Chương 509: Chapter 478: Close Call

Wait—teleportation circles? That wasn't good. Thalion had assumed it would take months for the Chosen to install them.

"Where does the teleportation circle lead? To the other Chosen… or to Eric's god?" Thalion asked. Both options were bad—but if it was the latter, he could forget about fighting any Chosen in the near future. Being personally trained by a god while receiving top-tier materials for body tempering wasn't something he could compete with anytime soon. It also meant the war was about to escalate, with each faction able to deploy their forces freely.

Another problem: even if he managed to find a teleportation circle to integrated space, holding it would be nearly impossible. You needed strength to defend such a place—and with so many enemies, trying would probably be suicide.

"They were about to activate the circle leading to the other Chosen camps. They could arrive at any moment, and Eric wants us to work together with the other groups. You know—the ones with Kael, Sylas, and Kai. No way that's happening. I'd rather leave the faction entirely," Josh complained loudly.

"What did Eric say about this? He can't be serious, right?" Evelyn hissed.

"For the survival of everyone in this base, we all have to do things we don't like," Jack repeated, sounding like a child quoting his mother.

"Did they say anything about teleportation to integrated space?" Thalion asked. That was the most important part. At the same time, he wasn't sure if he should push them like this. He had no idea where any of the teleportation circles were located. Still, he had placed a lot of hope in that strategy. The sooner the Chosen connected with their patrons, the more dangerous everything would become.

"Yes. In fact, Eric complained that things are different this era, and they've already started building the teleportation circle," Jack said with a frown.

"Why is that such a big deal? Wouldn't it be good if we got some support? Maybe it'll save us from working with those idiots."

"When Eric can construct a portal, the other Chosen can too. They'll visit their gods and get everything they need to crush everyone else. The war, which is going to break out anyway, will become far more dangerous," Thalion explained.

"And there's something else. I've heard there are teleportation circles hidden across this world that lead to trial grounds in integrated space. Holding one would let us travel freely—and earn a lot by sending others through. There should also be far more system events there, which would give you a big advantage. But right now… it's more of a long shot." Thalion felt a bit stupid saying it out loud. Had he forgotten that the Chosen would soon reach D-grade?

"Well, that at least sounds like fun. I hate this whole Chosen business—and the war. Also, I don't know if anyone told you, but we've got quite the competition going on with—" Josh started, but was cut off by a heavy knock on the wooden door.

"Eh… who could that be? The others aren't supposed to be back for a few more hours," Evelyn said, sounding uneasy.

"Nah, probably just some people trying to get close to us. HEY—WE'RE NOT INTERESTED, SO FUCK OFF!" Jack shouted down the hallway, using the same tone Kaldrek had earlier. Thalion activated his blood sight to check. There was a whole group standing outside the door. The chances they were friends were slim. This wasn't good. Had the teleportation circle already been activated?

"Do you have a place where I can hide?" Thalion whispered.

"There are at least two people out there who are really strong." The mood shifted instantly. There was only one exit—the hallway he had entered through. The problem was, if any of them had enhanced senses, they might already be able to locate him. Maybe he was overreacting—but better safe than sorry.

"You could use the closet," Lucan muttered, pointing to the right. Hearing him, Evelyn immediately healed him—and, just to be safe, Kargul as well, which led to more protests. Looking around, Thalion decided this was probably his best option. Another round of knocks made the door vibrate. He stood up and moved toward the closet. There were a few robes inside—which, in his opinion, was a weird place to store them. Who puts a closet full of clothes in a living room where everyone has access?

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Meanwhile, Jack huffed in annoyance and walked toward the entrance, with Josh right behind him. Another knock hit the door—this time far more forceful than before.

"What is it? We're already busy with important matters," Jack said in a dismissive tone as he opened the door. Thalion had no trouble listening in while watching everything through his blood sense.

"Jack, we talked about this two hours ago. Now let us in—we have important business to discuss," Eric said in an exhausted tone. Beside him stood Ethan, Kael, Sylas, Kai, and a few more rangers blessed by Aeta. The entire group looked like they were barely holding back their anger after being dismissed like that.

"Yeah, I know what you said—but in the name of everyone living under this roof, we'd rather leave this place than work with them. To be fair, I don't know all of you—but the fact that you're friendly with those three instead of hanging them is already enough for me," Jack shot back, nodding toward Ethan. That seemed to break the camel's back for one of Ethan's followers.

"How dare you speak to the honored Chosen of Aeta like that? I will personally teach you—""Bla, bla, bla. You're not nearly strong enough to do anything to me. So, since we've got important things to discuss, how about you all leave? It wasn't great seeing you again," Jack huffed. Several heads turned red, and auras began to rise.

"Please, everyone calm down. For God's sake, Jack, stop it. There's a war coming, and I just want you to talk with our alliance. You'll be working together in the future whether you like it or not. I won't risk everyone's lives just because we can't function as a team," Eric said, his voice growing louder with every sentence.

"I highly doubt the lives of everyone here depend on those three," Jack replied, gesturing toward Kael, Sylas, and Kai.

