The sensation of change swept across the world, the rumbling of destruction and the very balance of the world shifting made every living being pause and take a deep breath. That is except for a very small population. One of these being a man who sat alone in an old and beaten bar in the middle of southern Kiton.

  His hair a fiery dark red and eyes piercing blue. He had the general fashion of an old fashioned punk biker with a studded leather jacket and fingerless gloves. Below that he wore Baggy dark blue jean pants and steel toed shoes. If you saw him in public you’d think he was nothing more than an old man with an interesting past. And while this was true it was far too great of an understatement. For this man was a [god], the Vulracious [god] Of War Alexander.

  Stories of him stretched thousands of years into the past. It’s said that when a battle occurred he would find his way to the scene and jump into the frey himself. Not paying any mind to which side was which and what either side fought for he would simply bathe in the carnage of it all.

  In his long life which has spanned thousands of years he bore many children. Most of which have gone down in history as mythical warriors of old, their tales so great that entire forests were chopped down to write of them.

  In modern times however all but a single one of his blood lines still remain. That being the Dragonking family in the Verous Union. The current head of which was his great great grandson and the 5th Pillar God, the God Pillar Of Carnage, Lestat Q. Dragonking.

  “Another drink.” Alexander coughed as he slammed his empty glass mug onto the countertop.

  “O-of course sir!” The elderly bartender whimpered out as he tried to maintain his balance, the wind of change so violent that even those who could not comprehend magic felt the impact upon their souls.

  Taking Alexander's cup the bartender filled it up to the brim with the fizzing golden liquid which Alexander paid for by flipping an ancient and weathered gold coin onto the counter.

  Downing the mug of beer in a single straight shot Alexander let out a loud cough before clearing his throat and standing up. His age was apparent as he stumbled while walking, his posture slightly bent forwards and his left leg holding a limp.

  “At least you didn’t call me for this Randolph…” Alexander sighed, rubbing his wrinkled face as he exited the bar's wooden door. “But if you didn’t need me for this I can only wonder what the hell the other two favors will be…” With another deep long sigh Alexander put his hand out before him and from his palm appeared a motorcycle.

  An onyx black cruiser to be exact which had blue flames painted onto the sides of it.

  “Guess I should head back to Azhar and see how it’s holding up now huh?” Alexander muttered, mountain his bike.

  With a crackle of power the bike shot down the broken asphalt road, red flames flying from the two exhaust pipes mounted on its back.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  “Kuhahahahaka!” A woman cackled, her laugh striking fear into those men bound and gagged before her. “Now just who do they think they are having this much fun without me!?” She asked aloud to no one in particular. With her arms spread she let the strong gust pound at her body as if it was no more than a gentle breeze.

  “Sabine, we just gotta call from the Don.” Called out a thin man who crept up behind Sabine who stood on the hillside.

  “From brother?” Sabine asked, pushing her short blonde hair from her eyes and turning around.

  “Yep, he said for you to call him back asap.”

  “Did he say why?”

  “Nope, and he told me it’s none of my business and that I need to watch myself.”

  “Hmph, he’s still as annoying as ever. The first thing we should do when we leave Saharis is kill him.” Sighed Sabine, rubbing the space between her eyes.

  “Please don’t joke around like that Sabine. The last thing we want is to be found at the bottom of some lake with our feet in concrete.” The thin man muttered half heartedly. Pushing his own short black bangs from his eyes as the wind pushed him backwards.

  “Ugh, you’re such a coward, Makoto. If you really loved me then you’d willingly sprint for my every whim even if it leads to your death.” Growled Sabine, putting her hands to her hips and leaning to the right. “Catzumarzu women only like men who surrender themselves as willing slaves to their wives every desire.”

  “You’ve yet to take the ring I’ve offered you. I'm sad to say I’m not your slave.”

  “But you’re still my underling nonetheless so there’s no reason for you to disobey me!”

  “You might be correct there, but I’m a member of the [Gorgonzola] before the Black hand so Don Leon holds my true loyalty… until you marry me that is.” Said Makoto holding up his ring finger.

