Souta became a sort of celebrity at Athen's Champion. His feat in subduing the Lernaean Hydra was heard by countless warriors. He's slowly making a name for himself in Athen's Champion and his name would spread out in the future. It's natural that Souta started to attract some attention. His mission record was clear as there was not a single failed mission.
This attention had merits and it could also bring him trouble. If he attracted the attention of those giant organizations then it would be over for him. If it's possible, Souta wanted to go to sub-world and finish some quest before he returned. Unfortunately, Astros Squad's rank wasn't enough to take a mission regarding Athena's sub-world.
Still, he was only quite popular in the warriors' circle. It wasn't enough to attract the attention of those powerful beings. So he still walkout openly.
For now, Souta should focus his attention on clearing the Chain Quest. If he could clear this quest, he would earn a lot and improve his battle power.
Souta, Eztein, Yuko, and Yenxa have arrived at Ekatoe City after a few days of traveling. Souta quickly called Alice and the rest to inquire about the recent happenings in Mine Valley. He wondered if they found the person that used Charm in White Line City. That one is the most problematic person.
Through Alice and the rest, he got to know that the Dragon Council had completely occupied the White Line City. They were also preparing the fight the other organizations for the ownership of the three cities. The fight was getting worse every day and sooner or later it would turn into an all-out battle.
His name also resounded throughout the entire Mine Valley. His domineering power destroyed the organization made the other cities more mindful of him. A fourth-stage monster had emerged and took the position of City Lord in Ekatoe. Everyone was wondering where Souta came from. From their knowledge, the only fourth stage monster in Mine Valley was the Devouring Alligator.
'It seems that I can't stay low-profile...' Souta rubbed his chin. Although he was powerful, the other people shouldn't know the true extent of his strength. Also, the Hall Plains were far from the Lerna Island or Champion's Den. The news about him subduing the Lernaean Hydra wouldn't reach this place.
After the meeting, Souta took the golden sphere from Eztein. He then went to the treasury of Astros to create an alternate space using the artifact.
It took him an entire day before he finished it then he left Kessa inside to recover. She was in deep slumber and using this chance to recover her strength. She had some sort of trust toward him so her guard was lower with his presence.
He didn't forget to inform everyone about Kessa's existence. This made everyone dumbfounded. A fifth stage monster joined their group?! It would be the Guardian Beast of Astros and the overall might of their organization had reached a higher level.
Souta didn't explain it in detail instead he left the explanation to Eztein.
"We'll join the fight for the three cities," Souta said with his hands on his back.
"What? I thought that you are planning to lay low." Alice glanced at him.
"Yeah, but it seems impossible right now after what happened in White Line." Souta glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Then, what are you planning to do?" Alice nodded and asked.
"I will go back to Mince Hand. I will send Torkez and Yenxa to the three cities and Doranjan's feral corpse to attack the Devouring Alligator on the east edge river." Souta turned and looked at her. "I want you to supervise them. Get our members to fight these guys and let them gain experience. A battle will easily improve their strength."
"I see..." Alice understood his explanation.
"After I return I want to see another one or two Shackled Realm experts in Astros," Souta said.
The number of peak S-rank in Astros was high. They couldn't break through with the help of high mana density a few months ago so Souta provided a bunch of high-level techniques. But it seems that they were still stuck at their level.
So he pondered what they were lacking and came to the conclusion that they lack real battle experience. A battle that would stimulate their potential and push their limit to the next level.
'This wouldn't attract the attention of those people, right?' Souta asked himself. He shook his head and put those thoughts in the back of his mind.
He chatted with Alice for a little bit before he left. The matters of Astros were left in her hands. He expected that once he returned, the Astros would grow stronger. He didn't need to worry that someone would attack Ekatoe City. Kessa could intimidate anyone even those SSS-rank experts. They would think twice once they realized the presence of an even stronger monster in the Astros.
A few days later...
Mince Hand.
Souta came out of his residence while stretching his arms. He turned his head and noticed a young man. The young man had striking red hair and an average build.
"Hello." Souta greeted the young man politely. It seems that this person was his neighbor.
The young man returned his greeting with a smile. He chatted a little bit with Souta before they went to the Mince Hand building.
Mince Hand. A small school that contained a vast history. This was Souta's impression of Mince Hand.
Souta bid farewell to the young man then he toured around the Mince Hand's Headquarters. Mince Hand was a huge school before but a calamity shook the entire school leaving it in its current declining stage. Most of the high-level experts have perished.
A voice sounded that snapped him out of his daze.
"How are you, Junior Brother?"
Souta turned his head only to find a beautiful face close to him. This woman was none other than his Senior Sister, Heili.
"I'm fine, Senior Sister. I came out because I'm having a hard time practicing." Souta laughed wryly as he scratched the back of his head. He didn't even know the techniques that this school have. No, he received it before but he didn't bother himself looking at it.
"Do you want me to give you pointers?" Senior Sister Heili asked.
"No, thank you. I think I can grasp it soon, Senior Sister." Souta politely decline.
"If you have any questions you can consult me." Heili smiled. "I'm going now. I still have to check the other juniors."
"Thank you, Senior Sister." Souta waved his hand.
After learning the background of Mince Hand, he went back to his residence. As a disciple of Mince Hand, he should grasp the basics of the technique before he could learn the higher-level techniques or intel.
Souta sat down and opened the book in his hand. This was the basic technique of Mince Hand, [Divine Dark Circulation]. He decided to train this technique for a while so that he could join into the inner circle of Mince Hand.
He read the contents of the book and entered Saya's inner consciousness.
...
Earthen Woods.
Earthen Woods was a place adjacent to Mine Valley and Spring Land. It was a huge and dangerous place. Various monsters and demi tribes inhabited this vast land. Even the people of Spring Land didn't dare to venture inside it without preparation.
At this moment, a chubby man was hiding inside a house. He concealed his aura and presence to prevent anyone from detecting his presence.
"Shit! That old man is consistent! I didn't think that I would face a problem like this!"
He was none other than the person who talked with Amune back in Bland City. After the incident in Bland City, he fled as quickly as possible but he didn't expect that someone would chase after him. He traversed through the vast Earthen Woods and the old man was still chasing after him.
The said old man was none other than Franklin.
Their play-tag shook the entire land. Both of them disturbed the territories of demi tribes and monsters, leading those creatures to chase after them.
This incident scared a lot of people. Various beings had fallen from the battle and several One Shackled Realm experts had fallen. Thus, naming the chubby man as "Golden Palm" due to his extremely powerful palm technique that vaporized One Shackled Realm, and naming Franklin as the "Changing Face Demon." Franklin became famous due to his ability to quickly change his appearance. He could control his flesh like no other.
Right now, everyone knew that these two were enemies. Their battle passed through dozens of territories. No one wanted to antagonize them so most of the people could only watch from the sideline.
"That man dangerous... Just where did he come from... It was my mistake to use Amune in my scheme. Didn't think that there would be a monster like that hiding in Bland City." The chubby man said in annoyance.
