To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 178: Draw your sword

North Coast Palace / 

Someone walked briskly down the palace hallway, towards the throne room.

In the throne room, there is a certain woman who sits casually on the throne chair, feeling almighty.

The person who walked in hurried earlier got to the throne room; immediately reporting.

"My Lady, the attempted assassination of the Vigorous Maiden ended in failure."

The Queen of the throne was not surprised at the report. In fact, she seemed to have expected the result to end that way.

"The Greed is so strong. Not only did he have thousands of swords, he also had many eyes that he could use. What a perfect implementation of the word 'great man'."

Despite her failed plan, the queen praised her enemy's prowess.

The Sin of Greed. Greedy Red Dragon. That person is their enemy. The only threat that could foil their grand plan. 

Listening to the report too, a man emerged from the shadows. 

"What do we do, Queen Echidna?"

The Queen, Echidna, propping her head with her right hand, feeling bored.

"Given The Greed's character, he would definitely come here to take what belongs to him. He would take the Vigorous Maiden with him, the one who became his heart this moment."

They already know all about their opponent. His situation, his character, his comrades, and his goals.

"All we have to do is wait for his arrival. We will end his story here, which is foreseen to interfere with Father of Soul's plans."

"How about King Emperor, Queen? He had regained his strength. But you can't control him. Is he going to help us?"

"Whether he helps us or not, The Greed's heart is in him. So inevitably, Greed had to beat him to get his heart back, which is impossible for Greed to win."

That is still an estimate, but an estimate that will come true. 

"Even so, we still can't predict what kind of move Greed will make. Considering he had made Envy his to become his subordinate. Will Greed bring Envy with him in the next battle?"

"That possibility is five in one hundred percent. Greed wouldn't do it because it would lower his pride. The man who branded himself is the strongest, asked for help to defeat the strongest man. That is a laughable joke."

Echidna smiled wickedly in their sure victory.

"What about Huxian? Our intelligence says she has an interest to The Greed."

"Her guardian won't let her get out of her territory. That is why, after we killed The Greed, this Floor will be ours." 

The ranks of the Black Hunter group were waiting at the location of the destiny battle, waiting for their fated opponents to come to challenge them.

"We will win this battle of destiny."

______________

Northwest Harbor / 

Meanwhile, in other's fate location. 

"I need you to meet a party."

Arlene tries to bring Ars to downstairs. To the place where the party that would join them was waiting.

Arlene tries really hard with her intentions. Ars replied that with silent and no expression. Until he suddenly vanished. 

"Wait! He teleported!"

Without giving an answer, Ars went straight down.

"OMG! I won't get used to his way of disappearing suddenly like that."

Arlene immediately ran to the door to catch up. But she stopped, remembering that there was a sleeping princess who was helpless in the room.