  “And that’s why I’ll never give you my hand…” Sabine said with downcast eyes. Then suddenly without warning she drew a pistol from her waistband and fired three shots into one of the men who was bound and gagged. The first between his eyes, the second his heart and the third his center mass in a single motion.

  “MHHHH!”

  Hearing the gun shot so close that they could even feel the heat from the bullet being fired the remaining bound men let out muffled screams as they tried to break free of their bindings to no avail.

  “Gurahahahah!” Like the sound of Bubbling water there came a laugh from behind the remaining three men. “Ya know that if ya run I getta’ eatcha right?” The voice asked, once more. Its owner a man of wide stature and an angular face.

  “Run from us, hide from us, attack us, it doesn’t matter. In the end it will all lead to the same fate. Death is inevitable for those who cross the [Gorgonzola]. No matter how hard you try to avoid it you'll always end up dead by our [hand]. “ Said Sabine as she fired another three rounds into the man next in line. “Make sure you bring our names with you to hell, let them know that it was also the [Kurode] black hand who sent you there.”

  With that final message she shot her remaining six shots into the two final men, both falling to the floor with a thud as thick bubbling red blood seeped from their white shirt.

  “Get rid of em Dino.” Commanded Sabine looking at the man across from her who let another garling laugh.

  “Yes mam!” He nodded gleefully, his head beginning to contort in shape and face stretching into a long snout with sharp crooked teeth.

  “The world is going to be making some big changes, Makoto.” Said Sabine, turning to the black haired man who looked up at her with meaningful eyes. “And when the dust settles, know that I’ll be the one standing on top.”

  “Of course… Lady Sabine.” Makoto nodded, bowing his head and crossing his hand over his chest.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  Kiton, the continent home to the world's 3rd largest desert, the Great Plateau, an over three thousand mile long stretch of flat level land with an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level.

  Though some civilizations have managed to claim the plateau as their home a vast majority of the desert was absent of humanoids.

  It’s said in the long past the ancient race of Giants which roamed the planet built their homes atop the plateau, their castles stretching high above the clouds and their cities the size of mountains.

  However in modern times only a few scant tribes were scattered across the inhospitable land. The combination of low natural resources and the endless sea of cold flat stone making the place a hellscape.

  Due to the great difficulty of living atop the plateau there existed the social challenge of traveling across the plateau from one side to another on foot. The overwhelming majority of such challengers quickly meet their fate in the freezing stone sea with their stomachs empty and throats parched for water.

  Those few who did manage to complete the journey and survive to tell the tale refused to ever set foot on the continent of Kiton, the idea of even being within a great distance of the plateau sending them into a mad frenzy.

  There is only one man in recent history who has not only traveled the Plateau but also called it his home without being born there. A man who’s name was unknown to most, his desires simple and mundane.

  Standing before his crudely made log cabin was this man, the one who boasts the title of [Strongest Human].

  Though his appearance of a hulking figure with rippling veins and muscles would surely tell you of his strength, that title is bound to raise eyebrows. The strongest being and human by extension on the planet was none other than Jinen Lutece. One who could destroy the very planet himself.

  While such a rebuttal is generally true in the case of this man Kyros Kyrian Korakunaroc it was not, for he was without question the man with the greatest raw physical strength on the planet. This owerheling power granted him the title of 7th Pillar God, God Pillar Of Might Kyros Kyrian Korakunaroc.

  His black hair slicked back and handlebar mustache curled downwards the man with his hairy torso exposed let out a light groan as he cracked his neck. Standing in front of his log cabin which was built under the cradle of a small stone formation he let the harsh wind from the south east beat against his body.

  Reaching his barrel sized arms behind him he grasped his hands and stretched his back and arms, a loud series of pops following. Not yet done he released his grapes and then rotated his hips, another series of cracks and pops following.

  Whilst Kyros knew that the cause of this strong gust of change was due to the battle of two fellow God Pillars he knew nothing else and didn’t intend nor care to learn more. The only thing which mattered to him was to continue his quiet and simple life atop the plateau. Just like his many fathers before him had, the burden of [Might] robbing him of such a mundane existence anywhere else. From challengers to recruiters his life on the ground was a constant struggle of harassment.

