20 Chapter XX - Abrupt End

Ultio shook his arm, dispelling the stolen flames and chuckled. "I expected more, as I had heard rumours that Guild Ouranos was filled with Demigods and Angels. Seems like that was all an exaggeration."

"Yeah, you're absolutely right." Eric, who seemed to have recognised Ultio's plans, immediately chuckled and played along. Even though he hadn't been around Ultio for very long, he could still tell that Ultio wasn't as arrogant and irritating as this.

So this means that he was currently putting on an act!

What he was acting for, Eric didn't know, but he knew his assistant would be required.

And of course, Eric's intellect didn't disappoint, as Ultio immediately let him in on the act. "Right? Didn't we hear that these guys were able to fight back demons and otherworldly beings?" Ultio asked as he walked over to stand beside Eric, who was crouched, read to charge at Guild Ouranos.

"Indeed. I was expecting to be beaten within seconds, but it seems like we had expected too much from them." Eric said with a slight smile, before letting go of Needle's hilt. However, the sword didn't fall to the ground, as Eric grabbed the 'thread' that was attached to its pommel.

And like that, Eric had changed to a different fighting style.

"Try to make as many of them use their Phantasms." Ultio whispered to Eric as he walked past him, to stand at his other side.

Eric nodded slightly before leaping forward and flicking Needle at Troy.

The unstoppable sword went forward at a mindboggling speed, and was stopped only by Troy deflecting it with his golden bracers.

"Nice try."  Troy said with a lighthearted laugh, however because of the helmet, he sounded like he was laughing sarcastically.

Eric didn't mind this, and smiled at Troy. Then he yanked the 'thread' in his hands, causing the sword behind Troy to shoot back the way it came, striking the side of Troy's head, leaving him slightly dazed.

Meanwhile, Ultio was currently fighting Rena, Veronica, Verah and Kuro all at once, as well as the other members of Guild White that were around.

"You seem to be getting better at dodging every single time." Rena commented as Ultio weaved to the side, avoiding one of her strikes.

Ultio smirked as he dodged an attack from a skeleton summoned by Veronica. "Because I'm constantly learning."

At this moment, Verah swung a fist at Ultio's face, causing him to dodge and grab her wrist. "You seem to be attacking with less strength than before. Am I causing you discomfort?" Ultio asked with a raised eyebrow.

Verah blushed slightly and looked away, before flying into the air, dragging Ultio along with her. "No." She replied simply and kicked him down to the ground, where Tyrian was waiting with his buster sword.

"‹Guard Breaker!›" Tyrian growled as the martial skill too its effect and his body shot upward. He smacked Ultio's abdomen with the flat of his blade, sending him flying upward again.

Rena lifted one of her sword and pointed it at Ultio as energy began to coat the blade. "‹Sword Call›" She said as the energy shot from the blade and struck Ultio, sending him even higher.

Energy and lightning came to light all around Verah as a large storm began to brew in the underground facility. The wind blew her hair and cape around as she shut her eyes, seemingly to charge up power, however it was to control her emotions so she wouldn't accidentally use too much strength and kill Ultio.

"‹Skybreaker!›" Verah said as soon as she felt she was calm enough, and flew towards Ultio.

At that moment, the team-attack was completed by the white haired man that attacked Ultio first.

"‹Golden Crow Flames›" He muttered and punched his fist upward. The flames around him gathered at his fist and shot at Ultio, taking on the shape of a crow formed by the brilliant flames.

As soon as the crow of flames snatched Ultio up in its beak, Verah let out a roar and a massive bolt of energy and lightning shot out of her chest and struck Ultio.

BOOM!

The entire underground facility shook and dust rained from the ceiling as its foundation trembled from Verah's attack.

A large crater appeared on the stage from where Ultio landed after being hit with a combined attack from various members of Guild Ouranos. However, his current state was hidden, as the crater was filled with smoke and dust, which obscured everyone's vision.

"Remarkable..." Ultio's voice suddenly came from within the crater, drawing everyone's attention.

Verah, who was worried that Ultio was hurt, let out a sigh of relief before blushing after receiving a glare from Rena and Veronica.

Suddenly, something within the smoke and dust began to move at a tremendous pace, causing the smoke and dust to converge.

As the cloud of dust and smoke converged, it suddenly began to rise like a tornado before suddenly dispersing.

Within the crater stood Ultio, who casually his his hands in his pockets and smirked arrogantly. Before him, was Hermes, who stood defensively with his sword drawn.

"Permission to attack, Boss." Hermes said, his eyes focused on the surprised members of Guild Ouranos.

"Took you long enough!" Eric shouted from the other side of the stage, before withdrawing Needle and walking over to one of the seats that were set by the side of the facility, where the activities on the stages can be easily observed. As he sat, he began rubbing his temples and muttering about how bad his nightmares would be.

Ultio smiled brightly and slicked some stray strands of hair back. He looked unharmed, and other than his disheveled hair, he looked exactly the same. "I apologize, Mister Midas. And yes, Hermes, you may attack."

"What is that?" Veronica asked as she adjusted her glasses.

"You are necromancer, right, Miss Veronica? I believe, this is a much, much more advanced version of your ability to raise the dead." Ultio said, as Hermes suddenly disappeared.

When he reappeared, he was right in front of Veronica's summoned skeleton, and he rose his short sword above his head before swinging it down, destroying the skeleton. Although he didn't show it, Hermes felt insulted by the skeleton's existence, which was why he attacked it first.

After handling the skeleton, Hermes turned to Veronica, but was stopped by Hyperion, who had actually been sitting the fight out.

"Sorry I'm late," He said casually, as his hand tightened around Hermes' wrist, "After waiting for you, I just wasn't interested in fighting anymore."

As soon as he finished speaking, He pulled Hermes in for a jab, which sent the shadow flying back to Ultio's feet.

"Impressive. However, it's a shame that I've chosen this moment to concede. Eric and I will be leaving now, to give you all some time to decide if we are worthy enough to tag along with you. Good day." Ultio said and withdrew Hermes into his own shadow and made his way out of the underground facility along with Eric, who was still grumbling about his future nightmares.

The facility remained silent for a while after Eric and Ultio left.

"What the fuck?" Dorgan asked with genuine confusion as he looked around, wondering if he was the only one that felt as confused.

Rena, Verah and Troy, all shared a look before shaking their heads. A drop of cold sweat slowly dripped from Troy's chin. Rena couldn't help but sigh, and Verah's legs became shaky.

These reactions from these three people was caused by Ultio.

Although others didn't notice it and were cursing at Ultio for leaving so suddenly just when the fight was becoming fun, but when Ultio withdrew Hermes into his shadow as he left, these three clearly felt a tip of the crushing power Ultio possessed.

It struck them with fear.

"Everyone!" Troy suddenly said, calling the attention of the members of Guild Ouranos. "As you know, we, the leadership of this guild, have never made a decision without discussing it with other members of the guild,"

"However, we have to make an exception today," Verah said. The transition from Troy to Verah was smooth, and had obviously been practised.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Guild Ouranos, please on your best behaviour, as we will be entertaining guests on our way to The Tomb of the Night."