Chapter 548: Shifting Allegiances in Nagasaki

“Hirata, why did you come back so fast?”

“What, didn’t you snag some Chinese girls to mess around with this time? And those Chinese pigs—did they not treat you properly?”

In the Nagasaki Safe Zone, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Several Third-Stage Awakeneds stared in astonishment at Hirata and his team, having returned so early.

Based on past experience, a supply trade team like this would normally be out for several days.

Compared to the Japanese Battle Zone, heading to that continent was a lucrative gig—rumor had it that for just a few tens of Credit Points you could get a little girl, and even if she died, the loss was negligible.

“Cut the chatter—I have important business to report to the leader!”

This was entirely out of character.

Hirata Jirou, the leading Third-Stage Mid-level Awakened, wore an anxious expression as if he had critical news. He led his entire team in a rush toward the leader’s core area.

At the sound, everyone was taken aback. Seeing Hirata in his hurry, the surrounding Awakeneds stepped aside without a word.

However, when they noticed that Hirata had brought along a stranger—a youth with an unfamiliar face—a flicker of doubt passed through their eyes.

Coming back this fast and even bringing someone with you?

Meeting the leader? What could be so urgent?

…………………..

Three minutes later.

Seated cross-legged behind the tea counter was a Third-Stage Advanced Awakener with his hair tied in a neat bun, exuding quiet authority. His brow furrowed as he watched the subordinate hasten his approach.

“Hirata, what’s this about?”

“Did something go wrong with the supply trade? Or did those Chinese refuse our demands?”

He looked puzzled.

Hirata was one of his most capable men; he rarely saw him this agitated.

What was more, Hirata had even brought an unfamiliar youth along.

A Third-Stage Beginner? Not exactly threatening… though he did seem rather odd.

Under Yenir’s control, Hirata maintained his anxious demeanor and immediately asked:

“Leader, do we still have any spots for the Divine Warrior Project?”

“I have something very important to say!”

Hearing that Hirata hadn’t addressed the smuggling issue, leader Dongyang Hao Yi’s face turned cold. Yet, out of respect for Hirata’s past performance, he merely frowned impatiently and withdrew.

“Why are you asking about that?”

“There are no slots left—I’ve already given one to a seed from our Safe Zone.”

“What? Your ‘important matter’ isn’t about the kid next to you? His talent is exceptional, and you want to nominate him?”

Quick to react, Dongyang Hao Yi, as he spoke, cast a glance at Yenir.

With such a vast gap in mental power, he couldn’t detect anything extraordinary from Yenir; in fact, he seemed weak and utterly ordinary.

Especially since, under his disguise, Yenir’s eyes and demeanor exuded an unsettling vibe.

At that, Heisei—now transformed into an Otherworldly Ghost—instinctively glanced at Yenir before quickly responding to Yenir’s subtle signal.

“Sir, could you bring that seed over? I really have important business to discuss.”

The moment the words fell, Dongyang Hao Yi’s expression shifted; his patience had completely run out.

Hirata was his subordinate—refusing to answer was one thing, but continuously claiming to have an important matter was utterly infuriating.

“Hirata, what exactly is this so-called important matter?”

“I’m asking you! Did the trade go wrong?”

“Answer me!”

He barked.

In the past, Hirata would have cowered and bowed in apology at such reproach. But ever since being transformed into an Otherworldly Ghost by Yenir, his first and only priority was to obey Yenir’s orders.

Meanwhile, realizing that the slot had already been given away, Yenir’s eyes flashed with something unusual. Without further ado, he ordered Hirata to speak again.

“Sir, it’s like this!”

“The Awakened beside me is a prodigy of exceptional talent! I believe he can help us reclaim our ranking!”

As for that major matter…

Hirata lowered his voice as if in secret and whispered:

“It’s about the Legendary Suit… The young man I brought knows the details, but he wants you to nominate him for the competition.”

The moment his words faded, Dongyang Hao Yi was stunned for a moment before glancing at Yenir in astonishment.

“Legendary Suit!? A prodigy!?”

Although he didn’t consider Yenir the genius Heisei mentioned, the combination of news piqued his interest immediately.

He cast a deep, scrutinizing look at Yenir, assuming that Hirata was hinting the youth was the type desperate to prove himself—even if it meant dropping Legendary Suit details.

Better to play it safe; when it came to equipment of Legendary Suit caliber, caution was paramount!

…………………..

Ten minutes later.

A young man with a notably arrogant air strode into the room. He first bowed respectfully to Dongyang, then cast an impatient glance at Hirata and Yenir.

“Sir, you summoned me—so is this the one?”

