Chapter 9: A New Power Unleashed

System Panel.

As Yenir murmured softly, two system panels appeared simultaneously.

Ignoring the initial Doomsday System, Yenir immediately focused on the Sword God System.

“Sword God System: Loaded”

“Binder: Yenir”

“Current Effect: Boosts skill potency by %! And upon learning any sword-type skill, that skill is automatically upgraded to SSS level!”

“Additional Effect 1: Unlocks the full attribute cap! (You can raise any attribute to its maximum simultaneously, no longer limited by innate talent!)”

“Additional Effect 2: All your skills can be used once every 48 hours without any cost, regardless of level!”

“Current Task: Acquire a Sword Technique”

“Task: Please learn a skill as soon as possible.”

“Reward: +4 free attribute points”

“Warning: Do not disclose any system information to the outside world. Violators will be eliminated!”

…

Yenir’s breath caught.

After reviewing the system panel, Yenir felt an overwhelming surge of surprise hit him like a sledgehammer. Even his iron will struggled to accept it so quickly.

What a ridiculously powerful boost!

If his innate talent was already among the strongest in humanity, then with the Sword God System’s enhancement…

At that moment, the notion of invincibility echoed in his mind.

Could it be… a 100-fold enhancement combined with skill augmentation!?

SSS-level skills…

Yenir couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh as an inexplicable tinge of melancholy welled within him.

In his previous life, even after being discovered by the Capital and trained with the might of the nation, the entire Capital Zone managed only two S-level skills and one A-level skill for him.

The cost had been steep – two third-tier Military fighters lost their lives battling mutants, one severely injured, and over three thousand soldiers of the group army sacrificed!

This underscored the rarity of high-level skills.

But now… even any random skill can be upgraded to SSS level?

For a moment, Yenir could hardly contain his excitement; he was itching to learn a skill immediately just to test its effect!

“Yenir?”

“Yenir?”

A few gentle calls echoed.

On the test platform, Third-Tier Commander Xiao Hai—who had been standing by Yenir’s side—regarded him with a broad smile.

Gone was his former ferocity; the top-tier fighter, once feared for his ruthlessness, now acted like a kindly elder as he patted Yenir’s shoulder.

“Yenir, are you having trouble adjusting as a newly awakened one?”

“It’s okay. Uncle Xiao experienced the same; he felt like he was dreaming and was stunned for a long while.”

A nostalgic glimmer in his eyes, Xiao Hai paid no mind to the odd looks from the senior officials as he scanned the room and continued:

“You see, the test is over. Why not head over to Uncle Xiao’s place and have a chat?”

With smiling, squinting eyes, Xiao Hai waved for his subordinates to prepare refreshments, then, in a warmly familiar manner, led Yenir off the test platform.

“Let’s go. Everyone’s curious about your innate abilities.”

“I’ve already reported your case to the higher military district. It may take some time to determine your next move.”

With a military helicopter clearing the way, hundreds of fully armed soldiers lined up in two rows, following closely behind.

After a brief explanation, Xiao Hai strode away with Yenir from Testing Plaza.

Meanwhile, a large group of trainees left in the square gazed enviously at Yenir’s departing figure.

“Commander Xiao, you’re so approachable. I always thought Third-Tier fighters were ruthless.”

Trainees from the mixed-blood team, who had once mocked Yenir, couldn’t help but express their admiration.

For those whose parents were Awakened, they had seen many Safe Zone administrators – but figures like Xiao Hai were rare.

No sooner had the words ended than a trainee, rated with B-level talent, sneered with a hint of bitterness and retorted:

“You’ve got it twisted! Commander Xiao is so easygoing because of Yenir!”

“You probably haven’t heard—recently, people in the Safe Zone were caught smuggling food. An entire department with a 43-person caravan was wiped out by Commander Xiao, leaving not a single survivor!”

As he spoke, a flash of fear crossed the boy’s eyes.

He had, with his own father, witnessed the gruesome ‘Jingguan’ outside the assembly area—countless severed heads piled up like a mountain that he dared not recall.

Commander Xiao’s fierce reputation was such that no one in the Safe Zone dared defy him!

During the conversation, several high-ranking Safe Zone officials glanced at the boy and nodded slightly.

That’s right.

Don’t be fooled by Commander Xiao’s friendly demeanor; it’s all thanks to Yenir’s talent and potential.

As the supreme authority of a Safe Zone housing four million people, he wielded absolute power over life and death.

Just as everyone exchanged glances, about to announce the test’s end and disperse, the usually silent Liao Tian suddenly spoke up:

“Take my command: Seal off the Testing Plaza! All trainees, the Security Department, and the Inspection Department must remain on site!”

Huh!?

Among the Safe Zone leaders, a Second-Tier Awakened clad in a white combat uniform looked at Liao Tian in disbelief and blurted out:

“Representative Liao, what are you doing!?”

“The test is over; the remaining trainees should also…”

Before he could finish, Liao Tian coldly glared at him and unhesitatingly ordered the troops to surround the entire plaza:

“What are you doing?”

“Have you forgotten how Yenir broke in, or what he said?”

With a cold laugh, Liao Tian gave a meaningful glance to the assembled trainees before slowly continuing:

“Yenir was framed, and it delayed the test.”

“Although nothing disastrous happened in the end, but…”

“Do you really think that if Yenir later mentions someone tried to harm him to Commander Xiao, any of you here have considered the consequences?”

After signaling a squad of Awakened soldiers, Liao Tian waved his hand coldly, ordering all trainees to be detained.

Turning around, he left behind a group of high-ranking officials who snapped back to attention.

A sinking feeling overcame them as they recalled how much Commander Xiao cared for Yenir, sending chills down their spines.

That’s right. If Yenir raises this issue, Commander Xiao will undoubtedly help him find the culprit. An SS-level prodigy nearly got into trouble because of it?

Heh.

Under such a charge, none of them would be safe—even if they knew nothing about it!

Taking a deep breath, the remaining senior officials quickly followed suit, leading their troops in groups to seize control.

Ignoring the panicked shouts around them, a few fixed their gazes and decisively waved their arms:

“Search!”

“Detain all involved departments! No one is to be released until the culprit is found!”