  Atop this plateau he was left alone, to live a quiet simple life. And not even this wrathful wind would rob him of such a luxury.

  Finally feeling as though he was ready to act, Kyros threw his massive hairy hands before him. Each more than capable of crushing a grizzly bear's skull with a simple squeeze.

  Grasping the wind as one would a sheet of cloth Kyros bent his calloused knuckles inwards, the very space which composed the wind erupting with creases and folds as he did so.

  The wind was capable of grasping brick constructs and cars as if they were nothing more than toys and throwing them around bent under the grasp of Kyros, the strongest man in the world.

  “Hmph!” With a grunt and like one would throw an opponent in Judo, Kyros took a heavy step forwards and rotated his hips. Flipping the sheet of wind in his hands over his person and to the right he released his grip.

  The wind instantly burst back into reality with a wrath, its temperature so low it could freeze a stream of urine mid air. Now turned at a sharp 90 degree angle the wind released its rage south of the plateau. The entire flow of the air itself changed for hundreds of miles by the simple actions of a single man.

  Kyros Kyrian Korakunaroc., 7th God Pillar, Pillar God of Might, the one blessed with the ability to [Grip] all which exists.

  Thanks to his blessing of [Prehendere] he could continue his quiet life for another day.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  Moving across the plateaus western end and over the countries of Kairan and Spadek swimming over the Golden sea and around the island nation of Sisicus we arrive at the mountainous country of Zagrev. Our journey not yet done, we travel further west through the country of Greyton and into the Black Woods. A large forest rooted in the southern half of the country known as Dresden, the country which borders the eastern half of the Vulracious Empire.

  The Black Woods, named after the unique trees which bare pitch black leaves, are home to a unique variety of life. From the Western Basilisk to Ground Wyrms, Treants and Orcs these are but a handful of the beasts, monsters, ghouls and ghasts which inhabit the Black Woods.

  Near the outskirts of the forest there’s a small strip of land which is open to the public, ripe for family fun and adventures. The land is free of danger. However if one were to wander further into the woods for a few miles they’d be greeted by a massive fence topped with barbed wire and electric cables that spanned dozens miles across.

  Armed with security cameras and patrolling arms guards the section of the woods past the fence was strictly off limits to those without extensive privileges and clearance. However this was only the starting line of the danger. For the further into the woods one travels and the closer to the forest's heart you get the more dense the encounters are. Deeper within the woods there are more monsters and beasts which wait for the ripe chance to pounce on unsuspecting human prey. Even small squads of heavily armed soldiers can be extinguished if not careful deeper in the Black Woods. But even these dangerous lands are nothing compared to the center of the forest and the heart and cause of such danger.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Sitting in the middle of the Black Woods was a hole roughly one kilometer in diameter and so deep that the sunlight didn't reach the bottom.

  Surrounding the hole are liberally scattered oily black constructs. Spheres, cubes, pillars and fences into which are caved thousands of tiny white runes of an unknown tongue. Most likely one which is older than modern humanity.

  This strange hold in the heart of the Black Woods more commonly known as [Limbo] was one of the Nine Circles Of Hell. One of the nine unbeatable dungeons which plague the planet of [Eden] with evil.

  The atmosphere, rich with [Kami] and [Yami] born from negative emotions and evil actions of the world, attracts Ghouls, Ghosts, Beasts and monsters to the dungeon. Further increasing its size and difficulty.

  The forest itself also grows larger every year feeding not on the soil, water and sunlight but the Kami and Yami itself.

  Due to the effects of the Dungeon the Black Woods was entirely absent of civilizations, on the rare occasion one did try to sneak into the woods and set up a camp they’d be quickly trapped in the belly of a monster.

  That is except for a single humanoid like entity. One which exists only in local rumors and signings. A being over roughly two meters in height and cloaked in a large black hooded coat. Its face like that of a deformed horse's skull yet body a human skeleton.

  A being which was given the name [Beast Of The Black Woods] or [Black Woods Beast] for short.

  The creature which had walked the Black Woods for over 250 years was a sad existence. It never ate, drank or slept. Only wandering the woods in a giant circle seemingly cursed to never leave the forest.

