46 There's an enemy?

Seeing blood sprayed on the floor, everyone's attention shifted to where Michael was. 

Even though someone's heart was already ripped out from his body, no one attempted to help. Instead, they found it more interesting. 

"Tch, he must have pissed Urs right?" 

"I don't know, man. The next thing I knew Michael broke the table and this."

"Will he fight back though?"

"I think he needs a Healer first."

The scene became the talk of the Gathering. It was a spectacular sight seeing a bonafide S-class being punished for their behavior. Gu Lian, the other SS-Class in the hall, also thinks that the punishment is just right. 

But he's also more curious about Michael's well-being. 

Michael received his heart. His pale hand trembled in fear that he even forgot that his heart was severed from his chest. 

"T-t-thank y-y-you, U-Urs." 

"Anytime."

By the time he received his heart, Michael finally collapsed. His bloodied figure sprawled on the ground constantly twitching as he struggled to survive. His assistant and friends hurriedly went to rescue. 

One of the Awakened presents on the scene even offered his help. 

Greenland's S-class, Caleb Shane. He's a Healer and this type of job was just child's play to him. He had healed much worse like connecting a severed torso, implanting brains—something like that. 

The USA medical team also rushed in panic. Once an S-class Awakened dies here, all hell will break loose. The fact that the UK has some terrible personalities in handling things like this greatly bothered them. 

Although the USA is one of the top countries in the world, disputes between other top countries must be avoided at all costs. 

"Should we bring him to the hospital?"

Caleb wore gloves and proceeded to lead the operation while Michael sprawled on the ground. 

"Don't worry, he'll be fine."

"But Sir Caleb…" 

The medical team knew Caleb's reputation. They could not refute the fact that he's an amazing Healer but still, it's better to be safe than sorry right? Caleb picked the heart carefully and slowly brought it towards Michael's chest. Yellow light envelops his other hand, constantly healing the damaged tissues and cells. 

Meanwhile, Hans observed the operation with a nonchalant face. He's not concerned about the guy, but instead more awed at the man in front of him. 

Urs Hassan. 

Even though he tried recalling that brief incident, he couldn't piece the puzzle on how Urs took someone's heart without him noticing. 

Does that mean he could kill any S-class Awakened any time? 

Plundy said something like destined envoy. Though he didn't understand the right meaning, since he used the word envoy, it means Urs must be following some powerful guy.

'I thought necromancers are weak without their summons?' 

Out of all the Awakened types an awakened can pick, Necromancer is the most popular one. 

But… 

'No one came close to this man.'

Hans could still recall the live broadcast 5 years ago. It was in Egypt and suddenly, there was a massive influx of blue dungeons appearing, ready to break loose. Helpless, the country asked for Urs help who was living in seclusion at that time. 

That was the prelude to his legend. 

An SS-Class clearing a Blue colored dungeon is truly an amazing feat but it's not impressive. 

But what if that Awakened cleared 30 of such dungeons? 

Urs did that by himself and the fact that he cleared all of it at the same time further strengthened his fame to the top. At that time, he became the pioneer for what's called the Death Year. 

In that particular year, 80% of the people who became Awakened that year bought necromancer skills and became genuine necromancers themselves. 

In the end, no one was able to achieve what Urs accomplished. Still, some of them became famous. 

As if sensing his emotions, Urs looked at him and gave an assuring smile. Hans bowed his head slightly as a sign of gratitude. 

Hans took a glimpse of Freya's expression only to see an unmoved woman. She leaned her head on his shoulders and watched the operation process take place, but not before asking a question first. 

"Why did you do that, Urs?"

Urs picked up a tissue and wiped his blood-stained hands. 

"I'm offended by his behavior. No other reasons."

"O-okay."

Hans' muscles tensed after sensing a slight change in Freya's emotions. Although it's faint, Hans clearly sensed her fear. 

"Oh thank God, his pulse is stable now."

"Fuu—, hopefully, sir Michael will wake up soon.

"Haah, thank you, sir Caleb." 

Sighs of relief escaped from their mouths seeing Caleb smile and repaired the shattered flesh. 

"Cough—, FUCK!" 

After a short while, Michael woke up with a sour face. He felt as if the oxygen was suddenly cut off in his systems and he began having hallucinations of his heart being handed to him by someone. 

"He's awake!!" 

"Oh thank god."

Hearing voices to his side, Michael swept his gaze around. Suddenly, a massive influx of memories assaulted his head. He held his temples and massaged them subconsciously. 

"Wait… it's not a dream!?" 

From his right side, Caleb was explaining something to the medical staff. On the other side, three people were looking at him with frowned expressions. 

What's more, behind him countless gazes darted around his back. Sensing the outrageousness of the situation, Michael got up, patted the dust on his suit, and hurriedly went towards Urs. 

He bowed 90 degrees and politely spoke. 

"T-thanks for giving me my… my… my heart back."

At that moment, the hall burst into boisterous laughter. 

"HAHAHAHA, OH Michael." 

"Haha, sounds like a high-school girl confessing to his crush."

"Pfft, learned his lesson from Daddy Urs."

However, Gu Lian has a different opinion. 

"Why are S-Classes too soft these days?" He took a sip of wine and continued, "Can't even block that attack? Oh, how far have you fallen… Michael."

His guild members nodded, agreeing to their guild master's words. 

Michael gritted his teeth and suppressed the urge to fight back. He almost lost his life and he doesn't want a second time. He then nervously glanced at Urs expression. 

"You dropped it. I just picked it up. It's a common thing."

"Yes, yes… common thing."

