Chapter 34:Level 75!

Chapter 34: Chapter 34:Level 75!

Several luxury hover cars departed from Cedar Heights Estate, gliding smoothly toward the main road.

Inside one of the vehicles, Colin Whitmore could no longer contain his excitement. He leaned back against the leather seat and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! This couldn’t have worked out better!"

Victoria Shaw sat beside him, a satisfied smile playing across her face.

"I originally thought we’d have to spend considerable effort forcing the issue. Who could have imagined that Nathaniel would actually suggest settling the Beaumont Trading Consortium’s ownership through combat?"

"Young people are always too confident," one of the senior executives scoffed. "Does he really think he’s invincible because he killed a few members of the Lion Syndicate who were barely above Level 100?"

He shook his head dismissively.

"And those incidents happened while he still had his parents’ protection. He has no idea what a Level 200 professional is capable of."

Marcus Reed, the consortium’s head of security, remained serious.

"We shouldn’t underestimate him. Nathaniel is the son of Nathan Beaumont and Eleanor Beaumont. Even if his parents are missing, he might have inherited powerful equipment or other means of protecting himself."

Colin waved away his concerns.

"So what if he has a few tricks? Can he use the same trump card ten times just because he managed to use it once?"

He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Besides, we won’t be fighting him individually. Every senior executive who supports our decision will bring their own high-level professionals. When the time comes, we’ll overwhelm him with numbers and strength."

Victoria nodded.

"The immediate priority is contacting powerful commercial organizations in other cities. Once Nathaniel loses five days from now, we’ll make him honor the agreement immediately."

She spoke with the calm precision of someone already dividing up the spoils.

"The management committee will take control of the Beaumont Trading Consortium, and the external protection agreements will take effect simultaneously. We need everything prepared beforehand so he can’t find an opportunity to reverse the situation."

Greed flashed across Colin’s face.

"I’ll contact the Golden Harvest Consortium. They’ve been interested in our equipment distribution channels for years. They’ll gladly cooperate if we offer them the right terms."

Another executive spoke up.

"I’ll approach the Blackstone Trading Group. They have connections with several powerful professionals. If we promise them a portion of the consortium’s shares, they’ll be willing to send people to oversee the transition."

Victoria folded her arms.

"I’ll handle Everwell Pharmaceuticals. They’ve been eyeing our potion production facilities for a long time. I’m sure we can reach an agreement."

The others exchanged glances.

One by one, they nodded.

Their plan was simple. They would use Nathaniel’s own agreement against him, gather enough powerful professionals to crush him, and seize control of the Beaumont Trading Consortium in a single move.

None of them seriously considered what might happen if they lost.

After all, Nathaniel was still young. Even if his class was extraordinary, how much could he possibly have accomplished in such a short time?

They had no idea how badly they had miscalculated.

Meanwhile, at the Westmere Professional Center, Nathaniel Beaumont had already entered another dungeon.

He had no intention of wasting time worrying about Colin Whitmore and the other executives.

The Beaumont Trading Consortium was something he needed to deal with, but it wasn’t his ultimate goal.

The real reason he was pushing himself relentlessly was much more important.

The Abyss Rifts.

Somewhere beyond those terrifying gateways, his parents might still be alive.

Until he found them, he couldn’t afford to stop.

As for the people trying to seize his family’s business, he would deal with them when the time came.

Hum!

The dungeon portal shone brightly.

Nathaniel stepped through it.

[System Prompt: You have entered Lava Ruins, Hell Difficulty.]

[Entry Level: 58]

[Recommended Party Size: 8]

[Environmental Effect: Scorching Domain]

[All entrants suffer continuous burn damage every minute. Stamina consumption is increased by 80%.]

A wave of scorching heat swept across his face.

Beneath his feet stretched a vast landscape of crimson magma. Jagged volcanic rocks rose from the burning ground, while distant volcanoes spewed thick clouds of black smoke into the sky. Rivers of molten rock flowed down the mountainsides, painting the surroundings in a hellish red glow.

The air reeked of sulfur.

For an ordinary professional, entering this environment without preparation would be a terrible mistake. Most teams would immediately activate defensive skills, distribute fire-resistance potions, and carefully manage their stamina.

Nathaniel merely glanced around.

"Shadow Summoning."

Darkness surged beneath his feet.

