“So why did you summon me, Steve?” Joe asked a few seconds later after he noticed that the warden had spaced out again for some reason.

  Steve quickly shook his head and pulled himself from his dazed state. With his injuries already healed, he rose back to his feet before speaking. “I wanted to ask about the progress you've made on locating the source of the Smiling Devil.”

  Joe nodded as he had expected that response. “I believe the source of the drug is the Emperor of Suveny Prison and the strongest inmate, Ace.” While Joe had not witnessed the Emperor’s strength personally, he felt confident in his assumption. Suveny’s entire hierarchy was built on strength, and he could not imagine the inmates submitting to someone weaker than them.

  The moment he finished speaking, a sudden and sharp pain struck his chest. Joe immediately clutched the spot above his heart. The sensation was not agonizing. It felt more like a brief pinch in his soul, but the strange discomfort still unsettled him.

  He wondered if it was the result of exploding his soul too many times while training his [Essence Concentration], or if Serene was interfering with something inside his Soul Space. Without enough information to draw a conclusion, Joe decided to ignore it for now and wait to see if it happened again.

  “Are you alright?” Steve asked when he noticed Joe grimace and grab his chest.

  “I’m fine,” Joe replied casually.

  Steve still looked concerned, but he slowly nodded. “Alright. Go on.”

  “The Emperor has five direct subordinates. His second in command and the four section kings. They help him move the drug throughout the prison. To get close to him, I managed to obtain the position of a King. After I win the tournament taking place tonight, I’ll become his left hand man and learn more about the drug. What do you think?” Joe asked as he finished his report.

  While he had not confirmed the existence of a second in command, the fact that he would become the Emperor’s left hand rather than his right after winning the ultimate battle royale made it almost certain that such a position existed.

  “Despite being around here for a long time, I’ve never heard the name of that Emperor before,” Steve muttered with a thoughtful expression.

  “How can you not know the inmates in your own prison?” Joe asked with a judging look and clear disappointment.

  “That’s what I’d like to know…” Steve muttered. “Anyway, you said you became a King. Does that mean you were the one who killed Big Dog?”

  “Yes. He was a piece of shit and deserved to die. Even if it would not assist me in my mission, I still would have slaughtered him.” Joe spoke with a serious expression and a bitter voice.

  Steve was shaken by his words as he remembered the sight of Michael’s disfigured corpse. He wondered how anyone could assault a human until even their skeleton was visible. It was a horrifying image, and he could only imagine the agony Big Dog had been subjected to before his death. The sight was something he would not wish on his worst enemy, and it once again confirmed how brutal and terrifying the boy before him truly was. Even though Joe’s face made him appear like a normal individual, Steve knew the truth. Joe was a monster that even he, a Skilled Rank Cultivator, would think twice before crossing.

  “I knew you were the only one who could be responsible for killing a King the minute I was notified of Big Dog’s death. There were many inmates who tried to take the blame. Some even painted themselves in Michael’s blood and covered their uniforms in his organs to prove they were responsible. To think you would already have the support of the prisoners, even those from other Sections, in only a single day. You are a scary guy.”

  Joe was surprised that some of the inmates had taken such extreme measures to protect him as he had never ordered them to do anything. It was another example of why so many participants in the battle royale fought so hard for the chance to become King. The position came with far too many benefits to ignore.

  “I never asked them to do anything. Those guys follow me of their own volition.” Joe shrugged.

  Steve chuckled. “That makes it even scarier. Those are usually the most loyal ones.”

  “You should have all the information I manage to gather about the drug tomorrow before my exit,” Joe said a few seconds later as he prepared to leave.

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  “Alright. Keep up the good work.”

  Before turning toward the door, Joe took a moment to analyze Steve’s muscular physique with envious eyes. “Tell me, how did you manage to build up such an impressive body? I have been trying to do some workouts recently, but I have not noticed any difference.”

  “Well, you are not going to have a body like this in a single day. It takes months of hard work and dedication. There are potions and pills that can help accelerate muscle development, but I would not rely on them since they come with some nasty side effects. Instead, use stamina and health potions to help with recovery and eat healthy meals. Also wear these to make sure your body is working out every second of the day.”

  Steve took off his shirt and dropped it to the ground.

  It crashed onto the floor and created a small crater as the entire room trembled. Joe’s eyes widened in shock.

