Reawakening: SSS-Rank Villain's POV

"Find the bastard!"

"Spreadout and lock the town down!"

"Don't let a single fly get past! Do you understand!?"

Envoy Boris roared as he commanded the rest of the guards. His face a deep shape of red as an invincible aura blasted the guards to order.

Envoy Boris was truly fuming at this period. He remained here specifically to take care of Lucian and after searching for about three days, Boris gave up and intended to leave the next day.

He didn't expect for Lucian to instead come into the Mayors mansion and actually manage to murder the Mayor.

Even after then, he actually managed to escape from his hands. A newly awakened students actually managing to escape from a Level 100 Rank 1 tanker was unimaginable.

No one would believe him even if they knew he was telling the truth.

…

Lucian arrived at the outskirts of the city. Cars were already leaving, a stream of vehicles heading away from the commotion. People in this world were smart; they saw trouble and they ran.

A bus. A large, fast-looking bus with tinted windows and Destination written on its window, Sunflare City. The academy city. His destination. Perfect.

He slowed down just enough, blending into the chaotic stream of fleeing townsfolk and vehicles. His heart pounded, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He slipped into the queue of people boarding the bus, keeping his head low, his cloak pulled tight.

He paid the fare, just another panicked face among many. He found a seat near the back, slumping down, trying to control his breathing. The bus pulled away, gathering speed, leaving Whitehaven and the chaos behind.

He was out. He had escaped the town, escaped Borin, for now.

The only way he could escape being hunted down like a dog was if he manages to become a student of an academy. It was the only way he could return to public once more.

Lucian had already planned this a while ago but didn't expect the presence of the envoy.

An hour into the ride, the atmosphere on the bus shifted. Soft chimes and vibrations rippled through the bus as people's holo-watches lit up. Murmurs spread, growing into shocked exclamations.

"What?!"

"The Mayor is dead?!"

"Murdered?!"

"Lucian Morningstar? The genius kid?"

"There's a bounty! Dead or alive!"

Lucian froze and his face changed Slightly. He didn't need to see the holo-screens to know his face, his name, were being broadcast everywhere.

He pulled his cloak even tighter, shrinking down in his seat. Heaven cloaking technique circulated through his veins as his presence faded from the eyes of everyone present.

The bus sped on. Nine hours. Nine hours until Sunflare City. A long time to be sitting still, waiting, with a target painted on his back.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the bus began to slow. Lights appeared in the distance, growing into a colossal structure that filled the horizon. Sunflare City.

The bus joined a queue of vehicles approaching a massive gateway in a wall that seemed to scrape the sky. Lucian peered out the window, his eyes widening.

The wall was immense, easily a hundred meters tall, constructed from seamless, grey concrete reinforced with glowing energy lines. Turrets dotted its upper edge, housing what looked like countless homing missiles, their tips pointed outwards like metallic teeth. A shimmering, transparent shield, likely made of condensed mana, enveloped the entire city like a protective bubble, distorting the view beyond.

At the gate itself, dozens of guards stood watch. Not like the simple town guards of Whitehaven. These were clad in advanced, armor, their weapons crackling with energy. Lucian's [Voidseer's Insight] worked overtime.

[Guard (Lv 55)] [Guard (Lv 62)] [Guard (Lv 70)] ... [Guard (Lv 88)] [Guard (Lv 91)]

Levels ranging from 50 all the way up to 90. Over fifty of them, their combined presence a wall of power. And this was just the gate. Sunflare City was a major hub. Security was no joke.

The bus in front was being searched. Guards boarded, scanning passengers with handheld devices, their eyes sharp and experienced. They weren't just looking for weapons; they were looking for individuals. Checking IDs, scanning faces against wanted lists.

"[Umbra Cloak]… [Perfected Shadow Blend]… activate."

He poured a significant amount of mana into the passive ability.

[Umbra Cloak Passive Activated: Perfected Shadow Blend!]

Together with heaven cloaking technique, Lucian hope it was more than enough to space.

The guards boarded the bus. Cold air filled the interior. Lucian kept his head down, not daring to make eye contact. He could feel their eyes scanning the passengers, their devices humming. He felt a faint ripple of energy as a guard passed by him, their scanner sweeping over his seat. It didn't stop. It didn't alert.

