Just call me Thor

Chapter 43  Insufficient Authority, Request Denied

The Fourth Demon Cult Leader!

A Battle Lord-level powerhouse, even when the headquarters of the fourth demon cult was breached and surrounded by other Battle Lords, managed to escape unscathed! His threat to humanity is even greater than that of a demon god. The demon god is too far, the Leader too close. Catching him sooner will eliminate a hidden danger sooner.

"Before we discuss him, take a look at this list." Mike handed over a list with dozens of names on it.

Maxen Stoneheart casually took the list, glanced at it, and his body jolted, his eyes sparking with intensity as he suddenly stood up, his expression extremely serious. "What is this list?"

His tone was inquiring, but from his expression, he seemed to have guessed the answer and just wanted Mike's confirmation.

Mike nodded, affirming Maxen Stoneheart's suspicion. "Yes, this is a list of high-ranking members of the fourth demon cult."

Bang— Maxen's face twisted in rage, veins bulging on his arms as he clenched his fists, the list in his hands disintegrating into dust. He gritted his teeth so hard they creaked, pulling a roar from deep within his throat like a wild beast, "Scoundrels, they deserve to die!"

Mike interjected, "Cough, cough... you've just destroyed the list, and that was my only copy."

"You should have said so earlier!" Maxen Stoneheart rolled his eyes, then raised his palms, and all the paper dust swirled in his palms, reconstituting the list in less than three seconds. "Check for any errors."

With Maxen Stoneheart's capabilities, even a casual glance was enough to imprint the list in his mind. After confirming there were no errors, Mike handed the list back to Maxen Stoneheart.

After the initial burst of anger, Maxen Stoneheart calmed down. "Where did you get this list?"

He pondered, "This matter is of great importance, we must be cautious. You know, many on this list still hold high positions in important departments. Accusing them of being demon cult followers is no small matter! It's best to have evidence."

Mike had his explanation ready. "After Arthas Bloodscribe died, I found a small box among his belongings, which contained this list. I glanced at the list, and the box automatically locked itself."

Saying this, Mike took out the black box and placed it in front of Maxen Stoneheart. "Have you opened this box since then?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"No."

"How do you open this thing?" Maxen Stoneheart held the box in one hand and scratched his head with the other. He was tempted to smash the box but feared destroying the list inside.

Mike casually remarked, "I thought you could open it quite easily?"

Maxen Stoneheart paused, his expression changing slightly. He couldn't admit that he was unable to open it—that would be too embarrassing. "Of course!" he bluffed.

Mike seized the opportunity, "Once you open it, you'll know whether the list is genuine or not."

In truth, Maxen Stoneheart already believed in the authenticity of the list. One-third of the people on it were already dead. After the headquarters of the fourth demon cult was breached, their identities were no longer secret. However, the remaining two-thirds were still deeply hidden.

These individuals posed a significant threat. If left unchecked, the shattered fourth demon cult could quickly resurge. Only by uprooting them completely could the problem be fundamentally solved.

In other words, the list Mike provided was invaluable. "We will verify the authenticity of the list in various ways. We won't wrong the innocent, nor will we let the guilty escape," Maxen Stoneheart said calmly, having regained his composure. "As for your reward for reporting, it will be issued in full once the list is thoroughly verified. Is that acceptable?"

Before Mike could agree, Maxen Stoneheart added, "This payment will be substantial. If you want an advance, just say the word—up to one hundred million gold coins."

Wow—typical of a nine-tier Battle Lord, casually mentioning a hundred million gold coins! However, Mike wasn't in a hurry for money; what was his would not escape.

"No need for an advance. I didn't report this just for the money. There is still righteousness in the world!"

Mike's emphasis made Maxen Stoneheart look at him strangely. "This kid... he couldn't really be reporting just for the bounty, could he?"

Regardless, Mike's delivery of the list was a significant service to humanity. Maxen Stoneheart didn't dwell on the details, secured the list, and returned to the topic he cared about most. "You mentioned earlier that you have information on Terenas. Is that true?" The list was important, but the fourth demon cult Leader was even more critical. Capturing the demon cult Leader would be more significant than capturing ten, a hundred Battle Chiefs!

"It's true. I know his next move."

Under Maxen Stoneheart's expectant gaze, Mike spoke calmly, word by word, "He's coming to Florida."

"Florida? What's he doing in Florida? Oh right, his son died there."

Maxen Stoneheart's expression froze, then he looked up sharply at Mike, a bold idea forming in his mind.

Could it be...

Mike nodded, confirming Maxen Stoneheart's guess. "Yes, he's coming to kill me."

Mike had not only thwarted his plans but had also killed his son. The fourth demon cult Leader had sworn on his life to kill Mike. If he wanted to fulfill his vow, he would have to come to Florida, even return to the scene, to track down Mike's whereabouts.

Undoubtedly, Mike was in extreme danger, being targeted by a Battle Lord was no small matter!

Maxen Stoneheart was silent, walked over to Mike, and patted his shoulder, saying solemnly, "Eat what you like while you can."

Mike: ??? Your tone makes it sound like I'm about to die!

Bring out your nine-tier Battle Lord strength, brother. It's just a demon cult Leader!

"Just kidding." Maxen Stoneheart forced a stiff smile and advised, "Keep your identity hidden. I'll have someone watch the scene and ambush the demon cult Leader. Maybe we can capture him directly."

"There's not much you can do being targeted by a Battle Lord. Leave it to fate."

With that, Maxen Stoneheart escorted Mike out, "Go to the Tower of Truth and improve your strength as soon as possible. The enemy might not come personally. Even so, his minions alone, being Battle Chief-level, will be quite a challenge for you."

Maxen Stoneheart had to admit, even if it had been him at Battle Soldier strength facing this situation, it would have been extremely dangerous. Mike's composure was commendable.

"Maxen Stoneheart casually mentioned, 'Lone Wolf's death benefit is quite generous."

Mike: ??? Did you just say what I think you said, buddy? Is that really appropriate?

Maxen Stoneheart escorted Mike to the door of Wolf's Den, saying solemnly, "Take care."

Mike couldn't wait to leave and hurried to the Tower of Truth.

...

After Mike left, Maxen Stoneheart actually smiled. "Sly kid, daring to play tricks on me with that box. If I didn't scare you a bit, I wouldn't be Maxen Stoneheart!"

Previously, Mike had made Maxen eat humble pie with that box. Maxen's scare was a way to even the score.

"That said, being targeted by a Battle Lord-level figure, that young man really can't survive on his own!"

Saying this, Maxen Stoneheart took off his own Lone Wolf badge and started operating it, "Requesting [Guardian Shadow] for the best possible protection. If we can get one of the top forty from [Shadow] to temporarily protect him, this young man's life will be absolutely safe."

Of course, Maxen didn't hold much hope. [Shadow]-level powerhouses were the top echelon of [Guardian Shadow], assigned according to the potential of Lone Wolves. In his day, Maxen had [Shadow Twenty-Three] by his side, indicating he was ranked twenty-third in potential among his peers.

Requesting top forty [Shadow]-level protection, even temporarily, was incredibly difficult.

Still, it was correct to enhance the young man's security, at least secretly assigning a Battle Lord to protect him.

Less than three seconds after Maxen submitted the request, he received a response. Looking at the message, Maxen was stunned, frozen in place like a statue.

His Lone Wolf badge displayed four bold black letters: [Insufficient Authority, Request Denied].

He was a nine-tier Battle Lord, first on the Star List, and he didn't even have the authority to make the request?!

"That kid... what is his background?! What is his identity?"