The Seven Demon's Tamer

The three Sen members stood before the others with various expressions that told entirely different stories, each one completely opposite from the others.

"Hey Sung, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Zhou Sen wrapped his arm around Master Sung's shoulder in a friendly gesture that completely threw everyone off guard, his casual demeanor so unexpected. "How have you been doing, old friend?"

Despite his fearsome red hair that blazed like stagnant fire and his intimidating athletic build that spoke of countless hours of intense training, Zhou's voice carried a warmth that surprised everyone.

His grip on Master Sung's shoulder was firm but undeniably friendly, like an old companion greeting another after a long separation—something no one, not since Ryder had begun traveling with Master Sung, would dare attempt. Not even Akira, who seemed relatively comfortable around Master Sung, would reach such lengths of familiarity.

"Zhou," Master Sung responded with what could almost be called a genuine smile, returning the friendliness with warmth. "I've been managing the chaos, as always. Though I must say, this isn't exactly the time for pleasantries—there's a rather significant matter at stake here."

"You've been managing the chaos?" Mikasa Sen repeated, her melodious voice carrying curiosity. "From what we've been hearing through the guild's grapevine, you've been having quite the adventure lately. The rumors have been... interesting, to say the least."

"Hi," Ryomen greeted with complete blankness, offering a casual wave of his hand as if the simple gesture was so difficult, his eyes as expressionless as a statue's. Clearly, he is the introverted type.

The dark bags under his eyes seemed to be so deep, like he hadn't slept for weeks. His long black hair cascaded down his back in waves that moved without any apparent wind, his presence alone seemed to give off an eerie feeling.

"Listen up, everyone," Master Sung began, his voice taking on an authoritative tone as he directed his speech towards the Sen. "These are the new allies of the guild, including the black-marked summoner that has been brought to your attention for quite some time now.

It's time you all make introductions."

"Ohhhhh!" Zhou's eyes widened in shock. "The black-marked summoner!" His excitement was clear, radiating from him like heat from a burning summer sun.

The Sen's eyes quickly scanned everyone standing with Master Sung, and with unwavering confidence, they immediately identified who they were looking for. They instantaneously recognized him the moment they set their eyes on him.

For them being the strongest summoners in the entire guild, Ryder hadn't expected anything less from them. The Gamma Flow technique alone could help experienced practitioners sense energy readings, so it came as no surprise to anyone present that they could pinpoint him so quickly.

What was surprising was the intensity of Zhou's reaction.

"Oh, hello there, uh..." Zhou's grin extended across his face and he began to playfully approach Ryder with steps that seemed like those of a predator stalking its prey. "What might your name be, if I may ask? Though I suppose I should already know, considering how much I've been looking forward to this meeting."

"I am Ryder," he replied with cautious politeness, extending his hand out for what he hoped would be a simple handshake. "Nice meeting you."

Instead of the expected handshake, a loud, deafening screech that sounded like a cross between a banshee's wail and the squealing noise of metal grinding against metal resonated from Zhou's throat, causing Ryder to stumble backwards in alarm and cover his ears.

Zhou hugged himself tightly and screamed to the sky like an over-excited little girl who had just been given a truck full of candy for breakfast.

"I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" he squirmed in joy, his voice cracking with emotion as he bounced on his toes. "It is truly you! The only black-marked summoner in the entirety of humanity in this current age!"

Without warning, he suddenly zoomed forward with speed that was nothing short of impressive, grabbing both of Ryder's hands in a grip that was surprisingly gentle despite his obvious excitement.

An embarrassed bead of sweat ran down Ryder's temple as he scratched his head with his free hand, completely unprepared for this level of worship-like attention.

"Ye-yes, yeah, yeah, that's... that's right," he stuttered, his usual confidence completely shaken.

Brok and the others behind them suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter, so loud that it echoed through their vicinity. Even Master Sung couldn't help but chuckle.

