Second World

Jack had used Body Double after sending his minions. Yellow Death's attention was on Therras who was wreaking havoc at the time so he didn't notice when Jack was casting. Jack then sent his three copies out in different directions, in preparation if the enemy's leaders decided to flee.

One of his copies now caught Yellow in his escape path. Yellow instinctively shot at Jack's copy. The bullet passed through Jack's copy as if he was not there. Jack switched place with that copy then and used Blitz Slash. With his Overlimit still active, his five slashes took out Yellow's HP.

Jack looked at where the fighting was still taking place. Death Associates members were panicking now. They were fleeing in all directions. Jack's Spirit Weapon had changed to range mode. Its eight tiny blades chased after the fleeing players and cut their legs to slow them down. Its core then fired a thick beam at those that were slowed.

Therras' supersonic mode was over, but it was still ferocious enough to deal with the players. With its armor, it completely ignored all attacks. It just tanked everything and went for total offense.

Red Death also didn't stay idle, she chased and killed many of her former comrades. Jack's wolves stayed by her side assisting her hunt.

In a short while, most everyone was routed. Some had escaped, but Jack didn't bother about them. He called everyone to return.

When the fight was over, the bodies of the players disintegrated. A few left behind loots. Those must be the ones that didn't wear Amulet of Rebirth. Maybe those players had lost too many amulets of rebirths so they couldn't afford one anymore.

Jack instructed his wolves to help him gather the few loots on the ground while he approached Red Death. "Let me guess, I am the reason you get kicked out of the guild?"

Red Death didn't answer. She was looking around where her former comrades had fallen which were now replaced with loots. She was feeling complicated about what had happened.

"I'm not kicked out. This is an attempt at insurgency. Once our true leader, Black Death, is back, this will be straightened out," She said. "How do you appear here? Does it have something to do with that plate you have given me?" She had checked her bag. The recall plate was gone already.

"Yes. It is something that summoned its owner when a pre-set condition is met," Jack answered.

"What pre-set condition?"

"Depends on what the owner input before giving it away. In your case, I set it to summon me when you are feeling desperate and are thinking of help."

Jack could only set such a vague condition for Red Death. He couldn't set it like the Recall Plate he gave to Paytowin where Paytowin could call him deliberately. Jack knew that Red Death would never intentionally summon him, even in her most desperate moment. He also couldn't set it with a condition such as when Red Death's HP was lowered to 20% or something like that. It would be awkward if he appeared and found out Red Death's HP was lowered by a boss that she was hunting with her guildmates. What should he do then? Help them kill the boss?

He set such a condition because he knew Red's personality. She would not be getting desperate in a monster fight, even if the boss was insanely strong. The only way he thought that she might get into such a state was when she found out she was alone, like truly alone, bereft of any ally. And that was precisely what Jack was worried about. She had assisted him on more than one occasion. This would come back to bite her sooner or later. That was why he had given her the recall plate.

"Then that plate should have malfunctioned. I have not been desperate nor call for any help," Red Death denied.

"I set it to sense your mind. I know you won't call for help openly even if you die," Jack said.

"Hmph," Red Death harrumphed for a response.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Jack asked.

The question reminded Red Death. She hurriedly opened her quest page. The quest was still there, even when she was already out of the guild. Although this was a guild quest, this quest was initiated by her and she had also been in a great part of its progress. Maybe that's why she was still considered a part of the quest. The description had changed and become her individual quest, though.

"I need to get to Prince Rhemos' camp quick! Borrow me your steed whistle," Red Death demanded. Her steed had been killed during Yellow Death's ambush.

"Um… Even if I do, I don't think my steed will allow you to ride her," Jack said. "But I can carry you."

Jack summoned Pandora. His wolves had finished gathering all the loots then. He simply chucked them all into his storage bag. He then told the Nightmare politely that she would be carrying an extra passenger. Pandora huffed in response.

"Fine, but don't do this often," Peniel translated.

"Great, come!" Jack climbed to Pandora and offer his hand to Red Death.

Red Death wondered why Jack was being so courteous to his steed, but she had no time for that. She took Jack's hand and sat behind him.

"Where to?" Jack asked.

Red Death pointed in a direction.

"Hold tight!" Jack said and asked Pandora to bolt.

Red Death had seen Jack's steed before. She knew how fast this steed was. He held Jack's waist firmly. Yet, when Pandora shot forward, it still caught her in surprise. She spontaneously tightened her grip and pressed her body to Jack's back.

Feeling the sensation on her back, he sent a thought to Peniel, 'Can you persuade Pandora to let me do this more often?'

Peniel could sense the source of his excitement. She rolled her eyes at him.

"What's wrong with prince Rhemos? Isn't he traveling with his private army?" Jack asked.

Jack had been receiving regular reports about the country's situation from Bowler and the others. After coming back from the world tournament on Mount Audacias, the three princes had doubled their efforts in securing support. They had been traveling all over the country, visiting the nobles and factions in one city after another. Of course, they didn't do it together. It would be awkward if they were lobbying the same family at the same time. They each chose a different city as a starting point and then worked their way from there, so it was less likely for them to be in the same city during the same period.

All three princes brought their private army during this trip. Firstly, it was for security. Secondly, it was a show of force. Any organization would prefer to back one who was more likely to win. By bringing more army than the others, it would show that one force was superior.

In this case, Prince Therribus' camp brought the largest force. He had always been the most feasible candidate to inherit the throne according to the general masses. While among the three, Prince Alonzo had the smallest force. However, he settled this problem by enlisting the outworlders. Many of Everlasting Heavenly Legends' core members had joined Themisphere military faction. Commander Quintus had taken the chance and issued a kingdom faction quest for them to join this trip.

Additionally, prince Alonzo had also sent an official request to their guild. So, other members of Everlasting Heavenly Legends who were not part of the kingdom faction could still join, as a guild quest. In the end, a large portion of Everlasting Heavenly Legends' members ended up going on a parade with Prince Alonzo's camp.

The number of outworlders that joined the camp bolstered prince Alonzo's army and allowed him to not be seen as too weak compared to his two brothers' camps.

It had been more than one and a half months since they started their trips. They were nearing the end of the journey. All three princes should be on their way back to Themisphere at this time.

"Hey, Cleo! I asked, what's wrong with Prince Rhemos?" Jack asked again when Red Death didn't answer his question.

"Just hurry!" Red Death replied without answering his question.

Since Red Death was not in the mood for conversation, Jack didn't ask her further. He instead opened his skill page. He had not yet checked his evolved spell because he had been interrupted. He had seen the spell in action but seeing its description would provide a better understanding.

*

Myriad Venomous Vipers (Active Skill), level 20/20, star: 5

Mark an area of 5 meters in diameter, 15 vipers with a length of 25 meters will come out of this area and ensnare anything in range.

Vipers can bite and deal 200% earth damage, as well as shoot range attacks that deal 120% earth damage. Range attack covers a distance of 50 meters.

All attacks have a 60% chance of inflicting the Poison effect.

Range: 20 meters

Duration: 40 seconds

Mana consumed: 100

Cooldown: 5 minutes

*

'Cool,' Jack uttered in his mind.

"Oh, no." Red Death's voice took his attention back. He soon found out what had caused her distraught.

In the distance, in the direction where they were heading, there was a sign of a large fire and lots of smoke.