"It can't be; these kids couldn't possibly be responsible for that attack. Why in the world are the panda and cat helping them fight beasts?" Kron thought, his expression extremely puzzled as he watched the unfolding battle.
A while ago, thanks to his experience, they had quickly found the gateway and decided to wait for their targets to finish them off and claim this goldmine.
For the past few minutes, they had been waiting on the sixth floor when they heard loud noises from below. Looking down, they saw a group of three children, aided by two beasts, taking out sandworm after sandworm.
Although their fighting style was very crude and unrefined, it did the job. Still, from everything they were seeing, Kron was seriously doubting if the children were the ones responsible for the attack or if there was someone else inside.
Had they been tricked by that bastard? Was the dimensional rift already days old, and had someone already claimed it?
"Whatever the reason might be, I'm sure these brats weren't responsible for that tsunami," Kron thought, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "Regardless, we'll wait for whoever is inside and deal with them... besides, everything in the western region belongs to Lord Felix Armstrong!"
***
"Judgment slash!"
The arc of light emerged from the sword with a fierce whoosh sound, slicing through the air as it inched closer to the three slow kids. They had not even seen when Kron made the swing! He was that swift and experienced. All they could do was widen their eyes in horror.
Whatever that attack was, it wouldn't just graze their skin. Nox knew this because of the sheer killing intent he felt from Kron. He knew he needed to do something before they were sliced in half.
Before he could act, though, Thirteen, who had remained beside him, jumped to the front, standing in the path of the approaching slash and the three kids. He clenched his fist, feeling the hate his father had for this man through their connection.
He had promised himself to always deal with any obstacles that stood in his father's path, and in this moment, he was doing exactly that.
Opening his mouth, a mighty roar that seemed to shake the heavens was heard, and a tsunami of water exploded out of the panda's mouth, heading towards the visual sword slash.
"My god! It's really them!" Kron's eyes widened when he saw the familiar deluge of water. The monstrous wave easily swallowed the visual sword slash.
"Shit, as expected not even Judgment Slash could stop it in such close proximity." Kron smiled bitterly, but he would be damned if that was the only skill in his arsenal.
"Flash Step!" he shouted, activating a warrior skill that made his body move on autopilot, escaping the trajectory of the giant wave capable of drowning a small city. He had no choice but to use Flash Step to appear in the ceiling and slash the roof open, soaring into the air.
His other three companions weren't that lucky, though.
"Shit!"
"We're doomed... Senior Kron abandoned us!"
Because they were just normal soldiers for the Duke, they weren't that experienced and were directly swept away by the wave. A large part of the wall of the lighthouse had broken off due to the sheer pressure of the water. The water carried the two away from there.
However, the foundation of the building was compromised. It was already in poor condition, and the flood of water further weakened it. Parts of the building began falling off, crashing beside the children and waking them from their stupor.
Resisting the urge to pick up the cute panda and shower it with kisses, Nox shouted in a booming voice, "Pass through the porta--"
Bang!
But his shout was interrupted by a loud thunderous sound mixed with water splashing on the wall, the remains of the lighthouse wall.
Nox and everyone's eyes locked onto the person in front of them, and their hearts beat quickened. With his braid flying about in the wind coming from the blasted portion of the lighthouse, Kron had a serious expression on his face as he looked at the children.
They were no ordinary children.
"Beasts are meant to devour humans. This is the first time I have seen one helping a human. And the tsunami... was it the doing of the little panda that seems so fragile and harmless? It seems I'll have to change my plan... the kids will die, but the panda is coming back with me to the Duchy!"
Shing! Shing!
Kron's sword flashed through the air. If one looked closely, they might even witness tears in the air. If it were not for their current situation, the children would have been amazed by the sword display, but instead, it only made their hearts pound more fiercely in their chests.
Suddenly, Kron stopped his flaunt and looked at the kids, his sword ablaze with a wild flame that seemed eager to devour anything in its path.
This was another of Kron's skills! Flame of Annihilation!
"I looked down on you kids, which goes against warrior code 5: never look down on your opponent, but I won't make that mistake any more--"
"Dammit... I'd be damned if I let this panda take all the spotlight, witness the might of the great Fluffington!"
Suddenly, the fat white cat, bigger than normal, leaped up with agility that looked impossible for its size and struck the face of the unsuspecting Kron with its claws.
Fluffington's claws dug deep across Kron's face, leaving a mark. Temporarily blinded, Kron swayed on his feet. Using this opportunity, the three kids, along with the panda and cat, bolted through the portal, disappearing completely. It was a matter of time before Kron regained his bearings. They feared if he did, all hell would break loose and they wouldn't be this lucky again.
"Even the cat! This is interesting!" Kron, having regained himself, spat out and dived through the portal, giving mad chase. No matter what, he must get rid of the children and claim that panda and the cat for his lord.
However, immediately upon stepping through the gateway that led outside, his body rammed into a bony structure, and he unceremoniously fell back, sitting on his butt. A grimace appeared on his face. Why did his body hurt so much? Was there a tree in front of the dimensional rift?
Just then, when he was grimacing, he heard a voice.
"I was wondering where you little twerps had been... who would have thought you'd be inside a dimensional rift of all places, and... who is this weird-looking fellow?"
***
AN: This book now supports Golden Tickets; please vote! And starting tomorrow, there will be two chapters daily. Then after going premium, there will be three or even four! But to have four chapters daily, I'll need your support! So shower me with Power Stones and Golden Tickets!