The fragrant atmosphere of Don Giorgio Guido's luxurious villa reeked of fine cigars and aged whiskey. Seated behind his grand desk, the owner leaned back in his chair.

  His Consiglieri, Niccolo Stewart, stood in front of him, his expression that of a concerned man.

  "Can you say that again?" Guido said in a dangerously calm voice.

  Niccolo calmly went on, "John Igna and over fifty Fire Clan soldiers ambushed Kai Ciphera in Z City, and half of them are dead, the rest barely breathing."

  "Fifty ability users," he muttered, rolling the words over in his mind. "All enhanced by Amplification Pills... And they stood no chance?"

  Niccolo nodded. "He effortlessly annihilated them."

  Guido's fingers froze, and his jaw muscle twitched. By his assessment, this was insane. "How could one low-ranked mercenary beat an entire squad of enhanced warriors?" Guido thought.

  After all, Amplification Pills were not some cheap o-drug-popping street drug, just temporarily pushing its users beyond their natural limitations, allowing them to punch above their capacities. Even for a prodigy, this should be impossible. But Kai Ciphera wasn't just any fighter.

  "Too bad he didn't join me," he murmured. "And too lucky that I didn't provoke him at the Mercenary Tournament."

  Niccolo continued. "Our spies in the Ice Clan confirmed that Ciphera has been frequently going in and out of the Ice Clan's HQ. Not just like a visitor but someone who belongs there. We suspect he has a close relationship with the new Ice Clan Branch Head, Celine Cryoson."

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  Guido fell silent as the puzzle pieces clicked into place.

  "Of course, the Ice Clan's Mystic Array. That's was how he leveled up so quickly," Guido mumbled. "So, he is the one who defeated Trevor Cryoson."

  Much information went on as Niccolo continued, "We even dug into his past."

  "He came from nothing, raised by a single father who's a failed writer, while his mother died of illness when he was young. No known mentors. No bloodline ties with any strong clans. And... he was a late bloomer. His ability didn't awaken until after he became a mercenary."

  Guido simply looked up, eyebrows up. "His ability?"

  "Officially listed as Super Strength."

  Guido snickered without any humor. "Officially?"

  Niccolo's eyes darkened. "Sir, I don't believe that his true ability."

  Guido stared at him. He drew a deep breath, then remembered the Mercenary Tournament, the way Kai fought, the raw speed, the flames, the unimaginable Strength. Super Strength wasn't enough to account for what he had seen.

  Guido's mind raced- no ordinary nobody could become so powerful so quickly.

  There was indeed only one explanation.

  He leaned back, swirling the whiskey inside his glass. "A lab rat."

  Niccolo frowned. "Sir?"

  Guido's voice was like steel. "Kai Ciphera is not normal. No poor kid from a failing family wakes up one day with multi-high-tier abilities. Either he was a failed government experiment or a homunculus, a genetically engineered weapon."

  "If that is true...." Niccolo stammered. "Then he's the most dangerous person in Z City."