After many clashes, the battle between them only seemed more unfair.
Ratan couldn't match two Elite Guards without his dominant arm.
For executing Fold Techniques, the dominant hand was far more effective.
Kuon had deduced this since their very first meeting and had specifically targeted it during the explosion.
The capital had been placed under red alert.
Almost everyone was being ordered to evacuate.
The Golden Guards had finally received their mission.
Five Golden Guards would engage the Elite Guards to bring down Ratan, while the others would head toward Ruin Society through the sea route.
Although Ruin Society was enclosed by a massive circular wall, the eastern side bordered the sea.
A large section of the eastern wall had been destroyed during the battle between Pratik and Ratan.
It was also the deepest region of Ruin Society, where Pratik, Gin, and other rebels had been thrown.
The forces heading toward Ruin Society were ordered to recruit 1,000 Silver Guards and 800,000 Bronze Guards along the way.
Another 200,000 Bronze Guards would be sent through the land route.
It was publicly announced that Ratan had turned traitor and now carried a bounty of 200,000 Karo.
That was more than enough motivation for greedy and fame-hungry Golden Guards to hunt him down.
Soon, the battle between Kuon, Zesta, and Ratan was interrupted by five Golden Guards.
One of them, named Deira, observed from afar while the other four rushed toward Ratan.
One of them managed to carve a deep wound across Ratan's chest.
[Zesta]: Why are they here?!
[Kuon]: Seems like they were assigned to hunt Ratan as well.
[Zesta]: That's unfair!
[Kuon]: It certainly seems that way.
Zesta kicked a Golden Guard away for blocking her line of sight.
[Zesta]: Don't get in my way!
She said in a rough voice.
She glanced at Kuon.
[Zesta]: Have I done something wrong?
[Kuon]: No. We can always report that these yellow bugs died after foolishly challenging Ratan.
Kuon answered calmly.
However...
Everyone had missed something.
Everyone was standing within a fifty-metre radius of Ratan.
By the time Kuon realized it, it was already too late.
[Ratan]: Fourth Fold, Whirlpool.
Ratan's body collapsed inward and vanished.
A hole?
All the air around them began getting sucked in.
Those closest to Ratan were dragged in instantly.
The spinning force shredded everything nearby.
Kuon created substitutes for himself and Zesta, but the whirlpool was powerful enough to pull in both the substitutes and the originals.
Just as Kuon was about to be swallowed, Zesta grabbed his hand.
[Kuon]: My chances of survival are minimal. Let go. I'm dead weight at this point.
[Zesta]: Well, being the only Elite Guard left alive would suck.
She pulled him back with tremendous force and saved him.
Kuon lost his right arm in the process.
Karma, perhaps.
[Kuon]: You're right. Being the only survivor of a generation does suck.
Zesta's smile flattened.
[Zesta]: That idiot Ratan... why did he become a traitor?!
Her voice cracked.
[Kuon]: I had hoped to capture him alive this whole time, but it seems he never intended to survive.
[Zesta]: That idiot deserved better than this!
A single tear escaped her eye.
[Kuon]: Don't let your emotions get the better of you. We still have another mission.
The destruction of Ruin Society.
Turns out the Golden Guards are actually fodder.
[Zesta]: Yeah... let's go.
Kuon looked at the place where Ratan had once stood.
He closed his eyes for a moment and then walked away.
Half of the capital had been wiped away.
The most frightening part was that if Ratan had amplified his Whirlpool with a buff, it could have evolved into a miniature black hole.
Mission?
The destruction of Ruin Society.
Army?
1,000,000 Bronze Guards.
1,000 Silver Guards.
3 Golden Guards.
2 Elite Guards who would join later.
*
Ruin Society,
Pratik was eating his lunch.
His shackles made eating a pain.
Just then, someone bumped into him and kept walking.
Pratik's food fell to the ground.
When he looked up, he saw a skinny man sprinting toward the sea.
Then the man jumped in.
Pratik immediately misunderstood the situation as life-threatening.
Pratik rushed after him and leapt into the sea.
[Pratik]: Life is important, sir. One shouldn't throw it into the sea just because life feels unfair or som—
A punch landed squarely on Pratik's face.
Ouch~
"Shut your trap! I was swimming!"
The skinny man shouted.
It was Gin.
Pratik (thinking): Whenever I try to do something good, the world answers with a giant "no."
Pratik stood up and smoothed his clothes.
[Pratik]: Who are you? I don't think I've seen you around here.
He asked with a straight face.
[Gin]: I should be the one asking that.
[Pratik]: I am Pratik, a prodigy. No need to bow. A handshake will do.
He said confidently.
Gin (thinking): This guy...
Wait.
Pratik?
The one Ratan mentioned?
The ally of that green-haired boy?
So Green Hair wasn't lying.
He mentioned Pratik as a trustworthy ally who could help evacuate people before the war began.
Looks like Ratan's cover was blown.
Gin visibly lowered his head.
A wave of sadness washed over him.
He realized Ratan would never live to see the end of Grandor's rule.
Pratik looked confused by Gin's expression.
[Pratik]: Are you feeling guilty for punching me?
The sentence instantly brought Gin back to reality.
With anger.
Gin (thinking): This kid somehow knows every possible way to get on my nerves.
[Pratik]: If you're feeling guilty about it, it can't be helped. I forgive your indecent beh—
Another punch.
Pratik flew straight into the ruined temple.
To be continued...
----
EXTRAS:-
HAIDORO RECOVERED.
After the battle against Crocus, it took Haidoro two full hours to recover.
Even then, a deep wound remained on his chest.
A wound he couldn't completely heal.
Crocus had left behind a note for him.
"Do not kill Pratik."
A simple and straightforward message.