The Seven Demon's Tamer

Maybe he only altered the balance in just England where he came from. Because so far, none of them had heard of portal breach incidents since then, apart from the ones that occurred around them. This was Ryder's last thought before he stepped through the portal.

***

The land changed completely as they all stepped in through the portal. They were at the last and unfamiliar district of the Red Eastern. Given that this was the highest of all the hierarchy of the Red Eastern guild, they expected far more than what stood before them.

The Fan district had been filled with masterpiece architecture and mystical carvings that seemed to show evidence of the Red Eastern. The Luo district had showcased more advanced buildings that were a combination of technological and ancient structures together in perfect balance.

The Tian district had featured floating buildings that Ryder still did not understand the concept behind it, and clearly a lot of magical relations such as the pendant Akira had given to Brok and Mara.

But of everything that could have been offered, the Sen district was a plain, large expanse of grassy land—although neat and perfectly trimmed like the kind that could make one stare at it forever unconsciously.

Still, that didn't mask the fact that it was too plain and ordinary for what was supposed to be the pinnacle of the guild's hierarchy.

The only buildings that could be seen in the vicinity were multiple dojos, well-spaced with distances that would take several minutes to travel by foot. Each dojo was a simple, functional structure that prioritized purpose over aesthetics.

They were built from what appeared to be a black wood that seemed to have gained its color from spilled blood that clearly had spent too long and lost its red quality.

The supreme leader's residence was a substantial mansion that was quite reasonable in size. But other than its impressive dimensions, there was nothing more that would make it stand out compared to the supreme leader residences from the lower districts.

It was a simple, oversized building at the far end of the horizon, visible from their current location due to the complete absence of tall buildings that might block the view.

"Are you sure we weren't teleported back in time to the stone age?" Mara muttered as she trailed behind Master Sung and the others, walking backwards and staring at the perfect nature surrounding them.

Ever since Master Sung had returned to them just a short while ago, Mara had finally gotten the courage to speak freely around Master Sung because she could instantly tell the change in how he perceived them—she and Brok in particular.

Just the other day, he had stared at them like pests that his actual precious allies had brought into his guild, unwanted baggage he had no use for other than using them as bait.

He couldn't actually be blamed for viewing them like that—after all, they had nothing particularly special about them initially and were undeniably weak by the standards of the guild by being brown and orange marked respectively.

However, he had realized he had gravely underestimated them after receiving the news directly from Akira that they were able to learn all the Luo techniques in a matter of hours, matching the pace of Ryder and Leo—which, by all accounts, was a record-breaking achievement that should have been impossible.

At this point, Master Sung had developed a special kind of admiration toward them that he still refused to openly admit, though the way he felt it was becoming increasingly obvious. He had expressed it to them like a casual comment, but the look in his eyes made it clear that he now held them in much higher regard than before.

"It truly does seem like that," Master Sung laughed heartily, replying to Mara's comment. "But it certainly isn't."

"You see," Master Sung continued and gestured toward the dreamlike landscape around them, "as you grow stronger and have your mind filled with enemies, battles, and violence, your cravings for technological gadgets and fancy worldly stuff will deteriorate."

"More than anything, you would want to experience true peace. The pure wind coming directly from nature, the grassy lands, treetops." He paused to take a deep breath, as if demonstrating his point. "This is why the Sen district is built like this."

"And besides," he added dismissively, "technological gadgets aren't really a nice thing to handle, especially the ones that leak location data such as phones. They make it easier for enemies to track you down and deliver surprise attacks."

Leo, who had been quietly observing their surroundings, suddenly spoke up. "It's also tactically accurate," he commented approvingly.

"Open terrain like this makes it almost impossible for enemies to approach without being detected. No buildings to hide behind, no technology to hack or use against the residents. Just pure, honest combat if it comes to that."

Finally stopping at one of the dojos, Master Sung turned around to face and address his allies. The building behind him was identical to the others they had passed—simple, at first glance due to its emptiness, intimidating at second glance due to its blood-stained walls.

"If we manage to take care of this battle without casualties, then you all should train hard and evolve as fast as you can," Master Sung continued, "because right now, as we speak, the Falcon guild which is ranking above us in the guild ranking hierarchy, will never stop coming for you. I know it for sure."

"But we are already allies, and no one would agree to abandon the guild now, would anyone?" Master Sung asked.

"No!" they all echoed sternly, their expressions showing extreme stubbornness.

"You still owe me a big one," Ryder added. "You must help me search for my father."

"That's right," Master Sung nodded approvingly.

"This is why we have to fight," Master Sung declared, his voice rising. "They gave us a time limit of twenty-four hours, which is most likely how long it will take them to prepare their forces for whatever assault they're planning."

"I am not directly responsible for your protection, given that you are just allies and not full guild members," he continued, "so you all should keep in mind that this is everyone's battle— yours and ours."

"Apparently," Master Sung continued, "I cannot watch just four of you fighting against an entire guild just because they are coming for you and not me. You would clearly lose, and that would be my loss as well."

As soon as Master Sung finished speaking, the air began to crackle with sparks from three different locations. Koji was creating another portal.

"It wouldn't be nice for you not to see the most powerful members of the entire Red Eastern Guild firsthand," Master Sung explained. "One of them particularly has been craving to meet you and has been requesting your presence even before you were teleported to this Red Eastern base."

Just after three portals completely materialized, a shadowy figure could be seen at the middle, closing up until his left foot made its way out of the portal and into their vicinity.

For some reason, whoever this turned out to be was taking too much time, leaving everyone annoyed and in anticipation. The deliberate slowness felt almost frustrating, almost as if this person was trying to make a dramatic entrance.

'Get the hell out, will ya!' Leo bit his lips before he could accidentally scream it out loud.

The other leg of the figure finally emerged, along with his body, as everyone's gaze fixed on the face of this person.

He was a tall, slender man with eyes that seemed to be devoid of life, dark bags under them as if he had seen too much. Just like Master Sung and every other valued member, he was clothed in an expensive robe, with the Red Eastern embroidery stitched to it.

And lastly, his black hair was so long that it cascaded down to his back in waves that seemed to move even without the presence of any wind.

"His name is Ryomen Sen," Master Sung announced.

The next figure to emerge was a woman with light pink hair that had patches of red resembling blood stains more than any natural coloration. She was slender as well, with sun-kissed skin that looked like she had never fought a battle in her entire life—an appearance that would make one assume her to be a model rather than a warrior.

"Her name is Mikasa Sen," Master Sung continued.

The last figure was a young man, tall and athletically built. His skin was pale, making his long red hair that was tied in a ponytail stand out. Unlike the others, he moved with visible friendliness and confidence, his steps measured and purposeful as he approached their group.

"His name is Zhou Sen," Master Sung finished.

Master Sung announced, "These are the only three Sen in the entire guild, and also, the strongest."