Boom!
The roar of an engine broke the silence as the scar-faced man hastily shifted gears, speeding away from the turf he had fought decades to claim.
That guy in white… he wasn't human.
He had watched with his own eyes as machine-gun bullets failed to harm the man, even a rocket launcher hadn't left a scratch.
That thing, no, that monster was completely beyond anything human beings could handle.
Though he'd already dispatched the tactical mech, deep down he didn't believe it would make any difference.
Only while that thing was being held off by the other members of Blood Axe did he have even the slimmest chance of escape.
As the scenery rapidly shifted and the exit to the underground garage came into view, hope began rising in his chest.
Almost there… just a little further and he'd be free of this hell.
"Boss, don't you think it's a little rude to be running off alone while your boys are still fighting and bleeding back there?"
The sudden rasp of a voice wiped the color from the man's face.
"You monster, what the hell do you want?!"
Finally losing all composure, he screamed toward the white-robed figure now seated casually in the backseat.
Knowing he was doomed no matter what he did, he no longer cared whether his words might provoke the other.
Shin simply shook his head with a sigh. "The Serpent sends its regards. Let's hope you live a better life in the next one."
As he spoke, he casually rolled a bullet between his fingertips. Pale Honkai energy flared at his touch.
"Haha… HAHAHA!" The scar-faced man let out a crazed laugh, ripping open his jacket to reveal layers of explosives strapped to his chest. "Let's die together, monster!"
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the garage. The vehicle's four doors were blasted off like shrapnel, the entire car engulfed in fire.
"Shin!"
A dark figure suddenly appeared beside the burning wreck, slashing the flames aside with a single sweep of her hand.
"I'm fine, Natasha," Shin replied in his usual calm voice, stepping out of the flames as they instinctively parted before him.
After giving him a few long, scrutinizing glances and confirming he hadn't suffered even a scratch, Raven finally let out a small sigh of relief. Then her face turned stern again.
"You were way too careless. What if he'd had more traps set?"
Meeting her accusing glare, Shin chuckled softly, offering no rebuttal.
After all, she was just worried about him. Should he really respond by flexing more Honkai energy?
Rolling her eyes, Raven pulled a white mask from her coat and tossed it to him. "Here, take this. It's a little something from the organization. Not super practical, but still a hell of a lot better than that thing you've been wearing."
What kind of elite walks around in a cheap black stocking mask? Seriously?
Shin ran his fingers across the mask, marveling at its cool, metallic texture. A flash of Honkai energy rippled through it, and the mask shifted shape, transforming into a sleek bracelet.
Soul Steel. It had to be.
World Serpent really had money to burn.
Strapping the bracelet onto his left wrist, Shin gave Raven a radiant smile. "Thanks, Natasha."
He'd made up his mind. In World Serpent, he was going to cling tightly to Raven's powerful thigh!
She only gave him another eye-roll before turning her gaze toward the still-burning wreck. "Well, that wraps up your target list. Good work."
...Though the mess was a little excessive.
Remembering how Shin had bulldozed his way through everything using sheer waves of Honkai energy, Raven let out another internal sigh.
Stigmata awakeners... did they even consider themselves human?
"It was all thanks to your detailed intel," Shin replied humbly, waving a hand dismissively.
With everything she had provided, the Blood Axe gang was practically an open book. They didn't have a single secret left to hide from him.
This battle had been decided before it even began.
Bee-boop bee-boop-
Just as he was about to say something else, the sharp wail of sirens echoed from the distance, making Raven's expression shift.
"Cops? Already? That's way too fast..."
Given what she knew about this country, there should've been at least a thirty-minute delay.
"Oh, I called them," Shin said plainly.
After all, there was going to be a massive armed conflict. Wasn't it reasonable for a good citizen like him to notify the authorities?
Plus, he'd already taken care of Blood Axe's frontline force. Surely the local police could at least clean up afterward, right?
Raven: "…"
She stared at him silently... or would have, if not for the black stocking mask still on his face making his expression unreadable.
"Let's go back," she finally muttered, turning away.
World Serpent didn't concern itself with trivialities, as long as the mission goals were achieved.
"Okay."
Shin nodded, pulling off his mask and tossing it along with his battered bat into the fire.
Just like that scrapped mech from earlier, the bat had reached its limit.
Only weapons made of Soul Steel could withstand the strain of channeling Honkai energy.
Still... if he left a broken bat at every battlefield, maybe he could start a legend?
The Galactic Bat-Wielding Hero.
Smirking at the thought, Shin disappeared into the shadows at the garage entrance.
Later that evening, Raven's Nest Bar
Creak...
"Welcome, you two. What'll it be?"
To their surprise, it wasn't just a bartender behind the counter—it was Gray Serpent himself, polishing glasses like it was the most natural thing in the world, despite his signature black cloak and metal mask being utterly ill-suited to the role.
