【Alpha''s POV】


    【When Maria and Cain arrived at their respective areas.】


    Good grief, it''s one thing after another, and I don''t even have damn time to solve any of it. The mystery behind that brat, then the increase in illegal abductions, and now an invasion. I can''t seem to catch a break.


    Despite using a less efficient method of transport, I arrived slightly earlier than those two. Before departing with them, I gauged the area with the highest number of enemies and the strongest enemy. I then chose that route. Out of the two hundred criminals, that area had ninety-nine unofficial high-grade aliens and one unofficial special-grade alien—the strongest among the two hundred.


    I casually approached them while cracking my neck, and warming up my shoulders and arms.


    As the strongest knight, it is my duty to bear the heaviest burden.


    "Pitch-black eyes, ash-gray hair, and black clothing. Black eyes and attire represent protection and power, and whitish hair negates the negative meanings that come with the two-faced black. To think our luck would be so shit to stumble upon a member of the Iode family. Not to mention...those bangs covering your right eye. Well, fuck..." the strongest criminal cursed after confirming my identity.


    "That''s right. I am Alpha Iode, Knight Commander of Division One of the Iode Order. Even after knowing that, do you still dare to resist?"


    "I cleared the Tower of Ascension, y''know? I''m not just a nobody!" He declared, wielding a greatsword.


    "...Fool," I responded, followed by a command to my heavenly weapon. "Come forth, [Memento Mori]" I then unsheathed my katana.


    Despite being in my presence and aware of who I was, he had the audacity to grin as I drew my blade.


    "Let''s have a good time, StRoNgEsT!"


    We both lunged at one another, and our blades clashed. Despite mine being smaller and lighter, it managed to keep up.


    "The emphasis on that word...so it''s true, huh?" I asked while our battle didn''t make any progress. I was more focused on extracting information from him.


    "Who knows? The Rebel faction is a big place. Considering his strength and position, wouldn''t he have made his presence more known?!"


    No clue, huh? In that case, I do not need to prolong this fight.


    After concluding that our strengths were on par, I backed away to clear the physical distance between us and that of our strength.


    "Emerge, [Omen of the Fallen]" I activated my ability, summoning a black mist that circled behind me. It represented my enemy''s impending death.


    My ability, Omen of the Fallen, played a big role in getting me to the top. I can use it for materializing things. Not only does it become stronger from the faith and bond of others, including my fallen allies, but it also grants me said strength.


    However, I received none of those because I only summoned it, thus it was on standby.


    "I might be arrogant, but I''m not stupid," the strongest criminal said before snapping his fingers.


    At his gesture, the ninety-nine criminals approached me. Meanwhile, he jumped on the roof of a building, spectating.


    "Trying to tire me out? Futile!" I shouted, charging at the criminals, killing them one by one.


    All I need to do is fight my way through everything head-on.


    The strongest criminal whistled in awe, finding entertainment in his teammates getting ruthlessly killed. Well, that entertainment only lasted a minute. After killing all of them, I coldly glared at the man who heartlessly enjoyed the death of his comrades.


    "You''re next," I declared, pointing my blade at him.


    "That''s if you can catch me. Activate, [Hermes]"


    In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from my sight. I then was swiftly slashed diagonally on my back.


    Outrageous! How is he so fast?!


    "Ugh...!" I tried to increase the distance between us but his overwhelming speed decimated it in a split-second, making me a victim to his greatsword again. "Activate, [Omen of the Fallen]"


    The black mist covered me, protecting and strengthening me, akin to an aura. Upon activation, I wanted to do right by the fallen doctors and apprentices, so I only used them to strengthen me. While this was greatly insignificant compared to this ability''s full strength, I deemed it sufficient to deal with this weakling.


    With my physical abilities strengthened, I managed to at least defend myself from his attacks, but I was stuck on the defense.


    Thinking and strategizing wasn''t my forte, so I had to make up for it with my overwhelming strength. I used my Omen of the Fallen to install spikes on the ground. He could easily avoid this by setting foot on a roof, but I placed them there as well. The only safe place was... the sky!


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    As for me, I materialized wings to prevent falling into my spikes.


    Since I am bad at thinking, all I need to do is create a situation where I don''t need to think.


    With all of his routes cut off, he was forced to jump. But instead of following my anticipation, he flew. Not only did his ability grant him speed, but also flight.


    "Tch!" I motioned two fingers up, commanding all of the spikes to launch at him.


    In response, he continued to fly higher and higher without stopping. I looked up but couldn''t find my spikes nor him in sight.


    I have a bad feeling about this.


    Following my gut, I entered a defense stance and materialized a black shield in front of me for extra protection. Validating my omen, he came flaming down sword-first like a damn meteor.


    Breaking my black shield, it dissipated then immediately materialized blades which formed a pincer attack. However, the heat surrounding him was too strong. Fortunately, my heavenly weapon was indestructible, so I could defend against any attack as long as I could handle it.


    After successfully blocking the attack, I didn''t sustain any burns because I had a high resistance to it. Anyway, it was time for a counterattack! I materialized a blade behind him and sent it directly at him. He evaded it with speed.


    I guess I can''t rely on my slow Omen of the Fallen.


