Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

They rode the elevator to the forty-seventh floor. Inside the office, Ynez poured him a cup of tea before taking a seat across from him.

“I wanted to discuss the upcoming Havoc Division sparring tournament,” she said directly. “Would you be willing to represent the Virelia division?”

Virelia?

Axel raised an eyebrow. He already knew Vesper belonged to the Starcrest family.

“This wasn’t Zayden’s idea, was it?”

Ynez didn’t dodge it.

“No. This was my decision. Uncle Zayden has been busy lately—he hasn’t been informed yet. Vesper… ran into some complications. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Axel understood immediately.

She knew Zayden wanted him.

“What do you think?” Ynez asked. “Mr. Axel?”

“I don’t hold grudges,” Axel said after a brief pause. “Vesper made her choice. I get it.”

He leaned back slightly.

“Tell me about the competition.”

“If you participate,” Ynez said honestly, “no one there can beat you in a one-on-one.”

She continued, laying out the details.

“It’s a 3v3 arena tournament. Each Havoc Division sends three main fighters and one substitute. Single-elimination format.”

“All participants must be under twenty-five. The goal is to evaluate each division’s ability to cultivate new blood.”

“So far, I only know the lineups from Everton and Rutherford. All of them are low-tier Level Five Awakened.”

Axel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Any heirs from major families?”

“No,” Ynez replied. “Major family scions don’t participate in the Havoc Division. They have their own systems—and everyone knows the Havoc Division belongs to the Starcrest family.”

That made sense.

“At the peak of Level Four,” Ynez continued, “these lower-tier Level Five Awakened usually have compressed Force between 1800 and 2000. Most of them are elite War Academy graduates.”

She looked at Axel steadily.

“But compared to you… the gap isn’t even worth discussing.”

“We in Virelia currently have one Level Five lower-grade Awakened—a pure combat specialist—and another Awakened with psychic abilities, an Extreme Cold Storm talent. There’s also a Level Four upper-grade Awakened, a tank-type. You’ll be able to observe them during the earlier matches.”

“Other cities sometimes bring out impressive contestants,” Ynez continued, “but they usually only make it into the top three. I won’t have full intelligence until everyone arrives.”

Axel nodded. “Alright. Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Ynez. When’s the match?”

Her eyes lit up. “You’re willing? That’s wonderful. I’ll arrange a car to pick you up in three days.”

As Axel turned and walked away, Ynez watched his back, thoughtful.

He’s confident enough to handle two opponents at once…

Axel hadn’t gone far when he ran straight into Vesper, who was flanked closely by Warren.

“You?” Vesper blurted out. “What are you doing here?”

“I was invited by Miss Ynez,” Axel replied calmly. “I’ll be representing the Virelia branch.”

With that, he turned and left without another word.

“Ynez?” Vesper froze, her expression flickering.

Warren’s lips curved faintly. “Vesper, I think Ynez might be a little… naïve.”

The comment landed exactly where it was meant to. Vesper’s lingering guilt twisted neatly into anger.

“I’ll go ask her myself.”

She stormed off, shoved open the office door, and found Ynez sorting through documents.

“Ynez, what the hell are you doing?” Vesper snapped. “Who told you to invite Axel onto the Virelia team?!”

Ynez frowned slightly but kept her voice calm. “Uncle Zayden wants to recruit Axel. Since you refused to let him join Everton, I invited him instead. That doesn’t interfere with your work, does it?”

Vesper’s eyes flashed. “The authority the family gave you isn’t for abusing like this. Even if I don’t want him anymore, he’s still Everton’s. You’re poaching—don’t you know the rules?”

“Vesper,” Ynez said evenly, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Fine,” Vesper said coldly. “I’ll remember this.”

The door slammed behind her.

Ynez sighed, rubbing her temples. “Seriously… what is wrong with her?”

.....

Outside, Vesper was already on the phone.

“Uncle Zebediah, you need to deal with Ynez. She—” She embellished freely.

“Alright, Vesper,” Zebediah replied wearily. “I understand.”

