Chapter 29: Predator’s Offer
[DING!]
The elevator sound rang out in the lobby, echoing across the pristine marble floors, as the Manager rushed out, moving with a frantic desperation that completely shattered his usual refined composure. He practically sprinted, only to bump into Frederick.
"Huh? Manager Tang, why are you sweating so much?" He asked in surprise, taken aback by the sight of the usually untouchable executive looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"Get out of my way!" Tang shoved him to the side, rushing towards the entrance without offering a shred of his usual corporate politeness.
Heaven Hotel was a giant in the whole five countries, an apex establishment built on immeasurable wealth and terrifying political connections. For someone to have the capital to buy it in a single, untraceable transaction, this new Boss must be terrifyingly powerful—perhaps a hidden sovereign or an underground emperor. Tang’s career, and possibly his life, depended on making a flawless first impression.
Frederick was a bit taken aback. In the whole of Silverspire, only a few people could make the Manager so anxious. Driven by curiosity, and eager to see the face of the billionaire who commanded such fear, he rushed after the manager.
__
Outside the Hotel, the commotion has drawn the attention of the guests around, and more security guards, surrounding Asher and Juliana in place. A suffocating ring of uniforms boxed them in, a deliberate display of brute intimidation.
"Hey! Today, I will teach you a very good lesson... No one is allowed to impersonate the CEO!! Especially not a dirt like you!" The head security yelled, pointing his baton at Asher’s nose, completely blinded by his own perceived authority.
"Um... I think we should leave." Juliana whispered, hiding behind Asher, as she stared at the twenty guards surrounding them. She was entirely overwhelmed by the aggressive crowd, her hands trembling as she clutched the back of Asher’s shirt.
"You can’t leave!!! Hey, you have such a beautiful woman, and you’re impersonating someone with her! You’re heartless!!" Another thin guy yelled, stepping uncomfortably close, his eyes scanning Juliana with undisguised lust, and continued:
"After we deal with you, we will keep the woman safe inside the Boss’s room as an apology! I am sure her body will be so--"
SLAP!!!!
"....?!!"
Everyone was stunned, as an invisible force smashed right into the Guy’s face with the impact of a speeding truck. He flew to the side, rolling continuously across the paved driveway, till he stopped a hundred meters away, fainted. His jaw was entirely unhinged.
Asher blinked, and looked at his hand, stunned: ’Such a big hotel and they only have ordinary humans? I forgot I am now a B-Rank... My strength is way above that of an ordinary person, and Killing Intent doesn’t know how to be gentle either... Seems I need to know how to control my strength.’ He blinked, analyzing the devastating output of his own reflex.
Absorbing 20 SSS-RANK Evolution stones has pushed his rank to B-Rank, a massive leap in density and spiritual pressure, but Asher was still shocked about his strength. He hadn’t even intended to strike the man that hard; the mere thought of someone violating his wife had triggered his intent.
"How dare you kill someone?!!" The head guard yelled in rage, his face filled with anger, completely oblivious to the monstrous gap in their existence.
"Boys!! Beat this brat up!!"
The guests all watched in shock, taking a collective step backward, as the 19 Security Guards all lunged towards Asher with their batons raised, moving like a synchronized pack of wolves.
"Underestimating yourselves!!"
BAM!!!
The 19 batons smashed heavily on an invisible barrier. The air warped around Asher and Juliana like thick glass, and the next moment, all their attack force rebounded back. The Divine-Tier passive, Soul Defense, activated flawlessly.
BAM!!!
PIFF!!
The whole 19 vomited a mouthful of blood, as an unknown force smashed right into their chest. Propelled by five times their own kinetic energy, they all flew to the ground like broken dolls. Some groaning in pain, some fainted from it, their ribs shattered instantly.
’Well, the attack force you receive back is multiplied by 5, if you used too much strength, you’ll suffer more.’ Asher thought, staring coldly at the groaning men on the ground. It was an absolute defense that weaponized the enemy’s own malice.
"...?!"
Juliana stared at him, shocked, her wide eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and absolute security. Was Asher this powerful from the start? He had stood perfectly still, shielding her effortlessly against an entire platoon of men.
{Wife Juliana’s Affection: +1%.}
{Current Affection: 91%.}
Asher blinked, and looked over his shoulder at Juliana, who quickly lowered her gaze to the ground, her face bright red.
"Seems that guy is an awakened."
"That’s the only explanation... He must be a very powerful one."
"I agree."
The guests whispered amongst themselves, watching the scene before them with newfound respect and terror.
"You dare cause trouble in Heaven Hotel, you are quite bold, I like it."
Everyone turned around, the whispers dying instantly, seeing a Lady walking towards them, a smile on her face. Following behind her were two men, acting as personal bodyguards.
’An SSS-RANK Awakened?’ Asher was stunned, feeling the oppressive aura she casually radiated. He stared at the lady, assessing the immediate threat, then moved his gaze to the two men behind her, both SS-RANK.
"And who might you be?" He asked with a frown, not even a bit intimidated. If they attacked, he still had Judgement Strike and Sword Sovereign.
’Oh, this young man is interesting, he isn’t even scared of my rank.’ She thought, her gaze scanning his seemingly unremarkable presence, and flashed her brightest smile, shifting to recruitment mode:
"I am Marianne, guild leader of Holy Sword Guild, top three in the country ranking board." She said with a smile, projecting the absolute authority of the city’s ruling elite.
"....?!"
Hearing her name, the whole place broke into chaos, as the guests watched with countless emotions. They were all elite, wealthy and connected, but even amongst Elites, there are ranks... Marianne’s rank was at the very top of the food chain.
"May I know your name?" She asked, staring at him, intrigued by his utter lack of fear.
"I don’t give names." He said, holding Juliana’s hand tighter, creating a protective boundary between his wife and the apex predator before them.
"You still can’t go inside!!"
The head guard said with gritted teeth, getting to his feet, holding his chest, blood at the side of his lips, still clinging to his misguided loyalty:
"You attacked us, the new Boss won’t let this slide." He muttered.
"Seems you offended Heaven Hotel. That isn’t wise, although they place ordinary humans here, they have Awakened, and even an SSS-RANK Awakened on standby... Why don’t you join my guild? Holy Sword will protect you." She said with a smile, attempting to leverage the hotel’s legendary reputation to secure a promising recruit, and continued:
"Although Heaven Hotel is powerful, we can still hold our ground and make them submit--"
"--BOSS!!"
"....?!"
Marianne, the security guards, guests, Frederick and Juliana were stunned as the Manager of Heaven Hotel rushed forward, practically throwing himself across the pavement, and dropped to his knees before Asher, his expensive suit tearing against the concrete:
"I am sorry for being late, Boss!!! Please punish me!" He yelled, his voice echoing loudly across the silent courtyard.
Asher smirked, fully realizing the absolute irony of the Guild Leader’s previous speech, and looked over his shoulder at the stunned Marianne:
"Still want to recruit me?"
"....?!"