132 'Date'

They were all put in a state of awe when they beheld the sight that laid before them. Puting Araw's strongest stronghold was demolished within an hour! This spoke volumes of Sitan's strength.

Not only can Forest Giant not achieve this feat with his army, much less alone. He can never survive if he ever goes near this headquarter. He'd irrefutably die instantaneously.

"Holy…" Black Devil swallowed his saliva in both fear and reverence. Sitan was too mighty! 'With this kind of power backing me… I can avenge them… I've made the right choice.'

In the distance, a shadow flew past their line of sight. Suddenly, Sitan was there, in his usual attire. Sitan and Black Devil's party walked towards each other.

A few meters away from Sitan, the seven all knelt to Sitan. Black Devil respectfully reported, "We've killed wiped out every single wielder within the three branches of Puting Araw in Mindanao, excluding the two Walong Sinag ng Araw agents. We've razed every underground facility to non-functional and unreturnable states. The ambush is a success."

"Indeed, indeed." Sitan's inherently demonic voice rang out. "How about that cave. Have you investigated it? Did you find it?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Everyone stood up. "The cave is deserted and isolated. I've bought the property around it. As for its interior… Unfortunately, it is barren."

"I see." Sitan rubbed two of his fingers on the chin of his mask. The scene was rather comical, with the devil mask and all. "Well, we'll get to that later. For the meantime, let us celebrate this victory."

"What about these destroyed bases?" Forest Giant inquired. "Wouldn't it be useful to capture these bases?"

"No, not really." Sitan shook his head. "These three headquarters are beyond repair. If we capture it, we'll have to spend more resources than when we improve our own bases."

"I see, that is insightful." Forest Giant felt that he was short-sighted. They had sufficient territories for the moment anyways, with Indonesia's wielder bases and all that. "You're saying that it will be better to celebrate instead of pushing ourselves?"

"Yes." Sitan concurred. "There's no rush. We have the capability to obliterate Puting Araw without even moving our soldiers. As for Pangkat Anino, as long as we don't directly mess with them, they'll not move a muscle."

"I beg to differ." Fan Maiden courageously opposed Sitan's words. "Pangkat Anino is an organizational entity that seeks freedom. If we capture Puting Araw, we will rule the Philippines. Don't you think they'll retaliate then?"

"Excuse me, Your Highness." Black Devil sounded impatient for the first time. "Why is it that after the Annual Youth Pride will we do this? Wouldn't it be better to invade them while they're down?"

"There's no fun in doing that." Everybody was floored of Sitan's answer. "You sound on edge, Black Devil. Why is this?"

"I…" Black Devil sighed out. "I apologize, Your Highness."

"Don't let this edginess get to you in the future." Sitan's voice was terrifying and threatening. "Black Devil, I need your power. If you lose your cool at a crucial time…"

Sitan traced an index finger across his throat. It signified: 'I'll be forced to behead you. Therefore, do not lose your cool.'

"Let's go to the base." Sitan laughed aloud. "I'll cook for you lot."

….

Meanwhile, in Puting Araw Central Headquarters (1), it was complete pandemonium. In the sick bay, Ace was lying in room 402. It was rooms reserved only for the most heavily injured.

Inside, Juan Tamad was sitting in a stool in a relaxed state, while Bryant was standing adjacent to the bed with his hands behind his back. Bryant's expression radiated his bewilderment and anger.

"What the hell happened?" Bryant asked. His voice was a bit scary. "Where's Rose?"

"I don't see how that citadel can be destroyed by anybody." Juan Tamad remained laidback. "Besides, Rose is there. Perhaps she's just resting."

"Let's hope. Nobody can be contacted in the Surigao del Sur branch." Bryant sounded worried for Rose. "If we lose Rose, we will have no hope in the future. She's the strongest wielder to ever live, and the highest chance to achieve that mythical Level."

"Hey, you're a Level 5 already." Juan Tamad sighed. "Don't undermine your own value. Your Ability is powerful in its own right. If anything, you'll get to that mythical Level faster than Rose."

At that moment, Bryant's phone rang out. His ringtone was one of Debussy's work, Arabesque no.1. This ringtone in particular was that of Rose's.

Bryant hurriedly answered it. "Rose, are you alright?"

