Only I Am A Reader

'Huh? Who…'

The pressure threatening to break down Leo's body made it hard to think, but Leo quickly analyzed the situation… He could tell that a powerhouse was using their Internal Energy to crush them down!

He had definitely read countless novels where elders screamed 'Impudent!' or 'You dare!' on the protagonist, while he miraculously endured this pressure. However, he had only personally experienced this situation once.

Amid the concentrated sparring sessions that Leo had with Cheon Chang when his return coincided with his senior brother, the Absolute Spear had given him a taste of what it was like to face someone of a whole other level so as to prepare him for the future… It was just that Leo didn't expect that the next time he would experience it would be in the same place.

'Wait.'

Leo roused his own Internal Energy to resist just like he did the first time, but the crease on his forehead seemed to slowly ease. It wasn't that easy to tell normally, but the energy he had just come into contact with was something he was particularly familiar with!

'Nice prank…'

Before he could even finish his thoughts the pressure suddenly disappeared, followed by someone strongly pushing their house's doors. Their 'mother chicken' was around this time…

"Wew, you really don't spare the chance to grow! This does make me feel proud."

A voice they had all felt before permeated the whole building. Undoubtedly the Internal Energy that just pressured Leo was the same one that helped him and Yeon with their advancement! This was none other than the Blade Spirit's flashy entrance!

"Master's welcome is as great as always."

By the time both Leo and Yeon had dashed to the lower floor, Cheon Sohee stood next to Cheon Yong as she reflected Cheon Jeong's large smile with a bitter one. Although not all meetings were this aggressive, Cheon Jeong always used some method to test them out…

"Right? Since we can only meet every once in a while like this, it at least has to be this memorable!"

The spread out Internal Energy suddenly turned gentle, making Leo feel comfortable. If the earlier situation could be said to have been the result of a savage area of effect debuff, the current one was more like a relaxing healing buff.

"We weren't even sure when we would return… Did something happen for us to be called back this soon?"

Leo spoke out with a light smile, being reminded of Ria. The last time they set out, they were told to stay outside and clear as many monsters as possible while working on their skill without any definite return schedule. It was only when they passed by one of the Society's checkpoints that they were suddenly informed to return with haste.

"Eh? I see you are all really dedicated to your task. As expected, I was right to snatch the 'first' for our little Demon Hunting Squad!"

The four looked at each other, feeling a hint of knowing sarcasm in Cheon Jeong's words. In reality, they were only in a hurry to get back to hunting so they can continue harvesting experience points and leveling up. After all, who would really want to stay idle once they got a taste of power leveling?

"Heh… Don't worry, what you came back for is definitely better."

Barely holding back her laugh, Cheon Jeong spoke out ambiguously. However…

'It's really the time for that?'

Leo felt a chill pass through his body as soon as he heard Cheon Jeong's words. He was already half-expecting something like this since the call back was so abrupt, but he still couldn't push away the tension that overcame him.

"The fake demons playing outside are bound to be destroyed by our Society sooner or later. However, as the finest produce of the current generation's Heavenly Furnace, you have other priorities that you need to tend to."

The upheaval that started with the protagonist's descent was obviously a diversion from the generic route. It was okay for the regular members to change usual missions with 'demon hunting' ones, but were the main seeds of the generation really supposed to waste their prime time with something like this?

While they would often be tested, something which monster hunting was of great use in, the top geniuses expected to lead their generation and replace the top figures were always being considered in the bigger scheme of things.

The main route for their little team was the concentrated nurturing route! A good portion of the Heavenly Strength Society's information network was basically on standby to catch any great fortuitous opportunity that could elevate their standing even further!

'I guess I will have to go with plan B.'

Leo had been working so hard in hope to make just one more advancement before the time to go back to their original route. Unfortunately, not everything could go his way just because he knew the rough timings of most events occurring in this world.

'Leveling up' was something that could be rushed, but the same couldn't be said about Martial Advancement. It would only come when the time is right for it, pushing it would only make it worse.

Reading such words felt nonsensical to Leo and most readers, knowing that it was just the author's excuse for holding into the plot device of advancement. Being personally faced with this situation wasn't exactly fun…

'The irony…'

"Anyway, let's go get something to eat and maybe do some training after. This time's adventure is quite important, even Spearhead will be arriving soon to accompany us."

'That confirms it.'

Food was usually delivered to them back when they were first preparing for the first dispatch. However, Cheon Jeong would make sure to drag them out of their nests for a joint meal every now and then. As such, Leo and the others automatically went to grab their food trays and followed Cheon Jeong as usual.

"Not going to share how you came to be the so-called 'Four Heavenly Beasts'?"

Once they sat down, Cheon Jeong started the chit-chat with her little chicks, enjoying what was likely to be their last warm meal for a while, but…

"I don't think we should go."

Leo suddenly spoke with denial out of nowhere.