Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

Hearing that, even the more skeptical among them started to ease up.

"You've got backing, Axel. People from the Whisper Syndicate don't get pushed around by a second-rate gang like the Havoc Division," said a long-haired awakener, his voice proud.

Axel nodded. "I get it. And I appreciate it."

As Axel walked away, Tobias watched him go, then turned to Caius with a raised brow.

"You didn't like him five minutes ago, and you were still the first to jump in front of him."

Caius was in a good mood now, and didn't try to deny it. "Yeah, well, if I've got beef with the guy, that's between us. But Havoc Division trying to throw their weight around on our turf? Hell no."

The others chuckled.

"Don't look at me like that," Caius snapped, glancing at the grinning faces around him. "What? Who do you think I am?"

That just made them laugh harder.

Tobias caught up with Millers, lowering his voice. "This Maxen thing… Axel really killed him?"

Everyone turned to look at Millers, eyes full of questions.

Millers' smile faded slightly. "Once you know the whole story, you'll realize—Axel's not some arrogant punk. He's just… a lot more grown-up than most kids his age."

Caius clapped Millers on the shoulder. "Alright. No more questions for now. Let's go get that drink and say."

"Damn right."

.......

"People from Havoc Division..."

From the window upstairs, Axel leaned back slightly, replaying the moment from earlier. The second he'd stepped into the hotel, Torren and his crew were waiting like hounds. No fists had flown, but the hostility had been loud and clear.

Sure, the Havoc Division had dropped any official investigation into Maxen's death—but that didn't mean its people had forgiven or forgotten.

One man in particular stuck in Axel's mind—the short one standing behind Torren. Quiet, sharp-eyed, and radiating the kind of murderous intent you don't pick up.

"You want to kill me?"

Axel narrowed his eyes. He didn't know the man's name, but he made a mental note of his face. He might need it later.

Back in his room, the shadows were still settling around him when his communicator rang. It was Isaac.

"Axel, three of our own are entering the Abyss with you. Remember the code."

Axel repeated it with practiced ease. "The night has no eyes, but the wind still listens."

Isaac paused. "Good. One more thing—if you do come across them, don't mention your contact. Ever."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Why? I thought we were all on the same side."

Isaac's voice dropped lower. "The top brass in the Holy Light Organization pass information through encrypted channels only. We don't know each other's real identities. Only the leader—Lord Aurelion—knows everyone. That's how we've survived this long."

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Because if one of us is caught… death is inevitable. But you can remember the groups they represent."

Axel exhaled slowly. This was a network built on paranoia, secrecy—and maybe, necessity.

He said nothing more. And the name Aurelion lingered in his mind.

I still don't trust them fully. If he could get through the Abyss without meeting the others, that would be ideal.

Later that night, just as Axel was settling into a bit of quiet, someone knocked at his door.

He frowned. Again? Who the hell now?

Opening the door, he was immediately greeted by a heavy bear hug that nearly knocked him off his feet.

"Axel! Shit, I missed you, man!"

It took a second for Axel to realize who it was—Gabriel. The same cheerful tank of a man who had once fought beside him in Sin City.

"Gabriel?" Axel blinked. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Grinning, Gabriel scratched the back of his head, sheepish but clearly excited. "Big news! I got a slot for the Abyss dive."

Axel took a moment to scan him. Same round belly, same clumsy energy—still first-rank upper grade, no doubt about it.

"You don't seem any stronger than before."

Gabriel looked a little embarrassed. "Yeah, well... my old man pulled some strings. He said the Force in the Abyss is off the charts. Maybe it'll kick my ass into gear, right?"

Axel stared at him. This guy... he's definitely from money and power.

Just then, a calm voice cut through the hallway behind Gabriel. "Gabriel. It's late. Time to rest."

Axel looked past him—and saw a tall, sharply built man approaching. His presence was quiet, but commanding, and his facial features were strikingly similar to Gabriel's.

The man looked to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a light blue robe that brushed against his boots with every step. His eyes were sharp, and there was a faint arrogance etched into his features—like he'd been born with the right to look down on others.

"Jorvan! Over here!" Gabriel's eyes lit up as the man approached. "This is Axel—the one I told you about."

Jorvan arched an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Axel with a cool detachment. He didn't seem overly impressed, but neither was he dismissive.

"Oh?" He gave Axel a once-over. "So you're the one."

"Nice to meet you," Axel said evenly, nodding in greeting. He could feel the strength rolling off this man in quiet waves—restrained, but undeniable.

If he's level four, he's probably the strongest level four I've ever sensed.

"I've heard of you," Jorvan said, his tone neutral. "You've got good instincts. The Abyss is rich with resources—use them wisely. Don't waste the opportunity."

Then his attention shifted. "Gabriel. Back to the room. Now."

Gabriel lingered, clearly reluctant. "Come on, can't we just talk a little longer?"

"Gabriel," Jorvan said flatly, his brow tightening.

Gabriel sighed and looked at Axel with regret. "Fine. We'll catch up after the Abyss, alright?"

Axel gave a nod. "Sure."

As the brothers turned away, Axel exhaled quietly.

Yeah. Nobles see the world differently, alright.

.....

Back in the Room

The door clicked shut. Jorvan turned toward Gabriel, arms crossed.

"Father didn't send you to Whisper Syndicate to make friends. You're there to train—remember that."

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Axel's the real deal. And for the record, I never told him who I was."

Jorvan gave him a look that could freeze lava. "You think someone like him hasn't figured it out? You—first-rank upper grade—getting a ticket into the Abyss? Of course he knows you're backed by someone powerful."

Gabriel mumbled, "Well, yeah… anyone could guess that."

Jorvan sighed. "Regardless of how talented he is, Axel won't live long."

Gabriel's face went pale. "What? What do you mean? You think he's sick or something?!"

Jorvan actually facepalmed. "No, idiot. He's made enemies—real ones. He killed someone from the Havoc Division, and someone from the Windsor family. You think those people are just gonna let that go?"

Gabriel suddenly looked like he'd been electrocuted. He sprang off the bed. "Shit! I've got to warn him—he might not even know—"

"No." Jorvan cut him off coldly. "We need Havoc Division as allies. And the Windsors? They're nobles, just like us. Same circles. You helping him—especially against them—puts our family in a wrong position."

Gabriel shook his head, fists clenched. "No. Axel helped me. I owe him."

Jorvan stared at him for a long beat. The room was silent except for Gabriel's heavy breathing.

"I just told you that he has many enemies and asked you to stay away from him."

Gabriel said. "Bro, if we meet Axel, can we take him with us? With your help, those people will definitely not dare to kill him."

Jorvan exhaled slowly, trying not to lose his temper. "Fine. But don't be stupid. The Abyss deployment is randomized. You probably won't even see him."He and Gabriel were able to meet just because of the special Original Instruments.

"But if we do?" Gabriel pushed.

Jorvan shrugged, tone dry. "Then I'll lend a hand. I can protect him… for a while.."

Gabriel lit up like a lantern. "Thank you, bro!"