Night had fallen again over the Carter estate.
The mansion lights glowed softly in the darkness while security guards continued their quiet patrols across the grounds. The events of the Black Serpent infiltration had made everyone more cautious, but life inside the estate had mostly returned to normal.
At least on the surface.
Inside his bedroom, Bruce Carter stood beside the window, staring at the distant horizon.
The cold night wind brushed lightly against his face.
His eyes were calm.
But his mind was moving quickly.
The archive system inside the space world had already confirmed something important.
Victor Hale was coming.
Bruce crossed his arms slowly.
"That changes everything."
Victor Hale was not like the Black Serpent agents Bruce had already defeated.
He was far more dangerous.
A strategist.
A manipulator.
Someone who preferred studying his enemies before making a move.
Bruce knew exactly what kind of person he was dealing with.
Because in his previous life, Aron Turner had been the same type of man.
Bruce closed his eyes.
His consciousness entered the space world again.
The familiar farmland appeared beneath the bright sky.
The glowing river shimmered peacefully.
But Bruce walked straight toward the castle.
Inside the archive room, the holographic map appeared once more.
He zoomed in on the Black Serpent network again.
New information had already been updated.
Victor Hale's aircraft.
Flight path.
Estimated arrival.
Bruce stared at the data quietly.
"Twenty hours."
Victor Hale would reach New York in less than a day.
Bruce leaned back against the console.
"That's faster than I expected."
Which meant something even more important.
Victor Hale wasn't coming to attack.
Not yet.
He was coming to observe.
Bruce smiled faintly.
"That's the smartest move."
Victor Hale would first confirm whether Bruce Carter was truly important.
Only then would he act.
Bruce crossed his arms.
"Unfortunately for you…"
His eyes became colder.
"…I already know how you think."
Bruce closed the archive interface.
Then he walked toward the training facility again.
The heavy doors opened automatically.
Bruce stepped inside.
The training room activated instantly.
Combat training programme ready.
Bruce selected the greatest difficulty level available.
Advanced multi-opponent simulation.
Eight mechanical dummies moved into position around him.
Bruce exhaled slowly.
"Let's begin."
The machines attacked simultaneously.
Bruce moved quickly.
Step.
Block.
Counter.
His body had grown significantly stronger since the first day he entered the training room.
His movements were faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
One dummy attacked from the left.
Bruce twisted his body and struck the joint.
Another came from behind.
Bruce ducked and swept its legs.
The fight continued for several minutes.
Finally, the system ended the programme.
Training session complete.
Physical capability increased.
Bruce wiped sweat from his forehead.
Still not perfect.
But progress was clear.
Bruce walked toward the glowing river.
He cupped some water in his hands and drank.
The familiar warm energy flowed through his body again.
Strength returned quickly.
Bruce looked toward the castle window.
Beyond the peaceful farmland, the real world continued moving toward conflict.
Victor Hale was coming.
And when someone like him started investigating…
Mistakes were dangerous.
Bruce clenched his fists slightly.
"I need to move first."
Back in the real world.
Bruce opened his eyes.
His bedroom remained quiet.
But something felt different tonight.
Bruce walked toward the door and stepped into the hallway.
The mansion lights were dim.
Most of the family had already gone to bed.
But one room was still illuminated.
The study room.
Bruce walked quietly toward it.
Inside, Richard Carter sat behind a large desk reviewing documents.
When he noticed Bruce standing at the doorway, he smiled slightly.
"Still awake?"
Bruce nodded.
"I couldn't sleep."
Richard gestured toward the chair.
"Come in."
Bruce entered and sat down across from him.
Richard studied his face for a moment.
"You handled the situation well the other night."
Bruce blinked.
"I didn't do anything."
Richard chuckled softly.
"You stayed calm."
Bruce looked down slightly.
"I was just following Scarlett."
Richard leant back in his chair.
"That's still impressive for someone your age."
Bruce said nothing.
Then Richard suddenly spoke again.
"Do you feel safe here?"
Bruce looked up.
The question was unexpected.
Richard continued calmly.
"After what happened, I want to make sure you're not scared."
Bruce thought for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"I feel safe."
Richard smiled.
"Good."
Bruce hesitated slightly.
Then he asked a question of his own.
"Are we in danger?"
Richard remained quiet for a moment.
Then he answered calmly.
"Possibly."
Bruce nodded slowly.
Richard leant forward slightly.
"But the Carter family has many enemies."
His eyes were calm.
"And we've survived all of them."
Bruce smiled faintly.
"I believe that."
But inside his mind, Aron Turner knew something Richard didn't.
This enemy was different.
Victor Hale wasn't just another rival.
He was someone who studied his opponents carefully before striking.
Bruce stood up.
"I'll try to sleep."
Richard nodded.
"Good night."
Bruce left the room quietly.
As he walked down the hallway, his expression slowly changed.
Calm.
Focused.
Dangerous.
Victor Hale was coming to study him.
Which meant Bruce needed to prepare something special.
Bruce whispered to himself.
"If you want to observe me…"
His eyes turned cold.
"…then I'll give you something worth watching."