"No, I'm not." Rose's tone was gloomy. "For one thing, our base is destroyed. However, a nightmare has returned…"

"What… Are you talking about, Rose?" Bryant's heart was filled to the brim with a sense of despair. "Don't tell me…"

"Sitan… He's not dead. I failed to kill him two years ago." Rose groaned in pain. "And he… I don't know how… But he destroyed Surigao del Sur's main headquarters. For some reason, he left me alive."

"E-everything's destroyed?" Bryant quaked in his boots. He couldn't believe his ears. A second later, this changed into rage. His countenance darkened and became lethargic. "That's why they're being this courageous, huh?"

"Yes." Rose became melancholier than previously. "This is a declaration of war, right Bryant?"

"It is." Bryant responded, his normally demure demeanor was wiped clean. "Knowing Sitan, he'd probably be finding to do what's fun. Shall we select the best young wielders to raid that Maestro of Death's Dark Haven Guild?"

"Yes, let's get them to do reconnaissance in the front." In the ruined base, Rose struggled to stand up. She looked around with a tinge of passive furor. "And give them enough rewards so that they'll not be swayed by the pleasures of the dark side. Tsk, fucking Kamay ng Lagim, I will end you."

…..

"Oh wow." Hayden rapidly blinked in his astonishment. "You… Asked me out?"

"You can directly reject, you know?" Chung-hee's expression soured. She pouted as she moved her gaze to the screen. "You don't have to be that shocked…"

"Well, it's not that I'm rejecting." Hayden wanted to pinch her cheeks but resisted. They were in a public setting. For all the onlookers knew, Hayden and Chung-hee was here for a friendly meeting. "It's that I'm surprised you asked me this early on."

"So you agree?" Chung-hee looked at him with a half expectant gaze. The other half was that of 'nonchalance.' "You'll go on a date with me?"

"Of course." Hayden nodded. For some reason, Hayden was compelled to not be defensive in front of Chung-hee. Maybe that was what her appeal can do. "I couldn't possibly reject, can I? You'll probably beat me to a pulp."

"I wouldn't do that, you idiot." Chung-hee was smiling. She was genuinely smiling at Hayden. Something that Hayden has never seen. It was adorable, enough to give anyone a heart attack.

"What kind of date do you want, noona?" Hayden avoided looking at Chung-hee. If he did, he'd probably smile softly. That will be a disaster for the both of them. "A date where we'll draw this webtoon? I make us snacks, and draw all day?"

Hayden was startled when he finally turned his head to her. Chung-hee was staring at him with a glint in her eyes. He reined in his emotions, closed his eyes, and chuckled. "I see, that is what you will want. Okay, I'll set it up at the end of the Annual Youth Pride. Well, probably a week after. I'd definitely be busy with all the interviews. If we want to do it all day, then Saturday or Sunday will be our best bet."

Chung-hee didn't open her mouth at all. She simply admired Hayden for guessing what she would want for a date. It was uncanny. Until she heard Hayden's next words, "Jeez, spending this measly amount of time was enough to melt you?"

"I hate you so much." Chung-hee's lips curved downward. "I wholeheartedly do."

"Heh, sure noona." Hayden scoffed. "I'll call you when I've scheduled the date then?"

"Just text me." Chung-hee's excitement seemed to dissipate. Hayden was entertained of her tsundere-ness. "Don't you have a match?"

"Well, that's at 2:00. It's only 12. Mhm, want to eat something?" Hayden invited Chung-hee to lunch without much thought.

"You're not worried that we'll be mistaken to be dating at all?" Chung-hee furrowed her brows. "Also, why would I have lunch with you?"

"It's just lunch, jeez." Hayden dryly coughed. "It's two friends eating together, there's nothing wrong with that? You like French cuisine, right? Let's eat at that Paradis de la Nourriture (Food Heaven) next door. It'll be my treat since I was the one who invited you."

"…Fine." Chung-hee reluctantly agreed, closing her laptop. She packed her things into her backpack, slung it behind her, and took the biodegradable coffee cup with her. "Let's go, idiot."

"Heh, that nickname will stick once you become my girlfriend, wouldn't it?" Hayden couldn't stop poking fun at Chung-hee. The him before pre-Scholar Academy was resurfacing.

"G-girlfriend?" Chung-hee looked irately at Hayden, albeit her face was clearly flushed. She acted proud, typical of a tsundere. "B-bold of you to assume I even like you in the first place."

