A guild member can take missions from the mission hall corresponding to their rank. All except S-class missions, they are assigned personally by the guild leader.
Jon being an A-rank he was allowed to take an A-class mission but he couldn't tackle the mission with his current strength alone, so he ended up taking a C-class mission and a B-class mission. The location of both mission is in close proximity to each other.
The C-rank mission is to liberate an island from a military group known as the Red Cross, who used scientifically advanced weapon to take over the island. The name of the island is Tenro island. The mission status is a C-class because the group doesn't have any mages in their ranks.
The B-class mission is to identify and neutralize a suspected 4-star initial stage mage who is controlling all the gangs in the Windgaze city, going by the pseudonym Ashura. He is slowly taking control over the port and all other viable business in the area with the help of the gangs. Tenro island is 17 Km off the coast of Windgaze city. For this reason Jon believe that Ashura could also be responsible for what is happening in Tenro island.
'I don't know Ashura's true identity, it would have been way easier if I did. So I have no other option but to go to Tenro island first and deal with the Red Skull. If my guess is right then the Ashura guy will make his appearance to deal with me, same as in all the novels and even if he doesn't I could find clues about his identity if he has any kind of relation with the Red Skull.' With that decided Jon to take a boat from Windgaze city to Tenro island.
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After reaching the island Jon went straight to meet with the client. The client was the master of Interception Fist Dojo, and his name is Mathew Li. The island is famous for its martial arts dojo's. But due to the occupation of the Red Skull the dojo's are forced to join hands with the Red Skull or pay outrageous taxes. Many tried to protest but where overwhelmed by the artilleries and cyborgs the Red skull possess. Mathew Li was the one of the few Martial art masters holding on without joining the Red skull.
Mathew Li is a man in his late forties, well built and has a sharp face.
Jon and Mathew where going over the specific of the mission when they heard a commotion outside the dojo.
"Mathew Li! Come out"
When Jon and Mathew came outside they saw a man in a officer's uniform of the Red skull followed by many grunts pointing their guns at Jon and Mathew. There was also a disciple of the dojo standing besides the officer.
'If I was alone I could fight my way through. With the Mana Guardian they couldn't even scratch my skin with their toys. But Mathew is the client and his death now would be considered as a mission failure.' So Jon decided to observe for now.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Mathew yelled at the officer.
"This is the last time I am gonna offer you a position in the Red skull. You can either accept and join our ranks or you can die where you stand. Even your precious disciple has joined our ranks." The officer said walking up and offering his hand to Mathew.
And Mathew takes the offered hand surprising Jon. Jon knew that Mathew has a deep hatred for the Red Skull. They came to the island and looted all the riches, started imposing taxes and forced the people into labor, working for them in making weapons and for other menial tasks. The only reason they offered martial artist to join them was to turn them into combat cyborgs.
"Rejoice in the decision you made today" the officer told Mathew.
"Rejoice your ass!" instead of shaking hands Mathew twist the officer's hand behind his back and chock holds him with the left hand taking him hostage.
"master calm down, don't do anything foolish!" Robert the disciple who joined the Red skull pleaded. The grunts where also surprised at the turn of events and was now on edge hands on the trigger waiting for the order.
"Tell your men to give us a way out, or I will break your neck." Mathew threatens the officer.
"Don't shoot! Let him through…" the officer commanded frightened for his life.
Jon and Mathew walked towards the harbour with the Red skull officer as a hostage.
"Hey, you! That's right, I'm talking to you! Why are you still standing about? Do you want me to kill your officer?"Mathew yelled kicking a nearby Red skull grunt blocking his way.
"All of you, listen to him, step back!" the officer yelled out.
'We are close to the harbour, as long as we can…' Jon's thought was cut short as a bullet hit Mathew in the left shoulder out of no where. This loosened Mathew's hold on the officer giving him the opportunity to escape.
"Shit, there was a sniper lying in wait!" Jon yelled jumping in front of Mathew to protect him from more bullets fired by the grunts. The bullets just bounced off of Jon like they hit an impenetrable. Most 3 star initial stage mages would have been dead by now but Jon wasn't most mages. Jon's mastery of Mana Guardian made him bullet proof.
'it's good that the bullets isn't stuck in his shoulder.' Jon thought looking over his injury with the help of Healing Touch.
"Stay behind me!" Jon told Mathew after healing his injury. The Red skull grunts where still firing there guns but it had no effect on Jon.
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (HATRED): 0.01 (GEORGE) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (FEAR): 0.01 (GEORGE) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (HATRED): 0.01 (MARK) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (FEAR): 0.01 (MARK) ]
…
…
…
'What a stunning amount of source points! Awesome!' Jon thought in delight looking at the notification. Jon ran straight for them with Mathew follow close behind him to take cover from the bullets. The grunts tried to back away and maintain the distance but compared to Jon's improved physique they where moving at a snail's pase. Jon was upon them in a seconds and started kicking and punching. With each blow that connects a grunt goes down spiting blood.
'He is very unrefined! He has great strength and speed but lacks fighting style.' Mathew thought looking at Jon fight.
