"Captain… how did he do that?" Waldolf asked, still staring in disbelief.
"How the hell am I supposed to know that?" Nexus muttered, rolling his eye. "That speed was comparable to someone above level 10."
"He's a strange one indeed," Keeyah said under her breath, her arrow still trained on the beasts below.
"He moved like a level 15. Is that even normal?" Waldolf frowned.
Meanwhile, Marcus was still basking in the rush of speed. Unlike when he boosted his strength, this didn't drain him as much. His stamina was still intact, barely scratched. Must've been the [Berserker] attribute.
Whatever the reason, he was exhilarated. He balled his fists and dashed in again—ducking under the nearest beast and hammering a flurry of blows into its underbelly.
The Vorathis Minx let out a pained roar. It wasn't raw power—just precise targeting. Over and over, he struck the vulnerable patch beneath its torso.
The other reacted quickly, shoving their kin aside and lunging at Marcus.
They truck nothing.
And then they heard another roar. Another one was down again, reeling, experiencing what its kin faced.
Then it happened again. And again.
This happened a few more times before Marcus got bored of attacking in this way. He had thought that he would be able to do some damage to them if he hit them enough.
However, reality proved otherwise.
Sure he caused them pain, but with his strength, he wasn't capable of inflicting proper damage.
If I had a Plasma Weapon with me this would have already been over. But that cunning bastard over there purposely sent me out without… Although I had a feeling that he was trying to test me, now it's confirmed.
Marcus thought.
These beasts weren't as smart as Nexus had claimed them to be. Sure they were somewhat cautious beings, but they were easily distracted.
Moreover, other beasts had exited the caves and they were watching as he was toying with the level 14 Minxs.
And none of them moved to join the fight. It was as if they saw Marcus as something below their standards.
…
"Captain, he's not strong enough to do real damage," Keeyah said as she narrowed her eyes. "Shouldn't we intervene?"
"Not yet. He seems to be hiding his strength now. And he still hasn't used any skills… or at least I think he hasn't. No Wilder Force." He folded his arms, skeptical but intrigued.
Thinking that Marcus was playing some mind games with him.
Marcus was already someone he wanted on his squad. But more than that, he needed to understand him better.
No Wilder Force… yet he can move that fast at his level?
The question, to him, wasn't if Marcus lacked Wilder Force.
It was what he was despite it
…
Minutes passed. Marcus's stamina was beginning to ebb. Each movement came with more weight.
If I don't figure out how to injure at least one of them soon, I'll burn out before I can even test my leveling mechanism.
Then he remembered the new skill that had appeared on his status earlier.
[Mind's Eye]:- Spiritual Eyes that pierce lies and illusions. To seek is to find. Flaws and weaknesses are laid bare to the one who seeks enough. Stare your enemies down—and let them experience madness.
The last line echoed in his thoughts.
Using his will to summon the skill, it activated.
His eyes sharpened and an unseen wave of spiritual energy burst from him. It coiled through the canyon like invisible smoke. The dozen or so Vorathis Minxs in front of him froze, caught in its grip.
Even from a distance, those watching noticed the change. Marcus's gaze now glowed with a strange edge.
And the beasts… they trembled.
Then Marcus gave a silent command
Attack!
Chaos erupted.
The Vorathis Minxs turned on one another, snarling and clawing at each other. One lashed out with its fangs. Another slammed a claw into its kin's throat. Blood sprayed around.
From above, the caves were occupied by the stronger Vorathis Minxs. Both beasts and men watched in stunned silence.
And then Marcus swayed.
His new skill hadn't even been activated for 10 seconds and it already felt like a sledgehammer had struck his skull. His vision blurred and his world began spinning violently. Blood dripped from his nose, and something inside him buckled. His mental strength plummeted and his Will stat dropped a few points.
The skill forcefully deactivated his grip on the minds of the beasts shattered.
The Minxs froze mid-fight, blinking in confusion, stunned by the aftermath of their own fury.
Even the ones who were watching were visibly shaken, unsure of what had just occurred.
"A Savant," Nexus whispered as his eye widened. "An Awakened on the path of a Savant…"
That alone didn't explain the absence of Wilder Force in Marcus—but it was enough to justify the storm of potential that Nexus saw in him.
Now he really doesn't have a choice, Nexus thought. He has to join my squad.
Marcus remained still and dazed. He could barely stand upright.
Seeing this, Keeyah didn't wait for orders, she loosed her arrow and a split second later, it whistled through the canyon and struck four Varathis Minxs. They dropped instantly, with gaping holes on their torsos.
Before the remaining beasts hidden within the canyon walls could react, the soldiers were already upon them.
Keeyah's arrow was their cue to attack.
"My, oh my…" Nexus's voice slithered in just behind Marcus, "You didn't tell me that you were this valuable. If I had known I might've treated you a little better."
Marcus flinched. Nexus had appeared beside him like a ghost.
His stamina had already started to recover as there were a few dead beasts around. But his mind remained drained.
A headache assaulted his mind, and Nexus's voice seemed to have aggravated it.
"Tell me the truth… are you affiliated with any factions led by any family?"
Marcus looked at the captain, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. The sharpness in Nexus's eyes cut deeper than his words.
"None,"