A sudden glint cut across Alex’s eyes as he burst from the shadows, blade raised high.He’d been crouched behind Second for a good while, waiting in the phantom-like form.Only five or six yards separated them.The instant he sprang into view, Second and the outlaw leader—known simply as the First—flinched in shock.“Who goes there?!”They couldn’t believe someone had gotten so close without them noticing.But Alex didn’t waste a moment.Narrowing his eyes, he slashed for Second’s neck with deadly speed.Second’s body flared with a burst of light, and he raised both arm guards, hoping to deflect the blow.In the same breath, he kicked out at Alex.Seasoned as he was—a Silver-rank fighter with battles under his belt—Second’s response was quick.But Alex wasn’t just anyone.He slid past the kick, blocked it with ease, and carved his ancient blade clean across Second’s throat.That relic blade—taken from refuge ruin—was nothing to scoff at.Razor-sharp and infused with mana, it sliced th

As they made their way home, tears streamed down Max’s face, and his shoulders shook with every sob.Alex needed only a glance to grasp the reason for his father’s anguish.In his previous life, Max had sacrificed everything to give Alex a safe place to grow up.He had swallowed his pride—kneeling, begging, and pleading for compassion from their family.Yet time after time, they turned on him, betraying him without remorse.Before, Alex had even pretended to die so that Max would see the bitter truth: no one in that family cared for either of them. All they saw was a kind man ripe for exploitation.They only saw Max’s kindness as a weakness to exploit.The Steel family was filled with hyenas, too spineless to confront any true threat, so they sank their claws into their own.Cowards, the lot of them.Not long ago, Alex had used a secret technique that slowed his heartbeat and breathing until they were nearly imperceptible.In one fluid motion, he struck a pressure point near Max’s nec

Bruno’s face went crimson, his voice cracking like a whip.“Patriarch, this brat isn’t just a curse on the family—he’s a damn liar, too! I say we punish him immediately. And you, Max—what have you been stuffing into this kid’s mouth? Trying to wipe out your own bloodline?”Max, desperate to spare Alex from Bruno’s wrath, dropped to his knees in front of the Patriarch.“Please, Patriarch, have mercy. Alex is young—he has no clue what kind of trouble he’s stirring up. Punish me instead if you must!”“Father, get up!” Alex snapped, striding over and tugging at Max’s arm. A deep frown carved its way across his brow. “You don’t need to bend your knee to anyone!”Max turned on his son, stern as a rattlesnake coiling to strike. “Alex, you’ve really stepped in it this time, and you won’t even admit it! If you’d just own up, maybe we could ask for a little grace. But you’d rather throw down with the Patriarch? You’re digging us all a deeper grave!”Alex’s chest felt like a vice was squeezing i

Alex glared at William, his eyes sharp with unfiltered anger. “You chose to draw a line and cast my father out of the family, denying him the position that was his by birth—just because he married my mother!” His voice carried a low, dangerous edge.“And now, I’m here,” Alex continued, his tone cutting deeper. “The son of the man you wronged. The seed of hatefulness you planted in me has grown. What do you expect to harvest from that soil of bitterness?” His words hit like a slap. “Something good?”Max stepped to Alex’s side, resting a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Alex, I agree that your grandfather taught you nothing but hatred. But when I was young, he showed me kindness. I owe him for that.”William’s face was lined with regret. He realized he had made the gravest mistake of his life—choosing the wrong son, allowing anger and prejudice to dictate his actions. If only he had accepted that marriage, welcomed his daughter-in-law, and let go of his pride.“Father,” Alex added, his

Alex meticulously copied three of his elixir recipes into papers.Each was designed to boost Miracle City’s overall strength, yet he understood the importance of restraint.Introducing them all at once could overwhelm the city’s foundations, causing more harm than good.He had already planned to share these formulas, even without any prompting or persuasion from Carmen Lie.Once he was done, Alex lifted his gaze to meet Carmen’s.“I can only offer three recipes for now,” he said in a level tone.“They’re all highly potent, especially the Cold Resistance Pill. I’m sure you already know how useful that one can be.”Her eyes sparkled with excitement.“Thank you, Alex. You’ve contributed so much to Miracle City. If the King were to hear of this, I’m certain he’d grant you a higher title of nobility!”Alex shook his head, dismissing the idea. “I have no interest in titles or prestige. I only ask that you keep my involvement quiet.”Carmen couldn’t hide her amazement at his maturity; he was