Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 652 Ascension Path

Within the confines of Doven City—the very place Vritra had stepped into after traversing the suspension bridge, where he barely escaped death at the military outpost.

In the heart of the city, hidden away in a subterranean bunker.

A burly man resembling a slaughterhouse worker lounged at a circular table opposite a slender figure who appeared delicate and unassuming.

The pair bantered and chuckled, swigging liquor while women attended to their every whim.

"Hahaha, brother, you've got quite the silver tongue; it's always a riot dropping by to booze with you." The butcher roared with mirth, slamming back yet another mug of wine.

"T-T-The p-pleasure is m-m-mi-mine." Xander, the wolves' leader, struggled with his stutter.

"Anyway, I swung by just to pass along some intel. Steer clear of Linden for now—it's been stripped bare, and only the toughest crews are hanging on there."

Leaning in with a wide grin, he continued:

"And on my way back last time, I spotted a group shuffling over the bridge. I flung a lady their way and roused the dormant mutant—hahaha, the looks on their faces were gold, though the bridge did collapse."

Xander nudged the squat fellow next to him, who was guzzling wine nonstop.

He went by Junior, and thanks to his unique power, he could peek into Xander's thoughts and serve as his voice.

"Do-oo wiii," Xander mumbled oddly, but Junior gave a nod and dabbed at his lips.

"Boss means, got it—I was already set on heading to Riverdel regardless." Junior relayed.

"Hehe, this fella's a real asset, but jawing straight with you beats it every time. Oh yeah, what a shame—that bunch had six or seven beauties, all prime quality, alas."

The butcher genuinely mourned having wiped them out.

Even a quick peek at their features had him spellbound.

"Ooh iiee boo," Xander uttered, prodding Junior again.

"Boss offers, I've got some gals here—feel free to snag 'em if they catch your eye." Junior translated.

"Nah, that's alright. Still, I'd love to grab a fresh pack of wolves if they're prepped; if not, I'll swing back soon." The butcher replied, rising to his feet.

"Yeah, the latest batch isn't quite ready." Junior blurted out in a rush.

After swapping a few more remarks, the butcher departed, and Xander strolled from the chamber, eyeing his throng of captives.

A sly spark lit his gaze as Junior sank deeper into his booze.

***

Vritra and his companions stayed cooped up in their flat for hours on end, halting their romp only once utter fatigue set in.

Following some downtime and a meal, they at last ventured out from the structure.

Dusk was falling outdoors, with Shitless and Onest squabbling as per usual.

At that moment, Vritra caught sight of the notifications he'd overlooked from the day before in his rush.

[You have obtained Mind Eye Ascension Path!]

"Hmm, Mind Eye? Ascension Path? What's this about?" Vritra furrowed his brow, anticipating the clarification he figured was inbound.

"Once your mutation hits 100%, you pick a focused route for your next evolution stage, aligned with your core power. The Ascension Path kicks in after reaching your development cap."

Divine clarified; clearly, these paths came from besting rare beasts.

"Got it, but my skill ties to blood, and the other one's pure evolution—will it even fit?" he probed.

"It will. Hold off or activate it now—you'll unlock more choices later. But with Evomorph, you can stack several paths, so bide your time till every stat maxes at 100." Divine suggested.

"Fine, appreciate it." He responded; since that trial where he rescued Teresa, Divine had proven reliable.

Wrapping up his chat, he filled in his wife on the Ascension Path details, even if he hadn't nailed down the mechanics fully.

They pressed on per the map, only to end up on a roadway that didn't match the layout.

"Huh? Seems the world's terrain has shifted big time; with survivors tucked away, tracking them's a hassle." Vritra exhaled.

Maeve's gift ensured smooth sailing for their travels.

The snowstorm had quit sometime during their lockdown at the base.

And now, the frost appeared to thaw bit by bit.

"That structure shows no mutant signs, so survivors must be holed up inside." Fiona indicated, commenting.

"Or perhaps a formidable mutant." Yennefer chimed in.

"Let's scout it out."

The team veered course and soon neared the edifice.

All windows were sealed tight, blocking any view within—definite signs of dwellers.

"Hold fire unless they strike first." Vritra instructed prior to stepping inside.

Naturally, the ground level stood empty, with stairs barricaded via cords and steel tubes.

Yet they posed no barrier; Vritra simply flexed a touch of his might to clear a path.

Upstairs in the building, the few sentries on the lower level got wind of the breach.

A pair dashed upward to alert the rest, while the others lurked in shadows, set to halt the foe—be it person or beast.

"Halt where you are!" A male shout echoed; he gripped some kind of armament.

"Look, we mean no harm—" Vritra advanced a pace, aiming for a soothing tone.

"Back off, you scum! Did that stutterer Xander dispatch you to fetch more chow for your wolves?!!" A furious woman's cry followed.

In moments, scores of shadows clustered at the stairwell's far side.

They looked primed for combat, yet their outburst suggested they weren't lowlifes.

Thus, Vritra held back and addressed them once more:

"I'm not with the wolves or Big Bang Colony. I hailed from Doven and just seek directions to the wolves' lair."

His statement stunned them, though wariness lingered in their stares.

"And what's your beef with the wolves if you're truly an outsider? Planning to sign up?" A mature woman inquired.

"No way—I aim to purge the trash humans. Point me the way, and I'll be off." Vritra appended.

"Hah, like your lot could topple them all; they're no humans, worse than those vile mutants even." A lady grumbled.

"If you're dead set on locating them, make for that massive hospital yonder. Their hideout's buried below, but draw near and I'm betting he'll pop up to dupe you."

The initial man advised, half-suspecting a ruse from these intruders.

Vritra squinted; even in the gloom, his vision pierced to the man's pulse, verifying no deceit.

"Alright, thanks. See? Simple as that." With that, he pivoted and exited.

The others hovered warily a spell, but Vritra had indeed vanished.

"Think he's legit about clashing with the wolves? Or is this another ploy?"

"Why not tail them on the sly? I'll spot any fibs quick." A woman proposed.

"Go for it, but watch yourself—your power should keep you unseen anyway."

Instantly, she bolted downstairs and slipped away, after which they mended the doorway and hunkered down.

Her talent didn't cloak her visually, but it dialed her aura so faint that folks would brush past her without a second thought.

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Thanks for reading... adios