Chapter 140: The Limit Of 1-Star

Adesewa glanced toward the collapsed warehouses. "The area was abandoned, and we confirmed the surrounding buildings were empty before entering. Still, we should leave before the authorities decide to involve themselves. Have you recovered their communication equipment?"

"Most of it," Cassian replied, gesturing toward several sealed cases carried by Bastian. "We also captured five operatives who attempted to escape through the northern perimeter. Two appear to have been responsible for coordinating the explosives."

Adesewa nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Keep them separated from Corvin. I don’t want anyone coordinating their stories before we question them."

The prisoners were transferred to a secure holding location away from the survivors’ concealed base, where Marcus began examining the recovered equipment while Adesewa supervised the questioning.

Corvin initially refused to cooperate, insisting that the people behind the operation would eventually retaliate.

However, his confidence deteriorated when Marcus presented financial records connecting him to several compromised properties.

Those documents demonstrated that the survivors already possessed substantial information concerning the organization’s activities, leaving Corvin with fewer opportunities to mislead them.

Over the following hours, the interrogation produced valuable results. Corvin identified several additional safehouses, transportation contractors, and intermediaries responsible for distributing payments to assassination teams.

He also revealed that many operatives received instructions through separate communication channels, preventing individual members from understanding the organization’s complete structure.

However, when Adesewa questioned him about the person directing the operation, his answers became considerably less useful.

Corvin admitted that he had personally met the individual on several occasions, including meetings where he received instructions concerning the assassination attempts.

Unfortunately, those encounters had always taken place under carefully controlled circumstances. The man remained concealed in darkness, and Corvin had never seen his face or learned his real name.

"So you’ve spoken to the person responsible for all of this, but you don’t even know who he is?" Adesewa asked, studying the exhausted prisoner across the interrogation table.

Corvin nodded reluctantly. "He never showed his face. Whenever we met, he remained in the shadows. I know his voice, and I know he has enormous resources at his disposal, but that’s all. He made certain nobody could identify him."

Adesewa narrowed her eyes. "Then tell me everything you remember about those meetings. His voice, his mannerisms, the locations, and anyone who arranged your appointments. I want every detail."

Corvin lowered his gaze before beginning his account. He had entered the manufacturing complex believing that careful preparation would allow him to defeat Adesewa.

Instead, he’d lost his operation, suffered a humiliating defeat, and surrendered information that could compromise several additional branches of the network.

Whatever happened afterward, he understood that his position within the organization had become considerably more dangerous.

---

It was nearly midnight when Jet received the full report at the concealed base.

He sat inside the common room while Adesewa explained what had happened, occasionally consulting the documents Marcus had prepared.

Frey remained upstairs recovering from his injuries, while Inez and Nadia had already retired for the night.

The atmosphere was considerably calmer than it had been during the previous week, although everyone understood that the assassination organization remained a serious threat.

"You defeated a 4-Star Awakener and captured him alive?" Jet asked, examining one of the photographs showing the destroyed manufacturing complex.

Adesewa nodded. "Corvin was strong, especially after activating his Divine Rune completely. But his experience didn’t match his abilities, and he made several mistakes that became increasingly difficult to compensate for."

Jet studied another photograph. An entire building had collapsed, and the surrounding streets were covered in debris.

He understood that much of the destruction had resulted from their combined attacks, but the scale remained astonishing.

Corvin had possessed enough strength to demolish reinforced structures, yet Adesewa had defeated him decisively while ensuring he survived for questioning.

The comparison made Jet think about his own circumstances. He possessed ten SSS-Rank Divine Runes, an advantage that should eventually place him far beyond ordinary Awakeners.

Nevertheless, nine remained sealed, and his current strength was limited by his 1-Star advancement.

His battle against the assassins had demonstrated those limitations painfully.

Even after using his Asura Arms and Asura Mask, he’d barely escaped with his life, and the resulting injuries had required days of treatment.

Alessandro’s recent lessons returned to his thoughts as well. The Guildmaster had repeatedly emphasized that extraordinary abilities meant little without discipline, judgment, and sufficient experience to use them properly.

Jet was beginning to appreciate the full meaning of those words.

His Divine Runes represented tremendous potential, but potential alone couldn’t protect Inez from enemies who were already capable of threatening experienced Awakeners.

Adesewa noticed his thoughtful expression. "What’s bothering you, Jet?"

Jet looked toward her before answering. "I’ve been thinking about how much stronger everyone has become. You reached 5-Star, and Cassian and the others advanced to 4-Star. Meanwhile, I’m still a 1-Star Awakener, and I nearly died against opponents you could defeat without much difficulty."

Adesewa regarded him seriously. "You’re eighteen, Jet. Don’t compare your current strength to people who’ve spent decades fighting. You’ve already accomplished things most Awakeners your age couldn’t imagine, but that doesn’t mean you should rush into battles you’re not ready to survive."

Jet nodded, understanding her concern. "I know, Captain. That’s why I need to prepare properly instead of relying on my Divine Rune whenever something goes wrong."

Adesewa smiled faintly. "That’s a considerably better attitude than throwing yourself into another dangerous situation. Get some rest tonight. We can discuss your advancement preparations tomorrow."

After Adesewa departed, Jet remained seated for several minutes, reviewing his recent experiences.

He had survived the White Dungeon, obtained treasures, and escaped an assassination attempt that should have killed him.

Yet each victory had revealed another level of strength beyond his reach. If he wanted to protect Inez and eventually uncover the secrets surrounding his regression, remaining at 1-Star was no longer acceptable.

Jet finally stood and returned to his room, where he examined the Mana Crystals he’d accumulated and considered the preparations necessary for his next breakthrough.

His Star Saturation had been steadily improving, and with the right resources and sufficient preparation, advancing was becoming an increasingly realistic possibility.

He had spent enough time recovering from his previous battle.

Now it was time to prepare for the next stage of his growth.

His next objective was clear: become a 2-Star Awakener.