Chapter 598 - 598. A Challenge From A Past Friend

In a rocky terrain under Sangrod's eternal night, Jack was climbing and traversing around the rocky hills to reach Saint Edge's headquarters, Saints Seat, undetected. He had unsummoned Pandora a while ago, activated the orb of concealment, and approached on foot.
The areas around Saints Seat were mainly grasslands with only one side blocked by irregular rocky hills. Heavenly Citadel was more beneficial in terms of landscape compared to this headquarters. Jack had chosen these irregular rocky hills as the place to approach because these hills were difficult to be traveled by large forces. Hence, it should have fewer guards. A few ones that came near could easily be avoided using his radar.
After some journey, Saints Seat finally came into view. The size and numbers of structures around the main building didn't lose to Heavenly Citadel. They also had walls built around their headquarters. He saw from a distance a few patrols around the grasslands.
"So few patrols," Jack mumbled. "I would have thought they are increasing their defenses in preparation for our retaliation."
"Maybe they know Jeanny has to deal with Wicked Witches' challenge today so they know we can't spare forces to attack them," Peniel offered her thought.
"Hm… maybe. Or maybe they are underestimating us. In any case, this should give me an easier time trying to sneak in."
After observing the situation, Jack continued forward. When he was close to the edge of the rocky hill, a lone black dot entered his radar. Saint Edge had been registered as an enemy guild after taking their guild hostage token. Until this setting was manually changed, any Saint Edge's members would appear as black.
Why was this patrol all alone? Jack wondered.
Jack stayed still and watched this dot on his radar. It was not moving.
Perhaps it was just a random member coming out to hunt monsters but was now taking a rest, Jack thought. After a while, he decided to ignore this lone dot. He was just about to continue moving again when suddenly a lot of black dots accompanied by red dots appeared on his radar. They were coming from all directions, converging on him, even from his back. He could even hear the rumbling of their march now.
"They found out my position?" Jack was dumbfounded. He looked at his Orb of Concealment. It was still active. Yet, the incoming dots were clearly gunning at him.
After thinking for a while if he should force his way through, he decided to just wait for them. He moved to a place with more open grounds but still have nearby rocky hills where he could play hide and seek if situations called for it. He stood on one of the large rocks as he waited.
Soon, he saw uncountable players enter his vision. Some of them were native soldiers. These forces stopped some distance from him, they didn't attack on the spot. They didn't say anything to him as well. They just stood there and watched. Jack recognized some familiar faces, William of Wellington, Radiant Phoebe, Happy Felix.
"As expected, you come," Jack heard a familiar voice. He turned to that voice and saw a formerly trusted friend.
"How do you know I am here?" Jack asked.
"If you mean how I know despite you are using the Orb of Concealment which I'm sure Jeanny gave to you. It is because I have its counter," John said and showed him a blue color orb.
"It's the Orb of Detection," Peniel informed.
"Are you that single player who I saw on my radar?" Jack asked.
"Yes. Once my orb negated your orb, you also appear on my radar," John said as he tapped the God-eye monocle Jack had given him.
"Are you waiting for me?"
"It is apparent, isn't it? I have Saint Edge's force hidden someplace away. Once you appeared, I give them the signal to move."
"What's the point? You should know that large force makes no difference to me. I can easily punch through to escape if needed."
"Such bold words!" One amongst the crowd uttered. "I've heard about your exploits. How about we cross some swords. I'm very eager to find out if you are every bit as the legends as you are said to be."
Jack didn't know the person. Jack used Inspect on him and found out his name was Silas Woodhacker, a level 45 Weapon Master. Should be one of Saint Edge's top experts, but Jack was not interested in a random scuffle at the moment.
"Stand down, Silas. Do not interrupt me again," John said.
"Yes, young master. Forgive my blunder," Silas uttered with a slight bow.
"Young master…? You truly have fooled us," Jack said.
"Didn't I tell you I am the heir to Saint Edge?" John said.
"Didn't you also say that you don't like the way the old man does things? So you left?"
John shrugged. "Now I've returned."