He held his breath. The guard moved on. They finished the inspection, found nothing suspicious, and the bus was cleared.

The massive gate groaned, sliding open just enough for the bus to pass through. The bus rolled forward, crossing the threshold, entering Sunflare City.

Lucian let out a slow, silent breath as the gate closed behind them. He was in.

He raised his head, finally daring to look around properly. He was mesmerized.

This wasn't just a city; it was a marvel. Tall, elegant towers of metal and glass reached for the sky, their surfaces embedded with glowing patterns that pulsed with soft, ethereal light.

Holographic displays flickered everywhere, advertising goods, news, guild recruitment, projected into the air like shimmering ghosts.

The air was crisp and clean, filtered by unseen systems. Strange, beautiful plants grew in vertical gardens clinging to the sides of buildings.

The sheer scale, the blending of advanced technology and arcane energy, was breathtaking. Whitehaven Town was a dusty village compared to this.

Even the city in the Great Expanse Lobby, as advanced as it was, felt... cruder, more utilitarian.

He was a country bumpkin staring at the capital city for the first time. The wanted posters on holo-screens flickered past him, but amidst the dazzling displays, his face was just another image, lost in the visual noise of the metropolis.

The bus reached the central station. Passengers disembarked, spilling out into the bustling terminal. Lucian moved with the crowd, his body still utilizing [Perfected Shadow Blend]. He needed to find a place to stay, somewhere cheap, somewhere low-key.

He navigated through the terminal, following the flow of people. The public transport here was incredible – glowing platforms descended from the ceiling, picking up and dropping off hover-carriages silently. Information booths were manned by glowing holographic avatars.

He found a less crowded exit, stepping out onto a side street. The main boulevards were overwhelming, but the smaller streets were more manageable, though still far more advanced than anything he'd seen.

He spent the next hour wandering, keeping to quieter routes, his enhanced perception picking up on conversations. He saw adventurers, easily recognizable by their gear and confident stride, heading towards what looked like guild halls or training centers. He saw ordinary citizens, their clothes embedded with subtle tech, going about their lives.

He needed a place where questions weren't asked. A cheap inn. He found one tucked away in a less flashy district, its exterior modest compared to the massive buildings, though still more advanced than any building in Whitehaven.

"The Rusty Sword Inn." The sign was old-fashioned.

He entered. The interior was dimly lit, filled with scarred wooden tables and a counter manned by a gruff-looking man with a scarred face and weary eyes. A few patrons sat drinking, their gear leaning against the wall.

Lucian approached the counter, his cloak still pulled tight. He kept his voice low. "A room. For one night. Cash." Relic Gold Coins were universally accepted, even here.

The innkeeper eyed him, his gaze sharp. "Cash, huh? Alright. Twenty relic coins."

Lucian produced the coins, placing them on the counter. The innkeeper scooped them up, slid a small, simple plastic card across the counter. "Room 3B. Stairs in the back. No trouble."

"No trouble," Lucian agreed.

He took the card, found the stairs, and ascended to the third floor. Room 3B. He opened the door and stepped inside. It was small, cramped, smelling faintly of dust and stale sweat. A narrow bed, a small desk, a single chair. A standard, low-tech room. Perfect.

He locked the door behind him, then walked to the small window, pulling back the thin curtain. He could see rooftops, faint lights, the distant hum of the city. He was safe. For now.

He shed the cloak, letting the [Perfected Shadow Blend] effect drop. His stats screen flickered into view briefly before he willed it away.

He needed to rest, to fully recover his mana and soul energy after the fight with Borin and the high-speed escape. But time was limited. The university exam registration.

He checked the system clock again. Two days.

He sat on the edge of the bed, the cheap mattress groaning under his weight.

Lucian closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged on the floor. He activated [Heavenly Demonic Transformation].

He focused, drawing in the ambient mana of the city, amplified by his legendary pendants. His mana bar, depleted by the escape and the Shadow Blend, began to climb.

Hours passed in quiet meditation. The sun rose outside, casting dusty light through the window. The sounds of the inn came to life – footsteps on the stairs, voices from the common room, the clang of dishes. Lucian ignored it all, his mind a lake of calm, his body a sponge drawing in energy.

His mana filled. His soul energy felt robust once more. He stood, feeling power humming beneath his skin.