The citizens of Earth were flabbergasted for a second upon seeing the announcement.
What used to be just A-grade key fragments turned into S-grade.
Identical notions alarmed their minds.
"S-grade monsters... Are we going to face them sooner?", consequently, they mulled over.
The announcement symbolized the evolving threats of monsters.
On a side note, the governments and guilds were frantic in securing the key fragments along with risks, they couldn't possibly miss out on the chance to access a loftier hunting ground.
In Jakarta, Indonesia, Arthur's jer landed at the private airport close to the Dufan - an amusement park where the S-grade key fragment appeared past his regression.
Beside their jet, another jet occupied the airport.
Arthur glanced at the sight of the logo flashing an image of thunder.
"Lightning Development Company"
It was the second most prosperous company in the world, leading the technology industry. Their brand lay in their innovative technologies infused with magic.
'He's already here, huh', Arthur pondered.
Immediately, Arthur drove off towards Dufan, seated in a taxi booked by Echo beforehand.
Minutes after, Echo and Arthur arrived at the amusement park. The parking was crowded with congested entrance hindering their entry.
It was already past midnight yet the amusement park was crammed with people of brimming energies. Mascots of famed awakened engaged with visitors whilst blinding hues glimmer atop each funhouse.
Screams filled with laughter broke the silence of the dusk as diverse rides drove the excited guests to madness.
Among these rides, Arthur's gaze was piqued by the Roller Coaster where a golden fragment attached to the topmost box girder resided.
"Do you want to ride the roller coaster, young master?", Echo intercepted his thoughts.
Arthur couldn't see the golden fragment from a distance. The item was still in the process of materializing and would take an hour before it fully materialized.
The crowd eventually pushed him farther as he set foot in the amusement park.
Echo blocked the frantic crowd as they struggled their way toward the coaster.
As they pushed their way, a familiar voice pricked Arthur's ears.
It was the voice of a young man, cracking at times as he screamed his lungs out, pervading the erratic crowd. It was coming from the line ahead, a crowd before the roller coaster ride.
'Godspeed...', Arthur pondered.
It was the 6th rank during the Ten Countries Era and also one of the returnees.
Axel known as Godspeed, is the son of the CEO of Lightning Company. He was also one of the youngest survivors during the Ten Countries Era.
Arthur was not fond of Axel's traits, particularly his loud mouth that never ceased to make nuisances.
"You punk! Did you just touch my butt?!", Axel screamed in the forefront.
The line was too tight that hands wandered to wherever.
Axel felt a touch from his butt that he screamed at the man behind him.
Eventually peering through the crowd, Arthur beamed at seeing Axel lagging behind the line.
'It seems that no other returnees made it to this place.', Arthur speculated.
As there were only hours between their regression and the appearance of the key fragment, the other returnees weren't able to arrive at the site on time.
It was only Arthur and Axel who were close to Indonesia and owned a private jet made their appearances.
'Less competition, much better.', Arthur thought.
Somehow, he had already speculated the appearance of Axel, after all, he was only living in Australia.
With a tall figure of 180 cm, slightly bigger round sky-blue eyes, thick brows, and spiked hair, Axel emitted the aura of a school bully who would punch someone for no justifiable reason.
His mouth ran after another. Beside him was his personal butler who was quite younger than Echo. His skin complexion was brighter and whiter than the latter.
With only half an hour left before the key materialized, Arthur made his way to Axel.
"Still as loud as ever, Godspeed.", Arthur spoke in the language of god.
Echo found it unusual as the words appeared static to their ears. They couldn't understand any letter escaping Arthur's mouth.
It was the language of the gods, fused to their status window upon clearance of the 8th challenge.
It was also for this reason that survivors from different countries could communicate during the later times.
Hearing the words spoken in the language of gods, Axel froze at the spot as his interest in the man vanished in an instant.
He sluggishly shifted his head to the source of the voice.
Standing before him, the familiar face during the Ten Countries Era brought nostalgia to his bones.
Feigning a smile, Axel exchanged greetings with Arthur.
"Kekeke, to think that I would be seeing you again, brat!", Axel thumped the shoulder of Arthur who appeared small before him.
It was this exact thing that Arthur disliked about Axel.
"We're about the same age, don't call me a brat, idiot.", Arthur brandished off the hand of Axel. This time, he deliberately used English in uttering the cursive word.
Echo faltered for a moment upon hearing the unusual word coming out of his young master's voice. Had he not been trained to be reserved, he would have smacked his face by now.
After a few more taunts thrown by Axel, Arthur eventually heaved a sigh as he directly expressed his thoughts.
"It seems that you are also after the key fragment and just like you, I have no intention of giving up the item.", Arthur knew that theoretically, Axel had the right to own the item as he came to the site before him.
However, he had not acquired the item yet thus this right could be dismissed.
'I cannot beat him in terms of strength but, Axel is a simple-minded guy. I can win this.', Arthur pondered.
Having schemed his means of winning against Axel, Arthur instantly uttered his proposal.
"How about having a bet? The winner gets the right to acquire the key fragment.", Arthur proposed, his lips curved in an upright manner as to taunt Axel.
Seeing his scornful gaze, Axel felt a sudden rush to prove his power and smash Arthur's confidence.
"What bet? Keke, surely it's not some child play, right?", Axel snickered
Arthur swayed his hand in denial, he then plastered confident looks before proceeding with his words.
'Axel hates overly confident individuals. He wants to crash their confidence to pieces. A real brat.'
"How about this, the situation just came right, there is an F-grade portal inside that fun house over there. The first one to clear the portal will win the rights over the item. What do you think?", Arthur pointed toward a fun house beside the roller coaster.
A dungeon of this caliber didn't exert much danger thus they were turned into amusement in this fun house.
Besides, the dungeon was well-maintained and secured.
Hearing his proposal, Axel didn't spur a moment to analyze as his confidence soared at the notion of dungeon hunting.
'After all, he is Godspeed, the fastest man alive.', Arthur pondered.
Clearing an F-grade dungeon was a walk in the park to Axel.
"Kekeke, are you sure? Dungeon clearing. Keke"
"I am certain. Of course, using of items is allowed."
"Fair enough. Keke", Axel agreed anyway thinking that Arthur must be confident of his item.
'No matter what item you use, no one ever beat my dungeon clearance record. Keke', Axel was overflowing with confidence, rooted to his top streak in clearance time before regression.
With their agreement settled, the two walk towards the funhouse a meter beside the coaster. Echo and Axel's personal butler followed suit, oblivious to the agreement and the conversation that transpired between the two.