Chapter 328: The Quest For Grandmaster
Steve turned as North walked up beside him, a warm smile on her face.
"You’ve grown stronger," she said, looking him over. "Taller, broader... and that silver glow around you, it’s new."
He smirked and crossed his arms. "Not stronger than you. I thought beside this boring man I would be the strongest but it looks like I am third in the line."
She chuckled. "Its alright, we are just starting out. We still have a long way to go."
Steve tilted his head. "How’d you even get away from Dante? I thought he had you locked in some crazy non-stop training loop."
North burst out laughing. "That old woman is Dante."
He blinked. "Wait, what?"
She nodded, grinning. "Yep. That weird disguise he’s wearing now? It’s his idea of staying low-profile and hidden."
Steve looked genuinely disturbed. "That’s... horrible."
"Right?" she laughed. "Try training with him when he’s wearing that and not breaking character."
Steve shook his head in disbelief.
I stepped in, breaking their moment. "We don’t have much time. Get ready, we start as soon as Dante arrives."
With that, I moved to a corner, sat down, and closed my eyes. I opened my status screen to take a closer look.
[Status]
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Name : Billion Ironhart
Race : Executor(Human)
Class : Primordial Executor – Transcendent (Mythic)
Laws :
- Minor Law of Absolute - 40%
- Level 2 - Minor Law of Space, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Light
- Level 1 - Minor Law of Vitality, Conversion, Absorption, Shadow
Awakened Weapon: Executor’s Staff
Rank: Master
Level : 199
Talent :
- Generator Nexus 2
- Essence : 145/145 (+145)
- Soul Shackle : 3
Attributes :
- Strength: Alpha (1516)
- Constitution: Alpha (1355)
- Dexterity: Alpha (1342)
- Psynapse : Alpha + (2339)
- Essence : ∞
Skills:
- Essence Engine (Innate) Level 7
- Psynapse Fracture (Max)
- Collapsing Heaven Level 2
- Lightning Rend Level 2
- Sovereign Reversal Level 4
- Phantom Dive Level 2
- Absolute Domain Level 4
- Revert Level 4
- Fractured Unity Level 3
- Sanctum of Judgement Level 3
- Lotus of Annihilation Level 1
- Runic Ascent Level 2
- Singularity Beam (Weapon Skill)
Abilities:
- Apex Body – II (Passive)
- Trait Acquisition
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Many things had changed on my status panel after my intense training, fueled by my insane Psynapse.
I had gained several new skills: Collapsing Heaven, Lightning Rend, Sovereign Reversal, and Phantom Dive.
I’d also comprehended some new minor laws—some at level 2, others at level 1.
Most importantly, I had finally reached level 199.
But there was one problem.
The requirement to rank up to level 200, to enter Grandmaster rank, was daunting.
I glanced at the system notification that appeared the moment I hit level 199:
[The Executor carries the burden to execute the First Order. Execute 10,000 souls that are in defiance of the First Order.]
I checked my progress: 63/10,000.
Those 63 souls were Abominations I’d slain during my practice. So at least that was clear—the Abominations were indeed in defiance of the First Order.
The requirement wasn’t impossible. The only challenge was time. But there was no shortage of Abominations in my world. I just needed patience and persistence.
My Essence storage was full, humming with power, I felt ready to unleash everything on the Holts.
I forced my heart to slow, focusing on its steady rhythm in my chest. The Essence Engine inside me never stopped; Essence flowed through my channels, filling every muscle, every organ with raw energy.
Time passed. Then a subtle fluctuation made me open my eyes.
Dante appeared in the room again.
Our eyes locked. He tapped his walking stick sharply on the floor and said, "There are close to 3,000 Master-ranked individuals tied to the Holts here."
My eyes widened at the sheer number.
He went on, "About 2,000 of them arrived just last night. Seems they suspect something."
I furrowed my brow. This was troubling news.
"But at least no Grandmasters have been moved here yet. Hugh is still the only Grandmaster overseeing things in the realm. It’s possible they’re not worried about us yet—it might be part of their own plan with the Ferans."
Dante’s voice dropped, "They’re also searching for the missing Masters, especially Grey Holt. They suspect you’re involved."
A small smile tugged at my lips, but I held back my excitement and asked, "What about the contractors?"
He shook his head. "None of them are here. But we have eyes on all the strongest Holt Grandmasters in the Empire, so you don’t need to worry about that."
I nodded.
He added, "Besides that, I’ve seen the kinds of experiments they’re running."
We all straightened, our attention sharpening, waiting for what else Dante had uncovered.
"You remember the Abominations you told us about, the ones with pipes attached and locked in the prison?" I nodded.
He continued, "They’re infusing those Abominations with the Phantom essence you fought against, trying to create a hybrid—part phantom, part Abomination."
I blinked, surprised. That wasn’t something I’d even considered. Dante’s disguised face furrowed with concern as he added, "And it’s worse, they’re experimenting on humans too. Soldiers and citizens of the Empire."
My jaw clenched. "I’m assuming they’re building a new force against the Empire."
Dante nodded grimly. "But it’s not just Holt’s people, there are beings from Peanu and a few other races across the galaxy in those labs."
Steve shook his head. "Doesn’t that make everything even more complicated now?"
Silence fell over the room as we waited for Dante’s answer. He was quiet for a few seconds, then finally said, "For us, the mission remains the same, eliminate everyone connected to the Holts."
I exhaled deeply and stood up.
"Tell me their locations," I said firmly.
Dante replied, "They’re spread out, through the mountain ranges and inside the base itself. It’s all over the realm. There isn’t a single spot you can hit and call it done. You’ll have to comb the entire place."
I asked, "What about Hugh?"
He looked at me and answered, "I’ll handle him. He’s tricky, but it shouldn’t be a problem. He’s the third strongest Holt, which is why he’s in charge of this mission."
I nodded in understanding.
Dante’s expression turned serious. "You need to be very careful. We can’t allow reinforcements through the portals, but we also can’t let the portals get destroyed. If I use my power on a large scale, Hugh will notice, so I’ll pull him away. After that, everything depends on the three of you."
I nodded again.
North looked at me, her eyes sharp and curious.
"So, are we starting from the mountain range?" she asked.
I shook my head, steady and sure.
"No need. We hit the base first. When they realize the base is under attack, everyone will rush back to protect it. All we have to do is make enough noise to let them know the battle has begun."
I glanced at Dante and said, "Take us close to the base."
He nodded and waved his hand.