I. Bastard Seeds
The rebellion shattered,
The vermillion light begone
For the blood had tattered!
The once Gods mourned
Who is your enemy?
The bastard seeds!
And who is your parity?
Them who did good deeds!
Worship them! Worship them!
And all of you shall be saved!
Praise them! Praise them!
That ye shall be graved!
Curse them who defy!
Bless them who rely!
Gold shall they receive in loyalty
Plague to them who loathe tyranny!
As they shall not sonder in Glory!
But to be forever filthy!
Us who're part of the blessed,
Punish the wicked!
For it is our burden--
That we shall not be fallen!
On the roads, we are trodden!
For we would not be too laden!
Glory! Glory! Glory!
Peace! Peace! Peace!
Hoary! Hoary! Hoary!
Cease! Cease! Cease!
As Mike read the first page of the Codex, a confusion painted his face. Not only are the words poetic, they were cryptic. Their meanings directed at something but seemed unveiled, wishing for him to uncover but at the same time too elusive.
The first line talks about rebellion but for the following verses, they were suddenly talking about praising and worshipping something? These words do not make any sense to him.
"I'll read the next pages maybe tomorrow, just interpreting this goddamn book sicken me! I should continue raiding some Hexes!"
Some time later...
"Those moves seemed to be that of a powerful hunter! Is he really a G-rank?"
On a C-rank Hex, a party comprised of hunters from the Minokawa Guild is currently fighting off the monsters. They were not supposed to be granted the permission to raid it but fortunately, a hunter accepted their request to finally fill up the missing space in their team.
That hunter was no other than Mike himself who wasted no time to kill all the monsters that was about to attack them.
*You activated Marksmanship!*
*You have leveled up!*
*You activated Dagger Mastery!*
*You have leveled up!*
*You activated Spear Sage!*
*You have leveled up!*
Too bad that he couldn't use the Kalis since there is a danger of being found out by his fellow hunters. This, however, is not something to be saddened of since he could use this opportunity to level up his other skills to the Max.
"So far, most of my offensive skills are now on Max-level! I could fight efficiently using Sword, Dagger, Spear, and long-range weapons! The only thing that really bothers me is my magic which for now, is inaccessible! Goodness, I could use some fireballs here! "
As everyone saw Mike finished the remaining Kobolds, they were astonished. For them, he could be a powerful hunter who still hasn't updated his rank.
While everyone is resting after defeating the boss, Mike finished packing-up his things. Time is precious with his busy schedule.
"You're strong, boy! What do you think of joining our Guild?"
The party leader approached him and tapped his shoulders.
"That's quite a generous offer! However, joining a Guild is not yet on my priorities!"
He scratched the back of his head while laughing awkwardly.
"All right! I'll see you around then!"
The leader handed him a bag of gold coins as his payments before bidding his farewell.
"Thank you!"
Mike then stopped for a moment in a street corner. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
"Whoosh!"
His breath unleashed a tremendous amount of Mana that made the surrounding be swayed just be being near it. This made him wonder.
"Huh?"
***
The Commander of North Luzon Division happened to be eating with his brother in a restaurant near the University of Santo Tomas.
"So, what do you think about joining the association right after you graduated?"
He cut a small piece of steak before putting it into his mouth. His movements are full of sophistication and refinement.
"I don't think being a hunter would do me good! My intelligence is too excellent for me to work in a life and death occupation!"
The brother, in opposition, is not with his brother's suggestion. In his opinion, being a follower of science is the job that would be better suited for him.
"Well, not that I can force you into something but how's your life in Applied Physics?"
The Commander smiled again. This time though, it is not forced.
"It's rewarding actually! I get to see how to use my skills in mathematics in real life!"
They were eating when suddenly thee powerful hunter sensed a tremendous surge of mana from a nearby street.
"Is that..."
There is no doubt about it. The mana feels eerily similar to that black dome that he had a hard time destroying in Bulacan. What's more, it's stability is perfect. Such feat is not possible unless you are a high-ranking hunter.