"I had expected something more... composed from a Sen-ranked member, but this..." Brok managed to get out mid-laugh, his shoulders still shaking, but Zhou remained completely unconcerned, focused on Ryder as if nothing else in the world mattered.

"I summoned you earlier, you know," Zhou Sen continued with an almost manic gleam in his eyes that reflected the intensity of his obsession more than mere interest. "Even before you got recruited as an ally of the Red Eastern Guild. Ming Fan told you, didn't he? I specifically requested your presence through proper channels and everything!"

"Oh!" The memory suddenly flashed through Ryder's mind like lightning striking a clear sky. "That's right! During the period when Yuki had used the knowledge transfer back then, Ming Fan did mention something about that."

"What took you so long? Why didn't you come to me immediately?" Zhou's voice took on an almost sad edge, like a child asking why their favorite toy had been taken away. "I've been waiting and waiting, checking every day to see if you'd finally arrived!"

"Um, uhh..." Ryder began, clearly struggling to find words, especially since he still didn't understand Zhou's personality—was he a maniac or a psychopath?

"Because I didn't want him to," Master Sung interjected. "He needed to familiarize himself with this guild first, understand our ways and our people. He also had other important matters to attend to."

"Oh, is that it?" Zhou asked, and to everyone's complete amazement, he simply fell backwards onto his butt like a disappointed little kid. Momentarily, all his Sen-level dignity was abandoned. "I never knew that was the reason. I thought maybe you just didn't want to meet me or something like that."

The sight of this powerful, red-haired summoner sitting on the ground looking dejected was so comical that everyone burst into laughter.

"But now there's nothing to worry about!" Zhou Sen's mood shifted instantaneously. "I don't really mind the wait, honestly. They say good things come to those who wait, and it's probably better to save the best battles for last anyway!"

"Just after I help protect you from whatever's coming," Zhou continued, his eyes taking on that manic gleam again as he remained seated on the ground, "we'll fight a battle to the death!"

From his dejected position on the grass, Zhou Sen suddenly reached out and grabbed Ryder by the arm, his eyes literally glittering with joyful anticipation. "Wouldn't you just love to spray some blood around with me? I promise you it would be absolutely, incredibly fun!"

All of Ryder's previously laughing companions instantly froze, their laughter dying in their throats.

"Did he just say..." Brok muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he began stepping backwards instinctively, "that spraying blood would be fun?"

He needed no further confirmation to know that this particular Sen member was a complete and utter maniac. With the sudden shift in mood he was showcasing, Brok knew something was off with this man. He had found it funny along with his companions at first, but now, it was giving him the creeps.

"Let go of him, dammit!" Mikasa snapped with authority that cut through Zhou's bloodthirst, smacking Zhou's hands off of Ryder's arm with enough force to make an audible *thwack*.

"I know you're an idiot, but try to act smart sometimes! You're supposed to give a good first impression, not terrify our new allies into fleeing for their lives!"

Zhou didn't even struggle or protest as he willingly allowed Mikasa to drag him across the ground by his collar, his body leaving a small trail in the grass as she pulled him back toward the group. His expression remained cheerful, an ear-to-ear grin still present on his face that didn't seem like it would ever fade.

"You never properly introduced the others," Mikasa spoke to Master Sung once she had successfully kept Zhou in check, her melodious voice soothing their hearts. "It wouldn't be right if we didn't introduce ourselves properly to all of our new allies."

"Isn't that right, Ryomen?" she asked, turning to address the eerily quiet member of their trio.

"I don't care," Ryomen responded in monotone. "Tell the attackers to hurry up and come. Let's get this whole mess over with already so I can go back to my meditation."

His complete lack of interest in anything happening around him was almost as terrifying as Zhou's manic personality, though in a completely different way.

While Zhou's emotions were excessive, Ryomen was an absence of emotion.

"Dammit!" Mikasa bit her lip in frustration, her composed and understanding personality cracking slightly. "You guys truly never know when to adjust your behaviors to match the situation! We're meeting important new allies, not attending a funeral or planning a massacre!"

