Divine Path System

Baldur had been busy since his appointment. After being transferred to this zone, he picked Proxima since it's the place closest to where the 'signal' appeared. He began searching once he began his duty.

By using one excuse or another, he went to many important places of the Centaurus Duchy.

If not officially as the Director of Starsafe agency in the Proxima branch, then as a disguised civilian, a less known businessman, a decadent old man.

He visited all the major planets, checked all the trade centers, and used all information agencies. But he found no clue about the thing.

It's been a year already but there was no progress. On one hand, he wanted to beat himself up for it but logic said how was he even supposed to find a single item with the only clue that it was somewhere in the Duchy?

Even though it's too small compared to a Kingdom, Duchy was still an incredibly large region, with trillions of beings.

'Was my detector wrong?' Baldur thought.

Even though it's been almost 500 years since it went missing, he should still be able to track it roughly.

"I can't go back empty-handed." Baldur sighed in his spaceship as he headed back to Proxima.

He knew there were problems in Proxima. But if he started sorting it out, the fallout might cause reactions that'd force him to leave this place.

So, he let it be and just searched for that thing. And perhaps, also for her. "Is she still alive?"

That legendary figure who singlehandedly slaughtered many Jai Empire powerhouses.

Baldur hoped she was alive. The kingdom needed her. But even if she's not alive which was more likely, he must get that thing.

As the spaceship approached Proxima, Baldur who was slipping into a nap was awakened by a notification.

A man in his early 30s appeared on the screen. His ranking indicated he was the same as Tiger Chief Typhon and the symbols on his armor showed stars.

Star Chief Aster. Unlike other chiefs, he's directly under the director.

And as far as Baldur can tell, Star Chief was the only branch that wasn't corrupted in Proxima.

"I want to rest for a while, Aster. Unless it's important and urgent, don't say it."

Aster ignored Baldur's tired tone and said with a solemn expression. "Sir, the deputy directors are fighting with someone. T-They're going to break the space station, Sir!"

"What?!"

Baldur rushed in front of the screen and saw Proxima in the distance.

…It was shaking.

"Fuck!"

Baldur jumped out of the spaceship and starlight enveloped his body. The next second, he jumped tens of thousands of miles and appeared right above the cellar where the fighting was taking place.

The silver barrier defending everything was cracked and through those cracks, some parts of shockwaves were being released into Proxima.

These weren't even at 0.5% of the usual shockwaves, yet even level 9s in Proxima went into bunkers for safety.

Some level 7s already died due to these shockwaves. And many stupid level 8 that tried to face it head-on were crippled.

"What is happening here? Stop fighting!" Baldur roared and his figure disappeared.

He passed through the silver barrier as if it was nothing and waved his hand in annoyance.

The three figures flew up like flies and slammed the barrier before sliding down.

Helga and Hagen had some big injuries but nothing life-threatening. Still, one had his arm twisted while the other had her foot missing...on the floor.

They were breathing roughly and kept their gazes fixed on the third person.

Even when their direct superior arrived, their gazes didn't move away from that person.

Only when he followed their gaze did Baldur understand why.

The third person was in a much worse shape. He was completely drenched in blood. His skin was torn badly, showing flesh everywhere. His muscles were literally ripped apart. Even the white of his bones could be seen plenty.

All in all, he seemed more like a mutilated corpse than a living thing.

But somehow, he was standing. And somehow, his eyes were staring at Hegla and Hagen and now, even Baldur with fighting intent.

Despite being a rank 3 and many times stronger than this person, Baldur swallowed his saliva. "Who are you? Why are you fighting them?"

"Director, he's a terrorist!"

"He attempted to kill everyone on Proxima. He already killed many! If he didn't make it on time, there'd have been no loving soul here today!"

"Kill him!"

"Show him the anger of our Starsafe corps!"

"Justice!"

"Justice!"

Baldur was a bit agitated by their word but quickly calmed himself and stared at this person.

The Director's actions didn't go well with the deputies. They kicked the ground and shot at Varian, ready to kill first and then talk.

But a light flashed and the two were back in their place without even realizing how.

Varian's eyes jumped at the sight and the battle intent in his eyes faded away.

He'd been fighting madly because he had the confidence of escaping if things really got bad.

He could just use his space path and authority over the world of Hortus to enter it. Once in, these people wouldn't be able to find him.

Of course, it's not like he's not killable. If someone with a sufficient gap in strength attacks him, he'd be dead before he could even escape.

Even though Varian still felt it was possible to escape from this Director, he felt it'd be very dangerous.

"I ask you again, Who are you? Why are you fighting them?" Baldur looked at him with no malicious intent.

When Varian remained silent once again, he slapped his forehead while glancing up and down at his injured state. "I'm sorry, you're too injured to even speak."

