The Seven Demon's Tamer

"Now choose."

Leo, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned casually against a nearby tree that was only half destroyed and taunted with a smug smirk. "Oh my, such a difficult choice."

He was being threatened, and that was a fact. He would have been mad and agitated if it was by any other person he knew, but the fact that it was from the Red Eastern guild leader he deeply respected, he knew there was nothing he could do.

"Continue a pointless revenge and lose everything, or admit you were wrong and keep your precious title. Whatever will you do?"

"Leo," Ryder warned quietly, "that's enough."

Leo shrugged, but fell silent, his point made. He was simply being himself, not having a shred of concern about whoever.

Still frozen on his spot, Lucian's hair covered his eyes, casting dark shadows over them throughout the time when Master Sung spoke and till now.

The surrounding guild members and villagers who were still watching everything unfold had various expressions on their faces.

Some were displaying curiosity, some nervous and so on. A few of the braver onlookers had moved closer, eager not to miss any detail of the confrontation before them.

Among the Red Eastern guild members, there was a clear sense of pride in their leader. Master Sung's reputation for fairness and strength was always known to them, but seeing him exercise those characteristics before them... Wasn't something they would have dreamed of.

Lucian's hair covered his eyes, casting dark shadows over them throughout the time when Master Sung spoke.

The surrounding guild members and villagers watched the exchange with varied expressions. Some were simply displaying curiosity, some others were nervous waiting for the next action, different members harboring different thoughts.

Ming Fan, in particular, observed with apparent admiration. As one of Master Sung's most trusted butler, he had witnessed many negotiations, but few conducted with such superior authority.

No one questioned Master Sung's way; in fact, many were even willing to go in tune with whatever he was doing just to get on his good side. His influence extended far beyond his own guild, reaching into the highest even higher guilds in the hierarchy.

His guild was the fastest rising after all, and also, the only guild that hasn't lost a battle. If he was to compete with a handful of higher guilds, he would most likely win.

In contrast, the fact that Lucian was a higher-ranked FSG member meant that he could help lower ranking members increase in rank in the FSG base. This was the reason behind how he was able to get 50 red mark summoners to fight alongside him against Luxy.

However, his superiority has its extent, and he has reached it. Master Sung is someone who he cannot mess with, and who could control him. The realization was quiet, made all the worse by the fact that Ryder – the very person he had hunted – was witnessing his downfall.

Right now, his next course of action would either be of benefit to him; otherwise, it would destroy him.

He, of all people, is given a proposal Lucian must answer submissively because he has no say in it.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Leo murmured, just loud enough for those closest to hear. Brok, standing nearby, let out a snort of displeasure.

He also wasn't happy about Lucian's doing.

Mia chose to remain silent, not wanting to cause any interruption since nothing had been spoken about her involvement. She simply kept glancing between Master Sung and Lucian blankly, her expression carefully neutral.

As a summoner who had allied herself with Lucian for this hunt, she now found herself potentially on the wrong side of a very powerful man she shouldn't mess with.

Right before Lucian requested her to join the hunt against the black marked summoner, she did personal research on him by herself and understood the entire situation.

The results of that research had already made her aware about the loopholes in Lucian's version of events; however, she still chose to get involved for her very own confidential reason. A reason no one knows about yet...

However, she was pretty impressed by how Lucian was able to publicize the issues and still have his actions unquestioned. His skill at manipulating public opinion was quite impressive, especially in how he had portrayed Ryder as a danger to the entire society.

Despite having a crimson monarch as her familiar, she wasn't too popular. She is among the few that do not really want the fame; in fact, she needed to avoid fame.

Giving Daoka a short glance, she ordered him telepathically to return back to her soul space. The familiar tilted its head slightly in acknowledgment and obeyed.

After what seemed like ages, but in truth was just a minute, Lucian finally spoke. The villagers, Ryder's crew and all the others held their breath as they listened in silence.

"I'll let Ryder be." He raised his head with a forced smile on his face, the smile of defeat and failed vengeance. "I won't bother him anymore."

Master Sung's grin spread slowly across his face, dominating his features. Eventually, he burst into laughter – not some sort of mocking laughter or anything, but genuinely amused one, as if Lucian had just told the best joke he'd heard in years.

"That's the spirit," he said between chuckles, wiping at his eyes. "You all seem to be making the right choices these days and too frequently. I truly never expected you to submit so easily."

Lucian's forced smile twitched, threatening to collapse at any moment. The humiliation burned hotter than any flame and embedded itself into his memory.

This moment – this defeat – would not be forgotten, no matter how much time he lived.

While Master Sung spoke, continuing to express his surprise and amusement, Lucian turned towards Mia and said quietly, "Let's go."

Both of them walked away, covering a short distance before they were wrapped by Daoka's shadow– Daoka's ability providing them with a quick exit, at least. They left Master Sung still talking, seemingly unconcerned by their departure.

"Well," Leo said into the silence that followed their disappearance, "that was too simple."