"You want to pursue Ms. Summers?" Belle asked.Joshua nodded with a serious look. "That's right.""You do know that she's the first goddess of war in Dragonia and the dream girl of most men, right? What makes you think you are qualified to pursue her?"Joshua already had an answer prepared for this question."I'll let you in on something. My uncle is the chief of Dragon Alliance's Lawson Clinic, and I'm not too shabby myself, being the vice president of Stellar Group and all. Is that not good enough?"Belle was slightly taken aback."To be honest, your position as vice president of Stellar Group isn't worth mentioning, but your uncle's position does mean something."As Xena's deputy, needless to say, Belle knew how powerful Dragon Alliance was. That faction was where hidden talents thrived, and being one of the chiefs for Dragon Alliance was quite a feat."Before I help you, you should know something. If you can't even handle the matter, don't think about pursuing her," Belle s
Felix stood at the entrance of an alley at around 7:00 pm with a confused look.He stood at the location Sasha had given him, but no matter how much he looked around, the place didn't seem like there would be a restaurant there."Felix."In less than a minute, Sasha appeared."Is the restaurant here?" Felix asked.Sasha answered with a smile, "Yes, there's a fondue restaurant here that's been around for years. The food is really good."Fondue? Felix wasn't going to question it. It didn't matter what they ate. He'd be grateful as long as Sasha would stop bothering him.As they turned the corner into the alley, the fragrant aroma of food hit them, instantly increasing his appetite.There was indeed a fondue restaurant nestled in the alley. There was even a line of people waiting to be seated at the entrance."Don't we need to line up?" Felix was puzzled when he saw Sasha walk right in."No need. I've known the owner for a long time and reserved a table ahead of time."The rest
Felix didn't give Sasha's behavior much thought.After all, Sasha was used to being pampered by Nattie, and with this being a sort of farewell, she was likely in a bad mood. Felix thought it was only natural for her to be a bit temperamental."It seems you two prefer to suffer the consequences rather than do things the easy way."The men in black surrounded them, and Felix raised his hand."Guys, running a small business isn't easy for these folks. If you have any problems with me, let's settle them outside."Seeing Felix head outside, Sasha breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally taken the bait.Just now, she had acted out of desperation. It would have been a big problem if Felix had truly abandoned her. Thankfully, everything was back on track.There were only a dozen or so bodyguards. It also seemed like their employer hadn't shown up yet.Since Felix didn't want to cause trouble, he suggested, "How about you let us finish our meal first, and we'll leave right after?""He
They were Kane's men? Felix slapped the burly man, sending him straight to the ground."The rest of you, clean this place up quietly. Otherwise, don't expect to leave here unharmed."There was no way they were actually Kane's men—his men would have recognized Felix. If they were indeed Kane's men, they would be fools.Felix's smack didn't seem all that frightening, but how he broke the bat was so intimidating that the remaining men quickly started cleaning up the place.A few moments later, they stood in the garden, none daring to meet Felix's gaze."Who sent you?"At that moment, a car abruptly pulled up at the gate, and a few armed men got out."There's been a report of an assault here. Everyone, stay where you are, and don't move!"As if their saviors had arrived, the thugs all pointed at Felix."It was him!""That's right! He attacked us for no reason. We don't even know if our friend is dead or alive."The guns were quickly pointed at Felix. The leader then made a hand
"I'll send you the relevant information right now." Joshua hung up the phone before stretching lazily."Handling one measly martial artist is too easy."Joshua believed that Xena's fiancé was just some loser, so it was only natural for Xena not to care about him.To Joshua, this issue could already be considered resolved. Even if they decided it was excessive self-defense, Felix would still get a few years in prison.At the Phoenix Legion base, Belle entered the interrogation room where Felix was being held with a tablet in hand."Felix, do you know why you were brought here?"Felix stared at Belle expressionlessly. "If I find out that you're involved in this, not even Xena can save you."Belle immediately grew anxious at his words."Are you really threatening me right now, Felix? Can't you see where we are? Do you really think you can leave here unscathed just because of your meager connections with Ms. Summers?"With that, she placed the tablet on the table."The person you
The anxious and hesitant Belle couldn't help but take the risk and ask, "Milady, w-why has Mr. Holt Senior suddenly come to the Phoenix Legion base?""He's here to see Colonel Bradley Sutton. It turns out that Bradley's grandfather was Mr. Holt Senior's comrade-in-arms. I just found out about this as well."Belle instantly felt a great sense of relief, like the weight on her shoulders had suddenly been lifted.She had been terrified moments ago, thinking Ernest came specifically because of Felix, which would have caused a major problem.Not long after, a car slowly pulled up, and Ernest stepped out with his bodyguard, Jairo Acosta.Not only did Xena and Belle rush forward to greet Ernest, but a sharp-eyed middle-aged man also approached.That man was none other than Bradley Sutton, a highly influential figure and a colonel in the Phoenix Legion."Mr. Holt Senior!"Seeing Bradley's salute, Ernest said with a smile, "I'm retired now. No need for salutes."Bradley's eyes were fil
