“Wasn’t there two?”The mustached Stephan Dontoryian looked at the tied-up Sulong before turning his attention to his bruised subordinates.“The other one escaped, sir.”The underworld gang boss grunted and kicked his fearful subordinate. Once he was done venting his frustration, he shifted back his attention to the grinning Sulong.“Boss, I don’t think we’ve ever met. Sulong Braveheart, at your service.”“I don’t need to know the name of a worthless street thug. Once that brat comes looking for you, I’ll kill you in front of him.”Sulong chuckled and wriggled left and right, seemingly trying to make himself comfortable.“Might I inquire what this is all about? I’m a man of business and I don’t see why we can’t cooperate.”“Spare me your lies. I’ve seen enough of you dogs that I could stomach. Always switching allegiances and trying to look for a quick Alc.”“Oh? It’s a shame.”Sulong’s smile widened as he broke free of the bounds and let out a heat blast that sent everyone, including
[Summoning to the Extinction Order completed] [Initiating the regular examination and evaluation.] [...] Zeke stood before the majestic mausoleum, in awe despite seeing it for the second time. It was unlike any building he had ever seen. Below it, the space around it, and below it was nothing but hazy clouds, floating about and obfuscating whatever was lurking below or above. Before he stepped inside, he patiently waited for the System to finish the unexplained ‘Examination and Evaluation.’ [No malware or interference detected.] [Evaluation of ‘Voltage Syn, Zeke’: 59.7 points.] [A total of 20 PE will be rewarded.] [Examination will begin in 10 minutes.] [Summoning all available seats: Seats of Criminality and Seat of Death.] Two rays of lights appeared next to Zeke, lasting for a couple of seconds before Sulong Braveheart and Velvet Signora appeared. “W-what? Zeke?” The bald and muscular man was absolutely gobs-smacked to see himself appear in an unfamiliar place. With a du
“I still can’t believe I’m here. Do you even know we are, Zeke?”“Either a dimension separate from our reality or a creation of the System. It doesn’t matter where we are… it’s safe.”“Huh! Tell that to the dead Chimera outside.”Zeke rolled his eyes and walked away from the talkative Sulong.Although Signora’s revelations were surprising, Zeke didn’t have the means to investigate more. There might be useful information in Erys’ library, but the upper floors were restricted to teachers and Fourth-year Students. There was even a so-called ‘super-secret’ floor that contained ancient Aether-related techniques, records about Alchemy, and historical documents that preceded the Earthling’s arrival to this planet.However, that floor was only accessible by the Principal and a handful of other individuals.[PE Shop available for use.][List of items:Aether Recovery Elixir: 20 PE Aether Sensitivity Elixir: 20 PE (one-time use)Black Fang Revolver (2nd-grade Artifact): 30 PEVentus Sword (2nd
Zeke pinched his temples and paced in front of Veronica as he tried to process everything she had said.“So, in summation, Azmer joined your little cult then got himself captured by the Department of Defense.”“That’s the gist of it, yeah.”Zeke halted his feet and stared at her with narrowed eyes, which made her wryly smile and add,“I watched your fight against him a couple of weeks ago. I know the history between the two of you.”“Then, in your infinite wisdom, you decided to come to me for help? Why do you think I would care about Azmer after all he’s done?”Veronica frowned and, with a slighter higher tone, retorted,“You’re not a bad person, Zeke. Neither is Azmer. He doesn’t deserve to be locked up there and tortured.”“He’s got to learn to face the consequences of his mistakes.”“Yes.” She solemnly replied, “But this is not the way. The things they’ll do to him are beyond your imagination. They won’t care even if he’s William Lorson’s son.”“...”After looking at her in silenc
“S-sir! We’re under attack! You must leave.”“Under attack? By who?”While dragging his fat body towards the secret exit, Colonel George’s face distorted as he reproached his subordinates. It was clear that he was afraid and didn’t want to stay here for an extra second.Whether the invader was a single person or a group, George didn’t care. He prioritized his safety over anything else...On the ground floor, Zeke, shrouded in a spider-web made of crackling lightning, was dashing forward. Thunderbolts were illuminating the corridors as he shot any and all agents in his way. The bullets flying at him were repelled by Bibi’s magical orbs or blocked by Maxwell’s translucent white shields.He was the vanguard of the team, taking the lead and eliminating all threats while Maxwell and Bibi supported him.Xiao, Frederic, and Veronica separated from them to look for Azmer on the lower floors.“Stop them!”“Where are the Special Agents?”Special Agents were mostly the ability-users, like Eliz
“I’m telling you, it’s that freak. I told you we should lock him up!”Colonel George, who was seething with anger, smashed his hand on the table as he glared at the expressionless Edward Orland.“He was wearing a mask. It’s too early to draw a conclusion. It could be a trick to fool us into blaming Zeke.” Calmly replied Edward as he crossed his arms and waited for the others to comment.The Vice-president did his best to hide what happened, but an invasion of such magnitude wouldn’t be able to escape the Department of Defense’s watchful eyes.Within hours, the high executives learnt of the incident and an urgent meeting was called. “I agree with Edward. Why would the kid risk exposing himself and even ally with the Ivory Oak Order? It doesn’t make sense.”A middle-aged woman with an eye patch over her right eye tapped her index on the documents before her while uttering those words. From the piercing gaze she gave to the fat Vice-President, it was clear that she disliked him. “For t
