Oryndrax was brought in next, and seeing the and the stench in the room, he knew what was about to happen to him.
'This is likely from Drakorin or Zephyroth,' Oryndrax sneered at the sight. 'None of them said a word, so they are hoping I will be the one to talk. What fools…' His gaze shifted to Leon, who observed calmly.
Once Oryndrax was hanged, the other hunters returned to their corners while Leon stepped forward.
"Corporate and you'll have no trouble." Leon said pridefully. "What is your name?"
"Oryndrax." The dragon replied, slightly surprising Leon. However, he quickly snapped out of it.
"Did you three come alone?" Leon continued, walking around the dragon. "Think carefully before answering."
Oryndrax raised an eyebrow, unable to believe his interrogator.
"You just believed what I said?" Oryndrax couldn't help but chuckle. "This will be easier than I thought." Of course, he was bullshitting.
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While his name was correct, the fact that Leon didn't make any effort to verify his response eluded him.
'Am I missing something?' A frown marred his features as he stared suspiciously at Leon.
"Did you three come alone?" Leon ignored him and asked again. "Anything besides the correct response will attract a beating."
Oryndrax heard him but had other plans. He decided to test his own thoughts.
"We're the only ones…" Oryndrax replied as he lowered his head, appearing regretful. Should his interrogator move on, then the people here were dumber than he could have imagined.
"You don't say…" Leon flashed a small smile, standing before the dragon.
Suddenly, a heavy slap that created a small shockwave echoed through the chamber. It emptied Oryndrax's mouth in an instant, leaving him bloody and disoriented.
'The hell…?' The dragon was taken aback; that slap was heavy as fuck! 'So he knows…' The dragon growled in realization.
'But seriously… Is this his entire plan?' Oryndrax wasn't sure if he should sneer at Leon's actions or just shake his head in disappointment. 'A low-level universe indeed.'
"Tell you what…" Leon said, snapping the dragon out of his thoughts. "You came with core refiners to have our core refined for your Supreme One."
"!"
Oryndrax widened his eyes in horror but quickly hid his expression. Unfortunately for him, it was too late.
"So he was telling the truth." This time Oryndrax couldn't help but abruptly look up at Leon. The knowing smile on his face made the dragon realise he was played.
'Even then, he shouldn't have known about the core refiners or what they are doing!' Oryndrax's mind spun rapidly. 'No, it's not possible. Drakorin of all people wouldn't betray the mission. It has to be a trick.'
"I also know your three are expecting another group to appear since you guys failed your mission." The more Leon spoke, the more gloomy the dragon's face became.
'No, no, no… Drakorin couldn't have said a word.' He was in denial. 'There's no way he should have known about the Veilwalkers!' Oryndrx glared at the hunter with passion, his bloody face making him appear all the more threatening.
"You know…" Leon was feeling a bit talkative, moving to the side with both hands behind him. "The others we captured were also quick to talk." He looked over his shoulders at the dragon, the grin on his face taunting the dragon to no end.
At this point, Oryndrax knew they had lost, and completely at that.
'Even if those Veilwalkers arrived, it would be too late.' Oryndrax mused dejectedly. 'Refining a universe's core takes too much time, especially for normal folks. Haa… how did a small-time walker achieve this level so fast?'
"Do you want me to keep going?" Leon walked back to face Oryndrax, his smile never leaving his face. "Or would you like to contribute something and not be left out?"
The dragon looked broken from Leon's words rather than from the heavy slap he received across his cheek. His head hung low, blood leaking from his wounded mouth.
'Even if the Veilwalker is able to refine the core himself, he still won't be strong enough to face the Supreme One.' The dragon tried to think of some positives. 'He would have to refine at least a dozen universe cores to stand a sliver of a chance against the Supreme One.
'I only wish they would spare my life long enough to see it happen.' A small smile tugged at his bloody lips.'Regardless… this universe is doomed if that walker takes the core for himself. There's no point to a universe existing without it belonging to the Supreme One.'
Had Oryndrax lifted his head to look at Leon's expression, he would have seen the dread in his eyes. Oryndrax had Leon at a dozen universe cores… and the hunter didn't even know something like that existed until some minutes ago!
'M-my Lord?' Leon gulped inwardly, trying very hard to regain his calm and collected expression.
'Do not panic, Leon.' The consciousness replied. 'At least we know something about what we're dealing with' Alex reassured.
'Yes, My Lord.' Leon nodded, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. 'Do I continue to interrogate him?'
'Yes, continue.' Alex replied. 'There may be more to learn.' The sliver of Alex's consciousness sent the new information to the main consciousness before refocusing on the task at hand.
.....
Alex sat in his office chair, thinking over the information he received not long ago.
'That must be why the fabric of spacetime is wobbling.' Alex mused, his gaze staring at the sunset. 'Those refiners are trying to refine the core for the Supreme One. And taking the core is what will complete my evolution, but it seems it would also doom us.'
Alex wasn't sure if that would be the case as he had no idea what would happen if he refined the core himself.
'But if I don't, I might not be able to take on the Veilwakers who are probably on their way here.' Alex doubted those walkers would be mediocre. 'They could have refined universe cores already.' This also raised another question.
'To what end will this core refining take the Supreme One? What exactly is he/she planning to do with all that power?'
Alex doubted if it was for defeating that monstrosity. Maybe a part of it, but there should be more to it.
'Regardless, I have to move fast.' Alex made his decision, standing up to move to the window view. 'For the students… clones should suffice.' That was the only way to protect his loved ones and everyone else.
Alexander would be damned to give this universe to some stranger. He was not willing to take that chance. Who knew how that person would treat this universe, being low-level and all?