With Jon handling all the grunts Mathew went for the officer but was intercepted by his disciple Robert.
"Master please, reconsider!" Robert pleaded.
But Mathew was not in the mood to talk to him after his betrayal, so he started attacking vigorously but Mathew was not able to give his all in the fight as he had to mind his surroundings, unless he wanted to end up dead. This led to Mathew being pushed back by Robert in the fight.
After dealing with the grunts, Jon went for the officer who was trying to run away.
"I will smash your head in!" Jon shouted.
"Someone… someone please help me!" the officer begged desperately trying to escape.
Robert pushed back and came between Jon and the officer blocking Jon's punch, but ending up with a broken bone in the process.
"Wonderful the Cyborgs are here!" someone shouted, as a group of five cyborgs who looked like Frankenstein's monster's with metal parts sticking out of them came charging towards Jon.
"What are these freaks?!" Jon was repulsed by the cyborgs.
The cyborgs where huge towering figures with some bulking muscles and mechanical parts replacing some body parts like they where sewed on to them. Even their faces where disfigured. They where more like a zombie cyborg hybrid. It was a horrid sight to behold.
A cyborg with metal took a swing at Jon. 'They are physically as strong a Sigyn.' Jon thought receiving the punch.
"Mathew get out of here!" Jon yelled .
"Follow me I know a place to lay low for a while." Saying that Mathew jumped into the sea swimming away.
One of the cyborgs with a laser cannon for a hand took aim towards the retreating Mathew and fired. Seeing Mathew in danger Jon jumped in front of the laser beam and was blasted out into the sea.
'Crap! A few more shots like that will destroy my defense.' Jon assumed taking the damage he took from the laser cannon into consideration. Jon used the healing touch to revitalize him self and swam away with Mathew. The laser canon took a few minutes to recharge after each round of fire, so they didn't have to face anymore laser canon during their escape.
"Captain, they got away." Reported a grunt to the officer after Jon and Mathew disappeared into the ocean.
"Get on the speed boats and go look for them." The officer commanded in anger and hatred for Jon and Mathew.
"After knowing the power of the cyborgs, I don't think they will ever mess with the Red Skull ever again." The officer said as he walked towards Robert, who was on the ground with a broken arm.
"He crippled my hands…with a single punch…" Robert said in despair.
"He was a mage from the mainland. The reason we are developing these technologies is to put an end to those mages and claim the entire Kree empire in the name of Red Skull. He had no other option but to run facing the might of the Red skull Cyborgs." The officer told Robert.
"Robert, you saved my life just now and has proven your loyalty, and the Red Skull is always generous to it's friends. Martial artists, such as yourself will only become stronger after becoming a cyborg. Besides, only by accepting the transformation can your arms be restored to their original state and not be a disabled." The officer said coxing Robert into accepting his offer to be a cyborg.
"I… I… I accept." Robert accepted without any other hope of recovery.
"That's a very wise decision. When the time comes you will represent the Red skull and thoroughly crush the martial artists of this island." The officer said with a creepy smile on his face.
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Jon and Mathew where hiding out in a deserted island, near Tenro island.
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (HATRED): 0.001 (WALKER) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (HATRED): 0.001 (MORGEN) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (HATRED): 0.001 (ROBERT) ]
…
…
…
'Not bad since I ran amok, the enemy is providing me with a lot of source points. I should try upgrading my Healing Touch as soon as I obtain enough source points. I am going to need a lot of stamina, if I'm to take on all the Red skull members and cyborgs on my own.' Jon thought looking at the Source point notifications.
"Tell me, have you ever practiced martial arts before?" Mathew asked Jon munching on a wild berry.
"No, I have only practiced magic skills." Jon answered not knowing where Mathew was going with this.
'Just as I thought, he is a diamond in the rough!' Mathew was exalted, thinking about getting Jon as his new disciple.
"Right now you don't have any fighting style, all your moves are just regular punches and kicks, without any proper form. This leaves you with a lot of openings for the enemy to attack. With your magic defense and good physique, you would be perfect for the Interception Fist. What do you think, want to learn my Interception Fist?" Mathew asked Jon to be his disciple.
"Okay, it's high time that I learnt a proper fighting style!"
'My current fighting style is to exchange blows with my enemy and the reason I was able to win till now with this style of fighting was because of my Mana Guardian and Healing Touch. I can't win using the same method when it comes to superior enemies or a large group.' Jon thought deciding to learn the Interception Fist.
"Good, then let's get started right now. We don't even have a minute to waste! In 3 weeks time is the annual martial arts competition of Tenro island. This year the Red Skull is planning to show off the power of Red Skull cyborg against martial artists, to crush any hope the people have of opposing the Red Skull. Now with you fighting under the name of Interception Fist Dojo. We will be able to arouse the people to fight back against the Red Skull." Mathew explained his plan to Jon.
----------- END OF CHAPTER ----------
Note: The Martial art masters of Tenro island don't use any supernatural energy like mana so all their abilities are purely based on their physical power so their limits would be the same as in the real world.