CHAPTER 137: CH-137

Once we reached the place, Amanda stepped in to guide Hai-Min inside. She promised to update May, so there was no need for me to get out of the van.

The ride back to the mansion felt slow. Streetlights passed by the window, each one pulling my thoughts in a different direction. My body was powerful but my mind was drained already.

What I wanted most was the comfort of a modern city. Bright signs. Hot meals. Cold drinks.

Entertainment that could pull my thoughts away from all that happened. Anything that could keep my mind busy and give me a break from the mess of the past days.

Then after my reset, the next plan would start. From the outside, it might look like I was wasting time, but that wasn’t true.

I was still human, not some character who jumped from one disaster to another like a masochist . If avoiding trouble worked, that path would be taken every single time.

The gate opened, and the mansion appeared. Warm lights spilled from the windows, and for a moment, I let myself appreciate having a place like this to come back to.

The moment I stepped inside, the staff tried to greet me. A quick nod was all they got. Talking felt tiring.

I walked past the hall, ignored the living room, and climbed the stairs without stopping.

Once my room door closed behind me, everything finally went quiet.

No cultivation, no plans—just me lying on the bed, eyes shut. Tomorrow me would handle tomorrow’s problems.

Morning came, and I got up, stretching before heading to the shower. The water water cleared my mind.

By the time I reached the dining room, Ellie, Ella, and Alice were already there.

The maids treated Alice with respect now, aware of her higher status, and Ellie had grown fond of her, fussing over her like a mother.

Alice’s clothes matched Ella’s in quality, a small but noticeable sign of her place in the household.

Breakfast was laid out like a feast. Croissants oozed butter, poached eggs rested on toasted brioche, and smoked salmon gleamed beside exotic fruits. Bowls of creamy soup steamed, and fresh coffee filled the air.

I had requested this last night, craving something real after days of canned goods and vegetables. Every bite now felt like a reward.

During breakfast, Ellie asked about the tower, but I shook my head and said I didn’t want to talk about it.

She didn’t press, respecting my choice. I wanted to give them more time, let things settle, but a message from Master Tang changed that.

He wanted to meet at his home.

Word of my survival had already spread through the higher circles, just as expected after last night’s flawless interview.

"I’ll be tied up with business meetings from now on, so I won’t be home much. If there’s anything you need to say, say it now." I tapped the table for emphasis, my eyes scanning the room.

Ellie spoke first. "Ace, aren’t you overworking yourself? You just escaped that tower."

"Don’t worry, Aunt Ellie," I replied. "I’m fine. Doing nothing would stress me out more. I have a lot of goals and plans, and it’s all for our benefit."

"Then how about spending time with us?"

When she said time and us, I already knew what she meant. A big part of me wanted to say yes, to just enjoy their company.

"I... I can’t right now," I said, keeping my tone gentle but firm. "There’s too much to handle, and I need to get started."

Ellie’s shoulders sagged slightly, but she nodded. "Just... don’t forget to rest, okay?"

"I won’t. And once I sorted it out, I’ll make sure to spoil all of you."

That pulled a small smile from Ellie, Ella, and even Alice’s eyes brightened a little.

I finished the last bite of croissant, letting the flavors linger. Thoughts of the tower and Master Tang’s message ran through my mind.

Once breakfast was done, I got back to my room, stretching, and slipped into my usual black coat over a crisp white shirt—untucked, unbuttoned at the top. No fuss, just enough to look presentable, and professional.

"Take me to the commercial district," I told the driver as I settled into the back of the black SUV.

No convoy followed this time. There was no need.

Anyone bold enough to try something would learn the gap the hard way. At least two S‑Ranks would be needed to make me break a sweat, and none of my enemies knew how far my strength had risen.

Of course, that secret would stay hidden for as long as possible. Better to move like a wolf in sheep’s clothing than stand out like an alpha waiting to be hunted by an army.

The commercial district buzzed with noise and neon lights, even in the morning. A massive TV screen loomed above, replaying the tower news on loop. Front and center, there I was, staring back at myself.

Funny thing was, I looked better than I remembered. Not because of some miraculous transformation or plastic-surgery-level change, but because of how I carried myself.

My posture was straighter, eyes sharper, jawline firmer. Even under my clothes, the lines of my body showed. Confidence had become my new accessory.

They said a woman’s shield in the world was makeup.

For men? Either a cool-ass beard or confidence. Too young for a beard, so I settled on the confidence option. Worked like a charm.

Curious, I turned on the small TV in front of me, letting the news catch me up to speed.

The tower incident was making waves—not just in the city, but across the entire region. More and more outside guilds were flocking here, drawn by it.

The biggest stir came from Mythical. They sent more members after losing a huge number of seekers in the recent incident.

I grinned, imagining their faces when they realized I’d killed more of their people than the tower ever did.