If Howard was going to strike at the Waker family, he had to hit them hard—wipe them out root and branch. So, he gave them a day to get their act together, enough time to call in all their heavy hitters."Got it!" Kaison said, his surprise quickly giving way to a firm nod.While Howard and his crew were making their way back to the Shadow Sect headquarters, at the heart of the Waker estate, inside the grandest villa of them all, two men sat in solemn conference.One, clad in robes that harked back to ancient times, was none other than the patriarch of the Waker family, Kevin Waker.His companion, garbed in somber gray, wore no expression on his face, his eyes sharp as daggers. His very presence seemed to swirl with menace—a man clearly not to be trifled with."Mr. Abason, let me offer my early congratulations!" Kevin said, lifting a glass of red wine from the table with a nod towards the other man. "Once you secure that formula, and report back, you're bound to climb even higher."

"Exactly," Shylah agreed."These leeches. They used to go nuts planting their cronies in every office they could. They've dialed it back these days, but their web's been spun wide."The high and mighty Waker family and their ilk are all in it together. If the family hits a snag, it's going to ripple right through their precious careers."So, whenever the Waker family hits a rough patch, you can bet these guys will show up to play."Howard nodded, his expression unreadable.After placing his cup down, he pressed on with his questioning, "And the Special Patrol folks? Are they the ones running the northern districts?""Absolutely," Shylah confirmed with another nod.Howard's gaze sharpened. "Impressive! The noble families really do hold some serious influence.""Sir, the Waker family must've caught wind that you're in Quintilian. They wouldn't send these people otherwise," Shylah added."Of course, they would've figured it out easily enough," Howard agreed. "What's the deal with

"Hold it right there!" The middle-aged man's commanding voice stopped him in his tracks.He then turned his attention to Howard."Master Howard, I'm familiar with the situation. It truly was an individual act by Norwin, the Waker family's third in command. It's unrelated to the rest of the Waker family. I trust you'll understand...""What's your name?" Howard cut him off."Metro Defense, Yvain Hayes," the middle-aged man replied, surprised."Does your view reflect your personal opinion or Metro Defense's?" Howard pressed on."What... What do you mean?" Yvain's heart skipped a beat."Answer me." Howard's voice grew stern.Yvain steadied himself with a deep breath before answering, "I... I'm with Metro Defense, so my views naturally represent Metro Defense...""Good to know," Howard said dismissively. He then pulled out his phone and dialed Monty, hitting the speaker button without another glance at Yvain."Master Howard!" Monty's voice came immediately after the first ring.Y

"Is that so?" Howard's smile returned."Sir!" At that moment, Shylah hurried over and murmured something to Howard."Understood," Howard nodded before turning to Charlie. "Didn't you say it was only Norwin who was mixed up with the Dark Shady Cartel? You'd better keep your eyes peeled then!""What are you getting at?" Charlie's frown deepened.Next to him, Kevin's own brow wrinkled, a bad feeling brewing inside him.Right then, a wave of formidable energy rolled in from the courtyard gate, blanketing the front yard like storm clouds rolling in.The Waker family's rank-and-file warriors felt a choking pressure, their faces etched with terror as they scrambled back 100 meters.A moment later, 100 figures strode confidently through the gate. Each radiated power, the weakest among them at the advanced level of martial general, and the group included several martial gods and knights.The leader of the group was a force to be reckoned with, nearly at the level of a martial emperor in

"Let's take the fight to them!" Raindon was brimming with battle lust. "No one moves without my say-so!" Shylah shot back. "Well, Master Howard, your troops sure do listen to you!" The man smirked. "Now, let's see what you decide, Master Howard!"Trading all your hard-earned power for thirty lives, it might just be worth it!""Give me a name. I won't cut down an unknown," Howard said calmly.Shylah smirked at his words. When did their boss ever spare anyone, known or not?"So, Master Howard has no intention of sparing any of these thirty souls?" The man chuckled before revealing his identity. "Alkaid, one of the Dark Shady Cartel's Seven Overlords!"The Dark Shady Cartel's Seven Overlords were named for the Big Dipper stars: Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid."Excellent!" Howard nodded. "After today, the Dark Shady Cartel will be down one overlord.""Well then, let's see what you've got, King of the West, Master Howard!" Alkaid said before turning to Ke