Chapter 356: The Weight of a Hidden Power

Breath caught in his throat.

Yenir felt the imposing aura exuding from the general before him, a hint of something unusual glinting in his eyes. Although the other had simply lost control of his Spirit Energy in his excitement, it wasn’t a personal attack on him.

Yet under this suffocating pressure, even if Yenir’s own strength in a normal state could rival that of a Third-Stage Mid-level, it still evoked an overwhelming sense of dominance.

Incredible strength…

Could this be yet another Peak Third-Stage fighter? And one who had pushed every limit?

Why hadn’t he seen this man in his previous life? Could he have died too early?

That shouldn’t be the case… There was no record of this person in any logs…

Perhaps overly focused on Yenir’s words, the previously nonchalant Peak fighter Hong Tiangang now grew anxious, desperate for Yenir to answer his questions immediately!

In less than a second, it prompted him to ask again:

“Yenir! Speak up!”

“Is it Dungeon Permission for countering? What level of authority does it have!?”

Watching the impatient, fierce gaze of Hong Tiangang before him,

Yenir noticed a peculiar expression creeping into his own features as he saw that Hong Tiangang cared even more than he did.

My goodness, he expected to have to explain just how crucial my knowledge was to the high-ups. Who would have thought that this Peak Third-Stage general actually knew something?

“It’s Dungeon Permission.”

“For the Zombie Nation.”

He offered a terse reply. As for the level…

Yenir hesitated briefly, and before he could adjust his explanation to downplay the leak, Hong Tiangang’s whole body tensed and his face lit up with wild delight.

“Dungeon Permission!? Is it really from that instance you experienced before!?”

“Excellent! Just excellent!!”

Hong Tiangang’s joy was almost tangible. The same general who had worn a sullen expression and appeared indifferent during the conference now regarded Yenir as if he were witnessing a priceless treasure. With a broad hand, he patted Yenir’s shoulder, and the very next second, he urgently pressed for more details.

“What level is it!? How many more times can it be used!?”

Amid his frantic inquiries, the few remaining high-ups in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions tinged with confusion.

“Dungeon Permission?”

“Is it meant to control the instance?”

The few Political Department officials present, who were not part of the Military, had no idea why Hong Tiangang was so excited.

Instinctively, they asked.

Though somewhat unclear about the situation, they could sense that whatever Yenir mentioned was of utmost importance.

Without needing Yenir to elaborate, several Military high-ups—each a frontline commander with at least Third-Stage Advanced strength—spewed out their impressions.

“Dungeon Permission is usually a rare reward granted at the end of an instance after completing a tremendously difficult challenge that dramatically shifts the narrative!”

“It isn’t a tangible item like equipment; it’s more akin to a rule or principle!”

“When used effectively, its value can rival that of a Peak Third-Stage strike!”

After a brief explanation for those less familiar with this reward, the Military leaders, all with impressive Third-Stage Advanced abilities, suddenly stood up, their eyes burning with fervor as they fixed their gaze on Yenir.

It was no wonder they were so animated!

Very few knew—or rather, aside from those who had participated in special instances or core Military high-ups among the Awakeners—just how significant Dungeon Permission truly was!

Such a reward was almost the stuff of legends!

They only recalled that six years ago, during a high-intensity, Battle Zone-level counter instance, one faction had employed this very power!

Back then, the Eastern European Battle Zone, using Dungeon Permission, shattered system restrictions by temporarily teleporting a Peak Third-Stage fighter onto the battlefield. With overwhelming combat strength, he decimated his opponents in record time and even severely injured the opposing Battle Zone’s commander-level Awakener!

Although that battle didn’t directly affect them, those who had witnessed it were utterly stunned!

Even more, intelligence acquired at great cost revealed that the opposing side had used a much lower-level permission—one that could only be used once to teleport an Awakener into the instance!

So, when Yenir mentioned Dungeon Permission, it immediately triggered strong memories for them!

Whenever it comes to permissions, it’s always something valuable!

Especially since the permission in Yenir’s hands was for a counter instance! That was even more impressive!

No wonder this kid was so cautious—he must have earned this reward!

After hearing the explanations from the Military heads, the other high-ups on the Dais were visibly shocked. Their analytical minds quickly grasped just how critical this was.

“Yenir!?”

“Did you really obtain it?”

They couldn’t help but ask in urgent tones once again.

Surrounded by several Military colonels, Yenir felt an even greater sense of amusement rising within him.

Hold on a minute—these people seem to have misunderstood something…

The Dungeon Permission Hong Tiangang mentioned wasn’t quite the same as the one in Yenir’s possession. He knew exactly what the counter instance reward was—a special grant from the system awarded to those who complete their tasks, carrying significant strategic weight.

But it could normally only be used once, and its function was singular.

Once used, the system automatically reclaims it. In essence, it’s more of a one-time item than a true permission.

The most crucial point was…

The permission in his hand was far superior to what Hong Tiangang believed.

Recalling his previous life, when disasters erupted and the Battle Zones were locked in relentless combat, he’d seen Dungeon Permission used frequently—and he never paid it much mind.

Later, during the final stages of faction consolidation, it became almost obsolete.

So while he was confident his permission could leave everyone spellbound, he completely disregarded that its current value was magnified tenfold!

During the final throes of the calamity, there simply weren’t enough personnel to deploy into an instance!

But now, with the Military fully capable of mobilizing troops and resources, the permission’s value was being maximized!

In other words…

Before anyone else knew, Yenir felt a twinge of embarrassment.

Hmph, the permission I planned to use as a trump card was apparently overvalued… I’ve seen too many good ones to underestimate this thing. Well, not exactly underestimated—I know how terrifying Dungeon Permission can be. Otherwise, how could I be so sure I could wipe out one enemy after another?

What should I do? Follow the original plan and reveal the truth? Or just hint at having just a small bit of its capability…?

“Yenir!?”

“What level is the permission you hold? Can it teleport an Awakener!?”

Misinterpreting the power in Yenir’s hand as being less potent than expected, Hong Tiangang’s heart sank, and he hurriedly pressed on with his inquiry.

Never mind—it’s permission, after all!

As long as it possesses even a hint of the ability to break through system limits, they’d figure out how to use it!

Provided it wasn’t utterly useless, this rare Dungeon Permission could easily rival a strategic-grade weapon! After all, the memory of that battle was too indelible…

Amid the anxious questioning from all sides, Yenir paused for a moment before softly replying:

“It’s not that high—roughly, um… D-level.”

“Maybe, it can teleport an Awakener?”

Glancing at the permission he held, Yenir casually fabricated his answer without skipping a beat.

D-level? A-level?

No—if this thing were to be graded, it’d easily earn an SSS with an extra S.

The ultimate Dungeon Permission…

This was the very power snatched from the Sword God System in a direct contest against the Apocalypse Orb…

Teleport an Awakener? That trivial function wouldn’t even be worth mentioning in its presence.

Yet, as Yenir’s words faded, Hong Tiangang and the others couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath, then burst into laughter as if they’d just won the lottery:

“Excellent!”

“Splendid!!”

“Outstanding!!!”

“We’re in business! We’re in business!”