Chapter 182: Beyond the Horizon

The vehicle carrying and the others passed through the outer security checkpoint of Zenith City shortly before midnight.

Beyond the reinforced barriers, a broad highway stretched into the darkness, illuminated by occasional streetlights and the headlights of passing vehicles.

Jet sat beside the window, watching the familiar buildings gradually disappear as they left the city where he had spent most of his life.

Across from him, Frey was attempting to find a comfortable sleeping position, while Mikhail occupied the seat beside several bags containing their remaining belongings. Inez sat next to Jet, holding a small stuffed animal against her chest as she watched the scenery outside.

"Brother, are we really leaving now?" Inez asked, pressing her forehead against the window. "I thought we’d be able to see the city for longer."

Jet smiled and gently adjusted the blanket covering her legs. "We’re already outside the main residential districts. But if you look behind us, you can still see some of the taller buildings."

Inez immediately turned around, searching for the distant lights. After several moments, she spotted the illuminated skyline and smiled, although her expression soon became somewhat subdued.

"I’m going to miss Aunt Nadia," Inez admitted, hugging her stuffed animal. "And my friends. What if they forget about me?"

Jet rested his hand against her shoulder. "Then you’ll have to remind them you exist by calling them. Nadia already promised to keep in touch, remember? And you can talk to your friends whenever you get the chance."

Inez considered that explanation before nodding. She had spent nearly twenty minutes saying goodbye to Nadia earlier that evening, refusing to release the woman until Jet reminded her that they needed to leave.

Even then, Nadia had promised to call once they were settled somewhere comfortable.

Jet was grateful that their departure hadn’t required Nadia to abandon her own life in Zenith City. With Damian imprisoned and the immediate threats against Inez greatly reduced, she could finally return to her ordinary responsibilities.

From the opposite seat, Frey stretched his legs and released a satisfied sigh.

"Well, gentlemen, we’ve officially escaped Zenith City," Frey announced, looking around the vehicle. "No more assassination attempts, no more secret warehouses, and hopefully no more maniacs trying to murder us over expensive fruit."

Mikhail glanced up from his communication device. "You realize we’re traveling with Jet, right? At this point, I’d be more surprised if something dangerous didn’t happen."

Jet turned toward him with an offended expression. "Why does everyone keep acting like I’m responsible for every problem we encounter?"

Frey laughed, pointing toward him. "Because somehow, whenever you’re involved, ordinary situations turn into disasters. We went on an expedition, found some valuable fruit, and ended up fighting a wealthy psychopath."

Mikhail nodded solemnly. "That’s why I’ve decided to start charging danger allowances. My future employer should be aware that my services are becoming increasingly expensive."

Jet shook his head, laughing despite himself. "You haven’t even signed a contract, Mikhail. And you’re already demanding extra money?"

Mikhail grinned. "That’s called planning ahead. Successful businessmen do it all the time."

Frey snorted. "Successful businessmen also need customers willing to pay them. At this rate, Jet might replace you with someone cheaper."

Mikhail placed a hand against his chest, pretending to be wounded. "After everything we’ve survived together? That’s cold, Frey. Truly cold."

Their laughter filled the vehicle, earning a curious glance from Inez. She smiled at their antics before settling against Jet’s side, gradually becoming sleepy as the highway continued stretching ahead.

For Jet, the relaxed atmosphere was a welcome change.

The past several weeks had been far more eventful than he’d anticipated when he first began preparing for the Palladium expedition.

What should have been a dangerous but straightforward Dungeon expedition had turned into a confrontation with people willing to murder anyone standing between them and an enormous fortune.

Yet the expedition had also changed his circumstances considerably.

The Palladium Fruits had brought him extraordinary wealth, providing financial resources that would have been almost impossible for him to obtain so quickly through ordinary means.

He no longer needed to worry about struggling to afford Inez’s basic necessities, and he finally possessed enough money to support some of his future plans.

More importantly, he’d awakened his second SSS-Rank Divine Rune.

Ilios — The Undying Sun.

Jet glanced down at his right hand, remembering the golden-white flames that had erupted during his battle against Damian. The power of Divine Fire had exceeded his expectations, particularly when combined with his existing physical abilities.

However, the injuries he’d sustained were an equally important reminder.

Pashupatastra had nearly destroyed his arm, and the enormous Mana consumption had left him dangerously vulnerable afterward. Even with the Solar Physique assisting his recovery, he couldn’t afford to rely on such an attack without considering its consequences.

He had advanced to the 2-Star Realm, but that didn’t mean he’d suddenly become invincible.

Damian had been a 3-Star Awakener possessing an S-Rank Divine Rune, and their battle had demonstrated just how dangerous an experienced opponent could become when fighting seriously.

Jet had won, but the victory had demanded almost everything he possessed.

And there were countless Awakeners far stronger than Damian.

