Ch 13

Areth let the visitors settle down.

They were restless and and wary of each other. Only Dalia and Claire were speaking lightheartedly in the corner of the bar.

Dalia was used to the dream world, whereas Claire calmed down after finding an acquaintance. The rest withdrew into their own world, trying to experiment with their soul forms.

"Everyone, I ask that you lend me a little bit of your time."

Everyone turned to the mysterious bartender who calls himself Adam.

"I have an important matter to inform you. Due to certain reasons, I can't personally make a public appearance in the real world, so I can only rely on this method. Please excuse me."

A soul asked. "Did you specifically chose us?"

Areth smiled. "No, I simply set a single criteria. What all of you have in common here is that everyone has strong souls. I don't know if you are able to make my information spread to the real world, but I hope you treat this seriously. It concerns the entire humanity."

"So what is it that you want to make known." A cold voice said.

Areth conjured a holographic screen out of nowhere, images moved on the screen.

'What powerful soul control. He can even influence the dream world in such sophisticated manner.' Dalia who knew more than everyone present, was shocked at his display of control.

The screen flashed the image from Areth's memory when he entered the demon world.

"Isn't that just the inside of a rift?" Someone asked.

"That is correct." Areth said. "But this isn't a normal rift, as you would soon see."

"W-what the hell are those things?"

When the screen showed the appearance of demons, even watching from across the screen, they could still feel that feeling of evil and distortion emanating from these monsters.

Areth even showed them the demon generals, and briefly revealed their tremendous powers that inspired fear to those who witness it.

It was fortunate that he cleared out those dangerous things in advance.

"Is that footage real?" Someone asked.

Areth responded by telling them the location of the demon rift. "You can check it out to confirm if what I said is true."

After viewing the 'movie', they were thinking the same thing.

'If those demon generals are real, then this humble and amiable looking man might be more of a monster than they are.'

Although the footage revealed little information regarding the observer, they could tell from the demon's eyes that were constantly locked on the screen, full of malice and hatred, that they were battling against the observer.

They experienced what is it like being siege by four demon generals. They even flinched when an attack reached the screen, forgetting that they were just viewers.

Claire, however, noticed one thing that others did not from the footage.

'Those swords look a bit similar to the Lord of Lights'.'

Claire informed Dalia of her observation, but both decided to remain quiet.

Areth did not reveal information about Aden and his team. If in case these people he brought became greedy and declared a war against another world, that would not be a good outcome.

It would only be a matter of time before they learned of their existence, but until then, he had to make them realize the terror of demons.

Even he needed to exert a bit of effort to destroy them and the big boss has yet to appear.

"Demons huh, I'll report it to my dad." Said the arrogant voice.

"I would take a look." Said the cold voice.

"We'll do our best too."

Claire and Dalia are both influential members of the Light Temple. With them agreeing to cooperate, Areth reached his purpose.

Of the remaining two souls, one attempted to nod. This person was taciturn, a sharp air lingers around his soul.

'A swordsman.' Areth thought.

"I will see what I can do to help." The last was a female voice. Her tone was cold and apathetic.

Areth smiled. "Thank you for your cooperation. Though I have nothing to offer you as rewards. You can take these things, consider it as small meeting gifts."

Areth opened his palm and five rings flew out, each ring floated in front of the five. He smiled apologetically at Dalia, he only prepared for five people.

"These rings serves one purpose, it is able to safely lead your soul to this island. You have to consciously intend for it to happen before falling asleep. You will have a normal if you sleep as usual. You can also leave this island safely and return to your dreams through this ring."

These rings do not mean much. There's nothing in the bar aside from drinks and the temple which he had transformed into a huge library. Although if one opened the books, they would find the pages blank. It could be treated only as a place for vacation.

Areth turned to Dalia.

"Miss Dalia, I apologize for not preparing something. Hence, please take this."

Areth conjured a piece of his memory and turned it to a small note, which he handed over.

