Emperor's Reckoning

The main event had just begun and there were already casualties in the span of fewer than two hours.

The two princes and the other princess were the next ones that came to take a better look at the corpse while the kings and the queens sat on their seats respectively.

"Ugh," the princess of Sverine Kingdom, Cherie Sverine scowled in disgust.

"What the hell did this?" asked Raul.

Rupert didn't say a word and furrowed his eyebrows.

Hilde said, "If I remember correctly, they were amongst the middle level of Ascending Gods realm cultivators."

"True, did they encounter a three-horned Hellboar?" muttered Raul.

"Maybe more than one three-horned Hellboars," said Cherie. "Those beasts are amongst the intelligent ones, the more horns they had the more intelligent they become in hunting their food, and also, their sizes."

"I've seen a four-horned Hellboars before," said Hilde before she garnered their attention. The looks in their eyes were a mix of suspicion and disbelief.

Hilde smiled, "I've seen one, not kill one."

"How big was it?" asked Cherie.

"As big as an adult elephant," said Hilde with a nod. "The moment as took a glance at it, my instinct to run away kicked in. Thus why you can see me now."

The princess gasped.

---

"Hahaha!" Hezar proudly laughed with his hands crossed. "Even Ascending God didn't stand a chance! That brat won't survive."

"You spoke so highly for someone who's afraid enough that you make a backup plan," huffed Carius.

"What? Heh, no matter if you hear it or not. That subordinate of mine won't be taking it easy on him. It will be better if the Hellboar caught to him first."

---

In the midst of the luscious forest, a young man with red hair was having it easy against three one-horned boars at once.

"Irae!"

The sword flashed before the three beasts let out their last growl. Though the hide of the hellboar was thick, the superb quality of the sword he possessed made it feel like a knife going through hot butter.

The white horn slowly escaped out of the carcasses before Zet let out a sigh.

"I knew it, it is just like the last time. We are all too far apart from each other."

He sheathed his sword before he crouched down and harvested the three horns he had earned. "This will be.. huh... wait a minute."

He looked at the sky as he muttered. "Did big brother know, I wonder? That the deeper one's go inside the forest, the more dangerous it is?"

Then he shrugged his shoulder. "He probably did."

---

Lyon paid no heed in his mind after sending the two cultivators away with their own Returning Jade Stone.

He turned around and yawned before walking with his hands supporting his head. He took a light stroll on the small path that appeared to be made by previous travelers.

All he heard was the occasional cry of a bird above as he had taken a distinct walk. There was nothing in this place but twigs and trees.

As far as his eyes can see, he saw nothing but old dried leaves and twigs on the ground. Lyon lets out a sigh against the sky.

"This is boring!"

He didn't encounter a single beast nor did he encounter the hellboar. Not a single individual did he meet either. He kept on walking toward the small path that seemed to have no end.

"You!"

Lyon raised his eyebrows as he heard a rude tone slamming inside his ears. He turned around before seeing a man standing at the opposite end. He had blonde hair and a charming face. He exuded nobility that was far and beyond but Lyon recognize the man and felt nothing. He was Folcre.

"What? You want to kill me and steal my spoils?" asked Lyon as he cut to the chase.

"Hmph! Do you think I stoop that low? It would be tarnishing by nobility to rob you!" said Folcrei.

"Suit yourself," said Lyon as he shrugged. "I'm not in the mood to fight."

Lyon turned around before walking away.

"Wait I'm not done yet!"

Lyon waved his hand before walking deeper and deeper into the forest.

"That arrogant idiot. He is going to his grave, I want to use him to lure the three-horned Hellboar, damn it. No matter, I will find another way." Folcrei laughed before he turned around and went the other way.

Lyon yawned as he opened his mouth freely. "This is boring."

"Well, we are in heaven, what fun is there?" muttered Sun as the little monkey appeared on top of Lyon's head.

"There is nothing in this place but wild boars," Shen sighed as he rest on his shoulder.

