Simon walked toward her with out a shred of hesitation, his steps steady and unflinching.
For him, death was the only limit—and it death was off the table, then nothing else mattered.
Arrest? Exile to the frontier?
Both only offered him the one thing he craved most time—time to grow, to sharpen, to become untouchable.
With a calm heart and blazing determination, Simon closed the distance between him and Eira. Ready to face whatever came next.
Seeing him come close to her, she lightly asked.
"How's your father now?"
"Fine, he is out of critical situation," Simon replied, his voice calm but distant.
Hearing it, she nodded, a small trace of relief flashing across her otherwise composed face.
"So, lets get down to business," Eira said, pushing of the wall and standing upright, her sharp, commanding aura returning.
"First. After reading the documents, it's clear—your family were victims in this case. Therefore, under Astral Law, you will be compensated directly by the Crown Family."
As she spoke, Eira handed the stack of documents and the SD device back to Simon, making him pause, confused.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Seeing his confusion, Eira explained, "The investigation bureau already created a verified copy. According to law, the originals must be returned to the victim—or their representative."
A faint smile touched her lips. "So naturally, Simon, it will belong to you"
then, with a small pause, she continued, her tone turning slightly more formal.
"Second, the company has issued you an S-rank contract after evaluating your rapid advancement to 3-Star Astral Lord in such a short period," Eira said. A hint of admiration hidden beneath her calm words.
At that moment, Simon's phone buzzed softly in his pocket.
He pulled it out, and notification flashed across the screen— [New Contract Offer—Beetle God Company Rank: S]
Simon's eyes narrowed slightly. But he said nothing slipping the phone back into his pocket.
But Eira, standing opposite him, could clearly feel it—
The tightly coiled strength hidden beneath Simon's calm exterior.
Even as 4-Star Astral Lord herself, someone who stood at the peak of Riverstone City's power, a subtle instinct whispered danger into her bones.
A pressure that shouldn't have existed in someone who had just touched the 3-star realm.
A monster in the making.
She couldn't help but sigh quietly.
"So that's all. Just come to my office later for signing your contract,"
Eira said casually, her long white hair swaying as she slowly turned away, walking off.
Simon, who had been prepared to face anything—arrest, exile, even death—now stood there, dumbfounded.
Waiting for punishment.
Only to be given a reward?
He blinked in confusion, then hurried after her, his footstep quick.
"Miss! what about that incident?" Simon called out; voice edged with disbelief.
Eira stopped, half-turned, and gave him a faint smile—a smile that was hard to read.
"That was dropped. You're off the hook," she said simply.
Seeing Simon still frozen still looking at her like the sky had fallen in reverse, she chuckled dryly.
"Simon…" she began, her voice dropping slightly as she pulled a photo in her phone.
She handed it to him—an old news clipping.
"Twenty years ago, there was an Astral Lord." She said, tone serious now, "He went out hunting Dreadbeasts to protect a border town."
"But when he returned… all he found was the mutilated corpses of his family."
Simon's hands tightened around the paper.
"In his rage, he wiped out the entire bloodline of the man responsible. Every last of them. Men, Women, Children."
She paused, letting it sink in.
"And from that blood-soaked day, a new iron law was created:
'If anything happens to the family of an Astral Lord while he is serving the base or humanity, the Astral Lord is granted immunity for retaliation.'"
Her eyes, sharp as blades, met Simon's
"Family is sacred," she said. "For Astral Lords… its everything coming only second to strength."
"Simon good night, have some rest" Eira said as she walked away.
Leaving Simon alone in the chilling night.
Next day.
Simon stood outside the hospital, hands in pockets, glancing back one last time through the clear glass.
His father was still resting, breathing steadily under the watchful eyes of the hospital's best staff.
The instant heal was doing its job — but recovery would still take time.
Simon tapped a few keys on his phone and dialled.
Ring... Ring...
"Brother!" Olivia's cheerful voice answered.
"Olive, go to school today," Simon said, voice calm but firm.
"And don't come home until late evening. Stay out. Go to a café, library, wherever."
There was a beat of silence.
"But… why?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.
"You sound weird... and something feels fishy."
Simon chuckled lightly despite himself.
"Don't worry. I just need some time to sort things out at home," he said, forcing his voice to sound reassuring.
