Chapter 1 Return of the Military Doctor

• "Is this news reliable? Has he really retired? And the Dragonia Special Forces is disbanded as well?" Punk Burton shouted excitedly.
• He was the world's top arms dealer and the leading figure in the underground mercenary!
• He alone could control the entire underground, determine the fate of small countries, and disrupt the trade of major powers.
• He used to reign as the king of the underground, but in five years, he was defeated by Cyrus Nikolaou and forced into hiding in a dark fortress on the outskirts of Itica, barely surviving!
• Upon hearing the news of Cyrus' retirement, Punk jumped up excitedly. "Finally, that Grim Reaper has retired! I am free!"
• At the same time in Thaize, sixteen state-of-the-art stealth fighters J-20 formed a triangular formation, escorting the medium-sized airliner in the center.
• The plane landed slowly, causing a stir in the city.
• Numerous elderly men wearing high-ranking military insignia and shoulder epaulets stood at the airport, eagerly awaiting the hero's return.
• However, when the cabin door opened, it was empty.
• ...
• At this moment in Inaspool, Rodon, on the old, rickety table in a run-down, damp shanty house on the outskirts, there lay a palm-sized black and white photograph.
• Cyrus knelt there while trembling and placed a flower in front of the photo. "Mom!"
• He groveled against the blue-colored brick floor with tears streaming down his face while he thought, A man usually won't cry his heart out unless he is heartbroken! A man should have his dignity and not simply surrender unless it is to God or his parents.
• After five years of bloody battles on the battlefield, he had earned himself the title of the "White Reaper!"
• Yet, returning home today, he was met with the image of his mother, who was long gone!
• The separation of five years ago had now become a permanent farewell!
• "I am unfilial. I was unable to care for you in old age and unable to bid you farewell in death. What good are all my skills? What use are all my military achievements?"
• Ring! Ring!
• The phone rang.
• Cyrus wiped his tears and answered, "Captain, it has been confirmed that your mother passed away from illness a year ago today. Before that, she caught a cold and did not seek timely treatment, leading to a severe lung infection. The Nikolaou family restricted her movements after she fell ill, which ultimately caused septicemia.
• "Miss Lindgren took your mother to the hospital, but due to the severity of the illness, the treatment was ineffective, and she passed away. Miss Lindgren handled the funeral arrangements for your mother. However, the Nikolaou family did not want her ashes, so Miss Lindgren placed her memorial tablet in the old house."
• Snap!
• Cyrus' phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground as his hands shook with anger.
• "The Nikolaou family! Why is it them again?! W-Why must you all be so heartless?! Five years ago, Cyril got into a fight on the street and stabbed the son of a prominent family. You made me take the fall for him! My mother objected, so you verbally and physically abused her daily. I couldn't bear to see her suffer, so I dropped out of high school in my senior year and confessed to the crime, landing myself in prison. I hoped that by doing so, I could earn your respect for my mother. Little did I know that taking the blame and going to prison would only result in more heartlessness and cruelty from all of you! Why?
• "Why?! Just because my mother came from a humble background? Is it because she was the second wife? Is it because she was kind and could be easily taken advantage of by you guys?! The entire Nikolaou family—my father included—always favored my older brother and showered him with love. All the while, they looked down on me. They made me take the blame, sent me to prison, and I endured it all! Since you caused the death of my mother and refused to let her be buried in the Nikolaou family's ancestral tomb, I will not tolerate it anymore!!"
• Cyrus clenched his fist tightly, and he smashed the nearby stone pillar with a punch.
• The hard granite pillar shattered into pieces instantly!
• He stood up abruptly and walked outside.
• He couldn't bear the grudge over his mother’s death for another moment!
• On the bustling road outside, cars and pedestrians filled the streets.
• In the span of five years, the changes in Rodon were immense.
• Cyrus hailed a cab and headed straight for the Nikolaou residence in Eryross!
• Five years ago, he was personally sent to prison by his grandfather and several uncles.
• Fortunately, in prison, Cyrus met Isaac Davidson.
• Isaac imparted his knowledge to Cyrus, allowing him to undergo a transformation and become proficient in both medicine and martial arts. He was then secretly selected to join the Dragonia Special Forces as a military doctor.
