Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 69: The Guild’s Home Base I

Chapter 69: The Guild’s Home Base I

Ryuen shifted back slightly, just enough to put a little gap between them. He watched as her eyes glowed faintly before returning to normal.

But he simply sighed. "It would be an honor working with you, Hwa."

She smiled in response, visibly pleased that he at least accepted her and did not treat her like he disliked her.

Although she could tell he didn’t, from the slight irritation in his eyes and how he moved away from her.

That gesture of his somehow didn’t get her annoyed.

Instead, it intrigued her—even more than Daiki had—and she actually liked Daiki more.

But considering Ryuen’s calm demeanor, which masked the silently bubbling rage beneath, his assassin-like build, and his mind, she could agree to put both of them on the same scale.

Ryuen shifted his gaze from Hwa to Yurei, who just stared at him blankly, like he was doing something wrong.

He held eye contact with her, both staring with empty and cold gazes, and the silence that passed between them could count as a thousand words.

He proceeded to ask why she was staring at him, but a tug at his sleeve moved his attention from her.

"Ryuen?" Akari called lowly, her coarse voice a result of the screaming and crying from the past few days.

When Ryuen’s gaze dropped to her, she smiled faintly. "Did you find Haruka?"

His gaze darkened faster than he had ever imagined. If anything, the speed was akin to the movement of a fly.

The name alone made his skin crawl with irritation, and if he even heard her voice, he wouldn’t hesitate to take out her vocal cords.

That was the height of his hatred, and she had caused it.

But he didn’t let it show to Akari. He just heaved a heavy sigh and placed his hand gently on her head.

Ryuen’s hand lingered on Akari’s head for a moment before he pulled back.

"Haruka is dead," he replied simply, earning a confused look from her that later changed to shock.

"You already have an idea of how it happened, right?"

"Yes, sir," she mumbled. Then he patted her once more. "I’ll get you to a better place. Forget about her."

Akari nodded slowly, she trusted him, and his words.

She knew he had his reasons, and she already had an idea of what those reasons might be.

Yurei exchanged a glance with Yuki, who remained silent, but then Yuki smirked mischievously.

"Wipe that smile off your face," Yurei mouthed, but she was ignored almost immediately, as Yuki waved and vanished right before her eyes.

’Sick girl.’

Yurei thought, although surprised and amused by how Yuki behaved.

She didn’t know what Yuki’s origin was, but she was certain it had something to do with Ryuen.

And that something was what she wanted to find out.

Her curiosity was biting and nudging at her to ask him, but she dared not, in order to avoid looking like she actually had interests in him.

While she was still thinking, Ryuen’s voice echoed through her ears, causing her to snap her eyes open.

"Let’s move," Ryuen said and turned to leave the gazebo.

Yuta and Kenta helped carry Akari to Hwa’s dragon. They mounted as well, while Hwa walked back to Ryuen.

"Where am I taking them to?"

"Nikori. Specifically, Vanguard hospital. Then you wait for us at the HQ. Understood?"

She smiled warmly and spun around, but she did not take a step.

She just let out a short laugh. "That calm demeanor is actually truly amusing," she said to him in a low tone, then made her way back to the dragon.

With a wave, the dragon rose from the ground, flapping its wings cautiously to avoid causing damage.

Hwa stood at the top of its head, barefoot, as if she were controlling the beast like that.

And she actually was.

The dragon ascended, higher and higher, until one could only see the trail of clouds that followed it.

"I guess we’re going on foot," Daiki chipped in, but received a scoff and a low groan from both Ryuen and Yurei.

_____

Daiki led the group toward the Vanguard headquarters with Ryuen trailing behind in his usual form.

They split up as Daiki walked into the building.

Yurei, however, walked lazily behind Daiki, her head swaying slightly from side to side.

She looked completely drained, as the stress from the entire day had finally shown on her.

Ryuen’s lips curved into a small smile at how silly she appeared.

He let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head.

Without saying a word, he turned on his heels and walked away from the rest of the group.

He didn’t explain himself or even glance at Erina, but she followed him without hesitation, her footsteps soft and silent.

Still terrified that if she made a mistake, he would snap.

They had only taken a few steps from the headquarters when Hwa Jin dropped from above, landing directly in Ryuen’s path.

The impact of her landing was hard but oddly quiet

Like she had mastered the art of stealth even in her dramatic entrances, from years ago.

Because it wasn’t normal.

Hwa stood up straight, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes.

Her eyes lit up the moment she spotted Ryuen. She smiled and tilted her head slightly. "Where are we heading now?"

"Somewhere," Ryuen replied. His tone sounded bored and uninterested, and he didn’t bother explaining further.

Instead, he stretched out his hand toward her.

Hwa blinked, misreading the gesture entirely.

She assumed he was offering to pat her for something and, with an obedient nod,

she lowered her head, waiting for the coins or payment to drop into her hands in the form of a physical touch.

But Ryuen had no such intention.

Before she could react, his fingers closed around the collar of her shirt.

With one quick motion, he grabbed her and began dragging her along with him.

Erina, who walked quietly behind them, stifled a laugh.

She bit her lip to hold it back, knowing full well Ryuen wouldn’t appreciate her amusement.

She could tell he was still annoyed with her about something—his silent mood and ignoring her made it clear.

Hwa, on the other hand, let herself be dragged without complaint, though her mischievous smile did not leave her lips.