He pointed at Yenir with one hand. According to a message from Dongyang, their leader—who valued nurturing talent—claimed that an Awakened from outside, also eager to join the Divine Warrior Project, had arrived.

Lord Dongyang had called him over—perhaps to pit the two against each other?

The thought of having his precious preparation time interrupted filled him with impatience.

“A Third-Stage Beginner? He doesn’t look too young; maybe his talent is decent.”

But he couldn’t sense any aura from Yenir—not even a trace of killing intent. Yenir looked just like any ordinary person.

Especially since he himself was a Third-Stage Mid-level Awakener, his talent should have far surpassed the other’s.

Exactly.

“Hirata, introduce him,”

“Or simply have the two of them display their talent details for comparison,”

“Of course, the information must remain confidential so as not to affect Ye Ze Ming’s upcoming competitions.”

His words were laced with a subtle confidence.

Dongye had personally witnessed Ye Ze Ming’s talent—a solid A+ level ability. With strengths in agility and willpower, he excelled at triggering explosive combat power through buff skills and was a master of life-or-death battles.

Although his talent might not be the very top tier, his unique abilities and rich combat experience ensured a respectable ranking.

In his estimation, Yenir’s aura was unstable—at best, he appeared as a mere Third-Stage Beginner.

This suggested that the youth brought by Hirata was likely one of those inexperienced novices who overestimated his own talent the moment he reached Third-Stage.

After a comparison of their abilities and even in actual combat, the differences would naturally become stark.

And the information about the Legendary Suit was probably just being offered to secure personal support.

Yet, contrary to expectations, Yenir neither rushed to introduce himself nor did he flaunt any Legendary Suit details to bolster his image.

Casually, Yenir glanced at Ye Ze Ming, who had been looking down on him, then slowly stood up and spoke softly:

“Ye Ze Ming? The swordsman? Wielding a pair of swords?”

“His speed and mental fortitude aren’t too shabby?”

“Hmm?”

Frowning, Ye Ze Ming—who had been impatient since entering—shot Yenir a cold stare.

“Kid, didn’t anyone tell you to show respect when meeting your senior?!”

“A Third-Stage Beginner? What kind of talent do you think you have? Are you trying to steal my slot?”

He spat the words with a trace of hostility and contempt.

Had it not been for Lord Dongye’s presence—who clearly valued this youth—Ye Ze Ming would have wasted no time in teaching Yenir a lesson.

In the Japanese Battle Zone, power was everything, and the hierarchy was rigid to the extreme.

His rank and status dwarfed Yenir’s. For Yenir to address him so casually and offer offhand assessments was sheer disrespect!

Before he could unleash his aura to intimidate Yenir and demonstrate the gap between them…

Yenir suddenly chuckled and turned his gaze toward Dongyang.

“Do you want to know where in Nagasaki a Legendary Suit has appeared?”

Stunned, Dongyang was momentarily at a loss.

Hearing Yenir abruptly drop this subject—when Dongyang had been trying to extract information—he was instantly taken aback.

“What does that mean? Is he trading information for his slot?”

“Could it be that after meeting their seed, he’s lost confidence in himself?”

“Where?!”

Before a hint of joy could flash across his face, a bizarre mental energy barrier, resembling a shield, suddenly enveloped the entire room.

“It’s under my control!”

Boom!!

A burst of mental power exploded.

In an instant, with his mental energy perfectly controlled, Yenir smirked and unleashed two blasts of Mind Shock, hurling them toward the pair.

At the same time, his Elemental Blade followed suit, slashing toward Ye Ze Ming’s head.

“I’m using your head!”

Whoosh.

A flash of lethal sword light vanished in an instant.

Under the impact of the Mind Shock, Ye Ze Ming, unable to react, stared blankly as if turned to wood—only to be split in two in a heartbeat.

Meanwhile, Dongyang’s head pounded from the mental assault, his eyes wide with horror.

This level of Mind Shock!?

Before he could regain control of his body or mount a desperate counterattack…

In an instant, with all his attributes channeled into strength, Yenir unleashed a torrent of blazing black flames and violently stomped on Dongyang’s chest with a single kick.

“If you don’t want to die, then keep still!”

For a Third-Stage Advanced Awakener, that Mind Shock alone wasn’t enough to severely injure him.

Drawing on his Peak Third-Stage power, Yenir only intended to incapacitate the leader—forcing him to be transformed into an Otherworldly Ghost.

Feeling as if Yenir had morphed from a little bunny into a terrifying dragon, Dongyang Hao Yi, blood streaming from his mouth and nose, was utterly shocked and horrified!

“What is happening?! A Peak Third-Stage has infiltrated us?!”

In that instant, he subconsciously realized he might have been ensnared in a massive conspiracy!