I Know.

Chapter 36

Alex stood before the crowd atop a building that had remained untouched by the battle.

Among the roughly 50 people present, there were 10 D ranks, 10 E ranks, and 30 F ranks.

This was a group largely comprised of weak individuals, but using his eyes, Alex identified about five who showed exceptional talent.

One of them even belonged to a rare race.

Analyzing them, Alex smiled beneath the black-and-white mask of his Zero persona.

As Zero, he wore matching black-and-white clothing that complemented his silver hair and blue eyes.

His physique, well-defined and almost otherworldly, would seem incredible to anyone who saw him without his clothes.

In this world, everyone had a mana core—some used it for daily activities, while others wielded it for power and influence.

Looking over the crowd, Alex knew what needed to be done. He began to speak:

"You have suffered—some of you to the point where you've been left with scars that may never heal, both physically and mentally.

I understand.

Most of you just want to return to the lives you had before, to see your family and friends, to live in the comfort of the days you once knew.

I understand that too.

But those scars will never heal, no matter how much you try to forget.

So, what will you do?

The choice to heal lies with you, not with me.

However, I can offer you a chance—a chance to live the life you desire.

But for that to happen, you must realize that weakness is what brought you here.

Weakness caused you to lose the people closest to you.

Without strength, money, and power, those 'good old days' will never return.

You may think you're lucky to survive, but what happens if those same problems find you again?

Are you willing to take that risk?

Remember, every pain in life comes with a lesson.

The question is:

Will you learn from it, or will you repeat the same mistakes and end up here once more?

By that time, I may not be around to save you."

Alex turned to Stella, who also wore a mask.

With a snap of her fingers, orbs filled with arcane mana—1,000 units in each—materialized.

These orbs had the power to turn the untalented into talents.

Alex had seen their effects before on Stella, Lisa, Kevin, and even Luna.

Whatever their strengths, the orbs amplified them by 100% while increasing their mana core cultivation by 500%.

For example, Lisa, who was currently a C+ rank, would be able to reach (B-) rank in a matter of days.

Physically, she would need only a few days of training to reach that level, becoming a fully-fledged B-rank.

"With these," Alex continued,

"you will no longer be weak.

With these, you can achieve a brilliant future—fame, power, wealth, and authority like none have ever seen across all continents.

So, I ask you: Will you take this leap of faith?"

Finishing his speech, Zero snapped his fingers, and soul contracts appeared before each of them.

These contracts covered every possible scenario Alex had thought of, with plans to address any loopholes that might arise later.

The crowd exchanged glances, then looked at the figure named Zero.

Remembering the pain and suffering they had endured, no one disagreed.

One by one, they signed the contracts.

After the contracts were signed, a man raised his hand.

"Lord Zero, may I go and see my family? It's been years since I last saw them."

Zero paused, deep in thought, before responding.

"It's acceptable.

You are free to do whatever you wish as long as it doesn't harm the organization

or

conflict with your missions.

However, for now, I'd like everyone to focus on training to strengthen yourselves.

Can you wait until we've established a base of operations?"

"How long will that take?" the man asked.

"Three to six months," Zero replied.

The man nodded, though Zero could sense his emotions. To reassure him, Zero added,

"Once the main members are available, they will be tasked with bringing everyone's families to our base.

They will have the choice to join us or not, but they will need to sign contracts ensuring they do not directly or indirectly harm the organization.

That will be all."

The man smiled in gratitude as Alex disappeared along with everyone else.

Elsewhere

"You're leaving," Stella said, her tone sharp.

"At the very least, I should go with you."

"No," Alex replied.

"I'll be taking Lisa, Luna, and Kevin with me."

Stella stared at him intensely. "I won't allow it."

"I know," Alex said with a small smile,

"but I'm going to do it anyway."

Angered, Stella turned away and said nothing.

Ava interjected, "Wait, what does that mean for the others?"

"They'll go with you to your village, which will serve as our base," Alex replied.

"Wait, what? I didn't agree to that!" Ava exclaimed.

"Are you against it?" Alex asked calmly.

"...No," Ava admitted.

"Then they will go with you. Protect them and ensure nothing happens to Stella," Alex instructed.

"Why aren't you going with her? She looks really upset," Ava said, glancing at Stella.

"I know," Alex said with a faint smile.

"But I don't want her to be involved in any fights for now."

Ava sighed.

"Fine. There's no problem, but traveling with so many people across this kingdom will be dangerous."

Alex frowned. "You know better than anyone that this kingdom's highest rank is just B-rank."

Ava smirked. "True, but why should I do this for free?"

Alex sighed. "How about this—I'll help you with your family issues."

Ava smiled. "Deal."

Ava, Stella, and the others were headed to the Aldeca Empire, not far from their current location.

The journey would take three weeks at best, or slightly over a month.

The empire lay within the Third Monarch's territory.

Alex, on the other hand, was heading to the First Monarch's territory, to a city called Dwarf City.

If he traveled with Ava's group, the journey would take two weeks.

With his smaller group, it would take only a few days or a week with occasional rests.

C-rank elites could run at speeds of up to 70 meters per second, covering 252 kilometers in an hour