News spread throughout the Tianyu Dynasty about the deaths of the two post guards and several others at the immigration port.
The incident had caused a wave of unease among the people. The immigration port was one of the most heavily monitored entrances into the dynasty, and for several guards to be killed without anyone knowing exactly what had happened was enough to make even experienced adventurers nervous.
Only two days after the incident, the news reached far beyond the port and into the surrounding territories. A royal decree was issued to every guild within reach of Tianyu, calling for assistance with the investigation.
The reward was substantial.
100,000 gold.
However, there was one strict requirement. Only adventurers ranked B, A, or S were permitted to accept the request.
In a certain guild near the harbour, a guildmaster sat behind his desk while staring at the royal decree in his hands. The guild specialized in portations, making it one of the more active guilds in the harbour district.
He scratched his chin, his eyes narrowing as he read through the details again.
"Man, who's willing to go to that dynasty?" the guildmaster muttered.
He lowered the paper onto the desk and leaned back in his chair.
"Honestly, it's the work of the demon clan."
A fellow guild member standing nearby raised an eyebrow.
"You don't say, sir?"
"Yeah."
The guildmaster folded his arms and let out a long sigh.
"And let me tell you this. Tianyu once had an Extinction Class tier enemy. It was a ginormous dragon like beast. They said it was created by a mad Demon Marshall."
The member's expression immediately changed.
"No way. You mean one of the Ten Commandments?"
"That's right," the guildmaster answered.
The atmosphere around the room suddenly became heavier.
The guildmaster tapped his fingers against the desk, remembering the stories he had heard over the years.
"That thing was a nightmare. Entire areas were destroyed just because it existed. Even after it was gone, people were still talking about it for years."
The younger member swallowed nervously.
"And now something happened at the immigration port..."
"Exactly." The guildmaster pointed toward the royal decree. "That's why I don't want some rookie going there and getting themselves killed."
Just then, the door opened.
A guild member hurried inside, slightly out of breath.
"Sir!"
The guildmaster looked up.
"What is it?"
"An individual has finished another A tier request."
The guildmaster blinked.
"Another one?"
"Yes, sir."
The member held up the completed request papers.
"This is by far the seventh A tier request he's completed in a single day, sir."
The guildmaster stared at him.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then his face broke into a grin.
"Hahaha! Must be that temporary newcomer, Maladeva, right?!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
The guildmaster slapped his hand against the desk and laughed.
"Hahaha! Who else but that boy?"
He picked up the royal decree again and glanced over it.
"You know what? His party of two is becoming infamous around here."
The other two members exchanged uneasy glances.
The guildmaster's grin widened.
"Maybe I should give them this Tianyu mission."
Both members immediately froze.
"Sir..."
Their voices trembled.
The guildmaster looked at them.
"What?"
The two members looked at each other before slowly turning back toward their guildmaster.
"Sir!!!"
Their faces had gone pale.
The guildmaster burst into laughter.
"Nahahaha! It's settled! Call in Maladeva. Besides, it's just a report and back mission. Nothing much."
The two members stared at their guildmaster in disbelief.
"Just a report and back mission..." one of them muttered.
"That's what he said," the other replied quietly.
Neither of them looked particularly convinced.
Outside the room at the guild hall, Maladeva, also known as Dante, had just finished completing his seventh A tier mission alongside Kaen.
The two walked through the guild's main corridor as adventurers moved around them. Some glanced at Dante with curiosity, while others whispered among themselves after recognizing the temporary newcomer who had somehow completed seven A tier requests in a single day.
Kaen walked beside him with her hands behind her head, her ears twitching with growing frustration.
"Nya, Master."
Dante glanced sideways.
"Hm?"
"When can we get some fighting ones?"
Kaen puffed out her cheeks.
"All we do is status reports, then we move somewhere else, then we report again, then we move again."
She kicked a small pebble across the floor.
"There's no fighting at all."
Dante chuckled.
"You'll get it soon, Kaen."
He continued walking at a relaxed pace, his hands resting casually at his sides.
"Besides, would you rather fight another monster like we did back at Járnheimr?"
Kaen's footsteps suddenly slowed.
