"You mean you want to finish off that monstrous dude wandering around? I can feel his power from here!"

Timos seriously said as he faced the docile 'X'.

"I would need at least two more of the Twelve to take him down and they need to be battle-oriented. There's also that maniac with him, it'll be suicidal."

The Black Devil was speaking about the Nameless Knight, who's strong enough to cause one of the Twelve to feel threatened.

"We don't need to kill him, just bind him for some time."

'X' carefully explained, hoping Timos would aid him.

"You're saying he's not aware of it? Hm, he certainly doesn't look like he knows."

The brown-haired man rubbed his small beard while monitoring the very faraway Leiu. After pondering for a while, Timos sighed and said:

"Nah nah, I've retired. His aura alone is creeping me out. I will hand you the orb but it's up to you if you get it out of him."

He waved his hand, retrieving a purple orb which lacked its past-luster and the archaic aura, nonetheless, 'X' still took it, feeling slightly excited.

"The Dark Blade devoured most of the powers inside but I don't think you'll need those. You just need its primary function, the power to extract anything."

"Yes, thank you for your help. I will not forget it."

'X' stood up, respectfully bowed before leaving, though he didn't forget to throw one last cursory glance at the quiet blue-haired girl.

Once the stalker disappeared, Timos stared at the rising sun and the orange sky, his hands unconsciously clenching the branch in his hand, snapping it in half.

"O'Sol'khin, it seems you finally met your match. As your father, I'll personally visit you when you're sent to Hell."

****

"Fuck."

The woman couldn't help but curse as she stared at the tower before her eyes. It was blood-red and had massive card symbols on all four sides of it. To dizzying height it rises, the gleaming spire, its tip threatening to pierce the blinding canopy. This 'chef-d'oeuvre' is the Red tower created by the joined forces of the Joker and the Nameless Knight but its official owner is Wolfram. It is a masterpiece that surpasses everything in this multiverse. It contains vast worlds, bigger than one's imagination, dangerous trials that, if completed, reward you with treasures that would make even Exalted Gods swoon.

Only those who received the invitation can enter it and participate and, in fact, there weren't many people invited. This woman, a renowned blacksmith called Losha, Lucy's previous master, already arrived at her destination. She was one of the lucky few who were given the red envelope and can do nothing but wait till this much-awaited event begins.

The Joker didn't specify when but he said it'll be soon and since she has got nothing to do, she decided to come here. She was a bit interested in the Celestial Tribulation but decided not to go as it'll be quite noisy there.

The zone around the Red Tower is called, by the Joker, 'the Tutorial' and, apart from her, there was only one person waiting. He was covered in a gray robe and even his face was hidden but it's not like she was that interested in him. Despite being only a God Monarch, Losha was still a reincarnator and can easily content with Exalted Gods, however, she felt uncomfortable every time she looked at this hooded-individual, purposefully choosing to stay as far away from him as possible.

Every person invited to this competition is definitely someone powerful. It didn't matter what their status are, as long as they met the Joker's requirement, they can enter, which is why Losha didn't dare drop her guard. It won't be surprising to see people trying to eliminate potential threats before even entering, after all, it's not a prohibited thing.

*****

Right outside of the luminous city, the sky darkened and the atmosphere became gloomy. The large wraith wanted to fly higher but the creeping darkness shackled while Zodiak's flew at it and struck it with his hands. He was holding two black whirlpools which spun and sucked everything inside, like a black hole. His face was twisted and very pale as he pushed the whirlpools toward the large wraith, slowly yet surely sucking its life-force.

It wildly shrieked and waved its illusory hands, flinging Zodiak's away and causing him to crash on the ground. He didn't seem to mind it as he flew at it again, his hand unleashing a jet black vortex which flew on its, setting itself high-up in the sky.

The long-range of effect of the vortex along with the change in weather alerted the city, resulting in armed patrols and flying machines to come within minutes. Zodiak was like a raging beast, conjuring chains which bound the wraith then bombarded it with flying dark spears and water-like waves of Dark Magic.

The place turned into an inky blackness where the earth and sky couldn't be seen, the only visible thing was the struggling Wraith, which perished after bitterly and persistently trying to free itself. When the monster finally disappeared, a talisman appeared, it looked ordinary as it laid on the corrupt ground. The Dark Magic in the surroundings had an immediate effect on it as it instantly turned black and plastered itself on Zodiak's chest, soon going inside of him.

It seemed the shock from the talisman was too much for Zodiak as he fell on the ground, violently shaking, unaware that more than a hundred humans circled the area, their weapons raised and pointed at him and Aneirin.

Through a loudspeaker, a human male wearing a black suit meant for battling spoke to the duo:

"Surrender!"

Hearing no answer, he shouted again:

"Raise your hands and get on your knees."

Seeing the swarm of people ready to fire at him and Zodiak, Aneirin panicked. He raised his hand and walked closer to Zodiak, who remained unresponsive.

"Shit shit, we're in trouble."

The bard glanced at the small buzzing objects flowing in the air. They were releasing red lasers which covered his body, frustrating the poet and making him hesitant. This small army got closer to the duo, their advanced firearms never leaving their targets.

Clearly not wanting to be captured, Aneirin waited for the perfect moment and waved his hand, throwing a white powder around him. The second he did that, everyone fired at them but the lasers and bullets hit nothing but air.

The confused soldiers and machines searched the blackened area but found no signs of the two strangers, only countless debris and several small craters.

…

A long-distance from the luminous city, Aneirin appeared next to a pond. He threw Zodiak's body to the side and angrily cursed:

"These unsophisticated humans! They fired at me, the nerve!"

He looked at his costume, which was riddled with holes. Right under it, there was a golden armor which blocked most of the bullets but it looked a bit damaged.

"I even used the Mortal Ashes! What a waste."

The bard glanced at the comatose Zodiak then let out a sigh. After pondering for a while, he undressed and jumped in the pond, wanting to take a sunny bath and get rid of all the accumulated dust and dirt.