Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

As they started walking, Millers suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Axel turned. "What's wrong?"

"Dude. Look."

Axel followed his line of sight—and saw her.

A woman in a white turtleneck sweater sat by the café window, reading a thick book with delicate hands.

Even in the bustle of people walking by, she remained perfectly still—poised, serene, and focused.

She didn't just look pretty. She looked… different. Her features had a softness that didn't feel artificial. Her skin glowed with a youthful clarity, and her whole presence exuded quiet elegance.

Millers was transfixed.

Axel sighed. "Let's go, Millers."

As if hearing them, the woman looked up.

She glanced at the two, gave a slight smile, nodded politely, then closed her book and walked away gracefully, still holding the volume—something about medicine, maybe.

Millers looked as if someone had just shot him in the chest.

"She's a scholar? Axel, I think I just fell in love."

Millers groaned loudly and clutched his heart. "Where'd she go?! She left so fast—I didn't even get her number!"

People nearby turned to stare.

Axel suddenly understood exactly how Rosaline must've felt whenever Millers got like this.

"Let's go. You're in heat every damn day…" Axel said dryly, grabbing his friend by the collar and dragging him along.

"Axel!" Millers squawked. "Am I that bad in your eyes?"

Axel paused. "No."

Millers brightened.

"You're worse."

"…Fuck you."

......

The Whisper Syndicate had dispatched twelve people to the Abyss expedition.

Combined with participants from the Ministry of Defense and the Havoc Division and other, the total number of entrants this time exceeded a hundred.

Once they arrived at the hotel, Millers spotted two slightly older guys smoking by the entrance.

"Tobias! Caius! You guys!"

The two men quickly stubbed out their cigarettes and came over with easy familiarity.

Millers gestured toward Axel.

"This is Tobias—from Lilith's team. And this is Caius—we trained together back in the day."

The two looked Axel up and down with visible curiosity.

Tobias was average in build, friendly-looking, and wore a warm grin. He stepped forward and extended his hand.

"Ha! Heard from the captain that Obsidian picked up a prodigy. Didn't expect you to be this young though. Good to finally meet you, Axel."

Caius, a taller man with a more serious air, glanced at Axel—who didn't return the handshake. His brow creased slightly.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Millers," he said flatly, "you'll have to play bodyguard on this trip."

Tobias jumped in with a laugh. "Don't be so quick to judge—Axel's got real fighting chops."

Millers grinned wide. "He's solid. The vice-captain even favors him."

Vice-captain? Rosaline?

Hearing that, both Tobias and Caius looked at Axel with subtle surprise.

The famous Rosaline—an ice-cold beauty, untouchable and admired across the board—wasn't exactly the type to favor anyone. Did she like this boy?

Axel caught the change in their expressions and sighed. "Millers, can you not make up stories about me in public...?"

Millers burst into laughter. "That's payback for saying I'm always in heat."

More Whisper Syndicate members began arriving, filtering into the hotel one by one, each stopping to greet Millers—and pausing when they heard Axel would be entering the Abyss too.

"Tomorrow's the big day," someone said. "Let's find a spot to chill tonight—blow off a little steam, yeah?"

They were all men. The air thickened with a shared grin and unspoken understanding.

"Raise your hand if you're in!"

Under normal circumstances, he might have gone along for the ride. But Isaac had promised to pass on final instructions once Axel reached Bridgeport.

He couldn't afford distractions.

"Axel, it's just a drink or two," Tobias said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "We're not animals like Millers here. C'mon, loosen up."

Millers squawked. "Why am I the example?!"

The others laughed, the mood light.

"Thanks, Mr. Tobias," Axel said politely, "but I've got something I need to handle tonight."

Tobias didn't press. "All good. There's a buffet in the hotel, and plenty of restaurants around. Do your thing."

Axel nodded and turned away.

Caius watched him go, expression tightening. "That kid's got a hell of an ego."

Tobias chuckled. "He's young and gifted. Weren't we like that once?"

Caius snorted. "That's a little too much ego."

Tobias gave him a sideways look. "You sure that's not just a bruised ego of your own? Jealous that someone younger might be more talented?"

Caius muttered under his breath but didn't argue.

Despite Millers' efforts to smooth things over, most of the group saw Axel as standoffish—unwilling to socialize, even after being personally invited. Opinions were starting to form.

"You're overthinking it," Millers said, throwing an arm around Caius. "Axel's just a little reserved. Get to know him, you'll see—he's rock solid. My brother."

Caius rolled his eyes and knocked the arm away. "Stop clinging to me. When push comes to shove, of course we'll look out for him. But seriously—it's your fault he acts so cocky."

"Alright, alright, let's find a place to eat. I say Millers treats us tonight!"

As the group started to leave, Caius suddenly paused, eyes narrowing.

"Hold up—something's happening in the lobby."

They all turned.

Sure enough, just inside the grand hotel lobby, five or six men had surrounded Axel, blocking his path.

"Those guys... they're from Havoc Division, aren't they?"

Tobias's voice was suddenly calm—but cold. "Let's go over and take a look."

No one hesitated. They moved together.

.......

"You're Axel? The one who killed Maxen?"

The red-haired man stepped forward, tall and broad-shouldered, his tone confrontational and loud.

Axel glanced at him, then let his gaze drift over the group without lifting his head. His voice was calm, almost disinterested. "Step aside."

The redhead sneered. "What's the matter? Too scared to admit it?"

He reached out, trying to grab Axel by the collar.

Axel moved slightly—just enough to slip out of reach—and let his eyes sweep the group again. The redhead was loud, sure, but Axel could tell immediately: he wasn't the real threat.

That honor went to the short man standing silently behind them, his sharp eyes radiating cold, calculated malice.

"You really want to start something here?" Axel asked flatly.

The redhead scoffed. "What, getting cold feet? I heard you were supposed to be some kind of badass."

Just then, the sound of footsteps rang out from behind.

Caius stepped forward and took position between Axel and the group, his stance unflinching.

"Well, well," he said with a dry smile. "And here I was wondering who was barking so loud. Turns out it's just a loser who's still sore from losing last time. Thought we weren't around, huh?"

Axel looked at Caius—who'd clearly disliked him earlier—and then noticed the others. All of the Whisper Syndicate members had stepped forward, standing firmly behind him.

The redhead—Torren—visibly hesitated at the sight of Caius. "Caius... That last time didn't count. I'm level four now. You think I'm still afraid of you?"

Caius snorted. "Then how about we settle it right here?"

Torren bristled. "You might outnumber us now, but don't forget—we've got plenty of Havoc Division people in this city!"

He made a move as if to reach for his communicator, but before anything else could happen, the short man—the one Axel had his eye on—finally spoke.

"That's enough. There's no point in barking at them here."

His voice was low and cold. Torren instantly backed down.

"Tch. Enjoy your luck while it lasts, Axel," Torren spat, throwing a glare before retreating with the others.

......

"Thanks, everyone," Axel said sincerely as the tension faded. The people around him relaxed, a few smiling for the first time.

"I thought you were some kind of arrogant punk," Caius muttered, arms crossed. "Maybe you're alright after all."

Tobias grinned. "Still not joining us for a drink tonight?"

Axel shook his head. "Thanks, Mr. Tobias. Really. But I've got something important I need to take care of."