Despite already reading about them and knowing that Dust Snakes were among the apex predators of the Great Desert, Rex was still shocked by what he saw. King was indeed a King among the apex predators.
Every single one of it's 6 skills were a situation changer. Alone, they were good enough to be the special trump cards of other beasts.
But to King, they were its normal everyday skills.
Unlike most beasts, King didn't really have a trump card skill. Its trump cards were its 4 mystic affinities which was the main reason which made it so OP in the first place, and its special poison organ and special ability.
With all these placed in one beast, King became the strongest and most all-rounded of all Rex's companions. In a fair battle, King was even stronger than himself currently.
With his mystic sword domain, his vampire abilities, and his other powers, the fact that King could still beat him spoke volumes about the capabilities of his newly created transformed beast.
Rex thanked the Naga Queen one last time from the bottom of his heart for this gift. With King, his overall power and survival ability increased several folds again, his unpredictable factor increased again.
With eccentricities like Storm's unnatural speed, Grey's tenacious mentality and vitality, Ambition's invisibility, and King's all-roundedness, Rex's battle strategy became further fine-tuned to account for different scenarios.
After taking his time to thoroughly observe and admire his new beast companion, Rex finally turned to face Ben.
"My plan is to return to the Gundam Shelter".
"What is your plan? Do you intend to follow me?"
Ben briefly thought before replying. "I am in no hurry to return to the Great Myriad Metal Shelter, and you said you need to visit a Great Shelter in the future".
"Since I got separated from you and Cassandra, my day-to-day living was simply pushed and motivated by the thought of our eventual reunion".
"Now that we finally reunited, I have no intentions of separating again so soon. Let's go to the Gundam Shelter together, no matter how long it takes, I'll help you fulfill your objectives there so we can go to the Great Shelter together".
Though the both of them already talked about this specific topic numerous times and Ben constantly showed his willingness to follow him, Rex was still surprised that Ben was able to make such a big sacrifice for him.
All of a sudden, he felt a stronger burden pressuring down on his shoulders. For his friends and companions who had trust in him, he absolutely could not fail.
He needed to fulfill all his goals so that their trust in him would not be in vain.
After speaking with Ben, Rex finally turned to face John the sailor.
Though this old man was content with staying in the background, he was pivotal in Rex's relationship with the Naga Queen since it was his knowledge about the Queen that enabled him to comprehend her personality so fast.
Besides, this sailor was Storm's savior, he could not just leave him behind. "For one last time, I want to thank you for saving Storm's life".
"What can I help you with? Name it and if I can, I will try my best to do it".
John revealed a wide smile. "I am an old man already, there are few things that I really need that I don't have yet, the rest are just wants".
"Me getting to see not just a Kamaitachi, but a unique one like storm is an experience that I would forever cherish and take with me to my grave".
"In my long life, Storm is the most unique beast that I've ever met".
"Saving Storm gave me the opportunity to develop a bond with it, fight alongside it, go to quarrels and wars with it, and win together".
"My time spent with Storm is arguably the best time of my life, perhaps only peaked by the time when I was a family man".
John smiled again. "I don't need any direct help from you, what I instead need from you is a promise to help my son".
"My name is John Hunt; I was once known throughout the Great Desert as the Green Pirate Sailor. I had a great crew, but I was betrayed…, by my son".
"Till today, I don't know what motivated him but he staged a coup and dethroned me as the leader of the crew. I was abandoned in the desert, and since then, though I know they're still alive, I've never seen them".
"My last wish before death is for you to promise to protect my son".
"Protect him and if possible, take him and the crew under your wing".
"I would love for the tale of the Green Pirate Sailor to continue".
"This is my only wish; can you promise me this?"
"Yes, I promise". Rex answered without hesitation.
Fulfilling this proposal would perhaps take an arm or a leg from him, but considering the help that John rendered to him, he could make this little sacrifice.
Once he promised, the old man patted him on the back before boarding his sail. He waved one last time to Storm who whimpered in reply before sailing away.
In no time, John the sailor was gone.
