“Hey, you heard about the Sword Princess?”

“Yeah, she turned level-6 today. Didn’t she?”

“Yeah, I saw her when she just got home this morning. She was bleeding like hell, with cuts and bruises and all that.”

“Mad, isn’t it?”

“I heard she spent three days in the Dungeon.”

“Damn, is she crazy for power or something?”

“Like father, like daughter. I guess.”

An animal person and a human are exchanging words in light conversation.

An emblem could be seen on the arm of their light armour. An emblem that is easily recognized in Agartha.

A 5-sided shape outlined in red.

They are adventurers from one of the strongest factions in the City— The Paragon faction

As their conversation continues, they walk along the solid ground covered in red carpet inside of their faction’s home.

The Paragon Castle was barely the same size as the Manor of the Dungeon. The main motif of the whole faction is a combination of red and gold, military and royalty.

The whole faction’s presence was eminent in the city. They are one of the factions that has the strongest military power. They are home to more than a hundred of well-trained and devoted adventurers. Before, the members of the factions only ranged from level-1 to level-5. But as of this morning, their strongest member, the Sword Princess, has reached level-6 after dwelling in the Dungeon for 3 days without returning.

“Hey, d’you see that?”

“Yeah, is that… Osiric?”

In the midst of their conversation, they have recognized the familiar looking man that was running opposite to their direction.

The black pupils in his eyes are tiny but his eyelids are wide open. The red hair that covers the top of his head was unkempt, it was looking similar to a bloodied mop. Because of his running, his breaths are ragged.

His pace implies that he has an urgent manner to attend to. He was heading towards the study of the leader of their faction.

“Whats up with him?…”

“Beats me.”

As the hurrying Osiric passes by them, they were puzzled because of the unusual appearance of their comrade.

He was always a well-composed individual. Seeing him in such a dreadful state makes the two question the reason behind his rush.

The restless Osiric never decreases his speed as he reaches the fancy door to the study.

He busts open through the door and sees their magnificent leader on his study table.

The face that is a mix of royalty and bravery, akin to a warrior king, was facing the surface of the desk while he was holding a feather quill. He was writing something on a piece of paper.

The sudden noise of Osiric busting through his doors did not startle him, It did not even make him look up from his desk. He was still composed and did not stop writing on the sheet of paper.

Osiric was standing on the frame of the door, gasping every air in the room.

“My gasp! Lord! gasp!”

“…”

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His lordship was still writing, ignoring the poor Osiric that was slouched and leaning his arm on the door frame. He was still making an effort to catch all of his breath.

Finally, he realized his attitude towards his leader. He stands up straight and fixed his composure, standing straight and clearing his throat.

“My Lord… Lyeon and Mord has fallen in battle.”

“…”

“They we’re killed by—”

“Speak your purpose, you idiot.”

The frightening eyes and the thunderous voice of his leader rattles the very bones of Osiric, but he didn’t cower. It was painfully clear that the heartless leader didn’t care about the condition of his troops. Another dead soldier is one less mouth to feed. Those that fall in the heart of battle did not deserve the sympathy of the warlord.

“The Nue that almost killed Ashé Krow was killed by himself.”

The eyes of Lupin Black squinted into a suspicious glare. His temperament quickly turned to irritation as the man in front of him has mentioned something so impossible.

“Are you a complete imbecile? Are you trying to fool me?”

The voice grows irritated each passing second. The temper of his lordship grows with furry.

“No my lord, please hear me out…”

Osiric was starting to cower with fear but he was still standing straight with composure, showing that he is capable and strong. He was afraid of the power of the leader of the Paragon faction. His actions might cost him his head, he thinks his words carefully.

“He most likely will level-up, I’ll provide the news tomorrow.”

“How did he fell the beast?”

“I wasn’t sure my lord but he was pointing something towards the monster, then it emitted an ear-splitting sound and blinded my eyes with a bright flash. After that, the Nue’s face was torn in half.”

Lupin Black deeply inhales as he leans back to his chair while he listens to his subordinate’s words. He closes his eyes and starts to think deeply.

There was no absolute reason for Osiric to lie, he had nothing to gain and would only risk his life.

As for Osiric’s words, the only conclusion that Lupin could muster is magic. Magic would be the only reason for him to kill a strong beast 3-levels above his.

Osiric was standing patiently in front of the close eyed warlord. Awaiting for his response while his heart beats rapidly, he couldn’t imagine what will his leader say with such a vague answer.

“Investigate this matter, return to me tomorrow with a copy of the guild’s post. If this was a lie, you know the consequences.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Dismissed.”

Osiric gives a light bow to the strong presence of Lupin. The composure of a soldier does not leave him while he walks towards the exit.

While Osiric was heading out of the open door of the study, a feminine figure was heading inside.

Osiric did not try to look at the glimpse of the beautiful lady. His vision was straight to the exit.

“Father, I have returned.”

The beautiful visage was covered with few patches on her faces and arms. Her long brown hair was free on her back. Even though she has numerous scars covering her, she was still as enchanting as she was before.

“…”

But the warmness and beauty of the princess looking warrior was not enough to soften her own father’s iron heart. Her father’s eyes just glared at her unamused, he didn’t even let out even a single congratulatory word for her daughter that just achieved an impressive feat.

“Leave my face.”

“…”

She already expected the words that will reach her ears. But even though, it still stung her heart. She was fulfilling her father’s wishes of being the strongest adventurer, but not even the slightest appreciation could be seen from the daunting character.

“Mother would’ve been happy to see me reach this stage…”

“…!”

As the words flowed from her lips, Lupin was surprised as if someone plucked the wrong string in his cold heart. His once expressionless face turned into a monstrous scowl. The wrinkles of his face was now more etched than before while his fingers clenched right in front of him.

He stands up, his face was dark and fearful. But, the Sword Princess confronted him without even the slightest tinge of fear.

His large stature approaches, shadowing the feminine figure.

His eyes were inflamed as he stares the eyes of her own daughter, not seeing her as his own family member.

Yerin was only staring back at him, her head held high and not wavering over the toxic masculinity that is encompassing the whole study.

He jabs at the beautiful face of the woman with full force, forcing her to fall rear first to the ground, leaving a red imprint of his fist in the symmetrical shape of her beauty.

Her bottom lip starts to bleed, she was not able to react let alone dodge the blow even though she was at level-6.

Lupin Black is also a level-6 top class adventurer.

The man’s fist was still curled into a huge muscular mass while Yerin starts at him from the ground, not as a father but as a monster.

A sole of a shoe follows up to her face, forcing her to fall back to the ground. Blood starts to drip from her nostrils.

She struggles to get back up, the wounds that was still on her face was burning. She was still not in her prime after her expedition in the Dungeon.

Yerin stays in the ground, writing in pain while her very own father stares at her in disgust.

“Is this what you call a level-6 adventurer?”

The booming voice filled with disgust reverberates through the study. He leans in closer to the helpless body lying on the floor.

Grabbing both of her cheeks with one hand. He nears in against her face and stares directly on her eyes. He angrily spouts at her.

“You think your mother will be proud of you in this state?— Huh? You can’t even stand up.”

He shoves the face to the floor without breaking eye contact and walks away from her towards the exit.

“Don’t ever mention your mother in my face.”