“Splendid job, Sulong. The money has been transferred to your account. I added a small bonus too.”
Madam Rodrey, the owner and manager of the brothel across from the Lightning Flame Merc Group, was waving her exquisite fan as she smiled at the gleeful man.
“It was nothing difficult. If you have any other jobs, we'll be glad to accept it.”
“Not at the moment, but I can refer you to some acquaintances of mine.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Jack and Jeremy were sitting a distance away, both pleased that the job had proceeded smoothly. In fact, with Zeke’s absence, it was only Sulong who went, but, ultimately, there were no attacks or complications.
Moreover, Madam Rodrey paid them generously. They had spent a lot on redecorating the office and founding their new organisation, so they were in desperate need of funds.
“I’d like to talk to you more… especially that young man, but I have other stuff to take care of.”
The beautiful middle-aged man elegantly bowed then excused herself. Sulong, who was infatuated with her, didn’t look dejected even when she abruptly left.
He was happy that they finally got a decent sum of money, which was necessary for Angel’s scheduled treatments. After all, they couldn’t just let Xavier take care of everything by himself.
After that day, Sulong started taking requests left and right, it didn’t matter if they were painfully simple or somewhat dangerous.
Meanwhile, Zeke stayed at the private estate and diligently trained every day. Excluding the Daily Tasks, which were mundane but still helped him sculpt his body with well-defined and hardened muscles, he meticulously trained his other skills, specifically the recently-acquired ones.
Even though there were a lot of Special Agents guarding the manor, he didn’t hold back and concentrated more on improving while there was no trouble in his life.
Sulong and Angel visited him regularly, but they were the only people allowed to come.
Zeke also heard that there had been a funeral for Samuel Valort, but his father was still missing, presumed to have left the Sunken Metropolis.
Once several weeks had passed, the 5th July arrived and, naturally, Zeke was summoned to the Extinction Order along with Velvet Signora and Sulong Braveheart.
The Collector would soon reach The Sunken Metropolis, but Zeke preferred to hear what she had said in this isolated and secret dimension rather than through letters or phone messages, which could both be tracked and possibly lead to unwanted consequences.
Unlike last time, Signora wasn’t in her seductive nightgown but in a fancy tight clothes with a warm and tall black coat with some fur around the neck.
Sulong was wearing his casual clothes, but he looked momentarily dazed from what was happening. It was clear that he had been sleeping, and when he came back to his senses, he yawned and looked at Zeke.
“It’s time.” Stated Zeke as the System Notifications appeared in front all three of them.
They were being forced to go through an ‘examination’ each month, however, Zeke feared that the System might summon a ridiculously strong monster.
Admittedly, the last examination had them fight a Chimera, which wasn’t that strong, but that was only because all three of them were powerful. The System might be sentient, but it was more like a super intelligent artificial intelligence than a life-form naturally created.
Therefore, logic would suggest that the System had evaluated their previous fight and would summon a stronger monster, one which might give them a hard time.
Seeing the tall and beautiful woman walk up to him and respectfully bow, Zeke dismissively waved his hand and said,
“We’ll talk later. Get ready.”
[Evaluation of ‘Voltage Syn, Zeke’: 34.4 points.]
[A total of 9 PE will be rewarded.]
[Examination will begin in 10 minutes.]
Soon, there was a flight amidst the sea of clouds, followed right after by the appearance of a man. It wasn’t a beast or monster as they had expected, but a man.
He bore a strong resemblance to the giant and muscular warriors of the Cryo Wolf Tribe Zeke had met during his travels.
However, this man seemed to be in a frenzied state as his eyes glowed with a red light and his body emitted a lot of steam. He held two large axes that were soaked with blood and had a scary-looking face riddled with scars.
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The ‘summon’ didn’t talk, instead, he charged toward the three with large strides and when he was close enough, he leapt in the air and smashed his axes downwards.
Signora’s ability manifested in the form of a shiny white barrier that blocked the warrior. Zeke and Sulong sprung into the action, the former literally unleashed a frightening blast of fire that engulfed the man and the latter extended his right hand and shot several lightning bolts.
The warrior was blown away and rolled on the ground, but other than that, he was totally unscathed. Sulong’s crimson flames were extinguished and Zeke’s voltage seemed to have had no effect whatsoever.
Zeke frowned and changed his stance, activating the ‘Champion of Speed Mode’ and, like a bullet, shot straight at the man. Velvet and Sulong cooperated as the white light and red fire fused together and became a swirling blast of energy.
As the combined attacks of the two Seats pushed back the warrior, Zeke reached his target and used ‘Fists of Fury’. The man’s chest felt like metal as Zeke felt a slight resistance and a bit of pain, but he didn’t stop his torrent of attacks.
He swept his legs upwards and imbued it with voltage, successfully hitting the man’s rising arm and allowing himself to attack a third time.
