“GAAAAAAAAAH!” Julius writhed in pain on the top of a bed within a small, isolated room. This was the backlash from reconstructing his human body after his transformation into an elemental.

“Even in death you have the audacity to haunt me, Alistair!” he wailed in agony while thrashing his body about.

The space within the room distorted, and another figure appeared within the room, standing next to the bed while looking down at the pitiable Julius.

“What do you want, Schwarz?!” Julius snapped at him. He clearly wasn’t in the mood for a get-together.

“I have a proposition for you, Julius,” Schwarz’s voice eerily sounded out.

“Proposition? What could you offer that could possibly interest me?” Julius arched his eyebrow in interest.

“Allow me to experiment on your most promising disciple, and I will rid you of your backlash,” Schwarz said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

Anger filled Julius, and just as he was about to ardently refuse the impudent suggestion, Schwarz placed a hand on the black mask covering his face, slowly removing it.

Julius’ face changed into one of utter disbelief.

“You are…! I see… So Schwarz was only an alias, hahaha! Who would have thought that the Sovereign of Poison was actually Sieghart the Black Blood!” Julius laughed madly at the revelation despite the pain running through his body.

Julius had seen the face beneath the mask many times in the past. Only, it was a face that could only be seen within records and history books. Sieghart the Black Blood, the founder of the Jaegers, groups of notorious criminal mercenaries that would take on any task for the right price. Their sphere of influence rooted itself deeply within the immortal community, with the “right price” for immortals being more than just money. Often known as the natural enemies of the Adventurer’s Association, Jaegers would kill their parents and betray their comrades without batting an eyelid if it benefitted them. It was said that the founder of the notorious Jaegers, Sieghart the Black Blood, had vanished without a trace centuries ago. Why would he appear again in Paragon now of all times?

(Why would he reveal his identity to me? Does this have any deeper meaning? Am I overthinking things? There’s more to Paragon than just “exterminating demons.” Unity…? Ha! A guild member tried to take my life just moments before! It appears that everyone, including the leader and Sieghart, have their own hidden agendas) countless thoughts raced through Julius’ mind in an instant. A guild where its members held the bare minimum of trust for one another.

Julius’ initial inclination to decline the proposition changed at the revelation of Schwarz’s true identity.

“Fine. I accept your proposal, Schwarz! You may take them!” Julius held no care whatsoever for his disciples, aside from Zieg who was the son of his good friend, they were all little more than disposable pawns to him.

Neither Schwarz nor Julius knew that their exchange at this time would lead to the creation of an absolute monster, the person to be acknowledged by Caljeal in the future that would threaten to bring Zieg and the world to its knees.