Xena began, "Mr. Holt Senior, I can assure you that the Phoenix Legion would never…"Ernest shot Xena a sharp glance before she could finish her sentence."Xena, you're still young. There are some things you shouldn't speak about so definitively. There is a difference between not knowing something and not revealing something."Just as Xena was about to make another firm statement, Belle piped up, "I'm sorry, Mr. Holt Senior. S-something like that did happen. I just found out about it as well."Xena abruptly turned to Belle, looking as if she wanted to devour the latter."Do you know what you're saying?"Belle, filled with fear, replied, "Y-yes, it's true. And the person who was taken is Felix Zeller."Right then, Ernest patted Bradley on the shoulder."Let's head to your office, Brad. I'll be leaving right after. I'm not as energetic as I used to be now that I'm older."After they left, Xena had a grim look on her face."Speak! Tell me everything, down to the last detail!"I
Belle was instantly displeased by what Felix said."Felix Zeller! Don't push your luck. To err is human. Besides, Lady Summers came personally because of the mistakes of her subordinates. What more do you want?"Seeing how Belle, who had someone else take the fall, was still so arrogant, Felix couldn't help but laugh out of sheer anger."Shut it!" Xena reprimanded before turning to Felix."I do owe you an apology for this. I take full responsibility for not providing proper leadership. Those involved will be handled per the law as well. Now, tell me—what is your condition?"Ernest was still at the base. Was Felix going to ask for him to come and remove the handcuffs himself?If that happened, Xena's future would be completely tarnished. This matter could either worsen into a big deal or become something trivial, but releasing Felix was the best thing to do for now."It's easy. In the future, when I go to visit Mr. Summers Senior, you must not stop me."Was that it? Xena had eve
The guide said, "This is where the selected contestants rest. The yard is huge and has everything you need. As long as you don't leave this yard, you're free to move around. I'll bring you to your room now."The yard looked huge, with fixtures of bridges and flowing rivers. Felix even passed by a fake mountain. It was large enough for hundreds of people to climb, standing thousands of feet tall and looked quite majestically.No one on Earth or Aquamarinus could have built such a luxurious residence. Felix could even see a bar and massage parlor, showing how indispensable technology was in the universe. His room was luxurious, around 2000 square feet, and was decorated with traditional but modern touches. "This is your room. I'll take my leave now, goodbye." The young man left with a bow. Felix turned around and stood on the patio. Outside his room was a large lake, with even fish swimming inside."A new neighbor? Did you just arrive today?" The sudden voice came from the patio
Felix arrived at the location of one of Nine Flames, where the guards instantly collapsed, their eyes rolling back as they fainted.By now, darkness had arrived. He walked forward without any hesitation, his right hand touching the flame.There was no need for any special tools. The flame simply vanished, and only Felix knew that it was absorbed in an instant by his Starmark.With the disappearance of the flames, people in many places immediately dropped to their knees.The light that should have lasted throughout the night vanished, and the darkness of Desolated Lands descended almost instantly. Every light went out in an instant.Screams echoed everywhere, and panic spread like wildfire. Even though their loved ones were close by, they couldn't see them with their eyes and could only communicate through voice.Scenes like this were unfolding in many places, even in Cloud City."It's really started," Eira said. She was in Cloud City. Although Luigi was standing on her left, h
Despite Thiago's murderous glare and overwhelming killing intent, Felix wasn't scared. In fact, it made him smile.Due to the unique trait of the Dragon Rebirth, his opponent had to harbor a true desire to kill him in order for Felix to grow stronger. Otherwise, it would all be meaningless. At least so far, everything was unfolding just as he expected.Meanwhile, Holt was silently praying like crazy as he lay on the ground. The battle had already begun, and his companion had understood his message. This was their only shot, however slim, at killing Felix.As time passed and the afternoon crept past 3:00 pm, his companion started to falter. His attacks were growing sluggish. He hadn't been injured, but he was clearly on the defensive now.Seeing this, Felix completely lost interest. Once his opponent lost the will to kill him, the Dragon Rebirth would no longer grow.Still, the battle wasn't for nothing. He'd made solid progress and was a little closer to becoming a Celestial Realm
Felix had clearly found Holt's weak spot. These guys were so desperate to extend their lives that they turned the entire Aquamarinus into a breeding ground. Obviously, they were terrified of death. As long as there was even the slightest chance of survival, they'd take it.And sure enough, Holt immediately agreed. He pulled out some kind of device and flew off, clearly contacting his comrades."But even if I agreed," Holt said, "the three of us split up and searched in different directions. Even if they rush over, they won't make it until tomorrow."The fear in his eyes was obvious, so much so that Felix couldn't help but laugh."How interesting," Felix said. "You made a deal with the Ant Queen, right? Couldn't she at least give you something to help you move freely through Desolated Lands at night?"Holt shot him a bitter smile. "The Ant Queen's children—the soldier ants—are born hunters. That instinct can't be erased. And honestly, we've never needed to go out at night anyway."
