Second World

When Jack arrived at the outskirt of the Starlight Ruin, he could see several groups hanging around the place chatting among themselves. Some could also be seen departing away. It appeared the meeting had ended. The people who still hanged around reminded him of the socialization after a reception.

Jack sighed to himself, it appeared there were still many guilds that would be cooperating with the three guilds. They would be a force to reckon with. He would need to hurry and strengthen himself if he were to survive. After that skirmish in the rock basin, he had officially become an enemy to all three guilds. He doubted it would only be a cold war from now on.

He went into the innermost courtyard where the meeting was held. The guards stationed at the perimeter only looked at him without hindering his entrance.

The courtyard was still full of people, but they were mostly from the three guilds. Jack could hear them discussing things quite heatedly amongst themselves. The situation appeared rather tense from the looks on their faces. He figured they had all learned about the failure of the main team who went to ambush John. Good then, save him the time from explaining.

He saw Scarface amongst the crowd of Death Associates, he went towards him. He was hoping to probably still learn something from him about the last phase of the meeting. When he was a few meters from them, he stopped abruptly, because he recognized the person next to Scarface. Someone that shouldnʼt be here.

Earmouth?

Jack used his God-eye monocle for a scan, making sure he didnʼt recognize a different person. Apart from his level was 16, which was one level lower than the previous, his nameʼs description clearly stated Earmouth. He didnʼt recognize wrongly.

But how could he still be alive? He clearly killed him out there in the wildnerness, yet the penalty he received was as if he was killed within a safe zone. Not to mention people who were killed in wilderness would be stuck in a place called Limbo for half an hour before they revived in the safe zone. He estimated the timing. The only safe zone nearby was capital Thereath. For Earmouth to arrive back here before him, meant he was immediately brought back to life after he died and directly came to this place without pause. Did he have something that allowed such a resurrection function similar to his Immortal Soul skill?

While he was pondering, Earmouth noticed him and immediately pointed at him and screamed out, ”you…!”

Earmouth seemed to be at a loss for a moment with his finger continued to be pointing at Jack. He finally managed to continue, ”you left us! You completely deserted us to fend for ourselves. You are a disgrace to our guild! I demand him to be punished!”

Though Jack was given a fright by his sudden hostility, he kept his calm and maintained his indifferent attitude. After Earmouthʼs ramblings stopped, Jack said nonchalantly, ”Please take a breath, you will scare everyone. I have just got back here, please donʼt suddenly throw accusations at me.”

”You still have the gal to speak?” Earmouth shouted. ”Where were you when our brothers and sisters getting slaughtered? You clearly left us all in order to save yourselves.”

”Is that true?” Scarface asked with a grim face.

Several Death Associates members took position behind Jack. Though he couldnʼt see them, he could see their positions on his radar. He did not doubt that if Scarface gave a sign, they would take action against him without hesitation.

He was now in a difficult position. Not to mention Red Death was also there beside Scarface. If he had to break out forcefully, he would have no choice but to reveal his real identity. He slightly regretted that he had decided to come back here. He should have just left and had nothing to do with this guild anymore. But he had learned from experience that anguishing on what had happened was of no use, whatʼs important was focusing on dealing with matters at hand.

Even when his heart was beating intensely, he continued to keep his indifferent attitude. He looked at Earmouth and said, ”dude, if I remember correctly, we are in a pinch. And I have discussed with you about me going to the back to flank the enemy. How can I know you lot will crumble so easily once I left? And you are blaming me for your own incompetence?”

”How dare you slander us? It is you who was weak! You know we are at disadvantage, so you decided to use the excuse of trying to flank the enemy to bail. That landscape is so confusing, if itʼs so easy to get behind the enemy, donʼt you think we would have done it already? You clearly have run away once you are separated from us! I have known that you are not to be trusted the first time I lay my eyes on you!”

Jack frowned. Before he ambushed Earmouthʼs people from behind, he had made sure they saw his copy on the other side. He had also heard them discussing it. Earmouth had clearly seen him, but he was acting as if he had not. The others that were with him at the time had died, so they were not here and could not testify for him. But Jack doubted that they would speak up on his behalf even if they were here, after all, they were Earmouthʼs underlings.

”Fellow guildmate, do not frame me. I know you clearly had seen me fighting with the five fighters at the other end. There were five of them. It took me a lot of time to deal with them. I have even almost lost my life. By the time I came back again, all of you have mostly escaped or killed already. What do you suggest for me to do? Fight valiantly till my last breath? For honor? Do you think this is a drama show?”

”Huh, Iʼve seen no such thing,” Earmouth stood firm on his statement. ”You have escaped, leaving your comrades behind. Thatʼs what had happened.”

”I know there is something not right with you!” Bigarm exclaimed out, gleeful expression was evident on his face. The guy was not good at hiding his emotion. ”I believe my brother has told the truth. As such, this coward who left his comrades behind has to be punished. I vote for death punishment!”

Brother? Was he referring to Earmouth as a real brother or brother as in good friend? Anyway, the two seemed close.

With two of the high-ranking members of the guild singing the same song, the others started to join in the tune. Especially those who stood behind Bigarm. They looked to be his gang. They were very passionate as they shouted demands for Jack to be executed.

Jack didnʼt waste his time trying to explain anymore. His words as a new member against the words of two veteran members, even a fool could see where the wind would blow. His hand touched the magic staff hanging on his waist, prepared to use it at a momentʼs notice. His mind also went into his inventory, preparing to bring out even his Storm Breaker sword if necessary.

Everyone turned to Scarface, awaiting him to deliver the verdict.

Jack could feel Scarfaceʼs stare. His face was cold and unsympathetic. Jack could not guess what was in his mind.

When Scarfaceʼs lips parted and his words were about to be spoken, a feminine voice sounded out from outside the group, ”he was telling the truth.”

Everyone turned to the source of the voice and saw a female Rogue wearing a red color leather armor, an elegant crimson dagger was sheathed on her waist. Jack recognized her at once. She was Slim Blade, the Wicked Witches member who had given him a difficult time during the battle back at the rock basin.

”The mage was telling the truth,” Slim Blade repeated her sentence. ”I and my sisters saw him engaging the Fighters hiding behind the plant wall spell.”

Earmouth and Bigarmʼs pulled a long face upon hearing Slim Bladeʼs words.

”This is our internal matter! Outsiders are not allowed to butt in!” Bigarm yelled out with displeasure.

Slim Blade glowered at the man after she heard his scolding. ”Whatʼs the matter with you? Do you have a grudge against him or something? I thought that you might have missed seeing him so you have this misunderstanding. Iʼm being generous seeing our guild as allies, so that you donʼt have infighting within your guild. Is this how Death Associates operate? Fighting amongst yourselves? Well then, go ahead and fight. Letʼs leave these clowns, sisters.”

She strode away after giving a piece of her mind. Jack must say the girl had quite a character. He was grateful for her interference. Now that she had spoken up for him, Jack was no longer resentful of her annoying harassment during their fight in the rock basin.

Everyone turned back to look at Scarface after Slim Blade left.

😉