Her ears lowered.
She stared ahead for several seconds as the memories of Járnheimr came rushing back to her.
The destruction.
The overwhelming enemies.
The sheer amount of chaos they had witnessed.
Kaen's expression gradually became more serious.
"..."
Dante glanced at her.
Kaen remained silent.
A few seconds passed before she finally raised one hand in surrender.
"Alright, point taken."
She sighed.
"Master is a smarty pants."
Dante laughed.
"Ahahaha."
He reached over and gently patted Kaen on the head.
"Good kitty."
"Maladevaaaa!!!"
A yell came from one of the guild members.
"Your requested an audience with the guildmaster!"
Kaen and Dante looked at each other.
They had only been newcomers to this guild for a few weeks, temporary members who had joined while passing through the region. Neither of them had expected to be summoned directly to meet the guildmaster.
Without questioning it, they headed toward the guildmaster's office.
The guild member opened the door and announced them.
"Sir, Maladeva and his Sha'karr slave, Kaen."
Kaen's ears immediately twitched.
"I'm gonna ignore what you just said."
The guild member awkwardly looked away.
Dante simply snickered.
Inside the office, the guildmaster leaned back in his chair and looked toward the two newcomers.
"Welcome, Maladeva."
"Sup, old man," Dante replied casually.
"YOU!"
One of the members standing nearby immediately reached for his weapon.
Before he could draw it, the guildmaster raised one hand.
"Relax."
The member stopped.
The guildmaster leaned back and laughed.
"The new generation is arrogant these days. I'm too old for this shit, hahaha!"
Dante gave him a small grin.
Kaen covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the guildmaster's laughter.
But as the comedy quieted down, the expression on his face changed.
His smile disappeared.
The guildmaster became serious as he picked up a request file from his desk and placed it directly in front of Dante.
"I think it's about time you do something daring."
Dante looked down at the file.
"Besides, all my S tier adventurers have their own missions. And it just so happens that this mission fits perfectly for you."
The guildmaster pushed the file slightly closer.
"Take a look."
Dante picked up the file and opened it.
His eyes immediately stopped at the name written across the top.
"Tianyu?"
He looked up.
"As in the Tianyu Dynasty?"
"That's right."
The guildmaster leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk.
"The mission is simple. Go there, help with the investigation, report back to His Highness, collect the reward, and return here."
He raised one finger.
"Simple."
Then another.
"No fighting."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"Though," the guildmaster continued, "I recommend you keep a low profile."
Dante looked back at the file.
"Tianyu Dynasty is famous for being..."
The guildmaster paused as he searched for the right words.
"Well, nosy. They think they're above the law and shit."
Kaen tilted her head.
"That sounds like a lovely place."
Dante ignored her and continued reading.
His expression slowly became more focused as he went through the details concerning the immigration port incident.
Several guards were dead.
The cause was unknown.
The identity of the perpetrator was still unconfirmed.
Then Dante stopped reading.
"Demons?"
He raised his eyes toward the guildmaster.
"You suspect demons?"
"Don't know."
The guildmaster shook his head.
"That's why you come in."
Dante closed the file halfway.
"Why me?"
The guildmaster stared at him for a moment before answering.
"Well, you're an easy problem solver."
Dante's eyebrow twitched.
"That's either the worst reason you've given me, old man."
"Nahaha!"
The guildmaster slapped his hand against the desk.
"So, ya taking it or what, boy?! A hundred thousand gold is on the line."
Dante's eyes widened slightly.
"Yeah, right, you stingy bastard."
He pointed at the guildmaster.
"Don't think I don't know that the guild takes ten percent off the mission earnings."
The guildmaster's grin remained.
"And?"
Dante stared at him.
"And?"
The guildmaster shrugged.
"You taking it?"
Dante remained silent for several seconds.
He looked down at the mission file again.
"..."
He sighed.
"Alright, fine."
The guildmaster smiled.
"But under one condition."
Dante placed the file back onto the desk.
"I want full authority. I hate rules and holdbacks."
The guildmaster's smile weakened.
"Can't promise that."
He rubbed his chin.
"But I'll try to pull some strings for that."
