Chapter 166: Aura
Hades couldn’t believe his eyes. The same man who had traveled with him, guided him to the guild, and even helped him get his license—was none other than the master of the Hunter’s Guild.
Every guild member who had rushed in to stop the fight between Hades and Alazar bowed their heads the moment the man stepped forward, a grin stretching across his face.
Alazar’s face turned pale as he realized Hades knew him.
"Why... why would someone like you be the Leader?"
"How rude!" Brad scolded, his tone sharp. "You brat, learn to respect your elders."
Hades gave a wry smile. "Oh yeah? Then let me pay my respect."
The bindings around his body split apart as crimson spikes burst out from his skin.
"Wha—you!" The man restraining him cried out. But before he could make another move, Brad raised his hand and stopped him.
The shaved-haired leader looked down at Hades.
For a few moments, the two simply stared at each other before Brad spoke.
"You know I can stop you from killing him, right?"
Hades smiled faintly. "This isn’t about anything else, Mister. It’s about my pride. I won’t let him live past today."
Brad’s eyes narrowed. "I’ve had my suspicions about you from the start."
"T-That’s right! Kill him, Gui—kheaaaak!" Alazar tried to scream, but his cry was cut short. His broken arm was torn away in an instant.
"Mmmffhh!" His mouth was covered before he could shout again. The blond man who had severed his arm leaned close, whispering coldly, "Don’t you dare interrupt him again."
Hades froze. A chill ran down his spine.
That man... he had no presence.
Even though Hades could see him kneeling there, holding Alazar down with ease, he couldn’t feel a trace of his existence.
Brad didn’t bother glancing behind him as he spoke.
"State your affiliation, and I’ll hand him over to you."
Hades met his gaze without hesitation.
"I won’t."
He wasn’t here to make friends or reveal himself. He had come as a traveler, and no matter the situation, he would not betray that role. Not because he feared for himself, but because his mother had made him promise this mission would stay under the radar.
He wasn’t going to break that promise.
RUMBLE
The ground beneath his feet trembled.
Hades’s senses screamed in alarm as an overwhelming wave of mana surged over him, pressing down like a mountain. His eyes widened.
He had never felt such power before.
This presence... it dwarfed even the Duke-ranked opponent he once fought. He was way stronger than Averis as well.
In front of this man, all his training and growth seemed meaningless.
"I’ll ask you again," Brad said, his voice carrying the weight of his aura. "Who is backing you? Who sent you here? If you want to walk out alive, tell me."
Hades bit his lip until the taste of iron filled his mouth. But he didn’t flinch. He didn’t look away.
In a steady, unwavering voice, he said,
"I won’t tell you."
Alazar, who had been shaking in panic, felt a spark of hope at the growing tension.
’Yes... yes! Keep pushing him! Make him angry! That’ll be your end—’
His thoughts froze when Brad suddenly placed a hand on Hades’s shoulder.
Instead of exploding, the Guild Leader broke into laughter.
"Bahahahahaha!"
Those who knew him well weren’t surprised by the sudden outburst.
Behind Alazar, the blond man sighed and shook his head. "There he goes again..." he muttered.
Hades blinked, thrown off. His claws were only inches away from tearing into Brad, yet the hostility had dissolved into casual humor. Tilting his head, he tried to make sense of the sudden shift.
Brad patted Hades’s shoulder, his grin widening.
"You’re just like her. You act so much like Kaly."
Hades blinked in confusion. "Who?"
Brad’s laughter slowly faded, replaced by a softer tone.
"I worked under your mother for more than three years. If not for her, I wouldn’t even be standing here."
Hades froze. The revelation hit harder than any attack. Brad... had known from the very beginning.
Those crimson locks—too distinct, too impossible to mistake—had given him away.
"...So that’s why you helped me?"
Brad smirked. "Exactly. But don’t forget—you still owe me a meal."
Hades let out a short, wry smile. "Since you already knew who I was, why all the drama?"
Brad’s grin widened into something fiercer.
"Because I wanted to see it for myself. To see if you really had what it takes to be called the son of the strongest woman I’ve ever met. And guess what, kid? You passed. No matter how bad things get—you don’t back down, and you sure as hell don’t kneel."
Hades sighed quietly, his lips pressed together. This time, he chose silence.
Turned out, his mother actually helped him.
Brad then turned towards Alazar, who had already fainted, and said, "Well, he is a criminal who deserves no less punishment than death. So, why not do the honors?"
Hades nodded before stepping forward.
His claws extended before he plunged them into the wolf’s chest and stabbed its heart.
The wolfkin withered even in his unconscious state but his movement paused and then stopped once his heart was punctured.
Hades pulled his hand and, using his claws, he severed the wolf’s head in a clean sweep.
Taking his head, Hades got up and turned to face Brad, "My job is done here. You can do whatever you want with the rest."
His mission ends here.
His first quest was...half sucessful, he would say.
However, what matters is that he has the head of the man he came for.
Taking a few steps away from the crowd, Hades called out,
’Peri...how are things there?’
There was no response, making his heart heavy.
He called out again, ’Peri? Are you there?’
Again, no response.
He was aware that she was about to face Gerald and bring him down for what he has done.
And for her to not be responding to his calls at such a crucial time, naturally, he would be worried.
However, before he could have contacted Luna, he heard the familiar voice,
[You won’t mind seeing a few scars on me, right?]
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.