was about to leave, a familiar voice called out from behind. "Yo! I haven''t seen you in a while." Vincent turned to see the always carefree blonde-haired young master of the Lionfang Clan, Caelius. He was surprised to see Caelius, especially since he had heard that the Lionfang Clan was in a full-blown war with the Blackthorn Clan. He had expected Caelius to be busy with the conflict, but the young master seemed as carefree as ever. However, when Caelius met Vincent''s gaze, he was momentarily stunned. He felt as if a powerful creature was staring him down. The sensation was so intense that he nervously looked around, but he couldn''t find the source of the pressure. "What was that?!" he thought, furrowing his brows. The feeling was so strange¡ªhe felt as if any sudden move could result in his death. The chill on his spine lingered even after he shifted his attention back to Vincent. Vincent, unaware of the effect his gaze had on Caelius, simply nodded. "It''s been a while." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire Curious, Vincent asked, "How come you still have time to roam around? Aren''t you afraid that Grarik will send another assassin after you?" Caelius chuckled. "That big fool won''t have the guts to do it. He must be dying to see me die by his own hands. He wouldn''t let anyone else get the chance to kill me." Vincent was confused. "Hmm. What did you do?" Caelius waved his hand dismissively. "Haha. Forget about it. My mind has been filled with fighting these days. I want to relax for now. Forget about me¡ªhow about you? Where have you been? Did Grarik send people after you?" Before Vincent could answer, Caelius continued, "Hold on to that. Have you had lunch yet?" Vincent shook his head. "No." "Then, let''s talk over lunch." Caelius hooked his arm around Vincent''s shoulder. "Come on, I''ll take you somewhere good." Vincent could only agree and followed him. Novice Sanctuary ¨C Inner District. It was Vincent''s first time entering the Inner District of Novice Sanctuary. The area wasn''t drastically different from the Outer District, though the presence of Tier 2 Origin Warriors was more apparent. Caelius led him to a four-story building called Warrior Cuisine. The structure was a blend of medieval and modern architectural styles, giving it a unique charm. As they opened the door, a bell rang, signaling their arrival. The first floor had a few tables and seats near the bar. Despite the time, there were only a few customers. Vincent wondered why the place wasn''t busier but decided not to voice his thoughts. A middle-aged man of the human race noticed them as they entered. Vincent was surprised to see someone from the human race in the Inner District, as it was rare to encounter human Origin Warriors in No. 3 Novice Sanctuary. "Oh, Young Master Caelius, you''re here... and you''ve brought a friend, perhaps?" the man greeted. Caelius glanced at Vincent, wisely choosing not to reveal his identity without permission. "This is¡­" "...Shroud," Vincent answered. Although he trusted Caelius to some extent, he was still cautious about revealing his real name to others. The bartender, Old Fang, didn''t press further about Vincent''s identity and simply nodded in understanding. "So, it''s Young Master Shroud." Caelius then asked, "Is Young Master Kryx here?" Old Fang shook his head. "Apologies, Young Master Kryx is currently outside. He will be back later tonight." "Oh, it''s alright¡­" Caelius stood up and glanced at the other customers, who were sneakily glancing in their direction. "Old Fang, I''ll be at my usual spot. Bring me whatever is on the menu today." "Understood, Young Master Caelius. I''ll be there in a minute." "Alright. Let''s go." Caelius led Vincent to the third floor, where they waited for a short moment before Old Fang arrived with several dishes. The delicious aroma filled the room, and Vincent couldn''t help but drool. He recognized the scent immediately¡ªit was fried Horned-Rabbit! The last time he had tasted it was during his training with Special Instructor Arthur. He had missed it dearly. Vincent was surprised to see the dish here. "How?" he wondered. He had defeated many primals, but none of them had dropped any meat. Most of the drops were items and materials. Caelius chuckled at Vincent''s reaction. "Are you surprised?" he asked. Vincent nodded. Although he had eaten meals at the Novice Lounge Inn, the food there was mostly vegetable soup and bread. "Do primals drop meat and edible parts?" Vincent asked. Caelius nodded as he picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit on a stick. "That''s right. Primals do drop meat. However, the chance is only 0.01%..." Chapter 184 Meeting (2) "Is Young Master Kryx here?" Caelius asked as he settled into his seat.The bartender, Old Fang, shook his head. "Apologies, Young Master Kryx is currently outside. He will be back later tonight." Caelius shrugged. "Oh, it''s alright¡­" He stood up and glanced at the other customers, who were sneakily glancing in their direction. "Old Fang, I''ll be at my usual spot. Bring me whatever is on the menu today." Old Fang nodded. "Understood, Young Master Caelius. I''ll be there in a minute." "Alright. Let''s go." Caelius led Vincent to the third floor, where they waited for a short moment before Old Fang arrived with several dishes. The delicious aroma filled the room, and Vincent couldn''t help but drool. He recognized the scent immediately¡ªit was fried Horned-Rabbit! The last time he had tasted it was during his training with Special Instructor Arthur. He had missed it dearly. Vincent was surprised to see the dish here. "How?" he wondered. He had defeated many primals, but none of them had dropped any meat. Most of the drops were items and materials. Caelius chuckled at Vincent''s reaction. "Are you surprised?" he asked. Vincent nodded. Although he had eaten meals at the Novice Lounge Inn, the food there was mostly vegetable soup and bread. "Do primals drop meat and edible parts?" Vincent asked. Caelius nodded as he picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit on a stick. "That''s right. Primals do drop meat. However, the chance is only 0.01%..." Vincent''s eyes widened. "0.01%?!" Caelius took a big bite, savoring the flavor. "Yep. It''s that rare." Vincent was shocked. The meat was that rare?! He then got curious. "Then, how come there''s a lot of meat here?" Caelius casually answered after another bite of another dish on the table. "The owner of this restaurant has a rare talent that can extract meat from primals'' corpses. The owner''s talent isn''t actually that rare. The difference is in the quality of the extracted meat." "Hmm¡­ Quality?" Vincent wondered. Caelius grinned. "Take a bite, and you''ll understand." Filled with curiosity, Vincent picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit that was glazed with a special honey-like syrup. Anticipating the taste, he took a huge bite. As soon as the meat melted in his mouth, he heard a system notification. !! [You have received a temporary boost! The Fury of a Poor Rabbit!] The Fury of a Poor Rabbit! Effect: +5% Attack Speed Duration: 30 minutes Vincent was surprised. A 30-minute buff period! He hadn''t expected that even a meal could provide a buff in the Origin World. This realization sparked a new determination in him¡ªhe needed to recruit someone with a similar skill or talent for his guild. Who knows? Maybe he could discover a good buff that could be useful in a special situation. However, he set the thought aside for now and tried out the other dishes on the table. As someone who enjoyed cooking, Vincent naturally enjoyed eating delicious food as well. The two continued eating in silence for a while, savoring the flavors. Later, after satisfying their cravings, Caelius brought up the topic Vincent had been avoiding. "So, where have you been these days? Wasn''t the Big Fool after your head?" Caelius asked, referring to Grarik of the Blackthorn Clan. Vincent sighed and briefly recounted the failed assassination attempt by the Hyena Gang and his visit to Freedom Swift City. He kept the details vague, not wanting to reveal too much. Caelius raised an eyebrow. "Oh, the Hyena Gang... aren''t they a small group of Tier 2 Yeenlings? How did you even survive an assassination attempt by a group of Tier 2 Origin Warriors?" Vincent simply smiled but didn''t answer. Caelius, being smart, knew when not to press further. Vincent then changed the subject. "Forget about me. I''ve heard your family has been in a fierce confrontation against the Blackthorns... How''s your situation?" Caelius'' expression subtly darkened at the mention of the Blackthorn Clan. After letting out a deep sigh, he replied, "Don''t worry about it. We are the Lionfang Family. It won''t be easy for the Blackthorns to defeat us overnight..." Although Caelius answered in a casual and carefree tone, Vincent could sense that the situation wasn''t in the Lionfang''s favor. Unbeknownst to Vincent, Caelius'' situation was indeed dire. The Lionfang Family''s main territory was in the North Novice Sanctuary, while their presence in the South Novice Sanctuary was only a subsidiary. They had only a few thousand members here, unlike the Blackthorn Clan, whose main territory was close to the South Novice Sanctuary. Caelius mumbled to himself, "Sigh... if everyone of us could just have rare or even uncommon skills, it would boost my territory''s overall strength..." Vincent, with his heightened perception, heard the mumble clearly. "What do you need the uncommon skills for?" he asked. Caelius raised an eyebrow and answered without thinking, "If I could arm my clan members with uncommon-grade fireballs or any offensive skills of the same level, we could raid dungeons and increase their levels quickly. Then we could beat the Blackthorns'' dogs¡­" Vincent fell into deep thought. After a while, he looked at Caelius and said, "What if I can help you with that?" Caelius chuckled, thinking Vincent was just trying to comfort him. "Haha, don''t worry about it. I appreciate the thought, but I''ll be needing a few thousand of them¡­" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent ignored Caelius'' response and activated his talent. He had learned that he could target an item even without taking it out, as long as it was within his storage ring. Target Item: Fireball (Uncommon) [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Uncommon)] 200,000 Experience Points = x5 1,000,000 Experience Points = x50 2,000,000 Experience Points = x500 Without further hesitation, Vincent chose the last option. [You have used 2,000,000 experience points!] Soon, 500 replicated Fireball skill books appeared in one of his storage rings. Without a word, he waved his hand, and a small pile of green books materialized in front of them, surprising Caelius. Caelius was still processing what had just happened when Vincent said, "This is the first batch of uncommon-grade Fireball skill books. It''s exactly 500. How many do you need? I can send the rest later." Chapter 185 Returning a Favor (1) Soon, 500 replicated Fireball skill books appeared in one of his storage rings. Without a word, Vincent waved his hand, and a small pile of green books materialized in front of Caelius, surprising him.Caelius was still processing what had just happened when Vincent said, "This is the first batch of uncommon-grade Fireball skill books. It''s exactly 500. How many do you need? I can send the rest later." "What¡ªHow¡ªwhere did you get all of these?" Caelius couldn''t mask his bafflement. Although they were only uncommon-grade skill books, the amount was still huge, and no normal individual could afford such a large quantity. Vincent subtly smiled at Caelius''s reaction; it was the first time he had seen this kind of reaction from the carefree young master. He replied, "It doesn''t matter where I got these. You just need to tell me how many you need." The reason he decided to help Caelius was simple: aside from the basic reason of helping the enemy of his enemy, it was perfect timing to strike a deal with the Lionfang family, as he also needed immediate funds to support his guild. However, the main reason he decided to help Caelius was to return a favor. This carefree young master had never hesitated or asked for anything in return after helping him. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Caelius''s gaze lingered on Vincent for a while, and no one knew what was running through his mind. After a moment of silence, Caelius replied with a serious expression, "I understand. If you could provide me with five thousand of these, I would take it as a huge favor¡ª" Before Caelius could complete his words, Vincent interrupted him. "Spare me those words... Aren''t we friends?" he asked, looking at Caelius through the corner of his eyes. Caelius was stunned by Vincent''s words. After a short silence, Caelius started chuckling. "Haha, right... Right, friends..." He didn''t expect to hear that word from the usual cold and aloof Vincent. "Since we''re friends, of course, I cannot take advantage of our friendship. I''ll buy these skill books for 10% higher than the market price, and the rest that you will send later." Caelius offered. "No, market price¡ª" Seeing that Vincent was about to decline his offer, Caelius immediately interrupted him. "Don''t decline my offer. We, the Lionfangs, can still afford this amount." Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire Seeing that Caelius was determined, Vincent could only nod when he suddenly had a thought. "How about this: instead of buying it for 10% higher, buy it for the market price, and send me at least 10 different kinds of skill books. It doesn''t matter what type of skill or grade. I just need them to be different from one another." Hearing his request, Caelius only wondered for a second before nodding in agreement. "In that case, the current market price for uncommon-grade skill books is 2,000 Origin Crystals... so for this batch, it will be a total of 1,000,000 Origin Crystals..." Vincent wasn''t surprised to hear that, as he already knew that skill books were expensive. "Unfortunately, I don''t have that kind of amount..." Caelius muttered. "It''s alright; you can take these first. Just give it to me when I send the rest," Vincent replied. Caelius then looked at him as though he misunderstood his words. "I don''t mean it like that. I don''t have low-grade Origin Crystals anymore, but medium-grade." Vincent was confused. "Medium-grade?" "Don''t tell me you also don''t know about it?" Caelius asked with a doubtful tone. How could he not know about other Origin Crystals when he could afford such a huge amount of skill books? However, Vincent nodded. Caelius wryly shook his head. "Apart from low-grade Origin Crystals, there are also medium and high-grade ones. To give you an idea, 1,000 low-grade Origin Crystals can be converted into a single medium-grade crystal, and 10,000 low-grade crystals are equivalent to one high-grade crystal." Vincent nodded, intrigued. "So, there''s actually a higher grade of Origin Crystals..." he thought. He wondered why he had never discovered different grades of Origin Crystals. Caelius noticed his confusion. "Are you wondering why you never encountered a higher-grade Origin Crystal?" Vincent simply nodded. "The truth is, you won''t find a single medium-grade or higher-grade Origin Crystal in the Novice Continent. The primals in the Novice Continent can only drop the lowest-grade crystals. Typically, you''ll find higher-grade ones on the higher continents," Caelius explained. "Higher Continents..." Vincent muttered to himself. Although he was curious about the higher continents, he didn''t ask Caelius about it, knowing it would take time before he could even ascend. After explaining, Caelius waved his hand, and a small pile of half-fist-sized colorful crystals appeared beside him. "There are a total of 1,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals. This is my payment for this batch. I''ll get someone to send you the skill books you''ve requested." Vincent could only wonder at the vast resources Caelius and the Lionfangs possessed. Although it was his first big transaction since becoming an Origin Warrior, he wasn''t thrilled as he had initially expected. Thus, without a word, he waved his hand and stored everything in his storage ring. In response, Caelius also put away the 500 skill books. "When can I expect the other batch?" Caelius asked. Vincent promptly replied, "I can send it to you before nightfall." "That fast?!" Caelius wasn''t expecting that. He thought it would take a few days or a week at most before Vincent sent another batch of skill books. Vincent simply smiled and didn''t explain himself. In fact, if he wasn''t trying to hide the ability of his talent, he could send the rest in a minute. But he didn''t do it. As much as he trusted Caelius, he was determined not to let anyone know the function of his SSS-rank talent. Additionally, he had no Tier 2 Experience Potion. Thus, before parting ways, they exchanged prismstone contacts. Vincent didn''t go back yet. Instead, he rode Goldie and flew toward the newly spawned Tier 2 Labyrinth. It was located to the south of the South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent soared through the sky on the back of his winged companion, Goldie, the landscape below them underwent a dramatic transformation. They had been flying over the rolling hills and lush grasslands of the southern plains for several minutes, but now the terrain was shifting to something entirely new. The grasses grew shorter and more sparse, giving way to exposed limestone bedrock that stretched out like a vast, weathered expanse. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, but beneath that lay a hint of something sharper, something acidic. "Goldie, take us lower," Vincent called out, his voice carrying over the wind. Chapter 186 Returning a Favor (2) Vincent didn''t go back yet. Instead, he rode Goldie and flew toward the newly spawned Tier 2 Labyrinth.It was located to the south of the South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent soared through the sky on the back of his winged companion, Goldie, the landscape below them underwent a dramatic transformation. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They had been flying over the rolling hills and lush grasslands of the southern plains for several minutes, but now the terrain was shifting to something entirely new. The grasses grew shorter and more sparse, giving way to exposed limestone bedrock that stretched out like a vast, weathered expanse. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, but beneath that lay a hint of something sharper, something acidic. "Goldie, take us lower," Vincent called out, his voice carrying over the wind. Goldie, sensing Vincent''s curiosity, banked and descended, her wings beating powerfully and slow. As they dropped, the details of the landscape grew clearer. Vincent saw the characteristic cracks and fissures of limestone pavement, the rocky outcrops worn smooth by the elements. They flew over a cluster of sinkholes, their edges rimmed with a tangle of vegetation. Water glinted in the depths of one, a tiny oasis in this dry, rocky landscape. Vincent spotted a few hardy trees clinging to the rocky soil, their branches twisted and gnarled. As they continued their journey, the karst landscape unfolded before them like a surreal tapestry. Towering rock formations rose from the ground, their faces weathered into fantastical shapes. Vincent spotted a cluster of caves, their entrances hidden behind a screen of foliage. And he immediately discerned several groups at the entrance. Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire They were obviously a group of Origin Warriors preparing to raid the new labyrinth. Therefore, he ordered Goldie to descend in the distance, far from anyone''s eyes. After hopping off Goldie''s back, he ordered, "Go somewhere don''t let anyone find you. I''ll be back soon." The Crimson-Winged Condor, Goldie, chirped before flying into the sky. He then walked towards the labyrinth''s entrance. As soon as he appeared, several eyes darted in his direction. Seeing him alone and wearing a mask, many had lost their interest; however, there were a few gazes that still lingered on him. In no time, a long-haired man wearing a full-white martial robe approached, his face hidden beneath a dragon-like mask. Despite this, Vincent could tell that the man was from the human race. His expectation was immediately confirmed as the man asked him, "You''re a human, right?" Vincent didn''t confirm but replied, "Why?" The man chuckled, "Haha. Don''t misunderstand. I don''t mean anything bad. I just wanna ask if you already have a party. We are actually in need of one more member. Would you like to join?" The man then looked at his three companions behind him, which Vincent quickly noticed. After a short consideration, Vincent nodded. "Sure." "Haha, that''s great. Come, I''ll introduce you to my companions. Sorry, I forgot to ask. What''s your name?" "Shroud," Vincent simply replied. "Nice to meet you. You can call me Martyn." Vincent accepted Martyn''s hand and shook it. Martyn''s companions were all male from the same race. They were all wearing white martial robes with a purple coiled serpent on the left side of their chest. After introducing him to his companions, they all queued and entered the new labyrinth. [Do you wanna enter the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth (Tier 2)?] [ 4 / 5 ] The others had already agreed, so he simply confirmed as well. As soon as he agreed, his vision blurred for a moment as his party disappeared from the entrance. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Slash! A sword energy flashed in the dimly lit space of the labyrinth''s interior as a purple blob creature was cut in half before falling to the ground, eventually collapsing into particles of digital light. Swish! Martyn waved the acid liquid from his sword before sheathing it back in its scabbard. It had been several minutes since they entered the labyrinth. The primal that Martyn had just killed was one of the labyrinth''s inhabitants, a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Acid Slime! Although it had acidic characteristics, its potency was not enough to melt an Armament. However, a normal-type weapon or items would definitely melt under its acidity. In just a few minutes, Vincent had already filled his experience bar and multiplied another batch of 500 fireball skill books. However, to him, it was still slow. Thus, he had been waiting for the right timing to leave the party and explore on his own. However, he was unable to do so as Martyn''s companions were so eager to keep him in the party. At this moment, Martyn''s companion, Rocky, suddenly yelped in pain when a bigger purple slime sprayed acid on his left leg. "Ah! Fuck! It got me!" Rocky exclaimed. Martyn immediately commanded, "Taki, Baro, take Rocky to the back! Shroud, follow me!" Taki and Baro swiftly followed Martyn''s command, and naturally, Vincent simply followed behind Martyn. Without a word, Martyn slashed towards the slime. However, the slime was actually so nimble and managed to avoid Martyn''s sword. And just as Vincent was about to follow up with a strike, Martyn suddenly turned around and slashed at him. Vincent''s eyes widened slightly, but he didn''t react and just let Martyn''s sword strike him. "Haha! Fool! You actually followed us without any question?! You have to be so stupid! You three, drop the act and kill this idiot!" The three behind Vincent also let out a malicious laugh as they brandished their weapons and slashed at him. Sword energies flew swiftly in his direction. Bang! Bang! Smoke and explosion occurred upon the impact as silence soon filled the air. "Haha. I didn''t expect to actually encounter such a stupid person in this world! He actually followed us inside without a word?" Rocky, who had acted earlier that he was injured, was grinning maliciously and completely fine! "Haha. Who cares about that! What''s important is we got a good catch. Just look at that guy''s armor. I believe it''s high quality. We could fetch it for a high price!" Taki commented. "Haha. My familiar is really a good prop! Martyn, did you make sure not to injure Blop?" Baro asked. "I''m not stupid," Martyn replied with a harrumph before continuing, "Go, check what that fool had dropped!" "Haha, you don''t have to say that! I''m on it!" Rocky replied as he excitedly ran towards the thick smoke. However, before he could even take another step, a red thin line appeared on his neck. "Huh?" Rocky exclaimed in his mind before he felt his vision lift and slowly turn upside down, seeing his companions who were supposed to be behind him. "R-Rocky!" Taki just exclaimed when a cold voice suddenly pierced through the air. "I was wondering why you were all so eager to keep me in the party... Sigh... Everywhere I go, I always encounter clich¨¦ people like you..." Soon, as the thick smoke faded away, Vincent''s unscathed appearance appeared in front of their eyes. Not even a small scratch was left on his armor. And after that, it was a simple massacre. Vincent didn''t waste any words and completely obliterated them from existence. Fortunately, it was a short trouble as he was able to peacefully farm experience points and complete the requested amount Caelius needed. After completing it, he no longer continued raiding the labyrinth. Apart from his goal being complete, Maggie had already contacted him and was asking to meet him. Therefore, he flew back after finding an exit point. Chapter 187 Meeting Maggie Again After completing his objective, Vincent no longer continued raiding the labyrinth. Apart from his goal being achieved, Maggie had already contacted him and requested a meeting.Therefore, he flew back after finding an exit point. --- It was already sunset when he returned to the South Novice Sanctuary. He didn''t head directly to the Novice Center. Instead, he contacted Caelius and informed him that the rest of the requested skill books were ready. Caelius was still unable to hide his shock when Vincent told him. Preparing everything before nightfall was already fast, but Vincent had managed to complete it before the sky even turned dark. After ending the call with Caelius, Vincent made his way to the Novice Center. As he entered, the same female staff member he had spoken to earlier greeted him and guided him to the second floor of the Novice Center. "Please, go in. Vice Leader Maggie is waiting inside," the female staff said. Vincent simply nodded and opened the door. The moment he stepped inside, the dusky light greeted him, peering through the glass window where the amber-haired Maggie Phire was seated. In front of her was a coffee table with ruby-red sofas on each side, along with a few pieces of furniture like shelves filled with books. "It''s been a while, Mr. Shroud," Maggie greeted as she gently gestured to the side, indicating for him to take a seat. "It''s been a while," Vincent replied with a nod after sitting down. Suddenly, Maggie stood up from her seat and walked in front of him, stopping beside the coffee table. He wondered what she was going to do when, to his surprise, Maggie half-knelt on the ground, placing her right hand on her chest and lowering her head. "First, I want to apologize for saying this late, but I''m very grateful for your help. Ever since you helped me and fed me that fruit, I''ve been slowly recovering my strength and lifespan," Maggie said seriously, her head still lowered. She continued, "I truly have no idea how I can repay you. So, if there''s something you have in mind, just tell me, and I''ll do everything within my power to repay you." "Hmm, I understand. Before that, stand up and take a seat," Vincent replied. He didn''t enjoy seeing a woman kneeling in front of him. Unless the person was an enemy, he would never show such a display of submission. Maggie sat back down on the opposite couch. Vincent carefully observed the beautiful Drakorii woman in front of him. Despite her gratitude, she always maintained a serious demeanor. "Is this the only reason you invited me for a meeting?" he asked. Maggie was about to nod but then replied, "To be honest, I have a question." "What is it?" Maggie looked directly into his eyes. "I want to know. Why did you help me? What do you want from me? What are your true intentions?" Vincent was slightly surprised. He hadn''t expected her to be so direct. Nevertheless, he didn''t find it strange. Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire Therefore, he replied honestly, "You could say I helped you because I''m curious about you." "About me?" Maggie asked, confused. "To be specific, I''m curious about your primal energy. I want to know how you were able to wield it last time when you were against the Howling Spire Lord without losing your awareness and sanity." As soon as Maggie heard his question, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her gaze hardened for a moment before softening again. "To be honest, I also don''t know how to answer your question. All I can tell you is about my boring life carrying this curse¡­" Maggie said, a hint of bitterness in her voice. Vincent simply listened to Maggie''s story. In summary, the ominous energy had been with her since birth. Her elders had no information about it and treated her as though she were cursed. Originally, the ominous energy did nothing to her aside from causing frequent sickness. However, everything changed when she awakened her origin energy. The ominous energy became aggressive. It started to alter her behavior in exchange for rapid strength. However, every time she used it, it consumed her lifespan. It came to a point where, to extend her lifespan, her grandmother gave her remaining lifespan to Maggie using a special ritual. Since then, she had barely used the energy, only activating it in situations where she had no other choice. The last time she used it against the Howling Spire Lord, she had accepted her fate. Fortunately, Vincent had appeared and not only saved her but also helped her recover some of her lifespan! It was a life-changing act of kindness. That''s why she was skeptical about Vincent''s true intentions. Vincent frowned when he heard her story. "Another dead end?" he thought, but then Maggie continued. "If you''re really curious about that ominous¡­ primal energy, I can ask my grandfather. He might have an idea¡­" Maggie guessed that her grandfather might have some knowledge about it since her grandmother, before passing away, had done something to prevent the primal energy from acting up on its own. Vincent could tell that Maggie truly had no idea about primal energy. He wasn''t an unreasonable person, so he simply nodded. "Is that all you wanted to know?" Maggie asked, feeling that her story wasn''t enough to repay him for his help. Hearing her, Vincent was reminded of something. "Right, how''s the investigation into the recent outbreaks?" The moment he asked her about it, Maggie turned serious before letting out a sigh. "It''s not that private. But there''s been a significant increase in labyrinths over the past two weeks. Furthermore, for some reason, the labyrinths'' bosses have gone missing, causing numerous outbreaks¡­ We still have no idea who or what is behind this¡­" Vincent subtly furrowed his brows. "Vash¡­" he muttered to himself. He had a feeling that Vash must be, or is somehow connected to, these events¡­ and perhaps the¡­ "Blackthorn¡­" he subconsciously muttered aloud. Maggie raised her eyebrows at the sudden mention of the Blackthorn Clan. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s wrong with the Blackthorns?" she questioned. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He considered whether he should tell her about the connection between the Blackthorn Clan and Vash, the possible mastermind behind the recent outbreaks. After a short consideration, he simply said, "Watch the Blackthorns'' movements¡­" "What do you mean?" Maggie was confused. However, Vincent didn''t explain himself. He just gave her another lead for investigation, as he was only making assumptions based on recent events. He didn''t care whether she followed his advice or not. After that, he left the Novice Center after a short farewell and met with Caelius at the North Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. Chapter 188 New Upgrade He had a feeling that Vash must be, or was somehow connected to, these events¡­ and perhaps the¡­"Blackthorn¡­" he subconsciously muttered aloud. Maggie raised her eyebrows at the sudden mention of the Blackthorn Clan. "What''s wrong with the Blackthorns?" she questioned. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He considered whether he should tell her about the connection between the Blackthorn Clan and Vash, the possible mastermind behind the recent outbreaks. After a short consideration, he simply said, "Watch the Blackthorns'' movements¡­" "What do you mean?" Maggie was confused. However, Vincent didn''t explain himself. He just gave her another lead for investigation, as he was only making assumptions based on recent events. He didn''t care whether she followed his advice or not. After that, he left the Novice Center after a short farewell and met with Caelius at the North Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. "Yo! Over here!" Caelius faintly waved his hand as he called out. He continued, "I didn''t expect to meet you again so soon. Where is it?" Although Caelius was usually carefree and nonchalant, he couldn''t mask his excitement. He was looking forward to receiving the rest of the skill books he had requested from Vincent. Vincent chuckled as he slightly raised his left hand, showing the storage rings on his fingers, indicating that the items he was seeking were within his storage ring. "There are 4,500 uncommon-grade skill books inside¡­" he said. Caelius couldn''t help but suck in a cold breath. "Geez¡­" He didn''t think Vincent was lying to him for a second, as Vincent had no reason to lie. "4,500¡­ in other words, 9,000,000 low-grade Origin Crystals or 9,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals." After muttering that, Caelius couldn''t help but smile wryly. "I just gave you 1,000 medium-grade earlier. Unfortunately, I don''t carry that huge amount with me. Can I deposit 5,000 for now? Don''t worry. I''ll pay you the rest as soon as possible." Vincent just smiled at him. "Don''t worry too much. Just take it." After that, Vincent transferred the 4,500 uncommon-grade skill books, and Caelius transferred him 5,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals. Once Caelius confirmed that he had received a total of 5,000 uncommon-grade skill books, he looked directly into Vincent''s purple eyes. "Thank you. I truly appreciate this help," Caelius said seriously. Vincent quickly interrupted, "Alright, alright, stop. You''re not treating me as a friend if you keep acting like that." Caelius was stunned. He could only shake his head with a wry smile. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire Then, after a nod, he simply said, "I understand. I won''t say anything. I''ll just give you Grarik''s head next time. Haha." Vincent could only laugh along with him. "Alright, I won''t take more of your time. I''m going." Caelius was already eager to return to his territory, as he wanted to quickly distribute these gifts to his clan members and prepare a plan to strike back against the Blackthorn Clan! However, just as he was about to leave, Vincent stopped him. "Hold on." "What''s wrong?" "Take these too¡­" After Vincent said that, he waved his hand, and books faintly shining with soft blue lights appeared in front of Caelius. "Wha¡ª" Caelius reflexively caught the falling books. Soon, ten books piled up in his arms. "What are these¡ª" Just as Caelius was about to ask, his eyes landed on the books in his arms, and they widened in recognition. "Rare-grade?!" He then looked at Vincent and asked, "Are you also selling me these?!" But Vincent shook his head. "No? Then why are you showing these to me?" Caelius was confused. If Vincent didn''t intend to sell them, why did he want him to take them? "Unless he wants me to take these for free?" he thought before laughing inwardly. Who would give ten rare-grade skill books for free? However, he was soon surprised to hear Vincent say, "Just a small gift. Take them with you." "Small gift?! These ten rare-grade skill books?!" Caelius exclaimed in his mind. "Are you really giving me these for free?! Who is the real young master between us? You or me?!" Naturally, it was all in his mind, and he didn''t say it aloud. He just asked, "Are you sure?" Vincent then teased, "Why? Is the Young Master of the prestigious Lionfang Clan not accepting low-grade gifts?" Hearing his words, Caelius hurriedly took the books and shamelessly said, "What are you saying? Who''s the Young Master? I''m nothing but a poor young man!" Vincent only chuckled at his act. "Alright, poor young man. Go ahead and give that Big Fool a surprise." "Haha. Wait for the good news!" The two then separated. Caelius went back to his territory, and Vincent flew with Goldie back to his own. As soon as he dismounted from Goldie, two guards greeted him. They were awkward for a moment but managed to say, "Welcome back, Guild Master!" They had already learned from Lizno that Vincent, or Shroud, was their Guild Leader. Vincent nodded at them and said, "Good work," before looking at the surroundings. Apart from the original Hyena Gang Manor, which was now his Manor, there were several wooden houses nearby. These were likely the guild members'' houses. There were also four watchtowers on the four corners of the guild territory. Although the walls were tall, they were made of earth, indicating that they had been constructed by an Origin Warrior with an earth-type ability. "I really have a lot of things to do¡­" he thought to himself before heading to his Manor. Inside his chamber, Vincent wondered for a moment as he didn''t find Mochi, but he set it aside for now and sat cross-legged on his bed. Currently, he had a total of 9 epic-grade skill books. This meant he could upgrade 3 epic-grade skills to Legendary-grade, as long as he had enough experience points. Fortunately, before leaving the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth, he had been able to fill his experience bar. Therefore, he had the chance to upgrade one epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. He had already decided which one he would upgrade. Thus, he retrieved 3 mental-type epic-grade skill books. And without hesitation¡­ [Would you like to upgrade Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)?] Yes! As soon as he agreed, a hot energy coursed from within his origin core and surged through every fiber of his body. A soft groan slipped out of his mouth. "Agh!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon, a golden bright light burst from his eyes and other orifices, lighting up his chamber. And when the light faded, he felt his mind become even clearer! Then, the system notification rang! [You have successfully upgraded Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic) to Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Legendary)] The name didn''t change? Chapter 189 Bringing Barbara and Warren (1) Apart from the original Hyena Gang Manor, which was now his Manor, there were several wooden houses nearby. These were likely the guild members'' houses.There were also four watchtowers on the four corners of the guild territory. Although the walls were tall, they were made of earth, indicating that they had been constructed by an Origin Warrior with an earth-type ability. "I really have a lot of things to do¡­" he thought to himself before heading to his Manor. Inside his chamber, Vincent wondered for a moment as he didn''t find Mochi, but he set it aside for now and sat cross-legged on his bed. Currently, he has a total of 9 epic-grade skill books. This meant he could upgrade 3 epic-grade skills to Legendary-grade, as long as he had enough experience points. Fortunately, before leaving the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth, he had been able to fill his experience bar. Vincent had already decided which skill he would upgrade. Without hesitation, he retrieved three mental-type epic-grade skill books. His focus was unwavering as he prepared to elevate his abilities to the next level. [Would you like to upgrade Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)?] "Yes!" Vincent confirmed without a second thought. As soon as he agreed, a searing energy surged from within his origin core, coursing through every fiber of his being. The sensation was overwhelming, and a soft groan escaped his lips. "Agh!" A brilliant golden light erupted from his eyes and other orifices, illuminating the entire chamber in a dazzling glow. When the light finally subsided, Vincent felt his mind sharpen, his thoughts becoming clearer than ever before. Then, the system notification chimed. [You have successfully upgraded Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic) to Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Legendary).] The name hadn''t changed, but the power within had grown exponentially. Name: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura Grade: Legendary Details: A high-grade mental energy from Yellow Heaven, allowing the user to wield Yellow Heaven Mental Power. Note: There are four levels of Mental Energy in the Origin World: Lowest, Low, Mid, and High Grade. Sub-Skills: [1] Mental Barrage Details: A cone-shaped mental energy attack that deals moderate damage to enemies, with damage increasing with each successful hit. Range: 150 meters. Effect: Deals high damage to enemies in a cone-shaped area, with the damage increasing with each successful hit. Cooldown: 5 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy [2] Mental Domination Details: Forces everyone within a 50-meter radius who are weaker than the user to obey. Higher resistance for targets of higher realms. Cooldown: 24 hours Cost: 1000 Origin Energy [3] Yellow Heaven Mental Shield (Passive) Details: Provides high resistance against lower-grade mental energy. "No way..." Vincent whispered, his breath catching in his throat. Despite the skill''s name remaining the same, the sub-skills had undergone a monumental transformation. The initial Psychic Volley, which originally had a 50-meter range, had evolved into Mental Barrage with a staggering 150-meter range! Additionally, a new passive skill, Yellow Heaven Mental Shield, had been added. However, the most shocking change was in Mental Domination. The time limit had been removed entirely, meaning any opponents he dominated would now be permanently loyal to him. The implications were staggering. Vincent couldn''t contain his joy. A manic laugh erupted from his lips as he reveled in the sheer power he now wielded. "Hahaha!" After a moment, he collapsed onto his bed, limbs sprawled wide, a satisfied smile plastered across his face. His mind wandered, reflecting on his journey. "I never thought I''d be in the same situation as the characters I used to read about in novels... From a mere white-collar worker to now... a guild leader." He let out a carefree sigh, his thoughts drifting to the future. He didn''t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: he would stop at nothing to become the greatest in everything. With renewed determination, Vincent clenched his left fist and vowed silently, "I will be the strongest!" Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into a deep sleep. --- The next morning, Vincent was abruptly awakened by a loud commotion outside his door. A familiar, fiery voice echoed through the hallway, arguing with the guards stationed outside. "Get out of my way! I want to talk to the guild master!" "No, you can''t. The Guild Master is resting. Please, come back later." "I''ll give you one last warning. Step aside." "We apologize, but we can''t¡ª" What''s happening? Vincent wondered, his thoughts still foggy from sleep. Before he could fully process the situation, a loud bang shattered the silence. "Aah¡ª!" "Ugh¡ª!" Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire The cries of pain were followed by the sound of his door being blasted open. Standing in the doorway was a towering, muscle-bound woman with tanned skin, wild fiery hair, and sharp ears. It was Barbara. She had just awakened after being knocked unconscious by Vincent during their previous encounter. Upon learning that the powerful Origin Warrior she had fought was none other than their guild master, she had rushed to confront him, her excitement palpable. "Guild Master!" Barbara bellowed, her voice booming through the room. Behind her, Warren, the green-haired man with a bowl haircut, hurriedly caught up, his face a mix of panic and embarrassment. "B-Barbara, let''s just visit lat¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes fell on Vincent, and he immediately lowered his head in respect. "G-Good morning, Guild Master." Vincent glanced at Warren before turning his attention to Barbara. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as he asked, "Why are you here?" "W-We just¡ª" Warren began, but Barbara cut him off. "Let''s have another fight, Guild Master!" she exclaimed, her fist clenched in anticipation. Vincent remained calm, his expression unreadable. He had expected this. Barbarians were known for their insatiable thirst for battle. There was even a legend that claimed a Barbarian would die if they went a single day without a fight. "You want to fight?" he questioned, his tone even. Barbara nodded vigorously, her excitement barely contained. "Of course! When do we fight?" "Wait for me outside. I''ll bring you somewhere," Vincent replied before shifting his gaze to Warren. "You can come too, if you want." "N-No, I''m go¡ª" Warren stammered, but before he could finish, Barbara hooked her arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. "Of course, four-eyes will come, right?" she said with a mischievous grin. Warren looked at her as though she were a demon threatening him into compliance. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Yes¡­" --- A short while later, Vincent arrived at the gate where Barbara and Warren were waiting. Barbara''s excitement was palpable as she approached him. "Guild Master! Are we going to fight now?!" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Vincent ignored her question and instead let out a sharp whistle. Moments later, a powerful gust of wind swept over them as a massive Crimson-Winged Condor descended from the sky. It was Goldie, Vincent''s trusted companion. After gently caressing Goldie''s feathers, Vincent leaped onto her back. Barbara and Warren exchanged confused glances, but Barbara, ever the fearless warrior, hopped on without hesitation. Warren, however, hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following suit. "Let''s go," Vincent said, patting Goldie''s neck. With a single powerful flap of her wings, they shot into the sky. As they soared above the clouds, Barbara couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Guild Master, are you really human?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent gave her a strange look. "Why? Do I not look human?" Barbara scrutinized him from head to toe, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You look human, sure. But where did you get your strength? When we fought, I was certain we were at the same level. How can a human have a stronger physique than a Barbarian?" Her confusion was genuine. It was common knowledge that humans were inferior to Barbarians in terms of physical strength. Yet, Vincent had proven otherwise. Vincent didn''t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Soon, they descended deep into the Verdant Wild Forest. Vincent scanned the area below before ordering Goldie to land. Once they touched down in a clearing, Vincent hopped off Goldie''s back. Barbara and Warren followed suit. "Guild Master, what are we doing here? There''s nothing here," Barbara commented, her eyes scanning the empty clearing. But just as she spoke, several small, dark figures emerged from the shadows, forming into bipedal rats. Vincent had summoned dozens of Umbral Rats. With a single thought, the rats scattered in different directions. "Guild Master, what are those rats?" Barbara asked, her curiosity piqued. Vincent didn''t look at her as he replied, "You said you wanted to fight, right?" Barbara nodded eagerly. "Then be prepared to fight," Vincent said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. Warren, who had been nervously observing their surroundings, noticed Vincent''s smile and felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Before long, the presence of approaching creatures became undeniable. "Something''s coming!" Warren exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic. "I know, four-eyes. I''m not blind," Barbara retorted, her grin widening. Soon, the Umbral Rats Vincent sent had returned, but they weren''t alone. Behind them were dozens of primal creatures of varying sizes and levels, their eyes glowing with ferocity. "Oh, we''re doomed!" Warren muttered, his face pale with fear. Meanwhile, Barbara''s grin only grew wider. "Stop being a coward! This is going to be fun!" Chapter 190 Bringing Barbara and Warren (2) Vincent didn''t look at her as he replied, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of challenge, "You said you wanted to fight, right?"Barbara nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Then be prepared to fight," Vincent said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, one that hinted at both danger and amusement. Warren, who had been nervously observing their surroundings, noticed Vincent''s smile and felt a sudden chill run down his spine. His instincts screamed that something was about to go terribly wrong. Before long, the presence of approaching creatures became undeniable. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble faintly, and the air grew thick with tension. "Something''s coming!" Warren exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic as he adjusted his glasses, his eyes darting around. "I know, four-eyes. I''m not blind," Barbara retorted, her grin widening as she cracked her knuckles, ready for action. Soon, the Umbral Rats Vincent had sent out returned, but they weren''t alone. Behind them were dozens of primal creatures of varying sizes and levels, their eyes glowing with ferocity, their growls echoing through the air like a chorus of impending doom. "Oh, we''re doomed!" Warren muttered, his face pale with fear as he took a step back, his staff trembling in his hands. Meanwhile, Barbara''s grin only grew wider, her excitement palpable. "Stop being a coward! This is going to be fun!" As soon as she said that, Vincent unsummoned the Umbral Rats. And when the target of the dozens of primals disappeared, countless crimson eyes glared in their direction, the creatures now fully focused on the trio. Different sounds of excited growls filled the air, a cacophony of hunger and aggression. Vincent remained stoic, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Barbara. "If any of these primals manage to touch a single hair on my body, you can forget having a rematch with me." He then turned his gaze to Warren, his tone equally stern. "You too. If you don''t do well, I will tie you together with Barbara for a month." Warren was dumbfounded, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Why also me?! I didn''t even come for a rematch?! Why am I also being punished?!" he cried in his mind, but he could only nod his head despite his internal turmoil. "Haha. I don''t think it''s a punishment for you, four-eyes," Barbara teased with a giggle, clearly enjoying Warren''s discomfort. "Damn, gorilla. You better kill all these dogs!" Warren retorted, his voice shaky but defiant. "What did you just call me?!" Barbara growled, her eyes narrowing dangerously. However, Warren simply ignored her as he fixed his glasses with his fingers, trying to maintain some semblance of composure. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire While Barbara was still glaring at Warren, seeking a response, a wolf-like primal with a horn on its head and gray fur suddenly pounced at her. It was a Tier 1(5¡ï) White-horned Wolf! And just when it was about to bite her, Barbara simply raised her left hand and grabbed its mouth, crushing it with a sickening crunch. The wolf yelped in pain, its body writhing before she tossed it aside like a ragdoll. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What did you call me, four-eyes?!" Her voice was cold, her glare piercing. However, Warren simply ignored her without a word¡ªbut only for a few seconds. Soon, he looked at her and mouthed, "Go-ri-Ila..." Boom! As soon as he did, a powerful aura burst out of Barbara, causing fierce winds that blasted several weaker incoming primals away! Despite the strong pressure Barbara was emitting, Warren stood his ground, releasing a similar pressure of Tier 2(1¡ï) level! Behind them, Vincent couldn''t help but exclaim amusedly, "Hoh... you two sure are compatible..." "What!" The two of them looked at him with furious expressions. However, he simply smiled at them, clearly enjoying the chaos. And with a simple "boo!" a powerful pressure sent the two of them to the middle of the dozens of primals! Roar! A huge dinosaur-like primal let out a deafening roar and dashed at them! It was a Tier 2(1¡ï) primal! "Fuck! Do it, Gorilla! I''ll support you, so you better do your job well!" Warren exclaimed, his voice rising above the chaos. "Goddamn, four-eyes! I''ll beat you after killing all these dogs!" Barbara retorted before shifting her attention to the incoming primals. "Haaa!" With a loud grunt, she hurled her fist forward. In the next second, a strong shockwave erupted, flying through a 15-meter distance, killing every primal in its path. Just as the shockwave disappeared, a jade horizontal crescent-shaped energy flashed, cutting through the air and killing every primal in its path. Barbara looked at the source of it. Naturally, it was from Warren, who was now holding an old-fashioned staff. Without even stopping, he waved his staff again, releasing sharp crescent energies! "I thought you liked fighting, Gorilla. Why are you just standing there?" Warren glanced and smirked at her before waving his staff in another direction, releasing a few more sharp crescent energies! Hearing his words, Barbara couldn''t help but laugh. "Haha. You want to play with me?" She paused, and her eyes suddenly turned cold. "I''ll play with you!" Boom! The ground caved in due to the impact of her pressure! Bam! The ground trembled faintly as the primals in front of her were blasted away, their cries of agony filling the air. In the distance, Vincent couldn''t help but faintly smile. In that short moment, Warren had made a quick decision. With his fear of receiving punishment and getting tied together with Barbara, he had intentionally angered her to ensure she would use all her strength to kill the incoming primals. And although Warren was also attacking on his own, he was actually more focused on supporting and buffing Barbara without her notice. Barbara was really like a gorilla, hurling her fists left and right, causing faint tremors and explosions with every strike. However, it seemed that they had forgotten their goal. They were too focused on killing the primals around them. When suddenly... a black shadow sneakily appeared behind Vincent. Needless to say, Vincent had already noticed it, but he didn''t react or move. He kept his eyes fixed on the front. Soon, the black shadow pounced and appeared behind him. It was a Tier 2(1¡ï) Carnivorous Cat! The moment it appeared, Vincent glanced at Warren and Barbara''s direction, and they were still unaware of his situation. Thus, he simply acted, "Nooo!" In that instance, Warren and Barbara snapped their attention toward him at the same time. Warren''s eyes widened while Barbara frowned. Barbara then looked at Warren, and Warren immediately understood without a word from her. He quickly pointed his oldwood staff and uttered, "Cover!" Clang! A transparent green barrier appeared behind Vincent, blocking the sharp claws of the Carnivorous Cat! Seeing its attack didn''t work, the Carnivorous Cat immediately retreated and hid in the crowd of primals. Barbara let out a sigh of relief when she saw Vincent was safe. She then glared at Warren, "What the hell are you doing, stupid four-eyes! You''re supposed to protect the guild master!" "Shut up, gorilla. Just do your job. Go fight!" "Ahhh! I will surely kill you after this!" Barbara exclaimed as she blasted the head of a dog-like primal. Boom! Bang! Awoo! Explosions and tremors occurred for a while, along with the cries of primals and an occasional ''oh-no'' script from Vincent. A few hours later, the surroundings finally regained their silence. Countless primal corpses littered the ground. "Huff... Huff..." "Ha¡­ Hah¡­" Barbara and Warren breathed heavily as they looked around them before collapsing on the ground. At the same time, particles of digital light bloomed out of the corpses, creating a beautiful scenery despite the massacre that had just occurred. "Haaa¡­ Finally~" Warren muttered as he panted, lying on his back. Not far from him was Barbara, kneeling on the ground, drenched with sweat, also panting. "Yeah, finally¡­ I can kill you now!" Chapter 191 An Accident Barbara let out a sigh of relief when she saw Vincent was safe. She then glared at Warren, "What the hell are you doing, stupid four-eyes! You''re supposed to protect the guild master!""Shut up, gorilla. Just do your job. Go fight!" "Ahhh! I will surely kill you after this!" Barbara exclaimed as she blasted the head of a dog-like primal. Boom! Bang! Awoo! Explosions and tremors occurred for a while, along with the cries of primals and an occasional ''oh-no'' script from Vincent. A few hours later, the surroundings finally regained their silence. Countless primal corpses littered the ground. "Huff... Huff..." "Ha¡­ Hah¡­" Barbara and Warren breathed heavily as they looked around them before collapsing on the ground. At the same time, particles of digital light bloomed out of the corpses, creating a beautiful scenery despite the massacre that had just occurred. "Haaa¡­ Finally~" Warren muttered as he panted, lying on his back. Not far from him was Barbara, kneeling on the ground, drenched with sweat, also panting. "Yeah, finally... I can kill you now!" "Huh?" Barbara dragged her exhausted body and lunged at Warren with a feral intensity. Caught off guard, Warren raised his trusty Oldwood Staff to defend himself, gritting his teeth as he braced for impact. "Fuck! You''re crazy!" Warren shouted, his voice tinged with both frustration and disbelief. "Crazy? Gorilla? Haha, that''s right, this CRAZY GORILLA WILL KILL YOU!" Barbara roared, her voice a mix of anger and wild determination. Just as Barbara''s fangs were about to sink into Warren, Vincent materialized beside them, his presence calm yet commanding. "That''s enough..." A faint wave of mental energy swept through the area, sapping their strength and forcing them to halt their struggle. Barbara''s arms trembled as exhaustion overwhelmed her. She lost her balance, and with her momentum still carrying her forward, she began to fall¡ªdirectly toward Warren''s face. Time seemed to slow as their eyes widened in shock. Both wanted to avoid the collision, but their bodies were too drained to react. Inevitably, Barbara''s face met Warren''s. No, to be precise, it was their lips that collided. Their eyes locked, wide with disbelief, as the world around them seemed to freeze. The unexpected intimacy left them both stunned, their minds scrambling to process what had just happened. Beside them, Vincent''s eyes also widened, his usually composed demeanor shattered by the sheer awkwardness of the situation. He had only intended to stop their bickering, not... this. Realizing his role in the mishap, Vincent cleared his throat awkwardly, turning his head to the side. "Well, that''s it for now. You two can take a rest," he said, his voice strained as he tried to maintain his composure. Without another word, he vanished, leaving the two alone in their stunned silence. Moments later, as they regained their senses, Warren and Barbara found the strength to stand, though they couldn''t bring themselves to look at each other. Despite her tanned skin, Barbara''s cheeks were flushed a deep red, her embarrassment impossible to hide. Warren, too, despite his Almaurian copper complexion, was visibly flustered, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. "I-I''m¡ª" Warren stammered, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. "A-Ah¡ª" Barbara began at the same time, her voice softer and more feminine than usual, a stark contrast to her usual rough, masculine tone. "You¡ª" they both started again, interrupting each other once more. Realizing the pattern, they fell into an awkward silence, each waiting for the other to speak first. But neither dared to break the tension. Instead, they slowly turned away, only to find themselves mirroring each other''s movements once again. This time, however, they didn''t overreact. Instead, they lowered their heads, their expressions a mix of hesitation and embarrassment. Finally, Warren gestured with his hand, signaling for Barbara to speak first. Barbara, still avoiding direct eye contact, fidgeted nervously. Her fingers traced the edge of her cheek as she spoke, her voice unusually gentle. "A-Ah, I want to apologize... I just got so pissed... If you just stopped calling me Gorilla, I wouldn''t have attacked you." Warren, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, shook his head. "N-No, it''s not your fault. I want to apologize too. I intentionally angered you so you''d focus on killing all the primals..." Silence fell once more as they both processed the weight of their words. After a moment, their eyes finally met, and a small, tentative smile formed on their lips. Despite Barbara towering over Warren by a head, the moment felt strangely tender, a rare glimpse of vulnerability between the two. The atmosphere, however, was soon shattered by a faint cough. "Ahem!" Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire Both Warren and Barbara jolted in surprise, their heads snapping toward the source of the sound. It was Vincent, their Guild Master, who had reappeared as quietly as he had left. "G-Guild Master?" Warren stammered, his voice betraying his lingering embarrassment. "Ahem. Did I perhaps disturb something?" Vincent asked, his tone teasing but his expression unreadable. "N-No!" Warren responded immediately, his voice a little too loud. "Ha-ha. Of course not!" Barbara laughed awkwardly, her usual bravado returning in an attempt to mask her discomfort. Vincent glanced at their flustered expressions, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "If you say so. Then, did both of you have a good rest?" The question caught them off guard. Rest? He had only been gone for a few minutes! Seeing their confused expressions, Vincent nodded as if everything was perfectly normal. "In that case, it''s time for round 2!" "Round 2?! W-Wait, Guild Master, we haven''t had enough rest yet!" Warren protested, his voice tinged with desperation. But Vincent simply smiled, his expression unyielding. With a flick of his finger, several umbral rats materialized and scurried into the distance, signaling the start of another grueling session. Warren''s face paled at the sight, while Barbara''s eyes lit up with anticipation. Despite her exhaustion, the thrill of battle still burned within her, ready to be unleashed once more. It just shows that no matter the situation, she was a barbarian. A being born to fight! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 192 Lead Them (1) Seeing their confused expressions, Vincent nodded as if everything was perfectly normal. "In that case, it''s time for round 2!""Round 2?! W-Wait, Guild Master, we haven''t had enough rest yet!" Warren protested, his voice tinged with desperation. But Vincent simply smiled, his expression unyielding. With a flick of his finger, several umbral rats materialized and scurried into the distance, signaling the start of another grueling session. Warren''s face paled at the sight, while Barbara''s eyes lit up with anticipation. Despite her exhaustion, the thrill of battle still burned within her, ready to be unleashed once more. The battle raged on for another hour before it finally came to an end. This time, even Barbara, the battle maniac, was left panting heavily, her limbs sprawled wide on the ground. Beside her lay Warren, his face planted firmly into the dirt. No one could tell if he was still breathing or if he had already passed out from exhaustion. Despite their condition, Vincent was pleased. He hadn''t brought them along without reason. Earlier, he had received a comprehensive report from Lizno detailing their strengths, abilities, weaknesses, and the circumstances under which Lizno had recruited them. Among the recruits, these two had stood out the most. Barbara had been an easy recruit, lured in by the promise of food. Warren, however, was different. Though it wasn''t immediately obvious, Lizno''s report had highlighted Warren''s unique support skill¡ªa random-effect ability. But that wasn''t the main draw. Warren possessed a special skill that could temporarily boost someone''s luck. When combined with his random-effect skill, it allowed the target to receive the effect they most needed in any given situation. Vincent was also intrigued by Warren''s background. It was common knowledge that Almaurians, with their copper-toned skin, were known for their robust physiques. Warren, however, was an exception. Despite his copper skin, he was frail¡ªeven more so than the average human. He had been sickly since childhood, a fact that had earned him ridicule and scorn. His fianc¨¦e had left him, and his family had disowned him, forcing him to fend for himself from a young age. At eighteen, Warren had awakened his talent, but his frail health persisted. Determined to improve his condition, he focused on mastering support skills. To Vincent, who hailed from modern Earth and had read countless novels, Warren''s story felt like a classic underdog tale. It was no wonder Vincent found himself drawn to Warren''s potential and eagerly anticipated his future growth. Vincent''s attention shifted to the battlefield, where an abundance of loot lay scattered across the ground. The sheer quantity was unlike anything he had ever seen from his own drops. He was certain this was the result of Warren''s special skill¡ªor perhaps the protagonist''s lady luck shining through. Approaching the two nearly lifeless bodies, Vincent tossed two pairs of red and white vials into the air. Before the potions could hit the ground, they hovered in place, their corks removed by an invisible force. Since upgrading his Yellow Heaven Mental Aura skill to legendary-grade, Vincent had gained the ability to manipulate objects with his mental energy. With a flick of his wrist, he turned Warren''s body and poured the potions into their mouths. The vials contained stamina and recovery potions. Throughout the battle, Vincent hadn''t been idle. He had occasionally stepped in to assist, but only enough to ensure they gained experience points. His storage rings were stocked with hundreds of such potions, along with a few rare-grade skill books he had upgraded and replicated. After consuming the potions, Barbara and Warren slowly regained their strength. However, instead of standing, they soon fainted after muttering, "Guild Master¡­" Vincent glanced at them for a moment before waving his hand, collecting all the loot scattered across the ground. Once everything was stored, he called out, "Goldie!" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From above, Goldie, the Crimson-Winged Condor, descended with a graceful chirp, lowering her head in submission. Using his mental energy, Vincent lifted Barbara and Warren and placed them onto Goldie''s back before leaping up himself. "Let''s go," he commanded, and with a powerful flap of her wings, Goldie shot into the sky. In Caelius Lionfang''s Territory, Caelius stood on an elevated platform, addressing his 1,500 clan members. The crowd before him buzzed with confusion, their eyes fixed on their leader. Behind Caelius stood the trio¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona. "I know you''re all wondering why I''ve called this meeting," Caelius began, his voice steady. "I understand your desire for revenge against the Blackthorn dogs for what they''ve done to our clan members. But I''m not blind to our current disadvantage. Our main territory is far, and reinforcements cannot reach us quickly." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "However, do not despair. I''ve called you here for a reason." With a wave of his hand, thousands of green skill books materialized and flew toward the crowd. "What are these?" someone asked, confusion evident in their voice. "Are you blind? These are uncommon-grade skill books," another retorted. "Do you think I''m stupid? Of course, I know that! What I meant was¡ª" Before the speaker could finish, Caelius''s voice cut through the air, resonating with authority. "These are my gifts to you. Learn them quickly. By lunch, we will raid the Blacktooth Labyrinth and give the Blackthorn dogs a surprise they won''t forget!" The crowd fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers and applause. "All hail the Young Master!" "You''re so generous, Young Master!" "You''re the best, Caelius!" "We''ll crush the Blackthorn dogs for you, Young Master!" As Caelius watched his clan members with a satisfied smile, the trio behind him exchanged shocked glances. Karl was utterly baffled. "Where did the Young Master get all those skill books? And they''re all uncommon-grade?!" Fiona was equally perplexed. "I have no idea. I thought he was going to announce a new battle plan. I never expected this¡­" Uncle Gold, however, remained silent, a warm smile on his face as he watched Caelius with pride. Meanwhile, Vincent had just arrived in the Umbra Guild Territory. As he dismounted from Goldie''s back, a familiar figure approached him. It was Clauny, and surprisingly, the missing Mochi was asleep on her shoulders. Vincent gave Mochi a curious look before turning to Clauny, who wore a concerned expression. "What happened to them?" she asked, gesturing to the unconscious Barbara and Warren floating behind Vincent. "Oh, nothing serious. They''re just exhausted. Call someone to take them to their rooms and tell Lizno to meet me in my office," Vincent replied. Clauny nodded, her eyes lingering on Vincent for a moment before she turned to carry out his orders. As they stood in silence, Vincent broke the quiet. "How are you? Have you settled into the guild?" Clauny smiled softly. "I''m doing well. Everyone''s been kind. Thank you for asking." Vincent nodded. "Good. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be in my office." "Yes, I''ll notify Lizno right away," Clauny replied, watching as Vincent walked away, his figure gradually fading into the distance. She shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts, and muttered to herself, "Come on, Clauny. Stop daydreaming. You need to focus on improving too." After a while, Vincent, seated in his office, heard a knock at the door. "Come in," he called. The door opened, and Lizno, the Lizardman, entered. "You called for me, Young Master?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "You mentioned that most of our guild members were recruited using the funds I initially provided, correct?" "Yes, Young Master," Lizno confirmed. "How much did you promise them?" Vincent inquired. Lizno proceeded to report the details. In summary, most members were promised a monthly salary of 2,000 low-grade Origin Crystals. Tier 2 Origin Warriors, however, received higher pay. Currently, the guild had only three Tier 2 Origin Warriors aside from Vincent and Lizno: Barbara, Warren, and Aldo, whom Vincent had met the previous day. Vincent had already spoken with Barbara and Warren, but he had yet to have a proper conversation with Aldo. Though curious, he set the matter aside for now. His expression turned serious as he looked at Lizno, causing the Lizardman to grow nervous. "You were the one who recruited them, correct?" "Yes, Young Master," Lizno replied cautiously. "How much do you trust them?" Vincent asked. Lizno fell silent for a moment, considering the question. He had anticipated this line of inquiry ever since Vincent had tasked him with building the guild and recruiting members. "I can trust them completely, Young Master," Lizno answered confidently. "Although you gave me the freedom to recruit whomever I chose, I made sure to invite only those who could earn my trust and vice versa." He continued, "It wasn''t easy, of course. I had to enforce some disciplinary measures, as you taught me¡­" Lizno''s voice trailed off, a chilling smile creeping across his face. Vincent only wondered but he chose not to press further. Instead, he nodded. "In that case, I want you to lead them." "Lead them? Where?" Lizno thought, but he remained silent, waiting for Vincent to continue. Chapter 193 Neighbour He continued, "It wasn''t easy, of course. I had to enforce some disciplinary measures, as you taught me¡­" Lizno''s voice trailed off, a chilling smile creeping across his face.Vincent pondered for a moment but chose not to press further. Instead, he nodded calmly. "In that case, I want you to lead them." "Lead them? Where?" Lizno thought, though he remained silent, waiting for Vincent to continue. After sending Lizno off, Vincent was left alone in his office. In the real world, it had been the second day since he broke through to Tier 2. "I should go back¡­" he mused. Marina and Amara were still unaware of his breakthrough, and they might grow worried if he didn''t return from the Origin World after two days. With that in mind, he retrieved an escape scroll from his storage ring. It would be the first time he used it, and he wondered if he could return to the Origin World the same day or if he''d have to wait. Without hesitation, he tore the scroll. Particles of digital light shimmered around him, collapsing after three seconds, and he vanished. His surroundings blurred momentarily, and he found himself back in the hotel room they had rented. It was noon, and Marina and Amara were still at school and work. Curious, he attempted to return to the Origin World, but as expected, an unknown power blocked him. Still, he wasn''t worried¡ªit was only temporary. At that moment, the phone on the side table near his bed rang. Vincent picked it up and glanced at the caller ID: Anjie, the real estate agent he''d been working with. As soon as he answered, a holographic screen projected in front of him, displaying Anjie''s polite smile. "Good day, Mr. Magnus," she greeted formally. "Hi, Anjie," Vincent replied, his tone calm and unhurried. "I''m calling to inform you that your property is fully prepared. You may relocate at your earliest convenience," she said, her voice professional yet warm. "Oh, that''s quick," Vincent responded, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Yes, everything has been taken care of, and all utilities are set up as per your request. You just need to scan your Origin Warrior License to gain access," Anjie added. "Sounds like it''s all sorted, then," Vincent said, his tone casual but composed. "Indeed, Mr. Magnus. Should you require any further assistance, please don''t hesitate to reach out," she replied, maintaining her formal tone. "Sure, will do. Thanks for the update," Vincent said, his voice even. "You''re welcome. Have a wonderful day, Mr. Magnus." "You too, Anjie," Vincent replied calmly before ending the call. The projection faded, and Vincent set his phone down, his expression as calm as ever. Though the call was brief, he noticed Anjie seemed more cheerful than the last time they spoke. "In that case, should I check it out?" he thought. With that in mind, he changed into casual clothes, hailed a hover cab, and headed toward District 10. After an hour of travel, he arrived at the Peaceful Lake Subdivision. The property he had purchased was located within this exclusive area. The AI hover cab lowered its window, and Vincent saw a muscular middle-aged man in a blue guard uniform approaching. "I apologize, young sir. This is private property. Only owners are permitted to enter," the guard said politely. Vincent leaned slightly and replied, "I just bought a property here. I''m here to check it out." Hearing this, the guard recalled the information he had received from the office. "Are you Mr. Magnus?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "Apologies. May I see your ID for confirmation?" Vincent handed over his Origin Warrior License. The guard examined it briefly and returned it. "Thank you for your patience, Young Master Magnus. You may proceed. Enjoy your stay." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent nodded again, and the hover cab continued into the subdivision. Soon, he stood before a massive amber-colored gate. The sign above it read: Sunset River Villa. This was his first property, both in his previous life and his current one. Next to his villa stood another, even more luxurious one. Using his perception, he scanned it discreetly, noting its grandeur. Suddenly, a woman''s voice rang out from inside the neighboring villa. "Isn''t that quite rude? Are you peeping into someone else''s house?" Vincent was startled. He had masked his mental energy carefully, yet the woman had detected him. "I apologize. I didn''t mean to be rude. I was just admiring your villa," he replied, his tone calm but cautious. "Hoh, I haven''t heard your voice before. Are you new here?" the woman asked, her tone laced with curiosity. "Yes, I''m the new owner of the villa next to yours," Vincent answered. "Oh, a new neighbor¡­ Alright, I''ll let it slide this time. But don''t think this is a habit I''ll tolerate. If it happens again, don''t be surprised if I pluck out your eyeballs and feed them to my dogs," she said, her voice turning icy at the end. Vincent didn''t respond. He withdrew his mental energy and glanced at the neighboring villa, frowning as he wondered about the identity of his new neighbor. Shaking off his thoughts, he scanned his Origin Warrior License on the security lock. A soft click echoed, and the massive gate slowly opened. A female, monotonous voice emanated from a screen on the gate''s wall. "Welcome back, Master Vincent." Vincent raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Soon, a hovering humanoid chrome robot approached him. Emblazoned on its torso was the bold number "9." "I am AI support model No. 09999¡ª9. You may address me as Nine, or you may change my designation according to your preference." Vincent decided to keep the name for the time being. "Tell me all your functions and provide me with the details of the villa," he instructed. "As you wish," Nine replied. With that, Nine began to guide Vincent through the villa, detailing its features and functions. In summary, Vincent was satisfied with Nine''s capabilities. Chapter 194 Illusion Shatterguard Array A female, monotonous voice echoed from a screen on the gate''s wall beside Vincent."Welcome back, Master Vincent." Vincent raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the automated greeting. Soon, a hovering humanoid chrome robot approached him. Emblazoned on its torso was the bold number "9." "I am AI support model No. 09999¡ª9. You may address me as Nine, or you may change my designation according to your preference." Vincent decided to keep the name for the time being. "Tell me all your functions and provide me with the details of the villa," he instructed. "As you wish," Nine replied. With that, Nine began to guide Vincent through the villa, detailing its features and functions. In summary, Vincent was satisfied with Nine''s capabilities. The AI was an all-in-one servant, capable of handling household chores¡ªlaundry, cooking, and even gardening. However, Nine''s cooking skills were only average, falling short of five-star professional chefs. Still, Vincent found it acceptable. As for the Sunset River Villa, it was a masterpiece of modern elegance, nestled gracefully near the tranquil riverbank. The two-story mansion spanned 800 to 1,000 square meters, featuring eight meticulously designed rooms. The first floor welcomed guests with a spacious living room, a cozy dining area, a sleek kitchen, and a guest bedroom. The second floor housed the lavish master suite, three additional bedrooms, and a shared balcony offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. Outside, the property was a haven of natural beauty. A man-made pond, stretching 15 meters by 10 meters, shimmered under the sunlight, its gentle waters reflecting the sky. Nearby, a small artificial mountain rose 10 to 15 meters high, its base covering 400 square meters, adding a touch of grandeur to the landscape. The villa itself was set 20 to 30 meters from the river, ensuring both safety and an uninterrupted vista of the flowing waters. Practicality met luxury with a spacious garage, accommodating two to three cars, and a basement offering 100 square meters of versatile space¡ªperfect for storage, a home gym, or a wine cellar. The entire estate, encompassing the mansion, pond, mountain, and outdoor areas, was set on a generous plot of 2,000 to 3,000 square meters, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered, making it a sanctuary designed for both comfort and awe. In Vincent''s eyes, it was a beautiful property. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I should let them know¡­" he thought. With that, he sent a message to Marina and Amara. After inspecting everything, Vincent made his way to the kitchen. Earlier, he had been surprised to find the fridge stocked with food and essentials. Upon inquiring, Nine informed him that it was a gift from Anjie, the real estate agent. Since he had some time to spare before Marina''s school ended and Amara finished work, Vincent decided to prepare dinner for them. Standing in the kitchen, his movements were steady and unhurried as he crafted a meal that would retain its warmth and flavor for hours. He chose a dish that would stay delicious even after sitting for a while. On the counter, he laid out the ingredients: a whole chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, and a handful of fresh herbs¡ªrosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf. He preheated the oven, then seasoned the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Rubbing the herbs over the skin, their earthy aroma filled the kitchen. In a large roasting pan, he arranged the chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions, tossing them with oil and seasoning. The chicken was placed on top, its golden skin glistening under the kitchen light. Vincent slid the pan into the oven, setting the timer for an hour and a half. As the chicken roasted, the kitchen filled with the warm, comforting scent of herbs and caramelizing vegetables. He occasionally basted the chicken with its own juices, ensuring it stayed moist and flavorful. Once the chicken was perfectly cooked¡ªcrispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside¡ªVincent removed it from the oven. He let it rest for a few minutes before carving it into portions, arranging the meat alongside the roasted vegetables on a large platter. He covered it loosely with foil to keep it warm without losing its texture. For a side, he prepared a simple quinoa salad with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette. It was a dish that would hold up well at room temperature, adding a fresh contrast to the hearty roast. Vincent set the table, placing the platter of chicken and vegetables in the center, the quinoa salad beside it, and a basket of warm, crusty bread. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire He stepped back, satisfied. The meal was hearty, flavorful, and designed to stay delicious even after a few hours. When Marina and Amara arrived, they''d surely drool in an instant. Vincent couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought of their reactions. After storing the meal, he headed to the basement. The space was vast, spanning 100 square meters. With a wave of his hand, small mountains of weapons and items appeared before him. Despite the quantity, it was only a fraction of his accumulated items. With the resources from the Tower of Fundamentals, his small basement couldn''t store everything. These items were all common-grade. He had taken them out for a specific purpose. Soon, he sat cross-legged in the middle of the basement, the common-grade items positioned around him. With his eyes closed and palms together, he uttered, "Melt!" The items around him began to collapse into particles of white light, slowly converging into a liquid-like substance that floated around him. Once the particles stabilized, Vincent made a quick succession of hand movements. The liquefied light transformed into a complicated array, and with a grunt, he slammed his palms on the ground. Bang! The intricate array embedded itself into the ground. In the next second, an invisible aura spread outward, covering the entire villa. Vincent stood up and nodded in approval. "Hmm¡­ It looks good." The skill he had just used was one of the rare abilities he had acquired from the Tower of Illusions that he had upgraded to epic-grade. It was called the Illusion Shatterguard Array. The Illusion Shatterguard Array would automatically activate if someone entered the villa without his permission. The array had three layers of mechanisms: First Layer: Anyone at Tier 3 (1¡ï) or below would be unable to find their way inside the villa. Second Layer: Once the array confirmed the intruder''s malicious intent, it would activate and deliver a strike equivalent to Peak Tier 2 strength. Third Layer: It could withstand several attacks from a Tier 3 Origin Warrior. Vincent had been planning to set this up since the incident at their old place. He was determined not to let anything like that happen again. Chapter 195 Code-09-Black (1) Vincent had been planning this ever since the incident at their old place. He was determined never to let anything like that happen again.A few hours later, Nine approached him and reported, "Master, there are two people outside. Do you want me to let them in?" Vincent raised an eyebrow. With a simple scan using his mental energy, he immediately identified Marina and Amara waiting beyond the gate. "Yes, they''re my family. Let them in," Vincent said. Nine nodded. "As you wish, Master." His robotic blue eyes flashed briefly, and the Sunset River Villa''s gate opened a second later. Vincent stepped out of the villa and made his way outside to welcome them. At the same time, Marina and Amara entered through the gate. Marina was still dressed in her school uniform, while Amara remained in her office attire, the fabric clinging snugly to her figure, accentuating her curves. "Woah¡­ Is this really going to be our home from now on?" Marina muttered in awe, taking in the luxurious surroundings. She still couldn''t believe that this place would be their new residence. Villas like this were something she had only seen on the internet¡ªnever in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would actually live in one. Unlike her, Amara remained composed, her expression calm and unreadable, as if the grandeur of the place didn''t impress her in the slightest. However, at that moment, Amara briefly glanced in the direction of the neighboring villa before looking away, seemingly losing interest just as quickly. "You two are here¡­" Vincent said as he approached. Upon seeing him, Marina''s face lit up with excitement. "Brother!" she exclaimed before launching herself at him. Vincent caught her effortlessly, his stance firm and steady. "Brother, is this really going to be our house from now on?" she asked, eyes shimmering with excitement. Even though she had been there when he purchased the property, it still felt surreal. To someone who had grown up in poverty, suddenly living in a place like this was almost unbelievable. Vincent chuckled and tapped her nose lightly. "You''re absolutely right, Your Highness." "Hehe." Marina giggled, her excitement barely contained. "Did you take everything you needed?" Marina nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! There''s no way I''d leave my babies behind." Then, as if by magic, she pulled out a palm-sized figurine of a handsome young man shrouded in a shadowy aura. It was none other than the protagonist of her favorite anime¡ªLone Leveler: Sang Jen Woo! She lovingly pressed the figurine against her cheek. Vincent could only shake his head with a wry smile before shifting his gaze to Amara, who had been watching him with an unusual expression. He frowned slightly. "What''s wrong, Sis Amara?" Hearing his question, Amara suddenly smiled¡ªa gentle, warm smile. Vincent was momentarily stunned. She rarely smiled like this. Usually, her smiles carried a teasing edge, or they only appeared when she was drunk. But this¡­ this was different. It was a proud smile. One filled with warmth¡ªalmost maternal. However, the moment was fleeting. Amara shattered it the next second with her teasing words. "I never thought you''d grow up this fast," she mused. "I can still remember when you were just a baby. I was the one who always changed your nappies. And now, look at you¡ªowning your own villa." Vincent felt an imaginary black line appear on his forehead, the corners of his lips twitching in irritation. Beside him, Marina giggled. Even though they both knew that Amara had only taken them in as teenagers, no one bothered to correct her. In some ways, she really did act like their adoptive parent. So, Vincent chose not to argue and simply accepted her teasing with a sigh. "Come on, let''s go inside. I''ve prepared dinner for us," he said, gesturing toward the entrance. "Oh! What did you make, Brother?" Marina asked eagerly. "You''re still the best, my little Vince," Amara said before adding with a smirk, "Do we have beer?" Vincent gave her a deadpan look and replied in mock annoyance, "No, we don''t. Go buy some yourself." Amara froze in place, as if she had just received the most devastating news of her life. "No¡ª" But just as she was about to start her usual dramatic reaction, Vincent smirked. "I''m just kidding. Go inside." Amara blinked in shock. Marina giggled as she followed Vincent inside. "Little Vince!" Amara shouted at the top of her lungs before chasing after them. Laughter filled the Sunset River Villa that night as they enjoyed their dinner together. Bronze Heaven Arc, 10th District¡ªBlue Neon City In a dimly lit facility, where an eerie red light flickered intermittently, an old man with greasy white hair and a steam-golden monocle on his left eye frantically pressed numerous buttons in front of him. Dressed in a white lab coat, he might have looked like a scientist under normal circumstances. But in his current haggard state¡ªhis hands shaking, sweat dripping down his temples¡ªhe resembled a mad scientist on the verge of collapse. Alarms blared. A monotonous female voice echoed throughout the chamber. "Warning! Warning! Warning! The second level of Aegis Control has been breached!" "Fuck! Why does it have to happen now?!" the old man cursed under his breath. His fingers flew across the console, desperately inputting command after command. His wide, panicked eyes remained fixed on the giant screen before him. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It displayed a dark, shadowy figure rampaging through the facility, tearing through every reinforced gate in its path with terrifying ease. "Warning! Warning! Warning! The third level of Aegis Control has been breached! Please be advised¡ªthe target ''Code-09-Black'' will successfully escape in 30 seconds!" The robotic voice announced its grim update. "Shut up! I know, dammit! Don''t you see I''m doing everything I can?!" Beads of cold sweat trickled down his face. "Fuck! Fuck! Why won''t you just stay in your damn cage?! Do you have any idea how much overtime you''re making me do?!" His fingers slammed down on the final command key. "If you won''t behave, don''t blame me for what happens next!" Chapter 196 Code-09-Black (2) Beads of cold sweat appeared on the old man''s forehead. "Fuck! Fuck! Why can''t you just stay in your damn cage?! I should be celebrating with them, not working overtime because of you! Don''t blame me for this¡ªyou forced my hand!" With that, he slammed his finger onto the final button. Instantly, the blaring warning alarm ceased. The scene on the screen shifted. The black figure that had been charging madly forward suddenly halted. Two pairs of towering, four-meter-tall automated robots emerged¡ªeach wielding colossal hammers, their ebony-painted exteriors gleaming under the dim artificial light. They flanked the black figure from both front and back, closing in methodically. The black figure stood still for a moment before speaking, its words directed at the approaching robots. Unfortunately, they did not seem to comprehend. Unfazed, the robots continued their slow advance. A flicker of anger flashed in the black figure''s glowing eyes before¡ªwhoosh!¡ªit vanished, leaving behind a blur that darted left and right with unnatural speed. The robots'' crimson eyes glowed dangerously as they scanned their surroundings, trying to track the elusive figure. Then¡ªboom!¡ªthe black figure reappeared atop one of the robots'' heads. With a furious snarl, it sank its fangs into the machine''s metal skull. Sparks erupted as its powerful jaws tore away a chunk of steel, leaving a gaping wound in the robot''s head. "Fuck! What the hell are those idiots doing?!" The old man shouted, his frustration boiling over. He yanked at the few strands of hair left on his head, watching the disaster unfold on the screen. "Use your goddamn abilities!" As if responding to his command, the robots'' massive hammers crackled with electrifying energy. The black figure instantly sensed the change. Without hesitation, it leaped off the robot''s head, vanishing into the darkness once more¡ªmoving like a living shadow. But this time, the robots reacted. Their glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing figure, moving in perfect synchronization with its blinding speed. The black figure''s eyes narrowed. They''re tracking me¡­! Just as it attempted to retreat¡ªBZZZT! Four streaks of electrified energy surged toward it, crackling violently through the air. BOOM! The explosion rocked the enclosed space, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing in all directions. Watching the screen, the old man exhaled in relief. "Finally¡­ That damn rat''s caught." He muttered under his breath before leaning toward the microphone. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire "Tie it up and haul it back to its cage!" But the moment those words left his mouth¡ª FLASH! A piercing abyssal light tore through the smoke, streaking toward the four giant robots like a phantom blade. CRACK! The robots stood frozen, sparks flickering across their steel bodies. Then¡ªone by one¡ªsoft explosions erupted from their heads, thin streams of smoke rising from the fatal breaches. Within moments, the towering machines collapsed onto the ground with heavy, metallic thuds. As the smoke finally cleared, the black figure emerged once more. Its ghostly copper-green eyes stared directly into the surveillance camera. The old man''s blood ran cold. His hands trembled. His breath hitched. A chill slithered down his spine. The black figure held its gaze on him for several seconds before moving its lips soundlessly. Then, it vanished. The surveillance system blared a new alarm. "Warning! Warning! Warning!" "The final level of Aegis Control has been breached! Searching for ''Code-09-Black'' presence¡­ Unable to locate. ''Code-09-Black'' has successfully escaped. Immediate action required¡ªrecommend activating Protocol 10¡­" But the old man wasn''t listening anymore. His face had turned deathly pale. He hadn''t heard the black figure''s words. But he understood them. "Watch your back." A simple, almost casual message. Yet, the weight of it sent ice coursing through his veins. If he hadn''t known the true background of the black figure, he might have laughed it off. But he knew. He knew its capabilities. He knew what it was capable of. Because he was one of the people responsible for creating it. His breath came in ragged gasps. If that thing wanted revenge¡­ if it wanted to come after him or¡ªworse¡ªtheir entire organization¡­ A shudder wracked his body. He had to contain it before it became even more terrifying. No¡ªhe must get it back. Otherwise¡­ he would be dead before it even found its way back here. His fingers hovered over the console before slamming down on a sequence of buttons with deadly precision. "Recommending to follow Protocol 10¡­" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I KNOW! I KNOW! I''M DOING IT!" The old man snapped at the robotic voice, his expression grim. His thoughts darkened as he recalled the people behind their organization. In their eyes, the experiments were more valuable than his life. A mere scientist like him was expendable. With a final press of the button, the system responded. "Protocol 10 activated. Deploying Meta-Shadows unit. Mission: Kill or capture. Target: Code-09-Black." The old man''s lips trembled as he muttered under his breath. "¡­They better bring it back." Because if they failed¡ª He was already a dead man. Meanwhile¡­ The black figure moved swiftly, weaving through the darkness with silent precision. It knew they would send hunters after it. That was inevitable. Its mind raced with calculations, scanning the paths ahead. If it fled toward District 10, it would be heading into pure darkness. That was their territory. It would be cornered sooner or later. But if it took another path¡­ Its copper-green eyes flickered as it shifted directions. Instead of disappearing into the shadows¡ª It headed toward the bright, bustling lights of Blue Neon City. The Next Day. Vincent stretched as he stepped outside the mansion, taking a deep breath of fresh air. His mind was still occupied with the thought of returning to the Origin World, but since he hadn''t been able to enter, he figured it would take a full 24 hours before he could access it again. As he walked toward the man-made pond, something caught his attention. A black figure lay motionless beside the water. His brows furrowed. How the hell did someone get inside my villa¡­ when I just set up a protective array yesterday? His gaze darkened. Don''t tell me¡­ that damn array was defective?! Chapter 197 Obzee (1) The Next Day. Vincent stretched as he stepped outside the mansion, inhaling a deep breath of fresh air. His mind remained preoccupied with returning to the Origin World. Since he hadn''t been able to enter, he figured it would take a full twenty-four hours before he could access it again. As he made his way toward the man-made pond, something unusual caught his attention. A black figure lay motionless beside the water. His brows furrowed. How the hell did someone get inside my villa¡­ when I just set up a protective array yesterday? His gaze darkened. Don''t tell me¡­ that damn array was defective?! The thought crossed his mind for a brief moment before he dismissed it. It was impossible for the Illusion Shatterguard Array to be defective¡ªit came from the Tower of Illusions, after all. There had to be a reason for this, and the black figure before him might have the answers. As he approached, he soon realized that the figure had a humanoid shape. However, its head belonged to a dog¡ªa Manchester Terrier, to be precise. Its body, however, was crafted from pure ebony metal, emanating a dark aura that made it blend into the shadows. Vincent frowned deeply. At first glance, he thought it might be a demi-human like Vash. But considering its body was entirely made of metal, he wasn''t certain what kind of creature it was. Curious, he activated Heaven Eyes, hoping to uncover its identity. The next second, Vincent''s expression flickered with shock as information flooded his vision. At that moment, the dog-headed creature abruptly snapped its eyes open, revealing a pair of bone-chilling, copper-misty irises. The instant it spotted Vincent, it sprang to its feet and retreated, glaring at him cautiously. Seeing its reaction, Vincent remained unfazed and spoke in a calm, steady voice. "How did you get here?" The creature didn''t respond, merely maintaining its guarded stance as it stared at him warily. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since it refused to answer, he changed his approach. "Who are you?" He hadn''t expected a reply, yet, surprisingly, it responded. "I have no name." Its voice was cautious¡ªyoung, almost childlike. Vincent gave a small nod. "What are you?" The dog-headed creature hesitated. It turned to the side as if searching for an answer before shifting its gaze back to him. "I¡­ I don''t know." It still sounded wary, but its confusion was evident. Vincent remained impassive. He hadn''t received a solid response, but that didn''t deter him. "Then¡­ how did you get here?" The creature shifted uncomfortably, its head swiveling left and right, seemingly trying to recall something. After a moment, it looked at him again and spoke in that same youthful voice. "I was running from something¡­ I don''t remember what. Before I lost consciousness, I smelled something delicious¡­ and then I ended up here." As it finished, its expression changed from caution to guilt¡ªlike a child caught stealing food from the kitchen. Vincent remained silent for a moment, watching it closely. The creature, too, fell quiet, simply staring at him. His gaze then flicked toward the basement¡ªthe very place he had set up the protective array. With a quick scan of his Mental Energy, he immediately noticed something¡ªthe array''s reserve energy had been completely drained. It was as if something had sucked it dry. A thought clicked into place in his mind. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist, summoning a common-grade sword into his hand. The creature''s eyes instinctively snapped to the weapon. Although it tried to hide its reaction, Vincent didn''t miss the subtle shift in its gaze. Without a word, he casually tossed the sword into the air. "Fetch." The moment the weapon left his grip, the dog-headed creature vanished, moving in a blur. In an instant, it reappeared twenty meters away¡ªnow with the sword clamped between its metallic jaws. SNAP! With a single bite, the sword shattered in half. A quick gulp, and the remnants of the weapon disappeared down the creature''s throat. "¡­Just like a dog," Vincent muttered, watching with intrigue. He hadn''t expected it to consume an entire armament so effortlessly. And this wasn''t some ordinary weapon¡ªit was an armament capable of evolving. Yet, rather than looking satisfied, the creature''s expectant gaze lingered on him. It was waiting¡ªhoping¡ªfor him to throw another ''bone.'' Vincent smirked. Retrieving another common-grade armament, this time a spear, he held it up. The dog-headed creature''s eyes gleamed with anticipation. However, Vincent didn''t throw it¡ªat least, not yet. Instead, he asked, "Do you want this?" The creature hesitated, glancing between him and the spear before nodding. "Yes¡­" Vincent remained unimpressed. "And what can you offer me in return?" The dog-headed creature blinked, confusion flickering across its metallic face. Vincent continued, "You don''t expect me to just hand this over for free, do you? You''ve already eaten my things. I even gave you a sword just now. So tell me¡­ what can you offer me in exchange?" The creature fell silent, clearly uncertain. Its youthful voice and hesitance made it seem more like a lost child than a dangerous entity. It glanced at the spear, then back at Vincent, deliberating. Vincent, sensing its indecision, smirked and pulled out another common-grade armament¡ªan axe. He raised both weapons slightly. "Think carefully. If I like your answer, I might give you both of these." His smirk deepened. "And keep this in mind¡­ I have plenty more where these came from." His voice was calm, yet laced with underlying amusement. The dog-headed creature stared at him, clearly weighing its choices. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire Vincent merely watched, waiting for its response. After a moment of consideration, the dog-headed creature responded with a question, "I-I have nothing to give you¡­ You tell me what you want in exchange." Vincent flashed a subtle smile before frowning, acting as though he was contemplating deeply. He then replied, "Before that, tell me about your abilities." The dog-headed creature hesitated for a moment before responding, "I can run fast¡­ I can hide in the shadows¡­ and I can also eat stuff, a lot of it!" Chapter 198 Obzee (2) After a moment of consideration, the dog-headed creature responded with a question, "I-I have nothing to give you¡­ You tell me what you want in exchange." Vincent flashed a subtle smile before frowning, acting as though he was contemplating deeply. He then replied, "Before that, tell me about your abilities." The dog-headed creature hesitated for a moment before responding, "I can run fast¡­ I can hide in the shadows¡­ and I can also eat stuff, a lot of it!" Vincent fell silent, while the dog-headed creature appeared concerned, worried that its abilities might not be impressive enough. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire After a moment, Vincent revealed his true intention. "In that case, in exchange for these weapons, I want you to protect this place and the people living here. If you accept my offer and do your job well, I can feed you three of these weapons every day¡ªone in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the evening." That was right. Vincent intended to employ the dog-headed creature as a hidden guardian, not just for the house but also for Marina and Amara. Although he had just met the creature, he quickly grasped its nature. Furthermore, he was certain that the dog-headed creature harbored no malicious intent. Why? The Illusion Shatterguard Array had the ability to detect evil intent in anyone who entered his villa. Since the protective array neither alerted him nor activated, he was 99% certain that the creature wasn''t a threat. Moreover, what intrigued him the most was that he couldn''t sense a single trace of Origin Energy from it. He had no idea where its power came from. Upon hearing Vincent''s offer, the dog-headed creature barely seemed to register anything beyond one crucial detail. "Really? You''ll feed me that many?" Vincent smirked wryly before nodding. "Yes. Why would I lie to you? What do I gain from deceiving you?" The creature mulled it over for a second. "That''s true¡­ I have nothing on me¡­ What would he even get from lying to a homeless person like me?" Thus, after some thought, it concluded, "I-I accept your offer." A thin smile played across Vincent''s lips as the creature agreed. "You made the right choice," he said before tossing the weapons in his hands toward the dog-headed creature without hesitation. With lightning-fast reflexes, the creature blurred and caught the two weapons with its robotic hands. Without a moment''s delay, it bit into the spear, then the axe. Within seconds, both armaments had vanished into its stomach. The dog-headed creature licked the corner of its mouth in satisfaction before looking at Vincent expectantly, waiting for his next words. "We need to name you first¡­ Do you have a name in mind?" Vincent asked. The creature pondered for a brief moment before shaking its head. "No, I don''t¡­" Vincent nodded, muttering to himself, "Then I''ll have to think of something fitting." After some thought, he concluded, "From now on, you''ll be called Obzee." He paused, nodding to himself. "Yeah, that sounds good." The name was inspired by the creature''s obsidian-like body¡ªsimple, easy to remember, and quite fitting for a guardian dog. The newly named Obzee repeated its name, as if savoring it. "Obzee¡­ From now on, I''ll be Obzee¡­" Then, looking at Vincent with an expression of joy, Obzee asked, "If I''m Obzee, what should I call you?" "I am the Master of this place, so you will address me as Master," Vincent replied matter-of-factly. Just as the words left his mouth, Marina''s voice rang from behind him. "Who are you talking to, brother?" Vincent turned to see Marina, still in her pajamas, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. He greeted her with a teasing smile. "Good morning, Your Highness. How was your sleep in your royal chamber?" S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Marina giggled. "Hehe, I slept like a log! The bed was so soft and huge. My old bed and even the hotel''s bed don''t even come close!" She then asked again, "But seriously, who were you talking to?" "Oh, I was talking to¡­" Vincent turned back¡ªbut instead of the full-sized Obzee, he found a small, ebony-furred, robotic Manchester Terrier sitting at his feet. Before he could react, Marina''s eyes widened in excitement. "Wow! Is that the new artificial intelligence pet that was recently released?" Vincent was momentarily taken aback. Obzee never mentioned he could transform like this¡­ But seeing Marina''s enthusiasm, he decided to go along with it. "Yes, this is Obzee." Marina stepped forward, crouching down in front of the small robotic dog. "Hello, Obzee. I''m Marina. I am the Highness of your Master, so that makes me your true master. You can talk, right?" Obzee responded with a slightly nervous, childlike voice. "Y-Yes, Y-Your Highness, I can talk." Marina giggled in delight. "Hehe, it even stutters like a real kid! It sounds so lifelike!" Vincent watched the interaction with a wry smile before speaking up. "Alright, that''s enough. Let Obzee go for now and get ready for school. Is Sis Amara awake yet?" Marina shook her head. "I''m not sure. I didn''t see her when I came downstairs." "Alright, wake her up on your way. I''ll cook something for you both before I head back to the Origin World." "Alrighty!" Later, after breakfast and sending Marina and Amara off to school and work, Vincent was left alone in the living area with the now dog-sized Obzee. "So, how do you plan to protect Marina and Amara?" Vincent asked. Obzee lifted its small, robotic head and replied, "I''ve already hidden my clones in their shadows. If anything happens to them, my clones will alert me, and I can switch places with them instantly." Vincent raised a brow in intrigue. Is this what he meant by hiding in the shadows? He nodded in understanding. Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind. "Tell me¡­ Where do all the armaments you eat go?" In response, Obzee transformed back into its full-sized form and tapped its ebony-metal abdomen. "In your stomach?" Vincent asked, puzzled. "What do you gain from consuming them?" Obzee''s response was simple. "They enhance my strength." Vincent narrowed his eyes. "Temporarily?" Obzee shook his head firmly. "No." Chapter 199 Heading North (1) "Tell me¡­ where do all the armaments you eat go?" In response, Obzee shifted back into its full-sized form, its metallic body gleaming under the light, and tapped its ebony-metal abdomen with a dull thud. "In your stomach?" Vincent asked, puzzled. His eyes narrowed as he observed Obzee. "What do you gain from consuming them?" Obzee''s answer was simple, yet firm. "They enhance my strength." Vincent crossed his arms, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "Temporarily?" Obzee shook his head firmly. "No." Vincent''s frown deepened. His gaze swept over Obzee, trying to decipher the logic behind its bizarre ability. No matter how he looked at it, there was something unusual about Obzee''s system. Unlike other creatures, he lacked any discernible traces of Origin Energy, yet he devoured armaments as if they were mere snacks. Regardless, he had chosen to employ Obzee for a reason. However, there were more pressing matters to attend to¡ªhe had to return to the Origin World. During breakfast, realization struck him. That nagging feeling of having forgotten something since returning to Astralis¡ªit finally made sense. It wasn''t until Marina casually asked about the black, plump rabbit, Mochi, that he remembered. Mochi. He had completely forgotten about her since she had taken a liking to Clauny and had been constantly clinging to him. Before leaving, he took extra precautions, utilizing several common-grade armaments to replenish the reserve energy of the Illusion Shatterguard Array. Even though Obzee would be guarding the villa, an additional layer of security was always a wise choice. After confirming that all preparations were in place, he turned to Obzee one final time. "You know your responsibilities." Obzee gave a slight nod. Since he wouldn''t be in Astralis for a week, he had also assigned Nine to feed Obzee, ensuring their agreement remained intact. Then, it came. A familiar sensation¡ªa subtle tug within his core. An unseen force calling him back. Vincent exhaled slowly, allowing himself to be drawn in. "I wonder how Lizno and the others are doing¡­" With that thought lingering in his mind, he relinquished control and let the pull take him back to the Origin World. Origin World The crisp scent of damp earth filled the air. Lizno, clad in the rare-armament armor Vincent had lent him, stood amidst the carnage of battle. With a powerful slash, his sleek silver-armament spear cleaved through the thick hide of a Peak Tier 1 Fierce Brown Bear. The creature barely had time to let out a guttural roar before its body went limp, collapsing with a heavy thud. He took a brief moment to assess the battlefield. Around him, his guildmates from the Umbra Guild were finishing off the remaining Primals. With a commanding tone, he raised his voice. "Listen up! Clear everything, then we rest!" "Yes, Deputy Officer!" The guild members responded in unison, striking down the remaining beasts with renewed vigor. Indeed, Vincent had bestowed upon Lizno the temporary rank of Deputy Officer, placing him just beneath the Guild Master himself. On the other hand, Vincent had appointed Aldo, the battle-hardened trainer, as well as Barbara and Warren, as Official Officers. The remaining hundred members were fresh recruits, still adjusting to the rhythm of battle. Aldo had taken on the responsibility of training the newcomers, while Barbara and Warren stood out as the most promising individuals in terms of growth and strength. Each of the four leaders had been assigned distinct roles, ensuring smooth coordination. At the moment, they had set up a temporary resting point deep within the Verdant Wild Forest, steadily making their way northward. Lizno, however, remained uncertain about their ultimate destination. Vincent had simply given him one order: "Lead everyone north." Before their departure, Vincent had also entrusted him with an overwhelming amount of Origin Crystals. At this point, he was practically a walking treasure trove. The thought prompted him to instinctively glance at his storage ring, his fingers tightening slightly. It was still there. If he were to lose it¡ªhe didn''t even want to imagine the consequences. Just as they settled in for a brief respite, a sharp bird call suddenly rang through the air. A warning signal. Lizno''s body tensed instantly. His senses sharpened, and he snapped his gaze toward the direction of the call. The rest of the guild members reacted just as quickly, their weapons at the ready. They turned in unison, muscles taut, eyes locked onto the source. The rustling of leaves. Shadows shifting in the distance. Lizno raised his fist, silently signaling his guildmates to prepare for battle. Moments later, silhouettes emerged from the dense foliage, their banners becoming clear. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. White-gold flags adorned with an intricate golden lion head¡ªits maw open in a silent roar, exuding an aura befitting the true ''King of the Jungle.'' Lizno''s expression darkened. The Lionfang Clan. Approximately a hundred figures clad in luxurious golden attire stood before them. Each one bore the Lionfang emblem on the right side of their chest, and all wore golden masks that concealed their identities. Even though Lizno knew they were human, he did not lower his guard. The Lionfang Clan warriors halted their advance, their gazes locked onto the Umbra Guild members. Silence fell, thick with tension. Then, a young man''s voice broke the stillness. "We mean no harm. Are you from the Umbra Guild?" Lizno and his squad leaders shifted their attention to the speaker. A blonde-haired young man stood at the front, clad in resplendent golden armor that gleamed even in the dim forest light. A refined golden longsword rested at his waist. Lizno remained stoic, but his squad leaders frowned deeply. Umbra Guild was merely a newly formed organization. How had such an esteemed clan taken notice of them? Just as the hot-headed Barbara was about to snap a response, Lizno stepped forward, his voice measured yet firm. "Wouldn''t it be proper to introduce yourself first before asking for someone else''s identity?" At Lizno''s words, one of the masked figures behind the blonde-haired youth moved, as if ready to step forward, but a simple wave of the young man''s hand stopped him in his tracks. "But¡­ young master¡ª" "Enough." The subordinate hesitated, then begrudgingly stepped back. Enjoy new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire The blonde-haired youth turned his attention back to Lizno. Reaching up, he grasped his golden mask and removed it, revealing a strikingly familiar face. Lizno''s eyes widened in shock. Vincent had never mentioned what they would encounter on this journey. To think they would be personally greeted by the young master of the Lionfang Clan himself! Chapter 200 Heading North (2) Needless to say, it was Caelius Lionfang. Caelius continued, his voice calm yet commanding, "Apologies for my rudeness. Let me introduce myself properly. I am Caelius, and your Guild Master is a dear friend of mine. You must be Lizno." Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire Lizno simply nodded, not denying his identity. Since this man was his young master''s friend, he could finally allow himself to relax. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, though his sharp eyes remained vigilant. Initially, he had sensed the presence of many powerful individuals amongst the Lionfang Clan members. Their auras were dense, their movements precise¡ªeach one a seasoned warrior. If a battle were to break out, Lizno was certain that even if their numbers were similar, the Lionfang Clan would far surpass them in strength. It was understandable. The Lionfang Clan wasn''t some nameless, insignificant group. They were a force to be reckoned with, their reputation preceding them. At this moment, Lizno finally realized who they had come to meet. However, the purpose of their mission still eluded him. Vincent had been cryptic, withholding his true intentions. At the same time, Caelius was observing Lizno and the rest of the Umbra members with a subtle, confused expression. His sharp eyes scanned the group, taking in their demeanor, their equipment, and their overall strength. Vincent had called him two days ago, mentioning that he would send reinforcements to aid in the fight against the Blackthorn. Caelius had been looking forward to it, expecting a group of seasoned experts to arrive. But now, after a careful observation, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Vincent had sent him a group of... cannon fodder. What could this group of 104 individuals possibly do? Most of them were only at Tier 1, and even the strongest among them barely reached the Early Stage of Tier 2. Against a single Peak Tier 2 opponent, this group would be wiped out in moments. Caelius couldn''t fathom why someone as shrewd as Vincent would send such a group. Still, he appreciated the gesture. Vincent had gone out of his way to offer help, and for that, Caelius was grateful. Thus, he welcomed Lizno and the others with his usual relaxed smile, masking his doubts. "Welcome. Did Vinc¡ª I mean, did your Guild Master notify you of your purpose here?" Lizno''s smile turned awkward at the question. He scratched the back of his head, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "To be honest, I''m still in the dark. The Young Master only ordered me to lead the group here. So... could you clarify, Young Master Caelius? What exactly are we supposed to do here?" Caelius studied Lizno''s expression and immediately realized that the man was completely clueless. He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head with a wry smile. Vincent''s intentions were as enigmatic as ever. First, Caelius had thought Vincent genuinely wanted to help. But now, seeing that these reinforcements were unaware of their mission, he was left even more confused. Still, he decided to set his doubts aside for the time being. "Follow me," he said, gesturing for them to move. "I''ll explain on the way." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lizno hesitated for a moment before nodding and ordering the Umbra members to follow. The group fell into step behind Caelius, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor as they moved deeper into the Lionfang Clan''s territory. Umbra Guild Territory, Vincent''s Manor. Vincent had just appeared in his office when, in the next second, a black blur rushed toward him, pouncing with surprising speed. Vincent didn''t react, standing perfectly still as the blur collided with his chest. Thanks to his high stats and the sturdy armor he wore, the impact was nothing more than a faint pressure. Instead, the black blur let out a high-pitched cry, followed by the unmistakable sound of a young girl''s sobs. Vincent''s hands moved instinctively, catching the soft, black mass. It was Mochi, his plump, black-furred rabbit companion. Her fur was as soft as cotton, and her large, tear-filled eyes glared up at him accusingly. "Waaaaah! Where have you been? Why did you leave me? You said you wouldn''t abandon me!" Mochi''s voice was a mix of anger and desperation, her small body trembling in his hands. Vincent didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he gently caressed her fur, his touch soothing as he listened to her cries. After a while, Mochi''s sobs subsided, though her eyes still held a trace of resentment. Her soft, child-like voice echoed in his mind, "Why are you only coming back now?" Vincent sighed inwardly. He knew Mochi had abandonment trauma, and he had thought she would be fine without him, especially since she had been left in Clauny''s care. But Clauny, like him, had limited time in the Origin World. She couldn''t stay indefinitely, and Mochi had been left alone for longer than he had intended. "I''m sorry," Vincent said softly, his voice filled with genuine regret. "Are you hungry?" Mochi''s eyes narrowed, but she nodded reluctantly, her small nose twitching. Vincent flicked his hand, and a mid-grade Origin Crystal appeared in his palm. The moment Mochi saw it, her attention was immediately captured. Before Vincent could say another word, she flashed forward, snatching the crystal from his hand with lightning speed. She reappeared on the couch, clutching the crystal tightly. Her glare softened slightly as she muttered, "I''ll accept this, but I still don''t forgive you!" With that, she began munching on the Origin Crystal, her small teeth crunching through the hard surface with ease. Despite her words, Vincent noticed the way she kept stealing glances at him, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. She was afraid he would leave her again. Vincent''s heart softened. He reached out, gently stroking her head. Since everything was going according to his plans, Vincent decided it was time to increase his strength. Having a guild was beneficial for long-term strategies, but it would all be for naught if he didn''t grow stronger himself. He was the backbone of the Umbra Guild, and if he faltered, the entire structure would crumble. He looked down at Mochi, who was still nibbling on the crystal. "I''m going out," he said. "Are you coming?" Mochi sent him a glare, but without a word, she leaped onto his shoulder, her small body settling comfortably against him. Vincent couldn''t help but smile. Despite her anger, she still chose to stay by his side. At the same time, Caelius led Lizno and the others into a Tier 2 Labyrinth. Initially, he had expected the group Vincent sent to struggle within the labyrinth''s treacherous corridors. But to his surprise, they moved with a confidence and skill that caught him off guard. Every single one of them possessed uncommon-grade skills¡ªand not just one. Each member had multiple uncommon skills at their disposal. And if Caelius''s assumption was correct, Lizno and the other three guild members even had rare-grade skills. Caelius''s mind raced. Did Vincent truly have access to such an immense amount of resources? Where had he obtained all of this? The questions swirled in his mind, but for now, Caelius couldn''t help but feel a flicker of respect. Perhaps Vincent''s reinforcements weren''t as useless as he had initially thought. Chapter 201 Weekly Outer District Battle South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent strolled through the sanctuary, he couldn''t help but notice an unusual number of Origin Warriors bustling about. They all seemed to be heading in the same direction, their movements hurried and purposeful. Intrigued, Vincent decided to follow the flow of the crowd. Soon, he found himself standing before a massive platform that resembled an arena. Below it, a throng of people had gathered, their eyes fixed on the stage. At the center of the platform stood a man made entirely of crystals, his form resembling that of a humanoid amethyst. His hair, if it could even be called that, cascaded down like stalactites, giving him an otherworldly appearance. This was a member of the Crystallian race, the neutral race that governed the South Novice Sanctuary. Despite their rule over the sanctuary, this was only the second time Vincent had seen a Crystallian in person. The crystalline man held a gem-like microphone, his voice resonating through the air. "Welcome, everyone! Another week has passed, which means it''s time for the Weekly Outer District Battle! As always, anyone can participate, and only the top five will earn the chance to enter the secret realm¡ªthe Lost Grove." Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he recalled the bartender at the Newcomer Lounge mentioning this event. He had been curious about it but had nearly forgotten due to his busy schedule. "Since I have nothing better to do, I might as well check it out," Vincent thought, joining the queue for registration. The registration station was manned by another Crystallian. When it was Vincent''s turn, the Crystallian asked without looking up, "Name and strength." Vincent, wearing his Shifting Visage mask, replied, "Shroud, Tier 2 (1¡ï)." The Crystallian glanced up, his crystalline eyes scrutinizing Vincent as if doubting his claim. After a moment, he returned to his desk and wrote down Vincent''s alias and strength. "I''ll register you, but take this as a word of advice. It would be better for you not to participate. You''ll be up against other Tier 2 contestants, and I''m certain many of them are at the peak stage." Vincent simply nodded. "Thank you for your advice," he said before accepting a small token with the number 25 engraved on it. He then moved to a corner, where he stood silently, observing the crowd. The Crystallian watched him go, shaking his head. "It''s your decision. If you want to be beaten so badly, I won''t stop you," he muttered before resuming his duties. A few moments later, the Crystallian emcee''s voice boomed through the sanctuary. "Alright, time''s up! Registration is closed! I understand your frustration, but rules are rules. If you really want to join the tournament, try again next week. Or, if you''re brave enough, you can speak to the Sanctuary Head himself. He might grant you a chance." The emcee smirked, his crystalline face glinting in the light. The Sanctuary Head, Thystian, was a figure of great power and influence, akin to a mayor ruling over the South Novice Sanctuary. Vincent had heard of him but knew little about his appearance or personality. The crowd, frustrated but resigned, began to disperse. No one dared to approach the Sanctuary Head over something as trivial as a missed registration. Offending someone of his stature was not worth the risk, especially when they lacked the strength to challenge him. "Alright! Since everything is in order, let''s begin the Weekly Outer District Battle! As usual, one participant from Tier 1, two from Tier 2, and two from Tier 3 will earn the chance to enter the secret realm," the emcee announced, raising his hand dramatically. "I''ll be your host for today''s battle¡ªNato. Let the games begin!" With a flourish, Nato shot a massive crystal into the sky. It exploded into a shower of sparkling particles, creating a dazzling display reminiscent of fireworks. The crowd erupted in cheers as Nato leaped onto an elevated platform, taking his place as the stage''s emcee. A bulky Crystallian man replaced him on the main platform, assuming the role of referee. "Let''s welcome our first participants, numbers 204 and 205, to the stage!" Nato called out. The crowd applauded as the two participants climbed onto the arena. Vincent watched the Tier 1 battles with mild interest. Though unimpressive, the fights were fast-paced, with each participant unleashing their ultimate moves almost immediately. It didn''t take long for the Tier 1 winner to be announced. "And our Tier 1 final winner is... Anur!" Nato declared, prompting another round of applause from the crowd. "Let''s not waste any time! It''s time for the next stage¡ªTier 2 participants, prepare yourselves! This is your moment to shine!" Nato''s voice was full of energy as he introduced the next round. "Alright, let''s give a round of applause for participants 26 and 25! Please step onto the stage!" Nato announced. The sound of applause filled the air as Vincent, who had been leaning silently in a corner, straightened up. He glanced at Mochi, who was perched on his shoulder, and said, "Come down for a moment. I''m going up. I''ll be back in a second." Mochi gave him a sidelong glance before hopping onto a nearby bench. "Be quick," she muttered, her tone indicating she was still in a sour mood. Vincent nodded and made his way to the stage. As he climbed up, Nato began to announce his registered information. "On the right side, we have participant number 25¡ªShroud. Oh, what a surprise! Participant number 25 is only at the initial stage of Tier 2!" The crowd erupted in exclamations of disbelief and mockery. "Haha, is this guy an idiot? Doesn''t he know that most participants are at the peak stage of their realm?" "Another fool dreaming of a protagonist''s life!" "Who''s his opponent?" Nato, seemingly hearing the crowd''s chatter, announced Vincent''s opponent. "On the left side, we have participant number 26¡ªRakee! Do I even need to introduce him? For the newcomers, Rakee is a Tier 2 (5¡ï) veteran who has participated in the Weekly Outer District Battle multiple times but has yet to earn a spot in the Lost Grove. He''s a passionate competitor who never gives up!" The crowd laughed at Nato''s playful jab, and Rakee''s copper-skinned face darkened with anger. "I''m going to win today! Just watch, you crystal-headed fool!" Rakee shouted at Nato, who merely chuckled in response. "Hoho, Rakee''s fired up today! Will we witness his rise to glory, or will it be another disappointing performance? Let the battle begin!" Nato declared. The referee shouted, "Fight!" In an instant, Rakee charged at Vincent, his massive copper fists swinging through the air. He wore thick silver-iron armor but chose to fight bare-handed, clearly underestimating his opponent. As a peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior, Rakee saw no need to take Vincent seriously. The difference in their physiques was stark¡ªRakee''s muscular frame and copper skin made him a formidable sight, while Vincent appeared almost frail in comparison. "Sorry, Mr. Protagonist, but your dream ends here!" Rakee taunted as his fist closed in on Vincent''s face. The crowd watched with disinterest, expecting a quick and one-sided victory. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha, Rakee didn''t even give that fool a chance to attack. How boring!" someone jeered. But just as Rakee''s fist was about to connect, Vincent moved. His arm shot forward, a gleaming silver light enveloping it as he struck Rakee with a single, precise blow. The impact sent Rakee flying off the stage, his body crashing to the ground below. The crowd erupted in shock and excitement. "What just happened?!" someone shouted. Nato, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure. "What a surprise! The fool¡ªahem, Shroud, the dark horse¡ªhas defeated the veteran Rakee in an instant!" The arena exploded with applause and cheers. "Woooh! Fool! Fool! Fool!" the crowd chanted, their tone shifting from mockery to admiration. Vincent''s lips twitched beneath his mask, but he ignored the chants and calmly walked off the stage, returning to Mochi''s side. The fight had been anticlimactic, but Vincent''s display of power left the crowd in awe. He paid little attention to the subsequent battles, only opening his eyes when it was his turn to fight again. Each time, he defeated his opponents with a single strike, his dominance undeniable. Before long, the final round arrived. The winners of the last two battles would earn a spot in the Lost Grove. "Open your eyes, everyone! It''s the final round for the last four participants! The winners of these battles will enter the Lost Grove alongside the other victors!" Nato announced, his voice brimming with excitement. The crowd roared in anticipation, eager to see if Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwould continue his unstoppable streak. "The first battle will be between one of our veterans and the dark horse!" "Finn and Shroud!" Voice of the crowd erupted in unison, utterly excited! Vincent looked at his opponent. Finn was naturally at Peak of Tier 2 stage, he was a tall and slender man, from a race called, Fishman. They were commonly seen in the western part of the Novice Continent. It would be his first time fighting against a Fishman. And based on the prior battles of Finn, he could say that he was a strong Origin Warrior. However, he was not an average Origin Warrior. He had an SSS-rank talent! Chapter 202 Cheater? "Open your eyes, everyone! It''s the final round for the last four participants! The winners of these battles will enter the Lost Grove alongside the other victors!" Nato announced, his voice brimming with excitement. The crowd roared in anticipation, eager to see if Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwould continue his unstoppable streak. "The first battle will be between one of our veterans and the dark horse!" "Finn and Shroud!" The voice of the crowd erupted in unison, utterly excited! Vincent looked at his opponent. Finn was naturally at the Peak of Tier 2 stage, a tall and slender man from a race called the Fishmen, commonly seen in the western part of the Novice Continent. This would be Vincent''s first time fighting against a Fishman. Based on Finn''s prior battles, Vincent could tell that Finn was a strong Origin Warrior¡ªbut not an average one. He possessed an SSS-rank talent! At this moment, Finn was clad in light armor covering his vital parts, holding a copper trident. His emerald-green fish scales glistened under the sunlight, and his spiky, fiery hairstyle added to his intimidating presence. His lime-green eyes sent a dangerous glint, emitting the pressure of a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. Vincent, however, looked at him unimpressed, which Finn immediately noticed, causing the latter to frown in displeasure. With a resonant and deep voice, Finn said, "I don''t know why you''re faking your own strength. Do you enjoy bullying Origin Warriors weaker than you?" Finn refused to believe that Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwas only at the initial stage of Tier 2. He chose to believe that Shroud was using a concealing technique to hide his real strength. It was even possible that he was already at Tier 3, but it didn''t matter. Finn firmly believed he could defeat Shroud. Despite Finn''s question, Vincent simply stared at him without uttering a word, causing Finn''s expression to darken further. The referee stepped between them. "Same rules. Anything is allowed except intentional killing. Once your opponent concedes defeat, immediately stop at all costs. Failing to comply, you will not only be banned from joining the weekly tournament but will also never be allowed to step into the sanctuary again. Understood?" Both of them nodded, their gazes locked on each other. The referee raised his arm and exclaimed, "Fight!" In the next second, Finn disappeared from his spot. Nato promptly followed through his mic, "It has begun! Will the veteran Finn continue his win and secure one of the two spots for the Lost Grove, or will the dark horse¡ªShroud, shrouded in mystery¡ªcontinue his win streak and steal the first spot for the secret realm?" At the same moment, Vincent stood still while Finn''s blurring figure moved rapidly around the platform. Finn smirked inwardly, thinking, *Heh, you might be strong, but there''s no way you can match my speed! What a letdown. I was expecting you to make this a little challenging.* With that thought, Finn reappeared a few steps behind Vincent. "Behind you!" someone from the crowd exclaimed in worry, likely one of Vincent''s supporters. Finn naturally heard the shout but smirked. "Too late!" he said before hurling his copper trident at Vincent''s back. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However¡­ The smile on his face vanished as the trident pierced through Vincent''s body without any resistance. Finn''s eyes widened in shock as he realized the shout wasn''t meant for Vincent. The figure in front of him dissolved into particles of bright light. Vincent''s calm, mocking voice rang out behind him, "Yeah, it''s too late¡­" In the next moment, a powerful force crashed into Finn''s back, sending him flying out of the battle arena. Bang! The sound of impact echoed as Finn crashed outside the arena, causing a faint tremor and a thick cloud of dust. Silence filled the air for a brief moment before the crowd erupted into cheers. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" "What a fucking sigma! Another veteran one-hit KO!" "Has anyone ever heard of him?" "Is that really what you should be asking? Aren''t you curious if he''s actually a Tier 2 Origin Warrior?" "Yeah, now that you mention it, I''m skeptical too. Nato mentioned he''s only at the initial stage of Tier 2, but with his performance, there''s no way he''s only at that level!" Nato, too, was growing confused. According to the registered information handed to him, Shroud was only at the initial stage of Tier 2. But how could an initial-stage Tier 2 defeat a Peak Tier 2 in a single hit? If defeating an average Peak Tier 2 would only result in amazement, defeating Finn was downright questionable. As the dust cleared, Finn struggled to stand up, clearly in pain but glaring at Vincent with hatred. "That''s right! You fucking cheater! I''m absolutely sure you''re already Tier 3! I don''t know how you managed to fool the registry officer, but you can''t fool this crowd!" Hearing Finn''s words, the crowd nodded in agreement. "That''s right! You can''t fool us! Fraud!" "Fraud! Fraud! Fraud!" "Disqualify him! Disqualify him!" Despite the pain, Finn couldn''t help but smile inwardly. *That''s right. There''s no way I''ll surrender my spot for the Lost Grove!* Nato found himself in an awkward position and could only say, "Alright, alright! Let''s all calm down first. I understand your doubts, but we have to prove first that Participant 25¡ªShroud¡ªdid indeed lie about his information." Nato then looked at Vincent. "Do you have any problem with that?" Although he asked, he knew Vincent had no choice but to agree. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He looked at Nato for a second before shifting his attention to Finn below. "I have no problem with that. However, if I prove to all of you that I did not cheat, I want him to apologize, with all of you as witnesses." Before Nato could respond, Finn interjected, "Ha! If that''s all you want, I''ll even kowtow in front of you and ask for your forgiveness!" Finn smirked subtly, confident that Vincent had cheated and lied about his information. Vincent shifted his attention back to Nato and nodded. Nato scanned the crowd. "In that case, is there any respectable master who would like to do it for us?" Murmurs filled the surroundings, and no one volunteered for a moment. However, soon, a deep and calm voice responded, "It seems no one wants to do it. Then, let this old man have the honor." All eyes turned to the owner of the voice as the crowd parted, making way for the old man. Vincent and the others immediately recognized the figure. It was a tall man clad in a coffee-brown cloak, hiding his appearance. However, just by his figure, one could tell he had a muscular physique. Vincent and the crowd wondered who the cloaked figure was. Nato hesitated before asking, "I apologize for my ignorance, but can you let us know your respectable name?" The figure laughed lightly. "Hoho, forgive me. I''m really old now. I even forgot to take off this cloak." After saying that, he removed his cloak, revealing his appearance. A collective gasp filled the air. Even Nato couldn''t hide his surprise. Vincent was also faintly caught off guard. He recognized the man¡ªnot because of his identity, but because he had seen him before! Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire It was the same Crystallian he had seen fighting a giant tortoise back on his first day in Origin World when he was with Azhara. He was also the same man Vincent had seen when he upgraded his mental energy and used his mental perception to scan the Novice Sanctuary. Nato exclaimed, "Sanctuary Head?!" It was Thystian Veylshard, the current Sanctuary Head of the South Novice Sanctuary! "Hoho... You won''t mind if I do it, right?" Thystian said to Vincent as he walked up to the stage. Vincent silently observed the most influential and famous individual in the South Novice Sanctuary. Despite claiming to be an old man, Thystian was in peak physical condition. Even without intentionally releasing his aura, he emitted an invisible pressure that made it difficult for others to look directly at him. Vincent simply nodded, earning a mysterious smile from Thystian. Sanctuary Head Thystian flicked his hand, and a palm-sized white crystal appeared in his palm. "This is the Origin Scanning Crystal. It can scan someone''s strength without any fabrication. If it emits green, it means you''re Tier 2. If it releases a blue light, it means you''re Tier 3¡­" The crowd held its breath as Thystian approached Vincent, the crystal glowing faintly in his hand. The tension in the air was palpable, every eye fixed on the two figures standing at the center of the arena. Vincent remained calm, his expression unreadable as Thystian raised the crystal. The old man''s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Vincent with a gaze that seemed to pierce through any facade. "Let''s see the truth," Thystian murmured, his voice carrying a weight of authority that silenced the murmurs of the crowd. The crystal began to hum softly, its light growing brighter as it scanned Vincent''s energy. For a moment, nothing happened, and the crowd leaned forward, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch. Then, the crystal emitted a soft, steady green light. The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs. "Green! It''s green! He''s really Tier 2!" Finn''s face twisted in disbelief. "No! That''s impossible! He must have tampered with the crystal!" Thystian''s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "The Origin Scanning Crystal cannot be tampered with, young one. Its results are absolute." Finn''s fists clenched, his body trembling with a mix of anger and humiliation. "This¡­ this can''t be!" Vincent''s voice cut through the noise, calm and unwavering. "Do you have any more to say?" Finn''s face turned ashen, but he had no choice. With the entire crowd watching, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed before Vincent, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I¡­ apologize." The crowd fell silent, the weight of the moment settling over them. Vincent had not only proven his innocence but had also humbled a veteran warrior in front of everyone. Nato stepped forward, his voice breaking the silence. "It seems the matter is settled. Shroud has proven his strength and integrity. Let us move forward with the tournament!" The crowd erupted into cheers once more, but this time, the name they chanted was filled with newfound respect. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" Vincent stood tall, his expression as calm as ever. Chapter 203 Gathering (1) "Let''s see the truth," Thystian murmured, his voice carrying a weight of authority that silenced the murmurs of the crowd. The crystal began to hum softly, its light growing brighter as it scanned Vincent''s energy. For a moment, nothing happened, and the crowd leaned forward, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch. Then, the crystal emitted a soft, steady green light. The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs. "Green! It''s green! He''s really Tier 2!" Finn''s face twisted in disbelief. "No! That''s impossible! He must have tampered with the crystal!" Thystian''s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "The Origin Scanning Crystal cannot be tampered with, young one. Its results are absolute." Finn''s fists clenched, his body trembling with a mix of anger and humiliation. "This... this can''t be!" Vincent''s voice cut through the noise, calm and unwavering. "Do you have anything more to say?" Finn''s face turned ashen, but with the entire crowd watching, he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed before Vincent, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I... apologize." A heavy silence blanketed the area, the weight of the moment settling over them. Vincent had not only proven his innocence but had also humbled a veteran warrior before everyone. Nato stepped forward, his voice breaking the stillness. "It seems the matter is settled. Shroud has proven both his strength and integrity. Let us move forward with the tournament!" The crowd roared once more, but this time, the name they chanted was filled with newfound respect. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" Vincent stood tall, his expression calm as ever. He was already growing accustomed to how this world operated. He knew he wasn''t part of the norm. Thus, he knew every action he took would be met with skepticism. As he walked down from the stage, he noticed a set of footsteps following closely behind. Choosing to ignore it, he was about to pick up Mochi when Thystian''s voice called out to him. "Hold on, young man." Both Vincent and the plump rabbit turned to look at the Sanctuary Head in curiosity. Raising an eyebrow, Vincent wondered what Thystian wanted from him. Seeing Vincent remain silent, Thystian spoke again. "Have we met before?" Vincent was momentarily stunned by the unexpected question, but he quickly regained his composure. After pretending to consider it, he answered politely, "No, sir." It was the truth. They had never met personally, though Vincent had seen him twice from a distance. "Is that so?" Thystian responded, his tone laced with doubt. He murmured, "That''s strange. I had the feeling we had already crossed paths before." Vincent''s expression beneath his mask remained unchanged as he replied smoothly, "There''s no way I wouldn''t remember someone like you if we had met before." Thystian nodded. Given his influence, he was well-known across the Novice Continent. Yet, for some reason, the young man before him felt oddly familiar. Regardless, that wasn''t his main concern. Vincent was shrouded in mystery. Thystian had encountered only a handful of ''monsters'' capable of defeating opponents a full realm stronger than themselves, but he had never heard of ''Shroud.'' According to his extensive memory, no one wielded a fighting style like his. Those monsters typically overwhelmed their foes with sheer might, but Vincent? Vincent wasn''t even trying. It was clear he could have played with his opponents if he wanted to. Thystian was convinced¡ªthe strength Vincent had displayed was not his full power. No, he was certain. Every one of Vincent''s fights had ended with a single strike. No one had even forced him to use any of his skills. Well, apart from the last battle, where Vincent had used an Astral Clone to fake out Finn and instantly end the fight. Other than that, he had defeated every opponent with a single punch. Naturally, Thystian was both impressed and intrigued by him¡ªno, by Shroud. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A mysterious warrior who possessed strength comparable to those monsters who had already ascended to the higher continents. I must have him. If that wasn''t possible... then befriending him would be the next best option. A monster with limitless potential is always worth having on my side, Thystian mused, studying Vincent with keen interest. Vincent, in turn, sensed the strange gaze upon him. Did he figure it out? Even as the thought crossed his mind, he remained unfazed. He had done nothing wrong. He simply disliked unnecessary attention. If not for the headaches that came with recognition¡ªand the ''over-friendly young masters''¡ªhe wouldn''t have bothered wearing a mask. If he wanted fame, he could have taken it with ease. But it was pointless to him. "Anyhow, let me congratulate you on your victory." Vincent inclined his head. "Thank you." Thystian fell silent again, his gaze unreadable. Feeling a tinge of awkwardness, Vincent finally asked, "Do you need anything else from me?" Thystian simply flashed an enigmatic smile. "No, you''re free to go." Vincent gave a small nod and turned to leave. Just as he did, however, he heard Thystian''s parting words. "We will meet again soon..." Frowning, Vincent turned back¡ªonly to find that Thystian had vanished without a trace. Scanning the surroundings, he found no sign of the Sanctuary Head. Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire He could only wonder what Thystian had meant. By the time the sun had set, the Weekly Outer District Battle had officially concluded. Nato''s voice rang out across the battlefield. "Congratulations to all the winners who have secured a slot to enter the Lost Grove. And special thanks to everyone who participated in this week''s battle! Alright, we''ll meet again next week! As for the winners, be at the spawn field by 6 AM sharp tomorrow. If you''re late, no one will wait for you!" With that, Nato vanished from his position. Vincent, too, wasted no time lingering. With Mochi nestled comfortably on his shoulders, he turned and disappeared into the night. Vincent didn''t return to his territory but instead ventured outside the sanctuary, only to make his way back before midnight and rent a room at the Newcomer''s Lounge Inn. The Next Day Vincent woke early, though he felt no need to partake in breakfast. Instead, he scooped up Mochi, who blinked sleepily before settling in his arms, and headed toward the designated meeting point. The spawn field was still bustling with activity, just as it had been when he first arrived in the Origin World. After scanning the area for a moment, he immediately spotted the other winners from yesterday. They stood beside a large pillar, their presences distinct. Anur, a Crystallian young man with Peak Tier 1 strength, was among them. Besides Vincent, another Tier 2 participant had secured a victory¡ªBern, a male Drakorii with sharp rouge eyes. The other two winners, however, were in a different league. Both were at the initial stage of Tier 3. They were Thrygians. Zarrok and Korvath¡ªtowering figures, each standing at an imposing seven feet tall. They were the reason Vincent had stayed behind after the tournament concluded. He had been curious. Were they, too, from the Blackthorn Clan? From the very first day, every Thrygian he encountered had been under Blackthorn''s influence. He wondered if their race was so unified that they consolidated their power under a single clan. At that moment, the four of them took notice of his presence. Anur greeted him with a subtle nod. Bern simply cast a sharp glance his way, assessing him for a brief second before dismissing him entirely. Meanwhile, the two Thrygians¡ªZarrok and Korvath¡ªopenly scrutinized him. They made no attempt to hide their gazes as they raked over his figure from head to toe, as though investigating every inch of him. Despite their blatant actions, Vincent remained unfazed. Instead, he returned their stare, mimicking their actions as he took his time to scan their appearances with his own eyes. The two Thrygians frowned, evidently displeased with his audacity. "Hah. A mere ant dares to look at me with such impudence?" Zarrok sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The notion seemed absurd to him¡ªlaughable, even¡ªthat someone of Vincent''s stature had the audacity to match their gaze without a hint of intimidation. Beside him, Korvath''s frown deepened, though he remained silent. He simply glared at Vincent, letting his oppressive aura do the talking. Beneath his mask, Vincent smirked. "Heh, I let you take a good look at me, but when I do the same, you don''t like it? I''m starting to think Thrygians have brains made of stone." His words hit a nerve. Zarrok''s expression twisted in irritation. "What did you just say?! Hah! Just because you earned a spot in the Lost Grove doesn''t mean you have the same strength as us!" Anur stood to the side, merely observing. As a mere Tier 1, it wasn''t in his best interest to involve himself in this brewing confrontation. Not far away, Bern cast a brief glance at Vincent and Zarrok. Whatever thoughts passed through his mind remained a mystery, but soon enough, he lost interest, turning away as though the matter was beneath him. Chapter 204 Gathering (2) "We will meet again soon¡­" Frowning, Vincent turned back¡ªonly to find that Thystian had vanished without a trace. Scanning the surroundings, he found no sign of the Sanctuary Head. He could only wonder what Thystian had meant. By the time the sun had set, the Weekly Outer District Battle had officially concluded. Nato''s voice rang out across the battlefield. "Congratulations to all the winners who have secured a slot to enter the Lost Grove. And special thanks to everyone who participated in this week''s battle! Alright, we''ll meet again next week! As for the winners, be at the spawn field by 6 AM sharp tomorrow. If you''re late, no one will wait for you!" With that, Nato vanished from his position. Vincent, too, wasted no time lingering. With Mochi nestled comfortably on his shoulders, he turned and disappeared into the night. Vincent didn''t return to his territory but instead ventured outside the sanctuary, only to make his way back before midnight and rent a room at the Newcomer''s Lounge Inn. The Next Day Vincent woke early, though he felt no need to partake in breakfast. Instead, he scooped up Mochi, who blinked sleepily before settling in his arms, and headed toward the designated meeting point. The spawn field was still bustling with activity, just as it had been when he first arrived in the Origin World. After scanning the area for a moment, he immediately spotted the other winners from yesterday. They stood beside a large pillar, their presences distinct. Anur, a Crystallian young man with Peak Tier 1 strength, was among them. Besides Vincent, another Tier 2 participant had secured a victory¡ªBern, a male Drakorii with sharp rouge eyes. The other two winners, however, were in a different league. Both were at the initial stage of Tier 3. They were Thrygians. Zarrok and Korvath¡ªtowering figures, each standing at an imposing seven feet tall. They were the reason Vincent had stayed behind after the tournament concluded. He had been curious. Were they, too, from the Blackthorn Clan? From the very first day, every Thrygian he encountered had been under Blackthorn''s influence. He wondered if their race was so unified that they consolidated their power under a single clan. At that moment, the four of them took notice of his presence. Anur greeted him with a subtle nod. Bern simply cast a sharp glance his way, assessing him for a brief second before dismissing him entirely. Meanwhile, the two Thrygians¡ªZarrok and Korvath¡ªopenly scrutinized him. They made no attempt to hide their gazes as they raked over his figure from head to toe, as though investigating every inch of him. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite their blatant actions, Vincent remained unfazed. Instead, he returned their stare, mimicking their actions as he took his time to scan their appearances with his own eyes. The two Thrygians frowned, evidently displeased with his audacity. "Hah. A mere ant dares to look at me with such impudence?" Zarrok sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The notion seemed absurd to him¡ªlaughable, even¡ªthat someone of Vincent''s stature had the audacity to match their gaze without a hint of intimidation. Beside him, Korvath''s frown deepened, though he remained silent. He simply glared at Vincent, letting his oppressive aura do the talking. Beneath his mask, Vincent smirked. "Heh, I let you take a good look at me, but when I do the same, you don''t like it? I''m starting to think Thrygians have brains made of stone." His words hit a nerve. Zarrok''s expression twisted in irritation. "What did you just say?! Hah! Just because you earned a spot in the Lost Grove doesn''t mean you have the same strength as us!" Anur stood to the side, merely observing. As a mere Tier 1, it wasn''t in his best interest to involve himself in this brewing confrontation. Not far away, Bern cast a brief glance at Vincent and Zarrok. Whatever thoughts passed through his mind remained a mystery, but soon enough, he lost interest, turning away as though the matter was beneath him. The way Zarrok had just spoken, Bern believed that Zarrok did not witness Vincent''s battles. Because if he knew, he wouldn''t have probably worded it that way. He had witnessed Vincent''s battles and was certain that Vincent could also defeat him in one strike like his opponents. He was just lucky that he hadn''t matched with Vincent and safely acquired a spot for the Lost Grove. Annoyed by Vincent, Zarrok released the mental pressure of an initial-stage Tier 3 Origin Warrior, making Bern quite uncomfortable and Anur slightly struggling to catch his breath. Korvath was a bit surprised due to Zarrok''s action. He exclaimed, "Zarrok! Calm down!" Yet, he soon realized that Vincent didn''t even flinch. He remained motionless, his gaze locked onto Zarrok''s. Before he could voice his confusion, the masked man before him suddenly let out a mocking chuckle before unleashing a stronger pressure, effortlessly dispersing the mental force Zarrok had been exerting. Shock was evident in both Zarrok and Korvath''s eyes. "How?!" Zarrok exclaimed while Korvath remained silent, but his mind echoed the same question. On the side, Anur breathed a sigh of relief when the oppressing pressure had finally lifted by Vincent. Just as Zarrok was about to open his mouth again, a man''s voice from a distance interrupted them. "Heh, it seems you guys are already having a good time." It was followed by another man''s voice, "Oh, we have two from Thrygians this time¡­" Another voice followed up, it was a woman''s voice this time, with a hint of impatience, "Can you both stop these idiots? I wanna end this expedition as soon as possible." Upon hearing those, Vincent and others snapped to the source of the voices. It was a group of five. Three men and two women. One of the three men was a Crystallian, while the other two men were both wearing masks, hiding their appearance. However, he could tell that one of them was a Drakorii as he could notice the crimson reptile scales on the area of his neck. On the other hand, one of the two women was also a Crystallian. The other one was clad in a red robe and an exquisite flaming mask, but with her figure, anyone could easily tell that it was a woman. For some reason, Vincent noticed that the woman in the flaming-design mask was looking at him. Not just out of curiosity¡ªshe was deliberately staring. Like she wanted to say something. However, when he looked closely into her crimson reptile eyes, he noticed that she wasn''t exactly looking at him. To be more precise, she was staring intently at Mochi, who was coiled on his shoulder. Mochi, sensing the woman''s gaze, lifted her head and met her stare. The moment their eyes locked, the woman averted her gaze. Mochi tilted her head in wonder before closing her eyes again. At this moment, the Crystallian man who was walking at the front of the group opened his mouth and said, "You''re all here early. I hope we didn''t keep you waiting too long." Hearing his words, Anur, who clearly recognized the Crystallian in front of them, hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no. We just got here, Young Master Dio." Dio? Vincent thought in wonder. He felt the name was familiar but could not remember where he had heard it. Soon, to his surprise, the arrogant Thrygians actually slightly lowered their heads and cupped their fists, respectfully greeting the almost 8-feet-tall Crystallian. "It''s our pleasure to meet you, Young Master Veylshard." Dio lightly chuckled, "Haha, come on. Just call me Dio. We''re going to be a temporary team on this expedition, so let''s get familiar with each other already." Veylshard? Vincent noted the way Zarrok and Korvath addressed Dio. Recognition dawned¡ªThystian, the current Head of the South Novice Sanctuary, shared the same surname. Is he related to Thystian? He wondered about his connection with Sanctuary Head Thystian. Anur, standing not far from Vincent, noticed his silence and whispered urgently, "What are you doing? Why aren''t you greeting Young Master Dio?" Vincent glanced at him, expression unreadable. "Who is he?" Though his voice was low, everyone present had keen perception. They clearly heard his words. They were stunned, especially Anur. A stunned silence followed. Anur''s jaw nearly dropped. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire A light chuckle soon broke the tension. Dio laughed. "Haha, it''s fine. Why are you all so shocked? The Novice Continent is vast¡ªit''s only natural that not everyone knows who I am." His gaze settled on Vincent, his expression still carrying a relaxed smile. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Dio Veylshard, and I will be leading this expedition. And yes, I am connected to the current Sanctuary Head¡ªhe is my uncle." Chapter 205 Heading To Lost Grove (1) Vincent cast an unreadable glance at the man before him. "Who is he?" Though his voice was low, everyone present had sharp perception. They clearly heard his words. A stunned silence followed. Anur''s jaw nearly dropped. A light chuckle soon broke the tension. Dio laughed. "Haha, it''s fine. Why are you all so shocked? The Novice Continent is vast¡ªit''s only natural that not everyone knows who I am." His gaze settled on Vincent, his expression still carrying a relaxed smile. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Dio Veylshard, and I will be leading this expedition. And yes, I am connected to the current Sanctuary Head¡ªhe is my uncle." So, he''s the Sanctuary Head''s nephew¡­ Vincent mused, immediately understanding why even the arrogant Thrygians lowered their heads respectfully. With a subtle scan using his Heaven Eyes, he quickly noticed that all of them were at the initial stage of Tier 3. He wondered if there were special requirements to enter the Lost Grove. While he was lost in thought, Dio began introducing the people behind him. The Drakorii man was named Diriko, while the masked man was Urek. However, Dio didn''t reveal what race they were from, and they tacitly refrained from asking. The two women were Crizelia, a friend of Dio from the same race, and the crimson-haired woman wearing a flaming-design mask, who interrupted Dio and introduced herself as Ara. In response, Vincent and the others introduced themselves. After the brief introductions, the impatient Crizelia could no longer contain herself. "Dio, when are we leaving?" Dio smiled wryly. "Alright, that''s it for now. If you have more questions, you can ask me on the way. We have to go." Vincent could only wonder where they were heading. Dio pulled out a wooden item, pressed it to his lips, and blew. A piercing sound rang through the air. His companions immediately turned their gazes skyward, as if expecting something. Find more adventures on My Virtual Library Empire Vincent and the others instinctively followed their lead, looking up into the clear blue sky. Soon, a small figure appeared in the distance. As it drew closer, the figure gradually expanded in size, revealing its true form. When it reached about a hundred feet off the ground, they could finally see its entire appearance clearly. It had the massive form of a blue whale. However, its body was composed entirely of a colossal chunk of cobalt-blue crystal. With a quick glance, Vincent identified its name and level. Crystal Sky Whale ¨C Tier 3 (3¡ï) A mid-stage Tier 3¡­ Vincent simply observed it, while Anur and the others gawked in awe. The sheer size and unique composition of the creature left them speechless. Many new Origin Warriors, having just arrived in the Origin World for the first time, turned their heads in astonishment. Dio smirked at their reactions before formally introducing the enormous floating whale. "That''s my partner, Pearl. We''ll be traveling with her." As Pearl descended to a certain height, she released a cold, misty aura that condensed into a long staircase of crystal. "Thank you, Pearl." Dio smiled gently at the whale before turning back to the group. "Come on, we''ll talk on the way." Vincent waited for the others to board before following silently. ¡ª While soaring thousands of feet above the ground at a speed of 200 km/h, Dio finally turned to face them. "So, any questions?" Anur, who had been brimming with curiosity, immediately raised his hand. Dio nodded. "Yes, go ahead." "Umm, where exactly is the Lost Grove located?" Anur asked after a moment of thought. Dio stroked his chin, then answered, "We''re heading east of the South Novice Sanctuary. It''s beyond the Desert Grove Chasm." Anur nodded. "Thanks." "Next question?" Dio prompted. After some hesitation, Zarrok raised his hand. "Young Master Veylshard, what is the Lost Grove?" Dio flashed a relaxed smile. "Lost Grove is¡ª" For the next few hours, Dio answered all their questions, explaining the dangers and peculiarities of the Lost Grove. Aside from Vincent and the two composed Thrygians, Anur and Bern wore increasingly dark expressions. Dio chuckled upon noticing their growing unease. "Haha, relax, you two. It''s not too dangerous for you¡ªas long as you don''t draw unnecessary attention." Soon, Vincent noticed a shift in the landscape below. The lush greenery of the forests had given way to an arid desert biome dotted with scattered groves of trees. "We''re about to arrive," Dio announced. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª Moments later, Pearl descended into an open clearing. Vincent followed the group without a word, silently observing their surroundings. They arrived at a grand entrance¡ªan imposing archway formed by two colossal sandstone pillars, smoothed by centuries of wind and time. Intricate carvings of desert flora and fauna adorned the archway, whispering tales of an ancient past. Two aged, rusted gates hung loosely from the pillars, partially ajar as if inviting exploration. Flanking the entrance, two massive stone statues stood as silent sentinels. Their features, though worn by time and sand, bore an air of enigmatic wisdom. This was the entrance to the Desert Grove Chasm. Dio stepped forward. "Let''s go." A metallic screech echoed as he pushed the gate open just enough for them to pass. A chilling gust of air swept past them from the depths of the dark chasm beyond. Dio turned his head. "Ara, if you would." Ara, who had been quiet throughout the journey, waved her hand slightly, summoning a hovering ball of fire above them. The flickering flames illuminated the dim passageway. The path ahead was spacious enough for five adult humans to walk side by side. However, for the towering Crystallians and Thrygians, it was somewhat narrow. Still, it wasn''t enough to be an obstacle. The chasm stretched forward, a deep and winding fissure in the earth. The sheer walls on either side cast long, foreboding shadows over them. The air was thick with the scent of dust and ancient secrets. As they ventured deeper, clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowed softly in the shadows, casting an ethereal radiance over their surroundings. This natural luminescence allowed Ara to finally relax, no longer needing to maintain the floating orb of fire she had been using as a light source. Despite the eerie tranquility, something gnawed at Vincent''s mind. Expanding his mental perception to its maximum range, he attempted to scan the area¡ªbut to his surprise, he couldn''t sense a single primal nearby. Anur, despite his crystalline physique, carried the air of an inquisitive child. His curiosity often betrayed his otherwise imposing presence. "Why haven''t we encountered any primals yet?" he muttered, though his voice was loud enough for the others to hear. Chapter 206 Heading To Lost Grove (2) As they ventured deeper, clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowed softly in the shadows, casting an ethereal radiance over their surroundings. This natural luminescence allowed Ara to finally relax, no longer needing to maintain the floating orb of fire she had been using as a light source. Despite the eerie tranquility, something gnawed at Vincent''s mind. Expanding his mental perception to its maximum range, he attempted to scan the area¡ªbut to his surprise, he couldn''t sense a single primal nearby. Anur, despite his crystalline physique, carried the air of an inquisitive child. His curiosity often betrayed his otherwise imposing presence. "Why haven''t we encountered any primals yet?" he muttered, though his voice was loud enough for the others to hear. This time, instead of Dio, it was Diriko¡ªthe drakorii man walking ahead of Anur¡ªwho responded. "Do you see those symbols carved into the walls?" Diriko''s hoarse yet composed voice carried through the passage. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire Vincent had already noticed the strange glyphs earlier. They pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow, hinting at a hidden power. Diriko continued, his tone steady but slightly reverent. "Those are known as primal wards. They are ancient hand-carved sigils, left behind by a civilization that once lived in harmony with¡ªyet also feared¡ªthe primal monsters. These symbols don''t just emit energy; they mimic the very essence of primals, creating a feedback loop that confuses, disorients, or outright repels them." "I see¡ª" Before Anur could finish his thought, his gaze landed on a massive stone figure looming ahead. It resembled a golem from fantasy lore, its towering form blending seamlessly with the surrounding chasm walls. Anur pointed in confusion. "Isn''t that a primal? And also¡­" His eyes flickered toward the plump, sleeping rabbit nestled on Vincent''s shoulder. Though curiosity burned within him, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself. The others had also noticed Mochi, but their immediate focus remained on the golem before them. At that moment, the golem''s attention wasn''t on them. It stood motionless, its massive back turned toward their group. Diriko''s brow furrowed beneath his mask. His lips twitched slightly. He had just explained how primal wards prevented such encounters¡ªyet here they were, facing a primal right in the heart of the Desert Grove Chasm. Though unlikely, it wasn''t impossible. Still, encountering a primal within this supposedly warded zone was a rare phenomenon. Dio came to a halt, prompting the others to instinctively stop as well. A sense of unease settled over them. No one recognized the primal before them. "Dio, what''s the plan?" Urek, the black-haired man with dreadlocks hidden beneath his panther mask, asked in a hushed voice. Though the golem exuded no immediate hostility, Urek found the situation unnerving. Caution, he believed, was the best course of action. Suddenly¡ª The golem turned. Its ruby eyes flared to life, emitting an ominous, pulsating glow as it scanned the group. And then, its gaze locked onto Vincent. No. Not Vincent. It was staring directly at Mochi. Vincent tensed as he noticed this shift, and at that very moment, Mochi stirred. Lifting her head groggily, she blinked at the massive stone entity that had its sights set firmly on her. Vincent''s voice echoed in Mochi''s mind. "What did you eat today? Why are you attracting so much attention?" First, it had been Ara. Now, this unknown golem. Mochi tilted her head in utter confusion. "What did I do?" All she had done was sleep. She hadn''t even looked at anyone. How could she possibly be the source of this sudden hostility? A mechanical, echoing voice rang through the cavernous space. "INTRUDER DETECTED! INTRUDER DETECTED! ELIMINATE THE INTRUDER! ELIMINATING¡ª" A blinding laser beam shot forth from the golem''s eyes, streaking directly toward Mochi. "Look out!" Dio''s warning came, but the attack was too fast¡ªeven for someone of his speed. Anur and the others, standing beside Vincent, reacted instinctively, their eyes widening in shock. They cursed under their breath as they leaped aside in a desperate bid to avoid the impending blast. Vincent''s own reflexes kicked in, but even he felt a fraction too slow. Mochi, realizing the imminent danger, shrieked in his mind. "DODGE IT! DODGE IT!" But it was too late. BOOM! A deafening explosion rocked the area. A thick cloud of dust and debris erupted into the air, obscuring everyone''s vision. Dio, despite the sudden chaos, reacted swiftly. His voice rang with authority as he issued rapid commands. "Diriko, grab its attention! Crizelia, support with Ara¡ªcover Diriko! Urek, Zarrok, Korvath¡ªfollow me! Anur, Bern¡ªcheck on Shroud''s condition!" Anur and Bern responded immediately. "Understood!" Nearby, Zarrok scoffed, his earlier resentment toward Vincent surfacing. "Hmph. That guy''s probably dead already." Korvath, sensing Dio''s displeasure, tried to interject, but the damage was done. Dio''s expression darkened momentarily before he returned to the task at hand. "It doesn''t matter. Just go check on him. Let''s move, Urek!" At Dio''s command, Diriko wasted no time. He lunged forward, releasing a thunderous roar that sent his mask flying, revealing his drakorii visage. Yet, despite his aggressive display, the golem remained unmoved¡ªits crimson gaze still fixated on the spot where Vincent and Mochi had stood. Dio and the others exchanged sharp glances. Something wasn''t right. With a swift hand signal, Dio ordered Urek to act. The panther-masked warrior surged forward, summoning a massive black-and-gold war hammer from thin air. With a fierce cry, he swung the weapon directly at the golem''s left leg. BANG! The impact echoed throughout the cavern. But to everyone''s shock¡ª The hammer rebounded harmlessly. "What the hell?!" Urek''s disbelief was palpable. "It''s like hitting solid bedrock!" Zarrok and Korvath wasted no time, charging in tandem. Twin silver greatswords slashed through the air, their edges shimmering with condensed energy. CLANG! CLANG! Yet¡ªtheir blades barely left a scratch. A second later, a fire-forged lance and a crystalline spear hurtled through the air, striking the golem''s face dead-on. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BOOM! BOOM! Crizelia and Ara had launched their attacks simultaneously¡ªbut just like before, their efforts proved fruitless. At that moment, Dio seized his opportunity. Darting behind the golem, his arms surged with azure energy¡ªa telltale sign of Tier 3 strength. With a powerful shout, he drove his fist toward the back of the golem''s head. BANG! A resounding impact filled the chamber. Yet¡ª The golem remained unshaken. Dio grimaced as a sharp numbness spread through his arm. Even at full strength, his attack had done nothing. Chapter 207 Unknown Golem (1) Zarrok and Korvath wasted no time, charging in tandem. Twin silver greatswords slashed through the air, their edges shimmering with condensed energy. The blades moved with precision, aimed at the golem''s midsection. CLANG! CLANG! Yet¡ªtheir blades barely left a scratch. The golem''s surface remained unscathed, not even a dent to show for their efforts. A second later, a fire-forged lance and a crystalline spear hurtled through the air, striking the golem''s face dead-on. The attacks came from Crizelia and Ara, who had launched their assaults simultaneously. BOOM! BOOM! The explosions lit up the cavern, but just like before, their efforts proved fruitless. The golem stood tall, its crimson eyes glowing with an almost mocking intensity. At that moment, Dio seized his opportunity. Darting behind the golem, his arms surged with azure energy¡ªa sign of Tier 3 strength. The air around him crackled as he channeled his power, his fists glowing with a fierce, otherworldly light. With a powerful shout, he drove his fist toward the back of the golem''s head. BANG! A resounding impact filled the chamber, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the air. Yet¡ª The golem remained unshaken. Dio grimaced as a sharp numbness spread through his arm. Even at full strength, his attack had done nothing. He immediately retreated, his mind racing as the others continued to bombard the golem without hesitation. Meanwhile, Anur and Bern ventured into the thick dust and smoke, searching for Vincent. The aftermath of the golem''s laser beam had left the ground shattered and uneven, making their progress slow and treacherous. "Shroud!" Anur called out, his voice strained as he navigated the debris. The dust was thick, obscuring their vision, but they pressed on, driven by urgency. On the other side, Bern noticed a silhouette within the smoke. He gestured to Anur, his voice low but urgent. "He''s here!" Hearing Bern, Anur approached and waved the dust away, revealing Vincent. Vincent was embedded in the wall, leaning forward in a sitting position. His arms clutched his chest, but Anur and Bern quickly noticed that Vincent had shielded the plump black rabbit, Mochi, from the blast. The act of protection had come at a great cost. Vincent''s armor was shattered from his shoulders to his arms, the metal torn and twisted. His flesh was in a bloody state, revealing glimpses of white bone beneath. The impact had also burned a small portion of his hair and mask, exposing the lower part of his face. His breathing was labored, each inhale a struggle against the pain. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Vincent was in shock. It was the first time he had felt so close to death, the first time he had experienced pain of this magnitude. His body felt like it was on fire, every nerve screaming in agony. His arms, in particular, were a mess of blood and torn flesh. He couldn''t understand it. In that split second, he had activated his C-rank Talent: Origin Enhancement, bolstering the Origin Energy shield he had summoned, along with his other defensive abilities. Yet, the golem''s laser beam had pierced through his defenses as if they were nothing more than thin paper. If it hadn''t been for his high base stats, the attack might have killed him instantly, rendering all his defensive skills and items useless. It was as if Origin Energy¡ªor anything made of it¡ªhad no effect on the laser beam. Even his passive regeneration ability was struggling to heal his injuries, the strange energy of the golem''s attack interfering with his body''s natural recovery. Despite sensing the presence of Anur and Bern, Vincent didn''t pay them much attention. His focus was on Mochi, who was cradled in his arms. Even the slightest movement sent waves of pain coursing through his body, but he ignored it, his gaze fixed on the small, trembling creature. Sensing his gaze, Mochi lifted her head and looked at him. Her golden eyes were filled with fear, but that fear quickly turned to worry as she took in Vincent''s condition. Before she could voice her concern, Vincent asked her with a relaxed smile, "Are you alright?" Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She ignored his question and exclaimed, "S-Stupid Master, y-you''re bleeding! W-Why are you not healing yourself?!" Her voice was high-pitched, panicked, like a child seeing blood for the first time. In truth, it was the first time she had seen her master injured, and the sight had shaken her to her core. Vincent gave her a reassuring smile, his voice calm despite the pain. "Don''t worry, I''m alright." Mochi reacted with a frantic tone in his mind, "Alright? You''re bleeding so much!" At this moment, Anur and Bern arrived next to him. They were shocked by Vincent''s condition. They knew his strength, and if he was already in such a state, they couldn''t imagine what would have happened if the laser beam had been aimed at them. Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire Anur crouched down, his tall frame folding as he reached for a bottle of recovery potion. "Are you alright? Come on, drink this." Vincent shook his head, declining the potion. It wasn''t out of arrogance or a reluctance to owe anyone¡ªit was because he knew the recovery potion wouldn''t help. The strange energy from the golem''s attack was preventing his body from healing. "It''s fine, that''s not gonna work," Vincent said, his voice strained but firm. Anur was confused. "What do you mean?" Vincent could feel the strange energy interfering with his body''s natural recovery. He explained, "There''s some kind of energy blocking my regeneration. Origin Energy¡ªanything related to it¡ªwon''t have any effect." Anur''s expression darkened. "What? It''s blocking the effect of Origin Energy?!" Bern was equally shocked but remained silent, his mind racing as he processed the implications. Vincent continued, "If I''m right, anything about Origin Energy will not have any effect on it¡­" Anur and Bern exchanged worried glances. If that was true, then even if they fought together, they wouldn''t be able to do anything. They might even die if they couldn''t find a solution. At that moment, as the dust of smoke finally dissipated, the golem once again noticed Mochi. Its mechanical voice echoed through the cavern, cold and unfeeling. "Extermination failed! Eliminate the intruder!" Hearing this, Dio frowned, his attention shifting to Vincent''s condition. In the next second, the golem''s eyes glowed with a dangerous light, accompanied by a high-pitched whine. It was preparing to release another laser beam. Dio quickly alerted the group, his voice sharp with urgency. "It''s going to shoot again! Be careful!" Vincent also noticed the golem''s movements. His expression darkened, while Anur and Bern felt a chill run down their spines. Mochi perked her ears, sensing the golem''s gaze once more. Before the golem could unleash another devastating attack, Anur and Bern hurriedly retreated. As much as they wanted to help, they knew there was nothing they could do with their current strength. They wouldn''t risk their lives for a stranger, no matter how dire the situation. Soon, the crimson woman in a flaming mask¡ªAra¡ªalso noticed Vincent''s condition. She had been warily observing the golem, her eyes glinting with an unknown emotion. When the golem finally unleashed the powerful laser beam, Ara exclaimed in worry, "Look out!" A low, throbbing hum vibrated through the air as the laser beam launched toward Vincent¡ªor more precisely, toward Mochi. At this very moment, Anur and Bern, who were closest to Vincent, felt the incoming laser beam. They believed that Vincent wouldn''t be able to survive this time. The sheer power of the attack was overwhelming, and with Vincent already injured, there seemed to be no hope. However¡ª Bang! The laser beam collided with something solid. A deep-purple ominous aura appeared around Vincent and Mochi, blocking the laser beam! "What?!" Zarrok exclaimed in shock. He had been looking forward to Vincent''s demise, but he never expected that Vincent would be able to block the attack when Origin Energy was useless! The others were equally shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief. But their shock was quickly replaced by baffled confusion. What kind of power was that? That was the question running through the minds of those who had no idea of Vincent''s true capabilities. Needless to say, it was Vincent''s last resort¡ªhis Chaos Energy! Although he had been warned not to use it for the time being, he had no choice. He could either keep it hidden and die, or use it and survive. At this moment, his right hand was extended in front of him, while his left arm cradled Mochi. Dark-purple energy emanated from his body, healing his injuries at an astonishing rate. However, at the same time, Vincent could feel his senses slowly crumbling away. His arms began to transform, taking on a demon-like appearance as they were enveloped in chaos energy. His hair slowly turned upside down, and a small horn protruded from the left side of his forehead. The changes in Vincent''s appearance immediately caught the attention of everyone present, especially the two thrygians, who were shocked by Vincent''s sudden display of power. "W-What''s happening to him?" Zarrok said, his voice filled with bafflement. Chapter 208 Unknown Golem (2) However, at the same time, Vincent could feel his senses slowly crumbling away, as if the very fabric of his being was unraveling. His arms began to transform, taking on a demon-like appearance as they were enveloped in a swirling vortex of chaos energy. The energy crackled and hissed, wrapping around his limbs like living tendrils, altering his form with each passing second. His hair, once neatly combed, now stood on end, defying gravity as it slowly turned upside down. A small, jagged horn protruded from the left side of his forehead, its surface glistening with an otherworldly sheen. The changes in Vincent''s appearance were immediate and drastic, catching the attention of everyone present, especially the two thrygians, who were visibly shaken by the sudden display of power. "W-What''s happening to him?" Zarrok stammered, his voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion. His eyes widened as he took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his weapon. At this moment, a deep frown was apparent on everyone''s faces. As they looked at Vincent, they felt their heartbeats pounding in their chests, each thud echoing like a drumroll in their ears. Yet, they couldn''t focus on their own racing hearts. An unknown fear crept into their very cores, as though it was a natural reaction to the overwhelming presence Vincent now exuded. "Grrraaaa!" Vincent could no longer hold back. He let out a reverberating roar, his voice shaking the very air around him. His arms spread wide open, releasing Mochi from his embrace. The force of his roar was followed by a powerful shockwave, forcing everyone to stagger back and raise their defenses. "Woah!" "Be careful!" "Retreat!" The shockwave subsided, leaving the group in a state of disarray. Vincent''s expression had transformed into something savage, his deep-purple eyes now dark and cold, locking onto the golem with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines. "Master..." Mochi muttered in her mind, her expression filled with worry. She clutched her tiny paws to her chest, her eyes never leaving Vincent''s form. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire At this moment, Vincent wasn''t just using his chaos energy; he was even subconsciously tapping into his primal energy. The primal wards embedded in the walls began to glow, their ancient runes lighting up one by one as if responding to his presence. Dio and the others naturally noticed the change, their eyes darting to the glowing wards that illuminated the surroundings. "What''s happening now?" Anur, who had regrouped with the others, couldn''t help but mumble in bafflement. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might provoke the energy swirling around them. "The primal wards are being activated. It could only mean one thing¡ªthere''s a primal inside or nearby," Diriko explained, her voice steady but laced with unease. However, her explanation did little to clear anyone''s confusion. If anything, it only deepened it. If the golem hadn''t activated the primal wards, then what¡ªor who¡ªhad? Their gazes then gathered at Vincent, all of them sharing the same thought. It must be because of him! But how? Isn''t Shroud a human? As confusion swirled in their minds, Zarrok, who had always harbored an inexplicable hatred for Vincent, pointed an accusing finger at him and exclaimed, "It must be because of him! That guy must be a primal! A demon! We should just kill him and his rabbit!" The others remained silent, their expressions unreadable. No one knew what was running through their minds, but the tension in the air was palpable. Then, Crizelia seemed to recall something. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "I think I''ve heard something like that from my elders¡ªa creature that''s not born as a primal but could wield primal energy..." Hearing her, Urek, who was wearing a black panther mask, nodded in agreement. "We also have that in my world. We call them calamity bearers..." Upon hearing their input, Zarrok felt even more certain that killing Vincent was the right course of action. "See? We should kill him already!" he declared, his voice rising with conviction. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Dio was in a dilemma. He, too, had some knowledge about the topic they were discussing. He didn''t exclude the option of killing Vincent if necessary. However, there was also his uncle''s words echoing in his mind: "Befriend ''him'' if you can..." He was referring to Shroud. As they were debating their next move, the golem once again started charging its laser beam, emitting a high-pitched whine that grated on their nerves. However, this time, the target of the golem had switched to Vincent. "Warning! Warning! Unknown Entity Detected! Highest Priority: Eliminate!" The primal wards'' effect was trying to confuse and pressure Vincent, but with the help of his chaos energy, they couldn''t affect him. Despite his awareness slipping away, Vincent never took his eyes off the golem. He didn''t attack recklessly; instead, he waited, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. When the others noticed the golem was about to release another attack, Zarrok exclaimed once again, "It''s the perfect timing! Once the golem releases its laser, we should kill the demon and his pet so we can go on our way!" However, the usually silent Ara interjected, her voice calm but firm. "What if he''s not what you''re claiming? Can you take the responsibility if we killed him?" Zarrok was displeased, but he didn''t show it. Instead, he replied with a sneer, "If he''s not a calamity or demon, what is he then?" Ara didn''t immediately answer. She looked up and stared into Zarrok''s eyes, her gaze piercing and unwavering. Zarrok shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny before she finally replied, "He''s cursed." She said it as though she was absolutely certain. "Cursed?" It was Korvath who spoke this time, his voice tinged with curiosity. Ara nodded. "Yes¡ª" However, before Ara could explain further, a sudden tremor shook the ground, interrupting her. They all turned to the source of the disturbance and immediately noticed Vincent, who had just blocked another laser beam from the golem. The beam was deflected, slamming into the wall with a deafening crash. This time, however, the golem didn''t just release a single laser beam and prepare to charge again. Its eyes flared with a blinding light, and the air around it crackled with energy. Instead of one thick beam, it unleashed a barrage of lasers¡ªeach one thinner but sharper, like threads of pure energy woven into a deadly web. Chapter 209 Unknown Golem (3) The beams split and multiplied, fanning out in a wide arc, carving through the air with a high-pitched whine that made the ground tremble. It was no longer a single, predictable attack; it was a storm of light, relentless and overwhelming. "Spread out!" Dio promptly commanded upon seeing this. Without hesitation, they hurriedly jumped away from the path of the laser beams. These beams were unblockable, their destructive power evident even from a distance. Although the lasers looked weaker, they still carried a devastating force. The group could feel the raw power within each beam, and they knew that even a glancing hit could be fatal. On the other hand, Vincent had found his way behind the golem. With a swift, fluid motion, he slashed his demon-like arm across one of its legs. This time, unlike the attacks of Dio and the others, Vincent''s claws managed to damage the golem, leaving deep gashes in its metallic surface. Vincent didn''t pause to think. He continued to slash at the golem''s legs, his movements a blur of chaos energy and primal fury. The golem, naturally, noticed the damage. Its mechanical head turned with a whir, its upper torso rotating to face Vincent. Without a word, it bombarded him with laser beams, the air filling with thick dust and smoke as the beams impacted the ground. Bam! Bam! Bam! Witnessing this, Zarrok couldn''t help but exclaim in joy, "Ha! That guy is surely dead!" Ara glanced coldly at him, but he was too occupied to notice. However, when the smoke eventually cleared, there was a huge crater on the ground¡ªbut Vincent was nowhere to be seen. Before they could even utter their confusion, Vincent suddenly reappeared like a ghost on the head of the golem. "Graaaaaa!" With a loud roar, he stabbed his sharp claws down into its mechanical eyes! Puchi! Once his claws pierced through its eyes, Vincent strongly pulled back his arm, holding a piece of red gem in his hand. Without an ounce of hesitation, he crushed it. He didn''t stop there. He plunged his other hand into the golem''s remaining eye, grabbing it and crushing it as well. Continue your journey at My Virtual Library Empire Once the golem lost both of its eyes, it suddenly spoke in a mechanical voice, "Emergency Protocol! Self-destruct!" Upon hearing this, Dio and the others'' faces instantly darkened. "Fuck! This fucking golem won''t even let go of us?!" Zarrok exclaimed, his annoyance reaching its peak. Dio didn''t hesitate to command, "Retreat! We have to leave!" However, Ara didn''t like it. She said, "How about him? Are we just going to leave him?" Dio gave her a weird look. He had been wondering why the usually timid and silent Ara had been so concerned about Shroud. Before Dio could respond, Zarrok beat him to it. "It looks like you have something with that guy, heh, woman! Go save him on your own, idiot!" Without even looking back, Zarrok rushed away, leaving the others to make their own decisions. Ara simply ignored Zarrok, keeping her full attention on Dio as she awaited his response. Dio remained silent, his gaze shifting between Ara and the impending explosion. The ever-impatient Crizelia interjected, her voice sharp with urgency. "What are you doing, Dio? We have to go now!" Diriko added with a frown, "That''s right, Ara. Why are you getting involved with that guy? We need to leave!" Urek, Bern, and Anur exchanged glances but kept their thoughts to themselves. Unlike the others, they didn''t immediately rush after the retreating Thrygians. Yet, Ara remained unfazed. Her crimson eyes stayed locked on Dio. After a brief moment of contemplation, Dio let out a weary sigh. "Do you have something in mind? I''m asking because I truly have no way to help him. Even in his current state, I don''t have a solution." Hearing his words, Ara gave a firm nod. For a fleeting second, her eyes gleamed with determination. However, the reaction from the others was less than enthusiastic. Crizelia, exasperated, and sighed heavily. "Unbelievable." Dio ignored the complaints behind him and focused solely on Ara. "So, what''s your plan?" Without hesitation, Ara raised her hand, revealing a disc-like object in her palm. "This¡ª" Before she could finish, a deafening thud shook the ground. Their heads snapped toward the source of the sound. The massive golem lay motionless, its chest cavity pried open as if something had forcibly torn it apart. Smoke and electric sparks sputtered from its exposed core. Dio muttered, "I don''t think that''s necessary anymore¡­" Ara was left speechless. She hadn''t expected Vincent to stop the golem''s self-destruction in time. Yet, even with the golem defeated, Vincent didn''t revert to his normal self. Instead, his piercing gaze settled upon them, radiating the same terrifying aura they had felt when he first transformed. A subconscious fear gripped their very souls. Vincent took a single step forward. Instinctively, they all took a step back. "U-Uhm, what should we do now?" Anur stammered, his voice shaky. As the weakest among them, he felt the crushing pressure more than anyone else. Before anyone could respond, a plump black rabbit suddenly appeared between them. Mochi. The small creature stared at her master with unwavering resolve. Just as Vincent prepared to take another step, Mochi leaped forward, latching onto him and beginning to absorb the chaotic energy surging through his body. "What is it doing?" Anur questioned in confusion. Bern scoffed. "Are you blind? It''s sucking out the black energy!" sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the two argued, Mochi continued her efforts. The oppressive aura around Vincent gradually weakened as she absorbed more of the chaotic energy. However, pain was evident in her small body. Though capable of absorbing chaos energy, there was a limit to how much she could endure. A soft whimper escaped Mochi, but she refused to stop. She endured, her tiny frame trembling under the overwhelming force, until Vincent finally returned to his normal state. Exhausted but satisfied, Mochi smiled faintly, then collapsed beside him. "Stupid master..." was her last thought before losing consciousness. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Somewhere on the Novice Continent, a dark figure stood motionless, gazing in the direction where Vincent and the others were. Narrowing its eyes, the figure spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Is it happening?" In the next instant, it vanished into thin air. Chapter 210 Aftermath Hearing his words, Vincent could not help but shift his attention to Ara, but Ara simply ignored him. He wondered in his mind, "She''s definitely trying to hide the truth. But why is she helping me?" He could not think of a good reason why she would help him. He didn''t even know her, or perhaps he knows her? However, seeing that she didn''t intend to talk about it, he set it aside for now and responded to Dio, "That''s right. I was cursed." He could only ride along with Ara''s story. "Damn, to think that curse was that scary. I don''t think I''ll be able to survive for a day if I have that curse¡­" Anur commented. The others went silent and looked at him. Anur felt uncomfortable with their gaze, "W-What? I''m just telling the truth. Shroud was lucky that he has a pet that could absorb curse, but I don''t have one. I will certainly die!" The others just shook their heads. Why was the difference between Dio and Anur so huge? When they were both Crystallians. Vincent ignored the comment and pressed on, "How''s your investigation? Did you find anything?" Dio sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion. "We checked the area where it might have come from, but aside from a massive crater, there''s nothing. No traces, no clues... nothing." Vincent''s frown deepened beneath the cracked mask that revealed the lower half of his face. And Dio was more than just disappointed¡ªhe was unsettled. The golem they had encountered was unlike anything he had ever faced. A creature immune to Origin Energy? It defied everything he knew. He had traveled this path multiple times before, and never had he stumbled upon such a monstrosity. I need to ask my uncle about this, he thought. If anyone had a chance of knowing what that thing was, it would be his uncle. And if even his uncle was clueless, then there was only one other person he could turn to... but that was a last resort. For now, he pushed the thought aside. "Can you bring me there?" Vincent asked, his voice steady but laced with urgency. Before Dio could respond, Ara stepped in, her tone firm. "You can''t. You just woke up. You need to rest." Dio glanced at Ara, his curiosity piqued. Why is she so concerned about Shroud? Does she know him? But he didn''t voice his thoughts. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "Listen to her. You need to recover. Don''t worry, we''ll pass by that place later." Vincent hesitated but eventually relented. They were right¡ªhe was pushing himself too hard. He gave a curt nod and leaned back, his body still heavy with exhaustion. Dio clapped his hands, signaling the group. "Alright, let''s take a few hours to rest, and then we''ll move out." The others nodded in unison, settling into meditative positions to regain their strength. Vincent, however, didn''t sleep. Instead, he pulled out a few Origin Crystals and a stamina potion, replenishing his energy bit by bit. Thanks to the chaos energy, his injuries had healed completely, but the toll it had taken on his body was immense. Though there were no visible wounds, every muscle felt like lead. He knew he had to find a way to recover his chaos energy. Before, he hadn''t prioritized it, thinking it was unnecessary for his daily life. But now, after what had happened, he couldn''t afford to neglect it any longer. Mochi was his responsibility. Despite her spoiled demeanor, she had saved him. If she hadn''t absorbed the chaos energy, he might have lost control and killed everyone around him¡ªor worse, been killed himself, losing his access to the Origin World. Vincent''s gaze fell to his damaged equipment. His Shifting Visage Mask was partially broken, and while it could still block observing skills, its mimic function was gone. His Obsidian Aegis was also damaged, but at least it could be repaired with some experience points. He let out a bitter sigh. If only I hadn''t been so arrogant, if I hadn''t rushed into things, believing I could handle anything... This experience had been a harsh wake-up call. There were always variables, always things beyond his control that could endanger him and those he cared about. His strength was still insufficient. But he wouldn''t stop. He couldn''t. Several hours later, Dio stood up, stretching his limbs. "Alright, I think everyone''s had enough rest." His eyes lingered on Vincent. "How about you? Still up for joining us?" Vincent nodded, his voice calm but resolute. "I''m fine. Let''s go." Dio gave a satisfied nod. "Then let''s move out." As they began their trek, Vincent scanned the group, noticing the absence of Zarrok and Korvath. He leaned slightly toward Ara, who was walking beside him, and asked in a low voice, "Where are those purple giants? Don''t tell me I killed them." Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire Ara glanced at him briefly before looking away. "It would''ve been better if you had." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "They fled when you were fighting the golem. It was about to self-destruct, and they didn''t stick around to see what would happen." Vincent''s expression shifted to one of faint surprise, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Still, he couldn''t help but ask, "Why didn''t you escape with them?" Though their conversation was quiet, the others could still hear them. Diriko, walking ahead, chuckled and answered before Ara could. "It''s not that we didn''t want to leave. It''s just that someone here was adamant about saving you." "Diriko!" Ara exclaimed, her face flushing beneath her mask, whether from embarrassment or anger, it was hard to tell. Diriko only laughed, clearly enjoying Ara''s reaction. Vincent turned to Ara, his gaze lingering on her. "Do I know you?" Ara avoided his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don''t know you." Vincent studied her for a moment longer but decided not to press further. If she didn''t want to talk, he wouldn''t force her. Soon, they arrived at the site of the battle. The golem still lay on the ground, its massive form unmoving. Unlike other creatures, it hadn''t disintegrated into particles of light. It was as if it were waiting for something. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why is it still here?" Vincent asked, his voice tinged with unease. Dio shrugged, his expression equally puzzled. "We''ve been wondering the same thing. We waited for over an hour, expecting it to vanish like a primal''s corpse. But it didn''t." Vincent hadn''t had the chance to examine the golem during the fight¡ªit had attacked too suddenly. Now, he activated his Heaven Eyes skill, scanning the creature. Origin Guardian ¡ª Tier 1 "Tier 1?!" Vincent''s mind reeled with disbelief. That thing was only a Tier 1? The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. If a Tier 1 golem could cause this much destruction, what would a higher tier be like? Ara noticed his reaction, her eyes flickering toward him for a brief moment, but she said nothing. The group stood in silence. At this moment, Vincent noticed a faint, blinking red light emanating from within the remains of the Origin Guardian''s corpse. The light pulsed rhythmically, almost as if it were alive, yet no one else seemed to notice it. He glanced around, confirming that Dio and the others were oblivious to the strange phenomenon. Intrigued, Vincent approached the corpse and turned to Dio. "Would you mind if I take this?" Vincent asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. Dio gave him a puzzled look, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why would you need it? That thing is useless now," he replied, his tone dismissive. Vincent didn''t offer an explanation. He simply stood there, waiting for Dio''s response, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. Dio studied him for a moment, then shrugged, realizing Vincent wasn''t going to back down. "Fine, it''s yours. You''re the one who defeated it, after all," Dio said, though his tone suggested he still didn''t understand Vincent''s interest. "Thanks," Vincent replied curtly, storing the golem''s body in his spatial storage. The red light flickered one last time before disappearing as the corpse vanished. The group continued their journey, eventually arriving at a massive crater. Vincent stepped forward, scanning the area with a keen eye. The crater was vast, its edges jagged and uneven, but it was empty¡ªcompletely devoid of anything of note. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, his disappointment palpable. Chapter 211 To The Lost Grove The crater was vast, its edges jagged and uneven, but it was empty¡ªcompletely devoid of anything of note. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, his disappointment palpable. ''Is there really nothing here?'' he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. Dio noticed Vincent''s change in demeanor and moved closer, crouching slightly to match Vincent''s height. "It''s alright. Don''t worry. If I discover anything, I''ll let you know immediately. But for now, let''s focus on our main goal. I''m sure you''ll find it interesting," Dio said, his voice reassuring. Vincent nodded, though his mind was still preoccupied. "Are we going with just us? What about those Thrygians?" he asked, glancing back in the direction they had come from. Dio''s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of disdain flickering across his face. "Forget about those two fools. It''s much better without them, in my opinion," he replied, his tone firm. Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly. It seemed even Dio had a poor impression of the Thrygians. At that moment, Crizelia''s impatience boiled over. "Are you done talking? Let''s go. We''ve already been delayed too long," she snapped, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Dio shook his head wryly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright. Let''s move," he said, gesturing for the group to follow. A few hours later, they arrived at an open clearing. At the far end of the path stood a massive, ellipse-shaped white portal, its surface shimmering like liquid light. The portal was surrounded by towering rock pillars, each wrapped in heavy chains that seemed to hum with latent energy. "That''s the portal to the secret realm," Dio announced, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. Anur, standing a few steps behind, muttered under his breath, "What are we gonna do now?" Diriko, who was standing in front of him, chuckled softly. "Just watch," he said, his tone teasing. Anur blinked, confused, but Diriko quickly added, "I''m just kidding, big guy. Of course, we''re going through that portal." Anur didn''t take offense. He simply nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "Alright, let''s go," Dio said, taking the lead. He turned to the group, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "Are you all ready?" Vincent and the others nodded in unison. Crizelia, however, let out an impatient sigh. "Yes, yes, Dio. Come on, let''s go already," she said, her foot tapping against the ground. With a wry smile, Dio pulled out a diamond-shaped key from his spatial storage. The key glimmered faintly in the dim light, its surface etched with intricate runes. Without a word, the key floated from Dio''s hand and inserted itself into an ancient-looking padlock that hung from the heavy chains. As the key turned, a loud ''click'' echoed through the clearing, and the chains began to retreat, coiling back around the rock pillars. A blinding light erupted from the portal, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Anur, caught off guard, let out a startled cry. "Ah!" When the light subsided, Dio turned to the group, his expression serious. "Let''s go," he said, stepping through the portal without hesitation. Vincent watched as the others disappeared one by one. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and was the last to step through. As he crossed the threshold, his vision blurred, and for a moment, he felt as though he were floating in a void. But just as quickly, his surroundings snapped back into focus. He found himself standing in the middle of a vibrant, lush forest. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, and the sound of rustling leaves filled his ears. But what caught his attention most was the roar that echoed through the trees¡ªa deep, guttural sound that sent a shiver down his spine. Roar! The roar was unmistakably from a Tier 2 or higher primal beast. Vincent''s senses heightened, and he immediately noticed something else: the Origin Energy in this realm was far denser than in the Origin World. Every blade of grass, every leaf, seemed to pulse with energy, as if the very ground beneath his feet was alive with power. But they weren''t alone. Vincent could already sense another group of Origin Warriors in the distance, their presence faint but unmistakable. Who are they? sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Dio, it seems we''re not alone." Urek leaned in close to Dio, his voice a low whisper that barely carried over the rustling leaves of the dense forest. Dio nodded, his expression calm and unbothered. "I know. Just be prepared. We should assume everyone we encounter is our enemy. It''s better to be safe than sorry." "Understood," Urek replied, his voice steady as he gave a curt nod. The two of them stood in silence for a moment, the tension in the air palpable. Suddenly, Urek''s sharp instincts kicked in. He felt something¡ªfast and dangerous¡ªapproaching from their left. "Look out!" Anur''s voice rang out, sharp and urgent, cutting through the stillness. Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire Anur''s warning came just a fraction too late. A blinding streak of light shot toward Urek, moving with such speed that it was nearly impossible to dodge. The light struck Urek with a deafening Bang!, erupting into a massive explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Thick, acrid smoke billowed up, obscuring Urek from view. The group quickly retreated, their movements swift and practiced. They spun around, their eyes scanning the direction from which the attack had come. Vincent''s sharp gaze caught sight of a group of figures, half-hidden in the shadows, their forms blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings. If one looked closely, they would see the faint outlines of small, dog-like creatures crouched low to the ground. Their fur was dark and matted, perfectly camouflaged against the dim forest floor. Their pointed ears twitched ever so slightly, catching every sound, while their glowing eyes¡ªyellow or amber¡ªstared unblinking, like predators waiting to pounce. Their muzzles were tense, nostrils flaring as they scented the air, and their clawed hands rested on crude weapons or the earth, ready to spring into action at a moment''s notice. Chapter 212 To The Lost Grove Their muzzles were tense, nostrils flaring as they scented the air, and their clawed hands rested on crude weapons or the earth, ready to spring into action at a moment''s notice. Among them, a few stood out¡ªtaller figures draped in tattered robes, their staffs tipped with faintly glowing stones that exuded an eerie, otherworldly energy. "Fangars..." Dio muttered under his breath, though his expression remained unchanged, his calm demeanor unshaken. At that moment, one of the Fangars¡ªa visibly taller and bulkier figure standing at the back¡ªgrinned maliciously. He held a staff in one hand, his black tattered robe fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "My hand just slipped. I thought you were a group of primals..." Though his words were an apology, his tone suggested anything but remorse. A cold, displeased voice responded from within the smoke. "Your hand just slipped? Then, I apologize for this!" Whoosh! A black-and-gold hammer shot out of the smoke, hurtling straight toward the Fangar who had spoken. The Fangar, unfazed, simply pointed his staff forward and muttered an incantation. A golden light flashed from the tip of his staff, deflecting the hammer with ease. The hammer spun through the air for a moment before a figure flashed into view, catching it effortlessly. It was Urek, now unmasked. His black panther mask was gone, revealing a tall, muscular man with dreadlocks tied back into a ponytail. His dark skin glistened under the faint light, and his sharp, piercing eyes glared fiercely at the Fangar. Urek stood at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches, his presence commanding and intimidating. His expression was one of deep displeasure, his lips curled into a slight frown as he stared down the Fangar. The Fangar smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. "Oh, so it''s you, Urek. My bad, I thought you were a primal. I didn''t know it was just you." Instead of rising to the bait, Urek''s frown relaxed, and a small smile played on his lips. "It seems you missed my smash filled with warmth, Drul." At the mention of the word "smash," Drul''s expression darkened momentarily before he regained his composure, his smug grin returning. "Heh, I''ll let you enjoy your remaining time in the Origin World for now. Enjoy it while it lasts..." he said, his voice laced with a knowing menace. With that, he turned around, his tattered robe swirling behind him. "Let''s go!" Drul commanded, and with a wave of his staff, the group of ten Fangars vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint trace of their eerie energy. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Urek watched them leave, his expression unreadable. Though Drul had left with a threatening remark, Urek didn''t seem the least bit concerned. Dio approached him, a sly grin on his face. "Are you just going to let them leave like that?" Urek didn''t turn to face him, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the Fangars had disappeared. "It doesn''t matter. No matter what kind of plan he has, I''ll still beat the crap out of him." Dio chuckled, clearly amused by Urek''s confidence. "You sound so sure of yourself for someone who just got caught off guard by a simple attack." Urek turned to face Dio, tilting his head slightly as he raised an eyebrow. "You must have sensed them from the start. You didn''t even warn me!" Dio turned away, still chuckling. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. I was just as surprised as you were." It was clear that Dio was lying, but he wasn''t about to admit it. Urek shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips as he let the matter drop. Meanwhile, Vincent observed the exchange in silence, his mind racing as he recalled Dio''s earlier explanation about the Lost Grove. According to Dio, the Lost Grove was a secret realm that existed outside the laws of the Origin World. It was a place shrouded in mystery, said to be the remnants of an ancient civilization. The Origin Guardian¡ªthe golem they had fought earlier¡ªcould very well have originated from this place. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire The Lost Grove was rumored to be filled with hidden treasures and resources, but it was also a place of great danger. Aside from the primals that guarded the treasures, there were also traps that could obliterate anyone who wasn''t careful. And, as they had just witnessed, there were other Origin Warriors who could enter the Lost Grove. Vincent had been excited to bring Mochi along, as the little creature had an ability for sensing treasure. Unfortunately, Mochi was currently in no condition to help, leaving Vincent to rely on his own instincts and skills. He pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the present. The Lost Grove was a place of opportunity, but it was also a place of peril. He needed to stay sharp. Dio had also mentioned that there were thousands of Novice Continents. That was right, there were other Novice Continents. It was like a game with multiple servers. Their own Novice Continent was the 13th, though Dio hadn''t explained how he knew this. Vincent had been skeptical at first, but given the limited knowledge he had gained from the academy, he couldn''t entirely dismiss Dio''s claims. If what Dio said was true, then the Lost Grove was far more complex than Vincent had initially thought. It wasn''t just a simple realm¡ªit was a convergence point for warriors from different worlds, each vying for the treasures and resources hidden within. Fortunately, the laws of the Lost Grove worked in his favor. Only those below Tier 3 (1¡ï) and those who possessed the necessary keys could enter. With his current strength he could somehow believe that unless he encountered someone that could fight against someone like him that could beat someone with a higher Tier than him, his journey in Lost Grove would be smooth. At this moment, they were heading to a place called ''Stonebridge Town''. Chapter 213 Lost Grove With his current strength he could somehow believe that unless he encountered someone that could fight against someone like him that could beat someone with a higher Tier than him, his journey in Lost Grove would be smooth. At this moment, they were heading to a place called ''Stonebridge Town''. According to Dio, they might stay for a week in this realm. Escape scrolls were prohibited, even the time-limit of Origin World didn''t work here. However, it doesn''t mean one could stay here forever. The secret realm would close after a week and would only open again after 6 months. Even if one had a key, he would not be able to enter. After a few moments, Vincent finally caught sight of Stonebridge Town in the distance. The town stood as a quiet yet bustling hub nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. Its name was derived from the ancient stone bridge that arched gracefully over a crystal-clear river, serving as the town''s centerpiece and main entrance. The bridge, weathered by time but still sturdy, connected the town to the surrounding wilderness, its surface worn smooth by countless footsteps over the years. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire The town stood as a quiet yet bustling hub nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. The bridge, weathered by time yet sturdy, connected the town to the wilderness, its surface smoothed by countless footsteps over the years. Stonebridge Town itself was a picturesque sight, its cobblestone streets winding through clusters of quaint, timber-framed buildings. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the soft hum of chatter and clinking tools filled the air. Vincent couldn''t help but wonder why the town was so lively. As if reading his thoughts, Dio''s voice rang out. "You must be wondering why the town is so full of life. That''s natural. They are the inhabitants of this realm." Inhabitants? Isn''t this supposed to be an ancient realm? Vincent hadn''t expected the Lost Grove to be like this. He had assumed that since it was an ancient and forgotten realm, it would be nothing more than a desolate wasteland. However, it seemed he had been gravely mistaken. The Lost Grove was anything but abandoned. It pulsed with life, filled with activity and vibrant energy. When they arrived at the front gate of Stonebridge Town, Vincent immediately noticed two gatekeepers standing in rigid formation. They bore the distinct features of the Lyard race¡ªturquoise reptilian skin and an imposing presence. Yet, while Lyards resembled the lizardmen he knew from fantasy novels and movies, they were far more formidable. Their bodies were well-built, standing as tall as the average human. However, the gatekeepers of Stonebridge Town were different. They towered over them, standing at an imposing seven feet tall¡ªmatching the stature of the Thrygians. Clad in heavy armor and gripping long spears, they exuded an air of solemn duty. But that wasn''t what caught Vincent''s attention the most. The gatekeepers were in a semi-ethereal state. They weren''t quite ghosts, yet not entirely corporeal either. It was as if they existed somewhere between reality and illusion. Curious, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes to analyze them. Stonebridge Town''s Gatekeeper ¡ª Peak Tier 2 Race: Chronolisk Chronolisk? Dio, sensing his curiosity, smirked slightly before offering an explanation. "They are Phantolisks, and what you''re seeing right now are merely remnants of the past. Even so, they can still communicate with visitors like us. However, bear in mind¡ªthey are phantoms of a bygone era. They have no knowledge of the present." Vincent frowned, absorbing the information. The concept unsettled him. At that moment, Bern''s interest was piqued. He asked, "What happens if we tell them they''re just remnants of the past?" Dio''s smirk deepened. "Why don''t you try?" Bern hesitated, exchanging glances with Vincent and the others before stepping forward. The gatekeeper remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Bern turned back toward the group. Seeing their expectant expressions, he sighed and decided to proceed. "Hey!" he called out. The gatekeeper remained unresponsive, standing as if frozen in time. Slightly annoyed, Bern stepped closer, his voice firm. "Excuse me, sir!" Finally, the gatekeeper moved, lowering his gaze to meet Bern''s. His voice was gruff yet oddly weary. "I''m not deaf, young man. And please, don''t loiter around. If you have questions, go inside. Walk straight ahead, and before you reach the town square, you''ll find a building on the right called the ''Mission Corps.'' There, you can ask for whatever information you seek. Now, please¡ªlet this old man have a quiet day." With that, the gatekeeper returned his gaze to the horizon, as if Bern had already ceased to exist. Bern was momentarily stunned. Behind him, Dio kept his usual smirk, while Diriko and Urek chuckled in amusement. The two women in the group remained indifferent, their expressions bored. Vincent and Anur, however, remained silent, observing with keen interest. They wanted to see how the gatekeepers would react if Bern confronted them about their existence. Still mildly surprised, Bern pressed on. "Just one quick question, sir." His tone was lower this time, more controlled. The gatekeeper let out a resigned sigh, as if sensing Bern''s persistence. "Fine. One question. But after that, leave me be." Bern didn''t hesitate. "Do you know that you''re already dead?" His gaze sharpened, watching the gatekeeper closely. However, the gatekeeper showed no reaction. It was as if Bern''s words simply didn''t register. The older figure frowned slightly. "What are you waiting for, young man? I thought you had a question. Go ahead and ask." Bern''s frown deepened, but he repeated himself. "I asked¡ªdo you know that you''re already dead?" Still, the gatekeeper showed no sign of recognition. It was as if the words themselves were erased from reality before reaching his consciousness. "Enough of this nonsense, young man," the gatekeeper said, his tone now laced with irritation. "If you''re just here to waste my time, then leave. I have no patience for foolish games." Bern exhaled sharply, stepping back. He turned to rejoin the group, his expression contemplative. Dio clapped him on the shoulder. "Do you understand now?" Bern simply nodded, lost in thought. At the back of the group, Vincent pondered the situation. The Chronolisks¡ªor rather, the remnants of the past¡ªseemed to be ''programmed'' to reject any information about their existence. But that led to a bigger question¡ªwho or what possessed the power to do this to them? For now, he set the thought aside. Even if he learned the truth, he lacked the strength to challenge such an unfathomable power. "Alright," Dio said, turning forward. "Let''s move. We need to prepare before that place opens." Vincent and the others followed without question. Novice Continent "Now! Shoot them down!" "Fire! Fire!" "Burn them all!" From a vantage point above, Caelius watched the battle unfold. No¡ªthis wasn''t a battle. This was a one-sided massacre. His clansmen, armed with Uncommon-Grade Fireballs, rained destruction upon their enemies. Alongside them, the Umbra Guildsmen unleashed their own Uncommon-Grade skills, their coordinated attacks overwhelming the hundreds of Thrygians below. Standing beside him were his trusted companions¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona. They had spent days planning this assault, carefully tracking the movements of the Blackthorn Clan. Now, their patience had paid off. The Blackthorn Clan had the advantage in numbers, making direct confrontation unwise. Instead, they had devised a strategy to weaken their enemy¡ªeliminating their commanders one by one. And today, they had found their first target. Gorvak. Initially, he thought that it would still be a hard battle since Gorvark always led a team of 1000 thrygians to a labyrinth to train and level up. However, he was still surprised by the performance of Vincent''s men. Although he had already witnessed the strength of Umbra Guild, when they trained in a labyrinth, he was still caught off guard by how fast this group of 100 Origin Warriors grew. Especially those 4 individuals that were leading their own kind of group. They were like a massacre machine, sweeping through enemies like they were weeds. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Karl could not help muttering as he watched the massacre below, "They are insane¡­" "They were already strong when we first met them. Now, in just a few days, they even become stronger. Just how can they grow so fast?" Fiona added. Uncle Gold simply nodded in silent agreement. Soon, only dozens of Thrygians and Gorvark were left. On Caelius'' side, not even one of them was killed in the battle. It was thanks to the uncommon-grade fireball skills they had learned. They could just launch fireballs from a distance and kill those blackthorn dogs. Chapter 214 Remnants of the Past (I HAVE FIXED ALL THE REPEATED CHAPTERS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCOVENIENCE) On Caelius'' side, not a single one of their members had fallen in the battle. This was largely due to the uncommon-grade fireball skills they had mastered. From a safe distance, they relentlessly launched fireballs, decimating the blackthorn dogs with ease. Gorvark and his remaining Blackthorn clan members were now completely surrounded, trapped on all sides. Gorvark, standing at an imposing height of 7 feet, was the only one still in decent condition. Clad in thick violet armor and wielding a heavy sword, his expression was a mix of frustration and fury. He scanned his surroundings, taking in the faces of those who had cornered him. Among the familiar Lionfangs, he noticed new faces¡ªindividuals who had cut through his men as if they were mere paper. ''Since when did humans ally with other races? Lyard, Almuarians, Vyrmins, and that girl¡ªa Barbarian?!'' Gorvark couldn''t help but seethe internally. Initially, he had assumed they were just a ragtag group of mercenaries hired by the Lionfangs. But the way they had unleashed a barrage of fireballs, obliterating his troops, made it clear they were no ordinary mercenaries. They had to be in league with the Lionfangs. ''They can''t be mercenaries! And since when did the Lionfangs have such formidable troops?'' The sight of the fireballs raining down had been both beautiful and terrifying, like a meteor shower. A single wave had wiped out 30% of his forces, and it hadn''t taken long for the rest to fall. As Gorvark desperately plotted his escape, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts. "I know what you''re thinking, Gorvark. Don''t waste your time. We prepared this especially for you. Did you really think I''d let you walk away so easily?" Turning toward the voice, Gorvark''s eyes locked onto Caelius, who stood alongside Uncle Gold and the others. "Hehe, young master Caelius. I didn''t expect you to go through such lengths for me," Gorvark sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. Before Caelius could respond, Gorvark lunged forward with startling speed, his heavy sword glowing with a menacing light as he aimed straight for Caelius. "Die, human!" Gorvark roared. Bang! The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed as Karl intercepted Gorvark''s blade with his golden bracers, the force of the impact sending sparks flying. "You''re not going anywhere!" Karl growled, his expression stern and unyielding. Gorvark''s face twisted in anger as his sword remained locked with Karl''s. "Get out of my way, kid!" he snarled, his voice filled with venom. With a swift retreat, Gorvark''s weapon once again glowed with fierce energy. But before he could take another step, six figures materialized around him, their movements almost synchronized in slow motion. Uncle Gold, Fiona, Karl, Lizno, Barbara, and Warren¡ªall unleashed their techniques simultaneously. In that moment, Gorvark knew his fate was sealed. Boom! Meanwhile, back in Lost Grove, within Stonebridge Town. After settling into an inn called ''Cobble''s Inn,'' Dio had given the group some time to explore the town and familiarize themselves with its inhabitants. For reasons unknown, Ara decided to tag along with Vincent. He couldn''t refuse her, feeling indebted for her discretion about his secret. Perhaps she truly believed he was cursed. Either way, he owed her. As they wandered through the town, Vincent''s curiosity got the better of him. "Is this your first time here too?" he asked Ara. Ara glanced at him briefly before nodding. "Yes," she replied curtly, her tone as direct as ever. She offered no further explanation, her attention shifting back to their surroundings as they walked. After a while, as they turned into a narrow alley, the sound of an angry voice reached their ears. "Get lost! Don''t come near my shop, you filthy beggar!" "Argh!" Intrigued, Vincent followed the source of the commotion, with Ara silently trailing behind. Soon, they came upon a scene that made Vincent frown. An adult male Phantolisk was viciously kicking a young girl of the same race, who lay crumpled on the ground. The male Phantolisk continued his assault, his voice filled with rage. "I''ve told you countless times not to come near my shop! You''re driving my customers away!" The young girl, her thin arms shielding her head, remained silent. A piece of bread hung from her mouth, and bruises covered her frail body. She looked exactly as the male Phantolisk had described¡ªa beggar. However, Vincent noticed something peculiar. Like the other Phantolisks, the adult male appeared hollow, a mere remnant of the past. But the young girl was different. Though thin and of the same race, she didn''t share their ghostly appearance. She seemed real, alive. Ara''s agitation was immediate. She stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Stop!" The Phantolisk halted mid-kick, his attention shifting to Ara. He eyed her cautiously. "Who are you? Are you this thief''s family?" Ara was momentarily taken aback by the accusation. "Thief?" she echoed. "Yes, thief! This stinking brat keeps sneaking into my shop to steal my goods!" the Phantolisk spat, his voice dripping with disdain. The young girl, her voice trembling with frustration, protested weakly. "I''m not a thief! I told you, I didn''t take this from your shop! Someone gave it to me!" The male Phantolisk sneered, his patience wearing thin. "Still lying, huh?" he growled, delivering another brutal kick to the girl''s side. Bang! The force of the blow caused the piece of bread to fall from her hands. Clutching her side in pain, the girl reached out desperately for the bread, but the Phantolisk stomped on it, crushing it beneath his foot with a cruel smirk. "N-No, my b-bread...!" the girl cried, her voice breaking as she crawled toward the Phantolisk''s foot, trying in vain to free the crushed bread. "Don''t touch me, you little vermin! And what bread? That''s my bread!" he snarled, leaning down to mock her further. Ara''s patience snapped. With a swift motion, she conjured a ball of fire and hurled it toward the Phantolisk. The Phantolisk sensed the attack and leaped aside just in time, the fireball slamming into the cobblestone ground and leaving a scorched mark. Bam! The Phantolisk stared at the burn mark, then back at Ara, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "D-Did you just attack me?!" he stammered, clearly unaccustomed to visitors daring to challenge the residents of Stonebridge Town. Ara remained silent, her icy gaze locked onto the Phantolisk. Vincent, meanwhile, could only sigh and place a hand on his forehead. Dio had explicitly warned them not to cause any trouble, as the people of Stonebridge Town were known for their strictness. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire And yet, here they were, barely having started their exploration, and already stirring up trouble. The Phantolisk''s expression darkened, his reptilian eyes narrowing into slits. "You''re dead, woman! I''m calling the town guards!" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. Without another word, the Phantolisk raised his arm, and a burst of azure light shot into the sky. It exploded with a resounding boom, echoing through the streets of Stonebridge Town. The signal was unmistakable, and it didn''t take long for the residents to notice. "Oh, another one? It seems the visitors today are quite fierce," muttered a resident, peering out from the doorway of a nearby shop. "The guards are going to be busy for a week again," another commented, shaking their head as they watched the azure light fade. The guards, who had been patrolling the area or stationed nearby, were immediately alerted. The sound of heavy boots clattering against cobblestones filled the air as they began rushing toward the source of the signal. The Phantolisk smirked, his smug expression widening as he turned back to Ara and Vincent. "You''ll be locked in the dungeon with that thief," he sneered, clearly satisfied with himself. But Ara paid him no mind. Her focus was entirely on the young girl, who was still crouched on the ground, desperately trying to gather the crushed pieces of bread. Ara knelt beside her, her voice soft but firm. "Let it go. We''ll leave. I''ll give you something better." The young girl froze, her hands hovering over the broken bread. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet Ara''s. In that moment, Ara felt as if time itself had stopped. The girl''s eyes were deep, filled with a mixture of pain, defiance, and a flicker of hope. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce through Ara''s very soul. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come. Ara shook off the strange feeling and waited patiently for the girl''s response. The young girl hesitated, her eyes darting between Ara and the crushed bread on the ground. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is what you''re saying true?" Ara nodded, her expression warm and reassuring. "Yes. I promise." The girl''s shoulders relaxed slightly, and she nodded in return. "Alright, I''ll come with you." "Good. Give me your hand. We''re running away," Ara said, extending her hand toward the girl. But the young girl shook her head. "No, you don''t know where to go. Follow me instead." Her voice was firm, her eyes resolute. Ara studied her for a moment, then nodded in agreement. She stood and turned to Vincent, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of concern and exasperation. "Are you coming?" Ara asked, her tone leaving no room for argument. Vincent let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Do I have a choice?" he muttered under his breath. But he nodded nonetheless. It would be irresponsible to let Ara and the girl go off on their own, especially with the guards closing in. The Phantolisk, realizing they were about to flee, tried to intervene. "N-No, you can''t run away just like that! If the guards catch you, your crime will be no less than murder!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic. But Vincent and Ara ignored him completely. They turned and followed the young girl as she darted down the alley, her small frame moving with surprising speed and agility. The sound of the approaching guards grew louder, their shouts echoing through the narrow streets. But the trio was already on the move, weaving through the labyrinthine alleys of Stonebridge Town. The young girl led them with confidence, her familiarity with the town evident as she navigated the twists and turns with ease. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 215 Lordship? (If you haven''t read the edited version of previous chapter please delete it from the library and refresh it if you are reading on the phone. I have edited and fixed the repeated chapters. I apologize for the inconvenience. I would never like to betray your trust. Again, I apologize.) After a while, they emerged from the alleys, but Vincent could still sense the town''s guards searching for them. The young girl didn''t stop and instead turned down another street. "Where are you taking us?" Ara asked, curious. The young girl didn''t respond. After exchanging glances, they silently followed her. But when they rounded the corner, the girl had vanished without a trace. In front of them was nothing but a cobblestone wall. "Where did she go?" Ara murmured in confusion. Just as she spoke, the young girl''s head poked out from the wall. "This way." Ara flinched slightly in surprise. Vincent, however, remained unfazed. Ever since his interest had been piqued, he had been using his Heaven Eyes skill continuously. The young girl disappeared back into the wall, leaving no trace of her presence. "Hey, wait!" Ara called out before stepping forward and vanishing into the wall as well. Vincent followed without a word. ¡ª They soon found themselves inside a dimly lit, dilapidated living room. The interior had long lost its former vibrancy. A wooden table and chairs sat at the center of the room, and a wooden staircase stood against the left wall. Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire Turning around, Vincent noticed that the cobblestone wall had disappeared. In its place was an aged timber door. The young beggar girl now stood facing them. Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, Ara asked in a low voice, "Where are we?" Before the young girl could answer, a hoarse old woman''s voice rang from upstairs. "Aevara, is that you?" The voice was weak, each word drawn out slowly. Aevara¡ªthe young girl¡ªturned toward the staircase. An elderly phantolisk woman, hunched with age, was making her way down, her movements slow and labored. "Granny! W-Why are you out of bed?" Aevara hurried forward to assist her. Her voice filled with concern. "What nonsense. I''m not bedridden, you brat," the old woman, Tayma, grumbled. Despite her gruff tone, her gaze softened as she looked at the sickly Aevara, her gaze filled with warmth. "Why are you back so early? Didn''t you say you''d return late? Have you eaten?" Tayma asked, her voice gentle despite her earlier complaint. Aevara didn''t immediately answer as she carefully helped her grandmother down the stairs. It was then that Tayma finally noticed Ara. She frowned slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Oh? You didn''t even tell this old woman we had guests. Did I not teach you better?" She waved a wrinkled hand dismissively. "Go, take the jar from the cabinet." "But Granny, that''s¡ª" "Aevara." Tayma interrupted, her tone sharp. The shift in Tayma''s tone made Aevara fall silent. She knew her grandmother was serious. She hesitated, unwilling to take it¡ªshe knew that jar contained the last of their food, saved for emergencies in case they had to relocate again. And she had only brought these strangers here for the food the woman had promised her. But in the end, she had no choice but to obey. Tayma watched Aevara disappear into the next room before turning back to Ara. "I apologize for my grandchild''s manners," she said with an apologetic smile. "That child has had to grow up too fast." Ara shook her head. "No, it''s fine." Tayma''s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. Her eyes darkened as she spoke, her voice low and weak. "Please, leave after you eat. And don''t ever get close to my grandchild again. I''m telling you this for your own good." Ara''s expression turned cold at the barely veiled warning. Before she could respond, Vincent interjected. "What do you mean by that, old woman?" Tayma turned her sharp gaze on him. But the moment she took in his features¡ªthe lower half of his face exposed, his piercing purple eyes beneath the mask¡ªher expression changed. Her deep frown twisted into sheer horror, as though she had seen the most terrifying creature imaginable. Despite her reptilian cerulean scales, her face visibly paled. Then, without warning, she fell to her knees and pressed her forehead on the floor, her frail body trembling. "I-I beg your forgiveness, My Lord! Please, have mercy on us! My grandchild is still young. She has no family left aside from me. Please, don''t kill me," Tayma pleaded, her voice shaking. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, utterly perplexed by her reaction. Ara, equally confused, glanced between the trembling old woman and Vincent. Just as Vincent was about to help Tayma up, a sudden crash rang out from the other room. Turning toward the source of the sound, Vincent saw Aevara standing frozen, a broken jar at her feet. Pickled fruits were scattered across the floor. