Isola, Merina, and Ceti, still recovering from their previous confrontation with the Draconians, grew even more wary of the new arrivals.
The setting was turning more volatile with every passing second.
And other than Merina, Isola, and Ceti didn't know if they should feel surprised to see these Hunters, especially that blue-haired woman having a personal vendetta against Asher.
However, Isola's fists clenched, and her face darkened upon seeing the man who took part in mercilessly butchering 5 of her people.
She had inwardly wished to come upon him, but not in a situation like this.
Was this a trial from the Devils?
The fog-laden atmosphere was thick with tension as Rachel boldly stepped forward, spear pointed unwaveringly at Asher.
Her eyes, darkened by years of haunting memories, glinted with both pain and determination, "Hellbringer...Today, you'll pay for the sins you committed in your entire miserable life. And rest assured, your death won't come easy," she vowed with a chilling ferocity.
Asher, unperturbed by the threat, smirked coldly. His gaze, deep and piercing, he responded, "You truly are your father's daughter. It seems I was right after all. Is it satisfying to act so heroic yet be so rotten inside? I wonder how many lives he stepped over to make you so strong in such a short time."
Amelia furrowed her brows and felt it weirdly odd that this Hellbringer was speaking to Rachel in such a familiar way, especially talking about her father.
Rachel's frown deepened, her mind swirling with anger and confusion.
What did this demon mean? Every mention he made of her father was a barbed arrow, aiming straight at her heart. But she dismissed her thoughts quickly; her current focus was solely on seeking vengeance, "I don't care what you say. All that matters to me is seeing you bleed."
Victor, ever the diplomat, interjected with a light chuckle, "Rachel, take it easy. We're hardly alone in this little party," he remarked, nodding towards the Nightmare Reapers who were watching with growing intensity, their gazes inscrutable yet unsettling.
Feeling cornered, Rachel bit her lower lip, her frustration evident.
Surrounded by two formidable demon groups, both of which held immense power, how could she focus solely on her vendetta against Hellbringer?
Spotting an opportunity, Victor took a step forward, locking eyes with Agonon, "See, my fiance is rather... restless to kill Hellbringer. Perhaps we might consider a temporary alliance? Neither of us can handle all of them alone without suffering some damage. Especially with the captivating Umbralfiend Princess, her pet Kraken, and the Royal Battlemaster in their midst. Don't you think so?"
Circe let out a cutting scoff, "Pah, you pathetic Hunters think we need your help? We are more than capable of cutting up the little beauties surrounding you as well," She said as she licked her lips upon seeing the women surrounding Victor.
Emiko and Amelia winced in disgust as Yui hid behind Emiko while Rachel wondered why Victor even bothered to ask these demons. Why would they even help?
However, Victor still had a subtle smile as he kept looking at their leader and said, "Don't let down your guards that easily. Did you know that they somehow managed to take down dozens of Hunters, including my friend Boden, who was a S Rank, all on their own or maybe…with some help?"
Agonon's fiery eyes flicked between Asher and Victor, making it hard for anyone to tell what was going through his mind, though it was evident he was considering something.
The unspoken fear was lingering among all of them…Was Golden Prince behind this? Was his spirit truly haunting this place, and on the off chance it was true, why would he choose to help Hellbringer and his people, or was it just a coincidence?
Amelia inwardly snorted, realizing how hypocritical it was of Victor to shrug off the rumors in front of others but being scared of Golden Prince's ghost being real all this time.
Was he that scared to the point he would stoop to propose an alliance to demons?
She glanced at Rachel to see why she wasn't even speaking against this. But all she saw on Rachel's face was the lurking killing intent focused on a certain someone. It was as if she didn't care about anything else.
Why was she so obsessed with Hellbringer to the point she was forgetting the important things?
Still, Amelia also couldn't help but wonder if his ghost was really here. Nobody else could have taken out Boden and so many Hunters at the same time.
Isola and her group exchanged glances, especially with Asher. Only they knew how it happened, but it wasn't something that could happen again.
Isola knew Asher still had one drop left in that feather, though she knew he was determined to never use it.
Even if Asher wanted to use it, there was no telling if there might be permanent damage, and now wasn't a good time for him to go into a coma for months or worse.
Yet the audacity of this Hunter proposing an alliance right in front of them was something else entirely. Would the Draconians truly consider joining forces with these Hunters against them? Will they lower themselves like that?
Every eye was on the unfolding drama, as each party braced themselves for what might follow.
However, Callisa was sneakily using her pincers to keep powering the forging matrix based on Asher's instruction.
Her bulbous-eyes kept moving side to side to see if anybody was looking at her, though the forging matrix was shining.
Asher knew how things were looking really bad for them, and he had no idea if they could even make it out of this place.
And so, he clearly intended on using every trick in his arsenal to buy Callisa more time, and focused on Victor with a pointed, accusing stare, "Victor... Every time I think you've sunk to a new low, you manage to surprise me. I wonder, does your family know about this... little predilection of yours for demons? Or perhaps your sister, does she know about her dear little brother's... 'unhealthy' interests? Even if they might, the world certainly would be shocked to hear of it, wouldn't they?"