Ten Shadow Soldiers emerged first, their black armor absorbing the surrounding light. Faint crimson glimmers shone beneath their helmets, and their weapons reflected the molten glow of the landscape.

They formed a silent vanguard.

But Nathaniel wasn’t planning to stop at ten.

His Shadow Energy flowed into the darkness beneath him. One after another, more armored figures emerged from his shadow, their weapons materializing in their hands.

Twenty.

Thirty.

Fifty.

The formation continued expanding until one hundred Shadow Soldiers stood across the volcanic ground.

Their black armor created a sea of darkness against the crimson landscape. Some carried swords, others wielded heavy weapons, and the front ranks had already lowered their stances, ready to charge.

The soldiers waited for their master’s command.

Nathaniel surveyed the formation.

"Divide into groups. Sweep the surrounding areas simultaneously. Don’t waste time chasing a single target when there are more enemies nearby. Clear every path leading deeper into the dungeon."

The soldiers moved at once.

Several units advanced toward the rocky ridges, while others descended into the volcanic valleys. The remaining soldiers formed a central assault group, ready to crush anything that threatened Nathaniel or obstructed the main route.

Instead of fighting one group of monsters after another, his army would clear multiple areas at the same time.

That was the real advantage of an army without a fixed numerical limit.

One team could be fighting while another had already finished its assigned section. There was no need for Nathaniel to wait for a single squad to complete every encounter.

The larger the battlefield, the more valuable his army became.

A low growl echoed across the volcanic field.

The magma ahead erupted.

Several enormous creatures burst from the sea of fire, their bodies covered in glowing cracks through which molten light pulsed. Flames licked across their backs, and burning saliva dripped from their jaws.

[Lava Hellhound]

[Level: 62]

[HP: 380,000]

[Skills: Flame Bite, Lava Charge]

The hellhounds were dangerous opponents for professionals around their level. Their speed was impressive, their attacks were powerful, and their flames inflicted continuous burning damage.

Even a well-equipped team would have to coordinate carefully to avoid being overwhelmed.

Unfortunately for the monsters, they had encountered Nathaniel’s army.

"Attack."

The command was brief.

The response was immediate.

BOOM!

The front ranks surged forward, their footsteps shaking the volcanic ground. The hellhounds roared and charged to meet them, their bodies surrounded by spiraling flames.

The first hellhound lunged at a Shadow Soldier, its jaws opening wide enough to swallow a human whole.

The soldier didn’t retreat.

It drove its fist straight into the monster’s head.

CRACK!

The hellhound’s skull shattered beneath the blow. Its enormous body crashed into the magma, sending a spray of molten rock into the air.

Three more Shadow Soldiers rushed past the fallen creature and surrounded another hellhound. One blocked its charge from the front while the other two attacked from opposite sides.

The monster attempted to turn toward its nearest attacker.

It never got the chance.

A heavy weapon slammed into its flank, and a second strike smashed into its skull. The hellhound collapsed before it could use Flame Bite.

Elsewhere, a group of monsters activated Lava Charge together, rushing down a narrow path toward the soldiers.

The Shadow Soldiers didn’t attempt to stop them individually.

They formed a staggered line, allowing the first wave to approach before closing in from both sides. The monsters were forced into a tight formation, where their speed became a disadvantage.

The soldiers attacked in coordinated bursts.

Blades flashed.

Heavy weapons crashed down.

Within moments, the entire wave had been wiped out.

At the same time, other groups of Shadow Soldiers were already fighting in the surrounding valleys.

One formation drove the hellhounds away from a magma river. Another swept through a rocky basin, cutting off the monsters’ escape routes. A third group advanced along the main passage, clearing the way for Nathaniel to move deeper into the dungeon.

The battlefield had become a collection of simultaneous battles, all controlled by a single mind.

Nathaniel stood on a raised outcrop, observing the reports from his Shadow Sense.

Every movement within the connected shadows brought him information. He could sense the locations of nearby enemies and follow the progress of his forces without personally visiting every battlefield.

When one group encountered a denser cluster of monsters, he redirected several nearby soldiers to assist.

When another group finished its assigned area, he ordered it to reinforce the central advance.

No unnecessary movement.

No waiting around.

No fighting the same battle twice.

System notifications flooded his vision.

[You have killed a Level 62 Lava Hellhound. EXP +18,000.]

[You have killed a Level 62 Lava Hellhound. EXP +18,000.]

