n

n

n

n

"We're joining the large-scale operation. We have Shackled Realm experts in our squadron so we have to join.

"

nEveryone was preparing. The Third Set of Pallas Division was preparing to fight an all-out battle against the Red Matter Association. They knew that some of them would die in this operation but all of them were prepared.

nThey were warriors.

nThey were all fighting between life and death.

nSouta hung a small bag on his waist. The small bag contained a monster orb of a fifth evolution stage monster and some potions.

nHe fixed his equipment and checked if he forgot something. It's better to be prepared in a battle like this.

nSigh~

nHe turned around and looked at Isabella and Yenxa. He couldn't take any of them with him as none of them have reached S-rank. Although some of the squadrons were going to bring A-rank and below members, it was still too risky.

nHe was alone.

nAlice and the others were still on a mission.

nWell, it doesn't matter. If he contributed a lot in this mission then there's a chance that his squadron would have an advancement.

n

"Is this fine, Souta? You're going alone...

" Isabella asked with a concerned look.

n

"Yeah, it's better this way. If you want to come with me then I suggest that you don't. You can just take another quest to increase the speed of our promotion.

" Souta said while shaking his head.

n

"I understand...

" Isabella nodded as she placed her hands on her chest.

"I'll just wait for others here.

"

n

"Good.

" Souta turned to Yenxa.

"Guard our base. I'll leave this to you.

"

n

"Yes, My Lord.

" Yenxa nodded.

nSouta opened the door and left the base.

nHe went straight to Carmel's office. Since he was alone, he didn't need a lot of time to prepare. Just bringing himself and some potions was enough.

nHe knocked on the door.

nKnock! Knock!

n

"Come in.

"

nSouta entered the office and saw Carmel sitting on a chair wearing high-grade leather armor. He had a bow on his back and a pair of daggers on his waist.

nCarmel was an ocean elf. He had blueish skin, dark blue hair, and a pair of blue eyes.

nHe was fully equipped.

nHe raised his eyebrows when he saw Souta.

n

"You alone?

"

n

"Yeah, my comrades are on a mission right now. I don't think they will be able to arrive on time.

" Souta replied.

n

"I see. I will arrange you to some team later.

" Carmel said.

"Do you need something else?

"

n

"I just want to know if I can meet the person that I've captured,

" Souta said.

n

"What are you going to do with that person?

" Carmel asked.

n

"Nothing, I just want to see his condition.

" Souta smiled.

n

"Hmm... I can give you my permission.

" Carmel said while rubbing his chin.

n

"Thanks...

" Souta bowed.

n...

nSouta went to the underground prison of Athen's Champion. The warriors that were guarding this prison were all Shackled Realm. After all, a lot of important people were imprisoned here.

nThey were all sources of information like the old man that he captured.

nSome of the prisoners haven't been interrogated.

nHe showed his permission to the guards and one of them escorted him.

nIn just a minute, they arrived in front of Rufus' jail. Rufus was the name of the old man that he captured in the Dukedom of Halbun.

n

"He's here. You can talk to him for five minutes.

" The guard said before he left.

n

"I understand,

" Souta said before he turned his attention on the old man inside the jail.

nThe old man's appearance had changed. His body was full of wounds, his white hair was shriveled. His skin lost its luster and he was just a pack of bones. It looks like he didn't have any flesh in his body.

nBoth of his arms and legs were tied in chains. His nails were gone and some of them were scattered on the ground along with his teeth. One of his ears was chopped and blood was still pouring out of it. It was still fresh.

n'Torture...'

nSouta had a cold look on his face. He could imagine the gruesome torture that this old man suffered at the hands of Athen's Champion.

nWith his eyes, he could see that this old man didn't even have energy left in his body.

nNot a single curse energy.

nIt was the side effect of forcefully advancing the rank without adequate method.

nRufus slowly lifted up his head. He widened his eyes when he saw the creature standing before him.

n

"You... Hahaha, you're here to laugh at me? I failed and I deserved this! If I didn't fail then all of you will be in the same position as me!

