Child of Destiny

...…

David was running toward a certain town along with Jerimiah, Vincent, and Laurent after getting some instructions from Nathan. Based on the intel that Nathan had gotten, it seemed like this town would be their main lead on finding Shin's whereabouts.

Given that he had a special technique that could sense Shin's location, it was natural for him to lead this operation.

They were rushing toward that place when David and Laurent both sensed something. They suddenly halted their tracks before turning toward the direction of the Ace City.

Jerimiah and Vincent slightly knitted their brow when they saw the two paused.

But before they could even ask, David was already answering. "Something happened to the Ace City."

"My connection with the Heavenly Taste has also been cut," added Laurent as he frowned deeply.

"What are we going to do? Should we head back to know what is happening?" he asked as he turned to David.

David put his hand on his chin, thinking deeply, before shaking his head. "There is no need for that. There are already a lot of powerhouses stationed in that place. Even if we don't know what exactly is happening there, we can still guess that it has something to do with the Magic Ace Academy and World Research Center."

"Given our preparation, there is no need for us to head over there. We just have to focus on the task at hand and leave the rest to the seniors and the elders," he added before heading back toward the town.

…

At the same time, Nathan, who was leading the forces of the Springfield Family at the tomb of the ancient cultivator, also received the news.

He smirked as he was somewhat expecting this to happen. He then skimmed through the report and learned that the organization that was taking the move was still unknown, but their people were sure that they were from an underworld organization.

"Who is it? Shadow Alliance, Hextech Laboratory, or Black Serpent Mafia?" he mumbled as he tried to recall all the underworld organizations that were active in the Soaring Continent recently.

But his hunch was telling him that it was most likely the Black Serpent Mafia since those guys were getting greedier recently. It seemed like they were trying to rush something for some reason.

He then turned toward the representatives of the Magic Ace Academy and saw Old Man Lin nod at him.

The old man was telling him to leave everything here to him and do what he must.

Nathan slightly nodded before turning to his people and saying. "Let's go! It is time to teach those guys that they can't mess with the Soaring Continent."

…

Back in the World Research Center, Coffin Maker, who was still under his disguise as one of the students of the academy, was currently leading the people of the Black Serpent Mafia inside the building.

After being here for quite a while, Coffin Maker had become familiar with the structure of the place and even memorized all the routes toward Professor Henry's laboratory, where all the most important research and materials were located.

They rushed inside the laboratory right after they arrived and planned to surround all the scientists and researchers inside. Aside from stealing the materials, they also planned to capture these people so that they could work under them.

But unexpectedly, they were greeted by an empty laboratory. No experimental experiment, no researchers, no assistants, no materials, nor the test subjects, not even a speck of dust present.

Coffin Maker and his people were stunned for a moment before snapping out of their daze due to the slamming of the metal doors behind them, trapping them inside.

Coffin Maker slightly frowned and he realized that they had fallen into a trap. But what confused him was how Professor Henry had cleared the room unnoticed when he had always been keeping an eye on this place.

He even remembered that this place was still filled with activities last night. How could the entire laboratory be empty now?

"Tsk! I am expecting to catch some big fish for this, but it seems like all we can get is the spy and some small fries," commented Professor Henry as he watched the trapped people through the screen.

"I can't believe that Oscar is a spy. We have been nurturing him for almost 9 years now, yet he is a spy of an underworld organization," said one of the researchers after seeing the familiar student along with the agents of the Black Serpent Mafia.

The researchers who were directly working under Professor Henry started discussing among themselves while also cursing the student named 'Oscar' without knowing that it was Coffin Maker in disguise.

Professor Henry squinted his eyes as he watched closely how the student spy acted before mumbling. "It may also be possible that this kid is not Oscar at all."

His voice might be a little soft and quiet, but the people around him were able to hear them and quickly quiet down.

Then they turned toward the professor with inquiring gaze.

Professor Henry paused for a moment and thought before sighing. "The real Oscar has most likely died during the previous abduction incident and this person that we are seeing is someone who has stolen his identity without our notice."

"But how can we not notice it, professor? How come he is so familiar with everyone and doesn't even show any sign when he has just stolen the identity of someone?" asked one of the researchers.

"It is not that hard to steal someone's memories through special means," he said, implying that someone was able to do it. "Have you forgotten that there is someone, who specialized in infiltration and espionage, active in our region recently?"

Hearing those words, the researchers seemed to get enlightenment as their eyes turned wide. They turned to each other before simultaneously voicing out their thoughts. "Coffin Maker!"

…

As the chaos enfolded the entire Ace City, Shin was currently busy on his head.

After exploring the forest where the inheritance tome was located, he arrived at the deeper parts of the region along with the agents of the Black Serpent Mafia.

