They wanted to take a calculated risk. If the Catwoman was awakened, then their chances of fighting off the void creatures would increase.
Yet, they had in the back of their minds the risk that posed should the woman be anything but friendly.
"Do the leaders still want her revived or do they want to put a pin in that action?" Alex question.
Nothing in the data he received talked about reviving her. It just gave a description of who and what they had in their grasp.
"I'm not sure." Zol replied, looking directly at Alex. "What are the chances of defeating her should the two of you fight?"
Alex remained quiet as he thought back to what he had seen earlier. The only information he had was how weak the Catwoman had gotten and no indication of where her strength lay.
'I'm not sure." Alex was honest. "Even I am not sure how strong I really am as there have been very few occasions where I had to go all out."
His first fight with the Class A void creature was exciting and a bit challenging. However, he grew just as quickly.
'Once upon a time, I worried about not levelling up… But now my body keeps on growing even with me doing anything.'
"That's fair." Zol nodded with a pondering look. "Say… have you fought any Class S hunter?" He couldn't help but be curious.
Luas raised his brows and turned to him as he couldn't believe the words that came out of Zol's mouth.
"Uh… uncle? Alex took out a Class S void creature and called it a disappointment. Are you sure you want to fight him?"
Alex observed calmly as he waited for Zol to reply. But he didn't miss the fierce light that flickered in his eyes. 'He really wants to fight.' He mused.
Zol was his mentor for the longest time and Alex was afraid his fight with him would shatter the image he still had of the man. At the same time, he won't refuse his wish.
"Absolutely." Zol's reply was resolute. His wish to fight Alex didn't come from a challenge or anything like that.
He genuinely wanted to grow stronger and felt that fighting Alex should provide some insights into this.
Alex nodded with a serious expression, but his thoughts were on a different matter.
'With all that I am discovering now, there should be a way for Class S hunters to grow stronger. This can't possibly be man's limits.'
With more powerful void creatures popping up, the other hunters should have a way to fight them off. The concept of mana and its ties to abilities resurfaced in his mind.
'There should be something I am unable to put into words…' Alex knew there should be something there, but he couldn't just figure it out. 'Haa… I will need more time.'
"When do you plan on paying a visit to our special guest?" Zol changed the subject after a few moments of silence. "Maybe getting to see her up close could provide some insights into her strength."
The suggestion was sound, but Alex had other plans for now. There was no rush. He finally decided to tell Zol about the note from The Order.
"I see…" Zol replied with a thoughtful gaze. "And you plan on going there as soon as possible."
He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about that infamous group and the strength they wielded.
"Did the note say you should come alone?" Lucas asked, prompting Zol to turn to Alex.
"No, no they didn't" Alex replied with a thoughtful frown. "They did say they no longer want to stay in the shadows. But I don't know why they want to reveal themselves to me now."
His meaning was clear. Alex was no longer the kid they played with. He had enough strength to destroy them ten times over. It went to show that they meant no harm.
But their purpose still eluded him. What exactly did they want from him? That was what was pushing him to go find out.
"I'll come with you." Zol suddenly said. "Whatever plans they have, it's best not to underestimate them. You may be strong, but they've been around longer."
"Mm," Alex nodded and accepted his suggestion. "Then I'll inform you as soon as I am ready to depart."
Alex suggested another date of going to see the Catwoman once he settled his business with The Order.
For reasons many might guess, void creatures halted their crazy actions of closing in on the galaxies once Alex defeated one of the S-Class hunters.
But that was only a moment of respite as who knows what else the void creatures were planning once they resumed their madness.
[Alex.] Xex suddenly said, drawing Alex's attention. [The leaders have already released the news of your summit with the rest of humanity.]
An article popped into his vision, revealing some of the things Alex said. Of course, they tweaked a few things to look like Alex had bent the knee and was here for the interest of the entire empire.
'Doesn't matter.' Alex mused with a thoughtful smile. 'They know my stance and should behave accordingly. Whatever they sell to the public is their own issue.'
The news was already spreading among the masses as people gave their own insights into what they believed happened.
Some argued Alex met his match and knew he could beat the leaders and finally yielded while others believed Alex was a benevolent being who had no interest in power plays.
Whatever the case, the ease of the masses was what was important to him. Anything else was secondary.
"Doesn't it bother you?" Lucas said as he read the article.
"Not really." Alex shrugged. "We have an understanding. However they want to sell it to the people is their problem."
"Right." Lucas smiled. "In any case, they achieved their goal of appearing undefeatable and remain the pillars that hold the empire together."
Several hours later, the ship returned to the Solar System. Zol and Lucas docked on the Orbital Ring of Mars while Alex bid them farewell before disappearing like a ghost.
"Did you ever imagine Alexander would one day become the strongest person in our universe?" Zol asked Lucas as he stared at the spot Alex stood moments earlier.
"From the start, you knew there was something about the boy," Lucas stated. "If anyone foresaw this, it should have been you.
"Let's go uncle. I'm sure everyone has already received the news and are probably waiting for us." Lucas stepped forward while Zol remained in place for several seconds before leaving.