Chapter 275: Dragon hunting 1

Words : 1586 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

The Minister of Defense's temporary office within the Nexus Arena was austere compared to his usual headquarters. A simple desk, a few chairs, and walls lined with holographic displays showing various security feeds and arena layouts. Everything about the space conveyed efficiency—except for the man seated behind the desk. Minister Reign exuded authority in a way that transformed even the most functional space into something approaching a throne room. His silver-streaked black hair was impeccably styled, his uniform pressed to perfection, medals gleaming under the office lights. The perfect image of military discipline and leadership. A complete turnaround to Lucas Grey, who stood at attention before him, still bearing the visible aftermath of his battle. Though he'd cleaned up as best he could, nothing could hide the exhaustion in his eyes or the stiffness in his posture that betrayed multiple injuries being stubbornly ignored. "At ease, Grey," Reign said, his deep voice carrying the cultured accent of a man bred in military. "You look like hell." Lucas relaxed marginally, his shoulders slumping just enough to reveal how much effort standing straight had cost him. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, sir." "When the top student of Academy Twelve requests an urgent meeting, I make time," Reign replied, gesturing to a chair. "Especially when it concerns matters discussed in previous communications with my daughter." Lucas remained standing. "I've confirmed our suspicions, sir. The Purge has established an extensive underground operation beneath the Nexus Arena. I encountered their commander directly." Reign's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened. "Go on." "They've been using an old railway tunnel and abandoned sublevel spaces to house an operational base. I discovered evidence of at least thirty foot soldiers, advanced weaponry, and plans for what appeared to be a coordinated strike." Lucas paused, his jaw tightening. "Their commander was utilizing a form of corrupted chi I've never encountered before." "Dark chi," Reign said quietly. "We've had reports. Highly unstable, extremely dangerous." Lucas nodded. "The commander attempted to recruit me before I destroyed their immediate forces. Claimed the Purge has infiltrated multiple levels of military command." "And you believe this?" "I believe we have a serious security breach, sir. The commander had access to classified information about the tournament, competitor profiles, security protocols—details that could only come from someone with high-level clearance." Reign stood, moving to a holographic display showing the arena's blueprints. He expanded the map with a gesture, highlighting the subterranean levels. "Show me where you encountered them." Lucas stepped forward, pointing to several locations on the three-dimensional map. "Main base of operations here. Secondary staging areas here and here. They had these sections rigged with explosives, though I was able to disable most of them." "Most?" "I prioritized neutralizing their personnel over the infrastructure. Some charges may remain active." Reign studied the map, his expression thoughtful. "And the commander?" "Dead on my end that is, sir," Lucas admitted, "But I have reasons to believe there are more high ranked members that got away," 'Whoever Noah faced,' Lucas thought briefly before he continued. "I don't believe they'll attempt another direct assault, at least not immediately." "Good work, Grey." Reign turned to face him directly. "This information stays between us. If the Purge has indeed compromised elements within our command structure, any wider disclosure could jeopardize our response." "Sir, with respect, my team should be informed. Kelvin Pithon's technical expertise could help secure our systems, and Sophie—" "My daughter is already involved enough," Reign cut him off, his tone sharpening momentarily before returning to its usual measured cadence. "I understand your concern for your teammates, but operational security must take priority. The fewer people who know, the better our chances of rooting out the infiltrators." Lucas hesitated, clearly conflicted, but military discipline won out. "Understood, sir." "The finals will proceed as scheduled tomorrow," Reign continued, turning back to the map. "I've already ordered additional security measures—nothing obvious enough to cause panic, but sufficient to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators." "And the Purge leaders?" "Leave that to me," Reign replied. "Your priority is to recover and prepare for your match. The eyes of all four cardinals will be on this arena tomorrow, and I need Academy Twelve's star performing at his best." Lucas nodded, though his expression suggested he had more to say. "Something else, Grey?" "Noah Eclipse, sir. He's missing. I believe the Purge may have—" "We're tracking the situation," Reign interrupted smoothly. "I have reason to believe Eclipse, young master Pithon and my daughter were spotted outside the arena perimeter. Initial reports suggest he left voluntarily with those two. We have surveillance teams