I Protect What's Mine
Chapter 33
Outside the town, not far away, Ava continued to follow Bloodsucker.
He reached an open space that wasn't far from the town, which was engulfed in golden flames.
Ava glanced back at the town, trying to sense who had created such power, but the golden flame barrier blocked her perception.
"How powerful is that barrier?" she wondered.
Shaking off her curiosity, she focused on the carriage and the relaxed figure of Bloodsucker, who was smoking leisurely.
Soon, a man with brown hair appeared. He wore robes and carried a sword at his waist, exuding a palpable aura of power.
This man, clearly an A+ rank individual, was someone to be feared.
He looked at Bloodsucker, whose black hair and crimson eyes radiated a dangerous, bloodthirsty aura.
Bloodsucker's tall, lean yet muscular frame contrasted sharply with the man's tense demeanor.
As the man's gaze shifted, he suddenly locked eyes with Ava's hiding spot, startling her.
"Why did you let someone follow you?" the man demanded.
Bloodsucker merely smiled and replied, "Are you telling me what to do?"
The man frowned but said nothing. Bloodsucker continued,
"The mana contract clearly states that I shall protect this carriage until it is delivered to you. I shall neither harm the children nor speak to them.
Furthermore, I must not deviate from the designated route. I've fulfilled every term. Here is your carriage, or would you like me to send it along with your corpse?"
The man nodded silently, his expression unreadable.
Bloodsucker snorted and added, "Then let me be on my way." In a burst of crimson flames, he disappeared.
Ava, realizing her presence was no longer a secret, stepped into the clearing. Her eyes locked onto the handsome man as she said, "I only want the boy inside the carriage. Name your price, and I'll leave without causing any trouble."
The man—Henry—shook his head. "I don't have the authority to make that decision without my master's approval."
Frowning, Ava prepared herself for a fight. Before she could act, someone suddenly emerged from the woods.
It was Andrew, battered and bruised from his recent escape from the town.
His normally handsome face was nearly unrecognizable, and his fearful eyes darted around, taking in the scene.
Seeing two A-rank individuals, Andrew almost cried.
He had barely escaped from Lisa's relentless attacks, with Alex watching the entire ordeal.
The last thing he expected was to stumble upon another confrontation between powerful figures.
"I couldn't even sense their aura until I got this close. Why me?" Andrew thought miserably. Without hesitation, he tried to retreat back into hiding.
Suddenly, a calm but childish voice rang out. "Stop."
The weight of the voice was overwhelming.
Everyone in the clearing felt as though a mountain was pressing down on them, making it impossible to breathe.
Before Andrew could process what was happening, he was lifted into the air.
A blinding light immobilized him, cutting off his mana and rendering him helpless.
His wide eyes fixed on the carriage as a young boy stepped out.
The boy, who looked no older than ten, carried himself with an air of authority.
His golden eyes glimmered with power as Henry immediately knelt before him.
"Elder, what brings you here?" Henry asked respectfully.
The boy's voice was steady as he replied, "I ordered Bloodsucker to protect this body. It has yet to fully synchronize with my power." Turning to Ava, his golden eyes narrowed. "Aren't you the werewolf girl from the auction?"
Ava's heart sank. "So, it's that old man. But he looks different... his aura is unmistakable," she thought.
The boy quickly lost interest in Ava and turned back to Henry. "Let's get moving. This body is still adjusting, and we have no time to waste."
"Yes, Elder," Henry replied, standing and moving toward the carriage. The pressure that had immobilized everyone lifted.
Ava, finally able to move, shouted, "You aren't going anywhere with my brother!"
The boy stopped and turned back, his golden eyes cold. "Who gave you the right to tell me what to do?" His childlike voice carried an edge of menace as he raised his hand.
Ava felt a chill as a golden wave of energy surged toward her.
BOOOOOOOM!
The impact obliterated everything within a 200-meter radius, leaving a massive crater 100 meters wide and 50 meters deep. This was just a glimpse of an SSS-rank Elite's power.
As the dust cleared, a barrier surrounded Ava. Beside her stood Alex, his expression calm despite the tension.
[Lv156] = SSS-
Alex's heart was steady, not because he lacked fear, but because of his Emperor state.
He met the boy's gaze with unwavering eyes.
The boy frowned, studying Alex.
Despite the boy's immense power, he sensed that Alex was only a C-rank.
Yet, Alex had somehow blocked his attack, something even an S-rank would struggle to survive.
Andrew, Henry, and Ava were equally stunned.
Blocking such an attack should have been impossible, even with the use of advanced skills like Wind Veil and Arcane Mana Barrier.
Alex, however, had pulled it off, though at great cost.
[Arcane Mana: 1,284 / 100,000]
"That attack drained me," Alex thought, feeling his mana slowly regenerating.
"Who are you?" the boy asked, his tone demanding.
Alex responded calmly, "Zero."
"Zero, as in the number zero?" the boy clarified.
"Yes. There is none above me; that's why I'm called Zero," Alex replied.
The boy chuckled. "Do you want to test that?"
Alex shook his head. "I don't need to. I'd defeat you easily. Besides, you'll need to join my organization."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "What organization?"
Zero smirked. "Outsiders aren't allowed to know."
The boy shrugged. "Then why save this werewolf?"
Zero's voice was steady. "She belongs to me, and I protect what's mine."
Zero had deactivated Wind Veil but kept his Arcane Mana Barrier active, buying time for his Arcane mana to recharge.
"Then keep your dog on a leash," the boy said, turning away. Before he could leave, Ava shouted,
"My brother!" Her eyes fixed on the carriage, where she could see her brother sleeping among the other children, oblivious to the chaos.
Alex followed her gaze. "And the boy?" he asked.
The boy turned back, his golden eyes glinting. "The boy belongs to me, and I fight for what's mine."