"I sent you more money. Buy yourself something nice."
On the other end, Olivia grumbled but agreed.
"Fine. But I'm buying ice cream too!" she declared before hanging up.
Simon smiled faintly, pocketing his phone.
Home.
As he unlocked the door and stepped inside, a foul, rotting stench hit him square in the face.
He sighed heavily.
The scene in front of him was straight out of a nightmare — overturned furniture, broken glass, dried blood smearing the floor, and worst of all...
Two decomposing bodies of the assassins he had killed.
The smell was horrific — a mix of decay and iron that clawed at his throat.
Simon pressed a hand over his nose, frowning.
"I really don't want to get my hands dirty today..." he muttered, voice muffled.
Without stepping deeper into the mess, he turned around, slamming the door behind him.
His destination was now clear — the company.
Someone had to clean up the mess.
And he wasn't about to waste his time mopping up corpses.
The morning air was still crisp as Simon approached the front gate of Beetle God Corporation, the silver emblem gleaming in the sunlight.
But just as he stepped through the main entrance, he was greeted by something unexpected.
"SIMON!"
A loud, familiar voice cut through the usual hum of activity.
Simon turned.
There, a short distance away, stood Ivan—grinning wide, waving one gloved hand in the air while the other rested on his waist. He was dressed in a full combat suit, splattered with blood and grime, the steel plates still steaming from heat and recent action.
Surrounding Ivan were others just like him—battle-worn, blood-smeared, most laughing or exhausted, some holding gear still dripping from fresh skirmishes. They looked like they had just walked out of a battlefield.
But even in that chaos, Ivan's eyes locked onto Simon's, shining with energy and an unspoken bond.
Simon gave a simple nod back. Calm. Steady.
That one motion was enough.
Ivan's smile softened; his raised hand lowered slowly as he nodded in return—an understanding passing between them like silent code.
"We'll talk later."
His eyes said it clearly. "Canteen. After you're done."
Simon's gaze lingered a moment longer, then he turned down the hallway without a word—his mind returning to the problem he came here to solve.
But somehow, that brief exchange made the company feel a little less cold.
Simon continued to Eira's office.
As the elevator chimed and the doors opened, Simon stepped onto the 25th floor, immediately greeted by the refined and controlled atmosphere that marked the upper ranks of Beetle God Corp. A soft Fruity-floral fragrance lingered in the air—elegant but not overpowering, much like the women who ruled this floor.
He walked forward.
At the end of the sleek, sunlit hallway stood a glass-walled office with a panoramic view of Riverstone City. Behind the large obsidian desk sat Eira Sylvana, poised and composed, her long white hair tied back, eyes scanning a holographic document.
She looked up as Simon entered.
"Good morning, Miss Eira," Simon greeted politely.
"Morning, Simon," she replied with a small smile. "Right in time. Come, sit"
Simon did, taking the seat in front of her desk. Without wasting any time, Eira tapped the screen in front of her, causing several panels to float into the air between them.
"Let's begin with your S-Rank Astral Contract," she said, turning one of the panels so he could read it clearly.
Simon scanned the text.
Compared to his previous contract, the benefits had drastically improved.
Except for Intermediate Astral technique and Standalone Villa.
His salary increased from 1 million to 100 million with advance signing bonus of 200 million.
Which increased his total wealth to 300 million credits
Then same as last time there was fifth option which was blank but underneath it there was option for him to choose.
1.Advanced Equipment Access
High-Risk Mission Exemption Exclusive Personal Medic Family Protection Clause
Simon didn't hesitate.
He picked up the pen beside him and without a second glance, marked his choice.
"4.Family Protection Clause – Full Safeguard."
Eira looked at his selection and nodded, her voice cold but acknowledging the weight behind the choice.
"Expected… but smart. With this clause, your family will be monitored and guarded 24/7 by company security. Any threat will be treated as a direct attack on company assets."
Simon exhaled slowly, nodded in quiet approval.
Eira finalized the contract with wave of her hand, and a soft chime confirmed the update.
"I officially welcome you to the upper elite of the company." She said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. "Try not to burn down any more buildings."
Simon gave the fainted hint of a smirk.
"Can't promise," he said. "But I'll try."