Julian stood frozen, the words he had just heard striking him like a thunderbolt. He couldn't move a single muscle as thoughts clashed in his mind like raging waves. This trance was shattered by William's stern, piercing voice: **"Go to the training grounds... Now!"**
With heavy steps, Julian headed to the arena, accompanied by his private assistant who watched him in silence. Meanwhile, inside the ancient library of "George Nexus," there was a faint knocking on the door.
**"Come in, George!"** William said in an exhausted tone.
George entered and sat on a luxurious wooden chair, adorned with deep crimson leather and shimmering golden details. William took a deep breath and whispered: **"I've discovered something extremely dangerous... Julian is a carrier of 'The Fusion'!"**
George lunged forward, his eyes widening in pure shock: **"What?! That's impossible... We must hide him immediately!"**
William, tightening his black gloves with precision, his gaze growing sharper, replied: **"The best option is to keep him away from the government's eyes. We will make him an ally—not to exploit him, but to fulfill the plan we've been waiting years for!"**
George gave a silent nod of approval: **"I agree with you... You may leave now."**
### **The Training Grounds: Birth of a Monster**
In the arena, Julian was struggling with all his might to release his magic, but to no avail. "Christina" approached him and said calmly: **"Listen to me, Mr. Julian... Clear your mind completely. Don't think of anything, not even success itself. Just imagine yourself striking with everything you have."**
Julian closed his eyes, breathed slowly, and suddenly... a massive water orb erupted, obliterating one of the training dummies into splinters! Julian jumped with joy; he felt a strange heat coursing through his veins, as if his blood had begun to boil. Like a madman, he began launching water orbs one after another, shattering the dummies with swift kicks and movements. Suddenly, his features changed. A deathly coldness masked his face, as if another soul had inhabited his body.
He formed his hand into the shape of a pistol, and in the blink of an eye, a "water bullet" tore through the stone wall! Not satisfied with that, he summoned a gigantic water sphere that crushed a quarter of the training ground's floor. Feeling his energy might deplete, Julian sat on the ground, trying to regain his balance. Suddenly... he found himself in a strange world resembling the heavens. Out of nowhere, the mysterious figure appeared.
### **The Dungeon of the Third Emperor**
**"You've returned again..."** the mysterious figure said with a cryptic smile, **"I will help you now... Come closer and do not fear."**
The figure touched Julian's heart, triggering a massive magic circle that transported them to a desolate place.
**"Where am I?"** Julian asked cautiously.
**"You are in the most dangerous place known to the powerful... 'The Dungeon of the Third Emperor'!"**
**"What am I supposed to do here?"**
**"You will fight monsters that a thousand men combined could not defeat!"**
Julian was stunned: **"How am I supposed to defeat them in this state?"**
The figure replied: **"This is your private world—the World of Dreams... the most powerful ability known through the ages. You won't die here, but beware... if someone kills you in a 'Real Fight' within the Dream World, you will die in reality!"**
Julian charged toward a giant monster that looked like a massive purple lizard. The lizard attacked, its claw piercing through his body. Julian closed his eyes, surrendering to death, but felt nothing! The claw passed through his body like a phantom. Reinvigorated, Julian lunged with insane speed, delivering a kick that sent the beast crashing to the ground.
The mysterious figure reappeared suddenly: **"I forgot to tell you... just think of 'Water Daggers' and they will appear in your hand!"**
Julian yelled in frustration: **"You idiot! I'm in the middle of a fight and you tell me now?!"**
He summoned the daggers in a flash, slid under the lizard, and sliced its belly, but the wound healed instantly! Julian noticed a glowing "Core" inside its body; he hurled dozens of daggers at once until the core shattered and the monster exploded.
### **The Onset of War**
Julian returned to the real world feeling an indescribable power. He headed to the library, but William met him with a grim expression: **"We have an urgent mission. The person you killed was a member of a dangerous gang, and they are now preparing for war against us. Come to the briefing room."**
Julian entered the room to find the elite investigators: **Alex, George, Natalia, and Charles.**
George began explaining the plan in a confident voice: **"The gang is in 'Grand Sovereignty Street,' Alley 23. We will ambush them from behind through Alley 22. Alex and Natalia from the rear, Charles from the front. As for you, Julian, and William—your mission is to prevent anyone from escaping."**
Julian asked in astonishment: **"William? He's a chemist, how is he going to fight?"**
George gave a cunning smile: **"Oh Julian... William is the strongest member among the investigators! Now... move out!"**