CHAPTER 32: RETURN TO THE CAPITAL AND THE REWARD!
The team had long since set out, racing toward the capital at full speed. Since it was still night, they had no chance to stop. Because there was a chance they could be attacked by other Djinn at any moment. The sound of horse hooves echoed through the dark forest, and the wind cut across their faces.
Woli's voice was sharp and cold.
"Stay alert at all times. It's still pitch black. We could be attacked at any moment."
Kaito nodded. But there was a question on his mind.
"No problem. We're alert. But I want to ask a question, Master."
"Go ahead, Kaito."
"Master, why are you so tired? It's like you don't even have the patience to talk. Is something bothering you?"
Woli took a deep breath. He answered without slowing his horse.
"Good question. I'm glad you noticed. Then listen to me carefully."
His voice grew a little heavier.
"But stay alert at the same time. Don't let your guard down."
He paused for a moment.
"The technique I just used to kill that bastard… it consumes fifty percent of my Ren."
Kaito was shocked to hear this. His eyes went wide.
"What? A single technique uses fifty percent of your Ren in just one use?"
Ren's blue eyes widened in shock as well.
"Th-that's too much."
Aiko's voice trembled.
"What if you can't finish them off in one hit?"
Woli nodded slightly.
"Very good question. If I can't finish them off in one hit… then my opponent finishes me. That's why it's such a dangerous technique, even though it's so powerful."
Kaito asked another question.
"I have one more question."
"You can ask, brat."
"Every time that man attacked you, his attack stopped just a few centimeters short. Why did that happen?"
Woli smiled faintly. There was a glint in his eyes.
"Hah. Good, so you noticed. That's my barrier technique. I can use it five times in a row. It stops all attacks exactly one centimeter before they reach me. To get through that barrier, you'd need to cut through space-time itself. And that's something only very, very powerful people can do."
His voice lowered a little.
"After using it five times, I can't use it again for a full day. That's the drawback."
He straightened up.
"Anyway, that's enough questions. Let's head to the capital at full speed, but carefully."
ZIMPS CITY
Meanwhile, the soldiers in Zimps City had opened the city gates and brought Panc, who was lying on the ground, inside. He was lying in a room. At his side stood the city's greatest healer, Engar. His Djinn was the Healing Djinn. He could heal wounds up to a certain level.
The city's Governor, Odgar, entered the room. Seeing him, Engar immediately bowed.
"Welcome, Lord Odgar."
"Thank you, Engar. What's Panc's condition? Will he recover?"
"Yes, sir. His condition is serious. But not beyond my ability to heal. His body is burned and he has wounds in some places. But I'll have him on his feet by morning. Trust me."
"My trust in you is complete, Engar. Don't disappoint me. King Vergo is expecting good news from me."
"Don't worry at all, sir. He'll be on his feet by morning, Master Panc."
"I'm glad to hear that."
After these words, Odgar left the room.
Engar thought to himself: "King Vergo, huh. We'd better not anger him."
DAWN – THE ROAD TO THE CAPITAL
Dawn was almost breaking. The team had nearly reached the capital thanks to Master Rambeel's Divine Speed technique.
Woli slowed his horse.
"Alright, you can relax from here on. We've entered the capital's borders. Once we're in the capital, everyone go to the Hunter's Palace and rest. I'll come wake you in the morning. Rambeel, you go get yourself checked out too."
Rambeel grumbled.
"Don't give me orders, Woli."
"I wasn't giving orders. I was just making a suggestion."
As the team approached the capital, the sun was slowly beginning to rise. Shops were opening. Floris, the capital of the Aurelia Kingdom, was as prosperous and hot as ever. The team slowly rode their horses toward the capital gate. Seeing them, the capital guards immediately opened the gates.
DORN KINGDOM – A CAVE IN THE MOUNTAINS
A man entered. Slowly, wounded, uneasy. At the far end and in the very center of the cave sat a man. His purple eyes were gleaming. This was Impernos.
Raimen entered. Seeing him, Impernos understood the situation. And he asked calmly.
"Where is Bumb? What's the situation?"
Raimen was uneasy as he spoke, but he answered anyway.
"B-Bumb… he's dead, Impernos. Panc was badly wounded, maybe dead. But we couldn't bring him here."
Hearing this, Impernos stood up violently. And he extended his hand. A massive trap erupted from the ground and began squeezing Raimen with all its might.
