E-Rank or SSS-Rank: I Awakened a Skill That Shouldn't Exist
Chapter 168: Coded Language

Chapter 168: Coded Language

Chapter 168

Clara’s eyes widened slightly in sudden realization. Of course... Aiden is a Vire.

It all made sense now. If the world feared the Vire for one thing, it was their unparalleled theft skills—unmatched, limitless, and infamous. Their abilities were so legendary that the Vire were both feared and hated across every continent.

But strangely enough, people—Clara included—often forgot that Aiden was a Vire. It was hard to reconcile the two images: Aiden the cocky, battle-hardened hero... and Aiden the descendant of a race known for stealth and subterfuge.

Han gave a quiet nod, catching on as well. Everyone knew the rumors. The Vire could steal from under a god’s nose without being caught. Who would’ve guessed that Aiden’s birthright would be such a critical asset during this mission?

Though why does he look so smug? Han thought, casting a sideways glance at Aiden, who now seemed to be floating—if not literally, then certainly with arrogance. His grin stretched impossibly wide.

"You don’t have to say it," Aiden said, pretending to sigh. "I know I’m amazing. No need to scream it with your expressions."

Clara and Han both twitched, annoyed. Of course, Aiden would use this moment to show off.

The trio continued walking in silence through the dim corridor, tension rising with each step. For a while, it seemed like the place was deserted. But that changed in an instant.

Their expressions hardened simultaneously.

Up ahead stood a middle-aged man with a lifeless expression, posted silently in front of another heavy door. Strangely, this one had no visible lock—already suspicious in itself.

But that wasn’t what made them wary.

The man wore the standard black uniform they had seen many times throughout the building—but unlike the others, he had a golden badge pinned neatly on his chest.

A Head Executive.

Without speaking, the trio quickly composed themselves, masking all suspicion behind calm faces. Aiden, walking slightly ahead, kept up his act and casually strolled forward, expecting to be challenged. But to his surprise, the man didn’t move.

Just as Aiden passed, however, a firm hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder.

His body tensed instinctively, fingers curling into fists. So much for sneaking through...

Still, he forced a relaxed smile as he slowly turned his head.

"Sir... is there a problem?"

The man stared at him with blank eyes and spoke in a cold, monotone voice.

"Criminals are animals."

Aiden’s mind spun. He recognized the structure—it was a riddle, a verbal key. Some form of coded exchange. Likely a two-part phrase. He had to give the second half correctly to avoid raising suspicion.

Think, think, think... What would the logical reply be? What would a zealot say?

The man’s grip tightened.

He repeated, slower this time.

"Criminals... are animals."

Aiden’s heartbeat pounded in his ears, but his voice came out calm and steady.

"They deserve to be locked in a cage," he replied.

A silent beat passed.

Then the man loosened his grip without a word and turned back to face forward, resuming his position.

Aiden blinked in disbelief, then casually walked ahead, catching up to the others. Inside, however, his mind was spinning with adrenaline.

Wait... Did that actually work?

Han and Clara passed by smoothly, and as they did, the man didn’t so much as glance at them.

Behind them, however, the man’s cold expression slowly twisted into something darker—his lips curling into a sinister smirk.

"I can’t believe it... the exterminator has allies. Just like he predicted," he muttered. His gaze narrowed, locking onto the blonde boy who had strolled by with a cocky grin.

"He really thought that ridiculous answer was correct? Hah... just a bunch of reckless kids."

But dangerous ones.

Without hesitation, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device. He pressed the red button.

The silent facility exploded into chaos—red lights flashing, alarms blaring, and the sounds of reinforced doors unlocking with metallic clanks.

Aiden’s grin faltered as warning sirens howled around them.

"...We’ve been caught, haven’t we?" he muttered, looking to Han and Clara, both of whom remained eerily calm despite the chaos unfolding.

Clara checked her device, then gave a short nod. "Ronan’s confined room isn’t far. We’ll split up now."

"You and Clara get Ronan out," Han said firmly, turning toward the corridor. "I’ll hold the line until you three are safe."