"Umm can I leave you here for now? I have a very important business to attend to!"
His brother just shrugged off his words while continuing eating.
"Whatever!"
The commander immediately dashed outside to catch the source of the mana.
"Wind Enhancement Spell!"
He dashed towards the location only find out that there's a ton of Garbage there.
"This can't be possible! My mana detection skill is flawless!"
He walked towards a group of hunters who are resting from a distance. They are resting probably because they just came from a raid.
"Excuse me?"
He drew their attention which made them paler than a white lotus.
"A-are yo..you p-perhaps..."
A powerful commander visiting them at this hour? That's quite impossible!
"Commander Enzo Concepcion... That's my name is!"
He shook hands with the leader who is shock and nervous to his core while displaying a pretentious smile.
"What could such an individual need from us?"
The party leader smiled at him.
"I'm looking for someone! Have you perhaps saw a powerful hunter nearby?"
To his dismay, they all shook their heads. He returned his gaze to the party leader who seems to have an answer.
"There was actually a skillful hunter who joined our raid! Unfortunately, I forgot his name!"
Enzo's face turned bright.
"That could be him! What's his rank!"
He enthusiastically asked the leader.
"G rank!"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes!"
"Where did he go?"
"He went from the direction that you came from!"
"Okay, thank you very much!"
Enzo ran towards the direction. To his horror, his mana detection skill was blocked by something.
"Shit! Does he know that I'm following him?"
He wondered but at the same time thought that it's highly impossible.
"I would not let you get away this time!"
***
On the largest hunter training pod in Metro Manila, the Saintess alongside her Templars are currently training to recover their body strength which they have lost for the long week that they were in the hospital.
"Gosh! I missed these muscles!"
Spear Head who is wearing his tank top disgustingly flexed his muscles.
"Don't ever do that again! That's atrocious!"
The Saintess hit him with a stick as she also trained her fighting techniques.
"How's everyone doing?"
She asked Lucy who is meditating in a corner to stabilize her shielf-conjuration.
"Quiet, Tesa! I'm trying to concentrate!"
Lucy warned Tesa in a calm and serious tone.
"Right! I'm sorry!"
Tesa glanced towards the direction of her brother who is also training with White Wolf in the boxing ring, wearing their sports attire.
"It's quite refreshing, isn't it?"
Merlin suddenly talked while casting a small water ball in his right hand.
"You're right!"
Tesa smiled at him while also stretching both of her legs.
"Isn't it quite ironic?"
"The what?"
"That we are called Crusaders yet we don't uphold moral duties!"
Tesa looked at him with a cautious glare. Warning him to be careful about his words. Her tone is almost threatening even murderous.
"Merlin, be careful with your words..."
She said coldly.
Merlin only met her fierce gaze with his own. Challenging her to bring forth her threats and make it happen.
"That man reminded us of our sins, Tesa. We should stop this deception right now! This is a sin!"
He walked out from the sight of Tesa, who is too stunned to utter even a single word. For her, Merlin's words pierced like a sharp blade. Damaging his heart permanently.
Hours passed after those incident when a familiar figure approached the Saintess, who is pretty much exhausted after her workouts. The face of the hunter sent irritation down her body.
"Seems like you're bothered by my presence, Tesa! Afraid that I might stole again the spotlight?"
The woman, wearing her revealing gym clothes, told her in a provocative manner, aiming to shake Tesa off of her composure.
"Not exactly, Ria! You're too low to even reached the heights that I'm standing on right now!"
She smiled before drinking from her bottle of water, sending a message that she doesn't give any damn about the hunter named Ria's words.
The woman stood high with her towering height and complexion, rivaling that of the Saintess. Her beauty is Tesa's opposite. Compare to the Saintess' warm and innocent look, Ria's fierce and enticing, lustful actually. Just a flip of her hair and everyone would be on their knees.
She is also the third-in-command of the Minokawa Guild, only after the Guildmaster and the Vice-Guildmaster.
"How about we start talking about having our rematch right here?"