Raimen's breath was cut off.
"I-Impernos, it's not our fault!"
Impernos's voice was ice-cold.
"The only thing you had to do was capture one man and bring him here, dead or alive. But the two of you can't even manage that. So Bumb is dead. Then why are you still alive? Why should I allow you to live? Someone who turns a blind eye to their teammate's death has no right to live."
His voice grew even harsher.
"Everyone in this group is here for their own interests, but there was only one condition for joining this group. That was not to betray it. It seems some of you have forgotten that rule."
Raimen struggled to speak.
"I had to retreat. W-Woli… He and his team appeared out of nowhere. There was nothing we could do. So I pulled back to settle the score with Bumb later. And to report to you. I didn't run. I just retreated."
Just then, a man sitting somewhere in the shadows spoke. His arms were bandaged. His eyes were red. His hair was a mix of red and black, and wavy. This was one of Nox's senior members.
"Impernos. You don't need to do this. Raimen did the right thing. Dying there wouldn't have benefited any of us. And killing him wouldn't benefit this group either."
After these words, Impernos lowered his hand and the massive trap vanished. Raimen fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
"I-I promise you. Even though I hated Bumb, I will avenge him."
Impernos's voice was calm.
"There's no other option anyway."
Just then, another man entered the cave. He had blue hair and blue eyes. Impernos turned his head slightly toward him.
"Welcome, Xdrevia."
CAPITAL – HUNTER'S PALACE
Meanwhile, the team had already entered the capital and settled into the Hunter's Palace. Rambeel had gone to a healer, while Kaito, Ren, and Aiko were resting in their rooms. Woli was in the Hunter Chief's chamber, talking with Chief Erwin. As usual, the Hunter Council was also in the room.
Chief Erwin raised his head slightly when he saw Woli.
"So you've finally returned, huh, Woli?"
"Yes, Chief Erwin. And I have good news. I finished off the bastard who killed Andre. The one with him escaped badly wounded. They didn't achieve their goal. On our side, Rambeel was wounded but he's fine. Panc was badly wounded. We left him in Zimps City just ahead."
Erwin nodded. There was a hint of satisfaction on his face.
"Good. You've successfully completed the mission I gave you. Now I must reward you and your students."
His voice rose.
"Guard!"
One of the guards outside immediately entered and bowed.
"At your command, Chief Erwin."
"Go immediately and call Kaito, Ren, and Aiko here."
"Yes, sir."
The guard went out. And exactly five minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Kaito, Ren, and Aiko entered. It was obvious from their appearance that they were still very tired. Their eyes were filled with sleep.
Erwin smiled faintly when he saw them.
"Come in, children. I congratulate you and your master from the bottom of my heart. You successfully completed this difficult mission and avenged Andre. On top of that, you didn't let Nox achieve their goal. And now you've earned a reward."
Kaito bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you very much, Chief Erwin."
"The reward I will give you will be for you to become even stronger. Much stronger."
At that moment, council member Malrik immediately intervened. His voice was sharp and alarmed.
"It's not what I'm thinking, is it, Erwin? You can't allow this. They've only just become hunters. I can't accept this."
A few more council members backed Malrik up. Everyone was talking at once.
Throne raised his voice.
"Malrik is right this time, Erwin. You can't give them that. This isn't a gift, it's a death sentence."
Vex nodded as well.
"I'm sorry, Erwin. But they're right this time."
A few more council members backed Malrik up. Just as the voices were rising, Erwin struck his staff hard on the ground.
TAK!
Everyone fell silent at once.
For the first time, Erwin spoke sharply and seriously. His eyes were wide open like saucers.
"Since when have my orders been questioned, ladies and gentlemen? Everyone mind their place. When has what I've done ever come at a cost that you now question me? Let no one question my orders again."
The room turned to ice. No one said a single word.
Erwin opened the drawer beside his desk. He took out a gray key. And he held it out to Woli.
"Here. This is the key that will allow you to pass into the Djinn Realm. You already know this, Woli. Teach the children everything in detail. Tomorrow, you're going to the Djinn Realm."
His eyes scanned the three young ones.
"And children, I'm warning you especially. Never, ever leave Woli's side. Otherwise, you'll never be able to return to the World again."
His voice grew heavier.
"Tomorrow, you will take the greatest step on the path to becoming stronger. But remember… this could be a reward, or it could be a punishment."