The atmosphere in the stadium had moved beyond mere terror into something biological. Thousands of students were pressed against the concrete, their breath coming in ragged gasps. Every time one of them looked up at the gargantuan Zenith fleet, the sheer weight of the Primordial Guards' auras felt like a physical hammer slamming their skulls into the dust.
Aurelius Zenith stood beside his son, his presence anchoring the crumbling reality of Planet Azure. He didn't look at the crowd; his eyes were scanning Austin for any sign of discomfort. "Son," he whispered, his voice thick with murderous intent. "The Patriarch is already weeping in the flagship because he saw the state of this planet. Just say the word. Do we burn it all?"
Austin looked at his father. The warmth of the Zenith protection was a resource, but he had no intention of wasting it. His gaze shifted, cold and clinical, to Marcus, Ricky, and the trembling Kavya.
"No, Father," Austin said, his voice cutting through the humming power of the guards. "Complete destruction is a poor investment. I've spent time watching how these 'nobles' operate. To simply burn a failing entity is a waste. A true predator doesn't just destroy; they liquidate. We strip them of their value and leave the shell behind as a warning."
Austin stepped forward, his cheap shoes clicking on the glass-transformed stage. In his mind, he called forth the truth that Planet Azure's hardware was too weak to show.
[STATUS SCREEN]
NAME: Austin Zenith
LEVEL: 1 (0.00% XP) |
CULTIVATION: Qi Refinement (Stage 0/9)
CLASS: Primordial Chaos Overlord (Rank: PRIMORDIAL)
LIFESPAN: 100 Years (Hidden: True Lifespan Locked)
[VITAL STATISTICS]
HP: 100,000 / 100,000
PRIMORDIAL ESSENCE: 5,000 / 5,000
(Note: Supreme Energy. Can consume and convert all other energy types.)
[ATTRIBUTES]
STRENGTH: 1000
AGILITY: 1000
INTELLIGENCE: 1000
VITALITY: 1000
TALENT: Origin Insight (Absolute Analysis)
ABILITY: Reality Erasure
BLOODLINE: The Eternal Genesis Source (Rank: PRIMORDIAL)
PHYSIQUE: Myriad Realm Unfettered Body (Rank: PRIMORDIAL)
MARTIAL SOUL: Chaos-Devouring Sovereign Dragon
SPIRITUAL ROOT: Primordial Origin Root
Austin looked at the Overlord, Marcus, who was now so suppressed he couldn't even lift his chin. "Marcus," Austin said. "You offered me a slave contract. You valued my life as a source of energy for your son's 'S-Rank' future. You made a grave error in your valuation. You treated a Primordial asset like a common liability."
Austin turned his gaze toward the front row. The bullies who had beaten him a month ago were huddled there, their eyes wide with a terror so deep they couldn't even scream.
"Father," Austin commanded. "Shatter them."
Aurelius didn't need to move a finger. He simply let a fraction of his intent leak out.
CRACK.
A sound like a thousand dry branches breaking echoed through the stadium. The students who had bullied Austin let out a collective, blood-curdling scream as their Spiritual Roots were ground into dust. Their Classes, Talents, and Abilities—the very foundations of their 7 powers—were forcibly uninstalled from their souls.
"A debt of blood is paid in blood," Austin continued. "They used their hands to strike, and their legs to kick. Take them."
Before the screams could even fade, invisible blades of Primordial energy swept through. With surgical precision, the limbs of the bullies were severed and cauterized instantly. They were left as torso-bound shells, destined to live on the mercy of a world that would now look down on them with the same disgust they had once shown Austin.
"Now," Austin turned to Ricky.
The "Sun-King" was no longer glowing. His S-Rank Martial Soul, the Golden Lion, was whimpering so loudly it sounded like a dying dog.
"You were so proud of your powers, Ricky," Austin mused. "You thought they made you a god. But in my eyes, you're just an overvalued asset with no actual backing."
Austin reached out and touched Ricky's forehead. Using his Primordial Chaos Overlord class as a conduit, he initiated a Total Asset Liquidation.
One by one, the "Announcements" of Ricky's powers reappeared in the air, turning black and crumbling into ash as Austin's Primordial Essence consumed them.
[ASSET LIQUIDATION: TARGET RICKY VON VALERIUS]
CLASS: Sun-King Warrior (S) — DELETED.
TALENT: Solar Flare (S) — ERASED.
BLOODLINE: High-Human Sun-Descendant (A) — PURGED.
PHYSIQUE: Radiant Solar Body (S) — DISSOLVED.
MARTIAL SOUL: Golden Lion (S) — SHATTERED.
SPIRITUAL ROOT: Divine Sun-Grade (S) — GRIPED.
As each power was ripped from his soul, Ricky aged decades in seconds. His hair turned white, and his foundation collapsed. He was no longer a prince; he was a shriveled, rank-zero old man.
Finally, Austin's eyes landed on Kavya. She fell to her knees, her hands clasped in prayer. "Austin! Austin, please! I... I was confused! I loved you!"
"Kavya," Austin interrupted. "You traded a long-term investment for a short-term gain. You didn't love me, and you didn't love Ricky. You loved the shadow of power. Now, live in the dark."
Austin looked at his father. "The Valerius Clan. The Overlord's bloodline. And this girl. I want their foundations shattered. I want them to remain in this city, in the dirt, as a permanent record of their debt."
Aurelius smiled. "As you wish, my son."
With a wave of Aurelius's hand, a shockwave of purple energy rippled through the entire planet. Every member of the Valerius Clan felt their Spiritual Roots explode. The Overlord Marcus let out a silent roar as his power vanished forever.
Austin looked up at the billion-ship fleet waiting in the void.
"Father," Austin said. "Let's go home. My vacation in the slums is over."
"Of course!" Aurelius beamed. "Wait until the Patriarch sees you! He's already bought three galaxies to celebrate your return!"
As the golden staircase began to pull Austin toward the stars, he looked back one last time at the broken, shriveled "nobles" crawling in the dust.
The debt was paid. The market was closed.