monitoring." Relief flickered across Lucas's face. "Thank you, sir." "That will be all, Grey. Get some rest. Tomorrow will test all of us." Lucas straightened, offering a crisp salute that must have cost him considering his injuries. "Sir." Reign returned the salute. "Dismissed." Lucas turned and exited the office, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss. Reign remained standing by the map, perfectly still until the security system confirmed Lucas had left the outer office as well. Only then did his posture change, shoulders relaxing as he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small communication device—not the standard military-issue comm, but something more discreet. He tapped it once, then spoke without preamble. "It's done. The boy suspects nothing beyond what we wanted him to find. I've restricted information flow to his team and ensured all security measures are in place exactly as you specified." A pause as he listened to the voice on the other end. "Yes, I've provided everything you requested. The arena's defensive grid will have the scheduled maintenance window during the third match. Core energy detection systems will be offline for exactly seven minutes." Another pause. "Now fulfill your end of the bargain. My daughter remains untouched, regardless of what happens tomorrow. And don't forget that other thing...she's the reason I'm doing all this!" He ended the call with a sharp gesture, then stared at the map for a long moment. With deliberate movements, he peeled away the section Lucas had indicated as the Purge's primary base, crumpling it in his fist. "I'm sorry, Grey," he said softly to the empty room. "I'm more sorry my sweet dear Sophie. But some sacrifices are necessary." The crumpled map joined others in his wastebasket—evidence of a betrayal he'd planned extensively. ___ Meanwhile somewhere else in the Eastern cardinal, something was amiss. The sky darkened over Auxiliary Core Storage Complex as churning storm clouds rolled in with unnatural speed. Workers at the facility paused their operations, confusion evident as they checked their weather monitors. No precipitation had been scheduled for this sector. "System malfunction?" asked a technician, tapping at her holographic display. Her supervisor frowned at the rapidly forming clouds. "No... this isn't in the system at all." Temperature readings plummeted across their monitors. Frost materialized on windows designed to withstand orbital re-entry. Emergency klaxons blared as atmospheric sensors detected anomalous energy patterns. "Evacuation protocol 16-B," the supervisor barked into his comm unit. "Unscheduled weather phenomenon with strange energy signatures. We don't know for sure but this could be a Harbinger attack. This is not a drill." The facility—one of seven strategic reserves in the east cardinal housing military-grade beast cores harvested for advanced weaponry—was equipped with state-of-the-art defense systems specifically designed to hold off Harbinger dropships until military reinforcements could arrive. These cores, extracted from category three to four beasts and very few, less than maybe one cat five represented billions of credits in military investment. Already, automated beast turrets deployed from concealed housings, their energy matrices charging as they scanned the turbulent sky above. Lightning crackled through the storm system – not standard electrical discharge, but concentrated bolts of electric blue energy that pulsed with impossible precision. Each strike left crystalline ice formations that shattered and reformed in fractal patterns. Meteorological drones dispatched to investigate the phenomenon were instantly frozen and fell from the sky like glittering meteors. From the command center of their transport ship, Noah watched in horror as Storm's energy signature blazed across their tracking system. "He's hitting a military installation now," Sophie said, voice tight with anxiety. "This just got exponentially worse." Noah nodded grimly. "How long until we intercept?" "Seven minutes," Kelvin replied from the pilot's seat, eyes fixed on the navigation system. "But at his current velocity... he's moving way too fast. Look at these readings!" The display showed Storm's trajectory – erratic, unpredictable, but always centered around areas rich with energy sources. The creature was hunting with terrifying efficiency. "What's he looking for?" Sophie murmured. "Food," Noah answered simply. "But not just any food. He's tracking high-energy cores. The lake had mostly low-category beasts. He needs something more substantial." A warning flashed across their screens – Harbinger Defense Protocol activated. Noah's heart sank. "They think he's a Harbinger attack." "Which will only make him angrier," Kelvin added unnecessarily. The ship's external cameras captured it first – defense turrets from surrounding security installations swiveling skyward, tracking the disturbance. Energy weapons charged with a distinctive whine audible even through the ship's insulation. Then the clouds parted. For the first time, Storm revealed himself fully in the physical world.

Chapter 275: Dragon hunting 1

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