"This is nice and calm," Bapho muttered as the little goat walked by Lyon's side.

"Grandpa Bapho, you're really chill," Lyon chuckled.

"Yeah in both ways," smirked Sun.

Lyon raised his eyebrows but Sun didn't tell any further.

"This is a good retirement, hahaha!" Bapho laughed. His eyes were ever squinting and his mouth was ever smiling.

A man, a goat. a monkey, and then a dragon. The four of them looked more ethereal than the entire luscious forest.

"You know, Lyon."

"Hm? What is it Grandpa Sun?"

"A boar's meat is not bad," the monkey grinned.

"Ah..." Lyon chuckled. "You should have to say it earlier."

"Oh no, that immature wild boar won't satisfy me. Their meat tasted like water even if we add seasoning beforehand!"

"You mean marinating?"

"Yes, even if you marinate it for a day, it would taste bland as water."

"Then... the two-horned."

"Nope," Sun shook his head. "Two-horned ones are slightly better than the first one but still not worth even entering the marketplace."

"Three? Four? Fi... no. Four?" asked Lyon.

Bapho suddenly said, "Seven."

"Se— What?" Lyon raised his eyebrows.

"Seven," Sun nodded. "You know your stuff Bapho."

"Hahaha, just a coincidence."

Sun rolled his eyes.

"Seven?! How big is that?!" asked Lyon excitedly.

"Hahaha~ Still smaller than me, that's for sure," said Shen.

"Yeah well, that's a given grandpa."

"It's huge, but that detail is for a later time," said Bapho before leaping and landing on the other side of Lyon's shoulder. "The lesser ones are coming."

"Understood."

Lyon smirked. "Finally some guests."

Right in front of him was a pair of huge hellboars. The three horns on their foreheads proved their formidability and strength. The hide could be seen from his point of view that it was thicker than the younger ones.

The beasts snorted with slight smoke permeating out.

"I see, the three-horned hellboars is bigger than an adult, whilst the two-horned one is as big as an adult man."

One of the beasts suddenly plunged forward with absurd speed as Lyon didn't manage to blink before he crossed his forearms to block the incoming ram.

*Boom!

(Heavy!) thought Lyon before he landed perfectly on the ground after being blown by the massive hellboar.

"I see, then..." Lyon's eyes turned a golden glow before four celestial golden tails spurted out from the base of his spine.

"Let's see if you can handle this!" Lyon leaped forward while using his tails. The sudden boost caught one of the hellboar off-guard, however...

He was not going after the closest but rather the furthest.

"Got you!"

The hellboar didn't waste any time as it dug its hooves to the ground and aligned its powerful head to the incoming attack.

"Hah! As if!"

Lyon somersault in mid-air before slapping one of his tails just right before he hit the boar, against the ground. The momentum left him hovering vertically before he roared, "Hajinseh!"

The javelin appeared in his right hand before he pulled it with all of his might before hurling it down.

*Ptak!

The blade of the javelin broke the sound barrier with a resounding slap before penetrating the three-horned hellboar's nape then gave a slight tremor to the nearby area as it embedded to the ground.

Lyon smirked before he landed gracefully.

The hellboar died standing before its legs loses their muscle function. The carcass knelt to the ground with a javelin protruding out of its lower neck.

"Here comes another... one," Lyon furrowed his eyebrows as the other one ran. He revert back to normal as he stood from his fighting stance.

"I guess they are not into valor or pride. Heh, what am I thinking, they're a boar."

Lyon shrugged as the three horns from the carcasses dropped to the ground with a thud. He crouched down before taking his loot and putting it into the small pouch.

*Clap! Clap! Clap!

Three distinctive claps were heard before a slightly deep voice was heard. "Not bad, kid."

Lyon furrowed his eyebrows before suddenly leaping away from the spot without looking at the man.

"Ack?!" The man didn't think that the young man would be fleeing after such a display of prowess. "What the hell...?"

Meanwhile, Lyon who was running away had a grim face on his face as he muttered. "That's so cliche."