"

nHe laughed madly.

nSouta grinned,

"Looking at you, I thought that you already lost your spirit but it seems that I was wrong.

"

n

"Hehe, this is nothing. The moment I started my plan decades ago, I'm prepared for all kinds of outcomes. I just didn't expect that I would be defeated by you.

"

nRufus pursed his lips.

n

"A monster... Oh, It looks like you've evolved. Your appearance is the same but there are differences from before.

"

n

"I'm just a cheat. I guess that if you lay down like how you always did in the past then I wouldn't discover you. It's just sad that you underestimated me, thinking that you've already seen everything.

"

n

"What can I do? Both sides are pushing me to the stage... If I kept hiding, the one behind me will not stay on the sideline. So I gambled everything.

" Rufus said with a wide smile on his wrinkled face.

n

"Red Matter... I guess you already know what we are planning.

" Souta turned serious.

n

"Wahahaha! I want you to destroy each other! I told the warriors some information about the Red Matter but it seems that the results are fruitful! Is it a war?! Are you going to a war?!

"

n

"Yep, we need to destroy them. I'm sorry to say but the one who's going to fall is Red Matter. I came here to see your condition so I gotta go now.

"

nSouta gives Rufus one more glance before he turned around. Rufus' voice echoed behind him as he walked away.

n

"No good. Be careful on your way. Red Matter isn't alone. They aren't alone. If you've underestimated them then it will be your downfall.

"

n...

n

"They're not alone,

" Souta muttered while rubbing his chin.

nSo it means that Red Matter Association was cooperating with other organizations. It would be great if it's only Red Matter but he thinks that's nigh impossible.

nRed Matter wouldn't be unbridled if they were alone. So he already expected this outcome.

n

"I'll just need to be cautious.

"

nSouta shrugged his shoulder. He placed both of his hands in his pocket and continued walking.

nIn the stadium, a lot of warriors assembled. All of them had an imposing aura and their fighting spirit were burning.

n

"I'm leader of the Blue Cross Squad, Leilus.

" A man with a wolf ears and a wolf tail stretched out his hand. He had thick brown hair and a pair of greenish eyes.

n

"I'm Souta, leader of the Astros Squad.

" Souta smiled as he shook Leilus' hand. He looked at Leilus' comrades and added,

"Unfortunately, my comrades are on a mission so I'm alone. I'll be in your care for now.

"

n

"It's nothing. We're glad to have you in our group.

" Leilus smiled.

nCarmel arranged for Souta to join this group. This group had a total of five members joining the operation. The other groups had seven to ten members so Carmel chose this group for Souta.

n

"Hi, I'm Drami.

" A young petite girl with bunny ears waved her hand.

n

"I'm Sakme, the vanguard of our squad.

" A tall woman wearing full plate armor said. She had long maroon hair and there were red scales on her cheeks and arms.

n

"Marcus, ranger.

"

nHe was a man wearing leather armor and a black cloth that covered most of his body. He had a bow and a short sword. He even had a few throwing weapons on the small bag on his waist.

n

"Paolo, the mage of the Blue Cross.

"

nPaolo was a high elf with long smooth blonde hair. He had a pair of golden eyes and smooth fair skin. He was wearing green clothes that looks like a robe.

n

"I'll listen to your arrangement. Just ask anything and if I think I can do it I will try it.

" Souta said as he observed them.

nOne Two Shackles, two One shackles, and the other two were peak S-rank. A pretty good party composition. He could see that the other two were already on the verge of reaching Shackled Realm.

nHe saw that one of their shackles have cracks. It's only a matter of time before they broke through. If given some time, they would reach Shackled Realm.

n

"Attention! Warriors of Athena!!

"

nA loud voice echoed in the whole area. There was pressure on the voice that stopped everyone from talking.

nSouta and the others turned their heads and saw the Chief Captain of the Third Set Pallas Division.

n

n