The Rise of the Black Plain

Another three weeks had flown by since the new Rank-and-File Soldiers of Minos' faction encountered problems in Armhands. For the time being, they persevered, striving to improve their positions as outsiders and fortifying their faction in anticipation of Minos' return.

Just that morning, Minos and his five companions, including a new member who hadn't been with them before, arrived on the floating island of Armhands above Examire.

As they stepped onto the island, the city bustled around them, a hive of activity and whispers.

Walking down the main street of the headquarters' outer area, they drew countless gazes. Internal members paused in their work, their eyes lingering on the group. Minos, a figure of fascination and rumor, marched ahead, his expression unreadable.

Among the lower-level members, Minos was merely an intriguing prodigy from afar. To the guild insiders, however, he was a near-mythical figure, surrounded by stories of his possessions and enemies, discussed almost daily.

Minos's gaze remained fixed forward, unflinching amid the stares. His companions exchanged uneasy glances, feeling the weight of the attention.

Sender's steps faltered as he noticed the strange looks directed at him.

He sighed, the sound barely audible. Thoughts churned in his mind: returning to the guild meant inevitable ostracism and the looming threat of being silenced—permanently.

Hiding or pretending not to be an ally of Minos wouldn't help Sender at all. He knew the guild well enough to realize that bluff would only delay the inevitable. That's why he preferred a more direct approach, showing that he had changed sides, that he was not alone, and that he would work for Minos from now on.

Standing tall, his gaze unwavering, he hoped that by being forthright, he could gain some measure of respect or at least reduce the hostilities. The surrounding murmurs grew louder, but he kept his head high, knowing that this was the best path forward.

As they entered the guild's inner sanctum, they quickly recorded their successes in their quests in the Magma Barrens, with the group delivering what they were supposed to deliver to the Mission Hall.

Once that was done, they headed to the faction lair.

...

When they arrived at the faction cave, Minos, Ruth, and the others didn't see all of their companions there.

The cave was big enough to hold everyone in the faction at the moment, but many were out fulfilling their responsibilities in the guild.

At the moment, Abby and Gloria, as well as Hollie and Callie, were there. Three of them were cultivating, seated in meditative positions with auras of concentration surrounding them, while one of them had just finished and was about to leave.

Hollie's eyes snapped open as Minos walked in. A smile spread across her face, and she sprang to her feet, her excitement palpable. She rushed to him, her footsteps echoing through the cavern.

"Father, you're finally back!" Hollie exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and joy.

She leaped into Minos's arms, holding him tightly before turning to hug her mother. "I was so worried!" she said, her eyes shining as she looked seriously at them, momentarily overlooking Sender.

Minos and Ruth exchanged a few words with Hollie, their voices soft and reassuring, before the other women around them stirred from their cultivation states.

As their eyes fluttered open and they stretched, Minos turned his gaze towards Sender, nodding in his direction.

"Many things have happened," he began, his voice carrying the weight of recent events. "From now on, Sender will be a member of our faction. Cooperate with him so that we can better deal with our enemies."

The four women immediately agreed, recognizing the group's success over the nearly two months they had been gone. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to understanding as they processed the recent addition to their ranks.

Abby was the first to break the silence. "How were things in the Magma Barrens? We heard Jembei died weeks ago."

"Yes," Minos replied, a grim smile playing on his lips. "We killed him. In the end, they underestimated us, thinking we were exhausted. I surprised them with the corpses we left behind." His eyes flicked to the coffins surrounding them, a silent testament to their recent battle.

"But just killing Jembei won't change our situation," Ruth added, her voice steady and pragmatic.

"Hmm, we are aware of that," Gloria sighed. "The Jade Chainsaw has already changed their hierarchy and acted against us."

Callie stepped forward, her face serious. "They started watching us as soon as you left for the Magma Barrens. But once Abby, Vico, and Kendrick were promoted, they acted more aggressively, setting traps for us.

Kendrick dealt with one of these threats three days ago when he challenged a level 107 supervisor who tried to kill him during a weapons testing mission to a fight to the death."

"Oh? Who was that?" Minos's eyes narrowed, his tone dark and icy.

"A blacksmith from the Jade Chainsaws, a man named Fredis Quiphine," Abby responded, her voice low.

"That's the name of a blacksmith in the faction. This man is part of Inigo's support group, who is supposed to be the new faction leader," Sender interjected.

"He is indeed the new faction leader," Callie confirmed.

"When is this battle?" Ruth asked the group.

"Tonight," Abby replied.

"I'll talk to Kendrick before the fight," Minos decided, his mind already strategizing. "There's not much we can do right now. We have more enemies than I imagined before I left for the Magma Barrens.

The next time I go on a mission outside the guild, one General will probably try to kill me." As he spoke, the corpses of Sender's former companions materialized in the cave, encased in their coffins.

Abby and the others glanced at the bodies, understanding Minos's unspoken plan. With Abby's necromantic powers, their army of the dead would grow stronger. Their only limitations were the level of these corpses and the special coffins, which weren't easy or cheap to build.

Minos turned to Abby, his eyes full of determination. "Let's prepare to deal with the level 114 enemy that will be chasing me, starting with them.

Abby, are you ready?" He looked at his blue-haired wife, knowing that resurrecting some of these people would be more complicated than those already in the twelve coffins around them.

Abby nodded, signaling her readiness.

Minos used his innate ability cultivation to reach level 108, boosting his wife's strength to the peak of level 106.

With both at their maximum limit, Abby's divine ability flared to life, and she began bringing the dead back to life.

Minos focused on the two level 112 corpses, sealing them into their coffins, knowing he couldn't control them as easily as the others. They would remain in reserve until he and Abby grew stronger or needed their power urgently.

As for the other four, he easily mastered their minds before turning his attention to Jembei.

"Welcome back, Jembei," he said, a provocative smile curling his lips. "I hope you're ready to serve me." He sent an hourglass to his body.

"Minos..." Jembei's voice was a whisper, filled with a mixture of defiance and resignation.