The method to create a virtual cube. He didn't know how she would use it, but perhaps she might be more creative than him.

He waited for his guests to leave before exiting the illusion. The trip could be considered fruitful.

---

Areth, who was on his way home from school was intercepted by a certain someone.

"Hey kiddo!"

Areth sighed. Even without turning around, he knew who this voice belongs to.

"Anne, what is it?"

"Hou, are you so cold now Mr top student?"

Anne appeared before him accompanied by slight whirlwind. In just a single skip, she was able to overtake him. As for the 'top student' thing, the teacher just a abruptly decided that he was the most promising among the bunch of kids there and decided to make him an example to the rest of the class.

"Are you free?" Anne asked.

"Why?" Areth retorted.

"Didn't you join my guild? I'll show you around the newly built HQ as well as the rest of the members!"

Areth tried hard to think. 'I agreed? When?'

He wondered whether he had went senile. Despite his doubts, he contacted his parents to inform him that he will be late. It was an hour before noon, kindergartens like him would be dismissed early, and home was just nearby.

The town's security was good and if in case there was trouble, he only need to shout for help and his watch would automatically disclose his location to the police. Patrol drones nearby would quickly come to the rescue. His parents were not worried so they agreed.

"Alright."

'I'll see what sort of trouble these kids concocted.' He thought to himself as he followed behind Anne.

"Here we are!" Anne stopped and pointed at the building.

Areth stood there with a dumbfounded face. He turned to Anne and said with a dubious voice.

"Are you sure you are not mistaken? The playground is that way you know?"

Anne proudly pushed up her undeveloped chest and said with confidence.

"Thanks to my quick wits and eloquence, I was able to recruit a rich kid. His dad sponsored our club and allowed us to use a floor as our base!"

Anne was pointing at an apartment. It wasn't large but it looks decent and expensive.

"Come, the rest are already in. We got a surprise in there."

Anne brought him to the apartment, entered the elevator and input the floor number three.

After the elevator, Anne led him to the hallway and finally reached what seem to be a futuristic room. It was filled with unknown devices, even some capsules, as well as holograms and computers.

The half of the area looked like a mini gym for kids, somewhat looking like a playground.

Areth could see through the glass, there were already kids in the room, some were climbing bars, some were playing games and some were fighting with rubber swords.

"Just...just what in the world?" Areth could think of nothing to say.

"Hehe." Anne chuckled at his reaction. "Surprise? I told you I'm capable. Richard's father is actually an S rank hunter, and his mother was an A rank! A family of hunters! I just showed them some skills and gave them some pointers, then promised to teach their son the way of the sword!"

Anne caressed the surface of one of the silver capsules. "These things are pretty expensive you know. If did not reveal some of my abilities, that old guy wouldn't have willingly sponsored is like this."

Areth knew that hunters were rich. His father was one after all, even his watch was pretty expensive. He noticed his classmates talking about how godlike it is. But he never noticed because his parents were living just like an average family. They never spent on anything expensive and focused more on practicality rather than appearance.

Thinking of this, realization dawned on him. 'No...Was it because I never asked for anything?'

After he was born, he had never asked his parents to buy him some new toys or anything. His parents were pretty chill about it too.

Areth looked at Anne with amazement and thought inside. 'Are you not afraid of being found out?'

She's a reincarnator after all, she's bold and courageous, totally unlike him who acts in the dark and needs some disguise, seeming like a shifty villain.

Anne clapped his hands and yelled. Her entire being was radiating the indomitable aura of a leader.

"Alright everyone, all the members of Retribution Guild is here! Listen to me for while."

The kids stopped what they were doing and turned curiously.

"We're going to start our first training! I don't know if all of you have decided to pursue the goal of becoming a hunter, but regardless, I want all of you to participate. Just treat it as playing a game."

Areth was thinking. 'Retribution guild? That sounds cool...though Areth Guild, or Claudius Guid, or Augustus Guild is fine too...wait that's not the problem here, did I just joined her guild?'