Chapter 55 (2/2)

Ryu Hyunsung said as he glanced sideways at the scene behind him.

“Well… They plunder their opponent’s karma. The rumors about the ‘Plunderer’ were right.”

There was a rumor like that. The fate where the individual would become stronger the more intense battles they fought, ‘Battle Addict’, the fate which would make the individual increasingly stronger over time, ‘Surviving One’, and the fate where the individual would get stronger the more respect and thanks he received from others. There were many different types of fates in the world, but amongst them, there was a rumor about the existence of the ‘Plunderer’ fate. They said that it was a fate where the individual would get stronger by directly absorbing the karma of whoever they killed. And that the owner of this fate was the Sovereign of Dark Secrets, Lao Ban.

Looking at the situation, it seemed as though those rumors were true.

“… Would the disappeared Berserkers have also met that fate?”

“There’s a good chance. Strong immigrants were probably absorbed like that too.”

From absorbing the Leader Cha Ohjin’s karma, Ye Chu’s actions changed. He commanded.

“You, immediately go tell the sovereign. Two enemies. The Sword Demon Chu Youngjin and the Knight Captain Ryu Hyunsung, Chu Jung… No, Chu Youngjin and Ryu Hyunsung. Report this to him. As for the rest of you, chase after them!”

At his command, a single person jumped into the fog while the rest chased after the distant Chu Youngjin and Ryu Hyunsung.

“It’s dangerous… This isn’t the end. Let’s leave quickly.”

Ryu Hyunsung bit his lip as he sped up.

An area where blue rocks emitted a thick fog. It wasn’t a great place to live, but as it was a good place to avoid monsters, quite a few relatively large villages were founded and immigrants survived here.

It was a region that was filled with a thick fog and the silence of the immigrants living here. However, today was different.

Today was the festival day of Lao Ban and his forces. This foggy region was chosen to be the location of the festival. As if it was always like this, a search operation, that was as tight as a net, was being conducted here. Lao Ban’s faction attacked immigrant villages they discovered and separated the immigrants into either slaves or sacrifices. Colonizers, who were exploring remote places alone or those with no connections, were kidnapped and prepared as sacrifices as well.

From Sovereign Lao Ban to the lower ranks, it was an important event where the majority of Lao Ban’s followers were gathered here, killing sacrifices, absorbing their power, and checking the unity amongst each other. They called this event that took place twice a year, a ‘festival’.

It was a day where the ones who killed and absorbed others without the slightest hesitation would watch those who were hesitant, checking their spirit and courage, as well as observing their transition into fellow accomplices. It was also a day where they would perceive themselves as special existences above others as they gazed at the pleading sacrifices.

Ever since Lao Ban had received the fate ‘Plunderer’, the ‘festival’ was always packed.

However, a troubling mood hung in the air today.

“Berserkers?”

Lao Ban frowned.

“Yes. They were the top executives of the Berserkers, Chu Youngjin and Ryu Hyunsung.”

“… You said Cha Ohjin died?”

“Yes. The position was pa.s.sed down to vice-leader Ye Chu and he is currently in pursuit.”

“Why would the top executives come to a remote place?… Novices are definitely the unruliest. Ye Long!”

“Yes.”

“Personally lead my personal guards and bring them here. Don’t kill them.”

“I understand.”

“I will take them as sacrifices as well. The festival will halt momentarily until the new sacrifices arrive. Ye Long! Two days should be enough?”

“More than enough.”

‘Cruel Killing Sword Ye Long’, who was known to be the most skilled amongst Lao Ban’s followers, brought the personal guards and left.

Lao Ban left the Berserkers to Ye Long and started to direct orders concerning the preparation of the festival once again. As he had more time now, he was preparing slowly. Looking at Lao Ban’s relaxed demeanor, his follower who was famous for being careful, Tsu Chin, cautiously suggested.

“Still… They are famous Berserkers. Wouldn’t it be better for you to act personally to make sure we don’t create any trouble in the future? I think it would be best to deal with the matter thoroughly to prevent information about us leaking and to weaken our enemy forces.”

Yet, Lao Ban reacted indifferently.

“It’s fine. If we do that, the festival mood will be completely broken. Even if we lose them, this festival is more important.”

Tsu Chin was still nervous. Lao Ban comforted him. His cautiousness had helped him several times, but there were times when Lao Ban thought he was exceedingly cautious.

“Don’t worry. We are already in bad relations with the Berserkers. Since we don’t have anything to gain from them, we don’t have anything to lose by our relations.h.i.+p becoming any worse. Also, they can’t do anything. Koreans are going to invade Macau, a Chinese territory? Then a war will break out. And, even if they did invade, as long as we’re in our territory, there isn’t anything they can do. What if they are strong? If I don’t open the portal for them, they can’t do anything.”

“Still, the Berserk Sovereign is an enemy we need to be wary of. No matter what anyone says, wasn’t he the first sovereign to colonize a land?”

“I don’t know… I’m more scared of the ‘Sovereign of Balance’ than the Berserk Sovereign. I can’t comment on his fighting skills, but the Berserk Sovereign’s political ability is zero. To be honest, as long as there isn’t a way for the Berserk Sovereign to use his military power against us, he isn’t a threat. People like the ‘Sovereign of Balance’ are scarier than him. Those who have the potential to isolate us with just a few words… In the end, there’s a limit to physical strength. Tsu Chin, I understand you’re worried. However, I don’t feel that a sovereign’s provocation is serious enough that I need to stop the festival and handle it myself. Instead, that would be falling for their ploy. As it would mean letting our biggest event fall apart because of two b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Since I’ve sent Ye Long and my guards, that’s already enough.”

As Lao Ban went this far to explain, Tsu Chin eventually backed down.

“I understand.”

To be honest, any more words would be useless. The Berserk Sovereign was ultimately known for his military strength. However, if he wasn’t able to use that force, wasn’t it useless? If that was the case, then there was no need to fear him. And, didn’t Lao Ban already dispatch his best experts? Logically, he believed he handled it appropriately.

‘But… Why am I so nervous?’

Tsu Chin tried to recall if he missed anything. However, he was unable to come up with anything.

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