SSS Rank: Limitless Extraction With 10,000x System

Chapter 68: 68 | Ultra Association

They walked a few more paces. Andrew seemed to relax, shoulders dropping. Then Monica’s voice took on a sly note. "Speaking of places... what about your dorm?"

Andrew’s step faltered for a split second. "Uh, yeah. It’s, uh, a single room. Private. I’ve got the whole pod to myself."

"Private, hm?" Monica’s eyes sparkled with something Andrew couldn’t quite name. She clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head. " We’ve never truly been alone together. With your private room, no roommates will bother us..."

Andrew felt a prickle of... was it danger? Excitement? His brain fumbled. "I mean, yeah, no one else has access. It’s just me."

Monica’s smile widened slowly.. "Then how about I come over? You know, to see if the Academy treats its special students as well as my place treats me."

Andrew’s mouth went dry. "Uh—yeah, sure. Why not? Come over. Totally fine."

She stepped a little closer. "You sure? Your voice sounds a little tight."

"It’s just the dry air," he lied, staring straight ahead. "The campus air filters, they can mess with your throat."

"Uh-huh." Monica laughed—a bright, musical sound that bounced off the buildings. "Relax. I’ll just inspect the room. Check the security. Maybe the bed quality."

Andrew definitely wasn’t going to examine that sentence. It would make his brain tickle for sure.

They continued walking. The atmosphere thickened with something even thicker than affection... lust!

Their arms brushed more frequently. Neither pulled away. Andrew found himself slowing his pace so the walk would last a little longer. Their fingers interlocked and

And that was precisely when the air in front of them split open.

"Hahahaha!"

Principal Constant stepped out of the warp, his thick eyebrows shaking with laughter.

"There you are, Andrew! I’ve been scanning half the campus for you. Lucky I caught you before you disappeared into a cave, eh?"

Andrew groaned. "Principal Constant. What a... surprise."

The principal’s sharp eyes danced between Andrew’s rigid posture and Monica’s flushed cheeks. He let out a deep, knowing chuckle. "Young people. So much fire. I remember those days." He rubbed his chin, grinning like he’d just discovered a secret.

Monica immediately stepped to the side, straightening her uniform. "It’s not... we were just discussing dorm security."

"Security. Yes. Of course." Constant’s voice dripped with amusement. "But that can wait. I’m here on business. Im finally free. We can head to the Ultra Association now for your preliminary tests."

Andrew seized the change in topic like a lifeline. "Tests. Right. Lead the way."

The principal waved a large hand. "No need to rush the romance. The lady can come too. Taking one or two barely costs me any extra energy." Without waiting for a reply, he clamped a big hand onto Andrew’s shoulder and the other onto Monica’s.

"Wait, what do you mean by—?"

BOOM.

The world turned inside out. Andrew’s stomach slammed against his spine. Colors streaked past, screaming winds even though no air touched his skin. Monica clutched his arm, her knuckles white, and let out a surprised yelp.

The principal just laughed, his voice echoing through the distortion like a ghost.

Andrew squinted. A thin, shimmering film wrapped around them. Without it, they’d be vaporized with the speed they were living at.

Then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped.

Solid ground jarred Andrew’s legs. He stumbled forward, and Monica caught his elbow to steady him. Her hair was a wild mess, half-covering her laughing eyes. "Warn me next time," she said, breathless.

Andrew coughed. "I didn’t know either."

They looked up.

A skyscraper stabbed the sky, so tall the top floors disappeared into low-hanging clouds.

Its surface was a seamless blend of silver alloy and luminous blue veins of energy that pulsed like a heartbeat.

Armored Guards patrolled the entire place.

Above it all, giant holographic letters floated.

Ultra Association

Monica let out a slow breath. "It’s... bigger than I imagined."

Andrew just stared. The building radiated power and money.

Constant spread his arms wide. "Welcome to where legends are born! The Ultra Association manages global rankings, talent registrations, and the entire cross-continental league system."

He fixed Andrew with a sharp grin. "You ready, boy?"

Andrew looked from the towering letters to the faint reflection of himself in the building’s glass surface. Beside him, Monica squeezed his hand once, quick and encouraging.

He drew a breath.

"Yeah," he said. "I’m ready."

The principal clapped him on the back with enough force to stagger a lesser man. "That’s the spirit! Now come on, we’re on the clock."

The entire district around the headquarters was a living, breathing storm of movement.

Students in academy uniforms rushed along in packs, some laughing about past battles, others walking with their heads down, nervously reviewing combat forms on their wrist devices.

Mixed among them were older hunters, their faces carved with scars and their eyes carrying the kind of calm that only came from real, dangerous fights.

Corporate representatives in sleek suits barked into communication earpieces.

Government officials in formal clothings walked fast, surrounded by aides.

And here and there, a few figures moved whose very presence made the crowd unconsciously part, Silver rank warriors so strong that even ordinary people could feel the pressure rolling off them like heat.

"It’s chaos," Andrew muttered, his eyes tracking a group of hunters arguing loudly about a recent dungeon breach.

"Haha! I remember my first visit. I was just a snot-nosed brat back then. I walked into a glass door because I couldn’t stop looking at the ceiling."

Monica covered her mouth, but a small laugh still escaped. Andrew just shook his head. The old man’s energy was truly something else.

Constant slapped a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. "Come on, you two. Don’t just stand here with your mouths open. We’ve got business."

He led them forward, toward the entrance and presented his black card to the guards.

The guard’s expression shifted instantly.

His shoulders straightened. Without another word, he stepped aside and gestured toward the gate.

"Please proceed, sir."

The massive gate hummed and slid open, revealing a wide avenue beyond. Andrew’s eyes narrowed.