A man strolled toward Alonso, the sound of his slow clapping drawing the attention of everyone around. His grin was wide, but there was an unsettling disconnect between his smile and his eyes. "Well done, lad. Truly, quite the spectacle. But I'm afraid I cannot permit you to finish the him off. You'd be entangling yourself in more trouble than you're prepared for."
Alonso turned to the stranger, his curiosity immediately piqued. There was something strange about him, something that made him stand out from the average adventurer. Narrow, slanted eyes framed by slicked-back black hair gave him a sharp, almost cunning look. His skin had a yellowish tint, and his sharp nose and thin lips only added to his fox-like appearance. Despite his seemingly carefree attitude, Alonso sensed an air of mystery about him that he couldn't ignore. Who is this man? Alonso thought, his mind racing.
The man's attire was even more puzzling. He wore a shirt that seemed to be made from some kind of shimmering snakeskin, with a white hooded cape draped casually over his shoulders. The cape faintly glowed, as if touched by an otherworldly light. His trousers were made of the same strange material as his shirt, and his silver boots gleamed unnaturally, as though crafted from a material Alonso had never seen before.
"What kind of armor is that?" Alonso wondered silently, his mind analyzing the materials. It was unlike anything he had ever come across, its composition far too advanced to be ordinary metalwork.
The man noticed Alonso's gaze lingering on his armor and smirked. "Admiring the outfit, are we?" His voice was light, almost mocking, as if he found amusement in Alonso's curiosity. "Let's just say it's a rather exquisite creation. Not something you'll find in your typical smithy, I assure you."
Alonso's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing, but for once, he found himself unable to fully comprehend what he was looking at. This man, with his strange armor and carefree attitude, was an enigma. But more than anything, Alonso's curiosity was burning now—he had to know more.
The crowd, on the other hand, was uneasy. The man's relaxed demeanor and the casual way he inserted himself into the conflict made them nervous. There was something off about him, something they couldn't place. They exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of whether to be relieved or more afraid.
Alonso couldn't see the force field surrounding Rerbun, but the pressure in the air told him it was there—something powerful, something grand. His instincts screamed of its presence, even though it was invisible to the naked eye. The space around Rerbun shimmered faintly, distorting the air like heat rising from desert sands. This must have been what shattered his ice sword, a barrier so strong it repelled his attack effortlessly.
He narrowed his eyes at the mysterious man who had appeared out of nowhere, realizing now that this was no ordinary individual. The energy radiating from him was subtle yet imposing, and the crowd quickly caught on.
"Oi, what's the guild master doin' here?" someone shouted, their voice tinged with panic. "He never shows his face!"
"Wait… that's him?" Another voice spoke up, this time in hushed awe. "That's Cheng Gang? The Cheng Gang? The guild master's a Superior Summoner, almost a demigod!"
"No way," another scoffed, though their voice trembled with doubt. "Nobody makes it to the realm of the gods. Plenty have tried, and none lived to tell the tale."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, and Alonso absorbed their chatter, piecing together more information about this Cheng Gang. A Superior Summoner, almost godlike, Alonso thought, carefully analyzing the situation. Summoners of that caliber were rare—on the brink of their final evolution, capable of summoning entities that could reshape landscapes or obliterate armies. Such power was daunting, and now he understood why his attack had been neutralized so easily.
Cheng, however, didn't seem phased by any of it. He ambled forward with the same carefree attitude, clapping lazily as though applauding a school performance. "Ah, there we go, that's the spirit," Cheng said, grinning widely. "Well, lad, I must admit, you put on a delightful show. Almost had me on the edge of my seat, you did!" His tone was light, almost playful, as if none of this truly mattered to him. "But you will have to let this ruffian go." He gestured vaguely to Rerbun, still crumpled on the ground. "He may be a fool, but his father's a nuisance, and dealing with that would be quite the headache."
Alonso's eyes narrowed further as he evaluated Cheng's behavior. The man looked and sounded like someone without a care in the world, yet here he was, intervening in a lethal fight with a simple flick of his fingers. Is this a front? Alonso wondered, unsure if Cheng's easygoing demeanor was genuine or a way to hide his true power. Whatever the case, one thing was clear—this man was dangerous.
The crowd continued to buzz with excitement and fear. "That's the Cheng Gang, all right. Rumors say his summoning abilities are on the final tier—some say he's bonded with a creature that's reached its last evolution!"
"Does that mean he could summon something that could wipe out entire cities?" someone whispered, their voice trembling.
Alonso, however, stayed silent, his mind whirling with possibilities. Cheng's presence alone seemed to warp the environment, and that invisible force field was proof of how far beyond the average adventurer he truly was. This wasn't someone you could fight and walk away unscathed from.
"Ah, but where are my manners?" Cheng continued, completely oblivious to the weight of the situation, or perhaps simply choosing to ignore it. "I am Cheng Gang, guild master of this fine establishment. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. It's a shame we couldn't engage under more, shall we say, tranquil circumstances."
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Alonso blinked, taken aback by the man's nonchalant introduction. Cheng's casual attitude didn't match his overwhelming power, and for a moment, Alonso wondered if he was underestimating this man. He remained cautious, keeping his guard up. This is not the kind of person you pick a fight with lightly, he thought, gripping his icy katana as it reformed in his hand.
"So," Cheng continued with a carefree chuckle, "what's it going to be? Are we going to stand here all day, or are you going to allow him to escape, hmm? Can't have you going around slaying folks simply because they vexed you. Quite detrimental to business, you know?"
