Plunderer: Master of the Multiverse

If you have a relative who's lazy and lacks any spark of talent, then if this relative keeps begging for loans or help, odds are few would jump to assist, right?

But if this relative is diligent, humble, and without grand ambitions, then the moment they hit hard times, even if they don't ask, you'd step up to lend a hand without hesitation.

Alex understands that the councilors of Greenridge hold a similar stance toward him.

In the past, he had no strength, clueless about his Awakened ability. Even if he burned for revenge, no one would've backed him. But now, by flashing his power, those who owed his father's kindness would naturally tilt in his favor, at least a little. This is why Alex knows his strength falls short of Ethan's, yet he dares to flaunt his might openly.

In the end times, though hearts can grow cold and shadowed, people still carry emotions and thoughts—they're not heartless beasts. It's just that these feelings are kept tightly leashed by reason.

Level 3!?

Alex's words sent a jolt through Ethan and Uncle Lee beside him, their faces shifting with starkly different emotions.

Ethan skipped the small talk, raising his wrist without a word. The crystal meter on his wrist cast a faint glow over Alex, scanning him.

Then he glanced down at the number on the crystal meter: 108.

This stunned Ethan. Those three-digit crystal points confirmed it—Alex was truly a Level 3 Awakened!

Staring at the number on the crystal meter, Ethan felt a surge of murderous intent flare in his chest, barely contained. More than two months ago, Alex hadn't even grasped his Awakened ability. In just over two months, he'd soared to Level 3 Awakened?

Utterly absurd!

That was the raw sentiment in Ethan's heart—pure disbelief. He'd never heard of anyone rocketing to Level 3 Awakened in a mere two months.

Even he, Ethan, had slogged through over a year to hit Level 3 after awakening his ability.

Ethan was floored by Alex's meteoric rise. At the same time, a fierce murderous intent roared to life within him.

With this growth rate, how soon would Alex overtake him? A year? Or just half a year?

"I heard the kid's back?" At that moment, a gruff voice boomed from outside the hall, and a burly man strode in through the doorway.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan swiftly smothered the murderous intent in his heart, plastering a forced smile on his face, and said: "Tony, you won't believe this—the kid's not only back safe, but he's unlocked his abilities and climbed to Level 3 Awakened."

"Level 3 Awakened? That fast? He's on our level already? As expected of the leader's son—a real dark horse who shakes things up when he strikes!" Hearing Ethan's words, a flash of shock crossed Tony's rugged face, clearly rattled by Alex's blistering growth.

"Since the kid's back, we ought to let the other councilors know about this." At this time, Uncle Lee beside him suddenly piped up, his tone firm.

"Damn right. Chief Roland said a Level 3 Awakened could join the high council under public witness, let alone Young Master Alex, right?" Hearing this, Tony beside him nodded heartily and chimed in.

Tony's words left Ethan with no room to argue.

Level 3 Awakened are the backbone of the Greenridge base, each one a priceless asset. Thus, the former leader set a rule: those reaching Level 3 can become councilors under public witness, sharing in the base's decision-making.

Soon, save for three councilors tied up on missions abroad, the base's councilors gathered one by one. A quick count showed nine in attendance.

"Young Master Alex hitting Level 3 Awakened strength is cause for celebration. But before now, I didn't know what ability Young Master Alex had awakened. I only joined the council three months ago, and my crystal points are closest. How about a spar?"

However, as Greenridge's top brass assembled, a young woman in her thirties abruptly stood and addressed Alex, her eyes glinting with challenge.

"Sounds good. I've heard your nickname's Lightning, moving swift as a storm's bolt. I'd love to test my skills against you."

Alex's aim was to showcase his strength, seizing as much clout as possible. Someone stepping up to test him at Ethan's nudge was an opportunity Alex wouldn't pass up.

Alex had also caught wind of the ties between Lightning and Ethan—rumors swirled they seemed to be in a relationship.

The other eight councilors instinctively backed off, clearing a wide arena for the duel.

Then, Lightning wasted no words. Suddenly, crackling blue arcs of electricity danced across her body, and she surged toward Alex at breakneck speed.

"Damn, that's fast! Her moves remind me of anime characters, using faint lightning to jolt cells and boost speed and reflexes?" Watching the woman's blistering charge, Alex was quietly stunned.

However, speed alone couldn't topple Alex. The White Dragon sword slid from its sheath, weaving a flurry of elegant sword flowers, instantly sealing off Lightning's attack paths.

Among Dugu Nine Swords' techniques, there are moves crafted to counter swift targets like rapid blades and fleeting swords.

What's more, after Alex copied Law's core kendo knowledge, he was thrilled to notice his Dugu Nine Swords' capacity had started to grow through recent sword drills.

Sure enough, with kendo fundamentals as a bedrock, sword practice could sharpen one's swordsmanship to new heights.

After several relentless assaults, Alex's sword thwarted her every advance, leaving Lightning stunned.

"His swordplay is masterful…"

The onlookers were all Level 3 Awakened, their eyes sharp as hawks. Seeing Alex wield Dugu Nine Swords, they began murmuring among themselves.

Was this swordsmanship a honed skill? Or his Awakened ability? The question piqued the curiosity of the Awakened present.

Tsk!

Alex blocked her attack routes time and again. Lightning realized close combat was a losing game, so she halted her charge, raised a finger, and unleashed a dazzling bolt of lightning.

"You're not coming closer? Then I'll bring the fight to you…" Alex said, noting Lightning's shift to ranged attacks with no intent to advance.

As he spoke, his Shave ability kicked in, his feet hammering the ground dozens of times in a blink. Alex's body moved so swiftly it nearly vanished from sight, materializing before Lightning like a teleport.

His long sword swept out, graceful as an antelope's leap, then halted just shy of Lightning's throat.

Lightning's body froze, a bead of cold sweat trickling down her cheek. The White Dragon sword hovered so close, she felt she'd brushed the gates of death.

"Shave paired with Dugu Nine Swords' swordplay is a flawless combo…" After downing Lightning in near a single move, Alex marveled inwardly, his heart racing.

Though his crystal points aren't sky-high, the strength Alex wields—fusing copied bloodlines, skills, and knowledge—far outstrips what crystal points alone can measure.

In gaming terms, while everyone's character level might match, differences in skills, gear, and even roles can make same-level players' strength vary wildly.

Moreover, other Awakened gain a single new ability or trick per level-up, but Alex? If he chooses, he can copy a set of skills for his own use.

To an extent, his abilities and skills aren't bound by his Awakened level, marking the starkest divide between him and other Awakened…

"That burst of speed, that exquisite swordplay—it's like Young Master Alex awakened a warrior's gift," Tony, the towering figure nearby, said in awe, watching Alex handily best Lightning.

When two abilities sync perfectly, they can skyrocket a person's strength.

To them, Alex's Shave and Dugu Nine Swords' swordsmanship formed a top-tier, synergistic duo.

"Congratulations, Young Master Alex, on becoming the thirteenth councilor of our Greenridge base." At this moment, Uncle Lee beside him suddenly spoke up, his voice warm with pride.

Having defeated Lightning, a fellow councilor, in a head-on duel, and with crystal points to back it up, Alex's rise to councilor was indisputable.

"Well, that's right. Our Greenridge base gaining another Level 3 Awakened is a major win for us all." The matter was sealed. Even Ethan, the base's leader, could only nod and affirm Alex's new status.