"Better check-up first before going downstairs."

~~~~~~~~~~

In the living room of the apartment / 

Skadi was sitting next to an excited, cheerful party.

Apart from them, there were several groups of people also in the room. Given the room is enough for fifty people to get in.

"That's them?"         

"Yes."

Ars appeared suddenly next to her. However, Skadi was not surprised. She even had expected Ars's thing to come like that. Unlike the red-haired woman who would be surprised every time Ars teleported suddenly.

The waiting party noticed Ars' appearance. 

They immediately told the party leader to come forward and face their client.

The party contains of 5 Hunter. Vanguard Knight as the leader, a Tank, a female Archer, a female Caster, and a female Priest. 

The party leader came to Ars with a confident smile. When Ars stared back with dead fish eyes. The party leader confident goes down a little. 

"My name is Lian Wei. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Greedy Young Master." 

The party leader greets with extended his right hand to Ars, trying to shake hands.

"Just call me Ars."

Ars ignored the handshake and sat down on the chair.

That was a bit awkward and rude, to be honest. Fortunately, Skadi had warned them of Ars current emotional state. So Lian also sat in the side seat, facing Ars.

In his chair, Ars looked at Lian for a moment, then moved on to the rest of the party. Ars was judging them with his red eyes, which made them tremble slightly, goosebumps.

They already knew the nature of the Greedy Young Master, who had bright red eyes and an arrogant face. 

However, they couldn't see that face because the Greedy Young Master had a drop in emotions which made him have a low temper. Looks scarier than usual.

Not wanting to wait, Lian took the initiative to introduce his party members.

"We may be look young, but we are certified Platinum Hunters."

"I know."

Lian did not expect that aggressive attitude.

"We consist just five members, but with full role. I am as Knight and Leader. The big man is our Tank, Richard."

"I hope we can work together well."

"The always smiling and has Ace's eyes, the Archer, Bradley."

"Just call me Brad. My eyes may not as great as yours. But I can shoot down a flying eagle."

"The confident and has high-pride lady, a Caster, Xian Ling."

"I told you not to introduce me that way, Lian. By the way, nice to meet you, mister."

"And the tiny soft-hearted lady, our beloved Priest, Sara."

"I'm not tiny. I'm just mini," said the tiny Priest in not-looking but angry way. "May the good gives us its blessing in our expedition."

That is the sum of the entire party. If Ars, Skadi, and Arlene were counted, the total of their entire party would be eight.

Eight hunters who want to challenge the northwest region.

After the introduction, Ars closed his eyes, took a deep breath.

Lian and his members held their breath. Because Ars' manner gave them chills to their neck.

"Did you know what your job is?"

Ars asking a casual question. 

That was a little unexpected, because they thought, Ars would be hard to them. So, Lian didn't need to hold back from answering.

"Miss Arlene said that our job is to protect your treasure during the expedition later. Therefore, we will be committed, to prioritize the item as equal to our lives."

Ars nodded at that answer. Lian satisfies him. That is a very good sign for them. 

"Have you been on a big expedition? Like Catastrophe or boss territory?"

"We never got the chance to see Catastrophe. But we have gone through several battles against boss territory."

Ars nodded again.

Ars is testing them. The meeting became an interview session. Ars is in charge of being an HRD recruiting members for a major project for his own company.

"What's your motivation of taking this job?"

At the question, Lian looked to Skadi. The other members did the same.

"Our motivation is, Miss Skadi."

Her name got mentioned, but Skadi did not give any response. She just listened silently as before. Waiting Lian to finishes his words. 

"Not many know the story. But Miss Skadi is a strong warrior. Even though she is alone, she still had great intentions to move forward, to conquer this region. Therefore, we want to follow her, join this expedition team to carry out a conquest."

Lian and the rest of his party gave a confident glare to Ars, accompanied by smiles of confidence; they could carry out that conquest.

This moment is a serious moment that must also be taken with seriousness. However, Ars grinned instead, and ended up laughing with amusement.

Lian and his party glared in disbelief. They just gave a deep message. But Ars's response seemed to humiliate them.

Annoyed, Xian Ling stood up from her chair. "Hey, we can accept if you reject us! But why are you laughing?! Do you think we are stupid just because you are superior?!"

Xian Ling's anger drew all eyes to look at them. Sara doesn't want that.

"Please calm down, Xian Ling," said Sara as she pulled Xian Ling to sit down. 

Xian Ling was angry. Sara is worried. On the other hand the three men were trying to understand, why would someone as strong as Ars laugh at them?

Ars stopped his laughter, then stood up, although still amused.

"I'm sorry. It's just, all of you are so main-character-able. If I could give my role to you, I would. But, this world is just not that kind."

After saying that, Ars walked out, to the door. Leaving them with no certainty. 

"Wait!"

Ars doesn't seem to have any more interest in them. Yet Lian stood up to ask for a right.

When the situation got in high tense, someone opened the door and went inside.

"Sorry I'm late!"

It was Arlene, who immediately found that the situation was very tense.

"Um, what happened here?"

Arlene got ignored. 

Lian focuses on Ars.

"Can you at least tell us what we lack of?"

Lian immediately understood why Ars was not interested in them. Because they lacked something that Ars hoped for.

Skadi wasn't their only motivation. But Ars, too. They have read any information regarding Ars.

When they found out that Ars, the Greedy Young Master came to their region, and he was in a team with Skadi, of course it made them very excited.

Their greatest dream was to carry out a conquest, and they had found an opportunity to make it happen. Because of that, Lian didn't want to accept that they couldn't participate in Ars' expedition. At least for no apparent reason.

"Intention."

That one word became Ars' answer. He walked back outside.

"Wait, can't you see our great intention?!"

However, Lian still did not accept Ars' reason.

To answer that stubbornness, Ars turned back; give Lian one last chance.

"If you really that eager to follow me. Draw your sword, then."

Lian shuddered at those words. Ars wants to test their strength.

"Testing your strength is bullshit. Take out your sword, right here, right now."

Lian was indeed tying his sword around his waist at that time. But to pull it out now? Sounds nonsense.

"Let me give you an example."

Ars took out one Sinaga Sword as he walks toward Lian.

At that very tense moment, everyone stood in disbelief.

They are currently in the Guild Protection zone. Having the intention of fighting to the death was strictly forbidden, and a certain one was wielding his sword walking towards his opponent.

Ars is in front of Lian, who was shivering and sweating profusely.

"What are you doing, Ars?!" asked Arlene in disbelief. 

Ars currently lifts his sword and put it to Lian's shoulder. 

However, Guild Judgment is not coming to stop him.

Ars looked at Lian very sharply. His red eyes glowed brightly. Like it was the only light in the room.

"Come on. Draw your sword like this. If you do it, then I will take you with me."