Ethan Ryder, known in the underworld as The Contractor, was in the middle of a conversation with one of his underlings when the door beside him clicked open.

Cormac strode in with purpose, his steps heavy with urgency. With a single motion, he signaled for the other person to leave.

Ethan, without hesitation, waved his hand, and his underling silently exited the room.

The moment Cormac took a seat, he blurted out, his voice brimming with excitement, "That little maniac did it, boss."

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're talking about Mr. Cade?"

He was puzzled. As far as he recalled, no one else had been assigned a task recently that would warrant such a reaction from Cormac.

"Who else?" Cormac scoffed. "Can you believe it? It hasn't even been a week since we sent him after Rin Kazeki, and—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "You know what, boss? Talk is cheap. Let me just show you."

His hands trembled with exhilaration as he pulled out his phone, and flipped the screen toward Ethan.

Ethan leaned in for a closer look. The moment his eyes registered what was on the screen, they widened in shock. Without thinking, he snatched the phone from Cormac’s grasp.

Displayed on the screen was a chilling image—Rin Kazeki’s decapitated body, his face as pale as death itself. Beside him sat a briefcase, one that Ethan recognized instantly. Inside were files—files that detailed his most clandestine dealings.

For half a minute, Ethan said nothing. He simply stared, fingers tightening around the phone. Then, as if coming back to reality, he loosened his grip and placed the device face down on the table.

A breath left his lips. Slowly, a smile curled at the edges of his mouth, stretching into something far more predatory.

Ideas brewed in his mind, possibilities taking shape with razor-sharp clarity. Then, as if lost in reminiscence, he spoke:

"When I was little, my mother—may her soul rest in peace—used to say, 'An executioner to a monarch is like a blade to a knight.' And though I claim to be neither a monarch nor a knight… that does not mean I cannot have an executioner."

He decided on his next course of action in an instant. His gaze shifted, locking onto Cormac.

"Cormac, my dear friend—my protector—you’ve been with me for quite some time. Tell me… how do we bring this uncut gem into the fold?"

Cormac ran a hand through his hair, contemplating. "Well, if you ask me, I think you should be honest with him. Tell him what you can do for him—not the other way around."

Ethan shot him a quizzical look as if questioning his sanity.

Cormac chuckled. "Didn’t you just call him an uncut gem? If you can recognize his worth, so can others. So it doesn’t matter whether we want him. What matters is whether he wants us. And how do we make sure he does?" He shrugged. "I don’t have the brains to figure that one out, boss. Best we ask him directly. What do you say?"

Ethan considered it for a moment before exhaling slightly.

"Alright then. Get me in contact with him. Let’s see if my recruitment skills have dulled with age."

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In the heart of Padokea, where the pulse of city life beat with a steady rhythm, people went about their daily routines, immersed in the bustling atmosphere.

From behind the tinted windows of his hotel room, Cade observed the scene in silence, his mind replaying the events of the previous day's battle.

Dressed in a white linen t-shirt, his hair tied back in a messy bun with a titanium clip, he exuded a casual demeanor. However, his thoughts were anything but idle. His gaze soon drifted to his left arm—the same arm that had been gruesomely fractured just a day prior. Now, it was flawless, as if the injury had never existed.

The credit for this miraculous recovery belonged to his ability, Genetic Codex Extraction, which allowed him to store and integrate the genetic traits of various mystical creatures.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

As he analyzed the battle in retrospect, Cade came to a sobering realization—he had overestimated his chances against a seasoned veteran Nen user.

What I lack most right now is a reliable long-range attack. Rin Kazeki had both a formidable offense and an impenetrable defense. Earlier in the fight, I could still manage to break through, but as time passed, brute force alone wasn’t enough. It’s likely because my Nen isn’t strong enough yet. Plus, I’m a Conjurer, not an Enhancer—even though I can mimic their durability, my raw Nen output is still lacking. But… I’m still young. Can’t complain too much, huh?

