After a while, Joanna brought a group of hunters.
There were 11 people in the group, all of whom were included in the documents.
They were all filled with enthusiasm to take part in this mission. In fact, if the number of persons was limited, they all would have participated.
After all, it was a mission with Neil Prand’s life at stake. Most of them had the thought that they wanted to help even if they could only do a little.
“What’s going on? Who’s this kid?”
“Is this our opponent?”
“Don’t let your guards down.”
Joanna, who stood at the front of the group, reminded them.
She couldn’t feel any traces from Sedi. However, she was well aware of Lukas’ power.
‘It wouldn’t be strange if Frey’s adopted daughter has special powers as well.’
Therefore, even though she’d gathered 11 hunters this time, she’d told them to remain vigilant and do their best.
“Hmm. Then I’ll go first.”
When Lucian, the former mercenary, stepped forward, most of the others made sour expressions. Most of them knew how skilled he was, so they felt that if he went first, they wouldn’t have a chance after. They were certain.
But Sedi frowned when she saw Lucian step forward alone.
“What are you doing?”
“Is something wrong? Kid.”
“Why are you coming forward on your own? It’s best if you all came at the same time.”
Lucian had a daughter who was around the same age as Sedi. Therefore, he could see that her rudeness went beyond simply acting cute.
Nevertheless, using such a tone before a battle could only be described as trampling on their pride as hunters.
“It seems I’ll have to knock you down a peg fir-… Kuk!”
Lucian didn’t get to finish his sentence.
Before he could, Sedi had appeared in front of him and hit his jaw with her palm. Lucian felt a terrible pain and belatedly realised that several of his teeth had been crushed.
With blood dripping from his mouth, he was unable to bear the pain and fell backward with his eyes rolling up into his head.
“…”
While silence filled the room, Sedi swung her right arm with a discontented expression on her face.
She still hadn’t fully adapted to having a mortal body. Luckily, she would be able to use this chance to properly get used to her new body.
“What are you waiting for? Come on.”
“…”
The hunters’ expression finally grew serious.
* * *
“…”
Joanna stared at the training ground, speechless.
After Lucian’s defeat, the hunters had all raised their guards.
None of them had even seen exactly what Sedi had done, they only knew that she’d defeated him with a single blow.
Nevertheless, two other hunters still stepped out for a one-on-one fight. It was only after three consecutive defeats that the hunters decided to work together.
8 elite hunters.
The results of this battle to regain their pride were disastrous.
It couldn’t even be called a proper fight.
“Mm.”
Sedi was standing alone in the center of the training ground, and the prone figures of the hunters could be seen around her.
It was a complete victory. And yet, Sedi didn’t appear pleased. Instead, she frowned in clear displeasure.
The reason for this was the small cut on her palm. Even if she hadn’t fully adapted to her new body, she never thought that she’d be injured by a human.
Then, a voice sounded.
“This should prove her power.”
It was Lukas.
It was a bit harsh, but he had no choice.
After all, this was the best way to prove Sedi’s power.
As Vincent said, they didn’t have any time to waste.
“Who the hell is this girl…”
Joanna stared at Sedi in disbelief. A girl who looked no older than 15 had single-handedly defeated a group of North America’s best hunters? Without even showing her true strength?
“…”
But Joanna didn’t try to pry any further.
There was only one thing that was important now. Sedi had proved that her words weren’t simple arrogance.
The futility of the group’s attacks against her made that clear.
This girl was the strongest among all of the individuals they could mobilise at the moment.
“…I’ll tell Vincent. All of the people going on the mission have been selected. But is it going to be just the three of you?”
When Joanna asked this question, Lukas spoke.
“Joanna, can you really not come with us?”
“Ah. Yeah. I’m busy too. Unfortunately.”
Joanna felt a little pleasure at the fact that Lukas wanted her to go with him.
Unfortunately, she was probably the one person who had a busier schedule than Vincent.
“The Rose Duke’s attack on Canada has terrified the civilians all over America. So I will be traveling all across the region. I plan to help ease their anxiety as much as I can.”
Joanna was one of the most well known and well liked hunters for the people living in North America.
So she would be touring the entire region to cheer up the anxious citizens. There was probably no one more suited for this role than Joanna.
Lukas felt that it was unfortunate.
In his opinion, Joanna was a talented individual. Although he didn’t intend to accept her as a disciple, he honestly felt that it would be good if he could recruit her into <Argento Spell>.
He had been thinking of raising the idea to her if she joined them on this mission.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Joanna’s mission was important as well. It would be rude of him to insist.
“I’ll call the medical team first. Did you say her name was Sedi? I’ll inform Vincent about this girl. Ah, and since the portal should be ready soon… Miss Ha-rin.”
