The burly man's face flushed crimson with rage and humiliation.
Just as he was about to lash out, he found himself hoisted into the air by an invisible force, his legs flailing helplessly.
Everyone present was stunned into silence by the spectacle.
"Tell the truth now, and I might let you live. Or you can test what happens if you waste even one more word."
The man in black's voice was as cold as if it had echoed from an icy crypt. No one doubted he would kill without hesitation.
The scene fell dead silent, broken only by the man's stifled, frantic grunts.
Suddenly, the pressure around his throat vanished. He dropped to the ground, gasping desperately for air before hurriedly explaining:
"I'm sorry—I'm sorry! I got the tip from a Baseline Human I met on the road. I wanted to know why this kid dared to come to the New Reclamation Zone, so I stopped him. He said the mission paid well and all the participants were Baselines… so I came. I didn't expect…"
"Where is that Baseline Human now?"
"After he told me, he went back home."
"You dare lie to me again?!"
A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the man in black.
Without so much as a visible movement, a thump echoed through the air as the large man's body suddenly shot backward like a cannonball.
He slammed fiercely into the wall, then slid down to the floor like a crumpled piece of paper—unconscious, maybe dead.
The entire room was struck with awe and terror.
"Bio-Field! Stellar… that's Stellar Rank power! It has to be!"
"Did we come to the wrong place? Since when do fighters of that caliber show up in front of people like us?"
"Oh gods… I want to go home…"
The man in black turned his gaze toward the crowd, his eyes sharp and penetrating.
No longer concealing his presence, an overwhelming aura burst forth, pressing down on everyone with immense psychic force.
The air grew thick; breaths came in labored gasps.
One by one, several individuals buckled under the pressure, dropping to their knees.
Others strained to remain standing, but their bodies swayed unsteadily before they, too, collapsed weakly onto the ground.
It was Jake's first time encountering a warrior of Stellar Rank, yet he sensed he wasn't as affected as the others.
Even so, he had no intention of standing out. He quietly sat down along with everyone else.
With a gaze that seemed to look down upon them all from an immeasurable height, the man in black spoke, his voice cool and cutting like the wind over a barren peak:
"Do not mistake my patience for indulgence. You are here because you were chosen—not by me, but by circumstance. Remember that. Your value is yet to be proven."
His words hung in the air, not loud, yet carrying a weight that pressed harder than any visible force.
"That Baseline Human is most likely already beyond saving. But this is the New Reclamation Zone—here, life and death are in your own hands.
The time is up. Forty-six are present. If any among you are here under false pretenses, step forward now… or face the consequences."
The man in black paused, scanning the room with a piercing glare before withdrawing his oppressive energy.
Immediately, the pressure lifted. People began to rise shakily to their feet.
A gleam of sharp intensity flashed in the man's eyes as he spoke again, his voice cutting clearly through the uneasy silence:
"You have one minute to form a line—by any means necessary. Report to me immediately once you're in position. Anyone not in line when time is up will be expelled on the spot."
Chaos erupted instantly—but it was short-lived.
A few figures quickly emerged from the crowd, directing others with calm authority.
Despite the initial disorder, a queue began to take shape with surprising speed.
The man in black observed the swiftly forming ranks with a slight nod of approval.
His eyes settled coolly on the few who had stepped up to organize the crowd.
"You, you… and you," he said, pointing toward them without warmth.
"Step forward. Maintain order until this is done. Each of you will receive five thousand credits for your service—whether you are selected or not."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd at his words.
"Seriously? He's paying them just for that?"
"Stellar Rank generosity is on another level…"
"Five thousand… that's two months' pay for most people. And all they did was line us up?"
"Well, maybe risking this trip was worth it after all."
The line fell swiftly into order.
The lead Enforcer turned to the comparatively slimmer figure beside him and asked in a low, even tone, "Leon. Are we ready to begin?"
The one called Leon gave a sharp, military-style nod. "Please Proceed, Uncle Von."
His voice was younger than his rigid posture suggested. Leon Keeper's full name was seldom used; to most, he was just 'Keeper'.
The man he'd addressed—Uncle Von—was Silas Von, Head of The Frontier Academy, a man of severe reputation and sharper instincts.
The silent observer beside them was Vincent Franks, the school's Deputy Master and Silas's most trusted strategist.
Silas's gaze grew in intent. "The artifact. Is it time?"
Leon didn't answer with words. With a gesture of reverence, he drew an ancient jade pendant from within his robes.
It pulsed with a soft, otherworldly luminescence, its surface alive with swirling patterns of captive light.
This was no mere ornament—it was a key item.
Silas inhaled sharply. "A genuine Relic…." he whispered, voice thick with revelation.
He and Vincent exchanged a single glance—a flash of triumph, ambition, and raw hunger.
Leon showed no reaction to their greed. His expression remained neutral, detached.
"Begin the procession."
Silas Von pointed toward the first person in line—a sallow-faced individual who looked like he'd seen better days. "You. Step forward."
Even those at the front of the line couldn't quite make out what was happening on the Enforcers' side, but after witnessing Silas's display of power, the pale man complied without hesitation.
Once he stood before them, Leon Keeper raised the jade pendant and held it an inch away from the man's forehead.
He held it there for three seconds, then lowered his hand. "Done. You may go."
The man stood bewildered, not moving until Silas flicked his wrist impatiently.
"Payment has been transferred. Check your account on the side, then leave."
Not daring to question, the man shuffled to the right, pulled out his device, and within moments broke into a disbelieving grin.
"Thank you!" he blurted, before scurrying away ecstatically.
Those still waiting in line watched, eyes wide.
"That's it? That's the mission?"
"He just got fifty thousand? For that?"
"Talk about easy creds…"
A wave of exhilaration swept through the crowd. Shoulders straightened, chins lifted.
One by one, they stood taller, eager for their turn under the pendant's glow.
In short order, over a dozen people had been processed.
Leon Keeper shook his head repeatedly with growing frustration.
Beside him, Silas Von could only keep transferring credits, his expression growing darker by the minute.
The atmosphere among the three Enforcers was turning grim.
It wasn't until the twentieth person—an unassuming, slight-built individual—stepped forward that something changed.
As Leon held the pendant near the candidate's forehead, the jade suddenly grew warm. He moved it closer, and the heat intensified.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Leon's face. He gave a slight nod toward Silas, whose tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.
"You're accepted," Silas announced. "Wait over there. One hundred thousand credits will be transferred shortly."
The man's face lit up with disbelieving joy. To him, this was less a test than a giveaway.
He scurried to the designated area, throwing a smug glance back at those still waiting.
The crowd responded with a wave of palpable envy.
Soon after, a second candidate was selected, and they too hurried over, beaming with excitement.
Jake, however, lingered at the very back of the line, watching everything with a skeptical eye.
It all seemed too smooth, too generous—yet he could detect no obvious trick. He stayed quiet, following the crowd until it was finally his turn.
By the end, only two had been chosen from the entire group.
And then there was Jake—the last one left unchecked.
Weariness and disappointment were plain on Leon's face. He gestured lazily for Jake to come forward.
But just as his hand still hung a short distance from Jake's forehead, a sharp glint flashed deep within Leon's eyes.
He fought down a surge of inner excitement, deliberately moving the pendant even closer.
[The resonance is far stronger than with the other two… Excellent. Perfect. ]