Second World

Jack used his Guild Return Scroll to teleport to Heavenly Citadel once he came out of the blacksmith workshop. While heading to the Guild Hall, he saw his grandfather on a terrace outside the hallway. He was together with someone whom Jack was surprised to see here.

"Wong?!" Jack called.

Domon and Wong turned upon hearing Jack's voice.

"You've finally returned," Domon greeted.

"Hi, gramps. Wong, what are you doing here? Have you finally decided to join our guild?" Jack asked.

"No," Wong answered flatly. Jack also confirmed it after using his Inspect.

"I invited him here as a guest," Domon said. "We met during the convention."

"Ho… So how was that convention going?" Jack asked.

"… You should speak with John. I believe he is waiting for you," Domon said.

"I will do that," Jack nodded. "Hey, Wong. It's good to see you. Don't be a stranger, eh?"

Wong simply grunted at Jack's words. He and Domon turned back to gazing at the scenery outside.

They continued their chats until Wond suddenly heard Jack's voice again. He turned and was startled to find a fist hanging in the air right beside his head.

"Hehe, got you," Jack said. Jack moved away with a smile and truly left this time. Wong and Domon silently watched him disappear into the hallway.

"… You have a very talented grandson," Wong finally broke the silence.

"Thank you. Though I honestly didn't expect him to gain such a level of mana concealment so fast," Domon said. "I think we can both agree his mana concealment is better than yours."

"He is…," Wong replied. His face didn't reveal it, but there was a hint of sadness in his tone. "The world is truly the place for the young. Old bones like us have no place in it."

"Don't be so sentimental," Domon said. "We can still do our parts in protecting and guiding the young."

When Wong didn't respond, Domon said, "Your stepson is also very talented. I haven't met anyone who can learn so many ancient arts in such a short period."

"That good-for-nothing isn't worth mentioning!" Wong exclaimed.

Domon sighed. "Perhaps if he has been raised differently…"

"Are you criticizing my method of training a disciple?"

"I do," Domon said. "You can't just treat someone you raised as the same as your other disciples. You might think that you impart fairness in this way, but that kid had only you to look up to for love and care, unlike other disciples who have their parents to do that job for them. I made the same mistake when my grandson had to live with me. Luckily, I realize this mistake before it's too late."

"It's too late for me…," Wong muttered.

"People said it is never too late when it comes to family. Maybe if you show him understanding and care…"

"It's too late for me!!" Wong exclaimed.

Domon sighed again. He no longer spoke on the subject.

*

When Jack entered the Guild Hall, he saw John, Tip, and Paytowin there.

"Expert, you finally show up, eh? Where have you been playing when we got ourselves whooped?" John greeted.

"Whoop? I thought the convention was just for a talk. There had been a fight?" Jack asked.

"Not a fight, we were being slaughtered," Paytowin said.

"What?! Didn't this smartass say there was no way the enemy would get into a confrontation? That it would just ruin Master's credibility?"

"It turns out Master didn't behave as predicted. We have underestimated that guy," John said.

"Tell me everything! Oh, before that, where is Jeanny? I have something I need her to copy. I can't contact her," Jack said.

"She has been captured," John said flatly.

Jack paused for a bit before laughing, "Haha, very funny. Seriously, where is she? Is she out on a quest?"

John maintained his flat expression. Jack wouldn't be surprised if this guy was messing with him, but when he saw that Paytowin and Tip also showed serious expressions, he said, "Shit… You are being serious?"

"Not only Jeanny. Haon and Red Death have also been captured," Paytowin informed.

"Cleo…? Tell me everything!" Jack insisted.

The three narrated to Jack the event during the Outworlder convention. Jack listened silently with short remarks occasionally.

"Turned the day into night?"

"Master started the fight?"

"They were taken during the battle?"

"Two zombie dragons…?!"

Jack couldn't believe so many things had happened during his absence. The most troubling thing was everyone with the divine treasures except him was now in Master's captivity. Master could have gained all their divine treasures as they spoke.

When Jack expressed his worry, Paytowin informed him that Master wouldn't be able to fuse with the divine treasures all at once. There needed to be a one-month gap between the fusing.

"How do you know that?" Jack asked.

"Wilted told us," Paytowin answered.

"Wilted was at the convention as well?"

"She followed us back here for a discussion. She left soon afterward, though, back to Liguritudum again."

"Oh, okay," Jack uttered. He guessed that Chris Memory Stone would have to stay with him a bit longer.

"Do we know where the three are held captive?" Jack asked.

"We can't tell for sure," John replied. "The Dogs of War is helping us to look for them. But until now, there has not been any concrete finding yet. My guess is they are inside the Liguritudum Realm. Either at the palace or inside World Maker's Guild Headquarters. For such high-profile captives, Master would want them held in the most secure facility. Those two were the most likely places to be."

When Jack didn't say anything, John said, "Don't do any dumb thing like being a lone hero and storm that place. You will just hand yourself in a silver platter. Master will then have all the divine treasures he is after."

"Don't worry, I know the success chance is too small if I do that. We don't even know for sure they are there."

"Not small. Zero!" John exclaimed. "Maybe even in the negative."

"Yea, yea. I know, I know! I said already I'm not going to try rescuing them, didn't I?" Jack said.

"Where were you anyway? Didn't you say you will join us in the convention?" Paytowin asked.

It's Jack's turn to tell them his story. The three listened silently with occasional remarks from Paytowin and Tip.

"You were captured as well?"

"Copies? Timelines? Why is this so science fiction? This world is supposed to have fantasy settings, isn't it?"

"You broke out?"

"Themisphere's ex-guardian?"

"You let him go…?"

When Jack finished, John commented, "That quest has nothing to do with our struggle against the World Maker, you should have left that quest alone."

"If I did, Evil Janus might have become an eternal grade and probably caused more havoc. I am also his target because of my Time Sage class. He could become a worse menace in the long run!" Jack argued.

"What's done is done," Tip mediated. "What are we going to do about the situation now?"