  With no memories, purpose or reason for being born the creature could only wander, endlessly wearing not but its hooded coat, a wooden cane in one hand and a small oil lantern in the other. Only moving at night the beast was careful to not be witnessed by the watchful eyes of humans, lest it be hunted by them one again.

  Wandering the long nights of the Black Woods in an endless circle the creature knew not of its own tragic existence. For it knew no better, the only thing it had ever experienced was wandering the long dark nights of the Black Woods for the past over 250 years.

  It's only possession, the name which it had been given by the locals, the beast clung to the title of [Black Woods Beast] with reverence.

  With no sense of touch, smell or taste and seeing the world in monochrome. All sounds muffled like it had cotton in its ears the beast could not know of its own agonizing existence. Never exposed to new stimuli.

  That is until this very day, the 28th of July 2498 when something else happened. A powerful gust of wrathful wind swept across the Black Woods, a storm caused by the clash of two gods somewhere in the vast unknown world.

  For the first time in its life the beast experienced a new emotion, that of fear. Not fear over the overwhelming presence of the two gods clashing but the very fact that it had experienced something new. Like a baby fearful to take its first steps or a dog being bathed for the first time the beast was horrified by the new experience. Yet at the same time it was full of wonder and curiosity. The picture it had painted in its head of the mysterious outside world growing larger it prayed to whatever god would listen to one day be freed from its prison.

  To walk out of the Black Woods and see the world with its own two hollow eyes. But until that prayer was fulfilled and its liberators arrived the beast was forced to push down that curiosity. To cointune walking the woods in an endless circle for countless more long nights. The beast was trapped until its liberators one day arrived and set it free.

  For now it continued to wander.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  Returning to the eastern hemisphere and moving south of Taiponbo over a chain of south eastern islands and the Sea Of Evil one would find themselves on the northern half of the Zeldenia continent. Home to the single country of Eucapalcia. Though it was much more commonly referred to as the Demon Continent. Home to the Demon race, the worst of criminal and general outcasts of society, it was a country with a troubled past and present.

  Infamous for places like Rumtown and Port awful on its southern tip, the massive worldwide landfill cruelly named Paradise which was inhabited by those with no name to the east. The ruins of the horrid Pandemonium prison in the lands center and the harsh Horn of Satan on the north west's peak the Continent was known across the planet as somewhere to avoid if at all possible.

  Being one of the only places in which slavery was still both legal and practiced, it was also one of the only places where you could still find yourself the meal of a beast if you traveled beyond the limits of civilization into the endless desert.

  But perhaps the most dangerous place on the continent stretched over the middle of it. A long strip of land simply known as the Devil's Garden.

  A place full of ferocious gigantic beasts, venomous creatures which could kill a man instantly with a bite and weather which changed monthly it was a place crafted to be a perfect hell.

  Almost entirely void of essential natural resources only the most extreme of life could root itself within the garden. Of these life forms being the Roc. A creature which called the Devil's Gardens Hell Fields it’s home.

  The Hell Fields consisted of a flat dry clay desert populated by hills. Hills which as if created by the devil himself jutted out from the ground and high into the sky in the shape of sharp pointed spikes. Ruling as Kings over these spikes was the Roc. A bird of prey so massive it’s wings blotted out the sun.

  Flying as far the continent over the Roc much like a shrike would pierce its prey on the Hell Fields spikes. Devouring the corpse to nothing but bones. The blood trickled down the spikes into puddles of blood lapped up down below by giant mosquito-like creatures.

  Currently feasting on the corpse of an elephant was a Roc of modest size, being comparable to small commercial aircraft its weight forced it to fly down low to the ground, making it easily avoidable by modern humans. Its colossal size still making it a terrifying aspect of nature which even small groups of air force pilots shuttered at the sight of.

  But even the King of the Hell Fields, the monstrous Roc was shaken down to its core by the sensation of two clashing gods which rode a nasty wind over the demon continent.

  “Squaw!”

  With a shriek the Roc instantly abandoned its still half eaten meal, leaping from the spiked hill and into the air which it glided across. Fleeing to the east to avoid the horrid wind which sent it into a panic.

