Endless Vertex

Upon contact with the deep sea outside, the scarlet gaseous substance adapted to the same liquid density as its surrounding, emerging to the surface in the form of a slimy eel.

Without any intention to change course, it swam directly above, towards where an gigantic flower shaped shadow created contract with the bright light spots floating on the surface of the sea.

It passed by quite a few solidified words or sentences, which were floating silently in the middle of the void ocean.

One of the red silks waving out the eels body, representing a string of slime, brushed past the edge of a word, "Punches", staining it with a hint of scarlet. The stain squirmed a little for forward, leaving phrases 'Volume 1' and 'Volume 2' behind and beelining 'Volume 3", as well two other blurrier phrases.

Sensing danger below, the lotus unleashed a luminous pearl white light, shrinking in size. The scarlet eel faced head to head with its opponent, producing an extremely sinister presence that would render 'Sinister Dragon Claws' kneeling and worshipping.

Its motive and destination is obvious. It was heading to the ball of Spiritual Energy.

The sea vibrated furiously under its presence, almost to the point of creating a hazardous tsunami. The grand light beamed from the lotus, surging in all direction and forging into two semi ball shaped structures and clasping the scarlet eel within.

Looking closely, the new cage is puzzled together by hundreds of white lotus flowers, fitted perfectly into a cage of flowery art, trapping the scarlet eel in the most elegant style a gigantic lotus can achieve.

Snow white powder pervaded across the sea, purifying the leaks and hints of scarlet juice deserted behind by the scarlet eel, discarding the abhorrent and sinister pungency that could drive an ordinary, sane man into a insane killing machine.

Harnessing such an amazing ability, the lotus still cannot impede or restore the damage done to the solidity words it has brushed in the past, down beneath the lower depths of this sea. Actually, it may be more of the fact that it failed to notice the tiny movements the scarlet eel has previously done.

The ethereal lotus flower shriveled a little from its protection measures against the scarlet eel. Its flawlessly whited appearance regressed into a slightly transparent skin, displaying fatigue instead of liveliness.

Fortunately, the alien intruder from below hadn't affected the growth and cycle of Atlas's Spiritual Energy.

Everything in Atlas's mind is under absolute control.

At least, for now.

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{Atlas, we have arrived at our destination.}

[You really sounded like a male version of Siri, Nam.]

{Siri? From Apple products? Ew. I don't use those. I use android. The king of phones.}

[Damn, well that's definitely something we don't agree on.]


After the mood enlighten, Nam decided to spill his observations to Atlas, in a more solemn tone.

Atlas nodded his head, raising neck to glance towards Serpent.

To his surprise, Serpent is smiling.

An actual warm smile. On his ice cold face.

Atlas literally slapped his cheeks once, then twice, as if trying to wake up from a unrealistic dream.

Serpent immediately hid his smile, the victorious smile of when after accomplishing a great feat, and turned back to Atlas. "What's wrong Atlas, you all right pal?"

[Pal?]

Atlas shivered at that word.

[Why is Serpent doing that? Sounds similar to what a pervert would say. Is he... has he? Was he fighting mentally on whether to become gay or not? Am I a victim?!]

"Are the pills you made faulty? Boss, I think you better stand down from this fight and recuperate. I can trade positions and raze the Sinister Scales off the ground with the others." He frowned worriedly at Atlas shivering. Can an Axonn even catch a cold?

Atlas waved him off. "No need. Just... it's just my weirdo brain giving off hallucinations."

Serpent pulled the brakes, and the wheels screeched to a full stop. "And we are here. Good luck Boss."

Atlas bobbed, pushing open the car door. With one foot off the car and onto the ground, Atlas stopped in his tracks, hanging his arms around the head rest on the first row.

A sudden jolt flashed his brain, sending the same texture of when Nam activated a chain skill and fisted it forcefully up his mind. He could feel brand new yet familiar pictures and scenes inserted into his mind, a distant, faded memory that belongs to him.

A fear that has been laying low in the depths of his memory. A presence so strong it made him tremble.

It has something to do with a flaming red rose.

"Serpent. Wouldn't you happen to know of a symbol? A symbol of a red rose?"

Hearing this, Serpent shuddered.

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"Oh my gosh! He's so handsome."

"Indeed. A Prince Charming! I would love to marry him!"

"Same!"

"Isn't he from the Qin Family? That's means he's rich, strong and handsome! My heart is melting~"

Multiple voices of admiration and affection filled the air.

Fan girls chattered and dreamed, all staring lecherously at the gorgeous young man in white suit, gently cradling a bundle of roses in his arms.

He leaned against an orange Maserati, the sunlight splashing softly on his distinct features, chanting in front of a humungous property with a large and beautifully designed sign, written 'Summer Family'.

"Why don't you accept my generous invitation? I have booked a wonderful table at the 'Imperial Dynasty', the finest dine in the Capital City. All that is missing is you, beautiful princess Kristine."

While all the fan girl's were falling in love with the young man, Kristine is inside her room, in a sea blue sleeping gown, attentively listening to Kraig's every sentence.

"Really?! How dare you! You should have given him your high Tier healing pills! Is he all right from those wounds?" Kristine growled grumpily upon hearing Atlas's serious wounds, twisting Kraig's ear 180 degrees as a punishment.

Kraig gritted his teeth in agony, constantly huffing 'ow!'

"Don't even bother to worry for him! He's fine. I'm telling you, he has grown so much since last time that he's almost able to defeat me." Kraig managed to escape from Kristine's loosed pinch. "Of course, he's still a tad bit weaker than me." Kraig put his hands in the air, revealing a small gap between his fingers. Thinking for a bit, he increased the space between his fingers by some more."

Kristine murmured lovingly, drowned in her thoughts. "I knew he'd be amazing... he'll show the Capital City what he's made of sooner or later."

Kraig grinned, then frowned from the annoying chants of the Qin Family royalty. He shut the windows and the curtains. "You really have good taste Kris, Atlas is the type of person whose incredibly responsible, self-discipline and sensible. He'll turn out fine and for sure, won't cross any serious borders. You just need to wait for some time and endure that fly outside."

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Despite sufficient experience with the goriness of blood and flesh, Nova, Hugh and the others nearly puked their guts out.

Although most men working under the Sinister Scales has abandoned their title and deserted the courtyard, the remaining resistance still accommodates more than one fourth of the original count.

With four out of five Tier 3 Axonns out of the picture, the last loyal Tier 3 Axonn of the Sinister Scales stepped out bravely and prompted the hundreds of men to retaliate, not acknowledging that the young man he is about to challenge is Atlas, the teenager who eliminated his leader.

Nova predicted Atlas using 'Sinister Dragon Claws' in advance before even seeing the black Aura protruding from Atlas's fists, forging into the lethal device it is.

He shared similarities with Atlas, and if he were Atlas right now, he would also have done the same, knocking out his opponent with the exact same move that ended the Sinister Scales.

However, death isn't what he expected.

Chills travelled down his spine.

The stench of evil and bloodlust humidified the air. Heftiness tapped their hearts. Unbelieving eyes of traumatization and horror.

Torn away brutally from a living body, the beating heart in Atlas's hand never expected this fate.