Chapter 164 - Nine Crows Guild ( 1 )

Cyril bitterly smiled after seeing Asta's relieved face.

The truth is that the barrier she applied around the plane wasn't that effective at all! Perhaps, it could only take 5 to 10 attacks before it would shatter.

Cyril guessed that the barrier was only at Rank-C level!

'It seems that she didn't have a Barrier Artifact at Rank-B or Rank-A, huh. Well, they're quite rare so it's probably tough even for her.'

The young man thought. Anyway, it's indeed easier to find some high-level offensive type Artifacts rather than high-level Defensive or Support Type Artifacts.

In the end, he had activated his Conqueror's Domain to keep the monsters out and he decided not to attack them for now.

Just like what Asta mentioned, her team is coming to the rescue and they needed to do some work here. It would be strange if they didn't find any monsters after all.

Furthermore, the Silent Crawler Guild might also need those corpses.

Soon, Cyril heard another announcement from the Captain confirming that the rescuers are about to arrive.

After about 10 minutes, a group of attack helicopters met the airplane. They seemed to have come from Traoland.

The Gargoyles were immediately dealt with their machine guns and those who were agile had been killed by some kind of Artifact Ability.

'That's a lot faster than I thought. Is it because they're just some failed experiments and not real Magical Creatures? Ugh… Who in the world is trying to make them in the first place? Is it because they can't bring out these beasts so they wanted to create them instead?'

Cyril can only make a story in his head as he has no idea about this at all.

"We're saved!"

"Haha! Thank you, Asta!"

"Right. Thank you, Miss Asta, for saving us!"

The passengers including the flight attendant started thanking Asta after realizing that the main problem has been solved. As for the problem with the engine, the Captain already assured them that the plane can be driven with the three other engines that are working.

With this assurance and Asta's presence within the airplane, everyone's mind remained calm.

Furthermore, they are also being escorted by several more aircraft making them feel a lot safer than before.

Thud!

The plane landed safely at Tundra Airport.

The capital city of Traoland Archipelago is Tundra City and is a population of more than five million people.

This city may not be that impressive compared to the ones on the mainland but this is probably one of the safest cities considering that they have the highest number of S-Rank Awakened!

Even the Silent Crawler Guild's Asta is here making this place truly protected. Perhaps if a Vampire outbreak occurred in this city, this place would be able to defend unlike what happened to Flushdenn City of his country.

"Goodbye, Miss Asta!"

"Take care! We will support the Silent Crawler Guild from now on!"

"Thank you for saving us!"

Cyril then heard several passengers call for Asta as she left the airport. It seems that she no longer needs to be checked by the medical staff due to her status.

Anyway, being checked by the medical practitioners is part of the procedure for "normal" passengers like them so he had to wait for about half an hour before he was finally released.

"That was troublesome… Anyway, I should find a place to use my Identity Shroud Mask now." Cyril shrugged as he was really unable to control the situation. It was quite unexpected but it ultimately did not change his plans so he decided to lay low for now and check the Nine Crows Guild as quickly as possible.

He then left the Airport to find a secluded place to change his appearance.

'It's quite chilly here. I should've brought a jacket.' Cyril thought as he looks around.

There are many shops, hotels, and restaurants outside the airport so he thought that he would easily find a safe place to use his Artifact.

Unfortunately, before he could even get that far, a blond woman approached him and even called out his name!

"Cyril Vermont, A-Rank Awakened and Arcane Explorer of the Association. May I have a moment with you?"

Cyril looked at the tall and graceful woman in front of him. It hasn't been that long since he saw her left with her colleagues. It was quite a surprise seeing her here right now.

"Miss Asta Bleuer… I didn't know that an S-Rank Awakened would know of my name." He replied calmly while looking at her curiously.

Honestly, he didn't want to have anything to do with this woman but it seems that he caught her attention for some reason.

"So it's really you. I almost didn't recognize you with your injury. Can't our doctors do anything about it?"

"Well, this injury wasn't caused by a normal accident."

"Really? So it can not be healed by the potions you can buy as well?" This time, it was Asta being so curious.

"Yes. But… is this the reason you're looking for me?"

At this moment, the blond woman finally recalled her real purpose for coming here.

"Ugh… I almost forgot. I'm here to warn you. This country isn't as safe as what people say. Though they have many powerful guilds and high-ranking Awakened, there are too many illegal activities here protected by the underworld organizations. Those failed experiments are just one of them."

Asta said seriously as she started walking away in a different direction.

"This… Thank you for letting me know, Miss Asta. I will be more careful. I'm only here to have a vacation anyway."

Asta glanced at him before nodding her head.

'What a weird woman…' Cyril thought before shaking his head.

Anyway, he'll just stick to his plans and there's no need to get involved in this.

He then continued on his way and found a safe place to use his Mask.

On the other hand, Asta met her colleagues as they looked in the direction where Cyril left.

"Leader… Are you sure he's not involved? He's too suspicious."

"That's right. We already know that he has no relatives or missions here assigned by the Association. His timing is too coincidental."

"Haa~ I get your point, Geryu, Melza… But he's still one of the new A-Rank Awakened of the Association. I think it would be difficult for him to make a connection with the organizations here even with his current rank. Perhaps he's really just here to have a vacation. Just look at his injury."

Asta replied to her two fellow members of the Silent Crawler Guild. Apparently, the two of them investigated Cyril's background thoroughly after learning that he's an A-Rank Awakened from their country.

They found Cyril really suspicious because of his various records where he managed to be on top in various Arcane Explorations even though his family didn't have any background of having a strong Awakened.

His battle experience, his ability to control his Aura, and his various Artifacts lead them to believe that he is being supported by an unknown organization.

"We may be looking into it too much. However, I think we should have someone monitor his movements." Melza suggested.

"We don't have many people right now. Let's just follow Asta and leave him be." Geryu replied as he fixed his tie.

The two of them look like Asta's bodyguard with their attire. However, they were A-Rank Awakened as well and considered to be an elite force even in this country.

Currently, they are chasing various people who fled to this country to hide from their crimes. They have considered monitoring Cyril since they are aware of how these criminals hire Awakened to protect them in exchange for money or even precious Artifacts.

In normal cases, they would hire those newly Awakened individuals who barely have any Artifacts in their collection as they are quite easy to entice.

"Alright… As long as you understand. Let's go. We'll investigate this Nine Crows Guild first." Asta decided as she looked at the two.

"Yes, leader!" The men answered her immediately as they left the place.

***

A couple of hours had passed.

Cyril is now in the appearance of a kind middle-aged man. He's currently having a cup of tea to warm himself in this cold region.

"Xagan… Can you tell the location of the Entrance Crystals inside the Nine Crow Guild's building?"

Cyril asked as he looked at the building outside the coffee shop.

There is a tall and black building outside which is the headquarters of the said guild in the city.

"Contractor, as always, my searching ability is worth 50 days for a 10-kilometer search." Xagan answered as he silently showed in front of him. The demon even took the empty seat in front of Cyril and looked at the tea in his hands.

It was as if the demon also wanted to take a sip.

"Right… If I make this deal, will you be able to tell me which of them are high-class Entrance Crystals and not?"

"That would be easy, Contractor. Is it a deal?" Xagan excitedly asked as he smiled at him.

"Yes. Let's make a deal.." Cyril replied firmly.