“Yeah?”
Min Ha-rin had not yet escaped the shock that Sedi’s power had induced, but she raised her head as her name was called.
“Shouldn’t you send a message to Korea soon?”
“Oh.”
“I’ll take you to the communication equipment, so follow me.”
“All right.”
Min Ha-rin dejectedly followed Joanna out of the training room as medical staff rushed in and took all the hunters away.
Sedi walked over to Lukas, who looked down at her.
“Wasn’t that a bit too heavy-handed?”
“I didn’t kill them… Rather than that, Father.”
“What is it?”
Lukas’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he answered, still not used to the form of address.
Sedi tilted her head to the side.
“What does Father intend to do from now on?”
“I plan to save Neil Prand, the President of the Hunter Association. We’re going to meet the Saint who might be able to heal him.”
“Not that.”
Sedi shook her head. Her soft hair flowing like a curtain in the wind.
“What are you going to do next? Now that you don’t have a pact with me, you don’t need to spare Demons anymore.”
“That’s true. And thanks to you, the power limit has also increased,”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Chch.
Lukas lifted his hand, and divine power began swirling in his palm.
“By being demoted to a mortal and becoming part of this universe, the level of the entire universe has risen a little.”
“Ah.”
Sedi nodded after realising what he meant.
She also knew that the level of this universe was terribly low. If it had been allowed to progress normally, it would probably take hundreds of millions of years before someone could reach the level of Absolute.
With the appearance of the Demons and Lukas’ support, the level had been raised, but it was still below average.
And then, a being like Sedi had become part of the universe.
Although she had been demoted to a mortal, she had once been an Absolute.
As a result of a being who would be unparalleled among mortals becoming part of the universe, the level of the universe increased. This meant that the amount of power it could tolerate also increased.
With the power he could use now, Lukas could probably wipe out all of the Demons without putting any strain on the universe. And with Sedi’s help, it would be much easier.
And yet, he was still not making his move…
“Is it because of Nodiesop and the Demon King?”
“Right. I can’t move recklessly until I drive them out completely.”
“True. And there’s still no telling what Letip is really thinking.”
“…”
“Then what will you do?”
“Do you remember the hints we got from God?”
“About the way to deceive the laws of the universe?”
“Right.”
Lukas nodded.
“One of the Top Three, a man named Kran. I think he might be a clue.”
“What kind of clue?”
“I’m not entirely sure about the details yet. I didn’t notice anything even when I met him in person. For the time being, I intend to wait and see.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to keep an eye on him? Where’s that Kran guy right now?”
“Well…”
Sedi frowned at Lukas’ soft murmur.
“Isn’t that too risky? What if the Demon King or Nodiesop get their hands on him first?”
“Kran is no pushover. They’d have to use more power than they thought to capture him. That way, regardless of where it is, I’d know the location immediately.”
“…even when taking that into account, I feel like you are relying on something else.”
Sedi narrowed her eyes as she observed Lukas.
“Father, you’re planning something, aren’t you? I don’t know what it is, but it is definitely something that will turn the tables, right?”
“Right.”
Lukas calmly admitted it.
Sedi was immature in many ways, but she still had the sharp intellect that came with being an Absolute.
“What is it?”
“It’s not the right time to reveal it yet. It is literally the last resort… It’s a gamble. And I don’t want to use it if I don’t have to.”
“…Hmm.”
So the best option would be to learn how to trick the laws of the universe.
Of course, if that method failed… then it couldn’t be helped.
He would have no choice but to gamble.
* * *
Kran opened his eyes.
Babump-
At the same time, he felt a strong pulse from his heart. He could feel a stronger power swirling inside of him. This newly acquired power rushed wildly through his blood vessels, as though it was desperate to show off its strength.
Kran got up from his seat, put on his clothes, and glanced at the crystal ball.
“I think this was a lot stronger than the soul crystals I used before.”
[That’s good news. That means it’s getting more efficient.]
“Doesn’t that mean I’m becoming more of a monster?”
[…]
Ringo paused for a moment before speaking in a cautious tone.
[…should we stop now? I will always respect your wishes, Kran.]
Kran put on his cloak and chuckled.
“It’s too late to turn back now. I’ll see this through to the end.”
[…]
“Tell me about the next target. Where is it?”
[Aren’t you going to take a break?]
“I don’t need it. My body has already recovered.”
There was a brief silence before the voice came from the crystal ball again.
[The Korean Peninsula. That’s where the next target is.]
“…the Korean Peninsula.”
Kran slowly closed his eyes.
“Help me prepare, Ringo. I want to leave right away.”