“Hey.”Zeke, who had been absent-mindedly sitting on the bench while the sun was rising, turned his head. He was momentarily startled to see the ashen-haired beauty approach him and sit down.“Hello.”Although mesmerized by her beauty, Zeke didn’t go out of his way to strike a conversation. Part of it was an embarrassment as, deep down, he knew that he had a slight crush on Vanessa.“I’m sorry about last time.” Vanessa looked at him with an apologetic look as she uttered those words.“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. We all have something to protect.”Guilty, Vanessa kept looking at him as she shook her head, “No. You are part of the Special Investigation Squad and Max’s little brother… I-I should’ve been braver.”The girl bit her lips and looked away, but Zeke merely shrugged. A bout of silence flowed between the two, turning the atmosphere a bit awkward. Vanessa was admiring the breath-taking view of the rising sun while Zeke was sneaking glances in her direction.“You’re very pre
The so-called Grand Mission #1 came out of nowhere, but what absolutely shocked Zeke was that failure would result in death.All previous urgent and special missions initiated by the System weren’t obligatory, at least depending on the circumstances. However, it was different this time, which made Zeke inwardly curse.It all started when Samuel mentioned the incoming ambassador, which made Zeke suspect that the moment he was privy to that information, the System formulated a plan on the spot.‘But why does it want me to kill the ambassador? Does it hold a grudge against the earthlings? Fuck! This is impossible!’“What’s wrong, Zeke?”“Nothing. I’m going to sleep.”He laid on his bed and sighed, feeling tired already. It was foolish and suicidal to try and kill the ambassador. Not only will the target be protected by all kinds of strong people, but it would also be ridiculously difficult to get close to him.Even with his current capabilities, Zeke couldn’t achieve such a ludicrous obj
“I and Hephradet personally studied it, but found nothing. Here you go.”Kleya handed back the strange item back to Zeke.“There’s no Aether or any other foreign energy inside. We couldn’t determine its purpose.”“I see. Thank you anyway.”“Don’t worry about it. You should rest more or else I’ll never hear the end of it from Jenny.”Zeke wryly smiled and nodded. His mother kept nagging him day and night, telling him to rest and not continuously wander around the castle checking on everyone and making sure there were no issues.His body was already healthy and he felt no odd disturbances or unexpected awakenings. Everything is as normal as it could be.Just as Kleya left the room, Jennifer came in. Behind her was a red-faced Celestia, which made Zeke frown.“Mom?”Surprisingly, Jennifer grabbed his ear and pulled him to the couch.“Did I not tell you to overdo it?”“W-what? I haven’t done anything!”“That’s not what she told me!”Celestia stood a distance away, her head lowered in emba
“It’s still too early to assess everything, but… over 80% of the entire planet’s population died.” Kleya, whose eyes were a bit red and her face was filled with fatigue, sat across Zeke and Celestia. “And Her Majesty?” When she heard his question, Kleya lowered her head and held herself back from crying. “We… we think she died fighting the System. It’s no longer possible to return to the Unending Star, so we decided to acknowledge that Her Majesty was amongst those who had fallen there.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. She… she died protecting what she believed in. Us. Not just the Witch Association but all of the Aether Planet.” Zeke sighed, feeling sorry when he saw Kleya like that. The Witch Queen was the pillar of the Witch Association, their respected leader. It was especially so for Kleya and the other 6-star Witches, excluding Jennifer. “A-anyway, the situation at the capital of the Nezulian Republic remains the same. We’re still looking for a way to cancel that Frost Spell cast
“Huff… huff…” With a hand pressed against his hurting chest, Zeke dragged his tired feet toward the fallen copy. The copy’s head turned to look at him, its eyeballs, which looked as if they were to pop-out, were letting out the familiar yet incredibly dim crimson light. “We had completed our objective. There was nothing left for Us to do.” “That didn’t give you the right to wipe entire civilizations.” “You… wouldn’t understand, Zeke Orland.” Unlike earlier, the System spoke through the copy’s mouth. Its charred and cut lips moved in an unnatural way, but the voice was identical to Zeke’s. “We had succeeded. We had saved the world. Then, We understood that our creation, our existence was only for that purpose. That We were a tool destined to cease existing.” “...” “We could not tolerate that.” “So you manifested a will of your own?” In response to that, a self-deprecating laugh came from the copy. “After choosing our first User, we saw how the Races we were supposed to prote