  As the Roc flew over the Devils garden it passed over an old dilapidated stone pyramid. Within which resided a person of considerable note.

  Sitting atop his throne in the pyramids center chamber which could easily fit a row or houses was a man of titanic size. Standing roughly seventy feet tall the man who boasted the title of the sole surviving Demon King and 9th God Pillar, Pillar God Of Demons, King Baboon grinded his teeth at the winds of change which assaulted him.

  King Baboon appeared to be an extremely ancient man with a face covered in dust filled wrinkles. Growing from his lower face was a long white beard which reached down to his knees and Sticking out behind his frizzy white sideburns were a pair of pointy ears.

  As his mind raced with thoughts over the current situation he picked at the arm of his throne. His long and sharp black talon-like fingernails carving deep gashes into the stones surface.

  “Oi, King Baboon, now what in the hell is goin on round here?”

  The question came from a man who stood down below at the foot of King Baboon, dressed in the most stereotypical cowboy outfit imaginable. His voice thick with an accent and his manner of speech rough he chewed on the chunk of salted meat in his mouth as he looked up to his master.

  “This is the result of two Holy clashing.” Answered King Baboon, his voice like that of nails on a chalkboard. Deep and sharp those who listened to it felt the urge to cover their ears.

  “Like the kind from the bible?”

  “No, the kind which Salagin the first king of man and thief usurper was.” As King Baboon mentioned the name Salagin his throat seemed to clench, his pitch becoming only more harsh and eyes filling with hatred.

  “Oh that kind’a Holy!” Shoutend Gunma, smashing his fist into his open palm in a eureka like moment. “But now wait jus’ a minute! Why wud the two of them be clashing? I dun get it!” He yelled back up at the Demon King.

  “Because at the end of the day they’re still not but foolish humans.” As King Baboon said the word Humans his teeth collided with a spray of sparks. “Holy, Human, Dwarf, Giant. No matter what shape or name they try to hide themselves behind their still the same vile dirty humans. Usurpers and thieves who have robbed us Demons of our right to the Garden that is our planet Eden. Because of their ignorance and treachery the God of Demons laid upon them a curse that compels them to fight. Starting conflict after conflict until they’re entire wretched species has been wiped from the face of the planet. Let us take our rightful claim as its owners.”

  Gunma frowned at the long explanation of King Baboon. Scratching the back of his neck from which shot out a spike of pointy black hair he couldn’t help but wonder if he too was a part of the humans which King Baboon hated so much.

  Upon taking a look at Gunma it was apparent he wasn’t a Demon. Clearly a human with roots in Edoland he had no idea when his ancestors had been banished to the demon continent nor the crimes which forced them here. Yet despite being a member of the human race the king of Demons, King Baboon took him in as his own son without question.

  Aren’t I a traitor and thief then? Wondered Gunma furrowing his brow.

  “But worry not my son…” Muttered King Baboon cutting into Gunmas own self reflection. “The time will soon come when I can return to my former glory and help take back what we are owed. That which the wretched bastard Salagin stole from us all those thousands of years ago. When I reign over this garden as king of all I will make sure that every single human faces a horrific and agonizing death, one which will make them rue the day they were born. And when the time for our unholy war comes I shall need you children of mine to act as my spears and shields. Making my dreams a reality.”

  “O- of course papa!” Gunma shouted jumping into the air while punching his fist at the sky.

  “...” With a warm smile showcasing his metal like sharp needle teeth King Baboon looked down upon his son.

  To call the emotion which King Baboon felt towards humans as hate would have been far too great of an understatement. Such an emotion could not be described in words. Hate which had only grown over the millennia he’d existed. Hate which consumed his every moment from the time he was awake to the rare moments he slept.

  Hate which was carved deeply into his very soul. Hate which existed for every human and every action they’d ever committed and will commit. Hate which could burn the very world to ashes if it became tangible.

  Until the day which he could reclaim the planet he thought he was owed, King Baboon would Hate humans. And even after he’d wiped them all out he’d continue to Hate humans.

  That is simply how much hate for humans was held in the soul of King Baboon.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  Homicidal rage, self hatred, Mortal terror, revolting disgusting, absolute loathing, complete confusion, refusal to accept the present, a scream full of anguish, laughing at his own powerlessness, biting, kicking, punching, stomping, crying, bawling and throwing up.