Dante stared at him for a moment before giving a small nod.
"Good enough."
And with that, it was settled.
Dante's next destination was the Tianyu Dynasty.
As early evening began to fall, Dante and Kaen were all set, their bags packed and their gear secured. The warm orange light of the setting sun stretched across the harbour as the two waited near the pier for their boat to arrive.
After some time, the vessel finally appeared.
The boat slowly approached the dock before coming to a stop.
Dante and Kaen boarded.
The person operating the boat was busy preparing the equipment and checking the ropes before setting sail.
Dante approached him with a polite expression.
"Greetings. I'm Maladeva, and this is my partner, Kaen."
The boatman looked at the two of them.
His eyes briefly moved over Dante before he scoffed.
"Fucking Northern."
Without another word, he turned around and walked away to continue preparing the boat.
Kaen's ears immediately drooped.
She stared after him with a confused expression.
"What's his problem, Nya?"
Dante shrugged.
"Beats me."
He adjusted the strap of his bag.
"Let's just strap up and get ready."
Kaen nodded.
"Nya."
The boat soon began moving.
Slowly, the harbour drifted farther behind them as the vessel sailed toward the open waters.
Dante and Kaen stood near the rear of the boat, watching the guild hall and harbour grow smaller in the distance.
Several guild members had gathered at the pier to see them off.
Dante raised one hand and waved.
Kaen followed, enthusiastically waving both hands.
"Goodbye!"
The guild members waved back.
Even the guildmaster stood among them, one hand resting casually in his coat pocket while a cigar hung from the corner of his mouth.
As the boat continued sailing away, the guildmaster suddenly raised his eyebrows.
"Ah, I forgot to tell them about the Underworld."
He took a slow puff from his cigar.
"Meh."
He exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"They'll figure it out."
They reached the misty borders of the Tianyu Dynasty and entered into the thick veil of fog surrounding the region.
The moment the boat entered the mist, the boatman glanced over his shoulder.
"Hold on tight."
Kaen blinked.
"Huh?"
Before she could ask anything else, the boatman planted his feet firmly against the deck.
Mana surged through his body.
The boat suddenly trembled.
Then, with the boatman channeling his powers into the vessel, the entire boat lifted from the water.
"NYAAA!!!!"
Kaen screamed at the top of her lungs.
Her body was thrown upward as the boat suddenly soared into the air. Her arms flailed wildly as she desperately tried to grab onto something.
Dante, on the other hand, remained standing completely still.
His clothes fluttered violently in the rushing wind, but his expression remained calm.
Behind him stood Lustia, his Shadow General, who had recently risen to Commander Class. She silently held onto Dante, keeping him perfectly steady as the boat flew higher.
Kaen looked over and immediately became annoyed.
"NYAA!!! NO FAIR!"
Dante slowly rolled his eyes.
"You're the one who didn't hold on."
"Nya! I wasn't ready!"
Kaen's body was beginning to drift toward the edge of the boat.
Before she could fly overboard, Dante casually lifted one finger.
A dark shadow suddenly emerged from beneath the boat.
SHHHK!
A shadow tendril wrapped around Kaen's leg.
"NYA?!"
The tendril gently pulled her back toward the center of the deck before settling her down.
Kaen landed on her feet, wobbling for a moment.
"Hey!"
Dante lowered his hand.
"Problem solved."
Kaen puffed out her cheeks.
"That's cheating, Master."
"You're alive, aren't you?"
"Nya..."
Kaen had no answer for that.
The boat continued soaring through the thick mist at incredible speed.
The world around them became nothing but a blur of white clouds and rushing wind. Every now and then, glimpses of mountains could be seen through the mist before disappearing again.
Kaen eventually grabbed onto the railing with both hands, her ears flattened against her head.
"Why does this boat fly?!"
The boatman ignored her.
Dante simply stood near the front of the vessel, watching the mist ahead.
After several minutes, the thick fog gradually began to thin.
Light appeared beyond it.
The boat emerged from the mist.
The scenery before them suddenly opened up.
The boatman called out to the two passengers.
"Welcome to the Tianyu Dynasty, you two!"