Lumen flew out and quickly returned. Felix's expression eased completely, and with a step, he vanished from where he stood."Chasing me was fun last time, huh? Did you think it'd go the same this time?" he asked.When he reappeared, someone was already lying on the ground about ten yards ahead. It was a figure fully shrouded in a gray robe, a man named Holt Bovington.That was Felix holding back. Otherwise, Lumen's previous strike could've shattered Holt's soul on the spot."Felix Zeller? It really is you!" Holt's voice was full of shock. Whatever he'd planned to do was already too late. His soul had taken a devastating blow, and he no longer had the strength to fight."Yeah, it's me. Just like I suspected, you people really aren't all that strong when it comes to soul power."Felix had spared his life because he wanted answers."If you answer a few questions honestly, I'll let you live. Even with your soul badly damaged, I assume someone who knows about Nine Flames and Desolate
Three months later, deep within a mountain on Aquamarinus, a meeting was taking place. Who would've imagined palace-like structures hidden within the mountain itself?In one of the chambers, a sky-blue dome adorned the ceiling. Beneath it, three figures in gray robes sat cross-legged, their bodies cloaked in shadow. Their faces were completely obscured."I went to see the Ant Queen yesterday. There's definitely something wrong.""Enough with the vague talk. Be specific.""In just three months, the Ant Queen has lost millions of her children. Do you even understand what that means?"The atmosphere shifted as all three took a sharp breath. A long silence followed before one finally spoke, "Perhaps our earlier theory is right. Is someone hunting soldier ants in Desolated Lands at night?""It has to be. How else do you explain millions of casualties? At this rate, we're down to just a million soldier ants across the entire planet. If this keeps up, they'll be wiped out in a month. An
"I didn't expect you to be a doctor, too. Thanks," Myles said, but then suddenly froze. His mind started racing.Wait a minute! He took down a tiger of True Blood Realm. On top of that, he was extremely skilled in medicine. That could only mean…"You figured out who I am?" Felix asked with a smile, trying to put Myles at ease. Despite that, Myles couldn't hide his fear. "You're Felix Zeller?""That's right. Judging by your reaction, I take it I've become a traitor to The Recovery Association? Or maybe some kind of unforgivable villain?"The air grew a bit awkward, and Myles shot him a strained smile."Not exactly… It's just that you took down the Flame Monarch. That's kind of hard to wrap my head around."His expression shifted again."Actually, everyone's still pretty confused. When we woke up this morning, every city, town, and even the smallest villages received a message. Five days from now, the Flame Monarch is holding a Flame Ceremony."Felix paused, frowning. "What's t
With Lumen and Indigo attacking and the Infinite Shield defending, Felix held his ground. Occasionally, he cast minor spells that barely consumed any soul power. Even as the monsters surged toward him like a tidal wave, not one of them could so much as scratch him.Feeling the steady stream of energy flooding into him, Felix grinned. If things kept going like this, there was a high chance he'd break through to the next major soul realm—Soul Overlord Realm.If he could level up again during the elimination rounds, his odds of winning the whole thing would increase significantly. Especially since Soul Overlord Realm required soul enhancement, it was a whole different league compared to Aetherium Realm.Once he hit Soul Overlord Realm, he was confident he'd be able to go toe-to-toe in a soul battle with the powerful figure who had chased him during dusk.That guy didn't dare appear in Desolated Lands at night, which likely meant his soul wasn't strong. In that case, Felix might actual
The sun had already begun to set. After fleeing in a panic, Felix had no idea if there was even a single place ahead that could shield him from the coming darkness.A few minutes later, the presence chasing him within his domain disappeared. Logically, the pursuer should've caught up in less than ten minutes, but they gave up. Still, Felix didn't relax for a second. The darkness was about to fall, and that could only mean two things. Either the pursuer wasn't confident they could survive the desolate night themselves, or they assumed there was no flame nearby and Felix was as good as dead.Either way, this was the most dangerous moment yet.After sprinting several more miles, Felix finally stopped. All around him stretched a barren wasteland with no end in sight. Even though he had memorized maps to identify different areas, they were useless now. As darkness swallowed the land, all reference points vanished."Damn it! I guess I'll have to see for myself what the hell comes out i