Even though he looked like he was lost in thought, that wasn’t the whole picture.

His En extended outward, shrouding his surroundings, and expanding his awareness. The moment a stray insect entered his three-and-a-half-meter radius, Cade’s eyes glinted. With a subtle manipulation of his aura, the insect’s movements were guided, forcing it to land precisely on his callused palm. It buzzed softly, trapped in his palms grasp.

Had any prominent figures in the Nen world witnessed the rapid progression of Cade’s abilities, they would have been alarmed. It was well known that life-or-death battles led to accelerated growth, but the speed at which he was evolving was nothing short of unnatural.

At this rate, it won’t take long before I can upgrade my ability. And when that happens… everything changes.

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The following day, Cade was preparing to embark on his next endeavor—Kukuroo Mountain, home to the infamous Zoldyck family of assassins.

He hadn’t forgotten his unfinished business with Milluki Zoldyck, and he had no intention of breaking his word—even to an assassin who looked more like a baker than a butcher. In Cade’s eyes, appearances were inconsequential; what mattered most was potential.

Ring…

Just before leaving the hotel, his phone rang.

Answering the call, a familiar voice greeted him.

"Mr. Cade, I’ve heard good news from Cormac. Congratulations on your successful hunt."

Ethan Ryder’s enthusiastic tone resonated through the speaker.

"Thank you, Mr. Ethan. I assume the money has been wired?"

Cade’s response was blunt—he had little patience for unnecessary pleasantries.

"Oh, without a doubt. And speaking of doubt, I must apologize if I ever questioned your capabilities. To make up for it, when you check your account, you’ll find a small token of my appreciation. Oh, and about the arrangement with Cormac, where did you have to split half of your reward? Let’s just say… that’s been taken care of."

Cade’s eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. This level of generosity was unexpected. He was no fool; he understood that either the job he had completed was far more valuable than he’d been led to believe, or Ethan was attempting to secure his favor.

Either way, it didn’t concern him. All that mattered to him now was a full wallet.

"I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Ethan. I have your files with me. Where do you want them delivered?"

Ethan had anticipated a different reaction—perhaps intrigue, perhaps gratitude—but Cade dismissed his offer with almost mechanical efficiency. Even so, Ethan wasn’t deterred.

"Should I assume you’re aware of the contents?" he asked cautiously.

It was a delicate question, one he knew could potentially offend Cade, but given what had happened with Rin Kazeki, Ethan couldn’t afford to take any risks. He framed his inquiry as politely as possible, mindful of Cade’s potential.

Hearing the question, Cade almost laughed. His cold demeanor nearly slipped, but he quickly reined it in.

Anyone else in my position would have been tempted to look at the files, he mused. After all, whatever was inside was worth putting my life on the line.

But Cade wasn’t curious. The reason was simple—he already knew the trajectory of the future of this world. Even with Ethan Ryder as an unknown variable, Cade doubted he would pose any real deviation from the grander scheme of things. More importantly, he had no intention of alienating a potential patron so early in the game.

"It doesn’t interest me to know about your business, so no. The briefcase is still locked."

Ethan let out a breath of relief.

"Then I’ll have to trust you, Mr. Cade. As for delivery… aren’t you planning to come back? We’ve even arranged a banquet to celebrate this hunt."

His words carried a genuine enthusiasm, but unfortunately for him, Cade had other plans.

"No, I won’t be returning for a while. I have business to attend to here."

His priority was still the Zoldyck estate—heading back now wasn’t an option.

"A shame."

Ethan lamented, though he quickly composed himself. "Still, you’re always welcome here. As for the briefcase, you can deliver it to a bartender in Padokea—I’ll email you his location. He’s one of my contacts. If you need anything, just ask him. He’ll do whatever is in his power to provide it."

Though there was a tinge of disappointment in Ethan’s voice, he swiftly masked it, throwing in yet another incentive.

"That’s thoughtful of you."

With that, Cade ended the call.