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ignoring the spilled food, Aevara rushed toward her grandmother. "Granny!" she cried. But Tayma remained unmoving, her forehead pressed to the floor. Aevara turned on Vincent with bared teeth, her eyes blazing with anger. "What did you do to my Granny?!" she demanded. Vincent was speechless. He hadn''t done anything, yet he knew Aevara wouldn''t believe a word he said. Fortunately, he didn''t need to speak. Tayma grabbed Aevara and forced her to bow her head. "Mind your manners, you brat! Have I raised you all these years just for you to be this rude?!" "Granny¡­" Aevara was stunned. She had only been trying to protect her! Why was she the one being scolded? And ''Lord''? Had she unknowingly brought a noble into their home? Seeing her grandmother''s firm stance, Aevara reluctantly complied, muttering, "I-I''m sorry." Tayma clicked her tongue. "What are you apologizing for? Say it properly!" "I apologize for my rudeness," Aevara corrected, her voice firmer. Tayma turned to Vincent, bowing lower. "My Lord, forgive this ignorant child. She failed to recognize your divine Lordship." ''Divine Lordship?'' Aevara''s mind reeled. Just who had she invited into their home? Ara, too, was at a loss. And Vincent¡ª He was completely dumbfounded. Ara narrowed her eyes at him. "Who are you really?" Vincent had no answer. He was as baffled as she was. Why was he being addressed as ''Lordship''? He had already been confused when he was called ''Young Master'' during the Tower of Speed challenge. And now, a completely new title? Just what was the real background of this body? Chapter 1 - 1: Awakening Talent "Listen up, students!" "This test will decide your future. Fail, and you can kiss your dreams goodbye." "So don''t let me down. Give it your all! You got that?!" "Sir, yes Sir!" In the middle of a huge park, a tough-looking instructor in a crisp soldier uniform stared at the quiet students in front of him. They were the class 12 Year 3 students of No.3 High School . The students gazed at the floating cube moving in the center of the park. Their faces showed different feelings. Some fidgeted nervously, scared they might fail and ruin their dreams. Most looked excited and hopeful about their future. Among them, one student seemed unbothered, like he didn''t care about his future at all. Vincent Magnus, 17 years old now, but 27 just a few weeks ago. Back on Earth, he was just another struggling young adult. Life was tough. With only a high school diploma, he had to work multiple jobs just to get by. That''s right! But everything changed for him three weeks ago. His damn curiosity got him sent to this weird world. He was walking home when he saw a cat playing with a glowing marble on the street. Even though he knew ''curiosity killed the cat'', he still took the marble. Then, like some magic trick, a bright light swallowed him up. He vanished from Earth without a trace. Next thing he knew, he was in the body of some random guy who happened to have the same name as him. (a/n: Let it be) At first, he thought he''d traveled back in time, seeing how young he looked. But man, he was wrong! And not just a little wrong - he was dead wrong about time travel or ending up in some modern parallel world. He soon found out he''d landed in a place way more high-tech than Earth! But that wasn''t even the craziest part! This world¡ªAstrum, was too digital! A world connected to countless stars, realms, galaxies and space stuff! And the big boss system¡ªStarmark, ran the whole universe! That meant all the big shots and powerful beings were under Starmark''s rule and watchful eye. With the world linked to so many stars, galaxies, and realms, Astrum was no peaceful fantasy land. Men and women under 17 had to train for wars. At 18, they had to go to a special place called the Origin World. The Origin World was a crazy place full of different powers and races. It was like a huge arena where all smart life from the universe fought over resources and power. But not everyone could enter the Origin World. You needed a special key to get in. And today was the big day for Year 3 Class 12 of No.3 High School ! They were going to the Source Cube, that floating mechanical cube in front of them, to awaken their Origin Power! Suddenly, a figure appeared, floating in the air in front of the Source Cube! "Isn''t that our District Leader?!" "You''re right! That''s our very own District Leader Leo!" "He''s scary¡­ is this what an Origin Warrior feels like?" The man who just showed up, with a serious face, was the big shot of their district, Leo Blaire! Vincent had learned about this guy during his three weeks of research. Leo Blaire was a huge deal, a hero to many young people in their district. Before becoming a famous and powerful Origin Warrior, he was just a poor orphan living on government support. He had it rough, but on his awakening day, he got his origin power and C-rank talent! C - rank talent: Flame Synergy! With the power to use fire and make his body stronger with it, he started climbing the ranks. That''s how he became a role model for many students, especially those struggling in life. Then, Leo spoke. "Listen up, students of No. 3 High School ! Today''s the start of a new chapter in your lives!" "I know how you all feel today, I''ve been there! I just want to remind you that no matter what happens today, whether you awaken or fail, I hope you''ll still support your family, the young and old, our district and our world!" "We might not be the strongest compared to other races, but we''re tough! We adapt fast! We''re survivors! And we''ll keep surviving for ages to come! We are humans!" "Now, let the awakening begin!" As the students'' blood pumped with Leo''s words, the start of the awakening snapped them out of their daydreams! "ID no. 02783-672, step forward!" The called student stepped up and touched the Source Cube. A minute later, nothing happened. The instructor finally said, "Failed, next!" As harsh as it sounded, the student had no choice but to accept it. The next student came up. "Failed, next!" "Listen, move aside and go back to your room after your result!" "Next!" "Failed!" As time passed, Vincent could see the students'' faces changing. It had been a while, but still no one had awakened their Origin Power! If he was really a teenager and hadn''t faced the harsh realities of life, he might be like them - a bit worried, but probably too optimistic! He once thought he was the main character of the world when he graduated and started making money! He wondered where he got the guts to be that hopeful! Right now, all he could think about was how to use his experience and plan for the future if he failed to awaken. "I could always mooch off someone if things get really bad¡­" he thought. Just then, someone he knew stepped up to the Source Cube. It was Greg Malcolm! Coming from an Origin Warrior family, he had some pull in the school. But he was better known as one of the school bullies. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though Vincent hadn''t run into this bully, he didn''t like him. Three weeks was enough for Vincent to label Greg as a typical bad guy! He''d read thousands of novels in his boring past life, so he knew exactly what kind of character to avoid in this world. "Guess you can''t fix stupid," he thought. "Haha, it''s my turn! Out of my way! I''m finally gonna be an Origin Warrior like my brother!" Greg shoved the shocked student aside, making them fall. The instructor didn''t react to Greg''s behavior. It was clear he was ignoring what Greg did. "Enough, just touch the Source Cube for a minute!" Vincent gave the Instructor a quick look before turning away. This just reminded him what kind of world he was in! A world where strength and influence matter! If you''re poor and weak, your future''s worse than an animal''s! Vincent became more determined to reach his goal. He had to get stronger! Stronger than anyone else! If not, then at least smart and rich! He''d do whatever it takes! He''d struggled back on Earth, he didn''t give up then and he won''t give up now! While lost in thought. "Will Greg awaken his Origin Power?" "Are you doubting our Boss''s potential? He has an Origin Warrior brother, his father was a powerful Origin Warrior too! Boss Greg''s been eating and drinking special stuff! If he can''t awaken his Origin Power, then none of us will!" "I-I''m just talking nonsense, ignore me." "Hmph, you better watch carefully!" Just then, the Source Cube started glowing faintly. "H-Hey, something''s happening! The Source Cube is lighting up!" "Is this awakening¡­ Is Greg gonna be an origin warrior?" "Haha, see? I told you! Our boss is gonna awaken too!" The Instructor''s eyes widened a bit. As the Source Cube''s light faded, a faint shower of light covered Greg''s body. "Hahaha, I''ve finally awakened my Origin Power! Who can beat me now?!" The instructor quickly went to Greg. "Congratulations, Greg! You''re truly a dragon among men! Your future is limitless!" "Haha, you''re too kind Instructor Pen!" "I''m just stating facts. Can you show us what talent you awakened?" Hearing this, Greg smiled smugly and held out his hand. A visual interface appeared above it. [D-Rank Talent: Fire Element Ability] "A D-Rank talent! That''s great! Congratulations Young District Leader Greg!" The Instructor became even more respectful as he addressed Greg. He knew how important this talent was. It wasn''t far from the C-Rank talent of their District Leader who ruled over tens of thousands of people! Suddenly, a figure appeared above Greg and the instructor. It was Leo Blaire! Leo''s face was still serious, but his eyes sparkled a bit. "Congratulations on awakening. Your talent is good. I can recommend you to the Flame Tower Guild if you''d like to join." "Are you inviting me to your guild, District Leader Leo?" Greg''s voice got louder, clearly excited by the offer. "I can''t promise anything, but I can recommend you." "That''s enough! With my talent, I''m sure they''ll take me!" Leo frowned slightly before shaking his head, thinking it was just a young person''s overconfidence! "You can go back to your classroom or stay here if you want. Go on, continue the awakening." Leo flew up again and stood with his eyes closed after ordering the Instructor. "How unfair this world is¡­ the bully gets powerful while we weak ones stay weak forever.." "We should leave this school and find work in another district, that bully will be even worse now!" "Shh, keep it down. He''s awakened now, he might hear you!" Vincent heard the talk of those who failed to awaken and were bullied by Greg. He also started wondering how cruel this world could be. Soon, his ID number was called. "ID No. 09051-997, step forward!" His heart raced as he stepped up, feeling everyone''s eyes on him. Following the Instructor''s directions, Vincent touched the floating Source Cube. The moment his hand touched it, he felt warm energy flowing through his body. He thought it would be cold at first. 30 seconds later, still nothing happened. The instructor, looking at the timer on his holographic screen, thought it was another failure seeing no reaction. "This batch might have the worst potential of all," he thought. Vincent, still waiting for something to happen, felt more and more disappointed. Even though he wasn''t too hopeful and had set low expectations, he couldn''t help feeling let down. "Looks like I''m not meant to be the Main Character in this world either." The moment he thought that, something changed. The quiet Source Cube started to vibrate. At first, it was subtle, but soon even the ground began to shake. "What''s going on?" "An earthquake now?" "W-Wait, look! The Source Cube is shaking!" "Huh?" Even the Instructor was surprised by the sudden earthquake. Then, a bright light shot out of the Source Cube and pierced the sky. The students, Instructor, and even Leo were shocked. They''d never seen an awakening like this before! Soon, Vincent felt like he was soaking in a hot spring as the light seeped into his body! [Congratulations to the Host on awakening Origin Power! Talent Awakened: C rank - Origin Power Enhancement! SSS rank - 10,000x Exp Converter!] Talent Details: Origin Power Enhancement - increase the total value of Origin Power by 30% 10,000x Exp Converter - receive ten thousand multiplication experience points upon killing lifeforms. Experience points can be converted to different subjects. SSS rank talent skill options: ¡ñ Upgrade to Next Level ¡ñ Upgrade Skills Quality ¡ñ Upgrade Skills Proficiency ¡ñ Upgrade Items Quality ¡ñ Upgrade Items Quantity "Whoa¡­ what the hell is this broken talent?" Chapter 2 - 2: Marina [Name: Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 0 Origin Power: 1300/1300 (a/n: mana) Force: 1 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 1 (Overall affects the agility and reaction speed) Mental: 1 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (a/n: 1 is average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) Talents: ¡ñ C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS - Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter Are these my personal attributes? Vincent couldn''t believe his eyes. Was this his cheat ability for transmigrating? As cliche as it seemed, he was thrilled! He could check his stats without a device, and he had two talents! A C-Rank talent comparable to a District Leader, and an unheard-of Triple S rank talent! In his 17 years, Vincent had never known anyone with an SSS rank talent. Even if someone had one and kept it secret, it didn''t change the fact that his future was limitless! I might have endless potential, but I''m still weak. I can''t let anyone know about my talent! "He actually awakened!" "Who is he?" "He''s in our class! He never talked to anyone. We thought he had no hope, but he awakened¡­" Among the shocked faces, Greg was fuming. He felt like his spotlight had been stolen. The instructor approached Vincent. "Congratulations on your successful awakening, student Vincent Magnus!" "Thank you, Instructor," Vincent replied calmly, his face unchanging. He''d expected the change in the Instructor''s attitude now that he''d awakened. The Instructor, unfazed by the short response, smiled and asked, "Can you show us what Talent you awakened?" Vincent''s expression remained neutral. He knew it was mandatory to reveal his awakened talent, so he''d already decided which one to show. He held out his hand, and a hologram interface appeared. "C - Rank: Origin Power Enhancement?!" the Instructor exclaimed. "What? A C rank talent?" "He awakened a higher rank than Greg, who''s from an Origin Warrior Family?" "Is this the start of a new legend in our district?" The students buzzed with excitement. High above, Leo frowned. Something felt off. He had a C-rank talent too, but his awakening was different from Vincent''s. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite his suspicion, Leo was happy. It was good news for the district. Vincent looked up, watching District Leader Leo descend slowly. "Congratulations on awakening, Young Hero." Leo said. "Thank you, District Leader Leo, but I don''t deserve that title." "Don''t be modest. Our talent ranks might be the same, but your talent has a brighter future than mine." The Instructor gaped in surprise. "What do you mean, District Leader?" Vincent stood calmly, curious about Leo''s words. "Origin Power is the key to the Origin World. It''s the life force of everything there. It''s also called mana, powering all lifeforms in the Origin World. With Origin Power, you can use skills and techniques. Vincent''s Talent lets him increase his Origin Power and attack strength." Leo explained. Vincent was enlightened. He hadn''t known his talent could do so much. "Thank you for teaching me, sir." "Don''t mention it." Vincent felt uneasy as the District Leader gaze lingered on him. "Is there something else, District Leader?" Leo paused, thinking. "Would you like to consider joining my Flame Tower guild?" Vincent was about to refuse, but Leo quickly added, "Don''t say no yet. I know your talent doesn''t match our guild, but we have a special spot for someone like you. You can skip the assessment. I want to recruit you directly." "We''ll help you start in the Origin World. You''ll get 2 million astrum credits yearly, a villa in the 10th District, and skills and armaments for your rank to boost your strength. Think about it." Vincent fell silent. The offer was tempting. He only got a few hundred credits monthly from his student support. The villa in the 10th District was surprising too. He was currently renting a house in the 12th District. From what he knew, they lived in a huge Ark with 12 Districts. The 12th District was on the edge, prone to monster attacks and crime. Moving to a safer district was appealing! But what tempted him most were the promised skills and armaments. These were vital for Origin Warriors, especially beginners like him. Skills and armaments weren''t sold openly. You had to use special trade routes, and they were incredibly expensive. Even the lowest-ranked skills or gear were hard to afford. As tempting as it was, Vincent didn''t agree right away. He only knew a bit about the Origin World. He knew there had to be a catch. Nothing in life was free. Even death could be demanding. "Thank you, District Leader. I''ll think about it carefully." Leo nodded, not pushing for an answer. "No pressure. Just focus on preparing for the Origin World. Use your new awakener credits wisely to buy things that''ll help you survive there." "I understand." "Good. You can go prepare on your own now." "Yes. I''ll take my leave then, Instructor Pen, District Leader." Vincent quickly left the awakening center, feeling the mixed gazes of the students on his back. Greg glared at Vincent, fuming. He couldn''t believe a nobody had stolen his thunder! Vincent Magnus! You''ll pay for humiliating me! "Find me everything about that brat." Greg hissed. ---------------- Vincent didn''t go home. He took a hover taxi, run by AI. Neon skyscrapers blurred past as he traveled. Minutes later, the taxi door opened, and Vincent stepped out in front of a towering building. Origin Warrior Association. It was just a branch in District 12, but it showed the association''s power and influence. Two 3-meter tall mechanical guards stood at the glass entrance. They looked like Transformers from Earth, painted dark green. Vincent entered, and blue lights scanned his body. The red caution hologram disappeared. You may enter, a voice said from nowhere. He followed the red carpet to a spacious lounge and went straight to the information counter, where a beautiful woman in professional attire sat. "How can I help you?" she asked. "I just awakened. I want to register and get my rewards." "Of course. Please fill this out, and someone will guide you to the registration office." She waved her hand, tossing a hologram screen to Vincent. He quickly filled in his name, student ID, and age, then pressed the ''O'' symbol. "Little 13, please guide Mr. Magnus to the registration office," the woman called out. A floating monochrome robot with ''13'' written on it appeared. In a small, girly voice, it said, "Mr. Magnus, this way please." Vincent silently followed Little 13 for a few minutes until they reached the registration office. He saw other young people his age seated in rows of chairs. He took a digital token with the number 24. Half an hour later, his number was called. He entered a room and saw a red-haired woman in professional attire sitting behind a glass screen. "Hello, Mr. Vincent Magnus. Please sit down." "Thank you." "You''re here to register as an awakener and claim your district rewards, right?" Vincent nodded. "Alright, please put your hand in this hole. I need to confirm your awakening." Vincent frowned. "Will that show all my awakened talent data?" "Don''t worry. This device just scans to confirm you''ve awakened. You had to reveal your talent name and rank at the awakening center, but everyone has the right to keep the specific effects private," she explained professionally, used to such questions. Convinced, Vincent put his arm in the hole and felt a sting on his wrist. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Vincent Magnus. You''re now officially listed as an awakened Origin Warrior of District 12. You''ll receive fifty thousand credits, access to Astrum Origin Hub, a basic origin power meditation guide, and a basic origin power movement guide," she said. "We''ve sent the credits to your bank account and the guides to your Astrum Origin Hub email. Log in with this.." She handed him a visual ID card with his name, photo, Origin Warrior number, and rank (zero). "This is your Origin Warrior License. Don''t lose it, or you''ll be penalized. Don''t try to make fake copies either, or you''ll be severely punished. We can revoke your registration if you do that. I''ve emailed you the rules for registered Origin Warriors. Please read them," she explained carefully. "Is there anything else I can help with?" "Yes, where can I learn the basics about the Origin World," Vincent asked. "You can easily find that on Astrum Origin Hub." "I see. Thank you." "No problem. Anything else?" "No, that''s all." "Great. Please give me a second of your time to rate your registration experience." Satisfied with the quick process, Vincent gave five stars on the hologram screen and left the Origin Warrior Association. He called a hover taxi home. He had a lot to prepare and research about his Awakened Talents, especially the SSS rank one! After more than half an hour, the view outside the taxi became more urban. Though the world was high-tech, some areas lagged behind. As night fell, Vincent arrived home. He scanned his fingerprint to pay the taxi. His rented house was a three-story building, huge for one person. He used his fingerprint to unlock the door, and gem-like bulbs on the walls lit up the room. As soon as he opened the door, a young voice called from inside. "Is that you, brother?" In the living room, Vincent saw his younger sister, Marina, wearing a thin white dress. She sat on the sofa, sipping soda and watching a huge holographic screen showing a handsome man. "Watching that drama again?" Vincent asked. "What''s wrong? Jealous that I''m watching a handsome man other than my pervert brother?" Marina teased, bending her neck to look at him from the edge of the sofa with a smirk. Her wet black hair swayed behind the sofa, her dress revealing the cleave of her growing chest. Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Vincent''s. Her oval-shaped face was graced with fair, light skin that seemed to glow under the room''s soft light. Her eyebrows, perfectly arched, framed eyes that mirrored Vincent''s in their captivating purple hue. Long, sweeping eyelashes added depth to her gaze, enhancing the allure of her eyes. Her nose, small yet elegantly pointed, complemented her delicate features. Her lips, though thin, were plump and invitingly red, reminiscent of ripe cherries. Vincent, now accustomed to his newfound little sister''s behavior, ignored her teasing and asked, "Where is Sister Amara?" Sister Amara was the actual owner of this three-story building. Vincent and Marina merely rented two rooms. "Hmph, you''re ignoring your sister and asking about another woman instead!" Marina huffed indignantly. Vincent could only face-palm in response. Initially, he had been overjoyed to discover he had a sister in this world, having been without family back on Earth. Now, however, he was beginning to have second thoughts. With a sigh of resignation, he gently pinched both of Marina''s cheeks. "Alright, alright. Brother is sorry for ignoring the little princess," he conceded. Though slightly miffed, Marina couldn''t help but smile happily at the attention. At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. "Oh, you''re here, little Vincent," a feminine voice called out. Still pinching Marina''s cheeks, Vincent turned around. His eyes fell upon a short-haired woman standing at an impressive 170 cm. She was clad in a fitted gray sleeveless tank top that accentuated her curves, paired with form-fitting shorts that showcased her long, toned legs. Her alluring appearance was further enhanced by the casual way she held a beer in one hand, exuding an air of confidence and relaxation. "Sister Amara..." Vincent breathed, his eyes inadvertently drawn to her captivating presence. Chapter 3 - 3: Astrum Origin Hub "Brother¡­" "Aren''t you staring at sister Amara too much?" Vincent suddenly shivered, feeling a chill down his spine. He slowly turned around to face his younger sister, Marina, who wore a dark and disappointed expression. "I''m not. You''re imagining things," he said simply before changing the subject. "Go wash your hands and let''s have dinner. I have something to tell you later." Still annoyed, Marina left to wash her hands. Vincent then faced Amara, who had messy bed-hair. "You''re drinking again, Sister Amara." "Oh, come on, little brat. Are you my father? Let me be," she casually responded before jumping on the couch. She spread her legs in a comfortable position and took a sip of her beer. "Fuah! That hit the spot!" she exclaimed. "Did you even eat before drinking?" he asked as he walked to the kitchen, heading towards a rectangular black screen mounted on the wall. "You know the answer to your question. Just go prepare dinner for us!" Tap! The moment he touched the black screen, it became transparent, revealing what was behind it: a fridge. "What do we have here¡­ Skinless chicken breast and some vegetables. I guess this will do¡­" In this house, Vincent was the only person who could make a proper meal. Having lived by himself before, it was natural for him to learn how to cook. Despite being 26 years old, Amara had no talent for cooking. Once, she made a meal for them, but Vincent had diarrhea for two days afterward. He vowed never to let her cook again. Although she lacked cooking skills, Vincent was grateful to Amara. Three years ago, when their parents suddenly went missing on a trip, they had no idea what to do. With no money to pay rent for their previous place, Amara, who was living alone, took them in. Amara actually had no connection to them; she just encountered them one night in a park while she was drunk, heading back to her house. Three years ago, Vincent was only 14, while his younger sister Marina was 13 years old at the time. To pay for rent, Vincent was tasked with cooking for her, doing laundry, and other household chores. Even after living with her for three years, he still had no idea about the background of this mysterious drunkard. Nevertheless, they were grateful to her. Twenty minutes later, Vincent made a chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables and rice. "Dinner is ready!" he called out as the food''s aroma filled the dining room. "Woah, it smells good!" Marina was the first to arrive, followed by Amara, who had already finished her beer. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Come on, let''s dig in!" Amara''s eyes shone as she stared at the food on the table. Her previous laziness was nowhere to be found. "These foodies¡­" Vincent thought. Although he wore a wry smile, Vincent was inwardly glad that someone actually enjoyed his cooking. His three weeks in Astrum had been quite an experience. He was able to accept his situation unusually easily. After eating, the two foodies let out sighs of satisfaction. Their stomachs were visibly bulging, obviously full. As Vincent cleaned the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher, the satisfied Amara suddenly inquired, "By the way, how did it go?" Hearing this, Marina also looked at her brother. She knew what Amara meant: the awakening! She was also curious about her brother''s results but didn''t dare to ask him, afraid that he might have failed and that it would hurt his feelings. "Well, about that¡­" Vincent didn''t immediately answer the question. He paused and stared at them, making them assume he had failed. Marina''s eyes darted left and right, unsure what to say. Making up her mind, she crossed her arms over her chest. "It doesn''t matter even if you failed to awaken. I''ll be awakening myself next year. I''ll be the one taking care of you!" The usually aloof and lazy Amara also chimed in. "That''s right, you can just continue living here and do the house chores." Vincent''s forehead twitched. Even though their intentions were out of concern, their choice of words sounded annoying. "Why would you assume I would fail?" "If you didn''t fail, then¡­ did you successfully awaken?" Vincent stared at his young sister. "What? Just tell me already!" she demanded in annoyance. He eventually broke into a smile before nodding. Seeing him nod, Marina gaped, her eyes widening. Amara, on the other hand, raised her eyebrows. "Are you for real?" Vincent simply held out his hand, showing them the C-rank talent. "That''s great! Congratulations, brother!" Marina pounced and hugged him, obviously happy for him. "Congratulations, little Vincent," Amara smiled, genuinely glad for the siblings. "I can''t keep calling you ''little'' from now on. You''re grown up now¡­" Shaking her head, she added, "It doesn''t matter. You''ll still be adorable little Vincent in my eyes." Vincent could only offer a wry smile. "So, what''s your plan now, brother? It''s still August. You still have 2 weeks before September and your birthday," Marina asked. "Don''t worry about that. I already have a plan in mind." "Alright, if you need my help, just let me know," Marina claimed as she flexed her quite toned muscles. "Now, now, Little Rina, let your brother go and have a rest. You should also sleep early; you have school tomorrow. Don''t you dare be late again. I don''t want to talk to your Instructor again," Amara said, shaking her head. "Hmph! That was just once!" Although reluctant, Marina still agreed. On the third floor, finally alone in his room, Vincent took a flat screen device from his pocket. After tapping it, a hollow virtual screen appeared. He quickly visited the Astrum Origin hub. He logged in using his Origin Warrior License numbers. Soon, the ten-inch hologram screen widened, and a few more hologram screens surrounded him. As he scrolled through the hub, he finally saw a thread post titled ''Beginners Guide to Origin World''. It was posted by a user named ''Tata Lino''. He saw other thread posts by the same username but decided to read this one first. The Origin World was a vast, endless expanse. It was like a universe inside a universe. Monsters, races, extraterrestrials, experts, powerhouses, etc., were all over the Origin World. To enter, one had to use Origin Power to tap into their consciousness and enter the Origin World. By spending spiritual force, one could stay in the Origin World. Spiritual Force is a power that grows as the warrior climbs in rank. For his rank, Tier 0, Vincent could only stay in the Origin World for 48 hours. To be specific, Origin World''s time was twice that of reality. So, 24 hours of reality was 48 hours in the Origin World. The Origin World also had a rule that one could not simply leave the world as they wished. One had to wait for their time to run out or use an expensive escape item to leave the Origin World. It also had a rule that once you died in the Origin World, you wouldn''t be able to enter it again, essentially ending and cutting off one''s endless potential. Even with that risk, going to the Origin World had many benefits. As long as they survived in the Origin World, they could take everything they had back to reality! It was a world with countless resources! As an Origin Warrior, it was very important to explore the Origin World since the resources in the real world were already scarce. "I have to carefully prepare and thoroughly plan my way in the Origin World¡­" Vincent thought to himself. He knew the rewards and dangers the Origin World could bring to him. He continued reading through the hub, learning about key locations, influential powerhouses, and the rules within these key locations. After learning all of this, he checked his email and read through the rules and regulations for registered Origin Warriors. His attention then landed on the two Guides in his email: Basic Origin Meditation Guide and Basic Origin Movement Guide! He skimmed through them. The meditation method was a guide on how to easily enter meditation, directing the origin power to train mental power. The movement guide was just a basic movement method using Origin Power. Although both were basic and the lowest-rank skill books, they were very important not just to him but to all newbies as well. They would improve his overall survival ability. The meditation guide to train mental power was vital since there were many monsters in the Origin World that had higher mental power than humans. Furthermore, experts had powerful mental abilities. Just being in the presence of an expert with significantly higher mental powers could make someone faint. The importance of the movement guide lay in speed and escape movements, vital for survival. Therefore, there were huge red warning letters at the end of the guides regarding confidentiality. It was illegal to make a copy and sell it for personal gain. Since he was in his room, Vincent decided to try the meditation guide first. He took a lotus position, sat, and closed his eyes in the middle of his bed. He concentrated, clearing his thoughts. The guide said he had to empty his mind first. This was the hardest step, according to the guide. However, when he closed his eyes and focused for a moment, he felt something warm inside him, triggered, which instantly cleared his mind. Soon, specks of white light began to appear around him before gathering in his body. +0.1 Exp! +0.1 Exp! Notifications continued as he controlled the warm energy into the pattern according to the guide. +0.1 Exp! +0.1 Exp! Thirty minutes later, he woke up and summoned his personal attributes with a thought, focusing on certain data. [Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 0 (180/2600 Exp) "I''m improving? Isn''t it said it was only to train my mental power?" He had no idea what was happening, but he was thrilled to discover that it could help him improve. Not wasting any more time, he began meditating again! He continued until he fell asleep. The next day, Vincent, who was peacefully sleeping, unconsciously heard a buzzing sound. Bzzz! Pah! With a subconscious slap, the buzzing sound near his ears stopped. Host killed a mosquito, received +0.01 Exp! Talent activated! 10,000x exp! Received +100 Exp! As the notification sounded in his ears, Vincent felt a warm energy absorbed into his body, making him involuntarily moan. Soon, he felt a seething heat inside his body. He immediately sat up and began meditating. As time ticked by, he felt his body was bathing in a hot spring. His muscles and bones were cracking as if they were reforming. Specks of light gathered around him. After an indefinite amount of time, an explosion rang inside his body. He felt a surge of power. He even felt his senses increase greatly. He also realized he had found a dark marble in his body. "Origin Core!" It could only mean one thing. With a thought, he summoned his personal attributes. [Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 1 - 1 ¡ï (20/100,000 Exp!) "I''ve broken through?!" Chapter 4 - 4: Entering the Origin World! [Vincent Magnus] Rank: Tier 1 - 1¡ï (20/100,000 Exp!) Origin Power: 2300/2300 (mana) Force: 2 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 2 (Overall affects agility and reaction speed) Mental: 2.5 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (1 is the average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter "I''ve broken through?!" Vincent was dumbfounded. He had just awakened his talent yesterday, learned a basic meditation method, and accidentally killed a mosquito. Now he had broken through to Tier 1 - one star! "I thought cultivation was supposed to be difficult," he mused. "Didn''t I just sleep and unconsciously slap a mosquito? My talent is truly extraordinary. While others are probably risking their lives in the Origin World to gather resources and cultivate their rank, I might be the only one who can breakthrough by sleeping and casually slapping a mosquito to death." He shook his head, wondering about his future. With his increased power, his initial plans surfaced in his mind. Before transmigrating into this body, its previous owner had been a hard-working youth who matured early. He had died from exhaustion, training relentlessly every day and cramming at night in his desire to become an Origin Warrior and find their missing parents. Although Vincent admired the previous owner''s dedication, he understood the importance of a healthy diet and proper sleep. No one could grind mindlessly and expect to be fine indefinitely. Now that he was living in this body with limitless potential, he felt obligated to find the whereabouts of his and Marina''s parents. "I''m thinking too far ahead," he realized. "I''ve just started my path as an Origin Warrior. I still have a long way to go." With a clear mind, he began to observe the changes brought by his breakthrough. His personal attributes data showed his strength had doubled. He also examined his Origin Core, which seemed oddly familiar. The Origin Core was the foundation of Origin Warriors, serving as a container for Origin Power. Initially, upon awakening at Tier 0, origin power had roamed throughout his body. Now, it was all contained within his Origin Core. However, something puzzled him. "Isn''t the Origin Core supposed to be gray?" he wondered. His was black in color. Suddenly, he remembered the reason for his transmigration into this world three weeks ago. "Isn''t this the same marble that brought me here?" Lost in thought, he couldn''t determine if it was indeed the same marble or just an anomaly in his Origin Core. Shrugging off these thoughts, he focused on his plans for the coming days. Vincent left his room and headed downstairs. Marina had already gone to school, and sister Amara had left for work, though he wasn''t sure of her exact job. He prepared a light breakfast before jogging to the park in a tracksuit. He had memorized the Basic Origin Movement Guide and wanted to practice it. Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the park. Some residents of District 12 were also exercising, walking, and relaxing there. Although already warmed up, he stretched out of habit. "According to the guide, I need to control my origin power and focus it on my legs," he thought. Following this, he guided his origin power to his legs, feeling the warm energy settling there. "Let''s see the effect-" Just as he was about to test the guided movement speed, the warm energy in his legs vanished. Frowning, he focused and channeled origin power to his legs again. This time, maintaining his concentration, he kept the Origin Power steady. Completely focused, he took a step and vanished with a ''whoosh'', reappearing 4 meters away from his original position. The children and elderly in the park who witnessed this were surprised. "M-Mom, that person teleported!" "Shh, don''t point at him. He might be an Origin Warrior!" "Mom, I want to be like that person!" "Yes, yes. Mom would be happy if you awaken too..." Ignoring the whispers around him, Vincent marveled at his burst of speed. "That was fast!" he exclaimed. It was indeed quick, but he noticed the high consumption of Origin Power. He had used 100 Origin Power in just a second! "I need to train to get used to the speed and minimize Origin Power consumption," he concluded. Vincent continued training in the park, disregarding the whispers and stares of onlookers. He practiced the Basic Origin Movement until nightfall. Returning home, he prepared a meal and ate with Marina and Amara. At night, he meditated, expecting the rate of experience gain to remain the same as the previous day. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, it was several times slower. With 100,000 exp required to reach the next level, he realized meditation alone wouldn''t be enough. It would take far too long! He also tried killing insects in the house but failed to gain any experience from them. This meant he needed to defeat lifeforms of the same rank to receive experience points. For the next few weeks, he focused on physical training, origin movement practice, and meditation. He also used his awakening reward credits. Initially, he thought the fifty thousand credits in his bank account would be sufficient to buy several items. But he was mistaken! Browsing the Astrum Origin Online Market, he felt impoverished. Common dark-steel alloy weapons cost half of his entire reward - twenty-five thousand credits! He was even more shocked to find that armor of the same material was more expensive! He could only afford cheaper armor made of mixed leather and steel. He spent the remaining credits on other necessities, emptying his bank account. September 5, Astrum Calendar Year 3000 In the living room, Vincent, Marina, and Amara sat on the sofa. It was Sunday morning, and the two girls wore casual clothes, contrasting with the fully armed Vincent, who also carried a black backpack. "Brother, are you ready to go?" Marina asked, her voice tinged with concern. She honestly didn''t want him to leave. Today was his actual birthday; they had celebrated it just yesterday. Her worries stemmed from a fear of abandonment. He was her only family member. She couldn''t bear the thought of her brother leaving her too. She was well aware of the dangers the Origin World held. "You have nothing to worry about. Your brother is strong!" he assured her. He understood Marina''s concerns. He would be afraid too if he were in her position. That''s why he had to become stronger. He was no longer living just for himself. He had a younger sister and an older sister, though not by blood. "I understand, but please be careful there and come back tomorrow, okay?" "If you don''t return tomorrow, I''ll post your search history online!" Marina threatened playfully. Vincent couldn''t help but tremble inwardly at the thought. His body''s previous owner was a youth, so it was natural that there might be some questionable search history. Seeing his reaction, Amara smirked. "Hmm, why don''t you tell me your brother''s search history so I can post it on my social media as well?" Her tone was mischievous. Marina turned to look at her, considering the idea. Seeing his younger sister about to agree, Vincent quickly intervened. "Alright, alright, stop! I''ll be back by tomorrow morning!" The duo chuckled at his reaction. "So you''re actually like that, Little Vincent..." Amara maintained her teasing smile. Vincent chose to ignore her and change the subject. "Alright, I''ve wasted enough time. You have nothing to worry about. I''ve thoroughly prepared for this moment. I''ll be going now!" As he stood up, a transparent vial filled with red liquid was thrown at him. He reflexively caught it. "Take that with you," Amara said. Vincent examined the vial in his hand before looking at Amara. "This is a recovery potion, right?" Amara didn''t respond, just smiling at him. "Where did you get this? This is expensive." The last time he browsed the online market, he saw the cheapest recovery potion selling for 50,000 credits! And that was the cheapest option! He could buy two dark-steel weapons with the vial he was holding. "Don''t worry about it. Just make sure to come back in one piece. It''s hard to find another tenant who can cook and do my laundry..." Although her tone was casual, he could detect a hint of concern in her voice. He didn''t press further. Though curious about the potion''s origin, he simply accepted it with thanks before tucking it into one of his pockets. "I''ll be going now." The two girls nodded. "Please be careful out there, brother!" "Come back quickly. You still have to cook for us." Vincent nodded with a smile. Closing his eyes, he focused his thoughts, and a bright light enveloped him before he vanished completely. The two girls watched in silence before Marina broke it. "How are we going to eat now?" Once again, silence filled the room. Chapter 5 - 5: Novice Sanctuary Vincent''s vision cleared, and he found himself standing in the center of a majestic circular field. Towering white walls of intricate architecture surrounded him, with a massive clock tower looming in the middle. The setting was a mesmerizing blend of futuristic and medieval styles. Countless white lights appeared around him as other Origin Warriors materialized in rapid succession. [Welcome to No.3 Novice Sanctuary!] A holographic interface flashed before his eyes. In the Origin World, Tier 0 to Tier 3 Origin Warriors, classified as Novice rank, were automatically spawned in one of four Novice Sanctuaries. These sanctuaries were situated on designated vast continents according to one''s rank. Vincent had appeared in No.3 Novice Sanctuary, located in the western part of the Novice Continent. The other sanctuaries were positioned at the cardinal points: No.1 Novice Sanctuary in the North No.2 Novice Sanctuary in the East No.4 Novice Sanctuary in the South "Of all places to spawn¡­ my luck truly is abysmal," Vincent muttered under his breath. According to the hub information, No.3 Novice Sanctuary was the worst possible starting location for humans. With a scarce human population, this sanctuary was dominated by other races. As Vincent surveyed his surroundings, he noticed one of the materializing figures nearby. It had a humanoid shape but sported green and black spotted skin, sharp fangs, and pointed ears ¨C a Vyrmin. These creatures were known for their smaller stature compared to humans. While Vincent was taking in the sights, a gruff voice cut through his thoughts. "Well, well, what do we have here? Another human insect dares to show its face in our sanctuary?" The voice dripped with malice. Vincent turned to face its owner and found himself staring up at an imposing figure. Standing nearly three meters tall, the being before him was clad in heavy chest plate armor with a giant axe strapped to his back. His appearance was vicious ¨C purple skin, short thorny spikes adorning his bald head and the sides of his face, all accentuating his bodybuilder-like physique. It was a Thrygian, one of the races most hostile towards humans. The Thrygian was flanked by two companions, both a head shorter than him but no less intimidating. The Thrygian''s booming voice caught the attention of the other spawning races in the area. Whispers began to circulate among the onlookers. "Isn''t that Grarik? The young master of the Blackthorn clan?" "You''re right. I heard he''s already at the peak of Tier 2." "What''s all this commotion about?" "Not sure, but it looks like Grarik''s set his sights on that human¡­" "Which human?" "That one there. Looks like a newbie¡­" "Poor soul. I''ve heard their clan is ruthless towards humans. A fight''s bound to break out if they cross paths." "But would they dare to fight inside the sanctuary?" Vincent frowned as he caught snippets of the whispered conversations around him. He was well aware of the strict rules governing the sanctuary, one of which explicitly forbade killing within its confines. However, the rules said nothing about fighting¡­ Realizing the precariousness of his situation, Vincent felt a headache coming on. He had just arrived, and all he wanted was to explore the sanctuary in peace. Was that too much to ask? With a furrowed brow, he addressed the Thrygian. "What do you want?" Grarik scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "What do I want? I want you to kneel, kowtow, and beg forgiveness from my ancestors, you miserable insect!" Vincent''s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "And why, pray tell, would I do that? Do I owe you something?" "Owe me?" Grarik growled, his purple face darkening with rage. "You humans owe my entire family! Your kind dared to pillage our resources and slaughter my people! Of course you owe me!" Vincent''s patience was wearing thin. "You''re spouting nonsense. If you want a fight, just say so. No need for these fairytales!" Although he knew he was at a disadvantage, Vincent wasn''t one to back down from a challenge. He believed in fighting for his dignity ¨C a man could die fighting, but should never suffer humiliation. Of course, if circumstances required him to swallow his pride for the sake of loved ones, he would. But this¡­ this was not one of those situations. Moreover, Vincent was confident that Grarik wouldn''t dare kill him inside the sanctuary. That knowledge emboldened him. "You, a mere human insect, dare to challenge me?" Grarik''s voice turned cold, disbelief evident in his tone. "Why not? Are you afraid?" Vincent retorted, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. He might be weak, but Vincent had never shied away from a fight. Even back on Earth, where he had grown up alone on the streets, he had faced death multiple times. He had always had to fight for himself. "Afraid? Haha!" Grarik suddenly burst into laughter as if he''d heard the funniest joke of his life. Without warning, a heavy pressure erupted from Grarik, crashing down on Vincent like a tidal wave. Although Vincent had braced himself for battle, this was his first encounter with the raw power of a Tier 2 Origin Warrior. The crushing weight seemed to bear down on every fiber of his being. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why would I fear an ant like you?" Grarik''s voice was deep and cold, devoid of any humor now. ''Damn it! I had no idea the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 was this vast¡­'' Vincent thought, his body trembling under the immense pressure. In that moment, a sobering realization dawned on him. Just because he possessed an SSS-rank talent and had managed to break through to Tier 1 in a single night, he had allowed himself to become overconfident. He had naively expected his journey to be smooth sailing thanks to his innate abilities. As the pressure threatened to force him to his knees, Vincent gritted his teeth in defiance. "What''s the matter? Why has the little insect stopped buzzing? Cat got your tongue?" Grarik taunted, clearly reveling in Vincent''s struggle. Just as the situation seemed bleakest, a deep, calm voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "I believe you''ve had your fun, Giant Fool!" Suddenly, a similar pressure crashed down, colliding with Grarik''s mental assault. Vincent gasped in relief as the oppressive force lifted, feeling as though he''d just survived the most intense minute of his life. "Who dares?!" Grarik roared, his eyes scanning the area for the source of the interruption. Vincent turned to see his unexpected savior ¨C a man with flowing golden hair, dressed in elegant clothes and armor. An exquisite longsword hung at his waist, its sheath gleaming in the light. "Caelius!" Grarik spat the name as if it left a foul taste in his mouth. The newcomer, Caelius, casually picked at his ear as if Grarik''s shout had actually hurt it. "You really do have a habit of shouting, don''t you?" "You actually have the audacity to show your face before me?!" Grarik growled, his massive frame quivering with barely contained rage. Caelius let out a hearty laugh. "I even dared to kill your younger brother. Why wouldn''t I dare to show myself to a clown like you?" At the mention of his brother, Grarik''s eyes blazed with murderous intent, his expression contorting into one of pure hatred. "You bastard!!!" he roared, reaching for the massive axe on his back. In that moment, all he wanted was to hack the arrogant human before him into bloody pieces. However, before he could make a move, one of his companions grabbed his arm. "Wait, young master! The elders ordered us not to cause any major disturbances for the time being." "Did you not hear what this insect just said? He killed my younger brother!" Grarik snarled, struggling against his companion''s grip. "I understand your anger, young master. But please, calm yourself. I''m certain the elders have a plan, and we will have our revenge soon enough." Though still seething with rage, Grarik managed to regain some semblance of control. He fixed Caelius with a deadly glare. "Count yourself lucky we''re inside the sanctuary. If I catch you outside these walls, it''ll be your funeral!" He then turned his venomous gaze on Vincent before storming off with his men in tow. "Bye-bye, Giant Idiot!" Caelius called out cheerfully, waving as he watched Grarik''s retreating form disappear into the distance. As the crowd began to disperse, Vincent turned to face Caelius, his unexpected ally in this strange new world. "Thank you for stepping in," Vincent said, genuine gratitude in his voice. Caelius waved his hand dismissively. "Don''t mention it. I didn''t do it for you ¨C I just can''t stand that guy. Besides, it was hilarious watching his face turn black with anger. Did you see that?" He broke into laughter once more. Vincent could only manage a wry smile. It seemed he had encountered quite the character. "I''m Caelius, by the way. And you are?" the golden-haired man asked, extending his hand. "Vincent," he replied, shaking Caelius'' hand firmly. "You''re new here, aren''t you?" Caelius asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Is it that obvious?" Vincent asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Caelius shrugged. "If you''d spawned in any other sanctuary, maybe not. But here? A human walking around without a mask or robe? That speaks volumes." Vincent wanted to point out that Caelius himself wasn''t exactly hiding, but he bit his tongue, the memory of his recent encounter still fresh in his mind. "You seem to know that Thrygian well," Vincent observed. "Am I going to be in trouble after what just happened?" Caelius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I do know Grarik, unfortunately. As for trouble¡­ try not to dwell on it too much. We humans might be scarce here, but we''re not without our own foundations. They won''t openly attack you, especially not within the sanctuary. Unless¡­" "Unless I''m outside," Vincent finished, understanding dawning on him. Caelius nodded solemnly. "Come on," he said, his mood lightening. "I''ll give you a tour of the sanctuary. You''ll need to familiarize yourself with this place if you want to survive." Chapter 6 - 6: Novice Center As Vincent walked alongside Caelius, exploring the sanctuary, he absorbed the wealth of information his new acquaintance shared, solidifying the knowledge he''d gleaned from his prior research. "The No. 3 Novice Sanctuary is under the rule of the Crystallians, a neutral race," Caelius explained, his voice tinged with a hint of admiration. "They''re known for their fair governance, which is a blessing in this melting pot of races." Vincent nodded, committing the information to memory. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What about the living arrangements here?" he inquired, his eyes scanning the impressive structures around them. Caelius''s lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Ah, that''s where it gets interesting. For newbies like yourself, the first two days are on the house. After that, you''ll need to pay taxes to stay." "And if I choose not to pay?" Vincent asked, raising an eyebrow. "Then you''re on your own in the wild," Caelius replied, his tone turning serious. "Trust me, you don''t want that. If you leave the Origin World while outside the sanctuary, you''ll spawn back in the wild when you return. It''s a death sentence for most newbies." Vincent felt that it does makes sense. "I see. What else should I know about the sanctuary''s layout?" "The sanctuary is divided into three districts: outer, middle, and core," Caelius continued, gesturing to different areas as they walked. "Living in the middle or core districts comes with perks, but you''ll need to earn contribution points to gain access." "What kind of perks?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued. "Discounts, valuable connections, access to special trade routes," Caelius listed off, a glint in his eye. "But don''t get ahead of yourself. For now, focus on understanding the system and surviving." Vincent nodded, his mind already working on strategies to climb the ranks. "Where to next?" "The Novice Center," Caelius announced, pointing to a grand building ahead. "It''s the go-to place for newbies and unaffiliated individuals. You can gather and sell info, take on missions, and trade items there." As they approached the imposing structure of the Novice Center. The building''s architecture was a testament to the advanced civilization of the Origin World, its sleek lines and imposing presence a stark contrast to anything he''d seen on Earth. Upon entering, Vincent was immediately struck by the diversity of races bustling about inside. Beings of all shapes, sizes, and colors moved with purpose, their conversations creating a low hum of activity. Human faces were few and far between, most hidden behind masks or concealed beneath hooded robes. Vincent touched the black mask Caelius had given him earlier, grateful for the anonymity it provided. Through the mask, only his striking purple eyes were visible, a feature he hoped wouldn''t draw too much attention. As they made their way through the crowd, Vincent couldn''t help but notice the sideways glances and hushed whispers directed at Caelius. His companion seemed either oblivious or deliberately ignorant of the attention. "Man, why is that demon here?" Vincent overheard someone mutter. "I heard he massacred a group of rogue warriors again," another voice added, tinged with fear. "Yeah, and didn''t he kill the youngest master of the Blackthorn clan?" a third chimed in. The whispers continued, painting a picture of Caelius that was at odds with the helpful, almost cheerful demeanor he''d shown Vincent. Curiosity gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside for the moment. There were more pressing matters at hand. They approached a long counter where five women of various races attended to visitors. Vincent stepped up to an available attendant, an Almaurian woman with almond eyes and copper skin. "How can I help you?" she asked, her voice professional and courteous. "I''d like to register," Vincent replied, keeping his voice steady. The woman nodded. "Certainly. Do you have any affiliation?" Vincent questioned. "What''s the difference if I''m affiliated or not?" The attendant''s expression softened slightly, recognizing a newcomer. "Well, if you''re affiliated with a guild, clan, or sect and want to join our organization, you''ll have access to special missions with amazing rewards. Without affiliation, you''ll only be able to access normal and some elite missions. You can still join other registered warriors for special missions, though." Vincent nodded, suddenly recalling the District Leader''s offer. He filed that information away for later consideration. "I''m not currently affiliated with any organization," he stated. "I understand," the attendant replied, tapping on a digital screen beside her. With a fluid motion, she dragged a virtual screen towards Vincent. "Please fill this out." Vincent quickly completed the form, providing his chosen alias ''Shroud'', his current rank, and confirming his unaffiliated status. As he passed the screen back, the attendant continued working, her fingers dancing across the interface. A moment later, a faint light shimmered before her, coalescing into a circular token. She handed it to Vincent with a smile. "This will be your identification token." Vincent accepted it, marveling at the strange material. It seemed almost alive, with lines of green and blue pulsing across its surface. The inscription "Tier 1 - 1¡ï" was prominently displayed, with ''Shroud'' written beneath. "The token serves multiple purposes," the attendant explained. "It''s your ID when leaving the sanctuary, grants you two days of free lodging in the outer district inns, and allows you to track mission progress. It also has an emergency signal function." Vincent nodded, absorbing the information. "Where can I accept missions?" he asked, eager to get started. The attendant pointed to a large virtual screen on the far side of the room. "You can check and accept available missions on that Novice Mission Board." After thanking her, Vincent turned to Caelius, who had been waiting patiently nearby. "You''re accepting a mission now?" Caelius asked. "Yes, that''s my plan," Vincent confirmed. "Is there a problem?" Caelius paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "Nothing specific. Since you''ve explored the outer district and have a plan, I''ll take my leave. I have some matters to attend to." Vincent wasn''t feeling disappointed he just nodded in understanding. "Thank you again for your help earlier and for the tour." "Don''t mention it," Caelius replied with a wave of his hand. "Good luck, and see you around." As Vincent watched Caelius''s retreating form, he couldn''t help but feel a mix of gratitude and wariness. The first human he''d encountered in this new world had been unexpectedly helpful, but the whispers he''d overheard left him with more questions than answers. Shaking off his musings, Vincent steeled his resolve. The memory of his encounter with Grarik in the Spawn Field still burned in his mind, a stark reminder of his current weakness. It was time to start improving, to get stronger! With determined steps, he approached the Novice Mission Board. The massive virtual screen displayed four columns, one for each tier from 0 to 3. Vincent focused on the Tier 1 missions, scanning the available options: Gather 6 Tier 1 - 1¡ï Black-Iron Bee Stingers! Reward: 100 origin crystals. Gather 5 Tier 1 - 2¡ï Green-Horned Boar Horns! Reward: 200 origin crystals. Kill 4 Tier 1 - 3¡ï Corrupted Hyena! Reward: 300 origin crystals and 1 recovery potion. The list continued, offering missions ranging from one to five stars within Tier 1. Most rewards were in origin crystals, the currency of the Origin World, with a few offering additional items like potions. Recalling his humbling experience with Grarik, Vincent decided to start small. Overconfidence could be deadly in this new world. He had limitless potential, true, but he needed to be cautious and mindful of his actions and surroundings. After careful consideration, Vincent accepted the first mission: Gather 6 Black-Iron Bee Stingers. A soft ''ding'' sounded from his token, confirming the acceptance. He pulled out the token and tapped it, revealing a small virtual map showing the location of the Black-Iron Bees. With the information committed to memory, Vincent left the Novice Center. It was time to hunt some Black-Iron Bees! The outskirts of Verdant Wilds, a vast rainforest west of No.3 Novice Sanctuary, teemed with life. Vincent treaded carefully along the forest path, his newly acquired pair of dark-steel alloy daggers clutched tightly in his hands. The weapons, purchased from the Astrum Origin Online Market, felt reassuringly solid in his grip. As he ventured deeper into the forest, Vincent finally spotted a group of Black-Iron Bees in the distance. The creatures were enormous, easily 130 cm tall, with yellow bodies and menacing black stingers that gleamed in the dappled sunlight. Despite his mission, Vincent didn''t hesitate to retreat. He wasn''t about to risk taking on a whole group without knowing their true strength. For the next fifteen minutes, Vincent scouted the area, searching for a lone bee. His patience was rewarded when he stumbled upon a solitary Black-Iron Bee resting on an enormous, vibrant flower. The opportunity was too perfect to pass up. Gripping his daggers tightly, Vincent focused on channeling his Origin Power to his feet. A warm energy suffused his lower limbs, and when he was about ten meters from the sleeping bee, he sprang into action. In an instant, Vincent appeared behind the unsuspecting creature, driving his daggers towards its wings with all his might. To his shock, instead of piercing the delicate-looking appendages, his weapons rebounded with a resounding clang, leaving only faint white marks. The impact sent painful vibrations up his arms, nearly causing him to drop his weapons. "So hard!" Vincent gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. The disturbance roused the Black-Iron Bee from its slumber. Its body shook with anger, wings vibrating to produce an ominous buzzing sound. Fixing Vincent with a furious glare, it launched into the air, diving towards him with frightening speed. Vincent didn''t dare underestimate the creature now. Drawing upon the basic origin movement techniques he''d practiced relentlessly for a month, he managed to dodge the bee''s initial assault. But the Black-Iron Bee was relentless, swooping down again and again, its massive stinger a blur of motion as it sought to impale him. For fifteen grueling minutes, the dance continued. Vincent dodged and weaved, occasionally finding openings to counterattack. Slowly but surely, injuries began to accumulate on the Black-Iron Bee''s body, and its attacks grew sluggish. Vincent, too, was feeling the strain. Maintaining his Origin Power while constantly evading and counterattacking was taking its toll. But he pressed on, knowing that victory was within reach. Finally, as the bee swooped down for another attack, Vincent saw his chance. With a precisely timed strike, he severed one of its four wings, sending the creature crashing to the ground. Seizing the moment, Vincent pounced, driving his daggers deep into the bee''s ocelli and compound eyes, not stopping until he felt the weapons pierce its brain. A system notification chimed in his mind: You have successfully killed a Black-Iron Bee! You have received 5 exp! Talent activated! 10,000x Exp! You have received 50,000 Exp! As his talent activated, a surge of warm energy burst forth, flowing directly into Vincent''s Origin Core. The sensation was indescribable, a rush of power that left him feeling invigorated despite his physical exhaustion. Before his eyes, the defeated Black-Iron Bee dissolved into a shower of digital lights, leaving behind its prized stinger and a mysterious white orb of light. Curiosity overcoming his fatigue, Vincent reached out and grasped the glowing orb. The moment his fingers touched it, the orb shattered into motes of light, coalescing into a small white book that hovered before him. The title shimmered into view: "Common Stinger Skill Book." Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "It dropped a skill book?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the now-quiet forest. Chapter 7 - 7: Growth As the Black-Iron Bee dissolved into a shower of digital lights, Vincent''s eyes widened at the sight of a mysterious white orb hovering amidst the remains. Curiosity overcame his fatigue, and he reached out to grasp the glowing sphere. The moment his fingers made contact, the orb shattered into motes of light, coalescing into a small white book that floated before him. The title shimmered into view: "Common Stinger Skill Book." "It dropped a skill book?!" Vincent exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and excitement. He quickly composed himself, remembering the potential dangers lurking in the forest. Without hesitation, he focused on the book, and a system prompt appeared in his mind: Skill Name: Stinger Quality: Common Effect: Increases the damage and status effect of weapon strikes, causing the target to bleed and take poison damage for a short duration. [Do you want to learn Stinger?] Vincent didn''t even pause to consider. With a thought, he accepted the skill. As the white skill book dissolved into particles of digital light, he felt a warm energy and newfound knowledge enter his being. [New Skill ''Stinger'' has been added!] With a mere thought, Vincent summoned his personal attributes visual data: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 1¡ï (50,104/100,000 Exp) Origin Power: 2300/2300 (mana) Force: 2 (Overall Physical Output Damage and Defense) Speed: 2 (Overall affects agility and reaction speed) Mental: 2.5 (Overall affects mental and spiritual characteristics) (1 is the average value of a normal person) Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Origin Meditation (Proficiency: Novice) ¡ñ Basic Origin Movement Speed (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Stinger (Proficiency: Beginner) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter A smile played on Vincent''s lips as he reviewed his stats. "Excellent," he murmured, his voice low but filled with satisfaction. "Just one kill, and I''m already halfway to breaking through to Tier 1-2¡ï. This new skill will significantly increase my damage output against the Black-Iron Bees." He paused, considering his next move. "One more kill should suffice. Then I''ll be able to handle these creatures with relative ease." Vincent carefully stored the 20 cm long, 3 cm diameter Black-Iron Stinger in his backpack. He needed four more of these materials to complete his mission, and he was cautiously optimistic about obtaining them. After a brief rest to recover his energy, Vincent surveyed the area, searching for another Black-Iron Bee. It didn''t take long before he spotted one. This time, the creature wasn''t sleeping. It buzzed from flower to flower, seemingly collecting precious pollen to take back to its hive. Vincent observed its movements, formulating a plan of attack. With practiced stealth, he crept closer, his newly acquired dark-steel alloy daggers gripped tightly in his hands. As he closed the distance, Vincent channeled his Origin Power to his feet and activated the Stinger skill. His daggers began to emit a faint green glow. In a burst of speed, Vincent pounced. His enhanced daggers struck true, puncturing the bee''s tough hide and sinking deep into its abdomen. "Puchi!" The sound of metal piercing chitin filled the air, followed by the bee''s pained buzz. The creature crashed into a nearby tree, its flight suddenly erratic. As Vincent withdrew his weapons, rusty reddish-brown blood burst from the wound. "It worked," he muttered, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. The wounded Black-Iron Bee, now bloodied and desperate, began to buzz its wings frantically. The air around it grew heavy with vibration, forcing Vincent to leap backward to avoid the dangerous airwaves. "Not so fast," Vincent called out, his voice calm but determined. He brandished his daggers once more, purple eyes focused intently on the weakened insect. Vincent knew he had the advantage now. The bee was bleeding profusely and weakened by the poison from his Stinger skill. "Just one more strike," he thought, preparing to deliver the final blow. With a swiftness born of adrenaline and his honed reflexes, Vincent lunged forward, his daggers poised to strike. The Black-Iron Bee, despite its weakened state, attempted to dodge the incoming attack, but Vincent''s enhanced speed proved too much. In a single, deadly thrust, he plunged his daggers deep into the bee''s thorax. The creature''s buzzing reached a fever pitch before abruptly ceasing, its wings falling still as Vincent withdrew his weapons. The glow of Origin Power faded from the edges of his daggers as the bee''s body collapsed into digital specks of light. A familiar warmth spread through Vincent''s body as the system notifications appeared: You have successfully killed a Black-Iron Bee! You have received 5 exp! Talent 10,000x exp multiplier activated! You have received 50,000 exp! [Available Options: ¡ñ Level up to Tier 1 - 2¡ï (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] Vincent''s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. "Interesting," he mused, studying the unexpected options before him. "It seems my talent doesn''t automatically level me up as it did during my initial breakthrough." Although all the available options were enticing, Vincent knew exactly what he needed most at this moment. Without hesitation, he chose the first option. A surge of Origin Power flooded into his Origin Core, filling him with renewed energy and vitality. He had officially reached Tier 1 - 2¡ï. Despite his satisfaction with the level up, Vincent''s expression turned thoughtful as he realized the Black-Iron Bee hadn''t dropped any items this time. "Perhaps I used up my luck with that skill book earlier," he pondered, shaking his head slightly in disappointment. However, he quickly pushed the thought aside, refocusing on his mission. It took only a few minutes of searching before Vincent stumbled upon a pair of Black-Iron Bees. One rested motionless on a flower, while the other buzzed about, heavy with pollen. Feeling more confident with his increased strength, Vincent formulated a quick plan. Gripping his daggers, he took careful aim and threw one at the stationary bee''s head. In the same fluid motion, he pounced on the active bee, driving his remaining dagger into the back of its thorax. "Puchi! Puchi!" Two simultaneous strikes ended the lives of both Black-Iron Bees. The system notifications appeared once more: You have successfully killed 2 Black-Iron Bees! You have received 2.5 exp! You have received 2.5 exp! Talent Activated! + 25,000 exp! + 25,000 exp! As the experience points were added to his total, the two Black-Iron Bees left behind their stingers and a single white orb of light. Vincent collected the stingers before turning his attention to the orb, anticipation building as he reached out to touch it. Upon contact, the white orb collapsed into digital lights before reforming into a yellow-copper pair of leather armguards. Though only of common quality, Vincent equipped them without hesitation. Curious about his progress, he checked his personal attributes once more: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 2¡ï (50,104/200,000 Exp) Origin Power: 2000/2800 Force: 2.5 Speed: 2.5 Mental: 3 "The experience requirements for leveling up are substantial," Vincent observed, his tone neutral but his mind racing. "Without my experience multiplier talent, progress would be considerably slower." He also noted that he had yet to find an opportune moment to utilize his C-Rank talent. "All in due time," he reminded himself. "For now, the focus is on continued growth." With renewed determination, Vincent set out to hunt more Black-Iron Bees. Two hours of intense combat later, he had finally accumulated 200,000 exp. His efforts had also yielded more than the required five Black-Iron Stingers and wings, though unfortunately, no additional skill books or armaments had dropped. Now, Vincent found himself resting against the trunk of a massive tree, replenishing his energy with a ration he had brought from the real world. As he ate, the familiar options screen appeared before him: [Available Options: ¡ñ Level up to Tier 1 - 3¡ï (requirement: 200,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñ Increase item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] Though tempted to explore the other options, Vincent''s pragmatic nature won out. "Increasing my cultivation level is the wisest choice for now," he decided, selecting the option to break through to Tier 1-3¡ï. Another wave of energy suffused his being, and Vincent could feel his strength improving once more. A small smile of satisfaction played on his lips as he finished his meal. Suddenly, his enhanced senses picked up a series of approaching footsteps. Vincent''s body tensed, his hand instinctively moving towards his daggers. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Who?" he wondered. Chapter 8 - 8: Resolve As the figures drew closer, emerging from the dense foliage, Vincent''s eyes narrowed in recognition. Two towering Thrygians, each standing nearly three meters tall, their purple skin glistening with an otherworldly sheen, stepped into view. Their massive frames dwarfed the surrounding vegetation, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath their heavy footfalls. Vincent''s jaw clenched as he recognized them as the duo accompanying Grarik earlier. Their hostile intent was palpable, radiating off them in waves that made the air feel thick and oppressive. The larger of the two, Taruk, brandished a massive sword that looked more like a slab of metal than a refined weapon. His bare, muscled chest heaved as he fixed Vincent with a predatory gaze. "We have finally found you, insect," Taruk growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the forest. "You really made us search, huh?" The second Thrygian, Farek, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles ominously. "You were fortunate that we were inside the sanctuary earlier," he sneered, baring sharp teeth. "You won''t be so lucky this time!" Vincent''s expression hardened, his mind working furiously to understand how they had managed to trace him. He had been meticulous in covering his tracks, donning a mask and venturing deeper into the forest. Yet here they were, having hunted him down like bloodhounds. Despite the worry gnawing at him regarding the Thrygians'' strength, Vincent steeled himself for the impending confrontation. His face remained impassive, betraying none of the tension coiling within him. "Go, let''s kill him already!" Taruk roared, his patience clearly at its end. "We have wasted so much time looking for this insect!" He raised his enormous sword, the metal catching the filtered sunlight and gleaming ominously. With a battle cry that shook the leaves from nearby trees, Taruk charged at Vincent. The ground trembled under his feet, small pebbles bouncing with each thunderous step. Vincent, however, didn''t flinch. In a fluid motion born of rigorous training and newly acquired skills, he gripped his daggers tightly and chose to meet the attack head-on. As Taruk''s massive sword came crashing down, Vincent raised his daggers in a cross-guard. The clash of metal on metal rang out through the forest, a discordant symphony of battle. "Clang!" "What?!" Taruk''s shocked voice cut through the reverberations of the clash. His arms numbed from the impact, his sword bouncing back unexpectedly. Vincent, despite successfully parrying the attack, couldn''t help but furrow his brow in confusion. ''Aren''t they supposed to be stronger?'' he thought, recalling the infamous reputation of Thrygian strength. Farek, seeing his companion''s attack repelled, let out a roar of frustration. "What the hell are you doing, Taruk?!" He charged forward, massive fists raised for a devastating punch. But to Vincent''s enhanced perception, the attack seemed to move in slow motion. With a grace that belied his recent transformation, he sidestepped the incoming fist. In the same fluid motion, he counter-attacked, his dagger finding purchase in Farek''s left ribs. "Slash!" "Ugh!" Farek groaned, more in surprise than pain. Vincent pressed his advantage, not allowing his opponents a moment to recover. He darted in again, his daggers a blur of motion as they traced crimson lines across Farek''s purple skin. With a final, powerful kick, Vincent propelled himself backward, executing a perfect vertical flip to create distance. Taruk''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Farek! Fall back!" he called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "There''s something wrong with him!" As Farek stumbled back, clutching his wounds, Taruk''s mind raced. This human, who had been paralyzed by their young master''s mere presence hours ago, was now moving with the speed and precision of a seasoned warrior. It didn''t make sense. "Isn''t he a newbie?" Farek gasped, voicing the confusion they both felt. "How come he''s this strong?!" Unbeknownst to the Thrygians, Vincent had activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement the moment they attacked. This not only amplified his already enhanced movement speed but also sharpened his senses by 30%, giving him a significant edge in the battle. Taruk, grasping for an explanation, called out to his companion. "He might be using a special or forbidden skill. He probably won''t last long. Let''s buy time!" Farek nodded grimly, "Alright!" The duo adopted a new strategy, attacking in tandem with coordinated movements. Slashes from Taruk''s massive sword were followed immediately by Farek''s powerful punches, leaving little room for error. But Vincent, emboldened by his earlier success, met their assault with growing confidence. He weaved between their attacks, his daggers flashing as he countered with precise strikes. Each movement was calculated, each dodge followed by a counterattack empowered by the Stinger skill. As the battle wore on, a look of understanding passed between the two Thrygians. With a synchronized nod, they prepared to unleash their race''s innate ability. Twin roars of fury echoed through the forest as the Thrygians'' bodies began to change. Their already impressive muscles bulged grotesquely, veins standing out like corded ropes beneath their purple skin. The spikes adorning their bald heads and the sides of their faces elongated and sharpened, giving them an even more fearsome appearance. Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he recognized the transformation. He took a cautious step back, reassessing the situation. "Die!" The Thrygians bellowed in unison, their voices deeper and more guttural than before. The battle resumed with renewed intensity. Despite their increased strength, the Thrygians found themselves still outmatched. Vincent''s higher cultivation level, combined with his Origin Power Enhancement, allowed him to maintain his edge. Taruk, frustration evident in his voice, shouted between swings of his massive sword, "How are you this strong, human? What kind of forbidden technique are you using?" Vincent, dodging a particularly vicious slash, replied coolly, "No forbidden techniques. Just the resolve to survive." Farek, launching a flurry of punches, growled, "Survive? You think you can survive in this world, insect? You don''t belong here!" Vincent parried a blow, his daggers leaving a thin line of blood on Farek''s arm. "I may not belong, but I''m here now. And I intend to stay." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the fight dragged on, the effects of Vincent''s Stinger skill became increasingly apparent. The Thrygians'' movements grew sluggish, their purple skin taking on a sickly pallor as poison coursed through their veins. Taruk, his breath coming in ragged gasps, locked eyes with Vincent. "You... you''re not like the others. Who are you really?" Vincent, maintaining his guard, responded, "Just someone trying to find his place in this world." Farek, stumbling as the poison took its toll, spat out, "Find your place? Ha! You''ll never be accepted here, human. You''ll always be an outsider, always be hunted." These words struck a chord in Vincent, but he pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the battle at hand. As the Thrygians weakened, their attacks became desperate, fueled more by fear than strategy. Taruk, his massive frame swaying, made one last attempt to reason with Vincent. "Wait... please," he gasped, his sword drooping. "We were just following orders. We have families... children..." Vincent hesitated for a moment, his daggers poised for the final strike. In that instant of doubt, Farek lunged forward with a roar, aiming a poison-weakened but still deadly punch at Vincent''s head. Instinct took over. Vincent''s daggers flashed, and Farek fell, his final words a gurgle of disbelief. Taruk, seeing his companion fall, let out a howl of anguish. "You monster! You''re no better than the worst of us!" With the last of his strength, he charged at Vincent, his sword raised high. Vincent, his face a mask of grim determination, met the charge head-on. In a flurry of strikes, Taruk''s massive form crumpled to the ground. As the light faded from Taruk''s eyes, he whispered, "Remember this day, human. Remember... the lives you''ve taken." Finally, exhausted and overwhelmed, the two Thrygians collapsed. Their massive bodies shimmered and dissolved into specks of digital light, leaving behind only their dropped items and glowing orbs. System notifications flashed in Vincent''s mind: You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 2¡ï Thrygian! You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 2¡ï Thrygian! You have received 3 exp! You have received 3 exp! Talent Activated! + 60,000 exp! As the adrenaline of battle faded, the reality of what had just transpired hit Vincent like a physical blow. He stood frozen, his daggers still gripped tightly in his trembling hands. Taruk''s final words echoed in his mind, mingling with Farek''s taunts about never belonging. He had killed. For the first time in his life, he had taken the lives of sentient beings. Even though the Thrygians weren''t human, they were close enough to make the act feel monumentally significant. And they had spoken of families, of children... Vincent''s mind reeled. Just two months ago, he had been a normal, struggling adult on Earth. Now, he stood in an alien forest, his hands stained with the essence of creatures he had only recently learned existed. Creatures who, despite their hostility, had lives and loved ones of their own. The weight of his actions pressed down on him, threatening to overwhelm his carefully maintained composure. But as the moments ticked by, something within Vincent shifted. His eyes, which had been wide with shock, slowly narrowed with determination. He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the tide of emotions. "This isn''t Earth," he reminded himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "The rules are different here. Survival... survival is everything." With each passing second, Vincent''s resolve hardened. He straightened his back, purple eyes scanning the forest with newfound purpose. "If I want to survive in this dog-eat-dog world," he vowed silently, "I have to be strong. Stronger than anyone else!" Yet, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered, echoing Taruk''s dying words: "Remember this day... remember the lives you''ve taken." Vincent clenched his fists, acknowledging the weight of his actions. When it suddenly dawned on him. "What the hell am I thinking? They are still alive tho they won''t be able to enter the Origin World for the rest of their life.." he thought, remembering the rules of Origin World. The killing felt so surreal that he thought of his actions. Having gathered his thoughts and reaffirmed his determination, Vincent turned his attention to the items left behind by the fallen Thrygians. Taruk''s massive black sword, nearly two meters in length, lay on the forest floor. Beside it, a brown pouch had spilled open, revealing pieces of broken, colorless crystals. Two orbs of light, one white and one blue, hovered nearby. Vincent approached cautiously, first reaching for the broken crystals. As his fingers brushed against them, he felt a faint pulse of Origin Energy. You have received 300 Origin Crystals! "So these are Origin Crystals," Vincent mused, carefully pocketing the valuable resource. Next, he picked up the white orb. It collapsed into a shower of digital lights before reforming as a transparent vial filled with a vibrant red liquid. You have received a common recovery potion! A small smile tugged at Vincent''s lips. "Nice! Another life-saving item." Finally, he reached for the blue orb. As his hand made contact, the light dissipated, leaving behind a blue book that seemed to hum with latent power. Vincent''s eyes widened in recognition. "Another skill book?!" he exclaimed, his earlier emotional turmoil momentarily forgotten in the face of this unexpected boon. Chapter 9 - 9: Upgrade Skill Name: Thrygian''s Trait Quality: Rare Required: An innate ability of Thrygians Race, only can be learned with Thrygians Bloodline. Effect: Physical Enhancement - enhance 20% of your physical ability for a period of time. Enhancement effects depend on the purity of bloodline. "A rare skill but..." Vincent''s voice trailed off, a hint of disappointment evident on his young face. He let out a small sigh, his brow furrowing slightly. "I can''t even use it." He contemplated his options, his mind working through the possibilities. "I could sell it on an online auction," he mused aloud, "but the prerequisites might make it difficult to find a buyer. Still, it''s rare. I could make good money if I manage to sell it." Vincent''s thoughts drifted to the quality tiers in this world: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. A small, wry smile tugged at his lips as he remembered the unlisted ''Poor'' quality tier, found only outside of Origin World. His black-steel alloy daggers, which had cost him 25,000 credits, fell into that category. "Just imagine how much this rare book could sell for," he muttered, carefully storing the skill book away. Next, Vincent turned his attention to the massive sword left behind by Taruk. He reached out, gripping the hilt with both hands, and lifted. "It''s quite heavy," he noted, silently grateful for his recent increase in strength. As he held the sword, information flooded his mind: [Darksteel Sword] Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Common Details: A sword crafted by a novice blacksmith using black-iron materials. Skill(s): Darksteel Slice Effect: A basic attack skill that deals moderate damage to a single target. This skill has a chance to inflict a minor bleed effect on the target, causing them to take a small amount of damage over time. "An armament?!" Vincent exclaimed, genuine surprise coloring his voice. His mind raced, recalling what he knew about armaments. They were on another level compared to crafted weapons on Astralis, capable of being stored in an Origin Warrior''s consciousness and growing alongside their owner. A cold realization washed over him. "I''ve been fighting against an armament with my black-steel alloy daggers," he murmured, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his voice. "If I hadn''t focused on dodging..." His gaze fell to the daggers at his side, and his lips twitched in dismay. Visible cracks marred their surface. "This is just the first day I used you for fighting," he addressed the daggers, a hint of bitterness in his tone, "but it seems you won''t last much longer." Despite the setback, a spark of excitement ignited within him. "At least I''ve got a new weapon now, and it''s an armament!" [Do you want to bind it?] Without hesitation, Vincent agreed. The Darksteel Sword broke into motes of light, entering his consciousness. With a thought, he summoned it back into his hand, marveling at the seamless transition. He repeated the process several times, familiarizing himself with the weight and feel of the weapon. As the excitement of his new acquisition faded, Vincent''s mind returned to the gravity of his situation. His appetite, interrupted by the Thrygian attack, had not returned. Instead, a sense of urgency filled him. "I need to use all my precious limited time in Origin World," he muttered, his purple eyes scanning the forest around him. "I have to get stronger quickly." The memory of the two Thrygians he had defeated surfaced in his mind. "Killing Grirak''s lackeys... our enmity has reached an irreconcilable state." He paused, his expression hardening. "No, it was irreconcilable the moment Grirak bullied and humiliated me." With a few hours of daylight remaining, Vincent set out to hunt, pushing himself to make the most of his time. As Vincent ventured deeper into the Verdant Wilds, unbeknownst to him, events were unfolding elsewhere that would have significant implications for his future. ***** Somewhere in Novice Continent, Grirak paced back and forth, his face contorted with annoyance. The young Thrygian''s usually composed demeanor had given way to visible frustration. "What the hell are those fools doing?!" he growled, his fists clenching and unclenching rhythmically. "Why are they taking so much time just to kill that insect?!" His eyes darted to the communication device on a nearby table, willing it to light up with news from Taruk and Farek. But the device remained stubbornly silent, further fueling Grirak''s irritation. "They had one simple task," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Find the human and eliminate him. How difficult could that be for two warriors?" As the minutes ticked by with no word from his subordinates, a seed of doubt began to take root in Grirak''s mind. Could something have gone wrong? He quickly dismissed the thought. After all, what chance did a mere human newcomer stand against his two Thrygian warriors? Little did Grirak know, his world was about to be turned upside down. ***** Meanwhile, on the Thrygian planet, within the residence of the Blackthorn Clan, a scene of confusion and despair was unfolding. In a dimly lit room, Taruk and Farek sat side by side, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and fear. Their usually vibrant purple skin had taken on a sickly pallor, a physical manifestation of their inner turmoil. Taruk, the larger of the two, broke the heavy silence. "We... died?" The words came out as barely more than a whisper, his gaze fixed on the window, staring out at a world that suddenly seemed alien to him. Beside him, Farek''s voice trembled as he voiced the question weighing heavily on both their minds. "What are we going to do now?" The reality of their situation crashed down upon them like a physical blow. Death in the Origin World meant more than just a temporary setback. It meant the severance of their connection to that realm, cutting off their chances of becoming the powerful warriors they had aspired to be. Farek''s hands clenched into fists, his voice taking on a bitter edge. "We were just lackeys. We can''t afford the resources for our cultivation outside of the Origin World." Taruk nodded grimly, the full implications of their failure sinking in. "Our dreams of power... gone. Just like that." As the initial shock began to wear off, their expressions shifted from despair to a mixture of fury and nervousness. The memory of their defeat at the hands of the human they had dismissed as insignificant burned in their minds. "How?" Farek growled, slamming his fist against the wall. "How could a mere human newcomer defeat us both?" Taruk shook his head, his voice low and filled with dread. "It doesn''t matter how. What matters is what comes next. We... we have to report this to the young master." The thought of facing Grirak with news of their failure sent a shiver down both their spines. They knew their young master''s temper, his intolerance for failure. Farek''s voice quavered as he spoke. "We have no other choice anymore. We can only report what happened to the young master and hope for mercy." Taruk nodded solemnly. "May the ancient Thrygian warriors have mercy on our souls." With heavy hearts and trembling limbs, the duo left their room, steeling themselves for the confrontation that lay ahead. The walk to Grirak''s chambers felt like a march to their execution, each step bringing them closer to a fate they feared more than the death they had just experienced in the Origin World. ***** Back in the Verdant Wilds, oblivious to the turmoil he had caused in the Thrygian ranks, Vincent continued his hunt. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the dense foliage. As he hunted, Vincent discovered new limitations to his SSS-rank talent. Not only did he fail to gain experience from killing lifeforms of a lower tier, but his accumulated experience points could not exceed the limit needed to raise his cultivation level. Currently at Tier 1 - 3¡ï, his limit was 300,000 experience points. This revelation led to a moment of contemplation. Vincent found a small clearing and sat down, his back against a sturdy tree trunk. He closed his eyes, focusing on his inner energy and the lessons he had learned. "If I continuously raise my level," he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, "one day I''ll hit a bottleneck. I might face an opponent I can''t defeat with cultivation alone." Opening his eyes, determination glinted in their purple depths. "I need to plan carefully for my future." After careful deliberation, Vincent decided against leveling up immediately. Instead, he focused on his available options: [Available Options: ¡ñUpgrade to Tier 1 - 4¡ï (requirement: 300,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade skill proficiency (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade skill quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!) ¡ñUpgrade item quality (requirement: 100,000 exp!)] With 300,000 experience points at his disposal and no immediate plans to delve deeper into the Verdant Wilds, Vincent made his choice. "I''ll increase the quality of Stinger," he decided, recalling how useful the skill had proven during his recent hunts. [Do you want to upgrade the quality of Stinger?] Vincent nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I do." [The Stinger skill quality has been successfully upgraded!] Eager to see the changes, Vincent checked the skill''s new parameters: Skill Name: Virulent Stinger Quality: Uncommon Effect: Increases the damage and status effect of weapon strikes, causing the target to bleed and take poison damage for a longer duration. Additionally, the target''s movement speed is slightly reduced, making it easier for the character to land additional attacks. "The name changed, and it has an additional effect!" Vincent exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. The improvements to Virulent Stinger filled him with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for future battles. With 200,000 experience points remaining, Vincent considered his options carefully. He could upgrade Virulent Stinger once more, but the increased Origin Power consumption gave him pause. After weighing the pros and cons, he made his decision. [Choose Item to upgrade] ¡ñDrop materials ¡ñCommon Copper Armguard ¡ñDarksteel Sword Armament Without hesitation, Vincent summoned his Darksteel Sword. "I choose you," he declared, his voice filled with certainty. [Darksteel Sword has been upgraded successfully!] The massive sword in his hand suddenly glowed with digital lights. After a few moments, the lights faded, revealing the upgraded weapon: ``` [Darksteel Sword] sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Uncommon Details: This sword is forged from black-iron materials and infused with a magical enchantment that increases its damage output and durability. Skill(s): Darksteel Slash Effect: A more powerful version of the Darksteel Slice skill that deals increased damage to a single target. This skill has a greater chance to inflict a bleed effect on the target, causing them to take moderate damage over time. Vincent''s eyes gleamed as he examined the improved weapon. "It''s unfortunate that I didn''t get a new skill," he mused, "but it''s good that the existing skill improved!" Satisfied with his progress, Vincent decided against further upgrades. The sky was darkening, and he knew the dangers that lurked in the Verdant Wilds at night. Primals were more active in the darkness, and he had no desire to test his newfound strength against them just yet. As he made his way back to No.3 Novice Sanctuary, Vincent remained vigilant, occasionally engaging low-level primals to farm experience points. Each encounter was an opportunity to test his upgraded skills and weapon, and he found himself growing more confident with each victory. Upon reaching the sanctuary, Vincent headed straight for the Newcomer''s Lodge. He presented his Novice Warrior token, securing a single bed room for the night. Exhaustion from the day''s events weighed heavily on him, and he decided against cultivation, opting instead for a restful sleep. The next morning, Vincent descended to the lobby, intent on having breakfast before reporting to the Novice Center. Already wearing his black mask. To his surprise, he found the inn bustling with activity. The dining tables were filled to capacity, occupied by a diverse array of races engaged in animated conversations. Among them, he spotted a group of humans, a sight that caused him to pause momentarily. Curiosity piqued, Vincent approached the bar. Behind it stood a bartender with sharp ears, green skin, and black spots ¨C a striking appearance that momentarily caught Vincent off guard. "Is it like this every day?" Vincent inquired, his voice muffled slightly by the black mask he wore. The bartender, who had been cleaning a glass, looked up at Vincent. His expression remained neutral as he studied the newcomer. After a moment of silence, the bartender spoke. "I bet you''re a newbie, right?" Vincent nodded, seeing no reason to deny it. The bartender set down the glass he had been cleaning. "You might not know this, but today is the date for the weekly Outer District Battle." "Outer District Battle?" Vincent echoed, his interest piqued. "Yes," the bartender confirmed. "Newcomers will fight in the arena, and the selected winners will be allowed to enter the Lost Grove." Vincent''s brow furrowed beneath his mask. "What is Lost Grove?" Instead of answering, the bartender simply tapped the bar table. Vincent understood the unspoken message. He reached into his pocket, retrieving five origin crystals and placing them on the table. The bartender''s gaze fell to the crystals, but he made no move to take them. Vincent, catching the hint, added another five crystals to the pile. A wide smile broke across the bartender''s face as he scooped up the payment. "Lost Grove is a secret realm," he began, his voice lowered conspiratorially. "Rumor has it that it contains powerful relics and artifacts left behind by the Ancient Origin Warriors." Vincent leaned in, intrigued. The bartender continued, "The realm is said to be guarded by a powerful spirit, but those who can prove their worth and defeat its guardians will be rewarded with powerful treasures." As the bartender''s words sank in, a question formed in Vincent''s mind. He voiced it carefully, "If it''s really as you say, that it contains relics of ancient origin warriors, then who is recruiting warriors to enter the secret realm, and why?" The bartender''s smile faltered slightly. "About that..." Chapter 10 - 10: Strange Woman The bartender''s smile faltered slightly. "About that... If you''re interested, you can just go to the Outer District Battle Arena." Vincent didn''t press the bartender further. ''I guess it might be better to see it on my own,'' he thought. Deciding on his next course of action, he sat down and ordered a light breakfast before heading to the Novice Center to report and acquire more missions. Although his curiosity was piqued by the bartender''s information about the secret realm, he didn''t have enough knowledge about it. It might contain dangers he wouldn''t be able to overcome. Therefore, he believed the wisest decision was to improve his personal strength first. At the Novice Center, Vincent approached the same Almuarian woman who had guided him through registration yesterday, Alma. He submitted the Black-Iron Bee Stingers he had collected. "With these, you have completed your mission," she said, pausing before handing him a small silk pouch. "This is your reward, 100 origin crystals." Vincent accepted it without comment. He then heard a soft ''ding'' sound from the identification token in his pocket, indicating the completion of his mission. After thanking Alma, he skimmed through the Tier 1 missions and chose available tasks ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Initially, he wanted to accept all available missions within that range. However, he discovered he could only accept five missions simultaneously. With this limitation in mind, he chose missions focused on killing primals and collecting materials. As he was about to leave the Novice Center, a woman''s voice interrupted him. "W-Wait, you! The one who accepted five missions!" Frowning beneath his black mask, Vincent turned to face the voice''s owner. He saw a crimson-haired woman standing 170 cm tall, her red clothes clinging to her body, emphasizing her well-developed figure. Although she appeared human at first glance, her skin was different. She had red skin, reptilian crimson eyes, long eyelashes, and a few reptile scales on her cheekbones. A Drakorii. They were known as one of the neutral races in the Origin World, with a natural affinity for fire elementals. Most of them possessed an innate talent for fire manipulation and were skilled hunters. While observing her, Vincent could feel the gazes of others around him. They were assessing him, trying to determine if he was a powerful warrior or a suicidal idiot. Seeing nothing remarkable about him, they quickly lost interest, labeling him as the latter. Noticing his lack of reaction, the Drakorii woman approached him and said, "Hey, I saw you accept the mission about Flairmuse?" Still cautious, Vincent responded, "What about it?" "Oh, so you really accepted it. I was just guessing, hehe," the woman said playfully with a giggle. Vincent simply stared at her, unsure of her intentions. Seeing his lack of reaction, the woman pouted. "You''re so boring. Are other humans as dull as you?" Surprised by her innocent question, Vincent''s eyes widened, and he subconsciously touched his face, wondering if he had forgotten to wear his mask. Feeling the cold texture of the black fabric, he realized it was still in place. ''I am wearing my mask. How did she know I''m human?'' he wondered, having been extra cautious today after yesterday''s events. That was why he had donned the mask the moment he left his rented room earlier. Although curious, Vincent decided it was better not to get close to her. Without responding, he quickly left the Novice Center. However, the woman persisted in following him. "Wait! Human!" she called repeatedly, which eventually annoyed Vincent. He stopped in his tracks and faced her. "Why do you keep bothering me? What do you want?" His voice rose slightly, evidently irritated. The Drakorii woman faltered back, seemingly surprised at his tone. "W-Why are you mad?" Her voice softened, and the corners of her eyes watered. Seeing her reaction, Vincent couldn''t help but touch his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. ''Just what kind of people am I encountering today?'' he thought bitterly. Yesterday he had met individuals with deep backgrounds and others who wanted him dead. Now, he was facing another peculiar character. Calming his thoughts, he addressed the teary-eyed woman who was acting like a scolded child. "Calm down, I''m not mad." "Really?" she asked doubtfully. "Yes, yes, really," Vincent responded, as if soothing a child. "Hmm, okay," she said, seeming to accept his words. Seeing her calm down, he asked again, "So, what do you want from me? Why did you follow me?" This time, his tone was more measured, wary of upsetting her further. The woman stared at him innocently. "I want to go with you!" "Go with me? Where?" "Flairmuse." "Flairmuse?" She nodded. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent''s lips twitched. Although her reply was brief, he somehow understood her intention. "Do you want to go with me to hunt flairmuse?" She nodded again. "Why? Can''t you go alone?" he asked. She went silent, fidgeting before shaking her head. "Don''t you know there''s a map in your identification token? You can find the whereabouts of flairmuse through that." She remained silent, her red skin taking on an even deeper shade of crimson, seemingly ashamed. "I-I don''t know..." her voice was almost inaudible. "You don''t know what?" "I don''t know how to look at the map..." she said softly. Vincent was speechless. "Just how old are you not to know how to follow a map?" The Drakorii woman was too embarrassed to reply. Shaking his head, Vincent chose to reject her. "No, I can''t go with you. I don''t even know you; you might kill me when I let my guard down." He didn''t completely believe her act. Hearing his rejection and accusation, the woman responded, raising her thin but perfectly arched eyebrows, "Why would I kill you? Are you a bad human?" "Are you sure you''re above 18?" he could no longer hold his doubt. Vincent saw her about to nod before she shook her head. He was skeptical but discarded the thought, knowing it was impossible to enter the Origin World for those below 18 years old. ''Maybe she has some cognitive issues,'' he reasoned, trying to find the most plausible explanation. "Anyway, I really cannot let you go with me," he said firmly, determined not to let a stranger know his secrets. Moreover, she would likely be a hindrance to his farming efforts. He turned around, preparing to leave. "W-Wait, I can pay you!" She called, grabbing his clothes. "No," he said simply, removing her hand. "I can pay you whatever you want!" This time, he was surprised. He raised his eyebrows, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Whatever I want?" Chapter 11 - 11: Azhara Vincent''s eyes locked onto the Drakorii woman before him, his gaze intense behind his mask. "Whatever I want, you say?" Azhara took an involuntary step back, unnerved by his piercing stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Ignoring her question, Vincent pressed on. "Tell me, young lady, what can you offer?" "What do you want? I have many things here¡­" Azhara waved her hand, and suddenly the air shimmered. A dazzling array of items materialized before them: crystals that seemed to pulse with inner light, gems that sparkled like captured stars, potions in every color of the rainbow, and various light orbs with possible variety of rare items. Vincent''s eyes widened behind his mask, fixated on the black ring with its neon light design adorning Azhara''s finger. ''She''s loaded!'' he thought, barely containing his excitement. ''If this were a game, she''d be the walking loot box!'' Unaware of Vincent''s reaction due to his mask, Azhara misinterpreted his silence. "Is this not enough?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice. Vincent cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "Which of these are you willing to offer?" Azhara tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean? Of course, I''ll be giving you all of this." "What?!" Vincent exclaimed, his composure slipping. ''Is this girl for real?'' "What''s wrong? Is this really not enough? In that case¡ª" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Vincent hurriedly interjected as Azhara prepared to summon even more items. "That''s more than enough! Any more and we''ll need a moving truck!" "Really?" she asked, uncertainty written all over her face. "Yes, really," Vincent assured her, marveling at her naivety. ''How has she survived in this world with such an attitude? Did she fall out of a "Rich Kids of Fantasy Land" reality show?'' Composing himself, Vincent addressed her request. "Listen, I''ll agree to bring you with me if you promise to follow my instructions. Are you alright with that?" His tone was firm, like a teacher laying down classroom rules. "Yes, I promise!" Azhara nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining brighter than her jewels. "Good. Let''s introduce ourselves properly. You can address me as Shroud," Vincent said, opting to use his alias. He couldn''t simply trust her, no matter how adorably clueless she seemed. "I''m Azhara, a Drakorii," she replied cheerfully, as if her dragon-like features weren''t already a dead giveaway. "Alright, Azhara. Are you prepared to leave?" "Yes," Azhara smiled gently. "Before I came here, my father even gave me a gift." With a flash of crimson energy, a beautiful silver rapier materialized, its rose-shaped crossguard gleaming. Vincent sensed a subtle flame energy emanating from the blade. ''An armament?!'' Vincent thought, astonished. His curiosity about Azhara''s background deepened. She was clearly from a privileged background, equipped with rare items and gifted an armament by her father. ''Great, I''m babysitting a dragon princess. What could possibly go wrong?'' As they left the Sanctuary, heading towards the Verdant Wilds, a shadowy figure stealthily followed them. In the Verdant Wilds, Vincent''s blade flashed, cleaving a ferocious Blackbite Rat in two. The creature dissolved into digital lights, leaving behind a small, dark tooth. [You have killed a Blackbite Rat!] [You can''t gain more experience points] It had been merely an hour since they entered the Verdant Wilds, and Vincent had already maxed out his experience points. The reason? Azhara had panicked at the sight of a bug¡ªa mere Tier 1 - 1¡ï primal¡ªand stumbled into a Blackbite Rat''s den. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s just a bug!" Vincent had yelled as Azhara flailed around. "But it''s so¡­ buggy!" she had shrieked back, demonstrating a remarkable grasp of the obvious. Although individually weak, the sheer number of rats had been overwhelming. Vincent lost count after slaying a hundred. Fortunately, Azhara proved her worth with her fire affinity and rare armament, allowing them to vanquish the horde. Exhaling heavily, Vincent turned to the silent Azhara. "What did you promise before I agreed to your request?" Azhara, too ashamed to respond, could only mumble an inaudible apology. Vincent sighed. "Forget about it. Let''s take a short rest before we look for flairmuse and conclude this deal. And maybe invest in some bug spray." As he began collecting the materials dropped by the Blackbite Rats, Azhara watched him curiously. "Why are you putting those in a backpack?" "Because I don''t have a storage item," Vincent replied, not looking up from his task. "Eh? But why? Isn''t this item cheap?" Azhara wondered, glancing at the black ring on his finger. Vincent''s lips twitched. ''Young miss, you have a nice way of indirectly calling me poor to my face!'' he thought. ''Maybe I should start a GoFundMe: "Help a Poor Origin Warrior Buy a Magic Backpack."'' "No, it''s not. They''re not cheap, and I can''t afford them yet," he admitted. "But father has many of these¡­" Azhara muttered before her eyes lit up with an idea. She approached Vincent, who immediately turned, still cautious. "What do you want?" he asked. "Um, I''d like to give you this as an apology for my mistake earlier¡­" Azhara held out a black ring¡ªa storage ring. Surprised but wary, Vincent asked, "Are you sure?" Azhara nodded with a gentle smile, pressing the ring into his hand. "I am sure. Please accept it." Though still dubious, Vincent accepted the gift. "Then, I''ll gladly take it. Thanks." He bound the ring to himself. As they prepared to continue their journey, a twig snapped in the nearby underbrush. Vincent tensed, his hand moving to his [Darksteel Sword]. "Azhara, stay close," he whispered. "And please, for the love of all that''s holy, don''t scream if it''s another bug." Suddenly, five rough-looking men with different races emerged from the foliage, their eyes gleaming with malice. Vincent quickly assessed them¡ªTier 1 - 4¡ï bandits, each slightly stronger than him individually. "Well, well," the leader sneered, a Tier 1 - 5¡ï brute with a nasty scar across his face. "Looks like the little princess has some valuable trinkets. How about sharing with us, sweetheart?" Azhara gasped, instinctively moving closer to Vincent. "W-who are you?" The bandit leader chuckled darkly. "We saw your little display back at the Sanctuary. Couldn''t resist following such a tempting target." "Wow," Vincent muttered, "stalking is really becoming an epidemic these days. Have you guys considered a less creepy hobby? Like knitting, perhaps?" The bandit leader''s eye twitched. "Enough talk! Hand over the valuables, or else!" Vincent''s mind raced, his mental score of 3.5 working overtime to formulate a strategy. These men were indeed higher-level than him, but he had his skills and talents to even the odds. He even had an option to upgrade his level now. "Gentlemen," Vincent said calmly, "I suggest you reconsider. This young lady is under my protection, and I assure you, the consequences of harming her would be¡­ severe." He paused for dramatic effect. "Also, has anyone ever told you that you''re really embracing the whole ''evil bandit'' stereotype a bit too enthusiastically?" The bandits hesitated for a moment, but their greed won out. They charged forward, weapons raised. Vincent pushed Azhara behind him, his [Darksteel Sword] vibrating. "Stay back," he warned her. "And remember, if you see any bugs, they''re on our side this time!" He met the first attacker head-on, their weapons clashing with a shower of sparks. Using his superior speed, enhanced by his Basic Origin Movement Speed skill, Vincent ducked under the bandit''s guard. "[Virulent Stinger]!" Vincent called out, activating his Uncommon skill. The [Darksteel Sword] glowed with a sickly light as it found a gap in the man''s armor. The bandit howled in pain as the poison took effect, his movements slowing. As the first bandit stumbled back, the others closed in. Vincent weaved between them, his movements fluid and precise. He couldn''t match them in raw strength, but his agility and quick thinking kept him one step ahead. "[Darksteel Slash]!" Vincent''s sword glowed with dark energy as he unleashed his weapon skill on the second bandit. The enhanced attack caught the man off guard, opening a deep gash across his chest and sending him reeling. "Azhara!" he called out, parrying a vicious blow from the third bandit. "Use your fire! Create a barrier!" Understanding dawned in Azhara''s eyes. She raised her hands, channeling her innate Drakorii abilities, and a wall of flames sprang up between them and the remaining bandits. The attackers recoiled, momentarily blinded by the intense heat and light. "Hot enough for you?" Vincent quipped. "I hear fire is great for roasting marshmallows¡­ and bandits!" Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated [Basic Origin Movement Speed], his form blurring as he dashed through the gaps in the flame barrier. His [Darksteel Sword] flashed twice in rapid succession, leaving two more bandits clutching at bleeding wounds. The bandit leader, seeing his men fall one by one, snarled in rage. He charged at Vincent, his superior strength sending shockwaves through the air with each swing of his massive axe. Vincent, recognizing the danger, focused his Origin Power into his blade. As the bandit leader''s axe came crashing down, Vincent sidestepped and countered with a precisely aimed [Virulent Stinger]. The poisoned blade found its mark, sinking deep into the leader''s thigh. The massive man roared in pain and fury, his movements becoming sluggish as the poison spread. Vincent, seeing his chance, unleashed a flurry of strikes, each empowered by his C-Rank Origin Power Enhancement talent. Finally, with a decisive [Darksteel Slash], Vincent brought the bandit leader to his knees. The remaining attackers, seeing their invincible boss defeated, turned tail and fled into the woods. "And stay out!" Vincent called after them. "Next time, try a less dangerous profession. I hear the Verdant Wilds are short on telemarketers!" Panting slightly, Vincent turned to Azhara, who stared at him with wide, awe-filled eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice rough from exertion. Azhara nodded, still too shocked to speak. Vincent quickly gathered what valuable items the bandits had left behind, his new storage ring proving immediately useful. "We need to move," Vincent said urgently. "They might have friends nearby." Grabbing Azhara''s hand, they sprinted deeper into the Verdant Wilds, leaving the groaning bandits behind. ''Is it really that difficult to have a peaceful experience farming..?'' Chapter 12 - 12: Unnamed After several minutes of running, Vincent heard Azhara''s meek voice. "Um, can you please let go of my hand now?" As soon as he heard her words, Vincent subconsciously looked at his hand and immediately released hers. He hadn''t realized he had been holding her hand since they started running. "I apologize. I didn''t realize," he said, unabashed. On the other hand, Azhara, who was slightly blushing, felt a sense of loss when Vincent let go of her hand. "It''s fine..." At that moment, an almost 10-inch crimson dragonfly with a flame on its tail passed over them. Vincent paid no mind to it. However, when Azhara saw it, her crimson eyes shone. "Shroud, Shroud!" she called out. Vincent turned, curious. "What''s wrong?" "That, that!" She pointed at the flametail dragonfly. "Don''t tell me you''re afraid of that?!" His voice couldn''t help but rise. "No, no!" She shook her head. "Flairmuse!" Although she only said one word, Vincent was surprised to find that he somehow understood what she was trying to say. "Do you mean that thing is connected to Flairmuse?" Azhara shook her head before nodding repeatedly. "Food!" "You mean Flairmuse loves to eat that?" This time, Azhara''s eyes shone as she nodded, indicating that he finally understood what she meant. Vincent was slowly getting used to her personality, so he saved himself from having a headache by ignoring her short way of responding. "Then let''s follow that bug." The duo followed behind the flametail dragonfly. Several moments later, a rustling sound came from the underbrush, and then a sudden red figure flashed toward the peacefully flying flametail dragonfly. As it landed on the ground, the red figure finally revealed its appearance. It was similar to a squirrel; however, it had crimson fur, and its tail had a burning flame. "Here it is!" Vincent exclaimed in his mind. Both of them were hiding behind the bushes. Although a Flairmuse had already appeared, neither of them moved. According to the mission information, Flairmuse was known for being elusive. Just a simple sound could make them flee in panic. Although Flairmuse also had a strength of Tier 1 - 3 stars, similar to him, he wouldn''t be able to catch up to its innate speed. They even had a ''burrow'' skill, allowing them to escape through the ground. Therefore, he waited, silently letting the Flairmuse enjoy its meal. Soon, when it was about to completely devour the flametail dragonfly, Vincent exclaimed in his mind, ''Now!'' However, before he could even move, Azhara, who stood silently behind him, tugged the corner of his clothes. He turned and asked in a low voice, "What is it this time?" Instead of answering, she only handed him a shiny gem. He observed it but found nothing useful about it. "What do you want me to do with this?" "Throw it," she simply said while pointing at the Flairmuse. Although puzzled, Vincent just followed her request. She was the one who was looking for the Flairmuse in the first place. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if it escaped, it would just take him some time to look for another one. It was still quite worth it compared to what she was offering him. As per her demand, Vincent softly threw the shiny gem toward the Flairmuse. The Flairmuse, which had just finished its meal, suddenly perked up at the sudden sound, cautiously looking around its surroundings. Its gaze then landed on the shiny gem thrown by Vincent. Although still cautious, it slowly walked toward the gem. Soon, it started fidgeting with the gem, seemingly interested and happy with it. Upon seeing this, Vincent felt it was the perfect time to move; however, Azhara beat him to it. He saw Azhara throw a crystal ball. It hit the unaware Flairmuse. A flash of light burst out of the crystal ball, forcing him to shield his eyes. Soon, when the light faded, the Flairmuse was nowhere to be seen. What remained was the same crystal ball Azhara had thrown. "Yay! Shroud, I caught it!" Azhara, obviously delighted, immediately ran and picked up the crystal ball. She then walked up to Vincent, showing him the crystal ball. "Shroud, look! I caught it!" She sounded so happy. Filled with curiosity about the crystal ball, he looked closer at it. He found the small figure of the Flairmuse moving inside. He had no idea what the name of the crystal ball was or its other functions, but for it to be able to imprison a primal, even though it was only a Tier I primal, he simply understood it was certainly expensive. Then, he couldn''t help but wonder, "Are you here just to catch a Flairmuse and not hunt it for materials or anything else?" Baffled, Azhara tilted her head. "Yes, why would I kill them? They are so cute! No one is allowed to kill them!" ''Okay, she probably truly likes the Flairmuse to respond with more than a word,'' he thought. "So, what now? Is our deal done?" Hearing his words, Azhara fell silent. She felt a sting inside her, wondering why, but she still managed a reply, "Yes..." She then waved her hand, taking out the promised rewards. "Here, this is all yours..." At the moment he accepted his rewards and put them all in his storage ring, the ground suddenly shook. "W-What''s happening?" Caught by surprise, Azhara moved closer to Vincent, tugging the corner of his clothes. Although also surprised, Vincent immediately summoned his [Darksteel Sword Armament] while frowning. Soon, the earthquake became stronger, trees falling down, as if making a path for someone or something. In the next moment, a familiar pressure he felt when he stood against Grirak came crashing down, making it hard to breathe. With his enhanced senses, his sight could see far and better than the average unawakened human. There, he saw a humongous moving black tortoise-like Primal, heading their way. It was over 20 meters tall. Without an ounce of hesitation, he took Azhara''s hand, calling out, "Run!" That thing was undeniably stronger than him, something he currently couldn''t compare with! That thing was even tens of meters away from them, but he could already feel the pressure. He couldn''t imagine what would happen if that Primal got closer to them. He would die if he fought that thing! No, he might die just by its pressure. However, they hadn''t gone too far when the humongous tortoise let out a deafening roar, forcing them to halt their escape. Groans escaped from their mouths. "Don''t tell me, this is how my journey is going to end..." Vincent couldn''t help but mutter, forcing himself to look at the humongous tortoise. Soon, he saw a bright light flash straight toward the head of the humongous tortoise. Bang! An explosion erupted, and smoke billowed. Roar! The humongous tortoise roared with a mix of rage and pain. Vincent then realized someone was fighting the towering primal! Someone is actually fighting that monster?! Focusing his sight, he finally caught sight of a lean humanoid figure. Humanoid because it had an appearance as though its body was made of crystals. Even its hair was like a set of spiky diamonds. Its upper torso was bare, revealing an ice-sculpted-like crystal chest and muscles. "Is that a Crystallian?" Vincent wondered, remembering the well-known neutral race and rulers of the No.3 Novice Sanctuary. Hovering in the air, the Crystallian lifted its right hand. Several sharp crystals materialized above him. With a wave of his hand, the sharp crystals swooped down, crashing into the humongous tortoise! Bang! Although there was a sound of explosion, the humongous tortoise seemed unaffected by the attack. When the smoke and dust faded, the humongous tortoise was revealed, its huge mouth widely open, with swirling water slowly charging in its maw. The Crystallian visibly panicked when he saw its action. His crystal eyes widened as he hurriedly flew back, attempting to escape. The Crystallian flew so fast that Vincent couldn''t even track him. Then, like a cannon, a powerful wave of concentrated water burst forth, straight toward the fleeing Crystallian. Bang! Vincent clearly saw the water cannon directly hit the back of the Crystallian, causing him to be shot down straight to the ground, his fate unknown. "The Crystallian lost?" As his thoughts stopped there, Vincent forced himself to run, dragging Azhara with him. Chapter 13 - 13: Going Back Vincent and Azhara burst out of Verdant Wilds, their feet pounding the earth as they ran. After several minutes of uninterrupted sprinting, they finally slowed to a stop, gasping for air. Vincent, still clasping Azhara''s hand, turned to her. "Are you alright?" he asked between labored breaths. Azhara remained silent, her gaze fixed on their joined hands. Noticing her stare, Vincent quickly released his grip. ''Why do I keep grabbing her hand?'' he wondered, perplexed by his own actions. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "How are you holding up?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m fine," Azhara replied, her cheeks slightly puffed in a pout. "That giant turtle was just being naughty! If Father were here, it would be turtle soup by now!" Vincent raised an eyebrow at her words, increasingly certain that Azhara came from a powerful, influential background. The monster that had nearly scared him to death seemed inconsequential to her father. As they approached the outskirts of No. 3 Novice Sanctuary, Vincent turned to Azhara. "Our deal is complete. I''ll be on my way now. What about you?" Azhara hesitated, seemingly reluctant to part ways. "I suppose I should head home. Father must be worried by now." Vincent nodded, having no intention of prolonging their time together. "And you?" Azhara asked. "I''ll rest for a bit, then resume hunting," he replied matter-of-factly. They entered the Novice Sanctuary, and Vincent prepared to leave. "Well, I''m off. Thanks for the deal!" He waved as he walked away. "Wait, Shroud¡­" Azhara''s voice trailed off, too late to stop him. She watched his figure fade into the distance, a hint of disappointment crossing her face. Shaking her head, Azhara retrieved a white scroll from her storage ring. She tore it in half, and in a shimmer of digital lights, she vanished. On Drakoth, the Drakoriis'' home planet, Azhara materialized in her opulent bedroom within the Drakota Clans Residence. She had barely opened her eyes when the door burst open, slamming against the wall. A lean, muscular Drakorri man wearing blood-red and golden royal attire rushed in, arms outstretched. "My princess! My baby!" he exclaimed, enveloping Azhara in a tight embrace. "Father!" Azhara returned the hug with equal fervor. Zhar Drakota held his daughter at arm''s length, scrutinizing her for injuries. "Are you hurt? Did anyone bully you?" Azhara smiled at her father''s concern. "I''m fine, Father. No one hurt me." "Are you certain?" She nodded, and Zhar exhaled in relief. "That''s good, that''s good. Now, tell me about your time in Origin World." Azhara recounted her adventures, including her encounter with Shroud. At the mention of a human, Zhar''s brow furrowed. "You met a human? And he assisted you?" "Yes, his name is Shroud. He helped me capture this Flairmuse," Azhara explained, producing the crystal ball. "Look, my first hunt!" Zhar''s expression softened at his daughter''s pride. He gently patted her head. "Well done. Father is proud of you." Azhara beamed at the praise. "Now, about this human¡­" Zhar began. "Shroud," Azhara corrected. Zhar''s lip twitched. "Yes, Shroud. Did he do anything else? Hurt you or try to deceive you?" Azhara paused, recalling the events. "No, I don''t think so¡­" Zhar nodded, "That''s a relief¡ª" "Except for grabbing my hand," Azhara added. "Twice." "What?!" Zhar''s voice rose sharply. "He grabbed your hand? Twice?!" "Is something wrong, Father?" Azhara asked, puzzled by his sudden anger. "Where does this human live? He seems tired of living! I''ll bury him myself!" Zhar fumed, an illusory smoke rising from his head. "No, Father! Stop!" Azhara protested. "If you don''t calm down, I''ll tell Mother you''re acting up again!" At his daughter''s threat, Zhar reluctantly reined in his anger, though he continued to plot Shroud''s demise in his mind. Meanwhile, in Origin World, Vincent sat on his bed in his rented room, marveling at the items and glowing orbs before him ¨C his payment from Azhara. "My word, I''m rich with just these!" he exclaimed, focusing on the valuable items. He first examined the white scroll: Name: Escape Scroll Type: Special Item Effect: Safely teleports the user out of Origin World three seconds after tearing the scroll. "An Escape Scroll! Excellent," Vincent chuckled. "Finally, a lifesaving item!" His laughter abruptly ceased as he remembered its origin. "Damn it! If I''d known I had this earlier, I wouldn''t have run for my life from that tortoise." Shaking off the thought, he continued his inspection. Touching the green light, an emerald metallic mask materialized. Name: Morphic Mask Rarity: Uncommon Effect: Assumes the appearance of any personally seen humanoid form, concealing the wearer''s true identity. The transformation is limited and cannot deceive higher-tier Origin Warriors. "This is merely uncommon?" Vincent marveled at the mask''s utility despite its modest rarity. He donned it, and with a thought, his skin turned red, reptilian scales emerging on his arms. Glancing in the mirror, he saw his dark purple hair and eyes had transformed to crimson, mirroring Azhara''s Drakorri features. "Incredible, it feels so real," he murmured, practicing different racial appearances. Next, he examined the blue orb, which transformed into a book: Name: Way of the Flowing Waters Rarity: Rare Description: A sword cultivation technique focusing on water''s ebb and flow to guide the cultivator''s swordplay. It allows the practitioner to mimic flowing water, adapting attacks from swift and precise to slow and powerful as needed. Stages: Rippling Waves: Increases speed and agility by 10%, enhancing quick strikes and evasion. Tidal Surge: Boosts attack damage by 20% with increased critical hit chance. Torrential Cascade: Imbues the sword with rushing water''s strength, increasing damage by 30% and bypassing physical resistance. "A cultivation manual!" Vincent exclaimed, understanding its immense value. He knew that Origin Warriors needed such techniques to advance beyond Tier 1-5 stars, refining experience points into Origin Essence. The manual''s rarity made it even more precious, something novice warriors from influential families would fight over. Vincent silently thanked Azhara for her generosity. Finally, he touched the purple orb, revealing another book: Name: Book of the Heaven''s Eye Rarity: Special Effects: Instantly discerns a cultivator''s power level, revealing their cultivation tier, stage, and technique nature. In combat, it grants temporary insight into the enemy''s fighting style and weaknesses. "A Special Skill!" Vincent''s excitement was palpable. This skill would be invaluable for navigating dangers in Origin World. Without hesitation, he learned it immediately. [You have successfully learned Heaven''s Eyes!] After reviewing his newfound treasures, Vincent decided to use his accumulated experience points to level up to Tier 1 - 4 stars. The encounter with the giant tortoise had taught him the true dangers of Origin World. With his experience points depleted, he opted to skip the Weekly Novice Battle and instead focus on farming more experience. Donning the Morphic Mask to appear as a Drakorri, he ventured to the southern part of No.3 Novice Sanctuary, another section of Verdant Wilds. He spent the remainder of his time in Origin World hunting, until the familiar sensation of being pulled back to Astralis enveloped him. In a flash of digital light, he vanished from his rented room. Back on Astralis, Vincent found himself in his living room. It was still dark, just 4 AM. His eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger. The room was in shambles, as if a typhoon had torn through it. Walls were cracked, and furniture lay in pieces. "What happened here?" he muttered, his composure slipping. "Marina! Sis Amara! Where are you?!" Chapter 14 - 14: Going Back (2) Vincent''s heart raced as he dashed through the wrecked living room, calling out desperately. "Marina! Sis Amara!" Silence answered his pleas. Panic rising, he bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He burst into Sis Amara''s room first, only to find it in a similar state of disarray. Clothes were strewn across the floor, drawers hung open, their contents spilled out like entrails. "Damn it!" Vincent cursed, spinning on his heel and rushing to Marina''s room. The scene that greeted him was no better. Marina''s beloved anime posters lay in tatters, her collection of figurines scattered and broken. The sight of her ruined sanctuary sent a chill down Vincent''s spine. Last, he entered his own room. The destruction continued here, his belongings tossed about carelessly. But amidst the chaos, a glint caught his eye. His phone lay miraculously unscathed on the floor, having fallen between the bed and nightstand. With trembling hands, Vincent snatched up the device. He quickly navigated to his contacts, finding Marina''s number. His finger hovered over it for a moment before he tapped, bringing the translucent hologram to life. The call connected, but it wasn''t Marina''s voice that greeted him. "Little Vince?" Sis Amara''s casual tone came through, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Vincent''s mind. "Sis Amara! Where are you? Where''s Marina? What happened here?" The questions tumbled out in a rush. "Whoa, slow down there, kiddo," Sis Amara drawled. "We''re fine. We''re at the Stellar Plaza Hotel. Room 507." Vincent exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "I''m on my way," he said, already moving towards the door. "Take your time, little Vince. We''re not going anywhere," Sis Amara replied before ending the call. The journey to the hotel passed in a blur. Vincent''s mind raced with possibilities, each scenario more terrifying than the last. When he finally reached Room 507, he knocked with more force than necessary. The door swung open, revealing Sis Amara in her usual tank top and shorts, a beer in hand. "Hey, little Vince. Glad you could join the party," she said with a lazy smile. Vincent''s eyes shone, seeing the usual calm and lazy Amara. The heaviness in his heart was largely alleviated but not completely gone. "Sis Amara..." His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Marina. She sat cross-legged on one of the beds, engrossed in a holographic anime playing before her. "Rina!" Vincent called out. Marina''s head snapped up, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her brother. "Big bro!" she exclaimed, leaping off the bed and tackling him in a hug. "I missed you so much! Did you see what those jerks did to my limited-edition figurines? They''ll pay for that!" Vincent returned the hug, relief flooding through him. After a moment, he gently disentangled himself from Marina''s grip and turned to Sis Amara, his expression serious. "What happened?" he asked, his voice low and controlled. Sis Amara took a long swig of her beer before answering. "Robbers, looks like. Hit the place while we were out. I was at work, and Marina was at school." "Robbers? How''s that possible..?" Vincent muttered to himself. He was baffled since, based on Vincent''s memory, they had never encountered any kind of situation like this in the couple of years they had lived in their district. "Is that really it?" he thought, feeling there was something more to it. Though he had no definite suspicion who would do that to him. He had been quiet all his life and rarely talked or got in touch with anyone. Amara saw Vincent in deep thought, so she asked him, "What''s wrong, little Vince?" Facing her question, Vincent simply shook his head. He had no plan to implicate anyone if this event really had a connection to him. "Have you reported it to the authorities?" he asked. "Yeah, yeah," Sis Amara waved her hand dismissively. "They came, took some pictures, said they''d look into it. Don''t hold your breath, though." Vincent nodded, his mind already working on their next steps. Since it wasn''t safe to live in their house, it must be better for them to stay in the hotel for a while before he found them a new place to stay. "Brother, what do we do now? Are we going back to Sis Amara''s home?" Marina couldn''t help but ask, glancing at Vincent and Amara. Vincent didn''t answer immediately; he instead stared at Amara. Sensing the siblings'' gaze, Amara quickly understood that they were waiting for her decision. "You''re a big guy now, you can decide what you want to do..." she said before sipping her beer, as though she didn''t care what would happen to her place. Vincent kept staring at Amara. He was truly curious about her background and what was going on in her mind. She had been so calm and collected despite what happened to her house, as though nothing could shake her emotions. Since Amara let him decide, without thinking twice, he decided. "Then let''s just stay in the hotel for a while before we look for a new place to stay." Hearing his decision, Marina, who was silent, couldn''t help but ask, "We''re not going back?" Vincent simply nodded in response. "But where do we get the money to get a new place? Is sister Amara going with us?" Her eyebrows rose. Once again, Vincent turned to look at Amara, who was drinking her beer in silence with her eyes closed, as if she didn''t hear Marina''s question. He then turned to face his younger sister and pinched both of her cheeks. "What the hell are you thinking? I was just gone for a day. Why are both of you like this?" He wondered. Ever since he arrived at the hotel, he felt as if something was amiss between them. He deeply wondered until realization dawned on him. Looking at both of them, he questioned, "Did Sis Amara force you to eat something she cooked?" Marina, who was still being pinched by her cheeks, exclaimed, "You know it, brother!" Her eyes shone and her eyebrows rose, glaring at Amara, whose eyes were still closed but lips were twitching. Although she was being glared at, Amara just completely ignored her. She knew Marina had reason to be angry. Since Vincent had gone to Origin World and no one would cook for the both of them, she decided to cook for herself and Marina. And the result was Marina''s hate. Seeing them acting like this, Vincent could only sigh. They were too dependent on his cooking. Well, he could not dismiss Marina''s hate for Amara, since he clearly knew her cooking. ''Sis Amara''s way of cooking is definitely cursed,'' he thought. "Alright, alright. That''s enough. Have you eaten yet?" "No, I lost my appetite since yesterday morning..." Marina didn''t even hide her thoughts. Vincent chuckled, stroking her head to calm her down. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s just order food downstairs. I''ll cook for you tomorrow." Enjoying her brother''s caresses, Marina simply nodded her head. After ordering a meal and having breakfast, Marina went to school while Amara stayed in the hotel and had no plan to go to work. Vincent, on the other hand, checked his email. It had been almost a month since he awakened. He had never been to the school since then and was focused on preparing to go to Origin World. He knew that event was about to come. As he expected, he found an email from school, which notified him to report back to school in order to participate in the Annual Battle Ceremony. Annual Battle Ceremony was a tournament battle between awakened Origin Warriors to showcase their abilities and promote their school to different guilds, institutes, and organizations'' recruiters. Therefore, it was basically the most important tournament for newly awakened Origin Warriors for their future career. Although he felt that with his talent, he could improve on his own, he had no intention to ditch the tournament. He was quite interested in the other awakened students and the champion prizes. Last year was also a blast; the Annual Battle Ceremony champion won a lot of high-quality items. Therefore, he had no reason to ignore the prizes if they wanted to hand them to him. Yes, Vincent felt that with his absurd improvement, he believed no one could compete with him, unless some cosmic fate interfered and caused him to lose. Hence, he immediately left the hotel and went out after letting Amara know. He didn''t immediately go to the school since the tournament would start in the afternoon. It was still early in the morning; he had enough time to sell his loot for quick money. After calling a hovering cab, Vincent arrived at the Origin Warriors Trade Market Branch of District 12. Although it was a market, the place was a towering skyscraper, although not as grand as the branch of Origin Warriors Association. Similar to the Origin Warriors Association building, Vincent was also scanned by blue lights as he entered the establishment. The moment he entered, he was greeted by a robotic AI. "Greetings! May I kindly know the purpose of your visit today?" "I''m here to sell my items." "Great! Would you like me to guide you to the Central Bazaar?" "I''m good, just let me know where to find it." "If you want to visit the Central Bazaar, you can go to the 10th to 13th floor. Just a reminder, you can freely visit the first floor of Central Bazaar, which is on the 10th floor, where you can buy or sell various resources that are common in quality. And if you want to buy or sell higher quality items, you have to visit the higher floors, which will require authorization from the Bazaar host." Chapter 15 - 15: Central Bazaar After getting directions from the AI robot, Vincent rode the elevator up to the tenth floor. As soon as the doors slid open, he stepped out into a long, wide hallway. At the far end, a crowded entrance buzzed with activity as people flowed in and out, while guards with serious expressions, dressed in sleek, skin-tight armor, kept a watchful eye on the scene. One of the guards stepped forward as Vincent approached. "Let me see your ID," the guard said, holding out his hand. Without a moment''s hesitation, Vincent presented his Origin Warrior License. The guard examined both Vincent and the card carefully. Although the card labeled him as just a Rank 0 Origin Warrior, the guard couldn''t help but feel an unusual pressure coming from Vincent. Confused, but brushing it aside, the guard returned the license and handed Vincent a black token. Vincent inspected the smooth black token, noticing a countdown timer ticking away. "What''s this for?" Vincent asked, raising an eyebrow. "That''s your visitor''s token," the guard explained, his voice steady. "It tracks how much time you have left to stay in the bazaar and is only good for this floor. If you want to go to any higher levels, you''ll need the Host''s permission and top-tier items to qualify." Vincent gave a nod of understanding, now aware he had just two hours. Thanking the guard, he moved forward and entered the Central Bazaar. As Vincent stepped into the bazaar, he was immediately swept up by the lively atmosphere. The immense space was filled with vendors and buyers, their chatter blending into a constant hum of activity. The bazaar stretched out so far that he couldn''t see its end from where he stood. "Armor materials for sale! Check out my stall!" "Buying common items here!" "Selling common and uncommon skill books!" Vincent was taken aback by the sheer scale of the market, having never experienced anything like it before in this world. His Heaven Eye skill activated, allowing him to sense the strength of those around him. Most of the people he passed were Rank 0 to Rank 1 Origin Warriors, with the occasional Rank 2 mixed into the crowd. As he wandered through the bustling marketplace, his attention was drawn to a particularly crowded stall: the Lucky Stone Stall. "Step right up!" the vendor called out enthusiastically. "Try your luck by cracking open a lucky stone for just 10 Origin Crystals or 10,000 credits! You might find a rare gem worth over 100,000 credits or more!" The vendor, an elderly man with a long, wispy goatee, stroked his beard as he continued promoting his goods. "I''ll even give you a discount¡ªfive Lucky Stones for only 40,000 credits or 40 Origin Crystals!" A brash-looking Origin Warrior from the crowd stepped forward with a confident grin. "Give me five! Today''s the day I clean you out!" The old man''s lips curled into a teasing smile. "Ho ho, looks like you didn''t learn your lesson from yesterday, did you?" "Shut it, old man! Today''s my lucky day!" the warrior snapped. "If you say so. It''s your money, after all." The man selected five stones and handed them to the vendor. "Crack them open already!" he demanded impatiently. The vendor chuckled softly before raising a hammer. "As you wish, let''s see what fortune has in store for you..." With a sharp bang, he brought the hammer down on the first stone. It was empty. "That''s your first stone. Unfortunate," the old man said, his voice dripping with feigned sympathy. Grinding his teeth, the man barked, "I''ve still got four left! Keep going!" "Very well, onto the next one," the vendor replied calmly. Bang! The second stone was also empty. The third and fourth stones yielded the same results, and frustration was etched deeply into the warrior''s face. His fists clenched tightly as he struggled to contain his anger. "This is a scam! Your stones are all rigged!" he accused, glaring at the vendor. "Now, now," the old man said with a shrug, "this is all a game of chance. You weren''t forced to buy my stones. I''m not responsible for your bad luck." Seething, the man''s lips trembled with fury, but there was nothing more he could do. "Just open the last one," he growled. "As you wish," the vendor said, raising his hammer one final time. Bang! The last stone didn''t split immediately but showed a few cracks. Seeing this, the man''s eyes gleamed with a flicker of hope. Bang! With the second strike, the stone broke apart, revealing a small green gem inside. "Congratulations!" the vendor announced theatrically. "You''ve uncovered a speed enhancement gem!" The man let out a triumphant shout. "Yes! I knew it! I won!" "Indeed," the vendor agreed. "You can sell that gem for 20,000 credits or 20 Origin Crystals." The warrior''s excitement faded quickly as he realized that even with the gem, he had still lost 20 Origin Crystals overall. "You swindling old bastard! I still lost out on this!" The vendor merely chuckled. "That''s how it goes, young man. You win some, you lose some." Furious but defeated, the man stormed off, grumbling under his breath. Vincent had observed the entire scene from a distance. "Anyone else feeling lucky?" the vendor called out to the crowd. His gaze scanned the area before settling on Vincent, who was watching intently. "You there! You look like a newly awakened warrior. Want to try your luck? I''ll give you a special discount¡ªjust 5 Origin Crystals for one stone!" The crowd, having witnessed the last customer''s frustration, started to voice their disapproval. "Hey, Old Feng! You''re trying to scam a newbie now?" "Yeah, you old fox! Don''t pick on the kid!" But the vendor, unfazed by their protests, scoffed, "Hmph! I''m not forcing anyone to buy. If you''re not interested, then move along!" He turned back to Vincent with a sly grin. "So, what do you say, young man? Feeling lucky?" Vincent met the vendor''s gaze, his mind churning with amusement. ''This old man thinks I''m easy prey¡­'' With a subtle smirk, Vincent responded, "How about we make it a bit more interesting?" The vendor''s eyes gleamed at the challenge. "Oh? What do you have in mind, boy?" Vincent''s smile grew. "I''ll buy just one stone. If I find a gem inside, you pay me double the market price." "And if you lose?" the vendor countered, intrigued. "Then I''ll pay double the normal price for your stones." The old man burst into laughter. "You''ve got guts, kid! Alright, if you''re so eager to give me your money, who am I to refuse?" Still smiling, Vincent stepped forward and began inspecting the stones carefully. "Take your time, lad," the vendor taunted, "but remember, you''ve only got about two hours left for your stay!" Vincent ignored the old man''s jibes, carefully examining the stones laid out before him. After several minutes of silent inspection, he finally selected one. "Ha! Took you long enough!" Old Feng chuckled. "I thought you were going to spend your whole time here staring at rocks. You sure about that choice? I''ll give you one last chance to change your mind¡ªthis one''s probably empty!" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent''s smile remained unchanged. "I''m satisfied with my choice. Go ahead and open it." The confidence in Vincent''s voice baffled Old Feng, but the vendor shook his head with a grin. "Alright then, don''t say I didn''t warn you!" He raised his hammer and, with a resounding bang, struck the stone. To his shock, the stone didn''t shatter like the others. Instead, cracks formed along its surface, and a glint of something shimmered through the fractures. Old Feng''s laughter faded as the crowd leaned in, murmuring in surprise. Vincent''s smirk widened. "Well, I''ll be!" the vendor exclaimed, his voice catching in his throat. "The kid''s got beginner''s luck! There''s a gem in there!" The vendor struck the stone again, and it cracked open fully to reveal a high-quality power enhancement gem. The crowd gasped. "That''s no ordinary gem," one of the onlookers whispered. "That one could go for 150,000 credits, easy!" "And the deal was for double the market price!" another shouted. "Old Feng''s gonna have to pay up 300,000 credits!" Laughter rippled through the crowd, and those who had lost money to the vendor earlier couldn''t hide their satisfaction at his predicament. "Looks like Old Feng''s finally taken a hit!" they jeered. Old Feng''s face twitched with barely concealed frustration, but he forced a strained smile. "Alright, alright, you lot! I''m not so shameless as to cheat a young man!" He shot a glare at the crowd before turning to Vincent. With a bitter tone, the vendor spoke, "I''ll pay up, but you''ve got to wager with me one more time. After all, I accepted your first bet, didn''t I?" Vincent''s smile vanished, and his face darkened. "You''re being pretty shameless, old man," he said coldly. "You''re the one who pushed me into buying a stone in the first place." But Old Feng, seeing Vincent''s stern expression, became convinced the young man had just gotten lucky. There was no way it could happen twice. The vendor''s eyes gleamed with confidence as he said, "Not shameless, lad¡ªjust giving you another chance to win more! What do you say? Will you take another bet?" Vincent paused, as if in deep thought, then gave a small nod. "What are the terms?" "Same as before," Old Feng replied eagerly. "If you win, I''ll pay double the market price again. But if I win, I won''t pay you your previous winnings, and you''ll have to pay for all the stones you''ve opened." Vincent didn''t answer immediately, pretending to weigh the risks. After a moment, he nodded in agreement. "Good!" Old Feng''s grin widened. He knew there were fewer than ten stones left on the table, and based on his experience, he was certain that all the remaining ones were worthless. "Pick your stone," he said, his voice dripping with smug confidence. Vincent approached the table once more, his expression grave. He took his time, carefully inspecting each remaining stone, while the crowd watched in silence, the tension rising with each passing moment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Vincent made his choice. "This one," he said calmly, handing it to the vendor. Old Feng''s eyes sparkled with excitement. He was sure this stone was empty. "Ready to lose, boy?" he taunted one last time, lifting his hammer. Vincent remained silent, his face unreadable as he watched the vendor. Bang! The first strike didn''t split the stone, but a crack appeared. Old Feng''s smile faltered, but he kept going. Bang! The second blow shattered the stone open, and to the vendor''s utter disbelief, another gem lay nestled inside. But this time, the gem wasn''t just valuable¡ªit was even more precious than the last one. The crowd erupted in cheers, some clapping in excitement at Vincent''s astonishing luck. A wide smile spread across Vincent''s face as he calmly looked at Old Feng, his eyes sparkling with amusement. It was as if Vincent had known all along what would happen. "You¡­ you knew, didn''t you?" Old Feng stammered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. His expression was a mix of shock, disbelief, and grudging respect. The old man stared at Vincent, realizing he had completely underestimated him. Chapter 16 - 16: Central Bazaar (2) Vincent''s smile grew wider, but he didn''t respond to Old Feng''s assumption. In reality, he had been aware of the gem hidden inside the stone all along. How? While watching the previous customer''s attempts, Vincent had been actively utilizing his Heaven Eyes skill to scan the crowd. Before Old Feng cracked open that final stone, he had sensed a strange aura emanating from it. When the gem was revealed, he recognized that the peculiar energy he had detected indicated the presence of a gem within the lucky stone. Though confident, Vincent had initially held onto a sliver of doubt. To confirm his theory, he proposed a wager with Old Feng. Feigning displeasure at the vendor''s challenge, he skillfully hid his ability to see through the stones. The rest, as they say, was history. With a frown, Vincent spoke in a displeased tone, "What are you rambling about, old man? You think I can see through your stones or something? I won fair and square." "Then how did you do it..." Old Feng''s words were drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. "Old Feng, quit stalling and pay the young man!" "Ha! You''ve finally taken a big hit, old timer!" "Pay up! Pay up!" Though irritated, Old Feng had no choice but to concede to his misfortune. After asking for Vincent''s bank details, he transferred nearly a million credits into the young man''s account. Vincent couldn''t hide his smile. This was his first significant windfall since arriving in this world, and it felt like just the beginning. His dream of amassing wealth and living comfortably back on Earth seemed within reach, even though the idea of relaxation felt far away in this dog-eat-dog world. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thanks for the business, old man," Vincent said lightly. "Hmph! Get lost! I don''t want to see your face around here again!" Old Feng grumbled. Vincent laughed at the vendor''s frustration as he left the Lucky Stones Stall to explore the rest of the Central Bazaar. He still needed to sell his items and perhaps discover something interesting. After nearly an hour of wandering, Vincent came upon a strangely deserted stall. The vendor, dressed in black clothing with a dark veil obscuring their features, sat quietly beside their wares. Vincent examined the items on display: old, tattered books, rusty and unadorned weapons, and various other objects that looked more like junk than merchandise. He thought to himself that there were indeed eccentric individuals in every world. Just as he was about to move on, an inexplicable force tugged at something deep within him as his gaze fell upon an ordinary-looking rock. His eyes narrowed as he tried to peer into the plain stone''s depths. Unlike his earlier experience with the lucky stones, he couldn''t see through this rock, but he felt a strong connection to it resonating within his Origin Core. An old man''s voice broke into his thoughts. "It seems something has caught your eye." Vincent turned to face the veiled figure. Rather than answering directly, he asked, "I''m just curious why you''re selling these old items..." "Oh? Do you think I''m peddling garbage?" the vendor challenged. Vincent raised an eyebrow. "If they''re not trash, what are they then?" The man fell silent for a moment before replying. "These items may have lost their value and purpose for some, but I believe in the saying, ''One man''s trash is another man''s treasure.''" Vincent pondered the vendor''s words, nodding silently in agreement. "If you''re not buying, please move along. Don''t obstruct my business," the man said, though his tone lacked genuine hostility. Despite being shooed away, Vincent stood his ground. "You say one man''s trash can be another''s treasure. Well, I have some ''trash'' here. Care to make a deal?" The vendor''s interest seemed piqued. "Ho, a business proposition? Do tell." With a wave of his hand, Vincent produced all the items he''d looted in Origin World. The previously sparse stall was now filled with his acquisitions. "Care to buy this ''trash''?" Vincent asked. While an unawakened person might have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items, the veiled man showed no reaction. That was, until Vincent revealed a purple book¡ªthe Thrygian Trait Skill Book. Originally rare, he had upgraded it to Epic quality before returning. "An Epic Skill Book?" the vendor remarked, though his reaction was more subdued than Vincent had anticipated. Vincent''s curiosity about the man''s background intensified. He activated his Heaven Eyes, scanning the vendor but found nothing unusual beyond confirming that he was a peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior. "Interested in buying the lot?" Vincent inquired. The man hesitated before responding. "I can offer 90% of market price for all your common items." "Ninety percent? Hmm. What about this book?" Vincent asked, gesturing to the purple tome. "That high-quality, specialized skill book is a bit different. It''s not in high demand, but it could be priceless to the right buyer. I''d recommend you auction it instead." "Auction, huh?" Vincent mused, contemplating where he might do so. Noting Vincent''s consideration, the vendor added, "I could auction it for you, if you''d like." "For how much?" The man''s tone became more appreciative. "I like you. Straight to the point. I want 20% of the sale." Vincent frowned, displeased. "Five percent." The vendor shook his head. "Can''t do it. Fifteen percent." Rather than continue haggling, Vincent made to withdraw. "Forget it. I''ll auction it myself." Seeing Vincent about to reclaim the book, the man hurriedly interjected. "W-Wait! Ten percent, and you can choose one item from my stall." Vincent regarded him silently. "Come on," the vendor pressed. "The auction site takes a 5% cut. I''d only be making 5% myself. Cut me some slack here." Though Vincent''s expression remained impassive, inwardly he was laughing. Of course, he knew the standard auction fees and how time-consuming the process could be. Still, he played along, acting as if he was accepting out of pity. "Alright. Ten percent and..." he paused, surveying the items before him. "...I''ll take this one," he said, pointing to the rock that had drawn him in so strongly. The moment he made his choice, Vincent felt a piercing gaze upon him. He glanced around, but the sensation vanished as quickly as it had come. ''What was that? Am I getting paranoid?'' he wondered. Oblivious to Vincent''s internal dialogue, the vendor responded cheerfully. "Excellent! Let''s draw up a contract, shall we?" With a wave of his hand, the man conjured a transparent interface. He signed it with his fingerprint before passing it to Vincent. Vincent carefully scrutinized the contract''s contents. It was a standard digital business agreement used in Astralis, governed by the laws of the Starmark System. Any breach would result in immediate arrest¡ªa marvel to Vincent, who hailed from Earth. Satisfied that everything was in order, Vincent added his own fingerprint signature. Both parties received a copy of the finalized contract. "So, you''re Vincent..." the vendor murmured, eyeing the signed document. Vincent learned the man''s name was Alex. "I''ll need your bank details and contact information," Alex said. "Then you can have this..." He carefully handed over a small box, about the size of a fist, containing the rock. Vincent accepted it without a word. The moment his fingers brushed the container, he heard a faint, rhythmic pulsing¡ªlike a heartbeat. ''Just what are you?'' he pondered, studying the strange stone. "Everything alright, young man?" Alex''s voice broke through his musings. Snapping back to the present, Vincent replied, "Yes, fine." He tucked the box into his storage ring. "When can I expect results from the auction?" "I''ll notify you in three days at the earliest, a week at most." "Alright. Just transfer the payment for my common items to my account. I''ve got other business to attend to." Alex nodded, watching as Vincent left the Central Bazaar. "Interesting..." the vendor murmured to himself. As Vincent rode in a hover cab on his way to school, he couldn''t help but grin at the bank notification that flashed across his interface. Notification: You have received a payment of 1,500,000 credits from Alex. Your account balance is now 2,400,000 credits. His first day in Origin World had netted him over two million credits, catapulting him from pauper to millionaire. Of course, he knew the source of most of his newfound wealth. ''Azhara, my little walking treasure,'' he mused. ''I hope we cross paths again in Origin World.'' Chuckling at the thought, Vincent retrieved the item he''d acquired from Alex. Upon opening the box, he immediately noticed a change in the rock''s appearance. It now emitted a faint black aura, exuding a mix of dread, chaos, and raw power. Filled with both curiosity and caution, he slowly reached for the stone. The moment his fingers made contact, a flash of black light erupted from within. The outer layer disintegrated, revealing a shiny black marble that was eerily familiar. It was identical to the one that had transported him to this world! "How... why is it here?" Vincent muttered, baffled. If the marble that had brought him to this reality now served as his Origin Core, what was this similar orb, seemingly filled with countless bright stars. Before he could ponder further, a pillar of obsidian light burst forth from the marble. It shot skyward, piercing the clouds and drawing the attention of countless onlookers throughout District 12. Vincent''s consciousness faded as the black light engulfed him. An indeterminate amount of time later, Vincent felt awareness returning. To his shock, he found himself floating thousands of feet above the ground. "Where the hell am I?" he wondered aloud, gazing at the unfamiliar landscape far below. Chapter 17 - 17: Mysterious Vision Vincent stood, bewildered, his eyes scanning the strange, desolate landscape that stretched endlessly before him. A towering figure cloaked in darkness loomed in the distance, its form pulsing with a sinister energy that seemed to consume the very air around it. Surrounding this dark entity were countless shadowy armies, locked in a brutal clash against forces from all walks of existence. Farther away, Vincent spotted another commanding presence, leading the opposition. This colossal figure, formed entirely from swirling mist, exuded a holy, almost divine aura. The sight of these two beings alone made Vincent feel minuscule, as though he were nothing more than a grain of sand in an incomprehensible universe. Although he had no idea who or what these entities were, one thing was clear¡ªthey radiated unimaginable power. "Where the hell has that marble dragged me now?" Vincent thought, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the scene unfolding before him. Just as his thoughts started to spin, the dark figure spoke, its voice deep, ancient, and strangely playful. "Still playing the hypocrite, huh? After all these reincarnations, you''d think you''d get tired of it." The misty figure, apparently unmoved by the taunt, responded with a scoff. "Don''t pretend you don''t know who you are. Your very existence is the reason calamity continues to fall upon the universe." "You old fools always find someone to blame for your own mess. Can''t you think of a better excuse?" the dark figure replied, dripping with sarcasm. "Shut up, demon!" the mist figure roared, its voice filled with fury. "Hand over the Chaos System. You have no idea what you''re dealing with¡ªwielding that kind of power will bring nothing but disaster for all of us!" The mist figure''s form shifted and reconfigured, summoning an enormous golden hand that hovered menacingly in the air, orbs of holy light swirling in its grasp. The dark figure chuckled at the display. "See? There''s the truth. You''re still after my power, aren''t you? Even after all these eons, even after killing everyone I cared about¡ªand even your own people¡ªyou''ll do anything to get it." The chuckle turned into a bitter laugh filled with hatred. Raising its hand, the dark figure summoned a circular disc of dark energy, its surface resembling a clock. The hands of this clock moved backward, forcing the golden light back to its original form before it dissolved into nothingness. "You''ll never beat me, not in this lifetime!" the dark figure declared. "Hmph. You think I''m not ready for that?" The mist figure sneered, producing an artifact¡ªa golden hourglass brimming with chaotic energy. The dark figure''s voice faltered for the first time, a note of shock creeping in. "How did you get that?!" "I paid a heavy price for it," the mist figure said, throwing the artifact into the air where it hovered, ominous and foreboding. Strange, arcane chants filled the space, and a massive vortex of white, chaotic energy began to form, its gravitational pull swallowing everything in its path. Armies, monsters, even reality itself seemed to warp and bend as they were consumed by the chaotic portal. "You mad old dog!" the dark figure roared. "Are you really willing to destroy the entire universe just to defeat me?!" "I''ll do whatever it takes to end you!" the mist figure''s voice rang out, resolute. Desperately, the dark figure conjured countless clocks, their hands moving backward in a frantic attempt to reverse time. Some of the beings that had already been pulled into the vortex were yanked back, momentarily brought back to life. But the mist figure was unrelenting. "There''s no point in resisting. You know it''s futile." As the dark figure strained against the overwhelming force of the vortex, it suddenly shifted its gaze toward Vincent. Its abyssal eyes locked onto him, and in that instant, a searing pain tore through Vincent''s skull, so intense that he blacked out. When he came to, Vincent was back in his cab, his head still throbbing from the encounter. His body trembled, drenched in cold sweat. "Who... who was that?" he whispered to himself, rubbing his temples. "Why do I feel like I know him?" As he tried to piece together what had just happened, panic surged through him¡ªhis black marble was gone. Frantically, he searched the cab, hoping to find it, but it was nowhere to be seen. Just as despair started to creep in, a strange, dark aura pulsed from within him. Focusing inward, Vincent realized his Origin Core, once plain and unremarkable, now glowed with a multitude of bright stars¡ªeerily similar to the marble he''d been holding. The core throbbed with a dark, ominous energy, reminiscent of the power he had witnessed from the dark figure. Acting on instinct, Vincent tapped into the dark energy, channeling it to his eyes. His sclera turned pitch black, while his pupils remained their striking purple. Suddenly, a vision took hold¡ªa tower of obsidian light piercing the sky, surrounded by countless eyes watching over it. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The vision shifted again. This time, he saw powerful figures converging on the tower of light, their eyes locked onto him. He could see his own cab, suspended mid-air, with himself being pursued by these beings. With a sharp gasp, Vincent cut off the dark energy, his eyes snapping back to normal. Without hesitation, he commanded his cab to descend. The moment it was low enough, he kicked open the door and leaped out, sprinting toward the crowded streets of the district. Disoriented, he knew one thing for sure¡ªif he didn''t keep running, he might not survive whatever was coming for him. The moment Vincent disappeared into the ocean of faces, hundreds of feet above him, Leo Blaire-District Leader of District 12-appeared, his face as grave as stone. A minute or two later, another figure appeared, hovering in the air beside Leo. The new one had long blonde hair, with a big horizontal scar across the bridge of his nose. Clad in skin-tight black armor, his face was a mask of arrogance. "Yo, Flame Boy!" the blond-haired man called out. "I gotta admit, I''m quite surprised you kept such a huge secret buried in your district!" Leo-least in the mood for any banter-forwarded a sharp glare in the man''s direction, Arman Matthews. "If you think I''m hiding something in my district, why don''t you go back to your own district like someone with some decency?" Arman was the leader of the neighboring District 11 and loved getting dirt under Leo''s nail. "Humph! Don''t play dumb about knowing what that black pillar means!" This time Leo said nothing; he knew exactly what Arman was referring to. Legend spoke of a black pillar that heralded calamity-a catastrophe that had once laid waste to an entire civilization. The thought of it nagged him and, simultaneously, incensed him that such an omen should appear in his territory. Having been a District Leader for a couple of years, even to think that something so villainous could be lurking within the ambit of his care was immensely disturbing. Not having received an answer from Leo, he pressed on. "Come clean, Leo. What are you concealing in your territory?" To the persistent inquiry from Arman, Leo just snapped, "Do you really think I''d be standing here with you if I knew what the answer to that was?" Almost immediately after this was said, two more figures materialized beside them. One was a tall, statuesque woman with flowing silver hair and piercing gold eyes, while the other was a stocky man with a shaved head, his exposed skin covered by intricate tattoos. "My, my," the woman spoke, her voice like silk. "What do we have here? A lover''s quarrel between our esteemed colleagues?" "Can it, Selena," growled the man with the tattoos. "This is no time for your games. We all felt that surge of power. Leo, explain yourself." Leo turned to them, his exasperation clear on his features. "Selena, Goran, I assure you, I''m as oblivious to this mess as you are. The thing with the pillar of light simply showed up out of thin air, and I''m completely at a loss about how and why it''s here." Goran, the tattooed man, narrowed his eyes. "You expect us to believe that? This is your territory, Leo. You should know every pebble and blade of grass within it." "I understand your skepticism," Leo said evenly, though he was clearly struggling to keep his temper. "But I swear upon my position as District Leader, I had no knowledge of this. phenomenon until it manifested." Selena prowled around the group, her movements fluid yet menacing. "The fact that either Leo knew or didn''t know about it is beside the point. What is relevant is what are we going to do about this?" said Arman, who had been uncharacteristically quiet till then. "We need to find the source of that pillar. If it indeed foretells some sort of disaster, just like those legends told, we can''t afford to just sit around." "For once, I agree with Arman," Leo said, his words drawing a surprised look from the rest. "We should get search parties and comb District 12. Whatever did this needs to be found and contained." Goran just nodded grimly. "Agreed. But let''s not forget, if this does turn out to be something you''ve been concealing from us, Leo, there will be repercussions." Meanwhile, as Vincent was making his way through the crowded streets, his heart racing with anticipation, the District Leaders were talking about what was to be done to find out the truth. Chapter 18 - 18: Annual Battle Ceremony (1) Vincent navigated through several alleyways, his appearance shifting subtly with each turn thanks to his Morphic Mask. As he finally approached the Academy grounds, he could sense the heightened atmosphere of anticipation and tension. His phone had been buzzing incessantly with messages from his sister and Amara, but he''d deal with those later. Despite the recent disturbance in the city - that ominous black pillar that had everyone talking - the Academy was bustling with activity. Today marked the Annual Battle Ceremony for awakened students, and representatives from various guilds and institutes would be in attendance. The stakes were high, and Vincent could feel it in the air. As he entered his classroom, the usual cacophony of morning chatter died down instantly. All eyes locked onto him, and whispers began to ripple through the room. "Vincent Magnus is here!" "He looks... different somehow. Has it really only been a month?" "Did you feel that? There''s something about him now..." "Could it be related to that black pillar we saw earlier?" Vincent made his way to his seat at the back of the room, his mind still processing the events of the morning. The dark energy he''d absorbed from the mysterious black marble pulsed within him, a constant reminder of the changes he''d undergone. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed the approaching footsteps. "Hello, Vincent." The voice was feminine, deliberately pitched to sound alluring. Vincent looked up to find Claudia Blonde standing before his desk, flanked by two of her usual followers. Her tanned skin and blonde twin-tails were as immaculate as ever, the red and white school uniform tailored perfectly to her figure. As the daughter of an influential family, Claudia was used to commanding attention - though she''d never paid much attention to Vincent before today. Keeping his expression neutral, Vincent replied, "What can I do for you?" Claudia twirled a lock of hair around her finger, a practiced gesture that had probably won over countless admirers. With a slight blush, she asked, "Would you like to join me for a walk after school?" Vincent had to suppress a smirk. The privilege of power was already making itself known. Before his awakening, he''d been invisible to the likes of Claudia. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, suddenly, he was worthy of her attention. Though he was no ordinary teenager - his memories of his past life on Earth gave him a different perspective on such matters - he decided to play along. "Interesting invitation," he said, letting a hint of amusement color his voice. "Though I''m curious - we''ve never really talked before, have we? And weren''t you involved with Greg?" From the corner of his eye, Vincent could see Greg Malcolm tensing at his desk. The boy''s face was turning an interesting shade of red as he mouthed silently, "Don''t... you... dare... agree." Everyone knew Greg had been pursuing Claudia for over a year, flaunting his family''s connections and his brother''s reputation as a genius Origin Warrior. Vincent''s deliberate mention of him was like poking a sleeping beast. "I would love to join you for a walk," Vincent continued, his eyes locked with Claudia''s, "but I''m afraid I''m quite busy today with the Annual Battle Ceremony. Perhaps another time?" He punctuated his response with a subtle wink that made Claudia''s blush deepen. The reaction was immediate. A wave of heated energy rolled through the classroom as Greg shot to his feet, his Origin Power flaring visibly around him. "You dare to mess with my woman, you punk?!" Greg''s voice cracked with fury, veins bulging on his forehead as fire energy swirled around him. Vincent had to admit, he was somewhat impressed. Despite his D-rank talent, Greg had improved significantly - clearly, his family''s resources had been put to good use. Yet, compared to Vincent''s current level, Greg''s Tier 1 power felt like a candle next to a bonfire. Maintaining his playful smile, Vincent turned to Claudia. "Is that true? Are you his woman?" Claudia''s face scrunched up in anger. "I''d never like him at all! He just kept pestering me, always flaunting his family''s power and his brother being a genius Origin Warrior." Vincent faced Greg, his smile never wavering. "That''s what she said." Greg''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, his fury reaching a boiling point. "You! Good! Haha, you bitch chose that poor punk instead of me? Do you think he''ll survive and be great just by having a good talent without a proper background?" Vincent remained silent, studying Greg with an unnerving calmness that only seemed to enrage the other boy further. "What do you mean by that?" Claudia demanded, her voice heavy with indignation. "I''ll show you what I mean!" Greg''s right arm erupted in red-orange flames as he lunged forward. Claudia, still standing near Vincent''s desk, could only cry out, "Watch out!" Vincent didn''t move until the last possible moment. The dark energy he''d absorbed earlier surged through his body, mixing with his Origin Power in ways he was only beginning to understand. As Greg''s flaming fist approached, Vincent casually raised his right hand. His normally pure, transparent Origin Power now had a subtle dark tinge to it as he blocked Greg''s punch with a resounding bang. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the classroom, scattering papers and rattling shelves. Greg''s eyes widened in disbelief. "H-How can you block my attack?" Vincent''s smirk grew slightly. "You''re just too weak." Still holding Greg''s fist, Vincent gave a casual push that sent the other boy stumbling backward to fall ungracefully on his back. "Ugh!" The classroom erupted in shocked whispers. Vincent Magnus, the former nobody, had just effortlessly defeated Greg Malcolm. Even Claudia was staring at Vincent with newfound wonder. "Are you alright, Vincent?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. As Vincent turned to answer her, his eyes flashed with dark energy for a brief moment before returning to normal. "I''m fine." Greg''s enraged roar cut through the murmuring crowd. "Vincent Magnus! I will kill you! I want you dead!" He scrambled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. A pair of ornate red gauntlets materialized on his fists, the red pearls embedded in them glowing ominously as flames erupted around his arms. "Today will be your funeral!" Just as Greg was about to attack again, a stern voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What''s happening here?!" All eyes turned to see Councilor Carlos Castellanos standing in the doorway, his gray hair and lined face doing nothing to diminish his commanding presence. Vincent''s senses tingled as he observed the old man. He''s actually Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡­ "Aren''t you both ashamed of what you''re doing?" the councilor demanded. "Today is an important day for both you and the school, and here you are making a mess? Go back to your seats!" Vincent noticed the councilor studying him intently for a moment, and he wondered if the old warrior could sense the change in his Origin Power. "Both of you, come with me to the announcement hall," Councilor Carlos ordered. "The Dean will announce the rules of the Annual Battle Ceremony." As they filed out of the classroom behind the councilor, Vincent could feel the weight of everyone''s stares. The walk to the announcement hall was tense, filled with unspoken hostility between Vincent and Greg. Councilor Carlos led them through the Academy''s sprawling corridors, his steady footsteps echoing against the polished stone floors. Other students they passed whispered and pointed, word of their confrontation already spreading through the school like wildfire. Vincent took the opportunity to observe his surroundings more carefully. The Academy was even more alive than usual today, with staff members hurrying about making last-minute preparations for the ceremony. Through the large windows, he could see viewing stands being erected in the courtyards and what appeared to be large, covered cages being transported toward the arena area - undoubtedly containing the Primal Beasts for the first phase of the tournament. As they walked, Vincent became increasingly aware of the dark energy coursing through his body. It seemed to respond to his emotions, curling and uncurling like a sleeping beast. He could sense it mixing with his original Origin Power, creating something new, something potentially dangerous but undeniably powerful. Greg, walking slightly behind him, was still radiating anger. The red pearls on his gauntlets pulsed rhythmically, matching his agitated breathing. Vincent could hear him muttering under his breath, probably plotting some form of revenge during the ceremony. "Both of you," Councilor Carlos suddenly spoke, his voice carrying the weight of decades of experience, "I hope you understand what today represents." He paused in his stride, turning to face them. "The Annual Battle Ceremony isn''t just a competition. It''s a tradition that dates back to the founding of our Academy, a chance for students to prove their worth not just to their peers, but to themselves." The old councilor''s eyes seemed to pierce through Vincent, and for a moment, he wondered if the man could sense the strange energy within him. "It''s also," the councilor continued, "a reminder that true strength isn''t just about power. It''s about control, strategy, and knowing when to fight and when to step back." They resumed walking, now joined by streams of other students all heading toward the announcement hall. Vincent noticed how people reacted to their group - some with curiosity, others with barely concealed excitement at the prospect of upcoming battles. He recognized many faces: Lin Feng, known for his exceptional speed; Sara Chen, whose healing abilities were renowned throughout the school; Dmitri Volkov, whose physical enhancement Origin Power made him a formidable opponent. As they approached the massive doors of the announcement hall, Councilor Carlos turned to them one final time. "Remember, whatever personal grievances you may have, they end here. In the ceremony, you fight for the honor of the Academy and for your own growth as Origin Warriors. Do you understand?" "Yes, Councilor," Vincent replied calmly, while Greg merely nodded, his jaw clenched tight. The announcement hall was already filling up as they entered. It was an impressive space, with high vaulted ceilings supported by columns inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed with a soft, blue light. The air was charged with anticipation and the mingled Origin Power of hundreds of students. Vincent found a spot near the middle of the hall, conscious of the curious glances thrown his way. The confrontation in the classroom had clearly sparked interest in him as a potential contender in the ceremony. He could hear snippets of conversation around him: "Did you hear? He took down Greg Malcolm without even trying..." "But isn''t he the one who only awakened recently?" "Something''s different about him now..." Before long, the runes on the columns flared brighter, signaling the arrival of Dean Augustus Thorne. The legendary Origin Warrior stepped onto the elevated platform at the front of the hall, his presence immediately commanding attention. The dean''s Origin Power was so refined that it was barely noticeable, yet Vincent could feel its immense pressure filling the entire hall. "Students of the Academy," the dean''s voice resonated throughout the space, "today marks the commencement of our Annual Battle Ceremony." His eyes swept across the gathered crowd, and Vincent felt a slight pressure when that gaze passed over him. "As you stand here, know that you represent not just yourselves, but the future of Origin Warriors." Holographic displays materialized around the hall, showing maps of the different arenas and statistics from previous years'' ceremonies. Vincent studied them intently, already formulating strategies in his mind. "This year''s ceremony will follow the traditional three phases," Dean Thorne continued. "However, I must warn you - our scouts have reported unusually aggressive behavior among the Primal Beasts in recent months. The creatures we''ve captured for the ceremony are stronger and more cunning than in previous years. Exercise extreme caution." A murmur of excitement and apprehension rippled through the crowd. Vincent noticed Greg smirking, probably thinking this would give him an advantage with his fire-based abilities. As the dean proceeded to explain the specific rules for each phase, Vincent felt the dark energy within him resonating with his anticipation. He knew that this ceremony would be more than just a test - it would be his opportunity to truly understand the changes happening within him, to push the boundaries of his newfound power. The announcement concluded with the dean activating a large holographic display showing the random team assignments for the first phase. Vincent quickly located his name and memorized his teammates - he was paired with Lin Feng, which could be advantageous given their complementary abilities, along with two students he didn''t know well. As the students began to disperse to prepare for the ceremony, Vincent caught Councilor Carlos watching him with an unreadable expression. The old warrior nodded slightly before turning away, leaving Vincent to wonder if he had sensed something different about his Origin Power. Chapter 19 - 19: Annual Battle Ceremony (2) Vincent stood at the corner of the training field, his mind adrift in thought. The recent changes he''d been experiencing gnawed at him, a constant presence just beneath the surface. Ever since he had absorbed the strange black marble, something had shifted. His emotions felt foreign, as though they were no longer his own, influenced by something dark and unfamiliar. "What the hell is that marble, really?" he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the bustling field. The ceremony would begin soon, and all the awakened students were gathering, their excitement palpable in the air. Vincent''s gaze drifted toward the far end of the field. "Alex¡­ that old man might know something. I''ll ask him once this ceremony is over." As he stood, lost in his thoughts, the sound of footsteps approaching snapped him back to the present. A confident voice, smooth yet laced with arrogance, cut through the noise around him. "Vincent Magnus." Vincent turned to see Lin Feng, a young man with long black hair that cascaded down his back, standing a few feet away. Dressed in light blue martial clothes with a sword at his hip, Lin Feng exuded an air of superiority. He had been one of the first to awaken in their batch, and Vincent could sense that the boy''s pride came as much from his family name as it did from his power. Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly, and with a thought, he activated his Heaven Eyes ability. He couldn''t help but feel a flicker of surprise. Lin Feng had already reached Tier 1, 4-star. How are they improving so quickly? Vincent wondered, his mind racing. Even for someone from a prestigious martial family, the speed at which Lin Feng had progressed made no sense. His C-rank talent, Swift Speed Ability, enhanced movement and attack speed, but the experience required for such rapid breakthroughs should have been astronomical. Something about it felt off. "Yes?" Vincent''s voice was terse, betraying his lack of interest. Lin Feng''s smile widened. "You know who I am, don''t you?" He didn''t wait for an answer. "I''m Lin Feng. And unlike that idiot Greg, I''m not someone you can just defeat so easily." Vincent sighed internally. Why does every world have people like this? Arrogance like Lin Feng''s was as predictable as the rising sun. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone flat, clearly not in the mood for a drawn-out conversation. Lin Feng took a step closer, his tone turning demanding. "When you''re on my team, you''ll follow my orders. Understood?" Vincent glanced past Lin Feng at the two other students standing silently behind him¡ªa boy and a girl, both looking uncomfortable but unwilling to voice their concerns. The weight of Lin Feng''s family name loomed over them, and Vincent could see it in their eyes. He turned to them, his expression neutral. "How about you two? Are you okay with this?" The boy, Van, shifted uncomfortably under Lin Feng''s glare, his eyes flicking nervously between them. The girl, Shaina, remained silent, her posture stiff. Neither dared oppose Lin Feng openly, and after a tense moment, they both nodded quickly. Vincent shrugged. "Do whatever you want." The truth was, the ceremony didn''t matter much to him. His goals were beyond these petty rivalries, and he could grow faster in the Origin World regardless of the outcome. He had no intention of getting involved in a leadership dispute with Lin Feng. He''d win in the end, regardless of who called the shots now. Closing his eyes, Vincent sat down, his posture relaxed, signaling the conversation was over. Lin Feng, clearly annoyed by his nonchalant response, clenched his jaw before turning to his followers. "You two! If you want to win, follow me!" he barked, storming off with an indignant huff. Soon after, the deep voice of Dean Thorne echoed across the field, commanding the attention of all the awakened students. "All awakened students, preparations are complete. Please proceed to the training field!" Vincent stood and began making his way to the field along with the others. The training ground had been transformed into an enormous arena, the size of a football field. A large podium stood at the front, surrounded by rows of spectators¡ªstudents, their families, and various influential figures from across the region. On the podium, beside Dean Thorne, sat several notable individuals, their presence radiating authority. Vincent recognized a few faces from news reports, the kind of people whose power and status were often mentioned in whispers. The excited chatter of the crowd filled the air, their voices a mix of awe and anticipation. "Are those recruiters from the big organizations?" "They must be! I feel weak just looking at them. They''re stronger than our Dean, I bet." "That woman there¡ªsee her? That''s the Snow Princess. She''s got an A-rank talent!" "No way¡­ She''s here at our battle ceremony?" Vincent''s curiosity piqued, and he instinctively activated his Heaven Eyes to observe the podium more closely. What he saw startled him. He couldn''t discern Dean Thorne''s power level, nor that of the visitors seated beside him. They must be above Tier 4, Vincent realized. He could still make out Councilor Carlos''s power, who was at Tier 3, but the rest were beyond his ability to read. As his gaze moved across the figures on the podium, a woman with long blue hair and a short, form-fitting dress suddenly turned her head in his direction. Her sharp, ice-blue eyes locked onto his for a split second, and Vincent quickly averted his gaze. The woman was none other than the Ice Princess¡ªan elite member of the Bronzehaven Legionnaire Corps, one of the few Origin Warriors who had awakened an A-rank talent in their Arc. She''s even more dangerous than I thought. That sharp sense... Dean Thorne noticed the exchange and leaned toward her, his voice low but clear enough for those nearby to hear. "What''s wrong, niece?" The Ice Princess continued to stare in Vincent''s direction, her face impassive. "Nothing, uncle." Satisfied, Dean Thorne stepped forward to address the students, his voice carrying across the arena. "Students, as mentioned earlier, the first phase of the ceremony will be the Primal Hunt. You will be transported through the portal to a designated location. The rules are simple¡ªthe ten teams that hunt the most primals will advance to the next phase and earn a special prize that will aid your cultivation." He raised a small wrist device. "For your safety, instructors are stationed throughout the area. If your team wishes to withdraw, simply activate the bail button on this communication device. You''ll each be given one before entering the portal. It will also track your primal kills. And remember, killing other students is strictly forbidden!" The students erupted in excitement, their voices rising in a collective cheer. Vincent stood with Lin Feng, Van, and Shaina. Lin Feng shot him a quick, irritated glance before addressing the group. "Let''s go." They received their devices in silence, and Vincent glanced down at the two-hour countdown timer. Group 24 was up. As they stepped through the portal, the world shifted around them. The brief sensation of vertigo passed as quickly as it came, and within moments, Vincent found himself in a dense wilderness. Towering trees stretched skyward, their thick canopies casting deep shadows over the underbrush. The air was humid and thick with the scent of moss and damp earth. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unknown creatures. The communication device on Vincent''s wrist buzzed softly, and he glanced down to see a holographic map materialize above it. The map showed a birds-eye view of their current location, represented by green triangular icons. Other purple icons marked the positions of nearby teams, and several large red dots indicated the locations of high-tiered primals scattered across the hunting zone. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent remained quiet as he studied the map, already planning his strategy. He had no intention of sticking with Lin Feng and his team for long. The sooner he could break off, the better. Lin Feng, on the other hand, had other plans. "Let''s go!" Lin Feng barked, his voice brimming with authority. His eyes flickered toward Vincent, narrowing slightly. "And as for you," he added, his tone sharp, "I don''t like your attitude. You''re out of the team." Vincent raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. Well, that was quicker than expected. Van, clearly startled by the abrupt decision, stepped forward. "W-Wait, Lin Feng! You can''t just kick him out. We need all the help we can get if we want to qualify for the next round." Shaina, equally concerned, nodded in agreement. Her gaze shifted uneasily between Lin Feng and Vincent, not daring to voice her thoughts but clearly troubled by the sudden exclusion. Lin Feng shot Van a look of pure disdain. "Do you think I''m an idiot? I have my own plans. You just need to follow my orders. Or maybe you want to join him?" Van''s expression faltered, and despite his obvious discomfort with the situation, he shook his head quickly. Though he hated Lin Feng''s arrogance, he wasn''t confident that Vincent could outmatch him. He chose the path of least resistance, stepping back without further protest. Vincent, unsurprised by the turn of events, gave a casual shrug. He didn''t have the energy to argue or convince them otherwise. If they thought kicking him out would benefit them, he wasn''t going to waste his time trying to change their minds. "Suit yourselves," Vincent said simply, turning on his heel and walking off into the dense forest. He didn''t bother looking back as he vanished into the shadows, leaving the group behind. Lin Feng watched him go, his jaw clenched in irritation. "Good riddance," he muttered before turning to Van and Shaina. "Now, let''s move. We don''t have time to waste." Meanwhile, Vincent moved deeper into the forest, his senses alert as he navigated the terrain. He wasn''t concerned about being alone. In fact, he preferred it that way. Lin Feng''s impulsiveness would only get in the way, and Vincent knew his own strength better than anyone else. The Primal Hunt was just another obstacle, one he would overcome on his own terms. As he continued forward, his communication device buzzed again, signaling the proximity of a primal beast. He stopped, scanning the area with his Heaven Eyes. The faint outline of a creature appeared through the dense foliage¡ªa large, hulking beast covered in thick scales, its eyes glowing faintly with primal energy. Vincent''s lips curved into a smile. Finally. He moved silently through the underbrush, positioning himself downwind of the creature. The primal was a Tier 1, not particularly dangerous, but strong enough to pose a threat to those who were careless. For Vincent, however, it was perfect practice. Chapter 20 - 20: Primal Hunt All eyes in the arena were glued to the floating screens before them. The central display, larger than the rest, focused on a young man with wild red hair and a muscular build, his stern face a mask of concentration. This was Elric Baelius, an A-rank awakened talent who the instructors and VIPs fully expected to dominate the ceremony. He and his team were making short work of the Tier 1 primals, dispatching them with practiced ease. Nine smaller screens surrounded the main display, each tracking other promising groups who showed potential to advance to the next round. In the center podium, the influential figures had already begun their own subtle battle. A man with long green hair, dressed immaculately in a fine suit and thin-framed spectacles, spoke up from his seat near Dean Thorne. His voice carried no emotion, carefully neutral as he asked, "Mr. Thorne, have you delivered my requested favor to student Elric?" Augustus Thorne, who had been watching his students'' performance with an approving smile, briefly frowned before smoothing his expression. He was well aware of the speaker''s background. This was Verno Alius, an A-rank Origin Warrior and elite member of the prestigious Emerald Python Guild. Led by a formidable S-rank Origin Warrior, the guild was notorious for recruiting only those with A-rank talent or higher. Before Augustus could respond, another voice cut in. "Pulling strings already, Snake Verno? That''s low, even for you." The words dripped with undisguised contempt. The speaker was Arnold Mazels, another A-rank Origin Warrior and elite member of the White Tiger Guild. His tanned skin stretched over thick muscles, barely contained by his white martial garment. Short hair and heavy eyebrows completed his intimidating appearance. At the mention of his nickname, Verno''s reptilian jade eyes flickered briefly as he turned to face Arnold. "Don''t act so righteous. We both know you had the same idea. I just moved faster, old dog." With that, he closed his eyes and turned away, clearly dismissing any further discussion. "Who are you calling an old dog? You looking for a fight?!" Arnold''s voice rose dangerously. "Are you sure you''re in a position to challenge me right now?" "What''s that supposed to mean?" "You know exactly what I mean, old dog. Your... owner''s days are numbered." The mention of his ''owner'' triggered an explosive reaction. A vibrant, bloody aura erupted from Arnold as killing intent filled the air. His clenched teeth revealed sharp fangs, and the armrest of his seat cracked under his grip. In response to Arnold''s pressure attack, Verno released his own baleful emerald aura, the two forces clashing violently. With a thunderous ''bang,'' a shockwave rippled through the arena, startling the audience and terrifying the school instructors seated behind the VIPs. "What''s happening?!" "Mad Dog Arnold and Snake Verno are at it again!" "Someone stop them!" While chaos erupted in the stands, Vincent was threading through the wilderness with deadly precision. He obliterated a Tier 1 - 1 star primal with a single punch. [You''ve killed Tier 1 - 1 ¡ï Vile Snake] +0.0005 experience points! Talent activated! You have received 5 experience points! His kill counter ticked up by one, but after fifteen minutes of hunting, he''d only managed to earn 20 primal points. A frown creased his brow as he considered his options. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This isn''t going to cut it. Only an idiot would waste time on low-level primals. Real-world primals don''t even drop loot or leave corpses." Decision made, Vincent set his sights on the large red dot closer to his position. He needed to gauge whether he could take it on with his current strength. As he made his way there, he casually eliminated any primals in his path. He quickly learned that Tier 1 - 2 star primals were worth 2 points each. It made him wonder if higher-tier primals would award points proportional to their cultivation level. Meanwhile, in another part of the wilderness, Greg''s party of two D-rank and two E-rank Origin Warriors crouched behind bushes and tree trunks. They watched intently as another group battled a Tier 1 - 2 star Vicious Wolf. One of Greg''s teammates whispered nervously, "Are we really doing this?" Greg''s expression soured slightly as he replied, "Just follow my lead. My brother tipped me off. The rules only prohibit killing other participants, not injuring them. And get this - if we snatch their communication devices, we get their primal points." "But aren''t we being monitored?" another teammate asked anxiously. "Enough questions! You want to make it to the next round or not? Then do as I say!" Thud! The group they were watching finally took down the Vicious Wolf, its form dissolving into digital particles. Greg''s voice rang out with determination, "Now!" Back with Vincent, he perched on a tree branch, carefully observing his surroundings. His attention was drawn to a massive black bear sleeping near a cave entrance, its fur blending seamlessly with the forest shadows. Activating his Heaven Eyes, he quickly assessed its cultivation level. "A Forest Fury... peak Tier 1." The sight prompted Vincent to check his own status: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 5¡ï (500,250/1,000,000 Exp) Origin Power: 5300/5300 Force: 7.5 Speed: 7.5 Mental: 8.5 Chaos Energy: 60/100 Skills: ¡ñ Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Meditation Method (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Basic Origin Meditation (Proficiency: Novice) ¡ñ Basic Origin Movement Speed (Proficiency: Adept) ¡ñ Stinger (Proficiency: Beginner) Talents: ¡ñ C-Rank: Origin Power Enhancement ¡ñ SSS-Rank: 10,000x Exp Converter "Good call on farming experience points before coming back. I''ve hit peak Tier 1, but I still need to work on my skills, upgrade my gear, and start cultivating that manual from Azhara..." His thoughts drifted to the chaos energy coursing through his body. "But this energy..." Frowning slightly, he connected the dots. This had to be from absorbing that chaotic marble earlier. "What else can this do besides foresight?" he wondered. Experimentally, he channeled the chaos energy into his right arm. Power surged through his muscles, making his veins bulge visibly. He watched in fascination as his force stats jumped from 7.5 to 8.5 - a full point increase! The chaos energy meter dropped from 60 to 59. To test his enhanced strength, he gave the tree trunk a light jab. The result was explosive - the entire trunk shattered, forcing him to leap to another branch. "Holy shit! Wasn''t expecting that!" As the tree crashed down with a thunderous impact, Vincent''s eyes snapped to the supposedly sleeping Forest Fury. The bear''s head was now raised, its gaze locked directly on him. Vincent could only manage a weak, "Good morning?" The bear''s answering roar shook the forest. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the cave," Vincent muttered. The beast charged his position, massive jaws clamping down on his tree branch. CRUNCH! As the tree began to splinter, Vincent leaped down, using his momentum to deliver a powerful kick to the Forest Fury''s head. Despite landing with a resounding ''bang,'' it felt like striking solid metal. He flipped gracefully, landing several meters from the thirteen-foot-tall black bear. "Damn, that''s one hard head!" The Forest Fury merely shook itself, seemingly unaffected by the blow. "Tough customer, huh?" Enraged, the bear charged again, its bloodshot eyes promising death. Despite its enormous size, it moved with shocking speed, closing the distance in an instant. It swiped with massive paws tipped with razor-sharp claws, but Vincent had anticipated the attack. He dodged smoothly and countered with a devastating punch to its stomach. BANG! His fist connected solidly, but numbness immediately shot through his left arm. The Forest Fury''s jaws gaped wide, revealing gleaming fangs as it attempted to crush Vincent in its maw. But before it could, Vincent summoned his [Darksteel Sword], blocking the savage bite. CLANG! Metal met fangs in a shower of sparks. Vincent quickly disengaged as the bear''s claws began to glow with crimson energy. With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a cross-shaped energy attack. Vincent responded instantly, unleashing Darksteel Slash. A white energy wave erupted from his blade, completely nullifying the bear''s attack. BANG! The collision generated a shockwave that devastated the surrounding trees. "Alright, that''s enough testing the waters. I can definitely handle peak Tier 1 primals now." Without hesitation, Vincent activated his awakened talent: Origin Enhancement! His force increased by 30% as he channeled chaos energy into his [Darksteel Sword], making the blade hum and vibrate ominously. "Darksteel Slash!" A mixture of light and dark energy exploded from his blade, streaking toward the furious Forest Fury! BOOM! The deafening roar was followed by a cloud of dust that completely obscured the beast. When no confirmation of the kill came, Vincent unleashed three more slashes in rapid succession. Finally, the notification he''d been waiting for appeared: You have successfully killed a Tier 1 - 5 stars Forest Fury! +10 experience points! Talent activated! You have received 100,000 experience points! As the dust settled, the Forest Fury''s massive form dissolved into digital particles. Vincent let out a slow breath, checking his communication device. His primal points had increased by 50 - equivalent to killing fifty Tier 1 - 1 star primals. The difference was staggering. Though this method was faster, Vincent suspected the number of peak Tier 1 primals in the area had to be limited. Otherwise, nobody would have trouble passing to the next round. As he studied his map, Vincent realized something odd - despite killing the Forest Fury, the red dot near his position remained. "What the hell?" Confused, he scanned his surroundings before his eyes settled on the cave entrance he''d noticed earlier. "That dot must be coming from in there..." Gripping his [Darksteel Sword] tightly, Vincent cautiously entered the cave. Though dark, his enhanced senses allowed him to see clearly. The entrance, deceptively small, opened into a vast, cavernous space. Water dripped somewhere in the darkness as he followed the winding path deeper inside. Morning sunlight barely penetrated this far, casting everything in dim shadows. Unknown to Vincent, mere moments after he disappeared into the darkness, another group of four silently entered the cave behind him. Chapter 21 - 21: Primal Hunt (2) Vincent traced the winding cave path with practiced caution, periodically consulting his floating map interface until he finally reached the spot marked by an imposing red dot. Instead of the high-tier primal he''d anticipated, his eyes fell upon a serene lake. In its center, a yellow lily flower bloomed, its petals shimmering with an ethereal pale golden light. Standing at the water''s edge, recognition slowly dawned on Vincent''s face as he recalled crucial information about the mysterious bloom. "Isn''t that..." he began to murmur. A sharp voice cut through his thoughts like a knife. "We''ve hit the jackpot! That''s a rare Sunspire Lily!" Vincent turned unhurriedly, unsurprised by the newcomers. He''d been monitoring his map diligently, so their arrival hadn''t caught him off guard. Four students stood at a distance, two guys and two girls, looking as casual as if they were on a leisurely field trip rather than a dangerous expedition. The guy who''d spoken carried himself with the unmistakable air of entitlement that came from a privileged upbringing. His brown hair was meticulously styled, and his companions shared the same aura of unearned confidence. "Hey there, fellow student," the brown-haired young man called out, his tone dripping with false camaraderie. "You wouldn''t mind if we claimed that Sunspire Lily, right?" Behind him, his friends exchanged knowing smirks, already certain of the outcome. Vincent had to suppress a wry smile. If he hadn''t known the true value of the Sunspire Lily, he might have just walked away - confrontation wasn''t typically his style. But this flower, which required a full decade to reach full bloom, was no ordinary plant. It could permanently increase both force and speed attributes by a point, boost heat resistance, and improve sun affinity. Such a prize was worth fighting for. So instead of backing down, he let his annoyance show. "I found it first. You''ve got some nerve making demands like that." The brown-haired student''s friendly facade cracked instantly. He let out a hollow laugh as if he''d heard something utterly ridiculous. "Are you seriously refusing to hand it over?" Vincent responded with silence, his steady gaze speaking volumes. One of the girls stepped forward, her platinum blonde hair arranged in an elaborate braid that must have taken hours to perfect. Her face was caked with enough makeup to paint a small mural. "Senior Cyrus," she drawled, "let''s just beat this loser down! Look at him - all alone. Probably got kicked out of his party for being too weak!" Her voice dripped with the kind of contempt that only the truly privileged could muster. The other girl, sporting vibrant violet hair and enough piercings to set off a metal detector, eagerly joined in. "Yeah! Let''s take him down and grab the lily. We''ll make a fortune!" Her eyes gleamed with anticipated riches. Cyrus''s eyes lit up as if he''d just had an epiphany. "Oh man, they''re right, aren''t they? Your team ditched you, didn''t they?" Vincent frowned briefly before plastering on a goofy, disarming smile. Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he stammered, "Heh, well, Senior Cyrus... I was just trying to act tough. Of course I wouldn''t actually refuse you. But maybe we could work something out? You know..." He rubbed his hands together suggestively. Cyrus stared for a moment before bursting into uproarious laughter. "Wait, are you seriously trying to get me to pay you?" Vincent nodded, maintaining his dim-witted expression. Cyrus''s laughter cut off as abruptly as it had started. "Do you really think you''re in any position to negotiate? I''ll give you one last chance - get lost." The quiet guy with black hair shifted uncomfortably. "Cyrus, maybe we should-" "Shut it, Martin," the blonde girl snapped, her manicured nails tapping against her arm impatiently. "This weakling needs to learn his place in the pecking order." Vincent''s face fell in apparent disappointment, but he remained silent. He simply turned and walked toward the exit, shoulders slumped in defeat. "What a coward," the blonde sneered as he passed, her overpowering perfume almost choking in the damp cave air. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once Vincent was out of sight, the group couldn''t contain their glee any longer. "That was almost too easy," the violet-haired girl giggled, twirling a strand around her finger. "Did you see how fast he gave up? Absolutely pathetic!" "Martin, go grab that lily!" Cyrus ordered, his D-rank Combat Intuition failing spectacularly to warn him of the impending danger. Martin jumped onto the nearest lily pad, wobbling slightly despite his E-rank Enhanced Balance talent. "These things are way slipperier than they look!" Meanwhile, Vincent watched silently from behind a cave wall, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Come on, Martin! Just one more jump!" the violet-haired girl cheered, her D-rank Sound Amplification making her voice bounce unnaturally off the cave walls. "I know, I know! Here goes nothing!" Martin gathered his courage and made the final leap, grinning triumphantly as he reached for the golden flower. But before his fingers could even brush the delicate petals, a dark shape exploded from beneath the water''s surface! Cyrus could only shout a belated warning: "Look out!" The shadow wrapped around Martin in an instant, dragging him under with frightening speed. "Martin!" The blonde''s scream shattered her composed facade as the water churned violently, Martin''s cries quickly turning to desperate gurgles. A massive serpentine form breached the surface, its sickly green scales seeming to absorb what little light there was in the cave. Martin was caught in its coils, his face turning an alarming shade of purple as the creature constricted. "Oh god," the violet-haired girl whispered, her hair standing on end as her Sound Amplification picked up the creature''s subsonic growls. "That''s no ordinary lake serpent." Indeed, mutation had twisted the primal into something truly nightmarish. Bony spikes jutted from its scales at irregular intervals, and a frill of poisonous barbs crowned its neck like some grotesque royal collar. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural yellow light as it fixed the students with a predatory stare that spoke of nothing but hunger. Cyrus, his earlier arrogance replaced by naked terror, tried desperately to rally his team. "Lysithea, use your Light Burst! Zephyrine, try to distract it with sound! We have to save Martin!" Lysithea''s hands shook violently as she formed a pathetically weak ball of light, barely matching the Sunspire Lily''s natural glow. "I-I can''t! It''s too strong!" The serpent seemed to tire of its toy, flinging Martin aside like a rag doll. He landed hard on a lily pad, coughing up a disturbing mixture of water and blood. "Help... please..." Zephyrine attempted to disorient the creature with her sound abilities, but it seemed more annoyed than affected. Its tail whipped through the air with lightning speed, catching her off guard and sending her crashing into the cave wall with a sickening crunch. "This can''t be happening," Lysithea babbled, backing away on trembling legs. "We''re Tier 1 - 3 star students! We''re supposed to be the elite!" From his hidden position, Vincent observed the unfolding chaos with calculated interest, his Heaven''s Eyes assessing the creature''s strength. "A Mutated Lake Serpent, another peak Tier 1 primal. But how does it compare to a normal one?" he mused quietly. "Their talents are clearly useless against something of this caliber." The serpent reared up to its full height, its frill expanding to reveal glistening poison glands. Cyrus scrambled backward, earlier bravado completely evaporated. "Everyone, fall back to the tunnel! Now!" As the group began their desperate retreat, Vincent saw his chance. Activating his Origin Movement Speed skill, he became a blur across the lily pads. The serpent, still focused on the fleeing students, didn''t notice his approach. Time seemed to slow as Vincent neared the Sunspire Lily. He could hear Cyrus shouting incoherent orders, Lysithea''s hysterical sobs, and Zephyrine''s pained moans. His hand closed around the flower''s stem just as the primal finally sensed his presence. Vincent''s Adept-level martial techniques came into play as he narrowly avoided the serpent''s lightning-fast strike. His Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Technique allowed him to maintain perfect balance on the precarious lily pad as he swiftly severed the flower with his Darksteel Sword, immediately securing it in his storage ring. "You... you were waiting for this!" Cyrus accused, his voice cracking with fear and rage. "You knew all along!" Vincent didn''t waste breath responding. He focused entirely on escaping, using the primal''s momentary distraction to make his way back to solid ground. Only when he reached safety did he turn to address the battered group. "Unlike some, I don''t rely solely on talents," he said quietly, carefully securing the Sunspire Lily. "Observation, patience, and actual skill count for far more than star rank alone." Lysithea, her perfectly applied makeup now streaked with tears, pointed a shaking finger at him. "You... you used us as bait! We could have died!" "And? What''s that to me?" Vincent responded with ice in his voice. "You were so certain of your superiority that you never even considered the danger. That''s not my fault." The serpent, recovering from its confusion, now seemed uncertain which prey to pursue. It wavered between Vincent and the larger group, its forked tongue tasting the air hungrily. "This isn''t over," Cyrus spat as he helped Zephyrine to her feet, the violet-haired girl wincing in obvious pain. "When we get back to the academy¡ª" "You''ll what?" Vincent interrupted, his voice still maddeningly calm. "You think I''ll let you continue this event?" His eyes hardened to chips of ice. "Hand over your communication device, or you can enjoy being that thing''s dinner." He gestured casually at the mutated lake serpent. "Don''t make me laugh! I''ll kill y¡ª" Cyrus''s threat died in his throat as bone-chilling killing intent radiated from Vincent''s eyes. His battle intuition screamed that one wrong move meant certain death. Fear struck him to his core, rendering him speechless and thoroughly confusing his party members. "Senior Cyrus? What are you waiting for? Get him!" The moment those words left Lysithea''s mouth, Cyrus whirled and slapped her hard across the face, his own contorted with fury. "If you want to die so badly, don''t drag me with you!" "H-How dare you hit me?" Ignoring her outburst completely, Cyrus quickly removed his communication device and held it out to Vincent with trembling hands. "Here, take it. We already transferred all our primal points. Just... let us go." Vincent silently accepted the device and activated the bail option. In an instant, Cyrus vanished, teleported back to the safety of the arena. He simply watched as the remaining three students struggled briefly with their pride before following their leader''s example, bailing out one by one. Storing the communication device in his ring, Vincent turned his full attention to the mutated lake serpent. A relaxed smile spread across his face, excited to truly test his strength against such a formidable creature. Back at the school''s arena, Verno and Arnold''s intense standoff was suddenly interrupted by the amazed gasps of the crowd watching Vincent''s exploits on floating screens. "Holy crap!" "He actually killed a peak Tier 1 Fury Forest!" "And he snatched that rare herb right from under Cyrus''s nose!" "Who is this guy?" Chapter 22 - 22: Mutated Lake Serpent As the crowd gasped with excitement, all eyes turned toward the small floating screen showing Vincent. Even the Dean and other influential figures at the podium shifted their attention. Snake Verno and Mad Dog Arnold, who had been in the middle of a heated argument, suddenly stopped. Dean Augustus Thorne inwardly sighed in relief, glad that the tension between the two powerful Origin Warriors didn''t escalate further. His eyes then focused on the live screen, silently thanking the person who had unknowingly diffused the situation. As his gaze settled on the screen, his eyes briefly flashed with recognition. "Him?" The Ice Princess, Sylthana Glacienne, seated beside her uncle Augustus, noticed the change in his expression. "What''s wrong, Uncle? Do you know that student?" she asked. Augustus didn''t immediately reply, seeming to carefully consider his response. But Verno Alieus, nearby, interrupted. "Mr. Thorne, why have I heard nothing about this student? Are you hiding a talent from us?" Verno''s voice was cold as he referred to Vincent. Even Mad Dog Arnold joined in, questioning Augustus. "Mr. Thorne, what''s the meaning of this?" Though Augustus was grateful to Vincent for defusing the situation earlier, he now regretted it. The student was causing him more problems than he could have anticipated, and he felt like crying under the pressure. "Mr. Alieus and Mr. Mazels, please allow me to explain," Augustus began. "I didn''t reveal anything about the student, Vincent Magnus, because he only awakened last month." "Last month?!" both Verno and Arnold exclaimed in low voices. Sylthana''s eyes flashed briefly, but she remained silent. "Yes," Augustus confirmed with a nod. The other recruiters from lower-level guilds and organizations began murmuring among themselves, wondering if a true genius had appeared in this school. Arnold''s eyes sparkled with excitement at the revelation, though he quickly masked it. "So, tell us. What''s his talent?" Arnold asked, trying to contain his enthusiasm. Augustus hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reveal Vincent''s talent. Ultimately, he decided that since it was public knowledge and easy to discover, it was better to be upfront. "His talent is... C-rank: Origin Power Enhancement." As expected, Verno and Arnold immediately lost interest. Even Sylthana''s initial curiosity faded. Verno fell silent, while Arnold clicked his tongue in disappointment. Augustus could only manage a wry smile, having already anticipated their reaction, though he was still surprised at how quickly Vincent had advanced. He couldn''t help but wonder how Vincent managed to grow so fast. --- sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, back at the battle, Vincent stood silently, eyeing the Mutated Lake Serpent that had now slithered fully out of the lake. The serpent''s scales gleamed like molten gold in the dim cave light, a result of its mutation from the Sunspire Lily, which had given it radiant power. Vincent could feel the heat radiating from the creature''s body, now pulsing with sun-infused energy. Its fury was palpable¡ªafter months of guarding the flower, the beast was ready to unleash its rage on Vincent for stealing its treasure. "I need to keep my distance until I understand its full strength," Vincent thought, his gaze locked on the serpent. He shifted his stance, bracing himself for the battle. His recent encounters with low-tier Primals over the past two days had taught him that brute strength wasn''t everything. Cunning and patience were just as important. The serpent coiled its massive body, its yellow eyes fixated on him. Without warning, it lunged forward¡ªfaster than he had anticipated. Vincent barely managed to sidestep, his muscles tense as he spun out of the way. The ground where he had been standing exploded as the serpent''s head slammed into it with terrifying force, sending rocks flying in every direction. "Fast, but predictable," Vincent observed, keeping his composure as the serpent recovered quickly, its tail whipping toward him. Anticipating the follow-up attack, Vincent ducked low, feeling the wind from the serpent''s tail pass just above him. He rolled forward, closing the distance between them and swung his [Darksteel Sword] at the beast''s underbelly. The sword connected with a satisfying hiss, leaving a gash in the serpent''s softer scales. It wasn''t deep, but it was enough to make the creature rear back in pain. The serpent thrashed violently, its body twisting as it let out a loud, piercing screech. Vincent watched as its golden scales glowed brighter, energy building within its body¡ªthe mutation feeding it with even more power. "It''s absorbing sunlight..." Vincent realized, his brow furrowing. If this fight dragged on, the serpent would only grow stronger. He needed to finish it quickly. Just as that thought crossed his mind, the serpent reared back, its mouth wide open, gathering energy for a powerful attack. A brilliant flash of light burst from its body¡ªa Radiant Pulse. Vincent''s eyes widened as he threw his arm up to shield his face. The pulse exploded outward, momentarily blinding him and knocking him back several feet. He hit the ground hard, skidding across the rocky surface before managing to flip back onto his feet. His vision blurred, the afterimage of the blinding light still burning in his eyes. "Too strong to face head-on..." he thought, quickly assessing his options. But the serpent wasn''t giving him time to recover. It lunged again, more ferocious this time. Vincent sidestepped, but the serpent anticipated his movement. Its tail crashed down from above, forcing him to roll out of the way. The ground beneath him cracked, leaving a deep crater where the tail had struck. "I can''t let this continue," Vincent thought. The serpent was growing stronger with each passing second, and the faint sunlight filtering into the cave only fueled its power. Vincent took a deep breath, centering himself. His Heaven''s Eye had already given him insight into the serpent''s fighting patterns. It favored brute force, relying on its size and power to overwhelm opponents. But Vincent had no intention of being overwhelmed. As the serpent lunged once more, Vincent didn''t dodge. Instead, he charged forward, closing the gap between them in a blink. His [Darksteel Sword] gleamed as he slashed upward, aiming for the serpent''s exposed neck. The blade connected, but the serpent''s scales were tougher than expected. It hissed in pain, but quickly retaliated, coiling its massive body around Vincent in an attempt to crush him. Vincent barely managed to twist out of its grasp, feeling the pressure from its tightening coils as he slipped free. Darting to the side, his mind raced, strategizing his next move. The poison from his earlier strike was starting to take effect, slowing the serpent''s movements, but it wasn''t enough. He needed to land a decisive blow. The serpent reared back, preparing to unleash another Radiant Pulse. Vincent''s eyes flickered as he calculated the timing. He couldn''t afford to be hit by that attack again. The light began gathering in the serpent''s mouth, its body glowing with an intense golden aura. Now! Vincent activated his Origin Movement Speed, his body becoming a blur as he dashed toward the serpent. Just before the Radiant Pulse was released, he slid under the serpent''s massive body, his sword glowing faintly as he activated Virulent Stinger. His blade sliced deep into the serpent''s soft underbelly, injecting a potent poison directly into its bloodstream. The serpent let out a blood-curdling screech, thrashing violently as the poison spread through its body. Vincent rolled out from beneath it, narrowly avoiding the serpent''s tail as it slammed into the ground with terrifying force. He could see the pain in the creature''s movements now. Its attacks were becoming more erratic, less precise. "It''s working," Vincent thought, keeping his breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. But he couldn''t let his guard down. Even in its weakened state, the serpent was still dangerous. Its massive body coiled again, eyes burning with hatred, as it lunged with its fangs bared, intent on tearing Vincent apart. This time, Vincent was faster. He sidestepped the attack, his [Darksteel Sword] flashing as he delivered a precise slash across the serpent''s neck. The creature recoiled, dark blood pouring from the wound. Vincent didn''t stop. He pressed the advantage, slashing again and again, each strike more accurate than the last. The serpent''s movements slowed further, its body weakening under the combined effects of the poison and blood loss. Finally, with one last effort, Vincent leapt onto the serpent''s back, raising his sword high. He drove the blade deep into the creature''s neck, sinking it into its flesh. The serpent let out one final, agonized screech before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching violently before going still. You have successfully killed a Mutated Lake Serpent! You have received +50 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! Vincent stood over the disintegrating body of the serpent, his chest heaving from the exertion. His mind remained sharp as he assessed the situation. He had won, but the battle had pushed him to his limits. "I can''t afford to take risks like that again," he thought, wiping the blood from his sword. This was the first time he had fought against something nearly stronger than him, without even using his chaos energy. Although he knew the power that energy could provide, he was still uncertain about the potential negative effects it might have on him. Shaking off those thoughts, Vincent noticed that his primal points had increased by 100, doubling what he would normally gain from killing a normal peak Tier 1 Primal. With the additional 100 points, his primal points were now close to 300. He glanced at his communication device, checking the remaining time. "There''s still more than an hour left. I can hunt a bit more, but before that..." Vincent muttered to himself, falling into deep thought as he observed his personal interface. --- Back at the school''s arena, the crowd was still glued to the screen, watching Vincent''s performance. Their expressions were a mix of awe and disbelief. They had just witnessed Vincent defeat a Mutated Peak Tier 1 Primal without taking a serious injury. "Wow!" "Vincent! Vincent! Vincent!" the crowd cheered. "I can''t believe it! He actually beat that mutated lake serpent! But does that mean he can defeat our top student, Elric Baelius?" one spectator asked. "Are you crazy? Senior Elric would easily beat that mutated Primal! He has an A-rank talent! A-rank! And Vincent only awakened a C-rank talent. He''s nothing compared to Senior Elric!" another argued. Once again, the crowd fell into heated debate, arguing passionately over Vincent''s abilities compared to the school''s elite. Chapter 23 - 23: Blind Arrogance Vincent had no idea what was happening in the arena. After taking a quick rest, he now faced another Tier 1 - 5 stars primal. Standing before him was a 3-meter tall wolf with abyss-like thick fur covering its body, capable of blending within the shadows. A Shadowstalker! This menacing primal beast that could easily trample any normal human being was now covered in injuries. Vincent couldn''t help but be amazed by his newly upgraded armament sword he was now gripping. The changes it brought to the weapon were quite significant. The previously heavy and plain double-handed sword had become lighter and thinner. It now had a matte black hilt wrapped in dark leather, with a smooth, polished blade. Silver veins occasionally pulsed with energy, giving off a faint, shadowy glow during use. When skills were activated, the sword became enveloped in a dim dusky purple aura that intensified with each strike. Even its name and effects had improved. [Duskedge Blade] Power: Tier 1 Armament Quality: Rare S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Details: The Duskedge Blade is crafted from black-iron and dusksteel alloys, giving it a sleek, dark-gray finish with veins of silver running through the blade. The sword is light but exceptionally durable, enchanted to deal greater damage and inflict lasting bleed effects. Its sharp edge gleams under low light, giving it an ominous presence in combat. Skill 1: Duskedge Slash Effect: A precise strike that deals significantly increased damage to a single target. It has a moderate chance to cause a deep wound, inflicting a severe bleed effect over 12 seconds. Each tick of the bleed slightly reduces the target''s defense, making them more vulnerable to future attacks. Skill 2: Duskedge Wave Effect: A ranged energy slash projected from the blade, traveling up to 10 meters in a straight line. The wave deals moderate damage to all enemies in its path and has a small chance to stagger them. It also inflicts a minor bleed effect that lasts for 8 seconds. Stagger Chance: 15% He had upgraded it before leaving the mutated lake serpent''s cave, which consumed half of his accumulated experience points. Besides upgrading his armament, he had also activated his currently most useful skill: The Virulent Stinger skill. The additional effects it brought gave him immense satisfaction. Skill Name: Venomstrike Lash Quality: Rare Effect: Enhances weapon strikes with corrosive venom, causing severe poison damage over time. The target suffers from crippling wounds, bleeding profusely and taking continuous damage. Additionally, the venom has a moderate chance to briefly stun or slow the target''s movement and attack speed, giving the user an opening for follow-up attacks. The poison and bleed effects are harder to resist and linger longer, even against higher-tier enemies. Poison Duration: 15 seconds Bleed Duration: 10 seconds Stun/Slow Chance: 25% After upgrading these two factors, he was only left with 300,000 experience points, which was nowhere near enough to upgrade either to a higher level. With these improvements, Vincent''s fighting capability had obviously increased. With deliberate action, he slashed his Duskedge Blade armament, unleashing his new weapon''s skill - Duskedge Wave. "Haaa!" Vincent roared as he struck. A dark-purple energy slash projected from his blade, fiercely traveling straight at the exhausted Shadowstalker, destroying everything in its path! The weakened primal attempted to flee by using its innate ability to hide within the shadows but completely failed as the energy blade swiftly landed across its battered chest. Bang! Awoo! The Shadowstalker Wolf could only let out a pitiful whimper before it collapsed into particles of digital light. You have successfully killed a Tier 1-5 stars Shadowstalker Wolf! +10 experience points! Talent Activated! You have received 100,000 experience points! "I''ve definitely gotten stronger!" Vincent exclaimed as he gripped his sword tightly. Seeing his efforts clearly show the progression of his strength gave him a profound sense of fulfillment. "Let''s go, no time to lose. I better hunt more primals to fill my experience points!" Vincent then headed to another location according to the given map. On the other side of the wilderness, Greg''s group had been continuously hunting and setting traps for other participants. Standing before Greg''s group was another team consisting of four male students. They all had furious and displeased expressions etched on their faces. Injuries were visible all over their bodies, indicating they had just been in battle. The male student¡ªacting as party leader of the team, spat furiously, "Greg! Aren''t you ashamed of doing this? Such a despicable move against your fellow students? Do you really think the dean is just going to sit back and watch this happen?!" His face flushed as he gritted his teeth in anger. Hearing the male student, Greg flashed a wide, malicious grin. "What are you talking about? Is there a rule that says it''s prohibited to fight against other participants?" The male student fell silent, realizing that the event''s rules specifically only prohibited killing. One of Bry''s party members suddenly asked in worry, "Team Leader Bry, what should we do now? We''re all exhausted. We just fought against several Tier 1 Black-Iron Bees. Should we try to escape?" "Why should we run? Let''s fight our way out. I''ve really hated that fucking Greg''s face for a very long time!" Another party member chimed in, clenching his fists. Before Bry could make a decision, Greg no longer wasted time and unleashed a wave of fire energy from his gauntlet, straight at Bry''s party! "I have no time for your pointless chatter. If you don''t want to surrender your communication devices, then you can die!" Greg shouted, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Go! Attack!" He ordered, which was immediately followed by his party members. Flashes of skills flew straight at Bry''s party! Bang! Bang! Greg burst into maniacal laughter as his team bombarded them mercilessly. In another part of the wilderness, Lin Feng''s group, who had abandoned Vincent, were now fighting and being surrounded by swirling dark cloud fly-like primals. They were a swarm of insects called Sky Swarm! Slash! A plain steel sword cut through one of the huge flies as Van slashed desperately. "Is this really your plan, Lin Feng? How are we supposed to kill all of these?!" He questioned, no longer caring about Lin Feng''s background. "Will you shut up? Just fucking focus on killing these disgusting insects!" Lin Feng snapped, his usually arrogant face now distorted with displeasure. Initially, he thought his plan was flawless. Before coming to this event, he had brought several pouches of honey to attract the Sky Swarm. With his cultivation level of Tier 1 - 4 stars, he had assumed it would be a breeze to hunt the Tier 1 Sky Swarm. However, he hadn''t anticipated these overwhelming numbers. Even with his speed and sword techniques, it wasn''t enough to kill all the insects. "Van, watch out! One more behind you!" Shaina, who had a second of breathing space, shouted as she waved her staff, swatting the insects away! "Argh!" Although Van managed to slash one, another bit him in the back, making him yelp in pain as his movements became more sluggish. "Lin Feng, do something, or we need to give up now!" Shaina spoke in a hurried and worried voice. "I know! Just shut up!" Lin Feng''s mind worked quickly, coming up with a desperate plan. Gritting his teeth, he took out two leather pouches and handed one to each of them. "What is this?!" Shaina asked, holding the pouch as she cast a green healing light toward Van, faintly alleviating his labored breathing and sluggish movement. "It''s honey! No time to explain! Start running if you don''t want to die!" Lin Feng no longer bothered to explain the effects to them. He immediately activated his Swift Speed Talent, increasing his movement speed incredibly, leaving after images as he escaped, dumbfounding Shaina and Van for a short moment. "Shit! He''s using us as bait!" Van immediately realized Lin Feng''s plan as he hurriedly threw the pouch in the distance. "Shaina, throw it and run! Come on!" As the two of them ran for their lives, Lin Feng was grinning deviously when he realized that no Sky Swarm had followed him. Looking back to where he had left Van and Shaina, he muttered, "Don''t blame me for doing this. Blame your own stupidity for being weak..." He then turned, dismissing his thoughts, determined to hunt for more primals to increase his chances of passing to the next round. And just as he turned around, he was surprised to see Vincent standing right in front of him. "You..." Vincent, who had been constantly monitoring his map and heading to another location of a possible peak Tier 1 primal, was also caught by surprise when he encountered Lin Feng. However, he was confused to see him alone. Van and Shaina were nowhere to be found. Although surprised for a moment, Vincent had no intention of arguing with him as he continued heading toward his target location. However, before he could move far, Lin Feng''s voice rang out loudly. "Stop!" Vincent frowned, slightly turned to face him, and asked coldly, "What do you want?" "H-How come you''re still not out of this event?" Lin Feng demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Why would I be? You''re still here. Why can''t I be?" Vincent replied evenly. "You! Huh, I should have known. You must have been hiding all along. How else could an idiot like you survive this long!" "Think whatever you want." Vincent really couldn''t stand talking with this insufferable person. He simply ignored him and was about to leave but was once again stopped. "Stop! Where do you think you''re going? It was already a mistake that I let you go before. You better concede right here, right now!" Utterly confused by how Lin Feng''s mind worked, Vincent couldn''t control his thoughts and responded, "Are you mentally ill?" "W-What? What did you just say?" Lin Feng''s face reddened with anger. "I said, don''t waste my time. If you want to fight, then just fight. You''re talking too much!" "Me? You want to fight me?" Lin Feng burst out laughing as if he couldn''t believe what he had just heard. A newly awakened nobody actually dared to provoke him. His expression then twisted, evidently furious at Vincent''s attitude. "You seem not afraid of death. Fine, I''ll let you know the difference between us!" Gripping his saber, Lin Feng channeled his origin power as he activated his Swift Speed Talent, explosively increasing his movement and attack speed. Lifting his saber, he immediately dashed at Vincent with blinding speed, his form blurring in motion. "Die! Flash Strike!" He slashed his saber down smoothly, cutting through Vincent''s body, making Lin Feng anticipate his victory. However, before he could rejoice, Vincent''s figure blurred and vanished, revealing his attack had only landed on an afterimage. How? Vincent''s voice then resounded despite Lin Feng''s utter shock and confusion. "Too slow..." it was calm and devoid of emotion. What came after was a heavy ''bang'' as the bone-chilling sound of cracking bones filled the air. Vincent had punched Lin Feng''s back in a swift motion, causing the arrogant youth to be blasted several meters away with a pained moan. "Agh!" Vincent didn''t waste another second and immediately rushed at Lin Feng. He grabbed him by the collar, blood spilling from the corner of Lin Feng''s mouth. Pain distorted his usually arrogant face. "Thank you, I am now clear about the difference between us." Vincent smiled coldly as he grabbed Lin Feng''s communication device before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground. Chapter 24 - 24: End of Primal Hunt Vincent gripped the communication device firmly as Lin Feng desperately reached for it, his voice breaking with desperation. "Please, I''m begging you," Lin Feng pleaded, his composure completely shattered. "I can''t afford to lose this event. I''ll pay you anything¡ªjust spare me this one time." Despite Lin Feng''s pathetic appeals, Vincent remained silent, his expression unreadable. Though he understood well that every action carried consequences, he had long since stopped caring about others'' desires for revenge. A steely resolve hardened in Vincent''s mind: I''ve already experienced what it''s like to be weak, to live in constant fear of those with influence. In this life, I refuse to take a backseat to anyone. Cross my path, initiate conflict with me, and you''ll find no mercy. His philosophy was simple: A tooth for a tooth. With a cold finality, Vincent uttered, "See ya later," and pressed the bail button on the device without hesitation. Lin Feng''s furious scream echoed through the air: "Vincent Magnus!" His form disintegrated into particles of digital light as he was forcibly transferred back to the arena. Following this encounter, Vincent didn''t waste time. He systematically hunted down two more peak Tier 1 competitors and several lower-tier primals. As the final seconds of the ''Primal Hunt'' event ticked away, a satisfied smile crossed his face before he, too, dissolved into particles of light along with the other surviving participants. Back in the school''s Annual Battle Ceremony arena, a spectacular scene unfolded before the audience and the influential figures seated in the podium. Multiple figures materialized in bursts of light, revealing the state of the competitors. Vincent observed with interest that most participants bore injuries ranging from minor to severe. Only a select few¡ªthe well-known top students¡ªemerged unscathed: Elric Baelius, the prodigy who had awakened an A-rank talent. Sara Chen, whose B-rank talent specialized in healing. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dmitri Volkov, another B-rank talent holder focusing on Physical Enhancement. And several other elite students with equally formidable abilities. To Vincent''s mild surprise, the notoriously arrogant Greg Malcolm also appeared unharmed, sporting his typical smug expression. When Greg noticed Vincent''s gaze, his expression quickly morphed from smugness to rage. Vincent simply ignored him, which only served to further infuriate Greg. Dean Augustus Thorne rose from his seat at the podium to formally conclude the first stage. "Now that the first stage of the Annual Battle Ceremony has ended, we will announce the top 10 groups advancing to the next round. Please surrender your communication devices to the instructors." The Dean''s expression grew serious as he continued, "I must also address the matter of Team Leaders who abandoned and expelled their own members..." