Chapter 219 - Future Investment

The young group of talents fought together coherently, and all worked together, efficiently using all of their abilities and also unleashing joint attacks in order to impressively take down the two mercenaries.

However, in the process, they had all become fatigued, and Cole and Milo had suffered quite a few grave injuries, while Julia and Matilda had also suffered multiple wounds around their body.

Clay was running the lowest on energy as he was essential for the coherence of the group and could make the most of his ability while fighting in a capable group.

The two mercenaries both had powerful Innate Abilities and, as skilled, experienced and crazy rank 7 cultivators, were very difficult for them to take down.

"You kids actually managed to do it" exclaimed the mercenary group leader.

He didn't seem angry or upset in the slightest, and although they hadn't killed the mercenaries, they had beaten them to the point they were unlike to recover back to the state they were in.

Unlike Damian, they were unable to decisively strike their opponents with the intention to kill even after they were being attacked with the intention to kill.

Because of that, they merely extended the suffering and pain that both they and the mercenaries had to endure, since they longed out the battle.

However, their performance was still amazing and each of them had unique, powerful and versatile Innate Abilities.

Along with that, they had also all cultivated both internally and externally and were very skilled in combat.

Thinking back to when he was their age, the mercenary group leader wasn't even a cultivator yet, and yet the kids before him were all so capable and experienced.

'It seems as though the times really are changing and there will be even more entertainment coming up in the future. They are all on a completely other level compared to my generation, especially that white-haired brat whose yellow eyes seemed to be able to copy anything' thought the mercenary group leader to himself.

'I can kill them all there and leave no witnesses, or I can escape here and be labelled as a traitor and deserter by the Royal Mercenaries and Royal Academy. The second option is much more entertaining, but I won't be gaining anything from this encounter.'

The mercenary group leader felt as though killing them would merely get rid of future entertainment, but also didn't want to leave empty-handed.

Such an insane individual's true intentions were difficult to understand, but it was clear to the youths facing him that in the state they were in, they had no chance against him.

They also doubted whether they could take him on, even at their full power.

"That's it. I will take that pet monkey and sell him on the black market. After that, I will have more than enough money for my life as a fugitive and to explore this continent, and I will definitely return to watch these kids tear apart this country," decided the mercenary group leader.

Such an intelligent, nimble and cute beast pet could be sold for fortunes, and from what was described in the Mercenary Mission brief, the monkey beast had the capabilities of a rank 6 cultivator, which made it even more valuable.

As soon as he looked over to Kong, it became clear that the mercenary group leader had set his eyes on him and Kong was immediately alert and unsure of what he was going to do next.

Damian, who could sense and understand what Kong was feeling, suddenly jumped up and used the Flame Burst Skill to launch himself in the direction of Kong.

Just as he did, the mercenary group leader also moved at unbelievably fast speeds that the injured and fatigued group of youths couldn't even see properly, let alone keep up with.

"I won't let you lay a finger on my Beast Pet" 

Damian was determined to make sure that he protected Kong from the mercenary group leader, however, even after using the Flame Burst Skill, the mercenary group leader was still too quick.

Even Kong was unable to resist and was grabbed by the mercenary group leader who carried Kong in one hand and the bag Kong was carrying in the other.

"Hand Kong back over and you can keep all the beast cores in the bag. I am sure they are worth a great amount," offered Damian as he walked over to him.

He wasn't going to allow Kong to be taken and the mercenary group leader could see that and could also sense that despite Damian still being injured and fatigued, there was a great power within him that was on the verge of being unleashed.

The mercenary group leader had no reason to fight and he could sense a large amount of high-quality beast cores within the bag, so he opted to hand back over the small monkey beast.

It was much more convenient to take the beast cores, and the mercenary group leader wanted to see just how much the youths and the monkey beast could grow.

"Alright then, I will let you keep your little monkey," said the mercenary group leader as he threw Kong over to Damian, who caught it in his arms.

"Now then, listen up, kids. Me allowing you all to live is my future investment in you all and I will be looking forward to seeing how much of an impact you have on this country, and maybe even the continent," stated the mercenary group leader.

"No hard feelings for the beatings my subordinates gave you, and you guys returned the favour. See you around," he said before disappearing into the forest.

His speed was unbelievable, and it seemed as though he had an Innate Ability that enhanced his speed.

Matched with his unbelievable hearing, he was the perfect spy and was exactly how he was able to gather so much information.

Seeing his speed, it was clear that they would have had no chance against him, even at full strength, but they couldn't help but be relieved that he left and didn't seem to want to harm them anymore.