• In subsequent battles, Cyrus' skills and hard work made him the linchpin of the entire team.
• He was not only a military doctor but also a captain!
• In five years, he swept through major mercenary groups, and his footprints could be found in various special forces units around the world. With a sword in his hand, his reputation preceded him. Many leaders trembled at the mention of the name of the White Reaper.
• Now, for various reasons, the Dragonia Special Forces had been disbanded, and Cyrus had become a free agent.
• He couldn't wait to return and tell his mother the news, but he didn't expect that they were already worlds apart!
• Phew! Cyrus let out a sigh, and his expression turned cold.
• After getting out of the cab, he saw that the Nikolaou residence was just in front of him. It was grand and magnificent, with a single gate adorned with red banners and colorful decorations.
• The banners read, "Happy 30th Birthday to Freya Gray! May you be as beautiful as a flower."
• So, Dad has found another wife, huh? A look of bitterness flashed in Cyrus' eyes.
• The bustling splendor of the Nikolaou residence and the solemnity of his mother's memorial hall were worlds apart!
• "Oh? Isn't this Young Master Cyrus?" A butler in his forties suddenly exclaimed.
• Cyrus looked at the butler, Marvin Preston, who was a trusted aide of Brandon Nikolaou. This man—Marvin—had bullied both Cyrus and his mother back when the younger man was with the Nikolaou family.
• With his hands behind his back, Marvin walked over with a hearty laugh while sizing Cyrus up. "Young Master Cyrus, you've been released from prison. Congratulations! Haha... Must have been quite enjoyable in there."
• Cyrus gave Marvin a cold look, ignored him, and strode toward the mansion.
• Marvin took a step forward to block Cyrus and laughed while saying, "Young Master Cyrus, today is the birthday banquet of Madam Freya, and you... didn't come empty-handed, did you? Oh! My bad. You just got out of prison and can't afford anything good! Haha!"
• Upon hearing Marvin's voice, several security guards and servants at the door gathered around.
• "Is he Cyrus? The one who was locked up in prison five years ago?"
• "Yes. He's the youngest son of Master Jacob."
• "Alas. Master Jacob has two sons. Young Master Cyril studied abroad, returned as a PhD holder, and is now a well-known entrepreneur. Young Master Cyrus, on the other hand... Alas. No wonder Master Jacob doesn't like him."
• Marvin raised his head, chuckled, and said, "Cyrus, if I were you, I wouldn't have the dignity to go in today. Take a good look. Today is Madam Freya's birthday. She has always disliked your mother and won't be happy to see you today, though. Better save yourself from the embarrassment and not go in. You can wait until tomorrow—"
• Smack!
• Cyrus slapped Marvin across the face.
• Marvin fell to the ground. His right cheek was swollen, and three big teeth fell out.
• Pfft... Bah!
• When he saw that he had lost three big teeth, he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "You little b*stard! You've got some guts. How dare you hit me! Your d*mn mother didn't even dare to hit me, and you—"
• Thud!
• Cyrus kicked Marvin in the chest, and Marvin fell straight to the ground.
• He then walked forward and stepped on Marvin's right leg.
• A sharp crack echoed through the air.
• Cyrus' face remained impassive as he spoke calmly. "I had no intention of quarreling with you today, but you pushed me too far! How dare a lowly dog from the Nikolaou family try to block my path!"
• With those words, another kick landed.
• Marvin's left knee instantly snapped. It was shattered.
• "Ah!" Marvin cried out in agony, and he lost control of his bodily functions as he collapsed unconscious from the pain.
• Cyrus kicked Marvin aside, and a slight furrow appeared on his brow as he continued toward the Nikolaou residence.
• The security guards and servants standing at the entrance quivered in fear. They quickly stepped aside.
• Only after Cyrus had departed did they wipe the sweat from their brows and try to steady their nerves.
• "Weren't we told that Young Master Cyrus was weak and easily intimidated? Why is he showing such cruelty now?"
• "He's different now. He's completely different! Have you noticed the depth in Young Master Cyrus' eyes? They are like a bottomless abyss!"
• An elderly servant sighed softly as he leaned on his broom. "I believe Young Master Cyrus may have transformed into a different person. The Nikolaou family is in for quite a spectacle this time..."