The Spy

"Firstly, he went here 6 months ago carrying a sullen expression on his face."

The Prime Minister explained the prophecy in detail. 

"I was at a meeting at that time so I was surprised by his sudden appearance. At that point, as he looked me in the eye, I already knew something was going to happen to the country." 

Freya and Miguel both nodded. Old Man Roshi only visits the country which appeared in his future sight and he would tell them what he saw. 

Till now, Old Man Roshi only carries bad news every time. 

The two could understand what the Prime Minister means. After all, Old Man Roshi also visited their country years ago. 

"We didn't even get to have tea as on the spot he told me everything he saw." 

The Prime Minister crushed the cigarette on his palms and continued, "He said, 'Italy would vanish from the map and be destroyed by a man accompanied by a tiger on his arms. And…" 

"And?" 

"...and death emerged as he brought endless destruction. Beware as the prison holding the wisp of chaos will descend upon the world."

Seeing the other two still waiting, the Prime Minister quickly muttered. 

"That's all."

As soon as the two heard him, they both leaned on their seats at the same time. Miguel shut his eyes and focused his mind on Old Man Roshi's prediction.

'A man accompanied by a tiger?' 

Is it like those beastmen he fought? Or perhaps it's another race with an ability to tame a monster with ease? 

Miguel wasn't a fan of thinking too much. Whenever there's a monster around, his impulsive ass would just charge and beat them all to a pulp. 

There's no need for overthinking when he knows no one could kill him. 

After all, the title of the 'Unkillable Beast' wasn't for nothing. 

'Wisp of chaos… prison…' 

No matter how much he solved the riddle, Miguel just couldn't find the right answer. His eyes shifted towards Freya and asked grimly. 

"What do you think?" 

Freya waved her hands into the air and a projection of the entire country was presented in mid-air. This could only be done by someone with extreme mana control. 

However, even though it's a sight to be amazed for, Miguel couldn't afford to be impressed. 

If what he guessed is true…

'We might meet another Aviante.'

Destroying a country would be easy even for him. Unless there is no one resisting him, Miguel could pretty much say he could annihilate Italy in probably just two days. 

But to erase the land on the map? 

It would be tricky. It's not impossible but it would take so much time. 

Freya tinkered her fingers in the air and zoomed in on the capital— Venice. 

"Well, this might be related to the tomb."

"Tomb? But I thought it's safe?" 

Freya raised her eyebrows, "When did tombs become safe?" 

As an Awakened who already experienced going inside the tomb, Miguel's words slightly hurt her pride. 

She almost died there and this guy is telling her it's safe? 

"No, I mean… the monsters can't get out." Miguel rephrased. 

Freya clicked her tongue and shifted towards the Prime Minister. 

"It's not that I'm doubting but…" Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, "Why are the citizens still here? Shouldn't you prioritize their safety first?" 

She already noticed this problem the moment she saw Miguel. Two SS-Class Awakened means the issue is not simple. 

As expected, no rather, the issue even surpassed her expectations. 

The country's safety is on the line but the citizens seemed to have no idea. Venice is overcrowded. However, she could teleport the whole people around the capital to somewhere safe once danger occurs. 

But what about the others? They will die! 

At that moment, Freya snapped. 

Mana engulfed the room. The pressure in the air became dense as oxygen seemingly vanished for a moment. 

The Prime Minister clutched his chest. Ragged breaths moved in and out of his lungs as he struggled to gasp for air. Cold sweats bead on his forehead. 

However, no matter how much he resisted, Freya's mana suppression still grasped his neck. 

"Ku! S… to…p!! H.. elp!" 

Miguel, who was also disappointed with the Prime Minister, scowled and ignore his words. 

The Prime Minister glared at the woman as he struggled not to faint. 

To his dismay, Freya didn't show any hint of mercy. Instead, another question escaped her lips and echoed in his head. 

"Are you hiding something, Prime Minister?" 

.... 

With him fighting those assassins, Hans easily entered the empire walls. The elite knight did not even question him anymore and just asked for him to leave a name. 

Then, he gave him a card that could be use around the empire. It's basically like a credit card so Hans had no problems with money for now. 

He roamed around the bustling empire and stumbled upon a place where he could rest and make preparations. 

The mission duration is only a month and he had to make the best out of it. 

'First, I need to find allies.'

And the best way to find them is through someone. 

To meet him, he has to prove himself. 

...….. 

Hans appeared in a large building bustling with mercenaries and adventurers. Knights guarded the door and inspected every people who will enter. 

According to the bystanders, this is the mission hall. A place where massive rewards are given as long as the mission is completed. 

Adventurers and mercenaries are regulars here. This was also the place where the high-ranking officials of the Empire pay the most attention. 

If there's a promising prospect, they draft it in and roped them to work for the empire. 

Of course, it's not easy. Some promising mercenaries or adventurers died before they could reach their potential. 

Hans stepped inside the hall. Conversation rang around his ears as of he's inside a local market. 

He then swept his gaze around the area. The interior wasn't that grand. In fact, their designs could be said as simple and ordinary. 

Ordinary weapons hung on the wall while some paintings could be seen on the nearby counter.

However, due to the lighting, the place blossomed in a vibrant vibe. 

Hans sauntered towards the counter where he was greeted by a woman. Her clothes were revealing and her face seemed out of the fairy tale. 