Amelia's eyes narrowed dangerously, trying to decipher Hellbringer's insinuations, while Emiko and Yui exchanged knowing glances. Their Master's revelations hinted at depths they had never suspected.
Victor, usually unflappable, had a rare moment of his expression faltering.
His fists clenched, knuckles turning white, and while he managed to keep his smile, a single eyebrow twitched.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Yet he maintained his composure as he said, "Hellbringer, perhaps the impending threat to your life is causing you to grasp at delusions. But rest assured, no matter your desperate attempts, I'll ensure my fiance gets to have a good time with you."
But Asher wasn't done yet. With a sly, cold chuckle, he responded as he glanced at a dark-faced Rachel, "Your fiance? Oh, I've had a wonderful time with her, and between you and me, she seemed quite taken with our...encounter. Didn't you, dear Rachel? Or did you forget about our photoshoot session?"
Ceti and Isola glanced at each other with blinking eyes while Merina's eyes glinted upon remembering what happened that day. It was the first time in a long time she felt glad to see her Master punishing those Hunters.
All eyes swiveled to Rachel, who appeared caught off guard. Her resentful and hostile demeanor wavered, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of anger and shame, desperately avoiding Victor's searching gaze.
"Rachel, what the hell is he talking about?" Victor asked with a light smile, though the corners of his lips were twitching.
Did this fucking demon touch his fiance? Does anyone else know? Was she hiding things from him?
Amelia also looked at Rachel with a worried look since she saw how this demon's words seemed to affect Rachel. Was she hiding the truth about what really happened? If so, what was the truth?
Rachel, with a vehement glare directed at Asher, snapped, "He's spouting absurdities to stall for time. We need to act now before they complete the forging of the Deviar!"
Victor, his gaze fixed on the pulsating Forging Matrix, said, "It's pointless. Even with his attempts to delay, they don't have nearly enough time to complete the forging."
Asher wasn't surprised they knew. But in a desperate situation like this, he couldn't let go of the slightest chance.
However, before any more words could be exchanged, the rhythmic echo of a single set of footsteps interrupted the stand-off. The entire assemblage turned their attention to the source.
Emerging from the heavy fog, a tall man with flowing ruby-red hair materialized.
His attire, pristine and elegantly red, was a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. In his hand, a single rose, its petals as deep and red as his hair. His face bore a gracious smile, exuding charm and affability.
Stopping at a respectful distance, he remarked with genuine amusement, "I am not too late, am I?" His sparkling eyes then locked onto Asher, and with a touch of respect, he offered a slight bow, "Your Highness, seeing you here, getting this far, makes me feel truly humbled."
A hint of uncertainty clouded Asher's eyes as he softly uttered, "Jael..."
While he never had any personal interactions with Jael, always being neutral towards him, and he hailed from the same kingdom, Asher was all too aware that in a setting as precarious as this, allegiances could shift like sand.
As Jael approached Asher and his group, every eye was trained on him, filled with suspicion and apprehension.
But as he drew closer, his amiable smile never wavered, "I hope I'm not intruding," he began, "But my dear mother holds you in high regard, Consort Asher. She told me that if ever our paths were to cross, I should lend a hand. After all," he looked around, encompassing everyone with a sweeping gesture, "We belong to the same kingdom and serve the queen."
Asher's tense stance relaxed slightly, a spark of hope lighting up his eyes.
Isola, Merina, and Ceti exchanged surprised glances, their eyebrows raising simultaneously. The gravity of the situation had been weighing them down, but Jael's sudden and unexpected allegiance brought a glimmer of optimism.
"You do us great honor, Jael," Asher replied with a smile, "I always knew your mother was too kind, and we truly appreciate your offer of assistance in this perilous situation," Asher didn't expect Naida to offer a helping hand even without being here.
It seems like he definitely has to help her out with whatever favor she wants from him.
On the other side, Victor and Rachel exchanged uneasy glances. Their calculated plans seemed to be teetering on the edge of chaos with Jael's entrance.
Before any of them could react further, Agonon took a decisive step towards Victor, "Seeing the circumstances, perhaps we should consider joining forces," he proposed calmly, his voice edged with danger.
Victor's lips slowly curved when, suddenly, a mental alert jolted everyone present.
The disembodied message echoed in their minds:
[ Multiple forging matrixes have been activated throughout the mini-dungeon. Once any group completes forging a Radem or a Deviar using a forging matrix, all other forging matrixes will cease to function ]
[ The location of the group who forges the Radem or Deviar will be revealed once the timer runs out ]
The information was like a bolt from the blue, drastically altering the dynamics of the situation.
Shock, realization, and urgency reflected in the eyes of all present.
They realized multiple groups in other parts of this mini-dungeon were racing against time, just like them.
It also seemed as if the quest wouldn't really end right away, even if they managed to forge it.
With the stakes higher than ever, an intense atmosphere enveloped the area, thick with palpable killing intent.
The race to forge the most coveted treasure of this quest was truly on.
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