  “This shirt, as well as my pants, boots, and gloves, are enchanted with a special rune that multiplies their weight. Right now my uniform weighs four times my body weight, which is why I was so sluggish during our fight despite my enhancement skill. The intensity can be increased, with the maximum reaching as high as fifty times one’s weight. They are great for endurance and building muscle.”

  Joe was stunned. He knew that Steve had been holding back, but he had not realized he was carrying that much weight on his body and still moving too fast for him to track with his naked eyes. He could only imagine how fast and powerful Steve’s strikes would be if he disabled the enchantment.

  The gap between them was still enormous.

  As he looked at Steve’s proud face, Joe’s heart pounded with excitement.

  ‘What a monster.’

  “Can you enchant my uniform? I would love to walk around with weighted clothes. It is exactly what I need to take my physical training to the next level.”

  Joe had only read about someone wear weighted clothes in one of the novels he had consumed in his previous life. The main character was an alien martial artist and battle junkie who had the strength required to carry heavy weights inside his uniform. Joe had loved the idea the moment he read about it, and now he was eager to try it himself.

  “No can do. My uniform was enchanted by Old Man Sai. He is a crafter in Suveny, but he is very picky about what kind of customers he accepts orders from. I begged him for years before he finally agreed. I can give you the address of his store and put in a good word for you when you leave the prison tomorrow.”

  “That would be great,” Joe said with a bright expression. He was determined to make the old man enchant his clothing, no matter the cost.

  ““There's another thing I wanted from you,” Joe said. “I know they did some bad things, but the inmates in my cell are not bad people. They made wrong choices for the ones they loved, and I believe all three of them deserve a second chance. One got arrested trying to steal from Rogers, but he only got into that life because he was poor and was planning to quit before he was betrayed by his friend and arrested. The other is a girl who tried to protect her mother from her abusive father by killing him. Finally, there is an old man whose son was shot simply for accidentally bumping into the mayor. He got arrested because he wanted vengeance for his son. All of them were simply trying to do right by their families. Can’t you give them some slack and reduce their sentences? Please, man, I beg of you.”

  Joe knelt on both knees before the warden with his hands clasped together.

  “Even if they say that, they might be lying and trying to garner sympathy.”

  “I have faith in them,” Joe said with a resolute expression.

  Steve sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Fine, but only because it's you. I find you to be an interesting guy, and you are my disciple.”

  Joe smiled at his words. “Thank you, master.”

  “Oh, so now you call me your master?” Steve chuckled. “I can reduce the sentence for the girl and the thief even though the latter will be hard because Roger is a rich and stubborn guy, but I am afraid I can't do anything for the old man. Anyone sentenced by the mayor can only be released by him. My hands are tied.”

  Joe’s expression turned sad. “I see,” he muttered. “I will figure something out for the old man. Please help the other two and make sure the girl is moved to a different and safe cell tomorrow. While I do trust the guys she's with, I think it would be better if she did not stay with other males while I am not there.”

  “Did my disciple catch feelings already?” Steve said with a grin.

  Joe managed to keep a composed expression despite his master’s teasing. “I am just looking out for a friend.”

  “I will make sure she is taken care of.”

  “Thank you, master.” Joe returned to his feet. “One more thing. Can you give me another one of those healing potions? I may need it after the tournament tonight.”

  “Sure.” Steve tossed him another vial.

  Joe caught it and bowed his head before he walked toward the exit. “See you later, master.” He waved as he left, which made Steve smile.

  When Joe stepped outside, a guard waited to escort him back to his cell. Joe followed him while summoning the many notifications that had appeared during his encounter with Steve.

  Inside the room, Steve analyzed the damage from his battle with Joe as he whistled softly.

  “To think he would actually destroy Tier 3 enchantments with a single strike. What a freak.”

  Suveny Prison's walls and ceiling had been enchanted by an Advanced Rank enchanter, and many believed them to be impenetrable. Yet Joe had broken them with a single blow.

  Steve shook his head and his expression turned serious as he took a small purple crystal ball from his pocket. He infused the item with mana until it glowed bright blue.

  “I would like to speak with Charlotte. Tell her there is something we need to discuss.” He spoke into the radiant gem.

  The crystal glowed a few times in response as it recorded the message.

  “Also tell them to bring a Skilled Rank enchanter this time. I've made a bit of a mess,” he added with a light chuckle.

  After receiving the reply, he returned the crystal to his pocket with a thoughtful expression.

  ‘Let’s find out who you really are, Emperor.’