Two Days Later...

The Atyai family ascended the mountain, their procession solemn and deliberate. The temple loomed ahead, its ancient stone walls weathered by time but still imposing. The family moved with practiced precision, their nervous energy masked by an air of formality.

Violet walked beside her mother, her face pale and her missing arm a stark reminder of her past failure. She glanced around, her one good eye scanning the temple grounds. Something felt off, but she couldn't quite place it.

The old family head led the way, his expression unreadable. He had insisted on this visit, despite the unease it caused among the family every time it happened.

Normally when they come here it would be necessary but this time it was just some hackers, and the other members thought that the old family head was making a big deal out of it for nothing.

Inside the temple, the family began their rituals, it was almost nonsensical and had nothing magical to it.

They placed flowers on the altar, their movements stiff and mechanical. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with unspoken dread.

Violet's mother knelt beside her, her hands trembling as she arranged the flowers. "Do you feel it too?" she whispered.

Violet nodded, her voice barely audible. "Something's wrong. I don't know what, but... it's like we're being watched."

The old man stood at the head of the group, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows. He said nothing, but his grip on his cane tightened.

From his hidden vantage point, Max observed the scene with a faint smile. He had waited patiently, biding his time until the family was deep within the temple. Now, it was time to make his move.

'keep an eye open Lu'.

'OK'.

He stepped out of the shadows, his footsteps echoing in the silent temple. The family froze, their heads snapping toward the sound.

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Max walked in calmly, his hands in his pockets and a faint smirk on his lips. "Sorry to interrupt," he said, his voice light but laced with menace. "But I couldn't resist joining the party."

The family stared at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear. Violet's eyes narrowed as she studied his face, but she didn't recognize him. His appearance had changed since their last encounter, and she had no way of knowing this was the man who had nearly killed her.

The old man, however, wasn't fooled. His sharp eyes locked onto Max, and a knowing smile spread across his face. "You," he said, his voice calm but edged with suspicion. "You should be Haran's killer, and the one who crippled this girl, am I right. I expected you to show up eventually."

Max raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised but hiding it well. "Oh? You saw this coming? Impressive."

The old man's smile didn't waver. "Call it a hunch."

Max chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I hate to break it to you, but I already guessed you were waiting for me. "

The old man's eyes narrowed." you did! I am curious, what gave it away? "

Max shrugged, a sly, amused smirk playing on his lips. "Heh, you actually fell for that nonsense? Come on, old man. Yesterday, all I knew about you was what you looked like in a picture. How the hell would I guess your thoughts? Really?"

The old man's smile faltered, and for a moment, he was speechless. They were dealing with a madman.

.....

Violet stepped forward, her voice trembling with anger. "Why are you doing this? What I did was for your benefit! I never intended to harm you!"

Max turned to her, his expression darkening. "For my benefit?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let me get this straight. You thought you could use your little Sun Mark to leech off my strength, force me into your family, and turn me into your personal blood bank? And you call that beneficial?"

Violet flinched, but she didn't back down. "You could have been great! You could have had power, recognition, everything!"

Max's laughter cut through the tension, cold and mocking. "God himself gave me free will, so who do you think you are to force your plans on me? You wanted me to be your lap dog, working hard to benefit you? Who are you to decide my fate?"

The old man glanced at Violet, his expression a mix of annoyance and disdain. She had not only provoked a monstrous genius but he had to be mad genius.

The old man switched his gaze towards Max who was still monologuing, an unexpicable light flashing in his eyes.

Max's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. He stepped forward, his presence dominating the room. "Here's the deal," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You have two choices. Hand over Violet and all your wealth, or die here. Your call."

The family stared at him in stunned silence. Violet's mother clutched her daughter's arm, her face pale with fear. The old man's grip on his cane tightened, but his composure didn't shake.

The temple was silent, the weight of Max's ultimatum hanging in the air.

Max stood at the center of it all, his smirk returning as he watched the family squirm.