Cedric's tone was bone-chilling. Clearly, if Lance dared to say "no," he wouldn't be walking out of this office alive.

  As he spoke, he pressed a red button on his desk, activating the highest-level signal jammer. Lance's wrist communicator instantly lost all network connection, becoming nothing more than scrap metal.

  In this chaotic era where the Awakened reigned supreme, the death of a background-less bottom-feeder like Lance wouldn't raise an eyebrow, even if a hundred of him died.

  After all, small Void Rifts frequently opened in urban areas, leading to monster incursions. Civilian disappearances and deaths were just normal "accidents."

  Of course, Cedric didn't want to push too hard, so he raised the stakes to 200,000 Credits. He believed any poor wretch with half a brain couldn't refuse such a windfall.

  "An 'Absolute Silence Zone,' huh? In that case, I have no worries! Since you won't tell the truth, I'll have to make you open your mouth myself!"

  However, just as Cedric thought victory was in hand, Lance stood up with a grin, his eyes dancing with mockery.

  "What do you mean!?"

  Lance’s reaction made Cedric wonder if his ears were malfunctioning. Was this kid insane?

  Make him talk? A rookie who just awakened an F-Rank Talent, with a strength of maybe a few hundred kilos, wanted to fight him? A veteran [Bronze Rank · 6-Star] powerhouse?

  Unfortunately, the next moment revealed who the real fool was.

  BOOM!!!!!!

  An explosion thundered through the room. Lance stomped down, and the floor, made of high-strength alloy, caved in instantly, blasting out a massive spiderweb crater.

  Using that terrifying recoil, Lance launched himself like a heavy artillery shell, tearing through the air with a shrieking howl.

  The expensive obsidian desk in his path shattered instantly upon impact with Lance’s kinetic force.

  The speed was so astonishing that Cedric didn't even have time to blink before Lance’s reaper-like figure appeared right in front of him.

  A second later, a hand like an iron clamp locked around his throat, lifting him into the air as easily as a chick.

  "K-kuh! You... You seek death!!"

  Cedric’s eyes went bloodshot. With a roar, his Battle Aura exploded, and his right leg whipped toward Lance’s waist like a battle axe.

  This kick carried six or seven tons of terrifying force, compressing the surrounding air until it screamed.

  Yet, facing this lethal strike, Lance only sneered and casually swung his left hand down.

  CRACK!!!!

  A tooth-aching snap echoed. Cedric’s Battle Aura-infused right leg snapped backward at the knee, white bone shards piercing through his expensive trousers.

  "ARGH!! MY LEG!!!"

  A shrill scream filled the soundproof office.

  Lance didn't hesitate. His left hand moved seamlessly to grab Cedric's flailing arm.

  SNAP!!!

  Another crisp crack, and the arm was instantly crushed into a comminuted fracture.

  The immense pain made Cedric’s eyes bulge, his previously flushed face turning paper-white.

  With his throat locked tight, he couldn't even scream anymore, only managing choking gurgles.

  What made him despair even more was Lance’s cold gaze locking onto his only remaining good arm.

  "Talk. What is your real, dirty little objective? If you don't tell the truth, I'll crush your bones one by one. I'm curious to see how many you can last."

  Lance looked at this beast in human skin, his tone colder than a wind from the abyssal depths.

  "K-kuh... I... I'll talk!!!"

  Finally, Cedric, who was never a tough guy to begin with, broke completely. If he didn't speak, his neck was next.

  Lance loosened his grip slightly, allowing just enough air into the man's lungs.

  "I... I am a branch member of the Stuart Family from the Moulton Province. I want to adopt Lillian because the family needs a girl with top-tier talent to marry into another powerful house to consolidate our status!

  "Lillian's age and talent perfectly fit the family's requirements.

  "The other party is the heir to a top tycoon family in the Imperial Capital! As long as Lillian marries over, it's a Cinderella story! It would bring endless benefits to both you and her!"

  Cedric screamed in terror, trying to move Lance with promises of profit.

  In aristocratic circles, political marriages were standard. Of course, there was a prerequisite: the partner had to be a genius with excellent genes.

