Chapter 374 Hallowed Fury (2/2)

Ion and Ryt stood behind in silence, their heads hung low. In moments like these they regretted not being far, far stronger than they are; if they were, they could split and search way quicker. Yet, because of how weak they were, they had to remain a burden to Lino.

”And out you go...” Lino suddenly growled as he stretched his right arm out suddenly into space next to him, ripping it wide open and gazing into the void. Yanking his arm back, a scream wailed out that startled Ion and Ryt who quickly drew out their weapons only to see Lino's arm wrapped around a strange-looking figure's neck as it was being dragged out of seemingly nowhere. ”You two, close the rip.” Lino said as he pulled the man over and around, clenching his neck. ”While his lad and I have a conversation.”

”Y-yes, Master!!” Ion and Ryt exclaimed as they raced over toward the small tear, beginning to use the Qi to heal it up.

”H-h-how did-did you find me?” the man -- Lino assumed due to lack of breasts on the figure's chest -- spoke out coarsely. His face was hidden beneath a layer of shadows that even Lino could only faintly see through.

”Because I've spent most of my life being leered at by people who meant me no good,” Lino replied simply, coating the surrounding space by his Will to ensure Ion and Ryt neither saw nor heard anything. ”Who are you?”

”... who-who are you?” Lino released the man's neck as the latter plummeted on his behind, holding it for a moment and coughing.

”I don't think you quite understand the situation you're in,” Lino crouched down and smiled coldly, forcing the man to meet his eyes. ”I didn't come to this hellhole to chat or make friends. I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries.”

”... why'd you come then?” the man asked casually.

”... I came,” the man suddenly felt his entire body freeze up as he sensed a Will so overwhelming it was beyond description wash over his whole being. ”To either find someone... or to raze this whole fucking world to the ground. Now, answer me. Who are you?”

”I--I--I'm... Jean...”

”Are you part of the cult, Jean?” Lino asked.

”... y-yes...”

”Are you cleaning house?”

”I--I think...”

”Why?”

”... we-we... we were discovered...”

”Who discovered you?” Lino persisted.

”I... I don't know...”

”When?”

”--t-two days... two days ago...”

”... then why today?” Lino asked, frowning suddenly.

”P-pre... preparations...”

”... where is your headquarters?” Lino asked.

”I-I...”

”Take me there.” the frigid voice, coupled with penetrating gaze and the beyond overwhelming Will, nearly caused the man to pass out. The only reason he hadn't was because Lino used his own Will to prevent him.

The man shuddered like a leaf under the wind as he slowly raised his hand and pointed it eastward. Lino brought down the curtain surrounding him and saw Ryt and Ion standing on attention, their expressions serious.

”Master, we request you put us in the dimensional pocket!” the two exclaimed at the same time, surprising Lino somewhat.

”Why?” he asked.

”We are too weak.” Ion said.

”Yes,” Ryt added. ”We would just get in your way.”

”... what?” Lino cracked a smile as he pulled the man off the floor nonchalantly. ”You think your Master is so weak he can't protect two brats while killing some worthless scum?”

”A-ah... no, of course not...”

”Then shut the hell up and follow him.” his voice turned frigid again as he glanced at the man; meanwhile, Ion and Ryt shook temporarily -- they'd seen their Master angry before... but never quite like this. Not like this. ”What are you waiting for? I told you to take me there. Why aren't you taking me there?”

”I---I can't... oath... betrayal...” the man mumbled meekly.

”...” Lino put his hand on the man's chest as the latter suddenly coughed out a mouthful of black blood, taking deep breaths afterward. ”There you go. No more oaths. No more vows. No more betrayals. You are a free man. And, as your liberator, I suggest you do as I say, or your freedom will be very short-lived.”

”... i-it's east, underwater... behind the last island...” the man mumbled weakly. ”We-we should be in the last stages...”

”... carry him.” Lino tossed the man over to Ryt and Ion who awkwardly caught him. ”And try to keep up.”

A pair of golden wings suddenly unfurled behind Lino's back as he put on the mask of Great Descent. He'd never bothered increasing his number from 72, as he quite liked it, and he had his 'grandpa' tell him anything he wanted to know anyway. His wings fluttered for a moment as the wind around him stirred; Ryt and Ion stood and watched in awe for a moment before the two also took to the sky, each holding the man's one arm, the latter hanging in-between them.

Lino's eyes were like swirls of the chaotic maelstrom, focused entirely on where the man told him to go. It was one thing to steal defunct products from him, but an entirely another one to go after people he loved. Never again.