Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

Rosaline sneered and took a deep drag. “What would I even blame him for? For shouldering everything alone? For playing the villain so we wouldn’t get dragged into his mess?”

Vince’s pupils shrank as he stared at her. “You noticed?”

She gave a bitter laugh and flicked the ash away.

“We’ve fought together for over half a year. Do you really think I wouldn’t know what kind of person he is? If he truly wanted to leave, why would he go so far out of his way to hurt us?”

Vince’s lips tightened. Rosaline looked at him. Sorrow flickered in her gaze.

“Because it hurts,” she said softly. “Because I know he’s carrying something so heavy it’s crushing him—and I can’t do a damn thing to help.”

She drew another drag, her voice trembling.

“It breaks my heart that he’d rather destroy his own name than let us share his burden. And I’m afraid… I’m terrified the next time I hear the name ‘Axel,’ it’ll be in a death report.”

Tears slid down her cheeks again.

“Afraid of death? What bullshit.” Her Force surged violently. Frost spread across the alley walls in a thick white layer.

“In the City of Sin, he was weak as hell—and he still threw himself in front of the explosion to shield me. Was he afraid back then?”

“In Mirabelle, he was surrounded by mutant beasts that could’ve torn him apart at any second—and he never hesitated.”

“He said he’s changed. I don’t believe it.”

Vince listened quietly until her emotions finally ebbed. Then he spoke:

“Your instincts are right… but then why did you say those things to him?”

In the villa, Rosaline had been the cruelest of all.

She let out a hollow laugh.

“If he wants to put on a show, then I’ll play along. That way, he won’t feel guilty.”

Vince’s gaze softened. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“It’s enough that the two of us know the truth. And Axel won’t die so easily. When we reach Level Six, we will be able to help him.”

Rosaline stubbed out her cigarette and forced a smile.

“You’re right. Bastards always live the longest.”

She turned. “Come on.”

“Where?” Vince asked blankly.

“Drink with me.”

......

Night settled over the city.

Axel left the villa alone and drifted into the neon-lit streets. He had been to Everton before—but he had never felt its true pulse until now.

Compared to this place, Dune felt like a forgotten village on the edge of the world. Even its most crowded streets couldn’t compare to the roaring life here.

Everton was endless. Even after walking ten kilometers, the city still felt like its own blazing heart.

But Axel’s state of mind was nothing like before.

Before, he had felt small here—surrounded by monsters in human form. Now, he was brushing against Level Five. His Force compressibility was nearing four thousand. If he entered an academy competition in this state, Terrence wouldn’t last three moves.

To anyone watching, he looked like nothing more than a heartbroken young man wandering without purpose.

At last, he stopped at a brightly lit bar street and chose a relatively quiet shop at the edge before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Several hundred meters away, a corpulent man in a leather jacket adjusted the brim of his cap.

“Kids these days are way too sentimental,” he muttered. “Still… drinking your misery away isn’t the worst choice.”

He tapped his foot lightly.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared atop a nearby high-rise. He pulled a bag of fried peanuts from his pocket and sat casually at the edge of the rooftop, chewing quietly as he watched every exit of the bar below.

......

Butcher never followed Axel into the bar, so he didn’t notice the moment Axel slipped past the doorway and his expression flattened back to calm.

Axel picked out a quiet booth and sat down, tapping at his phone. “How about considering a career in Everton?”

A moment later, the screen buzzed. “Bro, do you only think of me when you need something? I feel like a damn tool here.”

Axel let out a faint laugh. [Axel]: “Oh, cut the crap. Didn’t you make a killing last time?”

This time the reply came instantly.

“You’re right… If not for you, I’d never have been introduced to the Survey Corps chief. But hey, I’m only peak Level 2. I don’t do dangerous jobs.”

Axel typed calmly. “Relax. Just show up as a woman. Preferably a pretty one.”

A long silence. “Bro… don’t do anything freaky, okay?”

Axel’s eyes remained steady. “It’s not what you think.”

He ended the call and took a sip of beer, rubbing his temples. His mind spun through dozens of plans, tearing each apart and stitching them together again.

If I hit Level Six… they’ll never come after me again.... That can’t happen.

The music suddenly cut. Every screen in the bar flickered to the same news broadcast.

> “Recently, rumors have spread that the Embercrag Squad of the Whisper Syndicate has become Infected.”

>

> “In addition, there are claims of Infected individuals reverting to human form.

> After investigation, these rumors have been confirmed false.

> The Embercrag members were attacked by illusionists and infected by toxic fog—one of the remnants of the Holy Light Organization…”

The report ended. Conversations erupted around the room.

“I knew it! No way the Infected can turn normal again!”

“Liorael is such a psycho—who researches crap like that?!”

Axel leaned back in his booth, lips lifting into a cold, mocking curve.

“Only the dead can’t refute anything.”

He tossed back his cocktail in one gulp.

Step one: capture a Saint.

His gaze sharpened until it was almost icy.

Good thing I still have time.

He had just set his glass down when a woman in a white dress across the room froze, staring at him.

“That’s… him?”

......

“Do you remember me?”

Axel looked up from the glass. “Rhea?”

Her face brightened instantly. “You do remember! Come dance with me?”

The bass-heavy music hit again, shaking the walls. Bodies on the dance floor collided, swayed, and leaned into each other—young blood burning under neon lights.

......

Outside, a car door slammed.

Three young men stepped out.

“Damn, it’s been ages since I hit a bar,” the one in a baseball cap said, inhaling dramatically. “You can practically taste the youth here.”

“Nigel,” the simply dressed man beside him said, “why aren’t you training? What are you even doing here? This doesn’t help you at all.”

Nigel snorted. “Terrence, you just don’t get life—that’s why you lost to a commoner Awakener.”

Terrence rolled his eyes. “Are you stupid? Axel’s a genius. Of course I lost. What’s wrong with that?”

Nigel burst out laughing. “Oh, yeah. A hardworking genius. Sure. Hilarious.”

Terrence’s face darkened instantly. “Get lost. Fight me!”

A small crowd began to gather.

Sergio, fanning himself dramatically, sighed. “Will you two shut up? You’re both heirs of noble families. Stop acting like drunk idiots.”

Nigel and Terrence glared at each other but fell silent.

Then Sergio squinted at a glowing sign across the street.

“Wait. Terrence… doesn’t that guy look familiar?”

“Who?” Terrence leaned in.

Nigel squinted too. “Holy shit. That guy is gorgeous. Dancing ballroom-style in a club?”

Terrence finally saw clearly. His jaw dropped.

“That— Axel?!”

The three of them stared, stunned.

Nigel sputtered, “You’re joking! Isn’t he supposed to be the hardworking genius? How the hell is he—”

“He’s insane,” Terrence groaned. “Is this what genius looks like?!”

Sergio’s expression turned complicated. “We actually needed to talk to him anyway. Let’s wait until he finishes… whatever that is.”

.....

As the music faded, Axel felt the tension loosening from his shoulders. The tight knot between his brows eased away.

Then something prickled at the back of his neck. Someone was watching him.

He turned toward the entrance—and froze. Them?