I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

54 – 10# Creta Guild (5)

Perhaps it was because they felt Asterios’ determination in their skin.

The scattered members of the Creta Guild also began to fight back without giving up. It wasn’t strange for Poda and Zik to clash like fire and water.

Poda snorted. Despite being only around 13 years old, he was able to keep up with her speed. Technically, he wasn’t lacking in any way. What was this monster?

It wasn’t just a difference in talent. There was something terrifying beyond talent that was driving the kid. Something like madness or obsession.

Indeed.

Daylan’s level was no match for him.

He was originally weak in head-on confrontations, so it was no surprise. But if they were evenly matched, it would be difficult to win against him in a direct fight.

But.

“I’m still not enough to beat Poda!!”

A fierce flame erupted from Poda’s entire body. Her current appearance was more like a flame spirit than a human. Zik frowned and opened her mouth.

“She’s wrapped her entire body in the power of flames.”

The temperature was so high it could easily melt iron. The flame armor that combined defense and offense. Just the heat emanating from it was already melting the iron.

Only a hero who had piled up achievements or possessed a divine artifact like the bronze colossus from last time could withstand it. Zik quickly made her judgment and charged directly at Poda.

Is she really charging at me?!

Poda was taken aback. The attack coming at her was like diving into lava, and she hadn’t expected such a move.

Thanks to her slow reaction…

The difference in their power decided the outcome.

Zik, who had closed the distance, swung her sword first. However, even though Poda’s reaction was a bit slow, she was still a powerful hero among the top ranks in Gideon.

Of course, she could defend against this level of attack.

Poda’s flames engulfed Zik’s sword, melting it instantly. However, because she had hastily raised her defense, Poda failed to read Zik’s next attack.

Thud!!!

Zik’s fist, hidden behind the melted sword, struck Poda’s abdomen with tremendous force. The flames that had been covering Poda’s body disappeared instantly.

“Kuh!!”

“My body can still withstand it.”

The more achievements one piles up, the more incredible power they gain, surpassing ordinary humans. And Zik had accumulated absurd achievements with Isaac.

Of course, Isaac was the main hero, but even being recorded as a supporting role was an incredible feat. Naturally, Zik could also accumulate significant achievements.

However, there was something about Zik that couldn’t be explained by talent or achievements alone. The evidence was her eyes, which had turned red and hadn’t returned to normal.

“They were much stronger than I thought.”

Zik gazed at her fist, which was now charred like coal. It couldn’t even straighten properly anymore. It had only been for a brief moment.

But in that short time, it had been burned to this extent.

If they had clashed head-on, it would have been dangerous.

Zik let out a deep sigh, scolding herself. She had been arrogant, thinking she was strong. But now, having fought a real hero, she knew for certain.

In a real fight between heroes…

Complacency leads to defeat.

Although she had won this time, if they fought again… The outcome would be uncertain. No, she might even lose. The gap between them was that large.

Zik stopped her thoughts there. She turned her head to see the remaining iron shield and Creta’s members clashing with each other. Zik clicked her tongue and said,

“I’ll join the fight immediately.”

With the two leaders down, they were still in a tough spot. No, they were being pushed back even further. The only one who could still fight, Hans, was injured, and the rest were being overwhelmed by their opponents’ skills and experience.

Was this the true strength of Creta?

Each and every ordinary guild member who reached the level of a true hero. If they were born at the right time, they would have been recorded in history as heroes without exception.

Zick quickly joined his colleagues.

For the sake of his family.

To put the master’s teachings into practice.

* * *

Anger.

The most fiercely burning flame, yet simultaneously the fastest to extinguish. The emotion of anger is at its most intense when first felt.

Of course, it’s possible to reignite the same anger again, but it’s usually not as intense as the first time. However, there are occasional exceptions.

A notable example is Asterios’ authority, Anger. It was a power that responded to Asterios’ negative emotions, which were cursed by the gods. A unique authority belonging only to Asterios.

That’s why.

Ironically.

Asterios had once weakened.

The anger that had seemed impossible to extinguish at first gradually subsided as he met people and shared drinks with his colleagues. Anger towards those who had abandoned him.

And revenge.

It still lingered in his mind, but perhaps, with time, the desire for revenge would eventually disappear, and he could be free.

However, it ultimately ended in vain. Asterios lost everything. The Creta Guild, which had once had hundreds of members, dwindled in number.

[It seems like you can’t cut it.]

[You…!!]

[So, I’ll leave only the useful ones behind.]

If I were stronger back then.

If my authority hadn’t weakened.

Then, could I have protected them?

Boom! A loud noise shook his jaw. Asterios finally came to his senses. His authority, Anger, had completely disappeared. Thanks to that, he could finally see.

The figure of a man standing tall in front of him, unyielding. His appearance was far from normal, covered in blood, with bones piercing through his skin in some areas.

Yet, he didn’t fall and stood firm. Asterios was shocked. Could it be that this man had withstood his authority head-on, alone?

“You’re crazy, how could you endure that?”

“…….”

“I admit defeat. I can no longer do anything here…”

Boom!!!

But just as he was acknowledging his defeat, Isaac suddenly punched him. Asterios, who had been caught off guard, took the punch.

He wasn’t particularly angry.

He was just stunned.

Or rather, bewildered.

Asterios, still lying on the ground, looked at Isaac with a dazed expression. Isaac, looking back at him, clenched his fist.

“Can you say that anger is all you have?”

“That’s…”

“Of course not. You must have accumulated a lot until now.”

“…….”

What was he saying? What did he want from me? It didn’t even need to be understood with my brain. The moment I heard those words, I realized.

What that man was saying.

The flames had disappeared, leaving only ashes behind. However, he forced himself to stand up on his trembling legs. He seemed like he would collapse at any moment, but he gritted his teeth and endured.

“Show me everything, not just your past power!!!”

“aaahhh!!”

Isaac’s roar became the signal. Asterios took a step forward with his trembling legs, charging towards Isaac. In response, Isaac also rushed forward.

That’s right.

It doesn’t matter if it’s pathetic.

As long as it’s for something precious.

Even if I have to roll around in the mud.

I’ll take it to the end.

That’s what it means to be a man.

As they exchanged blows, the fierce battle that seemed endless finally approached its end. Asterios, who had realized that he couldn’t keep going like this, made his final move.

“This is my everything.”

In the final moment, he gathered all his strength. Asterios took a stance, looking like a bull charging forward without regard for anything. His attack was crude, without any technique or power.

If Isaac dodged, Asterios would be the one to lose. Exhausted, Asterios would probably collapse right there. But Isaac didn’t dodge, and instead charged forward just like Asterios.

“Good! Hero! Take my everything!!”

“Concept is eternal!!!”

Something infinitely heavy and something infinitely light collided. No matter what Isaac thought, Asterios felt something in his chest disappear for the first time.

Someone said that humans can resolve everything through conversation.

Asterios had denied that until now.

This suffocating feeling in his chest, this discomfort that made his heart heavy even in joyful moments. How could conversation resolve that? It was like trying to find a way out of a labyrinth.

There was no exit in sight.

The fear of being lost forever.

The labyrinth began to crack.

And finally, when the labyrinth collapsed and he faced the sky.

Asterios felt a sense of relief for the first time in his life.

“Thank you. And, you’re amazing.”

Until the very end.

To the man who had saved him.

Asterios didn’t forget his gratitude.