  Only the union of two geniuses had a high probability of producing even stronger offspring.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Hearing Cedric's confession, Lance’s eyes boiled with killing intent.

  He hadn't expected these so-called Deans, these so-called nobles, to be this filthy! Although for many poor orphans, this might truly be a chance to change their fate.

  That was why Cedric dared to say it outright. He thought that once Lance knew the truth, the boy would kneel and thank him.

  But that definitely didn't include Lance!

  "In that case, you can die."

  Lance’s fingers tightened instantly, no longer masking his intent to kill.

  Cedric’s eyes rolled back, the terror of death enveloping him.

  "K-kuh... You can't kill me! My uncle is an Elder of the Stuart Family! If you kill me... the family will hunt you to the ends of the earth! A genius like you... killing me will only ruin your future!

  "If you let me go... I can recommend you to the family! They'll sponsor you to the Imperial First Royal War Academy! You'll be the most prestigious person on Silver Moon Planet... There's no need to ruin your future for a small fry like me!"

  Cedric used the last of his strength to scream, trying to threaten Lance with his own prospects.

  Unfortunately, Lance only revealed a mocking smile.

  "Didn't you say it yourself? Dying here is like crushing a bug—no one will know. By the time they realize you're missing and trace it back to me, it'll be at least ten days to half a month.

  "Let me tell you something. In ten days, a mere Stuart Family... I can wipe them out with a wave of my hand!!"

  Lance calmly pronounced his death sentence.

  He didn't give the man another chance to beg.

  CRACK!!!!

  With a violent jerk of his right hand, Cedric’s cervical spine snapped instantly, his head drooping limply.

  But that wasn't enough. To be safe, and to vent his fury, Lance punched out.

  BOOM!!!!!

  In an instant, an iron fist carrying ten thousand catties of force exploded Cedric’s head!

  A mist of red and white erupted, turning the luxurious office into a hellish slaughterhouse.

  "The Stuart Family? If you stay out of my way, fine. But if you come looking for trouble, don't blame me for being ruthless."

  Dropping the headless corpse, Lance gazed calmly in the direction of the provincial capital.

  Silver Moon City was merely a fringe city within the jurisdiction of the Moulton Province.

  As for Cedric’s dying threat, Lance didn’t give it a second thought. He turned and walked into the suite's luxurious bathroom. Three minutes later, having washed the blood from his body, he swaggered out of the Dean's administrative tower.

  Before leaving, he used the Dean’s clearance to set the entire building to "Closed Cultivation: No Visitors."

  This way, even if Cedric didn't show his face for weeks, no one would be suspicious. High-ranking professionals going into seclusion was a common occurrence.

  Of course, Lance didn't need weeks. Ten days. With his monstrous talent, terrifying cultivation speed, and the System's aid, ten days was all he needed to raise his strength to a level where the Stuart Family wouldn't dare touch him.

  He didn't know the exact depth of the Stuart Family’s power, but since they were still rooted in the Moulton Province, their upper limit couldn't exceed the province's supreme ruler—His Excellency, the [Inquisitor]. And the Inquisitor was a [Silver Rank · 7-Star].

  With ten days and the System, Lance was 70% confident he could break into the [Silver Rank]!

  Plus, with two exploit fixes a day, ten days meant 20 enhancements. By then, even he couldn't predict how high his combat power would soar.

  Lost in thought, Lance arrived back at the gates of the 1st Prep Academy.

  Lillian’s enrollment procedures would take a while, so Lance walked into a nearby self-service cultivation gym and rented a private room.

  In this era where everyone practiced martial arts, these gyms were as common as old-world internet cafes.

  For a few Credits, anyone could rent a fully equipped room.

  Since he was just killing time, Lance chose the cheapest low-grade room for 10 Credits an hour.

  "Lance, where are you? I'm done with the paperwork!"

  After meditating for over three hours, Lillian’s message finally popped up on his new terminal (the old one had automatically rebooted after the jammer shut off).

  [System Alert]: Constitution +1!

  [System Alert]: Constitution +1!