As they advanced, the human-turned-plant monsters that they encountered along the way were slowly becoming stronger.

Even if their attack patterns and abilities were the same as one another, the power that they had was much stronger than the previous ones that they had met. Moreover, the range and scale of their attacks were also growing larger, making them harder to avoid.

But with the preparations that the Black Serpent Mafia had prepared and the fire innate attribute that Shin possessed, the effects of these humanoid plant monsters were greatly restricted.

Unless they encountered the main puppet at the center of the forest, the group would not be facing any trouble along the way.

It was not until one of the scouts reported to the young executioner. "Sir, I think we have some problems. The people from the military seem to be engaging in a battle with the main puppet."

The young executioner knitted his brow deeply before turning to Shin with suspicion. But after observing the latter for a couple of moments, he shook his head, rejecting the idea.

Shin couldn't contact anyone given that had taken his advanced watch and even destroyed it. Then they gave him the special smartwatch that the organization was using, which only had a single channel.

Understanding what the other side was thinking, Shin commented. "It must be the group that is supposed to explore the place with me."

"This mission is supposed to be given to me by the Academy and the Military. And its schedule also happens to coincide with your operation."

"I am guessing that they have entrusted it to someone else given that I am currently 'missing'," he added after a simple analysis.

The young executioner fell into deep thought before asking the scout. "How many are they? And how strong are their forces?"

The scout did not need to recall the forces of the opposing side as he instantly reported. "It seems like they have also realized the requirements for getting near the main puppet. They did not send anyone stronger than Ethereal Opening Stage Expert."

"But there is a powerful group that is wearing an advanced Combat Suit. According to the information we have in our database, they are most likely the 'Mech Corps' of the Military Forces under the Green Family."

Hearing those words, Shin raised his brows slightly.

As someone from the Springfield Family, he was naturally familiar with the Military Forces of the Soaring Continent.

The military circle within the Soaring Continent was the strongest in the world and they were divided into multiple factions.

Aside from the Springfield Family, who mostly ruled over the Central Region, there were also powerful military families in the other major regions of the continent.

Among them, the one that could rival the authority of the Springfield Family within the circle was the Green Family, who were the rulers of the Northern Blue Region.

The Springfield Family had a long history. They were also a top Martial Arts Family with great inheritance aside from being a military family. Their Martial Arts could even rank at the top even when compared to the world.

All the members of the family were elite martial artists while the soldiers that they trained focused on body refinement and trained themselves to the absolute peak of martial arts.

They were true warriors who would not back down in front of any challenges.

With their iron-forged wills and steel-like bodies, they far surpassed most of the forces within the circle. They even developed their version of Military Arts and Gun Fighting Techniques that complimented their styles.

On the other, the Green Family was a major force that focused on advanced gadgets and technological weapons. They even partnered with most of the companies that majored in manufacturing such technological tools.

One of their major partners was the companies from the Sun-Moon Continent, which was the center of technological and advanced knowledge.

Compared to the special forces of the Springfield Family, which were elite warriors, the Mech Corps of the Green Family was known for their advanced Combat Suits and Battle Mechas by highly trained pilots.

These experts had certain attainment in terms of Martial Arts or Mentalism, but they were not as strong as the elite soldiers or skilled experts. But when they were in their respective Combat Suits or Battle Mechas, they could face even those experts with a stage higher than their martial or mentalism attainments.

'The Green Family? Did they take over the mission since Uncle Nathan and the rest are busy with the tomb exploration and looking for me?' thought Shin as he frowned deeply.

If it was just some other military force who took over this mission, then he would not have any issue. But since it was the Green Family, who was the main rival of the Springfield Family, they could take advantage of this situation and even frame Shin for being a spy once they had seen him with the agents of the Black Serpent Mafia.

Given his background, which was he was recused in the training camp of the Black Serpent Mafia, it would be hard to defend himself, especially when he had gotten the 'evidence'.
Experience more on m v|l e'm,p y r

Thinking about this, he took out the mask that the organization provided him to hide his face.

"We will be advancing carefully and avoid any contact with the other party. Let's let them deal with the main puppet while we lay an ambush behind them," said Shin, voicing out a suggestion for the first time since the start of the mission.

The young executioner looked at Shin with full suspicion, but still nodded his head in agreement when he recalled that Bernard was still in their hands.

Moreover, the plan that Shin had suggested was the most basic and the most common tactic that they could use in this situation.

After a few signals with his hand, the young executioner was done giving out his orders. He then turned to Shin and gestured that it was now his turn.

Shin turned his head in front before moving forward discretely. He knew that this was no different from selling the military force under the Green Family, but he did not have a choice but to 'sell' them out since he had to save Bernard no matter what.

...