Continuing his journey through the narrow and cramped shafts, Edward's muscles strained with each move. The oppressive heat and claustrophobic surroundings weighed on him, but he pushed forward.Finally, he reached a junction in the ventilation system. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he tried to assess his surroundings. Two paths lay in front of him, but he had no way of knowing which one led towards Petrovich's residence.His instincts guided him, and he chose the path to the left. He hoped his gut feeling was right, as there was no room for errors or detours.As he pressed on, he encountered more dead ends and blocked passages. The ventilation system seemed to be intentionally designed to deter intruders. But Edward was relentless, he would not be deterred.Just when he was starting to doubt his decision, Edward found an unsecured grate that led to a hidden opening. Peering through, his eyes widened at what he saw.In the vast underground chamber, an immense field stretched out
But the guard shook his head, defiance rising in his eyes. "Even if you don't kill me, the Petrovichs will. You better kill me now, at least I can die without being tortured.""I have an offer for you," Edward replied, "If you help me, I'll ensure your escape from this mess. $500 million can buy you a new identity, a fresh start far away from all of this."The guard was taken aback by the offer, and his eyes widened in surprise. The proposition appeared incredibly alluring, but he couldn't immediately accept it as true. In his eyes, the man standing in front of him seemed nothing more than a hitman. How could he possibly have that kind of money?The guard hesitated, torn between the terror of the Petrovichs and the glimmer of hope that Edward's offer provided. Finally, he nodded, swallowing his doubt."Fine," he muttered. "I'll help you, but you'd better keep your word."Edward nodded grimly. "Lead the way.""Wait!" the guard interrupted, his voice shaky. "Before we go, you need to ch
Andrei Petrovich's blood ran cold as he gazed into Edward's eyes. The room seemed to darken around them, and time hung suspended in an ominous silence. The man in front of him, who had just arrived unexpectedly, was the man who had killed his two sons. If not for the fear of Xavier, he would have already gone to the Windsor residence and mutilated Edward into a thousand pieces.But before Andrei could react any further, Edward unleashed his full power, dashing towards Andrei's personal guard who stood behind him. Time seemed to slow down for Edward as he moved with lightning speed.With a punch that carried the force of 100 tons, the guard's head exploded like a watermelon falling from a cliff. Andrei's face turned pale, his eyes widening in shock and fear at the brutal display of power before him.As the guard's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, blood and brain matter splattered across the library floor, creating a gruesome scene. The other two guards lunged into action, drawing
"Ophiucus?" Edward repeated, the name foreign and mysterious to him. "What is that? And what does it have to do with all of this?"Andrei struggled to catch his breath before continuing, "Ophiucus is a Zodiac File, like mine and your grandfather's, but it has unique abilities. It has the power to amplify and multiply the Zodiac File's abilities. With Ophiucus, Xavier can become almost invincible. He could easily ask us to hand over our Zodiac Files, or hypnotize anyone just by looking at them through cameras or with a phone call. Simply put, he could own all the Zodiac Files by getting Ophiucus File."Edward's mind whirled with the implications of this revelation. The thought of Xavier obtaining such godlike power sent chills down his spine. "How does he plan to find this Ophiucus File?"Andrei's voice quivered with dread as he divulged the ominous secret. "Elias is the user of the Ophiucus File, and only Marcus, your grandfather, and I are aware of this fact. However, here's the cruc
Meanwhile, in the opulent study of Windsor Manor, Xavier paced back and forth, his mind abuzz with thoughts and plans. Eloise and Victoria stood nearby, their faces etched with worry as they observed their father lost in contemplation.As Xavier halted his pacing, he turned to Victoria. "Tell me, Victoria, why did you allow Edward to go to Petra Island alone? This is ridiculous. Edward is the head of our family, and he should not be wandering off on his own."Victoria swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of her father's scrutiny. "He insisted, Father. Edward was determined to handle this matter on his own. He believes that he can confront Andrei without any help."Xavier's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned darker. "Does he not realize the danger he's putting himself in? Petra Island is a treacherous place, filled with skilled enemies and traps. He is not ready to face the likes of Andrei Petrovich alone."Eloise stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "Xavier, perhaps it
As Edward whispered his inquiry to the Domination System, it responded with an unusually serious tone. [Ding! To counteract hypnosis effectively, a comprehensive analysis of your subconscious mind is required. Hypnotic suggestions often create complex connections within the neural pathways, requiring a thorough examination to identify and neutralize them.]Edward nodded, recognizing the significance of such an analysis. "I understand."The holographic interface displayed a confirmation message, seeking Edward's consent to access his deepest thoughts and memories. [To perform the analysis, we require your permission to access your subconscious mind. This process will be intimate and may reveal deeply personal memories. Do you grant us permission to proceed?]Edward hesitated for a moment. "How much time will it take?"[Twenty to forty seconds.]"Okay, I give you permission."[Ding! Initiating data retrieval and analysis process. Estimated completion time: 40 seconds.]With Edward's co
With that, Andrei bid farewell and disappeared from the room, leaving Edward to ponder the upcoming challenges. Edward knew that the missions he chose from the Domination System might be quirky and amusing, but they would be a means to an end, gathering the Domination Points he needed to unlock Mentality Level 2. By the time that happened, he would be ready to go home, and meet his grandfather.As Andrei's absence lingered, the Petrovich residence descended into a state of disarray. News of his disappearance had spread like wildfire among their scattered relatives, prompting many of them to flee by aircrafts. The once bustling halls and opulent rooms of the Petrovich mansion were now eerily silent, with only two members of the Petrovich family remaining, Tatiana, Andrei's first wife, and Yvonne.Meanwhile, in the heart of the Petrovich mansion, Edward called upon Gillan to summon Tatiana and Yvonne to the grand living room. Gillan, who had just become a rich man after receiving $500 m
After Yvonne had calmed down, Tatiana gently released herself from the embrace and turned to face Edward. "I need you to promise me something. You must ensure Yvonne's safety no matter what happens. She is carrying Andrei's child, and I trust you to protect her."Edward nodded solemnly, "I promise. You have my word."Tatiana smiled, seeming satisfied with his response. She then took a deep breath and continued, "Every hundred miles along the escape route, there are hidden supply stations. You'll find fuel and other essential provisions there."Edward listened intently, mentally noting the details of the escape route Tatiana provided. The importance of staying alert was not lost on him, knowing that Xavier's agents might be lurking everywhere, seeking any opportunity to sabotage their escape.Once the preparations were complete, Edward, Yvonne, and Gillan boarded the modified sports car that was waiting in the underground cavern. Tatiana stood by the entrance, her eyes brimming with em