OOOM!
When the Family Investigators arrived on the scene, the earth shook and the sky wavered. Anna's complexion paled, and feelings of regret surfaced. She never should've done something as foolish as staying with Nylon.
Yet, even so, if presented with the same options again, Anna's choice would remain the same. She wasn't sure why, though…
"Are you the troublemaker?" The thinned eyes of an older man with a fearsome aura fell on Nylon. His body instinctively quivered under the pressure, as it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before.
'The 7th Plane, Mystery…'
It was said the difference between the 5th and 7th Planes was larger than that of a Mortal and the 5th Plane. Nylon hadn't believed it before, but now, with multiple of such experts crushing down on him, he knew it to be the truth.
The Mystery Plane was commonly referred to as the true start of the path of an Energy Cultivator. It was also when huge differences between the Energy and Body Paths began to show.
"I'll take your silence as a confirmation of your crimes." The old Mystery Plane man emitted a killing intent that traveled over to the woman standing next to Nylon, sending shivers down Anna's spine. "As for you… A Warden is actually siding with a slave?"
All the Investigators were staring daggers into Anna.
Her heart pounded in her chest. She was scared—so very scared.
She had no idea what to do or say. The only thing that slipped from her lips were broken, stammered sounds. That's when it hit her—just how badly she'd screwed up with her reckless decision.
Panic wrapped around her like a vice.
But just as she teetered on the edge of total collapse, someone… stepped forward.
A broad back moved into view, shielding her from the weight of their glares.
That was when Anna realized that a blade had been but mere centimeters away from cleaving off her head…
'The Investigators… tried to kill me…?'
And the one who prevented this from happening was the same one whom she promised to protect—a young man stopping the advance of the blade with his bare hands. Blood trickled down his right arm, yet he revealed no evidence of the stinging pain.
"You were able to stop that??" Surprise filtered through the eyes of an Invincible Plane Investigator. His shock grew when he realized that his blade was stuck in place, the young man's grip illogically strong.
That was when it appeared—a killing intent countless times more terrifying than those possessed by the Mystery Plane Investigators.
Closest to the source of this killing intent, Investigator Jack abandoned his sword. He leapt away, fear etched across his face.
There was no doubt in his mind that if he stayed even a second longer, he would've… died…
"What is this??" Investigator Arden, a Mystery Plane Expert, felt his soul trembling. Looking at the young handsome man now, he saw a devil in human skin.
"What should we do, Leader??" The Investigators looked for instructions from Investigator Kargon, a powerful Energy Cultivator nearing the 8th Plane of the Awakening Realm.
Silence…
Investigator Kargon himself wasn't sure what their next course of action should be. On one hand, what they were so afraid of was no more than a slave boy. On the other hand, this boy possessed a killing intent that gave faint illusions of a sea of blood flowing behind him.
In the end, Investigator Kargon chose to do something that no one expected.
Pointing to the horrifying young man, he said, "You. What is your Plane?"
Nylon didn't know why this was asked of him, but he nonetheless responded, "The 5th Plane, Juggernaut."
The Investigators showed visible surprise, and so too did Anna. None of them could comprehend how a mere slave could reach such a high Realm with little to no resources.
"If you've achieved the Juggernaut Plane, then you certainly qualify at your age." Investigator Kargon rubbed his chin, nodding repeatedly. "Yes, I've decided. You, young man, will be a… Steward of the North Sea Family!"
"!!!" "!!!" "!!!"
A Steward of the North Sea Family!?
One second, Nylon was thrown onto the chopping block, but the next, he was being promoted?? How did this make any sense!?
"What are you saying, Leader—"
"Be quiet." Investigator Kargon silenced a fellow Mystery Plane Investigator. The other Investigator gave no protest, closing his mouth right away.
"This decision of mine is in accordance with the interests of the mighty North Sea Family," Kargon explained upon noticing much confusion among the crowd. "A talent like this boy is hard to come by. For him to develop to this point without access to any resources, his potential is limitless."
Now that they thought about it, the Investigators realized that Kargon was right. Making them even more understanding was the thought of receiving a hefty reward in exchange for scouting a talented youngster like Nylon.
With everyone in mind, Investigator Kargon returned his attention to the young man feigning shock. "So what do you say? Are you willing to shed your status as a slave and move up to the position of a servant that works for the Family which Lords over the surrounding tens of miles?"
Nylon pretended to hesitate. He made it seem like he was at inner turmoil with himself, conflicted on his next step. When, in reality, this was all predicted by him long before he 'rashly' murdered Brad in public.
Everything was for the sake of taking his first real leap forward in life.