Chapter 344

"There are four layers here."

"The first layer is used for low-level awakeners who have committed heinous crimes."

"The second layer is for those who have seemingly lost their minds and abused their powers against ordinary people."

The locks, the sigils, and the inner workings of the first two layers were explained by Ronan so smoothly and precisely that Crimson Scale was left shocked.

Ronan continued.

"The third layer houses high-level awakened individuals and those you consider anomalies, people like me who are capable of threatening A-Rank Heroes."

"The fourth layer is supposed to lock away those who are capable of threatening the S-Ranks themselves."

"I don’t think there are many of them, so their confinement is the most secure, with several layers of protection put in place to ensure they can’t break out."

"If my guess isn’t wrong, that’s where I was supposed to be locked away, isn’t it?"

He asked the question calmly.

Crimson Scale’s eyes quivered slightly.

He looked away before nodding.

This kid was truly extraordinary.

Without a doubt, if he had been more reserved, he would have made a great addition to Arc.

Ronan continued, his voice calm as he pointed out another oddity.

"This pathway doesn’t lead toward the fourth layer."

"It is also moving away from the sealing sections of the third layer."

"So we must be heading somewhere even more private than those places, aren’t we?"

He paused briefly before adding,

"Somewhere that not even many Arc agents themselves have access to."

Crimson Scale nodded in response.

Ronan’s deduction skills were quite commendable.

Although most of that came from the fact that he seemed to know more about the inner workings of Arc than most Arc personnel themselves, which only made him appear even more impressive in Crimson Scale’s eyes.

"You are right."

"We aren’t heading toward any holding cell."

"At least, not yet."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"The reason for that is because we aren’t certain all the protections we have put in place could stop you from breaking out."

Ronan gave him a sidelong glance as they continued walking.

"As you must have guessed, we learned that you leave and enter your previous holding cell as if you were simply leaving your own bedroom."

Ronan didn’t argue.

He hadn’t intended to leave permanently, but he had needed to help Han clear several portals.

After all, they couldn’t risk multiple portal breaks occurring at the same time.

And staying inside that cell all day, staring at walls, would have driven him insane.

So he left.

Not that he didn’t come back afterward.

At the very least, he always returned to sleep.

Taking Ronan’s silence as confirmation, Crimson Scale continued.

"That is why we need to do something important first before you are escorted to your prison."

"And I would appreciate it if you cooperated."

"Trust me, I don’t want the Tryst Guild to become an enemy of the entire world."

"And if you do anything that goes against the judges, then it might lead to that unwanted outcome."

Ronan didn’t argue.

He simply continued following.

He knew he had to do things this way.

He didn’t want Han and the others worrying about him.

Whatever this was, he would see it through to the very end.

And if the heroes intended to pull any dirty tricks on him... 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He was more than confident in his ability to save himself.

After so many swift turns, so many security doors being passed through, and countless pathways crossed and left behind, it even made Ronan wonder just what the hell this safety measure they kept talking about actually was.

"We only use this for the tricky captives," Crimson Scale spoke as they approached a massive white door.

"There are a few others that we aren’t one hundred percent confident in being able to stop from escaping, so we do this instead."

"And they were never able to break free."

"They can’t."

Crimson Scale spoke from experience, his confidence sky-high.

Ronan didn’t respond, but he was slightly curious about what all of this was and what exactly they intended to do to stop him from escaping if he truly wanted to.

Soon, they arrived before the large white door.

Crimson Scale pushed it open.

Unlike the bright exterior, however, the interior was dark.

Very dark.

Apart from a single light bulb hanging overhead, there was only a white table and two chairs positioned in the middle of the room.

And then there was a figure sitting on one of the chairs.

Dressed in what appeared to be a doctor’s outfit, his face was obscured by the darkness. However, Ronan could still make out a pair of white glasses reflecting beneath the dim light, making them strangely visible despite the darkness.

"Go ahead."

Crimson Scale pointed toward the second chair.

Without saying a word, Ronan walked over and sat down.

"Please give me your right hand."

A gentle middle-aged voice spoke from the man sitting across from him.

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

Still, he extended his right hand toward the man.

The man calmly took hold of it.

Nothing happened for a few moments.

Then something changed.

Ronan suddenly felt a strange sensation pass through his entire body.

It was subtle at first, almost unnoticeable.

Then came the familiar sound.

Ding...

Host, a strange energy is attempting to invade your body.

Ding...

A powerful suppression skill is being used on the Host.

Would you like to allow the skill to take effect?

Yes / No

Note: Once the Host approves, the suppression skill will activate successfully.

During this period, the Host will temporarily lose a significant portion of their power, abilities, and skill set.

Duration: Active for as long as the suppression remains in effect.

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Hey everyone, it’s your favorite sleep-deprived author, Ultra!

Yes, I’m alive.

No, I wasn’t kidnapped by goblins, abducted by aliens, sealed in an ancient cultivation artifact, or defeated by the final boss. Life just decided to use a few high-level skills on me, and unfortunately, they were super effective.

The past few days have been absolutely chaotic, which is why I’ve been missing for so long. For that, I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been waiting for Chapters and repeatedly checking their notifications only to find... absolutely nothing.

But fear not!

I have returned from the depths of the author’s realm, armed with caffeine, questionable life choices, and a renewed determination to finish this book.

Also, while you’re here, I have another project currently running called My Clones Can Cultivate. Go check it out! Read a few Chapters and tell me what you think. If it’s terrible, be gentle. If it’s good, tell everyone. If it’s amazing, tell your friends, your family, your neighbors, your pet, and that random guy walking down the street.

As always, don’t forget to vote, leave comments, and support the story. Your support is the reason this author continues to survive instead of evolving into a cave-dwelling writing gremlin.

Thank you all for sticking around despite my disappearing acts. More Chapters are coming!

Probably.

Most likely.

Okay, let’s just pretend that’s a guaranteed promise.

— Ultra