The Mind World And The Outcast Hero

Leading To Disaster

 Alondo was left in a state of shock. An assassin had just reported an attack on Conscience City. He couldn't understand why the Cliques had chosen to attack such a difficult target. Conscience City was one of the most heavily guarded cities in the Mind World. Due to this, Alondo hadn't expected the Cliques to attack it so soon.

"You're kidding, right!?" Exclaimed Alondo. "What's the status there?"

"It's hard to say..! We just received a report from the other hero organizations that they need desperate backup! All they told us was that many high-leveled Demon Beasts were attacking the city alongside Clique soldiers. They require the assistance of AA immediately!" Replied the assassin.

Alondo then took a short moment to think. The situation was quite troublesome. He already had many other assassins out on missions. If he were to send out too many other assassins to Conscience City then headquarters would be left poorly guarded. Not to mention that he wouldn't have enough assassins ready to be dispatched on other needed missions. 

"How many members of Team Assassin are back from their missions?" Asked Alondo.

"A total of ten including the top 5 assassins!"

"I see... It seems that I have no choice then. Dispatch six members of Team Assassin inclusive of the top 5 and Brady Lawrence. For support, send an additional two S-Classed assassins and another two A-Classed assassins. They must all have experience with dealing with the Cliques! We can not afford to send any more high-ranked assassins. As for the remaining four members of Team Assassin, please instruct them to go on guard duty immediately!"

"Yes sir!"

The assassin then quickly ran off to do as Alondo had instructed. Unfortunately, Alondo was forced to send his very best assassins due to being short on staff. He would compensate quantity with quality.

Alondo then turned to Nathan with an intense look in his eyes. This slightly intimidated Nathan as he had never seen Alondo with such a serious look before.

"Nathan, I'm sorry to say that our conversation has to end here. I have to prepare the others for this mission!"

"Is it an S-Classed mission..?"

"Yes, another area is under attack. This time it's by the Cliques themselves. They're accompanied by high-leveled Demon Beasts which probably means that even the Beast King is present. This will be a very dangerous mission."

Nathan froze as soon as he heard this. If the Beast King was there then he had to participate in the mission as well. He had to be the one to put a stop to that monster. It was the only way that he could avenge everyone who had died.

"Alondo, please—"

"No, Nathan..." Interrupted Alondo. "I know what you're going to ask. I can't allow you to go on this mission. It's far too dangerous for a rookie such as yourself."

"But the Beast King will be there! I need to avenge Rosie and make that bastard pay!"

"Nonsense!" Boomed Alondo. "Do you need another reminder that this isn't a game, Nathan? You can talk big all you want but if you're unable to back it up then you're nothing but a fraud! This mission is far too dangerous for a rookie!"

"But I need to avenge Rosie! That bastard is out there doing whatever he pleases while I'm here sitting on my butt! There's no way I can accept that!"

"Nathan, seeking vengeance gets you nowhere!"

"It's not about vengeance, Alondo! It's about my promise to Rosie..! I have to do this!"

Alondo then took a brief moment to think. He understood how Nathan felt but he still couldn't allow him to go on the mission. It was far too dangerous.

"It's understandable that you're upset. But I still can not allow you to go on this mission."

"Why..? Because it's dangerous? You sent me out on a mission like this before, remember? You even allowed Sindy and Andrew to go on a mission involving Clique commanders! What's the difference between now and then?!"

"This is a far more dangerous mission than the one back on Mind Mountain, Nathan. It won't just be two commanders like last time. All of the Clique commanders could very well be present. On top of that, their supporting organizations are probably with them as well. You'd be walking into a minefield!"

To Alondo's surprise, Nathan walked over to him before placing his fist against his chest with a determined look in his eyes. 

"You remember your promise, right? You said that if we were successful on the mission to defeat the Scorpions, you'd allow us to be a part of Team Assassin! That means that right now, I'm a part of Team Assassin! You have no right to deny me a right that I earned!"

Alondo shuddered from the sheer resolution present in Nathan's voice. It was true that they had made a promise. It would only be right for him to stay true to his word. However, Alondo was still concerned.

"Nathan, I have a very bad feeling that I shouldn't send you on this mission. My gut is telling me to keep you here! My intuition has never been wrong in situations like these! So for your own safety, I can't permit you to go on this mission."

"I made a promise to Rosie and I plan to keep it. I also promised that I would do whatever it took to save this world, Smartmind! So I have no intention of dying, no matter what! All I need is your approval!"

Alondo couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance from Nathan's words. It was evident that he had matured. He was no longer afraid of the things he had to do. Instead, he was willing to shoulder his responsibilities, no matter how difficult.

"Fine, I'll allow you to go..."

Nathan's eyes widened with relief. His wish had been granted. He was finally being presented with the opportunity to punish the Beast King. He had no intention of failing.

"Thanks, Alondo..! I appreciate this more than you know."

"I'll also allow Sindy and Andrew to accompany you on this mission since you're all a team," continued Alondo. "But Nathan, you need to be very careful. I'm choosing to believe in you this time but my intuition is telling me that it's a bad idea to send you on this mission. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, don't be afraid to run. Don't allow your ego to kill you. That's an order!"

"Will do!"

Alondo then turned himself around before proceeding towards the door. However, before he left, he looked back at Nathan one last time.

"Nathan, I've known you for all my life. I've always been watching you. You're a determined person and you're always willing to go through hell to save those you care about. I'm even aware of your abusive father from the past. But it's because I know these things that I think you should be extremely cautious this time around..."

 Alondo then paused as he hardened his face. 

"On this mission, if you try to play hero like you always do then there is no doubt in my mind that you will die!"