"Sure you don't, noona." Hayden nodded with a playful sneer on his face. He stood up and carried his biodegradable cup "Shall we?"

Hayden and Chung-hee's casual attitudes with each other was noticed by everyone. Specifically, Chung-hee's 'agitation' at Hayden. The two walked side by side without any care for their surroundings.

Earlier, the atmosphere was easily mistaken as that of a date's. These interactions reinforced this conjecture. Who can blame them? The comfortable exchanges of the two made them appear so close.

Going out of Bien Haricot, Hayden and Chung-hee sauntering together while rambling was a sight that people couldn't ignore. The pair was in the limelight of the attention, with people parting to give way to the two.

One must know that, while not everyone was a fan of CHORUS, they are a household name. A behemoth that cannot be ignored when the term 'k-pop' is mentioned. While Hayden is a person whose popularity was high enough to be considered on par with CHORUS. As such, many people recognized the two.

The two, in the middle of their chattering about their webtoon, smiled for photos shamelessly. It was as if they could be bothered less about being in each other's presence.

When they reached Paradis de la Nourriture, the phone in Hayden's pocket vibrated. He checked it after booking a table. It was from the group of Hayden and his girlfriends. Sayuri messaged him #ChungDen attached with 'Search it yourself, heehee~'

Hayden could hear Sayuri's voice actually saying that. It was imaginary music to his ears. Hayden noticed that Chung-hee was checking her phone, too.

In the midst of waiting for an available table, Hayden and Chung-hee was occupied by their phones. Hayden didn't have to search #ChungDen as it was trending number one worldwide at the moment.

"And here it goes." Hayden muttered, amused of this situation. Hayden tapped Chung-hee's shoulder to get her attention. "We're getting shipped by the fans, heh."

"I hate you." Chung-hee didn't seem to care all that much. It was honestly unanticipated for Hayden. Chung-hee even leaned on Hayden's arm.

Hayden was nonplussed by this. He didn't shove her away though, letting her be. It would be idiotic if he pushed her away. Not only will this be an indication that he was rejecting her. This would be bringing upon himself a disaster.

What's the disaster, you ask? Public wrath. Each member of CHORUS was held at a high regard by all of their fans. This was the case with many idols. If Hayden was seen pushing away Chung-hee, what do you think will this be perceived as?

'Well, I guess this is not so bad.' Hayden continued browsing his social media. There were myriads of posted pictures in countless angles. 'Their fame is pulling mine upwards.'

Since the last time Hayden has posted on his social media account, his supporters in Streamlink was growing nonstop. Currently, his supporter count was at an amazing 40 million.

This led to Chaos Entertainment, the studio that created War of Honor, thanking Hayden in social media. Apparently, Hayden brought a surge of new players to War of Honor.

They even declared that they will create a new superhuman based on Hayden. An honor that solely Ares attained. He needed to win a world championship cup to be treated that way.

Eventually, Hayden and Chung-hee got inside without any hindrance. They ordered food on the tablet-menu. The two continued their conversation of pertaining to the webtoon. The two shared some giggles that was misinterpreted as flirting.

To make it worse, Chung-hee's expression sometimes turns sulky. One that of a girlfriend pouting at her boyfriend. Although many people didn't recognize Hayden and Chung-hee, most still did.

Consequently, the #ChungDen became the forerunner of the ships. As Hayden predicted, a shipping war was brewing in the internet.

Succeeding their meal, the two parted ways with a 'friendly' hug in front of the restaurant. This hug was once again misunderstood as a 'hug between lovers.'

If Hayden knew what the people who caught sight of this thought, he would have vomited blood. They were all too presumptuous! A hug does not equate to fucking love! Goodness gracious.

As there was still an hour to kill before the match with Finland, Hayden decided to go back to his hotel room and watch replays.

When Hayden entered the hotel room, Eun-ha and Sayuri was there again, lying down on his bed and playing with Dusk and Dawn. Hayden was bewildered. "Don't you guys have a schedule here in World Government Island? There's that World Songster Convention, right?"

"Well, we aren't really the most skilled singers in our group." Eun-ha brought to light the dynamics of CHORUS. "So, Aiko, Jin-ae, Jae-hwa, Mi-sun, and Hsiao-Han noona are all the ones who attends those. Especially Jin-ae noona."

"Hey, you guys' vocals are beautiful." Hayden's eyebrows wrinkled. "What discrimination is that?"

