Chapter 79

His speed was so astonishing that Stellar could barely react.

“Damn it! I wouldn’t believe a human could be that fast, if I hadn’t seen it myself!” Stellar spat on the ground.

The warden spoke quietly, “The others aren’t as strong as he is, are they?”

Stellar nodded, climbing into the car. “Nash’s strength far surpasses theirs!” He buckled the warden’s seatbelt. “There’s someone who might be able to compete with him…”

“The one from Phoenix Island?” the warden asked, surprised.

Stellar nodded silently.

The warden chuckled dryly. “The one from Phoenix Island must be over a hundred years old. This kid’s probably only in his twenties, right?”

The car started slowly. Stellar suddenly asked, “Warden, you seem to favor young people like Nash and Theo. Do you have a… preference?” He had always considered the warden a big brother, often joking with him privately.

The warden glared. “Cut the crap! I’m straight as an arrow!” He pulled out a wallet, revealing an old, laminated photograph, reddened and partly burned, the figures indistinct.

“Do you know why I’ve never been home?” He gently touched the blurred figures.

Stellar shook his head. “No idea. And you always show me this old photo… Is that your family?”

The warden smirked, a hint of self-deprecation in his expression.

“I’m the warden, the nation’s defender! I’ve defended this land, but couldn’t protect my own home! My wife wrote the year I went to the Northern Territory, telling me she was pregnant. That year, she gave birth to a son. I didn’t get home until his first birthday! When I finally returned, all I found were ruins!”

The warden’s usual amiable demeanor vanished, replaced by an aura of intense killing intent. His gaze was razor sharp, making Stellar struggle to breathe. He'd only seen this aura before when the warden led a million soldiers to defend the frontier.

Stellar asked cautiously, “Who did it? Did you… get revenge?”

The warden coughed, covering his mouth. The overwhelming aura dissipated instantly. When he lowered his hand, specks of blood stained his palm.

“I investigated relentlessly, but to no avail! It was as if someone knew, hindering me secretly. It’s been ten years… six months ago, I lost contact with the last member of my intelligence team!” He closed his eyes, deep sorrow evident.

Stellar remained silent. If the warden was telling the truth, this force was terrifying—more shocking than the Smiling Grim Reaper. How powerful would a force have to be to stop the warden for so long? Was his poisoning and attempted assassination connected? This force targeted not just the warden, but his entire family. If the person responsible wasn’t found and eliminated, the warden would face even greater danger. Stellar clenched his fists. He had to use every connection to help the warden find the truth.

“Stay out of it!” The warden, seemingly guessing Stellar’s thoughts, gave a rasping warning. The poisoning in the Northern Territory suggested the force had infiltrated the war zone. Stellar was his protégé, his most trusted friend. He didn’t want him hurt because of his personal affairs.

Nash returned to his apartment, undressed, and examined his abdomen. The ten-centimeter wound looked horrific.

“Deagol’s power and speed are far greater than Shawn’s. A second later, and he might have cut me in half!”