[You have killed a Level 62 Lava Hellhound. EXP +18,000.]

[You have killed a Level 62 Lava Hellhound. EXP +18,000.]

The notifications continued appearing as the Shadow Soldiers slaughtered the monsters.

Nathaniel glanced at his experience bar.

It was climbing rapidly.

"Not bad."

He had already cleared several dungeons that day. Compared with the earlier ones, the monsters here provided substantially more experience.

The Scorching Domain also posed no meaningful obstacle to his army. While the environment would gradually wear down ordinary teams, Nathaniel could maintain pressure across several battlefronts instead of dragging out every encounter.

His Shadow Soldiers advanced relentlessly.

Whenever a monster appeared, multiple soldiers could converge on it before it had time to launch a proper attack. Stronger monsters received more attention, while weaker ones were eliminated almost immediately.

The difference was enormous.

A conventional team might spend several minutes fighting a single cluster of Lava Hellhounds before recovering and moving forward.

Nathaniel’s army could engage several clusters at once, eliminate them, and continue advancing without breaking formation.

His dungeon-clearance speed had become frightening.

The hours passed.

Nathaniel moved from one section of Lava Ruins to the next, leaving defeated monsters and cleared passages behind him.

When one area was exhausted, he advanced deeper.

When another group of monsters appeared, he dispatched enough soldiers to overwhelm them without slowing the rest of his army.

The number of active Shadow Soldiers changed according to the battlefield. Some remained in formation to protect Nathaniel, while others spread across the volcanic landscape. As the cleared territory expanded, his forces covered more ground and reached new groups of enemies faster.

He wasn’t simply sending soldiers into combat.

He was turning the dungeon into a battlefield where every enemy encountered multiple opponents and every cleared section brought his army closer to the next target.

The system notifications continued.

His experience increased.

His level rose.

And the growing strength of his attributes made his army even more effective.

Every level increased Nathaniel’s primary attributes dramatically. His Shadow Soldiers inherited a portion of those attributes, so the army became stronger alongside him.

Stronger soldiers killed monsters faster.

Faster kills meant more experience in less time.

More experience brought more levels, which strengthened the entire force again.

The cycle reinforced itself.

The experience requirements grew with every level, but his army’s ability to clear large areas simultaneously helped compensate for the increasing cost.

For ordinary professionals, leveling at this pace would have been unimaginable.

For Nathaniel, it was becoming a routine.

His objective wasn’t merely to reach a particular level. He wanted to build enough strength that no enemy could easily stand in his way.

The executives at the Beaumont Trading Consortium were preparing to gather high-level professionals against him.

Let them gather.

The larger their force became, the more important his own army would be.

Nathaniel looked across the volcanic landscape, where the last visible clusters of hellhounds were being surrounded by black-armored figures.

"Keep moving. I want every section cleared before we leave."

His command traveled through Shadow Command.

The army surged forward again.

By the time the dungeon was finally exhausted, the volcanic field had fallen silent. The remaining flames continued to flicker across the magma, but the monsters that had once roamed the area were gone.

Nathaniel checked his status.

[Level Up!]

[Current Level: 59]

[Level Up!]

[Current Level: 60]

[Level Up!]

[Current Level: 61]

The notifications had appeared throughout his dungeon runs, each one marking another increase in strength.

He continued clearing dungeons across Westmere, deploying larger forces whenever the terrain and number of enemies demanded it. Rather than allowing a single squad to dictate the pace, he used his army to attack several areas simultaneously.

By the end of the day, his status window displayed a number that would have left most professionals speechless.

[Current Level: 75]

Nathaniel stared at the number for a moment before allowing himself a small smile.

"Perfect."

He dismissed the remaining soldiers, allowing them to sink back into his shadow.

"Time to head home and rest. I’ll continue tomorrow."

Level 75 wasn’t the finish line.

It was simply another step toward the strength he needed.

Westmere City Lord’s Office

Captain Adrian Cross had just finished discussing the investigation into the suspected mole with the City Lord when a report from the Westmere Professional Center arrived.

Adrian glanced at the information on his communication device.

His expression immediately became ocomplicated.

The City Lord noticed.

"Nathaniel again?"

Adrian remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, sir."

The City Lord rubbed his temples.

"Go on. What level dungeon did he clear this time?"

Adrian looked down at the report once more.

