Chapter 167: A Genius and A Plan (1/2)

”What do you mean by using?” Arthur frowned. Despite his sensitivity towards those loathsome creatures, he didn't know much about them. The only source he got to know of them is his legacy. As for the others, including Sier and Master Ronin, chose to selectively stay quiet about their existence.

”The Enders need a medium to manifest in the world. They can't appear for too long, so they use humans. Using greed and hatred as fuel, they corrupt the human soul and grant abilities toward the human.”

”Just like legacies…”

”Exactly.” Miko nodded. ”That's why people with a legacy are safe from the Enders.”

”What's their goal?”

”We don't know yet.” She shook her head. ”Many of the high-status personas of the seven families have fallen to their side. They dream of a common goal.”

”A common goal?” Arthur remembered Jizo's words. However, he wanted to know how much Miko and her organization knew.

”Yes,” Miko paused as she looked around. ”Your friend is coming. I'll look around in the meantime for anything suspicious.”

”Tell me their goal, Miko.”

”It's only a matter of delusions and prophecies.” Miko shook her head. ”They call it the True World. We only know that what they're seeking would bring us doom.”

”I didn't think you guys would be so benevolent to try saving the world.”

”We're not.” Miko grinned as space started twisting. ”We're simply following what our ancestors dictated. The reason for our opposition to the other families is simple.” Before her body disappeared, she left a single world. ”It's revenge.”

***

As Arthur sat on his chair for a few minutes, Yurirl came back. As soon as he did, he frowned and looked around.

”Did someone come here?”

”Just some staff, they brought you a few more bags of snacks.”

”Oh,” Yurirl smiled. ”How considerate.”

”Good duel.”

”Good runes. I'm glad I didn't die.”

”Did you think you would die?” Arthur asked curiously.

”I'm always prepared to die.”

”Sure, ancient swordsman of the true path,” Arthur said sarcastically and was speechless when he saw Yurirl blush.

”Thanks.”

”… It wasn't a compliment.”

After his loss against Arthur, Carlos challenged Mulan and won. The ranking shifted again and it was Abraham's turn. Unexpectedly, the grandmaster's son seemed to know of his capabilities and settled for the last place.

Then came Emma's turn to challenge. As Arthur expected, she challenged him right away. With a grin, Arthur inscribed the runes for Yurirl.

When Tin and Yurirl met on stage, the crowd's excitement was at its peak. Without hesitation, Tin took out the summoning card and the ethereal eagle appeared again.

Yurirl used the Weaken rune on the eagle after throwing several fireballs at it. The eagle's size grew smaller and weaker. After it had evolved, the Weaken rune could decrease the opponent's stats by 15.

However, Arthur had no time to watch the show. If the Enders were coming after him, he wouldn't just sit around and wait for them. Unlike what Sier has expected, Arthur felt that the attack would happen when he would least expect it. It would most likely take place in the Runes Apprentice Cup.

The space twisted next to him and Arthur smiled thinly. Miko, with her small stature and hood, appeared from nothingness.

”Found anything?” Arthur asked but Miko shook her head. With a nod, Arthur took out a stack of runic cards and handed them to Miko. She looked at him, bewildered.

”Take this map of the arena and spread the cards according to the locations I marked.”

”Do you think a barrier is useful against the Enders?” Miko asked, baffled.

”Mine is,” Arthur grinned sinisterly. ”If they're coming after me, I need to welcome them properly.”