The tension in the room was suffocating as two great powers clashed in a silent exchange between eyes.
Minho's system came up.
[Pop-up Quest 2:
- For players own safety, do NOT engage in combat with the Monarch of Shadows!]
This was the exact same message he received when the Frost Monarch intruded his room. But Minho didn't see a need to 'not engage' when he was standing in front of the person that supposedly killed his predecessor. The message displayed by the system only annoyed him the more.
Just like when he heard the name Ashborn for the first, he felt a pang of anger in his chest and it was even worse now that he looked into the eyes of the face behind the name.
They were both about to start talking when a teacher went to them, thanking them for saving them and the students. "We're so grateful sirs. We can't thank the both of you enough for saving our lives."
Both Minho and Jinwoo suddenly realized they were in a classroom full of teenagers. Jinwoo though had a feeling Minho was going to attack them or most likely, would have been working with the orcs. A theory he made because he didn't see Minho attending to Song-Yi. But then again, why would Minho kill the orc? A trick?
"You're welcome," Minho replied the teacher, his expression blank as he forcefully hid his anger. "It's best you all go home for now. It's clear downstairs."
"Thank you again," the teacher said, bowing. More thanks flew from the corner where the students were as each tried to show their gratitude.
Jinwoo was caught by surprise at Minho's actions, making him doubt all he had come to believe.
Han Song-Yi came inside the classroom, limping from an injury she got when the orc hit her to the wall. Jinah rushed up to her and gave her a tight hug.
While both girls were having their moment and the rest of the class started a cacophony of murmurs about how scared they were, how cool both hunters were or comparing who was likely stronger, both Jinwoo and Minho were having their hushed communication.
"We need to talk," said Jinwoo.
"There is nothing to talk about," Minho replied. "You said all there was to say after sending your pests after me."
Jinwoo couldn't help but feel a little insulted when his shadows were called pests, but he did well to suppress all he was feeling for the sake of the civilians still around them. "You have questions to answer before it's too late."
"Better late than never," Minho spoke back flatly.
"It was not a request,"
"Well, I'm making it one. And if you insist, I won't even bother giving an answer, get it?" Minho tilted his head.
"I see you're as arrogant,"
"I can't remember if you were this slow at thinking,"
"Are you messing with my patient?"
"You're messing with mine, aren't you? You get what you give, no?"
Jinwoo clenched his fist, trying not to rage out as to not put the students in danger. It was an even fiercer battle for Minho who was addicted to violence, but the little drop of humanity kept him at bay.
Jinwoo stared at Minho for a bit. "Are you really Antares?"
Minho gave a thin smile, "What? Do you plan on killing me again?" He was acting like he was Antares so as to annoy Jinwoo the more.
Jinwoo raised a brow, now puzzled. "Kill you? Again?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Minho frowned.
'What does he mean? I clearly let him live. Though I heard the other Monarchs arrived after my departure. Did they try to kill Antares? That doesn't still explain why I'm to blame.' Jinwoo thought. "Do you have any idea what you're talking about?" he asked.
Minho also had his own thoughts. 'Is he trying to manipulate me now? Has he already realized I'm not really the Monarch of Destruction? It changes nothing. I still feel this pang of anger towards him. He really must be an enemy, just as the Monarch of Frost said.'
Minho looked Jinwoo dead in the eye. "Is this another mission the Rulers sent you on?" he muttered. Whatever he said was based on the little information he got from the Frost Monarch. He just mixed it up to his own understanding of the situation.
Jinwoo was now fully convinced that this wasn't Antares, just as Beru had reported, but before he could clap back or act, Song-Yi unknowingly interrupted their chat. "Hunter Lee Minho, thank you for… for saving my life," she said, her voice barely audible.
"No worries," Minho replied, now ignoring Jinwoo. "I see you took my advice and returned to school, huh?" He bent down to pick the fallen dagger.
"Y-yes, I did," Song-Yi nodded. "You c-can have it back. I-I don't think I should use it anymore."
Minho stood up and handed her the dagger. "Keep yourself safe. You never know how close you are to your enemy," Minho muttered, his eyes falling on Jinwoo.
