War Online

Time Traveler (Wil): So, did you trace the source?

Shadow Blade (Aster): Not yet, Young Master. But, we have a strong lead.

Time Traveler (Wil): What is it?

Shadow Blade (Aster): During the first four weeks, these hundred experts were members of different guilds from the Baernarta Kingdom. After the second major update, those guilds merged to form a guild named Predators.

"Predators? Isn't it the same giant guild that was completely destroyed by Supreme Conqueror because his girlfriend cheated on him with the guild leader of Predators?" Wil was surprised that this enemy that was targeting his guild members for the past few weeks is none other than Predators.

He used to look up at it in the past, mainly because of their sheer manpower and how they used to give trouble to Bran and his Empire.

But, now, all he wanted is to put a stop to them once and for all.

Previously, before the war started, when the ambushes were happening he gave the job to Aster to find out their source.

After that, the war has begun and he became busy with several matters inside the game and in the real world. Moreover, the ambushes were also stopped.

So, he gradually forgot about their existence.

However, when he read the message from Snow Dew who is claiming that she was constantly encountering ambushes from a group of experts for the past three days, Wil took it seriously.

As he confronted Aster regarding the matter, the latter reported everything that he had collected so far.

Wil was thankful that even after being busy looking after Scarlet and her family back at Wular and Ares cities, this supposed personal bodyguard of his was still in contact with his scouts as well as Galaxy Net to gather enough information.

He felt like this matter would probably be discussed by Kiyumi during the dinner if he didn't request her to not talk about the game in front of his siblings.

Back to the present, Aster continued to send the information that he gathered.

Shadow Blade (Aster): Predators guild is a level-11 guild with over 57843 members based in Baernarta kingdom. The guild leader Redemption Rider was close to the King of Baernarta and is of Marquis Nobility.

Shadow Blade (Aster): There are rumors that the Tojo clan is backing the guild. They are a powerful Yakuza family with a wide range of networks. Tojo clan used to supply arms and drugs for us in the past. Fifteen years ago, they fell out with Lord Philip and started to trade with Antonio's family.

Shadow Blade (Aster):

According to our spies at Predators, none of those hundred experts belong to any guild. Still, many of them spotted doing dungeon records with the Elites of Predators guild. I highly suspect the Tojo clan is behind the attack.

Time Traveler (Wil): Okay, I got it. All I need you to do is to confirm Redemption Rider is the one that was relaying the orders. 

Shadow Blade (Aster): There's something else, Young Master.

Time Traveler (Wil): What is it?

Shadow Blade (Aster): After the Everton and Forlond kingdoms were annexed by the Kingdom of Baernarta, the Predators guild developed several branches into the new cities. Do you know who was appointed as Guild branch manager as well as the unofficial head for the whole region of Everton?

Time Traveler (Wil): Do I know this person?

Shadow Blade (Aster): Yes. It is Miss Rodin.

"Eh?" Wil was taken aback. "Cherry?"

Time Traveler (Wil): Are you sure it is Cericia?

Shadow Blade (Aster): Yes, Ms. Kiyumi confirmed her identity. I believe Ms. Rodin might be behind this, considering her personality.

"A daughter of Western continent's Police department's chief was working for Yakuza?" At first, Wil thought it was strange but then, remembering how she was his ex-fiancée, he believed that it will not be any miracle even if she was engaged to the Tojo clan's heir.

Such a thought made him wonder whether that Police chief has a fetish for establishing relationships with gangs or something.

Throwing the useless thoughts away, Wil sent an order.

Time Traveler (Wil): Okay, we need to put her in surveillance too. Confirm who is giving the order. Is it Cericia or is it their guild leader? And also, I'll be finishing my things here and return to the capital within a couple of days. Go to the palace and relay the message to Supreme Commander Gerrad. 

***

After finishing the conversation with Aster, Wil opened the map. It showed a tiny island sitting in the middle of an endless blue Ocean.

As he expanded the area, several landscapes were displayed on the holographic screen.

As the entire island was surrounded by the mountain ranges, Wil had no choice but to search its name one by one until he finally found the Valfair mountain range.

"Oh! This mountain range is quite near. According to the scale, it might be around 1500-2000 kilometers away. I can cover that distance within 7 hours round trip if I fly with maximum speed. Or I can just summon the Pegasus to reach the place quickly.

The invasion will happen tomorrow morning. So, there are still more than 15 hours. It is enough for me to finish the quest. And once the Dragon King is finished, Hehehe…" Wil grinned, imagining how he's controlling the entire dragon island.

He quickly left the room and went downstairs.

As the city lord went out to see how the preparations of evacuation are going on, Wil spoke to the steward to relay the message to Wendell that he had urgent business to attend and will return by midnight.

Exiting the mansion, Wil flapped his wings and flew towards the east where the Dragon King was kept imprisoned.

After traveling for more than 30 minutes, Wil reached a place where there are no dragon settlements.

He then summoned the Pegasus and flew towards the destination like a rocket. 

30 minutes later;

*neigh* the fire Pegasus neighed as it stopped.

*Ding! Your vision has been restored.

As the darkness before Wil was cleared, it revealed a beautiful sight of snowcapped mountains, lush green forests, and mirror lakes amidst them.

However, the only issue is that Wil couldn't spot a single cave from the sky.

"The quest description clearly mentioned the place was Valfair mountain caves. That would mean there should be a group of caves here. Should I get down and search each mountain? It will take…"

As Wil fell into thoughts on how to find the quest location, suddenly, something clicked in his mind. "That's right. How could I have forgotten such an easy method? I even used this tactic so many times in the past."

Raising his hand, Wil then spoke, "Summon, Leon."

*Roar*

Followed by a powerful roar that echoed across the surroundings, a familiar winged white lion appeared before him while flapping its wings.

Maybe, it's his illusion but Wil felt as if this favorite battle companion of his seemed very lively as it flew towards him like a flash and crashed onto his chest, making him almost fell from his mount.

Leon then brushed its giant face against Wil's neck as a form of affection and asked for a head rub with a low gurgle.

Wil grinned as he caressed its mane before dismissing the fire Pegasus and jumping onto its back. He didn't know why but it really felt like he was meeting a real pet.

He knows that the higher grade pets were designed in a way close to real pets, but he never saw another beast like Leon that shows its feelings of missing its master because of the time gap. No pets would actually know the time difference where it spent in pet space.

Leon's behavior made Wil remember the little dragon princess Iphi. Until now, he treated it like an NPC. So, he didn't feel weird when her mood changed drastically because of the time she spent inside the gourd. 

Since he never had mythic grade battle companions in the past life, he assumed whether they are probably designed that way like an NPC.

Caressing the back of its neck, Wil said, "Leon, there's someone hiding here. I need you to sniff out strong targets around us. The targets that even make you feel threatened."

Leon turned its head many times while sniffing. Within a minute, it raised its head a little and glared at its 2 o'clock for a few seconds before letting out a powerful roar once again.