    "How disappointing. Is that all you got, proud Iode knight~?" He mocked.


    "Heh. First that brat and now you. And here I was trying to be considerate of your feelings, providing you with a fair fight."


    "Oh please don''t mind my feelings. Go all out. Dying at the hands of an Iode member—a Knight Commander, no less—is nothing but an honor!" The man grinned, unhinged. "Now then...COME!"


    The Tower of Ascension doesn''t always grant a title and heavenly weapon. It rewards you with anything based on your contribution and personality. Some only receive a heavenly weapon or an ability. While some receive none. Nevertheless, receiving an ability or weapon is rare, not to mention the difficulty of the Tower, which increases its rarity.


    I stole one final glance at the man before deciding on my course of action.


    "Fine. I''ll grant you a swift death. Beating around the bush isn''t like me, anyway."


    However, even after obtaining an ability and heavenly weapon, there is something more rare. That thing is something you can only attain by mastering your ability, weapon, and your strength. It is called...


    I increased the distance between us while using my Omen of the Fallen to defend against possible incoming attacks and disturbances. I then sheathed my katana and asserted pressure on my feet. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling and opening my eyes.


    "Signature Move: [Unbeknownst Execution]"


    In order to use my signature move, I had to use my Omen of the Fallen to its fullest potential. Instead of only using the strength of the fallen doctors and apprentices, I also used the strength of everyone who saw me as their comrade, dead or alive, and my will to protect everyone. Not to mention, the faith everyone in the alien nation had in me.


    "AS IF I''LL LET YOU...!" The strongest criminal lunged at me but came to an immediate pause as if time froze.


    Time didn''t necessarily stop but my overwhelming speed begged to differ. Even before someone who probably had the title ''God of Travel'' or something alike, my speed was still fast enough to bring that person into a time freeze.


    After finishing the preparations for my signature move, I lunged forth and used the pommel of my sheathed katana to hit all of his pressure points in an instant. With this, he was rendered incapacitated, and the real execution began unknowingly to the foe. I entered the battoujutsu stance. With another swift lunge, I unsheathed my katana and cleanly decapitated him. After that instant, I sheathed my katana once more and time flowed again.


    "H-he--huh? W-wh..." After time resumed, it took a few seconds before the strongest criminal''s head slid off his body.


    "You should''ve just accepted my consideration," I muttered. "Hm?" I glanced in the direction of a sudden scream.


    By the time I arrived, I saw that brat and Maria unconscious, and Dr. Stein laying them beside one another. I then approached him.


    "It seems they still aren''t ready for war," I remarked, looking at them with disappointment.


    "Being prepared for war isn''t something you should boast about," he nonchalantly responded. "Comments aside, carry that girl," he ordered, picking up that brat. "Unless you want her to die."


    Knowing that Maria''s life was on the line, I didn''t care if it looked like I was taking orders from him, I still didn''t hesitate to carry her. We then rushed to his hospital.


    <hr>


    An hour passed after I entered the hospital that Dr. Stein worked at. I was sitting patiently, waiting for the results.


    I know that they will survive because they''re in the hands of the best doctor, but I want to know how long they will be hospitalized. I need them both to help me with the investigation.


    "Ugh, what''s with this damn timing?" I complained under my breath.


    Just then, Dr. Stein entered the waiting room.


    "I''m done, but their body will need to rest for a few days or possibly weeks," he stated while removing his gloves and mask.


    "Understood," I responded and got up abruptly.


    I have to deal with this investigation myself then.


    "By the way..." He shot me a skeptical glance. "What is the Knight Commander of Division One of the Iode Order doing here instead of training the knights or being by His Majesty''s side?" He queried.


    It''s okay to tell him, right?


    "Actually, I was notified of a rapid increase in illegal abductions," I answered honestly.


    "So you came to investigate."


    "Dr. Stein, do you know anything about this?"


    He took a moment to ponder on my question before answering. Was he trying to think of any suspicious activity or was he thinking of a way to avoid suspicion? I couldn''t tell but since I told him, I had no other choice but to trust his words. He did so much for the nation that I didn''t want to believe that he could be involved.


    That brat warned me that it could be the work of a very influential doctor, but what does he know?


    "That''s right, I do. But, unfortunately, I can''t do anything about it because there isn''t only one perpetrator. And as you can see, I am but a mere doctor, I don''t possess the power nor the heart to deal with so many doctors."


    So it is the second option that brat told me about. This is the work of several doctors.


    "Don''t worry, Dr. Stein. I''m here now. I''ll take care of it," I said reassuringly, placing my fist against my chest to emphasize my sincerity. "So, please tell me who are the culprits."


    Dr. Stein partially opened his mouth but no words came out. As if he wanted to cooperate but his fear of something prevented him from doing so.


    "Sorry, I can''t. If they realize that you''re onto them, even if you''re strong enough to subjugate them, this faction would still end up crumbling."


    "...W-what?"


    "Sorry, I can''t help you, but I can give you a word of advice..." He put on his gloves and mask, and then walked back to that brat and Maria''s room. "Don''t back them into a corner. Like a skunk, they will release gas when threatened. Good luck." With those as his last words, he left the waiting room.


    As for me, I clicked my teeth. I had the information in my hands, but I couldn''t read it.