Dante and Kaen walked toward the front of the boat.
Both of them stopped.
They stared at the magnificent scenery before them.
Misty mountains stretched across the horizon, covered in lush greenery. Waterfalls descended from enormous cliffs, disappearing into the forests below. Ancient towers rose between the mountains, their rooftops visible above the trees.
Farther in the distance, enormous structures stood proudly among the mountains.
They looked like sects.
Kaen's eyes widened.
"Whoa..."
Dante remained silent for a moment.
His eyes slowly moved across the landscape.
"It looks like it's straight out of a Chinese manhua."
There was a strange sense of nostalgia in his voice.
For a moment, Dante found himself remembering his past life.
When he was younger, he had spent countless hours reading comics and stories about Wuxia worlds. The martial artists, ancient sects, mystical mountains and wandering heroes had always fascinated him.
But now...
He was actually standing inside one.
Dante smiled faintly.
"Never thought I'd actually see something like this."
A familiar voice suddenly echoed inside his subconscious mind.
"Heh."
Dante's expression changed slightly.
"Tianyu."
Kilamahi's voice carried a strange sense of familiarity.
"Its been awhile."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"You know this place?"
"Yeah."
Kilamahi's voice became quieter.
"I'm able to remember and regain my memories little by little. It's all coming back."
Dante's eyes narrowed.
"So you've been here before?"
"I believe so."
There was a brief pause.
"Ah, right."
Kilamahi's tone suddenly became serious.
"Once you're settled, it's time I give you some special training."
Dante's expression became more focused.
"Special training?"
"It's very important."
Dante remained silent for a moment.
"Alright. We'll talk about it once we're settled."
The boat continued gliding through the water below the mountains.
Eventually, it began descending.
The boatman guided the vessel downward until it gently touched the surface of the water.
Splash.
The boat slowed down as they approached the immigration port.
Dante and Kaen gathered their belongings before stepping off the vessel.
They walked toward the entrance gates.
Several guards immediately approached them.
"Halt."
Dante stopped.
One of the guards looked at the two suspiciously.
"State your identities and reason for entering Tianyu."
Dante reached into his belongings and pulled out their adventurer passes.
He then produced the official mission request issued by royal decree.
"We're adventurers from a guild outside Tianyu. We're here to assist with the investigation at the immigration port."
The guard took the documents.
He carefully examined the adventurer passes before reading through the royal request.
His expression gradually became more relaxed.
The guard nodded.
"Everything checks out."
He handed the documents back.
"You may enter."
Dante took the papers and nodded.
"Thank you."
Kaen followed beside him.
The gates stood before them.
Dante looked up at the enormous entrance for a brief moment.
Then he took his first step forward.
Kaen followed.
Together, they crossed through the gates and entered the Tianyu Dynasty.
Neither of them knew what awaited them beyond those walls.
CLANG!!!
At the Royal Castle of Tianyu, the sound of metal striking the floor echoed through the chamber.
An old sage suddenly stumbled, dropping down onto her knees as the metal gourd she had been carrying slipped from her hand and rolled across the polished floor.
She placed one trembling hand against the ground, struggling to catch her breath.
"Ha... haaa... haa..."
Her eyes were wide with fear.
"It's coming..."
Just then, the doors to the chamber opened.
The King of Tianyu entered and immediately noticed the commotion.
He stopped and looked down at the old sage.
"Old Sage, what has happened this time?" he asked.
The old woman slowly lifted her head.
"Your Highness..."
Her voice trembled.
"Remember what I said twenty years ago? About the vision I saw?"
The King frowned.
"Yes."
He folded his arms.
"Something about 'he will bathe Tianyu with our blood a hundred million times' or something like that."
His expression became irritated.
"Why? We already stopped that from happening."
The old sage shook her head.
"No."
Her hands trembled as she slowly pushed herself back onto her feet.
"Something is not right."
She stared directly at the King.
"I have gazed into a new vision, and it showed the very same thing again."
The King's eyes widened.
"What?"
The old sage took a shaky breath.
"The vision has returned."
The King's expression hardened.
"Don't make a fool of me, old hag."
He stepped closer.