Ria wiped off of the sweats from her forehead while stretching in a provocative manner, showing Tesa who is the better of them two.
"I don't plan on falling again in one of your traps, Ria! I'm sure you had all of these planned before talking to me right?"
The Saintess did not even gave her a slight glance and proceeded to resume her Calisthenics workout.
"Oh I see! You are too afraid on loosing again to me! Well, nevermind! I don't plan on wasting my precious voice to a useless turd like you, Tesa!"
Ria was about to leave when Tesa suddenl punched her right on the face, causing her nose to bleed non-stop.
"What the fuck did you just do, you frog?!"
Ria leaped into the air and kicked Tesa right on the face. Her face is brimming with overwhelming anger and remorse.
"Damn y-!"
Just as about Tesa is ready to attack her again, a black flame struck her face. Fortunately, she was able to block it using her palm but was not saved from the burn.
"Okay, so this is how we play things out..."
The Saintess healed her wounds and materialized her powerful wand out of thin air.
"Let's play it dirty, then!"
***
"Is there an A-rank or higher here?"
Enzo, who just came before a raid, asked the hunters present there. His voice is trembling, fresh from the leap that he made just to reach this place.
"This is a C-rank dungeon, sir! There are no A-ranks here!"
One of them bravely spoke despite trembling at the casual sight of Enzo in front of them.
"Are you sure about that? I could feel a powerful presence here!"
He turned his eyes on all directions, determined to find the source of the powerful presence that he felt earlier.
"Who is that guy?"
In his sight is a hunter who is currently busy sharpening his spears and daggers which Enzo knew that he would use for the raid. Without any second thought, he approached the location of the hunter of which he felt a strong presence.
"You!," he shouted at the unknown hunter who met his gaze with timid eyes, "What's your rank?"
The man just looked at him before continuing his work. This scene made everyone shudder as the hunter probably never knew the name of the man who is talking to him.
"Shit! What in the world is he thinking?"
"I'm expecting a murder!"
"Such an arrogant attitude!"
Those words are the only things they could utter.
"Hey! I'm speaking to you!"
Enzo is just standing there dumbfounded. This is the first time that a hunter treated him this way. Astonishment and agitation mixed in his heart.
The hunter finally stopped sharpening and looked him with sleepy eyes while yawning possibly due to tiredness.
"I'm just a G-rank, mister..."
The unknown hunter spoke to him in a calm manner while preparing his equipment.
"May I see your I.D.?"
Enzo reached his hand, anticipating that Mike would easily hand the license to him.
"No, sir..."
Against his expectation, the hunter did not gave him the card and instead proceeded to his weapons.
"I see, so you don't want this to go in the easy way, huh!"
He tried to grab his wrist. He is confident at first but was shocked when he noticed that the hunter is fast enough to avoid his attack.
'Such an astonishing speed! Is he really a G-rank?'
He said on his mind while returning to his calm and compose posture.
"The hunter code states that any official could not forcefully confiscate a hunter's license except in the case where the hunter is convicted of any crime. What you're doing here is not just provocative, it is also illegal! I could report you to the association!"
The hunter's words struck him dumbfounded again. How could such a low-ranking hunter be aware of those things? The suspicions kept piling up on Enzo's mind. Just why?
"Pardon my actions..."
He bowed his head as an apology while closing his eyes to show him his sincerity.
"Sir, can we proceed now to the Hex, we might be late..."
The leader asked him kindly.
"You may go ahead... I apologize for my actions!"
"Thank you sir!"
The leader asked his members if they are now ready to enter the Hex. As soon as he was assured that they are, they now entered.
Enzo could only watched as they entered the dungeon, silently hoping that they would be save. The unknown hunter flew past him. The commander felt again the presence.
"Wait!"
His effort to get the hunter's attention was put in vain as he hurriedly entered the dungeon.
"Going there would not be a good idea since this Hex is owned by the Minokawa, it will surely tarnish our relationship with them if they found out that the association is meddling in their affairs. I shall wait for them to finish!"
