"ROAR—"
Angry Bear Knox roared at the sky, desperately raising his giant hands.
Boom—
Boom—
Rumble!
Rumble!!
Deafening thuds.
The earth trembled, dust falling from nearby buildings.
Erica, standing nearby, felt her mind go blank. Her eyes stared straight ahead, cold sweat soaking her back.
She was incredibly thankful for her choice.
Surrendering to this monster instead of fighting was the best decision. Being a servant or slave didn't matter—at least she was alive.
This guy was a monster.
A complete monster.
In front of them.
Knox, the Angry Bear, was hammered into the ground like a nail by the giant metal pole Ryker wielded.
His muscular arms were bloody.
His head was cracked and bleeding.
His entire body was buried, leaving only his head exposed.
And clearly.
The Berserk effect was gone. Not because time ran out, but because Ryker beat it out of him.
The burly man who tried to rule Meteor City now had eyes full of terror.
No more arrogance or rage. Only sheer horror.
He was scared!
His arms felt broken, numb. Countless bones in his body were shattered.
Yet the man in front of him stood smiling, hands barely moved.
Monster!
Definitely a monster. He isn't human! Knox's mind collapsed.
"Spare... Spare me! I will obey you, Lord! I was wrong! I was wrong!!!"
Knox, with only his head above ground, begged frantically. Many teeth were broken.
He looked wretched. If his resurrected lackeys saw him, they wouldn't believe this was the majestic Knox.
"Too late."
Aizen Ryker smiled slightly, slowly drawing the katana at his waist.
The sharp blade reflected his handsome face and slightly upturned lips.
"No—No no no no—Lord, I can help you, I can—"
His words were cut short.
A flash of sword light.
Knox's giant head flew up, blood spurting from his neck like a fountain.
His severed head retained the terrified expression, mouth open as if trying to speak, but no sound came out.
[DING! You killed Angry Bear Knox. Randomly plundering traits...]
[Plunder Successful!]
[Acquired: [Enhancement Talent] (Gold), [Beastification] (Purple)!]
[System Note: User has superior trait [Blackening] (Black). [Beastification] crushed for XP.]
[System Note: Fusing [Enhancement] (Double Gold) + (Purple) + (Double Blue)...]
[Congratulations! You acquired [Enhancement Grandmaster] (Red)!]
Heavenly sound.
Mysterious energy flooded Ryker's limbs and bones, rapidly strengthening his body and cells.
Knowledge of Enhancement flooded his mind.
Enhancement Grandmaster · Red!
Perfect!!
So good!
Ryker's stats now:
Transmutation Grandmaster · Red!
Enhancement Grandmaster · Red!
Double Red!
Soon, he would be a true Hexagon Warrior with all six systems at Red tier.
Awesome!!
Ryker was in a great mood.
Meteor City was a gratifying jungle map. The boss drops were touching!
Erica was still dumbfounded.
The District 4 thugs arriving at the scene also stared blankly at their headless boss!
"Gulp... Boss... died?"
"H-How is that possible! Boss was in Berserk Bear Mode!"
"This guy... killed the Boss? Should we..."
"Attack together? Kill him?"
Many thugs arrived.
But in Ryker's eyes, they were clay chickens and pottery dogs.
Trash traits. Not even a Purple one?
Weak!
But it made sense. In Meteor City, the first thing a boss does is kill rivals.
Knox had wiped out anyone strong.
Idiots! Wasting traits.
But now, Ryker would reorganize.
Meteor City would become his trait farm.
Owning a territory meant maximizing rare trait drops (Luck, Specialist, etc.).
He would set rules to preserve strong individuals for farming.
Maximize profit!
"Impudent—Why aren't you kneeling? Your boss Knox is dead! I am Erica of District 9! This is Lord Aizen! From now on, Lord Aizen rules this land!!"
"If you stand, you oppose us. I, Erica, will make you wish for death."
Erica reacted, standing before Ryker as his mouthpiece!
With a whip crack, she took off a lackey's head.
Her cruelty scared the thugs. They knelt like wheat in the wind.
Survival rule #1 in Meteor City: Drop your dignity.
Ryker looked at Erica with satisfaction. "Bring the head. Next stop: Community Warmth Delivery."
"Yes! My Lord!!"
Erica bowed, voice filled with respect and fear.
She truly feared this man. Even Knox was a corpse now.
Loyalty and iron-fisted assistance to Lilian were her only path to survival.