Michael wanted to cough blood even more after hearing Urs' absurd words. Without hesitation, Michael excused himself and sat on the table as far as possible from Urs position. His assistant patted his back and gave a smile. 

While the people were laughing out loud, Hans, however, was dumbfounded. 

"Did that guy just revive the dead?" He muttered and looked at Freya. 

Sensing his gaze, Freya responded, "I don't know either." before shrugging her shoulders. 

Resurrection goes against the laws of nature. It shouldn't be possible. Even if it is, the amount of mana required would be tremendous, something an S-class Awakened couldn't provide. 

"I didn't kill him."

Hans jolted awake from his thoughts when he heard Urs respond to his question. 

'He didn't die?' 

Michael was not breathing when he fell to the ground. 

"It's just a warning. No need to go for the kill." Urs gaze darted towards Michael who flinched at the sight of them. 

"I see. Thank you anyway."

Even though it's indirectly, Urs still fended off that troublesome man. 

Shortly, the organizers arrived at the scene, carrying another set of tables and chairs. The staff apologized for the inconvenience and would make sure that they would be properly compensated. 

One by one, many powerful Awakened began arriving at the hall. 

Brazil's SS-Class, Miguel Silva. Known as the 'unkillable beast.'

His feats include going inside an Indigo Colored dungeon and surviving inside for a while 30 days. That broadcast was just bloody. 

He wore a long dark coat over a tight fit tuxedo. From his right, a man kept laughing while narrating something Hans couldn't understand. 

That man was also a famous Awakened. 

Argentina's SS-Class, Senon Acosta. He was quite enigmatic. No known feats or accomplishments were broadcasted publicly. The government of Argentina protected his privacy. Aside from his name and some basic information, this man is just pure blank. 

Senon was dressed in a white tuxedo and he was also wearing glasses. The two walked into the hall garnering everyone's attention. 

The host stood on the stage and cleared his throat. 

"Cough—, excuse me, ladies and gentlemen."

The host explained some stuff and what the purpose of the gathering is even though he didn't have to. 

Hans, however, did not listen and just stared at the Grand hall entrance waiting for others to arrive. He took a short glance to his left side and saw Freya's already sleeping figure. 

'She's fast asleep?' 

Was she bored that much?

At that moment someone entered the grand hall and made him flinch in surprise. 

It was his sister, S-class, Hannah Luther. 

As she walked gracefully on her red slit dress, all eyes turned towards her. Hans met her eyes and already knew from her reaction that she was surprised as well. 

Following her were her guild members and the USA's 7 S-class Awakened. 

[They 7 looked like bodyguards.]

"Pfft."

Because all of them wore black suits with almost the same styles, those 7 appeared like bodyguards. They were laughing out loud. From his perspective, it seemed like they were aware of it. 

Next to enter the hall were 5 people. 3 men and 2 women. 

France's SS-Class, Louis Martin. 

Mexico's SS-Class, Javier Garcia. 

Norway's SS-Class, Magnus Johansen.

And the women were… 

Russia's SS-Class, Marina Morozov. 

Sweden's SS-Class, Kristina Andersson. 

Aside from constantly clearing dungeons, all of these five were enigmas. The government of their countries also protected their records and movements. 

With that, only one is missing and the event would start. Hans tapped Freya's forehead lightly, waking her up. He could already feel that powerful mana from outside the building. Hans swept his gaze around the hall and saw people also looking at the entrance as well.

The anticipation for the last participant is just overwhelmingly massive. Soon, they heard loud footsteps and a woman entered wearing a tight fitting dress with a slit on the middle chest. Her long braid further added to her mature charm. 

The attractiveness is just off the charts that even Hans was captivated, but not to the point like those guys with seemingly heart-shaped eyeballs. 

Her back was open exposing a giant snake tattoo, which was also symbolizing her group. 

'Basilisk.'

Greece's SS-Class, Cassia Kallis. She is the famous leader of the 'Basilisk', which is also a famous organization that accepts commissioned tasks from other countries. 

The organization is so powerful that the Greece government was even struggling in the battle for authority. Unfortunately, no news other than that was shown in public. 

And as expected, he also came. 

Greece's S-class, Aegeus Kallis. 

Based on their surnames, Hans concluded that the two must have been related. Aegeus did not seem to notice him and just followed Cassia like a good boy. Seeing this side of his, Hans unknowingly chuckled. 

"You know them?" Freya inquired. 

"We just met once."

"Ah, in New York RIGHT? I heard they accepted a commission there." Freya pouted her lips and continued, "I wish I was there too."

Shortly afterwards, the host began to speak. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 14th Awakened Gathering. Before we start, I would like to thank all of you for agreeing to our invitation and the USA for hostin—" 

Fireworks boomed outside making the hall lively. Amidst all of this, Hans did not listen at all. His mind was focused on the scent he smelled back before he and Freya exited the car. 

'I'm sure that was not the scent of a human.'

Hans was positive that somewhere amidst all of this, an unknown was lurking quietly in the dark. 

And the worst thing about this is… 

No one seemed to notice. 

......... 

Venice, Italy. 

"My lord, the stone has been activated. We could start our plan." a man wearing butler clothes kneeled and spoke politely to a shadowy figure sitting on a throne. 

"I see… but are you sure the 5 keys are there?" 

The butler immediately replied, "I'm not, my lord. According to our Intel, only the holder of the 'Golden Crown' and the last piece couldn't be found, but we're positive that at least all 3 keys were in the venue."

"Very well, dismiss."

"Yes, my lord."

Swish—

The butler vanished in a flash leaving the silhouette alone. 

Drip—, drip—

The sound of water falling through the window added stillness to the place. The shadowy figure fell into his mind's abyss and his eyes gradually closed.