"Don't worry about it." Sayuri pouted. "Don't you want to spend time with us?"

"That's a trap question." Hayden said jokingly and pointed at Sayuri with an index finger as his eyes narrowed. "Anyhow, I won't pry on your matters. I'll watch some replays here. Is that okay?"

"Watch on the TV." The two sat on the bed. "Will you be able to focus with us here?"

"I'll be able to focus better if you two are there." Hayden impassively declared. For an unknown reason, the two's hearts fluttered due to this answer. "Also, you guys know that I'm good at multitasking. I can dish out affection to you guys and watch at the same time."

And just as he said, Hayden spent time with the two. If the two appeared muddled of the scenario on-screen, Hayden would sweetly enlighten them with the simplest way possible.

The trio even conversed about Erno's suspicious hand movements. Eun-ha informed Hayden that there was a warning to all wielders in Lunar Assembly regarding these types of Abilities.

Hayden wondered why this wasn't a violation of the World Government Island's rule of not using Abilities if you're a wielder. Is it a technicality?

Since the Ability is not used within World Government Island, it was technically not operating their Abilities? Or perhaps the rule was as loose as 'As long as your Origin Limiter was employed, you won't be ousted.'

Heck, he hasn't even been arrested for using his Divine Perception while outside of a match. What was up with this?

'So does that mean I can use my Innate Gift?' Hayden questioned. However, as a man who liked challenges… 'Nah, let's not cheat. As for that unconscious increase, that's out of my control anymore. An extraneous factor.'

It was similar to his Supreme King. It activates with whenever he'd get annoyed, irked, or so much as show his determination. What's more, whenever at some point, his two contrasting Supreme Kings meld together without his knowledge.

Hayden notices this through his opponents' actions. After all, Supreme King's main purpose is to 'rule over peasants.' To exacerbate this, Hayden's demonic king was disclosed to be more powerful than regular Supreme Kings. Including Starakt's Supreme King, which was more or less equivalent to Hayden's divine king.

Whenever his two Supreme Kings amalgamate into one, its product is supposedly the ultimate Supreme King. Why was this? It's because there was no precedent to Hayden's case. Not a single one in history.

Usually, dual wielders have one Ability that was stronger than the other. In Hayden's case, both of his Abilities are considered overpowered. In the circumstance of Divine Perception, although its combative application can be said to be acceptable at best, it was overpowered in its own area.

What are the effects of his combined Supreme King, you ask? This particular Supreme King induces intimidation, feeling of asphyxiation, subservience, extreme fear and dread, and a compulsive desire to kneel. The compulsive desire to kneel is unbearable in comparison to divine king alone.

It's like you'll be hit by a sledgehammer at the back of the knee. Well, that was if you weren't resolute, didn't possess Supreme King, or generally weaker than Hayden. To Haydens' equals, if they satisfy at least one of the first two, they'll be able to resist the urge as long as they consciously compose themselves and mentally resist.

'At any rate, I have no control over it.' Hayden didn't take this to heart. 'For my emotions, well, emotions are harder to control. I am capable of suppressing it and not expressing it, but that's the extent.'

At the end of the day, Hayden was a human who experiences emotions. If he was to be angered, he wouldn't be able to help it. Of course, you'd have to break a leg to get Hayden to the point of fuming, as most of the time, he'll simply be annoyed.

Eventually, the trio changed into another topic. Eun-ha and Sayuri kidded that they were jealous that they didn't have anything that they'll work with Hayden. Such as Chung-hee's webtoon.

Hence, for the remainder of the time, the trio brainstormed. Eun-ha agreed on writing piano pieces with Hayden and Hayden teaching her to create her own sweets alongside opening their own sweets shop. As for Sayuri, she settled on letting Hayden teach her to manufacture perfumes and fragrances and cooperating with her on this.

When that was concluded, it was 15 minutes prior the match. Hayden set off and arrived at exactly 1:57 PM.

Speedily changing into his basketball uniform, Hayden got out to the court with his team. Hayden walked close to Daniel. He whispered, "I'll probably let you come out this match. Don't bank on it though. I'm going to pass balls first."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Daniel chuckled. "I'm a secret weapon, blah blah blah. And no, I'm not confident, it's what you say."

"Good." Hayden nodded, his divine king aura leaking out. This earned a gulp from Daniel. "I'll demolish them to the best of my ability."