Chapter 1537 (2/2)

After he left Military High Command, Randidly immediately pulled out his Philosopher’s Key and opened a portal to deep within the Web. Before he returned to the Rally Station, he wanted to do a few more cleansings of his emotions just to be sure. Beyond that, since they had another fifteen hours or so off anyway, he would stretch that out a bit and train.

Humming to himself, Randidly began to descend deeper than he ever dared to in the past. Part of him acknowledged it was a risk, but another part of him knew that he couldn’t afford to take his time improving.

And once I’m sure I’m not compromised, Randidly thought slowly as he floated downward, It’s time to focus on my definitive Skills for the different images. But before the new Grim Chimera… I should return to my original image, Yggdrasil. The Inscrutable Mien of Genesis and the Implacable Price of Exodus have both been on the back burner for far too long. Let’s not forget to sharpen my most reliable blade...

*****

After the twenty-four hours were up, Raymund Ballast returned to the Fifth Cohort Rally Station with a face long with disappointment. Reality had taught him several harsh lessons. He was more capable than during his initial arrival to the Nexus, that was undoubtedly true. But in the grand scheme of things, he was still a tiny fish who had foolishly swam out into the depths.

The first information broker he managed to locate, after asking around for a while, had shut the door in his face when he requested information regarding the Swacc Family. The second had refused to answer any of his questions and even recommended that Raymund pay him an exorbitant sum so he wouldn’t simply sell the fact that he was asking questions about them to the Swacc Family.

A string of further failures led Raymund to halt his investigations around that last message Techetadore and sent and instead just ask about his brother. This was a little more fruitful but didn’t turn up anything significant. Techet had definitely come to the Nexus and been seen around. He had even arranged an apprenticeship with a middling tier fighter who participated in the Nexus Arena, but apparently, Techet had quit the training after a week.

Based on the timeline, it was right after he quit that Techetadore had sent his final message to Raymund.

By the time Raymund found out this information, his twenty-four-hour ‘holiday’ was up. He didn’t even have time to try and speak with the fighter Techet had met before he had to return to the teleporter formation.

Plus, his mood was not helped by the fact that he was once more burdened by the suppression array the Ghosthound had created. After a full day without its constant presence, the exertion was once more agonizing.

Currently, Overseer Helen had them all standing in formation near the teleporter on the Fifth Cohort Rally Station. A last few recruits were scurrying out, earning death glares from Overseer that promised them additional training due to their lateness. Overall, the mood of the recruits was rather strained and restless. Partially because they likely shared Raymund’s opinion about returning to the suppression array while the other recruits clearly weren’t affected, but also many people were whispering about the report of corruption in the Seventh Cohort.

Finally, the last recruit arrived. Overseer Helen stared around at them all and cleared her throat. “Does anyone have anything to say about the request made of you by Head Drill Sergeant Ghosthound? This is your one chance to come clean about any deals you may have made with outside forces.”

The recruits remained silent. Overseer Helen nodded, seeming unwilling to push the issue. “Alright then. Squad Captains, form up. We are heading back. Time to pick up where we left off.”

The group moved quickly across the dirt track as they returned to the training area. But as they approached the space given to their elite group, they slowed; Head Drill Sergeant Randidly Ghosthound was waiting for them at the edge of his territory with his arms folded. Yet after Overseer Helen said a sharp word, the group kept marching.

They filed around the Ghosthound, avoiding his eye contact. The intimidating man stood there at the edge and looked individually at all 200 of the recruits as they passed him.

The group seemed to heave a sigh that flowed amongst them, the tension in their bodies releasing as crossed the presence of the Ghosthound without anything happening. Yet after they had believed they were safe, the Ghosthound spoke.

“One of you… lied.”

Everyone paused. They couldn’t help but turn around and look at their Head Drill Sergeant, dreading what they would find in his face. And as expected, Raymund’s blood curdled as he saw that orb of darkness that had taken the place of the Ghosthound’s left eye. He favored the group with a slow smile. “Did you really think I wouldn’t notice…?”