GDK 992: Come On In
Translator: Ryogawa
TLC: Hedonist
The experts from the Twelve Divine Dominions arrived outside the Hexopolis and temporarily settled on a mountain nearby, silently observing as they discussed what was happening. McKinleyâs expression was rather glum. His eyes kept darting towards the white-bearded and well dressed elder of the God of Lightâs shrine, GyĂĄl, as he laughed and chatted with the other guardians from the various dominions.
As one of the three Keepers of the Light of the God of Light, GyĂĄl was really powerful and a rather active character among the other guardians. Apart from Yarus from the Dominion of Darkness and a few other lead guardians from the Dominions of Death and Destruction, the others were rather careful around GyĂĄl.
The Dominions of Light, Life, and Water had always been at odds with those of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. Minor skirmishes were rather common between them and they were absolute nemeses during the battle of the gods. Given their history of rivalry, they could never fully be on each otherâs side. This time, they had only convened because of the uniting threat of the Godhunter Alliance.
GyĂĄl and Yarus had almost gotten into a fight, but it was said that they managed to calm down. After that, their two factions stayed apart without offending each other, merely carefully observing one another.
Given the tension between the two sides, the armies from six dominions led by GyĂĄl and Yarus might break out into a fight on the spot once the matter in the Fringe was dealt with. They had already occupied their own respective territories while McKinley stood there by himself, occasionally suffering the indignity of being mocked by GyĂĄl.
âHexopolis of the Fringe?â GyĂĄl suddenly laughed as he saw those words Han Shuo put up at the entrance. âThey had a name change, huh? Even though theyâre going to be razed to the ground soon? Theyâre really a bunch of interesting fools.â
He turned to McKinley from afar and said, âMcKinley, do you think that the Godhunter Alliance could have wiped out that friend of yours already? I heard you have a good relationship with that brat called Bryan. Didnât you give extra care to the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy branch in Ethereal City? Given that you cultivate space energy, youâll definitely have something to do with it if he ends up surviving, right?â
âNo comment!â McKinley humphed without even paying GyĂĄl and heed.
âOh, McKinley, Ethereal City is right next to the Fringe. I donât know how you can be so clueless about everything and yet became a city lord,â GyĂĄl mocked.
âBryan wonât be killed that easily. If heâs really in the Fringe, would you dare fight him alone?â Yarus called out with a laugh.
GyĂĄl seemed surprised as if he hadnât expected Yarus to say something like that. After some thought, he laughed and said, âI heard that Bryan had gone to the City of Gorging Clouds before. Hahaha, it seemed that you worked with Darkwater and Darkstone to fight him, but I heard you suffered quite a loss.â
GyĂĄl suddenly stopped and shook his head. âYarus, it seems that you didnât just stagnate these past few years, but in fact have deteriorated. To think that a nameless brat like that could take care of the three city lords of the Dominion of Darkness⊠I mustâve overestimated your lot.â
Yarus smiled without looking the least bit offended. âOh, really? How about we leave Bryan to you later? Weâll take care of the rest.â
GyĂĄl didnât take Han Shuo seriously at all. âJust him alone? Hah! I wouldnât even have to personally deal with him. Iâll only play with him once he proves himself.â
âHaha, then Iâd like to see how the playing goes when he really shows up. Alright, letâs go. Weâre already standing at their doorstep now.â
âYarus, is Bryan really that powerful?â Talbot, the lord of the City of Wraiths asked in a whisper.
Back then, Han Shuo had killed Portlem in his city and proclaimed that he didnât fear any retaliation, causing Talbot to hesitate to act against him. This time around, he took the chance to come to the Fringe personally with this expedition with payback in mind.
Yarus said in a serious tone, âAs Bryan hasnât been active in the Dominion of Light, itâs no surprise that GyĂĄl doesnât understand his might. However, heâs been to the Dominions of Death and Darkness many times before. I believe that back then, he shouldnât be weaker than you one bit. Yet, it didnât matter. If he were weak, I wouldâve been able to wipe him out with Darkwater and Darkstone back then.â
âAre you confident in defeating him now?â Talbot said, even quieter than before.
