n

n

n

nInside a small room, Vandal was sitting on a chair. Opposite of him were Narkus and the other guards of the gate.

nVandal observed the five people before his eyes. He already calculated his percentage of winning if a fight broke out.

nAccording to his calculation, the chances of him being defeated by these five people were at 0.5 percent. None of them has reached Four Shackles so their chances were basically close to zero.

nAlthough he was sure that he could defeat these five people, he still didn't let down his guard. Who knows if there was a trap here? Or if there were other people hiding that he couldn't sense.

nThere were many different factors in a real battle so a calculation like this could be wrong. Nonetheless, his chances of winning were high.

n

"Have you heard about a terrorist group called Red Matter Association?

" Vandal asked.

n

"Just like what I said before I didn't hear this name before,

" Narkus said.

"People of Aekr are ignorant of the events on the surface. We're keeping our distance away.

"

n

"But it seems that you know something from the surface, right?

"

n

"That's right. I know a lot of things from the surface than the people of this place. People of certain status couldn't ignore the enormous threat lingering on the surface. Every three years, we're sending people above to gather information.

"

n

"So you have an idea what's happening right now?

"

n

"Yes, the demon invasion that occurred on the border of the continent. It's still far from our place and I personally think that it would take several years before the demons arrive here if they continue their pace.

"

n

"You're not bothered by demons? Haven't you heard that even gods aren't safe from their army?

" Vandal raised his eyebrows.

n

"I'm not bothered at all. No, to be precise, I'm accepting the fact that I will not be able to do a thing once the demons arrive at our Republic of Aekr.

" Narkus paused as he stared at Vandal.

"I don't think that you guys will let that happen easily. It means that our country still has a lot of time.

"

n

"Haha, you are right. The Holy Land will not tolerate the demon army once it grew closer to their territories.

" Vandal laughed.

nOlympus was like that. Olympus would send powerful forces once the demon army was close to their territory.

nBut now... They were only sending out a batch of squads to hold off the demons.

nSending out missions and then killing some demons in the frontline before returning.

nAnd Olympus wasn't the only Holy Land of God's Continent. The Heavenly Palace and Asgard were also here along with other factions of gods.

nOne wrong move and the demons would be in an all-out war against one of the Holy Lands of God's Continent.

n

"You're right but I don't think you should be worried about demons first. The Red Matter Association isn't as huge as the demon army but it has enough power to destroy your country.

" Vandal turned serious.

"And I have received a reliable information that they are staying in the place beneath the Mirror Lake.

"

n

"How can I prove that we don't know anything about Red Matter Association?

" Narkus asked.

n

"I want to return the question to you. I want to know the proof that you didn't know anything about Red Matter Association.

" Vandal said.

n

"I don't know.

"

n

"Can you set me up a meeting with the higher-ups of your country? We can't leave as long as we don't investigate this place.

"

nVandal was exercising their absolute advantage in this situation. The advantage of possessing great strength. The other side will have no choice but to comply with them.

nIt seems excessive but that's just how this world works.

n...

n

"What do you think they are talking about?

" Leilus asked.

n

"It's the same as before. Chief Captain is buying time before the scouts finished their investigation. After that, he will decide whether we force our way inside the gate or not.

" Souta shrugged his shoulder.

n

"I have a feeling that this will not end well,

" Leilus muttered.

n

"Actually, I have the same feeling.

" Souta said.

n

"Me too. Isn't everything here strange? Our journey is too smooth. Ever since we entered this place, we haven't encountered any danger.

" Paolo said.

n

"Yep, I don't think it's a good idea to wait here. The Red Matter Association isn't the type that will only watch us from the sideline. They will surely attack us in unexpected ways.

