Inside Weston’s office, Sammuel was standing before the current head of Aganth. Never before had Sammuel felt such pressure burden him before. The atmosphere was heavy yet it wasn’t for the reason that one would expect.

“Sammuel, it’s been a while. Last I’ve heard, you were in the middle of the Monster Faction's attack so you might not have gotten the news.” Weston looked away to the side, overseeing the rest of the city from his window.

“What news?” Sammuel had initially expected him to be looked down upon. While everyone else was fighting, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Then again thinking about it rationally, he was just in the Awakened Realm. He wasn't all that important in the grand scheme of things.

This sudden turn of events made him unsettled.

“Xeril’s been captured by the Monster Faction. He went off trying to find you but was taken away. His fate up until now remains unknown.”

Blinded by his obligation towards Marie, he had forgotten about Xeril. Now that someone had been implicated by him, his mind... couldn't fathom. It was a heavy sensation weighing down on him. Sammuel couldn’t utter another word.

Xeril's taken captive? That shouldn't have happened... Is this... my fault?

Weston sighed, he understood that they were friends, and hearing about such a tragic situation was unbearable. He offered some kind words.

“There’s still hope, they are keeping him as a hostage. He shouldn’t die anytime soon.” Weston had lied once again. He had ignored the Monster Faction’s attempts at communication. Even though he wouldn't act to save Xeril right now, he would at the very least try to relieve Sammuel some of the burden.

What’s one more lie? I’ve already buried myself with so many lies I’ve told. Weston internally took in the burden.

Both of them were guilty. Undeniably so. Was it Sammuel's fault for prioritizing another person? Or was it Weston's deliberate act of looking after the entirety of the survivors over Xeril's safety? Or perhaps, was it Xeril's fault for trying to be a hero when he had no strength to act?

An enigmatic situation.

A sudden interruption broke Sammuel’s brooding mood. Jynnette had forced open the door, once again acting like her old self, a very radical and hot-blooded girl. Her clothes were still drenched in monster and human blood, none of it was hers.

“Xeril’s fine.” Jynnette looked to the side where Sammuel was sitting down. “Someone unexpected saved him from Bargom. Now leave, I have more important matters to talk to the old man about.”

Sammuel took a double take at Jynnette’s announcement. Jynnette explained the situation without including Sadin’s involvement at all. She had her own plans regarding this matter. From her point of view, someone like Sammuel will no longer have any role in the upcoming battle so it was best to make him stay out of their way.

After hearing that Xeril had been saved right after learning that he had been captured, it felt off. It was as if life was taunting him of his decisions.

Sammuel was sent out with a slightly odd feeling. He had just been told that his friend was in dire straits but at the very next moment, he was already fine. It’s just that he didn’t quite understand everything quite yet.

[Switch Ego: Sonar Bird]

With such an [Ego], Sammuel could overhear things he normally wouldn’t be able to. His ears were solely focused on the conversation between Jynnette and Weston.

“Is that true? Xeril survived?” Weston couldn’t believe that such a miracle happened.

“Someone from the Genesis Foundation intervened. He should’ve died otherwise. He's currently being held in the infirmary.” There was an audible thump as Jynnette aggressively sat down. “On to the next topic, that person that’s been contracted by the Great Spirits? Turns out he’s on our side.”

Sammuel easily connected the dots. “Ian must’ve intervened. It’s just that… he didn’t seem that high up. Just what could he have given to gain that much help?”

“On our side? So there’s hope?” Weston’s expression brightened up. Such good news was extremely rare during times like this. “What’s the name of our newfound hero?”

“Sadin.”

Sammuel violently coughed out. Luckily, the sound isolation worked both ways otherwise Sammuel would've been found out. Such a name wasn’t something he wasn’t expecting to be brought up so fast. He knew that he was inside the city but to cross paths with someone like that so early was unnerving.

“I’m running out of time.” Sammuel covered his mouth with one of his hands. A certain determination arose from deep within him, with so many threats looming around them, it was about time for him to make his move.

“So… how’s the core?” Jynnette raised her eyebrow, quite interested in this piece of information. And as it turned out, Sammuel was also interested in this.

“Doing well. It’s being well-guarded by a few Ascendant Realm experts. We should be able to hold out for quite a while. So, this Sadin person, can he get us out of this predicament?”

