|Ruins of Eldomarch|

Going back one day before the establishment of the Clan that will be known as [GENESIS], within the quiet ruins of a once historical edifice, a battle has occurred. However–

‘They…did not stand a chance.’

Alice's eyes are shaking, mainly due to the unbelievable showdown, or rather, a one sided battle, that she just witnessed.

‘He took a stab, a contact from powerful magic, and a direct hit from different kinds of weapons…but it didn't faze him in the slightest. This man is definitely…’

“Are you hanging in there, milady?”

Hywel offers his hand towards Alice. His expression is the same as ever. But his eyes changed, when he was battling, it was as if his eyes were ablaze, but now that he's relaxed, his eyes went back to normal.

“Y-yes, thank you…for saving me.”

As soon as Alice took his hand, she felt a tight grip which made her wary. Hywel pulls her towards him, their faces too close to each other. This might be a romantic way to put it, however–

“W-wha–!?”

Alice panicked after noticing that Hywel’s eyes are ablaze, as if he's getting ready for combat once again. His smile never left his face, but it was eerie, threatening.

“Milady, you are targeted for a reason. As your savior, I have the right to know if I saved the right person, correct?”

Alice started sweating. The whole existence in front of her is different from the two members of [Grim Fate] she has encountered from before. Out of all the members of the guild, Hywel is the most unforgiving of them. His loyalty towards Zephyr is mixed with his obsession of not giving him any troubles, and those who troubled him or will give him one in the future, will have to answer to his merciless execution of discipline.

“You misunderstood! Please!” Alice begs for her safety.

“What did I misunderstood, Miss? Care to elaborate for me?”

As she was about to tear up, Hywel loosened up his grip from Alice’s hand and the blaze from his eyes vanished. He then chuckles as if nothing happened.

“Haha, sorry Miss. As much as possible, I don't really want to be the reason for a girl to cry. Well, given that the girl in question is not guilty of anything.”

His gaze never left Alice's eyes.

Alice closes her fist and takes a deep breath.

“Before you, I had already met two of your guild mates.”

“Oh?” ← Hywel

“One was the {Witch of Frost and Dark} and the other…was none other than your Guild Leader, the legendary {Fate Threader}.”

Hywel opens his arms with a wide grin on his face.

“How truly lucky of you to encounter our dear Zep. Not many people have a chance to stumble across him and leave without a considerable change in life.”

“He did change…rather, he wants to reform me. I was thoroughly defeated, but Lord {Fate Threader} gave me a second chance.”

Alice then tells Hywel about everything that transpired, from the |Cave of Echoes| to the |Hollow Cavern|, where Zephyr deals with the Moonlight Chimera.

“Outstanding! That’s the Zep I know. He's always ten, or rather, hundred steps ahead of everyone.”

Hywel then turns towards the direction where the road leads towards Verspala.

“So Zep wants you to work under Sophia huh.”

Hywel narrows his eyes down and starts to think things through.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

‘Sophia mentioned before going to Verspala that she needs to be discreet about something. But then Zep decided to send this woman to her. What's his plan here onwards?’ His glance then turns towards Alice.

“What did you say your research was about?”

“.....” “Research about the system of a monster. And formation of dungeons.”

Hywel's eyes widened in surprise after hearing about her research path. It was his first time hearing that someone was bold enough to test monsters and their habitats. To top it off, not even the genius Sophia had thought of something like that.

“You're a weird one. Studying monsters poses a big risk, not to your physical being but to your sanity. It's even illegal to do so.”

“You think so, but GEO has dirt on them about this certain topic. {Fate Threader} most likely have an idea about it.”

Hywel pauses for a moment. After a few seconds, he squats in front of Alice.

“Haah, what to do with you.”

Even though the smile in Hywel's face did not leave the whole time, his thoughts are troubled as he's having a hard time figuring out what's supposed to be their guild leader's supreme plan. Which of course, does not exist.

After some time, Hywel finally lets her go since everything she told him connects. He then decided to return to Telmaris in order to confront someone who is connected to the GEO and the recent incident where Zephyr was involved.

“Information about what?”

Hywel opens his eyes, his amber eyes show blazing light.

“I met a girl named Alice on my way back here.”

“What!?”

Gringar was surprised. It was to be expected as no one knows, with the exception of the party, what really happened to Alice after the quest.

Hywel was then alerted by Gringar’s reaction, causing him to immediately point his palm towards Gringar, his smile and gaze both leaving an extremely intimidating countenance.

“Oh, should I not have mentioned that?”

Gringar frowned after realizing that Hywel seemed to be threatening him. The nerves from his bald head show after such displeasure.

“Hywel, you brat. You might be too strong for your own good, but don’t you dare challenge me like this.”

Gringar stands up, towering Hywel like the titan he is. His eyes turn red due to his unique skill, .

“I might be retired already, but if there is a need to fight, I will show why I am called the {Unyielding Titan}!”

Hywel, on the other hand, looks him directly in his piercing eyes as if he’s not affected even a little bit. However, he knew that the vast difference between their experience is something to respect. And so, as a response, he backed off, slightly raising both of his hands as he chuckled as if all of it was just a joke to begin with.

“Ahah, you’re no fun Gringar.”

“.....”

After just a few seconds, Gringar manages to calm himself down, letting out a massive amount of air from his lungs afterwards. He then seated himself once again and proceeded to write down his reports.

“.....” “I already have a feeling that {Fate Threader} lets her go on purpose. Whatever she plans with her, is definitely something that no one would ever know.”

As Gringar raises his head, he notices that the blaze in Hywel’s eyes still hasn't disappeared.

‘This brat, is he really going to make an enemy out of all GEO!?’

“Hm. Looks like I will not find the answer I’m looking for here.”

Hywel then finally closes his eyes.

“What do you even want to find out?” Gringar asks.

“Information about that woman, Alice’s, past organization.”

“You mean, [The Unforeseen]?”

“Even before that. The [Atlas Research Institute].”

– – –

[Atlas Research Institute] Hideout/Guild Quarters

“You mean to say that you already have her within your grasp, but you just got wiped out by an unarmed single hunter?”

Someone who seems to be a higher ranking member can be seen castigating the group of white hooded hunters who had the task to bring Alice along with them. The group looked beaten down to the bone after having encountered Hywel.

“Unbelievable. Even if it’s that Hywel, with that number of yours, moreover, the versatility of your group can take him down!”

Another high ranking member then storms inside the disciplinary room. The man looks to be a powerful duelist type hunter, wielding three types of weapon: a bow, a dual aluminum dagger, and a spear. He wears a grey tunic over a light mail, perfect for a fast duel.

“Marthel, I heard that Hywel is finally back! Is it true!?”

Marthel is one of the four pillars of the Research Institute, dubbed as the {Fourth Pillar} and works as their chief alchemist. He looks at the man who stormed inside the room and sighs after realizing who he is.

“And what is it to you, Ajax?”

“Hah..haha…HAHAHA! Are you stupid, Marthel?! Why would you ask me a question with such an obvious answer?!”

“Let me guess, pride.” ← Marthel

Ajax then closed his fist and expressed a sinister smile.

“He is someone who is designated as an invulnerable hunter. And I, Ajax, as the one who competes to be the most brutal duelist! Taking him down will finally raise me to the top!”

“Hmp, and how do you intend to win against the strongest frontliner of today?”

Ajax’s weapons shine in unison.

“Hah..hahaha! I have the perfect skill to take down even the toughest hides.”

A new conflict will rise soon!