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the participants. In the audience, Lin Feng, who had barely recovered after consuming a healing potion, wore a dark expression. His eyes remained fixed on Vincent as he muttered, "Just you wait, Vincent Magnus..." before departing, seemingly anticipating the Dean''s next words. Dean Thorne''s voice carried clearly as he declared, "These individuals will be disqualified. The remaining team members'' Primal Points will be counted individually. However, those failing to reach the minimum threshold of 100 primal points will not advance to the next round!" The announcement sparked immediate outrage among certain participants who grasped its implications. "This is absurd! We won''t accept this!" "There were no rules against removing team members!" As protests filled the air, an overwhelming mental pressure suddenly descended upon the dissenters. Vincent, still standing in the arena, felt the suffocating force¡ªfar more intense than anything he''d experienced before. The pressure brought the protesting students to their knees with heavy thuds, accompanied by their pained groans. "I-I can''t breathe..." "Please... make it stop!" Tracing the source of this overwhelming force, Vincent''s gaze landed on Dean Thorne, who maintained his pleasant smile despite the cold fury in his eyes. The Dean''s voice cut through the chaos: "I see no reason to justify my decisions in my own school. I am the Dean¡ªI make the rules here! Remove these fools from the arena!" As instructors dragged away the disqualified students, their pleas echoed futilely: "Dean Thorne, please have mercy!" "No, don''t do this!" After this dramatic interlude and the collection of communication devices, the ranking announcement began. An instructor, holding a holographic document, took center stage and began: "With 242 primal points, the tenth and final group to advance is... Group 10, led by Michael Archons!" The rankings continued, building tension with each announcement: 9th: Group 13 - Loy Mesins, 250 points 8th: Group 9 - Luke Collins, 270 points 7th: Group 16 - Franco Bullocks, 280 points 6th: Group 7 - Greg Malcolm, 320 points 5th: Group 3 - Sara Chen, 335 points 4th: Group 6 (Individual - Ana Blackwings, 340 points) 3rd: Group 2 - Dmitri Volkov, 350 points 2nd: Group 1 - Elric Baelius, 400 points 1st: Group 24 (Individual - Vincent Magnus, 815 points) As the final rankings appeared on the floating screen, the arena erupted with a mixture of excitement and disbelief: "Incredible! Vincent Magnus scored more than double Senior Elric''s entire team!" "I can''t believe that snake Greg''s team made the top 10!" "Another solo qualifier? Who is this Ana person?" The successful group leaders displayed various reactions, but most shared looks of curiosity and disbelief. The question on everyone''s mind: How had Vincent amassed such an astronomical point total? Greg, whose initial satisfaction at his team''s placement had quickly soured, couldn''t contain his shock and fury. "How did that bastard pull this off?! HOW?!" Chapter 25 - 25: Second Stage As the echoes of the Primal Hunt faded, Dean Thorne once again stood forward, capturing the attention of every student at No.3 High School. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and he wasted no time as he addressed the eager crowd. "Congratulations, students of No.3 High School! You''ve all shown incredible skill and determination during the Primal Hunt. But the competition is far from over. Next, we''re kicking off the Arena Challenge Gauntlet!" The students leaned in, excitement palpable in the air. Dean''s voice became more serious as he continued. "We have our top 10 contenders: two outstanding individuals and the leaders of eight formidable groups. These fighters have proven their worth, but now they face their toughest challenge yet. In this round, each of the top 10 must participate in five battles." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle among the students. "However, listen closely: to advance to the final stage, each top fighter only needs to win three out of those five battles. If you lose more than two, your journey ends here. It''s a high-stakes game, and only the strongest will move forward." Dean Thorne''s expression turned resolute as he emphasized the rules. "Each fighter will face challengers from the eight parties, and after every battle, they''ll have ten minutes to rest and regroup before their next fight. Remember, you can only challenge a top fighter once, so make your choice wisely." His gaze swept over the crowd, inspiring confidence. "Fight with honor, with skill, and represent No.3 High School with pride! This is your moment to shine. Now, let the Arena Challenge Gauntlet begin!" The crowd erupted into cheers, and the challengers stepped forward, their eyes focused on the top 10. The arenas were ready, and the battles were about to commence, with each participant eager to prove themselves. Standing in the huge arena under the scrutinizing eyes of the students he was going to fight, several drones appeared, creating 10 smaller platforms where the top 10 students would defend their spot to advance to the finals. One of the instructors then said, "The Top 10 students go to your designated platforms according to points ranking." Vincent ignored their gazes and walked to his stage. As soon as he stood on his platform, he caught the figure of Elric Baelius in the corner of his eyes, standing next to him on his own platform. Their gazes met each other. Elric then gave him a nod which somewhat surprised him. Therefore, he confusedly nodded back before looking at the other top students standing on their designated platforms. Next to Elric was Dmitri Volkov. He had a clean haircut, tanned skin, and toned muscles like a bodybuilder. He had a serious and disciplined expression on his face, like a real soldier. Standing on another platform next to Dmitri was a fair-skinned lady, the person he was most curious about: Ana Blackwings. She had a beautiful appearance; however, her expression was cold. She had straight, silky black hair with straight-cut bangs hiding her forehead, long eyelashes, thin red lips, and a perfect pointed nose. Standing on another platform next to Ana was brown-haired Sara Chen. Contrary to the commonly known frail appearance of a healer, she had well-toned skin, wielding a heavy metal club. She looked like a tomboy, a gangster from Vincent''s perspective. While he was checking out the Top 10 students, they were also checking him out. As these students observed each other, a loud feminine voice resounded, filling the air. "Hello, helloooo! Ladies and Gentlemen of No.3 High School. It''s me, Vianne Dior, your host for this stage! I hope you enjoy this event with me!" Hearing this, Vincent turned to look at the source of the voice and found near the audience area, on an elevated stage, a pretty lady with pink hair and a sexy outfit. This person was also one of the school belles of No.3 High School, like Claudia. "This Vincent really has youthful memories," he thought to himself as he realized he actually knew a lot about these school belles. "Now that our top 10 students are on their designated platforms, challengers may now proceed to choose who you want to fight!" With Vianne''s cue, several eyes immediately landed on him, which made him smile wryly. "These kids¡­" Just as the second cue had announced, a short-haired male student immediately jumped onto his platform. The student landed heavily with a ''bam'' on the platform. "Vincent Magnus, right?" The student stretched his neck and arms in a haughty but relaxed movement. "I don''t know how you managed to accumulate those primal points, but I don''t believe you earned them by your own strength! I''ll be your opponent. You don''t deserve that spot!" "I, Cley Dioti, challenge Vincent Magnus! Do you dare to accept it? Or maybe you''re afraid. I''ll give you a chance to concede." As Cley announced his challenge, the crowd erupted, followed by Vianne''s resounding voice. "Here we go! The dark horse no one expected to be in the Top 10 has received his first challenge!" While the students who wanted to challenge Vincent could only curse Cley who shamelessly beat them to it. "Damn it! That idiotic Cley had been eyeing Vincent Magnus this whole time!" one of them couldn''t help but exclaim. While on the other hand, Vincent was silent for a moment as he stared at the smug face of Cley. He then responded, "What''s there to be afraid of?" "Well, if you''re asking for death, I won''t stop you!" Vincent watched as Cley took a stance, stretching his arms as three small energies made of liquid appeared before his hand, quickly forming a bullet-like appearance. "Water Bullet!" Shooting straight at Vincent like a triggered gun! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Clang! A metal clashing sound filled the air as the water bullets collided with his [Duskedge Blade]. Vianne: The bullet has been shot! The battle has begun! Seeing that his attack did not work, Cley did not lose his confidence as he channeled his Origin Power, summoning more water bullets. Bam! Bam! Despite the speed of the water bullets and force they brought, Vincent simply defended himself by holding his blade in the trajectory of the water bullets. Vianne: Once again! Cley''s bombarding attacks are useless! The trajectory is so predictable! Cley has to do something for his attacks to work, or he will just exhaust himself. As predicted, Cley began to run in a circle, moving around Vincent who was motionless while shooting water bullets! However, Vincent was able to block it with ease. But then, a ball of liquid flew before him as he heard Cley''s exclamation, "Explode!" Immediately, a loud resounding boom filled the arena as a white cloud of dust covered Vincent. Vianne: Oh, it seems like a direct hit! But soon, when the wind finally swept the cloud of dust away, Cley couldn''t believe his eyes. "How are you unscathed?!" Vianne: Woah! What a surprise. The dark horse is not even slightly injured! Vincent simply replied, "You''re underestimating me too much if you think those attacks will work on me." Cley was instantly enraged when he heard the mocking Vincent. With a furious expression, "I''m preparing for the final round, but I''ll let you experience this secret weapon of mine!" With a wave of his hand, a sapphire futuristic handgun appeared in his hand. "You probably haven''t seen an armament in your life, right? Behold my Sapphire Pulse MK-IV!" "Water Blast!" Vincent could not bother to argue with him, and even if he told him the quality of his [Duskedge Blade], he probably wouldn''t believe him at all. A blast of pure water energy was immediately unleashed, blasting toward Vincent. This time, Vincent did not choose to block. He took a stance, and when it was about to hit him, he slashed the blasted water energy, cutting it in half. Boom! Boom! The cut water blast landed on both his sides, leaving a deep fracture on the ground. "Hoh, that''s quite strong at least¡­" Vincent simply said. However, to Cley, it was a deafening mocking response. As a Tier 1 - 4 stars, Cley believed he could trample on Vincent, believing Vincent''s being ranked 1 in the primal hunt was a fluke. Still in a state of disbelief, Cley pointed his armament gun at Vincent. However, before he could even touch the trigger of his gun, Vincent''s figure suddenly vanished and instantly disappeared before him. With a deliberate action, Vincent slightly moved the thickness of his blade to hit Cley''s face. Bam! "Argh!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cley cried in pain as he rolled on the ground, a few of his teeth falling onto the ground, shocking him. Chapter 26 - 26: First Victory Seeing Cley in a state of utter disbelief, staring down at his broken teeth, unable to process what had just happened. The crowd, fully aware of Vincent Magnus''s true strength, could hardly contain their excitement. They erupted into wild cheers, their voices booming across the arena. "Vincent! Vincent!" they chanted, their enthusiasm infectious. "Haha! That idiot thought Vincent was weak!" someone in the crowd shouted. "That''s what you get for being so arrogant!" another voice added, the sound of laughter cutting through the air as people celebrated Cley''s defeat. Meanwhile, the students who had previously doubted Vincent''s abilities were left in stunned silence. None of them had expected the fight to end so swiftly, let alone with Cley on the losing side. Their skepticism had melted away, replaced by a growing sense of awe and confusion. One of them, still trying to comprehend what had happened, asked hesitantly, "Did you¡­ Did you catch how he moved?" "I-I don''t know either," replied another, just as mystified. "Even Lin Feng wasn''t that fast." The mention of Lin Feng sparked a wave of murmurs among the students. "Speaking of Lin Feng, where is he?" someone else asked. "Did he fail?" At this question, another student¡ªone who had remained silent until now¡ªspoke up. "Well¡­ about that¡­" Immediately, all attention turned to him. Eyes wide with curiosity, they pressed in closer. "You know something?" The timid student fidgeted nervously before stammering out his response. "I-I heard he was beaten to a pulp by Vincent Magnus." The revelation hung in the air for a moment before the students exploded into angry outbursts. "What? You knew this, and you didn''t tell us?! What if I had jumped up there first? I could''ve been humiliated just like him!" The timid student tried to defend himself, though it was clear his excuse would not save him from their ire. "Y-You didn''t ask me¡­" But it was too late. The angry students quickly surrounded him, venting their frustrations on the poor boy. Meanwhile, back at the platform, Cley was still reeling from the fight. His mind raced as he stared at his fallen teeth, unable to come to terms with what had just occurred. His face throbbed with pain, but the physical hurt paled in comparison to the humiliation of being bested so thoroughly. He had been confident of his abilities, so sure that Vincent would be an easy target. Now, he could hardly believe that he hadn''t even seen the blow that had felled him. To make matters worse, his left ear was ringing, the constant buzz making it impossible for him to hear the crowd''s reaction. His vision blurred as he looked up and saw Vincent, who stood on the platform with an air of complete calm, his expression as unreadable as ever. It was as if the entire fight had been little more than a routine for him, just another task to complete. "Is he still wondering how I slapped him with a blade?" Vincent mused inwardly, barely suppressing a smile at Cley''s bewildered expression. Deciding to put an end to the fight for good, Vincent raised his [Duskedge Blade] once more and moved swiftly toward Cley. His speed generated a gust of wind, and within an instant, Vincent was standing right in front of Cley, the edge of his blade mere centimeters from the defeated boy''s neck. Cley, finally realizing the danger he was in, came to his senses and stammered, "I-I concede!" Vianne, the energetic host of the tournament, didn''t miss a beat. Her voice rang out over the loudspeakers, amplifying the already frenzied energy of the crowd. "And there we have it, folks! In the blink of an eye, Vincent Magnus claims his first victory! Let''s give him a round of applause!" The arena erupted into cheers, the crowd chanting Vincent''s name with renewed enthusiasm. "Vincent! Vincent!" "You''re my hero now!" "Well done! I''m betting on you in the finals!" Despite the overwhelming praise being showered on him, Vincent remained unfazed. He calmly sat down in the center of the platform, cross-legged, and began to meditate as he took advantage of his ten-minute rest period. With Vincent''s incredible display of power fresh in everyone''s minds, no one dared to challenge him immediately. It was as if they were all waiting for someone else to step forward and test their strength against him, unwilling to be the next sacrificial lamb. The other challengers, emboldened by Vincent''s victory, started making more calculated decisions about who to fight. The remaining top rankers in their respective platforms were soon engaged in battles of their own. Unsurprisingly, no one approached Elric Baelius''s stage, leaving him unchallenged for the time being. As Vincent continued to rest, he heard Vianne''s voice once again, booming across the arena with her signature enthusiasm. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have another battle underway! Ana Blackwings, another dark horse in this tournament, is facing off against Lisa Vishkov, who has awakened a D-rank talent: Wind Ability!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Intrigued, Vincent turned his attention toward the battle. Even with just a glance, he already knew how it would end. Lisa Vishkov, a tall but otherwise plain-looking young woman, stood confidently on her side of the platform, holding a folding fan. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a powerful gust of wind that rushed toward Ana, the motionless figure on the other side of the stage. The wind roared as it tore across the platform, causing gasps of awe from the crowd. But Ana stood still, unmoved by the attack. Her hair fluttered gently in the breeze as the once-powerful gust of wind dissipated into nothing more than a soft breeze. The crowd, as well as Lisa herself, were left in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how such a forceful attack had fizzled out so quickly. In the crowd, voices began to rise in admiration for Ana. "She''s absolutely stunning!" one boy exclaimed. "Beautiful!" another agreed. "Kyaaaah! Marry me, Ana!" cried an overzealous fan. Vianne, clearly as bewildered as everyone else, struggled to find an explanation for what had just occurred. "What just happened? Did anyone see that? How did that gust of wind just vanish?" Frustration flashed across Lisa''s face as she attempted another attack. With a flick of her wrist, she sent another gust of wind hurtling toward Ana. But just like before, the attack fizzled out, turning into nothing more than a soft breeze. Lisa, growing more desperate by the second, continued to wave her fan, summoning gust after gust of wind. But each attack met the same fate¡ªpowerful at first, only to dissipate into nothing before reaching Ana. The crowd watched in awe as Lisa''s stamina quickly began to wane, her constant attacks having no effect. Finally, as Lisa''s strength began to fade, Ana made her move. She lifted her finger and pointed it directly at Lisa. In the blink of an eye, a flash of silver light shot from her fingertip. Before Lisa could react, she was struck by an invisible force and sent flying off the platform, landing with a heavy thud on the ground below. The entire arena fell into silence, shocked by the sudden turn of events. But the stillness didn''t last long. Within moments, the crowd erupted into cheers once more. "Ana! Ana!" "What just happened?!" Though no one fully understood what had occurred, Vianne was quick to announce the result. "Victory for Ana Blackwings!" Vincent, who had anticipated Ana''s victory from the beginning, was not surprised. The difference in strength between the two combatants had been obvious from the start. Lisa was a Tier 1 - 3 stars, while Ana had reached the peak of Tier 1. The outcome had been all but inevitable. However, even Vincent found himself slightly puzzled. He still didn''t know the full extent of Ana''s abilities. As Ana''s battle came to an end, Vincent watched as Sara Chen defeated her own opponent¡ªa muscular man, with her heavy club. The other top rankers in their respective platforms quickly followed suit, each claiming their first victory with ease. More than ten minutes passed before Vincent''s next challenger stepped forward. A determined figure ascended the stage, looking Vincent in the eye. "I''ll be your next opponent, Vincent Magnus!" Chapter 27 - 27: Fighting Greg As Vincent locked eyes with his new challenger, he couldn''t help but feel a momentary sense of relief. Unlike the arrogant villains he had faced before, this opponent seemed devoid of the typical overbearing pride that often clouded their judgments. For the first time, Vincent thought he might be up against someone who wouldn''t waste time on empty words. That brief sense of relief, however, vanished the moment his challenger opened his mouth. "It''s time for you to know your place. Let''s fight!" The challenger''s voice boomed across the stage. Vincent suppressed a sigh, already regretting his earlier optimism. Standing before him was a man with a military-style crew cut, his chiseled physique on full display as his armor left his six-pack abs exposed. In his hands, he wielded a massive axe that looked capable of cleaving through steel. This man was a Tier 1, four-star Origin Warrior, someone not to be taken lightly. Vincent''s face darkened, feeling foolish for expecting anything different. Without hesitation, he unsummoned his [Duskedge Blade] and activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. The energy coursing through his veins heightened his force attribute, increasing his strength. With his Basic Origin Movement technique activated, he became a blur of motion, rushing at his opponent with deadly intent. His fist, glowing with a faint musky aura, made a resounding clap as it collided with his opponent''s gut. The impact was immediate. The challenger''s eyes bulged as he was hurled backward, skidding across the stage before crashing unconscious outside its boundaries. "I''ve had enough of these clich¨¦ speeches for today," Vincent muttered under his breath, casually picking at his ear, as if the fight had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Vianne, who had been preparing to announce the second challenger, was frozen in place, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. The crowd, which had been buzzing with anticipation, fell into stunned silence. "Did... did he win just like that?" someone in the audience finally murmured. "I guess? That guy''s not moving at all," came the uncertain reply. As confusion spread throughout the arena, an instructor stepped forward to check on the fallen challenger. A quick examination confirmed that the fighter was no longer able to continue. With a gesture to the referee, the decision was made. Vianne snapped back into action, her voice filling the stadium with excitement. "Instant victory for Vincent Magnus!" The crowd erupted, their previous shock giving way to thunderous applause and cheers. "VINCENT! VINCENT!" they chanted in unison, their voices reverberating across the arena. "ONE MORE WIN!"another section of the crowd roared, eager to see their new favorite triumph once again. High above the arena, in the distinguished seats reserved for the influential, Dean Thorne watched with an impressed expression. "Not bad," he muttered under his breath, a rare compliment slipping past his lips. Sylthana, seated beside her uncle, overheard his words but kept her expression neutral, though her curiosity about Vincent deepened. On the other hand, Arnold looked utterly bored, his gaze wandering away from the stage, while Verno hadn''t even bothered to watch the fight. With another decisive victory under his belt, the atmosphere shifted among the remaining challengers. Those who had harbored thoughts of testing Vincent''s strength or dethroning him now found themselves laughing nervously at their own hubris. The challenger he had just knocked out was one of the academy''s elite students¡ªsomeone many believed to be unbeatable. "Do you still want to challenge Vincent Magnus?" one student asked, breaking the uneasy silence. "I might have doubted his strength before," another replied, "but I''m not blind. He deserves that position. It''s probably smarter to challenge Greg Malcolm instead." "Yeah, I heard Greg was pretty underhanded last round," came the whispered reply. "Didn''t he and his party gang up on some weaker students and kick them out of the event?" As the students speculated, Vianne''s voice once again boomed across the arena, cutting through their conversation. "What''s this? It seems the Top 6th contender, Greg Malcolm, is leaving his stage! Is he... conceding? Wait, no, he''s heading towards Vincent Magnus'' stage!" All eyes turned to Greg, who strode confidently across the arena. His presence commanded attention, and Vincent, standing at the center of the stage, watched him approach with a calm, stoic expression. Greg stopped at the base of the stage and addressed the nearest instructor, who also served as a referee for the event. "If I concede my current position," Greg asked, "will I be allowed to challenge Vincent Magnus for his spot?" The instructor hesitated, unsure how to respond, and glanced up at Dean Thorne for guidance. The Dean, after a moment of silent contemplation, nodded his approval. "I allow it," the Dean declared, his voice carrying across the arena. A slow smile spread across Greg''s face. "Thank you for your wise decision, Dean," he said, his tone dripping with mock gratitude. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent, still unmoved, was curious. Where was Greg''s confidence coming from? He had seen what Vincent was capable of, yet here he stood, certain that he could emerge victorious. "Will you dare accept my challenge, Vincent Magnus?" Greg called out, his voice loud enough for the entire audience to hear. Vincent''s response was simple and unshaken. "Come up here, then." Though visibly irritated by Vincent''s nonchalant demeanor, Greg kept his anger in check and leaped gracefully onto the stage. "Do you need to rest?" Greg taunted, a grin spreading across his face. "Take your time¡ªI wouldn''t want you to claim I took advantage of you later." Vincent remained utterly unfazed. "I don''t need to rest to fight a weakling like you." "Hmph! We''ll see how smug you are after I beat you to a pulp!" With a shout, Greg took his fighting stance. A faint red glow enveloped his fists, solidifying into a pair of fearsome [Fire Gauntlets]. The air around him began to shimmer with heat as his fire affinity activated, surrounding him in an aura of burning energy. Vincent, maintaining his calm demeanor, summoned his [Duskedge Blade]. The dark, gleaming blade glowed faintly with purple energy as he held it at the ready. Still, he couldn''t help but wonder where Greg''s confidence came from. Greg was only a Tier 1, three-star Origin Warrior¡ªhardly a match for someone who had just bested a higher-tier opponent. Once both fighters were ready, Vianne''s voice rang out again. "What an unexpected turn of events! Our Top 6th contender, Greg Malcolm, has surrendered his position to challenge the Top 1 contender, Vincent Magnus, who''s already secured two impressive victories today! Could this be an act of revenge after Vincent''s earlier humiliation of Greg? Either way, this promises to be an exciting battle!" The crowd, already on the edge of their seats, erupted into cheers once more. "Go, Greg! Beat the crap out of him!" one voice shouted. "Vincent! Vincent!" others called, eager to see the academy''s top contender continue his winning streak. Vincent watched as Greg''s fiery aura intensified, small fireballs materializing in the air around him. They hovered for a brief moment before, with a swift motion of Greg''s hand, they flew toward Vincent, whizzing through the air like blazing projectiles. The first few were easy enough to block. Vincent deflected them with his [Duskedge Blade], the dark weapon slicing cleanly through the flames. However, more fireballs kept coming¡ªtwo, four, six¡ªand soon, the barrage seemed endless. Greg was relentless, hurling them with increasing speed. Yet, even with the pressure mounting, Vincent moved with calculated precision, dodging and parrying each attack. His face remained impassive, his focus unshaken. Just as he prepared to advance, Vincent noticed something off. One of the fireballs, unlike the others, curved mid-flight. It was coming from behind, tracking his movements like a homing missile. "Crafty," Vincent muttered under his breath. Before he could react, the fireball hit its mark. A loud boom echoed through the arena, and a cloud of thick smoke enveloped Vincent''s figure. The crowd gasped as Vianne''s voice cut through the tension. "A direct hit!" For a moment, all eyes were fixed on the smoke, wondering if Greg''s surprise attack had given him the upper hand. But the anticipation was short-lived. Without warning, Vincent burst through the smoke, unharmed and as stoic as ever. His [Duskedge Blade] gleamed menacingly as he rushed toward Greg, his movements swift and decisive. Greg clicked his tongue in frustration, clearly annoyed that his trick hadn''t worked. He quickly shifted into a defensive stance, his fists clenched and his [Fire Gauntlets] glowing brighter as he prepared for the impending clash. As Vincent closed the distance between them, he unleashed his next move. With a sharp swing of his blade, a pulse of venomous purple light shone¡ªa manifestation of his skill, Venomstrike Lash. "Haa!" Vincent''s battle cry rang out as his attack tore through the air. Greg gritted his teeth and met the attack head-on, his gauntlet-covered fists ablaze. With a powerful punch, he tried to counter the strike, flames erupting from his hands as he attempted to overwhelm Vincent''s offensive. Clang! The sound of clashing metal filled the arena, followed by a heavy bam as the force of the impact sent Greg stumbling backward. He rolled across the stage, struggling to regain his footing. "Agh!" Greg grunted in pain as he finally came to a stop. His arms throbbed, the force of the blow leaving them numb. He winced, barely able to believe what had just happened. "How... how can he be this strong?" Greg''s thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of it. His gauntlets, a rare gift from his father, were of high quality¡ªTier 1, rare armaments. Yet, they had been matched by Vincent''s seemingly humble blade. Greg''s confidence faltered for the first time. He had underestimated Vincent, assuming that his background would make him an easy target. But now, it was clear¡ªVincent''s strength wasn''t something that could be explained away by wealth or status. Vincent, for his part, was equally surprised. He had expected Greg''s gauntlets to show some damage after their clash, but they were unscathed. "So, he has rare armaments too," Vincent thought with a frown. "His father must be filthy rich¡­" But there was no time for further speculation. This was a battle, and Vincent knew better than to waste precious moments standing still. He had to press the advantage while he still had it. "I don''t know what he''s planning," Vincent thought, eyeing Greg warily as the latter struggled to his feet. "But it''s better to end this quickly." Without hesitation, Vincent activated his Basic Origin Movement once more, his figure blurring as he dashed forward with blinding speed. He closed the distance between them in an instant, his [Duskedge Blade] cutting through the air with lethal intent. Greg, still reeling from the earlier attack, barely had time to react. He raised his arms in a desperate attempt to block the strike, his [Fire Gauntlets] clashing with Vincent''s blade. Bang! The force of the blow was too much. Greg was forced to one knee, the stage beneath him cracking from the impact. The crowd gasped as they saw the fracture spread across the floor, a testament to the power behind Vincent''s attack. Chapter 28 - 28: Fool Forced onto one knee, Greg pulled his right arm while his left arm was still blocking Vincent''s blade. With a loud grunt, his [Fire Gauntlet] suddenly seethed with crimson fire before he hurled it towards Vincent with full force. "Die!" When Vincent saw the flame taking the form of a gauntlet hurling straight at him, he skillfully tilted his head to the other side, making the flame pass by him. And while his feet were still covered with origin power, he quickly gave Greg a roundhouse kick! Which, of course, could not be blocked by Greg at all, and landed straight in his guts! "Urgh!" Once more, Greg was blasted backwards, struggling to stand up, agony evident on his face. He felt one of his ribs had been fractured, causing him to cough out blood. After brushing off the blood seeping out of the corner of his lips, he furiously roared, "Vincent Magnus!" "I WANT YOU DEAD! I''M GOING TO KILL YOU!" The pain he was feeling began to cloud his mind, as though he could not see the difference in power between them. Staring at his raging opponent, Vincent suddenly caught Greg''s action, taking out a crimson-orange vial and quickly drinking it in one gulp. Vincent frowned, wondering what Greg had just drank. Soon, Greg began to roar, his muscles bulged, his skin began to tear, and flames slowly rose out of his body, making him grunt in pain and excitement as he felt his aura slowly increase. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From Tier 1 - 3 stars, it began to climb. 4 stars... It then reached the peak of Tier 1. However, it still did not show any sign of stopping. Realizing that his situation might turn bad if he did not stop him, Vincent no longer held back and used his armament''s second skill while keeping his Origin Power Enhancement talent to increase his force attribute. "Duskedge Wave!" A crescent-shaped dark-purple energy immediately projected out of his blade, fiercely flying straight at Greg, leaving a dark trail of cracks on the arena floors. Boom! A loud explosion occurred when his attack landed, and a thick cloud of purple smoke instantly devoured Greg''s figure. Vianne, who could not understand what was happening with Greg, continued her enthusiastic hosting, "Another direct hit to Greg Malcolm! Is this the end of the fight?" While the people who had understood what was happening, especially the influential figures at the high podium, were keeping their silence. And when the cloud of smoke slowly cleared, Greg''s standing figure appeared before his laughter reverberated. "Haha. That''s all you can do? Then you''re pathetic, Vincent Magnus!" Greg was now standing almost 3 meters tall with bulging muscles and torn skin while flames occasionally seeped out of his body. His physique became stronger, but his looks turned grotesque. And as Vincent expected, Greg''s power had reached Tier 2. The crowd and Vianne were stunned, wondering, "Is that Greg Malcolm?" One of the audience members who had keen sense suddenly muttered, "He broke through to Tier 2?!" Hearing him, someone close to him immediately questioned, "What are you saying? Did Greg really break through to Tier 2? Just by drinking that unknown potion?" While the crowd was in shock and heated conversation, Vincent wasn''t bothered at all. He was not stupid; although Greg broke through to Tier 2 and the gap between them hugely increased, he still had an option. The rules stated that he only needed to win 3 times in 5 battles. Therefore, even if he forfeited this round and lost his spot, he still had a chance to challenge another top contender to take their spot and secure his slot in the finals. "This Greg is really stupid..." he thought and felt slight pity for the idiotic Greg. His hate had definitely clouded his decision. Now the question is, should I test my strength against a Tier 2 Origin Warrior, reveal my strength, and risk my life? Ah... what a stupid question. I love life... This is not the right time or place to risk my life for a simple tournament. While he was having his thoughts, Greg''s voice once again reverberated, "Vincent Magnus! Now, prepare for my wrath!" Greg, who had already started imagining beating Vincent with his upgraded power and was about to attack, suddenly halted, frozen by Vincent''s following words. "Ah, no. I forfeit this round, have fun on your own. I''m good." He did not wait for Greg''s or the referee''s response and jumped off the arena. When Greg came back to his senses, he hysterically bellowed, "No! No! I don''t accept this! Come back here and fight me! VINCENT MAGNUS~" Shocked by the sudden twist of the situation, Vianne uncertainly announced, "V-Vincent Magnus, forfeited? Victory for Greg Malcolm..." Although she had already announced who the winner was, the crowd was still in shock and silence. "Did he just quit like that?" "What would you do if you were in his position? Would you fight against that grotesque human? I''m not even sure if you can still call that appearance human." While at the high podium, Dean Thorne and the influential figures were also caught in subtle surprise and could not help but let out uncharacteristic giggles. On the other hand, Arnold, who was getting bored of watching the battle below, burst out in laughter. "Hahaha. Good, good. I like that kid! Having the knowledge of his limits and knowing when to retreat and advance is very rare to find nowadays." Dean Thorne''s lips broke into a subtle smile when he heard Arnold complimenting one of the students from his school. Chapter 29 - 29: Upgrade While the crowd burst into laughter, Vincent noticed Elric Baelius, who was chuckling at his decision as he walked to a corner. The other students quickly made way for him. He settled into the corner, his gaze fixed on the ongoing battles across the various platforms. Elric Baelius seemed unchallenged, securing his position for the final stage with ease. The other top contenders were either resting or still fighting. Apart from the original nine contenders, there was only one new face ¡ª a student who had taken Greg''s previous spot. Otherwise, nothing had changed. As time passed, the top students defending their stages earned their second victories, though not all of them emerged unscathed. Ana Blackwings, Sara Chen, and Dmitri Volkov bore visible signs of battle. Meanwhile, Greg remained fuming, his glare fixed in Vincent''s direction. No one dared to challenge the grotesque-looking man, despite him still retaining the strength of a Tier 2 warrior. However, Vincent knew that Greg''s temporary surge in power wouldn''t last long. He may make it to the finals, Vincent mused, but once his power is drained, he''ll be vulnerable¡­ Shaking away those thoughts, Vincent turned his attention to his accumulated experience points. Exp: 700,000/1,000,000 "What should I do with this?" he thought, uncertain about which path to take. Deciding he needed more time to think, Vincent took out a few Origin Crystals to replenish his energy. This would be the first time he''d use them for this purpose, and he was curious about the outcome. He started consuming the crystals and was immediately surprised by the result. +1 Origin Energy Talent Activated! +10,000 Origin Energy! In an instant, his Origin Energy was restored to its full capacity. "Wow, it can do that too?" he marveled at the unexpected boost. Now, with his energy fully restored, Vincent contemplated his next move. He had three potential upgrades in mind, each requiring a significant amount of experience points. Basic Origin Meditation ¡ª focused solely on cultivating mental attributes. Basic Origin Movement Speed ¡ª improved agility and speed through the consumption of Origin Energy. Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Techniques ¡ª a set of basic combat fundamentals learned in school. The first two were solid long-term investments, but Vincent believed that upgrading his combat skills would offer immediate benefits in the upcoming battles. With that in mind, he made his choice. Without hesitation, Vincent selected the Basic Offensive and Defensive Martial Techniques, which cost 50,000 experience points. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upgrade Complete! Name: Balanced Origin Stance Quality: Common Effect: Offensive: Enhances basic strikes and kicks, increasing power by 15%. Defensive: Increases block efficiency by 10%, reducing incoming damage. Special: Grants a 5% chance to deflect an enemy''s attack, dealing half of the original damage back to the attacker. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy per minute of continuous use. Pleased with the improvement, Vincent realized he still had enough experience points to further enhance the technique. He spent another 100,000 experience points, upgrading the skill again. Upgrade Complete! Name: Flowing Origin Technique Quality: Uncommon Effect: Offensive: Increases attack power by 25% and adds fluidity to combos. Grants a 10% chance to deliver an additional strike after a successful hit. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 15% when blocking. A small parry window allows Vincent to reflect 20% of the damage back at the attacker if timed correctly. Special: Unlocks the ability to redirect force, staggering the enemy upon blocking an attack and creating an opening for a counterattack. Consumption: 45 Origin Energy per minute. Satisfied with the technique''s evolution, Vincent decided not to push further. He feared higher upgrades might consume too much Origin Energy, potentially limiting his combat ability. With a significant amount of experience points still available, he turned his attention to his movement speed. To Vincent, speed equaled power, and he believed this upgrade would be equally valuable in the short term. Another 50,000 experience points were consumed. Upgrade Complete! Name: Swift Origin Step Quality: Common Effect: Consumes 90 Origin Energy to instantly move 7 meters. Movement speed is temporarily increased by 20%, and precision improves, allowing for agile direction changes mid-step. Consumption: Reduces with proficiency; at max proficiency, consumption decreases to 75 Origin Energy. Encouraged by the result, Vincent upgraded the skill once more. Upgrade Complete! Name: Blink of Origin Quality: Uncommon Effect: Consumes 85 Origin Energy to instantly move 12 meters in any direction. Grants a brief moment of heightened perception, allowing precise movement through obstacles or rough terrain. Movement speed temporarily increases by 30%. Consumption: At max proficiency, consumption can drop to 65 Origin Energy. "Nice! I still have experience points left," Vincent thought, "I should improve my proficiency next." Over the next few minutes, he invested 150,000 experience points into each of his newly upgraded techniques, raising their proficiency from Novice to Adept. Feeling the surge of newfound power, Vincent stood up and stretched. He needed to test these upgraded abilities and secure his spot in the finals. After all, he had his eye on the grand prize. Without overthinking, he picked the nearest stage and jumped up. Vianne, as the active and enthusiastic host, immediately announced, "Vincent Magnus is on the move! He seems eager to get his third victory to secure his spot in the finals!" The 10th stage was held by Michael Archons, who was visibly exhausted after a hard-fought second victory. The moment he saw Vincent land on his platform, his expression darkened. He cursed his luck, having hoped to avoid a confrontation with the dark horse of the competition. "Vincent Magnus¡­ Can you give me a break and let me keep my spot?" Michael asked, desperation evident in his voice. Vincent remained silent, his face betraying no emotion. On the neighboring platform, Loy Mesins overheard Michael''s plea and couldn''t help but laugh nervously, imagining Vincent might target him next. "Are you really going to beg like that, Michael? You''re an Origin Warrior! Where''s your warrior spirit?" Loy taunted. Frustrated, Michael retorted, "Warrior spirit? My foot! If you''re so brave, why don''t you challenge him instead?!" Chapter 30 - 30: Finals The atmosphere around the podium was tense, as Dean Thorne stood flanked by a collection of influential figures and esteemed guests, all of them silent, their attention focused on the events unfolding below. Conversations between smaller guild recruiters filled the air as they murmured about the latest developments. "Student Greg''s actions are reckless..." "I agree. His anger clouded his judgment." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The Fury Potion he used is certainly powerful¡ªit provides a temporary surge in strength but at a dangerous cost. The potential loss of power is a price too high." "The damage will be difficult, if not impossible, to fully recover from." The observers shook their heads, their disapproval evident. Even Dean Thorne, despite his typically calm demeanor, frowned slightly. He couldn''t help but agree. "What a waste of potential," he muttered. "The difference between Greg and Vincent Magnus is like night and day." On the stage, Michael Archons wore a dark expression as he watched Vincent Magnus, whose face remained utterly indifferent, as if unaffected by the mounting tension. Michael found himself hesitating. His thoughts swirled. Should he risk a fight with Vincent, knowing he might emerge injured? Or should he play it safe, forfeit the round, and conserve his energy to fight another opponent¡ªone he felt more confident in defeating? After a long, contemplative pause, Michael exhaled a heavy sigh. "I surrender," he declared. His voice cut through the tension, but the audience remained mostly unfazed. For many, this wasn''t a surprise. By now, Vincent''s reputation preceded him, and no one doubted his capability. Vianne, the announcer, had been eagerly awaiting the fight but now stood disappointed. Still, she did her job, her voice ringing out clearly, "Michael Archons has surrendered! That marks the third victory for Vincent Magnus!" Applause broke out, the crowd cheering Vincent''s continued dominance. Yet, despite the noise, Vincent''s face betrayed a subtle hint of frustration. He''d been looking forward to testing his new strength, but with his opponent surrendering so quickly, that opportunity had slipped away. Smiling wryly to himself, he resigned to the fact that he would have to wait until the final stage to push his limits. With nothing else to do, Vincent sat down in the center of the stage, arms folded across his chest, as he patiently awaited the outcome of the other matches. After some time, the Top 10 finalists were revealed. Unsurprisingly, they were the same contenders who had been leading their teams throughout the competition¡ªparty leaders who had proven their strength and tactical skills. As the fighters rested, Dean Thorne stepped forward, commanding the attention of the entire crowd with a wave of his hand. "First, I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone who showcased their talents and bravery in front of their families, friends, and fellow students. I would also like to applaud the Top 10 student warriors of No. 3 High School for their incredible performance!" His voice boomed through the arena, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. He paused, allowing the noise to settle before continuing. "Tonight marks the final stage of our Annual Battle Ceremony, and it will be unlike anything you''ve seen before." His words caused a ripple of excitement and confusion to spread through the crowd. The ceremony had always followed a simple elimination format. What could possibly be different this time? Before Dean Thorne could explain further, loud, boisterous laughter erupted, filling the air as a shadowed figure soared high above the crowd, landing with a thunderous impact in the middle of the stage. The Top 10 contenders, including Vincent, leaped back, eyes widening in surprise as a cloud of dust swirled around the figure. When the dust finally cleared, their shock deepened. Standing before them was none other than Arnold Mazels, an Alpha warrior of unparalleled strength. Dean Thorne''s voice echoed again, "For the final stage, the Top 10 will not face each other as expected. Instead, they will face a common foe, The Alpha ¡ª Arnold Mazels!" The crowd buzzed with disbelief. Whispers of shock and confusion filled the arena. "What''s going on?" "Why the sudden change?" Before anyone could question further, Arnold''s booming voice cut through the noise, dripping with arrogance. "Relax, everyone. I won''t be bullying you. I''ll restrict my strength to the peak of Tier 1." For most, this might have sounded reassuring. But to Greg, whose anger had already begun to boil over, it was nothing short of an insult. "You''re underestimating me!" Greg''s voice was hoarse, his Fury Potion still coursing through his veins, amplifying his rage. "You think you can defeat my Tier 2 strength with just your Tier 1 power? You''re out of your mind!" Without waiting for a response, Greg launched himself at Arnold with blistering speed, his gauntlet-clad fists aflame with raw power. He aimed a crushing blow directly at Arnold''s face. Bang! The sound of impact reverberated through the arena, but it wasn''t the sound of a successful hit. Instead, it was the sound of Arnold catching Greg''s punch with his bare hand, stopping the attack cold. "What?!" Gasps erupted from the crowd. Greg''s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth hanging open in shock. "H-How?" Greg stammered, trying to pull his hand back, but it was no use. Arnold had him locked in place. Before Greg could react, Arnold delivered a devastating punch to his face, sending him flying across the stage. Greg''s body skidded to a halt several meters away, unconscious. Arnold dusted off his hands, his expression serious now. "Abominations like you have no place in this battle," he muttered disdainfully. Vincent, having watched the entire exchange, furrowed his brow. He''d known Arnold was strong, but seeing him handle Greg so easily was a stark reminder of just how wide the gap between them truly was. "He''s powerful," Vincent thought, his mind already strategizing for the battle to come. The rest of the Top 10 watched in stunned silence, realizing that the final stage would be far more challenging than any of them had anticipated. Chapter 31 - 31: Battle Against The Alpha With Greg knocked out cold, only nine students remained to face ''The Alpha''. Vincent had no clue how their rankings would be decided simply by fighting Arnold. However, instead of feeling anxious, he was filled with excitement at the prospect of battling such a powerful Origin Warrior. Despite his eagerness, Vincent didn''t rush to attack. He lacked information on Arnold''s abilities and fighting style. He discreetly moved to the back of the group, unnoticed by the others. The tension hung in the air. Vincent and the other students stood still, watching as Arnold smiled confidently, his gaze fixed on them. "No one''s making a move?" Arnold''s voice broke the silence. In response, the students tightened their grips on their weapons, bracing themselves for what was to come. Arnold''s expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing his face before his eyes hardened. "Since no one''s stepping up, I guess I''ll start." Still smiling, he took a single step forward and seemed to disappear, reappearing in front of Dmitri Volkov. Dmitri, a muscular, tan-skinned student with crew-cut hair and advanced technological armor, barely had time to react. Before he could raise his arms to block, Arnold''s fist connected with his face, sending him flying. The others, now fully alert, launched a series of counterattacks. Leading the charge was Elric Baelius. His wild red hair blew in the wind as his arms, covered in crimson serpent scales up to his elbows, swung toward Arnold''s back. He shouted as he threw a heavy punch. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ha!" The others followed suit, attacking simultaneously. But before any of their blows could land, Arnold vanished again, this time reappearing behind Sara Chen, a tall, lean girl with tanned skin. He whispered in her ear, "Why aren''t you joining the fun?" Sara shivered, goosebumps rising all over her body. She swung her heavy steel club in panic, but it met only empty air. Arnold disappeared once more, materializing several meters away, unharmed. While Vincent carefully observed Arnold''s movements, Dmitri, who had been knocked down earlier, got back to his feet. He frowned as he stared at Arnold, but despite the direct hit, he appeared unscathed. His Physical Enhancement Talent was clearly no joke. Arnold smirked, pleased with himself. "Is this really the best the top students of this school have to offer? Pathetic!" The words sent a wave of anger through the crowd of students watching from their seats. Their faces darkened as they began shouting. "Come on, Senior Elric! Beat that bastard!" "Kick his ass!" "Make sure his own mother won''t recognize him!" Even Dean Thorne, seated at the high podium, was visibly displeased. Although he kept his face neutral, it was clear he wasn''t happy about the disrespect shown toward his school. Sara, her fury barely contained, turned to Elric. "Elric, what''s the plan? I''m ready to crush that old man!" Her casual tone suggested the two shared a close relationship. Dmitri chimed in, massaging his cheek where Arnold had punched him. "Elric, we can''t fight him one by one. We need to work together. What do you have in mind? I owe him a punch." Elric kept his gaze locked on Arnold. His face was serious as he responded, not bothering to look at the others. "He''s fast, and his punches are no joke, but..." He paused, glancing at Dmitri, "You took his hit pretty well." "So, what''s the plan?" Dmitri asked. Elric didn''t answer immediately. His eyes shifted to Ana Blackwings, another student whose abilities he wasn''t fully aware of, and then to Vincent, who seemed stronger than his known talent suggested. "Are we doing this together?" Elric finally asked. Vincent exchanged a glance with Ana, who nodded, and then gave Elric a curt nod in agreement. After a brief discussion, the group had a plan. Arnold, who had been watching them in silence, finally spoke. "Done talking? Ready to fight?" Dmitri cracked his knuckles and shot back, "Are ''you'' ready to get your ass kicked, old dog?" At the insult, Arnold''s smile didn''t waver, but the pressure he exuded intensified. "Show me what you''ve got, then," he sneered. "Let''s see just how pathetic you all are." "Now!" Elric shouted, and the group sprang into action. Dmitri led the charge, activating his talent. His muscles bulged as his body swelled, growing from a well-built man into a towering giant. His height shot up from 180 centimeters to over seven feet, towering above Arnold, who stood at 6''6". His feet slammed into the floor, leaving deep imprints as he charged at Arnold with a menacing grin. "Take this, old dog!" Dmitri''s massive fist swung through the air toward Arnold, and the sound of their fists colliding echoed across the platform. But before Arnold could follow up, thick tree branches burst from the ground, wrapping around his legs and pinning him in place. "Nice one, Loy!" Franco Bullocks called, standing beside Loy Mesins, who had used his Nature Affinity Talent. "My turn!" Franco declared, raising a rifle. "Time to die!" Azure energy gathered at the barrel of his gun, and with a thunderous crack, the shot was fired, its destructive power clear as it hurtled toward Arnold. Arnold frowned as the deafening blast hit, engulfing him in a thick cloud of smoke. "Got him!" Loy exclaimed. But Elric wasn''t so quick to celebrate. "Don''t celebrate yet!" As the smoke cleared, Arnold emerged unharmed, but his body had changed. His arms were now covered in fur, ending in sharp, wolf-like claws. He bared his fangs in a wide grin. "Not bad, but you''ll have to do better than that!" With both his arms and legs now resembling those of a wolf, Arnold lunged toward Franco, eager for revenge. But once again, Loy''s tree branches shot up, halting his advance. Sharp stones followed, piercing his body. "Yes!" Luke Collins cheered internally as his attack seemed to land. But before a drop of blood could fall, Arnold''s wounds healed instantly, leaving the group stunned. And just as they recovered from their shock, a silver streak of light zipped toward Arnold ¡ª Ana Blackwings'' signature attack. Arnold broke free from Loy''s bindings just in time, dodging the silver light with ease. Before Arnold could recover, Vincent, who had been waiting for his moment, appeared like a ghost behind him, ready to strike. Chapter 32 - 32: Showcasing Abilities The moment Vincent appeared behind ''The Alpha ¡ª Arnold Mazels'' ¡ª he didn''t hesitate. His Venomstrike Lash infused the Duskedge Blade with a menacing purple glow as he swung it toward Arnold''s back. However, instead of the satisfying sound of his blade cutting through flesh, a metallic clang echoed through the air. Vincent''s brow furrowed as Arnold slowly turned to face him. His torn garment revealed his transformed, muscular torso, covered in thick, furry werewolf-like skin. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sneaky brat¡­" Arnold uttered with a pissed expression, clearly wasn''t expecting someone to make him use his talent to this extent. Initially, he assumed that transforming his limbs to his werewolf talent was already bullying them, but he did not expect someone who had the strength to push him to this extent, using almost 50% of his talent''s full transformation. Before he could retaliate, Vincent vanished using his newly upgraded movement skill, Blink of Origin, instantly putting distance between them. Arnold was caught by surprise. "That kid can use a high-level movement skill?!" But before he could process Vincent''s speed, a powerful, fiery strike was aimed at his flank. It was Elric Baelius! Elric''s appearance also had few changes. His face had a hint of crimson serpent scales, his arms were still covered in similar scales, while his school uniform was replaced and turned to armor-like coating with similar crimson snake-like scales! It was his awakened talent: Flaming Python! Which could be labeled as similar to Arnold''s talent Demon Werewolf. A talent that could transform his physique to a flaming python and having access to its innate abilities. Barehanded, he swung his bulging right arm which was covered with serpent scales and infused with fire energy to Arnold''s flank. Upon seeing the unavoidable attack, Arnold made a quick decision, grinning, before swinging his wolf-like fist in counter. "Let''s see what you got!" He countered Elric''s punch with his own, and their fists collided with a deafening ''boom'', sending shockwaves through the arena. Both fighters took a single step back from the impact. With a determined grunt, Elric lunged forward and threw another punch, which was once again met by Arnold''s. The air trembled with the force of their blows. Boom! Shockwaves occurred as the two of them exchanged blows simultaneously. And soon enough, Elric''s inexperience shows itself, making a small mistake with his rhythm and timing, giving Arnold a smallest gap for his attack to landed straight to Elric''s abdomen, blasting him several meters away! As Elric struggled to stand, a soft, emerald light enveloped him, soothing his wounds and easing the pain. The blood dripping from the corner of his mouth disappeared. "Thanks, Sara," Elric muttered as he looked up at Sara Chen, who was already standing beside him. "Stop." She interrupted him before continuing, "What are you doing? Are we just gonna accept that stupid old man''s insult? Take your stupid ass and beat that old man!" Just as she said that, Elric saw Arnold''s gaze locked at Sara before his figure vanished into thin air, rushing towards them. "Watch out!" Elric called out, wanting to move in front of Sara to block Arnold, however, his speed was obviously nowhere near Arnold''s speed. Arnold, who suddenly reappeared before Sara Chen uttered, "A lesson for everyone of you. In battle, you must take out the healers first!" He then revealed his sharp claws and was about to slash to Sara when a destructive dark-purple crescent energy, flashed straight at him, forcing him to pull back his attack and retreat. Elric immediately stands between Arnold and Sara. "Are you alright?" He asked with an obvious hint of concern in his voice. Sara confusedly nodded as she answered, "Y-Yes¡­" She was unable to understand what happened because everything had happened too fast for her. Arnold, clearly frustrated at being interrupted again, turned his attention to the source of the attack. "You''re really fond of sneak attacks, aren''t you, kid?" Facing Arnold''s question, Vincent simply responded with a subtle smile before disappearing once again, blinking himself away in the distance. "Don''t dream that I will let you go again this time!" Arnold snarled and quickly rushed to Vincent, evidently irritated by his way of fighting. However, once again, he was interrupted as thick tree branches burst from the ground, momentarily immobilizing him before he tore them apart with ease. Loy, who had summoned the branches, couldn''t hide his shock. "No way... he broke free that easily?" His only way to immobilize Arnold had failed miserably. Arnold continued his pursuit, but Vincent remained elusive, using Blink of Origin to keep just out of reach. Each time Arnold closed in, Vincent blinked several meters away, maintaining a frustrating distance. At one point, Vincent blinked beside Ana Blackwings, who stared at him with her usual cold expression. "Is that silver light your only method of attack?" Vincent asked, almost teasingly. Ana furrowed her brows, somehow displeased by his question. "That ''silver light'' is not an attack," she replied, her voice soft but laced with anger. "Her name is Little Winter." His eyebrows rose in confusion, not even wondering about her uncharacteristic tone of voice, "Little Winter?" His eyes then fell on the small creature perched on Ana''s shoulder ¡ª a rabbit-like being with translucent wings and tiny horns. "She''s a summoner?" He thought in realization as he saw her whisper something to the winged-creature who stared at him for a moment before swiftly flew in the sky. And when the winged-creature, ''Little Winter'' reached a certain height, he heard Ana''s small and soft command. "Now!" As if responding to his initial assumption, he saw Little Winter suddenly flapping its wings before unleashing a twin whirlwinds materializing out of thin air, hurtling toward Arnold, who was still fixated on chasing Vincent. The audience, who had no idea what Ana''s abilities were, looked on in shock as the powerful winds tore through the arena. "What''s happening?" one of them asked, bewildered. "Where did these whirlwinds come from?" another murmured in disbelief. Caught in the middle of the whirling storm, Arnold''s face darkened. "These kids think they can make a fool out of me..." He slowly turn around and saw the other kids aside from Vincent and Ana fully preparing to unleash a combo of charged attack. Chapter 33 - 33: Turn of Events The moment Arnold turned around, he saw the other kids, aside from Vincent and Ana, standing together, their talents fully charged and ready to be unleashed at him. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Loy Mesins, wielding his Nature Affinity talent, had crafted a 3-meter-tall hand made of thick tree branches. Michael Archons, who had been silent all this time, clutching his spear glowing with an azure light, now stood prepared. Franco Bullocks, one eye closed, had his rifle raised, looking through the scope, ready to fire. Luke Collins had summoned a massive spike of earth with his Earth Affinity talent. Dmitri Volkov, his bulging arms straining, had dug into the ground and lifted a large chunk of it. Sara Chen clenched her steel club, glowing with a pale emerald light, while Elric Baelius had grown almost three feet taller, his form shifting further into that of a Flaming Python. With a loud bellow, Elric gave the command that echoed through the air. "Attack!" Excited responses rang out at his signal. "I''ve been waiting for this!" "Go, beat the crap out of him!" Whirlwinds formed behind Arnold as the students'' combined attacks rushed towards him. His lips curled into a wide smile, excitement dancing in his eyes at the unfolding scene. After a brief laugh, Arnold muttered, "Good, good. This is exactly what I''ve been waiting for. Now, let me show you the real difference between talent ranks and experience!" "Haaa!" With a loud grunt, Arnold''s werewolf form began to bulge, his fangs extending, his eyes sharpening, until he fully transformed into a 3-meter-tall werewolf with nearly black skin. Roar! Letting out a bone-chilling roar, he dodged the incoming whirlwinds from behind and rushed toward Elric and the others. Growling like a beast, Arnold balled his fist and met the giant wooden hand Loy had summoned with a deafening ''bam'', shockwaves rippling through the air from the impact. Instead of being pushed back, Arnold overpowered the massive tree-hand, forcing it backward before whipping around, kicking the large chunk of earth Dmitri had hurled at him, shattering it into pieces. Tilting his body slightly, he caught the glowing spear thrown by Michael and hurled it into the giant earth spike Luke had summoned, causing an explosion of dust and debris that filled the air. Franco, fully locked in with his Sharpshooter Talent, saw his moment. His Talent gave him a holographic crosshair in his vision. He squeezed the trigger of his rifle, unleashing a blinding azure energy beam that shot straight at Arnold. With no space or time to evade, Arnold growled, his arms emanating a dark, ominous aura as he slashed at the energy beam, cutting through it with a loud ''boom'' that echoed across the battlefield. The explosion cleared the whirlwinds that had been pursuing him. Loy and the others, whose attacks had either failed or been deflected, couldn''t contain their shock. "What?!" "Is he even human?!" "That''s impossible!" Despite their disbelief, Elric didn''t falter. He rushed forward with Sara, both determined to take down the fully transformed Alpha¡ªArnold Mazels. Elric, his right arm brimming with flame energy, threw his strongest punch at Arnold, who seemed to possess limitless Origin Energy and stamina. For the first time, an attack landed. Elric''s punch connected with Arnold''s chest, and the crowd, along with Elric''s comrades, cheered in unison. "Yes! A direct hit¡ª!" But before they could celebrate, Arnold''s cold, detached voice shattered their joy. "Is that all you''ve got? Pathetic." Elric''s eyes widened in disbelief. He, too, had awakened an A-rank talent, yet the gap in strength was unimaginable. While he questioned himself, Sara''s voice broke through his thoughts. "Take this, old man!" Appearing behind Arnold, she swung her glowing steel club with all her might. But before the blow could connect, Arnold swatted her away like a fly with a flash of his werewolf arm. "Ugh!" Sara let out a groan as she tumbled across the ground before falling unconscious. "Sara!" Elric called out in alarm, his voice filled with worry. Seeing his childhood friend struck down so easily, rage ignited within him. The flames of his innate Flaming Python ability began to spread over his entire body. Clenching his hands together, he gathered pure fire energy, forming a ball of flames between his palms. This was his ultimate move, one that would drain all his remaining Origin Energy. It was a risky move, one he had hoped to avoid using, as it could damage his potential. But seeing Sara in such a state filled his mind with fury. All he wanted now was revenge. At point-blank range, he thrust his hands forward, releasing the beam of fire energy with a shout. "Fiery Beam!" Boom! A deafening explosion followed as the fiery beam engulfed Arnold, and thick smoke filled the air. Loy, Dmitri, and the others watched anxiously. Loy, unable to control his curiosity, asked, "Did it work?" But before anyone could answer, that familiar, prideful voice echoed through the battlefield. "Unfortunately, that wasn''t enough to defeat me." Gasps filled the crowd as the thick smoke cleared, revealing Arnold, completely unscathed, standing behind Elric''s unconscious form. "No way¡­ even Senior Elric''s ultimate attack didn''t work?!" One of the students in the crowd couldn''t believe it. Loy and the others stared, dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the massive difference in power between themselves and Arnold, the Alpha. As though the battle was over, an ominous purple crescent of energy suddenly flew toward Arnold. He recognized the attack immediately. With a furious roar, his werewolf arms, now cloaked in black mist, countered with a powerful punch. Bam! Another attack followed, whirlwinds surging toward him. Arnold''s claws tore through the whirlwinds as though they were nothing but paper, dispersing them into gentle breezes. "He¡­ broke a whirlwind with his bare hands?! That''s impossible!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed, their voice full of disbelief. At that moment, Vincent''s figure vanished, reappearing behind Arnold with his Duskedge Blade in hand. Activating his Origin Power Enhancement talent, he boosted his strength by 30%. Simultaneously, he unleashed his newly upgraded Flowing Origin Technique, increasing his attack power by an additional 25%. With his blade glowing a deep purple, Vincent slashed at Arnold with his Venomstrike Lash and Duskedge Slash combination. This time, Arnold had no chance to dodge at such close range. Boom! Vincent felt it¡ªhis attack had pierced through Arnold''s defense. The crowd watched in stunned silence as a deep wound appeared on Arnold''s shoulder, extending down his back. Even Dean Thorne, seated with the other guests, looked surprised. "He managed to injure that mad dog?" Dean Thorne thought to himself. Verno, initially bored, revealed a slight reaction, surprised that Arnold had been wounded. "Did he let that kid hit him?" Verno mused. Back on the stage, Arnold, bleeding from his shoulder to his back, was stunned. "I-I got injured¡­ again?! And by that damn kid?!" he thought, disbelief clouding his mind. Even though he had fully transformed, unleashed his Talent, and restricted his cultivation, someone had still managed to wound him. "Am I really being beaten by these kids?!" With rage boiling inside him, Arnold''s expression darkened. "I won''t accept this!" Arnold''s roar was followed by a burst of overwhelming pressure that flooded the entire arena, affecting both the audience and the participants on the stage. Vincent and the others, closest to the source of the pressure, collapsed to their knees, struggling to breathe. Instinctively, Vincent summoned his chaos energy to shield himself from the crushing force. He took several deep breaths as the protection took effect. Arnold, noticing the ominous energy surrounding Vincent, widened his eyes in shock. "H-How do you possess that aura?" Arnold muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. Dean Thorne and the other guests, equally shocked, quickly took action. "That mad dog''s lost it again! Someone stop him!" a weaker guest cried out. Without hesitation, Dean Thorne leapt from the podium and landed on the stage. "Mister Mazels, cease this immediately!" He released his own aura, shielding the crowd from Arnold''s oppressive pressure. But his attention quickly shifted to the dark energy surrounding Vincent. "That aura¡­" Dean Thorne murmured, his voice trailing off. Chapter 34 - 34: Problem Arise Just as Vincent instinctively covered himself with chaos energy and struggled to his feet, he heard a familiar voice. It was Arnold''s, and it carried a tone of disbelief. "H-How do you have that aura¡­?!" In that moment, Vincent realized his grave mistake. He had been so preoccupied with the Annual Battle Ceremony that he had completely forgotten about the trouble he caused when he merged with the black cosmic marble. Now, even Arnold had recognized his chaos energy. His expression immediately darkened. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind, as he carefully considered his next move. Should I run? Could I even escape? Even if he managed to flee, what would happen to his sister and Amara? Would they be safe? It was then that the full weight of his situation hit him. One small misstep had the potential to unravel everything he had built in this world. His new life¡ªfragile and precarious¡ªcould fall apart in an instant. How foolish I''ve been, thinking I could handle everything just because of my talent. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I need to become stronger. I want to be stronger! "But first," he muttered to himself, "I need to figure out how to survive¡­" Before he could finish that thought, Arnold''s voice cut through his musings once more. "You¡­ You''re a bearer of calamity!" Calamity? Vincent had no idea what Arnold was referring to, but the seriousness in his tone made it clear that this was not a minor issue. Despite his growing sense of dread, a different emotion stirred deep within him. It wasn''t fear¡ªit was something primal, a feeling that he wasn''t the one who should be afraid. They should fear him. Yet, Vincent couldn''t understand why he felt this way. "I''ve already exposed this damn chaos energy," he muttered, clenching his fists. "Might as well use it to my advantage¡­" With a steely resolve, he channeled the chaos energy into his eyes, which turned abyssal black. In an instant, different scenes flashed through his mind, and his initial calm gave way to horror as his face paled. "Am I¡­ going to die?" he whispered, terror creeping into his voice as the visions played out before him. Arnold, sensing the change, ignored Vincent''s words and instead took a step forward, his own voice tinged with panic. "You demon! What did you just do?!" Dean Thorne, who had been standing silently behind Vincent, hadn''t witnessed the full extent of what had transpired. Nevertheless, he quickly stepped between the two, positioning himself as a barrier between Arnold and his student. Though the ominous energy emanating from Vincent didn''t escape his notice, Dean Thorne was more concerned with his duty to protect the honor of his school. "Mr. Mazels," the dean said firmly, "I must ask you to stop this at once!" Arnold''s expression twisted into a frown. "Dean Thorne, do you have any idea what you''re doing? You''re protecting a demon!" At the mention of the word "demon," a wave of confusion spread through the others¡ªLoy Mesins and others, who had only just regained their composure after being shielded by the dean''s aura. "A demon?" "What''s happening?" Their bewilderment only grew as Verno and the Ice Princess, Sylthana, arrived on the scene, standing behind the dean. Verno, who had no knowledge of what was happening, spoke in his usual emotionless tone. "Just because you''ve been let off your leash doesn''t mean you can act like a rabid dog in front of these students." Sylthana, her aura cold and frigid, stepped forward to stand beside her uncle. Her eyes narrowed as she addressed Arnold in a chilling tone. "Senior Mazels, please control your anger. This is simply a ceremonial event at my uncle''s school. While you were the one who proposed this event, we''re willing to overlook that and compensate you for your injury. So, please¡ªcalm down and make a wise decision." Though her words were polite, the threat behind them was clear, and Arnold''s face darkened in displeasure. "You''re all insane!" he shouted, jabbing a finger in Vincent''s direction. "Don''t you see that aura? It''s pure evil!" However, neither Verno nor Sylthana detected anything unusual about Vincent, aside from his pale complexion. They assumed the pressure from Arnold was responsible for his appearance. Dean Thorne, on the other hand, had sensed something strange earlier, but he remained silent, choosing not to reveal his suspicions. "You''re just a senile, old fool," Verno said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can''t believe you''d stoop this low¡ªto the point of framing a student." Sylthana, meanwhile, continued to fix Arnold with her icy stare, saying nothing. Arnold, rendered speechless by their dismissal, could do nothing but fume in frustration. As the situation unfolded in his favor, Vincent found no relief. His face remained ghostly pale as the images of his vision replayed in his mind. Without a moment''s hesitation, he gathered his strength and sprinted out of the arena, fleeing the school grounds. "He''s running away!" Arnold roared. "He''s guilty!" Just as Arnold moved to chase him, a sharp, crystalline barrier of ice appeared out of thin air, blocking his path. Furious, he spun around to face Sylthana. "You''re going to cross me for that boy?!" he bellowed. Her voice was calm but firm as she replied, "I''m merely fulfilling my duty as the protector of our citizens and Bronzehaven Arc." Arnold let out a hollow laugh, seething with rage. "Fine¡­ I''ll remember this." Vincent, now outside the school, donned his Morphic Mask, altering his appearance into that of an elderly man. He moved stealthily through the districts, heading toward the Central Bazaar. He needed answers. Alex, the mysterious old man, had to know something about the other black marble. He must know¡­ The sky had darkened, the moon casting its silver light over the city. As Vincent turned into a shadowed alley, a suffocating aura suddenly locked him in place, immobilizing him. A cold, arrogant voice cut through the night. "I''ve finally found you." Vincent''s eyes widened as the figure revealed itself¡ªfloating in midair. It was a blonde-haired man, clad in sleek black armor, almost identical to Dmitri''s but far more refined. This was one of the men from his vision. The leader of District 11, Arman Matthews. The man who would kill him. Vincent, his heart pounding, quickly adopted the role of the old man and rasped, "W-Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" Arman smirked. "Drop the act, boy. Your tricks won''t work on someone like me. I can see right through that illusion." "You calamity bearers must die." Though Vincent maintained his disguise, he stammered, "W-What are you talking about? What calamity bearer?" Arman sighed. "Since you''re about to die, I might as well tell you. A calamity bearer is cursed¡ªdoomed to destroy everything around them. It''s a force of destruction with only one purpose: to annihilate everything. Luckily for us, we found you early enough to prevent that." Despite Arman''s explanation, Vincent''s mind raced. How can I escape? "What¡­ what makes you so sure I''m a calamity bearer?" Vincent asked, desperate to stall for time. Arman''s eyes burned with hatred. "I know that aura. I''ve seen it before. It''s the same power that killed countless innocents¡ªmy comrades, my family." His gaze hardened. "That''s why you must die." Arman stretched out his hand, closing his fist slowly as if crushing something. In that instant, Vincent felt an unbearable pressure pushing him to the ground. He gasped in pain, barely able to move. With a grunt, Vincent muttered through clenched teeth, "I won''t die here." With a roar, he unleashed all of his chaos energy, his body groaning under the strain but slowly pushing back against the overwhelming pressure. Dark, ominous energy swirled around him as a singular thought filled his mind: Kill. Kill. Kill. "Shut up!" he screamed, trying to silence the voices echoing in his head. Arman''s expression didn''t waver. "That''s it. Show your true self. You''re nothing but a mindless killing machine. And now¡­ you die." Before Arman could make a move, Vincent''s fury boiled over. His right arm transformed into a demon-like appendage, and without thinking, he lunged at Arman with all his might. "Die!" Though Vincent''s chaos-empowered eyes could foresee Arman''s counter, his body couldn''t react fast enough. Arman''s punch landed squarely in his abdomen, sending him crashing through several walls. "Urgh¡­!" Vincent coughed, blood spraying from his lips. The pain was excruciating, but like a machine, he forced himself back to his feet. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he charged at Arman once more. Arman, still standing in the same spot, didn''t move. He waited for Vincent''s attack, only to counter each time, sending him flying again and again. "You''re persistent," Arman mocked. "But you''re no match for me. Just die already." As Arman raised his hand, preparing to deliver the final blow. His voice was filled with deadly intent as he said, "Just die." But before he could strike, a sharp feminine voice echoed through the night, cutting through the tension like a blade. "That''s enough." Arman froze, his eyes darting to the source of the voice. He hadn''t sensed her presence at all, which left him momentarily stunned. Slowly, he turned, scanning the shadows. "Who?!" Arman demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief. Stepping into the moonlight was a woman, her cold beauty unmistakable. She floated effortlessly in the air, her long, pink-blossom hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her eyes glowed with an ethereal light, sharp and piercing. Arman recognized her immediately. His expression shifted from rage to astonishment as he processed the sight before him. "Why is she here?" he muttered under his breath, clearly unsettled. The woman, unperturbed by his shock, regarded him with a gaze as cold as ice. Her presence radiated power and authority, the kind that made even seasoned warriors like Arman cautious. She stood tall, her aura dominating the space around her as she addressed him with a chilling calm. Chapter 35 - 35: Vice Commander Arman''s astonishment quickly shifted into a respectful expression as he straightened up, offering a formal salute. "Greetings, Vice Commander Iris." The woman before him, a striking figure known for both her beauty and formidable reputation, was one of the vice commanders serving under the Arc''s current leader. Her reputation preceded her¡ªfamed for her cold, calculating demeanor and ruthlessness on the battlefield. Her moniker, the "Floral Witch," stemmed from her ability to decimate Primals and invaders alike with her unique talents. Despite this, Arman found it hard to believe that the current threat¡ªa calamity¡ªcould justify the personal involvement of someone of her stature. Vice Commander Iris made no attempt to acknowledge his greeting. Instead, she descended gracefully, her attention immediately drawn to the wild, near-unrecognizable Vincent below. His figure had warped, barely human now, struggling to remain upright under the weight of his own primal instincts. A flicker of panic crossed Arman''s face before he spoke up again, his voice tense. "Vice Commander, please allow me to handle this abomination." Behind his words, fury simmered, but there was more than anger at play here¡ªthere was greed, well-concealed but no less potent. Ending a calamity like Vincent would not only satiate his thirst for revenge but also earn him significant merit. The rewards would be substantial. But once again, Vice Commander Iris offered him no response. Her gaze remained fixed on Vincent, whose awareness seemed to have long since slipped away, leaving only a mindless shell, struggling purely on instinct. Why does Master want me to protect this man? Iris wondered silently. Her mind teemed with questions, but she knew better than to question her orders, especially since her master seldom requested anything from her. Curious as she was, she pushed her thoughts aside, having already conducted a background check on Vincent. Apart from his rather common backstory¡ªa child of missing parents, a situation not unusual in these turbulent times¡ªthere was nothing particularly remarkable about him. Yet now, watching him in this state, Iris found her intrigue growing. Could her master be indebted to this man? She had no answers. Arman''s voice interrupted her musings once more. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Vice Commander!" Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she finally deigned to speak. "I can hear you, District Leader Arman." Her tone was as cold as the reputation that preceded her, tinged with unmistakable irritation. "My apologies, Vice Commander. You seemed preoccupied. But... may I be given the honor of eliminating that demon?" Without a hint of emotion, Iris responded, "No, I will handle him myself." "But¡ª" Before he could finish, a wave of icy killing intent washed over him, smothering the words in his throat and forcing him to drop any further protests. "District Leader Arman," she said, her voice dangerously calm. Arman swallowed hard, stiffening under the weight of her presence. "Y-Yes, Vice Commander?" "I want all recordings of today''s events deleted from your data." "But, Vice Commander¡ª" "District Leader Arman," she interrupted, her voice colder than ever, "this will be the last time you interrupt me when I''m speaking." His heart raced as he hastily lowered his head. "I understand." Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she continued. "Furthermore, I don''t want to hear so much as a whisper about my involvement here. If I do..." She paused, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous promise, "...you will not like the consequences. Understood?" Arman barely managed to nod, his voice trembling. "I-I understand, Vice Commander." Satisfied, Iris turned her attention back to Vincent. His transformation had worsened¡ªhis human form barely holding together as his left arm morphed into a twisted, abyssal limb. His eyes glowed an unnatural red, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. When he lunged toward her in a final, primal rush, Iris responded with a mere flick of her wrist. Instantly, Vincent collapsed, unconscious before he even hit the ground. Iris caught his limp body with ease, cradling him in her arms as if he weighed nothing. Without so much as a glance at Arman, she looked over her shoulder and gave her final command. "Clean this area before you leave." And with that, she shot into the night sky, vanishing from Arman''s sight, Vincent in tow. Arman could only glare at her receding figure, his face twisted in anger. "Fucking bitch!" he cursed, fury overtaking him as he slammed his fist into the nearby wall. The force of his punch caused yet more damage to the already devastated area, only to realize with a groan that he had just added to his own workload. "Argh! Fuck!" --- The Next Day While rumors about Alpha Arnold Mazels causing a stir at the Annual Battle Ceremony of a certain school circulated through the district, Vincent, oblivious to the events of the previous day, slowly began to regain consciousness. "Ugh¡­" he groaned, wincing in pain as he rubbed his eyes. His body felt heavy, disoriented, as he pushed himself into a sitting position, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where am I?" he muttered, eyes narrowing at the opulent space around him. The room was spacious, far too luxurious for someone like him¡ªits decor akin to a VIP suite in an extravagant hotel. Before he could piece things together, a soft knock came from the door. It opened slowly, revealing a woman in her thirties, dressed in a professional maid''s uniform. She pushed a cart into the room, her expression calm and composed, as if entirely unsurprised by his awakening. "Good morning, young master," she greeted politely, her voice gentle. "Your breakfast has been prepared by the young lady." "Young master¡­?" Vincent repeated, blinking in confusion. His hand instinctively rose to his face, where he realized his Morphic Mask was gone. "It''s missing?" he murmured. Strangely, he didn''t feel panic¡ªonly a vague curiosity. He looked at the woman, trying to make sense of the situation. "Uh, miss¡­?" "Victoria," she replied smoothly, not missing a beat. "What?" "Please, call me Victoria." "Oh, okay." Vincent shook his head slightly, still trying to clear the fog in his mind. "Miss Victoria, could you tell me where I am?" "You may simply call me Victoria, young master. As for your location, you are currently a guest at Lady Sophie''s villa." "Sophie?" Vincent echoed, the name drawing a blank in his mind. "I''m sorry, but... who''s Sophie?" Victoria gave him a look of mild surprise, almost as if she were speaking to a clueless child, but she answered without hesitation. "Sophie Iris." The name still didn''t ring any bells for Vincent. He paused, frowning slightly in confusion, before offering an awkward, "Oh." Not wanting to dwell on his ignorance, he pressed on with another question. "How did I end up here?" "I''m afraid I can''t answer that," Victoria replied, her tone apologetic but firm. "It would be best if you spoke to the young lady herself after you''ve finished your breakfast." Vincent sighed but nodded in understanding. As she moved toward the door, something else crossed his mind. "Wait¡ªdid you happen to see a plain emerald-colored mask?" Victoria gestured toward the bedside table, where his belongings had been placed. Relieved, Vincent gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Victoria." "You''re welcome, young master. Please enjoy your breakfast. The young lady will await you in the living room." With that, she left the room, leaving Vincent to turn his attention to the cart she had brought in. His eyes widened in surprise. The cart was filled with an array of expensive dishes, the kind of food he had only seen on commercials or online. As if on cue, his stomach growled. --- Having thoroughly enjoyed the meal, Vincent changed into a set of freshly laundered black clothes. His usual armor was nowhere to be found, but he didn''t mind. It had been cheap anyway, and now that he had the means, he could afford to replace it with something better. Victoria soon guided him to the villa''s lavish living room, where the opulence of the place was on full display. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the interior d¨¦cor screamed wealth and extravagance as he descended the spiral glass staircase. Chapter 36 - 36: Chaos Energy Secret ? As Vincent entered the opulent living room of the villa, his eyes finally settled on Sophie Iris, the young lady whom Victoria had mentioned. Sophie sat gracefully in a red armchair, her figure accentuated by a skin-tight dress that matched the soft hue of her pink hair. The dress clung to her curves, highlighting her ample figure as she absentmindedly swiped through a holographic screen. ''She''s beautiful... but why do I feel like I''ve seen her before?'' he thought. Despite the curiosity bubbling up within him, Vincent maintained a composed exterior, offering only a faint, polite smile. Victoria, after offering Sophie a respectful bow, excused herself from the room. Standing just a few feet away from Sophie, Vincent waited, his expression neutral. After glancing at him, Sophie parted her lips and asked, "It seems you managed to recover on your own. How are you feeling now?" "I''m alright," he responded curtly, still perplexed as to how he had ended up in this place. Sophie gave a slight nod, swiping once more at the screen before her. "I imagine you have questions. Please, take a seat." "Thank you." He accepted her offer, lowering himself into a nearby armchair. Though unsure of how to address her formally, he kept his tone steady and calm, as always. "Miss Iris, first, I must thank you for saving my life," he said, his gaze unwavering. Though he didn''t fully understand what had transpired, Vincent assumed that Sophie had played a key role in his survival. He had unleashed his chaos energy fully, and when he lost consciousness, he was almost certain he would die. Sophie closed the hologram screen, her attention now entirely on him. "I was merely doing my master a favor," she replied, shaking her head slightly. "Your master?" Vincent echoed, his curiosity piqued. But it seemed Sophie wasn''t inclined to discuss her master. She smoothly shifted the conversation. "Do you have any idea about the power you possess?" Her question caused Vincent to fall silent. He had no clear understanding of the origin of his chaos energy, nor why it was labeled as an evil or demonic force. The only insight he had received came from Arman, who had branded him a ''calamity bearer,'' but even then, the explanation had been vague at best. Eventually, Vincent shook his head, signaling his lack of knowledge. "That''s understandable," Sophie said calmly. "But have you heard of the event that occurred several hundred years ago? The one before the continents of Astralis fragmented into the smaller Arcs?" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent nodded. Every citizen was required to study their world''s history, and even those who hadn''t formally studied would have heard of the event at some point. Nearly nine centuries ago, before their planet had become partially digital and fallen under the Starmark System¡ªlong before Origin Warriors existed¡ªAstralis had been invaded by legions of powerful Primals. "And how does that relate to my power?" Vincent asked, his curiosity deepening. Sophie studied him closely, as though assessing whether he was truly unaware or simply pretending. Seeing only genuine confusion in his eyes, she continued. "Those Primals emitted the same energy you now possess." Vincent''s eyes widened in shock. Until this moment, he had believed that Primals wielded Origin Energy like the warriors of today. But the revelation that they had once channeled something far more dangerous left him momentarily speechless. Noting his surprise, Sophie clarified further. "The Primals we know today are vastly different from the ones that invaded Astralis nine hundred years ago. Those ancient Primals were not only more intelligent and savage but also far more powerful. Some were even more intelligent than humans." She paused briefly before adding, "It is known as Primal Energy." Primal Energy? Isn''t my power called Chaos Energy? Vincent''s brow furrowed in confusion. Reading his expression, Sophie elaborated. "Though many of those ancient Primals were either driven back to their home worlds or killed over the centuries, there have been rare anomalies like yourself¡ªhumans who somehow awakened and gained control over Primal Energy. But because Primal Energy is inherently wild and destructive, most of these individuals caused widespread chaos, leading to their branding as ''calamity bearers.''" Vincent fell silent once again, pondering her words. The energy she described shared striking similarities with his own Chaos Energy, making him fear that he might one day become a mindless force of destruction. Yet, there was an undeniable feeling that there was more to this mystery¡ªsomething he needed to uncover. Masking his unease, Vincent asked, "So, what happens to me now? And why did your master ask you to save me?" Sophie paused, seemingly weighing her words before responding. "My master''s only instruction was to protect you¡ªnot to take care of you." Vincent''s curiosity deepened. "Is there a chance I could meet your master and thank him personally?" "I don''t believe my master has any desire to meet you," Sophie replied. "If my master had wanted to, they would have saved you themselves, rather than sending me." Vincent had to admit, her reasoning made sense. Still, his curiosity about her mysterious master lingered, but he decided not to press the issue. Noticing his silence, Sophie''s brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "If you truly wish to learn more about Primal Energy, I would suggest you consider enrolling in Bronzehaven Academy." Bronzehaven Academy¡­ The name immediately struck a chord with Vincent. It was one of the three most prestigious and influential academies in their Arc, alongside Magic Trinity Institute and Beastial Academy. Bronzehaven was renowned not only for its excellent curriculum but also for its notoriously difficult entrance exams, which only the most gifted students from prominent guilds, organizations, and sects could pass. Vincent, however, didn''t feel intimidated. He had confidence in his own abilities. Not only could Bronzehaven hold the key to understanding his Chaos Energy, but it might also provide clues about his parents'' whereabouts. If no traces of them existed within the Bronzehaven Arc, he would continue his search in other Arcs. Regardless, applying to the academy seemed like the best path forward. Chapter 37 - 37: Its Not Mine... Resolved, he nodded and accepted Sophie''s advice. "Before that¡­ why don''t you check your phone first?" At those words, his expression faltered for the first time as he quickly grabbed his phone. Though he had found it earlier when changing clothes, the thought of checking it hadn''t crossed his mind, preoccupied as he was with his current situation. When he tapped the screen, multiple holographic windows popped open. Ding! Ding! Most of the messages were from his younger sister, Marina, and Amara. There was also one from his school, but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the ones from Marina and Amara. Both were worried because he hadn''t returned to the hotel and hadn''t responded to their calls. As soon as he replied to them, his phone rang. Marina was calling. He glanced at Sophie before answering. Shortly after, Marina''s anxious face appeared on the holographic screen from the hotel room. "Brother! Where are you? Are you alright?" Vincent could only offer a sheepish smile as Marina bombarded him with a series of frantic questions. He patiently waited for her to settle down before assuring her that everything was fine. "I''m okay, stop worrying. Just let sister Amara know I''m alright and that I''ll be back later, alright?" "I understand, but please come back as soon as possible, okay?" "As you wish, your highness." He teased. Marina giggled at her brother''s playful tone before suddenly noticing something behind him. "But, brother, where are you? That place looks fancy. Wait¡­ is that the limited edition Lone Leveler - Sang Jenwoo figurine?" Her words made him glance over his shoulder, where he saw a figurine, encased in glass, resting on a table. He turned toward Sophie, who remained impassive, though she averted her eyes. Facing the screen again, he offered a casual excuse, "I''m at a friend''s place, don''t worry. I''ll let you know when I''m on my way. Bye~" He ended the call before she could respond. A tense silence followed, broken only by Sophie''s quiet voice, which contrasted with her usual composed tone. "That''s not mine¡­" "What?" "That figurine¡ªit''s my younger brother''s¡­" "Oh, no worries. I understand." --- At the villa''s gate. Vincent cast one last glance at the villa before stepping into the backseat of a sleek, black hover car. Sophie''s personal driver was already waiting inside. Though the car had an advanced AI driving system, Sophie insisted that her driver accompany him for the journey. At the wheel sat a stern, white-haired man¡ªGordon, middle-aged but clearly not an ordinary driver. Without needing to use his Heaven Eyes ability, Vincent could sense Gordon''s formidable presence. Catching his gaze in the rearview mirror, Gordon''s tone was calm yet firm. "Shall we depart, Young Master?" Vincent no longer contested the way they addressed him, so he simply replied, "Yes, let''s go." As the cityscape blurred past them, Vincent''s curiosity grew, and he decided to learn more about Sophie. "Mister Gordon, could you tell me a bit about Miss Sophie''s background?" Gordon, much like Victoria had earlier, gave him a strange look, as if questioning how he could be so uninformed. "I believe it would be faster if you searched for her online, Young Master, rather than me explaining," Gordon replied. Raising a brow, Vincent took his advice and began searching the internet, his interest piqued. Before he could even finish typing her name, the search bar auto-filled, revealing Sophie Iris''s renowned title. "She''s the Floral Witch?!" he exclaimed inwardly. From the corner of his eye, he caught Gordon''s brief smirk before his expression returned to its usual seriousness. "I was saved by the Floral Witch herself?" Vincent muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion. His curiosity deepened. What sort of master did Sophie have, and why had they gone to such lengths to protect him? For what purpose? Despite his desire to figure it out, he found himself at a loss. He couldn''t yet unravel the mystery of his missing parents, and now there was another enigma to solve. Unable to grasp any clear answers, he resolved to focus on something he could control¡ªhis strength. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He needed to strategize further, to be prepared for whatever might come his way. Still in transit, Vincent asked, "Mister Gordon, which district are we in right now?" Without glancing back, Gordon answered impassively, "We''ve just left District 2. We''re now entering District 3." "District 2¡­?" She brought me all the way from District 12 to District 2? Vincent wondered, astonished at the distance they had traveled. Although the speed of the journey surprised him, he chose not to comment, keeping his thoughts to himself and waiting until they reached their destination. Several hours later, they arrived near the Origin Warrior Association branch in District 12. Vincent decided it was time to leave. "Mister Gordon, I''ll be fine from here." "Young Master, I''ve been instructed by the Young Lady to see you safely home." With a resigned sigh, Vincent nodded in agreement. "Alright, just drop me off at the Stellar Plaza Hotel." A few minutes later, they arrived. After expressing his gratitude, Vincent exited the hover car and exchanged contact details with Gordon. "If you ever need assistance, Young Master, just call. As long as I''m nearby, I''ll come immediately." "Thank you, Mister Gordon. Have a safe trip back." --- Finally, back at the hotel, the door swung open after just a single knock, and a figure rushed to embrace him. "Brother~" "Marina¡­" "I''m so glad you''re safe. I heard about what happened at your school from a classmate¡­" "I''m sorry for making you worry¡­" As he gently stroked her hair, Vincent noticed Amara standing at the doorway, offering a rare smile. He spent some time explaining what had happened to him the previous day, careful to omit anything that might alarm them further. "Alright, little Rina, let your brother get some rest," Amara said gently. Marina hugged him one last time before finally letting go. And Amara''s soft gaze lingered at him for a few moments before he entered his room. --- Finally alone, Vincent began to replay his conversation with Sophie before he left. "If I want to pass the entrance exam next month, I need to raise my strength. It''s wishful thinking to expect to pass the Bronzehaven Academy examination with just a Tier 1 cultivation level." He sighed and glanced at the three items laid out on his bed. The first was a box containing the Sunspire Lily he had acquired during his encounter with the Mutated Lake Serpent during the Primal Hunt. The second was a wooden token intricately carved with the letters B and H. The third item was a blue book. The second and third items were gifts from Sophie. She hadn''t specifically mentioned the use of the token, but she had clearly explained the purpose of the third and most important item¡ªa Tier 2 cultivation technique manual. Sophie had explained that breaking through to Tier 2 wasn''t as simple as accumulating experience points. One had to cultivate their Origin Energy by following specific techniques to strengthen themselves and advance. She gave him only a general overview before handing him the manual. Flow of Origin Energy Level: Tier 2 Quality: Rare Effects: Purifies Origin Energy, enhancing overall attributes by a factor of two¡­ "Flow of Origin¡­" The basic information felt vague, but Vincent decided to start learning the technique immediately. As soon as the book vanished into thin air and entered his consciousness, he instantly absorbed its fundamental concepts and methods. "So¡­ I need to gather experience points and cultivate by following this process¡­ purifying Origin Energy to enhance my basic attributes and break through Tier 2." Setting aside the other items, Vincent sat cross-legged on the bed. He closed his eyes, focused, and began to follow the guidance he had just learned. He still had 250,000 experience points left, and his Origin Energy was fully replenished. He started by channeling the energy from his Origin Core to specific acupoints in his body, circulating it in a pyramid-like formation. As the energy flowed smoothly through him, a notification echoed in his mind three minutes later. 10,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy have been consumed! +1 purified Origin Energy! He was a bit surprised at first, expecting another notification in three minutes, but it didn''t come. Confused, he dismissed the thought and cleared his mind, focusing only on the process. As soon as he let go of any expectation, the next notification sounded. 10,000 experience points and 100 origin energy have been consumed! +1 purified Origin Energy! This time, he wasn''t distracted and remained focused. The notifications started coming regularly, every minute, as he purified more energy without losing concentration. He continued until he had consumed all his experience points and accumulated 250 units of purified Origin Energy. "The conversion speed definitely stabilized when I kept my focus¡­" He summoned his interface with a thought and noticed the "+" symbol next to his attributes. Without hesitation, he tapped the plus sign next to his Force attribute. Would you like to consume 100 purified Origin Energy? As soon as he confirmed, his remaining purified energy dropped to 150, and he felt a warm sensation surge through his body and muscles as his Force attribute increased slightly¡ªfrom 7.5 to 7.6. "That''s it?" he muttered, frowning at the slight increase. Realizing that improving his attributes would take much more effort, Vincent shifted his thoughts, his gaze hardening with determination. "I think it''s time for me to return to the Origin World." Chapter 38 - 38: Please, Carry On The next day, as soon as he woke up, Vincent went to the small kitchen area of their hotel room and started preparing breakfast. Though they could order from the hotel, Marina and Sister Amara always preferred his cooking. However, since he had forgotten to buy ingredients, he could only make some fried rice, sunny-side-up eggs, bacon, and hotdogs. He also prepared coffee and hot chocolate for Sister Amara and Marina. Just as he was about to set the table, the two girls woke up and sat down for breakfast. "Good morning, brother¡­" Marina, still in her pajamas and with bed hair, greeted him with a yawn, rubbing her eyes. Amara, as usual, asked, "M''rning, do we have any beer left?" Vincent just shook his head. "I''ll be heading back to the Origin World today," he said as he placed the food on the table. The two girls were suddenly wide awake and exchanged concerned looks. Marina was the first to speak, sipping her hot chocolate. "Then be careful, brother." Her tone was casual, though her eyes betrayed her worry. Amara gave him a brief glance, nodding. "I know you can handle yourself, but... be extra careful." "I understand." Vincent didn''t argue or make any promises. He just focused on doing his best to come back to them safely, knowing that was the most important thing. After finishing breakfast, they all prepared for the day. Marina donned her school uniform, and Sister Amara was dressed in a fitted black office suit, while Vincent wore his new black armor, a gift from Sophie. Though he had initially wanted to refuse it, he accepted the armor, knowing he needed all the help he could get to grow stronger. Sophie hadn''t asked for anything in return, but Vincent silently promised himself that he would repay her one day. The armor was a rare Tier 1 quality body armament, which was a significant upgrade for him. "I''m heading out now," he said. Marina hugged him tightly before heading off to school. "Take care, brother," she said, determinedly leaving the room. As she walked out of the hotel, her resolve strengthened. "I have to become stronger... I must become an Origin Warrior too, to help my brother!" she thought. Back in the hotel room, Vincent was left alone with Amara. She stepped forward, handing him a white scroll. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Take this," she said. "Don''t ask any questions. Just... come back to us. Marina needs you and..." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "And what?" Amara looked away. "Nothing. Just come back safely." Though he was curious about what she had almost said, he didn''t press her. Instead, he nodded and, with a thought, he turned into particles of lights, leaving Amara alone in the room. "Little Vince¡­" she murmured. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Vincent reappeared in the room he had rented at the Newcomer''s Lodge in No.3 Novice Sanctuary. As soon as he arrived, he suddenly heard a woman moaning in pleasure behind him. He spun around in reflex and was shocked by the sight before him: two green-skinned, sharp-eared humanoids with black spots¡ªVyrmins¡ªengaged in an intimate moment. "Ugh, harder!" the naked female Vyrmin moaned, lying on her belly as the male pressed against her. The male Vyrmin quickened his pace, eliciting another moan of pleasure from the female. Vincent grimaced in disgust. "What the hell?! Ew!" He was not disgusted by the sex since he was not a virgin, he was disgusted because the female Vyrmin was drenched in green sticky liquid. His shout startled the Vyrmins, who immediately stopped their activity and stared at him. For a moment, there was nothing but awkward silence. Then, the female let out a deafening scream. "Kyaaaaah!" The male Vyrmin angrily covered himself with a blanket. "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" Since he was wearing his Morphic Mask albeit not using its effect, they were only able to see his purple eyes beneath the plain-emerald mask and nothing. The female Vyrmin quickly demanded, "Honey, cover me too!" Still not fully familiar with the social customs of the Origin World, Vincent hadn''t anticipated this awkward scenario when returning. Scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile, he apologized, "Uh, sorry about this. Please... carry on." He hurried out of the room and rushed downstairs. As he descended the stairs, he checked the item Amara had given him earlier, and was surprised when he read the information. Name: Instant Escape Scroll Type: Special Effect: Instantly allows escape from the Origin World without delay. Vincent''s eyes widened. "An Instant Escape Scroll? I''ve never heard of this before..." Normally, escape scrolls had a three-second delay before they could be activated. "Just where did Sister Amara get this?" he wondered, slipping the scroll into his storage ring. His curiosity about Amara''s mysterious background deepened. Pushing the thought aside for now, he reached the bar area of the Newcomer''s Lodge, where the usual bartender was waiting, eyeing him curiously. "It seems you''ve had an... interesting morning," the bartender commented. Vincent replied with a wry smile, tossing a few Origin Crystals onto the counter. "Any news while I was away?" It had been two days in the outside world, which equated to four days in the Origin World. He had to catch up. The bartender pocketed the crystals and leaned in. "The Thrygians have been getting more aggressive. They''ve been openly hunting humans, especially the young master of the Blackthorn Clan, Grarik. He''s been looking for a human specifically. I don''t know what''s happening but I''ll advise you to be careful outside." Vincent grinned beneath his mask. Grarik, huh? Looks like he''s pissed that I killed his men. "Anything else?" Vincent asked. The bartender thought for a moment before replying. "I also heard that there''s a new Tier 2 labyrinth that has appeared in the west of Verdant Wilds, where the Blackbite Rats usually roam. You might want to check it out." A new labyrinth? And Blackbite Rats? Vincent recalled fighting a few of those creatures during his previous visit to the Verdant Wilds. He then remembered the event he decided to pass last time. "When''s the next Outer District Battle?" he inquired. "In four days," the bartender answered. Vincent nodded. "Thanks. Also, I''ll need a new room for two days." "That''ll be 20 Origin Crystals," the bartender said, handing him a thin black, rectangular key. Vincent paid, stored the key in his ring, and headed to the Novice Center. His goal was simple: take on some missions, explore the newly discovered labyrinth, and check if it was a good place to efficiently gain experience. For now, he decided to hold off on breaking through. He wanted to focus on upgrading his abilities and equipment first before any major breakthroughs. He wasn''t reckless enough to push forward with cultivation at the cost of his other skills. Vincent had already reached the peak of Tier 1 but believed that between a one-star and a five-star primal, there wasn''t a significant difference in abilities and intelligence. So he was confident he could still hone his skills. He had proven that already, having faced and defeated several peak Tier 1 enemies during a primal hunt. With his upgraded skills and equipment, he was now ready to hunt them with ease. Chapter 39 - 39: Invitation When Vincent arrived at the Novice Center, the place was already packed with Novice Origin Warriors accepting missions from the mission board. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as warriors from various races crowded around the boards, their voices creating a constant murmur throughout the hall. Aside from the regular board, he noticed a smaller one titled Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, marked with ''New'' beside it, indicating it was the mission board for the newly discovered labyrinth. As expected, there were plenty of missions listed, their reward amounts catching the eye of every passing warrior. Next to the mission board stood a group of novice warriors from various races, holding a large plaque that read ''recruiting party members,'' with several Novice Origin Warriors queuing up to form teams. The line stretched across the floor, each warrior hoping to find compatible teammates. He spotted a Vyrmin male, about the height of a middle schooler, clad in bronze armor that gleamed under the center''s lights, shouting, "We need someone who can deal area damage! We''ve already got someone with healing talent! Join us!" His high-pitched voice carried across the room, drawing curious glances from passing warriors. Surprisingly, there was also a group of humans. Although they wore masks, he could tell from their fair skin and long, delicate fingernails that some were women. Their masks ranged from elaborate designs to simple coverings, each hiding their true identities from the world. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Vincent walked closer to inspect the available missions, he overheard a young woman''s voice from behind a clown-faced mask, her words carrying a hint of worry. "Have you still not contacted Dmitri?" she asked, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "Shh. It''s Macho. Call him by his alias," a male voice beneath a half-smiling joker mask corrected, glancing around nervously to ensure no one had overheard the slip. "Oh, right. I''m sorry. I''m still getting used to it." Her shoulders slumped slightly in embarrassment. "It''s fine. Just be careful next time. The Origin World is nothing like our own. We have to stay cautious; this place is full of uncertainty. If Macho doesn''t show up in five minutes, we should just recruit someone from here." The man''s voice carried the weight of experience, despite his obvious youth. Dmitri? Even though the name reminded him of his schoolmate, he doubted they were the same person. The Origin World was vast, after all, and names could be coincidental. Vincent accepted five Tier 1 (5 stars) missions, his fingers moving efficiently across the board. Since the new labyrinth was labeled Tier 2, he knew it would be filled with peak Tier 1 primals. Just as he finished, he heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, followed by a hoarse voice that grated on his nerves. "Hey, you with the ugly emerald mask!" Vincent didn''t turn around right away but glanced around, looking for anyone else wearing a similar mask. When he saw no one, he realized the voice was directed at him. Before he could react, the voice called out again, more aggressive this time. "Hey, are you deaf?!" A hand reached for his shoulder, but before it could make contact, Vincent spun around with practiced ease, grabbed the arm, twisted it slightly, and pulled, forcing the figure to stumble forward, yelping in surprise. The movement was fluid, almost casual, but contained unmistakable power. "Ow, ow! My hand! Let go of my hand!" The figure demanding release turned out to be a Boarman¡ªbipedal, covered in thick brown fur, with sharp tusks that gleamed dangerously. This one was smaller than the two other Boarmen standing nearby, including one towering almost 7-ft tall in height and wearing heavy armor that clinked with each movement. The Boarman whose arm Vincent held yelled again, his voice rising in pitch, "Let go of my arm! Brother, help me!" The larger Boarman, his voice tinged with anger and threat, commanded, "Kid, let go of my little brother now!" His massive frame tensed, ready for conflict. "You want me to let him go?" Vincent thought, grinning beneath his mask. Then, with a casual push that belied its force, he sent the smaller Boarman stumbling and rolling across the floor, drawing the attention of those nearby. The spectacle caused a ripple of whispers through the crowd. "Ugh!" "Buhik!" the muscular Boarman cried out, rushing to help his younger brother stand. "Are you alright?" His concerned tone contrasted sharply with his intimidating appearance. With his brother''s help, Buhik stood up and glared at Vincent, hatred burning in his small eyes. Vincent, still grinning behind his mask, raised his hands in mock apology. "Oops. Your brother told me to let him go, so I did. Don''t blame me." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "You!" the two brothers growled, glaring at him with undisguised fury. Unperturbed, Vincent asked, "What do you guys want from me, anyway?" He maintained his relaxed posture, though his senses remained alert. From the way Buhik had addressed him, Vincent knew they had no good intentions. He wasn''t one to look for trouble, but he also wouldn''t shy away from it when it found him. The larger Boarman, Burak, spoke with a sneer that twisted his tusked face. "I was going to be nice, but I''ve changed my mind. Hand over the missions you just accepted." Vincent finally understood their motive¡ªthe rewards from the missions he took must have attracted their greed. He might have considered negotiating if they''d shown any respect, but their hostile approach left no room for that. "What if I refuse?" Vincent asked calmly, his voice carrying an edge of steel. Burak snorted, his nostrils flaring. "Then I''ll tell you you''re stupid if you think you can survive in this world after offending me!" He revealed his peak Tier 1 strength, trying to intimidate Vincent with mental pressure, the air growing thick with tension. But before Burak could fully exert his influence, a sharp snort pierced the air, disrupting his focus. He staggered back, coughing up blood, his face contorting in shock and pain. "Cough!" "Brother!" "Leader!" Burak''s companions rushed to his side, supporting him as they stared at Vincent, who remained calm and unmoved. Fear and anger churned in their hearts, their eyes wide with disbelief. Who is this guy? They wondered, their thoughts practically visible on their faces. Vincent stayed silent, merely watching them. He had spent the previous night experimenting with his clairvoyance skill and discovered that channeling chaos energy into a mental pressure attack greatly boosted his mental attributes. The discovery had opened new possibilities for his combat style. Among all his attributes, his mental capacity was the highest. By combining this with his chaos energy, he could exert a Tier 2 (1 star) mental pressure, though it consumed a significant amount of energy. He hadn''t even tapped into his C-rank talent, Origin Enhancement, which could potentially make his attacks even stronger. Though impressed by his own abilities, Vincent heeded Sophie''s advice: "Avoid using your Primal Energy as much as possible. If you must, be discreet." The words echoed in his mind like a constant reminder. Thanks to her, he had developed a technique where no one could detect that he was using chaos energy in his mental pressure attacks. The subtlety of his power made it all the more effective. Burak, now pale and shaking slightly, asked, "W-Who are you?" "You don''t have the right to know my name. Get lost." Vincent''s dismissal was absolute. As much as they hated him, Burak and his group realized they were no match for him. "This isn''t over. We''ll meet again!" Burak snarled, though his voice trembled slightly. "Let''s go!" they hurried off, tails between their legs, their retreat watched by curious onlookers. I just got back¡­ and I''m already dealing with idiots. I need to get stronger and leave this place. These third-rate villains are getting old, Vincent thought, leaving the Novice Center to head to the new labyrinth. The encounter had barely raised his heart rate. Before he could get far, a woman''s voice called out to him, clear and determined. "Wait, mister!" Great¡­ another one. Can''t I have a peaceful day? He suppressed a sigh of frustration. He turned to see the woman with the clown-faced mask from earlier, flanked by her companions. Their masks caught the light, creating an almost theatrical scene. Curious, but weary, he responded, "Yes?" Without hesitation, the woman asked, "Would you like to join our party? We''re also heading to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth." Her voice carried a note of hope, though her mask hid her expression. Chapter 40 - 40: Blackbite Rat Labyrinth Vincent silently observed the woman in the clown-faced mask and her companions. Aside from the man with the half-smiling joker mask, who had the strength of a Peak Tier 1, the others were only Tier 1, with 3-star and 4-star rankings. He had already made up his mind, but before he could voice his decision, the man in the joker mask stepped forward. "Ah, sorry for approaching you so suddenly. We''re actually short of one person. One of our party members couldn''t make it, so we won''t be able to enter without the minimum of five." "Oh, and I apologize if you already have a party. This young lady here was just eager to have you join ours," he said, patting the woman in the clown mask on the head. She didn''t protest, her gaze fixed on Vincent. She had witnessed his earlier encounter¡ªhow he defeated the man with just a snort. That convinced her he was stronger than them, so she decided to recruit him. Vincent, on the other hand, was taken aback. There''s a party requirement to enter a labyrinth? He mused. The bartender hadn''t mentioned that. His plan was to investigate the labyrinth on his own, but now it seemed he needed to be part of a group to enter. With no other option and the opportunity in front of him, he tossed aside his initial refusal. He figured he might as well accept the invitation and observe their talents. His farming might slowed down, but he had nothing to lose. "How about it?" the man in the half-smiling joker mask asked. Vincent nodded, smiling behind his own mask. "Sure." The woman in the clown mask reacted first. "Nice! I''m Clauny!" She introduced herself, shaking his hand forcefully. The joker-masked man laughed, pulling her back. "You''re getting too close, Clauny. By the way, you can call me Jokyr." Vincent shook his hand, introducing himself as ''Shroud''. It was clear they were using aliases. Well, anyone would do in their case. After all, this world was a survival of the fittest. A little conflict could start a war. The other two companions introduced themselves as well¡ªSwordy and Rossy, a man and woman whose masks matched their names, a golden sword and thorny red roses, intricately designed. A few minutes later, they reached the newly formed labyrinth. The dense forest around the entrance had been cleared, leaving space for several tents and stalls on either side. The labyrinth itself had three cave-like entrances, each with a line of novice origin warrior groups waiting to enter. Vincent scanned the area, noticing many Tier 1 origin warriors and a few Tier 2s, but no sign of any Tier 3s. It seemed that this low-tier labyrinth didn''t attract the attention of higher-ranking warriors. It''s understandable¡­ if I''m a Tier 3 warrior, I also won''t waste my time here. After waiting for a while, it was finally their turn. Standing before the three-meter-tall entrance, a digital screen appeared in front of them. Would you like to enter the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth? Vincent wasn''t surprised. His temporary companions also had the same screen pop up. Once he accepted, the counter appeared: 1 of 5. It quickly filled to 5 of 5 as the others agreed. You may now enter the labyrinth! Good luck! They exchanged glances, nodded, and stepped forward, passing through the liquid-like surface of the entrance. It felt just like the sensation he had experienced during the Primal Hunt field event. "Let''s go!" Soon, they found themselves in a narrow passage that could only fit two adults walking side by side. Jokyr, as the acting party leader, took the lead. Vincent noticed that his companions didn''t seem surprised by the surroundings. He glanced back at the entrance, curious as to why no other groups were entering behind them. Plenty of people had been waiting, so why wasn''t anyone following? Strange¡­ Noticing his confusion, Jokyr spoke up. "Is this your first time here?" Vincent nodded, seeing no reason to hide the fact that he was new to this labyrinth. "I thought so. You''re probably wondering why no one else is coming in, right?" "Yeah, that''s right." A chuckle cut in their conversation. "Haha, don''t worry about it. There are a lot of entrance and exit points in this place. It''s rare to spawn with another group in the same location," Swordy chimed in. "You all seem pretty familiar with this place," Vincent remarked. Jokyr chuckled. "Kind of. We started grinding here on the first day this labyrinth appeared. Last time, we made it to the third underground level. I''m not sure how deep it goes, but we plan to conquer it." From that, Vincent gleaned a lot of information. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So, it''s an underground labyrinth¡­ They''ve made it to the third level, and it goes even deeper. "All right, team, let''s move. Same formation. Shroud, you stay at the back with Clauny and observe. Jump in if you see an opportunity, okay?" Vincent nodded, finding nothing wrong with the arrangement. They were still on the first floor, where only Tier 1, 1- to 2-star primals roamed. Most of the creatures were Blackbite Rats, which traveled in packs. Before Jokyr could give any commands, Swordy lunged forward, slashing his thin but sharp sword through a group of rats. Squeak! The rats stood no chance against Swordy''s swift attack. The group continued moving through familiar territory, as they had been there before. Half an hour later, they arrived at the second underground level. Despite the vastness of the first floor, they had easily found the entrance to the next. They had only encountered a few groups of novice warriors, all of whom were at the early stages of Tier 1. On the second floor, the cave-like pathway widened but grew darker. The first floor had been lit by glowing stones embedded in the walls, but down here, the light was sparse. As soon as they reached the second floor, Rossy pulled out a fist-sized white gem. It was an Illuminary Stone. With a tap, it emitted a steady, bright light, hovering above them and illuminating their path. Jokyr stepped forward again. "Let''s keep up the pace and stay alert. We might start running into other parties now." The group nodded in agreement, Vincent included. "So, how do you feel about our pace, Shroud?" Jokyr asked, unaware of his real strength. Vincent didn''t feel the need to argue, understanding Jokyr meant no harm with the question. Clauny, however, thought differently. "Leader, he might be stronger than you," she said with a smirk. Jokyr laughed, thinking Clauny was just trying to boost Vincent''s confidence. But he didn''t take her seriously. "Let''s keep moving," he said, brushing off her comment. Clauny, frustrated by being ignored, glanced at Vincent, hoping he''d back her up. But she only met his calm, purple eyes before he followed the others. "Hey! Wait up!" she called, hurrying after them. After nearly an hour of traversing the second level and battling Tier 1, 2- to 3-star primals, they finally reached the entrance to the third floor. The journey had been smooth, though they had used up some of their origin energy and stamina. --- Chapter 41 - 41: Blackbite Rat Labyrinth (2) At the entrance to the third underground level¡ªa wide, three-meter hole¡ªJokyr spoke, "Let''s take a quick rest, replenish our origin energy, and then we''ll head in." He removed several bags from his storage ring and distributed them among his companions. It seemed the group had only one storage ring, and Jokyr was responsible for it. After setting up a simple camp, the group sat down on a mantle, beginning to replenish their energy by absorbing origin crystals. Jokyr stood by, guarding his companions. Vincent, meanwhile, took a single origin crystal and absorbed it. You recover +1 origin energy! Talent activated! You recover +10,000 origin energy! In an instant, his origin energy was full. A moment later, Clauny finished recovering her energy and sat beside him, staring up at him curiously. He met her gaze, wondering what she was up to. "What are you doing?" he asked, seeing her openly watching him. "Nothing. Just curious about what you look like behind that mask," she replied, tucking her black hair behind her ear. Amused by her youthful behavior, he decided to tease her. "Do you want to see?" He kept a serious tone but was grinning behind his mask. Clauny was taken aback for a moment. Eh? Will he really reveal his face? Why? she wondered, surprised. She had only said it, assuming he wouldn''t take her seriously. But here he was, willing to do it just because she''d asked? Maybe he likes me? she thought, her cheeks warming beneath her clown-faced mask. Slightly flustered but determined, she nodded. Seeing her serious expression, Vincent couldn''t help but grin wider. "Alright," he said, voice serious. "But I''ll only show it to you. No telling anyone, okay?" "I promise," she nodded eagerly. "Then close your eyes first." She closed her eyes without hesitation. Still grinning, he gently touched his emerald mask, slowly morphing it. "Are you ready?" Clauny nodded, eyes shut. "Alright, on the count of three, open your eyes." "One¡­" "Two¡­" He leaned in close, just inches from her mask, and whispered, "Three." As soon as she heard "three," she opened her eyes¡ªand promptly screamed, "Kyaaaaaah!" Her scream startled the others, especially Jokyr, who was on lookout. He spun around, immediately looking at Clauny, who was covering her face with her hands. "W-What happened?!" he demanded, hurrying to her side. "What''s wrong, Clauny?" Clauny didn''t answer, only pointing in Vincent''s direction. Jokyr and the others turned to look at Vincent, stunned to see a woman''s pale face with long, wet black hair¡ªan image straight out of a horror film. In the dim surroundings, the effect was chilling. Vincent couldn''t hold it any longer and burst out laughing, shifting his mask back to its usual form. "Haha, sorry! I was just messing with her." Clauny peeked through her fingers, immediately going silent at the sound of his laughter. The others were equally taken aback. "You..." Clauny managed, speechless. Jokyr swallowed hard, asking cautiously, "H-How did you do that?" He was beginning to wonder if they''d recruited a ghost into their party. "It''s nothing, just one of my simple tricks." Seeing that Vincent didn''t want to explain further, Jokyr sensibly changed the subject. "Alright, five more minutes, then we''ll move." Clauny glared at Vincent and huffed in annoyance, which only made him laugh more at how easily she''d been tricked. Just as the group finished resting, a series of hurried footsteps approached from the distance. "Someone''s coming. To your positions." Jokyr quickly alerted everyone, taking position shoulder to shoulder with Swordy. Rossy stood in the middle, with Vincent and Clauny covering the rear. The footsteps grew louder, revealing three Vyrmin warriors in tattered armor, pursued by a towering, two-meter-tall black rat. It was a Tier 1 (4-star) Thornback Rat. True to its name, spiky bones protruded from its spine to its tail. With a powerful leap, the rat''s sharp incisors sank into one of the male Vyrmin, splitting him in half. His companions, wide-eyed with terror, fled toward Vincent''s party, casting a last, horrified glance at their fallen comrade as his form dissolved into digital particles. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Get out of the way!" The fastest Vyrmin shouted, panic clouding his mind as he ran, heedless of his companions'' survival. "Honey! Wait for me!" cried the female Vyrmin running behind him, her tight breastplate dress clinking as she struggled to keep up. Vincent raised his brows, recognizing the pair as the same couple he''d caught in a rather intimate moment earlier. "What do we do, leader?" Swordy asked. Jokyr frowned beneath his mask, then gave the command: "Make way!" "Tch!" As much as he wanted to block the Vyrmin who had dragged a Thornback Rat into their path, he bit his tongue and obeyed. The male Vyrmin rushed past them without a word of thanks, forgetting his partner entirely. "Honey¡ª!" the female Vyrmin began, only to trip over a rock and tumble to the ground. "Agh!" she cried, struggling to sit up as the Thornback Rat loomed above her, casting a menacing shadow. Her face went pale as she looked up at the primal, its maw open, ready to strike. Squeak! With a chilling squeal, it prepared to bite when a shadow shot forward, striking the rat''s skull and piercing straight through. A fist-sized hole appeared in its head. The creature was dead. It toppled to the ground beside the frozen Vyrmin. Clauny''s eyes went wide as she turned to Vincent, shock evident behind her clown-faced mask. "H-How?" she stammered. All she''d seen was Vincent casually picking up a fist-sized rock, coating it in Origin Energy, and tossing it. Although she knew Vincent was powerful¡ªshe''d seen him take down a Peak Tier 1 Boarman in the Novice Center¡ªshe hadn''t expected him to one-hit a primal, especially one known for its speed. As he threw the rock, Vincent finally heard a familiar notification confirming the Thornback Rat''s condition. You have successfully killed a Tier 1 (4-star) Thornback Rat! +25 experience points! Talent activated! 10,000x! +250,000 experience points! "Yeah, I''ve grown strong enough to one-hit a Tier 1 (4-star) primal now¡­" he thought, feeling the stunned stares of his companions. "H-How did you do that?" Jokyr asked, disbelief creeping into his voice. He was finally realizing that Clauny wasn''t exaggerating. Swordy and Rossy were also staring, mouths agape. Chapter 42 - 42: Showing Strength "Nothing, I just threw it." Vincent shrugged, then walked over to help the stunned female Vyrmin still seated on the ground. Reaching out his hand, he asked, "Are you okay?" When she finally regained her senses, the female Vyrmin let out a loud scream, realizing how close she had come to dying. Calming down, she took the offered hand, only to freeze again when she recognized the mask. It was the same face she''d seen earlier when caught in a private moment with her partner. "You''re the¡­" Before she could finish, Vincent cut her off. "We''re even now." "Huh?" "I accidentally saw you two earlier, and then I saved you. So, we''re even." "Oh, right¡­" she replied in a daze, then recalled her partner, who had left her to die. "S''van!!" Jokyr walked up, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "I guess that was the guy who ran the fastest. He''s probably escaped by now," he said, joining the group. Turning to Vincent, Jokyr asked, "Do you know her?" "No, just happened to run into her this morning. I owed her one," Vincent replied casually. "What are you going to do now?" Jokyr asked the female Vyrmin. Still fuming over S''van''s betrayal, the female Vyrmin seemed torn. She sighed, glancing at them with a conflicted expression. She had an escape scroll¡ªone given to her by her boyfriend¡ªbut she felt reluctant to impose on these strangers who had saved her. "I have an escape scroll, so I''ll be going. But first, let me thank you for saving me. What''s your name?" she asked, looking directly at Vincent. "Shroud," he answered curtly. She nodded. "I''m S''hannah. I''ll repay you someday for saving me, Shroud. Goodbye." Without waiting for a response, she tore the escape scroll. Three seconds later, her form dissolved into particles of light and disappeared. With S''hannah gone, Jokyr and the others fixed Vincent with sharp gazes, almost making him uncomfortable. "What?" Seizing the moment, Clauny spoke up, "I told you guys, Shroud is stronger than the leader. You didn''t believe me." Her tone was triumphant, her hands on her hips as if she''d been the one to take down the Thornback Rat with a single blow. Swordy and Rossy remained silent, but Jokyr eyed Vincent cautiously. Initially, he''d thought Vincent was a mere novice, but now it was clear he was a formidable warrior, perhaps as strong as himself. This realization made Jokyr wary. In the worst-case scenario, if Vincent¡ªor Shroud¡ªbetrayed them, Jokyr wasn''t confident he could protect his companions. Yet, he trusted his instincts. He felt that Vincent was not a malicious person. They resumed their journey, descending to the third underground level. The third level of the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth greeted them with a stench as foul as rotting corpses. The space was larger and brighter than before, more suited for a big battle, though the nauseating smell lingered in the air. Fortunately, Vincent''s mask filtered out the smell, while the others took out nose plugs and blocked their nostrils. Amused, Vincent asked, "Why are you all plugging your noses? Can''t you use origin energy to block the smell?" Clauny replied, "We can''t afford to waste origin energy like that. We need to conserve it if we want to reach the next level." The others nodded in agreement. Swordy reached into his pocket and pulled out an extra pair of nose plugs. "Good thing I brought an extra. Here, take these, Shroud." Vincent glanced at the plugs but shook his head. "I''m fine. I can handle it." Swordy clicked his tongue, slipping the plugs back into his pocket. "Tch. Don''t come asking for them later when you''ve used up all your origin energy." Just as Swordy finished speaking, Vincent sensed a presence approaching from a distance, though the others seemed unaware. "Something''s coming." The statement caused everyone''s brows to raise, especially Jokyr, who prided himself on his scouting abilities. "What are you talking about? I don''t sense anything," Jokyr replied, doubting Vincent''s claim. His own sensing skill detected presences within a 40-meter range, so he assumed Vincent was being overly sensitive. Clauny, however, trusted Vincent''s intuition. "How many?" she asked. "At least ten¡­" Vincent wasn''t surprised that Clauny trusted him¡ªshe''d been his one believer from the start. "And their strength?" Clauny pressed further. "About four stars." Jokyr still seemed skeptical. He couldn''t detect anything, yet Vincent could pinpoint both the numbers and strength of the approaching enemies? It didn''t add up. More than that, the last time they''d been here, they''d never encountered a group of four-star Tier 1 primals. Most late and peak Tier 1 creatures roamed solo. "You''re talking nonsense¡ª" Swordy started, but Jokyr interrupted, his expression shifting to disbelief. "Positions! We have incoming!" "You can''t be serious!" Swordy exclaimed, gripping his sword. Soon, several large shadows appeared in the distance, kicking up clouds of dust as they advanced. When the figures finally came into view, Jokyr recognized them instantly. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Blackbite Rats¡­ Toxic Toads¡­ Razorfang Rats¡­ and even a Poisonous Toad Leader!" "There are so many¡­" Rossy, usually silent, couldn''t hold back. "Leader, what''s the plan? Are we fighting?" Swordy asked, his voice tense under the pressure radiating from the Poisonous Toad Leader, which was stronger than him. Jokyr hesitated, torn between retreating and advancing. But retreating would be risky; they''d have to climb or locate one of the rare exit points on this level. He made a decision. "Prepare yourselves! We''re moving forward!" "But how?" someone asked. "Help me handle the other primals. Buy me time to kill the Poisonous Toad Leader," Jokyr commanded. "Rossy, create a barricade around the Poisonous Toad Leader¡ªseparate it from the others!" "On it!" Rossy replied without hesitation. She raised her hand, which glowed with an earthy hue, and commanded, "Sprout!" Instantly, thorny branches erupted from the ground, isolating the Toad Leader at the back and immobilizing it. Clauny suddenly leapt into action. She summoned a wooden staff, raising it as it glowed faintly yellow. "Boost!" she cried. The yellow light fell upon Rossy, who was still summoning the thorny branches. Her speed increased, forming a dense cage around the 2-meter-tall Poisonous Toad Leader. "Great work, Rossy and Clauny!" Jokyr praised. "Swordy and Shroud, buy me time. I''ll handle the Toad Leader." Swordy met Vincent''s gaze, and they nodded, moving into position. Vincent had no intention of hiding his abilities. He summoned his [Duskedge Blade], activating Venomstrike Lash along with Duskedge Wave. A dark-purple, crescent-shaped slash flew toward the advancing primals. The attack was also enhanced by his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. A loud explosion shook the ground as a cloud of purple smoke erupted upon impact. Jokyr and the others stood stunned, their jaws dropping as the smoke cleared. At least ten Tier 1 primals, ranging from two to four stars, had been obliterated, reduced to particles of digital light. "Are you kidding me?" Chapter 43 - 43: Upgrade Amidst the shocked expressions of Jokyr and the others, Vincent finally heard the satisfying notification of gaining experience points as the defeated primals collapsed into shimmering particles, dropping several items. Talent Activated! +250,000 experience points! +125,000¡­ Before anyone could react, Vincent blinked, reappearing near the remaining primals. With precise strikes, he cut through each one, leaving only the Poisonous Toad Leader alive. Talent Activated! +125,000 experience points! +12¡­ Turning to Jokyr, he asked, "You wouldn''t mind if I took care of that toad, right?" Since he had the ability, Vincent saw no reason to hold back on farming experience points. Keeping his strength hidden wouldn''t lead to growth; being cautious was one thing, but holding back was another. He had no intention of slowing his progress¡ªonly a fool would do that. His plan to improve his cultivation rested on his assumption that the power gap within Tier 1, from 1-star to 5-stars, wasn''t substantial. Once he reached Tier 2, however, it would be a different story. So, he decided to push everything to its limit at peak Tier 1. Since his experience points were capped at one million, he anticipated that future upgrades might demand over a million points. Still frozen in shock, Jokyr replied subconsciously, "No¡­" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a nod and a quick "thanks," Vincent tightened his grip on his weapon and unleashed Duskedge Wave, slicing through Rossy''s thorny cage. His strike pierced the toad''s head and body, cutting it cleanly in half. You have successfully killed a Poisonous Toad Leader! +50 experience points! Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! In an instant, the toad disintegrated into particles of light, leaving behind a green orb and various materials, along with origin crystals on the ground. The sight of his experience points maxing out was immensely satisfying. "This is so fulfilling¡­" he thought, thoroughly pleased with his awakened talent. He couldn''t wait to upgrade his abilities and equipment. However, Clauny and the others hurried over, their eyes wide with curiosity. "That was amazing, Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed, her long brown hair bouncing as she spoke. "That''s...indeed amazing," Rossy murmured, still visibly surprised beneath her mask as she absently twirled a lock of her curly red hair. "Yeah, quite amazing¡­" Even Swordy couldn''t deny it. Jokyr, meanwhile, wore an unreadable expression. He could no longer assume that Vincent was just another Tier 1; he himself was a peak Tier 1 and could have handled the Poisonous Toad Leader, but not without a struggle. "There''s a lot of materials here¡­ and even some uncommon items," Clauny said, her eyes sparkling at the loot on the ground. Vincent ignored the other items and focused on the green orb left by the toad leader. Picking it up, it transformed into a necklace with a distinctive emerald hue. Name: Necklace of Resistance Quality: Uncommon Effects: Slightly increased poison resistance The item didn''t specify the exact boost to poison resistance, but it was still valuable¡ªand would be even better once he upgraded it. He''d have to test it out, though. Looking at the others, he asked, "You guys wouldn''t mind if I took this item, right?" Everyone turned to Jokyr, the party leader. Seeing the others waiting for his decision, Jokyr considered Vincent''s request. Since Vincent had taken down the toad, with initial assistance from Rossy and Clauny, Jokyr had no desire to contest it. But he was taken aback by Vincent''s next words. "I''m only taking the toad leader''s drop items. The rest is yours." "What? Are you sure? Some of this stuff would still fetch a decent price!" Vincent shook his head; his storage space was limited, and for some reason, he hadn''t been able to upgrade the storage ring he''d received from Azhara. So he only took what he needed and what was mission-essential. "It''s fine, I can''t carry it all anyway." "Are you sure?" Jokyr asked, still hesitating. Meanwhile, Clauny had already started looting, clearly not needing any further encouragement. "Stop hesitating and help me pick these up," she called. Imaginary lines of irritation appeared on Jokyr''s forehead as he shook his head in mild exasperation. "Apologies for Clauny," he said. "I have no idea where she gets this behavior." Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly behind his mask, reminded of his younger sister, Marina, who had a similar knack for opportunism. As they looted, Vincent considered which skills he should upgrade. Though he''d somewhat expected it, he still felt a pang of frustration upon discovering that it would cost a hefty 500,000 experience points to enhance his rare skills to epic quality. Yet, he reminded himself that very few Tier 1s would possess an epic skill. Now, he just had to decide which two skills to prioritize. There was Flowing Origin Technique, which focused on his fundamentals; Blink of Origin, a movement ability crucial for survival; Venomstrike Lash, a potent debuff skill; and Flow of Origin Energy, a Tier 2 cultivation manual. He ruled out his armaments for now since he couldn''t risk exposing his cheat-like talent. There was also Basic Origin Meditation, which centered on cultivating mental attributes, though he saw no immediate need for it. Why worry about which one to upgrade first? He could farm more experience points later¡­ nothing''s going to change. With that thought, he decided to upgrade his debuff and movement skills. His current strength was sufficient against any Tier 1 primal, and he had no intention of tackling Tier 2 just yet. Well, for now¡­ While he might consider fighting above his level someday, he wanted more skills¡ªand upgraded ones¡ªbefore attempting anything that dangerous. He wasn''t about to risk his life when he had a safe route to growth. You have successfully upgraded Venomstrike Lash! You have successfully upgraded Blink of Origin! Skill Name: Abyssal Venomlash Quality: Epic Effect: Releases a wave of venomous energy from the weapon, causing corrosive venom to envelop enemies within a 10-meter radius. The toxic aura inflicts severe poison damage over time, with each pulse amplifying the damage taken by 15%. Affected enemies suffer agonizing wounds, which lead to blood loss, impaired regeneration, and persistent bleeding. Additionally, Abyssal Venomlash has a 40% chance to destabilize targets, stunning or slowing their movement and attack speed by 30% for 5 seconds. Skill Duration: 10 seconds Range: 10 meters Poison Duration: 20 seconds Bleed Duration: 15 seconds Stun/Slow Chance: 40% Slow Effect: 30% Cooldown: 60 seconds Consumption: 250 Origin Energy "It''s a ranged attack now¡­" he thought, before moving on to check the upgraded version of his movement skill. Skill Name: One-Step Shift Quality: Epic Effect: Instantly shifts the user 50 meters in any direction, bypassing physical barriers and obstacles. During the shift, the user gains a brief period of heightened perception, allowing for precise control over positioning and navigation in challenging terrain. For 5 seconds after reappearing, movement speed is boosted by 40%, enhancing agility for quick repositioning or escape. Range: 50 meters Movement Speed Boost: 40% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 15 seconds Consumption: 500 (reduced to 75 at max proficiency) "Damn, this is basically teleportation now." Chapter 44 - 44: Encounter "Damn, this is practically teleportation now," he thought, marveling at the astonishing leap in his upgraded skills. With an epic skill at his command, he felt unrivaled. "None of my peers can match me in movement speed now¡­" He was briefly overjoyed, but his excitement faded as he saw the absurd requirements to elevate his epic skill to the next level. Requirements: 1,500,000 experience points and 3 epic skills. "This is insane. That''s an outrageous amount of experience, plus three epic skills, just to reach legendary?" he muttered to himself. Little did he know, most veteran origin warriors had never encountered an epic skill, let alone a legendary one. The task felt overwhelming now, given his novice status, but he knew that as he raised his cultivation, gathering experience would eventually become easier. Just then, Clauny, who had just finished collecting loot, came closer and waved her small hand in front of his face, breaking him from his thoughts. "Hey, are you okay?" He nodded at her, and Jokyr took one last look at the ravaged surroundings before giving the order: "Let''s go!" What ran through Jokyr''s mind, no one could tell. Slash! With a flashing crossed slash, Jokyr and Swordy sliced through a massive rat together, killing it instantly. As the creature collapsed, disintegrating into shimmering light, Jokyr sheathed his weapon and looked up at the faintly shining gem above, just before its light dimmed. "Slow down," he commanded, raising his fist slightly. Vincent and the others immediately halted. "We''re near the last point we explored. Let''s switch out the illuminary stone before moving forward. Rossy!" Jokyr called. "On it!" Rossy responded quickly. As they took a brief rest, Vincent remained on high alert, scanning their surroundings. He sensed that something unusual lurked further ahead. Based on Jokyr''s remarks and the area they had just explored, it seemed highly abnormal to encounter a group of primals led by a peak Tier 1 leader here. Despite his enhanced senses, courtesy of his chaos energy, Vincent stayed cautious; he was keenly aware he wasn''t invincible. His chaos energy even allowed him glimpses into the future through clairvoyance, but he was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary. Unleashing it fully would be risky since he couldn''t control it yet. Even a minor use might disrupt his perception, making the ability unpredictable. "It''s done, leader," Rossy reported. "Alright, let''s move out," Jokyr ordered. As they resumed, Jokyr spoke, slowing his pace slightly. "Be ready. This time, we''re fighting the Blackbite Rat Leader. Last time, we couldn''t defeat it due to its overwhelming summoning abilities, but we''ve practiced for it now. Plus, we have Shroud''s help this time. Just stay focused and follow my lead. Understood?" "Yes!" they all replied in unison. Soon, Vincent spotted a wide cave entrance in the distance. Focusing his senses, he frowned. "There it is¡ªthe Blackbite Rat Leader''s den. Move carefully!" Jokyr announced. They can''t sense it, Vincent thought, his brows furrowing. Before they could step inside, he held up a hand. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait." The others halted, turning to him in confusion. "What''s wrong, Shroud?" Clauny asked, standing beside him. "There''s something inside. Be careful," Vincent warned. Swordy, however, rolled his eyes. "Isn''t that obvious? We''re here to get revenge on that rat leader." He made Vincent''s concern seem unnecessary, but Jokyr wasn''t dismissive. Now that he had seen Vincent''s strength, he took his words seriously. "Enough. Stay close. Moving with caution won''t hurt," Jokyr instructed, and Swordy begrudgingly followed the command. They entered the den, and Jokyr soon sensed something was wrong. Normally, they''d be swarmed by low-level blackbite rats by now. Yet several minutes passed, and they hadn''t encountered a single primal. "Where are all the primals?" Clauny finally voiced, noticing the unusual silence. "The answer might lie behind that light¡­" Rossy murmured, staring at a large, glowing hole in the distance. They approached the source of the light, finding themselves peering into an abyss teeming with countless small black shapes. Focusing, they realized it was a sea of blackbite rats! In the middle of the swarm, a group of origin warriors¡ªtwo females and three males¡ªstood surrounded, their armor tattered, their masks broken. Their faces were visible now, showing exhaustion and despair. Humans. They were all humans. One warrior, a striking woman with black hair, was the group''s last line of defense, relentlessly releasing gusts of wind despite her fatigue. Vincent blinked in surprise; he recognized her. She wasn''t just any warrior. "Ana Blackwings¡­" he whispered. Clauny and the others gasped, taken aback by the scene. "Are those¡­ disgusting rats?!" Clauny exclaimed. "A group of humans trapped in that sea of rats!" Rossy pointed out, noting Ana''s party''s desperate situation. "They''re as good as dead," Swordy muttered, scowling. "Leader, we have to help them!" Clauny pleaded, glancing at Jokyr. Jokyr stayed silent, his expression tense. He wanted to help, but as their leader, he couldn''t afford to endanger his own team without weighing the risks. Was it worth it? Could they manage it safely? Seeing him hesitate, Clauny grew more anxious, shaking his arm in frustration. "What are you doing, leader? They''re going to die. You have to decide!" "Clauny¡­" Rossy and Swordy murmured, concerned about her agitation. As Jokyr deliberated, Ana took a deep breath below, wiping sweat from her flawless face. She glanced over at her little translucent-winged, horned rabbit on her shoulder¡ªher summoned companion, ''Little Winter,'' who looked equally drained. "Are you alright, Little Winter?" she asked softly. The tiny creature blinked its crystal blue eyes, pushing through its exhaustion and nodding in determination. "I''m sorry to ask more of you, but we need your help to create a path," Ana said gently. Little Winter shook its head, signaling her not to worry, then floated above her, preparing to fight. Ana''s hand glowed with a soft white light as she activated an innate skill. "Boost!" she commanded, channeling her energy into the creature. With a faint squeak, Little Winter unleashed twin whirlwinds, ripping through the sea of rats. But as the whirlwinds faded, the tiny creature wobbled in the air, on the verge of collapsing. "Winter!" Ana cried, racing to catch her summon. But as she reached for it, rats surged through the gap left by the whirlwinds. "Ana, look out!" one of her female companions shouted, warning her of the danger. Ana glimpsed the approaching swarm over her shoulder, her face paling. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. Yet, instead of an attack, she heard the sound of rats squealing in pain¡ªand then, a familiar voice. "Are you alright?" She opened her eyes, astonished, to see a tall figure standing before her, his face hidden by an emerald mask. "You¡­" Her eyes widened. She could recognize the man in front of her despite hiding under a mask. Chapter 45 - 45: Strength of Epic Skill "You¡­" Ana was shocked. Though he wore a mask, she recognized his voice without a doubt. Vincent interrupted her after a quick glance. "It seems you''re alright. Go, take a rest. I''ll handle this." Ana was speechless. Unsure of what to do, she walked subconsciously toward her companions, carrying Little Winter in her arms. Facing the countless Blackbite Rats, a normal human would likely despair. But to him, they were weaklings unworthy of experience points. He could, however, gain experience by finding the source of these rats. But he could still not pinpoint its location. He had to do something to let it reveal itself. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gripping his Duskedge Blade, he considered how to annihilate the Blackbite Rats most efficiently. Before he could move, several shadows approached and stood around him: Jokyr and the others. "Why did you jump in alone?!" Clauny complained, evidently frustrated. Jokyr stepped closer, giving Clauny a gentle knock on her head. "You idiot! You saw Shroud jump, and you immediately followed!" Jokyr sounded angry, but his voice held more concern. Rossy and Swordy had also joined, worried about Clauny. Vincent couldn''t help but smile behind his mask, surprised to see them all jump in. This group seemed odd and a bit reckless, yet he was glad for it. They were far better than cold-blooded people. It showed that despite conflicts in human territory, humans in the Origin World were compassionate toward their own kind. Just like when he had received help on his first day in Origin World. Jokyr, though still annoyed, could only sigh before facing Vincent. "You jumped first. It''s your responsibility now. What''s your plan?" His gaze was serious and determined, and Clauny looked at him with anticipation. Rossy and Swordy simply followed Jokyr''s command. A soft laugh escaped Vincent. Shaking his head briefly, he began. Though it was true he had jumped first, he hadn''t asked them to follow. Even so, he wouldn''t argue over it. He voiced his plan: "Rossy, I want you to use the skill you used to isolate the Poisonous Toad Leader earlier. Make a simple barricade to protect yourselves." He glanced at Jokyr and Swordy. "I need you to keep them safe in the barricade. If you have a way to attract the primals, use it." Clauny chimed in, "What about me?" Vincent paused. He had only a vague idea of her abilities. Even the others hadn''t revealed their full strength. "What can you do besides buffing Rossy''s casting speed?" he asked. "I can heal and summon a small anti-toxin barrier," she replied. Vincent''s purple eyes glinted for a second before he decided. "How long can it last?" "I can hold it as long as I have enough energy." "How''s your origin energy?" "I still have more than half." "Alright. Once Rossy casts the barricade, I want you to summon the anti-toxin barrier. Keep it up until I tell you otherwise. Understood?" Clauny nodded with determination. Jokyr then handed him a small pouch. "What''s this?" Vincent asked. "This will help you attract these disgusting rats. Don''t open it now," Jokyr said hastily, stopping Vincent as he began to open it. "Open it when the time is right." Vincent nodded. "Thank you." "Don''t mention it. Do what you need to. Good luck." Holding his Duskedge Blade, Vincent didn''t hesitate and leaped into the sea of Blackbite Rats, slashing his sword to clear a ten-meter radius instantly. Seeing this, Jokyr promptly commanded, "Go, Rossy!" Without hesitation, Rossy raised her hands. "Sprout!" Thorny branches sprouted from the ground around them. Clauny followed up with her staff. "Boost!" Rossy''s casting speed increased rapidly, soon forming a ten-meter circular barrier. Clauny then stomped her staff on the ground, creating a transparent green barrier. Vincent glanced over his shoulder to confirm their setup was complete. He held out the pouch and pulled the string. "Let''s see what you can do¡­" A nauseating smell wafted out, worse than the foulest stench. The sea of Blackbite Rats squeaked, then swarmed toward him as if bewitched. Vincent began to run in a circle, attracting them all. Inside the barrier, Clauny and the others, now regrouped with Ana''s group, watched him with worry. "Will he be alright?" Ana''s female companion asked, her voice filled with concern. Before Ana could answer, Clauny approached. "He''ll be fine. Let''s trust him. But if you want to help, you need to recover quickly. I''ll treat you all now¡­" As Clauny worked, Ana could only look at Vincent, being chased by countless rats, with an unreadable expression. Back to Vincent. Seeing the swarm furiously chasing him, he decided to end things swiftly. He leaped, distancing himself from Ana and the others. Standing firm, he raised his Duskedge Blade with both hands and whispered, "Abyssal Venomlash!" The blade emitted a toxic aura, and with a loud "ha!" venomous, corrosive energy waves spread out, enveloping the primals within a ten-meter radius. The rats, as if bewitched, halted, coughed blood, turned purple, and dropped dead. The swarm continued to push forward, dying within seconds, as if he had sprayed them with bug repellent. In ten seconds, he killed thousands of Blackbite Rats, leaving Jokyr and the others watching in awe. "He''s so strong¡­" Rossy muttered, amazed. Ana, holding Little Winter, reacted as well. "He''s gotten stronger¡­" Though the Abyssal Venomlash''s effect ended, he had managed to kill half of them, though thousands still remained. Without hesitation, he activated his C-rank talent, Origin Power Enhancement, and began slashing, using his blade''s skills, releasing waves of purple energy, killing the rats and turning them into shimmering lights. A minute later, he unleashed Abyssal Venomlash again, killing the remaining rats. But before he could celebrate, a loud squeak sounded from deep within, causing a faint tremor that shocked Ana and the others, still awestruck by Vincent''s strength. Turning at the source of sound, he found a giant and plump rat, it had a height of almost 3-meter tall. It was emitting a nauseating smell and corrosive aura with a hint of familiar energy. It was like his chaos energy but somehow different. It was the same energy he felt before entering the den. Chapter 46 - 46: What just happened? "What is that¡­?" "Isn''t that the Blackbite Rat Leader we fought last time? But something''s wrong with it¡­" "It has mutated," Ana interjected, clarifying the confusion within Jokyr''s group. Her gaze hardened as she observed the grotesque creature. Jokyr and the others stared tensely at the Blackbite Rat Leader, hidden behind their masks. Despite the distance, they could sense its strength. Vincent, closest to it, could feel it had power nearly at Tier 2, making him frown. Although he had fought a mutated primal during the Primal Hunt, this creature was evidently stronger. With a roar-like squeak, the enormous Blackbite Rat Leader''s figure suddenly blurred, covering the 40-meter gap in just three strides. It appeared before him, swinging its front paw, claws sharp and glinting. "Shroud!" Clauny, who had just finished tending to Ana''s injured companion, couldn''t help but shout in alarm. The others watching grew concerned as well. However, when the creature''s attack landed, Vincent''s figure vanished, its claws slashing through an afterimage. Vincent''s voice came from beside Clauny. "Why are you shouting? I''m right here." A surprised yelp escaped their lips as they looked at him, wide-eyed. "H-How did you get here¡­?" Clauny was still in shock. It was nearly 40 meters away¡ªthey had no idea how Vincent had suddenly appeared beside them, especially with the thorny branches of Rossy''s skill guarding them. Vincent was inwardly impressed by the effect of his Epic Quality movement skill. Ignoring their shock, he turned to Jokyr. "That thing is dangerous. I''d suggest you fall back. But if you think you can beat it, I won''t stop you. Decide quickly; we don''t have much time." Though he hadn''t tested its strength directly, he had an idea of its power source. Primal Energy¡­ He had heard about it from Sophie, who also warned him to avoid entities emitting Primal Energy, as it could trigger his chaos energy to erupt and lose control. For now, he hadn''t sensed any changes in himself. But he couldn''t risk endangering those around him, so he advised them to retreat. Before Jokyr could respond, Clauny spoke up. "Wait, what do you mean fall back? How about you? Aren''t you leaving with us?" Vincent didn''t answer and kept his gaze on Jokyr. Seeing this, Clauny was puzzled and looked between the two. "What''s going on?" Jokyr explained simply, "If Shroud follows us, the Blackbite Rat Leader will track us. Shroud just activated the Aggro Scent, which usually lasts for an hour. And that big guy is still drawn to it¡­" Even Ana and the others understood, but Clauny looked shocked. "Are we just going to let him die?" The mutated Blackbite Rat Leader didn''t remain idle and furiously charged toward Vincent and the others. Vincent''s voice interrupted her, "Who said I''m going to die? Didn''t you just see how fast I am? That oversized mouse won''t even touch my shadow. Now go." Without waiting for their response, he broke through Rossy''s barricade, slashing at the massive creature. He halted its advance but couldn''t leave any wounds. "Tch, tough defense¡­" he thought, clicking his tongue. Jokyr then decided, resolute as he commanded, "Let''s go. We''d only be a burden to him." Clauny couldn''t believe it. "What are you talking about? We can''t just leave him!" This time, before Jokyr could respond, Ana interjected, "I know you want to help him, but look around you¡ªask yourself if you have the ability to fight that creature. You''ve seen it; you''d die in a blink of an eye just from its speed." Her face was still cold as ever, but worry flickered in her eyes. Ignoring Clauny and the others, Ana thought of her own team and her unconscious companion, ''Little Winter.'' She had no way to assist, so she could only trust Vincent. "If you want to thank him later, we need to get out safely first. Let''s go." She led her team away without looking back. ''I''ll thank you personally the next time we meet. Don''t die¡­'' she thought as she moved with her team. "H-How can she do that¡­? After Shroud saved her life?" Clauny muttered, dumbfounded. Jokyr grabbed her wrist. "Remember what happened when we fought that creature before it mutated. Be realistic; we can''t help him. If you want to help him, get stronger. Now, let''s go!" Without hesitating, he dragged her along, following Ana''s group. Clauny could only watch Vincent''s retreating form, her expression unwilling. "Finally¡­ no more distractions¡­" he murmured, glancing over his shoulder to see them leaving. He then turned to face the three-meter-tall creature. Its eyes glowed a deep blood red, its sharp incisors like spears, and it was surrounded by a misty, dark aura. It stopped, stood on its hind limbs, and glared at him. It let out a deafening squeak. Squeak! S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Several dark auras emerged from the ground, transforming into hundreds of Blackbite Rats. Vincent didn''t hesitate and unleashed his full strength. Origin Power Enhancement Activated! Duskedge Wave! Abyssal Venomlash! As the venomous aura spread within a 10-meter radius, it killed hundreds of rats instantly. He swung his Duskedge Blade, releasing a crescent of purple energy toward the Blackbite Rat Leader, leaving cracks in the ground. Swoosh! The creature casually slapped it away, creating a cloud of dust where it landed. "Seriously? It just slapped my attack away?!" The creature squeaked again, summoning more Blackbite Rats. "This thing''s got a rat factory!" he muttered, frowning. He could feel his origin energy depleting rapidly. He''d only used his epic skills a few times but had already consumed over 3,000 origin energy¡ªmore than half of his current reserves. He still had 2,300 origin energy. He summoned an origin crystal and quickly consumed it, instantly replenishing his energy. Talent Activated! +10,000 Origin Energy! "Let''s see who lasts longer." He chuckled, amused by his talent''s effect. As long as he had origin crystals, he had limitless energy. Without holding back, he vanished, reappearing above the Blackbite Rat Leader. He swung his blade, combining Duskedge Wave with Abyssal Venomlash! Boom! Venomous aura exploded as the crescent energy from his blade slashed straight at the creature''s head, raising a purple cloud of smoke. An agonized squeak escaped from it, signaling that his attack had hit its mark. But then, hundreds of rats charged at him with furious, glaring eyes. "Tch!" He slashed at the surviving rats from his venomlash, cutting them down. After he fell back, the smoke cleared, revealing the Blackbite Rat Leader, a huge gash across its face. However, it began healing within seconds. "Damn, it can regenerate too!" "Do I really have to use my chaos energy?" Just as he considered unleashing his chaos energy, the Blackbite Rat Leader suddenly froze. It glanced in another direction, then back at him with an unwilling expression, before hurrying off as though summoned. "What just happened?" Chapter 47 - 47: Tier 2 Armament "What just happened?" He wore a puzzled expression beneath his mask, unsure of what had just occurred. He contemplated using his chaos energy, but before he could even act, it suddenly vanished. While he pondered the reasons, he decided not to pursue it. As long as it remained within the labyrinth, he was bound to encounter it again. Thus, he refocused on his primary goal: farming experience points and leveling up his remaining skills. Having experienced the strength of Epic-grade skills, he felt even more excited to advance his skills and armaments. Still, with each encounter against stronger opponents, he realized how weak he was. "I''ll definitely get you the next time we meet!" he vowed, gazing toward where the primal creature had disappeared. He then looked at the wrecked surroundings. Unfortunately, none of the summons he had killed dropped any items. "It seems those summons don''t count as living creatures of Origin World¡­ Sigh¡­ Forget about it. This is just my first day; I still have plenty of time!" Now that he had no distractions, he could focus solely on farming. He didn''t follow the path the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader took; instead, he went in another direction to continue hunting, dismissing any thoughts of Jokyr and the others. On the second underground level of the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, Jokyr and Ana''s group stared silently at the entrance to the third underground level, each showing different emotions. Several minutes had passed, yet Vincent, known to them as Shroud, was still nowhere to be seen. Clauny could no longer keep silent. "He will come back, right?" Her question was met with silence. "He''s going to be safe, right?" Again, no response. Unable to contain her emotions, she turned fiercely, taking off her mask and revealing her youthful, flawless face. Her brown hair flowed free as her hair tie came loose, revealing a beautiful maiden who could rival Ana in appearance. While Ana was a cold beauty, Clauny had an innocent charm that could stir any man''s protective instincts¡ªespecially now, as her beautiful brown eyes shimmered with tears. Ana''s two male companions, whom Clauny had healed earlier, were captivated by her beauty. However, Jokyr and his group were stunned. "Clauny?!" Jokyr exclaimed. Yet, there was nothing he could do now. They had already seen her face, and he felt he had no right to stop her anymore. The guilt gnawed at him; if Shroud truly died because of their actions, he would never forgive himself. But he believed he had made the right choice, choosing his companions over a stranger. "What?! Isn''t it your responsibility to care for your party? Shroud is our companion too, even if only temporarily." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She glared at Jokyr before shifting her fierce gaze to Ana. "And you¡ªyou said to trust him. So why didn''t you do anything? Shroud saved your lives! You''re all so ungrateful!" The typically composed Ana could only avert her gaze, clenching her fists while her companions hung their heads in shame. She couldn''t respond, having also been the one to trust Vincent''s idea. As tears continued streaming down Clauny''s face, Jokyr gently took her by the shoulders to comfort her. "Clauny, I know you''re worried about him, but this was also Shroud''s idea. We have to respect his decision and trust him." "Stop crying. We don''t know what happened in there, but we also don''t know what other resources he might have. There''s a good chance Shroud left in another direction or used an escape scroll. Remember how he didn''t even bother with low-level items? A rich guy like him must have at least one escape scroll, right?" With Jokyr''s reasoning, Clauny''s eyes showed a hint of clarity. It did make sense. Although she was still worried, she held firmly to the thought that Shroud was safe. "Shroud¡­" she murmured, glancing toward the entrance of the third underground level. Elsewhere, deep within the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, a dark humanoid figure sat on a massive stone throne. A black, serpent-like shadow coiled around his right arm, which he played with idly. Hiss~ A faint tremor emanated from the dark entrance to the throne room. Soon, the familiar figure of the Blackbite Rat Leader appeared, immediately prostrating itself before the throne like a subservient servant. The figure on the throne revealed a pair of blood-red eyes. A deep, raspy voice broke the silence as the dark figure spoke. "My servant, tell me what happened¡­" The Blackbite Rat Leader slowly raised its head and spoke in an audible tone, drawing a series of amused exclamations from the dark figure. "Hoo¡­ interesting, for one of such a low tier to possess such abnormal abilities. Interesting¡­ quite interesting indeed." The dark figure muttered repeatedly, unable to contain his laughter. As his laughter faded, his eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity. "I want you to find him for me. Report to me immediately once you do. Now, go." The Blackbite Rat Leader voiced its affirmation and hastily left, leaving the dark figure alone on his throne. Meanwhile, on the third underground level¡­ Several massive primals collapsed to the ground as the venomous purple energy faded. After a tremor, their corpses dissolved into bright digital lights, leaving materials and items scattered on the ground. You have successfully killed a Digged Leader Tier 1 (5 stars) You have successfully killed a Digging Servant Tier 1 (4 stars) You have successfully killed a¡­ Notifications rang continuously in his ears as he swung his Duskedge Blade, flicking off the remaining blood. With this wave alone, he managed to fill his experience bar completely. One million experience points. Now, he had the opportunity to upgrade his skills or armaments to a higher quality. Although he had several options, his choice was already clear in his mind. With Abyssal Venomlash as his AOE skill, his farming speed could increase. With One-Step Shift, he didn''t need to worry about movement abilities. But what he had found lacking in his fight with the Mutated Blackbite Leader was firepower. He needed more firepower, so he wouldn''t have to rely on his chaos energy. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade his Duskedge Blade. Name: Nightflare Blade Power: Tier 2 Armament Quality: Epic Description: The Nightflare Blade is masterfully crafted from obsidian dusksteel and reinforced with shadowflame alloys, giving it a lustrous midnight-gray finish with shimmering veins of crimson and silver. Lightweight yet incredibly resilient, it''s enchanted to deal increased damage with each strike, inflicting deep, lasting bleed effects on enemies. The blade seems to capture and refract even the faintest light, creating an almost otherworldly gleam that instills fear. Visual: The Nightflare Blade has an elegant hilt wrapped in deep crimson leather. Its polished blade is accented by vibrant silver and crimson veins that pulse gently when wielded, emitting a faint red-black aura that intensifies with each strike. When activating skills, the blade ignites with a dark, fiery glow that illuminates every slash with a brilliant radiance. Skill 1: Umbra Slash Effect: A single-target slash that channels shadow energy, dealing amplified damage and inflicting a bleed that lasts 15 seconds, progressively reducing the target''s physical and magical defenses. Bleed Duration: 15 seconds Defense Reduction: 2% per tick, stacking up to 4% Skill 2: Shadowflame Wave Effect: Releases a shadowflame-infused, ranged slash that travels 12 meters, damaging all enemies in its path with a chance to stagger, and inflicting both a burn and bleed effect. Range: 12 meters Bleed Duration: 10 seconds Burn Duration: 10 seconds Stagger Chance: 25% Skill 3: Emberstrike Effect: Channels fire energy, delivering a powerful single-target strike that inflicts a burn for 12 seconds, briefly lowering the target''s resistance to fire-based attacks. Burn Duration: 12 seconds Fire Vulnerability: Reduces target''s fire resistance by 10% for 6 seconds "It''s now Tier 2?" Chapter 48 - 48: Tier 2 Armament (2) "It became Tier 2?!" He was astounded. Not only had it upgraded to epic quality, but it had also advanced to Tier 2! Seeing the newly upgraded skill set confirmed that upgrading his armament had been the right decision. It even transformed with fiery characteristics and acquired a new single-target skill, significantly enhancing his firepower. He was confident that if he''d had this upgraded armament while battling the Blackbite Rat Leader, victory would have come effortlessly. "Beautiful¡­" he murmured, admiring the blade''s new appearance. Its elegant hilt was wrapped in deep crimson leather of high quality. The blade was smooth, polished, and streaked with vibrant silver and crimson veins, perfectly suiting its name. "Nightflare Blade¡­ I like it. Whoever named it has good taste," he mused with amusement. He could feel warmth radiating from the blade as he softly gripped the hilt. With a slight wave, it left a trail of flame energy that lingered in the air momentarily. "Good stuff!" Satisfied, he unsummoned the Nightflare Blade and continued upgrading. "I''ve already got good mobility and just gained more firepower. What I lack most is¡­ defense. Although I don''t have any defensive skills, I''m lucky to have received this¡­" He glanced at his current armor, a Tier 1 Rare Quality armament gifted by Sophie. He hadn''t had a chance to use its innate skills. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade it. A bright light erupted from his armor, and when the blinding glow faded, he stood clad in a newly transformed black armor. He quickly examined its new information. Name: Obsidian Aegis Power: Tier 2 Armament Quality: Epic Details: Forged from midnight-black dusksteel and infused with shadow quartz, the Obsidian Aegis offers exceptional resilience while remaining surprisingly light. Its sleek, matte finish is adorned with faintly glowing runes along the chestplate and gauntlets, providing physical and magical protection, invaluable for intense combat. Base Defense Increase: Grants a 20% boost to physical and magical defense, allowing the wearer to withstand powerful strikes and resist magical effects with greater ease. Visual Appearance: The armor boasts a deep, polished black finish with dark silver trim along the edges. Subtle runes emit a faint, pulsing crimson glow. In combat, the runes intensify, flaring to life when skills are activated. The pauldrons are reinforced but maintain a sleek, angular design, with a faint aura of shadow around the armor, enhancing its formidable appearance. Skill 1: Veil of Shadows Effect: Envelops the user in a shadowy shroud, reducing incoming physical damage by 20% for 10 seconds. While active, it grants a 10% boost in evasion, enhancing the ability to dodge incoming attacks. Ideal for withstanding powerful blows and repositioning in close-quarters combat. Damage Reduction: 20% Evasion Boost: 10% Duration: 10 seconds Cooldown: 30 seconds Skill 2: Aegis Ward Effect: Projects a barrier that absorbs substantial incoming damage for 8 seconds, significantly enhancing defense in critical moments. While active, it boosts resistance to elemental attacks by 15%, bolstering resilience against magic and elemental effects. Damage Absorption: Moderate to high, based on attack strength Elemental Resistance: +15% Duration: 8 seconds Cooldown: 40 seconds Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: Stores up to 15% of damage received over 5 seconds and releases it as a dark-energy shockwave, dealing accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. It has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. Stored Damage: 15% of damage received Radius: 6 meters Stagger Chance: 20% Cooldown: 35 seconds He wasn''t sure whether to be surprised or unsurprised, but it too had become a Tier 2 armor. "This is insane¡­" he muttered, eyes wide as he read about his new armor. With a single upgrade, he had gained three powerful defensive skills. Trying a small hop, he was amazed by how light it felt, despite its heavy appearance. It was as light as a feather. "The design really suits my Nightflare Blade¡­" The urge to test his upgraded armaments in battle surged within him. Yet, upon scanning his surroundings, he found them empty. He had already cleared out the Primals in the area, leaving behind scattered materials and glowing orbs on the ground. He swept everything up, putting them directly into his storage ring for later examination. It was still afternoon, with only a few hours left before nightfall. He needed to use his time efficiently. "Time to keep farming!" He set out, searching every corner of the third underground level. Thirty minutes later, he spotted another peak Tier 1 Primal, one of his targets within the labyrinth. Rock Snake Tier 1 (5¡ï) A few meters away, a rock-type creature shaped like a snake caught his attention. "Another reminder I''m in a fantasy world¡­" he sighed, bemused. Wasting no time, he summoned his Nightflare Blade, gripped it tightly, and took a step forward. His figure blurred, flashing straight behind the Rock Snake. Before it could react, flame energy burst from its body, and it collapsed, sliced cleanly in half. You have successfully killed a Tier 1 (5¡ï) Rock Snake! +50 experience points! Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! The effortless victory over a peak Tier 1 Primal made him grin behind his mask as the sweet sound of notifications filled his ears, half-filling his experience bar. Once again, he marveled at the Nightflare Blade''s power. The Rock Snake, known for its defensive prowess, had fallen as easily as slicing butter. With his experience bar now half-filled, he decided to upgrade his uncommon physical combat skill, Flowing Origin Technique, to rare quality. He chose it because he anticipated situations where hand-to-hand combat might be unavoidable. Without solid physical combat skills, he would be at a disadvantage. You have successfully upgraded the Flowing Origin Technique! Name: Torrent of Origin Technique Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Quality: Rare Effect: Offensive: Increases attack power by 35% and enhances combo fluidity. Has a 15% chance to land an additional strike after a successful hit, enabling dynamic and potent follow-ups. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 20% when blocking. Additionally, a refined parry window allows 30% of the damage to be reflected back at the attacker when timed correctly, making it a formidable defensive maneuver. Special: Unlocks advanced redirection techniques, allowing it to absorb and redirect an attacker''s force. A successful block causes the enemy to be staggered for a longer duration, creating a prime opening for counterattacks. Consumption: 55 Origin Energy per minute With his remaining experience points insufficient for further upgrades, he paused the series of enhancements and decided to continue hunting, but not before collecting the loot from the Rock Snake. Alongside a rock-shaped nucleus, one of his mission targets, he discovered a glowing white orb. He quickly stored the nucleus and grabbed the orb, which transformed into a familiar white book¡ªa skill book. He glanced at its details. Name: Stonebreaker Strike Quality: Common Effect: Delivers a focused strike that deals an additional 50% of the user''s base physical damage. Upon impact, it weakens the target''s defenses, reducing physical defense by 3% for 5 seconds. When activated, the user''s arm becomes encased in a stone-like surface, increasing physical defense by 5%. This stone form can be sustained for an extended period, though it consumes Origin Energy continuously. Additional Damage: 50% of base physical damage Defense Reduction for Target: 3% for 5 seconds Defense Increase: 5% (can be maintained) Duration of Stone Form: 10 seconds (extendable) Origin Energy Consumption: 20 Origin Energy per minute while maintained "Perfect timing!" he exclaimed, relieved. Just as he had been concerned about his physical capabilities, he obtained a skill to boost them, and he anticipated it would become even better with a few upgrades. Chapter 49 - 49: Emberstrike "Stonebreaker Strike¡­" With a mere thought, he activated the new skill he''d acquired, channeling his origin energy. Instantly, his arm from fist to elbow transformed, taking on a stonelike surface. He clenched his fist, surprised that despite the change, he felt no discomfort. When he jabbed at the air, a faint shockwave lingered in its wake. Having 200,000 experience points left, he chose to upgrade the skill, consuming 50,000 points and raising it to the uncommon grade. You have successfully upgraded Stonebreaker Strike! Name: Stone Crusher Quality: Uncommon Effect: Delivers a focused strike that deals an additional 100% of the user''s base physical damage. Upon impact, it weakens the target''s defenses, reducing physical defense by 6% for 5 seconds. When activated, the user''s arm becomes encased in a stonelike surface, increasing physical defense by 10%. This form can be maintained for an extended period but continuously consumes Origin Energy. Additional Damage: 100% of base physical damage Defense Reduction for Target: 6% for 5 seconds Defense Increase: 10% (maintainable) Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Duration of Stone Form: 20 seconds (extendable) Origin Energy Consumption: 25 Origin Energy per minute while maintained Skill: Rock Smash Deals 150% attack damage, unleashing explosive earth damage upon impact. Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 20 Origin Energy "Not bad¡­" Vincent nodded, satisfied with the upgrade. With 150,000 experience points remaining¡ªinsufficient for further upgrades¡ªhe continued farming, intent on filling his experience bar before calling it a day. Deep within the third underground level, tremors shook the area, alarming various origin warriors. "W-What''s happening?'' "I have no idea¡­" In the distance, black shapes began moving rapidly. "Look! Something''s coming!" "Are those blackbite rats?!" "No way! There''s a whole swarm of them!" "Run if you don''t want to die!" shouted one quickthinking warrior, wasting no time as he sprinted away from the blackbite swarm. However, a shadow flashed, and one of the warriors, slower than the rest, found himself ensnared. "Argh! Help me!" Before anyone could react, the black shadow coiled tighter, squeezing him until blood streamed from his seven orifices. His body vanished into a burst of digital light. Across the third underground level, the sea of blackbite rats swept through, mercilessly hunting down every origin warrior in their path. Meanwhile, Vincent had just defeated his last mission target, killing a peak Tier 1 primal and filling his experience bar completely. As he gathered his loot, a scream pierced the air from somewhere nearby. He turned in the direction of the noise, frowning behind his mask. Moments later, he spotted a battered group of Vyrmins, covered in injuries, racing toward him. Behind them loomed a massive swarm of shadowy figures. Recognizing the familiar sight, Vincent flashed a grin beneath his mask. "I wasn''t looking for you guys, but since you''re here¡­" Ignoring the fleeing Vyrmins, he transformed his hand into an earthtype arm. With a single step, he leaped into the center of the blackbite rat swarm, landing a punch on the nearest rat with his Rock Smash skill. The strike obliterated the target and several others in a five meter radius, scattering rocks around him. He continued, delivering punch after punch, releasing Rock Smash every eight seconds. Boom! Agonized squeaks filled the air as he slaughtered the remaining blackbite rats, each one dissolving into digital lights, leaving only emptiness behind. Elsewhere in the labyrinth, the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader swung its long tail, slicing an origin warrior in half. Suddenly, its head jerked up, sensing a signal. Unbeknownst to both, they were moving toward each other. Soon, Vincent spotted the massive rat leader, and with an earthshaking squeak, it lunged at him with astonishing speed, its thick tail whipping toward him. This time, Vincent forwent his blade, opting instead to activate his Origin Power Enhancement, increasing his force attribute. He followed up with Stone Crusher, meeting the beast headon with a Rock Smash punch. Boom! A shockwave rippled from the impact, and both Vincent and the rat leader were forced to stagger back. Cracks appeared on his stone arm, fragments falling to the ground. "That thing has some tough defense¡­" he thought, observing the primal, which seemed equally shocked by his strength. Satisfied with his progress, Vincent concluded, "If I want to defeat it, I''ll need to use my Tier 2 Epic Armament." He summoned his Nightflare Blade, which emitted a faint fiery aura. Sensing the weapon''s power, the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader paused, instinctively wary. Yet it recalled its master''s command¡ªto report back if it encountered this target. Emboldened by the prospect of capturing him, it bared its incisors, curling into a tight coil before rolling toward Vincent at high speed. As the rat leader charged, Vincent blurred into motion, vanishing and reappearing behind it. Yet, as if guided by instinct, the rat leader veered, redirecting its path toward him. Unperturbed, Vincent smoothly dodged, backflipping to gain distance. Seizing the opening, he slashed with his Nightflare Blade, unleashing a wave of crimson black aura that sliced through the air with remarkable speed, carving a fissure into the ground. A deafening crack resonated as his Umbra Slash hit its target. The rat''s pained squeal filled the air, and when the smoke cleared, a deep wound lay open on its back, oozing blood and laced with lingering dark energy that hindered its recovery. "Umbra Slash''s effect is working¡­" Vincent murmured, watching the creature''s wound reopen continuously, spilling more blood. Despite its injuries, the rat leader rose on its hind limbs, its claws glowing with a bloodred light. As it prepared to attack, the reopened wound disrupted its focus, causing it to stagger. Vincent seized the chance, flashing above the creature. His Nightflare Blade ignited with a redblack glow as he slashed downward, releasing a crescentshaped wave of shadowflame. The strike landed squarely on the rat''s head, trailing a burning dark arc behind it. Bam! The impact shook the ground, sending a thick cloud of smoke into the air. The rat leader shrieked in agony as its massive body was flung against the wall, leaving a large crack. This time, the wound was irreparable, the searing flames prolonging its suffering. Without hesitation, Vincent raised his Nightflare Blade, its fieryorange flames blazing. With a slow, sweeping motion, he launched the flames toward the collapsed rat leader. As they landed, the flames erupted, filling the air with searing heat. The Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader''s pained cries echoed briefly before fading. When the smoke cleared, the rat''s burned corpse remained, slowly transforming into a black liquid orb. Rather than dispersing into digital lights, the orb suddenly shot toward Vincent, embedding itself within his abdomen, merging with his origin core. You have received +100 Primal Energy! You have received Rat Shadow Summoning! You have received Rolling Bash! You have received Fierce Strike! The notifications flooded his mind, leaving him stunned. "What the¡­?" He was at a loss for words. Elsewhere, in the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth''s throne room, a dark figure lounged on a throne, a black snake coiling lazily around his arm. His crimson eyes flared suddenly. "How did my servant die? How?!" He snarled, "No matter where or who you are! I will find you!" Chapter 50 - 50: Meeting Acquaintance "I got three skills at once¡­?" Vincent was astonished. The thought of acquiring three skills simultaneously hadn''t even crossed his mind. He hardly considered the experience points he''d gained. "Primal Energy¡­" He didn''t fully understand this new power or how it differed from his chaos energy. Surveying the area, he noticed the blackbite rats were all gone, leaving a trail of destruction and silence. The Mutated Black Rat Leader didn''t drop anything since he absorbed its essence directly. It was already late, and his mission was complete, so he decided to call it a night. Heading back toward the exit he''d noted while hunting primals, he ordered a meal and, after dining, returned to his rented room in the Newcomer''s Lounge. Seated cross-legged on his bed, free from his Morphic Mask''s effect, he reviewed his spoils from the day''s battles. "Two epic skills¡­" "Two epic-tier armaments¡­" "I also found an uncommon-quality necklace that I haven''t upgraded¡­" "I upgraded my combat skill to rare¡­ Plus, I obtained a new skill, Stonebreaker Strike, which I''ve enhanced to uncommon grade¡­" "Then there''s the drop from the Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader¡­" He checked the skills he''d obtained. Skill Name: Shadow Rat Summoning Grade: Uncommon Initial Summon Cost: 10 Origin Energy per Shadow Rat Sustained Cost: 1 Origin Energy per rat every 10 minutes Summon Limit: Up to 25 Shadow Rats at once Duration: Unlimited¡ªpersists until dismissed, destroyed, or the summoner depletes Origin Energy Strength: Tier 1 (1¡ï) Basic Functions and Effects: 1. Shadow Form: Shadow Rats possess a semi-ethereal nature, blending seamlessly in dim environments and becoming nearly invisible in shadows. 2. Physical Attributes: Each rat has the strength, speed, and agility of a Tier 1 (1¡ï) creature, suitable for quick attacks and scouting, though fragile in combat. 3. Basic Stealth: Naturally stealthy, they are hard to detect by lower-tier foes, especially in low-light conditions. 4. Combat Abilities: Bite: Minor damage, enough to distract and irritate opponents. Claw Scratch: Inflicts light wounds on unarmored targets. 5. Limited Command and Feedback: Follows simple commands like "scout," "attack," or "retreat." Limited mental link provides brief sensory impressions, such as nearby sights or sounds. Skill Name: Rolling Bash Grade: Uncommon Description: A powerful, spinning dash attack, slashing everything in its path. The user advances while inflicting consistent, moderate damage to enemies. Effective against clustered foes or agile opponents, as the rotation disrupts their movements. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Effects: Damage: Deals 150% of the user''s base attack as continuous physical damage per second. Stagger Effect: 50% chance to stagger enemies, interrupting weaker attacks or momentarily disorienting them. Knockback: The final spin ends in a powerful horizontal slash, knocking enemies back by 1 meter. Consumption: 35 Origin Energy per use. Duration: 3 seconds¡ªcommitted movement; early cancellation is impossible once initiated. Travel Distance: Up to 5 meters forward in a straight line. Cooldown: 15 seconds. Skill Name: Fierce Strike Grade: Uncommon Effects: Direct Impact: Channels condensed Origin Energy into a swift, powerful strike. Upon impact, the target endures an additional 25% of the user''s base attack as pure physical force, bypassing conventional defenses. Shockwave: Releases a concussive wave outward in a cone from the impact point, dealing 10% of the user''s base attack to all within range. Causes minor knockback (up to 2 meters) and staggers enemies for 0.5 seconds. Primary Strike Range: 2 meters in front of the user¡ªideal for close combat. Shockwave Cone Radius: Expands to 5 meters from the impact. Consumption: 40 Origin Energy. Cooldown: 6 seconds. "Damn, all these are pretty useful skills. But Rolling Bash seems risky¡­" Satisfied with his skills'' effects, Vincent looked forward to upgrading them. He next searched for information on Primal Energy. Opening his system interface, he clicked on it. Primal Energy: A unique energy usable only by primals or those with an affinity for it. Temporarily enhances specific attributes of the user or primal summons. Warning: Energy can cause temporary loss of awareness. Use cautiously. Effects: Grants +10 attribute points per 100 Primal Energy. "This¡­" Vincent was speechless. He couldn''t decide if he was pleased or dismayed. He was intrigued by the contrast with his chaos energy, whose mechanics remained mysterious. However, he was unsatisfied with the limitations. First, it didn''t explain how energy would regenerate. Second, it gave no detail on how long he''d lose awareness or its exact effects. He decided to set it aside for now and plan his next move. "I could keep upgrading my skills, but¡­ If I max out my Tier 1 attributes, my hunting speed should improve¡­ then upgrade my skills to epic grade before attempting a breakthrough." It might take time, but he was determined to succeed. "So, the plan: when I''m out, focus on skill upgrades. While resting, cultivate my Origin Energy into purified energy and boost my basic attributes¡­" Without hesitation, he began meditating, surrounding himself with Origin Crystals. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy He stayed awake the entire night, purifying his Origin Energy. By dawn, he''d accumulated 1,150 purified energy, adding to what he had purified previously. The next morning, as he went downstairs, he noticed an unusually busy scene. Crowds of people were armed, and whispers filled the air. He made his way to the counter where the bartender stood. Vincent casually left a few Origin Crystals on the counter, which the bartender took without a word. "Tell me¡­" he asked, nodding. "I heard there was an incident yesterday in the new labyrinth¡­" The bartender paused, looking directly into Vincent''s eyes despite his mask. Vincent remained unfazed, having experienced it himself. Seeing no reaction, the bartender continued, "A swarm of blackbite rats wreaked havoc from the third floor to the upper floors, killing hundreds of novice warriors. This alerted several guilds and organizations. Even the Novice Center''s higher-ups sent a team of Tier 2 investigators. But, just this morning, I heard that almost the entire team was annihilated, with only one survivor." The bartender glanced over Vincent''s shoulder at the groups of armed warriors. "That''s why you see these armed groups. The Novice Center posted a mission and raised the labyrinth''s rank to Tier 3." Vincent remained calm at the news. He''d anticipated trouble; it wasn''t usual for a Mutated Blackbite Rat Leader to appear without cause. But he hadn''t expected them to increase the labyrinth''s rank to Tier 3. Now, he was more intrigued by the events. Originally, he planned to quietly farm experience in the labyrinth, but that now seemed impossible. "What on earth happened there¡­" he pondered. He considered checking it out. If things turned bad, he was confident he could escape with his current speed. After breakfast, he went to the Novice Center to report. "I''ve verified the report. Everything checks out. Here''s your reward for completing five peak Tier 1 missions. Please verify." The attendant handed him a silk pouch, which he glanced at before storing it in his ring. 5,000 Origin Crystals¡ªjust like that! He then asked, "I heard about the new labyrinth incident. Are there new mission requirements?" The attendant nodded. "Yes, there are a few changes. Besides the minimum strength of Peak Tier 1, each group must include one Tier 2 member." Her words made him frown. While he met the minimum requirement, where would he find a group with a Tier 2 warrior? Then he heard light footsteps approach behind him¡ªso quiet a normal Tier 1 warrior wouldn''t notice. As the figure reached his shoulder, he turned, meeting a smiling blonde guy. "Yo, long time no see?" "Caelius¡­" Chapter 51 - 51: Back to the Labyrinth "Yo, long time no see¡­" "Caelius¡­" The familiar, good-looking blonde man waved, wearing his usual proud smile that caught the attention of everyone around the room. Vincent ignored the whispers and wondered how Caelius recognized him, even under his mask. Even the armor he wore was entirely different from their first meeting. Yet somehow, Caelius had recognized him instantly. This is the second time someone''s recognized me¡­ He recalled how Azhara had known he was human. Though he showed no reaction, Vincent sensed that Caelius was dangerous and mysterious. He realized he still hadn''t explored the origin world much, having focused so heavily on hunting that he hadn''t learned about the society here. He had a lot more to do. "I haven''t seen you in a while, but you''ve gotten stronger¡­" Caelius paused, staring at Vincent. Though it hadn''t been a week in the real world, Vincent had jumped from early Tier 1 to peak Tier 1, which surprised Caelius, although not by much. He had his fair share of experience. "Yeah¡­" Vincent replied curtly, finally realizing the strength of the young man in front of him, through his Heaven Eyes. Peak Tier 2, not far from breaking through, he thought, sensing the thick aura Caelius emitted. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This person was perhaps his age but already close to Tier 3. This world really is filled with hidden talent, he mused, surprised at meeting someone like Caelius on his first day in the Origin World. "Anyway, what brings you here?" Caelius asked. "Hmm, nothing much. I was just curious about yesterday''s incident." "Oh, about the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth? You planning to check it out?" "Kinda¡­" "Got a party already, or want to go with me?" Vincent paused, staring at Caelius''s smile, weighing the risks and whether it was worth it. A commotion broke out behind him as someone entered the Novice Center. "Look! The young master of Blackthorn is here, too!" "Oh no, both demons are here. Conflict''s bound to happen!" As expected, Vincent turned to see the person who had humiliated him on his first day. His gaze sharpened. Grarik Blackthorn¡­ The muscular, purple-skinned thrygian, clad in heavy chestplate armor, was accompanied by two more thrygians as they walked arrogantly, scoffing at their surroundings. "Yellow dog!" Grarik called out, glaring at Caelius, who smirked. "You''re here too, Big Fool." The usually short-tempered Grarik remained unaffected by Caelius''s insult, keeping his arrogant smile. "It seems you''re interested in the mission. Unfortunately, you won''t accomplish much with me on it." "Well, if a genius like you says so, then I bet that''s definitely going to happen." Unfazed by the sarcasm in Caelius''s response, Grarik laughed before turning serious. "You better not show your face outside the sanctuary, or else¡­" He was interrupted by one of his companions. "Young master, they''re in the meeting place now. We should go." Grarik nodded, giving Caelius one last glare before leaving, completely ignoring Vincent as if he didn''t recognize him. Vincent frowned as he watched Grarik leave, curious about the mission they''d mentioned and the rewards the Novice Center had offered to interest these two rivals. Sensing his curiosity, Caelius looked at him. "Curious about what he meant?" Vincent nodded. "Well, the Novice Center posted an investigation mission for the new labyrinth and offered a Tier 3 cultivation technique along with several other rewards." Vincent was shocked by the Novice Center''s generosity. He now understood why Caelius and Grarik were interested. Even he was tempted to try. A Tier 3 technique was essential for any warrior, especially those preparing for a breakthrough, though Vincent knew little about it. He could only imagine the other rewards. Seeing Vincent''s momentary reaction, Caelius smiled. "Interested? Want to join my party?" Vincent''s curiosity grew. "You say ''your party,'' but where are the others?" Caelius simply smiled in response. Moments later, at the entrance of Blackbite Rat Labyrinth, Vincent and Caelius arrived. He noticed how different the surroundings were from the day before. Yesterday, Tier 1 (1¡ï - 5¡ï) origin warriors had crowded the entrance, but today was different. Groups of peak Tier 1 and several peak Tier 2 warriors gathered. Vincent still couldn''t sense any Tier 3 in the area. Even the three portal entrances of the labyrinth had merged into a single, larger portal. While observing these groups, three shadows suddenly appeared beside Caelius, surprising and alerting Vincent. "Relax. They''re our companions," Caelius said, smiling. Vincent looked at the newcomers¡ªeach clad in a golden cloak and mask, all silent and exuding the aura of Tier 2 origin warriors. They neither spoke nor moved, simply standing behind them. Vincent looked back at Caelius, expecting an explanation, but Caelius only smiled, clearly not intending to elaborate. Though Vincent didn''t know their true motives¡ªespecially Caelius''s¡ªhe wasn''t afraid. He''d considered the possible outcomes. If things went badly, he could always use his instant escape scroll. When it was their turn to enter, the interface displayed options for which floor to enter. Vincent realized the choices were available for those who had already visited certain floors. Though he had options, Caelius and his party hadn''t been to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth before, so they''d need to start from the first floor. Upon entering, one of the golden-cloaked figures pulled out a golden short staff and chanted, creating a bright yellow orb that illuminated the area. With Caelius''s command, "Let''s go," the group moved quickly, reaching the third underground level within an hour of non-stop travel. Once there, Vincent sensed an eerie silence. The surroundings were so still, void of life. He couldn''t feel any primal energy within 50 meters, which he found strange. He understood their goal: investigating the incident that had killed several Tier 2 origin warriors. But he had no idea where or how to begin. Caelius then took out a compass, channeling origin energy into it. The arrow began to move, pointing in a direction. "What''s that?" Vincent asked, curious. "Oh, this?" Caelius replied, holding up the device. "It''s a ''source compass.'' It points to where someone last died, allowing their soul to transfer back to their world." He held up a vial filled with misty energy. "Oh." Vincent realized he knew next to nothing about the origin world¡ªeven items like this existed here. Once again, he was reminded of the world''s dangers. If someone somehow acquired some of his aura, he''d likely be hunted relentlessly. Luckily, Grarik hadn''t managed to get any trace of his aura; otherwise, he''d be pursued every time he entered the origin world. Caelius uncorked the vial, and the misty energy flowed into the compass, which lit up and whirled, pointing north. Without hesitation, Caelius said, "Let''s go." Moments later, they arrived at a huge portal. None of them knew where it led. They stopped, searching the area but found nothing. "It seems we have only one choice¡ªwe have to enter this portal," Caelius said, turning to Vincent. "I might not be able to protect you once we''re inside. Are you willing to go? I won''t force you." Vincent didn''t hesitate. "Don''t worry. I can take care of myself." "Hoho, I wouldn''t have believed you if you''d said that when we first met." Caelius chuckled, recalling his first encounter with Vincent. Vincent could only smile wryly, feeling slightly embarrassed. He vowed silently to get revenge on Grarik to erase the humiliation he''d felt. "Alright then, let''s go." Caelius said. When they passed through the portal, Vincent''s vision blurred briefly before clearing. They found themselves standing on a red pavement, outside a massive crimson castle. Chapter 52 - 52: Crimson Castle (1) "I think that''s where we need to go," Caelius said, staring at the crimson castle in the distance. Vincent also gazed cautiously at it, noticing the fully open crimson gate nearby. Signs of a recent battle were evident around it. "It seems someone reached here before us¡­" he murmured, causing Caelius to frown briefly before flashing a confident smile. "It doesn''t matter¡ªlet them clear the path for us," Caelius said, storing the ''source compass'' back in his storage ring. He no longer needed it, as their destination was now obvious. With a relaxed smile, he stepped forward. "Let''s go." His longsword clinked at his waist as he moved, and his elegant azure garments, worn beneath intricate armor, fluttered lightly. After some time walking past several shattered primal statues, they reached the castle''s main entrance. The doors were already wide open, signaling that someone had entered before them. As Vincent took his first step inside, an ominous energy surged through his body, freezing him in place. Caelius turned back, puzzled by Vincent''s sudden halt. "What''s wrong? You okay?" Vincent shivered, shaking off the feeling with a frown. "It''s nothing. Let''s go." Though Caelius was slightly skeptical, he didn''t press the issue and resumed moving forward. As they walked, Vincent couldn''t shake off the sensation he had felt. The aura was oppressive, savage, and dangerous¡ªand oddly familiar. He suspected something deep within the Crimson Castle might be connected to him. After several minutes traversing the castle''s halls, their group encountered their first obstacle. A band of five humanoid figures with rat heads, each wielding rusty short swords, blocked their path. Blackrat Man - Tier 1 (4¡ï) In the center stood a larger Blackrat Man wielding a heftier, corroded sword. Blackrat Man Leader - Tier 1 (5¡ï) Vincent stepped forward. "Mind if I handle these? I might be less useful later." He was aware of his limitations. If he allowed Caelius and the others to fight these creatures, he''d lose valuable chances to gain experience points. So, as long as they encountered weaker enemies, he intended to take them on. Caelius gave him an approving nod, curious to observe Vincent''s combat abilities. "Go ahead. Just shout if you need backup." Ignoring Caelius'' words, Vincent activated his C-rank talent: Origin Power Enhancement. This ability amplified his force attribute by 30%, enhancing his physical strength. He then channeled origin energy into his right arm, triggering the Stone Crusher skill, transforming his arm from elbow to fist into rock-like form. He wasn''t done yet. He activated Fierce Strike. A fierce crimson aura enveloped his stone arm. With precise control over his origin energy, he blurred forward, reappearing in front of the Blackrat Man Leader in an instant. The creature barely had time to react before Vincent''s powerful punch struck its abdomen, creating a gaping hole and sending a shockwave that blasted two Blackrat Men behind it into digital sparks. With another swift step, he delivered two more crushing blows to the remaining Blackrat Men, dispatching them in seconds. Caelius was momentarily speechless before muttering, "Impressive¡­ quite fierce¡­" His curiosity about Vincent''s background deepened, while his golden-cloaked companions remained silent. Vincent quickly collected several origin crystals and other loot, storing them in his ring. Talent Activated! +500,000 experience points! +250,000 experience points! +250,000 experience points! +250,000¡­ His experience bar filled rapidly, allowing him to upgrade other skills and items. As they moved forward, he didn''t hesitate to enhance the skills he had just used: Stone Crusher and Fierce Strike. Both were uncommon-grade skills. Upgrading them to Rare grade required a total of 600,000 experience points. You have successfully upgraded Stone Crusher! Name: Earthshaker Gauntlet Grade: Rare Effect: Earthshaker Gauntlet unleashes a reinforced strike, dealing an additional 150% of the user''s base physical damage. This blow weakens the target''s defenses, reducing both physical and elemental resistances by 10% for 8 seconds. When active, the user''s arm encases in dense, resilient stone, enhancing physical defense by 15% and granting a 5% chance to block incoming attacks. This form can be maintained with moderate Origin Energy. Additional Damage: 150% of base physical damage Defense Reduction: 10% (physical and elemental) for 8 seconds Defense Boost: 15% (maintainable) with a 5% block chance Duration: 30 seconds (extendable) Cost: 35 per minute while active Skill 1: Rock Smash Effect: Rock Smash delivers a reinforced strike, inflicting 200% attack damage and creating an earth-energy shockwave on impact. This AoE damage affects enemies within a 3-meter radius, slowing their movement by 15% for 4 seconds. Damage Multiplier: 200% attack damage AoE Radius: 3 meters Slow Effect: 15% movement speed reduction for 4 seconds Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 30 Origin Energy Skill 2: Stonebound Guard (New) Effect: Stonebound Guard forms a dense rock shield, blocking up to 25% of incoming damage for 10 seconds. While active, attackers within a 2-meter radius take 50% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage and experience a slight knockback. This skill provides effective crowd control, deterring close-range foes while absorbing damage. Damage Reduction: 25% for 10 seconds Counter Damage: 50% of user''s base physical damage Knockback Radius: 2 meters Cooldown: 12 seconds Consumption: 40 Origin Energy Satisfied, Vincent nodded to himself before upgrading his next skill. You have successfully upgraded Fierce Strike! Name: Severing Blow Grade: Rare Effects: Direct Impact: Channels denser Origin Energy, delivering a powerful cleaving strike. This impact inflicts an additional 40% of the user''s base attack as pure physical force, bypassing typical defenses. This reflects the skill''s upgrade to Rare grade. Enhanced Shockwave: A stronger shockwave radiates from the impact point, dealing 15% of the user''s base attack to nearby enemies. Knockback range increases to 3 meters, staggering foes briefly, improving crowd control. Bleed Effect (New Skill): Inflicts a bleeding effect on the primary target, dealing 10% of the user''s base attack as damage per second for 3 seconds. This bleed effect stacks if the skill is used repeatedly on the same foe, enabling sustained high damage. Primary Strike Range: Extends to 3 meters, improving close-combat reach. Shockwave Radius: Expands to 6 meters from impact, increasing AoE. Consumption: 60 Origin Energy Cooldown: 8 seconds "Good¡­" Vincent muttered, nodding in satisfaction. His remark caught Caelius'' attention. "What''s good?" "Oh, just pleased with my new skill''s performance." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That stone arm move? Impressive. Was it an uncommon-grade skill?" Vincent nodded. He wasn''t lying¡ªthe skill he''d revealed was uncommon, but he''d since upgraded it to rare grade. He saw no reason to explain further. With 400,000 experience points left, he decided to upgrade his Shadow Rat Summoning skill to rare grade as well. You have successfully upgraded Shadow Rat Summoning! Name: Umbral Rat Legion Grade: Rare Initial Cost: 20 Origin Energy per rat Sustained Cost: 1 Origin Energy per rat every 5 minutes Summon Limit: Up to 40 Umbral Rats at once Duration: Unlimited until dismissed, destroyed, or summoner''s energy depletes Strength: Tier 2 (1¡ï) Enhanced Functions: 1. Umbral Form: Umbral Rats now have a semi-ethereal form, allowing them to partially phase through solid surfaces and become invisible in deep shadows. This grants advanced stealth, making them nearly undetectable to most Tier 1 creatures and difficult for even Tier 2 (1¡ï) foes to detect. 2. Physical Abilities: Each rat now possesses the strength, speed, and agility of a Tier 2 (1¡ï) creature, allowing for higher damage and increased reflexes in combat while retaining agility for reconnaissance. 3. Advanced Stealth: The Umbral Rats can partially obscure their forms even in daylight, making them faintly transparent. In shadow, they''re completely invisible, undetectable to all but the highest perception skills. 4. Combat Abilities: Venomous Bite: Delivers 5% of the user''s base attack as poison damage over 5 seconds, stacking with repeated bites. Effective for weakening larger enemies or inflicting group damage. Shadow Claw: Their claws are now charged with Origin Energy, capable of moderate slashing damage. Bleeding wounds deal 2% of the user''s base attack per second for 3 seconds. 5. Improved Command and Feedback: The summoner''s link with the Umbral Rats is now stronger, enabling complex orders like "flank both sides" or "target weak spots." Visual and auditory feedback is sharper, enhancing scouting effectiveness. Additional Skill: Swarm Convergence Effect: By spending 40 more Origin Energy, the summoner can direct all Umbral Rats to focus on a single target, delivering concentrated venom and slashing attacks. This attack inflicts 150% of the summoner''s base attack in combined poison and slashing damage over 5 seconds. Range: Umbral Rats can converge within a 20-meter radius of the summoner, making it ideal for swift ambushes or overwhelming a target in close quarters. Cooldown: 15 seconds after the swarm disperses. "Oh, Tier 2 strength?!" Vincent thought, surprised as he reviewed the upgraded skill details. Before he could fully process this new information, he sensed a distant battle, a disturbance that Caelius and the others also noticed. "Stay alert; there''s fighting up ahead." Soon, they encountered a group of five armored Vyrmins engaged in battle against Blackrat Men. Near them, a group of crimson-skinned reptilian warriors fought against several 1.5-meter-long snakes. At the rear stood an imposing 7-foot-tall Blackrat Man in heavy armor. Blackrat Soldier - Tier 2 (2¡ï) "A Tier 2 primal¡­" Vincent muttered. Aside from the massive tortoise he''d seen with Azhara, this was his first time encountering a Tier 2 primal face-to-face. Chapter 53 - 53: Crimson Castle (2) "A Tier 2 primal¡­" Vincent prepared himself unhesitatingly. From this point on, the enemies would be stronger than any he had encountered. Being careless could cost him his life as an origin warrior. Thus, even without Caelius'' command, he silently channeled his origin energy throughout his body. However, contrary to his expectations, the moment these groups caught sight of Caelius, they all frowned simultaneously. "That demon in human skin is here, too. What should we do?" one of the Vyrmins whispered before slashing a Blackrat Man in front of him. "If you''re asking me, who should I ask? Don''t bother looking¡ªmake way!" commanded the Vyrmins'' acting leader. Meanwhile, the group of crimson-skinned reptilian warriors also made way subconsciously. This party was from a race different from Drakoriis like Azhara''s; they resembled lizards but had reptile scales covering their bodies. They were Lyards, a race with strength similar to humans but more fierce and uncivilized. However, despite their fierce nature, they undoubtedly showed fear when they saw Caelius. Vincent was becoming more curious about Caelius'' true background. Despite these groups making way for their party, the group of primals was unbothered. Since the Vyrmins and Lyards had stepped back, their attention fell on Vincent''s party. The imposing seven-foot-tall Blackrat Soldier stood fiercely, glaring directly at them¡ªmore precisely, at Caelius, who still wore a nonchalant smile. As though angered by Caelius'' attitude, it suddenly emitted a heavy pressure¡ªa mental pressure twice Vincent''s current attributes! However, he felt it only for a brief moment as Caelius flicked his sleeve, brushing away the suffocating pressure with ease. Vincent couldn''t help but frown, realizing the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. "There''s still a wide gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. I need to increase my growth rate," he thought as he saw the Blackrat Soldier''s figure suddenly blur and flash next to Caelius, about to strike with its longsword. However, in the next second, a beam of golden light flashed, blasting the Blackrat Soldier away! One of the golden-cloaked figures under Caelius'' command, wielding a short golden staff, had managed to blast the Blackrat Soldier away. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Although the attack seemed to have landed directly, the Blackrat Soldier stood without any visible damage. However, its small round shield bore a noticeable dent and burn marks. At the same time, a group of Blackrat Men and Rat Snakes began to rush toward them. In that moment, Caelius'' relaxed voice rang out, "Clear the way." Without delay, the three golden-cloaked figures behind him quickly took action, blocking the incoming group of primals. One figure brandished a pair of golden gauntlets, fighting head-on against the group of Blackrat Men, while another wielded a golden whip studded with sharp metal, lashing it at the advancing Rat Snakes. Only hisses and squeaks filled the air before these groups of primals vanished into digital light, leaving several items on the ground. These Tier 1 primals clearly had no chance against the group of Tier 2 origin warriors. All that remained was the Blackrat Soldier. It stood motionless, staring at the three golden-cloaked figures, as if the deaths of the primals were insignificant. Before it could react, the three golden-cloaked figures bombarded it simultaneously with various signature skills. Flashes of light illuminated the area briefly before the Blackrat Soldier, too, turned into digital light, dropping its equipment on the ground. Silence prevailed as the three golden-cloaked figures finished off the group of primals, gathered the dropped items, and returned to stand behind Vincent and Caelius. Vincent wasn''t surprised by their performance, as he already knew their strength when he first met them. This trio was made up of Tier 2 (3¡ï) origin warriors! It would have been surprising if they had lost to a single Tier 2 (2¡ï) primal. He was silent, not because of their strength, but because he hadn''t yet witnessed or felt the real power of a Tier 2 primal. However, he had gained a glimpse of the strength of Tier 2 origin warriors. Beyond that, he was quiet because he felt a pang of regret, seeing the amount of experience points that would have flashed before his eyes. "What a shame¡­" he thought. It would have surely filled his experience bar if he had acted a little faster. The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards could only suck in a cold breath upon witnessing the strength of Caelius'' escorts. "The Lionfang''s strength is undeniable!" one of the Vyrmins muttered, a comment that Vincent overheard. "Lionfang¡­" he murmured. It sounded familiar, but he couldn''t recall exactly where he had heard it. Caelius, still wearing a faint smile, stepped forward. "Let''s go." The groups of Vyrmins and Lyards were silent, watching Vincent''s party retreat. "What are we going to do now? Should we still investigate this place?" "Hmm. Do you remember the first group that came before us?" "Oh, that party? Why?" "I''m certain there will be a conflict ahead. We can just observe for now, and after they fight? Heh." No one knew which of the two groups had this conversation. Moments later, Vincent''s party reached three different pathways. Once again, Caelius took out the "source compass" and activated it. After turning for a moment, the arrow locked onto the middle pathway. Caelius nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let''s go." However, Vincent stopped him. "I think it would be better if we go this way," he said, pointing to the left pathway. Caelius frowned slightly, curious about where Vincent''s confidence came from. "Why do you think we should go that way?" He didn''t answer immediately, pausing to look at the three golden-cloaked figures behind them. "Instinct," he replied simply, as he couldn''t explain the ominous energy he felt emanating from the left pathway. His brief answer made Caelius frown, and before Caelius could respond, one of the golden-cloaked figures could no longer remain silent. A sharp, feminine voice cut through the air. "Are you really going to believe his words, young master?" she asked, removing her hood to reveal long, golden, curly hair. She had clear, crystal eyes and a small face, rating an 8 out of 10 in appearance. "The ''source compass'' already pointed us to the middle path. He must have hidden intentions for guiding us that way!" A young man''s sharp voice joined in, "I agree with Fiona, young master." It was the one with the golden gauntlets. He, too, revealed his face¡ªa fierce-looking youth with short golden hair. Another voice joined the conversation, this one with a calm, amiable tone. "Calm down, you two. Fiona, Karl." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But, Uncle Gold¡­" While Vincent''s party was engaged in a heated discussion, elsewhere, a group of Thrygians was surrounded by nearly countless Blackrat Soldiers. "Damn! Who told me to keep following the compass?!" Chapter 54 - 54: Crimson Castle (3) Standing before the three pathways, Vincent''s party remained locked in a tense debate. Two disagreed with his decision, one tried to calm them, while another wavered. The white-haired elder, known as Uncle Gold, who had wielded a golden whip earlier, glanced at Caelius after soothing the two youths. "We are here to support the young master. You, too, should be grateful that the young master allowed you to be here." His words finally silenced Fiona and Karl, though they continued to cast suspicious glances at Vincent. Although skeptical himself, he refrained from voicing his doubts and waited for Caelius''s decision. Caelius'' expression darkened initially when Fiona referred to him as ''young master.'' "I told you not to call me ''young master'' while we''re outside, remember?" His words left them speechless. "But we can''t do that, young master¡­" Fiona replied quietly, causing Caelius to sigh in resignation. "Sigh¡­ forget it. Anyway, it doesn''t matter which path we choose. We''re here to investigate, so we might as well explore every path. As for trusting him, that decision is mine alone." He cast a deep look at Fiona and Karl before turning his gaze to Vincent. Vincent remained silent, avoiding any argument with Fiona and Karl since he, too, would question a stranger''s words. Still, his curiosity about Caelius'' background grew. "Let''s move," Caelius commanded, following his own suggestion. Despite their caution and suspicion, Caelius''s three companions respected his command, trailing behind. The path they chose was a spacious hallway with crimson walls, black and white checkered floors like a chessboard, and dim lighting from crimson lamps mounted on the walls. Large windows on the left gave them a view of the dark outdoors. Even with their enhanced senses, they could only see a few meters ahead. A few moments later, faint footsteps echoed from a distance. So faint, one might wonder if they were human footsteps. "Prepare yourselves." As Caelius issued the warning, more footsteps approached from all directions. Even without further instruction, Fiona raised her short golden staff, casting a bright light that illuminated the long hallway! As the light spread, several dark figures scurried away as if afraid, squeaking as they disappeared. "Where did they go?" Fiona asked, puzzled. Vincent raised an eyebrow in mild confusion. "It seems they couldn''t see them¡­" he thought, observing the vaguely visible bipedal rats. Each stood nearly 160 centimeters tall. Covered entirely in black fur, they had thin, elongated limbs. They weren''t quite rats. However, their faces were unmistakably rat-like, with claws sharp as daggers. Thanks to his Heaven Eyes skill, he could clearly see these otherwise invisible primals. Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1¡ï) "There are at least ten of them¡­" he noted after a quick scan. One Blackrat Scief crept closer, triggering Caelius''s alertness even without clear sight. "Karl, at your 3 o''clock!" Without questioning his young master, Karl swung a heavy punch into the empty air. Bam! Summoning his golden gauntlet, a black figure was forced out of stealth mode, squealing in agony as it slammed against the crimson wall, cracking it. Its abdomen was crushed, blood dribbling from its mouth, yet it didn''t die instantly. It slipped back into stealth. "I don''t have time for this." Caelius muttered, irritation lacing his voice. With a mere half-step forward, he tapped his elegant shoes against the checkered floor. Tap! A faint light spread across the hallway floor. "Close your eyes." Vincent, though slightly perplexed, shielded his eyes without hesitation. A blinding light burst forth, illuminating everything around them and revealing the Blackrat Sciefs, who shrieked, covering their blinded eyes. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were surrounded, with some even clinging to the windows outside. "Open fire!" At Caelius''s command, the trio in golden cloaks unleashed their skills, striking with whips and slashes. Vincent joined in, quietly summoning a single Shadow Rat amidst the chaos. He ordered it to lurk in the shadows, targeting Blackrat Sciefs close to death. The Shadow Rat looked like an ordinary rat, but stood knee-high, wreathed in a misty black shadow. "Go, finish off anything on the brink of death." As Caelius''s skill exposed the creatures, Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl attacked the twenty-plus Blackrat Sciefs with ferocity. One of the Blackrat Sciefs, struck by Fiona''s skill, was nearly obliterated before Vincent''s Shadow Rat swiped its claws, ending its life in a flurry of digital particles. Vincent heard the sweet chime of a notification, confirming a surge of experience points. You have successfully killed a Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1¡ï) +100 experience points! Talent Activated! +1,000,000 experience points! With a single kill, his experience bar overflowed! If he didn''t spend it fast, the excess experience would go to waste. Without a second thought, he upgraded two of his rare-grade skills to epic. You have successfully upgraded, Earthshaker Gauntlet! Name: Stoneheart Gauntlet Grade: Epic Effect: Delivers a reinforced strike that adds 180% of the user''s base physical damage. Reduces target''s physical and elemental defenses by 15% for 10 seconds. Encases the user''s arm in an unbreakable stone form, enhancing physical defense by 20% and providing an 8% block chance. This form can be sustained with a moderate Origin Energy cost for prolonged encounters. Damage: +180% of base physical damage Defense Reduction: 15% for 10 seconds (physical and elemental) Defense Increase: 20% (maintainable) with 8% block chance Duration: 40 seconds (extendable) Consumption: 45 Origin Energy per minute Skill 1: Rock Smash Effect: Delivers a 220% reinforced strike, creating a shockwave of earth energy that deals AoE damage within a 10-meter radius. Staggers enemies, slowing them by 20% for 5 seconds. Damage Multiplier: 220% AoE Radius: 10 meters Slow Effect: 20% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 8 seconds Consumption: 35 Origin Energy Skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Summons a dense rock barrier, reducing incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. Strikes trigger a shockwave dealing 60% base physical damage within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback. Damage Reduction: 50% for 12 seconds Counter Damage: 60% as earth damage Cooldown: 14 seconds Consumption: 45 Origin Energy Skill 3: Earth''s Resilience (New) Effect: Fortifies the user''s body with stone armor, granting additional attack and defense Attack and Defense Boost: 50% Duration: - - Consumption: 10 origin energy per 120 seconds. "Another insane upgrade!" he thought, exhilarated. You have successfully upgraded Severing Blow! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact: Cleaves armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. Shockwave: Deals 50% base attack in a 5-meter radius, knocking back enemies and staggering them for 2 seconds. Hemorrhage: Causes the target to bleed, taking 15% base attack every second for 5 seconds. Skill 1: Earthsplitter Cleave Effect: Unleashes a 10-meter fissure, dealing 80% base attack as earth damage and reducing affected enemies'' movement by 20% for 6 seconds. Consumption: 80 Origin Energy Cooldown: 10 seconds "These skills are out of control!" he marveled, quickly spending his experience. His Shadow Rat killed another Blackrat Scief before the trio finished off the rest. "My experience bar is full again!" He dismissed his Shadow Rat. "Clean up and move on." No one noticed the Shadow Rat as Caelius ordered the group forward after collecting the loot. After several minutes, they reached the end of the hallway without encountering another primal. At the end of the hallway stood a towering, open iron door. Sounds of battle echoed from beyond. Clang! Boom! "Kill them!" "Behind you!" "Look out!" "Argh!" Voices filled with pain and struggle resounded. Caelius didn''t rush in. "Uncle Gold, scout ahead." "As you wish, young master." Vincent watched as Uncle Gold stepped forward, eyes closed, sending a wave of faint energy toward the battle beyond. A moment later, he opened his eyes and reported to Caelius. "What did you see?" Caelius asked. "I saw groups surrounded by Blackrat Men. --- Among them are Birdmen, Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians." Caelius paused, processing the information. "Did you spot anyone familiar or suspicious?" Uncle Gold shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment shadowing his face. "No, young master. None of them stood out in that way." "It''s fine. Let''s stay alert. We''re going in." Caelius nodded firmly before turning to Vincent. "And you? Are you ready?" Vincent gave a calm nod, his expression unwavering. "Don''t worry about me. I''m prepared." "Good to hear." Caelius''s reply was brief, reflecting his confidence in Vincent''s capability. "Move out!" Without further delay, they advanced through the doorway, emerging into a vast chamber where the chaotic battle unfolded. Various groups were locked in combat, their desperate cries echoing through the grand, dimly lit space. Around them, Blackrat Men swarmed with relentless ferocity, their dark forms weaving through the crowd like shadows. Beasts with feathered wings, known as Birdmen, fought alongside the Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians, each species using their unique abilities to fend off the wave of attackers. Chapter 55 - 55: Attracting Attention As soon as they entered the chamber, Vincent saw various groups of different races, each surrounded by an almost countless number of Blackrat Men. Though some of these origin warriors had Tier 2 strength, they were still overwhelmed by the sheer number of Blackrat Men and Leaders filling the chamber''s vastness. The sight of so many primals might have spelled trouble for others, but to Vincent, they were all shimmering amounts of experience points. He couldn''t help but drool in his mind. "What a feast!" he thought, eyes shining, unbothered by the situation. Even though he was excited to farm experience points, Vincent wasn''t a reckless brute. He quickly scanned the surroundings for anything suspicious. Although his Heaven Eyes skill was special, he couldn''t filter everything at once due to their sheer number. Still, he sensed a strange feeling within the chamber but couldn''t pinpoint it. He prepared himself regardless. After all, this was the path they chose, now blocked by these Blackrat Men, and they''d have to break through to go deeper. As expected, Uncle Gold, the wise elder, voiced his thoughts, "We have to pass through them. Young master, your command?" While Uncle Gold remained calm, the two youths, Fiona and Karl, were already eager to fight. "Please, command us to kill our way through, young master!" Fiona requested, followed by Karl. "Yes, please, young master!" Caelius showed no reaction this time, as though he was already familiar with their behavior. "Do whatever you want, just make it quick." His reply made the two youths exclaim in joy. "Yes! You''re the best, young master!" Fiona exclaimed. Karl added, "What about those groups? What do we do with them?" He gestured at the different races being surrounded, looking to Caelius for a decision. However, what met his question was pure silence and a sharp gaze. ''Oh no, I blabbed too much!'' Karl thought, recognizing that look¡ªit meant, ''Stop asking questions; I don''t care.'' Fiona saw her young master''s expression too, and it sent chills down her back. ''We''re dead this time!'' she thought, pulling Karl and bowing to Caelius. "We''ll be quick, young master!" She then leaned and whispered in Karl''s ear, "Stop talking and move!" "Yes, Big Sis," Karl replied before glaring at the Blackrat Men, taking a stance and summoning his golden gauntlet armament. Vincent''s brow rose slightly behind his mask as he overheard their conversation. ''They''re brother and sister?'' he thought, recalling their appearance behind their golden masks. "They don''t look alike, though," he muttered, which Caelius somehow overheard. "Who doesn''t look alike?" Caelius asked, his usual smile accompanied by slightly raised golden eyebrows. Vincent simply shook his head. "It''s nothing. I''ll be doing my part this time. I can''t let these experience points pass." Without waiting for Caelius'' response, he followed behind Fiona and Karl. Boom! A loud sound reverberated as Fiona and Karl unleashed their skills, killing dozens of Blackrat Men at once, immediately catching the attention of the groups being surrounded. "There''s a new group behind us!" one of the injured Vyrmins exclaimed. "I know that. I''m not deaf!" his companion retorted. "What should we do now? Move forward or retreat?" "Do you think we can move forward in our current condition?" Alko Swyz, the party leader of the Vyrmins'' group and a Tier 2 origin warrior, replied before glaring in a particular direction. Initially, they had banded with various races and an influential party before entering the labyrinth. However, the moment they activated this trap and got surrounded by Blackrat Men, that ''influential party'' abandoned them without hesitation¡ªeven their own kin¡ªmaking him furious. They had promised a lot when they made contact but ended up betraying them. Now, even their lives as origin warriors were at stake. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he were alone, he could blast his way out, buy time, and use an escape scroll. Unfortunately, his party members didn''t have escape scrolls like he did. It was his mistake to trust that party, and now he had to take responsibility for his group''s lives. At the same time, the other party leaders among the surrounded groups noticed the commotion behind them, each exchanging words within their own teams. Oblivious to their conversations, Vincent didn''t summon his Tier 2 armament; instead, he unleashed his newly upgraded epic skill¡ªStoneheart Gauntlet. His arms, from fists to shoulders, transformed as the previously earthy-colored stone became like silver-colored stone arms, with wolf-head pauldrons on both shoulders. "I feel strong!" he thought, feeling the surge of power in his arms. "Rock Smash!" Thrilled, he punched the nearest Blackrat Man, blasting it to pieces with a shockwave force that spread five meters forward, shattering several Blackrat Men into particles of digital light. "You have successfully killed a Blackrat Man!" "You have successfully killed¡­" "Talent Activated!" "+250,000 experience points!" "+250,000¡­" The beautiful sounds of killing confirmation filled his experience bar. Naturally, the Blackrat Men didn''t just stand idly; they rushed at him, weapons drawn. A Blackrat Man Leader wielding a corroded huge sword even joined them. With a simple wave of his stone arm, Vincent summoned a dense silver-rock barrier around himself. "Guard!" Clang! Hum! The sound of metal clashing against his barrier filled the air, yet it left no cracks. A faint hum followed as his barrier vibrated briefly before unleashing a shockwave, knocking the Blackrat Men away. Squeak! They squeaked in pain as they landed, injured. "This is great!" Vincent thought, barely able to contain his satisfaction. Real men should fight like this¡ªbeating everyone by hand! But he only entertained that thought briefly; he wouldn''t hesitate to use everything he had in a real battle. He wasn''t foolish enough to hide his strength and risk his life just to avoid drawing attention. Meanwhile, Caelius and Uncle Gold, who had stayed behind, noticed Vincent''s actions. Uncle Gold couldn''t help but ask, "Young master, what is that person''s background?" Clearly surprised, he noted that what Vincent had unleashed wasn''t a simple uncommon skill. Not even rare skills produced that level of power. Though Vincent was only at Peak Tier 1, not even half-step to Tier 2, the force he displayed was near Tier 2. Caelius, too, was a bit speechless. "Other than knowing his name, would you believe me if I told you he was just a newbie not even a week ago¡­" Uncle Gold was shocked by Caelius'' response. But he didn''t question his young master''s words; Caelius had no reason to lie. The revelation gave his heart a jolt. "Not even a week, and already at Peak Tier 1 with near Tier 2 strength?" Uncle Gold muttered. "He might already be at Tier 2 strength. I doubt that''s all he''s capable of," Caelius remarked with a serious expression, which soon turned into a mysterious smile. "It doesn''t matter. We''ll just continue building our relationship with him." Meanwhile, Fiona and Karl created a path by killing dozens of Blackrat Men, eventually reaching the surrounded groups. The moment those parties noticed them, they also caught a glimpse of Caelius'' figure in the distance. "We were just abandoned by a demon. We haven''t even fallen back, and now there''s another demon?" "The Lionfang Clan¡­" "That''s the uniform of the Golden Lion Legion!" someone pointed out, indicating Fiona and Karl''s attire. "They''re a legion of madmen!" another chimed in. Fiona heard them but wasn''t bothered. However, it was different for Karl; he disliked hearing their elite legion labeled as madmen. Fueled by frustration from the unending primals, he growled, "Who are you calling madmen?!" His voice frightened some weaker origin warriors, while party leaders frowned in displeasure. Just as conflict was about to erupt, the chamber floor suddenly shook, surprising everyone. "What''s happening?!" "Look! What is that?!" Chapter 56 - 56: A Calamity Blackrat "Look! What is that?!" The loud exclamation turned everyone''s attention in the same direction. There, they saw a sea of Blackrat Men being pulled together by an unknown force. A closer look would reveal a small orb¡ªa living mass, throbbing like a heartbeat¡ªas it floated in the direction where the Blackrat Men were being dragged. Squeak! The Blackrat Men squeaked in agony as the chilling sound of bones cracking filled the air, their cries echoing. Slowly, the black mass convulsed, continuing to consume the Blackrat Men, killing them in the process. Vincent, on the far end, finally recognized the strange sensation he''d felt earlier. "This feeling¡­ could it be primal energy?" he wondered, recalling his own experiences absorbing primal energy. That familiarity tugged at his mind. As the black mass grew larger, its shape began to change, alerting all the surviving parties. "I don''t know what''s happening, but we must stop it from evolving any further!" someone in the group urged. "I agree, but how? Can you even see how many Blackrat Men there are?" another responded. "Maybe we can''t do anything¡ªbut they might be able to¡­" The Vyrmin party leader, Alko, who had been on high alert, finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Caelius'' group. Caelius, seemingly ignoring the gaze, frowned slightly, locking his attention on the evolving mass. "Young Master, you recognize that energy, don''t you?" Uncle Gold asked, his old face marked with a serious frown beneath his golden mask, eyes focused on the black mass in the distance. "That''s a calamity aura¡­" Caelius muttered, recalling the warnings his father and clan elders had taught him. He understood the danger it posed to the world. "Could this be the force behind the investigating team''s disappearance from the Novice Center?" he wondered, narrowing his eyes. "What should we do, Young Master?" Without hesitation, Caelius replied, "Try to stop it. Go with the siblings." "As you wish." Uncle Gold bowed respectfully to Caelius before approaching Fiona and Karl. The two siblings immediately noticed his arrival. "Uncle Gold!" "Uncle, do you know what that is?!" Karl asked, hoping for an answer. "I don''t know precisely, but it''s known as a Calamity." "Calamity?!" Karl exclaimed. "Then it must be dangerous. What are the Young Master''s orders?" Fiona asked. "We''re to attempt to stop it. But there''s no need to go all out. Just don''t cause unnecessary trouble for the Young Master." Uncle Gold''s tone was stern, and the siblings nodded with serious expressions. "Yes." "I understand." Uncle Gold nodded, satisfied. "All right then, just like our usual practice. Let''s take it down!" At this, Karl immediately took his stance, letting out a loud growl as Fiona raised her short golden staff, which glowed with a golden light as she chanted, "Lion''s Boost!" