Extra Quest

Hans listened attentively with his face gradually frowning as the words processed in his head.

According to Light, now that Aka has died, the loop would be reset tomorrow. Meaning, he would be forced to leave today. As for why Light knew it, he said it's because he retained all his memories every loop.

'Do I really need to give it up?'

If he considered many things, giving it up is the best option. What's more, even if he pushed his luck, he wouldn't be able to defeat Light, let alone kill him.

'Sigh—'

Looks like this is it. He's going to leave. Hans looked at the night sky full of stars before opening his quest window.

[Quest: Kill the boss monster and free the Light of Justice. (COMPLETED)]

[Extra Quest: Kill the Light of Justice. (On-Going)]

However, when Hans was about to touch the left button, a hand grabbed his arms. Hans cocked his head behind and stared at Light.

"What?"

"I want to try it differently this time."

"Different?" Hans tilted his head.

On the other hand, seeing Hans' perplexed expression, Light released his hand and heaved a heavy sigh.

Then, he placed his hand inside his pocket and pulled a clock watch.

"Out of millions of species who managed to go here, only 273 of them managed to free me from the seal." Light shifted his gaze towards Hans, "...and you're 274th."

"..."

"You know what's funny? All of them have an extra quest which is to kill me.

"..."

"None of them managed to succeed though."

Deciding to listen to the whole story, Hans walked forward and sat on a pile of broken woods.

"So when it came to the 200th one, I started to get bored. What if I do it differently next time?"

Without warning, Light pulled the rapier out of the scabbard and weaved it in the air like he's fighting something.

Out of reflex, Hans's muscles tensed before gradually calming down after feeling no threat. Even then, cold sweats trickled from the back of his neck and forehead.

The speed of the Light's draw was even faster than a millisecond. Fortunately, he didn't mean to attack.

"I made a deal with the 201st person that if he beat me in a game of chess..." The rapier seemingly sculpted the moonlight before vanishing like a mist, "...I will let myself be killed."

Hans's eyebrows perked up at the sudden story development. But to be honest, even he might just do the same after having been trapped in an endless time loop.

What's more, even if he died, he'd just be reborn so it really wouldn't hurt to try.

'Plundy, do you know how to play chess? I suck at it.'

[Of course, I am. Who do you think you're talking to.]

'...'

Nevermind.

"Well, I lost and that guy killed me."

Hans nodded but couldn't help but have doubts. To clear his head, Hans asked, "Did he clear the quest?"

Light shook his head and smiled, "That's when I realized the quest wasn't simple at all."

"Huh?"

"Even after I was killed, the man did not complete the quest."

"Wait, wait, wait!! Hold on! Didn't you say you got killed? So how did you know he didn't complete it?"

"Ermm, he yelled something like, 'Fuck, I already killed him then why is it saying it's not?'—something like that."

Hans crossed his hand to his chest and dived deeply into his mind. Listening to Light's story, he started to have suspicions.

[Extra Quest: Kill the Light of Justice. (On-Going)]

'Could it be a scam?'

This doesn't seem to be that way. Maybe there is an even deeper meaning to this kind of quest.

'Damn it, I hate mind games.'

He's not good at detective-like jobs after all. With no answers pouring in his head, Hans looked at Light.

"I know you're confused. I mean, even I was confused. I tried that many times and all of those guys who killed me failed that extra quest."

Knowing where Light was going, Hans immediately spoke, "Are you saying that it's impossible to clear the quest?"

However, contrary to his expectations, Light shook his head and hurriedly objected, "No, that's not it."

Light stopped on his short rapier dance and continued, "What I mean is, the quest is not connected to me."

Hans smiled with a puzzled expression.

"I don't know which or who you needed to kill but it's definitely not me." Light shifted his eyes towards Aka's headless body, "My brother knows something even I don't know. Maybe, he had an answer to that."

"But he's dead."

"That's what I'm saying. Find it yourself. My help only extends up here." Light pointed to his brother's body, indicating that his job is done.

With that Light picked up his brother's body and began walking away. Although all Hans could see was the broad back, he could feel Light's painful emotions.

'Well, it's not my business to intrude.'

For now, his focus is to find every possible way to clear the extra quests. He didn't know how many days had passed in the outside world so he needed everything that could give him a qualitative leap in strength.

As his thoughts delved deep into his subconscious, the surroundings fell into a deafening silence.

......

Washington DC.

National Awakened Association Headquarters.

Today, due to the large event which would happen the day after tomorrow, Director Thomas held a special emergency meeting.

In a large meeting room, association executives together with the USA's large guilds were invited. Due to the brief absence of a moderator, these people are currently having a heated conversation.

A man wearing a black suit and glasses stood on the side watching these guys become chaotic. His name is Larry, an A-class agent tasked with guarding the front door against any unwanted visitors.

His eyes darted towards the Night Ranger's Guildmaster, Howard, who was glaring at the Lotus Guild's Representative, Hannah Luther.