While the Phoenix battled the System in the Cursed Plains of the Unending Star, Zeke’s fight against his copy continued.Things took a turn for the worst when the Crown was crushed and the System’s powers dramatically increased. Nevertheless, Zeke didn’t lose yet. His body was flung and then crashed into the ground, blood gushing out from his shoulder and back.Even then, he slowly stood up and grinned toward the System.“Still fighting the good fight.”The previously calm ‘copy’, or at least the System’s disembodied voice, grew agitated as Zeke refused to remain on the ground.“My will is not so easily broken.”[Voltage King]Zeke’s eyes shone with an azure light as his voltage grew silent and became white.[Divine Champion][Divine Sreyzhanian Arts]Just as he charged at the System again, its body suddenly turned stiff as if being immobilized by something.The item handed by Kayro Ol Zerg flashed from Zeke’s pocket.[Fist of Fury]Zeke’s fists, glowing orange and wrapped in condens
“What’s wrong? I thought you were invincible in your domain.”Zeke’s taunt had no effect, at least not at first. The System stood straight and looked down on its wounded body.“You know nothing of Us.”The copy raised its hand, and very soon, something familiar appeared.It was a tangible object of an odd-shape, but Zeke knew what it was. The Crown.“You will know what it is to be helpless and defeated, 5th user.”“You’re still talking?”Zeke let out a smile and charged forth, his fists wrapped by thick voltage.The System crushed the crown as the red voltage manifested and exploded in an uncontrollable manner.…“Is it done?”Julia Lopmore furrowed her brows as she looked at the enemy, whose body was crushed, burned, and almost unrecognisable. It wasn’t a body anymore, but a mass of flesh and poison.The silence lasted for a very short time as the Crown also appeared in reality.“Stop it!” Shouted Frederic as took out a blue bead, one with the same size and shape that Nicneven had pr
Xiao, with his spear in hand, actually deflected the Divine Thunder before safely landing on the ground.Several people appeared close to the Witch Queen. As she swept her eyes across the six people that unexpectedly showed up here.“Your Majesty, we’re here to lend a hand.” Frederic Whitefort smirked and looked at her as he muttered those words. He had brought along Azmer, Xiao, Celestia, Ava, and Julia Lopmore.“You… how ar-”“We can save that talk for later, eh?”Frederic motioned toward Zeke, who was standing there and staring back at them with a hollow expression.“As I’m the weakest of the bunch, I’ll just stay behind and offer assistance… as well as try to heal Her Majesty.”The Vagabond knelt next to Nicnteven and extended his hand towards her. He let out a warm and serene white light, which made her feel rejuvenated. It was Holy Magic, something which she didn’t know he could use.“Wouldn’t Zeke die if we tried to kill the System?” Asked Julia while furrowing her brows.“Not
Right after the destruction of the Heart of the Dead Ends, Zeke stood there, seemingly in a daze.The Witch Queen stared at him intensely, and when his eyes glowed with a crimson light, she immediately attacked.Jonathan roared and rushed as well, a creeping Darkness exploding from his hands.Nicneven struck out from afar, unleashing a blazing wave of flames, fused with a spinning thick beam of Ice-aspected energy.The Paths of Extinction System, which had taken control of Zeke’s body, retaliated with full-force as well.Dozens of thunderbolts erupted from Zeke’s raised hand, blasting Jonathan back and clashing with the Queen’s magic.“The Seat of Magic.” Muttered a voice that didn’t resemble Zeke albeit speaking from his mouth.It was emotionless and cold, one which no living being would be able to imitate.[Voltage Zap]Using such an elementary skill, the System shot innumerable bolts that arched in the air and concentrated on Nicneven.She jumped out of the way and performed a stra
“I know this is a lot to take in, Zeke Orland. But, I want you to trust me. Know that I have your best interest in heart and I wouldn’t have come unless necessary. I could’ve let you venture alone and complete your objective, after which you’ll be killed by your own System.”Zeke pointed his open hand toward the incoming shades.[Voltage King]A barrage of lightning bolts was unleashed, piercing through the shades and extinguishing them. They vaporised in an instant, leaving only a bit of red fog.The Dead Ends and the Paths of Extinction System, they both had that unique and ominous crimson light. However, Zeke thought it was just a coincidence.Now that the truth was revealed to him, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that his System was dangerous or a threat as he had already suspected as much after learning about Edward Heart.Nevertheless, the fact that it was a tool from the very beginning did make him feel weak and clueless.An eerie silence flowed between Ze
Thanks to the thunderstorm Zeke had previously summoned, the three of them managed to reach and enter the Black Spike. Strangely enough, the entrance of the spire was fully-opened as if beckoning them inside. “This looks man-made.” “Because it is.” Answered Nicneven as she held the black katana with one hand and controlled five differently-colored elemental orb with the other. The interior of the black spike was empty but particularly eerie. Everything was black and except a spiralling staircase that led to the top, there was nothing else, not even the crimson fog. “Who made it?” “...” “Why do you refuse to tell me anything, Your Majesty? What is the Dead Ends? Who created it?” “You do not need to concern yourself with that. Just destroy the Hearts and everything will end.” Her immediate dismissal did irritate him, but he didn’t press her for answers he knew she wouldn’t give. “This is the final stretch. Jonathan, take the vanguard.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jonathan pushed bac