After I lived here for 2 years certain information became clear.
The hunter association was a tyrant that had a say in the whole dealings of the capital.
The mayor of the capital, however, only allowed this because of his connection to the leader of the association.
The two were a long time ago brothers in battle and cultivated a brotherhood together.
By that, I understood that if I were to provoke the superpowers here I had to be at least level 60 if not more.
After so much time I finally managed to become level 25 and almost reached 30 in one year if I absorbed more souls.
The monsters had a very positive effect on me and boosted my power greatly.
Even though I got all their talents only the energy-absorbing ones were useful.
By buying a more advanced model of breathing technique I was able to advance faster and faster.
This speed, however, made me a little disappointed and left me with even more desire.
After reaching level 20 I was able to understand how damaged my soul was.
It seems that using my body to tank a black home was not the best idea.
Alas, I now find myself wondering how those people are doing.
...
4 more years passed and I am almost reaching level 30.
Looking around this city some dark circles started forming.
After the mayor started going out more often some people started getting restless and kidnappings and murders started occurring more often.
The other overlords took action from early on but the bandits also have their own leader, and he seems to be pretty strong since the gangs continue their dealings.
This made me have a very good idea.
...
In the next months, the people started getting more and more angry, some even complained to law enforcement but they didn't do much really.
It looked like the corruption was deeper than I thought.
I disguised myself and joined the gangs.
In the next months, I continued spreading the disease I created amongst their people and manage to hide it well enough that their leader wouldn't notice.
It was really weak and most of the time dormant so no one noticed anything.
One mission when a level 36 elite was leading us I decided to activate the virus in full force while I released my death gas.
The result was instant death for them and a huge power boost for me.
After that mission, I instantly disappeared and lay low for some years that followed.
...
10 years later
The king released the news that we were going to war with the neighboring kingdom.
People got drafted and were sent to the army headquarters.
I was, of course, amongst them, and since I had no choice I followed behind.
To outsiders, my power was that of a level 20 individual.
My outer appearance was that of a middle-aged man and my strength was very average compared to the other soldiers.
...
Months went by and people came and went like the seasons.
I acted normal and integrated myself into the group, had conversations, celebrated wins, and mourned the losses.
The time passed and battles were fought.
Looking at these people fighting each other, killing and pillaging made me very excited.
Each time I was on the battlefield I quietly absorbed the souls of the dead, no matter their association or appearance.
I slowly collected power and focused on becoming more stronger and stronger.
...
After 3 more months of battles, I managed to achieve level 40.
The rebirth was very quiet since an isolation spell upon isolation spell was cast on the room.
Each sublimation would multiply my already monstrous power and allow me to obtain even more processing power in my brain.
This fact allowed me to be able to create some new inventions and even make a primitive quantum computer.
Using this machinery I simulated multiple breathing techniques that would be able to help me in my journey.
...
3 years passed and I kept improving myself.
My level remained in the 40s and I could not get an opportunity to upgrade any further since corpses started piling and were even destroyed by the powerhouses on the field.
If the souls of 40 or even a thousand people started disappearing suddenly it could lead to a deep investigation.
I doubt my concealing powers could work on a level 90 or above...
...
4 years passed and an agreement was reached between the empires.
Unless they wished for mutual destruction the empires would have to agree on sending fourth students to duel and decide in an orderly matter the winner.
Of course, all of this was a facade as unless a powerhouse above the 100th level had not intervened things wouldn't have settled with just this small tournament.
As long as one was below 40 years they were allowed on participating.
And the rewards were not small either.
From crystals imbued with energy to different pills and concoctions, they went out on everything.
I met the requirements for participating but why would I?
Such a thing would expose me as a once I don't know how much genius and I would be put in the spotlight.
Such a suicidal move would be very foolish and completely against my goals.
...