  These are but a few of the emotions which ran through Julius Phoenicia. His soul trembling as he felt the aura of the man which he both hoped to never once again encounter and hoped to greet once more so he could take his life.

  Julius felt the impact of Randolph's actions. Teasing him from afar, whispering his name and throwing out taunts yet staying just out of his reach.

  Gritting his teeth, clenching his muscles and trembling with rage Julius Phoenicia was truly lost as to what to do.

  His office was extremely bare bones, the floor made of tatami mats he kneeled at his short wooden desk. Gaius mounted on the wall behind him sending out its own unique aura. Mocking Julius, calling him a failure, a joke of a Julius Phoenicia, one unworthy of his title.

  Clenching his fist Julius turned the fountain pen in his hand into literal dust, a small controlled expression of his emotions which didn’t satisfy him at all.

  He tried to push these emotions back down into the pits of his stomach, adding the lead ball which had already formed in the depths of his gut.

  The image of Randolph was burned into his mind flashing before him, his back one which he could never reach. A back which he tried to grasp yet failed to every time, his soul burning with seething hatred as the man continued to be someone that Julius could never even hope to defeat.

  If he was to storm the Orochi Kingdoms Dragon God Palace himself he might have been able to defeat a Divine General maybe even two before being slain himself. Even if he managed to avoid the generals and challenge the Emperor Orochi himself he’d be crushed in the blink of an eye. Unable to compete.

  Yet Randolph was more than capable of doing that. He stormed the palace, defeated the strongest Divine General and then without much trouble slaughtered the Emperor Orochi.

  Even if you locked Julius in a place devoid of time, one where he could train for decades without interruption and time in the outside world passing, that was simply a level he could never see himself reaching. Not even in his wildest dreams or mental fantasies could he hope to defeat and kill the shadow of Randolph which stained his past.

  Never could he avenge his clan which Randolph had massacred, never could he right the wrongs which Bjorn had befallen. Never ever.

  If only he was stronger, if only he was capable of more, if only he was Julius Phoneicia and not Felix. If only he could move on. If only, if only, if only, if only… But he couldn’t.

  Maybe if he fell at the feet of Jinen Lutece and begged, cried and screamed. If he flailed on the ground like a toddler just maybe he could convince Jinen to kill Randolph. And even if such a thing succeeded would that actually accomplish anything? Would Julius actually be satisfied with the death of Randolph? Or would he forever curse himself for not being able to take revenge with his own hands or die trying. Would Julius Phoenicia always be nothing more than a vessel for pointless revenge?

  Shedding no tears and speaking no words or curses. Julius just sat at his desk and silently brooded trying his best and barely managing to push those emotions back down into him. Waiting to call upon them on the miraculous chance he encountered Randolph Sisyphus Freyr, an encounter which would surely lead to his absolute defeat and death Julius pushed down these emotions.

  ? ? ? ? ? ?

  “Captain Nordon!”

  A cry broke through the trembling building. Compared to the rest of the world and other than the mainland of Tapibonbo it was Edoland which suffered the most damage from the clash of the two Pillar Gods.

  “I’m here!” Nordon yelled as he swung his office door open with a crash. Looking down he met the gaze of a girl who’d raced to meet with him. Her hair dyed two different colors and eyes with two odd colors and pupils contacts she wore an open front colorful jacket which exposed her modest cleavage. The only thing hiding her exposed breasts being bands of sarashi bandages. This young girl who was in her early twenties was far from professional looking. And though Nordon had commanded, asked and pleaded with her to dress like one in her position, she adamantly refused. For that was how the girl named Ubaru Yuko was, someone who never questioned her own sense of self. But at this moment that normally confident expression was replaced with one of pure panic.

  “Captain Nordon, we have confirmed the results and nearing conclusion of the raid which the Emperor of the Vulracious Empire, Randolph, had launched on the Dragon Gods Palace.”

  “Please inform me.” Nodded Nordon, his voice trembling, something which Yuko who’d never before heard trembled at.

