Jax grasped the situation with uncanny familiarity. Having traversed similar circumstances himself, he absorbed the overwhelming information with unexpected detachment, ultimately nodding to the bleak reality with a measure of resignation.
''So, this place is one of the hunting grounds occupied by the current Lord?'' Jax murmured, his fingers drifting to his chin as he calculated his next step.
According to the other party, those who awakened the power of fear could only wield this power within the Sacred Statues' territorial boundary. Venture beyond it, into what they termed the "Wilderness", and they'd revert to ordinary individuals.
Their Conquered Ability would be stripped of them.
The Lord was the exception. Only he could wield his Conquered Ability beyond the Sacred Statues' boundaries, while others were confined to the territory.
So, for Masters to wield their power in the Wilderness, the Lord had to occupy that specific land by planting his Flag. This transformed the land into a sanctioned hunting ground for the Lord's vassals.
"Yes," Rody replied uncomfortably, his tone suggesting he was struggling to maintain his composure.
''Can I sit down now? My foot is broken, you know?'' Was what he wanted to say but thought better of it. Though beads of sweat dotted his brow, he contrived a strained smile.
"One last question," Jax said, his tone betraying no hint of awareness of the other party's discomfort, "So, who is your current Lord?"
A bitter smile twisted Rody's lips. He swallowed hard, then answered, "It's Kally."
Swoosh!
A malevolent aura surged from Jax, tightening around the throats of those nearby. Rody gasped for air, his legs buckling as he finally collapsed onto the rough ground.
As expected, this Jax would definitely lose it again.
But thankfully, he could sit down now.
"Tch, this is annoying," Jax muttered, his temper subsiding after several seconds. He stretched his arms, settling into a poised stance, ready to make his move.
"Where is the Sacred Statue you're talking about?" Jax asked, his tone shifting to ice as he added, "I think I need to visit some old friends."
Rody's finger extended, trembling slightly, towards the heart of the Hacienda. Then he whispered, "It's there..."
Then Rody's finger shifted, pointing in the opposite direction, towards the village. "There's one in the village too... but rumor has it, things are way worse there. The current Lord is..."
"I don't care," Jax cut in, his attention already elsewhere. His gaze locked onto the heart of the Hacienda as his sights set on the location of the Sacred Statue.
And also, he had no lingering feelings for the village. He had no family there to take care of other than Len Len's old parents.
But since they were not in a relationship anymore, he wasn't obligated to look after Len Len's parents. It was a bitter pill even for him, but they could only blame their daughter for how things ended.
"Let's go, Nerissa." Jax said, already walking. His pace was deliberate as he headed towards the heart of the Hacienda. The plan had changed. He wouldn't let Nerissa out of his sight for now. Might need her help for what was coming.
"What?!" Nerissa's voice exploded. Her defiance cut through the air, piercing Jax's eardrums. "Why am I coming with you?! Just go die alone, you bastard!"
But Jax tried to ignore her, walking at his own pace. He'd expected a tantrum, but Nerissa's fury was palpable. Annoyingly, it looked like he'd be dealing with her wrath the whole way.
Nerissa, on the other hand, fell into a step behind, her anger simmering. As much as she wanted to refuse, she could only comply with her fate.
''Wait!''
Jax had just covered a few meters when a sudden voice shouted. Jax stopped abruptly, turning to face the caller. It wasn't Rody this time. It was another one of his co-workers, limping on the ground.
If his memory served right, his name must be... Junior?
''Is that little monster your Conquered Ability?'' Catching Jax's attention, Junior suddenly asked. His voice was lipped with anticipation, his eyes locked onto Nerissa. He was dead sure that this little monster was Jax's fear incarnate that he conquered.
A Summoning type Conquered Ability!
The others also wore expectant gazes.
Jax's gaze drifted to Nerissa, a wry smile playing on his lips. Why would they jump to that conclusion? But now that he thought about it, maybe this was a good chance to drop a smoke bomb about his ability.
"Yes, so stop bothering her. Or else... you know what's coming," Jax replied, turning his back on them and walking off.
But it seemed like Junior wasn't letting it go, shouting after Jax, "Please, help us take revenge. With your Conquered Ability, you can definitely do it!"
