Chapter 141: Chapter 141 - Underestimated Power
I didn’t recognize the two men waiting outside as my Audi rolled to a stop. Stepping out cautiously, I noticed them hurrying toward me with purpose in their strides.
"Who are you?" I asked, eyeing them warily.
Before the older man could respond, the younger one stepped forward with an impatient air. "You’re Mason Raymond, right? We’re from the Chuzzle Battle Zone."
"Chuzzle Battle Zone?" My confusion deepened with each passing second. "I don’t think we have anything to do with each other, do we?"
The younger man opened his mouth, but the older one intercepted with a diplomatic smile. "Mr. Raymond, don’t misunderstand us. We’ve been ordered by our superiors to specifically invite you to a banquet."
"Banquet?" The word triggered my memory of Daxon Lucas’s earlier mention. Could this really be about me? The young man they specifically wanted to invite?
Glancing around the empty property, I asked, "No one’s home? Why aren’t you inside?"
The younger officer snorted angrily. "You’re kidding, right? We’ve been waiting here for hours, and forget people, we haven’t even seen a bird fly by."
Moving quickly to the front door, I confirmed it was indeed locked. "Victor Green isn’t home?" I muttered to myself while unlocking it. "Officers, please come inside."
The older man nodded and followed me into the villa with measured steps. The younger one surveyed the expansive courtyard and grand structure with obvious disdain.
"Living here? Definitely a rich kid," he muttered sourly.
"Ari, hold your tongue!" his superior reprimanded sharply.
Ari fell silent, though his displeasure remained plainly visible.
I brewed some tea and served it to my unexpected guests before asking directly, "Commander, why don’t you just tell me straight out what this is about?"
Commander Gordon smiled politely. "It’s like this: following orders from the Deputy Chief, we’d like to invite you to join the Chuzzle Battle Zone in an official capacity."
"An official capacity?" I nearly spat out my tea in surprise. Shaking my head with a laugh, I continued, "Commander, stop joking. What qualities or merits do I have to warrant an appointment in the Chuzzle Battle Zone?"
"Exactly, I think the same thing. And yet, the Deputy Chief personally asked us to invite you," Ari interjected with another snort.
I gave him a brief glance but chose not to engage with his obvious hostility.
"We don’t know much ourselves. It’s just the order from above," Commander Gordon replied diplomatically.
After a moment’s thought, I ventured, "Could it be Mr. Thompson’s doing?"
Commander Gordon paused, then chuckled with resignation. "Seems you’re already aware."
"Of course he knows. Clearly, Officer Thompson pulled some strings for him!" Ari snorted again.
I furrowed my brows, genuinely puzzled by this man’s animosity. "I don’t believe we’ve ever met."
"We haven’t. I’ve never even heard of you before," he replied, hostility dripping from every word.
"Then why do you keep targeting me with every statement?" I asked with a bemused smile.
As Ari prepared to retort, Commander Gordon snapped, "Ari, don’t be rude!"
"Hmph," was Ari’s only response, though his irritation remained evident.
"Say what you want. I won’t take it personally," I assured them both.
My words seemed to embolden Ari, who stood abruptly. "I, Ryker Steele, may not be a notable figure, but I have no respect for rich kids like you coming to the battle zone to polish your resumes!"
"Do you even understand what the battle zone is? It’s a place to defend our country, not some playground for spoiled brats!"
I nodded slightly, finding myself agreeing with his sentiment. "I understand your point, but unfortunately, I come from humble beginnings. I’ve been poor since childhood, not some spoiled rich kid."
Ryker snorted dismissively. "If you’re not a rich kid, would you be living in a place like this? If you’re not a rich kid, would Officer Thompson send the Deputy Chief to invite you personally? For someone with zero reputation, what makes you deserving of this treatment?"
Commander Gordon remained silent, though clearly sharing similar questions.
I set down my teacup carefully. "That’s for you to ask Mr. Thompson. As for the treatment you’re referring to... to be honest, I’m just as clueless and suspicious as you are."
"Stop acting," Ryker sneered. "Let me give you some advice: if you don’t have any real talent, don’t come to the Chuzzle Battle Zone and disgrace us!"
"Alright, then I won’t go," I replied simply.
"Hmph, I knew it! You’re just an incompetent waste of space. Commander Gordon, we can leave now," Ryker declared with a cold sneer.
Something inside me finally snapped. My face hardened as I stared him down. "Stop right there."
Ryker froze mid-step and turned. "What? You’ve got more to say?"
My expression remained cold as I responded, "I don’t know you, yet you’ve repeatedly insulted me. What’s the matter? Is this some privilege of the Chuzzle Battle Zone?"
Commander Gordon quickly attempted to defuse the situation. "Mr. Raymond, Ryker is just naturally hot-tempered. You mustn’t hold it against him."
I stared hard at Ryker, my voice dropping dangerously. "A bad temper is something that needs to be fixed, or it may lead to trouble."
"Trouble? Let’s see you show me some trouble!" Ryker suddenly stood up, releasing a surge of energy that reached its peak!
"Peak form of Master Realm?" I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. "Fine, let this nobody teach you a lesson."
"That suits me perfectly!" Ryker roared, his clenched fist shooting toward me.
He surged his energy to its peak, clearly trying to intimidate me with his power.
I remained seated, not even bothering to look at him as I simply waved my hand dismissively.
A terrifyingly powerful force erupted from my gesture, like a tidal wave crashing against a paper boat.
Ryker’s face instantly paled as he felt my energy surge, but his realization came too late.
The overwhelming force I unleashed was beyond his comprehension. He looked as though he’d been struck by a speeding train as his body went flying across the room, crashing against the far wall with a sickening thud.
