……

Real World

Headquarters of the World Gaming Organization

The people of the Monitoring Department did not know how they would react to what they were seeing. He did not know whether to celebrate the success of the raid or to think about them unlocking multiple types of ancient powers all at once.

Defeating the Grand Centipedes, which was a larva form of a Bug Tribe, was their original goal since it would prevent the acceleration of the Portal Opening that the Pandemonium Descendants had opened.

But with the three unlocking the three ancient powers altogether, they now had another problem that they had to face.

The questline for the ‘Living Armor’ being unlocked this early in the game was already a headache, so if they added this to their problem, then it would not be strange to call it a serious migraine.

Shin and the others might have helped them solve the most urgent crisis that they had, but they had given the developers another set of problems that was equally hard to solve.

“As expected from Miracle Players. They will not be helping us for free.”

“Bro, not only that. Have you not seen it earlier? That guy just trigged another evolution quest for his Elemental Spirits!”

“How many is it now? Five already? And the remaining two are already in the middle of evolution, am I right? At this point, the Elemental Spirits that he possesses are either a Supreme or a Monarch.”

“What the heck? He is not even an Elementalist.”

“Now that you have reminded me that that girl is equally troublesome. She has already made contact with the Spirit Kings! With how things are going, I think it will not be long until the Spirit World to open.”

“Bruh! Don’t jinx it! We are already facing the invasion of the demons – at least one of their major Army! If you add more content, I think we can handle the job. How can we monitor everything at that point?”

Lohengrin knitted his brows a little as he saw the entire course of events before turning to Carlos, who watched everything with them. “What do you think about this, Sir? Do we have to report it to the departments responsible for it?”

Carlos chuckled. “Of course, we are. That is our job. But don’t worry since it is not as serious as it seems. There are still a lot of conditions to unlock the other contents related to what these guys have done.”

“But to make sure that we are ready if something unexpected happens once again, we better urge the other departments to rush their jobs while informing them about this.”

“We can’t be the only one working overtime all the time. They also have to experience what kind of suffering we are experiencing here,” he added as he turned around. “I’ll leave the rest to you while I will go to the chairman and report about the current progress.”

“Although, I doubt that he is unaware of this. I bet that Troy’s obsession with the kid already rubs to the chairman,” he mumbled as he exited.

Lohengrin looked over and stared at the back of the department head before turning back to the people, who were already complaining about the extra work. “Alright, guy. It is time to work. Team one, tell the Research and Development Departments that they may be getting busy for the next few days.”

“Tell them that they have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

“Team two, tell the Events Department that they must make haste preparing the United Cup. They have to organize it as soon as possible since most of the top players are already adjusting themselves to the current update.”

“Team three-…”

*******

Soaring Continent, Eastern Sea Region

A man suddenly appeared on its coast without anyone’s notice. The presence of this man was so overwhelming that it could suffocate anyone around him. Fortunately, there were no people present in the area when he arrived.

He had long purple hair that was left hanging behind him. His facial features were quite handsome despite the long scar that he had on the left side of his face. It started from the corner of his brow going down until it reached his jawline.

His build was quite lean, but not in an awkward way as it complemented his entire body proportions.

The set of clothes that he was wearing was similar to the robe that the kings used to wear in ancient times. It had a luxurious design and exquisite embroideries on its edges.

He looked around as he put his hands behind, crossed. He observed the place for a moment before looking at the density of the ‘Force of Nature’ lingering in the air.

“Not bad,” he mumbled as he nodded his head.

Swoosh!

Not long after, he turned his head toward a certain direction where he could hear someone heading his way at extreme speed. He did not move as he could feel that the presence of this person was quite familiar.

He remained standing on his spot and waited patiently. After a couple of moments, he finally saw the person who came to greet him.

“Master!” said the person as they kneeled on a knee and lowered his head right after arriving.

The mysterious man smirked as he saw how his disciple greeted him. He then observed the latter for a few moments before nodding his head in satisfaction. “Not bad. Your progress is much better than what I have expected. I guess sending you here is the right choice.”

“Have you completed the mission yet?” asked the man as he started to walk.

Jean Camus, who was kneeling, quickly picked himself up and stood. He then followed behind the man as he reported. “I am sorry, Master. We find this mission more challenging than we have expected.” freewebnvel.com

Jan Mateo, the mysterious man, smirked when he heard that. “Of course, it is. I will not be sending you here if it is not.”

“But the real purpose of me sending you here is to make you understand their system and teachings. The mission is just an extra job that can be considered as a bonus.”

