CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 752: Race Tracks

The lower shopping Skyscraper complex remained utterly still. No one dared step in. They had all recognized Asher and his companions as outsiders from the moment they arrived. Initially, the onlookers anticipated a loss for Asher's group, but no one foresaw Asher dispatching all three guards as if they were mere trifles. Many onlookers hadn't even glimpsed the attacks; they merely registered motion and the violent crumpling of bodies against structures.

Despite the presence of security personnel within the shopping Skyscraper, they strategically refrained from intervening, understanding this dispute involved one of the prominent families.

Consequently, no complaints arose regarding the damage to shops and merchandise sustained during the conflict. This was hardly their first encounter with such events. What recourse did they truly possess? Holding Maximus’ family liable? That was akin to an ant demanding reparations from a dragon.

Demanding payment from Asher and his friends? They had just witnessed Asher effortlessly defeat Maximus’ guards. That display alone signaled his exceptional talent and probable noble standing from his native Empire. It was far wiser to maintain distance and absorb the losses silently than to become targets like Maximus’ family.

Thus, they simply observed Asher, William, and the others depart as if no disturbance had occurred.

Typically, a confrontation between Swiftstar Life Rankers would have resulted in significantly more destruction. However, the guards had gravely underestimated Asher, and he, in turn, had incapacitated each guard with no more than one or two strikes, denying them any opportunity to unleash their true potential or abilities.

Asher, William, Vaelric, Finch, and Ryaen proceeded in silence, their reticence suggesting that conversation at that moment carried an ominous weight.

While the entire assembly that witnessed the event was astonished, none were as taken aback as Asher’s companions, particularly William and Ryaen. Every one of them had known Asher since the Star Academy’s entrance examinations. They were familiar with his consistent calm demeanor, rarely flaunting his Wargrave Ducal authority or displaying any hint of arrogance.

Therefore, they were utterly stunned to witness and hear Asher speak with such uncharacteristic arrogance. While they had certainly encountered their share of haughty individuals before, Asher’s behavior in this instance felt profoundly unbelievable.

Within minutes, they reached the van, where the driver awaited them patiently. They entered the vehicle, and with a swift acceleration, it sped away, leaving the shopping Skyscraper complex without any further hindrances.

Asher regarded his friends’ surprised faces with a gentle smile before speaking, "There’s no need for such shock. You all know that isn't my usual manner," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement. "I merely wished to emulate an arrogant Young Master, to discern and comprehend their mindset when they act in such a fashion," he added, his smile unwavering.

Upon hearing Asher's words, Ryaen let out a sigh, shaking her head slowly. "I suppose that makes sense. Seeing you act that way left me so astonished that I began to doubt my understanding of you," she admitted with complete sincerity.

After all, witnessing such a dramatic shift in behavior would prompt anyone to question which facet of Asher’s personality was the genuine one. Perhaps, in a peculiar sense, both were equally authentic.

Asher’s explanation visibly eased their expressions, and they resolved not to dwell on the matter further. They had all chosen to accept Asher’s account, believing he had no motive to deceive them.

"However, I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed your final statement," William interjected, a smile gracing his lips. "When that young man reports this incident to his family, and they initiate their investigation for retribution, I wonder what their reaction will be upon discovering their adversary is a Wargrave," he chuckled, barely containing his laughter.

His comment elicited immediate laughter from the group.

Asher himself had briefly considered revealing his Wargrave title during the earlier confrontation. However, he quickly realized the young man might possess no knowledge of the Wargraves or any of the Zarethorne Empire’s Noble Households. After all, even he and his companions were unfamiliar with the Thalvorn Empire’s Noble Households.

"Well, at least you didn't kill him or his guards," Vaelric commented with a sigh, inwardly commending Asher's restraint as exemplary. Incapacitating them, he felt, was undoubtedly the most prudent course of action.

Asher offered no immediate reply. He was not one to easily forgive those who threatened his life; retaliation was always his immediate response to any direct threat. However, FatelessPen had instructed them to avoid unnecessary complications while resolutely refusing to tolerate foolishness from anyone. Therefore, this measured approach perfectly satisfied both stipulations.

However, if anyone were to push the boundaries too far, such incidents were best left unmentioned until they actually transpired.

"Sigh... we didn't end up encountering any talents from other Empires," Ryaen commented, her gaze fixed on the rapidly blurring scenery outside the vehicle's windows.

"Well, the Zero Rings is exceptionally vast. To expect meeting a talent from another Empire in the very first shopping complex we visited would be rather cliché. Though, I suppose when we venture to other locales, we might eventually encounter one," William stated with a calm, factual tone.

"Or perhaps they've dispersed us across various zones and locations within the Zero Rings to prevent us from meeting too soon and to avert situations like the one I had with that arrogant Young Master earlier," Asher speculated, his words simply a guess.

While he was keen to witness the capabilities of talents from other Empires, it made little difference whether he met them today or on a subsequent day. He was destined to see them at the competition regardless.

As for Maximus, he had already faded from everyone's memory. They likely presumed the boy hailed from a minor Noble Household. After all, his family had only provided him with guards at the Swiftstar Life Rank. Even if he were affiliated with a Marquis or Ducal Noble Household, such a guard contingent would merely indicate a lack of genuine concern for the boy’s life. It's common for families of that standing to assign Soulstar Life Rankers at the absolute minimum to protect their heirs.

"What shall we do next?" Finch inquired, his adventurous spirit reignited with palpable excitement.

"I wonder if they have any racing tracks here," Asher mused aloud. While he was certain such facilities would exist, these activities might not be particularly prevalent within the Zero Rings and would likely only gain true popularity in the Outer Rings.

However, venturing to the Outer Rings would necessitate security and Military clearance, permissions Asher was not entirely confident they would obtain.

'Furthermore, reaching them requires hours of travel,' Asher considered, ultimately abandoning the idea of the Outer Rings altogether.

Instead, he instructed the driver to proceed to the finest racing track available within the Zero Rings. He felt an eagerness to drive once more, having not done so in two years. Moreover, with his current perception and supernatural abilities, he was confident he could achieve speeds far exceeding anything Earth had ever known.

Although Finch and the others lacked driving experience, he planned to teach them. Asher felt assured they could master the fundamentals within an hour at most. Following that, they would simply need practical experience to become proficient drivers.

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