He didn't know the reason Varian remained silent was because of him staring at the fruits of this battle.

[Status:

Mystic Rank 1: 60/100 (+40)

Famine Rank 1: 60/100 (+30)

Spirit Rank 1: 50/100 (+10)

Space Rank 1: 40/100 (+20)

Time Rank 1: 30/100 (+15)

Energy Rank 1: 40/100 (+10)

(Lightning)

Matter Rank 1: 40/100 (+10)

(Water)

Remark: You have grown stronger! If you repeat the fight against them, you would still be in a losing position but not so miserably. They're both peak rank 2s and you aren't even a peak rank 1.

But it suffices to say you could go toe to toe against high rank 2, jumping a whole rank which is a feat unheard of.]

Controlling his smile from breaking out, Varian readjusted his dislocated jaw, shoulder joints, and legs before dispelling the blood over his body using his mystic power.

"Wha—"

Baldur as well as Hagen and Helga looked at him in amazement.

All the injuries, big and small, were healing at an astonishing rate.

Previously, the deputies thought the healing was some racial attribute. But now, they felt it must be some sort of precious treasure.

Or else there's no way to explain this guy returning to a humane look in just 40 seconds.

"I am a hermit from afar. I'm out on a shopping spree but these lapdogs of Havoc pirates are attacking me because I had a conflict with Havoc's young generation's leader." Varian said and pointed to the two deputies who were looking at him in confused horror.

Why was this guy fine after fighting the two of them? Why? Why were his eyes so calm even after experiencing those gut-wrenching injuries?

Was even a normal creature? Was he a monster in human skin?

"Look, I had no intention to poke my finger into your drug cartel and waste my time, energy, and opportunities. But you stupid fucks still went on and attacked me, tried to kill me and whatnot." Varian laughed in contempt, striking off their attempt as meaningless.

Baldur tapped his chin as he listened to the conversation with interest.

"But forgiving you even after this…I really don't feel like it. I'm not a benevolent person in the first place. So, wash your neck and wait. Once I'm done with my work, your heads will roll."

"Y-You! Are you threatening the Starsafe agency? Do you know what you're doing? We're the force of the kingdom!" Helga gnashed her teeth and said with a fierce expression.

But her eyes were shivering with an unknown fear.

This guy was significantly weaker than her and shouldn't pose her any danger. But he's like a mad dog that wouldn't just back down. And this mad dog would regenerate so quickly that it could continue fighting again and again.

She didn't want to deal with him.

"Director, you just heard him threaten two deployed deputies! Make an example out of him!" Hagen said with a passionate expression.

Varian turned to the so-called Director with a neutral gaze. His eyes flashed for a moment and he discovered a big secret. A secret enough for him to get out of here scot-free.

Unaware of Varian's actions, Baldur gave him a curious glance. "Are you not scared that I'll kill you if you threaten my subordinates like that?"

"No wonder they called you donkey head."

"W-What?"

"They call you the meanest of names in the canteen, treat as you some stupid donkey that doesn't know its place, believe you're a guy grown in a glass garden who can't fathom the real world that's full of drugs, corruption, and slavery. If you still support them, their judgment is true." Varian crossed his hands and said confidently.

"What the…" Baldur knew he was being talked about badly but it never happened in front of him.

But hearing it from this guy, he felt pissed.

Varian observed his facial expression and shrugged. "You don't look that dumb, to be honest. Or you wouldn't have asked why I was fighting instead of just killing me. You're not on their team. Never were."

Baldur took a deep breath. "Still, it's an offense to fight here in the place I protect."

Varian looked at him with pity.

"What?"

"I didn't fight. My case is only self-defense. I've recorded the whole thing and it's already reached the Capital. If something happens to me, the video will spread everywhere. What do you think will happen then? Centaurus Duchy would be happy to see a rank 2 Mystic loyal to it die for unjust reasons?"

The holographic videos played smoothly.

[Baldur: Rank 4]

Varian glanced at the Director with a smile that wasn't a smile and said.

"At the very least, you'll be punished and transferred out. In the worst case, you'll be imprisoned here and possibly killed."

Baldur's expression worsened.

Varian smiled inwardly.

This guy was performing duties of a rank 3 post despite much higher strength. He had an ulterior motive and wouldn't be willing to move out or be imprisoned.

But even if he did get away without any punishment thanks to his strength, it'd be revealed to the public and particularly, his enemies that there's a mysterious rank 4 director in Proxima.

Once his cover blows up, whatever he's trying to achieve in incognito would go to waste.

Baldur's expression underwent several interesting changes before he finally waved his hand. "You can leave, you fucking bastard!"

"Let's not meet each other ever again!" Varian grabbed a random spaceship and left without even looking back.