Chapter 57: Prelude To Ascent

Chapter 57 – Prelude To Ascent

By the time Xior returned to New Federation, the sun was fully out shinning brightly illuminating what left of the humans living in the Sectors and New Federation.

He walked straight to the Dragon Guild building as the eleventh floor was going to open in a few hours.

In front of the building he saw Becca pacing the entrance while Hunter Ming sat on the stairs leading up to the door of the building.

Becca had her arms crossed and the new sword on her hip, as if she was going to clear a gate but then she saw him walking towards her.

“You…you’re late. Took your sweet time,” she muttered. Then she glanced at him more carefully.

“You look…different.” Her voice was back to normal and her anger dissipated as if it was never there.

“Do I?” Xior asked flatly.

Becca didn’t answer, she only stared in his eyes. Xior felt his tone was harsh towards her, he pressed his lips together and walked closer to her.

He looked down at her, his indifferent eyes softening as he did. “I didn’t mean to be rude, Becca. I don’t know what I said it like that, I’m sorry.” He said with the calmest of voices, only a few people would hear themselves addressed with it.

Hunter Ming who observed them has a little grin on her face, she knew how Maria and Rain were married, the rest of the hunters were either single or had non hunter significant others.

With how Xior and Becca treated each other, they could be the next big couple in the hunter world, unlike Maria and Rain who outright refused to be dating and then being married.

“Please don’t kiss in front of me, I don’t feel comfortable under the display of too much PDA!!” Hunter Ming blurted out with a chuckle and got up from the stairs and walked inside the building.

Xior and Becca flushed red and turned towards the building as well, Becca glanced at Xior and remembered the events from a few days ago.

“We should try the new gear before leaving, instead of Rain he suggested we take Alice to the eleventh floor.” Becca said as she unsheathed her sword and went to the training room of the Dragon Guild.

Xior followed behind her as he adjusted his gauntlet and pulled out the blade. Hunter Ming was already there. She was gonna spar with them and prepare herself as she would be sent to the Tower to manage their branch in Aegis city while Xior and Becca were busy with climbing the tower.

After some sparring done, Rain and Maria were awake and in the Hunter lounge for the S Rank and above hunters in Dragon Guild.

Xior, Becca and Ming entered the lounge all sweaty after sparring, the husband and wife were wearing matching pajamas full of chibi lions.

Maria had two matching mugs full of coffee in her hands as Rain looked at the news. Hunter Ming saw this as an opportunity to tease the couple alongside Xior and Becca.

“Maria do you know that these two were about to kiss outside, forgetting that I was there an about any paparazzi hidden in the shadow. Reminded me of you both when a reporter clicked a picture of you with your tongue deep in Rain’s mouth.” She chuckled as the other four couldn’t see eye to eye.

“I remember Hunter Lee Woo intervened and bought the reporters camera and his pc and any source of backup he could’ve had.” She continued doubling down on embarrassing them.

“It never happened as there was no evidence, got it Hunter Ming?” Rain exclaimed as he put on his glasses which reflected light.

Hunter Ming sighed and nodded, Rain’s authoritative persona was scary. Even the other hunters in the Dragon Guild didn’t dare disobey him.

It was some out of respect and some out of fear, he had learned in the military that fear is necessary in this new world order to keep people in check.

“Don’t scare them dear, come have some coffee, there is some in the kettle.” Maria said as she sat next to Rain.

The three quickly ran towards the kettle and took out their mugs and poured themselves coffee and sat around the couple.

“So in about five hours you both will be the first ones to enter the eleventh floor. I am proud of you my hunters. Even if you’re working as a hunter for me under a one year contract, it makes me happy what you both have achieved so far.” She said and took a sip of her coffee.

“I agree with her, you both exceeded my expectations. Not many have done that in all the years I’ve been a hunter.” Rain added.

“This stupid husband of mine has already experienced clearing some of the Tower, next is my turn but I have some issues to settle here, I will join you both with Rain from the thirtieth floor onwards. I feel like that would be a good enough level for me and other high ranking hunters to step in.” She said and smiled.

“We’ll be waiting for you both.” Becca said and did a thumbs up to affirm her words.

Xior sat quietly and sipped on his coffee, only nodding when something was said to him. After they were done, Xior and Becca changed into the new gear Maria gave them.

Xior wore the bone necklace in his neck and wrapped the protective charm Alice gave him around his bicep.

With a final goodbye the Maria, Rain and the other staff and hunters of the Dragon Guild the three hunters made their way to the front of the Tower.

The white light swallowed them and they were transported to Aegis city, now almost done with the rebuilding.

Everyone greeted them with a smile, Ming was explained about the duties she had to do as Xior and Becca made their way towards the Wolf Tribe.

*****

At the entrance the Wolf guards greeted Xior and Becca with a low howl, showing respect for all they had done to help them.

Inside the little wolf cubs ran and gathered around the two and only left after receiving head pats even from Xior.

Tharnak and Kayla were busy training their soldiers when they saw their guests. Both stopped and exchanged greeting with each other.

“Ya going to the next floor already? That was quick.” Kayla exclaimed as she looked up and down both Xior and Becca.

“Thank you for helping me, my family and my Tribe. I will always be indebted to you, so if you feel like you need some extra helping hands, call me and I will come to even the Abyss to help.” Tharnak declared as he put a fist to his chest.

From behind him, Fenra walked out of the house with slow steps. She had recovered a lot in the past few days and besides her was Beatrice.

Kayla and Fenra had taught her everything needed for the time being, the reason Xior came to the Wolf Tribe was to take Beatrice with him to the higher floors.

After saying farewell the three, Xior, Becca and Beatrice walked towards the Rabbit Tribe. Alice was already ready to leave.

She wore simple padded clothes for protection and had her spear strapped on her back. The party of two initially was now a party of four.

These four would be the first ones to enter the eleventh floor. So far they knew what was the landscape like but from the eleventh floor onwards it was unknown territory.

They had to be cautious about the species they would find there and the monsters as well.

The four walked towards Aegis city, in the city square everyone was gathered and banners of congratulations hung from buildings.

After ten years the humans would for the first time enter the eleventh floor, before that they couldn’t clear the tenth floor.

But one person made it possible, Xior who was stuck in the Abyss for five years became a force to be reckon with.

He was strong but he was not arrogant, he knew where he lacked. He was a natural born leader, who lead the Tribes towards victory against the Dragon Tribe.

And then held on his own against a Nameless, albeit a weaker Nameless, he still stood against it and managed to kill it.

The system messages popped up in the air as the people started shout the countdown. The people cheered for the four who would enter the eleventh floor.

“Let’s hope we don’t get a bad spawn point.” Becca said as she stretched her arms.

Xior looked at the excited Becca, Alice, Beatrice and all the people around them. Then a small smile formed on his face unknowingly.

’I hope I can keep everyone safe.’ Xior closed his eyes and said under his breath.

A bright light flashed and engulfed the four of them. And when it ended there was no one there.

Now it was time to start the Tower ascent for real.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep