From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 480

"What? The Netherweb?" Christopher's pupils tightened. His composure cracked for the first time that day, proof of how serious that name had become across the world.

"Heaven-Slayer, Earth-Breaker, Ghost and Ghouls... that's the old line tied to them," Jimmy voiced the old saying under his breath while tension pressed deeper across his expression.

During the Warring States Era of Astria—long before the territories unified—an assassin ring with that same title moved through seven rival regions. They slipped across borders, hunted envoys, and left every ruler terrified of the dark. Their presence blanketed the land like a web nobody could escape.

That ancient branch vanished from history books. The Netherweb Jimmy referred to was of a later age, yet it carried a reputation that spanned more than a century.

No one had ever uncovered their numbers or hierarchy. Their strength remained a mystery. Even the Shadow Division, with its deep intelligence network, held only fragments.

They lacked the Arbitration Office's global visibility, though no power on Earth dared to treat them lightly. Even the Arbitration Office maintained distance, the same way one predator watches another across the canyon.

Decades earlier, a horrifying event had shaped their legend.

Three Infernal Crown Transcendents were discovered dead on a small farm in the northern Agylae. Not a single sign of a struggle remained. The bodies looked placed rather than killed.

The martial world spiraled into panic. Assassins whispered the Netherweb's name like a death omen. Every top-tier fighter started checking over their shoulder.

Shadow Division archives held something even worse. More than a century ago, the Netherweb eliminated over ten King Phase masters of that era.

They stood as a hidden colossus, matching the Arbitration Office in influence, coiled silently at the top of the world.

Their acceptance of Leander's bounty meant danger followed him like a second shadow every moment.

"We need to warn Jeff right now!"

Christopher lifted his phone and stepped toward the exit, but Jimmy pulled him back sharply.

"Christopher, it won't matter." Jimmy's tone dropped low. "Letting him know won't change anything."

He rubbed his forehead. "The Netherweb's work is unnatural. Their kills leave no breath, no footprint, no echo. You never learn when they appear or when the job ends. Everything rides on Jeff now. Whether he makes it through depends on his own strength."

Christopher froze in place, unsure what to argue. A cold heaviness spread inside him. Wherever Leander stood in that moment, a battlefield waited to erupt.

...

"Leander, you better not ditch me tonight."

At the base of Swallow Hill, Liam latched onto Leander with a wide grin.

He shot a quick look at Shirley. "Babe, I'm clocking the whole night with Leander. You're good with that, right?"

Shirley laughed behind her hand. "You two haven't hung out in forever. Go crazy. I'll tag along. No reason to be upset."

If it had been any other friend dragging Liam into bars and cybercafes until dawn, she would have snapped. Leander wasn't just some friend. If he wanted Liam at clubs, lounges, or any questionable after-hours hangout, she would look the other way with a smile.

Any connection to the power behind Leander could change their entire future.

Leander chuckled. His last stretch of days had been filled with training and travel. He barely remembered what it felt like to unwind.

"You trying to drink me into the floor?" He nudged Liam's shoulder with a grin. "Alright. Tonight we stay out until we drop. Whatever you want, count me in."

Liam threw an arm around Leander and waved down a car.

"There's a bar near Stanton Academy. Great vibe, clean design. Let's hit that one. I know the owner." Inside the car, Liam turned.

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