"Iced absinthe. Don't mess with my setup," Raven said as she slid onto a barstool, her voice carrying faint irritation.
Could Gray Serpent not switch models already?
This was her bar. Bought with her own money. Not a World Serpent asset.
"Quite the surprise, Mr. Gray Serpent," Shin remarked with mock surprise, pausing before asking, "Do you have milk tea?"
"Of course. Pearl milk tea, thirty percent sugar. Want it with no ice?"
"Yes."
Shin nodded without hesitation.
Now this guy was more professional than some mercenaries.
He shot a look at the mercenary in question.
"Hey! This is a bar, you know? B-A-R. Do you even get what that means?!" Raven banged her fingers against the countertop in frustration.
"Natasha, have you ever considered diversifying your business model? Just selling alcohol isn't exactly a thriving enterprise…"
Shin offered the advice in good faith.
He'd been here several times and had yet to see more than a handful of patrons.
Raven: "…"
"Here you go."
Gray Serpent slid over two glasses, even garnishing Shin's with a decorative lemon slice.
One sip, and Shin's eyes lit up. "Not bad at all, Mr. Gray Serpent. I'd say this one's worth at least twenty bucks."
"Thank you, Mr. Shin. I'm glad it pleases you."
Gray Serpent's voice was hoarse but polite.
Even if he didn't know what 'twenty bucks' meant.
Meanwhile, Raven's cheeks puffed up indignantly as she sipped her absinthe.
If this little brat weren't underage, she'd show him what a real bartender could do.
"Back to the point. I've reviewed the mission report, and I must say, Mr. Shin's performance was… astonishing."
As he spoke, Gray Serpent's glowing cybernetic eye pulsed with red light.
Such vast reserves of Honkai energy were rare even among Stigmata awakeners.
It was likely, he thought, that Shin's Stigmata related to physical enhancement, otherwise he wouldn't be able to endure such massive output.
Studying Shin quietly, Gray Serpent calculated everything.
For someone at his level, it was easy to infer that Shin possessed a natural Stigmata.
"Haha"
Shin just chuckled at the praise, offering no further explanation.
As long as he didn't admit to cheating, he could rightfully call himself the most gifted genius alive.
"Raven, any other opinions?"
Gray Serpent's voice turned cold, his red eye boring into her.
Recognizing the warning beneath his tone, Raven downed a sip of her drink and muttered, "No."
Shin had already proven his value and talent. There was no room left for doubt.
"In that case, welcome to World Serpent, Mr. Shin."
Gray Serpent's tone softened as he pushed a small silver card toward him.
"World Serpent?"
Taking the card, Shin's voice held a note of curiosity.
"That's the true name of our organization," Gray Serpent explained. "This is your official identification. You can access our internal network through it. I believe what you find there will be quite satisfying.
Additionally, it also functions as an anonymous bank card. Your signing bonus is ten million euros."
The card trembled slightly in Shin's hand.
World Serpent really was loaded.
After all this time in the underground scene, his total assets barely topped two hundred thousand euros—now these guys had just handed him fifty times that, no strings attached.
"You folks sure are generous."
He couldn't help but marvel aloud.
"Compared to your abilities, Mr. Shin, this is a mere token of appreciation."
Gray Serpent chuckled.
In the black market, the bounty on a Stigmata awakener exceeded ten million euros.
For one as developed as Shin, even hundreds of millions might be considered cheap.
To those in true power, money was just numbers. Compared to the rarity of natural Stigmata, it was nothing.
"Seems like this ten million comes with some serious expectations," Shin said, smiling as he looked at Gray Serpent.
"And what does Mr. Shin intend to do?"
Gray Serpent asked calmly.
"From now on, we're colleagues," Shin replied, flipping the card through his fingers before making it disappear. A bright smile spread across his face. "Let's get along, Mr. Gray Serpent."
As his words fell, a string of text appeared in Shin's vision, visible only to him.
[Novice Mission: Gate of St. Freya: Completed]
You've glimpsed the madness of this world. Now it's time to join a secret organization that fights against Honkai. Find like-minded companions and work together to save the world.
Reward obtained: Ouroboros Ring
The serpent devouring its own tail symbolizes the eternal cycle of fate. When struck with a fatal blow, you will ignore the attack and fully recover. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Main Story Mission Activated
[Main Mission: Road of Destiny]
You are now part of the secret war against Honkai. Hide in the shadows and strive to become the final boss of this world.
Progress: 0.1%
Reward Unlocked: Blank Herrscher Core
A high-density Honkai crystal that resonates with imaginary space. When combined with a Herrscher's Authority, its form may change.
After reading the final line, Shin's smile grew even brighter.
World Serpent was even more generous than he'd imagined.
*********
Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!