Awakening: Reincarnating With the SSS-Level Extraction Talent

[Golden Star Festival: 49:32 minutes remaining.]

While Alex, Alice, and Aurelia secured their [Fate Gift Boxes], a dark gathering was underway nearby.

The shadowed figures of the [Hatred Sect] observed from the top of the [Golden Star Academy], their presence hidden among the festival's lively chaos.

Each member's gaze swept the crowd, calculating, observing.

They had already marked several NPCs and players for sacrifice, their twisted devotion to the [Hatred Demon] driving them to fulfill their sinister mission.

Now, all that remained was the arrival of their leader.

"Everything's in place," muttered Dominic, the chairman of the academy.

"Lord X should be here any moment," replied Kento, his body pulsating unnaturally as dark tentacles slithered around him, a reflection of his bound pact with the demon.

Suddenly, a wave of oppressive energy swept over them, making even the most hardened among them flinch.

"He's here," Kofuku, the jester-like guardian, whispered in awe, a manic grin spreading across his face as he twirled a dagger in his hand.

The air seemed to freeze, and then, as if stepping from the very fabric of darkness itself, Lord X appeared. Stay tuned to empire

His form was obscured by a swirling cloak of black energy, but his eyes glowed with an unsettling crimson light that pierced the gloom.

"Is everything prepared?" His voice was deep and resonant, carrying an unspoken authority that demanded obedience.

"Lord X!" Kofuku practically leapt forward, his excitement barely contained. "We've been waiting!"

Dominic stepped forward, his expression calm.

"Everything is ready, as planned. We've identified the targets for sacrifice and prepared the summoning site."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Good." Lord X's gaze swept over his commanders, lingering briefly on each one. "And Kars? What's his status?"

"Kars has already made his move," Kento replied, his dark tendrils writhing more violently. "He's been spotted dealing with his so-called 'customers.'"

"Then we leave him to his business," Lord X stated coldly, "Kofuku and Yokubo you'll oversee the ritual. Make sure everything proceeds without interruption."

"Yes, my lord!" Kofuku saluted theatrically, his grin stretching even wider.

Yokubo simply nodded.

"Kento and Dominic," Lord X continued, "remain on standby. Capture the targets that you selected for the ritual, don't miss any of them."

Both men nodded, their expressions unwavering.

"Kyofu and Gekido," Lord X's tone turned sharp, "you will ensure the perimeter remains secure. I don't want any curious eyes wandering where they shouldn't."

"Consider it done," Gekido replied smoothly, tipping his hat in a mock bow.

With their orders given, the [Hatred Sect] dispersed, their movements synchronized and precise.

After that, only Lord X and Kito remained.

"..." Kito couldn't speak, and as said before, his skin was covered by dark stone, making him look like a statue.

"You can go, I'll manage everything else." Lord X informed, and immediately, Kito disappeared in a flash of light.

Lord X walked to the edge of the academy's roof and sat, his gaze fixed on the bustling festival below.

From his vantage point, he could see the [Guardians of Hatred] moving efficiently, abducting their marked targets without anyone noticing.

If someone did catch on, a secondary group dealt with them swiftly and quietly.

Failure was not an option.

If their operation was compromised, they would raze [Star City] to the ground.

Yet, as Lord X monitored the unfolding operation, a peculiar sensation rippled through him, a presence he recognized instantly: the [Heart of Calamity].

His eyes narrowed.

He was the only one that could detect it from deep within Alex's body, even from this distance.

Lord X didn't waste a single second, instantly jumping from the roof all the way to the location the signal came from: near Kars' carriage

BOOM!

He landed with a thunderous impact, creating a small crater that sent shockwaves rippling outward.

Several players nearby were caught in the blast and died.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"RUN!"

Panic erupted as people fled in terror, but Lord X paid them no mind.

He closed his eyes, honing in on the link to the [Heart of Calamity].

Seconds later, he dashed to a nearby rooftop, the signal drawing him toward one specific location.

And then, from his perch, he spotted his target.

Although Alex wore the [Mask of Concealment], which shielded his identity, Lord X felt the aura of the [Heart of Calamity] pulsing from him.

"Jackpot," Lord X muttered, his grin widening for the first time in years.

He was now closer to the items than ever before, and if he killed Alex, he would get the most important item among them all.

Dark energy began swirling around him as massive shadowy arms emerged from portals.

This was one of his skills: [Shadow Arms].

"Capture him," he commanded while pointing at the man, "Kill the two girls. Leave no witnesses."

Listening to his commands, the shadowy arms launched toward Alex, Alice, and Aurelia at terrifying speed, seemingly wanting to take them by surprise.

But...

[The Heart of Calamity senses an ominous power approaching from behind.]

"...?"

[The Cursed Eyes of the King advise immediate avoidance.]

Lord X's status as a Tier-10 entity, a level 1500 powerhouse, meant Alex stood no chance against him.

Even with his strongest allies, including the [Three-Headed Calamity Hydra], [Alphox], and the [Undead King], Alex's odds were nonexistent.

You could triple all of their powers and merge them together, and it still wouldn't be enough to defeat Lord X.

But Alex refused to surrender.

"DEATH CALL!" he shouted, summoning the [Undead King].

The skeletal monarch, materialized above Alex, his hollow eyes glowing with grim determination.

Usually, the king would have surely said that the help back inside the carriage was the [Death Call], but this time he actually let it slide, helping out Alex.

"You can't win. Escape now," the king advised, his voice firm as he stared at the shadow arms heading toward them.

Silver energy enveloped the [Undead King] as skeletal arms erupted from the ground, meeting the shadowy limbs mid-air.

The clash only held for a second as his skeleton arms weren't strong enough to hold the shadow arms.

But that second was all Alex needed to grab Alice and Aurelia's hands, opening his [World Map] and selecting the [Fox Tribe Village].

With a flash of light, they teleported away just as the shadow arms struck, resulting in a massive explosion that obliterated the street where they had stood.

The Undead King disappeared as well as Alex teleported.

The aftermath was devastating, charred ground, shattered structures, and utter chaos.

Lord X stared at the destruction in silence, his eyes narrowing. "Where did he go?"

He scanned the surroundings, his senses sharp, but Alex's presence had vanished.

After a moment, realization dawned.

Alex had escaped again, eluding him just as he had before.

He had stolen the [Heart of Calamity] and [Vial of Undead Blood], and escaped them several times.

Yet despite the setback, Lord X remained composed. He didn't rage or destroy anything further.

"It just means he's nearby," he murmured, turning away from the wreckage.

Lord X wasn't just calm, he was smiling.

"You can't run forever," he said softly, his voice carrying an unsettling certainty. "I'll find you, little thief. And when I do..."

He disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the smoldering ruins of his attack.