Protagonist?Antagonist? I Reject Both

Chapter 88 88:Awakening Of Unknown

Leon facepalmed sighing exasperatedly after seeing his name with a bounty of 20 million.

Because his original name was already on the list, he mostly wanders in the disguise of Noel but now, even this identity has been targeted.

Thankfully, Ye Chen still hadn't fanned the flames by adding more fuel to this fire.

Still, it was a hassle to have his name up on the list.

Having a name on the list was a troublesome thing as one can't remain careful all the time. What if he was taking a shit and got attacked in the middle.

That would be too unpleasant, wouldn't it?

"So, dear, what are you going to do now?"Sophia started teasing Leon.

"I am going to the army base of Chalice. First, I would try to awaken my Martial spirit if it exists then work with them on the mission but scratch all that and say why the hell did those guys send you a private request?"Leon asked, squinting his brows.

"Don't give me that look. I don't have any connection with them. It is because most of the time when a man whom people badly want to kill is put up on the list, people mostly look for me and other selected few, "Sophia then scrolled through her phone and read out the message that depicted Leon as a vicious cruel vindictive criminal, etc...etc...

Leon's lips twitched seeing this.

'Those bastards, painting me as scum of men. I am anything but a scumbag,'

"That means your sister would also have this, "Leon voiced out his guess.

"Perhaps!"

Leon facepalmed again. He can feel it in his bones that he is going to get a headache.

...

Chalice City, Rover Dome was a secret government base where one of the headquarters of the Ace Division of the military was located.

Ace Division was a specially enacted army composed of soldiers who worked hand in hand with selected mercenaries and assassins who were certified after a brief observation.

A special division of the army through which Blood Net monitored the movements of each mercenary and assassin to analyze their behavior and motives. By doing so they segregate the ones who can be worked with, as per others they are left to do what they deem fit unless, in one way or another, they pose any threat to the army...

As for threats to law and order, intelligent people know how the world works and how many shady deals and compromises were made in the name of regulating law.

Leon arrived at the base that was like an array of mazes. He followed Yo Kihwoon through the tunnels going around in a circle and reaching the HQ.

He was blindfolded for safety precautions and his face was hidden by a mask.

"The safety and security are too tight here," Leon complained in an easygoing tone.

"Half members like you aren't allowed freely inside so you have to get special permission to enter the base."

"I see but where are we heading to?"Leon asked

"To the spirit hall where there is an altar for the awakening ceremony, "Yo Kihwoon replied.

"Altair..isn't that an orb?"

"That's for others…..An altar ensures the safety of a person even if he fails to awaken the Martial Spirit."Yo Kihwoon mumbled, starting to give a brief.

Leon was puzzled for a moment hearing the story.

The awakening of Martial Spirit began when a squad found a white crystalline orb in the Dimensional zone centuries ago. When one of the members touched it, he felt his soul morphing or taking shape by manifesting out of the body.

He brought that crystal out to earth after which extensive research occurred. The crystal was found to be a substance that exerts pressure on one soul, to awaken the power hidden in it.

The secrets of souls were quite profound and many souls of beings carry hidden power waiting to be unearthed and awakened from slumber.

It acts as a catalyst for the Soul to take its suitable shape. Since then many changes have occurred but the crystals were strictly regulated by the military. Every time an academy had a Martial Spirit awakening ceremony, they had to get permission from the military.

If a non-cultivator touches it, there is a 90% chance of his or her soul bursting out.

All this made Leon back drenched in cold sweat as he wondered if something might go wrong.

Dying was one thing but becoming soulless was pure torture.

"Even if you fail to wake it you will be safe, Mr.Noel.And you can take out your blindfold now."

Leon immediately opened his blindfold and was taken by surprise to see two strangers at him.

One was a huge bulky bald muscular man and another was a thin petite young girl.

Noticing Leon's sharp gaze, Yo Kihwoon smiled to ease the tension.

"They will be our teammates in our upcoming mission. Guys, introduce yourselves."

"Hello, bro I am Steph," He spoke showing his muscles.

"I am Lu Yan!"Lu Yan extended and waved her hands with a cute expression.

Name:Steph

Age:33

Realm:Superhuman Grade 3

Name:Lu Yan

Age:29

Realm:Superhuman Grade 3

Leon smiled looking at the string of letters"Hello, I am Noel Star. Please take care of me."

"Star of Christmas!"Both Steph and Lu Yan blurted out with a beaming expression.

"Believe me, it was just a coincidence. I didn't know it had such a meaning."Leon smiled awkwardly.

"Okay, guys you can hang around. I will take Noel to the Martial Spirit awakening altar."

"Can we tag along?"Steph shouted in excitement only to be stomped on by Lu Yan.

'It's rude,' She whispered.

But to their surprise, Leon just shrugged his shoulders."Yeah, you can."

It wasn't anything big to begin with as the Martial Spirit ceremony mostly happens in public.

...

They have a place named Spirit Hall, which was an empty room except for a monument in the middle.

The Martial Spirit awakening altar stood imposingly, crafted from shining crystals with intricate carvings depicting legendary warriors in dynamic poses.

At its center, a raised platform held a sacred space. Surrounding the platform were flickering torches, casting dancing shadows on the ornate symbols etched into the altar's surface.

An air of mysticism enveloped the altar, enhanced by the scent of incense wafting through the sacred chamber,

The incense created an ambiance that heightened focus and calmed one nerve for the Martial Spirit awakening ritual.

"Leon, walk up the platform and place your hands on the crystal of that orb."Yo Kihwoon instructed and walked back.

"Wear this!"Yo Kihwoon handed Steph and Lu Yan safety glasses.

"Take this or you may become blind."Lu Yan nudged the bewildered Steph who quickly took the things in fear of becoming blind.

Leon suppressed his wildly beating heart and walked up the raised platform extending his hand to touch the orb.

The moment he touched it, he felt a jolt of electric current passing through his body making his whole body quiver a bit.

Before he could understand what was going on, in an instant a shocking scene unexpected to everyone occurred.

Something that spun the wheel of fate that had stood dormant for untold years.

And something that even Vesturon hadn't expected and will regret shedding tears of blood when he learns that he created the very thing that he and everyone were trying to prevent.

But at the time it would be too late to regret.