Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

“Huh—?!”

Only Axel noticed the change.

In that instant, it felt as though a ferocious beast had locked eyes with him. A primal sense of danger surged through his body, his scalp tingling violently.

But he didn’t stop.

There was no room to hesitate.

Even if she still had a final killing move, he would take it head-on.

Then—

Lilith exhaled softly.

“I concede.”

Clang!

The two referees had been waiting for those words. The instant Axel’s blade fell, they appeared simultaneously in front of Lilith.

Two flashes of light burst forth as their defensive Original Instruments activated—

—and they were still forced back several steps.

“Cough—cough!”

One referee’s face flushed as his blood churned. He glanced at Axel with lingering fear.

“What kind of fucking monsters are these two?”

The arena fell deathly silent.

Axel leaned heavily on the Red Flame Blade, using it to stay upright.

Christopher stared blankly at his own hands… then at Lilith, kneeling weakly nearby.

His mind went completely empty.

“We… won?”

“The champions of the Havoc Division—Virelia Chapter!”

The announcer’s roar detonated in Christopher’s ears. Thunderous cheers and applause swallowed the arena.

Amid the noise, Lilith wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. The dejection lasted only a moment.

She walked over and placed a hand on Axel’s shoulder.

“Kid, you’re a real schemer.” A faint smile curved her lips.

“Your healing skill could’ve removed that abnormal status from the start, couldn’t it?”

Axel smiled and nodded.

“You let Otis rot as bait, but secretly healed Christopher. That part I get.” Lilith narrowed her eyes.

“But how did you hide him from me?”

“That’s another Awakening Skill.” Axel smiled, lightly tapping her cheek.

In that instant—

Lilith felt as if Axel had vanished.

Not physically—she could still see him.

But mentally…

It was as if he no longer existed.

No presence. No trace.

Lilith’s expression shifted.

“Awakening Skill: Group Silence,” Axel said calmly. “Ever heard of it?”

She froze for a second, then laughed softly.

“Unpredictable.”

“You win.”

Axel studied her. He knew she was still hiding something—some final trump card she never used.

But they weren’t close enough for him to ask.

Still a pure cultivation fanatic, he thought.

If that’s the case… then maybe next time.

“Congratulations to all members of the Virelia Chapter! Each will receive one Grade B Original Instrument!”

The awards ceremony concluded, and the actual selection of the instruments was conducted privately.

.......

In the main competition room, William stood up with a smile.

“Gentlemen, don’t forget our bet. Mr. Philip—losing this one couldn’t have been easy.”

Maurice chuckled. “I’m riding on Mr. William’s good fortune.”

The wager wasn’t large—just Essence Stones and Soul Stones.

Philip stopped spinning the walnuts, coughing awkwardly.

“Ahem. Relax, I pay my debts. But Mr. William… how were you so confident he’d win?”

“I wasn’t,” William replied lightly.

“If I’d known Hollow Fortress had Lilith, I would’ve bet on them too.”

Orlando’s gaze remained locked on Axel below the stage.

“This kid’s cultivation talent is absurd. If he weren’t with the military, I’d poach him on the spot.”

“Good thing he is with the military,” Philip said casually.

“Otherwise, half the city would already be plotting how to grab him.”

Orlando suddenly changed the subject.

“He was forced to stay in Everton because of the Saints, wasn’t he?”

William frowned. “Is that so?”

Philip chimed in casually.

“According to my intelligence, Axel was attacked by the Saints. The military tried to bury it, but some of the Saints’ internal information leaked afterward. Once that happened, secrecy was basically out the window.”

William nodded slowly.

“Then Everton is the safest place for him.”

“If Axel—and Lilith—reach the peak of Level Five,” Orlando said quietly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, “they might actually be able to fight the Saints.”

He exhaled sharply. The Reaper Mercenary Group had been one of the Hunter Guild’s finest teams. The death of the prodigy Vlad still gnawed at him.

“I wonder,” Orlando continued, voice low, “after Axel completes a deep awakening… who would really be stronger if he clashed with the Saints?”

William shook his head.

