Smooth Sailing

In the silent night, the distant Imperial Building gleamed with neon lights.

In the passenger seat, Huai Shi opened his eyes and glanced over.

"What time is it?"

"Eleven thirty."

Ueno said, "Boss, do you want to get some rest?"

"No need. Just lying down for a bit is enough."

Huai Shi shook his head. He was an Ascender, after all. Staying awake for a few nights would not hurt him. His earlier rest had merely been out of prudence, a habit of conserving his energy before a major battle.

Ever since becoming an Ascender, after all this time and so many battles, he had never truly regarded the Iron King Party as a threat.

If he were Huai Shi, that should have been the case—

But after abandoning the name Huai Shi and becoming a hybrid of the Tanba Inner Circle, he discovered the helplessness of having strength but nowhere to use it.

Through wave after wave of turmoil, he had exhausted every effort to climb to his current position, yet he still could not act as he pleased.

For hybrids, this world was covered in layer after layer of immense nets. No matter how they struggled, after escaping one set of shackles, they would discover that the cramped little world before them was merely another cage.

Satenme had tried and failed. Chiba Ryuji had tried and given up. Kamishiro Mirai had also tried, only to leave in disgrace...

What about him?

Would he repeat their mistakes as well?

He let out a silent sigh and said nothing more.

In the driver's seat, Ueno rummaged through the convenience store bag in his hands. Holding a beer, he hesitated over whether to offer it. After a long while, he still said nothing. He quietly closed the bag and rolled down