Max sat with his back against a large rock, his eyes closed, the rhythmic sound of distant wind filling the otherwise still clearing. His mind was elsewhere, calculating the timing of recent events.

The worldlock was undone, and he already set it on Valenorth, but the simulator was still cooling down, about four hours remained.

But the dungeon that loomed here was set to open in less than half an hour. His fingers tapped against his knee, a subconscious gesture of impatience as his thoughts churned.

A voice broke through his mental fog.

"Max? Is that you?"

The words were filled with hesitation, laced with the kind of disbelief one has when seeing a ghost.

Max's eyes opened slowly, narrowing as he looked toward the source of the voice. A young man with sharp eyes was standing a few meters away, flanked by another familiar face.

Julio.

Despite the transformation Max had undergone since their last encounter on the train, Julio's expression suggested certainty, he simply couldn't mistake that unique aura around Max.

Julio's smile widened as he approached. "I knew it. I had a feeling you were hiding your appearance last time, you just seemed too ordinary."

Max blinked, expression blank, but his mind raced. 'He thinks I was hiding back then. Convenient. I'll let him think that.'

"Julio," Max said, his tone neutral as if greeting an old acquaintance.

Nicholas joined his companion, nodding in greeting. "Max. Long time no see."

Max inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. He didn't mind playing along. If anything, this misdirection about his identity might prove useful.

The three exchanged a few more words, but before the conversation could deepen, Victor Dane, the B-rank Guardian, approached.

Victor's sharp gaze scanned Max with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

Max stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his pants. His reply was as nonchalant as his demeanor. "Waiting for a dungeon."

Victor's brow furrowed slightly. "A dungeon? You got wind of this one? Found a key, I assume?"

Max didn't respond, his silence leaving Victor and the others to draw their own conclusions, after all, he had to be cautious of any lie detecting skills or such.

Based on the law; if someone found a dungeon first! Either opened or not, it's his right to attempt clearing it first.

Victor's lips pressed into a thin line. The team was already short on fire power with only 3 C-ranks.

True they were all Geniuses and their combat power was not similar to that of normal people of the same rank, but the addition of one more powerhouse would be welcomed.

After all, if the team under his protection won he would be rewarded handsomely above his normal pay for the job.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"you were here first. You can join the team, but let me make one thing clear, it's a dangerous C-rank dungeon."

Max nodded once, unimpressed.

"You'll participate with the others," Victor added, his tone firm.

Max shrugged in response, his indifference sparking a flicker of irritation in Victor's otherwise stoic expression.

"I'd let you know if I find something of interest to me inside, I'd be taking it."

Victor just nodded, they weren't here for the rewards of the dungeon anyway.

.....

As Max's presence became more integrated into the group, the subtle shift in dynamics was palpable. Julio and Nicholas's polite attitude toward him piqued the curiosity of the others.

Arabelle, standing near the back, watched Max with narrowed eyes. She discreetly activated her scanning skill, her dragonfly like pet's wings shimmering faintly as it processed the data. The skill wasn't invasive; just a simple probe for basic details like age and rank.

But What she saw made her composure shatter instantly. Her emerald eyes widened, and she blurted out, "You're a 19 year old C-rank?"

The clearing fell silent. Every head turned toward Max.

.....

Victor's dossier had indicated the youngest among them was twenty, and that was Jimmy, a nervous D-rank with more jitters than experience. For someone to be nineteen and a C-rank was not unheard of, but they were those super Geniuses the sons and daughters of powerhouses of the SS plus.

A glint of surprise flashed across Victor's eyes.

Julio and Nicholas exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable, while Jimmy's jaw dropped.

Kane, the golden-armored leader, stared at Max with a mixture of disbelief and something bordering on envy.

Max's gaze shifted toward Arabelle, cold and piercing. The temperature of the air seemed to drop as his eyes locked onto hers, his previously casual demeanor no where to be seen.

She recoiled slightly, her confidence shrinking under the weight of his glare.

"You need to learn to mind your own damn business," Max said flatly, his voice sharp enough to cut through steel.

Victor instinctively stepped in front of Arabelle, his protective instincts kicking in. But the moment he moved, an invisible force pressed down on him, a feeling of impending doom that sent a shiver up his spine. He froze, his hand twitching toward his weapon before he realized there was no visible threat.

Unbeknownst to the team, Lucy's telekinetic presence loomed over them, waiting for Max's command.

The oppressive aura dissipated only when Max turned his attention away from Arabelle, dismissing her entirely.

Max was someone who is very grouchful, and petty but there were high steaks on the line and he had to keep the bigger picture in mind, still if he had the chance to, she wouldn't be leaving this dungeon, at least not alive.

As for his strength and age being revealed he didn't care much. After all, he would be starting one trouble after another soon, and after Kain-city he would go dark no matter what was the results.

Victor exhaled quietly, his muscles relaxing as the invisible pressure faded.

.....

The group's dynamics shifted visibly after the confrontation. Julio and Nicholas remained close to Max.

Leandro, was a member of Phantom Titan, and the two were technically his young master's, so naturally he gravitated toward their side.

Jimmy, hesitated for a moment before shuffling over to stand with them as well, to the surprise of everyone.

Kane, Arabelle, and the other members of the team lingered on the opposite side, their wariness evident. Arabelle kept stealing glances at Max, her earlier boldness replaced by caution.

Victor stood between the two factions, struggling to mask his internal unease. His mind raced as he tried to deduce Max's identity. The earlier invisible pressure was clearly not from Max himself but likely from someone sent to guard him. This led Victor to suspect Max might be the son of some influential figure, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly who. After much deliberation, he decided to set the matter aside for now.

.....

Max glanced at the people in his group, confusion evident on his face. No matter how he looked at it, Leandro didn't seem like a good person, yet his passive ability had no effect on him. What truly surprised Max, however, was that aside from Julio and Nicholas, Jimmy was apparently the third person on the scene affected by his passive.

Still, he didn't care much as he leanned on the earlier rock, as Julio informed him of the trail runs and their true purpose here.

"huh, so that's how it is." Responded Max while his mind rushed with thoughts.

'so the governments of this world aren't too stupid, they should of guessed that some one was fanning the flames.'

But what confused Max was this bright dungeons, the simulator recorded all kinds of dungeons, but most of the names didn't match with this world's so he couldn't tell which dungeon it was for a while.

"Max if you're interested, you can always join the team under the recommendation of Phantom Titan."

Max just shook his head, he had far more important matters to deal with for now.

Julio expected Max to refuse, so he didn't discuss the matter further as silence settled before the dungeon gate open.

Max judged it was about time as he spoke telepathically to Lucy.

' it's time Lu, just like I told you earlier.'

'OK.'

Silently Lucy appeared under the rock behind Max, in a small pit he dug beforehand, just as she materialized he immediately pulled her inside the pet space, just before the dungeon opened.