Axel Edward looked down at the woman who had just slammed into his chest. Thick crimson blood poured profusely from her abdomen, soaking through her white blouse and seeping into Axel's faded denim jacket.Directly beneath Axel's feet, a square cardboard box lay pathetically on the wet asphalt. The lid had fallen open, revealing a freshly baked, extra-cheese pepperoni pizza still wafting steam. Axel had just bought it from the parlor at the end of the block, intending to find a quiet corner in this alley to eat in peace. But now, his dream meal was ruined, smeared into the filthy mud from the force of the woman crashing into him.The interface of the Universal Rebate System flared brightly inside Axel's mind. The golden display pierced the gloom of the narrow alleyway, presenting comprehensive and precise data.[Genetic Anomaly Scan Complete.][Target 21 Detected.][Name: Klara Frost.][Identity: CEO of Frost Corp, the Largest Tech Conglomerate in Metropolis.][Genetic Potential: Grad

Klara Frost's breaths grew faint and ragged. The chest of the corporate titan leading Metropolis's largest tech conglomerate barely moved. Her striking face had turned a sickly shade of blue. The lethal neurotoxin deployed by the syndicate's hitmen was doing its grim work with ruthless efficiency.Inside Axel Edward's mind, the system interface flashed rapidly, displaying a grim countdown.[Target Remaining Lifespan: Ten Seconds.][Nine.][Eight.]Axel looked at the small plastic wrapper in his hand. It was a single piece of mint-flavored chewing gum, bought for pocket change at the convenience store down the street. He had purchased it on a whim, wanting something fresh to chew after subsisting on tasteless divine pills for so long."Well, it is what it is. And here I was looking forward to chewing this," Axel muttered in a bored drawl.Axel tore open the plastic wrapper. He retrieved the pale green tab of gum. Without the slightest hesitation, Axel gently pried open Klara's stiffeni

Hundred-dollar bills scattered across the floor, blanketing the mud-stained tips of Axel's canvas sneakers. A mocking burst of laughter erupted from Young Master Leon Vivaldi, echoed by amused chuckles from the elite guests packing the luxury hotel ballroom. They looked at Axel as if watching a street clown who had wandered lost into a royal palace.Standing beside Axel, Klara Frost ground her teeth. A lethal chill radiated once more from beneath her feet. Delicate frost blossoms began creeping across the hotel's red carpet."Watch your filthy mouth, Leon," Klara hissed, her crystal-blue eyes flashing with wrath. "You have no idea who you are dealing with. I will freeze your tongue solid right now!"Klara was just about to raise her hand to unleash her ice magic when a hand rested gently upon her shoulder."Relax, Klara. Don't start a riot just yet. I haven't even had a bite of that roasted wagyu on the table over there," Axel said in an extraordinarily relaxed drawl.The young man se

Axel Edward stared grimly at the floor of his luxury penthouse. The three large, extra-cheese pepperoni pizzas he had dreamed of ever since descending from the divine realms now lay overturned in a ruined heap. Melted cheese and marinara sauce smeared pathetically across a plush sheepskin rug worth hundreds of millions. Beside the ruined food, the screen of his smartphone glared with a bright red defeat banner. The in-game character he had customized with the most expensive top-tier skins had just died a senseless death because his thumbs slipped for a fraction of a second.To the Emperor of the Universe, losing an entire galaxy might not have provoked his wrath. But ruining his leisure time and comfort food was an unforgivable violation of the universal order.Across the room, the patriarch of the Ancient Martial Family continued to puff out his chest with insufferable arrogance. The sinewy old man remained completely oblivious to the lethal aura coiling around him. He assumed Axel h

Rumi's twin blades shattered into countless pieces, scattering across the highway asphalt. The short-black-haired girl's eyes went wide in shock. She had no weapon left to withstand the descending claw of the gargantuan bear, a beast the size of a five-story building.Crash!The steel-furred bear's claw slammed violently into Rumi's chest. The S-Rank Hunter girl's body was sent hurtling through the air like a broken ragdoll. She smashed into a sedan parked along the curb, caving the frame inward as shattered glass rained onto the street.Coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood, Rumi felt several ribs fracture. She tried to force herself upright, but all strength had abandoned her legs.Behind her, dozens of civilians screamed hysterically as they watched their champion fall. Mass panic engulfed the intersection of Metropolis City."The Hunter was defeated! We're all going to die!" screamed a heavyset man, collapsing onto the sidewalk and clutching his head in terror."Help! Somebody hel