They nodded once, then sprinted down the hallway.

Han turned to face the corridor. The sound of countless footsteps echoed through the red-lit hallway, a growing thunder of boots and fury. Hundreds, maybe more. His sharp blue eyes gleamed with calm resolve as he took it all in—the flashing alarms, the rising tension, the battle to come.

"I can’t do this alone... can I?" he muttered to himself.

Then—burst!—five brilliant flashes of white light erupted around him. In an instant, more versions of Han stood at the ready, each a perfect clone of the original.

"No killing," Han transmitted telepathically to his doubles.

"Break bones. Shatter pride. Leave the rest breathing."

His clones grinned in unison.

---

Meanwhile...

Aiden and Clara sprinted through the vast corridor. A few minor guards tried to block their path—but Aiden dealt with them effortlessly, not even breaking stride.

Before long, they reached their target: a massive door with two guards standing at attention. Both men wore sleek black uniforms... and golden badges.

"Two Head Executives," Aiden muttered, eyes narrowing. His lips curled in amusement.

"High A-Rankers, huh? Guess there’s no holding back."

His smile vanished.

"Morph."

Aiden’s body convulsed violently, muscles twisting, bones shifting. His form transformed with terrifying speed—claws, fur, fangs, scaled limbs, a monstrous hybrid of beast and man.

But he wasn’t finished.

"Dark Essence Mode. Activate."

Obsidian energy surged from within, coating his mutated form in shadowy armor. The air around him grew heavier. Clara took a cautious step back.

Aiden launched himself forward like a cannonball.

BAM! BAM! THUD! THUD!

The two Head Executives didn’t stand a chance. His blows landed with feral precision, and within seconds, both men collapsed like sacks of grain.

Aiden blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then again.

"...Wait, that was it?"

He looked genuinely confused.

What Aiden didn’t know was that those "elite" guards were merely low A-Rankers. Against his berserk, unrestrained assault, they never stood a chance.

---

Clara stepped forward and opened the reinforced door. Together, she and Aiden entered the holding chamber.

There, at the center of the room, was a man chained down with high-grade suppressor metals. Every joint was bound. His neck bore a thick collar etched with glowing seals—the infamous Suppressor Chains. The price of even a single chain could bankrupt a faction.

The message was clear: Arc believed this man to be a monster.

Ronan lifted his battered, bloodied head at the sound of their approach. His face was swollen and pale, but his expression lit up faintly as he saw them.

They came... They actually came for me.

Aiden approached, his beastly features softening slightly as he gave a small, crooked smile.

"Time to go home, Ronan."

---

Meanwhile, in Serenya...

FWOOOM!

"Aaahh!!"

A scream ripped from Shae’s throat as a long, barbed spear tore through her left leg. Blood sprayed across the floor as she crumpled, Silver’s limp body rolling from her grip.

I need to get Silver to the infirmary, she thought, pain clouding her vision. Everything was blurring now. Her limbs trembled. She’d thought she could outrun him.

She was wrong.

A crushing boom shook the ground as Metallo landed nearby, the floor cracking beneath his boots. From the smoke, he stepped forward, a long, curved scythe forming in his hand—dark and gleaming with malicious energy.

"You know..." he said, voice calm and cruel. "Your speed impressed me. Truly. You and the others here... so much potential."

He stopped right in front of her, raising the scythe high.

"Too bad you picked the wrong opponent. And now, you’ll pay the price—with your life."

He brought the weapon down, aiming straight for her neck—

CLANG!

The scythe stopped mid-swing.

Blocked—by a single, jet-black metallic hand.

Metallo’s eyes widened as he turned to the figure gripping his weapon with ease.

Standing before him was Nathan—arm an hardened alloy, eyes glowing like burning coals.

"You bastard..." Nathan growled.

"You’re the one who’ll pay the price—for invading our city."

His voice echoed with fury.

Then—

"Multiplier: ×2."

His body shimmered, muscles expanding, aura erupting around him like a storm as he launched forward, fist raised high—

---

To be continued...

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