Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Ethan Blake's Suspicions
After eating the super fruit, Ethan Blake fully recovered from his injuries in just one day.
He made his way to the Eastern District Security Bureau.
As soon as he stepped into the lobby, a young female officer called out excitedly:
"Master! Your injuries are healed?"
Ethan rarely smiled, but he allowed himself a small one:
"Much better, Sarah. How are you getting along with the new chief?"
Sarah's eyes flashed with a hint of disgust, and she muttered under her breath:
"Not too well. He keeps staring at my butt. Master, why don't you take me to the archives?"
Ethan frowned but didn't have a chance to respond as an unpleasant voice interrupted.
"Well, if it isn't Ethan Blake? You need to take a number and make an appointment before conducting any business here."
The pair turned toward the voice. It was a male officer in his thirties.
Just two days ago, this same man had been flattering him endlessly in the hospital.
How quickly things change.
Ethan didn't pay him any mind and continued walking toward the administration office.
The officer blocked Ethan's path:
"This is a restricted area. How dare an archive clerk like you barge in?"
Sarah immediately stepped forward, puffing out her chest to shield Ethan:
"Even if Master was transferred to the archives, he's still part of the security system. He's just here to retrieve something. What's the problem?"
The male officer sneered:
"You still call him 'Master'? He's not the chief anymore, so why are you still acting like his loyal dog?"
Ethan's face darkened:
"I'm here to see Director Roberts to request a transfer order."
The officer's grin widened:
"I'm the director of administration now. You should address me as Director Smith. I'll have your transfer order sent to the archives shortly. Now, please leave."
Ethan frowned:
"You? Director Smith?"
The male officer's face filled with pride:
"That's right. Old Roberts made a mistake yesterday morning, and Chief Williams suspended him for review."
A flicker of sadness crossed Ethan's eyes.
This guy must have cozied up to the new chief.
Poor Old Roberts—dedicated his entire life to this job, and this is what he gets?
Does not having connections mean being doomed to be a lower-class citizen in this world?
Ethan's expression grew serious:
"I'm applying for a transfer to the main bureau."
The male officer began to grow impatient:
"Ethan Blake, stop making a scene. Transferring to the main bureau requires a talent level of D or higher."
Ethan remained calm:
"I awakened my second talent two days ago."
The officer burst into uncontrollable laughter for a moment before speaking:
"Ethan, making wild claims won't get you anywhere. You think you're some kind of genius? Dual talents? At nearly thirty years old, you're still acting like a child!"
Sarah looked at Ethan in surprise.
Why was Master saying such nonsense today?
Ethan spoke calmly, but firmly:
"You can test me."
A trace of malice appeared on the officer's face:
"If you insist on showing off in front of your little apprentice, then come with me to the training grounds. I'll personally test you."
Even a small security bureau had a training ground, used for routine training and awakening talent tests.
There were two ways to test talent: using an awakening platform or through free combat.
Excitement flickered in the male officer's eyes.
What could be more thrilling than beating down his former superior?
Sarah quietly grabbed Ethan's sleeve and whispered:
"Don't be impulsive, Master. Smith is up to no good. He took favors from the new chief yesterday, and his combat strength has improved a lot."
Ethan gently patted his apprentice's hand:
"When my transfer comes through, I'll take you with me to the main bureau."
With that, he followed the officer to the training grounds behind the security bureau.
Sarah hurried after them, worried that her master might suffer.
The training grounds were essentially a large field filled with various equipment used for practicing combat techniques.
Smith had already taken up a stance, his expression filled with ill intent:
"The awakening platform broke yesterday, so I'll personally be your examiner. No objections, right?"
Ethan took off his shirt, revealing his muscular and scarred upper body, then beckoned Smith forward with a provocative gesture.
Smith's eye twitched violently, and he gritted his teeth:
"You're in such bad shape, and you still think you can act tough?"
With that, his fist became enveloped in a purple mist, and he charged fiercely toward Ethan.
[E-Rank Talent: Poison]
Claire, watching from the side, was shocked and rushed toward Ethan, shouting:
"Smith! Are you insane? It's just a test, what are you doing?!"
Claire tried to shield her master, but it was too late.
Smith was quick, his fist already raised in front of Ethan, ready to strike!
Suddenly, Ethan's right hand swelled, growing larger, and thick black minotaur-like fur sprouted along his arm.
He easily caught Smith's attack, the treacherous poison completely blocked by the thick fur.
Ethan was a genius. Despite only possessing the [Minotaur Fruit] for less than two days, he had already mastered partial transformation into a minotaur.
Ethan grinned at Smith's shocked face:
"Continue with the test, Director Smith."
With that, he struck Smith directly in the chest, sending him flying backward.
Smith spat out a stream of blood, forming a crimson arc in the air.
Without giving Smith a second glance, Ethan walked toward the awakening platform.
[F-Rank Talent: Enhanced Senses]
[C-Rank Talent: Minotaur Fruit – 'Minotaur Form']
Ethan looked at Smith with a mocking smile:
"You fool, didn't you say the awakening platform was broken?"
Both Smith and Claire were filled with disbelief.
How could this be possible?
He really awakened dual talents?!
Smith had spent years barely rising above common thugs due to his lack of talent.
Now, Ethan had dual talents, and one of them was C-Rank.
With this, entering the main bureau was a sure thing—he might even become a big shot there.
Smith forced an ugly smile:
"Ethan, I was just joking around... you know..."
Ethan shot him a cold glance:
"Do me a favor and help process my transfer application. I'll be taking Claire with me. As for the new chief, I won't bother saying goodbye—pass on my regards."
...
That night, Ethan sat on a bench outside his apartment building, empty beer bottles scattered at his feet.
His gaze was filled with a mix of joy and concern.
Suddenly, Ethan's brow furrowed as he stared at the streetlamp.
Beneath its shadow, a figure wrapped in black clothing and wearing a ghostly mask appeared.
The thing he feared most had arrived.
The Mercenary Guild.
The organization that granted him power had finally come to find him.
The figure in black approached, handing him a USB drive:
"Did you receive the mission?"
A look of conflict appeared on Ethan's face:
"I don't want to do anything that harms the security bureau or the public."
The black-clad figure shook his head:
"The guild doesn't need to go against the bureau. Whether you believe it or not, the guild master has no such intention."
Ethan raised the USB drive, questioning:
"Then what are you trying to do? Why do you want me to plug this into the main bureau's server room? And why do I need to prepare the corpse of a death row inmate?"
At the mention of the corpse, the figure in black trembled slightly.
Ethan's enhanced senses immediately picked up on it—he sensed fear from the man in black.
The figure swallowed nervously:
"You shouldn't pry into the guild master's affairs. It's not in your best interest."
He added a chilling warning:
"The guild master is far more terrifying than you can imagine. Even if you became the head of the bureau, the guild master could make your life a living hell."
With that, the figure turned and spread a pair of enormous wings from his back, vanishing into the night sky.
Ethan watched the figure disappear, sinking deep into thought.
His years of experience had given him three crucial pieces of information.
First, the corpses were not for the guild but for the guild master himself. The guild master's power required corpses to cultivate.
Second, the figure's claim that the guild master was not afraid of the bureau head didn't seem like a lie. The guild master was strong—likely stronger than the bureau chief—probably an S-Rank.
Third, the black-clad figure could transform into a beast, just like Ethan, meaning his abilities likely also came from the guild master.
These three pieces of information shrouded the guild master in even more mystery, painting him as a more demonic figure.
And with that came an overwhelming sense of dread toward the guild master.
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