" Drami said.

nSouta just looked at them. He didn't say it but he also had a bad feeling and it only kept getting stronger.

n'Just what is the plan of the Red Matter Association? What is their goal? What are they trying to achieve?'

nHe squinted his eyes while looking at the giant metallic gate. There were millions of people living behind this gate. How many of them would survive the war was still unknown.

nSouta turned his eyes on the system quests. He should complete this today.

nAn hour had passed and Vandal haven't returned. The warriors were waiting outside the gate but they were getting impatient.

nShirley, Vandal's secretary, was trying to explain things to the warriors. It was hard to handle all these powerful warriors but she had the experience so she's not a bit intimidated by them. She had to exercise her authority as the secretary of the Chief Captain.

nThe Grain Leaders helped her in calming down the masses.

nHmm...?

nSouta narrowed his eyes as he stared at the ceiling full of glittering crystals.

n'Did it move just now?'

nHe was confused. His eyes adjusted and zoomed in so that he could see the surface clearly.

nThere were several cracks spreading on it. It was trembling as if it was going to collapse at any moment. The runes around that part were disappearing one by one.

n'This...?'

nSouta was surprised when he saw it. The runes that were holding and strengthening it were disappearing. If this continues, that part was going to fall.

n

"No! Everyone prepare yourself!!

"

nHe shouted.

n...

nIn a huge spacious room, Vandal was in a meeting with the higher-ups of the Aekr Republic.

n'I underestimated this place...'

nHe said inwardly while looking at the people in front of him. The higher-ups were all people at Shackled Realm.

nAnd from what he could sense, there were more than fifty Shackled Realm experts in this building. Although they were just low Shackled Realm, they were still a force to reckon with.

nThere were millions of people here so it would be weird if they didn't have someone at Shackled Realm.

n

"Regarding about the Red Matter Association... We didn't know anything about it. I hope you understand us.

" One of the higher-ups said calmly.

n

"I understand your worry but I'm not going to use force unless I verified your connection with them... So don't worry.

" Vandal said to them.

nThe higher-ups stared at him. One of them spoke after a while.

n

"I see... So you already sent your people to investigate our nation. That's trespassing into our territory.

"

nA loud sound erupted suddenly that disrupt the meeting. It was the sound of rocks crashing into each other.

n

"What's that sound?!

"

nThe higher-ups stood up from their seats. Their faces were full of wariness as they stared at their subordinates wanting to hear an answer.

nEven Vandal stood from his seat.

n

"It's coming from above.

"

nHe walked towards the window and looked outside, only to see a huge shadow covering the whole city.

n

"This...

"

nHe looked up and his eyes widened in shock.

n

"A huge chunk of rock is falling!!

"

nThe higher-ups went outside and stared at it with shock. They were confused as to how that boulder fall towards them. This event hasn't happened in the entire history of the Aekr Republic.

nThe runes around were holding it so why? Unless someone removed the runes and took out that boulder forcefully.

n

"There's no time!

"

nA powerful mana surged out of Vandal's body. His energy erupted as he flew towards the boulder of rock.

nSwoosh!!

nWhen Vandal grew closer to the boulder, he realized something.

n

"The runes are still here!! So how?!

"

nThere were still runes around the boulders. It means that this wasn't a natural phenomenon. It was a set-up by some people and those people must be from Red Matter Association.

nThe runes that disappeared were only on the side to pull out the boulder. That must be how they've done it.

n

"Damn! They planned on killing countless people!!

"

nVandal cursed as he gathered a huge amount of mana. He poured it on the short sword in his hand.

n

"Avron! I will stop you no matter what!!

"

nThunderous Exploding Slash!!!

nA light burst forth along with the sound of an explosion. The enormous wave of mana swept out in every direction causing every object to tremble under its pressure.

n

"Chief Captain!!

"

nThe warriors outside the gate covered their eyes. They've recognized the mana signature just now. It came from the Chief Captain of the Third Set.

n

"No! We can't stay in this place anymore!! Every let's go inside!! We'll destroy the debris of rocks!!

"

nShirley shouted.

n

n