At the same time, somewhere far away.

Nightmare was looking beyond the ocean from the coast. Next to him was his great brother, Fumes.

As the last Thousand-pupils Collector and strongest to ever be, he had seen far more than most beings of this world. Yet, never before had he seen someone successfully go beyond the 30th stage by assimilating the Fear element.

…Aside from him…

Brother Fumes asked him: “What’s there out here that makes you smile so much, Brother Nightmare?”

Nightmare turned around and gazed deeply at his most trusted comrade. The monster in humanoid shape was leaking purple smoke all over as usual. He turned back his gaze towards the horizon as he answered: “I finally have a true disciple”

Fumes brow rose.

It was unexpected. For Nightmare to bring that kind of thing up…He always tried to get a disciple but never found any decent ones.

Well, his requirements were sky-high.

But to think one managed to get his acknowledgement… Fumes looked towards the ocean and asked: “Is he a sea dweller?”

Nightmare shook his head as he stated: “He is a land dweller. He was human at first, I believe”

“At first?” questioned Fumes.

Nightmare nodded and added: “Traces of corruption surrounded him when we first met. And the next two times, there were also traces of monstrousness”

Fumes nodded as he admitted: “Quite interesting”

Nightmare pointed forward as he said: “He’s on a lower continent right now. I plan to go meet someone to give him a little help”

Fumes sighed: “So this is where we part ways”

“For now” said Nightmare.

Fumes asked: “What do you need me to do?”

Nightmare grinned: “Get the Clown out. Then wake up the Chaos”

Fumes laughed: “Ahahah, alright, this will be fun. …How about the crawler?”

Nightmare shook his head: “We would not be able to find him even if we tried. I’m quite sure he will find us himself once we begin”

Fumes nodded. It made sense. The Crawler was a weirdo even amongst their group. He was strong and trustworthy though.

Fumes began to walk away as he said: “I will be taking my leave first, brother Nightmare”

Nightmare nodded: “Let us meet at the Low Point”

Fumes waved his hand before disappearing.

Nightmare returned to grinningly watch the ocean.

Moments later, he was no longer there.

…

When he reappeared, he was standing on an island.

As soon as he stepped foot on it, many people surrounded him. They were seven and all at the 69th stage.

He chuckled as he stated: “Take me to the Greedy siblings”

They nodded and escorted him.

As they moved, Nightmare whistled: “The world’s greatest casino is still as impressive as ever.

Soon, he was led into it and further in. All the way into a gigantic room with nothing but two golden sofas.

He went straight to lounge into one lazily. It was quite comfy.

Moments later, two people entered from the opposite door. A man and a woman, both wearing a golden armor adorned with all kinds of precious gems.

Nightmare waved at them: “Alexia! Alexander! My favorite couple! It’s been such a long time! How are you two?”

Alexander frowned while Alexia snickered: “Stop that act, Nightmare. Why did you come here?”

Nightmare spread his arms wide and smiled: “Why, oh why? Am I not welcomed here? I recall this here being a neutral territory”

Alexander nodded: “It is. We just do not like you personally”

Nightmare faked pain: “This hurts me deeply, I always considered you as my great friends!”

“Just get to the fucking point” stated Alexia coldly as she and her brother sat on the couch.

“Alright, alright~” waved Nightmare before adding: “I come here for a very simple thing. I want the two of you to forget about someone”

Alexia and Alexander frowned: “Who?”

“Some youngling you sent to hide in Vrislorin”

They frowned deeper.

Nightmare laughed: “Why? Are you surprised? Did you think no one was aware of your little game?”

Alexander stated: “Don’t interfere”

Nightmare sat straighter as he inclined himself forward. Gone was the smile. Disappeared was the friendliness.

He coldly stated: “Either you leave my disciple alone or I will end the both of you”

Alexia chuckled: “You? Don’t overestimate yourself!”

He retorted: “Who would help neutrals if they are attacked by the entire forces of one side? Hmm?”

The couple frowned.

Nightmare continued: “I am not here to negotiate, kids. I am ordering you to back the fuck off while I remain reasonable”

Alexander could no longer tolerate it and arrogantly stated: “Come at us why don’t you then?! We could simply ally ourselves to the other side then! See where it will get your side!”

Nightmare frowned.

The balance was stable but fragile. If those two did indeed pick the other side, his own would be two supreme experts less…

He tapped his chin as he pondered before he stated: “How about this then? Since confrontation between us old ones will only create problems…why don’t we have the kids themselves settle it?”

Alexander was ready to rebuke him harder when Alexia stopped him and asked instead: “What exactly do you mean?”

He smirked: “I will send five people and you can send five each for a grand total of 10! Whoever brings him back gets ownership! What do you think? Are the odds not in your favor?”

She smirked back: “You forgot that he already belongs to us right now. This game has nothing worth it for us to take part in”

Nightmare smiled as he took out a weapon from his spatial ring and placed it in the middle of them.

He said: “My bet will be this. The sword of endless resentment”

The eyes of the greedy couple flashed with desire.

Their cultivation of the greed element to such a realm made them unable to refuse such a deal…

And so, they accepted the bet.

And a contract was drafted.