“Hopefully, that day never comes. Losing a genius like Axel would be a disaster for Krythos.”

“The fact that they haven’t been able to track him down yet means their intelligence network is terrifyingly refined.”

“Let the military handle it,” William said, then glanced at Philip.

“Mr. Philip—stay behind. Let’s talk privately.”

Once the others had left, Philip chuckled.

“Buying intelligence, Mr. William?”

William snorted.

“Enough bullshit. Have your Intelligence Bureau agents detected anything abnormal outside the city walls?”

Philip’s heart skipped. He didn’t answer immediately.

“…Have you noticed something?”

William gazed northward, his voice heavy.

“I oversee Stormwatch Academy. I may not be high-ranking within Krythos, but things still reach my ears.”

“The upper echelon is preparing for something. Even the younger generation from the major families feels it—like a train that was crawling along suddenly slammed the accelerator.”

Philip narrowed his eyes.

“You’re a veteran. You’ve noticed it too… the mutated beasts beyond the walls are pulling back.”

“That alone isn’t unusual,” William replied, frowning. “They obey the Beast Kings.”

“But all four Beast Kings surrounding Krythos retreating at the same time?” Philip sighed.

“And April is colder than normal.”

William stiffened slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant.

“…It’s coming sooner than expected.”

......

Only a handful of people remained in the stands. Most participants had already left the arena.

“Axel, hold on,” Zayden called. “Come pick your Original Instruments.”

“I can choose them myself?”

“Normally no—but you’re an exception.”

Zayden pulled him aside and handed him a tablet.

“I’ve filtered the best options. Pick from these.”

“Thank you, Mr. Zayden.”

Axel scrolled.

Purple-Gold Dragon Armor — Grade B Original Instrument

Forged from the bones of a Purple-Gold Earth Dragon, reinforced with high-strength alloys and primal energy materials.

Immune to all damage below energy level 2000.

Active shield reduces damage from three major attacks.

Similar to Axel’s Serpent King Scale Armor—but vastly superior.

Wind Chaser — Grade B Original Instrument

Slightly enhances leg defense when worn.

Active effect increases movement speed by 20% and creates wind turbulence, slowing enemies within ten meters.

Then—

Soul Devouring Blade — B+ Grade Original Instrument

The hilt was made from the spinal bone of a Level Six mutated beast, the Soul-Devouring Azure Tiger.

The blade itself was forged from tiger bone and high-strength metal—razor-sharp, capable of scorching the enemy’s soul.

Warning:

This weapon contains extreme resentment. Prolonged use may corrode the wielder’s mind, causing personality distortion, cruelty, and bloodlust. Use with caution.

Axel’s eyes narrowed. A B-plus weapon?

“You’ve got your eye on that?” Zayden asked hesitantly as he stepped closer.

“Your mental strength should be able to handle it—but both previous owners went insane. That’s why it’s been sealed.”

“If you take it, avoid drawn-out battles. Think carefully.”

Axel’s heart skipped.

Corrupts the mind…

He wasn’t worried.

He had the Heavenly Spirit Fruit sapling.

“Mr. Zayden,” Axel said decisively, “I’ll take it.”

Zayden paused, surprised, then nodded.

“Alright. Leave me your address. If it gets out of hand, return it—I’ll replace it.”

Axel nodded.

.....

Outside the arena, several buses were parked near the exit.

“Axel!”

Edgar from Mountain City waved, flanked by the Boyd brothers from Ancestral Flame and several other Havoc Division contestants.

“Waiting for me?” Axel asked with a grin.

“Yeah,” Edgar laughed.

“We’re all entering prep mode. Havoc Divisions everywhere are busy as hell. Just wanted to say goodbye.”

They exchanged contact details.

One by one, everyone boarded the buses. Only Axel and a few Everton members remained.

“Everyone—safe travels,” Axel called out.

“The road ahead is long.”

“Until we meet again.”

......

Axel stood with his hands clasped behind his back. A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted toward him.

“What do you want?” Lilith asked with a smile. She’d changed into a cute little skirt that showed off her long, slender, pale legs—completely unapologetic about it.

Don’t look. Don’t fucking look.