Just then, Minho felt a strange feeling on his hand. It was Bihami, the slime. "Hm, what are you doing here?" Minho hummed.
[Bihami delivers a message from Vasha: "My Liege, there are two other dungeon gates inside this one. It's best you come see for yourself."]
'A gate inside a dungeon?' Minho thought. 'What does that mean?'
Minho turned, walking to the door, then he glanced over his shoulder at Jinwoo. "I hope our next meeting doesn't have to do with innocent people around. We'll have a better conversation." Without another word, Minho stepped out of the classroom and jumped down.
Jinwoo was about to follow him when Jinah tucked at his shirt. "I want to go home," she muttered.
Outside, Minho landed on the ground, leaving a small crater. Ignoring the hunters there, he decided to walk to the dungeon.
The hunters exchanged looks. It was one of the S-rank hunters announced yesterday. Then they looked up wondering who else was going to randomly fall from the sky?
Minho stepped into the dungeon with Bihami on his shoulder, hands deep inside his pockets. His mind was reeling. He only walked away from Jinwoo because of the innocent people that would get affected if the were to fight. What were his chances? He didn't care about that. He wanted to see how far he would go.
After a few steps, the gate sealed shut. Minho glanced over his shoulder. 'It was a red gate all this while? Why only become one after I entered?' he thought. It was as if the dungeon was specifically set for him. Something was most likely waiting, and he could tell.
[Pop-up Quest 2 Completed!]
Jinwoo came just as the gate closed. To him Minho had retreated, not that Minho got trapped inside. "So the attack was his doing all along? Hmm… something still doesn't sit right. But when did Antares start working with the Beast Monarch?"
Eventually, Minho met up with his three disciples who were still fighting off more orcs. To the left was a dungeon gate where more orcs came out of, and same went for the right.
Seeing Minho, Eslin quickly cleared off the remaining orcs and went on to bow with her knee in front of Minho. Same with Vasha and Rathalos.
"My Liege," Vasha spoke up first. "Should we enter the dungeons? We need your permission."
"Hm?" Minho raised a brow. "Why do you need permission to enter the gates?"
"Well, we thought it'd be best you knew the situation first," she replied.
Minho hummed again, stroking his chin. "Seeing a two dungeon gates inside a dungeon is strange after all."
More orcs started to pour out, but Rathalos handled them with ease.
Minho finally asked a question that had been disturbing him. "Oi, why do you guys fight like you're weak?"
"Eh?" Eslin blinked. Same with Vasha. Rathalos stopped in the middle of smashing the head of two orcs together.
The system replied his question in their stead.
[All summons under you have a 40% decrease from their full capacity. Their powers will be restored when you obtain the real Core of a Monarch.]
Well… this definitely wasn't what he expected. But on the other hand, what was the 'real Core of a Monarch' and how could he get it? The system gave no explanations.
Though his curiosity was quenched, the disciples also had an answer of their own.
"Well," Eslin started. "since you are trying to protect humans, using our powers to some extent will scare and even harm them. A dragon is no normal being, My dearest King."
Minho nodded, understanding their point. But, if the system was holding 40%, then this explanation from Eslin would only mean they still didn't use their powers to the 60% capacity.
"Ah, I see," he muttered. "Well, the dungeon sealed shut right after I came in. There's no need to worry about that anymore." Minho narrowed his eyes. "Go all out."
As if waiting for that to be said, bigger orcs started to appear from the gates, each at least an S-rank threat or above.
"Thank you, my Liege," Vasha gave an excited grin.
A massive amount of mana suddenly surged from each of his disciples, shocking Minho himself. This was just 60%?
Minho decided to sit on a stone as his disciples wrecked the threats. "Enjoying the fight, Mini boss?" Minho muttered, the name directed at Bihami.
The slime squinted.
[Bihami asks who the hell you are calling 'Mini boss?']
"That's it, your rent's expired," Minho said, shooting the slime off his shoulder with a flick of his finger. 'It sure does have its owner's personality.'
After a few of the high rank orcs fell, a screen popped up at the side of Minho's eye.
[Pop-up Quest Completed!]
Main Pop-up Quest was complete? That only meant…
[Accomplishment! Level 90 reached!
• Reward:
- Tale of the Dragon King, Antares.]