The Monarchs.

In the now underwater fortress known as Jeju Island, two figures could be seen scurrying along the streets, their faces filled with anxiety as they moved.

"Hurry up, Hoshino! We need to get back to the building! Those things are already back!"

Kanae Tawata, one of the only remaining S-ranks of the Draw Sword Guild, was trying her best to drag Hoshino Minoru, the other remaining member of guild back to safety.

The two of them were unfortunately still on Jeju Island when it was dragged underwater in the battle between the Monarchs and Kenjaku.

Two days had passed since they'd been here, trying to find their way around the city, hoping not to attract the attention of the otherworldly fighters they sensed earlier.

To save any survivors and find those that caused the incident, Sung Jinwoo, Go Gunhee and multiple other S-ranks pierced the barrier around the island, entering the city in secret.

Eventually, with all the speed they could muster, the two guild members made it back to the top floor of a large building, the duo frantically bursting into a room.

"They're back! They're grouping up on a building a couple hundred feet away from here!"

The other S-ranks who were all waiting in the room, had different reactions to this news. Pure trepidation immediately gripped most of them, while excitement started building within the rest.

Just the mere mention of the Monarchs caused a shift within the room.

"I know."

Jinwoo stood at the side of a window, while Go Gunhee stood at another, the two of them slightly peeking out of the window, looking right at the rooftop where the Monarchs emerged.

"Keep the noise to a minimum, we don't know the extent of those guys' abilities."

Saying this, Jinwoo turned his attention to the Monarchs, ignoring everyone else in the room.

His mind was working overtime on a strategy for them to win or escape from the situation, but the more Monarchs emerged, the more those options started to seem impossible.

'One...two...three...they are four of them. Just one of them is enough to easily defeat every S-rank in Korea. Kenjaku fought against two of these guys at once...? Hm...I wouldn't be surprised if he's dead.'

Just as that thought crossed his mind, a red claw shaped portal opened up and a certain figure walked out, his signature spear in hand.

Stopping in front of the semi-circle formation made by the Monarchs, Kenjaku's eyes ran across all of them, taking note of their strength levels.

"Is this all? What happened to Baran, Legia, and that old Dragon?"

Stepping forward, Sillad dropped down on one knee and responded, "Baran was killed by Ashborn a millenia ago, Your Highness. Legia was captured by the Rulers, and the Dragon King, well..."

Querehsha, the Queen of Insects, Monarch Of Plagues, interjected, a swarm of insects surrounding her as she stepped between Sillad and Kenjaku, arms folded across her chest.

"Antares decided that you're not worth rushing back from his conquest for. He thinks you're a fake. And I'm inclined to agree with him. You might be an ally of those wretched Rulers. Sillad is convinced, but the rest of us need proof. Convince us with your strength."

"Querehsha! You don't know who you're talking to! Settle down!"

Sillad jumped up to stop her, but Kenjaku raised his hand, causing the old snow elf to back down.

This kind of push back was expected. After all, he came out of nowhere claiming to be the Absolute Being, their respected ruler. There was no way they wouldn't be skeptical about his identity.

WHOOSH!

Green flames erupted around Tarnak, the Monarch Of Iron Body, as he looked at Sillad with disdain.

"We're not as gullible as you, geezer. There's no way the Absolute Being would choose to reincarnate himself within the body of a human. This has to be a trick of the Rulers."

Yogumunt, the Monarch Of Transfiguration, stood next to Tarnak, snickering as his eyes glowed with a powerful aura.

"Hehehe...I agree. Let's finish this fraud off and continue with our plan. There is no time to waste."

Kenjaku didn't even look at them as they all stepped up to challenge him, their overwhelming mana on display.

His eyes were just focused on a certain building in the distance.

"I see. Then if my strength is all the proof you need, I hope you don't die after I've shown it to you."

WHOOSH!!!

Kenjaku jumped about two hundred meters into the air and pulled his arm back, gripping Longinus with all his might.

The three Monarchs immediately attacked him together, rushing at him with their abilities on full display, combining their strengths in hopes of bringing Kenjaku down in one fell swoop.

"Is that all?"

Unimpressed by their attack, Kenjaku started thrusting Longinus down at the trio with such speed that tornado force winds were created.

Innumerable afterimages followed after each thrust, making it seem as if Longinus covered the entire sky.

"Damn!!"

Querehsha knew that they couldn't dodge the attack. It's overwhelming speed cut off all paths of escape.

In a desperate bid to block the damage, they all activated their Spiritual Body Manifestations, hoping that they could still pushing through with this.

BOOM!!!

Oh, how wrong they were.

It was as if Divine Lightning was striking incessantly down from the sky, enacting retribution on the rebellious inhabitants of the earth.

Jeju Island shook as each thrust hit their bodies, destroying their armor and flesh in the process.

Just as he was about to kill them, Kenjaku stopped the tip of his trident on Querehsha's neck, the weapon trembling as it itched to finish off the woman for good.

"Are you convinced?"

Querehsha felt the overwhelming mana that came from Kenjaku, that silver light that no one could resist, was only used by the Absolute Being.

This feeling of unavoidable death looming over her, the sensation of overwhelming power emanating from Kenjaku, all of it caused her mind to change.

Her face turned red as a lustful smile spread across her face, her eyes glued to the man standing in front of her.

"I have. Only the Absolute could move my heart like this.~"

Kenjaku's eye twitched as he moved his gaze over to Tarnak and Yogumunt.

"How about you two?"

While the two of them had been convinced by the silver mana coming from Kenjaku, they still had their doubts.

Why did it take so long for him to come back?

Why did he choose the body of a human?

Why didn't he contact them as soon as he reincarnated?

Could he be an ally of the humans?

These questions plagued the minds of Tarnak and Yogumunt.

"Your faces show that you still have your doubts. Ah, I see. You don't question my legitimacy, you question my intentions. Am I right?"

Tarnak was the first to lower his head as he responded, "That...is true. It's just been so long since your perceived death that your resurrection is now called into question. The Rulers are known for their petty tricks."

Yogumunt nodded his head, agreeing with Tarnak.

Kenjaku understood their plight. It made sense to think like that. But he also knew that this was an easy doubt to dispel.

After all, he had the perfect way to do so.

Pointing Longinus at a certain building in the distance, Kenjaku said, "Then, let me show you what I think of the Rulers. Inside that building, exists the body that Ashborn decided to reincarnate in, and a human containing the shard of a ruler within."

While the Monarchs had sensed the presence of humans before, they didn't act on it as they assumed that they were just hiding. They were more focused on the situation with Kenjaku then.

But now...

"You're right, I can sense both of them. To think they were so close all this time."

WHOOSH!!

Green flames erupted over Tarnak as he flew into the building, immediately engaging the spies head on. Sillad and Yogumunt eagerly followed behind, giddy at the fact that they will get to kill some humans today.

Querehsha though, used her insects to take over the corpses of dead humans, Hunter or not, on the island, sending them to the fight.

To her, guarding the Absolute was of utmost importance. She would never let the Rulers get close to him again.

"I will never let you out of my sight again, my king.~"