Chapter 165. Uproar in the southern continent

The ice eventually melted completely. But Aiden didn’t stand. His absurd healing and regeneration kicked in and healed his internal injuries. Two months later, he stood up, completely healed. Yes. Aiden lay on the ground for two whole months. This was the extent of the injuries he had suffered.

Aiden absorbed the blood essence of the lion. A strong, quiet surge flowed through him.

However, he still hadn’t broken through. However, Aiden felt like he had made a lot of progress. He didn’t know how much blood essence he had to absorb further to break into the next level, but he knew he had obviously made considerable progress, and he was closer to breaking through than he previously was.

"My enhanced vision didn’t pick that up earlier. I guess because I’ve become stronger after absorbing the blood essence of the lion, my range has increased."

Aiden’s vision narrowed and spread across the cavern, towards a particular direction. There was a wide entrance, several kilometers from his current location.

His vision spread outside the wide entrance. The entrance opened into a forest outside zone zero. South of that forest was a windy desert.

"Interesting. This place leads outside zone zero, huh. The Kahra Desert. I can pass through it to the southern port and board a ship there, then leave the southern continent." Aiden sat down in thought.

"My initial plan was to hit beginner rank 3 before I leave this place. But I’ve spent about two months here. By now, several Cyrenthia Empire operatives and Eldorath Empire operatives must have arrived in zone zero. Skirmishes between the operatives of the two empires to claim zone zero must have increased. Also, if the Cyrenthia Empire military used active surveillance to run the operation, they must have discovered the pattern of the traps I set by now and deciphered that an Eldorath Empire operative was behind the traps set," Aiden thought.

"Since I visited an alchemist association branch to buy poisons, it will be easy for them to connect some dots. Considering my past achievements, it will be pretty easy for them to know that I’m the one behind the deaths of their operatives. A normal operative may not connect the dots, but those experienced old foxes will. I’ve definitely been put on the death list of the Cyrenthia Empire military. I can’t afford to remain in zone zero anymore. I probably have to use my time in the Kahra desert to grow stronger," Aiden thought.

He was not frustrated that things had not gone exactly as he had planned. Plans were necessary. But life was unpredictable. This was why plans had to be adapted based on the situation.

He tapped his Eldorath Empire Military profile.

He was recorded as MIA. Missing in Action.

"As expected," Aiden thought.

"I should contact Des and the others. But I can’t use my usual social media account. Someone may be tracing the calls to find out if I’m alive. Not only am I the target of several industries in the Eldorath Empire, and the Order, I’m also being hunted by the Cyrenthia Empire. I need to be careful," Aiden thought..

****

During the two months Aiden Vhorn had been missing in action, the Cyrenthia Empire and the Eldorath Empire had been thrown into an uproar.

Someone leaked news to the major media platforms of the two empires.

The two empires were having covert skirmishes on the borders of the two empires over a newly discovered ruin full of extremely dense worldly energy, called zone zero.

Several operatives of the Cyrenthia Empire and the Eldorath Empire had clashed in zone zero over the course of these two months. Citizens had been assured that the two empires had no desires of going to war with each other over this resourceful site.

However, until one of them gave up on sending operatives to zone zero, the covert skirmish between their militaries would persist.

Several operatives of the Cyrenthia Empire and Eldorath Empire had been reported dead during the past two months after entering zone zero.

Some sources stated that certain operatives killed the operatives of the other empire in zone zero, and therefore retaliation by the other empire led to the death of such operatives. Others also said that the climate of zone zero was very hostile and killed the operatives.

Many theories were flying around as discussions brewed.

But one leaked information shocked everyone more than anything.

A legendary rank 2 operative of the Eldorath Empire had been concluded upon by the Cyrenthia Empire as the one behind 42 deaths of Cyrenthia Empire black ops agents, containing rank 3 warriors. There were even advanced rank 3 warriors in these teams he killed.

According to what was discovered by on-site surveillance of zone zero by the Cyrenthia Empire command, the conclusion was that this operative of the Eldorath Empire had used traps and environmental manipulation to slaughter the Cyrenthia Empire operatives.

His name was Aiden Vhorn, AKA The Crimson Reaper. He was known in the Eldorath Empire for several ridiculous feats.

He was recently recorded Missing In Action. No one knew if he was dead or alive. But he was the subject of discussion. Videos of his feats at the Frontlines and before his enrollment in the military in the Eldorath Empire had been dug up in not just the Cyrenthia Empire, but in the neighboring Empires, such as the Theron Empire, Drax Empire, and the Zorin Empire too.

A genius that could cause such an uproar would draw the attention of everyone. It was no surprise that even the neighboring empires had caught wind of his feats.

News about him spread throughout the southern continent soon like wildfire.

The Cyrenthia Empire Military had put him on their kill list. Apparently, he was also wanted in the Eldorath Empire by many industries for certain reasons. Not only that, he had also been blacklisted in the Eldorath Empire military for disrespecting four admirals.

How could such a young man cause such an uproar? This Aiden Vhorn was an unyielding and terrifying person.

However, some sighed. If he was dead, it would be a pity. So much wasted potential. But even if he was alive, there won’t be any place for him in the southern continent because the Cyrenthia Empire Military will get rid of him, just like they did for the few operatives of the Eldorath Empire Military that killed their operatives in zone zero. Also, this guy was wanted by several industries in the Eldorath Empire and had even offended four admirals in the Eldorath Empire. Even if he were alive, and he returned to the Eldorath Empire, would he survive?

Only the future would tell.

****

Eldorath Empire.

Southern Continent.

Somewhere in a danger zone in the capital.

In the morning snow.

Desmonda, Candice, Luke, Asmodeus, and Seraphina were currently surrounded by several corpses of rank 2 chaotic beasts.

It was obvious they had been in a very serious battle.

They had qualified to the National Competition of the National Warrior’s University Competitions.

They were currently training in a danger zone in one of the cities of the capital.

However, none of them were in a good mood.

Aiden was missing in action. They were worried. They knew there was no way that guy would die. But they were worried.

Even their parents had contacted them to ask them if they had heard from him because they were equally worried about him, but Aiden had not contacted them.

"Seriously, that guy is literally known throughout the whole continent now so he has forgotten us, huh," Luke joked.

"Heh. When he reaches out, I will really give him an earful," Asmodeus said.

Seraphina, Candice, and Desmonda laughed.

Beep beep.

Desmonda had received a message from an unknown number.

[I’m fine, Des. Tell the others not to worry about me. Because of the current situation, I have too many targets on my back. I need to lay low for a while and return when I can deal with them. All the best in the national competitions. Love you. Tell the others I miss them.]

Desmonda smiled and showed the message to them.

"At least we don’t have to worry too much about his safety anymore," Seraphina said.

"Let’s focus on growing stronger. Last time he disappeared for just a year, he returned as a monster on another level. I know we can’t compare ourselves to him. But we can’t be weak as his friends," Asmodeus said.

Everyone nodded.

"Indeed," Desmonda chuckled. But a glint of quiet resolve and admiration flashed through her eyes.

Her man had shook the southern continent.

She would make sure that when he returned, her achievements would not be mediocre.

[Stay safe. I’ll be waiting for you. Everyone said they miss you too. Love you.]

She texted Aiden back and put the phone away.

"Let’s head deeper," she said to the others.

The group nodded and headed deeper into the rank 2 region of the danger zone.