From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 560

"What?"

Leander couldn't help but be surprised at the sight that greeted him on the screen.

He'd made a name for himself back at Aorinth Peaks. After all, he had crushed Khaedor, the God of Madness, who had ranked first in the International Combat Units. Then, he'd taken down 15 Supreme Arbiters from the Arbitration Office.

When the International Martial Network refreshed the rankings, Leander had naturally come in first. In fact, he had dominated the global rankings.

Now, a ranking that had disappeared for 120 years had resurfaced. As if that wasn't enough, it had resurfaced with just one name on it—his.

Everything about it screamed conspiracy.

So, he couldn't help but suspect the motives of the International Martial Network's owner.

Dahlia closed her laptop and started, "General Ashcroft, according to the Shadow Division King, the King Phase Rankings had once listed 20 King Phases. At the time, those King Phases had been rulers of their respective nations.

"So, don't you find it fishy that the only name on it is yours?"

Leander rested his chin on his palm as a smile appeared on his lips. "Just say what you want to say."

Dahlia's eyes sharpened as she intoned gravely, "I'm here at the Shadow Division King's behest and as a representative of the government. It is a great honor to be the only name on the King Phase Rankings. However, this… special treatment can also spell disaster.

"The second the ranking was out, you became Public Enemy No. 1 in the eyes of every living King Phase martial artist out there."

Her eyes never left Leander's figure, waiting to see even the slightest bit of discomfort from him. Alas, all Leander did was smile at her.

"I know."

Although he was smiling, there was no mirth in his eyes as he spoke. "The International Martial Network's owner has painted a massive target on my back. It's not just the King Phases that are going to come after me.

"Every nation in the world has set its sights on me now. When they learn that a martial artist who could stand up against the military and modern weapons exists… Well, I'm sure they're eager to get rid of a threat like me.

"After all, they want a world where they are the biggest fish in the pond. They have no intention of allowing another era of King Phases to come to fruition."

His eyes sharpened as he continued, "This time, I have shown them that I could easily eliminate 10 supersonic fighter jets all by myself. My actions have basically told every martial artist out there that it isn't an unattainable fantasy for them to go against the army and survive.

"The King Phases, who had been in seclusion, would start making their moves. It is likely that whatever they have up their sleeves would turn order as we know it upside down. This is what the other nations fear. They don't want our current order to change.

"Not just that, they want to keep the King Phases under their thumbs. The only way they could do this is to make an example out of me.

"If I have become someone to fear when I topped the International Combat Unit charts, then me dominating the King Phase Rankings has given them the justification to eliminate me to maintain order. As for the other King Phases… Well, the first order of business for them is to get rid of me.

"That's because my death would mean that they would have the chance to replace my spot on the King Phase Rankings. My death would be the best debut for their return to the public eye. Nothing else would make a better show of their prowess than defeating me."

Dahlia couldn't help but gape in disbelief as she listened to him meticulously analyze his current predicament.

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