"BOOOM!!"
With a thunderous boom that resonated throughout the area, the mysterious youth in a dark cloak violently soared through the air.
Kiyo leaped forward once again before the young man could even land on the ground.
Raising his arms in a cross-shaped block, the mysterious man in black prepared for impact as Kiyo raised his fist.
Before the expected impact could occur, a spear materialized seemingly out of thin air, intercepting the incoming attack. Wielding it appeared a mysterious figure - a man with a long white beard and dark cloak, seemingly emerging from the shadows to intervene.
"Stop!" The man with a long white beard intervened.
Alongside the first man appeared a third individual in black, whose dark skin seamlessly matched the darkness of his cloak, conveniently positioned to cushion the youth in the dark cloak from the impact upon landing.
Soon after, Violet appeared beside Kiyo, brandishing her fearful sawed blade, ready to battle anytime.
The duo, shrouded in mysterious black hoods, stood stoically opposite the three men draped in ominous dark cloaks, creating an eerie atmosphere that evoked a sense of a fierce clash between rival cults.
The aura of the oppositions evoked by their eerie attires exhibits that of a battle between cults.
"State yourselves." Kiyo declared calmly as he brandished his sharp ominous blade.
"Calm down, we are not here to fight." The elder with long white beard stated, acting as the leading figure of the opposite side.
"We are from the northern district." Said the old man, "at least we used to." A hint of longing appeared in his eyes in a matter of split a second.
Kiyo grew wary as soon as he heard that the opposite side were from the northern district; there were too many suspicious event occurring in this area that he can't afford to be careless.
"Identify yourselves, what're your intentions in approaching us; especially mid-battle."
"I apologize if the actions of our junior bothered you, we are simply wary of any human that appears in this godforsaken world." The man answered.
"I am Dias La Grada, these two are my grandsons." The elderly man with white beard introduced himself.
"This young one with dark skin is Isbern La Grada, whilst the one you had a skirmish with is named Sergio La Grada." He added.
"I'm sorry if my presence caused you any sense of danger." Sergio said apologetically.
He was truly humbled by the display of strength shown by the other party.
"I'm Kiyo, beside me is Violet."
Kiyo decided against revealing their full name as he was still wary of the unknown origin of the people.
"Tell me what happened in the northern district, sir." He questioned as he motioned for Violet to sheath her blade.
"Fine, but talking here seems inappropriate." Dias replied politely.
"Sure, let's find a quieter place then."
What quieter place do you even look for? Isn't the streets of the apocalypse quiet enough for you?
Is what Sergio wanted to shout.
Soon, the group of five arrived in an abandoned building of a pub.
"Grandpa, I'll stand guard at the entrance." Isbern suggested, unwilling to let his cautious nature relax in this world roamed by beasts.
"So, now tell me." Kiyo said as he grabbed a bottle of beer he carefully picked among the damaged ones.
"We used to be part of a base called Orion Corps." Dias pulled out a token carved with an emblem of a circular shield with a blade that pierces through a heart.
Kiyo's eyes trembled with a mixture of frustration and resentment as he gazed intensely at the token, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
It was the very token that signifies the betrayal he endured!
"What's the matter? Do you perharps have any idea about this emblem?"
"Who's the leader of your camp?" His eyes bloodshot as he slightly raised his voice.
"Our camp is divided between the Crimson Light led by Sir Jimmy and the Enigma Force led by Sir Ivan."
'Fuckk! These bastards are indeed fated.'
"Do you know the origin of this insignia, sir?" Dias asked once again in curiosity.
"Of course, I know it…. too.. well." Each word of his were greatly emphasized.
According to his memories of his past life, this emblem was used by their team in the apocalypse.
It was Yumi, his ex-girlfriend who suggested it.
'She seemed to have revealed that this emblem was supposed used by her commissioner for a sports team.'
'If I remember correctly, that bastard Ivan is the leader of a basketball team. It seemed like that bitch has been cheating with that bastard since before the apocalypse.'
The anger in his eyes subsided as he drank the remaining booze he could find.
"Continue."
"As you can see, we have left the base now. All because of those bastards Ivan and Jimmy, their power struggles caused too much death inside the base." Dias' eyes were fuming with rage, the table was crushed with his grip.
"Oh, elaborate what is happening in the base." Kiyo's interest was piqued.
"The two has been competing against each other to become the supreme ruler of the base since its establishment." "Sir Ivan appeared to have advantage with Miss Yumi as his supporter, however Sir Jimmy is closer to breaking through to the 4th stage."
"HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Those bastards are actually stuck at the 3rd stage!" Kiyo laughed histerically.
"You seemed to be at the peak of stage 3 yourself, while your grandsons are also stage 3." Violet intercepted before Dias could say a word.
"Yes, as the base view us as a threat, we are now being hunted by all the experts of the base-"
"Please accept us into your team." Before Dias could finish speaking, Sergio intercede as he bowed in front of the other party.
"How could I trust you?" Kiyo raised an eyebrow on the actions of the other party.
"We are willing to be your subordinates, sire. As long as you don't do anything harmful to us, we will be loyal." Dias declared.
"Well then, would you do the honor of joining our base, the… Anasthrawa Domain!"
Author: From now on the Domain/Stronghold will officially be named Anasthrawa Domain/Realm.
"We pledge our allegiance to our Lord Kiyo!" The grandsons and grandpa trio shouted in unison.
Isbern, who was said to be guarding the place, is now present as he was discreetly spying on the conversations of the group.
'May the Heavens bless us for choosing to follow this powerful young one. I only hope that this is the right choice.' Dias silently chanted.
"Lead us tomorrow, we'll attack the Orion Corps as soon as the 'others' arrived." Kiyo declared.
"You mean.."
"Yes, we have to deal with the pursuer of our new members, right?" Kiyo said as he smiled. 'System, turn the three new residents into subordinates and purchase 20 vials of evolution.'
[ Ding! Dias La Grada, Sergio La Grada, and Isbern La Grada has been turned into subordinates.
Subordinates (lvl 2 domain)
10/50
Ding! Purchase Successful! ]
"Drink these and cultivate for the time being, we'll set out as soon as 'they' arrived."
Kiyo said as he handed out 10 vials to Dias and divided the other half to the two.
'Could it be… the Lord will be assembling the force of the Anasthwara to deal with the Orion Corps?' Dias wondered about the meaning behind Kiyo's words.
End of Chapter 20.
Sorry for the late updates guys! I've been really busy and often sick these past few weeks 'cause of a few personal life matters to deal with. I'll try my best to write more chapters.