Chapter 219 Blood On The Hands
The sun began to set, painting the sky above with a beautiful shade of orange. Justin and his crew stopped by a river after traversing rugged terrain and battling monsters. Sylvia was breathing heavily as she sat on a tree root, her face pale and beads of cold sweat trickling down her forehead. She hadn't fully recovered after using her full power to save her friends from a lightning strike.
Worried, Justin asked Sylvia, "Are you okay?"
Sylvia weakly nodded, trying to smile despite exhaustion etched across her face. "I'm fine, Justin. Just need a short break, that's all."
Hearing her response, Justin decided to call it a day. He instructed everyone to set up camp. Some team members quickly pitched tents, while others gathered firewood for a campfire. Joanna, who was regarded fondly by other members, helped with cooking, while Akio opted to rest beneath a shade tree.
As nightfall descended, and the campfire flickered with warm red light, Justin's group prepared for dinner. They savored their meal with relish. Some began to tell horror stories to liven up the atmosphere but ended up bursting into laughter. Unfortunately, Sylvia didn't join them and retired to her tent to rest.
However, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by the arrival of seven figures emerging from the shadows of the forest. One of them was very familiar to the crew. Yes, it was Jacob Blake, along with his associates.
"Finally! I meet the human folks!" Jacob exclaimed, grinning widely.
Naturally, Justin stood up to welcome their guild leader. The man embraced Justin like an old friend.
"You know! How hard it was to find you guys! I thought you were dead. Thank goodness you're still alive!" Jacob said, as if genuinely moved.
Justin was uncertain how to react to this situation, but he was happy to see their guild leader alive. The odds of their survival had just gotten better.
"I'm glad to see you're okay too," Justin replied. "Join us for dinner."
"Sure," Jacob replied, smiling warmly.
As Justin turned away, Jacob gave him an intense look.
Later, Jacob and his companions sat with the others around the campfire. Joanna served them a steaming bowl of soup. They devoured their meal as if they hadn't eaten in a month. Joanna and Akio even had to swallow their saliva as they watched them eat.
After finishing his soup, Jacob started a conversation with Justin.
"No one thought those damn elves would launch a surprise attack, tricking us with that beautiful forest and cute animals," Jacob spat as he said it.
Justin pursed his lips. "Yeah, bad luck always happens at the worst times."
"Not to mention that lightning strike." Jacob gritted his teeth as he spoke, his face darkening. "My crew members died because of it. Only seven of us left. I've fought alongside them for over ten years, and they died in such a pitiful way. They didn't even see the attack coming."
Hearing the bitter story, Justin lowered his head. He couldn't find the words to comfort Jacob. Joanna also looked saddened. She hadn't experienced it, but she could imagine how it felt to lose comrades in arms.
The mood turned somber.
Jacob patted his thigh. "Well, let's not dwell on it. Those who died can't come back."
"I am sorry," Justin said.
Jacob laughed and patted Justin on the shoulder. "We're awakeners. I'm sure they knew the risks."
Although Jacob seemed fine, Justin could read the sadness in his eyes.
"By the way," Jacob changed the subject. "How did you guys survive? And where's Klaus? I didn't see him. Is he dead?"
Justin pursed his lips. "Klaus somehow survived, along with a few others."
Naturally, Jacob squinted his eyes, curiosity written all over his face.
Justin fabricated a story about how they managed to survive. He didn't mention Sylvia's time-stopping ability. He lied to Jacob, saying that Gavin had saved them.
"Gavin? The former member of Sons of Thor?" Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. He's an S-Class," Justin replied, biting his lip. He hoped Jacob would believe him.
Jacob nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Makes sense. So, how did he manage to save you all so quickly?"
"Well, he has an affinity for lightning, so he can move as fast as lightning, I guess."
"Lightning, huh? Interesting."
Unbeknownst to them, the atmosphere became tense on its own. Akio and Joanna felt it. Even Jacob's crew members gripped their weapons tightly for some reason. Seeing their reactions, Akio quietly held onto the hilt of his sword.
"So, what's Klaus planning now, if you don't mind me asking?" Jacob inquired, his gaze piercing.
"That's..."
Justin couldn't give an answer. His instincts told him not to disclose any information to Jacob. At the same time, Akio shook his head at Justin. But Jacob really wanted an answer.
