Emperor's Reckoning

Zeth looked amused as Jugen revealed himself from the bushes. There was no point in hiding if the enemy already knew your position. Albeit nervous, he had countless experiences to face an overwhelming enemy.

"W-well, if it isn't Legion, w-what a nice surprise," stuttered Jugen with his face turning off and on from being nervous to calm. It was obvious that he was forcing himself.

"Hahaha, despite the disparity of our level you managed to force your heart and come out from hiding, THAT! I salute," said Zeth with a cupped hand.

Suddenly a hand goes over his shoulder as Parriot leaned in from the side, "You seem like a cool guy, do you mind revealing your group's purpose?"

Despite being enemies, he managed to keep calm and smile at his foes. This was the epitome of an expert fighter. Don't be wary of the person who is angry, but that who is smiling despite being your enemy.

"C'mon, I can't do that, besides," Zeth squinted his eyes as he threw an elbow toward Parriot.

*ding

A knife suddenly flew in the air as Parriot got dragged backward by the force of his elbow.

"Playing dirty with such high cultivation level, you are a dangerous one," said Zeth with a smile.

Parriot opened his arms as he lightly jerked up his shoulders, "I'm flattered, but you know I'm not the only one,"

Zeth opened his eyes wide as his nape hair stood from looming danger. He only managed to glance at his right before a foot came at destructive force.

*boom

His figure propelled before rolling on the ground several times.

Elaine gracefully retracted her feet as she took a deep breath. She knew that kind of force would shatter his head if his cultivation was lower than a certain amount.

*cough

Zeth splurted out blood as he went all four. Swiping his blood out of his mouth he smiled as he faced the two of them, "You guys sure are strong, it would be an impossible task for a youngster below twenty-five years old to fight against you, let alone free you from that place, he is surely amazing."

Elaine squinted her eyes, "Why are you so obsessed with our savior?"

Zeth stood up, "Isn't it obvious, what kind of people don't want a talented cultivator like that to join them?"

"What makes you think he would?" asked Parriot.

"That is for me to know but there is something that has been bothering me about you lot," asked Zeth with a slight pause before he continued, "Your numbers don't add up."

Elaine and Parriot both shut their mouth as Zeth continued his pace.

"The strongest and the true strongest out of all of you is not present."

It was not a surprise that he was referring to Ryona and their overseer. The brute-like force of Ryona surely would wreak havoc by the time she entered the battlefield, however, the reality wasn't so. The battle, though not considered calm, was really neat compared to what would happen.

"Well, it doesn't matter, my deal was to hold you out, I'm not particularly interested in aiding this kingdom at all, Lyon is my only goal," said Zeth.

*stab

Zeth's body flinched forward a little before he glanced down and saw an arrow penetrated his right chest. Though he was wearing armor, the arrow was powerful enough to pierce it. He took a few steps backward before he faced the source where the attack came from.

With his golden hair fluttered with the wind, he stood where only his right eye was visible to his enemies. He still held his bow with the string vibrating from the force which he just pulled. Unlike the previous nervous expression, he was emotionless.

"Too bad Jugen, if you just go a little to the left, I might have been in a critical situation now," said Zeth as he pulled out the arrow as if the pain was nonexistent.

"Let me give you a taste of your own medicine!" shouted Zeth as he threw the arrow back at its owner.

*ding

Zeth opened his eyes wide, as it didn't take the arrow a meter before it was propelled but his pupils shrunken as he realized a horror. (Impossible two arrows at the same time?!).

A hidden arrow that positioned right behind the first one was launching at the same velocity toward his right eye.

*splurt

Zeth's reflex managed to dodge the loss of his right eye but the arrow still managed to scratch his cheeks. He was panting as he looked at the kid with unbelievable archery skills.

With a stomp, he leaped toward the handsome young man as rage planted in his face. Nobody had humiliated him more than this. A cultivator that was below him and deserved to be called an ant, managed to hit him, twice.

*breathe

Toward the incoming rage of a man, Jugen took a deep breath as his eyes sharpen even more. Nobody knew what kind of hellish training he had since its souvenir was hidden under his cloth.

Everything in his vision was slowed as his heartbeat risen to a dangerous pace.

"I am Jugen, the little brother of Golden Demoness, and little brother of the everlasting genius."

(I always wonder if I could keep up with him, if I can't, will my adventure also ended? NO! Fate has given me a chance to become great I will not give it up that easily!)

"Let me show you what my identity means," shouted Jugen as he squatted down, pulling the string nearing its limit the entire bow shook.

Zeth smirked as he knew he was lockdown, but an arrow's trajectory had always been direct. The moment he released the arrow it only took a side step to avoid it.

"You wish," a voice was heard as Zeth suddenly tripped by a tackle from Elaine on the side before Parriot already stood in front of him.

With a smile, Parriot met his chin with his fist and send his figure flying. "Now, JUGEN!"

His hair fluttered as both of his eyes revealed before his hand let go of the string.

*flash

"JUGEN! ARGH!" Zeth screamed in midair before the arrow penetrated his armor through and still went on to pierce the clouds.