  “Randolph and the Orochi Emperor had engaged in battle; the clash has already destroyed a large portion of Hebi according to our informants. The casualties are likely in the tens of thousands. The most liberal of estimations is already reaching nearly one million!” As Yuko spoke she wiped the growing beads of sweat from her pale tinted forehead.

  “And what of the others which Randolph brought?” Nordon asked, covering his mouth which had curbed into a grimace.

  “We don’t have confirmation but it appears that Lestat Q. Dragon King was subdued by one of the Divine Generals after having successfully slayed one. The two unknown men who also accompanied Randolph each successfully defeated a Divine General themselves and a 3rd when working together.”

  “The two servants did!?” Asked Nordon, his jaw dropping and eyes growing in size.

  “Yes sir! But we haven’t been able to confirm their magic or identity. Only that they must be at least on par with a Venator Society captain in power based on their feats!”

  “No, at this point they’ve proved themselves as no less than Pillar God Candidates, my god to think that Randolph has such people under his sleeve this whole time..” How many more could he be hiding? It was assumed he had some kind of secret small army but for them to be on this level… It's unbelievable!

  “S-speaking of Randoplh, we’be also confirmed that he slayed the Iron General and along with his servant Titan killed the four cardinal guards.

  “At least something has gone as expected…” Muttered Nordon, squeezing his temples with his hand.

  “A-also we have confirmation of two Tsunamis coming from both the western Jade sea and the northern Edo sea!” Yuko choked out.

  “What has the main branch said!?”

  “President Ignius said not to panic and remain calm!”

  “That’s easy for him to say! Dammit, where are the other rear and vice captains?”

  “Soga-Samas current location is unknown, Kawasaki-San was least seen fishing offshore to the west. Honetarou-Kun is still investigating the Black Tape Curse. Otsuga-Sensei is in the hospital recovering from the Izumika incident, Naori-Kun is on a mission with Goji-San and Amabata-San has reported that he’s currently aiding in the west coast's Tsunami evacuation procedures!” Yuko rattled out without pause.

  “We won’t be able to stop the Tsunamis on both sides completely, only Jinen Lutece could do something so absurd. Send out a message to all available personnel no matter the ranking to reinforce both fronts using magic and traditional defenses. Remove the restriction of using magic in public spaces, I’ll take the blame for breaking the 4th commandment.”

  “Yes sir, Captain Nordon!” Bowed Yuko before quickly running back down the hallway to the communication center.

  Sorry, Sarumalder-San but you’ll have to hold on until this is over with. Thought Nordon, gripping his hand tightly.

  Okay so I’ve kinda mentioned [Yami] before but never gave a name for it. Imagine Kami as the good kind of natural mana in the world and Yami as the evil and bad kind. The stuff which is born from negative emotions and evil actions.

  I’ll go further into Yami and what exactly it does in the future of the story but for now I just wanted to leave a quick note of it. As for why it was never named before… I kinda never thought of giving it a name till now, I figured people would understand that there was evil Kami out there but then as I was writing more about future events and the world building I realized that writing [Bad Energy] was really unspecific and not at all helpful. So I named it [Yami]. I’m pretty embarrassed by this blunder and maybe I’ll even go back and edit the name [Yami] into past chapters for a better clarification.

  King Baboon's first name is King Baboon, I know it’s weird but it’s just his name. Kingbaboon and King-Baboon didn’t look right so I just kept it as King Baboon. Obviously named after my favourite Tarantula species, the Pelinobius muticus King Baboon Tarantula.

  The reason for Julius' office being Japanese style is that in the past one of the Gamma Captains was from Edoland so he remodeled the room to fit his interest. Since then no one has cared enough to change it.

  I have a mental image of all Gamma captains being like cliché martial arts masters, mostly calm, collected and wise yet still powerful.

  I really do wish I could explore more of the Venator Societies internal drama beyond what I have planned currently. One of the things I’d like to explore is the consensus over the current line up of Captains who are all extremely young. One of the youngest lineups in history. The hushed complaints of nepotism by El-Saber for making Hayai who in his early 20s a captain. There’s so much I want to explore but I don’t think I’ll be able to at least not in the main story.