  ...

  Lance ended his session and tapped open his status panel.

  [User Status Panel]

  Name: Lance

  Rank: [Bronze Rank · 4-Star]

  Constitution: 44 (Governs Physical Attack, Defense, HP Recovery)

  Soul: 5 (Standard Human = 1)

  Talents:

  [Undying God-Body] (Tier SSS):

  Passive: Constitution +300%, Soul +300%.

  [Elemental Saint Body] (Tier SS):

  Passive: Comprehension x1000, Cultivation Efficiency x1000.

  [Titanium War Body] (Tier C):

  Active: Speed +300%, Defense +500%.

  Skills/Arts:

  [Titanium War Art] (Tier 4 · Rare)

  Proficiency: [Perfect]

  Effect: 300% Cultivation Speed Boost.

  Lance’s Constitution had soared to 44 points, and his rank had successfully broken through to [Bronze Rank · 4-Star]!

  At this rocket-like speed, given another day, he could definitely challenge the barrier to [Silver Rank]. Of course, whether he could shatter that watershed in a single day depended on how smoothly his subsequent training went.

  "I'm at the gate. Coming out now!"

  Lance replied, left the gym, and soon spotted Lillian at the academy entrance.

  "Lance, did the Dean go back?"

  Not seeing Cedric, Lillian asked curiously.

  "He's the Dean; he manages a thousand things a day. Once we finished talking, he went back to handle official business! By the way, are you all set? When do classes start?"

  Lance smiled, his tone relaxed. No one could tell this guy had just torn a powerhouse apart with his bare hands.

  "I see. Classes officially start tomorrow! So I can go home and cultivate today!" Lillian said happily.

  "Great. To celebrate your smooth enrollment, I'm taking you out for a big meal!"

  Lance laughed and ruffled her hair.

  "Huh? Let's not, Lance. We're almost out of money, aren't we?"

  Hearing Lance want to splurge again, Lillian’s face scrunched up like a steamed bun in pain. Lance had just spent 10,000 Credits on potions; their savings were running on fumes.

  "Don't worry about grown-up stuff, kid. Just follow my lead!"

  Seeing her little miser act, Lance grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the nearest restaurant without further discussion.

  Though Lillian’s heart ached for the money, seeing her brother so happy made her resolve to pay him back with her freshman scholarship as soon as she got it.

  Little did she know, since Lance had murdered the Dean, that special scholarship was probably toast.

  Over an hour later, at high noon.

  After lunch, Lance dropped Lillian off at home, then headed alone to the city center of Silver Moon City.

  He stood before a magnificent skyscraper towering over a thousand meters high. Constructed entirely of obsidian and special alloys, a massive holographic crest hung above the main entrance, depicting a sword and shield—the symbol of the [Awakened Guild].

  This was the headquarters of the Silver Moon City Awakened Guild.

  Anyone wanting to become an official Professional had to get certified here. It was also the only place to accept official bounty missions.

  Lance had only one goal: obtain official Professional status and get a pass to enter the [Wilderness Hunting Zone].

  Hunting monsters in the wild was the only way to make quick money.

  Without Credits, buying higher-tier Skill Books, Magic Scrolls, Alchemy Potions, or even Enchanted Weapons was just a pipe dream.

  With his [Exploit Patching] System, he was itching to see what kind of god-tier artifacts he could cook up if he started fixing the loopholes in weapons and pills.

  With that thought, Lance strode through the Guild's main gates.

  [Access Alert]: You are entering the Silver Moon City Branch of the Awakened Guild. Warning! System detects you have not undergone Professional Certification. Your access is currently restricted to the Level 1 Certification Hall!

  A cold electronic voice sounded in his ear as he crossed the laser scanning gate.

  Past the security checkpoint, a sea of noise washed over him.

  The super-massive Level 1 Hall, covering millions of square meters, was packed with hundreds of thousands of people. There were warriors in heavy armor, mages clutching staffs, and even more rookies like Lance waiting for certification.

  "Still crowded as hell. Guess I'll queue up. Hopefully, I can catch the latest batch of assessments!"