"Let's go". Rex finally left with Ben and all his companions.
As he left, Rex accessed his system and referenced back to a system notification that he received over 2 months ago.
-----
[You have triggered a new system mission: Ultimate Showdown!]
[Mission Details:]
>Arthur Holmes, the best descendant of this generation of Holmes warriors is upon you again. This time, humbled and wiser from being punished, Arthur comes with the greatest determination to eliminate you<
>This is the ultimate showdown of this generation between both families whose great feud started centuries ago<
>There is only one outcome to this showdown. You die or he dies<
[Main Mission: Kill Arthur Holmes!]
[Mission Rewards: ???]
…
[Sub Mission: Liberate Scorpion, the Sting Assassin!]
[Mission Rewards: ???]
----
"Arthur Holmes!" Rex's eyes narrowed.
…
Uncharacteristically of them, the Gandalf Gang was having a quiet period.
The Snake territory was predominantly the territory of the criminal gangs. After years or even decades of growth in the Red Zone, gangs that were powerful enough had the opportunity to upgrade to the more prosperous Snake territory.
In here, the competition was far stiffer and deadlier.
Since only the best of the Red Zone could come here, the quality of warriors here was far higher and the mystic treasures in use had much more quality.
In here, there was no period of calm or quiet, the criminal gangs were always at war with each other not just to vie for resources or claim territory, but to affirm other gangs that they were still lethal and could wrath violence.
Gandalf was able to take his gang to the peak this way by engaging in constant battles, he was a battle maniac who matured and was made in war.
Through his energy blocking abilities, he led them to numerous victories which cemented the Gandalf Gang's name in the history of the Snake territory as one of the strongest gangs.
Now, the Gandalf Gang set their sights on another gang. This time though, it was not among the top gangs in the Snake territory, rather it was a no-name gang that was founded just a few months ago in the Red Zone.
No one knew the reason why, but the Gandalf Gang constantly crossed territory to harass the Berserk Gang without going all out to annihilate them.
It was like they were waiting for something or someone to appear.
It was like this throughout the past 2 months. Arthur Holmes and his warriors were ready to attack, the only problem was that their target was nowhere in sight.
Since Rex left 2 months ago, it was like he had no intentions of coming back.
Frustrated, Arthur could only resort to harassing the Berserk Gang and with time, the Berserk Gang slowly started declining.
Inside the Berserk Mansion…
"Lord Elanor, Elden Max seeks your audience".
"Let him in!"
A handsome man in white scholarly robes soon marched into the massive office. This young handsome man was Max, and this office was Elanor's.
As the Berserk Gang grew and became more centralized in power, Rex, Aragorn, and Elanor who were the main leaders of the gang started being referred to as Lords and this title only solidified within the 2 months of Rex's absence.
As soon as Max entered the office, he made a surprising movement as he went closer to the Elven Princess's chair before dragging her up.
Princess Elanor flowed with his movements and cupped her hands around his neck as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in, then they both engaged in a passionate kiss through which they expressed their love for each other.
During the past 2 months, apart from the few highs and plenty lows that the Berserk Gang experienced, Max and Elanor found the time to fall in love.
Both of them were locked in an intense show of their love for a few minutes before they finally came to their senses, then Max's face changed a bit as he reported. "We just got another report of attacks from the Gandalf Gang".
"We lost approximately a dozen gang members".
Princess Elanor sighed. "There's nothing we can do; we will be annihilated if we go against the Gandalf Gang in a frontal confrontation".
"This decision should be made by Rex, but where the f*ck is that d*ckhead?"
"C-cough…, cough…!" The sound of someone choking soon sounded outside the door, spooking the 2 lovers who were still hugging each other.
"Who's there?" Elanor turned around with an irritated look and asked.
The door was pushed open as a familiar face entered. Aragorn entered who was followed in by an unfamiliar face, before another familiar face followed, Rex!
"Rex?!" Princess Elanor jumped. "W-when did you return?"
"Y-you didn't hear anything right?"
"Ahem, cough…"
"…"
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