"What do I think?"
Zephiroth is 'that' person Braxton talked about. He was the most heinous criminal on Earth. He is scheming and strong, and he killed millions of lives.
If Arthur is a Hero in fairytales, then Zephiroth is the Villain. There is a rumor that he will harvest innocent lives as long as he wants
Zephiroth established the Crimson League. He is the leader of the largest Criminal Organization on Earth. The number of members is unknown but some speculated that it's even higher than the Roundtable.
To have 19 SS rank at the same rank as him, How could Zephiroth can tame these people?
Remember, Zephiroth is not an SSS rank yet he was able to conquer 19, now 18 SS-rankers. It's unbelievable... Even Arthur who was an SSS rank couldn't control the members of the Roundtable.
The question cannot be answered. It's unknown. No one but the 18 SS-ranker knows the reason.
"Do not pursue this matter... I'm afraid it's not something we can handle." Zephiroth put his hands behind his back. His eyes did not waver, it was still composed.
"That's a surprise, I never thought I would hear that from you Zephiroth. Are you afraid?" A man in a black cloak emerged from the ground, scoffing at Zephiroth.
"Me? Afraid? No...you misunderstood me, Cael. We have more important to do, you don't have the right to doubt my capabilities. You should know better, Cael." Zephiroth chuckled at his subordinate's provocation. If it weren't for the crucial matter, he would have held that person responsible for killing his subordinate.
"You're no fun Zephiroth. The person who killed Braxton is strong but compared to you, he is nothing, isn't that what you're thinking?"
Zephiroth stared at Cael for a second before he said.
"Remember, this our chance. We cannot delay this matter any longer."
"Yeah, Yeah, you're ignoring me again...well if it's you. You should be able to defeat the person who killed Braxton. Now, after we complete the matter, you're going to get even stronger... Possibly stronger than that Arthur."
"..."
"Don't be shy~ hahaha... We should send people to search for the culprit."
"As long it doesn't disturb our plan. We already lost an important piece." Zephiroth didn't object. 'Whoever killed Braxton must be killed... How unlucky, the timing is not right.'
...
Deep in the woods. Far from the location where Braxton and Kim Yo-han fought. Hwang Myeong-suk and the others were still fighting some monsters.
Kim Yo-han left the command to Jin Hyunjun temporarily. This guy has experience, so he should be able to command. Well, Jin Hyunjun did not disappoint Kim Yo-han.
Jin Hyunjun leads the team to fight monsters that are of the same rank as the team. No, it would be more accurate to say, Kim Yo-han gave them an artifact to locate monsters.
Everyone was confused about the artifact. They wanted to ask Kim Yo-han but Jin Hyunjun who knows, did not ask anything and dragged the team along with him.
Right now, the time is almost dusk. The sky is slowly turning into night. But the beautiful sunset could not be appreciated as they are in the valley surrounded by tall mountains.
The team stopped hunting monsters and camped in an open area where, again, Kim Yo-han pointed to them. They erected tents that the Support Division gave to them and some camping sets.
"How many monsters did we kill today... My arms are sore argh~" Hwang Myeong-suk's voice sounded dry and she seemed tired. She and the others are sitting on a log by the bonfire.
"Myeong-suk, don't complain. Here eat first." Kim Hayan passes a bowl of meat soup with veggies to Hwang Myeong-suk.
"Thank you Unnie...mm~ this soup is delicious... Yuna why are you quiet?" She turns her head to the side where Yoon Yuna is sitting beside her.
"...Mana drain." Yoom Yuna's eyes lacked energy and she answered without stuttering.
"You worked hard. Casting so many spells... On the contrary, these two are not even tired." Hwang Myeong-suk glances at the two men eating across them.
"Here Yuna, have soup." Kim Hayan passes another bowl of soup to Yoon Yuna.
"Unnie you're so amazing~" Yoon Yuna reached out to the soup and took a sip.
"Haha, Whatever do you mean Myeong-suk-ssi? We are also very tired, you know. We can't let make ourselves look weak in front of you girls." Jin Hyunjun replied wryly as he scratched the back of his head.
"Tch, are you trying to get on our good sides? Hmph~ Sorry but I only have Yo-han in my heart." Hwang Meyong-suk put her hand on her chest as she was surrounded by a dreamy aura.
