Locus paused and looked Genken in the eyes.
For five seconds, the two of them didn't move an inch.
"You were what?"
"Well, I didn't submit my resignation, so I guess I technically still am a member, but I don't work for the guild anymore.
It's been like that for a few years now."
"You were a member of the Mastermind Guild?"
"Yes."
Locus put down his bread, and Genken smiled.
"I think that revelation answered less questions than it brought up."
Locus took a deep breath.
"We have time. Go on and ask what you want to know."
"Did you quit of your own free will?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I needed to settle a personal matter."
"Do you intend on rejoining the guild?"
"As it stands now? No."
"Why not?"
"Because my personal matter isn't resolved."
"And what is this 'personal matter'?"
"I need to fight someone."
"With your strength?"
Locus knew that Genken's Aura was stronger than that of average humans, but during their training, he had noticed that Genken wasn't a big fighter.
"I doubt that you could defeat any of the higher ranks."
"Who said I wanted to fight a member of the Mastermind Guild?"
Genken was right. Locus had subconsciously thought that their cases were similar.
"Still, who could you fight?"
"Do you know how disrespectful that sounds?"
"Not much more than what you say to me."
"Next question!"
"Fine, why did you agree to help me bring down the guild?"
"Before I answer that question, let me ask you one. Why do you want to do it?"
"They destroyed my village and took everything I loved."
"Who exactly?"
"A High Commander with his company."
"Hmm..."
"So why did you agree to help me?"
"Because everyone who does wrong things deserves to be punished."
"But wasn't he an ally of you?"
"Maybe. But as it stands now, the one I'm helping is you."
"So you aren't loyal to the Mastermind anymore?"
"That's a good question. I'm not loyal to anyone who isn't fair to others."
"So could you kill him if it was a situation of life or death?"
Genken laughed.
"No, I can't kill him."
He pointed at Locus.
"But maybe you can."
"So you're still on his side?"
Genken thought for a second.
"I despise the Mastermind. He is not just responsible for my wife's death but also for my best friend turning against me."
Locus had had no idea. Up until that moment, he had thought that Genken knew just as much as he did.
By now, Genken had finished his plate.
"I'll go to sleep in the inn. Do you want to come with?"
"I thought the goal was making me experience life as an adventurer?"
"Alright, suit yourself then. We'll start at noon tomorrow right here."
Without any warning, Locus suddenly stood at the bottom of the mountain. A blindfold appeared.
Locus understood what was going on. Genken wanted him to decide whether Locus would get up the mountain while being tired or sleep while rocks tried crushing him.
Locus did not want to sleep under these circumstances, so he started right away.
He didn't just want to bring down the Mastermind Guild to get his own revenge, but also to get revenge for Genken.
This so-called 'ruler of the world' would pay.