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In an instant, a lion-shaped aura appeared above Uncle Gold''s and Karl''s heads, enveloping their bodies and boosting their physical attack and movement speed by 20% for 60 seconds. "Thanks, Big Sis!" Karl said as his golden gauntlets gleamed with a yellow-gold aura. Uncle Gold quickly sprang into action, summoning his golden whip, which extended three meters. It glowed momentarily before splitting into two identical whips. Bam! He cracked the whips, taking down dozens of Blackrat Men and Leaders, leaving a deep fissure across the chamber''s floor. Karl followed, kicking off the ground to charge through the path Uncle Gold had cleared, roaring as he delivered a crushing punch. The impact created a powerful shockwave that obliterated the primals in front of him. Boom! Their casual attacks held such power that ordinary Tier 1 primals had no hope of resisting. Fiona then raised her staff and unleashed a golden light beam, further clearing the path Uncle Gold and Karl had forged. Whoosh! Boom! The trio continued their powerful assaults until they reached the black mass, now partially formed with a thick lower abdomen, still devouring Blackrat Men to complete its transformation. "It''s visible now! Shoot it down!" Uncle Gold commanded, spreading his mental force to hold back the Blackrat Men from swarming Karl. "Argh! Lion''s Smash!" Karl didn''t hesitate to unleash one of his best skills. His arms bulged, veins and muscles swelling like a titan''s, as a lion''s head and roar appeared above his arm. He swung it down at the half-formed primal abdomen. Boom! A deafening sound filled the chamber, followed by a flash of golden light, a faint tremor, and a cloud of smoke that shrouded the creature''s form. Without waiting for the smoke to clear, Karl quickly retreated. Just then, he heard his sister''s voice cutting through the air. "Light Beam!" A yellow beam flashed above him, striking the half-formed creature and causing another loud explosion, sending a more intense tremor through the chamber. "They''re strong!" Vincent thought, watching the trio''s impressive skills from afar. Members of different races were equally astonished, some left speechless. "Are humans really that powerful?" one of the Birdmen party members asked, surprised. "No, humans are generally weaker than us Birdmen, but there are exceptions. The Lionfang Clan is one of those exceptions," the Birdmen party leader replied with a serious expression. "Their clan has considerable influence in the Origin World," he added. "Did they get it?" one of the other origin warriors asked eagerly. "Shut up! Don''t jinx it!" his companion scolded. The trio¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona¡ªremained serious, on high alert. They hadn''t received a kill notification yet, so they knew the threat wasn''t over. As the smoke finally began to clear, they saw the full extent of their attack''s impact. But what they saw next sent a shock through their hearts. Roar! A deep, resounding roar reverberated through the chamber, shaking the hearts of all present. Emerging from the smoke was a towering figure¡ªa gigantic Blackrat Man, standing three meters tall, with thick, quivering muscles formed from a black, pulsing mass. Vincent looked up, his eyes wide. Blackrat Man Tier 2 (5¡ï) (Half-Primalized) "Primalized? So it''s because of primal energy!" he thought, feeling a strange tugging sensation within his origin core. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his head, and a cold, deep voice echoed repeatedly in his mind. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" "Ugh! Stop!" he shouted, clutching his head, which drew Caelius''s attention. Caelius approached with concern in his voice. "Are you all right?" Vincent raised a hand to stop Caelius from coming any closer. In a slightly strained voice, he answered, "I¡ªI''m fine, don''t worry. I just overused my origin energy." But the voice continued to echo relentlessly in his mind. Chapter 57 - 57: Caelius Strength While Vincent tried to shake the voice from his mind, Uncle Gold and the two siblings stood agape behind their masks, staring at the transformed three-meter-tall Blackrat Man. "What is that...?" Fiona muttered, her eyes wide. After releasing a thunderous roar, the massive black creature suddenly leaped into the air, vanishing momentarily from their sight. "Look out!" Despite the warning, the Half-Primalized creature landed in the center of the origin warriors, causing a tremor and sweeping its nearly two-meter-long tail, instantly killing several slower, weaker party members. "Argh!" "Dendo!" "Damn! It got Mish!" "Lhika!" "No way..." Alko, the Vyrmins'' party leader, wore a dark expression as he took in the damage inflicted by the black creature on their makeshift group. ''Damn it!'' he exclaimed in his mind. Initially, along with the ''influential party,'' there had been a total of fifty origin warriors. Once abandoned, they were left with forty, with each race represented by ten members. Surrounded by countless primals, five of their number had already fallen. Now, after the creature''s single, sweeping attack, only thirty-two warriors remained. Alko''s gaze turned toward the Thrygians'' surviving group. Despite the chaos, the Thrygians were untouched, not a single injury or sign of fatigue among them, which he finds suspicious. Others had noticed, too. The Lyards'' leader, a tall, muscular, crimson-scaled lizard-man named K''vok, thrust his spear toward the Thrygians. "This is all your fault! If we hadn''t trusted Grarik, my people would still be alive!" Spit flew from K''vok''s mouth as he raged. Of the eight fallen warriors, three were his own, fueling his fury. Indeed, Grarik had been part of the ''influential party'' that abandoned them, which he deeply regretted trusting them. The Thrygian leader, Gorak¡ªa muscular figure standing 6''6"¡ªresponded calmly like a matter-of-fact, "My group was abandoned too, as you can see." K''vok''s rage only grew at Gorak''s calmness. "You don''t look abandoned to me. It seems like this is all part of your plan! You say you were left behind, yet look at your group¡ªthey''re in perfect condition!" K''vok''s words caused a ripple among the party leaders. It was true; Gorak''s group was oddly calm, given the circumstances. Yet, Gorak''s expression remained unbothered, composed despite the hostile stares. "We''re simply not afraid of dying, unlike all of you," he replied flatly. "You''ll only lose your chance to enter the Origin World. You''re not really going to die. So, why do you all act as though this is your end?" he added with a scoff. His words stirred mixed reactions. Some were silent, unsettled by the truth he spoke, while others maintained dark expressions. Becoming an Origin Warrior was no easy feat, and losing access to the Origin World was akin to becoming crippled. For them, failure was not an option. But the rampaging Blackrat Man continued its assault. With claws shrouded in dark mist, it unleashed powerful slashes, cracking the ground and slaughtering both its kin and several more origin warriors. Alko, known for his cautious nature and influence within the group, spoke up. "Let''s settle this later. We need to survive first!" "What are we going to do?!" "The door is open, and the Lionfang Clan has created a path¡ªlet''s escape now!" exclaimed a Birdman origin warrior. Initially grounded to avoid spear bombardments from above, he now saw an opportunity to flee. He flapped his white wings and dashed toward the exit, passing by Vincent and Caelius, who glanced briefly at him. The Birdman''s face radiated excitement as he neared the exit, thinking, "I''m going to survive!" But just as he was mere steps away, a dark shadow flashed through the air. The Birdman froze mid-flight. In the next instant, his body split in two, his remains dissolving into particles of digital light. A silence hung in the air as those who witnessed the scene turned toward the source of the attack. One of the two statues of hooded Blackrat Men, each holding long scimitars, had moved, blood dripping from its blade. Crack! Earlier, the warriors had ignored the statues behind the massive door¡ªa grave mistake. Vincent, having finally subdued the voice in his head, had also seen the Birdman''s death. Chamber''s Guardian Tier 2 (4¡ï) The statues were actually late-Tier-2 primals. Vincent hadn''t noticed them upon entering the chamber. He then heard Caelius mutter, "Fool. If it were that easy to escape, the Novice Center''s Tier 2 investigation team wouldn''t have died here." Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl, who had been battling the Blackrat Man, retreated to Caelius. They''d tried to prevent its transformation but failed. Silently, they joined their young master, heads slightly lowered in shame. Caelius noticed their dejection. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Don''t let it bother you. You all did well. The Golden Lion Legion doesn''t fear failure. Stand tall and watch me take this thing down." Karl, clearly a fan, exclaimed with shining eyes, "Young Master''s finally stepping in?!" Hearing this, Vincent''s curiosity grew as he focused on Caelius. "Be careful, Young Master," Fiona said, her voice and gaze filled with concern. Vincent watched Caelius step forward, releasing a powerful aura that swept through the chamber, causing their hair to whip in the force. "So strong!" Vincent thought, astonished. The rampaging Half-Primalized Blackrat Man took immediate notice of Caelius'' approach. As it could sense a dangerous feeling coming from him. Vincent saw Caelius rest his hand on his golden longsword''s hilt before smirking. In a blur, he vanished. Vincent frowned. "He''s fast!" He turned his head, trying to locate Caelius. Then, a yellow flash erupted, illuminating the vast chamber for a brief moment, followed by a deafening explosion. Boom! Howl! A pained howl split the air as the massive black figure was hurled dozens of meters away, crashing into a thick pillar and embedding itself there. Vincent''s eyes widened as he finally spotted Caelius, hovering tens of feet above the ground. His body radiated golden energy, and his unsheathed golden longsword glowed with a lingering yellow-gold aura. "That demon''s truly worthy of his rank," someone muttered, awestruck. Chapter 58 - 58: Another Surprise Vincent narrowed his eyes as he sensed Caelius'' strength. ''He''s emitting the strength of late-Tier 2 (5¡ï), but he''s clearly stronger than that...'' he thought, focusing his attention on the cloud of smoke that slowly dissipated, revealing the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man embedded in a thick pillar. Crack! Rubble fell as the massive creature dug itself out of the pillar, exposing a deep wound across its chest. Yet, like something out of a movie, countless thin black masses writhed like worms, converging and swiftly healing the massive gash. With furrowed brows, Vincent thought, "It has a regeneration ability similar to the Mutated Blackrat Leader but far superior." Caelius, now calmly descending, couldn''t help but frown slightly at the regenerating ''calamity''-class creature. "Quite tough," he mused, while the rest of the crowd, witnessing the scene, was stunned. "No way¡­" "Even with the strength of a Top Ranker?!" "What kind of creature is that?" No one dared to leave the chamber. With the two Chamber Guardians blocking the exit, escaping was not an option. Thus, all eyes remained glued to the spectacle unfolding before them. Even the trio of Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl, who had a clear estimate of Caelius'' strength, were surprised. Although their ''young master'' possessed the strength of a Tier 2 (5¡ï), he was far from ordinary. Considered a genius by many, he ranked among the top in the Novice Continent. "Should we help the young master?" Fiona asked in a worried tone, her gaze fixed on Caelius with concern. "Don''t doubt the young master''s strength, Big Sis!" Karl replied, though visibly shocked. His belief in Caelius'' abilities was unwavering. "You two needn''t worry¡ªjust watch," Uncle Gold said calmly, a hidden smile behind his mask. As he spoke, the fully recovered black-mass creature crouched before launching itself at Caelius with astonishing speed. Despite the oncoming attack, Caelius remained motionless, his golden-lion longsword pointed at the ground. Slowly, it began releasing a flame-like golden aura. With its claws shrouded in a dark aura, the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man swung ferociously at Caelius. A split second before impact, Caelius raised his weapon and thrust forward. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Lion''s Strike!!! The image of a lion mid-attack materialized briefly before colliding with the Half-Primalized creature. A deafening sound rang out, followed by a shockwave that sent dozens of Blackrat Men and the surviving origin warriors sprawling. Rumble! Vincent instinctively shielded his eyes, his focus still on the battle. The simplicity of Caelius'' strike belied its immense power. For Vincent, this marked the first time witnessing Caelius in action. That single strike was enough to highlight the gulf in strength between Caelius and the trio of Uncle Gold. Despite the force behind the collision, both combatants merely staggered back before resuming their attacks. The Half-Primalized Blackrat Man, despite its speed and size, failed to evade several of Caelius'' strikes. Conversely, Caelius effortlessly dodged its attacks. The creature''s massive frame made its movements predictable, and Caelius countered with precision. Yet, despite the relentless damage inflicted, the creature showed no signs of pain or fatigue. Its black mass continuously healed every wound. "This will take forever if I don''t get serious. Let''s end this¡ª" Caelius'' thought was interrupted as the creature suddenly withdrew, releasing a dark aura that surged across hundreds of Blackrat Men. The moment the aura touched them, the Blackrat Men transformed. Their squeaks turned frenzied, their eyes bloodshot as they charged mindlessly. "Damn it! They''ve gone berserk!" "Kill them! Don''t hold back if you want to live!" "Watch it! Are you trying to kill me?" "Idiot! You''re the one who got in my way!" "Stop fighting, you morons! If you''ve got the energy to bicker, use it to kill these rats!" Chaos erupted as the crazed Blackrat Men attacked indiscriminately. Even Vincent and the trio weren''t spared. However, they dealt with the onslaught effortlessly, and Vincent''s experience bar began to fill once more. Observing the pandemonium, Caelius'' golden eyes narrowed in displeasure. "Enough," he muttered, stomping softly on the ground. A golden light spread across the floor, bursting into a blinding radiance that illuminated the vast chamber, momentarily stunning everyone. An overwhelming aura surged through the air, suffocating the Blackrat Men while immobilizing the surviving origin warriors. Exempt from the effects, Vincent watched intently as Caelius lifted his sword and stabbed it into the ground. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Lion''s Tail Strike!!! Boom! Countless yellow crystals erupted from the floor, skewering the bodies of countless primals. Blood dripped from the dazzling crystals as they impaled the creatures. The surviving warriors instinctively jumped back, startled by the sudden spikes. Like a grand fireworks display, the corpses of the Blackrat Men disintegrated into particles of digital light. With a single strike, Caelius wiped out the remaining Blackrat Men, leaving the chamber eerily silent. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even the massive creature paused, seemingly stunned. Seizing the moment, Caelius'' sword ignited with golden flames once more. Leaping into the air, he descended upon the creature, weapon raised high. Lionfang''s Sword Technique Tier 2 ¡ª Golden Lion Slash!!! A three-meter crescent of golden energy surged from his blade, slamming into the creature''s thick arms as it attempted to defend itself. The moment the attack connected, the immense force blasted the creature''s arms aside. Boom! A deafening sound echoed as the golden slash carved through the chamber, leaving destruction in its wake. With a heavy thud, the massive creature collapsed, causing the ground to tremble faintly. Although the creature''s body remained intact, Caelius'' confident voice rang out, "Stop dawdling. We''re moving!" The surviving warriors hesitated, stunned and filled with doubt. "Is it really over?" Before their questions could be answered, the creature''s body suddenly burst into a massive sphere of light particles. As the light dissipated, a single black orb of energy remained. "What? No drop?" a shocked voice exclaimed. Vincent, recognizing the energy emanating from the orb, furrowed his brows beneath his mask. "They can''t see it?" he wondered. Suddenly, the orb shot forward, entering Vincent''s body at lightning speed. You have received +500 Primal Energy! You have received Primal Regen! You have received Primal Boost! You have received Primal Strength! "What the¡ª?" Chapter 59 - 59: Primal Skills "What the¡ª" Vincent exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise as a notification echoed in his ears. Violent, dark energy surged into his body, causing him to groan softly at the strange sensation. "Are you alright, young man?" Uncle Gold''s voice sounded from behind. Vincent nodded once he calmed himself, though his mind was still reeling from the unexpected experience. "Let''s move, then," Uncle Gold said. Not noticing anything unusual about Vincent, he led the way, guiding him and the siblings forward. The stunned Origin Warriors around them instinctively parted, making way for the group. No one dared to block their path. The very presence of Caelius, with his striking golden hair and commanding aura, was enough to instill fear and awe. But just as they advanced, a calm, deep voice interrupted them. "I apologize, but no one is allowed to leave this place!" All eyes turned toward the speaker¡ªGorak, the current leader of the Thrygians. The other party leaders exchanged confused and displeased glances. Before anyone could voice their concerns, Caelius'' voice cut through the air, cold and laced with irritation. "Too noisy." Three shadows moved in an instant, and the next moment, Gorak found himself surrounded by three figures, weapons drawn and pointed at him. A nervous gulp broke the tense silence as all eyes focused on the trio cloaked in gold. Uncle Gold and the siblings stood poised to strike, their weapons gleaming with a deadly light. Gorak, despite his size and presence, couldn''t mask the fear in his expression as he stared at the cold, threatening stares of his assailants. "Leader!" his party members shouted in alarm. The scene had unfolded too quickly for anyone to react. Gorak had barely spoken a sentence before being surrounded. The killing intent radiating from the trio was suffocating. Caelius'' voice echoed again, calm yet commanding, "What did you mean by that?" Gorak hesitated, his eyes darting nervously between the gleaming weapons pointed at him. He could feel the power emanating from them, each one capable of ending his life. Caelius'' fan, Karl, barked aggressively, "The young master asked you a question. Answer!" Gorak''s face twisted with indecision. His young master had ordered him to prevent anyone from leaving the chamber, but now he was caught between his master''s wrath and the deadly trio before him. ''Damn it! Better to face my master''s punishment than die at the hands of these lunatics,'' he thought bitterly. "I-I apologize. I misspoke," Gorak stammered, gesturing toward a group of mixed-race warriors. He added hastily, scratching the back of his head, "We''re in a temporary party. We need to rest before deciding whether to continue or retreat." "I see. That makes sense," Caelius replied simply, prompting Uncle Gold and the siblings to lower their weapons. Gorak immediately bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you for understanding, young master Caelius." But even as he spoke, his mind was racing. He was already planning how to report the presence of Caelius'' group and how to deal with them. His scheming thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Caelius'' next words. "Do you think I''m stupid enough to believe that?" "Wha¡ª" Before Gorak could finish, a sharp golden light flashed, slicing through him and his party members. In the blink of an eye, purple blood sprayed into the air as their bodies were cleanly severed, collapsing to the ground. Gorak''s expression froze in shock as his vision darkened. ''Demon¡­'' was his final thought. Thud! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent, who had watched the entire scene, remained silent, his expression cold. He had been shaken the first time he killed the Thrygians who had targeted him, but he was now fully aware that their deaths weren''t real. This was a digital world. His emotions had numbed, and he viewed it simply as the strong dominating the weak. As silence filled the chamber, the corpses of the Thrygians dissolved into particles of digital light, leaving behind several loot items. The other Origin Warriors stared at Caelius, their thoughts unanimous: He''s a demon. A murmur broke the silence. "Will he kill us next?" Fortunately for them, Caelius'' next words were a reprieve. "Collect the loot. We''re leaving." The tension in the room eased as Caelius and his group departed. "Sigh¡­ That demon is finally gone. He''s even scarier than that massive Blackrat man," someone muttered. "Check the surroundings! There''s no way that monster didn''t leave any drops!" "Forget the loot. How are we supposed to leave this place now?" another voice cried. "Oh, we''re doomed!" ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Vincent''s party ascended a spiral staircase, heading upward. Now that they had a moment of calm, Vincent focused on the new skills he had somehow acquired. Name: Primal Regen Quality: Rare Effect: Recovers any physical injury for a short amount of time. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ªdepends on the severity of the injury. Name: Primal Boost Quality: Rare Effect: Increases all attributes by 50% for 90 seconds. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ª10. Name: Primal Strength Quality: Rare Effect: Increases strength by 50% for 5 minutes. Consumption: Primal Energy¡ª50. "This is amazing, but¡­" Vincent thought, frowning as he reviewed the details. "I still don''t know how to recover Primal Energy or use it effectively without consequences." As he pondered, Caelius sidled up beside him. "Yo, you really surprised me back there. Aren''t you a genius like me?" Caelius said with his usual smile. Though suspicious of Caelius'' intentions, Vincent replied casually, shaking his head. "I''m not a genius. I only awakened a C-rank talent. I''m far from someone like you." His response made Caelius and Uncle Gold pause, both giving him a doubtful look. Their expressions seemed to say, Who are you trying to fool? Caelius chuckled, shaking his head. "It doesn''t matter. I know a genius when I see one." He then added, "Why don''t we meet in the real world next time?" Vincent halted, curiosity and suspicion flashing in his eyes. Why would Caelius suggest such a thing? "If I''m not busy," he replied noncommittally. Fiona, who had overheard their conversation from behind, bristled. "You should be grateful the young master is inviting you¡ª" "Fiona!" Caelius cut her off sharply. She immediately lowered her head, chastened. "Don''t mind her," Caelius said to Vincent, his tone warm. "Just let me know whenever you''re free." Vincent nodded curtly and resumed climbing the staircase. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª In the throne room of the Crimson Castle, a dark figure sat upon a shadowy throne, its crimson eyes glowing ominously. A black snake coiled around its shadowy arm, hissing in pain as the figure clenched it tightly. The figure''s voice, deep and hoarse, echoed through the chamber. "I don''t know what''s happening out there, but whoever killed my minions will die by my hands." It suddenly sensed several presences beyond the throne room door. "So, I finally have visitors after all this time," it murmured with a hint of dark amusement. Outside the door stood a group of ten individuals. At the center was a towering purple giant¡ªGrarik Blackthorn¡ªflanked by four more Thrygians. Opposite them stood five cloaked figures, their features obscured. Grarik spoke first. "This is the boss room. Follow the plan, and I''ll give you what I promised." One of the hooded figures stepped forward, his voice old and rasping. "Hehe, I believe you. After all, you know the consequences of displeasing our organization." Chapter 60 - 60: Execution Organization Vincent''s party finally reached a crimson hallway after ascending the spiral staircase for quite some time. The journey had been surprisingly uneventful. They hadn''t encountered any trouble along the way, which Vincent found peculiar. Ever since they left the chamber, he had become more attuned to the familiar energy emanating from the depths of the Crimson Castle. At the end of the hallway stood a massive crimson metal door, firmly shut. "Is this the boss room?" Fiona murmured softly. "It''s still closed. Are we the first ones to get here?!" Karl''s voice carried a note of excitement, thrilled by the idea that they might be the first team to reach the boss'' room. "Don''t get too comfortable. Who knows what lies behind that door? We just encountered a calamity-grade primal in a low-tier labyrinth," Uncle Gold said, his eyes narrowing slightly. Ever since they had faced the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man, Uncle Gold had been on edge. He was convinced that this labyrinth was far from ordinary, and he refused to let the two siblings lower their guard. "Take a quick rest," Caelius ordered, echoing Uncle Gold''s vigilance. He also suspected Grarik''s party had reached this place first. Yet, he couldn''t sense their presence or find any traces of them. He surmised that whatever properties this door held, it could block mental energy. Upon hearing the command, the trio sat down promptly to replenish their energy. Vincent, however, merely feigned exhaustion. In truth, his origin energy remained full, as he only had to consumed a single origin crystal. Once their energy was fully restored, the group prepared to enter the room. Caelius stepped forward, turning to face the group, though his gaze settled beyond them. "How long are you going to hide? Aren''t you tired of waiting?" His words were met by an old, raspy voice echoing down the hallway. Slowly, five figures materialized out of stealth. "Heh, the Lion''s Cub¡ªtruly deserving of your title." The voice dripped with sarcasm. Fiona and Karl spun around, startled by the sudden appearance of the hooded figures. In contrast, Uncle Gold and Vincent turned with casual composure. With his scout ability, Uncle Gold had already detected them, while Vincent''s Heaven Eyes skill kept him informed. "One peak Tier 2 and four Tier 2 (3¡ï)..." Vincent frowned slightly behind his mask. In normal circumstances, he might have been a burden to Caelius and the others. Of course, that would only hold true if he were an average Tier 1 origin warrior. With his unique skills and trump cards, Vincent could potentially contend with Tier 2 warriors. As he steeled himself mentally, Caelius addressed the five hooded figures. "You were sent by that Big Fool, weren''t you?" Simultaneously, Uncle Gold and the siblings unsheathed their weapons without hesitation. In response, the four hooded figures behind the raspy voice also revealed their armaments. "You''re perceptive," the old voice replied. "But you won''t get anything from me." "Young Master, let''s deal with them already. Villains will only talk when they are about to die," Karl grumbled, his tone betraying his irritation. "Youngsters truly know no fear," the same old voice chuckled in amusement. "And you must be truly cowardly, hiding under that hood," Caelius retorted, stepping forward. As he did, golden light radiated across the hallway floor. Before the hooded figures could react, brilliant flashes of light erupted, accompanied by gusts of wind that stripped away their cloaks. When the figures were revealed, Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise. Though humanoid in shape, their bodies were emaciated, resembling skeletons with rotting flesh. Their hollow eyes and skeletal masks gave them an eerie appearance. On each mask was the symbol of a white-inked eye. Caelius''s expression darkened the moment he recognized the symbol. "To think Grarik would go so far as to hire the Executor Organization... He must have promised them something significant." The Executor Organization was infamous for its deadly assassins, whose services came at a steep price. Caelius couldn''t help but wonder what Grarik had offered to secure their loyalty. His smile returned, though, as he declared, "It''s time for you three to show me the results of your training. Leave the old man to me." "Yes, Young Master!" Uncle Gold and the siblings responded in unison. The old man from the Executor Organization, code-named Old Bone, issued his orders calmly. "As usual¡ªyour kill, your loot." "Heh, we''ve been waiting for you to say that, Old Bone." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Don''t you dare hog all the kills this time!" "Hah, not my fault you''re as slow as a snail!" Uncle Gold, usually composed, finally showed a hint of irritation. "Did you hear these skeletons? They talk like we''re already dead. Don''t hold back¡ªbreak them so badly even their bones won''t remain intact!" "Yes!" "Wasn''t planning on doing anything less!" the siblings replied enthusiastically. At this point, Caelius turned to Vincent. "Will you be alright?" Instead of answering, Vincent waved his hand. In an instant, five Tier 2 (1¡ï) Shadow Rats materialized around him, leaving Caelius and the others visibly stunned. "Is he... a summoner? But how can a summoner fight like him and summon higher-tier creatures?!" "Is that even possible?" Uncle Gold and the siblings, their expressions hidden beneath their masks, were nonetheless baffled. Even Caelius momentarily questioned his assumptions. It had already been shocking that Vincent could physically contend with Tier 2 warriors, but now he had revealed summoning capabilities exceeding his tier. Suppressing his surprise, Caelius chuckled. "You never fail to amaze me. I suppose I was wrong to think of you as a rookie." Vincent merely shook his head. If Caelius knew he possessed more than one epic skill, his shock would only deepen. Meanwhile, Old Bone and his party regarded Vincent with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Do you know anything about him?" one of the assassins asked. Old Bone''s silence spoke volumes. He, too, was encountering a summoner like Vincent for the first time. "It doesn''t matter," Old Bone said coldly. "His summons are just initial Tier 2. Kill the summoner quickly¡ªhe''s only a Tier 1." As if in defiance of Old Bone''s words, five more Shadow Rats appeared at Vincent''s command. Now surrounded by ten Shadow Rats, Vincent''s display left his opponents speechless. The Shadow Rats aligned themselves in formation like disciplined soldiers, further stunning the onlookers. Caelius couldn''t help but laugh softly. "You really know how to steal the spotlight." He then turned back to Uncle Gold and the siblings. "Don''t let him outshine you. Show me what you''ve got!" "Yes, Young Master!" Uncle Gold split his golden whip into two, Karl clenched his golden gauntlets, and Fiona aimed her golden staff forward. In response, the four assassins charged with synchronized precision, daggers in hand. Their movements, despite their decrepit appearances, were remarkably swift. "Light Beam!" Fiona cried, sending a burst of golden light from her staff toward them. But before the attack could land, the figures blurred and disappeared. Boom! The explosion illuminated the hallway as the assassins reappeared, closing in on Uncle Gold and the siblings. Karl reacted instantly, pulling his arm back and launching a heavy punch, the aura of a lion''s head roaring from his strike. "Back off!" Chapter 61 - 61: Fighting Old Bone "Back off!" The executor men, standing like shadows in the dimly lit hallway, did not flinch at the attack. As though they had rehearsed their response a thousand times, they swiftly dispersed, sidestepping with a practiced ease that left Karl''s strike roaring past them. The force of his attack did not dissipate¡ªit continued its path, heading straight for Old Bone. Old Bone, seemingly unbothered, raised a withered hand. With an almost lazy wave, faint purple energy materialized in the air, dispersing the strike like a gentle breeze extinguishing a candle flame. To him, Karl''s offensive skill was no more than an insignificant disturbance, like a child flailing their arms in frustration. "Stop fooling around!" Old Bone''s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, tinged with irritation. His men chuckled, unperturbed by his tone. "My bad, didn''t think it''d reach you. Hehe," one said, his grin audible in his voice. "Hehe, you wouldn''t die from that strike, Old Bone!" another chimed in, his words dripping with mockery. Old Bone''s brow furrowed, his displeasure growing. "If you don''t start taking this mission seriously, you won''t see another reward from me," he snapped, his voice carrying a stern warning. His men exchanged sheepish glances. They knew better than to push him too far. With reluctant nods, they silently agreed to refocus. "Well, we''d better do our share, or Old Bone will cut us off," one muttered, breaking the silence. "Alright, I''ll handle two of them. The rest are up to you," another offered casually. "What did you say? I''m taking two¡ªgo find someone else to fight!" "Enough! I''ll take them all if you two keep arguing!" "Keep dreaming, old fool!" Their voices overlapped in a chaotic symphony of bickering, their camaraderie evident despite the harsh words exchanged. Suddenly, a sharp energy fluctuation cut through their argument. Their chatter ceased as they all froze, sensing a swift incoming attack. Without needing to exchange a word, they nodded in unison, their coordination impeccable. Their figures blurred, vanishing into the shadows as if they had never been there. Yet, the incoming strike moved with purpose, like a predator with unyielding focus. It locked onto one executor, striking with snake-like precision. Before he could react, the energy lashed out, binding his entire body in an unrelenting grip. The other executors stared in wide-eyed disbelief, momentarily stunned by the scene. A calm, steady voice broke the tension. "Aren''t you taking us a bit too lightly?" It was Uncle Gold. He stood tall, exuding a composed confidence that demanded attention. In his right hand, he held a golden whip, its surface gleaming ominously. With a flick of his wrist, Uncle Gold hoisted the bound executor into the air. The bound man struggled but could not break free. Then, without hesitation, Uncle Gold brought the whip down, slamming the executor onto the cold, unyielding floor. The sound of the impact echoed through the hallway, a resounding bang that made the walls tremble. "Fourth Brother!" the other executors cried out, rushing to their fallen comrade. One drew his weapon and slashed at the whip, but Uncle Gold was quicker. With a deft motion, he retracted it, avoiding the strike effortlessly. They glared at him, their fury evident. "Are you alright, Fourth Brother?" the third asked, his voice tinged with worry as he helped the injured man up. "I''m fine. It''s just a minor dislocation," Fourth Brother replied. To prove his point, he raised his twisted arm, showing no signs of pain or discomfort. Second and Third Brothers let out sighs of relief, reassured by his calm demeanor. Without a moment''s hesitation, Fourth Brother grabbed his dislocated arm and snapped it back into place with a sickening crack. His expression remained impassive, as if the pain meant nothing to him. "So this is what Ghouls are capable of¡­" Vincent murmured, standing beside Caelius. His brows furrowed slightly as he observed the scene with a mix of intrigue and wariness. Vincent had done his research on the Ghoul race, one of the most notorious in the Origin World. With their rotting, skeletal appearance and inability to feel pain, they were often likened to zombies. However, unlike the slow-moving undead of myths, Ghouls were known for their agility and stealth, making them highly effective assassins. Their infamy was such that most races shunned them, viewing them with disdain and fear. After resetting his arm, Fourth Brother joined his siblings near First Brother, who remained locked in a silent stare with Uncle Gold. "This is our first encounter with a member of the Golden Lion Legion. Let''s give it everything we''ve got," First Brother declared, his voice steady and resolute. "I agree!" Second and Third Brothers echoed in unison. "Let''s go!" On the other side of the hallway, Uncle Gold addressed his team. "We won''t disappoint the young master this time. On my signal, we''ll end this quickly. Understood?" "Yes!" the siblings replied in unison, their voices firm and resolute. Beneath their masks, determination burned brightly in their eyes. "Let''s move!" Vincent, observing from a distance, issued silent commands to his Shadow Rats. They scurried into action, ready to provide support. Keeping a safe distance, Vincent followed, his focus unwavering. The hallway, though spacious, felt charged with tension as the two groups prepared for battle. Meanwhile, Old Bone stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Caelius. "Hehe, I''m eager to see what kind of loot you''ll drop when I kill you," Old Bone said, rubbing his hands together as though savoring the thought. Caelius met his gaze with a calm smile. "I doubt your corpse will yield anything of value." Old Bone chuckled darkly. "Talk all you want. This is the end of the road for you." With those words, dark-purple daggers materialized in his hands. Vicious Fangs¡ªTier 2 Rare Quality Armaments, infamous for their deadly precision. Caelius responded by drawing his golden longsword, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly radiance. It, too, was a Tier 2 Rare Quality Armament, crafted from the remains of a mutated Earth Drake. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A faint purple mist began to envelop Old Bone, obscuring his figure. When the mist cleared, he was gone. Yet, Caelius remained unfazed. With a measured step, he illuminated the area around him with golden energy. Within the light, he spotted a faint footprint on the floor. Without hesitation, he struck at the air where the footprint lay. But his blade met nothing. A mocking voice echoed around him. "Nice try." Caelius pivoted and struck again. "Not even close." Again, he slashed. "Wrong direction!" The voice taunted him relentlessly, each word dripping with mockery. Caelius suddenly stopped, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Who said I was trying to find you?" The taunting ceased. Old Bone felt his back press against something. Turning, he saw a golden string of energy stretched taut behind him. His eyes widened in realization. Golden strings surrounded him, intricately woven like a web. Caelius acted swiftly. The moment Old Bone touched the string, Caelius dashed forward and slashed. Poof! Purple smoke erupted as Old Bone stumbled backward, clutching his side. Black blood seeped through his fingers, dripping onto the floor. "Hello there," Caelius greeted, his tone light, as though the battle was a mere game. Old Bone, unfazed by his injury, chuckled. "Impressive. But let''s see how long you can keep that smile, Lion''s Cub!" With those words, purple smoke spread outward, covering a five-meter radius. "Poison Cloud!" Chapter 62 - 62: Limit "Poison Cloud!" As the poisonous purple mist expanded to cover a five-meter radius, Caelius immediately shielded himself with his origin energy to block the toxins. However, the dense cloud obstructed his vision and dulled his senses, making it impossible to perceive anything around him. Within moments, he felt a presence darting toward him from within the poisonous haze. Suddenly, Old Bone''s dagger pierced out of the cloud, aimed straight for him. With quick reflexes, Caelius tilted his head slightly, letting the blade narrowly miss. Without hesitation, he thrust his golden longsword toward the source of the attack, but his blade sliced through empty air. Before he could react, another dagger flashed toward him, this time from behind. Turning swiftly, he deflected the weapon with his armament. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The pattern repeated itself multiple times. "This slippery zombie¡­" Caelius muttered in annoyance. "If I hadn''t already used my Golden Light Steps to expose them earlier, I could locate his position easily." He frowned. "The Golden String won''t work in this poisonous fog¡­" "This poison also drains my origin energy rapidly¡­" Despite the clear disadvantage, a grin tugged at the corners of his lips. He had begun to understand Old Bone''s tactics. Just then, another dagger shot through the smoke. This time, Caelius had to use both hands to lift his sword and block the attack. "Huff¡­" He exhaled sharply, exhaustion evident. Old Bone didn''t let this weakness go unnoticed. Seeing his Caelius'' labored movements, he sent a barrage of daggers flying toward him. Summoning every ounce of strength, Caelius parried each strike, his breathing becoming increasingly ragged. "Huff¡­" Amid the swirling poison, Old Bone''s mocking voice rang out, followed by his shadowy figure appearing behind Caelius. "Is this the extent of the Lion''s Cub''s strength? Are you truly worthy of that title? Why don''t you smile now?" Caelius didn''t respond. He lunged forward, his sword slicing cleanly through Old Bone¡ªonly for the figure to dissolve into thin air. "Hehe, you can''t defeat me in my domain," Old Bone taunted, his voice echoing ominously. Caelius'' eyes widened in disbelief. "Show yourself!" he demanded. The response came in the form of eerie laughter. "Heh, even the Lion''s Cub has a foolish side. Very well, I''ll grant your wish." Suddenly, Caelius sensed multiple presences around him. Eight identical figures of Old Bone emerged from the poisonous fog, each wielding the same weapon. "Hehe, this is the end. Farewell," the eight figures declared in unison. Their armaments glowed with purple light as they charged at him together. Outside the Poison Cloud Meanwhile, the battle between Old Bone''s men and Uncle Gold''s group had erupted. From their positions, the five ghoul brothers watched the purple haze with eager eyes. The Fifth Brother sneered, "Haha, your young master is done for. No one can beat Old Bone in his domain." His words caused Karl and Fiona to exchange worried glances, their focus lingering on the mist concealing Caelius. Uncle Gold, however, remained unfazed. "Don''t lose focus! Do you think the young master will fall to some nobody?" he scolded. "Fiona, buff us. Karl, go wild¡ªI''ll back you up!" Without hesitation, Fiona cast her spell. "Lion''s Boost!" Both Uncle Gold and Karl felt their strength and speed surge by 20%, the effect lasting 60 seconds. "Go, kid!" Uncle Gold urged. Karl roared as he charged at the five ghouls. On the other side, the First Brother barked orders at his siblings. "Don''t let them do as they please! Intercept them!" The four other brothers moved in unison, daggers gleaming in their decayed hands. "Lion''s Smash!" Karl''s right arm bulged as his skill activated, enhanced further by Fiona''s buff. An aura shaped like a lion''s head erupted from his gauntlet, roaring as it surged toward the enemies. In response, the brothers unleashed their own skill. "Five Star Strike!" Their movements blurred as their daggers shone like purple stars. "First Strike!" "Second Strike!" "Third Strike!" "Fourth Strike!" "Fifth Strike!" The synchronized strikes clashed against Karl''s attack, neutralizing it. "Tch!" Karl clicked his tongue in frustration. "These damn zombies!" Uncle Gold''s whip cracked through the air, aiming for the group. "Iron Whiplash!" Sharp, thorny spikes jutted from his golden whip as it lashed toward the brothers. Yet, despite the whip''s power, the brothers deflected it with precision. "Hehe, is that all you''ve got? Now it''s our turn! Attack!" Before they could advance, a blinding light engulfed the battlefield. "Flash!" It was Fiona''s modified Flashbang skill, derived from a common Flashlight ability. "Argh! My eyes!" "Spread out!" The brothers stumbled, covering their faces as the trio seized the opportunity. "Attack!" Uncle Gold commanded. Karl and Fiona unleashed their skills simultaneously, targeting the First Brother. "Golden Tailwhip!" "Lion''s Claws!" "Exploding Light!" Their combined assault struck with devastating force. The First Brother, barely regaining his vision, could only brace himself. "Oh¡­ I''m screwed¡­" he thought as he struggled to defend. Boom! The impact sent a cloud of dust billowing into the air. Vincent''s Umbral Rats darted into the smoke while others remained on guard around him. "Brother!" the remaining siblings cried out in alarm. In the chaos, Vincent took the chance to focus on upgrading his abilities. "Do you want to upgrade the Umbral Rat Legion?" "Yes." However, the system''s response left him stunned. "Upgrade process failed. The current skill has already reached its limit." "What?! Upgrades can fail? Does this mean some epic skills can''t advance further?" The revelation startled him. He''d always assumed upgrading was limitless. "So I need to find skills or items with higher potential? But how?" Shaking off the thought, he shifted his attention to the teardrop necklace he wore. Name: Necklace of Resistance Quality: Uncommon Effects: Slightly increases poison resistance. "I almost forgot about this¡­" He quickly upgraded it to epic grade. You have successfully upgraded Necklace of Resistance. Name: Venomous Ring of Resistance Quality: Epic Effects: Greatly increases poison resistance. Skill: Poison Immunity ¨C Consumes 100 Origin Energy per 120 seconds. Grants immunity to ten types of poison. "Poison Immunity?! This is perfect!" The necklace transformed into a glowing purple ring, which Vincent slid onto his finger. You have successfully assisted in killing a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have received +1500 experience points! Talent activated! +15,000,000 experience points! "Fifteen million XP?!" He groaned in frustration. "What a waste¡­ I can''t store more XP than my level allows." Chapter 63 - 63: Defeat Assisting in the defeat of a Tier 2(3¡ï) Origin Warrior filled Vincent''s entire experience bar, a sight that made him smile beneath his mask. On the opposite side, the remaining four ghoul brothers stood frozen, their eyes wide in shock. Even with half-masks covering their mouths, their expressions betrayed their disbelief. "F-First Brother¡­" "Did he really¡­ die?" "N-No way!" As the smoke dissipated, the horrifying truth was revealed. Their First Brother''s lifeless body was surrounded by Vincent''s Umbral Rats, which began consuming him. Moments later, the corpse disintegrated into particles of digital light. Two green orbs and the First Brother''s dagger armaments were left behind, marking his defeat. The four brothers gawked at the scene, their shock quickly turning into unbridled rage. "They killed our brother! I want revenge!" "Stop holding back! Destroy them!" "Kill those disgusting rats first!" "Use everything you have!" Fueled by fury, the four brothers charged at Vincent''s Umbral Rats, unleashing a storm of dagger skills. Their swiftness and precision were lethal, and they quickly dispatched five of the creatures. Amid the chaos, the Second Brother pulled out a glowing purple orb and hurled it toward Uncle Gold and the others. "Die!" Uncle Gold''s sharp instincts kicked in as he shouted a warning. "Watch out! It''s a toxic bomb!" Karl and Fiona were already on high alert and reacted immediately, retreating several meters as the bomb exploded into a dense cloud of purple smoke. Bam! The toxic mist spread rapidly, covering a three-meter radius. But the ghouls weren''t done yet¡ªmore bombs followed, raining down near the trio''s position. Despite their quick retreat, the noxious fumes forced them to shield themselves with their Origin Energy. The hallway became a haze of violet, blurring their vision and sense of surroundings. Amid the swirling smoke, Vincent stood still, unfazed and unmoving. Uncle Gold and the siblings noticed his peculiar behavior and stared in confusion. "Are you trying to die? Why aren''t you protecting yourself?!" Fiona exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. Vincent remained silent, raising a hand as if to touch the poisonous cloud. The faint discomfort he felt was insignificant¡ªhis natural recovery and the purple ring on his forefinger rendered him nearly immune. "So this is how it works," Vincent mused, studying the ring''s faint glow. His immunity was evident, and Uncle Gold quickly pieced it together. "You''re immune to this poison?" Though he phrased it as a question, the calm on Vincent''s face gave him the answer. Fiona, meanwhile, flushed red behind her mask, embarrassed by her earlier concern. "You¡­" she started but couldn''t finish, her words cut off as the ghouls closed in. "They''re coming! Fiona, we need cover!" Uncle Gold barked. "Understood!" Fiona quickly activated her skill. "Light Wall!" A golden, transparent barrier materialized around the group, intercepting the ghouls'' onslaught. Metal clanged against the wall as daggers struck relentlessly, sending sharp echoes through the corridor. However, the strain began to show. Cracks webbed across the barrier as Fiona struggled to maintain it. "Uncle Gold, I can''t hold this much longer!" "Just a few more seconds. Karl, replenish your energy!" Karl didn''t hesitate. He grabbed several Origin Crystals and began absorbing their energy, while Uncle Gold followed suit. Vincent, observing quietly, spoke up. "Can this barrier block poison too?" Fiona blinked, puzzled. "Why does that even matter? Can''t you see for yourself?" Vincent nodded, noting how the toxic smoke failed to penetrate the barrier. But he pressed further. "Can it withstand a more potent poison?" Her pride stung, Fiona retorted through gritted teeth, "Nothing can breach my Light Wall, no matter how strong the poison!" "Good," Vincent replied with a soft smirk as he summoned his Tier 2 Armament, the Nightflare Blade. Fiona frowned. "What are you trying to do?" Ignoring her question, Vincent simply said, "Just ensure no poison enters your barrier." "What¡ª" Before she could finish, Vincent vanished. "Where did he go?" Fiona gasped, her confusion mirrored by the others. In the blink of an eye, Vincent reappeared amidst the four ghoul brothers. His sudden arrival startled them. "Hey! That weakling human came out!" "What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Before they could act, Vincent raised his Nightflare Blade. Channeling Origin Energy, the blade flared with dark emerald flames. "Abyssal Venomlash!" The venomous energy erupted from his weapon in a mist-like wave, enveloping a ten-meter radius. The attack''s shockwave sent the ghouls stumbling, the poison infiltrating their bodies. From inside the barrier, Fiona and the others felt the tremor. As the green mist spread, Fiona''s confusion deepened. "What''s happening?" Her question was answered by the ghouls'' anguished screams. "What kind of poison is this?!" "We''re immune to poison¡ªhow is this affecting us?!" "I¡­ I can''t breathe¡­ someone help!" "I''m bleeding! Why won''t it stop?!" The venom corroded their flesh, their faces melting as though doused in acid. Their agony was evident as they looked at Vincent in terror. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What kind of monster are you?" "You''re not human¡­!" Vincent remained silent, his blade glowing menacingly as he activated his Origin Power Enhancement Talent. His force attribute surged by thirty percent as he prepared his next move. Channeling his energy into the Nightflare Blade, it flared with an intense red-black glow. "Shadowflame Wave!" With a horizontal slash, a crescent-shaped wave of shadowflame tore through the air, striking the incapacitated ghouls. "You demon!" one of them managed to cry before¡ª Boom! The explosion rocked the corridor, startling Fiona and alerting Uncle Gold and Karl. "What''s happening?" Uncle Gold demanded. Fiona was too stunned to reply. In the poisonous mist, Vincent''s powerful abilities had unleashed consecutive bursts of destruction. Uncle Gold scanned the area, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Where''s the young master''s friend?" The green mist began to dissipate, and as Fiona''s Light Wall faded, the battlefield was revealed. Their eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell happened here?" Karl muttered, his voice trembling. Vincent stood amidst the carnage. The four ghoul brothers lay in pools of their own blood, their bodies dismembered and corroded beyond recognition. Though still alive, they were barely clinging to life. Before anyone could speak, another figure emerged from the smoke where Caelius and Old Bone had been fighting. The figure tumbled across the ground, landing near the fallen ghouls. Uncle Gold and the others instinctively turned toward the commotion. It was Old Bone. A deep gash stretched across his torso, and his shattered mask revealed jagged, yellowed teeth. Caelius followed, stepping out of the mist with a calm smile. Glancing at the defeated ghouls, he turned to Uncle Gold and the siblings. "It seems you didn''t disappoint me this time." Chapter 64 - 64: Entering The Boss Room "It seems you didn''t disappoint me this time." Caelius''s words hung in the air, but instead of celebration, they were met with awkward silence. Uncle Gold and the two siblings, Karl and Fiona, exchanged uneasy glances. None of them could comprehend what had just transpired. If there was one thing they could be absolutely sure of, it was that they had contributed next to nothing in the fight against the four ghouls. As this tense moment lingered, Caelius, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, stood tall. Old Bone, on the other hand, had just managed to get back on his feet, his hollow eyes widening in bafflement as he surveyed the battlefield. His gaze fell on the mutilated forms of his men, now reduced to broken, defeated shadows of their former selves. "What¡­ what happened here?!" Old Bone demanded, his voice filled with disbelief and fury. He turned to his men, expecting some explanation, but none came. Their mouths, now melted and useless, could not form a single word. The silence only enraged him further. His hollow sockets burned with fury as his gaze shifted between Vincent, Uncle Gold, and the others. "You''re going to pay for this!" he roared, his skeletal figure trembling with rage. Caelius, unbothered, responded with a scoff. "So this is how the Executors Guild operates? You can kill us, but we aren''t allowed to kill you? Pathetic." Old Bone harrumphed angrily, his bony fingers twitching with suppressed rage. "You''re just lucky today! This won''t be the last time we meet!" As his words echoed, he hurled a toxic bomb toward Caelius and the group. Poof! The bomb detonated, releasing a dense cloud of purple mist. Reacting swiftly, Caelius and the others retreated, narrowly avoiding the worst of the attack. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Old Bone seized the opportunity. He retrieved a white scroll¡ªan escape scroll¡ªand tore it apart without hesitation. As he activated the scroll, circular particles of light began to form around him, signaling his imminent escape. His remaining men, trapped and wounded, glared at him with hate-filled eyes, their expressions screaming betrayal. Their silent accusations seemed to shout: "You''re leaving us?! How dare you!" Amid the purple haze, Uncle Gold, his vision partially obscured, sensed the shift. "He''s trying to escape!" he warned. Caelius reacted instantly. He swung his sword, releasing a surge of golden energy that sliced through the mist, aiming directly for Old Bone. Slash! But it was too late. The strike passed harmlessly through Old Bone''s afterimage as he vanished from the Origin World. Before his departure, Old Bone cast one last glance at Vincent. The young man stood motionless, staring into the distance as though the chaos around him didn''t concern him. Old Bone''s hollow gaze narrowed, his mind etching Vincent''s aura into memory. He was certain that this "newcomer" would become a force to reckon with in the Origin World. As the tension began to settle, Uncle Gold and the siblings clicked their tongues in frustration. Caelius remained impassive, his expression unreadable, leaving everyone to wonder what was going through his mind. Moments after Old Bone''s escape, the mutilated bodies of the four ghouls dissolved into particles of digital light. System notifications rang out in everyone''s minds. You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Ghoul! You have successfully killed¡­ You have success¡­ The notifications continued, accompanied by an influx of experience points. You have received +1500 experience points! x4 Talent Activated! +15,000,000 experience points! x4 Vincent let out a long sigh of relief as the system''s voice faded. "Luckily, I managed to spend my XP before they died," he thought. Earlier, when he noticed how severely the ghouls were affected by his Abyssal Venomlash, he had been taken aback. What he had intended as a distraction to buy time for Uncle Gold and Karl had far surpassed his expectations. The venom had decimated the ghouls. Realizing they were on the brink of death, Vincent had quickly spent one million experience points to upgrade two of his skills: The first was the Torrent of Origin Technique, a physical combat skill he hadn''t upgraded since the Academy''s Annual Ceremony. Using 300,000 experience points, he advanced it to epic grade, renaming it Cascade of Origin Flow. Name: Cascade of Origin Flow Grade: Epic Effect: Offensive: Boosts attack power by 50% and enhances combo fluidity. Grants a 40% chance to trigger an Origin Echo Strike after a successful hit, bypassing a portion of the target''s defense. Defensive: Reduces incoming damage by 50% during blocks. A precise parry reflects 40% of mitigated damage back at the attacker. Special: Unlocks Forceflow Manipulation, allowing energy absorption and redirection. Successful blocks unleash a shockwave that staggers nearby enemies. Utility: Grants minor regeneration of 5 Origin Energy per second during sustained defensive streaks. Consumption: 80 Origin Energy per minute. The second skill was his uncommon ability, Rolling Bash, which he had acquired from the mutated black rat. Using the remaining points, he upgraded it to epic grade. Name: Cyclone Breaker Grade: Epic Effect: Damage: Inflicts 200% of base attack damage per second during the spin, weakening enemy defenses. Stagger: High chance to stagger opponents. Knockback: Ends with a powerful slash, creating a shockwave that hurls enemies backward. Special: Grants a speed burst for repositioning after the attack. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy Duration: 4 seconds Cooldown: 20 seconds Although Vincent was satisfied with the upgrades, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of regret as millions of experience points vanished. "What a waste," he thought bitterly. Turning his attention to the glowing orbs and items dropped by the ghouls, his excitement grew. Before he could move, Caelius approached him. His expression calm yet inquisitive. "Are you alright?" Vincent quickly composed himself and nodded. Then, noticing Caelius''s battered armor, he added, "What about you? Looks like you had a rough fight." Before Caelius could respond, Uncle Gold and the siblings rushed over. "Young Master, are you okay? What happened to you in there?" Fiona asked, concern lacing her voice. Recalling the recent battle, Caelius suppressed a smile. In truth, he had feigned exhaustion to lure Old Bone out of his domain. The ploy worked perfectly, catching the skeleton off guard and allowing Caelius to deliver a decisive strike. Still, he offered no explanation, simply smiling. "You surprised me this time. I didn''t expect the four of you to take down those ghouls so quickly. Go collect the loot and replenish your energy. It''s time to meet this labyrinth''s master." Despite his encouragement, none of them moved. Uncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona exchanged uneasy looks. "What''s wrong?" Caelius asked, his sharp gaze narrowing on them. After a moment of hesitation, Uncle Gold stepped forward. With a wry smile, he explained, "Actually, young master, it wasn''t us. Vincent killed the remaining four ghouls on his own." Caelius''s eyes widened in disbelief. "He killed them? All four?" Vincent scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Somehow¡­" Caelius didn''t press further, nodding in understanding. "Then the drops from those four are yours. The others can share the remaining loot." Vincent had no objections and gratefully began collecting the items. Chapter 65 - 65: Glimpse Vincent worked quickly, collecting the items dropped by the enemies while Caelius and the others rested to recover their origin energy. After securing the loot, Vincent directed his five remaining umbral rats to stay hidden in the shadows, tasked with keeping an eye on the area and warning him of any approaching threats. Confident in their vigilance, he pulled out several origin crystals, though he knew he would only need one to fully replenish his origin core. Once his energy was fully restored, Vincent began reviewing the spoils of their battle, neatly sorted before him: 12,000 Origin Crystals Tier 2 Common-Grade Daggers Executor Mask White Orb Green Orb Blue Orb His first focus was the Executor Mask, which was mostly intact but bore minor damage. Name: Executor Mask Grade: Uncommon Details: A mask used by low-ranking members of the Executor organization. Effects: Slightly reduces the wearer''s presence. Next, Vincent examined the Silver-Iron Dagger, which immediately disappointed him. Name: Silver-Iron Dagger Power: Tier 2 Grade: Common Details: Forged from Tier 2 Silver-Horned Beast antlers. "This is nothing but trash," he thought with a grimace, placing it aside. It wasn''t even an armament, though a fleeting curiosity struck him: would upgrading it transform it into one? He shelved the idea for later exploration. Turning to the White Orb, he observed as it emitted a soft glow, eventually morphing into a small white book. Name: Daggers Technique Grade: Common Effects: Slightly increases damage dealt with daggers. The book presented him with an option to learn the technique, but Vincent decided against it for now. "I already have enough armament and sword skills," he reasoned, storing the item in his ring for future consideration. Next, he reached for the Green Orb, which transformed into a pair of leather boots as it activated. Name: Fierce Crow Boots Grade: Uncommon Effects: Slightly boosts mobility. Skill: Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Light Steps: Temporarily increases movement speed by 5% for three minutes and reduces fall impact for three seconds. Consumption: 50 Origin Energy. "Finally, something to replace my worn-out boots," Vincent mused. He wasted no time donning the Fierce Crow Boots, pleased with the upgrade. The final item, the Blue Orb, immediately drew his attention. It radiated a faint azure glow before solidifying into a skill book. "A skill book?" Vincent''s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Name: Stealth Grade: Rare Effects: Grants the ability to turn invisible, muffling footsteps and boosting movement speed to avoid detection. Consumption: 10 Origin Energy per 60 seconds. "Stealth¡­ exactly what I needed!" Vincent''s heart raced. He had long envied the innate stealth abilities of monsters and especially Ghoul''s natural talent. Without hesitation, he chose to learn the skill. "With this, my arsenal grows even stronger," he thought, his excitement palpable. Now, Vincent shifted his focus to his accumulated experience points. Many of his items and skills required exorbitant resources to upgrade. For instance, the Tier 2 cultivation manual he received from Sophie Iris demanded over a million experience points, while his primal skills necessitated primal energy. Similarly, several of his epic-grade skills also required over a million experience points to enhance further. The new items he had acquired seemed more feasible to upgrade, particularly the Daggers Technique and the recently learned Stealth Skill. Among his equipment, potential candidates for enhancement included his Morphic Mask, Silver-Iron Dagger, and Fierce Crow Boots. However, Vincent quickly ruled out the Executor Mask, as his current Morphic Mask was clearly superior. "I''ll prioritize upgrading my skills first," Vincent decided. He selected the Stealth Skill, initiating its enhancement. You have successfully upgraded Stealth! Name: Phantom Veil Grade: Epic Effects: Upgraded from Stealth, this skill renders the user completely invisible, bypassing even enhanced detection abilities. It significantly increases movement speed, nullifies sound, and grants Shadow Blink, allowing teleportation up to 15 meters while remaining invisible. Consumption: 15 Origin Energy per 60 seconds. "An epic-grade skill¡­ perfect!" Vincent thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction. With 500,000 experience points remaining, Vincent turned his attention to his Morphic Mask, which was still at uncommon grade. He activated the upgrade process, watching as the emerald mask glowed brightly, shifting into a vivid azure hue. The mask now bore an elegant, ever-changing design that seemed alive. Name: Shifting Visage Grade: Rare Effect: Allows the wearer to perfectly mimic the appearance, voice, and minor mannerisms of any humanoid they have observed. The transformation is convincing enough to deceive mid-tier Origin Warriors and evade basic detection techniques, though it is less effective against high-tier opponents or advanced methods. While the upgrade wasn''t revolutionary, Vincent appreciated the improved functionality. With just 200,000 experience points left, he resolved to replenish his reserves. "I''ll need to hunt more," he muttered, determination hardening his resolve. Quietly, so as not to disturb his companions still recovering their energy, Vincent approached the door to what he suspected was the boss''s chamber. Activating his Heaven Eyes, his purple irises glimmered with azure light, allowing him to pierce through the door and glimpse the room beyond. The throne room was vast, bathed in crimson light. Inside, Vincent immediately recognized a familiar figure¡ªGrarik¡ªflanked by four Thrygians. They were encircled by a horde of black-armored ratmen wielding various weapons: swords, spears, cudgels, and shields. Despite the tense standoff, neither side made a move to attack. As Vincent''s awareness extended deeper into the room, a sudden wave of oppressive energy washed over him. An icy chill ran down his spine, and beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. At the far end of the chamber, seated upon a massive crimson throne, was a shadowy figure. Its presence exuded overwhelming power, and for a fleeting moment, its icy gaze shifted toward Vincent. The sheer pressure of its attention caused his breath to hitch. His heart raced as he fought to steady himself. "What... what was that?" Vincent''s thoughts spiraled in confusion. The creature''s aura radiated a level of danger far beyond anything he had encountered before¡ªeven the Half-Primalized Blackrat Man paled in comparison to this mysterious entity. Chapter 66 - 66: Labyrinths Heart Huff! Vincent gasped for air, struggling to compose himself. The image of those crimson eyes seared vividly into his memory. Before he could process his thoughts, a hand abruptly rested on his shoulder. Jolting, he instinctively grabbed it. "!!" "Yo, chill. It''s me. Are you alright?" It was Caelius, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Realizing who it was, Vincent released his grip. Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and finally regained his composure. His gaze wandered to the others, still resting and recovering their energy, before turning back to Caelius. "I''m fine. But I need to ask you something." Caelius frowned slightly, noticing the seriousness in Vincent''s tone and the intensity in his eyes. "What''s wrong?" "What''s your real reason for coming here?" For a moment, Caelius fell silent, seemingly debating whether to reveal the truth. Soon, a calm smile broke across his face. "I suppose it''s fine to tell you. While it''s true that I''m interested in the rewards promised by the Novice Center, our main goal is to track Grarik''s movements. My clan has been monitoring the Blackthorn Clan from the shadows for some time. We suspect they''re planning something that could lead to another disaster for my family." Vincent frowned deeply as Caelius shared his reasoning. Inside the Throne Room¡ªBoss''s ChamberGrarik and his companions stood tense, their fierce gazes locked on the dark figure seated atop an imposing throne. Hundreds of armored Blackrat Men surrounded them, weapons drawn and ready. "Thrygians¡­ I didn''t expect your race to be my first visitors after all these years of imprisonment¡­" The dark figure''s voice was raspy, cold, and unsettling as it broke the silence. "I''ll give you one chance to explain why you''re here before I kill you all," it added, its tone laced with a quiet menace. Grarik masked his displeasure, maintaining a respectful demeanor. "We didn''t come to fight. We''re here to offer you an opportunity." No sooner had he spoken than an overwhelming pressure descended on them, forcing them to their knees. "Y-Young Master! Your tone!" one of Grarik''s companions stammered, gritting his teeth in alarm. Realizing his misstep, Grarik''s expression tightened, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow. "F-Forgive my rudeness, Senior. I was wrong," he said, teeth clenched. "We''ve come to ask for your favor!" The suffocating pressure lifted, allowing them to catch their breath. "Hoh, a favor, you say? Explain," the dark figure said, amusement flickering in its voice. "Please help us kill someone!" Grarik finally admitted, his tone steady as he masked his inner turmoil. Though outwardly calm, his thoughts burned with anger. ''If I were stronger, I''d kill him myself,'' he seethed silently, though he dared not voice his resentment. "Hoh¡­ So, you claim you can free me from this prison?" The figure''s question was casual, but its interest was undeniable. Years of confinement had dulled its patience, and the recent transformation of its prison into a labyrinth had only heightened its frustration. In the origin world, labyrinths typically formed naturally from concentrated origin energy, creating primals and eventually the maze itself. However, unique cases like this occurred when sealed entities evolved into powerful beings, forcing the world''s system to create a labyrinth around them. This transformation took countless years, making the figure''s predicament particularly unusual. Grarik nodded, showing deference. "You''re wise, Senior." The crimson eyes of the figure narrowed briefly before regaining their composure. Grarik then produced a fist-sized ruby crystal, holding it aloft. The moment the figure''s gaze fell upon it, a flicker of excitement betrayed its otherwise impassive demeanor. "Is that¡­ a Labyrinth''s Heart?" Grarik''s lips curled into a confident smile. "Yes, this is indeed a Labyrinth''s Heart." The Labyrinth''s Heart was a rare and sought-after artifact, created over decades as a labyrinth''s energies condensed in its deepest recesses. Typically, a labyrinth''s master guarded it, as the heart granted immense power, freedom from the labyrinth, and even the ability to construct a new one elsewhere. For creatures like the dark figure, it was a treasure of unparalleled value. Despite its inward excitement, the figure maintained its stoic facade. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "State your terms." "It''s simple, Senior. We want you to¡­" As Grarik elaborated, Vincent and his party prepared themselves on the other side of the labyrinth. Caelius, usually relaxed, wore a grave expression. He recalled Vincent''s earlier warning: a presence more powerful than the Calamity-rank Blackrat Man awaited them. Though skeptical at first, he had chosen to trust Vincent''s words. "Are you all ready?" he asked his team. "Yes, Young Master," they replied in unison. "Good. Be prepared to retreat if necessary." "Retreat? What''s wrong, Young Master?" Fiona asked, her curiosity piqued. "We may encounter a dangerous individual beyond this door. No, I''m certain of it." Caelius''s tone left no room for argument. Though confused, Fiona and the others nodded solemnly, trusting their leader''s judgment. "Let''s go," Caelius ordered, pushing open the heavy metal door. Its creak echoed ominously, and the resounding thud as it fully opened sent a chill through the air. The moment they stepped inside, a crushing glare and oppressive aura halted them in their tracks. Their gazes snapped to the throne, where a dark figure sat holding the Labyrinth''s Heart. Vincent instinctively activated his Heaven Eyes, scanning the entity before them. Vash Volcane (Primalized) Race: Demi-human Power: Tier 3 Vincent''s eyes widened in shock. "A demi-human? And primalized!" he thought, stunned. Demi-humans, rare in Astralis, were born from human and primal unions. Despite their unique heritage, they faced severe discrimination. Grarik''s laughter broke the tense silence. "Haha! You''re too late, Caelius!" Caelius ignored him, his focus solely on Vash Volcane. ''He''s dangerous,'' Caelius thought, steeling himself as he countered the oppressive aura suffocating his team. Vash''s grin widened, his gaze lingering on the Labyrinth''s Heart in his hand. Grarik turned to Vash. "Senior, will you help me eliminate them?" Caelius tensed, knowing the dire consequences if the two forces joined. But to his surprise, Vash rejected the request outright. "Though I despise humans, our contract doesn''t include them. They''re your problem. Do not seek me again¡ªI''ll appear when the time is right." With that, Vash conjured a black, misty serpent that coiled around Grarik''s wrist. "Do not lose it." "Wha¡ª" Before Grarik could respond, Vash''s aura flared, and the Labyrinth''s Heart blazed with crimson light. The throne room trembled as rubble fell from above. "Senior, what is the meaning of this?!" Grarik demanded, his voice quaking. Vash''s sharp glare silenced him instantly. "Are you questioning me?" Grarik gulped, bowing his head. "I-I wouldn''t dare." A massive crimson portal, five meters tall, materialized before Vash. Vincent stood frozen, his gaze locked on the dark figure. As Vash stepped toward the portal, its crimson eyes flicked toward Vincent, sending a shiver down his spine. Then, without another word, Vash disappeared. Chapter 67 - 67: Back As soon as Vash Volcane disappeared, the labyrinth began to tremble violently. Moments later, the hundreds of armored Blackrat Men vanished into thin air. Caelius grinned at Grarik, whose dumbfounded expression was fixed on the portal through which Vash had left. "It seems you''ve been abandoned, Big Fool," Caelius remarked, his tone dripping with mockery. Grarik''s attention snapped to Caelius, his teeth grinding in frustration. Vash''s dismissive attitude had already irritated him, and now he was being mocked by the person he despised the most. One of Grarik''s companions intervened, reminding him, "Young Master, the labyrinth is collapsing. We''ve completed the Master''s mission¡ªwe need to leave now." Grarik clenched his fists, his desire to fight Caelius evident. But he knew the location and timing were far from ideal. Shooting a sharp glare at Caelius, he reluctantly jumped through the portal. Caelius made no move to stop them. Even if he''d wanted to, he knew he couldn''t prevent their escape. Likewise, he was certain they couldn''t stop him if he decided to leave. Once Grarik''s group had departed, Caelius turned to his own party. "We''re done here. Let''s leave." Obeying his command, they all followed him through the portal. When Vincent stepped through, he felt the surroundings distort momentarily before stabilizing. Moments later, he realized they were now outside the entrance to the Blackrat Labyrinth. Though the sky was dark, the stalls in the area illuminated the surroundings, creating a lively atmosphere. Not long after, several figures began to appear outside the labyrinth. "What just happened?" one person asked. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I don''t know. I was fighting Blackrats when the whole labyrinth suddenly started shaking," another responded. "Same here. We barely made it out. A massive piece of rubble nearly crushed us, but we managed to find an exit point in time," a third added. Various parties that had been inside the labyrinth were now emerging, all sharing similar tales of narrow escapes. Vincent scanned the area but couldn''t spot Vash or Grarik''s group. "They must have already left," he thought, just as Caelius approached him. "Are you looking for them?" Caelius asked. Vincent gave a curt nod. "They''ve gone. You can stop worrying," Caelius assured him. Despite the reassurance, Vincent remained cautious, unwilling to let his guard down. Who knew if they might be lying in wait? "Let''s go back," Caelius said. After some time, they reached the No. 3 Sanctuary. Following brief pleasantries, the group parted ways, agreeing to report to the Novice Center the next day on their own since Vincent wouldn''t be able to accompany them. Tomorrow would be his final day in the Origin World, as his two-day limit as a Tier 1 Origin Warrior was nearing its end. Back at the Newcomer''s Lounge, Vincent extended his room reservation to avoid a repeat of his previous awkward encounter¡ªwhen he had materialized mid-rental, interrupting a couple engaged in... intimate activities. Once inside his room, Vincent prepared to cultivate while waiting for his remaining time in the Origin World to run out. Converting his remaining 200,000 experience points into purified energy, he laid out several Origin Crystals around him. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed. +1 Purified Energy. He repeated the process. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed. +1 Purified Energy. By the time he was done, Vincent had converted 200 purified energy points, bringing his total to 1,350. A tugging force enveloped him, and within moments, digital lights surrounded his body, signaling his return to the real world. --- Vincent reappeared in his hotel room, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. It was Thursday. Changing into casual clothes, he left his room and entered the living area, where he found his younger sister, Marina, and his landlord, Amara, seated on the couch. Both stared blankly ahead as if they''d just woken up. Vincent smirked. "You two look so lifeless when I''m not around." His voice jolted them back to life, their eyes snapping to him simultaneously. Marina''s face lit up. "Brother! You''re back!" she exclaimed, springing forward to hug him. Vincent caught her with ease, ruffling her hair affectionately. "How''s my princess?" he asked, tapping her nose playfully. "I missed you so much, brother!" "You little rascal, I was only gone for a day. You probably just missed my cooking," he teased. "No!" Marina pulled back, pouting. "Well¡­ maybe a little. But I missed you, not just your food!" Vincent chuckled, messing up her hair again. "I''m kidding. Of course, I missed you too. Who knows what you''d do to my search history if I said otherwise." Marina''s expression darkened despite her innocent smile. "Are you saying something, brother?" Vincent shivered. Her aura in that moment was more menacing than the Blackrat Primals he''d faced. "N-Nothing! Just talking to myself," he stammered. Turning his attention to Amara, who was lounging in her usual white tank top and shorts, he nodded. "I''m back." Amara offered a small smile before reverting to her usual indifferent expression. "Good. Now, make us breakfast and do the laundry today." Vincent sighed but complied, heading to the kitchen. Soon, the enticing aroma of freshly prepared breakfast filled the air. Breakfast consisted of burrito bowls¡ªfluffy scrambled eggs nestled amidst a colorful array of vegetables and topped with tangy salsa. The intoxicating aroma had Marina and Amara practically drooling as they waited at the table. "Lil Vince, grab me a beer!" Amara ordered. "Brother, hot chocolate for me!" Marina chimed in. Shaking his head with a wry smile, Vincent fetched a cold beer from the fridge for Amara and prepared a steaming mug of hot chocolate for Marina. Once their drinks were served, the two eagerly dug into their meals. Amara took a hearty gulp of beer between bites. "Don''t you have work today, Sis Amara?" Vincent asked. Amara shot him an annoyed side glance. "Tch. Don''t worry about me. I can handle my job, even if I down a dozen beers." Vincent could only sigh, turning his gaze to Marina, who noticed his attention almost immediately. "What''s wrong, brother?" she asked through a mouthful of food. Vincent stayed silent for a moment, making her fidget under his scrutiny. Finally, she glanced at Amara and caught on to his meaning. "You don''t need to worry, brother. I won''t be like Big Sis Amara," she said, grinning mischievously. Amara rolled her eyes and ignored the siblings, focusing on her meal. After breakfast, Vincent handled the laundry, loading it into the washer-dryer before plopping down on the couch. As he scrolled through his phone, he came across several emails. Most were from his instructors and even the dean, inquiring about his well-being and availability. He decided to set those aside for now, focusing instead on messages from various guilds and organizations inviting him to join their ranks. There was no reply yet from Alex regarding the item he had sent for auction. Vincent frowned; he was counting on the proceeds to buy a new house for his family. After dealing with his emails, Vincent browsed the internet to check for news related to the aftermath of the Academy''s Annual Ceremony. Unsurprisingly, there was no mention of him. With Sophie Iris''s authority and influence, it made sense that any information linking him to the event had been thoroughly suppressed. He suddenly remembered he hadn''t received any prizes from the academy or even checked his final ranking. Deciding to clear this up, he resolved to visit his school. "Marina, you have class today, right?" he asked. She nodded. "Mmh, why?" "I''m heading to my school. Let''s go together," Vincent suggested. Her face lit up instantly. "Okay! Just give me a minute¡ªI''ll take a quick shower!" she exclaimed, rushing to her room. Left alone with Amara, Vincent turned to her. "Aren''t you heading to work?" Amara ignored the question, instead sitting upright and fixing him with a casual yet probing gaze. "How''s life over there? Are you doing anything dangerous?" Vincent immediately understood she was referring to his time in the Origin World. Smiling softly, he reassured her, "You don''t have to worry about me. I''m managing fine. And even if I do encounter danger, I still have the item you gave me." He was referring to the instant escape scroll Amara had gifted him. "By the way, where did you get it? Isn''t something like that really expensive?" At his question, Amara abruptly stood up. "Alright, I''m off to work. Don''t forget to finish the laundry and get some rest," she said nonchalantly, evading his inquiry as she retreated to her room. Vincent watched her leave, curiosity gnawing at him. Still, he chose not to press her. If she wanted to tell him, she would do so in her own time. Chapter 68 - 68: Meeting with Dean Thorne Vincent and Marina shared a hover cab, dropping her off at her school before heading to District 12''s No. 3 High School. When he arrived outside the school, Vincent paid the hover cab and stepped out. Almost instantly, he drew the attention of passing students. Whispers filled the air. "Isn''t that him?" "Who''s ''him''?" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The one who almost fought The Alpha¡­" "That''s Vincent Magnus!" someone exclaimed. Hearing the murmurs, Vincent furrowed his brows slightly. "It seems I''ve gained some fame after the Annual Ceremony," he mused with mild irritation. Though he had anticipated notoriety as part of the path he''d chosen, the reality of it annoyed him. Fame wasn''t something he craved. Vincent sought to grow as quietly as possible, even if he knew such anonymity was unrealistic. He had no choice but to adapt, as rising through the ranks of origin warriors would inevitably bring attention. As he walked to his classroom, the crowd thickened. Among them, he noticed Lin Feng¡ªthe opponent he had defeated during the Primal Hunt stage of the Annual Ceremony. Vincent felt the sharpness of Lin Feng''s glare but ignored it. He wasn''t one to shy away from trouble, but he never actively sought it. If trouble left him alone, he would leave it alone. Unsurprisingly, Lin Feng did nothing but continue glaring until Vincent reached his classroom. The moment he stepped inside, all eyes turned to him. "Vincent Magnus!" "He''s here?!" The exclamations echoed through the room. Vincent scanned the classroom but didn''t see Instructor Pen anywhere. Strangely, even Greg Malcolm, the class bully, was absent. "Well, after what happened during the ceremony, he probably doesn''t have the guts to show up to school," Vincent thought. Just as he was about to leave and head directly to Dean Thorne''s office, a familiar voice called out to him. "W-Wait!" He instantly recognized the owner of the voice. Turning around, he saw his classmate, Claudia Blonde. Her usual twin-tailed hairstyle was loose today, her blonde hair flowing freely. Her tanned complexion glowed faintly, and her cheeks were tinged with a subtle blush. "Miss Blonde, what''s wrong?" Vincent asked, his stoic expression softening into a faint smile. Claudia blinked, startled by his formal address. "Miss Blonde¡­" she murmured, then quickly shook her head. "Don''t call me that. Just call me Claudia." Vincent didn''t respond to her request, maintaining his faint smile. Seeing no reaction from him, Claudia''s disappointment was evident. She hesitated but finally mustered her courage. "Do you remember the promise you made last time?" she asked. Vincent tilted his head slightly, confused. "Promise?" Claudia frowned, realizing he had forgotten. "Yes, you promised to walk with me after school." At her reminder, the memory resurfaced. He had agreed to her invitation back then to annoy Greg Malcolm. The promise, however, had completely slipped his mind. "I see¡­ My apologies, Miss Blonde," Vincent said, scratching the back of his head. "I''ve been very busy with matters related to the Origin World." "Claudia," she corrected him, her voice quieter now. Vincent gave a small nod. "Claudia." "Are you free after class, then?" she asked hopefully. Vincent paused for a moment, considering. "I''m sorry, but I''m not free today. I''ll let you know when I have time. For now, I need to head to a meeting with the dean." Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving Claudia standing there, stunned. "Did he just reject me?" she murmured, watching his retreating figure. Vincent, naturally, didn''t hear her words. Even if he had, relationships were far from his priorities. His primary focus was growing stronger and uncovering any clues about his parents'' whereabouts. For now, though, his goal was to visit Dean Thorne and collect his rewards. While unsure of his ranking, he knew he''d earned a top-10 placement and was curious about the dean''s request to meet. Standing before Dean Thorne''s office, Vincent could sense two presences inside, even without using his Heaven Eyes. He hesitated, wondering whether to wait until the other person left, when Dean Thorne''s voice rang out. "Come in." The command caught Vincent off guard, but he quickly realized that with the dean''s strength, it was only natural he''d sense his presence. Opening the door, Vincent saw Dean Augustus Thorne¡ªa white-haired, amicable-looking old man¡ªsitting calmly at his desk. Vincent nodded respectfully before glancing at the other person in the room. It was a man with long black hair, parted down the middle and falling to his shoulders. He wore elegant black attire and had a stern expression, his eyes closed as if lost in thought. Dean Thorne gestured for Vincent to sit on the opposite chair. As soon as Vincent was seated, the dean spoke. "How have you been, student Magnus?" "I''ve been doing well, Dean. Thank you for asking," Vincent replied, rising to his feet and bowing respectfully. "And thank you for protecting me last time." He referred to the incident involving The Alpha, Arnold Mazels. Dean Thorne waved his hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. You''re a student of my school. It''s my responsibility to protect you." Vincent''s respect for the dean deepened at his words. Though he harbored some doubts about the man''s true intentions, he remained genuinely grateful. Once seated again, Vincent asked curiously, "May I ask why you wanted to meet me?" The dean smiled. "You left the Annual Ceremony early, so you missed your rewards. I wanted to personally give them to you and introduce you to someone." Dean Thorne gestured toward the man in black, who had remained silent. "This gentleman here is Arthur Aviss. He will be your special instructor for the upcoming school district tournament." Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the tournament, confusion flashing across his face. "What tournament, Dean? I''ve never heard of it." "You didn''t read my email?" the dean asked, raising an eyebrow. "I read it," Vincent replied. "But there was no mention of a tournament." Dean Thorne frowned thoughtfully. "Really? I could''ve sworn I included it." After a brief pause, he waved a hand dismissively. "No matter. I''ll explain now." He leaned back in his chair. "The School District Tournament is a battle competition between the high schools of Districts 7 through 12. Initially, we planned for Elric Baelius to represent our school, but he''s unavailable. In his absence, we''ve chosen you as our representative. In exchange, the rewards he got from the annual battle ceremony will be given to you." Vincent was speechless. "Can''t I just hand over my rewards and let someone else do it?" Honestly, he really did not care about the tournament. It would hinder his growth speed. He would better farm experience points rather than attend tournaments. Dean could only wryly smile at him. "Unfortunately, everyone else is either injured or recovering. You''re our last hope." "But¡ª" Before Vincent could protest further, the dean clutched his back dramatically. "Ah, my back! Arnold hit me so hard when I was protecting someone who vanished without a word¡­" Vincent sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, I''m being blackmailed." Reluctantly, he gave in. "Fine. When does it start?" "Next weekend," the dean said with a smile. "You have just over a week to prepare." Chapter 69 - 69: Behind the Wall "You have just over a week to prepare." Upon hearing this, Vincent furrowed his brow but quickly relaxed it, realizing there was no point in worrying about something that had yet to happen. If he only had just over a week to prepare, so be it. He then inquired about what he needed to do next. "What should I do now?" "All you need to do is listen and follow the guidance of your special instructor. But before that..." Dean Thorne gently waved his hand and held out a leather pouch. However, it wasn''t an ordinary pouch¡ªit was a storage pouch, a spatial storage item with very limited space. It had a smaller capacity than his current storage ring. Vincent accepted it calmly, though he was curious about its contents. Dean Thorne continued, "The rewards from the recent Annual Battle Ceremony are inside. You can check them yourself." "Thank you," Vincent replied. "Don''t mention it. Everything in that pouch is rightfully yours." Vincent didn''t check it immediately, opting instead to store it in his storage ring. "Well, there''s no time to waste. Sir Arthur, I leave my student in your care." The moment Dean Thorne addressed the silent gentleman, he opened his previously shut eyes, nodded meaningfully, and stood. Vincent also stood, glancing curiously at the mysterious instructor. Dean Thorne then spoke again, grabbing Vincent''s attention. "Student Magnus, I trust you will respect and follow Sir Arthur''s guidance." Vincent nodded firmly, assuring the dean, which made the kind old man smile. "Good. Now go and follow your instructor." Sir Arthur immediately left without a word, giving the dean one final nod. After bowing to the dean, Vincent quickly followed. He trailed in silence, wondering about the mysterious instructor''s background. "Where are we going?" he thought but refrained from asking. Just one glance told him that his instructor wasn''t a talkative person. Therefore, he resolved not to initiate any conversation unless spoken to. After a while, they arrived at the campus parking area. Vincent was curious about their purpose here until Instructor Arthur approached a nearby cerulean hover car, opened it, and got inside. The passenger seat''s door then opened, and a clear, melodic voice followed: "Hop in!" Vincent''s eyebrows rose slightly as he stared at Instructor Arthur''s stern expression. He was inwardly stunned¡ªArthur''s voice was entirely different from what he''d expected. The instructor had a stern face and a commanding demeanor, but his voice was almost feminine. Instructor Arthur furrowed his brows. "What are you doing? Get in the car!" Shaking off his thoughts, Vincent got into the hover car. Once the door closed, Instructor Arthur immediately drove off. As they traveled, the surroundings blurred, and Vincent watched in silence for almost thirty minutes, still wondering about their destination. Before long, a towering iron wall loomed in the distance. It was the wall of District 12. Behind it lay the wild region, where primal beasts still roamed freely. From the direction they were heading, Vincent became almost certain they were going outside the district. After a brief inspection, they exited the district, and Vincent finally saw what lay beyond the iron wall. It resembled an abandoned civilization engulfed by wilderness. This was his first time venturing beyond the district walls, and the sight felt strange. Even though it was just the outskirts of District 12, he was already surprised. His curiosity about the world beyond the Bronzehaven Arc grew even stronger. After a while, Sir Arthur drove into an abandoned building, parked in a hidden spot, and stepped out of the hover car. Vincent followed silently. They walked into a nearby forest and stopped by a clear, vibrant stream. The early morning light made the surroundings glow with life. Arthur finally turned to face him. "Let me officially introduce myself. I am Arthur Aviss, and you will be my student for just over a week. Let me remind you now¡ªif you don''t intend to follow my orders, you''d better find another instructor." Vincent met his stern gaze and replied, "I''m willing to listen, but may I know why we''re here?" Arthur''s expression remained unyielding as he answered, "Starting today, you will train here until the District Tournament." Vincent frowned at this. He wondered if he could still visit the origin world during his training. He also hadn''t informed his younger sisters, Marina and Amara, since he hadn''t anticipated this situation. It seemed Arthur noticed his reaction. "I''ll let you inform your family first about your situation. In the meantime, stay here. I need to check something." Without waiting for a response, Arthur left. Vincent was dumbfounded. "My special instructor is truly a man of few words," he thought wryly. Taking out his phone, he quickly informed Amara and Marina of his situation. He didn''t wait for their replies, knowing they were likely busy. "Ha¡­ just what kind of training requires us to be outside the wall?" he muttered to himself. With nothing else to do, he retrieved the storage pouch from Dean Thorne and began inspecting its contents. Inside, he found several items: A green book with a sword engraved on the cover. A green orb. Three vials containing green liquid. 1,000 origin crystals. A black card. Setting the origin crystals aside, he inspected each item. First, he stored the crystals and picked up the black card. "A bank card?" he wondered before storing it, as he had no way to check the balance. Next, he examined the potions. Item Name: Experience Potion (Tier 1) Grade: Low Quality Details: A low-quality experience potion created by a low-tier alchemist. Effects: +1,000 experience points. "What? An experience potion?!" he exclaimed in surprise. This was the first time he''d heard of such a thing. He hadn''t imagined someone could actually create an experience potion. Realization dawned on him. "So this is one of the reasons children from wealthy families level up so quickly!" He finally understood. He had initially assumed they were being boosted by high-tier warriors. "So, items like this exist..." "If this kind of potion is possible, there must be magical items or other tools that can rapidly increase someone''s level as well." He stored the potions and examined the green book next. Item Name: Moonlight Sword Manual (Tier 2) Type: Skill Book Grade: Uncommon S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Prerequisite: Tier 2 "This must be the reward for ranking first," he thought. It wasn''t surprising, as he had anticipated it. Even so, he was pleased to receive it, though he couldn''t learn it just yet. Lastly, he inspected the green orb, which transformed into an old piece of paper with a map drawn on it. Item Name: Hidden Crystal Map Shard Grade: Uncommon Details: A fragment of the Hidden Crystal Map. Combine it with three other pieces to complete the map. Vincent frowned. "This is useless. Why would the dean think this item would help me?" he wondered, storing it away. Suddenly, a rustling sound behind him caught his attention. Before he could activate his Heaven Eyes, a black figure lunged at him. Chapter 70 - 70: Training Begins A sudden rustling sound behind him caught Vincent''s attention. Before he could activate his Heaven Eyes, a black figure lunged at him. Reacting instinctively, Vincent sidestepped, causing the black figure to miss and crash into a nearby tree trunk. The impact made the tree tremble, dislodging several leaves that drifted to the ground. The black figure became stuck on the trunk, letting out squeals as it struggled in vain to free itself. Vincent recognized it instantly by its appearance It was a Mad Horned Rabbit¡ªtwice the size of a normal rabbit and known for its aggressive nature. Although it was merely a Tier 1 (1-star) primal, it had somehow managed to hide its presence from him. With a casual movement, Vincent grabbed the rabbit by its neck, snapped its horn, and stabbed it through the heart, killing it in a single strike. Despite their excellent sneaking abilities, Mad Horned Rabbits were generally weak. Unlike in the Origin World, where creatures disappeared into particles of light upon death, this one remained intact. Not wanting to leave blood that might attract others, Vincent carried the carcass to a nearby stream to wash it clean. Who knows how many more of them might be lurking around? After amateurishly removing its pelt and cleaning it, he stored the rabbit in his storage ring. With that done, he exhaled calmly, feeling oddly relaxed¡ªas if he were on a camping trip. "I guess it''s natural. Back on Earth, I never took a vacation...always juggling multiple jobs," he mused, smiling wryly at the memory of his old life. Suddenly, a sharp presence appeared behind him, and he froze as something cold and metallic pressed against his neck. It took him only a moment to realize who it was, and his initial shock faded into a frown. "Special Instructor," he muttered softly. "Lesson number one: never let your guard down in any situation," Instructor Arthur said firmly. Vincent remained still until Arthur withdrew the weapon. Once it was gone, he turned to face him with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head. "I apologize, Special Instructor. It won''t happen again," Vincent said earnestly, though the truth was he had sensed Arthur''s presence earlier. He had merely chosen to feign relaxation, curious about the instructor''s intentions. Despite this, he was inwardly impressed by Arthur''s speed. Even with Heaven Eyes, he couldn''t gauge his level¡ªit could only mean one thing: Arthur was above Tier 3. Unaware of Vincent''s deception, Arthur maintained his usual stern expression and melodic tone. "In real life, there''s no ''next time.'' No time-outs. Once you die, that''s it," he said before pocketing the knife into a sheath strapped to his leg. Arthur glanced at the tree where the Mad Horned Rabbit had been stuck earlier. "You''ve awakened a C-rank Talent: Origin Power Enhancement, haven''t you?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "Tell me¡ªhow do you usually use your talent? What effects does it have, and are there any side effects?" Though puzzled by the question, Vincent respectfully replied, "I usually use it in battle to increase my strength or speed by 30%. As for side effects, I haven''t noticed any yet." "It just means you haven''t faced a deadly situation," Arthur said bluntly. "It''s good to know your limits and avoid fighting stronger opponents. But that mindset has its consequences," he continued. "What would you do if you encountered someone vastly stronger than yourself? If you exhausted all your methods to flee, what then?" Vincent was at a loss for words. Arthur''s point hit home¡ªhis cautious mindset often kept him in his comfort zone. Noticing Vincent''s silence, Arthur stepped closer and swiftly tapped his shoulders, forehead, and abdomen in quick succession. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, Vincent felt as though he had returned to Earth''s gravity¡ªhis body felt much heavier. He quickly realized that his origin energy was no longer accessible. "He blocked my origin energy!" Vincent thought, stunned. Arthur confirmed his suspicion. "I sealed your origin energy at its core." Vincent didn''t protest. He understood the purpose behind the action. "It''s for training," he thought¡ªArthur voiced the same sentiment aloud, to which Vincent simply nodded. "From now until sunset, I want you to bring me 1,000 Mad Horned Rabbits. You''re not allowed to use potions to recover health or stamina," Arthur declared. Vincent was about to nod when Arthur added, "And you must bring them alive." "What?! I''m already not allowed to use origin energy, potions, or even items from my storage ring. Now he expects me to bring them alive?" Vincent thought incredulously. "And in exchange," Arthur continued, "I''ll let you use your talent." Wait¡ªuse his talent without origin energy? But his talent enhanced origin energy usage. What did Arthur mean? Though confused, Vincent had no choice but to agree. "If you bring even one less than 1,000 rabbits, you''ll fail. As for the punishment..." Arthur trailed off, refusing to elaborate. Grinding his teeth, Vincent rushed into the forest, grabbing thick vines and a sturdy stick along the way to prepare for capturing the rabbits. After some time, he encountered his first two targets. Hiding behind a bush, he observed the rabbits hopping around and grazing. "This would be so much easier if I could use stealth," he thought, though he quickly dismissed the notion. Finally, he burst out of the bush, grabbing the nearest rabbit by its horn. It tried to flee, but Vincent, with strength five times that of a normal human, quickly subdued it. He snapped its horn, tied its limbs, and secured it to his stick using the vines. The rabbit squealed in agony. "Alive doesn''t mean unharmed," Vincent muttered with a smirk before turning his attention to the second rabbit, which now stood alert, its ears upright. Instead of fleeing, it squealed ferociously and lunged at him. Vincent swatted it aside, sending it rolling across the ground. Injured and limping, the rabbit hesitated before eventually fleeing. "Run back to your nest," Vincent thought as he silently followed it deeper into the forest. Chapter 71 - 71: Am I A Masochist? After tracking the limping Mad Horned Rabbit for what felt like an eternity, Vincent finally spotted their warren. It sprawled at the base of a small hill, with several burrow entrances dotting the slope. His eyes narrowed as he studied the scene. Near one of the holes, a group of Mad Horned Rabbits was dragging a lifeless fawn. "This really is a different world¡­" he muttered, staring at the carnivorous rabbits in disbelief. Despite their differences, the Mad Horned Rabbits shared a few traits with their Earthly counterparts: they were nocturnal, sluggish under sunlight, and territorial. But they also feared the unknown. Vincent knew his actions would need to be swift and precise to avoid startling them¡ªone wrong move, and they might escape. He glanced down at the Mad Horned Rabbit tied to the stick he carried. The creature wriggled with a ferocity that would''ve been impressive if it weren''t so pathetic. Its squeals were muffled by a gag he''d fashioned earlier. "Look, buddy," Vincent said, setting the stick down in a bush, "it''s not personal. You''re just the unlucky star of tonight''s show." Satisfied with his hiding spot, he scanned the area for anything useful. His hands itched to dive into his storage for tools, but the rules of his current situation forbade it. After several minutes of searching, Vincent stumbled upon a clearing that seemed ripped from a painting. A field of vibrant flowers stretched out before him, their colors glowing softly in the sunlight. For a moment, he forgot the grim task ahead. "It''s¡­ pretty," he muttered without thinking. The sight reminded him of his younger sister, Marina, who, despite her otaku tendencies, had always adored flowers and beautiful landscapes. "She''d love this," he thought, snapping a quick photo with his phone. A tri-colored bee landed on a purple flower just as he clicked the picture. "Flower Bee," he muttered, instantly recognizing the creature. Known for their vibrant colors and passive nature, Flower Bees were usually harmless¡ªunless you disturbed their queen. Then they''d chase you with the determination of a caffeine-fueled Karen. As the thought struck him, a dangerous grin spread across Vincent''s face. "I might be crazy," he muttered, "but this just might work." A moment later he reached a massive tree. The Flower Bees'' hive was embedded in the trunk of a massive tree, its branches sprawling out like the arms of a giant. Vincent craned his neck to take in its full height. "Of course it''s enormous," he sighed. "Why can''t anything in this world be normal-sized? Just once, I''d like to see something I can punch without needing a step ladder." Despite his grumbling, he couldn''t deny the opportunity was perfect. He watched the bees buzzing in and out of a hole near the middle of the trunk, waiting for a lull in their activity. When the coast was clear, Vincent began his ascent, muttering as he climbed. "If anyone''s watching this, I swear I''m not insane. Just... resourceful." The climb was grueling, but he finally reached the hive. Inside, rows of honeycombs gleamed in the dim light, arranged so neatly they looked like the work of a perfectionist librarian. Vincent didn''t linger. His senses, sharpened even without origin energy, quickly located the queen. She stood out immediately¡ªa larger, multicolored bee that exuded an aura of authority. "Found you," Vincent whispered, his grin widening. Flower Bee Queen, Tier 1 (3¡ï) Even without using his Heaven Eyes, the queen''s aura made its level clear. While Astralis primals were generally weaker than those on the Origin World, he knew better than to underestimate her. Before the queen could react, Vincent grabbed her, ignoring her furious buzzing and swift attempts to sting him. He yanked out her stinger, effectively disarming her. "Sorry, Your Majesty. Can''t have you poking holes in my plans." The hive erupted in chaos. Worker bees swarmed toward him, their buzzing like the roar of an angry mob. Vincent wasted no time, leaping from the hive with the queen firmly in hand. "Hehe, that''s right! Follow me, you little maniacs!" he thought, sprinting back toward the warren. The plan unfolded perfectly. As Vincent approached the Mad Horned Rabbits'' territory, the swarm of Flower Bees followed, their fury laser-focused on recovering their queen. When he reached the warren, Vincent hurled the injured queen into one of the burrow entrances. The bees, as expected, swarmed inside without a second thought. "Time for Act Two," Vincent muttered, grinning as he grabbed the rocks he''d prepared earlier. He sealed most of the entrances, leaving only one open as an escape route. The first Mad Horned Rabbit burst out of the hole, its body riddled with stingers. Vincent moved quickly, disabling it with a sharp jab to its limbs. "Sorry, buddy. You''re not going anywhere." More rabbits followed, each one panicked and disoriented. Vincent worked methodically, crippling them one by one. "499¡­ and 500," he counted, finally stabbing the last rabbit''s limb to immobilize it. His muscles ached, and his stomach growled loudly in protest. Vincent glanced at the growing pile of captives beside him. "I wonder what they taste like¡­" he muttered absently, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of retreating bees. He watched as they dragged their injured queen away, buzzing furiously. Just as he relaxed, a loud squeal pierced the air. Emerging from the warren was a massive red-skinned rabbit with two horns. "Well, that''s new," Vincent thought, frowning. The creature''s size and demeanor marked it as a leader¡ªor perhaps the "big boss" of the warren. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit squealed angrily at the carnage, scanning its surroundings. It didn''t take long for it to notice the mountain of its fallen kin. Seizing the moment, Vincent charged from the bushes, wielding two horn-shaped weapons. But just as he was about to strike, the rabbit''s ears twitched, and it spun to deflect his attack with a powerful kick. "Fast!" Vincent muttered, backflipping to create distance. The creature''s sharp claws glowed crimson, and it lunged at him with alarming speed. Slash! S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rabbit''s claws sliced through his weapons, leaving a small cut on his arm. Vincent retreated, inspecting the wound. "This¡­ is the first time I''ve been injured since coming to this world," he thought, his lips curving into a smile. He should''ve been angry. Instead, he felt energized. "Am I enjoying this?" he wondered, laughing softly. "Wait¡­ am I a masochist?" The rabbit glared at him, its crimson claws gleaming dangerously. "Well," Vincent muttered, raising his fists. "Let''s find out." Chapter 72 - 72: New Method "Let''s see if I am a masochist or battle maniac!" With that thought in his mind, he took a fighting stance, raising his fist. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit''s claws were still dangerously glowing with crimson light, a menacing reminder of its lethal capabilities. Its expression was still painted with killing intent, a bloodthirsty aura emanating from its small but deadly form. It clearly had no intention of letting him go. Therefore, upon seeing him disregarding his injuries and even smiling, it was infuriated. With glinting eyes, it pounced at him with the same speed as before, a blur of red and shadow. Compared to his initial surprise, there were no changes in his expression¡ªhe just kept his grin, unwavering as though mocking the creature''s effort. And just as its claws were about to slash at him, he finally made his move. The moment it slashed its claws, he took a single step backward, making its strike miss his chest by mere inches. "I''ll be stupid if I get hit by the same strike again," he thought, a flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes. He then threw a heavy punch straight at the head of the Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit, which was still in mid-air. It could not dodge, even if it wanted to. While it possessed astonishing speed, without its feet on the ground, that advantage was nullified. Hence, his punch landed directly on its face, making it squeal in pain as its small body was blasted against a nearby tree before smacking down onto the ground with a soft thud. It stood back on its feet almost immediately, a testament to its resilience. However, its right eye was already bleeding profusely. The damage was severe, and it was natural¡ªVincent''s current physique was powerful enough to explode the head of an average human with such a strike. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit touched the blood dripping from its wounded eye, staring at its paw for a brief moment before glaring at him. Squeal! The sharp, enraged sound rang out like a curse. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sorry, bro, but I don''t speak alien language!" he quipped with a much wider smile, the provocation in his tone deliberate. With his response, the squealing sound of the creature turned almost into a growl. Its entire body vibrated with rage, and its killing intent intensified further, suffocating the air around them. It lowered its head, the tips of its horns catching a sinister glow, before its figure suddenly blurred and vanished from sight. Whoosh! Vincent did not flinch despite the sudden disappearance. His grin remained, though his eyes carefully scanned his surroundings, his instincts sharp. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him. Without hesitation, he spun around, crossing his arms in time to block. Bang! The impact was powerful enough to force him a half-step backward. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit''s feet had struck his arms with force comparable to a sledgehammer. "Haha, that''s right! Give me your everything!" Vincent laughed, his voice wild with excitement. Quickly regaining his balance, he stepped forward and launched a counterpunch. However, his strike met nothing but an afterimage as the creature disappeared again. He immediately sensed its presence reappearing behind him. This time, instead of blocking, he ducked his head smoothly, avoiding its incoming kick by a hair''s breadth. While it was still in mid-air, he spun on his heel, channeling all his momentum into a roundhouse kick. As he did, he instinctively thought of activating his C-rank Talent: Origin Power Enhancement. For a brief moment, he felt a surge of energy from his origin core. But just as quickly, it was blocked, the flow ceasing abruptly. The interruption caused his kick to falter for a second¡ªjust enough time for the Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit to vanish once more, its movements like a ghost flitting through shadows. When it reappeared several meters away, its crimson claws glowed even brighter, and now, its horns began to crackle with an ominous electric light. Crackling~ Soon, an electrifying crimson orb materialized between its horns. With a sharp squeal, the orb shot toward him at a terrifying speed. Vincent did not hesitate. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the projectile. Boom! The explosion that followed sent shockwaves through the area, splintering a tree into burning fragments. "Damn! That looks kinda painful if it hits me," Vincent muttered, his eyes darting to the smoldering wreckage before shifting back to the furious creature. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit was undeterred. Despite having just unleashed a devastating attack, it was already charging another orb. "Oi, oi. Calm down!" Vincent called out, though he knew his words were meaningless to the creature. Another crimson orb hurtled toward him, faster this time. Boom! The blast sent Vincent flying back, though the projectile itself had missed him. He skidded across the ground, dirt and debris flying in his wake. And with this strike, he finally assessed its level. Tier 1 (5¡ï). "Hoh, so this was his plan all along," he thought, pieces of the puzzle clicking together. He recalled Special Instructor Arthur''s cryptic behavior: leaving him here, demanding he collect 1,000 Mad Horned Rabbits despite having already captured 500 in the warren, and allowing him to use his Origin Power Enhancement Talent. "I have to defeat this guy without using origin energy¡­" The realization made him frown. What was Arthur trying to prove? Was there really a way to use Origin Power Enhancement without relying on origin energy? Or was this some twisted test? There was no time to dwell. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit resumed its relentless assault, unleashing another electrifying orb. "There''s no other choice. I have to get closer and land a decisive strike to defeat it," Vincent resolved, determination flashing in his eyes. Dodging the crimson orbs with precise movements, he surged forward, closing the distance between them. Boom! Boom! Each explosion grew closer, singeing the air around him as he weaved through the barrage. Finally, he reached a pile of immobilized Mad Horned Rabbits, grabbing a pair of broken horns from the ground. The boss creature paused, its crimson glow dimming slightly as it hesitated. Vincent grinned. "Hoh¡­ you beasts actually have compassion?" Without shame, he grabbed one of the crippled Mad Horned Rabbits by its ears, holding it up like a shield. "Why don''t you attack me now, huh? Another crimson ball, maybe?" he taunted, poking at the smaller rabbit''s face. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit narrowed its eyes, its hesitation clear. But after a moment, it let out a sharp squeal and launched another electrifying orb. Vincent''s eyes widened. "Oi, oi! Where was your compassion?!" The crimson orb struck his makeshift shield with deadly force. Boom! The smaller rabbit disintegrated instantly, leaving only smoke and charred remains. "Damn it! If I''m short one rabbit, I''ll barbecue you for compensation!" Vincent snarled, his irritation masking the satisfaction of surviving. Realizing he needed to act fast, he tried activating his talent again¡ªthis time focusing solely on his physical body. To his astonishment, he felt a surge of strength course through his arms. "It worked?!" But the sensation was fleeting, fading as quickly as it came. Worse, he felt his hunger intensify, his stomach growling audibly. "It''s draining my stamina¡­" The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. Using Origin Power Enhancement without origin energy came at the cost of his physical endurance. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit gave him no time to rest, disappearing from view once more. Sensing its presence above, Vincent reacted instinctively. "He''s above!" With a reflex born of desperation, he activated the enhanced strength in his legs, blurring out of the crimson orb''s path just in time. Boom! The ground where he had stood erupted in a fiery blast, but Vincent was already preparing his counterattack. Chapter 73 - 73: End of 1st Day of Training Boom! The ground where he had stood exploded in a fiery blast, but Vincent was already poised to strike back. The Red-Skinned Mad Horned Rabbit, after launching that crimson ball, finally showed signs of exhaustion. It had been relentlessly hurling skills. With its energy waning, it staggered and dropped to the ground. In that instant, despite his own fatigue and gnawing hunger, Vincent forced his legs to brace and pushed himself forward. Breathing raggedly, the crimson beast raised its sharp claws in a desperate attempt to block him. Puchi! Vincent''s weapon pierced its abdomen. Just as its claws were about to slash him, his figure blurred and reappeared behind it. The creature barely turned halfway before he drove the remaining horn into the back of its head. It froze, then collapsed lifelessly onto the ground. The system notification rang: You have successfully killed an Infernal Horned Hare Tier 1 (5¡ï)! +50 Experience Points earned! Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! The confirmation of its death gave Vincent a fleeting sense of relief before his body gave out, and he fell onto his back, legs cramping painfully. "Ugh¡­" Even with his enhanced physique, using his talent took a severe toll. He needed to rest before the pain subsided. The sun blazed high in the sky, making his aching body feel the midday heat more acutely. Growl~ His stomach''s protest reminded him of the Hare''s corpse lying nearby. "This has to be the hardest I''ve fought just to kill one beast¡­" he muttered, realizing how much he''d struggled. Things had been relatively smooth for him up until now. Yet instead of frustration, a grin spread across his face. He liked the thrill of struggle, the fight for survival. Still, his pragmatic side remained. If a task could be done with less risk, why gamble his life? "Now, the question is... how do I get these Mad Horned Rabbits to him?" After pondering, he managed to haul the Mad Horned Rabbits and the Infernal Hare''s corpse back to the stream. Exhausted, he collapsed beside the pile. At the edge of his vision, he noticed someone approaching. Looking up, he saw the stern face of his Special Instructor, Arthur Aviss. "Your parcel, sir¡­" Vincent said with a strained grin before his vision faded to black. Arthur stood silently, his eyes shifting between the unconscious Vincent and the pile of crippled rabbits alongside the Hare''s corpse. No one knew what he was thinking. After a moment, he carried Vincent to the shade of nearby trees and left him to rest. Several hours later, Vincent stirred awake, the sky above painted in shades of crimson and amber. The sun had already set. Realizing the time, he shot to his feet, only for pain to lance through his legs. "Ugh!" He groaned, clutching at his limbs. Arthur''s cold yet melodic voice broke the silence. "You''re awake¡­" Vincent turned to see his instructor approaching, holding a stick of barbecued meat. His stomach growled loudly at the sight. Arthur wordlessly tossed the skewer toward him. Vincent caught it instinctively, momentarily forgetting the pain in his hands. "Ah! H-hot!" He yelped, hurriedly blowing on his palms and the steaming barbecue. After some effort, he took a bite, the savory juices flooding his mouth with intense flavor. Warm energy coursed through him, slightly alleviating his fatigue. His eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, "Delicious!" It was his first taste of primal beast meat, and its effect was unexpectedly rejuvenating. Arthur, seated by the campfire, asked without looking at him, "How is it?" Vincent blinked and replied, "It''s amazing!" Arthur glanced over his shoulder briefly. "I wasn''t asking about that," he muttered before returning his attention to the fire. "Forget it." Confused, Vincent finished the barbecue quickly. Without turning, Arthur tossed him another stick, which he caught with a grin. "Thanks, Instructor!" The second serving left him full and energized, though his legs still felt unsteady. Arthur stood, gazing up at the star-strewn sky. "Done eating?" "Yes, Instructor." "Good. Then it''s time for your punishment." Vincent''s smile froze, confusion quickly giving way to frustration. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why? Didn''t I deliver 500 Mad Horned Rabbits and their leader''s corpse?" Arthur''s expression remained neutral as he lowered his gaze. "What did I ask you to bring?" "A thousand Mad Horned Rabbits," Vincent replied, exasperated. "But there weren''t that many! Only around 500!" Arthur smirked. "Not my problem. I said a thousand. You should''ve found a way." Vincent furrowed his brow, unsure if Arthur had deliberately set him up. Before he could argue, Arthur''s voice cut through his thoughts. "For the rest of the night, you''ll use your talent until you can''t move a finger." His heart sank. "Is he trying to kill me?" Vincent thought but wisely kept silent, glaring at Arthur with narrowed eyes. Arthur noticed. "Why? Want me to increase the difficulty?" Vincent quickly forced a smile. "N-no, Instructor! I think your idea is perfect! Let''s do it!" He struggled to his feet, ignoring the pain. Recalling his earlier battle, he decided to start by activating his talent in his right arm. To his surprise, strength surged through both arms instead. "What? I only meant to enhance my right arm¡­" he muttered, confused. He tried again, focusing intently on isolating the effect. But once more, both arms were enhanced. "What am I doing wrong?" Arthur, watching closely, noticed his hesitation. "What''s the issue?" Vincent explained his confusion briefly. Arthur was silent for a moment, then replied, "I see. Instead of wasting time standing there like an idiot, give me ten sets of 100 pushups. Use your talent on both arms." Vincent''s frustration spiked. "Why does asking a question result in punishment?" But he dared not complain aloud. He dropped into position, activated his talent, and began. With enhanced arms, he completed the first set swiftly. "First set done!" Vincent announced. "Second set!" "399¡­ 400! Fourth set!" "999¡­ 1,000!" By the time he finished, sweat drenched him, and his arms throbbed with fatigue. Arthur''s voice interrupted the brief silence. "Now, ten sets of the school''s basic combat routine. Every movement must be precise. One mistake equals another set." Vincent wanted to groan but immediately began the routine, his body moving mechanically despite his exhaustion. The drills stretched late into the night, his energy reserves dwindling. Finally, his body gave out, and he collapsed, consciousness fading once more. Arthur stared at him for a long moment, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his face. With a slight shake of his head, he muttered, "Still too soft." The silent forest bore witness as the stars wheeled above, marking the end of Vincent''s grueling first day of training. Chapter 74 - 74: Valyn The next day. Morning. Vincent woke up, his entire body aching in pain, especially his arms. He could see them, but he couldn''t feel them¡ªno strength left to lift them. He let out a tired sigh, which didn''t go unnoticed by the already wide-awake Instructor Arthur. "You just woke up and you''re already tired? Wanna quit?" Vincent didn''t react to the taunt. He was getting accustomed to his instructor''s demeanor. "He''s heartless... this guy''s pure evil..." Of course, he only dared to think about it. Saying it aloud? Who knew what kind of twisted punishment Arthur might devise? While entertaining such thoughts, Arthur approached him. "Don''t tell me he can hear my thoughts?" Vincent thought, instinctively retreating¡ªonly to back into a tree. "I-Instructor?" he stammered. Arthur ignored his words. Before Vincent could react, the instructor''s fingers moved with precision, tapping his forehead, shoulders, and abdomen in swift succession. What followed was a surge of Origin Energy coursing through his entire body, forcing him to let out a soft groan. Arthur had lifted the seal on his energy. "Take a quick breakfast and replenish your stamina." Vincent, though full of questions, chose not to ask. Instead, he grabbed the same meal he''d had the night before by the campfire. Afterward, he downed a recovery potion in one gulp. Once finished, Instructor Arthur, who had been resting in the shade of a tree, opened his eyes and asked, "Which Sanctuary are you in right now?" Vincent, curious about the question, still answered truthfully. "I''m currently in No. 3 Novice Sanctuary." The usually stoic instructor frowned for a second before his expression reverted to neutrality.. "I see. For your next training, I''ll assign someone for you to meet in the Origin World." Vincent didn''t question him. He''d wondered if he''d be allowed to return to the Origin World. It would be foolish to waste such an advantage. He quickly realized why Arthur decided to continue his training there. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now, go. She''ll meet you at the north entrance of your sanctuary." She? A girl? Curious but unwilling to pry, Vincent saluted respectfully. "Alright, Instructor. I''m going then." His surroundings blurred for a brief moment before he arrived in his rented room at the Newcomer''s Lounge. First, he donned his Shifting Visage mask before heading downstairs. With no interest in inquiries today, he walked straight to the north entrance to wait for her. After some time, he noticed someone approaching from a distance. Despite the mask concealing her features, her figure made it clear she was a woman. As she neared, her attire became visible¡ªlight armor beneath a tight pink robe. Her long jet-black hair was tied in a ponytail, and a pink fox mask covered her face. "She''s strong¡­" he thought, sensing the pressure she emitted unconsciously. "Excuse me, but are you Student Magnus?" she asked, her voice soft and slightly high-pitched. Vincent nodded. Since she was sent by his special instructor, there was no need to hide his identity. Keeping his alias secret outside the Origin World was more important. "I''m Valyn," she introduced herself. "You can call me Big Sis Valyn. I''m already 21, after all!" Her ample chest jiggled slightly as she spoke energetically. Vincent couldn''t help but glance before shifting his focus back to her face. Though much older in soul and mind, he complied with her wishes. "Okay, Big Sis Valyn." Her bright, lively jet-black eyes sparkled with delight as she pounced and hugged his arm. "Haha, good, good. From now on, you''re my little brother." Vincent, unfazed by her sudden action, closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of her embrace. "I guess this is what heaven feels like¡­" he muttered without thinking. "What heaven?" Valyn asked, tilting her head. Vincent snapped back, laughing awkwardly. "Haha, it''s nothing, Big Sis Valyn. By the way, what''s your relationship with Special Instructor Arthur?" "He didn''t tell you?" Vincent froze for a moment. Of course, he didn''t tell me. Would I ask you if he had? he thought but kept silent. "I figured. He''s a man of few words," Valyn said. "In that case, I''ll leave it to your imagination." Vincent resisted the urge to facepalm. "I seem destined to meet strange people." Dropping the topic, he asked, "So, what are we doing today, Big Sis?" "Right. My task today is to take you somewhere." "Somewhere?" "Yes," Valyn nodded. "Where is it?" She giggled, placing a finger over her mask''s mouth. "It''s a secret!" "Come on, let''s go. I''m sure you''ll like it!" "Okay," he replied with a nod. As he just took a step, Valyn stopped him. "Oh, we''re not walking. I only walked earlier for exercise. The place we''re headed is far, and walking would take too long." "How are we getting there, then?" "Hehe, don''t be surprised." With that, she let out a piercing whistle that echoed through the forest. Moments later, a white figure dashed through the greenery, stopping before Valyn. It was a massive, two-meter-tall, three-meter-long fox with silvery-white fur. Silverwood Fox, Tier 2 (5¡ï). "A peak Tier 2 Silverwood Fox?!" he thought, stunned. The creature lowered its head, letting Valyn pet it affectionately. She turned to Vincent, chuckling. "Hehe, surprised?" Vincent nodded. "This is my mount, Fenro, a Silverwood Fox. I found him as a cub a few years ago," she said, smiling warmly while stroking the fox''s fur. "Anyway, let''s go." Valyn mounted Fenro, then patted him gently. "Fenro, this is Vincent Magnus. He''ll be joining us today, okay?" Fenro growled softly in acknowledgment. Valyn patted the fox again, urging Vincent. "Come on, hop on. We''re leaving." Vincent didn''t hesitate, climbing onto Fenro''s back and settling behind Valyn. Valyn grabbed his hands, placing them around her waist. "You''ll need to hold on. Fenro''s fast, you know." Needless to say, Vincent didn''t refuse. Who would decline to hold a stunning woman like Valyn? Once he was comfortably seated and holding her waist, Valyn gave the command. "Okay, Fenro. Let''s go!" With her cue, their surroundings immediately blurred as Fenro began running with amazing speed. Chapter 75 - 75: Garga While riding with Valyn on her mount, the Silverwood Fox, Ferno, Vincent still had no idea where they were heading. He also noticed that despite Ferno''s speed, he believed that if he continuously used his movement skill, One Step Shift, he would be much faster. With Ferno''s strength and speed, no primals dared to stop them. The journey was nearly three hours long and could be considered quite lengthy. In the distance, Vincent noticed groups of origin warriors assembling near a massive, ancient tower. Their expressions mirrored mutual hostility, heightening the tension in the air. "What is that?" he asked after hopping off Ferno. He couldn''t recall any information about the tower. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After dismounting, Valyn responded while gazing at the structure, "That is the Tower of Combat." "Tower of Combat?" "Yes," Valyn nodded and continued, "Once you go inside, your Origin Energy will be sealed, and you''ll have to defeat the challengers assigned to you. "The more wins you get without losing, the better the rewards!" "Of course, you will only be fighting challengers of the same tier as you." Vincent nodded in understanding before asking curiously, "Is there a maximum number of wins one can achieve?" Valyn fell silent for a moment, her gaze landing on a large board with numerous names listed on it ¡ª the ranking board. "Yes. Once you reach a certain number of wins, the tower will increase the strength of your opponents. However, only geniuses and top rankers have been able to achieve this." Following her gaze, Vincent found the names listed on the ranking board. There were three categories corresponding to the levels of strength: Novice Origin Warriors, Tier 1 to Tier 3. At the Tier 1 Ranking, there were dozens of names listed. At the top of the list, one name and its battle record stood out: 1st ¡ª Criocliz Chrystals (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 49 Wins 2 Loss 2nd ¡ª Drakoth Asher (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 47 Wins 5 Losses 3rd ¡ª Shylvia Torn (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 46 Wins 6 Losses The list went on. He also checked the rankings of other tiers. However, one name in the Tier 2 list caught his attention: 1st ¡ª Elvi Rolud (Tier 1, 5¡ï) 49 Wins 1 Loss He couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows when he saw it. A Tier 1 Origin Warrior competing against Tier 2 Origin Warriors? It seemed this person had defeated most Tier 2 warriors, with only Tier 3 warriors managing to best him. "Elvi Rolud¡­" Vincent muttered, as though engraving the name in his mind. Valyn, standing beside him, overheard. "Are you curious about him?" Vincent simply nodded. "Legend has it that Elvi Rolud was a nobody ¡ª a timid guy with weak talent who was often bullied. But one day, during the Novice Ranking Battle, he reappeared as if reborn, dominating the rankings. Despite being Tier 1, he defeated Origin Warriors far above his level. Even though he eventually lost to a higher-tier opponent, his performance was enough to make his name known throughout the Origin World. "He didn''t stop after the Novice Ranking Battle. He began challenging all the Fundamental Towers, including the Tower of Combat, revealing overwhelming power that dominated the rankings and shocked the Novice Continent. But one day, he vanished without a trace. Some say he was killed, but no one has ever proven it. To this day, his fate remains a mystery." "He didn''t ascend to the higher continent?" Vincent asked. Valyn shook her head softly. "There''s a rumor that he might have already ascended, but it''s never been confirmed." As she spoke, they walked closer to the Tower of Combat. Their presence began to attract attention, likely due to Ferno, the Silverwood Fox, and its master, Valyn. Whispers filled the air. "That''s a Silverwood Fox, right? So that must be Valyn Aviss?" "Yes, you''re right. One of the Silver Rankers¡ªValyn Aviss, the Witch Fox." Valyn Aviss? Silver Rankers? Witch Fox? Vincent''s mind raced with questions as he overheard the whispers. She''s related to Special Instructor Arthur? What are Silver Rankers? And Witch Fox must be her title¡­ At that moment, a purple-haired Thrygian woman approached them. She was a head shorter than male Thrygians but still taller than a human, with a bulky build. Vincent frowned behind his mask, his impression of the Thrygian race soured by his earlier encounter with Grarik. He now assumed the entire race to be enemies of humanity. Valyn, however, seemed familiar with the woman. "What do you want, Garga?" she asked coldly, her usual high-pitched voice replaced with an emotionless tone. Garga, the female Thrygian, flanked by two male Thrygians, crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "Nothing. I just wanted to confirm if the stinky smell I noticed was indeed yours. And I was right¡ªnothing compares to your slutty scent." The two male Thrygians burst into laughter as Garga smiled provocatively. "It''s alright to be jealous. You don''t have to hide it. If I were ugly and had a face like yours, I''d be jealous of me too," Valyn retorted, shaking her head. Her response left Garga fuming, and the two glared at each other, creating a suffocating tension in the air that Vincent immediately felt. Fortunately, it didn''t last long. The two women broke their staring contest with cold harrumphs. "Just pray I don''t meet you in the tower later!" Garga threatened before turning away. "Hmph, I''m not sure who needs the prayer more, considering some purple fool has a lower ranking than me," Valyn said softly, her tone mocking. Garga heard the jab and faltered briefly but chose to ignore it. Her male companions, however, were less composed. They turned and faced Vincent, glaring at him instead of Valyn, which left him baffled. "What?" he muttered. I didn''t even say anything! I was ignored the whole time, and now they''re mad at me for doing nothing? Valyn noticed the situation and glanced at Vincent, their confused expressions mirroring each other. Suddenly, she broke into soft giggles, which escalated into laughter. "Haha!" Vincent could only shake his head with a wry smile. The brief exchange between Valyn and Garga had caught the attention of many, but both of them seemed unbothered by the stares. Valyn was clearly accustomed to it, while Vincent simply didn''t care. Curious, he asked a question that had been on his mind. "Who was that?" "Her? She''s Garga Blackthorn." Upon hearing the name, Vincent''s eyebrows rose in recognition. "Blackthorn? Is she related to Grarik?" "Oh? You know Grarik?" Vincent nodded. "She''s Grarik''s older sister," Valyn revealed. "I see¡­ but how are you related to her?" "I encountered her three years ago when I found Ferno," Valyn explained, her gaze falling on the Silverwood Fox resting under the shade of a massive tree. "She tried to snatch Ferno from me. Fortunately, I wasn''t any weaker than her, so I managed to retreat safely with Ferno." Seeing her willingness to answer, Vincent didn''t hold back and asked several more questions that had been bothering him. Through their conversation, he learned a lot of valuable information. The first was about the "Silver Rankers" mentioned earlier. Rankers were those on the leaderboard of the Novice Ranking Battle. The ranks included Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Valyn didn''t elaborate further, saying he would learn more soon enough. The second revelation was about experience points and the leveling speed of other Origin Warriors. Vincent had always wondered how others managed to increase their levels so quickly, especially those who didn''t come from wealthy backgrounds. If he calculated based on the experience points he needed to level up, it seemed absurd¡ªordinary Origin Warriors would require decades to increase their strength by even one level. Valyn explained that the required experience points varied based on the rank of one''s awakened talent. Those with lower-ranked talents needed fewer experience points to level up. Additionally, there were special talents like Alchemist, which allowed the creation of potions that could directly grant experience points or temporarily boost experience gain. However, such items were incredibly expensive. With her explanation, Vincent''s doubts were finally resolved. "Do you still have questions?" Valyn asked. "Not for now." "Alright then. In that case, it''s time for you to challenge the Tower of Combat." Chapter 76 - 76: Challenging the Tower of Combat "Do you still have questions?" Valyn asked. "Not for now." "Alright then. In that case, it''s time for you to challenge the Tower of Combat." Vincent once again shifted his attention to the massive ancient tower. He wondered what was inside it and who had created it. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He nodded at her and asked, "I understand. Is there anything I should keep in mind?" "You must remember that dying inside the Tower of Combat is the same as dying outside. This means you''ll be transported back to our planet and lose the ability to return to the Origin World." "Well, you don''t have to worry too much about that. You''re allowed to concede defeat if you feel like you''re about to lose or are certain you can''t win against your opponent." Vincent nodded in understanding. "Anything else?" Valyn faintly shook her head before reaching for Vincent''s face and embracing him against her bosom. Vincent was surprised, but he didn''t react as he felt her softness. "This is your good luck charm. Now go, beat the crap out of them!" After saying that, she let go of Vincent and pushed him forward. Vincent was still lost in thought, recalling the softness of Valyn, as he joined the line at one of the three entrances to the tower. The left entrance was for Tier 1 challengers. He queued behind the others. After a while, it was his turn. An interface appeared before him, asking for his handprint and name. Once he placed his hand on it, his body was immediately surrounded by digital lights before vanishing into the Tower of Combat. [Welcome to the Tower of Combat, dear challenger, Magnus!] An archaic voice rang out as soon as he found himself in a dimly lit ancient chamber where the end and roof were out of sight. [As per the tower''s rules, your Origin Core will be sealed for the duration of the challenge.] He felt his Origin Core being sealed once again. Though he was already aware of it, he still felt a little bitter. He had just regained his Origin Energy after a rough training session last night, and now it was sealed again. [In this tower, you will fight a random opponent of the same tier. Each victory earns you 100 Tower Points, which can be exchanged for items at the tower''s exchange. Since you currently have no Tower Points, you cannot visit the exchange.] Vincent nodded in understanding as the archaic voice continued. [After each fight, you will have 30 minutes of rest. If you lose and admit defeat, you won''t be able to challenge the Tower of Combat again for two weeks.] He nodded once more. [Additionally, you cannot use any weapons or items that aren''t from the tower.] Vincent showed no reaction, as he had already expected this. [Are you ready to begin your challenge?] Vincent nodded. "Yes." As soon as he answered, several digital lights appeared in front of him, materializing into various types of weapons: swords, rapiers, bows, axes, and more. [Please pick your weapon of choice.] Without hesitation, he grabbed a plain sword. It wasn''t particularly long or heavy, measuring approximately 150 centimeters and weighing only a few kilograms. As soon as he picked it up, the other weapons vanished. [Your opponent will be assigned shortly. Please wait patiently...] [Match Found!] Vincent then saw his opponent''s record. Bjor Palku Tier 1 (5¡ï) 4 Wins - 5 Losses His opponent had more losses than victories. [Please select your Battle Map!] Several screens appeared in his vision, showcasing maps of different terrains. He chose a simple flat arena named the Cliff of Death Arena. Once he made his choice, his vision and surroundings blurred. On the other side, when Bjor Palku saw his opponent''s record, he couldn''t suppress a grin. "Finally, a newbie! This is going to be my fifth win!" After a short moment, the two appeared in the flat, elevated arena. Despite its plain appearance, the arena was surrounded by an endless pit, making falling off a fatal mistake. As soon as he appeared, Vincent caught sight of his opponent: Bjor Palku, a Birdman. The battle map was clearly in Bjor Palku''s favor. "Haha," Bjor Palku laughed when he saw the map. "To think you chose this map against me? It seems you''re giving me a free win. I''ll be kind and let you concede defeat." Vincent simply took a fighting stance and raised his sword in response. Bjor Palku frowned, displeased by Vincent''s reaction. "You really don''t want to surrender?" Vincent ignored him. "Hmph, don''t say I didn''t warn you!" With that, Bjor Palku flapped his jade-colored wings, taking to the air. He nocked an arrow and aimed at Vincent. With a strong pull, he released the bowstring, and the arrow flew swiftly toward Vincent. Whoosh! Vincent didn''t react until the arrow was within two meters of him. Then, he turned his sword and used the width of the blade to block it. Bjor Palku wasn''t disappointed. Instead of shooting a single arrow, he nocked three at once and released them. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The arrows whistled through the air as they sped toward Vincent. Vincent narrowed his eyes and slashed the arrows as they neared him. Clang! Bjor Palku didn''t relent. He continuously fired three arrows simultaneously. Whoosh! This time, instead of a direct attack, several arrows curved mid-air, passing around Vincent and targeting him from behind like homing missiles. Whoosh! One arrow arrived too quickly, forcing Vincent to dodge by jumping backward. Thud! The arrow missed and embedded itself deeply in the ground. Two more arrows followed in quick succession as Vincent rapidly retreated. Just as he moved back, he heard another whistling sound behind him¡ªa new volley of arrows had been fired. Vincent quickly spun around and performed a series of backflips, narrowly dodging the arrows as they struck the ground. Whoosh! Another whistle sounded, this time from three more arrows curving through the air. However, Vincent was more prepared now and anticipated their path. He avoided them effortlessly and, as soon as the last arrow passed, he grabbed the nearest arrow stuck in the ground. With a full spin, he hurled it forcefully at the airborne Birdman. The arrow tore through the air with a piercing whistle, reaching Bjor Palku almost instantly. Despite seeing it coming, Bjor Palku had no time to react. He managed to tilt his body and flap his wings but was still struck in the left shoulder. "Ugh!" Bjor Palku groaned as the arrow pierced his shoulder. He lost balance, swaying in the air before plummeting headfirst toward the ground. Seeing this, Vincent grabbed another arrow from the ground and threw it over his shoulder with precision. Whoosh! Bjor Palku, still falling, noticed the incoming arrow. Clutching his injured shoulder, he gritted his teeth and flapped his wings desperately to dodge. While he succeeded in avoiding the arrow, he crashed onto the arena floor, leaving traces of blood behind. Vincent wasn''t one to show mercy. As soon as his opponent hit the ground, he charged forward, aiming to end the battle. However, a weak but forceful voice stopped him. "I¡­ I concede!" The moment Bjor Palku announced his surrender, his body was enveloped in digital lights before vanishing from the arena. [Congratulations! Victory for Challenger Magnus!] [You have received 100 Tower Points!] [You now have a 30-minute resting period.] Chapter 77 - 77: Isnt This Basically Cheating? [Congratulations! Victory for Challenger Magnus!] [You have received 100 Tower Points!] [You now have a 30-minute resting period.] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! "Wait, what?" He exclaimed, unsure if he had heard it correctly. The multiplication effect when absorbing Origin Energy from Origin Crystals was understandable because it came from primal creatures. However, this time was entirely unnatural and made no sense. Oblivious to his shock, the tower''s archaic voice continued. [You are now eligible to check the items you can exchange for Tower Points.] An interface appeared before his eyes. [Tower Exchange] Skills Weapons Equipment Miscellaneous It had four categories under it. When he checked the skills category, a long list of skills appeared, ranging from common to rare quality. He also noticed that there were no cultivation techniques, which made sense since cultivation techniques were generally Tier 2 items. The other three categories followed a similar pattern, offering only Tier 1 items ranging from common to rare quality. He confirmed the amount of Tower Points he had: 1,000,000 Tower Points. He was speechless. "Isn''t this basically cheating?" he muttered to himself, grinning beneath his Shifting Visage mask. "Who cares? The world is never fair." With that in mind, Vincent began using his rest period to browse the available items and buy whatever he wanted. He had a million points to spend, after all¡ªhe might as well buy everything worthwhile in the store. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Needless to say, he already had his eyes on the top items he had seen. Particularly the skills. Dragon''s Might - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. The user emits a Dragon''s Aura that can immobilize targets of the same or lower level based on the user''s Force and Mental attributes. The weaker the race, the greater the effect. Sterling Silver Body - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. Permanently enhances overall physical strength by 30%. Five Wave Strike - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A rare martial technique that increases physical attack power by up to five times when mastered. Sixth Sense - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Permanently enhances perception by 30%. Physical Regeneration - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A passive skill. Increases base physical regeneration by 20%. The list of intriguing skills went on. However, most of the skills revolved around physical strength and Force attributes. Even so, there were several combat skills suited for different fighting styles. His curiosity didn''t stop him from purchasing them. He began by buying the ten top skills on the list. Afterward, he had 900,000 Tower Points remaining¡ªstill an enormous amount. Next, he checked the weapons category and purchased ten Tier 1 rare armaments. Even though he already possessed an epic-grade Tier 2 armament, having more wouldn''t hurt. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 800,000. The skill books he had bought went into his storage ring, but the armaments piled up in front of him, startling him. "It seems my storage can no longer hold more items." With that realization, he quickly opened the Miscellaneous tab, which listed items like potions, scrolls, and more. He purchased the first item that caught his eye. Storage Ring - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: 500 cubic meters of storage space. A five-hundred-cubic-meter space was comparable to 15 standard shipping containers¡ªspacious enough to store a vast number of items for a long time. He wondered if it could be upgraded, unlike the storage item he''d acquired from Azhara, which was not eligible for upgrades for some unknown reason. For now, he shelved the thought. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 700,000. He collected the armaments and stored them in his newly purchased storage ring, which had a white-gold appearance. Naturally, he bought ten more of them until the stock sold out and disappeared from the list. Unlike skill books, which vanished from the list as soon as purchased, miscellaneous items displayed their available stock. Since he was already in the Miscellaneous tab, he browsed further and found several fascinating items. Tier 1 Capture Ball - 20,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A rare item used to capture a Tier 1 primal. Once captured, users can initiate a taming process. Capture Chances: Tier 1 (1¡ï) - 100% Tier 1 (2¡ï) - 80% Tier 1 (3¡ï) - 60% Tier 1 (4¡ï) - 40% Tier 1 (5¡ï) - 20% Curious, he purchased five of them. -100,000 Tower Points. He also found Escape Scrolls, priced at 10,000 each, with ten currently in stock. Though he didn''t fully understand how they were made, he bought all ten. -100,000 Tower Points. Remaining Tower Points: 500,000. He discovered even more intriguing items: Force Potion - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Increases Force attribute by 5 points for five minutes without side effects. Experience Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Doubles experience gain for five minutes. Stamina Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Boosts stamina for five minutes. Drop Chance Booster - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Increases drop chances by 30% for five minutes. Tier 1 Experience Potion - 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Grants experience points ranging from 1,000 to 3,000. The list continued. Vincent''s eyes gleamed as he saw the experience-related items. Excitedly, he bought ten of each item he found appealing, exhausting his remaining Tower Points. Unfortunately, he no longer had points to buy anything from the equipment tab. However, he wasn''t concerned. After another victory, he''d have plenty of points to spend. Afterward, he retrieved four of the ten skills he had bought and immediately learned them. Dragon''s Might Learned! Sterling Silver Body Learned! Sixth Sense Learned! Physical Regeneration Learned! Waves of strength and information surged through his mind and body. He spent the remainder of his rest period adapting to his newfound strength and skills. Unsurprisingly, Vincent''s spree of hoarding top items from the Tower Exchange didn''t go unnoticed by the current challengers. "What? How did this happen?!" "Oh no! My Dragon''s Might is gone! Who bought it?!" "The top items are all gone, except for the equipment?" "There must be a glitch in the tower!" "This must be a bug! There''s no way those items could disappear like that!" While the challengers within the tower were in an uproar, those outside the Tower of Combat remained unaware of the chaos unfolding. After some time, Vincent was finally prepared to continue his challenge. "I''m ready to continue the challenge!" he announced confidently. The tower''s archaic voice responded. [Looking for a match¡­ Please wait patiently.] Soon, the voice declared: [Match Found!] Chapter 78 - 78: Another Million Points [Looking for a match¡­ Please wait patiently.] Soon, the voice declared: [Match Found!] Vynco Vynk Tier 1 (5¡ï) 2 Wins - 0 Losses His next opponent was also a newbie like him, already boasting two wins and no losses. ''He might be stronger than Bjor Palku,'' Vincent thought, but he wasn''t worried. Unlike his previous match, this time he wasn''t offered the choice of a battle map. Instead, the surroundings around him were distorted, and his vision blurred. [Your opponent has chosen the Swampy Field as the Battle Arena!] "It seems it''s not my turn to choose the map¡­" he thought as he vanished from his previous location. Moments later, he materialized in an uneven swampy area. The atmosphere was damp, heavy with the pungent smell of stagnant water and mud. Thick mist curled around the field, obscuring some parts of the terrain. In the distance, Vincent''s sharp eyes spotted the silhouette of his opponent. As the mist parted, his opponent''s peculiar appearance became clearer. The figure before him had a distinctly frog-like head with two large, beady eyes that seemed to glisten unnaturally in the dim light. Its green, sleek skin shimmered faintly, covered in a sheen of moisture. Despite its amphibian-like features, the creature stood upright, its posture resembling that of a human. It was clad in loose white pants that billowed slightly, exposing its bare upper body. In its webbed hands, it gripped a six-foot-long iron-silver rod. His opponent belonged to a race known as the Wetskins¡ªa neutral, amphibious species widely recognized for their exceptional martial prowess and unique combat techniques. Vynco Vynk, as the voice had announced, cupped his webbed hands ceremoniously and spoke in a hoarse, gravelly tone that echoed across the swampy field. "My name is Vynco Vynk. My martial name is Croaker. You may address me in whichever way you prefer. Please enlighten me with your skills." Vincent raised an eyebrow at his opponent''s overly formal mannerisms, momentarily caught off guard by the display of respect. "Did their ancestors watch too many kung fu movies for their descendants to turn out like this?" he wondered to himself, a hint of amusement flickering in his mind. Despite his internal musings, Vincent didn''t dare to respond disrespectfully. The opponent''s tone and attitude demanded a measure of dignity in return. Rather than mimicking the introduction, Vincent kept his response succinct and to the point. With a curt nod, he simply stated, "Magnus." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The brief exchange of introductions ended, and silence settled over the arena for a fleeting moment. Without warning, Vynco sprang into action. The Wetskin began hopping forward, his sleek movements fluid and precise. He gripped the iron-silver rod tightly as he moved, the water beneath his webbed feet splashing audibly. Tap! Tap! The sound of Vynco''s agile hops echoed through the swampy terrain. Vincent remained rooted in place, his sharp gaze locked onto the rapidly approaching figure. He knew that this arena was deliberately chosen to give his opponent the upper hand. Yet, he didn''t show any sign of panic or hesitation. The Wetskin darted from left to right in erratic zigzag patterns, clearly attempting to throw Vincent off balance and obscure his line of attack. When Vynco was about 13 feet away, Vincent finally moved. The moment Vynco thrust his weapon, Vincent ducked his head and launched himself forward. Splash! Water sprayed into the air as his feet kicked off the ground. Whoosh! In an instant, he closed the distance, evading Vynco''s weapon. As Vincent swung his sword toward his opponent''s exposed belly, Vynco''s tongue shot out unexpectedly, forcing Vincent to retreat several meters. Vynco also stepped back, faintly surprised by Vincent''s speed. He had chosen the map for an advantage, expecting his opponent to struggle in the swampy terrain. Yet Vincent maneuvered with remarkable ease, thanks to his recently acquired Sixth Sense skill, which heightened his awareness. In that brief exchange, Vincent had instinctively stepped only on the drier, firmer spots of the field. "A frog is still a frog," Vincent mused after dodging the sticky tongue. Both combatants now had a rough measure of each other''s speed. Vynco crouched slightly, muscles tensing, and with a sharp grunt, propelled himself forward with astonishing speed. Clap! He launched himself into the air, gripping his weapon overhead with his webbed hands. Vincent reacted swiftly, preparing to slash horizontally. But just like before, Vynco''s tongue lashed out, coiling around Vincent''s sword and neutralizing it. Taking advantage of the moment, Vynco let out a loud grunt and brought his iron-silver rod crashing down toward Vincent''s head. But Vincent smirked beneath his mask. He released his sword and swung his right arm upward to intercept the blow. "Initial Wave Strike!" Clang! The sound of metal clashing reverberated as Vincent''s fist met Vynco''s weapon. A powerful force rippled through the rod, sending Vynco flying several meters before tumbling across the swampy terrain. Vincent felt only slight numbness in his fist, which quickly faded. Glancing at his hand, he noticed a subtle silvery sheen¡ªevidence of the Sterling Silver Body, a skill he had recently learnt. The strike that overwhelmed Vynco was the first phase of his Five Wave Strike skill. Despite being in the beginner stage, it had proven potent against an opponent like Vynco. On the other side, Vynco scrambled to his feet, uninjured but visibly shocked. His wide, beady eyes now seemed even larger. "What kind of body do you have? Are you a Crystallian?" "No, you don''t look like a Crystallian¡­" Vynco muttered, answering his own question. He eyed Vincent thoughtfully. "You don''t resemble a Thrygian either. Those madmen would never bother hiding their appearances..." As he pieced things together, Vynco''s expression brightened. "The only race I know that matches your appearance is the Human Race. You must be human!" Vincent was speechless. His opponent had gone from respectful martial artist to amateur detective. Ignoring the speculation, he asked flatly, "Do you still want to fight?" Vynco quickly hid his weapon behind him. "Oh, hell no. I might be a martial artist, but I''m not stupid. I know when I''m outmatched." "So, are you conceding?" "Yeah, but can we talk for a while? It''s been so long since I''ve spoken to anyone. Lately, everyone I approach either runs away or ignores me. I can''t tell if it''s because I''m boring or if there''s something wrong with¡ª" Before Vynco could finish, a gust of wind swept past him, accompanied by the sharp press of a blade against his neck. Vincent held his sword, his voice cold. "Are you going to concede, or do you want me to make you?" Vynco gulped nervously. "I-I concede!" Whoosh! Digital light enveloped Vynco, and his figure vanished. [Victory for Challenger Magnus!] [You have gained +100 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! "Another million tower points," Vincent muttered, satisfied. Chapter 79 - 79: Causing an Uproar "Another million tower points," Vincent muttered, his voice laced with satisfaction as he checked the system''s notification. [You have a 30-minute resting period.] The mechanical tone of the tower''s voice echoed in his mind, but Vincent paid it no heed. Rest was the last thing on his mind. "Open the tower''s exchange," he demanded without hesitation. Moments later, the exchange interface materialized in his vision, displaying a variety of tabs and options. He navigated directly to the Equipment Tab, his interest piqued by the prospect of upgrading his arsenal. Vincent''s gaze swept across the available items until he focused on the top equipment listed: Name: Emberheart Plate Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Forged from fire-tempered steel and imbued with the essence of elemental flames, the Emberheart Plate offers robust protection and enhances fire-related abilities. The armor radiates a natural warmth, making it effective in cold environments and empowering its wearer''s resilience in combat. Base Effect: Increases physical defense significantly and grants resistance to fire, reducing the impact of fire-based attacks. Skill 1: Flame Barrier Effect: Summons a fiery shield that absorbs incoming damage and retaliates by scorching melee attackers with bursts of flame. Duration: 8 seconds Cooldown: 25 seconds Name: Frostwoven Carapace Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Crafted from the scales of frost drakes and reinforced with glacial crystals, this armor offers exceptional protection against both physical and elemental threats. Its freezing aura numbs attackers upon contact, making it invaluable in prolonged confrontations. Base Effect: Increases physical defense and significantly reduces damage from ice-based attacks. Skill 1: Glacial Retaliation Effect: Releases a burst of freezing energy that damages all nearby enemies and slows their movement significantly. Damage: 30 frost damage to enemies within a 5-meter radius. Movement Slow: 20% reduction in speed. Duration: 5 seconds Cooldown: 30 seconds Name: Verdant Lifeguard Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Details: Woven from the bark of ancient magical trees and infused with druidic energy, the Verdant Lifeguard offers excellent protection while nurturing the wearer''s vitality. Known for its regenerative properties, it is highly sought after by those who endure battles with resilience and persistence. Base Effect: Increases physical defense and gradually restores vitality over time while worn. Skill 1: Nature''s Embrace Effect: Activates a healing aura that restores the wearer''s vitality and boosts the regenerative ability of nearby allies within a 10-meter radius. Duration: Restorative effects persist for a short period. Cooldown: 40 seconds These three pieces of equipment were undeniably powerful, but Vincent wasn''t particularly impressed. His current body armament already surpassed the capabilities of these items. Still, the abundance of tower points he had amassed made the cost insignificant to him. Winning one battle alone rewarded him with a million points, making the prices seem trivial. Without a second thought, he purchased all three items and transferred them to his storage ring. He didn''t stop there. He continued browsing the exchange, scanning through other intriguing options. The array of available equipment¡ªarmguards, shoulder pads, and other pieces¡ªcaught his attention briefly. But what truly piqued his interest were the accessories. Among the most notable accessories were: Name: Blood Ruby Ape Earring Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Effects: +3 Force Attribute Name: Steelscale Salamander Bracer Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Effects: +3 Basic Defense Name: Iridescent Cobra Ring Cost: 10,000 Tower Points S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grade: Rare Effects: Significantly increases poison resistance. Without a second thought, he purchased all the items and equipped them immediately. He instantly sensed a notable increase in his strength. The Blood Ruby Ape Earring alone boosted his Force Attribute by 3 points. Considering his current Force Attribute of 7.6 points, the earring raised it to 10.6 points¡ªessentially tripling the average human''s strength. Although the effects of the Steelscale Salamander Bracer were not immediately visible, he knew that combined with his newly learned skill, Sterling Silver Body, his durability would see a substantial improvement. The Iridescent Cobra Ring, on the other hand, bolstered his poison resistance. With the Venomous Ring of Resistance, he speculated that he might eventually achieve complete immunity to all poisons. He still had 940,000 Tower Points remaining. A mischievous grin spread beneath his mask as a thought crossed his mind. "What would the other challengers think if I emptied the tower''s exchange?" Determined to find out, he proceeded to spend his remaining points on skill books. There were around 20 rare-grade skills still available, as well as over 100 common and uncommon skills. He bought every single one. "I''m rich, hehe¡­" As Vincent stood there, admiring the collection of skill books now safely stored in his storage ring, his laughter echoed throughout the space. It wasn''t just the joy of acquiring such a vast array of treasures¡ªit was the realization that his actions were causing chaos among the other challengers. Unbeknownst to him, his actions had already sparked confusion and panic.. "W¨CWhat''s happening again? Why are the skill books missing?" a voice cried out in disbelief within the tower. "Oh my god! What''s wrong with the tower this time?" "I need answers! Tower of Combat, you owe us an explanation!" someone else shouted, their frustration mounting as the exchange''s inventory dwindled further. Despite the uproar, the Tower of Combat''s archaic voice remained silent, offering no explanations to the bewildered challengers. It was as if the tower itself was unaware¡ªor perhaps indifferent¡ªto the chaos Vincent''s actions were causing. Oblivious to the commotion outside, Vincent continued with his plans. After a brief pause, he resumed his challenges, his mind set on further solidifying his position. [Match Found!] Syche Goud Tier 1 (5¡ï) 5 Wins ¡ª 0 Losses [Please select your Battle Map.] This time, Vincent opted for simplicity. He selected the Novice Battle Arena, a straightforward map devoid of complex terrains or environmental hazards. It was a perfect choice for a quick and decisive battle. As digital lights enveloped him, transporting him to the arena, Vincent''s gaze immediately locked onto his opponent. The challenger before him was a Vyrmin¡ªa small, goblin-like creature with green skin, pointed ears, and a pair of gleaming scimitars in its hands. Despite his diminutive stature, Syche exuded an air of arrogance. His voice dripped with disdain as he shouted, "Surrender! You have no chance against me!" Vincent, however, remained unfazed. He had no intention of wasting time on idle banter. His mind was already formulating a plan to end the fight swiftly and efficiently. As Syche stood there, oblivious to the impending doom, Vincent unleashed his Dragon''s Might skill. An oppressive aura surged forth, enveloping the arena and targeting Syche with unrelenting intensity. The Vyrmin froze in place, his eyes widening in terror as the weight of Vincent''s aura crashed down upon him. To Syche, Vincent seemed to grow taller, his figure shrouded in an almost mythical presence. In his mind''s eye, he saw the shadow of a massive black dragon looming behind Vincent, its menacing gaze fixed on him. Syche''s legs trembled uncontrollably, and before long, a dark stain appeared on his pants. The realization struck Vincent like a bolt of lightning. "Did he just¡­ pee himself?" Vincent muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of disbelief and amusement. He hadn''t anticipated this outcome. Sure, Dragon''s Might was an impressive skill, combining his Force and Mental attributes to create an oppressive aura capable of shaking an opponent''s spirit. But to reduce someone to this state so quickly? That was beyond his expectations. Releasing the skill, Vincent watched as Syche crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as if he''d been freed from the jaws of death. "Surrender," Vincent ordered, his voice cold and commanding. Syche, still haunted by the image of the dragon, could do nothing but comply. His voice trembled as he stammered, "I¨CI concede." "Good," Vincent replied, a faint smile forming beneath his Shifting Visage mask. [Match Found!] [Victory for challenger Vincent Magnus!] [You have gained +100 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points. The process repeated itself several more times. Match after match, victory after victory, Vincent continued to amass tower points and spend them in the exchange. By the time he secured his tenth consecutive win, the entire Tier 1 inventory of the exchange had been emptied. A new notification appeared before him: Tier 1 Rankings 100th: Magnus ¡ª Tier 1 (5¡ï) 10 Wins ¡ª 0 Losses Vincent nodded in satisfaction as he read the notification. It was a good start, but he wasn''t content to stop there. "Continue," he commanded, eager to climb even higher. To his surprise, the tower''s voice responded with an unexpected announcement. [Unable to find a match. Current Challengers Count: 1] Vincent frowned, his mind racing with questions. "Am I the only one left in the tower?" he wondered aloud. The idea seemed absurd, yet the system''s message suggested otherwise. Meanwhile, outside the Tower of Combat, chaos was unfolding. Digital lights flashed as Tier 1 challengers began appearing, one by one, exiting the tower in a state of frustration and confusion. Among them was Valyn, her fox mask hiding the mixture of curiosity and concern on her face. She watched as the challengers gathered, their voices rising in a chorus of complaints. "What''s going on? Why did you all leave the tower?" someone asked, their tone filled with disbelief. "Why? You want to know why? All the exchange items are gone¡ªthat''s why!" one of the frustrated challengers shouted, kicking the ground in anger. "All of them?" another voice echoed, shock evident in their tone. "Yes, every single one! It''s insane! I was saving up for a skill book, and now everything is gone!" Valyn''s brows furrowed as she processed the situation. The idea of the tower''s exchange being emptied seemed impossible¡ªuntil her gaze shifted to the ranking board. There, prominently displayed among the top 100, was a familiar name: Magnus. "What? He''s already in the top 100?" she murmured, disbelief evident in her voice. Chapter 80 - 80: Leaving the Tower "What? He''s already in the top 100?" she murmured, disbelief evident in her voice. Although she had been briefed slightly by Arthur and had faint expectations regarding Vincent''s performance and talent, she never truly believed he would climb the leaderboard so quickly. "Or perhaps he was able to climb so fast because of the tower''s issue?" she thought, still skeptical about Vincent''s performance. As she stood lost in thought, a digital glow materialized nearby. A Tier 2 challenger emerged from the tower, visibly perplexed by the commotion outside. After gathering information from a bystander, his expression shifted to confusion and disbelief. "How is that possible? I just exited the tower, and Tier 2 items were still available¡­" His words triggered a fresh wave of bewilderment among the affected challengers, deepening the mystery surrounding the situation. Meanwhile, inside the Tower of Combat, Vincent stood lost in thought. Since all the Tier 1 challengers had left the tower, leaving him with no one to challenge, he felt uncertain about what to do next. Even though he was curious about how his current strength would measure against a Tier 2 opponent, he had yet to meet the specific win requirements to ascend to the Tier 2 challenges. Hence, he had no choice but to wait for others to return to the tower. However, Vincent believed that, with the tower''s exchange stock depleted, no challengers would return for the time being. After a brief consideration, he decided to leave the tower. "I want to leave the tower," he uttered into the air. The tower''s archaic voice responded: [If you leave the tower now, you will be able to challenge it again after 3 days. Do you still wish to leave?] "Three days¡­" he murmured. "So be it... Others won''t be able to challenge the tower during this time anyway." With that in mind, he confirmed his decision. Soon, his vision and surroundings blurred. When clarity returned, he found himself outside the tower, immediately met by the commotion of frustrated challengers. A smirk formed beneath his mask as realization dawned. He was certain that his actions were the root cause of the uproar. Despite knowing this, he remained indifferent. I''d do it again if given another chance, he thought, as Valyn''s voice called out to him. "Student Magnus!" Her tone was neither weak nor loud, yet it was enough to catch the attention of those nearby. "Magnus? Is he the one who just entered the top 100 leaderboard?" "It must be him. Look, he''s acquainted with her¡­" someone commented, referring to Valyn. Valyn approached him quickly the moment he appeared. "How are you? Are you all right?" she asked, concern evident as she scanned him for any injuries. Vincent was baffled by her actions. He couldn''t understand why she treated him so kindly. Even so, her concern touched him. But, of course, he wouldn''t trust someone so easily. "I''m all right, Big Sis Valyn," he assured her. "Are you sure?" Valyn was internally curious about how Vincent had managed to climb the leaderboard so quickly. When she noticed he was completely unscathed, she was momentarily surprised. This only meant one thing¡ªhis battles had been effortless. "Yes, there''s nothing to worry about." "Anyway, what''s happening here?" Vincent asked, feigning ignorance. Valyn set aside her curiosity to answer his question. "They''re saying the items in the Tower''s Exchange are all missing. Is that true?" Hearing her response, Vincent confirmed his suspicions. While he subtly grinned behind his mask, he displayed no strange reactions. "Ah, so that''s what this is about. I thought it was normal. Right after I used my tower points to exchange for an item, the available stock vanished." His answer sounded so natural that no one would suspect he was the cause of the problem. Valyn furrowed her brows, wondering aloud, "What is happening in the tower? This has never happened before¡­" Sensing her rising curiosity, Vincent quickly changed the subject. "How about you, Big Sis? Aren''t you going to challenge the tower?" Her train of thought interrupted, Valyn considered his question alongside her plans. Initially, her intent was to challenge the tower while Vincent was occupied, per Arthur''s request. However, the tower''s current state made this impossible. Moreover, she couldn''t leave Vincent unattended, especially with Garga nearby, her sharp glares a constant annoyance. "Oh, right. Congratulations on reaching the top 100 leaderboard," she said, ignoring his question. "Thank you." "Did you leave the tower because of the issue?" "Well, sort of, but mainly because I had no one left to match with." Valyn was speechless. If she were in the Tier 1 challengers'' position, she would''ve left the tower immediately too. Yet, the boy in front of her wanted to fight more, even without rewards. Her impression of him changed. "This guy¡­ he''s just like him," she thought, recalling a normally quiet man whose expression turned wild in battle. Shaking off her random thoughts, she responded, "I''d love to take you to the other Fundamental Towers, but the nearest one would take almost a day to reach, even with Fenro''s speed. I think your training ends here for today. Don''t worry¡ªI''ll inform your Special Instructor about the situation." Vincent nodded in understanding. While curious about other Fundamental Towers, he couldn''t force Valyn to take him there. Those towers weren''t going anywhere; he could wait. "Okay, let''s head back to your sanctuary," Valyn said as she moved toward her mount, the Silverwood Fox¡ªFenro. But before they could leave, Garga''s grating voice interrupted. "Where are you going, bitch? Are you leaving without challenging the tower?!" Without looking back, Valyn retorted, "What''s it to you? Are you my manager or something?" She then turned to Vincent. "Let''s go. Just ignore her." Vincent nodded. Garga, seething at being ignored, gritted her teeth. She had been searching for Valyn for weeks, waiting for a chance to fight her. Now, Valyn was leaving without even entering the tower. Frustrated, Garga barked at her thrygian guards, "Stop them!" "Yes, Lady Garga!" the two thrygians responded, rushing toward Vincent and Valyn. "Foolish humans! Halt!" Valyn, annoyed, was about to take action when she noticed the thrygians freeze mid-step, their legs trembling uncontrollably. Their fearful gazes weren''t on her¡ªbut on Vincent. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Curious, Valyn glanced at Vincent, only to be stunned. For a fleeting moment, she saw the towering figure of a black dragon. The vision vanished almost instantly, but its impact remained. The thrygians, like Vincent''s previous opponents, quaked with terror, even wetting themselves. "W-What are you?" "Y-You''re not human!" The two thrygians stammered, still paralyzed by fear. Chapter 81 - 81: Increasing Strength "W-What are you?" "Y-You''re not human!" The two Thrygians stammered, their bodies frozen in fear. Although the effect of Dragon''s Might had long since dissipated, its presence lingered heavily in their minds like an ominous shadow they couldn''t escape. Standing behind them, Garga had an incredulous expression etched across her face. Since Vincent had specifically targeted the two Thrygian guards with Dragon''s Might, she herself hadn''t experienced its oppressive force. Instead, she was left to wonder why her guards were acting so disgracefully. "What the hell is wrong with you two? Are you trying to embarrass me?!" she bellowed, her frustration bubbling over. "L-Lady Garga¡­" one of the guards stammered. "We¡ªwe don''t dare, but¡­" "But what?!" Garga snapped, cutting them off mid-sentence. However, her tirade abruptly paused as a peculiar odor wafted through the air. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, her sharp eyes darted around in search of the source. "What is that smell?" she muttered before her gaze fell upon the guards. Following their trembling figures, she noticed the dark stains spreading across the fabric of their pants. Instantly, her naturally purple-skinned face flushed a deeper, angrier shade of violet. "Y-You¡­" She pointed at them, her voice faltering between rage and sheer disbelief. "You¡ª" Her words trailed off, leaving her momentarily speechless. The sight of her supposed elite guards reduced to such a pitiful state rendered her unable to articulate the depth of her anger. Meanwhile, Vincent ignored their pathetic display entirely. He turned toward Valyn, who stood nearby, still stunned by what she had just witnessed. "Big Sis, aren''t we leaving?" Vincent asked, his tone calm and unbothered. "Y-Yeah¡­" Valyn replied absentmindedly. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to comprehend what she had just seen. What kind of skill could instill such overwhelming fear that even a Tier 3 Origin Warrior like her had felt pressured¡ªalbeit indirectly¡ªfrom a mere Tier 1 Origin Warrior? The two mounted Fenro, the Silverwood Fox, and rode off without sparing Garga and her trembling guards a second glance. Garga could only watch helplessly as her hated enemy disappeared into the horizon. Finally, when they were completely out of sight, she erupted. "Fucking bitch!!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the surroundings in frustration and humiliation. After a not-so-short journey, Vincent and Valyn arrived at the North Entrance of No.3 Novice Sanctuary just as the sun began its descent, painting the sky with hues of orange and crimson. Throughout the ride, Valyn remained lost in her thoughts. Despite her curiosity, she knew better than to pry into secrets that Vincent clearly wasn''t ready to share. As they approached the sanctuary gates, Vincent dismounted Fenro, leaving Valyn on the creature''s back. "Thank you for today, Big Sis," he said with a grateful smile. "Don''t mention it. I had fun today¡ªespecially when I saw Garga''s face. That frustrated look of hers was enough to make my day," Valyn replied, her tone laced with amusement. "Haha," Vincent chuckled, recalling Garga''s face turning an even deeper shade of purple in anger. The two shared a lighthearted laugh before Valyn''s expression softened. "Alright, go on inside. I''ll contact you later once I get a response from your Special Instructor," she said, her voice gentle. "Contact? About that, I still don''t know the communication method here in the Origin World," Vincent admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Valyn raised an eyebrow. "You don''t know about the Prismstone?" she asked, pulling out a three-finger-sized transparent crystal from her storage. "No¡­" "Heh, this is common knowledge. Just what have you been doing in the Origin World?" she teased, shaking her head in disbelief. Despite her light reprimand, she didn''t press the matter further. Instead, she handed him a Prismstone. "Here, register your Origin Energy to it, and it''ll bind to you." Vincent accepted the crystal and channeled a small amount of Origin Energy into it. The process was seamless, and soon, he felt a faint connection form between himself and the Prismstone. Valyn then demonstrated how to link contacts. She held out her own Prismstone, channeling her Origin Energy into it. A thin, wire-like mist made of energy extended from her Prismstone to his. "Do you want to add this to your contacts?" a monotonous voice emanated from the Prismstone, startling Vincent slightly. He quickly recovered and entered the name ''Big Sis Valyn'' into his contacts. "Done?" Valyn asked, smiling at his slightly awestruck expression. Vincent nodded. "Now, use your Origin Energy and think about calling me," she instructed. Following her guidance, Vincent focused his energy on the Prismstone. Within moments, a soft click resonated in his mind, and Valyn''s voice rang telepathically in his ears. "Moshi Moshi, can you hear me?" she asked playfully. "Yes¡­" Vincent replied absentmindedly, marveling at the technology. Though he came from a modern Earth where smartphones were common, the telepathic nature of the Prismstone felt surreal and far more advanced. "I''ve got to get one of these!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He extended the Prismstone back to Valyn. "Thanks for letting me try it. Where can I buy one, and how much do they cost?" Valyn chuckled at his enthusiasm but didn''t take the Prismstone back. "I bought mine at the Verdant Wild Market for 50,000 Origin Crystals, but you can also find them in the Sanctuary''s Market." "50,000?!" Vincent''s jaw dropped. Even with the loot he had obtained from Old Bone''s minions, he only had around 15,000 Origin Crystals to his name. Valyn giggled at his reaction. "Don''t worry about it. Just keep this one. Consider it a gift from your Big Sis to commemorate our partnership." "No, I can''t accept something so expensive," Vincent protested. Valyn feigned a pout. "Are you saying you don''t see me as your Big Sis?" she teased, pretending to be offended. Caught off guard, Vincent could only relent. "Fine, thank you, Big Sis. I''ll make sure to pay you back someday." Valyn''s teasing smile softened. "You don''t have to. But if you really want to, just buy me a gift when you can." Her mention of a gift sparked an idea in Vincent''s mind. He rummaged through his storage and retrieved a beautifully crafted ring. "Then, please accept this as my gift to you," he said, holding out an emerald-colored ring designed like a twirling vine. The ring radiated a faint aura of vitality. Valyn hesitated before accepting it. The moment she inspected the ring''s details, her eyes widened in shock. Item Name: Veridian Tortoise Circlet Type: Ring Accessory Grade: Rare Effects: +2 Base Defense, +10% Natural Recovery Speed "A rare item?!" Valyn gasped. "I can''t accept this¡ªit''s far more valuable than a Prismstone!" Vincent shook his head firmly. "Oh? So you''re the one who doesn''t see me as your younger brother?" he countered, mimicking her earlier words. Valyn was momentarily speechless before bursting into laughter. "Alright, you win. I''ll cherish it. Thank you," she said, slipping the ring onto her finger. After bidding Valyn farewell, Vincent returned to his rented room in the Newcomer''s Lounge. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he laid out several Origin Crystals around him. "It''s time to increase my strength," he muttered to himself, determination glinting in his eyes. Over the past few days, he had focused on farming and upgrading his skills, neglecting his cultivation in the process. While others might not consider this a long time, to Vincent, it felt like an eternity. He began circulating his Origin Energy according to the principles outlined in his cultivation manual, Flow of Origin Energy. His first task was to convert the remaining 500,000 experience points he had earned from slaying the Infernal Horn Hare into purified energy. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! The system''s notifications rang continuously in his ears as he diligently converted his experience points. When he was finished, his total purified energy had increased to 1,650. Without hesitation, Vincent began upgrading his Force Attribute. His current base Force, unaffected by external buffs, was 7.6. He allocated 400 purified energy to raise it to 8.0. Do you want to use 400 Purified Energy on the Force Attribute? The moment he confirmed, a surge of power coursed through his body, strengthening every fiber of his being. Yet, it wasn''t enough. He continued, spending an additional 1,200 purified energy to raise his Force Attribute to 9.2. As he opened his eyes and clenched his fists, Vincent felt the unmistakable improvement in his strength. Yet, a frown crept onto his face. "This is still not enough," he murmured. Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved several experience potions he had earned from Dean Thorne and the Tower of Combat. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began consuming them. Chapter 82 - 82: Breaking The Limit "This is still not enough," Vincent murmured to himself, his determination unwavering. Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved several experience potions he had earned from Dean Thorne and the Tower of Combat. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began consuming them one by one. He started with the low-quality experience potion from Dean Thorne. Surprisingly, it didn''t taste odd or unpleasant as he had anticipated¡ªit was sweet, reminiscent of candy. As the liquid slid down his throat, a melodic notification echoed in his mind. +100 experience points! Talent Activated! +100,000 experience points! Vincent frowned at the unexpected result. The potion''s description had promised an additional 1,000 experience points, yet the numbers were vastly different. Moments later, the notification sounded again: +100 experience points! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Talent Activated! +100,000 experience points! ''Ah, so it gives 100 points initially and then 1,000 over time,'' Vincent mused, quickly piecing together the mechanics. He soon realized that this staggered allocation was actually beneficial for him. If the potion had granted the full 1,000 points immediately, a significant portion of those points would have been wasted due to his talent''s experience multiplier. Recognizing this as an unexpected boon, Vincent didn''t waste any more time. He immediately began converting his accumulated experience points into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! The conversion process continued steadily, the rhythmic notifications echoing in his mind like the beat of a drum. This went on until the effects of the experience potion finally wore off. In that single session, Vincent managed to accumulate a total of 5,000 purified energy. While this was undoubtedly an impressive amount, he couldn''t help but wonder how much more he could have achieved if the process of converting experience points to purified energy had been faster. Hypothetically, if the speed of conversion matched his experience point gains, he could have amassed a staggering 10,000,000 experience points, equivalent to 10,000 purified energy. Even so, he was pleased with the results. The 5,000 purified energy translated into 50 attribute points. Without hesitation, he invested one point into his Force attribute, bringing it to 10.2 Force. But he didn''t stop there. +1 +1 +1 +1 He continued assigning points with a single-minded determination, each increase fueling his growing strength. When his Force attribute reached 19.2, the sheer pressure radiating from his body became so intense that even the sturdy bed beneath him began to creak ominously, as if protesting against his improved power. A flicker of doubt crossed Vincent''s mind. "If 19 points isn''t the limit for Tier 1, how did I manage to defeat the minions of Old Bone?" He couldn''t come up with a definitive answer but speculated that it might have been due to the extraordinary effects of his epic skill, Abyssal Venomlash. After all, it defied logic for a Tier 1 Origin Warrior with single-digit attributes to overcome Tier 2 opponents who possessed double-digit stats. What Vincent didn''t yet realize was that he was severely underestimating the combined impact of his powerful skills and high-grade equipment. Determined to push further, he added an additional 0.8 points to his Force attribute, bringing it to a perfect 20 Force. The moment he crossed this threshold, a powerful wave of energy erupted from his body, scattering objects around the room like leaves caught in a storm. It felt as though he had broken through an invisible barrier and entered an entirely new realm of power. ''This must be the limit for Tier 1,'' Vincent thought, marveling at the overwhelming strength coursing through him. Yet, alongside this newfound power, he could feel an intangible barrier and chains binding him, restricting his full potential. Before he could decide which attribute to enhance next, his long-dormant chaos energy suddenly surged to life. At first, it coursed quietly alongside his Origin Energy, but then it became erratic. An excruciating pain suddenly radiated from deep within his soul. "Ugh!" Vincent groaned, his body convulsing as he clutched his chest. The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced in either of his lifetimes. It felt as though countless daggers were stabbing directly into his very essence, shredding his soul apart piece by piece. The agony persisted for what felt like an eternity, forcing him to grit his teeth in a desperate attempt to endure. When it finally subsided, Vincent collapsed onto his bed.. For several moments, he lay there, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. But as the minutes passed, he began to notice something strange. His exhaustion disappeared as quickly as it had come. His breathing returned to normal, and his body felt lighter than ever before. Pushing himself upright, Vincent examined his body closely. On the surface, there were no visible changes, yet he could sense an incredible strength coursing through every fiber of his being. Most importantly, the restrictions he had felt earlier had vanished entirely. "Did I just break through?" he wondered aloud, quickly opening his interface to check his status. Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 1 - 5¡ï (0/1,000,000 Exp) Origin Energy: 3000/6000 Purified Energy: 39,200 Force: 20 + 3 Speed: 7.5 Mental: 8.5 His brows furrowed in confusion. While his Origin Energy limit had increased from 5,300 to 6,000, his rank still displayed as Tier 1. "Why am I still at Tier 1? Wasn''t that a breakthrough?" he muttered, puzzled by the discrepancy. Curious, he tried adding another point to his Force attribute and was surprised to find no resistance. He continued incrementally raising the attribute, watching the numbers climb. At 30 Force, there was still no obstruction. Even at 40 Force, the process remained effortless. It wasn''t until he reached 50 Force that he encountered the familiar invisible barrier preventing further progress. "So, there is still a limit," he muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Yet, he couldn''t deny the thrill he felt from the unprecedented growth. Curious to test his strength, he clenched his fist and threw a simple jab into the air. A deafening crack echoed through the room as a shockwave burst forth, traveling over two meters before slamming into the fortified wall of the Newcomer''s Lounge. The impact left a deep, fist-shaped imprint in the wall. "What the¡­?" Vincent stared at his fist in disbelief, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. "Did I really just do that?" he whispered, a mixture of awe and excitement surging through him. "And you say I''m still Tier 1? What kind of Tier 1 has this kind of strength?" Chapter 83 - 83: A Huge Leap Despite his thoughts, he couldn''t stop grinning from ear to ear. The sense of improvement coursing through him was undeniable. This wasn''t just a slight enhancement¡ªit was a monumental leap forward. Unable to contain his excitement, he clenched his fist in triumph, inadvertently causing his bed to creak ominously. Moments later, the wood gave way with a resounding crack, sending him tumbling headfirst to the floor. Bang! The loud crash echoed through the Newcomer''s Lounge, causing the entire structure to tremble. The noise jolted everyone below and the occupants of the adjacent rooms. Bang! Bang! Angry pounding on the wall soon followed, accompanied by the irate voice of his next-door neighbor. "You''re too loud! I''ve tolerated you long enough! Do you think this is your personal playground? Go find somewhere else to stay!" the man roared. Vincent scratched his head and let out a wry smile as he stood amidst the wreckage of his rented room. "I suppose I''ll have to pay for this¡­" Though he thought about switching rooms, he didn''t act on it immediately. Instead, he moved his belongings into a corner, stored the broken bed in his storage ring, and cleared out the central space. Once everything was settled, he resumed his cross-legged position and arranged several origin crystals around him. His work wasn''t done yet. There were still two attributes left to upgrade, and luckily, he had a couple of experience potions remaining. Without hesitation, he drank the second Tier 1 experience potion he had received from Dean Thorne. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! As the points accumulated, Vincent began converting them into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 origin energy consumed! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +1 Purified Energy. After some time, he amassed another 50,000 purified energy. His remaining attribute points, combined with this newfound energy, brought his total to 59.2 points. "Fifty-nine points¡­ Let''s see what I can do with this," he thought aloud. After a brief moment of deliberation, he decided to focus on his Speed Attribute. At the time, it sat at 7.5 points. He added 2.5 points to reach 10, encountering no resistance as expected. With another 10 points, his Speed attribute reached 20. This time, he was puzzled. When his Force attribute had hit 20, he''d encountered an invisible barrier preventing further upgrades. Yet now, with his Speed attribute at the same threshold, there was no such obstruction. "Could it be due to the Chaos Energy''s influence?" That seemed the only plausible explanation. Somehow, the Chaos Energy inside him had expanded his potential, though he couldn''t confirm it. Still, that was his assumption. With this realization, he continued adding points to his Speed attribute until it hit the known limit of 50 points. As anticipated, an invisible barrier within his mind and soul halted any further improvement. He examined his body but noticed no visible changes, aside from a slight sense of lightness. Perplexed, he decided to stand. However, as he did, he felt as though he were floating. Suddenly, his body surged upward at an incredible speed, startling him. Just before colliding with the ceiling, the world seemed to slow, as if he were moving in slow motion. Even so, he couldn''t stop his momentum. Reflexively, he adjusted his body and spread his limbs, anchoring himself to the ceiling with his arms and legs like a certain superhero, before landing back on the floor. In that brief moment, he understood the transformation his enhanced Speed attribute had brought. His physical speed had surged, and what seemed like slow motion was actually his perception accelerating drastically. "This is incredible!" he exclaimed. His strength had already improved, and now his speed had too. Just these two enhancements alone were enough to thrill him. Yet, he was even more eager to enhance his Mental attributes, curious about the surprises they might bring. He once again sat in a lotus position and consumed the last Tier 1 experience potion from the Dean. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! Without delay, he began another session of conversion into purified energy. A while later, the potion''s effects subsided, and he had gained another 50,000 purified energy points. Adding this to the 16.7 attribute points left from the prior session, his total rose to 66.7 points. His current Mental attribute stood at 8.5. He didn''t hesitate, upgrading it directly to 20, which he believed was the natural limit for a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. As he had anticipated, further confirming his theory about Chaos Energy''s influence, there was no resistance. With another 30 points, he raised his Mental attribute to 50. The moment it reached 50, the world around him seemed to freeze. His vision extended beyond the walls of his rented room. He saw the people in the adjacent rooms, some silently cultivating and others engaged in intimate activities. His vision didn''t stop there. It moved beyond the Newcomer''s Lounge, traversing the Novice Sanctuary to its outskirts. It was as though he were physically present wherever he looked. Suddenly, he sensed a powerful presence emanating from the tallest building in the core of the Novice Sanctuary. Focusing his gaze, his vision zoomed through an open window, revealing a humanoid figure with a crystalline body. It was a Crystallian, a well-known race and the rulers of this sanctuary. Vincent frowned, feeling an odd familiarity with the figure. "Wait! He''s the¡ª" Before he could complete his thought, the Crystallian abruptly opened his eyes, staring directly in Vincent''s direction. "Who''s there?!" The Crystallian frowned, then tilted his head in confusion upon finding no one. "I must be paranoid¡­" he muttered, returning to his meditation after glancing at the moonlit sky. Back in his room, Vincent took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He recognized that Crystallian. It was the same being who had battled the massive tortoise when he was with Azhara. Vincent knew how powerful and dangerous this entity was. Thankfully, he had escaped before being noticed. If caught, he couldn''t imagine what might happen. "I''m still not strong enough¡­" Though he had felt confident after his recent improvements, this encounter reminded him of his vulnerability. There were still many far stronger than him. He resolved not to settle for his current strength. With renewed determination, he began crafting plans for his future. Only after that did he finally head to bed. Chapter 84 - 84: Outer Districts Market The next day. As Vincent descended the stairs in his usual attire, complete with his Shifting Visage mask, his gaze met the ever-stoic bartender of the Newcomer''s Lounge, Rednetrab. The man was dutifully wiping down a glass, as if the act were a sacred ritual. "Seems you had a fun night, eh?" Rednetrab remarked. Though his tone was devoid of overt emotion, Vincent couldn''t shake the feeling that there was a teasing undertone lurking beneath the words. Hidden by his mask, Vincent managed a wry smile, unwilling to confirm or deny the implication. The morning had been an interesting ordeal, to say the least. When Vincent woke up and took his first step, his body betrayed him, and he nearly collided with the door. His reflexes barely saved him from a humiliating crash. He realized, once again, just how unaccustomed he was to his recent power surge. Navigating his own movements felt like learning to walk all over again. If not for his quick reflexes, the tally of bruises and broken furniture would have grown significantly. The drastic leap in his power had left him struggling to control his newfound strength. He knew he needed to adapt quickly, or more accidents would follow. "I apologize for the racket last night," Vincent said in an apologetic tone of voice. Rednetrab, however, didn''t respond. He simply continued cleaning the glass in his hand, his focus unwavering. ''Does this guy ever run out of glasses to clean?'' Vincent mused internally before retrieving ten Origin Crystals from his storage ring. "This should cover the damages to the room," he said, tossing the crystals toward Rednetrab. Unfortunately, his casual throw sent the crystals flying at an alarming speed. They embedded themselves into the bar counter with a loud crack, creating several deep fissures. Moments later, the counter split cleanly in half, leaving Rednetrab wide-eyed as he stared at the destruction while still holding the glass he was cleaning. Other patrons turned their heads, startled by the commotion. Stunned by his own strength, Vincent froze. He really needed to figure out how to manage his power better. Awkwardly, he walked forward and gently placed another handful of Origin Crystals next to the bartender. He didn''t dare toss anything again, worried he might accidentally kill someone next time. After settling his debt, Vincent left the lounge and headed toward the Novice Center. However, instead of taking the usual main road, he decided to explore the outer district''s market. The market was bustling with activity. Origin Warriors filled the streets, browsing through countless stalls brimming with goods. "Selling uncommon-grade Spire Horn Staff! Only 4,000 Crystals!" "Get your Lesser Pyre Drake Leather Armor here!" "Rare items from the Vicious Violet Forest¡ªdon''t miss out!" The shouts of vendors echoed across the market, but nothing particularly caught Vincent''s attention. Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out to him. "Kind sir, care to check out my wares?" Vincent turned to find a cloaked figure whose face was obscured. Judging by the voice, the person seemed to be middle-aged. Out of habit, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes skill to gauge the individual''s strength. Hyktor Deus ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï). ''Another Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior?'' Vincent thought. That made three he had encountered so far, including Caelius and Old Bone. "I just got some fresh stock this morning," Hyktor said, pulling aside a cloth to reveal a square cage beneath. "Take a look." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inside the cage were several unusual creatures: red, chick-like beings, blue-feathered sparrows, and an overweight, gray rabbit that seemed oddly out of place. Curious, Vincent examined them using his Heaven Eyes. Ruby Chick ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Type: Winged Primal Pet Potential: Tier 3 (2¡ï) Blue Cloud Sparrow ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Type: Winged Primal Pet Potential: Tier 3 (3¡ï) Pig Fate Hare ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï) Type: Unknown Potential: Unknown Vincent''s eyes widened beneath his mask as he absorbed the information. While the potential of the first two creatures was impressive, the gray rabbit''s unknown potential intrigued him even more. "Unknown?" he muttered. "What does that mean?" The vendor noticed Vincent''s interest and seized the opportunity. Rubbing his hands together, he said with a sly grin, "What do you think, kind sir? These adorable creatures make perfect gifts for a girlfriend or someone special." Ignoring the pitch, Vincent asked, "What''s a primal pet?" Momentarily taken aback, the vendor quickly recovered and explained, "Primal pets are tamed primals meant to be companions rather than fighters. Even as adults, they have minimal combat abilities." Vincent nodded thoughtfully. "How much for them?" Hyktor''s eyes lit up with excitement. "For the Ruby Chick, just 2,000 Origin Crystals! It''s a steal, considering its fire affinity makes it a popular choice among young girls. Its natural warmth makes it a perfect cuddle companion." Without pausing, he added, "The Blue Cloud Sparrow is priced at 4,000 Crystals. It''s favored for its potential as a flying mount, though it rarely grows large enough to carry a person. Plus, it''s highly intelligent¡ªfar more so than the Ruby Chick." Vincent stroked his chin, feigning consideration. "Hmm... 4,000, you say?" Finally, he pointed at the gray rabbit. "And that one?" The vendor hesitated, his expression momentarily dubious. ''Why is he interested in that useless rabbit? It''s practically a waste of space,'' he thought. Still, he maintained his composure. "That one?" Hyktor said with a forced chuckle. "It''s nothing special. All it does is eat. But if you''re interested, I''ll throw it in for free if you buy one of the others." Vincent remained silent, lost in thought. He suspected the vendor was unaware of the rabbit''s true nature. Hyktor, mistaking Vincent''s silence for hesitation, quickly made a new offer. "Alright, how about this? Instead of 6,000 Crystals for the two, I''ll give you all three for just 5,800." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "5,000." "That''s way too low!" Hyktor protested. "5,700." "5,100," Vincent countered. "5,600!" "5,200." The back-and-forth continued until finally, the vendor sighed in defeat. "5,400! That''s as low as I can go." "Deal," Vincent said nonchalantly, shaking the vendor''s hand to seal the agreement. He handed over the Origin Crystals and received the cage containing the three primal pets. Before leaving, he asked, "Is there anything I need to know about taking care of them? And how do I bring them out of the Origin World?" Hyktor, now gleefully counting his earnings, replied, "To bond with them, just feed them your Origin Energy. Once they accept it, they''ll recognize you as their master. As for food, they can eat almost anything, but they especially love Origin Crystals." "So they like eating money," Vincent muttered dryly. Hyktor chuckled. "And to bring them out of the Origin World, you''ll need either a Primal Pet Storage or a Capture Ball. But just so you know, both are expensive and rare¡ªespecially here in the outer district." "So you sold me pets I can''t even take out of this world," Vincent remarked. Hyktor shrugged with a sly grin. "Hey, no one forced you to buy them." He simply ignored the Vendor and left the market. "Thank you for your business, kind sir!" the vendor called after him, waving cheerfully. Once Vincent was out of sight, Hyktor glanced at the bag of Origin Crystals and smirked. "Hehe, another day, another fool," he muttered, planting a kiss on the bag. Chapter 85 - 85: Primal Pets After leaving the market in the outer district, Vincent decided against heading to the Novice Center as planned. Instead, he ventured outside the sanctuary, entering the Verdant Wild Forest. Once he entered the forest, he ventured deeper, carefully selecting a secluded area where he could focus without the prying eyes of others. His upgraded Mental attribute made the task easier, allowing him to sense his surroundings with acute precision. He closed his eyes briefly, extending his perception like an invisible net, ensuring there were no other presences within the vicinity. Satisfied, he set down the steel cage holding the three primal pets he had purchased. The moment he did, the Ruby Chick and Blue Cloud Sparrow curiously examined their surroundings before turning their attention to him, chirping adorably. Chirp! A smile tugged at Vincent''s lips. Meanwhile, the overweight gray rabbit¡ªstill munching on a nut¡ªregarded him with an odd expression. It wasn''t curiosity; it was the unsettling gaze of someone appraising food. Drool trickled from the corner of its mouth. "What the hell is this rabbit thinking?" he muttered under his breath, waving his hand in an attempt to distract it. Yet the creature''s focus remained unnervingly fixed on him, its beady eyes unblinking. Shrugging, he retrieved three Capture Balls. Unlocking the cage, he gently picked up the Ruby Chick. Despite his care, the creature panicked, chirping loudly and pecking at his hand. However, with Vincent''s current physique, the pecks were as harmless as tapping on steel. "Calm down, calm down. I''m not going to hurt you¡­" he said softly, trying to soothe it. The attempt was futile, and the Ruby Chick remained agitated. Recalling the vendor''s advice, he produced an Origin Crystal, waving it in front of the bird. Instantly, its crimson eyes gleamed with hunger. "Heh, this little money eater," Vincent smirked, holding the crystal closer. The Ruby Chick lunged for it, pecking at the crystal with aggressive fervor. "Take it easy. No one''s going to steal it from you." Despite his reassurance, the Ruby Chick devoured the crystal as if it were its last meal. Once finished, it turned its attention back to Vincent, its expression expectant, as though asking for more. "I''ll give you more later, but you need to acknowledge me as your master first." The Ruby Chick tilted its head, seemingly processing his words. After a moment, it chirped. Chirp! Vincent took this as agreement. Guiding his Origin Energy toward the bird, he watched as its beady eyes closed, allowing the energy to penetrate its mind. Moments later, he felt a faint connection form between them. "Can you understand me?" he asked aloud, testing the link. The Ruby Chick tilted its head in confusion, but when he instructed, "Jump down," it hesitated briefly before leaping off his palm. Flapping its tiny wings, it tried to slow its descent but failed. Vincent caught it mid-fall. "So, it can follow simple commands but doesn''t fully understand me yet," he mused. Holding out one of the Capture Balls, he said, "You''ll stay here for now. I can''t carry all three of you around in a cage." A pale light enveloped the Ruby Chick, drawing it into the crystal sphere. Through the translucent surface, Vincent saw the bird fluttering inside, seemingly unbothered by its new confinement. Next, he turned to the Blue Cloud Sparrow. The fist-sized creature remained calm, observing him with intelligent eyes. Vincent recalled the vendor''s claim that this sparrow was the smartest of the three and decided to test it. "I''ll feed you and take care of you, but you need to acknowledge me as your master," he said. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To his surprise, the Blue Cloud Sparrow chirped in response, nodding its tiny head. "Does it really understand me?" Vincent wondered, cautiously guiding his Origin Energy toward the bird. It accepted the energy without resistance, forming a connection instantly. Pleased with its intelligence, Vincent rewarded it with an Origin Crystal before securing it in a Capture Ball. Finally, he faced the overweight gray rabbit. Unlike the others, it had been eyeing him intently the whole time. The moment he unlocked the cage, the rabbit leaped onto his shoulder. Despite his speed and perception, Vincent allowed it, curious about its behavior. On his shoulder, the rabbit tossed aside its nut and reached out with its short, chubby arms, grasping at his face. Vincent watched, puzzled, until he felt a strange sensation¡ªhis Origin Energy draining rapidly. Checking his interface, he saw his energy levels plummeting. Origin Energy: 5000/6000 -500 Origin Energy! -500 Origin Energy! -500 Origin Energy! "It''s devouring my Origin Energy?!" he exclaimed. Such an ability was unheard of. Origin Energy was a warrior''s lifeblood¡ªthe source of their strength. Without it, they were little more than enhanced humans, incapable of defeating high-tier Primals. Alarmed, Vincent noticed the rabbit showing no signs of stopping, even after draining all his Origin Energy. It began tapping into his Chaos Energy instead. Chaos Energy: 58/100 -1 Chaos Energy! -1 Chaos Energy! "No, no! Not that! I still don''t know how to replenish it!" Vincent shouted, hastily distancing himself from the creature. His Chaos Energy, unlike Origin Energy, did not regenerate naturally. Losing even a single point was a significant blow. The rabbit, dislodged by his sudden movement, tumbled to the ground, rolling a few times before stopping. Slowly, it stood up, its heavy body swaying slightly. Then, dark, ominous energy began to seep from its form. Vincent watched silently, anticipating what would come next. The dark aura thickened, enveloping the rabbit entirely before dissipating. When the transformation was complete, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes to assess the creature. Chaotic Fate Hare ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) Type: Unknown Potential: Unknown "It¡­ evolved?" he muttered, unsure whether to feel impressed or concerned. The rabbit''s appearance had changed drastically. Its once-gray fur was now a deep abyssal black, and its ears had elongated, trailing down its back like dark ribbons. Despite the unsettling transformation, it retained its plump, comical shape, as though mocking its enhanced power. Chapter 86 - 86: ‘Companions Name’ "It''s still fat..." Vincent muttered under his breath, his tone laced with amusement, as he studied the newly evolved black rabbit. Its long, thin ears, which reached its back, perked up sharply. The plump creature spun around and fixed him with a sharp glare, its small eyes gleaming with indignation. Suddenly, Vincent felt an odd tug in his mind, like an invisible thread had connected him to something. Moments later, a young girl''s voice¡ªchildlike yet firm¡ªrang in his ears. "I''m not fat!" Startled, Vincent instinctively tensed, almost flinching as he processed the impossibility of the moment. "You... you can talk? Telepathically?!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his astonishment. The rabbit crossed her stubby arms over her rounded form and snorted, the sound both comical and indignant. "Hmph! I can do more than that!" "Oh, really?" Vincent replied, an eyebrow raised in mock challenge. The faint smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his disbelief. "Like what¡ªeating everything in sight?" Her already irritated expression deepened into frustration. "I can do many things besides eating!" she snapped, jabbing a tiny, furry finger in his direction. Her round cheeks puffed up, and she resembled an animated balloon, moments away from popping. The sight was too much for Vincent, who suppressed a laugh, though his shoulders betrayed his mirth. "Alright then," he drawled lazily, his tone oozing playful condescension. "Why don''t you show me? Come on, impress me, fat rabbit." The rabbit stomped her tiny feet against the ground, her frustration bubbling over into a full-blown tantrum. "I''m NOT a fat rabbit! I have a name!" she huffed, her voice trembling with barely restrained anger. Vincent''s intrigue piqued at the mention of a name. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze narrowing. "Oh? A name, huh?" he prompted. "Alright, then. What is it?" The rabbit''s bravado faltered. Her mouth opened as if she were about to declare something grand, but no sound emerged. Her ears drooped slightly, and her expression turned sheepish as she scratched her head in visible embarrassment. "I... I forgot," she finally admitted, her voice barely audible. Her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at Vincent, her vulnerable demeanor a stark contrast to her earlier bravado. "D-Do you know my name?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation, as though clinging to a fragile thread of hope. Vincent froze, momentarily caught off guard by the abrupt shift in mood. Her tearful gaze struck a chord he hadn''t expected, leaving him at a loss for words. "I... have no idea," he admitted truthfully, his voice softer than before. The rabbit''s eyes brimmed with tears, and her small frame shook as she burst into loud, pitiful sobs. "Waaaah!" "Whoa, whoa, calm down!" Vincent panicked, his hands flailing slightly in an awkward attempt to console her. Despite his usual composure, dealing with crying companions¡ªespecially small, furry ones¡ªwas clearly not his forte. "It''s just a name! We can always come up with a new one for you!" His desperate attempt at reassurance seemed to work, as the rabbit sniffled and wiped at her tear-streaked face with her tiny paws. Her gaze turned hopeful. "Really?" she asked, her voice tinged with cautious optimism. "Of course," Vincent replied with an emphatic nod, determined to avoid another outburst. "Then..." she sniffled again, her tone soft yet expectant. "Can you give me one?" "A name..." Vincent echoed thoughtfully, scanning the rabbit''s appearance. After a moment, he offered, "How about Fudge?" "Fudge? What''s that mean?" she asked, tilting her head. "It''s from my favorite chocolate snack, Fudgee Bar. Soft, sweet, and¡ª" "No!" The rabbit interrupted, scrunching her nose in disgust. "I don''t like it!" Vincent sighed, already regretting offering to name her. Still, he crossed his arms and pondered for a moment before suggesting again. "Alright, how about Bean?" The rabbit''s eyes narrowed into a glare. "Bean? Do I look like a tiny vegetable to you?" He held back a smirk, enjoying her indignation more than he should. "Okay, okay, not Bean. How about... Lumpy?" "Lumpy?!" she squawked, her cheeks puffing up again. "Are you even trying?!" "Alright, alright!" Vincent waved a hand to calm her, though his lips twitched with amusement. "How about Pudgy?" Her entire body bristled with indignation. "No way! Absolutely not!" "Fatty?" he offered with a sly grin, unable to resist teasing her. The rabbit practically exploded. "STOP CALLING ME FAT! It''s fur! FUR, I tell you!" she screeched, stomping her little feet with so much force that Vincent half-expected the ground to shake. "Okay, okay!" Vincent laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You''ve made your point. No more fat jokes." He sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. Naming this rabbit was proving more challenging than expected. After a long pause, inspiration struck. "Alright," he began thoughtfully, his tone more serious now. "How about Mochi?" The rabbit blinked up at him, tilting her head slightly. "Mochi? What does that mean?" Vincent''s expression softened, a rare trace of sincerity in his voice. "It''s the name of the most beautiful girl in my world." Her eyes widened, her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. "Really?" "Really," he affirmed without hesitation, his gaze steady. She studied him closely, her golden eyes narrowing as though trying to discern whether he was joking. But his face remained serious, devoid of the mischief she had grown accustomed to. After a moment, her lips curled into a small, shy smile. "Okay," she said proudly, puffing out her chest. "From now on, I''m Mochi!" "Yes, you''re Mochi now," Vincent replied, his tone light, though his lips twitched as if suppressing a laugh. The rabbit''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why are you laughing?!" "Nothing, nothing," he said quickly, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him. "I''m just... happy for you." "Hmph!" Mochi huffed, but her expression softened. Vincent seized the moment to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Now that you''ve got a name, why don''t you show me what you can do? You said you could do more than talk." Mochi''s ears perked up, her golden eyes gleaming with determination. "Hmph! Prepare to be amazed!" With that, she closed her eyes, her tiny body radiating a faint ripple of Origin Energy. The air around her shimmered briefly, and her long ears twitched before her eyes snapped open. "Found it!" she declared triumphantly before dashing off toward the forest. "Found what?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued as he followed her. Mochi darted under the towering canopy, her movements surprisingly agile despite her plump frame. She stopped beneath a massive tree and began scaling its trunk with an ease that left Vincent momentarily stunned. Once she reached a high branch, she plucked a yellow, apple-shaped fruit and leaped down, landing lightly on Vincent''s shoulder. "Here!" she chirped, holding the fruit out to him with a smug grin. Vincent took it, his brows furrowing as he inspected the peculiar fruit. Name: Experius Fruit Grade: Uncommon Effect: Grants +1000 experience points upon consumption. "A fruit that grants experience points?!" Vincent''s eyes widened in shock as he processed the item''s description. It was yet another reminder of how little he truly knew about the Origin World and its unique resources. Mochi smirked, clearly basking in his astonishment. "You have some kind of fruit-hunting ability?" he asked, still marveling at the fruit. "Not just fruits," Mochi replied with a flick of her ears. "I have a treasure-hunting ability. I can sense the most valuable items in my surroundings!" "Only the valuable ones?" Vincent probed, his mind already calculating the potential uses of such an ability. "Of course not! But why would I bother with trash? Are you some kind of garbage collector?" she asked bluntly. Vincent''s lips twitched as he fought the urge to retort. ''Money is money,'' he thought indignantly but decided not to say it aloud. Instead, he pressed further. "Is that all you can do? Because, honestly, a single trick won''t justify the food you''re going to eat." "Hmph! I''m the Great Mochi! I can do everything!" she declared grandly. Then, after a moment''s hesitation, she added sheepishly, "...but I don''t remember how." Vincent sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. Just tell me what you do remember." Mochi''s ears twitched as she thought. "Well... I can sense an individual''s fate!" "Fate?" Vincent frowned deeply. He''d always been skeptical of abstract concepts like fate or destiny. Prophecies, astrology, and anything similar had always seemed like nonsense to him. Still, his curiosity got the better of him. "Alright, what can you tell me about my fate?" Mochi stared at him intently, her golden eyes glowing faintly before dimming again. Her expression turned baffled, and she tilted her head in confusion. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Eh?" "What do you mean, ''eh''?" Vincent asked, his voice wary. "I... I can''t sense your fate," she admitted, her tone laced with puzzlement. "It''s like you don''t have one." Vincent chuckled, more amused than concerned. "See? Fate isn''t real." "No! Fate is real!" Mochi protested, her cheeks puffing up again. "You''re just... strange!" "Yeah, yeah, I''m strange," Vincent said dismissively, pulling out a crystal-like ball. "Now, get in here." Mochi''s eyes widened in alarm. "No! Don''t imprison me!" she yelped, leaping off his shoulder and retreating several steps. Her expression teetered on the verge of tears once more. Vincent sighed in exasperation, realizing that forcing her would likely result in another dramatic episode. "Fine. You can stay outside," he relented. "But you''d better behave yourself." Mochi nodded eagerly, her earlier distress forgotten as she puffed out her chest with pride. "Of course! I''m the Great Mochi, after all!" Chapter 87 - 87: 53 Force Points "Fine. You can stay outside," Vincent relented, his voice laced with a mix of resignation and authority. "But you''d better behave yourself, understood?" Mochi''s earlier distress vanished as she nodded eagerly, puffing out her chest with an exaggerated sense of pride. "Of course! I''m the Great Mochi, after all! Such a simple task is nothing for someone of my stature!" No sooner had she declared her greatness than the birds in the surrounding trees erupted into startled chirps, scattering in every direction as though a storm had rolled in. Their sudden departure set the atmosphere on edge. The silence that followed was broken by a distant explosion. Boom! The sound was faint but unmistakable, accompanied by a subtle tremor beneath their feet. "Hiic!" Mochi squeaked, startled, and launched herself onto Vincent''s shoulder with surprising agility. Her fur bristled as she clung to him, wide-eyed and trembling. With a piercing gaze, Vincent''s expression hardened as he stared fixedly toward the source of the explosion. "W-What''s happening?" Mochi''s voice rang in his mind as she wondered. Soon, the tremor grew stronger as a massive figure began approaching from a distance. With his current Mental Attribute, his perception was heightened through his skill Sixth Sense, combined with the permanent slight enhancement from the chaos energy he had absorbed. His perception could extend to a maximum of half a mile. Hence, even without fully exerting his senses, he could already discern the appearance of the approaching figure. It was enormous¡ªa hulking, green-skinned primal standing nearly nine meters tall. Its thick, powerful back legs were built for raw strength, while its comparatively smaller forelimbs gave it an unmistakable appearance. Vincent''s mind clicked in recognition. "A Tyrannosaurus Rex," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and disbelief. For a man who had lived on modern Earth, the sight of such a creature felt surreal. He had read about them in books, seen them in films, and even dreamed of what they might have looked like in their prime. Yet now, standing before him, was a living, breathing Tyrannosaurus¡ªsomething he had never expected to witness. But this was the Origin World, and things here were rarely what they seemed. Every primal, no matter how familiar its appearance, was far more dangerous than any creature that had existed on Earth. Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the creature''s strength. Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) "A Tier 2 (1¡ï) primal¡­ I guess this is enough for me to test out my current strength," he thought before turning his attention to the black-furred rabbit perched on his shoulder, Vincent raised an eyebrow. "You''re Tier 2 as well, aren''t you? Shouldn''t you be able to take care of that thing?" Mochi bristled, her ears twitching as she responded with a haughty tone that wavered slightly under scrutiny. "Hmph! Of course, I could handle that oversized lizard! But¡­ well, I just reached Tier 2, you see. My strength hasn''t fully stabilized yet." Her gaze darted nervously to the side, refusing to meet his. Vincent smirked beneath his mask, his expression hidden but his amusement clear in his tone. He saw through her excuse instantly but chose not to press the matter. Calling her out would only result in another dramatic display of tears, and he wasn''t in the mood for it. "Are you planning to stay on my shoulder while I fight it, then?" Mochi''s ears perked up at his question. "You want to fight that? No, you might die!" Vincent didn''t repeat his words, instead maintaining a steady stare. Mochi twitched her nose in subtle annoyance before leaping off his shoulder. "Hmph, do what you want!" Vincent ignored her protest and focused his attention back on the approaching primal. By now, the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus had locked onto their position. Its movements, initially random, grew deliberate as it charged with an earth-shaking roar. Despite its massive size, the creature moved with surprising speed, closing the distance with alarming efficiency. Vincent stood his ground, deciding not to summon his armament. This was a rare opportunity to test the raw power of his 50 Force Points, bolstered further by the additional three points from the Ruby Ape Earring. "100 meters¡­ 90¡­ 80¡­" Vincent counted silently, his body coiling like a spring as he calculated his timing. The moment the primal reached 50 meters, he launched himself into action. With a single, explosive kick, Vincent disappeared from sight, leaving behind only a faint gust of wind. "Where did he go?" Mochi muttered, her wide eyes darting around in confusion. Her search ended when she spotted him high above the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus, suspended 12 meters in the air like a shadow looming over its prey. The massive creature, unaware of Vincent''s sudden appearance, continued its charge with unrelenting momentum. Hovering above, Vincent clenched his right fist, muscles rippling with raw power. With a sharp exhale, he brought his arm down in a devastating punch aimed directly at the creature''s skull. "Ha!" The sound of his fist cutting through the air was followed by an earth-shattering impact. Boom! The Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus crumpled under the force of the blow, its massive body smashing into the ground with a deafening crash. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, uprooting trees and leaving a massive crater in its wake. As the dust settled, Vincent landed gracefully, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body of the primal. Moments later, the massive creature dissolved into particles of shimmering digital light, its form dissipating like an elaborate fireworks display. A notification appeared in his vision. You have successfully killed a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus! You have received 200 experience points! Talent Activated! +2,000,000 experience points! "Am I truly this powerful?" Vincent murmured, staring at his fist as if it belonged to someone else. From her hiding spot behind a nearby tree, Mochi peered out cautiously, her expression frozen in utter disbelief. Unbeknownst to Vincent, Mochi possessed an ability that allowed her to see an individual''s level. When he had declared his intent to fight, she had been certain he was throwing his life away. Yet the scene before her contradicted everything she had anticipated. Vincent, oblivious to her turmoil, turned his attention to the loot left behind by the tyrannosaurus. +1,000 Origin Crystals 1 Green Orb 2 White Orbs He stored the crystals in his ring before inspecting the white orbs. You have received 4 Leafscorcher''s Tendons! You have received 1 Leafscorcher''s Serrated Tooth! A quick scan revealed these to be common-grade forging materials. He stored them without hesitation and shifted his focus to the Green Orb. The orb glowed faintly before revealing its prize: a crystal-shaped emerald. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Item Name: Leafscorcher''s Core Grade: Uncommon Details: A Tier 2 Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus'' Origin Core, containing residual energy. An item capable of enhancing a primal''s strength. "How convenient," Vincent mused, raising an eyebrow. The timing was almost suspicious, considering he had recently acquired primal pets. Still, he dismissed the thought, storing the core in his ring. "What''s a Tier 2 primal doing here on the outskirts of Verdant Wild Forest?" he muttered softly in wonder. It was an anomaly that demanded investigation, though he lacked the information to form a concrete theory. His thoughts turned to Mochi, who still stood frozen, her wide eyes locked onto him. "Just what kind of creature is Mochi?" he pondered. The question had been plaguing him for some time. He had no comprehensive understanding of his own chaos energy, yet this small creature had absorbed it without issue. Now, she radiated a faint aura of chaos energy herself. For now, however, his priority was to leave. The commotion from the battle was sure to attract either a powerful figure or more primals, neither of which he wished to encounter. "We need to move," he said firmly. Mochi snapped out of her stupor, scrambling to his side. The earlier bravado in her demeanor had vanished, replaced by quiet obedience. After a few moments, just as he got back into the Novice Sanctuary, he noticed several groups of origin warriors moving in a hurry. He narrowed his eyes in wonder before picking up his pace, heading to Novice Center. And before he could enter the establishment he could already sense the commotion inside. Chapter 88 - 88: Breakout After a few moments, just as he stepped back into the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent noticed several groups of Origin Warriors moving hurriedly, their expressions tense. He narrowed his eyes in curiosity, his mind already churning with speculation, and quickened his pace toward the Novice Center. Even before reaching the entrance, he could sense the commotion inside¡ªa chaotic energy that seemed to spill into the air around the establishment. As soon as he stepped through the doors, the sight before him confirmed his suspicions. The staff of the Novice Center were bustling back and forth, their faces reflecting a mix of urgency and concern. Origin Warriors were scattered throughout the hall, their postures rigid, their eyes sharp with unease. Just as Vincent was about to stop one of the staff members to inquire about the situation, a soft, feminine voice called out behind him. "Excuse me, by any chance¡­ are you Young Master Shroud?" The question made him pause. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker. The woman was clad in a uniform he immediately recognized¡ªthe signature golden mask and cloak of the Lionfang Legion, the elite force serving the Lionfang family of Caelius. Her black hair was tied neatly at the back of her head, and she held a hand-drawn portrait, her gaze flickering between the image and him. Vincent''s brows furrowed beneath his mask, his posture instinctively shifting into one of caution. "Who are you?" he asked in a tone that was wary but controlled. "You may call me Jessica," she replied, her voice soft yet carrying a subtle air of confidence. "I serve Young Master Caelius." Jessica took a step closer, her voice lowering slightly as she continued, "Young Master has no direct means of contacting you, so he sent me to deliver a message." Without giving Vincent a chance to respond, she pressed on. "He asked me to warn you¡ªGrarik may have uncovered your identity. It''s highly likely the Blackthorn Clan is already searching for you." The words made Vincent''s frown deepen. How? he wondered. How could Grarik have discovered his identity? Since their last encounter, he had been nothing but cautious, taking every precaution to ensure he wasn''t followed or exposed. But speculation wouldn''t solve anything now. He could only accept the warning and adjust his actions accordingly. After discarding the thoughts clouding his mind, Vincent turned his attention back to Jessica. "Tell Caelius that I appreciate his warning. By the way, where is he now?" "I''ll make sure your message reaches him," Jessica replied. "As for his location¡­ he''s currently on a mission. That''s all I''m permitted to say." Vincent nodded. "I understand. Thank you." But Jessica didn''t leave. Her gaze lingered on him, sharp and probing. "Is there something else you need to say?" Vincent prompted, his tone edged with curiosity. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jessica hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "You''ve likely noticed the atmosphere here." Vincent simply inclined his head in agreement. "This is just a piece of advice¡ªtake it or leave it," Jessica continued, her voice calm but firm. "It would be wise for you to avoid the Origin World for a while." Vincent''s eyes narrowed further. "Why?" Jessica glanced around, as if ensuring they weren''t being overheard, before leaning closer to his ear. She whispered something that made Vincent''s expression freeze, his mind momentarily blank. Without another word, Jessica straightened and bid him farewell, disappearing into the crowd. Mochi, the fat rabbit perched on Vincent''s shoulder, finally broke her silence. "Do you believe her?" Vincent''s gaze followed Jessica''s retreating figure as he replied, "Not entirely. But her warning is worth keeping in mind." After all, there was no harm in being cautious. Before Vincent could ponder further, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance. A haggard Vyrmin stumbled into the Novice Center, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. "A-Another Tier 1 Labyrinth has been reported¡ªit''s about to break out!" he managed to stammer. The announcement sent a ripple of shock through the room. A labyrinth breakout¡ªthe catastrophic event where primals escaped out of labyrinth¡ªwas not unheard of, but it was rare and always disastrous. Most breakouts occurred when a labyrinth''s boss ascended to a higher tier, but there were whispers of another, far more dangerous cause: a boss escaping without the Labyrinth''s Heart. The latter was almost unheard of, but from the Vyrmin''s tone, Vincent guessed this wasn''t an ordinary case. "Another one?! That''s the third today!