The Seven Demon's Tamer

As they walked through the quiet street, Master Song used the opportunity to explain more about his guild to Rider and his crew.

"The Red Eastern guild," he began, his hands clasped behind his back as they walked between the towering structures, "is seen as formidable all over the world and treated with respect, but just to some extent."

Master Song continued. "We have earned the title of the fastest rising guild and have quite some strength and facilities to back it up, but that was just only enough to bring us among the top 100 strongest guilds in the world."

The revelation hit Ryder like a cold splash of water to the face. Despite how Master Song seemed so strong that even he—the only black marked summoner who contracted a beast from the demon plane—doubted if he could ever win against him in battle, despite all this overwhelming power, the Red Eastern guild still ranked as just one of the top 100 strongest guilds in the world.

"Wait, hold up," Brok interjected, nearly stumbling over his own feet as he rushed right behind Master Song. "You're telling me that with all this power, all these facilities, all these... scary lightning displays, you guys are only in the top 100?"

Leo shot him a warning look, but Brok was too shocked to notice. "I mean, no offense, but I was expecting you to be among the top 10. If you're just among the top 100, then what in the name of all that's holy would be the strength of those higher than you?"

"I tried my best, but we are still at number 97," Master Song said. "That is why I'm trying to evolve by recruiting more members with great strength."

Trying to gauge Master Song's strength against the world guilds' strength, the thought alone was terrifying. According to what Master Song was implying, the exact ranking of the Red Eastern guild in the world hierarchy was number 97.

Ninety-seven. Out of hundreds, possibly thousands of guilds worldwide, they had clawed their way to 97th place, and it was apparently considered an achievement worth noting. But unfortunately, to Ryder and the others who had seen Master Song's strength firsthand, it made the achievement seem like it was worth nothing.

Despite their strength, it was nearly as if they had only managed to scrape into the top 100 by a single toe.

This disturbing realization made Ryder wonder: was he truly the only black marked summoner who successfully contracted a beast from the demon plane? Was he truly as powerful as he had thought himself to be? Just what in the world had given him such an absurdly inflated estimation of his own capabilities?

The questions multiplied every second in his mind, each more unsettling than the last. According to the world records that everyone had access to, Master Song was supposedly the only summoner who had contracted up to four familiars, each of them red marked monarchs.

Just how many secrets was the world concealing that no one knew? Could the assassins that massacred his parents somehow be related to some sort of guild?

Master Song's pace slowed almost imperceptibly. "Ryder, you should know this. The rankings I speak of include all known organizations that operate with enough power and influence to warrant global attention.

This includes traditional guilds, mercenary companies, certain government-sponsored groups, and..." he paused meaningfully, "organizations that prefer to operate in the shadows."

The information Master Song just revealed to him made him go deep in thought again, and none of the thoughts were particularly comforting.

Could the assassins that had massacred his parents somehow be related to these top-ranking guilds... the ones operating from the shadows? The possibility seemed increasingly likely.

There was no way some random group of killers would suddenly barge into his home, assassinate his parents with such precision that didn't alert the neighborhood, and then leave a mysterious letter behind—not unless they had serious backing and resources.

All this only happened shortly after he contracted his devil viper bunny.

Firstly, whoever had planned the attack had been aware of the fact that Ryder had contracted a black marked beast even before word of it had spread throughout the summoning community.

That level of intelligence gathering suggested either an extensive spy network or a powerful guild with enough resources. Either still linked back to 'those who worked from the shadows.'

Secondly, and more disturbingly, they could very well be in contact with demon monarchs from the demon plane itself. It could be any monarch, but most likely the Dracogon, given the writing on the letter and the crest.

All these puzzles being put together only made Ryder realize something; he was getting closer to the big picture.

"You've gone quiet," Master Song observed, glancing at Ryder with his red eyes. "Troubling thoughts?"

"Just processing," Ryder replied. "It's a lot of information to take in."

If certain individuals were truly in contact with demons or devils from the demon plane, Ryder reasoned, then they would also be receiving something considerable in return for their cooperation.

They could be obtaining beasts that the monarchs ruled over, while in exchange, they would be helping the monarchs accomplish their goals on Terra.

The arrangement was entirely plausible. If a monarch ordered their subjects to do anything, the demons and devils would comply without question or complaint. If a monarch ordered twenty of their subjects to serve and protect a single person from planet Terra, then those twenty demons would follow that command till the end.

With such a system in place, the traditional process of taming and contracting beasts wouldn't be necessary for individuals who had been granted demons or devils subject to their will through monarchical decree.

He only had one devil familiar; there could be someone out there with up to... or even more than twenty.

