Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

'Headmistress, Grandpa, Guild Leader... what are they all doing here?' Nox was about to blurt these words out, but he quickly remembered he was currently wearing a mask, so he decided to wisely think to himself instead.

If he had only been a fraction of a second late, he would've blown his cover. How was he supposed to explain to them how he knew their names?

Nox planned to exploit his fake identity to the maximum. He wasn't planning on revealing his true self just yet. Being a fake expert came with lots of perks!

Quickly reorganizing his thoughts, Nox straightened his back, appearing more dominant—the kind of posture an expert would take. It was so swift that even Nox was slightly impressed.

He was really getting used to impersonating expert Awakened.

Then his gaze swept across the surroundings.

It was not how he remembered the place to be.
Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire

There were now deep craters, trails of silvery and black lightning-like energy crackling in the air, making the atmosphere oppressive and heavy.

"What happened here?" Nox asked in a slightly deep yet firm voice that echoed everywhere. This was a simple trick that all Awakened could use—they only needed to channel mana into their lungs.

Although it made Awakened appear dominant, if used by a low-level Awakened, say a level 20 in the presence of a higher level, they'd come across as nothing short of pathetic.

In this case, however, because of Nox's relatively high level, it held the charm and authority expected of an expert.

Bridget, Nathan, and Boris looked at this newcomer, their sharp gazes scrutinizing him from head to toe. This was not because of his mask; rather, it was because this person was relatively unknown in their circles.

Even though they didn't all get along that much, they still knew most of the high-level figures in the region.

For a moment, there was silence, and the air was thick with tension as everyone simply stared at the newcomer. It was at that moment that they heard heavy breaths from their side. Glancing in that direction, they witnessed something that left them confused.

It was the arrogant and prideful Amos.

His hands were trembling.

And then—

A single tear slipped down his cheek.

Boris, Nathan, and Bridget watched in stunned silence.

Then another tear fell.

Then another.

Amos… was crying.

The proud, arrogant demon stood before them, his entire being trembling—not with fear, but with overwhelming emotion.

Then, his lips parted.

"It's… it's truly him…!"

His voice cracked, raw and filled with disbelief. And then, like a man who had just discovered salvation, he let out a booming cry—

"After all these years… I've finally found you, my liege!"

Nox's head snapped in that direction.

"What is he saying?" He narrowed his eyes, but they widened the next moment. "Why is he running towards me?"

Nox wanted to take a step back but decided to not show any sign of weakness, even though the person charging at him was an Awakened above level 100.

However, he kept his guard up, but from the tears and posture, he strongly doubted that this man wanted to attack, as he didn't sense any killing intent directed at him.

A few seconds later, he arrived before Nox and fell to his knees.

Nox's confusion grew.

What was he doing? Why was he kneeling down?

Amos knelt, his forehead pressed firmly against the cracked earth. His entire body trembled—not out of fear, but in raw, unfiltered devotion. His voice, once filled with arrogance and cruelty, now carried a reverence that stunned everyone present.

"My liege… I have searched for you… for years!" Amos declared, his voice echoing in the ruined battlefield. "Through blood, through pain, through endless trials… I never lost faith that I would one day stand before you again!"

The air grew eerily still.

Bridget, Boris, and Nathan exchanged bewildered glances.

"Liege?" Nathan muttered under his breath. "What madness is this?"

The proud and infamous Amos was kneeling? To this masked stranger?

Even the Guildmaster, despite his battered state, struggled to process what he was witnessing. He had fought Amos countless times, but never had he seen the man display anything other than bloodlust and arrogance.

Nox, meanwhile, was experiencing a crisis of his own.

'What the hell is going on?!'

This was the first time he had ever met Amos—at least, he thought so. But the way this powerful figure trembled before him, speaking as if he were someone of great importance… it was absurd!

Nox wanted to deny it. To call this all a mistake, a case of mistaken identity.

But—

'Wait… if I deny it, wouldn't that be suspicious? He clearly thinks I'm someone else… but if I say no, he might start asking questions. And that… that could expose me.'

A bead of sweat trickled down Nox's neck beneath his mask.

'Damn it. What do I do? Do I play along?'

He quickly weighed his options.

—If he denied it outright, he might blow his cover.

—If he accepted it, he might be forced into a situation he didn't understand.

Then, he remembered something.

The mask.

The mysterious mask he had bought years ago.

Could it be… was this mask more significant than he had thought?

'No way. You're telling me this cheap mask I randomly picked up is actually some kind of legendary artifact tied to a powerful organization?!'

It sounded ridiculous.

But looking at Amos, at his trembling shoulders, at the absolute devotion in his eyes…

It was very real.

'…Screw it. I'll play along for now.'

Nox adjusted his posture, standing tall. He let out a slow, measured breath, ensuring his voice remained firm and commanding.

"…Rise," he said simply.

Amos jerked upright, his eyes shining with something terrifying—fanaticism.

"I am at your service, my liege!" he declared with absolute conviction.

Nox glanced at the still-disheveled Guildmaster, then back at Amos.

'…This guy is strong. He pushed one of the strongest figures in the Vermilion Kingdom to his limit. Having someone like that on my side… might not be so bad.'