Chapter 287: Dominic’s Astonishment

March 22, 2027.

Enzo currently led fifty thousand of his Guild members at the Southern Border.

They used their Guild’s mount—a legendary horse species that grew in the cold lands of the North.

The first Mythical Horse acquired by the Guild was ridden by Dominic Baxter, the Guild’s bow and arrow.

The S-ranker who had joined the Monster Hunters Guild.

The horse’s graceful appearance struck the other members with awe.

However, Dominic appeared cold and aloof.

He was in his late forties, truly one of the youngest S-rankers in the Empire’s history.

It was even more astonishing when every player learned that Dominic was the first archer to reach S-rank.

Even the Imperial Family granted him the rank of Imperial Champion—equivalent to High General.

However, Dominic politely declined and simply asked the Imperial Family to freely order him to deal with S-rank monsters.

Ever since he joined the Monster Hunters Guild, the Imperial Family had not bothered him anymore, protecting Dominic’s peace.

Dominic had been proactive in the Guild lately, helping its members, especially their Guildmaster, fight against monsters.

He was even able to help thousands of archers from the Guild complete their class advancements.

Which made Enzo truly grateful to him.

As they rode their horses side by side, with their mounts having a distinct difference due to their ranks, Enzo asked, "Are you not interested in joining my brother?"

Dominic shook his head. "I told you, I don’t want to fight against demons."

"Why not?"

"I prefer not to die by their grotesque hands. I’d rather die fighting a dragon."

His eyes sparkled.

His obsession with killing the Ice Mythical Dragon was no longer new to Enzo.

"Also, you possess more potential than your brother."

"That’s not true."

"It is. You just haven’t seen him fighting."

Dominic remained silent, but Enzo was certain that Dominic didn’t believe him.

He still recalled how Dominic became interested in him after he killed a mid-tier Legendary Monster, equivalent to a mid-tier Demon Lord.

After he had single-handedly fought it and won while still at B-rank, Dominic ignored the Ice Mythical Dragon and chatted with him.

Even the Ice Mythical Dragon’s gaze had landed on Enzo, creeping fear into him and sending chills down his spine.

Enzo and Dominic didn’t continue talking anymore, while Enzo was certain that Dominic would definitely change his mind once he personally met his brother.

When they arrived at the Southern Border, some Demon Hunters and their Guild members quickly interacted.

Despite their previous solemn countenances, their interaction with another Guild instantly bloomed, invigorating the Southern Border.

The Southern Border’s territory had expanded ever since they won the war.

There were newly constructed villages that functioned the same as Greyfen Village before, reclaiming the Empire’s lost territory.

Despite the expansion after winning the war, the influence of demons remained, especially since the former territory of the Empire was not covered by the Authority of Salvation.

The Authority of Salvation had limits.

Further expansion would result in a huge decrease in the efficiency of its Authority, given that the only bearers of the Authority of Salvation were the followers of the deceased SSS-rank human.

In the newly constructed town, just at the edge of the new Southern Border, Max welcomed Enzo outside the gate.

Max was accompanied by the Former Emperor.

Knowing that Dominic accompanied Enzo, the Former Emperor suddenly thought of meeting him.

The Former Emperor could still vividly remember the gifted child he had encountered in a rural village.

At such a young age, he was actually hunting an Alpha creature with just his wooden bow and arrow.

If it were not for his interruption, the boy would have actually died.

That was the first near-death encounter of Dominic.

When the Former Emperor glanced at Dominic, he was struck with nostalgia.

"Why are you trying to hunt an Alpha, by the way? It’s three times larger than you.

And its pack is twice as large as you."

"Because they ate my siblings."

The Former Emperor could still remember Dominic’s fierce eyes despite being covered with blood and having his body completely paralyzed.

Even when his limbs were disabled, once he was given an opportunity to attack the Alpha, he would use whatever weapon he had left.

His teeth.

When he said those words, the Former Emperor could still vividly recall how Dominic was grinding his teeth.

When Dominic glanced at the Former Emperor, he thought he looked strangely familiar, and that was when...

Realization dawned on him.

"The Former Emperor has joined my brother’s Guild."

Without hesitation, Dominic jumped from his horse and greeted the Former Emperor, clasping his hands and bowing lightly.

"Greetings, Emperor."

"I am not anymore. Just an old man wanting to die with satisfaction." The Former Emperor laughed.

He glanced at Dominic and said, "You’ve grown up."

"Thanks to your timely assistance."

The Former Emperor shook his head. "What a small world."

Max and Enzo glanced at them and were a bit surprised that the Former Emperor, an S-ranker, and Dominic, another S-ranker, were extremely familiar with each other.

The Former Emperor perceived their gaze and explained to Max about his encounter with Dominic, astonishing both Max and Enzo.

Dominic nodded at Enzo, confirming the Former Emperor’s words.

Meanwhile, Dominic cast a glance at Max and remained inwardly shocked.

In fact, the main reason he could not immediately recognize the Former Emperor was because of Max.

He was truly astonished by his Aura.

Max looked like he was ready to break through to S-rank, but clearly was not.

His foundation was so solid that Dominic thought he was ready to break through.

If it were not because his Authority was still far from the quality and quantity of an S-ranker’s Authority, Dominic would have really thought Max was ready to advance to a higher class.

It seems that Enzo is not exaggerating. His brother is truly stronger than him when it comes to potential.

Despite trying to hide his astonishment, Enzo and even Max perceived how different his stare was whenever his eyes landed on Max.

Enzo grinned, but kept it to himself.

After all, Max and Enzo immediately went into business, having a conversation that they had already had many times in reality, just for their powerful subordinate to hear their discussion...