Yin & Yang Pleasures of Cultivation

There was an overt amount of frustration mixed in from Khyra's tone. Even before she attempted to use this Crystal Orb, she actually didn't have high hopes. 

Unless they had actual blood samples or some form of DNA, the Crystal Orb wouldn't give the best result.

Khyra knew this, knew that failure was essentially ninety percent possible. And yet, she couldn't stop this searing, unending rage from growing. 

From dealing with numerous obnoxious or plain-out disgusting Mercenaries, none of them could genuinely sway Khyra's emotions.

The high level of strength she achieved allowed her to be so coldly indifferent to mostly everything and everyone. 

However, now, all of that calm and stability were destroyed. And it was utterly vaporized by just three mere youths! 

The fact that Darcel, Aniela, and Masami utterly crushed her like she was nothing but an ant left a deep shadow that was carved deep into her heart.

Additionally, the fact that she was made into a Darkness Servant gave her the drive to feel genuine hatred towards a person. 

Considering that Darcel's group had so easily beaten her once, Khyra herself knows she shouldn't be so hasty for revenge. But, because she sensed Darcel's energy grew weaker inside her, she latched on to the small hope that the trio all got majorly weaker. 

It was a risk for sure to meet them again, but Khyra couldn't lock down the ferocious Killing Intent in her heart.

Above all, there was one sensation that continually dreaded Khyra if she didn't latch on to this relentless Killing Intent. If her mind isn't focused on pure hatred for Darcel's group, then….she would feel immensely strange.

So strange that her mind would be in a jumble disarray, and she wouldn't be able to think of anything coherently. 

This is why no matter how much her hatred seems exaggerated to anyone else, she didn't want to think of anything else. 

In direct contrast to Khyra's forceful mental state, Melea nearly leaked a sigh as obvious tension cleared from her face. 

Melea couldn't place her finger on why, but the fact that Darcel's group couldn't be traced made her feel a specific type of why.

It almost made her….glad? 

'Why….no-no! I can't think like that! They're enemies….enemies….' Melea quickly peered her eyes over to Bella and Khyra, making sure they didn't spot her shift in expression.

When seeing Bella just had that usual annoying smile of hers and Khyra still staring into the Crystal Orb, Melea found it was the best time to talk up now. At least talking would help her mind become distracted.

"Leader Khyra, you shouldn't worry about this. I mean….all three of them had a way to completely erase their presence. So it's to be expected that trying to find them now is equivalent to a needle in a haystack."

Nothing was wrong with what Melea said. Although there was a slight edge to her tone, Melea was grateful that neither Khyra nor Bella picked up. 

At least, Melea thought Bella didn't pick up on it.

Compared to the swirling emotions of Melea and Khyra, Bella was the calmest she ever was. With a slight shrug of her shoulders, she told her Snow Angel Leaders, "Say….not to be that one. But, aren't we putting a bit too much into finding them?"

"Hoh?" 

Immediately, Khyra whipped her head around to Bella, giving her a spine-chilling look. She gawked right into the depths of her eyes, hoping to see a change of tune from her.

Alas, not even the ice-cold gaze Khyra had could break Bella's calm stride. Realizing this, Khyra spoke in a sharp tone. 

"Is there something you would like to say, Captain Bella?"

Bella still carried that same lazy smile as she put her hand up in a nonhostile manner. "Oh, nothing, nothing. I just mean….well, you should know this is a considerable risk, right? What if their prowess stayed the same, and we somehow managed to find them. Then what happens?"

"Of course, I took into account their overbearing prowess. And I can sense it. Something major happened to them that could give us a fighting chance. In any case, barring personal revenge, those three simply knows far too much."

Khyra firmly explained, using an adamant tone that left no room for further discussion. 

"Hmmm~." 

Bella, in response, only started to casually hum as if there was nothing wrong at all. Without waiting, she began walking towards the door to leave the meeting early, knowing it would only be a waste to go on further. 

"Captain Bel-" 

"Don't bother. Obviously, I thought she would be useful here….but never mind it."

When Melea tried to reason out Bella, Khyra had hurriedly interrupted her. That damn calm attitude Bella had, acting like what happened to them wasn't really much, frustrated Khyra to no end.

And right as Bella was about to leave, she stopped by the door handle and halfway turned her head around. She spoke one final piece to both Snow Angel leaders, telling them, 

"Even though you gave some solid reasons…. I'm sure this is more personal. But you know….can you really say it was that bad? I for sure recalled it feeling good."

And without waiting for either Melea or Khyra's responses, Bella swiftly scurried out of the room. 

Left alone with each other, Melea and Khyra linger their gazes on the open door for a moment. Unwillingly, memories of that time started to surge in both of their minds. 

Even though Khyra always wanted to desperately suppress it, the fact that Bella mentioning it felt good caused a strange sensation to swell within her chest.

Melea was more visibly impacted as she began to subconsciously clench her hands, feeling an absolutely mixed sensation course through her mind, body, and soul. 

No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts about Darcel's group could never be clear.

Especially when she thought about Darcel in particular. Even though her free will was taken away and she was made into their servant, Melea just couldn't understand it. 

Why can't she feel genuine hatred towards him?

Suddenly, Melea was broken out of her conflicting thoughts when Khyra whipped her around to peer right into her face. 

Khyra's expression appeared to be the utmost calm, as if she wasn't affected by Bella's words at all.

Without anyone knowing, Khyra forced down any memories or strange sensations as she began telling Melea, "Ignore whatever she said. Since it comes down to this, we still have that Raven Mage as an option. I am sure she holds an equal amount of hatred. And we have items that can sufficiently entice her."

"Ahh-ah! That's great!" 

Melea appeared to be seemingly upbeat, casting away any of her previous confusion. Though there was an apparent slight edge to her tone.

Khyra slightly raised her eyebrow since she didn't have this upbeat energy all throughout the meeting. But before she could speak again, Melea continued to talk. 

"For this….will we use the things in the treasure vault? It should be enough for a Mage like her."

"Indeed we will. And Leader Melea, don't mind what Captain Bella said too much. What I claim wasn't hot air at all; I can genuinely sense something happened to their prowess. We won't stop until those three are dead."

Khyra proposed such an ominous promise while spouting a terrifying crazed look within her eyes. 

Melea didn't comment further and simply kept her seemingly energetic smile. Although, she was starting to feel a strain the more she kept up this act.

….

With the Mercenary Exchange Event over, the Mercenaries who made a long trek here had no reason to stay any longer. 

Nobody especially wanted to stay with all the darkening mood that had befallen New Branch City.

Mercenary groups such as the Black Raven Mage or the Golden Crow Circle seem dangerously close to exploding with whatever news they got delivered. 

Not wanting to get mixed up in the crossfire, numerous traveling Mercenary groups were already miles away from the City.

And one of these traveling Mercenary groups was Fruna's squadron. Compared to other traveling Mercenary groups and the Mercenaries in New Branch City, there was a more jovial mood between them.

"Ahh, we really got a long haul!" One of the Silver Bloody Hammer members joyously remarked. 

He and nearly all of his other teammates felt like they were on cloud nine with what they managed to score.

The only one who wasn't sharing in their joyous mood was Fruna. She stood at the back of them, keeping her head down as her mind rummaged on several thoughts. 

Thoughts that she knows will severely impact her own future.