Chapter352 – Advanced Fist Techniques
Axel cleared his throat and deliberately kept his eyes up.
“…Want to talk somewhere else?”
Lilith raised an eyebrow and stepped closer, her scent growing stronger.
“What, trying to pick me up?”
Axel sighed.
“That won’t work on me.”
Lilith casually draped an arm over his shoulder, leaning in.
“Really? You seem to be having a physical reaction.”
Axel’s lips twitched.
“What kind of bullshit are you talking about…?”
“Hehe. Don’t act all saintly,” she said with a grin. “I hate men who pretend to be pure. Come on—it’s your treat.”
Watching her walk ahead, hips swaying naturally, Axel let out a helpless sigh.
This woman is lethal.
......
It was already evening. Lilith chose a music restaurant near Blue Harbor.
Pedestrians strolled along the waterfront, the smell of barbecue and beer blending with soft live music drifting through the air. Axel felt his shoulders loosen for the first time in days.
“You’ve been training hard,” Axel said, taking a sip of craft beer and glancing at Lilith.
“The higher the level, the slower you age,” she replied casually. “I’m not interested in turning into an old woman anytime soon.”
A few drops of beer lingered on her lips. Whether intentional or not, she flicked her tongue out and licked them away.
Axel looked away.
“…I didn’t invite you out to watch you drink.”
Lilith laughed.
“What, did you bring me here to give me one of those shiny Original Instruments you just won?”
“Keep dreaming,” Axel said. “I’m here to invite you to join something.”
Her expression sharpened slightly.
“Oh? Join what?”
“Mr. Instrument King’s puppet formation.”
Lilith’s pupils shrank instantly.
“…That’s not something you clear casually. If your team isn’t strong enough, you’re just burning money.”
Axel frowned.
“Burning how much?”
“You don’t even know?” Lilith stared at him like he was insane.
“Fifty million per person.”
“That’s three hundred million for one activation?”
She snorted.
“And you’re already forming a team?”
“As long as the people I bring are reliable,” Axel said calmly. “So—are you in or not? Give me a straight answer.”
Lilith crossed her legs, lit a cigarette, and studied him through the smoke.
“List the participants. I’m not interested in playing support for amateurs.”
Axel recited the names evenly.
“Terrence of Starcrest. Sergio of Blackthorn. Kenneth of Goldleaf. Nigel—Nelson’s son from the Treasury.”
“They’re all roughly at the same cultivation stage as me. Mid–Level Five.”
Lilith froze.
The cigarette burned unnoticed between her fingers as she stared at Axel.
“…Are you fucking serious?”
“Yes.”
She took a slow breath, then laughed.
“Alright. I’m in.”
That answer came way too fast.
“Big brother,” Lilith said with mock envy, leaning back. “Why didn’t you drag me in sooner? Are you some big shot’s illegitimate son or something?”
“If you really have ties with these families,” she continued, eyes sparkling, “you could walk around Everton like you own the place.”
“Maybe Mr. Instrument King will even bend the rules for us.”
Axel shook his head.
“…Probably not.”
“Maybe,” she insisted. “I heard he’s pretty timid.”
She immediately shut up afterward.
Axel raised an eyebrow.
“What are you afraid of? He can’t hear you.”
Lilith clicked her tongue.
“Mr. Instrument King is a living legend among refiners. Half of Krythos’s infrastructure runs on machines he built. Best not to tempt fate.”
She stubbed out her cigarette.
“Anyway, I’m in. Just tell me when.”
“Alright.”
Lilith patted Axel’s shoulder with satisfaction.
“Good little brother. You even remembered to call me when something good came up.”
Before Axel could react, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
“You—”
She laughed, completely smug, wearing an almost innocent expression.
At that moment, both of them turned their heads toward the restaurant across the street.
“Oh,” Lilith muttered. “An acquaintance.”
Across the road, Vince, Rosaline, Millers, and several members of the Obsidian team walked inside together.
“Probably here on a mission,” Lilith said casually. She turned back to Axel—then paused.
