Three days passed. Throughout those three days, Victor practiced the first level repeatedly. Every session strengthened his mental corridor. Every session increased his control. By the end of the third day, his mental world had become significantly more organized than before.

When he finally opened his eyes, the underground chamber appeared exactly as he remembered. Victor slowly stood. "What now?"

Victor looked toward him. "We have the mechs. We have the breathing methods. What now?"

Nova smiled. "Now we return." Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "The sages should have collected sufficient monster blood essence by now."

Victor understood immediately. The true purpose of the breathing methods could finally be tested. Nova crossed her arms. "And I want to see your modifications." Her smile widened. "I want to see what kind of foundation you can create. I have never seen anyone in the universe with 8 elemental affinities."

Victor turned toward the tunnel leading outside. "Then we should not waste time. I am also very interested to use the martial system. My realm has hit a bottleneck."

The two began walking through the ancient corridors. The golden lights illuminated their path. Behind them, the forgotten ruins returned to silence.

Several minutes later, they emerged from the mountain. Night had already fallen. Countless stars filled the sky above. A cool breeze moved through the surrounding wilderness.

Nova landed upon Victor’s shoulder. "One more thing."

Victor glanced toward her. "What is it?"

Nova’s expression became serious. "Do not tell anyone about the Mind Fortress Technique."

Victor immediately noticed the warning in her voice. "Why?"

Nova looked toward the distant horizon. "Because some techniques are too dangerous to share." Her voice became quieter. "The second level can be abused."

Victor listened carefully. Nova continued. "I once knew a mage who mastered it. He obtained perfect emotional control." Her expression darkened. "Unfortunately, he lost his empathy in the process."

Victor remained silent. Nova’s eyes became distant. "He became unstoppable. He became brilliant. He became terrifying." Her voice carried genuine discomfort. "And eventually, he became a monster."

The wilderness fell silent. Victor understood immediately. Power without humanity was dangerous. Mental perfection did not necessarily create a better person. Sometimes it created something far worse.

After several moments, he nodded. "I understand."

.....

Victor and Nova appeared outside the Federation headquarters. The morning sun cast long shadows across the courtyard.

Arthur was already waiting for them. His expression was a mixture of exhaustion and urgency. Several Federation officials stood behind him at a respectful distance.

Victor walked forward. Nova remained perched on his shoulder, her tiny eyes scanning the surroundings.

Arthur spoke first. "They have already captured the eight monsters alive." He paused. "Do we want me to kill them or what?"

Victor shook his head. "I will do that. First take me to a larger place."

Arthur frowned. "You think you can kill an S rank monster? Even if you are absurdly powerful for your realm, S rank monsters are on a whole different level."

Victor’s expression remained calm. "They are restricted, yes?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes, they are. But even an epic warrior will need three days of constant attacks to kill an S rank monster." His voice carried genuine concern. "These creatures have survived for centuries. Their bodies are incredibly durable."

"Then do not worry, President." Victor met his gaze evenly. "I have my way. Please lead me toward a large room now."

Arthur frowned but did not argue further. He turned and gestured for Victor to follow.

They walked through the Federation headquarters. Officials and soldiers bowed as Arthur passed. Whispers followed them. Everyone had heard about the mysterious young man who had convinced the President to launch a massive monster hunt.

Arthur led Victor to a large industrial building on the eastern edge of the compound. The structure was made of reinforced steel and concrete. Thick pipes ran along the walls.

"Will this work?" Arthur asked. "This is the Federation’s butcher house. We process monster meat here."

Victor stepped inside. The building was massive. High ceilings, concrete floors, and enough space to accommodate dozens of large creatures. He nodded. "This will work."

With a wave of his hand, his space ring flashed. Ten enormous mechs appeared in the empty space. Each one stood over thirty meters tall. Their metallic bodies gleamed under the industrial lights. An overwhelming pressure radiated from them.

Arthur’s eyes widened. The officials behind him gasped. Several soldiers instinctively stepped back.

Victor turned to Arthur. "I will teach you later how to use them. Now please take me to the monsters."

Arthur, however, could not tear his gaze away from the mechs. His mouth hung slightly open. "They sure look cool," he muttered.

Victor waited patiently.

Arthur finally shook himself out of his daze. "Right. Follow me."

He led Victor out of the butcher house and toward a heavily fortified section of the Federation compound. They passed through multiple checkpoints. Each one required biometric verification.

Arthur pressed his palm against a scanner. A door slid open. Then another. Then another.

The deeper they walked, the more secure the area became. The walls thickened. The lights dimmed. The air grew cold.

Eventually, they arrived at a huge underground laboratory. The ceiling was at least twenty meters high. Reinforced mana barriers covered every surface.

And then Victor heard it.

Roar!

An enormous roar shook the entire laboratory. The sound was filled with rage and hunger. It echoed off the walls and vibrated through the floor.

Victor looked around. Ten massive cages lined the laboratory. Each cage was constructed entirely of compressed mana. Blue energy crackled along the bars.

Inside each cage, a monster waited.

Five sages were stationed around the cages. Each sage continuously channeled their mana into the barriers, reinforcing the structures. Their faces were pale. Dark circles hung under their eyes. Sweat dripped from their foreheads.

They looked battered. Exhausted. Yet none of them stopped.

Victor felt a wave of gratitude. These sages had taken his words seriously. They had risked their own life and energy to capture and contain these creatures alive.

"Thank you, sages," Victor said quietly. "I will not let you down."

Arthur stood beside him. "The strongest one is the fire elemental ape. It nearly killed two sages during capture."

Victor walked toward the first cage. Inside stood a five-foot-tall ape. Its fur was dark as charcoal. Crimson runes covered its body, glowing faintly with each breath. Its eyes burned like molten lava.

A fire elemental S rank monster.

The ape saw Victor approaching. It slammed its fists against the mana cage. The barriers flickered but held. It opened its massive jaws and roared directly at him.

The sound carried physical force. The air rippled. Victor’s clothes fluttered.

Victor did not flinch.

His eyes turned cold. The warmth drained from his expression. What remained was something ancient and calculating.

He raised his right hand. His space ring flashed again. This time, a sword appeared.

The demonic sword.

Victor gripped the hilt tightly. Then he began channeling mana into the sword. Not a small amount. Not a controlled stream.

Endless mana.

The sword drank greedily. The crimson blade began to glow brighter.

Victor had never used the sword at its full potential. He had always held back, uncertain of its true limits.

Today, he wanted to know. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Could it really kill a Sage with enough mana?

Boom!

Immense mana fluctuations exploded throughout the laboratory. The pressure was suffocating. The sharp aura radiating from the blade cut through the air itself.

Every sage in the room stopped channeling. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Some stumbled backward. Others dropped to one knee under the pressure.

Arthur’s eyes went wide. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

The demonic sword was no longer a weapon. It had become a calamity contained within Victor’s grip.

Victor raised the sword above his head. The ape in the cage stopped roaring. For the first time, fear appeared in its burning eyes.

Victor spoke one word.

"Die."

He brought the blade down.