The Seven Demon's Tamer

"That's a fine speech, big dreamer," Master Sung said, delivering the words with casualness. Ruthless casualness.

"But you seem to have forgotten how the Red Eastern guild selects their members. Ryder is coming with us just to be an ally, not a member, remember?"

"However, funny enough, if Ryder chooses to join the guild, he will be instantly recruited as a high-ranking, respected member given his familiar level." His gaze shifted to the others, dismissive. "But if you or the others intend to join, we won't be taking y'all in."

His finger pointed to each of them in turn. "Summoner Slayer, this gangster looking guy over there, or even you, little girl should think of being allies." His eyes settled on Mara, who did not flinch.

"But you said you'll be giving us equal treatment," Ryder protested, taking a step forward.

Master Sung's smile was all teeth and no warmth. "I know, and I am. It's equal treatment."

"We are giving Ryder treatment that matches his value, and we will be doing the same to you all. Equal treatment as the phrase implies."

A stretch of silence followed as they processed his statement. He wasn't wrong, exactly. If he truly intended to treat everyone in accordance with their value, it would be possible for them to receive both lower treatment and, in a twisted sense, equal treatment.

"He has one last pending request," Master Sung spoke, directing his words to Ryder, a slight smile on his lips. "You can have him use it."

All eyes turned to Ryder with anticipation, waiting for a reply that never came.

His mind was still running through the demand of bringing Mara along, allowing her to step into his dangerous world of continuous trouble.

Dr. Hamm's disappointed face kept flashing in his thoughts, mixed with the memory of Mara as a child, pointing up at the stars with absolute certainty that she would reach them someday.

Suddenly, despite the tense situation, Master Sung burst out laughing.

"Don't feel too intimidated," he said, waving a hand dismissively as if the entire exchange had been nothing but a joke. "I'll let you all in anyway."

"I kinda find a liking to you guys."

He stretched his arms wide, as if physically embracing his words. "And it won't be bad being mutuals with those Ryder cares about."

The collective sigh of relief that followed was almost comical. It was a win-win situation for both parties, so they weren't overly appreciative. Still, the tension in the air lessened nonetheless.

"Go pack up, will ya?" Master Sung said, gesturing toward the village entrance. "I'll be sending trusted members to come pick you up."

With that, Master Sung turned toward the assembled Red Eastern guild members. While he had been speaking with Ryder and his crew, his guild members had been piling up the corpses of the unfortunate victims of the incident and assisting in tidying up the scene.

Despite their collective efforts in taking care of the portal breach, they had still faced casualties.

Ryder's gaze drifted toward the stack of bodies, and he felt his stomach churn when he spotted a familiar face among them. It was the old woman from before, the one who had assured him that everything would be fine.

Her wrinkled face was peaceful in death, as if she'd simply fallen asleep. But the blood stain on her clothing and the deep slash on her neck told a different story.

A bitter taste filled his mouth, and he bit his lips, turning his gaze as a pang of guilt washed over him. Another innocent life lost because of him. Another name to add to the growing list of people he couldn't save.

Before the self-guilt could overwhelm him, Leo stepped in, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," Leo said, his voice low and steady. "Let's go to my apartment. We'll be going to the Red Eastern base tomorrow, and I have a few things to take with me."

Brok also moved closer, placing his arm on Ryder's other shoulder. "Yeah, that's right. Let's go."

Turning to Mara, Leo spoke, his tone gentler than usual. "You got something to do, or do you want to come with us already?"

"Um, uh, I have to speak to my dad." She twisted a strand of her hair nervously around her finger as she spoke. "Whether or not I have his approval, I'll be coming with you, that is for sure. But I still need to let him know."

Leo nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, that's right." He glanced at the sky, estimating the time from the position of the sun. "Take your time. We'll be going off. Meet us at the village entrance tomorrow morning and try to convince your dad before then for the best."

"Oh, you already picked the location!" Master Sung chimed in cheerfully, interjecting himself into their conversation once more. "Village entrance it is. I'll be sending someone to come pick you up there."

They all nodded in unison, already exiting the village. The journey back was, however, a quiet one, each lost in their own thoughts about the streak of events they had just experienced within just a few hours of leaving their apartment.

After a long walk till they were a few blocks away from the village, Ryder halted abruptly and turned sideways, his posture tense.

"What now?!" Brok exclaimed, slapping his forehead. They were trying to take Ryder far away from this scene, to shield him from the reminders of death and destruction, but he just kept delaying.

"I'm trying to be angry at you," Ryder spoke loudly; however, what he said made no sense at that moment, "but I just cannot find a reason to. So come out now, Luxy."

Brok was puzzled as well, but Leo wasn't. The casualness in Leo toward something that was supposed to be a surprise to both of them didn't go unnoticed by Brok, so he asked out of curiosity.

"Is Luxy truly here?"

Leo nodded solemnly, the silver glimmering softly in the orange sunlight. "Yes."

"And you knew all along?!" Brok expressed, his confusion turning into annoyance.

Leo shrugged, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "It's not my fault you aren't as perceptive. I have the Silver Gaze after all."

Meanwhile, Luxy, who had been hiding behind a tree at the side of the street, finally came out.

His appearance was hesitant, shy even, though shy wasn't quite the right word for Luxy. Guilty seemed more appropriate, his posture hunched as if expecting a verbal lashing or worse.

"You've been outside for too long," Ryder said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Let's merge."

Luxy's surprise was apparent, his eyes widening in disbelief. He knew he had altered Ryder's mind again, but he hadn't expected this level of acceptance since he never altered his mind to accept him.

In fact, he had expected Ryder to be increasingly mad at him for messing with his mind once again.

But he didn't question his good fortune, unwilling to waste this unexpected chance.

Closing his eyes, Ryder took a deep breath, centering himself. The air around him seemed to still for a short moment before energy sparked around him like a flash before the air became still again.

"I have done this once, by accident, but I still remember the feeling," Ryder spoke softly, drawing another deep breath.

Suddenly, after a short moment of absolute stillness, he burst violently with purple gamma energy, striking the ground like lightning bolts.

"Familiar... Retreat!"