That's why, the moment he was addressed by the woman, numerous glares darted at him. 

It crawled to his skin and some even probed his mana. Their intentions were clear. 

'This woman is provoking me.'

Hans raised his head and glared at the woman. She winked at him before leaning forward, exposing her voluptuous chest in front of his eyes. 

[Hmm… melons. Anyways, that's a sign Hans.]

Hans's forehead wrinkled. This guy is here again. Trying to ride Plundy's senses of humor, Hans eventually replied. 

'What sign?' 

[A sign of trouble.]

At that moment, someone bumped him behind, pushing Hans slightly to the side. Due to close distance, Hans crashed into a young man who was also pushed by his own body. 

Their distance was just a few inches. Due to this, Hans couldn't prevent him from falling. 

Thud—

The moment the young man fell, Hans immediately offered his hand. 

"Are you alright?" 

"I'm fine. Thank you, mister." The young man didn't receive his hand and just stood on his own. He brushed the dust off his pants and proceeded to leave in a hurry. 

Hans watched his back before turning towards the man who bumped him. 

"Oh sorry boy." The man sneered and continued, "You're too short that's why I didn't see you."

The man was tall probably well over 9 feet, with has a massive physique and full of scars on his bare chest. A giant ax dangled behind his back. 

Seeing Hans's unwavering eyes, the man grinned. 

"What? Are you mad?" 

Hans ignored his provocation and adjusted slightly to the left. However, the man followed. 

'This is pissing me off.'

Still, Hans remained indifferent and did not succumb to the man's provocative actions. 

Everyone's ears nose caught a whiff of a good show. Their eyes watched Hans and the man with interest. 

"Seems like a new guy." 

"What a pitiful kid. Of all people, why would he provoke Bart? 

"By the way, what happened to the guy who argued with Bart last week?" 

"I heard he's dead."

"Is that so?" 

These people added fuel to the fire. Their unconcealed anticipation appeared on their faces. In fact, not only them, the knights of the empire didn't interfere and also watched from the sidelines. 

"Boy, if you don't want to die. Get out of my face right now." Bart snarled. 

'...' 

Hans nodded and backed away. He didn't want to fight this guy just because he was belittled. It's always better to have a good grasp of what's good and what's bad. 

Having self-control could sometimes evade death. 

"Eh?!!" Everyone spoke in unison. Not on their lives, they would see someone quietly back away without putting up a fight. 

"Tch, coward."

"That's better than dying."

"Indeed."

Bart fumed in anger. The fact that he was ignored irked him to the bone. He turned around and watched as Hans silently hid in an empty corner. 

He look at the woman, kicked the chairs, and left the mission hall. Everyone rubbed their eyes to confirm what they witnessed. 

"D-did Bart just leave like that?" 

"No way!!! Anyways, as I was saying…" 

"Get back to work!!!" 

Everyone pursed their lips and went back to what they were doing earlier while occasionally giving Hans short glances. 

The woman on the counter puffed her cheeks and rolled her eyes. 

'What a waste.'

Actually, her actions were planned. She's been working as a spy for over 10 years now. The Harisan Empire is her target but somehow ended as the mission hall clerk in an accident. 

Even then, she still managed to garner information about the Empire and send it back home. After years of working here, she would put newcomers to the test, and Bart, a man she bewitched, would kill them for her. 

This is how she cut off unknown geniuses. She'd do everything to weaken the Harisan Empire. 

But…

'This man.' 

Her gaze darted towards Hans. She already tried her bewitching magic and charm spells but none of it work. 

'Does he have no lust at all?!' She grumbled. 

"Sariah, are you free tonight?!" 

"Hey, wait in line! I was first here!" 

"Sariah!! My goddess!!" 

Hearing those thirsty men rambling on her eyes once again, Sariah puckered her lips and sigh. 

In the end, she had no choice but to quit watching Hans and went back to her usual work. After picking a pen from the desk, she scribbled down on a piece of paper. 

This information must be delivered back home. 

[Name: Unknown. 

 Age: Mid 20s

 Appearance: Dark Purple hair, blue eyes, 6ft+, fit, handsome, wore a broken half mask, cape, and has two swords. 

Occupation: Swordsman, mercenary, others unknown. 

Threat: …] 

Sariah took one final glance at Hans and went back to writing. 

[Threat: Extremely Dangerous.]

..... 

The tension finally eased and Hans could move freely now. His foot brought him towards the bulletin where missions were posted. 

It was divided into 5 Stars with 1 Star being the easiest and with the least danger. On the other hand, 5-star missions were extremely dangerous and usually nearly impossible to achieve. 

Like this one… 

Hans ripped the paper off the bulletin and read the contents. 

"Invade the Baru Empire and kill all the soldiers."

Who would request a mission like this? 

In the end, this type of mission just became displays as no one really wanted to do it.

Behind the back of the paper, information about the empire and its territory was elaborated. Some parts were uncleared but it's still better than nothing. 

At the end of the content, the reward can be read. 

[Reward: Duke Title and anything you wanted.]

'Pfft'

Hans reflexively chuckled. The Duke title looks good but it only means that once accepted, he will be bound to the empire. 

But even though the reward is tempting, Hans also realized it's impossible to do it. 

'Even an SS-Class might have a hard time.'

However…

"I like it." 

…not for Hans.