“This is the best you found?”Zeke sat at the back of the van, moving around due to how uncomfortable the cramped the place was. There were only two seats and the back was meant for anything other than people. Basically, it was a vehicle meant for delivery and not ‘traveling’.Unlike Zeke, Arbert was sitting motionlessly, unbothered by the bumpy road. It hasn’t been long since he was ‘born’, yet the boy had grown drastically. He looked no different than a 12-year-old, with relatively long blood-colored hair, pale white skin, a pair of sharp eyes, and a slim body.He was talking more and more, but most of his conversations were with Sulong. He would sometimes mock Jack or spout nonsensical stuff. Strangely enough, he seemed inexplicably wary of Zeke, barely meeting his gaze or acknowledging his presence.After winning against Azmer, Zeke wasted no time and departed from the Sunken Metropolis along with his new companions. Admittedly, they weren’t the best, nor the strongest, but he fel

Venzo Fekhyr noticed Zeke’s wariness, so he didn’t approach him or do any sudden movements. Instead, he thought it best to explain himself,“I’ve come here to search for a check on a monolith sighted somewhere in this swamp. It’s really fortunate to meet fellow travelers in this godforsaken place, hahahaha…”“...”The stone-faced Zeke kept looking at the two of them, his lips tightly shut. A few seconds later, Sulong returned with Arbert at his side.“Oh, this must be your friend, right? I’m scholar Venzo Fek-”“Yeah yeah, I heard you.” Sulong cut him off and waved his hand unceremoniously. The atmosphere was getting tense and awkward, so Venzo cleared his throat and proposed,“Would you like to join hands? We can help you cross the lake in return for a bit of assistance.”“No, thanks.” Perfunctorily responded Zeke, his narrowed eyes focusing on the stoic Bran. Zeke wasn’t proficient at gauging people’s prowess, then again, the Knights of the Serey Zhan empire used different methods

“We’re not going to make it like this!”Sulong extended both arms and let out swirling flames bursts that merged in the air then exploded into a sea of crimson fire. The van was rocking intensely, coupled with the narrowness of the ice bridge and the incessant attacks of the pursuers, making it seem as if it was about to submerge into the swamp waters anytime soon.“Aah!”Scholar Venzo Fekhyr, who was sitting at the back and hugging the Elf King’s sword, was pale-faced and shouting in fear. Eventually, the expected and unavoidable happened as Bran was distracted by numerous enemies, thus rendering it impossible to continue the bridge.Thus did the van dive into the swamp, causing huge volumes of water to slip inside. With its rear pointing upwards, the vehicle was being submerged, making the defending process more difficult for Zeke and Sulong.Fortunately, at that time, the frightened Arbert made a move. Before the van could completely get engulfed in waters, the youth bit his hand a

“Hah? A child?”The grizzly-faced warrior eyed Zeke with surprise. He was still holding the massive axe but didn’t seem hostile as if he didn’t consider Zeke or the rest a threat.“Travelers or merchants, I presume?”Although still startled by their abrupt arrival, Zeke solemnly nodded his head. He was on full-alert and especially a warrior of the man. He had killed that winged beast with one swing, making it clear that he was equipped with incredible physical prowess.If he was attacked, Zeke would be hard-pressed to defend himself or flee. Fortunately, however, the new arrivals lowered their weapons and gazed at him inquisitively.“This is a distance away from the main road. Not only is it dangerous but…”The man’s eyes narrowed as he focused his gaze on Sulong, whom he presumed was the leader, “It’s also our territory.”Sulong cursed under his breath and glared at Jack, who repeatedly insisted that he was adept at reading maps.It was kind of odd that they haven’t met anyone and th

Not many Ascetic Blasphmeres raided the outpost, but thanks to the curtain of the night and the unpreparedness of the Witches, the number of casualties reached the extreme within minutes.Although Silya Hext had managed to form a small group, she was still trapped amidst the flames and the rampaging insects that barred their escape. Then again, as a commander and soldier, her duty was to protect this place to her last breath and not abandon it to the enemies.The leader of the assailants was a man wearing the same silver robe as his comrades but his mask was metallic black. With his arms crossed and his face hidden, he stood at the back and watched as the 4-star Witch formed a sturdy barrier while bombarding any who got close to her soldiers.Unfortunately, the Ascetic Blasphemers were crazy as they recklessly and suicidally charged at Hext, trying to tire her out.“Hm?”The black-masked man turned his head and looked at the white van zigzagging through the rubble and leaving a sea of