Not wanting to loose this chance, Enzo decided that he would wait there.
He got himself a chair and sat near the entrance.
***
"My magic is far superior compare to yours, Tesa!"
A large-scarlet magical circle was conjured behind Tesa, which she failed to immediately notice causing her to be blasted by a powerful lightning energy.
"Rush of Manticore!"
Ria revealed her own weapon, a crystal that bears a resemblance to a sun-shaped glass ornament. It is flickering with dark scarlet aura, complementing her overall appearance.
"I...see, that's why you have been so quiet these past months! You are too eager to defeat me using that toy? Pathetic! Just PATHETIC!"
Instead of being impressed, the Saintess mocked the anguish Ria, who suddenly attacked her with a powerful lightning blast!
Tesa swiftly dodged the attack and casted one of her most powerful skill.
"Heavenly Casting, 7th Plague-- Hail-Fire Barrage!"
Thousands of golden magic circles materialized on Tesa's back, from them shoots Fire and Ice projectiles. Their power is liken to that of a thousand of machine guns, simultaneously shooting an endless string of bullets towards the enemy.
"Gravity Repulsion!"
The projectiles were immediately hurled away from her. Most of them were destroyed while many still continues to attack her.
"Too boring!"
Ria then raised her powerful crystal to the air and created two hands made out of mana. Tesa tried to destroy it but found out that they were steel-thick, causing her to fail from escaping its clutches.
"Pang!"
Using the giant hands, Ria slammed Tesa down to the ground continuously. If not for her healing spell, The Saintess would have been
The Saintess raised her staff and let it float to the air, transforming it into the familiar form of halberd.
"Heavenly Casting, 6th Circle-- Authority!"
Using all her might, she hurled the halberd towards Ria, who were caught off guard by the sudden attack, causing her to lose her balance and deactivate the gripping skill on Tesa.
The Templars were about to assist Tesa when Ria casted a powerful barrier.
"Realm of Eternal Incarceration!"
That's the name of the powerful ability that Ria used to create a barrier that will separate her and the Saintess from the people in the training hall.
"I must say, your last defeat against me made you stronger! That's quite impeccable!"
The Saintess activated her Principality skill which turned her staff into a powerful lasso.
"Let's see if that whip would reach me! Threads of Hostility!"
Ria drew summoned five magical ropes and threatened to incapacitate the Saintess if she dare to attack her.
"Don't show me your hypocrisy, Tesa! I'll make sure to defeat you even if it means killing you in the process!"
The ropes suddenly tried to attack Tesa but was met with her aggressive whirl of the Lasso.
"Bam!"
"Whoosh!"
The fight rages on as the two of them attempted to defeat each other.
"Just surrender, bitch!"
She summoned a mini water spout and launched it towards the Saintess, who, after seeing the attack coming towards her, summoned her own Fire Tornado.
"How about you surrender now, huh?"
The Saintess mocked Ria, who's brimming with anger at the thought of not quickly defeating her target.
"Bring it on, fool!"
The Saintess leaped to the air and caught Ria with her lasso.
"That won't be enough!"
She was suddenly bound by the ropes in her whole body, making her unable to make her next move.
"Take this!"
Ria used again the giant hand and used it to slapped Tesa, thwarting herself to a nearby chair.
"Damn you!"
Tesa stand on her knees, eyes bloodshot to the woman who humiliated her in front of everybody.
"Are you finally losing my dear Tesa?"
Ria smirked in satisfaction. She can finally get back on Tesa after beating her so many times.
"Not yet! NOT YET!"
A bright halo suddenly materialized on Tesa's head. She really lost it!
"Apotheosis!"
Sweat began to accumulate on Ria's forehead. She could feel it-- Tesa is preparing something big.
"Heavenly Casting, 8th Plague-- Host of Locusts!"
She just did it! Tesa finally began taking this battle seriously. One of her most powerful spells did she casted with the intent to kick Ria's ass off.
"Kriek!"
"A summoning magic?"