A cry of pain crept into Junior's tone as he added, his voice cracked with desperation, "Those bastards abducted our family and forced us to labor for them. Please! You're strong now! With your ability..."
''Why should I?''
It wasn't cold, nor was his voice filled with anger or anything negative. Instead, Jax's response was laced with amusement, his laughter echoing as he walked away, unbothered and uninterested. Like their doom was just background noise.
But Jax's carefree response shattered the hopes of those with expectant gazes, as if a bucket of cold water had just been poured on their heads.
Some felt deflated, but most seethed with resentment. Gritting their teeth and shooting daggers with their gazes, they cursed Jax in deliberately audible whispers, intent on piercing his composure and provoking a reaction.
If you had the power, wouldn't it be natural for you to own the responsibility that comes with it?
But that Jax, seriously... So irresponsible! You couldn't be a hero with that kind of attitude!
However, Jax completely ignored them. His indifference was palpable. He dismissed them with a silent exit, not even deigning to cast a backward glance.
When Jax vanished from sight, a sharp glint ignited in Junior's eyes. A sneer curved his lips as he rasped, "Call Lord Kally. Tell him Jax is alive and heading his way."
There was a moment's pause before he continued, his tone shifting into a cold, triumphant timbre, "His Conquered Ability is a sea monster, or a little monster. A Summoning-type Affinity."
Meanwhile...
"Lol, you think you can bind me with this sense of responsibility?" Jax muttered, like he was reading their minds. "Stop dreaming. You suffer because that's your choice!"
That was also the lesson that struck a chord with Jax. He suffered back then because he'd chosen his girlfriend, putting her wants and needs above his own and never daring to say no.
But where was she now? There in another man's bed.
That decision was all on him. It was his own choice why he suffered. And he didn't blame anyone for it. He didn't even ask anyone for help.
He took it all and accepted his own shortcomings. And speaking of revenge, he wouldn't burden it on someone else.
He'd make his move with his own means, exacting revenge with his own two hands.
And speaking of their difficulties... Did they really think Jax was clueless about them?
They must've accepted offers from Kally's family, thinking it'd benefit them. Their loved ones were abducted because, in reality, they'd sold them out.
''Wait.''
Amidst Jax's thoughts, another voice cut in. Annoyed, he spun around and barked, "What is it now?!"
He'd already put some serious distance between them, and yet someone actually had the guts to follow? Were they really trying to get on his nerves that bad?
To his surprise, the face that met his gaze belonged not to one of his co-workers, but to a face he knew all too well. It was Nerissa, and her countenance was etched with an unmistakable air of discontent.
"What do you want?" Jax's tone shifted as he asked with a bitter smile. Was this girl still hell-bent on leaving? Even if she was, he'd just ignore it. Maybe he should've ignored her call earlier?
"I just realized something..." Nerissa's voice was laced with dawning realization. "What did you do to my body?" Tears welled up in her eyes, and her anger flared. "Why am I this small?!"
No wonder every human she met kept calling her a little monster. She'd actually shrunk! How did she not notice sooner?
"Huh?" Jax was taken aback, forcing a twisted smile in an awkward manner. He scratched the back of his head as he laughed dryly in response, "I don't know. I just put your soul in the Deep Sea Black Pearl and... this is the result."
Wasn't that the expected result? Apparently, he must have created a grave error.
"What?!" Nerissa's eyes widened in shock, her hands balling into fists like she was ready to pounce. "You put my soul in a hollow vessel?! Where's my body?! Put me back in my original body!!!"
As if she wasn't done yet, she went on her bombardment, "And this body was my Royal Form! How did you do that?! This body's stronger, yeah, but my real body's way more gorgeous! Hurry and get me back, now, you bastard!!!"
Jax's ears were ringing, and he was at a loss for words. How was he supposed to respond when he himself had no idea what was going on?
So, instead of replying, Jax slapped his ears like he could shut out the noise. Then he started walking away, completely ignoring her.
''Alright, let's go...'' Jax added.
''You...'' Nerissa's visage turned even more grim. She couldn't resist it any longer as she unleashed her killer move.
''Blah! Blah! Blah!''
Nerissa swam circles around Jax, venting her frustration in a heated rant. If looks could kill, he'd be dead long ago, for sure.