Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English] Chapter352 – Advanced Fist Techniques

Axel cleared his throat and deliberately kept his eyes up.

“…Want to talk sowhere else?”

Lilith raised an eyebrow and stepped closer, her scent growing stronger.

“What, trying to pick up?”

Axel sighed.

“That won’t work on .”

Lilith casually draped an arm over his shoulder, leaning in.

“Really? You seem to be having a physical reaction.”

Axel’s lips twitched.

“What kind of bullshit are you talking about…?”

“Hehe. Don’t act all saintly,” she said with a grin. “I hate n who pretend to be pure. Co on—it’s your treat.”

Watching her walk ahead, hips swaying naturally, Axel let out a helpless sigh.

This woman is lethal.

......

It was already evening. Lilith chose a music restaurant near Blue Harbor.

Pedestrians strolled along the waterfront, the sll of barbecue and beer blending with soft live music drifting through the air. Axel felt his shoulders loosen for the first ti in days.

“You’ve been training hard,” Axel said, taking a sip of craft beer and glancing at Lilith.

“The higher the level, the slower you age,” she replied casually. “I’m not interested in turning into an old woman anyti soon.”

A few drops of beer lingered on her lips. Whether intentional or not, she flicked her tongue out and licked them away.

Axel looked away.

“…I didn’t invite you out to watch you drink.”

Lilith laughed.

“What, did you bring here to give one of those shiny Original Instrunts you just won?”

“Keep dreaming,” Axel said. “I’m here to invite you to join sothing.”

Her expression sharpened slightly.

“Oh? Join what?”

“Mr. Instrunt King’s puppet formation.”

Lilith’s pupils shrank instantly.

“…That’s not sothing you clear casually. If your team isn’t strong enough, you’re just burning money.”

Axel frowned.

“Burning how much?”

“You don’t even know?” Lilith stared at him like he was insane.

“Fifty million per person.”

“That’s three hundred million for one activation?”

She snorted.

“And you’re already forming a team?”

“As long as the people I bring are reliable,” Axel said calmly. “So—are you in or not? Give a straight answer.”

Lilith crossed her legs, lit a cigarette, and studied him through the smoke.

“List the participants. I’m not interested in playing support for amateurs.”

Axel recited the nas evenly.

“Terrence of Starcrest. Sergio of Blackthorn. Kenneth of Goldleaf. Nigel—Nelson’s son from the Treasury.”

“They’re all roughly at the sa cultivation stage as . Mid–Level Five.”

Lilith froze.

The cigarette burned unnoticed between her fingers as she stared at Axel.

“…Are you fucking serious?”

“Yes.”

She took a slow breath, then laughed.

“Alright. I’m in.”

That answer ca way too fast.

“Big brother,” Lilith said with mock envy, leaning back. “Why didn’t you drag in sooner? Are you so big shot’s illegitimate son or sothing?”

“If you really have ties with these families,” she continued, eyes sparkling, “you could walk around Everton like you own the place.”

“Maybe Mr. Instrunt King will even bend the rules for us.”

Axel shook his head.

“…Probably not.”

“Maybe,” she insisted. “I heard he’s pretty timid.”

She imdiately shut up afterward.

Axel raised an eyebrow.

“What are you afraid of? He can’t hear you.”

Lilith clicked her tongue.

“Mr. Instrunt King is a living legend among refiners. Half of Krythos’s infrastructure runs on machines he built. Best not to tempt fate.”

She stubbed out her cigarette.

“Anyway, I’m in. Just tell when.”

“Alright.”

Lilith patted Axel’s shoulder with satisfaction.

“Good little brother. You even rembered to call when sothing good ca up.”

Before Axel could react, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“You—”

She laughed, completely smug, wearing an almost innocent expression.

At that mont, both of them turned their heads toward the restaurant across the street.

“Oh,” Lilith muttered. “An acquaintance.”

Across the road, Vince, Rosaline, Millers, and several mbers of the Obsidian team walked inside together.

“Probably here on a mission,” Lilith said casually. She turned back to Axel—then paused.

