"Say we accept, what do we need to do exactly? It can't be for free."

Artid laughed and replied

"Of course, nothing is free in this world. Once every two months you'll have to complete a request. As to what request is, it's usually assassinating someone of high importance. However, these requests give extravagant rewards, excluding the loot you get from the targets. Assassinations aren't the only requests, you can steal, escort, or protect someone, it varies but they're not easy, at the least not for the 'run-of-the-mill' cultivators and that's where you abilities shine, from perfect disguise to lethal poison and let's not forget Dark Magic, unseen and deadly."

He glanced at Lucy and continued

"Although I'm not exactly sure what Madam's powers are, I'm certain she's no weaker than you, which is more than enough to assure me. Furthermore, you two are avoiding the old butler from the White Specter Clan so I assume you do not plan on going back 'home'."

After saying his part, Artid remained silent, waiting for the couple's answer. He backed away and left them some time to discuss the matter.

Fortunately, it didn't take long as Arthur walked up to the young man and stretched his hand, to which the green seat amicably grabbed it and shook it.

"Pleasure joining you."

Although Arthur's expression remained deadpan, Artid wasn't bothered as he said

"Oh no no the pleasure is all mine! Believe me when I say you won't regret it. Make sure to come to our Headquarters when you're done here. From now on, you're the Red Seat of Blood. By the way, Zodiak once took the position of the Black Seat of Death, though only for a short while."

He handed him a small map which pointed him to where their next meeting will be. With nothing else to do here, Artid prepared to depart only for Arthur to stop him.

"Since I'm part of Black Rose, I can also issue requests, right?"

The grey-robed youngster was a bit confused but he still nodded his head, explaining the process.

"Anyone of the Nine Seats can issue requests and anyone from the organization can complete them, if they meet the strength requirements. Usually, requests issued by one the Nine Seats are hard so they're only taken by one of the other seats."

"If it's like then I would like to issue a request, right now."

Artid forced a laugh while replying

"Haha well… issuing a request involves some paperwork and it needs to be done in the Headquarters but since you're new I can help you."

An evil smirk appeared on Arthur's face, who sneaked a glance at Lucy before saying

"I want someone dead, preferably sooner than later. It just so happens the target is in this Secret Realm… what do you say, will you help me?"

…

Twenty or so minutes later, Artid left the mountain, leaving a delighted Arthur, who managed to solve one of his problems. All that's left is to take the mountain with them. He didn't know what to do and he didn't need to as Claud was the one doing everything.

As per his copy's request, a black cube bigger than the whole mountain enveloped the area, blocking any outside sense and making it impossible to see what's happening inside.

The strange cube left Arthur's consciousness and rapidly spun in front of him, causing steam to emanate from the weird object. The ARK started expanding and constantly changed shapes until became a large mechanical hand with countless numbers engraved on it.

As if plucking a flower, the two gigantic fingers pinched the mountain, causing it to vanish into thin air, leaving nothing but a larger crater in its place.

In the endless space inside of the ARK, a red mountain appeared. It seemed out of place in this dimension, which made Claud grumble angrily. He waved his hand, causing the mountain to be sent far away, becoming a small black dot, barely noticeable.

*****

On Astria, the situation, which was completely out of control, was suddenly reversed. An innumerable army of undead was awakened. As for its commander? None other than the Vice-Leader of the MoonStar Sect. The Undead, which populated half of the entire Western Continent, started marching toward the Itas Continent. A very small portion headed toward the MoonStar Sect, obliterating the army of evil monsters.

The invaders stood no chance against the undead, which felt no pain or exhaustion. The army of Cthulhu Race which was about to attack the MoonStar City numbered ten-thousand yet they were slaughtered in one hour. A hundred thousand undead were positioned around the city, protecting it from all sides.

At first, everyone was shaken by the appearance of the undead, however, they quickly calmed down when Anastassia appeared, leading the undead and assuring them of their safety.

Just after the enemy forces were killed, the Xi Clan suffered the same fate. The Clan was slaughtered, sparing none. Although it was a bit too much to kill everyone, Anastassia used this as a warning to other clans.

With her new powers, Anastassia was able to summon Ghost ships which the undead boarded to travel East.

The distance between the two continents was big and the numbers of undead were astronomical so it took three whole weeks to arrive albeit the fast ships.

Five thousand Bone Dragons arrived earlier than the rest, laying rest a third of the Cthulhu hiding in the burning forest.

The Demon Lord also dispatched a few thousand soldiers to assist the MoonStar Sect.

The once peaceful and calm forest of the Itas Continent became a bloody battlefield. Unbeknownst to Arthur and Lucy, the struggle of supremacy for this world began, bringing with it a great change…

**********

Green-Leaf, Amidel's city, a cloaked figure was randomly traveling between alleys with no destination in mind. A hood was covering her head, hiding her appearance but you could notice her long silver hair.

The once proud and powerful maid, Taliya, was anxious and impatient as she tried her best to locate Arthur, who wasn't here, unfortunately.

Left with no other choice, the head maid decided to seek Amidel's help. She knew that the Kangs were an acquaintance of Arthur and they probably can contact him.

The situation on Astria couldn't be worse so she hastily came here using the device Gutcha once used. The problem was entering the castle, which was heavily guarded. She was but a mortal, trying to bypass their senses is nothing but wishful thinking.

*****

Lissandra, still trapped in that cramped room, was forced to leave as her rations were running dangerously low. The number of Cthulhu coming from the portal significantly increased. She was sure that a great number of them is still residing in this labyrinth so her only way out is that portal. As to where it leads, even she, doesn't know.

It's either risking it or dying here, either by starvation or by their hands.

The woman patiently waited and calculated the interval of time in which they appear from within the portal. At the fourth and last day, when she decided to finally leave her hideout, her food finally ran out.

Her clothes became dirty, she had a foul stench emanating from her and her body was uncontrollably shaking. To think a God would fall to such state, it was pitiful, to say the least.

Twenty minutes after a few hundred Cthulhu appeared, Lissandra activated the hidden mechanism and exited the hideout then darted toward the portal.

Her unsteady legs and extremely thin body showed how much she suffered, nevertheless, she resolutely jumped into the portal only to feel a strong dizziness assault her.

When she regained her senses, she saw a world covered in blood. The sky was jet black and the heat was suffocating. The ground was littered with blood and dismembered bodies.

She glanced around only for her face to turn pale as several Cthulhu noticed her arrival. They were momentarily startled before showing their hideous grin.

They weren't worried she would escape as they greatly outnumbered her. One of them, which had four arms, each holding a long bloody hook, appeared in front of her.

Before she could retreat back to the portal, a hook came flying at her, ready to impale her abdomen. Lissandra, knowing that it was the end, closed her eyes, accepting her fate, as miserable as it was.

However, the pain didn't come, instead, she felt a large amount of disgusting liquid splatter on her face and body. When she hesitantly opened her eyes, she became dumbstruck as the monster who was about to cut her was nowhere to be seen. It missed its upper body, which was sent flying a distance away.

Before she could process what happened, a person grabbed her body and madly ran to the direction where there were fewer monsters.

The woman fell unconscious a few seconds later but she was able to see the face of her savior, a bearded young man with a very long hair.