CHAPTER 25: A MYSTERIOUS MAN
Erwin's voice filled the room.
"Your new mission… is revenge!"
When Woli heard this command, sparks of joy ignited inside him. But he didn't show it on his face. He simply bowed his head slightly.
Erwin called out.
"Rambeel!"
The door behind Woli and his team suddenly opened. Master Rambeel entered.
"At your command, Chief."
"I've told you everything. You don't have any other questions, do you?"
Rambeel shook his head.
"No, Chief. I understood clearly. We will eliminate the bastard who killed Master Andre."
Erwin's voice hardened.
"But while doing this, you will conceal your identities. If it's revealed that you fought there, it could cause a conflict between us and the Dorn Kingdom. So make sure to hide your faces."
Rambeel bowed.
"Understood, Chief."
Erwin turned his eyes to Woli.
"Now for you, Woli. The same applies to you. You will go together and keep your identities hidden."
Woli answered calmly.
"Understood, Chief. No problem."
"The children are your responsibility. Keep that in mind. If their identities are exposed and it causes a conflict with the Dorn Kingdom, you will bear the consequences. So, kids… be careful with your identities."
Kaito stepped forward.
"Don't worry, Chief. Trust us."
Woli moved ahead.
"Then we're setting out."
There was a hint of a smile in Erwin's voice.
"If you complete this mission successfully… I have a reward for your team, Woli."
Woli's eyes sparkled slightly.
"Could it be… what I'm thinking, Chief?"
"Exactly that."
"I would be honored, Chief."
"Then go. May your path be clear. Reach the Dorn Kingdom before it's too late."
Woli, his team, and Rambeel left the room together.
DORN KINGDOM – ON THE ROAD
Bumb and Raimen had also set out.
Raimen grumbled.
"Why did he send both of us? I could have handled it alone."
Bumb's voice was calm.
"Stop complaining, Raimen. You can't kill Panc alone without me. And the same goes for me."
Raimen replied irritably.
"Don't make me laugh, Bumb. Who have I ever lost to that I'd lose to Panc?"
"We all lost to Impernos. Don't forget that."
Raimen paused for a moment. Then he spoke.
"He's an exception. That man… is not normal. That's why we all follow him. And one day, we will conquer this world. I know it."
There was a hint of pride in Bumb's voice.
"Even though I'm a Djinn, I'm proud to be part of conquering this world with you."
Raimen asked curiously.
"Why did you come to this world from the Djinn realm?"
"Since I'm new to the team, you don't know much about me. But Impernos knows everything about me. So you can trust me. Anyway, we need to hurry. We can talk about this later."
Raimen brushed his red hair back as the sun hit it.
"No matter how much you're one of us, I will never trust you. Remember that."
Bumb mockingly fixed his yellow hair.
"There will come a time when you will trust me."
ALHION VILLAGE
Life in Alhion Village was both difficult and ordinary for everyone. People were busy with their work. Hunters and soldiers protected the village.
A man stepped out of the village head's hut nearby.
This was Master Panc.
He was around one hundred and eighty centimeters tall, with long black hair and brown eyes. Fit and well-built. Anyone who saw him could tell he took good care of himself.
A young hunter approached him.
"Oh, Master Panc! How are you?"
Panc turned his head.
"I'm fine, Rain. And you?"
"I'm great, Master, thank you. I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure, go ahead."
"Are you going somewhere? You came out of the village head's hut—did you receive some news?"
"I'm heading to Zimps City, Rain. The village will be in your hands for a few days."
Rain's brow furrowed.
"Why are you going, Master? Zimps City is behind us—why would they call you first?"
Panc raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you think you're asking too many questions?"
Rain quickly stepped back.
"Ah… you're right, Master. I'm sorry."
"No problem. Now go back to your duties. Keep your eyes open. If a Djinn attacks, don't hesitate. Protect the villagers with your life."
Rain snapped to attention.
"Understood."
Panc slowly began walking toward the village exit.
EVENING HOURS
Something unexpected happened.
Rain secretly abandoned his watch duty and went behind the village. He took out his phone and called someone.
"Hello, sir. This is Rain."
The voice on the other end was harsh.
"Speak. What's the situation?"
"Master Panc left the village about four hours ago. I estimate he's near Zimps City by now. If you hurry, you can catch him before he reaches the city."
The voice was cold.
"Good. This information will be useful."
The call ended. Rain quickly returned to his post without being noticed.
NEAR ZIMPS CITY
Raimen hung up the phone.
"Let's go through the trees. Panc will show up soon."
Bumb asked curiously.
"What did Rain say?"
"Panc left the village four hours ago. He should be arriving soon."
"How do you know he's coming this way?"
"Rain said so."
"Can we trust him?"
"He's been providing us intelligence for a long time. So yes, we can trust him."
The two quickly set off.
ONE HOUR LATER
Woli, Rambeel, and the team had set out. They had already left the capital behind.
Ren was worried.
"Master, it seems like it'll take us a long time to reach the Dorn Kingdom. How will we get there in time? And how will we find them?"
Woli answered calmly.
"We'll go to the place Chief Erwin mentioned."
Aiko asked curiously.
"Where is that, Master?"
Rambeel spoke up.
"An open area an hour past Zimps City. That's exactly what he told me."
Kaito was anxious.
"But how will we get there at this speed?"
Woli turned his head to Rambeel.
"That's why Rambeel is with us."
Rambeel stepped forward.
"Let's begin. Stop your horses, and everyone dismount."
Everyone got off their horses. Rambeel looked around.
"Now everyone step back."
Even Woli stepped back.
Rambeel stretched five fingers toward the five horses. A yellow light shot from his fingers and touched them.
The horses' eyes suddenly turned yellow.
"DIVINE SPEED!"
Rambeel shouted.
"Now mount your horses and hold on tight! Follow me!"
Everyone jumped on their horses. The horses suddenly began galloping at incredible speed.
NEAR ZIMPS CITY – NIGHT
Master Panc moved calmly through the darkness of the night. He had no worries. He wasn't afraid of being attacked by a Djinn or by anyone else. He advanced with complete composure.
Just then, two figures appeared before him.
Raimen and Bumb.
Their hair glowed in the moonlight. The Nox emblem on their necks was also visible.
Panc remained calm.
"That emblem… Nox… So I'm your next target, huh?"
Raimen spoke mockingly.
"Exactly. Your time to die has come."
He spread his arms wide.
"FLAME CYCLONE!"
A massive cyclone of fire formed around Raimen.
Bumb also spread his arms. Black earth began forming in both his hands.
"BLACK EARTH MANIPULATION!"
The earth transformed into a massive sphere—just like the one he used against Andre. It grew as if it were limitless.
Bumb hurled the sphere at Panc with all his might.
The flame cyclone illuminated everything, while the black earth darkened it all.
At that moment, Panc grinned.
"Hah! Is that all you've got?"
He took a deep breath.
"Let me show you what real power is… you fools!"
He shouted with all his strength.
"MATTER MANIPULATION!"
TO BE CONTINUED...