"His current level is 75."

Silence filled the office.

The City Lord slowly lowered his hand.

"Level 75?"

"Yes."

The City Lord leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.

"Why do I suddenly feel as though the world has stopped following its own rules?"

Adrian gave a helpless smile.

"I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the world, sir."

He paused.

"It’s Nathaniel who’s abnormal."

The City Lord had no immediate response.

After a few seconds, he let out a quiet breath.

"Honestly, I almost feel sorry for the Beaumont Trading Consortium’s senior executives."

Adrian was briefly taken aback.

He understood why the City Lord would say that.

As two of Westmere’s most influential figures, they had access to information unavailable to ordinary citizens. They had already learned what happened at Cedar Heights Estate that morning, including the agreement Nathaniel had made with the consortium’s executives.

Adrian shook his head.

"They probably think they’ve secured an easy victory."

The City Lord gave a cold laugh.

"They aren’t necessarily stupid. They simply have no idea what kind of monster they’re dealing with."

He tapped a finger against the armrest.

"Instead of supporting a talent who could eventually become one of the Alliance’s strongest professionals, they’re trying to exploit his parents’ disappearance to seize control of their business."

His expression turned contemptuous.

"Greed has blinded them."

Adrian considered the matter before speaking.

"Sir, should we discreetly inform the Beaumont Trading Consortium about Nathaniel’s recent progress?"

The City Lord turned toward him.

Adrian continued carefully.

"We don’t need to reveal everything. But if the senior executives learn how quickly he’s growing, they might reconsider their decision."

He paused before adding, "It could also make Nathaniel’s takeover of the consortium much smoother. If they understand the difference between their strength and his, perhaps they’ll choose not to provoke him."

The City Lord didn’t answer immediately.

He rested his fingers against the desk, thinking through the consequences.

From Westmere’s perspective, a stable Beaumont Trading Consortium would undoubtedly be beneficial. The organization possessed extensive commercial channels, equipment distribution networks, and production facilities that played an important role in the city’s development.

Allowing its internal conflict to escalate could create unnecessary trouble.

However, Nathaniel’s situation was no longer a simple dispute over family business.

His talent had attracted the attention of an institution far beyond Westmere’s reach.

After a long silence, the City Lord shook his head.

"No."

Adrian looked surprised.

"Sir?"

The City Lord’s expression became serious.

"Nathaniel is currently being evaluated by the High Command."

He emphasized the name.

"We don’t know what the High Command is looking for, nor do we understand the full extent of its interest in him. Until we know more, we shouldn’t interfere with its arrangements."

Adrian slowly nodded.

He understood the concern.

The High Command stood above the Five Top Academies and occupied a position that ordinary professionals could scarcely imagine reaching. If it had taken an interest in Nathaniel, there was probably a reason.

Neither of them could afford to make careless assumptions.

The City Lord looked toward the window, where the lights of Westmere had begun to shine across the evening skyline.

"Let the Beaumont Trading Consortium settle its own affairs for now."

His voice was calm but firm.

"If Nathaniel can resolve the matter himself, all the better. If the situation threatens the city’s stability, we’ll reconsider our options."

Adrian acknowledged the order.

The two men returned to their work, unaware of how dramatically the coming days would change the balance of power within Westmere.

For now, one fact was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Nathaniel Beaumont was growing stronger at a rate that defied common sense.

And the people preparing to stand against him had no idea what awaited them.

___________________________________

Thank You, Readers! ??

Hello everyone,

First, a heartfelt thank you for reading my novel and giving it your time. Every Chapter you open, every comment you leave, and every bit of encouragement keeps me writing. You are the reason this story keeps growing.

If you’re enjoying the journey, I’d love your support in these ways:

? Golden Tickets – If you have any, please vote them for my novel. They help it climb the rankings and reach new readers.

?? Power Stones – Your daily Power Stones make a real difference in getting the story noticed.

?? Gifts – If you’d like to go further, gifts are a wonderful way to show your love for the story, and they truly motivate me to write more.

Also, please add the book to your library, leave a review, and share it with friends who enjoy this genre.

Don’t worry if you can’t give anything. Simply reading and being part of this story means the world to me. I read every comment, and I’m working hard to bring you bigger twists, stronger characters, and more exciting Chapters.

Thank you for believing in me. The best is yet to come!

With gratitude,

VincenzoVV