Chapter 79

Rezen’s farm

To the side of Rezen’s farmhouse, a long table with chairs can be seen. On top of that table was a variety of vegetables and fruits along with marinated meat

The meat came from the stone-claw bears that Rezen hunted in the past. Since they were magic beasts at the 3rd rank, they were tastier than ordinary livestock

The meat was already way tastier and even more so now that Rezen marinated them using his personally made soy sauce and also some calamansi along with a store-bought sugar

Rezen was sitting on the head chair and after hours of marinating the meat, he judged that it could now be used

Fortunately, the bean-flour mixture of his grew mold in a short time and he managed to turn them into soy sauce quite fast

Rezen that was wearing an apron grabbed a chunk of marinated bear meat and placed it on top of the chopping board

He licked his lips a bit while holding the kitchen knife in his right hand

Rezen started to cut the chunk of meat a bit thinly, just with enough thickness to be a perfect barbecue

Around him were his subordinates that were staring at him. Only five of his subordinates were here since the other five were in the Rising Sage Academy, learning how to use magic and Zero was still in the Ratois Mountain

These five subordinates of Rezen instead of doing whatever they want were staring at him. It was as if they were waiting for a time when he would need their assistance

At first, they made Rezen uncomfortable but as time passed, he learned how to ignore them. His attention and focus were also drawn by his ‘work’

Rezen moved his knife swiftly, cutting the meat into smaller pieces and placing them in a bowl next to him

“Damn, what’s this? A marinade made from soy sauce, calamansi, and sugar isn’t supposed to smell and look this delicious!” Rezen grumbled. He felt like a freak for wanting to drink the marinade since he is definitely not like this in the past

Maybe, his crops were really just magical. Even in that form, one would want to consume them

Rezen fought the temptation for some time before he give in. He dipped his finger into the marinade before sucking it lightly

The salty, savory, sweet, and sour flavor bursts on his tongue. The various flavor combined and complement each other although Rezen has to say that it is still not perfect. Probably because of the sugar that he used that didn’t come from his farm, Rezen felt that the taste is good but it can still be improved

“Oh well, there’s still next time” Rezen thought. Next time, he can process his crops with his subordinates, that would make things faster than him doing it alone

Rezen used up around an hour to slice all the meat before he retrieved the sticks he would use to skewer them

His work was done in a smooth manner and one stick after another was used up by him but before he can even finish, he suddenly sensed the movement of mana

Normally, with how focused he was, Rezen wouldn’t notice that people near him were using magic

However, the magic fluctuations that came from all five of his subordinates were pretty intense

They were utilizing their tattoos to the fullest extent

“Halt! Who are you?!” the ‘oldest’ of the five asked

That artificial human is One. He is a Tattoo Warrior with the element of ice. With the help of his Mystic Tattoo, his fist was covered with a layer of ice, any punch that he threw would definitely be stronger and more painful than usual

“What’s with these guys? They are weird” One of the three uninvited guests said while looking warily at the five Tattoo Warriors

“I read about them before, they are Tattoo Warriors. With five of them, we are not their match. Go call Lord Keito” another one of them said as they fired a small fireball into the sky

“Who are you guys?” Rezen questioned while wiping his hands with a towel

“Don’t mind us, we are just passing by” one of the three answered but Rezen is stupid if he believed them

If they are really just passing by as they said, why do they have to wait for that Lord Keito or something?

Not to mention, if they are confident of defeating Rezen and his subordinates if that Lord Keito arrives despite knowing what Tattoo Warriors were, doesn’t that mean that the Lord was an existence at the 4th fusion rank?

“Seize them!” Rezen ordered and his subordinates didn’t hesitate

Their figures shot towards the three uninvited guests

“[Fire Stream!]”

“[Wind Stream!]”

“[Water Stream!]”

The three summoned their mystic gems and cast spells. Stream magic of differing elements was fired but three Tattoo Warriors blocked them with their punches while the remaining two, broke their arms and legs

“Aahhh!!”

“Ahhh!!”

“Aahh!!!”

Three successive pained screams rang around as the three uninvited guests fell to the ground. They were wriggling from severe pain that the Tattoo Warriors brought on their bodies

Tears gathered around their wide-opened eyes and their bodies secreted an excessive amount of sweat

“Search their bodies! See what things they have to identify them!” Rezen ordered, his tone dark

He felt really conflicted. Times like this made him remember why he wanted to create his own organization

It was cool to order his subordinates from the shadows and everything

However, at the same time, today is his day off. He was wishing to have a peaceful day away from danger but he felt like he knows where these people came from

As expected, his subordinates retrieved small mask-like things and when he had them press those things, the masks grew in size

“Twighlight Beasts…” Rezen muttered coldly. Yesterday, he was too powerless and let one ‘bastard’ flee. And now, these people might be the reinforcements since that damned organization is vengeful

Rezen stared at all the things that he had prepared today. His heart is bleeding. Does he really have to abandon them?

He worked really hard to create them!

However, if there’s really a mage at the 4th fusion rank… can he win?

Rezen and his subordinates definitely cannot win. It can be said that 3rd rank Tattoo Warriors have the power that is half-step into the 4th rank but half-step is still just half-step!

There’s still a huge difference in power!

Even with five of them plus Rezen, there is no way that they can win!

“Cherry bombs, will the cherry bombs work?” Rezen wondered, racking his brains to decide what he should do. To flee or to fight to death?

One side of Rezen that is rational wanted to flee while his hot-blooded side wanted him to stay

In the end, his rational side won. He doesn’t want to be a person that was lacking intellect

He won’t be a generic protagonist that would throw everything in a fight!

“Alright, guys, time to run!” Rezen said while waving his hand. Another reason why he decided to flee was that he remembered that he has his void storage ring to store his processed food

It wouldn’t be late to avenge himself later after he calls Rain and Florine. Why would he fear a 4th fusion rank mage with them with him?

Unfortunately, while man has a thousand plans, heaven but one

Before Rezen and his subordinates can flee, a rain of metal shards suddenly fell down on their position

Rezen didn’t dare try their luck and he threw cherries to meet the metal shards

“Go cherries, pop!” Rezen shouted before he slapped his mouth. He felt that those words sounded indecent and not fit for the current atmosphere

Fortunately, it seems like Rezen is right. His cherry bombs really have the power of 4th fusion grade as they managed to block the metal shards

“Oh, impressive. What are those things? To think that they can block my spell”

Rezen and his subordinates raised their heads. Above them was a man wearing a white robe that was riding on a sheet of metal

“Twighlight Beasts, are you also a member of Twighlight Beasts?” Rezen questioned and the man didn’t deny it

‘I knew it, they are really here for revenge’ Rezen thought in his head, his face has a grim expression

Even without his order, his subordinates encircled him, ready to use their lives to protect him at all cost

“I’m not a really a fan of chitchat. For harming my subordinates, die!”

Lord Keito clicked his fingers together and a magic circle formed below him

“[Devil Punisher!]”

From that large magic circle that Lord Keito had created, countless sharp tentacles of metal came out

All the sharp metal tentacles targeted either Rezen or the Artificials Humans. With their strength, they might be able to put up a fight but that might not last long

There is a huge difference in power between the 3rd and 4th rank!