Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat!

That man, sent flying from the courtyard by Markham, crashed hard onto the flagstones outside!

A look of utter relief spread across his face before his head lolled to the side, and he passed out cold.

The remaining men abruptly stopped running.

They all turned to stare at Markham.

Their expressions were like a pack of wolves spotting a lone, delectable lamb.

Their gazes sent a shiver down Markham's spine.

"What the hell…? What do you guys want?"

Their actions spoke louder than words.

Eyes squeezed shut, they charged him.

"Don't you come near me!"

Thump, thump, thump…

Markham's legs were a blur of kicks, sending one bruised goon after another flying.

Several of them, as they sailed over the wall, actually managed what they probably thought were sincere smiles at Markham.

They even mumbled, slurring badly, "Fanksh, Marshus!" (Thanks, Markham!)

"Huh…"

Markham was speechless.

These guys had been so thoroughly thrashed by Ethan that all the fight had been knocked out of them. Running wasn't an option.

So, they'd decided to use him as a human catapult, taking advantage of his kicks to make their escape!

What kind of messed-up situation was this?

All those times he'd been showing off, stirring up trouble…

How come he'd never thought of such a method? An attack that seemed to do no real harm, but its propulsive force was incredible?

Though… Ethan's control over his strength.

It seemed to have reached a whole new level of mastery.

When he'd first started, a single slap would leave a face red and swollen.

Now, each slap could send Elias spinning like a top without so much as a mark on his skin.

Otherwise, looking at that swollen head of his, you'd think sticking a needle in it would make it pop like a balloon.

Just as Markham kicked the last man out, Ethan flickered, appearing right beside him.

Markham, out of habit, lashed out with a kick.

Ethan had had his fill of fighting and was about to call it a day. He'd seen the Barbecues were ready and just wanted to grab one.

Ever since the Divine Scroll contest had begun in Ethereal, the game hadn't entered a rest period.

He'd been power-leveling like crazy and hadn't logged off to rest at all.

Let alone eat anything decent.

Now, the aroma of lamb Barbecues had his stomach rumbling insistently.

He hadn't expected that, just as he steadied himself and reached for a handful of skewers, Markham, on autopilot, assumed it was one of Silverwood family's men daring to touch his precious Barbecues and aimed a kick straight at him.

"Damn it…!"

This kick from Markham was entirely different from the previous ones. The tip of his foot glowed with a faint yellow aura.

It even took on the shape of a draconic head.

Ethan was inwardly shocked. 'What's going on? I just want a Barbecue, is it that serious?'

He simultaneously shot out a kick of his own.

Bear Form, Heavy Strike… Empowered!

Initially, he was just activating the skill.

But the moment his foot made contact with the other's draconic aura, a powerful, dream-like energy shredded his shoe to pieces.

So, without missing a beat, he fused his Energy with the skill.

BOOM…!

A deafening crash!

WHOOSH…!

A portly figure sailed over the courtyard wall.

"Owww…!" A pained yelp echoed from outside.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded. Ethan was stunned too.

His Empowered Heavy Strike in Bear Form, even though he'd pulled back about half his strength upon contact with Markham, its destructive power was still nothing to scoff at.

He hadn't expected Markham to just go flying. Listening to that booming yelp, though… it sounded like he wasn't seriously hurt at all.

This Markham, who seemed a bit dense, was truly something else!

Bobby and Rook were in shock.

They knew Markham too well. The moment they saw that draconic aura flare from his foot, they knew he'd used at least eighty percent of his power.

They never imagined that in a direct clash, Markham would be sent flying by Ethan's kick.

And Ethan, in the split second of their collision, had even managed to grab the nearby grill, hefted it up, and with that ghost-like speed of his, darted out of the shockwave's radius. Bringing out a full grill of perfectly cooked lamb Barbecues completely unscathed.

This…

They exchanged a look, seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes. This Ethan, was he really just an unaffiliated fighter?

Markham, with his incredibly tough physique, was no match for him.

But, they wondered, had Ethan used his full strength in that last exchange?

Then again, if he had used his full strength, how could he have possibly grabbed the grill and dashed out in such a short time?

If so… that was terrifying!

Just then, Markham reappeared at the gateway, limping slightly.

When he looked up at Ethan, he grinned. "Ethan, buddy… you!

If you wanted a Barbecue, you should've just said so… You scared the daylights out of me!

Good thing I pulled my punch—uh, kick—fast enough, or your skinny frame would be toast, right?"

As Markham spoke, he winked exaggeratedly at Ethan.

"Huh…?"

The others looked back and forth between them, puzzled.

The Barbecue Ethan had just lifted to his mouth froze mid-air. But then he chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, good thing Markham pulled back in time. He even got caught in his own backlash.

I was just starving, you know? Afraid he'd eat them all!"

As he said this, he pointed at Ryan.

"Me?" Ryan wanted to eat, sure, but he hadn't planned on grabbing one just then!

Numerous questions flooded everyone's heads. Only Markham shot Ethan a knowing look, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan returned a slight smile.

This Markham, he really cared about his image. Telling barefaced lies in broad daylight just to save face!

Ethan, on the other hand, didn't mind at all and simply did him a favor.

The Silverwood family enforcement team had long since vanished while all this was going on.

A few people quickly tidied up the courtyard. Markham, as head chef, kept plying Ethan with food.

No one said anything, but they all knew this was just the beginning.

Soon, the Silverwood family would surely be in an uproar. Ethan and Markham, the two main culprits—one grilling, one eating.

Both acted completely unconcerned, as if nothing had happened.

Bobby and Rook didn't show much reaction either.

The three Chase siblings, however, were different. They were fugitives seeking refuge in the first place. Now they'd provoked the Silverwood family, a colossal power.

Although they weren't the instigators, having entered the hidden territory with Ethan, if the Silverwood family decided to pursue the matter, none of them would escape.

Ethan naturally saw their worry.

While chatting with Markham, he said, "Markham, when the Silverwood family comes looking for trouble, protect these three.

You have to get them out of here. Preferably, find them a safe place to stay."

Markham paused, glanced at the three Chase siblings, then looked back at Ethan with a curious expression.

Finally, he nodded. "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

"Thanks!" Ethan grinned.

Then he dug into the Barbecues with gusto.

Markham really had the makings of a great chef; Ethan ate until his mouth was slick with grease.

Unnoticed by anyone, Markham kept stealing glances at Ethan.

It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but occasionally, his gaze would also drift to the Chase siblings.

During this time, Lars came by once, bringing some vegetable spring rolls, a fruit platter, and other food items.

Moreover, everything was already skewered and ready for the grill.

Markham praised him generously.

As Lars was about to leave, Ethan asked him if there had been any movements from the Silverwood family.

Lars, surprisingly, didn't know. He said he'd been busy in the kitchen the whole time.

Ethan had to let it go.

As Lars left, he even said that with 'Boss Markham' around, they had nothing to worry about.

It seemed he genuinely had no idea what had transpired there.