The two stared at one another in silence for a while, before Jack spoke again, "tell me. Have you been planning to betray us from the start? Since we started forming the guild? I find it hard to believe this is all planned."
"Well, I must admit I do enjoy hanging out with you people, but it was never meant to be permanent. I was just having fun. That's what you always say, right? Fun."
"Is that really why?" Jack asked with a scowl.
"I'm sorry. Did you come all this way just to ask that? I'm sorry to disappoint you. You want to know why I did what I did? Let's just say I always know one day I will return to Saint Edge. What better gift to bring for my return than a Guild Hostage Token from the former guild I helped build? Why don't you people just take it as my pension?"
"That pension is too overpriced. How about this? You give our Guild Hostage Token back and let me kill you one time, and we call it even?"
"Hehe, I like it when you make a joke. Even when it isn't remotely funny," John said. "Come, let me challenge you to a duel."
"Oh? Are you also learning to make jokes now? But I'm afraid I have to tell you that your effort flops with flying color."
John took out his staff and said to everyone, "Move back! Give us some room." Everyone did so.
"What? You are being serious?" Jack asked with astonishment.
"Of course I am," John said.
"… What trick are you cooking?" Jack asked.
"It's a duel. What trick can I use?" John asked back.
"Cut the crap! Ask them to attack already. We both know you are just good at strategizing. I'm going to mow you down in no time if you face me directly."
John looked back to the others and said, "None of you are allowed to aid me! No matter what! This is a fair duel. The two of us will fight uninterrupted until one of us perishes. Do you get me?!"
Some of the crowd looked at each other first, but eventually, everyone nodded.
Seeing the crowd's reaction, Jack didn't think this was planned beforehand, which made him even more puzzled. But he didn't bother to contemplate too much about it. He only needed to attack John, then whatever plan the guy had up his sleeve would be revealed.
Jack's sword and staff appeared in his hands. He was just about to lunge when John yelled, "Hold!"
"What? Didn't you want a duel?" Jack asked.
"Yes, but give me a bit of time to prepare please," John said and started casting.
Jack did wait.
The spectators didn't know what to make of the scene. Why would someone ask for a wait when he had been the one that had so passionately thrown a challenge? And why did the opponent so willingly wait for his challenger to cast his spells?
John finished his casting and a humanoid figure with no facial feature appeared. It was garbed in medium armors and held two longswords. Jack recognized the spell. It was the Avatar Incarnation like the one cast by Master. Peniel had explained after the Liguritudum incident that the spell was the exclusive spell a summoner received after passing the trial on the first try.
"The equipment that thing wears, are they the ones I put into guild's warehouse?" Jack asked.
"Yes. I should thank you for all this rare-grade equipment," John answered. The Avatar Incarnation spell was a special one as the summoner could strengthen the avatar by giving it players' equipment.
Jack scowled. He was about to attack when John again yelled for him to hold.
"What now? Are you not done yet?" Jack asked.
"Not yet! Be patient please, a couple more spells," John answered and cast another spell. The spectators didn't even bother asking why anymore.
Another spell was completed and a giant lizard appeared. Peniel informed him that it was a similar spell to Master's Flame Salamander. Master's version was a modified one using a fire seed.
John continued casting another spell. Jack folded his arms and waited. In his opinion, it didn't matter how many minions John summoned. He would still finish the fight in a short time.
Seven child-sized humanoid creatures made of dirt came out of the ground. John was a level 44 Summoner, Jack had asked Peniel about his standard spells when John was still casting. These small humanoid creatures were Dirt Golems, Summoner's level 35 spell. The standard level 1 of the spell should summon only five golems. John being able to summon seven meant he had upgraded the spell to at least level 8, because every four levels added another golem to the spell.
For a Summoner's level 40 spell, it was Summon Fae. When it was cast, a small creature with wings slightly larger than Peniel appeared. Its appearance was grotesque and it didn't look as friendly as Peniel. This Fae was capable of range attacks.
Done with his available summons, John said to Jack, "It's time for you to taste my might."
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