"Of course not, how could I have thought at our guild master's woman? You gotta be kidding. I still wanna live long." Jin Hyunjun waves his hands in panic. That wasn't good for his heart.
"Pfft haha, good good, I like to hear that. Oh, Hyunjun-ssi you are good with words. I will forgive your insolence hahaha." Hwang Myeong-suk laughed heartily as she felt very proud of what Jin Hyunjun said.
"Hyung when did you learn to lick boots?"
"...Hahaha, experience. Don't ask. Just remember, do not offend any women that are close to your Boss."
"Eh? I don't know what you mean but I understand... This meat is wonderful. Just one bowl and I'm almost full. It's just like Boss's cooking."
"Well, if it's you, you can handle it perfectly. This meat is from a Ferocious Deer. It's known for its delicious meat." Jin Hyunjun replied to Imchul as he bit the meat.
"You know, Hana and Yo-han are very late... Just where are they? Don't tell me!? Yo-han is that what you are really into?! Oh no~ Yo-han you can- Ouch!"
Before Hwang Myeong-suk could imagine any unimaginable thing. She was stopped by a chop on her head.
"What the you talking about? Your thoughts are too dirty."
Kim Yo-han and Kim Hana appeared behind Hwang Myeong-suk. Kim Hana who heard her words was blushing wildly.
"Ah, Yo-han~ you're back!" Hwang Myeong-suk stood up quickly and leaped into Kim Yo-han. But she was stopped by his hand by grabbing her head.
"Behave yourself... I see that all of you have improved." Kim Yo-han sat next to Yoon Yuna. Hwang Myeong-suk shamelessly sits next to him very closely.
After confessing her love. Hwang Myeong-suk was not afraid of showing her affection. Kim Yo-han is not rejecting her, so there is no way she would give up just because he didn't answer her. On the contrary, it gave her a boost.
Kim Yo-han is also in dilemma. He needs time... The memory he saw in Jin Hyunjun, He, and Hwang Myeong-suk are lovers.
In other words, he cannot decide on the best course of action.
Kim Hayan passed him some soup and they all began eating merrily. Talking about some trivial things, some mistakes they encountered.
"Oh yeah, does anyone know how long this war would last?" Hwang Myeong-suk asked.
"That's very hard to predict. If this was a full-blown war, it could last a week or so. But it depends on either side, It may be months or years." Kim Yo-han casually replied to her.
"That long?!"
"Should be? I don't know... How about you Hyunjun do you know something?" Kim Yo-han shrugged his shoulders. He knew but he didn't want to be obvious.
"Hmm as Guildmaster said, it's hard to predict the outcome. According to the information we received, the history of wars usually lasts a week or two. So it should be the same this time."
"Does that mean we are going to scout this area for a week or two?... I cannot imagine being on the frontline." Hwang Myeong-suk shivered at the thought of fighting for a week straight.
"That's the case. Just like what Division leaders Shana and Ziba said to us, we are lucky to be assigned to the support division. Furthermore, we are assigned to the area where Demons would not come." Kim Yo-han said. Then he added.
"Also, I can train you all. Once the war ends, you all should be able to step on A-rank!"
"What?! That fast!"
"If you follow my training, I will be able to."
"...I got a bad feeling about this." Hwang Myeong-suk felt her hair standing.
"Hehe, You can't back out now."
'Ah, we're doomed.' Everyone thought the same thing.
...
Frontline
Arthur and Hardoku's fight lasted over half a day and yet they still didn't conclude the battle. Hardoku was forced to retreat by the Demon's commander.
Gerad also called Arthur back. Now that, the Demons retreated to their camp. There is no reason for the Humans to pursue the Demons.
[Individual Ranking
1: Arthur Evan Pendragon
2: Vincent Ruska
3: Lin Fantian
.
.]
[Group Ranking
1. Knights of Round
2. Dragon Palace
3. Bear Kingdom
.
.]
...
Unknown area
"We are here. Hahaha, Finally I'm back to this place."
"..."
The Crimson League members are standing at the entrance of a cave. The cave is formed of a skull and its hollow eyes looked eerie.