-Lucius Vladimir POV-

"So how's the preparation on the Secret Realm going?" A deep voice resounded in a quiet corridor.

"It's going smoothly, and we have a genius 5-star scientist among them," I replied to him with a straight face.

Lucius was now talking to one of the initiators of the plan and organizer of Secret Realm. In front of him was a wise middle-aged man that has a fixed smile on his face. He stands upright and he looks like someone who experienced the vicissitudes of life.

Hearing this, the middle age was quiet for a moment.

He stared at me but I just kept a neutral unchanging face while staring back at him. The air was tense and this uncomfortable situation continued. After having a staring contest for one minute straight, the old man can't finally take it.

*Cough*

"Say, Lucius, are you cooking something?" The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes.

I stared at him and didn't say anything.

"HAHAHA... good move, it seems that your ambition won't be quelled even after all of the things that happened Blood Monarch" The middle-aged man laughed menacingly.

"Max doesn't ever try me, you might be an S Class but you should know that individual strength is not enough in the face of a powerful army. that title doesn't have anything to do with me understand?" I uttered in a chilly voice.

Hearing this, Max suddenly stopped laughing. "I know that more than anyone could, that's why we would settle the old score using today's generation."

After hearing this I finally gain my bearings. Max was my old friend but also my enemy.

'It seems that Fein would have a hard time in the Secret Realm now, but if he somehow manages. to succeed that inheritance might be his..' A glint flashed in my eyes.

...

-General POV-

On a bright sunny day. A carriage with eye insignia in the middle was treading on a bumpy road. The direction of the air made it hard for the carriage to go fast.historical

Inside the carriage, Fain was quietly organizing his thoughts and plan. He was making sure that everything is prepared and nothing was omitted. He doesn't even know that he was walking into a high whirlpool of conspiracy, a high-risk, and high-reward journey. But even if he knows, he might even welcome it as long as he can advance his strength. Because not being able to grow stronger is more terrifying for him.

I looked in front of the carriage and shouted. "Simon, are you still not there yet?"

"No sir, the air direction is unfavorable, I think that we might be delayed for three hours if this kept going." Simon who was driving the carriage responded.

Fain slightly dragged the window, and as Simon said, the wind was moving in their direction and it was particularly strong. "Well, it can't be helped then."

Simon also shrugged with a helpless expression.

'It's sunny yet the wind is like this, is there some heavenly treasure that spawned here or something?' Simon thought inwardly.

The carriage continuously proceeded, fortunately after traveling for a while, the road became less bumpy and the wind had already subsided.

Fain also noticed the difference, he was glad they could finally proceed smoothly.

That's when he heard a gasp coming in front of him. He couldn't help but stepped down from the carriage with curiosity.

He stared at Simon who was trembling and staring with a wide eye in front of him. I tilted my head to face what it was all about... So, I stared in the direction where Simon was looking at.

There... A fifty meters bear was playing around with humongous but peaceful tornados surrounding it. It was as If the wind was pleasing it deliberately.

I gasped with awe at this rare yet incredible scene. "What the hell?" Is the only word that my mouth can utter.

As if sensing something. The bear suddenly looked in our direction. Its eyes suddenly brightened and it suddenly opened its mouth.

The surrounding tornado was pulled by a strong suction force, the bear compressed the gathered air into his mouth and blasted it toward us.

"Not good!" My body instinctively accelerated at the maximum speed possible instantly thanks to my proficiency in using the Flashing Dash Technique. I also brought Simon with me.

After making sure that we are in the safe range, I looked at the still ongoing powerful wind attack that a B-ranked Degu User couldn't possibly dodge. It finally hit a mountain.

"Simon, cover your ears!"

Simon quickly followed my instructions and covered his ears using his hands timidly.

"Boom"

A loud explosion sounded in the area, and a huge shock even reach us. I was okay because of my strong body but Simon backed off slowly and he coughed a mouthful of blood. His frail and weak body can't bear the strong shockwave.

I took out a small healing potion and gave it to him, which he drank unceremoniously. I didn't have time to protect him because I was watching the Bear's every move. When facing an unknown enemy capable of producing a destructive attack, it's best to always remain vigilant.

So, I decided to use my probe ability, because to win the battle you have to know the enemy.

Name: ???

Race: Mutated Thunderstorm Bear

Degu Amount: A

STR: A

AGI: A

END: S

Abilities: Wind Suction, Wind Redirection, Thunder Storm Domain, Wind Paw, Enhanced Physique

I looked at the stats that was slightly stronger than mine when it comes to endurance. I silently compared it to mine to calculate my chances of winning.

Name: Fein Bonifacio

Race: Human

Talent: [A] (0/24300EXP)

Ratio: 1 in 1000,000 Genius

Degu Amount: [A] (0/24300EXP)

Total EXP: 14500

Str: [A] (0/24300EXP)

Agi: [A] (0/24300EXP)

End: [A] (0/24300EXP)

Skills: Swordsmanship Lvl5 (Grandmaster), Dagger Lvl5, Spear Lvl5, etc...

Techniques: Nanatsu Art, Ryozanpaku's Martial Arts, Assasination Techniques...

Abilities: Storage Space, Stats Improvement, Probe, Map, Lottery, Devouring.

Looking at my abilities that doesn't give me a strong offense. After all, my abilities are biased toward fast growth.

First, let's analyze the abilities... Wind suction and Wind Redirection should be the ones it previously displayed. It seems that this ability can be used for crowd control and can also become a destructive one. Second, Thunderstorm Domain should be an environment ability type where it can make the terrain or surroundings advantageous to it? I should watch out for it. Lastly, Wind Paw and Enhanced Physique are already self-explanatory. It seems that my chance of winning is still there. When it comes to baseline speed we are even, but with my footwork and speed-related techniques, I should be able to outdo it.

Just like that, Fain quickly formulated a battle plan in his mind based on the available information provided to him.