Alonso exhaled slowly, weighing his options. He knew better than to make an enemy of someone like Cheng. His gaze flickered back to Rerbun, still trembling on the ground, his face swollen and bloody. For now, Alonso held back, lowering his blade slightly, though the cold fury in his eyes remained.
Cheng grinned mischievously, his carefree attitude masking a deeper intention. "Come to my office, lad. It's too crowded out here, and besides, we've got some matters to discuss." He gave a playful wink before turning on his heel, his white cape fluttering behind him as he casually strolled toward the guild hall. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled Alonso to follow, as if what had just transpired was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Alonso hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the beaten and bloodied Rerbun, but his curiosity got the better of him. There was something undeniably enigmatic about Cheng, something that piqued Alonso's desire to understand more about the man and his seemingly limitless power.
As the two disappeared from view, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of whispers and speculation.
"Did you see that? Cheng Gang himself came down!" one person exclaimed.
"I've never seen him intervene like that before. What could be so important about this fight?" another asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"He doesn't just invite anyone to his office. That kid must be special," murmured a third voice.
Among the group stood four adventurers, known collectively as Full Moon. Their leader, a legendary SSS-ranked adventurer, was rarely seen in public and was currently missing. In her absence, the vice-leader, Abigail, had taken command, driven by an unwavering determination to find her mentor.
The adventurer ranking system was as follows: E rank, D rank, C rank, B rank, A rank, S rank, SS rank, and finally, the nearly mythical SSS rank. E rank represented the lowest tier, while A rank was the highest that most adventurers could ever hope to achieve through the standard adventurers' guild system. However, to go beyond A rank and into the S rank and above, the requirements were far more stringent.
To even be considered for S rank, an adventurer needed a personal recommendation from a king, as well as approval from five different guild masters across the continent. But the leap from S rank to SS rank—and especially SSS rank—was almost beyond comprehension. These ranks were legendary, their power so immense that adventurers at this level were often compared to demi-gods.
In the entire Blazing Star continent, there were only five SS-ranked adventurers, and even more rare, only two SSS-ranked adventurers. The sheer strength, skill, and influence required to reach these heights were beyond the grasp of almost every adventurer, making them living legends and a force that few dared to challenge.
Abigail, the vice leader of The full moon, was as fierce as she was beautiful. Her striking brown skin glistened under the afternoon sun, and her vibrant pink braids, tied back into a ponytail, seemed to dance with every step she took. At just five feet tall, she was a living paradox—small in stature, yet towering in presence. Clad in a light blue corset, tight green trousers, and black knee-high boots, she moved with a fluid grace that could only come from years of battle experience. Her dark blue hooded cape flared dramatically behind her, giving her the air of a warrior queen.
Known far and wide as Blazing Abigail or The Flaming Bull, her reputation preceded her everywhere she went. She had earned her S-rank through sheer will and power, carving a path of flame and fury through any obstacle that dared stand in her way. Her name alone sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned adventurers.
"Ha! That fool Rerbun thought he could win? What a joke!" Abigail scoffed, her fiery confidence practically crackling in the air around her. "Did you feel the energy coming off that oni? I have to recruit him!" Her voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument.
Beside her, the youngest and perhaps most intelligent member of their group, Josh, glanced up nervously from the notes he had been scribbling. At twelve years old, he was shy and introverted, but his intelligence was unparalleled. His messy brown hair fell into his eyes as he pushed up his glasses, trying to piece together what he had witnessed.
"Um, Abigail… d-do you think that was some kind of blessing?" Josh asked quietly, his voice soft but steady. "It didn't feel like magic, but it wasn't normal either. It's... perplexing."
Abigail shot him a glance, her smile softening for a brief moment. "Kid, you're always overthinking. But who knows? Could be a blessing... could be something else. Either way, he's got power."
Before the conversation could continue, Kuvira stepped forward, her movements languid and seductive, like a cat on the prowl. The 20-year-old elf exuded an intoxicating allure. Long black hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp brown eyes sparkled with mischief. She had a flask of wine in one hand, which she raised to her lips with a sly grin.
"Mmm, forget the oni for a moment," Kuvira purred, her voice dripping with flirtation. "What about that dungeon everyone's been talking about? The guild master must have something in mind for him. Maybe he's the key to cracking that puzzle, hmm?" She took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink, clearly enjoying the chaos around her.
"And maybe he can join me for a drink when we're done," she added with a playful wink in Alonso's direction, even though he was out of sight.
Mulgul, meanwhile, was not as enthusiastic. The high elf stood with a scowl on his face, his short green hair a mess beneath the fedora he always insisted on wearing. He was always complaining about something, and today was no exception.
"Ugh, dungeons. Why does it always have to be dungeons?" Mulgul muttered, crossing his arms. "Metal monsters, glowing floors… it's too much. And don't get me started on that door. No one's been able to open it. Why do we have to deal with this mess? Can't they send someone else?"
Abigail rolled her eyes, her fiery spirit unfazed by Mulgul's constant whining. "Quit your moaning, Mulgul. You're not getting out of this one. Besides, it's not just any dungeon—it's got mechanisms that no one's figured out. I couldn't even get through. We need someone who can think like an inventor." She clenched her fist, the heat from her flaming aura causing the air around her to shimmer. "If that oni has the brains to match his power, he might just be what we need."
The crowd around them continued to buzz, but it was clear that full moon were sizing up Alonso with keen interest.