“You have to grow as fast as the ‘others’ until you ‘unite’ with them once again. That is when you will reach the heights that I am about to achieve,” he added after a slight pause.

“I understand, Master,” replied Jean Camus with full seriousness.

Jan Mateo then proceeded with another topic. “About the kid that you have said from your last report. Is he really that special? Can I use him as a nutrient?”

“You should have known that become a picky ‘eater’ after my last meal. I will not consume just anyone right now because it will only hurt my foundation if they are not enough,” he added.

Jean Camus quickly shook his head and said. “I am sure about this one, Master. The Great Demonic Codex and my core have responded with this kid when we get into a bout against each other!”

“I am sure that he has the special one,” he added, trying to reassure his master.

Jan Mateo nodded his head when he heard the reassurance from his disciple. “Then I will expect that this will be a worthwhile trip.”

“I will be staying here for quite a while since I have to move discretely in this place. Those cunning old foxes are surely setting up a trap for me after learning about my plans.”

“I may have cleaned up the loose ends where the information has leaked, but it is better to be prudent than letting them entrap me. Enough I am confident with my current strength, those old monsters are still quite a challenge to deal with.”

“Moreover, a few old acquaintances are gathered around here. Nathan and Joaquin are already a handful, much less adding Eugene, and Elias in the equation.”

“I am still recovering from my injuries after bumping with that guy. I can’t risk worsening it when I am about to step into the higher realm. Once I reach the peak, I will come back here and take care of these people, who are always getting in my way.”

Jean Campus quickly bowed his head. “I will arrange a place where you can stay, Master.”

Ja Mateo waved his hand as he refused. “Forget it. I will find a place myself. You can’t be staying by my side when I am here to avoid any unnecessary attention. If they suspected your identity, then your mission will be as good as a failure.”

“Go do your things while I explore this continent a little,” he then paused before continuing. “The government and the other organizations will most likely focus on exploring the ancient ruins. Since you are already being sent there, I will not visit that place and leave the rest to you.”

“I understand, Master!” replied Jean Camus with some excitement. His master was entrusting him with such an important job.

He knew how obsessed his master about collecting information about the previous eras, so this ancient ruin was quite important to him regardless of how strong or weak the owner was.

Seeing the enthusiasm of his disciple, Jan Mateo suddenly added. “But I must warn you. Those primitive people will most likely make their move during your exploration of the ruin. You must be careful of them and don’t engage in battle if it is not necessary.”

“Keep your cover is more important than this ruin,” he emphasized.

“I will keep your warning in mind, Master,” answered Jean Camus.

“Go! Return to your post. I will take care of myself,” said Jan Mateo, sending his disciple away.

Jean Camus bowed deeply before disappearing.

Jan Mateo then focused his gaze on the city in the distance before mumbling. “I have to stay here for a long time as I wait for them to let their guard down. Taking up a disguise will not be a bad choice.”

As he said that, his pupils seemed to glow with a purple light as he gazed in the distance. That was when he saw a lone person pulling up his boat toward the shoreline and tying it to a wooden log embedded in the ground.

There was a huge plastic basin full of fish on the boat the man climbed on it and set up a slide that he could use for the basin.

It was clear that this man was a fisherman.

Looking a little further, Jan Mateo could also see a few more fisherman boats approaching the coast. That was when he saw a small village in the distance and a few people were running out of it to greet the returning fishermen.

He then focused on the lone man before mumbling. “Well, this is a little convenient.”

After that, he disappeared from his current position before reappearing right behind the fisherman, who was busy doing his own thing.

Jan Mateo was like a ghost as he appeared there completely unnoticed. He then extended his hand and grabbed the head of the fisherman while closing his eyes.

“Urgh!”

The fisherman seemed to groan in pain upon contact while Jan Mateo watched a series of information and memories flash through his mind.

“I see,” he mumbled after a long time before slowly opening his eyes. He then let go of the fisherman and let the latter fall.

He digested everything inside his head for a few seconds before turning back to the unconscious man. “Be thankful as your sacrifice will lead to the birth of the strongest demon of this world.”

After that, a purple flame ignited the body of the fisherman, turning it into ashes.

On the other hand, Jan Mateo’s appearance was starting to transform, taking up the features and appearance of the man that he just killed. Even his clothes change along with the transformation.

“Ahem! Ah! Ah!” he adjusted his voice for a moment to make it sound like the fisherman’s voice before continuing the work of the poor man.

He moved as naturally as a seasoned fisherman, completely mimicking the movements of the dead man as well as their habits.

Jan Mateo would be staying in this place as that man until he found the right time to continue his plans.

…