"I kept you here because you were useful to my parents before they died. But don't think that gives you the right to spread nonsense inside my castle."
The old sage shook her head frantically.
"Why would I lie?! Why would I lie?!"
Her voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Bah."
A woman's voice suddenly interrupted them.
"She's talking nonsense again, my love."
The King turned around.
His wife entered the chamber while calmly waving her hand fan.
She walked toward them with an arrogant expression.
"You already did what you needed to do. So why keep this useless trash around?"
The old sage lowered her gaze.
The King's expression darkened.
He slowly turned toward his wife.
"Don't push your luck."
The woman stopped waving her fan.
"You are nothing more than a concubine by name. You and I have nothing in common."
His eyes narrowed.
"Whore."
The woman froze.
Without another word, the King walked past her and roughly shoved her aside by the shoulder.
She stumbled several steps, her fan nearly slipping from her hand.
The King continued toward the exit.
"Guards!"
Two guards immediately straightened outside the chamber.
"Your Majesty!"
"Check all new arrivals from the past one hour and thirty minutes."
"As you wish, my lord."
The King took another step before one of the guards spoke.
"Also, Your Highness, you are needed in the hall."
The King stopped.
"Reason?"
The guard calmly answered.
"Apparently, a few adventurers from different guilds outside the border have accepted the royal decree you issued."
The King's eyes widened.
"Fuck."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I forgot."
He glanced back toward the old sage.
"I blame that stupid hag. If it wasn't for her forecasts and visions..."
He sighed.
"Forget it. I'll deal with that now."
The King turned toward the guard.
"Continue with what I asked."
The guard bowed his head.
"It shall be done, Your Highness."
The King walked away, leaving the old sage and his concubine behind.
The old sage remained completely still.
Her eyes slowly shifted toward the doorway.
She whispered under her breath.
"It's coming..."
Minutes later, the grand hall was filled with chatter as adventurers from different regions, continents, and countries gathered inside the Royal Castle of Tianyu.
Kaen's eyes widened as she looked around at the sheer number of people gathered.
"Nya... there's so many adventurers."
Dante stood beside her with his arms crossed, barely showing any interest in the people around him.
"What do you expect? If a kingdom like Tianyu has the resources to offer 100K gold as a reward, who can say no?"
Unlike the others, Dante had no intention of making friends or starting conversations. He simply observed the room, quietly studying the adventurers and the royal guards surrounding them.
Suddenly, the grand doors opened.
The conversations immediately died down.
The King of Tianyu entered the hall, accompanied by several royal guards. He walked toward the elevated throne and sat down, looking over the gathered adventurers from above.
"All kneel before His Highness!"
Everyone immediately dropped to one knee.
The King looked across the hall.
"All rise."
The adventurers stood.
"I suppose you all know why you signed up for this quest. But let me remind you all, just in case."
The King nodded toward his guards.
A humanoid tiger stepped forward.
The beastman carried a scroll in one hand before unfurling it.
Kaen leaned closer to Dante.
"Nya... it's a beastman."
Dante glanced at the tiger before returning his attention to the scroll.
The tiger cleared his throat and began announcing the instructions.
"As you all know, this is an investigation. No fighting nor battling unless it is necessary against the enemy or perpetrator."
He pointed toward the scroll.
"Your goals are simple. Find clues or evidence concerning the incident at the Tianyu immigration port. A tip is also included. If any information you provide proves useful to us, you will be rewarded based on its value."
The beastman's eyes narrowed.
"But if your information turns out to be false, expect the next ship home to leave without you receiving a single coin."
The adventurers began murmuring among themselves.
Then one of them raised his voice.
"Hold up! You're expecting us to just get the reward based on the gathered information? I thought this was supposed to be a 100K gold quest!"
"That's right!"
Another adventurer stepped forward.
"This is a rip-off, you nosy assholes!"
Several others immediately joined in.
"This wasn't what we signed up for!"
"We were promised 100K gold!"
"Why should we investigate for scraps?!"
The complaints grew louder and louder.
One by one, adventurers began voicing their anger.
Only a few remained silent.
Dante was one of them.
Kaen looked confused.