"Come on, I'm the raid leader, remember?" Jacob cajoled. "We're a team, and our enemies are those damn elves."
"I'm sorry," Justin replied. "But Klaus will be mad at me if I tell you."
"Mad?" Jacob raised an eyebrow. Shortly after, he cackled. His laughter echoed in the air, sending shivers down Joanna's spine for some reason.
"You're the guild master," Jacob continued. "Why are you afraid of Klaus? You're a man, right? Just tell me; it's okay. If he gets angry, I'll deal with it. No need to worry."
However, Justin remained silent.
His silence frustrated Jacob. He began raising his voice and pushing Justin. Eventually, he started using harsh language and berated Justin right in front of his crew. They couldn't do anything because the man was the guild master of the Divine Ursine Alliance. Who would dare to cross him?
"You dipshit! Tell me! I'm the raid leader! Not that fucking kid!"
As the situation started spiraling out of control, Akio stepped in.
"I think that's enough," he said.
"Who the hell are you?" Jacob snapped.
"I know you're part of the Five Pillars," Akio replied, his gaze piercing. "But you've crossed the line."
"You—"
"We've taken you in!" Joanna interjected. "You should know your place!"
Jacob fell silent, his eyes widened. He stared at the golden-haired girl in disbelief, while she clenched her fists as if she was ready to fight.
And then, Jacob cackled again. He cackled uproariously until it echoed in the silence of the night. Everyone was left stunned and bewildered. They looked at each other, wondering what was really happening.
"It seems my plan failed," Jacob said, sighing. "Oh well, I have no other choice."
Justin narrowed his eyes.
Bam!
"Ugg!"
Jacob landed a punch on Justin's cheek. It was so hard that it sent Justin crashing into a tree. Akio didn't have time to react to that punch. He didn't even see it coming. Naturally, Justin's crew members stood with throbbing veins, and at the same time, Jacob's subordinates unsheathed their swords.
"Justin!" Joanna cried out hysterically.
Akio quickly drew his sword.
"Kill them! Don't leave a single one! They're the ones who killed our friends!" Jacob ordered.
Akio realized that this fight couldn't be easily won because Jacob Blake was an S-Class. He needed the strongest person in the group, Sylvia.
"Joanna! Wake up Sylvia!" Akio shouted.
"Okay!"
However, Jacob had no intention of allowing that. As Joanna ran toward the tent, Jacob shot forward to attack her, but Akio quickly restrained Jacob with his sword.
"Your opponent is me," Akio said, gritting his teeth.
"Do you think you can defeat me?"
"Who knows."
Without hesitation, Akio unleashed a powerful sword strike, using all his strength. He didn't hold back at all. But Jacob disappeared from his sight.
"What!?" Akio was taken aback.
Bam!
"Urgh!"
Suddenly, Jacob appeared in front of Akio and delivered a punch right to his chest.
"He he he, surprised by the [Speed Force], huh? Don't worry; you're not the first one." Jacob smirked mockingly.
"You...!"
As Akio attempted to retaliate, a flurry of blows rained down on him.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Argh!"
Within seconds, Akio lay helpless on the ground.
"This is that all you got? Yet you dare to challenge me, you diptshit."
Suddenly, an ice attack came from the sky, hurtling toward Jacob. Of course, he easily dodged it.
"Go die!" Justin shouted.
Under the tree, Justin was surrounded by ice crystals. He unleashed sharp ice attacks, but Jacob skillfully evaded them with nimble movements.
"!!!"
Just like Akio, Justin was shocked when he found Jacob appearing right in front of his face.
"Surprised, huh? Now, taste my punches!"
Papapapapapa!
"Arrrggghhh!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Jacob laughed as he unleashed a barrage of punches, while Justin screamed in pain, his voice drowned in shattered bones and splattered blood.
After blood coated his hands, Jacob stopped the beating, and Justin collapsed to the ground, unconscious. At the same time, all of Justin's crew members were defeated by Jacob's subordinates. There were only six of them, but they were all A-Class.
"Good job, kids. You've done your job well," Jacob said.
"Yes, sir."
As Jacob thought everything was over, his hair stood on end. He felt an incredibly dreadful aura coming from behind. Turning around, he found a white-haired woman floating in the air. Her eyes conveyed unbearable anger.
"Well, well. It seems the real battle has just begun."
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