The intelligence officer understood perfectly what the higher-up was worried about.
So after a brief silence, he chose to take the initiative and report:
"My lord, weâll avoid acting within the city-state as much as possible."
"But if there isnât a good opportunity, we may have no choice but to strike inside Mylanne City."
"Itâs just that if we do that... weâll very likely lose an eight-star awakener."
Hearing this, the titan race higher-upâs expression darkened. For a moment, he couldnât bring himself to decide.
Even for a powerful race like the titan race, the value of an eight-star awakener was enormous.
To lose a top-tier powerhouse for the sake of a human geniusâwas that trade really worth it?
Seeing that his superior still couldnât harden his heart, the young intelligence officer immediately decided to add fuel to the fire.
"My lord, now is not the time to hesitate. For our titan race, nothing is more important than regaining the trust of the other races. Even if we have to sacrifice an eight-star awakener, I believeâ"
Before he could finish, the titan race higher-up suddenly slapped him viciously across the face.
"Are you insane? Who gave a mere intelligence officer like you the right to comment on something like this?"
"Do you understand? Compared to the importance of an eight-star awakener, even a thousand of you wouldnât matter!"
The young intelligence officer clenched his teeth, swallowed the blood, and lowered his head without another word.
On the other side, the titan race higher-up weighed it over, then spoke decisively:
"Send the order immediately. Have our assassins act outside the boundaries of Mylanne City."
"If thereâs no suitable opportunity, then have a peak six-star awakener make the move instead."
"After all, within Mylanne Cityâs range, thereâs no real difference between an eight-star and a peak six-star anyway."
The young intelligence officer ground his teeth, but in the end said nothing. He only bowed his head and replied softly, "Yes."
...
At the same time, in a luxurious hotel suite elsewhere in the underground cityâ
A blond, blue-eyed elven executive was leisurely enjoying a massage from a young wood elf girl.
On a sofa not far away, a senior wood elf sat stiffly and carefully.
"Elder, I still donât understand. You clearly already planned to have that guy named Caelan join Killing Grounds, so why are you letting the titan race attempt to assassinate him?"
The elven executive kept his eyes closed, savoring the delicate fragrance of the girlâs body. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a calm, indifferent tone:
"The titan race... theyâre just a bunch of brainless fools. If they want to prove their strength, let them try."
"If he really is the Chosen One, killing him would settle everything neatly. But I donât think the titan race has that kind of ability."
"And even if he isnât the Chosen One, the kid is still a top-tier human genius. If the titan race kills him, the hatred wonât fall on us."
After hearing this, the wood elf senior finally relaxed completely.
He stood up respectfully, then bowed toward the elven executive.
"In that case, I wonât disturb your rest any further, Elder."
"If you have any orders, just call for me at any time!"
...
At this very moment, Caelan was still racing through Mylanne Cityâ
Completely unaware that killing intent was closing in around him.
Not far away in the outer city, inside an ordinary-looking residential houseâ
More than a dozen titan race members, each over two meters tall, were gathered together with great caution.
"According to the latest intel, the target seems to be preparing to leave Mylanne City. His direction is most likely the teleportation array."
"If we let him leave through the teleportation array, our entire plan will be wasted!"
For a moment, the titan race members present grew anxious. Almost in unison, they turned their gazes toward the center of the room.
"Lord Ruben, you decide!"
Ruben·Okdo had once been among the most brilliant geniuses of the titan race.
Back then, he had shone like a rising star, dazzling within his peopleâno one knew how many had cheered for him.
But time was the fairest judge of all. As the years passed, the name Ruben·Okdo gradually vanished from public sight.
The once-radiant genius was now left with only an aging body.
He raised his hands and looked at his own withered, callused skin.
"The higher-ups sent us out for only one purpose: to kill the human raceâs newly risen genius."
"Whether he is the Chosen One or not doesnât matter to us."
"What matters is how we kill himâso we can weaken the human race."
"Defo, go toward the teleportation array. If possible, create a disturbance and force it to shut down temporarily."
"Edlas, youâre responsible for keeping a close watch on the target. If he shows any intention of leaving the city, report to me immediately."
"I, Ruben, will become his undertaker."
After completing all the assignments, the titan race members around him immediately dispersed, each going off to handle their own task.
The house, which had been somewhat crowded just moments ago, suddenly felt strangely empty.
Ruben sat on a wooden chair, lifted his head, and looked toward the northern sky.
Perhaps this time... the name Ruben·Okdo would disappear from this world for good.
...
Inside Mylanne Cityâ
Caelan was extremely satisfied with the Whitewing Tigerâs speed.
Especially the thrill of sudden accelerationâit gave him a roller-coaster-like sensation.
Though compared to [Flashstep], it was still a bit slower.
But riding a roller coaster once in a while wasnât a bad form of entertainment, was it?
Just as Caelan was about to reach the teleportation array, the guards ahead suddenly sealed off the entrance.
Caelan had "Albie" stop, then stepped forward to ask:
"Whatâs going on? Why is the teleportation array entrance sealed?"
The guard glanced at the white tiger beneath Caelan, paused in surpriseâ
Since when did Mylanne City get another rich second-generation kid? How had he never heard of him before?
The guard cleared his throat, his gaze lingering on the Whitewing Tiger for a moment, before speaking in a respectful tone:
"Student, thereâs a problem with the teleportation array. It canât be used for the time being."
"You may rest for a while... or go take a stroll outside the city."
Caelan shook his head. Leveling outside the city was too slowâand just the travel time alone was a waste. The cost-performance ratio was way too low.
"Then roughly how long until itâs repaired?"
The guard hadnât wanted to answer, but Caelanâs Whitewing Tiger was simply too eye-catching. So he lowered his voice and said:
"About an hour. It wonât take too long."
Caelan nodded, planning to find a small tavern and grab a cup of iced cola.
But the very next instantâ
From the direction of the teleportation array, a violent explosion suddenly erupted!
"BOOOOOOM!"