This year’s selection tests ran simultaneously across all cities. Every secondary and quasi primary city got the exact same challenge as Forlunda City itself–identical secret chambers built straight from the central blueprints.
But the results were brutal. Not a single contestant from the secondary cities made it through. Zip. Nada. Even the quasi–primary cities barely scraped by -only three managed to qualify.
Raven? She blew everyone out of the water.
The organizer’s commander stared, slack–jawed, as Raven and a handful of execs walked off. Then it hit him.
He fumbled for his comm device. “This girl’s gonna be a damn powerhouse. Gotta alert the big families in the primary cities–now.”
Meanwhile, in Frihamen City, Samantha had hauled herself from Deariton to track down Raven everyone kept buzzing about.
But after combing through Frihamen’s registry? Nothing. Not a single record.
Of course she wouldn’t find anything–Raven wasn’t from Frihamen City.
“Damn it,” Samantha muttered, slamming the registry shut. “Maybe Janelle’s Raven Valor isn’t my mark after all.” Her stomach twisted as she stormed
out of the office.
This was bad. Lord Keegan Brown himself had entrusted her with this mission. Coming back empty–handed? Not an option.
“Where the hell are you, Raven?” Samantha growled, running a hand through her hair in frustration.
The clock was ticking. Deariton’s Selection Event was about to start, and she had no choice but to haul ass back.
“Screw it,” she decided, dusting herself off. “I’m heading back. The guards know to alert me if anyone matching Raven’s description shows up.
“After all, I’ve already instructed Deariton’s guards. If someone called Raven enters the city, they will definitely inform me immediately.
“Maybe I’ll get lucky. Maybe I’ll spot Raven on the road.”
Just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed. It was her right–hand man–the only person she trusted with this operation.
“Ms. Mathis! We’ve got a situation!” The panic in his voice made her blood run cold.
Her grip tightened on the phone. “Spit it out! Is it Raven? What happened?”
The line crackled with his ragged breathing. “She’s… she’s…”
Samantha’s knuckles turned white. “God damn it, talk! As she in Deariton? Did someone jump her? Is she hurt?”
This wasn’t just another job–Keegan himself had trusted her with it. If Raven got clipped on her watch? Hell. Explaining that to the boss wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have. Ever.
“Sh–She…” The lackey wheezed like he’d sprinted a marathon. “It’s… not what you-”
“Jesus Christ.” Samantha kicked a crate, sending it skidding. “Out with it! Is she in Deariton? Bleeding out in some alley? Talk!”
“N–No! She-” The guy gulped air. “She aced the trials. Got picked early. Everyone in Deariton knows—the Scion chose her as his right hand.”
Samantha froze, “You’re shitting me.”
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10:19 Thu, 26 Jun J
Chapter 977
“Wish I was.” He wiped sweat off his brow. “Eight Families, rogue sects everyone’s gunning for her now. They’ve put hits out. No holds barred