Howard's mana exploded, turning the atmosphere heavy and cold. Agent Larry kept his head cool despite the fear creeping into his bones.

Hee was the only A-class in the room so he might be the only one feeling dread.

'Damn it, why am I assigned here?'

To be honest, these guys don't need guards at all. If this continued, he might be frozen into death here forever.

In fact, those two were not the only ones having heated exchange, almost all the guild masters and the association executives were also leaking their killing intents.

Based on their conversation, it seemed like the topic was about the increasing number of dungeons. Agent Larry could vaguely guess their concerns.

'Monopoly.'

Due to the increasing amount of dungeons spawning from time to time, these guys wanted to hog it all and claim its rights.

They didn't even respect that they were inside the association headquarters. Agent Larry despised these guilds. Instead of helping people and killing monsters, the first thing wanted is profit.

However, this is a world of apocalypse. Even a president's words could be ignored by some. He had no right to speak and intervene with such affairs.

'If Sir Felix is here, these guys wouldn't dare to make a sound here.'

Unfortunately, he heard he's on some kind of vacation. Well, this news wasn't really shocking.

The association had many S-class Awakened under their hands, but some of them were still fighting in New York.

At that moment.

"Howard, do you want to die!" An association executive slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

As a response, Howard glared at the man and summoned his halberd out of his inventory.

"Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Howard grabbed its handle and aimed it towards the man, "Don't fuck with me if you don't want this halberd shoved into your arse."

"Y-you!"

The association shakingly pointed his hand at Howard and yelled, "You bastard!!! Don't think just because your guild has the backing of the President, you can do whatever you want!!"

"Oh, want to try?" Howard's burly physique got up. With a height of 7 feet coupled with his large build, his aura became even more intimidating.

He was almost a perfect Adonis but his missing eyebrows took it away. But even with such an appearance, no one dared to laugh.

Howard swept his gaze around others and after confirming their neutrality, he began to approach the association executive.

Step—, step—

The crunching sound of the leather shoes echoed inside their heads. However, no one intervened.

"Hmm… interesting."

"Is Howard not really afraid of punishment?"

"What punishment? Don't you know all S-class Awakened was pretty much detached from the laws now?"

"Oh, my bad."

The people in the room leaned on their chairs with a smile etched on their faces. On the other hand, seeing Howard approached, the executive started to back away.

Although he's also an S-class Awakened, his abilities were not suitable for combat, he's a Healer after all. He might be able to last for a short bout with his stats but Howard's Talent negates those.

Agent Larry hurriedly contacted the backup team, requesting immediate assistance. The moment Howard threatened the executive, the flag was already raised.

Without a doubt, even if he's an S-class, this action would not go unpunished.

'Wait, don't tell me Howard wants to kill!?'

Agent Larry's eyes shot wide open. Without a second thought, he summoned his weapon and immediately helped the executive block Howard's attack.

Baaam—

The ground on their feet exploded but it also rebuilt right after. With the building's auto-repair function, there's no problem in breaking everything.

"Mr. Howard, please calm down." Agent Larry spoke with a hint of warning.

"You are?"

"I'm Agent Larry."

"Oh, an association agent?" Howard probed Larry's body and smiled, "For such a weakling like you to interfere, you sure have balls."

"It's part of my duty, Mr. Howard."

"Is that so?"

Swish—

Howard dashed and appeared in front of him in a blink of an eye.

"Then go to hell, Mr. Agent."

Howard slammed the halberd to his head.

Clang—

"Wha—!?"

Before the halberd could split him into two, it was blocked by a cane. Agent Larry quickly moved away and looked at the man wearing a black suit under a black overcoat; a monopoly hat on his head.

Howard raised his head and glared at the owner of the cane.

"Felix."

Felix's coat trailed with the strong breeze. He smiled at his greeting.

"Hello, Howard."

Felix immediately followed his reply with a solid kick on Howard's chest.

Shu—

Howard flew into the air, breaking everything he passed through until his body slammed into the room's wall.

"Arghhh!!"

Felix brushed the dust off his coat and repositioned his tilted hat. Agent Larry looked at the man he idolized the most. His eyes shifted towards the other Awakened and heard their voices being as low as a mosquito.

Felix nodded in satisfaction, approached towards the end chair, and sat.

"Director Thomas is out for today so I'm here as the meeting's leader. Any questions?" Felix eyed the members one by one and continued, "If there's none then we would start."

One of the Awakened hesitantly raised his hand and asked, "Uhm, how about Howard?"

Immediately, everyone's eyes shifted towards the burly figure plastered in the wall.

Felix's eyes narrowed and grinned, "Then, do you want to accompany Mr. Howard? I can send you there and you can invite him."

Out of fear, the Awakened hastily answered, "N-no sir. I'm good."

Everyone exchanged meaningful glances and nodded. With the tension in the room settled down, the special meeting finally started.