From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 479

"This world rolls on my clock now."

Leander's quiet declaration left Jimmy and Christopher rooted to the ground. Neither man expected him to throw a line that bold.

A century back, the world listened to King Phase masters. In recent decades, global superpowers dictated the rules. Every era had been claimed by nations, alliances, or entire factions working together.

Leander wanted an era under one name—his name. The sheer nerve of it would've sounded insane coming from anyone else.

Both men would have cracked a joke if another student, officer, or even a respected fighter had said it. Hearing it from Leander turned their throats dry. Nothing in his tone hinted at exaggeration.

He had climbed so fast during the past year that anyone in his path—organizations, elites, rival families—had been flattened without pause. Neither man felt confident that even a returning King Phase master or a coordinated global strike would truly corner him.

Christopher eventually broke the silence. "General Ashcroft, the higher-ups can only shield you and the people close to you. Every other choice belongs to you alone."

He folded his arms.

"Our duty as the Shadow Division ends there."

His tone shifted once more.

"I'm still the president of Highcliffe University. You're a Highcliffe student. As your mentor, I need you to watch your back."

He had only interacted with Leander once before, yet he already sensed that fearless streak. The heavier the storm looked, the more Leander pushed toward it. No warning would slow someone wired like that.

"Thanks." Leander dipped his head toward him, offered Jimmy a quick nod, and stepped off the lone peak without hesitation.

Jimmy watched his figure vanish into the clouds swirling below. "Christopher... feels like we came here for nothing."

"Yeah." Christopher released a slow breath, eyes sharpening with resolve. "We work from the shadows now. Every arrow aimed at him from the dark gets intercepted by us."

Jimmy locked his hands behind him, jaw clenched. "I'm only worried the Shadow Division might not be enough."

...

Leander landed effortlessly on the trail below, dropping straight into a crowd of hikers and tourists. Dozens of people surrounded him, yet nobody realized a young man had materialized out of thin air.

He followed the downhill path, unhurried. Whatever Christopher and Jimmy warned him about—King Phase masters resurfacing, the attention from major nations—floated out of his mind the moment he stepped off that cliff.

To Leander, life always delivered enemies. This time, they were simply stronger—King Phase masters and national forces. People that other fighters would never dream of provoking.

His only job was to break them.

Real power meant nothing without the nerve to wield it. History proved that much. During the Droskar Missile Crisis, the Agylae president made it clear he would push the nuclear button if forced, which forced Skarovia's generals to back down almost overnight.

Old crime tales showed the same truth. Brilliant detectives with unmatched talent got teased for overthinking everything. The action heroes of those same stories, armed with equal skill, became icons for standing tall without flinching.

The difference lived in the heart.

Pressure from King Phase masters and national forces didn't crush Leander's spirit. Their attention ignited it. His blood stirred like he had stepped into an arena built for him alone.

"This is what makes life interesting."

A grin pulled at his lips as he quickened his steps.

Swallow Hill grew busier halfway down. Hikers filled the narrow paths. Leander flowed through them like a shadow sliding across water—visible to the eye, yet somehow unnoticed.

"Leander?"

Liam burst into laughter. "Leander, everyone knows you're the legend of Ravenridge. You don't miss."

Shirley watched them bicker, relieved to see nothing had changed between the two. She had worried after the reunion that life would drag them apart.

Leander's warmth toward Liam told her that fear had been pointless.

…

When they reached the foot of Shallow Hill, Liam slung an arm over Leander's shoulders. "Alright, listen. We haven't hung out in forever. Get wasted tonight. Then, we'll hit a cybercafe till sunrise. No excuses."

Highcliffe had broadened Liam's horizons. He grew up fast. Even so, he missed those nights of cheap beer and late gaming sessions with Leander more than he wanted to admit.

...

Back at the Shadow Division base, Christopher and Jimmy had barely stepped inside when Jimmy's custom receiver buzzed.

He checked the screen. His pupils tightened instantly. "D*mn it..."

Christopher moved closer, brows furrowed.

Jimmy's jaw locked. "A few minutes ago, the Arbitration Office uploaded a two billion bounty to the global assassin network. They just turned Jeff into an international contract target."

He lowered his voice. "The one who accepted the job is the Netherweb."

Christopher's expression froze.

His eyes narrowed until they were nothing but sharp slits.