She knew something was wrong with the way the quest had been presented, but she wasn't entirely sure what.
Then she glanced at her master.
Dante remained completely composed.
His expression hadn't changed even once.
Kaen narrowed her eyes.
"Nya..."
There was something he had noticed.
Inside Dante's subconscious mind, Kilamahi's voice echoed.
"You noticed."
"Yeah."
Dante's eyes remained fixed on the King.
"100K gold just to find clues and hints? I ain't buying that bullshit."
His expression became slightly colder.
"There's something else they ain't telling us."
The commotion continued throughout the hall.
Then the King slowly raised one finger.
The complaints suddenly stopped.
His finger flicked downward.
BOOM!
A tremendous force slammed into the floor.
Every adventurer who had been shouting moments earlier was suddenly crushed to the ground.
Some gasped in pain.
Others struggled to move as an invisible pressure forced their bodies against the floor.
The remaining adventurers stood completely still.
The King looked down at them with disdain.
"Hmph."
He lowered his hand.
"Pathetic."
His expression remained cold.
"But since you all don't seem to care much about the conditions, get out."
He flicked his finger.
WHOOSH!
The adventurers were violently thrown backward.
They were sent flying out of the castle, their bodies disappearing through the enormous doors.
Silence returned to the grand hall.
Only four adventurers remained.
Dante and Kaen stood together.
Nearby stood a lone samurai, silent and motionless with his hand resting near his sword.
Beside him stood an elf with long, pointed ears and unusual blue skin.
The King looked toward the four remaining adventurers.
"I suppose you four have no questions."
None of them spoke.
The samurai remained silent.
The blue-skinned elf simply watched the King.
Kaen glanced at Dante.
Dante said nothing.
The King nodded.
"I take that as an acceptance."
He leaned back against his throne.
"You all passed the test."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Patience."
The King raised his hand.
"Congratulations."
He gestured toward the royal guards.
"My men will escort you all to your prepared rooms outside the castle. They will be staying at a homestay."
He looked over the four adventurers.
"You must all be tired from your journeys. Rest tonight."
His expression became serious again.
"You may begin your work tomorrow morning."
The King waved his hand.
"Dismissed."
The four adventurers turned around and began walking toward the exit.
They had only taken a few steps when Dante suddenly stopped.
"Hold it."
The others stopped as well.
Dante raised his hand.
"I have a question."
The hall became quiet once again.
Dante glanced toward the beastman who had announced the quest.
"And forgive me for not asking earlier, but something that tiger guy said has been bugging me."
A murmur spread throughout the hall.
Several royal guards immediately turned toward Dante.
The tiger beastman clenched his fists.
His claws slowly extended.
"You dare question the King... outsider?"
Dante calmly looked at him.
"Oh, no."
He shrugged.
"I'm just questioning the quest itself."
The beastman's eyes narrowed.
Dante continued.
"Surely it's more than just finding clues, right?"
He looked toward the King.
"I mean, let's face it."
Dante spread his hands.
"100K gold for just finding stuff? There's no way that was the main quest."
He tilted his head.
"Or was that side quest really supposed to be necessary?"
The King remained silent.
His fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound echoed throughout the hall.
Then the King smirked.
"Well played, outsider."
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Correct."
The King leaned forward.
"Finding the clues at the Tianyu immigration port was merely a side quest."
Dante's expression became serious.
The King snapped his fingers.
The elders and several other officials who had remained inside the hall immediately began leaving.
The grand doors closed behind them.
Soon, only the four adventurers, the King, and his royal guards remained.
The King looked directly at the four adventurers.
"The main quest for this 100K gold reward..."
He paused.
The atmosphere instantly became heavier.
"...is not to find clues at the port."
Dante's eyes narrowed.
The King slowly revealed a cold smile.
"The main quest is Triple S Class."
Kaen's ears stood upright.
The samurai's hand slowly moved toward his sword.
The blue-skinned elf remained silent, but her eyes sharpened.
Then the King delivered the true objective.
"And that is..."
He paused for a moment.
"To hunt the five Underworld leaders."
The King's voice echoed throughout the grand hall.
"Dead or alive."
---
Chapter 62 — End