Jynnette answered with a menacing grin, “Yes.”

~~~

Jynnette made her way to her private room where she had specifically kept Sadin. It wasn’t decorated with anything at all. It was as bland as a room could get. Sadin was currently sitting in a lotus position in the middle of the room, trying to replenish his mana.

“Is what you’ve said correct?” Jynnette’s expression turned serious. This was related to her deepest desire, she wouldn’t make a mistake. “Can you locate the Hatchling if we break the barrier?”

“These two can.” Sadin pointed at the green and blue entities hovering around him.

“Simple, super simple.” Sylph flew around without a care in the world.

“If I must.” Naia kept her voice soft yet at the same time seemingly disinterested.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“Good. We’ll move later at night. The sooner we act, the sooner everything ends.” Jynnette crossed her arms and sat on her bed, mentally preparing herself for the time when she would make her move.

“... Can you kill the Hatchling?” Sadin was currently in no position to fight against anyone. He would need quite a bit of time to recover. “You’re weaker than I am. If we break the spatial barrier protecting it and fail to kill the Hatchling then everything will be for nothing.”

Jynnette opened her eyes and mockingly replied. “As if I would ever lose again a Hatchling.”

“If you’re not confident, give me two days. I’ll be fully recovered by then. At that point, we can make our move and I’ll be able to do it.”

Rubbering her temples, Jynnette gritted her teeth. “We don’t even have that much time left. The barrier would’ve broken by then. We need to make our move when the Great Dragon of Moonlight expects it the least. Within that split amount of time, we have to locate and slay the Hatchling at all costs.”

“Aganth’s a mess.” Sadin simply stated.

“It wouldn’t have had been if my mother was still-” Jynnette found herself in a single moment of weakness. She immediately stopped herself before she fell any further.

There was a slight moment of silence before the atmosphere was ruined by another person. It was a silver-haired youth wearing modest adventurer’s clothes. He was the type of person that would easily blend into the crowd if need be. Or he could be the person that steals the show from everyone else.

“I can’t believe they’re making me work overtime. My identity’s a joke to them at this point.” Verim sighed. “First the Monster Faction then it was that fool, now it’s these two. Have they lost their minds?”

Sylph and Naia immediately disappeared, not taking the slightest chance when it came to someone like him. Jynnette took out her twin daggers, terrified of Verim’s sudden appearance. Sadin merely eyed him down, not daring to blink away.

“Such hostitly.” Verim shook his head in helplessness. “You were just preventing me from doing my job. Nothing personal. If we’re being civil, let’s talk about your flimsy little plan.”

“As always, the Genesis Foundation’s a complete pain. Overlooking everything against their will.” Jynnette snickered. Her words had quite the implication.

“If you’re blaming us for not saving your mother, then you should blame your mother for being too weak. Unless… you want us to bring her back?” Verim scoffed at Jynnette’s accusations. “That can easily be arranged if you so wish.”

“Disgusting freaks playing god.”

Sadin’s ears perked up once he heard this. “You can bring the dead back to life?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that but yes. Do you have anyone you want to bring back?”

“Don’t listen to him. They wouldn't be the same person. Those brought back will be nothing more than puppets.” Jynnette was extremely spiteful about such practices. The sanctity of life shouldn’t be tarnished like this.

“Out with it already.”

“Very well, I’m here to offer you a partnership. You see just like you…” Verim slowly pointed at Sadin. “You…” He then pointed at Jynnete. “And apparently me…” Verim took a slight bow. “We all want to kill the Hatchling. I don’t get why you would want those in the Monster Faction, Sadin. They’re trying to achieve the same goal as you.”

The air around Sadin slightly changed. It was to the point that Verim even had to respect such an aura. He no longer tried to mock him any further.

“So what are you trying to say?” Sadin wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

Verim raised his finger. “I just want you to know that this isn’t the entire story out here yet. You see, as it turned out, there’s someone who already knows where the Hatchling is. You both know who he is.”

“What are you talking about? How the hell should I know anyone in this city?” Sadin’s temper blew up. Despite being at the brink of death, he wasn’t willing to back down at all.

“Sammuel. Ring a bell?” Verim casually played around with the handle on his blade. “It’s an odd twist of fate really. Every one of us has dealings with that kid. After all, he mimicked a fraction of my [Flowing Swordsmanship].”

