"So you were a killer?" Rider asked inquisitively. "Yes, I was," Leo replied without giving a second thought. Brok stole a quick glance then quickly turned away, hoping it wasn't noticed, but he was caught red-handed by Leo who wasn't even staring at him. "If you were a killer, why were you feeling worried about the porter from earlier?" Ryder asked. "Why were you worried about the lives of the villagers?" Leo remained silent for a while, like he was hesitating and carefully selecting his next words. "Because I am not actually the kind of killer I am assumed to be." "You see, Summoners Slayer isn't actually the right word to describe me," Leo explained. "To be more appropriate, I should have been referred to as Familiar Slayer because that's what I specialize in exterminating." "Most of the time, summoners do not attack me directly but they use their familiars, and so I mostly kill familiars." "There are only a few times I have killed summoners." "I carefully select t

Mara approached him with a gentle smile and careful footsteps. "I've made up my mind, and it seems you want to be a successful father," she confirmed gently before kneeling. "It would be wrong if I don't ask... I wanted your blessing, if you can give it." For a long moment, Dr. Hamm was silent, his gaze fixed on some point beyond her shoulder, lost in thought or memory. Finally, after fleeting moments, he started. "Your mother was the same way before she died." "Headstrong, fearless, always chasing her desires positively. I could never talk her out of anything once she'd made up her mind." The mention of her mother, who had died when Mara was still an infant, made a single teardrop drool down her cheek. Dr. Hamm rarely spoke of her, the pain of her loss still too raw even after all these years. "This could be the last time we will be speaking in a long time," Mara spoke, still on one knee waiting for her father's blessing, but her head was raised. "Tell me about her, my mot

The roaring of a particular Lamborghini could be heard approaching from a distance. Even before turning towards it, they could already tell it was screaming luxury. The driver of the car turned out to be none other than Master Sung's personal butler, Ming Fan. Adjusting his black glasses, he stared at all four of them—Ryder, Leo, Brok and Mara. The doors opened soon after for them to get in. "My name is Ming Fan and I was sent by Master Sung to come pick you up," he started before turning towards Ryder occupying the front seat. "Ryder. The demon contractor owning a black marked familiar. More information is still yet to be discovered." In this planet Terra, surnames or last names weren't really necessary. All that matters is the first name of a person except the person is a member of a guild. Given for example, the Red-Eastern guild. The members all have one common last name that clarifies their rank at first mention. There are four different categories of Red-Eastern

Ming Fan took another sharp turn that pressed them all against their seats."There's been... developments since the Ludlow incident. The appearance of a black-marked familiar has attracted attention from the very top of our hierarchy."Brok, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up."You're talking about the Sen, aren't you?"Ming Fan's reflection in the mirror showed the faintest hint of surprise."Perceptive. Yes, one of the Sen has found some interest in you."Oh right, Ryder stressed. I haven't even gotten to the base, and I'm already wanted by a high-ranking member from the Red Eastern Guild.I guess the drama continues."If Ryder is automatically going to be placed in the Tian rank, why shouldn't we also be placed there too?" Mara, who had been silent, finally spoke up."I remember this request, and if I am right, Ryder requested that we should be treated equally.""If he is placed in the Tian, then we should be as well.""Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that," Mi

"But I'm all ears," said Ryder."There is nothing much to say actually," Dwang Sung clarified. "All you need is the briefing of the beast affinity of all these exclusive members standing right before me."Pointing at the man in the middle, Dwang Sung started. "He is Koji, one of the elites and most valuable members we have. He has the affinity of teleportation, and he is the only one in the entire east of the Earth, bearing a beast with such kind of affinity.Just like earlier, the portal by which you came here with was created by him without summoning his beast, and if you guess, you are right—he is at the Tian level."It was clear why Master Sung was in no haste. Koji's familiar's affinity was already the means he had arranged to transport them by and not aircraft like they had expected.Moving his finger to the next, Master Sung started. "This is Yuki, also a priceless member of the Red Eastern guild.She has a familiar possessing the affinity of mind alteration. She does not need