Not long after, Ynez’s phone rang.

“Dad.”

“Ynez,” Zebediah said bluntly, “I heard you took someone from the Everton branch. Is that true?”

“But,” Ynez answered quietly.

“Just say yes or no!” Zebediah snapped.

Ynez clenched her teeth. “…Yes.”

“That’s your mistake,” Zebediah said coldly. “I know you want to prove yourself, but I don’t need flashy accomplishments. Just manage Virelia properly.”

Ynez said nothing.

Since losing his son, her father had sunk into depression—and drink. Reasoning with him was pointless.

“I understand, Father.”

After a long pause, Zebediah added, “You don’t need to prove anything to me. Just don’t cause trouble.”

The call ended.

Ynez sat there for a long time, swallowing her frustration until her breathing steadied.

“Continue gathering intelligence on the other branches,” she finally ordered herself.

Since her father hadn’t demanded Axel be returned, she’d press forward.

......

“I wonder how Sergio and the others are doing…”

Axel had tried calling Sergio and Terrence—no response from either.

What about Zane?

Zane was stationed at the North Canal meat processing plant. Not long after, Axel arrived.

The blue-roofed factory reeked of blood and iron.

“Everton really is rich,” Axel muttered.

A truck loaded with more than a dozen mutated beast carcasses, covered by a heavy tarp, rumbled out of the plant.

“Where the hell are those going?”

“Axel!”

Zane walked over, accompanied by a heavily made-up woman with a striking figure.

“Let me guess,” Axel said. “This is…?”

“My girlfriend, Wren. Wren, this is Axel.”

“Hello, Mr. Axel,” Wren said politely.

Axel nodded. Looking at her clothes and makeup, he finally understood Zane’s… previous fashion sense.

“What about that truck?” Axel asked, nodding toward it. “Did the carcasses fail inspection?”

“Don’t get me started,” Zane scoffed. “Everton’s food regulations are insane. They didn’t pass the freshness check, so we’re selling them off to a neighboring city.”

“Forget it. Come with me,” Zane said. “Wren, keep an eye on the workers.”

She nodded quickly.

Zane led Axel inside. The factory floor was deafening, the air thick with unpleasant smells as sorting and processing machines roared nonstop.

“You’re running this place well,” Axel said.

......

“Cut the crap,” Zane snapped quietly, pulling him aside. “What do you really want from me?”

“You think I’m that materialistic?” Axel sighed.

“You think this place isn’t remote enough?” Zane muttered. “Relax. If you get kidnapped, .....”

Axel smirked. “Don’t worry. If I actually needed you, do you think I’d be this polite?”

Zane froze—then stared at him.

“…I didn’t expect that,” he said softly, genuine gratitude creeping into his voice.

“Don’t overthink it,” Axel said lightly. “Once you’re settled in Everton, I’ll open a small business too. And here’s a tip—there’s a Havoc Division tournament in a few days. You can place a bet.”

Zane’s eyes widened. “Oh? You’re competing? Which branch?”

“Virelia.”

Zane nodded eagerly. “Then who should I bet on?”

Axel gave him a look. “You’re smarter than that. Obviously Virelia.”

Zane hesitated, scratching his head. “But Axel… a lot of the known contestants are monsters. Wallace from Langford. Remus from Ebonreach. If you’re not confident, I could bet against you.”

Axel stared at him. “…You want me to throw the match?”

Zane leaned closer, eyes gleaming. “Think about it. You can’t always guarantee a win—but you can guarantee a loss. The payout would be insane.”

Axel didn’t even dignify that with a response. “Get lost.”

After Axel left, Zane repeated the conversation to Wren. She looked toward the direction Axel had gone, her expression complicated.

“…He’s a good person,” she said quietly.

Zane snorted. You just don’t understand him.

But even Zane couldn’t figure out what Axel was really planning.

Neither could Butcher.

After Axel entered the warehouse, Butcher expanded his mental field, sweeping the entire area for abnormalities.

Is this kid really doing nothing?

Or is he planning to break through to Level Six right here in Everton?