Chapter 681: 12-13 (1/2)

”Why did you let him get so close?!” Halmut roared, backing away from Sterfen.

”I deserve to have some fun, given how long you've taken…” the voice replied jokingly.

”WHAT'S GOING ON?!?!”

”Calm down, Sterfen. There's no need to shout. We're in the same room.”

Only a few meters from Sterfen and Halmut, a shadow suddenly appeared in the form of a standing silhouette. Gradually, the darkness swirling around the figure lessened and a human man was left standing there. However, the swirling darkness still covered the man's entire face.

”See, I'm right here. No need to shout,” laughed the man.

”You… Who are you?! How dare you interfere with Kartonia--”

Clicking his tongue and wagging shaking his head, the man interjected, ”Uh, uh… You have no right to belittle me. Please, address me properly or not at all. I don't mince words.”

”Halmut…” Sterfen glared at the Sun God, who was sighing in relief while rubbing his nearly-punctured neck. ”What have you done?”

”I've done nothing outlandish. Given my circ.u.mstances, I merely did what was necessary,” stated Halmut.

”The high and mighty Sun God needs help from outsiders? Proof of how incapable you truly are…”

”That--”

”He's not exactly wrong.” The man shrugged. ”I like you Sterfen. We're more similar than we are different. Don't tell me you're mad about being outdone at your own game? I thought you would be excited to learn that there's someone capable of teaching you more…”

While the anonymous man rambled for a bit, Sterfen contacted Jack and Daruun immediately, or at least he tried.

”By the look on your face, you've realized the truth of your situation.” From the man's tone alone his smile was apparent. ”Call me 12-13. It's a pleasure to finally speak with Kartonia's expert on intel gathering and secrecy. I very much admire your work and tenacity. Personally, I believe that we can get along quite well. So, why not tell me how your mind is so well guarded for a man of your caliber?”

”You… 12-13, how are you blocking my telepathy?” questioned Sterfen, now ignoring Halmut's existence.

”No asking questions!” Halmut roared, gathering energy for a breath attack. A plume of the dragon's various coagulated energies erupted from his mouth only a couple of meters from Sterfen, intent on reducing the unguarded assassin to cinders.