His smile looked stiff.
“…No thanks,” Axel said.
Lilith tilted her head.
“What’s wrong? You and Rosaline have a lovers’ quarrel?”
Axel shook his head, staying silent.
“I heard you left the team,” Lilith said quietly. “Looks like it wasn’t just a rumor.”
She studied him for a moment.
“Saints, right?”
Axel’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”
Lilith snorted softly.
“Anyone with a brain could guess. With your talent, you were absolutely a top-priority target.”
She took a sip through her straw.
“You’re dangerous.”
Axel exhaled.
“I’ve already contacted Sergio. Once everyone finishes absorbing Saint Sea Twig, the six of us will go together.”
He looked at Lilith.
“I’ll call you when it’s time.”
Axel had just stood up to leave when Lilith suddenly called out,
“Wait. I want to talk to you about something else.”
Her tone was different—no teasing, no lazy smile. For once, she sounded serious.
Axel paused, then sat back down. “What is it?”
Lilith leaned closer, the neckline of her outfit shifting just enough to reveal a sliver of pale skin.
“You were forced to stay in Everton because of the Saints,” she said softly. “To be honest… I also meet their capture criteria.”
Axel’s expression changed slightly.
“That’s why they gave me this long leave,” Lilith continued, her eyes locked onto his. “But if we complete our Deep Awakening, we might not be completely helpless against them.”
Her gaze was sharp, her voice low and enticing.
“If we join forces—”
Axel’s heart skipped. He looked at her with clear surprise.
“…You’re aiming for A-grade Original Instruments?”
Lilith inhaled deeply. A proud, almost feral fighting spirit flickered in her eyes.
“That’s part of it. But don’t you want to know the truth about the Saints? Why they can surpass the Fifth Rank?”
She leaned back slightly, lips curling.
“If we uncover their secret… maybe we can step into the next level ourselves.”
Just as she was about to continue, Axel raised his hand.
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Lilith froze. A trace of disappointment crossed her face before she forced a smile.
“…Then I’ll head out.”
Axel stood, giving her an almost imperceptible wink with his left eye.
Lilith didn’t seem to notice anything strange.
So he’s even more valuable than I thought, she mused. Someone’s watching him.
A moment later, she also rose and left the restaurant.
I didn’t expect Lilith to be thinking this far ahead, Axel thought.
If anything, this makes things simpler.
A plump figure wearing a baseball cap slowly emerged nearby, stopping beside him.
“If it were me,” the man said casually, “I wouldn’t want to leave either. Life in Everton is pretty damn comfortable.”
......
Meanwhile, across the street, inside the restaurant where the Obsidian team was gathered—
“Thank you, Mr. Humphrey,” Kaia said brightly, smiling at a young man.
Humphrey set down freshly cleaned tableware and drinks in front of Vince and the others, smiling politely.
“I’m new here. This kind of work is part of my job. Don’t worry about it.”
Humphrey—newly transferred to the Obsidian squad—looked to be in his late twenties, a mid-level Rank Five Awakener.
“Sit down,” Vince said gently. “You may be new to the team, but you’re a veteran wilderness hunter. Let Millers handle that.”
Humphrey waved his hands.
“Captain, I know the rules. And this mission… I’m honestly looking forward to it.”
Vince’s expression turned serious.
“This mission is extremely dangerous. Let’s go over the intel again.”
He continued evenly,
“Even though we’re among the top ten squads in the Whisper Syndicate, the main assault will be handled by the elite unit—Thunder Punishment.”
“The military will provide bait, and multiple departments will coordinate. No confirmed Rank Six Awakeners will be deployed. But the probability of the Saints intervening is very high.”
Vince looked straight at Humphrey.
“Everyone here has seen the Saints in action—except you. Be careful.”
Humphrey nodded quickly. “Got it, Captain. We’ll follow your orders.”
Rosaline glanced at him, her brows knitting slightly. She could tell—he wasn’t really taking it to heart.
“Alright,” Vince said. “We’ll wait for the regrouping notice.”
Everyone nodded.