"That's a rather intense expression you're wearing," Leo commented, studying Ryder's face with hidden concern. "Should we be worried about what's going through your head right now?"

"Probably," Ryder admitted. "But let's focus on the present situation first. I'll share my theories later when we have more privacy."

The conclusion that he was the only black marked summoner who successfully contracted a beast from the demon plane would remain true, but that wouldn't mean he was the only one with a demon or devil under him.

There could be someone with demons and devils who might not even be a marked summoner, but one that had the resources to take him down.

After a long walk that lasted over an hour, they arrived at a destination that wasn't like the continuous towering structures that lined the street they had been walking by.

The building before them was a solid, imposing mansion that wasn't quite a duplex but was extremely large and featured such a high roof that it made all the surrounding structures seem like toy buildings by comparison.

The architecture was distinctly Eastern, with sweeping rooflines, complex woodwork, and other decorations that spoke of both wealth and traditional craftsmanship.

Before they got too close to the front entrance, the doors swung open smoothly. Not through any magical or technological means, but through the action of doormen who had been positioned there as guards and had spotted Master Song approaching from quite a distance away.

"Where are we?" Mara asked curiously as she stared around the building in awe.

For a brief moment, Master Song did not respond to her question, instead taking the time to nod acknowledgments to the doormen and gesture for his guests to follow him toward the entrance. Eventually, however, he did provide an answer.

"This is the North district of the Red Eastern guild headquarters. It is the portion designated for and inhabited by the Fan."

Leo immediately sulked with exaggerated despair. "I can smell another lecture cooking up," he said, stretching his mouth and looking like he was about to pout like a child, though he managed to restrain himself at the last moment.

Master Song turned to him with what could generously be described as a gentle smile, then continued with his explanation.

"The Red Eastern guild operates on a four-tier hierarchy system, as I believe I mentioned previously—Fan, Luo, Tian, and Sen. Each of the four divisions has its own designated district area, occupying the north, east, west, and south sections of our headquarters respectively."

He gestured broadly at the building before them and continued. "This northern area is the Fan district. This is where the Fan members' residential buildings, training facilities, and learning centers are located.

Everything here is built and maintained in a manner that reflects their level within our hierarchy, and if you care to venture a guess, it is the most moderate in terms of luxury and amenities when compared to the other three districts."

Brok looked around, confused at Master Song's rating of the area. Well, it wasn't his fault he couldn't relate to how this vicinity was considered average, given the fact that he grew up in the trenches.

"The eastern district," Master Song continued, "is occupied by the Luo. They enjoy an entirely different architectural style compared to the Fan district, reflecting their higher status within our organization.

However, just like here in the Fan district, all the buildings in the Luo area share identical design elements to maintain uniformity except for the Luo district headquarters."

"And I'm guessing the same principle applies to the Tian and Sen districts?" Mara asked, trying to shorten the explanation.

"Precisely correct. And at the southern end of this base, in the Sen district, is where I maintain my personal residence and offices. When you have urgent business with me, or when there's something absolutely necessary that requires my direct attention, you can always come to find me there."

"Wow," Brok commented, staring back through the wide opened towering door they had entered the building by. "You must have a fairly large number of members in this guild. There are several hundred buildings occupying the Fan district alone."

Master Song's gaze went cold as he stared at Brok, muttering his response like an insult, reminding him of his mark. "Yes, there are thousands of red marked summoners currently operating under the Red Eastern banner."

Brok gulped. At this point it didn't need any more confirmation to tell that he wasn't actually welcome, and with that, he took what he assumed was the best course of action.

He ended his enthusiastic nature towards the Red Eastern base and folded his arms behind his back.

This was it; he wouldn't be uttering any word anymore, he was determined.

As they approached the main entrance to the Fan district's central building, it became clear that their arrival had been prepared for.

From within the building's spacious interior, several Red Eastern Fan members were standing at attention in their formal attire.

They had arranged themselves in two parallel lines facing each other while maintaining a respectful corridor, and a luxurious red carpet had been spread along the floor leading from the entrance all the way to the far end of the reception hall.

At the far end of the carpet, elevated on a platform, was a massive chair built like a craftsman's masterpiece that could reasonably be described as a throne. Right in front of it stood a figure, but the moment Master Song crossed the doorway into the building, the figure suddenly made his move.

***

The figure in particular was the supreme ruler of the Fan division who had been waiting for Master Song's anticipated arrival, not even sitting as he waited just moments before.

The instant he detected Master Song's presence, he moved with supernatural quickness, covering several meters of distance in what seemed like a single rapid motion that left the air shimmering in his wake.

"Master Song, you are most welcome," the Fan leader said as he immediately dropped to the ground in a full prostration, displaying the kind of respect that reflected unwavering loyalty.