Reborn With the Infinite Gods System

Chapter 105 Double Binding

Mass release In honour to the support {18/10} Your journey continues on ???

The atmosphere in the testing facility was electric. The seats surrounding the main stage were filled with an array of prominent figures—each person of power representing a cornerstone of Kyota's security and future.

At the head of the assembly sat Seo Jihnyuk, head of the board, flanked by his peers: Wukong, the battle-hardened strategist; Vicky Shaw, a woman known for her sharp intellect and sharper tongue; and Rachael, who had recently returned from the dead, thanks to some miraculous intervention from the hospital, or perhaps something darker.

Rounding out the group was Rudeus, the newly appointed leader of the Hunter's Association, replacing Hendricks after the man's recent downfall.

Among the military ranks sat Commander Asher, the man responsible for Kyota's defense and weaponry against the alien forces. He was as imposing as the interplanetary vessels under his command, his mere presence a reminder of the constant threat looming beyond the planet's borders.

These were the elite—watching with anticipation as Axel and the others took their places. Axel, however, sat apart from the group, his mind occupied with the swirling thoughts of what was about to happen. His face remained impassive, though the storm brewing within him was anything but calm.

His solitude was interrupted by the familiar voice of Velerium, manifesting in the space around him, invisible to all but Axel. The ethereal being's form flickered as if struggling to maintain its connection to the material world. Velerium had been severely weakened ever since Axel had broken through to S-rank. His once majestic figure now appeared as little more than a translucent silhouette.

"Master, it seems... impossible to break it," Velerium's voice echoed in Axel's mind, barely above a whisper, burdened with the weight of failure.

Axel clenched his jaw, the reminder of his curse gnawing at his patience. The truth curse laid upon him by the wretched god Mictlantecuhtli had stolen his ability to lie—a tool Axel had wielded with precision for years. Now, only in rare moments could he twist the truth, and even those instances were fleeting. His reputation, one he had painstakingly built, was now at risk of unraveling.

"You're telling me there's no way to break this damn curse?" Axel's thoughts were sharp, slicing through his calm façade. "Do better, Velerium. I need a solution. This curse—it's jeopardizing everything. It's tarnishing the reputation I've crafted."

Velerium's form flickered again, dimming further as it began to fade. "Perhaps... next time, build a reputation that thrives on chaos... Then spoiling it will only add to your strength." The faint smile in Velerium's voice was palpable, but it only deepened Axel's scowl.

Axel waved the spirit off with an irritated gesture. "Go disappear somewhere else, idiot." His voice was barely audible, his frustration laced in every syllable.

Trying to shake the oppressive weight of his thoughts, Axel's gaze shifted to the front of the room, landing on the group of children waiting for their double awakenings. Their faces were untroubled, filled with eagerness. Confidence radiated off them in waves, their postures as straight and resolute as soldiers on parade.

Axel recognized that confidence—he had once worn it himself, back before he learned the truth about expectations.

Seo Jihnyuk turned around in his seat, addressing Axel with a smug expression. "These kids are something else, aren't they? The future of our world looks brighter than ever. Double awakening... It's a miracle for our race."

Axel's response was curt, his voice lacking the enthusiasm Seo expected. "Sure, human evolution is always a good thing." He leaned back in his seat, his arms folded across his chest, not bothering to mask his disinterest. He had heard all this before—the same optimism, the same excitement over new power. Yet the world had not changed, nor had its cruelty.

SS-rank hunters were still rare, and Axel had seen firsthand how the pursuit of power could destroy lives.

"But what happens," Axel continued, his voice taking on a sharper edge, "when this double awakening proves too difficult for future generations? What happens when these kids start believing they're invincible, untouchable? You and I both know power has a way of corrupting those who think they're untouchable."

Seo hesitated, his gaze following Axel's to the children. "Their academy has trained them well," he said, his tone uncertain now. "Most of them come from high-ranked families. They've been raised to be strong."

"Most of them," Axel agreed, his eyes narrowing as they landed on one girl who stood out from the others. She was different—not in her posture, which was as confident as her peers, but in the quality of her clothing. It was clear she came from a less privileged background. Yet, there was something fierce in her eyes, a determination that reminded Axel of his younger self.

Axel allowed himself a bitter smile. "That look on her face," he muttered to himself. "The look of promise and expectation... I've worn it before. It always ends in disappointment." His thoughts drifted momentarily to Trisha, imagining her underwear—black, probably striped. He shook his head, annoyed at his own wandering mind.

Seo's voice pulled him back to the present. "You seem distracted, Axel. Are you concerned about the delay?"

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Delay?"

"We're waiting for someone," Seo explained, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "A special guest you might remember."

As if on cue, the double doors to the testing facility flew open with a loud crash, pulling everyone's attention toward the entrance. A figure strolled in, commanding the room with the arrogance of a man who thrived on power and attention.

Axel's heart sank as he recognized the man immediately.

Headmaster Marion.

The same man who had once stood as Axel's greatest supporter during his training, who had encouraged him to push beyond his limits. And the same man who had labeled Axel a failure, a "trash" SS-rank, after his binding had failed to meet the academy's expectations.

Marion's presence was like a punch to the gut, reigniting all the anger and humiliation Axel had buried deep within him.

As Marion walked to the front of the room, he locked eyes with Axel for a brief moment. There was no smile, no recognition, only a cold indifference that cut deeper than any insult.

Axel's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. His jaw tightened as the memories of Marion's betrayal flooded back. He had been cast aside—labeled defective and left to fend for himself in a world that valued power above all else. And now, the man who had started it all was here again, watching, waiting to see if Axel would fail once more.

But Axel was not the same person he had been back then. He had clawed his way back from the edge of oblivion thanks to the system, and he would be damned if he let Marion—or anyone else—see him as a failure ever again.

The room fell into a heavy silence, all eyes on the headmaster as he took his seat among the board members. Axel's blood boiled beneath his calm exterior. This was his moment. He would not let the ghosts of his past overshadow his future.

Axel exhaled slowly, forcing his body to relax. His time was coming. He could feel it.

This was not just another test. This was his redemption.

And he would not fail. Today he would be the one to disgrace the Headmaster. By all means necessary.