Yarus shook his head in resignation. âNo! Iâm not confident even if everyone here fights him with me. I canât figure out that fellow at all. However, GyĂĄl and the rest arenât aware of Bryanâs power at all. If heâs still in the Fringe, weâll let GyĂĄl take the brunt of his might. Once he gets injured from this, weâll immediately retreat from the Fringe and attack GyĂĄl.â Yarus had used darkness energy to form a barrier around them before this conversation started, so the rest werenât aware of what they were planning.
âCan Bryan do that?â Talbot asked, shocked.
âJust watch.â Yarus smiled mysteriously and whispered, âRemember. When Bryan shows up and displays his might, we must leave without hesitation and ambush GyĂĄl and the rest outside the Fringe. I have told our lord overgod about this. He said that since the battle of the gods is bound to happen, we should strike first.â
âŠâŠ
After some time, the guardians from the Twelve Divine Dominions finally arrived at the great stone gate with the words âHexopolisâ engraved on them. GyĂĄl laughed and loudly announced, âAll those inside this cesspool, godhunters or criminals hiding out in the Fringe â they deserve annihilation. Today, the God of Lightâs sacred radiance shall shine upon this filthy place, cleansing it and bringing upon a new dawn!â
With a loud click, the stone gate opened up and laughter could be heard coming from within. âHahaha, Iâve been expecting all of you. Those who come to visit are my guests. Do come in. Itâs nice to see you two again, McKinley, Yarus. Donât be strangers.â
âWho are you?â GyĂĄl asked haughtily.
Those from the other dominions were also confused as to what was happening. Hearing a young voice like that did throw them off. Hegemons were usually middle-aged or elderly people. Nobody that young existed among their ranks.
Yarusâs expression shifted as he hesitated, before he shot Talbot a hidden glance. Feigning a smile, he said, âI didnât think you of all people would be the ruler here. Since you have invited us in, I shall indulge in your hospitality for a drink. However, let me make it clear that we have come to the Fringe for the godhunters, not you, so please do not misunderstand.â
âBryan?
You
are Bryan?â GyĂĄl immediately figured out who he was. Now, he seemed hesitant, as if he was confused over something.
âWho was the one who proclaimed that he wouldnât have to personally deal with him just now? Whatâs wrong? I see that you havenât gone in yet. Feeling scared?â McKinley said, venting his pent-up frustrations.
âShut up!â GyĂĄl said as he glared at McKinley. âYou are inferior to me, so donât you dare mock me!â
He humphed and glared at the rest before leaving, his followers tagging behind him. Yarus smiled when he noted the fear GyĂĄl was displaying. The fact that there were no godhunters around meant that they had been defeated, ostensibly by the current ruler.
âBe careful, Talbot. Weâll leave the divine guards outside and enter by ourselves. Our aim isnât the same as GyĂĄlâs. We donât have to linger here and will be leaving the moment the tables turn!â Yarus reminded.
Talbot, who had sworn to seek vengeance against Han Shuo, dropped it entirely when he noted Yarusâs attitude. He knew he wasnât Yarusâs match, so how could he possibly defeat someone even Yarus was wary against?
They all slowly approached the recently renamed Omphalos with their own aims and goals. The only one who didnât seem to show any fear was McKinley, who knew that Han Shuo wouldnât harm him. That was why he dared to lead the way.
The moment they entered, McKinley saw Han Shuo with Salas and Wasir in the middle of the wide street. There was nobody else apart from the three of them, but they all smiled calmly.
McKinley merely nodded slightly and gestured with his eyes to tell him which one was GyĂĄl. Though, Han Shuo could already tell who it was without needing to be informed with his current power. Besides, it was easy to see which among them was the biggest arsehole.
If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.