A large magic circle was summoned on the ground. From it, ascended a battalion of humanoid locusts. They were shining like a sun ray with their golden exoskeleton. They are holding long swords on their right while a lance on the other, making them fearsome.
"Finish her!"
Tesa commanded them to attack forward. This in fact, created a scene for the audience, watching outside the barrier. One of those people are the Templars, who are busy calling their Guild Master, anxious about the possible damage, the two hunters could pose.
Outside the barrier...
"Trace is unreachable, Andros!"
Lucy shouted while frantically dialing another number.
"Do you have the number of Chairman?"
Andros asked Lucy who immediately nodded and dialed a set of number on her phone without waiting for another word.
"This is bad!"
Andros is worried that his sister would be hospitalized again for battling while her injuries are not yet fully healed.
"Just what are you thinking?"
***
"That was close!"
Mike can finally utter those words as he is now inside the dungeon. Having to escape Enzo's clutches, he is really relieved.
"Why the fuck would he even be here?!"
He suddenly shouted, causing everyone to give their judging stares at him.
"I'm sorry! I'm just hungry!"
As they walked into the labyrinth-type Hex, a
They fought the boss and divided all the rewards right after they killed it. Strangely, Mike did not went to take the valuables despite contributing the most to their victory, instead he only took the daggers that the boss dropped.
'I could use these guys!'
Right after he received the notification that he leveled-up, another one popped out on his screen. This time it was about the map that he acquired just days ago.
-Map Card (Metne Fortress )-
A magic card that acts like a map leading to the (Metne Fortress ), The center of Death and Darkness where the (N/A) and (N/A) resides.
Type- Map
Difficulty- Unknown
Duration- None
*You may now use this map!*
*Your intelligence stat increased by 1%!*
"I'll check this tomorrow!"
A smile plastered on Mike's lips.
***
"Ting!"
Enzo's phone suddenly vibrated in its familiar tone. For him, that sound only means one thing-- Someone is calling him for an urgent matter!
"Hello!"
He politely answered the person on the other end, bracing himself for a possible heavy news.
"Sir, there is a huge fight ongoing on one of our training buildings! It's Ria and the Saintess! We can't stop this fight without you!"
Enzo frantically ran on the location, not thinking for anything except that news.
"A fight between two high-class hunters would leave behind a trail of destruction!"
Not realizing it, He left without ever meeting the mysterious hunter that was inside the dungeon.
"Whoosh!"
The sound of the gate closing marked the exit of the hunters who just left the Hex in the perfect time. In particular, Mike is fortunate enough to again escape from the eyes of the association.
"That bastard!"
***
"Do you think you're better than me just because you have been reawakened as the lowest S-rank?"
Ria bolted in rage, recklessly destroying everything in her path just to make all efforts to damage Tesa, who, despite being a high-ranking hunter, surprisingly cannot, evade all of the attacks.
"You're just jealous!"
Tesa blasted a powerful beam of white energy in order to create a wide distance between herself and Ria.
"I'll cut you into pieces!"
Ria accumulated a large portion of her mana to both of her hands. Because of that, they looked like a pair of sharp blades.
"Rapier of Malice!"
She recklessly cut across the obstacles that blocks her, not wanting to give Tesa any chance.
"I'll destroy your filthy barrier, Witch!"
She then turned her staff into a golden sword. It's beautiful. Too beautiful that everyone who saw it, will be blinded as their eyes are scorching with its refraction.
"Heavenly Casting, 8th Circle- Archangel!"
She is not yet done as the sword began to make a hundred copies of itself.
"Multiply!"
Ria, almost out of mana, can only watch in awe at Tesa's display of power. Her power has been wasted on destroying the locust warriors that Saintess summoned, causing her to become exhausted. Her breaths are now heavy.
"Surrender now, Ria!"
Tesa looked on the pitiful sight of Ria on her knees. To her dismay though, the Crimson Sorceress is only laughing maniacally, as if everything is just a subject of joke to her.
"Huh?"