"This—after we saved your lives from endless torture? If it weren't for us, you'd still be enslaved by the blue robes. And how did you repay us? By betraying us and joining Thalion. You should be thanking us. Otherwise, pain would be the only thing you'd know—if you weren't already dead," Kael said, clearly trying to provoke him.

"Pah, please. Pain? I don't even know what that is. Yeah, we were brutally tortured—but that's nothing to us. The only thing that actually gets to me is when crabs get stuck in my tentacles," Jack replied with a snort.

"I… was the one who got tortured," Josh corrected him with a deadpan expression.

"Friend Josh, I think we already agreed that watching your best friend get tortured is even worse than experiencing it yourself. You're lucky they didn't make you watch while they cut off my toes and fingers," Jack argued.

"I didn't come here to listen to this nonsense," Ethan hissed, clearly annoyed.

"Come, Eric, let's go. Let them talk it out. We expect a positive outcome from these discussions. We're planning an attack on the elven Chosen near you as soon as we reach D-grade. By then, everyone needs to function as a unit." Eric clearly didn't believe anything productive would come from letting the two groups talk it out without the Chosen present.

"No. We're all going inside and settling this now. This won't take long. Also… am I smelling Evelyn's potato salad?"

"Eh… no, must be something else," Jack lied bluntly. Eric pushed past him and stepped inside, the others following close behind.

"Ha! I knew it," Eric said triumphantly, immediately sitting down in the spot Thalion had occupied before and starting to fill a plate. Kargul, Evelyn, and Lucan looked mostly shocked as the newcomers entered. Sylas casually bent down to grab one of the meat sticks—which resulted in Kargul slamming his leg against the table beside it while growling.

"Touch it and you die!"

"Now come on, Kargul. You'll have to fight together soon, so why not start by sharing some food?" Eric tried to calm the situation.

"I'd rather fight with them than share food," Kargul replied, pulling the plate of meat onto his lap for safety.

"God, you're all making this way too complicated. If we don't work together, this war will cost a lot more lives. Ethan, say something," Eric urged—only now noticing that the Chosen was busy with something else. Ethan's head snapped around like a hunting dog certain there was prey nearby.

"Ethan, what are you doing?" Eric asked skeptically, watching him bend slightly while scanning the room.

"There's a presence here… something familiar. I just can't place it. Were you the only ones here, or was there someone else?" Ethan asked, clearly on edge.

"If there was someone, we didn't notice," Lucan said in a deadpan voice. That didn't ease Ethan's suspicion. His gaze shifted to the table, and he picked up a plate—the one Thalion had used earlier.

"You all have plates—except the two who opened the door. I can tell they haven't been here long. So whose plate is this?" Ethan asked, his voice turning sharper.

"That's mine, you IDIOT!" Kaldrek blurted out. He was drunk again. After Evelyn had healed him, he'd managed to down quite a bit more alcohol before she noticed.

"What did you call me?" Ethan snapped, and multiple auras flared inside the room.

"Hey! Everyone calm down. Remember why you're here and what our goal is. We don't want—" Eric began, but Kaldrek cut him off.

"Interrupting my happy hour—that's what you're doing. Why don't you go somewhere else? No need for more talking. You already ruined it for me." Meanwhile, Jack had quietly moved into the line of sight of the closet without straying too far from the group. It took a moment for Ethan to rein in his anger. Then he slowly began searching the large living room again, step by step moving closer to the wardrobe. Jack stood in front of it, backing up slightly as Ethan approached.

"Eric… could you tell your Chosen buddy that this is making me uncomfortable?" Jack said as his heel bumped into the wardrobe behind him. Eric didn't get the chance to respond. Ethan shoved Jack aside, drew his weapon, and drove it straight through the wooden wardrobe door without even opening it.

"Hey! Get that sword away from my wardrobe! Do you have any idea how long it took me to build that thing?" Jack growled, releasing a telekinetic wave. Ethan reacted instantly, dodging to the side as the shockwave tore a massive hole into the wooden wall. Then Ethan shot forward and kicked Jack, sending him flying across the room into the opposite wall. Eric just stood there in shock, his mouth hanging open, while Kargul and the others jumped up to help their friend.

Ethan's group didn't hesitate either—they drew their weapons. Kargul threatened them with his half-eaten leg, Kaldrek held two empty beer bottles, and Lucan calmly pulled out a three-meter-long metal chainsaw from behind the couch, its blade lined with massive jagged teeth. Before things could escalate further, Ethan yanked open the wardrobe. It was empty. He stared at it for a moment, confused, then shut it again and left the room, telling Eric they would discuss this later.

"Well… that went way worse than I expected," Eric muttered once the visitors were gone, running a hand through his hair in a mix of stress and frustration.

"Don't worry—you never needed them anyway. Be happy you've got us… and this very good beer," Kaldrek said, sitting down beside him and handing over the second bottle he had been ready to fight with. Meanwhile, Jack—after making sure Eric wasn't looking—quietly opened every compartment of the wardrobe and checked inside. There was nothing.