System's POV

Chapter 1338: The City Of Wanderers [Part 2]

“We should have gone with Jason,” said a chubby man, who seemed to be in his early twenties, with a frown. “He keeps throwing his weight around recently, and it’s starting to annoy me.”

“You’re right,” seconded the woman with tanned skin, looking to be in her mid forties. “I pity the new kids who appeared in the Ancient Ruins. They’re just unlucky to be sent to this damned place.”

The chubby man clicked his tongue before nodding in agreement.

They were the two other Champions ruling the city of Wanderers.

The man’s name was Soren Lydon, while the woman was called Julia Brooklyn.

“Let’s go,” Soren said firmly. “Before it’s too late.”

“Fine.” Julia sighed.

Just as the two were about to leave the cottage, one of Julia’s subordinates barged inside the room, visibly in haste.

“Lady Julia, we have visitors!” the young man said, while panting for breath. “They’re from the ruins.”

Julia frowned. “Did Jason capture them already?”

The young man shook his head. “I don’t see Jason and his subordinates. According to them, they left the ruins and headed in this direction after their scouting avatars discovered our settlement.”

“Wait, you’re saying they didn’t bump into Jason’s team?” Soren asked for confirmation.

“No, Sir Soren,” the young man answered. “They said they didn’t meet any other Wanderers before our Hunting Party.”

Soren and Julia exchanged a glance before hurrying out of the cottage to meet these lucky Wanderers.

They were initially worried that Jason would bully the newcomers and force them to become his subordinates.

Many of the members of Jason’s faction had such fates, and it was all thanks to his domineering attitude.

Soren and Julia were pacifists by nature and hated conflicts. The only reason Jason didn’t try to mess with them was because they were also Champions and posed the greatest threat to his dominion.

When the two Champions finally saw the newcomers at the gate of their settlement, their eyes widened in shock. They quickly recognized Roland and Derek, who stood at the very front of the team of Wanderers.

“Are my eyes deceiving me?” Soren asked Julia. “That’s Roland Du Lac, right?”

“Right,” Julia replied subconsciously. “And the person standing next to him is Derek.”

The two were pleasantly surprised by this turn of events and hurriedly greeted the newcomers, who brought them hope.

“Welcome to the Wanderer City,” Soren said with a smile. “Are you really Roland and Derek from the Hero’s party?”

“In the flesh.” Derek flashed Soren a devilish grin, which made the Champion chuckle.

“Well met, Roland,” Julia extended her hand for a handshake, which Roland accepted.

“Well met, Miss Julia,” Roland replied. “We have already been briefed about your situation, and I hope that you can accompany us in our mission.”

“Of course!” Soren replied before Julia could. “What’s your mission? If all of us worked together, I’m sure we would all be able to clear it!”

Julia and the other Wanderers also looked at Roland with great expectations. It didn’t matter how hard their mission was. They believed that with their numbers, as long as they gave their best, they could finally go home after being stranded in Solterra for many years.

Roland nodded. “Although our mission is difficult, I believe that with your help, we will be able to do something about it.”

Soren and Julia suddenly realized that all of them were talking at the entrance of the settlement instead of having a proper talk in the plaza, where the other Wanderers could participate.

“Forgive our rudeness, please follow us,” Soren said, gesturing for Roland and his team to follow them.

When they arrived at the plaza, Soren didn’t have to be prompted and quickly used his power to create chairs using the ground as a medium.

Only after ensuring that Roland’s group were all seated did he create chairs for him and Julia.

The other Wanderers around them sat cross-legged on the ground. They were already used to doing this, so it wasn’t a big deal for them.

“Before we start our talks, did you meet any Wanderers along the way?” Soren asked “One of my colleagues named Jason had gone to the ancient ruins to check if any Wanderers had appeared.

“He is a very vulgar, merciless person. Julia and I were quite worried that he might have bullied you after your arrival.”

“I need to apologize to you guys,” Roland replied. “Earlier, we said that we didn’t meet any Wanderers aside from your Hunting Party, but we did meet Jason and his group.”

“… You met them?” Julia looked at Roland anxiously. “Did they hurt you guys? How come they didn’t return with you?”

“Did you escape from them?” Soren asked. “How did you outrun them when their group is ten times bigger than your group?”

“We didn’t escape from them,” Derek replied arrogantly. “My master dealt with them.”

“Dealt with them?” Soren glanced at Julia, who had a shocked expression on her face.

“How did your Master deal with them?” Julia inquired. “Are they dead?”

The Wanderers who had been living in the city became tense after hearing Derek’s statement.

Jason had been quite domineering as of late, but at the end of the day, he was someone who helped protect the city from the monsters that usually traveled in groups.

“They’re not dead but…” Derek hesitated before continuing his sentence. “But they would probably prefer being dead right now.”

Suddenly, the ground shook, and the Hell Lord Bal-Boa made its appearance.

The Wanderers froze in shock when they found themselves looking at a Rank 9 Sovereign.

Just as Soren and Julia were about to say “Run!” Roland raised his hand to stop them from doing anything.

“His name is Rocky, and he is a friend of ours,” Roland said calmly.

“F-Friend?!” Soren’s voice pitched a little higher as he struggled to squeeze out the word from his lips.

“That’s right.” Derek smirked. “His name is Rocky, and his Master is also my Master.”

Soren, Julia, and the Wanderers inside the city finally realized why Jason and his subordinates were nowhere in sight.

If they had really angered Derek’s Master, whom the Hell Lord Bal-Boa served, then the chances of the arrogant Champion and his lackeys turning into monster poop was already set in stone.