His smile looked stiff.

“…No thanks,” Axel said.

Lilith tilted her head.

“What’s wrong? You and Rosaline have a lovers’ quarrel?”

Axel shook his head, staying silent.

“I heard you left the team,” Lilith said quietly. “Looks like it wasn’t just a rumor.”

She studied him for a mont.

“Saints, right?”

Axel’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”

Lilith snorted softly.

“Anyone with a brain could guess. With your talent, you were absolutely a top-priority target.”

She took a sip through her straw.

“You’re dangerous.”

Axel exhaled.

“I’ve already contacted Sergio. Once everyone finishes absorbing Saint Sea Twig, the six of us will go together.”

He looked at Lilith.

“I’ll call you when it’s ti.”

Axel had just stood up to leave when Lilith suddenly called out,

“Wait. I want to talk to you about sothing else.”

Her tone was different—no teasing, no lazy smile. For once, she sounded serious.

Axel paused, then sat back down. “What is it?”

Lilith leaned closer, the neckline of her outfit shifting just enough to reveal a sliver of pale skin.

“You were forced to stay in Everton because of the Saints,” she said softly. “To be honest… I also et their capture criteria.”

Axel’s expression changed slightly.

“That’s why they gave this long leave,” Lilith continued, her eyes locked onto his. “But if we complete our Deep Awakening, we might not be completely helpless against them.”

Her gaze was sharp, her voice low and enticing.

“If we join forces—”

Axel’s heart skipped. He looked at her with clear surprise.

“…You’re aiming for A-grade Original Instrunts?”

Lilith inhaled deeply. A proud, almost feral fighting spirit flickered in her eyes.

“That’s part of it. But don’t you want to know the truth about the Saints? Why they can surpass the Fifth Rank?”

She leaned back slightly, lips curling.

“If we uncover their secret… maybe we can step into the next level ourselves.”

Just as she was about to continue, Axel raised his hand.

“We’ll talk about this later.”

Lilith froze. A trace of disappointnt crossed her face before she forced a smile.

“…Then I’ll head out.”

Axel stood, giving her an almost imperceptible wink with his left eye.

Lilith didn’t seem to notice anything strange.

So he’s even more valuable than I thought, she mused. Soone’s watching him.

A mont later, she also rose and left the restaurant.

I didn’t expect Lilith to be thinking this far ahead, Axel thought.

If anything, this makes things simpler.

A plump figure wearing a baseball cap slowly erged nearby, stopping beside him.

“If it were ,” the man said casually, “I wouldn’t want to leave either. Life in Everton is pretty damn comfortable.”

......

anwhile, across the street, inside the restaurant where the Obsidian team was gathered—

“Thank you, Mr. Humphrey,” Kaia said brightly, smiling at a young man.

Humphrey set down freshly cleaned tableware and drinks in front of Vince and the others, smiling politely.

“I’m new here. This kind of work is part of my job. Don’t worry about it.”

Humphrey—newly transferred to the Obsidian squad—looked to be in his late twenties, a mid-level Rank Five Awakener.

“Sit down,” Vince said gently. “You may be new to the team, but you’re a veteran wilderness hunter. Let Millers handle that.”

Humphrey waved his hands.

“Captain, I know the rules. And this mission… I’m honestly looking forward to it.”

Vince’s expression turned serious.

“This mission is extrely dangerous. Let’s go over the intel again.”

He continued evenly,

“Even though we’re among the top ten squads in the Whisper Syndicate, the main assault will be handled by the elite unit—Thunder Punishnt.”

“The military will provide bait, and multiple departnts will coordinate. No confird Rank Six Awakeners will be deployed. But the probability of the Saints intervening is very high.”

Vince looked straight at Humphrey.

“Everyone here has seen the Saints in action—except you. Be careful.”

Humphrey nodded quickly. “Got it, Captain. We’ll follow your orders.”

Rosaline glanced at him, her brows knitting slightly. She could tell—he wasn’t really taking it to heart.

“Alright,” Vince said. “We’ll wait for the regrouping notice.”

Everyone nodded.