The Seven Demon's Tamer

"I guess today," Master Sung finally interjected, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "you won't have a reason from today henceforth."

Lucian's face contorted with confusion, his eyes widening at Master Sung's unexpected stance against him.

His gaze darted between Master Sung and Ryder, searching for some explanation—some sign that he had misunderstood. But the unwavering resolve on Master Sung's face told him everything he needed to know.

Turning toward Master Sung, Lucian had just one word to say: "Why?"

He completed his question in disbelief. "Why you, of all people?"

The wind blew, carrying with it the smell of beast blood and a whistling sound that only deepened the already tense atmosphere.

Overhead, birds had begun to return to the skies, flying freely now that the breach had disappeared. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the bloodstained surface.

"You're an independent, powerful summoner," Lucian continued, his voice gaining strength but remaining controlled. He somehow managed to suppress his anger, showing it only minimally toward Master Sung.

His respect for the guild leader was still there, even as confusion and frustration grew. His hands trembled slightly at his sides, fists clenching and unclenching as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"We have countless reasons to take down Ryder. He's a threat—and you know it. You've seen what he did firsthand. He took down half of Ludlow and killed one of your guild members' familiars.

"He attacked the FSG base and destroyed it. You saw it yourself. Killing him won't just improve your relationship with the FSG—it will save lives. Just take a look at this village. I know this must be his doing. So why are you with him?

"Drop the act, will you? Stop playing the victim card!" Master Sung snapped coldly, his voice carrying hints of displeasure.

"You know why all of this is happening in the first place. You are the reason for these disasters."

"Ryder was living his life like every other ordinary human being when you stole his rights from him. You took away his freedom—his free will.

"It's not the duty of the FSG to detain people and interrogate them about their familiars of they do not commit any crime. But you did that on your own accord—out of selfish interest—and that interrogation is what started all of this.

Lucian took a subconscious step backwards in guilt, however his anger remained. Master Sung was right, but he had already gone too far and won't be backing down.

"If you'd stuck to your original duty as an FSG commander, Ryder would've been with his family, living his life peacefully. Maybe even working his dream job.

"He would have been home to protect his parents during their assassination. And maybe—just maybe—all of this wouldn't have happened.

"But now, you've given him a burden to carry.

"Since you took him in, you've altered the path his life was supposed to take. And now, disaster follows him. Every violent act you've heard about him—none of it was his intention.

"He attacked Ludlow because my guild members were provoking him—and I know that, even if I was never told. Red Eastern members could be cocky sometimes, and commit crimes in secrets."

Master Sung turned his gaze toward the victims of the Ludlow incident, narrowing his eyes, causing them to gulp nervously under his stare.

"I only had a brief conversation with him, but I heard him voice out his thoughts," Master Sung continued. "That alone told me the kind of person he is.

"He's young. Inexperienced. And more than anything, he's been on the receiving end his whole life. All he ever wanted was peace—and his family.

"The incident at the FSG base isn't what you claimed it was. Ryder never attacked or destroyed your base on purpose. My best guess? Your machine wasn't capable of measuring his beast's gamma energy.

"His familiar might not be the most overpowering when it comes to raw physical capabilities and some other elements, but the nature of his gamma energy is the greatest I have ever perceived by far so I can tell."

"And I can testify to that, because I've tried using that same machine to measure my own familiar—a mere red-marked familiar monarch—and it almost exploded.

"Ryder's familiar just has too much gamma energy for your machine to handle. And your base's testing machine? I'm sure you know it wasn't built to withstand that kind of output. Yet you twisted the story to suit your narrative.

"During the destruction, you were injured, and from that point on, you were consumed by vengeance. That's why you've been chasing Ryder so obsessively.

"It disappoints me that someone like you would make such unreasonable, childish decisions. I no longer believe you're fit to have any close connection with me."

Master Sung declared, voice unwavering.

"Leo suddenly left your side to join a single man on the run—one who was obviously losing, especially against an entire FSG base. Did you really think I wouldn't take a second look at that? Who would make such a foolish decision?

"I've known Leo as the Summoner Slayer, a formidable man. I've heard countless stories of him killing familiars with raw strength and incredible perception.

"Despite all that, even he wouldn't fight against an entire FSG base—he's not foolish enough to think he can take on a horde of red-marked familiars at once.

"But he joined Ryder's side. And that made me reconsider—despite already planning to invite him to my guild.

"Whether Ryder liked it or not, he would face punishment for your wrongful judgement. But then I started to question—was he truly the one deserving punishment?

"I had only heard your side of the story all these while, not his. So when he accepted my proposal, I listened to his conditions.

"And all he asked for were things that wouldn't harm any innocents—not even the FSG, who had been hunting him.

"All he asked for was revenge for his parents—and independence. Even when admitted into the Red Eastern Guild, that's all he wanted."

Master Sung took a deep breath, then said clearly:

"Now I'll make this clear, Lucian."

His eyes locked onto the FSG commander with piercing intensity.

"You're fighting a battle you cannot win. But I'll give you a chance to walk away without punishment—if you choose wisely.

"I have a proposal. And I'm not playing games with this.

"You either close all cases against Ryder and let him be—never bother him again—and I'll let you be.

"Or..."

"You decline—and I will contact the higher-ups in the FSG, the ones I have strong connections with, and they will punish you severely. You will lose your position as well."

He paused.

"Now choose."

Lucian's face darkened as he stared at the ground.

Everything he'd heard was true.

He was being threatened—and that was a fact. If it had come from anyone else, he would have been furious. But coming from Master Sung—the Red Eastern Guild leader, someone he deeply respected and feared—he knew there was nothing he could do.