I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

A few months after the group decided to settle on Terra and create their guild, Pentos, recognitions came flooding for them. It didn't take long enough for the kingdoms all over the realm to notice their presence and achievements.

"They have slain a dragon, a large beast from the Dark Mountains."

"They also defeated the Lord of the Blue Trees near the South border."

"Not to mention, all of them are so handsome!"

...

Word got out fast and their popularity only increased. Kings and queens all over the realms wanted to keep the group to themselves but since their member's home kingdom was Avancia, they decided to settle their but still take quests from other kingdoms.

"Wow, I'm really popular. Probably the most among us. I received my second gift this week," Reginald said as he took a box of present from a blushing young girl. She looked down and ran away before Reginald could even say anything to her. "And she's gone."

"That's probably because you look like a pervert," Luck commeted which made Frederick and Spencer erupt in laughter.

"That's..." Francoise tried to say something but he cut his words off and sighed. "I can't even argue with that."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Reginald placed the box down and crossed his arms. "You were the ones who voted for me to dye my hair green. I liked how white it was before, but then you said that I stood out too much."

"I don't even know how hair color has anything to do with it," Frederick shrugged and stood. "Luck, let's go pick up the presentsI got from some ladies earlier. There are so many of them I have today. I might need your help lifting it."

"And thus I reveal the most popular member," Luck sighed. "And I'm his servant."

"That's an honor," Frederick rolled his eyes as he dragged the other man out of the house. The three members were left inside, but Francoise had to excuse himself.

"Where are you going, old man?" Reginald asked. "Going to sleep?"

"You dumb idiot." Spencer sighed. "He's going to go crafting again. He said he likes blacksmithing."

"If I retire, I'll do this for the rest of my life," Francoise laughed. "But then that's way ahead of me. I'm still the strongest member of Pentos."

"Yeah, right!" Reginald slammed his feet from the ground and launched himself in a flash. He clenched his first, grinning as he approached Francoise in less than a second.

The older man stepped back, letting Reginald pass through and slamming his elbow on the younger man's back. This made the latter crash to the ground, eyes rolled to the back of his head.

"Reginald zero, Francoise four thousand and seventy one," Spencer commented. He placed his cup of tea and dragged Reginald. "Enjoy your new hobby, old man. I'm going to let this fool rest outside."

"Alright," Francoise laughed and left the room.

Meanwhile, Reginald recovered his consciousness not a moment later. He sighed and shook in exhaustion. "How is he so strong? I recently acquired a skill that allowed me to gain incredible speed in less than a fraction of a second. It's not like I had to power up or anything."

"His reaction time is fast and you're too slow," Spencer said. "I saw everything and the flow of your energy is still too flashy. Tone it down."

"How will they know that I'm going to beat them if I don't announce my attack?" Reginald tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused.

"Foolosh!" Spencer groaned in frustration. "Foolish dumb idiot!"

He stomped his feet as he stormed away, leaving Reginald standing there, clueless. "What has gotten into him?"

Reginald walked behind Spencer when the latter stopped from his tracks. "What happened to you? Why did you stop?"

"Shh." Spencer placed a finger on his lips and narrowed his eyes. "Something entered the city."

"Is is strong?" Reginald whispered. "What is it?"

Spencer looked back and his eyes suddenly were widened. "They're targetting the strongest person in the city."

"Me?" Reginald asked but then shook his head. "Oh, no. The old man!"

The two rushed their way back to the guild house where they found a barrier that stopped anyone from entering. Frederick was already there, trying to pierce the protective dome but it was no use.

"Let me try," Reginald said. He raised his sword and growled, covering it with pure white energy and slamming it to the invisible shield. When it was no use, he growled and repeated the process a few more times. "It's not working!"

Not a second later, a hole in the dome appeared. The four of them stepped back and raised their guard for anything that could appear from the inside.

Expecting a monster, the group was shocked after seeing a beautiful young woman exit the barrier. She had jet black hair and her eyes were purplish black, all void of light. Her skin was pale and her clothes looked torn.

"Who are you and what are you doing inside?!" Spencer growled. "What did you do to Francoise?!"

"My master only wanted to talk to the man who's the strongest in this realm." The woman replied. "He said that you're his ally. You may enter."

"As if we're going to fall for that—"

"Alright." Reginald walked inside the dome, leaving the other three in utter shock.

"That dumb idiot!" Spencer growled, yelling and trying to enter but was stopped by Frederick.

"No, don't do it." Frederick held on to Spencer as much as he could. "He's a fool but he's not weak."

"Hey guys!" Reginald's head peeked outside the dome. "What are you still waiting for? Old man is still inside, alive and well. Unfortunately."

A hand appeared from behind him and slammed his head to the ground. Reginald coughed while Francoise sighed. "Come on in. We have company here."

"What company?" Spencer asked but the old man simply went back inside.

"This is so confusing." Frederick let go of his hold of Spencer and followed the two inside. Luck and the former looked at each other before following inside as well.

Inside the dome was a tall woman with dark skin and dark red hair. She was carrying a large broken axe with two blades but were adjacent to each other instead of being positioned on each sides.

"I'm here to ask for help," the woman said. "The other Guards are coming for me."

"Guards?" Spencer asked, skeptical. "What Guard?"

The woman stood and placed a hand on her chest. "My name is Conquest, a Guard of the Forsaken."

"So, here you are."

They all turned to the direction of the voice. A man stepped out of the shadow and sighed. "Lady Conquest, you need to go back. After stealing her, you don't have think that she will come for you too?"

"They're torturing her there, Bruno!" the then Conquest, now Trinidad, yelled. "You should have known better. You allow your mother to treat her like that?!"

"Wht my mother does is none of your concern," Bruno growled. "She is the Queen of Hell and you're a mere Guard. Do not mistaken your position to be higher than hers!"

"A mere Guard," Trinidad laughed. "Fine. Let's get this over with."