Jet looked toward Inez, who had finally fallen asleep against his shoulder. Her small fingers remained wrapped around the stuffed animal, and her breathing had settled into a peaceful rhythm.

He carefully adjusted her blanket.

Whatever challenges awaited him, protecting this peaceful expression remained one of his most important reasons for becoming stronger.

He also remembered the companions who hadn’t survived the events surrounding the expedition. Odhran’s death had left a lasting impression, particularly because the man’s fate had resulted from information others desperately wanted to obtain.

The surviving expedition members had escaped, but their success had come at a terrible price.

Jet understood that acquiring valuable resources would inevitably attract attention. Wealth, powerful Divine Runes, and unusual achievements could open countless opportunities, but they could also attract people who viewed others as obstacles to their ambitions.

Damian had demonstrated that danger clearly.

And Alessandro had taught him something different.

Even someone honorable and trustworthy could possess personal connections to dangerous individuals without realizing what those people had become.

Jet didn’t blame Alessandro for his nephew’s crimes. Nevertheless, their relationship had changed, and he suspected it would take considerable time before they could speak as comfortably as they once had.

He was grateful they’d parted without hatred.

"You’re thinking about something serious again, aren’t you?" Frey asked quietly, interrupting his thoughts.

Jet glanced toward his best friend. "What makes you say that?"

Frey shrugged, lowering his voice to avoid waking Inez. "You’ve been staring out the window for ten minutes without saying anything. Usually, that means you’re planning something ridiculous."

Jet smiled faintly. "I’m just thinking about what comes next."

Mikhail leaned forward from his seat. "Speaking of which, have we decided where we’re going to settle? Because I’d appreciate knowing where my future porter empire is supposed to begin."

Jet chuckled. "Not yet. We’ll review the options Cassian suggested and choose somewhere suitable. There’s no reason to rush into a decision we’ll regret."

Frey nodded approvingly. "Good. For once, you’re actually thinking before jumping into something dangerous."

Jet rolled his eyes. "Keep talking, Frey. I might reconsider bringing you along."

Frey grinned and settled back into his seat, apparently unconcerned by the threat.

Jet returned his attention to the highway.

Cassian’s suggestion about establishing a dedicated Raid Team remained particularly interesting. He’d already begun considering the advantages of gathering reliable companions who could accompany him on increasingly difficult expeditions.

However, he had no intention of rushing the process.

Finding trustworthy Awakeners would require patience, and choosing the right combination of Divine Runes would be just as important as recruiting powerful individuals.

Cassian’s experience would prove valuable when that time came.

For now, Jet wanted to recover, find a suitable home for Inez, and continue strengthening himself.

There were still eight SSS-Rank Divine Runes waiting to be awakened.

And the future he remembered was approaching, regardless of whether he was prepared.

As the last lights of Zenith City finally disappeared behind the distant hills, Jet leaned back against his seat and closed his eyes.

His journey was only beginning.

---

Meanwhile, deep within an O.R.D.O. high-security medical detention facility, Damian Visconti lay awake beneath the dim lights of his chamber.

His injuries were gradually healing, but the restraints around his wrists and neck remained firmly secured. Every attempt to circulate his Mana met the same suppressive interference, preventing him from properly accessing Mammon’s power.

Damian stared at the ceiling, his expression filled with resentment.

He couldn’t stop remembering Jet Saint-Clair standing above him with the Vorpal Blade raised.

The humiliation of that defeat had become unbearable.

A 2-Star Awakener had destroyed his defenses, shattered his confidence, and left him imprisoned like an ordinary criminal.

Damian clenched his fists against the restraints.

He would never forget that face.

Elsewhere within the facility, an unfamiliar visitor approached a restricted administrative checkpoint.

The individual wore ordinary clothing, and nothing about their appearance immediately distinguished them from the numerous officials who regularly entered the building.

A security officer examined the visitor’s identification before looking up.

"What is the purpose of your visit?" the officer asked, keeping one hand beside the authorization terminal.

The visitor remained calm, placing a document on the counter.

"I’m making an inquiry concerning a recently detained Awakener," the visitor replied. "Damian Visconti. The young man possessing the Divine Rune known as Mammon."

The officer examined the document, his expression becoming cautious.

"Information concerning detainees is restricted," the officer explained. "Any request must go through the appropriate authorization procedures."

"Of course," the visitor answered pleasantly, showing no sign of frustration. "I understand completely."

The visitor retrieved the document and stepped away from the checkpoint without further argument.

Yet beneath that composed exterior, a quiet interest remained.

Damian Visconti had attracted attention from people whose existence he didn’t even know about.

And although he remained imprisoned behind reinforced walls and Mana-suppression restraints, his defeat at Jet’s hands might eventually lead him toward something far more dangerous than the criminal empire he’d already lost.