Chapter 226: Before the Meeting

Ascenders of the Defence Faction began leaving, heading to the Assault Faction to fully integrate.

The king of each faction would now accept or reject those who are moving to their side.

After the trial started, a new notification came exclusively for Moon and Lorian.

[You may accept or reject the defecting individuals of the enemy faction once per ascender.]

Though Moon didn’t expect it would be used that way, it was both devastating and reassuring at the same time.

The Defence Faction wasn’t based on Moon, but on the fact that some were unwilling to attack the home of another peaceful nation.

As expected, by the time everyone had left, only those who had the courage to stand for others were still by his side.

Everyone else was on their way, chasing the safe option they imagined in their minds.

Among the crowd, however, one man was starting to slow down.

He was the one with the longest history with Moon, and he was also the one who had lost the most to him out of everyone in the branch.

It all started when he picked two useless ascenders and forced them to attack Moon, only for Moon to neutralize their attacks without harming them in the slightest or even allowing the penalty to manifest.

He had been outsmarted, led around like an idiot, sent his knight to die, and lost his sword, helmet, and proof of authority altogether.

Not only that, he had attacked him with his knights and still lost, once in his rage after his belongings were looted, and another time in the skirmish ring.

As his steps halted, his mind raced.

"Young master?" his most trusted knight called.

He remembered now that even that very knight, who was stronger than he was, had been lost.

Strength, intelligence, even the ability to assess people.

He was inferior to him; the two useless ascenders he was sending to test Moon and get thrown like trash were gradually becoming stronger, and even their talents started to shine day after day.

They were far from useless, unlike how he had thought of them.

Yet, today...

"DAMN, CLASSLESS BASTARD!"

Pride.

The way the ring and sword had been thrown in his face without the slightest hint of reluctance, without feeling burdened.

He couldn’t bear it; a nobleborn being treated worse than a street rat.

Was that his true worth?

He took a look around; everyone was already far ahead of him. No one else was waiting.

He opened his mouth. "Abshi," he called, "we’re going back!"

Abshi looked at Kase and Liam once, their faces turning yellow in fear. "Young Mast—" Abshi tried to say something.

"WE’RE GOING BACK, DON’T ARGUE... THAT BASTARD, I WON’T WIN THAT WAY!" He suddenly snapped, turned around, and started running with newfound vigour.

Colten was being assailed by a feeling he couldn’t bear, one that screamed this was his last chance to make up for his past mistakes.

One that warned him... if he left now, or rather, ran away for a better chance, a better opportunity at life and winning, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Colten couldn’t shake the thought, imagining himself a grown man who couldn’t compare to a lowly, nameless mercenary from a dead floor.

He couldn’t take it; thus, he decided he wouldn’t run.

He would fulfil his contract with Moon as his subordinate till the last moment.

For better or worse.

Before long, he passed by Talia at the gate. Inside, he saw Lexie walking around unbothered, not leaving.

It was just seconds before his eyes fell on Dorbish, who was also staying.

Neither of them had any bets, proof of authority, or anything used against them to stay; they were just staying willingly.

Cutting Moon’s words off, Colten gritted his teeth and shouted at the top of his lungs, "DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A BIGGER MAN THAN ME?"

Taking the sword off his hip and the ring off his finger, he threw them at Moon’s face as hard as he could.

Moon effortlessly turned around and caught them both with one hand. "Have you gone insane?" he asked with an irritated face.

Colten pointed at Moon. "Who allowed you, classless bastard, to break the contract?"

Moon blinked; a smile crept over his face and rapidly widened. "Hoho, I see you grew some balls, bitch."

Moon shoved the sword and ring at Dorbish, who was taken off guard.

Creak~

He cracked his knuckles. "How about we reset the hierarchy again?" Moon asked, taking a step closer to Colten.

tuk-tuk-tuk

Dorbish caught Moon’s arm. "I don’t think we should be doing this now."

tuk-tuk-tuk

Moon turned to him. "Can’t you see how this hairless bastard talks?"

tuk-tuk-tuk

"I mean we ca—"

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOO

Everyone turned to the source of the sound that had just cut off Dorbish.

Small, bloody red eyes. A short yellow beak, yet sharp as a spear. Long legs with three long, sharp claws... they were clearly chicken legs.

Yet the body was muscular and bulky.

His arms were so thick that they reached past half of the creature’s total height, covered in red feathers. He stood straight like a person while clad in reptilian-like leather.

The comb over his head fell heavily to the right side like rebellious hair.

"Where’s breakfast? Why is it morning but there’s no food?" the humanoid rooster asked.

"Can’t you chicken bastard see we’re in the middle of an important discussion?" Raiju growled; apparently, he’d been watching the entire scene play out and felt interrupted now.

"Tuk-tuk-tuk, my name is Fisher, you mutt," the rooster announced, madness growing in his red eyes.

"Mutt?" Raiju said in disbelief.

Moon watched the scene play out, forgetting about Colten’s insolence and need for proper upbringing. His fingers sought his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

Apparently, the rooster, Fisher, had no idea what was actually happening, such as the leaving ascenders and the orders.

The morning light woke him up; thus, he demanded food, as a bird would.

Beastmen were also excluded from accessing the Normalization Facility, the same as sentient beasts, except for Mishu, who was just loitering around.

Luckily, with a crazy chicken member came another who was far more sane and calm.

Markala, the Warrior who belonged to Third Jungle, was also walking down the stairs at that time. Clad in nature-inspired clothing, his vibrant colours contrasted with his black skin.

Standing at an impressive height close to that of the hungry rooster, he extended his arm gently and tapped Fisher’s shoulder.

"Food will be arranged soon; go back and rest for a little longer," he said in a deep, calm voice that was in direct contrast to the beastly madness Raiju and Fisher radiated.

"Pok, is it?" The madness in Fisher’s eyes receded. "Sure, I’ll wait then."

The rooster turned his back on them and started walking away.

Moon gave Markala a grateful nod, but Raiju was far from done talking.

"I’m not done talking to you—"

"RAIJU," Moon cut him off. "Say one more word, and I’ll have you stay asleep for the next month," he threatened.

Remembering what had happened yesterday, while unaware of the fact that Mishu couldn’t attack him here inside the trial zone, Raiju had no choice but to swallow his words.

Moon felt that leading so many people yesterday had been problematic, but today he was certain it was even worse.

Maybe a new hierarchy would be needed soon, or so he thought.

Fortunately, Talia tapped his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. "It’s time for the meeting."