A few kilometers away from Alex location an comprehensive city of epic proportions was built in the center of a massive circled mountain, forming a natural defense around it.
The rockbay city.
The whole landscape was bath in the warm glow of the sun above.
The city itself brightly lighted despite being day and bustling with activities, warriors with weapons walked around, traders show casing their products and merchants dragging their goods on a wagon. The city was prosperous and highly populated with people from different walks of life.
At the center of the city, a luxurious mansion lay tightly guarded with powerful warriors sat at the middle.
Underneath this mansion,a series of complex tunnels and caves was formed man made.
At a random room a figure knelt facing a wide mirror with mist obstructing the figure in it.
"My lord I've sent out a team to the location you ordered" said the kneeling figure " they should arrive at the location before dawn".
A low hmm sounded.
"I have also prepared everything you asked of, they will be sent to the place"
"Hmm"
The figure in the mirror dissipated.
Standing up he left the underground tunnel and arrived at a door. Opening it he stepped into a hall were an old man stood crouch over at the side.
"Any news from the team?" He asked glancing at the old man.
"No my lord" the old man replied.
Hmm" he nodded walking deep into the hall before entering a room with shelves filled with books at each side with a redwood desk in the middle.
The man settled behind the redwood desk, his fingers brushing the polished surface as a faint hum filled the room. With a subtle gesture, a holographic display flickered to life above the desk, casting a pale blue glow across his face. Reports streamed in, lines of text and data scrolling rapidly as his eyes scanned them with practiced precision.His expression remained unreadable until a particular report caught his attention. His brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, tapping the hologram to pause the flow of information.
The glowing text highlighted a single line:
Missing children, 20 gone missing and 5 found dead.
It's has reached the public huh? There slow to catch on" he muttered, his voice low. Showing no change in expression he tapped the hologram again, expanding the report. Seeing as there was still no leads or anything to be concerned with an unbothered expression he continued scrolling down with occasionally typing and signing.
The sun set casting the city in an orange hue as the day drew to a close. The man finally done with his work tapped and the hologram flickered before disappearing.
Sighing, his elbow rested on the desk as he supported his chin.
"Report" he spoke out loud as a figure silently appeared before him kneeling.
"The kid as been sported and guided into the city, my lord" the figure said.
" That's good, anything of notice?"
"It was reported that the kid was found in a Crater unconscious surrounded by decimated beasts" he paused.
Furrowing his brows the man pressed on" continue"
" It was a group consisting of a peak tire 2 and five peak tire 1 sir" swallowing he continued" the beasts were identified as the armored earth lizard sir, and..." The figure paused again as he cold sweats drip down his head.
"Speak!"
"He appears to be a 8 years old child, my lord" the figure finally said with disbelief still lingering in his voice.
"8 years old"A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes" killed the armored earth lizard huh? That is said to be difficult for even a team of three peak core genesis realm experts to take care of, this kid took them all on his own". He leaned back on his chair as he waved the figure dismissively.
"No wonder the Lord sent me to bring him the child,this kind of talent and ability is out of the ordinary. Only the heavens favoured and generational geniuses has this ability" tapping the desk lightly as he fell into his thoughts.
"Albert!"
The old man, Albert, stepped in quietly, his posture still slightly hunched.
"You called, my lord?"
The man behind the desk leaned forward once more, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. The golden-orange hues of the setting sun painted his silhouette in contrast against the room's growing shadows. His voice was calm, yet carried weight like iron beneath silk.
"Send a discreet team to monitor the child. I want eyes on him at all times—no interference unless absolutely necessary."
Albert gave a slight nod. "Do you have a preference for the operatives, my lord?"
"Shadow-grade. Quiet. Observant. I want behavioral reports—how he eats, how he moves, who he talks to, what catches his eye,basically everything he does.If this child truly is what the report says..." his voice trailed off before continuing in a softer tone, "...then he is not just gifted—he is dangerous."
Albert's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "Understood. Shall I use Operative Vellin's team? They've worked in public sectors before—unnoticeable."
"Perfect," the man said with a slow nod. "Have them rotate shifts. The last thing I need is the child catching on. We don't know what he's capable of when alert."
Albert bowed slightly, preparing to turn, but the man spoke again, his tone laced with a final warning.
"And Albert…"
"Yes, my lord?"
"If they make contact or slip up—erase them. I won't risk this."
A flicker of shadow passed across Albert's eyes. "As you command."
With that, the old man turned and left in silence, his footsteps absorbed by the thick stone beneath.
The man leaned back again, gazing at the ceiling now, where a single, intricate chandelier hung motionless. He tapped the desk once more and whispered, as if the room itself could hear his thoughts.
"Eight years old… surrounded by dead armored earth lizards... unconscious in a crater." A rare glint of something akin to awe shimmered in his expression. "Who are you, child?"
Outside, the last rays of daylight dipped below the mountain rims, and the city began to light up with crystalline lamps and glowing sigils along its stone-paved streets.
The crackle of flames whispered beneath a blackened iron pot, casting flickering shadows across the moss-covered rocks. A faint smell of roasted root vegetables and drying herbs filled the small clearing. There were six of them, some seated or standing in a loose circle — each one armored and alert, the worn look of seasoned travelers etched into their gear and posture.
"Three days," muttered the tallest among them, a man with a jagged scar across his cheek. "Three damn days tracking those beasts. Every time we close in, they just disappears again."
"their a territorial stalker," said a lean woman cleaning her blade. "And smart. We should've baited it."
"We did bait it," the youngest among them — a freckled boy with a bow nearly his own height — pointed out. "Remember Jaro's sausage stash?"
"Still mad about that…" grunted a stocky man with a broken nose.
"Well we did apologize didn't we?"
A middle age man said
"Yeah but I still don't get why we didn't use Jimmy as bait, those beasts love human flesh right? He would have been a perfect fit" jaro argued.
"well fuck you jaro! Maybe someone the beaten you received wasn't enough, might as well break another bone and this time it won't be just your nose" Jimmy taunted.
"Oh.. please If not for Abel ganging up on me,do you think you,small as you are could match up to me" jaro snarled.
"Would you two quit it!, we are in the middle of a hunt and I don't want to be the hunted at the end" the lady, Lara cut in.
The others were already used to their quarrel, so they just ignored them
But as jaro was about to continue, a powerful aura sweep passed then by a loud sound in the distance.
They all went quiet.
Then another.
Boom!
Distant but sounded like a thunderclap
"Combat," said jone,the scarred man, immediately, eyes narrowing. "Close. Maybe a mile north."
"And not casual," added the lara, rising to her feet. "Something powerful, about 9th stage genesis"
The freckled boy was already on his feet, bow in hand. "That's where the trail led. You think?"
"Let's move."
They didn't waste time. Weapons ready, senses sharp, they moved through the forest like practiced shadows, stepping over roots and weaving between trees in tight formation. It only took minutes to reach the area—
And then they froze.
Everyone showing an expression of disbelief.
"…What the hell…" whispered Jaro, eyes wide.