"... It's finally here?"
Yurei murmured as he looked at the teleportation stone at the end of the chambers. He could go to floor seven and grind a bit more... But...
"I want to kill them all."
A strange kind of rage was consuming his mind, just like it did when he first met Bayek after reviving.
He was losing his reason... His mind suddenly found the idea of attacking the targets head-on very appealing.
"No... I can't let myself be consumed by this rage."
Yurei took a deep breath, or did an action that looked like taking a deep breath.
"But I have to kill them all... And without a body, that is."
A monster from the fourth or the fifth floor wouldn't be able to damage the guild master no matter what. And there were bound to be high-ranking Hunters following him... If Yurei's memories were correct, then most of those Hunters belonged to Bayek's previous group.
"That group abandoned Bayek once they unlocked their potential, causing him to become more spiteful... That bastard ultimately decided to beat me to calm his anger."
Yurei recalled those dark days with a frown. That group had also taken part in exploiting Yurei... No, Axel.
It was the small beatings, extortions etc that in the end piled up enough to give birth to his current state.
He couldn't deny it.
"I guess I am a bit petty, haha."
His dry laugh echoed inside the room as he slowly floated towards the teleportation stone.
"I'll at least let the Guild Master escape. He doesn't deserve to die here."
His absurd words would make every Hunter in Quin laugh, but the aura around him was serious.
--------------------------------
"If my guess is correct, then we'll meet the spirit soon."
Rio warned his party members as they walked through the empty forests. The monsters had already started to spawn, but the spawn rate was significantly lower than usual. Which meant the boss hadn't respawned yet.
A dungeon boss usually respawned after seven to ten days, and clearing one floor took four days on average. Even considering the absurdity of the situation, Rio didn't think that the spirit had gone down to floor seven or eight.
"With all respect, Guild Master, I think not destroying the skeleton on the third floor was a foolish move."
One of the healers complained in a low tone while checking her surroundings.
The fact that Axel Martinz had returned... And had already killed Bayek.
Their group had abandoned Bayek due to the status difference, but they knew how powerful that man was.
Yet... He was killed alongside his partner and one of his disciples. It really felt like Axel was trying to hunt all who had wronged him down.
"Let's say we did just that, and it didn't weaken the spirit. What if it turned more aggressive? Judging from Drake's word, it's clearly sentient. Perhaps we can help it to pass on without fighting."
Rio said after a long pause.
"Are you serious, guild master? That bastard killed Bayek, Anna and hell, even Lily! It's a monster!"
"And if it's truly Axel Martinz, then we must take him down faste-"
"And why is that?"
Both complaints didn't stand a chance against Rio's cold voice. The other members who were silently supporting the two protesters gulped.
Without caring about their reaction, Rio continued.
"Who was it that decided to extort, harass and beat the boy every single day?"
"..."
None could answer.
"Who was it that decided to leave the body to rot in the dungeon?!"
Rio's voice grew louder and sharper.
"It was us who decided to turn him into a spirit. It's our duty to help him pass on peacefully."
Rio's words were harsh, but what he said weren't lies.
"So, let's try reasoning with him first."
Rio finally calmed down and sighed. The party members kept quiet for a few moments before one of them murmured.
"What if he wants to kill us?"
"Then I'll kill him without any questions."
Rio's words put the final nail in the coffin... The party members didn't object anymore.
If the Guild Master was going to protect them then...
Not even the demon lord could wipe them out in an instance.
--------------------------------
The teleportation stone on the fourth floor shined brightly and the spirit floated out of the light.
The spirit, Yurei, looked around to see if the boss had respawned or not... Thankfully, it hadn't.
"Now then... How exactly should I go about this? Should I try to take control of the party members... ? No, the guild master will cut me down instantly. Then..."
Yurei clearly knew about what he had to do. Rather, it was his only option.
"... I'll need to possess the guild master..."
Frowning, he opened the skill screen in front of him.
[
{ Possession }:
Cooldown: None.
Temporarily take over the target's body. Once possessed, you can use the target's skill and abilities for an appropriate amount of MP. Continuously drains MP when you possess a body.
Chances of succeeding in the possession depend on the target's mental state as well as their Hunter rank.
*All cooldown times for the abilities apply when using the target's skills
*You are not capable of possessing a target above A-rank. Trying to do so and failing will have dire consequences
*The target can continue to resist you while you control their body
*You can not use your default skills when in control of the target's body
*When you take over a body, the target's HP & stats become your own. MP is not affected
*When in enraged state, you can increase the target's stats by a single rank. In normal state, the chances of doing so are halved. Does not work on monsters
*This skill consumes no MP
]
The skill didn't say that it was impossible to possess someone above A-rank... Rather he wasn't capable of doing so.
The skill description hadn't changed after levelling up... But the word "failing" caught Yurei's attention.
"If I can fail the possession... Then does it mean that I can still try to possess someone above A-rank?"
Logic would state that, but Yurei was sceptical.
"Well, if the worst-case scenario, I'll just run away."
He could just de-materialize and dash through the obstacles.
Taking a deep breath (?), the spirit walked out of the temple.
After moving for a few minutes, he heard noises nearby.
"Let's dematerialize and see if I can ambush them..."
As soon as Yurei muttered that, his body disappeared. Immediately after, a large group of people stepped out from between the trees.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with sharp eyes.
"Guild master Rio..."
He was sure that Rio would be coming, but in the corner of his heart, he had hoped that the old Hunter wouldn't come.
However...
"I can feel you, Axel. Show yourself."
Not only he was leading the group, he also found out Yurei in a few moments.
Finding no other choice, Yurei materialized.
"It's great to see you again, Guild Master."
Yurei bowed slightly and looked at the man before him.
His materialized body didn't have a mouth, only two glowing eyes. But his voice was carried to the group clearly, echoing through the forest.
"So you have really returned, Axel."
Relieved that his voice could be heard by others even without possessing a body, Yurei replied with a laugh.
"It seems so, Guild Master."
His reply shocked the entire group, causing everyone to fall silent. Rio stared at him for a few moments before asking,
"Did you kill Bayek and the others?"
"I did."
"Not even going to hide it... Huh. Can you tell me why?"
Rio sighed and grabbed his sword hard.
"Isn't it obvious? It's me who we're talking about, Guild Master."
"... It was for revenge, then?"
"Exactly... And on that note, Guild Master Rio... Can you kindly step aside? I'd like to kill the people behind you."
Yurei said with a jolly voice, but his eyes were gleaming with malice.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Axel... I don't remember you being so hostile before... Why don't we talk this out?'
Rio pleaded with a gentle look, but Yurei shook his head.
"Talk? Talk about what, exactly?"
His voice became cold and hostile.
"About you passing on peacefully. I know you are hurting. It must be hard to be wandering on this unforgiving earth after dying with so much pain."
Rio's eyes showed true worry and pity. But...
"Huh? Hurting? What are you talking about, Guild Master? I am fine the way I am now."
Yurei sighed as he said so. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth trying to change Rio's mind.
He prepared for battle.
"I am not hurting, Guild Master. However, I can't let those guys go either. So... For the final time, please step aside."
Yurei hissed and dematerialized.
"I can't do that... If you aren't going to pass on peacefully, then I'll have to force you!"
Rio growled and aimed his sword at where Yurei was.
He was going to put down the unfortunate soul once and for all.