I sat in the front row, Section A, seat 21, just as Kathleen had suggested. The energy in the concert hall was electric—thousands of fans screaming, lights shing in dizzying patterns across the stage. ra and Maia sat beside me, both still in disbelief at our VIP treatment.


    "I can''t believe we''re actually here!" ra shouted over the music, clutching my arm. Her face was flushed with excitement, eyes wide with wonder. "Thank you so much, Liam!"


    I nodded but remained focused on the stage where Kathleen performed. She was mesmerizing—her voice soaring through the arena,manding attention with every movement. But something else caught my attention beyond the spectacle.


    My divine sense, now sharper than ever, detected a powerful presence nearby. A martial artist, likely at the Earth Realm level, watching intently from the shadows of the backstage area.


    I narrowed my eyes, stretching my awareness. The figure was young, perhaps in his twenties, with a controlled aura that suggested disciplined training. He wasn''t making any hostile moves, just... observing.


    Was he here for Kathleen? For me? I tensed, ready to act if necessary.


    "Liam? Is something wrong?" ra tugged at my sleeve, noticing my sudden alertness.


    "Nothing," I said, forcing a smile. "Just enjoying the performance."


    Kathleenunched into her final song—the new one she''d mentioned. Her eyes found mine in the crowd as she sang about rebirth and second chances. The lyrics struck close to home, mirroring my own journey from disgraced son-inw to a man of power.


    When the concert finally ended and we said our goodbyes to an ted ra and Maia, it was nearing midnight. I decided against returning to the Jade Moon Vi—tomorrow''s confrontation with Adrian Whitlock required preparation, and I needed space to focus.


    I made my way to my private residence—a modest house I''d purchased recently for moments when I needed solitude. Few knew of its existence, which was precisely the point. There, I could meditate and formte my strategy for defeating Whitlock without distractions.


    As I approached the front door, I paused. Someone was inside—no, two people. Their auras were distinct and powerful.


    One was vaguely familiar: the young martial artist from the concert. The other was much stronger, with an aura that rippled with barely contained menace. Neither had attempted to hide their presence.


    This was a deliberate visit, then. Not an ambush.


    I pushed open the door, stepping inside with measured confidence.


    "Most people wait for an invitation before entering someone else''s home," I said coolly.


    Two men sat in my living room. The younger one—the observer from the concert—wore simple ck clothing, his face handsome but expressionless. The older man appeared to be in his fifties, with silver-streaked hair and prating eyes that evaluated me with unsettling intensity.


    "Liam Knight," the older man said, rising from his seat. "I''ve been looking forward to meeting you. I am Arturo Hayes, adviser to the Umbral Covenant."


    The Umbral Covenant. One of the most mysterious and feared organizations in the martial world. Formerly known as the Halcroen Sect, they operated in shadows, pursuing forbidden knowledge and power regardless of the cost.


    "What does the Umbral Covenant want with me?" I asked, not bothering to hide my wariness.


    Arturo Hayes smiled thinly. "Direct. I appreciate that." He gestured to his youngerpanion. "This is Renner, one of our promising disciples. He was quite impressed by your performance tonight."


    "I wasn''t performing," I replied tly. "I was watching a concert."


    "Were you?" Hayes raised an eyebrow. "Your divine sense was casting wide, tracking Renner''s movements throughout the evening. Most impressive for someone of your... limited training background."


    I remained silent, evaluating my options. These weren''t ordinary opponents. If this turned into a fight, it would be devastating.


    "You killed one of our members recently," Hayes continued conversationally. "The one you knew as Scarface."


    My muscles tensed. "He tried to kill me first."


    Hayes waved dismissively. "The ant made that decision himself. We don''t waste time avenging fools." His eyes narrowed. "We''re here for something far more valuable—you, Liam Knight." <em ss="meta-ref-static">Read ahead and get updates by visiting *.</em>


    "Me?"


    "Your potential is extraordinary. Your progress, unprecedented. And your alchemy skills..." Hayes leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "The Nine Transformation Pill alone marks you as exceptional."


    I kept my expression neutral despite my surprise. How did they know about that pill?


    "The Umbral Covenant extends an invitation," Hayes continued. "Join us. With our resources and your talent, there would be no limit to what you could achieve."


    I almostughed. "You want me to join the organization that sent someone to kill me?"


    "As I said, that was an unauthorized action by an insignificant member. The Covenant''s leadership sees your value clearly." Hayes spread his hands. "Think of what we offer: ancient knowledge, powerful artifacts, training methods beyond anything you''ve encountered."


    "I know your reputation," I replied coldly. "The Umbral Covenant doesn''t care who gets hurt in pursuit of power. You experiment on innocent people. Destroy lives. I''m not interested."


    Hayes''s pleasant expression hardened. "A shame. Then we must settle forpensation instead."


    "Compensation?"


    "The recipe for the Nine Transformation Pill," he said tly. "As payment for Scarface''s life."


    Now I didugh. "You just said he was an ant not worth avenging. Now you want payment for his life?"


    "The pill recipe," Hayes repeated, ignoring myment. "It''s a fair exchange."


    "No." I moved toward the door, indicating they should leave. "Now get out of my house."


    Renner, who had been silent until now, raised his hand. Invisible energy shimmered in the air between us, forming a barrier.


    "I don''t think you understand your position," the young man said, his voice soft but threatening. "This isn''t a request."


    I looked at the barrier, then at Renner. Without breaking eye contact, I sent a pulse of my own energy forward. The barrier shattered like ss.


    Renner''s eyes widened in shock.


    "I understand my position perfectly," I said quietly. "Now understand yours. You''re in my home, uninvited. You''ve threatened me. And you''re still breathing only because I allow it."


    Hayes''s expression had changed, reassessing me with new interest. "Impressive indeed. The reports weren''t exaggerated."


    I reached for the door handle. "We''re done here."


    "The Umbral Covenant doesn''t take rejection lightly," Hayes called after me. "If you won''t join us or provide the pill recipe, we will take it by force. Eventually."


    I paused, my back to them. "Are you threatening me?"


    Hayes smiled thinly. "Merely stating facts. The Covenant has existed for centuries, Liam Knight. We are patient. We are resourceful. And we always get what we want."


    I turned slowly, meeting his gaze. "So do I."


    I opened the door wide. "Get out. And tell your Covenant this: if youe after me or anyone I care about, what happened to Scarface will seem merciful byparison."


    Hayes rose unhurriedly, signaling Renner to follow. As he passed me in the doorway, he paused.


    "Think carefully about your choice, Liam Knight," he murmured. "The Umbral Covenant will never let you go now."


    I felt a cold fury building inside me. First Adrian Whitlock, now this. The challenges kept mounting, enemies multiplying.


    "Are you threatening me?" I asked again, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.