A lightning arrow appeared in Zeke’s hand, which was thrust into the warrior’s chest. Finally, the enemy’s tough skin was pierced and blood gushed out.
The giant warrior roared in anger and pain as he stomped on the ground and swung the axes at Zeke only to hit nothing but air.
Velvet’s magic rained down on the warrior, but he rapidly spun without moving, thus creating a tornado that protected him. A silver glint flashed from within the tornado and flew at Signora, who immediately used her new ability.
The wraith-like decayed creature appeared above her, using an illusory string to control her like a puppet. Thanks to that Signora was able to block the incoming axe then draw a symbol in the air, which caused a pillar of light to descend from above.
“Let me show you my new trick!”
Sulong cackled as he smashed his fists together and amassed his energy. In a matter of seconds, gentle crimson flames rose in the air; They contracted into a minuscule speck of red light which instantly appeared next to the warrior.
Zeke was about to attack too but his senses warned him to stay back, so he maintained his distance and watched as the speck of light exploded, causing a deafening rumbling.
Even Signora was dumbfounded as a literal sea of fire covered the whole place, leaving nothing of the warrior. He was completely and utterly incinerated.
“Huff…huff…huff..G-great, isn’t it?”
While breathing heavily, Sulong raised a thumbs-up to Zeke then fell on his butts.
“You didn’t need to overdo it.”
“Well! I had to prove that I’m better than this ass-licking wench!”
“Mind your tongue in front of Master, bird brain.”
“Fuck you!”
Signora stood next to Zeke and snorted, opting to keep silent instead of arguing with him.
[Death Defiant, Zeke has passed the examination.]
[30 PE has been rewarded for defeating the Aero Warrior.]
[Calculating contribution….
Seat of Criminality; ‘Flames of Dawn, Sulong Braveheart 40%
Death Defiant, Zeke: 28%
Seat of Death, ‘The Collector, Velvet Signora’: 32%]
‘No reward this time? Why?’
Zeke was pleased to obtain more PE, but he expected something like the Alchemy Orb.
“Master, could I request something of you?”
Seeing the woman look down and speak with a soft and pleading voice, Zeke turned his attention to her.
“What is it?”
“As you have instructed me previously, I’ve visited Red Mask Wolf and inquired about the Night Goddess. Wolf is an old friend of mine and I have talked to him about you. My aim was to recruit him so that he can become your loyal servant.”
“There’s no need. I’m not going around and recruiting people from your organisation.”
“Master, with all due respect, Wolf is a distinguished researcher and could prove useful to you. He also knows a lot about Red Mask Fanti Fan. He had agreed to meet you and discuss things.”
“It could also be a trap!” Retorted Sulong as he massaged his sore arms.
“I wasn’t talking to you, muscle-head.”
She paused for half a beat then resumed talking to Zeke, “Red Mask Wolf is an expert in the medical field, the alchemical field, and the Magic Formation Field. His allegiance to the Ascetic Blasphemers exists solely because they provide him with the necessary materials for his experiments.”
Zeke sneered and instantly rebuked, “Let me guess, you want me to give him the Alchemy Orb?”
“...”
Seeing her shocked expression, Zeke grunted and shook his head.
“I only trust you because I have control over your life, Signora.”
“Wait wait wait!” Sulong suddenly jumped to his feet and approached them. He leaned closer to Zeke and whispered,
“Tell her to bring him with her. He might be able to help Angel.”
“That’s dangerous.” Whispered back Zeke while furrowing his brows.
“We will all be there to protect her. It’s too early to make any judgments, Zeke.”
“...”
Zeke pondered for an indeterminate amount of time before nodding his head to the woman.
“Tell him to come to the Sunken Metropolis. Provided he proves himself useful, I’ll consider what you said.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Now, tell me about what you’ve learnt so far.”
“Of course. Fanti Fan has been staying in his private laboratory in the Imperial Capital and seems to be busy with an important experiment. The whereabouts of his hideout remain unclear but the real problem is that he’s been financed by someone from the Imperial Family, most likely the Second Prince. We’ve yet to receive any direct orders from the Golden Mask.”
“Anything else?”
“Out of the 12 Red Masks, two of them have been killed last week. Jonathan Stellar Link, the man I mentioned last time, was the killer. Apparently, he had been caught by the Witches but wasn’t executed, instead, they let him go shortly after. He’s been sighted going far West. Also, Red Mask Viper, who’s in the Nezulian Republic, has contacted me. Apparently, he caught wind of Master’s abilities and strongly suspects that you have acquired a System.”
“Is he in the Sunken Metropolis?”
Signora nodded her head one as her expression turned slightly serious,
“We spoke four days ago and he told me he was heading there. He should have made contact with the members hiding there, though most of them disappeared or have been caught.” Signora stopped for a bit and worriedly said,”Please be careful, Master. Viper is a shrewd and opportunistic person. He’s someone with a lot of connections in the Republic.”