The Saintess' right eyebrow raised as she became confused at the sudden display of Ria's unusual attitude.
"Surrender?"
Ria's tone in her words suddenly became silent almost like a whisper. Tesa sensed something is wrong and tried to finish her with the swords, unfortunately, she is too late as the Sorceress screamed because the Sun-like ornament that she used for her attacks suddenly transformed into hundreds of glass shards, turning the state of the battle on equal footing.
"Fight me to the death!"
Crimson orbs began to materialized on Ria's hands while provoking the Saintess to the utmost limit.
"Eldritch Lost, Evil Star- Algol!"
That's the ability that she used. A powerful counter skill that rivals that of the power of Tesa-- Demonic Energy.
"Let our blades dance to death!"
Clashes of sword left a trail of destruction inside the dome's surroundings. Such a powerful aura for only two individuals speaks heavy.
"Slash!"
As they continues to fight, Enzo reached the doors of the training building on time. He immediately went inside and asked the Templars about what's happening.
"What the heck happened?"
Asked he to Lucy who is currently freaking out at the possibility of Tesa, entering the hospital again because of injuries.
"Who casted that barrier?"
He touched again the large orb-like structure that envelops both Tesa and Ria.
"This energy is demonic, for sure it's the crimson sorceress!"
The Nephtys reiterated. Almost in a hurry.
Enzo immediately touched the barrier and feel the energy seeping on his palm. Without any second, he went on to dismantle it by using his powerful skill.
"Anti-form..."
Just a blink on their eyes, the barrier disintegrated into smithereens. It was a sight worthy of awe. The power of a high-ranking commander of the association is really spectacular.
"Even Tesa cannot cast such a powerful nullification! He is really amazing!"
White Wolf, who is silent the whole time, cannot help but to feel mesmerized by the power of Enzo, who is smirking all the time.
Their admiration is not yet over as a terrible scene unfold. Thousands of blades are clashing on one another, not willing to stop. Their casters are also equally pissed to one another.
"I'll kill you bitch!"
"Die, fake angel!"
While the two are busy, Enzo slammed the ground immediately and casted another powerful spell. This time, it aims to incapacitate the two female hunters in order to immediately stop the fight.
"Whoosh!"
The mage-type hunters, including some members of both Sarimbal and Minokawa, took the chance to cast their binding spell but to no avail as the energy unleashed by the two hunters, whose league are way too high compare to theirs, are too powerful to contain.
"Anti-gravity!"
The area where the two of them are situated, became nullified of any gravity. They suddenly felt like they were levitating, causing their bodies to feel lighter and therefore, makes them unable to use their hands.
"I'm sorry ladies but I have to do this!"
Their eyes suddenly locked on the source of the voice and was so shock to see that it was one of the Commanders who stopped them.
They suddenly lose consciousness as they fell to the ground. Enzo, sweats dripping on his forehead, also sat on the ground to catch his breath.
Their co-members suddenly went to rescue both Ria and Tesa, ensuring that they would never be injured while lifting them up. During this time, the Guildmasters of Minokawa and Sarimbal Guild also rushed to the building to check what happened.
"Commander Concepcion, what are you doing here?"
Master Sillas asked him while Trace is just silently watching them.
"Your offsprings are killing each other!"
He immediately left outside to return to the Hex where he was supposed to wait the unknown hunter that he met early on this day, leaving both the Guildmasters unattended and confused.
"What's with him?"
On the other hand, Mike had just finish his fifth raid today, all of them were soloed by him.
"You're really great! How about you join our Guild and I'll refer you to boss?"
A fellow hunter tried to recruit him right after they left the Hex.
"Thanks but no!"
Mike only smiled while checking Dagitab-- his system who received a huge upgrade ever since he leveled-up.
"I wonder why they couldn't see this..."
A question that became a catalyst for his curiosity.
"I hope I can find the answers here..."
His system showed the map for the Hex named Metne Fortress. Just what lies there for the system to give him the map leading to it?
A mystery indeed... But that would end tomorrow...
"I'll found out myself..."