Armipotent

?Tang Shaoyang walked on the street of Waskin City. The city had transformed to the point he did not recognize a single thing within the city. He could tell from the sky that the city also got bigger with more people residing in the city. The increased population was not a surprise since Waskin City was a fortified city even before the game that was supposed to defend against The Beast Stampede that happened every winter.

The people resumed their daily activity after the Adventurer Guild announced they had subdued the threat. However, the people did not realize that no one from the Harmony Temple returned to the city. The city was bustling with activity. On both sides of the street, street vendors opened their stalls, selling their gain from the monster and dungeon. From the trashy equipment until the rare class scroll.

'Don't you want to shop a little bit?' Avyn noticed Tang Shaoyang's interest in the stalls.

Tang Shaoyang shook his head, "I have more time to check them later on. Anything else, I am curious about the dungeon. Maybe we can try one or two dungeons after meeting Lunea."

Hemlin's ears twitched as he overheard the conversation. It was confusing to him because it sounded like this man had not delved into a dungeon which was absurd. He had been curious where his Master came from, but he was too nervous to ask.

"Hmm, but it seems the people in the city don't recognize you," Tang Shaoyang noticed that these people did not even spare a glance at Hemlin who wore shabby clothes. The people had been looking at him, right at his left eye. He got that anywhere he went. People were curious why he had a demon-like left eye. Then the remaining people would take a peep on Avyn.

That was weird considering Hemlin's status. As if these people did not know his identity, The God Rank from the Adventurer Guild.

Hemlin slowed down as the chance to have a conversation with Tang Shaoyang opened up. He smiled, "Because I never show my face to the public. Even back then when I fought those fake Gods, I wore a mask so they could not find me. If no one recognizes me, how are they going to find me? That's why I can live this long, free from the assassination attempt."

"They can kill since they have the number. Why do they even want to assassinate you instead of killing you in the fight? They just need to attack the Adventurer Guild to force you out," Tang Shaoyang was confused.

From what Tisha told him, the two God Rank Adventurers were as strong as the seven Gods. But if Hemlin was that strong, why did he hide from them? And he confirmed Hemlin was not that strong compared to the Seven Gods. So how did Hemlin and Forlan force the seven Gods to make a truce with them? Tang Shaoyang was curious about that.

Hemlin smiled, "That's because I have an ally, The Guardian of the Beast Kingdom, the dragon," But then his smile soured, "I want to say an ally, but not a reliable one. But that was enough to stop the Temple from getting rid of the Adventurer Guild. If The Temple attacked the Adventurer Guild and The Beast Kingdoms. We will work together to fight them, so they have to stop attacking us."

"Unfortunately, the dragons don't have an intention to fight the fake Gods actively, or even try to get rid of them. They just wanted to live in their goddamn nest peacefully. So that's it, as long as The Temple does not attack, the dragons also don't move. That's how I and Forlan managed to maintain this "peace" for several years. The only way for the fake Gods to break the stalemate is to assassinate me and Forlan. Without me and Forlan, they can easily absorb The Adventurer Guild's force and start the war with the Beast Kingdom."

"We have arrived," Hemlin stopped his steps. They now stood in front of a five-story building. The entrance was opened as a stream of people went in and out.

Hemlin motioned to Tang Shaoyang and Avyn to follow him. They did not enter the building through the front entrance, walking around to the side of the building. It was a back, and weirdly enough the back door was guarded while the front entrance was not guarded. Tang Shaoyang did not see a single guard at the front entrance.

The guards recognized Hemlin as they bowed their heads ninety degrees and opened the door. The door immediately connected to stairs that led to the basement which led them to a metal door that was guarded by two guards. The guild put a layered security, meaning behind the door was an important room.

The guard bowed their heads at Hemlin even though both cast a cautious look at Tang Shaoyang and Avyn. And yet, they did not question Hemlin who brought with him. The guards had full trust in Hemlin.

Behind the metal door were portals, many of them which were managed by five people. There was a sign in front of each portal. The sign was where the portal connected. Five attendants in uniform rushed toward Hemlin one of them called out "Sir Hemlin arrives!"

"You can just continue your work normally," Hemlin waved his hand, "I want to go to our main branch."

The attendant immediately led them to a portal with the sign of Esten. Hemlin entered the portal followed by Tang Shaoyang and Avyn.

*** ***

Aidan Continent, Esten City, Nalrof Tea Shop

"Tang Empire?" Forlan furrowed his brows. He received a message from Hemlin, asking him to investigate The Tang Empire, "Why does he want me to investigate this unknown empire? I thought he went to the Arkania Continent to resolve the emergency issue. Is it related to the people who caused the trouble in the Arkania Continent?"

He muttered the name several times as he got from his seat, and walked to the window. From his office, he could see the nobles who came to his tea shop. The young ladies from the noble families and also a group of old noblemen were seated in the corner of his shop.

"I don't think I have ever heard about that name. Is it maybe a new rising empire in the Arkania Continent?"

If Hemlin asked him about something, it must be something important. Or else he would not bother to send him a message. It did not look urgent, but it bothered him that Hemlin had not replied to his message. He sent a reply three times, but there was no response. It bothered him. As he pondered the issue, someone knocked on his door three times.

"Come in!"

"The Royal Escort just informed us His Majesty Emerson will come for tea in ten minutes, Boss Forlan," The shop manager informed Forlan of The King's arrival.

"Lead him to the usual room. I will be ready in a while," Forlan waved his hand, and the manager left the room with a nod.

Just as he was about to get ready, a notification rang in his head. He quickly checked and it was a message from Hemlin.

"I will come to your tea shop in a few minutes!"