Chapter 64: A Huge Trouble!
Chapter 64
Back at the Silverfall Clan, it was as busy as ever with the usual theatrics, banters, chatter, and fights.
The hall felt alive as always, filled with voices, clashing opinions, and bursts of laughter. Yet beneath the surface of this chaotic harmony, no one had the faintest idea of what was about to unfold in the coming days.
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"So basically, you are saying that when the B-ranked beast saw you—your aura and your bare body with just your underwear on, it got scared and bowed down?" A female voice cut through the air, her tone playful as she directed the question toward Kael, who sat at the table gulping down drinks as though they were water.
"That’s basically what happened. Everybody was so shaken up, including Jace, but not me. I stood tall and fearless. So I walked forward, without clothes, and waved my rod at the beast. In fright, it bowed down and laid its head for me to slice through." Kael puffed his chest out proudly, grinning as the girls around him giggled.
"Yeah, right. I bet it was the other way around. Probably Jace saved you all. That guy is so dreamy," one of the girls said, her brown eyes twinkling as she tilted her head back, clearly lost in her own fantasy of Jace standing like a hero before her.
"No! I saved them all, not Jace," Kael retorted, glaring at the girl, though she seemed far too enchanted by her thoughts to even notice him.
"Jace," another girl suddenly said, snapping her head toward Kael. "You’re friends with him, right?"
"Yes. Why?" Kael asked, raising a brow.
"Kindly link us up. It’s not an exaggeration anymore to call him the strongest C-rank Reaver here. He’ll soon reach B-rank and rise to the upper levels. So please, Kael, link us up. I’d do anything to have such a pretty boy on my bed." She leaned closer to him, eyes sparkling with intent.
"No! Kael, you know I’ve known you longer, right? Forget about her. Link me with Jace instead," another girl cut in, pushing her rival aside.
"No! I said it first."
"And I made the request right after you. So? I’ve known Kael way before you did."
"Hey, Kael! Who are you going to pick? Who are you going to help? Me, right?"
’Oh, for goodness’ sake! I cooked up this lie just to make myself look awesome, but all these girls keep chanting Jace’s name. Tch!’ Kael sighed inwardly, almost tempted to bury his face in his palm.
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Elsewhere in the hall, a lazy young man lay sprawled across a couch, a newspaper spread over his face in a desperate attempt to drown out the noise and drift into sleep.
"Hey, Ryker!" someone called out, forcing Ryker to groan and shove the newspaper aside with slow, irritated movements.
"Why can’t someone get enough sleep in this clan, for goodness’ sake!" Ryker roared, his voice rough with annoyance as he cracked one eye open to glare at the intruder.
Standing before him was a young boy, no older than seventeen. His blue wavy hair framed a face lit with eager brown eyes.
Though not strikingly handsome, nor ugly by any means, he hovered in that space of being perfectly average. His grin, however, carried more life than his looks ever could. He stood at about five foot five, practically trembling with excitement as he stared at the drowsy figure on the couch.
"What do you want, Vynn?" Ryker asked, his scowl deepening as he rubbed at his forehead.
"Shall we spar now? It’s been so long. Nobody wants to spar with me," Vynn blurted out eagerly, his eyes glinting with a childlike thrill that refused to dim.
"Buzz off, you weirdo. I’m in no mood for useless fights right now," Ryker muttered before yawning loudly, his jaw cracking, then pulling the newspaper back over his face.
"Come on! It’ll be really fun. Let’s spar!" Vynn persisted, grinning as he reached out for the newspaper, his stubborn determination written all over his face.
"Remind me, what’s your rank again?" Ryker muttered with one eye lazily cracked open.
"C. Why?" Vynn asked with a raised eyebrow, his grin never fading.
Ryker didn’t bother replying immediately. Instead, he let out a long, tired sigh. "Just let me sleep, damn it. I don’t want to get hurt by you right now."
"Get hurt by me? How could a small-looking young boy like me possibly hurt you?" Vynn asked, chuckling as if the thought alone was absurd. "Come on, Ryker, just one spar. I need to expend all this pent-up energy before I go crazy." His eyes glinted even brighter, almost reflecting light as if his eagerness had become tangible.
"You’ve got pent-up energy? Then go expend it on the battlefield. Take up a quest, swing your sword at a beast, or wrestle a goblin if you must, but just let me sleep, damn it!" Ryker roared as he dragged the newspaper back over his face with exaggerated frustration.
"No! You won’t sleep until we spar!" Vynn suddenly declared, his voice sharp and determined. Without hesitation, he snatched the newspaper off Ryker’s face and tossed it aside.
"I warned you. I asked you to leave," Ryker said in a low growl, his jaw tightening as his eyes snapped open fully in anger.
"And I said I’m not leaving. Let’s fight!" Vynn stomped a foot against the ground, his whole body buzzing with restless energy as though he might explode if denied.
"I’ll just..." Ryker’s angry retort was abruptly cut short when a thunderous voice rang out from above.
Everyone’s attention shifted upward. From the uppermost floor of the hall, a middle-aged man in a spotless white coat descended the stairs. His steps were hurried, beads of sweat cascading down his face, his expression etched with urgency.
"Hey, all of you, listen up!" the man shouted, his voice breaking through the clamor like a whip. Instantly, the lively atmosphere of the hall quieted. Laughter, banter, even whispers died out as every Reaver turned to face him.
Among them, a newly recruited E-ranked Reaver blinked in confusion at the sudden shift. He leaned closer to the person beside him, curiosity piqued. "Who is he? Is he someone important? Is he strong by any chance?"
The older Reaver shook his head. "Listen up, newbie. Anyone you see wearing a white coat isn’t a Reaver, but don’t mistake that for weakness. They hold a solid position in the clan because they use strange tech that monitors beast activities.
Be it gates, dungeons, or portal breaks, they can locate, detect, and even determine the rank. Then they convert that information into quests for us. But for one of them to come down here personally..." His tone dropped. "Something bad must have happened."
"Oh." The E-rank Reaver gulped, his chest tightening with unease.
The man in white coat cleared his throat, still sweating. "Guys, kindly listen up. There’s a big problem we are about to be faced with." His words echoed through the hall, heavy with tension.
"What bigger trouble is there that you won’t let me sleep in peace?" Ryker muttered, irritation still dripping from his voice.
"If you don’t handle this threat, you really will sleep. In fact, you’ll rest in peace, you dumbass," the man clapped back sharply, earning nervous chuckles from a few.
"Please, just tell us what’s wrong. What’s the trouble?" Rina demanded, her voice urgent.
The man’s lips pressed into a thin line as he spoke. "The trouble is that we have detected a surge of energy just outside the clan base. According to our readings, a B-ranked portal break is about to occur."
The words dropped like thunder. Every Reaver in the hall stiffened. Eyes widened, pulses quickened, and hearts thumped collectively as the reality of the situation sank in.