CH362 Outer Beings

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Drake strode ahead of Alex and approached a man standing by the building.

"This is the Agoge Master of our Family's prime agoge," Drake said plainly.

"It is a pleasure and an honour to finally meet you, Young Master Alex." The man bowed first to Drake, then to Alex.

When Alex imagined what the Agoge master of the Fury family's prime Agoge, he expected To see a drill sergeant, and certainly not this merchant-looking man.

"Young Master Alex, you are in luck. The graduates from this tenure of the Agoge are the best I have trained in the last decade," the man boasted. "As long as you don't mind them being non-human or outer beings, I am sure you will not find a stronger party in the family in the last ten years."

The word 'outer beings' drew a frown from Alex.

Outer beings were denizens of other planes, captured during Pangean expeditions and brought back to the realm as workforce or cannon fodder.

In Alex's eyes they were, bluntly, slaves.

Many ended up in armies for future campaigns, or doing the menial, dangerous jobs Pangeans were unwilling to do or nobles refused to pay adequately for.

The trade was systematic. Large organisations –including noble houses— bred and trained outer beings for use on Pangea. The second generation were taken early, indoctrinated and trained as useful manpower.

It was clear the Fury family made use of or, at least, patronised the same system. Alex kept his opinions to himself as he followed Drake and the Agoge Master into the building.

Just before he pushed the door, the Agoge Master turned to him. "Young Master Alex, the Prime Agoge is a death-camp. The trainees either grow or they die. Those who graduate have walked the line between life and death more times than most. They respect only the strong."

He fixed Alex with a hard stare. "If you want to recruit any of them, you will need to show them your power and force them into submission."

Alex met the Agoge Master's stare without much reaction.

"Is that all?" he asked impassively. "I am the heir to the Fury Family Head. I don't need you to remind me of the Fury way. Open the door."

A flicker of surprise crossed the Agoge Master's eyes before his merchant-like smile returned.

At the same time, a faint smirk tugged at Drake's lips.

The Agoge Master pushed the door open. "Please…" he gestured, stepping aside for Alex to enter.

Alex nodded and stepped inside. When the Agoge Master tried to follow, a single look from Drake froze him in place.

Beyond the doorway was a large, dimly lit living room. Thirteen silhouettes stood scattered across the space, their faces half-lost to shadow.

The moment Alex entered, every gaze locked onto him.

He halted as the collective pressure of thirteen Intermediate-rankers crashed over him like a tidal wave. Their presence was more akin to Elites — each one radiating a honed killing instinct born of survival.

'Yes, yes, you're all the best of the best. Extraordinary geniuses,' Alex muttered inwardly. 'But you know… there are geniuses, and then there are monsters.'

Death Perception! Killing Intent!

[Subjugation]! [Domination]!

'Drop to your knees!' Alex roared inwardly.

At once, a suffocating force burst out from him.

The dim hall seemed to darken further, swallowing him in shadow. Only the gleam of his ruby-red, gemlike eyes remained visible.

Those eyes burned with an overwhelming authority that shattered the oppressive pressure of the thirteen in an instant.

Now it was they who struggled under his will.

'Oh?' Alex's lips curved slightly. The thirteen, though the same rank as him, resisted his True Name pressure and barely stayed on their feet.

[Beast Domination]! [Dominion]!

His eyes flared brighter — a second wave of pressure exploded outward.

Boom!

The thirteen dropped to their knees as the invisible weight crushed them to the floor.

[Regality].

[Umbra Tentacle].

A tentacle of darkness shot out as Alex raised his hand. The wooden chair beside the wall slid across the floor as it was dragged before him.

With calm movements, Alex sat down — his moves carrying an aura of effortless grace and imperial authority as he gazed down upon the kneeling Agoge graduates.

"My name is Alex Fury," Alex said simply. "While I appreciate hunting dogs with sharp fangs and claws, I prefer it more when my hunting dogs know better than to glare at their master."

His words ignited a wave of anger from the thirteen. They strained to rise, muscles trembling, but Alex's overwhelming pressure kept them nailed to the floor.

He chuckled softly.

"You don't like my words? Then you should have behaved humbly. Maybe then, I'd have been more civil."

He leaned back slightly, his tone turning colder.

"Your Agoge Master told me you've walked the line between life and death countless times. That you've grown arrogant, thinking yourselves children of heaven."

He crossed one leg over the other, exuding imperious calm as he looked down on them.

"Well, I'm here to tell you—nay, show you—that there is a sky above the sky."

He smiled thinly.

"Now that this little charade is over, let's begin the real reason we're here."

Alex withdrew his pressure. The weight in the room lifted instantly, and the thirteen slowly rose to their feet—none daring to speak or move carelessly.

They understood now. Even though Alex was of the same rank as them, he was something else entirely.

Just as the Agoge Master had said, this group respected only strength. And Alex had proven beyond doubt that he possessed it in abundance.

Satisfied, Alex gave a small nod.

"While you're all talented in your own ways, I'm looking for individuals with a specific kind of innate gift. I'll be casting a spell on you. If you wish to receive the opportunity I offer, do not resist. If not—do as you please."

[Detection].

Alex's improvised detection spell spread over the thirteen with OmniRune's support.

Well—ten, actually. Three of them had resisted instinctively.

He didn't care if it was conscious or not. They were immediately struck off his list.

Scanning the results, Alex's eyes narrowed in interest.

Of the ten who remained, six possessed rune slots. Among those six, four had six or more—a clear sign that they had the potential to become one of his theorised Rune Soldiers.

A flicker of excitement crossed his gaze, but he swiftly buried it beneath composure.

He rose from the chair and pointed at the four individuals.

"You four," he said, voice calm yet commanding. "What are your names?"

**(12/70)**

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