Genetic Ascension

Sylas looked up indifferently and then watched his notification screen as the rewards were applied. After it was done, he turned and walked toward the counter, trading for the items he wanted and then leaving.

Unfortunately, this Level 30 Bazaar didn't have any more of what he needed for his Contracts, but this made sense. After all, he was trying to raise Bronze Contracts right now. The fact he had managed to find what he needed for the Bone-Tailed Lizard in the first place was its own small miracle.

In the end, he didn't even spend 10 million thanks to the discounts. Although he was sure that he could find some more useful stuff if he looked around for longer, the fact his Insight hadn't triggered on the first go-around would mean that he needed to take much more time.

And time was something that he had wasted enough of here already.

Now it was time to see if he could find the treasure he needed for the Genesis Forge. It seemed that this time… he was well and truly in luck.

Something told him that before this little excursion, he wouldn't have nearly been able to afford what he needed. But now, things just might change.

"I need an Aether Treasure that can increase the concentration of Aether in a region permanently. Where can I find one?" Sylas asked Tongue'Head.

To Sylas' surprise, it was Voxena that replied. It wasn't because he thought she wouldn't know, but because she had forcefully inserted herself into the conversation in a way he didn't think that she would ever do.

Until now, she seemed to be tiptoeing around him, trying to ingratiate herself while being respectful. But it was also clear that Sylas didn't trust her at all, that was why when he asked the most important of his questions, ones with simple, straightforward answers, he tended to ask the Skullhead instead of her.

This was… interesting.

"Sorry to intrude, young elite, but I have an answer for you that the Skullhead might not be aware of. There is a Rune Master competition soon to commence that will reward you with precisely what you need should you take first place."

Sylas' gaze shifted to her. "… And why wouldn't Tongue'Head be aware of this?"

Voxena felt the same pressure as the manager from earlier, a cold sweat running down the length of her muscular back. Luckily, the dress she wore had an open back, otherwise, she might have started to sweat through it.

She realized that Sylas hadn't been like this before. Right now, he was on another level.

Had he had a breakthrough in the Secret Realm?

She forcefully stabilized herself, hurrying to steady her heart. It seemed that unlike the manager, she at least had Flexible Will. From what Sylas could tell, it was actually firmer than that.

"This is because the Skullhead is usually in the outer-bazaar. This competition only triggered because a new Flesh Rune Master appeared recently. You should know him, young elite. His rank on the Breath Rune Master list is just one below your own." Experience more content on empire

"What do I need to know about this competition?"

"The entry fee is 10 billion Hero Points…" Voxena said slowly.

Sylas' gaze sharpened and Voxena shivered involuntarily, taking a step back and nearly stumbling into another.

It didn't take much to understand why Sylas would react like this. Voxena's hesitation earlier, matched with her eagerness to have him piss away 10 billion Hero Points right away…

Whose side was she on?

Sylas had to admit that she was quite clever. Not only could she use her intelligence to prove her worth to be above that of Tongue'Head's with this information, but she would also help the tower regain 10 billion Hero Points for nothing at all in exchange.

Such a thing would certainly gain her the favor of whoever it was that targeted him in the shadows.

Voxena could tell that Sylas had seen through her with a glance even though he didn't say a single word about it. Instead, as though he hadn't noticed her fear, he asked a simple question.

"What sort of Rune Master competition?"

"This… I'm not sure," Voxena forced out. "The details are unknown. All I do know is that the price is so steep because the Aether Treasure involved is very valuable. The only one who is entering free of charge is young elite Ulrik because this competition was held because of him in the first place."

"Who is participating?"

"The price is very steep, so not many. However, there are three Rune Flesh Masters outside of young elite Ulrik that have been confirmed already."

Sylas wasn't the type to sneer, but he almost couldn't help himself this time.

Almost.

To the world, he was just a Rune Breath Master, a step beneath Rune Flesh, but Voxena was trying to get him to spend all of the Hero Points he only just earned on a competition he shouldn't have any chance of winning.

Interesting.

Interesting indeed.

How could he blame her for giving him exactly what he was asking for?

"Lead me there." Sylas said calmly.

Voxena's eyes widened as though she never expected Sylas to say yes.

"—Right away, young elite!"

Sylas followed after the muscular young woman calmly, the glow in his green eyes becoming so dense it left streaks in the air with his movement.

It seemed that today, he would be offending more than just one Thryskai.

…

Mospheral sat in silence in his office. When he saw the turn of events, he didn't seem surprised in the slightest. He hadn't pulled the 10 billion number from thin air. He had done it on purpose.

What he didn't expect was that the Aether Treasure Sylas was looking for also happened to be the exact treasure set for this time's prize pool.

It was an interesting coincidence, but that only made things easier.

"He's truly confident. It seems that he is either already a Flesh Master… or doesn't understand his own limits. If it's the latter…"

The wrinkle on Mospheral's forehead trembled slightly.