27 Schemes

'' We're almost there. '' One of the guards yelled.

Jerouch's eyes glimmered as he heard the guard speak.

They had spent another day camping, and it was the next day to proceed with their travelling.

They had not even moved for more than two hours when he heard the guard.

The vegetation was growing thinner and the monsters they encountered were all in the F ranks.

Jerouch looked up, mesmerized by the pale blue sky and the scorching sunlight.

Flying monsters would occasionally cloud the sky and some even dived to hunt prey.

At long last, they eventually got to the edge of the forest.

'' Weehuu. '' One of the guards whistled excitedly.

Jerouch too was relieved as he saw the short red and yellow shrubs growing outside the forest.

'' Just two days more and we will be entering the city. ''

'' Umm. '' Jerouch nodded.

Jerouch for the first time started seeing humans going and coming through their path.

He had noticed this right from when they got close to the edge of the forest, but it was more obvious now.

Humans of different skin colours and heights moved along as they proceeded with their daily activities.

Most of them were F rank warlocks who worked for one guild or the other.

From what Azel told him, there were five guilds in klaris city.

The first guild he mentioned was of course the merchants' guild.

The guild engaged in various trades, and they had the largest financial resources.

Azel didn't forget to sugar coat his words when describing his guild, but from Jerouch's expression, he knew better to stop.

The four other guilds were basically the hunters' guilds

They usually come to the forest and dungeons to hunt monsters.

Moreover, during the monsters' raid, they worked with the city guards to protect the city.

Furthermore, Azel didn't forget to inform him that although the five guilds may look peaceful outside, there was a great strain between them.

Every guild followed the law of the jungle. The one with the biggest fist had the biggest share.

Schemes and plots were common occurrences among them, and the higher-ups in each guild were always ready to block the path of the others.

The power was still maintained at the moment. Hence, no guild wanted the other guild to rise above it.

'' Typical of humans, huh? '' Jerouch smirked.

Situations like this were no new thing for him.

How many people had he sent to their graves back on Earth because they wanted to overtake the underworld?

He had lost count of it. As far as you were in the underworld, it was either you worked for him or worked in the cemetery as a permanent staff.

'' It's better if I stay on one side and watch. '' He thought.

'' At least for now. It's better not to get involved in their meaningless power struggle. ''

'' However, I won't stay as a bystander for long. Ain't no way I'm missing out on the fun. '' He grinned.

The blood of being a boss who constantly schemed was returning to his new self, and he would gladly embrace it.

Screech!

Jerouch was jolted out of his thoughts as he heard the carriages screech due to the horses that suddenly jerked.

They all paused and looked into the distance. The others didn't see anything, but Jerouch did.

Behind a tall tree with red leaves that bore large white fruits, he could see three figures in black hooded robes.

'' Huh, what now? '' He wondered.

'' Did you or your guild offend anyone? '' Jerouch asked, not bothering to his annoyance.

'' N-not that I can remember. '' Azel asked, confused about what Jerouch was talking about.

Just as Azel was wondering why the atmosphere felt quite suffocating, the three figures in hoods finally showed up.

'' Those useless bandits could not even handle an ordinary merchants' team. '' One of the figures who appeared to be the leader from his stance spoke in a rough tone. Irritation was apparent in his voice.

'' Fortunately, he asked us to stay on guard. '' A shrill feminine voice sounded from the right.

'' W-who are you? '' Azel asked with a look of disbelief.

He had thought that the bandits' event was just their bad luck, but it seemed not to be true.

'' Who are we? '' The figure with a rough voice asked mockingly.

Jerouch was looking from one side enjoying the show, when he sensed a rapid movement towards their direction.

'' Earth wall. '' He muttered.

Bam!

A thin sword pierced the wall of earth and it crumbled.

'' Um? '' One of the figures appeared in thin air with a puzzled expression.

'' No one should be able to stop that attack in their group. '' He thought, but that was when he sensed Jerouch.

The leader and the other figure who seemed to be a lady also squinted their eyes when they saw what just happened.

Jerouch's silky black robe and smooth skin stood out far too much, so it wasn't hard to spot him.

'' An assassin? '' Jerouch furrowed his eyebrows.

***

Inside a well-lit room, three figures were on seats discussing.

The room was moderately lit with white orbs which the brown walls reflected.

'' Those bastards, despite paying them a hefty amount, couldn't even finish their jobs. '' One of them cursed aloud.

'' Hmph, fortunately, we had our forces waiting for them in case something went wrong. '' The second person replied.

As for the third figure, he was only listening, not adding to anything they said.

'' Those three will end it quickly, so what're the worries anyway? '' The third person finally chimed in the conversation.

'' Absolutely. '' The other two nodded.

'' They never failed after all, what am I even saying, how will three D rank warlocks of different classes lose to some measly guards who are barely at F rank? '' The first person laughed.

'' I think we might have overdone it, hehe, but it's better that way. '' The third person added.

'' Sure, no room for mistakes. ''

The three of them sipped wine as they waited for the great news. In their thoughts, this was a long-finished task.

However, they would soon be shaken by what was about to befall them.