The annoyance in her voice suggested this was a constant struggle for her—being the only apparently normal person among three Sen-level summoners.

"My apologies on their behalf," Mikasa said with a short formal bow. "My name is Mikasa Sen, and I try to be the reasonable one among this group."

Behind her, she gestured toward the figure with heavy bags under his eyes. "That walking embodiment of sorrow is Ryomen Sen."

Her finger moved from Ryomen to Zhou—the tall, lean figure with muscular build and pale skin who was still staring at Ryder with the intensity of a hawk and the grin of a demon.

"And our enthusiastic friend here is Zhou Sen, as you've already learned."

"We are the only three members of the Sen district, which makes us the most powerful summoners in the entire guild. Now, how about you introduce yourselves properly? I'd love to know more about the people who have attracted the attention of a higher guild."

"I mean," Mikasa continued thoughtfully, "I am quite formidable, but no one ever fought over me."

Recognizing that this particular Sen member was clearly the most reasonable and normal among all three, Mara stepped forward with what little courage she could muster and began to speak.

Her mind raced as she considered how to introduce herself and her comrades in the most impressive light possible. They should at least make the Sen feel like they were worthy of respect.

Pointing at Leo, she spoke with growing confidence: "This blue-silver-eyed man over here is known as the Summoner Slayer, and his name is Leo."

The stunned expression that immediately appeared on both Mikasa and Zhou's faces made Mara's smile widen with satisfaction. Even Ryomen seemed to perk up slightly, though his expression remained largely unchanged.

'Perfect,' she thought to herself, 'I piqued their interest positively. I just need to keep up with our best achievements along with our names.'

"On the other side," Mara continued, her confidence growing with each word, "is Brok, a former member of the terrifying underworld organization known as the Underlings!" She added some volume to her voice, purposely concealing Brok's mark rank.

Even Brok was caught off guard by her dramatic description of him. He would have given her a loud round of applause if he hadn't managed to hold himself back, impressed by her strategic thinking. He knew for sure he wouldn't have been able to do the same if he had made his own introduction.

The Sen members all nodded approvingly upon hearing Brok's introduction. Though they probably had never heard of the Underlings organization, the fact that it was a kind of guild was enough for their acceptance.

"And my name is Mara," she concluded, "and I am a summoner who is capable of harnessing all seventy-seven of the Luo techniques."

She paused briefly before continuing: "I learned every single one of those techniques within a single day."

"Wow," Mikasa's jaw dropped at what she had just heard. "Are you absolutely sure about that? All seventy-seven techniques in one day? That's... that should be impossible."

"Yes, it's completely true," Akira chimed in, her voice carrying the authority of someone who had witnessed the impossible firsthand. "I trained them personally, and they all accomplished the same feat."

"Just how incredibly lucky were you to find all these anomalies so easily, Sung?" Mikasa muttered, her voice carrying evident admiration. "Finding one exceptional individual is rare enough, but four? And all at the same time?"

Master Sung's response was a smile. "Guess I was just as lucky as I've always been," he said.

"Are you really sure they need protection?" Ryomen questioned, his monotone voice cutting through the atmosphere. "Because from what I'm hearing, it seems to me they are quite capable of handling themselves without our intervention."

"Ryomen!" Akira snapped, her voice sharp with disapproval.

Her sharp rebuke seemed to bounce off Ryomen's stoic face without even making him flinch. He simply shrugged and returned to his previous state of disinterest, though his eyes remained watchful as always.

Turning around with purposeful movement, Master Sung began walking toward the dojo that stood just a couple dozen meters away from their current position. The others quickly followed behind him. The building seemed to loom larger as they approached the blood-stained black wood structure.

Upon entering the structure, they all naturally arranged themselves on the mat in the large, open room, forming what became a perfect circle without needing any coordination. The interior of the dojo was spacious and bare, with walls that seemed to absorb sound and light in equal measure.

Master Sung waited patiently for all of them to settle into comfortable positions before beginning his explanation. His expression had grown serious as he prepared to tell them everything.