Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

He still had Harrison's Life Crystal, but he wasn't about to use it recklessly. After a few near-death fights, he realized that keeping a stash of these things was crucial. They weren't just for boosting his strength—they were survival tools.

A cold wind blew in through the open window. Axel stretched, feeling a wave of drowsiness creep over him.

He moved to shut the window— Then stopped. A sudden, sharp sensation crawled up his spine. He was being watched. His eyes flicked toward the darkness outside.

Nothing. The feeling faded almost instantly, but it had been real. He was sure of it.

"…Just my imagination?" Frowning, Axel scanned the surroundings one last time before closing the window.

Outside, concealed behind the thick trunk of an old tree, Blackstone crouched, his eyes gleaming with quiet ferocity. Did that bastard just notice me?

For a moment, Axel had looked straight in his direction. Blackstone narrowed his eyes. No. That was impossible.

There was no way a mere level-one awakener could detect him if he was actively hiding. If Axel had truly sensed him, he wouldn't have just shut the window and gone to bed.

No, the guy had probably just been paranoid. A coincidence.

That was what Blackstone told himself. What he didn't realize was that while Axel was indeed only level one, his original force had already reached a staggering 500.

The next morning, after an intense training session, Axel was led around the gang's base. A few members took the time to introduce him to more of the crew, explaining the gang's rules and the lay of the land in Sin City.

After lying down for a while, Axel suddenly opened his eyes.

No. That feeling was back. The same eerie sensation of being watched crept over him the moment he returned to his room.

If it had happened just once, he could've dismissed it as paranoia. But twice? Someone's definitely watching me.

Despite the unease crawling up his spine, Axel kept his expression neutral. He stood, stretched casually, and wandered toward the window.

His eyes flicked over the landscape beyond—vast fields stretching into the distance, a few old trees standing alone.

Nothing seemed out of place. The presence was gone. Just like that. The way it had vanished so abruptly only confirmed his suspicion. They're watching me from out there.

Whoever it was had control over their aura—strong enough to mask their presence entirely. Definitely stronger than him. And their intent? Malicious.

Two names immediately came to mind. Zachary. Blackstone. Only those two had enough reason to want him dead.

Axel didn't linger at the window. He let out a fake yawn, squinting slightly as if the midday sun was bothering him. Then, as naturally as possible, he shut the window and pulled the curtains closed.

The dim room gave him a small sense of security. He turned toward his desk, reaching for a glass of water—then froze.

His gaze shifted downward. The sheets on his bed were different. A cold chill crept up his spine.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Axel had a habit of tucking the sheets tightly under the quilt before sleeping, ensuring a flat and snug bed. But now, a small section was loose, peeking out where it shouldn't be.

Someone's been in my room. His heartbeat slowed as he carefully examined the area. Nothing seemed out of place. No obvious tampering.

They came in, checked my room, then left… and now they're watching from outside. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.

Whoever it is, they didn't make a move yet. That means as long as I'm inside gang territory, I'm relatively safe. But what about next time?

Whoever was tailing him might hesitate to strike directly—but what if they poisoned his food?

Axel didn't waste time. He grabbed what he needed and headed next door. Knocking twice, he waited.

The door swung open, revealing Gabriel, lounging in a ridiculous pair of floral shorts and hugging a bucket of popcorn.

"Yo, what's up, bro?" Gabriel grinned, looking way too relaxed.

Axel handed him a small pouch of raw stones. "I need you to do me a favor. Go to the tavern and settle my tab. Use these."

Gabriel's eyes lit up. "Hell yeah! You finally need me for something! Man, I've been cooped up in this room for days—I swear I've gained weight."

Axel stared at him, unimpressed. Gabriel really was treating this whole thing like a damn vacation. Still, this time, Axel genuinely needed him.

Gabriel might've been Axel's younger brother in name, but in the gang, he wasn't much of a threat. Declan barely paid him any mind.

Every day, like clockwork, Gabriel went out to buy roast chicken and barbecue. After a while, people just got used to it.

But this time, two men trailed him. If Axel was being watched, then naturally, so was the person closest to him.

Axel, standing by the window at the end of the corridor, let out a slow breath as he spotted the two shadows tailing Gabriel.

There was only so much he could do on his own. Now it all depends on the tavern owner.

If things went south, Axel had already made up his mind—he'd fake an injury and stay holed up in his room to train.

"Boss, I'm back again! Damn, smells amazing in here. What delicious stuff have you cooked up today?"

The tavern owner looked at Gabriel, unimpressed. He often wondered how a guy like Axel ended up with someone like this hanging around him. "What do you want?"

Gabriel grinned. "Oh, right! Axel said he used something in your room before and forgot to pay, so I came to settle the bill."

The tavern owner frowned. Pay? That didn't make sense—the bill had been settled a long time ago.

Just then, the door swung open again. Two men strolled in, looking casual. They ordered drinks, but their eyes kept drifting toward Gabriel.

The tavern owner's fingers tapped against the wooden counter, a slow, rhythmic. His expression remained unreadable, but inside, gears were turning. So, Axel got trouble.

He had already made a small investment in the guy—nothing significant. He hadn't seen any returns yet, but maybe… just maybe, it was time to double down.

The decision took only a moment. He clicked his tongue in mock irritation. "Tch. Good thing you remembered. If you hadn't paid up, I guarantee you'd be in some deep shit."

Stretching out his hand, he added, "Alright, hand it over."

"Here ya go! We're all good people, right?" Gabriel chuckled as he handed over the small pouch of rough stones.

The tavern owner emptied the bag onto the counter. Most of the stones were ordinary, but one stood out—slightly different from the rest. He understood Axel's message immediately.

At that moment, the two men watching Gabriel stepped up to the counter. They ordered drinks, pretending to be uninterested, but their eyes flicked toward the pile of stones.

Without hesitation, the tavern owner made his move. With a practiced, almost imperceptible sleight of hand, he slid the special stone into his sleeve before anyone noticed.

"Boss, looks like you're raking it in again," one of the men remarked, leaning against the counter.

The tavern owner scoffed. "Raking it in? Hell no. These are my damn stones."

The two men exchanged a quick glance, then took their drinks and walked off.

The tavern owner poured Gabriel a glass of wine and set out some side dishes. "How's life in the gang?" he asked casually.

Gabriel beamed. "Man, it's great! I watch anime, grab snacks, kick back—it's like a damn vacation."

His voice was so relaxed, so unbothered, that the tavern owner almost laughed. If this guy was acting, then he deserved an award. Axel didn't tell him anything.

That was good. It meant there was no way these spies would think Gabriel was running any kind of errand. To them, he was just a fool enjoying himself.

"Treat Sin City like a resort," the tavern owner muttered. "Just don't get too comfortable. One day someone's gonna see you as easy prey again."

He didn't wait for a response. Then, he disappeared into the kitchen.