Half a day later, Raine stepped out of the sealed chamber.
"Another breakthrough?" Black Falcon couldn't help exclaiming when he sensed the aura around Raine growing even more solid and condensed.
How long had this kid even been in the army?
This rate of advancement was simply unbelievable.
"Just a little," Raine said modestly.
"What are you planning to do next?" Black Falcon asked. "Crimson City took a huge loss this time. They won't let it go."
"High Priest Sydell, Quin, those alien races—they may take even more extreme revenge. Lord Garson's idea is for you to lie low for a while…"
"Instructor, I want to apply to go out alone for field training," Raine said bluntly. "If I stay in the camp, I'll become a target and drag everyone else into it."
"On my own I can move more freely. And I need more real combat to keep advancing and getting stronger."
All he needed was to kill large numbers of alien races to gain bloodstones and keep ranking up!
Black Falcon frowned. But seeing the unshakable resolve in Raine's eyes, he also knew that once this kid made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it.
Was he supposed to assign someone to watch him all day long?
After a moment of consideration, he said, "I'll report this to Deputy Captain Aaron and Commander Tetra."
...
On the other side of Crimson City, above a branch range of the Evernight Mountains.
Several gargoyles hovered within the storm clouds.
At their head was a young man with four pairs of silver wings on his back. His aura had clearly reached the peak of Elite rank, with one foot already stepping into the threshold of Expert.
He was the young powerhouse sent by the gargoyle clan to investigate Yobir's death and handle the aftermath—
Silverwing Selas!
Beside him stood the guards who had once protected Yobir and the others. Before Selas, the three held respectful, careful postures.
"Tell me the truth," Selas said, his silver-gray flame-like pupils revealing no emotion. "How strong was the human who killed Yobir?"
"Young Master Selas, with your strength, killing him would be effortless," they replied.
They didn't dare admit that Raine had only been Formal rank back then, nor did they dare describe the fight in detail—afraid they would be blamed for failing in their duty as guards.
All they wanted was for this young genius to quickly resolve the problem so they could report back.
Selas heard the vagueness and concealment in their words and let out a cold snort.
"Looks like I came for nothing. If I'd known it was this, I would've let the trash back in the clan deal with this mess."
The clan had sent him because they worried there might truly be a hidden human prodigy active in this region.
Now it seemed the killer had probably succeeded through some sort of trick.
These guards were exaggerating out of nothing—just trying to push the blame away from themselves.
Still, since he was already here, Selas couldn't be bothered to dig deeper.
He simply beat his silver wings and flew toward Crimson City.
Two hours later, Selas arrived at Crimson City.
The atmosphere inside was oppressively tense and furious. Everywhere, he heard alien races cursing humans and roaring about razing Iron Dragon Fortress to the ground.
Selas frowned slightly and grabbed a passing Soul Devourer officer.
"What happened?"
The officer sensed Selas's overwhelming aura and didn't dare delay. He immediately recounted in detail what had occurred at the city gate not long ago.
"What?!"
The three guards' pupils shrank violently.
But a sharp glint flashed through Selas's eyes.
He knew Narkus—maybe not top-tier, but definitely not weak. And Krug, especially, possessed terrifying defense.
Six of them together, with powerhouses like Quin watching nearby… and yet they'd all been slaughtered in a short time by a single person, who even escaped successfully?
To accomplish that, the killer had to possess crushing, overwhelming strength!
"Interesting."
A cold curve formed at the corner of Selas's mouth.
Looks like this trip might not be so boring after all.
...
Iron Dragon Fortress — Wartime Command Hall.
Governor Garson urgently summoned the captains and staff officers…
"City Lord, what's so urgent?" Tom asked, seeing the heavy gravity in Garson's single eye.
Garson's voice was grim. "We just received an emergency secret order from the Hunting Council."
"One of our human prodigies was severely injured on the Tidebound Battlefield while fighting for the Abyss Heart—ambushed by a thunderclan prodigy working with several Grandmaster-rank powerhouses!"
"That prodigy used a forbidden secret technique at the end and apparently escaped into our eastern region."
"What?!"
Everyone's faces changed instantly.
A human prodigy!
Their significance was nothing like ordinary "geniuses." Each one was the backbone of humanity's future, carrying the hope of breaking the alien races' suppression and leading mankind's rise.
Four years ago, on the western front, there had even been a feat where a Master-rank human prodigy had coss-rank—killed three alien-race Grandmasters while fighting above their rank.
The higher the realm, the harder it became to fight across ranks—difficulty rising exponentially.
At present, humanity had only eleven such prodigies. Every single one was a future beacon guiding mankind forward.
Losing even one would be a blow more devastating than losing the entire eastern fortress line!
"What's the situation now?" Yarna's voice was icy, but the concern in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Garson said heavily, "Information is limited. We only know the injuries are extremely severe. The situation is not optimistic."
"Thunderclan and Blackwater Clan have already sent hunters after them. The Council has dispatched reinforcements, but distant water can't put out a nearby fire."
"What I'm more worried about is Crimson City. We must find them before the alien races do—and protect them!"
"I understand." Andrew put away his usual carefree attitude, his expression turning solemn. "We have to move immediately."
"Tom, Yarna—each of you pull half of your elite forces to form search teams. Use the cover of a 'special mission' and sweep outward beyond the defensive line."
"Notify all outposts and patrol squads to raise alertness. Watch for any abnormal energy fluctuations. At the same time, monitor every movement from Crimson City and report immediately!"
Garson issued orders rapidly.
"Yes!"
They answered in unison, turning and striding out.
Soon, a shrill horn representing the highest level of alert echoed throughout Iron Dragon Fortress.
The entire war machine began spinning at full speed.
...
Crimson City — Spire Palace Hall.
A Master-rank powerhouse flew in at high speed.
"High Priest! Emergency message from the clan!"
The messenger's tone was urgent.
Sydell's expression shifted slightly. "What is it?"
"A human prodigy from the Tidebound Battlefield escaped on the brink of death—likely infiltrated our region!"
"Thunderclan and Blackwater Clan have already sent hunters in. The Clan Chief orders that we search for the human at any cost!"
"Once found—kill on sight! The clan has also dispatched powerhouses for support!"
Sydell's grip on his staff tightened violently.
A human prodigy, grievously wounded…
If they could kill them… the merit and influence would far surpass capturing Iron Dragon Fortress!
It would be a crushing blow to humanity—and an enormous opportunity for Sydell and the Soul Devourer clan to rise in status within the alien alliance!
"Pass my order!"
Sydell's voice carried suppressed excitement.
"All officers at Expert rank and above—come to me immediately!"
Before long, Quin, Quet, and other powerhouses descended upon the hall one after another.
"High Priest, what are your instructions?" Quin asked in a deep, rumbling voice.
"A human prodigy has been heavily injured and fled into our region," Sydell said coldly. "Iron Dragon Fortress definitely knows as well."
"We will find that human before they do. At any cost—execute them!"
"A human prodigy?!"
Their breathing grew heavier in an instant.
"Move at once!"
Sydell slammed his staff down.
Moments later, countless powerful auras shot skyward from Crimson City, spreading outward across the vast battlefield and wilderness in all directions.