“Sammuel? That kid’s still alive?” Sadin recalled Sammuel as that one kid who ran away as the countless goblins overran him. While he was enjoying himself slaying multiple foes by himself, Sammuel ran off trying his very best to survive.

Jynnette merely breathed out air. She didn’t react all too much upon hearing this information.

“Cutting to the chase, let’s apprehend Sammuel and force him to tell us where the Hatchling is. That way, we wouldn’t need to break the barrier and needlessly welcome Alyur’s wrath. How does that sound?”

Sadin wanted to oppose such an offer but thinking about his current state, he had no other choice but to accept. Jynnette was indifferent to it at all, for as long as she could achieve what she desired, the process no longer mattered. She didn’t care even if it was one of her previous students.

“Very well, we are all in accord. Let’s make our move then.” Verim casually unsheathed his blade. Despite there not being a hint of moonlight, his blade seemed to have manifested it into reality.

Sadin and Jynnette were slightly taken back by Verim’s sudden order.

“Hmm?” Verim looked back and slightly smiled. “While you two were thinking of breaking the core, he’s already making his move. He’s already one step ahead of you. I have to say, ”

Hearing this, Sadin and Jynnette rushed forward. Sadin might be severely weakened but he was still able to offer his help in his own way.

“Let’s make haste, I might be powerful but that guy has his own tricks to play with. Don’t be fooled. He’s not so easily taken down.” Verim narrowed his eyes, compared to fighting such an overwhelmingly monstrous foe like Sadin, he placed Sammuel on a higher list.

“He can’t be that strong.” Sadin scoffed. He recalled the stark difference between him and Sammuel.

“I’ve seen that one’s growth myself. It’s lackluster at most.” Jynnette similarly thought the same. She had recognized Xeril’s strength but not Sammuel’s. It didn’t matter how miraculous it seemed, Sammuel wasn’t a threat at all.

In the great distance, Sammuel was preparing to make his move. He had fully prepared everything for this one moment. “Let’s do this.” He had finished placing this box of explosives down on the door when he felt a terrifying chill get sent down his spine. He immediately turned around to see three people menacingly walking up to him.

Sammuel didn’t even bother hiding what he was doing. It was clear that if three people suddenly appears before him without a word, the implication was obvious. The only problem was that he didn’t expect these three people to be Verim, the swordsman he stole [Flowing Swordsmanship] from, Sadin, one of the people he joined this world alongside, and Jynnette, the mentor he learned from these past while.

“Sammuel, there’s no need for you to die or suffer. As your mentor, I can guarantee you that for as long as you give up where the Hatchling is, I’ll ensure your safety.”

“I can vouch for that, I don’t really want to kill you, kid. You impressed me that you actually made it this far.” Sadin showed a confident smile. He was genuinely amazed at how far someone who lived in such a sheltered world could grow to this point.

“A job’s a job. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Verim shook his hands, preparing himself for the upcoming slaughter. "I don't personally want to end someone who's talented."

Sammuel turned to face each and every single person here and accurately determined who the greatest threats were. “If that’s the case then there’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

At once, everyone used their trump cards. It was instinctual for some odd reason.

[Flowing Swordsmanship | Gain Combat Power: +49,548 | Verim: 153,534]

[Art of Killing: Vengeance | Gain Combat Power: +23,684 | Jynnette: 85,583]

[Great Favor: Elemental Warlord | Gain Combat Power: +36,843 | Sadin: 75,634]

Power coursed through Sammuel’s veins. The sheer strength being enforced within his body was immense but he wasn’t done yet.

[Life Overdraft | Gain Combat Power: +984 | …]

[Full Force | Gain Combat Power: +583 | …]

[Borrowed Power | Gain Combat Power: +1,035 | …]

And he wasn’t stopping. Sammuel was using every empowering ability he had in his disposal.

Yet as the person who had countless eyes been looking at him, Sammuel had something he hadn’t dared use this entire time.

[Supreme Blessing of Attachment | Gain Combat Power: +??? | Sammuel: ???]

“Sadin, I just want to warn you now…” Sammuel raised his hand, his palm facing his three opponents. “My ability [Ego] is pretty fucking terrifying.”

Sadin didn’t initially understand why Sammuel would say that but at the very next moment, he understood. So did Verim and Jynnette. Power started manifesting within Sammuel’s hands that no mere mortal should ever be able to possess.

[Anihilation Nova]