Chapter 25: Farming More Points {1}

Chapter 25: Farming More Points {1} Reo hesitated for a long moment, standing in the shadows of the lavish mansion The sudden invitation to join NightGazer was unexpected. He hadn’t come here looking for allies, let alone a place in one of the continent’s most elusive and infamous organizations. But there were undeniable benefits. In his past life, Reo had lived through the harshness of solitary power-seeking. He remembered clearly—people rose through two primary methods raw training, which required blood, pain, and constant risk... or the coveted and rare Blessing Stones, that amplified power like wildfire. Reo had only tasted twenty of them in that life. Twenty. And even those had propelled him forward by leaps and bounds. To join an organization like NightGazer would mean access to resources, connections, protection. It could put him ahead by years. Yet... He looked at the two women standing before him—Elisa, whose crimson hair flared with dangerous beauty and unrestrained heat, and Sarah, the black-haired strategist with calculating blue eyes. "I’m sorry," Reo finally said, his voice calm but firm. "I appreciate the offer—truly. But I have to refuse." The tension in the air was immediate. Sarah’s expression froze, and her eyes darkened with a hint of frost. Elisa narrowed her gaze, her grin vanishing. "Kid... do you even know who we are?" Sarah asked, her voice now devoid of charm—cold, direct, lethal. "We could force you. Or kill you right here." Reo didn’t flinch. "Of course I know. But my ambition isn’t small. I won’t allow any organization to bind me." He meant every word. Being part of a powerful faction meant restrictions, loyalty oaths, and a constant risk of being hunted the moment you tried to leave. He had plans—bigger than anyone knew. Plans that would one day shake the foundations of the world itself. Elisa’s playful demeanor cracked. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Brave one, aren’t you? You think we’ll just let you walk away?" Reo exhaled slowly. "No. I expect you could kill me here. But if I get away... I promise I’ll return the favor one hundred times over." His aura wasn’t powerful—not to C+ ranked fighters like them—but his killing intent? It was real, sharp like a honed blade, honed The women were quiet. Then Sarah sighed, as if slightly amused despite herself. "I’ll let you think it over." Just then, a sleek limousine pulled into the driveway, lights flashing like a declaration of arrogance. From inside waddled a man as unpleasant as his reputation—Marquel. Fat, bearded, with a bloated smugness that filled the air before his stench did. "Hey! You two!" he barked, ignoring the corpse near the gate. "Did I pay you just to stand around while an intruder waltzes into my house?!" He looked around, wide-eyed and irate, oblivious to the aura of violence hanging around him. Sarah’s eye twitched. Her knuckles popped with restrained fury. She turned to Elisa, who was already vibrating with anticipation. Sarah leaned close, whispering, "Torture him for a bit. We need more info about the Black Meteor." In a blink, Elisa appeared in front of Marquel. "H-Hey! What the hell are you doing?! I said kill him, not—" CRACK. The sound of his fingers breaking echoed in the silent driveway. Marquel screamed as his knees buckled. "Now then..." Elisa purred, eyes gleaming with cruel delight, "why don’t you tell us where this ’Black Meteor’ is?" Another crack. This time, his groin was the target. Reo flinched and looked away. "F-Fine! I’ll tell!" Marquel whimpered, sobbing. His voice cracked, full of fresh trauma. "It’s in the highest-level facility of the Union! I swear!" SMASH. A boot to the crotch again. He collapsed. "And how do we know you’re not lying?" Elisa asked, voice syrupy but dripping with venom. "P-Pictures! Info! In the limousine! It’s all there!" he cried out. Elisa didn’t smile. She extracted the last bit of intel with a final punch, obliterating his skull in a shower of blood and silence. Reo said nothing. He had seen far worse. Still, the cruelty left a bitter taste. "Please," he muttered, walking away, "don’t bother me. I don’t know anything about your meteor or whatever you’re chasing. I just want some peace. In my new house." "New house?" Sarah tilted her head. But then she understood. Reo wasn’t here for a mission. He came to rob the place. Before they could say anything more, Reo dashed off—toward the vaults, the safe, the cash stashed beneath gilded furniture and marble walls. His speed was impressive. Calculated. The two women exchanged glances. "Strange boy," Elisa muttered. "We’ve had seen Strange People but he is Probably the Most Strangest." Sarah said. She reached into her coat and pulled out a small black card with a silver crest—an invitation. She flicked it with her fingers. It landed softly on the marble floor near the vault door Reo had vanished into. "Think about it again, Reo," she said softly. Then, without another word, the women vanished into the night. Inside, Reo grinned. New house. New loot. New options.