Chapter 6 A Slap to the Young Master

"Ten seconds," Killian muttered, his eyes locked onto the point of light that had now expanded into a pillar of energy scorching the atmosphere.

The blue light in the sky grew brighter, tearing through the black clouds at an impossible speed. The orbital strike was not merely a threat, it was an execution order from the creator of the system, one that viewed Killian as a stain that needed to be erased.

Giz hissed on his shoulder. A dark purple aura began to wrap around its small body, creating a spatial distortion that made the surrounding shadows twist like flames. Through their soul bond, Killian could feel Giz's calmness. The creature was not afraid. To it, the laws of physics in this world were nothing more than toys meant to be broken.

"Giz, Spatial Rift. Get us out of these coordinates, as far as you can," Killian ordered coldly, without hesitation.

The instant the pillar of light touched the top of the building, space around Killian cracked apart. The deafening sound of shattering glass echoed everywhere as Killian and Giz were sucked into a tiny black hole that appeared only moments before the massive explosion flattened the entire city block.

BOOOOM!

In a matter of seconds, he was thrown out of the dimensional rift, crashing hard onto a stretch of dry grass several kilometers away from the blast zone. Killian gasped for breath, then rolled over to look behind him. A gigantic mushroom cloud of fire rose high into the sky where he had been standing moments earlier.

"Congratulations," Killian whispered, staring at Giz as it returned to its physical form. It looked slightly exhausted, but its eyes remained sharp. "We survived, Giz," Killian murmured.

Three hours later.

The city gate leading into the residential sector was guarded by watchtowers emitting blue scanning beams. Killian walked forward with heavy yet steady steps. His cloak was now tattered, stained with dried blood and the dust of ruins. His eyes carried the secrets of cosmic evolution with an intensity capable of stopping anyone's breath if they stared too long.

On his shoulder, Giz curled up quietly, hiding its predator aura beneath Killian's cloak. To ordinary people, it looked like nothing more than an exotic and harmless pet insect.

"Stop right there!" shouted one of the gate guards. He raised his energy rifle. "Identify yourself! You look like you just crawled out of hell."

Killian stopped, but he did not raise his hands. "Killian Moretti. Registered Tamer under Team Vax."

The guard frowned while checking the digital tablet in his hand. "Moretti? Team Vax reported you dead in Red Zone Four hours ago. They said a bear ate you."

"The bear died instead," Killian answered shortly.

"What?" The guard laughed mockingly. "Don't joke around. Get inside, but don't cause trouble. You smell like a corpse."

Killian walked past the gate. The city streets were still crowded even though night had already fallen. Neon holographic lights reflected off puddles of water, displaying advertisements for high-tier Pets being sold for millions of coins. People moved about arrogantly, flaunting their shining Pets, firebirds, ice wolves, or armored warriors.

"Look at that," whispered a passing woman while pointing at Killian. "Someone still carries an insect on their shoulder? What absolute trash."

Killian ignored them. He no longer cared about the opinions of sheep who had no idea that a wolf had just entered their pen. However, his steps halted when a luxurious carriage pulled by four Glinting Horses stopped directly in front of him, blocking the road.

The carriage door opened, and a young man stepped out with exaggerated flair. He wore perfectly polished golden armor, and his blond hair was styled neatly. Beside him, a gigantic lion with fur radiating golden light stepped out as well, each footstep leaving glowing marks on the asphalt.

Leo Valtor. Heir to the wealthiest family in the region, and Tamer of the Legendary-tier Radiant Golden Lion Pet that served as the city's pride.

"Well, well. Look who came back from the dead," Leo spoke in a sickeningly arrogant tone, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Moretti. I was just about to send plastic flowers to your empty grave."

Killian stared at Leo coldly. "Too bad to disappoint you, I'm still breathing, Leo."

"Breathing?" Leo stepped closer, the scent of his expensive perfume clashing against the smell of blood from Killian's body. "You look more like a walking corpse. And look at you... still carrying that black cockroach? I heard your earthworm died of fear in the Red Zone. Did you find that thing in the nearest trash pile?"

People began gathering around them, forming a circle. They loved watching drama, especially if it involved humiliating someone from the lowest caste like Killian.

"Your men tried to kill me," Killian said quietly, his voice carrying a threat beneath it. "Vax and Jax left me behind as bait."

Leo burst into laughter, the sound echoing throughout the street. "And that is the only use you ever had, Moretti. Monster food, so the elites can work in peace. You should be proud you managed to be useful once in your pathetic life."

"You think this world belongs to you because you have that lion?" Killian asked, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

Leo narrowed his eyes. He felt offended by Killian's composure. Usually, Killian would lower his head or tremble in front of him, but now he was openly challenging him. "This lion is the symbol of the Valtor family's power. One roar from it could rupture your eardrums and make your little insect explode."

"Simba, show this trash what a real king looks like. Crush him!" Leo patted the lion's head arrogantly.

The golden lion stepped forward, staring at Killian like lowly prey. It opened its mouth filled with razor-sharp fangs and released an incredibly powerful low growl. A dense and oppressive golden aura erupted outward, crushing the air around Killian. Even the people in the crowd were forced to step back while clutching their chests, struggling to breathe beneath the pressure of a Legendary-tier aura.

Everyone smirked, waiting to see Killian kneel beneath the young master's feet.

But they failed to notice...

Killian's eyes slowly began to glow, and on his shoulder, Giz started revealing its true fangs.