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief. As if on cue, another figure burst through the doors. "A Tier 2 Labyrinth is on the verge of a breakout as well!" A wave of alarm swept through the room. "A Tier 2?!" another voice cried. "How is this even possible?" Vincent''s expression darkened. Jessica''s warning echoed in his mind. It seems she wasn''t exaggerating. At that moment, a staff member standing behind the counter shouted into a Prismstone communicator. "What? It''s already happening?! Understood¡ªwe''ll send reinforcements immediately. Stay safe!" She ended the call with a look of grim determination and hurried into the main office. When she emerged moments later, she was accompanied by a striking figure. The woman was a Drakorii, her crimson leather coat complementing the golden-orange hair tied into a ponytail. Her light armor accentuated her powerful build and commanding presence. Her gaze swept across the room, sharp and authoritative, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. Her voice rang out, steady and resonant. "Attention, everyone! I am Maggie Phire, Vice Leader of the Novice Center Frontline Team. As you''ve heard, breakouts are already happening. If left unchecked, these primals will wreak havoc, and it''s only a matter of time before they reach this sanctuary. "We need all the help we can get. Rewards will be distributed based on your kill count¡ªthe higher your kills and the stronger the enemies you defeat, the greater your rewards!" "What kind of rewards?" someone asked cautiously. Maggie''s gaze locked onto the speaker, her golden eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that made the questioner shiver. "As long as it''s within our resources, you''ll be compensated in Origin Crystals. Additionally, the top three participants will have the opportunity to exchange their rewards for skills from our vault, ranging from common to rare grade." "This is a special mission," she continued. "Anyone willing to fight can participate!" Excited chatter broke out among the gathered warriors. "The Durak Party will join!" "The Dong''er Sect is in!" "The ''One Strike You Dead'' Guild will participate!" Despite the enthusiasm, Vincent remained still, observing the groups that eagerly volunteered. Their names struck him as overly flamboyant, but he refrained from reacting outwardly. What truly caught his attention was the absence of Thrygians. Normally, they would have been the first to register for such missions, yet not a single one was in sight. As he mulled over this strange detail, Mochi''s childlike voice rang in his mind. "She''s going to die." Vincent turned to her, startled. "Who?" Mochi pointed a chubby paw at Maggie. "Her." "What makes you say that?" Vincent asked, baffled. Without looking at him, Mochi replied, her golden eyes dimming, "Her fate is clouded in death. She''s only alive now because someone close to her made a great sacrifice. The aura of death clings to her¡ªit''s only a matter of time." "So this mission is dangerous?" Vincent pressed. Mochi''s gaze remained distant. "Maybe. My abilities can''t yet see the full picture." Chapter 89 - 89: Heading Out "So, this mission is dangerous?" Vincent pressed, his tone cautious but curious. Mochi''s gaze was distant, her small frame perched comfortably on his shoulder. "Maybe," she said softly. "My abilities can''t yet see the full picture." Her words hung in the air, and Vincent fell silent, mulling over her response. Although skeptical of her supposed ability to read fate, he couldn''t completely dismiss it. But is it worth it? Jessica''s warning echoed in his mind. The Blackthorn Clan might already be searching for him. But so what? Vincent wasn''t the type to back down easily. While cautious by nature, he wasn''t afraid of a fight. The decision formed solidly in his mind¡ªhe''d join the mission. As he deliberated, a strong yet calm voice broke through the din of the Novice Center''s Lounge, cutting through the chatter of warriors registering for the special mission. "Count me in." The voice reverberated across the room, silencing the boisterous crowd. Heads turned toward its source, including Vincent''s. In the corner of the lounge, a towering figure leaned casually against the wall. Standing approximately 6 feet 8 inches tall, the green-skinned individual wore a steel breastplate that left his sculpted abs exposed. Sharp steel spikes protruded from his pauldrons, and a white cape flowed over his shoulders. As he strode forward, the crowd instinctively parted, forming a path for him. A beam of light illuminated his imposing figure, revealing his distinctive features. With a bald head, muscular build, and a pair of upward-curving fangs, the man resembled an orc straight out of Earth''s fantasy stories. Yet, the blue diamond-shaped gem embedded in his forehead marked him as something more¡ªShardbone. The Shardbone race was renowned for their intimidating presence and their unique talent, tied to the gemstone on their foreheads. Vincent recognized the race instantly. Stories of Shardbone warriors had circulated even during his younger days. The whispers began almost immediately. "Isn''t that Saffiro Blujem?" "Yeah, the Young Master of the Blujem Tribe." "I thought he was challenging the Tower of Combat. Why is he here?" "Maybe it''s because of the rumors about the exchange items from the tower disappearing." "Who knows? But with him here, we''ve got more competition¡­" Saffiro ignored the murmurs, his piercing gaze fixed on Maggie, who stood at the front of the room. "I can participate, right? You said anyone could join, Miss Maggie," he said, his tone arrogant as he emphasized the word. Maggie''s expression tightened briefly at the sight of him. As the daughter of a weaker clan on the same planet as the Blujem Tribe, she was all too familiar with Saffiro''s antics. For months now, he had been pestering her to become his woman¡ªa prospect she loathed. But with the Blujem Tribe''s influence looming over her own, she was powerless to confront him directly. "Naturally, Young Master Saffiro," Maggie replied, keeping her voice steady despite her distaste. "You''re welcome to participate." Saffiro smirked and tilted his chin upward. "I have a question, Miss Maggie." "What is it?" she asked, her tone clipped. "If I get the highest kill count, can I exchange my reward for something else?" Maggie''s brows furrowed. "Stop being cryptic, Young Master Saffiro. If you have a specific request, state it clearly. The Novice Center Association will accommodate it if it''s within reason." "I can''t reveal it just yet," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But I need your promise first." Silence settled over the room as Maggie considered his words. Her frown deepened. Saffiro pressed on. "Take your time deciding, but I don''t think your people can afford to wait too long." His grin widened, and Maggie felt a surge of frustration. She sighed inwardly, weighing her options. With the leader of their group unavailable, she needed all the help she could get¡ªeven if it meant making concessions. "Fine," she said at last. "You have my promise. But only if you achieve the highest kill count." S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Saffiro''s grin widened further. "Perfect. I''ll make sure to meet your expectations." Ignoring him, Maggie turned her attention back to the crowd. "Registration will be sent to your identification tokens shortly. If you wish to join, simply accept the mission. Once registered, follow me to the South Gate!" With that, Maggie disappeared, leaving the room buzzing with activity. A soft chime sounded from Vincent''s pocket. He pulled out his identification token, and a glowing screen appeared before him. "Would you like to join the Special Mission: Stop the Outbreak?" Without hesitation, Vincent tapped the confirmation button and moved with the crowd toward the South Gate. As they walked, Mochi''s voice echoed in his mind. "Are you sure about this? Aren''t you afraid of dying?" "If you''re that scared, you can hide in the capture ball," Vincent retorted, his tone dry. The black-furred rabbit puffed up indignantly. "Hmph! I''m just worried about you. Go ahead and die if you want, but don''t come crying to me later!" Mochi fell silent after that, refusing to engage further. Before long, they reached the South Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. Vincent scanned the gathered warriors, estimating their numbers. Three hundred Origin Warriors stood ready. The majority were Tier 1, with only about fifty at Tier 2. Among them, three were at the peak of Tier 2¡ªSaffiro Blujem and two others. Maggie stood at the forefront, flanked by two women of the Drakorii race. "We''ll split into three groups," Maggie announced. "Each group will head to a designated target location. Pyra and Pyre will lead two of the groups." She gestured toward the women beside her. Pyra, on her right, had striking purple hair, while Pyre, on her left, sported green locks. Finally, Maggie''s gaze landed on Saffiro. "I assume you can handle a Tier 1 Labyrinth with your team, Young Master Saffiro?" Saffiro''s smirk was unshaken. "You don''t need to worry about me, Miss Maggie. Just keep your promise." Without waiting for a response, Saffiro gathered several Tier 2 and dozens of Tier 1 Origin Warriors before heading out. Pyra and Pyre quickly divided the remaining warriors into two groups. Maggie, meanwhile, took only a small contingent of Tier 1 fighters. Despite her confidence in handling a Tier 2 Labyrinth alone, she brought them along for field support. Among her group was Vincent. Vincent had maneuvered his way into Maggie''s team through a subtle trade, paying another warrior to exchange places. He wanted to see if Mochi''s vague warnings held any merit. Chapter 90 - 90: Bad Actors Maggie Phire led Vincent and nineteen other Origin Warriors along a winding, uneven trail. Their pace was steady, but the worry etched on her face, coupled with her frequent glances over her shoulder, betrayed her growing anxiety. Ahead lay their destination, the Tier 2 Labyrinth: Howling Spires, still a considerable distance away. At this rate, their progress was far from ideal. Vincent surmised her concern lay with her people. Outside the labyrinth, they were holding back the Primals, risking their lives to prevent a breakout. The weight of responsibility visibly bore down on her. Suddenly, Maggie came to a halt, turning sharply toward the group. Her eyes burned with resolve, her voice cutting through the quiet with commanding authority. "Halt!" "What''s wrong, Vice Leader Maggie?" one of the warriors asked, curiosity cutting through the group''s urgency. Her expression was resolute. "I apologize, but moving at this pace, we''ll be too late. My people are holding the line with their lives, and I can''t allow them to fight alone any longer. I''ll go ahead to clear a path. Follow quickly; I''ll ensure you encounter no Primals on the way." Before anyone could argue, a Lizardman stepped forward, thumping his scaled chest with confidence. "Vice Leader, you don''t need to worry about us! I, Lizno, will lead the team to the destination." Maggie nodded, wasting no time. "Good. I''m entrusting them to you, Lizno. Catch up as fast as you can." "Understood." With that, Maggie turned, fiery energy erupting behind her as it transformed into wings of flame. In a single powerful leap, she disappeared into the sky. One of the warriors let out an envious murmur. "When will I get a flying skill like that?" Another scoffed. "Focus on ascending to Tier 2 first before dreaming about fancy skills." "Hmph, at least I have goals," the first one shot back. "Unlike some people here who bring pets along as if this is a field trip." The group''s attention shifted to Vincent and the small, fluffy creature perched on his shoulder¡ªMochi. Quiet mutters rippled through their ranks. "What''s he thinking, bringing a pet?" "Maybe he''s here to die¡­" "No one dies in the Origin World, idiot. If he wants to off himself, he can do it back on his planet." "Quiet. He''s probably just a clueless newbie chasing rewards." Lizno''s sharp gaze landed briefly on Vincent before he barked a command. "Enough! This isn''t a casual mission. We''re here to reinforce the Vice Leader. Move out!" The grumbling died down, though one warrior continued glaring at Vincent. Mochi, unfazed, tilted her head and spoke through their mental link. "Do you know that guy?" Vincent''s lips curled into a smirk as he glanced at the cloaked figure. Their eyes met briefly. "No," he replied inwardly, his voice calm. "But it seems he knows me." Scanning the group discreetly with Heaven Eyes, Vincent''s smirk deepened. "Hehe," he chuckled to himself. Mochi tilted her head further. "What''s so funny? Did my question break your brain?" Vincent chuckled softly, letting the moment pass. The group reached a fork in the road. Two trails snaked upward, each disappearing into the rocky hills ahead. "Which way, Acting Leader?" someone asked Lizno, who scrutinized the paths carefully. After a long pause, Lizno pointed confidently to the left. "This way!" But the hooded warrior glaring at Vincent stepped forward, his voice laced with skepticism. "Are you sure that''s the correct path? If we take the wrong one, we''ll be too late to assist the Vice Leader." Lizno bristled. "Are you questioning me?" The cloaked figure raised his hands, his tone calm yet pointed. "Not at all. I''m simply asking if you''re confident. If you''re wrong, will you take responsibility for the delay?" Lizno hesitated, his uncertainty evident. The murmurs began again. "Does he even know the way?" "He looks unsure." Lizno''s frustration flared. "If anyone knows better, step forward. Otherwise, follow my lead!" The hooded warrior broke the tense silence. "I know the way." All eyes turned to him. Lizno sneered, crossing his arms. "Prove it. If you''re wrong, we stick to my decision." With a dramatic flourish, the warrior produced a scroll from his cloak. He unrolled it, revealing a detailed map. "This," he said, pointing to a red mark on the parchment, "is a map to the Howling Spires." Suspicion lingered in Lizno''s voice. "And how do we know it''s real?" The cloaked figure pointed to a red stamp in the corner. "It bears the mark of the Novice Center Association," someone muttered after comparing it to their identification token. Murmurs of approval spread through the group. Lizno reluctantly stepped back. "If you had a map, you should''ve said so earlier," he muttered, retreating to the rear. The cloaked warrior smirked, stepping forward with an exaggerated bow. "Since our Acting Leader seems¡­ uncertain, I, Gartin, will lead us. Follow me!" Reluctantly, the group resumed their march under Gartin''s guidance. As they moved, the bushes ahead rustled ominously. "Halt!" Gartin commanded. Seven figures emerged from the shadows, towering over the group at nearly seven feet tall. Their muscular frames and concealed faces exuded menace. "These are Tier 2 warriors," someone whispered, dread creeping into their voice. The leader of the mysterious figures stepped forward. "If you value your lives, hand over everything you have." One defiant warrior retorted, "Who do you think you are?" Before anyone could intervene, a shadow flashed, and the defiant warrior crumpled to the ground, headless. The group froze in horror. "They killed him!" "These are bandits!" Panic surged through the ranks. Gartin raised his voice, attempting to restore order. "Calm down! Let me negotiate!" He turned to the bandits. "Is there any way we can resolve this without surrendering our belongings?" The bandit leader''s gaze scanned the group, stopping on Vincent. "You want to live? Hand over that guy." Gartin didn''t hesitate. "Take him. If it means our safety, he''s all yours." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent chuckled darkly, drawing startled glances. "Haha. You guys are such bad actors¡­" Chapter 91 - 91: You Are Just Too Weak The bandit leader''s eyes swept across the group, his gaze finally locking onto Vincent. His expression was cold and calculating, as if he were weighing his options and already confident in the outcome of this confrontation. Malice gleamed in his eyes, accompanied by a twisted smirk of superiority, as though he had already declared himself the victor. "You want to live?" he asked, his voice smooth yet threatening. "Hand over that guy." The group shifted uneasily, their collective tension palpable as the leader''s words hung in the air. Gartin''s gaze lingered on Vincent for a long moment, his lips pressed into a thin line as if debating internally. Finally, he exhaled heavily, the sound carrying the weight of his resignation. His shoulders drooped slightly, a silent confession of guilt. He nodded, his decision made. "If it means our safety¡­" Gartin began, his voice low, hesitant. Then, more firmly, he added, "Take him. He''s all yours." The murmurs among the group grew louder, their unease bubbling to the surface. A young man in the back whispered harshly, "Are we really just going to give him up like that? How can we¡ª" "Do you want to fight those monsters instead?" another cut in, their voice trembling but resolute. "It''s him or us. If this is the price to stay alive, then so be it." Gartin turned sharply, his expression dark. "Enough," he snapped, his tone commanding yet weary. "Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I made this choice lightly? Look around you! We don''t stand a chance against them. Sacrifices must be made, or none of us will survive." The words settled over the group like a suffocating fog. A sudden, dark chuckle broke through the oppressive atmosphere. Vincent laughed, his voice cold and mocking, the sound sharp enough to cut through the tension. The unexpected noise caused the group to collectively turn toward him, their faces a mixture of confusion and unease. "Haha," Vincent said, his lips curling into a smirk. "You''re all such terrible actors¡­" Gartin''s frown deepened as his brows furrowed, the corners of his mouth twitching as if suppressing his anger. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his tone defensive, though a faint quiver betrayed his nerves. Vincent''s smirk widened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Gartin. "Your acting wouldn''t even pass in a B-grade movie. It''s laughable." The accusation hung in the air, stirring an audible ripple of unease through the group. Gartin stiffened, his face darkening. "You''re spouting nonsense!" he barked, his voice rising to cover the tremor of uncertainty. He pointed sharply at Vincent, his arm rigid with tension. "All of you, get him if you want to survive!" The command was like a match striking dry tinder, igniting a wave of movement. The group''s tension snapped into action as their stares hardened into hostility. Their collective intent was clear¡ªVincent had been marked as their scapegoat. "Forgive us," someone muttered, their voice trembling yet resigned. "We just want to survive. That''s the rule of this world, kid. If you hadn''t been so greedy and joined this mission, you wouldn''t have to be our sacrifice today." "Bad luck, I guess," another added with a bitter edge. "You should''ve stayed out of this. Next time, keep to your room." Vincent remained silent, his smirk unyielding as he surveyed the group''s growing hostility. His calmness was unnerving, the quiet confidence in his demeanor disarming those who met his gaze. On his shoulder, the black rabbit Mochi clung tightly, its small body tense but still, as though it shared Vincent''s eerie composure. A voice resonated in Vincent''s mind, distinct and familiar. "Those seven are all Tier 2. Including Gartin, that makes eight Tier 2 Origin Warriors who want you dead. What are you going to do now?" Vincent''s brow raised slightly in surprise, though his smirk didn''t waver. She can assess levels? he mused, the revelation intriguing him. He had never known Mochi possessed such an ability, though given her peculiar nature, he wasn''t entirely shocked. What truly caught his attention, however, was her unshakable calmness. "Why aren''t you afraid?" he asked her in his mind, his tone curious. "Where''s the Mochi who was trembling in fear earlier?" "Hmph!" Mochi harrumphed indignantly. Her voice carried a trace of pride. "I wasn''t scared of that oversized lizard. I was just¡­ surprised. That''s all." Vincent''s smirk twitched slightly at her response, though he chose not to argue. Lizno, the group''s previous acting leader, suddenly stepped forward, his voice sharp. "What are you doing? We''re here to bring reinforcements, not gang up on a kid!" "Shut up, Lizno!" snapped one of his acquaintances. His tone was laced with frustration and fear, his eyes darting nervously between the group and the bandits. "This isn''t the time to play hero. Can''t you see those people? We can''t beat them! If you''re ready to throw your life away, go ahead and fight, but I''ll survive." Lizno''s fists clenched, trembling with barely contained anger. "Wake up, Kofi! Can''t you see it? Gartin knew this was going to happen. He''s the one who led us here! We''ve been set up from the start!" The group stirred at Lizno''s outburst, unease rippling through their ranks like a wave. The man''s accusations carried weight, his words striking a chord that no one dared to voice before. Doubt crept into their expressions, and the unity they had moments ago began to fracture. "Set up?" one of them echoed, their voice hesitant but laced with rising suspicion. "What are you talking about, Lizno?" Lizno pressed on, his tone sharpening as he seized the moment. "Think about it! Do you really think they''ll let us walk away after handing the kid over? Use your heads! There''s nineteen of us here. If we work together, we can break through!" He paused, deliberately casting Gartin out of his count. His glare landed squarely on the man, who stood rigidly, his face unreadable but his silence damning. Lizno''s voice rose, emboldened by the murmurs of agreement growing around him. "Gartin knew this was going to happen. Ever since he suggested taking this route, I''ve had my doubts. And now, his calmness in the face of danger? It''s obvious¡ªhe''s been working with them all along!" Gartin''s lips tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "What are you saying, Lizno? You must have hated that I took the role of acting leader. Now you''re using this moment to undermine me?" "Stop your act!" Lizno snarled, his words like a whip. Before he could continue, a dark blur cut through the air toward him. The gleam of metal caught the faint light¡ªa dagger, slicing through the atmosphere with lethal precision. Move! Lizno''s mind screamed, but his body froze, paralyzed by the sheer speed and intent behind the attack. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. Swish! The sound of rushing wind filled his ears. Moments passed, but the expected pain never came. Slowly, hesitantly, Lizno opened his eyes. Standing before him was Vincent, his hand gripping the dagger that had been meant for Lizno. The weapon rested lightly in his palm, as though it weighed nothing at all. On his shoulder, Mochi gave a smug thumbs-up¡ªa gesture so bizarre that Lizno blinked, unable to process what he was seeing. "You really like throwing things at people''s heads, don''t you?" Vincent remarked coldly, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. His gaze shifted to Gartin, whose face had turned pale and ashen. Vincent tossed the dagger casually in the air, catching it with a flick of his wrist. "Why don''t you see what it''s like to be on the receiving end?" With a fluid motion, he hurled the weapon back toward Gartin. The dagger whistled through the air, narrowly missing Gartin''s head but slicing cleanly through his hood. The fabric fluttered to the ground, revealing Gartin''s face. The dagger didn''t stop and hit the fully clothed figure behind him. Gasps rippled through the group as recognition dawned on them.. "So it''s him," Vincent thought. Lizno''s eyes widened as he pointed an accusing finger. "You''re Garmus, one of Grarik''s men!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gartin¡ªno, Garmus¡ªflinched, his hand instinctively flying to his exposed face. Panic flickered in his eyes as the realization of his unveiled identity settled in. Before he could respond, the group of cloaked figures behind him sprang into action. Their movements were sharp and purposeful, their leader barking orders. "Check Goma''s condition!" the leader growled, his tone brimming with irritation. He turned to Garmus, his frustration boiling over. "I told you to let us handle this. Now you''ve blown your cover. We proceed with the original plan." "Wait!" Garmus protested, his voice high and desperate. "We can still salvage this! A massacre will bring too much attention. My young master¡ª" But his words were cut off by a booming laugh. The leader of the Hyena Gang, Sinep, stepped forward, his grin stretching unnaturally wide. "You dare attack one of my men? For a mere human, you''ve got guts!" Sinep''s arms bulged grotesquely, his mottled yellow skin darkening as black spots spread across it. His claws extended, razor-sharp and glinting menacingly in the dim light. With a feral snarl, he lunged at Vincent, the air crackling with the force of his attack. "This is for attacking my guy!" Sinep roared, his claws arcing downward with deadly intent. Vincent raised a single palm, meeting the attack head-on. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the force of the clash reverberating through the air. Sinep staggered back, his arm hanging limply at his side. "How?" Sinep sputtered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You''re just Tier 1! There''s no way¡ª" Vincent stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant. His voice was calm, almost bored. "I''m only Tier 1," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You''re just too weak." Before Sinep could react, Vincent''s hand shot out, closing around the gang leader''s throat. Sinep clawed at Vincent''s grip, his struggles growing weaker by the second as the air was squeezed from his lungs. "L-Let me go!" Sinep choked, his voice barely a whisper. Vincent''s gaze swept over the remaining enemies, his expression unreadable yet undeniably commanding. His voice, low and menacing, cut through the silence like a dagger. "Who''s next?" The weight of his words seemed to crush the air around them, leaving only stunned silence. Chapter 92 - 92: Show of Prowess Countless eyes fell on him as Sinep struggled, clawing his arms but to no avail. With his current force attribute and the additional effect of Sterling Silver Body, his physique could not be broken by normal means. Hence, he gained shock, surprise, and different expressions as the oppressing Tier 2 Origin Warrior struggled in his arm. And the most affected of all these people was Garmus. It was not even more than a week since the last time his Young Master Grarik made the guy in front of him, kneeled without an ounce of effort. However, the supposed to be ant in his eyes were now like a towering figure in front of him. He could not but to break in cold sweat as he stared at the condition of Sinep. He knew that even though Sinep and him had the same level, Sinep was more experienced than him. Therefore, he was utterly dumbfounded as he watched Sinep struggling like a baby in Vincent''s hand. And he understood what it meant, he too would definitely struggle if not die if he fought Vincent. He already thought of running away, however, the rest of Hyena Gang reacted otherwise. Seeing their leader helpless, they felt extremely humiliated. They were already furious when Vincent attacked Goma without being able to react and they just checked their Companion''s condition and in that short moment, their leader was already subdued. At this moment, Sinep''s right hand man¡ªRaytand, clenching his teeth, demanded, "Let go of our Boss!" The remaining conscious members of Hyena Gang wanted to follow up, however, before they could even utter a single word, Vincent''s eyes fell on them. In that instant, they felt as though they were being stared by a ''God-like'' pair of sharp purple dragon eyes, glaring at them from above, making their legs tremble in fear. Vincent''s voice then rang in their ears, nonchalant, but felt like thunder in their mind, "You guys wanted to live? Then, hand him over¡­" It was the same words their leader had said to him. They first looked at him before turning to the person he was indicating. Their eyes then fell to Garmus before flashing a furious gaze. It was the guy who said that their target was only a weak human. If they did not accept this guy''s request and if their boss did not simply believe this person, they would not be in this deadly situation. Before Raytand could even utter a word, his companions beat him to it. "Let''s hand over that guy!" "He probably set us up! I told you guys that we should not trust people from Blackthorn!" "Raytand!" And the one who was receiving the vicious eyes, Garmus turned furious, subtly forgetting his situation. "You dare to go against my Blackthorn Clan?!" "If you really made a move against me, you think my Blackthorn Clan will let your group go?! I dare you to do it!" He felt indignant being glared at by this group of bandits that he never treated as the same level as him. I''m a member of the Blackthorn Clan! These fools dare to look at me with those eyes?! He exclaimed in his mind. His words seemed to have had effect as the Hyena Gang fell in silence. Garmus couldn''t help but scoff seeing their hesitant reaction. Raytand gritted his teeth in frustration. In their right hand was their boss in the hand of a dangerous individual, while on the other hand was the Blackthorn Clan. As he was considering which sides he should take, the groan of their boss cut through the cold air as Vincent''s voice broke out, "Ha, forget it. You guys are wasting my time. I have to see something with my own eyes." Raytand turned to face Vincent and wondered, "What do you¡ª" Before he could complete his words he saw Vincent clenched their Boss'' neck. With a bone-chilling sound, Sinep''s neck was crushed by Vincent, dead. Once again, silence prevailed for a moment until Vincent threw aside the corpse. And once the corpse collapsed into particles of digital lights, Sinep''s companions finally reacted, breaking the silence. "Boss!" "N-No! Boss!" "Big Brother!" Vincent ignored as he also ignored the sweet notification, confirming Sinep''s death. He then realized that he still had a full experience point when he killed the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus and he hadn''t spent it yet. ''Fuck! What a waste!''He exclaimed in his mind. ''I should have crippled him first before killing him.'' With that thought in his mind, he made a quick scan to everyone. His gaze made the group subconsciously retreat back. "I guess this is enough¡­" he muttered, quite satisfied that he confirmed the identity of Garmus. Hence, he wasted no more time, with a single step, bringing gusts of wind in his wake, he instantly arrived in front of Garmus who was still in shock when he killed Sinep. "You¡ª" he couldn''t even complete his words as Vincent slightly punched his guts but it was enough to make him vomit all the food he ate yesterday. "Urkh!" Garmus clasped his stomach as he fell on his knees, vomiting on the ground. Everything happened in a blink of an eye, no one in the area managed to catch his speed. "S-Stop!" Raytand finally mustered. Now that their boss had been killed they could no longer live under the same sky with Vincent. He decided that it would be better to offend a single person than offend the entire Blackthorn Clan. However, just as he uttered it, Vincent reappeared in front of him. "Just because I didn''t go for your group first, doesn''t mean I will let you go." Vincent leaned in and whispered to Raytand''s ear. After that, a stronger pressure smashed down to the Hyena Gang, forcing them to fall flat on the ground, gasping. Boom! The ground beneath them cracked under Vincent''s Dragon''s Might pressure. He kept the pressure until they collapsed and lost consciousness before turning back his attention to Garmus who had just managed to climb back to his feet. "Y-Young Master Grarik will never let you go if you kill me!" He uttered after mustering his strength. Vincent could not help but smirk when he heard him. "As if your clan will let me go if I let you go. Unfortunately, that kind of manipulation won''t work to me. I''ve already read too many web novels in my free time, enough to memorize the villain''s lines¡­" "What are you talking about?!" Garmus clearly could not understand what he meant. "You don''t have to understand it. Go to sleep." Garmus could not even react before his vision went black as Vincent swiftly chopped his neck. He then searched Garmus'' body until he found the folded scroll inside his clothes. He checked it and was able to understand that it was a legit map but they somehow deviated from the correct path midway. He then put it in his storage as he took Garmus storage ring, he didn''t not check the contents and just put it also in his storage ring before standing up. The plump black rabbit who had kept her silence on his shoulder finally uttered a word, her voice ringing in his mind. "What are you going to do to these people?" She was indicating to the frozen group, including Lizno. Vincent did not answer immediately, he glanced at the unconscious Garmus and Hyena Gang, before shifting back to the stunned group, making them retreat subconsciously once again. "I have a plan for them.." he simply responded in his mind. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just what are you planning?" Mochi wondered but she was ignored. Vincent''s eyes then landed on Lizno. He had a good impression of this Lyard. When those people gang up on him, he was the only one who stood up for him. Thus, he couldn''t help but smile beneath his mask as he moved towards him. However, Lizno could not see his expression. Thus, his action caused the guy to take a step backwards. He halted his feet as he smiled wryly. ''It seems I scared them too much¡­'' he thought, shaking his head imaginatively. "Lizno." He addressed, jolting the guy. "Y-Yes?!" Vincent ignored his stammer and continued. "I want you to tie them," he said pointing at the unconscious Garmus and Hyena Gang, lying on the ground. "I believe you know how to seal their origin core, right?" Lizno responded with a nod as he gulped nervously. "Good." He responded, ''because I don''t.''he thought. Clearing his mind, Vincent continued, his voice steady yet commanding. "Once you''ve tied them up, I want all of you to follow me later." His piercing gaze swept over the group, sending an icy chill down their spines. "I''ve already memorized all your auras. If even one of you fails to show up at the Howling Spire, you know what will happen, don''t you?" The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for argument. The group frantically nodded, their heads bobbing like chickens pecking at grain, utterly terrified of defying him. Satisfied, Vincent turned toward Lizno, who, despite his visible unease, managed to stand his ground this time. Stepping closer, Vincent handed him the map he had taken from Garmus. "Follow this map. I''ll head out first," Vincent instructed, his tone softer but still firm. Lizno stared blankly at the map for a moment before nodding, his hands trembling as he accepted it. Vincent placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a fleeting gesture of acknowledgment. Without wasting another second, Vincent vanished from sight, leaving behind only the faint whisper of wind in his wake. Time was of the essence. He had to confirm whether Mochi''s prediction was correct. Chapter 93 - 93: Town Labyrinth of Howling Spire Vincent''s One-Step Shift movement skill and his speed attribute points allowed him to swiftly close the distance between himself and Maggie. Although she had departed a considerable time ago, Vincent''s epic-grade movement skill and finely honed stats were no mere display. He traversed nearly 1.12 miles in just 15 minutes. High above, Maggie soared through the air using fiery wings, her speed astonishing. To avoid detection, Vincent activated his epic-grade stealth technique, Phantom Veil, masking his presence before she could sense him. Mochi, perched on his shoulder and clutching his hair, voiced her astonishment. "How many skills do you even have?!" she exclaimed in his mind, gripping his hair tighter as Vincent''s near-blinding agility left her flustered. Unable to suppress his laughter, Vincent glanced over his shoulder. Mochi flailed in the air, desperately holding on. "You should focus on not falling off first," he teased. "Why don''t you slow down, you evil human?!" Mochi snapped, her voice a mix of indignation and panic. Vincent only chuckled in response. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "K-Keep laughing! I swear I''ll make you pay for this one day!" Mochi threatened, her words faltering under the turbulence. "Right, right, I''m so scared¡­" Vincent retorted, smirking. Before long, the outline of a small town surrounded by stone walls came into view. At its center stood a towering emerald spire, its once serene presence now overshadowed by dark clouds crackling with lightning. "That must be the Labyrinth of Howling Spire," Vincent mused, his brow furrowing as he detected countless presences clustered within the town. Maggie appeared to sense the same as she suddenly accelerated, diving into the town. Vincent followed at a cautious distance. Near the labyrinth''s entrance, a ragged group of Origin Warriors had erected a makeshift barricade to stem the tide of primals spilling out of the portal. The town''s surroundings lay in ruin, the streets painted in blood. Amidst the chaos, a striking young woman with crimson skin and fiery orange hair stood out. Oria Phire, Maggie''s younger cousin and a Drakorii, battled fiercely alongside four companions. Her orange dress clung tightly to her figure, accentuating her form despite the scars marring her body, including a deep gash on her flank that continued to bleed. The foes she faced were Tier 1 primals¡ªSpires. These infant-like creatures with translucent green skin, dark emerald eyes, and small fangs were notoriously difficult to combat due to their near-intangible forms. Their affinity for wind and nature elements made them especially lethal for novice warriors. Oria''s exhaustion was evident. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as she fought to maintain her footing. It had only been half an hour since the primal outbreak began, but the devastation was already immense. Many warriors had fallen; those who survived either fled or regrouped at the final barricade. A gust, shaped like a bullet, hurtled toward Oria. She gritted her teeth and countered with a fiery slash of her short sword, severing the attack but straining her stamina further. "Huff¡­" "Sister Oria, when will reinforcements arrive? We''re not going to last at this rate!" cried one of her companions, an Almaurian woman with almond-colored eyes and copper-toned skin. Clutching her wounded side, Oria forced herself to respond. "Just hold on a little longer. Sister Maggie is surely on her way with help." Her words carried forced optimism. Deep down, she doubted reinforcements would arrive in time. The distance from Novice Sanctuary No. 3 to the Labyrinth of Howling Spire was considerable, even at an average Tier 1 Origin Warrior''s pace. Yet, she clung to hope, trusting Maggie''s speed. The group''s struggle intensified when one of her male companions let out a cry of pain as a bullet of wind pierced his shoulder. "Agh!" "Jonson!" "Bro!" "Sonson!" Oria and her companions cried out in alarm. "Alma, take Jonson to the backline!" Oria ordered, her tone sharp. "But how will the three of you hold the front?!" Alma protested. "Just go!" Oria snapped, her eyes narrowing as she sensed an even stronger presence emerging from the portal. A humanoid form, initially a swirling tornado, materialized into a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Elite Spire. It stood tall with long, flowing green hair but lacked any distinguishing features. Dread filled Oria and her remaining companions. Already strained, their chances against such a foe seemed nonexistent. "Now, go!" Oria barked, urgency lacing her voice. Reluctantly, Alma carried Jonson toward the rear lines, promising, "Don''t die! I''ll be back!" Left with only her two heavily armored male companions, Oria steeled herself. The Elite Spire raised its hand, summoning two small tornadoes that hovered menacingly by its sides. "What do we do, Oria?" one companion asked, his voice trembling. "Maybe retreating isn''t such a bad idea," the other chimed in, equally shaken. Oria''s jaw tightened. Retreat meant abandoning the town¡ªher family''s livelihood¡ªand rebuilding it would cost a fortune. Losing the Labyrinth of Howling Spire wasn''t an option. "Hold it off for me!" she commanded. The two warriors roared as they embedded their axes into the ground, conjuring massive stone walls to block the incoming tornadoes. Bam! The walls absorbed the initial impact but soon began to crack under the relentless force. Crack~ Rubble scattered as the tornadoes battered through. "These walls won''t hold much longer!" one companion warned. Oria ignored him, her focus razor-sharp as fiery energy engulfed her sword. She formed two massive fireballs and shouted, "Get behind me!" The warriors retreated just as Oria unleashed her attack. The fireballs collided with the tornadoes in a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Smoke obscured the area, but as it cleared, the Elite Spire stood unscathed. Its tornadoes now swirled with even greater intensity. Oria''s resolve faltered as she muttered, "No way¡­" The Elite Spire let out a piercing screech, and its tornadoes surged forward, accompanied by a barrage of attacks from the hovering spires. "Is this the end? I''m sorry, Sister Maggie¡­ I guess this is the last time I can help you in this world¡­" Oria softly muttered, closing her eyes. Suddenly, a warm gust swept over her. A familiar voice echoed. "Save your apologies. You still have to help me achieve my goals." Chapter 94 - 94: Howling Spire Lord A warm gust swept over her, carrying a familiar voice that cut through the chaos like a blade. "Save your apologies. You still owe me your help in achieving my goals." Oria''s eyes flew open. As her gaze fell on the figure before her, her voice trembled, filled with disbelief and relief. "Sister Maggie!" Her companions, equally astonished, exclaimed in unison. "Vice Leader!" Maggie paid their outbursts no attention. Her piercing gaze was locked on the incoming wave of attacks. She had felt the Elite Spire''s presence from miles away and had rushed to the scene, barely arriving in time. Her expression was sharp, her resolve unshaken. With a slight furrow of her brows, she raised her hand. A massive sea of flames erupted, roaring into existence and surging forward to meet the enemy''s assault. BOOM! BOOM! The sky exploded with fire and smoke as Maggie''s flames clashed against the oncoming attacks. She didn''t wait for the flames to subside. Another wave of fire surged forth, this time more ferocious, sweeping across the battlefield. Countless spires were caught in the inferno, detonating one after another. Satisfied with the result, Maggie glanced back at Oria and her companions. Her voice, calm yet commanding, rang out. "Go back and recover. I''ll handle the rest." There was no room for argument in her tone. Oria hesitated for a moment, her lips trembling as she spoke softly. "Please¡­ be careful." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maggie nodded but didn''t look back. Oria and her companions retreated, their trust in her absolute. On a nearby rooftop, Vincent stood with Mochi, surveying the devastation. The town was in shambles, ravaged by the relentless assault of the primals. Vincent''s eyes sharpened as they focused on Maggie, her fiery attacks obliterating hundreds of enemies in a dazzling display of power. As the smoke cleared, a quarter of the spires lay in ruins. The Elite Spire, however, remained unscathed, its menacing presence undiminished. Vincent wasn''t surprised. Maggie had focused her efforts on neutralizing the smaller threats while conserving her strength. The Elite Spire let out an enraged screech, raising its hand to retaliate. But before it could act, Maggie struck. She raised her arm high, summoning a blazing, three-meter-long lance of fire. "Flame Lance!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the battlefield. The fiery weapon shot forward with blinding speed, piercing the Elite Spire''s body before detonating in a brilliant explosion. BOOM! When the smoke dissipated, the Elite Spire was gone, its form utterly obliterated by Maggie''s overwhelming power. Cheers erupted from the Origin Warriors watching nearby. "Vice Leader!" "Vice Leader!" Oria, being tended to for her injuries, smiled faintly. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn''t help but feel pride and admiration as she watched her cousin''s display of unmatched strength. The celebration was cut short by a violent tremor that shook the ground. "What''s happening?" a warrior shouted, panic evident in their voice. "The portal! Look at the portal!" another yelled, pointing toward the labyrinth''s entrance. Vincent''s sharp eyes caught the change immediately. The once-white portal had turned pitch black, arcs of lightning crackling ominously within its swirling depths. Then, an Elite Spire emerged from the portal. And another. And another. Soon, twenty Elite Spires stood before them, their forms radiating an oppressive, malevolent energy. The Origin Warriors froze in place, their earlier confidence evaporating in the face of such overwhelming numbers. But Maggie didn''t flinch. Instead, a smirk crept onto her lips, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "It doesn''t matter how many of you come," she muttered under her breath. "Ants are still ants." She raised her arms, summoning another inferno. This time, the flames burned even brighter, hotter, and fiercer. Lance after lance of fire rained down, striking the Elite Spires with unrelenting force. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The battlefield was engulfed in chaos as the spires screeched in agony, their forms disintegrating under Maggie''s relentless assault. From the rooftop, Vincent watched in awe. His usually composed expression betrayed a flicker of disbelief. "She''s incredible¡­ How much origin energy does she even have?" His thoughts turned skeptical as he glanced at Mochi, the black rabbit perched on his shoulder. "Are you sure she''s going to die?" he asked, his tone laced with doubt. Mochi huffed, its expression indignant. "Hmph! Just wait and see. My skill has never failed before." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t it fail to predict my fate?" Mochi flinched, its confidence visibly shaken. After a moment of awkward silence, it snapped back defensively. "Y-You''re different! You''re a special case!" Before their banter could continue, a deafening crack of lightning tore through the air. BANG! Dark clouds gathered above, swirling like a living entity. Lightning crackled within the storm as it condensed into a colossal figure¡ªa twelve-meter-tall spire, its presence suffocating. A voice, deep and resonant, boomed across the battlefield. "Hoh, what do we have here? A fiery little girl from the Drakorii race?" The sheer weight of its voice pressed down on everyone, making hearts tremble. Even Vincent felt the pressure, though he stood at a distance. Beneath his mask, his brow furrowed as he assessed the creature. Howling Spire Lord ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) Despite the overwhelming aura, Vincent remained composed. His gaze never wavered. The Howling Spire Lord''s mocking tone rang out again. "Little fiery girl, have you had your fun? Why not let my children go?" Maggie scoffed, her disdain evident. "You want me to let them go after slaughtering my people? You must have gone senile!" Although they would not really die, it was still the same as cutting their future when they lose their ability to enter the Origin World. The Howling Spire Lord''s tone darkened, its voice dropping to a menacing growl. "Calm yourself, child. We sought only to escape that prison. It was your people who struck first. Let us go, and I will spare you." Maggie''s eyes blazed with fury, her lips curling into a scornful smile. "Spare me? You spineless windbag! Let''s see which one of us ends up needing mercy!" For a moment, the battlefield fell silent. Even the Howling Spire Lord seemed taken aback by her boldness. From the rooftop, Vincent blinked, stunned. He glanced at Mochi, whose wide eyes mirrored his disbelief. "Did she just¡­?" Vincent began, his voice trailing off. Mochi nodded wordlessly. Nearby, Oria and the other warriors exchanged wry smiles. "Yep, that''s the Vice Leader we know," someone murmured, a hint of pride in their voice. The Howling Spire Lord finally broke the silence, its confusion giving way to booming laughter. "HAHAHA! Yes, that''s it! Hate! Rage! I''ve missed this!" Its laughter turned to a guttural roar as its eyes burned crimson. Misty smoke coiled violently around its form, and its limbs became encased in raging winds. Then it howled¡ªa bone-shaking cry that sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. CRACK! The force of the shockwave obliterated what little remained of the town. Oria and the other warriors clutched their ears, grimacing in pain. But Maggie stood firm, shielding her eyes from the debris. The tension in the air was palpable, the battlefield poised on the edge of a cataclysmic clash. Maggie''s flames roared defiantly, their brilliance undiminished by the Howling Spire Lord''s oppressive aura. "Come on, then," she challenged, her voice unwavering. "Let''s see if you''re as powerful as you claim." The Howling Spire Lord bared its fangs, a cruel grin spreading across its face. "Very well, little Drakorii. Let me show you what true despair feels like." Chapter 95 - 95: Howling Spire Lord vs Maggie Phire "Very well, little Drakorii. Let me show you what true despair feels like." As soon as the Howling Spire Lord uttered those words, it lifted its right hand, balled into a fist. A black storm swiftly converged within its massive hand, lightning crackling ominously. Maggie didn''t hesitate. Fiery wings burst from her back as she soared into the air. Despite their significant height difference, Maggie remained completely unshaken. The Howling Spire Lord stood at 12 meters tall, its sheer size already oppressive. Yet, Maggie maintained her composure as if facing a creature of her own stature. Raising her slender arm, she summoned a three-meter-long Flame Lance above her. The Howling Spire Lord simply snorted in response to her action. It loosened its fist slightly, and a round, dark misty energy began to materialize and hover in its palm. Without waiting any longer, it hurled the misty energy ball toward Maggie, a huge grin spreading across its indistinct face. Maggie didn''t hesitate. She launched the Flame Lance forward! Swish! Swish! Both attacks sped through the air at the same velocity. When the two distinct energies collided, a powerful sound reverberated upon impact, creating a shockwave and a tornado-shaped burst of flames! The Howling Spire Lord couldn''t help but snicker. "You are not bad, little girl. But it won''t be enough to defeat me!" The massive primal clenched its hands into fists once more. Lightning crackled as pairs of round, misty energy balls formed in both hands. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hmph! You''re talking too much for a windbag!" Maggie retorted, summoning a pair of Flame Lances. "It seems your elders never taught you how to respect an elder. Then, let me do it for their sake!" With a low grunt, the Howling Spire Lord flicked the pair of misty energy balls toward Maggie. It didn''t stop there; fierce winds swirled around both of its arms, creating gauntlet-like weapons of whirling air. It hurled its fists forward, generating a fierce shockwave that traveled toward Maggie, increasing the speed of the misty energy balls. Unyielding, Maggie refused to be underestimated. She hurled the Flame Lances forward! This time, she followed up with fireballs that hurled into the air like homing missiles, targeting the Howling Spire Lord''s back. Swish! Swish! All her skills whistled through the air before colliding with the Lord''s attacks, causing another wave of explosions and shockwaves that filled the sky with bright, windy-crimson flames! As the fireballs neared the Howling Spire Lord, its misty body suddenly created a gaping hole, allowing the fireballs to pass smoothly through and head back toward Maggie. Maggie subtly raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised for a moment. She then shifted her attention to the incoming fireballs. It was the only flaw of the Homing Fireball¡ªonce released, she couldn''t control it again. Now, her own attack was heading toward her. But she showed no emotion despite the dire situation. With a simple flick of her hand, a wave of flames swept over the homing fireballs, redirecting them to the opposite direction, heading once again toward the Howling Spire Lord. Additionally, she summoned dozens of Flame Lances into the air and quickly launched them at the massive primal! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Witnessing this, the Howling Spire Lord punched forward with its fists covered in gust gauntlets, sending a strong shockwave that forced the incoming Flame Lances and fireballs to slow down before losing their momentum. However, despite the Howling Spire Lord''s defense, a few Flame Lances managed to pierce through its attack and landed on its body. Boom! A massive plume of flame erupted upon impact, accompanied by loud cheers from the spectating Origin Warriors on the ground. "Nice hit!" someone exclaimed. Their celebration was short-lived as the smoke was immediately swept away by a wind, revealing the Howling Spire Lord''s unscathed appearance. A chuckle escaped its mouth. "Hehe, you''re really not bad for a little girl¡­" The Howling Spire Lord spoke in an amused voice, completely ignoring Maggie''s previous attack. Maggie slightly frowned at this, while the spectators stood visibly stunned. "There''s no way¡­" someone muttered in disbelief. "Not even a scratch¡­" another remarked. At this moment, a worried expression appeared on Orian''s face. "Sister Maggie¡­" she softly muttered, gazing at the small figure hovering in the air with obvious concern in her eyes. On a building''s rooftop, Vincent was equally surprised, witnessing a battle between Tier 3 figures. Yes, Maggie was also a Tier 3 (1¡ï) Origin Warrior. Although the brief exchange between the two powerful individuals wasn''t enough to determine who was stronger, it was sufficient for Vincent to doubt Mochi''s prediction even more. Based solely on Maggie''s short performance against the Howling Spire Lord, he couldn''t understand how a powerful Tier 3 Origin Warrior would just die. He sensed that the Howling Spire Lord didn''t possess enough strength to actually kill Maggie in one strike. Or so he thought, until the Howling Spire Lord''s aura suddenly burst, and fierce winds erupted from its body! "Enough of playing around! I have somewhere I need to be!" It exclaimed as its body began to swirl like a storm. Fierce gusts blasted outward as it let out a grunt. "Ha!" Lightning crackled in the sky as multiple massive tornadoes materialized in the air before spreading everywhere. Maggie frowned upon witnessing this. She might avoid the tornadoes herself, but Orian and the other people in the town were a different matter. The Howling Spire Lord didn''t stop there. Using its mental ability and unique talent, it commanded the remaining spires to destroy the town in his mind. "Destroy the town! Kill everything in sight!" The remaining hundreds of spires released a low screech in acknowledgment as they began destroying the area! Fierce winds almost engulfed the broken town, alerting Orian and the remaining Origin Warriors. Maggie immediately noticed the chaos. She scoffed, "You finally showed your true nature! You savages!" The Howling Spire Lord only chuckled at her words. She ignored it completely and waved her hand, creating a huge wall of flame to block the spires from reaching Orian and the others. However, in that brief moment, the Howling Spire Lord seized its opportunity. It appeared above Maggie as its voice echoed in her ears, "I don''t think you have the right time to be distracted¡­" Its voice carried a mocking tone. As she looked above, she saw the massive fist of the Howling Spire Lord hurling toward her at high speed! "Too slow!" she exclaimed as she also punched with her fist covered in fiery flames, facing the massive fist head-on! Boom! A loud sound rang through the air upon impact, sending a strong shockwave. The crimson scales on her cheeks flared with fiery energy. As their fists collided, Maggie felt the immense strength of the Howling Spire Lord''s punch coursing through her body, numbing her arms before she was blasted into the town''s pavement! Orian, whose attention was still on the fight despite the situation, was shocked when she saw Maggie being hurled by the massive primal''s punch! "Sister Maggie!" she called out in worry. Vincent''s expression faltered for a moment as he witnessed the sudden turn of events. "Is she really going to die?" Chapter 96 - 96: Howling Spire Lord vs Maggie Phire (2) Vincent''s expression faltered for a moment as he witnessed the sudden turn of events. "Is she really going to die?" he wondered. Soon, a pillar of flame energy burst forth, clearing the smoke and revealing Maggie''s furious expression. Although she appeared unscathed, her entire arm was numb and trembling. Her appearance lifted the worry in Orian''s heart and eased the others'' fears. However, they couldn''t completely hide the concern in their eyes. They believed their Vice Leader was a powerful individual, but they couldn''t deny the strength of the Howling Spire Lord. "Pah!" Maggie spat out the dirt that had gotten into her mouth, her face full of annoyance and disgust. The Howling Spire Lord, hovering above, looked down with amusement. "Hoh, you took that really well¡­" "Hmph!" She snorted, ignoring its mocking tone. A grin flashed across her lips as she reached out her hand. A swirling mass of fiery energy appeared before her, taking shape into a two-meter-long silver lance. It was her weapon armament, a Tier 2 rare-grade armament. Its shaft was wrapped in crimson veins, and the blade''s tip emitted fiery energy. Gripping the lance tightly, Maggie stabbed it into the ground, embedding it in the pavement as fiery wings burst from her back, scattering debris all around. Without saying a word, a fiery, oppressive aura exploded from her body as she rose into the air, her lance firmly in hand. The Howling Spire Lord didn''t immediately react. It simply kept its amused expression fixed on her. "You''re not bad. I''ll give you a chance¡ªserve me, and I will spare your people." As it spoke, its gaze shifted to Orian and the others, who were behind the wall of flames, struggling to block the incoming spires. Maggie scoffed. "I also have an offer for you. Become my primal pet, and I''ll spare all of your lives." "Heh, what a shame¡­" Its tone sounded both disappointed and amused, before abruptly deepening into a sinister growl. "Indeed. What a shame¡­" Maggie said, shaking her head before her expression hardened. In a flash, her figure vanished, reappearing above the Howling Spire Lord. The moment it registered her reappearance, she thrust her silver lance, burning with fiery energy, toward its massive head. This time, the Howling Spire Lord didn''t dare underestimate her attack. It wasn''t like the ''homing fireball'' it had easily dodged before. The strange elements emanating from her weapon signaled danger. If it allowed her strike to land, it couldn''t be certain its special physique would endure. Without hesitation, it hurled its massive fist forward, swirling with storm energy, to intercept her strike. Bang! Their attacks collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. This time, neither gained the upper hand. They held their ground as they began trading blows. Boom! Boom! Their speed was too fast for the spectators to follow. All they could see were flashes of light and hear deafening sounds as the two clashed, creating chaos in the sky. The only person who could track their movements was Vincent, who kept his full attention on the battle. "So this is how a Tier 3 Origin Warrior and a Primal fight¡­" he muttered softly to himself. He wondered how Maggie could sustain such an intense display of skills. Did she possess an unlimited pool of origin energy? Or was it something unique to her race? His gaze lingered on Maggie''s fiery wings. Were they a learned skill from a skill book, or another racial talent? As a man, he naturally dreamed of flying. Surely, everyone from modern Earth wished they could soar like the heroes in movies. His thoughts were interrupted as a group of spires approached the building he stood on, causing it to tremble. Irritated, he summoned two groups of five Tier 2 Umbral Rats. Mochi, perched on his shoulder, stared in shock. "H-How can you summon creatures a tier higher than your level?" her voice echoed in his mind, filled with disbelief. Vincent tilted his head slightly, looking at Mochi. "Isn''t that normal?" "Normal? Normal your face! That''s anything but normal!" "Are you sure?" "I may not remember everything, but I can confidently say you''re far from normal!" As their conversation continued, a stronger shockwave swept through the town, demolishing several buildings and scattering debris. A loud grunt filled the air. "Ha! Die!" The Howling Spire Lord summoned multiple windstorms and launched them at Maggie, who dodged them with ease. With a powerful kick, she propelled herself forward, arriving face-to-face with the massive, 12-meter-tall primal. Without hesitation, she hurled her lance, now swirling with fiery energy, while muttering a low grunt. "Die, windbag!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom! A wave of fiery energy erupted from her armament, striking the Howling Spire Lord at point-blank range. An explosion followed, and the primal''s agonized screech filled the air. The Howling Spire Lord retreated. When the smoke cleared, its left eye, once transparent and mist-like, burned brightly with Maggie''s fiery energy. It frantically attempted to extinguish the flames, but its efforts were futile. The fire burned on, undeterred. Maggie watched with satisfaction and smirked. "Try all you want¡ªyou''ll never extinguish my fire." "W-What is this fire?!" "You don''t need to know. You''re going to die anyway." "Fucking bitch!" The Howling Spire Lord roared in rage. It had been centuries since it last felt pain, and it had forgotten how agonizing it could be. It screeched furiously, summoning several tornadoes around itself. Fierce winds roared as it hurled the tornadoes forward. "Die! Die! All of you! Die!" Raising its right hand, it beckoned the remaining spires. They burst into smoke, the vivid emerald energy coalescing into a massive wind spear in its hand. In its left hand, dark misty energy formed into another weapon. Maggie''s sharp eyes darkened. The savage primal had lost its reason and gone all out. She clenched her teeth, her expression grave. If she avoided the strikes, the town¡ªand everyone in it¡ªwould surely be destroyed. Making her decision, she gritted her teeth as fiery waves of energy erupted from her body. Unlike before, her energy was no longer hollow and transparent. It blazed fiercely, as though it would consume her. Crimson veins bulged along her neck, crawling up to her face. "Haaa!" she grunted, as dark, ominous energy emerged from her body, merging with her flames. Her sclera turned jet black, and her energy surged with a terrifying, crimson-dark intensity. The moment the dark energy appeared, Vincent''s heart skipped a beat. A strange sense of connection tugged at him. "That''s¡­" he muttered, his expression hardening as realization dawned. Nearby, Orian froze. Recognition turned her worry into abject fear. "N-No, Sister Maggie! Don''t do it! Stop!" she screamed, but her voice failed to reach Maggie''s ears. Chapter 97 - 97: Fierce Battle "N-No, Sister Maggie! Don''t do it! Stop!" she screamed, but her voice failed to reach Maggie''s ears. At this moment, Maggie was barely holding her senses together. She could only focus on herself to avoid letting the ominous dark energy overwhelm her mind. The ominous energy had been with her since birth. Her elders had no information about it and treated her as though she were cursed. Originally, the ominous energy did nothing to her aside from causing frequent sickness. However, everything changed when she awakened her origin energy. The ominous energy became aggressive. It started to change her behavior in exchange for rapid strength. However, every time she used it, it consumed her lifespan. It came to a point where, to increase her lifespan, her grandmother gave her remaining lifespan to Maggie using a special ritual. Since then, she had barely used the energy, only activating it in situations where she had no other choice. Her current situation was one of those moments. Once the ominous energy combined with her fiery energy, her crimson skin began to pale, the scales on her cheeks showed signs of cracking, and the roots of her crimson-orange hair started turning white¡ªindications of her lifespan being consumed. In exchange for all that, her aura steadily rose. From Tier 3 (1¡ï), it climbed to Tier 3 (2¡ï) and finally stopped at Tier 3 (3¡ï)! Her appearance became wild and savage. Visible shock appeared on the indistinct face of the Howling Spire Lord. "H-How did you get stronger?!" Its genderless voice was clearly shaken. It had no idea how, but it could vividly feel a strange yet oppressive energy weighing on its very core. Its voice turned from shock to anger. "It doesn''t matter. Borrowed strength will never win against true strength!" Despite its indignation, the Howling Spire Lord did not back down. It hurled all its abilities at Maggie with a savage expression on its face. "Die!!" Rumble! The sky rumbled as towering tornadoes, misty dark energy, and a wind spear launched toward her simultaneously! Hovering in the air, Maggie''s hair billowing in the wind, she let go of her lance, and it floated before her. She spread her arms wide as the fiery wings on her back burst with stronger energy, increasing their span. With a loud grunt, almost like a growl, dozens of Flame Lances appeared above her. A ten-meter wall of fire then erupted, protecting Orian and the others. Clasping the shaft of her lance once more, dark and crimson fiery energy burst forth, continuously emanating from it. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without a word, she waved her hand forward, sending the dozens of Flame Lances hurtling toward the fierce tornadoes, while others targeted the Howling Spire Lord. Chaos filled the sky as bright light erupted, accompanied by shockwaves whenever their attacks collided. Orian and the other spectators, initially stunned, finally reacted as they saw the fierce tornadoes and massive Flame Lances about to collide. "Everyone! Protect yourselves!" Orian hid her worry as she commanded everyone. She couldn''t help Maggie but could protect the people behind her. Without hesitation, she unleashed her energy barrier skills to block any residual impact. Others with protective skills also did not hold back. Meanwhile, Vincent, who was on the rooftop of a building within the range of the destructive attacks, felt the searing heat from Maggie''s energy and the fierce, cold wind of the Howling Spire Lord. Though he believed he could block the force, he didn''t dare risk his life. If he could avoid it, he would. Without hesitation, he retreated to the town''s wall. At this distance, with his perception, he could still observe the battle without difficulty. After another explosion, within the thick smoke, a figure burst out, blasted away by a powerful force¡ªit was the Howling Spire Lord! Maggie''s weapon, surrounded by dark and fiery energy, had struck the Howling Spire Lord''s chest with such force that it was pushed hundreds of meters away before finally stopping. With a furious screech, it flung Maggie''s lance away and reached out its hand. Within the thick smoke, its emerald wind spear flew back into its grip. When the smoke cleared, Maggie''s unscathed figure was revealed. Her expression, however, had turned wicked. Her usual smile was replaced by a wide, unsettling grin. She spoke in a strange voice, as though possessed by a demon. "What''s happening? Hehe. I thought you wanted me to die, windbag? Come here!" The Howling Spire Lord snorted in displeasure. "Hmph. Don''t be arrogant, bitch! You think I don''t know you''re consuming your lifespan for borrowed strength? You won''t last long!" "Hehe," Maggie chuckled. "You don''t have to worry about me. You''ll be dust before that happens!" Once Maggie finished speaking, her weapon flew back into her hand. Without hesitation, her fiery wings burst forward, propelling her instantly above the Howling Spire Lord. Despite Maggie''s explosive speed, the Howling Spire Lord''s innate ability to control wind allowed it to anticipate her move. It immediately reacted, creating a storm barrier in front of it. Bang! Maggie''s lance collided with the storm barrier, creating a shockwave. As soon as the clash occurred, a strong presence appeared behind her. Without needing to guess, Maggie spun around, lashing her weapon. Bang! Another shockwave erupted as her weapon struck a metallic surface. The Howling Spire Lord, gripping its wind spear, had blocked her strike. Reacting swiftly, Maggie''s left foot burst with fiery energy as she delivered a heavy kick to the Howling Spire Lord''s left flank. The Howling Spire Lord lowered its elbow slightly to block the attack. Bang! In quick succession, it summoned and hurled dark, misty energy at Maggie. She dodged effortlessly, grinning as she retorted, "Aren''t you a bit slow, windbag?" Raising her hand, Maggie summoned dozens of fireballs, which hovered briefly before hurling toward the Howling Spire Lord. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The Howling Spire Lord scowled. "You know that won''t work against me!" Earlier in the battle, Maggie had used fireballs with no effect. Confidently, the Howling Spire Lord ignored the incoming projectiles, expecting them to pass harmlessly through its body. But when Maggie smiled mockingly at it, the Howling Spire Lord sensed something was wrong. Before it could react, the fireballs struck, causing immediate pain. Boom! Boom! Boom! Screeches of agony pierced the air as the fireballs rained down relentlessly. "Stop it, bitch!" it demanded, only to be met with Maggie''s scoff. Following up, Maggie unleashed waves of Flame Lances. Whoosh! Whoosh! With the advantage now firmly in her grasp, Maggie held nothing back, attacking without pause. Blood dripped from the corners of her eyes and lips, and pain wracked her body. But Maggie endured it, refusing to stop until the Howling Spire Lord was dead and Orian and her people were safe. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Howling Spire Lord''s screeches faded as Maggie slowed her attack, exhaustion sweeping over her. Losing balance momentarily, she swayed in midair before forcing herself to stabilize. As her energy waned, the massive wall of fire protecting Orian and the others dissipated. From the ground, Orian, who had been deeply worried for Maggie the entire time, noticed her sister figure slowly falling from the sky. Despite her injuries, Orian forced herself to move, rushing toward Maggie. "Sister Maggie!" Chapter 98 - 98: I Guess This Is My Fate… Her companions were surprised as they called out, "Sister Orian!" However, they did not dare to move, afraid that the Howling Spire Lord was still alive. Orian managed to catch Maggie before she fell to the ground. "Sister Maggie! Are you alright?!" Maggie let out a cough, blood spraying onto her hand, earning Orian''s concern. "Sister Maggie!" "G-Get out of here, Orian. It''s still not safe," Maggie said forcefully, brushing away the blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Orian ignored her words and asked in a slightly panicked voice, "W-Where''s your recovery potion? Take it out. You have to heal yourself." However, Maggie just kept her gaze on Orian and smiled at her. Gently caressing her cousin''s face, she responded, "You know it¡ªrecovery potions won''t heal me. You have to get out of here. Bring everyone away with you. Better use the reserve escape scroll and leave the Origin World for now." "N-No, what are you saying? We won''t leave you here to fight alone. We can fight!" "Orian!" Maggie interrupted her words before continuing, "You know I won''t die in Origin World, right?" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "B-But¡ª" Maggie shook her head. "There''s no ''but''! You all are a burden to me right now¡­" Her words shocked and silenced Orian. Maggie felt bad saying it, but she had no choice. To make them leave without worry, she had to say it. After a short silence, Orian''s stunned expression slowly turned resolute. "I understand, Sister. I will bring everyone away with me." Orian stood up and turned around, her hands clenched into fists. "Orian¡­" Maggie muttered under her breath. Orian halted and looked over her shoulder, not directly at Maggie. She said, "Please, fight to your heart''s content. Be safe. We''re going to wait for you¡­" After saying this, Orian no longer gave Maggie her attention and went to her companions to convey Maggie''s decision. Despite saying it in a straight and calm voice, Maggie could sense the subtle worry in Orian''s tone. She couldn''t help but smile warmly in her heart. Her face then turned bitter as she watched them leave. She already knew what was going to happen to her after consuming all her lifespan in the Origin World. She would also die in the real world. She had realized this the first time she used the ominous energy in the Origin World. The lifespan she consumed in the Origin World was the same as consuming her lifespan in the real world. She had the choice to leave with them, but she wasn''t sure how long she could hold on to her sanity. Once she lost consciousness, the dark, ominous energy would turn her body into a mindless monster that would attack everyone in sight. If she returned to her world in her current condition, she feared she would harm her clansmen. Hence, she decided to stay behind. Additionally, she still hadn''t heard the system''s notification yet. Therefore, she turned toward the thick smoke where she had bombarded the Howling Spire Lord. "Why don''t you come out now, windbag? Let''s end this!" As soon as she uttered those words, a fierce wind swept away the thick smoke, followed by a loud screech. Screeeeech! It revealed the Howling Spire Lord. Its massive height had shrunk to around six feet, and its previously transparent body had become more human-like. Its genderless features were now masculine, resembling a Greek god with sculpted muscles, a sharp jawline, and curly hair. Its lower body was draped in silk cloth. The Howling Spire Lord resembled an emerald-painted Greek statue. Although the flames in its eyes had been extinguished, likely due to its transformation, they had left scars. Even its wind spear, formed by hundreds of spires, had materialized. Its strength had also reached Tier 3 (3¡ï). "That''s right, little bitch! I will end you now!" it roared. Maggie''s expression hardened as she saw the Howling Spire Lord''s transformation and newfound strength. However, it was only for a moment. Her face turned ferocious, breaking into a wicked smile. Despite her exhaustion, she clenched her lance and mustered all her strength, thrusting herself forward with her dark, fiery wings! At the same time, the Howling Spire Lord charged, gripping a jade-colored spear in his hand. They grunted as their weapons swung, both aiming to deliver a killing blow. Yet, both strikes missed by a hair''s breadth. Despite the miss, the force of their strikes unleashed a heavy blast, shaking their surroundings. They simultaneously pulled back their weapons and hurled their left hands, brimming with their signature energies, at each other. Bam! Another shockwave erupted as their attacks missed once more. One shot into the sky while the other chased immediately. Bam! Bam! Heart-stirring sounds and brilliant lights filled the sky as they exchanged relentless blows. They were evenly matched, despite both being exhausted. Neither dared to make a mistake, sending precise and deliberate strikes one after another. Soon, the Howling Spire Lord began to bleed green blood. Even so, he showed no signs of retreat. He counterattacked every time Maggie struck with her lance and skills. On a distant hill, Orian and her companions watched the battle in the sky with worried eyes. Muttering something under her breath, Orian resolutely led the others away. Meanwhile, Vincent and Mochi stood atop the broken town wall, observing the clash of these two formidable individuals. Mochi, the fat black rabbit, spoke in a childlike voice within Vincent''s mind. "She''s killing herself¡­" Vincent didn''t need her to explain. He could see it clearly. Maggie was wielding Primal Energy without restraint. That''s right. The ominous energy Maggie was using was Primal Energy. Vincent could now distinguish it from Chaos Energy. Chaos Energy was pure destruction, while Primal Energy carried an aggressive intent for destruction. Though they sounded similar, they were fundamentally different. One was destructive in nature; the other sought destruction with purpose. Despite their differences, both energies were extremely difficult to wield. Even now, Vincent didn''t know how to use them without suffering backlash or losing his mind. So, he was lost in thought. How could Maggie wield it without losing her sanity? He wanted to ask her but hesitated, fearing the consequences. Based on Mochi''s prediction, Maggie was destined to die. If true, Vincent feared interfering might worsen her fate. While he pondered, the sounds of battle abruptly stopped as a figure was blasted into the town''s pavement. When the dust settled, Maggie''s battered figure was revealed. Half of her hair had turned white, and half her face bore cracks like dry land. A massive gash stretched from her abdomen to her chest. She gasped for breath. A shadow loomed over her as the Howling Spire Lord hovered above, glaring down at her. Seeing him, Maggie tried to stand but failed. No matter how much strength she mustered, her body wouldn''t obey. ''No! Stand up! I can''t die here! Not now!'' she screamed in her mind, gritting her teeth. But no matter how many times she tried, she couldn''t rise. ''I haven''t uncovered the truth behind my father''s disappearance!'' ''I haven''t avenged my sister''s murder!'' ''I can''t die yet!'' Her unwillingness turned to despair as the Howling Spire Lord spoke. "You''re a strong warrior, kid. Unfortunately, you chose to go against me. You''ve wasted too much of my time. I still have a debt to settle with the one who freed me from my prison. It''s time for you to meet your maker." Maggie could only watch in despair as the Howling Spire Lord raised his spear. She wasn''t afraid of dying in battle. She was afraid of dying without uncovering the truth of her father''s disappearance, her sister''s death, or fulfilling her promises to her mother. She wanted to live. She wanted to see her clan prosper. She wanted to have her own family. Facing death, her despair and unwillingness turned to sadness, regret, and finally, acceptance. "I guess this is my fate¡­" she muttered bitterly, closing her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Farewell¡ª" Before the Howling Spire Lord could finish his sentence, he sensed a powerful force approaching rapidly from behind. He turned, only to see a fiery purple crescent-shaped energy hurtling toward him. His eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, it sliced through his body as if it were nothing. His shock turned to disbelief. "Haha¡­ That scared the hell out of me. I thought it could affect my physique¡ª" His voice stopped abruptly as his vision flipped. In the corner of his eye, he saw a headless body standing beside him. "Isn''t that my body?" he thought as consciousness faded. Before his mind went dark, he glimpsed a figure in the distance¡ªa man with a plump rabbit perched on his shoulder. Boom! The ground trembled as the fiery purple energy landed, causing a massive explosion. Mochi turned to Vincent, her expression shocked and dumbfounded. "H-How can you kill a Tier 3 Primal with your level?!" Vincent didn''t answer. He couldn''t. He was in shock himself. It was his first time using his Tier 2 armament, along with his new skills and upgraded stats. He never expected it to kill the Howling Spire Lord in one strike. He had planned only to distract it long enough to escape with Maggie. The system''s confirmation rang in his ears. You have killed a Tier 3 (1¡ï) Howling Primal Lord! You have received +100,000 experience points! Talent Activated! Ignoring the talent multiplier this time, Vincent focused on Maggie, wondering why the system classified the enemy as Tier 3 (1¡ï) instead of Tier 3 (3¡ï). Perhaps that was its true strength. He ignored the details and rushed to check on Maggie. Chapter 99 - 99: Treating Maggie Vincent ignored the talent multiplier this time and focused entirely on Maggie, puzzled as to why the system classified the enemy as Tier 3 (1¡ï) instead of Tier 3 (3¡ï). Perhaps that was its true strength. He set the thought aside and rushed over to check on her. Maggie, lying on the ground, summoned her remaining strength to open her eyes. Through the blur, she could barely make out someone standing before her. "W-Who are you..?" she whispered weakly before her vision darkened and she fainted. Mochi leapt from Vincent''s shoulder, landing near Maggie to examine her closely. Her long, thin ears twitched as she assessed the situation. Maggie was in dire condition. Her life force was rapidly fading, a result of consuming her own lifespan. Her hair had almost turned completely white, and one side of her face was cracking. "She''s going to die," Mochi said plainly, her voice resonating in Vincent''s mind. Vincent responded curiously, "I have recovery potions, will those work on her?" Mochi shook her little plump head. "It''s impossible. Even if you heal her with recovery potions, it won''t restore her consumed lifespan." Her answer deepened his frown. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You sounded like she''s not only going to die in Origin World but also in the real world as well.." Mochi nodded her head with a straight face as though she was not concerned about Maggie''s life at all. "So you actually know about the real world.." He said before quickly changing the subject, "Is there any way to save her?" Mochi faced him, cutely tilting her head, but she voiced a wonder, "Are you really sure you''re going to save her?" "You might not believe in fate but it can greatly affect not only yours and hers fate but everyone connected to both of you¡­" Vincent had already considered it. Aside from wanting to know her secrets about her ''Primal Energy'', he felt a strange feeling that he had to save her. He had no idea why, but his instincts told him to save her. Therefore, he nodded at Mochi. "If you know a method to save her, tell me." Hearing and sensing his determined response, Mochi no longer questioned him. She then shifted her attention to unconscious Maggie. "Based on my memories, there''s a few methods to save her." "Tell me." "The first method is to transfer your own lifespan to her using a special technique." He furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Do you know how to do it?" He was hoping for a good response but his hopes were immediately shattered by Mochi''s response. She shook her head and said, "Unfortunately, I don''t have information about it." "Then what are the other methods?" "The last method is to feed her a Life Fruit, but it is a very rare item. It''s very difficult to find¡ª" Before she could complete whatever she was going to say, Vincent suddenly took out a vibrant and tri-colored spherical fruit, and showed it to her. "Is this what you''re talking about?" Mochi''s big golden eyes widened in surprise, recognizing the fruit in his hand. "H-How do you even get that?" "Hmm, I changed it for some points." He simply replied. "Points¡­?" Mochi was speechless. Vincent did not explain it to her but he got it from the Tower of Combat. It was a rare item that could increase a lifespan for 10 years. He was only able to exchange for three of these. Originally, he planned to consume the one and give the other two to Marina and Amara. Mochi did not know his thoughts and simply urged him to feed it to Maggie. "Then what are you waiting for? Feed it to her." However, Vincent did not immediately do it. He focused his attention on it, checking if he could upgrade it. Surprisingly, it was upgradeable. Do you want to upgrade Rare Grade Life Fruit to Epic Grade? (Requirements: 1 million experience points) Vincent was slightly taken aback. The required amount of upgrading rare grade items to epic grade was 500,000 experience points. However, this Life Fruit required double the amount. Despite that, he did not hesitate to upgrade it. Once he agreed to it, the life fruit suddenly burst out a kaleidoscope light, surprising Mochi. "What''s happening?!" Vincent did not respond and waited for the process to end. Soon, when the lights faded, he heard the system''s notification. You have successfully upgraded a (Rare Grade) Life Fruit to (Epic Grade) Life Essence! The previous tri-colored fruit had turned to a multi-colored orb. Item Name: Life Essence Grade: Epic Effects: Increase lifespan by 50 years! ''It actually increased to 50 years?!''he exclaimed in his mind when he checked its information. Now, he was hesitant to actually feed it to Maggie and just use a rare grade one and save the epic grade for himself. However, he quickly dismissed that thought. He still had two of them and he could upgrade it next time, when he got enough experience points. When he was about to feed it to Maggie, Mochi''s voice rang in his mind. "How did you do it? How come your Life Fruit suddenly turned into a Life Essence?!" She spoke in a high-pitched voice with her child-like voice. "You''ll understand soon." He did not bother explaining himself as he slightly opened Maggie''s mouth and was about to feed her. However, Mochi abruptly stopped him. "Wait!" "What''s wrong?" "You might kill her if you do that. Let me do something first." She did not bother explaining and put one of her feet on Maggie''s head, soon she started sucking the ''primal energy'' leaking out of her. After a while, Mochi let out a satisfied burp. Burp~ Aside from her stomach slightly bulging, nothing had changed in her appearance. Vincent was no longer surprised when she saw her absorbing the ''primal energy'', if she could absorb the ''chaos energy'' without having a backlash or any problem, it was not strange for her to devour the ''primal energy''. Therefore, he simply ignored it and cut the life essence to small pieces and slowly fed it to Maggie. Once a piece of life essence entered her mouth, it would immediately dissolve to a misty energy and spread throughout her body. Gradually, her appearance began to recover. Her hair, once nearly white, regained its original sunset hue. The cracks and wrinkles on her face faded, though the roots of her hair remained white. When the entire Life Essence had been consumed, Maggie stirred, her eyes blinking open. As her vision cleared, she found two figures watching her. "Who are you?" she asked weakly. Chapter 100 - 100: Conclusion of Breakout "Who are you?" she asked weakly, glancing warily around her, searching for the Howling Spire Lord. When her gaze fell upon the headless corpse beside her, her eyes widened in shock before quickly morphing into a frown. Moments later, the corpse dissolved into bright digital particles. When the final glow vanished, it left behind three radiant orbs resting on the ground¡ªone glowed with an ethereal green hue, while the other two pulsated softly in shades of azure. The enigmatic sight momentarily entranced her, but her focus snapped back to Vincent, the figure standing silently before her. "Did you kill it?" she asked, still in shock. The figure before her radiated the aura of a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, yet the Howling Spire Lord was a formidable Tier 3 Primal¡ªa boss of a Tier 2 Labyrinth. A whole realm above him. Vincent gave a simple nod. There was no reason to hide it; in fact, it saved him the trouble of a lengthy explanation. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maggie''s frown deepened. She wanted to doubt him, to dismiss his claim, but the proof was undeniable. The Howling Spire Lord was dead, and its body had vanished. Her frown gradually eased as a realization struck her. She glanced down at her body and was stunned to find not only her injuries healed but also part of her lifespan restored. For a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, the standard lifespan was 120 years. Tier 2 extended to 150 years, and Tier 3 reached 200. Yet, for someone like Maggie, born with ''ominous energy''¡ªknown as ''primal energy''¡ªher lifespan had always been halved. Each time she used it or when it acted aggressively on its own, it drained her life further. She had been certain she would die after wielding the primal energy against the Howling Spire Lord. But now, upon closer inspection, she realized 50 years of her lifespan had been restored. Tears welled up in her eyes, unbidden and overwhelming. Vincent, observing her silently, couldn''t help but find amusement in the cascade of emotions crossing her face. Quickly brushing away her tears, Maggie fixed her gaze on Vincent. Though her eyes were still slightly red, they now held a steely determination. She recalled that Vincent was one of the individuals she had requested for reinforcement. For a moment, she wondered where the others were but pushed the thought aside. More pressing matters demanded her attention. "Who are you?" "Shroud," Vincent replied curtly. "Why did you save me?" Her voice was serious and laced with wariness. Maggie didn''t press him for details about how he defeated the Howling Spire Lord. There was no hostility in her voice, only a cautious curiosity. To Maggie, nothing in this world came without a price. Saving her from certain death, defeating an enemy as overwhelming as the Howling Spire Lord¡ªacts of this magnitude surely carried a purpose. Vincent didn''t shy away from the truth. "I want to know why you have ''primal energy'' and how you''re able to wield it without losing your self-awareness." "Primal energy?" she echoed, confusion evident in her voice. Vincent frowned slightly beneath his mask. Was she genuinely unaware, or was this an act? He decided to clarify. "The dark energy you used against the Spire Lord," he explained, watching her closely for any sign of deceit. To his surprise, her reaction seemed genuine. Her wide-eyed expression suggested she truly didn''t know what he was referring to. "So, that''s what it''s called? Primal energy?" she mused. "Do you know more about it? Can you tell me?" Vincent ignored her questions, focusing on her demeanor. Despite her curiosity, there wasn''t a trace of falsehood in her eyes or actions. She honestly didn''t know. Disappointment flickered in his gaze, though he masked it quickly. The possibility of her having knowledge or control over the primal energy had been dashed. "You still haven''t answered my question," Maggie pressed. Realizing her eagerness had betrayed her, she tempered her tone and straightened her posture. Just as she was about to respond, her thoughts shifted to her original purpose for being there. Her gaze darted to the Howling Spire Labyrinth''s portal entrance, which had returned to its normal state after Vincent killed the Spire Lord. Her attention shifted to her team¡ªOrian and the others¡ªand the Origin Warriors she had sent to stop the breakout. Though she had faith in them, she knew her responsibilities were far from over. Addressing Vincent, she said, "I''m grateful for your help, but can we discuss this later? I need to check on the others." Vincent nodded, deciding not to press her further for now. Before they left, he asked, "You wouldn''t mind if I took the loot, would you?" Maggie gave him a puzzled look, as if questioning why he was asking for permission when he was the one who killed the Howling Spire Lord. "Go ahead¡ªit''s yours," she replied. Without hesitation, Vincent swept the orbs into his storage ring without even checking them. Once they confirmed no Primals remained in the town, they set off. Along the way, they couldn''t catch up to Orian''s group but instead encountered the reinforcements Vincent had called for. However, there was no sign of Lizno¡ªthe Lyard man Vincent had tasked with leading the reinforcement team and guarding Garmus and the Hyena Gang members. Before Vincent could voice his concerns, a cautious voice broke the silence. "Sir, Lizno didn''t come with us, but he left a message for you." The speaker handed Vincent a scroll, his hands trembling slightly. "This map will lead you to him. You''ll find him there, along with the goods," the man said weakly. The goods, Vincent surmised, referred to Garmus and the others. Although curious about Lizno''s intentions, Vincent decided to set it aside for the moment. As they continued their journey, Maggie received good news through her prismstone: the other groups had successfully stopped the breakout. Relieved, they made their way back to the Novice Sanctuary. And when they got back to Novice Center, Maggie left after they both added each other in their own prismtones. Chapter 101 - 101: Hyena Gang Hideout Inside the main office of the Novice Center, Maggie stood at the front of a long table surrounded by people of different stature. These individuals were official members of the No. 3 Novice Center Frontline Team. After discussing what had occurred during the mission¡ªwhile excluding certain details, especially Vincent''s request not to fully disclose that he was the one who killed the Howling Spire Lord¡ªshe explained that Vincent had helped her defeat the Howling Spire Lord. During their discussion, she mentioned the Howling Spire Lord''s words. "Are you saying someone helped him escape from the labyrinth?" a blonde-haired, copper-skinned young man in his early twenties, sporting a brush-up hairstyle, silver plate armor, and an azure cape draped over his shoulder, asked in a skeptical voice. This man, Mauro¡ªan Almaurian¡ªwas also a vice leader of the Frontline Team. He had been deployed on another mission during the breakout and thus had arrived late. "How''s that even possible? You know that a labyrinth''s bosses are like programmed primals that, once killed, only respawn after a specific amount of time. The only ways for them to leave the labyrinth are to break through to a certain level or cultivate a Labyrinth''s Heart! "And according to your ''assumption''¡ªwithout actual investigation¡ªhe received help from an outsider to escape the labyrinth? You''re spouting nonsense." Maggie kept her eyes shut. Mauro might sound rude, but he had the right to question her. She lacked sufficient proof and had based her assumption solely on the Howling Spire Lord''s words. At this moment, another voice chimed in. It was deep, composed, and filled with authority. "That''s enough, Mauro. If you want to know, investigate it yourself." The speaker was a man with the appearance of a red-scaled dragon and the broad body of a human, wearing the Novice Center''s uniform. He was also a member of the Drakorii race. This individual was the leader of the Novice Center Frontline Team, D''raur. Mauro glanced at him. His gaze darkened, but he didn''t retort. Clicking his tongue in subtle annoyance, he murmured to himself, "Tsk! He''s obviously taking her side..." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. D''raur clasped his hands together and stood up, followed by the other members. With his back to them, he spoke. "I believe I don''t need to say what I want to happen. Bring me results." The ever-mysterious leader of their Frontline Team was a man of few words. He appeared only briefly during discussions and reports, never directly sharing his thoughts. Yet, his eyes and actions were enough for them to understand his intentions. In unison, they answered, "Yes, Team Leader!" However, one of them kept his mouth shut until D''raur''s presence disappeared. "Tsk! He''s going to leave us all the work again and will only come back after we finish the job to take all the credit," Mauro muttered in a low voice, loud enough for everyone to hear. Despite his words, no one argued with him. Although they remained silent, they shared the same thoughts. They had no idea what their Team Leader did without them. He was always absent during team missions, claiming to be on "special missions." However, he never once explained what kind of missions these were. They could only sigh inwardly. Maggie, on the other hand, was lost in thought, still wondering about Vincent''s identity and intentions. ''I have to talk to him,'' she thought as she left the main office. Back to Vincent''s side. After parting ways with Maggie, he left the sanctuary and followed the map she had handed to him. He was curious about where Lizno had dragged Garmus and the members of the Hyena Gang. He was currently in the southern area of Verdant Wilds. After treading a hidden path shown on the map and brushing away thick bushes, he discovered a dilapidated manor. The building looked ancient, its walls covered with thick vines that spread like veins. Mochi, perched on his shoulder, perked up her long ears. "There are people inside," her voice rang in his mind. He didn''t need her to tell him, as he could already sense their presence. Creak~ The manor''s door groaned as he pushed it open. Strangely, compared to its outer appearance, the manor was neat and clean inside, as if someone was living there. At that moment, heavy footsteps approached from beyond the living room door. Soon, a familiar figure appeared before him. It was Lizno, his expression one of excitement, as though meeting his idol. "Sir, you''re here!" Lizno exclaimed. Vincent remained stoic and guarded. "Why did you call me here? What is this place?" he questioned, his voice cold. Hearing his tone, Lizno hurriedly explained, afraid Vincent might misunderstand. "Please don''t get the wrong idea, sir. I mean no harm in bringing you here. It''s about this... After you told me to tie up and guard Garmus and his goons, I discovered they were part of the Hyena Gang, and the person you killed was their infamous leader!" "Oh¡­" Vincent responded with a blank expression beneath his mask, uninterested. He clearly had no idea who they were, and even if he did, he wouldn''t care. Seeing Vincent''s indifferent reaction, Lizno quickly continued. "During your absence, I took the initiative to check their belongings and found the map to this place¡ªtheir hideout. I also overheard their secret conversation about you. They were planning to abduct you." Lizno was curious about why they wanted to kidnap Vincent, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He knew better than to say too much. He still couldn''t forget how the man before him had killed without hesitation. Although dying in the Origin World didn''t mean death in the real world, it was still a massive setback for anyone. Vincent remained calm as he listened. He had already expected this, and Jessica had notified him earlier. "Did you find anything else? What about the other gang members?" Lizno realized from the question that Vincent had no idea who the Hyena Gang truly were. "Yes, sir. I found their stash of treasures. Regarding the gang members, the Hyena Gang is notorious for having seven Tier 2 members. You killed their leader and gravely injured their vice leader. The others are currently locked in the basement with Garmus." Vincent frowned slightly. "They''re infamous despite being so weak?" His innocent question made Lizno''s lips twitch. Lizno wanted to say that only Vincent would think so because of his strength. For a newbie and a Tier 1 Origin Warrior, the Hyena Gang was already considered formidable. However, as usual, Lizno kept his thoughts to himself. He simply agreed. "Yes¡­" Vincent then said, "Take me to them." "Yes, sir. Please follow me." Chapter 102 - 102: Gaining A New Trustee Lizno brought Vincent to a dimly lit basement where the remaining members of the Hyena Gang and Garmus were tightly bound with thick ropes, their mouths gagged. Lizno stepped aside and let Vincent walk through. By this moment, Garmus and the others had already regained consciousness. As soon as they saw him, they glared at him sharply, growling while gritting the gags in their mouths. "Hnnng!" "S#8ygk6!" Vincent didn''t bother trying to understand what they were attempting to say. He walked toward Garmus, who was glaring at him with the most intense hatred. Without a word, he removed the gag from Garmus'' mouth. As soon as the gag was off, Garmus spat and snarled, "You dare kidnap me? Do you really think my young master will let this go? Kill me if you dare!" Vincent promptly replaced the gag in Garmus'' mouth, darkening his expression. "L@6$xgx!!" Garmus mumbled incomprehensibly. Slightly annoyed, Vincent clasped Garmus'' mouth. "You talk too much. Did you really think I wouldn''t dare to kill you? Heh." With a light chuckle, Vincent increased the force of his grip, causing a bone-cracking sound. Garmus screamed in agony as his jaw dislocated. "Don''t worry; I''ll grant your wish after I kill your dear young master," Vincent spoke in a chilling voice. From the moment he opposed Grarik, he had anticipated this outcome. There could only be one ending: one of them would have to leave the Origin World permanently. "No matter what kind of universe it is, there''s always a young master who''s unreasonable and entitled," he thought. He kept Garmus alive for a good reason. Killing him would give him a chance to report to Grarik about Vincent''s current strength. At this stage, Vincent had to be cautious. He had no clear understanding of the strength and influence of the Blackthorn Clan. He needed time to grow strong enough to face the Blackthorn Clan on his own. He believed that day wasn''t far off. After all, Tier 3 was the limit of the Novice Continent. As a Tier 1 Origin Warrior with the strength of a Tier 3 Origin Warrior, Vincent was confident that once he reached Tier 3, his strength would surpass it. At that point, he would have the power to dominate the Novice Continent and begin executing his major plans. But for now, his focus remained on the present. His eyes fell on Lizno, who had a curious expression. ''This guy is quite good¡­'' Vincent thought. He appreciated Lizno''s attitude¡ªhow he stood up for him and refrained from pocketing the belongings of the Hyena Gang. It was commendable behavior. Lizno, feeling Vincent''s gaze, became uncomfortable, wondering if he had made a mistake. After a moment, Vincent gestured toward Garmus and the Hyena Gang. "Beat them up," he ordered coldly and firmly, leaving no room for discussion. Lizno was momentarily stunned. Why does he want me to beat them? Can''t he do it himself? he thought. He only pondered this briefly before regaining his composure. "I understand," Lizno replied, stepping in front of Garmus. Garmus'' eyes widened. He had heard the brief exchange but couldn''t defend himself with a dislocated jaw and sealed origin core. All he could do was glare furiously at Lizno, as though warning him not to proceed. In response, Lizno''s fist landed squarely on Garmus'' face. Bam! Garmus groaned in pain, stumbling to the ground as a few teeth fell out. Lizno remarked, "There''s no use glaring at me. If you were in my position, you''d probably hit yourself even harder than I am." He cracked his neck and stretched before continuing the beating. Bam! Bam! Garmus'' cries of agony filled the basement as Vincent observed silently. The remaining members of the Hyena Gang watched in horror, their eyes wide. After some time, Lizno exhaled in satisfaction, gazing at the unconscious, battered Garmus. His attention then shifted to the Hyena Gang. Grinning, he walked toward them, prompting them to instinctively retreat. "Don''t blame me, guys. I''m just following orders," Lizno said. One of the gang members managed to spit out his gag. "The hell you''re not enjoying it! Just look at your face!" Lizno paused, touching his face. "What''s wrong with my face?" He then noticed he was grinning widely. "Oh¡­" he murmured before adding, "I guess I do enjoy beating arrogant guys like Garmus." "You''re dead! Do you think one person can stand against the Blackthorn Clan? If that human dies, you''ll be next! Everyone connected to you will be affected!" Lizno froze momentarily, and the Hyena Gang''s eyes lit up with hope. But their hopes were dashed when Lizno chuckled, his grin growing wider. "Haha, too bad I don''t have any friends or family for them to go after." Without hesitation, he resumed the beating. Bam! Bam! Vincent finally got a clear look at the Hyena Gang members, noting their hyena-like appearances. Unsure of their race, he simply labeled them "hyenas." Bam! Bam! "Arghhh!" "Accck!" "P-Please¡­ stop¡­" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hahaha! This is payback for all the sins your gang committed against poor newbies!" "That''s right! Cry more! Haha!" The basement echoed with cries of pain and Lizno''s wicked laughter. Watching from the sidelines, Vincent began to doubt himself. Initially, he only wanted to test Lizno''s attitude to see if he had the guts to stand against the Blackthorn Clan. Instead, he discovered Lizno''s determination¡ªand possibly a hidden part of him. Drip! Blood dripped from Lizno''s fists as he stared at the defeated gang members he had once feared. He turned toward Vincent, still grinning, and respectfully approached. "It''s done, sir," he said. Vincent held his gaze for a moment before responding, "Do you understand what you''ve done?" Still grinning, Lizno nodded. "Aren''t you afraid their families might come after you?" Vincent asked. Lizno shook his head. "The moment I clashed with Garmus, I knew he wouldn''t spare me. Besides, I believe following someone like you will give me a better life." Lizno''s confidence was clear. Though he couldn''t see Vincent''s face or know his background, his voice suggested a young and promising man. A Tier 1 Origin Warrior capable of defeating Tier 2 warriors was certainly remarkable. Knowing his own limitations, Lizno felt it better to serve a promising individual than to chase unachievable greatness. Hearing this, Vincent smiled beneath his mask while Mochi watched curiously. "Are you willing to follow me?" Lizno half-kneeled and lowered his head. "I am willing." "Good. Stand up." "For your first mission, I want you to do this¡­" Chapter 103 - 103: Back Vincent had been giving his orders to Lizno for quite some time, ensuring every instruction was clear and precise. "I understand, Young Master," Lizno respectfully replied, his tone steady and filled with determination after carefully listening to the commands. Vincent acknowledged Lizno''s response with a small nod. Initially, he had contemplated being addressed as ''Master'' or perhaps something more formal like ''My Lord,'' but neither felt quite right to him. His sharp gaze met Lizno''s eyes, making the latter instinctively avert his gaze and lower his head. "You may use all the assets of the Hyena Gang as your funds," Vincent stated firmly, his voice carrying the authority of someone in control. Although he had granted Lizno temporary approval, Vincent wasn''t the kind to trust someone fully without ample proof of their reliability. Lizno would need to demonstrate his worth through actions. Lizno, however, was unaware of the extent of Vincent''s reservations. To him, this mission was clearly a test¡ªa test of both his behavior and his capabilities. He needed to succeed and prove his value. With that in mind, he responded confidently, "I won''t let you down, Young Master." "Good," Vincent replied, his tone calm but deliberate. Vincent turned his attention to the window of the manor, noticing the golden hues of the setting sun spreading across the sky. The day in the Origin World was drawing to a close, and it was almost time for him to resume his training with Special Instructor Arthur Avyss. His gaze shifted back to Lizno, and he took a moment to assess the man''s appearance. Lizno''s equipment was entirely composed of common-grade items. The sight made Vincent wonder¡ªwas Lizno simply poor, or had his understanding of equipment quality been skewed by his own possession of an ''SSS Rank Talent''? "What weapon do you specialize in?" Vincent asked, breaking the silence. Lizno hesitated for only a moment before answering, "I can handle most weapons, but I''m most proficient in the ''Way of Spears,'' Young Master." Vincent acknowledged this with a subtle nod, closing his eyes briefly as he reached into his storage ring. A moment later, he pulled out several items. Lizno''s eyes widened in shock as three glowing blue orbs materialized in Vincent''s hands. He instantly recognized them as rare-grade items¡ªsomething he had never even dreamed of owning. Three rare-grade items at once! Lizno had spent years battling Primals, yet he had never managed to obtain anything beyond uncommon-grade gear. His most prized weapon was a mere uncommon-grade spear. The sight of these rare items left him utterly dumbfounded. Before he could speak, Vincent''s voice cut through his thoughts. "Take off your items." "What?!" Lizno exclaimed in disbelief. "Huh?!" Even Mochi, who had been peacefully dozing on Vincent''s shoulder, jolted awake, startled by the command. "S-Sorry, Young Master," Lizno stammered, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I am willing to serve you, but not in that way¡­" Vincent felt his head throbbed, feeling a surge of annoyance. "What the hell are you talking about? I''m telling you to replace your items with these!" He tossed the three blue light orbs toward Lizno, who scrambled to catch them. Afraid the items might shatter upon impact, Lizno''s movements were swift and careful. However, he quickly realized his fears were unfounded¡ªitems in light orb form were nearly indestructible. "Keep in mind," Vincent continued, his tone colder now, "I''m only lending these to you. If you want to keep them, you''ll have to prove your worth to me." Lizno''s hands trembled slightly as he inspected the items. His astonishment grew as he realized just how powerful they were. The orbs contained a Rare-Grade Spear Armament, a Rare-Grade Armor-Type Armament, and a Rare-Grade Accessory¡ªall designed to enhance his abilities significantly. With these, Lizno would gain the strength to challenge far more formidable opponents. Overcome with gratitude, Lizno knelt before Vincent and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master! I swear I will not let you down!" ''Haha! My future is finally looking bright!'' Lizno thought gleefully. ''My master is not just powerful¡ªhe''s unbelievably generous!'' Unable to contain his excitement, he even pressed a kiss to the glowing orbs. Vincent, however, couldn''t stand the overly dramatic display and quickly dismissed him. "Go. Do your work. And don''t bother looking for me¡ªI''ll be in the real world." Lizno bowed one last time before leaving, the rare items clutched tightly in his hands. With the room now empty, Vincent turned his attention to Mochi, who was watching him curiously. He picked her up and placed her gently on the table. "We need to talk," he said, his tone serious. "What about?" Mochi asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "Tell me more about yourself," Vincent replied. "Tell me everything you can remember. And most importantly, explain how you''re able to absorb Chaos and Primal Energy." Mochi fell silent, her expression thoughtful. The plump rabbit paced back and forth across the table, her round chin resting on one paw as she tried to gather her thoughts. After a long pause, she stopped and looked up at Vincent. Her golden eyes glistened with tears, and it became clear she was on the verge of crying again. Vincent groaned inwardly. Every time he tried to get personal information from her, it ended the same way¡ªwith her acting pitiful and bursting into tears. "I-I don''t remember¡­" Mochi stammered, her voice trembling. "I really can''t remember anything about myself. All I know are random bits of information¡­" Waaah! Mochi broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Vincent let out a weary sigh and reached out to comfort her. "All right, all right. Calm down. It''s okay. You don''t have to force yourself to remember. My bad." Mochi sniffled and looked up at him, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Really? You''re not going to throw me away?" she asked in a voice so pitiful it made Vincent pause. ''Throw her away?'' he thought. What made her think that? But he chose not to press the issue, fearing it might lead to yet another crying fit. "No," he said firmly. "I won''t throw you away. So stop crying now." Mochi wiped her eyes and nodded. "I''ll be heading back to my world," Vincent said. "Do you want to stay here or come with me?" Mochi''s ears perked up at the question. "Can I come with you?" "Yes," Vincent replied. "But you''ll have to stay inside the capture ball for a little while. Are you okay with that?" Mochi hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Fine," she said, though her tone suggested reluctance. "But you have to let me out as soon as we arrive!" Shortly afterward, Vincent returned to the real world, appearing in the same spot where he trained with Special Instructor Arthur Avyss. The sky was bright, the warm sunlight spilling across the landscape. A gentle breeze rustled his hair, and he removed his mask, letting the fresh air touch his face. Vincent immediately scanned his surroundings. Being outside the district''s walls, caution was essential. To his relief, no Primals were nearby, but there was also no sign of his instructor. "Did he just leave me out here alone?" Vincent muttered. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of his phone. The caller ID was unfamiliar, but he answered anyway. A hologram screen projected from the device, revealing a pink-haired woman in a kimono decorated with sakura blossoms. Her appearance was striking¡ªelegant yet undeniably familiar. Then, she spoke. "Hello~ How''s my little brother doing? Did you miss your Big Sis?" Vincent''s eyes widened slightly. "Big Sis Valyn¡­" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 104 - 104: This Place is Dying… "Hello~ How''s my little brother doing? Did you miss your Big Sis?" Vincent''s eyes widened slightly. "Big Sis Valyn¡­" "So that''s how you look without a mask¡­" she said in an amused voice. Vincent could only smile wryly at her. He did not expect that she would contact him out of nowhere. Well, it was not strange since she had a connection with Special Instructor Arthur. "Why did you contact me, Big Sis?" he asked curiously. "Why? Can''t I call my little brother without a reason?" Vincent wryly shook his head. "It''s not what I mean¡ª" Before he could even complete his words, Valyn interrupted him with a chuckle. "Hehe. I know, I''m just messing with you. I called you to inform you about your next training." "My next training? What about Special Instructor Arthur? Where is he now?" "Well, about that¡­ He said he was on a mission. But he will be back soon. Anyway, for your training today, you will have to bring ten Shadow Monkeys before the night. I will send you the information you need after the call." Vincent slightly furrowed his brows before asking, "Do I also need to refrain from using my Origin Energy?" Still wearing a bright smile, Valyn responded, "No, not this time. You''re allowed to use all your abilities." Vincent was quite skeptical of her response. "Is this training set by Big Sis Valyn or Special Instructor Arthur?" Valyn just winked at him in response. "It''s a secret!" "Alright, that''s all you need to know. Good luck on your training! Bye~" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Valyn then ended the call. A moment later, he received an email. It was information about Shadow Monkeys. "Shadow Monkey¡­ Tier 2 primal, commonly found in the Mad Ape Mountain Forest¡­ fifty miles from my current position¡­" He couldn''t help but frown. His training difficulty increased absurdly. He assumed that Valyn must be the one who had set up the training because she had seen him use his Dragon''s Might to subdue the minions of Garga Blackthorn. The difficulty had definitely increased by a whole level because the Mad Ape Mountain Forest also housed some Tier 3 primals, and the distance was quite far. Additionally, aside from knowing his target''s location and general strength, it did not notify him about their characteristics or abilities. Sigh¡­ After letting out a deep sigh, he took out the capture ball he used to store Mochi and let the fat rabbit out. A bright light flashed for a second before Mochi materialized. "Fwaah!" she exclaimed. "I''m alive!" Seeing her reaction, Vincent could not help but wonder, "Is it really that suffocating inside?" Mochi gave her attention to Vincent and answered, "I don''t know. But I can''t stay in a place without Origin Energy¡­" Just as she said that, her face changed as though she had eaten something bitter. Slowly, it turned to horror. "W-Where are we?" she asked robotically, scanning her surroundings with an afraid expression. "Astralis, my planet. Why? What''s wrong?" He could tell that there was something wrong from Mochi''s reaction. "Y-Your world is d-dying¡­" Vincent was immediately stunned when he heard her answer. His eyes narrowed deeply. "What do you mean by that? Is it dying because of pollution? Climate change? Because of primals?" Mochi shook her head. "No," she said while still looking at her surroundings, before continuing, "Y-Your world''s fate¡­ is about to deplete. Something or someone has been consuming your world''s fate. I can''t clearly see it, but it should not be far off¡­" His expression darkened when he heard her response. He had no idea what Mochi was seeing, but he could tell that she was not lying at all. Her expression showed she wanted to leave this place no matter what. Although he had an assumption, he still asked her, "What''s going to happen to this world if its fate is depleted?" Mochi turned to face him. Realizing it was the first time she had seen Vincent''s appearance behind the mask, her expression did not change; it was still dark. She said slowly, "Calamity. Destruction. You name every bad thing that can happen¡ªit is possible for a world with no fate energy." This revelation gave him another wake-up call that he could not relax at all. He had to become stronger! He had something to protect! If he could not even protect himself, how would he dare to protect someone else? He then questioned, "How long do you think it will take before the world''s fate energy is completely depleted?" Mochi''s eyes glowed for a moment before subsiding. "At least ten years¡­" Frowning, he muttered, "Ten years¡­" He knew deep inside that ten years was a very short time. It was nowhere near enough for him to grow into a powerful existence capable of protecting his own world. ''If I cannot protect this world¡­ then I''ll just do anything to have the strength to survive and protect the people important to me!'' With that thought, his mind became clearer. He felt he didn''t need to pressure himself so much. He believed that if the sky were to fall, someone would catch it. It was not necessarily him. Still within the topic, he questioned, "Is there any way to stop the exhaustion of fate or anything to improve the fate energy of the world?" "The answer to your problem is actually simple." His eyebrows rose at her words. He waited for her to continue. "It''s either you find a new world to relocate to or find another world to consume their fate energy. There''s also the most direct method." "What is it?" "Find the source of the problem and stop it." Vincent could only shake his head. All the possible options were currently impossible for him, especially the last one. No matter who or what kind of existence was consuming their world''s fate energy, it would be a god-like existence¡ªa being that could kill him with a glance. The only thing he could do was grow stronger and faster. With that thought in his mind, he simply set aside future problems and focused on the present. Before going to the Mad Ape Mountain Forest, he responded to the emails from Amara and Marina. Several minutes into their journey, Mochi, who was sitting on his shoulder, suddenly pulled his ear. Naturally, Vincent felt no pain but asked, "What''s wrong?" Mochi''s response rang in his mind. "Your world has scarce Origin Energy. I am hungry. Feed me!" She sounded like a spoiled child. Vincent could only comply. If not, she might have started crying again. Therefore, he took out a few Origin Crystals from his storage ring and handed them to her. "Here''s your food, my rabbit-eating money!" Chapter 105 - 105: Encounter In Mad Ape Mountain Forest After a while, Vincent could already see the towering shape of Mad Ape Mountain Forest. It was so massive and intimidating that, if he hadn''t upgraded his stats significantly, he might as well have given up entirely on finding the elusive ''Shadow Monkey.'' The sheer scale of the forest made it evident that this would not be an easy task. At that moment, Mochi, who was munching on an origin crystal with unrestrained enthusiasm, suddenly voiced her thoughts. "Is this where your home is?" she asked, her tone curious but playful. Vincent glanced at her, utterly speechless. "Are you trying to say I''m a monkey?" he retorted with a mix of amusement and annoyance. Without hesitation, he swiftly snatched the origin crystal she was munching on. Mochi froze for a moment, her small body stiffening as she realized what had just happened. A second too late, she cried out, "Give me back my food!" She leaped up in an attempt to snatch it back, but Vincent simply raised his hand higher. Her short, stubby limbs were no match for his height. The corners of her eyes began to glisten, as though tears were about to fall. "Give me back my food¡­" she whimpered softly, her voice laced with pitiful desperation. As always, Vincent sighed in defeat. He couldn''t bring himself to refuse her. Handing the origin crystal back, he said, "Alright, I apologize. Here''s your food, my ''Oscar Awardee'' rabbit." Mochi''s face instantly brightened, and she accepted the crystal with a delighted giggle. "Thank you, monkey." Vincent chose to ignore her playful jab and instead turned his attention to the task at hand. He equipped his Shifting Visage mask and stepped into the dense, foreboding Mad Ape Mountain Forest. The moment Vincent entered, his heightened senses came alive. He immediately detected the faint presence of low-level primals scattered around the area. These creatures lurked in every corner¡ªtiny insects hidden under leaves, crawling along the rugged tree trunks, or burrowed just beneath the soil under his feet. Thanks to his sharpened perception, nothing escaped his notice. Every living thing in his vicinity was clearly within his awareness. However, he paid no attention to these weaker primals, knowing they wouldn''t yield any valuable experience points. As Vincent proceeded deeper into the forest, he kept a steady pace, scanning his surroundings for signs of ''Shadow Monkeys.'' A few moments later, something unusual occurred. Mochi''s long, fluffy ears perked up sharply, twitching in response to a sound or presence. At the same time, Vincent''s senses detected multiple presences in the distance. Unlike before, Mochi remained silent. By now, she had come to understand just how strange and mysterious her master was. There was no need to alert him, as she trusted he was already aware of their surroundings. He possessed an arsenal of abilities and skills that defied the limits of what a Tier 1 Origin Warrior¡ªand a human¡ªshould be capable of. Her fragmented memories told her that humans were among the weakest races in the universe. Yet, meeting Vincent had thrown her beliefs into disarray. Her master''s existence contradicted everything she thought she knew. Time and again, he shattered her understanding of what was possible, leaving her in awe. Without hesitation, Vincent activated a high-grade stealth skill and moved soundlessly toward the distant presences. His movements were calculated, each step as silent as a whisper. Bang! Bang! Roar! As they drew closer, the sounds of an intense battle filled the air. Explosions echoed through the forest, accompanied by the enraged roars of a primal beast and the clash of weapons. Vincent leaped onto a sturdy tree branch, his masked face concealed as he observed the scene below. With a single glance, he assessed the situation. Three humans¡ªa man and two women¡ªwere locked in fierce combat with a massive, three-meter-tall Stone Arm Ape. The beast, a Tier 2 (3¡ï) primal, lived up to its name. Its thick arms and parts of its chest were made of hardened stone, making it a formidable opponent. The man, dressed in an azure silk martial robe adorned with intricate designs, wielded a thin, sharp sword with remarkable skill. His strikes were swift and precise, each aimed to exploit the ape''s vulnerabilities. The two women, clad in matching pink martial robes decorated with lotus flower motifs, wielded similar weapons and moved in perfect synchronization with their senior brother. Together, they formed a coordinated team, parrying the ape''s powerful strikes and supporting one another seamlessly. "Now, Senior Brother!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The short-haired woman called out as she blocked one of the Stone Arm Ape''s massive arms, her voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. The man, referred to as Senior Brother, reacted instantly. His long, jet-black hair flowed behind him as he dashed forward, positioning himself beneath the ape''s exposed belly. His sword emitted a faint white glow, buzzing as he infused it with energy. With a low grunt, he delivered a powerful upward slash. Slash! Roar! The Stone Arm Ape let out a thunderous roar of pain as a deep, diagonal wound appeared across its belly. The beast staggered backward, waving its heavy arms in a desperate attempt to push its attackers away. Blood dripped from its wound, staining the forest floor. Despite its injuries, the primal didn''t charge recklessly. It hesitated, its sharp eyes scanning the area as though calculating its next move. After a moment, it locked its gaze onto the man. Its glare was filled with fury and determination, as though memorizing his face. Then, without warning, it turned and leaped into the trees, attempting to flee. "Don''t let it escape!" the senior brother shouted urgently. The group wasted no time, chasing after the primal with unwavering determination. However, the Stone Arm Ape abruptly changed direction. Instead of fleeing deeper into the forest, it turned and headed straight toward Vincent''s position. Vincent remained motionless. His Phantom Veil was an epic-grade stealth skill, rendering him completely undetectable. However, he hadn''t accounted for one factor: Mochi. He wasn''t certain if his stealth extended to her as well. Before he could verify, the Stone Arm Ape let out a furious roar¡ªnot at him, but directly at Mochi. Mochi, who had been peacefully nibbling on her origin crystal, jolted in surprise. She tightened her grip on Vincent''s hair and cried out in a panic, "Quick! Quick! Run!" But Vincent didn''t budge. Meanwhile, the trio chasing the ape noticed Mochi for the first time. To their astonishment, the plump rabbit seemed to be floating in mid-air, perched invisibly on Vincent''s shoulder. "Senior Brother Jiang, look!" Lu Mengmeng, the short-haired woman, shouted, pointing toward Mochi. Jiang Hao, the senior brother, had already seen the rabbit. His eyes gleamed with greed. He recognized the creature as a Primal Pet, a rarity highly coveted by the wealthy. While these creatures held little value in combat, their rarity and cuteness made them status symbols among noble families. In Jiang Hao''s eyes, Mochi wasn''t just a rabbit¡ªshe was a treasure worth a fortune. Forgetting the Stone Arm Ape entirely, he commanded his junior sisters, "Leave the ape! Don''t let that fat rabbit escape!" "Yes, Senior Brother!" The two women responded in unison, immediately changing course. At that moment, the Stone Arm Ape also shifted its focus. It wasn''t fleeing anymore. Its movements indicated it was targeting Mochi. "Don''t you dare touch my money!" Jiang Hao thought, surging forward with incredible speed to intercept the primal. However, before his blade could strike, a masked figure appeared out of thin air. Jiang Hao froze in shock as he watched Vincent''s arm transform into a stone-like appendage. With a casual motion, Vincent delivered a casual punch to the incoming ape. "That''s it?" Jiang Hao thought, bewildered by the seemingly simple attack. But what happened next left him speechless. A massive shockwave erupted from Vincent''s punch, sending the Stone Arm Ape flying through the air. The force was so immense that it also pushed the trio back, forcing them to shield their eyes from the swirling dust. Bam! Tremble! The Stone Arm Ape crashed heavily onto the ground, causing a faint tremor. When the dust settled, the trio turned their gaze toward the ape''s lifeless body. Its massive head was caved in, and a pool of blood spread beneath it. The beast was dead. "Killed in one shot?!" Jiang Hao and his junior sisters exclaimed, their voices filled with disbelief. On other hand, Vincent, who had shot dead the Stone Arm Ape, heard the system''s confirmation. You have killed a Tier 2 (3¡ï) Stone Arm Ape! You have received +150 experience points! Talent Activated! +1,500,000 experience points! It once again filled his experience bar. However, instead of feeling joy, he frowned beneath his mask. "Why is it only 150 experience points¡­" he wondered. Because it doesn''t make any sense. He killed a Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus which only was a Tier 2 (1¡ï) but it yields him 200 experience points. So, why did he gain fewer experience points when he killed a stronger primal? Thoughts ran through his mind and he could only assume that it was probably connected to what Mochi had told him. Chapter 106 - 106: Sudden Conflict After a moment, he could only accept it. Fortunately, he had his experience multiplier; therefore, he wasn''t greatly affected by it. On the other hand, Mochi, who was gripping his hair, was once again shocked by her master''s strength. Vincent ignored Mochi''s reaction and kept his eyes on the fellow below. What now¡­ What are they gonna do after I kill their prey? Are they gonna follow the stereotype of arrogant encounters, or will they deviate from the script? he quietly thought. At this moment, the trio was still in shock. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. Initially, they were fighting against the Stone Arm Ape, chased it, discovered a floating rabbit, and were soon blasted by the sudden appearance of a powerful individual. The two women, Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing, slowly stared at their Senior Brother, who was also still in shock. "Senior Brother¡­" Lu Mengmeng softly called out, bringing Jiang Hao back to his senses. He shut his gaping mouth, gave his junior sisters a look, and then turned to face Vincent with a serious and cautious expression. Jiang Hao sheathed his sword back into its scabbard, a gesture immediately copied by his junior sisters. He then cupped his hand and slightly bowed his head toward Vincent. "Greetings, Senior." The two girls followed suit. "Greetings, Senior." Vincent, who was on the receiving end, showed no reaction to their greetings. Despite this, Jiang Hao and the two girls were surprisingly not offended. They kept their heads slightly lowered as Jiang Hao''s voice rang once again. "We apologize for disturbing you. We had no idea the rabbit already had an owner." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although his head was lowered, Jiang Hao was still trying to sense Vincent''s strength. However, he could not understand why Vincent was only emitting Peak Tier 1 strength. There''s no way a Tier 1 Origin Warrior could kill a mid-level Tier 2 in a single punch, he thought. It''s probably a special skill to hide his true strength. He recalled hearing from his master that some powerful existences could hide their strength to surprise their opponents. At that moment, his junior sister with a double bun hairstyle suddenly spoke up. "Senior Brother, the beast''s corpse is technically ours, right? We were the ones fighting it, after all. It just fled when it was about to die." What perfect timing to say it! Jiang Hao''s face immediately darkened as he hurriedly pushed her head lower, apologizing profusely. "I apologize for her behavior, Senior. Please forgive her. It''s her first time in the outside world. Please don''t mind her. The ape''s corpse is all yours." After saying this, he shot a glance at Fu Xingxing, who was about to open her mouth again. Meanwhile, as Vincent quietly observed them, Mochi''s voice rang in his mind. "These people have an aura of death around them¡­" Vincent frowned beneath his mask and turned his head, looking at Mochi. He asked, "Are you saying they are also going to die?" However, Mochi did not respond. No, he did not need her answer. Once Mochi said something, he knew it was the truth. Still, he felt slightly uncomfortable. Again? he thought. He encountered people who were going to die, again! And not just one, but all three of them. As he was about to wonder if he might be the cause of their deaths, his expression suddenly changed as though he finally understood the reason. Soon, a group of five figures, fully clad in black clothes that concealed their appearances, suddenly appeared and surrounded Jiang Hao and the others. They were all Peak Tier 1 Origin Warriors. The trio was caught off guard for a moment but quickly reacted, drawing their weapons and preparing to fight. "Who are you?!" Jiang Hao exclaimed cautiously. He knew his question would not change the situation, but he simply had no choice. He had to act quickly. They were surrounded, and from the looks of these people, their intentions were far from good. As expected, the black-clad figures did not utter a single word. They simply pointed their weapons at the trio and maintained their positions. At this moment, another presence arrived, slightly delayed. "Hehe, after playing hide and seek for a few years, I finally caught you, Jiang Hao!" The voice was very familiar to Jiang Hao. He turned to face its owner and immediately recognized the person standing before him. The newcomer appeared to be about the same age as Jiang Hao, in his early 20s. He wore a purple martial robe, matching the color of his long, silky hair tied in a ponytail. It was Zhang Chen, a Tier 2 Origin Warrior and a member of their rival sect, the Purple Moonlight Sect. Behind him stood an old man with long white hair, dressed in a darker-shaded purple robe. Jiang Hao could feel an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from him. He did not recognize the old man, but it was clear that he was significantly stronger than anyone present. Jiang Hao faced Zhang Chen and said, "What are you doing, Zhang Chen? Are you still unable to move on from your loss to me?" It was the only explanation Jiang Hao could think of. Zhang Chen was the grandson of an Elder from the Purple Moonlight Sect. During the last Sect Cross Tournament, Jiang Hao had defeated him soundly. Since then, Zhang Chen had relentlessly pursued him under the guise of revenge. Every time, Jiang Hao had managed to escape death by a narrow margin. However, this time, running away seemed far less likely. With his junior sisters to protect and the old man behind Zhang Chen, the odds were stacked against him. The mention of his humiliating defeat caused Zhang Chen''s face to darken momentarily before he quickly recovered, his expression smug. "Hehe, it seems you still can''t see your situation, Jiang Hao. You''re in my hands now. I can finally erase the humiliation I suffered because of you!" At this moment, Fu Xingxing could no longer hold back her thoughts. She glanced at her Senior Brother and spoke confidently. "Senior Brother, this guy is talking too much. Let''s beat him!" Her loud, unwavering tone conveyed her absolute belief in her Senior Brother''s invincibility. No matter who or what stood before them, she was confident he would emerge victorious. However, despite her words, Jiang Hao did not respond. When she turned to look at him, she saw his dark expression fixed on the old man behind Zhang Chen. "Senior Brother¡­" she called softly, but Jiang Hao ignored her. In response to her defiance, Zhang Chen turned his attention to Fu Xingxing, an arrogant smile spreading across his face. "Hoh¡­ You actually brought two pretty girls with you. Are you three on a date?" Jiang Hao ignored the taunt and said, "Are you truly so adamant about revenge? Do you think our Mystic Light Sect will stand idly by if they find out about this?" Hearing his words, Fu Xingxing seemed emboldened. She followed up, "Hmph! You ugly toad! If you dare lay a hand on my Senior Brother, my Grandpa won''t let you go!" Amused by her confidence, Zhang Chen raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh? Who''s your grandfather?" "My grandfather''s name is Fu Gao! He''s an Elder of the Mystic Light Sect!" she declared proudly, expecting the revelation to intimidate Zhang Chen and his group. Contrary to her expectations, Zhang Chen burst into laughter. His voice echoed through the mountain forest. "Haha! I thought you were from a super sect. Woman, I''m also the grandson of an Elder. Do you think I''d be scared of your grandfather?" His words stunned Fu Xingxing into silence. Zhang Chen smirked and continued, "Come to my side. If you two are willing to serve me, I might spare your lives. Perhaps I''ll even make you my concubines." He licked his lips maliciously. Seeing this, Jiang Hao''s fury boiled over. "Don''t you dare have any dirty thoughts about my junior sisters, or I''ll make sure to cripple you this time!" Zhang Chen''s smug expression twisted into a glare. "Too late. You should''ve done that earlier." He signaled to the black-clad men. "Kill Jiang Hao and capture the women." The five figures nodded in acknowledgment. As they moved in, Jiang Hao shouted, "Close your eyes!" Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing hesitated briefly but quickly complied. Jiang Hao''s blade began to buzz, and moments later, a blinding white light burst forth, catching Zhang Chen and his men off guard. "Argh! My eyes!" "Damn it!" "It hurts!" As cries of pain erupted, Jiang Hao seized the opportunity. He grabbed Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing by the arms and started to run. "Senior Brother?!" they exclaimed in confusion. "Stop talking. Let''s run!" he interrupted urgently. By the time Zhang Chen regained his vision, Jiang Hao and his group were already disappearing into the distance. "Damn it!" Zhang Chen roared, kicking one of his men to his feet. "Get up! Chase them! If you let them escape, you''ll face punishment!" The black-clad men, their eyes still red, scrambled to their feet and began the pursuit. Zhang Chen followed closely behind. Meanwhile, the old man behind him did not immediately follow. Zhang Chen simply glanced at the old man and did not force him. He had no complete information about the old man, he was only sent by his Grandfather to protect him but he had no authority to order the old man around. Hence, he simply ignored him. At this moment, the old man was staring obviously in Vincent''s direction. Chapter 107 - 107: Me Again? At this moment, the old man was staring intently in Vincent''s direction. Vincent, who had been a complete bystander during the sudden situation, felt the sharp gaze of the old man. He remained in his position, waiting for the old man to speak. "Are you just gonna let them die?" the old man spoke in a hoarse voice. Vincent raised his brows upon hearing the question. ''He probably thought I was with them,'' he thought. Hence, he answered, "I''m not with them." The old man did not respond and kept his eyes on him. Both of them remained silent for a moment. Vincent finally broke the silence. "If you don''t have any questions, I''ll be leaving then," he said as he was about to turn around, but the old man''s voice halted him. "You may leave, but leave the fat rabbit behind." Vincent and Mochi wore the same stunned expression. "You again?" "Me again?" Vincent couldn''t help but wonder what they found in Mochi¡ªwhy all of them wanted her. Even Mochi was confused about why she was attracting so much attention. "Do you have something you''re hiding from me?" he asked as he observed her. However, Mochi simply gave him a genuinely clueless expression. He then shifted his attention back to the old man. "You want her?" The old man did not respond, but his expression said it all. He wanted him to leave Mochi behind. Vincent smirked and said, "If you want her, you can try to convince her. If you manage to convince her, then I''ll let you have her." His words made Mochi furious. She began pulling Vincent''s hair. "What are you doing? Are you giving me away?! Huh?!" she yelled, clearly upset, but her voice grew softer as her eyes began to water. "I-I thought you said y-you wouldn''t throw me away¡­" Hearing her voice, Vincent realized he had made a mistake. Just as he was about to explain that he was only joking, the old man''s voice interrupted. "Come and be my pet, fat rabbit. I have a lot of good stuff with me." As he said this, he revealed several fruits in his hands that emitted a thick aura of Origin Energy. The moment Mochi sensed it, her sadness was immediately washed away. Her ears perked up, and her saliva began to drool. Vincent was dumbfounded by her sudden change in reaction. From sadness to greed in the blink of an eye. He could only wryly shake his head in slight annoyance, but he kept silent and watched as the old man attempted to convince Mochi to be his pet. The old man noticed his actions had an effect. He couldn''t help but reveal a subtle smile as he reached out his hand holding the vibrant fruits. "Come, be my pet, and these are all yours." Mochi stared greedily at the fruits in the old man''s hand. Her eyes darted between Vincent and the old man¡ªor, more accurately, the fruits¡ªas though she was considering it. To Vincent''s surprise, Mochi hopped off his shoulder and jumped toward the old man. "You¡ª" he was at a loss for words. The old man happily caught Mochi as she landed in his hand. He let out a soft chuckle, clearly satisfied. However, before he could savor the moment, the fat black rabbit suddenly disappeared, taking the Origin Fruits with her. His mouth hung open as he slowly shifted his gaze back to Vincent. There, he found the fat black rabbit already back in her usual spot on Vincent''s shoulder, hugging the Origin Fruits. Now, it was the old man''s turn to be speechless. Pointing a trembling finger, he stuttered, "Y-You¡­" Mochi paid no attention to the old man''s reaction and quickly devoured an Origin Fruit in one bite. Vincent was stunned for a moment before wryly smiling at Mochi''s actions. This kid really had her way of cheating people. The old man''s expression was quite the performance. His joy turned to shock, then to anger. A heavy pressure began to radiate from his body. "To think I got cheated by a Primal at this age. I must have gone senile¡­" the old man muttered self-deprecatingly, lowering his head slightly. Vincent furrowed his brows as he sensed the old man''s strength. Xu Zheng, Tier 2 (5¡ï) The old man¡ªXu Zheng¡ªbegan to release a soft wave of purple aura. Then, Xu Zheng snapped his head up and glared at him, his lips curling into a malicious smile before his figure vanished, reappearing in front of Vincent. His hands, claw-like and surrounded by a purple hue, slashed toward Vincent''s face. However, his smile faded immediately as his claws struck nothing but air. Vincent''s afterimage vanished. Xu Zheng quickly scanned his surroundings, only to find Vincent and the fat black rabbit in his previous position, staring at him with nonchalant expressions. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This infuriated him. "I guess I''m not the only one at this age with strange hobbies," Xu Zheng sneered. He assumed Vincent was his age, disguised as a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. It was the only explanation. After all, it didn''t make sense for a Tier 1 to evade his sudden attack. Although he hadn''t gone all out, his speed was far too great for a normal Tier 1 Origin Warrior to handle. Without hesitation, Xu Zheng rushed at Vincent again, aiming to rip away his mask. But this time, as Xu Zheng appeared before him, Vincent didn''t dodge. This would be his first time fighting a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior since upgrading his stats. It was true he had killed a Tier 3 Primal, the Howling Spire Lord, but that had been more of a sneak attack. He hadn''t exchanged blows with it directly. So, he decided to meet Xu Zheng''s strike head-on with his own strength. Bam! Vincent''s fist collided with Xu Zheng''s claw strike, creating a deafening sound and sending a shockwave that blasted the nearest trees. Vincent remained firmly rooted in his position, while Xu Zheng was forced back several steps, shock evident in his eyes as he felt his numbed arm. In that single exchange, Xu Zheng could already tell¡ªVincent''s physique was stronger than his own. Chapter 108 - 108: Fighting Xu Zheng In their first exchange, Xu Zheng already sensed it¡ªVincent''s physique was stronger. He had clearly been at a disadvantage. Yet, Xu Zheng wasn''t someone who discouraged easily. It had been a long time since he faced someone of equal or superior strength. Instead of retreating, a malicious grin spread across his face as his arms began to emit a deeper, more ominous shade of purple. "State your name! I don''t fight nameless people!" Xu Zheng demanded, his voice calm but dripping with killing intent. Vincent, however, ignored him entirely. Instead, his gaze shifted to Mochi, perched on his shoulder, contentedly munching on the origin fruit she had stolen from Xu Zheng. "All you do is eat. Go sit in the corner," Vincent said, his expression helpless. It wasn''t that he couldn''t fight with Mochi on his shoulder, but she was eating, and he didn''t want to disturb her. Still chewing on the round yellow fruit, Mochi glanced up at him lazily. "Hmm, okay. Take your time. Those kids will probably die..." she said casually, then hopped onto a tree branch and resumed eating. Vincent showed no reaction to her words. He wasn''t a hero. Those people meant nothing to him, and he had no interest in them. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The world was cruel. Somewhere, someone was always dying¡ªit was normal. At this moment, his focus remained solely on himself and those he cared about. Setting aside the thought, he turned back to Xu Zheng, who now wore a dark expression after being ignored. Xu Zheng chuckled darkly. "Haha. So be it. It seems I, Xu Zheng, am being underestimated! In that case, I''ll make sure you remember me even in your next life!" In an instant, Xu Zheng''s figure disappeared, reappearing behind Vincent. Yet Vincent remained motionless. Xu Zheng vanished again, flickering to his left, then his right, repeatedly shifting positions without making a move. "What''s wrong? Frozen in fear?" Xu Zheng mocked, his voice coming from behind Vincent. "Or are you regretting offending me?" he taunted, his voice now echoing from another direction. His provocations continued, his confidence building as Vincent remained as still as a statue, not uttering a word or reacting in the slightest. Xu Zheng''s frustration began to boil. With a purple flash, Xu Zheng appeared on Vincent''s right side, his fingers in a claw motion, aiming to strike his neck. However, when his fingers were only a few inches away from Vincent''s neck, Xu Zheng once again disappeared and reappeared on his left side with a huge grin and killing intent in his eyes. "Die, arrogant bitch!" Xu Zheng exclaimed as he slashed his claws towards Vincent''s mask. He had been wanting to know the person behind the mask. However, before his claws could land on Vincent''s mask, he saw Vincent''s purple eyes shifted, locking onto him.. Xu Zheng''s eyes widened. ''He can follow my speed?!'' he thought, retreating in alarm. But before he could celebrate his evasion, Vincent exploded forward with blinding speed, appearing before him. "Where are you going? I''ve been patiently waiting for you to attack, but now you''re only going to run away?" Vincent''s voice was like a reaper in the dark, startling Xu Zheng as Grabbing Xu Zheng''s collar, Vincent spun him forcefully before slamming him into the ground with a deafening impact. Bang! "Argh!" The heavy sound of impact echoed as Xu Zheng cried out in pain, his body bouncing off the ground before rolling to safety. Clutching his back, he glared at Vincent with hatred but didn''t rush forward again. He wasn''t stupid. Initially, he believed Vincent''s strength matched his own. Now, he understood the gap between them was far larger. To charge recklessly would be suicide. But Vincent wasn''t about to give him the chance to strategize. Switching to offense, Vincent rushed forward. "Stop running. You were talking a lot before. Show me your confidence!" His jab struck toward Xu Zheng''s chest, forcing the old man to retreat. Although the punch only grazed him, the sheer force caused Xu Zheng to stumble back, coughing violently. Cough! Cough! Xu Zheng winced, clutching his chest. His ribs felt as though they''d shattered despite the punch barely making contact. It was then he started to realize he had made a huge mistake. He had provoked someone far beyond his league. Yet, his pride wouldn''t let him bow. Instead, frustration and hatred swelled in him. ''I want him dead!'' At this moment, Vincent had no idea what was running through Xu Zheng''s mind. Well, even if he knew, he wouldn''t care! He slowly approached the old man clutching his chest. "You talk so much, but you''re actually so weak," he said in a disappointed tone, which further displeased his opponent. "You just caught me by surprise. We still don''t know who''s going to die!" Xu Zheng retorted, stubbornly refusing to be humiliated. He then took out a recovery potion and drank it in a single gulp. Despite seeing this, Vincent didn''t stop him. He was here to test his strength and gain battle experience, after all. He had been intentionally provoking Xu Zheng, but the old man was overly cautious. When he saw the old man had already recovered, Vincent said, "Are you done taking your vitamins, old man?" His words were effective, as Xu Zheng''s expression turned furious. "Old man? At least I''m not as shameful as you. Hiding behind a mask and acting like a youth!" Xu Zheng still believed Vincent was an old person as well. While still wearing a furious expression, Xu Zheng suddenly waved his right hand. It was followed by a flash of purple light that materialized into a 150-centimeter-long deep-purple blade with an 8-inch thickness. "I had no plans to use this against you¡­ but I changed my mind. You will be my first sacrifice to my new armament¡­ Fiend Blade!" It was a rare-grade Tier 2 armament that he had bought using all his savings! He had been keeping it a secret, planning to use it in the next sect battle, but he hadn''t expected to encounter such a strong individual. He had no choice but to fight with all his strength. Fortunately, no one was around. Thus, he could use his armament to his heart''s content. The moment he summoned his Fiend Blade, he could no longer hide his excitement. "Haha! You wanted to see my real strength? As my first sacrifice, I''ll grant your wish!" With a huge grin across his face, Xu Zheng took a stance and closed his eyes for a second before snapping them open as his aura burst, releasing a heavy pressure. His Fiend Blade began to emit a purple hue as he locked his gaze on Vincent. He then dashed straight at him and slashed his blade forward. "Purple Moonlight ¡ª Five Moonlight Shadowstrike!" Despite it being early in the morning, Vincent could vividly witness an aura of the moon, shadows, and sharpness bursting forth as Xu Zheng began slashing at him. "First Strike¡ªShadow Slash!" The moment Xu Zheng''s blade slashed, the light reflected on it, turning it invisible to the physical eye. "Die!" Xu Zheng exclaimed. Despite the blade turning invisible, Vincent didn''t panic. With a slight movement, Xu Zheng''s blade missed his body by a small margin, but it still brought a strong gust of wind and left a deep scar on the ground. Taking this chance, Vincent counterattacked by punching towards Xu Zheng''s abdomen. However, Xu Zheng immediately reacted. Taking a single step back and raising his Fiend Blade, he easily blocked Vincent''s fist. Even so, Vincent didn''t retreat and threw more punches at him. However, all of them were blocked effortlessly by Xu Zheng''s blade as though he predicted every action. "Second Strike¡ªMoonlight Parry!" Vincent slightly frowned. He was just starting to realize the foundation of martial sects. A martial sect''s foundation was no weaker compared to modern-day guilds and organizations. Although all Xu Zheng had done was parry his punches, Vincent felt his fists burning. When he looked at his hand, he saw purple steam marks left by Xu Zheng''s blade. He recognized it immediately. Poison. The Fiend Blade had a poisonous effect. Fortunately, Vincent''s current toxic and poison resistance was high. Therefore, the burning sensation quickly disappeared. He smirked as he saw this. He really enjoyed the feeling of a challenge. However, it wasn''t enough! It wasn''t satisfying enough. Thus, he once again provoked the old man, "That''s all? Isn''t your sect a little trashy?" Chapter 109 - 109: Right, You Should Do That Too! "That''s all? Isn''t your sect''s skill a little trashy?" Vincent''s words immediately darkened Xu Zheng''s expression. It was one thing for him to be insulted, but it was entirely different if his sect was insulted. He had to defend the honor and name of his sect. No one was allowed to insult his sect to his face. Therefore, he increased the intensity of his attack. "Third strike¡ªLunar Lunge!" Xu Zheng burst forth with speed as he lunged his glowing blade forward. "Die!" Xu Zheng cried. However, even with the sudden burst of speed from Xu Zheng, it was still slow in Vincent''s eyes. Therefore, he calmly responded, "No." Then, instead of dodging, he clenched his fist and activated his skill Stoneheart Gauntlet. His arms were immediately encased in silver-colored stone. With a stoic expression, he punched Xu Zheng''s blade. Bang! A deafening sound erupted as Vincent''s arms subtly trembled, while Xu Zheng was forced to retreat several meters upon impact. Vincent was quite satisfied with his physical strength. With his epic-grade skill Stoneheart Gauntlet and Sterling Silver Body, his force attribute was greatly enhanced, allowing him to withstand even a rare-grade Tier 2 armament without difficulty. The reaction was quite the opposite for Xu Zheng. His expression turned ugly at the result. His curiosity about Vincent''s identity grew immensely, but so did his concern. "That''s impossible! There''s no way he can withstand my armament with just his physical skill!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xu Zheng exclaimed in his mind before once again dashing at Vincent with bloodshot eyes. "There''s no way you can defeat me with just a physical skill! You will die under my armament! Die!" "Fourth strike¡ªCrescent Strike!" A purple crescent energy flashed out of his blade as he bellowed, "I''m not done yet! Taste my armament''s special skill Fiend''s Fury!" The initial purple crescent energy quickly transformed into a shade of crimson and expanded to a three-meter span horizontally. It flew toward Vincent with greater speed. With a thought, he activated the third sub-skill of Stoneheart Gauntlet¡ªEarth''s Resilience. His entire upper torso was immediately covered in a dense rock of silver-stone armor. He didn''t stop there. He shielded himself with both arms and activated the second sub-skill of Stoneheart Gauntlet¡ªStoneheart Guard. Immediately, a dense, two-meter tall, two-meter wide stone shield materialized in front of him. Everything happened within moments. By the time Xu Zheng''s sword skill arrived, Vincent had already prepared himself. Hence, the crescent crimson energy landed harmlessly on the thick stone shield. Bang! Another loud sound echoed upon impact, sending shockwaves through the mountain forest. When everything subsided, Xu Zheng''s attack had failed to leave even a scratch on the stone shield. Needless to say, Vincent''s physique and skill were far superior to Xu Zheng''s. There was no need to mention his current force points; while Xu Zheng''s armament was rare-grade, Vincent''s Stoneheart Gauntlet skill was epic-grade. There was no comparison between the two. Therefore, it was no surprise to Vincent when he saw the result. However, for Xu Zheng, it was a different matter. Oblivious to Vincent''s force points and skill grade, Xu Zheng was unable to hide his shock. But before he could voice his disbelief, Vincent''s voice cut through the air. "Weak." One word was enough to shatter Xu Zheng''s confidence. He had one final move, but he doubted it would be enough to defeat Vincent. Just as he hesitated, his phone rang. Though still focused on Vincent, he quickly took it out and answered the call without checking the caller ID. Before he could even ask who it was, Zhang Chen''s furious voice bellowed from the other end. "Where are you right now?! Isn''t it your job to protect me?! I need you now!" Instead of being displeased, Xu Zheng''s expression brightened. However, he maintained an irritated fa?ade. "Don''t contact me unless it''s urgent. If it is, then just use the Moonlight Summon." Zhang Chen''s furious voice rang again, "Damn it! Do you expect me to use my precious item?!" "Then don''t use it." Xu Zheng maintained his calm and composed tone, though he silently hoped Zhang Chen would. He wanted an excuse to leave Vincent''s presence. On the other end, Zhang Chen cursed vehemently. "Damn it!" Taking out a deep blue crystal from his storage ring, Zhang Chen hesitated momentarily before finally activating it. Meanwhile, Xu Zheng pocketed his phone and feigned composure. "You done?" Vincent asked nonchalantly. Xu Zheng grinned. "Heh, you''re indeed strong." Acting as though the conversation with Zhang Chen had not happened, he continued, "But you won''t survive my next strike. Prepare yourself!" Xu Zheng took a stance, his blade beginning to emit waves of purple energy and immense pressure. "Fifth strike¡ªFarewell! Haha!" Instead of releasing a powerful attack, Xu Zheng burst out laughing when he felt a tug on the connection to his mind. Slowly, his figure dissolved into smoke. "You might win today, but this isn''t the end! I''ll kill you the next time we meet!" Xu Zheng vanished. Mochi, who had been peacefully eating and watching the battle, was speechless. "He ran?" she muttered before resuming her snack. Vincent made no move to stop Xu Zheng, assuming it would be futile after noticing the shift in his confidence. However, he wasn''t one to let his enemies grow stronger unopposed. Closing his eyes, he spread his mental perception. Ten kilometers... Twenty... Fifty¡­ Finally, nearly a mile away, he located Xu Zheng''s presence. "Found you," he muttered, snapping his eyes open. Without a word, he grabbed Mochi, who was startled, and placed her on his shoulder. "Hold on tight; we''re running." Before she could react, he activated his One-Step Shift movement skill. Almost a mile away, Xu Zheng reappeared beside Zhang Chen, who bore several wounds. Xu Zheng frowned after scanning the surroundings. Lifeless black-clothed corpses littered the area, while Jiang Hao''s group stood in front of them, visibly injured but in better condition than Zhang Chen. Xu Zheng''s appearance brightened Zhang Chen''s ugly expression, though his tone remained accusatory. "Finally! Go deal with him for me, or I''ll tell Grandfather you let me end up like this!" On an ordinary day, Xu Zheng would have been displeased with Zhang Chen''s attitude. However, today he chose to let it slide¡ªafter all, Zhang Chen had inadvertently saved his life from Vincent. On the opposing side, Jiang Hao''s face darkened at Xu Zheng''s arrival. He had been one step away from killing Zhang Chen, and now this elder appeared out of nowhere. Lu Mengmeng''s worried voice called from behind, "Senior Brother, what do we do now?" Jiang Hao didn''t answer. Even if he had a plan, his group was already drained from their fight against Zhang Chen and his men. Xu Zheng sneered. "I''m in a bad mood, and you kids just made it worse. Why don''t you accept your deaths gracefully?" Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Right, why don''t you do that too?" Xu Zheng froze in terror, mechanically turning toward the voice. The demonic figure he feared most stared back, predatory eyes locked on him. "H-How¡­" Chapter 110 - 110: Killing Zhang Chen "Right, why don''t you do that too?" Xu Zheng froze in terror, mechanically turning toward the voice. The demonic figure he feared most stared back, predatory eyes locked on him. "H-How¡­" He could not understand how Vincent had appeared in front of him. Zhang Chen had used a precious Moonlight Summon to call him instantly from a mile away. Moonlight Summon was a rare talisman crafted by a spatial talent holder. To use it, one had to bind the person''s origin energy they wanted summoned. It could instantly summon someone from up to 100 miles away. It was a one-time-use item, difficult to craft and incredibly expensive, reserved for life-or-death situations. Xu Zheng''s emotions were in turmoil. He thought he had managed to escape Vincent''s presence, only to be dragged back to hell. At this moment, Zhang Chen had no idea about Xu Zheng''s thoughts or Vincent''s identity. He was still fuming over Jiang Hao and eager to kill his most hated enemy. But the intrusion of a nobody further stoked his rage. "Who the hell are you?!" he bellowed. When Zhang Chen yelled at Vincent, Xu Zheng''s face morphed into an expression of dread. ''What the fuck are you doing? Are you trying to kill both of us?!'' he wanted to shout at Zhang Chen but couldn''t. He was frozen under the weight of Vincent''s piercing, deep-purple gaze. Jiang Hao''s group was equally stunned by Vincent''s sudden arrival. Though confused, their instincts screamed danger. Glancing at one another, they silently prepared to flee when the opportunity arose. Meanwhile, Zhang Chen''s face turned red with shame. Vincent''s obvious disregard for him was intolerable. Clenching his teeth in fury, he approached, his heavy steps echoing his anger. "Are you deaf, or are you intentionally ignoring me? Hey!" Frustrated, Zhang Chen reached for Vincent''s collar. As Zhang Chen grabbed his collar, Xu Zheng and Jiang Hao''s group gasped, their expressions filled with astonishment. Xu Zheng tried to intervene, but it was too late. Vincent''s cold voice cut through the air: "Let go." The two words were simple, clipped, and cold¡ªyet their weight felt like thunder in the quiet of the standoff. Scoffing, Zhang Chen sneered down at him. "Too arrogant for your own good. Let me teach you what happens to overconfident insects who don''t know their place in the hierarchy." But the lesson didn''t unfold as Zhang Chen anticipated. Before he could react, a surge of force exploded outward from Vincent, striking Zhang Chen squarely in the chest. The blow was precise, not just powerful but impossibly fast¡ªso fast Zhang Chen barely registered the attack before his body hurtled through the air. Bam! Zhang Chen''s form crumpled to the ground in a heap, dust billowing where he landed. A strangled groan escaped his lips, blood spraying from his mouth in an arc. For a moment, silence blanketed the scene¡ªa fragile calm that seemed to draw out endlessly. Then, Xu Zheng''s panicked voice shattered the stillness. "Zhang Chen!" Rushing forward instinctively, Xu Zheng faltered as his gaze clashed once again with Vincent''s. Those deep, unrelenting purple eyes pinned him to the spot. His fear returned tenfold, leaving him paralyzed by the overwhelming pressure Vincent exuded. Panic flooded Xu Zheng''s mind. He knew Zhang Chen''s condition was dire, and if the situation worsened, the Purple Moonlight Sect might not kill him outright, but severe punishment was guaranteed. Still, Vincent''s presence was an unyielding storm, leaving Xu Zheng without a feasible solution. Meanwhile, Vincent calmly began to approach Zhang Chen, who struggled pitifully to lift himself from the ground. "Stop right there!" Xu Zheng called out desperately. "Don''t go any further! You don''t understand who you''re messing with! If you kill him, the entire Purple Moonlight Sect will hunt you down to the ends of the earth!" Vincent paused, giving Xu Zheng a fleeting hope that his warning had worked. Encouraged, he pressed on arrogantly. "That''s right. Even if you''re strong, you''re just one man. You can''t possibly stand against an entire sect!" However, Zhang Chen stirred from where he lay, still coughing blood. His body trembled violently, a mixture of pain and pure, unrelenting hatred. "Shut up, old man," he spat hoarsely. "Kill him! That''s an order! And if you ignore me again, I''ll make sure it''s the last thing you ever do!" His voice trembled with rage. Xu Zheng''s face darkened. Internally, he cursed Zhang Chen for dragging them into this mess. If he''d just stayed in the sect instead of chasing Jiang Hao, none of this would''ve happened. Still, Xu Zheng dared not openly oppose Zhang Chen''s orders; the repercussions from Zhang Chen''s grandfather would be far worse than Vincent''s fury. "Let us go, and we''ll forget everything that happened today," Xu Zheng bargained, his tone less commanding and more pleading. "What the hell are you talking about, old ma¡ª" Zhang Chen''s words ended abruptly. Vincent reappeared beside him, and with a silver-encased fist, drove a brutal punch into Zhang Chen''s abdomen. "Urgh!" Zhang Chen fell to his knees, vomiting violently. "You talk too much," Vincent muttered. "I have no time to waste with you. I still have monkeys to find¡­" Grabbing Zhang Chen by the head, Vincent smashed it into the earth with terrifying force. The sound of impact thundered across the area. The earth quaked from the impact. "Let him go!" Xu Zheng yelled frantically, surging forward. But Vincent was unmoved. The next impact cracked the ground beneath them. Bang! The tremors intensified. "Phantom Moonlight Slash!" Xu Zheng roared, unleashing a glowing arc of purple energy. It flew straight toward Vincent, whose response was chillingly swift. Pulling Zhang Chen''s body like a shield, Vincent blocked the attack effortlessly. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No! Don''t!" Xu Zheng screamed, his voice breaking in horror. The attack landed, and the horrifying sound of cleaved flesh split the air. Blood splattered everywhere. Zhang Chen''s lifeless body slumped, leaving an eerie stillness in the air. Thud! Zhang Chen''s corpse fell with a thud on the ground as Vincent heard the system''s notification. You have successfully assisted to kill Zhang Chen ¡ª Tier 2(1¡ï)! Chapter 111 - 111: Crippling Xu Zheng! The dull thud of Zhang Chen''s lifeless body echoed as it hit the ground. Vincent''s expression remained impassive, but the monotony was broken by the system''s unfeeling notification ringing in his ears. You have successfully assisted in killing Zhang Chen ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï)! You have received +100 Experience Points! You have recovered +100 Primal Energy! Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Experience Points! You have fully restored your Primal Energy! Each line of notification felt both distant and mechanical to Vincent, as if they didn''t fully register in his mind. His eyes lingered on Zhang Chen''s lifeless form¡ªblood pooling, limbs sprawled unnaturally. Though indirect, this was the first time Vincent had caused someone''s death. A real death! This wasn''t like the Origin World, where one could still respawn once dead. This was real. Zhang Chen wouldn''t respawn. His existence had been erased. Forever. For Vincent, the weight of the realization struck with unexpected subtlety. A part of him had anticipated guilt or regret¡ªa flood of emotion from taking a life. Yet, as he stood motionless, an eerie calmness blanketed him instead. There was no shame, no pang of remorse in his chest. "It''s as if my common sense has been¡­ twisted," he muttered internally, fingers twitching in slight unease. Origin World had changed him, warped his morality. The detachment he felt now was unnerving. And that revelation scared him. What frightened him most was not that he killed someone, but the possibility that someday he might lose all semblance of humanity. Would there come a day when even hurting someone precious to him evoked no feelings at all? Was he destined to become a soulless machine of destruction, a creature indifferent to the suffering it caused? "I won''t let that happen," he vowed silently, his hands curling into fists. "I can''t become that¡­" Before despair could overtake him, a soothing, melodious voice resonated in his mind, breaking the tension. "It''s fine. You''ll be fine," Mochi assured him. Vincent blinked, staring at his faithful companion. The tiny creature''s calm tone acted like a lifeline, pulling him out of his spiraling thoughts. It was as though she could hear the storm in his heart. He wanted to ask her how she always knew. Instead, he exhaled deeply, letting go of the tension in his body. "This is the path I''ve chosen," he reminded himself resolutely. His gaze hardened with determination. "I''ll do whatever it takes to become the strongest." The moment of introspection was fleeting. Vincent''s sharp eyes now turned toward Xu Zheng, who stood frozen in shock and disbelief. "Y-You¡­ you really killed him?" Xu Zheng stammered, his voice quaking with fear. "No. You killed him," Vincent corrected, his tone unnervingly steady. Xu Zheng''s face twisted with desperation as he vehemently shook his head. "No! Don''t pin this on me! You used him as a meat shield! You''re the one who got him killed! Argh! Damn it!" The reality of Zhang Chen''s death was sinking in, and with it, a wave of panic surged through Xu Zheng''s mind. Zhang Chen''s grandfather¡ªa powerful and vengeful elder¡ªwould undoubtedly blame him. Xu Zheng''s own life now hung by a thread. He needed a scapegoat. Xu Zheng''s gaze flitted wildly until it landed on Jiang Hao and his group. A sinister idea sparked in his mind, lighting up his expression like a glimmer of hope in the dark. Jiang Hao and his two junior sisters, Fu Xingxing and Lu Mengmeng, flinched as Xu Zheng''s predatory gaze fell upon them. Before they could react, Xu Zheng''s figure blurred into motion. In a flash, he appeared behind Fu Xingxing and Lu Mengmeng, gripping their delicate necks in his vice-like hands. "Arghh!" "Hmmph!" Their strangled cries sent a jolt of panic through Jiang Hao. "Xingxing! Mengmeng!" he shouted, his face twisting in rage as his fists clenched. "Let them go, you bastard!" Xu Zheng sneered, tightening his grip. "Don''t move! If any of you try anything, I''ll kill them!" His eyes darted to Vincent, radiating warning and intent. Xu Zheng gambled on Vincent''s possible morality, assuming the masked figure wouldn''t dare endanger innocents. Unfortunately for him, Vincent wasn''t the righteous type Xu Zheng was counting on. Vincent''s nonchalant demeanor remained unshaken as he began walking forward, each step deliberate. Xu Zheng''s grip tightened reflexively, causing the two women to whimper and struggle for breath. Their eyes widened in terror as they kicked helplessly in the air. "I said don''t move! I mean it¡ªI''ll kill them!" Xu Zheng''s voice was shrill, panic creeping in as Vincent ignored his threats. From his position, Jiang Hao felt despair clawing at him. "Please!" he yelled at Vincent. "Don''t move, Senior! You''re going to get my junior sisters killed!" Despite his protest, Vincent didn''t stop. Desperation etched itself across Lu Mengmeng''s pale face. Through her labored breaths, she choked out, "S-Senior Brother¡­ d-don''t mind us. P-Please, escape¡­" "No!" Jiang Hao''s voice cracked as he shouted. "I''m not going to leave both of you!" The determination in Jiang Hao''s words made Vincent pause for a brief moment. Xu Zheng noticed and seized the opportunity to press further. "That''s right," Xu Zheng jeered, smirking smugly. "If you listen to me, they''ll live." Jiang Hao''s jaw tightened as he weighed his options. There wasn''t much choice. Steeling himself, he offered a grim compromise. "Let them go, old man," he said in a low, trembling voice. "You''re after me, right? Take me instead, but let them go!" Xu Zheng raised an eyebrow, feigning thoughtfulness. In truth, he was already scheming. If he captured all three of them, he might have something valuable to bargain with. But first, he needed to manipulate Jiang Hao further. "I''ll consider it," Xu Zheng lied smoothly. "But only if you seal your origin core. Do that, and I''ll let your girlfriends go." Jiang Hao hesitated, his heart warring against his pride and survival instinct. His junior sisters gasped and squirmed weakly in Xu Zheng''s grip, their lives slipping away with every second. Clenching his teeth, he finally nodded. "I''ll do it," he muttered, his voice laden with sorrow. "Just¡­ let them go." A victorious grin stretched across Xu Zheng''s face. "Good boy. Do as I say¡­" But just as he was about to savor his triumph, a violent gust of wind erupted around him. His body lifted off the ground as a powerful force slammed into his chest, sending him hurtling backward. His grip on Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing faltered, releasing them as he crashed heavily into the ground dozens of meters away. Jiang Hao''s breath hitched in his throat as he stared at the masked figure now holding his junior sisters safely in his arms. "Senior¡­" he whispered, awe and relief mingling in his voice. Vincent set the two girls down gently, his eyes not even glancing back at them as he approached Xu Zheng. The older man groaned, coughing up blood as his body ached from the impact. Before Xu Zheng could gather his wits, Vincent appeared beside him, moving with almost unnatural speed. Xu Zheng''s trembling gaze met Vincent''s piercing eyes before he felt a claw-like grip tighten around his neck. "Urgh¡­ L-Let me go!" Xu Zheng rasped, but his demands fell on deaf ears. Vincent''s origin energy coursed through his palm as he thrust his hand forward, piercing through Xu Zheng''s abdomen. Crack! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sound of the shattered origin core rang loud in the silent battlefield. "Y-You destroyed my origin core¡­" Xu Zheng stammered, his voice filled with despair. With his life force rapidly depleting, wrinkles etched themselves into his face as he visibly aged. Vincent, unbothered, tossed the broken man aside like discarded trash. He did not immediately kill him; instead, he retrieved the remaining Life Fruit to upgrade it to an epic grade. Earlier, he had used the experience points gained from killing the Stone Arm Ape to upgrade one of the Life Fruits. Now he used the experience points gained from Zhang Chen''s death. Chapter 112 - 112: Zhang Ku After upgrading the last Life Fruit to Life Essence, Vincent shifted his attention to Jiang Hao''s group. Although he had made the decision to save the girls in Xu Zheng''s grasp, they were still witnesses to him killing Zhang Chen and crippling Xu Zheng. There was no way that he could entirely trust them to keep this incident a secret. His intuition screamed at him that witnesses were liabilities Surprisingly, before Vincent could voice his concerns, Jiang Hao seemed to sense his intentions. Therefore, without Vincent even speaking his mind, Jiang Hao stood in front of the two girls and spoke with a resolute expression. "Senior, please be at ease. We are willing to take the Oath of Starmark." The Oath of Starmark¡ªan ancient binding contract that affected the soul itself. Unlike the commonly used Contract of Starmark, which relied on mutual agreements enforced by external systems, the Oath was absolute and entirely unforgiving. Failure to adhere to its terms resulted in immediate, often fatal punishment. Death, if one was fortunate. Vincent stood still, letting the silence hang in the air as he evaluated Jiang Hao''s words. He considered whether this young man was attempting some form of manipulation. However, seeing the resolve in Jiang Hao''s unwavering gaze, Vincent''s doubt began to wane. The boy''s decisiveness was commendable¡ªthough it also revealed his understanding of the situation. Jiang Hao knew that without this oath, Vincent would have little reason to spare their lives. With a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, Vincent nodded subtly in approval. After a while, they agreed that if they directly or indirectly told anyone about today''s events, the Starmark System would destroy their origin cores. It was equivalent to a death sentence for any origin warriors. Jiang Hao''s group exchanged glances and nodded before they started taking the oath. A colorful light appeared on their foreheads as they began reciting their oaths with closed eyes. Vincent watched silently. His interest in knowing the entity behind the Starmark System deepened. But he set it aside¡ªfor now, it was useless to know the person behind the system as he was still just a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. When Jiang Hao and his companions completed their oath, the colorful light dimmed and faded. It left behind glowing star-shaped marks deeply imprinted on their very soul. "Senior, we have completed it," Jiang Hao announced, his voice steady yet laced with weariness. "Please, rest assured now." Vincent simply gave an approving nod. Across from them, Xu Zheng, who had been slumped against a tree, was slowly regaining clarity. As he pieced together what had just transpired, his body began to tremble uncontrollably. The sight of Jiang Hao and the others taking the Oath of Starmark snapped something deep within him. "Hahaha!" A chilling, broken laugh escaped his lips, escalating into an unhinged cackle that echoed eerily through the clearing. His twisted grin widened as tears, drool, and even snot streamed messily down his disheveled face. "There''s no use taking that pathetic oath," Xu Zheng sneered, his voice a hoarse rasp. "The moment you killed Zhang Chen, the sect was already notified of his death! Hahaha! Zhang Ku is probably already on his way here!" He erupted into another fit of wild laughter, the sound grating against the silence. "Haha. We''re all going to die!" Vincent narrowed his eyes, his expression barely shifting as he studied the broken man. Xu Zheng''s erratic behavior wasn''t enough to shake his composure, but the name Zhang Ku had caught his attention. With a slight tilt of his head, Vincent''s gaze turned toward Jiang Hao, wordlessly conveying his unspoken question. Understanding the unvoiced inquiry, Jiang Hao''s previously calm expression darkened. "Senior," he began cautiously, "the Purple Moonlight Sect possesses Origin Lamps. These lamps are bound to individuals'' life forces. If the lamp''s fire extinguishes, it signifies their death¡­" Vincent nodded subtly. "And regarding Zhang Chen''s grandfather¡ªZhang Ku¡ªI''m not certain about that old man''s claims." "So it''s possible?" Vincent asked. "Yes, if Zhang Chen had a special treasure capable of transmitting his last moments before death." After a beat, he spoke again, his voice firm and deliberate. "Tell me everything you know about Zhang Ku." Jiang Hao paused to recall all the information he knew about Zhang Ku. "Zhang Ku is one of the Purple Moonlight Sect''s elders. He is known to be among the strongest elders in the sect. It is also known that he awakened an A-rank Talent. The last time I saw him was during the Sects'' Cross Tournament over a year ago. At that time, he was already a Tier 4 Origin Warrior." Vincent''s gaze sharpened. "His relationship with Zhang Chen?" "Close," Jiang Hao replied without hesitation. "Zhang Ku dotes on Zhang Chen. It''s no secret within the sect¡ªhis affection for his grandson is almost excessive." "Anything else I should know?" Jiang Hao frowned slightly. "I apologize, Senior, but that''s all the information I have about Zhang Ku." Vincent gave a curt nod, a gesture of acknowledgment rather than dismissal. The lack of insight into Zhang Ku''s specific talent or abilities was unfortunate, but the information Jiang Hao provided was enough to form a rough estimate of what he might be facing. His thoughts, however, were soon interrupted by the sound of Xu Zheng''s continued laughter. "Hahaha! You think you''ve won?!" Xu Zheng spat, his laughter teetering on hysteria. "You''re already a dead man walking! When Zhang Ku arrives, you¡ª" Vincent cut him off with a single, icy glance. "Maybe," he said evenly, his tone devoid of emotion. "But you won''t live to witness it." Without hesitation, Vincent snapped Xu Zheng''s neck with a simple clench of his fist. The twisted expression on Xu Zheng''s face froze mid-laugh. His lifeless body slumped to the ground, eyes wide and mouth agape as if the sound of his final mockery lingered in the air. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You have successfully killed Xu Zheng ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï). You have received +500 Experience Points! You have recovered +200 Primal Energy! Talent Activated! +5,000,000 Experience Points! Your Primal Energy is still full! Without a word, Vincent collected Zhang Chen and Xu Zheng''s belongings and stored them in his storage ring. Just as he prepared to burn the corpses and erase any evidence of the battle, Jiang Hao and his junior sisters approached him cautiously. Their expressions, though filled with gratitude, bore traces of awe and fear as they looked upon the man who had so easily dismantled their foes. "Senior," Jiang Hao began, his tone respectful but firm, "we would like to extend our official thanks for saving us. My name is Jiang Hao, and these two are my junior sisters, Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing." Lu Mengmeng and Fu Xingxing bowed deeply in unison. "Thank you for saving us!" they said earnestly. "If there''s ever a time you need assistance, please seek us out at the Mystic Light Sect," Jiang Hao continued, reaching into his robes and withdrawing a small, intricately carved token. The emblem of their sect shimmered faintly in the light as he presented it to Vincent. Vincent accepted the token without a word. "We truly appreciate your kindness today, Senior," Jiang Hao said, bowing again. "But we must take our leave now. May fortune favor you on your path. Farewell." Without waiting for further response, Jiang Hao and the two girls departed, their figures disappearing into the forest''s dense foliage. Saving them hadn''t been a big deal. Since he had already offended Zhang Chen''s group, he was not the type to show mercy to his enemies. Hence, everything had gone according to his plan. Vincent watched them for a moment before turning back to the gruesome task at hand. He incinerated the corpses of Zhang Chen and Xu Zheng with quick precision, the fire leaving no trace behind. He then ventured deep into the Mad Ape Mountain Forest. Purple Moonlight Sect. Far away, within the inner sanctum of the Purple Moonlight Sect, a gray-haired, middle-aged man sat in meditation. His sharp brows furrowed slightly as he maintained his composure, his dark purple martial robes billowing slightly despite the stillness of the dimly lit room. His meditation was interrupted by a faint sound at the door. The elder''s sharp eyes snapped open as an unmistakable voice rang out. "Pardon my intrusion, Elder Zhang, but I have urgent news to report." Zhang Ku''s brows twitched in irritation, but he responded coolly. "Enter." The door slid open, revealing a man dressed in plain light-purple martial robes. He stepped forward hesitantly, clearly nervous under the intense scrutiny of the elder''s gaze. "What is it?" Zhang Ku demanded. "Speak. What could be so urgent as to disturb my cultivation?" The man gulped audibly, his posture stiff with unease. "Y-Yes, Elder Zhang," he stammered. "I-It concerns your grandson, Zhang Chen¡­" A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Ku''s features, though his tone remained even. "What of him? Has he caused trouble again?" "N-No," the man said shakily, pausing as though unsure how to proceed. "I¡­ I regret to inform you that¡­ Young Master Zhang Chen''s origin lamp¡­ its light has gone out." The room fell deathly silent. "What did you just say?" Zhang Ku asked, his voice low and dangerous. The man clenched his fists nervously as he repeated, "Young Master Zhang Chen''s lamp¡­ has gone out¡­" Suddenly, a suffocating pressure filled the room. The man fell to his knees, gasping for breath under the weight of Zhang Ku''s fury. Chapter 113 - 113: Another Series of Upgrades! While cautiously moving through the Mad Ape Forest, Vincent finally had the time to focus on the system notifications he received. There was one thing that stuck in his mind. It was about primal energy. When he assisted in killing Zhang Chen, he received a notification that a few points of his primal energy had recovered. At the time, he thought it was a one-time event. But he did not expect that he would also recover primal energy after killing Xu Zheng. "Is it possible that I can recover primal energy by killing a human?" he thought but quickly dismissed the idea. There was no way he could conduct further research on it. He might not feel guilt about killing enemies, but he wouldn''t harm humans solely for experimentation. After some time, he finally encountered one of the inhabitants of the Mad Ape Forest. It was a group of black-furred monkeys. However, compared to regular monkeys, these creatures had long, spiky fur, fangs that were currently embedded in what seemed to be a boar corpse, and tails that resembled thorny whips. With a quick scan, Vincent immediately learned the creatures'' names and strength levels. Fierce Monkey ¡ª Tier 1 (5¡ï) There were six of them¡ªeach at the peak of Tier 1. At that moment, Mochi''s childlike voice echoed in his mind. "Your race really has a lot of variations. Your race can be short, tall, plump, and even hairy¡­" she said casually while nibbling on the last origin fruit she had been eating. Vincent was once again speechless at Mochi''s random comments. Yet he couldn''t deny her observations, as science indeed suggested that humans had evolved from monkeys. "But why don''t you have tails?" she added indifferently. Hearing her question, an idea popped into his mind. "You want to know why?" Mochi gave a simple nod. Vincent then flashed a mischievous smile beneath his mask. Without warning, he grabbed the plump rabbit by the back of her neck and hurled her toward the group of Fierce Monkeys while saying, "Why don''t you ask them yourself?" "Waaaaah!" Before Mochi could process what was happening, several pairs of crimson eyes locked onto her. Some of the monkeys were even drooling. "H-Hi?" Mochi gave a nervous smile, trying to play it cool. Unfortunately, the monkeys responded with excited roars. Roar! Jolted by fear, Mochi bolted in the opposite direction, panic surging through her. She cursed Vincent in her mind, "Merciless human! Once this Great Mochi recovers her powers, I''ll make you pay for this!" Naturally, Vincent heard her thoughts and nonchalantly replied. "Yeah? If you''re truly the Great Mochi, why don''t you beat them up instead of running?" "I-I could beat them up, but I don''t want to hurt your kind!" "No need to worry. Go ahead and beat them up; I won''t mind." "This Great Mochi is merciful! I would never harm your people." Despite being chased by the Fierce Monkeys, Mochi avoided their attacks with ease. It was not surprising. Mochi was already at Tier 2. Although Vincent didn''t have full knowledge of her origin, her rabbit features, known for agility and speed, gave her a clear advantage. The Fierce Monkeys simply couldn''t catch her. "Stop them now, idiot master!" Mochi yelled, exasperated. Without a word, Vincent unleashed his Dragon''s Might skill, immediately immobilizing the Fierce Monkeys, paralyzing them with fear. Once Mochi caught her breath, she shot him a sharp glare. Vincent ignored the black rabbit''s sulking and moved toward the group of Fierce Monkeys. Without hesitation, he killed two of them, filling his experience bar. He then immediately used his experience points and upgraded his Dragon''s Might to epic grade. Do you want to upgrade Dragon''s Might? He confirmed, and moments later, the process was complete. You have successfully upgraded Dragon''s Might (Rare) to Dragon''s Fury (Epic)! Name: Dragon''s Fury Grade: Epic Details: This passive skill allows the user to tap into the primal power of dragons, enveloping them in a blazing aura of draconic energy. Effect: Enemies within a 20-meter radius of the user with a sub-level higher, same or lower level are paralyzed with fear. The intensity of the fear and the length of the paralysis increase based on the user''s Force and Mental attributes, respectively. The weaker the opponent''s race, the stronger the effect. Vincent was satisfied. While the skill''s mechanics hadn''t changed significantly, the increased radius was a notable improvement. Next, he used 500,000 experience points to upgrade his Sterling Silver Body. You have successfully upgraded Sterling Silver Body (Rare) to Impervious Silver Armor (Epic)! Name: Impervious Silver Armor Grade: Epic Details: This passive skill creates an armor-like coating on the user''s skin, imbuing them with the resilience and durability of sterling silver. This skill increases the user''s physical strength by 60%, allowing them to strike with greater force and withstand more damage. The silver coating also enhances the user''s speed and reflexes, as well as their resistance to magical and elemental attacks. After a quick scan of the updates, Vincent killed another two Fierce Monkeys with a punch and moved on to upgrading more skills! You have successfully upgraded Physical Regeneration (Rare) to Regenerative Resilience (Epic)! Name: Regenerative Resilience Grade: Epic Details: This passive skill enhances the user''s natural regenerative ability, granting them the ability to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate. Increase base physical regeneration by 50%. Effects: Minor injuries - (such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes) heal within 5 minutes, and moderate injuries (such as broken bones and internal bleeding) heal within 1 hour. Severe injuries - (such as multiple fractures or organ damage) can heal within 6 hours, provided the user is not actively taking damage. Note: The Base Attribute Points haven''t been taken into consideration. "This is great!" He could not help but exclaim in his mind. He could assume based on the note that the effect should be better according to his current attributes points! He did not stop and used the remaining experience points. You have successfully upgraded Sixth Sense (Rare) to Combat Intuition (Epic)! Name: Combat Intuition S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grade: Epic Details: a passive skill that enhances the user''s situational awareness and intuitive grasp of combat dynamics, enabling them to react to threats more quickly and accurately. This enhanced perception is a result of a 60% increase in the user''s sensory processing abilities, allowing them to detect and analyze subtle changes in their environment such as shifts in body language, minute sounds, and even fluctuations in temperature. This heightened awareness provides the user with a significant advantage in combat, allowing them to anticipate and respond to attacks more effectively. Chapter 114 - 114: Completing The Task Vincent no longer spared the two remaining Fierce Monkeys and swiftly killed them. Mochi, observing from the side, couldn''t help but wonder aloud, "Why did you have to kill them in pairs?" He simply ignored her question, unwilling to reveal his cheat talent. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With another million experience points, he decided to upgrade his remaining rare passive skill. Do you want to upgrade Five Wave Strike? Yes. After a brief moment, the process was completed. You have successfully upgraded Five Wave Strike (Rare) to Tidal Mastery (Epic)! Name: Tidal Mastery Aura Grade: Epic Details: A passive skill that empowers the user''s physical strikes with the unyielding force of tidal waves, enhancing sustained combat capability and strength. Base Effect: Each consecutive strike in a combo passively increases physical attack power. The boost resets after 3 seconds of inactivity or a missed attack. Effect Scaling: 1. First Strike: 1.5x physical attack power. 2. Second Strike: 2x physical attack power. 3. Third Strike: 3x physical attack power. 4. Fourth Strike: 5x physical attack power. 5. Fifth Strike and beyond: 7x physical attack power (cap). Bonus Effect: Gradually increases the user''s resilience against physical knockbacks by 5% per strike, stacking up to 25%. Vincent was pleasantly surprised. "This is great!" He wanted to test the effect immediately but set it aside for later. With 500,000 experience points remaining, he rummaged through his storage ring, deciding what to upgrade next. Finally, he recalled the item he had overlooked. Dean Thorne had given him experience potions, including higher-quality ones exchanged from the Tower of Combat. Curious, he retrieved a rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion to see if it could be upgraded. Do you want to upgrade Tier 1 Experience Potion? "Is it possible to upgrade?!" He could hardly believe it. If upgrading were truly possible, it would drastically increase his growth speed. After agreeing to the process, it began and ended almost instantly. You have successfully upgraded Tier 1 Experience Potions (Rare) to Tier 1 Experience Potions (Epic)! Name: Tier 1 Experience Potion Grade: Epic Details: Grants experience points ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 over time. While the changes weren''t monumental, they were more than enough to satisfy him. "This is perfect!" With this discovery, he could worry less about the ever-increasing experience points needed to level up. At that moment, Mochi stared dumbfounded at her master''s magical ability. The last time she had witnessed such a transformation was when the Life Fruit had evolved into Life Essence. Though she couldn''t confirm what had happened, the subtle change in the potion in Vincent''s hand was evident. Before she could voice her curiosity, Vincent jogged into the forest again. "Hey! Wait for me!" She hurriedly chased after her foolish master. After some time, Vincent finally encountered a creature matching the description of his target. Shadow Monkey ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) A regular Tier 1 Origin Warrior likely couldn''t have discovered it, given its entirely black figure and long, straight fur. The Shadow Monkey resembled a dark silhouette with glowing, white eyes. Thanks to his Heaven''s Eyes skill, Vincent immediately sensed its presence. This special ability remained a mystery¡ªhe still couldn''t fathom where or how Azhara had obtained it. Setting aside his curiosity, he decided not to wait for the monkey to notice him. With Phantom Veil concealing his presence, he blinked into existence right next to the Shadow Monkey, which remained oblivious. As he reached out, the creature finally sensed him. Screeching loudly, it retreated. However, Vincent was quicker and managed to grab hold of it. The moment his hand touched the monkey, it dissolved into shadow, escaping his grasp and perching on a tree branch dozens of meters away. "Huhu-haha!" The Shadow Monkey seemed to enjoy Vincent''s surprised reaction, pointing and laughing while scratching its belly. Still upset over being thrown into a pack of Fierce Monkeys earlier, Mochi added, "Hehe, it must think you''re an idiot." Vincent ignored her comment but not the monkey''s actions. Drawing energy from an origin crystal, he instantly restored his origin energy. This time, using One-Step Shift, he appeared next to the monkey again. Prepared this time, the monkey reflexively slashed at him with its claws, but they collided harmlessly against his armor, Obsidian Aegis. Its eyes widened in astonishment before it dissolved into shadow once more and fled. Vincent wasn''t discouraged. With a swift motion, he unleashed a palm strike. Using Tidal Mastery, he sent a shockwave through the air, forcing the monkey out of its shadow form and eliciting a pained screech. Screeech! Not giving it a chance to escape again, Vincent quickly knocked it unconscious. Recalling Valyn''s instructions, he noted she hadn''t specified whether the monkeys needed to be brought back dead or alive. He assumed it would be better to capture them alive. Dragging the unconscious creature, he resumed searching for the remaining nine Shadow Monkeys. A few hours later, his task was complete. It was still bright¡ªjust around lunchtime. Valyn had likely underestimated the advantages of his Heaven''s Eyes and his strength. Consequently, today''s training proved effortless. Now, he had the rest of the day free. With Arthur unavailable and Valyn occupied, Vincent turned to Mochi. "Can you drain their energy?" Though curious, Mochi nodded. "Then they''re yours. Suck them dry!" Squinting for a moment, she complied. Free food was not something she would decline. A moment later, she let out a satisfied burp. "How long until they regain consciousness and recover their energy?" "Judging by their condition, they might wake up by night or, at the latest, tomorrow. But their energy recovery will take over a day." She spoke proudly, evidently pleased with herself. Nodding, Vincent dug a deep hole, burying the monkeys'' bodies and leaving only their heads exposed. He snapped a picture, sent it to Valyn with the coordinates, and added a message: "Since I''ve completed my task early and Special Instructor Arthur is unavailable, I''m taking a day off today." With that, he returned to the hotel, Mochi perched on his shoulder. Chapter 115 - 115: Shes Mochi! With continuous use of his One-Step Shift and paired with Phantom Veil, Vincent and Mochi reached the Bronzehaven Arc in less than an hour. Since he wasn''t with Special Instructor Arthur and his hover car, he had to enter through the walk-in gate and queue. After receiving a strange look from the seemingly cyborg guards and a quick identity inspection, he was finally allowed entry into the Arc. The moment he stepped inside, his phone suddenly vibrated. Quickly, he checked it. The message was from an unknown number. Curious, he opened it and read the contents. It was from Alex, the old man he had met at the Central Bazaar, where he had found another chaos marble. The message was about the item Vincent had assigned Alex to auction. Though only a week had passed in this world since their last meeting, to Vincent, it felt as though ages had slipped by. The fluctuating nature of time within Origin World made even brief intervals seem vast. Alex explained, with his characteristic flair for understatement, that it had taken time to find a buyer, given the specific nature of the item''s requirements. But the auction was a success, and the payment had been processed and sent to Vincent''s account. However, Vincent wasn''t particularly interested in that at the moment. What he really wanted was to ask Alex about the chaos marble¡ªwhere he got it or its source. Before he could send a reply, his bank notified him of the amount Alex had transferred. Bank Notification: You have received a payment of 100,000,000 credits from Alex. Your account balance is now 102,400,000. Vincent blinked, then counted the zeroes in disbelief. "Six¡­ seven¡­ eight!" He couldn''t help but suck in a sharp breath when he realized he hadn''t made a mistake. Initially, he hadn''t been interested in the auction''s outcome. He thought the item might fetch a few million credits, but he hadn''t expected it to sell for a hundred million. Could he have underestimated the value of an epic-grade skill? Or was it the bottomless wealth of Origin Warriors that he''d failed to grasp until now? Regardless of the explanation, there was no denying his elation. Nevertheless, he couldn''t hide his joy. It was the first time in his entire life he had seen such wealth. Uncharacteristically excited, Vincent soon composed himself. He still had a mountain of skill books and other equipment in his storage ring. If he upgraded those items, the wealth he could amass was beyond his imagination. But for now, he had no intentions of parting with them. A different plan brewed in his mind, one with greater long-term significance. Responding to Alex''s message, he confirmed receipt of the payment and inquired if they could meet in person. If anyone held the answers he sought regarding the chaos marble, it was Alex. And Vincent intended to get those answers, no matter what. He needed to ask Alex directly about the chaos marble. Perhaps Alex had some valuable insights. Minutes passed, but Alex didn''t respond. Vincent set the matter aside and returned to the Stellar Plaza Hotel with Mochi. As he arrived and was about to open the door, he sensed a presence inside. He found this surprising since it was still Friday, and both Marina and Sis Amara should have been at school or work. The moment the door clicked open, Marina''s melodic voice greeted him from inside. "Is that you, Big Sis? Aren''t you home early?" Vincent smirked, stepping inside just as Marina''s casual greeting gave way to surprise. "Unfortunately, I''m not your Big Sis." Hearing her brother''s teasing response, Marina tossed her phone aside without hesitation, launching herself toward him with childlike enthusiasm. "Brother!" Her purple crystal eyes sparkled as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, and Vincent responded with a fond smile, gently patting her on the back. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why are you back early?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice. "I thought you had training this week?" "I took a day off," Vincent replied simply, before tilting his head in mild amusement. "What about you? Why are you home? Don''t you have school today?" "School ended early," Marina explained. "How long are you staying, brother?" "I''m not sure yet. Maybe just the night," Vincent admitted, shrugging slightly. "I still haven''t received any updates from my Special Instructor." "Are you really going to participate in the District''s School Tournament?" The question brought a flash of reluctance to Vincent''s expression. "I don''t have much of a choice," he said, sighing softly. "The Dean and the school need me to represent them. I owe them, so I can''t say no." Marina''s brows knitted, concern flickering across her face. But before the sentiment could grow, her attention was drawn to something else entirely. The fat, black rabbit perched on Vincent''s shoulder twitched slightly, catching her gaze. Her eyes lit up with unrestrained glee. "So cute!" Without hesitation, before Vincent or Mochi could react, she grabbed the rabbit and hugged it tightly. Mochi, stunned by the sudden embrace, protested mentally to Vincent. "I''m being attacked! Help me!" Vincent chuckled softly. "Brother, where did you get this cute, fat rabbit? Is this our new pet? Is it a he or a she?" "She''s a she," Vincent replied, still smiling. "Can I keep her?" Vincent shook his head, amused by his sister''s demand. "Unfortunately, you can''t. She''s not an ordinary pet." "What do you mean?" "She''s a primal pet. You need to be an Origin Warrior to own one." Marina looked surprised but skeptical as she studied Mochi more closely. "Really? This is a primal? How can this fat rabbit be a primal? She looks useless." Vincent laughed at her blunt remark, hearing Mochi''s outraged protests in his mind. "Enough, human! I''m not fat! I am The Great Mochi! How can I be useless?!" Ignoring her protests, Vincent agreed with his sister. "Yes, primal pets are generally known to be non-combatant even as adults. You''re right; she''s pretty useless." Mochi was left speechless. Marina nodded in understanding. "I see¡­" "Did you already give her a name?" "Yes, Mochi." "Hmm¡­ Mochi¡­" Marina muttered, observing the rabbit closely. She giggled as she realized why her brother had chosen the name. "Hehe, you''re right, brother. She is Mochi." "Do you have plans today?" "Hmm¡­ I was planning to watch the new season of Lone Leveler. Why?" "Would you like to come with me?" "Where?" "To buy a house." Chapter 116 - 116: Metabot Buy a house? Do we have the money to buy a house?" Marina was skeptical, as her brother had just awakened not long ago. Where would he get the money to buy a house? Despite her doubts, she went to her room to change, dragging Mochi along, who kept struggling to escape her grasp. Vincent also changed into not-too-formal clothes. After a while, Marina returned, wearing a light-purple off-shoulder dress. His eyes lingered on Marina for a moment before shifting to the sulking Mochi. The plump black rabbit was wearing a striped black and yellow shirt and a golden-yellow beanie. A smile tugged at the corner of Vincent''s lips when he saw the adorable yet obviously upset rabbit. "What do you think, brother? She looks cute, right?" "Mmh, where did you get those clothes?" "These were the old clothes of my cross-stitch dolls. I remembered I still had them when I saw her." Vincent just smiled at Marina as he heard Mochi''s voice in his head. "I bet you''re enjoying this!" With a wry smile, he responded telepathically, "Don''t worry. It looks good on you." Mochi was still upset, glaring sharply at Vincent. However, her reaction suddenly changed, betraying her initial emotions. "Really?" Mochi asked. Vincent affirmed with a straight face. Seemingly satisfied with his compliment, Mochi broke into a huge grin and rested her hands on her hips. "That''s right. I''m the Great Mochi, after all. Any clothes would fit my sacred figure! Hmm. Hmm!" Marina slightly tilted her head when she saw Mochi''s mood brighten. She wondered what was happening to the plump rabbit but had no time to ask as Vincent urged her to leave. They took a hover cab and, after a while, arrived at an establishment¡ªBR Haven Real Estate Co. After a quick scan, they entered the building. Marina curiously looked around her surroundings, while Vincent approached the attendant. "Good day, sir. How can I help you?" the attendant greeted. "I''m here to look for a villa. It would be better if you could recommend something within District 10 or a better district," Vincent replied. The attendant gave Vincent a scrutinizing look before responding. "I understand. Just give me a moment. I''ll contact one of our available agents to assist you. Please have a seat." Vincent waited patiently. After a minute or two, a young woman in her early 20s appeared and greeted him. "Good day, I''m Anjie. I was informed you''re looking for a house?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent gave the woman a quick scan. She had a small, round face, a small but pointed nose, and pouty, glossy lips. Her chestnut-colored hair was neatly tied at the back of her head, and she wore a tight black suit that emphasized her curves, especially her bountiful chest. Her appearance was enough to make her an A-rank artist on Earth. However, in Astralis, where Origin Warriors were the trend, she could only be a real estate agent for wealthy warriors. "I''m Magnus. Yes, please recommend a good villa within District 10, or find me something in a better district," Vincent said. Just then, a red-haired woman in her early 30s with thick makeup and a curvaceous figure suddenly chimed in. She appeared shortly after Anjie. "Anjie, you better let your client know that not everyone can live wherever they want," the woman said. Anjie furrowed her brows as soon as she heard this. The woman was her senior and the current top broker in their branch, Harlot Fowler. Anjie disliked how Harlot often interrupted her conversations with clients. She couldn''t understand why Harlot subtly bullied her without reason. Despite her displeasure, Anjie maintained a respectful tone. "I understand, Senior Harlot." "Hmph." Vincent remained silent and waited for Anjie to explain further. Anjie complied, "Regarding that, sir, buying or renting a house in District 11 or closer to the core district requires a certain prestige." Vincent gestured for her to continue. "It means you have to be an Origin Warrior." "I am an Origin Warrior," he replied simply. "I''m not doubting you, sir," Anjie said, "but if you want to buy a house in District 10, you need to be a Tier 2 Origin Warrior. Higher-tier districts have stricter requirements. May I know your current level?" "Tier 1," Vincent answered curtly as he showed his Origin License. As soon as he replied, Harlot snickered and muttered, "Ha! A mere Tier 1¡­" Vincent ignored her and focused on Anjie. "Unfortunately, I can only recommend houses in Districts 12 and 13," Anjie said apologetically. Vincent frowned slightly. "What if I''m already a Tier 2 but haven''t updated my records with the Origin Association?" His question elicited cold laughter from Harlot. "Haha. Anjie, your client seems to be dreaming big. Why don''t you help him?" Vincent ignored her sarcasm and asked, "Do you have any method to verify or scan my level?" Before Anjie could respond, Harlot interrupted again. "If you''re serious, young sir, you can test your strength by fighting one of our guard Metabots." "But Senior¡ª" Anjie began, but Harlot silenced her with a sharp glare. "Would you like to test your strength, young sir?" Harlot asked with a soft but subtly mocking tone. "Lead the way," Vincent replied. As he followed Harlot, Anjie hesitated before addressing him. "Sir Magnus, please don''t do it," Anjie warned. "Our Metabots are the latest models from Orions. They''re classified as Tier 2, but their combat strength far surpasses an average Tier 2 Origin Warrior!" Harlot''s expression darkened, and she snapped at Anjie. "Shut your mouth, Anjie! Aren''t you ashamed of discouraging your client?!" Marina, noticing her brother''s departure, quickly followed with the struggling Mochi in tow. A moment later, they reached a spacious room housing five 4-meter-tall, white robots lined up against a wall. The Orions trademark, a constellation-like logo, was engraved on their chests. "How about it, young sir? Would you like to start now?" Harlot asked. Vincent nodded. Harlot concealed a malicious smile. That''s right, keep acting arrogant. I''ll show you how reality works. Moments later, the Metabot activated with a mechanical whir. "Target Locked!" its voice echoed. Before it could act, Vincent vanished, reappearing above the robot''s head. His arm, coated in silver, delivered a crushing blow. The Metabot exploded into pieces, its fragments scattering. Silence filled the air. Chapter 117 - 117: Fired! Silence filled the air as the spectators gaped in utter disbelief. The stillness was violently shattered when an explosion echoed through the room. The sudden burst of sound was followed by a faint but distinct tremor that seemed to ripple through every corner, amplifying the shock.. Vincent retreated to a safe distance as his sharp eyes caught the movement of several figures storming into the Metabot room, led by a short, stout man in an impeccably tailored suit. The man''s shiny bald head reflected the harsh fluorescent lights above, a stark contrast to the stern, stormy expression that painted his face. "W-What''s the meaning of this?! What in the world is going on here?!" the man barked, his voice a strange mix of confusion and boiling anger. The authoritative tone cut through the lingering tension, dragging Harlot back to reality with an almost visible jolt. Her face turned ghostly pale as her trembling eyes reluctantly focused on him. "B-Branch Manager Vald?!" she stuttered, her voice betraying her terror. Across the room, Anjie stiffened. She, too, recognized the man who had arrived but chose to keep her thoughts to herself, pressing her lips tightly together. Vald, however, did not bother sparing her even a glance. His eyes swept over Vincent, lingering momentarily with a flicker of curiosity, before fixing themselves on Harlot. "Explain yourself, Harlot!" His voice grew louder, more demanding. "What is the meaning of this chaos?!" "B-Branch Manager¡­" Harlot stumbled over her words, her confidence crumbling with every syllable. "What?!" Vald snapped, his patience visibly wearing thin. "Why is our Metabot lying there in ruins?!" "A-About that¡­" Her hesitation only served to infuriate Vald further. The frustration was clear in the way his eyebrows furrowed and his voice rose an octave. He whirled toward Anjie, his tone carrying the sharpness of a blade. "Anjie! You explain this mess!" Anjie hesitated, unsure whether to respond. She stole a glance at Senior Harlot, The moment their eyes met, Harlot''s expression twisted into a scathing glare. Teeth clenched and jaw tight, Harlot''s silent warning couldn''t have been clearer. Don''t you dare. Anjie subconsciously lowered her head in response. But then, Vincent''s calm voice cut through the tension. "Say it." Vincent''s voice was quiet yet commanding, imbued with an unshakable sense of confidence. His unwavering gaze met hers, silently assuring her that the truth was the only path forward. Gathering her courage, Anjie straightened her back and looked at the branch manager. Her voice, though shaky at first, gained strength as she recounted the events in painstaking detail. "Branch Manager Vald¡­" she began, meticulously recounting every moment, sparing no detail. When her story concluded, Vald''s face contorted, his anger reaching a palpable intensity. He turned on Harlot with eyes that burned with accusation. "Is what she just said true?" "I-I¡­" Harlot''s voice faltered. "Forget it!" Vald cut her off, his voice a booming declaration. "I''ll verify the truth myself with the surveillance footage." With a sharp gesture, he called out to one of his subordinates. "Johnson, bring up the surveillance camera footage¡ªnow!" With a brief nod, the man, tall and precise in his movements, reached into his coat and retrieved a sleek, compact device. He tapped on the screen, and within moments, the scene unfolded in vivid clarity. Every action, every word, and every emotion played out in sharp detail for all to witness. The damning evidence left no room for denial. Harlot''s legs buckled as fear swallowed her whole. Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, she collapsed to her knees, clutching at the hem of Vald''s coat with trembling hands. "B-Branch Manager, I''m sorry! Please forgive me! I promise I''ll never do it again!" she pleaded, clutching the hem of his clothes. Vald''s expression hardened as he coldly pried her fingers from his clothes. His voice was razor-sharp when he spoke. "Shut up! Who gave you the authority to use the company''s Metabots without my permission? How did you even gain access?" Desperate, Harlot''s eyes lit up as she pointed to one of the men standing behind the branch manager. "It was Larry''s fault! He gave me admin access and said it was okay to use it!" Larry''s eyes widened in shock as his face darkened. "You bitch?! I only gave you access after you blew me, and you said you just wanted to try it out!" Gasp! A collective intake of breath swept through the room. The weight of Larry''s words settled heavily on the onlookers as an air of scandal and disbelief flooded the space. Even Vald, who had heard rumors of misconduct between the two, was momentarily stunned. For a split second, his stern demeanor wavered, but his fury reignited, stronger than ever. "Enough!" he roared, his voice a definitive end to the madness. "I''ve heard all I need to. As of this moment, both of you are fired! Get out of my sight!" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Harlot''s pleas grew more frantic as security dragged her from the room. "N-No! Please, Branch Manager Vald! Don''t do this! I''ll do anything!" she screamed, thrashing against the firm grips pulling her away. "Stop! Let me go!" Her anguished cries gradually faded as the doors slammed shut. Larry, having accepted his fate with bitter silence, followed without protest.. Finally, Vald''s gaze shifted to the source of the commotion¡ªVincent. Having reviewed the footage, he knew this young man possessed remarkable strength, capable of instantly defeating a Metabot. He addressed Vincent respectfully. "Young Hero, I apologize for the behavior of our former employees. I hope you will give us another chance to serve you." Without much reaction, Vincent asked, "Am I now allowed to purchase a house in a better district?" Vald''s face broke into a smile. "Of course, Young Hero. To apologize for the inconvenience, we''ll offer you a 10% discount." "Alright. Please recommend a good place." "As you wish, Young Hero." Vald then turned to Anjie. "Anjie, this Young Hero is your client. Do your best and don''t disappoint me." He gave her an approving pat on the shoulder before bidding Vincent farewell. Anjie, still processing what had happened, jolted when Vincent''s voice addressed her. "Miss Anjie?" "Ah, yes! Please, follow me this way." As Vincent followed, Marina¡ªstill shocked by recent events¡ªapproached him with Mochi in her arms. "Brother, when did you get so strong?" Vincent chuckled, his smile full of warmth and mischief. "I''ve always been strong. I was just hiding it from you, Your Highness," he teased. "Hmph! How dare you hide it from me?" she huffed, pretending to be upset before reverting to her usual cheerful tone. "So, are we really rich now?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, making Vincent chuckle. "Haha, yes, Your Highness. Soon, we''ll be rich, and you''ll be sleeping on piles of money." Marina couldn''t contain her joy, already dreaming of buying her favorite limited-edition figurines and other treasures. Chapter 118 - 118: Who Are You?! After some time, with Anjie''s recommendation and Marina''s help, they were finally able to decide on which property to purchase. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We will buy the Sunset River Villa. Where should I pay?" Vincent asked Anjie. "Will you be paying through a mortgage loan?" Anjie questioned. "No, I''ll pay it in full now." Marina, who had been silently observing up until now, could no longer contain her disbelief. "Brother!" she exclaimed, nearly jumping in her seat. "That''s 60 million Astralis credits! Do we even have that kind of money?!" Vincent only flashed a warm smile at his younger sister. "Please proceed with the documentation and payment processing," Vincent instructed Anjie, his tone calm, yet assertive enough to leave no room for argument. With a soft nod of acknowledgment, Anjie immediately prepared the necessary documents, and Vincent signed them quickly. "Please input your bank details and fingerprint to confirm the payment." Without missing a beat, Vincent complied, his movements fluid and deliberate. Within moments, the payment was completed, the transaction finalized. Just like that, 54 million Astralis credits were subtracted from his account in an instant¡ªa sum so staggering, so monumental, it could alter entire lives. It was the biggest payment he had ever made in his two lifetimes. He wasn''t sure how to feel¡ªwhether hurt or proud. Nevertheless, he was happy to see his sister''s stunned expression. "All right, Mr. Magnus," Anjie said, her voice softer, almost reverent now. "That''s everything on our end. I''ll personally ensure the process goes smoothly. Your villa will be fully prepared and ready for you within a week." Vincent gave Anjie a brief nod as he stood up and left with Marina, who was still unable to believe he had just spent 54 million credits. But just as they approached the exit, Anjie''s voice rang out. "Mr. Magnus! Wait a moment!" Vincent paused mid-step, turning back with a raised brow. "Yes? Is there a problem?" Her gaze was steady yet filled with a certain warmth, and her tone had shifted to something more personal. "I just wanted to thank you for giving me this opportunity to prove myself." Vincent blinked in mild surprise, shaking his head lightly. "It''s really nothing," he assured her. "I didn''t do anything particularly special to warrant gratitude." Still, Anjie insisted on expressing her thanks, so he could only accept it with a nod. Once they exited the building, Marina immediately turned to him, a playful smirk gracing her lips. "Brother, you''re such a lady killer." She teased. Vincent raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" "Hmph! Do you really think I didn''t notice the way you were looking at Sister Anjie back there? She''s pretty, sure, so I guess it''s normal for boys like you to get all flirty." Her eyes glinted mischievously as she cast him a side glance. "I mean, helping a damsel in distress and all that..." Vincent smiled wryly. But her teasing expression sobered slightly as he asked, "When is Amara coming home tonight?" Marina thought for a moment. "She might be late again. Ever since you started going to Origin World, she''s been coming home late." Vincent frowned at her response. He still didn''t know what kind of work Amara did, and it worried him. But he knew he couldn''t force her to reveal anything if she didn''t want to. So, he set the thought aside for now. "I understand. Let''s eat out tonight. Is there anywhere you''d like to go?" Marina''s eyes brightened at his words. "Really? Anywhere?" Vincent nodded. "I heard there''s a newly opened ramen shop¡ªIchiraku Ramen!" Vincent was momentarily stunned by her suggestion. ''That ramen shop¡­ Why does it sound so familiar?'' he thought, but he couldn''t recall where he''d heard of it. It was already nighttime when they returned to their hotel. Inside his room, Vincent browsed Astrum Origin Hub, scrolling through news about events in Novice Continent. One topic stood out: an issue regarding the Tower of Combat. Even now, no one had discovered what caused the sudden disappearance of the tower''s exchange items. He also read reports of breakouts in both his sanctuary and other novice sanctuaries, along with an increase in the appearance of new labyrinths. However, there was still no information on one matter he was particularly concerned about¡ªthe Primalized entity Grarik had released from the Blackrat Labyrinth. Vincent was certain that if the entity caused a commotion, it would be a major problem. He also searched for details on the Blackthorn Clan and other Thrygian clans and organizations. To his surprise, he discovered that the Blackthorn Clan was the largest and most powerful in his sanctuary. The other Thrygian groups were smaller in both number and influence. "I guess I need to speed up my plans¡­" he muttered, realizing the strength of the Blackthorn Clan. Next, he researched Caelius Lionfang and his clan. "Caelius Lionfang, 19 years old, awakened talent S-rank: Sun Mane Lion¡­ Father: Calixtus Lionfang, awakened talent S-rank: Golden Lion¡­" Vincent''s eyes widened as he continued reading about the father-son duo. "Two S-rank talents in one family¡­ That''s insane." For the rest of the night, Vincent focused on expanding his knowledge of the Origin World''s common sense and lore. Meanwhile, elsewhere in District 10, a beautiful, pink-haired woman stepped out of her shower, a bath towel wrapped around her body. "How''s my new younger brother doing¡­" she murmured, grabbing her phone. It was Valyn, who had just returned from a brief journey. As she tapped on the screen, a hologram popped up, displaying messages. Ignoring most of the emails, she opened Vincent''s. Reading the contents, her eyebrows lifted briefly before a smile graced her lips. "To think he still considers it light work¡­" she said softly, closing the email and sending a report to Arthur, confirming Vincent had completed his training for the day. At 11:45 p.m., back in Vincent''s hotel room, he closed his phone, only to hear footsteps in the living area. Marina should have been asleep by now, and he hadn''t sensed the door opening. No one should''ve been able to bypass his perception. Frowning, he cautiously stepped out to investigate. The living area was dark, with the lights off. But he could hear the footsteps now heading to the kitchen. A moment later, he heard the fridge door open. In a single step, Vincent blurred, reappearing behind the intruder. "Who are you?" Startled, the intruder spun around. Lit only by the fridge light, Vincent''s eyes widened. Standing before him was a long, black-haired woman with fair skin, her hair partially concealing her ample figure. Her golden eyes gleamed as she held a piece of bread in her mouth. "?!" Chapter 119 - 119: Realization "Who are you?" Startled, the intruder spun around. Lit only by the fridge light, Vincent''s eyes widened. Standing before him was a long, black-haired woman with fair skin, her hair partially concealing her ample figure. Her golden eyes gleamed as she held a piece of bread in her mouth. "?!" Vincent did not recognize the woman, but his eyes couldn''t hide his shock. She had the most beautiful face he had ever seen¡ªeven Amara paled in comparison. His heart skipped a beat when the woman suddenly leaned closer. For some reason, his body betrayed him, and he stood frozen until the woman let go of the bread in her mouth, and her lips connected with his. In the next moment, Vincent felt his vision blur as he lost consciousness. The woman gently caught him before he fell to the floor. With a snap, they appeared inside Vincent''s room, where she gently laid him on the bed. "That was close¡­" the woman muttered to herself as she gazed lovingly at the unconscious Vincent. After one more look, the woman turned and, before she left, muttered to no one, "It''s not time for you to know yet¡­" ¡­ The next morning, Vincent woke up to his phone vibrating continuously. With his eyes still closed, he instinctively reached for his phone next to his pillow. A hologram screen popped up. "Wakey, wakey! You''re wasting your time by still sleeping at this hour." Vincent''s blurry vision slowly regained clarity, revealing the owner of the voice: Valyn. As usual, she wore a complete set of pink-colored attire. "It seems you enjoyed your day off, my younger brother," she remarked upon seeing the absentminded Vincent, who had just woken up and seemed to have a hangover. At her words, Vincent suddenly remembered the woman he had seen last night. Realizing he was already on his bed, panic struck him. In a rush, he released his mental energy to scan the entire hotel room. Soon, he sighed in relief; he found his younger sister peacefully sleeping in her own room, and even Amara was soundly asleep in hers. Although he had no idea when Amara returned, his focus shifted back to the woman he had seen the night before. ''Who was she? Was it all a dream?'' he wondered, but it had felt so real when their lips connected. "Hello? Are you alright?" Valyn''s voice brought him back to his senses, and he set aside his thoughts. "I''m fine. Good morning, Big Sis Valyn." Valyn looked doubtful but smiled and replied, "Hmm, good morning." "You called this early for my training today?" "You are correct." ''So the Special Instructor still hasn''t come back,'' he thought, refraining from asking her further. "So, what do I have to do today?" "I already told you about the Tower of Fundamentals, right?" Vincent simply nodded. The Tower of Combat was one of them. The others were the Tower of Speed and the Tower of Illusion. "We are going to visit another Tower of Fundamentals," Valyn continued. "Which one?" "Hehe, let''s meet outside your Sanctuary, and I''ll tell you on the way." "I understand." "All right, see you later." After the call with Valyn, Vincent exited his room and went to the kitchen, still trying to recall if the woman he saw was just a dream. He made a quick breakfast, took a shower, and ate alone. He chose not to wake Marina and Amara, who were still peacefully sleeping. Since it was the weekend, they didn''t have school or work. Vincent left a note to let them know he would be in Origin World. As he prepared to leave for Origin World, he felt as if he was forgetting something. ''Hmm, am I missing something?'' Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind. "Stupid Master! Are you going to leave me here?" At that moment, Marina''s door slowly opened, and the fat, black rabbit stepped out. "Oh, Mochi¡­" Vincent subconsciously murmured. "What do you mean, ''Oh, Mochi?''" Mochi''s child-like voice pitched higher. "Nothing. Let''s go. We are leaving." Vincent quickly changed the subject, fearing Mochi might realize he had actually forgotten about her. He had been so engrossed in scrolling through the Origin Astrum Hub that he forgot to retrieve Mochi from Marina. "Hmph!" Mochi harrumphed in his mind but squeaked in reality as Vincent placed her inside the capture ball. ¡­ Hyena Gang Manor. As Vincent exited the chamber, he was surprised to find a familiar creature cleaning the Manor''s living area with an innocent expression. He might have believed this creature to be innocent¡ªif he didn''t know better. It was one of the captured members of the Hyena Gang, Raytand. Raytand stood like a normal human, but his features bore the distinct characteristics of the Hyena Race. With a slight frown, Vincent asked coldly, "How are you here? Where''s Lizno?!" Raytand, holding a feather duster, was startled at Vincent''s sudden voice. With a quick spin, his startled expression turned fanatical. He straightened and bowed deeply. "Welcome back, Big Boss!" Raytand shook his head, muttering, "No, it should be ''Young Master.''" "Welcome back, Young Master." Vincent raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Just as he was wondering what was happening, Lizno appeared and greeted him immediately upon seeing him. "You''re back, Young Master." Curiosity growing, Vincent frowned and asked, "What''s happening here, Lizno?" Lizno glanced at Raytand briefly before explaining. "It''s like this, Young Master¡­" Vincent listened attentively as Lizno detailed what had occurred in his absence. When he had been in his world, Lizno realized he couldn''t keep the captives locked up forever. Once their time in Origin World ran out, they would be forcefully returned to their real world. This fact had also slipped Vincent''s mind. Fortunately, Lizno realized it before it was too late. Since Tier 2 Origin Warriors could stay much longer in Origin World than Tier 1 Warriors, Lizno used his remaining time to "train" the captured Hyena Gang members. Lizno didn''t specify what sort of training it was, but judging by Raytand''s fanatical expression, Vincent guessed it involved brutal torture. According to Lizno, the captives were now dead loyal to Vincent. Even when returned to their real world, their loyalty would remain steadfast. Although skeptical, Vincent chose to set the matter aside. "Where''s the rest of the Hyena Gang?" "I''ve sent them to do some chores," Lizno answered respectfully. "What about Garmus?" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m sorry, Young Master, but that guy is a tough nut to crack. He''s hell-bent on following the Blackthorn Clan." Vincent simply nodded. It wasn''t Lizno''s fault. According to an article Vincent had read, the Blackthorn Clan bred unbelievable loyalty among its people. Vincent furrowed his brows. He knew Grarik would eventually find out about his current strength. However, he hadn''t accounted for this detail. Now, Grarik would discover his strength much sooner than expected. Grarik would undoubtedly send stronger warriors to eliminate him. "How much longer before Garmus'' time in Origin World runs out?" Chapter 120 - 120: Heading to Tower of Illusion! Grarik would undoubtedly send stronger warriors to eliminate him. "How much longer before Garmus returns to his world?" "In five days, Young Master." Vincent was silent for a moment, contemplating his next action. After a curt nod, he commanded, "Try to ''train'' him until the time limit. If it doesn''t work by then, I''ll end him. More importantly, don''t forget your main goal¡ªdon''t focus so much on Garmus." "I understand, Young Master. Rest assured, I won''t disappoint you." Vincent nodded. "I''m heading out. Do you have prismstone?" "Yes, Young Master. I found an unbounded prismstone when I cleaned up the Manor." "Good. Register my contact info and let me know if anything happens." "Understood." After that, Vincent headed out and waited for Valyn to arrive. Along the way, he also let Mochi out of the capture ball. He did not contact Maggie for the time being; she might be busy, especially with the events happening in the Novice Continent. He had a theory about the sudden increase in Labyrinths but needed more evidence to prove it. Nevertheless, he set it aside as he spotted the silhouette of a quickly approaching Silverwood Fox¡ªFenro. The ever-cowardly Great Mochi hid on his shoulder in a hurry. "It''s coming!" Mochi cried. Vincent chuckled at her usual behavior as he calmed her down. "Relax, it''s not hostile." "Relax your face! You might throw me again!" Vincent just laughed at her until the Silverwood Fox stopped in front of him and Valyn hopped off Fenro''s back. The moment Valyn saw Vincent, her eyes immediately caught sight of Mochi. Her face brightened instantly. "What a cute little fella. Who is that?" Vincent introduced Mochi, who was cautiously looking at Fenro and Valyn. Valyn''s gaze locked onto Mochi. "Oh, Mochi. That''s a cute name. Come here, little fella, I have a gift for you." With a flick of her hand, she fetched a cluster of red, round origin fruits. The moment Mochi caught sight of them, she immediately drooled as she took a whiff. She was starving since her master had forgotten to feed her the previous night and let her be a cuddle toy for Marina. Without hesitation, she pounced on Valyn and rested in her arms, nibbling on the origin fruits. "She''s so soft and warm..." Valyn commented, hugging the busy, eating fat rabbit. She then hopped back onto Fenro. "Come on, hop on. We''re leaving." Without a word, Vincent mounted behind Valyn. With a simple pat from Valyn, Fenro sped forward. Along the way, Vincent once again asked where they were heading. Instead of answering his question, Valyn asked, "What do you feel you lacked the most when you challenged the Tower of Combat?" Vincent did not need to contemplate and simply answered, "Battle experience." "That''s a given. You will be able to improve it over time. I''m asking about your skills, your repertoire." Vincent fell silent for a moment. Valyn probably wouldn''t believe him even if he told her how many skills he had. However, if he had to answer, it should be one thing he lacked the most. "I have no mental energy skills," he admitted. Valyn smiled at his answer. "Then we''re heading to get you corresponding skills and to gain experience battling Origin Warriors who focus on mental power." A few hours later, Vincent noticed the surroundings beginning to change. The dense forest remained, but the area grew darker. "Where are we right now?" "We just entered the Dark Forest. If you traverse this forest, you''ll reach the No. 2 Novice Sanctuary. However, keep in mind that the Dark Forest requires several days of non-stop travel, even with a shortcut. "That''s why most novice warriors move in groups or use special transportation to travel between Novice Sanctuaries." Vincent nodded in understanding. He still had no clear idea how big the Novice Continent was. Although he had read its approximate size, exploring it was an entirely different matter. Along the way, they encountered several primals who, despite their disadvantages against Fenro, rushed forward without a care for their lives. Observing this, Vincent realized the difference between the primals of the Dark Forest and the wild verdant. The primals in the Dark Forest seemed to have an affinity for dark energy. It wasn''t primal energy or chaos energy. It felt more like a ghostly energy capable of sending chills down a civilian''s spine. While pondering this, he suddenly noticed towering trees in the Dark Forest falling, as if making way for a massive entity. Soon, Vincent spotted the source. A towering figure, approximately 15 meters tall, walked slowly with a lumbering, uncoordinated gait. It appeared human, but its decaying, rotting body was stiff, its limbs heavy. The moment he saw it, Vincent had one thought. It was a giant zombie! Decayed Skinny Giant ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) "That''s one hell of a zombie," he muttered, which Valyn naturally overheard. She gave him an approving look, proud to see him unfazed in the presence of a Tier 3 primal. Fenro halted, growling cautiously at the tall primal, while Mochi scrambled out of Valyn''s arms to perch on Vincent''s shoulder once again. Valyn didn''t stop Mochi but let her go. Then, she calmly dismounted Fenro. She turned slightly, facing Vincent. "Would you like to fight it or just watch?" Vincent raised an eyebrow under his mask, wondering why she was asking a Tier 1 Origin Warrior to fight a Tier 3 primal. "Don''t worry. That''s just a normal Tier 3 primal," she said casually. Normal? he thought. Is there a new classification for Tier 3 primals now? But he shook his head and replied, "No, big sis. I''m just a Tier 1 Origin Warrior. I should observe you from a distance." Valyn smirked, knowing Vincent wasn''t an ordinary Tier 1 Origin Warrior. No regular Tier 1 Origin Warrior could defeat a group of Shadow Monkeys! Even so, she didn''t press him further. "Alright, if that''s what you want." She gently stroked Fenro''s fur. "Stay back with them, okay? Make sure nothing happens to them." "Arf!" Fenro barked in acknowledgment. "Watch carefully, little brother, as big sis takes care of that disgusting creature," Valyn said, stretching briefly. As she gazed sharply at the massive primal, an illusory fox tail appeared behind her, followed by a milky aura surrounding her figure. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the next second, her figure blurred as she rushed forward, leaving afterimages with her speed. Chapter 121 - 121: Tower of Illusions! "Watch carefully, as Big Sis takes care of that disgusting creature," Valyn said, stretching briefly. As she gazed sharply at the massive primal, an illusory fox tail appeared behind her, followed by a milky aura surrounding her figure. In the next second, her figure blurred as she rushed forward, leaving afterimages with her speed. When the Decayed Skinny Giant caught sight of the speeding Valyn, it let out a hollow growl and hurled its long, rotting arm! Growl! Because of its huge figure, Valyn''s speed allowed her to easily dodge it. Bang! A cloud of dust rose when the giant zombie''s arm hit the ground. Valyn jumped over its arm, used it as a platform, and ran on it, heading toward its massive head. When she reached its massive head, a milky aura, sharp like claws, formed on her fingers. Without hesitation, she flashed to the top of its head and, with a strong and quick motion, stabbed down her claws, digging deep into its rotting brain. Growl! The Decayed Skinny Giant growled¡ªnot in pain but in annoyance. It wanted to remove Valyn from its head with its free hand; however, Valyn pierced its head again with her other hand and twisted her arms while still deep in its brain. Immediately, the Decayed Skinny Giant''s movements and noises halted. Both its arms fell lifelessly, followed by its entire figure. Valyn had already retreated to a distance. With a heavy thud, it fell to the ground and soon collapsed into particles of digital light. Dead. A massive Tier 3 primal was instantly dead before it could even display its might. Valyn then appeared next to Vincent after retrieving the items dropped by the Decayed Skinny Giant. With a bright smile that seemed to light the Dark Forest, she asked, "How''s Big Sis'' performance?" Vincent gave an approving nod as he said, "It was amazing!" Although he did not witness all the abilities of a ''normal'' Tier 3 primal, he was a fan of Valyn''s fighting style. She immediately eliminated her enemy, knowing she had the strength to toy with it. Hearing his response, Valyn giggled softly. "It was nothing. Come on, let''s go. I''ve already cleared our path." With that, they continued toward their destination: the Tower of Illusion. Several moments later, Vincent was immediately alarmed when he heard a deep and reverberating roar in the distance, but Valyn nonchalantly pressed on with Fenro. Vincent was confused. The last time something blocked their path, Valyn had made Fenro halt, and she eliminated the blocking primal first. Based on the roar he heard, it was likely another Tier 3 primal or even stronger. Just as he was wondering, a different sound pierced the air and reverberated through the silent Dark Forest. Screech! Next, an ear-splitting howl cut through the air. Howl! Soon, tens of different sounds reverberated in their ears as they delved further into the Dark Forest. Despite this, Valyn pressed on without concern. During this series of sounds, Mochi kept silent on Vincent''s shoulder, cautiously looking around. Vincent, on the other hand, was not particularly worried but could not suppress his curiosity. Therefore, he spread out his mental perception, quickly scanning the area far ahead of them. At that moment, Valyn sensed Vincent''s mental perception and was surprised. Vincent''s energy was so dense and could already extend over a significant distance despite his current level. She could not help but wonder to herself, How can his mental perception be this strong? Based on Vincent''s performance in the Tower of Combat, she had assumed his strength was primarily physical. However, upon observing his mental perception, she realized she might have been mistaken. Though she was curious, she did not disturb him and allowed him to do as he pleased. The next thing Vincent saw was a group of massive creatures. He immediately halted his mental perception in shock, but his expression quickly changed to one of confusion beneath his mask. He saw a figure of a western dragon that he had only ever read about in books. It wasn''t alone¡ªthere were other mythical and fantastical creatures roaring in the distance. They all appeared mighty, radiating Tier 3-level pressure. However, when his Heaven Eyes activated, the mythical creatures vanished into nothing but empty air. He finally understood what was happening. Retracting his mental perception and regaining his senses, he muttered, "So, it was all an illusion¡­" Upon hearing his words, Valyn was unsurprised that Vincent quickly deduced the truth, though she felt a tinge of bitterness. The first time she had experienced those illusions, she had nearly peed herself in fright. The source of the illusions was the residual energy from the Tower of Illusion¡ªa cluster of mental energy that created illusions in the surrounding area. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon after feeling a slight discomfort, Vincent once again saw the familiar archaic tower. However, it had a darker appearance this time. Compared to the bleak environment of the Dark Forest, the surroundings of the Tower of Illusion were bright. The tower was situated in the middle of a clear area, as if the space had been intentionally cleaned. Aside from the usual leaderboard rankings, there were numerous stalls around the tower, and many Origin Warriors of different races were roaming about. Strangely, unlike the hostile atmosphere surrounding the Tower of Combat, most people here seemed focused on their own business rather than on everyone around them. Before stepping into view of the crowd, Valyn had already donned her mask. Valyn then spoke, "You must be wondering why the atmosphere here is so different from that outside the Tower of Combat?" Although he wasn''t particularly interested, Vincent still nodded in response. "Unlike the Tower of Combat, where you fight against other challengers, in the Tower of Illusion, you''ll be battling various primals in their energy forms using only your mental energy," Valyn explained. "But keep in mind, that''s not all there is to it. You''ll be in for some surprises the deeper you challenge it," she added. With slightly furrowed brows, he responded, "But I don''t have any mental offensive skills¡­" Well, he did have one, but it wasn''t a true offensive mental skill. Valyn chuckled. "That''s why it''s a training exercise. But you''ve got nothing to worry about. From what I''ve seen, you won''t die on the first level¡ªbut you''ll have to figure out a way to fight your way through." "Additionally, when you die in the Tower of Illusion, you won''t lose your access to the Origin World. However, you will enter a weakened state," she added. Vincent nodded as it piqued his interest. Chapter 122 - 122: Challenging The Tower of Illusions! "Are you going to enter the tower now, or do you want to rest first?" Valyn asked. "I''m still at my peak condition thanks to you. I want to try it now," Vincent answered, shaking his head. It was a fact. During the entire journey, Vincent did not do anything. The primals they encountered were either eliminated by Fenro or Valyn. He hadn''t lifted a finger the entire time; hence, he was still in his best condition. Before entering the Tower of Illusion, he asked Mochi telepathically, "Would you go with me or stay with Big Sis Valyn?" Mochi responded without hesitation, "Hmph! I don''t wanna go with you. You always forget to feed me!" She was still upset because he had left her in Marina''s care the previous night and forgotten to feed her. He could only offer an apologetic smile before turning to Valyn. "Big Sis, can I leave Mochi to you while I''m in the tower?" Valyn''s eyes brightened upon hearing him. "Hehe, gladly! Come here, little fella; this sister still has a lot of delicious food." The moment Mochi heard her words, she didn''t even look at Vincent and quickly pounced into Valyn''s arms. Valyn hugged and caressed Mochi against her cheeks, muttering, "So soft¡­" Vincent simply ignored the fat rabbit''s behavior. He was already used to it. Without further ado, he queued at the tower''s entrance. After a process similar to the Tower of Combat, Vincent finally entered the tower after a few moments. He soon found himself floating in an endless white space. Aside from that, he also realized his body had turned illusory and transparent. A second later, a cold feminine but monotonous voice rang out from somewhere and yet everywhere. [Welcome to the Tower of Illusions, Dear Challenger Magnus!] [As per the Tower''s rule, your Origin Energy will not be sealed, but you won''t be able to use your Force and Speed Attributes and Abilities in your current form.] Vincent was not surprised. It wouldn''t be a challenge for his Mental Attribute if this tower focused on other attributes. [In this tower, you will fight against primals starting from Tier 1. The difficulty will increase as you win the challenges. Each victory has a corresponding reward of Tower Points. Tower Points can be exchanged for items in the Tower''s Exchange. As you currently have no Tower Points, you are unable to access the Tower''s Exchange.] Vincent felt a little disappointed. He had accumulated a lot of Tower Points from the Tower of Combat; if he could bring them, it would''ve been incredible. Unfortunately, it seemed the Towers of Fundamentals had their own unique currency. Nevertheless, he looked forward to seeing if his talent could also affect the Tower of Illusions'' points system. [After each battle, you will be granted 10 minutes of rest time. If you lose or admit defeat, you won''t be able to challenge the Tower of Illusions again for two weeks.] [Do you want to begin your challenge?] With a nod, he responded immediately, "Yes!" As soon as he agreed, his vision blacked out for a moment. When he regained it, he was already standing in a flat wilderness area. His figure was still illusory, similar to the creature in front of him, which he immediately sensed and recognized. The appearance of the primal in front of him had a single description: a goblin. A goblin he hadn''t encountered yet in the wild, making him wonder if such a creature truly existed. "So they actually exist¡­" he murmured. Compared to his illusory white form, the goblin had an emerald hue. It stood at approximately 160 centimeters tall, a long green robe draped over its shoulders. In its empty hand, a green illusory orb appeared and slowly transformed into a wooden staff. [Goblin Mage ¡ª Tier 1 (1¡ï)] Although it was merely a Tier 1 goblin, Vincent did not immediately act. He observed how it moved since they could only use mental energy to fight. Soon, the Goblin Mage began to growl at him, as though asserting dominance. It followed with a strange incantation, forming a jade illusory fiery orb on its staff. Graaa! It exclaimed as it hurled its staff forward. The illusory fireball launched at him at a speed of 25 mph. To Vincent, it was rather slow. Although his speed attribute was locked, his mental attribute was significantly higher than the Goblin Mage''s, enhancing his mental perception. Instead of dodging, he simply flicked away the incoming fireball, which exploded far to his right. This casual act shocked the Goblin Mage. It growled, narrowed its eyes, and bared its sharp teeth before summoning more illusory fireballs! This time, Vincent sensed it more clearly. The Goblin Mage was channeling its mental energy into its illusory staff, speeding up the process of forming fireballs. He wondered how it was possible. The illusory staff was also made of mental energy¡ªhow could it function like a physical staff? Swoosh! Swoosh! The illusory fireballs hurled at him again, but he swatted them away with his left hand. Meanwhile, his other hand controlled his mental energy, attempting to mimic the Goblin Mage''s actions. Soon, an illusory white orb began to form in his right hand. However, a sting in his brain interrupted him. "Argh!" What was that? He tried again but felt the same pain. Changing his approach, he instead thought of creating a plain sword, like the one he had used in the Tower of Combat. Surprisingly, this went smoothly. It had the same weight, width, and length as the original¡ªpractically a "mental-copy" of the real weapon. Without hesitation, he slashed at another fireball hurling toward him. His sword smoothly cut it in half, causing two weak explosions upon hitting the ground. At this moment, Vincent realized the Goblin Mage''s illusory form had become more transparent. It hadn''t appeared exhausted, but it had clearly spent most of its mental energy. Realizing this, Vincent knew the Goblin Mage was no longer suitable for practice. With a single step, he crossed the 20-meter distance and slashed the goblin''s neck. Although he wasn''t as fast with his speed attribute sealed, his higher mental energy made his illusory figure stronger and quicker. In the end, it was all about Mental Attribute Points. [You have successfully completed your first challenge!] [You have gained 1 Tower Point!] Only one? Well, it made sense since it was just a Tier 1 (1¡ï) primal. However, the magic words he''d hoped for soon came. Talent Activated! +10,000 Tower Points! "Haha, great!" It is actually effective here as well! Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 123 - 123: Exchanging Tower Points Talent Activated! +10,000 Tower Points! "Haha, great!" It is actually effective here as well! Although he had already expected it, it was still enough to excite him. The effect of his talent was too broken in this place. It was still a wonder how the Tower of Fundamentals allowed his talent to work. [You have 10 minutes to rest!] [You can now access the Tower''s Exchange!] Vincent simply ignored the cold, monotonous, feminine voice of the tower and quickly checked the Tower''s Exchange. "Open the Tower''s Exchange!" Soon, the golden interface appeared before his eyes. Similar to the Tower of Combat, there were 4 tabs on it: Skills Weapons Equipment Miscellaneous Items He clicked on the Skills section, and it showed three subsections under it. It was basically Tier 1 to Tier 3 skill lists. However, aside from Tier 1, the other tiers were still locked. He thought it might be because he hadn''t met the necessary conditions yet. Therefore, he clicked on Tier 1. Immediately, a long list of available skills was displayed before his eyes. From the bottom, he scrolled all the way to the top. Skill Name: Mental Manipulation Price: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A skill that can influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through subtle, undetected manipulation of the mind. Skill Name: Thoughts Spike Price: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A skill to project sharp, piercing mental energy at an opponent, causing mental harm or disruption. Skill Name: Cognitive Shield Price: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A skill to form a mental barrier or shield against mental and external attacks or manipulation. Skill Name: Energy Lances Price: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: A skill to form lance-like constructs out of pure mental energy, which can be launched at an opponent. ... The list went on. Despite having enough points to buy one rare skill, Vincent chose not to buy a rare-grade skill at the moment. Based on his current attributes, he was certain that his next opponent still wouldn''t stand a chance against him unless the tower gave him a Tier 3 Primal, which was quite unlikely. Instead, he exchanged for two uncommon skills for 8,000 Tower Points: Skill Name: Mental Wave Price: 4,000 Tower Points Grade: Uncommon Details: A skill that can send a mental wave attack for a maximum distance of 100 meters. Skill Name: Mental Shield Price: 4,000 Tower Points Grade: Uncommon Details: A skill that can block a mental energy attack. The details were very short and vague. Even so, he chose them for a good reason. He could practice attacking and blocking mental attacks from now on. Hence, he didn''t delay any longer and learned these two new skills. Mental Wave skill has been added to the skill list! Mental Shield skill has been added to the skill list! He still had 8 minutes remaining in the resting period. Although he had just learned the skills, the instructions were very simple. He shifted his focus to one of the nearest trees beside him, and with a thought, a milky wave, like a sound wave, spread forward at a not-so-fast speed. Whiiiing! However, the mental wave attack simply passed through the trees and didn''t leave any damage. He slightly furrowed his brows in wonder before realizing that he was only in an illusion. It would be useless practicing in this environment¡ªhe had to continue the challenge if he wanted to know its actual effects. However, he wasn''t in a rush. After practicing Mental Wave attacks and summoning Mental Shield for a few minutes, he decided to continue the challenge. "Proceed with the next level!" [Next level will start in 3¡­ 2¡­ 1!] In the same environment, 10 Goblin Mages appeared in the distance. All of them still had the strength of Tier 1 (1¡ï). The Goblin Mages immediately began unleashing a wave of illusory fireballs toward him. Needless to say, Vincent quickly activated his newly learned skill, Mental Shield. Instantly, a white aura appeared over his entire illusory figure. Despite deploying a Mental Shield, he did not fully trust its durability. Therefore, he also unleashed his Mental Wave, attacking the incoming illusory fireballs. Based on his short practice, he discovered that if he spread his Mental Wave around him, it could only reach a 10-meter radius. However, if he narrowed its range to a cone shape, it could reach over 50 meters, and if focused in a straight line, it reached 100 meters. In the next second, as his Mental Wave contacted the illusory fireballs, they were cut in half horizontally without any obstacles. As the broken fireballs exploded in the surroundings, his sharp mental wave continued forward, heading toward the Goblin Mages. Upon seeing this, the Goblin Mages in range immediately deployed a similar skill to his Mental Shield, shielding themselves from the incoming mental attack. Bang! Loud sounds occurred upon impact as the Mental Wave collided with the Goblin Mages'' mental shields. It was followed by cracking sounds, and eventually, the mental wave cut through the illusory figure of five Goblin Mages, splitting them in half. Bang! Consecutive explosions occurred as the five Goblin Mages died in a single attack. The remaining Goblin Mages growled in anger upon witnessing it. And just when they were about to counterattack, Vincent''s second Mental Wave attack was already in front of them. Based on what he learned, his Mental Wave attack could release 5 waves of attack before he had to unleash another one. However, just by the look of it, his Mental Attribute point was too overwhelming for the Goblin Mages. Hence, just the second wave of his attack swiftly eliminated the remaining Goblin Mages. [You have successfully cleared the second level!!] [You have received 10 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +100,000 Tower Points! [You have 10 minutes to rest!] "Should I buy new skills first or continue?" He wondered since his current strength was enough to sweep through the current level. But he eventually decided against it. It was better to spend all his tower points as soons as possible as the skills might be taken by other tower challengers. With a quick snap, he exchanged for 10 rare grade skills, spending 100,000 Tower Points. Naturally, he did not learn all of it at once. He just chose the top four skills he had found. Mental Manipulation skill has been added to the skill list! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thoughts Spike skill has been added to the skill list! Cognitive Shield skill has been added to the skill list! Energy Lances skill has been added to the skill list! Chapter 124 - 124: Accumulating Tower Points After learning it, he began practicing to familiarize himself with it. After a while, he once again proceeded to the next level. He was still in the same environment; however, his opponent this time was not a goblin mage or any species of goblin. The illusory figure this time had the appearance of a wolf. It had sleek, dark fur and intense amber eyes. With a quick scan, he learned its name: Cerebrah ¡ª Tier 1(3¡ï) Suddenly, the Cerebrah''s fur glowed faintly with a violet hue. At the same time, Vincent felt his mind blank for a moment but instantly regained clarity. "It just attacked me¡­ Unfortunately, my mental power is too high," he muttered. The Cerebrah let out a soft howl as it tilted its head, probably wondering why its skill did not work even though it successfully hit Vincent. Unfortunately for it, Vincent wasn''t the type to let any chance slip through his hands. With a thought, a sharp mental energy flashed into the brain of the Cerebrah. In the next second, its eyes suddenly lost their glow as though it had lost consciousness. With a word from him, "Sit." The Cerebrah immediately sat without struggling. It was his Mental Manipulation skill. It was the first time he had used it, so he had no complete idea or image of its effect. But upon seeing Cerebrah''s action, it seemed more like a mind control skill. Although he had no information on its limits, the effect was still useful from Vincent''s perspective. He had no information on how long it could last. Hence, he began a series of commands for quite a while. He soon discovered that a Tier 1(3¡ï) primal could be controlled for at most 10 minutes. After that, the Cerebrah managed to regain its awareness. Additionally, he learned that he could not force it to commit suicide, or perhaps it had no way to kill itself. He still had to do some more experimentation. Once he exhausted the Cerebrah, he no longer hesitated and killed it. [You have successfully cleared the 3rd Level!] [You have received 2 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +20,000 Tower Points! This time, Vincent chose to proceed immediately to the next level. And the moment his next opponent appeared before him, he felt a wave of mental and origin energy sweep over him, recovering his mental and origin energy in an instant. It was the first time he realized that the tower had this function because he had never had a chance to actually spend his Origin Energy. His previous opponents were too weak. He mostly spent his Mental and Origin Energy during his practice. This time, there were 20 Cerebrahs appearing in the distance. They howled and growled when they saw him. Without a word, their fur started to glow, attacking Vincent''s mind. Unfortunately for them, Vincent had already anticipated it. Initially, he thought of deploying Mental Shield, but he immediately switched to Cognitive Shield after a second. Soon, a bright, milky aura with a few strange symbols appeared over his entire figure, shielding him from any external and mental attacks! Needless to say, the Cerebrahs'' confusion attacks failed to penetrate his shield. Realizing this, the other ten Cerebrahs still glowing with violet hue opened their mouths and launched illusory purple fiery balls! "Hmph!" Vincent snorted. He raised his hand with a simple activation, and following the information in his mind, several phantom images of 150-centimeter lances formed over his head. With a wave of his hand, the phantom lances hurled toward the incoming purple fiery balls! Swoosh! Swoosh! He did not stop there! With another thought, a sharp mental energy once again flashed toward the closest Cerebrahs, and before they could unleash more purple fiery balls, they suddenly halted their actions and whimpered in pain. It was the effect of his skill Thought Spike! It could inflict mental harm or disrupt the target. The phantom lances then collided with the purple fiery balls, causing a fireworks-like display in the air. Bang! Bang! Vincent did not even think of slowing down his attack. With a slash of his sword, a mental wave attack burst forth towards the injured and confused Cerebrahs! It did not take long before Vincent annihilated the pack of Cerebrahs. [You have successfully cleared the 4th Level!] [You have received 20 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +200,000 Tower Points! [You have 10 minutes to rest.] He had a total of 222,000 Tower Points! "Hehe, what should I get next¡­" he thought with a wide grin on his face. He could not wait to see the faces the other Tower Challengers would make when he hoarded all the available items in the tower''s exchange once again. Instead of clearing the available skills, he checked the weapon list section. Weapon Name: Psionic Dagger Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Weapon Name: Psychonic Orb Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Weapon Name: Cerebral Staff Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Weapon Name: Psionic Sword Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Power: Tier 1 Armament Grade: Rare Without even clearly reading through them, he swept the top 10 rare weapons on the list, using one hundred thousand Tower Points! He then closed the weapon section and opened the miscellaneous items section. He always checked the equipment section last. There were tons of miscellaneous items listed in it. There were similar items that he also found in the Tower of Combat, like the capture ball, storage ring, experience potion, experience boost, and so on. Naturally, there were also items that he did not find in the Tower of Combat, like the Mental Potion. Item Name: Mental Potion Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Increase Mental Attribute by 5 points for five minutes without side effects. There were a lot of interesting items, but he first exchanged his remaining points for 10 rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions! He would need a lot of them since he was preparing to break through to Tier 2. He had no idea how many experience points he would need to break through, but preparing more than the required amount was better than being short. With that, he was left with 22,000 Tower Points. Although he could use them, he held onto them for the time being and proceeded to the next level! The next thing Vincent faced was a Tier 1(4¡ï) primal resembling a huge butterfly. However, he no longer held back to train his skills and quickly killed it in a few seconds. +3 Tower Points! Talent Activated! +30,000 Tower Points! Vincent simply set it aside and continued to the next level. He now faced 50 Tier 1(4¡ï) butterfly primals. Despite their numbers, he was able to finish the battle in a short moment. +30 Tower Points! Talent Activated! +300,000 Tower Points! He didn''t take a rest and fought the next level! Vincent only took a rest when he defeated a hundred peak Tier 1 primals. He now had a total of 752,000 Tower Points! Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although Vincent was still not satisfied with it, he couldn''t hide his grin when he imagined the commotion he was going to cause. "Again!" Chapter 125 - 125: Empty After defeating another batch of Peak Tier 1 primals, Vincent had finally accumulated 1,500,000 Tower Points! He couldn''t help but exclaim, "Sweet!" With this amount of Tower Points, he could clear an entire section of the Tower''s Exchange, but he held that thought as the Tower''s voice echoed again. [You have met the condition to challenge Tier 2. Would you like to proceed?] Brows furrowing slightly, Vincent muttered thoughtfully to himself, "Tier 2¡­ hmm, I wonder if I''ll be able to use the points I earned in the Tier 1 challenge to exchange for Tier 2 items?" His question lingered for only a moment before the cold, mechanical voice of the Tower promptly responded. [You are only allowed to exchange them for Tier 1 items.] Although it sounded disappointing, Vincent thought it made sense. If Tier 1 Origin Warriors could use their Tower Points to acquire Tier 2 items, there would be an abundance of Tier 1 Origin Warriors equipped with Tier 2 gear. He asked another question. "Can I continue challenging Tier 1 and accumulate more Tower Points?" Even with over one and a half million Tower Points already in hand, it still wasn''t enough to empty out everything available in the Tier 1 Tower''s Exchange. Vincent, being the hoarder he was, couldn''t let it go to waste. If there was even a tiny chance to amass more, he was absolutely determined to seize it! Without hesitation, the Tower''s voice answered his inquiry. [You can.] Short and direct, but enough for Vincent. "Great." [Would you like to proceed?] "Not yet. Let me take a rest." [You have 5 minutes to rest.] "Five minutes? Isn''t it ten?" ... Despite his question, the Tower''s voice remained silent after half a minute of waiting. "Forget it¡­" he muttered, letting out a defeated sigh. "Open the Tower''s Exchange." Once the Tower''s Exchange interface appeared before him, Vincent contemplated for a moment before opening the Equipment Tab. Soon enough, a long list of available items unfolded before his eyes. The items were separated into two distinct sections: Armor and Accessories. Vincent scanned through the list carefully, noting the details of some standout pieces: Item Name: Mentalist Dark Robe Cost: 10,000 Grade: Rare Details: A magical robe crafted using materials with mental energy. Increases Mental Power and Mental Resistance by 10%. Item Name: Illusory Armor Cost: 10,000 Grade: Rare Details: Crafted from materials of an illusionist primal. Grants the wearer the ability to create Tier 1 illusions and projections. Item Name: Mental Energy Shoes Cost: 10,000 Grade: Rare Details: These shoes absorb and store mental energy from the environment, allowing the release of powerful mental energy blasts or waves. Item Name: Mindstone Ring Cost: 10,000 S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grade: Rare Details: Increases Mental Points by 3. Item Name: Mental Resistance Circlet Cost: 10,000 Grade: Rare Details: Increases Mental Resistance by 5. Vincent didn''t waste much time dwelling on lesser items. He quickly snatched up the top 10 rare-grade items listed. -100,000 Tower Points! With these newly acquired treasures, he felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Most of the remaining items in the Equipment Tab were either common or uncommon, so he shifted his focus. Systematically, he cleared out all the rare-grade skills, weapons, and other miscellaneous items available. Even after that shopping spree, Vincent found himself with an impressive half a million Tower Points still at his disposal. Afterward, with half a million Tower Points still left, he exchanged for available uncommon items. When he finally used up all his Tower Points, he equipped the new items, greatly increasing his mental power. He donned the Mentalist Dark Robe, placed the Mindstone Ring on one finger, and wore the Mental Resistance Circlet on his wrist. "Now¡­ let''s continue!" Soon, hundreds of Peak Tier 1 primals began appearing before him. "Well, isn''t that almost three times the amount from the previous level?" Several minutes later, Vincent exhaled deeply after killing the 400th primal. He was rewarded with 800 points and a multiplier of 10,000 on his talent! Without hesitation, Vincent swept up the remaining Tier 1 items in the Tower''s Exchange. "Hehehe," Vincent chuckled wickedly, unable to suppress his delight at completely sweeping the inventory. His actions, however, didn''t go unnoticed. The rapid depletion of the Tier 1 Exchange sent ripples of shock among other challengers, sparking a frenzy. Initially, his clearing of rare-grade items had already caused a commotion. But now, his action of emptying the entire Tier 1 Exchange caused a new uproar among challengers. "N-No! This can''t be happening!" "No, bro! My rare-grade Armament!" "Why is this happening here too?!" Amidst the chaos, Vincent''s challenger name, ''Magnus,'' quietly appeared on the Tier 1 leaderboard in the No. 1 spot, only to disappear moments later. One observer rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "What was that?" he murmured, confused. As confusion reigned, digital lights began appearing outside the Tower as challengers exited. Someone shouted, "The Tower''s Exchange items have disappeared!" "Is that real?" another person asked. "Yes! I was about to exchange for an uncommon-grade skill when I found it was empty. I thought it was a bug, but nothing changed even after refreshing or waiting. Then I remembered the Tower of Combat incident¡­" "Yeah, true! I just entered the tower, and the whole exchange was emptied!" The murmurs intensified as they speculated what had happened. None of them considered the possibility of a single person emptying the Exchange¡ªit was simply impossible. At least, so they believed. Amidst the confusion, Valyn naturally also heard the commotion. "It happened again?" she whispered, clearly confused. This had never occurred before, but ever since she brought Vincent to the Tower of Combat, impossible events began happening. "Was it because of him?" she wondered before shaking her head. It seemed unlikely. Vincent was only Tier 1. Although he was stronger than an average Tier 1, it shouldn''t be enough to cause such disruptions. Unbeknownst to them, Vincent had already started the Tier 2 challenge. At this moment, he was facing an illusory primal resembling a 3-meter-tall black-furred boar. Chapter 126 - 126: Tier 2 Reward With a quick glance he instantly learned its name. Gossakan Boar ¡ª Tier 2 (1¡ï) He clearly had no idea about this primal, it just showed how he was still lacking in this area. He kept in mind that he had to increase his knowledge not just about the general information of Origin World but the other areas too, especially about the primals. Keeping that thought aside, Vincent did not hesitate to initiate the battle. He had already started getting familiar with his new skills. In quick succession, he summoned his Cognitive Shield around him and with a wave of his hand, 2 Energy Lances formed above him before he immediately hurled towards the Gossakan Boar. Seeing this, the three-meter tall black-furred boar growled before a transparent mental barrier appeared around its body. The Energy Lances cut through the air and flashed in front of the Gossakan Boar, however, the moment it crashed into the transparent barrier, instead of a loud sound of impact, the Energy Lances smoothly went through it and disappeared. The Gossakan Boar was complete and healthy! A second later, the similar two Energy Lances that he had just launched were now flying back at him! Vincent was not worried despite seeing it but he was instead got interested by the Gossakan Boar''s skills. "Interesting, it can absorb and reflect my attack¡­" he muttered to himself before slightly furrowing his brows, it was followed by a sharp mental energy flashing straight to the boar''s mind, causing a high-pitched squeal. Buu! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It shook its head in pain, causing it to lose its focus and the Energy Lances to fly in a different direction before plunging into the ground causing explosions. That''s how useful his skill Thoughts Spike was! It could easily affect the mind of an opponent lower than his Mental Power! The Gossakan Boar seemed annoyed as it grunted loudly before its eerie blue eyes glowed followed by a Mental Energy forming from its mouth and blasting it towards him. Vincent slashed his sword, sending a wave of mental energy that smoothly cut through the incoming mental blast. He immediately followed up with his Mental Manipulation, immobilizing it in an instant. "Lay down!" Simple and authoritative. The Gossakan Boar could not even resist it as it laid down on the ground respectfully. With a simple wave of his hand, several Energy Lances formed and pierced through in its massive figure before it collapsed into particles of digital lights. Dead. [You have cleared the 1st Level of Tier 2 Challenge!] [You have received 10 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +100,000 Tower Points! [You have a 5 minute resting time.] With a hundred thousand tower points, Vincent had been curious what were the items he could exchange for Tier 2 Tower Points. With a quick command and motion, he opened the Tier 2 Tower Exchange and checked the Skill Tab. Scrolling through the top, he saw a skill name in bold font and purple color. Skill Name: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura Cost: 50,000 Grade: Epic Details: A higher-grade mental energy from Yellow Heaven. Allowing the user to wield Yellow Heaven Mental Power¡­ "Epic-grade!" Although he had a lot of Epic-grade skills, it was the first time he saw an actual epic-grade that did not come from upgrading with his talent. Therefore, he was quite excited. Despite the given details being short and vague, it did not stop him from exchanging for it immediately. It was the only Epic-Grade on the list, he could not let someone take it before his hands. The moment a purple book appeared in front of him, he quickly learned it. Yellow Heaven Mental Aura learned! As soon as he learned it, information flooded his mind but he still checked its visual information. Name: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura Grade: Epic Details: A high-grade mental energy from Yellow Heaven. Allowing the user to wield Yellow Heaven Mental Power. Note: There are four levels of Mental Energy in Origin World. Lowest, Low, Mid, and High Grade. Sub-Skills: Psychic Volley Details: Cone-shaped mental energy attack that deals moderate damage to enemies and increases with each successful hit. 50-meters range. Effect: Deals moderate damage to enemies in a cone-shaped area, with the damage increasing with each successful hit. Cooldown: 6 seconds Cost: 40 Origin Energy Mental Domination Details: Forced everyone in a 50-meter radius who are weaker than you to obey you for a long period of time. Cooldown: 60 minutes Cost: 1000 Origin Energy "It only has two sub-skills but both of them are truly useful, especially the Mental Domination!" Although it sounds similar to his skill Mental Manipulation, his Mental Manipulation skill could only have a single target and could only make a few simple commands and only for a short amount of time. While the Mental Domination could affect multiple targets at the same time and it clearly stated for a long period of time. Although he had no idea how long it was, it was still better than a short period. Another thing he discovered was about the grades of mental energy. There were actually different grades of mental energy and surprisingly, the Yellow Heaven Mental Aura was a high-grade mental energy! He was already interested to find out what was the difference between his normal mental energy and the Yellow Heaven Mental Energy. Therefore, he continued to the second level. This time, there were 20 Gossakan Boars that appeared not just in front of him but all around, surrounding him. Without a word, Vincent focused his mental energy according to the information in his mind. In the next second a pale golden yellow energy burst forth off his body and spread 50-meters around him. In the next instance, the hostile eyes of Gossakan Boars lost their luster before transforming to fanatic eyes as though they were worshipping their god. They respectfully lowered their limbs and head, bowing at him. Vincent''s eyes revealed a disbelief expression. He could somehow understand their thoughts! Chapter 127 - 127: Epic Grade Items In the next instant, the hostile eyes of the Gossakan Boars lost their luster, transforming into fanatic gazes as though they were worshipping their god. One by one, the Gossakan Boars bent low, lowering their sturdy limbs and massive heads to the ground. They prostrated themselves before him, displaying absolute submission, their actions a clear testament to the overwhelming power that had overtaken them. Vincent''s wide eyes betrayed his astonishment. He could hardly believe what he was seeing, yet the evidence was right before him. He could inexplicably understand their emotions, their thoughts¡ªan unshakable loyalty towards him, no matter the command. Even the most extreme order¡ªlike instructing them to end their own lives¡ªwould be met with unquestioning compliance. That was the terrifying effectiveness of Mental Domination! It could turn affected targets into his dead-loyal subordinates. "This could turn the tide of any situation¡­ especially on a battlefield. This is really great!" The potential of the skill was far beyond anything he had imagined. Though its cooldown time of 60 minutes might seem limiting at first, he knew this drawback could be minimized as he upgraded the ability and increased its proficiency. Additionally, if combined strategically with his Phantom Veil skill, it could drastically alter the course of battle and provide a critical edge against any foe. It was no exaggeration to call it a game-changing power. He truly liked it! However, there was one notable limitation. The Gossakan Boars, now fully loyal to him, could not be taken out of the Tower. Otherwise, he would have considered forming an unstoppable army of mental-energy-wielding primal beasts! Resigned to this reality, Vincent ultimately gave them a final, absolute command¡ªto end their own lives. The creatures obeyed without hesitation. [You have successfully cleared the 2nd Level of Tier 2 Challenge!] [You have received 100 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! A million Tower Points popping into his inventory was enough to make Vincent smile gleefully. The sheer satisfaction of seeing those points accumulate never ceased to thrill him. For him, there was one clear implication of having such a massive reserve of points¡ªit was hoarding time! Without wasting a moment, Vincent moved on to browse the available Epic-grade items. Since there were no more Epic-grade skills left in the skill section, he skipped it for now and instead focused on the other categories. Without hesitation, he began exchanging points for every Epic-grade item he could find. Item Name: Twilight Blade Cost: 50,000 Power: Tier 2 Armament Type: Weapon Grade: Epic Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Details: The Twilight Blade is a unique alloy sword crafted from Lunarium metal, earthly materials, and ancient magical runes. It balances the energies of both Force and Mental attributes, enhancing the wielder''s physical and mental powers, such as strength, agility, telekinesis, and psychic abilities. Item Name: Astral Crown Cost: 50,000 Power: Tier 2 Armament Type: Armor Grade: Epic Details: The Astral Crown is a Lunarium Metal circlet set with Lunar Crystals that enhance the wearer''s mental attributes and powers, such as telepathy, telekinesis, and mental resistance. Item Name: Astral Rune Cost: 50,000 Type: Accessory Grade: Epic Details: Crafted from the same Lunarium Metal, the Astral Rune is a precious accessory that resonates with powerful energy. Its capabilities are often compared to those of the Astral Crown, adding versatility and fortification to the user''s mental prowess. Item Name: Elixir of Mental Fortification (Tier 2) Cost: 50,000 Type: Potion Grade: Epic Details: A high-quality potion that helps break through mental attribute limitations to reach Tier 2. Altogether, he had spent a total of 200,000 Tower Points, and though he hadn''t yet scrutinized every aspect of the items, he was already brimming with excitement. It was four Epic-grade items after all! He quickly stored the Elixir of Mental Fortification for future use, then turned his attention to the Astral Crown. A glint of light flashed in his eyes as he examined the Astral Crown. To put it simply, the Astral Crown was a thin circlet with a silver sheen and a faint blue hue, made from the rare Lunarium Metal. Embedded at its center was a diamond-shaped Lunar Crystal that seemed to pulse faintly with an abundance of mental energy. Name: Astral Crown Power: Tier 2 Armament Type: Armor Grade: Epic Effects: Mental +25 [Skill 1: Astral Sundering] ¡ª Allows the wearer to sever the connection between mind and body, temporarily rendering the target unable to control their physical actions. Range: 100 meters Cooldown: 10 minutes Cost: 100 Origin Energy [Skill 2: Astral Sanctuary] ¡ª Allows the wearer to create an Astral Sanctuary, shielding themselves and their allies from psychic attacks and mental influences for a set duration. Range: 100-meter radius Cooldown: 10 minutes Cost: 100 Origin Energy [Skill 3: Mental Nullification] ¡ª Allows the wearer to negate or nullify mental powers within a 100-meter radius for a set period, making it impossible for enemies to use mental abilities within the area of effect. Range: 100-meter radius Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 100 Origin Energy Awestruck by its versatility, Vincent placed the Astral Crown on his head. To his surprise and delight, the crown became invisible the moment it was worn, though its presence remained tangible. "This is perfect! I won''t look ridiculous walking around with a crown on my head in public," Vincent thought with relief, glad that he wouldn''t draw unnecessary attention. Next, his focus turned to the Astral Rune. True to its name, it resembled a faintly glowing azure diamond-shaped rune, appearing almost like a star suspended in the night sky. Name: Astral Rune Type: Accessory Grade: Epic Effects: Mental +25 [Skill 1: Astral Invisibility] ¡ª Allows the wearer to cloak their thoughts and intentions, making it difficult for others to sense or detect their presence for a set duration. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy [Skill 2: Mental Shatter] ¡ª Allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy [Skill 3: Astral Clone] ¡ª Allows the wearer to create an astral clone, enabling them to act and fight in multiple locations simultaneously. The clone possesses 50% of the main body''s abilities and exists unless destroyed or the main body dies. Maximum Clones: 2 Cost: 1000 Origin Energy Once again, Vincent was astounded by the skills of an Epic-grade accessory! "Now, how do I equip this¡­?" Just as he was wondering, the Astral Rune shone briefly before embedding itself into his temple. Moments later, it settled within his consciousness. "How can this be an accessory? It''s inside my consciousness!" Setting aside his bewilderment, he inspected the final armament he had acquired. It was a plain-looking sword with a blade that split into two distinct colors: black and white, separated vertically. Although simple in appearance, it emitted a calming aura that soothed his mind. Chapter 128 - 128: A Huge Uproar Name: Twilight Blade Power: Tier 2 Armament Type: Weapon Grade: Epic Effect: Force +10, Mental +15 Twilight Blade Skills Skill 1: Psychic Storm This ability allows the wielder to unleash a devastating psychic storm within a radius of 100 meters. The storm can strike multiple enemies simultaneously, inflicting massive mental damage that lasts for a duration of 10 seconds. Range: 100 meters Cooldown: 120 seconds Cost: 200 Origin Energy Skill 2: Twilight Shroud This skill enables the wielder to summon a twilight shroud spanning a 50-meter radius. The shroud reduces enemy visibility by 50% and significantly enhances the wielder''s mental faculties for 10 seconds. Additionally, all attacks launched within the shroud deal 50% more damage to enemies. Range: 50 meters Cooldown: 180 seconds Cost: 200 Origin Energy Skill 3: Twilight Rend S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The wielder channels immense power into the Twilight Blade to unleash a potent mental strike. This melee-range ability deals devastating psychic damage to the target, tearing through their mental defenses and leaving them exposed to subsequent attacks for 10 seconds. Range: Melee Cooldown: 120 seconds Cost: 200 Origin Energy "This is insane¡­" Vincent couldn''t help but take a sharp intake of breath as he fully absorbed the capabilities of his new items. The magnitude of what he had acquired was almost beyond belief. Each piece significantly amplified his mental attributes, taking them to heights he had never expected. The combined effects of the Astral Crown and Astral Rune added a staggering 50 mental points to his already impressive base. With the Twilight Blade''s attributes layered on top, Vincent''s total mental score skyrocketed to an astounding 115 points! This was more than double his current ability¡ªand the realization sent a thrill of excitement coursing through his veins. "With these items," he muttered to himself, a sly grin forming on his face, "I think I might even be ready for the Tier 3 challenge!" His confidence bolstered, Vincent wasted no time. He quickly spent the remaining Tower Points he had on hand and moved forward to test his strength on Level 3. Vincent''s was against two Tier 2 (2¡ï) Primals. Cleared! His next challenge came in the form of 40 of those same Primals. Cleared! By this point, Vincent was an unstoppable force. He charged headlong through the trials, his enhanced mental attributes and superior weapons leaving a path of utter destruction. The highlight of the Tier 2 challenge was a grueling battle against an army of Peak Tier 2 Primals, numbering over a thousand. Despite the overwhelming odds, Vincent emerged victorious. His success was thanks to his extensive use of Origin Energy and Origin Crystals, which enabled him to continuously activate his abilities throughout the prolonged fight. Still, Vincent knew that if he''d been forced to rely purely on his stamina, he would have collapsed from sheer exhaustion before the battle''s end. By the time he cleared the 10th Level, Vincent had racked up a staggering 50 million Tower Points. "That''s more than enough to clear out the Tower''s Exchange of everything it has to offer," he said with satisfaction, already envisioning the treasures he could now claim. With a broad smile, he declared, "It''s hoarding time!" While Vincent was busy inside the Tower, a different kind of scene was playing out in the world outside. A crowd of spectators had gathered, eagerly watching the Tier 2 Challenger Leaderboard, and they couldn''t believe their eyes. Out of nowhere, a name they''d never seen before¡ª''Magnus''¡ªhad appeared at the top of the rankings. The details were jaw-dropping: 1st: Magnus ¡ª Level 10, Time Cleared: 2 minutes and 5 seconds! 2nd: Vox ¡ª Level 9, Time Cleared: 1 hour and 39 minutes 3rd: Jojo ¡ª Level 9, Time Cleared: 1 hour and 45 minutes As they scanned the rest of the leaderboard, the gap in performance between this mysterious ''Magnus'' and the other top-tier challengers became glaringly apparent. "Two minutes¡­ and five seconds?" someone muttered incredulously. "That''s not possible!" It seemed almost as if Magnus was merely strolling through the levels, obliterating any and all opposition without even breaking a sweat. But just as abruptly as it had appeared, Magnus'' name vanished from the leaderboard. "What just happened?" one of the onlookers asked, stunned. The crowd murmured, their confusion evident. "Did anyone else see that? Where did the name go?" Before the they could fully process what they''d witnessed, an alarming announcement sent a ripple of shock through the gathered spectators: "THE TIER 2 ITEMS ARE ALL GONE!" For a moment, silence fell over the crowd, everyone stunned into stillness. Then chaos erupted as the reality of what had happened sank in. "No way!" someone cried. "That''s impossible!" "What do you mean the items are gone?" another demanded. "I''m not lying!" the announcer shouted back. "If you don''t believe me, go check the Tower yourself!" A wave of panic swept through the crowd as people scrambled to verify the claim. One by one, challengers dashed into the Tower of Illusions to investigate. It didn''t take long for the first wave of scouts to return. Their faces were pale, their expressions grim. "Well?" someone asked anxiously. "What did you find?" "The Tier 2 items¡­" one scout stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "They''re gone. All of them. Every single one." "T-That can''t be true!" But the scout''s words were echoed by every other warrior who had gone in to confirm the situation. Both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 items had been completely wiped out. For many in the crowd, this news was like a physical blow. "No way¡­ I''ve been saving Tower Points for months!" one warrior wailed, falling to their knees. Others reacted with a mixture of rage and despair. The Tower of Illusions had been a cornerstone of progress for countless warriors. Its items represented not just power, but hope and opportunity. Without access to these resources, the path forward suddenly seemed much steeper, especially for those who had been betting their futures on acquiring specific pieces of equipment. Even the prodigies of the Mental Energy era weren''t immune to the impact of this event. While they might eventually recover, the absence of these items would significantly slow their development. While chaos reigned outside, Vincent calmly stored away all the Tier 2 items he''d managed to claim. With a quiet sense of triumph, he reflected on the fortune he''d secured. "With this haul, I just might be one of the wealthiest individuals in the entire Novice Continent," he thought with satisfaction. Chapter 129 - 129: Legendary Vincent had already met the conditions to challenge Tier 3 of the Tower of Illusions. After his free resting period, he began the trials, causing his name to disappear entirely from the Tier 2 ranking leaderboard! Tier 3 Challenge, 1st Level. He found himself face-to-face with a 3-meter-tall primal resembling a fox with two tails. With a quick scan, he identified both its name and strength. Twin-Tailed Phantasm Fox ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) The difference between this primal and the ones he had previously fought was immediately apparent. The earlier primals had a more illusory quality, while the Twin-Tailed Phantasm Fox had a tangible, almost lifelike appearance despite being composed purely of mental energy. At that moment, Vincent had no precise idea about the exact amount of Attribute Points a Tier 3 level primal should possess. However, based on his current stats¡ªsince he could easily overwhelm most Peak Tier 2 foes with his 50 Attribute Points¡ªhe estimated that Tier 2''s limit would likely fall below 50. The starting point for Tier 3 might, therefore, lie somewhere around 40-45 points. "If my guess is correct, it should be around that..." he speculated. Alternatively, if his assumption was wrong, Tier 3 might require Attribute Points well above 50. Regardless, even if the base value for Tier 3 was an astronomical 100 points, it wouldn''t matter to Vincent. His current Mental Attribute was well over 100, ensuring his dominance. While he calculated the primal''s potential strength, the creature had other ideas. Seizing an opportunity, it unleashed a powerful howl and dashed toward him with startling speed. Its movements were unlike anything Vincent had encountered before. Unfortunately for the Twin-Tailed Phantasm Fox, Vincent''s mental power was double¡ªif not more¡ªthan its own. To his heightened perception, its swift attack seemed to unfold in slow motion. "Should I take my time to study its movements and skills?" he briefly considered before shaking his head. No, he wasn''t patient enough to waste time on such experiments. Gripping the Twilight Blade in his right hand, he raised it overhead. The blade emitted a faint white light, releasing a fierce storm of mental energy. This storm spread in a 100-meter radius, bombarding the fox with relentless mental strikes. The Twin-Tailed Phantasm Fox had no means of escape! Howl! The fox''s mournful cry echoed from within the raging Psychic Storm, the first skill of the Twilight Blade. Ten seconds later, the storm began to fade, leaving behind nothing but silence and empty air. A formidable Tier 3 primal had been annihilated in an instant. Vincent couldn''t suppress the excitement surging through him. With his current mental power, only a handful of individuals across the entire Novice Continent might pose any threat to him. This realization meant he could now accelerate his plans. His thoughts swirled with the possibilities, but he was pulled back to the present as the Tower''s voice announced the completion of the first level. [You have successfully cleared Tier 3, Level 1!] [You have received 100 Tower Points!] sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Talent Activated! +1,000,000 Tower Points! [You now have access to the Tier 3 Tower''s Exchange!] [You have a 3-minute resting period.] "An instant one million points... absolutely insane." He had cleared just one level and already gained a million points. If this information ever became public, people would probably scream "Unfair!" or react with disbelief and jealousy. His talent was nothing short of extraordinary¡ªsome might even call it broken. Vincent didn''t care if others discovered his talent; he intended to exploit it to the fullest extent. One detail, however, caught his attention: the resting periods were growing shorter with each subsequent challenge. Wasting no time, he opened the Tier 3 Tower''s Exchange menu, heading straight to the Skill Tab. At the very top of the list, a skill caught his eye. It was written in bold, italicized golden font, making it stand out immediately. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he read the name aloud, "Astral Immunity..." Skill Name: Astral Immunity Cost: 500,000 Tower Points Grade: Legendary Details: The user''s mind and soul are fortified against mental intrusion and manipulation. Grants complete immunity to illusions, mind control, and similar effects. Immune to scanning abilities, concealing the user''s information. Additionally, it provides unparalleled mental fortitude, significantly enhancing focus and learning speed. "Legendary grade... it''s actually a legendary-grade skill!" This was the first time Vincent had seen a legendary-grade skill available. Even with his overpowered talent, he could currently only upgrade his skills to epic grade. He believed, however, that he would eventually unlock the potential to elevate them to legendary grade as well. For now, though, this skill was beyond exciting. Although Astral Immunity''s description seemed straightforward, its effects were incredibly powerful. The complete immunity to illusions alone was enough to justify its legendary classification. But it didn''t stop there¡ªit provided even more benefits! It was truly worthy of being labeled legendary. Better still, it was a passive skill¡ªmeaning Vincent wouldn''t have to actively activate it. The cost, while exorbitant, was irrelevant to him. Without hesitation, he exchanged 500,000 Tower Points for the skill. In the next moment, a majestic golden book materialized in the air, floating before him. It radiated a warm, radiant golden light that seemed almost alive. Without a second thought, Vincent chose to learn the skill. Astral Immunity Learned! The instant he learned the skill, a wave of warm and soothing energy surged into his mind. He let out an involuntary groan of pleasure, his eyes closing instinctively. When he reopened them, a golden light momentarily flashed from his pupils before dimming. He exhaled deeply, a satisfied smile forming on his lips. His mind felt clearer than ever¡ªso sharp and focused that he couldn''t help but marvel at the change. "If I were back on Earth, nothing could distract me. I could breeze through the toughest board exams in record time," he thought with amusement. As Vincent basked in the thrill of acquiring his first legendary-grade skill, a ripple of disturbance spread across the Novice Continent. Many Origin Warriors currently challenging Tier 3 of the Tower of Illusions noticed something peculiar¡ªthe only legendary-grade skill listed in the Tower''s Exchange had vanished. "There''s no way it''s gone!" Chapter 130 - 130: Tower of Illusions Cleared! "There''s no way it''s gone!" They could hardly believe their eyes. The skill that had remained in the Tower''s Exchange for an eternity had suddenly vanished. For years, many Origin Warriors had considered the skill unattainable, its requirements nothing short of absurd. The Novice Continent was a huge continent. Naturally, there were several Tower of Fundamentals all over the continent. Therefore, Origin Warriors from all over the Novice Continent who were challenging the Tier 3 of Tower of Illusions closest to their Sanctuaries, had taken notice of it. The skill required an extraordinary amount of Tower Points¡ªa staggering half a million. Tower Points were notoriously difficult to earn. The Towers of Fundamentals doled them out sparingly, making the task of accumulating 500,000 points an almost Herculean effort. Faced with such overwhelming difficulty, most Novice Origin Warriors chose a different path. Rather than wasting precious years attempting to gather the required points, they ascended to higher continents, seeking greater challenges and rewards. However, there were a select few who were stubborn enough¡ªor perhaps daring enough¡ªto bet everything. They remained behind, dedicating years of their lives to painstakingly accumulate Tower Points, all for the chance to exchange them for the sole Legendary-grade skill within the Tower of Illusions. For these warriors, the skill was more than just a prize; it was a dream, a symbol of their relentless perseverance. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So, when word spread that the skill had disappeared, the news hit like a thunderbolt. Many couldn''t handle the shock and collapsed on the spot, as though their very reason for existing had been torn away. It wasn''t just a loss; it was a complete and utter devastation of hope. Still, not everyone gave in to despair. A handful of warriors with calmer dispositions quickly turned their attention to the Tier 3 Leaderboard Rankings. If someone had managed to exchange for the Legendary skill, it would likely be one of the top-ranking warriors. Surely, a feat of this magnitude couldn''t go unnoticed. But to their astonishment, the leaderboard remained unchanged. The same names occupied the top spots, and none of them seemed capable of amassing the required points. The mystery only deepened. Confusion turned into a burning curiosity. Who had managed to claim the legendary skill? For a while, warriors across the continent debated and speculated, but soon they were forced to accept reality. Resigned to their fate, many decided to use their Tower Points to purchase rare-grade items before they, too, vanished. After all, the Tower''s Exchange had already run out of epic-grade items. But when they accessed the Exchange, they were met with another crushing revelation¡ªrare-grade items had also been wiped clean. All that remained were the more common and uncommon-grade items. This discovery was too much for many. Several Tier 3 Origin Warriors coughed up blood, their frustration and disappointment reaching a boiling point, before fainting on the spot. Others, sensing the urgency, hurriedly exchanged their points for whatever was left, unwilling to risk losing everything they had painstakingly saved. Meanwhile, the cause of this unprecedented chaos, Vincent, could only let out a wry smile. "They were fast¡­" he muttered, shaking his head. Vincent had just cleared the ninth level of the Tier 3 Challenge. While exchanging his hard-earned points for items, he had watched in amazement as the Tower''s Exchange was swiftly emptied by frantic warriors across the continent. He had planned to exchange his remaining points for uncommon and common-grade items, but they had disappeared before his very eyes. Now, with one final level remaining to complete the Tier 3 Challenge, Vincent found himself at a crossroads. "Should I do it? I don''t really need more Tower Points¡­" he mused, weighing his options. Clearing the trial would undoubtedly place his name on the leaderboard, drawing unwanted attention from powerful organizations and influential figures. "It doesn''t matter," Vincent finally decided. "I can always hide my strength with Astral Immunity¡­" With his mind made up, Vincent moved forward, ready to face the final challenge. The last trial awaited him, and it was nothing short of terrifying. Standing before him were ten Peak Tier 3 Primals. Each stood an imposing four meters tall, their hooded black robes billowing eerily as they floated several feet off the ground. In their hands, they wielded specialized staffs that pulsed with ominous energy. They were known simply as Mentapaths ¡ª Tier 3 (5¡ï). Below the Mentapaths stretched an overwhelming army of thousands of Primals, ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 3. The sheer magnitude of the opposition would have broken the spirit of any ordinary challenger. But Vincent was far from ordinary. From his previous battles, Vincent estimated his mental power to be on par with Tier 3 (3-4¡ï). However, his greatest asset wasn''t raw strength but the Legendary-grade skill Astral Immunity. This skill rendered him completely immune to mental attacks, a boon that was almost certainly designed for the Tower of Illusions'' brutal challenges. Without hesitation, Vincent initiated the battle. He appeared within the enemy army in an instant, unleashing his full arsenal of mental skills: Astral Clones Mental Shatter Astral Sanctuary Psychic Storm Mental Domination One after another, his abilities decimated the opposition. To maintain this relentless onslaught, Vincent absorbed Origin Crystals continuously, fueling his attacks. The Primals retaliated with a barrage of mental attacks, but their efforts were futile. Against Vincent''s Astral Immunity, their assaults felt no more threatening than a gentle breeze. After five grueling minutes, the battlefield fell silent. Vincent had emerged victorious. [You have successfully cleared the Tower of Illusions!] [You have received 100,000 Tower Points!] Talent Activated! +1,000,000,000 Tower Points! [You now have access to the Special Section of the Tower''s Exchange!] "Special Section? What''s that?" Vincent wondered aloud. Curious, he accessed the Tower''s Exchange and noticed a new tab labeled "Special Section," glowing brightly. Inside was a single item: Name: Gu Zhenchen Key (?) Cost: 1,000,000 Tower Points Grade: Special Details: One of three keys required to accept the inheritance of Gu Zhenchen. "Gu Zhenchen? Who could that be?" Vincent considered several possibilities. Perhaps it was the name of the Tower''s creator, an ancient ancestor, or simply a figure of great renown. Whatever the case, the key intrigued him. Its cost alone¡ªhigher than even a Legendary-grade skill¡ªhinted at its extraordinary value. "What kind of inheritance could be worth more than a Legendary-grade skill?" As Vincent pondered, his name shot to the top of the ranking leaderboard, sending shockwaves through the Tower of Illusions and beyond. Chapter 131 - 131: End of the Tower of Illusion! As Vincent''s challenger name, "Magnus," shot to the top of the leaderboard, the Tower of Illusions suddenly trembled before a blinding light burst out of it, shooting toward the gray sky! Tremble! It alerted people from within and outside the tower. Naturally, Valyn, who was resting with the ever-plump rabbit, Mochi, in a small inn, felt the sudden commotion. Valyn tightly furrowed her brows as she stared at the Tower of Illusions, the center of the commotion. Vincent¡­ she thought, worried about Vincent''s well-being. She still had no idea about Vincent taking the number one spot on the leaderboard. Therefore, the moment she saw the sudden commotion, she dragged Mochi away, who was still enjoying her food. "Waaaait! My food!" Mochi cried in protest. Unfortunately, Valyn could not understand her. She just rushed to the tower, along with Fenro, the Silverwood Fox. At this moment, digital lights began to appear outside the Tower of Illusions. They were the challengers who got kicked out of the tower. At first, they wore confused expressions but soon switched to disbelief, realizing they had actually been sent out of the tower. Soon, their attention was drawn to the tower''s strange phenomenon. "What''s happening with the tower?" "I-I don''t know. I was in the middle of a battle when I realized I got kicked out. I thought I died or something, but seeing these people and the tower''s strange activity¡­" "At first, the Tower''s Exchange was emptied. Now this? There must be a reason for all of these!" "It must be that ''Magnus'' who''s behind all of this!" said someone who had been keeping an eye on the leaderboard. "Magnus? Who''s Magnus?" "I also have no idea who Magnus is, but he came out of nowhere and shot to the No. 1 rank. It was clearly stated that he cleared the 10th Level of Tier 3 Trials." "What?! Does it mean he cleared the Tower of Illusions?" "If that''s the final trial, but I''m uncertain¡­" "Was there any record that someone had ever cleared the Tower of Illusions?" "I have no idea¡­" Amidst the conversations of the Origin Warriors, the strange activity of the Tower of Illusions finally ended after a reverberating boom. The outside of the tower was now packed with Origin Warriors, from Tier 1 to Tier 3. At this moment, someone attempted to enter the Tower of Illusions once again. [Error!] [The Tower of Illusions will be unavailable for 30 days!] "What? The tower will be unavailable for 30 days?!" Gasps filled the air upon hearing the man''s exclamation. "I don''t believe you! Get out of the way!" Someone, filled with doubt, tried for himself, but soon his expression turned to utter disbelief. "It''s really unavailable¡­" At this moment, someone suddenly exclaimed, "It should be that ''Magnus''s'' fault!" "I also thought about that!" "Have you ever heard about that guy? No, right? But how did he suddenly clear the tower or reach the No. 1 rank?! Isn''t that strange?" "He must also be the reason behind the missing items!" "That''s right! He must still be here! Find him!" "Show yourself, Magnus!" Amidst the cries of these people, Vincent, who had just appeared outside of the tower and witnessed everything, let out a smirk in a corner. He had already donned in his original attire. Hehe, you all can cry until your voices give out, but I''d be a fool if I revealed myself just because you say so. Maybe he still had some naivety because he was new to the Origin World, but he wasn''t so naive as to be stupid. Suddenly, a heavy oppressive pressure spread through the area. The air grew thick and stifling, making it hard to draw breath. Those around struggled to speak, their voices reduced to gasps as the crushing force bore down on them. A deep masculine voice then resounded. "Do you all think you''ll be able to bring him out just because you want to? And what if you manage to make him reveal himself? Do you really think your lowly strength can even do something against him?" "Do you all think Tier 3 trials are that easy?" the voice continued. Seeing that no one could even talk back, the owner of the voice scoffed at them and remarked, "Pathetic." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, the people who were demanding ''Magnus'' to reveal himself could only lower their heads and shut their mouths despite the harsh remarks. They could only do so since they clearly knew the identity of the voice''s owner. Their eyes took a sneaky glance at him. It was Zarki. He resembled a bald middle-aged man. However, compared to normal humans, Zarki had a huge peanut-shaped head and a third eye on his forehead. He was also almost 7 feet tall and wore a long dark, exquisite robe. He had a frail appearance, in stark contrast to his deep masculine voice. He was a Paraxian, a race known for their mental abilities. Previously, Zarki was ranked 7th on the Tier 3 Leaderboard. However, since ''Magnus'' appeared, he was pushed down to rank 8. He was one of those who bet their lives staying in the Novice Continent to accumulate tower points and claim the Legendary-grade skill. Unfortunately, he was too late. Despite being at Peak Tier 3 and already considered one of the Novice Continent''s powerhouses, he was stuck at the Level 9 Trial of the Tower of Illusions. Although he felt bitterness at losing his dream skill, he admired ''Magnus'' for clearing the Level 10 Trial. Unfortunately, not everyone shared his thoughts. Most of these Origin Warriors were used to blaming others for their pathetic abilities. At this moment, Vincent''s attention naturally drew to Zarki. Although he had no idea who Zarki was, he could recognize his race and strength. "The second Peak Tier 3 powerhouse¡­" That''s right, Zarki was the second Peak Tier 3 he had encountered. The first Peak Tier 3 he encountered was Valyn. That''s right, Valyn was already at the Peak of Tier 3. Suddenly, Zarki''s voice rang out again. "I know you''re still here, Magnus. If you ever think of selling your items, you can come to my place and we can make a deal. I don''t have to tell you where to find me. I believe I still have some influence here for you to know me." Unfortunately for him, Vincent was a newbie and had no idea about his identity. After Zarki''s statement, a few more voices spoke, inviting ''Magnus'' to their places! Even with all that, Vincent ignored them and scanned his surroundings, looking for Valyn and Mochi. "Are you looking for me?" A familiar sweet voice rang behind him. It was Valyn, carrying Mochi in her arms. Valyn was not wearing her mask at this moment, and Fenro waited in the distance. She did it so no one could recognize her. Along the way, she had already heard about the commotion, which was why she removed her mask, as people could easily recognize her with it. Chapter 132 - 132: Heading Towards The Tower of Speed! Before Vincent could respond to her, Valyn shushed him and grabbed his hand. "Let''s leave quietly." Seeing her being sneaky, Vincent immediately understood that Valyn had already realized he was the ''Magnus'' they were talking about. The sky was already darkening, and night was about to fall. Valyn brought him to the inn she was staying at. Inside the rented room, Valyn suddenly waved her hand, and an invisible barrier spread across the entire room. "It''s just a simple soundproofing. I can teach it to you later," Valyn said, noticing his expression. "But setting that aside, it''s you, right?" Vincent didn''t immediately admit it and tilted his head, acting confused. "What are you talking about, big sis?" "The ''Magnus'' they were talking about. Don''t deny it to me. You also used that challenger name when you were at the Tower of Combat." Vincent smiled wryly. Since she had already figured it out, there was no use hiding it from her. He also knew she would eventually find out on her own. It wasn''t that he fully trusted her, but he now had the ability to prevent her from betraying him if she ever chose to. Thus, he nodded, confirming her assumption. Valyn''s eyes lit up the moment he nodded. Although she had suspected it, she still felt surprised by his confirmation. In her excitement, she tossed Mochi aside and lunged at Vincent, embracing him against her bosom. "Hehe, I knew it! My little brother is a genius!" Vincent couldn''t help but release a "Puah!" sound when she finally let go of him. ''That was heaven in hell!'' he exclaimed in his mind. Being buried in that deep and soft cleavage was a mix of bliss and torture. Her eyes then gleamed with curiosity. "But how did you do that? How were you able to clear the 10th Trial? What''s your real level?" "Peak Tier 1." "Your true level," she demanded. "Big sis, I''m really at Peak Tier 1." "But how? You can defeat a Peak Tier 3 primal at your current level? Is that even possible? Are you sure you''re a human being?" Vincent vaguely explained what had happened but didn''t mention his Legendary-grade skill. "How about the missing skills? Was that also your doing?" Vincent let out a soft laugh at her question. He would never reveal his talent''s effect and planned to hide it as long as he could. "Haha. Do you think that''s even possible? How could a single person accumulate enough points to clear the entire Tower''s vault?" Valyn fell silent at his answer. Although she was skeptical, it truly seemed impossible for someone to have that many Tower Points. Therefore, she didn''t press him further. "You''re right. How about the Legendary-grade skill? You took it, right?" "No. I''m still short on Tower Points to exchange for it." He lied effortlessly. With her hand on her chin, she nodded. "Hmm. I guess I have to report this to your Special Instructor," she mumbled. When Vincent heard her muttering, his expression changed to horror. If Special Instructor Arthur learned of his actions, he would increase the difficulty of his training¡ª not by a small margin but several times! He might even have to face a Peak Tier 3 in his next training session, which was impossible at his current level. He was only able to defeat a Peak Tier 3 because of his astral immunity. Without it, he wouldn''t have cleared the Tower of Illusions! Therefore, he admitted it. Curious, Valyn suddenly released a thick smoke of mental energy. Soon, her figure was obscured. Moments later, the smoke disappeared, revealing her in a very revealing outfit that barely covered her private parts. "How do I look?" Valyn struck a sexy pose, showcasing her enticing figure, and asked in a seductive voice. Despite her provocative appearance, Vincent remained unaffected. With a wry smile, a simple but solid mental energy flashed toward Valyn, and the sound of glass breaking resounded, revealing her original attire. "Stop teasing me, big sis. It won''t work on me." "Hehe, I apologize. I just wanted to try it out," Valyn said playfully. "Alright. Go rest. We''ll leave tomorrow." Vincent nodded but felt curious about the last Tower of Fundamentals. "Aren''t we going to the Tower of Speed?" "Why? Do you want to challenge it too?" Vincent nodded again. Having cleared the Tower of Illusions and obtained the Gu Zhenchen Key, he was eager to complete the other towers. If his assumption was correct, clearing the Tower of Combat and the Tower of Speed would grant him the remaining keys¡ª and another batch of items! Seeing his eager expression, Valyn remained silent for a moment. She also wanted to see if Vincent had what it took to conquer the other towers. Just what kind of future monster would she have as a younger brother if Vincent managed to clear all the Towers of Fundamentals? S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, I''ll take you there. Rest up. We''ll leave tomorrow," Valyn said after contemplating. Vincent nodded and went downstairs to rent a room for himself. He spent the rest of the night doing nothing. Although he wasn''t physically exhausted, he was mentally drained. Thus, he enjoyed a sweet and restful sleep. The next day, Valyn knocked on his door, waking him up. "Little brother?" "I''ll be out in a second." After getting ready, Vincent went downstairs and had a light breakfast with Valyn. The commotion he had caused the previous day had already spread like wildfire across the entire Novice Continent. "Have you heard about Magnus?" "Yes, I heard he defeated thousands of Peak Tier 3 primals to clear the Tower of Illusions!" "No, I heard he defeated hundreds of thousands of Peak Tier 3¡­" "I also heard he scared the Rank 7 Zarki into submission and was invited to his home!" "No, no. I heard¡­" Vincent was speechless upon hearing the exaggerated rumors along the way. Meanwhile, Valyn giggled at him, amused by the chatter in the surroundings. "You''re famous now, little brother. Aren''t you happy?" she teased. Vincent shook his head with a wry smile. She was clearly enjoying this at his expense. Chapter 133 - 133: Freedom Swift City While traveling on Fenro''s back, Vincent seized the opportunity to question Valyn about the Tower of Speed. To which she answered each of his questions with sincerity, her tone brimming with a wealth of knowledge. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From her explanations, he discovered that the closest Tower of Speed was located in a bustling metropolis known as Freedom Swift City. The Origin World was not limited to Novice Sanctuaries. There were numerous private cities and towns scattered across the land, built and governed by powerful organizations. Unlike the Novice Sanctuaries, which were managed by a neutral and powerful race as part of an agreement among the top races, these cities were ruled by their founders. This meant that in private cities, the city owner''s laws were absolute. Such a setup often made visiting these cities a gamble¡ªone wrong move, and trouble could easily follow. Fortunately for them, Freedom Swift City was renowned for its fairness. It stood as one of the few cities with a reputation for just and reasonable governance, attracting both citizens and visitors alike. According to Valyn, the city was ruled by a single clan of the Agisaur Race. The Agisaur were famous for their speed. Although Vincent had read about their capabilities, he had never encountered a member of the race in person. Hence, he was quite excited to meet one. Along the way, Valyn shared the basics of the Tower of Speed and the trials that awaited challengers. The more she explained, the more his eagerness grew. Located roughly 200 kilometers from the Tower of Illusions, it took them several hours to cover the distance. As Freedom Swift City came into view, even from afar, it was an impressive sight. The city boasted medieval-style architecture and was surrounded by towering walls that stood an imposing 50 meters high. On the road leading to the city, Vincent observed massive carriages drawn by gigantic primals resembling four-meter-tall bulls. A quick scan of the carriages revealed presences inside, their sheer size comparable to buses. These carriages were a common mode of transportation in the Origin World. Looking to the skies, Vincent caught sight of an enormous winged primal ferrying dozens of people on its back. The passengers were seated in an orderly fashion, much like an airplane. Despite having spent a significant amount of time in the Origin World, Vincent found himself awestruck by the scene. Compared to the vibrant activity of Freedom Swift City, the Novice Sanctuary seemed lifeless and monotonous. Finally, after hours of travel, they reached one of the city''s gates. Guarding the entrance were two towering humanoid creatures, standing at an impressive seven feet tall. While their physique resembled that of humans, their lizard-like skin and thick, tyrannosaurus-like legs set them apart. Clad in light armor and wielding long spears, the guards exuded an intimidating presence. Vincent immediately recognized their race as Agisaur. A quick scan with his Heaven Eyes confirmed their strength¡ªboth were mid-stage Tier 2 Origin Warriors. He couldn''t help but feel surprised. Mid-stage Tier 2 Origin Warriors serving merely as gatekeepers? In the Novice Sanctuary, even the strongest gatekeepers only reached peak Tier 1. This raised questions about whether the Novice Sanctuary lacked stronger warriors or simply didn''t need them due to its neutral governance. As their turn arrived, one of the gatekeepers addressed them with an emotionless tone. "Reason for your visit?" Despite the presence of Fenro, the menacing Silverwood Fox, the guards showed no signs of intimidation. The gatekeeper''s sharp gaze lingered on them briefly. Without their masks, their races were easily identifiable. Vincent wisely kept silent, allowing Valyn to handle the interaction. She flashed an innocent smile and responded with a calm voice. "We are here for the Tower of Speed." The gatekeeper studied her for a moment before withdrawing his gaze. His next words were equally blunt. "Humans, 500 origin crystals each." Valyn didn''t hesitate. With a flick of her wrist, she produced a thousand origin crystals and handed them over. "Take these," The gatekeeper handed over a pair of bronze tokens engraved with the word swift. "These are bronze tokens. You''re allowed to stay for two days. Lose them, and the city guards will detain you. If you wish to continue your stay, you''ll need to purchase new tokens." Valyn nodded in acknowledgment and led Vincent and Fenro through the gates. Once inside, Vincent finally voiced his thoughts. "Isn''t that an absurd fee just to stay for two days?" Valyn chuckled softly, her tone laced with amusement. "Don''t overthink it. You''ll get used to it eventually. This isn''t a human city, after all." Her words made Vincent frown slightly. "So, humans also have cities on the Novice Continent?" Valyn nodded. "Of course. While we''re not as powerful or influential as the top races, we humans still have our own places. But don''t expect much. Our cities are smaller and scattered across the continent." Although Vincent had already suspected as much, he couldn''t resist asking, "Why is that?" Valyn''s smile faded into a bitter expression. She remained silent, leaving Vincent to piece the truth together. The human race might appear united against common threats, but deep down, internal divisions and clashing ambitions kept them apart. Vincent sighed, acknowledging the painful reality. Humanity had always struggled with unity. Wars could have been avoided long ago if they had truly stood together. By the time they reached a restaurant named Stew Hare Bowl, it was lunchtime. Although neither of them needed food for survival, Valyn insisted on sharing a meal. The restaurant was run by humans, and its staff were predominantly from their race¡ªa rare sight in Freedom Swift City. As they settled in to eat, the vibrant atmosphere of the city enthralled Vincent. There were far more humans here than in the Novice Sanctuary, and their confident demeanor suggested they had lived in the city for a long time. Just as Vincent was beginning to enjoy the experience, a loud commotion shattered the tranquility. Bang! "Agh!" A feminine cry of pain rang out. Turning towards the source, Vincent spotted a bald, muscular Agisaur man towering over a human waitress. Her face bore a fresh red handprint. "Fuck!" the Agisaur spat angrily. "We let you build your little food shop here, and this is how you repay us? Do you think this garbage is fit for us to eat?" The waitress, trembling on the ground, tried to apologize, but her words were drowned out by the man''s fury. The Agisaur raised his leg, preparing to kick her, when a mature woman''s voice cut through the chaos. "Dear gentlemen, please show some mercy to my staff." Chapter 134 - 134: Ellie "Dear gentlemen, please show some mercy to my staff." The bald Agisaur turned toward the source of the voice, his expression curious. Vincent''s attention followed, drawn to the same figure. The speaker was a woman with fair, flawless skin and striking jade-green hair cascading freely down her back. She appeared to be in her early twenties and was dressed in an elegant yet provocative office outfit¡ªa stark contrast to the armored gear typically worn by Origin Warriors. Her enchanting presence immediately drew all eyes in the room. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even the Agisaurs, crude as they were, couldn''t help but be captivated by her appearance. With a quick glance, Vincent assessed the situation. His sharp senses easily measured the strength of the woman and the bald Agisaur. The comparison made him smirk in quiet amusement, his interest piqued. At this moment, the red-haired woman''s stern voice broke the silence. "What are you doing, Annie? Apologize to these gentlemen and get back to the kitchen." Annie, the waitress, clutched her reddened cheek. She hesitated before looking toward the red-haired woman, her lips trembling slightly. "I understand, Sister Ellie¡ª" she began, only to stop abruptly as Ellie''s sharp gaze bore into her. Realizing her mistake, Annie quickly corrected herself. "I-I mean, Lady Boss." With a deep bow, she addressed the Agisaurs. "I apologize, dear customers," she said, her voice wavering. Without waiting for their response, she turned and hurried back to the kitchen, her steps unsteady but quick. Ellie turned her focus to the group, her smile unwavering and professional. She spoke with calm authority. "I deeply apologize for the inconvenience, gentlemen. Rest assured, we will serve you our finest dishes without further delays." The Agisaurs stared at her, utterly mesmerized. Agik, the bald leader, licked his lips and grinned, his smile filled with lecherous intent. "Do you think that''s enough? If you want this business to keep running, you''ll have to personally serve us," Agik sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "He''s right! You''ll need to accompany us!" one of his companions chimed in, their laughter vulgar and grating. Ellie didn''t flinch. Her smile remained serene, her voice steady. "If that''s what you wish, gentlemen, it would be my pleasure to personally serve you. Please, follow me." Agik chuckled darkly, his gaze never leaving her. "Smart woman. You should teach your staff to behave like you." From their table, Valyn watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. She turned to Vincent and asked, her tone light and teasing, "Aren''t you going to step in and help her?" Earlier, Valyn had noticed Vincent''s subtle readiness to intervene when the waitress was slapped. Now, however, he remained seated, watching with calm detachment. "She doesn''t need my help," Vincent replied, shaking his head slightly. Moments later, muffled groans and cries began to leak from the room where Ellie had led the Agisaurs. The sound barely caused a stir among the other patrons, who continued their meals as though nothing unusual was happening. Soon, the group of Agisaurs stumbled out of the room, their faces battered and bruised, their confidence completely shattered. Ellie followed close behind, her expression still adorned with a professional smile. "Thank you for patronizing my establishment, dear gentlemen. Please visit again soon," she said, her tone polite but laced with a subtle sharpness. The Agisaurs froze, trembling. "W-We won''t be coming back! Forgive us!" Agik stammered, before the group bolted out of the restaurant, not daring to look back. The rest of the customers barely reacted. Such events were commonplace here, so much so that they had become part of the restaurant''s normal atmosphere. Behind Ellie''s composed smile was a powerhouse capable of taking down foes without breaking a sweat. Vincent had noticed her strength from the very beginning, which was why he hadn''t moved to interfere. Ellie''s gaze shifted toward their table, her sharp eyes locking onto Valyn. Curious, Vincent turned to Valyn, silently questioning her reaction. Valyn sighed, a mix of resignation and irritation flashing across her face. Ellie approached their table, her expression cool but her steps deliberate. Her focus remained entirely on Valyn. "How come you''re still here, bitch? I thought you''d be preparing to ascend to the next continent by now," Ellie said, her voice tinged with mockery. Valyn''s lips twitched, her irritation barely masked by her smile. "Who are you calling a bitch, you bitch?" The tension between the two women was palpable, despite their smiles. Vincent, observing the scene, couldn''t help but feel as though invisible sparks were flying between their gazes. The air grew heavier, thick with pressure. The other patrons, less resilient than Vincent, began shifting uncomfortably in their seats, unable to enjoy their meals under the suffocating atmosphere. Vincent coughed lightly, attempting to break the tension. "Ahem! Is she your friend, Big Sis?" he asked, his tone casual. Valyn scoffed, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Why would I associate with someone like her?" Ellie''s sharp eyes turned to Vincent, her expression softening into a playful smirk. "I''m not her friend. I''m Ellie, just a simple restaurant owner. But I must say, I''m surprised someone like her has such a handsome younger brother." Leaning closer, Ellie grinned mischievously. "Do you have a girlfriend, little brother? If not, how about giving this big sister a chance?" She leaned forward slightly, emphasizing her curves. Valyn''s expression darkened instantly. Without hesitation, she shoved Ellie back. "Don''t you dare lay your slutty hands on my little brother!" Ellie struggled on leaning towards Vincent against Valyn''s protest for a moment before she eventually fell back. Her tone changed and lost her playfulness as she glanced at the eyes of the curious customer''s behind her. "Let''s continue our business somewhere else. Follow me." Soon they followed behind Ellie and went into a private room upstairs. Inside the room, Ellie was sitting on an office table behind her were a window and bookshelf filled with books. In front of her were Vincent and Valyn sitting face to face in between a small table. "So, why are you here?" Chapter 135 - 135: Ellie (2) Inside the room, Ellie sat confidently behind an ornate office table. The sunlight streaming through the window behind her cast a golden hue on the bookshelf filled with neatly arranged volumes. Vincent and Valyn occupied a sleek leather couch, separated by a polished mahogany table that reflected the room''s soft lighting. "So, why are you here?" Ellie asked, her voice even but tinged with curiosity as her eyes flicked toward Valyn. Valyn, ever the picture of innocence, shifted her posture. Hugging the soft, plump Mochi snugly in her arms, she leaned back slightly, her casual demeanor at odds with the sharpness in Ellie''s gaze. "Nothing much," she replied with a teasing lilt. "Just having a little date with my younger brother. Ellie''s brows furrowed slightly, her sharp eyes darting between them as if searching for something amiss. "I know he''s not your real sibling. You don''t even resemble each other in the slightest. So, who is he?" Valyn let out a soft snort, clearly unfazed by the probing question. She waved a dismissive hand before directing her ever-innocent smile toward Vincent. "Little Brother, this woman here is Ellie. Unfortunately, she''s one of my acquaintances¡ª" "Hold your horses, bitch!" Ellie interjected sharply, her fiery tone cutting through Valyn''s introduction. She turned her full attention to Vincent, offering a charming smile. "Nice to meet you. I''m Ellie Vancord, one of her schoolmates and best friend. You can call me Sis Ellie, or anything else you like," she added, punctuating her words with a playful wink. Valyn rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning forward just enough to interject. "Yeah, yeah. Call her a dog. It''s fitting for someone always in heat." Vincent chuckled awkwardly, unsure whether to laugh or change the subject. Introducing himself simply as Vincent, he avoided any mention of his alter egos, ''Shroud'' or ''Magnus.'' Today, he was accompanying Valyn without any mask or pretense, adopting the unassuming identity of an ordinary individual. After a brief explanation of their purpose for visiting Freedom Swift City, Ellie''s demeanor shifted subtly, her expression growing serious as she clasped her hands on the table. "So, you''re here for the Tower of Speed¡­ understandable," she began, her words deliberate. "But I think your timing is off." Vincent''s curiosity was piqued by the sudden shift in tone. "What do you mean, Sis Ellie?" Ellie leaned back slightly, her gaze steady. "Have you heard about the recent incidents with the Tower of Fundamentals?" Vincent exchanged a glance with Valyn before nodding in unison. Ellie''s lips pressed into a thin line as she elaborated. "Between that and the sudden spike in the appearance of new Labyrinths, the Tower of Speed and the Tower of Combat are absolutely swamped with challengers." Vincent''s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, though his thoughts raced. The ripple effects of his actions were far more extensive than he had anticipated. Yet, one detail still puzzled him. "What about the Tower of Illusions?" he asked, his tone neutral but probing. Ellie arched a brow as she regarded him. "Oh, that one? Someone cleared it recently, that maybe caused all its items to vanish. Now, every Tower of Illusions is completely unavailable. What was his name again? Mag¡­ Magnum?" "Magnus," Vincent corrected smoothly, his voice even. "Right! That guy! Because of him, Origin Warriors across the Novice Continent are scrambling to challenge the remaining Tower of Fundamentals. They''re desperate to earn Tower Points and exchange them for items." Ellie let out a long sigh, shaking her head as if exasperated by the chaos. "I wonder what kind of person he is." Valyn, unable to contain herself, smirked, her lips twitching as she struggled to suppress her laughter. If only she knew he was sitting right in front of her, she mused, her shoulders trembling as she tried to maintain composure. Ellie noticed her reaction and frowned. "What''s wrong with you? Are you sick?" she asked, her tone skeptical. Valyn coughed theatrically, brushing off the suspicion. "N-Nothing. Just a little cough," she replied, waving a hand as if to dismiss Ellie''s concern. Ellie''s eyes narrowed, her gaze scrutinizing. "A Tier 3 Origin Warrior with a cough? Really?" Her skepticism lingered, but she didn''t press further, choosing instead to let it slide. At that moment, a firm knock resounded through the room. Knock, knock! "Lady Boss, I apologize for the interruption," came a feminine voice from the other side of the door, "but Young Master Boltor is requesting your presence." Ellie''s expression darkened almost instantly, her brows knitting together in irritation. Valyn''s smirk deepened as she quipped, "Who''s that? Another one of your suitors?" Ellie shot her a cold glare before sighing in resignation. "No, he''s a young master from the Boltor Family¡ªa newly established clan with ties to the Swift Clan. He''s been pestering me to join their clan." Her tone was clipped as she turned to the door. "I''ll be there shortly. Prepare the VIP room and let him know I''m on my way." "Yes, Lady Boss." The voice receded, leaving the room in silence. Valyn tilted her head thoughtfully. "Wait, the Swift Clan? The one that built Freedom Swift City?" Ellie nodded curtly. "That''s the one." Vincent leaned back slightly, absorbing the information. "Hmm¡­" Valyn crossed her arms, her brow furrowing slightly. "Boltor Family¡­ I don''t recall hearing about them in the Bronzehaven Arc. Where are they from?" "They hail from the Steelhaven Arc," Ellie answered, her tone matter-of-fact. "Ah," Valyn murmured, filing the information away for later. "So, why do you look so drained at the mere mention of that guy?" Valyn asked, her curiosity unrelenting. Ellie exhaled heavily, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Initially, he kept pestering me to become his woman. After I turned him down a few times, he changed tactics. Now, he''s trying to recruit me into the Boltor Clan." "And you rejected him, of course?" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Naturally. Only someone like ''Magnus'' could make my heart flutter," Ellie said with a mischievous grin, prompting a laugh from Valyn and a wry smile from Vincent. "Stop daydreaming," Valyn quipped, her voice light but teasing. "You''d better deal with him quickly. Who knows what strings he might pull with the Swift Clan to mess with your business." Chapter 136 - 136: Toad "You''d better deal with him quickly. Who knows what strings he might pull with the Swift Clan to mess with your business." Ellie heaved a sigh of exhaustion. She had repeatedly declined that person''s invitation, but he still kept pestering her. If not for her business, she might have already beaten the crap out of him. Therefore, she could only roll her eyes at her best friend''s teasing remarks. "Do you need my help?" Valyn asked in all seriousness, void of her usual playfulness. Ellie felt warmth in her heart when she heard the offer. Despite their usual banter, she was truly glad to have a best friend like Valyn, especially in situations like this. Nevertheless, she acted the opposite, despite being touched within her heart. "Hmph, I still have enough strength to protect myself. I don''t need help from a bitch like you!" Once again, Valyn broke her usual innocent character and raised her voice. "W-What did you just say, you bitch? Keep calling me a bitch, and you''ll be dead!" "Hmph, I want to see you try," Ellie dared. However, when Valyn was just about to retort, the room suddenly swung heavily open before an arrogant male voice drew their attention. "I apologize for the intrusion, but I can''t wait any longer to see you, Miss Vancord." Hearing the man''s voice, Ellie''s expression instantly darkened, as Vincent and Valyn turned their heads to the owner of the voice. It was a good-looking man in his early twenties. His brown hair was brushed upward, and he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall. He had a good physique, fair skin, and wore expensive equipment. On his flank were two rough-looking men standing expressionless in silence. He was the Young Master of the Boltor Clan, Clark Boltor. Still wearing a dark expression, Ellie addressed the man. "Young Master Boltor, I don''t think I gave you permission to enter my room." At this moment, the female staff member she had ordered to bring Young Master Boltor to the VIP room arrived late, flustered. "L-Lady Boss, I¡ª" Ellie glanced at the woman. "It''s alright, Tina. You can go back and continue your work." "T-Thank you, Lady Boss." Tina bowed apologetically before quickly leaving. Once Tina left, Ellie snapped back at the Young Master Boltor, who was smiling smugly. "Please, don''t get mad at me, Ellie. I just really cannot wait to see you." Although apologetic, his eyes and expression betrayed everything he had said. Furthermore, he switched the way he addressed her, making Ellie even more displeased. With tightly furrowed brows, Ellie responded in a cold voice, "We are not that close for you to address me casually, Young Master Boltor." At this moment, Clark finally scanned the room. His brows furrowed for a moment when he saw Vincent, then shifted to subtle surprise when his eyes caught sight of the innocent beauty, Valyn. In the next second, he placed his right arm on his chest, took a practiced bow, and introduced himself in the most noble way he could. "I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I didn''t know Ellie had guests. Let me introduce myself. My name is Clark Boltor, the sole heir of the Boltor Family. And who might these distinguished guests be?" "Valyn." "Vincent." Valyn and Vincent curtly replied. Clark''s lips subtly twitched, displeased at their curt response, but he didn''t show it. He kept his smile and addressed Valyn. "So, it''s Miss Valyn. It''s my pleasure to meet a beautiful woman like you on this chaotic day. You must be one of Ellie''s friends. A beautiful woman like you only deserves beautiful people around her..." Clark continued blabbering, obviously ignoring Vincent. After a while, Clark finally moved his attention to Ellie. "Ellie, have you already carefully considered your answer to my invitation?" "Young Master Boltor, I already told you many times. I am not joining your clan. You should understand, with your stature, that I''m declining your invitation." "Why? Is there something you don''t like about the benefits? Are they lacking? You can tell me if you have any conditions, and I''ll consider them." "No. Please leave, Young Master Boltor. You are ruining my time with my guests." Ellie had already thrown away the pretense she had. She was clearly displeased by Clark''s behavior. The moment Clark heard that, his expression immediately darkened with displeasure. "Ellie, are you sure about your decision?" "I am sure, and please stop addressing me so casually." "Are you sure you won''t regret it?" "What do you mean by that? Are you threatening me?" "No, no. I wouldn''t dare threaten you, but if someone were to decline my invitation again, I might say something to the Swift Clan. Someone might lose her business." Clark''s words carried an indirect threat. Ellie''s expression darkened further. Despite Clark''s casual tone, she could sense the menace beneath his words, causing her to fall silent. As much as she hated to admit it, Clark had the connections to make good on his threat. But even so, she would not sell herself out of fear of losing her business. Her only concern was for her staff, who treated their work as their livelihood. If she lost her business, they would lose their jobs. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nevertheless, she would never join the Boltor Clan. Not because the benefits were bad, but because she could already see Clark''s sinister intentions. The way he looked at her¡ªand at Valyn, even though he quickly hid it¡ªdid not sit well with her. There was no good in having a connection with a lecherous person like him. At this moment, Vincent could no longer hold himself back and let out a soft chuckle, which immediately drew Clark''s attention. "Is there something funny about what I said?" Clark asked, displeased. Vincent feigned surprise before laughing awkwardly. "Haha, no, Young Master Boltor. I just remembered something funny from a novel I read. It''s about a toad chasing a swan." So, it''s real. I thought those authors were just making cringe dialogues, but those words were actually said by this young master, Vincent thought, laughing in his mind. Despite Vincent''s excuse, Clark still felt displeased for some reason. Even more so when Valyn followed with a chuckle. "Haha, that''s right. I also used to read something like that when I was a kid. The toad was so ridiculous!" Valyn added. At this moment, Ellie already realized that Vincent and Valyn were not talking about the toad but about Clark instead, forcing her to stifle a chuckle. Meanwhile, Clark was at a loss. He couldn''t understand what they were talking about, but he was clearly displeased. One of the rough-looking men behind him approached and whispered something into his ear. Clark''s expression darkened as his face turned red with anger. "You bastard!" Chapter 137 - 137: Slap Clark''s expression darkened as his face turned red with anger. "You bastard!" He finally understood what they were laughing at. They were apparently referring to him as the toad chasing the swan, which was Ellie. "A mere Tier 1 nobody actually dared to make fun of me?!" He exclaimed as his Peak Tier 2 strength intentionally leaked out, tightening the atmosphere in the room. The moment Clark released his aura, Valyn abruptly stopped her laughter, her expression becoming stern, the same as Ellie, who had been holding herself back for a while. Meanwhile, Vincent nonchalantly smiled at him. Ellie''s cold voice rang in a displeased tone. "Young Master Boltor, you are still in my territory¡ª" But she was immediately cut short by Clark''s angered voice. "Shut up, woman! You are going to come with me whether you like it or not!" He took a glance behind him and ordered the two rough-looking men, pointing at Ellie and Valyn. "Take these women for me! I''m going to enjoy myself tonight and leave that stupid guy to me. I''ll make sure he remembers me whenever he sleeps at night!" At his command, the two men behind him responded expressionlessly in unison. "Yes, Young Master!" Boom! They released their auras, revealing their Tier 3 (1¡ï) strength! "You''re already going too far, Young Master Boltor!" Ellie coldly said. Clark snorted at her. "Hmph! I already gave you a lot of chances, Ellie. You think I''m such a pushover? Guess what, I''ll fuck you crazy tonight!" At this moment, Valyn, who had an annoyed expression, couldn''t help but smirk and remarked to her best friend, "You have quite an aggressive suitor¡­" Ellie scoffed in response, "As if you never had a guy chasing you like him." At the same time, as the fists of Clark''s bodyguards just started to glow with vibrant energy, Ellie also unleashed her Tier 3 (1¡ï) aura! Boom! The restaurant''s foundation subtly trembled with the sheer pressure of three Tier 3 Origin Warriors, drawing the attention of the people who were eating downstairs. "W-What''s happening in this place today?" "C-Come on, let''s leave. I can''t breathe properly, let alone eat!" "No shit, Sherlock. Of course, we should leave!" The customers started leaving the Stew Hare Bowl one by one. Back in Ellie''s office, one of Clark''s bodyguards flashed toward Ellie, bypassing Vincent and Valyn, while the other appeared behind Valyn, who was still sitting on a sleek couch. Vincent''s gaze naturally followed their movement, yet his casual demeanor, dismissing Clark''s presence, infuriated the man. "You still have time to be distracted? Why don''t you laugh at my face again, you fucking bastard!" Vincent heard Clark''s furious words as he casually glanced behind him just as Clark approached. As Clark was about to lay his hand on Vincent, the same as his bodyguards aimed for their targets, a chilling aura abruptly halted them. An irritated and cold voice cut through the air. "If any of your fingers touch their bodies, I will break all the bones in yours¡­" Clark and his bodyguards mechanically turned toward the owner of the voice with visible perplexity. Their eyes landed on the innocent-looking lady, Valyn, now wearing a cold expression as the image of an enchanting white-haired fox woman appeared over her figure. Clark''s eyes widened¡ªnot because he recognized her but due to disbelief. ''How can she be a Peak Tier 3?!'' he exclaimed internally. Unlike Clark, his bodyguards were more knowledgeable and quickly identified the fox-woman''s image. "Y-You''re the Witch Fox!" uttered the bodyguard standing behind Valyn, the one most overwhelmed by the pressure. When Clark heard his bodyguard''s words, he sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening in horror before his face contorted with complicated emotions. "Y-You''re the Witch Fox?" he stammered, still in doubt. Valyn ignored the perplexed Young Master and snorted at the bodyguard behind her. The fox-woman''s illusory image glanced at the man, blasting him into the office''s wall with immense force. Bam! "Urghk!" The bodyguard groaned in agony, while Clark and the other bodyguard watched, stunned. "B-Byro¡ªBodyguard!" Clark stumbled over his words, unable to even recall the bodyguard''s name but still cried out in shock. Ellie seized the chance and attacked the distracted remaining bodyguard! Bam! "Urgh!" Another cry of pain, and the other bodyguard slammed into the wall beside his colleague, embedded in it. "Y-You..!" Clark was speechless. His two Tier 3 bodyguards, who he had brought along so confidently, were defeated by two women in mere moments. A cold shiver ran down Clark''s spine when two sharp, intimidating gazes bore into him, making him subconsciously retreat. He felt fear. ''W-What? I¡ªI''m afraid of women? They''re just women! How can I, the future patriarch of the Boltor Clan, be afraid of women?! I won''t accept this!'' Determined to suppress his budding fear, Clark clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "D-Do you know the consequences of offending my Boltor Clan?! You''re not just offending my family but the Great Swift Clan as well!" Clark shouted, his voice loud but tinged with panic. A soft chuckle responded. "Aren''t you tired of using someone else''s influence? You''re so pathetic," Valyn said casually, pressing her hand to her forehead. She despised people like him¡ªthose who pretended to have strength but only hid behind someone else''s power. "That''s enough, Young Master Boltor. Take your men and leave my restaurant. I''ll consider this a mere misunderstanding if you stop bothering me," Ellie added. Though she despised Clark and his antics enough to want to cripple him, she didn''t want to create trouble for her best friend. However, her words seemed to infuriate the young master even more. "S-Shut your goddamn mouth, bitch! Once I report this to my father, I''ll burn your business to the ground and make you kneel before me, begging for mercy!" "What did you just call me?!" Ellie growled. Just as she was about to make a move, a shadow flashed, followed by a loud and reverberating slap, sending Clark flying into the wall. Thud! Clark fell heavily to the floor, struggling to rise. His face stung on the right side, blood spilling from his mouth, along with a few broken teeth. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With his hand on his cheek, he slowly looked at Valyn, still seated on the couch as though she hadn''t moved. Technically, she hadn''t¡ªonly the fox-woman image had acted. "Y-You dare slap me? Me?! The heir of the Boltor Clan?!" "Believe me, I''ll slap all your teeth out if you open your mouth again," Valyn responded casually. Although she enjoyed teasing Ellie, she refused to let anyone else insult her best friend. "Y-You..!" Clark was stunned into silence. Though humiliated, he lacked the strength to retaliate. Just as despair began to settle over him, a familiar voice suddenly lifted his spirits. "Hoh, it seems the Witch Fox doesn''t regard my family''s name with respect¡­" Chapter 138 - 138: Swift’s Clan Third Young Master Just as despair began to settle over him, a familiar voice suddenly lifted his spirits. "Hoh, it seems the Witch Fox doesn''t regard my family''s name with respect¡­" Vincent''s and the others'' attention immediately shifted to the owner of the voice. Their gazes landed on the newcomer. He had an intimidating height of 7 feet, almost touching the ceiling of the office. He had a dread hairstyle with a color similar to his lizard-like skin. He wore an azure, exquisite-looking attire, as though he belonged to royalty. His chest area was slightly open, revealing his muscular figure. He was an Agisaur. "Brother Axl!" Clark exclaimed in joy. Indeed, the newcomer was Axl Swift, one of the direct descendants of the Great Swift Clan, the ruler of Freedom Swift City. Axl casually glanced at Clark before shifting his attention to Valyn. He didn''t have a good impression of Clark; in fact, he hated the person. If not for Clark''s family still having some use, Axl would have already disposed of him. At this moment, as Valyn realized who the newcomer was, her furrowed brows faintly eased. "So, it''s you. Mr. Slippery Lizard." Vincent''s interest piqued at the way Valyn addressed the Agisaur. ''They must know each other,'' he thought. Axl smiled wryly at Valyn''s address. After shaking his head, he responded, "You still haven''t changed at all, Witch Fox. You still have a sharp tongue. Anyway, how are we going to fix this?" At this moment, Ellie had a dark expression. She never thought that one of the direct descendants of the Great Swift Clan would appear in her restaurant. And it was none other than the Third Young Master, a prospect leader of Freedom Swift City, Axl Swift¡ªtitled the Mad Lizard for his brutal methods of killing enemies despite his innocent smile. With him witnessing everything, Ellie knew it would be bad news and would bring trouble to her best friend. She had to diffuse the situation or ensure Valyn didn''t get into trouble. "Third Young Master Swift, this has nothing to do with her. If you need compensation, I''m willing to listen to your conditions; just leave her out of this issue," Ellie said in a serious voice. Valyn couldn''t help but look at her best friend. Warmth filled her heart. Axl Swift glanced at Ellie, and just when he was about to respond, Clark''s annoying voice interjected. "No, Brother Axl. That woman slapped me!" Pointing at Valyn, he continued, "She should pay for slapping me!" However, just as he finished, Axl Swift coldly glanced at him, stunning him into silence. "B-Brother¡­" Clark stammered. Axl ignored him and turned back to Ellie. "You have nothing to worry about, Miss Vancord. I witnessed everything that happened. What I''m trying to say is, how would you like for us to compensate¡­" Axl flashed a thin smile at her. "What?!" Clark exclaimed internally, unable to believe what he just heard. Wasn''t Axl going to make them pay for slapping him? For beating his bodyguards?! Despite Axl''s smile, Ellie remained skeptical of his intentions. The rumors weren''t baseless, so she was unsure if he was truthful. Though doubtful, Ellie answered, "We don''t need any compensation, Third Young Master. I just hope that he stops bothering me and my business," she said, glancing at the stunned Clark. Axl was silent for a moment before shaking his head and replying, "No, that''s not enough. How about this: why don''t you visit my family''s household? Perhaps then my family might earn the respect it deserves from the Witch Fox." He glanced at Valyn. Hearing his offer, Ellie looked at her best friend for a response. "I like your offer, Mr. Slippery Lizard, but I''m here to bring my younger brother to the Tower of Speed. Perhaps next time," said Valyn. Hearing her answer, Axl finally took a good look at Vincent. Despite being stared at by a towering figure, Vincent didn''t flinch and met his gaze directly. ''Interesting¡­'' Axl thought, before smiling. "What a coincidence. I''m actually on my way to the Tower of Speed. Why don''t we go together?" Valyn didn''t immediately respond and looked at Vincent, as if asking his opinion. Vincent nodded simply. Naturally, this brief exchange didn''t escape Axl''s attention. His interest in Vincent grew. ''How could a mere Tier 1 have such a relationship with the Witch Fox?'' He didn''t buy Valyn''s excuse that they were siblings¡ªthey bore no resemblance at all. After receiving Vincent''s affirmation, Valyn nodded. "I see no issue with you tagging along," she said. Axl politely nodded. "Good to hear. Alright, I won''t waste your time. I''ll wait for you outside." After saying that, Axl turned his attention to the still-stunned Clark, and in the blink of an eye, Axl disappeared with him and his bodyguards. Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise. Despite his sharp perception, he hadn''t been able to catch Axl''s movement! Valyn noticed his surprise. "Surprised?" she asked. Vincent didn''t hide it and nodded. "That''s natural. The Agisaur race is known for their speed, and the Swift Clan is one of the Agisaur clans renowned for being the fastest," Valyn explained. Ellie finally snapped back to her senses. She had been worried that Axl would harm her or Valyn, but the situation had shifted suddenly. Turning to Valyn, she questioned, "Bitch¡­ tell me. What kind of relationship do you have with the Third Young Master Swift?" She slowly approached, leaning closer to Valyn. "Tell me!" she repeated. Valyn shoved Ellie''s face away. "Stop overthinking. We don''t have that kind of relationship," Valyn said, sneaking a glance at Vincent, hoping for a reaction. Unfortunately, Vincent was just smiling, which slightly disappointed her for some reason. In a quiet alley within Freedom Swift City, Axl reappeared with Clark. "B-Brother Axl, why did you let those people go? Aren''t you mad at their disrespect of your family''s reputation?!" Clark demanded an answer. Axl turned and faced him. The polite expression vanished from his face, replaced by coldness in his almond-shaped, lizard-like eyes. "Brother Clark, you know I can''t act recklessly in public. I have a reputation to uphold. But that doesn''t mean I won''t help you get your revenge." "Really?" Clark still felt skeptical after Axl''s earlier behavior. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Of course. We''re brothers, right?" Clark hesitantly nodded. "And as you heard, we''re heading to the Tower of Speed. That will be the best time for you to take revenge¡­" Axl then began outlining his plan to Clark, causing the latter''s eyes to light up. "Haha! That''s a great plan. You truly are my good brother! Thank you, Brother Axl!" Clark exclaimed enthusiastically. Axl smiled, hiding the glint in his eyes. Chapter 139 - 139: Entering the Tower of Speed After a while, Vincent and Valyn met Axl Swift outside and headed towards the Tower of Speed. For some reason, Ellie also decided to tag along with them. Vincent could only wonder what Axl had done with Clark after they disappeared, but he was certain that guy must still be alive. And if that guy was still alive, it meant future trouble. Although he did not do anything to offend Clark Boltor, just based on their short interaction, he knew what kind of person he was. A saturated stupid young master born with privilege¡­ he thought. He wasn''t the type to give mercy to enemies, but since the young master of the Swift Clan had already intervened, he had to find some other way to deal with Clark Boltor. While they were still on the way, Mochi, who had already returned to her usual spot on his shoulder, suddenly spoke into his mind, "When are you going to feed me?" Vincent was speechless. She had barely talked to him since they met Valyn, and the only time she would initiate a conversation was about feeding her. "Didn''t you just eat?" "Stupid master, that''s from the pretty and kind lady," she said, referring to Valyn. "You haven''t fed me for a very long time! You have to feed me!" Although it was true that he had forgotten to feed her a few times, it had been a long time for her. With an internal sigh, he surrendered and promised to feed her after visiting the Tower of Speed. "You promise? You won''t forget this time?" she asked, sounding doubtful. "Yes, I promise." "Alright!" she exclaimed happily, like an innocent child promised a toy by her mother. At this moment, Mochi glanced at the towering Agisaur¡ªAxl Swift¡ªwho was walking ahead, leading them to the Tower of Speed. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I don''t like him. You should be careful¡­" she said in a soft, serious tone before dozing off on his shoulder. Hearing this, Vincent also glanced at Axl. He didn''t need her to warn him. He already knew something was off about Axl. There was no way he would just let the matter go. Although he hadn''t been in this world for very long, the ''young masters'' he had met all had something in common. They never liked being disrespected, especially if it insulted the name and honor of their clan or family. In any case, it didn''t matter to him. Just from simple observations, he could tell that Axl put importance on his public image. Along the way, they met several citizens of Freedom Swift City, all of whom smiled and greeted Axl like he was some kind of ''proper and just'' politician. Thus, he believed Axl wouldn''t do anything insane in public that would tarnish his image. However, it was a different matter in private, so he always had to stay on guard. It was better to overthink than to die without knowing how. After some time, they finally reached a spacious and bustling area of the city. At the center of this bustling area stood the Tower of Speed, similar in architectural design to the other Towers of Fundamentals. Around the Tower of Speed were carefully designed ponds, grassy patches, and vibrant flowers. The surroundings of the Tower of Speed resembled a picturesque park. There were also several food and miscellaneous stalls set up around, creating a cozy atmosphere, as though they weren''t in the Origin World. It was certainly different from other Towers of Fundamentals he had visited, as those were usually located deep within forests. This was the first time he had visited a Tower of Fundamentals within a city. At this moment, the dozing, plump black rabbit on his shoulder suddenly perched upright, its nose twitching as though it had caught a scent. "Food!" Mochi exclaimed, tugging on his hair, but Vincent simply ignored her. At the same time, Valyn asked, "Little Brother, do you still need me to brief you about the tower?" Vincent simply shook his head. With his mental attribute points, he could easily remember all the information Valyn had shared earlier. According to her, the Tower of Speed was similar to the Tower of Combat, where challengers would compete against others. However, it wasn''t a one-on-one combat battle but rather a speed-based competition. In any case, it thrilled him. As much as he denied it, he was a highly competitive person, despite always prioritizing his life and peace of mind. As they got closer to the tower, they began drawing more attention. Accompanied by two beautiful women and the well-known Axl Swift, they stood out. Axl Swift was practically a celebrity in the city. "The Mad Lizard is here¡­ Is he planning to conquer the Tower of Speed?" "Perhaps¡­ after someone cleared the Tower of Illusions, the geniuses must have been awakened by that guy." "For sure! Who would''ve thought some nobody would suddenly appear and clear the previously unconquerable Tower of Illusions¡­" "Anyway, why is the Mad Lizard accompanied by three humans?" "Who knows? Maybe they''re his new escorts or something¡­" Murmurs filled the air as onlookers gazed at Vincent''s group. At this moment, Axl Swift suddenly turned to Vincent and, with a polite smile, offered, "Would you like my help? I can get you to skip the queue if you''d like." Vincent fell silent because he could see the long line waiting to enter the tower. Although the tower had seemingly endless space, not everyone could challenge it simultaneously, which caused the long queue. He didn''t answer immediately, glancing at Valyn, who gave him a simple nod, as if saying he was free to decide. After a brief moment of contemplation, he accepted the offer. Since it was just that¡ªan offer¡ªhe felt he wouldn''t owe Axl anything. The moment Vincent agreed, Axl''s eyes glinted briefly as he nodded in response. "Good. Hold on a second; I''ll get someone to guide you to the entrance." After a short wait, another Agisaur arrived, dressed in the same uniform as the city gatekeepers, and respectfully greeted Axl. "Third Young Master." Axl simply nodded. "Guide him to the entrance." The Agisaur guard didn''t question Axl''s command and followed it without hesitation. "Please, follow me." Vincent left Mochi in Valyn''s care and followed the guard. "Make way!" the guard commanded, shouting at the queuing warriors. His voice was so loud it buzzed in the ears of those nearby. "Who the hell is that?!" someone exclaimed, but immediately shut up upon realizing it was a city guard. Fortunately for him, the guard didn''t seem to hear the words. If he had, the man could''ve been kicked out of the city¡ªor worse, killed. The bystanders could only wonder about Vincent''s identity as he disappeared from view, entering the tower. When Vincent regained clarity, he found himself in a familiar endless white space. However, this time, he wasn''t alone. People of various races stood with him. [Welcome to the Tower of Speed, Challengers!] Chapter 140 - 140: Bet Against an Agisaur! [Welcome to the Tower of Speed, Challengers!] [As per the tower''s rules, any items that are not from the tower are prohibited. Challengers are allowed to access their storage ring for storing items only.] [Challenger''s offensive skills are sealed, as well as their mental abilities. Most importantly, challengers must keep in mind that dying in the tower is the same as dying outside the tower.] [For the first trial, challengers will be competing against others to climb the Rock Monkey Mountain!] In the next second, the endless white space suddenly turned into a green wilderness, and in front of them stood the towering green mountain. With a simple glance, Vincent could feel the primal presence within the mountain. The mountain had an approximate height of 9,000 meters! [Only the first 50 challengers will qualify for the next round!] [Challengers are allowed to surrender before and after the trial. However, once the trial starts, challengers won''t be allowed to surrender freely!] [You have 5 seconds to decide if any of you want to surrender!] Vincent showed no reaction despite hearing the cold and monotonous voice of the tower, as he had already heard about it from Valyn. However, some weren''t aware of the rules and conditions, causing them to furrow their brows in slight worry. Even so, no one dared to surrender. The tower''s voice continued. [In addition, Origin Crystals are prohibited. However, your Origin Energy will be fully recovered after every trial.] [The trial will start in 10 seconds!] [10!] [9!] At this moment, Vincent glanced at the other participants. With a quick scan, he sensed that there were 100 challengers, including him, all with a strength of Tier 1. What he realized, though, was that everyone was suppressed to Tier 1(1¡ï)! This meant their attributes were only around 2¨C5 points. Unfortunately for them, Vincent was a cheat. With his current potential, even when suppressed, his attribute points were still over 30! A very unreasonable advantage if the other challengers found out! Thus, once the countdown ended, the challengers roared as they unleashed their various movement skills! "Haha. Get out of my way, newbies!" A birdman challenger exclaimed loudly as he flapped his wings and attempted to fly into the mountain. However, the next second, a heavy pressure came crashing into him, embedding him into the ground. "Haha. Idiot! Do you think you''ll be allowed to fly in this trial? You should''ve done your research first!" someone mocked after noticing what happened to the birdman. At this moment, Vincent didn''t immediately move. He wasn''t in a rush. Instead, he observed the other challengers. Since he had seen some humans in this trial, he was curious about their techniques. Unfortunately, aside from a slightly faster speed, the humans didn''t possess good movement techniques. As he continued observing the other challengers, a deep and curious voice spoke beside him. "Why are you still standing there like an idiot, human? Did you give up already?" Vincent turned to face the owner of the voice. The person had a very recognizable appearance, as Vincent had encountered many of them today. It was an Agisaur. He wore specialized pants and revealed his muscular, bare upper torso. Vincent didn''t answer the Agisaur''s question but instead asked, "Why are you not running yourself?" The Agisaur scoffed. "Hmph. I''ll be bullying all of you if I don''t give you all a head start." Vincent couldn''t help but chuckle at the Agisaur''s response. It seemed the Agisaurs really took pride in their speed. He wondered what kind of traits and techniques they possessed. However, his reaction somehow displeased the Agisaur. "What''s funny? Do you think I''m kidding?" Vincent shook his head. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why don''t we make a bet?" "What bet?" the Agisaur asked, curious. "Let''s bet on which one of us can climb the mountain first," Vincent suggested. The Agisaur was stunned for a second before bursting into laughter. "Haha. You''re a funny human! You want to compete with me, an Agisaur, in speed? You''re hilarious." Vincent stared at him expressionlessly, letting him know he wasn''t joking. Naturally, the Agisaur also realized Vincent was serious. He halted his laughter but kept the playful smile on his face. "Alright. What are we betting on?" "If I win, you''ll be my slave for a month," Vincent answered without hesitation. Once again, the Agisaur broke into loud laughter. "Haha. This human really thinks he can win! Alright, alright. If you manage to win, forget a month. I''ll be your slave for my entire life. However, if I win, you''ll be my slave!" The Agisaur, Moutaur, laughed in his mind, thinking Vincent must have gone insane to bet against an Agisaur like him in speed. Upon hearing his response, Vincent suppressed his smile, afraid Moutaur might sense something amiss if he smiled too suddenly. It had been over a minute since the others had started running, and the other challengers were no longer in sight. Vincent said, "Once the second minute starts, the bet is on." "Whatever you say," Moutaur replied nonchalantly. Soon, as the second minute was up, Vincent started to jog. He didn''t immediately run at full strength. However, he immediately noticed that Moutaur hadn''t moved yet. When Vincent looked back, he saw the 7-foot-tall Agisaur arrogantly smiling at him. Vincent smirked when he saw this. If that''s how you want to play, don''t blame me for not giving you a chance, he thought to himself, using only 2% of his speed. Boom! The sudden burst of speed created a loud sound, leaving a trail of dust and smoke behind him. "Hoh, so he wasn''t just all talk. Unfortunately, humans will never win against me in terms of speed!" Moutaur thought as he took a stance akin to an Olympic sprinter. His muscular Tyrannosaurus-like legs vibrated briefly before exploding into motion, leaving deep fractures in the ground. Boom! In just a few seconds, he was already behind Vincent. "Human, if that''s the fastest you can run, then please give up. You shouldn''t have bet against an Agisaur in the first place!" Moutaur sneered, increasing his speed, sending a powerful shockwave past Vincent and blowing his hair wildly. "Haha. Learn your limitations next time!" Moutaur exclaimed, believing he''d left Vincent far behind. However, just as he finished his taunt, Vincent''s voice rang out beside him. "Did you say something?" Vincent glanced casually in his direction without slowing down. Moutaur''s eyes widened in disbelief. I''m already using 30% of my speed! Normally, humans would fall behind by now! Determined, he increased his speed to 50%. Boom! The gap between them widened once again. Yet, a second later, Vincent appeared next to him. "Are you getting serious now?" Vincent asked, still wearing a nonchalant expression. What?! I''m already at 50%! This human shouldn''t be able to keep up! Moutaur thought, stunned. He clenched his teeth and increased his speed to 80%, bypassing several challengers who had started two minutes before him. But even at 80%, Vincent was still right beside him. "How are you so fast?!" Moutaur shouted in frustration. "Is this considered fast?" Vincent tilted his head mockingly. "Aren''t you too slow then?" After making his remark, Vincent decided to widen the gap between them. He was still at only 10% of his speed, without using Origin Power Enhancement or any special movement skills. Moutaur''s face darkened as he pushed himself further, releasing 100% of his speed and leaving Vincent behind momentarily. Finally! However, the next moment, a huge boulder flew toward Moutaur. The Rock Monkeys atop the mountain were throwing obstacles at the challengers. Bang! The boulder smashed into the ground, creating a thick cloud of dust as Moutaur barely avoided it. He smirked. "You might be fast, but let''s see how you handle sudden attacks!" But when he glanced behind him, Vincent had easily dodged the boulder and was once again running beside him, his speed having visibly increased. "You look tired already. Is that all you''ve got?" Vincent asked casually. Moutaur scowled in frustration, unable to understand how a human could rival his speed. "S-Shut up! You still haven''t won yet!" "That''s true," Vincent replied, suppressing a smile. "Well then, I''ll just wait for you at the top, my slave." Boom! Vincent exploded forward with an incredible burst of speed. "Argh, fuck!" Moutaur stumbled and fell backward as dirt and debris filled his face. "Impossible¡­" Moutaur muttered, still lying on the ground in disbelief. He could no longer see Vincent anywhere. In a blink, Vincent had vanished from his sight. Thirty minutes later, Moutaur finally reached the top of the mountain. Gasping for breath, his eyes darted around until he spotted Vincent lying leisurely on a tree branch. [Time Records] 1st: Vincent (00:05:00) 2nd: Moutaur (00:30:45) 3rd¡­ 4th¡­ 5th¡­ Aside from the two of them, no one else had finished the trial yet. But when Moutaur saw the gap between their times, his expression twisted in horror. "N-No¡­ I c-can''t be someone''s slave..." Chapter 141 - 141: End of First Trial [Time Records] 1st: Vincent (00:05:00) 2nd: Moutaur (00:30:45) 3rd¡­ 4th¡­ 5th¡­ Aside from these two, no one else had completed the trial yet. When Moutaur saw the gap between their times, his expression twisted in horror. "N-No¡­ This can''t be happening¡­!" Disbelief consumed him. How could a mere human achieve such speed? He was an Agisaur¡ªa member of a powerful race born with innate speed traits! Even by sheer physical strength and appearance, Agisaurs were undeniably superior to humans. Moreover, their abilities had been suppressed to Tier 1 (1¡ï). How could Vincent, a human, achieve such unreasonable speed?! Vincent, perched casually on a tree branch, glanced at Moutaur with a faint smile. ''Using my real name was the right choice,'' he thought. Before entering the tower, challengers were asked to select a name or codename. Having caused a commotion during his conquest of the Tower of Illusions, Vincent hesitated to use his codename¡ªMagnus. Furthermore, his current companions gave him additional reason to hide his identity. He was traveling alongside Valyn, her best friend Ellie, and Axl Swift, the Third Young Master of the Swift Clan. If someone discovered that Vincent and "Magnus" were the same person, it would draw unnecessary attention. People would already have the idea that he had the only Legendary-grade skill from Tower of Illusions. Only him had the highest possibility to take it after all. Setting his thoughts aside, Vincent hopped down from the tree and approached the frozen Moutaur. The Agisaur instinctively retreated. "Y-You¡­ You are not human! That must be it! There''s no way a human could beat me in speed. Tell me, no¡­ show me! Show me your true form! What are you?!" Moutaur''s pride, wounded by his loss, spurred his frantic accusations. He simply couldn''t accept that a human had bested him. Before Moutaur could step back any further, Vincent''s figure blurred. In an instant, he was beside the Agisaur, leaving an afterimage behind. "Does it really matter who or what I am? You lost the bet, my slave." Vincent''s grin held a hint of danger. Despite Moutaur''s intimidating height, he felt dwarfed by Vincent. He hadn''t been able to follow the human''s speed! Shaking his head, Moutaur stammered, "N-No¡­ I didn''t lose! You cheated! You didn''t even show your true race!" Vincent''s smile faded. "So Agisaurs aren''t just slow; they''re dishonorable as well," he muttered, loud enough for Moutaur to hear. The words hit their mark. Moutaur''s expression twisted further, rage bubbling up alongside his frustration. "You can call me a liar, but we are NOT slow!" Vincent raised an eyebrow at the Agisaur''s vehement response. ''Their ego about speed is incredible,'' he realized. ''They''d rather be called liars than slow. What a mindset.'' His expression turned cold. "So, are you going back on your word now? You boast about your race''s speed but lack the honor to stand by your promise? Pathetic." Having said his piece, Vincent dismissed Moutaur entirely. If the Agisaur refused to honor their wager, so be it. To Vincent, the bet was nothing more than a playful curiosity about an Agisaur''s abilities. Unfortunately, Moutaur''s performance had been lackluster compared to someone like Axl Swift. Disappointed, Vincent walked to the shade of a nearby tree and sat, waiting for the trial to conclude. Moutaur, still reeling from the encounter, was speechless. He wanted to protest but found himself at a loss for words. Deep down, he knew Vincent was right. Moutaur had spent his entire life training for speed, to the point where he''d forgotten what honor meant. Now, faced with his loss, doubt crept into his thoughts. As Moutaur sank into contemplation, more challengers began to reach the summit. Their conditions were starkly different from Vincent''s and Moutaur''s. Most were injured and visibly exhausted. Only a handful bore minor injuries and light fatigue. The new arrivals couldn''t hide their astonishment. Murmurs spread among them, especially from the human challengers, who regarded Vincent with disbelief. "Did that guy actually beat an Agisaur in a speed contest?" someone whispered, glancing between Moutaur''s frozen figure and Vincent, who was lounging casually. "Has this ever happened before? An Agisaur losing to a human?" another wondered aloud. "Maybe he''s not human¡­" muttered by a human, voicing what many were thinking. "There''s no way someone like me could defeat an Agisaur in speed." Others exchanged approving nods, acknowledging the logic in his statement. Nevertheless, despite their curiosity they did not dare approach Vincent or even thought of demanding anything from him. They all plop on the ground, gasping for breath. Although the trial sounded so simple the main objective of the trial was to climb the Rock Monkey Mountain summit while also avoiding countless traps. When the 50th challenger finally reached the summit, the tower''s voice echoed around them: [Congratulations to all challengers who passed the first trial! The Top 31~50 have been awarded 10 Tower Points. 20 Tower Points for the Top 11~30, and 30 Tower Points for the Top 6~10.] [40 Tower Points for the Top 1~5.] [Those who failed will be expelled from the tower and prohibited to enter for 7 days.] Exclamations of joy and disappointment filled Rock Monkey Mountain. Vincent paid them no mind, his attention elsewhere. [You have received 40 Tower Points.] Talent Activated! +400,000 Tower Points! [You now have access to the Tower''s Exchange.] [The second trial will commence in 5 minutes.] A subtle smile played on Vincent''s lips. This is what I''ve been waiting for. He quickly navigated to the Tower''s Exchange and accessed the Skill Tab. To his surprise, only three rare-grade skills were available. He frowned. ''It seems they''re trying to limit me from draining this tower dry¡­'' He scoffed mentally. Too bad. They still left plenty for me to take. Without hesitation, Vincent exchanged the three rare-grade skills for 10,000 Tower Points each. -30,000 Tower Points. He naturally did not stop there, he also checked the Weapon Tab without a beat. Similar to Skill Tab, there were 3 remaining rare-grade armaments. Without an ounce of hesitation, he exchanged for it with another 30,000 Tower Points! All of these items had directly entered his storage ring. He might cause a huge commotion if the other challengers discovered the sudden appearance of rare-grade items. In spite of that, he was destined to cause a commotion since he took the remaining rare-grade items in Tier 1 Tower''s Exchange. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 142 - 142: Forcing Others To Quit and Getting a Slave Vincent did not continue exchanging his tower points for items. He scanned his surroundings and found a not-so-hidden corner before checking out the skills he had exchanged for. Skill Name: Temporal Acceleration Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: The user''s perception of time is accelerated by 200% for 10 seconds, allowing faster reactions and decision-making. While active, the user can execute precise actions without external time advancing significantly. Consumes 30 Origin Energy per second. "This is great!" Despite its simple details, Vincent instantly knew the importance of the effects of this rare-grade skill. Without hesitation, he learned it. Temporal Acceleration has been learned! Next, he checked the second skill. Skill Name: Velocity Field Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: Creates a 10-meter radius field around the user, increasing the movement and attack speed of all allies within the field by 50% for 15 seconds. Consumes 80 Origin Energy upon activation. "A buff? This is another good skill!" Velocity Field has been learned! Finally, he checked the last rare-grade skill. Skill Name: Stormstep Cost: 10,000 Tower Points Grade: Rare Details: The user summons a burst of storm energy, allowing them to move at lightning speed in a straight line up to 60 meters. Enemies in the path are stunned for 1 second. Consumes 50 Origin Energy per use. "Another good movement skill!" He learned it without hesitation. Stormstep has been learned! Vincent was quite satisfied with the rare-grade skills he obtained this time. If upgrading them was allowed, they would be even better! He then took a quick glance at the weapon-type armaments he had acquired. Item Name: Stormracer Bow Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Bow) Grade: Rare Details: A bow crafted from Windoak Wood and strung with Gale Threads. Activating its skill allows the wielder to fire arrows at triple their normal speed for 6 seconds, with each arrow generating a small shockwave that increases the wielder''s movement speed by 10% for 3 seconds. This ability consumes 50 Origin Energy and has a cooldown of 30 seconds. Item Name: Lightningstep Rapier Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Rapier) Grade: Rare Details: A sleek rapier imbued with Thunder Glyphs that channels the power of lightning. Activating its skill allows the wielder to perform a "Flash Step," instantly closing the gap to an enemy within 10 meters and delivering an electrified thrust that stuns the target for 1 second. This skill consumes 60 Origin Energy per use and has a cooldown of 15 seconds. Item Name: Gale Reaver Blade Cost: 10,000 Power: Tier 1 Armament Type: Weapon (Greatsword) Grade: Rare Details: A massive blade carved with Wind Runes that lightens its weight while amplifying its wielder''s speed. Activating its skill creates a "Wind Surge," increasing the wielder''s movement speed by 30% and attack speed by 20% for 12 seconds. This surge consumes 70 Origin Energy and has a cooldown of 45 seconds. Unfortunately, while these weapons were good, they weren''t suited to his style, and he currently had a better weapon. Still, it wasn''t a bad thing to have them! He still had 340,000 tower points remaining. Needless to say, he exchanged them for all the rare-grade items in the Equipment and Miscellaneous Tabs and used the rest for uncommon-grade items. He set aside checking the information on those items as his surroundings buzzed with whispers of exclamation. "Oh no, it''s happening..." someone murmured. "What''s happening? What do you mean?!" questioned another. "The rare-grade skills and items are all gone!" The man said it as he frantically scrolled through the Tower''s Exchange and saw the listed items disappearing. "Are you certain?!" exclaimed another. "Check for yourselves!" "Oh no... it''s true!" someone realized with despair. "No... I just started saving tower points! How the hell are they disappearing so fast?!" "Fuck! There are only a few uncommon and common-grade items left!" "Go! Check the leaderboard! See if that guy, Magnus, has already shown up!" Unfortunately for them, their efforts were futile. They wouldn''t find the culprit, as Vincent was using his real name, and he had just cleared the first trial of Tier 1. How could his name possibly appear on the leaderboard? "What are we supposed to do now? Should we still take these trials? There are barely any good items left..." Those words triggered contemplation among the other challengers as they debated whether continuing the trials was worth the effort. Then, one person stood up and made a decision. "Fuck it! I''m not going to waste more time here! If I ever find this Magnus guy, I''ll fucking slit his neck!" The man''s body dissolved into particles of light as he left the Tower of Speed. His actions caused a ripple effect, and many other challengers quickly decided to quit as well. Vincent watched the scene unfold with amusement. He was the cause of it all, yet he felt no guilt. If anything, he was suppressing a smile. "What can I do? My talent is so broken. I''d be a fool not to use it for myself," he thought, amused. Soon, only 30 challengers remained, including Vincent. To his surprise, Moutaur did not leave the tower. As the second trial was about to begin, Moutaur approached him, not with anger, but with hesitation. "Human... no, Vincent," he said, struggling with his words. "What do you want?" Vincent asked flatly. "I lost our bet, and I... I..." Moutaur struggled before finally saying, "I''ll honor it. I will be your slave, but only for a year!" The Agisaur gritted his sharp teeth, clearly despising the words he had just uttered. Vincent was genuinely surprised. He hadn''t expected Moutaur to honor the bet, even if it was only for a year instead of a lifetime. "Why the change of heart?" Vincent inquired, keeping his gaze steady. Moutaur stared at him with determination. "You don''t need to know the reason. But after a year, I''ll beat you and erase this humiliation, human." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "What did you just call me?" Moutaur frowned but repeated, "Human." Vincent''s tone hardened. "It seems you still aren''t willing to honor your words." Realizing what Vincent meant, Moutaur gritted his teeth again. After a moment of hesitation, he sighed in resignation and said, "M-Master." Vincent nodded in satisfaction. "Good. From now on, you''ll follow my commands without complaints. Otherwise, everyone in Origin World will learn how dishonorable Agisaurs truly are." Though filled with hatred, Moutaur swallowed his pride and replied, "Yes, Master." Their exchange didn''t go unnoticed. The remaining challengers looked on in disbelief. "What did I just witness?" "Did that Agisaur really submit himself to a human as a slave?" Vincent ignored the murmurs. Before the second trial began, he questioned Moutaur about the upcoming trials. As a resident of Freedom Swift City, the Agisaur was well-informed about the Tower of Speed. Moments later. The Tower''s voice echoed again. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [The second trial will begin in¡­] Time passed quickly, and Vincent completed all the Tier 1 trials. Chapter 143 - 143: Bet Vincent smoothly cleared all the Tier 1 trials. Most of the trials were about speed fundamentally and no direct battle against other challengers, except for the last trial where he had to play tag with the remaining 10 Tier 1 challengers. It was a no-brainer that it had no challenge for him. With his current attribute points and his strength fully unsealed at the Tier 1 last trial, it was child''s play for him. And regarding Moutaur, the slave agisaur had naturally lost against Vincent in the last trial. After all of that, it was needless to say that he had millions of tower points. So, did he empty the remaining items on Tower''s Exchange? Naturally. Initially, he was hesitant because he was accompanying Valyn, and he had told her that he had no connection with the disappearance of the tower''s items. However, once or twice might be possible for him to dismiss the accusations, but the third time? Only a fool would believe that he was not connected with the tower''s issue. Since whenever he was challenging a tower, the Tower''s Exchange was always being emptied, and Valyn was with him all that time. That''s why he was hesitant. Well, it was only for a very short moment. As long as no one saw him and had solid proof that he was the culprit, he would deny it all the time. Therefore, with a huge grin on his face, he emptied the remaining items, filling his storage ring again. After all of his hoarding, his storage ring still had a lot of remaining space. And it was important to note that he still had more storage rings with the same size as his epic-grade storage ring. Soon, the tower''s voice echoed. [You have completed the Tier 1 Trials, you have now qualified to challenge the Tier 2 Trials. Would you like to proceed?] Vincent curtly agreed with a nod. "Yes." In the next second, his vision blurred as he disappeared from a flat arena. At the same time, outside of the Tower of Speed. Valyn, along with Ellie and Axl Swift, were gathered in a gazebo that was not there in the first place. Axl Swift had ordered one of the city''s guards who had a talent for building structures to build one for him and his guests while they talked and observed the Ranking Leaderboard. The moment Vincent cleared the last trial of Tier 1, his name naturally appeared at the 100th place. It was for a reason that Vincent simply chose not to enter the top rank as it did not matter to him. Needless to say, with Valyn and the others'' perceptions, they immediately noticed when Vincent''s name appeared. "Your younger brother seems to have managed to clear the Tier 1 trials and enter the leaderboard. Will he come out now?" asked Ellie, who was quite surprised. She had no idea what was the real relationship between Valyn and Vincent, thus she was quite curious how Vincent would perform. And so, she was a little surprised that Vincent managed to clear the Tier 1 trials quickly. And opposite of Ellie, Valyn had not much reaction. She was already expecting it. As much as it sounds unbelievable, she was already assuming that Vincent would be able to conquer the Tower of Speed if not highly possible to enter the Tier 2 Ranking Leaderboard. Aside from that, her thoughts lingered about the commotion revealed by the Tier 1 challengers. The Tower''s Exchange was once again emptied. She was not a fool. She knew Vincent must be connected with this issue in some way or another. Well, despite that, she could only smile wryly in her mind. ''He dared to lie to my face¡­ I would make him pay, this big sister when he comes out¡­'' she thought before grinning at her best friend. "Don''t be surprised yet. He wasn''t done yet," she replied, which was naturally heard by Axl Swift as well. Raising his lizard-skin-like eyebrows, Axl questioned Valyn. "Is the Witch Fox saying he''ll be able to enter the Tier 2 Leaderboard?" He sounded quite skeptical because, as far as he knew and observed, Vincent was a mere Peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior. It was already a miracle that a human like Vincent had managed to appear on the leaderboard. But clearing Tier 2 and appearing on the leaderboard? That''s quite impossible, as the leaderboard was dominated mostly by his race and other races known for their speed techniques. "I''m not trying to be rude, but I can''t seem to see your brother appearing on the leaderboard¡­" Valyn''s eyebrows rose as she looked at Axl with a questioning look. "Are you doubting my younger brother''s capability?" Her voice rose a little higher than usual. "Well¡­ I''m just saying your brother''s strength is limited. He will be competing against Tier 2 Origin Warriors." Without saying it specifically, Valyn knew that Axl was doubting Vincent''s strength. It was a natural reaction. If she did not know about Vincent, she would also think that Axl''s words were true. Unfortunately, Vincent was not your average Joe, he defied common sense. She believed that Vincent had the strength to clear the Tier 2 Trials. Therefore, her eyes glinted as she thought of something exciting, which didn''t escape Ellie''s sight. ''Oh no, she''s up to something¡­'' Ellie thought. They had been friends for several years already, so she understood Valyn''s seemingly unnoticeable expression. Valyn narrowed her eyes and said, "Do you wanna make a bet then?" Axl furrowed his brows for a second before easing it back. He was quite skeptical about where the Witch Fox was getting her confidence. Nevertheless, his interest was piqued. "Hooh, a bet with the Witch Fox? What are we betting on?" replied Axl, amused. "I''ll say, my younger brother will be able to enter the Tier 2 leaderboard. If I got it wrong, you can have this." After saying it, Valyn flicked her hand, and a deep purple scroll appeared in her hand. "I''m certain you are familiar with this, right?" Ellie and Axl furrowed their eyebrows when they noticed the scroll in Valyn''s hand. "You''re taking out that scroll for a bet?!" Ellie exclaimed. Ellie naturally recognized the scroll. It was an Upgrade Scroll¡ªan epic-grade one. Meaning, a scroll that could upgrade any kind of items or skills from rare to epic grade. As far as Ellie could remember, Valyn had fought so hard just to get this scroll. She even had to recuperate for a few months because of her injuries. She thought Valyn had already used it, but it wasn''t the case, and she wanted to use it as a bet?! Just what kind of trust does she have for Vincent?! When Axl Swift noticed the purple scroll, his eyes immediately brightened with excitement before he composed himself. ''An Upgrade Scroll? Is she crazy?'' he thought as he laughed in his mind. ''I don''t know the source of her confidence, but she would never believe that it will be her younger brother''s¡­'' Axl''s thought trailed off before he hid his excitement. "Are you sure you wanna bet that?" he asked in a casual but serious voice. He acted as though he was concerned. "Why? Is our slippery lizard afraid to lose on a bet?" Valyn teased. Axl wasn''t affected by Valyn''s words. With a polite smile, he asked, "Well, it''s not every day someone gets the chance to wager with the Witch Fox herself." "And I''m not the type who likes to take advantage of others¡­" Axl paused and waved his hand. "If I lose, you can have this¡­" Two items appeared in front of Axl, a blue crystal gem and a slightly old, rusty necklace emitting a pale purple light. The moment the blue crystal gem appeared, Mochi, who was dozing off in Valyn''s arms, suddenly perched, her cute rabbit nose twitching. "Food!" Mochi exclaimed in her mind, drooling. She tried to reach it with her short plump arm but was unable to even touch it. "This gem is a Tier 3 Rare-grade Primal Boss Core, and this necklace is an epic-grade item. I''ve used it twice, but it still has one more chance to use." "What is that?" Valyn asked, curious. "This item is called the Temporal Runic Necklace, and it has an ability effect called ''Portal Displacement'' allowing one to instantly travel from anywhere within the Novice Continent, bypassing any restrictions." Upon hearing his explanation, Valyn''s eyes shone. Although it still only had one more chance to use, she knew its importance. It was a life-saving item. Although there were items like escape scrolls, there were special places in the Origin World that hindered the effect of escape scrolls. It meant, with the Temporal Runic Necklace and its ability, she could attempt to visit those places with a free mind. Similarly, Valyn didn''t show her true thoughts and agreed after acting as though she had a thoughtful consideration. "Alright. We have a bet." "Great." Both parties nodded casually, but both of them were grinning in their minds. Back in the Tower of Speed... [The final stage of Tier 2 Trials will start in 5 minutes.] Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent smoothly passed the 9 trials without an effort. Chapter 144 - 144: Battle Royale Vincent smoothly passed the 9 trials without any effort. It was important to note that, aside from his overwhelming basic attribute advantage, the trials went easily because of the new epic-grade skill he had just exchanged for 100,000 Tower Points. It was a skill he never expected to find within the Tower of Speed. Skill Name: Boundless Energy Flow Cost: 100,000 Tower Points Grade: Epic Details: Removes stamina consumption for 30 seconds. Creates an energy circulation field, increasing stamina recovery by 1000%. Perfect for extended battles. Consumes 200 Origin Energy upon activation. It meant he could go all out for 30 seconds! Although it couldn''t yet show its true strength as he was being held back by his limited Origin Energy, he knew it would be a very good technique in the future! Just imagining unleashing his epic skills or possible legendary skills, he would be overwhelmingly powerful and wouldn''t be far from his main goal: to enjoy the peaceful life of the strongest! Aside from that, he equipped new items he had exchanged from the Tower''s Exchange, which were only rare items, but they were enough to increase his speed attribute by 10 points! It was truly unfortunate that there was only one epic skill left in the Tower''s Exchange. The other challengers seemed to have managed to accumulate enough points to exchange for epic-grade items. Even so, he wasn''t too disappointed, since he was able to hoard the remaining rare-grade items. He could upgrade them to higher grades in the future if he wanted to. He wouldn''t lose out just by having rare-grade items; hell, even uncommon-grade was already good to him. At this moment, sitting in a lotus position in an endless white space, Vincent rubbed his chin and thought about his possible next plan. "If Lizno manages to complete what I''ve asked of him, I will finally be able to put to use the skills and items I have¡­" "I can probably sell some of it for funds¡­" "Or upgrade some of it and sell it to specific individuals¡­" He still remembered the people who had invited him to their territory when he cleared the Tower of Illusions. They could be his potential clients. "Well, that''s for another time¡­ Let me clear this trial for now¡­" Soon, the tower''s voice echoed. [The final stage for Tier 2 Trials will start in a minute. You will be sent to a battlefield where you will have to fight against 200 qualified challengers in a Battle Royale.] [The rules are still mostly the same. Offensive skills and mental abilities are prohibited, with an exemption for movement skills.] [Important note: This stage allows direct combat. Therefore, you are allowed to surrender anytime as long as the trial hasn''t started yet.] Vincent fell silent when he heard the tower''s announcement. "A battle royale¡­" If it''s a battle royale, would it be a solo battle or a team battle? With that question in his mind, he unhesitatingly voiced his concern, to which the tower promptly responded. [Every challenger will be randomly assigned to a group of five members, and only the winning group will qualify to challenge the Tier 3 Trials.] [Do you want to surrender? Yes/No?] Vincent silently pondered. It would be the first time he would be against many challengers in a direct elimination trial. Most of the trials he had experienced in the Tower of Speed were more like a competition and training focused on speed, reaction, and adaptability. [You have 10 seconds before the trial starts...] [10¡­ 9¡­ 8¡­] Naturally, Vincent wouldn''t just leave like that; he was here to try to clear the Tower of Speed after all. Soon, the countdown ended. [You will now be sent to the battlefield along with your other teammates.] Vincent''s vision blurred, and in the next second, he found himself within a dense forest. He was currently standing in the middle of a flat, open surface, along with four more individuals. With a quick scan, Vincent was able to instantly gauge their strength. They were all Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors. He was the only Tier 1 in their group. He carefully observed his teammates, who were also doing the same thing. Aside from him, there were two more male Origin Warriors that were from different races. One of them was a not-commonly-seen but still infamous race, Nervewalkers. The Nervewalkers were a race of slender, humanoid creatures with long, spindly limbs and ethereal, transparent skin. They possessed a unique nervous system that allowed them to move with uncanny speed. Its ghostly appearance made Vincent wonder what would happen if this alien race suddenly appeared on the streets of Earth. Aside from the Nervewalker, the other male in his team was from a race called Cheetral. The male Cheetral stood tall and proud, his digitigrade legs covered in sleek, spotted fur. His muscles rippled beneath his spotted skin, a testament to his agility and strength. His long tail swished behind him. His eyes were a piercing gold, the color of sunlight reflected off a wild animal''s gaze. And his remaining two teammates were females. One of them was from the same Cheetral race, but compared to the male one, the female had a slender body. Vincent wasn''t being racist, but he somehow could not see any difference between the male and female Cheetral. As much as he wanted to ask if they were siblings, he firmly held his curiosity. Then his attention shifted to the last person, who was also observing him apparently. She was from his race¡ªa human¡ªwhich sort of surprised him. Ever since he started the Tier 2 Trials, he had never encountered anyone from the human race, and that made him wonder if humans were truly one of the weakest races. With one look, Vincent could tell that the jade-haired lady in front of him was a beauty and around the age of Valyn¡ªin her early 20s. She was wearing a silky green martial robe. She looked like an immortal in those Chinese movies he had watched in his life on Earth. Although she had a pair of sharp green eyes, her lips were smiling warmly at him. He had no idea what was going on in her mind, but he had a good impression of her. At this moment, the woman spoke, "I didn''t expect to meet someone from the same race¡­" Just as Vincent was about to respond, an emotionless and hollow voice interrupted him. "You, human¡­ Why is a weakling like you here?" Although the words seemed like an insult, when Vincent turned to face the owner of the voice¡ªthe Nervewalker scratching its head¡ªa sense of pure curiosity radiated from its stance. His expression eased, feeling that it was merely seeking understanding. Hearing the words of the Nervewalker, his other teammates turned their attention to him. "Wow, he''s really a weakling. A Peak Tier 1 managed to reach this stage? What kind of luck do you have?" This was said by the female Cheetral, who eyed him amusedly, while the male Cheetral just glanced at him before snorting. At the same time, the jade-haired woman approached him. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How did you manage to reach this stage with your strength?" Her voice had a hint of wonder and curiosity. The male Cheetral suddenly interjected, "Hmph, what''s so good about being Tier 1 here? He will only be a deadweight for us!" "Is he?" The Nervewalker tilted its head, still filled with questions in his transparent mind. As soon as the male Cheetral said it, the female Cheetral immediately covered his mouth and said, "Haha, don''t mind this guy. His words might sound harsh, but he only said it out of concern. Don''t worry, we won''t treat you as a deadweight. We are a team for this stage, after all." The male Cheetral struggled, wanting to break free from the female Cheetral''s grip, but to no avail. "By the way, I''m Nira, and this sharp-tongued guy is my friend, Nor. How about you guys?" The jade-haired woman promptly responded, "I''m Ruoruo." "Vincent," Vincent replied simply. Their eyes then looked at the silly-looking Nervewalker. "How about you, big guy?" Nira asked. "Me? I''m S''an. My mom told me my name means ''strongest and kindest!'' That''s what I''m aspiring for!" S''an replied enthusiastically and innocently. After their introduction, the tower''s voice echoed, announcing the rules of the battle royale. [Listen well, challengers. Amongst the 40 groups of five members, only one group will have the chance to qualify for the next level.] [In this battle royale, the battlefield has a size of 100 x 100 km with different environments. The battlefield has many loots that can temporarily increase your chance of survival.] [Keep in mind that the safe zone will shrink over time. Be sure to keep your eyes on the virtual map for the next circle. Any challenger who remains outside of the safe zone will suffer damage until they move back inside or are eliminated.] [The goal is to survive and be the last one standing. May the odds be ever in your favor.] As the tower''s voice faded, Vincent and every challenger looked at the virtual map of the battlefield that appeared in the corner of their vision. "To think it will be like this¡­" Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly upon completely realizing the trial rules. "So, do you guys have any plan?" Nira asked. Their group then fell into a deep conversation. Somewhere on the other side of the map, the young master of the Boltor Clan, Clark Boltor, along with four other individuals, stood in silence. At this moment, Clark was looking at the information and names of the other groups. He was focused on a certain name in Group 24. "Vincent¡­ I finally found you!" He had received intel from one of Axl Swift''s men that Vincent had somehow managed to reach the Tier 2 Trials. Initially, he suppressed his strength to Tier 1 so he could re-challenge the Tier 1 Trials, hoping to meet Vincent. But he waited so long, and he never encountered Vincent even after clearing the Tier 1 Trials. He was so disappointed that he wasn''t able to get his revenge. Fortunately, he had met one of Axl''s men, who informed him about the sudden change in the situation. "Haha, heaven must be taking pity on me. Wait for me, Vincent! I don''t care if it''s you or not, but I''ll check it with my own eyes. Don''t die before I meet you!" Chapter 145 - 145: Battle Royale (2) After some time, Vincent''s group somehow came up with a plan. From a simple scan of the map, they immediately understood their location. According to the virtual map, they were currently at the edge of the western part of the battlefield. Within this dense forest, there were many old houses and different ruins. The red zone hadn''t appeared yet, so, for the time being, they were safe. After their short conversation, they decided to give each other a role. Nira took the group leader role and forced Nor to take on the frontline and scout role along with S''an, while Ruoruo and Vincent assumed support roles. Their roles matched their introduced abilities. Naturally, they didn''t fully reveal all of their abilities. Even so, no one forced them. It was normal not to fully trust strangers; they were only a temporary team, after all. Although they weren''t treating Vincent as a deadweight, no one fully trusted a Tier 1 Origin Warrior like him. At this moment, they went inside an abandoned two-story establishment with several rooms. The establishment was empty, as it had already been scouted by S''an, whose race''s traits allowed him to turn transparent and intangible, enabling him to pass through walls without any problem. "This place is empty. Let''s go quickly and search all the rooms separately and meet back here in a minute or two," Nira commanded. Vincent and the others nodded, complying silently. Vincent went to the left wing of the first floor, and the others also moved and began searching. However, Ruoruo followed him. He looked at her in wonder, but before he could voice his thoughts, Ruoruo spoke. "Come on, it''s safer if I come along with you." It seemed she was worried about him. However, Vincent didn''t think of that. He was wondering what her motive was. Although he had a good impression of her, it didn''t mean he could trust her with his back. Hence, he said, "I''m fine. You don''t have to worry about me. I can protect myself. Additionally, the place is empty. I don''t think anyone will be able to enter this establishment without alerting anyone." "Come on, don''t be shy. This big sister will protect you!" As she said that, she proudly stuck out her ''disappointing'' chest. Vincent glanced at it, but he didn''t say a word about it. He just thought, ''That wasn''t big¡­ sister¡­'' Although he never uttered it, Ruoruo seemed to have sensed his thoughts as her expression faintly darkened. "Y-You, you definitely glanced at my chest." "I did not," Vincent immediately denied, not even glancing at her. He would never admit it, no matter what. "T-This¡­ I¡ªI''m still in development!" she exclaimed as though she was trying to reason. "Development, what?" Vincent acted innocent. "N-Nothing!" She then went ahead of him, her voice trailing as she passed over him, "...pervert." Vincent could only smile wryly in a subtle way. After some time, the group finally searched every room of the establishment. "What did you all find? As we talked about, no one''s gonna hide anything from the group. So, please show all your loot," Nira said in a straight voice. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No one had any objections. They began to reveal their loot. "These are what I''ve found¡­" Nira revealed hers first. She found three med-kits¡ªlow-quality recovery potions. "Here are mine," Nor simply said, revealing his loot. He found a blue glowing orb that emitted a cool light and three old-looking storage rings. Nira inspected it. "These three storage rings all have the size of backpacks. As you all know, we can no longer access our storage ring. We cannot store any of the items here. These storage rings are going to be helpful." After saying that, she wore one storage ring and stored all the recovery potions she found before handing over the other two storage rings to Nor and Ruoruo. Vincent simply watched in silence. He didn''t care. If he wasn''t being lazy, he would have gone and eliminated everybody. Unfortunately, it would not give him anything, even if he did that. Thus, he decided to just take it easy. "What is that orb used for?" Ruoruo questioned after equipping the storage ring. Nira inspected it, and it felt cold upon touching. "This is a Freeze Ball. It can transform a 50-meter radius into a glacial environment, freezing and immobilizing the affected targets," she explained. "I will hold these items for now¡­" Nira continued. "These are what I''ve found¡­" S''an took out several items: Two backpack-sized storage rings, two med-kits¡ªlow-quality recovery potions, two transparent milky armors, and three green potions. Nira handed the storage rings to S''an and Vincent before inspecting the other items. "These milky armors are called Tier 1 Shields. They simply increase base defense by 20%, while the three green potions are buff potions that can increase movement speed by 20% and physical damage by 10%!" She then handed the armors to Nor and S''an as they were the scouts, before giving everyone a recovery potion. Now, everyone had their own recovery potion. "I''ll hold these buff potions for now¡­" Ruoruo revealed 3 more transparent white armors and a small device with a simple button. "With these 3 more shields, we all can equip Tier 1 Shields," said Nira. She continued, "While this device can scan a single target building, revealing all the presence inside." Nira stored it without a word. Their eyes then gathered at Vincent. Still silent, he showed them the item he had found. "Hehe, we found that!" said Ruoruo, seemingly proud of the loot. "Well, isn''t that surprising. Well, you may hold it for now. We can use it later." Nira immediately snapped a glare at Nor, who was about to say something. Nor had no choice but to forget whatever he was trying to say. "Okay, let''s go and clear the other buildings before the others arrive!" Just in the early minutes after the Battle Royale began, some groups in close proximity had already started fighting. Needless to say, similar situations were happening across the battlefield. Vincent''s group was fortunate to be at the edge. However, there was also a disadvantage: groups engaged in constant battle might have better loot and items by the time they encountered them. At the 10-minute mark, the circle began shrinking. After another 10 minutes, it shrunk again. It was at that moment, as they were leaving the dense forest and approaching the desert environment, that they finally had their first encounter. Surprisingly, it was with a group of a race very familiar to Vincent. They were bipedal hyenas¡ªYeenlings! All of them were Peak Tier 2. Initially, Vincent had no idea what their official race name was. Fortunately, he had read more about the Origin World before returning here. As soon as they saw Vincent''s group, the Yeenlings bared their fangs, growling. They all wore Tier 1 Shields. With snarls and erratic movements, they rushed toward Vincent''s group without a word. Vincent observed that the Yeenlings were dangerously focused on Nira and Nor, glaring at them with visible hatred. "Nor! Kill these low-class copycats!" Nira spat venomously. The Yeenling and Cheetral races had a long-standing enmity. Despite their similar appearances, the Yeenlings were savages, notorious for ganging up on and slaughtering the Cheetrals. "You don''t need to tell me. I already planned to kill every fucking Yeenling I find in this place!" Nor roared, baring his fangs and crouching slightly. In the next moment, two more Nor clones appeared beside him. As one of the Yeenlings pounced, Nor charged forward with his clones, meeting the attack head-on. Bam! Clang! Awoo! The clash of claws and shields echoed, followed by a howl of pain as Nor''s attack left deep wounds across the Yeenling''s chest. "Fucking yellow cat!" cursed the injured Yeenling. Before it could retreat, a tall, slender humanoid figure materialized in front of it. "Be quiet, spotty dog!" It was S''an, who had quickly moved to support Nor. S''an''s massive hands vibrated with blinding speed, creating a buzzing sound. Bang! With a single strike, his hands smashed the Yeenling''s head, killing it instantly. "Good job, big guy!" Nira praised. "I''m the strongest!" S''an roared, exhilarated. "Sphart!" one of the remaining Yeenlings cried out in anguish. "Fuck! Avenge our brother!" "Awooo!" The remaining Yeenlings charged, but even as they fought ferociously, Vincent''s group maintained the upper hand. In no time, the Yeenlings were covered in deep injuries. Just as Nira and the others were about to finish them off, the Yeenlings each pulled out a token. Their figures blurred. "This won''t be the last time. We will meet again!" The next moment, they vanished completely, safely exiting the Tower of Speed. Escaping the trials was supposed to be impossible once they started. However, Vincent knew what the Yeenlings had used: a Tower''s Escape token. This item, costing 5,000 Tower Points, allowed users to exit the tower safely, even mid-trial. The downside was that they wouldn''t be able to re-enter the tower for a whole month. Nira and Nor clicked their tongues in frustration at the Yeenlings'' escape but didn''t dwell on it. They knew their current situation. There was no time to relax or lose focus. "Let''s go!" Nira commanded, and the group pressed onward. Chapter 146 - 146: My Plan Is Better After defeating the group of Yeenlings, Vincent''s group finally reached the desert biome part of the battlefield. In the distance, several connected buildings formed a triangular shape. In the middle of these buildings stood a towering structure resembling a wizard''s tower. Hiding behind a huge rock, Nira faced Nor and S''an, who had just returned from scouting the nearest building. "How was it?" she questioned. Nor took the initiative to respond. "There were at least three groups within the perimeter of the ''Abandoned Tower.'' That''s just the perimeter¡ªwe haven''t been able to completely scout the tower itself." Nira frowned. "How about their situation and equipment?" she asked further. "Regarding their equipment, two groups were all wearing Tier 1 shields, while the other group was equipped with transparent green armor. Most likely, Tier 2 shields." Nor paused before continuing. "And about their situation¡ªthis is just my assumption¡ªbut based on their locations and reactions, they seem aware of the presence of the other groups as well." Nira continued to ask, "And their level?" Nor responded promptly as he took a glance at Vincent. "All Peak Tier 2." Nira seemed preoccupied, failing to notice Nor''s gaze. However, Vincent and Ruoruo definitely caught it, sensing that Nor was trying to say something. Ruoruo stepped in front of Vincent and stared directly into Nor''s eyes. "You don''t have to worry; he won''t be a deadweight. I''ll be supporting him." Vincent was faintly surprised. He didn''t know why she was protecting him, especially since this was their first meeting. He grew more curious about the real reason behind her actions. At the same time, Nira sensed something amiss. When she heard Ruoruo''s words, she raised her head, looking at them in confusion before immediately realizing what was happening. Without a word, she approached Nor and pulled him by his ears. "When are you going to stop acting like a jackass?" "I''m not a jackass! L-Let go of my ears!" Nira then turned to Ruoruo and, with an awkward smile, said, "Don''t mind this guy. He would never dare to do anything as long as I''m here, so you both can relax." Ruoruo nodded, though her expression remained serious. She then turned around to face Vincent. She flashed him a warm smile and said, "You have nothing to worry about. I''ll protect you¡­ even if you''re a pervert¡­" Her last sentence was weak, almost a whisper, but still audible to Vincent''s sharp hearing. Vincent couldn''t help but ask in wonder, "Why? Why are you helping me?" Ruoruo''s perfectly arched eyebrows rose as her eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean, why? Isn''t that normal? We''re both from the same race¡ªwe ought to protect each other from the oppression of other races." Though still in doubt, Vincent didn''t say anything and simply nodded in response. Her answer sounded reasonable, yet he knew there was more to it. But he refrained from pressing further as they moved inside a two-story house. "Everyone," Nira started, drawing their attention. "Now, let''s discuss what we''re going to do¡­" As Vincent''s group discussed their plan, the other groups, unaware of their presence, remained focused on each other. After some time, Vincent''s group finalized their plan. However, Ruoruo still wore a worried expression. "Do we really have to do this? Can''t we just wait for them to fight each other and then take them out in one fell swoop?" she asked. She wasn''t worried about herself¡ªher concern was for the task given to Vincent. Nira smiled at her wryly. "I''m not trying to be rude, but as you can see, if we really wait for them to kill each other and a group survives to claim all the loot, do you think we''ll have any advantage against them?" Though she didn''t directly say it, she was clearly implying that having a Peak Tier 1 in their team put them at a distinct disadvantage against groups of Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors. Noticing that Ruoruo was still unconvinced, Nira added, "Well, if you''re that worried, why don''t you do it on your own?" At this moment, Vincent could no longer remain a silent listener. He interjected, "I appreciate your concern, Miss Ruoruo, but you don''t have to worry about me. I can protect myself." "But¡ª" Before she could protest further, an emergency alarm echoed across the entire battlefield, signaling the shrinking of the safe zone circle. "It''s time!" said Nira. As soon as she spoke, a loud explosion echoed in the distance. The other groups had already begun fighting. The curses and clashing sounds from the distant groups filled the air, followed by another resounding explosion. "Fuck you! Die, assholes!" "Haha! I thought you were going to hide forever like a fucking rat! Go kill them!" Nira looked at Nor and S''an, nodding to them before turning to Ruoruo. "There''s no time to argue now. We have to follow the plan." Ruoruo''s gaze hardened before she turned to Vincent and handed him a wooden token with a strange aura. "Here, you can have this," she said, placing it in Vincent''s hand. With a glance, Vincent instantly recognized it. He had some of them as well: a Tower''s Escape token. Ruoruo didn''t wait for Vincent''s response before vanishing in a flash toward a specific direction. Nira, Nor, and S''an also left shortly after, with Nira saying, "Stick to the plan." Vincent grew tired of their shenanigans. He wasn''t the type to hide his strength, and if it weren''t so time- and energy-consuming to eliminate all the other groups on his own, he would have done it already. But now, looking at the situation, he felt his original plan to take it easy was turning out to be boring. "Haaa, fuck the plan. I''ll do it my own way." With that, Vincent''s figure suddenly blurred before completely vanishing. He had activated his epic-grade skill: Phantom Veil. Vincent had never attempted to use his movement skills during trials, finding no need to do so. But this time was different. Determined to act, he used the sub-skill of Phantom Veil, Shadow Blink, teleporting straight to one of the buildings where three groups were engaged in fierce combat. Unnoticed, he appeared amidst the chaos, halting everyone in their tracks. "What''s a fucking Peak Tier 1 doing here?! And it''s a human no less!" "Yo, brat! Are you already tired of living?" Members of the groups mocked him with laughter. "Haha, are you guys missing a team member? Which group does this human belong to?" another joked, laughing. Just as he finished speaking, Vincent''s figure reappeared beside him. The man was from the Mantice race, known for their agility. Standing nearly seven feet tall with a thin, mantis-like frame, his beady eyes bulged in shock as Vincent slowly withdrew his arm from the man''s stomach, causing green blood to spill onto the floor. "Since I''m not your enemy, I''ll give you a second to use your Tower''s Escape," Vincent whispered to the Mantice, who collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by the human''s speed and strength. Moments ago, he had been mocking Vincent; now, he was bleeding and trembling. "Matty!" the Mantice''s teammates shouted, breaking out of their stupor. "Bastard, let him go!" As they moved to assist their fallen comrade, Vincent''s figure blurred once more. Reappearing just a foot away from them, he hurled a powerful punch. Bam! A thunderous sound echoed as his fist generated a shockwave, blasting Matty''s group into the building''s wall. "Argh!" "Uwargh!" As the groans of pain filled the air, Vincent scanned the remaining two groups. "I''ll give you all one chance: use your Tower''s Escape tokens and abandon this trial, or else¡­" He didn''t bother to finish the threat¡ªhis intent was clear. The two groups gritted their teeth, their expressions filled with fury. "Who the hell do you think you are?! You''re just a mere human!" shouted someone with a boar-like appearance. Vincent smirked. Thankfully, none of these three groups were human, giving him peace of mind to unleash his full strength. In response, he used Shadow Blink to appear beside the boar-man who had spoken. "Look out!" one of them shouted in alarm. Before the boar-man could react, Vincent grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground. Bam! The floor trembled from the impact. Even though the boar-man wore a Tier 1 shield, it offered no protection. Vincent had directly targeted his face, leaving a deep fracture in the floor. Instantly, the boar-man lost consciousness, his condition unknown. "B''aro!" his teammates cried out. But B''aro didn''t respond. Vincent glared at the remaining group members. "Choose. Leave, or end up like him." Though they seethed with anger, they hesitated, realizing the human''s overwhelming strength. Before the boar-man''s group could decide, Matty''s group no longer hesitated and silently activated their Tower''s Escape tokens. As they vanished, the equipment they looted remained behind. Glancing at each other, B''aro''s group also reluctantly decided to leave. The trial had barely started, and they had already been defeated. Though they had begun building trust as a team, it wasn''t strong enough to risk their lives against this "demon in human disguise." They doubted Vincent was truly human¡ªor only Peak Tier 1. After the two groups fled, one group remained, dressed in Tier 2 shields. This group, all members of the Caniscelerus race, stood silently, watching Vincent. Their race, known for their swiftness and cunning, resembled coyotes with sandy fur, sharp eyes, and lean, sinewy bodies. Vincent addressed them. "I don''t have much patience. Are you leaving, or do I have to make you leave?" The leader, Cannis, stepped forward. "How about this? If you block my attack, we''ll leave immediately." His teammates reacted with surprise. "What are you saying, Cannis?! Are you afraid of this brat?" Without looking at the speaker, Cannis replied, "If you think you can defeat him, why don''t you try?" The rebuke silenced his teammate, who knew he stood no chance alone. Vincent smirked, unimpressed. "Make it quick," he said. Moments later, a deafening noise echoed, and the surroundings trembled. Silence followed, broken only by Vincent standing amidst the loot. "My plan is better. There''s no better plan than beating them with overwhelming power." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He chuckled at the thought before hearing a familiar voice behind him. "What''s happening here? Where are the other groups? And what are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to sneak and steal the loot?" Turning, Vincent saw Nor standing there with a confused expression. Chapter 147 - 147: Arrival "What''s happening here? Where are the other groups? And what are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to sneak in and steal the loot?" Turning, Vincent saw Nor standing there with a confused expression. Soon, Nira, along with S''an, also arrived. "What''s happening?" Nira''s attention eventually turned to the loot items around Vincent. "Woah, the weak human found a lot of useful loot!" S''an, the Nervewalker, said in a surprised tone. Later, Ruoruo also arrived. "Nira, there''s something wrong with your plan. I couldn''t find them¡ª" Ruoruo was interrupted by the scene in front of them. Vincent ignored their questions and simply checked the loot around him. With a quick scan, he set aside almost everything except the Origin Energy recovery potion and the Tier 2 Shield. Ruoruo then approached and asked him, "What''s going on here?" After shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "I don''t know. When I came here, these items were already there, and I couldn''t find those groups that were fighting¡­" He simply made a quick lie. Even if he told them that he forced those groups into quitting, they wouldn''t believe him. Who would believe that a mere Peak Tier 1 like him could scare away three groups of Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors with his strength? No one. And it would cause a long question-and-answer session again, which he never liked. Hence, it was better to make up a lie. Needless to say, no one believed him when he said these items just revealed themselves in front of him. However, no matter how skeptical they were, they couldn''t understand it. Thus, they could only accept it as it was. Soon, there were only 20 groups remaining, and the safe zone had already shrunk to half the size of the original battlefield. Along the way, Vincent''s group encountered a special device that allowed them to predict the location of the safe zone. And they were heading toward it now. Three 10-minute marks had cut the safe zone circle in half again. His group had barely encountered another group along the way, and all of them eventually leveled up their looted items. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, it also meant the other groups were already equipped with better items too! At this moment, they were fiercely engaged with one of the remaining groups, a group of Agisaurs. Vincent didn''t find it strange as the Tower of Speed was technically dominated by Agisaurs. It was needless to say that with Nor, S''an, and Nira only fighting against the five Peak Tier 2s, Vincent and Ruoruo were supporting them from the back. As per Nira''s assigned roles, Vincent only had to stand at the back and support them by handing out potions and medkits, while Ruoruo''s role was to buff them with her rare-grade skill that could increase the group''s attack and movement speed while also doubling their stamina recovery speed. However, just by a simple glance, Vincent knew that they were at a disadvantage. The Agisaurs were physically stronger and faster than the Cheetrals, Nira and Nor. They had been able to fight with the group of Agisaurs until now by abusing the special traits of S''an. The Nervewalkers had the ability to make themselves invulnerable for a certain period of time. As absurd as it sounds, it had a huge drawback. It would quickly exhaust the Nervewalkers and put them in a prolonged weakened state if used for too long. At this moment, they had been fighting for over five minutes! The safe zone circle had once again started shrinking. It was also important to note that it wasn''t just S''an who was getting exhausted but also Ruoruo, who was constantly buffing them while also attacking the Agisaurs promptly. Fortunately, despite their physical advantage, the Agisaurs had no one like Ruoruo in their party, making them fall into exhaustion at a much faster rate than Vincent''s group. Naturally, Nira noticed this. "They are already exhausted!" she exclaimed, notifying them. Nor didn''t respond but increased his attacks, while S''an exclaimed, "I''m S''an the strongest!" He was truly proud to defeat a group of Agisaurs dominating the Tower of Speed. "Let''s end this, Nor!" Nira commanded. "Understood!" On the other hand, the Agisaurs, who were already exhausted, started feeling agitated when Vincent''s group became more intense. "Fuck these yellow cats! And this fucking ghost! Why are we getting beaten like this? Where the fuck is that human?!" thought Agus, the group leader of the Agisaurs, in frustration. Just as Agus thought about that, the presence of a new group suddenly appeared behind Vincent''s group. At this moment, Vincent and the others also noticed the sudden arrival of a new group. Soon, it was followed by a familiar arrogant voice. "I''ve finally found you, Vincent." The voice was filled with hate and rage. Naturally, Vincent also recognized the voice, as he had just encountered it earlier. With a quick glance behind him, he saw the young master of the Boltor Clan, Clark Boltor, accompanied by four more Origin Warriors from other races who were not human. At this moment, Ruoruo also noticed that Clark was human. She retreated closer to Vincent and asked, "Is he your friend?" Vincent smiled wryly and replied, "I''ll never befriend a toad." His voice was loud enough to be heard by Clark. At the mention of the toad, Clark immediately grew enraged, recalling the moment when he was mocked by Ellie and others right to his face, though he didn''t understand it at first. "Vincent! I''m going to kill you!" The next second, Clark summoned a disc device and tossed it to the ground. It transformed into a huge transparent barrier that covered a 100-meter radius. "Haha, none of you are going to survive this place now!" Clark exclaimed loudly. "You might not know this because you''re nothing but a mere Tier 1. This is a Restriction Disc. No one within its area of effect will be able to leave this barrier by any means other than me. So, even if you have special items or Escape Tower tokens, they won''t work. Haha!" Clark broke into laughter, feeling so proud of himself. However, what others didn''t know was that the Restriction Disc wasn''t his; it was lent to him by Axl Swift. Upon hearing Clark''s proclamation, aside from Vincent, his teammates furrowed their brows deeply, obviously worried. At this moment, the exhausted Agisaurs managed to retreat and regrouped with Clark''s group. With a serious expression, Nira approached Vincent, but before she could ask him about Clark''s identity, Nor''s frustrated voice cut through. "You are already a deadweight to this group, and now you''ve even brought your own enemy to us and put us in this situation! What are you going to do now?!" "Nor¡ª" "Shut up, Nira. I won''t listen to you this time. I told you, we should have already kicked this guy out in the first place! If you had just let me do it, we wouldn''t be in this situation!" Nira fell silent. As much as she wanted him to calm down, everything he had said was true. But then she snapped out of it. "There''s no use getting angry over spilled water. We have to do something, and being angry at him won''t change anything." However, Nor thought otherwise. "I don''t know about that, but just based on that guy''s tone, he''s going to do anything to kill that weak human." "What are you trying to say¡ª" "Let me handle this in my own way this time." After saying that, Nor turned to Clark''s group and specifically looked at Clark. "I want to make a deal!" At the same time, Vincent and Ruoruo wondered what Nor was trying to do. At this moment, Clark stood with his back straight and his arms crossed, looking down at them arrogantly. "Who are you to deal with me?" Nor frowned, displeased, but chose to hide it. "I''m Nor, and we have nothing to do with this guy! Let us go, and you can have him!" As soon as he said that, Nira and Ruoruo''s expressions immediately changed to stunned disbelief. "What are you saying, Nor?!" Nira exclaimed. While Ruoruo was speechless. "You¡­" Vincent only smirked at him but didn''t say anything. On the other hand, Clark burst into laughter. "Haha! I like you, Nor. It seems you''re the only one intelligent enough to actually understand your situation. How about this: if you personally hand me Vincent, I''ll spare your life. I can also spare your girlfriend''s life." Nor fell silent upon hearing Clark''s condition. "However, my patience is short, so you better act quickly," Clark continued. At this moment, Nira pulled Nor to face her. "What are you doing, Nor? Are you trying to save your own ass? Is that how an honorable warrior of the Whitefang Tribe should act?!" "You don''t understand, Nira. I''m doing this to save us!" "No, you''re the one who doesn''t understand me. You''re not the same Nor I''ve known all my life... If you really want to do it, go ahead, but you''ll have to fight me." "Don''t do this, Nira. Please, listen to me just once." Instead of being convinced, Nira took a stance, ready to fight Nor. Nor was obviously disappointed by her reaction. His eyes darkened as he heaved a sigh of resignation. "Please don''t blame me, Nira. You''ll understand later." As soon as he said that, he instantly appeared behind her and struck her neck, rendering her unconscious. He carefully laid Nira on the grass, softly gazing at her as he caressed her face. "Forgive me for doing this..." Nor stood up and glared in Vincent''s direction, but Ruoruo immediately stepped in to block him. "Heh, so you''re just like the savages you hate¡ªa hypocrite!" Ruoruo exclaimed. "Shut up, woman. Get out of the way if you don''t want to get hurt!" "I dare you!" At this moment, the innocent S''an stood at a loss. He couldn''t understand what was happening. Why were his teammates fighting each other¡­ Chapter 148 - 148: That’s Enough "This is my last warning, woman. Get out of the way, or you will regret it!" Nor uttered in an icy tone. Despite the threat, Ruoruo stood her ground, standing still in front of Vincent. She looked over her shoulder and said to Vincent with a warm smile, "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you get out of here safe." Vincent was really confused. ''Why is she going too far to risk her future to protect me?'' He really could not understand her motives. Who would save a stranger''s life by risking their own life? But in Ruoruo''s case, she was risking her future. If she died in the Origin World, she would basically lose her future as an Origin Warrior. At the same time, witnessing the chaos happening to Vincent''s group, Clark Boltor couldn''t hold his laughter, clearly enjoying Vincent''s predicament. "That''s what you get for offending me!" Clark stared at Vincent directly. "Are you now regretting that you offended someone you could never afford to offend?" Clark was expecting to witness Vincent being engulfed in despair; however, instead of getting afraid, Vincent smugly smiled at him, infuriating the arrogant young master. Fuming, he growled, "I would like to see how long you can hold your act!" Clark shifted his attention to Nor. "Big cat, you are running out of time. Bring that guy to me, or prepare yourself to be buried with them!" Despite feeling displeased by Clark''s commanding tone, Nor didn''t show it on the surface but became more determined. ''I won''t die here! I have to survive. If I just get out of this disc, I can immediately transport us out of the tower¡­'' With that thought in mind, Nor quickly sprang into action, creating two clones that appeared on his sides. In the next second, the clones blurred and dashed straight at Ruoruo from both sides, with their claws glinting dangerously. Swoosh! In response, Ruoruo parried their claws with her hands glowing with pure speed force, pushing their arms away in result. Smoothly, she punched through the clones'' abdomens simultaneously, blasting them away before they poofed into a pair of smoke. Bang! Bang! Vincent watched it filled with interest. He had been witnessing this kind of force being used in this tower. It was very different from Origin Energy or other forces that he had learned and encountered. "That''s not gonna work on me," said Ruoruo after defeating Nor''s clones. Well, it was a fact. After all, she had witnessed how Nor used it a couple of times already and it was enough to find its weakness. Tsk! Nor clicked his tongue but didn''t show so much disappointment and once again summoned a pair of clones. He had been fighting against the group of Agisaurs earlier and was already exhausted, thus limiting his strength. If he was in his peak form, he could easily beat Ruoruo with a few techniques. The two continued exchanging blows after blows for a straight five minutes, causing Clark to lose his patience. "Ahh, fuck it! You''re so slow. It''s my fault for expecting something from a cat!" With a deep frown, Clark looked over his shoulder and said to his team and the Agisaur party, "Go help that big cat and bring me that brat!" Agus, the team leader of the Agisaurs, felt displeased by Clark''s commanding tone. If not for his young master''s order to help this human, he would have already beaten the crap out of him. He didn''t respond to Clark but instead glanced at his teammates and simply said, "Let''s go." And they rushed to help Nor. On the other hand, the silent random group of Clark''s were hesitant for a moment. "What are you waiting for? Do you all still want the money or not?!" Clark exclaimed. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That''s right; he managed to convince these people to help him¡ªfinding Vincent instead of randomly surviving the trial, but of course with the help of money. Therefore, after a short hesitation, they rushed toward Vincent, who had been curiously watching the fight between Ruoruo and Nor. At this moment, Agus and his team arrived and surrounded Ruoruo immediately. "Surrender, human!" Agus ordered. While gasping, Ruoruo''s expression darkened with Agus'' group''s appearance. She felt a little frustrated. If not because of the tower''s rules, she could have even defeated all of them with one of her offensive skills. Unfortunately, all she could do was use the basic speed force that she just started to practice. On the other side, Nor, who was also visibly exhausted, retreated next to the unconscious Nira. He had been waiting for this! In reality, since he was already exhausted from the arrival of Clark''s group, he was already aware that he would not be able to defeat Ruoruo, thus he decided to buy time and make Clark lose his patience. Because he understood that those people who easily lose their patience in a battle tend to make a mistake. And this moment was one of them. With their attention fully occupied and locked onto Ruoruo and Vincent, he could finally sneak out with Nira in silence. At the same time, the four random teammates of Clark appeared behind Vincent. "Human, don''t blame us. We were just offered a lot. If you were in our situation, you might also do the same thing." Vincent looked at the individual who had just spoken. He couldn''t recognize the race of the person as he looked like a dark-skinned goblin. There were almost countless races in the Origin World, after all. Origin Hub could not completely know them all. Hearing the hypocritical dialogue of the dark-skinned goblin, Vincent could not help but sigh in exhaustion. "I think I''ve heard enough bullshit today¡­" he muttered. The same moment he muttered, Ruoruo finally realized that Vincent was also surrounded, making a worried expression. "Young Master!" Ruoruo exclaimed. Vincent''s ears twitched at the sudden change in Ruoruo''s address to him. ''Young Master?'' he wondered, confused. Ruoruo still hadn''t realized she called Vincent differently but continued, "Please, hold on for a minute. I''ll¡ª" However, before she could continue, Agus already stepped in. "I think you should worry about yourself first!" Agus hurled his fist toward Ruoruo''s face. Like hers, Agus'' fist was also emitting Speed Force! She was forced to block it. Bam! "Agh!" Ruoruo exclaimed in pain as she was sent flying several feet away, crashing into the ground. But she quickly rolled and stood up, clutching her left arm, which was still numb with pain. It was a natural result. Agisaurs had superior strength and speed compared to humans. Therefore, even though both of them were at the basic level of Speed Force, Agus had a clear advantage. "Go, get her!" Agus didn''t let the chance slip and rushed forward with his team to go after Ruoruo. At the same time, the dark-skinned goblin behind Vincent said, "You better surrender now, human. That woman is going to die because of y¡ª" However, the goblin''s words were cut off as Vincent suddenly clamped a big hand over his mouth and slowly lifted him off the ground. The goblin''s eyes widened in shock and terror. In the next second, Vincent''s hand tightened its grip. Crack! A bone-chilling sound filled the air before dark-colored blood sprayed onto the ground. Thud! The dark-skinned goblin fell heavily, lifeless and unable to even struggle. "You talk too much¡­" Vincent said softly, shaking off the blood on his hand. "You!" "H-How?!" Before the other teammates of the goblin could react, Vincent''s figure blurred, followed by a series of sharp bone-cracking sounds. The rest of them were killed in an instant. Meanwhile, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of Ruoruo''s lips. She felt incredibly frustrated! She could have defeated all of them easily outside the tower, but here, restricted by the rules, she could only struggle to defend herself. "Just surrender, human!" Agus shouted. "You''re only making things harder for yourself! That despicable human might give you mercy if you give up now!" "S-Shut it!" Ruoruo replied weakly, her injuries and exhaustion weighing on her. Agus snorted, displeased. "I''ve given you enough chances! If you want to die that badly, I''ll grant your wish! Go, don''t hold back now!" Following Agus'' command, the buzzing of Speed Force filled the air as the five-man team of Agisaurs lunged at Ruoruo. She readied herself to block, but her knees faltered, causing her to lose balance. ''N-No, not yet! I have to protect him!'' she cried in her mind, watching their attacks draw closer with an indignant expression. She clenched her teeth and roared, trying to force out any remaining strength. But nothing happened. Her Origin Energy was already depleted, and her stamina was entirely drained. Despair overwhelmed her¡ªnot because of the thought of dying and losing her future as an Origin Warrior, but because she was about to fail to protect Vincent. Then, just as she began to fall to the ground, she felt a warm embrace and a calm voice whispering in her ear. "That''s enough. You don''t need to protect me anymore." In the next instant, she felt a soft breeze. Suddenly, a powerful shockwave burst out, followed by a fierce wind, forcing her to shield her eyes. Boom! "Argh!" She could hear the cries of Agus and his group amidst the chaos. When the fierce wind finally subsided, Ruoruo opened her eyes, curiosity overcoming her. She saw Agus and his team lying injured on the ground. She was shocked. Slowly, she turned her head to the owner of the warm embrace. "Y-Young Master?" "That''s the second time you''ve called me that," Vincent said with a subtle smile. Realizing her mistake, Ruoruo''s eyes widened. Just as she opened her mouth to make an excuse, exhaustion consumed her, and her eyelids became heavy. Noticing this, Vincent said softly, "It''s fine. You can relax now. I''ll take care of the rest." He carefully laid her on the ground, his gaze filled with guilt as he stared at the injured and exhausted Ruoruo. ''She genuinely tried to protect me¡­'' he thought, his expression darkening as his eyes shifted toward the stunned and terrified Clark. At this moment, Clark was utterly shaken. He couldn''t comprehend what had just happened. Everything had unfolded in mere seconds¡ªfrom Vincent defeating his team to protecting Ruoruo! "H-How¡­ W-Who¡­?" Clark stammered, his confusion laced with fear. "Cat got your tongue?" Vincent asked coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes. Chapter 149 - 149: Smash At this moment, Clark was utterly shaken. He couldn''t comprehend what had just happened. Everything had unfolded in mere seconds¡ªfrom Vincent defeating his team to protecting Ruoruo! "H-How¡­ W-Who¡­?" Clark stammered, his confusion laced with fear. "Cat got your tongue?" Vincent asked coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "T-This must be a dream¡­ Haha, that''s right! There''s no way all of this is real! This must be an illusion¡ªthere''s no way a mutt like you has that kind of power!" Clark was still in denial. At the same time, the innocent S''an had a shocked and baffled expression on his face, the same as Nor, who was silently retreating with the unconscious Nira in his arms. "How could he be so strong?!" Nor exclaimed in disbelief in his mind. The person he had been looking down upon since the beginning of the trial was actually a monster in disguise. His expression darkened. He could say that there was no enmity between him and Clark, so he could still somehow salvage the situation; however, it was a different matter with Vincent. He had been edging on him since the start of the trial. If he were in Vincent''s position, he would also hate himself for the way he acted. I have to leave now! With that thought in mind, he slowly took a step back, retreating. However, just as he took a step, Vincent suddenly glanced in his direction, sending a shiver down his spine and freezing him in place. But Vincent quickly turned his attention back to the still-delusional Clark Boltor. The young master of the Boltor Clan was still muttering his denials. "Haha, you''re just an illusion¡ªthere''s no way you can defeat me!" Vincent scoffed at him and said coldly, "Wake up, toad. This is your reality. I''ll make sure you remember my face whenever you sleep at night¡­" In the next second, Vincent appeared in front of Clark, who was still unable to react. Without a word, he delivered a precise punch to his gut¡ªenough to avoid sending him flying but sufficient to bypass the defensive capabilities of his armor. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bam! "Ugh!" A muffled groan escaped Clark''s mouth as he clenched his stomach with bulging eyes, collapsing to his knees. Vincent''s expression remained dark. He thought about how much he would have regretted letting his doubt overwhelm him and allowing Ruoruo to ruin her future. For this reason, he felt a rare anger at this moment. He had always minded his own business, but these kinds of people kept appearing in front of him like cockroaches. It seemed his way of living was not the correct way. If he remained low-key, he would always attract this kind of unnecessary trouble. He needed to grow stronger, much faster, and make a name for himself that would strike fear into anyone who heard it. Still expressionless, he grabbed Clark''s hair and stared directly into his widened eyes, drool gathering at the corners of his mouth. Vincent could clearly see the pain and fear in Clark''s eyes, but he didn''t care. His gaze remained stoic, as cold as a frozen river. "Don''t worry, you''re not going to die yet. I''ll make sure you enjoy this ''dream'' to the bone¡­" And with a bam! the ground trembled as Vincent smashed Clark''s face into it. Bam! Bam! Bam! Vincent repeated the motion. At the same time, S''an and Nor watched everything in silence, frozen in shock. Vincent''s actions had a greater effect on Nor, who shivered in fear each time Vincent brutally smashed Clark''s head into the ground. Bam! "S-Stop¡­ please¡­ stop¡­" Clark managed to utter. Unfortunately, Vincent didn''t listen. He continued smashing Clark''s head into the ground, creating a deep crater. When the Safe Zone circle began shrinking once again, Vincent asked S''an to carry Ruoruo as he dragged Clark by his hair. Naturally, the frozen Nor was forced to follow after just a single glance from Vincent. Vincent''s cold stare was threatening enough. Nor knew that even if he were at his peak, he might not be able to defeat Vincent¡ªor even put up a fight¡ªso he didn''t dare struggle. Needless to say, he carried Nira in his arms. Before leaving, Vincent retrieved the ''Restriction Disc'' item Clark had used to block escape items. As the battle royale continued, the scene caused an uproar on the battlefield: a human dragging his own kind while beating every tower challenger they encountered. Eventually, Vincent eliminated or forced the remaining groups to quit. It was only his group and the unrecognizable Clark left on the battlefield. Nor and S''an watched Vincent beat and heal Clark repeatedly, developing newfound respect and fear. Bam! Eventually, Clark could no longer endure and lost consciousness. "You can''t even endure this kind of beating. How dare you dream of leading a clan?" With that, Vincent tossed Clark aside and stared at S''an, who was carrying Ruoruo, and the terrified Nor. When Vincent''s gaze landed on Nor, he subconsciously gulped and retreated. Looking down, Nor''s gaze fell on the unconscious Nira in his arms. Though his expression remained dark, his eyes softened before becoming determined. He lifted his head and looked Vincent directly in the eye. He said through gritted teeth, "Nira has nothing to do with this, and you know it. I''m willing to accept the consequences of my actions, but spare her." Stoic, Vincent responded shortly, "I know. If not for Nira, you''d be no better than that fool." Vincent then fell silent, contemplating Nor''s punishment. He wanted to kill Nor to avoid future worries, but he felt it would be a waste. Surely, there was a way to make him useful. His attention was then drawn to the unconscious Ruoruo, who began regaining consciousness. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She looked at the innocently smiling S''an before glancing around her, her vision clearing. Her eyes locked on Vincent, whose expression had softened into a subtle smile. "You''re awake," Vincent greeted. "V-Vincent¡­" Ruoruo softly muttered as if half-asleep. Vincent couldn''t help but tease her. "Am I not your young master?" At his playful comment, Ruoruo''s absent-minded state vanished. Her memory of her earlier slip-up surfaced, causing her eyes to widen briefly before she composed herself. "W-What young master? You must have misheard," she stammered. Vincent smiled wryly but let it go. Her denial didn''t bother him¡ªit was enough to know she wasn''t an enemy. Meanwhile, Ruoruo''s attention fell on the unconscious Clark before shifting to Nor, who stood silently nearby. Her expression darkened. "What happened after I lost consciousness?" she asked, still wary of Nor. Vincent briefly explained the events in simple terms, with S''an eagerly adding his own excited commentary. Ruoruo''s disbelief was evident. She turned to Nor as Vincent asked if she had any suggestions for his punishment, given that she had fought him directly. "I think I have a good solution¡­" she replied thoughtfully. "Oh? What is it?" Vincent asked, curious. Chapter 150 - 150: Honouring the Bet "I think I have a good solution¡­" she replied thoughtfully. "Oh? What is it?" Vincent asked, curious. Ruoruo then explained her solution to him. According to her, there was a similar oath to the ''Oath of Starmark'' in the Origin World: the Origin Oath. However, compared to the ''Oath of Starmark,'' which could lead to a brutal death, breaking the Origin Oath would result in forfeiting access to the Origin World. To an Origin Warrior, that was almost equivalent to death. Upon hearing the conversation between Vincent and Ruoruo, Nor''s expression darkened, but he couldn''t do anything about it. It was still better than losing direct access to the Origin World. Nevertheless, he was worried about what kind of oath they would ask him to take. After discussing with Ruoruo, Vincent turned his attention to Nor. "I believe you already heard it. Choose: take the Origin Oath and be my slave for 10 years, or¡ª" Before Vincent could even finish his words, Nor interrupted. "I''ll take the oath." Vincent was quite surprised. Nor reminded him of someone he had met before, Jiang Hao, who also hadn''t hesitated to make an oath to save his and junior sisters'' lives. Soon, Ruoruo guided Nor through the process. After some time, Nor began following the instructions, spelling out his oath as particles of digital light began forming on the back of his hand. These particles soon converged, and a mysterious circular symbol appeared on the back of his right hand. Vincent then said, "Once you leave this tower, you must go to this place¡­" He handed him a map and continued, "Find an Agisaur named Moutaur and tell him that I sent you. He will understand." The once mighty Nor was now fully submitted to Vincent¡ªnot just by his own decision, but also due to the effects of the Origin Oath. Nor half-kneeled, lowered his head, and placed his right arm on his chest as he respectfully responded, "I understand, Master." Vincent simply nodded, unimpressed. After dealing with Nor, Ruoruo asked Vincent about the guy still lying face-first on the ground. "What about that guy?" Vincent didn''t answer. Instead, he looked at Nor and said, "Send him away." After a respectful nod, Nor immediately approached the unconscious Clark. Without a word, he pierced Clark''s heart with his long, sharp claws! Puchi! Clark couldn''t even react properly before his body collapsed into particles of digital light, sending him back to the Astralis. Vincent felt a little disappointed every time he killed an opponent in this trial. The deaths in this tower were equivalent to dying outside. This meant that the corpses of the dead Origin Warriors would normally drop loot and grant experience points. However, the tower seemed to disallow this. He wondered where the loot items went. As soon as Nor killed Clark, the tower''s voice rang out. [Your party has successfully survived the trial. You are now qualified to challenge the Tier 3 Trials!] [You have 5 minutes to rest.] Vincent ignored the tower''s announcement and sent Nor and Nira out. Now, he was left alone with Ruoruo. "It''s just the two of us. Can you tell me now who you really are?" He had to ask her, at least to confirm if her given name was real. Ruoruo stared into Vincent''s eyes without faltering. She understood there was no point in hiding it any longer. Dropping all her pretenses, her gaze became serious. She half-kneeled and respectfully bowed to Vincent. "Li Ruoruo pays respect to the young master." "Who are you? Why do you keep calling me ''young master''?" "I apologize, young master. But I am not permitted to give you that information. I am nothing but a mere servant, but you can rest assured that I am at your service anytime, even during your night¡ª" "Okay, okay, stop. That''s enough." Vincent quickly stopped her. He wasn''t a virgin or a pathetic man. He just didn''t want any kind of relationship like that with anyone for the time being. "By the way, which sanctuary are you in right now?" "I''m in the North Sanctuary," Li Ruoruo answered. Vincent fell silent. The distance between his sanctuary and hers was vast. Even with his current speed, it would take a long time to travel there. "What''s your current strength?" he inquired, curious about whether the tower was suppressing her real level. Li Ruoruo proudly replied, "I''m already at Peak Tier 3, young master. If not for the suppression, I would have already defeated that gang of Agisaurs and that toad!" She was still frustrated about almost being beaten to death by Origin Warriors much weaker than her. Her response naturally shocked Vincent. "Peak Tier 3?" Another Peak Tier 3! Aside from Valyn and Axl Swift, she was the third Peak-level Origin Warrior he had encountered. Of course, this was only within the Novice Continent. To an old expert, a Peak Tier 3 warrior was still considered a novice. As the two of them continued their conversation, outside the tower, Valyn was sitting with her best friend Ellie and the third young master of the Swift Clan, Axl Swift. Valyn had a smile on her face, in stark contrast to Axl''s dark expression as they stared at the ranking leaderboard. Vincent had managed to rank on the Tier 2 Leaderboard. "So, I guess I won the bet, right?" Valyn said, holding back a grin. Hearing her, Axl Swift hid his dark expression behind his usual polite smile. "I guess it''s my fault for doubting the younger brother of the Witch Fox¡­" Valyn didn''t respond to his words. She simply held out her palm. Axl Swift looked at her slender arm, understanding what she wanted. The Temporal Runic Necklace. He felt frustrated. He couldn''t afford to lose this epic item. He had only dared to bet it because he expected Clark to handle the situation well. He''d even ordered some of his men to support Clark in completing his revenge. However, he didn''t expect things to turn out like this! Just what the hell did that human do? I even lent him one of my rare items! Seeing Axl''s hesitation, Valyn couldn''t help but taunt him. "Is the honorable Third Young Master of the Great Swift Clan going to go back on his word?" Hearing her, Axl forced a laugh. "Haha, stop teasing me, Witch Fox. I was just thinking. I would never go back on my word." After saying that, he reluctantly handed the Temporal Runic Necklace to Valyn. Valyn, growing impatient, snatched it from Axl''s hand. "Thank you for this gift! The Great Swift Clan is truly generous!" Axl gritted his teeth for a moment before forcing a natural smile. "Hehe, as long as the Witch Fox likes it. It is always my pleasure." Just as Valyn was observing the Temporal Runic Necklace, Ellie nudged her shoulder. "Your younger brother is back." "Huh?" Valyn responded absentmindedly. Sure enough, Vincent had already exited the tower. She wondered why he came out so quickly. Didn''t he plan to conquer this tower too? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 151 - 151: Visit The sky was already turning dark when Vincent exited the Tower of Speed. The moment he stepped out, he immediately spotted Valyn and the others sitting in a gazebo. Looking around, it seemed his actions today hadn''t caused much commotion, other than the undeniable fact that he cleared the Tier 1 and 2 trials, which made him smile as he thought about it. He approached them and quickly noticed that, aside from the dozing plump rabbit in Valyn''s arms, he could feel the gaze of Axl Swift. Although the stare was not hostile, he could tell that Axl was unhappy for some reason. He wondered what had happened. On the other hand, Valyn and Ellie were smiling at him warmly, which confused him even more. "Welcome back," said Valyn. "You''re quite good at hiding your strength, huh," Ellie commented. She was definitely impressed by Vincent''s ability since she also knew the difficulty of the Tower of Speed trials. Vincent simply shook his head wryly. He was not hiding his strength. He was just a mere Tier 1; it was his basic attributes that were insane. At that moment, Axl Swift joined the conversation. He had a polite smile. "Congratulations. As expected of a younger brother of the Witch Fox, you are also a genius. I''m not going to deny that you surprised me, but how did you do it? Did you receive any help?" Vincent didn''t react to Axl''s words. Although he sounded polite, he was evidently asking about his secret or doubting him. Well, if he were in his shoes, he would doubt himself too. How could a mere Tier 1 defeat Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors, not only in speed but also in basic force? Generally, Origin Warriors mainly focused on cultivating one attribute. For example, a Peak Tier 1 Origin Warrior with 20 Force Points who had awakened a talent or trait that enhanced strength would focus on cultivating their Force attribute. Once they raised it past 20, it meant that the Origin Warrior had officially become a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Origin Warrior. Therefore, knowing the final stage for Tier 2 trials, Vincent had to fight against Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors with 40 Attribute Points. Furthermore, with the differences in racial traits, Vincent had to fight against races with superior physiques. Axl couldn''t understand it. As far as he knew, there were barely any humans who managed to clear the Tier 2 trials. Some succeeded only because they were lucky to be in a good team. Just as Axl Swift was waiting for Vincent''s response, Valyn chimed in, "I believe it''s not important how he did it. Why? Are you doubting my younger brother''s strength? Or perhaps you still don''t want to accept your loss?" Vincent tilted his head slightly at Valyn''s words, noticing Axl Swift''s expression darken briefly before he forced a bitter smile. "Heh, you have nothing to worry about, Witch Fox. I know how to accept a loss," Axl said with a bitter smile. Seeing the confusion in Vincent''s eyes, Ellie leaned in and whispered something to him, clearing his confusion and slightly surprising him. He finally realized why Valyn was in such a good mood. His attention then shifted to Axl, who returned to his usual polite smile. "So, are we done here? If so, would you like to visit my family household now?" Valyn looked at Vincent and Ellie, seeking their opinions. Ellie gave her a look that conveyed she was free to decide. Vincent gave a nonchalant nod. Upon seeing this, Axl smiled and said, "Please, follow me." Soon, after a brief wait, an expensive-looking carriage pulled by a pair of 6-ft tall red-skinned stallions arrived. Both stallions were at Peak Tier 2. Shortly after, Vincent saw a fortified wall and, within it, a traditional-style small castle. As the gate opened, a pair of well-built Agisaurs in silver armor greeted Axl Swift as he stepped out of the carriage. "Welcome back, Third Young Master." "Welcome back, Third Young Master." Axl simply nodded at them. "These are my guests. I want you to prepare a feast for them and individual rooms for them to rest in." "As you wish." The guards quickly left to carry out Axl''s orders after switching with others. Axl then turned to his guests. "This is my territory. Nothing bad is going to happen to you here. You have my permission to roam around. I''ll call for you later when the feast is ready." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, Axl left, leaving the three of them at a loss. "He invited us, but he just left like that¡­" Ellie muttered. Valyn heard her but ignored her, turning to Vincent. "Why didn''t you continue challenging the Tower of Speed trials?" she asked. Vincent remained silent for a moment before responding. "I''m not powerful enough yet to compete against Peak Tier 3¡­" That was a fact. Before leaving the tower, he had asked Li Ruoruo many questions to test her knowledge about Origin Warriors and the Origin World. He specifically asked about the attribute points of a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior. With his current attribute points, he wouldn''t be able to clear the Tier 3 trials. It made him realize he was lucky to have obtained the Legendary-grade skill from the Tower of Illusions, giving him an insane advantage that was enough to conquer the trials. The three of them roamed around the Great Swift Clan castle while conversing. Great Swift Clan Castle, Axl Swift''s office. Axl was sitting behind an office table with a serious expression, looking at a middle-aged man from the human race standing nervously in front of him. Behind him stood his personal servant, an Agisuar with a rough appearance, expressionless. "Who are you?" Axl questioned. "T-Third Young Master of the Great Swift Clan, I''m Bolo, a member of the Boltor Clan. I''m here to report about Young Master Clark''s situation." Axl showed no reaction. He had already assumed the man''s background. However, he was curious about Clark''s situation. He was still upset that he had lost an important item he had decided to bet on, thinking he would certainly win after giving Clark enough help. In an expressionless tone, he said, "Tell me what happened." Bolo began narrating what had happened inside the Tower of Speed and how Clark Boltor had kept screaming "Stop!" while holding his face after being sent back to Astralis. Axl Swift wore an incredulous expression as Bolo finally finished narrating the event. "He beat the other challengers alone?!" he exclaimed inwardly. He couldn''t believe it, as he had assumed Vincent had received help from a strong group. However, he was gravely mistaken. Vincent didn''t need any help at all! Even his personal attendant, Silo, was equally incredulous. The two looked at each other, wondering if Bolo''s information was accurate. Eventually, Axl calmed down. He asked, still expressionless, "So, what do you expect me to do? I already helped your young master. It''s his fault he failed to do his job. He even lost my rare item. Furthermore, your young master is useless now." That was a fact. Clark Boltor would never appear in the Origin World again. Bolo was stunned by Axl''s response. Since their clans had a good relationship and Clark often boasted that they were as close as brothers, he had expected Axl to help them enact vengeance. Axl continued, "It seems you don''t understand. Our clans only have a business relationship. It''s not our job to clean up your mess. Please, go back. If you really want my family''s help, tell your patriarch to ask my father. I won''t be taking that risk for your clan." After that, Axl asked Silo to escort Bolo out. "Third Young Master, are you planning to cut the Boltor Family from your plans?" Silo asked curiously. Axl looked at him for a second before responding, "Why not? When there''s a better choice in front of me?" Axl then gazed out the window, looking at Vincent and the two women beside him, roaming around. ¡ª Somewhere in Astralis, Li Ruoruo, now wearing a commonly known black-and-white maid outfit, was currently half-kneeling on the silver-plated floor within a dimly lit room. In front of her was a thin black silk screen, obscuring the appearance of the person behind it. "Master, I''ve had a chance to meet the young master in the Origin World," Li Ruoruo said in a very respectful tone, albeit with a hint of excitement. After she spoke, the room fell silent. The person behind the screen didn''t immediately respond, making Li Ruoruo worry she might have made a mistake. After a while, the person finally spoke. "Li Ruoruo¡­" The voice was very indistinct, hiding the owner''s gender. "Yes, Master." "Do you still remember what I told you regarding having a connection with the young master?" "Yes, Master." "Tell me." "We are not allowed to help the young master intentionally." "So?" "Don''t worry, Master. I acted according to the rules. I was inside the Tower of Speed when I encountered the young master. I didn''t intentionally help him." Li Ruoruo put emphasis on the word "intentionally." "Intentionally, huh¡­ Anyway, tell me more about what happened." "Yes, Master. It was like this¡­" Li Ruoruo then recounted all the events that transpired, without missing any detail except for the fact that she called him ''young master.'' If her master learned about that, she would definitely be punished. "Hoh¡­ The Boltor Clan, a nobody clan, actually dared to touch the young master¡­" Li Ruoruo heard the amused tone of her master. However, she knew that tone was often used when the master was upset. "Thank you for your time, my little disciple." "It''s my pleasure, Master." "Mm-hmm. You may go back and lock yourself in the punishment room for three days." "M-Master?!" "Do you want me to increase it?" "N-No, I''ll go back and lock myself up!" Li Ruoruo could only leave with bitter tears. She had no idea why her master still punished her. The master was left alone in the room, gazing at the moon through the window. "Master¡­ the young master is growing strong. I hope you''re here to witness it¡­" Chapter 152 - 152: Central Library After roaming the Great Swift Clan castle, Axl called for a feast. During the feast, Vincent wondered what had happened to Axl while he was gone. Axl kept smiling and praising him for some reason. Although Vincent was suspicious of Axl''s actions, it didn''t feel like he was lying¡ªhe sounded quite genuine. This also confused Valyn and Ellie. After the feast, they were guided to their rooms. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent turned to the plump black rabbit, Mochi, who was lying with her bulging stomach. She had eaten a lot during the feast. Burp! Mochi let out a burp of satisfaction. "Won''t you turn into a pig soon if you keep eating like that?" he couldn''t help but remark upon seeing her appearance. "Ahnng! Hua~" Mochi exhaled in resignation, turning her head to Vincent while clutching her stomach. "Hmph! I will never turn into a pig! I am the Great Mochi, I have the perfect figure in the entire universe! Hnng~" She attempted to stand again but failed, plopping back onto the bed. Vincent shook his head wryly. "I''m going back to my world. Are you coming with me?" Mochi fell silent for a moment. "Do I still have to enter that ball?" "Mmh," Vincent answered, then continued, "If you don''t want to, I can leave you with Big Sis Valyn while I''m gone." The moment Vincent said that, he noticed the corners of Mochi''s eyes starting to get moist. Perplexed, he added, "I''m not abandoning you. Sigh¡­ forget about it. Just get in the capture ball, and I''ll let you out immediately." Before leaving, Vincent informed Valyn that he was going back to Astralis through the prismstone. He was also notified that he could take a rest from training, which he was grateful for. He had been planning to ask for a rest day. He had been wanting to go somewhere. After putting Mochi in the capture ball, he finally felt the strange force tugging within him. Soon, he was back in his hotel room. The first thing he did was bring Mochi out of the capture ball. He then left his room and went to the living area. Since it was Monday, his younger sister Marina and Amara were already at school and work. Vincent changed into casual clothes, went out of the hotel, and grabbed a hover cab. He was heading to the District 12 Central Library. The Origin Hub had a lot of information and knowledge about the Origin World that he could visit anytime. However, he also lacked knowledge about his own world. He had already begun his plan in the Origin World, but he required more knowledge about his world if he wanted to start his plan here too. After a while, he arrived in front of a very unfitting building surrounded by new-generation establishments¡ªa traditional-style pagoda. From its appearance, Vincent could tell it only had five floors. As he approached the pagoda, Vincent saw a gray-haired, hunchbacked old man in gray clothes sweeping around the entrance. Needless to say, the old man quickly noticed him, as he was the only one approaching the entrance. The old man stopped sweeping and looked at him. "Are you lost, young man?" the old man asked, raising one eyebrow. "No, Senior. I''m here to visit the Central Library." The old man raised both eyebrows slightly, skeptical of his response. "Why do you want to visit the Central Library personally? Doesn''t your generation use the internet nowadays?" Vincent finally realized why the old man had asked if he was lost. It seemed rare for someone his age to visit the Central Library in person. Vincent responded with a smile, "I can''t simply trust everything written on the internet." The old man was stunned for a moment by his response before smiling at him. He seemed to approve of Vincent''s answer. "What are you searching for?" "Hmm¡­ I''m looking for the world''s geography and something about chaos energy. Have you heard of that, Senior?" The old man narrowed his eyes briefly when chaos energy was mentioned, but he quickly adjusted as if he hadn''t heard it. "If you''re looking for the world''s geography, you might be disappointed, as the world''s geography is treated as special information for people in power. However, if you want to know about our continent, you might find it in aisle two on the third floor." "And about chaos energy? I don''t think I''ve heard of that. But you may try looking in aisle five on the same floor." Vincent thanked the old man and entered the Central Library. After registering his name, he went to the third floor and began searching. Following the old man''s guidance, he quickly found a book titled Verdant Jade Continent. He found a table and began reading through it. According to the book''s contents, there was a theory that tens of hundreds of years ago, Astralis was a single, massive continent. However, since the Primals began appearing around the world, the huge continent had broken into several smaller continents, one of which was the Verdant Jade Continent. Within the Verdant Jade Continent, there were tens of Arcs. Their Bronzehaven Arc was one of the smallest Arcs in the Verdant Jade Continent. He also found out about the neighboring Arc where the Boltor Clan was situated: Silverhaven Arc. Although it was named the Silverhaven Arc, it was the same size as the Bronzehaven Arc. Aside from that, there were other Arcs of similar size nearby. Vincent could only wonder how truly vast Astralis was. It was just one continent, but its size already amazed him. After reading about that, he looked for information about the Bronzehaven Arc itself. He had barely any information about the Bronzehaven Arc and was also lacking knowledge about its important families, guilds, sects, and organizations. Thus, he finally had a chance to fill his mind with knowledge. He was surprised to learn that the sects he had only heard about from Jiang Hao¡ªthe Mystic Light Sect and the Purple Moonlight Sect¡ªwere also from the Bronzehaven Arc. "So, they have quite a foundation¡­" Vincent muttered upon learning about when the two sects had been founded. He still had many things to worry about. Although he had killed two disciples of the Purple Moonlight Sect, he wasn''t too concerned. Unless Jiang Hao revealed his information, no one would be able to find him or even suspect him as the culprit. He was basically a nobody. He was more worried about the Boltor Clan. Although they were from a different Arc, they still had enough influence and power to possibly find out his identity and background. He could expect Clark and the Boltor Clan to go after his loved ones. He also tried to find information about the Vice Commander of the Bronzehaven Arc, Sophie Iris. However, aside from general knowledge, there was nothing more. It was understandable¡ªit would be a problem if private information about important personnel was readily available. Chapter 153 - 153: Tier 2 Origin Warrior After returning the book about the Verdant Jade Continent and the Bronzehaven Arc, Vincent went to the 5th aisle. According to the old man¡ªwho he assumed was probably the librarian, based on his knowledge and familiarity with the books¡ªhe could find something that might be connected to Chaos Energy, or so he thought. Unfortunately, even after searching for quite some time, he failed to find anything. Having nothing else to do, he left the library with Mochi. On the way, he couldn''t help but notice that the old man, who had been peacefully sweeping at the entrance, was nowhere to be seen. He also hadn''t seen him entering the central library. He could only wonder about it as he made his way back to his hotel. Now, he was sitting in a lotus position on his bed. Surrounding him were several Origin Crystals that he had prepared, which Mochi eyed with drool at the corner of her lips. However, Mochi could only stare at them. Vincent had specifically told her not to touch them as he was preparing to break through. That''s right. Aside from filling the gaps in his knowledge, the most important reason he had requested a day off was to finally break through. He had been delaying it for a while. Initially, he restrained himself from advancing to Tier 2 because he was afraid he might struggle to gain experience points, as he would need to fight stronger primals to earn them. However, this was no longer a problem. With his current attribute points and high-grade skills, a Peak Tier 2 primal was no challenge to him anymore. Only Tier 3 and above would pose a challenge. Therefore, it was the perfect time to level up. At this moment, he took out two low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. Each potion could grant 1,000 experience points over time. There was one thing he had forgotten to do while upgrading his basic attribute points. He hadn''t considered whether it was possible to upgrade the Experience Potions. Before proceeding with anything else, he decided to check if it was possible. Although he was looking forward to it, he was quite skeptical. He removed the cork from the experience potion and took it in one gulp. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! After some time, he finally filled his experience bar. With his attention focused on the remaining Tier 1 Experience Potions, he attempted to upgrade one. However, the moment he thought about upgrading it, he heard the system''s voice: [Unable to upgrade!] Vincent frowned and tried again. [Unable to upgrade!] "Why? This doesn''t make sense..." He had never encountered an item that he couldn''t upgrade. Well, there were a few items he hadn''t been able to upgrade¡ªnot because it was impossible, but because the item had either reached its potential limit or required special conditions to upgrade further. Experience Potions were also items. This particular potion was one of the countless items he had hoarded from the Tower of Fundamentals. As far as he had experienced, almost all the items he obtained from the Tower were upgradeable. Therefore, he couldn''t understand why he was unable to upgrade this potion. "Maybe there are other items that aren''t eligible for upgrades, and I just haven''t encountered them yet..." Since that seemed to be the case, Vincent decided to set the matter aside. It didn''t matter much, as he had a total of 105 low-quality, common-grade and 55 rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. With these, he was certain he could break through to Tier 2! With his eyes closed, Vincent fell into rhythmic breathing. With practiced familiarity, he began circulating his Origin Energy according to the principles outlined in his cultivation manual, Flow of Origin Energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! Vincent kept calm and composed as he continued converting his experience points into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! Soon, he had converted his 1 million experience points into a total of 1,000 Purified Energy. Since 0.1 Attribute Point required 100 Purified Energy, the 1,000 Purified Energy equated to a whole Attribute Point. With the addition of his remaining 8.2 Attribute Points, he now had a total of 9.2 free Attribute Points. Naturally, he didn''t think this was enough to break through to Tier 2. Thus, he prepared several low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. He immediately drank one in a single gulp and quickly began meditating, ensuring not to waste its effects. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! As the effects of the potion activated, Vincent simultaneously converted the gained experience into purified energy. 1,000 experience points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! As he grew accustomed to the process, the speed of conversion visibly increased. +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! By the time the potion''s effect ended, Vincent had converted a total of 6,000 Purified Energy, equivalent to 6 whole Attribute Points. Now, he had a total of 15.2 Attribute Points. Vincent didn''t stop there. After consuming his 16th potion, he finally amassed a grand total of 100 free Attribute Points. Taking a deep breath, Vincent maintained a determined expression, even with his eyes closed. With his brows slightly furrowed, Vincent began focusing on breaking through his Force Attribute. He first used 10 Attribute Points to test the invisible wall in his mind. Bang! The invisible wall showed no reaction. Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! There was a reaction¡ªthe wall rippled, like a stone dropped into calm water. Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! The ripples intensified! Another 10 Attribute Points. Bang! When he finally used 90 Attribute Points, visible spiderweb-like cracks appeared all over the invisible wall. Vincent could feel it¡ªhe just needed one more push. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he gritted his teeth. Though slight, he could definitely feel the soul-crushing pain emanating from his core. Once more! Bang! Crack~ With the 100th Attribute Point, the cracked invisible wall finally collapsed. A surge of strong and refreshing energy swept through his mind and body, followed by a rush of strength! A milky jade aura began leaking from his entire body, representing the aura of a Tier 2 Origin Warrior! He had finally advanced to Tier 2! Vincent checked his stats to confirm his breakthrough: Name: Vincent Magnus Rank: Tier 2 (1¡ï) (0/2,000,000 Exp) Origin Energy: 5,300/5,300 Purified Energy: 3,300 Force: 60 Speed: 50 Mental: 50 Chaos Energy: 58/100 Primal Energy: 1,500 "I''m officially a Tier 2 Origin Warrior¡­ and my Force actually jumped to 60 points!" he exclaimed inwardly, unable to hide his excitement. But the good news didn''t stop there. Soon after, he heard the system''s notification: [You have unlocked your talent skill: Upgrade Quantity!] "It''s here!" he thought, his heart pounding with excitement. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 154 - 154: Upgrade Quantity [You have unlocked your talent skill: Upgrade Quantity!] "It''s here!" he thought, his heart pounding with excitement. Ever since he awakened his talent, he had been wondering why he couldn''t see this option in the choices. He thought he probably hadn''t met the requirements yet so he was not worried too much about it. However, he had been wondering when he could unlock it. Fortunately, it didn''t take so much time. Even so, he wasn''t foolish enough to underestimate the skill. He was keenly aware that something this powerful would come at a high cost. Broken skills like this never came cheap. Still, he didn''t waste time marveling at the notification. Since there was already an item right in front of him, he decided to test the skill without delay. . Target Item: Low Quality Tier 1 Experience Potion (Common) [Unable to Upgrade] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Common)] 100,000 Experience Points = x10 1,000,000 Experience Points = x100 2,000,000 Experience Points = x1000 Vincent''s brow furrowed slightly as he examined the system''s interface. It was clear that the feature placed significant emphasis on an item''s grade. This detail intrigued him. It meant there were likely additional requirements for upgrading higher-grade items, which made sense. After all, balancing was necessary for such a powerful ability. Curious to see how the skill worked on different items, he reached into his storage ring and retrieved an uncommon-grade item. Target Item: Blackrat Hide (Uncommon) [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Uncommon)] 200,000 Experience Points = x5 1,000,000 Experience Points = x50 Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 2,000,000 Experience Points = x500 His theory was confirmed. The experience point requirements for upgrading quantity varied based on the quality of the item. This realization gave him a clearer understanding of how the skill operated. Next, Vincent decided to test a rare-grade item to see if the pattern continued. Target Item: Tier 1 Experience Potion (Rare) [Unable to Upgrade] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Rare)] 500,000 Experience Points = x2 1,000,000 Experience Points = x4 2,000,000 Experience Points = x8 "It became so expensive¡­" he muttered but he felt that it was understandable. If the cost didn''t scale with the item''s rarity, the skill would be absurdly overpowered. He could simply lock himself in a room, drink experience potions endlessly, and grow stronger with no effort. Lastly, he took out his Astral Crown, an epic-grade item. He was wondering if it was possible to multiply the quantity of an epic-grade item. The moment the Astral Crown appeared on his hand, it emitted a mysterious radiance. Mochi, who was lying on the bed, quickly noticed it. Her previous bored expression turned to a faint surprise. She could only wonder where her master found an epic-grade item which was already very rare in Origin World. Unaware of Mochi''s reaction, Vincent focused entirely on the system interface in front of him. Target Item: Astral Crown (Epic) [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Epic)] 2,000,000 Experience Points = x2 "It''s possible!" Even though the skill only allowed him to multiply the item by two, Vincent wasn''t disappointed. In fact, he was thrilled. Being able to multiply an epic-grade item at all was extraordinary. He couldn''t imagine anyone else in the world possessing a talent as broken as his. In the back of his mind, Vincent also had a theory. He believed there was a chance that his skill would improve over time, perhaps allowing him to multiply higher quantities in the future. With this optimistic thought in mind, he carefully returned the Astral Crown and the other items to his storage ring. The only exception was a low-quality Tier 1 experience potion (common-grade). Vincent wanted to test the practical effects of the skill, but there was one small problem¡ªhe had completely run out of experience points. Unfazed, he retrieved a single experience potion from his storage and drank it, instantly refilling his experience bar. Once his points were replenished, he pulled out another potion. For now, he ignored the option to break through to Tier 2 (2¡ï). Instead, he focused all his experience points on increasing the quantity of the experience potions. [Do you want to use 2,000,000 experience points to multiply by 1000?] [Yes!] The moment he confirmed the action, the experience potions in front of him began to glow with a blinding white light. The intensity of the glow forced both Vincent and Mochi to shield their eyes. When the light finally faded, Vincent couldn''t help but grin. Before him were 1,000 additional low-quality Tier 1 experience potions. "H-How?!" Mochi stammered, her child-like voice ringing in his mind. Vincent ignored her for the moment, picking up one of the potions to inspect it. It felt solid and real in his hand, indistinguishable from the original. Curious, he uncorked the potion and drank it in one gulp. But nothing happened. Frowning, he waited a few moments before drinking another. Again, there was no effect. "What''s going on?" he muttered, confusion evident in his voice. Could these potions be defective? To test his theory, he drank the original potion he had multiplied. This time, the system notification rang out loud and clear: +100 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +100,000 Experience Points! It worked. The original potion had an effect. Wondering, he turned to the shocked rabbit, Mochi. He held out an experience potion and said, "Can you try this and tell me if it worked for you." Mochi was still baffled as she subconsciously accepted the experience potion. With her innate appraisal skill, she immediately learned its information. "You know this won''t work on me. I''m a primal." Vincent nodded, "I know, I just want to know if it really has an effect." Confused, Mochi simply drank the experience potion in one gulp. Soon, Mochi felt a faint energy entering her body but quickly went away as if it was not compatible with her body. "How was it?" Vincent questioned. Mochi tilted her head before answering, "Like a normal potion, it works but it doesn''t stay in my body." Vincent rubbed his chin in realization. ''So it wasn''t a fake. It seems that I am not allowed to use a replica other than the original¡­ but there''s no problem for others to use it¡­'' He couldn''t understand why but he had no choice but to accept it. In any case, it won''t stop him from exploiting his talent. If he couldn''t use the replica, he could sell it and use the money to buy originals. Although it would give him a slight hassle, it was the best choice he could think of right now. Nevertheless, it was a good thing! He couldn''t help but imagine a future where he commanded an army of Origin Warriors, each equipped with complete sets of epic-grade¡ªand perhaps even legendary-grade¡ªgear. His thoughts were interrupted by Mochi''s voice. "How did you do it?!" Vincent smirked and replied simply, "I just can." "Tell me!" Mochi demanded. But Vincent only laughed in response. Chapter 155 - 155: Continue Breaking After conducting a few more tests on the effects of the Upgrade Quantity skill, Vincent resumed cultivating, converting his experience points into Purified Energy. After consuming 40 Low-Quality Tier 1 Experience Potions and with the effect of his talent, he had amassed a grand total of 200 free attribute points! It took him two hours to accumulate that amount. After another hour, he used 100 free attribute points to break through the Tier 2 Speed attribute! The moment his Speed Attribute crossed the threshold, he experienced a familiar yet exhilarating transformation within his body. His movements felt sharper, his reflexes honed to an edge he hadn''t thought possible. But Vincent remained composed; this was not his first time feeling such changes. He had already undergone a similar transformation when breaking his Force Attribute into Tier 2. Still, there was no time for complacency. After a brief rest to stabilize the energy coursing through him, Vincent turned his focus to his Mental Attribute. Channeling another 100 free attribute points into it, he successfully broke through to Tier 2 in just an hour. With all his attributes now elevated to Tier 2, a profound change swept through him. The world around Vincent seemed to slow down, each detail sharper and more vivid than before. He felt light as a feather, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip on him. His body was filled with an uncontainable sense of vitality and power, making him feel as though he could punch a star out of the sky. Of course, he knew this was just an illusion, yet the overwhelming surge of strength was impossible to ignore. At this point, Mochi could no longer bring herself to be surprised as she watched Vincent continuously break through. As much as she wanted answers, her master wouldn''t say a word. She merely accepted it as natural for the only person whose fate she couldn''t read. Vincent considered consuming more experience potions to upgrade his base level, but he heard the door open. Even without using his mental energy, he immediately sensed it was Marina who had entered. So, he decided to stop for a while. Amara was also set to return in an hour, and he had to prepare dinner for them. When Vincent left his room, Marina was surprised to see him. "Brother?! Aren''t you supposed to be training?" she asked, her tone a mixture of shock and confusion. Vincent nodded calmly. "Yeah, but I decided to take a day off today." "You should''ve told me!" she pouted, quickly closing the distance between them to hug him. Her face nuzzled against his arm, an unusual display of affection. Vincent raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her behavior. "Are you alright? What happened?" he asked, gently placing his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gaze. "Nothing¡­ I just missed Mom and Dad¡­" Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Vincent remained silent. Even though he had awakened in this body and lived through the care of Vincent''s parents, the memories he inherited carried the weight of their love and warmth. In that moment, he shared her sentiment. Subconsciously, he pulled Marina into a comforting embrace. "Don''t worry," he said softly. "I''m going to find ''our'' parents one day¡­" Marina lifted her head slightly, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. "Really?" "Mm-hmm," he replied with a firm nod. The promise lingered between them, drawing Vincent''s thoughts back to the memories of his parents. From what he could recall, Vincent''s parents were ordinary, unawakened individuals. Both had grown up as orphans with no relatives to speak of. Despite their humble beginnings, they had built a simple yet happy life together. They worked normal jobs at a company Vincent could no longer remember, and their love for their children had been undeniable. His mind replayed flashes of warmth and laughter, especially the memory of their last family day before their mysterious disappearance during a business trip. But the more Vincent tried to piece together their past, the more he realized something was amiss. Neither he nor Marina could recall the name of the company their parents had worked for. It was as though the information had been deliberately erased from their memories. This unsettling mystery left Vincent with a gnawing sense of unease. There had to be more to their disappearance than met the eye. While lost in thought, Marina''s hesitant voice broke through his reverie. "Brother¡­ Do you have some extra credits?" "Hmm? Why?" "I need to buy something." "What is it?" "I-It''s something important. Can you give me 200?" Vincent narrowed his eyes at her sheepish tone. "Sigh¡­ You little booger. This is the real reason for your strange behavior, isn''t it?" "W-What are you talking about? I really do miss our parents!" she retorted, but her inability to meet his gaze betrayed her true intentions. Vincent sighed but couldn''t help smiling wryly. It was obvious she was planning to splurge on another figurine or piece of merchandise from her favorite anime or drama. Even so, he sent her 10,000 Astralis credits without hesitation. Marina''s eyes widened in shock as her phone pinged with the notification. "Ten thousand?!" she exclaimed. Her astonishment quickly gave way to joy, and she threw her arms around Vincent. "Thank you, brother!" She even gave him a peck on the cheek in her excitement. At that very moment, the door opened again, revealing Amara. Amara froze, her gaze shifting between the siblings. The air grew tense before she broke the silence with a pointed remark. "You siblings really have a close relationship." "Of course!" Marina replied cheerfully, clinging to Vincent''s arm. Vincent, unfazed by the scene, headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. During the meal, Amara, scrolling through a holographic screen, casually asked Marina, "How''s the situation at your academy, Little Rina?" "It''s slowly getting back to normal¡­" Hearing this, Vincent''s curiosity was piqued. "Why? What happened?" Without missing a beat, Marina replied, "A couple of days ago, some newly awakened Origin Warriors went missing." Her tone was so casual it bordered on indifferent, but Vincent could sense there was more to the story. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Turning to Amara, he asked, "Can you tell me more about it, Sis Amara?" Amara glanced at him briefly before replying, "Haven''t you been reading the news?" Vincent smiled wryly. "I''ve been too busy with the Origin World and training." Amara sighed. "Two days ago, a group of black-clothed men kidnapped several newly awakened Origin Warriors from different academies. The media says it''s the work of a terrorist group called the Primal Syndicate." She continued, her tone grim. "They''re targeting those who awakened in the past few months, intending to train them into their ranks." Her gaze sharpened as she addressed Vincent. "We know you''re strong, but you need to be cautious. Think about the people you''d leave behind if something happened to you." Her words struck a chord. Vincent knew the world was dangerous, but this incident heightened his awareness of the threats surrounding him and his loved ones. He silently vowed to hasten his plans. The safety of Marina and Amara depended on it. "I need to move my plans faster¡­" Chapter 156 - 156: Back To Origin World After dinner, Vincent returned to his room, ignoring the soundly sleeping Mochi. He took out his phone to search for more information regarding the kidnapping incident. As he read the articles, he realized that most of the newly awakened Origin Warriors who had gone missing were abducted around the same time he had awakened. This discovery made him suspect there was more to the incident. These young Origin Warriors weren''t targeted without a reason. Still, it wasn''t his responsibility to worry about such matters. He already had enough on his plate. Setting aside those thoughts, just as he intended to resume cultivating and converting his experience points to purified energy, his phone suddenly pinged with a notification. Checking it, he found an email from his Special Instructor, Arthur Aviss, and the school''s dean, Dean Thorne. They informed him that the ''School District Tournament'' had been delayed by another week. They didn''t explain the reason behind the delay, but Dean Thorne advised him to be more careful. Vincent suspected the kidnapping incident might be related to it. Additionally, since Special Instructor Arthur couldn''t train him personally, Vincent was told to focus all his attention on the Tower of Fundamentals. This made him wonder. ''It seems Big Sis Valyn didn''t report my recent progress. But why?'' Curious as he was, he chose to set the matter aside. There was no point in worrying about it now. With the tournament postponed, he could shift his focus to improving his cultivation level and refining his plans. Resolving to make the most of his time, he began taking out his stock of 49 low-quality, common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions and 55 rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potions. However, he refrained from using the replicated 1,000 Tier 1 Experience Potions. Since he couldn''t use them himself, he had a different plan for those. What should I do? Should I use these to break through continuously and push the limits of my experience points... or should I advance cautiously? At that moment, Vincent realized he lacked an expert''s guidance. He had been progressing largely on instinct and experimentation. Though the academy provided basic knowledge about being an Origin Warrior, it was limited to history and surface-level understanding. This was understandable; after all, their instructor was merely an unawakened citizen. True nurturing of an Origin Warrior required the resources, expertise, and influence of higher-level academies or powerful organizations. I''ll have to figure it out myself. With that resolve, Vincent immediately consumed a common-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion and took a lotus position as its effects activated. +0.1 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +1,000 Experience Points! With his eyes closed, Vincent furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing the system''s notification. Though he had anticipated this outcome, it still disappointed him. A Tier 1 Experience Potion had limited utility for someone who had already advanced to Tier 2. Without the enhancement provided by his talent, he wouldn''t have gained more than 1,000 experience points. After a few seconds: +0.1 Experience Points! Talent Activated! +1,000 Experience Points! Vincent repeated the process until the potion''s effects subsided. In the end, he accumulated a total of 100,000 experience points. To fill his experience bar entirely, he would need to consume 19 more common-grade potions¡ªan arduous and time-consuming process. In that case, let''s try this one. He uncorked a vial and drank a rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion in one gulp. Since rare-grade potions could yield between 1,000 and 3,000 experience points, he expected better results. Soon, a lukewarm energy coursed through his body. +10 Experience Points! Talent Activated! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. +100,000 Experience Points! Only 10?! After consuming the potion, Vincent accumulated one million experience points. Without his talent, the rare-grade Tier 1 Experience Potion would have provided a meager 100 experience points, proving that Tier 1 potions were essentially useless for Tier 2 Origin Warriors. Fortunately, thanks to my talent, these potions aren''t entirely wasted. Determined, he consumed another rare-grade potion, gaining another million experience points and filling his experience bar. He then arranged 10 Origin Crystals around him and began converting the accumulated experience points into purified energy. 1,000 Experience Points and 100 Origin Energy consumed! +1 Purified Energy! After some time, he had converted two million experience points into 2,000 purified energy, equivalent to 2 attribute points. Let''s test this on my Force Attribute. He added one point to his Force Attribute. +1 Force! He felt a noticeable, albeit minor, increase in strength. Though not as impactful as a major breakthrough, the improvement was still evident. With no adverse effects, he added another point to his Force Attribute. Satisfied with the results, Vincent spent the night consuming experience potions, converting the energy, and enhancing his Force Attribute. By dawn, he had consumed 16 more rare-grade potions, gaining 8 additional attribute points, all allocated to his Force Attribute. When his Force reached 70 points, his Origin Core trembled slightly. It seems I can''t enhance my Force Attribute further for now. With that realization, Vincent decided to stop. He prepared breakfast for Marina and Amara before they left the hotel. Switching to his usual equipment, he placed Mochi into a capture ball and returned to the Origin World. Soon, he found himself back in the guest room of the Great Swift Clan Castle. As he released Mochi from the capture ball, he felt a warm sensation emanating from the prismstone in his pocket. Curious, he took it out and connected with it instantly. "Young Master," a man''s voice spoke telepathically. It was Lizno. "What''s wrong? Why did you contact me?" "It''s about Garmus..." Garmus was a lackey of Grarik Blackthorn, currently held captive at Hyena Gang Manor. "What about him?" "I apologize, Young Master. I tried every method to make him submit, but he was determined to keep his mouth shut. In the end, I had no choice but to kill him." Lizno''s voice was tinged with apology and fear. He dreaded disappointing Vincent, knowing his young master''s power. Vincent, however, wasn''t surprised. He had anticipated this outcome. It was likely that Garmus'' family was being held hostage by the Blackthorn Clan or something along that line. He responded calmly, "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it." "Thank you for understanding, Young Master." "How''s the progress on that other matter?" "Everything is proceeding smoothly, Young Master," Lizno replied confidently. "Good. Handle it well, and you''ll be rewarded. If you encounter any issues, contact me immediately." "I understand." After disconnecting, Vincent pocketed the prismstone. At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. Knock! Knock! "Little Brother, are you back?" Chapter 157 - 157: Asking Valyn for Favor At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. Knock! Knock! "Little Brother, are you back?" Vincent took the sleeping Mochi in his arms and opened the door. The sweet and innocent-looking pink-haired Valyn greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning." Vincent nodded and greeted her in response. "How was your day off?" she asked. "Hmm, it was good. Where''s Big Sis Ellie?" he questioned upon not seeing her best friend. "She already went back. She said she has matters to attend to." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent nodded in understanding and didn''t question further. He then told her about the email sent by Special Instructor Arthur. "Hmm. You already know where to find the Tower of Fundamentals. I guess you no longer need my help¡­" Her voice softened as though she were disappointed. Vincent naturally sensed it. "That''s not true, Big Sis. I still need your help." Hearing his words, Valyn''s eyes brightened. "Really?" "Yes." "What kind of help do you need from your Big Sis? Just tell me." Without a word, Vincent took out a low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potion and handed it to Valyn. Valyn simply accepted it and instantly recognized it. Confused, she asked, "This is a common-grade low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potion. What do you want me to do with this?" "How much can I sell that for?" he inquired. "With this quality, you can only sell it for 500 at most." "500?!" "Yeah, this is the lowest quality. Why are you selling this? Why don''t you just use it? Are you in need of Origin Crystals?" At this moment, Valyn still hadn''t realized that he had already broken through to Tier 2, as he was wearing his Shifting Visage Mask, albeit not using its function to change his appearance. Vincent was quite shocked. He knew that experience potions were expensive, but he didn''t expect them to be this costly. If he converted 500 Origin Crystals to credits, it was half a million credits! Vincent set aside his thoughts and responded after shaking his head. "No, I need your help to sell these for me." He brought Valyn into his room and then took out the rest of the replicated low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. Valyn gasped when she saw over a thousand Tier 1 Experience Potions on Vincent''s bed. Before returning to the Origin World, Vincent had used his experience points to replicate another batch of low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. Including the one in Valyn''s hand, there were 1,997 low-quality Tier 1 Experience Potions. If she managed to sell all of them, it would amount to around 1,000,000 Origin Crystals or almost a billion credits! Although she wouldn''t call herself poor, it was still a huge sum for her. "Where did you get all of these? No, forget it. Are you sure you want me to sell all of them?" Valyn had just asked, but instead of answering, Vincent flashed a mysterious smile at her. "That''s not all¡­" With a wave of his hand, a small mountain of items appeared in front of him. Valyn was lost for words as she stared at the small mountain of common-grade items in front of her. "Wha¡ªHow¡ª" She opened her mouth but didn''t know what to say. Vincent had a lot of common-grade items he had gotten from the Tower of Fundamentals. Even so, he had no plans to sell them all quickly. He selected a few items and replicated them in batches. Although they wouldn''t sell for much individually, with this quantity, he believed he could make a fortune. After some time, Valyn finally returned to her senses. She didn''t question Vincent about where he got all these items. She already knew the answer. The Tower of Fundamentals. Needless to say, Vincent also understood that Valyn would easily connect the dots. Despite that, he didn''t hesitate to ask for her help. He could no longer afford to continue at a slow pace. He needed people''s trust and help to accelerate the progress of his plans. Hence, he said, "Of course, I won''t mistreat my Big Sis. We will split the sales in half. 50/50." "What?! 50%?!" "Why? Is it too low? Then, I can take 40, and you take 60." "That''s not what I meant. Sigh¡­" Valyn let out a deep sigh, as though she were stressed. With this amount of items, if she sold everything, she would certainly accumulate over a million Origin Crystals! "I am fine with 50%, but are you sure? You know it''s a huge amount." Vincent simply smiled at her. He knew that gaining someone''s trust and loyalty wasn''t easy, but most of the time, an absurd amount of money could do the job. Of course, it didn''t mean that their relationship was only about business and money. He genuinely wanted to earn Valyn''s complete trust. And since Valyn treated him very well, it wasn''t a bad thing to treat her well in return. After a few more discussions, Valyn eventually accepted Vincent''s conditions. She had nothing to complain about¡ªit was free money. Despite her willingness to help him without compensation, Vincent insisted otherwise. He said that business and personal relationships were different matters. She then asked, "Is it alright if I sell this all to our human race Origin Warriors?" Vincent couldn''t help but smile. Even at this point, Valyn still showed her pure heart and care for the human race. Hence, Vincent nodded at her with a smile. Naturally, he also wanted to contribute to the human race, even in a small way. However, it didn''t mean that he would limit his business to the human race. The other races existed for a reason. After finalizing everything, Vincent and Valyn went to Axl Swift to bid farewell. Axl wanted them to stay in their castle a little longer, but Valyn politely declined, saying they still had matters to attend to. Outside the Swift Clan Castle, Valyn offered to bring him back to his sanctuary, but Vincent declined. "Why? Are you not going back to your sanctuary?" she asked. Vincent nodded. "For now¡­" He wanted to use this chance to explore the other Labyrinths and farm experience points to upgrade his skills and items! His matters in the sanctuary could wait. And Lizno was doing better on his own. There was nothing to worry about. In fact, it was much better to be out of the sanctuary. He was far from the eyes of Grarik and the Blackthorn Clan. Chapter 158 - 158: Exploring Tier 2 Labyrinth After separating with Valyn, Vincent slowly explored the Freedom Swift City. At this moment, he was currently walking around the busiest area of the city, the market area. There were shops on both sides of the road and some simple stalls set up by rogue vendors. Not far from him, he overheard two male voices, one young and the other old, arguing over something. "Don''t you try to scam me, old man! Who would believe that key belongs to a hidden ruin?! Do you really think I''m that easy to fool?!" the young man uttered in a loud voice. "Hmph! If you believe this is a scam, then forget it! I''m not gonna sell this to you! Leave! You''re scaring my customers away!" the old man responded in a similar tone. "Customer? Where? You should be thankful that I even checked your stall!" The young man then left after clicking his tongue. At this moment, his eyes met Vincent''s. "Magnus?" the young man muttered with a slightly surprised expression. Vincent also recognized the young man. He was one of his schoolmates. Franco Bullocks. He could still remember him during the Annual Battle Ceremony, as this guy had awakened a B-rank Talent: Sharpshooter. Franco was wearing a set of brown-leather equipment and a cowboy hat on his head. Over his shoulder was a long rifle. Unsurprisingly, Franco had already broken through Tier 2 (1¡ï). It wasn''t surprising since he had been at the peak of Tier 1 during the annual ceremony. Vincent still hadn''t responded, but Franco approached him. "You''re Vincent Magnus, right? Where have you been? What happened to you last time?" Franco was asking about the incident when he fought against Arnold ¡ª The Alpha. Since no one knew at that time why he suddenly left amidst the battle aside from Dean Thorne. Vincent simply ignored his question. He wasn''t close with him, after all. They didn''t have that kind of relationship to be having that kind of private conversation. He simply responded with a question. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, I got here yesterday with my guildmates and challenged the Tower of Speed. But who would have thought that when we just got in, we realized that the Tower''s Exchange items were empty!" Vincent didn''t know how to react upon hearing his response. He didn''t know if he should feel guilty or laugh. He was the mastermind, after all. "How about you? Don''t tell me you''re also here to challenge the tower? Let me advise you, you better go to the Tower of Combat instead. At least there, it still has items to exchange for." That was a fact since Vincent didn''t have the chance to challenge the Tier 2 because he couldn''t find a match, as the Tier 1 challengers decided to leave the tower when he cleared the Tier 1 items. "...but you gotta be at least Tier 2," Franco added as he observed Vincent. He couldn''t sense Vincent''s strength as Vincent was using the effect of his Shifting Visage mask. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Stoic, he replied, "I''m just casually roaming. If that''s all, I''m leaving." Vincent didn''t wait for Franco to respond and started walking away. However, before he could walk far, Franco called out, "Wait, would you like to go with my team? We''re going to explore a new Labyrinth. It''s a Tier 2 Labyrinth. We need more support." Vincent halted, slightly furrowed his brows, and contemplated. "Where is it?" "It''s approximately 200 km northeast from here..." "Hmm..." "Do you wanna join?" Vincent shook his head. "I appreciate your invitation, but I have something else to do." And just as Vincent was about to leave, Franco stopped him again. "Wait, do you have a prismstone? Can we exchange contacts?" Vincent considered it for a short moment before deciding it wasn''t a bad thing to have a connection with his fellow schoolmates. It might come in handy in the future. After the short encounter with Franco, Vincent left Freedom Swift City along with Mochi on his shoulder. He was naturally heading towards the labyrinth mentioned by Franco. Although a 200 km distance might be considerable to a normal human being, Vincent was able to traverse it in just over an hour. Within a dense jungle, he discovered a pathway separated by thick and intertwined roots. Vincent casually followed the path, and he soon found an over-a-hundred-feet-tall ancient tree, and under it was a green portal. Since it was a new labyrinth, he found no one outside at the moment. But perhaps there were several groups already exploring the labyrinth. Vincent didn''t enter the labyrinth immediately. He sat down and took a rest, quickly replenishing his Origin Energy. Although his Origin Energy had also increased since he broke through Tier 2, using his movement skill continuously for over an hour was quite exhausting. With his eyes closed, Mochi, sitting on his shoulder, suddenly perched as her nose twitched. Vincent didn''t need Mochi to say anything, as he also sensed a group of five Origin Warriors that had just arrived. The moment this group noticed Vincent, alone with a fat black rabbit resting on his shoulder, they were at a loss for words. Curious, they approached Vincent. A middle-aged man with a well-built physique called out loud enough for Vincent to hear from yards away. "Are you alright, young man? What are you doing here alone? Where''s your party?" Vincent slowly opened his eyes. He wasn''t surprised as he saw the party of humans in front of him: three males and two females wearing fitted robes. Since Franco already had information about this labyrinth, he had already expected that there should be more from the human race that had learned about this labyrinth. The middle-aged man who asked him seemed to be the leader of this party, a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. Vincent replied curtly, "I''m fine." "Are you sure? It''s rare to encounter someone from our race. If you need our help, don''t be shy about it," the middle-aged man continued. "It''s alright. I''m fine. I don''t need help," Vincent replied. However, Vincent''s response seemed to displease one of the two young men standing behind the middle-aged man, making the young man click his tongue. "Tch! Forget about him, Leader. If he wants to die out here, then let him be. Let''s go and clear this labyrinth! We have to go now, or others might beat us to it." The middle-aged man turned to the blonde-haired young man who had just spoken. "Don''t say that, Phart. We humans should always help each other out in the Origin World. We are one of the weakest races; you must remember that! You guys are the future of our human race, so learn to be compassionate." Phart''s face turned slightly red as his leader continued to lecture him. This caused the other young man next to Phart to laugh loudly. "Haha. You never learn, Phart. It''s still early in the morning, and you''ve already activated our leader''s lecture mode! Haha!" At this moment, one of the two ladies approached Vincent. "Hi, handsome. Don''t mind those idiots. But why are you here alone?" Vincent glanced at the red-haired lady in front of him, who appeared to be in her early thirties. "I''m here for the labyrinth." "Alone?" the red-haired lady asked, raising her eyebrows. Vincent didn''t respond. He just stood up and stood in front of the labyrinth''s portal. He reached his hand into the portal. Ding! [Do you want to enter the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth? Minimum of 5 party members.] Right. He needed more members. He turned to the red-haired lady, who smiled at him. "Would you like to join us? It''s alright if you want to separate ways when you enter the labyrinth." Vincent didn''t decline the offer this time. He was here after all, it would be a waste if he couldn''t even enter the labyrinth. "I''m Amy, nice to meet you." She said before turning to her leader who was still reprimanding the embarrassed Phart, she exclaimed, "Leader, he''s going to join us!" Hearing her, the leader glanced at her and responded with a simple okay with his fingers before going back, lecturing the poor Phart. After a while, they entered the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. As soon as Vincent felt his surroundings regained its clarity, he smelled a nauseating odor. Without hesitation he activated the function of his Shifting Visage Mask, blocking the nauseating odor. However, the others were not as fast as him. "Ugh! Fuck! What is that smell?" "Urk! It smelled like an otaku''s basement!" "What?" Amy exclaimed looking at Jake who was standing behind their Leader, Phaker. At this moment, party leader Phaker alerted them, "Incoming! On your guards!" At the same time, Vincent noticed a group of humanoid figures approaching them at a quick speed. With his perception, he could clearly see the appearance of the incoming group of humanoids figures. They stood like a human but their appearance was made of tree branches, emitting a rotting smell. Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï) Chapter 159 - 159: Umbral Rats and Upgrade Requirements Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï) Seeing the incoming primals, Leader Phaker who was standing at the front suddenly summoned a big silver-plated shield and a broadsword. He then grunt as he smashed the broadsword to his shield, making a metal clashing sound, attracting the Wood Corpses attention. "Come at me!" Leader Phaker exclaimed. Suddenly, the humanoid shape of the wood corpses transformed to a wolf-like appearance, they growled and pounced straight at Leader Phaker. Leader Phaker wasn''t slightly afraid or surprised. With a skilled reaction, he lifted his shield and bashed it forward, pushing away the first Wood Corpse before slashing the other one that had just pounced with his broadsword. However, another one had jumped at him again. But despite that, Leader Phaker wasn''t worried. Before the Wood Corpse could even touch his skin, a ball of fire suddenly flew over his head and blasted the Wood Corpse away. "Nice Shot, Aki!" Leader Phaker praised the brown-haired young lady who was quietly standing beside Amy. Naturally, after a short delay, Jake and Phart also came and helped their leader with their weapons, slashing the Wood Corpse to death, while Amy helped them while buffing their weapons with fire affinity while also shielding them with Origin Barrier. Soon, they eventually annihilated the group of Wood Corpses. "Great job, guys!" Leader Phaker praised the group''s reaction. "Hmph! It wasn''t even worth using my skill!" Phart commented. "It''s natural. Wait until we reach somewhere deep in the labyrinth and you''ll be wishing that you just stayed back at home," said Jake, glancing at Phart''s way. "Alright, that''s enough. Go clear the area, check if those Wood Corpse drop anything." Leader Phaker ordered before facing Vincent. "How about you, young man. Do you still want to go on your own? As you''ve witnessed. This place is nothing like a park. You''ll encounter more stronger primals than those Wood Corpse." Vincent was determined to go his separate way. If he didn''t do it, they would definitely slow him down a lot. At this point, with his current strength, he believed he could clear this labyrinth on his own. Therefore, he simply nodded at the kind-hearted leader. Leader Phaker, Amy and others had no problem with his decision. However, it was a different matter to Phart. He felt Vincent was too arrogant and full of himself. How could a mere Tier 2 survive a labyrinth alone? Even a single Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior would struggle alone in a Tier 2 Labyrinth, especially if it was an unexplored labyrinth. Hence, Phart could not hold himself to say, "Hmph. Arrogant. Don''t come looking for us later if you realize how stupid your decision was!" Vincent simply ignored him. After thanking Leader Phaker and Amy, he went ahead in a different direction. The group watched as his figure disappeared in the distance. "Is he going to be fine?" The silent girl Aki couldn''t help but mutter. Amy, who was beside her overheard her and responded with a hint of disappointment, "Let''s just hope. Anyway, it''s his decision. We can not force him to join us if he doesn''t want to." Amy paused for a second before continuing while looking at Aki in the corner of her eyes, "But he''s handsome, right?" "Yes¡­" Aki absentmindedly replied, causing Amy to laugh mischievously. With her laughter, Aki finally realized what she had just said, making her face flushed immediately in embarrassment. "Hehe, it seems our little girl has been lovestruck." Amy teased. While waving her hands, Aki denied it. "N-No, it''s nothing like that!" Despite her denial, Amy''s laughter continued. On the other hand, Vincent, who had just separated from Phaker''s party, finally started to wonder about the labyrinth''s environment. "This is so different from Black Rat Labyrinth¡­" He muttered to himself. Unlike Black Rat Labyrinth, which was a huge cave-like space with a ceiling, the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was like a different world. It was a real jungle with several paths and no ceiling but a bright sun hanging over the sky. With this dense jungle, it would be really difficult for a solo Tier 2 Origin Warrior to survive in this place. Hence, he realized the worry and care of Phaker''s group. Although the Black Rat Labyrinth had also turned to a Tier 2 Labyrinth, this Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was a real Tier 2 Labyrinth. A different world. Although finite. At this moment, he was currently surrounded by 10 Wood Corpses. Since he had just broken through Tier 2, he wondered if he would get the same experience points whenever he killed a same-level primal. Albeit curious, he didn''t move to kill them. He instead summoned a group of ten Umbral Rat. He wondered how his Umbral Rats would compare to these Wood Corpses. Although they were similar Tier 2(1¡ï) level, the Wood Corpse had a larger build. "Take each one and kill them as fast as you can." Since he wanted to know the difference, he commanded them to have a 1 versus 1 fight. Upon his command, the Umbral Rats let out a high-pitched squeak as their semi-ethereal form immediately solidified and rushed straight at their opponents with their incisors glowing with purple light. It was the effect of their offensive skill, Venomous Bite that could do poison damage over 5 seconds and weaken their opponents. However, despite successfully biting the Wood Corpses, the Venomous Bite had no effect at all. In response, the wolf-like Wood Corpses counterattacked with a similar bite action. Vincent didn''t make any command, he was waiting how his Umbral Rats would react with these attacks. Squeak! Four of his Umbral Rats were unable to dodge it and were bitten by Wood Corpses, however, the rest had managed to quickly react by turning their form to semi-ethereal form, dodging the sharp and smelly fangs of the Wood Corpses. Those who had managed to avoid the attacks immediately reacted, slashing, releasing a shadow claw energy that swiftly flashed through the Wood Corpses body. The Wood Corpses wood physique made a wood cutting noise as his Umbral Rats bite and slashed through their body. Eventually, Vincent heard the system''s notification. You have successfully killed Wood Corpse Tier 2(1¡ï) x10! You have gained +50 Experience Points! x10 Talent Activated! +500,000 Experience Points! x10 In that instance, Vincent''s experience bar was filled and overflowing. He no longer felt disappointed with the wasted experience points as he could easily farm it after all. Fortunately, it did not lower the amount of experience points he could get by killing a same-level primal. And he was quite satisfied with the results of Umbral Rats performance. With his ten summons, only 4 had died in battle, which was a better result than he had expected. Unfortunately, he could not further improve the grade of this skill. He could only hope that perhaps one day he might encounter a special item or special skill that could break a skill''s potential limit. ''Now, the question is which one should I focus on upgrading? Hmm¡­'' As far as he remembered, upgrading an epic-grade skill had an absurd amount of requirements. He checked out one of his Epic-grade skills. Target: Abyssal Venomlash (Epic) Quality Upgrade: Possible Quantity Upgrade: Possible Vincent immediately chose the first option. Requirements: 1,500,000 experience points and 3 Epic-grade Skills. "Right, it didn''t change at all." He could only let out a sigh of disappointment. Fortunately, he had more than enough skill books he had got from Towers of Fundamentals. If not, he would truly struggle finding skill books. Now the question was, if any-type of book would require or must be same or similar-type? He didn''t know the answer. He could just worry about that later and focus on upgrading a random book to epic grade. And that''s for sure would take a huge amount of experience points. To upgrade a common-grade book to uncommon-grade requires 100,000 experience points and to upgrade uncommon to rare-grade requires 300,000 experience points and 500,000 experience points to upgrade it to epic-grade. And now, it requires him 1,500,000 and 3 epic-grade skills to upgrade it to Legendary-grade, which despite the absurd amount excites him. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just imagining him having tens of legendary skills thrilled him to the bone. He might be the only person in the Novice Continent to have a set of legendary skills and items. So, with his current experience capped, he could upgrade 2 common-grade books to epic-grade. He set his eyes to normal-grade skill books as he had a fewer amount of uncommon and rare grade skill books. Additionally, a normal-grade skill book was still evidently had a weaker upgraded version despite being a higher grade. He had realized it with his experience of upgrading series of skills and items.. Hence, without further hesistation, he took out two common-grade skill books and upgraded it directly to epic-grade. The common-grade book ''Air Shot'' had transformed to epic-grade ''Gatling Windstorm'' it sounded powerful but in Vincent''s perspective, it was underwhelming for its grade. He wasn''t even tempted to learn it, he simply stored them and picked up the drop Origin Crystals on the ground and replenished his Origin Energy and moved forward. The Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth was vast after all. He could definitely farm a lot of experience points! Chapter 160 - 160: Another Legendary Grade! After advancing for a while, the path he had taken became narrowed as overgrown with twisted vines and thick underbrush filled the surroundings. Although Vincent was confident that he could take any primals that could appear in this labyrinth, he was not reckless. He already used the maximum range of his mental perception but it was not enough to completely cover the space of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Therefore, he still summoned a group of Umbral Rats to scout the area ahead. After some time, he received a mental signal that one of his summoned Umbral Rats had encountered something. With his perception, he immediately went towards it. Not far from him, he saw one of his Umbral Rats was squeaking as it was being ganged up by a group of green and black serpent with vine-like scales and a bioluminescent crest on its head. Its body is covered in thorny ridges. Venom Vine Serpent - Tier 2 (2 - 3¡ï) Despite biting so hard with its venomous incisors, the umbral rat was unable to fully break through its hard scales. The umbral rat attempted to break free but it was still locked with the Venom Vine Serpent''s grasps. The other umbral rats immediately jumped in, attempting to help but the other Venom Vine Serpents had a quick reaction, slithered away before pouncing with their sharp fangs glowed with deadly lights. Puchi! Squeak! One of the umbral rats had been bitten by the Venom Vine Serpent. It let out a high-pitched squeak before its movements slowly turned sluggish. "It has a better venom quality¡­" Vincent murmured upon noticing it. Needless to say, aside from the apparent difference with their level, snakes or serpents were rats'' natural predators. Upon seeing this, Vincent stopped watching and summoned several fireballs. After commanding the remaining umbral rats he hurled his fireballs at the group of Venom Vine Serpents. Hiss~ The Venom Vine Serpents could only hiss as they got washed over by a sea of fire. When the fire subsided, what remained was the burned figures of the serpents. Soon, it broke to ashes before collapsing to particles of digital lights and dozens of Origin Crystals left on the ground, along with the system''s notifications. You have successfully killed Venom Vine Serpents Tier 2 (2¡ï)! You have successfully killed Venom Vine Serpents Tier 2 (3¡ï)! In that instance, Vincent''s experience bar was once again filled to the brim. Without losing a beat, he retrieved the drop Origin Crystals and other common-grade materials and a common-grade dagger, storing it in his storage ring. He didn''t even check it and quickly took out a common-grade skill book and directly upgraded to epic-grade. "Alright, I already have the third epic-grade skill book but I''m a little short on experience points¡­" After upgrading a skill book to epic-grade, he was left with 1,100,000 experience points. He was short of 400,000 experience points. But it was not much of a problem. He was in a labyrinth, and the labyrinth never lacked a primal, meaning experience points. Therefore, after summoning a few more umbral rats and commanding them to go to different paths, in no time, he encountered the next group of primals. Boom! Boom! Needless to say, even without wearing his Mental-type equipment, with his Mental Attribute of 60, it was no-brainer that Tier 2 primals couldn''t stand his fireballs. Even if his fireball skill was only an uncommon-grade, it was still overwhelming for them. You have successfully killed a¡­ Ignoring the system''s notification, he set his eyes on the skill lists he had. He was considering which one of his epic-skills he should upgrade first. His attention then landed at the first ever skill he had gotten. The Abyssal Venomlash, it was at first a common-grade ''stinger'' and this skill was his only common-grade that evolved in a very good path. Unlike other upgraded skills that originated from being common-grade, the Abyssal Venomlash was truly potent, especially with its venomous capabilities, it could over power most of the Origin Warriors he had encountered. He was naturally curious how it would grow to Legendary-grade, however, it was still originally a common-grade. And seeing the current environment he was in, Abyssal Venomlash might be not useful and not the best one to upgrade for the time being. His attention was then drawn to one of his passive skills, Dragon''s Fury. It was originally a rare-grade Dragon''s Might that he got from Tower of Combat. He had a good impression of this skill as it greatly affects a mentally weaker opponent despite their level. It especially had greater effects against a weaker race. Since the skill was made from dragon''s race, there were only very few races that could stand against it. However, his eyes also landed on the epic skills he got from other towers. They were all good choices. "Why worry? I won''t lose anything even if I upgrade any of my skills first. The thing I will only lack will be experience points that I can get for a very short amount of time." Hence, he decided to go for Dragon''s Fury! [Do you want to upgrade Dragon''s Fury (Epic)?] Yes! [Please select 3 Epic-grade Skill Books you want to sacrifice] Vincent casually brought out the three epic-grade skill books he had upgraded. As soon as he did it, the books in his hand immediately collapsed into particles of colorful lights before he felt a warm energy coursing into his very core, forcing him to close his eyes. After an indefinite amount of time, he heard the system''s notification as his eyes released a soft bright light. [You have successfully upgraded Dragon''s Fury(Epic) to Infernal Dragon''s Wrath(Legendary)!] Thrilled, he immediately opened the interface and checked what had changed. Name: Infernal Dragon''s Wrath Grade: Legendary Details: This passive skill infuses the user with the unmatched dominance of an apex dragon, enveloping them in a fiery draconic aura that imposes absolute authority on their surroundings. Effect: Enemies within a 30-meter radius are afflicted with Dragonfear, causing mental and physical suppression. Same or lower-tier enemies: Paralyzed with fear for 2-5 seconds (duration scales with Mental attribute). Weak-willed or physically inferior races (e.g., lesser beasts, goblins) experience complete incapacitation, unable to fight back or resist for the full duration. Higher-tier enemies: Combat effectiveness reduced by 20%-50% (scales with user''s Force attribute). Mentally weaker higher-tier enemies may experience momentary hesitation or loss of focus (up to 2 seconds). S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The user''s Force and Mental attributes are increased by 20% for as long as the aura remains active. Sub Skill: Name: Infernal Dragon''s Blaze Grade: Legendary Details: The user channels an overwhelming surge of draconic power into a fiery catastrophe, leaving no room for escape. Effect: Consumes 30% of total Origin Energy to create an unstoppable inferno blast in a 50-meter radius, dealing fire-based damage. Damage: Scales with Force (150%) and Mental (50%). Debuff: All struck enemies are afflicted with Dragonburn, reducing healing and regeneration by 60% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. At this moment, in his excitement, he subconsciously activated it. Instantly, a fiery draconic aura surged out of his body, jolting Mochi, who was dozing on his shoulder. "Hmm¡­ What''s happening with you?" Vincent furrowed his brows upon seeing Mochi''s nonchalant reaction. Curious, he controlled the effect of Infernal Dragon Wrath towards Mochi. However, surprisingly Mochi still had the same expression as though she was wondering what her stupid master was doing. Baffled, he asked, "Don''t you feel anything?" Slightly tilting her head, she answered with a question, "Hmm, what are you talking about?" He waved his hand, surrounded by fiery draconic energy, he asked, "What do you think about this? Do you feel anything? Don''t you feel any discomfort?" Baffled, Mochi carefully looked at the draconic energy Vincent was emitting, furrowing her brows together. She then responded, "Discomfort? I felt disgusted. Why do you have the aura of those worms?" She flashed a disgusted expression as she looked at Vincent in wonder. Vincent was speechless. "Worm?" How could she call his legendary-grade skill and a Dragon''s aura a worm? He carefully observed Mochi''s expression. However, the fat rabbit was evidently only showing a pure disgust and was not afraid a little bit by the infernal dragon''s aura. He was truly curious how she could call a dragon''s aura a worm''s aura. However, he was certain that Mochi wouldn''t give him a satisfactory answer so he just kept it in his mind and went deeper into the labyrinth. He had lost his excitement upon getting a new Legendary-grade skill due to Mochi''s lackluster reaction. After walking through several dead ends, he finally reached a new area of the labyrinth. The bright sun was nowhere to be seen as thick tree branches covered the sky as mist filled the surroundings. Although the mist limited his vision, he still advanced with the same pace. He naturally let his Umbral Rats walk in front of him. When suddenly, sharp glowing yellow eyes pierce the mist behind him. Without a word, it pounced straight at him¡­ Chapter 161 - 161: Mist Stalker Despite the incoming attack, Vincent stood still, unmoving like a statue. He waited until the danger was only inches away from him before finally making a move. In that fleeting moment, his sharp eyes caught the full appearance of the primal predator. Four-legged creatures prowling in the mist, their sleek, silvery fur shimmering like liquid metal under dim light. Their glowing yellow eyes burned through the fog like eerie lanterns, and their razor-sharp claws left trails of glowing light with every swipe. Mist Stalker Tier 2 (3¡ï) Vincent tilted his head slightly, evading the glinting claws by mere millimeters. In the same motion, he launched his fist toward the beast. However, before his attack could land, the Mist Stalker vanished back into the dense fog, as if it were a ghost. Squeak! Suddenly, his umbral rats let out sharp, panicked squeaks, their sounds echoing in the haze. Then, just as quickly as the noise came, it was gone. A chilling silence followed, signaling the inevitable. The connection between Vincent and his summoned umbral rats was severed. They were dead. Mochi, who had been watching everything from the sidelines despite the thick veil of mist, couldn''t help but speak. "Your pets are dead. Are you not going to do anything?" Mochi''s tone was casual, almost mocking. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Vincent said nothing. He kept his gaze fixed deep within the swirling fog, his expression unreadable. With his finely tuned mental perception, he could see what others could not. Amidst the chaos of the mist, he detected a group of Origin Warriors. They were struggling to fend off a relentless pack of Mist Stalkers, their glowing eyes circling like predators closing in on prey. "Stand your ground! Don''t you dare think of running! If any of you cowards try to flee, I''ll make sure to end your career myself!" a furious voice bellowed. "B-But, party leader! Our healer is already injured and exhausted! Even Junjun''s completely drained of energy!" "Shut up! I said we''re clearing this labyrinth before anyone else, and that''s final!" In the midst of the chaos, one of the party members stationed at the rear suddenly noticed movement. His voice wavered as he shouted. "Leader, there''s someone coming from behind us¡­" No sooner had he spoken than Vincent emerged from the thick fog, his presence commanding and unshaken. The party turned to face him, their wary gazes scanning him from head to toe. Vincent''s attention, however, was elsewhere. His eyes locked onto the figure of a brown-haired woman kneeling on the ground. She wore a clown mask and clutched her injured shoulder in obvious pain. He recognized that mask. He recognized that figure. As the group continued to fend off the sneaky Mist Stalkers while cautiously observing him, Vincent softly called out. "Clauny?" The clown-masked woman slowly turned her head toward him. Behind the mask, her eyes widened slightly with curiosity and confusion. "Do you know him?!" asked the tanned-skinned man at the front, his buzzed haircut and rugged features giving him an intimidating appearance. "I-I don''t know him, Leader¡­" Clauny stammered, her voice shaky. She didn''t recognize Vincent, likely because he wasn''t hiding his true appearance anymore. The man, Boscauk, narrowed his eyes at Vincent and growled, "Who the hell are you? And how do you know our healer?" Vincent ignored the question entirely, his gaze never leaving Clauny. He remembered her clearly. Clauny was part of the first party he had joined during his visit to the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth. She had been the one to invite him to join their group back then. Her kindness had left an impression, and he had never forgotten her. As Vincent''s thoughts wandered, the man wielding the large shield let out a pained cry. The shield slipped from his grasp as he fell to the ground. "Argh!" "Matthew!" someone shouted. Boscauk tore his gaze from Vincent and turned back to Clauny. His face twisted in anger as he barked, "Stop kneeling there! Go and heal him now!" Vincent''s frown deepened. Clauny was visibly injured, her body trembling from exhaustion. Yet Boscauk showed no concern for her state, his tone as harsh as ever. Vincent couldn''t help but wonder what had happened to Clauny''s previous party. While his time with them had been brief, he was certain that Jokyr, her former leader, had been a responsible and considerate leader. Despite her pain, Clauny gritted her teeth and tried to stand. Her hands trembled as she braced herself against the ground, but her strength gave out, and she collapsed back onto her knees. Boscauk sneered, his frustration boiling over. Without hesitation, he kicked her in the side. "Useless!" "Ugh!" Clauny gasped, clutching her side as pain radiated through her body. Vincent''s expression darkened further. His fists clenched at his sides, though Boscauk was too caught up in his tantrum to notice. The short young man with long bangs covering his eyes flinched as Boscauk turned to him next. "You! Get over there and give Matthew a recovery potion!" "Y-Yes, Leader!" The young man, Mauro, scrambled toward the fallen shield-wielder, Matthew, who was being protected by another party member desperately slashing at the Mist Stalkers. Boscauk''s attention snapped back to Clauny, who was still struggling to catch her breath. "If you weren''t so damn useless, I would''ve cleared this labyrinth ages ago!" he snarled. Raising his foot, he prepared to stomp on her. But before he could follow through, a sudden gust of wind surged toward him, forcing him to stagger backward. "W-What the¡ª?!" Boscauk exclaimed, his voice tinged with surprise. When he looked up, a shadowy figure loomed over Clauny, shielding her from further harm. She slowly raised her head, and though she couldn''t recognize him, she saw Vincent standing tall in front of her. "Are you alright?" Vincent asked, his tone soft yet steady, his gaze piercing. Clauny hesitated, her voice weak as she replied, "I-I''m fine. Please, don''t worry about me. If you interfere, you''ll only offend our leader." "Stay still," Vincent said firmly. He pulled out a recovery potion and extended it toward her. "W-What are you doing?" Clauny asked, bewildered. The stranger''s actions confused her even more. Why was he helping her? Why did he know her? "Drink it," Vincent commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. As Clauny stared at the potion, still frozen in confusion, Boscauk finally regained his composure. His face contorted in fury as he bellowed, "You bastard! Who the hell do you think you are? Giving a recovery potion to that useless healer?!" Vincent''s head turned slowly. His icy glare locked onto Boscauk, freezing the man in place. A chill ran down Boscauk''s spine as the atmosphere grew tense. The tension was shattered by another pained scream. The man wielding a sword was overwhelmed by Mist Stalkers. "L-Leader¡­" Mauro stammered, his voice laced with fear. Boscauk turned toward the source of the scream, his face paling as he took in the sight. Dozens of glowing yellow eyes stared back at him from the thick mist. It wasn''t just in front of them. The eerie lights surrounded them completely, cutting off all paths of escape. Boscauk instinctively took a step back, only to stumble into a puddle of sizzling green liquid. "Argh! Fuck!" he cursed, the acid burning his leg. "L-Leader! We have to leave!" Matthew cried out, his voice frantic. "I said we''re not leaving! Anyone who tries to run will answer to me later!" Boscauk roared. He turned back to Vincent, pointing a shaking finger at him. "And you¡ª" But his words were cut short as the Mist Stalkers surged forward, their glowing eyes narrowing with intent to kill. At that moment, Vincent released a fiery draconic energy that roared to life around him. He had activated his Legendary-grade skill: Infernal Dragon''s Wrath! The Mist Stalkers froze mid-attack, their high-pitched screeches echoing as their minds were crushed by the overwhelming pressure. Within seconds, they disintegrated into light, their forms vanishing into nothingness as system notifications flooded Vincent''s vision. You have successfully killed a Mist Stalker Tier 2(3¡ï)! You have successfully killed a Mist Stalker Tier 2(2¡ï)! You have successfully killed¡­ Vincent simply ignored the system''s notifications before turning to Boscauk who had a stunned expression. Nevertheless, he was satisfied by the results of his Legendary-grade skill. Although he knew it was a strong legendary-grade skill, he didn''t expect that it would kill the Mist Stalkers with his sheer pressure alone. At this moment, Boscauk had no idea what to say or react. But needless to say, his expression was dark. He didn''t expect that this nobody was actually a powerful Origin Warrior! And he already offended him. In addition to that, this powerful individual seemed like had a connection with the useless healer. Vincent then ignored Boscauk and faced Clauny, who also had a shocked expression beneath her clown mask. "Are you alright now? Can you stand up?" He offered his hand. Clauny hesitated for a second before accepting his hand and stood up. Chapter 162 - 162: Claunys Experience (1) Vincent ignored Boscauk and faced Clauny, who also wore a shocked expression beneath her clown mask. "Are you alright now? Can you stand up?" Vincent''s voice broke the silence as he extended a hand toward her. Clauny hesitated for a brief second. Her gaze darted from his outstretched hand to his face, as though unsure whether to trust him or not. After a moment of uncertainty, she finally accepted his hand, allowing him to help her up. As she steadied herself on her feet, she looked directly at him. Her voice, though trembling slightly, carried a note of curiosity. "Who are you?" Vincent didn''t answer right away. Instead, he gave her a warm, reassuring smile. His calm demeanor seemed almost out of place given the tense atmosphere. His gaze briefly shifted back to Boscauk, who looked as though he was about to interject. Vincent''s expression hardened instantly, silencing the man with nothing more than a glance. Turning back to Clauny, his tone shifted, carrying an unsettling calmness. "Do you mind if I kill him?" The question hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. His voice was cold and precise, lacking any trace of emotion. It felt less like a question and more like an invitation for her agreement. Yet, despite his demeanor, Vincent remained perfectly still, patiently waiting for her response. The weight of his words caused the entire atmosphere to shift. Boscauk''s face immediately darkened, though he tried to cover it with an awkward smile. "W-What are you talking about, Young Hero?" Boscauk stammered, forcing an unconvincing chuckle. His eyes darted toward Clauny, his expression growing more desperate. "Heale¡ª Cough! Clauny, we have a good relationship, don''t we? I''ve been nothing but good to you, right? You wouldn''t want me to die, would you? I mean, remember, I was there for you when you needed help!" As he spoke, his words came out in a hurried stream, each one more desperate than the last. He could see the hesitation in Clauny''s eyes and was determined to exploit it. ''That''s right, bitch!'' Boscauk thought, his inner voice laced with arrogance. ''I was the one who helped you when no one else would! You should be grateful to me, not questioning my intentions! You better speak up now, or else!'' Vincent, ever observant, noticed the flicker of doubt in Clauny''s gaze. He didn''t say anything, but a part of him couldn''t help but wonder what had happened to her. The hesitation in her eyes told a story of conflict, of struggles he couldn''t yet understand. But he wasn''t about to pry into someone else''s personal matters unless absolutely necessary. He had only stepped in because he had a favorable impression of her from before. If she didn''t want his help, he was prepared to walk away without a word. At that moment, Clauny seemed lost in her thoughts. Her emotions swirled like a storm, visible even through the mask she wore. Since the day they had parted from Vincent¡ªback when he was known as "Shroud"¡ªher life had taken a sharp turn. She hadn''t heard anything about him since then, leading her to believe the worst. That belief had driven a wedge between her and Jokyr''s group. She had argued with them, blaming them for letting Shroud die. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The argument escalated until she, consumed by anger and disappointment, decided to leave the group altogether. Although Jokyr and the others had apologized, even begging her to reconsider, she had stood firm in her decision. Not long after, during one of her solo hunts, she ventured into the territory of a savage race. She had underestimated the danger, and before she knew it, she had been captured. Her despair was overwhelming, but to her shock, a member of her old party who had secretly followed her rallied the rest of the group to rescue her. The rescue attempt succeeded, but at a devastating cost. Her entire party suffered injuries so severe that they lost their connection to the Origin World. In this world, that fate was akin to being crippled. An Origin Warrior without access to the Origin World would never progress to a higher realm, no matter how many experience potions or other items they consumed. Such items were only effective for those who retained their Origin World connection. The guilt Clauny felt was immeasurable. How could she face them after everything? Unable to confront them, she wandered aimlessly, joining one group after another. But her pain and guilt followed her, leaving her unable to stay in any party for long. Eventually, she joined the Scavenger Guild. The guild was far from welcoming. She endured insults, mistreatment, and humiliation, all while clinging to the hope of reaching a higher realm. Her sole goal was to secure a future¡ªnot for herself, but for the friends she had lost. Through sheer determination, she rose from Tier 1 (3¡ï) to the peak of Tier 1 in an impressively short time. Yet, every step forward came with pain and sacrifice. Lost in these memories, tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. They fell silently, one by one, dampening the ground beneath her. Clauny''s gaze returned to Vincent. There was something about him¡ªsomething familiar. Yet, she couldn''t quite place it. She wanted to ask who he was, but fear held her back. What if knowing his identity brought him trouble? She couldn''t risk it. Swallowing her emotions, she forced a stiff smile beneath her mask and spoke with measured words. "I''m alright. Please, don''t kill my leader. He''s¡­ been good to me." Vincent''s brow furrowed slightly at her response. Boscauk, on the other hand, practically beamed with relief. His polite smile returned, though it did little to mask his true thoughts. "You hear that, Young Hero? I told you, we''re like family here. Sure, things might look rough, but I care deeply for my party members! I''m just under a lot of pressure to clear this labyrinth. I have to prove to my superiors that my party is capable!" Even as he spoke, his inner thoughts were filled with malice. ''You little bastard,'' he sneered inwardly. ''As soon as I get out of this place, I''ll make sure my guild hunts you down like the dog you are!'' Vincent remained silent, his eyes lowering to Clauny''s hand, which still gripped his own. In a quiet voice, he whispered, "It''s alright. You''ll be fine." Chapter 163 - 163: Claunys Experience (2) Letting go of her hand, Vincent gently tossed Mochi towards Clauny. Without warning, he vanished from where he stood. When he reappeared, it was behind Boscauk, who still wore a forced, kind smile, oblivious to the danger now looming directly over him. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a swift and casual motion, Vincent grabbed the man''s head. "Wha¡ª" Bang! Boscauk''s face smashed into the ground with a sickening thud. "Bastar¡ª" Bang! Before he could finish his sentence, Vincent slammed his head into the ground again. The impact echoed, reverberating through the silent space. Clauny and the rest of her party stood frozen, their mouths agape. None of them could believe what they were witnessing. "H-Help me, you idiots¡ª" Bang! Vincent didn''t pause, showing no sign of stopping as he lifted Boscauk''s head again. His movements were methodical, almost routine, like someone working through an unpleasant chore. Meanwhile, Mochi, now nestled in Clauny''s arms, muttered quietly, "He really likes smashing heads..." Clauny, on the other hand, was utterly lost. Her mind couldn''t process what was happening. She had explicitly told him not to kill her leader, and yet Vincent continued to beat Boscauk without hesitation. "L-Leader¡­" Mauro and the others murmured weakly. They glanced at one another but made no move to intervene. They lacked the strength, but more importantly, they lacked the will. None of them particularly liked Boscauk, and the sight of him being pummeled didn''t exactly inspire sympathy. "P-Please, sto¡ª" Bang! The final impact left Boscauk utterly limp. His unconscious body slumped to the side as Vincent released him, tossing him aside like a broken doll. Vincent straightened, brushing his hands off casually, and turned to face Clauny. His expression was unreadable, but his presence radiated a quiet authority that made everyone around him hesitate to speak. Before addressing Clauny, he glanced at Mauro and the others, who stood trembling in place. "Do you also want to fight?" Vincent asked, his tone flat and matter-of-fact, as though he were offering them a choice rather than issuing a threat. The trio immediately shook their heads in unison, waving their hands frantically. ''That wasn''t even a fight!'' they all thought, terrified. ''That was just a one-sided beating!'' Satisfied with their response, Vincent ignored them and returned his focus to Clauny. "I don''t know what happened to you or what you''ve been through, but if Jokyr were here, he''d do the same thing," he said softly, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of certainty. Clauny''s breath caught at his words. "W-Wha¡­ How do you know Jokyr?" she asked, her voice trembling. For the first time, Vincent smiled in a way that wasn''t cold or detached. It was warm, familiar, and oddly comforting. "It''s me, Shroud. It''s been a while," he revealed. "Shroud¡­" Clauny whispered, her voice barely audible as the realization hit her. Her eyes widened, her entire body freezing in place as if she had seen a ghost. "Y-You''re Shroud?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief. Although curious about her reaction, Vincent simply nodded, his smile unwavering. For a moment, Clauny didn''t move. Then, without warning, she tossed Mochi aside and lunged toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around him in an emotional embrace. Vincent stiffened, surprised by the sudden contact. "H-Hic¡­ Hehe, you''re alive. Great, great¡­" Clauny muttered through her sobs, her voice breaking as she clung to him. Vincent stood silently, letting her cry. He could feel her shoulders trembling as weeks of pent-up emotion poured out all at once. Suddenly, her body went limp, and she collapsed against him. Startled, Vincent caught her before she could fall. His hands instinctively steadied her, his expression softening slightly. He wasn''t worried; she had just consumed a recovery potion. She was probably just exhausted from everything. Carrying her gently in his arms, Vincent released a wave of energy, clearing the surrounding mist. The once oppressive fog retreated several meters, leaving the area feeling more open. He walked to a nearby patch of soft ground and knelt down, carefully laying Clauny down. Her mask slipped from her face, revealing her features for the first time. Beneath the mask was a strikingly beautiful young woman. Her delicate features were framed by strands of messy hair, and even in her unconscious state, there was a certain grace about her. Vincent allowed himself a brief moment to admire her appearance before his expression returned to its usual calm. His attention shifted back to Mauro and the others. "Tie up your leader," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. The trio nodded quickly, rushing to comply. Though they were frightened by Vincent''s power, they were also relieved to have someone else taking charge. As they worked, Vincent summoned a group of umbral rats. The dark creatures scurried into position, forming a perimeter around the group. The sight of the rats sent shivers down Mauro and the others'' spines, but none of them dared to protest. Satisfied with the precautions, Vincent sat down beside Clauny. He rested his arms on his knees, his gaze fixed on her as he waited for her to wake up. After some time, Boscauk remained unconscious, but Clauny stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Vincent, his striking purple hair catching the light. He was staring at her with a calm expression, his presence steady and reassuring. "Shroud¡­" she muttered, her voice weak but filled with emotion. Vincent''s lips curved into a slight smile. "Yes? How are you feeling?" "I''m good¡­ so you didn''t die¡­" she replied, her voice trembling slightly. Raising an eyebrow, Vincent teased, "What? Were you hoping I was dead?" "N-No! That''s not what I meant!" Clauny stammered, her cheeks flushing as she waved her hands in protest. Vincent chuckled, his laughter light and unburdened. "Haha, I''m just messing with you. But¡­ why are you here with these idiots?" His gaze flicked toward the silent trio. "And where''s Jokyr and the others?" At his question, Clauny''s expression darkened. She hesitated for a moment, but eventually, she began to speak. She told him everything¡ªabout her guilt, her choices, and the tragedies that had unfolded since they parted ways. As she spoke, her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue, keeping her emotions in check. Vincent listened silently, his expression growing more somber with every word. When she finally finished, the weight of her story hung heavy between them. "Hic¡­ It''s my fault! If I''d just believed that you were alive, if I''d stayed with them, they''d still be here! They wouldn''t have lost their futures! It''s all my fault!" Clauny cried, her voice breaking as the floodgates finally opened. Chapter 164 - 164: Mental Domination! Vincent listened in silence as he let Clauny release all the emotions she had been holding back. Although she assumed everything was her fault, Vincent also felt partially responsible. He hadn''t anticipated that his actions that day would impact their group so significantly. He felt slightly guilty, as though he had made a mistake intentionally, even though it wasn''t the case. He believed he should take responsibility. ''This will leave a bad taste in my mouth if I don''t take responsibility for my actions¡­'' he thought, frowning slightly. After a while, Clauny finally calmed down. She looked at Vincent''s face with a hint of embarrassment. It was unclear if it was due to her crying or for another reason. Seeing that she had finally calmed down, Vincent spoke. "I apologize for not immediately letting you know about my situation." Clauny shook her head. "No, it''s not your fault." Vincent didn''t press her further, but he kept it in mind. He stood up and looked at her with a serious expression before shifting his attention to the tied-up Boscauk. "At this point, you can no longer return to your guild. Can you tell me everything you know about the Scavenger Guild?" Clauny followed Vincent''s gaze and saw the unrecognizable state of her leader. Although she had witnessed how Vincent had defeated Boscauk one-sidedly, seeing the once powerful and intimidating party leader in this condition still shocked her. Her surprised expression gradually turned grim. Although Vincent had grown stronger, she was well aware of the strength her guild possessed. A single Origin Warrior couldn''t stand against an entire guild. Especially not the Scavenger Guild. Although it wasn''t a renowned guild, it was still feared by rogue Origin Warriors. Furthermore, Boscauk was only one of the many party leaders within the guild. To hold the position of a party leader, one needed Peak Tier 2 strength. Since Vincent had offended both Boscauk and the Scavenger Guild, she was certain they would hunt him down. Her guilt deepened. She had just reunited with a friend after so long, and now she had dragged him into her problems! ''Am I really this unlucky?!'' she cried internally. Vincent glanced in her direction and noticed her grim expression. He called out, "Clauny!" "Y-Yes?!" she exclaimed, startled. "I need you to tell me what you know about your guild." Reluctantly, Clauny began sharing all the information she had. Meanwhile, the trio kneeling beside their unconscious leader watched silently. They were too afraid to utter a word, fearing they might be the next to end up face-first on the ground. After relaying all the information she knew, Clauny pleaded, "You have to leave now! Please, just go. I''ll figure something out to cover this up! I don''t want you getting dragged into my problems too!" Vincent smiled at her while processing the information he had just learned. ''So, there''s a possibility of a Peak Tier 3 within the Scavenger Guild¡­'' he mused. Despite this revelation, he wasn''t worried in the slightest. With his current strength, while he might not be able to defeat a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior, escaping wouldn''t be impossible. Moreover, he had another method to ensure everything was resolved. He could simply force them to take the Origin''s Oath. If that didn''t work, he still had the Mental Domination sub-skill of his epic-grade skill¡ªYellow Heaven Mental Aura! Although he didn''t know how long it would last, it was a better alternative to outright killing Boscauk. At that moment, the unconscious Boscauk began to stir. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, only to realize he was completely tied up. He ignored the pain in his face when he noticed the silent trio kneeling on the ground, staring at him with strange expressions. "You idiots! Get me out of here! Untie me right now!" he roared, only to realize they weren''t moving or even acknowledging him. Following their gaze, he finally remembered what had happened as his eyes landed on Vincent''s expressionless face. In an instant, the pain coursing through his body returned, and his face twisted in agony. Through gritted teeth, he growled at Vincent. "You bastard! Do you know what you''ve done?! You''re not just offending me; you''re offending my entire Scavenger Guild!" He then turned his attention to Clauny, whose expression had turned grim. "And you, useless healer! Forget about your dreams! Once I get out of here, I''ll kill you and all those friends you''ve been worrying about!" The moment he uttered those words, Vincent noticed Clauny faltering. He could see how deeply those words affected her. Annoyed, Vincent activated his Mental Domination sub-skill. In an instant, Boscauk''s furious expression shifted to one of fanatic reverence as he stared at Vincent blankly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent turned to Clauny and said, "Don''t listen to him. He''s just a dog. There''s no point in listening to a dog barking." He then looked back at Boscauk. "Kneel and apologize for everything you''ve said." Still tied up, Boscauk knelt on the ground and slammed his head down so forcefully that the ground trembled slightly. "Please forgive me! I apologize for everything I''ve said! I''m nothing but a dog!" His loud voice stunned the trio and shocked Clauny. Clauny was dumbfounded. She had no idea what had just happened. Why had her egotistical leader suddenly apologized at Vincent''s command? She looked at Vincent, silently demanding an explanation. However, Vincent either didn''t notice her gaze or chose to ignore it. "That''s not enough!" Vincent declared. "Do it again! Keep going until she accepts your apology!" Bang! Boscauk slammed his head onto the ground again. "Forgive me! I shouldn''t have said those things! I was a fool¡ªa worthless fool! Please, show mercy!" Bang! Blood began to drip from his forehead. Bang! The trio was frozen in fear. Whatever Vincent had done to their leader terrified them. Bang! Clauny stared in disbelief, her mouth hanging open as Boscauk continued. Vincent suddenly commented, "If you want him dead, you can just ignore him." His words snapped Clauny out of her daze. In panic, she shouted, "Alright! Alright! Stop slamming your head! I accept your apology!" Boscauk weakly replied, "Thank you for your forgiveness¡­" before fainting again. Vincent ignored him and turned to the trio. "I''ll give you three a choice. Either take the Origin''s Oath or end up like him." "We''ll take the oath!!" "I''m willing to take it!" "I''ll do it!" The trio responded simultaneously, not even knowing what the Origin''s Oath entailed. Anything was better than becoming a mindless dog like their leader. Vincent gave them instructions to complete the oath. He told them to report back to the guild that Clauny had died in the labyrinth, losing her access to the Origin World. This wasn''t unusual; such occurrences were common in the Origin World. As for Boscauk, Vincent wasn''t worried. The system notification earlier had confirmed his control: You have successfully controlled Boscauk Bourat ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï)! Duration: 7 days! Yes, the Mental Domination would last for an entire week! Chapter 165 - 165: Inner Ring You have successfully controlled Boscauk Bourat ¡ª Tier 2 (5¡ï)! Duration: 7 days! Yes, the Mental Domination would last for an entire week! Nevertheless, he was still uncertain about its effects. He still had to do more research. He was quite skeptical that the Mental Domination could last that long if the target was more than one. But for now, he set it aside. After the trio had taken the Origin''s Oath, Vincent ordered the three of them to bring their leader out of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Seeing that they started walking back, he couldn''t help but wonder aloud, "Why are you walking? Don''t tell me you don''t even have an escape scroll?" Before the trio could answer, Clauny cleared his confusion, "You didn''t know? This labyrinth does not allow the usage of escape scrolls." The trio also nodded their heads, confirming Clauny''s words. If not for the goddamn restriction, they would have already used their escape scroll and left their leader alone. Vincent slightly furrowed his brows before easing them up. It didn''t matter to him. With his current speed, he could easily escape if the worst came to the worst. Additionally, he already had a plan in mind for which skill he would upgrade next, but he set it aside for now. After nodding and letting the trio go, he turned to Clauny, "Are you sure you''re not going back with them?" Clauny firmly shook her head before showing a determined expression. "No. I cannot be weak forever. I cannot hide forever behind someone''s back. I have to stand on my own feet and become stronger, not just for my friends but also for myself!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She then paused and continued with a weaker voice, "So I hope you don''t mind me tagging along with you¡­" Vincent stared at her expressionlessly, which made her nervous. After a short consideration, Vincent finally nodded. She wouldn''t slow him down even if she tagged along anyway. Additionally, he also felt responsible for her situation. He might be selfish, but he still had his bottom line. He would not give mercy to his enemies, but it was the opposite for his friends and loved ones. And just for the record, he did not give that guy¡ªBoscauk¡ªany mercy. He just let him go since it was the best choice for the time being. Once he was certain that he could defeat a Peak Tier 3 Origin Warrior, he would no longer hesitate to end him. However, all of that would be in the future. For now, he should focus on improving his strength and clearing this labyrinth. With his experience bar filled, he could upgrade two common-grade skill books to epic-grade! But there was a slight problem¡ªClauny kept glancing in his direction. As he was wondering what he should do, his attention landed on the fat black rabbit on his shoulder, Mochi. While grinning in his mind, he grabbed Mochi by her back. "Hey! Let me go!" Mochi demanded, but Vincent turned a deaf ear to her and tossed her to Clauny. Clauny caught Mochi reflexively. "She''s Mochi. She''s my primal pet. You take care of her, and I won''t mind you tagging along with me." Clauny finally had a good look at Mochi''s appearance. Earlier, she had no time to observe Mochi closely as she had been shaken. Her eyes glowed brightly, muttering to herself, "S-So cute¡­" Subconsciously, she gave Mochi a tight hug, rubbing its soft cheek against her own. "Ah¡­ soft¡­" Mochi, on the other hand, kept demanding Vincent, in his mind, to get her out of Clauny''s hands. Nevertheless, Vincent simply ignored her cries. Now that Clauny''s attention was not on him, he discreetly upgraded two common-grade skill books to epic-grade, emptying his experience points. Along the way, Vincent and Clauny encountered a few more Mist Stalkers. Since Clauny had joined him, the amount of experience points he could get had become lesser. Nevertheless, killing Mist Stalkers allowed him to fill his experience bar. After upgrading one more skill book to epic-grade, he was left with 1,100,000 experience points and was short 400,000 experience points to upgrade an epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. At this moment, they finally reached another area of the labyrinth. The thick mist that surrounded the area had cleared, allowing them to have a clear view of the area ahead. Ahead of them was a massive circular space with pulsating, corrupted trees and glowing veins of ominous dark energy. The air was heavy with malevolence. With his perception, he could sense several high-star-level primals. He turned to Clauny and said, "Stay here for now. I''ll scout the area ahead." "No, let me follow you!" Vincent shook his head and firmly said, "I can feel several Peak Tier 2 primals ahead. Let me scout first. Don''t worry; I won''t leave you." After some hesitation, Clauny could only reluctantly agree, softly hugging Mochi in her arms. "Alright, please be safe." Vincent simply nodded. It was a no-brainer that those primals wouldn''t stand a chance against him. He just said it to have some time alone. He knew he couldn''t hide the process of upgrading an epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. After leaving a few umbral rats to protect Clauny, he went inside the labyrinth''s corrupted inner ring area. Slightly narrowing his eyes, he instantly discovered a primal that stood at least 4 meters tall when fully upright. Bloodthorn Behemoth ¡ª Tier 2 (4¡ï) It was a massive quadrupedal primal. It had bark-like skin covered in sharp crimson thorns. Its eyes glowed a deep red, and its gaping mouth dripped with sap-like blood. It looked strong, but to Vincent, it was nothing but a practice target. It wouldn''t give him a challenge. Thus, with a slight wave of his hand, a wave of mental energy in the form of a lance flew straight at the Bloodthorn Behemoth almost instantly. It attempted to dodge, but it was impaled nevertheless. It howled in pain and wanted to counterattack. However, Vincent didn''t give it a chance. With another wave of his hand, another lance of energy flew straight at it, piercing its huge body. Puchi! Awoo! Vincent summoned a few more lances of energy until it stopped breathing, followed by the system notification informing him that he had successfully killed it. That kill naturally filled his experience bar. He now had enough experience points to upgrade one of his epic skills to legendary-grade! "In that case, I''ll choose you!" Chapter 166 - 166: Is Legendary The Limit? (1) He now had enough experience points to upgrade one of his epic skills to legendary-grade! "In that case, I''ll choose you!" [Do you want to upgrade One-Step Shift (Epic)?] "Yes!" Without hesitation, he made the decision. The instant he made his choice, a warm, familiar energy began to flow through his body. It wasn''t the first time he had experienced this sensation, but it never ceased to amaze him. The energy felt alive, as though it were a conscious entity searching for something within him. When it finally found its target, Vincent felt a sudden explosion of power. It was as though a dormant force had been unleashed, tearing through his body and soul. Bright golden lights erupted from his eyes, their brilliance illuminating the area around him! [You have successfully upgraded One-Step Shift (Epic) to Spectral Shift (Legendary)!] As soon as he heard the system''s notification, Vincent couldn''t suppress his curiosity. He immediately opened the system interface to check the detailed information about his newly upgraded, legendary-grade skill. Name: Spectral Rift Grade: Legendary Effect: The skill allows the user to instantly phase up to 200 meters in any chosen direction, completely bypassing all physical and magical barriers. While shifting, the user''s spatial awareness is enhanced, providing extraordinary precision over positioning, even in the most complex environments. Upon reappearing, the user generates a powerful spectral shockwave that briefly disorients all nearby enemies within a 10-meter radius for 2 seconds. Additional Effects: After reappearing, the user''s movement speed is increased by an impressive 60% for the next 5 seconds, greatly improving their ability to reposition, evade, or pursue targets. Enemies caught in the shockwave also suffer a 10% reduction in their movement speed for the same duration. Movement Speed Boost: 60% for 5 seconds Cooldown: 12 seconds Consumption: 150 Origin Energy (reduced to 100 at maximum proficiency) Sub-Skill: Spatial Domain Effect: The user creates a specialized domain with a 50-meter radius that restricts the use of any spatial movement skills within the area, including their own. Consumption: 150 Origin Energy Cooldown: 30 seconds Duration: The domain remains active as long as the user has sufficient Origin Energy. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn! This is insane¡­" Vincent muttered under his breath, his eyes widening in disbelief as he read through the skill''s description. It was clear that this was a massive upgrade from the previous epic-grade effect, but the sheer versatility and power of the skill exceeded even his expectations. What truly caught him off guard was the sub-skill, Spatial Domain. While it restricted his movement as well, Vincent instantly realized its potential. Against opponents who relied heavily on speed or teleportation abilities, this skill would grant him absolute dominance. A grin spread across Vincent''s face. He couldn''t wait to test the full extent of his new legendary-grade skill in battle. As if on cue, a Bloodthorn Behemoth in the distance noticed his presence. Its massive, crimson eyes glowed menacingly, and a guttural growl escaped its throat, echoing through the surroundings like a warning. Vincent''s grin widened. "Perfect timing¡­" he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and excitement. The primal beast seemed to share his intentions, as it began crawling forward, its heavy body causing the ground to tremble. Within moments, it shifted into a full sprint, charging directly at Vincent with frightening speed. He remained completely still, waiting for the creature to make its move. The Bloodthorn Behemoth, sensing its opportunity, lunged forward, its long, razor-sharp blood claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. In an instant, Vincent disappeared. The beast''s claws sliced through nothing but a fading afterimage. Before the creature could react, Vincent reappeared behind it. The speed of his movement created a shockwave that resonated like a thunderclap, forcing the Bloodthorn Behemoth to stagger. The beast growled in frustration, its movements sluggish and unsteady from the disorienting shockwave. But it wasn''t ready to give up. With a roar, it unleashed a barrage of blood-colored thorns in all directions, aiming to catch its elusive target. Yet, even at such close range, the attack failed. The Bloodthorn Behemoth couldn''t comprehend what was happening. From its perspective, Vincent hadn''t moved. But in reality, Vincent''s speed was simply beyond its ability to track. Vincent chuckled, his amusement evident. Feeling satisfied, he clenched his fist and hurled it forward, channeling the speed force he had mastered during his trials in the Tower of Speed. His fist vibrated with an intense energy, emitting a sharp, buzzing sound as it struck the creature''s massive, gaping mouth. Bang! The impact was catastrophic. The combined force of Vincent''s speed and strength caused the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s massive head to explode into fragments, scattering blood and debris across the battlefield. The lifeless body of the primal beast crashed heavily onto the ground, its weight creating a thunderous impact. Moments later, the system confirmed his victory as the creature''s corpse disintegrated into particles of digital light. [You have successfully killed a Bloodthorn Behemoth (Tier 2¡ï4)!] [You have received¡­] In just one devastating strike, Vincent had taken down the massive primal beast, and his experience bar was nearly half full. As the digital light particles faded, they left behind dozens of Origin Crystals and a glowing green light orb on the ground. Vincent wasted no time retrieving them. When he opened the green light orb, it transformed into a pulsing wooden heart that radiated energy. Item Name: Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core Grade: Uncommon Details: A Tier 2 Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Origin Core, containing residual energy. This item can enhance a primal''s strength. "Oh, another one of these¡­" he muttered. He remembered obtaining a similar core when he defeated the Leafscorcher Tyrannosaurus. However, he hadn''t tested its effects on Mochi yet. Perhaps now was the time. Afterward, Vincent hunted a few more Bloodthorn Behemoths until his experience bar was completely filled. However, this time, he refrained from immediately upgrading another skill book. "If I keep burning through resources like this, I might run out someday," Vincent thought to himself. While this wouldn''t happen anytime soon, he knew it was better to plan ahead. Chapter 167 - 167: Is Legendary The Limit? (2) Taking out a common-grade skill book, Rock Throw, Vincent decided to experiment using his Quantity Upgrade ability. Vincent focused on the skill book in his hands, ready to test his theory. [Target Item: Rock Throw Skill Book (Common)] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] Three options appeared before him: 100,000 Experience Points = x10 1,000,000 Experience Points = x100 2,000,000 Experience Points = x1,000 Without hesitation, Vincent chose the first option. He wasn''t looking to invest too much experience in this experiment¡ªjust enough to test whether his ability to multiply skill books could apply to a replica. [You have successfully multiplied Rock Throw (Common)!] Moments later, ten identical skill books materialized alongside the original one. Vincent stored all of them in his inventory, leaving only one replica to analyze further. [Target Item: Rock Throw (Common) (Replica)] (Unable to Learn) [Upgrade Quality: Impossible] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible] S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent sighed, a slight frown crossing his face. The system''s restrictions were clear: he couldn''t upgrade or multiply a replica. "Well, I suppose it makes sense," Vincent muttered to himself, shaking his head. "If I could do that, it would make my already broken talent even more absurd. The universe seems to have its way of keeping things balanced¡­ somewhat." Although he felt a bit disappointed, Vincent understood the limitations. It was a reminder that even his overpowered abilities had their boundaries. As he stored the skill books back in his inventory, a new thought crept into his mind. Could legendary really be the highest grade for skills? Curiosity gnawed at him. He decided to test the limits of his abilities once more. This time, he chose his newly upgraded legendary-grade skill, Spectral Rift. [Target: Spectral Rift (Legendary)] [Upgrade Quality: Impossible. Already at its highest potential.] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible. Learned skill cannot be used as a target.] Vincent furrowed his brows, feeling both intrigued and slightly frustrated. "So, it really is at its peak¡­" he muttered. "And I can''t create replicas of learned skills either." Still, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. The fact that he couldn''t replicate or upgrade learned skills meant that every decision he made moving forward would carry even greater weight. "From now on, I''ll make sure to create replicas of unique or high-graded skill books before learning them," Vincent thought, resolving to be more strategic with his abilities. Yet, his curiosity remained unfulfilled. Was legendary really the peak of all skills, or was there something beyond it? Determined to find the answer, Vincent turned his attention to another skill: Astral Immunity, a legendary-grade skill he had exchanged for a significant number of Tower Points in the Tower of Illusions. [Target: Astral Immunity (Legendary)] [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Impossible] Vincent''s eyes widened in surprise, and a spark of excitement ignited within him. "There really is a higher grade than legendary!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his enthusiasm. Eager to know more, Vincent checked the requirements for upgrading Astral Immunity to the next grade. Legendary to Mythic Requirements: 3 Legendary-grade skill books 3 Legendary-grade Primal Cores 1,000,000,000 Experience Points Vincent froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Fuck!" he blurted out, running a hand through his hair. The sheer absurdity of the requirements left him speechless for a moment. "Three legendary-grade skill books?! And what even is a legendary-grade Primal Core? Where the hell am I supposed to find that?! Not to mention a billion experience points¡ªare they serious?!" Letting out a long sigh, Vincent shook his head. The idea of upgrading a skill to mythic-grade felt impossible at the moment. But deep down, he knew that the future held endless possibilities. Perhaps one day, he would reach a point where these requirements wouldn''t seem so daunting. "For now, I''ll focus on what''s within my reach," Vincent decided, pushing the thought aside. Shaking off his frustration, Vincent focused on his immediate goals. With his experience bar full and his spoils collected, he made his way back to regroup with Clauny and Mochi. "You''re back!" Clauny exclaimed as soon as she spotted him. Her expression brightened, a mix of relief and curiosity crossing her face. "How was it? Are we good to go?" she asked eagerly, her tone reflecting her impatience to move forward. "Hmm, yeah. Let''s go," Vincent replied curtly, nodding toward her. At that moment, the black fat rabbit in Clauny''s arms began to stir. Mochi''s nose twitched rapidly, her beady eyes locking onto Vincent with an intensity that could only mean one thing. Sniff! Sniff! "Stupid master," Mochi''s child-like voice rang telepathically in Vincent''s mind. "What''s that sweet smell you''re hiding in your clothes?" Vincent chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. He wasn''t surprised that Mochi had sensed the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core in his pocket¡ªit was just like her to sniff out anything that might be edible. Naturally, Clauny noticed Mochi''s strange behavior. She tilted her head, confused. "What''s wrong, little Mochi?" But the rabbit ignored her, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on Vincent. Vincent smirked mischievously, replying telepathically, "Call me ''Great Master'' first, and I''ll give you a surprise." Without even a moment''s hesitation, Mochi responded in an instant, "Great Master!" Vincent blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned. Mochi''s response was so quick and shameless that he couldn''t help but laugh. "She really is unpredictable," he thought, shaking his head in amusement. Mochi could be prideful at times, but when food was involved, she was willing to toss her pride aside without a second thought. With a resigned sigh and a wry smile, Vincent pulled out the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core and handed it to her. Mochi''s eyes lit up like stars, and a line of drool escaped from her mouth as she eagerly accepted the core. "What is that?" Clauny asked, her eyes widening as she watched Mochi devour the item with child-like enthusiasm. "It''s the core of a Bloodthorn Behemoth," Vincent explained simply. "I''m testing its effects on Mochi to see if it has any unique properties." Clauny nodded, watching intently as Mochi munched away. Crunch~ Chapter 168 - 168: Another Encounter (1) Vincent and Clauny watched as Mochi enjoyed munching on the Bloodthorn Behemoth''s Core. Crunch~ Soon, after swallowing the last bit of the core, Mochi let out a satisfying burp. It was followed by the release of a soft crimson glow, a faint aura that seemed to emanate from her small, plump body. The air around her shimmered faintly, as if the energy from the core had momentarily altered the very fabric of the jungle. The faint hum of power lingered, and even the corrupted leaves of the jungle seemed to tremble slightly in response. Mochi licked her fat rabbit fingers and commented, "Hmm, that wasn''t bad. Stupid master, give me more!" Vincent was speechless. He couldn''t help but place his palm on his face, a gesture of both exasperation and amusement. "I''ll give you more next time, but tell me, how was it? Did you gain anything from it?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and mild frustration. Mochi instantly replied, "Hmm, a little. It lessened the energy I needed to break through by 1%, and I think I learned a new skill." Vincent''s eyebrows rose in surprise. "What skill? Let me see." At this moment, Clauny was wondering what was happening. The two were just staring in silence when the fat rabbit in her arms suddenly hopped to the ground and stretched her chubby arm forward. Her movements were surprisingly graceful for a creature of her size, and there was an air of anticipation as she prepared to demonstrate her newfound ability. Soon, Clauny was surprised to witness a couple of crimson spikes being released from Mochi''s hand, flying into the distance with a sharp, menacing hiss. The spikes embedded themselves into a nearby tree, causing it to wither slightly where they struck. The bark cracked and blackened, as if life had been drained from it in an instant. Mochi then looked at Vincent, her expression one of pride, as if she was asking how her new skill was. Vincent naturally recognized it. It was the same skill the Bloodthorn Behemoth had used, though the strength was probably around 10% of the original. Nevertheless, it was a good discovery. As long as Mochi could grow stronger, it would be the best outcome for them. Setting aside his thoughts, he decided to move forward. "Let''s go," Vincent said, his voice calm but firm. Clauny, who was still surprised by the little fat rabbit''s performance, could only follow behind in silence despite her curiosity. She thought, ''I guess it''s normal since she''s Shroud''s primal pet¡­'' However, she forgot one thing¡ªa primal pet should never have an offensive ability! Later, the two marched into the inner ring of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. Along the way, they encountered several more primals, ranging from Tier 2 (1¡ï) to Tier 2 (4¡ï). The jungle grew denser, the air thicker with a faint, oppressive energy that seemed to weigh on their shoulders. The trees twisted unnaturally, their bark blackened and cracked, as if corrupted by some unseen force. Although Clauny had already seen Vincent''s strength, she was still surprised at how he effortlessly defeated those high-level primals without breaking a sweat. His movements were precise, almost casual, as if he were swatting away flies rather than battling monstrous creatures. Additionally, she, who had just broken through the peak of Tier 1, had already filled her experience bar. The thrill of growth was palpable, but so was the exhaustion that came with it. At this moment, Vincent, who had just stored away the 6th epic-grade skill book he had upgraded, noticed that Clauny was trying to say something. "What is it?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious. Clauny answered after a short hesitation, "Can we take a rest? My experience bar is already full. I would like to convert it to purified energy, if you don''t mind¡­" Vincent simply nodded in understanding. She wasn''t like him. Aside from having a bigger experience pool, he had a lot of use for his experience points. For Clauny, this was a crucial step in her growth, and he respected that. Clauny responded with a cheerful smile before sitting cross-legged on the side, her posture relaxed but focused. She closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she began the process of converting her experience. Vincent stared at her for a moment before ordering a few of his Umbral Rats to stand guard and protect her. On the other hand, Mochi simply lay down beside her, her long ears twitching occasionally as she kept watch. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent also sat on the other side and began replenishing his Origin Energy. He decided to take a rest as well. It had been a couple of hours since he started exploring the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth, and even he needed a moment to recover. After some time, he opened his eyes and looked at Clauny. She was still converting her experience points into purified energy, her concentration unbroken. The faint glow around her grew brighter, a sign that the process was nearing completion. As he was wondering how long it would take before she finished cultivating, he suddenly received a signal from one of his Umbral Rats that was positioned several meters behind them. His Umbral Rat had encountered something, and soon he couldn''t help but frown when the connection between him and his summon suddenly disappeared. "Hmm¡­" Vincent muttered, his expression darkening. He stood up and stared in the direction where his Umbral Rat had been positioned. His eyes narrowed as he tried to sense what had caused the disruption. A few moments later, Mochi''s long ears twitched as several footsteps could be heard in the distance. She perked up and looked in her master''s direction. Seeing Vincent composed, she went back to sleep, seemingly unbothered. At this moment, a man''s voice rang out from a distance. "Look, boss. There''s actually someone who arrived here before us!" "Boss! Boss! Look at that!" another man exclaimed, pointing at Clauny, who was still deep in meditation. "Oh, boss! That''s a jackpot!" another one chimed in, his voice filled with greed. Chapter 169 - 169: Another Encounter (2) "Boss! Boss! Look at that!" another man exclaimed, pointing at Clauny, who was still deep in meditation. "Oh, boss! That''s a jackpot!" another one chimed in, his voice filled with greed. "Hmph. You idiots really have no taste. I''m definitely way better than her!" a slightly feminine voice said, dripping with arrogance. "Oh, fuck off, Yasmine. You''re not even a man. How can you be better than a woman? You''ll never beat a woman in your lifetime in terms of appearance!" The moment the guy said it, Yasmine''s purple-bleached eyebrows rose in annoyance. "What did ya just say? You''re telling me, this beauty?" Yasmine struck a pose, trying to appear sexy, and continued, "...can''t beat any woman? I guess you don''t need your eyes anymore." When Yasmine spoke those words coldly, the man subconsciously retreated. Although Yasmine was usually a chill person, she never tolerated any insults regarding her appearance. "H-Hehe, of course, I''m just kidding. You know you''re our sexy rose in our party, right? In our eyes, there will never be anyone better than you. Do you agree with me, right?!" he said, looking at the other two men beside him with a pleading expression. "Hmph!" Yasmine simply responded with a cold harrumph before shifting her attention to their leader. "Boss, are you alright?" At this moment, the ''boss'' was ignoring their conversation. His gaze was locked on the purple-haired young man. "Vincent Magnus..." he coldly muttered, his voice low and filled with disdain. Hearing his name being spoken, Vincent opened his eyes. He looked at the person who had uttered his name. It was a good-looking young man with long black hair. He was wearing a familiar martial robe, the same robe that Lin Feng usually wore. Confused, Vincent asked, "Do I know you?" The man scoffed at his question, his expression one of contempt. "My younger brother has been pestering me for weeks to look for you. It was your fault that father became cold to him." Vincent kept his silence. He already had a guess about the man''s identity, but he still asked, "Who are you?" "You''re truly ignorant. Open your eyes and listen closely. I''m Lin Baxi, Lin Feng''s elder brother!" Vincent''s guess was on point. It wasn''t strange, as Lin Baxi and Lin Feng resembled each other closely. At this moment, Yasmine chimed in, "Boss, do you know that little handsome?" Lin Baxi simply answered, "He''s Vincent Magnus. He attended the same school as my younger brother." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hoh... a schoolmate of the young boss. What are you going to do with him? If you don''t mind, you can leave him to me. You know how much I love to play with handsome boys," Yasmine said before licking her glossy, thick lips. The moment the trio behind her heard her words, they couldn''t help but feel goosebumps all over their bodies, just imagining what Yasmine would do. At the same time, Clauny, who had been meditating, finally opened her eyes and immediately noticed the arrival of Lin Baxi''s group. She overheard their conversation and felt a sense of unease. She carried Mochi in her arms and went to stand beside Vincent. Softly, she asked, "Do you know them?" She was wary. Just by the simple exchange she had overheard, the presence of the other party was not good news. Vincent gave her a brief explanation about Lin Baxi''s background and his connection with Lin Feng. Clauny''s expression became worried. "What are we going to do? Are we running?" Vincent simply smiled at her as he gently patted her head. "Relax. There''s nothing scary about a bunch of clowns," Vincent said, loud enough for Lin Baxi''s group to hear. "Boss! You heard that arrogant kid?! He called us a bunch of clowns!" "Boss! Let us three handle him! We''ll make sure he won''t be able to look you in the eyes!" "That''s right, boss! You don''t need to dirty your hands with just a kid! I can handle him on my own!" Lin Baxi coldly glanced at them. "Are you sure? Let me inform you. He was able to fight head-to-head with the Alpha." Hearing his words, the trio slowly turned to him in disbelief. "The Alpha? Are you pulling our legs, boss?" Lin Baxi ignored them. He didn''t respond. He believed they knew that he wasn''t the type to joke with them. Lin Baxi was also in disbelief when he learned it. Although the Alpha had lowered his level at that moment, he was still one of the only few S-rank talent holders in Bronzehaven Arc. It was not normal for a mere C-rank Origin Warrior to fight against the Alpha without getting injured at all. As much as he hated Vincent, he was not stupid enough to assume that Vincent had no secrets. He must have something within him that gave him the ability to stand toe-to-toe with the Alpha. That''s what he wanted to learn. Therefore, he had been looking for him for a while¡ªnot because his younger brother asked him, but because of his own interest. Despite his curiosity, he wasn''t a reckless person. In order to test Vincent''s current strength, he ordered the trio who had been boasting earlier to fight Vincent. "You three kept on yapping. Go get him!" The trio glanced at each other before nodding at the same time. "Yes, boss!" Without any hesitation, the trio took a combat position and rushed at Vincent. At the same time, Vincent faced them after letting Clauny stand behind him. "Stay back," Vincent said calmly. "Please, be careful!" Clauny urged, her voice filled with concern. At this moment, sharp lights flashed as the trio summoned thin longswords and slashed them toward Vincent! "Die, kid!" "You better learn to pay respect to someone stronger than you next time!" Vincent remained motionless despite their attacks. The trio couldn''t help but grin, thinking that he was frozen, scared silly because of their attacks. However, their grins instantly disappeared when they felt their swords collide with something metallic upon hitting Vincent''s body. Their arms went completely numb as they fell back, their expressions turning from confidence to shock. "What in the world are you...?" one of them stammered, his voice trembling with fear. Vincent''s gaze was steady and unyielding. "Is that all you''ve got?" he asked, his tone almost mocking. The trio gritted their teeth, unwilling to admit defeat. They regrouped and prepared for another attack, but their confidence had been thoroughly shaken. Lin Baxi watched the exchange with a calculating expression. He wasn''t surprised by the outcome¡ªhe had anticipated as much. But now, his curiosity only deepened. "Stand down," he ordered the trio, his voice cutting through their hesitation. Relieved to be spared further humiliation, the three men quickly retreated behind him. Chapter 170 - 170: A Satisfying Slap! Lin Baxi observed the exchange with a calculating expression. He wasn''t surprised by the outcome¡ªhe had anticipated as much. Yet now, his curiosity only deepened. "Stand down," he ordered the trio, his voice cutting through their hesitation. Relieved to be spared further humiliation, the three men quickly retreated behind him. Lin Baxi''s sharp gaze locked onto Vincent. As far as he remembered, Vincent was only at the peak of Tier 1 not long ago. And yet, this recently awakened Origin Warrior was already strong enough to withstand a group of Tier 2 (3¡ï) Origin Warriors without so much as a scratch! Even with his own B-rank talent, Lin Baxi had required considerable time to reach his current level. Vincent, on the other hand, wasn''t surprised in the slightest. With his current Force points, the effects of his epic-grade skill, Impervious Silver Armor, and his epic-grade armament¡ªObsidian Aegis, it was obvious that their attacks would never break through his defense. Impervious Silver Armor Grade: Epic Details: This passive skill creates an armor-like coating on the user''s skin, imbuing them with the resilience and durability of sterling silver. It increases the user''s physical strength by 60%, allowing them to strike with greater force and withstand heavy damage. The silver coating also enhances speed, reflexes, and resistance to magical and elemental attacks. Vincent still had a variety of skills in his arsenal that could further enhance his defense. If mere Tier 2 (3¡ï) Origin Warriors and Tier 1 armaments could pierce his sky-high defenses, that would have been a real surprise. Unfortunately, his opponents had no way of knowing this. If they did, they likely wouldn''t have dared to provoke him. At that moment, a purple-haired woman with a rough-looking appearance, Yasmine, spoke in a flirtatious tone. "Ughhh! That was so hot! You''re not just handsome¡ªyou''re strong too! Ugh!" The moment Vincent heard her voice, goosebumps ran down his entire body. Her voice... It sounded like a big man desperately trying to sound like a woman. "Hohoho~" Yasmine giggled, covering her mouth with a large, manly hand. "Are you feeling excited?" She had completely misunderstood his reaction. Turning toward Lin Baxi, she fluttered her lashes dramatically. "Boss, I like him! I want him! Can you let me have him? He''s exactly my type." Lin Baxi considered it for a moment before making his decision. This was perfect timing¡ªhe had already planned to send Yasmine to test Vincent further. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a casual nod, he responded, "Alright. Do what you want." Yasmine''s grin widened in excitement. "Thank you, boss~! Love ya!" She blew him a flying kiss, which Lin Baxi completely ignored. The trio standing nearby shivered in disgust. No matter how many times they had witnessed this, they still couldn''t get used to it. Yasmine slowly stepped forward, swaying her bulky hips dramatically. "Are you ready to have some fun, handsome?" Vincent said nothing. He couldn''t even look straight at her. Naturally, Yasmine misunderstood this as well. "Awww, are you shy?" she teased, waving her hand. In an instant, a purple fan materialized in her right hand. She flicked it open, revealing an exquisite floral design. Then, with a swift motion, she sent a purple wave of energy outward. As it surged forward, the energy morphed into a glowing purple butterfly. With another flick of her fan, a second purple butterfly formed. She continued waving her fan, releasing dozens of purple energy butterflies that fluttered around her. She smiled at Vincent and spoke in her forced girly voice, "Take this gift from me, handsome." With a final wave, the purple butterflies shot toward Vincent. Swoosh! Swoosh! Vincent remained motionless as the butterflies approached. At that exact moment, Yasmine snapped her fan shut and shouted, "This is my art¡ªExplode!" Boom! Boom! Multiple explosions erupted simultaneously, sending thick purple smoke billowing into the air, completely shrouding Vincent''s figure. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed, shielding her eyes from the fierce winds caused by the explosion. A transparent energy barrier shimmered around her and Mochi. "Haha! Nice shot, Yasmine!" "Well done, Yasmine!" "Haha! Serves him right!" The trio, who had been humiliated earlier, cheered excitedly. But Lin Baxi remained serious. He refused to celebrate until he saw Vincent''s corpse. Meanwhile, Yasmine was already feeling proud of her actions. She was confident that Vincent had been critically injured¡ªif not outright killed. Of course, she held back at the last second. "Forgive me, handsome~," Yasmine cooed, her voice dropping slightly. "Don''t worry, it''ll only hurt for a moment. After that, you might even enjoy it. Hohoho~" Just as she finished speaking, a voice rang through the smoke. "Painful? Did you do something?" The purple haze dissipated, revealing Vincent''s completely unscathed figure. "Shroud!" Clauny sighed in relief. Yasmine''s confident expression stiffened. "Hoh... You''re quite tenacious, handsome." Deep inside, however, she was shocked. Frustrated, she snapped open her fan once again, sending another volley of purple energy butterflies. But before they could even get close, a wave of mental energy surged outward. Boom! The butterflies exploded mid-air before they even reached him. Yasmine''s expression froze. "You''re quite the naughty one, handsome~" she cooed, retreating cautiously. "Hoho¡­ But I love you even more for that~. I''ll make sure to teach you a proper lesson, hohoho~" She closed her fan and took a stance. In the next instant, a purple aura surged from her fan, enveloping her entire body. Her eyes gleamed with a bright violet light as a pair of purple wings sprouted behind her. A set of butterfly-like antennae emerged on her forehead. "Behold my true beauty~! This is my second gift to you! I''m coming, handsome~!" With a sudden burst of power, Yasmine launched herself toward Vincent. "Take my love punch, handsome~!" Her arms doubled in size as she hurled a powerful punch forward. "Haaa!" A fierce wind followed the strike. Vincent''s expression darkened. This was the most annoyed he had ever felt in a fight. Not even when he fought Clark Boltor had he been this irritated. His patience snapped. With cold indifference, he slowly raised his hand¡ªintending to block her attack barehanded. Seeing this, Yasmine felt insulted. "Arrogant, handsome!" she huffed, pouring even more strength into her punch. Boom! A powerful shockwave erupted upon impact. "H-How can you block my atta--" Before she could finish her sentence¡ª Pang! A crisp slap struck her left cheek. "Aghhh!" Yasmine yelped, clutching her face. "You dare to slap--" Pang! A loud, crisp slap echoed again. Pang! "Aghhh! W-Wait! Let me¡ª" Pang! "L-Listen¡ª" Pang! Yasmine''s protests were cut off by another brutal slap. Each time she opened her mouth, Vincent''s hand flashed faster than her words, smacking her across the face. Her purple aura flickered, her stance faltering with every strike. The once flirtatious and confident Yasmine now looked utterly stunned, bewildered, and in pain. The surrounding onlookers stood frozen, their expressions twisted in disbelief. Even the trio, who had been celebrating earlier, now gawked in stunned silence. Only Lin Baxi remained composed, but his eyes darkened with each passing second. At that moment, the sharp hum of a sword rang through the air. A surging wave of sword energy suddenly shot toward Vincent with deadly precision. Vincent''s gaze flickered. He sensed it instantly. Without hesitation, he grabbed Yasmine and tossed her aside like a rag doll before vanishing from his spot. In the next instant, he reappeared beside Clauny, then vanished again, taking her with him. The incoming sword energy missed its target entirely. It shot forward, slicing through the air for several meters before slamming into a distant tree. BOOOOM! The force of the attack shattered the tree, leaving behind a deep fissure in the ground. The earth trembled beneath their feet. A suffocating silence followed. Then, Lin Baxi''s cold, furious voice broke through the tension. "Hmph! Get back here, Yasmine. Stop humiliating me." Yasmine, who had been lying on the ground, staggered to her feet, still dazed from Vincent''s relentless slaps. "B-But, boss¡ª" "Get. Back. Here." Lin Baxi''s tone was sharp and final. Hearing the clear displeasure in his voice, Yasmine had no choice but to obey. With one last venomous glare at Vincent, she reluctantly retreated to Lin Baxi''s side, her face still red and swollen. Lin Baxi stared at Vincent, his expression growing darker. He had already assumed Vincent had grown stronger, but... He had still underestimated him. Yasmine wasn''t just some lackey¡ªshe was a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior with a C-rank talent. Yet despite that, she couldn''t even leave a scratch on him. Even more shocking¡ª Vincent had dodged Lin Baxi''s surprise attack as if it were nothing. In that short, ridiculous exchange, Lin Baxi had already gauged Vincent''s strength. And the conclusion? Vincent was far beyond a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. It was almost unbelievable. Vincent had only been Tier 1 a little over a week ago. And yet, now, he had the strength to dominate a Peak Tier 2 B-rank talent holder without breaking a sweat. Impossible. There was only one explanation. Vincent had a secret. A massive, world-shaking secret that allowed him to grow at an unnatural speed. Lin Baxi''s lips curled into a smirk as his killing intent sharpened. He spoke, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I don''t know what secret you''re hiding, but I will uncover it¡­ and make it mine." Chapter 171 - 171: 171 Lin Baxi''s lips curled into a smirk as his killing intent sharpened. His voice carried a dangerous edge as he spoke. "I don''t know what secret you''re hiding, but I will uncover it¡­ and make it mine." Despite hearing this, Vincent showed no reaction. There was simply no way Lin Baxi could take something intangible. Vincent''s talent was his alone, and no one else could utilize it. Even so, Vincent didn''t appreciate anyone coveting what was his. Furthermore, Lin Baxi''s killing intent was unmistakable. Vincent would never show mercy to someone who sought his death. After summoning a few more umbral rats to stand guard and protect Clauny, Vincent stepped forward, his expression stoic as ever. Clauny could only whisper his name with a concerned expression. "Shroud¡­" At that moment, Lin Baxi also stepped forward, his gaze locked directly on Vincent. "Heh. You''re truly full of surprises. You, a mere C-rank talent holder, managed to grow at such a speed. Those old farts from the different associations will probably do everything to learn your secret¡­" Lin Baxi paused, his smile deepening before he smirked. "... Unfortunately, they will never find it out because... I WILL TAKE IT!" With a loud grunt, a powerful aura burst from his body, spreading in all directions and causing a fierce wind. Azure energy radiated outward, showcasing his Tier 3 strength. Lin Baxi took a step forward, clutching the hilt of his sword, which was sheathed in a sleek azure scabbard. In the next second, his figure vanished, leaving behind an afterimage and a trail of lightning as he reappeared instantly in front of Vincent. Lin Family Sword Technique ¨C 2nd Move, Lightning Slash!! "Die!" Lin Baxi exclaimed as he hurled his silver sword, which crackled with azure light and destructive force. Just before the sword could strike, Vincent simply raised his right arm, now coated in sleek silver, and caught Lin Baxi''s sword barehanded. Bang! A loud explosion resounded upon impact, creating a shockwave that caused deep fractures in the ground. Yet, Vincent stood perfectly still. "Die? With just this?" He glanced at Lin Baxi''s sword before shifting his attention back to him. Lin Baxi''s expression darkened slightly as his eyes narrowed, but he wasn''t disappointed. He simply unsummoned his sword, causing it to vanish from Vincent''s grip, before reappearing in his other hand. He swung the sword again, this time diagonally toward Vincent''s neck. His killing intent was unmistakable¡ªhe wanted to end Vincent in one swift strike! However, to his surprise, Vincent didn''t dodge or block. Instead, he tilted his head, leaving his neck wide open for Lin Baxi to strike. Lin Baxi frowned, displeased. He felt Vincent was underestimating him, so he increased the force of his strike and let out a loud grunt. "Haaa!" But a loud ''Clang'' echoed as his sword bounced back the moment it collided with Vincent''s neck, which had transformed into sleek silver skin. Lin Baxi''s frown deepened. He was genuinely curious about Vincent''s defensive skill. _He must have a rare-grade defensive skill!_ he thought. Why? Because his Silver-Winged Sparrow Sword was a rare-grade Tier 2 Armament! It was impossible for a low-quality defensive skill or technique to completely block his armament without leaving even a scratch. His eyes glowed dangerously as he realized Vincent had more than one secret. He was even more eager to uncover them. At that moment, his attention was drawn to the fragile-looking lady behind Vincent, who was watching with a worried expression. Lin Baxi''s eyes brightened as he grinned inwardly, though he kept his outward expression stern. He glanced at the trio and Yasmine, who were silently spectating behind him. This subtle action didn''t escape Vincent''s notice, but he wasn''t worried in the slightest. Just as Lin Baxi was about to move, he suddenly swung his sword, releasing a wave of sharp azure energy that launched swiftly toward Vincent. In response, Vincent simply waved his hand and summoned a couple of Energy Lances, hurling them toward the incoming sword energy. Boom! Loud explosions erupted upon impact, and thick smoke obscured their vision. Swish! Purple shadows pierced through the smoke, flashing straight at Vincent before exploding. Boom! Boom! A flurry of explosions followed as Vincent was bombarded with purple energy. Needless to say, it was Yasmine''s attack! At the same moment, the trio behind Lin Baxi exchanged glances and nodded before disappearing. Yasmine didn''t stop. She continuously sent purple butterfly explosions toward Vincent until she finally halted, gasping deeply for air, utterly exhausted. "Ha~ That''s all I can do, boss. You have no mercy for my beauty! Ha~" Lin Baxi ignored her, keeping his focus on Vincent''s direction. Soon, a figure emerged from the thick smoke, walking confidently as if nothing had happened. "Tsk!" Lin Baxi couldn''t help but click his tongue in annoyance. But he had already expected this. He took a stance, gripping the hilt of his sword firmly in front of him. Boom! His aura surged upward, causing fierce winds and leaving deep fractures in the ground around him. Particles of azure light began to converge around his sword. Once the blade became a beam of light, he raised his arm and slashed it down. Lin Family Sword Technique ¨C 5th Move, Azure Blade!! Hummmm! A beam of sword energy launched forward, accompanied by a reverberating hum. Though the sound was tranquil, the beam was filled with destructive power. The beam cut through the ground as it traveled swiftly toward Vincent. Seeing the incoming attack, Vincent felt the destructive power it emitted. However, instead of drawing his armament to defend himself, he decided to test the limits of his current defense. Under Lin Baxi''s watchful gaze, Vincent simply stretched out his right arm. "Arrogant!" Lin Baxi spat furiously. He hated how Vincent continued to underestimate him. But this was the best situation for him. At the same time, a deafening explosion occurred as the sword beam collided with Vincent''s palm. Vincent felt a strong force and pressure pushing him backward. Hmmm~ The sword beam continued to hum as visible cuts began to appear on his palm. "So this is the limit of my current defense¡­" he thought. But as soon as the cuts appeared, they immediately healed due to his high recovery ability and regeneration skill. With a cold harrumph, he clenched his hand into a fist and hurled it at the sword beam. Bam! Crack~ The sword beam cracked momentarily before exploding into a massive shockwave that cleared the thick smoke. Vincent''s action shocked both Yasmine and Lin Baxi. "T-That''s impossible¡­" Lin Baxi muttered in disbelief. There was no way Vincent had just punched away his best offensive skill! However, before he could dwell on his confusion, Vincent suddenly appeared in front of him like a ghost and uttered, "You''re pathetic, just like your brother¡­" With a swift, almost invisible movement, Vincent punched Lin Baxi in the gut, sending him flying. "Ugh!" Crash! "B-Boss!" Yasmine exclaimed in deep shock. Her powerful boss had been sent flying with a single punch and crashed to the ground, leaving a trail of blood. "Cough!" Lin Baxi coughed out blood as he clutched his abdomen, unsteadily rising to his feet with a hateful gaze and a hint of fear. Vincent''s attack was so fast that Lin Baxi couldn''t react. He felt fear as Vincent''s simple punch broke through all his defenses! He was wearing a rare-grade armor-type armament! It had been a long time since someone had made him cough blood. And it was from someone several years younger than him! If his father found out, he would undoubtedly face severe punishment. He felt indignant but had no choice but to accept it. He was far weaker than Vincent. "Damn it! If I had just had more time to master my father''s sword technique, I could easily beat this arrogant bastard!" he thought in frustration. However, he couldn''t dwell on his thoughts as Vincent began to walk toward him again. But this time, the voice of the trio broke the tension. "Stop! Take one more step, and we will kill her!" Vincent snapped around and looked behind him. He immediately saw the trio holding Clauny. One of them was covering her mouth, while another held her arms. The third was holding Mochi, whose head was covered by a sack. Vincent frowned as soon as he saw this. He wondered what had happened to his umbral rats¡ªhe hadn''t received any alarm indicating he had lost connection with them. He scanned behind the trio and saw his umbral rats staring dazed at the sky. What had happened? On the other hand, Lin Baxi''s expression brightened. "Haha. What now, little bastard? We''ve got your girlfriend! Why don''t you take another step and see her die? I dare you! Heh!" However, just as he said that, Vincent''s figure blurred, disappeared, and reappeared in front of the trio in an instant. Before they could react, a powerful pressure pressed down on them, forcing them to their knees with a heavy thud. "Urghk!" They could only groan in pain as they clutched their necks, unable to breathe. The pressure was suffocating them! "B-Boss..!" Bam! One of the trio''s heads, who had managed to utter a word, suddenly exploded, splattering blood everywhere. The remaining two were stunned in deep shock as they reached out toward Lin Baxi, pleading for help. However, to their surprise, the moment one of the trio died, Lin Baxi pulled out a scroll. "W-We will meet again, Vincent Magnus! I will take everything from you!" As soon as he said this, he tore the scroll in his hand and vanished, leaving the shocked Yasmine alone. Even the remaining two of the trio could only watch in utter disbelief. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent couldn''t help but frown. "Isn''t it prohibited to use an escape scroll in this labyrinth?" he thought in confusion. Vincent was right¡ªit was impossible to use an escape scroll in the labyrinth. What Lin Baxi had used was a random labyrinth teleport scroll, a special type of scroll designed for labyrinth exploration. Unfortunately, Vincent had no idea about this, and he had no time to care as he quickly beheaded the remaining two men who were crawling on the ground. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed as she dashed into Vincent''s arms. Vincent softly patted her back to comfort her. "How are you? Are you hurt?" Clauny looked up at him with teary eyes before shaking her head softly. "I''m fine..." she whispered, "thank you." Vincent simply nodded upon seeing that she was unharmed before turning to face Yasmine, who was still stunned after being left behind by Lin Baxi. "Now, what should I do with you...?" Chapter 172 - 172: 172 "Stop! Take one more step, and we will kill her!" Vincent snapped around and looked behind him. He immediately saw the trio holding Clauny. One of them was covering her mouth, while another held her arms. The third was holding Mochi, whose head was covered by a sack. Vincent frowned as soon as he saw this. He wondered what had happened to his umbral rats¡ªhe hadn''t received any alarm indicating he had lost connection with them. He scanned behind the trio and saw his umbral rats staring dazed at the sky. What had happened? On the other hand, Lin Baxi''s expression brightened. "Haha. What now, little bastard? We''ve got your girlfriend! Why don''t you take another step and see her die? I dare you! Heh!" However, just as he said that, Vincent''s figure blurred, disappeared, and reappeared in front of the trio in an instant. Before they could react, a powerful pressure pressed down on them, forcing them to their knees with a heavy thud. "Urghk!" They could only groan in pain as they clutched their necks, unable to breathe. The pressure was suffocating them! "B-Boss..!" Bam! One of the trio''s heads, who had managed to utter a word, suddenly exploded, splattering blood everywhere. The remaining two were stunned in deep shock as they reached out toward Lin Baxi, pleading for help. However, to their surprise, the moment one of the trio died, Lin Baxi pulled out a scroll. "W-We will meet again, Vincent Magnus! I will take everything from you!" As soon as he said this, he tore the scroll in his hand and vanished, leaving the shocked Yasmine alone. Even the remaining two of the trio could only watch in utter disbelief. Vincent couldn''t help but frown. "Isn''t it prohibited to use an escape scroll in this labyrinth?" he thought in confusion. Vincent was right¡ªit was impossible to use an escape scroll in the labyrinth. What Lin Baxi had used was a random labyrinth teleport scroll, a special type of scroll designed for labyrinth exploration. Unfortunately, Vincent had no idea about this, and he had no time to care as he quickly beheaded the remaining two men who were crawling on the ground. "Shroud!" Clauny exclaimed as she dashed into Vincent''s arms. Vincent softly patted her back to comfort her. "How are you? Are you hurt?" Clauny looked up at him with teary eyes before shaking her head softly. "I''m fine..." she whispered, "thank you." Vincent gave a simple nod, his sharp eyes scanning her to confirm she was unharmed. Satisfied, he turned his attention to Yasmine, who stood frozen, her face a mask of shock and disbelief after being abandoned by Lin Baxi. "Now, what should I do with you¡­?" Vincent''s voice was low, almost contemplative, but laced with an undercurrent of menace that sent a shiver down Yasmine''s spine. Yasmine''s wide eyes met his, her expression a tangled web of fear, anger, and betrayal. Her lips parted, but no coherent words came out¡ªonly a stuttered, "A-Ah¡­" She was torn. On one hand, the chilling fear of Vincent''s potential wrath gripped her, threatening to crush her resolve. On the other, the searing fury of being discarded by her own leader burned in her chest, leaving her feeling hollow and used. The weight of these conflicting emotions proved too much. Her body swayed, her vision blurred, and with a soft thud, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Vincent and Clauny exchanged a brief, incredulous glance. Clauny raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching as if suppressing a laugh, while Vincent simply sighed, running a hand through his hair in mild exasperation. "What are you going to do with her now?" Clauny asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and amusement. Vincent''s gaze lingered on Yasmine''s crumpled form for a moment before he gestured to his umbral rats, who had now regained their senses. With a flick of his wrist, the shadowy creatures scurried forward, their glowing eyes glinting with eerie intelligence. They seized Yasmine with surprising gentleness, dragging her toward a nearby area teeming with primal creatures. The dense foliage rustled as they disappeared into the shadows, leaving Clauny to watch with a mixture of awe and unease. After that, Vincent ignored it and they marched forward. He could already sense that they were closed at the core area of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "Let''s go." But just as he took a step forward, a high-pitched, indignant voice screeched in his mind, "Stupid Master!" Vincent paused, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ''Oh, right¡­'' he thought, his gaze sweeping the area until it landed on a small, tightly bound sack. Inside, Mochi squirmed, his tiny form wriggling furiously as he glared up at Vincent with all the indignation a small creature could muster. "Did you just forget about me?!" "No, I didn''t." He responded without a beat but in reality he really forgot about her. "Yes you did!" "No¡­" On the side, Clauny couldn''t help but let out a soft giggle as she watched the cute, fat rabbit making furious noises at Vincent. "Hehehe¡­" Vincent and Clauny encountered only a few Primals before arriving at a towering dark tree, its massive trunk emanating a sinister aura. "Is this the boss room?" Clauny murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Vincent didn''t respond. His gaze remained locked on the enormous wooden double doors embedded within the trunk of the dark tree. His brows furrowed deeply as an unsettling yet familiar sensation stirred within him, emanating from beyond the doors. Even Mochi sensed it. "Stupid master, there''s something good in there! Let''s go!" she exclaimed excitedly in his mind. Vincent could only shake his head wryly. "Let''s go. Stay behind me," he said, stepping forward to push open the doors. Clauny, holding Mochi in her arms, followed silently without question. As soon as the doors creaked open, a chilling wind billowed out from the darkness, carrying an eerie stillness. A deep thud echoed as the doors abruptly shut behind them, sealing them inside. Clauny instinctively stepped closer to Vincent, her wariness growing. The chamber was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from flickering jade-fire lamps affixed to the walls, casting eerie, dancing shadows. "Shroud¡­" Clauny whispered, tugging lightly at the corner of his clothes. A suffocating pressure filled the air, an oppressive force weighing down on her, making her legs tremble. A voice suddenly broke the silence. "Aren''t you a little too old to be picking up women? Hmph!" Vincent''s expression turned cold. His gaze remained fixed in the same direction he had been looking all this time before he let out a sharp snort. Without hesitation, he released a surge of mental energy, instantly dispelling the oppressive force suffocating Clauny. "Haaa~" Clauny let out a shaky breath, her body finally freed from the crushing pressure. A deep, reverberating laughter echoed through the chamber, and in an instant, the surrounding darkness retreated, revealing the chamber''s full grandeur. The space was far more extravagant than the exterior suggested. The polished marble floor gleamed with a deep, dark purple hue, and massive stone pillars lined the chamber, their intricate carvings exuding an aura of ancient power. At the far end, a grand staircase led up to a throne. Seated upon it was a figure Vincent recognized instantly. A familiar, shadowed silhouette. The same entity he had encountered in the Blackbite Rat Labyrinth. The very individual Grarik had released. Vash Volcane (Primalized) Race: Demi-human Power: Peak Tier 3 The last time Vincent had faced him, Vash had only been at the early stage of Tier 3. But now¡­ he had reached the peak. Vincent''s expression darkened, his gaze sharpening. He had never expected to meet this monster here. And despite his current strength, he could feel the immense pressure radiating from Vash¡ªan entirely different kind of power compared to Valyn or any other Tier 3 Origin Warriors he had encountered. His instincts screamed at him. This¡­ would be his most difficult battle since becoming an Origin Warrior. Yet, despite Vincent''s tense posture, Vash remained relaxed, a subtle, knowing smile playing on his lips. "You''re quite an interesting human," he mused. "It''s been a while." Vincent ignored his words, remaining silent. Vash, unfazed, let out a smirk. "You don''t have to be so tense," he said, leaning back against his throne. "Do you think I can''t feel it?" His words sent a flicker of confusion through Vincent''s mind. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," Vincent replied coldly. But Vash only chuckled, his expression filled with amusement¡ªas if he saw through the lie. "There''s no need to hide it from me. I was born from that energy too." His smirk deepened. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We are the same." Vincent''s fingers twitched, but he remained silent. Vash continued, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "I don''t understand you. Despite having that power, why do you still side with humans? Aren''t they full of hypocrisy?" His golden eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and bitterness. "They act so kind at first¡­ but once they learn your secret?" His voice dropped lower, almost a growl. "You''ll find yourself losing everything." "They''re good when they need you. But once they don''t?" He scoffed. "They''ll toss you away like garbage." He leaned forward slightly, his expression darkening. "So, I''ll ask you once again¡­" His voice was firm, resonating through the chamber like a challenge. "Why are you still siding with humans?" Chapter 173 - 173: A Gift His voice was firm, cutting through the silence of the chamber like a blade, resonating with an unshakable resolve. "Why are you still siding with humans?" While Clauny stood bewildered, unsure of the context of their conversation, Vincent''s stern expression softened for a fleeting moment before twisting into a smirk, as if he had just heard something absurdly amusing. He replied simply, yet with unwavering conviction, "Because I''m a human." In truth, Vincent could see where Vash was coming from, but he wasn''t Vash. Though he, too, harbored doubts about humanity¡ªespecially the leaders of this era¡ªhe couldn''t deny his own nature. At the end of the day, he was human. His parents were human. His loved ones were human. He was human. To not side with humanity would be nothing short of foolish. That said, it didn''t mean he blindly trusted every human he encountered. He was a human with his own beliefs, his own principles, and his own code. The chamber fell into a heavy silence, broken only by Vash''s sudden, booming laughter. "Hahahaha!" Vash laughed uncontrollably, one hand pressed to his forehead as though he had just heard the most hilarious joke in existence. The chamber itself seemed to tremble under the weight of his laughter, the walls vibrating with each burst of sound. When Vash''s laughter finally subsided, the chamber returned to an uneasy stillness, the air thick with tension. Vash''s eyes gleamed with an unreadable intent, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Heh, you''re right. That was foolish of me to ask. You''re a human." He chuckled softly, the sound dripping with amusement, before repeating, "You''re a human¡­" His words lingered in the air, heavy with implication, and he gave Vincent a look that was both calculating and enigmatic. Vincent felt a flicker of confusion at Vash''s odd expression, but he quickly pushed it aside, his focus sharpening as he braced himself for any sudden attack. Yet, contrary to Vincent''s heightened alertness, Vash continued speaking in a casual, almost dismissive tone, as if the idea of a fight was the furthest thing from his mind. "Relax a little, kid. Do you really think you''d still be standing there if I wanted to fight you?" Vincent''s confusion deepened, his brow furrowing as he struggled to make sense of Vash''s demeanor. He decided to voice the questions burning in his mind. "Not trying to fight? Aren''t you the one behind the breakouts happening on the Novice Continent?" At Vincent''s question, Vash''s lips curved into a subtle smile, but he didn''t directly answer. Instead, he sidestepped the inquiry with a cryptic response. "I just wanted to meet you, that''s all." Vincent''s frown deepened, his suspicion growing with every word Vash spoke. He didn''t buy it for a second. Vash noticed his skepticism and let out a small, exasperated sigh, shaking his head as if dealing with a stubborn child. "You''re such a doubtful kid. Alright, I wanted to meet you because I thought you were like me. But it seems I was wrong... for now." His voice trailed off, leaving an unsettling pause that hung in the air like a storm cloud. Vincent caught the last part of Vash''s sentence, and it only deepened his unease. His frown tightened, his mind racing to decipher the hidden meaning behind Vash''s words. Suddenly, Vash turned his head sharply to the side, as if something had caught his attention. For a brief moment, his expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features before he regained his composure. He turned back to Vincent, his tone now carrying a note of finality. "Unfortunately, I''ll have to cut our conversation short. It was nice meeting you." With that, he rose to his full height, his presence commanding and imposing. "I''m sure we''ll meet again, and when that time comes, I hope you''ll join me by then..." With a casual wave of his hand, a swirling red portal materialized beside him, its edges crackling with energy. Just as he stepped toward it, he paused, as if remembering something important. "Oh, I almost forgot. I can''t simply leave without giving you a gift for our first official meeting." The moment the words left his lips, a massive figure plummeted from above, crashing into the ground with a deafening impact that shook the chamber to its core. Dust and debris filled the air, and the ground trembled beneath Vincent''s feet. "Hehe, I hope you like my gift." Without waiting for Vincent''s response, Vash stepped into the portal and vanished, leaving behind only the faint hum of energy as the portal closed. Vincent no longer had the luxury of worrying about Vash. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before him stood an almost 20-meter-tall primal if it was standing, its hulking form radiating raw power and menace. Its eyes glowed with a feral light, and its low, guttural growls echoed through the chamber, sending shivers down the spines of anyone who heard them. Umbra Tyrant ¡ª Tier 3 (2¡ï) (Half-Primalized) The Umbra Tyrant was a chimeric beast, a monstrous fusion of power and darkness. Its body resembled that of a sleek, muscular panther, covered in dark purple fur that seemed to absorb all light, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance. Glowing tendrils formed a pulsating crown on its head, and its enormous wings, tattered at the edges, oozed a shadow-like mist that trailed behind it like a sinister aura. Seeing this, Vincent felt an immediate sense of danger, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for the fight of his life. He slightly turned his head, glancing over his shoulder at Clauny. "Get to the back and protect yourself. I''ll end this quickly." Clauny hesitated for a moment, her concern evident in her eyes, but she knew her limitations. Reluctantly, she complied, stepping back to a safer distance. "I understand. Please be careful." Vincent simply nodded in response, his focus already shifting back to the towering beast before him. As soon as Clauny moved to the back, the Umbra Tyrant let out a reverberating growl that shook the chamber, causing faint tremors to ripple through the ground. Dark energy began to gather around its glowing tendrils, coalescing into a pulsating dark orb. It was the Umbra Tyrant''s skill: Dark Pulse! With a stomp of its massive leg, the dark orb shot toward Vincent like a laser cannon, its speed almost blinding. It was upon him in an instant, but Vincent was ready. He activated the second skill of his Obsidian Aegis armor: Aegis Ward! Skill 2: Aegis Ward Effect: Projects a protective barrier that absorbs a substantial amount of incoming damage for 8 seconds, providing a significant boost to defense in critical moments. While active, Aegis Ward also enhances resistance to all elemental attacks by 15%, making the wearer more resilient against magical effects and elemental-based attacks. A translucent shield of crimson and black energy formed around him, just in time to meet the incoming attack. Bang! The dark energy pulse collided with the Aegis Ward, the impact producing a deafening sound as Vincent was slightly pushed backward, his feet sliding across the ground. The dark pulse dissipated after three seconds, leaving him unscathed. The Umbra Tyrant growled, clearly annoyed by its failed attack. Without hesitation, it charged its tendrils once more and launched another Dark Pulse! Boom! This time, Vincent didn''t rely solely on his Aegis Ward to absorb the full force of the attack. Instead, he activated the second sub-skill of his Stoneheart Gauntlet: Stonebound Guard! Sub-skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Stonebound Guard generates a barrier of dense rock around the user, reducing all incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. While active, this shield emits a shockwave when struck, dealing 60% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage to nearby attackers within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback effect. A dense rock barrier materialized in front of him, intercepting the dark pulse. Boom! Despite the barrier''s damage-reducing effect, the dark pulse shattered the rock shield instantly, though its force was significantly weakened by the time it reached Vincent''s Aegis Ward. Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated his movement skill, Spectral Rift, and teleported into the air above the Umbra Tyrant. At that moment, the effect of his passive skill, Impervious Silver Armor, was fully active. The skin of his right arm gleamed with a metallic silver sheen, radiating power. He didn''t stop there. Vincent activated his epic-grade skill, Rending Strike! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact Effect: Cleaves through armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. His fist glowed dangerously with crimson light, the energy crackling around it like a storm waiting to be unleashed. But Vincent wasn''t done yet. He activated the third skill of his Obsidian Aegis¡ªUmbra Retribution! Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: When activated, Umbra Retribution stores up to 15% of the damage received over 5 seconds and then releases it as a shockwave of dark energy, dealing that accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. This shockwave has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. Vincent could feel an overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him, a thrilling sensation that made his heart race. With a loud grunt, he hurled his fist toward the massive head of the Umbra Tyrant. "Ha!!!" BOOM! An overwhelming force erupted upon impact, accompanied by a deafening explosion. The shockwaves that followed were so powerful that the chamber trembled violently, dust and debris raining down from the ceiling. "Kyaaah!" Clauny, standing at a distance, let out a yelp as the shockwaves reached her, forcing her to shield her eyes and brace herself against the force of the blast. Vincent and the Umbra Tyrant disappeared into the thick smoke that now filled the chamber, the aftermath of the devastating collision. Chapter 174 - 174: Going Back To Novice Center! While active, Aegis Ward also enhances resistance to all elemental attacks by 15%, making the wearer more resilient against magical effects and elemental-based attacks. A translucent shield of crimson and black energy formed around him, just in time to meet the incoming attack. Bang! The dark energy pulse collided with the Aegis Ward, the impact producing a deafening sound as Vincent was slightly pushed backward, his feet sliding across the ground. The dark pulse dissipated after three seconds, leaving him unscathed. The Umbra Tyrant growled, clearly annoyed by its failed attack. Without hesitation, it charged its tendrils once more and launched another Dark Pulse! Boom! This time, Vincent didn''t rely solely on his Aegis Ward to absorb the full force of the attack. Instead, he activated the second sub-skill of his Stoneheart Gauntlet: Stonebound Guard! Sub-skill 2: Stonebound Guard Effect: Stonebound Guard generates a barrier of dense rock around the user, reducing all incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. While active, this shield emits a shockwave when struck, dealing 60% of the user''s base physical damage as earth damage to nearby attackers within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback effect. A dense rock barrier materialized in front of him, intercepting the dark pulse. Boom! Despite the barrier''s damage-reducing effect, the dark pulse shattered the rock shield instantly, though its force was significantly weakened by the time it reached Vincent''s Aegis Ward. Seizing the opportunity, Vincent activated his movement skill, Spectral Rift, and teleported into the air above the Umbra Tyrant. At that moment, the effect of his passive skill, Impervious Silver Armor, was fully active. The skin of his right arm gleamed with a metallic silver sheen, radiating power. He didn''t stop there. Vincent activated his epic-grade skill, Rending Strike! Name: Rending Strike Grade: Epic Direct Impact Effect: Cleaves through armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses. His fist glowed dangerously with crimson light, the energy crackling around it like a storm waiting to be unleashed. But Vincent wasn''t done yet. He activated the third skill of his Obsidian Aegis¡ªUmbra Retribution! Skill 3: Umbra Retribution Effect: When activated, Umbra Retribution stores up to 15% of the damage received over 5 seconds and then releases it as a shockwave of dark energy, dealing that accumulated damage to nearby enemies within a 6-meter radius. This shockwave has a moderate chance to stagger foes, creating an opening for counterattacks or retreat. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent could feel an overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him, a thrilling sensation that made his heart race. With a loud grunt, he hurled his fist toward the massive head of the Umbra Tyrant. "Ha!!!" BOOM! An overwhelming force erupted upon impact, accompanied by a deafening explosion. The shockwaves that followed were so powerful that the chamber trembled violently, dust and debris raining down from the ceiling. "Kyaaah!" Clauny, standing at a distance, let out a yelp as the shockwaves reached her, forcing her to shield her eyes and brace herself against the force of the blast. Vincent and the Umbra Tyrant disappeared into the thick smoke that now filled the chamber. After a while, when the chamber regained its peace and the thick smoke finally dissipated, Clauny gasped in shock as she witnessed the scene before her. Vincent stood several meters away from the Umbra Tyrant. Its body had been obliterated into pieces from head to abdomen, leaving only its lower torso intact. Yet, for some reason, it remained standing upright. In her astonishment, countless black shadow tentacles began to gather, rapidly regenerating its missing body parts! "Impossible¡­" Clauny muttered in disbelief, her hand covering her mouth. Vincent wasn''t surprised. This was within his expectations, having encountered a halfprimalized creature before. Their regeneration abilities were truly insane. Therefore, he had no intention of letting it complete its recovery. With a simple raise of his hand, he summoned several Energy Lances above him. However, at that moment, black shadows appeared beneath him. In the next second, numerous black shadow tentacles burst forth, rushing toward him with incredible speed. Vincent paid them no mind as he waved his hand forward, launching the Energy Lances toward the Umbra Tyrant. In response, the shadow tentacles seized the opportunity, surging toward him, aiming to bind him. However, just as they thought they had succeeded, his figure suddenly became intangible, allowing the shadow tentacles to pass through him harmlessly. The shadow tentacles hesitated for a moment before attempting again. Yet, they still failed to even graze a single strand of his hair. This was the result of his legendary skill, Spectral Rift. Aside from allowing him to phase up to a 100meter distance, it could render his physical body intangible, granting him invulnerability for 3 seconds. Though brief, it was more than enough for him. Boom! His Energy Lances finally struck the recovering Umbra Tyrant, creating a deafening explosion and powerful shockwaves! The shadow tentacles writhed in pain before retracting back into the shadows. Despite the successful attack, Vincent launched more Energy Lances. Once he felt his Origin Energy depleted, he immediately absorbed an Origin Crystal, quickly replenishing his energy. He then hurled another series of Energy Lances! Vincent continued this relentless assault until he heard the system''s notification, followed by a black shadow that flashed and entered his body. You have successfully killed a Umbra Tyrant Tier 3(2¡ï)! You have received +1500 Primal Energy! You have learned Dark Pulse! You have learned Shadow Bind! You have learned Primal Regen! You have learned Primal Predator! The moment he heard the system''s notification, along with the other skills he had learned, he couldn''t help but frown slightly. _Is this what he meant as a gift?_ Vincent wondered if Vash had intentionally led him to fight the Umbra Tyrant to acquire these skills. Vincent''s assumption wasn''t far from Vash''s intention. Vash had wanted to give him a chance to obtain one of the Umbra Tyrant''s skills. However, Vash hadn''t expected that Vincent would acquire all of the known skills of the Umbra Tyrant! If Vash learned of this, he would likely be beyond shocked! Fortunately, he didn''t know. If he somehow found out, he would probably regret it. Vincent had no time to check his newly learned skills as Clauny approached him. "Shroud!" she called out. He turned to her. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Clauny''s first question was about his wellbeing, her worry evident. Vincent nodded and asked, "How about you? Are you alright?" Clauny nodded earnestly. She then asked, "How about that scary guy? Is he gone?" She was truly afraid of Vash''s presence. With her level, Vash''s sheer pressure was enough to make her tremble. Before Vincent could answer, Mochi, cradled in Clauny''s arms, chimed in, her childlike voice ringing in his mind. "Where''s that delicious guy?!" _Delicious guy?_ Vincent raised an eyebrow in brief confusion before quickly realizing she was referring to Vash Volcane. _She was probably attracted by Vash''s primal energy,_ he thought before completely ignoring her. "Come on, let''s leave," Vincent said. Clauny followed Vincent as they jumped into the portal exit that appeared after Vincent killed the Umbra Tyrant. In the Lin Family Residence, Lin Baxi''s chamber. Lin Baxi had successfully escaped the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth after using a random teleportation scroll and finding an exit point. His face was etched with anger. He felt utterly humiliated by Vincent. It had been a long time since someone dared to offend him! He wanted nothing more than to kill Vincent! "Steward!" he barked. As soon as he called out, a steward guarding his chamber rushed in. "First Young Master," the steward greeted respectfully. "Prepare for a meeting!" Lin Baxi commanded. "Understood!" the steward replied before quickly leaving, leaving Lin Baxi glaring furiously into the distance. Back to Vincent, they had now returned to the entrance of the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "Haaaa! We''re finally back!" Clauny exclaimed the moment they emerged from the labyrinth. She truly hated being inside that labyrinth. If not for her leader, she would never have considered exploring the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. "What''s your plan now? Do you have anywhere to go?" Vincent asked. His question brought her back to reality. That was right¡ªshe could no longer return to her guild. At the moment, she had nowhere to go. She had no idea what to do. As the realization sank in, her emotions overwhelmed her, and the corners of her eyes moistened. Vincent naturally noticed this and said, "If you like, you can help me with something." Hearing his words, Clauny''s interest was immediately piqued. She brushed away the tears in the corners of her eyes. "Of course, tell me. Anything, as long as I can repay you," she said earnestly. She was truly grateful for Vincent''s help. Once Vincent heard her response, he couldn''t help but recall a certain Drakorii who had given him a similar response. Vincent simply shook his head, setting aside unnecessary thoughts before telling her the same goal he had shared with Lizno. Once he finished explaining, she immediately responded, "I will do it! No, please let me do it!" She was eager! Naturally, Vincent''s offer was better than anything she could have asked for! Even large guilds couldn''t offer what Vincent was proposing! Seeing her eagerness to accept his offer, Vincent simply nodded. "Alright, then follow me. It''s time to go back. I''ve been gone for a while," he said. Chapter 175 - 175: Swift Travel Corp (1) Seeing her eagerness to accept his offer, Vincent simply nodded. "Alright, then follow me. It''s time to head back. I''ve been gone for a while," he said. That was right¡ªhis plans had changed. He had initially looked forward to exploring the other labyrinths around Freedom Swift City, but with Vash''s sudden appearance, he no longer had the luxury to do so. A heavy sense of inevitability pressed down on him. He could feel it¡ªsomething was pulling him into a larger scheme. And he hated it. He hated the feeling of being steered towards an unknown fate. He hated being manipulated. "If you want to drag me into your game, don''t blame me for tearing your entire scheme apart!" Vincent vowed silently as he led Clauny back toward Freedom Swift City. Carrying her all the way to the Novice Sanctuary was out of the question¡ªit would be far too exhausting, and if they traveled at her speed, it would take an absurd amount of time. By the time they neared the city gates, the second morning since his return to the Origin World had already arrived. Just as they were about to enter Freedom Swift City, Vincent spotted a familiar figure among a group of human warriors. It was Franco Bullocks¡ªthe same man he had met yesterday, the one who had informed him about the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth. At the same moment Vincent noticed him, Franco''s gaze landed on him as well. "Vincent Magnus¡­?" Franco muttered, his voice drawing the attention of his companions. "You know him?" one of them asked. "Yeah, he''s a schoolmate. Give me a minute." The man who had spoken simply nodded in understanding. Franco strode over, a grin on his face. "Magnus! Didn''t expect to run into you again. Where are you headed?" Before Vincent could answer, Franco continued excitedly, "Your timing is perfect! Remember what I told you? These are my guild party members, and we''re heading to the new labyrinth I mentioned. Want to join us?" He then turned toward the man who had questioned him earlier. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Leader Mak, is it alright if they tag along?" Leader Mak, a laid-back-looking man, gave a slight nod. "See? The leader already approved. Come on, stop hesitating!" Vincent felt a moment of awkwardness. Franco was simply being friendly by inviting him along. He considered explaining that he had already cleared the labyrinth. But after a brief pause, he dismissed the idea. Even if he told them, it wouldn''t change a thing. And more importantly, they wouldn''t believe him. Just as he was about to decline, Clauny, clueless as ever, suddenly spoke up. "Are you talking about the Corrupted Jungle Labyrinth?" Franco, seeing that she was Vincent''s companion, nodded. "Yeah, so you already know about it?" For some reason, Clauny was eager to answer. "Not only do we know about it¡ªwe just cleared it! Ah¡­ No, actually, Shroud cleared it alone, I was just¡ª" She was abruptly cut off by Vincent''s voice. "Clauny..." She turned to him, confused, only to see him rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. Then, she noticed Franco''s stunned expression. And it wasn''t just him. The entire group behind him wore looks of sheer disbelief. They did not believe her. Clauny looked at Vincent again, still failing to understand why they were reacting this way. Her confusion was broken by Franco''s stifled laughter. "Haha! Your companion sure has a wild imagination," Franco said, chuckling as he patted Vincent on the shoulder. Even his party members behind him let out amused chuckles. Seeing them laugh, Clauny''s face turned red with anger. She had spoken the truth, yet they were mocking her? She turned to Vincent, silently pleading for him to back her up. But he simply shook his head. "I appreciate the invitation, but we just got back and haven''t even rested yet," Vincent said. Since Vincent had already declined, Franco didn''t push any further. He simply nodded. "Alright, I get it. In that case, we''ll be heading off." "Hmm," Vincent responded with a simple nod. They watched as Franco and his group left. As soon as they were out of sight, Clauny turned to Vincent, frustration evident in her voice. "Why didn''t you tell them that you already cleared it?!" She felt embarrassed and ashamed that Vincent hadn''t backed her up. Vincent looked at her and gave a subtle smile. "What''s the point? Even if you told them the truth, they would still go there. No need to waste your breath trying to explain." As he finished speaking, he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Wha¡ª" "Come on, we need to catch a trip to No.3 Novice Sanctuary." "Wait for me!" After paying the city guards, Vincent relied on his memory and made his way toward the transportation terminal he had seen when he was with Valyn. After some walking, they arrived at a massive establishment. Swift Travel Corp. That was the name of the building. Just from the name alone, Vincent could tell¡ªif this place wasn''t directly owned by the Swift Clan, then they were certainly deeply connected to it. After asking for directions, they were guided to the ticket counter. The cost of travel from Freedom Swift City to the Novice Sanctuary was 3,000 Origin Crystals per ticket. When Clauny heard the price, she flat-out refused and insisted on walking back instead. It took Vincent quite some time to convince her otherwise. The Swift Travel Corp was an enormous facility, resembling a small airport with a spacious open area in the center. Various massive winged primals and bull-like creatures were stationed there, pulling elaborate carriages. After some time, they were notified that it was time to board. Following the crowd, they arrived at an open field where several colossal winged primals were waiting. Behind them were huge compartments filled with seats¡ªan aerial transport system eerily similar to an airplane. On instinct, Vincent activated Heaven Eyes and analyzed one of the creatures. [Blue Avior ¨C Tier 3 (2¡ï)] "So, it''s Tier 3..." he mused, realizing why the Blue Avior stood out among the other winged primals. It was immense, standing between 9 to 10 meters tall, with a body length of 12 to 13 meters and an incredible wingspan of 25 to 30 meters. At that moment, a towering figure suddenly appeared atop the head of the Blue Avior¡ªa 7-foot-tall humanoid clad in a pilot-like outfit. With a single glance, Vincent could tell¡ªthis was an Agisaur. [Cooper Xlo ¨C Tier 3 (1¡ï)] Chapter 176 - 176: Swift Travel Corp (2) "So, it''s Tier 3..." he mused, realizing why the Blue Avior stood out among the other winged primals. It was immense, standing between 9 to 10 meters tall, with a body length of 12 to 13 meters and an incredible wingspan of 25 to 30 meters. At that moment, a towering figure suddenly appeared atop the head of the Blue Avior¡ªa 7-foot-tall humanoid clad in a pilot-like outfit. With a single glance, Vincent could tell that the humanoid figure before him was an Agisaur. Cooper Xlo ¡ª Tier 3 (1¡ï) Cooper''s deep, commanding voice cut through the air like a blade. "Passengers of B.A flight, I''ll be your escort today¡ªCooper. We depart in five minutes. Board now, or you''ll be left behind." Vincent couldn''t help but be intrigued by the background and identity of the owner of Swift Travel Corp. A Tier 3 powerhouse¡ªreduced to a mere transportation escort? In the Novice Continent, where Tier 3 was the pinnacle of power, such warriors held significant influence. And yet, here, a Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡ªan Agisaur, no less¡ªwas nothing more than an escort for a travel company. There had to be someone immensely powerful pulling the strings behind Swift Travel Corp. Vincent was certain of it. Even Clauny, standing beside him, seemed uneasy. She glanced at the massive beast ahead and hesitantly pointed at it. "A-Are we riding that...?" she asked in a wary voice. Vincent turned to her, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Why? You don''t want to?" "N-No..." Vincent chuckled inwardly. He could tell that she was nervous¡ªand rightfully so. If he were just an ordinary Origin Warrior, or worse, an unawakened civilian, the sheer size of the Blue Avion alone would have been enough to terrify him. Fortunately, despite its colossal frame, the Blue Avion had a surprisingly majestic and serene appearance. Unlike most Primals, it lacked the usual savage and feral features. After a brief hesitation, they made their way up the makeshift stairway and took their seats. The Blue Avion had space for twenty passengers¡ªten seats lined up on either side. Vincent and Clauny settled into their seats at the front. Five minutes later... Cooper stepped forward, facing the passengers. "Alright, it looks like everyone is here. Sit tight and enjoy the trip¡ªwe''ll be arriving at No. 3 Novice Center in three hours." As he spoke, he gently tapped his foot. A translucent blue barrier shimmered into existence around them. At that moment, the Blue Avion let out a resounding screech. FLAP! With a single powerful flap, the Blue Avion shot into the sky like a blue comet. Yet, to everyone''s surprise, not a single gust of wind was felt. After reaching a stable altitude, the Blue Avion glided smoothly through the skies. A passenger couldn''t help but exclaim, "The Blue Avion really is the best flying transport! No other Avions even come close!" "That''s for sure!" another chimed in. "It''s a Tier 3 Primal¡ªjust its presence alone intimidates other winged Primals, ensuring a safe journey every time!" "Although that''s true, the real reason I always choose this ride is because of him," someone muttered, subtly nodding toward Cooper. "Yeah, having a Tier 3 Agisaur escort makes the trip ten times safer." Despite his lack of reaction, Cooper had undoubtedly heard their remarks. Though he remained expressionless, a subtle sense of pride flickered in his eyes. Vincent and Clauny overheard the conversation as well. Vincent remained unfazed¡ªhe had already deduced this much. But Clauny... She was visibly stunned. A sharp-eyed passenger sitting across from them smirked. "Heh, first time riding?" Clauny turned toward the voice. A woman from the Vyrmin Race sat elegantly in her seat. Her expensive, gem-encrusted attire shimmered under the light, exuding wealth and status. Beside her sat a muscular Vyrmin male¡ªhis expression cold and unreadable as he gazed out the window. Clauny gave a small nod. The woman chuckled, amusement flickering in her serpentine eyes. "Adorable. I''m Vina. This is my third time riding the Blue Avion." Clauny introduced herself in return, "I''m Clauny. This is my first time. Uhm... Is it really true that the escort is a Tier 3 Origin Warrior?" Vina let out another light giggle. "Oh, excuse me. You''re just too cute." She leaned forward slightly. "But yes, it''s true. Sir Cooper Xlo is a Tier 3 Origin Warrior¡ªand not just any Tier 3. Even though he''s only at the early stage, he can already defeat mid-stage Tier 3 Primals!" Clauny''s eyes widened. "W-Wait, he''s that strong?" Vincent, having heard everything, simply raised an eyebrow. It made sense¡ªAgisaurs were naturally superior in terms of physical prowess. Vina giggled again at Clauny''s reaction. "I''m not making this up, dear. The first time I rode the Blue Avion, I witnessed Sir Cooper single-handedly force a mid-stage Tier 3 Storm Falcon to retreat!" Clauny could hardly believe it. Just as their conversation continued, Vincent suddenly felt something. A presence¡ªfar in the distance. He subtly scanned the area, but no one else had noticed it. For now. Moments later, Cooper''s eyes narrowed. Then¡ªhe abruptly stood up. Passengers exchanged confused glances. "Why did Sir Cooper suddenly stand up?" someone muttered. Before another person could speak, Cooper''s voice rang out. "Nothing to worry about. Just a flock of lost Sparrows. They won''t interfere with our journey. Remain at ease." His words quickly reassured the passengers. That is¡ªuntil he suddenly tensed. This time, his expression turned grim. He sensed something else. Something stronger. It wasn''t one. It was two. Two powerful Primals. The instant he felt them, Cooper did not hesitate. With a swift hand gesture, he activated a special technique¡ªordering the Blue Avion to change course. The shift was immediately noticed by the passengers. "Wait, why did we suddenly change direction?" "I don''t know... but Sir Cooper looks tense." Instinctively, they followed his line of sight. Moments later¡ª Two black figures appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching their position. One of the passengers, possessing keen eyesight, recognized them first. His face turned pale. "No... no way..." he muttered in horror. Then¡ªhis trembling voice broke the silence. "It''s a pair of Crimson-Winged Condors!" sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gasps of shock filled the air. "No way! Those are Tier 3 Primals!" Chapter 177 - 177: Battle Against Crimson-Winged Condors Moments Later¡ª Two dark figures streaked through the sky, their vast wings casting elongated shadows over the Blue Avior. Their razor-sharp eyes gleamed with ruthless intent, locking onto their prey. The passengers onboard paled as realization dawned. "No¡­ no way¡­" a trembling voice broke the silence. Then, panic erupted. "It''s a pair of Crimson-Winged Condors!" Gasps of horror spread through the group like wildfire. "Those are Tier 3 Primals!" The escort, Cooper, cursed inwardly. He had faced a mid-stage Tier 3 Primal before¡ªbut that had been one, and even then, the Blue Avior had helped him drive it away. Now, there were two. And these weren''t just any Tier 3 Primals. Crimson-Winged Condors were relentless hunters. Once they marked their prey, they never stopped until it was dead. Cooper clenched his fists, a cold sweat forming on his brow. "Bloo, go faster!" The Blue Avior screeched in response, its powerful wings flapping harder as it surged forward. Yet, despite its efforts, the condors only closed in. "They''re catching up!" "Why aren''t we losing them?!" "What do we do?!" Cooper gritted his teeth. Running won''t work. We''ll have to fight. From behind, a piercing shriek cut through the air. HISSS~! One of the Crimson-Winged Condors dived at terrifying speed, its talons glowing with crimson energy. BANG! Its strike slammed into the Blue Avior''s barrier, causing a ripple of golden light to spread across the surface. The impact sent a deep vibration through the beast''s body. A second screech followed. The second condor followed suit, its beak glowing with a menacing red light. BANG! BANG! Repeated strikes hammered the barrier, cracks webbing across its surface. "Oh no, the barrier won''t last much longer!" Another deafening shriek filled the air. A blazing beam shot forth from one of the condors'' beaks, striking the barrier directly. CRACK! SHATTER! The protective shield shattered completely. KYAARRH! The Blue Avior screeched in pain as its body lurched midair. The passengers were thrown from their seats, clinging desperately to whatever they could grab. Cooper''s face darkened. "Fucking birds¡­" His body tensed as speed force exploded around him. He launched himself off the Blue Avior, a sonic boom erupting behind him as he streaked through the air toward the nearest condor. His fist glowed with intense speed force as he drove a devastating punch straight into the condor''s steel-like feathers. BOOM! A shockwave rippled outward. The Crimson-Winged Condor was blasted backward, its body flipping midair before it stabilized, its murderous eyes glowing with fury. The other condor flapped its wings aggressively, a violent gale surging toward Cooper. WHOOSH! The winds struck like a hurricane, sending Cooper spiraling out of control for a moment. He clenched his teeth, twisting his body midair to regain his stance. The first condor had already recovered and retaliated. It dived down, its wings flaring as red energy surged around its talons. SWOOSH! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cooper dodged at the last second, the sheer force of the attack grazing his shoulder. The second condor followed immediately, twisting midair and slashing with its beak. Cooper barely managed to block with his arms crossed in front of him. BANG! The impact sent him flying backward, his body hurtling toward the Blue Avior. Mid-fall, he flipped, landing on the beast''s back with a heavy thud. His breath came in ragged pants. "Shit¡­ their speed and power are insane." The passengers watched in stunned silence, their hope wavering. "Sir Cooper... can''t win?" Before anyone could dwell on it, the first condor shrieked again. This time, a crimson glow surged around its beak, forming a dense energy lance. Cooper''s eyes narrowed. That''s¡­ bad. The energy lance shot forward, aimed directly at the Blue Avior. Cooper acted immediately, pushing his speed to the limit as he streaked forward. With a burst of energy, he struck the lance mid-air, dispersing it into harmless sparks. Before he could celebrate, the second condor dived. SWOOSH! Its talons raked across his side, blood splattering into the sky. "AH¡ª!" Cooper gritted his teeth against the pain. But he couldn''t stop. He spun midair, counterattacking with a barrage of rapid punches infused with speed force. BANG! BANG! BANG! The first condor took the brunt of the strikes, its body jerking from the repeated impacts. But its steel-like feathers prevented serious damage. Instead, it let out an infuriated screech and retaliated with a high-speed dive, its wings vibrating at impossible speeds. The second condor followed suit, both of them attacking in perfect coordination. One from above, one from the side. Cooper dodged left, only for the first condor to predict his movement. Its beak struck like a spear. BAM! The attack connected, slamming into Cooper''s shoulder. "GAH¡ª!" His body was sent flying like a bullet, crashing hard onto the Blue Avior''s back. THUD! The impact left a dent in the beast''s thick hide. Blood dripped from Cooper''s mouth as he struggled to push himself up. The passengers screamed as the condors circled back, their next attack already forming. The Blue Avior screeched in defiance, its wings glowing as it unleashed a hurricane of razor-sharp wind blades. The condors barrel-rolled through the assault, taking only minor scratches. They let out synchronized screeches. Then, they both inhaled deeply, their chests expanding unnaturally. Cooper''s eyes widened. Shit¡­ they''re about to use a real attack! The condors unleashed twin beams of crimson destruction. WHOOSH! The twin beams tore through the air, locking onto Cooper and the Blue Avior. He had only one choice. His legs tensed, speed force surged, and he vanished. Reappearing in front of the Blue Avior, he crossed his arms and summoned every last bit of speed force to form a rotating shield of compressed energy. BOOOOOOM! The beams collided. An earth-shaking explosion erupted mid-air. Blinding light filled the sky as shockwaves spread outward, sending the passengers tumbling. When the dust cleared, Cooper was kneeling, blood dripping from his lips. His arms trembled. And worst of all¡­ His speed force had run dry. His body screamed in pain, his muscles barely responding. The Crimson-Winged Condors hovered in the sky, unharmed, their eyes filled with predatory amusement. Cooper knew. He was no longer a threat to them. His vision blurred. Was this¡­ the end? Cooper then fainted. "There''s no way¡­ Sir Cooper has lost¡­" someone muttered in shock and disbelief. Their only chance of surviving had been lost already. "What should we do?!" "Let''s use an escape scroll!" "Are you dumb?!" "What do you mean by that?!" "You''re so stupid. What do you think is gonna happen to you when you come back?! You will fall to your death! Stupid!" That was right. Even if the escape scroll was usable, they couldn''t simply use it because the consequence was the same as death. At the same moment, Vincent couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. He had expected Cooper to put up more of a fight, but he hadn''t anticipated such a swift defeat. Clauny, like the other passengers, was in a state of panic. "Shroud¡­ Shroud! What are we gonna do?!" she cried, her voice was trembling. Just as the words left her lips, the passengers erupted into chaos as the Crimson-Winged Condors let out an ear-piercing shriek. "Oh, we''re doomed!" someone wailed. "N-No, I can''t die yet¡­ I still have so many girls I want to marry!" another shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "Please! Anyone who has a way out! I''m willing to pay¡ªprice doesn''t matter!" a third pleaded, his face pale with terror. Amidst the panicked cries, wind energy began to gather within the condors'' opened beaks, glowing ominously as they prepared to unleash their attack. "Alas, I never imagined this would be my first and last trip in the Origin World¡­" someone muttered, their voice heavy with resignation. "Sigh¡­" With a collective sigh of defeat, the passengers could only watch as the Crimson-Winged Condors charged their attacks, their doom seemingly inevitable. But then¡­ Just as the condors were about to unleash their deadly skills, they suddenly let out an ear-piercing shriek¡ªthis time, not of fury, but of pain. The passengers froze, their confusion evident as the Crimson-Winged Condors lost their balance, diving headfirst before stabilizing mid-air. When they rose again, the ferocity in their eyes had vanished, replaced by a strange, disciplined calm as they flapped their wings without attacking. This sudden change left everyone baffled. "What''s happening?" Clauny muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her wide eyes reflecting both shock and relief. Standing beside her, Vincent simply smiled. Naturally, the sudden shift in the situation was caused by Vincent. Vincent had assumed that, given their level, his mental domination wouldn''t easily work on them. So, before using mental domination, he activated the second skill of his Astral Rune. [Skill 2: Mental Shatter] ¡ª Allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy Once their mental defenses were broken, he used Mental Domination to control them. Now, they were essentially his pets. Chapter 178 - 178: Back to Hideout (1) Vincent had assumed that, given their level, his mental domination wouldn''t easily work on them. So, before using mental domination, he activated the second skill of his Astral Rune. [Skill 2: Mental Shatter] ¡ª Allows the wearer to shatter the mental defenses of enemies, bypassing mental barriers and inflicting massive mental damage. Cooldown: 60 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy Once their mental defenses were broken, he used Mental Domination to control them. Now, they were essentially his pets. Before long, amidst the confusion of the passengers, the Crimson-Winged Condors started flying away. Vincent commanded them to fly ahead from a distance, ensuring they remained within his control but out of sight to avoid further panic. Meanwhile, the Blue Avion resumed its flight, following the usual route despite Cooper being unconscious. The passengers were left in a state of bewilderment, their murmurs filling the air. "What just happened? They left just like that?" one passenger muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "...It doesn''t matter. What''s important is that we''re alive," another replied, though the unease in their tone was palpable. The passengers glanced suspiciously around, still unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. It wasn''t until one of them noticed Cooper, still unconscious, that their attention shifted. "Sir Cooper! Is there any healer here?!" a passenger cried out, desperation creeping into their voice. "I don''t think there''s a healer here. They would have already assisted Sir Cooper. Just use a recovery potion!" another suggested, their tone more pragmatic. Upon hearing this, Clauny slowly pulled back her half-raised hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She had been so overwhelmed by fear that she had forgotten she could have supported Cooper earlier. Her eyes darted to Vincent, who immediately offered her a comforting smile. "It''s not your fault. Don''t worry about it," Vincent said softly before turning his gaze to the sky, where the two Crimson-Winged Condors now flew obediently. [You have successfully controlled a Crimson-Winged Condor ¡ª Tier 3(3¡ï)] [You have successfully controlled a Crimson-Winged Condor ¡ª Tier 3(3¡ï)] [Duration: 7 days!] Vincent couldn''t help but smile as the system''s notifications echoed in his mind. He had been skeptical at first, unsure if his Mental Domination would work on such high-tier targets. Yet, to his relief, it had succeeded. The addition of two Tier 3 primals would significantly bolster his strength and aid his future plans. However, the limited duration of his control left him slightly disappointed. "Should I upgrade it?" he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. He contemplated whether to upgrade his Yellow Heaven Mental Aura now to extend the duration of his Mental Domination or to wait for a more opportune moment. Curiosity got the better of him, and he used his talent to check the requirements for upgrading the skill. [Target Item: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)] [Upgrade Quality: Available] Requirements: Three epic-grade Mental Skill Books and 1,500,000 experience points. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Upgrade Quantity: Available] Vincent''s brow furrowed faintly as he read the requirements. While they weren''t drastically different from his other skills, the specificity of needing mental-type skill books stood out. "Why is it different this time?" he mused, his thoughts swirling. He could only assume that the reason was tied to the skill''s inherent potential. His other legendary-grade skills had originally been common-grade, whereas the Yellow Heaven Mental Aura had been epic-grade from the moment he acquired it in the Tower of Illusions. That, he reasoned, must be the key difference. Fortunately, the requirements wouldn''t hinder him too much. He had a stockpile of various skill books and had coincidentally upgraded a mental-type skill book to epic-grade earlier. Still, he decided to set the matter aside for now, aware of the many watchful eyes around him. The journey continued smoothly, without further incident. After an hour, Cooper, the transportation escort, finally regained consciousness. A low groan escaped Cooper''s lips as his eyes fluttered open. His vision slowly cleared, and he found himself staring at the clear azure sky above. For a moment, he lay there, disoriented, before a single thought crystallized in his mind. "I''m alive?" It was a question more than a statement, as he had fully expected to wake up in his own world¡ªa world that lacked the vibrant blue skies of the Origin World. As he slowly sat up, the passengers immediately noticed his movement. "Sir Cooper, you''re awake!" one exclaimed, relief evident in their voice. "Are you feeling alright?" another asked, their concern genuine. Cooper, however, was too confused to respond immediately. His eyes darted around, searching for answers. "What happened? Where are the Crimson-Winged Condors?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with wariness as he scanned the empty sky. "Calm down, Sir Cooper. They''re gone," a passenger reassured him. "Gone?" Cooper echoed, his confusion deepening. The passenger nodded and began to explain the events that had transpired while Cooper was unconscious. As Cooper listened, his bewilderment only grew. He knew the behavior of Crimson-Winged Condors well¡ªthey weren''t creatures to retreat without reason. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the passengers, suspicion flickering in his gaze. He was certain that someone among them had intervened, though he couldn''t pinpoint who. Vincent, of course, noticed Cooper''s lingering gaze as it briefly settled on him. Yet, he remained unfazed. Between the Shifting Visage mask, which concealed his appearance and level, and the Astral Invisibility skill from his Astral Rune, which shielded his thoughts, he was confident Cooper would find nothing. As expected, Cooper''s attention soon shifted away, leaving him muttering under his breath. "Just who is it¡­" Despite his curiosity, Cooper found no answers. The rest of the trip passed without incident, and he could only chalk it up to some inexplicable miracle. By 9 a.m., they finally arrived outside the No. 3 Novice Sanctuary. "We''re finally back!" Clauny exclaimed, her voice brimming with relief as she hopped off the Blue Avion, Mochi cradled in her arms. Just as she was about to step into the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent''s voice stopped her in her tracks. "We''re not heading there¡­" he said, his tone calm but firm. Confused, she turned to him. "Where are we going?" Vincent didn''t elaborate. Instead, he simply turned and began marching toward the Verdant Wilds. "Follow me." Curiosity piqued, Clauny fell into step behind him, Mochi still clutched tightly in her arms. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of piercing eyes watched from a distance, their intent unreadable, before vanishing into the shadows. After walking a considerable distance from the Novice Sanctuary, Vincent suddenly came to a halt. Clauny looked around, her confusion mounting. There''s nothing here¡­ Just as she was about to voice her bewilderment, a powerful gust of wind swept through the area, startling her. Her eyes widened as two massive, familiar winged primals descended from the sky, landing gracefully before them. The Crimson-Winged Condors. They were half the size of the Blue Avion, their crimson feathers glinting in the sunlight. "H-How are they here?!" Clauny stammered, her voice trembling with shock. But her surprise didn''t end there. The two Crimson-Winged Condors lowered their heads in front of Vincent, their movements deliberate and respectful. It was clear they were acknowledging him as their master. Vincent reached out without hesitation, his hand gently caressing their feathers. The sight left Clauny speechless as the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. So, it was him after all¡­ she thought, realization dawning. Clauny decided then that she shouldn''t be surprised anymore. Vincent had a way of defying expectations, after all. Her thoughts were interrupted when Vincent called out to her. "Let''s go." Clauny hesitated for a moment before accepting Vincent''s outstretched hand, her eyes still wary as she glanced at the Crimson-Winged Condor. With a single, powerful flap of their wings, the creatures launched into the sky, carrying Vincent and Clauny with them. The wind rushed past her face as they soared higher, the ground shrinking beneath them. Clauny''s grip on Vincent tightened, her heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration. Chapter 179 - 179: Back to Hideout (2) So, it was him after all¡­ Clauny thought. She felt that, by now, nothing Vincent did should surprise her anymore. Everything he had accomplished so far was beyond ordinary. Her thoughts were interrupted when Vincent called out to her. "Let''s go." Clauny hesitated briefly, her gaze warily shifting toward the Crimson-Winged Condor. After a moment, she accepted Vincent''s outstretched hand. With a single, powerful flap of Goldie''s wings, they shot into the sky. At the Hyena Gang Manor Inside his newly furnished office, Lizno, a Lizardman of the Lyard Race, sat comfortably. He was clad in the rare items Vincent had entrusted to him, their craftsmanship and power making his presence all the more imposing. Before him stood a figure clad in a black hooded robe, their features completely concealed. "How''s the mission I assigned to you?" Lizno asked, his reptilian eyes narrowing. "I have completed it according to your orders," the hooded figure replied in a monotone voice. Lizno nodded in satisfaction. Since receiving Vincent''s orders, he had been working tirelessly, recruiting Origin Warriors that met his young master''s exact specifications. The progress was steady, and things were falling into place. At that moment, the hooded figure spoke again. "Sir Lizno, when can we meet our Guild Master?" Lizno smirked, tapping his claws against the desk. "Hmm¡­ Soon. You''ll all meet him soon." Before he could elaborate, hurried footsteps echoed outside the office. The next second¡ª Bang! The doors burst open as a man with the distinct features of a Hyena stormed in, his breathing ragged, his expression frantic. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Excuse my sudden intrusion, Sir Lizno, but we have a situation! Our scouts spotted two winged Primals heading straight for us! Based on their size and aura, they''re estimated to be¡­ Tier 3!" Lizno''s eyes widened. Tier 3?! This was bad¡ªdisastrous, even. He had only just begun fortifying their hideout. If something happened now, how would he face Vincent? Without hesitation, he barked, "Gather everyone! Prepare for battle!" "Yes, sir!" Approaching the Manor From the skies, Vincent and Clauny finally spotted the enormous manor below, surrounded by towering eight-meter-high earth walls. Clauny''s eyes flickered with curiosity. Vincent, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. His gaze sharpened when he noticed a force of at least fifty people stationed atop the walls, with another fifty warriors standing guard at the main gate. They were on high alert¡ªsome visibly trembling. Vincent''s lips curled slightly. Interesting. Sensing his intent, Goldie adjusted its trajectory, hovering above the fortified compound. He had named this Crimson-Winged Condor Goldie due to the striking golden feather on its head. The other condor, with its vibrant blue feather, was named Azu. As they hovered, a muscular man with copper-toned skin stepped forward from the gathered warriors. He was an Almaurian, clad in heavy armor. His voice, though steady, carried a hint of unease. "T-This is our guild''s territory! Please show some respect! If you have an appointment with our guild, state your name!" He stammered slightly but managed to get the words out. Due to the height difference and the sunlight obscuring their view, they couldn''t clearly see Vincent''s face. Clauny glanced at Vincent, waiting for his response. But Vincent remained silent. The air grew thick with tension. The longer he stayed quiet, the more unease spread among the guards. "Sir, if you have no business here, please leave!" the same man, Aldo, urged. Yet, even as he spoke, his eyes darted behind him¡ªsearching, desperate. Where the hell is Sir Lizno?! he cursed internally. I can''t handle this! Those are fucking Crimson-Winged Condors! He had never signed up for this kind of madness. But Vincent still said nothing. Aldo could only pray that the intimidating figures above would turn and leave. Just when he was about to speak again, the figure on the condor finally uttered a single phrase¡ª "Where''s Lizno?" Aldo''s brows furrowed. So this guy knows Sir Lizno¡­ But he didn''t lower his guard. Calming himself, he responded, "If you have business with Sir Lizno, state your name so we can report it." The response was immediate. "Tell him to welcome me." Aldo''s veins bulge. Welcome you?! Who the hell do you think you are?! Just as he was about to snap back, a loud, boisterous voice rang out beside him. "Leader, that guy is definitely Sir Lizno''s enemy! His attitude is pissing me off! Let''s fight him!" The source of the voice was a towering, muscle-bound woman with tanned skin, wild fiery hair, and sharp ears. A Barbarian. Her name was Barbara, and despite looking mostly human, her race''s defining features included slightly protruding fangs and a monstrous level of raw strength. Aldo felt his sanity slipping. Fight? Those are fucking Tier 3 winged Primals! Only a powerhouse could own two! Any one of those condors could kill me in a single strike! But before he could even try to shut Barbara up, another reckless voice joined in. "That''s right, Leader Aldo! We owe our lives to Sir Lizno! We are ready to die!" Aldo turned toward the speaker. It was Warren, a frail-looking Almaurian dressed in a gray hooded robe and thin spectacles. Aldo''s face twitched. Prepared to die?! Go die on your own! Don''t drag me along! "Haha!" Barbara''s hearty laughter filled the air. She turned to Warren, her sharp teeth flashing in amusement. "I didn''t expect that from you, four-eyes! So you have a warrior''s spirit! I like you." Warren''s expression darkened. "Stop calling me four-eyes! And I don''t like you!" "Haha!" Barbara ignored him completely. Then, without warning, she turned her blazing gaze toward the hovering figures above. Aldo''s stomach dropped. "Hey! You! The man riding the bird!" Vincent''s sharp eyes flickered with curiosity as he turned to her. A Barbarian¡­? Before he could speak, Barbara continued, her voice bold and unwavering. "Sir Lizno is currently not here¡­" Her words trailed off¡ª Then¡ª Boom! The ground beneath her cracked as she exploded into the air, her right arm pulled back, veins bulging. "So, I''LL be the one to welcome you!" Her fist rocketed toward Vincent''s face like a meteor. Bang! A thunderous shockwave erupted across the sky. "A¡ªBarbara!" Aldo choked out. The grin on Barbara''s face twisted into pure shock. Her massive fist¡ªher full-force punch¡ª Had been effortlessly caught. Vincent''s fingers enclosed around her knuckles like a vice. The air fell deathly silent. Chapter 180 - 180: Barbara Fist Barbara hurled her fist straight at Vincent''s face. Bang! A deafening thunderclap echoed throughout the area. "Barbara!" Aldo cried out in alarm. However, the wide grin on Barbara''s face slowly faded, replaced by a look of utter shock. Her powerful fist¡ªsomething she had always taken pride in¡ªhad been effortlessly caught by Vincent''s hand. It wasn''t just the fact that he had blocked her punch. If he had been from a race renowned for their physical strength, she wouldn''t have been surprised. But humans? Among all the races, humans were one of the physically weakest. Even so, despite her shock, she was a warrior. Gritting her teeth, she let out a low grunt and tried to pull her fist back¡ªbut it was clamped in Vincent''s grip like a vice! Her expression darkened into a deep frown. With a growl, a powerful aura burst out from her body, revealing her Tier 2 (1¡ï) strength. A fierce wind whipped around her as her wild, fiery hair danced in the air. Strength surged through her arms, muscles tightening as she prepared to retaliate. Yet, Vincent remained unfazed. He had already scanned everyone''s level, so her strength came as no surprise. However, he hadn''t expected to encounter a barbarian at this stage¡ªespecially since they were incredibly rare in the Novice Continent. "Haaah!" Barbara gritted her teeth and yanked her hand back with full force. This time, she succeeded, regaining her balance. The brief victory boosted her confidence, momentarily pushing aside her initial shock. She didn''t waste time. Barbara immediately launched a flurry of punches! Bang! Bang! Bang! Each strike was like a hammer, heavy and relentless, but every single one was intercepted. Vincent''s arms were like steel, blocking her attacks with effortless precision. Barbara''s bafflement deepened. How could a human possess such a monstrous physique? But she didn''t waver. Her confidence as a warrior remained intact. She swiftly retreated and shouted, "Four-eyes! Stop standing there and support me!" Several feet away, Warren, the bespectacled young man, frowned in irritation. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" he snapped, pushing up his glasses with his middle finger. He then exhaled and continued, "You better not lose." As soon as he finished speaking, a wooden staff¡ªgnarled and ancient-looking¡ªmaterialized in his hand. He held it in front of him and began chanting in an unfamiliar language. A jade-green light, the same shade as his bowl-cut hair, pulsed around him before cascading down onto Barbara. "Oldwood Blessing." Barbara''s body immediately reacted to the skill. A surge of power coursed through her veins, her muscles growing even firmer. Skill: Oldwood Blessing Effects: +15% Physical Attack and Defense +10% Movement and Attack Speed +10% Stamina Recovery Rate Duration: 2 minutes Cooldown: 3 minutes S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Barbara clenched her fists, grinning. "Nice, Four-eyes!" "Stop calling me that!" Warren barked, exasperated. But Barbara was too focused to care. Fueled by the newfound strength, she lunged at Vincent once again. Aldo, who had been watching in stunned silence, finally snapped out of his daze. His face paled. What the hell are you two doing?! he screamed internally. But it was already too late¡ªBarbara was locked in combat with Vincent once more. Bang! Bang! Every time their fists clashed, the resulting shockwaves blasted wind outward, rattling the surroundings. Two minutes passed in an instant. As the effects of Oldwood Blessing faded, Barbara staggered back, panting heavily. "Haah¡­ Haah¡­ Tsk! That guy is tough!" she muttered, frustration seeping into her voice. Aldo nearly choked on air when he heard her words. Tough?! he thought incredulously. That guy has been playing with you this entire time! "Barbara¡ª" But before Aldo could warn her, Barbara cut him off. "I won''t admit defeat! You''ll have to kill me first before you take Sir Cooper!" Aldo''s face twisted in horror. "Wait, Barbara¡ª!" She ignored him. Once again, she charged at Vincent, fists swinging. And once again, Vincent blocked each and every punch with ease. He silently assessed her. Barbara''s physical strength was indeed impressive¡ªfar greater than that of the average Tier 2 Origin Warrior. However, a Tier 2 warrior was no longer a threat to him. Even early-stage Tier 3 warriors struggled against him. If he wanted, he could end this fight in an instant. Yet, he held back. She intrigued him. So he let her attacks continue, solely defending, without counterattacking. Standing a few feet away, Clauny observed the battle with calm, sharp eyes. She wasn''t worried. Even from a single glance, she could tell Vincent wasn''t taking this seriously. Besides, if he had come here to cause trouble, he wouldn''t have let the Crimson-Winged Condors remain passive. Barbara''s movements gradually slowed. She panted, her body trembling from exhaustion. Vincent noticed this immediately. "Stop it," he said, voice even and firm. "You can''t defeat me." However, Barbara misinterpreted his words as an insult. Her face twisted with rage. "Grrr¡­ I¡ªI''m not done yet! I''m a proud warrior of the Fist Tribe!" As soon as she declared those words, something inside her changed. A crimson aura¡ªthick and ominous¡ªbegan leaking from her body. Her breathing grew ragged. Her muscles bulged. Her fangs elongated. Aldo, watching from the sidelines, froze in confusion. What¡­ What''s happening? Not only him¡ªeveryone who had been wary or afraid of Vincent was now looking at Barbara with growing unease. "Grraaaa¡­!" Her ruby eyes darkened into a deep, menacing crimson. Her strength exploded, jumping from Tier 2 (1¡ï) to Tier 2 (3¡ï) in mere moments. Vincent''s brows lifted slightly. He hadn''t expected her power to surge two whole stages. Now, he was genuinely intrigued. What kind of technique is this? Barbara''s face contorted into something inhuman. Her claws protruded. She let out a guttural growl. "Kill¡­ Kill¡­ Kill!" With unnatural speed, she lunged at Vincent. This time, her attacks changed¡ªshe no longer punched. She slashed. Slash! Vincent''s instincts flared. He didn''t dare take the attack head-on with bare skin. With a flicker of thought, Impervious Silver Armor coated his fists. Clang! The sound of metal clashing against claws rang out. Barbara''s maddened eyes gleamed. "Hahaha! Die, human! Kill! Kill!" She was beyond reason. Her power had definitely increased¡ªbut Vincent remained unfazed. Suddenly, Barbara roared, "Strong Fist!" Vincent raised a brow. What a crude name for a technique. But¡ª Bang! Vincent wasn''t caught off guard, but he instinctively felt the need to defend with both arms. And just as he expected, the moment her fist collided with his guard, a powerful force surged through his arms, forcing him to take a single step back! This surprised him. His Force attribute was at 60 points! A Tier 3 Origin Warrior was required to have that level of strength! Yet Barbara, a Tier 2 Barbarian, had actually managed to push him back?! Instead of being frustrated, Vincent felt a grin stretch across his face. His battle-hungry nature was flaring up again. Without hesitation, he deactivated the Impervious Silver Armor''s effect. "You want a fight? I''ll give you a fight." Chapter 181 - 181: Young Master Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Strong Fist!" The name of the technique was crude. However¡ª Bang! Vincent wasn''t caught off guard, but he instinctively felt the need to defend with both arms. And just as he expected, the moment her fist collided with his guard, a powerful force surged through his arms, forcing him to take a single step back! This surprised him. His Force attribute was at 60 points! A Tier 3 Origin Warrior was required to have that level of strength! Yet Barbara, a Tier 2 Barbarian, had actually managed to push him back?! Instead of being frustrated, Vincent felt a grin stretch across his face. His battle-hungry nature was flaring up again. Without hesitation, he deactivated the Impervious Silver Armor''s effect. "You want a fight? I''ll give you a fight." Barbara didn''t even notice the subtle shift in his expression. She simply roared and lunged at him with all her might. "Kill! Kill!" Seeing this, Vincent abandoned the thought of blocking. He adjusted his stance, raising his fists in a boxer''s posture before throwing a punch to meet her incoming strike. Bang! Barbara let out a guttural growl of pain, but her frenzied mind didn''t register it. She immediately launched another punch. Vincent responded in kind. Bang! "Graaa!" Their blows clashed, sending violent gusts rippling through the air. Every time their fists connected, shockwaves burst outward, stirring dust and rattling the spectators below. "Barbara¡­" The onlookers could only whisper her name in worry. She was the strongest among them. If even she couldn''t hold her ground, what could they possibly do? "What are we doing?! Why are we just standing here? Leader Aldo! We have to help Barbara! We can''t just watch and do nothing!" Someone in the crowd shouted. Aldo turned to the gathered warriors. Their faces, though filled with fear, also held a fierce determination. Even Four-Eyes Warren, nodded in agreement. Aldo felt torn. He had only taken this job because Lizno promised him good pay in exchange for leading a small group. He wasn''t paid to risk his life. Yet, looking at his people¡ªpeople who still dared to fight despite their fear¡ªsomething stirred inside him. Damn it. He clenched his fists before finally cursing under his breath. "Fine! We''re helping Barbara! But listen up¡ªonce you die, you can''t return to the Origin World!" "Yes, Leader!" "Alright! Warren, take those with ranged abilities and support from the back! The rest of you, with me! We''re backing Barbara up!" "Yes, Leader!" Just as they were about to charge¡ª Thud, thud, thud¡ª The sound of rapid footsteps approached from behind. A familiar voice rang out¡ª "What the hell is happening here?!" Aldo and the others turned. "Sir Lizno!" Lizno had arrived, accompanied by a hooded figure and the hyena-faced subordinate who had reported to him earlier. His eyes widened in shock at the chaotic scene before him. Aldo immediately rushed to his side. "Sir Lizno, you''re here!" Lizno''s gaze remained fixed on the two figures battling in the sky. "Aldo, what''s going on?!" "Sir, those people barged in and demanded that you welcome someone!" Lizno''s expression twisted in confusion. "Welcome someone? Who?!" Aldo shook his head. "That''s what we''ve been wondering! He kept saying you should welcome him, but he never gave his name! Barbara got pissed and started fighting him!" Lizno''s furrowed brow shifted from curiosity to something more complex. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. Two figures were still trading blows, but this time, Lizno recognized one of them. His face drained of color. "Oh, I''m fucked." His heartbeat quickened. He had to stop her. But before he could move¡ª "GRAAAH!" Barbara''s pained scream pierced the air as her body was violently blasted backward. She crashed into the ground right in front of Lizno. "Barbara!" The crowd rushed toward her, their faces filled with concern. "Barbara! Are you okay?!" But Barbara could no longer answer. She had lost consciousness. The moment they realized it, anger surged within them. Their eyes snapped toward Vincent, who was still floating above them, looking down with an indifferent gaze. "Bastard! Come down here so we can kill you!" "Sir Lizno, let''s kill that guy! Show him your strength! We have to avenge Barbara!" However, Lizno''s face had turned pale. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Then¡ª A voice echoed from above, carrying an unmistakable weight of authority. "Oh? You''re going to kill me? Is that right, Lizno? Why don''t you show me your strength? Come on." Lizno''s lips twitched. His heart nearly stopped. H-Haha¡­ No, no. I wouldn''t dare." His response shocked Aldo and the others. "What are you saying, Sir Lizno?! You''re just going to let that bast¡ª" Thud! Before the man could finish, Lizno appeared in front of him in a blur and delivered a swift chop to his neck, knocking him unconscious. Everyone froze. Then, to their absolute shock, Lizno took a step forward and half-knelt. His voice was solemn, filled with respect. "Forgive me for being late. Welcome back, Young Master." ¡­What?! Young Master?! The crowd stood frozen in disbelief. They had been fighting Sir Lizno''s Young Master?! At that moment, Vincent and Clauny leaped down from the Crimson-Winged Condor, landing gracefully before Lizno. Vincent observed Lizno for a moment before shifting his attention to the stunned crowd. A subtle smile played on his lips. Then, he returned his gaze to Lizno. "Stand." With just a single word, Lizno immediately obeyed. As the two now stood eye to eye, Lizno swallowed hard. He was worried. He had just received word that Vincent was returning. But he hadn''t expected him to arrive this soon. Seeing his apprehensive expression, Vincent smirked slightly and patted him on the shoulder. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Relax. I was only gone for a few days, and you''re already acting like a scaredy-cat?" He squeezed Lizno''s shoulder playfully. "Hmm. Nice. You look good in your armor." Lizno straightened his posture. "It''s all thanks to you, Young Master." Vincent waved his hand dismissively. "Forget about that. Why don''t you introduce me to the people behind you?" Lizno turned around to face the still-stunned crowd. "Young Master, these are¡­" Chapter 182 - 182: The Situation "Relax. I was only gone for a few days, and you''re already acting like a scaredy-cat?" Vincent teased, his voice light but laced with amusement. He squeezed Lizno''s shoulder playfully, his fingers pressing into the hard surface of the armor. "Hmm. Nice. You look good in your armor." Lizno straightened his posture, his expression a mix of pride and gratitude. "It''s all thanks to you, Young Master." Vincent waved his hand dismissively, his tone casual yet commanding. "Forget about that. Why don''t you introduce me to the people behind you?" Lizno turned around to face the still-stunned crowd, his movements deliberate and confident. "Young Master, these are¡­" ¡ª¡ª¡ª In Vincent''s office, the atmosphere was calm but charged with purpose. Vincent sat on the edge of his office table, where Mochi lay curled up, sleeping soundly. Lizno stood in front of him, his gaze occasionally flickering to Clauny, who sat quietly on the couch to the side. While gently caressing the sleeping Mochi, Vincent broke the silence. "How''s the progress?" Lizno''s voice was steady as he replied, "Reporting, everything''s going well according to your plan. I have already made initial preparations. As of now, the guild has over a hundred members¡­" At the mention of this, Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued. "On that note, what did you name the guild?" Lizno hesitated, his voice slow and measured. "About that¡­ I haven''t given the guild a name. I was waiting for the Young Master to decide." Lizno looked at him with anticipation, his expression earnest. Vincent subtly nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he pondered. Hmm¡­ name, shadow? It sounds so cringe¡­ darkness? Sigh¡­ I''m so useless when it comes to thinking of a name¡­ Just as he was grumbling internally, a soft, childlike voice cut through his thoughts. "Umbra!" Vincent''s eyes flicked to Mochi, who was still asleep on the table. "Umbra¡­" he muttered, testing the word on his tongue. He liked it. Umbra had depth and meaning. In astronomy, the umbra was the innermost and darkest part of a shadow. There were other interpretations, but they all revolved around darkness and shadow. It also aligned perfectly with his alias, Shroud. When he muttered the name, Lizno naturally heard it and immediately recognized its significance. "Umbra. That''s a good name, Young Master! From now on, I''ll be a member of the Umbra Guild!" "No¡ª" Vincent started to say, wanting to clarify that he hadn''t fully decided yet. But seeing Lizno''s enthusiasm, he simply shook his head and kept his mouth shut. "Forget about that. Tell me the situation within the Novice Sanctuary while I was gone¡­" Vincent''s tone shifted, his curiosity now focused on the broader events that had unfolded in his absence. He was particularly interested in the Blackthorn Clan''s actions. Since he had suddenly disappeared from their sight, he expected they might have taken extreme measures. "Right, I was about to tell you, Young Master¡­ but I''ve been busy recruiting guild members," Lizno admitted, his tone apologetic. Lizno then proceeded to report all the events that had transpired in the Novice Sanctuary during Vincent''s absence. Vincent''s expression darkened as he listened. In summary, aside from the continuous appearance of newly spawned labyrinths, there had also been a significant increase in breakout reports. Additionally, the Blackthorn Clan and the Lionfang Clan had escalated their conflict into an all-out war, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And lastly, the Blackthorn Clan was no longer hiding their pursuit of Vincent. They had even put a bounty on his head¡ªa mere 50,000 Origin Crystals. Vincent couldn''t help but frown at the last detail. He wasn''t upset that they had put a bounty on him, but the amount was insulting. Am I only worth 50,000 Origin Crystals?! I''ll soon show them how much I''m truly worth! With that thought burning in his mind, Vincent turned his attention to more practical matters. "How''s the fund? Do you still have enough?" Lizno hesitated, his silence speaking volumes before he awkwardly shook his head. "I apologize, Young Master. I''ve already used all the funds you gave me last time for recruitment¡­" Vincent waved off the apology, his tone reassuring. "It''s alright. You have nothing to apologize for. Don''t worry about the funds. I''ll take care of it soon." He wasn''t overly concerned about resources, as he had already struck a deal with Valyn. He just needed to wait for her to fulfill her end of the bargain. However, this didn''t mean he was idle. On the contrary, he had more to do than ever. Now that he had started a guild, he had to ensure its growth and support its members. But for the moment, he set those thoughts aside. His attention shifted to Clauny, who had been silently observing their conversation. "Clauny, this is Lizno. You''ll be working together from now on. Lizno, fill her in on the guild''s situation. She''s a healer with strong support abilities¡ªa valuable asset to the guild. Clauny, if you decide on what you want to do, just let Lizno know." Lizno nodded at Clauny, who returned the gesture with a polite nod of her own. Vincent then shifted the topic, his tone casual but probing. "About that barbarian girl¡ªhow''s her condition?" "Oh, Barbara? You have nothing to worry about, Young Master. She''ll be in perfect condition in no time. That girl is tenacious. I met her when she was still at the Peak of Tier 1¡­" Lizno''s voice carried a hint of admiration as he recounted the story. At the time, Lizno had witnessed Barbara single-handedly defeat a group of Tier 2 Origin Warriors using nothing but her physical strength. Initially, he thought she would decline his invitation to join the guild, but she had surprised him. She was simple-minded, her only request being three meals a day. "Do you know her origin?" Vincent asked, his curiosity piqued. Lizno shook his head. "Forgive me, Young Master. All I know is that she''s from a tribe called Fist. But I haven''t been able to find any information about the Fist Tribe." Vincent fell silent, lost in thought. Barbara''s identity was a mystery, and mysteries always intrigued him. "Is there anything else important I should know?" Vincent asked, his tone shifting back to business. "There''s also someone you might find interesting, Young Master¡­ but that person isn''t here at the moment," Lizno replied. Vincent nodded in understanding, not pressing further. "Is there anything else?" Vincent asked, his tone indicating that the meeting was nearing its end. "No, that would be all, Young Master," Lizno replied respectfully. Vincent nodded. "Alright. Lizno, take Clauny with you and explain everything she needs to know." "Understood, Young Master," Lizno said before turning to Clauny. "Miss Clauny¡­" Clauny quickly waved her hand, her voice soft but firm. "No-no, just Clauny is enough." Lizno glanced at Vincent, as if seeking permission. Vincent simply nodded, his expression conveying that he trusted Clauny''s judgment. Lizno then nodded. "Alright. Clauny, please follow me." As they left the office, Clauny paused at the door and turned to Vincent. Without a word, she mouthed a silent "thank you" before following Lizno out. Vincent watched them go, a small smile playing on his lips. But as soon as the door closed, his expression hardened. "Grarik¡­ you want me dead that badly? Keep dreaming. That day will never come!" He pushed the thought aside and pulled out a pen and paper. It was time to organize his plans. He had laid the foundation; now, he needed to build his guild into the strongest force on the Novice Continent. Meanwhile, in the Blackthorn Clan''s territory, Garik sat on a throne made of purple crystal, his expression cold and unreadable. Below him, a thrygian knelt, trembling slightly under Garik''s piercing gaze. "What is it?" Garik''s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. The thrygian immediately replied, his voice shaky. "Reporting to Young Master, we''ve found traces of the human, Vincent." Garik''s purple brows rose, his nonchalant demeanor replaced by a flicker of fury. "You''ve found him? Where is he?!" "One of our scouts stationed outside the Novice Sanctuary saw Vincent arrive with a human girl," the thrygian explained. Garik''s face contorted with anger. "I''m not talking about that! I''m asking why you didn''t bring him here!" The thrygian stammered, "I-I apologize, Young Master. The scout who reported this didn''t take any action. He immediately left to inform you of Vincent''s return." Garik''s rage boiled over. "Are you all fucking stupid?! I told you to bring him here, not to stalk him! Is the clan wasting its resources on incompetents like you?!" The thrygian lowered his head, his nervousness palpable. "What are you still doing here? Get out! Don''t come back until you bring Vincent to me!" Garik roared. The thrygian scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply. "Yes, Young Master!" He then hurried out of the room, leaving Garik alone with his thoughts. Garik''s expression was icy, his voice a low growl. "Vincent¡­ you''ve finally shown yourself. Don''t think I''ve forgotten about you." Chapter 183 - 183: Meeting (1) No. 3 Novice Sanctuary. After organizing his plans, Vincent returned to Novice Sanctuary with Goldie. He was wearing his usual ''Shroud'' outfit, complete with his Shifting Visage Mask, which was set as a plain emerald mask. His goal was to meet someone he had been supposed to meet before Valyn brought him to the Tower of Fundamentals. Novice Center. It was 12 noon, and the Novice Center was relatively empty, with only a few people inside. Vincent approached one of the staff members at the counter, a female Almaurian. Before he could even speak, she softly exclaimed, "Mr. Shroud!" Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Do you know me?" The staff member quickly composed herself. "Oh, excuse my reaction. We were told to inform you that Vice Leader Maggie wanted to have a meeting with you." Ah, yes. Vincent was supposed to meet with Maggie after the Howling Spire event. However, he had left for a few days due to his training and hadn''t been able to inform her. His primary reason for visiting the Novice Center was to ask her about how she controlled her Primal Energy. Vincent nodded. "Where is she?" The staff member hesitated. "Unfortunately, Vice Leader Maggie isn''t here at the moment. She left for a mission. If you''d like, I can let her know and set up a meeting appointment." "When will she return?" "I apologize, but I''m not certain. It could be later today or tomorrow at the latest." Vincent considered this for a moment. "Then just tell her to contact me when she returns. She has my contact." The female staff nodded in understanding. "I understand. Is there anything else I can help you with?" Vincent thought for a moment. "Hmm... How''s the situation with the outbreaks? How many new labyrinths have appeared around the Sanctuary?" The staff member replied cautiously, "All I can give you is general public information. Is that alright with you?" Vincent simply nodded. "As per recent reports, there have been at least four more labyrinths that have experienced outbreaks since the issue with the Howling Spire Labyrinth. Fortunately, many active Origin Warriors have been on the lookout and have managed to prevent the outbreaks from causing further damage." She continued, "Regarding newly spawned labyrinths, there have been five reported. Three of them are Tier 1 labyrinths, one is Tier 2, and one is Tier 3." Vincent''s interest piqued at the mention of a Tier 3 labyrinth. "Hmm, Tier 3? Where is it?" "It''s 200 kilometers southeast of the Sanctuary, near the Blackthorn Clan Territory and the Green Sharp-eared Guild Territory." Vincent frowned at the mention of the Blackthorn Clan. He wasn''t familiar with the Green Sharp-eared Guild, but the Blackthorn Clan was another matter entirely. "It seems like heaven wants us to meet," he thought, though he set the thought aside for now. They would meet at the right time. For now, he had more pressing matters to focus on. "Alright. Thank you for the information." Just as Vincent was about to leave, a familiar voice called out from behind. "Yo! I haven''t seen you in a while." Vincent turned to see the always carefree blonde-haired young master of the Lionfang Clan, Caelius. He was surprised to see Caelius, especially since he had heard that the Lionfang Clan was in a full-blown war with the Blackthorn Clan. He had expected Caelius to be busy with the conflict, but the young master seemed as carefree as ever. However, when Caelius met Vincent''s gaze, he was momentarily stunned. He felt as if a powerful creature was staring him down. The sensation was so intense that he nervously looked around, but he couldn''t find the source of the pressure. "What was that?!" he thought, furrowing his brows. The feeling was so strange¡ªhe felt as if any sudden move could result in his death. The chill on his spine lingered even after he shifted his attention back to Vincent. Vincent, unaware of the effect his gaze had on Caelius, simply nodded. "It''s been a while." Curious, Vincent asked, "How come you still have time to roam around? Aren''t you afraid that Grarik will send another assassin after you?" Caelius chuckled. "That big fool won''t have the guts to do it. He must be dying to see me die by his own hands. He wouldn''t let anyone else get the chance to kill me." S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent was confused. "Hmm. What did you do?" Caelius waved his hand dismissively. "Haha. Forget about it. My mind has been filled with fighting these days. I want to relax for now. Forget about me¡ªhow about you? Where have you been? Did Grarik send people after you?" Before Vincent could answer, Caelius continued, "Hold on to that. Have you had lunch yet?" Vincent shook his head. "No." "Then, let''s talk over lunch." Caelius hooked his arm around Vincent''s shoulder. "Come on, I''ll take you somewhere good." Vincent could only agree and followed him. Novice Sanctuary ¨C Inner District. It was Vincent''s first time entering the Inner District of Novice Sanctuary. The area wasn''t drastically different from the Outer District, though the presence of Tier 2 Origin Warriors was more apparent. Caelius led him to a four-story building called Warrior Cuisine. The structure was a blend of medieval and modern architectural styles, giving it a unique charm. As they opened the door, a bell rang, signaling their arrival. The first floor had a few tables and seats near the bar. Despite the time, there were only a few customers. Vincent wondered why the place wasn''t busier but decided not to voice his thoughts. A middle-aged man of the human race noticed them as they entered. Vincent was surprised to see someone from the human race in the Inner District, as it was rare to encounter human Origin Warriors in No. 3 Novice Sanctuary. "Oh, Young Master Caelius, you''re here... and you''ve brought a friend, perhaps?" the man greeted. Caelius glanced at Vincent, wisely choosing not to reveal his identity without permission. "This is¡­" "...Shroud," Vincent answered. Although he trusted Caelius to some extent, he was still cautious about revealing his real name to others. The bartender, Old Fang, didn''t press further about Vincent''s identity and simply nodded in understanding. "So, it''s Young Master Shroud." Caelius then asked, "Is Young Master Kryx here?" Old Fang shook his head. "Apologies, Young Master Kryx is currently outside. He will be back later tonight." "Oh, it''s alright¡­" Caelius stood up and glanced at the other customers, who were sneakily glancing in their direction. "Old Fang, I''ll be at my usual spot. Bring me whatever is on the menu today." "Understood, Young Master Caelius. I''ll be there in a minute." "Alright. Let''s go." Caelius led Vincent to the third floor, where they waited for a short moment before Old Fang arrived with several dishes. The delicious aroma filled the room, and Vincent couldn''t help but drool. He recognized the scent immediately¡ªit was fried Horned-Rabbit! The last time he had tasted it was during his training with Special Instructor Arthur. He had missed it dearly. Vincent was surprised to see the dish here. "How?" he wondered. He had defeated many primals, but none of them had dropped any meat. Most of the drops were items and materials. Caelius chuckled at Vincent''s reaction. "Are you surprised?" he asked. Vincent nodded. Although he had eaten meals at the Novice Lounge Inn, the food there was mostly vegetable soup and bread. "Do primals drop meat and edible parts?" Vincent asked. Caelius nodded as he picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit on a stick. "That''s right. Primals do drop meat. However, the chance is only 0.01%..." Chapter 184 - 184: Meeting (2) "Is Young Master Kryx here?" Caelius asked as he settled into his seat. The bartender, Old Fang, shook his head. "Apologies, Young Master Kryx is currently outside. He will be back later tonight." Caelius shrugged. "Oh, it''s alright¡­" He stood up and glanced at the other customers, who were sneakily glancing in their direction. "Old Fang, I''ll be at my usual spot. Bring me whatever is on the menu today." Old Fang nodded. "Understood, Young Master Caelius. I''ll be there in a minute." "Alright. Let''s go." Caelius led Vincent to the third floor, where they waited for a short moment before Old Fang arrived with several dishes. The delicious aroma filled the room, and Vincent couldn''t help but drool. He recognized the scent immediately¡ªit was fried Horned-Rabbit! The last time he had tasted it was during his training with Special Instructor Arthur. He had missed it dearly. Vincent was surprised to see the dish here. "How?" he wondered. He had defeated many primals, but none of them had dropped any meat. Most of the drops were items and materials. Caelius chuckled at Vincent''s reaction. "Are you surprised?" he asked. Vincent nodded. Although he had eaten meals at the Novice Lounge Inn, the food there was mostly vegetable soup and bread. "Do primals drop meat and edible parts?" Vincent asked. Caelius nodded as he picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit on a stick. "That''s right. Primals do drop meat. However, the chance is only 0.01%..." Vincent''s eyes widened. "0.01%?!" Caelius took a big bite, savoring the flavor. "Yep. It''s that rare." Vincent was shocked. The meat was that rare?! sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He then got curious. "Then, how come there''s a lot of meat here?" Caelius casually answered after another bite of another dish on the table. "The owner of this restaurant has a rare talent that can extract meat from primals'' corpses. The owner''s talent isn''t actually that rare. The difference is in the quality of the extracted meat." "Hmm¡­ Quality?" Vincent wondered. Caelius grinned. "Take a bite, and you''ll understand." Filled with curiosity, Vincent picked up a fried Horned-Rabbit that was glazed with a special honey-like syrup. Anticipating the taste, he took a huge bite. As soon as the meat melted in his mouth, he heard a system notification. !! [You have received a temporary boost! The Fury of a Poor Rabbit!] The Fury of a Poor Rabbit! Effect: +5% Attack Speed Duration: 30 minutes Vincent was surprised. A 30-minute buff period! He hadn''t expected that even a meal could provide a buff in the Origin World. This realization sparked a new determination in him¡ªhe needed to recruit someone with a similar skill or talent for his guild. Who knows? Maybe he could discover a good buff that could be useful in a special situation. However, he set the thought aside for now and tried out the other dishes on the table. As someone who enjoyed cooking, Vincent naturally enjoyed eating delicious food as well. The two continued eating in silence for a while, savoring the flavors. Later, after satisfying their cravings, Caelius brought up the topic Vincent had been avoiding. "So, where have you been these days? Wasn''t the Big Fool after your head?" Caelius asked, referring to Grarik of the Blackthorn Clan. Vincent sighed and briefly recounted the failed assassination attempt by the Hyena Gang and his visit to Freedom Swift City. He kept the details vague, not wanting to reveal too much. Caelius raised an eyebrow. "Oh, the Hyena Gang... aren''t they a small group of Tier 2 Yeenlings? How did you even survive an assassination attempt by a group of Tier 2 Origin Warriors?" Vincent simply smiled but didn''t answer. Caelius, being smart, knew when not to press further. Vincent then changed the subject. "Forget about me. I''ve heard your family has been in a fierce confrontation against the Blackthorns... How''s your situation?" Caelius'' expression subtly darkened at the mention of the Blackthorn Clan. After letting out a deep sigh, he replied, "Don''t worry about it. We are the Lionfang Family. It won''t be easy for the Blackthorns to defeat us overnight..." Although Caelius answered in a casual and carefree tone, Vincent could sense that the situation wasn''t in the Lionfang''s favor. Unbeknownst to Vincent, Caelius'' situation was indeed dire. The Lionfang Family''s main territory was in the North Novice Sanctuary, while their presence in the South Novice Sanctuary was only a subsidiary. They had only a few thousand members here, unlike the Blackthorn Clan, whose main territory was close to the South Novice Sanctuary. Caelius mumbled to himself, "Sigh... if everyone of us could just have rare or even uncommon skills, it would boost my territory''s overall strength..." Vincent, with his heightened perception, heard the mumble clearly. "What do you need the uncommon skills for?" he asked. Caelius raised an eyebrow and answered without thinking, "If I could arm my clan members with uncommon-grade fireballs or any offensive skills of the same level, we could raid dungeons and increase their levels quickly. Then we could beat the Blackthorns'' dogs¡­" Vincent fell into deep thought. After a while, he looked at Caelius and said, "What if I can help you with that?" Caelius chuckled, thinking Vincent was just trying to comfort him. "Haha, don''t worry about it. I appreciate the thought, but I''ll be needing a few thousand of them¡­" Vincent ignored Caelius'' response and activated his talent. He had learned that he could target an item even without taking it out, as long as it was within his storage ring. Target Item: Fireball (Uncommon) [Upgrade Quality: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity: Possible] [Upgrade Quantity (Uncommon)] 200,000 Experience Points = x5 1,000,000 Experience Points = x50 2,000,000 Experience Points = x500 Without further hesitation, Vincent chose the last option. [You have used 2,000,000 experience points!] Soon, 500 replicated Fireball skill books appeared in one of his storage rings. Without a word, he waved his hand, and a small pile of green books materialized in front of them, surprising Caelius. Caelius was still processing what had just happened when Vincent said, "This is the first batch of uncommon-grade Fireball skill books. It''s exactly 500. How many do you need? I can send the rest later." Chapter 185 - 185: Returning a Favor (1) Soon, 500 replicated Fireball skill books appeared in one of his storage rings. Without a word, Vincent waved his hand, and a small pile of green books materialized in front of Caelius, surprising him. Caelius was still processing what had just happened when Vincent said, "This is the first batch of uncommon-grade Fireball skill books. It''s exactly 500. How many do you need? I can send the rest later." "What¡ªHow¡ªwhere did you get all of these?" Caelius couldn''t mask his bafflement. Although they were only uncommon-grade skill books, the amount was still huge, and no normal individual could afford such a large quantity. Vincent subtly smiled at Caelius''s reaction; it was the first time he had seen this kind of reaction from the carefree young master. He replied, "It doesn''t matter where I got these. You just need to tell me how many you need." The reason he decided to help Caelius was simple: aside from the basic reason of helping the enemy of his enemy, it was perfect timing to strike a deal with the Lionfang family, as he also needed immediate funds to support his guild. However, the main reason he decided to help Caelius was to return a favor. This carefree young master had never hesitated or asked for anything in return after helping him. Caelius''s gaze lingered on Vincent for a while, and no one knew what was running through his mind. After a moment of silence, Caelius replied with a serious expression, "I understand. If you could provide me with five thousand of these, I would take it as a huge favor¡ª" Before Caelius could complete his words, Vincent interrupted him. "Spare me those words... Aren''t we friends?" he asked, looking at Caelius through the corner of his eyes. Caelius was stunned by Vincent''s words. After a short silence, Caelius started chuckling. "Haha, right... Right, friends..." He didn''t expect to hear that word from the usual cold and aloof Vincent. "Since we''re friends, of course, I cannot take advantage of our friendship. I''ll buy these skill books for 10% higher than the market price, and the rest that you will send later." Caelius offered. "No, market price¡ª" Seeing that Vincent was about to decline his offer, Caelius immediately interrupted him. "Don''t decline my offer. We, the Lionfangs, can still afford this amount." Seeing that Caelius was determined, Vincent could only nod when he suddenly had a thought. "How about this: instead of buying it for 10% higher, buy it for the market price, and send me at least 10 different kinds of skill books. It doesn''t matter what type of skill or grade. I just need them to be different from one another." Hearing his request, Caelius only wondered for a second before nodding in agreement. "In that case, the current market price for uncommon-grade skill books is 2,000 Origin Crystals... so for this batch, it will be a total of 1,000,000 Origin Crystals..." Vincent wasn''t surprised to hear that, as he already knew that skill books were expensive. "Unfortunately, I don''t have that kind of amount..." Caelius muttered. "It''s alright; you can take these first. Just give it to me when I send the rest," Vincent replied. Caelius then looked at him as though he misunderstood his words. "I don''t mean it like that. I don''t have low-grade Origin Crystals anymore, but medium-grade." Vincent was confused. "Medium-grade?" "Don''t tell me you also don''t know about it?" Caelius asked with a doubtful tone. How could he not know about other Origin Crystals when he could afford such a huge amount of skill books? However, Vincent nodded. Caelius wryly shook his head. "Apart from low-grade Origin Crystals, there are also medium and high-grade ones. To give you an idea, 1,000 low-grade Origin Crystals can be converted into a single medium-grade crystal, and 10,000 low-grade crystals are equivalent to one high-grade crystal." Vincent nodded, intrigued. "So, there''s actually a higher grade of Origin Crystals..." he thought. He wondered why he had never discovered different grades of Origin Crystals. Caelius noticed his confusion. "Are you wondering why you never encountered a higher-grade Origin Crystal?" Vincent simply nodded. "The truth is, you won''t find a single medium-grade or higher-grade Origin Crystal in the Novice Continent. The primals in the Novice Continent can only drop the lowest-grade crystals. Typically, you''ll find higher-grade ones on the higher continents," Caelius explained. "Higher Continents..." Vincent muttered to himself. Although he was curious about the higher continents, he didn''t ask Caelius about it, knowing it would take time before he could even ascend. After explaining, Caelius waved his hand, and a small pile of half-fist-sized colorful crystals appeared beside him. "There are a total of 1,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals. This is my payment for this batch. I''ll get someone to send you the skill books you''ve requested." Vincent could only wonder at the vast resources Caelius and the Lionfangs possessed. Although it was his first big transaction since becoming an Origin Warrior, he wasn''t thrilled as he had initially expected. Thus, without a word, he waved his hand and stored everything in his storage ring. In response, Caelius also put away the 500 skill books. "When can I expect the other batch?" Caelius asked. Vincent promptly replied, "I can send it to you before nightfall." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That fast?!" Caelius wasn''t expecting that. He thought it would take a few days or a week at most before Vincent sent another batch of skill books. Vincent simply smiled and didn''t explain himself. In fact, if he wasn''t trying to hide the ability of his talent, he could send the rest in a minute. But he didn''t do it. As much as he trusted Caelius, he was determined not to let anyone know the function of his SSS-rank talent. Additionally, he had no Tier 2 Experience Potion. Thus, before parting ways, they exchanged prismstone contacts. Vincent didn''t go back yet. Instead, he rode Goldie and flew toward the newly spawned Tier 2 Labyrinth. It was located to the south of the South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent soared through the sky on the back of his winged companion, Goldie, the landscape below them underwent a dramatic transformation. They had been flying over the rolling hills and lush grasslands of the southern plains for several minutes, but now the terrain was shifting to something entirely new. The grasses grew shorter and more sparse, giving way to exposed limestone bedrock that stretched out like a vast, weathered expanse. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, but beneath that lay a hint of something sharper, something acidic. "Goldie, take us lower," Vincent called out, his voice carrying over the wind. Chapter 186 - 186: Returning a Favor (2) Vincent didn''t go back yet. Instead, he rode Goldie and flew toward the newly spawned Tier 2 Labyrinth. It was located to the south of the South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent soared through the sky on the back of his winged companion, Goldie, the landscape below them underwent a dramatic transformation. They had been flying over the rolling hills and lush grasslands of the southern plains for several minutes, but now the terrain was shifting to something entirely new. The grasses grew shorter and more sparse, giving way to exposed limestone bedrock that stretched out like a vast, weathered expanse. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, but beneath that lay a hint of something sharper, something acidic. "Goldie, take us lower," Vincent called out, his voice carrying over the wind. Goldie, sensing Vincent''s curiosity, banked and descended, her wings beating powerfully and slow. As they dropped, the details of the landscape grew clearer. Vincent saw the characteristic cracks and fissures of limestone pavement, the rocky outcrops worn smooth by the elements. They flew over a cluster of sinkholes, their edges rimmed with a tangle of vegetation. Water glinted in the depths of one, a tiny oasis in this dry, rocky landscape. Vincent spotted a few hardy trees clinging to the rocky soil, their branches twisted and gnarled. As they continued their journey, the karst landscape unfolded before them like a surreal tapestry. Towering rock formations rose from the ground, their faces weathered into fantastical shapes. Vincent spotted a cluster of caves, their entrances hidden behind a screen of foliage. And he immediately discerned several groups at the entrance. They were obviously a group of Origin Warriors preparing to raid the new labyrinth. Therefore, he ordered Goldie to descend in the distance, far from anyone''s eyes. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hopping off Goldie''s back, he ordered, "Go somewhere don''t let anyone find you. I''ll be back soon." The Crimson-Winged Condor, Goldie, chirped before flying into the sky. He then walked towards the labyrinth''s entrance. As soon as he appeared, several eyes darted in his direction. Seeing him alone and wearing a mask, many had lost their interest; however, there were a few gazes that still lingered on him. In no time, a long-haired man wearing a full-white martial robe approached, his face hidden beneath a dragon-like mask. Despite this, Vincent could tell that the man was from the human race. His expectation was immediately confirmed as the man asked him, "You''re a human, right?" Vincent didn''t confirm but replied, "Why?" The man chuckled, "Haha. Don''t misunderstand. I don''t mean anything bad. I just wanna ask if you already have a party. We are actually in need of one more member. Would you like to join?" The man then looked at his three companions behind him, which Vincent quickly noticed. After a short consideration, Vincent nodded. "Sure." "Haha, that''s great. Come, I''ll introduce you to my companions. Sorry, I forgot to ask. What''s your name?" "Shroud," Vincent simply replied. "Nice to meet you. You can call me Martyn." Vincent accepted Martyn''s hand and shook it. Martyn''s companions were all male from the same race. They were all wearing white martial robes with a purple coiled serpent on the left side of their chest. After introducing him to his companions, they all queued and entered the new labyrinth. [Do you wanna enter the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth (Tier 2)?] [ 4 / 5 ] The others had already agreed, so he simply confirmed as well. As soon as he agreed, his vision blurred for a moment as his party disappeared from the entrance. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Slash! A sword energy flashed in the dimly lit space of the labyrinth''s interior as a purple blob creature was cut in half before falling to the ground, eventually collapsing into particles of digital light. Swish! Martyn waved the acid liquid from his sword before sheathing it back in its scabbard. It had been several minutes since they entered the labyrinth. The primal that Martyn had just killed was one of the labyrinth''s inhabitants, a Tier 2 (1¡ï) Acid Slime! Although it had acidic characteristics, its potency was not enough to melt an Armament. However, a normal-type weapon or items would definitely melt under its acidity. In just a few minutes, Vincent had already filled his experience bar and multiplied another batch of 500 fireball skill books. However, to him, it was still slow. Thus, he had been waiting for the right timing to leave the party and explore on his own. However, he was unable to do so as Martyn''s companions were so eager to keep him in the party. At this moment, Martyn''s companion, Rocky, suddenly yelped in pain when a bigger purple slime sprayed acid on his left leg. "Ah! Fuck! It got me!" Rocky exclaimed. Martyn immediately commanded, "Taki, Baro, take Rocky to the back! Shroud, follow me!" Taki and Baro swiftly followed Martyn''s command, and naturally, Vincent simply followed behind Martyn. Without a word, Martyn slashed towards the slime. However, the slime was actually so nimble and managed to avoid Martyn''s sword. And just as Vincent was about to follow up with a strike, Martyn suddenly turned around and slashed at him. Vincent''s eyes widened slightly, but he didn''t react and just let Martyn''s sword strike him. "Haha! Fool! You actually followed us without any question?! You have to be so stupid! You three, drop the act and kill this idiot!" The three behind Vincent also let out a malicious laugh as they brandished their weapons and slashed at him. Sword energies flew swiftly in his direction. Bang! Bang! Smoke and explosion occurred upon the impact as silence soon filled the air. "Haha. I didn''t expect to actually encounter such a stupid person in this world! He actually followed us inside without a word?" Rocky, who had acted earlier that he was injured, was grinning maliciously and completely fine! "Haha. Who cares about that! What''s important is we got a good catch. Just look at that guy''s armor. I believe it''s high quality. We could fetch it for a high price!" Taki commented. "Haha. My familiar is really a good prop! Martyn, did you make sure not to injure Blop?" Baro asked. "I''m not stupid," Martyn replied with a harrumph before continuing, "Go, check what that fool had dropped!" "Haha, you don''t have to say that! I''m on it!" Rocky replied as he excitedly ran towards the thick smoke. However, before he could even take another step, a red thin line appeared on his neck. "Huh?" Rocky exclaimed in his mind before he felt his vision lift and slowly turn upside down, seeing his companions who were supposed to be behind him. "R-Rocky!" Taki just exclaimed when a cold voice suddenly pierced through the air. "I was wondering why you were all so eager to keep me in the party... Sigh... Everywhere I go, I always encounter clich¨¦ people like you..." Soon, as the thick smoke faded away, Vincent''s unscathed appearance appeared in front of their eyes. Not even a small scratch was left on his armor. And after that, it was a simple massacre. Vincent didn''t waste any words and completely obliterated them from existence. Fortunately, it was a short trouble as he was able to peacefully farm experience points and complete the requested amount Caelius needed. After completing it, he no longer continued raiding the labyrinth. Apart from his goal being complete, Maggie had already contacted him and was asking to meet him. Therefore, he flew back after finding an exit point. Chapter 187 - 187: Meeting Maggie Again After completing his objective, Vincent no longer continued raiding the labyrinth. Apart from his goal being achieved, Maggie had already contacted him and requested a meeting. Therefore, he flew back after finding an exit point. --- It was already sunset when he returned to the South Novice Sanctuary. He didn''t head directly to the Novice Center. Instead, he contacted Caelius and informed him that the rest of the requested skill books were ready. Caelius was still unable to hide his shock when Vincent told him. Preparing everything before nightfall was already fast, but Vincent had managed to complete it before the sky even turned dark. After ending the call with Caelius, Vincent made his way to the Novice Center. As he entered, the same female staff member he had spoken to earlier greeted him and guided him to the second floor of the Novice Center. "Please, go in. Vice Leader Maggie is waiting inside," the female staff said. Vincent simply nodded and opened the door. The moment he stepped inside, the dusky light greeted him, peering through the glass window where the amber-haired Maggie Phire was seated. In front of her was a coffee table with ruby-red sofas on each side, along with a few pieces of furniture like shelves filled with books. "It''s been a while, Mr. Shroud," Maggie greeted as she gently gestured to the side, indicating for him to take a seat. "It''s been a while," Vincent replied with a nod after sitting down. Suddenly, Maggie stood up from her seat and walked in front of him, stopping beside the coffee table. He wondered what she was going to do when, to his surprise, Maggie half-knelt on the ground, placing her right hand on her chest and lowering her head. "First, I want to apologize for saying this late, but I''m very grateful for your help. Ever since you helped me and fed me that fruit, I''ve been slowly recovering my strength and lifespan," Maggie said seriously, her head still lowered. She continued, "I truly have no idea how I can repay you. So, if there''s something you have in mind, just tell me, and I''ll do everything within my power to repay you." "Hmm, I understand. Before that, stand up and take a seat," Vincent replied. He didn''t enjoy seeing a woman kneeling in front of him. Unless the person was an enemy, he would never show such a display of submission. Maggie sat back down on the opposite couch. Vincent carefully observed the beautiful Drakorii woman in front of him. Despite her gratitude, she always maintained a serious demeanor. "Is this the only reason you invited me for a meeting?" he asked. Maggie was about to nod but then replied, "To be honest, I have a question." "What is it?" Maggie looked directly into his eyes. "I want to know. Why did you help me? What do you want from me? What are your true intentions?" Vincent was slightly surprised. He hadn''t expected her to be so direct. Nevertheless, he didn''t find it strange. Therefore, he replied honestly, "You could say I helped you because I''m curious about you." "About me?" Maggie asked, confused. "To be specific, I''m curious about your primal energy. I want to know how you were able to wield it last time when you were against the Howling Spire Lord without losing your awareness and sanity." As soon as Maggie heard his question, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her gaze hardened for a moment before softening again. "To be honest, I also don''t know how to answer your question. All I can tell you is about my boring life carrying this curse¡­" Maggie said, a hint of bitterness in her voice. Vincent simply listened to Maggie''s story. In summary, the ominous energy had been with her since birth. Her elders had no information about it and treated her as though she were cursed. Originally, the ominous energy did nothing to her aside from causing frequent sickness. However, everything changed when she awakened her origin energy. The ominous energy became aggressive. It started to alter her behavior in exchange for rapid strength. However, every time she used it, it consumed her lifespan. It came to a point where, to extend her lifespan, her grandmother gave her remaining lifespan to Maggie using a special ritual. Since then, she had barely used the energy, only activating it in situations where she had no other choice. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The last time she used it against the Howling Spire Lord, she had accepted her fate. Fortunately, Vincent had appeared and not only saved her but also helped her recover some of her lifespan! It was a life-changing act of kindness. That''s why she was skeptical about Vincent''s true intentions. Vincent frowned when he heard her story. "Another dead end?" he thought, but then Maggie continued. "If you''re really curious about that ominous¡­ primal energy, I can ask my grandfather. He might have an idea¡­" Maggie guessed that her grandfather might have some knowledge about it since her grandmother, before passing away, had done something to prevent the primal energy from acting up on its own. Vincent could tell that Maggie truly had no idea about primal energy. He wasn''t an unreasonable person, so he simply nodded. "Is that all you wanted to know?" Maggie asked, feeling that her story wasn''t enough to repay him for his help. Hearing her, Vincent was reminded of something. "Right, how''s the investigation into the recent outbreaks?" The moment he asked her about it, Maggie turned serious before letting out a sigh. "It''s not that private. But there''s been a significant increase in labyrinths over the past two weeks. Furthermore, for some reason, the labyrinths'' bosses have gone missing, causing numerous outbreaks¡­ We still have no idea who or what is behind this¡­" Vincent subtly furrowed his brows. "Vash¡­" he muttered to himself. He had a feeling that Vash must be, or is somehow connected to, these events¡­ and perhaps the¡­ "Blackthorn¡­" he subconsciously muttered aloud. Maggie raised her eyebrows at the sudden mention of the Blackthorn Clan. "What''s wrong with the Blackthorns?" she questioned. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He considered whether he should tell her about the connection between the Blackthorn Clan and Vash, the possible mastermind behind the recent outbreaks. After a short consideration, he simply said, "Watch the Blackthorns'' movements¡­" "What do you mean?" Maggie was confused. However, Vincent didn''t explain himself. He just gave her another lead for investigation, as he was only making assumptions based on recent events. He didn''t care whether she followed his advice or not. After that, he left the Novice Center after a short farewell and met with Caelius at the North Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. Chapter 188 - 188: New Upgrade He had a feeling that Vash must be, or was somehow connected to, these events¡­ and perhaps the¡­ "Blackthorn¡­" he subconsciously muttered aloud. Maggie raised her eyebrows at the sudden mention of the Blackthorn Clan. "What''s wrong with the Blackthorns?" she questioned. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He considered whether he should tell her about the connection between the Blackthorn Clan and Vash, the possible mastermind behind the recent outbreaks. After a short consideration, he simply said, "Watch the Blackthorns'' movements¡­" "What do you mean?" Maggie was confused. However, Vincent didn''t explain himself. He just gave her another lead for investigation, as he was only making assumptions based on recent events. He didn''t care whether she followed his advice or not. After that, he left the Novice Center after a short farewell and met with Caelius at the North Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. "Yo! Over here!" Caelius faintly waved his hand as he called out. He continued, "I didn''t expect to meet you again so soon. Where is it?" Although Caelius was usually carefree and nonchalant, he couldn''t mask his excitement. He was looking forward to receiving the rest of the skill books he had requested from Vincent. Vincent chuckled as he slightly raised his left hand, showing the storage rings on his fingers, indicating that the items he was seeking were within his storage ring. "There are 4,500 uncommon-grade skill books inside¡­" he said. Caelius couldn''t help but suck in a cold breath. "Geez¡­" He didn''t think Vincent was lying to him for a second, as Vincent had no reason to lie. "4,500¡­ in other words, 9,000,000 low-grade Origin Crystals or 9,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals." After muttering that, Caelius couldn''t help but smile wryly. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I just gave you 1,000 medium-grade earlier. Unfortunately, I don''t carry that huge amount with me. Can I deposit 5,000 for now? Don''t worry. I''ll pay you the rest as soon as possible." Vincent just smiled at him. "Don''t worry too much. Just take it." After that, Vincent transferred the 4,500 uncommon-grade skill books, and Caelius transferred him 5,000 medium-grade Origin Crystals. Once Caelius confirmed that he had received a total of 5,000 uncommon-grade skill books, he looked directly into Vincent''s purple eyes. "Thank you. I truly appreciate this help," Caelius said seriously. Vincent quickly interrupted, "Alright, alright, stop. You''re not treating me as a friend if you keep acting like that." Caelius was stunned. He could only shake his head with a wry smile. Then, after a nod, he simply said, "I understand. I won''t say anything. I''ll just give you Grarik''s head next time. Haha." Vincent could only laugh along with him. "Alright, I won''t take more of your time. I''m going." Caelius was already eager to return to his territory, as he wanted to quickly distribute these gifts to his clan members and prepare a plan to strike back against the Blackthorn Clan! However, just as he was about to leave, Vincent stopped him. "Hold on." "What''s wrong?" "Take these too¡­" After Vincent said that, he waved his hand, and books faintly shining with soft blue lights appeared in front of Caelius. "Wha¡ª" Caelius reflexively caught the falling books. Soon, ten books piled up in his arms. "What are these¡ª" Just as Caelius was about to ask, his eyes landed on the books in his arms, and they widened in recognition. "Rare-grade?!" He then looked at Vincent and asked, "Are you also selling me these?!" But Vincent shook his head. "No? Then why are you showing these to me?" Caelius was confused. If Vincent didn''t intend to sell them, why did he want him to take them? "Unless he wants me to take these for free?" he thought before laughing inwardly. Who would give ten rare-grade skill books for free? However, he was soon surprised to hear Vincent say, "Just a small gift. Take them with you." "Small gift?! These ten rare-grade skill books?!" Caelius exclaimed in his mind. "Are you really giving me these for free?! Who is the real young master between us? You or me?!" Naturally, it was all in his mind, and he didn''t say it aloud. He just asked, "Are you sure?" Vincent then teased, "Why? Is the Young Master of the prestigious Lionfang Clan not accepting low-grade gifts?" Hearing his words, Caelius hurriedly took the books and shamelessly said, "What are you saying? Who''s the Young Master? I''m nothing but a poor young man!" Vincent only chuckled at his act. "Alright, poor young man. Go ahead and give that Big Fool a surprise." "Haha. Wait for the good news!" The two then separated. Caelius went back to his territory, and Vincent flew with Goldie back to his own. As soon as he dismounted from Goldie, two guards greeted him. They were awkward for a moment but managed to say, "Welcome back, Guild Master!" They had already learned from Lizno that Vincent, or Shroud, was their Guild Leader. Vincent nodded at them and said, "Good work," before looking at the surroundings. Apart from the original Hyena Gang Manor, which was now his Manor, there were several wooden houses nearby. These were likely the guild members'' houses. There were also four watchtowers on the four corners of the guild territory. Although the walls were tall, they were made of earth, indicating that they had been constructed by an Origin Warrior with an earth-type ability. "I really have a lot of things to do¡­" he thought to himself before heading to his Manor. Inside his chamber, Vincent wondered for a moment as he didn''t find Mochi, but he set it aside for now and sat cross-legged on his bed. Currently, he had a total of 9 epic-grade skill books. This meant he could upgrade 3 epic-grade skills to Legendary-grade, as long as he had enough experience points. Fortunately, before leaving the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth, he had been able to fill his experience bar. Therefore, he had the chance to upgrade one epic-grade skill to legendary-grade. He had already decided which one he would upgrade. Thus, he retrieved 3 mental-type epic-grade skill books. And without hesitation¡­ [Would you like to upgrade Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)?] Yes! As soon as he agreed, a hot energy coursed from within his origin core and surged through every fiber of his body. A soft groan slipped out of his mouth. "Agh!" Soon, a golden bright light burst from his eyes and other orifices, lighting up his chamber. And when the light faded, he felt his mind become even clearer! Then, the system notification rang! [You have successfully upgraded Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic) to Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Legendary)] The name didn''t change? Chapter 189 - 189: Bringing Barbara and Warren (1) Apart from the original Hyena Gang Manor, which was now his Manor, there were several wooden houses nearby. These were likely the guild members'' houses. There were also four watchtowers on the four corners of the guild territory. Although the walls were tall, they were made of earth, indicating that they had been constructed by an Origin Warrior with an earth-type ability. "I really have a lot of things to do¡­" he thought to himself before heading to his Manor. Inside his chamber, Vincent wondered for a moment as he didn''t find Mochi, but he set it aside for now and sat cross-legged on his bed. Currently, he has a total of 9 epic-grade skill books. This meant he could upgrade 3 epic-grade skills to Legendary-grade, as long as he had enough experience points. Fortunately, before leaving the Acidic Limestone Labyrinth, he had been able to fill his experience bar. Vincent had already decided which skill he would upgrade. Without hesitation, he retrieved three mental-type epic-grade skill books. His focus was unwavering as he prepared to elevate his abilities to the next level. [Would you like to upgrade Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic)?] "Yes!" Vincent confirmed without a second thought. As soon as he agreed, a searing energy surged from within his origin core, coursing through every fiber of his being. The sensation was overwhelming, and a soft groan escaped his lips. "Agh!" A brilliant golden light erupted from his eyes and other orifices, illuminating the entire chamber in a dazzling glow. When the light finally subsided, Vincent felt his mind sharpen, his thoughts becoming clearer than ever before. Then, the system notification chimed. [You have successfully upgraded Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Epic) to Yellow Heaven Mental Aura (Legendary).] The name hadn''t changed, but the power within had grown exponentially. Name: Yellow Heaven Mental Aura Grade: Legendary Details: A high-grade mental energy from Yellow Heaven, allowing the user to wield Yellow Heaven Mental Power. Note: There are four levels of Mental Energy in the Origin World: Lowest, Low, Mid, and High Grade. Sub-Skills: [1] Mental Barrage Details: A cone-shaped mental energy attack that deals moderate damage to enemies, with damage increasing with each successful hit. Range: 150 meters. Effect: Deals high damage to enemies in a cone-shaped area, with the damage increasing with each successful hit. Cooldown: 5 seconds Cost: 50 Origin Energy [2] Mental Domination Details: Forces everyone within a 50-meter radius who are weaker than the user to obey. Higher resistance for targets of higher realms. Cooldown: 24 hours Cost: 1000 Origin Energy [3] Yellow Heaven Mental Shield (Passive) Details: Provides high resistance against lower-grade mental energy. "No way..." Vincent whispered, his breath catching in his throat. Despite the skill''s name remaining the same, the sub-skills had undergone a monumental transformation. The initial Psychic Volley, which originally had a 50-meter range, had evolved into Mental Barrage with a staggering 150-meter range! Additionally, a new passive skill, Yellow Heaven Mental Shield, had been added. However, the most shocking change was in Mental Domination. The time limit had been removed entirely, meaning any opponents he dominated would now be permanently loyal to him. The implications were staggering. Vincent couldn''t contain his joy. A manic laugh erupted from his lips as he reveled in the sheer power he now wielded. "Hahaha!" After a moment, he collapsed onto his bed, limbs sprawled wide, a satisfied smile plastered across his face. His mind wandered, reflecting on his journey. "I never thought I''d be in the same situation as the characters I used to read about in novels... From a mere white-collar worker to now... a guild leader." He let out a carefree sigh, his thoughts drifting to the future. He didn''t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: he would stop at nothing to become the greatest in everything. With renewed determination, Vincent clenched his left fist and vowed silently, "I will be the strongest!" Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into a deep sleep. --- The next morning, Vincent was abruptly awakened by a loud commotion outside his door. A familiar, fiery voice echoed through the hallway, arguing with the guards stationed outside. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Get out of my way! I want to talk to the guild master!" "No, you can''t. The Guild Master is resting. Please, come back later." "I''ll give you one last warning. Step aside." "We apologize, but we can''t¡ª" What''s happening? Vincent wondered, his thoughts still foggy from sleep. Before he could fully process the situation, a loud bang shattered the silence. "Aah¡ª!" "Ugh¡ª!" The cries of pain were followed by the sound of his door being blasted open. Standing in the doorway was a towering, muscle-bound woman with tanned skin, wild fiery hair, and sharp ears. It was Barbara. She had just awakened after being knocked unconscious by Vincent during their previous encounter. Upon learning that the powerful Origin Warrior she had fought was none other than their guild master, she had rushed to confront him, her excitement palpable. "Guild Master!" Barbara bellowed, her voice booming through the room. Behind her, Warren, the green-haired man with a bowl haircut, hurriedly caught up, his face a mix of panic and embarrassment. "B-Barbara, let''s just visit lat¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes fell on Vincent, and he immediately lowered his head in respect. "G-Good morning, Guild Master." Vincent glanced at Warren before turning his attention to Barbara. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as he asked, "Why are you here?" "W-We just¡ª" Warren began, but Barbara cut him off. "Let''s have another fight, Guild Master!" she exclaimed, her fist clenched in anticipation. Vincent remained calm, his expression unreadable. He had expected this. Barbarians were known for their insatiable thirst for battle. There was even a legend that claimed a Barbarian would die if they went a single day without a fight. "You want to fight?" he questioned, his tone even. Barbara nodded vigorously, her excitement barely contained. "Of course! When do we fight?" "Wait for me outside. I''ll bring you somewhere," Vincent replied before shifting his gaze to Warren. "You can come too, if you want." "N-No, I''m go¡ª" Warren stammered, but before he could finish, Barbara hooked her arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. "Of course, four-eyes will come, right?" she said with a mischievous grin. Warren looked at her as though she were a demon threatening him into compliance. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Yes¡­" --- A short while later, Vincent arrived at the gate where Barbara and Warren were waiting. Barbara''s excitement was palpable as she approached him. "Guild Master! Are we going to fight now?!" she asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Vincent ignored her question and instead let out a sharp whistle. Moments later, a powerful gust of wind swept over them as a massive Crimson-Winged Condor descended from the sky. It was Goldie, Vincent''s trusted companion. After gently caressing Goldie''s feathers, Vincent leaped onto her back. Barbara and Warren exchanged confused glances, but Barbara, ever the fearless warrior, hopped on without hesitation. Warren, however, hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following suit. "Let''s go," Vincent said, patting Goldie''s neck. With a single powerful flap of her wings, they shot into the sky. As they soared above the clouds, Barbara couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Guild Master, are you really human?" Vincent gave her a strange look. "Why? Do I not look human?" Barbara scrutinized him from head to toe, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You look human, sure. But where did you get your strength? When we fought, I was certain we were at the same level. How can a human have a stronger physique than a Barbarian?" Her confusion was genuine. It was common knowledge that humans were inferior to Barbarians in terms of physical strength. Yet, Vincent had proven otherwise. Vincent didn''t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Soon, they descended deep into the Verdant Wild Forest. Vincent scanned the area below before ordering Goldie to land. Once they touched down in a clearing, Vincent hopped off Goldie''s back. Barbara and Warren followed suit. "Guild Master, what are we doing here? There''s nothing here," Barbara commented, her eyes scanning the empty clearing. But just as she spoke, several small, dark figures emerged from the shadows, forming into bipedal rats. Vincent had summoned dozens of Umbral Rats. With a single thought, the rats scattered in different directions. "Guild Master, what are those rats?" Barbara asked, her curiosity piqued. Vincent didn''t look at her as he replied, "You said you wanted to fight, right?" Barbara nodded eagerly. "Then be prepared to fight," Vincent said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. Warren, who had been nervously observing their surroundings, noticed Vincent''s smile and felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Before long, the presence of approaching creatures became undeniable. "Something''s coming!" Warren exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic. "I know, four-eyes. I''m not blind," Barbara retorted, her grin widening. Soon, the Umbral Rats Vincent sent had returned, but they weren''t alone. Behind them were dozens of primal creatures of varying sizes and levels, their eyes glowing with ferocity. "Oh, we''re doomed!" Warren muttered, his face pale with fear. Meanwhile, Barbara''s grin only grew wider. "Stop being a coward! This is going to be fun!" Chapter 190 - 190: Bringing Barbara and Warren (2) Vincent didn''t look at her as he replied, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of challenge, "You said you wanted to fight, right?" Barbara nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Then be prepared to fight," Vincent said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, one that hinted at both danger and amusement. Warren, who had been nervously observing their surroundings, noticed Vincent''s smile and felt a sudden chill run down his spine. His instincts screamed that something was about to go terribly wrong. Before long, the presence of approaching creatures became undeniable. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble faintly, and the air grew thick with tension. "Something''s coming!" Warren exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic as he adjusted his glasses, his eyes darting around. "I know, four-eyes. I''m not blind," Barbara retorted, her grin widening as she cracked her knuckles, ready for action. Soon, the Umbral Rats Vincent had sent out returned, but they weren''t alone. Behind them were dozens of primal creatures of varying sizes and levels, their eyes glowing with ferocity, their growls echoing through the air like a chorus of impending doom. "Oh, we''re doomed!" Warren muttered, his face pale with fear as he took a step back, his staff trembling in his hands. Meanwhile, Barbara''s grin only grew wider, her excitement palpable. "Stop being a coward! This is going to be fun!" As soon as she said that, Vincent unsummoned the Umbral Rats. And when the target of the dozens of primals disappeared, countless crimson eyes glared in their direction, the creatures now fully focused on the trio. Different sounds of excited growls filled the air, a cacophony of hunger and aggression. Vincent remained stoic, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Barbara. "If any of these primals manage to touch a single hair on my body, you can forget having a rematch with me." He then turned his gaze to Warren, his tone equally stern. "You too. If you don''t do well, I will tie you together with Barbara for a month." Warren was dumbfounded, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Why also me?! I didn''t even come for a rematch?! Why am I also being punished?!" he cried in his mind, but he could only nod his head despite his internal turmoil. "Haha. I don''t think it''s a punishment for you, four-eyes," Barbara teased with a giggle, clearly enjoying Warren''s discomfort. "Damn, gorilla. You better kill all these dogs!" Warren retorted, his voice shaky but defiant. "What did you just call me?!" Barbara growled, her eyes narrowing dangerously. However, Warren simply ignored her as he fixed his glasses with his fingers, trying to maintain some semblance of composure. While Barbara was still glaring at Warren, seeking a response, a wolf-like primal with a horn on its head and gray fur suddenly pounced at her. It was a Tier 1(5¡ï) White-horned Wolf! And just when it was about to bite her, Barbara simply raised her left hand and grabbed its mouth, crushing it with a sickening crunch. The wolf yelped in pain, its body writhing before she tossed it aside like a ragdoll. "What did you call me, four-eyes?!" Her voice was cold, her glare piercing. However, Warren simply ignored her without a word¡ªbut only for a few seconds. Soon, he looked at her and mouthed, "Go-ri-Ila..." Boom! As soon as he did, a powerful aura burst out of Barbara, causing fierce winds that blasted several weaker incoming primals away! Despite the strong pressure Barbara was emitting, Warren stood his ground, releasing a similar pressure of Tier 2(1¡ï) level! Behind them, Vincent couldn''t help but exclaim amusedly, "Hoh... you two sure are compatible..." "What!" The two of them looked at him with furious expressions. However, he simply smiled at them, clearly enjoying the chaos. And with a simple "boo!" a powerful pressure sent the two of them to the middle of the dozens of primals! Roar! A huge dinosaur-like primal let out a deafening roar and dashed at them! It was a Tier 2(1¡ï) primal! "Fuck! Do it, Gorilla! I''ll support you, so you better do your job well!" Warren exclaimed, his voice rising above the chaos. "Goddamn, four-eyes! I''ll beat you after killing all these dogs!" Barbara retorted before shifting her attention to the incoming primals. "Haaa!" With a loud grunt, she hurled her fist forward. In the next second, a strong shockwave erupted, flying through a 15-meter distance, killing every primal in its path. Just as the shockwave disappeared, a jade horizontal crescent-shaped energy flashed, cutting through the air and killing every primal in its path. Barbara looked at the source of it. Naturally, it was from Warren, who was now holding an old-fashioned staff. Without even stopping, he waved his staff again, releasing sharp crescent energies! "I thought you liked fighting, Gorilla. Why are you just standing there?" Warren glanced and smirked at her before waving his staff in another direction, releasing a few more sharp crescent energies! Hearing his words, Barbara couldn''t help but laugh. "Haha. You want to play with me?" She paused, and her eyes suddenly turned cold. "I''ll play with you!" Boom! The ground caved in due to the impact of her pressure! Bam! The ground trembled faintly as the primals in front of her were blasted away, their cries of agony filling the air. In the distance, Vincent couldn''t help but faintly smile. In that short moment, Warren had made a quick decision. With his fear of receiving punishment and getting tied together with Barbara, he had intentionally angered her to ensure she would use all her strength to kill the incoming primals. And although Warren was also attacking on his own, he was actually more focused on supporting and buffing Barbara without her notice. Barbara was really like a gorilla, hurling her fists left and right, causing faint tremors and explosions with every strike. However, it seemed that they had forgotten their goal. They were too focused on killing the primals around them. When suddenly... a black shadow sneakily appeared behind Vincent. Needless to say, Vincent had already noticed it, but he didn''t react or move. He kept his eyes fixed on the front. Soon, the black shadow pounced and appeared behind him. It was a Tier 2(1¡ï) Carnivorous Cat! The moment it appeared, Vincent glanced at Warren and Barbara''s direction, and they were still unaware of his situation. Thus, he simply acted, "Nooo!" In that instance, Warren and Barbara snapped their attention toward him at the same time. Warren''s eyes widened while Barbara frowned. Barbara then looked at Warren, and Warren immediately understood without a word from her. He quickly pointed his oldwood staff and uttered, "Cover!" Clang! A transparent green barrier appeared behind Vincent, blocking the sharp claws of the Carnivorous Cat! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing its attack didn''t work, the Carnivorous Cat immediately retreated and hid in the crowd of primals. Barbara let out a sigh of relief when she saw Vincent was safe. She then glared at Warren, "What the hell are you doing, stupid four-eyes! You''re supposed to protect the guild master!" "Shut up, gorilla. Just do your job. Go fight!" "Ahhh! I will surely kill you after this!" Barbara exclaimed as she blasted the head of a dog-like primal. Boom! Bang! Awoo! Explosions and tremors occurred for a while, along with the cries of primals and an occasional ''oh-no'' script from Vincent. A few hours later, the surroundings finally regained their silence. Countless primal corpses littered the ground. "Huff... Huff..." "Ha¡­ Hah¡­" Barbara and Warren breathed heavily as they looked around them before collapsing on the ground. At the same time, particles of digital light bloomed out of the corpses, creating a beautiful scenery despite the massacre that had just occurred. "Haaa¡­ Finally~" Warren muttered as he panted, lying on his back. Not far from him was Barbara, kneeling on the ground, drenched with sweat, also panting. "Yeah, finally¡­ I can kill you now!" Chapter 191 - 191: An Accident Barbara let out a sigh of relief when she saw Vincent was safe. She then glared at Warren, "What the hell are you doing, stupid four-eyes! You''re supposed to protect the guild master!" "Shut up, gorilla. Just do your job. Go fight!" "Ahhh! I will surely kill you after this!" Barbara exclaimed as she blasted the head of a dog-like primal. Boom! Bang! Awoo! Explosions and tremors occurred for a while, along with the cries of primals and an occasional ''oh-no'' script from Vincent. A few hours later, the surroundings finally regained their silence. Countless primal corpses littered the ground. "Huff... Huff..." "Ha¡­ Hah¡­" Barbara and Warren breathed heavily as they looked around them before collapsing on the ground. At the same time, particles of digital light bloomed out of the corpses, creating a beautiful scenery despite the massacre that had just occurred. "Haaa¡­ Finally~" Warren muttered as he panted, lying on his back. Not far from him was Barbara, kneeling on the ground, drenched with sweat, also panting. "Yeah, finally... I can kill you now!" "Huh?" Barbara dragged her exhausted body and lunged at Warren with a feral intensity. Caught off guard, Warren raised his trusty Oldwood Staff to defend himself, gritting his teeth as he braced for impact. "Fuck! You''re crazy!" Warren shouted, his voice tinged with both frustration and disbelief. "Crazy? Gorilla? Haha, that''s right, this CRAZY GORILLA WILL KILL YOU!" Barbara roared, her voice a mix of anger and wild determination. Just as Barbara''s fangs were about to sink into Warren, Vincent materialized beside them, his presence calm yet commanding. "That''s enough..." A faint wave of mental energy swept through the area, sapping their strength and forcing them to halt their struggle. Barbara''s arms trembled as exhaustion overwhelmed her. She lost her balance, and with her momentum still carrying her forward, she began to fall¡ªdirectly toward Warren''s face. Time seemed to slow as their eyes widened in shock. Both wanted to avoid the collision, but their bodies were too drained to react. Inevitably, Barbara''s face met Warren''s. No, to be precise, it was their lips that collided. Their eyes locked, wide with disbelief, as the world around them seemed to freeze. The unexpected intimacy left them both stunned, their minds scrambling to process what had just happened. Beside them, Vincent''s eyes also widened, his usually composed demeanor shattered by the sheer awkwardness of the situation. He had only intended to stop their bickering, not... this. Realizing his role in the mishap, Vincent cleared his throat awkwardly, turning his head to the side. "Well, that''s it for now. You two can take a rest," he said, his voice strained as he tried to maintain his composure. Without another word, he vanished, leaving the two alone in their stunned silence. Moments later, as they regained their senses, Warren and Barbara found the strength to stand, though they couldn''t bring themselves to look at each other. Despite her tanned skin, Barbara''s cheeks were flushed a deep red, her embarrassment impossible to hide. Warren, too, despite his Almaurian copper complexion, was visibly flustered, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. "I-I''m¡ª" Warren stammered, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. "A-Ah¡ª" Barbara began at the same time, her voice softer and more feminine than usual, a stark contrast to her usual rough, masculine tone. "You¡ª" they both started again, interrupting each other once more. Realizing the pattern, they fell into an awkward silence, each waiting for the other to speak first. But neither dared to break the tension. Instead, they slowly turned away, only to find themselves mirroring each other''s movements once again. This time, however, they didn''t overreact. Instead, they lowered their heads, their expressions a mix of hesitation and embarrassment. Finally, Warren gestured with his hand, signaling for Barbara to speak first. Barbara, still avoiding direct eye contact, fidgeted nervously. Her fingers traced the edge of her cheek as she spoke, her voice unusually gentle. "A-Ah, I want to apologize... I just got so pissed... If you just stopped calling me Gorilla, I wouldn''t have attacked you." Warren, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, shook his head. "N-No, it''s not your fault. I want to apologize too. I intentionally angered you so you''d focus on killing all the primals..." Silence fell once more as they both processed the weight of their words. After a moment, their eyes finally met, and a small, tentative smile formed on their lips. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite Barbara towering over Warren by a head, the moment felt strangely tender, a rare glimpse of vulnerability between the two. The atmosphere, however, was soon shattered by a faint cough. "Ahem!" Both Warren and Barbara jolted in surprise, their heads snapping toward the source of the sound. It was Vincent, their Guild Master, who had reappeared as quietly as he had left. "G-Guild Master?" Warren stammered, his voice betraying his lingering embarrassment. "Ahem. Did I perhaps disturb something?" Vincent asked, his tone teasing but his expression unreadable. "N-No!" Warren responded immediately, his voice a little too loud. "Ha-ha. Of course not!" Barbara laughed awkwardly, her usual bravado returning in an attempt to mask her discomfort. Vincent glanced at their flustered expressions, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "If you say so. Then, did both of you have a good rest?" The question caught them off guard. Rest? He had only been gone for a few minutes! Seeing their confused expressions, Vincent nodded as if everything was perfectly normal. "In that case, it''s time for round 2!" "Round 2?! W-Wait, Guild Master, we haven''t had enough rest yet!" Warren protested, his voice tinged with desperation. But Vincent simply smiled, his expression unyielding. With a flick of his finger, several umbral rats materialized and scurried into the distance, signaling the start of another grueling session. Warren''s face paled at the sight, while Barbara''s eyes lit up with anticipation. Despite her exhaustion, the thrill of battle still burned within her, ready to be unleashed once more. It just shows that no matter the situation, she was a barbarian. A being born to fight! Chapter 192 - 192: Lead Them (1) Seeing their confused expressions, Vincent nodded as if everything was perfectly normal. "In that case, it''s time for round 2!" "Round 2?! W-Wait, Guild Master, we haven''t had enough rest yet!" Warren protested, his voice tinged with desperation. But Vincent simply smiled, his expression unyielding. With a flick of his finger, several umbral rats materialized and scurried into the distance, signaling the start of another grueling session. Warren''s face paled at the sight, while Barbara''s eyes lit up with anticipation. Despite her exhaustion, the thrill of battle still burned within her, ready to be unleashed once more. The battle raged on for another hour before it finally came to an end. This time, even Barbara, the battle maniac, was left panting heavily, her limbs sprawled wide on the ground. Beside her lay Warren, his face planted firmly into the dirt. No one could tell if he was still breathing or if he had already passed out from exhaustion. Despite their condition, Vincent was pleased. He hadn''t brought them along without reason. Earlier, he had received a comprehensive report from Lizno detailing their strengths, abilities, weaknesses, and the circumstances under which Lizno had recruited them. Among the recruits, these two had stood out the most. Barbara had been an easy recruit, lured in by the promise of food. Warren, however, was different. Though it wasn''t immediately obvious, Lizno''s report had highlighted Warren''s unique support skill¡ªa random-effect ability. But that wasn''t the main draw. Warren possessed a special skill that could temporarily boost someone''s luck. When combined with his random-effect skill, it allowed the target to receive the effect they most needed in any given situation. Vincent was also intrigued by Warren''s background. It was common knowledge that Almaurians, with their copper-toned skin, were known for their robust physiques. Warren, however, was an exception. Despite his copper skin, he was frail¡ªeven more so than the average human. He had been sickly since childhood, a fact that had earned him ridicule and scorn. His fianc¨¦e had left him, and his family had disowned him, forcing him to fend for himself from a young age. At eighteen, Warren had awakened his talent, but his frail health persisted. Determined to improve his condition, he focused on mastering support skills. To Vincent, who hailed from modern Earth and had read countless novels, Warren''s story felt like a classic underdog tale. It was no wonder Vincent found himself drawn to Warren''s potential and eagerly anticipated his future growth. Vincent''s attention shifted to the battlefield, where an abundance of loot lay scattered across the ground. The sheer quantity was unlike anything he had ever seen from his own drops. He was certain this was the result of Warren''s special skill¡ªor perhaps the protagonist''s lady luck shining through. Approaching the two nearly lifeless bodies, Vincent tossed two pairs of red and white vials into the air. Before the potions could hit the ground, they hovered in place, their corks removed by an invisible force. Since upgrading his Yellow Heaven Mental Aura skill to legendary-grade, Vincent had gained the ability to manipulate objects with his mental energy. With a flick of his wrist, he turned Warren''s body and poured the potions into their mouths. The vials contained stamina and recovery potions. Throughout the battle, Vincent hadn''t been idle. He had occasionally stepped in to assist, but only enough to ensure they gained experience points. His storage rings were stocked with hundreds of such potions, along with a few rare-grade skill books he had upgraded and replicated. After consuming the potions, Barbara and Warren slowly regained their strength. However, instead of standing, they soon fainted after muttering, "Guild Master¡­" Vincent glanced at them for a moment before waving his hand, collecting all the loot scattered across the ground. Once everything was stored, he called out, "Goldie!" From above, Goldie, the Crimson-Winged Condor, descended with a graceful chirp, lowering her head in submission. Using his mental energy, Vincent lifted Barbara and Warren and placed them onto Goldie''s back before leaping up himself. "Let''s go," he commanded, and with a powerful flap of her wings, Goldie shot into the sky. In Caelius Lionfang''s Territory, Caelius stood on an elevated platform, addressing his 1,500 clan members. The crowd before him buzzed with confusion, their eyes fixed on their leader. Behind Caelius stood the trio¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona. "I know you''re all wondering why I''ve called this meeting," Caelius began, his voice steady. "I understand your desire for revenge against the Blackthorn dogs for what they''ve done to our clan members. But I''m not blind to our current disadvantage. Our main territory is far, and reinforcements cannot reach us quickly." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "However, do not despair. I''ve called you here for a reason." With a wave of his hand, thousands of green skill books materialized and flew toward the crowd. "What are these?" someone asked, confusion evident in their voice. "Are you blind? These are uncommon-grade skill books," another retorted. "Do you think I''m stupid? Of course, I know that! What I meant was¡ª" Before the speaker could finish, Caelius''s voice cut through the air, resonating with authority. "These are my gifts to you. Learn them quickly. By lunch, we will raid the Blacktooth Labyrinth and give the Blackthorn dogs a surprise they won''t forget!" The crowd fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers and applause. "All hail the Young Master!" "You''re so generous, Young Master!" "You''re the best, Caelius!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We''ll crush the Blackthorn dogs for you, Young Master!" As Caelius watched his clan members with a satisfied smile, the trio behind him exchanged shocked glances. Karl was utterly baffled. "Where did the Young Master get all those skill books? And they''re all uncommon-grade?!" Fiona was equally perplexed. "I have no idea. I thought he was going to announce a new battle plan. I never expected this¡­" Uncle Gold, however, remained silent, a warm smile on his face as he watched Caelius with pride. Meanwhile, Vincent had just arrived in the Umbra Guild Territory. As he dismounted from Goldie''s back, a familiar figure approached him. It was Clauny, and surprisingly, the missing Mochi was asleep on her shoulders. Vincent gave Mochi a curious look before turning to Clauny, who wore a concerned expression. "What happened to them?" she asked, gesturing to the unconscious Barbara and Warren floating behind Vincent. "Oh, nothing serious. They''re just exhausted. Call someone to take them to their rooms and tell Lizno to meet me in my office," Vincent replied. Clauny nodded, her eyes lingering on Vincent for a moment before she turned to carry out his orders. As they stood in silence, Vincent broke the quiet. "How are you? Have you settled into the guild?" Clauny smiled softly. "I''m doing well. Everyone''s been kind. Thank you for asking." Vincent nodded. "Good. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be in my office." "Yes, I''ll notify Lizno right away," Clauny replied, watching as Vincent walked away, his figure gradually fading into the distance. She shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts, and muttered to herself, "Come on, Clauny. Stop daydreaming. You need to focus on improving too." After a while, Vincent, seated in his office, heard a knock at the door. "Come in," he called. The door opened, and Lizno, the Lizardman, entered. "You called for me, Young Master?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "You mentioned that most of our guild members were recruited using the funds I initially provided, correct?" "Yes, Young Master," Lizno confirmed. "How much did you promise them?" Vincent inquired. Lizno proceeded to report the details. In summary, most members were promised a monthly salary of 2,000 low-grade Origin Crystals. Tier 2 Origin Warriors, however, received higher pay. Currently, the guild had only three Tier 2 Origin Warriors aside from Vincent and Lizno: Barbara, Warren, and Aldo, whom Vincent had met the previous day. Vincent had already spoken with Barbara and Warren, but he had yet to have a proper conversation with Aldo. Though curious, he set the matter aside for now. His expression turned serious as he looked at Lizno, causing the Lizardman to grow nervous. "You were the one who recruited them, correct?" "Yes, Young Master," Lizno replied cautiously. "How much do you trust them?" Vincent asked. Lizno fell silent for a moment, considering the question. He had anticipated this line of inquiry ever since Vincent had tasked him with building the guild and recruiting members. "I can trust them completely, Young Master," Lizno answered confidently. "Although you gave me the freedom to recruit whomever I chose, I made sure to invite only those who could earn my trust and vice versa." He continued, "It wasn''t easy, of course. I had to enforce some disciplinary measures, as you taught me¡­" Lizno''s voice trailed off, a chilling smile creeping across his face. Vincent only wondered but he chose not to press further. Instead, he nodded. "In that case, I want you to lead them." "Lead them? Where?" Lizno thought, but he remained silent, waiting for Vincent to continue. Chapter 193 - 193: Neighbour He continued, "It wasn''t easy, of course. I had to enforce some disciplinary measures, as you taught me¡­" Lizno''s voice trailed off, a chilling smile creeping across his face. Vincent pondered for a moment but chose not to press further. Instead, he nodded calmly. "In that case, I want you to lead them." "Lead them? Where?" Lizno thought, though he remained silent, waiting for Vincent to continue. After sending Lizno off, Vincent was left alone in his office. In the real world, it had been the second day since he broke through to Tier 2. "I should go back¡­" he mused. Marina and Amara were still unaware of his breakthrough, and they might grow worried if he didn''t return from the Origin World after two days. With that in mind, he retrieved an escape scroll from his storage ring. It would be the first time he used it, and he wondered if he could return to the Origin World the same day or if he''d have to wait. Without hesitation, he tore the scroll. Particles of digital light shimmered around him, collapsing after three seconds, and he vanished. His surroundings blurred momentarily, and he found himself back in the hotel room they had rented. It was noon, and Marina and Amara were still at school and work. Curious, he attempted to return to the Origin World, but as expected, an unknown power blocked him. Still, he wasn''t worried¡ªit was only temporary. At that moment, the phone on the side table near his bed rang. Vincent picked it up and glanced at the caller ID: Anjie, the real estate agent he''d been working with. As soon as he answered, a holographic screen projected in front of him, displaying Anjie''s polite smile. "Good day, Mr. Magnus," she greeted formally. "Hi, Anjie," Vincent replied, his tone calm and unhurried. "I''m calling to inform you that your property is fully prepared. You may relocate at your earliest convenience," she said, her voice professional yet warm. "Oh, that''s quick," Vincent responded, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Yes, everything has been taken care of, and all utilities are set up as per your request. You just need to scan your Origin Warrior License to gain access," Anjie added. "Sounds like it''s all sorted, then," Vincent said, his tone casual but composed. "Indeed, Mr. Magnus. Should you require any further assistance, please don''t hesitate to reach out," she replied, maintaining her formal tone. "Sure, will do. Thanks for the update," Vincent said, his voice even. "You''re welcome. Have a wonderful day, Mr. Magnus." "You too, Anjie," Vincent replied calmly before ending the call. The projection faded, and Vincent set his phone down, his expression as calm as ever. Though the call was brief, he noticed Anjie seemed more cheerful than the last time they spoke. "In that case, should I check it out?" he thought. With that in mind, he changed into casual clothes, hailed a hover cab, and headed toward District 10. After an hour of travel, he arrived at the Peaceful Lake Subdivision. The property he had purchased was located within this exclusive area. The AI hover cab lowered its window, and Vincent saw a muscular middle-aged man in a blue guard uniform approaching. "I apologize, young sir. This is private property. Only owners are permitted to enter," the guard said politely. Vincent leaned slightly and replied, "I just bought a property here. I''m here to check it out." Hearing this, the guard recalled the information he had received from the office. "Are you Mr. Magnus?" he asked. Vincent nodded. "Apologies. May I see your ID for confirmation?" Vincent handed over his Origin Warrior License. The guard examined it briefly and returned it. "Thank you for your patience, Young Master Magnus. You may proceed. Enjoy your stay." Vincent nodded again, and the hover cab continued into the subdivision. Soon, he stood before a massive amber-colored gate. The sign above it read: Sunset River Villa. This was his first property, both in his previous life and his current one. Next to his villa stood another, even more luxurious one. Using his perception, he scanned it discreetly, noting its grandeur. Suddenly, a woman''s voice rang out from inside the neighboring villa. "Isn''t that quite rude? Are you peeping into someone else''s house?" Vincent was startled. He had masked his mental energy carefully, yet the woman had detected him. "I apologize. I didn''t mean to be rude. I was just admiring your villa," he replied, his tone calm but cautious. "Hoh, I haven''t heard your voice before. Are you new here?" the woman asked, her tone laced with curiosity. "Yes, I''m the new owner of the villa next to yours," Vincent answered. "Oh, a new neighbor¡­ Alright, I''ll let it slide this time. But don''t think this is a habit I''ll tolerate. If it happens again, don''t be surprised if I pluck out your eyeballs and feed them to my dogs," she said, her voice turning icy at the end. Vincent didn''t respond. He withdrew his mental energy and glanced at the neighboring villa, frowning as he wondered about the identity of his new neighbor. Shaking off his thoughts, he scanned his Origin Warrior License on the security lock. A soft click echoed, and the massive gate slowly opened. A female, monotonous voice emanated from a screen on the gate''s wall. "Welcome back, Master Vincent." Vincent raised an eyebrow, intrigued. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon, a hovering humanoid chrome robot approached him. Emblazoned on its torso was the bold number "9." "I am AI support model No. 09999¡ª9. You may address me as Nine, or you may change my designation according to your preference." Vincent decided to keep the name for the time being. "Tell me all your functions and provide me with the details of the villa," he instructed. "As you wish," Nine replied. With that, Nine began to guide Vincent through the villa, detailing its features and functions. In summary, Vincent was satisfied with Nine''s capabilities. Chapter 194 - 194: Illusion Shatterguard Array A female, monotonous voice echoed from a screen on the gate''s wall beside Vincent. "Welcome back, Master Vincent." Vincent raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the automated greeting. Soon, a hovering humanoid chrome robot approached him. Emblazoned on its torso was the bold number "9." "I am AI support model No. 09999¡ª9. You may address me as Nine, or you may change my designation according to your preference." Vincent decided to keep the name for the time being. "Tell me all your functions and provide me with the details of the villa," he instructed. "As you wish," Nine replied. With that, Nine began to guide Vincent through the villa, detailing its features and functions. In summary, Vincent was satisfied with Nine''s capabilities. The AI was an all-in-one servant, capable of handling household chores¡ªlaundry, cooking, and even gardening. However, Nine''s cooking skills were only average, falling short of five-star professional chefs. Still, Vincent found it acceptable. As for the Sunset River Villa, it was a masterpiece of modern elegance, nestled gracefully near the tranquil riverbank. The two-story mansion spanned 800 to 1,000 square meters, featuring eight meticulously designed rooms. The first floor welcomed guests with a spacious living room, a cozy dining area, a sleek kitchen, and a guest bedroom. The second floor housed the lavish master suite, three additional bedrooms, and a shared balcony offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. Outside, the property was a haven of natural beauty. A man-made pond, stretching 15 meters by 10 meters, shimmered under the sunlight, its gentle waters reflecting the sky. Nearby, a small artificial mountain rose 10 to 15 meters high, its base covering 400 square meters, adding a touch of grandeur to the landscape. The villa itself was set 20 to 30 meters from the river, ensuring both safety and an uninterrupted vista of the flowing waters. Practicality met luxury with a spacious garage, accommodating two to three cars, and a basement offering 100 square meters of versatile space¡ªperfect for storage, a home gym, or a wine cellar. The entire estate, encompassing the mansion, pond, mountain, and outdoor areas, was set on a generous plot of 2,000 to 3,000 square meters, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered, making it a sanctuary designed for both comfort and awe. In Vincent''s eyes, it was a beautiful property. "I should let them know¡­" he thought. With that, he sent a message to Marina and Amara. After inspecting everything, Vincent made his way to the kitchen. Earlier, he had been surprised to find the fridge stocked with food and essentials. Upon inquiring, Nine informed him that it was a gift from Anjie, the real estate agent. Since he had some time to spare before Marina''s school ended and Amara finished work, Vincent decided to prepare dinner for them. Standing in the kitchen, his movements were steady and unhurried as he crafted a meal that would retain its warmth and flavor for hours. He chose a dish that would stay delicious even after sitting for a while. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the counter, he laid out the ingredients: a whole chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, and a handful of fresh herbs¡ªrosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf. He preheated the oven, then seasoned the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Rubbing the herbs over the skin, their earthy aroma filled the kitchen. In a large roasting pan, he arranged the chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions, tossing them with oil and seasoning. The chicken was placed on top, its golden skin glistening under the kitchen light. Vincent slid the pan into the oven, setting the timer for an hour and a half. As the chicken roasted, the kitchen filled with the warm, comforting scent of herbs and caramelizing vegetables. He occasionally basted the chicken with its own juices, ensuring it stayed moist and flavorful. Once the chicken was perfectly cooked¡ªcrispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside¡ªVincent removed it from the oven. He let it rest for a few minutes before carving it into portions, arranging the meat alongside the roasted vegetables on a large platter. He covered it loosely with foil to keep it warm without losing its texture. For a side, he prepared a simple quinoa salad with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette. It was a dish that would hold up well at room temperature, adding a fresh contrast to the hearty roast. Vincent set the table, placing the platter of chicken and vegetables in the center, the quinoa salad beside it, and a basket of warm, crusty bread. He stepped back, satisfied. The meal was hearty, flavorful, and designed to stay delicious even after a few hours. When Marina and Amara arrived, they''d surely drool in an instant. Vincent couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought of their reactions. After storing the meal, he headed to the basement. The space was vast, spanning 100 square meters. With a wave of his hand, small mountains of weapons and items appeared before him. Despite the quantity, it was only a fraction of his accumulated items. With the resources from the Tower of Fundamentals, his small basement couldn''t store everything. These items were all common-grade. He had taken them out for a specific purpose. Soon, he sat cross-legged in the middle of the basement, the common-grade items positioned around him. With his eyes closed and palms together, he uttered, "Melt!" The items around him began to collapse into particles of white light, slowly converging into a liquid-like substance that floated around him. Once the particles stabilized, Vincent made a quick succession of hand movements. The liquefied light transformed into a complicated array, and with a grunt, he slammed his palms on the ground. Bang! The intricate array embedded itself into the ground. In the next second, an invisible aura spread outward, covering the entire villa. Vincent stood up and nodded in approval. "Hmm¡­ It looks good." The skill he had just used was one of the rare abilities he had acquired from the Tower of Illusions that he had upgraded to epic-grade. It was called the Illusion Shatterguard Array. The Illusion Shatterguard Array would automatically activate if someone entered the villa without his permission. The array had three layers of mechanisms: First Layer: Anyone at Tier 3 (1¡ï) or below would be unable to find their way inside the villa. Second Layer: Once the array confirmed the intruder''s malicious intent, it would activate and deliver a strike equivalent to Peak Tier 2 strength. Third Layer: It could withstand several attacks from a Tier 3 Origin Warrior. Vincent had been planning to set this up since the incident at their old place. He was determined not to let anything like that happen again. Chapter 195 - 195: Code-09-Black (1) Vincent had been planning this ever since the incident at their old place. He was determined never to let anything like that happen again. A few hours later, Nine approached him and reported, "Master, there are two people outside. Do you want me to let them in?" Vincent raised an eyebrow. With a simple scan using his mental energy, he immediately identified Marina and Amara waiting beyond the gate. "Yes, they''re my family. Let them in," Vincent said. Nine nodded. "As you wish, Master." His robotic blue eyes flashed briefly, and the Sunset River Villa''s gate opened a second later. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent stepped out of the villa and made his way outside to welcome them. At the same time, Marina and Amara entered through the gate. Marina was still dressed in her school uniform, while Amara remained in her office attire, the fabric clinging snugly to her figure, accentuating her curves. "Woah¡­ Is this really going to be our home from now on?" Marina muttered in awe, taking in the luxurious surroundings. She still couldn''t believe that this place would be their new residence. Villas like this were something she had only seen on the internet¡ªnever in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would actually live in one. Unlike her, Amara remained composed, her expression calm and unreadable, as if the grandeur of the place didn''t impress her in the slightest. However, at that moment, Amara briefly glanced in the direction of the neighboring villa before looking away, seemingly losing interest just as quickly. "You two are here¡­" Vincent said as he approached. Upon seeing him, Marina''s face lit up with excitement. "Brother!" she exclaimed before launching herself at him. Vincent caught her effortlessly, his stance firm and steady. "Brother, is this really going to be our house from now on?" she asked, eyes shimmering with excitement. Even though she had been there when he purchased the property, it still felt surreal. To someone who had grown up in poverty, suddenly living in a place like this was almost unbelievable. Vincent chuckled and tapped her nose lightly. "You''re absolutely right, Your Highness." "Hehe." Marina giggled, her excitement barely contained. "Did you take everything you needed?" Marina nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! There''s no way I''d leave my babies behind." Then, as if by magic, she pulled out a palm-sized figurine of a handsome young man shrouded in a shadowy aura. It was none other than the protagonist of her favorite anime¡ªLone Leveler: Sang Jen Woo! She lovingly pressed the figurine against her cheek. Vincent could only shake his head with a wry smile before shifting his gaze to Amara, who had been watching him with an unusual expression. He frowned slightly. "What''s wrong, Sis Amara?" Hearing his question, Amara suddenly smiled¡ªa gentle, warm smile. Vincent was momentarily stunned. She rarely smiled like this. Usually, her smiles carried a teasing edge, or they only appeared when she was drunk. But this¡­ this was different. It was a proud smile. One filled with warmth¡ªalmost maternal. However, the moment was fleeting. Amara shattered it the next second with her teasing words. "I never thought you''d grow up this fast," she mused. "I can still remember when you were just a baby. I was the one who always changed your nappies. And now, look at you¡ªowning your own villa." Vincent felt an imaginary black line appear on his forehead, the corners of his lips twitching in irritation. Beside him, Marina giggled. Even though they both knew that Amara had only taken them in as teenagers, no one bothered to correct her. In some ways, she really did act like their adoptive parent. So, Vincent chose not to argue and simply accepted her teasing with a sigh. "Come on, let''s go inside. I''ve prepared dinner for us," he said, gesturing toward the entrance. "Oh! What did you make, Brother?" Marina asked eagerly. "You''re still the best, my little Vince," Amara said before adding with a smirk, "Do we have beer?" Vincent gave her a deadpan look and replied in mock annoyance, "No, we don''t. Go buy some yourself." Amara froze in place, as if she had just received the most devastating news of her life. "No¡ª" But just as she was about to start her usual dramatic reaction, Vincent smirked. "I''m just kidding. Go inside." Amara blinked in shock. Marina giggled as she followed Vincent inside. "Little Vince!" Amara shouted at the top of her lungs before chasing after them. Laughter filled the Sunset River Villa that night as they enjoyed their dinner together. Bronze Heaven Arc, 10th District¡ªBlue Neon City In a dimly lit facility, where an eerie red light flickered intermittently, an old man with greasy white hair and a steam-golden monocle on his left eye frantically pressed numerous buttons in front of him. Dressed in a white lab coat, he might have looked like a scientist under normal circumstances. But in his current haggard state¡ªhis hands shaking, sweat dripping down his temples¡ªhe resembled a mad scientist on the verge of collapse. Alarms blared. A monotonous female voice echoed throughout the chamber. "Warning! Warning! Warning! The second level of Aegis Control has been breached!" "Fuck! Why does it have to happen now?!" the old man cursed under his breath. His fingers flew across the console, desperately inputting command after command. His wide, panicked eyes remained fixed on the giant screen before him. It displayed a dark, shadowy figure rampaging through the facility, tearing through every reinforced gate in its path with terrifying ease. "Warning! Warning! Warning! The third level of Aegis Control has been breached! Please be advised¡ªthe target ''Code-09-Black'' will successfully escape in 30 seconds!" The robotic voice announced its grim update. "Shut up! I know, dammit! Don''t you see I''m doing everything I can?!" Beads of cold sweat trickled down his face. "Fuck! Fuck! Why won''t you just stay in your damn cage?! Do you have any idea how much overtime you''re making me do?!" His fingers slammed down on the final command key. "If you won''t behave, don''t blame me for what happens next!" Chapter 196 - 196: Code-09-Black (2) Beads of cold sweat appeared on the old man''s forehead. "Fuck! Fuck! Why can''t you just stay in your damn cage?! I should be celebrating with them, not working overtime because of you! Don''t blame me for this¡ªyou forced my hand!" With that, he slammed his finger onto the final button. Instantly, the blaring warning alarm ceased. The scene on the screen shifted. The black figure that had been charging madly forward suddenly halted. Two pairs of towering, four-meter-tall automated robots emerged¡ªeach wielding colossal hammers, their ebony-painted exteriors gleaming under the dim artificial light. They flanked the black figure from both front and back, closing in methodically. The black figure stood still for a moment before speaking, its words directed at the approaching robots. Unfortunately, they did not seem to comprehend. Unfazed, the robots continued their slow advance. A flicker of anger flashed in the black figure''s glowing eyes before¡ªwhoosh!¡ªit vanished, leaving behind a blur that darted left and right with unnatural speed. The robots'' crimson eyes glowed dangerously as they scanned their surroundings, trying to track the elusive figure. Then¡ªboom!¡ªthe black figure reappeared atop one of the robots'' heads. With a furious snarl, it sank its fangs into the machine''s metal skull. Sparks erupted as its powerful jaws tore away a chunk of steel, leaving a gaping wound in the robot''s head. "Fuck! What the hell are those idiots doing?!" The old man shouted, his frustration boiling over. He yanked at the few strands of hair left on his head, watching the disaster unfold on the screen. "Use your goddamn abilities!" As if responding to his command, the robots'' massive hammers crackled with electrifying energy. The black figure instantly sensed the change. Without hesitation, it leaped off the robot''s head, vanishing into the darkness once more¡ªmoving like a living shadow. But this time, the robots reacted. Their glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing figure, moving in perfect synchronization with its blinding speed. The black figure''s eyes narrowed. They''re tracking me¡­! Just as it attempted to retreat¡ªBZZZT! Four streaks of electrified energy surged toward it, crackling violently through the air. BOOM! The explosion rocked the enclosed space, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing in all directions. Watching the screen, the old man exhaled in relief. "Finally¡­ That damn rat''s caught." He muttered under his breath before leaning toward the microphone. "Tie it up and haul it back to its cage!" But the moment those words left his mouth¡ª FLASH! A piercing abyssal light tore through the smoke, streaking toward the four giant robots like a phantom blade. CRACK! The robots stood frozen, sparks flickering across their steel bodies. Then¡ªone by one¡ªsoft explosions erupted from their heads, thin streams of smoke rising from the fatal breaches. Within moments, the towering machines collapsed onto the ground with heavy, metallic thuds. As the smoke finally cleared, the black figure emerged once more. Its ghostly copper-green eyes stared directly into the surveillance camera. The old man''s blood ran cold. His hands trembled. His breath hitched. A chill slithered down his spine. The black figure held its gaze on him for several seconds before moving its lips soundlessly. Then, it vanished. The surveillance system blared a new alarm. "Warning! Warning! Warning!" "The final level of Aegis Control has been breached! Searching for ''Code-09-Black'' presence¡­ Unable to locate. ''Code-09-Black'' has successfully escaped. Immediate action required¡ªrecommend activating Protocol 10¡­" But the old man wasn''t listening anymore. His face had turned deathly pale. He hadn''t heard the black figure''s words. But he understood them. "Watch your back." A simple, almost casual message. Yet, the weight of it sent ice coursing through his veins. If he hadn''t known the true background of the black figure, he might have laughed it off. But he knew. He knew its capabilities. He knew what it was capable of. Because he was one of the people responsible for creating it. His breath came in ragged gasps. If that thing wanted revenge¡­ if it wanted to come after him or¡ªworse¡ªtheir entire organization¡­ A shudder wracked his body. He had to contain it before it became even more terrifying. No¡ªhe must get it back. Otherwise¡­ he would be dead before it even found its way back here. His fingers hovered over the console before slamming down on a sequence of buttons with deadly precision. "Recommending to follow Protocol 10¡­" "I KNOW! I KNOW! I''M DOING IT!" The old man snapped at the robotic voice, his expression grim. His thoughts darkened as he recalled the people behind their organization. In their eyes, the experiments were more valuable than his life. A mere scientist like him was expendable. With a final press of the button, the system responded. "Protocol 10 activated. Deploying Meta-Shadows unit. Mission: Kill or capture. Target: Code-09-Black." The old man''s lips trembled as he muttered under his breath. "¡­They better bring it back." Because if they failed¡ª He was already a dead man. Meanwhile¡­ The black figure moved swiftly, weaving through the darkness with silent precision. It knew they would send hunters after it. That was inevitable. Its mind raced with calculations, scanning the paths ahead. If it fled toward District 10, it would be heading into pure darkness. That was their territory. It would be cornered sooner or later. But if it took another path¡­ Its copper-green eyes flickered as it shifted directions. Instead of disappearing into the shadows¡ª It headed toward the bright, bustling lights of Blue Neon City. The Next Day. Vincent stretched as he stepped outside the mansion, taking a deep breath of fresh air. His mind was still occupied with the thought of returning to the Origin World, but since he hadn''t been able to enter, he figured it would take a full 24 hours before he could access it again. As he walked toward the man-made pond, something caught his attention. A black figure lay motionless beside the water. His brows furrowed. How the hell did someone get inside my villa¡­ when I just set up a protective array yesterday? His gaze darkened. Don''t tell me¡­ that damn array was defective?! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 197 - 197: Obzee (1) The Next Day. Vincent stretched as he stepped outside the mansion, inhaling a deep breath of fresh air. His mind remained preoccupied with returning to the Origin World. Since he hadn''t been able to enter, he figured it would take a full twenty-four hours before he could access it again. As he made his way toward the man-made pond, something unusual caught his attention. A black figure lay motionless beside the water. His brows furrowed. How the hell did someone get inside my villa¡­ when I just set up a protective array yesterday? His gaze darkened. Don''t tell me¡­ that damn array was defective?! The thought crossed his mind for a brief moment before he dismissed it. It was impossible for the Illusion Shatterguard Array to be defective¡ªit came from the Tower of Illusions, after all. There had to be a reason for this, and the black figure before him might have the answers. As he approached, he soon realized that the figure had a humanoid shape. However, its head belonged to a dog¡ªa Manchester Terrier, to be precise. Its body, however, was crafted from pure ebony metal, emanating a dark aura that made it blend into the shadows. Vincent frowned deeply. At first glance, he thought it might be a demi-human like Vash. But considering its body was entirely made of metal, he wasn''t certain what kind of creature it was. Curious, he activated Heaven Eyes, hoping to uncover its identity. The next second, Vincent''s expression flickered with shock as information flooded his vision. At that moment, the dog-headed creature abruptly snapped its eyes open, revealing a pair of bone-chilling, copper-misty irises. The instant it spotted Vincent, it sprang to its feet and retreated, glaring at him cautiously. Seeing its reaction, Vincent remained unfazed and spoke in a calm, steady voice. "How did you get here?" The creature didn''t respond, merely maintaining its guarded stance as it stared at him warily. Since it refused to answer, he changed his approach. "Who are you?" He hadn''t expected a reply, yet, surprisingly, it responded. "I have no name." Its voice was cautious¡ªyoung, almost childlike. Vincent gave a small nod. "What are you?" The dog-headed creature hesitated. It turned to the side as if searching for an answer before shifting its gaze back to him. "I¡­ I don''t know." It still sounded wary, but its confusion was evident. Vincent remained impassive. He hadn''t received a solid response, but that didn''t deter him. "Then¡­ how did you get here?" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The creature shifted uncomfortably, its head swiveling left and right, seemingly trying to recall something. After a moment, it looked at him again and spoke in that same youthful voice. "I was running from something¡­ I don''t remember what. Before I lost consciousness, I smelled something delicious¡­ and then I ended up here." As it finished, its expression changed from caution to guilt¡ªlike a child caught stealing food from the kitchen. Vincent remained silent for a moment, watching it closely. The creature, too, fell quiet, simply staring at him. His gaze then flicked toward the basement¡ªthe very place he had set up the protective array. With a quick scan of his Mental Energy, he immediately noticed something¡ªthe array''s reserve energy had been completely drained. It was as if something had sucked it dry. A thought clicked into place in his mind. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist, summoning a common-grade sword into his hand. The creature''s eyes instinctively snapped to the weapon. Although it tried to hide its reaction, Vincent didn''t miss the subtle shift in its gaze. Without a word, he casually tossed the sword into the air. "Fetch." The moment the weapon left his grip, the dog-headed creature vanished, moving in a blur. In an instant, it reappeared twenty meters away¡ªnow with the sword clamped between its metallic jaws. SNAP! With a single bite, the sword shattered in half. A quick gulp, and the remnants of the weapon disappeared down the creature''s throat. "¡­Just like a dog," Vincent muttered, watching with intrigue. He hadn''t expected it to consume an entire armament so effortlessly. And this wasn''t some ordinary weapon¡ªit was an armament capable of evolving. Yet, rather than looking satisfied, the creature''s expectant gaze lingered on him. It was waiting¡ªhoping¡ªfor him to throw another ''bone.'' Vincent smirked. Retrieving another common-grade armament, this time a spear, he held it up. The dog-headed creature''s eyes gleamed with anticipation. However, Vincent didn''t throw it¡ªat least, not yet. Instead, he asked, "Do you want this?" The creature hesitated, glancing between him and the spear before nodding. "Yes¡­" Vincent remained unimpressed. "And what can you offer me in return?" The dog-headed creature blinked, confusion flickering across its metallic face. Vincent continued, "You don''t expect me to just hand this over for free, do you? You''ve already eaten my things. I even gave you a sword just now. So tell me¡­ what can you offer me in exchange?" The creature fell silent, clearly uncertain. Its youthful voice and hesitance made it seem more like a lost child than a dangerous entity. It glanced at the spear, then back at Vincent, deliberating. Vincent, sensing its indecision, smirked and pulled out another common-grade armament¡ªan axe. He raised both weapons slightly. "Think carefully. If I like your answer, I might give you both of these." His smirk deepened. "And keep this in mind¡­ I have plenty more where these came from." His voice was calm, yet laced with underlying amusement. The dog-headed creature stared at him, clearly weighing its choices. Vincent merely watched, waiting for its response. After a moment of consideration, the dog-headed creature responded with a question, "I-I have nothing to give you¡­ You tell me what you want in exchange." Vincent flashed a subtle smile before frowning, acting as though he was contemplating deeply. He then replied, "Before that, tell me about your abilities." The dog-headed creature hesitated for a moment before responding, "I can run fast¡­ I can hide in the shadows¡­ and I can also eat stuff, a lot of it!" Chapter 198 - 198: Obzee (2) After a moment of consideration, the dog-headed creature responded with a question, "I-I have nothing to give you¡­ You tell me what you want in exchange." Vincent flashed a subtle smile before frowning, acting as though he was contemplating deeply. He then replied, "Before that, tell me about your abilities." The dog-headed creature hesitated for a moment before responding, "I can run fast¡­ I can hide in the shadows¡­ and I can also eat stuff, a lot of it!" Vincent fell silent, while the dog-headed creature appeared concerned, worried that its abilities might not be impressive enough. After a moment, Vincent revealed his true intention. "In that case, in exchange for these weapons, I want you to protect this place and the people living here. If you accept my offer and do your job well, I can feed you three of these weapons every day¡ªone in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the evening." That was right. Vincent intended to employ the dog-headed creature as a hidden guardian, not just for the house but also for Marina and Amara. Although he had just met the creature, he quickly grasped its nature. Furthermore, he was certain that the dog-headed creature harbored no malicious intent. Why? The Illusion Shatterguard Array had the ability to detect evil intent in anyone who entered his villa. Since the protective array neither alerted him nor activated, he was 99% certain that the creature wasn''t a threat. Moreover, what intrigued him the most was that he couldn''t sense a single trace of Origin Energy from it. He had no idea where its power came from. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing Vincent''s offer, the dog-headed creature barely seemed to register anything beyond one crucial detail. "Really? You''ll feed me that many?" Vincent smirked wryly before nodding. "Yes. Why would I lie to you? What do I gain from deceiving you?" The creature mulled it over for a second. "That''s true¡­ I have nothing on me¡­ What would he even get from lying to a homeless person like me?" Thus, after some thought, it concluded, "I-I accept your offer." A thin smile played across Vincent''s lips as the creature agreed. "You made the right choice," he said before tossing the weapons in his hands toward the dog-headed creature without hesitation. With lightning-fast reflexes, the creature blurred and caught the two weapons with its robotic hands. Without a moment''s delay, it bit into the spear, then the axe. Within seconds, both armaments had vanished into its stomach. The dog-headed creature licked the corner of its mouth in satisfaction before looking at Vincent expectantly, waiting for his next words. "We need to name you first¡­ Do you have a name in mind?" Vincent asked. The creature pondered for a brief moment before shaking its head. "No, I don''t¡­" Vincent nodded, muttering to himself, "Then I''ll have to think of something fitting." After some thought, he concluded, "From now on, you''ll be called Obzee." He paused, nodding to himself. "Yeah, that sounds good." The name was inspired by the creature''s obsidian-like body¡ªsimple, easy to remember, and quite fitting for a guardian dog. The newly named Obzee repeated its name, as if savoring it. "Obzee¡­ From now on, I''ll be Obzee¡­" Then, looking at Vincent with an expression of joy, Obzee asked, "If I''m Obzee, what should I call you?" "I am the Master of this place, so you will address me as Master," Vincent replied matter-of-factly. Just as the words left his mouth, Marina''s voice rang from behind him. "Who are you talking to, brother?" Vincent turned to see Marina, still in her pajamas, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. He greeted her with a teasing smile. "Good morning, Your Highness. How was your sleep in your royal chamber?" Marina giggled. "Hehe, I slept like a log! The bed was so soft and huge. My old bed and even the hotel''s bed don''t even come close!" She then asked again, "But seriously, who were you talking to?" "Oh, I was talking to¡­" Vincent turned back¡ªbut instead of the full-sized Obzee, he found a small, ebony-furred, robotic Manchester Terrier sitting at his feet. Before he could react, Marina''s eyes widened in excitement. "Wow! Is that the new artificial intelligence pet that was recently released?" Vincent was momentarily taken aback. Obzee never mentioned he could transform like this¡­ But seeing Marina''s enthusiasm, he decided to go along with it. "Yes, this is Obzee." Marina stepped forward, crouching down in front of the small robotic dog. "Hello, Obzee. I''m Marina. I am the Highness of your Master, so that makes me your true master. You can talk, right?" Obzee responded with a slightly nervous, childlike voice. "Y-Yes, Y-Your Highness, I can talk." Marina giggled in delight. "Hehe, it even stutters like a real kid! It sounds so lifelike!" Vincent watched the interaction with a wry smile before speaking up. "Alright, that''s enough. Let Obzee go for now and get ready for school. Is Sis Amara awake yet?" Marina shook her head. "I''m not sure. I didn''t see her when I came downstairs." "Alright, wake her up on your way. I''ll cook something for you both before I head back to the Origin World." "Alrighty!" Later, after breakfast and sending Marina and Amara off to school and work, Vincent was left alone in the living area with the now dog-sized Obzee. "So, how do you plan to protect Marina and Amara?" Vincent asked. Obzee lifted its small, robotic head and replied, "I''ve already hidden my clones in their shadows. If anything happens to them, my clones will alert me, and I can switch places with them instantly." Vincent raised a brow in intrigue. Is this what he meant by hiding in the shadows? He nodded in understanding. Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind. "Tell me¡­ Where do all the armaments you eat go?" In response, Obzee transformed back into its full-sized form and tapped its ebony-metal abdomen. "In your stomach?" Vincent asked, puzzled. "What do you gain from consuming them?" Obzee''s response was simple. "They enhance my strength." Vincent narrowed his eyes. "Temporarily?" Obzee shook his head firmly. "No." Chapter 199 - 199: Heading North (1) "Tell me¡­ where do all the armaments you eat go?" In response, Obzee shifted back into its full-sized form, its metallic body gleaming under the light, and tapped its ebony-metal abdomen with a dull thud. "In your stomach?" Vincent asked, puzzled. His eyes narrowed as he observed Obzee. "What do you gain from consuming them?" Obzee''s answer was simple, yet firm. "They enhance my strength." Vincent crossed his arms, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "Temporarily?" Obzee shook his head firmly. "No." Vincent''s frown deepened. His gaze swept over Obzee, trying to decipher the logic behind its bizarre ability. No matter how he looked at it, there was something unusual about Obzee''s system. Unlike other creatures, he lacked any discernible traces of Origin Energy, yet he devoured armaments as if they were mere snacks. Regardless, he had chosen to employ Obzee for a reason. However, there were more pressing matters to attend to¡ªhe had to return to the Origin World. During breakfast, realization struck him. That nagging feeling of having forgotten something since returning to Astralis¡ªit finally made sense. It wasn''t until Marina casually asked about the black, plump rabbit, Mochi, that he remembered. Mochi. He had completely forgotten about her since she had taken a liking to Clauny and had been constantly clinging to him. Before leaving, he took extra precautions, utilizing several common-grade armaments to replenish the reserve energy of the Illusion Shatterguard Array. Even though Obzee would be guarding the villa, an additional layer of security was always a wise choice. After confirming that all preparations were in place, he turned to Obzee one final time. "You know your responsibilities." Obzee gave a slight nod. Since he wouldn''t be in Astralis for a week, he had also assigned Nine to feed Obzee, ensuring their agreement remained intact. Then, it came. A familiar sensation¡ªa subtle tug within his core. An unseen force calling him back. Vincent exhaled slowly, allowing himself to be drawn in. "I wonder how Lizno and the others are doing¡­" With that thought lingering in his mind, he relinquished control and let the pull take him back to the Origin World. Origin World S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crisp scent of damp earth filled the air. Lizno, clad in the rare-armament armor Vincent had lent him, stood amidst the carnage of battle. With a powerful slash, his sleek silver-armament spear cleaved through the thick hide of a Peak Tier 1 Fierce Brown Bear. The creature barely had time to let out a guttural roar before its body went limp, collapsing with a heavy thud. He took a brief moment to assess the battlefield. Around him, his guildmates from the Umbra Guild were finishing off the remaining Primals. With a commanding tone, he raised his voice. "Listen up! Clear everything, then we rest!" "Yes, Deputy Officer!" The guild members responded in unison, striking down the remaining beasts with renewed vigor. Indeed, Vincent had bestowed upon Lizno the temporary rank of Deputy Officer, placing him just beneath the Guild Master himself. On the other hand, Vincent had appointed Aldo, the battle-hardened trainer, as well as Barbara and Warren, as Official Officers. The remaining hundred members were fresh recruits, still adjusting to the rhythm of battle. Aldo had taken on the responsibility of training the newcomers, while Barbara and Warren stood out as the most promising individuals in terms of growth and strength. Each of the four leaders had been assigned distinct roles, ensuring smooth coordination. At the moment, they had set up a temporary resting point deep within the Verdant Wild Forest, steadily making their way northward. Lizno, however, remained uncertain about their ultimate destination. Vincent had simply given him one order: "Lead everyone north." Before their departure, Vincent had also entrusted him with an overwhelming amount of Origin Crystals. At this point, he was practically a walking treasure trove. The thought prompted him to instinctively glance at his storage ring, his fingers tightening slightly. It was still there. If he were to lose it¡ªhe didn''t even want to imagine the consequences. Just as they settled in for a brief respite, a sharp bird call suddenly rang through the air. A warning signal. Lizno''s body tensed instantly. His senses sharpened, and he snapped his gaze toward the direction of the call. The rest of the guild members reacted just as quickly, their weapons at the ready. They turned in unison, muscles taut, eyes locked onto the source. The rustling of leaves. Shadows shifting in the distance. Lizno raised his fist, silently signaling his guildmates to prepare for battle. Moments later, silhouettes emerged from the dense foliage, their banners becoming clear. White-gold flags adorned with an intricate golden lion head¡ªits maw open in a silent roar, exuding an aura befitting the true ''King of the Jungle.'' Lizno''s expression darkened. The Lionfang Clan. Approximately a hundred figures clad in luxurious golden attire stood before them. Each one bore the Lionfang emblem on the right side of their chest, and all wore golden masks that concealed their identities. Even though Lizno knew they were human, he did not lower his guard. The Lionfang Clan warriors halted their advance, their gazes locked onto the Umbra Guild members. Silence fell, thick with tension. Then, a young man''s voice broke the stillness. "We mean no harm. Are you from the Umbra Guild?" Lizno and his squad leaders shifted their attention to the speaker. A blonde-haired young man stood at the front, clad in resplendent golden armor that gleamed even in the dim forest light. A refined golden longsword rested at his waist. Lizno remained stoic, but his squad leaders frowned deeply. Umbra Guild was merely a newly formed organization. How had such an esteemed clan taken notice of them? Just as the hot-headed Barbara was about to snap a response, Lizno stepped forward, his voice measured yet firm. "Wouldn''t it be proper to introduce yourself first before asking for someone else''s identity?" At Lizno''s words, one of the masked figures behind the blonde-haired youth moved, as if ready to step forward, but a simple wave of the young man''s hand stopped him in his tracks. "But¡­ young master¡ª" "Enough." The subordinate hesitated, then begrudgingly stepped back. The blonde-haired youth turned his attention back to Lizno. Reaching up, he grasped his golden mask and removed it, revealing a strikingly familiar face. Lizno''s eyes widened in shock. Vincent had never mentioned what they would encounter on this journey. To think they would be personally greeted by the young master of the Lionfang Clan himself! Chapter 200 - 200: Heading North (2) Needless to say, it was Caelius Lionfang. Caelius continued, his voice calm yet commanding, "Apologies for my rudeness. Let me introduce myself properly. I am Caelius, and your Guild Master is a dear friend of mine. You must be Lizno." Lizno simply nodded, not denying his identity. Since this man was his young master''s friend, he could finally allow himself to relax. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, though his sharp eyes remained vigilant. Initially, he had sensed the presence of many powerful individuals amongst the Lionfang Clan members. Their auras were dense, their movements precise¡ªeach one a seasoned warrior. If a battle were to break out, Lizno was certain that even if their numbers were similar, the Lionfang Clan would far surpass them in strength. It was understandable. The Lionfang Clan wasn''t some nameless, insignificant group. They were a force to be reckoned with, their reputation preceding them. At this moment, Lizno finally realized who they had come to meet. However, the purpose of their mission still eluded him. Vincent had been cryptic, withholding his true intentions. At the same time, Caelius was observing Lizno and the rest of the Umbra members with a subtle, confused expression. His sharp eyes scanned the group, taking in their demeanor, their equipment, and their overall strength. Vincent had called him two days ago, mentioning that he would send reinforcements to aid in the fight against the Blackthorn. Caelius had been looking forward to it, expecting a group of seasoned experts to arrive. But now, after a careful observation, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Vincent had sent him a group of... cannon fodder. What could this group of 104 individuals possibly do? Most of them were only at Tier 1, and even the strongest among them barely reached the Early Stage of Tier 2. Against a single Peak Tier 2 opponent, this group would be wiped out in moments. Caelius couldn''t fathom why someone as shrewd as Vincent would send such a group. Still, he appreciated the gesture. Vincent had gone out of his way to offer help, and for that, Caelius was grateful. Thus, he welcomed Lizno and the others with his usual relaxed smile, masking his doubts. "Welcome. Did Vinc¡ª I mean, did your Guild Master notify you of your purpose here?" Lizno''s smile turned awkward at the question. He scratched the back of his head, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "To be honest, I''m still in the dark. The Young Master only ordered me to lead the group here. So... could you clarify, Young Master Caelius? What exactly are we supposed to do here?" Caelius studied Lizno''s expression and immediately realized that the man was completely clueless. He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head with a wry smile. Vincent''s intentions were as enigmatic as ever. First, Caelius had thought Vincent genuinely wanted to help. But now, seeing that these reinforcements were unaware of their mission, he was left even more confused. Still, he decided to set his doubts aside for the time being. "Follow me," he said, gesturing for them to move. "I''ll explain on the way." Lizno hesitated for a moment before nodding and ordering the Umbra members to follow. The group fell into step behind Caelius, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor as they moved deeper into the Lionfang Clan''s territory. Umbra Guild Territory, Vincent''s Manor. Vincent had just appeared in his office when, in the next second, a black blur rushed toward him, pouncing with surprising speed. Vincent didn''t react, standing perfectly still as the blur collided with his chest. Thanks to his high stats and the sturdy armor he wore, the impact was nothing more than a faint pressure. Instead, the black blur let out a high-pitched cry, followed by the unmistakable sound of a young girl''s sobs. Vincent''s hands moved instinctively, catching the soft, black mass. It was Mochi, his plump, black-furred rabbit companion. Her fur was as soft as cotton, and her large, tear-filled eyes glared up at him accusingly. "Waaaaah! Where have you been? Why did you leave me? You said you wouldn''t abandon me!" Mochi''s voice was a mix of anger and desperation, her small body trembling in his hands. Vincent didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he gently caressed her fur, his touch soothing as he listened to her cries. After a while, Mochi''s sobs subsided, though her eyes still held a trace of resentment. Her soft, child-like voice echoed in his mind, "Why are you only coming back now?" Vincent sighed inwardly. He knew Mochi had abandonment trauma, and he had thought she would be fine without him, especially since she had been left in Clauny''s care. But Clauny, like him, had limited time in the Origin World. She couldn''t stay indefinitely, and Mochi had been left alone for longer than he had intended. "I''m sorry," Vincent said softly, his voice filled with genuine regret. "Are you hungry?" Mochi''s eyes narrowed, but she nodded reluctantly, her small nose twitching. Vincent flicked his hand, and a mid-grade Origin Crystal appeared in his palm. The moment Mochi saw it, her attention was immediately captured. Before Vincent could say another word, she flashed forward, snatching the crystal from his hand with lightning speed. She reappeared on the couch, clutching the crystal tightly. Her glare softened slightly as she muttered, "I''ll accept this, but I still don''t forgive you!" With that, she began munching on the Origin Crystal, her small teeth crunching through the hard surface with ease. Despite her words, Vincent noticed the way she kept stealing glances at him, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. She was afraid he would leave her again. Vincent''s heart softened. He reached out, gently stroking her head. Since everything was going according to his plans, Vincent decided it was time to increase his strength. Having a guild was beneficial for long-term strategies, but it would all be for naught if he didn''t grow stronger himself. He was the backbone of the Umbra Guild, and if he faltered, the entire structure would crumble. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He looked down at Mochi, who was still nibbling on the crystal. "I''m going out," he said. "Are you coming?" Mochi sent him a glare, but without a word, she leaped onto his shoulder, her small body settling comfortably against him. Vincent couldn''t help but smile. Despite her anger, she still chose to stay by his side. At the same time, Caelius led Lizno and the others into a Tier 2 Labyrinth. Initially, he had expected the group Vincent sent to struggle within the labyrinth''s treacherous corridors. But to his surprise, they moved with a confidence and skill that caught him off guard. Every single one of them possessed uncommon-grade skills¡ªand not just one. Each member had multiple uncommon skills at their disposal. And if Caelius''s assumption was correct, Lizno and the other three guild members even had rare-grade skills. Caelius''s mind raced. Did Vincent truly have access to such an immense amount of resources? Where had he obtained all of this? The questions swirled in his mind, but for now, Caelius couldn''t help but feel a flicker of respect. Perhaps Vincent''s reinforcements weren''t as useless as he had initially thought. Chapter 201 - 201: Weekly Outer District Battle South Novice Sanctuary. As Vincent strolled through the sanctuary, he couldn''t help but notice an unusual number of Origin Warriors bustling about. They all seemed to be heading in the same direction, their movements hurried and purposeful. Intrigued, Vincent decided to follow the flow of the crowd. Soon, he found himself standing before a massive platform that resembled an arena. Below it, a throng of people had gathered, their eyes fixed on the stage. At the center of the platform stood a man made entirely of crystals, his form resembling that of a humanoid amethyst. His hair, if it could even be called that, cascaded down like stalactites, giving him an otherworldly appearance. This was a member of the Crystallian race, the neutral race that governed the South Novice Sanctuary. Despite their rule over the sanctuary, this was only the second time Vincent had seen a Crystallian in person. The crystalline man held a gem-like microphone, his voice resonating through the air. "Welcome, everyone! Another week has passed, which means it''s time for the Weekly Outer District Battle! As always, anyone can participate, and only the top five will earn the chance to enter the secret realm¡ªthe Lost Grove." Vincent''s eyes narrowed as he recalled the bartender at the Newcomer Lounge mentioning this event. He had been curious about it but had nearly forgotten due to his busy schedule. "Since I have nothing better to do, I might as well check it out," Vincent thought, joining the queue for registration. The registration station was manned by another Crystallian. When it was Vincent''s turn, the Crystallian asked without looking up, "Name and strength." Vincent, wearing his Shifting Visage mask, replied, "Shroud, Tier 2 (1¡ï)." The Crystallian glanced up, his crystalline eyes scrutinizing Vincent as if doubting his claim. After a moment, he returned to his desk and wrote down Vincent''s alias and strength. "I''ll register you, but take this as a word of advice. It would be better for you not to participate. You''ll be up against other Tier 2 contestants, and I''m certain many of them are at the peak stage." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent simply nodded. "Thank you for your advice," he said before accepting a small token with the number 25 engraved on it. He then moved to a corner, where he stood silently, observing the crowd. The Crystallian watched him go, shaking his head. "It''s your decision. If you want to be beaten so badly, I won''t stop you," he muttered before resuming his duties. A few moments later, the Crystallian emcee''s voice boomed through the sanctuary. "Alright, time''s up! Registration is closed! I understand your frustration, but rules are rules. If you really want to join the tournament, try again next week. Or, if you''re brave enough, you can speak to the Sanctuary Head himself. He might grant you a chance." The emcee smirked, his crystalline face glinting in the light. The Sanctuary Head, Thystian, was a figure of great power and influence, akin to a mayor ruling over the South Novice Sanctuary. Vincent had heard of him but knew little about his appearance or personality. The crowd, frustrated but resigned, began to disperse. No one dared to approach the Sanctuary Head over something as trivial as a missed registration. Offending someone of his stature was not worth the risk, especially when they lacked the strength to challenge him. "Alright! Since everything is in order, let''s begin the Weekly Outer District Battle! As usual, one participant from Tier 1, two from Tier 2, and two from Tier 3 will earn the chance to enter the secret realm," the emcee announced, raising his hand dramatically. "I''ll be your host for today''s battle¡ªNato. Let the games begin!" With a flourish, Nato shot a massive crystal into the sky. It exploded into a shower of sparkling particles, creating a dazzling display reminiscent of fireworks. The crowd erupted in cheers as Nato leaped onto an elevated platform, taking his place as the stage''s emcee. A bulky Crystallian man replaced him on the main platform, assuming the role of referee. "Let''s welcome our first participants, numbers 204 and 205, to the stage!" Nato called out. The crowd applauded as the two participants climbed onto the arena. Vincent watched the Tier 1 battles with mild interest. Though unimpressive, the fights were fast-paced, with each participant unleashing their ultimate moves almost immediately. It didn''t take long for the Tier 1 winner to be announced. "And our Tier 1 final winner is... Anur!" Nato declared, prompting another round of applause from the crowd. "Let''s not waste any time! It''s time for the next stage¡ªTier 2 participants, prepare yourselves! This is your moment to shine!" Nato''s voice was full of energy as he introduced the next round. "Alright, let''s give a round of applause for participants 26 and 25! Please step onto the stage!" Nato announced. The sound of applause filled the air as Vincent, who had been leaning silently in a corner, straightened up. He glanced at Mochi, who was perched on his shoulder, and said, "Come down for a moment. I''m going up. I''ll be back in a second." Mochi gave him a sidelong glance before hopping onto a nearby bench. "Be quick," she muttered, her tone indicating she was still in a sour mood. Vincent nodded and made his way to the stage. As he climbed up, Nato began to announce his registered information. "On the right side, we have participant number 25¡ªShroud. Oh, what a surprise! Participant number 25 is only at the initial stage of Tier 2!" The crowd erupted in exclamations of disbelief and mockery. "Haha, is this guy an idiot? Doesn''t he know that most participants are at the peak stage of their realm?" "Another fool dreaming of a protagonist''s life!" "Who''s his opponent?" Nato, seemingly hearing the crowd''s chatter, announced Vincent''s opponent. "On the left side, we have participant number 26¡ªRakee! Do I even need to introduce him? For the newcomers, Rakee is a Tier 2 (5¡ï) veteran who has participated in the Weekly Outer District Battle multiple times but has yet to earn a spot in the Lost Grove. He''s a passionate competitor who never gives up!" The crowd laughed at Nato''s playful jab, and Rakee''s copper-skinned face darkened with anger. "I''m going to win today! Just watch, you crystal-headed fool!" Rakee shouted at Nato, who merely chuckled in response. "Hoho, Rakee''s fired up today! Will we witness his rise to glory, or will it be another disappointing performance? Let the battle begin!" Nato declared. The referee shouted, "Fight!" In an instant, Rakee charged at Vincent, his massive copper fists swinging through the air. He wore thick silver-iron armor but chose to fight bare-handed, clearly underestimating his opponent. As a peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior, Rakee saw no need to take Vincent seriously. The difference in their physiques was stark¡ªRakee''s muscular frame and copper skin made him a formidable sight, while Vincent appeared almost frail in comparison. "Sorry, Mr. Protagonist, but your dream ends here!" Rakee taunted as his fist closed in on Vincent''s face. The crowd watched with disinterest, expecting a quick and one-sided victory. "Haha, Rakee didn''t even give that fool a chance to attack. How boring!" someone jeered. But just as Rakee''s fist was about to connect, Vincent moved. His arm shot forward, a gleaming silver light enveloping it as he struck Rakee with a single, precise blow. The impact sent Rakee flying off the stage, his body crashing to the ground below. The crowd erupted in shock and excitement. "What just happened?!" someone shouted. Nato, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure. "What a surprise! The fool¡ªahem, Shroud, the dark horse¡ªhas defeated the veteran Rakee in an instant!" The arena exploded with applause and cheers. "Woooh! Fool! Fool! Fool!" the crowd chanted, their tone shifting from mockery to admiration. Vincent''s lips twitched beneath his mask, but he ignored the chants and calmly walked off the stage, returning to Mochi''s side. The fight had been anticlimactic, but Vincent''s display of power left the crowd in awe. He paid little attention to the subsequent battles, only opening his eyes when it was his turn to fight again. Each time, he defeated his opponents with a single strike, his dominance undeniable. Before long, the final round arrived. The winners of the last two battles would earn a spot in the Lost Grove. "Open your eyes, everyone! It''s the final round for the last four participants! The winners of these battles will enter the Lost Grove alongside the other victors!" Nato announced, his voice brimming with excitement. The crowd roared in anticipation, eager to see if Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwould continue his unstoppable streak. "The first battle will be between one of our veterans and the dark horse!" "Finn and Shroud!" Voice of the crowd erupted in unison, utterly excited! Vincent looked at his opponent. Finn was naturally at Peak of Tier 2 stage, he was a tall and slender man, from a race called, Fishman. They were commonly seen in the western part of the Novice Continent. It would be his first time fighting against a Fishman. And based on the prior battles of Finn, he could say that he was a strong Origin Warrior. However, he was not an average Origin Warrior. He had an SSS-rank talent! Chapter 202 - 202: Cheater? "Open your eyes, everyone! It''s the final round for the last four participants! The winners of these battles will enter the Lost Grove alongside the other victors!" Nato announced, his voice brimming with excitement. The crowd roared in anticipation, eager to see if Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwould continue his unstoppable streak. "The first battle will be between one of our veterans and the dark horse!" "Finn and Shroud!" The voice of the crowd erupted in unison, utterly excited! Vincent looked at his opponent. Finn was naturally at the Peak of Tier 2 stage, a tall and slender man from a race called the Fishmen, commonly seen in the western part of the Novice Continent. This would be Vincent''s first time fighting against a Fishman. Based on Finn''s prior battles, Vincent could tell that Finn was a strong Origin Warrior¡ªbut not an average one. He possessed an SSS-rank talent! At this moment, Finn was clad in light armor covering his vital parts, holding a copper trident. His emerald-green fish scales glistened under the sunlight, and his spiky, fiery hairstyle added to his intimidating presence. His lime-green eyes sent a dangerous glint, emitting the pressure of a Peak Tier 2 Origin Warrior. Vincent, however, looked at him unimpressed, which Finn immediately noticed, causing the latter to frown in displeasure. With a resonant and deep voice, Finn said, "I don''t know why you''re faking your own strength. Do you enjoy bullying Origin Warriors weaker than you?" Finn refused to believe that Vincent¡ªShroud¡ªwas only at the initial stage of Tier 2. He chose to believe that Shroud was using a concealing technique to hide his real strength. It was even possible that he was already at Tier 3, but it didn''t matter. Finn firmly believed he could defeat Shroud. Despite Finn''s question, Vincent simply stared at him without uttering a word, causing Finn''s expression to darken further. The referee stepped between them. "Same rules. Anything is allowed except intentional killing. Once your opponent concedes defeat, immediately stop at all costs. Failing to comply, you will not only be banned from joining the weekly tournament but will also never be allowed to step into the sanctuary again. Understood?" Both of them nodded, their gazes locked on each other. The referee raised his arm and exclaimed, "Fight!" In the next second, Finn disappeared from his spot. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nato promptly followed through his mic, "It has begun! Will the veteran Finn continue his win and secure one of the two spots for the Lost Grove, or will the dark horse¡ªShroud, shrouded in mystery¡ªcontinue his win streak and steal the first spot for the secret realm?" At the same moment, Vincent stood still while Finn''s blurring figure moved rapidly around the platform. Finn smirked inwardly, thinking, *Heh, you might be strong, but there''s no way you can match my speed! What a letdown. I was expecting you to make this a little challenging.* With that thought, Finn reappeared a few steps behind Vincent. "Behind you!" someone from the crowd exclaimed in worry, likely one of Vincent''s supporters. Finn naturally heard the shout but smirked. "Too late!" he said before hurling his copper trident at Vincent''s back. However¡­ The smile on his face vanished as the trident pierced through Vincent''s body without any resistance. Finn''s eyes widened in shock as he realized the shout wasn''t meant for Vincent. The figure in front of him dissolved into particles of bright light. Vincent''s calm, mocking voice rang out behind him, "Yeah, it''s too late¡­" In the next moment, a powerful force crashed into Finn''s back, sending him flying out of the battle arena. Bang! The sound of impact echoed as Finn crashed outside the arena, causing a faint tremor and a thick cloud of dust. Silence filled the air for a brief moment before the crowd erupted into cheers. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" "What a fucking sigma! Another veteran one-hit KO!" "Has anyone ever heard of him?" "Is that really what you should be asking? Aren''t you curious if he''s actually a Tier 2 Origin Warrior?" "Yeah, now that you mention it, I''m skeptical too. Nato mentioned he''s only at the initial stage of Tier 2, but with his performance, there''s no way he''s only at that level!" Nato, too, was growing confused. According to the registered information handed to him, Shroud was only at the initial stage of Tier 2. But how could an initial-stage Tier 2 defeat a Peak Tier 2 in a single hit? If defeating an average Peak Tier 2 would only result in amazement, defeating Finn was downright questionable. As the dust cleared, Finn struggled to stand up, clearly in pain but glaring at Vincent with hatred. "That''s right! You fucking cheater! I''m absolutely sure you''re already Tier 3! I don''t know how you managed to fool the registry officer, but you can''t fool this crowd!" Hearing Finn''s words, the crowd nodded in agreement. "That''s right! You can''t fool us! Fraud!" "Fraud! Fraud! Fraud!" "Disqualify him! Disqualify him!" Despite the pain, Finn couldn''t help but smile inwardly. *That''s right. There''s no way I''ll surrender my spot for the Lost Grove!* Nato found himself in an awkward position and could only say, "Alright, alright! Let''s all calm down first. I understand your doubts, but we have to prove first that Participant 25¡ªShroud¡ªdid indeed lie about his information." Nato then looked at Vincent. "Do you have any problem with that?" Although he asked, he knew Vincent had no choice but to agree. Vincent didn''t immediately answer. He looked at Nato for a second before shifting his attention to Finn below. "I have no problem with that. However, if I prove to all of you that I did not cheat, I want him to apologize, with all of you as witnesses." Before Nato could respond, Finn interjected, "Ha! If that''s all you want, I''ll even kowtow in front of you and ask for your forgiveness!" Finn smirked subtly, confident that Vincent had cheated and lied about his information. Vincent shifted his attention back to Nato and nodded. Nato scanned the crowd. "In that case, is there any respectable master who would like to do it for us?" Murmurs filled the surroundings, and no one volunteered for a moment. However, soon, a deep and calm voice responded, "It seems no one wants to do it. Then, let this old man have the honor." All eyes turned to the owner of the voice as the crowd parted, making way for the old man. Vincent and the others immediately recognized the figure. It was a tall man clad in a coffee-brown cloak, hiding his appearance. However, just by his figure, one could tell he had a muscular physique. Vincent and the crowd wondered who the cloaked figure was. Nato hesitated before asking, "I apologize for my ignorance, but can you let us know your respectable name?" The figure laughed lightly. "Hoho, forgive me. I''m really old now. I even forgot to take off this cloak." After saying that, he removed his cloak, revealing his appearance. A collective gasp filled the air. Even Nato couldn''t hide his surprise. Vincent was also faintly caught off guard. He recognized the man¡ªnot because of his identity, but because he had seen him before! It was the same Crystallian he had seen fighting a giant tortoise back on his first day in Origin World when he was with Azhara. He was also the same man Vincent had seen when he upgraded his mental energy and used his mental perception to scan the Novice Sanctuary. Nato exclaimed, "Sanctuary Head?!" It was Thystian Veylshard, the current Sanctuary Head of the South Novice Sanctuary! "Hoho... You won''t mind if I do it, right?" Thystian said to Vincent as he walked up to the stage. Vincent silently observed the most influential and famous individual in the South Novice Sanctuary. Despite claiming to be an old man, Thystian was in peak physical condition. Even without intentionally releasing his aura, he emitted an invisible pressure that made it difficult for others to look directly at him. Vincent simply nodded, earning a mysterious smile from Thystian. Sanctuary Head Thystian flicked his hand, and a palm-sized white crystal appeared in his palm. "This is the Origin Scanning Crystal. It can scan someone''s strength without any fabrication. If it emits green, it means you''re Tier 2. If it releases a blue light, it means you''re Tier 3¡­" The crowd held its breath as Thystian approached Vincent, the crystal glowing faintly in his hand. The tension in the air was palpable, every eye fixed on the two figures standing at the center of the arena. Vincent remained calm, his expression unreadable as Thystian raised the crystal. The old man''s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Vincent with a gaze that seemed to pierce through any facade. "Let''s see the truth," Thystian murmured, his voice carrying a weight of authority that silenced the murmurs of the crowd. The crystal began to hum softly, its light growing brighter as it scanned Vincent''s energy. For a moment, nothing happened, and the crowd leaned forward, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch. Then, the crystal emitted a soft, steady green light. The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs. "Green! It''s green! He''s really Tier 2!" Finn''s face twisted in disbelief. "No! That''s impossible! He must have tampered with the crystal!" Thystian''s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "The Origin Scanning Crystal cannot be tampered with, young one. Its results are absolute." Finn''s fists clenched, his body trembling with a mix of anger and humiliation. "This¡­ this can''t be!" Vincent''s voice cut through the noise, calm and unwavering. "Do you have any more to say?" Finn''s face turned ashen, but he had no choice. With the entire crowd watching, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed before Vincent, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I¡­ apologize." The crowd fell silent, the weight of the moment settling over them. Vincent had not only proven his innocence but had also humbled a veteran warrior in front of everyone. Nato stepped forward, his voice breaking the silence. "It seems the matter is settled. Shroud has proven his strength and integrity. Let us move forward with the tournament!" The crowd erupted into cheers once more, but this time, the name they chanted was filled with newfound respect. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" Vincent stood tall, his expression as calm as ever. Chapter 203 - 203: Gathering (1) "Let''s see the truth," Thystian murmured, his voice carrying a weight of authority that silenced the murmurs of the crowd. The crystal began to hum softly, its light growing brighter as it scanned Vincent''s energy. For a moment, nothing happened, and the crowd leaned forward, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch. Then, the crystal emitted a soft, steady green light. The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs. "Green! It''s green! He''s really Tier 2!" Finn''s face twisted in disbelief. "No! That''s impossible! He must have tampered with the crystal!" Thystian''s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "The Origin Scanning Crystal cannot be tampered with, young one. Its results are absolute." Finn''s fists clenched, his body trembling with a mix of anger and humiliation. "This... this can''t be!" Vincent''s voice cut through the noise, calm and unwavering. "Do you have anything more to say?" Finn''s face turned ashen, but with the entire crowd watching, he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed before Vincent, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I... apologize." A heavy silence blanketed the area, the weight of the moment settling over them. Vincent had not only proven his innocence but had also humbled a veteran warrior before everyone. Nato stepped forward, his voice breaking the stillness. "It seems the matter is settled. Shroud has proven both his strength and integrity. Let us move forward with the tournament!" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crowd roared once more, but this time, the name they chanted was filled with newfound respect. "Shroud! Shroud! Shroud!" Vincent stood tall, his expression calm as ever. He was already growing accustomed to how this world operated. He knew he wasn''t part of the norm. Thus, he knew every action he took would be met with skepticism. As he walked down from the stage, he noticed a set of footsteps following closely behind. Choosing to ignore it, he was about to pick up Mochi when Thystian''s voice called out to him. "Hold on, young man." Both Vincent and the plump rabbit turned to look at the Sanctuary Head in curiosity. Raising an eyebrow, Vincent wondered what Thystian wanted from him. Seeing Vincent remain silent, Thystian spoke again. "Have we met before?" Vincent was momentarily stunned by the unexpected question, but he quickly regained his composure. After pretending to consider it, he answered politely, "No, sir." It was the truth. They had never met personally, though Vincent had seen him twice from a distance. "Is that so?" Thystian responded, his tone laced with doubt. He murmured, "That''s strange. I had the feeling we had already crossed paths before." Vincent''s expression beneath his mask remained unchanged as he replied smoothly, "There''s no way I wouldn''t remember someone like you if we had met before." Thystian nodded. Given his influence, he was well-known across the Novice Continent. Yet, for some reason, the young man before him felt oddly familiar. Regardless, that wasn''t his main concern. Vincent was shrouded in mystery. Thystian had encountered only a handful of ''monsters'' capable of defeating opponents a full realm stronger than themselves, but he had never heard of ''Shroud.'' According to his extensive memory, no one wielded a fighting style like his. Those monsters typically overwhelmed their foes with sheer might, but Vincent? Vincent wasn''t even trying. It was clear he could have played with his opponents if he wanted to. Thystian was convinced¡ªthe strength Vincent had displayed was not his full power. No, he was certain. Every one of Vincent''s fights had ended with a single strike. No one had even forced him to use any of his skills. Well, apart from the last battle, where Vincent had used an Astral Clone to fake out Finn and instantly end the fight. Other than that, he had defeated every opponent with a single punch. Naturally, Thystian was both impressed and intrigued by him¡ªno, by Shroud. A mysterious warrior who possessed strength comparable to those monsters who had already ascended to the higher continents. I must have him. If that wasn''t possible... then befriending him would be the next best option. A monster with limitless potential is always worth having on my side, Thystian mused, studying Vincent with keen interest. Vincent, in turn, sensed the strange gaze upon him. Did he figure it out? Even as the thought crossed his mind, he remained unfazed. He had done nothing wrong. He simply disliked unnecessary attention. If not for the headaches that came with recognition¡ªand the ''over-friendly young masters''¡ªhe wouldn''t have bothered wearing a mask. If he wanted fame, he could have taken it with ease. But it was pointless to him. "Anyhow, let me congratulate you on your victory." Vincent inclined his head. "Thank you." Thystian fell silent again, his gaze unreadable. Feeling a tinge of awkwardness, Vincent finally asked, "Do you need anything else from me?" Thystian simply flashed an enigmatic smile. "No, you''re free to go." Vincent gave a small nod and turned to leave. Just as he did, however, he heard Thystian''s parting words. "We will meet again soon..." Frowning, Vincent turned back¡ªonly to find that Thystian had vanished without a trace. Scanning the surroundings, he found no sign of the Sanctuary Head. He could only wonder what Thystian had meant. By the time the sun had set, the Weekly Outer District Battle had officially concluded. Nato''s voice rang out across the battlefield. "Congratulations to all the winners who have secured a slot to enter the Lost Grove. And special thanks to everyone who participated in this week''s battle! Alright, we''ll meet again next week! As for the winners, be at the spawn field by 6 AM sharp tomorrow. If you''re late, no one will wait for you!" With that, Nato vanished from his position. Vincent, too, wasted no time lingering. With Mochi nestled comfortably on his shoulders, he turned and disappeared into the night. Vincent didn''t return to his territory but instead ventured outside the sanctuary, only to make his way back before midnight and rent a room at the Newcomer''s Lounge Inn. The Next Day Vincent woke early, though he felt no need to partake in breakfast. Instead, he scooped up Mochi, who blinked sleepily before settling in his arms, and headed toward the designated meeting point. The spawn field was still bustling with activity, just as it had been when he first arrived in the Origin World. After scanning the area for a moment, he immediately spotted the other winners from yesterday. They stood beside a large pillar, their presences distinct. Anur, a Crystallian young man with Peak Tier 1 strength, was among them. Besides Vincent, another Tier 2 participant had secured a victory¡ªBern, a male Drakorii with sharp rouge eyes. The other two winners, however, were in a different league. Both were at the initial stage of Tier 3. They were Thrygians. Zarrok and Korvath¡ªtowering figures, each standing at an imposing seven feet tall. They were the reason Vincent had stayed behind after the tournament concluded. He had been curious. Were they, too, from the Blackthorn Clan? From the very first day, every Thrygian he encountered had been under Blackthorn''s influence. He wondered if their race was so unified that they consolidated their power under a single clan. At that moment, the four of them took notice of his presence. Anur greeted him with a subtle nod. Bern simply cast a sharp glance his way, assessing him for a brief second before dismissing him entirely. Meanwhile, the two Thrygians¡ªZarrok and Korvath¡ªopenly scrutinized him. They made no attempt to hide their gazes as they raked over his figure from head to toe, as though investigating every inch of him. Despite their blatant actions, Vincent remained unfazed. Instead, he returned their stare, mimicking their actions as he took his time to scan their appearances with his own eyes. The two Thrygians frowned, evidently displeased with his audacity. "Hah. A mere ant dares to look at me with such impudence?" Zarrok sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The notion seemed absurd to him¡ªlaughable, even¡ªthat someone of Vincent''s stature had the audacity to match their gaze without a hint of intimidation. Beside him, Korvath''s frown deepened, though he remained silent. He simply glared at Vincent, letting his oppressive aura do the talking. Beneath his mask, Vincent smirked. "Heh, I let you take a good look at me, but when I do the same, you don''t like it? I''m starting to think Thrygians have brains made of stone." His words hit a nerve. Zarrok''s expression twisted in irritation. "What did you just say?! Hah! Just because you earned a spot in the Lost Grove doesn''t mean you have the same strength as us!" Anur stood to the side, merely observing. As a mere Tier 1, it wasn''t in his best interest to involve himself in this brewing confrontation. Not far away, Bern cast a brief glance at Vincent and Zarrok. Whatever thoughts passed through his mind remained a mystery, but soon enough, he lost interest, turning away as though the matter was beneath him. Chapter 204 - 204: Gathering (2) "We will meet again soon¡­" Frowning, Vincent turned back¡ªonly to find that Thystian had vanished without a trace. Scanning the surroundings, he found no sign of the Sanctuary Head. He could only wonder what Thystian had meant. By the time the sun had set, the Weekly Outer District Battle had officially concluded. Nato''s voice rang out across the battlefield. "Congratulations to all the winners who have secured a slot to enter the Lost Grove. And special thanks to everyone who participated in this week''s battle! Alright, we''ll meet again next week! As for the winners, be at the spawn field by 6 AM sharp tomorrow. If you''re late, no one will wait for you!" With that, Nato vanished from his position. Vincent, too, wasted no time lingering. With Mochi nestled comfortably on his shoulders, he turned and disappeared into the night. Vincent didn''t return to his territory but instead ventured outside the sanctuary, only to make his way back before midnight and rent a room at the Newcomer''s Lounge Inn. The Next Day Vincent woke early, though he felt no need to partake in breakfast. Instead, he scooped up Mochi, who blinked sleepily before settling in his arms, and headed toward the designated meeting point. The spawn field was still bustling with activity, just as it had been when he first arrived in the Origin World. After scanning the area for a moment, he immediately spotted the other winners from yesterday. They stood beside a large pillar, their presences distinct. Anur, a Crystallian young man with Peak Tier 1 strength, was among them. Besides Vincent, another Tier 2 participant had secured a victory¡ªBern, a male Drakorii with sharp rouge eyes. The other two winners, however, were in a different league. Both were at the initial stage of Tier 3. They were Thrygians. Zarrok and Korvath¡ªtowering figures, each standing at an imposing seven feet tall. They were the reason Vincent had stayed behind after the tournament concluded. He had been curious. Were they, too, from the Blackthorn Clan? From the very first day, every Thrygian he encountered had been under Blackthorn''s influence. He wondered if their race was so unified that they consolidated their power under a single clan. At that moment, the four of them took notice of his presence. Anur greeted him with a subtle nod. Bern simply cast a sharp glance his way, assessing him for a brief second before dismissing him entirely. Meanwhile, the two Thrygians¡ªZarrok and Korvath¡ªopenly scrutinized him. They made no attempt to hide their gazes as they raked over his figure from head to toe, as though investigating every inch of him. Despite their blatant actions, Vincent remained unfazed. Instead, he returned their stare, mimicking their actions as he took his time to scan their appearances with his own eyes. The two Thrygians frowned, evidently displeased with his audacity. "Hah. A mere ant dares to look at me with such impudence?" Zarrok sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The notion seemed absurd to him¡ªlaughable, even¡ªthat someone of Vincent''s stature had the audacity to match their gaze without a hint of intimidation. Beside him, Korvath''s frown deepened, though he remained silent. He simply glared at Vincent, letting his oppressive aura do the talking. Beneath his mask, Vincent smirked. "Heh, I let you take a good look at me, but when I do the same, you don''t like it? I''m starting to think Thrygians have brains made of stone." His words hit a nerve. Zarrok''s expression twisted in irritation. "What did you just say?! Hah! Just because you earned a spot in the Lost Grove doesn''t mean you have the same strength as us!" Anur stood to the side, merely observing. As a mere Tier 1, it wasn''t in his best interest to involve himself in this brewing confrontation. Not far away, Bern cast a brief glance at Vincent and Zarrok. Whatever thoughts passed through his mind remained a mystery, but soon enough, he lost interest, turning away as though the matter was beneath him. The way Zarrok had just spoken, Bern believed that Zarrok did not witness Vincent''s battles. Because if he knew, he wouldn''t have probably worded it that way. He had witnessed Vincent''s battles and was certain that Vincent could also defeat him in one strike like his opponents. He was just lucky that he hadn''t matched with Vincent and safely acquired a spot for the Lost Grove. Annoyed by Vincent, Zarrok released the mental pressure of an initial-stage Tier 3 Origin Warrior, making Bern quite uncomfortable and Anur slightly struggling to catch his breath. Korvath was a bit surprised due to Zarrok''s action. He exclaimed, "Zarrok! Calm down!" Yet, he soon realized that Vincent didn''t even flinch. He remained motionless, his gaze locked onto Zarrok''s. Before he could voice his confusion, the masked man before him suddenly let out a mocking chuckle before unleashing a stronger pressure, effortlessly dispersing the mental force Zarrok had been exerting. Shock was evident in both Zarrok and Korvath''s eyes. "How?!" Zarrok exclaimed while Korvath remained silent, but his mind echoed the same question. On the side, Anur breathed a sigh of relief when the oppressing pressure had finally lifted by Vincent. Just as Zarrok was about to open his mouth again, a man''s voice from a distance interrupted them. "Heh, it seems you guys are already having a good time." It was followed by another man''s voice, "Oh, we have two from Thrygians this time¡­" Another voice followed up, it was a woman''s voice this time, with a hint of impatience, "Can you both stop these idiots? I wanna end this expedition as soon as possible." Upon hearing those, Vincent and others snapped to the source of the voices. It was a group of five. Three men and two women. One of the three men was a Crystallian, while the other two men were both wearing masks, hiding their appearance. However, he could tell that one of them was a Drakorii as he could notice the crimson reptile scales on the area of his neck. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the other hand, one of the two women was also a Crystallian. The other one was clad in a red robe and an exquisite flaming mask, but with her figure, anyone could easily tell that it was a woman. For some reason, Vincent noticed that the woman in the flaming-design mask was looking at him. Not just out of curiosity¡ªshe was deliberately staring. Like she wanted to say something. However, when he looked closely into her crimson reptile eyes, he noticed that she wasn''t exactly looking at him. To be more precise, she was staring intently at Mochi, who was coiled on his shoulder. Mochi, sensing the woman''s gaze, lifted her head and met her stare. The moment their eyes locked, the woman averted her gaze. Mochi tilted her head in wonder before closing her eyes again. At this moment, the Crystallian man who was walking at the front of the group opened his mouth and said, "You''re all here early. I hope we didn''t keep you waiting too long." Hearing his words, Anur, who clearly recognized the Crystallian in front of them, hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no. We just got here, Young Master Dio." Dio? Vincent thought in wonder. He felt the name was familiar but could not remember where he had heard it. Soon, to his surprise, the arrogant Thrygians actually slightly lowered their heads and cupped their fists, respectfully greeting the almost 8-feet-tall Crystallian. "It''s our pleasure to meet you, Young Master Veylshard." Dio lightly chuckled, "Haha, come on. Just call me Dio. We''re going to be a temporary team on this expedition, so let''s get familiar with each other already." Veylshard? Vincent noted the way Zarrok and Korvath addressed Dio. Recognition dawned¡ªThystian, the current Head of the South Novice Sanctuary, shared the same surname. Is he related to Thystian? He wondered about his connection with Sanctuary Head Thystian. Anur, standing not far from Vincent, noticed his silence and whispered urgently, "What are you doing? Why aren''t you greeting Young Master Dio?" Vincent glanced at him, expression unreadable. "Who is he?" Though his voice was low, everyone present had keen perception. They clearly heard his words. They were stunned, especially Anur. A stunned silence followed. Anur''s jaw nearly dropped. A light chuckle soon broke the tension. Dio laughed. "Haha, it''s fine. Why are you all so shocked? The Novice Continent is vast¡ªit''s only natural that not everyone knows who I am." His gaze settled on Vincent, his expression still carrying a relaxed smile. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Dio Veylshard, and I will be leading this expedition. And yes, I am connected to the current Sanctuary Head¡ªhe is my uncle." Chapter 205 - 205: Heading To Lost Grove (1) Vincent cast an unreadable glance at the man before him. "Who is he?" Though his voice was low, everyone present had sharp perception. They clearly heard his words. A stunned silence followed. Anur''s jaw nearly dropped. A light chuckle soon broke the tension. Dio laughed. "Haha, it''s fine. Why are you all so shocked? The Novice Continent is vast¡ªit''s only natural that not everyone knows who I am." His gaze settled on Vincent, his expression still carrying a relaxed smile. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Dio Veylshard, and I will be leading this expedition. And yes, I am connected to the current Sanctuary Head¡ªhe is my uncle." So, he''s the Sanctuary Head''s nephew¡­ Vincent mused, immediately understanding why even the arrogant Thrygians lowered their heads respectfully. With a subtle scan using his Heaven Eyes, he quickly noticed that all of them were at the initial stage of Tier 3. He wondered if there were special requirements to enter the Lost Grove. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While he was lost in thought, Dio began introducing the people behind him. The Drakorii man was named Diriko, while the masked man was Urek. However, Dio didn''t reveal what race they were from, and they tacitly refrained from asking. The two women were Crizelia, a friend of Dio from the same race, and the crimson-haired woman wearing a flaming-design mask, who interrupted Dio and introduced herself as Ara. In response, Vincent and the others introduced themselves. After the brief introductions, the impatient Crizelia could no longer contain herself. "Dio, when are we leaving?" Dio smiled wryly. "Alright, that''s it for now. If you have more questions, you can ask me on the way. We have to go." Vincent could only wonder where they were heading. Dio pulled out a wooden item, pressed it to his lips, and blew. A piercing sound rang through the air. His companions immediately turned their gazes skyward, as if expecting something. Vincent and the others instinctively followed their lead, looking up into the clear blue sky. Soon, a small figure appeared in the distance. As it drew closer, the figure gradually expanded in size, revealing its true form. When it reached about a hundred feet off the ground, they could finally see its entire appearance clearly. It had the massive form of a blue whale. However, its body was composed entirely of a colossal chunk of cobalt-blue crystal. With a quick glance, Vincent identified its name and level. Crystal Sky Whale ¨C Tier 3 (3¡ï) A mid-stage Tier 3¡­ Vincent simply observed it, while Anur and the others gawked in awe. The sheer size and unique composition of the creature left them speechless. Many new Origin Warriors, having just arrived in the Origin World for the first time, turned their heads in astonishment. Dio smirked at their reactions before formally introducing the enormous floating whale. "That''s my partner, Pearl. We''ll be traveling with her." As Pearl descended to a certain height, she released a cold, misty aura that condensed into a long staircase of crystal. "Thank you, Pearl." Dio smiled gently at the whale before turning back to the group. "Come on, we''ll talk on the way." Vincent waited for the others to board before following silently. ¡ª While soaring thousands of feet above the ground at a speed of 200 km/h, Dio finally turned to face them. "So, any questions?" Anur, who had been brimming with curiosity, immediately raised his hand. Dio nodded. "Yes, go ahead." "Umm, where exactly is the Lost Grove located?" Anur asked after a moment of thought. Dio stroked his chin, then answered, "We''re heading east of the South Novice Sanctuary. It''s beyond the Desert Grove Chasm." Anur nodded. "Thanks." "Next question?" Dio prompted. After some hesitation, Zarrok raised his hand. "Young Master Veylshard, what is the Lost Grove?" Dio flashed a relaxed smile. "Lost Grove is¡ª" For the next few hours, Dio answered all their questions, explaining the dangers and peculiarities of the Lost Grove. Aside from Vincent and the two composed Thrygians, Anur and Bern wore increasingly dark expressions. Dio chuckled upon noticing their growing unease. "Haha, relax, you two. It''s not too dangerous for you¡ªas long as you don''t draw unnecessary attention." Soon, Vincent noticed a shift in the landscape below. The lush greenery of the forests had given way to an arid desert biome dotted with scattered groves of trees. "We''re about to arrive," Dio announced. ¡ª Moments later, Pearl descended into an open clearing. Vincent followed the group without a word, silently observing their surroundings. They arrived at a grand entrance¡ªan imposing archway formed by two colossal sandstone pillars, smoothed by centuries of wind and time. Intricate carvings of desert flora and fauna adorned the archway, whispering tales of an ancient past. Two aged, rusted gates hung loosely from the pillars, partially ajar as if inviting exploration. Flanking the entrance, two massive stone statues stood as silent sentinels. Their features, though worn by time and sand, bore an air of enigmatic wisdom. This was the entrance to the Desert Grove Chasm. Dio stepped forward. "Let''s go." A metallic screech echoed as he pushed the gate open just enough for them to pass. A chilling gust of air swept past them from the depths of the dark chasm beyond. Dio turned his head. "Ara, if you would." Ara, who had been quiet throughout the journey, waved her hand slightly, summoning a hovering ball of fire above them. The flickering flames illuminated the dim passageway. The path ahead was spacious enough for five adult humans to walk side by side. However, for the towering Crystallians and Thrygians, it was somewhat narrow. Still, it wasn''t enough to be an obstacle. The chasm stretched forward, a deep and winding fissure in the earth. The sheer walls on either side cast long, foreboding shadows over them. The air was thick with the scent of dust and ancient secrets. As they ventured deeper, clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowed softly in the shadows, casting an ethereal radiance over their surroundings. This natural luminescence allowed Ara to finally relax, no longer needing to maintain the floating orb of fire she had been using as a light source. Despite the eerie tranquility, something gnawed at Vincent''s mind. Expanding his mental perception to its maximum range, he attempted to scan the area¡ªbut to his surprise, he couldn''t sense a single primal nearby. Anur, despite his crystalline physique, carried the air of an inquisitive child. His curiosity often betrayed his otherwise imposing presence. "Why haven''t we encountered any primals yet?" he muttered, though his voice was loud enough for the others to hear. Chapter 206 - 206: Heading To Lost Grove (2) As they ventured deeper, clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowed softly in the shadows, casting an ethereal radiance over their surroundings. This natural luminescence allowed Ara to finally relax, no longer needing to maintain the floating orb of fire she had been using as a light source. Despite the eerie tranquility, something gnawed at Vincent''s mind. Expanding his mental perception to its maximum range, he attempted to scan the area¡ªbut to his surprise, he couldn''t sense a single primal nearby. Anur, despite his crystalline physique, carried the air of an inquisitive child. His curiosity often betrayed his otherwise imposing presence. "Why haven''t we encountered any primals yet?" he muttered, though his voice was loud enough for the others to hear. This time, instead of Dio, it was Diriko¡ªthe drakorii man walking ahead of Anur¡ªwho responded. "Do you see those symbols carved into the walls?" Diriko''s hoarse yet composed voice carried through the passage. Vincent had already noticed the strange glyphs earlier. They pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow, hinting at a hidden power. Diriko continued, his tone steady but slightly reverent. "Those are known as primal wards. They are ancient hand-carved sigils, left behind by a civilization that once lived in harmony with¡ªyet also feared¡ªthe primal monsters. These symbols don''t just emit energy; they mimic the very essence of primals, creating a feedback loop that confuses, disorients, or outright repels them." "I see¡ª" Before Anur could finish his thought, his gaze landed on a massive stone figure looming ahead. It resembled a golem from fantasy lore, its towering form blending seamlessly with the surrounding chasm walls. Anur pointed in confusion. "Isn''t that a primal? And also¡­" His eyes flickered toward the plump, sleeping rabbit nestled on Vincent''s shoulder. Though curiosity burned within him, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself. The others had also noticed Mochi, but their immediate focus remained on the golem before them. At that moment, the golem''s attention wasn''t on them. It stood motionless, its massive back turned toward their group. Diriko''s brow furrowed beneath his mask. His lips twitched slightly. He had just explained how primal wards prevented such encounters¡ªyet here they were, facing a primal right in the heart of the Desert Grove Chasm. Though unlikely, it wasn''t impossible. Still, encountering a primal within this supposedly warded zone was a rare phenomenon. Dio came to a halt, prompting the others to instinctively stop as well. A sense of unease settled over them. No one recognized the primal before them. "Dio, what''s the plan?" Urek, the black-haired man with dreadlocks hidden beneath his panther mask, asked in a hushed voice. Though the golem exuded no immediate hostility, Urek found the situation unnerving. Caution, he believed, was the best course of action. Suddenly¡ª The golem turned. Its ruby eyes flared to life, emitting an ominous, pulsating glow as it scanned the group. And then, its gaze locked onto Vincent. No. Not Vincent. It was staring directly at Mochi. Vincent tensed as he noticed this shift, and at that very moment, Mochi stirred. Lifting her head groggily, she blinked at the massive stone entity that had its sights set firmly on her. Vincent''s voice echoed in Mochi''s mind. "What did you eat today? Why are you attracting so much attention?" First, it had been Ara. Now, this unknown golem. Mochi tilted her head in utter confusion. "What did I do?" All she had done was sleep. She hadn''t even looked at anyone. How could she possibly be the source of this sudden hostility? A mechanical, echoing voice rang through the cavernous space. "INTRUDER DETECTED! INTRUDER DETECTED! ELIMINATE THE INTRUDER! ELIMINATING¡ª" A blinding laser beam shot forth from the golem''s eyes, streaking directly toward Mochi. "Look out!" Dio''s warning came, but the attack was too fast¡ªeven for someone of his speed. Anur and the others, standing beside Vincent, reacted instinctively, their eyes widening in shock. They cursed under their breath as they leaped aside in a desperate bid to avoid the impending blast. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent''s own reflexes kicked in, but even he felt a fraction too slow. Mochi, realizing the imminent danger, shrieked in his mind. "DODGE IT! DODGE IT!" But it was too late. BOOM! A deafening explosion rocked the area. A thick cloud of dust and debris erupted into the air, obscuring everyone''s vision. Dio, despite the sudden chaos, reacted swiftly. His voice rang with authority as he issued rapid commands. "Diriko, grab its attention! Crizelia, support with Ara¡ªcover Diriko! Urek, Zarrok, Korvath¡ªfollow me! Anur, Bern¡ªcheck on Shroud''s condition!" Anur and Bern responded immediately. "Understood!" Nearby, Zarrok scoffed, his earlier resentment toward Vincent surfacing. "Hmph. That guy''s probably dead already." Korvath, sensing Dio''s displeasure, tried to interject, but the damage was done. Dio''s expression darkened momentarily before he returned to the task at hand. "It doesn''t matter. Just go check on him. Let''s move, Urek!" At Dio''s command, Diriko wasted no time. He lunged forward, releasing a thunderous roar that sent his mask flying, revealing his drakorii visage. Yet, despite his aggressive display, the golem remained unmoved¡ªits crimson gaze still fixated on the spot where Vincent and Mochi had stood. Dio and the others exchanged sharp glances. Something wasn''t right. With a swift hand signal, Dio ordered Urek to act. The panther-masked warrior surged forward, summoning a massive black-and-gold war hammer from thin air. With a fierce cry, he swung the weapon directly at the golem''s left leg. BANG! The impact echoed throughout the cavern. But to everyone''s shock¡ª The hammer rebounded harmlessly. "What the hell?!" Urek''s disbelief was palpable. "It''s like hitting solid bedrock!" Zarrok and Korvath wasted no time, charging in tandem. Twin silver greatswords slashed through the air, their edges shimmering with condensed energy. CLANG! CLANG! Yet¡ªtheir blades barely left a scratch. A second later, a fire-forged lance and a crystalline spear hurtled through the air, striking the golem''s face dead-on. BOOM! BOOM! Crizelia and Ara had launched their attacks simultaneously¡ªbut just like before, their efforts proved fruitless. At that moment, Dio seized his opportunity. Darting behind the golem, his arms surged with azure energy¡ªa telltale sign of Tier 3 strength. With a powerful shout, he drove his fist toward the back of the golem''s head. BANG! A resounding impact filled the chamber. Yet¡ª The golem remained unshaken. Dio grimaced as a sharp numbness spread through his arm. Even at full strength, his attack had done nothing. Chapter 207 - 207: Unknown Golem (1) Zarrok and Korvath wasted no time, charging in tandem. Twin silver greatswords slashed through the air, their edges shimmering with condensed energy. The blades moved with precision, aimed at the golem''s midsection. CLANG! CLANG! Yet¡ªtheir blades barely left a scratch. The golem''s surface remained unscathed, not even a dent to show for their efforts. A second later, a fire-forged lance and a crystalline spear hurtled through the air, striking the golem''s face dead-on. The attacks came from Crizelia and Ara, who had launched their assaults simultaneously. BOOM! BOOM! The explosions lit up the cavern, but just like before, their efforts proved fruitless. The golem stood tall, its crimson eyes glowing with an almost mocking intensity. At that moment, Dio seized his opportunity. Darting behind the golem, his arms surged with azure energy¡ªa sign of Tier 3 strength. The air around him crackled as he channeled his power, his fists glowing with a fierce, otherworldly light. With a powerful shout, he drove his fist toward the back of the golem''s head. BANG! A resounding impact filled the chamber, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the air. Yet¡ª S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The golem remained unshaken. Dio grimaced as a sharp numbness spread through his arm. Even at full strength, his attack had done nothing. He immediately retreated, his mind racing as the others continued to bombard the golem without hesitation. Meanwhile, Anur and Bern ventured into the thick dust and smoke, searching for Vincent. The aftermath of the golem''s laser beam had left the ground shattered and uneven, making their progress slow and treacherous. "Shroud!" Anur called out, his voice strained as he navigated the debris. The dust was thick, obscuring their vision, but they pressed on, driven by urgency. On the other side, Bern noticed a silhouette within the smoke. He gestured to Anur, his voice low but urgent. "He''s here!" Hearing Bern, Anur approached and waved the dust away, revealing Vincent. Vincent was embedded in the wall, leaning forward in a sitting position. His arms clutched his chest, but Anur and Bern quickly noticed that Vincent had shielded the plump black rabbit, Mochi, from the blast. The act of protection had come at a great cost. Vincent''s armor was shattered from his shoulders to his arms, the metal torn and twisted. His flesh was in a bloody state, revealing glimpses of white bone beneath. The impact had also burned a small portion of his hair and mask, exposing the lower part of his face. His breathing was labored, each inhale a struggle against the pain. At this moment, Vincent was in shock. It was the first time he had felt so close to death, the first time he had experienced pain of this magnitude. His body felt like it was on fire, every nerve screaming in agony. His arms, in particular, were a mess of blood and torn flesh. He couldn''t understand it. In that split second, he had activated his C-rank Talent: Origin Enhancement, bolstering the Origin Energy shield he had summoned, along with his other defensive abilities. Yet, the golem''s laser beam had pierced through his defenses as if they were nothing more than thin paper. If it hadn''t been for his high base stats, the attack might have killed him instantly, rendering all his defensive skills and items useless. It was as if Origin Energy¡ªor anything made of it¡ªhad no effect on the laser beam. Even his passive regeneration ability was struggling to heal his injuries, the strange energy of the golem''s attack interfering with his body''s natural recovery. Despite sensing the presence of Anur and Bern, Vincent didn''t pay them much attention. His focus was on Mochi, who was cradled in his arms. Even the slightest movement sent waves of pain coursing through his body, but he ignored it, his gaze fixed on the small, trembling creature. Sensing his gaze, Mochi lifted her head and looked at him. Her golden eyes were filled with fear, but that fear quickly turned to worry as she took in Vincent''s condition. Before she could voice her concern, Vincent asked her with a relaxed smile, "Are you alright?" Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She ignored his question and exclaimed, "S-Stupid Master, y-you''re bleeding! W-Why are you not healing yourself?!" Her voice was high-pitched, panicked, like a child seeing blood for the first time. In truth, it was the first time she had seen her master injured, and the sight had shaken her to her core. Vincent gave her a reassuring smile, his voice calm despite the pain. "Don''t worry, I''m alright." Mochi reacted with a frantic tone in his mind, "Alright? You''re bleeding so much!" At this moment, Anur and Bern arrived next to him. They were shocked by Vincent''s condition. They knew his strength, and if he was already in such a state, they couldn''t imagine what would have happened if the laser beam had been aimed at them. Anur crouched down, his tall frame folding as he reached for a bottle of recovery potion. "Are you alright? Come on, drink this." Vincent shook his head, declining the potion. It wasn''t out of arrogance or a reluctance to owe anyone¡ªit was because he knew the recovery potion wouldn''t help. The strange energy from the golem''s attack was preventing his body from healing. "It''s fine, that''s not gonna work," Vincent said, his voice strained but firm. Anur was confused. "What do you mean?" Vincent could feel the strange energy interfering with his body''s natural recovery. He explained, "There''s some kind of energy blocking my regeneration. Origin Energy¡ªanything related to it¡ªwon''t have any effect." Anur''s expression darkened. "What? It''s blocking the effect of Origin Energy?!" Bern was equally shocked but remained silent, his mind racing as he processed the implications. Vincent continued, "If I''m right, anything about Origin Energy will not have any effect on it¡­" Anur and Bern exchanged worried glances. If that was true, then even if they fought together, they wouldn''t be able to do anything. They might even die if they couldn''t find a solution. At that moment, as the dust of smoke finally dissipated, the golem once again noticed Mochi. Its mechanical voice echoed through the cavern, cold and unfeeling. "Extermination failed! Eliminate the intruder!" Hearing this, Dio frowned, his attention shifting to Vincent''s condition. In the next second, the golem''s eyes glowed with a dangerous light, accompanied by a high-pitched whine. It was preparing to release another laser beam. Dio quickly alerted the group, his voice sharp with urgency. "It''s going to shoot again! Be careful!" Vincent also noticed the golem''s movements. His expression darkened, while Anur and Bern felt a chill run down their spines. Mochi perked her ears, sensing the golem''s gaze once more. Before the golem could unleash another devastating attack, Anur and Bern hurriedly retreated. As much as they wanted to help, they knew there was nothing they could do with their current strength. They wouldn''t risk their lives for a stranger, no matter how dire the situation. Soon, the crimson woman in a flaming mask¡ªAra¡ªalso noticed Vincent''s condition. She had been warily observing the golem, her eyes glinting with an unknown emotion. When the golem finally unleashed the powerful laser beam, Ara exclaimed in worry, "Look out!" A low, throbbing hum vibrated through the air as the laser beam launched toward Vincent¡ªor more precisely, toward Mochi. At this very moment, Anur and Bern, who were closest to Vincent, felt the incoming laser beam. They believed that Vincent wouldn''t be able to survive this time. The sheer power of the attack was overwhelming, and with Vincent already injured, there seemed to be no hope. However¡ª Bang! The laser beam collided with something solid. A deep-purple ominous aura appeared around Vincent and Mochi, blocking the laser beam! "What?!" Zarrok exclaimed in shock. He had been looking forward to Vincent''s demise, but he never expected that Vincent would be able to block the attack when Origin Energy was useless! The others were equally shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief. But their shock was quickly replaced by baffled confusion. What kind of power was that? That was the question running through the minds of those who had no idea of Vincent''s true capabilities. Needless to say, it was Vincent''s last resort¡ªhis Chaos Energy! Although he had been warned not to use it for the time being, he had no choice. He could either keep it hidden and die, or use it and survive. At this moment, his right hand was extended in front of him, while his left arm cradled Mochi. Dark-purple energy emanated from his body, healing his injuries at an astonishing rate. However, at the same time, Vincent could feel his senses slowly crumbling away. His arms began to transform, taking on a demon-like appearance as they were enveloped in chaos energy. His hair slowly turned upside down, and a small horn protruded from the left side of his forehead. The changes in Vincent''s appearance immediately caught the attention of everyone present, especially the two thrygians, who were shocked by Vincent''s sudden display of power. "W-What''s happening to him?" Zarrok said, his voice filled with bafflement. Chapter 208 - 208: Unknown Golem (2) However, at the same time, Vincent could feel his senses slowly crumbling away, as if the very fabric of his being was unraveling. His arms began to transform, taking on a demon-like appearance as they were enveloped in a swirling vortex of chaos energy. The energy crackled and hissed, wrapping around his limbs like living tendrils, altering his form with each passing second. His hair, once neatly combed, now stood on end, defying gravity as it slowly turned upside down. A small, jagged horn protruded from the left side of his forehead, its surface glistening with an otherworldly sheen. The changes in Vincent''s appearance were immediate and drastic, catching the attention of everyone present, especially the two thrygians, who were visibly shaken by the sudden display of power. "W-What''s happening to him?" Zarrok stammered, his voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion. His eyes widened as he took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his weapon. At this moment, a deep frown was apparent on everyone''s faces. As they looked at Vincent, they felt their heartbeats pounding in their chests, each thud echoing like a drumroll in their ears. Yet, they couldn''t focus on their own racing hearts. An unknown fear crept into their very cores, as though it was a natural reaction to the overwhelming presence Vincent now exuded. "Grrraaaa!" Vincent could no longer hold back. He let out a reverberating roar, his voice shaking the very air around him. His arms spread wide open, releasing Mochi from his embrace. The force of his roar was followed by a powerful shockwave, forcing everyone to stagger back and raise their defenses. "Woah!" "Be careful!" "Retreat!" The shockwave subsided, leaving the group in a state of disarray. Vincent''s expression had transformed into something savage, his deep-purple eyes now dark and cold, locking onto the golem with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines. "Master..." Mochi muttered in her mind, her expression filled with worry. She clutched her tiny paws to her chest, her eyes never leaving Vincent''s form. At this moment, Vincent wasn''t just using his chaos energy; he was even subconsciously tapping into his primal energy. The primal wards embedded in the walls began to glow, their ancient runes lighting up one by one as if responding to his presence. Dio and the others naturally noticed the change, their eyes darting to the glowing wards that illuminated the surroundings. "What''s happening now?" Anur, who had regrouped with the others, couldn''t help but mumble in bafflement. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might provoke the energy swirling around them. "The primal wards are being activated. It could only mean one thing¡ªthere''s a primal inside or nearby," Diriko explained, her voice steady but laced with unease. However, her explanation did little to clear anyone''s confusion. If anything, it only deepened it. If the golem hadn''t activated the primal wards, then what¡ªor who¡ªhad? Their gazes then gathered at Vincent, all of them sharing the same thought. It must be because of him! But how? Isn''t Shroud a human? As confusion swirled in their minds, Zarrok, who had always harbored an inexplicable hatred for Vincent, pointed an accusing finger at him and exclaimed, "It must be because of him! That guy must be a primal! A demon! We should just kill him and his rabbit!" The others remained silent, their expressions unreadable. No one knew what was running through their minds, but the tension in the air was palpable. Then, Crizelia seemed to recall something. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "I think I''ve heard something like that from my elders¡ªa creature that''s not born as a primal but could wield primal energy..." Hearing her, Urek, who was wearing a black panther mask, nodded in agreement. "We also have that in my world. We call them calamity bearers..." Upon hearing their input, Zarrok felt even more certain that killing Vincent was the right course of action. "See? We should kill him already!" he declared, his voice rising with conviction. At this moment, Dio was in a dilemma. He, too, had some knowledge about the topic they were discussing. He didn''t exclude the option of killing Vincent if necessary. However, there was also his uncle''s words echoing in his mind: "Befriend ''him'' if you can..." He was referring to Shroud. As they were debating their next move, the golem once again started charging its laser beam, emitting a high-pitched whine that grated on their nerves. However, this time, the target of the golem had switched to Vincent. "Warning! Warning! Unknown Entity Detected! Highest Priority: Eliminate!" The primal wards'' effect was trying to confuse and pressure Vincent, but with the help of his chaos energy, they couldn''t affect him. Despite his awareness slipping away, Vincent never took his eyes off the golem. He didn''t attack recklessly; instead, he waited, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. When the others noticed the golem was about to release another attack, Zarrok exclaimed once again, "It''s the perfect timing! Once the golem releases its laser, we should kill the demon and his pet so we can go on our way!" However, the usually silent Ara interjected, her voice calm but firm. "What if he''s not what you''re claiming? Can you take the responsibility if we killed him?" Zarrok was displeased, but he didn''t show it. Instead, he replied with a sneer, "If he''s not a calamity or demon, what is he then?" Ara didn''t immediately answer. She looked up and stared into Zarrok''s eyes, her gaze piercing and unwavering. Zarrok shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny before she finally replied, "He''s cursed." She said it as though she was absolutely certain. "Cursed?" It was Korvath who spoke this time, his voice tinged with curiosity. Ara nodded. "Yes¡ª" However, before Ara could explain further, a sudden tremor shook the ground, interrupting her. They all turned to the source of the disturbance and immediately noticed Vincent, who had just blocked another laser beam from the golem. The beam was deflected, slamming into the wall with a deafening crash. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This time, however, the golem didn''t just release a single laser beam and prepare to charge again. Its eyes flared with a blinding light, and the air around it crackled with energy. Instead of one thick beam, it unleashed a barrage of lasers¡ªeach one thinner but sharper, like threads of pure energy woven into a deadly web. Chapter 209 - 209: Unknown Golem (3) The beams split and multiplied, fanning out in a wide arc, carving through the air with a high-pitched whine that made the ground tremble. It was no longer a single, predictable attack; it was a storm of light, relentless and overwhelming. "Spread out!" Dio promptly commanded upon seeing this. Without hesitation, they hurriedly jumped away from the path of the laser beams. These beams were unblockable, their destructive power evident even from a distance. Although the lasers looked weaker, they still carried a devastating force. The group could feel the raw power within each beam, and they knew that even a glancing hit could be fatal. On the other hand, Vincent had found his way behind the golem. With a swift, fluid motion, he slashed his demon-like arm across one of its legs. This time, unlike the attacks of Dio and the others, Vincent''s claws managed to damage the golem, leaving deep gashes in its metallic surface. Vincent didn''t pause to think. He continued to slash at the golem''s legs, his movements a blur of chaos energy and primal fury. The golem, naturally, noticed the damage. Its mechanical head turned with a whir, its upper torso rotating to face Vincent. Without a word, it bombarded him with laser beams, the air filling with thick dust and smoke as the beams impacted the ground. Bam! Bam! Bam! Witnessing this, Zarrok couldn''t help but exclaim in joy, "Ha! That guy is surely dead!" Ara glanced coldly at him, but he was too occupied to notice. However, when the smoke eventually cleared, there was a huge crater on the ground¡ªbut Vincent was nowhere to be seen. Before they could even utter their confusion, Vincent suddenly reappeared like a ghost on the head of the golem. "Graaaaaa!" With a loud roar, he stabbed his sharp claws down into its mechanical eyes! Puchi! Once his claws pierced through its eyes, Vincent strongly pulled back his arm, holding a piece of red gem in his hand. Without an ounce of hesitation, he crushed it. He didn''t stop there. He plunged his other hand into the golem''s remaining eye, grabbing it and crushing it as well. Once the golem lost both of its eyes, it suddenly spoke in a mechanical voice, "Emergency Protocol! Self-destruct!" Upon hearing this, Dio and the others'' faces instantly darkened. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Fuck! This fucking golem won''t even let go of us?!" Zarrok exclaimed, his annoyance reaching its peak. Dio didn''t hesitate to command, "Retreat! We have to leave!" However, Ara didn''t like it. She said, "How about him? Are we just going to leave him?" Dio gave her a weird look. He had been wondering why the usually timid and silent Ara had been so concerned about Shroud. Before Dio could respond, Zarrok beat him to it. "It looks like you have something with that guy, heh, woman! Go save him on your own, idiot!" Without even looking back, Zarrok rushed away, leaving the others to make their own decisions. Ara simply ignored Zarrok, keeping her full attention on Dio as she awaited his response. Dio remained silent, his gaze shifting between Ara and the impending explosion. The ever-impatient Crizelia interjected, her voice sharp with urgency. "What are you doing, Dio? We have to go now!" Diriko added with a frown, "That''s right, Ara. Why are you getting involved with that guy? We need to leave!" Urek, Bern, and Anur exchanged glances but kept their thoughts to themselves. Unlike the others, they didn''t immediately rush after the retreating Thrygians. Yet, Ara remained unfazed. Her crimson eyes stayed locked on Dio. After a brief moment of contemplation, Dio let out a weary sigh. "Do you have something in mind? I''m asking because I truly have no way to help him. Even in his current state, I don''t have a solution." Hearing his words, Ara gave a firm nod. For a fleeting second, her eyes gleamed with determination. However, the reaction from the others was less than enthusiastic. Crizelia, exasperated, and sighed heavily. "Unbelievable." Dio ignored the complaints behind him and focused solely on Ara. "So, what''s your plan?" Without hesitation, Ara raised her hand, revealing a disc-like object in her palm. "This¡ª" Before she could finish, a deafening thud shook the ground. Their heads snapped toward the source of the sound. The massive golem lay motionless, its chest cavity pried open as if something had forcibly torn it apart. Smoke and electric sparks sputtered from its exposed core. Dio muttered, "I don''t think that''s necessary anymore¡­" Ara was left speechless. She hadn''t expected Vincent to stop the golem''s self-destruction in time. Yet, even with the golem defeated, Vincent didn''t revert to his normal self. Instead, his piercing gaze settled upon them, radiating the same terrifying aura they had felt when he first transformed. A subconscious fear gripped their very souls. Vincent took a single step forward. Instinctively, they all took a step back. "U-Uhm, what should we do now?" Anur stammered, his voice shaky. As the weakest among them, he felt the crushing pressure more than anyone else. Before anyone could respond, a plump black rabbit suddenly appeared between them. Mochi. The small creature stared at her master with unwavering resolve. Just as Vincent prepared to take another step, Mochi leaped forward, latching onto him and beginning to absorb the chaotic energy surging through his body. "What is it doing?" Anur questioned in confusion. Bern scoffed. "Are you blind? It''s sucking out the black energy!" As the two argued, Mochi continued her efforts. The oppressive aura around Vincent gradually weakened as she absorbed more of the chaotic energy. However, pain was evident in her small body. Though capable of absorbing chaos energy, there was a limit to how much she could endure. A soft whimper escaped Mochi, but she refused to stop. She endured, her tiny frame trembling under the overwhelming force, until Vincent finally returned to his normal state. Exhausted but satisfied, Mochi smiled faintly, then collapsed beside him. "Stupid master..." was her last thought before losing consciousness. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Somewhere on the Novice Continent, a dark figure stood motionless, gazing in the direction where Vincent and the others were. Narrowing its eyes, the figure spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Is it happening?" In the next instant, it vanished into thin air. Chapter 210 - 210: Aftermath Hearing his words, Vincent could not help but shift his attention to Ara, but Ara simply ignored him. He wondered in his mind, "She''s definitely trying to hide the truth. But why is she helping me?" He could not think of a good reason why she would help him. He didn''t even know her, or perhaps he knows her? However, seeing that she didn''t intend to talk about it, he set it aside for now and responded to Dio, "That''s right. I was cursed." He could only ride along with Ara''s story. "Damn, to think that curse was that scary. I don''t think I''ll be able to survive for a day if I have that curse¡­" Anur commented. The others went silent and looked at him. Anur felt uncomfortable with their gaze, "W-What? I''m just telling the truth. Shroud was lucky that he has a pet that could absorb curse, but I don''t have one. I will certainly die!" The others just shook their heads. Why was the difference between Dio and Anur so huge? When they were both Crystallians. Vincent ignored the comment and pressed on, "How''s your investigation? Did you find anything?" Dio sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion. "We checked the area where it might have come from, but aside from a massive crater, there''s nothing. No traces, no clues... nothing." Vincent''s frown deepened beneath the cracked mask that revealed the lower half of his face. And Dio was more than just disappointed¡ªhe was unsettled. The golem they had encountered was unlike anything he had ever faced. A creature immune to Origin Energy? It defied everything he knew. He had traveled this path multiple times before, and never had he stumbled upon such a monstrosity. I need to ask my uncle about this, he thought. If anyone had a chance of knowing what that thing was, it would be his uncle. And if even his uncle was clueless, then there was only one other person he could turn to... but that was a last resort. For now, he pushed the thought aside. "Can you bring me there?" Vincent asked, his voice steady but laced with urgency. Before Dio could respond, Ara stepped in, her tone firm. "You can''t. You just woke up. You need to rest." Dio glanced at Ara, his curiosity piqued. Why is she so concerned about Shroud? Does she know him? But he didn''t voice his thoughts. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "Listen to her. You need to recover. Don''t worry, we''ll pass by that place later." Vincent hesitated but eventually relented. They were right¡ªhe was pushing himself too hard. He gave a curt nod and leaned back, his body still heavy with exhaustion. Dio clapped his hands, signaling the group. "Alright, let''s take a few hours to rest, and then we''ll move out." The others nodded in unison, settling into meditative positions to regain their strength. Vincent, however, didn''t sleep. Instead, he pulled out a few Origin Crystals and a stamina potion, replenishing his energy bit by bit. Thanks to the chaos energy, his injuries had healed completely, but the toll it had taken on his body was immense. Though there were no visible wounds, every muscle felt like lead. He knew he had to find a way to recover his chaos energy. Before, he hadn''t prioritized it, thinking it was unnecessary for his daily life. But now, after what had happened, he couldn''t afford to neglect it any longer. Mochi was his responsibility. Despite her spoiled demeanor, she had saved him. If she hadn''t absorbed the chaos energy, he might have lost control and killed everyone around him¡ªor worse, been killed himself, losing his access to the Origin World. Vincent''s gaze fell to his damaged equipment. His Shifting Visage Mask was partially broken, and while it could still block observing skills, its mimic function was gone. His Obsidian Aegis was also damaged, but at least it could be repaired with some experience points. He let out a bitter sigh. If only I hadn''t been so arrogant, if I hadn''t rushed into things, believing I could handle anything... This experience had been a harsh wake-up call. There were always variables, always things beyond his control that could endanger him and those he cared about. His strength was still insufficient. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he wouldn''t stop. He couldn''t. Several hours later, Dio stood up, stretching his limbs. "Alright, I think everyone''s had enough rest." His eyes lingered on Vincent. "How about you? Still up for joining us?" Vincent nodded, his voice calm but resolute. "I''m fine. Let''s go." Dio gave a satisfied nod. "Then let''s move out." As they began their trek, Vincent scanned the group, noticing the absence of Zarrok and Korvath. He leaned slightly toward Ara, who was walking beside him, and asked in a low voice, "Where are those purple giants? Don''t tell me I killed them." Ara glanced at him briefly before looking away. "It would''ve been better if you had." Vincent raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "They fled when you were fighting the golem. It was about to self-destruct, and they didn''t stick around to see what would happen." Vincent''s expression shifted to one of faint surprise, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Still, he couldn''t help but ask, "Why didn''t you escape with them?" Though their conversation was quiet, the others could still hear them. Diriko, walking ahead, chuckled and answered before Ara could. "It''s not that we didn''t want to leave. It''s just that someone here was adamant about saving you." "Diriko!" Ara exclaimed, her face flushing beneath her mask, whether from embarrassment or anger, it was hard to tell. Diriko only laughed, clearly enjoying Ara''s reaction. Vincent turned to Ara, his gaze lingering on her. "Do I know you?" Ara avoided his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don''t know you." Vincent studied her for a moment longer but decided not to press further. If she didn''t want to talk, he wouldn''t force her. Soon, they arrived at the site of the battle. The golem still lay on the ground, its massive form unmoving. Unlike other creatures, it hadn''t disintegrated into particles of light. It was as if it were waiting for something. "Why is it still here?" Vincent asked, his voice tinged with unease. Dio shrugged, his expression equally puzzled. "We''ve been wondering the same thing. We waited for over an hour, expecting it to vanish like a primal''s corpse. But it didn''t." Vincent hadn''t had the chance to examine the golem during the fight¡ªit had attacked too suddenly. Now, he activated his Heaven Eyes skill, scanning the creature. Origin Guardian ¡ª Tier 1 "Tier 1?!" Vincent''s mind reeled with disbelief. That thing was only a Tier 1? The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. If a Tier 1 golem could cause this much destruction, what would a higher tier be like? Ara noticed his reaction, her eyes flickering toward him for a brief moment, but she said nothing. The group stood in silence. At this moment, Vincent noticed a faint, blinking red light emanating from within the remains of the Origin Guardian''s corpse. The light pulsed rhythmically, almost as if it were alive, yet no one else seemed to notice it. He glanced around, confirming that Dio and the others were oblivious to the strange phenomenon. Intrigued, Vincent approached the corpse and turned to Dio. "Would you mind if I take this?" Vincent asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. Dio gave him a puzzled look, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why would you need it? That thing is useless now," he replied, his tone dismissive. Vincent didn''t offer an explanation. He simply stood there, waiting for Dio''s response, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. Dio studied him for a moment, then shrugged, realizing Vincent wasn''t going to back down. "Fine, it''s yours. You''re the one who defeated it, after all," Dio said, though his tone suggested he still didn''t understand Vincent''s interest. "Thanks," Vincent replied curtly, storing the golem''s body in his spatial storage. The red light flickered one last time before disappearing as the corpse vanished. The group continued their journey, eventually arriving at a massive crater. Vincent stepped forward, scanning the area with a keen eye. The crater was vast, its edges jagged and uneven, but it was empty¡ªcompletely devoid of anything of note. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, his disappointment palpable. Chapter 211 - 211: To The Lost Grove The crater was vast, its edges jagged and uneven, but it was empty¡ªcompletely devoid of anything of note. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, his disappointment palpable. ''Is there really nothing here?'' he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. Dio noticed Vincent''s change in demeanor and moved closer, crouching slightly to match Vincent''s height. "It''s alright. Don''t worry. If I discover anything, I''ll let you know immediately. But for now, let''s focus on our main goal. I''m sure you''ll find it interesting," Dio said, his voice reassuring. Vincent nodded, though his mind was still preoccupied. "Are we going with just us? What about those Thrygians?" he asked, glancing back in the direction they had come from. Dio''s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of disdain flickering across his face. "Forget about those two fools. It''s much better without them, in my opinion," he replied, his tone firm. Vincent couldn''t help but smile wryly. It seemed even Dio had a poor impression of the Thrygians. At that moment, Crizelia''s impatience boiled over. "Are you done talking? Let''s go. We''ve already been delayed too long," she snapped, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Dio shook his head wryly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright. Let''s move," he said, gesturing for the group to follow. A few hours later, they arrived at an open clearing. At the far end of the path stood a massive, ellipse-shaped white portal, its surface shimmering like liquid light. The portal was surrounded by towering rock pillars, each wrapped in heavy chains that seemed to hum with latent energy. "That''s the portal to the secret realm," Dio announced, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. Anur, standing a few steps behind, muttered under his breath, "What are we gonna do now?" Diriko, who was standing in front of him, chuckled softly. "Just watch," he said, his tone teasing. Anur blinked, confused, but Diriko quickly added, "I''m just kidding, big guy. Of course, we''re going through that portal." Anur didn''t take offense. He simply nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "Alright, let''s go," Dio said, taking the lead. He turned to the group, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "Are you all ready?" Vincent and the others nodded in unison. Crizelia, however, let out an impatient sigh. "Yes, yes, Dio. Come on, let''s go already," she said, her foot tapping against the ground. With a wry smile, Dio pulled out a diamond-shaped key from his spatial storage. The key glimmered faintly in the dim light, its surface etched with intricate runes. Without a word, the key floated from Dio''s hand and inserted itself into an ancient-looking padlock that hung from the heavy chains. As the key turned, a loud ''click'' echoed through the clearing, and the chains began to retreat, coiling back around the rock pillars. A blinding light erupted from the portal, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Anur, caught off guard, let out a startled cry. "Ah!" When the light subsided, Dio turned to the group, his expression serious. "Let''s go," he said, stepping through the portal without hesitation. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent watched as the others disappeared one by one. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and was the last to step through. As he crossed the threshold, his vision blurred, and for a moment, he felt as though he were floating in a void. But just as quickly, his surroundings snapped back into focus. He found himself standing in the middle of a vibrant, lush forest. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, and the sound of rustling leaves filled his ears. But what caught his attention most was the roar that echoed through the trees¡ªa deep, guttural sound that sent a shiver down his spine. Roar! The roar was unmistakably from a Tier 2 or higher primal beast. Vincent''s senses heightened, and he immediately noticed something else: the Origin Energy in this realm was far denser than in the Origin World. Every blade of grass, every leaf, seemed to pulse with energy, as if the very ground beneath his feet was alive with power. But they weren''t alone. Vincent could already sense another group of Origin Warriors in the distance, their presence faint but unmistakable. Who are they? "Dio, it seems we''re not alone." Urek leaned in close to Dio, his voice a low whisper that barely carried over the rustling leaves of the dense forest. Dio nodded, his expression calm and unbothered. "I know. Just be prepared. We should assume everyone we encounter is our enemy. It''s better to be safe than sorry." "Understood," Urek replied, his voice steady as he gave a curt nod. The two of them stood in silence for a moment, the tension in the air palpable. Suddenly, Urek''s sharp instincts kicked in. He felt something¡ªfast and dangerous¡ªapproaching from their left. "Look out!" Anur''s voice rang out, sharp and urgent, cutting through the stillness. Anur''s warning came just a fraction too late. A blinding streak of light shot toward Urek, moving with such speed that it was nearly impossible to dodge. The light struck Urek with a deafening Bang!, erupting into a massive explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Thick, acrid smoke billowed up, obscuring Urek from view. The group quickly retreated, their movements swift and practiced. They spun around, their eyes scanning the direction from which the attack had come. Vincent''s sharp gaze caught sight of a group of figures, half-hidden in the shadows, their forms blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings. If one looked closely, they would see the faint outlines of small, dog-like creatures crouched low to the ground. Their fur was dark and matted, perfectly camouflaged against the dim forest floor. Their pointed ears twitched ever so slightly, catching every sound, while their glowing eyes¡ªyellow or amber¡ªstared unblinking, like predators waiting to pounce. Their muzzles were tense, nostrils flaring as they scented the air, and their clawed hands rested on crude weapons or the earth, ready to spring into action at a moment''s notice. Chapter 212 - 212: To The Lost Grove Their muzzles were tense, nostrils flaring as they scented the air, and their clawed hands rested on crude weapons or the earth, ready to spring into action at a moment''s notice. Among them, a few stood out¡ªtaller figures draped in tattered robes, their staffs tipped with faintly glowing stones that exuded an eerie, otherworldly energy. "Fangars..." Dio muttered under his breath, though his expression remained unchanged, his calm demeanor unshaken. At that moment, one of the Fangars¡ªa visibly taller and bulkier figure standing at the back¡ªgrinned maliciously. He held a staff in one hand, his black tattered robe fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "My hand just slipped. I thought you were a group of primals..." Though his words were an apology, his tone suggested anything but remorse. A cold, displeased voice responded from within the smoke. "Your hand just slipped? Then, I apologize for this!" Whoosh! A black-and-gold hammer shot out of the smoke, hurtling straight toward the Fangar who had spoken. The Fangar, unfazed, simply pointed his staff forward and muttered an incantation. A golden light flashed from the tip of his staff, deflecting the hammer with ease. The hammer spun through the air for a moment before a figure flashed into view, catching it effortlessly. It was Urek, now unmasked. His black panther mask was gone, revealing a tall, muscular man with dreadlocks tied back into a ponytail. His dark skin glistened under the faint light, and his sharp, piercing eyes glared fiercely at the Fangar. Urek stood at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches, his presence commanding and intimidating. His expression was one of deep displeasure, his lips curled into a slight frown as he stared down the Fangar. The Fangar smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. "Oh, so it''s you, Urek. My bad, I thought you were a primal. I didn''t know it was just you." Instead of rising to the bait, Urek''s frown relaxed, and a small smile played on his lips. "It seems you missed my smash filled with warmth, Drul." At the mention of the word "smash," Drul''s expression darkened momentarily before he regained his composure, his smug grin returning. "Heh, I''ll let you enjoy your remaining time in the Origin World for now. Enjoy it while it lasts..." he said, his voice laced with a knowing menace. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, he turned around, his tattered robe swirling behind him. "Let''s go!" Drul commanded, and with a wave of his staff, the group of ten Fangars vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint trace of their eerie energy. Urek watched them leave, his expression unreadable. Though Drul had left with a threatening remark, Urek didn''t seem the least bit concerned. Dio approached him, a sly grin on his face. "Are you just going to let them leave like that?" Urek didn''t turn to face him, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the Fangars had disappeared. "It doesn''t matter. No matter what kind of plan he has, I''ll still beat the crap out of him." Dio chuckled, clearly amused by Urek''s confidence. "You sound so sure of yourself for someone who just got caught off guard by a simple attack." Urek turned to face Dio, tilting his head slightly as he raised an eyebrow. "You must have sensed them from the start. You didn''t even warn me!" Dio turned away, still chuckling. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. I was just as surprised as you were." It was clear that Dio was lying, but he wasn''t about to admit it. Urek shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips as he let the matter drop. Meanwhile, Vincent observed the exchange in silence, his mind racing as he recalled Dio''s earlier explanation about the Lost Grove. According to Dio, the Lost Grove was a secret realm that existed outside the laws of the Origin World. It was a place shrouded in mystery, said to be the remnants of an ancient civilization. The Origin Guardian¡ªthe golem they had fought earlier¡ªcould very well have originated from this place. The Lost Grove was rumored to be filled with hidden treasures and resources, but it was also a place of great danger. Aside from the primals that guarded the treasures, there were also traps that could obliterate anyone who wasn''t careful. And, as they had just witnessed, there were other Origin Warriors who could enter the Lost Grove. Vincent had been excited to bring Mochi along, as the little creature had an ability for sensing treasure. Unfortunately, Mochi was currently in no condition to help, leaving Vincent to rely on his own instincts and skills. He pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the present. The Lost Grove was a place of opportunity, but it was also a place of peril. He needed to stay sharp. Dio had also mentioned that there were thousands of Novice Continents. That was right, there were other Novice Continents. It was like a game with multiple servers. Their own Novice Continent was the 13th, though Dio hadn''t explained how he knew this. Vincent had been skeptical at first, but given the limited knowledge he had gained from the academy, he couldn''t entirely dismiss Dio''s claims. If what Dio said was true, then the Lost Grove was far more complex than Vincent had initially thought. It wasn''t just a simple realm¡ªit was a convergence point for warriors from different worlds, each vying for the treasures and resources hidden within. Fortunately, the laws of the Lost Grove worked in his favor. Only those below Tier 3 (1¡ï) and those who possessed the necessary keys could enter. With his current strength he could somehow believe that unless he encountered someone that could fight against someone like him that could beat someone with a higher Tier than him, his journey in Lost Grove would be smooth. At this moment, they were heading to a place called ''Stonebridge Town''. Chapter 213 - 213: Lost Grove With his current strength he could somehow believe that unless he encountered someone that could fight against someone like him that could beat someone with a higher Tier than him, his journey in Lost Grove would be smooth. At this moment, they were heading to a place called ''Stonebridge Town''. According to Dio, they might stay for a week in this realm. Escape scrolls were prohibited, even the time-limit of Origin World didn''t work here. However, it doesn''t mean one could stay here forever. The secret realm would close after a week and would only open again after 6 months. Even if one had a key, he would not be able to enter. After a few moments, Vincent finally caught sight of Stonebridge Town in the distance. The town stood as a quiet yet bustling hub nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. Its name was derived from the ancient stone bridge that arched gracefully over a crystal-clear river, serving as the town''s centerpiece and main entrance. The bridge, weathered by time but still sturdy, connected the town to the surrounding wilderness, its surface worn smooth by countless footsteps over the years. The town stood as a quiet yet bustling hub nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. The bridge, weathered by time yet sturdy, connected the town to the wilderness, its surface smoothed by countless footsteps over the years. Stonebridge Town itself was a picturesque sight, its cobblestone streets winding through clusters of quaint, timber-framed buildings. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the soft hum of chatter and clinking tools filled the air. Vincent couldn''t help but wonder why the town was so lively. As if reading his thoughts, Dio''s voice rang out. "You must be wondering why the town is so full of life. That''s natural. They are the inhabitants of this realm." Inhabitants? Isn''t this supposed to be an ancient realm? Vincent hadn''t expected the Lost Grove to be like this. He had assumed that since it was an ancient and forgotten realm, it would be nothing more than a desolate wasteland. However, it seemed he had been gravely mistaken. The Lost Grove was anything but abandoned. It pulsed with life, filled with activity and vibrant energy. When they arrived at the front gate of Stonebridge Town, Vincent immediately noticed two gatekeepers standing in rigid formation. They bore the distinct features of the Lyard race¡ªturquoise reptilian skin and an imposing presence. Yet, while Lyards resembled the lizardmen he knew from fantasy novels and movies, they were far more formidable. Their bodies were well-built, standing as tall as the average human. However, the gatekeepers of Stonebridge Town were different. They towered over them, standing at an imposing seven feet tall¡ªmatching the stature of the Thrygians. Clad in heavy armor and gripping long spears, they exuded an air of solemn duty. But that wasn''t what caught Vincent''s attention the most. The gatekeepers were in a semi-ethereal state. They weren''t quite ghosts, yet not entirely corporeal either. It was as if they existed somewhere between reality and illusion. Curious, Vincent activated his Heaven Eyes to analyze them. Stonebridge Town''s Gatekeeper ¡ª Peak Tier 2 Race: Chronolisk Chronolisk? Dio, sensing his curiosity, smirked slightly before offering an explanation. "They are Phantolisks, and what you''re seeing right now are merely remnants of the past. Even so, they can still communicate with visitors like us. However, bear in mind¡ªthey are phantoms of a bygone era. They have no knowledge of the present." Vincent frowned, absorbing the information. The concept unsettled him. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, Bern''s interest was piqued. He asked, "What happens if we tell them they''re just remnants of the past?" Dio''s smirk deepened. "Why don''t you try?" Bern hesitated, exchanging glances with Vincent and the others before stepping forward. The gatekeeper remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Bern turned back toward the group. Seeing their expectant expressions, he sighed and decided to proceed. "Hey!" he called out. The gatekeeper remained unresponsive, standing as if frozen in time. Slightly annoyed, Bern stepped closer, his voice firm. "Excuse me, sir!" Finally, the gatekeeper moved, lowering his gaze to meet Bern''s. His voice was gruff yet oddly weary. "I''m not deaf, young man. And please, don''t loiter around. If you have questions, go inside. Walk straight ahead, and before you reach the town square, you''ll find a building on the right called the ''Mission Corps.'' There, you can ask for whatever information you seek. Now, please¡ªlet this old man have a quiet day." With that, the gatekeeper returned his gaze to the horizon, as if Bern had already ceased to exist. Bern was momentarily stunned. Behind him, Dio kept his usual smirk, while Diriko and Urek chuckled in amusement. The two women in the group remained indifferent, their expressions bored. Vincent and Anur, however, remained silent, observing with keen interest. They wanted to see how the gatekeepers would react if Bern confronted them about their existence. Still mildly surprised, Bern pressed on. "Just one quick question, sir." His tone was lower this time, more controlled. The gatekeeper let out a resigned sigh, as if sensing Bern''s persistence. "Fine. One question. But after that, leave me be." Bern didn''t hesitate. "Do you know that you''re already dead?" His gaze sharpened, watching the gatekeeper closely. However, the gatekeeper showed no reaction. It was as if Bern''s words simply didn''t register. The older figure frowned slightly. "What are you waiting for, young man? I thought you had a question. Go ahead and ask." Bern''s frown deepened, but he repeated himself. "I asked¡ªdo you know that you''re already dead?" Still, the gatekeeper showed no sign of recognition. It was as if the words themselves were erased from reality before reaching his consciousness. "Enough of this nonsense, young man," the gatekeeper said, his tone now laced with irritation. "If you''re just here to waste my time, then leave. I have no patience for foolish games." Bern exhaled sharply, stepping back. He turned to rejoin the group, his expression contemplative. Dio clapped him on the shoulder. "Do you understand now?" Bern simply nodded, lost in thought. At the back of the group, Vincent pondered the situation. The Chronolisks¡ªor rather, the remnants of the past¡ªseemed to be ''programmed'' to reject any information about their existence. But that led to a bigger question¡ªwho or what possessed the power to do this to them? For now, he set the thought aside. Even if he learned the truth, he lacked the strength to challenge such an unfathomable power. "Alright," Dio said, turning forward. "Let''s move. We need to prepare before that place opens." Vincent and the others followed without question. Novice Continent "Now! Shoot them down!" "Fire! Fire!" "Burn them all!" From a vantage point above, Caelius watched the battle unfold. No¡ªthis wasn''t a battle. This was a one-sided massacre. His clansmen, armed with Uncommon-Grade Fireballs, rained destruction upon their enemies. Alongside them, the Umbra Guildsmen unleashed their own Uncommon-Grade skills, their coordinated attacks overwhelming the hundreds of Thrygians below. Standing beside him were his trusted companions¡ªUncle Gold, Karl, and Fiona. They had spent days planning this assault, carefully tracking the movements of the Blackthorn Clan. Now, their patience had paid off. The Blackthorn Clan had the advantage in numbers, making direct confrontation unwise. Instead, they had devised a strategy to weaken their enemy¡ªeliminating their commanders one by one. And today, they had found their first target. Gorvak. Initially, he thought that it would still be a hard battle since Gorvark always led a team of 1000 thrygians to a labyrinth to train and level up. However, he was still surprised by the performance of Vincent''s men. Although he had already witnessed the strength of Umbra Guild, when they trained in a labyrinth, he was still caught off guard by how fast this group of 100 Origin Warriors grew. Especially those 4 individuals that were leading their own kind of group. They were like a massacre machine, sweeping through enemies like they were weeds. Karl could not help muttering as he watched the massacre below, "They are insane¡­" "They were already strong when we first met them. Now, in just a few days, they even become stronger. Just how can they grow so fast?" Fiona added. Uncle Gold simply nodded in silent agreement. Soon, only dozens of Thrygians and Gorvark were left. On Caelius'' side, not even one of them was killed in the battle. It was thanks to the uncommon-grade fireball skills they had learned. They could just launch fireballs from a distance and kill those blackthorn dogs. Chapter 214 - 214: Remnants of the Past (I HAVE FIXED ALL THE REPEATED CHAPTERS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCOVENIENCE) On Caelius'' side, not a single one of their members had fallen in the battle. This was largely due to the uncommon-grade fireball skills they had mastered. From a safe distance, they relentlessly launched fireballs, decimating the blackthorn dogs with ease. Gorvark and his remaining Blackthorn clan members were now completely surrounded, trapped on all sides. Gorvark, standing at an imposing height of 7 feet, was the only one still in decent condition. Clad in thick violet armor and wielding a heavy sword, his expression was a mix of frustration and fury. He scanned his surroundings, taking in the faces of those who had cornered him. Among the familiar Lionfangs, he noticed new faces¡ªindividuals who had cut through his men as if they were mere paper. ''Since when did humans ally with other races? Lyard, Almuarians, Vyrmins, and that girl¡ªa Barbarian?!'' Gorvark couldn''t help but seethe internally. Initially, he had assumed they were just a ragtag group of mercenaries hired by the Lionfangs. But the way they had unleashed a barrage of fireballs, obliterating his troops, made it clear they were no ordinary mercenaries. They had to be in league with the Lionfangs. ''They can''t be mercenaries! And since when did the Lionfangs have such formidable troops?'' The sight of the fireballs raining down had been both beautiful and terrifying, like a meteor shower. A single wave had wiped out 30% of his forces, and it hadn''t taken long for the rest to fall. As Gorvark desperately plotted his escape, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts. "I know what you''re thinking, Gorvark. Don''t waste your time. We prepared this especially for you. Did you really think I''d let you walk away so easily?" Turning toward the voice, Gorvark''s eyes locked onto Caelius, who stood alongside Uncle Gold and the others. "Hehe, young master Caelius. I didn''t expect you to go through such lengths for me," Gorvark sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. Before Caelius could respond, Gorvark lunged forward with startling speed, his heavy sword glowing with a menacing light as he aimed straight for Caelius. "Die, human!" Gorvark roared. Bang! The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed as Karl intercepted Gorvark''s blade with his golden bracers, the force of the impact sending sparks flying. "You''re not going anywhere!" Karl growled, his expression stern and unyielding. Gorvark''s face twisted in anger as his sword remained locked with Karl''s. "Get out of my way, kid!" he snarled, his voice filled with venom. With a swift retreat, Gorvark''s weapon once again glowed with fierce energy. But before he could take another step, six figures materialized around him, their movements almost synchronized in slow motion. Uncle Gold, Fiona, Karl, Lizno, Barbara, and Warren¡ªall unleashed their techniques simultaneously. In that moment, Gorvark knew his fate was sealed. Boom! Meanwhile, back in Lost Grove, within Stonebridge Town. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After settling into an inn called ''Cobble''s Inn,'' Dio had given the group some time to explore the town and familiarize themselves with its inhabitants. For reasons unknown, Ara decided to tag along with Vincent. He couldn''t refuse her, feeling indebted for her discretion about his secret. Perhaps she truly believed he was cursed. Either way, he owed her. As they wandered through the town, Vincent''s curiosity got the better of him. "Is this your first time here too?" he asked Ara. Ara glanced at him briefly before nodding. "Yes," she replied curtly, her tone as direct as ever. She offered no further explanation, her attention shifting back to their surroundings as they walked. After a while, as they turned into a narrow alley, the sound of an angry voice reached their ears. "Get lost! Don''t come near my shop, you filthy beggar!" "Argh!" Intrigued, Vincent followed the source of the commotion, with Ara silently trailing behind. Soon, they came upon a scene that made Vincent frown. An adult male Phantolisk was viciously kicking a young girl of the same race, who lay crumpled on the ground. The male Phantolisk continued his assault, his voice filled with rage. "I''ve told you countless times not to come near my shop! You''re driving my customers away!" The young girl, her thin arms shielding her head, remained silent. A piece of bread hung from her mouth, and bruises covered her frail body. She looked exactly as the male Phantolisk had described¡ªa beggar. However, Vincent noticed something peculiar. Like the other Phantolisks, the adult male appeared hollow, a mere remnant of the past. But the young girl was different. Though thin and of the same race, she didn''t share their ghostly appearance. She seemed real, alive. Ara''s agitation was immediate. She stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Stop!" The Phantolisk halted mid-kick, his attention shifting to Ara. He eyed her cautiously. "Who are you? Are you this thief''s family?" Ara was momentarily taken aback by the accusation. "Thief?" she echoed. "Yes, thief! This stinking brat keeps sneaking into my shop to steal my goods!" the Phantolisk spat, his voice dripping with disdain. The young girl, her voice trembling with frustration, protested weakly. "I''m not a thief! I told you, I didn''t take this from your shop! Someone gave it to me!" The male Phantolisk sneered, his patience wearing thin. "Still lying, huh?" he growled, delivering another brutal kick to the girl''s side. Bang! The force of the blow caused the piece of bread to fall from her hands. Clutching her side in pain, the girl reached out desperately for the bread, but the Phantolisk stomped on it, crushing it beneath his foot with a cruel smirk. "N-No, my b-bread...!" the girl cried, her voice breaking as she crawled toward the Phantolisk''s foot, trying in vain to free the crushed bread. "Don''t touch me, you little vermin! And what bread? That''s my bread!" he snarled, leaning down to mock her further. Ara''s patience snapped. With a swift motion, she conjured a ball of fire and hurled it toward the Phantolisk. The Phantolisk sensed the attack and leaped aside just in time, the fireball slamming into the cobblestone ground and leaving a scorched mark. Bam! The Phantolisk stared at the burn mark, then back at Ara, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "D-Did you just attack me?!" he stammered, clearly unaccustomed to visitors daring to challenge the residents of Stonebridge Town. Ara remained silent, her icy gaze locked onto the Phantolisk. Vincent, meanwhile, could only sigh and place a hand on his forehead. Dio had explicitly warned them not to cause any trouble, as the people of Stonebridge Town were known for their strictness. And yet, here they were, barely having started their exploration, and already stirring up trouble. The Phantolisk''s expression darkened, his reptilian eyes narrowing into slits. "You''re dead, woman! I''m calling the town guards!" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. Without another word, the Phantolisk raised his arm, and a burst of azure light shot into the sky. It exploded with a resounding boom, echoing through the streets of Stonebridge Town. The signal was unmistakable, and it didn''t take long for the residents to notice. "Oh, another one? It seems the visitors today are quite fierce," muttered a resident, peering out from the doorway of a nearby shop. "The guards are going to be busy for a week again," another commented, shaking their head as they watched the azure light fade. The guards, who had been patrolling the area or stationed nearby, were immediately alerted. The sound of heavy boots clattering against cobblestones filled the air as they began rushing toward the source of the signal. The Phantolisk smirked, his smug expression widening as he turned back to Ara and Vincent. "You''ll be locked in the dungeon with that thief," he sneered, clearly satisfied with himself. But Ara paid him no mind. Her focus was entirely on the young girl, who was still crouched on the ground, desperately trying to gather the crushed pieces of bread. Ara knelt beside her, her voice soft but firm. "Let it go. We''ll leave. I''ll give you something better." The young girl froze, her hands hovering over the broken bread. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet Ara''s. In that moment, Ara felt as if time itself had stopped. The girl''s eyes were deep, filled with a mixture of pain, defiance, and a flicker of hope. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce through Ara''s very soul. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come. Ara shook off the strange feeling and waited patiently for the girl''s response. The young girl hesitated, her eyes darting between Ara and the crushed bread on the ground. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is what you''re saying true?" Ara nodded, her expression warm and reassuring. "Yes. I promise." The girl''s shoulders relaxed slightly, and she nodded in return. "Alright, I''ll come with you." "Good. Give me your hand. We''re running away," Ara said, extending her hand toward the girl. But the young girl shook her head. "No, you don''t know where to go. Follow me instead." Her voice was firm, her eyes resolute. Ara studied her for a moment, then nodded in agreement. She stood and turned to Vincent, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of concern and exasperation. "Are you coming?" Ara asked, her tone leaving no room for argument. Vincent let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Do I have a choice?" he muttered under his breath. But he nodded nonetheless. It would be irresponsible to let Ara and the girl go off on their own, especially with the guards closing in. The Phantolisk, realizing they were about to flee, tried to intervene. "N-No, you can''t run away just like that! If the guards catch you, your crime will be no less than murder!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic. But Vincent and Ara ignored him completely. They turned and followed the young girl as she darted down the alley, her small frame moving with surprising speed and agility. The sound of the approaching guards grew louder, their shouts echoing through the narrow streets. But the trio was already on the move, weaving through the labyrinthine alleys of Stonebridge Town. The young girl led them with confidence, her familiarity with the town evident as she navigated the twists and turns with ease. Chapter 215 - 215: Lordship? (If you haven''t read the edited version of previous chapter please delete it from the library and refresh it if you are reading on the phone. I have edited and fixed the repeated chapters. I apologize for the inconvenience. I would never like to betray your trust. Again, I apologize.) After a while, they emerged from the alleys, but Vincent could still sense the town''s guards searching for them. The young girl didn''t stop and instead turned down another street. "Where are you taking us?" Ara asked, curious. The young girl didn''t respond. After exchanging glances, they silently followed her. But when they rounded the corner, the girl had vanished without a trace. In front of them was nothing but a cobblestone wall. "Where did she go?" Ara murmured in confusion. Just as she spoke, the young girl''s head poked out from the wall. "This way." Ara flinched slightly in surprise. Vincent, however, remained unfazed. Ever since his interest had been piqued, he had been using his Heaven Eyes skill continuously. The young girl disappeared back into the wall, leaving no trace of her presence. "Hey, wait!" Ara called out before stepping forward and vanishing into the wall as well. Vincent followed without a word. ¡ª They soon found themselves inside a dimly lit, dilapidated living room. The interior had long lost its former vibrancy. A wooden table and chairs sat at the center of the room, and a wooden staircase stood against the left wall. Turning around, Vincent noticed that the cobblestone wall had disappeared. In its place was an aged timber door. The young beggar girl now stood facing them. Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, Ara asked in a low voice, "Where are we?" Before the young girl could answer, a hoarse old woman''s voice rang from upstairs. "Aevara, is that you?" The voice was weak, each word drawn out slowly. Aevara¡ªthe young girl¡ªturned toward the staircase. An elderly phantolisk woman, hunched with age, was making her way down, her movements slow and labored. "Granny! W-Why are you out of bed?" Aevara hurried forward to assist her. Her voice filled with concern. "What nonsense. I''m not bedridden, you brat," the old woman, Tayma, grumbled. Despite her gruff tone, her gaze softened as she looked at the sickly Aevara, her gaze filled with warmth. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why are you back so early? Didn''t you say you''d return late? Have you eaten?" Tayma asked, her voice gentle despite her earlier complaint. Aevara didn''t immediately answer as she carefully helped her grandmother down the stairs. It was then that Tayma finally noticed Ara. She frowned slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Oh? You didn''t even tell this old woman we had guests. Did I not teach you better?" She waved a wrinkled hand dismissively. "Go, take the jar from the cabinet." "But Granny, that''s¡ª" "Aevara." Tayma interrupted, her tone sharp. The shift in Tayma''s tone made Aevara fall silent. She knew her grandmother was serious. She hesitated, unwilling to take it¡ªshe knew that jar contained the last of their food, saved for emergencies in case they had to relocate again. And she had only brought these strangers here for the food the woman had promised her. But in the end, she had no choice but to obey. Tayma watched Aevara disappear into the next room before turning back to Ara. "I apologize for my grandchild''s manners," she said with an apologetic smile. "That child has had to grow up too fast." Ara shook her head. "No, it''s fine." Tayma''s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. Her eyes darkened as she spoke, her voice low and weak. "Please, leave after you eat. And don''t ever get close to my grandchild again. I''m telling you this for your own good." Ara''s expression turned cold at the barely veiled warning. Before she could respond, Vincent interjected. "What do you mean by that, old woman?" Tayma turned her sharp gaze on him. But the moment she took in his features¡ªthe lower half of his face exposed, his piercing purple eyes beneath the mask¡ªher expression changed. Her deep frown twisted into sheer horror, as though she had seen the most terrifying creature imaginable. Despite her reptilian cerulean scales, her face visibly paled. Then, without warning, she fell to her knees and pressed her forehead on the floor, her frail body trembling. "I-I beg your forgiveness, My Lord! Please, have mercy on us! My grandchild is still young. She has no family left aside from me. Please, don''t kill me," Tayma pleaded, her voice shaking. Vincent frowned beneath his mask, utterly perplexed by her reaction. Ara, equally confused, glanced between the trembling old woman and Vincent. Just as Vincent was about to help Tayma up, a sudden crash rang out from the other room. Turning toward the source of the sound, Vincent saw Aevara standing frozen, a broken jar at her feet. Pickled fruits were scattered across the floor. Ignoring the spilled food, Aevara rushed toward her grandmother. "Granny!" she cried. But Tayma remained unmoving, her forehead pressed to the floor. Aevara turned on Vincent with bared teeth, her eyes blazing with anger. "What did you do to my Granny?!" she demanded. Vincent was speechless. He hadn''t done anything, yet he knew Aevara wouldn''t believe a word he said. Fortunately, he didn''t need to speak. Tayma grabbed Aevara and forced her to bow her head. "Mind your manners, you brat! Have I raised you all these years just for you to be this rude?!" "Granny¡­" Aevara was stunned. She had only been trying to protect her! Why was she the one being scolded? And ''Lord''? Had she unknowingly brought a noble into their home? Seeing her grandmother''s firm stance, Aevara reluctantly complied, muttering, "I-I''m sorry." Tayma clicked her tongue. "What are you apologizing for? Say it properly!" "I apologize for my rudeness," Aevara corrected, her voice firmer. Tayma turned to Vincent, bowing lower. "My Lord, forgive this ignorant child. She failed to recognize your divine Lordship." ''Divine Lordship?'' Aevara''s mind reeled. Just who had she invited into their home? Ara, too, was at a loss. And Vincent¡ª He was completely dumbfounded. Ara narrowed her eyes at him. "Who are you really?" Vincent had no answer. He was as baffled as she was. Why was he being addressed as ''Lordship''? He had already been confused when he was called ''Young Master'' during the Tower of Speed challenge. And now, a completely new title? Just what was the real background of this body? Chapter 216 - 216: Chronolisk He was just as baffled as she was. Why was he being addressed as ''Lordship''? It had already been confusing when he was called ''Young Master'' during the Tower of Speed challenge. And now, a completely new title? Just what was the real background of this body? Baffled, he gestured for Aevara and her grandmother to rise. The two remained kneeling, their foreheads pressed against the ground in unwavering reverence. "Stand up. You must have mistaken me for someone else. I''m not the Lordship you believe me to be." ''He''s not a noble?'' Aevara thought, turning to her grandmother, Tayma, who refused to rise. "No, My Lord. I would never mistake your presence for another''s," Tayma declared, her voice firm despite its frailty. "Granny¡­" Aevara murmured in disbelief. She had never seen her grandmother act like this. Even when they were cast out by the villagers, Tayma remained fierce, never bowing to anyone¡ªeven when a noble attempted to buy her as a slave. Vincent''s frown deepened. Since Tayma refused to be convinced, he decided to play along. "Then, as your Lord, I command you to stand." "As you wish, My Lord." Tayma obeyed, rising to her feet with Aevara. Vincent, however, felt uneasy under the old woman''s intense, almost fanatical gaze. It was unsettling, even for someone as composed as him. Even if she were a Phantolisk¡ªor more accurately, a Chronolisk¡ªit was still unusual. Aevara, on the other hand, looked confused but not fearful. She simply wondered what fate awaited them now. Silence stretched between them. Earlier, Vincent had used his Heaven Eyes to scan Tayma and confirmed that they all belonged to the Chronolisk race. However, one discovery stood out. Tayma Feyth ¡ª Peak Tier 4 (Weakened State) Title: Umbral Devotee Race: Chronolisk Aevara''s grandmother was actually a peak Tier 4 Origin Warrior, though currently in a weakened state. But what caught Vincent''s attention most was her title¡ªUmbral Devotee. His gaze hardened. He had just formed a guild, and now he encountered someone with a title suspiciously similar to its name. This couldn''t be a mere coincidence. ''Is this just a coincidence?'' he mused. But the odds were too slim for that. There was something more at play here, something he hadn''t yet uncovered. Questions swirled in his mind. "I have some questions. Perhaps you could enlighten me?" Tayma bowed her head. "It would be my honor to answer, My Lord." "In that case, tell me about the Chronolisk." Before Tayma could respond, a loud grumble interrupted them. Everyone turned toward the source. Aevara, the young Phantolisk, blinked in confusion. She wasn''t embarrassed¡ªshe simply found it natural to be starving. To her, hunger was a normal part of survival. Tayma looked at her with softness and pity. Aevara was only seven, yet she had already tasted the cruelty of the world. It pained her grandmother deeply to see her suffer this way. Ara stepped forward. "Can we continue this later?" She glanced at Vincent. Though she, too, was curious about his background, she had made a promise to Aevara¡ªto provide her with food, and she intended to keep it. Vincent gave a simple nod. "Thank you for your understanding, My Lord." Tayma didn''t forget to express her gratitude. After Ara prepared a meal from the supplies she brought, she watched as Aevara and Tayma enjoyed their first real meal in a long time. A faint smile formed beneath Ara''s mask as she watched Aevara eat with childlike delight, her small hands gripping the food eagerly. During the meal, they exchanged introductions, learning a little more about one another. Later, Vincent and Ara sat on a wooden sofa while Aevara and Tayma remained standing. "Why aren''t you sitting?" Vincent asked, his gaze shifting between them. "We do not dare to sit in your presence, My Lord," Tayma replied with utmost respect. Vincent shook his head. "Aevara, get your grandmother a chair." Once Tayma and Aevara were seated, Vincent resumed their earlier conversation. "So, tell me about the Chronolisk." Ara, sitting beside him, gave him a confused look. She had no idea what he was referring to, and this was the first time she had ever heard the term. Tayma took a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, before she began speaking slowly. "The Chronolisks¡­ are our ancestors." Ara narrowed her eyes beneath her mask. Vincent also narrowed his eyes, but for a different reason. The way Tayma spoke, it seemed as if she didn''t consider herself a Chronolisk. That detail unsettled him. ''Why?'' he wondered but chose to remain silent, waiting for Tayma to continue. "Legend has it that Chronolisks were born from the Ethereal Flow, the very current of time itself. Our home¡ªAeternis, the Timeless World¡ªis a place where rivers run backward and the skies shimmer with eternity, untouched by the natural decay of time. "They were tall and slender, their scales reflecting the light of a thousand stars. Their eyes saw the past and future as clearly as the present. "Time bends to their will¡ªthey can slow it, speed it, or even reverse it. They weave illusions so real that they become truth. They were the guardians of time, the keepers of secrets. To them, the concept of mortality was nothing but a fleeting shadow in an endless cycle. "That is all I know about the Chronolisks, My Lord." Tayma concluded carefully. Ara''s curiosity deepened. Aevara, however, tilted her head, utterly lost. She had no idea what her grandmother was talking about. Vincent, on the other hand, only grew more confused. "In that case, what is your race? Are you not a Chronolisk?" Ara raised an eyebrow, as if he had asked an obvious question. Aevara''s eyes widened. My Granny is a Chronolisk? Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire But Tayma let out a soft, almost embarrassed chuckle. "Haha, you''re too kind, My Lord. As much as I would love to be one of them, I was born a Phantolisk. I do not possess the abilities of my ancestors." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent did not relax his expression. Instead, he promptly asked, "Do you realize that you''re already dead?" His words made Ara frown while Aevara''s face twisted with displeasure. "Are you cursing my Granny?!" Aevara snapped, her small fists clenching, her vibrant eyes filled with anger and disbelief. Chapter 217 - 217: The Situation (1) Vincent''s expression remained firm as he spoke, his voice carrying a weight that made the atmosphere tense. "Do you realize that you''re already dead?" His words made Ara''s brows furrow, while Aevara''s face twisted in displeasure. "Are you cursing my Granny?!" Aevara snapped, her small fists clenching, her vibrant eyes blazing with anger and disbelief. Before Vincent could respond, her grandmother, Tayma, intervened with a sharp tone. "Aevara! Do not be rude to the Divine Lordship." Aevara''s expression darkened in frustration. "Granny!" "Enough. Go upstairs. We will speak later about your attitude." "!!" Aevara was speechless. She had only wanted to protect her grandmother, yet she was being reprimanded instead. A deep curiosity stirred within her. What exactly was a Divine Lordship? Her thoughts simmered as she turned and ascended the stairs, making a silent vow¡ªone day, she would become a Divine Lordship herself. Tayma turned back to Vincent, offering an apologetic smile. "I apologize for my granddaughter''s rudeness, My Lord." Vincent merely waved a hand dismissively. "I don''t mind." "Thank you for your understanding, My Lord." At that moment, Ara spoke up softly. "I''ll check on Aevara. You two may continue your conversation." She didn''t wait for a response before following Aevara upstairs. Though her curiosity about Vincent''s identity and his conversation with Tayma burned within her, she understood that this was a private matter. She was simply grateful that Vincent had not asked her to leave outright. However, her concern for Aevara took precedence. Vincent, observing Tayma''s worried expression as Ara departed, spoke reassuringly. "Don''t worry. She won''t harm your granddaughter." Tayma shook her head slightly. "That is not my concern, My Lord." Vincent frowned but set the thought aside for now, returning to the topic at hand. "You haven''t answered my question." Though Tayma still wore an apologetic smile, Vincent sensed a shift in her demeanor. A profound sadness surfaced in her eyes. Then, in a melancholic tone that made his eyes widen slightly in surprise, she answered, "Yes, My Lord. I am aware of my situation. I am painfully aware of my race''s situation." Vincent was taken aback. He hadn''t expected such an answer. According to Dio, Phantolisks had no means of realizing their predicament. Yet here stood Tayma¡ªthe very first Phantolisk he had questioned¡ªfully aware of her plight. And from the way she spoke, it seemed she knew much more than she let on. Intrigued, Vincent leaned forward. "Explain it to me." Tayma''s expression remained sorrowful as she began her tale. "My Lord¡­ ours is a story of arrogance and regret, a tragedy woven into time itself." "We were once the Chronolisk, children of the Ethereal Flow¡ªthe current that binds all moments as one. Aeternis was our home, a realm where time was neither a master nor a prisoner, but a symphony. The rivers defied their course, the skies shimmered with eternity''s hues, and past, present, and future wove seamlessly together." "But harmony was not enough. We sought dominion over time itself. We longed to break free from its grasp, to create a sanctuary beyond its reach¡ªa place where decay held no claim and death could not touch us. The Eternal Spire was to be our triumph. Our salvation." "Instead, it became our ruin." "The moment it was activated, the Spire fractured the delicate balance we had maintained for so long. A singularity was born¡ªan open wound in time that tore through Aeternis. In mere instants, our world collapsed, and we¡ªthe architects of this catastrophe¡ªwere cast into the abyss." "And now¡­ we are but remnants, My Lord. Ghosts adrift in the wreckage of our ambition. We exist in the Lost Grove, where time itself lies shattered. We are no longer Chronolisk. We are the Phantolisk now, forever trapped in an endless cycle of illusion. We relive fragments of our past lives, clinging to the belief that we remain whole. But the truth? We are neither alive nor dead. We are prisoners of our own folly." "At the heart of this cursed grove, the ruins of the Eternal Spire still pulse with unstable power. It is our tether and our torment, the source of our strength and the chains that bind us. There is no escape, My Lord. No end. Only the endless turning of the wheel we ourselves set in motion." "And so, we rage within our eternal prison, cursing the ancestors who brought ruin upon us. The Chronolisk¡ªour own forebears¡ªwere blinded by ambition, seeking eternity without consequence. They doomed us all, condemning us to this wretched half-existence. We were once destined to inherit a future unbound by time¡­ but they have left us with nothing but an unending nightmare." "They betrayed us. They destroyed everything. And though they perished long ago, our hatred remains. It festers, deep as the wounds carved into time itself. So long as we remain trapped in this forsaken cycle, our wrath shall never fade." Vincent sat in silence, absorbing her words. When he had first asked Tayma if she was a Chronolisk, she had seemed reluctant to acknowledge it. He had assumed that meant she held her ancestors in high regard. But the venom in her voice as she spoke of them now¡­ Vincent could feel the seething hatred she harbored for those who came before her. And he understood why. If he were in her place, aware that he was trapped in an endless loop of time, he too would likely hold the same fury. After a moment, he asked, "How long have you been enduring this endless cycle?" Tayma''s voice was steady as she replied, "My Lord, as you know, time within the Lost Grove is unstable. But if this old mind of mine is still accurate, we have been trapped for at least three eons." Vincent''s eyes widened. ''Three eons? That''s¡­ billions of years!'' He had thought he could understand her hatred before. But now, envisioning the reality of living through the same events for countless eons¡ªtrapped in an endless, repetitive cycle¡ªhe realized he could not begin to fathom her suffering. He couldn''t imagine how he himself would endure such an existence. With a deep frown and pity in his gaze, he asked, "You said you were aware of your race''s situation. Have you ever sought a way to break free?" "We have, My Lord." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We?" "Yes, My Lord. I am not the only one who has retained awareness despite being caught in this cycle." Vincent nodded, waiting for her to continue. "We did find a solution. However¡­" Tayma hesitated. "However?" Vincent pressed. "However, we are bound to the timeline we exist in. If we attempt to act outside its parameters, we risk deletion by the Eternal Spire." Vincent''s expression darkened as realization struck him. "Aren''t you risking yourself right now?" Chapter 218 - 218: The Situation (2) "We did find a solution. However..." Tayma hesitated, her voice trailing off as if weighed down by an invisible burden. "However?" Vincent pressed, his tone sharp, cutting through the heavy silence. "However, we are bound to the timeline we exist in. If we attempt to act outside its parameters, we risk deletion by the Eternal Spire." Tayma''s words were measured, each syllable carrying the weight of centuries. Vincent''s expression darkened as realization struck him like a thunderbolt. "Aren''t you risking yourself right now?" Tayma smiled, but it was a smile tinged with sadness, her eyes reflecting a deep, unspoken pain. Yet, if one looked closely, deep within her gaze, there was a flicker of yearning¡ªa yearning for freedom, for release from this endless cycle of torment. Vincent saw it. He didn''t know what to feel, what to say. But he couldn''t stop her. This might be her only chance to escape the cruel loop that had trapped her for eons. So, he asked, "How about Aevara, your granddaughter? Aren''t you afraid that you''ll leave her alone?" A stiff smile formed on Tayma''s aged Phantolisk face before it melted into something sorrowful. "Aevara... isn''t my real granddaughter." Vincent was once again rendered speechless by the sudden revelation. As usual, he didn''t utter a word, simply listening as she continued. "We are not blood-related. She wasn''t even a real being in the first place," Tayma explained, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of regret. This time, Vincent didn''t react. He simply nodded, urging her to continue. "As I''ve mentioned earlier, My Lord, we did find a solution..." Tayma''s voice shifted, her tone growing more urgent. Vincent was confused by the sudden change in her story but remained silent, allowing her to speak. "The first solution we found is to retrieve the Temporal Keystone from the Tomb of Eternal Echoes," Tayma said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. Vincent''s eyes widened faintly. That was the place they were heading to. Dio had mentioned it would open tomorrow. It was a massive dungeon, filled with treasures and dangers alike. Naturally, it was the main goal of every Origin Warrior who dared to risk their life in the Lost Grove. However, he had never heard of the Temporal Keystone. Dio hadn''t mentioned it either. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn''t help but ask, "What is the Temporal Keystone?" "My Lord, the Temporal Keystone is the key to freeing my people from this endless loop. It is a fragment of the Eternal Spire, the very structure that caused our downfall. With its power, we can repair the Temporal Core and restore balance to the Grove. But beware¡ªthe Keystone''s energy is unstable, and using it improperly could have dire consequences," Tayma explained, her voice grave. "How do we retrieve it?" Vincent asked, his tone firm, though a flicker of unease danced in his eyes. "The Keystone lies within the Tomb of Eternal Echoes, hidden deep within the Lost Grove. To access it, you must first obtain the three keys held by my kin¡ªVoryn, Lysara, and Thalor. Each key is tied to a trial that reflects our connection to time. Only by proving your understanding of our past, present, and future can you earn their trust and claim the Keystone," Tayma elaborated. Vincent''s brow furrowed slightly. ''It seems I''ve stumbled into another troublesome situation,'' he thought. But even so, since he was already here, he decided to see it through to the end. Tayma continued, "And about that little kid..." She began explaining everything about Aevara, her voice fluctuating with various emotions. At times, she smiled happily, her eyes lighting up with fondness. Other times, she seemed playfully annoyed, and then, in moments, her voice would drop, heavy with sorrow. Finally, Tayma stood up, her movements slow and deliberate. "My Lord, I''ve been waiting for you for eons. I''ve waited for so long already. I hope you can forgive this ungrateful devotee for her selfish wish. I hope you''ll take care of my granddaughter, Aevara." Tayma bowed deeply before him, her head lowered in reverence. Vincent could feel the sincerity in her voice, the weight of her plea pressing down on him. He remained silent, his mind racing. At that moment, a young, child-like voice broke the silence. "G-Granny, w-what are you doing?" Tayma, still in her bowing position, turned to the source of the voice. It was Aevara, her granddaughter, who had climbed downstairs. The young girl''s eyes were wide with confusion and a hint of fear. Vincent noticed Aevara too. Ara stood beside her, equally confused. He turned to Tayma and said, "Have a talk with your granddaughter first." Tayma bowed again. "Thank you for understanding, My Lord." Vincent simply nodded and headed upstairs. Ara, unsure of what to do, glanced at the grandmother and granddaughter before deciding to follow him. Now, Tayma and Aevara were alone downstairs. Aevara approached her grandmother slowly, her small frame trembling with uncertainty. "Granny... What do you mean by that? Are you tired of me? Why are you giving me away?!" Her voice cracked, and the corners of her eyes moistened. Tayma gave a soft smile, her expression gentle as she approached Aevara. She wiped the tears forming in the corners of the young girl''s eyes and gently stroked her bright white hair. "Aevara, look at me." With a sorrowful expression, Aevara slowly raised her head, her eyes meeting Tayma''s. Her grandmother''s smile was warm, but there was an undeniable sadness in her gaze. "You know how much I care for you. You know I would never simply give you to anyone. Even if the most evil person came to take you, I would never hand you over," Tayma said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. Tears welled up in Aevara''s eyes once more as she listened, nodding slowly. "Granny..." she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You know how much I love you," Tayma continued, her hand still gently stroking Aevara''s hair. "Granny¡ª" Aevara began, but Tayma interrupted her, shaking her head. "Just listen, you brat. Your grandmother is talking," Tayma playfully scolded, though her voice was soft. Aevara finally fell silent, her lips pressing together as she listened. Tayma continued, her voice gentle but firm. "I know you''re aware that I''m nothing but a remnant of the past. And you must have experienced many times how I''ve breathed my last breath." At those words, a flood of tears began pouring down Aevara''s cheeks. It was true. Since the first day she had gained awareness, she had witnessed the catastrophic day her grandmother took her last breath. Not once, twice, or thrice¡ªshe had seen it over and over again, more than 80 times. Due to the unstable time in the Lost Grove, although Aevara was biologically seven years old, she had experienced an 80-year lifetime within the Grove. And in that time, she had witnessed her grandmother''s death 80 times. "That must have been painful to experience," Tayma said sorrowfully. But Aevara simply shook her head, wiping away her tears. She forced a smile, though her voice trembled. "No, it was nothing." A smile formed on Tayma''s lips. "Heh, this brat is already acting mature?" she commented, shaking her head. "My dear, like you, I''ve witnessed the deaths of those close to me countless times over eons. I should have gone insane, lost my awareness because of it. But since you appeared, you became the reason I managed to keep my sanity after all this time." Tayma''s voice grew softer, more tender. "I had lost all hope of escaping this endless torment. But when you appeared, you lit a fire of hope within me. I''ve waited for eons, and I''m glad I waited because I met you. And now, we finally have our hope." "What do you mean, Granny?" Aevara asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a glimmer of hope. "I want you to accompany the Divine Lordship and help him retrieve the Temporal Keystone from the Tomb of Eternal Echoes. Once you stabilize the Temporal Core of the Eternal Spire, it will set us free from this tormenting loop," Tayma explained. "Is that true, Granny?" Aevara''s eyes sparkled with excitement. Tayma nodded. "Will that release you from that tragedy?" Aevara asked, her voice hopeful. Tayma paused for a moment before smiling and nodding again. "Of course. All you have to do is follow the Divine Lordship and guide him if needed." "So, you''re not giving me away?" Aevara questioned, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you talking about, you brat? Who will help me go upstairs if I give you away?" Tayma playfully scolded, her tone light. Hearing her grandmother''s teasing, Aevara couldn''t help but giggle. She wiped away the remaining tears in her eyes, her smile returning. "Then, I''ll help the Divine Lordship so we can live happily, Granny!" she said enthusiastically. Tayma nodded, her smile gentle. "You must be. I don''t want to hear from the Divine Lordship how naughty and rude you are, okay?" "Yes, Granny!" Aevara promptly responded, her smile wide and bright. "Alright, go prepare the stuff you need. I''ll be talking with the Divine Lordship," Tayma said. "Okay, Granny!" Aevara replied before heading upstairs to prepare. --- "Divine Lordship, My Lord..." Tayma bowed once again in Vincent''s presence. "I hope you can grant this old devotee her final wish," Tayma continued, her voice heavy with emotion. "I have no time left. I can already feel the presence of the Eternal Spire coming for me..." She meant that she was about to be deleted by the Eternal Spire for violating the time loop rules of the Lost Grove by revealing all the information about its situation to Vincent. If she were exterminated by the Eternal Spire, she would be completely erased from existence¡ªher soul would never enter the cycle of reincarnation. She would cease to exist, forever. Chapter 219 - 219: Unvoiced Farewell If she were to be exterminated by the Eternal Spire, she would be erased completely¡ªher soul lost forever, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation. She would cease to exist. A bittersweet smile touched Tayma''s lips. Vincent remained silent, observing her closely. Yet, in her eyes, he found nothing but determination. Despite the sadness lingering in them, she had already accepted her fate. He simply nodded as Aevara descended with Ara. "I''m ready, Granny!" Aevara declared excitedly. A white cloth was strapped to her back like a makeshift backpack. Tayma turned her attention to her. Her bittersweet smile softened into something warm and kind. She stepped forward and gently caressed Aevara''s hair. "Remember what I told you, alright? Mind your manners in the presence of the Divine Lordship." Aevara nodded earnestly. "And listen carefully to everything the Divine Lordship says." Aevara bobbed her head in agreement. Tayma continued for a while, patiently reminding her of everything she needed to keep in mind. "I understand, Granny! You don''t have to keep repeating it," Aevara huffed, slightly exasperated by the constant reminders. Tayma''s voice softened. "Just promise me you''ll take care of yourself, alright? I won''t be there with you." "What are you talking about, Granny?" Aevara tilted her head, puzzled. "I''ll be back after I help the Divine Lordship fix the Temporal Core." Tayma didn''t respond. Instead, she gently repeated, "Always remember¡ªyour Granny loves you, okay?" Aevara giggled. "Hehe, I love you too, Granny." Tayma smiled, her expression tender, before pulling her into a warm embrace. After talking with Aevara, Tayma shifted her attention to Vincent and bowed, "My Lord, I will leave her in your care." Vincent responded with a silent nod. Words felt inadequate; it would be presumptuous to claim he understood her feelings when there was no way for him to experience her situation. Aevara, following her grandmother''s lead, bowed as well and spoke softly, "I''ll be in your care, Divine Lordship." Vincent acknowledged her with another nod, his expression calm and composed. Noticing his gesture, Tayma gently urged Aevara forward. "Go now, child. Remember to heed the Divine Lordship''s guidance." "I understand, Granny." Aevara had an excited expression on her face. It was a natural reaction since it would be her first time travelling outside, apart from relocating to different villages and towns. Tayma turned back to Vincent, her tone earnest. "My Lord, I advise you to depart soon. The Tomb of Eternal Echoes will open in two days and remain accessible for no more than a week. Time is of the essence. You must gather the keys from my kin, and Aevara will guide you with the map she carries." "Thank you." Vincent replied seriously. Tayma shook her head, a humble smile gracing her lips. "It is I who should thank you, My Lord. Your arrival has not only saved me but has given hope to the future of my people. For that, I am eternally grateful." Vincent could feel that Tayma''s words were all sincere. Therefore, without further hesitation, he said, "We''re leaving now." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Tayma stood still, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She smiled at Vincent, but the warmth didn''t reach her eyes¡ªthey were distant, glistening with something she refused to let spill over. "May the heavens guide your path, My Lord." Her voice was steady, though it took effort; each word was measured, as if she were balancing on a fragile thread. When she turned to Aevara, her movements were deliberate, almost too careful, like someone afraid of shattering. She blinked quickly, her gaze lingering for a moment too long before she looked away, her jaw tightening as she swallowed whatever words she couldn''t bring herself to say. Aevara subtly tilted her head, wondering what was going through her grandmother''s mind. After a moment, Tayma spoke with the warmest smile she could make, "Take care, My dear." Aevara''s smile was bright and reassuring, a stark contrast to the heaviness in the air. "I will. You too, Granny. Please don''t overexert yourself. I''ll be back as soon as possible." Tayma didn''t reply this time. Instead, she simply smiled¡ªa gentle, bittersweet expression¡ªand watched as they turned to leave. Her hands remained clasped, her posture unwavering, but her eyes followed them until they were out of sight. At this moment, a tear rolled down to her cheek from her right eye as the same time she felt a mysterious power tugging into her core. The next moment, a mirage of different scenes appeared in her surroundings. They were the scenes she had witnessed with her own eyes in her entire lifetime. One of them was a scene she could never forget ever since she was young. A scene where a young version of her was being chased by slave traders. She was thin and fragile, she could vividly remember how she kept running and running despite her exhaustion while praying for someone to save her. And the moment where her feet were no longer able to take another single step and when her world crumbled, a figure in long midnight purple hair appeared and saved her from the evil hands of the slave traders. Albeit she could not clearly discern the figure''s appearance, the figure''s unique aura was etched into her young mind. It was an ominous aura, however, instead of sensing any danger or hostility, the ominous aura emits the warmest and tranquil aura she had ever encountered. And as a young phantolisk, she was very sensitive to temporal essence. It was the only individual she had ever encountered that seemed never affected by the Universe Time itself. Even her ancestors were emitting a hint of temporal essence despite being the Guardian of Time, they were still affected by the temporal essence. And the words that the figure had uttered, "Remember this, little one: even in the darkest night, a single spark can ignite the dawn. Hold onto hope, for it is the thread that binds us across time. One day, when shadows threaten to consume you, I will return¡ªnot as a memory, but as a promise kept." Tayma could not help but smile and muttered, "You have fulfilled your promise, My Lord. It''s now my turn to fulfill mine." The mirage of scenarios continued as Tayma felt she was being freed from an invisible chain. Her hunched back straightened as the wrinkles in the corner of her eyes disappeared. Her body became light, her mind became clear. "I-I''m free¡­" She muttered with a yearning smile. She had been yearning for countless years to escape out of this tormenting time. Finally¡­ She''s free. However, it was only for a moment as her already semi-transparent form became even more hollow. Yellow lights bubbled up from her body. It was the action of the Eternal Spire deleting her existence. Realizing this, a satisfied yet sorrowful smile appeared on her face as she turned to the direction where Vincent and her granddaughter had left. "May the heaven bless you with the best life, My dear Aevara¡­"