Erica, who usually abused men, looked at Ryker's back with infatuation.
Meteor City... is about to change!
Meteor City. Inner Circle, Council Hall.
At one end of a long table, a thin old man in a gorgeous robe sat with narrowed eyes.
Brandon the 'Flame' (District 1 Elder).
The uncrowned king of Meteor City. He controlled Districts 1, 2, 9, and 10.
Knox was the rising star challenging him.
"Hehe, Boss Brandon, why call us here?"
A man with gold teeth and a dagger smiled.
Gold Tooth (District 3 Elder).
"Why aren't Erica and the others here?"
"Brandon, I won't let you manage District 6. We listen to Knox."
"Redrawing districts is fine. How much for District 11?"
Only 8 of 13 Elders arrived. They looked playful.
Even Brandon couldn't control everyone.
Brandon's face was dark. He waited for news.
"Sir... trouble in District 9. Erica betrayed you. She went to District 4 to fight Knox. This might cause conflict."
An aide whispered.
Brandon's face dripped with gloom.
"Silence!"
He tapped his cane. The room quieted.
"Everyone, I didn't call this meeting. Erica of District 9 did. And unfortunately, she has chosen to cut ties with me!"
The Elders caused an uproar.
"What? Brandon, joking? Everyone knows she's your dog."
"Really? So if we kill her, you won't interfere?"
"Hohoho."
These were cunning foxes. They doubted Brandon.
"Indeed! I called you here! Erica of District 9!"
Suddenly.
The door pushed open.
Erica, dressed modestly but covered in tattoos, walked in. behind her were Aizen Ryker and Lilian (dressed cleanly).
"What?"
"Brandon, you're old. Can't control your subordinates. Disappointing."
"Erica, do you know what you're saying? 8 Elders are here!"
"I was busy grabbing turf. You told me to come?"
Ferocious eyes stared at Erica, then glanced at Ryker and Lilian.
"Yo, Erica. Bringing your male slave to the Council?" Gold Tooth sneered.
"Erica, why call us?"
Brandon glared coldly. His authority was challenged.
If she didn't explain, District 9 would get a new Elder.
"Brandon, and you all... From today, Meteor City changes masters! This is Lord Aizen. From today, my District 9, plus District 4, District 3, District 12... all submit to Lord Aizen and Lady Lilian!"
Erica respectfully stepped aside, giving her seat to Ryker.
Aizen Ryker sat down with a faint smile. Erica and Lilian stood like maids.
Ryker sat next to Gold Tooth.
"Sorry for the delay. Some guys didn't want to attend, so I went to notify them," Ryker said gentlemanly.
"Hehe! Notify? I don't see Knox or those idiots. And who are you? No seat for you here. Erica, you like being on top now?" Gold Tooth grinned.
"Shut your dog mouth!!"
Snap!
Erica's poisoned whip lashed out. Gold Tooth dodged.
Erica dumped a pile of items on the table.
Gold Tooth and the others stood up to fight. No rules here but fists.
Brandon's eyes burned with rage. Betrayal for a pretty boy?
But as they prepared to attack, the pile scattered.
Bloody heads rolled out.
District 4 Elder Knox!
District 3 Elder... (Gold Tooth's rival?)
District 12 Elder...
Faces frozen in terror and despair.
Blue veins popped on Brandon's forehead.
Knox... was dead.
Ryker was in a good mood.
Killing the disobedient ones gave good loot.
Some traits evolved.
[Emission Master] (Gold)!
[True · Super Regeneration] (Gold)!
The latter was a surprise. [Super Regeneration] (Purple) (from landmine mushrooms) + a similar Double Purple trait from an Elder = Gold!
Now, unless his head exploded or heart was destroyed instantly, Ryker would regenerate.
Perfect!
Comfortable!
So even with these guys spewing filth, Ryker smiled.
He looked at them like pigs in a pen.
Squeal all you want. Slaughter time is coming.
Fat harvest!
And... these guys had nice traits!
Tsk tsk tsk.
I love this place. Everyone here is talent.
The better you are, the happier I am!
"..."
The conference room fell into a weird silence.
The trash talkers froze, staring at the heads.
Especially Knox's head.
Minds buzzed.
Even Brandon, the old fox, felt his heart pound.
Knox was his rival. Now dead.
"Gentlemen. Now, can we discuss the rezoning of Meteor City? We are all civilized people."
Aizen Ryker smiled elegantly.
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